Monmouthshire Merlin

MR. GLADSTONE AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY BANQUET. The annual banquet of the Royal Academy given at Burlington House, on Saturday night. SHr Francis Grant, president of the Academy, occupied the chair, and among those present were the of Edinburgh, the Duke of Cambridge, the Prince of Teck, Mr. Gladstone, and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been given and responded to, the PrepJ«« proposed the health of Her Majesty's Ministers, W acknowledged by Mr. Gladstone, who, after a few fond. remarks, said:-I remember a friend of of smoking, was once asked how ,eman should interval after smoking bef?r?Jief He answered SSt fnt° pre7riaugh0 That was a very about four hours. (A iaugxi; fiimio-lit, but gentlemanly anil J'Srtier it is largely sJLred to. IdoubtvejT^elmore should be the (A laugh.) But consider the region limit allowed to before we can have ^IrTjZeci^of what you have been doS for us during the year, and raise our minds to that level on which we can make a proper estimate of your labours.—(Hear, hear.) However, as I collect the sentiments of those around me, including many whom you must regard as competent witnesses at least to your exertions, venture to offer you cordial congratulations on the exhibition just opened to the pubhc.-(Cheers.) Whether we look to the continued exertions of those whose ripe performances have given us delight foi XsPS the promise »nd thepowerofthose XUe now rising I -™- £ • tTe Xer^res^rde on the pnblic has been that we need not be desponding with regard to the future and that both you who now live, and those who are hereafter to succeed in the first ranks of your profession may hope o tmaintain without dishonour the generous competition with your great predecessors in the English school. We have had an opportunity within the last two or three weeks ot appreciating both, what was done on particular occasions by the enlightened love of art happily so often found among the wealth-producing classes of this country, and likewise of understanding how ready the London purchasers are to pour forth their wealth in the purchase of these treasures. (Cheers.) The collection of Mr. Gillott recently disposed of may be said almost to have formed an epoch in the history of these highly-interesting transactions which proceed from year to year withm that estab- lishment, which, though it be but an establishment of trade, really is almost an institution of this coun- try-I mean the auction-rooms of Messrs. Christie. —(Hear, hear.) And those who had the opportu- nity of appreciating and enjoying the excellence of those pictures of the English school which were there recently must, I think, feel that you have be- fore you an arduous task in being called upon to to continue the comparison with such performances as were then offered to the appreciation of the British public; but we hope and believe that the brunt and stress of that competition you are well able to bear.—(Cheers.) There has indeed ap. peared within the last few days an article m the Quarterly Review, which, dealing with the condi- tion of one of the arts embraced within the scope of the Royal Academy, represents as en- tirely deplorable the condition of British archi- tecture. I do not know whether many at this table have undergone the same disagreeable sen- sations as I myself have in pursuing that ar- ticle. — (Hear, hear.) I trust it is not likely to be followed by similar criticisms on painting and sculpture. The only consolation it appears to have is this, that we have arrived at the very lowest deep-we are at the bottom of all deeps, and if we move at all we cannot do otherwise than rise here- after.-(Cheers and laughter.) However, I cherish the hope that even the severest criticisms applied to art in this free-spoken country will do nothing but good.—(Cheers.) There is no limit imposed on criticisms, and I should in my own sphere regret it as the greatest possible calamity if anybody were attempting to impose such a limit. (Hear, hear.) There is much to be learned, even from unjust com- ments, and there are few searching criticisms of any art that will not contain much truth and I was glad to read in that somewhat remarkable produc- tion one observation which, I am sure, will be re- echoed by every member of the Royal Acamedy, namely, that to fall back on the noble, the simple, and the high-spirited exertions of your fathers—to propose to yourselves the most exalted aims and ends —to beware of endeavouring to minister only to the tastes and appetites of the moment-not to allow it to be supposed that the mere patronage of fashion, the mere reward offered by high prices, is sufficient to secure true excellence—(cheers), but to remember that it is the intelligent worship of beauty and the effort to produce it which constitutes the basis of all excellence in art, and that ages which have been poor, and which have been in some respects com- paratively barbarous, notwithstanding have pro- vided for us the models and patterns to which the most highly-developed civilisation can but attempt to aspire. (Cheers.) With these feelings and these aspirations, which, I believe, however frequently they may be forgotten by us, who are the public standing outside, yet animating the minds of your distinguished Society-as we see abundant proof- we are, I am convinced, fully warranted in antici- pating a brilliant future for the professors of British art, and for that sympathetic feeling of the nation, which more and more desires to enter into and to profit by its achievements. (Loud cheers.)

