... In the HOUSE OF LoRDS, May 23, Lord De La Warr moved the second reading of a Bill similar to one for which he ob- tained a lecond reading last SessioD, and the object of which b to prevent the employmest of children under 14 years of age at dangerous performances, such as walking on ceilings Mid swinging from trapSzes. Lord Beauchamp, on the part of the Government, while sympathizing in the ...

... The Daily News of Monday gives the following descriD- The warm sunshine of the first day of summer added brilliancy to the picturesque martial ceremony of troop ing the colours of the brigade of Guards on Saturday last. Observed on the Queen's Birthday wherever the flag of England waves over camp or garrison, the trooping of the colours is also performed when new battle flags are presented, ...

... ON Monday last, the colliers working for Messrs Partridge, Jones, & Co., Varteg Works, held a meeting (which, however, was not largely attended), in the club room of the Hanbury Hotel, for the purpose of deciding whether they would accept of a reduction of 10 per cent. and have the privilege of working full time, or con- tinue at the old rate with a risk of losing a great deal of time. It was ...

... THE PASTORATE OF THE ENGLISH BAPTIST CHURCH- The Rev J. Cole, of Merthyr Vale, who preached here last Sunday, has accepted the pastorate of this church, which has been vacant since the death of the Rev Stephen Price. He will commence his duties on the first Sunday in June. ...

... The Daily News of Tuesday publishes the following letter, from their Correspondent at Rome Nowhere has this exceptionally severe spring been felt so acutely as on the mountain passes between Switzerland and Italy. Only a few hours' journey from the spot where Her Majesty has been enjoying ber villeggiatura occurred a scene of disaster and death rarely paralleled in those regions of snowdrift ...

... The constantly occurring disasters on rivers and seas point to the necessity of large and small vessels being provided with a ready means of saving life. Captain Warren, whose practical inventions in regard to cook- ing apparatus have been of great direct benefit for many years past, and who has stimulated invention in others in that direction, lately demonstrated at the St. George's swimming ...

... [We deem it right to state that we do not at all times identify ourselves with our Correspondent's opinions. J Her Majesty's birthday, was, as usual, marked by a number of promotions and appointments, several of these, in the Order of St. Michael and St. George, being announced on the morning of that day. It is worth noting that; the various orders of knighthood each bears a characteristic ...

... Regarding the capture and utilisation of the African elephant in Africa as a means of transport, Dr. John Kirk, H. B Al.'s Consul-General, writes to a friend in this country from Zanzibar (says the Globe), under date the 3rd inst. II I have to thank you for the book just come about elephants. You seem to think I do not approve or may not approve, of elephants being used. Quite the contrary. It ...

... Under the above heading, J. O. C. writes to The Times Sir,—Now that Her Gracious Majesty the Queen has attained. the age of three score and is a great- grandmother, has not the time arrived when the ob. verse of our coinage should be rectified and made truthful ? For the past quarter of a century ils numismato- historic value has been slight, and constantly diminish- ing, and the absurdity ...

... At the audience granted on Friday In last week, to 600 French pilgrims, the Pope addressed them at some length. The chief passage of his speech was as follows:— It is with feelings of indescribable consolation that we see the vigour with which Catholic life is maintained and developed in France in spite of mani- fold obstacles and the frequent contradictions it meets with, for it does not ...

... HOME, FOREIGN, AND COLONIAL. THE VINE IN CALIFOBNIA.-It has been estimated that the State of California has 15,000,000 acres of land adapted to the growth of the vine, but that less than 50,000 acres of this vast area are as yet planted. The average number of vines set out per acre is about 900, which give an average yield of 800 gallons of wine and 120 of brandy when in full bearing. The ...

... [We deem it right to state that we do not at all times identify ourselves with our Correspondent's opinions.] The return of Her Majesty from Italy, and the opening of the month of May, the departure of the long season of wintry weather, and the revival of an ac- tivity which has too long remained dormant, all tell us of life, light, cheerfulness, and better times in London. And as the ...