SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS.

Gladstone Dines with tlie Queen. Me Gladstone and Mr Morloy dined with Her Majesty on March 7th, Thia signifi cant! honour to Gladstone, who never wae lower in Court favour thnn since tho intro duction of the Homo Rule Bill, is much commented on at political clube. it ia re garded as proof that the Quocn is convinced that Gladstone will Eoon bo back in power

An Egyptian Mason.

A sensation has been created in the Masonic world by the invitiation ot Ibra ham Pasha, a nephew of tha Khedivo of Egypt, into the secret? of Freemasonry as a member of a British lodge under unusually distinguished auepiccs. Tho Pasha intends to establish native branches of the craft in Egypt,

The Crystal Palace.

It ie understood that the Queen will pay a visit to tho Crystal Palace about the end of Juno. It ia certainly high timo that her Majesty should extend her patronage to the palace, considering that it was established mainly through tho exertion of the Prince Albert. Of lato years tho visits of the royal family have been few and far between, The Prince of Walea's enterprises at Soulh Kensington have nearly ruinod the institu tion, which was a favourite hobby of his father.

A Pertinent Remark Which Dis couraged a Prince.

The Princo of Walee added another to iris long list of blundors in connection with the egregious Imperial In.-titnte when he caused letters to be sent to several leading Masonic lodges asking for grants toward the scheme. This request induced a well-known brother to rise and ask whether tho Princo was in neod of pecuniary assistance, as tho Masonic fund ia applied to charitable purposes. _ This practical remark put an abrupt termination to the scheme.

A Religious Wrangle.

A rather interesting wrangle w proceed ing in the papers between high ecclesiastical dignitaries about the to-called " Church House," tho building of which the Bishop of London has done his best to set going. Laymen think it tantamount to a proposal for a clergymen's club. Bishop Temple defends him3elf with tho odd argument that the building will be of value to all bishops. Lay opponents pronounce tho scheme already a failure. The subscrip tions, in spite of unfair pressure, ere email In number and amount, though £250,000 is wanted.

African Exploration

The best expedition which the Germane ever sent to South Africa sailed from South ampton on March 10th. On arriving at the Cape it will divide into two sections. Ono will proceed from tho eaat coast and the other from the west coast, both directed towards the well-kuown country on both sides of the Zambezi The leader Oi one of these parties was lately an oflicer in Prince Alexander's service. Tho other leader is Dr. E. Inwald.

France and the Vatican.

In consequence of overtures from the French for the improvement of the relations oiFrance and the Vatican, the Papal Nuncio at Paris has been summoned to Rome to be charged with a special mission from the Pope on the basis of the understanding already concluded with the French Bishops by the French Government.

A Russian Railway.

Sir James Fertjnson, Parliamentary Secre tary for the Colonial Office, stated in the Commons on March 10th that the railway being constructed by tbe Russian Govern ment from the eastern shore of the Caspian sea has reached Cbarjui on the river. Oxue. He added that the British Government had no reason to believe that Russia was maes ing troops there. Despatches received from Simla state that a Russian military surveying expe Htion for Central Asia has started from Orenburg for Tashkend. From Tashkend the expedition will push across to tho Indo Chinese fron tiers. The main object of the expedition is to discover and report upon a practical mili tary route through the comparatively un knowncountrj lyingbetween Russia and the British Chinese territory in the direction indicated. The p3rty will be escorted by a strong body of irregular cavalry. Tbe Indian Government is arranging to des patch a surveying party to explore the same region, and the two parties will pro bably meet in the Hindoo-Chinese mountain range.

Foolish Lord Lonsdale.

The reports from London that the Mar quis of Lonsdale haß been sued by Cornelia Danke for breach of contract, in failing to carry out his engagements with her as a member of the Violet Cameron Opera Troupe, occasion no surprise in London, for the nobleman forgot to pay any of the girls engaged in that un lucky venture, and left a number of bills to American creditors unpaid. Lonsdale recently wrote to his creditors asking that their bills be sent him, co that he may wipe out all the indebtedness of that absurd and scandalous venture. Miss Cor nelia D. Auka was awarded £125 damages in her action against Earl Lonsdale for breach of contract in connection with her engagement to perform with the Violet Cameron operatic troupe.

A Bow Over Cyprua.

A London cable special cays:—The re venue of the island ot Cyprus again shows a large deficit, and representations ot an urgent character have been made en the subject to Lord Saliebury on behalf of the Saltan. The Porte charges the English Go vernment with applying part of the revenue to imperial purposes, and seems aieposed to claim that the island be ceded back to Turkey.

The Skye Crotters.

The discharge of the Skye crofters, Mac- MiUan and Mao Donald, from gaol, where they had been confined under convic tion of riot, was celebrated by many thousand Scotchmen in Edinburgh. The released men were met at the prison by pipers and given a breakfast at an hotel, where spaecbes on the outrages of tho land lords were made. The officials .gave the crofters free passes home, and advised them to go at once.

The Jubilee Celebration.

The date of the Jubilee celebration haa been postponed from Monday, June 20th, till the following day, in order to suit court plans. There is to be a general il umination on Tuesday night, with a display of fire works in Hyde Park.

Resorts of Divorce Cases.

The joint efforts of the Home Secretary and the President of the Divorce Court to edtt newspaper reports of divorce trials Cβ come to naught. Matthews spoke with confidence in the House of Commons of this interesting scheme, but it appeara on examination that Sir James Hannan has no legal authority to enforce any super vision whatever over reporters who are pre lent in hie court, and $11 less over editors in sanctums.

The Hanlan Gaudaur Match.

Edward Hanlan announces that all ar rangements between him and Gaudaur to row on May 30th for the championship of America-sUkes $5,000-are mode. The place has not bean decided upon. Articles will be forwarded to Beach by the London » Sportsman " to row on the Nepia river in August for £500 and the championship of the world. Hanlan says he expects a hard row with Gaudaur.

Formidable Vessels

LAUNCHING OF TWO CRUISERS FOR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT

The new belted cruiser Galatea,which is 300 feet long and 5,000 tow displace menfc when in fighting condition, was launched at Glasgow on March lltb. The engines are of the triple expansion type, working twin screws. She carries two nine and a quarter inch Arm strong gunß, ten six inch guns of the ■ame o&b, eight And eight threo pounder quick-firiDg a«w, and six torpedo impulse tube?. The engines and eteenng gear are be!ow the water line, which will be protected by steel belts. At Davenport tho Serpent, a t°rp sd ° fitted with five torpedo tubes

A Powerful Ironclad

\ THE SSKOfE WILL HAVE THE BIGGEST ENGINES IN THE WORLD. Lon-don March 1.-Messre Nupier of Wasgow, have just shipped for Sepastopol tho largest sot of triple expansion engines that have ever been constructed for a man o-war, They are of 12,000-horse power, and are intended for the new Russian ironclad Ssnopa.

Mr Labouchere, M.P., on Co ercion.

VIGOROUS DENUNCIATION OF THE GOVERNMENT POLICY. Mr Henry Labouchere, M.P., tolographs to the American press :— " Curiously enough, while tho ' Telegraph ' announcoa the retirement of the Chief Secretary, the ' S'andavd ' givos tl 3 following outline of tho Marquis of Salisbury's Coercion Bill:—'Wo nndorstand that tho bill for the amendment of the criminal law in Ireland will provide that a special jury list, drawn from classes who ore not liable to intimidation, shall be framed for tho trial of certain kinds of offences. The bill will, as we have alroady stated, also giro increased powers of summary juris diction with regard to boycotting, in timidation and incitement to crimo, and will authoiipo the resident magistrates to inflict tho maximum punishment of six months' imprisonment. There will also be a provision Riving the authorities power to examine parsons suspocted of crime without any charge being made.

The ' Standard' is the Premier's ac croditod mouthpiece,and thia description of the Coercion Bill may be accepted as correct. It is this that probably had more to do with tho Chiuf Secretary's illnees than any thing that has happened in tho past. He shrank from being the boaror to Ireland of a law that authorises tho solnctnn of n jury from claases not liable to intimidation, and that bo for invades the common rights of man as to condemn pereons convicted of crirr.o without any charee being made. This is coercion indeed. Eancy tho pro mitigation ot such laws so long aftor the death of King George 111.

