The Sun.
London, England, 1868-03-05 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, AIARCH 5, 1868

is taken up, pr_lople do not readily let it go, and the
needle-gm for a time made the Prussian army very
unnecessary heroes. It is to be hoped, for the sake
()f bumar City and the interests of Europe generally,
that no great war will take place for some time to
come ; but, should it do so, there is every reason to
believe that the Prussians will rue the day when
they p rovoked the French, and set the opinion of
all fret) countries at defiance. France has got a
two years' start of the other nations in this impor-
tant matter of armaments, and therefore the feli-
citations of the Marshal are not out of
place so much as may be imagined by
some sceptics on the point. It may be that this
decided step which France has taken may in reality
be the harbinger of peace, for Count BISMARCK is
very sharp, and has sufficient knowledge of military
matters to appreciate the importance of looking be-
fore lie leaps. At any rate we think that the
French Government has acted well and wisely in
thus devoting itself to the task of reconstructing
the army ; and, in so doing, is has earned the thanks
of the community, notwithstanding the complaints
which some have made about the details of the bill.
It would never have done for the French to go on
as they have for the last year or two, submitting to
insults, and seeing the course of European policy
take a very different direction from that which they
desired ; while on all sides the cry was raised that
they could not compete with the Germans, so they
must submit to the affront, be it what it may, that
each fresh development of the BISMARCK policy
brought upon them. The Moniteur, in its bulletin
of last evening, alludes to the retirement of the Earl
of DERBY, and states that there have been few
statesmen who have so much deserved the respect
of their fellow-countrymen or the popularity they re-
ceived than the noble earl has done, both on
account of his high character and his consider-
able talents. The same journal likewise records
the elevation of Mr. DISRAELI, and says that
he has been favourably received, and that on
all sides there is a desire to do justice to one
who has had to overcome so many difficulties in
order to reach his present position. This is inte-
resting, and shows that our French neighbours are
on the alert in respect to our political affairs, which
they seem very fully to appreciate.

Yesterday the annual meeting of the Association
of Chambers of Commerce was held at the West-
minster Palace, and many interesting and important
topics were brought under discussion. The Asso-
ciation is a valuable one, inasmuch as it collects
the information of the several Chambers, and repre-
sents, in a higher and more varied degree than any
isolated assembly could do, the wants and opinions
of the commercial classes of the community. The
number of Chambers who form the Association
increases every year, and as it thus extends its
influence and increases its strength it will be
able to operate more decidedly in favour of
those legislative measures which every Govern-
ment is apt to delay and disregard unless
vigorously pressed forward by the classes whom
they concern. The number of Chambers constitut-
ing the association has now risen to 36, Northamp-
ton, Rochdale, and Stockton-on-Tees having be-
come members during the past twelvemonth. Bank-
ruptcy Reform, on the motion of the Birmingham
Chamber, was yesterday the subject of a resolution,
which recommended that the provisions of the
Scotch bankruptcy law should be as closely as pos-
sible followed in the English. The resolution fur-
ther declared "that a thorough reform of the Eng
lish law is urgently needed," a fact which few will
dispute. A resolution resolving to memorialise the
Government iu favour of adopting the decimal
system of weights and measures was also adopted
after a brief discussion. Another very important
social topic came under consideration, the system
of voluntary arbitration between employers and
employed. Mr. AIUNDELLA, of Nottingham, justly
observed that its introduction could do no harm,
while it might produce much good. The first time
it was acknowledged, he said, that masters and
men had rights in common, and sat down at a com-
mon table to discuss those rights, a valuable result
would be achieved. We are glad to see the associa-
tion discussing practical matters in so sensible and
practical a spirit.

