OUR ENGLISH LETTER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6543, 6 April 1882, Page 3

OUR ENGLISH LETTER.

(FROM OUII OWN CORRESPONDENT.) London, February 23,

THE QUEEN’S HEALTH. Probably some rumors may have reached the colonies concerning the proposed visit of Her Majesty to Mentone. I believe I am right in saying that there is nothing to cause alarm in the minds of any of the Queen’s subjects as to Her Majesty’s health. That she has an immense deal of real hard work to get through is certain, not only > oncerning the vast Empire over which she rules, but also in connection with her own private affairs and estates, for it is well-known she is essentially a business woman. She has, at least, fifty telegrams a day to consider and answer, and of course her postal correspondence bears an equal proportion. About two years ago the Princess Beatrice and her mother visited Baveno, in Italy, and the result was most beneficial to the health of both. Mere change is, therefore, the sole object now, as heretofore. The other day a most alarming event occurred when the Queen came up to Buckingham Palace to hold a drawing room. Prom some cause, not clearly explained, but probably owing to the excited cheering of the crowd, one of the horses attached to the royal carriage became excessively frightened, and, rearing three times just as the Palace was reached, succeeded in throwing the out-rider, who fell just under the carriage wheels, whilst the animal, despite the efforts of the crowd, galloped away towards the park. Fortunately the man is not seriously injured, though he received a wound in the head; but the excitement of the crowd was tremendous, and they cheered heartily when it was found that no harm had been done. Ey-the-bye, Buckingham Palace has been just done up. Though never much used there is always some tinkering going on, as the place contains--400 rooms. Probably, however, these renovations are owing to the expected marriage of Leopold with Princess Helena of Waldeck, and the festivities will require some dispensing of hospitality. This intended marriage has also something to do with the Queen’s journey to the Continent, as she wants to make the acquaintance of her future daughter-in-law. There is no intimation that Ministers intend asking for a grant to the bride. I believe it would rot have much chance of acceptance in this Radical Parliament. Just as this letter is going off, the future bride has arrived at Windsor with her brother and intended bushind. Her photographs show a fairly pretty girl, and the impression on the crowd who witnessed her arrival seems to have been a favorable one. By-the-bye, I observe she was dressed in myrtle green. This is evidently becoming a favorite color with the fair sex, for I notice that the Empress of Austria, who is over here hunting, as usual, for the season, comes out in a tight-fitting dress of this colored velvet with gold buttons, and very attractive she must appear. Velvets are great favorites with her j she comes out in all styles—silver grey with silver buttons, ruby colored and violet colored, with fur cuffs and collar. According to “ Truth,” this female Nimrod has invented a system of hooks so arranged that, in the event of her being thrown, the skirt can be detached from the body, and so all danger of being dragged along is avoided. She should make this known for the benefit of all lady riders. PARLIAMENT. The House met the beginning of the month, and a most unusual event occurred, inasmuch as two divisions preceded the usual motion of thanks to the Crown for the Address. This latter document was as commonplace and official as ever, foreshadowing little more than a reform of the Commons procedure, Bills for dealing with the metropolis, the establishment of County Boards, a measure for dealing with local taxation, 4cc., &c. The two divisions referred to were in reference to the imprisonment of the Irish members and the admission of Mr •Bradlangh, In the former case, the Government were, of course, successful; but the member for Northampton was refused permission to prostitute the oath by an even larger majority than ever, and as the Government took his part, the Conservatives claim a victory. It is certain the Liberal party have suffered severely through this unfortunate business,' and the subsequent extraordinary conduct of Mr Bradlaugh in unexpectedly advancing to the table of the House and taking the oath himself in the presence of a full House, has not a little increased the difficulty of the situation. Of course, the House has suffered a wanton insult, albeit brought on by its own foolishness; but it is a question whether, after all, Bradlaugh has not acted legally, as there is nothing in the statute providing that the oath shall be taken before or be administered by the Clerk of the House. For my part, I cannot acquit the Government of blame in not bringing on a measure enabling anyone to_ affirm that desires to do so; this is the solution of the matter, and nothing will be made right till it is done. The most important action of the Government is its attempt to introduce the _ cloture. The • Prime Minister’s proposal is, that it shall be adopted only when