At a meeting of the Huddersfield Conservatives, TTVidav Colonel Brooke was selected as candidate ?or the nert election. We understand that the Queen has appointed a Royal Commission to advise upon the best mode by which the United Kingdom, its colonies and depen- dencies, may be represented at the International Exhibition at Vienna in 1873, and that the Prince of Wales, the British Ambassador at Vienna, the Lord President of the Council, Earl Cowper Lord Henry Arthur Lennox, Lord Acton, and Mr. Henry Arthur Brassey have been named commissioners, with Mr. Phili-p Cunliffe Owen as secretary .-Observer. THE ASSAULT ON THE LATE MR. W. MUKIIII. —On Saturday morning the five men who, at last; summer assizes, were sentenced by the Lord Chef Baron to twelve month's imprisonment for riot and assaulting Mr. W. Murphy, anti-Popery lecturer were released from prison at Carlisle, by order of I the Secretary of State, in compliance with amemonal of the inhabitants of the district, setting forth that the offence was committed under excitement and ex- ceptional circumstances, that law and order had al- ready been sufficiently vindicated, and the men suffici- ently punished.The release of the prisoners has excited considerable surprise, because when Murphy died medical evidence was given that his death had been accelerated by the injuries he received at White- haven- ALARMING ACCIDENT ON THE DERBY RACE- rnnRSE —The annual races in connection with the Derbyshire Yeomamy Ca^lly, at the termina- tion of the nsual period o{ teaming <•>> t • w wm held on the race-course at Derby SBrt? ^LatSSeaho^ concourse of for {be rations states, j ThelrindS evMton the card-Tie Regimental 7XJL-was being mn at a pace the first time round the course, when some stupid fellow rode across the front of the horses, the^result being a frightful spill and a terrible scene of con- fusion. One of the running animals—a very valu- able mare, named Fanny, ridden by Mr. Charles Lester, a Derby butcher—came into violent collision i with the opposing horse and rider, and all four were instantly thrown to the ground with great force. The neck of the mare was broken, and she died very shortly afterwards. Young Lester was found to have received most serious injuries, his nose being broken, his face much cut and bruised, his brain injured. Several medi- cal men were speedily upon the spot, and ad- ministered restoratives, and the poor fellow was at onS conveyed to the General Infirmary, where he regained in a very precarious state. The other cap- lemame nder escaped with comparative- ly slight injuries. During the afternoon another iy sngnt regiment also received a severe niember of kicked on the head by his horse, wound by b "conVeyed off the course in a cab. These unfortunate ocCUlTences threw a gloom over the afternoon's sport j

BOAT RACE ON THE THAMES FORmOO BOA! A SIDE. I On Saturday, R. Bagnall, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, d Mark Addy, of Manchester, rowed on the Thames from Putney to Mortlake for X100 aside, the contest, a very severe one, resulting in the victory of the Tyne man. Addy has gained a great reputation not only on the Irwell, but on the Thames and Tyne, and it was thought rather a bold thing on the part of Bagnall to offer to row a man so well tried. Addy is now 33 years old, about 6ft. 6in. in height, weighs 9st. 101b. when in condi- dition; Bagnall, who is regarded as the future champion of the Tyne, is only 23 years old, stands 5ft. Hin., but is a very stout man considering his height, and weighed on Saturday lOst. 121b. Both men were very carefully trained, and the match ex- cited great interest amongst Thames rowing men, amongst whom Addy, on the strength of previous per- formances in the south, was a great favourite. There was a large muster both of Newcastle and Manchester men, and the steamers which accompanied the race were crowded. On board that which carried the umpire, Mr. John Ireland, of the London Rowing Club, the betting was 5 to 4 on Bagnall, and a very large amount was speculated during the race, dur- ino- which first one and then the other was the favourite. There was a very strong south-west wind blowing, and the consequence was that the water was extraordinarily rough, much more so than on the day before, bad as it was then. The choice of stations was won by Bagnall, who took the north side; and at about twenty minutes to one a start was effected, the men taking the water together from the stake boat, which were moored opposite the Star and Garter. Addy, rowing in his best form, dashed right away at the very first, and gained so rapidly on the other man, who seemed a bit nervous, that at the London Boat House he led by a length. Up the Willows he continued to gain, and at Craven Point he led by two lengths, and had taken the Newcastle man's water. Cros- sing the river from this point Bagnall began gradually to gain, and at Rose Bank got level, going much better than Addy in the rough water. The Manchester sculler was in trouble at the Crab Tree, and then Bagnall left him with wonderful rapidity, leading by between two and three lengths at the Soap Works, and by more than three lengths at Ham- mersmith Bridge. Leaving the bridge, Addy strug- gled with the utmost determination to catch his op- ponent, but Bagnall, who was as much bothered as his opponent by the swell in which they were row- ing, had always a bit in hand, and could get away when Addy got dangerously close. For all the rest of the distance Addy kept up his spirits, but they did not enable him to catch the Tynesider, who eventually won by two lengths. The time was 29 pins. 55 sees.—long, but not longer, than might have been expected considering the circumstances.