Whatever other doubts we may feel about this or
that question coming on, there seems little cause
to feel uncertainty about " education" being pro-
minently .put forward this Session ; and all that
relates to it immediately or remotely, directly or
indirectly, is most likely to attract attention and
engage interest. Yesterday afternoon a meeting
took place at the Mansion-house for the purpose of
promoting middle-class education, and the Lord
MAYOR occupied the chair. The meeting was well
attended, and a great deal of interest was attached
to the proceedings. His lordship's remarks
were most encouraging, for he said that he
had lately paid a visit to the school established by
the council of this corporation in Finsbury, and was
much pleased with its results. He saw seven hun-
dred boys, and the intelligence of the pupils and
the earnestness of the masters alike afforded satis-
faction. At comparatively little expense the sons
of ordinary tradesmen are thus enabled to receive
an education little inferior to that which the sons of
gentlemen can obtain on payment of a hundred
pounds a year, or more as the case may be. The
Bishop of LONDON moved the adoption of the
report, and delivered an interesting speech. He
said most truly that we had arrived at a kind of
crisis in this matter of education. As for the " re-
ligious difficulty," as it is called, the Bishop ob-
served, with great justice, that though it may be
awkward to give the solution of it in precise terms,
still it would not be found impossible to get over it
when people set to work practically to settle the
matter. The Legislature has done its part
by passing the Endowed Schools Bill, which
permits the children of parents who differ
from the Established Church to receive an
education without having violence done to their
consciences by being taught the principles of a re-
ligion they do not conform to. Mr. BARING ex-
pressed the greatest confidence in the manner in
which the school bad been conducted. Mr.
GOSCIIEN, in seconding the resolution to the effect
that the Report be circulated among the great City
corporations, the trustees of charities, companies,
and firms, with an " earnest appeal for assistance
and co-operation," put the claims of the un-
dertaking very strongly before the meet-
ing. At present it is found to be im-
possible to satisfy the demand for admittance into
the institution, which is the surest test of its suc-
cess and the best promise of its future development.
It is worthy of notice that the middle-class schools
do not depend upon endowment, but trust to the sup-
port_and.syropathy of the public. Surely, then, there
are irresistible arguments to be urged on their be-
half, and a higher object can hardly be put before
those who have means at their disposal than to train
the young in the ways of learning and the paths of
rectitude. Education is the best gift that can be
bestowed upon the youth of the nation, and the
only way to insure their advance in after life is to
make them turn to account the golden moments
of their early days. It is to be hoped, then, that
an answer will be made to this appeal which will

correspond to its importance, and be in accordance
with the character and responsibilities of those to
whom it is made so efficiently and earnestly.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.

WASHINGTON, March 4.

The House of Representatives had adopted addi-
tional impeachment articles, charging President
Johnson with high crime in having denounced and
denied in public speeches the legality of the action
of Congress.

A committee of the house of Representatives
presented the articles of impeachment to the Senate
to-day.

CIIINA AND JAPAN.

HONG KONG, Feb. 12.

Intelligence received here from Japan announces
that the conflict between the Confederate Daimois,
Stotsbashi, and the Shiogoon, continued. Further
fighting had taken place.
The foreign Ministers had left Osaka. Admiral
Keppel has arrived at Hong Kong on board H.M.S.
Rodney.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steam-
ship Nyphon has been lost, together with her cargo.

BOMBAY MAIL.

MALTA, March 4.
The'Delta leaves at 7 p.m. for Marseilles, where
she may be expected on the 7th inst.
The Ceylon left at 3 p.m. to-day for Southamp-
ton, where she may be expected about the 13th
instant.

The Rangoon brought the mail to Suez, arriving
there on the 28th February at 8 p.m. Outward
mail of 12.18 February.

SuEz, Feb. 28.
The Carnatic left for Bombay yesterday at
7 pan.

BOMBAY, Feb. 14 (via Malta).

The Bheels have risen at Punch, on the frontiers
of Cashmere. A force has been despatched against

the insurgents.
Fears are entertained of distress in Madras. The
cattle disease is prevalent.