"This bill ifl to be introduced at the con clusion of dobftto on the procedure rules, which has been dragging its woarisomo length along for two weeks or moro. It will bring about a truo test of tho sonti ment of the Knglish people on tho Irish quostion, and some positive result. If tho bill passes, then the world will havo tho spectacle of the mailed hand of tho British empire stretched out to seize Ireland by tho throat and choke hor into the sea. Both partios admit that there must be a settlement of the Irish question beforo any thing elfo is done. Gladstone takes oc casion to reiterate this declaration in »1 moit ovory public utterance, whether writ ten or spoken, and as the Marquie of Salis bury assert?, the inevitable is at hand. Iβ thero, then, any ground for surprise that the Chief Secretary, who is to be tho in strutpont for executing Euch a coercion scheme in Ireland, should grow faint ami fall down at the sight of tho spectro which rises boforo him?"

A MYSTERY OF THE SEA.

No Trace of tho Lost Japancso IHan-of-War. The Yokohama " Gazette" says : Admiral Hamilton ie said to have informed tho British Minister in Tokio that tho three men-of-war which ha despatched to tho south in search of tho missing Unebi-kan have returned to HongkoDg without suc cess. Tho Governor of Singapore rendered assistance in tho search for the ship, but no traco of her has beon found.

The total disappearancco of a man-of-war, for such the Unebi-kan was, though she was not in commission, in the narrow peas, 13 a very ummial thing, and it ie equally unusual for any steamer to be loat in the Chba eea without leaving any trace. The Unebi kau had a crew of about 200 men, and carried, without doubt, a large num ber of boats, and it is vory remarkable that no relic of her should have been found up to the present. Unless the Unebi kan turned turtle in a heavy sea, and sank before there was time to get out a boat, some of the crew would surely have reached land somewhere. When the Captain cap sized there was time for some of her crew to get en her bottom before she sank, and so escape: and the Unebi-kan was undoubtedly divided into a great many more compart ments than the Captain, and she ought, therefore, to have been longer sinking

It ha 3 been decided by tho Japanoso Cabinet to demand from the French incur area compiny which insured the Unobikan, payment of the amount for which the ship was insured, as she is now considered ti havo sunk.

Rich Gold Discoveries at Transvaal.

Vice-consul Kmgiit reports to the De partment of State, Washington, concerning the Transvaal goldfield that the wonderful Sholba reef has been eclipsed by another reef discovered lost summer and known aa tho Thomas reef, from which samples of quartz weighing 3,000 pounds, it is claimed, yielded 148 ounces of gold. These dis coveries naturally gavo an impetus to pros pecting on a large scale, resulting in the discovery of marvellously extensive and rich gold quartz veins. The Vicc-CoDSul cays that he believes, after making inquiries and from the best information obtainable, that the Transvaal fields, when fully developed, will prove among the richest in the world. The recent discoveries have naturally given ihe to no end of speculation and mining

ventures, and a great rush of capitalists, miners and adventurers has set in to tho field. Near Shelba" reef a city called Bar borton has sprung up as if by magic, numbering already 7,000 to 8,000 people, and is rapidly increasing in population. The report concludes by cautioning per sons without means not to venture into the gold country unless they be thoroughly practical miners, as the conditions existing are very hard, and many will be doomed to bitter disappointment.

THE JUBILEE YACHT RACE.

The Thousand-Guinea Prize-The Prince as a Starter.

The Prince of Wales presided at the annual meeting of 'the Royal Thames Yacht Club, The secretary of the clnb announced that the money for the 1,000 guinea?, principal prize, bad already been subscribed in full by ninety members of the club, and that plenty of funds were coming in to make up several'prizes, which the club desired to offer for additional races during the jubilee The 14th of June has been fixed as the date for starting the 1,000-guinea race, and tho course laid out is from the Nore north ward up the oast coast of England, around Scotland and Ireland to Dover. The com plaints made by an American newspaper that the course includes narrow channels are unfounded, tho only one in the course being the Englieh channel, which, surely, is wide enough for all competitors in the race. The commanders of yachts in the raco will be permitted to choose any course they please co long as they keep the mainland on their port side. The full text of the conditions of tha great race will be issued within a fortnight. The conditions will include time allowances, according to tonnage on a sliding scale. The Princo of Wales has continually approved the plan of the race, and expressed delight at being permitted to co-operate in the jubilee pro gramme of the club. He promised to act aa starter of the race and to enter his own schooner as a competitor. Tho meeting wae a very enthusiastic one, and wae at tended by all the leading yachtsmen of Great Britain.

A LIVING SKELETON.

Tho Fasting Indiana GlrL

The Chicago "Times'" Delphi (Ind.) epecial says : Dr. Reed, the physician at tending Mary Baker, the fasting girl of Menon? White county, on March 12 said that the family is flooded with letters daily from prominent physicians, making inquiry aa to the girl's condition. She has passed her one hundred and fifty eighth day. In this time, with the ex ception of a few ewallows of nour ishment, not a mouthful of food has been taken. The physician states that ahoia a living skeleton. Tho skin on hor stomaca fairly clings to her backbone She is able to talk in a low voice, and hor mind is as clear lie over it was. What ie now Keeping her olive is a mystery winch no one pretends to solve. Her determina tion to get well undoubtedly has gone far toward prolonging her life. Her death has boen hourly expected for three monthe. In case ehe dies, ehe has got a promise from her parents that no knife shall be used on her body.

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

(For tho Mail of Friday, February 11). (Froji Our London Cokrhsfondent.)

Unparliamentary Language—" Shame !"— An Kpigkam—Lord R. Churchill Bkats a Rklmeat— mub Lanotbv's Strictures on liiEKNGuaii Aristocracy—"BAiia's" Birth day— " Giddy " Scott's Sistisk—Fred. Akciikr's Jewellery—Unlucky Studs — Mrs Kendall's Visit to Osisorne—The Queen on "Sweethearts"—" VVIIO is Mb Gilbert!"— This Bicst Paying Provkhty in London—A Music Hall Dividun-d ie per cent.—Unhealthy, Bilious Weatiieii— "Good Lord He liver Us"—Thk ameki can Company for "Kuddiooke"—Sulii van's Fiancee—Vkrdi's Nk.w Ovkra-Turf Chat—The Bard—Death ov Mk Pryor— Si-ring Hanmcaps, &<j., &v.

London, Fobruary 11. The new ruling of Mr Speaker, that to in terrupt an honourable member by crying " Shamo !" is unparliamentary, and will not in future be allowed, has naturally caused a good deal of "chaff." Sovorol opigrams are current, the following being perhaps the neatest: Tiiclriahpntriotsnow iinst curb their apite. Nor fltng their ••aharaal" at gonUomou oach nlxht, A iHirailox it was. I must coufess, They threw 11 way what they did not roises?. Lord Randolph Churchill has solved the diiKculty of bis anomalous position in Par liament by flight. Ho is off to Algiers with a male friend, and won't re appoar at Westminster til! aftor Easter. Lady Ran dolph dooa not accompany hor husband.

Mrs Langtry's strictures on tlio English aristocracy, ns confided to tho intorviewor of a Philadelphia paper, and reprinted over horo by "Truth, , ' havo givon great oflenco, and will assuredly "got tho lady disliked " in hiyh qunrtors unless pho promptly denies thorn. Mrs Langtry doclares she nantukou up in tho tirst instance whon aho catnu to London by such ,/mndm dames an Lady Koss lyn and tho lato Ducliose of Westminster. What about thoao Sunday nights din ners with tho Into Lord Kunolagh ? Was it not at ono of those (jay, not to say giddy, Sabbath night festivities, tho Dean's daughter mot Sir John Millais, who aekad leave to painthor, and set all tho world raving over tho " Jersey Lily ?" Mothinxs even 1 remember that much. To rnfrosh my recollections of those days I havo, however, turned up a volume of " Vanity Fair" for that eventful cummer. 'Tie there act forth that Mrs L. was not in really good sooioty at all till tho Prince of Wales took her up, Throo professional baautios bluaeomed then, Mrs Wheeler, Mrs Langtry, and Mrs Corn wallis West. The lattor has " gono off" eadly in hor looks, and the formor ono foldom soos. As n matter of fact, even Mrs Langtry ien't what she was.

