The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-20 00:00:00

Tile EASTIIORPE TUMULI.

A very interesting investigation has been com-
pleted by the Rev. James Robertson, of Appleton-
le-Street, North Riding, in the westernmost of a
11 group of six tumuli on Amotherby-moor, Easthorpe,
near Castle Howard. The mound opened was oval
in shape, being 70ft. east and west by 45ft. north
and south in diameters, and reduced to 3ift. high.
A previous digging years ago failed to reach the
burials. The form and contents of the barrow were
altogether unusual. Very little below the surface
of the mound, at the centre, a very large slab of
Widenley stone was found, weighing upwards of 2}
cwt. This cover rested on a circle of 5 large blocks
of Easthorpe sandstone, each weighing about 2 cwt.
These covered a central grave of 9ft. diameter, cut
into the sandstone rock. In this grave were four
burials, all overlying each other, the uppermost one
being burnt. In addition to these there were nine
other discoveries in varioas parts of the mound,
showing a curious combination of inhumed and cre-
mated interments, surface and grave interments,
broken human interments, and bones of bodies so
broken that the disagreeable feature of cannibalism
was strongly suggested. Some of the bodies not in
the central grave had been strangely mutilated, and
in a manner that indicated the removal of the flesh
before burial. The skulls showed the brachy-
cephalic type, that of the round heads, or later race
of the Ancient Britons. It is worthy of remark
that in all the previous diggings in tutnuli by the
Rev. Canon Greeuwell upon the Ilowardians no
other case of inhumed burials was found. The in-
vestigation showed that the form of the barrow was
not caused by additions to a round one, but that in
the first instance it had been oval. The central
burials may be described thus :—At a depth of 3ft.,
lying upon a pavement of large stones, some of them
burnt, was the body of a young female, lying on the
left side, with the head to the south, The body
was much contracted, and measured only 2ft. 3in.
in length from head to foot (or ancle, the feet being
absent). The length of the femur was only
The left hand of this burial was up to the face. The
head was protected by stones, but the pressure of
the cover block of Hildenley limestone had greatly
damaged the skull, the jaws and facial bones being
forced inwards, and some of tht n protruded through
the orbits. The right arm and hand and both feet
of this burial were wanting, and the lower jaw
showed extraordinary signs of disease, scarcely a
single non-carous tooth being found. This is a most
unusual feature. One foot to the west of the head
of this body was an urn, ornamented over nearly
the whole surface with vertical markings, made by
a sharp instrument pressed in to the clay and dragged
downwards. The upper surface of the rim was
marked with round punctured holes. This urn was
standing upright, and, strangely enough, contained
the metacarpal and other bones of the right hand
(corresponding exactly with those of the left hand
of the burial), and the metatarsal and other bones
of both feet. The astragali and larger bones of the
feet and the humerus and other bones of the right
arms have not been found. Here is an evidence of
strange and unaccountable mutilation of an unburnt
body. Between the knees and the ribs of this body,
and partly overlying it, was deposited the imper-
fectly-burnt bones of a strong and older person, the
pieces of skull having been collected together and
placed on the east side of the deposit, and touching
the breast of the unburnt body. Several pieces of
skull and one orbit were selected. One chipping of
flint was found before the face of the unburnt
body.