FRANCE.
BOURSE, March 4.—Three o'clock.—The market
closed as follows :

4 per Cent.
Eud of month —
3 por Cent
End of month 6B 6.5
Credit Mobilier
End of month 226 25
Credit Poucier 1442 50
End of month 1383 75
RAMIVA

Bank Shares BO2O
lit.l'an Loan
End of month 43 40
Mexican Loan
Do. Bonds
Spanish Threes
Rome Debt —
Deferred

Account
Orleans ... 892 i
Northern
Lyons and Mediterranean
Southern..... 552}
Western
Eastern • •

Sardinian • •
391
Austrian 560
Lombard 3761
north of Spain B2,f
Saragossa
Roman 4si

REPRESENTATION OF ARGYLLSLIIIRE—At Inverary
on Tuesday, the Marquis of Lorne was elected M.P. for
Argyllshire. Mr. Finlay, the late member, proposed him
as a fit person to represent the county iu Parliament.
FATAL GUN ACCIDENT.—On Tuesday morning
John Morton, aged nine years, accidentally shot Elizabeth
Tildes, aged fourteen years, daughter of Joseph Elides, a
shoemaker, residing in Pendlobury. The boy and gir
were both employed at Pendlobury Mills, where Morton's
father keeps the lodge. When the mill stopped for break-
fast the girl Fildes went into the lodge house of the mill.
There was no ono there but young Morton. A fowling
piece was reared up in one corner, and the lad got hold of
it to examine it, when it went off. It was loaded with
shot only, but unfortunately the ramroad was in the gun,
and this caught the girl in the fore part of the head and
killed her instantly.
DEATH OF CHIMNEY SWEEP.—Lord Coventry has
met with a most serious loss in the death of his celebrated
steeplechaser Chimney Swoop. Tho horse had reached
the lane leading to the bridge, some 300 yards from the
start, and before arriving at the first fence, when crossing
the road, ho most unaccountably stumbled, fell and broke
his leg. Lord Coventry, on learning the extent of the dis-
aster, immediately ordered the horse to be shot, which was
done on the spot. J. Adams, who rode him, escapedlun-
hurt. Chimney Sweep was bred by Lord Coventry in 1862,
and was by Ethelbert out of Smut, by Womersley out of a
Hampton mare. He was but a moderate performer on the
fiat, and owes his celebrity to his clover performances
across country, having last year won the Great Midland
Steeplechase at Derby Spring, the Leamington Grand
Annual, and the Metropolitan at Croydon. Where ho
would have finished in the Grand National at Liverpool
yesterday it is now needless to inquire. Suffice it to say,
that his noble owner met with the greatest sympathy from
all present, the occurrence damping even the congratula-
tions which fell to Lord Poulett on his success with The
Lamb.

THE BANKRUPTCY OF MR. B. HuTcHisoN.—
The affairs of Mr. Robert Hutchison, an ex-Mayor of
Liverpool, and late managing director of the Royal Bank,
came before the Liverpool Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday.
His liabilities wore stated to amount to £205,000. Debts
were proved to the amount of £00,139, the principal being
those of Mr. E. Molyneux for £31,040, and of the Messrs.
Molyneux, Taylor, and Co., for .£24,181. Messrs. H. Royds,
general broker, and R. Roberts, tea ruercnants, were ap-
pointed assignees, and Mr. H. W. Banner accountant to
the estate. The 20th inst. was fixed for the sitting for last
examination and discharge. The court allowed the bank-
rupt £4 a week in the meantime.

