The Sun.
London, England, 1869-12-24 00:00:00

LORD NAPIER AT BIRMINGHAM.

Birmingham has been doing honour to Lord Napier of
Magdala, who has just paid a visit to the town for the
purpose of presenting the annual prizes to the Volunteers.
The conqueror of Theodore was received at the station by
the Mayor•and Town Councillors and other officials, andthe
Volunteer officers. Great crowds lined the streets andgave
Lord Napier and his son, Captain Napier, a hearty wel-
come. In the afternoon of his arrival a complimentary
address was presented to him by the corporation. Lord
Napier, in reply, expressed his gratification at their
approval. Speaking of the expedition to Abyssinia,
he said they had endeavoured to do their work
honestly, and regretted very much that the expense
should have been more than was expected. He appealed
however to their experience as practical workmen to en-
dorse his remark that a tough job required plenty of tools,
with plenty of plant, and everything was supplied them
which they required for success. In conclusion he expressed
his con' iction that Birmingham would remain the first work-
shop in the world. In the evening the distinguishedguest was
entertained at a grand banquet, at which Lieutenant-
Colonel Ratcliff presided, and the Earl of Dartmouth, Lord
Lyttelton, Messrs. Newdegate, M.P., P. Muntz, M.P., and
Dixon, M.P., were present. In returning thanks for his
health, Lord Napier referred to the wonderful activity of
Birmingham, "where the sound of the hammer never
ceases by day, and the glow of furnaces is never lost
sight of by night," and expressed his gratification at seeing
in the midst of it, free parks and free libraries. The dis-
tribution of the prizes took place in the Town Hall, which
was crowded by a brilliant assembly. Lord Napier
was received with enthusiasm. After the prizes
had been delivered, Mr. Muntz, M.P., made a
short address, and said that the volunteer move-
ment was commenced some ten years ago, and had
worked very satisfactorily ; but it would not go on long
unless it were better supported—supported not only by
the moral and physical strength of the nation, but by the
pecuniary aid of the Government. After addresses from Sir
Charles Adderley, M.P., Mr. Newdegate, M.P., and Lord
Napier himself, the meeting separated.

The Delhi Gazette records a marriage between an
Englishman and an Indian lady. A grandson of the
famous Colonel Skinner, of Delhi, has been married to a
daughter of the Prime Minister of the Rajah of Bhurt-
pore, at Meerut. The bride and bridegroom wore Euro-
pean costume, both having had an English education. The
bride is described as "a plump, pleasant-looking girl under
20, and splendidly got up by the milliner," The event
has created rather a sensation.
THE ALMOND TREE.—The almond tree is a native
of the Levant, and is extensively grown in Provence.
There are two principal kinds of it ; the one produces the
bitter, and the other the sweet fruit. Both the latter will
yield the medicinal oil equally ; but the former only will,
by distillation, give laurel water. There should not be
more than eighty of these trees planted per hectare ; each
will produce six kilogrammes of what the French call
amandes princesses, a hectolitre of which weighs about fifty
kilogrammes. The almonds are gathered about the begin_
ning of September, when the outer dupraceous envelope
opens of itself; this is good food for cattle. Of the above-
mentioned quality, Provence exports 20,000 bales of 120
kilogrammes each, value 160 to 170 f. per 100 kilogrammes ;
but in 1866 the crop was so small that the price rose to
340 f. The kind called amandes ala dame are cheaper, and
cost only from 75 to 80f. with the outer shell on, and
about 130 f. without. The Bouches-du-Rhone exports
12,000 bales; the Hautes and Buns, Alpes, 18,000 • Vau-
elupAQAo-i-anit* YUMA Ulo-rktbaki 090