THE EDUCATION ACT DEPUTATION TO MR. FORSTER. On Saturday, a deputation of science teachers waited on Mr. Forster at the Education Office tolay before him a statement of alleged grievances in connection with the questions of payment by results, and the mode of examination adopted by the Educa- tion Department. The deputation, which num- bered about twenty science and elementary teachers, was introduced by the Rev. G. M. Murphy, who ex- plained the nature of the grievances complained of, and the uncertain nature of the employment itself. After hearing the explanations of several of the teachers, Mr. Forster, in reply, said the annual warn- ing given the teachers was preferable to no warning, and they must remember that the grant in aid of scien- tific education was voted annually in Parliament, and was merely of a tentative character. The payment of fees by students was the only solid basis to rest on, and the teachers must get as much out of them as possible. He reminded them of the mode in which the State treated elementary teaching, which was the most important branch of education. The principle adopted was never to pay more than half the expense, whereas the assistance given to science classes was much larger. He would be only mis- leading them if he held out any hope that the State would alter this principle. He did not believe that Parliament felt inclined to withdraw the assist- ance given to scientific education, but, if this were done, he would do his utmost to give the teachers ample warning. With regard to the system of examination being too stringent and capricious, he could only say that if so it was contrary to the wish of the department, and, as to the increase of the number of failures, the system had not been changed for some years, and statistics did not bear out this statement. In 1870 the failures amounted to 36'44 per cent. in science classes and in 1871 the per ccnt- tage was 35'96; in elementary classses the failures in 1870 were 46'96, and in 1871 42-35, so that it was evident there could not have been more failures than before-in fact, there were rather less. After referring to the amount of the capitation grant, he reminded them that if the department wished to have a proper control over the expenditure voted by Parliament it could only be by adhering to the system of payment by results. He then referred to some com- plaints as to fines inflicted on the teachers for the non- attendance of pupils on the day of examination, and went on to say that a commission was now sitting under the presidency of the Duke of Devonshire to inquire into the question of scientific education. The science classes would come under their notice, and on the presentation of their report it would be the duty of the Government to give the whole subject a most careful consideration. In considering it he would pay attention to the general feelings ex- pressed by the teachers, but he must remind them that elementary teaching was the more important of the two, and the department must keep a careful watch over its expenditure, so that in no case should money be given with needless profusion, or one branch of study be permitted to obtain greater ad- vantages than another. The deputation, having thanked the right hon. gentleman, then withdrew.

