... At the Sorbonne, Paris, on Jan. 24th the go d medal for 1879 of the Geographical Society was presented to MM. de Brazza and Ballay for their explorations in Western Africa. With 12 native soldiers from Senegal and running great risks both from fevers and the hostility of the people, they ascended the River Ogowai and traced its source to a mountain chain not more than 500 or 600 kilometres ...

... The Committee of Paris Deputies on Elemen- tary Education, presided over by M. Paul Bert, has decided to report in favour of secular teach- ing so arranged as to enable parents to send their children elsewhere for religious instruction. This will give a fresh handle to M. de Mun, who in his address to the electors of Pontivy says:—The danger is greater than ever. Think of your religion dailv ...

... The general annual returns of the British army for the year 1877, prepared for the information of the Secretary of State for War, and presented to Parliament by command, has just been issued. The effective strength of the rank and file of the service for January 1, 1878, is given as 166,366, and the establishment as 164,877, the difference being due to the number of supernumeraries. Ti:& ...

... THE WEST OP ENGLAND BANK. At a meeting of the West of England Bank share- holders, held at Exeter on Saturday, it was decided to make an appeal to all creditors of the bank to re- duce the amount of their claims with the object of lessening the amount of calls to be made on the share- holders. It was pointed out that if all creditors would accept 16s 8d in the e no call need be made, as the ...

... BUYNMAWK. FIRE.—On Saturday morning, smoke wasseon i^u. ing from one of the upstairs wiudows of the prennsjg occupied by Mr Coleman Foilick, pawnbroker, Beau- fort-street, Brynmawr. A ladder was placed agaiust the window, which was over the shop, occupied by Mr George Batten. Mr James Green mounted to the window and entered, followed by Mr H. U. Rougnt, and after a short time the fire was got ...

... PONTYPOOL BOARD OF GUARDIANS The fortnightly meeting of the above Board was held on Thursday, H. LEWIS, Esq., in the chair; Also present: Messrs J. E. Price, J. F. Powell, Thos. Phillips, E. J. Phillips, Rev C. Cook, J. Morgan, C. Conway, R. Greenway, T. E. Cooke, and T. Derrett. The minutes of the last meeting were read and Confirmed. A letter was read from the Rev W. N. G. Eliot, rector of ...

... ATTEMPTED ML I r:R AND SUICIDE. On Saturday afternoon an attempt at murder and suicide took place at Riddaford Farm, Tavistock, Devon, occupied by Mr. Richard Pearson. A young tradesman at Tavistock, named Henry Hoare, had been keeping company with Mr. Pearson's daughter. He proposed marriage to her, but was refused. He took the master deeply to heart. His business fail- ing he determined to ...

... MOVEMENTS OF RUSSIAN TROOPS. PARIS, Saturday.—A letter is published here from St. Petersburg which describes Bokhara as hostile to Shere Ali. and says that the Russian Government has been obliged to send an escort of three sotnias of Cossacks to protect him. The Czar has decided that Shere Ali shall reside in Turkestan, and not be aUowed to enter European Russia. The letter goes on to say that ...

... ELY INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS MAS TREE. On Thursday the children of these school, were treated to a Christmas tree, kindly got up lv Dr. Sheen. At four o'clock the children, numfer{nrr 260, were marched into the dining-hall, the centre of which was arranged the Christmas tree beautifully illuminated, and decorated withtoyg of every description. Every child received a toy from the Christmas tree, ...

... THE DISPUTE BETWEEN FRANCE AND TUNIS. PARIS, Friday.—The Official Journal to- day announces that the Bey of Tunis having consented to make every reparation de- manded by France, the possibility of a con- flict has been removed. ...

... OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENCE. LONDON, MONDAY EVENING. ERE ALI AND HIS SON—PRINCE LOUIS AID THE FBEXCH ELECTIONS—STRIKES AND EXTENSION OF ROL-RS-THE CORNISH BANK FAILURE—GAS C05FR'AXLB3 AX1> THE ELECTRIC LIGHT, i days ago I mentioned the report that, be- re liberating his son, Shere Ali had taken care from him a promise to continue a resist- ance to the English, and I remarked upon its t ...

... It has been decided to break up the Nailers Trade Union in Staffordshire. The operatives admit the futility of contending agaiusfc the ma.stemanylonger. ...