boats were got out, and all hands but one, who was unfortunately drowned in landing, were safely landed by half-past six o'clock P.M. the same day. Three men were washed out of a boat by the sea, two of whom reached the shore, the other, referred to above, being drowned. At the time the Woodlark' left the Niobe' had fallen over, and had water in her up to her lower deck beam. The crew are still at Miquelon Island, stripping the vessel and saving everything possible. They are all well housed, and have been provisioned. The Niobe' was about eight years old, and was the vessel which, under the command of Sir Lambton Loraine, stopped the massacre of the Virginius' prisoners at Santiago de Cuba." JUNE. 2. LAUNCH OF A TWIN-SHIP.-The twin-ship "Castalia," the first of the fleet being built for the English Channel Steamship Company, was launched to-day from the dockyard of the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company at Blackwall. A large and distinguished company assembled at the invitation of the directors of the company to witness the launch, and the vessel was christened by Lady Granville. The steamer is 290 ft. long, and consists of two half-hulls, divided lengthways, each 17 ft. beam, built 26 ft. apart and joined by strong girders, which form the framework of a superstructure 183 ft. long and 60 ft. wide, extending to the outside of either hull, and affording ample space for saloons and other accommodation. The engines are being constructed by Messrs. J. & A. Blyth, of 260-horse power nominal collective, and they will be placed one in each hull, the paddles working in the intermediate space between them. Both ends of the steamer are alike, and fitted with double rudders, so that the necessity of turning in harbour is entirely obviated. The main object, however, of Captain Dicey, the designer and patentee of this twin-ship, has been to prevent the rolling motion, which is the principal cause of sea-sickness. As it is a matter of notoriety that native vessels in Southern India and elsewhere which are constructed upon a somewhat similar principle, with an outrigger consisting of a cigar-shaped log fixed parallel to their side, at a distance of about 20 ft., are exceedingly steady, it is expected that this steamer will realise this object to a great degree, and for that reason alone the scheme will highly recommend itself to the bulk of British tourists. 3. EPSOM RACES.-A welcome rain, which during the early hours of the day interrupted the long spell of dry weather we have been going through lately, made the Derby Day on Epsom Downs a very enjoyable holiday for the thousands who by road and rail journeyed thither from the Metropolis. The crowd was much greater than that of last year, although the weather was on that occasion equally favourable. There was a respectable field, though, according to general estimation, less respectable in quality than in quantity. The horses came to the goal in the following order :-Mr. Cartwright's George Frederick, by Marsyas-Princess of Wales (Custance) 1 Lord Rosebery's Couronne de Fer (Chaloner) 2 Lord Falmouth's Atlantic. (T. Osborne) 3 A capital start was effected at the second attempt, King of Tyne and Volturno at once showing in front. After going a quarter of a mile Tipster took the lead; but at the mile-post the above-named pair again passed him, and Ecossais went into third place. Nearly the same order was maintained down the hill; but as soon as they entered the straight, Custance sent George Frederick along and took up the running, Couronne de Fer and Rostrevor being his immediate attendants. Nothing, however, had the least chance with Mr. Cartwright's horse, who, passing the Tattersalls enclosure, came right away, and won in a canter by two lengths from Couronne de Fer. Atlantic finished very strongly, and was only beaten a neck for second place, being the same distance in front of Leolinus, nearly in a line with whom were Trent, Aquilo, and Rostrevor, the quartet being just clear of Mr. Savile's filly. All the rest were beaten a long way, Reverberation, who broke down, being about last. Custance thus won his third Derby, and it was clear that the best horse in the Heath House stable had been sold, for we doubt if Atlantic's accident affected his running. Ecossais looked very formidable for about a mile; and Glenalmond was the only one of the favourites who thoroughly disgraced himself, for he stayed no better than the majority of the Blair Athols, and, moreover, could never go the pace. George Frederick's antecedents are not those of a Derby winner; but it is clear that Mr. Cartwright had laid himself out solely for this race, and the horse had never previously been fit to run. The defeat of Lady Glenorchy in the Stanley Stakes by Pope Joan was the only noticeable feature in the