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Globe, Volume II, Issue 100, 25 September 1874, Page 4

The Belfast Evening Telegraph has employed a reporter to "do " an agricultural show, who does not appear to know very much. Grammar he does not seem to know at all; and as for the way he puts his clauses together in a sentence, it is simply alarming! The latter peculiarity is conspicuous in this —'' The Ulster Challenge Cup, value ten sovereigns, for the best sow in the swine classes, was obtained by H. S. M'Clintock, Esq, Hillsborough, for a Berkshire sow, pigged 20th June, 1872, and ly exhibitor ! " The italics and the note of admiration are mine ; the rest of the glory appears to belong to Mr M'Clintock.— Figaro. A very sad scene was witnessed at the Treasury department, Washington, the other day, when upwards of 400 " female clerks " were discharged from the office owing to the "reductions" that are taking place in the public departments of the United States. On the morning of the 30th ult considerable agitation was manifested in the department owing to the knowledge that the contemplated reductions were to take place. The Treasury ladies were particularly disturbed, and assembled in groups in various parts of the building discussing the prospect of affairs. The heads of all the bureaus had handed in on that morning to Secretary Bristow the lists of those to be dismissed* The largest discharge was in the bureau of engraving and printing, the services of 375 female employes being dispensed with, leaving 1200 persons still employed in that bureau. When the moment for dismissal arrived the effect was most painful to witness Fourteen of the discharged female clerks fainted on the announcement being made to them, and it was found necessary to call in physicians to assist in restoring them to their senses. Forty clerks were dismissed from the second auditor's office, and other discharges were to take place on the following day. It had been recommended by the officers of the bureau that only one of a family be retained, and this recommendation was generally followed. This wholesale discharge will, it is anticipated, cause much suffering, though each victim of economy is to receive two months' extra salary. It is also anticipated that (as is often the case in these rigidly economical arrangements carried out in a fluster) an increase instead of a curtailment of expenditure will be the result. An accident which resulted in the death of Mrs Marion Smith, better known in former days to theatre-going people as Miss Ellen Mortimer, happened lately. Mrs Smith, who was living at the Cornwall Arms Hotel, Bourke-street, was found sitting in the bar at about half-past 1 o'clock by a waiter who ivas staying up to let in a lodger, and who advised her to go upstairs, as her husband had retired. Mrs Smith, who was in her usual health and spirits, taking a candle and bidding good night to the waiter, proceeded to go upstairs, but was in a few seconds heard to fall down the stairs. She was found sitting insensible against the wall at the bottom of the stairs, as if she had fallen backwards. Medical men were called in, but their efforts were of no avail, and Mrs Smith died at 10 o'clock the same morning, without having recovered consciousness. The cause of death is supposed to have been extravasation of blood on the brain, and it is thought that the skull is fractured.