Tho social ovcnt par exeellenee of last week was the birthday dinner of Miss " Babe " Scott, younger sistor ot tho famous Miss "Giddy" Scott, wboso matrimonial adventure with Mr Sebright recontly formorl tho subject of inquiry in tho Divorce Court. The invitation (printed in silver) ran thus:- BABS Asks jou todinoon Tuesday, Fobruary let, Her 18th birtbday, at tho Bristol Hotel, 8 o'clock. The table was smothered in prieoloss orchids, and the company were (from all accounts) unreetrainodly merry. Tho sale of Archer the jockoy's furniture and etl'ecta realised £4,000, but thia did not includo bis jewellery,which will be diafiosod of at Christie's. It includes hundreds of pins, etuds, rin-;s, watches and other costly souvenirs presented to him in recognition of successful rides, and will undoubtedly fetch fine fancy prices. I remember beingtempted into buying a set of sloovo links that had belonged to the late Marquie of Hastings. They vrero what nro known ai " lucky links," i.e., on each of tho four ovals of gold was enamelled a spado court card—aco, king, queen, and knave mulling up tho set. The enamelling was exquisitely done, and as the Marquie had four lots altogether (diamonds, clubs, hearts and spades), they must have cost him more than a trifle. Well, it was no doubt a fortuitous circumstance, but from the moment I bought those studs the moat inexplicable ill-luck dogged me. Misfortune followed misfortune till —at length overpowered with superstition-I K ave them away. There's a humiliating confession for you. I often xny I wish I could get them back, but I know in my inmost soul I wouldn't have thorn at any co^t.

The Kendals' visit to Osborne to play be iore tho Queen will not heighten the loyalty of Her Majesty's theatrical subjects, if half the gossip aflout about tho iiffuir bo truo. It eeema that after tho performance Mr and Mrs Kendal were invited up to the drawing room, to have a chat with the gracious lady who rules our destinies. Poor ltnwley Cathcart, however, although he had sup ported the happy pair both in " Uncle's Will " nnd " Swoetheartti," was c'lmrletoly ignored. Tho Queen exprensod herself much pleased with " Sweetheart- 1 ," and asked the author's name. "It is con sidered Mr Gilbert's be?t comedy, roplied Mrs Kendal. "Oh, indeed !" said Her Majesty, sweetly, "and who is Mr Gilbert ?"

Homu interesting facte and figures have juet been published in the " I'all Mall Gazette " about the Alhatnbra, which has been a huge success ever since it became a mueic hull again, three years back, and now pays the lucky ehnroholders an annual dividend of 46 per cent. Ono curioui fact in connection with tho Albambra (as a typical tniuic hall) is that the connuraption of liquor in the buildinz lessens every year, and is now only about a third of what it was ten yoars back Wβ ore certainly getting much soberer and less rowdy. I can remember the time (not.co long ago, either) when certain nights at the Pavilion and Alhambra were set "aside as sacred to rampant rowdyiam—such a-> Derby night and boat raco night. Well, laet Derby night I went to tho •■ Pavvy " (to Rive it tfce proper designation), and found the audience parfeerly quiet and well-behaved. Tempora mutaitlur, &c. The changeable weather we are having juet at present plays the very deuce with people's digestions, and naif the men I meot look yellow and out. of temper. A current yarn relates how Cornoy Grain, the comic vocalist, feeling queorieh betook binisalf to Dr. Quain, who told him his liver was all wrong, bat added, by way of consolation, that nine persons out of ton were in a similar bad case " Ah !" sighed tha enter tainer, "if th:it is indeed 80, we had better the responses in the Litany to ' Good Lord, re-liver us.'" The company which Gilbert and Sullivan have been drilling to play " Ruddygore " in New York gave a matinee at the Savoy yos torday, which attracted a tremendous house. The occasion was specially interesting a»it introduced to the London stage Miss Geraldine Uilmar, Sir Arthur Sulli van's fiancee. The lady is young, fascinat ing, and has a beautiful voice. In tho ro/e of the modest village maiden Rote Mayhud ehe completely snuffed out moinoire of Leonora Braham, whom I noticed in the stalls looking the reverse of pleased. But the entire company is firet rate, Mr George Thorue, Mr Courtice Pounds, and Mr Fred Billington being almost replaces in appear ance of Grosßmith, Durward Lily, and Rut land Barrit'gton. The chorus ii not per haps as pretty as the Savoy chorus, but the dresses and mounting, ate , are precisely tho same. I only hope the Australian com pany may be as good. By-thebyo, I met your old friend Dear.c Brande at the Savoy yesterday, and he told mo thnt the preliminary provincial canter of " Khoda " has been mo>>t successful. He and hie wife (Kate Churd) netted £500 in six weeks, and that ia pucb comparatively email towns as Port-month and Southamp- The papers are full of the pro duction of Verdi's " Otello" at Lv Scala last Saturday evening, which eeoms to have been one long triumph from beginning to end Even such critics as Dr. Fluoffer and Mr Boatty-Kingsfon, who seldom praise, and never "gush," are moved to speak with enthusiasm of the opera itself, though they have plenty of fault to find with ita execution. Groat re gret is on all hands expreefed at the retire ment of Christine Nil'son (who marries the wealthy Count Miranda next, month), as it teems probable ehe is the one living artiete who could at once look and sing the part of Deademona to perfection. No doubt PatU will be the first exponent of the part in Lon don, Maurel retaining the role of lago, in which ho appears to have made euch a hit. The death is announced of Mr 1\ Pryor, who was at one time in a prominent posi tion on tha English turf. The best horses ho owned were Tho Rnko, Tnponnior, and 0-mlinal York. Tho Rake carried oB tho Middle Park Plato in the your of its in auguration, boating a field which included such clinkers as Achievement, I he Palmer, and Knight of the Garter. The colt was winter favourite for the Derby of 1567, and would certainly have played a prominent part in the race but for breaking a blood veesel a week beforehand. Mr Pryor nevertheless inejsted on starting him,

but the colt never figured in the van. With Cardinal York Mr Pryor wen tho Ceaarewitch of IS7O, and lande big coup. The horse waa not, however, much fancied outeide Joseph Dawson's stable, and started at 20 to 1. Next year, with 9st in tho saddle, the Cardinal was eecond to Baron Rothschild's Corisando (3yrs, 7at 121b), run ning that brilliant filly to half-a-length. This was thought a great performance at the time, and was much talked about.

The acceptances for the spring handicaps are numerous, and augur well for the coming season. Tho "talent" have selectod Mr Manton'e Loved One, the filly that won the Wokingham S'akes at. A scot bo easily la%t year, ac n good thing for " the Lincolnshire," nnd Lord Ailesbury (lalo Viscount Stomachache) ia said to fancy Gallimile for the co.mc event. Thoro will, however, be no real market either on this or iho Grand National till afier tho " battle of tho bow-wows " at Waterloo noxt week. Tho famous bitch Mies Glendynp, thiit divided tho Derby of tho leash in ISSS with Bit of Fashion, and won riaht out last year, is again a hot favourite. Sho has been kopt specially for tho coming Waterloo Cup, and her connections soom confident that ehe will emulate tho groat deeds of Master Me- Grath by winning a thirdtimo.

ONE HUNDRED LIVES LOST.

Sinking of a Cbinoso Man-of-war. The Shanghai " Mercury " of January 21st gives the following account of the sinking of a Chineso man of-war and tho loss of nearly 100 livos :

The Peninsular und Oriental steamer Nepaul, with tho mails for Shanghai, was going " half-slow" about (> HO o'clock yes torday morninir, a foj; of fomo density prevailing at the timo. She was then about thirty-eight, miles from Woosang and oight from the Tungaha lightship, .and as she proceeded was blowing her whi*ile and foghorn. Suddenly the whistle of a stoamor was hoard quito close to thorn. Tho engines woro at onco reversed, but it was too late to provont tho Nopaul cra-h ---ing within a few seconds into tha Chino-e man-of-war Wan Nieu-chiog amidships, the war ship sustaining such injuries ns to cause hor to sink in about throo-quartors of an hour after being struck. A lady passenger by the Nopaul cays the chock of tho collision was but slightly felt on the steamer. When eho camo on deck tho bow? of the Nopaul wero enveloped in a cloud of steam and smoko, the result of hor having crashod into tho man-of-war's boilers. Tho latter vessel wns thon sinking gradually, the whole of tho saloon duck and rigging being crowdod with Chinese. While tho vosscls woro in collision most of the Europeans bolonging to the man of war leaped on to the Nepaul, eoaie catch ing on to the anchor chain, but before tho ]n»t European wai üble to j'lmp the two ships had separated. Tho mnn-of-wnr went down in three and three-fourths fathoms of wator, and when sho eottlod her rigging which was abivo water was cron-dod with Chineso." There was grcut dilficulty in lowering the Ncpaul's boats owing to a hard fiost during tho night, which rendorod tho ropes stiff and un workable, Six or eiyht boats, we are in formed, wore lowered and at tho wreck in about twenty mUiutoi nftor tho collision. While the man of-war w'ns t-iukiug, Cap tain Aldorton, of the Nopaul. had the steamer manoeuvred co n* to kecip her .is cio3o to the wreck as was consistent with safety. A high cc.i which was running at tho timo added to the difficulties which tho rescuing boats had to encounter, and led to a greater losa of life than would havo otherwise occurred. Most of those who were drowned wero huddled togethor on top of the saloon dock, and wore washed off by tho waves as the vessel pett'od slowly down A number were lost as the boats from tho steamer got alongsido Tho otlicors lirid to loan from the , boats* on to tho deck of the mnn-of war and actually push tho Chinoso violently into tho boots. Tho combined effects of four and the benumbing influence of the cold to which they were ex posed seemed to have completely unnerved them.