THE BENEFIT NIGHT OF A FRENCH ACTRESS.—
We are at the Theatre St. Michel, the asylum of French
plays. The charming house is full, though not "to suffoca-
tion," and dazzling withal. In the Imperial box, and level
with the stage, are the Tsar and the Tsarina, the Ctesare-
witch and the Ceesarerna, the Grand Dukes Vladimir and
Alexis Alexandrovitch, the Grand Duke and Grand
Duchess Constantine. In the Imperial box at the bel
jive, as they say at St. Petersburg, are the Drand Duchess
Alexandra Petrovna, the Prince Nicholas of Leuchtenberg,
the Prince Alexander of Oldenburg with his young wife,
the Princess Eugenio de Leuchtenberg, and the Prince
George of Oldenburg. In the Inx opposite the ono occu-
pied by their Majesties are the Grand Duchess Katherine
Mikhailovna and the Grand Duke George of Mecklen-
burg-Strelitz. Let us omit the ladies and gentlemen in
attendance. What was then going on in the French
theatre of the modern Palmyra ? Simply the benefit
night of a French actress. " Very pretty, very clever,
and blooming with youth ?" ask you. Calm yourself.
Though still charming, though now full of pathos, then of
wit—she is past fifty ? No doubt many of my readers re-
collect the ravishing actress who, under the name of Leon-
tine Fay, caused the whole of Paris to rush to the Theatre
of the Gymnase some thirty years ago, and who shone so
brilliantly at the Theatre Francais as Madame Volnys.
For a long time this same Madame Volnys has delighted
the Russian high life, so fond of French plays, and, from
the Emperor and Empress down to the Russian actors,
every ono attended her farewell night to pay her a last
but lasting tribute of admiration. When Madame Volnys
appeared on the stage in the Par Droit de Conquite she
was literally smothered by an avalanche of bouquets and
,wreaths. She was acclaimed at every act, and it was
nearly midnight when the curtain dropped on the Petits
Fiches de Growl 21faman. No one had departed. Then
a ladder was placed from the orchestra on the stage ; then,
amicht frantic applause, the curtain rose again. All the
actors of the French theatre were assembled on the stage,
where they formed a semi-circle. The two senior players,
Vernet and Pechowa, led Madame Volnys to the centre of
the circle. A big drum was hoisted on the ladder from
the orchestra to the stage. Ono of the skins was re-
moved, and there glittered a magnificent silver service,
presented to her by her numerous admirers. The sight
was followed by a thunder of plaudits. A girl approaches
the heroine of that moving manifestation boarimg upon
a velvet cushion a splendid bracelet offered to hor by the
French actors. Deafening salvos of "Brava ! Bravissirna!"
Then two Russian players, Bourdina and Karatyginne,
hand to Leontino Volnys an album containing a farewell
compliment signed by all the Russian actors of the
capital. Then Frau Raabe presents to hor a casket con-
taining the homage of the German company, for at St.
Petersburg, the cosmopolitan capital by excellence, there
is also a Germ-an theatre. The plaudits attain the propor-

tion of a tempest. Then, to crown all, the benPficiare is
called iuto the box of their Majesties, who graciously hand
her a superb bracelet enriched with precious stones. Egad!
very few comedians have been paid such au ovation, and
the last appearance of ',Confine on the stage has been to
her a truo jour de bonheur.

We understand that the exquisite Cabinet, from
the Paris Exhibition, manufactured by Messrs. Wright
and Mansfield, of Groat Portland-stroot, London, and
wh.ch was awarded a gold medal, has just been purchased
by the authorities of the South Kensington 31useura.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

CFROU OUR OW$ COR.RESPONDENT:i
PARIS, WEDNESDAY, march 4.
' We are all singing, " Come, lovely Peace, with plenty
crowned." There is to be no more war. Baron de Bud-
berg at Paris has said it ; Prince Napoleon is repeating it
at Berlin. It is quite true that we are still pushing on our
armaments as fast as possible, and that Marshal Niel has
been congratulating the Corps Ldgislatif on the fact that
France possesses the best gun in the world, and that she
has a two-years' start of all other nations. But this,
of course, is done only to encourage trade—the gun trade.
Seriously, however, the prospect is particularly peaceful
just now, and there is good reason why it should be so.
The Emperor is really uneasy at the position of affairs
here. All his thoughts are now directed to domestic
policy. The discontent is so great and general, the agita-
tion in favour of free speech and a free press so strong,
that he is compelled to consider if he must not take some
important step, either in the form of suppression or in
that of concession. There are many rumours afloat as to
his intentions, none of which I undertake to guarantee.
It is said, for instance, that there is in the press a procla-
mation from the Emperor to the nation, and that he will
appeal at the same time to a plebiscite in order to
strengthen his position. Another rumour is, that he will
dissolve une Chambers as soon as the Press Bill is disposed
of. The more hopeful gossips believe that he will shortly
announce a new and liberal programme, and that he will
establish responsible ministerial government. But it is
absurd to prophesy what the Emperor will do. He does
not himself know ; his purposes change from day to day.
Though it is now admitted that Prince Napoleon has no
official mission, it is believed that he will informally
urge upon the German statesmen whom he visits the
desire of France for peace.

