The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-23 00:00:00

THE QUEEN OF 7HE BEES.

In every hive there are a queen, male bees or drones, and
workers, which are of no gender, or rather are undeveloped
females. The queen is considerably larger than the drone,
and the drone is about as much larger than the working bee.
There is never more than one queen in a hive, and if a
stranger queen should happen by accident, or in the indul-
gence of their curiosity, to enter a hive in which her au-
thority is not recognised, the bees who acts as guards at the
entrance instantly seize her, and though their respect for
royalty is too great to allow of their ill-treating her, they
crowd upon her so closely that she cannot escape, and they
do not release her until their own queen arrives to do battle
in defence of her lawful rights.
The conduct of the commonalty under such circum-
stances is exceedingly remarkable ; they could put the
intruder to death if they chose, without suffering their own
queen to run the risk of being killed, but they do not do
so ; they act strictly on the principle of fair-play ; at
the same time they will not allow the combatants to
separate until the victory is achieved by one o
them. The instant their queen makes her appearance
attended by a number of her subjects, those who hold the
stranger in custody draw back, and leave a clear space for
the encounter. If, as rarely happens, the two sovereigns
have no desire to fight, or if they try to run away, the,
workers seize them, and will on no account allow thorn to
indulge their cowardice ; they are never allowed to quit
the arena, nor to cease fighting until one is killed.
Huber relates several experiments made by him 'with the
view of ascertaining if this conduct of the tees were inva-
riable, and he found that it was ; whether the comb.ttants
were two queens, both engaged to laying eggs, or a fertile
queen and a virgin queen, or two virgin queens. A very
singular circumstance in connexion with these encounters is,
that both manifest the greatest horror of using their stings
whenever in the course of the fight they find themselves in a
position to kill each other. In such cases they separate, an d
show now desire to renew the fight ; but the spectators lay
hold of them, and draw them backinto the cleared space, and
compel them to face each other again. It is not often, how-
ever, that the queen of the hive requires any compulsion to
fight. Her jealousy of a rival is of the most intense character;
and if two emerge from their cells at the same moment, their
first act is to rush at each other and settle by a single
combat which is to rule ; they will no more consent to a
divided jurisdiction than the workers themselves would
permit it. In this respect the example of the competi-
tors for the throne might be imitated with advantage
to humanity by human competitors ; they do not suffer
or invite their future subjects to engage in a civil war
in support of their respective claims, but decide the ques-
tion by the simple process of fighting it out in their own
persons.

There are occasions, however, when the jealousy of the
queen has to be restrained in the interest of the commu-
nity ; this is especially the case when a portion of the hive
is about to quit it for a separate habitation in consequence
of the increase of their numbers. The emigrants on thee
occasions are led by the old queen, and a new queen is libe-
rated to take her place in the hive as soon as she departs.
But if at the moment the colony is about to emerge the
weather becomes overcast, and rain either falls or threatens
to fall, the emigration will be delayed, and the constant
watchfulness of the guard appointed to protect the young
queen is necessary to prevent her mother from putting her
to death, and from tearing open the cells containing the
royal brood, and killing the occupants. The guards do not
treat her with disrespect or unkindness, but they are firm.
It is said that she sometimes paralyses their movements by
emitting a low humming sound, precisely as if she were
addressing them, and then tries to take advantage of the
effect she produces to renew her attempt ; but the
instant she becomes silent they awake to the sense cf
their duty, if indeed they have ever forgotten it in listen-
ing to her.—Once a Week.

