Clippings.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 310, 30 March 1878, Page 7

Clippings.

THE INDIAN FAMINE, The Friend of Indict of December 14 says:— “ The famine in Southern India is now almost over. We cannot of course gauge the amount of distress that still lingers among the people as the effect of present want or past sufferings, but the occasion for State relief seems to have nearly gone by. The last report from Madras shows a steady decrease in the numoer on the works and receiving charitable aid, while prices are steadily though slowly falling. Ihe objects of relief in Mysore are now chiefly those wlio are unfit for labor, and a proposal has been spoken of to issue a certain allowance for these amounting in all to about 10,000 persons —enough to last them for two or three months, and then to close all State relief. It may occur to many on reading of these matters that it will be a noteworthy fact, and one creditable to the Indian peasant, if this famine pass away without leaving a pauper multitude to be a permanent burden on public charity.” The following is from the same journal of December 2S : —“ At the meeting of Council yesterday, Sir John Strachey made an important statement of the measures proposed by Government to meet famine charges. Ihe famine expenditure during the last five years has been £16,000,000 ; the cost of the recent famine, £9,250,000. The average amount to be provided annually for famine relief is estimated at £1,500,000. Recent measures of decentralisation have relieved tlie Treasury by £400,000 a year, and in March last £300,000 was provided by fresh taxation, chiefly in Lower Bengal. There remains £BOO,OOO a year to be provided. This sum will be obtained partly by a license tax on trades over all India, in no case exceeding £2O; and partly by local rates on land iu Northern India only, not exceeding 1 per cent, on rental. The annual surplus of £1,500,000 thus provided will be devoted exclusively to famine relief and famine prevention by railways and canals, fo reducing the famine debt, or preventing its increase. Omiting famine and reproductive works, the revenue and expenditure were before the recent famine in equilibrium, A margin of £500,000 is to be aimed at in future. Of this sum £300,000 is to be obtained from salt, and the remainder is expected to accrue from improvement in revenue. The governing idea in the financial policy of Sir Jolm Strachey is still decentralisation. Each province will be primarily responsible for meeting its own expenditure, but will, also contribute towards the relief of other provinces actually suffering from famine, a system of mutual assurance being thus established.” THE OLDEST FIRMS IN LONDON. (From the American Mail and Export Joitrnal.) Some very curious and inseresting statistics have beeu furnished me by R. Seyd, a wellknown contributor to the hconomist, on the subject of mercantile and other firms engaged in business in the city of London. It appears that in the beginning of the present year there existed in the city no fewer than 11,410 firms engaged in the wholesale business, exclusive of stock exchange, publishing, retail and small industrial trades, &c. The wholesale businesses include banking, financial, insurance, and other firms. Incredible as it may seem, the date of establishment of one of the existing firms goes back to a period before 1600. The original principals of this firm were contemporaries of Shakespeare and Bacon, and it is strange indeed that though England has witnessed two revolutions since the foundation of this firm, its stability and continuance have not been affected. The firm in question is that of Martin and Co., established 1555, or upwards of 320 years ago. Two other firms—those of Messrs. Child and Co., and Messrs. Goslings and Sharpe—were established before 1650. The Bank of England commenced business in 1694, having been preceded by some years by Messrs. Iloares, Thomson, Hanlcev, and Co., Coutts and Co., Barnetts, Hoares, and Co., and the Hudson’s Bay Company. Of merchants, Messrs. Barring, Bros., and Co. was founded in 1763, and of wine merchants the linn of Hedges and Butler was established in 1667. The "firms of warehousemen appear to be of a somewhat later date, none being as yet quite a century old. There are many classes of firms which do not come within the scope taken by Mr. Seyd, and respecting which he is unable to furnish statistics. In the publishing world for instance, Messrs. Longmans have done business continuously since 1/20, while Mr. Bentley’s ancestors published works upwards of 200 years ago. The eleven years from 1866 to 1877 proved very disastrous to newly established firms in tlie