I hope your readers are not yet weary of the Icerv6guen
episode. There is a new complication. The proprietor of
the Pays having been called upon to make good his charge
of corruption against the Paris journals by publishing his
proofs, the executors of M. La Varenne, whose papers are
said to contain the proofs, have interposed and forbidden
the publication of them. In the meanwhile copies have
passed into the hands of a third party, and the Situation
has given extracts from them. If these are genuine
it must he confessed that they bear an unfavourable
aspect. For instance, a letter from Rattazzi to M. La
Varenne, in 1865, is described as referring to the " impul-
sion" which it was necessary to give to certain journals with
respect to Italian affairs. There are two receipts given by
M. La Varenne for a certain number of francs paid to
meet the requirements of a certain journal. The name
appears in the original. Then follow seven letters refer-
ring to the relations between the Italian Government and
the Paris press. In one of these letters, dated as long ago
as 1861, Rattazzi told M. La Varenne he was on the
point of quitting office, and that he had made use of his
last days in order to get the Orders of St. Maurice and St.
Lazarus granted to persons in whose behalf La Varenne
had applied. It is to be hoped that the matter will not
end here. Names ought to be given. It is not fair that
the whole press of Paris should be under suspicion.
The Emperor has determined to publish at the cost of
the Imperial Treasury the scientific works of the late M.
Leon Foucault, the celebrated saran of the Observatory.
He invented a new method of constructing optical glasses.
Count von- Goltz, the Prussian Ambassador, is still
suffering much from the effects of the operation upon his
tongue. M. Magne, the Minister of Finance, has had an
attack of bronchitis,

The Duke of Aosta (second son of Victor Emmanuel),
by the death of his mother-in-law, the Princess Cisterna,
comes into a fortune of about half a million sterling, and
this within a year of his marriage. The Princess was
sister to the wife of the Marquis de Moustier, French
Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The hippophagists hit upon a curious advertisement the
other clay. During, the Carnival they paraded two Ifat
sleek horses, which were drawn by two oxen nothing but
skin and bone. I don't see what this proves, except that
you can fatten horses if you feed them well, and starve
oxen if you don't. There are at the present time no fewer
than twenty slaughter-houses in Paris at which horses are
killed.

If some Parisians become hippophagists knowingly,
there are:many more who become felinophagists ignorantly.
A day or two ago fourteen cats' heads were discovered on
a heap of rubbish in the Rue St. Hilaire. It is supposed
that the animals had been captured and killed by a class
of persons who make a trade of entrapping unwary speci-
mens of the feline race, which afterwards reappear in the
outskirts of Paris in the form of civet de lUvre and gibelotcs
de lapin.

The police have made a discovery in the Rue Sulpice.
Suspecting that a certain cafe in that street was not merely
what it appeared to be, they visited it unexpectedly, and
found that it was a place to which young men resorted,
attracted by showily-dressed women and by gambling
tables. It was, in fact, both a hell and a brothel, and it is
said that large numbers of young men have been despoiled
there. The managers turned out to be well - known
swindlers, and have been arrested.

The streets of Paris are swept by four companies, who
tender for the contract. The persons employed are divided
into street-sweepers of the first and second clhsses, with
auxiliaries, men and women. The total number in the
service is about 6,000. This little army of labourers is
paid, not by the day, but by the hour. The sweepers of the
first class receive 38 centimes, and those of the second 29;
the male auxiliaries 25, and the female 20. As the work
is ten hours daily, summer as well as winter, the wages of
the men amount to 2f. 50c., and the women to 2f. Nearly
all these labourers, of both sexes, come from Alsace,
Rhenish Prussia, the Grand Duchy of Baden, and Luxem•
burg, but chiefly from the latter.