supported by a majority of more than 200, or when it is opposed by less than 40, and supported by more than 100. As the rule is only to beoperative this session, I see no reason why it should not be adopted, for the torrents of talk that have drowned legislation during the last few sessions have been a disgrace to the Empire, and made the House of Commons a byword in Europe. At present the matter is under discussion, but the cable will inform you of the result. If, as probably will be the case, the Government make the result of this motion equivalent to a vote of want of confidence, there can be little doubt as to theresult. we could not, as President Lincoln once said, “ Swop horses whilst crossing a stream.” THE LORDS AND THE GOVERNMENT IN COLLISION. The present leader of the Tory party is not, I fear, a very sensible man, or he would not be repeatedly bringing the two Houses into collision. Lord Beaconsfield was far too astute for this ; but now he is gone, the Marquis of Salisbury is like a bull at a gate, and will listen to no reason'. He has just backed up his party in an absurd motion for a Commission to inquire into the working of the Land Act, when that measure is not four months old. The Government resist the inquiry, and refuse to grant the necessary expenses; and, as they will be supported in the Commons, I fear Lord Salisbury will find himself in a mess from which, as before, he can only retreat with ignominy. GERMANY AND RUSSIA. There is much which induces one to think that the next great European war which takes place will be between Germany and Austria on the one hand, and Russia, joined perhaps by France, on the other. The present Czar is known to be_ anti-Teuton and pro-Latin, and now his favorite and ablest General (Skobeloff) has been making the most inflammatory speeches at Paris to the Servian students, in which he reviled the Germans, proclaiming them the locusts of Russia, and preaching, in fact, tha_ doctrine of Pan-Slavism. Of course the Berlin and Vienna Press are furious, and go so far as to demand Skobeloff’s instant recall to St. Petersburg. The Press of that city profess to think the reported speeches merely the inventions of some ingenious correspondent, but the official journals say that, if really uttered, they indicate that, while the General may be able in war, he is a fool in other matters. I should not be surprised if, after all, the Emperor of Russia was privy to the whole affair, and quite likely it is through him that Skobeloff has been made the vehicle of expressing his master’s feelings just with a view to

test the general feeling of Europe. Not for the first time in her history has Russia rushed into war to detract attention from some bleeding sore at home, and by covering herself with glory endeavor to divert the strivings of the people at home for reform and justice into a military channel where _ their misery and wretchedness is drowned in torrents of their own and other’s blood.

THE SEMITIC PERSECUTION. In previous letters I have dwelt on this subject, but I then little anticipated to what lengths it would be carried. The cable has, long ’ere this, informed you about the details at Warsaw, at Odessa, &c. Here the matter has almost culminated in a political squabble, for the Tory party is endeavoring to make capital out of the affair by charging indifference and fear of Russia on the Premier in not making an official remonstrance to the Czar’s Government on the subject. They instance in this connection his.conduct re the Bulgarian atrocities, when he the country inveighing against the Turks in never-to-be-forgotten language. For my ovm part, while a most fervent admirer of Mr Gladstone, I could never quite justifyhia conduct on that memorable occasion. Xhe conduct of the Turks was infamous, though greatly exaggerated, but they paid a terrible price for their crimes ; yet for all this I could entirely divest myself of the feeling that Mr Gladstone was not as anxious to turn out the Turks as ho was to turn out Her Majesty s Government. He had, however, this justification—namely, that the Sultan owed his existence to the action of England at the Crimea, and to the immense sums borrowed from Jtnglish capitalists in the open market for years past: and he felt—and the Liberal party generally felt—that it was through the intervention of this country that a most infamous despotism was being perpetuated, which long_ ago wouhi have perished had not this country intervened. The cases, therefore, it is contended, as between Russia and Turkey, are totally dissimilar; and, besides that, the outrages, as reported, are immensely exaggerated, whilst the Russian Government is doing its best to put down anarchy. In strict justice I believe the arguments of the Liberals are sound, and that the Conservatives to-day, like Mr Gladstone in 1876, are only animated by a desire to strike a blow at their traditional opponents, ihe fund at the Mansion House is progressing fast and now amounts to some L 50.000, the Messrs | Rothschild heading the list with LIO,OOO. It is impossible to foresee what will ultimately befall the Hebrew race, but many are emigrating to America, and more will probably follow.