FOREIGNERS' ADMIRATION FOR CLEANLINESS.—
"I shall never forget a story told me once of an English
tourist pedestrianising in Sardinia, who, halting one sun-
down at a very primitive village inn, though ho might
make himself somewhat tidier and more comfortable by a
good wash. So, procuring a tub and some hot water, he
proceeded as a preliminary measure to wash his feet. It is
presumable that the people of the inn had never before seen
an Englishman, if, indeed, anybody, taking a foot-bath ; at
all events, heads were popped in at the door; curious eyes
peeped through the windows; shrill exclamations, seem-
ingly feminine, of 'Santa Maria purissinta ." were heard.
The thing got noised abroad. It was spoken of at the
fountain. The brigadier of gendarmerie twirled his Labll-
stachios, and determined to ask the Forestiero for his pass-
port so soon as his feet were dry. But the population were
pleased. Merry groups saluted the Englishman as, washed
and combed, he came from his toilette. A song in honour
of him was improvised. It was a most glorious sunset.
Suddenly there was a cry of ' Unafesta! una testa Never
was a festival sooner gotten up. 'rabies and benches were
heaped in a corner, and the population began to dance.
I believe they kissed the Englishman, and that he
stood' penn'orths of wine all round. They brought
out the oldest man in the village, set him in an arm-chair,
and crowned him with flowers. The cure came out of his'
house and blessed them. Somebody bought a squib and
let it off. It was fairy land. It was patriarchal. The
golden age had come again."—Sakes Last Book.
THE FORTHCOMING HORSE SHOW.— Yesterday
the arrangements for the forthcoming horse show at the
Agricultural Hall, Islington, were finally completed fur
the reception of the animals to compete for prizes, and who
will all have to be in their places to-morrow. The
judging will take place on 'Saturday, on which day the
show opens. The show is divided into 17 classes, and
will contain some of the finest thoroughbred hunters
which the kingdom can produce. The entries for the
leaping prizes, which are to be competed for on the York-
shire principle, as well as for the trotting prizes, are ex-
ceedingly numerous. The extra prize—the Agricultural
Hall gold medal, presented by Mr. Henry Dodd, one of
the directors, for the best cob not exceeding seven years
old, and up to 16 stone—has produced a host of competi-
tors.
A DREADFUL BORE.—A modern Magliabechi
has turned up in St. George's Blind School, Southwark.
A young man there repeats from memory the whole
of " Paradise Lost," with the marginal notes and
biographical preface, the 150 Psalms, and Gold-
smith's "Deserted -Village," to say nothing of such trifles
as three or four hymnals, and a considerable amount- of
modern poetry.---)South LQiedai Fres& _ --- • •

"The Old Tory" will be steered by BEN CHANCELLOR,
and if he fails in landing the prize it will not be from want
of jockeyship. The horse was originally not one of the
best bred, but perhaps the soundest on the English Turf.
He is now rather a sad spectacle. His forelegs—that
splendid • inheritance of his dam " Honesty"—are grown
crooked, and the back sinews weakened from running him
on ground to which he was not accustomed; while it is
evident that his constitution has become permanently in-
jured. The secret is this: BEN CHANCELLOR has during
his public career determined to win this great race. He
trained the good horse " Old Tory" with this view—not
oaring what became of him afterwards. It will doubtless
be his last appearance ; but, unless the horse's hind quar-
ters become paralysed before the day of the race, we can
have no doubt that a combination of the highest talent in
his preparation, with the unequalled jockeyship of his
rider, will result in landing

TILE OLD Tony"
the winner of the Great Reform Race of 1867.

THE POISONING CASES IN DERIITSUIRE.—Yes-
terday the inquiry into the death of the second child,
Martha Tomlinson, aged two-and-a-half year; the
daughter of Joseph Tomlinson, a respectable farmer at
Shit-Iliad, was resumed at the George Inn, Alfreton, before
th 6 Coroner. It was proved that the girl Wheeldon
fetched deceased downstairs early on the morning before
her death, which she had not done before. Shortly after-
wards deceased wont upstairs to her mother, and com-