city. In the former year about 600 new firms established themselves, of which in 1577 only 317 remained. Of nearly 650 firms established in 1872, about 400 have perished, but since that period greater stability has prevailed. The number of newly-established firms have also largely increased. In 1873 these firms numbered 753 ; iu 1574, 702 ; in 1375. 864 ; while in 1876 no fewer than 1011 new firms were established. It seems that by far the greater part of this increase consists of small firms in the commission trade and agents of manufacturers from the provinces and abroad. This increase in tho commission and agency business for American and European manufacturers is strongly borne out by British imports. The total imports iu 1871 amounted to £231,000,000, but iu IS/6 the total amount had raised to £376,000,000. MUNICIPAL GOVE BN ME NT. They do order many things better in economical " France— even municipal affairs. For instance, a glance at the budget of the city of Paris for 1878 shows how carefully every item of revenue that can be made to swell the receipts of 5,400,000d015. is calculated. Nearly 2,400,000d015. comes from gas, anti something over 1,400,000d015. from the voirie and streetsweeping taxes, the latter producing 520,000d015. All new buildings pay two francs a, metre on their area ; there is a tax on balconies, blinds, awnings, bay windows, signs, and lamps. As for the taccc clu balayage, originally the residents had to clean their own streets, the city doing the work for 50,000 special subscribers ; but as the streets were widened, and it became necessary to do tlie work more speedily and thoroughly, the whole charge was devolved on the city, and proprietors were classified and assessed. Something over Soo,ooodols. is derived from the impose on hacks, streetcars, and omnibuses. The old paving-stones that are condemned and torn up sell for 18,000dols. a year, and for the grass from tlie squares and the branches lopped or blown from off the shade trees a contractor pays 120 dols. and the expense of removal. Maps of the city are sold, yielding an annual profit of GOOdols. The item of lacaitons yields 171,549 dols., of which 66,000d015. are contributed by proprietors of cafes for the privilege of putting chairs and tables on the pavements outside of their doors, and by shopkeepers wishing to display their wares in the open air. The chairs in the squares, gardens, and boulevards pay 12,400d015. a year, and the right of posting bills brings in a revenue of about 10,000 dols. The Bois de Boulogne pays 83,025d015. to the Treasury for the rent of ice-houses, the privilege of mowing grass (3280d015.\ the rent of tho race track and skating pond, permits to fish (700dols.), and so on. So with the Bois de Vincennes. The establishments of the Champs Elysees pay nearly 28,000c1015. The concert yields 5020d015. of this, the panorama 3044 dols, the summer-circus 796d015., the CafeConcert des Ambassadeurs, 3400d0i5., and so on. Altogether, a glance at the municipal budget of Paris would be very instructive for some of our rulers of Australasian cities, even after making the necessary allowances for the difference between the institutions of both countries. THE PRINCE OF WALES AND HIS ALLEGED DEBTS. The “ Lady Correspondent ” of the Dublin Evening Telegraph is responsible for the following, which is written from London: —Again is the town filled with gossip concerning the Court, and reports are flying balloon-like through tlie saloons concerning tlie debts of the heir-apparent, and the satisfactory termination of his difficulties. Gossip, however, is in one of her gentle moods, and tells ns the entire submission of will to tlie counsel of real friends evinced by tlie Royal heir, and approves of it with the highest eulogium accordingly. Gossip says that his Royal Highness, on being informed that a proposition for assistance by Parliament would sign the death-warrant of any Ministry audacious enough to present if, disclosed this information at once to the only person in a position to reuder such proposition unnecessary. The Royal personage to whom he was fain to make confession of" the embarrassed position in which be stood, at first refused point-blank to render any assistance whatever, alleging the obligations incurred by the numerous extent of her own family, and the daily increasing multiplication of the little families of that very large one, whereon an estrangement took place between tlie Royal parties the Princess of Wales always ready to soothe and conciliate, being busily engaged for some time dealing out comfort and consolation to both. But time grew pressing, creditors clamorous, until at last the implicated party, in a last desperate effort, declared that unless relief were afforded, he should be compelled to make an appeal, not to Parliament, but to tlie nation itself. The explanation of his difficulties, which he was determined to give, would satisfy the public mind that his debts were not incurred by discreditable extravagance, such as was tlie case with the last personage wlio bore the title he now assumes, and to whom the Parliament of bis day willingly lent assistance to double the amount now required. The obligations forced upon him by receiving foreign potentates, giving State dinners and receptions, and presiding at public works, had so curtailed his income that debt and embarrassment had followed as a natural result. The warning, although conveyed iu too mild and o-eutlemanly a manner to be regarded as a threat, had sufficient power, nevertheless, to excite such terror in the mind of the lofty personage alluded to. that an offer of compliance with the conditions was immediately tendered. It was then that the interview at Osborne was arranged by the Princess of Wales, whose kindness and good sense had suggested the idea of taking her children there in order that they might be within sight and sound. _ The plan was successful, as all such gentle efforts of the pious peacemaker must always be ; and after much negotiation and long consideration of