RISE AND FALL OF M. GAMBETTA, Of late the course ot this eminent man has been as erratic as a comet, and reminds one singularly of his rise to power at the time of the fall of the Napoleonic Government in 1870. Then, as now, he seemsjto me to he wanting in stability, and I very much question if he ever will take front rank in his country’s history as a real statesman. He is too impetuous, not to say noisy, a politician for permanency. ; The question on which, as I have already pointed out in apre vious letter, he split with the Senate, was as to having what in this country would be called equal electoral _ districts, as against close boroughs, or, as it is called in France, voting by scruitin de liste instead of scvuitmi d’arrondissement. M. Freycinet, who succeeds Gambetta, is a moderate man, and most likely will have a quiet time of it for some months, as Gambetta can hardly in decency harass him now that he has himself so signally failed in office.

A NOVELIST IN THE COURTS. , M. Zola, the author of some of the vilest works even in the French language, has been .somewhat strangely dragged into the law courts bya barrister, oneM. Duverdy, who lives in a certain street in Paris, and it appears that Zola has recently put into his latest novel an individual of the identically same name and locality, said individual not possessing antecedents or character of the best _ water. Of course the novelist declared his choice of names accidental, but the jury determined that he should give compensation and alter his book. Encouraged by this success, another ill-used person has come forward on similar grounds, with whom _ the case has been compromised by the alteration of the name to M. S ins Norn. Perhaps Mr Wilkie Collins, the author of a story, “ No Name,” will come forward, a third aggrieved party. However, the case is curious, and shows what authors may be made to endure at the hands of an outraged public. The French have a mania for litigation and social contentions. M. Dumas also, it need hardly be said, a literary man, has got into hot water with a painter, who, imagining himself rather scurvily treated about a picture which he had sold him, has revenged himself by a caricature of the novelist, painted to life, as a Hebrew curiosity dealer in the bazaar at Bagdad. This insolent affront he exhibited in a gallery to public view, whereupon, on the last day of the show, the son-in-law of the outraged man ap' peared, drew his sword, and the picture to atoms. Of course there will be an action, perhaps a duelafter the French fashion — five and twenty minutes of rapier practise and a scratch on the nose, when, of course, every one will be satisfied and honor generally vindicated. In past times we have had similar affairs, but, fortunately, healthy public opinion has conveyed duelling, like slavery, to the limbo of the Dark Ages. The last affair of the kind happened not 50 years ago at Camben Town, between two men who had been bosom friends for life, and, one being killed, such an outcry was raised that no one has since dared to incur the public scorn.