The King of the Belgians arrived at Windsor on Saturday afternoon. EXCITING SCENE AT A FIRE.—On Saturday morn- ing, between four and five o'clock, the premises of Mr. W. Cave, a gasfitter, in Finsbury, took fire. At that time the inmates were in their beds asleep. Just as the fire-engines arrived in front of the burning building a number of persons, children, and adults, made their appearance at one of the upper windows, and cried out piteously for help. The firemen shouted to them to remain whilst they un- shipped the ladders. Some idea may be formed of the excited state of all in the house, who were ex- pecting momentarily to be burnt to death, when it was found that the two ladders were not long enough by several rungs to reach the affrighted per- sons. Two of the brigade, Bull and Welden, at once ran back and procured an additional couple of ladders, and the firemen before named succeeded in bringing down in safety the whole of the inmates, amidst the cheers and applause of the bystanders. All this took place before the nearest fire-esCape had time to arrive. The engines were called into operation, but the flames could not be subdued un- til the costly stock in trade on the ground floor and the upper part of the building was partially des- troyed. The origin of the fire was unknown. The loss will fall upon the London and Liverpool and Globe Fire Office. CAPTURE OF A WHALE IN THE FIRTH OF FORTH. -The other morning the crew of one of the Cellardyke yawls prosecuting the salmon fishing in the Firth of Forth succeeded in bringing a fine specimen of the Rorquhal whale into Anstruther harbour. The fish had got entangled in the nets, and the two men in the boat managed, although not without considerable risk and difficulty, to get a rope round its tail. They then started for home, towing the fish behind them, but the fish struggled desperately, and had nearly escaped more than once. One of the crew, who was standing at the stern of the boat, had a narrow escape from being struck by the tail of the fish. He was endeavouring to make the rone more secure, when the whale gave a sudden start and its tail grazed his forehead his bonnet stare, ff They were successful, however, SS?«tnLon^sHp at the E** Quay, in getting a number of the m- where gtrUf?gles on the slip were so violent habitants. Its st gg could venture near it for some time that n das)1Ki its tail with without greatmk. slip, and just great violence on the cans j itself over before it died it succeeded m thr g Vawl and the slip on to the beach, nhere 't .strucka yawlana moved it several feet. The species to which itbe- longed is somewhat rare on this coast.

THE ERUPTION OF MOUNT VESUVIUS. NAPLES, April 27.-The fiery torrents continue to precipitate themselves from the mountain, and, apart from the misery and the consternation which appear in every face, the effects are terrible. Fancy a fiery torrent thirty metres wide, and six, and even ten metres in height, coming down and destroying all it encounters I Houses and hamlets are buned in the burning lava; the orange plants, the green gardens, the fruits covered with flowers dried up by the poatentious heat; and all is black, covered with cinders, worse still in several spots with scoriae. On the spot close to the burning lava I saw several soldiers posted, to prevent people entering the houses. The soldiers were perspiring terribly, and yet there they stood, in the imminent danger of the lava increasing. They reminded me of the Roman soldier of Pompeii. In the Villa Ricciardi I saw a deep valley covered to the top by lava, still burning and smoking. The migration continues still in great proportions, and presents a touching spectacle. Old men, half naked, taking with them an ox or a sheep, women with children on their backs, young men and women, with mattresses and kitchen utensils on their shoulders, all running down towards Naples. The detonations are so powerful and so new to the greater part of the inhabitants that they believe an earthquake only too probable. On the fields, by the side of the vineyards, groups of peasants are encamped, and everywhere soldiers and National Guards are carrying provisions to them, and directing them where to go. The King was at San Sebastiano at half-past six, and remained there a long time distributing sums of money, and animating the local authorities to do their best in aid of the sufferers. I am glad to state that the report current yester- day of the death of a party of forty individuals is unfounded. All the persons, with the exception of one man, who perished, complied with the directions of the soldiers, and were saved. A RAIN OF HOT CINDERS. NAPLES, April 29,1 p.m.—I was awakened in the night by the cinders half suffocating me. The car- pet close by the window was covered half an inch with them, and on looking out of the window, I found that the darkness was so complete as to render altogether invisible the gas lamps. This morning on leaving the hotel, I could hardly find my way along the Chiaia, on account of the cinders blinding my eyes. It had been raining during a part of the night, and the streets were in a filthy state. The priests seem to profit by the occasion, and continue to repeat that the catastrophe is a punishment to the Neapolitans for hailing with manifestations of joy the occupation of Rome by the Italian troops. Superstition is, of course, very rife here. Yesterday in one of the streets I happened to meet with an old woman who, on beholding a troop of soldiers, commenced shrieking like a maniac, and declaring that it was their presence in Naples that had excited the wrath of the Almighty. The police were obliged to put the