Russian Government, stating that they did not intend to occupy the Asiatic shores of the Dardanelles if England would abstain from doing so. If this condition were observed, Russia would not occupy Gallipoli, or enter the lines of Bulair. He thought this result could not be considered otherwise than satisfactory. The fleet, he might say, was at present at Tuzla -that position having been selected by Admiral Hornby on his own responsibility.

21.-Lord Beaconsfield, in moving the second reading of the Consolidated Fund (6,000,000.) Bill, and of the Exchequer Bonds and Bills (6,000,000l.) Bill, said that he felt he need not offer any argument in favour of the measures, considering the present state of Europe. While other states were taking precautions to guard their interests, he did not think it unreasonable that this country too should take the same course. The Government were labouring to bring about a durable peace, but as it was possible that their efforts might fail, it seemed only right that we should place ourselves in a position to make our word respected. "I must express my own feelings by saying that, whether England is to enter into Conference or on a campaign, it is of the utmost importance that in either circumstance she should do so with the support and influence of a united people." Lord Granville admitted that after the vote given by the House of Commons in favour of the bills, it would be improper to resist them; but he expressed a hope that the Government would go into the Conference actuated by the policy of not attempting to minimize the advantages which Russia sought to obtain for the Christian population in the East of Europe. Bills read a second time.

- A Melbourne telegram states that the Legislative Council have adopted an address to the Crown replying to that recently voted by the Assembly, which charged the Council with unconstitutional conduct in rejecting the Appropriation Bill for the payment of the salaries of members of the Assembly.

22.-Attempt made to shoot Sir George Jessel, Master of the Rolls by a disappointed suitor in holy orders, named Henry John Dodwell. The attempt was made as Sir George was entering his Court in the morning, and the escape so narrow that the ball was felt to have grazed the ear. Dodwell was at once apprehended and conveyed to Bow Street for examination. On taking his seat on the bench, Mr. Roxburgh on behalf of the bar, congratulated his lordship on his escape from a terrible peril. Sir George thanked the bar for their kind expressions of sympathy, and said he felt devoutly thankful to Providence for delivering him from imminent danger. He added that he was glad to say that he had no doubt whatever that the person who fired the pistol was insane.

22.-Russian troops occupy Erzeroum under terms of the armistice.

Mr. Trevelyan's annual motion for assimilating the county and borough franchises rejected in the Commons by 271 to 219 votes.

23.-Head-quarters of Grand Duke Nicholas removed to San Stefano.

Madame Rachel again committed for trial on a charge of obtaining 2007. by false pretences, intimidation, and constructive stealing, from Mrs. C. Pearce, who had been induced to leave jewellery in the hands of the prisoner in connection with her pretended enamelling process.

24. Disorderly Sunday meeting in Hyde Park, rival mobs gathering to support and oppose the Ministerial policy in the East.

25.-Replying to a question from Lord Manvers, in the Lords, the Prime Minister said there was a common error abroad as

The United States "Silver Bill" presented to President Hayes, and ten days allowed for its consideration. The silver party in the House also introduced bills providing for legislation omitted from the Silver Bill. The chief measures introduced authorize the issue of certificates upon silver bullion deposits, making those certificates unlimited legal tender, and also authorize the free coinage of 412 grain dollars.

26.-In the House of Lords the Foreign Minister states that he quite sympathized with Lord Delawarr's anxiety to be informed of the terms of the treaty about to be signed between Turkey and Russia, but up to the time when he left the Foreign Office to come to the House no information had reached him that the signatures had actually been affixed. He had seen two or three versions. of what were supposed to be the terms of peace, but they differed in some very important details. It might be taken, he thought, as beyond dispute that it was intended to constitute a very large province of Bulgaria; as to whether Salonica was to be included within that province the accounts differed. With regard to the war indemnity, some accounts stated that an enormous and fabulous amount was demanded, something like 150,000,000l. or 200,000,000l. ; but the statement which he had received spoke of a demand of 40,000,000/. independent, as he understood, of a cession of territory. He admitted that there could not be a more

important subject for discussion when correct information with respect to the terms of peace should be obtained, but at present they were not known with any accuracy.

26.-Gathering of clergy in "retreat" in St. Paul's, London. At 7.15 this morning the Dean of St. Paul's celebrated the Holy Communion in the Crypt Chapel, Canon Gregory assisting him; and at eight o'clock there was a second celebration in the choir, the Bishop of London being the celebrant, assisted by the Archdeacon of London (Bishop Piers Claughton), when some 100 clergy communicated. Many were present at the ten o'clock ordinary matins ; and from the hour when the service was concluded till 11.30, a large number of clergy remained on their knees; the fresh arrivals dropping in every minute, and when the Bishop of London ascended the pulpit it may be fairly said that he had the leading London clergy of all shades of opinion under the dome before him.