The Abyssinian news begins to get interesting. The
telegram received by the London correspondent of the
New York Herald, and published in the Times, gives much
more information than the despatch received by Sir
Stafford Northcote. The advanced detachment had
reached Antalo on the 15th, and then had fifteen days'
short marches to Magdala. Bat it is not to be taken for
granted that the journey will be accomplished in that time.
In the first place, there is no forage beyond Antalo, and
the force will have to take its supplies with it, which must
cause delay. In the next place Theodore himself is at last
chewing fight, and was advancing with 30,000 men. It
may turn out that his troops may desert rather than
engage with ours, but there is at present no sign of this ;
in fact, the enemy seem very bitter against the English,
and were shooting stragglers and mutilating, prisoners who
fell into their hands. Three English officers have disap-
peared, and, it is to be feaied, have fared badly. A
good deal depends, probably, upon the conduct of
Menelek. According to Sir Stafford Northcote's telegram,
he was.likely to act against Theodore, but the other mes-
sage, apparently of much later date, says that he was
surrounding Magdala. There were hopes that General
Napier would be able to make an alliance with Kassai,
King of Ti,grd, and the two were to meet on the 20th ult.
But as we learn from the same telegram which mentions
this meeting that Colonel Merewether had treated Kassai's
envoy badly—a very inexplicable circumstance—it must
be admitted that the hope of getting anything out of the
native chiefs is somewhat faint.

The " special " correspondent of the Times, who writes
from Vienna, gives some very interesting information re-
specting the alleged conspiracy against Turkey in the
Danubian Provinces. He has lately made a tour in those
parts, and finds that the first news of the threatened in-
surrection was received from Paris and Constantinople.
On the spot nothing was known of it. General Ignatieff
has indeed been sounding his way, and hoped to have
made some capital out of the Cretan insurrection. But
the people were apathetic, and did not believe in the spon-
taneity of the affair. Prince Charle3, who would no doubt
like to be King of Roumania, finding that he was being
used to pull the chestnuts out of the fire for Russia, has
resented the arrangement. At present, then, the country
is not likely to give any trouble, and diplomatists may rest
and be thankful.

Some of the Vienna journals announce that Turkey is
about to make new concessions to the Cretans, and will
grant them a Christian hospodar. As Russia now sees
that it is unadvisable to get up a war in the. East, we shall
probably hear very shortly that the Cretan rebellion is
over.

It is rumoured that the Austrian Premier, Baron von
Beust, has written a despatch to the Austrian Ministers
at the foreign Courts, declaring that the Emperor's policy
in the East is diametrically opposed to that of Russia.

A special train left Munich for Nice on Monday
evening, in order to bring back the body of King Ludwig
of Bavaria. The funeral will take place at Munich on
Saturday. The transport of the body will be narked with
great pomp. Besides the grand master of the ceremonies,
the funeral train will carry a cortege of generals, aides-de-
camp, chamberlains, priests, footmen, and halberdiers.
For six weeks after the funeral all the church bells at
Munich will ring a funeral peal every day at noon for an
hour.

Ihe remains of Daniel Manin, the patriot, and of his
vi.fe and child, are to be transported to Venice on the 21st
inst. The ceremony will take place at night, and there
will be an illumination of the public luildings ::nd tl.e
gondolas. The Italian Parliament will send a deputa-
tion.

The disturbances which have been troubling Portugal
for some time past were renewed during the Carnival. At
Lisbon the mob insulted a large number of peaceful inha-
bitants. The police and the municipal guard attempted to
restore order, but it was found necessary to call out the
troops, who dispersed the people and arrested about fifty
a thorn,

4 CTIN G THE SERIOUS POOR YOUNG MAN

The following story is told by a correspondent of the
Times as a warning against giving indiscriminate charity:—
" One day last week I had a letter brought to me with
an intimation that the bearer was waiting for an answer.
" On opening it I found it purported to be from an
' orphan boy' (George Murray), who, educated at the Chel-
sea Orphan School, and having delicate lungs, had been to the
Brompton Hosptal for Diseases of the Chest, whence he had
been discharged two months since ; the chaplain, Mr. Allen
(I give the names as the `orphan' gave them), furnishing
the money for the lad's journey to Teignmouth, in the hope
that he might be able to earn a livelihood in a southern
county ; but his health again failing, he was about to re-
turn to Brompton ; Lady Scarlet, of 16, Kensington-gar-
dens, having promised him an admission ticket. Before
his readmission it was necessary that he should have a few
articles of clothing (which were enumerated in the letter) ;
that several kind friends had contributed, till only ss. more
were required to complete the necessary sum.
" To the letter were appended the names of several people
I knew in Teignmouth (the writing of one or two being
familiar).