old lady in a cab and convey her home. The courier who arrived this morning from San Sebastiano said that while it was still dark he was attracted by cries proceeding from one of the slopes of the hill. On looking towards that direction he could distinguish several persons making signals with white handkerchiefs. The authorities at once despatched some engineers to the spot. It is sup- posed that those people were shut up between the lava and have remained there ever since. The lava being now cooled, it may be easy to form a bridge and save them. I am sorry to say that there seems to exist no doubt as to the fate encountered by a party of several persons who left Portici for Vesu- vius on the 25th. They were in a carriage, and nothing has been heard of them since that terrible night. Several of the wounded who lay at the Pel- legrini Hospital are now dead, in consequence of the severe injuries received. No precise data as to the total of deaths has been obtained as yet; but it appears that the number of the victims is above eighty.-Daily News. NAPLES, May 3.—Vesuvius is qUiet. The usual column of smoke only is perceptible. There have been continual thunderstorms since Monday. Vege- tation is completely destroyed all round Vesuvius. The persons taken to the hospital are all dead. The number of victims is certainly upwards of 60, but the precise number is unknown. No foreigner is among them. The weather is brilliant. The following is an extract from a letter, dated Naples, April 27, from a well-known Manchester gentleman :-We have been living for the' greater part of two days in the thunder of the great erup- tion of Vesuvius. The Times will no doubt give you as good a report of it as can be written, but very little idea of its terrible grandeur. We were on the mountain on Tuesday, and I thought it was becom- ing quieter than it had been but twenty-four hours afterwards report says several people were killed by the showers of stones which preceded a burst of four streams of lava from near the top of the cone. We saw this from Sorrento. On Thursday we came here again, and at night again several streams of lava rolled down the mountain side, and we began to think we were fortunate in seeing such an eruption but about midnight, just as I was going to bed, I heard the flames and gas begin to roar, although full ten miles away, and during the night new craters burst on the sides of the moun- tain, pouring out enormous quantities of lava. The country round the base is quite deserted by its in- habitants, and the police prevent all access beyond Portici. All yesterday the mountain roared like thunder continuously, and sent up the grandest white smoke fully 10,000 feet. At night the glare of the great steams of lava was like Whitworth's Bessemer furnaces. About five o'clock I saw a new crater burst out in the village of San Sebastiano, and in a quarter of an hour the whole was burnt and gone. The lava extends about eight miles along the base of the mountain facing us, and I should expect from the light that great streams have gone towards Pompeii. It is the grandest eruption of this cen- tury, but fortunately, as the craters have burst generally high up the hill, it has done less mischief to the vineyards and villages than many smaller ones. To-day there is a great smoke but much less lava, and the noise no longer drowns the sounds of Naples. SCENES AT NAPLES. The following is an extract from a letter received from a Sheffield lady residing at Naples:—" NAPLES, April 30.-Now let me give you the grand news of the day about Vesuvius and the eruption. It is without doubt the most fearful one I have seen yet, and has created a panic, a consternation never wit- nessed before during my residence here. A constant rumbling, like loud discharges of artillery, accom- panies the dense columns of smoke and streams of liquid lava. Seven or eight different streams have enveloped the mountain and the adjacent country in every direction, streaming down with terrible activity. On Friday, 26th inst., many p ersons had gone up, forthough the smoke rose high, still no one appre- hended imminent danger. The crater opened all at once in many places, and sent out its burning streams right and left. Many lives have been lost, and much property destroyed. Mass of Somma and San Sebastiano are totally ruined, a few broken walls alone remain. Percy went to San Sebastiano on Sunday. One or two of the inhabitants had crept back, and were standing in gloomy silence by the places where once their homes had stood. The soldiers sent to patrol, wished to drive them away. If we wish to die on our hearths, what is that to you?' said one man, 'Our homes are here, where must we go to ?' It was by main force they were all sent on to Naples. Portici, Resina, La Barra, Penticelli, La Cercola, and several other towns are without an inhabitant, literally without. Portici, a gay and smiling summer resi- dence, almost as populous as Naples, was a desert when Percy passed. Every shop was shut, every palace closed. The fall of ashes is so dense and thick that we walk through the streets of Naples with umbrellas open to screen our faces from the black dust. Everything is black-streets, plants, gardens, houses, carriage tops. The town bore a most melancholy appearance to-day. Nobody was out who could keep within. I have never before seen Naples so deserted, for its general aspect is most lively and animated. The Theatres closed on the Eventful Friday. The population of twenty towns at least is pouring into Naples, without homes, without bread, reduced to beggary in many cases. I can assure you it is most heartrending to see the poor creatures."