Every effort was rondo by Captain Alder ton to roecue the Chinese washod oft the man-o'-war as they floated pact the Nopaul, some clinging to pieces of wreckagn, while others eoemed to be kopt afloat by their thick, heavily padded clothe?.* Several of the passengers also rendered yood eorvico in this line. A etrong tide was flowing, carrying the wrockago rapidly pact the Nepaul. Beside the boats cent to ihe wreck, ono was kept especially oruWng about to pick up those in tho water. Ono young girl, a. servant to a Chinese man darin's wifo, who, with her husband, w:ii* on beard the mau-'o-war, was picked up after boii ir hr.lf an hour in the water. Slie was perfectly benumbed and helplofa whon br;.nght on board tho Nopaul, but mado a good recovery. Her mistress was also voiy nearly dead when taken otf the wreck, but was " brought round." Bnth tnistreM and pervant lost their huebanda, who wcro on board at tho time of the col lision.

Betweon 180 and 190 of tho Chinese on board the man-of-war were roscued by tho buats of tho Nopaul. Most of those wore taken oif the wreck, tho othors hiving beon picked up while floating past the Nopnul. Ths number eaid to have been lost is atatod to l-e from 80 to 100, but wo were un ablo to obtain prociso information on tho point. The greater part of these wero washed off the saloon deck, while ofhors are reported to hive lost their lives through jumping into tho mun-of-'Var's boats, which it appears they cut adrift, and which was capsized. Tho collision wftß duo to tho prevailing grey fog, wbiah was of a deceptive char acter in judging distnnco, nnd man-of war being hidden by a fog bank. When the Nepaul was eight miles from tho light ship the pilot, wo hear, imagined ho was only three milo3 distant. At the timo of the collision the captain, pilot and first officer of the Nepiul were on the bridge, while in the bow there woro another olficor, an English senman and i\ Lascar, co the lookout kept would appear to hare been very efficient.

The Wan Nfen-ohing was from Taiwunfoe and had a number of petty mandarins on board, who wero coming to spend their New Year here. We understand the body of S. Young, late an examiner in the Cus tom", who died in Formosa some montha ago, waa on board and went down with the vessel.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE POPE'S CORONATION.

Imposing Ceremonial at Rome. A despatch from Homo of March 4th says : "Yesterday was tho tenth anniversary of the coronation of the Pope, and the occasion was celebrated with great ceremony at St. PeterV. Tho Pope said a maaa in tho Six Una Chapel, this being the only occasion in the year when ho appeara with the Papal tiara on hie head. The garb of Lent waa thrown aside for the timo being and tho grand altars were decorated in grand ftylo. The grand Pontifical Mass was set for 11.30 a.m., but long before that time the chapel wae crowded. Tho Swiss Guards appeared in their handsome uniforms, and the em bassadors and Church dignitaries occupied front Dews.

The scene when the proceesion entered the great sinctuary waa magnificent. Pre cedod by censors nod cross-bearers, came a long line of prelates in gorgeous apparel. Every eye in the vast audience gazed ex pectantly toward the sacristy as the pro cession passed through into the sanctuary. Toward the end of the brilliant retinue ap peared the white-robed figure of the Pope, borne on the eedia, the great whito ostrich feather fan.", or flabolli, as they are called, being borne on either sido of his chair.

As he entered tho panctnary Hie Holiness bowed hie head and soloinnly raising his hand made the sign of the cross. This moment afforded an excellent opportunity to eludy the man who now ia the head of the Catholic Church. The pictures seen of him in America do not do him justice. They portray him bowed and feeble with old age, but do not show the keen intel lectuality of expression and the brilliant black eyes which light up hia countenance and which have lost none of their youth ful brightness. Hia features are strongly marked, but there is a paternal expression about his countenance which evokes con fidence and admiratioD.

The great whits robs he wora completely enveloped his frail frame. When he de scended from tho stidia and walked toward the altar his foubloDoss became apparent. His'strength is> sustained by hi? will power. Tho Pope intoned the " Gloria " in a voice of surprising firinnee*. His movement? in celebrating the mass weredluw and majestic. The entire service was the quintessence of splendour in the Catholic ceremonial. The music was of a high order. The Pops pro nounced benediction on a kneeling throng of prelates, priests, ambassadors and lay men,

The Death of Henry Ward Beecher.

Tin: Rev, Henry Ward Beecher went to bed on March 3rd complaining of severe pain in tho head. After a while ho dropped off to sloop, but awoke toward morning and vomited considerably. He was unwell during tho 4th, but not so seriously as to cause alarm, but on tho morning of tho sth a sudden cliango for the took place. Dr. William A Hammond, of this city, was sent for, and alter some consulta tion tho physicians decidod that Boeuher was suffering from an apoplectic attack. Ho lay in a eomicomatoee condition, apparently suffering no pain. Ho was still sensible, though in a condition of stupor. ll* could be roused, however, by loud talking, but in the afternoon ho foil off as soon as thia ceased, and ha would thon relap?o into a condition of stupor. Ho appeared to hoar what was said, but apparently did i «S care to listen or care what w.19 said. He was partly para lysod in thi3 loft arm and leg, especially so in tho arm. Tho leg he could move a little. His speech was indistinct. Ho could not movo his tongue, and gradu ally the paralysis stupefied hia mind and ho steuuily Bank, finally passing away quietly in sloop. Ho was entirely un conscious towards the end. On the day of tho funeral all Brooklyn went into mourning. The public offices were closed, business was entirely suspended, and momorial services wero held in a largo number of churches in the vicinity of Plymouth Church. While a vast crowd of people gathered outeide the church, lady members of the congregation woro working within. The whole interior was turned into a perfect flower garden, and the frogant perfume from roses ponadod the air. Tha of tho gallery waa covered with patted plants Tho pulpit was leaded down with flowers and itjral emblems sent by the friends of different organisations Tho ca?kofc wai placed on a catafalque of whito rosoy, whito carnations and Himilax, directly in front of the reading dealt. Not a vestigo of black covering tho caekot could bii Feon. Tiiera was nothing to in dicato the prosenco of death, except the stillness which pervaded the room and tho hushed conversation of tho workors.

it woe nearly 10 o'clock bofore the doors woro thrown opon to those who had been waiting within for nearly threo hours. Tho lii'Bt four soati on tho right of the contro aWo wero reserved for relatives of tho deoefipcd. Boochei'e family wero not, proeent, and tho family pow was filled with flowpn. Mrs Baechor waa in tho church fur v fow minutes beforo tho doors opouod, and went with her sons beforo tho crowd ontovod.

Promptly at 10.80 o'clock Dr. Charles H flail, robed in his whito surplice and ac comp.iniod by Kov. S. B. Llalliday, entered tho church nnd ascended tho platform. After music Dr. Hall commenced to read in a low, but clear tone, tho opening sentencoa of the Vroteetant-Bpiscojial burial service After ihirt camo tho double quartet.

In closing hie sermon Dr. Hall, among otKbr things said : " A bravo and woary man is hero at rest. Bravo of old to daro the bruinl forco and dofy tho violence of mobs and ruffians in speaking for tho slavo; bravo to accept tho murmurs ani doubts of hiti political friends whon conscience prompted him to part from them ; bravest to wrovtlo alone with great sorrow when he oould find no earthly help. Wo honour him for the courage of hi-> formor acts. Wo love him, and wonder at him for tho calm, sweet, gentle resignation of tho past years." Other churchos in which services wero held were nil crowded to their utmost capacity. Tho surrounding streets in all directions wero crowded with people, wait ing patlontly for thoir turn to gize upon th.) fnco of iha dead preacher. It is esti mated that fully 25,000 people attended tho forvics* in the various churches, and tint fully twico that number wore gathered in the stroot iti front of Plymouth Church,

A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE. Tho Extraordinary Careor of the Plymouth Pastor. Tho following interesting ekotch of Boecher'a life appeared in tho San Francisco "Chronicle." Fow men in this country woro better known than Henry Ward Boechor. He early gained prominonci: a* an eloquO!it pulpit oraror. ■ As an anli-«lavery a Ivncafe ho et.'engthonod the poMtion which ho had secured. As 'ho head nf a gnat and wealthy conereji'ition in Brooklyn, he wielJed for years an influences second to that of no other clergyman in tho country. In nnn roY or another ho has always bi.cn a woll-defined figure baforo trie people. There ha-i always noen something bright, crisp and original about Beecher, wholher as pulpit divine, orator, editor, lecturer, politician, essayist, novelist or lending actor in the grcatcet social scandal that evor broko our, in America.

