The Sun.
London, England, 1865-11-03 00:00:00

THAMES.

DESERTING A WIFE AND FAMILY.—James C. Wilson,
man who formerly held a good position in the parish of All
Saints, Poplar, was brought up on a warrant before Mr,
Partridge charged with deserting his wife and children
and leaving them chargeable to the parish of Bromley St.
Leonard, Poplar Union.
The prisoner, who is married to a lady of high respecta-
bility, the daughter of a wealthy and retired tradesman,
was convicted some time ago for assaulting his wife and
sent to prison. Mr. Spratly, relieving-officer of Bromley,
said the prisoner had since his release from gaol refused to
maintain hie wife and Ho had an interview with
the prisoner, who said that he could not maintain his wife
and family for ss. per day, which was all he earned. The
prisoner had an interview with the Board of Guardians on
the following day, and they endeavoured to persuade him
to make an arrangement. The prisoner most positively
refused to come to any arrangement whatever. The parish
had allowed Mrs. Wilson and her family 7s. 10d. per week
for the last four months.

Mr. Partridge—How can five persons live upon that sum ?
Mr. Spratley;—The wife has some other resources.
Mr. John James Pritchard, a gentleman residing in
Pritchard-street, Stainsby-road, was present at the mar-
riage of his sister to the prisoner on the 29th April, 1851.
The prisoner could maintian his wife and family but he
squandered his earnings in drink.
Ultimately an arrangement was come to, whereby the
defendant agreed to allow his wife 10s. per week.

THE FARMER'S ALMANAC.—" The Farmer's Alma-
nac and Calendar for 1866" has just been published,
and, like all its predecessors, it is full of valuable
information, both practical and statistical. The
agricultural notes are clearly and concisely written,
and many are the novel and serviceable hints con-
tained therein. The Almanac treats on nearly 200
different subjects, all of which will be found of in-
terest to the agricultural population of the United
Kingdom.
M. GOURLAY'S ENTERTAINMENT.--The last
representation of Mr. and Mrs. Gourlay's entertainment in
London is fixed for Monday evening next, on which occa-
sion Lord Elcho and the officers and members of the
London Scottish Volunteers will attend. A variety of
extra attractions will be presented, and thus the season of
theso clever entertainers will be brought to a successful
termination.

coverings,
embroidered chairs
A CHINESE STATE DlNNER.—Colfax's tourist party
Tbedntern repdro withper
were entertained at dinner while at San Francisco
by the six companies of Chinese and the merchants'
committee.
and
h gold,tables waenrde
thehungdinner
with
scarlet
tahles ai
cf or ensshi s te
flowers if3n36r e gd
sl
ha re
sCOriental
gs t y 1 l3eo.
Courses, and divided comprised threedistinct sittings. At
the first sitting the courses consisted of soups and almost
numberless "made dishes," into the composition of which
entered fish, flesh, fowl, and vegetable substances in a
thousand forms undreamt of to French cooks and Caucas-
sian housewives genes ally. The famous " bird-nest soup,"
which was pronounced delicious by all who partook of it
and a vast number of sweetmeats and preserves of different
fruits were included in these courses. No knives, forks, or
spoons of our patterns were upon the tables at the first two
sittings, chop sticks and the short thick China spoons or
scoops being what each guest was expected to help himself
with. The efforts of the uninitiated guests to master the
chop-sticks and convey the food to their mouths with them
created a vast amount of amusement to the company, and
sometimes not a little mortification to the most awkward of
the party. Some of the guests soon got "the hang of the
things," while others, after repeated failures, gave up the
attempt, and contented themselves with spearing the mor-
sels of food with a single stick, as an Esquimaux would
harpoon a walrus, or a schoolboy impale an unlucky blue-
bottle on a pin. Champagne, claret, and the finer qualities
of Chinese rose-coloured wines were served in profusion
with every course. At the last sitting fruit only was
served, all the varieties in the market being included
in the list. At the end of each sitting the tables were
entirely cleared, and the company adjourned to the recep-
tion room to smoke and pass away the time until the next
was announced. At the end of the first sitting the six pre-
sidents paid their formal compliments to Colfax and party,
thanking them for their attendance, in oriental style,
through their interpreter, and receiving the thanks of their
guests in return, and then took their leave according to the
"statutes in such cases made and provided," and every-
where recognised as rules of action by the Chinese. A
Chinese band was now introduced, and the guests were
amused and interested by their peculiar performance, until
the tables wore ready for the second sitting. During the
second sitting a deputation of the merchants approached
Colfax and Governor Bross, and presented their compli-
ments, welcoming them to the feast, and expressing their
appreciation of the honour done them by their presence.
lied in short speeches, which wore trans-
The gentlemen rep
then r 1
lated by the interpreter, and the merchants
t.
ire(
At the end of this sitting the company were entertained in
the reception room with a Chinese historical recitative song,
accompanied
by the music of a full baud ; and six visiting
cards conveying the compliments of the six companies were
presented to Colfax "for his high consideration." At the
end of the third and last sitting- a committee of the com-
panies again approached Colfax and party, andrepeating the
thanks for the honour of their country, expressed their re-
gret at not being able to furnish a more sumptuous repast.
Colfax returned thanks for the honour done himself and
friends, and said be was unable to conceive of a possibility
of a more sumptuous repast being provided. A general
skaking of hands and exchange of compliments followed,
and the company separated at 12 o'clock, the dinner having
occupied a few minutes less than six hours.—Alba California.