the condition, which at first appeared hard, but which have been accepted by slow degrees, and after due consideration of each, the sum of £200,000 is said by gossip to have been paid over to the submissive suitor. TODLEBEN ON MODERN SIEGES. A correspondent of the Vossiche Zeilung, writing from Tutcheiiilza on the 15th of December, communicates to that paper an account of an interesting conversation with General Todlobeu on the siege of Plevna. The correspondent describes the General as a calm, reflective-looking man, very different iu appearance and manner from the hot-headed and thoughtless Russian officers by whom be is surrounded, and speaking German fluently. “When I came here,” lie said, “ I was continually tormented by anxiety lest Osman should make his sortie too soon, before the fortifications were strong enough. I was from the beginning opposed to the theory of taking his strong positions by storm. It was not J, but hunger, that conquered him, though this was only rendered possible by surrounding him so firmly and effectively as was at length done by our trenches. Plevna teaches the lesson that the modern system of defence is quite different from what it used to be, and possesses enormous advantages against an assailant. You have in the Vosges five or six Plevnas. Iu order ta be able to surround a natural position or an entrenched camp, aud at the same time to continue to execute great stategetic plans, it is necessary for the assailant to bring twice as many soldiers into the field as are required by tlie defending army. To take such fortified positions by storm is, with model’ll firearms, impossible, or at least inopportune. One should never require more of an officer or soldier, however brave he may be, than it is possible for him to do ; but Hie demauds made upon our officers and soldiers in the storming of Plevna exceeded the bounds of possibility. Even when such a strategic adventure succeeds, it is a mistake. Thoughtless men may say, let 10,000 troops fall, so ]oik>- as we get the position ; but they do not consider that, if the position is lost, not only that 10,000 men fall, but 50,000 are demoralised. . . . My chief care was so to arrange matters that, wherever Osman might attempt a sortie, a sufficient mass of troops should at once be concentrated to oppose him. With this object I had a double row of trenches and redoubts made round Plevna, so that, while the first was being attacked at any point, the concentration might be made behind the second.” The correspondent having asked the General whether he thought that, under favorable circumstances, Osman might have saved part of his army, Todleben replied, “ No ; Osman made the sortie with 25,000 men, the whole force under his command except some 5000 or 6000 reserves. If he had attacked us with only half that force, it might have been said that the cause of his defeat was the numerical superiority of his enemy. Osman knew this, and attempted a brilliant and daring attack with bis whole army ; but success was hopeless. In my opinion, Osman made a grand strategical mistake in not attempting liis sortie sooner ; and I never could understand why he did not at once evacuate Plevna after the capture of the positions at Teliche. Even so late as six weeks ago he would have had a chance of saving part, if not the whole, of his army ; but he let the opportunity pass, and we labored incessantly to close him in more and more firmly. When such a position as Plevna cannot be relieved from without, the besieged army should endeavor at once to withdraw from it, as the besiegers can strengthen their circle of fortifications every day until the garrison is forced by hunger to capitulate.” THE LABOR MARKET AND LOCAL 1 INDUSTRIES IN SAN FRANCISCO. (From the S.F. Bulletin, 7th ult.) It is not a very easy matter to measure the extent of the destitution which prevails in this city at the present time. Several facts which have recently come to light would seem, however, to indicate that somewhere about 1000 men arc actually suffering for the necessaries of life. About that number were ready to go to work for tlie railroad company on Mission Bay at Idol, per day. The number of persons wlio are relieved iu the churches is about the same. The applications for relief at these places vary with the extent of the employment attainable on the water front. No information of a reliable nature has been compiled as to who these men are. There are some indications thot they are mostly recent comers. Rev. Mr. I jams, whose church is doing noble work in succoring the distressed, gave it as liis experience that they wore nearly all single men without families. This would seem to argue that they are comparatively recent arrivals. That there is among them an infusion of a small, mean element is undoubted, but that perhaps was unavoidable. Captain Lees testified before the Committee of Inquiry, that in many cases of attempted arson some months ago Eastern labor papers were found mixed up with the shavings intended to create a conflagration. That must be regarded as a somewhat significant circumstance. Persons lately from the outlying States and Territories — Nevada and Arizona —state that the tramps have disappeared from those regions. In short, nearly all the distressed people of this coast seem to have flocked to this city, ihe great majority are most likely deserving persons who have not been able to find employment. But this is only tlie distress which comes prominently before the public eye. There is another phase of it that is more concealed, and therefore harder to estimate. It is confined to our own people who have been settled here for some time, but who have friends to help them along, and who perhaps have a little property of their own. Their distress results from the competition with the Chinese. This manifests itself for the most part in the lower grades of sewing; in the shoemaking business, partly in woollen manufactures, in washing and some other departments, and in slop-clothing. Some branches of industry that

would furnish large employment to young persons, such as cigar-making, have been nearly momqroliscd by this alien race. But there is no competition from them that is apparent in foundries, in building in all its branches, in city improvements, in furniture-making, in waggon-making, aud other important departments. This is established by the fact that though the year just passed has not been prosperous iu a large sense, the accumulations in the Savings Banks have increased by over two millions, and the depositors by several thousands. It is therefore clear that the distress that is now the subject of such general comment, prevails only in sj.iots. It is most pronounced among new comers. It prevails only in special walks of life among our permanent population, but as the spring opens much of this distress will disappear. Superabundant labor will go to country, where the prospects are now very cheering. As things begin to settle confidence will be restored, aud there will be more work going on in this city. Meanwhile the race conflict may ho regarded as fairly in process of solution. The area for Chinese labor is being constantly diminished. The injury which their presence in large numbers inflicts is generally acknowledged. Tho fact is everywhere recognised that the men and women of our own blood are entitled to the preference where they nre willing to work. There are several industries in which Chinese labor a 'short time ago was used exclusively which are now in the hands of white men. The Chinese have been leaving the State iu large numbers, and there are indications that the spring immigration will be less than for some years past. There are good grounds for the belief that some action will be taken by Congress at this session to restrict the incoming of these people. There is every reason, therefore, to look pretty soon for better and more cheerful times. It is certainly clearing up all around the industrial horizon. SPIRITUALISTIC EXPOSURE. ( Philadelphia Times.) The spiritualistic worl ! lias now another opportunity to rise and explain. Dr. Henry C. Gordon, bogus materializer, was g abbed last night while playing spirit. Medium Gordon, next to the Blisses, is the smartest, most successful, and most audacious of all spiritual humbugs. When he formerly resided in New York he played medium, but was caught one fine night and partly exposed, the grabbing being somewhat premature. Finding himself in Philadelphia, he again started in the materialising business, and moved from house to house, meeting with varying success. He finally located in a large, fiue looking spiritualist boarding-house ou Fairmont-avenue, and here lie gathered around him a select circle of as credulous cranks as ever fed a medium’s maw. Recently, a young lady residing in the lower portion of the city attended one of his seances, and saw a form which was represented, and which she believed to be the spirit of her dead mother. The young lady fainted. Since then she has been almost crazed upon the subject. Her friends determined, if possible, to cure her. First, they gave Gordon a test. Ost Monday night of last week among others a form appeared at the aperture in the cabinet with a long, black beard and hair. Ponco, an Indian chief, who controls the mediums and announces the spirits, but who himself is never visible, called out: “Brightly ! Brightly !” “If that is Brackley—John Brackley, perhaps I might recognise him,” said one of the young lady’s friends. The form disappeared. After the seance the young man informed Gordon of the circumstance—the medium, of course, was in a trance and knew nothing of what transpired at the seance—aud informed him that his friend Brackley died in Pittsburgh three years ago. “ Come again,” said the doctor, “ and perhaps he may talk to you.” No such person as Brackley, by the way, ever existed. Last night a committee of three, consisting of Mr. Lippincott, a Market-street auctioneer, and his two sons, was appointed by Gordon to examine himself and the cabinet. The cabinet consisted of a curtain stretched across a corner of a room, aud behind this was another curtain merely thrown across a wire. The committee examined the cabinet and found nothing. The performance then went on. At last there appeared at the aperture the blackhaired and black-bearded individual who represented John Brackley, the friend of the young lady’s friend. Some ridiculous spiritualists, however, persisted in recognising him as John Shedwick, formerly an engineer on a New Jersey railroad. The spirit, however, persisted in being John Brackley, and so John Walsh, a South-street plumber, who has been creeping into the confidence of tlie medium, was called up to have a talk with John. Mr. Walsh walked to the aperture and then stooped a little-to peer in. The curtain was between him and John Brackley. The lean-looking spiritualists looked ou with apparent enjoyment. A number of gentlemen of substantial form, who were sprinkled through the audience, looked solemn and serious. Suddenly Mr. Walsh sprang forward and grasped in his arms John Brackley. curtain and all. That little room became a little pandemonium. The substantial-looking gentlemen each jumped to their feet, and each collared a pugilistically-disposed spiritualist. A young | man in the rear struck a match, and lighted a plumber’s lamp, with which Mr. Walsh had provided him, and with this hs lighted every burner in the room. The women mounted the chairs and screamed. The young lady who bad seen the bogus spirit of her mother laughed until the tears came in her eyes. John Brackley, still behind the curtain, kicked and struggled in a most mortal manner, but never a word said he. A big spiritualist—the capturing party was not large enough to hold more than portion of the audience in check—ran to John’s rescue, and struck Mr. Walsh in the eye. Mr. Walsh lost his grip, but as the spirit slipped through his arms he quickly put his hand through the aperture aud lifted John

Brackley’s scalp—a little skullcap of black silk. The spirit did not dematerialize, but ran to the other end of the curtail), and here it came in view of Dr. Henx-y 0. Gordon, the medium, and here it was seen to stuff a black beard beneath its vest. Mr. Walsh—buried beneath the ruins, of the foremost curtain, which his last clutch had brought to the ground, disclosing the fact that the rear curtain had been removed from its wire to make “ Helen’s” dress—was being packed with spiritualists’ umbrellas. Meanwhile, in front of the cabinet, a regular free fight was progressing between the spiritualists and the exposers. Daniel Snyder, a burly photogragher, being attacked by Manager Stetson, picked the latter up, and threw him headforemost against the wall. Jonathan Roberts, of Burlington, New Jersey, caught Mr. Snyder by the arm, and was himself grasped by the throat, and thrown into a corner. Gordon having escaped from Walsh ran quickly from the cabinet into the middle of the room, where he was caught by a young man, who threw him on his knees. Manager Stetson—this was immediately before he was thrown against the wall—pounced upon the young mau. Gordon was again up, and running quickly through the fighting audience reached the door of an adjoining apartment. Here he was again laid hold of by another young gentleman, who threw him over a small stove. Spidam struck the gentleman in the eye, and Gordon, who had fallen upon his back, turned the stove over upon his assailant, and quickly rising, escaped from the room and downstairs. Mr. Roberts and a few other spiritualists were highly indignant over what they termed an outrage. Many of the spiritualists, however, laughed at their own folly, and quickly left the house, and, in fact, many of them who joined the exposing party had attended the seance3 for the purpose of investigation, but detected the humbug when the spirit was grabbed. After a vain attempt to recover their admission fees, the exposers left the house in triumphal procession, with John Brackley’s black silk wig in their possession. THE KAFFIR WAR. (From a Daily News correspondent.) Pokt Elizabeth, Dec. 18. More details have come about the severe action at TJmzitanzi, in which Capetown, Grahamstown, and Port Elizabeth volunteers fought side by side with the steadiness of old soldiers, against overwhelming odds. It seems that our second detachment, with the Grahamstown and Capetown guns and a small number of Capetown rifles, was ordered to patrol eastward of Theka. After a toilsome march, diversified by missing their waggons, which entailed extra marching, short commons, and broken rest, a message from the advanced guard to the effect that the Kaffirs were in force ahead brought up the infantry in support. The advanced guard were di-iven in, a dismounted policeman cut to pieces by the enemies assegais, a,nd the Grahamstown gun handled with admirable steadiness, covered the retreat of the cavalry. The infantry expected an attack, but a shot or two from the Capetown gun stopped the enemy’s advance. The main body retired to camp, and began, to make things snug during the Sunday afternoon, hardly expecting an attack in the open. It was thought well, however, to be ready, but our poor tired fellows hoped for a rest long enough to allow of rations being served out and cooking fires to be lighted. At half-past six that evening, as the oxen and horses were being brought into the camp, the dark forms of the enemy’s horsemen began to debouch over the hills, and deploying into line, steadily advanced towards our little camp. Over the heads of our hoi-ses and cattle, which were being driven in, whizzed Stigart’s first shot, which bowled over some six or seven on the extreme right of the enemy’s line. Startled by the firing, our oxen and horses rushed wildly off, the five or six Fingo drivers following suit, and the enemy speedily captured them. And then on they came, horsemen and clouds of skirmishers, down the hill and up a narrow gorge, upon our handful of citizen soldiers, outnumbering them eight to one at least. Our men simply lay down in a hollow square with the two waggons in the centre, the Capetown gun on the left, and the Grahamstown gun on the right. There was no time for shelter trenches, or to make any cover; the volunteers simply lay down on the grass, and plied their Sniders like men. They were exposed to a hot fire In front and rear and on both flanks. Steadily and bravely the Galekas advanced. A chief is seen riding coolly up and down giving his orders. Hotter and hotter grows the enemy’s fire as they steadily advance towards the guns. Balls rattle thick and fast upon the guns and their carriages. • Gunner Hornabrook is shot through the thigh while serving the Grahamstown gun, but still works away till positively forced to the rear. Lieutenant Wells (an old Royal Artilleryman), in command of this gun, a brass nine-pounder, issues his orders with a cool judgment that fills his volunteer gunners with confidence, and they fire round after round of canister with deadly effect. Near the Grahamstown gun, just as the action commenced in earnest, Sergeant Stahlschmidt, of Prince Alfred’s Guards, fell severely wounded, and was carried under the waggon in the centre of the square. A little later Mr. Pickering, one of the same corps, received his wound as he stood to take a snap shot at one of the enemy within thirty paces. The Kaffir and the volunteer fired simultaneously, and the Kaffir fell dead, while the wounded volunteer, unable to handle his rifle, had to seek shelter under the waggon. As he passed to the rear he saw poor young Barron lying dead on his face, with hands outstretched. He and a great friend of his, both of Prince Alfred’s Guards, were skirmishing next to one another, when a bullet from the direct rear struck him at the back of the head, going out under the left eye. Death was almost instantaneous, and Ins comrades carried the body .under- cover <?f the waggon. This was

about seven o’clock, and the fire was as heavy as ever. The Capetown gun was in hot actiun all the time, doing splendid service Captain Bayley, late adjutant of the 9th Foot, who was attached to the column as Commander of Infantry Volunteers, was calm courage itself. There he was, conspicuous in white helmet and scarlet jacket, walking, revolver in hand, behind his line of skirmishers, giving a cheery word here or a prompt order there, filling the volunteers with thorough confidence in themselves and their officers. Nor was Captain Gordon, of our volunteers, one whit behiud in cool pluck. In charge of a line of skirmishers he encouraged his men by his own example, quietly sitting down and adjusting his sights as if at a rifle match, and picking off the enemy one by one. Fortunately for our men the Kaffirs shoot high, or it is difficult to see how the officers or the gunners and men near the guns escaped at all. Sergeant-major Wasley, of our volunteers, had to cross the squtre for more ammunition in the hottest of the fire. Eyes were turned upon him, expecting every moment to see him fall, but he returned without a scratch. Soon a private of police and three more of Prince Alfred’s Guards were wounded. Darkness came on, and ammunition began to run short. Captain Bayley ordered the men to be chary of ammunition, and not to fire unless absolutely necessary. This reserving of our fire seemed to weary the enemy. Their fire slackened, and at about 11 p.m. the last dropping shots ceased, and our wearied handful of men had a little breathing space. A derisive voice from the enemy’s ranks called out iu English, “ You can go to sleep now till to-morrow ;” but the savage foe had little cause for his sarcasm, occupied as he was in carrying off his wounded, and securing the arms and ammunition of his numerous dead. The men lay on their arms all night, momentarily expecting a second attack. Captain Bayley resolved to husband his scanty store of ammunition till daylight, and ordered the men to use tlieir bayonets in case of a night attack. At 2 o’clock in the morning leisure was found to carry a little water to the wounded men, and after the arrival of a welcome reinforcement of mounted police from Theka, the next morning showed the enemy retiring, carrying off his wounded and the arms left on the scene of the action. The enemy left 107 dead close to our camp. The Eingoes traced many more afterwards in the bush, and besides this, the Kaffirs always carry off their mortally wounded whilst there' is any sign of life in them. Their loss may be reckoned roughly at some 200 killed and wounded as an estimate well within the mark. During the action and through the night the wounded under the waggon had a bad time of it. Bullets struck the waggon perpetually, and the horrible inaction of lying helplessly under fire, with stiffening limbs and bleeding wounds, was ten thousand fold worse than any amount of fatigue and exposure in action. ENGLISH AND FOREIGN LABOR. Mr. Thomas Brassey, M.P., delivered a lecture on the “ Comparative efficiency of English and Foreign Labor,” on 21st January in the hall attached to Christ Church, Westminster-bridge-road. He said that while the depression in the trade of other countries had been even more marked than that experienced in England, the fact remained that there had been a decline in the markets for the chief commodities of our export trade, which was described as steady, continuous, and serious. The apprehension with which British competition was regarded was clearly indicated by the protective policy which every manufacturing country still maintained. In this respect the United States were far more stringent than any other country, and then followed Russia, Belgium, and Germany. The recent strike among the shipwrights in the Clyde at a time of unprecedented depression, he regarded as one of the most regretable incidents in the labor movement of the past year. The sharp lessons of the present bad times would, however, work their own most permanent and certain cure. In America, as in England, a period of high wages, during which the labor-producing power of workmen was enervated by luxury, was followed by reductions in the wages of railway employes of from 24 to 37 per cent.; in the building trades from 28J to 50, contractors’ men from to 52, oil refineries about 25 per cent. The cost of labor had stimulated the ingenuity of inventors, and by labor-saving machinery they had been able to successfully compete with Great Britain in her own special manufactures, supplying rifles to the Turkish armies and railway engines to South America, and even our Australian colonies. At the same time their mechanics worked longer and more industriously than our own. If our workmen deluded themselves with the notion that by working at half-speed they would prevent over-production, British industry would shrink away before the free and vigorous efforts of the Americans. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Brassey at the conclusion of his lecture.

THE ACCUMULATION OF CAPITAL IN ENGLAND. The Examiner says :—The opinion of Mr. Robert Giffin, of the Board of Trade, and formerly of the Economist, on the question whether the country is growing richer, is of course well worth listening to, and, so far as it goes, it is highly reassuring. The national capital, as indicated by the income-tax returns, shows an increase of 44 per cent, during ten years, and he thinks that the community has acquired in that period three times the amount of the National Debt. We confess that we look with some distrust on these plausible calculations. They are a little too much of that imaginative character which used to mark the quaint arithmetical romances of the late Mr. Dudley Baxter. They are guesses at best, and we receive them with some respect only because they are made bv a sound political economist. . Unfortunately, Mr. Griffin’s figures, if accurate, do not go beyond 1875

They leave off at the time when they would be most interesting. They say nothing of the period in which commercial depression has been chiefly felt. They do not satisfactorily explain whether the enormous difference between our exports and imports is ascribable to the efficiency of our capital and labor, or to the fact that we are virtually living on our accumulated capital. It is poor comfort to know that the growth of our wealth between 1865 and 1875 was unprecedentedly rapid, if this onward movement has ceased. At a time when the Queen’s speech expresses a hope that the “ liberality ” of Parliament will supply a loan or vote fresh taxes, it is highly expedient to scrutinise with some jealousy comfortable statements about the Large “margin of taxatiou.”