Mr Bacchor caino of tho best Puritan etock. and of his largo family of brothers and enters not one has failed to mako a namo for geniua or eccontricity. Ho was the lineal descendant'of the piNth genera tion of ono of tha pionoers of Now Haven, who settled there in 103 S. HU father, Lyman ISoccher, was a great proacher bo fore him—perhaps Bβ great as New England over e-iw. Henry Ward wa> tho fourth child. Ho was birn at LitehliolJ, Conn., on Juno 24, ISI3. He grow up liko all boys grow, attended tho public srhools, then went through the Boston Latin School, taught a country school for some time, and finally was graduated frotu Amhont C.il lego at tha ttijfl of 21 years. Then ho studied thoolntry at Lano Semiiuiry under hie father. In 1837 ho ac cepted a cull of tho Presbyterian Church in Lnurenceburg, lnd., although his father was one of tho founders of ortho dox Congregationalism. Just previous to accepting this charge he edited the Cincin nati "Journal," a religious weekly, for a ye , r nn< l co t atasto for journalism that led him'«o ciabble in it until the day of his deatS After preaching for two yoara at Laurenceburg ho removed to Indinnap-ilie and remained thore eight yoare. In 1547 ho received n sail from Plymouth Congre gational Church in Brooklyn. Heaccopted it, nnd this was tho turn in the tide that lod to fame, if not to fortune. Mr Beecher lirai; gained a national repu tation just before the war broke out, when he boc.ime known as one of slavery's bit toreat and most eloquent opponents. Por haps here, too, first became apparent the distinction betwoen Beecher the religious preacher and Beecher the public man. So earnestly did he enter into the groat strug gle that iv 1893 ho vieited England and fairly startled the Britons by his burste of powerful oratory in the attempt to dis abuse the English mind of ita prejudice in favour of tbo Southern Confederacy. Ho returned to America with a European reputation. Tho next ton year,? were the acmo of hia popularity and famo. Long a contributortothe New York "Independent," from ISGI to 1563 he waa its editor, and continued a contributor to 1870. In that year he assumed editorial charge of the " Christian Union," but contributed to many other papers nnd magazines. It wae in 1874, while eujoying the full tide of public admiration and respect, that Theodore Tilton, formerly his associate and after wards his successor in the editorial manago mont of tho " Independent," charged the divino with criminal intimacy with Mrs Tilton. A committee of Plymouth Church investigated the chargeand exonerated their pastor. Mr Tilton then commenced a civil Buit for $100,000 damages. After a tedious trial, the particulars o Jwhich filled the pub lic prints at the timo, tho case waa given to tho jury. The jury waa out a week and then disagreed, niue favouring acquittal and three conviction. The scandal unquestionaYly weakened Mr Boocher's influonco. But Plymouth Church cluug to him through evil and through good roport, and he continued to fill its pulpit to tho end. His sermons wero printed regularly evory week and sent over the country, while within the last few years it had been the custom to telegraph reports of them to many Baatern newspapers, which published them simultaneously on tho morning after their delivery. Politically, too, Mr Beecher wae a power until within a few years of his death. Hie political adherence! for many years was given to the Republican party, as it cham pioned the piinciplee which ho believed ought to prevail. The campaign of 1884, however, saw him reverse the attitude of o lifetime and join in the effort to elect a Democratic President.

The orthodoxy of Beechor's rolipious belief has been radically modified. Karly in IS7S ho announced from tho pulpit that he dici not believe io the orthodox boll of eternal lire and brimstone, coi)t.;u<u;i£> that all future punishments would ha uau tionary and remedial. While he haa always been pastor of Plymouth Church, yet he baa not allowed his pastoral duties to prevent his engaging in tho lecture field or in other pursuits. When he preached, the vast church, with a seating capacity of 3,000, was packed to the doors. Plymouth Church voted him a.

leave of absence whenever he wished it. Ho has twice been in Europe, spending last summer in England, where he was listened to by vast throngs. When in the lecture field he spoke" on whatever topic was uppermost In the public mind " Reconstruction of tho South," " Free Trade," "Tho Chinese Question," "Tem porance." In personal appearance Mr Beecher was a striking figure. He v■ a of medium height, with a face expressive of power and force. He novor woro beard or mous tache, but made up for tho lack of hirsute growth on tho face by woaring his hair falling over tho collar, of his coat behind. Ho had a weakness for low-necked collars. It was his boaet that ho never wore a dress coat, though frequently he has been tho only man at a bouquet of 300 or 400 at tirod in a frock coat. In ISS3 there was a great dinner at Delmonico's toadered to General Grant, President Arthur, Gov ernor Cloveland. and tho Governors of ten other States. Of course Boucher, was in vited. Ho came in Ute, and a glance at his appearance sbowod that his attire might have been improved. He had no apologies to make, however. In the course of one of his usual soul-3tirring speeches he explained that ho had just come from hia Peekskill farm. As he eat down, General Grant leaned forward and said : "Mr Beecher, I don't know what kind of a farmer you aro, but as a talker you aro 'some pumpkins.'" Ho was fond of at tending public dinners, although on such occasions he scarcely ever ate anything. While those around him were stowing away all of tho solids and fluids within their reach, tho Plymouth pastor nibbled bread and sipped&pollinaris. He, however, kopt up a steady flow of talk that put every person within tho sound of hia voice in a merry humour. Mr Boucher had a passion for (lowers. Had he been brought a farm, he doubtless would havo bocome an inspired agriculturist. His first contribution to print wai! under his weekly title : " Fruita, Flowers and Farming." Henry Ward Beecher died a rich man Tho insurance alone on his life waa lOO.OUOJoIh He commenced preaching at L'lytuouUi Church on a ealiry of l.QOOdol. per ye>ir, but that salary had been in creased to 20,000J01a. It U ited that the prose reciipti from the church amounted to 40(),00Udol<. At tirst ho lectured at SOdols. per night, but for years past hi-* figure has been oOOdols. a night. A fair average would bo thirty lectures per year, and for forty yesrs his receipts would amount to 200,000i015. Ho mirried from twenty-fivo to ono hundred couples a year, at an nvorogo of Ifidolti pier marriage aa a fee. This would mako 30 000 probably

Hβ published over sovonty volumes of sormons, lectures and eaeays, not his "Life of Christ," which mixrt havo nottcd him at lca»t 10,000Jol. Ho wrotfi a longtiino for Mr Bonne.'x " Leiltror," which paid him for "Norwood" 25,000.i0l cash, and his pervicon as cdi'or or contributor to tli3 " Independent," the " Ledger," and tho "Christian Union ' probably gave him combined 25,000d01. miro, or a gross total of TSO.OOOdoI., which is a very tidy sum when eot down in a table like thi-< : For nreachins Sl'o 000 1,|.i:1«.-ing 2'lJ.n:o Susiilay publications 100,000 Wedding fi-O8 30.C00 "Noi'wood" 25,0 0 Sunday ediliogs 25,100 Total _ ¥780,000 In spito of this royal rovenue, Mr Beecher has always been in financial straits, and only a few years ugo ho parted with his valuable library to meet pjrao pressing demand. What he did with his money will probably remain a mystery. Recently ho contracted to complete the " Life of Christ," the publication of which was sus pended with the first volume, and he had also entered into arrangements to write his autobiography, which would have been a remarkably readable book.

The Lust Years of Lord Shaftesbury.

To many readers the record of Lord Sbaftes bury's later years will perhaps have a greater charm than any other portion of the work. At the ago of 70 he gave the following account of himeelf in hie diary— a description which was applicable, in great measure, to the remaining years of his life :

"Dec. 22, 1871,—1 am 70 yoars of age and six months. My very good, requiring glwcs only for reading; I am somewhat doaf. I eleop well, walk easily, though not very far without fatiyue. Aia tolerably erect, and havo very few grey hairs. Whatever mind I over ha J, I think that I rotain. Mamony may be—l am not quite suro—a little weakened. Doubtlees it it so in of getting things by heart. Am generally calm aod collected, though oftentimes in high spirits, and often times exceedingly low. Yet in neither extreme do I after the opinions I have formed Ido not, of course, as I used to do, look forward constantly to some fresh thing to be achieved I estimate obstacles more accurately, and confess the very short timo at) command. I havo nevertheless projects, and it ie pleasant to indulge thorn, though I may aever be able to execute thorn. My feelings are as vivid and as koon as in my youth— on all eub jocts, I may siy, except in of neglect or affront. Here, of course, I am not pleased ; but I accept tho matter, as the French say, a fait accompli, and there the question ends." Ho was eensitivo in tho extreme all through life, and he was so on the question of old ago. " Thn moment a man is said to be« fine mm fur UU i-j\" ho wrote, "he is (imply enjoying an euphonious term fora detni twaddler. If ho does auythine well, pooplo admire with a fpecies of patronising compassion ; if ho doos it ill, they ascribe it to actual or approaching imbecility."