THE CHANNEL TUNNEL. _ ; Just at the time when eyeryone imagined this question absolutely decided, and two, companies are in the field contending for the mastery, suddenly comes Sir Garnet Wolseley with a warning that if we bore this most necessary heading that we may as well bid good-bye to our insular independence and the safety which the silver streak has for ages afforded us. Considering the many years that this project has been before the public, it does seem odd that the military aspect of the question seems never to have been properly considered. The late Conservative Government seem to have sanctioned the enterprise without misgiving, and in the days of the late Emperor Napoleon it was a question whether the Erench and English Governments would not join in a mutual guarantee of interest on capital. However, the serious possibility of invasion through this narrow neck seems to be so much within practical grounds that a fresh Commission is being appointed by the Government to_ review the whole position before Parliament is asked to assent to either of the proposals now before it. There is no doubt that in the event—the (as some people think) extremely probable event—of a European combination against England, we should, if vanquished, be mulcted in a tremendous penalty, and most assuredly our conqueror or conquerors would hold Dover and the Channel Tunnel until every farthing was paid. This, I take it, is the worst catastrophe that would happen; but, strange to say, the fears of military men seem rather to be directed to the possibility of a sudden coup de main in time of peace by a foreign (presumably Erench) foe to seize the English end of the submarine tunnel. Two thousand men it is averred would, suffice for the purpose on a dark night, and their success once assured, 20,000 more could be marched or carried by train through the tunnel within a very short time, so that in the event of a European crisis threatening war we might wake up some morning to find ourselves face to face with the invader holding an unbroken line of communication behind him, through which could be poured thousands of men and material, and tons on tons of powerful ordnance. Eor the enemy no position could be better, for us none worse; the richest and most important city in the world would be within striking distance and utterly defenceless. Every one knows any protection for London would be hopeless, and all must, as the talented author of the “Battle of Dorking” showed some years ago, be staked on the issue of a single pitched little. That a coup de main of the kind suggested is not impossible is fully exemplified in our own conduct towards Denmark in the war with great Napoleon. When it was known or fancied that the Jutlanders were about to hand over their fleet to our ancient enemy, Pitt—although we were then at profound peace with the Danes—ordered Admiral Parker, with Nelson as second in command, to make an immediate descent on the Cattegat and demand the Danish fleet. This being, of course, refused, the celebroted Battle of Copenhagen was begun at 10 jn the forenoon, and in a short time 17 of the sail-of-line were captured or sunk. And this was inflicted on a people with whom we were an hour before profoundly at peace. Besides this, there is another objection—viz., that though so stolid a race, the Anglo-Saxon is liable to most uncalled-for panics, and such a passage tor a possible enemy would be used by unscrupulous politicians for perpetual scares, and, perhaps, a lever to introduce among us the hateful policy of conscription. At present two schemes are before the public, and the engineering possibility of either has been amply proved by experimental borings, which show that in all probability the grey chalk is continuous to the Erench coast, and also compact and homogeneous. Very little water has been found in the workings. The cost of either scheme is enormous, probably L 10,000,000, and the chances of commercial success most exceedingly vague. Nevertheless, if the possibility of war could be overlooked, the advantages of such _ a link, from a cosmopolitan point of view, are unquestionable, and must tend, like all similar undertakings uniting the nations of the globe, to help forward that great era which is alike the hope of the Christian and the dream of the philosopher, when nations shall learn war no more, and all be joined in a universal brotherhood of peace and goodwill. THE END OF ALL THINGS. Your readers will remember that some few years back Mr B. A. Proctor, E.K. A.S., visited the colonies, and delivered lectures on various scientific subjects, and was well-received. This gentleman makes it his object to popularise science as some endeavor to popularise religion, and I must say with great,-Success. Eor my part, I know of no reading more interesting than those delightful which he has published on all kinds of/topics, though chiefly astronomical. In onj/o£ these lately published