" I went to the lad and found a tidily-dressed, delicate-
looking young man, with so plausible a tale that I be-
lieved him. Ile felt very ill, was anxious to start by the
two o'clock train ; he wanted just ss. more ; he had severe
heart disease as well as lung complaint. Dr. Steele (whom
I knew) had examined him, and advised his starting
without delay, &c. I have nearly enough money,' con-
cluded the lad, opening his hand and innocently display-
ing a little mass of half-crowns, and if I can get ss. more
I shall go by the two o'clock train.'
"A few questions more. The lad would go to the
Chelsea School for the night ; the secretary, Mr. Bright,'
having offered to receive him at any time. If too late for
Chelsea, he would go to a refuge. For the last two months
he had supported himself by doing odd jobs' for the Red
Lion Inn.

" I was very sorry for the poor orphan, and went to the
drawing-room with the tale. There I found a medical
friend. ' Two o'clock train !' said he, there is none ; nor
is there any Red Lion Inn. I will go and see the boy.'
" A little examination—no heart complaint, no lung
disease. lam as glad,' said the poor orphan, with uplifted
eyes, 'as if the gentleman had given me money. They
told me I had 'art disease.'

" Then I spoke. ' You have,' said I, 'not money
enough to take you to London, setting aside the buying
of clothes. Give me all you have. I will keep you in
lodgings for a few days, buy the clothes, get your hospital
ticket, and pay your fare to London if I prove your story
true.'

" Ah, no ! the lad was so anxious to lose no time ; he
thanked me kindly for my offer, but he would beg just ss.
more and be off to-day.

" ' You are a liar laid an impostor,' said my friend ;
' I shall give you to the police.'
"The lad demurred. Then he gave me 16s. He was a
true lad. The gentleman hurt his feelings, &c.
" To bring my story to an end, the lad was an impostor.
A. mother appeared, and while the policeman was getting
evidence, mother and `orphan' decamped, leaving me
with 168.

" On inquiry, it has been found that the `orphan' haa
raised a considerable amount of money in Teignmouth."

Lord Cremorne, M.P., has been very seriously

ill at Dartrey House, county Monaghan, which has de.

tained the Earl and Countess of Dartrey in Ireland. The
last account represents his lordship to be out of danger,
and progressing as favourably as could be desired.
The Naples correspondent of the Times says, that while
unwilling to exaggerate the state of the southern province,
he is bound to say it is not what the friends of Italy could
desire. The want of small money is causing the most
serious distress and formidable discontent. The Neapoli-
tans care nothing for politics ; but touch their pockets, or
stint their stomachs, and they are furious. So little con-
fidence is felt in the stability of the Italian Government
that the notes are looked upon with the greatest suspicion,
and in the meanwhile the promised coinage of 30,000 lire
(21,200) in copper daily, has not been issued.
The newly-appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer is
threatened with an opponent in the person of Dr. Lees,
the well-known teetotal advocate. Ho has issued an ad-
dress to the electors of North Northamptonshire, at the
request of many of that body, pointing out the import-
ance of social reforms. " The base interests of the bar-
rel" have, the doctor thinks, been too long powerful in
Parliament, and if returned he would do his best to effect
an alteration in our present law of licensing public-houses.
The' Times has authority to state that there is no foun-
dation whatever for the report which appeared in the Owl
that Lord Derby had conferred an English peerage upon
Lord Barrington, or raised Mr. Gerard Sturt, of Clithill,
to the peerage.
The first of Mrs. Gladstone's receptions, which was given
on Wednesday night, was attended by politicians repre-
senting various degrees of opinion. The members of the
present Government who were there included the Earl of
Bradford, Colonel Wilson Patten, Mr. Adderley, and Mr.
E. C. Egerton. Lord Cranborne, Mr. Lowe, and Mr.
Hubbard were also amongst the visitors.