Nevertheless it was his conetant prayer that he might " die in harness," and his last yoars were full of unceasing activity. "but uhy? Only bocause others are so restful."

'There is nothing more curious in the whole of tho diaries of Lord Shaftesbury," s-iye h's biographer, " than the record of Irs old ago. He contemplates it in o hundred unexpected ways, and from very ordinary standpoints ; be speculated upon it, as if he were a disinterested person ; he naively describes and discusses feelings and sensations common to old age, but as if ho had not tho least conception that they pro ceed from that cause. Thus, in IBS 3, when visiting his friends at Castle Wemyes, where hia health hitherto had always been bene fited, ho begins to think ' the air is ro luxing.' Soon get tired. I should like to try a very bracing climate. It does not seem to occur to him that the difference in feeling is due to age." To the very last ho laboured on, his facul ties keenly alivo. his heart tender as evor, his sympathies just a 9 fresh and his plans just as numerous as at any other period of his life.

Tho story of his last days, spent at Folkestone, whither he had gone for change of air and in the hope of recovering strength is told by Mr Hodder in the following words : —

" Freo from distressing pain : with con sciousness pefectly clear ; surroundod by hie sons and daughters, whom he loved with an untold and untellable love ; undis turbed by any fear of death, unshaken in faith, and in full assurance of hope, he calmly waited the end. "Hewae, to the last, very anxious that tho letters which came to him should be answered, and used to dictate to his daughter, Lady Templemore, the replies he wished to be sent.

" The very last matter of actual business whioh he attended to was the filling up of the living of Shaftesbury (of which he was patron), and much care and thought were bestowed by him on the appointment. . . '•Then came o day, the first day of October, when the sun was shining in meridan splendour, flooding his chamber with the light he loved so well. His faith ful valet, Goldsmith, handed him some thing, which he received with the words, 1 Thank you.' These were his last words. And then, a few minutes later, fully con scious to the last moment, he passed, with out pain or sigh or struggle, into the in effablo light. "Leisure Hour."

THE RIVER OF REST.

A beautiful stream is the River of Rest, The etill. wide waters eweop clear and cold, A tall mast crosses a star in the west, A white sail gl-ams in tan west, vor'd's grid ; It leans to the shore ot the River of - The lily-lined shore of the Hivor of Reat. Tho boatman rises, holreaehiss a hand, Yμ knows you wWI. ho will steer yon true. And tar, so far from all ill? upon Und, From hates, from fate 3 that DUCSU9 aad pur- Far over tho lily-lined River of Rest- Dear, mystical, magical Kiver of Bust. A storied, sweet st;e*m in this Ulvorof Rrst; The souls of all time keep iti ultimito shore; And journey you oast, or journey you west, Unwilll iK. or willing, sure-Jootdd. or eoro, You surely will come to thia Kiver of Rest— This beautiful, beautiful River of Rest. —Joaquin Miller, In the "Century."

THE STORY OF STANLEY FALLS.

A Thrilling Adventure.

The following narrative, the outcome of a conversation with Mr Walter Deane, the officor in charge of Stanloy Falls station at the time of its capture, is related by a cor respondent of the " Daily Kews :"—" Three months bofore the final straggle at tho Falls, i> slave woman came into the station one morning to seek protection from tho persecutions of her master. She could not show nny signs of corporal punishment, and unless slaves can prove that they have been ill treated in this way it is a rule at tho station not to interfere, but to send them back. This was done, though the poor woman begye-l and prayed to be protected. About ten days after sha returned to the station one mass of wounds, her master having tied her up to a tree, thrashieg her unmercifully many hours a day till her back and limbs were bloody and raw. Mr Deano now re solved to keep her. This act was tho pri mary caueo of tho hostilities shown by the slave dealer*. Money was offered to buy the woman from her master, but the Arabe wore sulloD, and refused. The Arabs even tually tired on the settlement. Mr Deane, Lieut. Dubois (his Belgian colleague), with o handful of Houseas, attacked and finally drove them on to their own vilbge, which they burnt, capturing some weapons and banners. New hostilities had commenced, tho situation at the Stanley Falls ttation was anything but a cheerful one. The Arabs had been defeated for a time, which kept up the spirits of Doane'a little force, but ammunition was running short, and what was left was not quite to be depended on, for many of the cartridges had proved to bo spoilt. Luckily at this time the steamer Stanley with etoroe caino up to the Falls, but tn Mosera Dean and Dub iia'disappoint ment, the expoeted fresh ammunition and rjinforcttnontH of Huuesaa had not arrived ; hut the appearance of the little steamer created considerable moral effect on the Arabs. Though they had been closing round the station for several days, their numberp being augmented by the neighbouring chief, who was in ducod to send men by a bribe of two tneks from the brother of Tippoo lip, the presence of the steamer seemed to have a salutary effect, and they profeesod considerable friendship. Mr Deano, though often threatened Dy these pontlomon that if capturod he would have his th oat cut, went alone into the camp, and pucr.eeiod in bringing on their chief to Stanley Falls to have a palaver; but when tho steamor left, the Arab's promisee of friendship wore broken, and hardly had tho smoke from tho little boat disappeared in the deni-o foliage of tho river tide than the Araba elocod in upon the settlemant Stanley F.ilin station in situated almost in tho rcntie of tlie river, and this is an islund nt high water. Just at this period tho river was exceptionally low, and the Arabs could easily approach from tho mainland on one tide; on the other thoro was MX hundred y.irdd of water from shore to shore. All men in the littla station bad been busy erecting barricades and earthworks for the three umll Kaipp guns. The garrison consisted of K3 Houesas and 40 Banglas, cannibals trained by Dubois and Ddana The commenced about 10 o'clock on the morning of the Tuesday. Mr De me v onked two of the guDS, and Dubois took the other. This brave little band of eighty men fought against enor mous odds till the following Satur day, whon thoir ammunition foil short. They had already used all their breech cartridges, and had now to fall back on come percuesion ammunition with old rifles in stock. The men were not accus tomed to these guns, and if a cartridge did not explode, another would be rammed in on top of it, and when it.'eventually went off, the wretched marksman would injure himself severely. The Hooeeae fought very well, but thnir courage was only kept up by rhe bravo Europeans. At one time, with the incessant blast of his guns, Mr Deane's ears burst out bleeding. Many of the men rushed from their poet to see if he was •wounde- , , by their absence endangering the position. Night and day this little band kept the foe at bay, till dawn on Saturday, when the enemy were largely reinforced, and they ' rushed' the little position, charging right into the etation. Deane's men had by this time only three cartridges left. These were soon expended, and they clubbed the enemy with their rifles, driving them out of the station ; but the Arabs had succeeded in cap'.uring a No. 4. Snider pivot-gun. There was now just breathing time to look round. Three tloussas had been killed, 17 were lying wounded, and many Banglaa had disappeared. The brave little band now began to get demoralised. They wanted to beat a retreat. Dean and Dubois remonstrated with them till evening. Then, really fiuding the etation hopeless, the men began to desert, till at last only Eoven Houssas regained, and they promised faith fully to Mand by the two white men. With this small forco, and no ammunition, there was nothing to be done but to retire. All tho stores were piled together, petroleum poured over them, the breech-piecee of the guvs rnudo useless, and tha place was set on fire. The day before two houses had been destroyed for tho purpose of narrowing tho lino of defence, and both Englishmen in tended to concentrate their forces, as there was plenty of provisions, till relief could arrive from v place called Bangala, 500 miles lower down tho river. But the disaffection of the men proved how im possible it was to carry this cut. Sooner than fall into the hands of the Arab chief tho men aeke-1 to be killed on the spat. However much inclined Mr Deane felt to m»ko an examplo of at least one of them, ho resisted the temptation, besauEe the Arabs would have known it directly, and, seeing his dilemma, have rushed on them at once There was no help for it. They must go. So, stealing away along the slippery bank of the river, hiding in the. dense shadows caused by the blazing ttntiOD, Mr Deane and M. Dubois, with their eorgtaut-m-ijor and a few Houseas, tried to pass through the Arab lines. Jn attempt ing to cioss some Blippary rocks both Mr Deane and M. Dubois fell into the water. In swimming to shore Mr Deane arrived first, il. Dubois was very much distressed, being the heavier laden, having overcoat and revolver on. Hβ cried, 'Je vais mourir !' and Mr Deane saw him struggling and sinking. Ho immediately dived after him, and had much difficulty in bringing him to shore, for M. Dubois had at first clung to him. At last they reached a rock on which was ono of the Houssas. Deane placed Dubois's hand on the rock, telling him to catch hold for a moment. Then he told the Houssa to place his rifla out over the etone for Dubois to hold while ho (Dn-ine) assisted him up. The Houssa said, 'But if he is not there, master. . The current was too strong for him -he had been washed away. Mr Deano dived again and again, but there were no signs; he had gone. With the tension of the last day's fighting and the wear and tear of mind and body, the great loss of his dear friend and brave comrade, who had shared all hia hardships and dangers, was too much for him. Hβ threw himself on the bank, and wept bitterly. Wandering by the banks and under cover of the jungle when the sun was-up, he took his clothes off to dry. While his things were drying there was a discharge of fire arms from the wood in front of him, and he saw the Arabs closing around him He snatched up his revolver and fired right and left, and rushed through the linos; and, run ning for de»r life, he at last distanced his pursuers. Now he was hunted, tracked by the Arabs, for thirty days, with nothing to cover him but the blanket he wore to keep the sun off while his clothes were drying. Barefooted, a p.poar wound in his left arm, one of tbe fingers of the right hand split with a slug, and a flesh wound in his thigh, he wandered from day to day through jungles and by river, living on ground fruit and locusts, till at last he found some friendly natives, who got him a canoe, and ho arrived eafely at Bangala."

