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    ledged failure . The twanging of bowstrings and the dull thump of the arrows as they plunged into the targets aroused only for a short time . Even the movements of the archers , as they crossed and recrossed the field in bloodless strife , at last grew monotonous , and some way or other people seemed to have an uneasy feeling that by possibility a mistake might be made . Missiles of all kinds are apt to deviate from their intended route , and the arrow has a peculiar facility for going astray . The quivers sported at Holland-park , it is true , were not furnished so formidably as those which figured at Cressy or Agincourt ; but , nevertheless , a light summer paletot or

    a silk dress are things easily penetrated , and there are few people who like to be treated as a " butt . " Such being the experience of last year ' s fete in archery , the Committee of Management this season prudently curtailed that part of the exhibition , or , more accurately speaking , they so arranged that it was all over before the other games commenced . Among those who exhibited their skill in archery were three ladies who contended stoutly for the gold bracelets already alluded to . Most of the archers wore Lincoln green , and their costume agreeably diversified the effect of the blue bonnets and waving tartans . _ _ .

    To the archery succeeded the sword dance , performed with great spirit and grace . Then commenced that characteristic game called " throwing the hammer . " In the Highlands the hammer is used , as the name implies ; but of late years , instead of that implement , a ball of iron with a long wooden shaft attached to it has been introduced at the principal competitions . Nine Highlanders entered their names as candidates for the prize in throwing the light hammer , the weight of which is 141 b . Their style of play possessed great variety . Some stood still , and with one or two swings of the hammer hurled it forward through the hair . Others , whirling round with it in their extended hands , let it shoot suddenly off when

    they had reached the prescribed point for doing so . One enormous man , whose rugged features and shaggy red hair recalled the picture of Bob Roy , used one hand only in the process , yet nevertheless the hammer flew from his grasp with perfect precision to a great distance . After the throwing of the light hammer came dancing and a foot race . The former appeared to give especial pleasure to the spectators , the shouting , the snapping of fingers , and the rapid steps and evolutions of the kilted performers being something quite out of the usual practice of the terpsichorean art in England . The foot race will hardly bear comparison with what the sporting community in the south are accustomed to . Running on the immediate

    smooth lawn of a nobleman ' s park in the neighbourhood of London , the competitors had no steep braes , or tangled heather , to test the certainty of their footing or the strength of their lungs . There were seven of them , all in kilts , and on the occasion their brogues and coats were thrown aside , and they ran , some in their hose and others barefoot . The distance was nearly 1400 yards , and it was gone over in two minutes forty-three seconds by the winner , Charles Gow . The next game exhibited was what is called " tossing the caber . " The trunk of a tree is raised upon its thin end by the player , who having poised it steadily in the air for a moment rushes forward , and , exerting all his strength , endeavours to toss it so as to describle a somersault . If he

    fails , a piece is sawn off till the caber is turned over by some one who is declared the winner . The scene which the park presented about four o'clock was exceedingly animated and picturesque . Within the enclosed space where the sports were going ? on had assembled a goodly muster of well-dressed Highland gentlemen and chiefs—Cluny Macpherson , head of the clan Chattan , presided over the proceedings . The leading representatives of the M'Kenzies were present — Sir James M'Kenzie , of Scatwell ; Sir Evan M'Kenzie , of Kilcoy ; Stewart M'Kenzie , of Seaforth ; and Mr . Charles M'Kenzie , of Scotsburn . Conspicuous among the throng was Roualeyn Gordon Cumming , the daring traveller ,

    whose recent hunting exploits in Central Africa have attracted so much attention . Within the enclosed space on either side were arranged the boys of the Caledonian Asylum and the Duke of York ' s School . Pipers arrayed in all the splendour of silver ornament struck up at intervals " the war notes " of the clans , or some well-known dance-inspiring strathspey . Occasionally , a military band , which was in attendance , contributed its quota to the general amusement . The capacious stands erected to the north of the grounds were thronged with ladies , and all round the enclosed space where the games were celebrated was gathered an assemblage of curious and interested spectators . It was just at this time that the