he draws attention to a very serious danger which, unfortunately, threatens ouiselves and the whole solar system. It seems that the comet which appeared in 1880 is almost certainly one which has before appeared to the earth’s inhabitants, but at widely sundered intervals. These intervals, too, are_ irregular, and, as time goes on, rapidly shortening. Thus, at one time the period of the comet was probably over 500 years ; now it has dwindled down to 37 years, and may shorten yet more. It is not absolutely positively proven that the comet which has thus appeared so curiously is the identically same body, but_ it is almost certain that it is so, and the only inference that can be drawn from this is that the comet is being rapidly drawn into the sun. When contact will take place is uncertain, but it must be soon; say either in 17 or 37 years, and the question for us earth worms is, what will happen as the result of the collision? It is now pretty well certain that the nucleus of any comet is but small and insignificant, but it is also tolerably well established that all have in their trainenormous belts of meteorites, and the danger of the collision lies herein. When, as is annually the case, the path of the earth’s orbit cuts the path of any of these meteoric bodies, the rate at which they are travelling is not sufficient for them often to pierce the earth’s atmosphere, but they merely ignite by friction, th'isbecoming visible to the eye. At the moment of collision with any immense orb like the sun, however, the velocity will be immensely increased ; and the question is, will the vast train of meteors be hurled or not upon the sun’s surface? If they are, Mr Proctor does not hesitate to say that the heat evoked would be so intense that no living thing would be left to tell the tale, or any member of the great solar system. That such a contingency is possible, we may learn from the manner in which, at different times, stars of the sixth, or lower, magnitude have been observed to suddenly blaze up with unusual brilliancy, and then, after continuing thus for some days, at length die down to their former condition. Now, as each ot these stars is undoubtedly a sun, with attendant systems of worlds, like our own, Mr Proctor says that during displays such as these, every living thing such as we are acquainted with would infallibly be destroyed, and thus in our case would come to pass the prophetic warning that the “ heavens being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with f-rvent heat.” I am bound to say that since I have written the above lines Mr Proctor has stated that a misinterpretation is put upon his meaning, that he does not hold alarmist views himself on the matter, believing, on the contrary, that the earth will last many millions of years yet, and that the greatest danger arises from a comet or other body falling upon us or the sun from interstellar space, but that such a contingency is of the remotest possible degree. Still it cannot bo denied that the experiment of a comet dropping upon the sun is one which has never yet been observed, but will be certainly watched for with a painful interest whenever it shows signs of happening. . THE WEATHER. Though still in midwinter, the days are like spring. Scarce any frost has been experienced, and not once have the out-door operations of building or farming been suspended. The gain to the country is immense, and Mr Gladstone, estimates that the tenant farmers have made at least twenty millions. Truly they need some compensation, for, unless Nature helps them to a good harvest, it is impossible to forecast the result, but the contrary will be ruin to thousands. THE PEABODY TRUSTS. The name of Peabody is synonymous with benevolence and philanthropy, but of late years certain busybodies, both in the Press and out of it, have been trying to make out that the vast sums left by him for the benefit of the poor of London have been diverted from their legitimate use, and that the aforesaid ideas of benevolence, &c., have been flouted by the persons who are appointed to administer the estate. These gentlemen have now issued "their annual report, and, it must be admitted, quite sufficiently vindicate themselves thereby from unjust accusations. The fact is Mr Peabody commenced his gifts in 1862, and continued them over several years by successive instalments, until they amounted to exactly half a million sterling. He himself died about seven or eight years after the trust was put in operation, and its working was entirely satisfactory to him. On the lines thus started the Committee have since worked, so it is difficult to know wherein they have failed to follow the wishes of the founder. The fact is people are under the impression that the money was intended to be used for the benefit of the very poorest; but such was not the case. The desire of the benevolent merchant was. not to pauperise by founding almshouses, but to erect healthy and suitable dwellings, provided with every convenience, for. the benefit of the actually working-classes, and let to them at rates lower than those they could otherwise possibly obtain such accommodation for, and be further directed that the surplus profits, if any, should be put by and expended in continued erection of similar suitable dwellings, according to locality, until, as he believed, in about 100 years, s sufficient accommodation should be provided of such sort and amount that no respectable man would be unable to get a decent set of rooms for himself and his family. At present it appears that the number of families amount to 