In the same grave, but 2ift. deeper, upon a bed
of sand, and covered with sand containing many
larger pieces of charcoal, was another body (of
much stronger build and in good preservation), laid
on the right side, with the head to the south, with
both hands up to the face. The body and the fe-
rum formed a right angle, but the heels were
brought up- close to the sacrum. The whole burial
was covered with large flags of stone, and smaller
stones were piled round the head. At the back of
the head was a large and much worked flint knife,
and at 18in. behind the body were found a large
flake scraper and another large piece of flint. Below
this the grave ngrrowed to Bft. diameter, and at 2kft.
still lower a third unburnt (and of course the primary)
burial was found. This was under unburnt body No.
2, and the position was exactly reversed, being on
the left side, with head to the north. The head was
surrounded with stones, but the skull was much
broken and flattened. The right hand was up to the
face,and the heels, as with the previous body, were
brought right up to the back. The bones were very
much decayed, and were lying upon a thick bed of
charcoal, and were covered with 9iu. of sand, and
over all a seam of charcoal. In the grave at the
western edge, and 6ft. from the body, was an urn,
having lines of punctures, very much broken and in
bad condition, and a portion wanting. Around it
were several flakes of flint. The other nine disco-
veries consisted of detached parts of bodies, with
urns, flint implements, pavements on which fires
had been kindled, and numerous other details com-
mon alike to most barrows. The tumulus yielded
remains in such varied directions that it was com-
pletely turned over. The five round barrows ad-
joining remain for future examination.

One of the most important recent acquisitions
to the South Kensington Museum is a cast of the
whole of a window in the west front of the church
of the Certosa, at Pavia, which convent was
founded by G. G. Visconti, Duke of Milan and
Lord of Pavia, 1396. The facade of the church,
which comprises on the lowest tier of its lights
four such windows as that in question, was de-
signed by A. Da Fossano, or Borgognone, and
begun in 1473. This artist, being a painter by
education, produced what may be called a beauti-
ful picture, or rather collection of small pictorial
designs in terra-cotta, and combined them with no
good fortune.
LADTERTISEMENT.i—HoIIoway's Pills.—Pure Blood.—
As this vital fluid,when in a healthy state, sustains and re-
novates every part of the living system, so when it be-
comes impoverished and impure it exerts a precisely con-
trary effect. It is abundantly manifest that any medicine
which does not reach the circulation can never extermi-
nate. the disease ; that any preparation capable of exe.rcis-
ing a sanitary influence over the blood must with it be
clrried to every living fibre of the frame. The.lunqs,
heart, liver, kidneys, and skin all receive benefit from
.its
more wholesome condition. Holloway's
.purifying
lls
operate directly, powerfully, and beneficially upon the
whole mass of blood, whether veinous or arterial. They
strengthen the stomach, excite the liver and kidneys, expel
disease, and prolong existence.

- -
•
17:6,57,7.
• t,
'HE
Pußircr. AL
• ba. a
The following is the weekly return by the Registreli!
General of births and deaths in London and in thirteen
other large towns of the United Kingdom :
In the week that ended ol Saturday, May 16, 4,736
births and 2,504 deaths were registered in London and in
thirteen other large towns of the United Kingdom. The
annual rate of mortality was 23 per 1,000 persons living.
The annual rate of mortality last week was 21 per 1,000
in London, 25 in Edinburgh, and 27 in Dublin ; 22 in
Bristol, 20 in Birmingham, 26 in Liverpool, 27 in Man-
chester, 25 in Salford, 29 in Sheffield, 24 in Bradford, 20
in Leeds,'2o in Hull, 21 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and 31
in Glasgow. The sate in Vienna was 34 per 1,000 during
the week ending the 9th inst., when the mean tempera-
ture was 6*B deg. Fahrenheit higher than in the same week
in London, where the rate was 22.

In London the births of 1,1C4 boys and 1,119 girls, in all
2,223 children, were registered in the week. In the corre-
sponding wcehs of ten years, 1S 8-67, the average number,
corrected for increase of population, is 2,075. The deaths
registered in London during the week were 1,263. It
was the twentieth week of the year, and the average
number of deaths for that week is, with a correc-
tion for increase of population, 1,331. The deaths in the
present return are less by 63 than the estimated number.
The annual rate of mortality was 19 per 1,000 in West
London, 20 in North London, 24 in Central London, 24 in
East Loudon, and 20 in South London.