    Marquis of Breadalbane arrived , and shortly afterwards it became known that the Queen was about to honour Hoiland-park with a visit . The Highlanders were at once formed by Cluny into a body guard , and every preparation was made to give her Majesty a loyal reception . ^ In the meantime the games were suspended , and , to kill time , two men of the Scotch Fusiliers ( one named Chalmers , and coming from the north side of the Tweed ; the other named Edgar , a native of Cumberland ) exhibited their skill in wrestling . Just as this exhibition finished the royal cortege entered the grounds . The band played " God save the Queen , " and Angus Mackay , her Majesty ' s piper , struck up , " Fleum Fein an Gleann "— " The Glen is my own . "

    The body guards saluted , and the great mass of specv * tors , standing up , testified by loud cheers , and by the waving of hats , blue bonnets , and handkerchiefs , their loyalty and respect for their Sovereign . Prince Albert , the Prince of Wales , and the Prince of Prussia , occupied the same carriage as her Majesty . In another , which followed , were Viscountess Jocelyn and Lady Canning . The horses having been disengaged from the carriage the games were immediately resumed under the superintendence of the Marquis of Breadalbane , who appeared to receive her Majesty ' s commands as to what she wished to see performed . The first thing exhibited was dancing , with which the royal party appeared greatly pleased . To this succeeded throwing the hammer . The exhibition of

    wrestling was again repeated by the same performers , and excited much interest among the royal visitors . Then came what must be regarded as the most remarkable feature of the day ' s proceedings , viz ., a trial of skill between M . Leon Gillemand , French fencing master , armed with the broadsword and target , and Bombardier Kelly , armed with the bayonet . M . Gillemand hit his adversary four times running , and there can be no doubt that the one hit counted against him ought not to have been allowed . At the close of this bout singlestick

    practice took place , and a repetition of tossing the caber . " Putting the light stone" followed , and last of all , during the stay of the royal party , a second and very well-contested footrace . Her Majesty having remained more than an hour an evidently pleased spectator of the games took her departure about half-past six o'clock , lu the evening a grand banquet was given by Lord Holland to the inhabitants of Kensington , and there was afterwards a grand ball , the evening concluding with the national anthem , in which all the guests very heartily

    joined . The sports on Tuesday were much the same as those of the previous day , and all went off with much enthusiasm . The only drawback was the absence of the Queen and Prince Albert , who were anxiously expected in the afternoon , but did not make their appearance as had been anticipated .

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    THE SUNDAY POST STOPPAGE . The number of cases in which the stoppage of the mail on Sundays has already worked injuriously is beyond calculation . A contemporary mentions one instance of a working man who , on Monday , received a letter from Berwick , stating that his mother had died on the preceding Friday , and requesting his attendance on Sunday or Monday morning ; the letter could not be posted in time for Saturday ' s mail , and there being no Sunday conveyance of letters , it came too late to be of service ; the bereaved son , therefore , did not reach Berwick till his mother ' s funeral was over .

    Another case was that of a prisoner in Chester Castle , who was committed to Chester Castle by the magistrates of that city on the 8 th of May , under sentence of two months' imprisonment . A strong representation reached the Home-office last week regarding his illness . There was not a moment to be lost in order to save the wretched man , if possible , from dying in prison ; and yet the necessary order could not be despatched by the ordinary post for the purpose of procuring his immediate release . If sent by post on Saturday evening , it would have been delayed to the extent of twenty-four hours before it could reach its destination ; in consequence of which this necessary order had to be dispatched in the shape of a parcel , at an increased expense to the public , in order to be in time , if possible , to be of use .

    But the most conclusive instance we have yet seen of the evil working of the new system is that furnished by a correspondent of the Times , who subscribes himself " A Christian Gentleman . " We cannot do better than give the story in his own words : — " I am attorney for the defendant in an action in the Exchequer , which I thought could not be reached till Tuesday , and therefore I had made arrangements for my witnesses to be in town on that day . In consequence of Baron Parke trying yesterday and causes being settled , my cause appeared yesterday , at five o ' clock , in the list for to-morrow . One of my witnesses lives fourteen miles below Salisbury , the other near Stow-on-the-Wold , Gloucestershire . I have despatched both my clerks this morning for them , as no letters can reach them . Now let us look at the practical result . My charges , if the post continued , would have

    been—Writing in duplicate two letters to each , and postage •• •• •• 10 s . 4 d . My charges must now be as follows : — