Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1865-04-14 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

DINAILY.—The inhabitants of a pretty and secluded village in the North Riding were a few days ago very much astonished at the appearance of a large company of school boys, whose wild looks of excitement and noisy clamour clearly showed that they were out on " French ',ave." They proved to be the pupils of a neighbouring college, who for some cause had resolved to turn their faces homewards, and were on their way to Darlington and Sunderland. The miters. however, gave chase, and shortly afterwards inaila their appearance, while the young gentlemen ware being housed for the night in the village inn. "No surrender" was the cry of the juveniles, Der did they return until certain conditions were assented to by the pursuers in the presence of the landlord, who mightily enjoyed the scene, and will not forget it for s ime time, more especially as they neglected to pay the iosksltire With Our own, as well as with French literature, exciti.mt,nt is now all the rage. At the east end of London, almost all the murder and highwayman literature of the past sixty years is being republished, awl sold in penny numbers. In tobacconists' shop windows, up dirty courts and alleys, this literature may be seen suspended between canisters and briar. roots on strings. The woodcuts are of the Blueskin and Jonathan Wild stamp—slouching fellows with big boots, black masks, and gory poniards flashing high above the victims' heads. "Robinson Crow*" has jll6t been republished in penny porious, and illustrated alter the fashion, but it does not seem to be very popular. "It arn't strong enough, sir," answered a newsagent in reply to a question nut to him. Being asked whether the out-door lalsiuring classes bought largely of this literature, he said, " Lor' bless you. a Sunday morning the navvies drops in here afore the publichouses open, and when they wants to wile Away the time they says, " Gaynor, let's have a pennorth o' blood, and lend us a knife!' That's their style, audit seems to agree with 'em."—Loruku THE VoLuNrmis.—The regulations under which the Queen's Prize will he shot for this year have just been issued by the National Rifle AssociationTwo representatives from every enrolled company of volunteers will be allowed to compete on the payment of an entrance fee of V each man from non-subscribing corps. New long Enfields will be issued from the War-office for the competition, but the-competitors will not be restricted to the use -of these rifles, and may use any private maker's rifles, provided that they are stamped and. certified as being of the Government pattern. The competition will take place with 1863 ammunition, and in order that the representatives of regiments may have practice itrior to the time of meeting, the Government magazines . Will supply a quantity not exceeding 200 rounds to each competitor, at the cost price of 48 41.1 a hundred. The regulations for the St. George's Vase competition are almost entirely different from those under which the vase has been shot for. There are now to be two stages, the first, rim yards with five shots, deciding who is to be the winner of the vase, which will be held by the winner's commanding officer for a year, the winner himself receiving a gold and enamelled jewel of St. George and a purse of dragon sovereigns. The second stage will be five shots at 600 yards by the highest sixty in the first stage, for a dragon cup worth 50 guineas. These prizes are got up by the St. George's Rifle Volunteer Ciirts, and the entrance fees from the competitors will be handed over to the National Rift. Association. One representative from each company att a eonsieidated Itattali•in and one representative front each corps of an administrative bort:Ohm will be allowed to compete•on payment or los on bearing a certificate shownig; him to be au efficient volunteer and selected by his regiment.  ==;=