minor races of the day. There was, however, a scrimmage at the start, which gave the winner a lead of a couple of lengths, and her jockey took full advantage of it. The weather on the 5th, the Oaks Day, was equally favourable, and there was a large and fashionable attendance. The race was as follows: Mr. Launde's ch. f. Apology, by Adventurer-Mandragora (J. Osborne) 1 5. THE NEW AIR MACHINE for the better ventilation of the House of Commons has just come into operation for the first time. By means of this apparatus a constant supply of air, cooled to any required degree, even in the warmest weather, can be supplied at the rate of from 60,000 to 90,000 gallons per minute. The House contains about 900,000 gallons of air, so that when the apparatus is working at its maximum it is possible to renew the air without sensible draught every six minutes. Previously, when the windows were opened, the air used to rush in and escape in part through the roof without providing a proper supply for the occupants of the chamber. The temperature then rose, and the result was directly the reverse of what was expected. The improved mode of ventilation is quite independent of open windows and of the fans (formerly in use), which were objectionable on account of draughts and dust. It is hoped, from experiments that have been made with the use of cotton wool, that it will be possible to supply comparatively pure air during the prevalence of the densest fog. 9. GREAT FIRE IN BERMONDSEY.-One of the largest fires that has occurred in the south of London for some time past broke out to-day in the extensive block of buildings belonging to Mr. E. Ellis, tanner, &c. The premises, which were four floors high, covered a large area, and were situated in Horsey Lane, Bermondsey, a densely-populated locality, crowded with lofty buildings used as tanneries, &c. The building in question, besides containing several workshops, had manufactory, show-rooms, and drying-rooms, &c., which at the time of the outbreak were filled with many thousand pounds' worth of property. By the time the first engine arrived the flames had obtained such a firm hold on the building that all hopes of saving any portion were lost, and the only course taken was to save the adjoining establishments, which were threatening every minute to become ignited. Although many tons of water were thrown per minute into the burning pile, the flames continued to rage furiously for upwards of three hours, and before they could be extinguished the place was entirely gutted and the roof burnt off. The premises on either side were also much damaged by fire, water, &c. The disaster, it is understood, was caused through the overheating of a drying stove. 10. THE STATUE OF JOHN BUNYAN, presented by the Duke of Bedford to the town which bears his name, was unveiled by Lady Augusta Stanley on this day. The town honoured the occasion by decorating, and at night by illumination. The statue, which has been placed on St. Peter's Green, is of bronze, by Boehm, and is universally admired. The inscription is carved in the granite pedestal, and is singularly appropriate. Lying at the feet of Bunyan is the chain struck from his legs, and on the panel underneath is the autograph of "Bunyan." Medallions representing scenes from the "Pilgrim's Progress" form a pleasing relief to the pedestal, which, with the statue, is about 9 ft. high. A procession was formed at the Shire Hall, and the Mayor of Bedford and the Dean of Westminster, on arriving at the statue, were loudly cheered. The Mayor briefly addressed the assembly, and the statue was then unveiled amid the hearty cheers of the spectators. Later in the day a meeting was held in the Exchange, when Dean Stanley delivered an address, selecting as his text Bunyan's words-" As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where there was a den." Earl Cowper, the Rev. Dr. Brock, and Dr. Allon also spoke, and in the evening a lecture was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Birrell, of Liverpool. The Mayor entertained upwards of seventy guests at a banquet, and the day concluded with a display of fireworks. SILVER MEDALS GRANTED.-A General Order issued from the Horse Guards states that the Queen has been graciously pleased to signify her pleasure that a silver medal should be granted to all Her Majesty's forces who were employed on the Gold Coast during the operations against the King of Ashantee, with a clasp in the case of those who were present at Amoaful and the actions between that place and Coomassie (including the capture of the capital), and of those who, during the five days of those actions, were engaged on the north of the Prah in maintaining and protecting the communications of the main army. The medals are to be given to all officers and soldiers who served on the Gold Coast between June 9, 1873, and February 4, 1874, inclusive; or who, during that period, or for any portion of that period, were on board ship on the coast. 