At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height
of the barometer in the week was 29•893 in. The mean
temperature of the v'r in the week was 57'5 deg., which
is 6'o deg. above the average of the same week in 50 years
(as determined by Mr. Glaisher). The highest day tem-
perature was 77'2 deg., on Friday, the 15th May. The
lowest night temperature was 421 deg., on Tuesday, the
12th May. The entire range of temperature in the week
was therefore 35.1 deg,

ATTACK ON THE ENGLISH MISSION IN

JAPAN.

A correspondent of the Times, in a letter dated March
25, records another attack on the English mission in
Japan. Sir Harry Parkes and his suite were on a visit to
the Mikado, at Kioto. This visit, it may be noted, was
organised by the Mikado, who wished to establish friendly
relations after the late massacre. Everything was arranged
by the authorities to do honour to cur representatives. They
were 'edged in the most gorgeous palace, and treated most
munificently. On the 23rd March they set out instate to visit
the Mikado. What took place is thus described by the
correspondent :—" First came the inspector of the Lega-
tion escort, riding alongside of a Japanese officer of rank,
named Nakai, who formerly belonged to the Satsuma clan;
then came the mounted escort ; then Sir Henry Parkes,with
Mr. Satow and Onto Shojirio, a high officer of the Foreign
Department; then came a guard of infantry, belonging
to the 6th Regiment, which is now stationed at Yokohama.
As good luck would have it, Dr. Willis, of the Legation,
and some naval officers whom Sir Harry had invited to
Kioto, among v. hom were two medical officers, Drs. Purves
and Ridings, had accompanied us on foot in order to see us
enter the palace. Down a straight street nearly facing our
temple, the front men passed without let or hindrance, but
AS they turned the corner of the street two or perhapsmore
rufliaus sprang out upon them with naked swords and
at ached them. Nakai leaped frtm his horse and engaged
one, but, catching. his foot in his trousers, stumbled,
and received a severe cut in the head. At this moment
Coto Shojirio, NVIld with the Minister had not yet turned
the corner, perceiving from the backing of the horses
and the scuffle in front that there was mischief ahead,
d ism ou n t eel , grief, rush i g forward, came to Nal: ai's
rescue, and between them, fighting like brave men,
they killed and decapitated the villain on the
spot. The other scoundrel, crouching like a tiger,
ran swiftly down our line, brandishing his sword like
lightning, and cutting right and left in his blind rage. It
was like a Malay running a muck, only with a more
deadly weapon. I, who was in the rear, saw a distur-
bance, but at first thought that it was only caused by
restive horses until I heard the cry Kill him ! " Stop
him ! ' ' Cut him down !' Then the inspector of the
escort came cantering down the street and fired his pistol,
and some one said, ''We are attacked !' I jumped out
of my kayo just as the pistol went off close to me, and a
woman fell down in front of me, frightened, but not hurt.
I saw a man rush into the house next me pursued by the
inspector and the two officers commanding the infantry
geard. I drew my sword and ran to the front, not knowing
the extent of the danger ansl anxious to see whether all our
party were safe. As I ran up tlle street I met one nlan after
another of the mounted escort coming down streaming with
blood from their wounds, but not a man complained. I
found the Minister at the angle of the street with the
headless body of one of our enemies at his feet, and
ascertained that he was unhurt as well as all our officers.
I then ran lack to look after the man who had fled into the
house, and who, I heard the officer of infantry say, was
shot dead. Finding him still alive I stayed by him, in order,
if possible, to protect him, and to revive him sufficiently
to subject him to an examination. My object was not to kill
him, although, had he attempted to escape, I should have
done so. I only kept watch over him until I could put
two sentries to guard him, and I had some trouble to save
him from the fury of those who had caught him red-
handed. Our Japanese guard, I must add, had almost all
run away, and only came back when the danger was past.
Of course, going on to the Court was out of the ques-
tion. We had twelve men wounded, including Nakai
and Sir Henry Parkes's Japanese groom, besides
four horses, and naturally our wounded were
the first object. Some time was lost in getting coolies to
carry our poor fellows—at least, so many of them as were
faint from loss of blood ; for the others, grievously
wounded though they were, insisted on sticking to their
horses." It is satisfactory to be able to add that the
prisoner has confessed and disclosed two of his accomplices
also captured. The Mikado has expressed his deep regret,
and having expressed a wish that the visit would yet be
paid, it was arranged that it should take place on the
26th. The reason of the attack seems to be only that the
English were foreigners.

