... . From the Rte2istrar-general's return we r learii that during the week ending Decem- ber 16 the annual rate of mortality in 28 great towns of EnglandandWales averaged 2611 per 1,000 of their aggregate popula- i tion, which was estimated at 8,469,571 uer- sons in the midaale of this year. The rates I of mortal2ty in the several towns, ranged in order from the lowest, were as follow:- t Bristol ...

... The interpellation in the Chamber on Madagasoer which M. Duclerc was to have answered wasadjourned. A semi-official communication to the j6rnalis says, MW. Duclere has bad along conferance with Lrd Lyons on Madagascar, and the negotiations are proceeding in the most friendly mauner. We hear that Englandis disposed to recognise the rights conferred on France. by the treaty of 1868, England ...

... SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17. SATURDAY'S EDITION. I1NIST:E AL CHANGES. Mr. Gladstone has resigned the Chancellor. ship of the Exchequer, a post which will be taken by Mr. Obilders, who will be succeeded it the War-office by Lord Hartington. The Aear vacancy being at last reached, we are told that Lord Derby is to be Secretary for India. -We are not aware of any reason why Lord Derby should be selected ...

... -- FOREIGGN TELEGRAMS. _. - 4-- THE EXPLOSION AT PARIS. EXECUTI[ON OF OBERDANX. FRANCE. Paris, Dec. 20. The JoTrnal des D~bats to.day publishes Icalgty article on the subject of the French expedition to Tog quin, which concludes as follows:- The real danger this matter is our own indecision. We must render oi protectorate over Tonquin effective, and send thither sufficient troops to destroy ...

... IRELAZZL The work of 4organizing the National League is pro. ceeding Steadily, and new branches are being formed every week. Meetings for the purpose were held at Mulliugar, Tullamore, Drogheda, and Kilrush. At Mul- lingar the Reev. J. Gaughran presided, and in his open. ing speech he exhorted the farmers to meet the labourers in a kindly spirit, remembering that to them wias due the success ...

... FREE l A S ON Pt . Royal Masonic Institution for Girls. Ois Monday evening the 235 girls in the Masonic Girls' School at St. John's-hill, Battersea Rise, were treated to an entertainment by Br Michael Mullen, of Bradford. The enter- tainment, which is styled 2sMirth, Music, and Mimicry, and received a favourable notice in The Eta of March 21st, 1880, consists of some capital delineations of ...

... LONDON, EleIDAY, December 29. In the French Chamber yesterday the grant a for the mission of M. de Brazza to the Congo Iwas passed almost without opposition. In the Senate the grant for the occupation of Tunis was also passed. I Our Paris Correspondent says it is scarcely . possible nowz to doubt that M. Gambetta ie very ill. The Thlemgrape states that four sur- ,geons set yesterday evening to ...

... 7 EB, - -L I a O x ?? OFW,,A FD3MG. NXEWS (TMoUGH ZutnM's ABMSOtY) K 8. GAM3BEfl4.. , 'PA.RIS, DEa. 13. M. Gambetta is now chnvalescent, and wi t-1 morro onsfor e nfirsttm: TEE OATa IN T - MADRID, Dna, 13. Thse Committee to whom the ChabrcoDepnties has raferred tho Bill for the Partial sndiicain of the Parliametairy oath; have not yet come toweagree- meat. The Government proposa to amit elthar ...

... ORAL ISTRUCTION OF THE DESAD | I I ~~DUMB. An examination of the children who are being taught upon the oral system at the Asylum for the e: Deaf and omb in the Old Kent-road was held last f evening before several members of the committee of a that institution. The system hitherto adopted in this GM country is the French, which is teaching by signs nd thefinger alphabet. Though this s tem has ...

... -4- Westminster Abbey-Lecture on Book of Job, by the Dean, 3.50. Concerts-Crystal Palace, 3; St. James's Hall, 3; Messiah, 8; Royal Academyof Music (New Com- positions by Musical Artists' Society), 8. Todmorden Liberal Club's soiree. Volunteer Prize Distributious-Cannon-street Hotel (15th Middlesex), 6; Guildhall (2nd Loudon), 6.45; Westminster Hall (London Scottish), 6: Grosvenor Hall, ...

... LONDON, MO.NDAY, Reambeo 25. On Saturday the Emperor William had a Iong conference with Prince Bismuarck. His Majesty wished to know, it is stated, what importance was to be attached to the recent alarming re- ports. It is generally believed in Berlin, our Correspondent says, that there is little chance of the peace of Europe being disturbed inl the near future, and that slight importance ...

... -4- ( By T2LEGRAPH AND XPR=& ) I'BIRINGHAM Mr. Mundella has consented to open some new Board schools in l3irminoharn on January 15. The President of the Board of Trade is also expected to take part in C ihe ceremony. Both Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Mun- della'have consented.to attend a public neetiu- in the Tow n Hill on the snme evening. With te new schools the Board will have accomenodatiou for ...