6000, paying an average rate of 4s 6d per week, or an average per room of about 2s. The capital now invested, including the original gift, profits, and a loan of L 62,000, is about L 780,000. The profits for the past .financial year amount to L 30,000, nearly. At present no effect appears to have been produced on the rents squeezed out of wretched tenants by grasping landlords, but as the movement spreads, and more and more accommodation is provided, the natural result of improved supply will operate, and landlords, to compete with the Peabody trustees, must come down in their terms and improve their property—the more so, as capitalists are more and more investing their money in high class industrial artizans’ dwellings. To'show the appreciation in which these lodging-houses are held, it is sufficient to saly j that 3000 applicants came forward for the r ,430' new tenements opened last year by the,trustees. Their sanitary condition is evidenced b|y ( the fact that the mortality among the occupants is . only 17‘22 per 1000, as against ah average of 21‘20 for the whole of London, It is to be wished that wealthy and generous men in all great cities would follow Mr Peabody’s example—the more so, as the recent census returns prove that in the United Kingdom, at least, the population is flocking to the towns and really depopulating the rural districts. REFORM OF THE CORPORATION, i One of the chief measures announced by the Home Secretary is the intended Bill for dealing with the government of the metropolis. What the details of the measure will prove to be remain to be! seen, but. it is believed that everything will be united under an elected body, the whole metropolis being for this purpose divided into separate wards, each choosing an Alderman, not in a hole-and-corner manner, as at present takes place by a few Liverymen over a tiny area, but a genuine representative body will be chosen of the four millions of ratepayers, who shall have, as heretofore, a Lord Mayor, but with power to deal with the vast revenues of the city for the benefit of all. Such a body would be indeed worthy to perpetuate the memory and traditions of the ancient Corporation of London. I regret to see that the Government seems to think such a body more competent than themselves to deal with the question of the water supply, but inasmuch as it will be five or six years before legislative machinery can be made to work, the question will have become by then almost impossible of management, and the Companies are using their legal rights to the uttermost to increase their revenue and get all they can out of their customers. Since the agitation commenced the New River Company have raised the assessment on my own house by an amount equal to 16 per cent., and others have suffered in an even greater degree. I, predict a very serious agitation, unless the Government come to the rescue, IMPROVEMENTS IN STREET TRAFFIC. Year after year witnesses an augmentation in the number of vehicles using the public highways of the metropolis, with, of course, contingent increase of peril to life and limb. To meet this difficulty in some sort, improved refuges have been erected in the main streets, large and capacious, and well lighted with Suggs’ burners, and so arranged that the traffic can be diverted and turned in various directions at these points. Added to this, the rule of the road “keep to the left,” is hung up in large framed enamelled letters at all the chief points. Inasmuch as some hundreds of persons are yearly killed at the dangerous crossings, something is necessary to meet the difficulty. The police, it must be admitted, render admirable service in taking over old ladies, and stopping the tide of traffic at intervals to enable pedestrians to rush across. The introduction of tramways is a serious danger, as the road is made uneven ; wheels get into the ruts and are twisted off, and imfoggy weather the danger of collisions is To provide a public conveyance, capfoiningthecomfortof a car with the movemerit of an omnibus, the R'iad Car jfiPolapany has been established, and have put ,#rmdst extraordinary conveyance on the roada’ - It is about the length of an ordinary ’bus, .biit very low in body, with two small wheels in front and two large ones behind, the object apparently being to give easy and rapid motion in turning. But the optical effect is peculiar, as it suggests a tendency to tumble forward. The interior, however, is very roomy and convenient ; the conductor stands in front instead of behind, and passengers get up at the side, as in the tram cars. The ordinary knife-board seats on the top are done away with, and in their place comfortable lounges with sloping backs are provided, placed parallel to the driver, and not at right angles as on the ordinary omnibuses. What between these innovations and the multiplication of railways, I am in hopes that the present ill-smelling, cramped, ill-ven'ilated, and ugly vehicles which the London General Omnibus Company and all kinds of private owners force upon an unwilling and disgusted public will be done away with. There is only one thing to be said in their favor —viz., the fares are extremely moderate, in fact they are in exact proportion