Menotti Garibaldi, the eldest son of the General,
is now visiting in Glasgow.
The London correspondent of the Irish Times
says the negotiations between Government and the Irish
Catholic bishops in reference to the charter for the Catholic
University have been broker, off. There is absolute disa-
greement on some of the principal points involved in the
discussion.

Captain Moncreiff's new barbette elevating gun-
carriage has been officially tried at Woolwich with perfect
success. Nine rounds were fired with 141 b. and 221 b. of
powder, and 115-pound shot from the 7.inch rifled gun,
each recoil bringing the gun down into safe position
below the parapet for reloading—that being the result
intended to be attained by the aimple and effective appli-
ances of the invention.

SINGULAR AFFAIR IN SHROPSHIRE.—The mono-
tony of daily life in Shropshire is just now considerably
enlivened by the gossip arising out of an incident of
which the following is a brief recital :—A short time ago a
gentleman named Wells, a Wolverhampton ironmaster,
purchased an estate at Eaton Mascott, near Shrewsbury,
to which he subsequently added some land adjoining
the property of the Hon. and Rev. Noel Hill, rector of
Berrington, and brother of Lord Berwick. This land lies
immediately before the rectory, and a few weeks ago
Mr. Wells took it into his head to build two small cot-
tages as near to the rectory as possible, and with the back
premises directly opposite the front window of Mr. Hill's
residence, and in full view thereof. As there is no high-
way or other road near the site, or any probable reason
,vlxy Mr. Wells should select that particular spot for
building cottages upon, it was generally believed that he
had done it simply " out of spite," and the popular
feeling was very strong against him. The twin son of Mr.
Hill, the elder of whom is heir presumptive to the title
and estates of his uncle, Lord Berwick, lately came of
age, and the occasion was made one of great rejoicing by
the tenantry and neighbours, upwards of £5OO being sub-
scribed to the celebration fund. Amongst other festive
gatherings, luncheon was given on the lawn in front of
the rectory, followed by a ball, at which about 300 persons
were present. Mr. Wells's unfinished cottages, stand-
ing alone in the middle of a green field, form, as bas
been stated, a prominent feature in the otherwise
beautiful landscape ; and the circumstances under which
they had been erected were freely discussed by the corn.
pany, and, singular to relate, it was discovered on the
following
Astrict
ric t i morning iiisgbthat
ii) prosecuted,the
th
a pulled
view
to
iden-
tifying the cirenders and bringing them to justice ; but
though the secret must be known to a large number of
persons, it has hitherto been faithfully kept. In the
ieanwhile, Mr. Wells has commenced to rebuild the
cottages.

Large and most important discoveries of coal have been
made in Russia. The mines of one district alone are,
according to the St. Peterburg journalf Gotos, capable of
supplying annually 400,000 tons for 150 to 200 years.
Since 1864 there have been surveyed in the valley of the
Don forty-four beds, the aggregate quantity of which is
estimated at 1,234,947,375,000 pouds, or more than
18,000,000,000 tons. The Gatos asserts that the mineral
wealth of Russia far exceeds that of England, and at the
same rate of production woulcUtst for two centuries after
the English mines were exhaustel.

HE THIRD EDITION OF << THE SUN,"
I_l 9 giving all the SPORTING NEWS of the day, may be seen
at JEMMY M `TON'S house, "The Swan and Horse Shoe,"
Little Britain, City, E.C.