Approaching the Empress of Russia.

A Court reception by the Empress of Russia is thus described by a recent visitor aid journalist :—"ltia said that a foreigner must approach the Eui[ -ess through three thousand officials 1 The Winter Palace, with its polished floors, its walls blazing with a thousand wax candles, its gorgeous hangings, malachite pillars, and works of art, its tropical flowers and ferae, its floors inlaid with ebony and rosewood and ivory, is a wonderful and mysterous place. Thfro surrounded by a eoa of splendour, stands the Empress, herself a moving mass of diamonds. Her necklace reaches from her throat to her waist, and on hor head is the crown made for Elizabeth ; all the gema of the East are on her brsasfc, with tho proudest of Imperial orders. Surrounded by Grand Duchesses and by Grand Dukob, each of whom blazes with jewels, stands this young woman called to. a destiny which is bo peerless and so perilous."

Changed in the Cradle.

Told by the CHANGELiNe,

I was brought up in ould Ireland, in the town of Ballygannon ; and a merrier goesoon ye niver clapped eyes on. The only thing iver I complained of was the poverty. I was always saying to myself: " Pat, what if ye were the squire's eon there?" or, " Pat, what if ye were the big English lord ttavellln' wid the lote of earvents? or, whilst ye're about it, if you wsre the Prince ay Wales himsel', wouldn't you enjoy life more than they do 1' " There's gentle blood in you, Pat,"l was iver an' always to mesel, " or you'd niver be so lazy." And co one day I made up my mind to make my fortune, and packed mo clothes in a red pocket-handkerchief, and cut me a good shillaley, bit good-by to mo friends, and walked away toward Dublin ; and I'll cay ng more about mesel' until all of a sudden, out of the darknees, came a light and a glare and a trampling, and looking up I saw horses and lamps, and in tho light a equare daunchy figure sitting crooked up and staring at me. '•It's the king of the fairies," thinks

Well, I don't know how it came into my mind first, but it was always there. If I was but somebody else, you understand—for I didn't rightly know who I was, bein , found in a field, wrapped urj in some yellow flannel, with sugar tied in a rag and put in my mouth to kape me alive till they took me in the workhouse.

However, I got out of that, and wrought with a farmer, and I did finely ; but I was juat disgusted, a3 I was eayin', with the poverty and for all I knew, I waa entitled to a fortune ; and it Beemed to be in my bonce that that was co. I hated the work co, and liked to raft myself in my best clothea, if I had any, which I euppose is the way the quality feels moat times. And away I went into the mud in a fright that was nigh the death of me. Then there was a time that I didn't know about, and I came to myself to find I'd been picked up, and the quare little crayther waa bending over me. I saw he wes human after all—a strange little dwarF, with a hunched back and thin, crooked loss. " How are you now ?" says he. " Och, your honour," says I, " I'm kilt entirely." "Well," says he, "be aisy ; you shall have the best of doctor's advice in a minute." "Sure," says I, "I'm in no nade of tho doctor's stuff when my head gets steady, but it's a bite and a sup I'm in need of moat." And then, tho doctor coming and finding no great harm done, they took me along with them Ie was a foine castle aud laehings of all things, and the tarvonts pleasant; and I waa set to work, and got good wagea. But over and always I was thinking : Och, if I was but the mastber. Me such an illegant figure, but a handy boy in the kitchen ; him the like of that, ridin' in his coach; it seemed curious loike. And one day. when, to be sure I had been over in the tavern and gone into the barn to elape on tlia hay, I says to myself, ont loud: * "Ah, Pat, where'a the fairy folk that they didn't change me for the maether in our credits ?" And sure that minute Iheard a voice at my ear, and this is what it said to me : " Arrah, Pat, that's just what we did in tirely, axzactly fiveand twenty years ago." I looked up, wid a cowld sweat courein' down mo forehead ; and there, swiogin' on a long ethraw o' hay, was a little crayther, the size iv your thumb, wid a goold crown on his head, and dreseed in ethuff thatehone like the feathers in the tail of the big pay cock on the lawn, and he was laughing at me as he teeteied about on the sthiaw as if it was the greatest joke in the world ; and though he wasn't the size of my nose it was I who was afeared of him, not him of me. " And cure what's that?" says I. "What is it I'm lookin' at ?"' "I'm the fairy king, Pat," says he. 'You asked uhythe fairies didn't change you for the maether, and I say— juet what we did the day you were born. You see, your father, the masther of Castle Derry, had the impudence to build a big barn right over and above onr fairy ring, and they finished it tho day you were born. Sure but we felt revengeful, and who can blame us? And at the came time the poor crayther, wanderin' Heaven knows where, wrapped her poor, crooked baby up in some old rags and laid it in the poor-house fiold, and went away crying. That was the masther that is now, for we took ad vantage of the fact and changed ye. We whipped you out of the cradle, and him out of his old bit of yellow flannel; and so vie punished the man that spoiled our ring by giving him a son like that, instead of a handsome boy like you, Pat." " Och, the pity," saye I. " Och, to think iv it. Sure, I knew there was something like that all along." And up I got, the liquor in my head yet, and-makin' me stagger about. " Come ou to the mistress," said I, " and tell her." But the king of the fairies wae gone, and nothing for me to do but go alone. Now themasther's mother—a widdy lady — was always agin my being there, 1 knew. I was afraid of her and the lectures she gave mo agin ontemperance and idleness. 80, but for the courage the drink gave me, I'd never have faced her, and I knew it then. So I went.on, sayin', "Courage, Pat; claim your roights." And I got to the roo n where she was, and in I walked. And there sat me lady, grand and foine, and lying down on the sofa the changeling she belavod her son, when it was me was the boy all the while. "What do you want, Pat?" said he. "My roights," said I " Your roights ?" he repeated. "If you are wronged I'll see to it. But go sleep yoursalf sober first. This is no placo for you in such a condition," " No place for me ! You to say that, that's kep' me from my roights for five-and twenty year." Ho laughed. " You're laughing at your master," said I. " It's hard for ye to understand, but you are me and lam you. The fairies changed us in the cradlo. Why, look at the two of us beside each other and you'll pee it's onnatural that the lord ,of Castle Dsrry should be a dwarf with crooked back and spindle legs, and a foine figure in a boy I like me a earvint; be rasonable. " Mam," says I, "I'm your lawful son', changod in the cradle by the fairies. That one there is only a changeling ; the king of the fairies tould me that out in the bam just now. If I could find him he'd tell you I'm tellin' no lie. Look «t the two of us and ccc if it isn't likely. . "Mother, I'm your long lost son, and a foine one." But the o'd crayther had no natural affec tions. "How dare you come here to insult the master who has been so much too (rood to you ?" says she. "Och, I'vonot a thought of it," says I, " nor a bit of ill will to him. Only I de mand me roighta. I'm the Lord of Castle Derry, and he's the crooked changeling they Dut in the cradle when they took me away." But that minit something flew in the air. It was the big brass candlestick at the lady's elbow, and before I could dodge, it knocked me down. The next I knew I was outeide the gate, my head bleeding and my bundle at my side, just as I'd met the masther on the road that night; and there he was, looking at me the came loikewise. And sure there could be no doubt he waa me and I was him when I saw the size and crooked ness of him and looked at my own legs. "Pat." eaid he, "I'm sorry for all this. My mother says you must go ; so there's no help for ic. Drink is at the bottom of all this ; but I don't wonder at the fancy that came into your head. I'm very like a fairy changeling, and I'd give a good deal for your broad shoulders and etout build; but remember drink can make your mind more crooked and deformed than my poor body, and keep from it. Here's your wages and a little more." It was a good deal more. And I couldn t help saying, while I steadied myself by the gate: "Well, sur, God bless you, anyhow. If the fairies did change you for me, they made you a rale gentleman, better than iver I'd been, and more forgiving."

