... * .. POLITICAL AFFAIRS. --The opening of Parliament on Thursday is dealt with in another column. Lord Derby was not expected to be able to attend, having been unwell for some days. Mr. Mitchell Henry was to move the Home Rule Amend- ment to the Address to the T hrone. On Wednesday evening the usual Parliamentary dinners were given by the leaders of the Government and the Opposition. ...

... . C Q- fl RRAL J'~OTES W.I THE YEAR'S FOREIGN FOOD. -The recently-publlished Board of Trade Returns show that last year we expended upol agricultural commodities from abroad the enormous sum b 96,879,737?., which is the largest outlay there has been for many years, and nearly ten millions more than last. The increase was chiefly-indeed, we may say entirely--upon wheat, for which we paid 33 ...

... Ia I -,t A _ 1 as s. ?? The Central News is in a position to state that the report that the Queen will be present at the opening of Parliament is incorrect. Prince Leo. pold continues in such a weak state that he has not been able to take out-door exercise since the Queen's departure, and is wheeled about the castle in a chair. The Press Association states that they are in a a position to ...

... COAIEROIAL. TRAVELLERS' SCHOOLS. .HULL BIRANCH.. t4,NUAL D.INNER. The thirteenth aniual banquet o. the local sup. porters of the Commercial Triavellera' Schools, Pinner, Middlesex, took place on Friday,. at the Cress Keys I Hotel. The iinsu was of the first class, and ab dis- tinguiahed coulpany sat down. The chair wa. occu- pied by his Worship the Mayor (Alderman R. Wailer) and the vice ...

... I (.cxrat 30X5.2 I In Paris it is reported that the Empress Charlotte, who has long been demented, is nowv dying. 1 The Court went into mourning on Mlonday until the tith of Feb., for the late King of Italy. Over 25,000 have been subscribed to relieve the dis- tress in South Wales. The Prince of Wales has arrived at Hamilton Palace on a visit to the Duke of Hamilton. , Queen Victoria has ...

... THE SHIPWRECK 01 F TUE MERSEY. SUPPOSED LOSS OF ALL HANDS. From further particulars which have come to band regarding the brigantine Pigeon, which, as reported in the Mercury of yesterday, sank on Sunday morning near Askew's Spit, which is nearly opposite Waterloo, it is feared that the whole of the crew, who were supposed to have lauded in the vessel's boat, have perished. it will be ...

... I LETTERS TO THE EDITORSO ALLEGED EXTORT)ION. Gentalemen,-Wculd you allow ms tt roqg your columns to attract attenti n to the mrinner na ?? the London eud Ns rrh-western Railway courpany sur- charges tbird class fares to about l3e pe. eeC., on thr plea that the &overuimert no longer s560 ?? iew remis- sion of duty,which. es ve knov. isonly5 per t This io ?? Vila no l fvres on the Chester eid ...

... THE DISPUTE AT THE PENRHYN SLATE QUARRIES. Geintlemen,-In your Issues ?? January 9, I have noticed certain remarts concerning the above ditpute which may tend to plare the men employed at the VeL hyn quarries in anr unfair position before the public. In your Ij ue of January 2, the average of wages earned Is laid down as varyiug from £12 to £11 per month. This statement Is an exaggeration of ...

... MAYORAL AT hOTIM, , AT ?? 1 TOWN HALL. The marlrcd ?? chat &tteniefl tho nxv At Home' il the town ilti'l, whbih rick pP Xe OD the 1iQh D]ceober last, must ,il:Vd fuliv nrute.d to his votsbip the mayor (fhr. A. BP. ?? how thorcughlyti had- h-otn tnic'ed cc thatit , 21 be s 8ourt'- of pie^-.ur To -it ...

... T1 E CNO ?? ?? AND) Nl;E I I~ ~ I(UES~ The st ?? mide bv the Othxncellor Of I hle Itacheqlue last night, in moving trh vote of tIKIU0,1 i0) fur military arid naval cuciiI.gencies, is the case for frie decelnce oF the e.ster!] policy of the t'overnmnet. rf an ?niiegj4I;tew a ved:'cculd oe nsepdirect to tlhe conls-ihuallies, inlstead oir to a ffousi ot Coram'iis whu'nh does riot represent tha ...

... I 0o fTE E0IT4BE OF MHE JIrVifOOL M51RCURT. Gentemen,-ft would be most unwise to con- clude from the present apparent peacef o aspect of party feeling in Parliament that we have entered upon the happy time when swards are to be turned into pleughisharee. LOd Beseonsfield ham been ehecked in his warlike career; but there sre many serious indications of his intention to abide, is long as he can ...

... THEE A.-tI.LiR. TH USDAY, M!.'.UALY 17 30-utaR~ ol |mmc StOP6 Brlt50 a~n ?? It2GH theSgt-R 15. ...