menced vomiting, and she continued to do so until her

death. It will be remembered that the jury have already
found a verdict of "Wilful murder" against Elizabeth
Wheeldon, in the case of the infant, Joseph Wheeldon.
Professor Taylor proved finding large quantities of arsenic
in each stomach. After a brief interval the jury returned
a verdict of "Wilful murder" against Elizabeth Wheeldon
in this case also. The prisoner will be brought before the
Alfreton magistrates as soon as arrangements can be made
for the attendance of Professor Taylor.
THE NORTH-EASTERN ENGINE-DRIVERS.—The
six drivers belonging to the Leeds section of the
North-Eastern system who some time ago were convicted
of leaving work without due notice, yesterday appeared
before the magistrates in that town to receive judgment.
Mr. Ferns, solicitor, on behalf of the prosecutors, said the
defendants had expressed to the directors the utmost regret
at what they had done, and they only pleaded that they
had been unwittingly led into it. Already they had been
seriously punished in their domestic circumstances, and
the directors did toot wish the rigour of the law to be
applied to them. The majority of those who had
been on strike, Mr. Fearns said, had been in the employ of
the company nearly 20 years, during which period they
had been promoted from the lowest to the highest positions
in their departments. The places they had occupied had
necessarily been filled up, and it was doubtful if ever they
could be reinstated in their former positions. Mr. Ferns
added that of the whole number of men (1,500 and up-
wards) who struck, only 25 had again been taken into the
company's service. Mr. Lupton (presiding magistrate) said
the defendants had been victimised and led astray by
wicked and designing men; therefore a merciful view would
be taken of their case, and, instead of sending them to
prison, they ordered them to be discharged on forfeiting
certain wages.
MACKEREL—The catches of mackerel on the
Cornish coast in the week ended on Tuesday were even
larger than during the previous week. The fleet of boats,
both on the north and south coasts of Cornwall, has been
considerably increased by arrivals of east country boats ;
still, the fish has been so plentiful that nearly all the crows
have been most handsomely remunerated for their labour.
The catcLes of the St. Ives boats averaged from 3,000 to
7,000 fish per boat nearly every morning during the week,
while the catches of the Mount's Bay fleet, which ran out
as far as Scilly, were, if anything, moreabundant. Prices
varied considerably—from Ba. to 365. 6d. pei six score, ac-
cording to size and quality. At these prices upwards of
450 tons were despatched by rail to London and other
large consuming markets. Locally, good fish were retailed
at 12 and 16 for a shilling.

TEMPORARY COMMISSIONS.—The BUM required to
defray the salaries and incidentakexpenses of temporary
commissions amounts to £31,000, and is included in Class 7
of the Civil Service Estimates. This sum is thias distri-
buted: —For the West India Incumbered Estates, £1,675; for
schools inquiry, £2,000 ; for rivers, £7,765 ; for courts of
justice, £1,200 ; for marriage laws £9OO ; for railway in-
quiry, £375 ; for oaths inquiry, £500; and for coalinquiry,
£lO,OOO. There are also sums of £3,000 for Scotch educa-
tion ; £l,OOO for water supply; and £5OO each for law
digest, neutrality laws, and trades' unions ; as well as
£1,085 for prospective commissions. The total estimate is
less by £16,500, than that of the previous year.
THE FORTHCOMING TRINITY TERM.—Yesterday
the lists of arrears in the common law courts for the
ensuing term, commencing on Monday, were published,
and from the numbers some idea may be formed whether
additional judges are required or not. In the Queen's
Bench the number of new trials standing for argu-
ment is 69, and in the special paper there are two
rules for judgment and 83 for argument; and of en-
larged rules, for the first day the number is four. In the
Common Pleas there are 33 rules for new trials, 16 en-
larged rules, eight matters for judgment, two postponed
motions, and 53 cases in the special paper. In the Ex-
chequer there are six rules in the peremptory paper, and
in the special paper two for judgment and 23 for argument.
In the new trial list one rule stands for judgment and 32
for argument. In the three common law courts the ar-
rears number 334, in the Queen's Bench 158, Common
Pleas 112, and Exchequer 64.
A meeting of peers and members of the House of
Commons was held on Tuesday in the " Tea-room," to con-
sider the report of the Royal Commissioners on Railways,
which has been recently presented to Parliament, and to
determine what course should be adopted as regards the
Irish railways. The following resolution was unanimously
adopted :—" That this meeting
is of opinion that an ap-
plication be made to the Government by the Irish peers
and *embers of Parliament in favour of the purchase of
the Mali railways by the State." It was arranged. that
the views of the meeting-should be placed before Lord
Dorby by moans of a deputation.
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