And he smiled at me, in a kind of quare sorry sort of way, and went in, wid 1 '• Goodbye, Pat " And since that day_ a niver seen him or that fairy king again. But whiles when 1 am considerin', it eeems wonderful to me that I'm not myself at all, but the lord of Castle Derry, and he me, all along of the fairies changing us.

Prosecute tn« RwlnOlerall If when you call for Anorloan Hop Bitten tsee green twig of Hop* o*> the white label 'and Dr. SouU's name blown in the bottle), the Ten dor hands out anything but American Hop Bitters, refuse It and shun that vendor as yon would a viper t and If he hm taken your mo&er for anything else, indict him for the fraud and ■ue him tor d&maoen for tte iwlndj*. ud wi wtujHar m BSiwßy fa* MnmtMS.

THE LIBS ABOUT THE CZAR.

The Truth at Last In the " Times."

The " Tiinss," after circulating for month* the most ate nous libels on tho Czar, on the authority of Nihilists and others in foreign capitals, published in its outer sheet a long and interesting letter from as occasional correspondent of its own at St. Petersburg, which gives the moat absolute contradiction to all the fictions frith which Europe has been flooded about the " mad ness," " drunkenness,"."cowardice," &c, of Alexander 111. The correspondent says :— I tru-fc that a few words about hie Majesty's personality may be Buffered to appear in an English newspaper, aftertho misrepresentation of which he has certainly been the subject, and in view of the great importance of knowing something about the character of this absolute monarch who has begun to astonish And rather puzzle the world by the conduct of hie own foreign policy. We know from the latest work of Count V-—, and from Russian opinion in ■ general, that Alexandei HI. is a very tem perate man, a model husband and father, and such a lever of honesty and detester of self seeking officials that he ha- sacrificed many persons of political worth 10 a preference for men in his entourage, who, although not brilliant, are at least irreproachable as re gards honesty and devotion to Imperial in terests rather than to their own. He works hard to maeter the smallest details of go vernment, examining every paper with the greatest attention; and this absorption it! minor mattare, it is said, is often taken advantage of by hie councillors to keep from him the direction of the greater questions of State, at least as far ac concerns home affairs. His knowledge ie now believed to be far more extensive than was generally supposed, but he is ex tremely reserved, and rarely converses with any of the personages admitted almost daily to hie presence. He keeps his own counsel as much as possible, and it Iβ very evident that his most distinguished generals have not yet all made up their minds a> to the beet way of approaching him. , . . For some tioae past, however, the gloomy cloud , that used to hang about the brow long after the terrible death of hie father has been gradually wearing away. In order to be seen perfectly at eaee he should be observed with his children in the grounds of Gatschina, where he is much more at home than in St Petersburg. ... The Emperor is sometimes brusque, and not only says severe things when neceseary, but occasionally writes some sharp comments upon the margins of re ports. Having entered upon hit great inheritance with a declared deter mination to obtain the absolute power, and with the keen sense of the dishonour brought on Russia, both ab borne and abroad, by the weaknees and the wavering of the last regime, he will not admit the least concession to the spirit of the age, nor the slightest compromise with the autocratic principle, and he ia naturally very sui pielous of being overruled by any interested influence. No one expects any important reforms duringhis reign, but the relinqnish ment of this hope is somewhat counter balanced by the proud eatisfaction felt at bis Majesty's new departure in foreign affairs,

THE JESUIT GENERAL DEAD.

End of the Remarkable Career of Father Beobz. TnE Very Rev. Pierre Jean Beckx, General of the order of Jesuits, died on March from a heavy cold, contracted on Sunday, He was born ninotytwo years ago at Sichem in Belgium, and waa appointed General of tho order in 1853. Three yean ago be retired from active participation in the duties of his office on account of extreme old eg<? and delicate health. Since that time Key. Father Anderledy has been acting; Genera). He will now be appointed Genera Father Beckx lived at Rome with Cardina Maselli, in whose house he died. Father Beckx bad been a prominent Jesuit since 1819 and Superior since 1883. The order owes much of its success in noa- Catholic countries to him. His book called " The Month of Mary " has been translated into many languages. On the suppression of the Jesuit monasteries at Borne Father Beckx withdrew to Florence, where he, resided until three years ago, directing - thence the operations of the great order in every portion of the globe. On his with drawal from actual direction of the " Com pany of Jesus" he took up his residence in Home with bis old friend Cardinal Maselli. •

A Murder Prevented by a Dor.

A farmer living in Caetolnaudary, France has been saved from being murdered fay the fidelity of hie dog. The fanner had just returned with hie dog from the fields as night was beginning to fall. Hie wife told him, on hie entering the house! the* ehe had given a glass of wine to a strange man who. had come to her' pleading thirst, and that i the person had then gone away. The dog, i however, began sniffing about the place, ■ and, suddenly barking aloud, with savage fury it flew under its master's bed and seized the strange man, who was hiding there, by the throat. The fellow tried in vain to throw off the animal; but it inflicted injuries from which he died instantaneously. The gendarmes were then sent for, and they fonnd a dagger, re volver, and a thieves' whistle in the pocket! of the deceased. Bidding everybody to ! go into a room and to remain quiet, one of tho gendarmes blew the whistle with all hie might at an open window. The ■ device succeeded admirably, for in less fl than ten minutes fonr ruffians appeared on the scene and entered the house. They were immediately arrested, and did not offer the slightest resistance.

Scarcity of Lumber in Canada.

The Chicago "Times" Ottawa (Ont.) special of March 10th says: The outlook for the lumber trade for the coming season is far from encouraging, and unless within the next few weeks there is great improve ment in the condition of the woods, which are now covered with snow from twelve to fifteen feet deep in places, the lumbering business will sustain a very severe loss of the stock of lumber on hand. Nearly every plank in the Ottawa district has been purchased, and there ia nothing left t d supply the present demand. Within the past twelve months the price of lumber here has advanced 15 per cent. The un certainty of this season's cut has had the effect of still further running up the price, Members of some of the oldest lumbering firms say that this has been the most severe winter on lumbering operations ever ex perienced, and it is feared that the put will fall a long way short of the quantity of logs required to fill the demand for sawn lumber. The terrible 'fall of snow during the present winter has by iio means been.confined to this district, as advices received from Three Rivers, Que bec, elate that recent arrivals from the lumbering districts there report an unpre cedented quantity of snow in the woods, fifteen feet in some places. There is. cer tain to be great dearth of logs in the spring, and the lumber trade will certainly sustain greet Joss.

The Peers' Roll.

Is accordance with custom at the beginning of a new Session, the Roll of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal of the United King dom of Great Britain and Ireland has been issued. There are in all 547, Edward, Lord Macnaghton, better known in! the House of Commons as Mr MacnaghtOD, > coming home last on the list. The first h, ■ of course, the Prince of Wales. Thes fourth is the infant whose name is written on the 801 las "His Royal Highness Leo pold Charles Edward George Albert, Duke of Albany." The Archbishop of Canter bury takes precedence fanmediately after the Royal Peers. Next comes the Lord. Chancellor, sandwiched between his Grace of Canterbury and his Grace of York. After r these we have the Lord President of the Council, the Lord Privy Seal,' and the Earl Marshall of England. So inconeidor able a person as the Prime Minister is No. 36 on the list, holding a canons position between the Marquis Townehend and the Marquis of Bath. (Marquis is, by the way, spelt on the Roll "marqness.") Karl; Sranvllle stands as low down as No. Within the last ten or twelve years there have been many additions to the peerage, peers like Lord Acton, lord- Wolverttm, Lord Nmily, and Lord Abordare standing far from the close of the list. Even Lori, Rowton is beginning to have an atmosphere of hoary antiquity round hie coronet, newer peeru following him on the Roll, '"'

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAB, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 1887.

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