28. In answer to Lord Dorchester the Foreign Minister states, in the Upper House, that he was in possession, as he believed, of accurate information as to the position of the greater part of the Turkish fleet; but he did not think it desirable that he should state it to the House. (Hear, hear.) It was hardly the business of the Government to answer questions as to the movements of a foreign fleet, especially as he had not yet heard that a treaty of peace had been signed. The condition of affairs was at present one of suspended hostilities-armistice, and not peace. They all hoped that the war was at an end, but it was possible that hostilities might be renewed, and in that case he considered it would be impruIdent in the interest of the Turk, to answer more precisely the question that had been put to him.

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At the Court of Common Council Mr. Deputy Fry moved and Alderman Sir T. Dakin seconded a resolution to the effect that 'great advantages have resulted to the Corporation of London in consequence of the members in their municipal capacity carefully avoiding making reference to their political opinions. It is therefore much to be regretted that recently a political meeting was allowed to be held in Guildhall, the Lord Mayor presiding, inasmuch as it was not convened in answer to a requisition, in accordance with the usual practice, nor was it in any true sense a meeting of the citizens of London." To this an amendment was moved by Mr. George Shaw, and seconded by Alderman Sir William Rose, to the effect that while admitting the

advantages" referred to in the first part of the resolution, "it is, however, in the opinion of this court much to be regretted that at a recent meeting of the Court of Common Council the privileges of the Lord Mayor should have been called in question, and that this court affirms the course taken by the Lord Mayor under the circumstances in presiding at a meeting of the citizens of London to express their opinion on the critical events of the day." Upon a division, Mr. Deputy Fry's motion was rejected by the decisive majority of 109 votes to 34.

March 1. Both American Houses of Congress passed the Silver Bill over the president's veto.

2.-King Humbert presented with the Order of the Garter by the Duke of Abercorn.

3. Treaty of Peace between Russia and Turkey signed at San Stefano. The following are the most important of the twenty-nine articles it contained. The indemnity to be paid by Turkey was fixed at 12,000,000.

Accessions of territory were made to Servia and Montenegro. Bulgaria was to be formed into a new Principality with greatly extended boundaries, having a seaport on the Ægean and governed by a prince elected by the inhabitants. The navigation of the Straits was declared free for merchant vessels, both in time of peace and war.-Fifty thousand Russian troops, consisting of six divisions of infantry and two of cavalry, would occupy Bulgaria for about two years, until the formation of a Bulgarian militia, the strength of which would be fixed later between Russia and Turkey.Batoum, Ardahan, Kars, and Bayazid, with the territories comprised were ceded to Russia.-A treaty was to be concluded between Turkey and Roumania. The latter was to make her demand for indemnity direct to the Porte.The treaty declared that Russia, not wishing to annex territory, received the Dobrudscha in order to cede it to Roumania in exchange for the Roumanian portion of Bessarabia.

3.-Pope Leo XIII. crowned in the Sistine Chapel.

Died, aged 82, Joseph Bonomi, artist and Egyptologist.

5. In the Admiralty division of the High Court of Justice the case of the Cleopatra came before Sir Robert Phillimore. The action had been brought by Mr. John Dixon, the owner of the vessel Cleopatra and its cargo, against Messrs. Burrell and Sons, the owners of the steamship Fitzmaurice, the salvors, for the purpose of obtaining a salvage award from the court as early as possible. Great difficulty was experienced in valuing the vessel and cargo, but the court ultimately assessed it at 25,000/.

7.-Prince Bismarck consents to preside over a European Congress to be held at Berlin, for the consideration of the treaty of San Stefano.

In reply to Earl Granville, Lord Derby stated that Her Majesty's Government had already expressed, in a despatch which had been laid on the table, their opinion that they were not prepared to recognize as valid any changes that had taken place in the arrangements made in European treaties until they had received the consent of the Powers. And they had further stated their opinion that it would be desirable that not merely a part but the whole of the treaty just concluded between Russia and Turkey should be submitted to the Congress.

8.-Sixteen lives lost by a colliery explosion in one of the pits at Kilsyth belonging to

Messrs. Baird and Co.