to their speed. I believe a healthy tortoise would show them a clean pair of heels any day, and give them half an hour’s start into the bargain. ■' ! RESTORATIONS AT THE TOWER. _ The “Times” truly remarks that no city in the world has so interesting a_ monument to boast of as London possesses in its Tower. For 800 years it has been standing, and continuously used as palace, fortress, and prison, and there is no doubt, from both tradition and discoveries recently made, that for more than 1000 years previous to William the Conqueror’s time a Roman fortress also occupied this very spot. Thus the Tower may claim in one sense an age coeval with Christianity itself. For ages the building stood a menace to the turbulent citizens of London and a relic of the feudal system. Under the Stuarts it fell into much decay, and was blocked by a huge warehouse against the river bank. During 25 years, however, repairs and restorations have been going on ; the late Prince Consort took a special interest in the matter, and now arrangements have been made to sweep away the aforesaid warehouse and complete the great work. By this means the actual fabric, erected by Gundulf, the weeping monk of Bee, under the Conqueror’s instructions, will once again he visible to the eye. Under recent regulations, the building where so many tragedies have been enacted is open gratis to the public certain days in the week, and the privilege is highly appreciated. DISORDERLY HOUSER UNDER FICTITIOUS NAMES. The annals of the Police Court exhibit strange phases of modern society, and probe many a social wound. Some time ago I mentioned in one of these letters the efforts being made to stamp out the plague of the social evil, and the police have now brought to light the fact that, under a pretence of carrying on respectable trades, young girls are apprenticed to what is really a career of immorality. Milliners’ shops in the West End are mostly employed for this purpose, and it is the complaints of parents who have been swindled out of premiums that has brought the matter under public notice. AN EXTRAORDINARY PETITION, A certain clergyman of the Church of England has addressed a most singular memorial to his spiritual chief, the Archbishop of Canterbury. It appears from this that he is anxious to revive the ancient and scriptural custom of concubinage, whicly he regards as a “ lower form of marriage.” Into this state he, it appears, entered some five years ago with a lady who _ was willing to try the doubtful experiment. I must do the pair the justice that they were perfectly open and above-board in their proceedings, supporting them by appeals to Scripture and the ancient Church, by the canons of which, it seems, concubinage was not actuaUy forbidden. These views the reverend delinquent and his co-partner have set forth in a book; and, further, at the commencement of their cohabitation, fully informed the Bishop of London what they were doing._ His Lordship, by way of reply, forbad the priest to approach the Communion Table, and also forbad his ministering in any function whatever. Since these events this singular couple have got regularly married, and now they have petitioned the Archbishop to be allowed the benefits of the Christian ordinances, and the man desires to enter again, on the duties of his sacred calling. What reply the Archbishop will make remains to be seen; but certainly the i conduct of ■ the memorialists is eccentric, to say the least of it; and why they could not have married legally in the first instance it is impossible to divine; also in what way they would have dealt with their offspring, if any, is a puzzle in this nineteenth century. The fact is, this singular couple are born ten centuries too late, or ten too early, for « hatever views may ultimately be entertained on the,subject of marriage, it is certain that the tendency to concubinage in society generally is already quite sufficiently active without the additional incentive of the Church’s sanction, not to say approbation. EXTRAORDINARY FRAUDS BY A WOMAN. The journals of the day are recounting the progress of an investigation into a series of the most extraordinary frauds ever perpetrated on a credulous public. As the accused will doubtless he brought to trial I shall reserve a fuller account till the issue of the whole affair; but,l may just mention that a certain adventuress, by name Earnieux, has for some years been dressing in man’s attire and representing herself to he Lord Arthur Clinton, long since deceased. She managed to induce her dupes to believe that the supposed death and burial of that young nobleman was a sham, and that, for certain family reasons, she was hiding her identity, till the time when, as Lord Clinton, she would enter on her estates. On the strength of this tale, and by forging and intercepting letters on a most extraordinary scale, she maintained the game, and got an immense sum from different victims —how much is not known, but certainly more than L 15,000, These ’monies were advanced under bonds hearing extravagant rates of interest to he met by his lordship when he obtained his estates. Even her own mother was deceived by her, as she kept her in ignorance of her proceedings, by living away from home.

THE AFRICAN ELEPHANT AT THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.

