Suez Mail Items.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2946, 25 July 1878, Page 2

Suez Mail Items.

On Monday last, Mr Stanley delivered an address before the Royal Geographical Society, on the " Nile and Congo Basins," full of information of deep interest. Sir Itutherford Alcock paid a high compliment to the lecturer, as not only a daring

explorer, but as a most intelligent aud observant geographer. The Prince of Wales, as Grand Master of Freemasons, has conferred upon the Duke of St. Albans the degree of Provincial Giand Master of tiie Nottingham District, which Post has been vacant for 11 years

In -responso to n suggestion, thrown out by the Prince of Wales, a conference on the subject of the National "Water Supply has been held at the Society of Arts. A resolution was passed urging upon the Government the importance of taking steps in the matter. The Duke of Cambridge, accompanied by Lord Napier of Magdala, reviewed, the troops at Woolwich on the 23rd May. The Whitehall Beview lias Btated that the Prince of Wales will probably accompany the Commander in-Chief to Malta, to review the Indian troops, who, with their horses, are said to have arrived in excellent condition.

" The German frown Prince, with the Duke of Cambridge, Lord Napier of Magdala, and other distinguished officers, saw a sham fight at Aldershot on the 29th ult. About 12,0 fJO were engaged.

An important experiment has been tried with Whitworth's new steel armour plating. -A Palliser 2501b. shell was fired against a target comp sed of steel, at a distance of 30 yards. The projectile w uld have penetrated 12iu. of ordinary iron armour, but was powerless against st^el only 2i2-in. thick, and broke up into innumerable fragments, leaving the target virtually uninjured. The Freeman's Journal states that on the 2nd inst., the family of Sir Bryan O'LogMcn, member for Clare, received a letter from Melbourne, stating that it is j his intention to forego all honors and official emoluments conferred upon him in Melbourne, and that he will come home as soon as possible and take his seat in Parliament. He expressed his regret at the inconvenience the Clare constituency has experienced owing to his absence, and the construction attributed to his motives by the Press. He says that upon arrival in Ireland he will thoroughly unite with Mr Butt in his endeavour to obtain home rule; but he adds that it is impocsible' he will be able to arrive in time to take his seat during the present session. However, such is his. desire to return to his native count-y as its representative and the descendant of an ancient family held in high esteem, that he has recently declined an offer made to him to fill the office of Chief Justice of Melbourne. [A. late Victorian telegram states that " Sir Bryan Q'Logblen denies publicly that he wrote the letter to the Freeman's journal mentioned in mail telegrams."] Obituaht. —Mr Wvkeham Martin, who had represented Rochester 22 years, died with awful suddenness in the House of Commons Library on May 31. Business was suspended for the evening. Mr Russell Gurney caught cold on leaving the House of Commons last Monday wevk, and died from bronchitis before the week closed. Sir F. L. Arthur was injured by a collision of cabs in Pall Mall on Saturday last. He was conveyed to the United Service Club, and expired within an hour. Dr Gregg, Protestant Bishop of Gor\a,\ died on the same day, age.-* 80. The Key.C. Tait, only son of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Key. Dr Mackerron, ex-modeiator of the English Presbyterian Church, aged 75. While dining with Lord and Lady Cavendish, the Duchess of Argyle was seized with apoplexy, and died next morning. ■";■■'. -- >" ■ -'. •