Died, aged 76, the Archduke Francis Charles, father of the Emperor of Austria. The deceased was the younger brother of the late Emperor Ferdinand, and on the abdication

Died, aged 81, Sir W. Gibson-Craig, Lord Clerk Register, and Keeper of the Signet for Scotland, long a leading member of the Edinburgh Whig Party and M. P. for that city, 1841-52.

Forty-three lives lost by an explosion at the Unity Brook Colliery, Kearsley, near Bolton. The workings were inspected, between twelve and one, and found free from gas. Shortly after the men had begun work at one o'clock, however, an explosion occurred which was heard for a distance of fully half-a-mile. The cage, which hung over the pit mouth, was hurled upwards against the head gearing, and shattered to pieces, the wreckage falling down the pit. The iron plates on the pit bank were tossed into the air, and the banksman was thrown violently to the ground.

14. The Russian Government while agreeing to the proposal of Britain, that Greece should be represented at the Congress, proposes that Servia, Roumania, and Montenegro, should be accorded the same privilege.

whether these articles require to be accepted by the Congress.

14. In the debate on the Navy Estimates the First Lord said with regard to the Inflexible, that no ship of war could be built perfectly safe, but the Inflexible was better able than any other ship to resist attack. Her citadel could not be penetrated by any gun yet manufactured, while her guns could pierce any ship afloat.

Died, James Hain Friswell, author of many contributions to periodical literature.

15. In answer to Sir G. Campbell, the Chancellor of the Exchequer states that the requirement of the British Government with regard to the Congress was that every article of the terms of peace should be laid before it in order that it might consider which of them required the acceptance and concurrence of the other Powers, and which did not. On this point the Times now wrote :-"It is the duty of our Government and of other European Governments, to maintain, as a matter of principle, that the whole treaty between Russia and Turkey is within the cognizance of a Congress of Powers which assemble as parties to the latest international compact on the subject. The same consideration ought, we may add, to remove all hesitation on the part of Russia in yielding. She is not asked to give way merely to England, or to Austria, but to recognize the supremacy of the statute law of Europe, and to give another pledge of her adherence to the principle which, when challenged in 1871, she felt bound to admit." The Telegraph remarked:-"It does not follow from this demand that every single item should of necessity be discussed; but what England does mean is that the Powers must decide for themselves, by having the whole programme before them, which of the terms concern European or special interests, and should most certainly debate, and, if need be, alter or prohibit those which appear inadmissible."

the North-West Provinces, Oude, and the Punjaub. The immediate passing of this measure into law was deemed by the Government to be of such grave and paramount importance that the bill was introduced without the customary notice, the standing orders were also suspended, and the bill carried through all its stages at a single sitting of the Council.

15.—In the case of the Rev. H. J. Dodwell for shooting at the Master of the Rolls was concluded yesterday. The jury found that the pistol was not charged with anything calculated to kill, and that Mr. Dodwell was labouring under a delusion. Mr. Baron Huddleston said that this was equivalent to a verdict of not guilty, and the jury amended the verdict accordingly. The prisoner was then charged with a common assault, and on this charge the jury acquitted him on the ground of insanity; and he was ordered to be detained during her Majesty's pleasure.

Railway opened from Rome to Fiumicino, the once famous port of the Imperial city, but now two miles distant from the sea.

16.-Diplomatic conversation and correspondence regarding the Congress. Prince Gortschakoff now states that if any modifications were made in the Treaty by the Congress, they would be the subject of further arrangement between Russia and Turkey. The Prince having stated that a complete copy of the treaty would be communicated to the Powers, Lord A. Loftus remarked that any article could therefore be brought into discussion by any member of the Congress. "His Highness replied that of course he could not impose silence on any member of the Congress, but he could only accept a discussion on those portions of the treaty which affected European interests." The following despatch was sent to Lord Derby by Count Schouvaloff on the 19th of March :-"I hastened to communicate to the Chancellor, Prince Gortschakoff, by telegraph, the tenor of the letter which you did me the honour to address to me on the 16th instant. The Prince instructs me to repeat to you that the treaty of peace concluded between Russian and Turkey-the only one which exists, for we have no secret engagement-will be communicated to the Government of the Queen in its entirety, and long before the assembling of the Congress. The Government of the Queen, in like manner as the other Great Powers, reserve to themselves at the Congress their full liberty of appreciation and action. This same liberty, which she does not dispute to others, Russia claims for herself. Now, it would be to restrict this liberty, if, alone among all the Powers, Russia contracted a preliminary engagement." To this Lord Derby replied:-Her Majesty's Government are unable to accept the view now put forward by Prince Gortschakoff that the freedom of opinion and action in Congress of Russia, more than of any other Power, would be

restricted by this preliminary understanding. Her Majesty's Government therefore desire to ask whether the Government of Russia are willing that the communication of the Treaty en entier to the various Powers shall be treated as a placing of the treaty before the Congress, in order that the whole treaty, in relation to existing treaties, may be examined and considered by the Congress." (See also March 26.)

16.-Ratification of the Treaty of Peace exchanged at St. Petersburg.

In answer to Mr. Hanbury the Chancellor of the Exchequer states that it was not true that Russia has refused to admit the representatives of Greece to the Conference; but she had raised a question as to the footing on which any representative from Greece would be admitted.

17.-Earl Beauchamp introduces a bill into the Lords similar to that brought forward in the House of Commons last year for creating four new bishoprics for the dioceses of Southwark, Newcastle, Wakefield, and Liverpool.

18.-Statue of Lord Canning at Calcutta, unveiled by the Viceroy.

19. Died suddenly at Ravensworth Castle, aged 81, Lord Ravensworth, formerly M.P. for North Durham. The election of his son Lord Eslington caused a vacancy in the representation of South Northumberland.

20.-Lord Roseberry married to Miss Hannah Rothschild, the bride being given away at the religious ceremony by Earl Beaconsfield. The civil ceremony was performed before the Registrar at the Board-room in Mount-street.

Speaking at a dinner in Willis's Rooms, the Duke of Cambridge said he deprecated war, as war. "Every man-soldier, sailor, or civilian-must deprecate war as such; but I do contend, and most strongly contend, and the justification for the services existing depends upon it, that there is a circumstance which is worse than war, and that is national disgrace(loud and prolonged cheering)—and I have therefore no hesitation in saying that if that is the alternative to war, I prefer war to national disgrace. I have every confidence that the spirit of the nation is as it always has been, and the spirit of the services corresponds with that of the nation. The nation is represented in the feeling of the services, and if every individual here has his heart in the right place, where I am sure you have, whatever be your politics, I say that you will find your feelings represented in the services just as much now as it has ever been either within our recollection or in the time of our forefathers."

21. In answer to a question in the Commons Mr. W. H. Smith states, that Commodore Hoskins of the Beagle directed a lieutenant to inquire into the murder of Mr. Easterbrook,

at Tarma, and acting on his discretion, he executed the accessory, as he could not obtain the actual murderer. The commodore considered that the lieutenant had not exceeded his instructions.

22.-Text of the Treaty between Russia and Turkey telegraphed from St. Petersburg.

This being the 81st anniversary of the birthday of the Emperor of Germany, His Majesty was congratulated by the chief civil and military dignities, and the bodies of the State. In receiving the generals the Emperor said :"I thank you for the manner in which your feeling towards me has been expressed, as well as for the feeling itself. At my advanced age the recurrence of this anniversary must naturally have for me a certain solemnity. I hope, however, that in the year now beginning for me you will continue to support me with the same sagacity and activity in everything that may enable my army to achieve in the future what it has achieved in the past.'

Bill for amending the Scotch Education Act introduced into the House of Lords by the Duke of Richmond and Gordon. It proposed to enact for Scotland, with certain modifications, the chief provisions of the Education Act of 1876; it repealed certain technical omissions and removed difficulties which had occurred in the working of the Scotch Education Act of 1872; and dealt also with certain grievances and peculiar objections which had been very strongly felt by the people of the north.

Discussion at the Metropolitan Board of Works regarding the erection of a new bridge across the Thames from a spot between the St. Katherine's Dock and the Tower, to Horseleydown Lane, the height to be 65 feet above Trinity high water mark, and the cost approaches 850,000l., bridge 400,000l. Total 1,250,000/.

23. The general tenor of the news this morning was that the chances of the meeting of the Congress were daily diminishing. The Russian agency admitted this, and said that it was owing to England insisting on her demand that the whole treaty shall be submitted to the Congress. The Journal de St. Pétersburg, in an evidently inspired article, complained that while Russia was doing everything to secure peace, England was throwing fresh obstacles in the way, and asked whether that conduct would be tolerated by Europe. The Golos called upon the Russian Government to insist on the Sultan ordering the British fleet out of Turkish waters, and, if he refuses, to occupy Constantinople and the Dardanelles forts.

Several meetings were held, lectures delivered, and sermons preached to day in various parts of the Metropolis, in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the rescue