Mr. Goldwin Smith has been rather hard at work
Lecturing lately. On Tuesday evening he was at Brighton,
where his topic was " The Higher Classes, and their
Future," which was very dark indeed. The next night he
was at Croydon, where the future of the working man
occupied his attention, and under his handling became
proportionately bright. On the former occasion
hereditary monarchy was declared dead, and the ad-
visability of an elective monarchy was considered.
Mr. Smith, warned by America, however, hardly pro-
nounced in favour of it. The House of Lords must be
abolished, or so altered as to meet the democratic spirit
of the age. Magistracy was in an unsatisfactory state.
They ought to have a bench which would have acted dif-
ferently from the one at Market Drayton, in which no one
had confidence. At Croydon he told the working men
that their time had come : they were now given political
power ;in order to use it well they must organise. They
must have the first working mans Parliament better than
those which had preceded it. Their opponents were
strong, but they must by organisation defeat them.
The Reform League has had another warm discussion on
the Irish Church. It appears that one of the committees
of that body recommended the immediate and total aboli-
tion of that oft-attacked establishment. On this Mr.
Conolly, who will be remembered as having encountered
the hostility of Mr. Roebuck some time ago, moved as an
amendment that the life interests of the present holders of
benefices should be taken into consideration, with a view
to their being compensated for the loss of their livings
when the Church disappeared. This received the support
of Mr. Beales, but it was lost by a majority of one. The
numbers were 28 against 27.
The morning papers announce the deaths of two aged
peers—the Earl of Rosebery, in his 85th year, and Lord
Byron, the cousin of the poet, who had lived within a few
days of witnessing his 79th birthday. The former is suc-
ceeded by his grandson, Lord Dalmeny, who will not
attain his majority until May next ; and the latter by his
eldest son, who is now 50 years of age.
The sudden and frequent changes of temperature affect
even the climate of Torquay; and it is stated that the
health of the venerable Bishop of Exeter gives some
anxiety to his lordship's family. Next to the Earl of
Onslow, who is 91, the Bishop of Exeter is the oldest mem-
ber of the House-of Peers. He will attain the ninetieth
year of age on the 2nd of May, and is about four months
the senior of Lord Brougham. In the stirring events of
1832 these two men had many a contest over the passage
of the Reform Bill. Yet the Lord Chancellor of that day
has been out of office thirty-four years, while the prelate
still retains his jurisdiction over the most extensive
diocese in England.
Sir James Brown Gibson, honorary physician to the
Queen, and late Director-General of the Medical Depart-
ment of the Army, has died at Rome, from inflammation
of the lungs. Sir James entered the medical service of
the army as far back as 1826. He went through the
Sebastopol campaign, and received the Crimean medal
with four clasps. He was created a K.C.B. in 1865.
Mr. J. Randall, in a paper read to the Society of Arts,
recently gave a workman's view of technical education.
He thought much had already been done to form a sound
educational basis for more extended education, and
remarked that while the science and art schools had not
Jrawn very large numbers to them, those who did attend
first commenced drawing in the national schools. He
therefore concluded that the seed of a scientific education
must be sown in the primary school. What he most com-
plained of was, that the clergy used schools as a means for
proselytising. One desirable scheme for remedying the
present state of things as regards adult education was the
establishment of central district colleges, in which tech-
nical education might be taught. This would raise the
character of our manufactures, refine the taste of our
operatives, and enlarge their minds.

OLD LETTERS.—It may be convenient to persons
who have to send old letters for literary purposes, to be in-
formed that they may be sent by post under the usual con-
ditions of book postage, at ld. for 40z., and need not be
sent as letters at id. for half an ounce.
EMIGRATION OF MINERS TO AMERICA.—OII
account of the great depression which still exists in the
mining and iron trade, a considerable number of miners in
the Dunfermline district left last week for America,
acting on the. suggestion of Mr. M`Donald, president of
the Miners' Association. The mining trade is giving no
evidence of improvement, and many men are still unem-
ployed. The markets are dull, and coal continues to ac-
c emulate at the pitheads. One colliery in the district has
a stock on hand of about 36,000 tons, In many other
districts there is much distress.