Mr Barnum, the celebrated American showman, being on the look-out for something “ big on four legs,” has unfortunately lighted upon our great; African elephant—the largest certainly, in captivity, and as big or bigger, even than his species generally crow even in freedom —and I regret to say that the Zoological Society have agreed to sell Jumbo, as beds called, 1 for the sum of L2OOO. Fortunately for the Society, they undertook no share in his removal, the .onus being thrown on Bar-, num’a agent. . Twenty men cannot make a horse drink, though one may lead him to the fountain. .Neither one nor twenty, however, could even lead Jumbo when it was a question of shifting quarters from Regent’s Park. Jumbostandaovereleven feet high, and,inorder to take him off, a large box, 12ft high, 14ft long, and Bft wide, made of pitch pine, arid well braced with iron, was brought upon the scene on Saturday, the 18th instant. Special nreparations were made for the removal by sinking the aforesaid trolly in the ground, and laying down tram rails, the trolly being harnessed to a team of eight horses. it was no go. Jumbo advanced to the box with his keeper, but as soon as his front legs were got in, he lay down flat, and resolutely declined to move. Accordingly, as a passage had been taken for him in a vessel starting the following day, it was determined to endeavor to walk him to the docks —a distance of some miles—when it was hoped that, being tired, he would he tractable, and allow himcelf to he put onboard withoutdifficulty. Ats a.m.,therefore, on Sunday, the 19th, he was led outside the gates, hut here he stood, and a very affecting scene took place. He knelt down on theground, and put his trunk round his favorite keeper, at the same time trumpeting loudly, his wife and the other elephants joining in the chorus. For the' second time, therefore, Mr Barnum was foiled, and the great beast was led hack to his usual home, which he entered ■with great joy. What the next move will be remains to be seen, hut the elephant is evidently like the Irish tenant —difficult to evict. For my part I hope he will remain immovable, and I do not think the Society shows itself at its best in trying to sell its old servant, known to many thousands of children, for even L2OOO, an i after this exhibition of attachment it will be hard if something is not done to get the showman off his bargain. As far as he is concerned, I believe be will make a mistake in persisting, for even if removed, the poor brute will probably pine away for his old home.

THE LAST OF THE SENIOR WRANGLERS. I once read somewhere a remark to the effect that he is a bold man who has the courage to approach some time-honored institution, and, taking it by the beard, to exclaim in tones of thunder, “ What art thou 7” Such indeed must have been the courage of him who, first of his race, dared to assail that ancient degree, the Senior Wranglership. There is a divinity that doth hedge a king, and there is an unapproachable brigade, composed of differential equations, quaternions, conic sections, and curves of every conceivable degree, that doth hedge a Senior Wrangler with awful and impenetrable mysteries in the public eye. Somehow, there is a feeling that, after all, wranglers are no better or wiser than other men, andthat indeed, the early and abnormal forcing they go through renders them incapacitated for. taking their place in the struggle with their fellowmen. Certain it is that, though every year has produced its men of any mathematical enterprise, yet Cambridge has literally scarcely produced a man to compare with the immense crowd of eminent public men who have come from and successfully fulfilled the highest offices in the State. At Oxford it is well known there is no personal competition. All within a certain limit go into the same class, and stand equally well before the public ; but at the sister University the whole system is personal, and the tripos list very invidiously separates every man, down even to the “wooden spooner" of his year. Now all will be changed ; in future the the class lists will be assimilated to Oxford practise, and probably the result ■will be to contribute an increased supply of able men to the public service. The system at present pursued at Cambridge is a great deal too much like the cramming of noted coaches for examinations wherein the winner passes the winning post at a white heat, but is good for very little in after life. Bath, that city of old ma'ds and retired officers, has the honor this year of having produced the last of the Senior Wranglers, to wit, Mr Robert Alfred Herman, and his career reflects credit on the ancient foundation of King Edward’s school, ; where he was educated. I see the Girton College of ladies also sent up a contingent for examination. They are not eligible, however, for places under the University regulations, but, nevertheless, are classed as they would be if they had stood with the men. In this way they produce no Wranglers, but senior optimes well up for a place—all, honor, to Girton 1 I have nothing but praise for the higher education of women, . .