13. HORSE AND DOG SHOWS.-The eleventh annual Horse Show, which was held in the Agricultural Hall, Islington, during the week, afforded an attraction to numerous buyers and sight seers. The number of horses of all kinds exhibited was about 400, being as many as accommodation can be found for in the hall. The third day of the show was honoured by the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Previous to their arrival the public who filled the immense building were amused with an interesting game of polo. After some very clever play the first prize was awarded to the Hon. T. Fitzwilliam, who rode his own pony, a very beautiful brown called Cockem. Besides the usual prizes for horses, one was offered for ponies in pair harness, of which some beautiful specimens were exhibited. In this class was the Russian pair about which there has been so much curiosity, the perfectly matched and faultlessly symmetrical animals having been entered by the Duke of Edinburgh. From Vostryack and Vorou, however, the spectators began to look doubtfully to other pairs in competition-to Mr. Lear Drew's Roumania and Wallachia, a brilliant pair of chestnuts, for example; to Mr. Lawrence's Victor and Hector; but most of all to Mrs. Henry Frisby's Prince Polo and Princess Polo, a dark and light grey, so well contrasted as to appear almost like black and white stepping harmoniously together. No favour was shown by the judges; for though Mr. Frisby was heard to avow his frank opinion that the Duke of Edinburgh's pair stepped most perfectly, and, on the whole, deserved the chief distinction, this was given to his wife's greys, the Duke coming second, and Mr. Charles Lawrence third. The fifth annual Dog Show took place at the Crystal Palace, and nearly 1,200 dogs were exhibited, several of very superior quality. 16. THE UNIVERSITIES.-Cambridge Commencement was celebrated with more display than usual. The proceedings are generally of a merely formal character; but this year, as the Cavendish Laboratory was opened, the donor being the Chancellor of the University, his Grace paid a visit to Cambridge to receive the thanks of the senate for his munificent gift, and the occasion was made the opportunity for conferring honorary degrees upon the following distinguished persons:-The Lord Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench, Sir Bartle Frere, Sir William Stirling Maxwell, M.P., Sir Charles Lyell, Sir James Paget, Sir Garnet Wolseley, the Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, Dr. Salmon, Dr. Stokes, Mr. E. A. Freeman, M. Leverrier, Professor Greenwood, Mr. Bentham, Mr. Lassell, and Mr. James Russell Lowell. The Lord Chief Justice and Sir Garnet Wolseley had an enthusiastic reception. The prize poems were afterwards recited, and in the evening the Master and Fellows of Trinity College entertained a large company at dinner in the college hall. At Oxford, the Encænia, or commemoration of founders and benefactors to the University, was held on the following day in the Sheldonian Theatre, when the degree of D.C.L. honoris causâ was conferred upon the following persons:-The Right Hon. Sir George Mellish, one of the Lords Justices of Appeal; MajorGeneral Sir Garnet Joseph Wolseley, K.C.B., G.C.M.G.; Sir Thomas Erskine May, K.C.B., Clerk of the House of Commons; and Victor Carus, Professor of Comparative Anatomy and Zoology in the University of Leipsic. The undergraduates in the gallery were rather more noisy than usual. In the evening the annual ball was held at the Corn Exchange, and there was a concert at Magdalen. THE ASCOT MEETING.-Notwithstanding a bitter wind on the first day of these races the attendance was very large, and the Royal procession more brilliant than usual, as the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke of Connaught, Prince and Princess Christian, and the Duke and Duchess of Teck drove up the course prior to the first race. The Maiden Plate, for two-year-olds, was won by Salamanca, a powerful bay colt, which was purchased by Mr. Houldsworth for 1,300 guineas, at the sale of Sir Joseph Hawley's stud last year. The Prince of Wales's Stakes was virtually reduced to a match between the stable companions, Atlantic and Leolinus, in which the latter was victorious. The Ascot Stakes was not a particularly interesting race, as the class of animals that started was decidedly "below par." Once more two stable companions were first and second; but whereas Feve (6 st. 10 lb.) was a strong favourite, Coventry (6 st. 3 lb.), the winner, was allowed to start at 20 to 1. In the Queen's Stand Plate Blenheim beat Prince Charlie, and won easily by two lengths. |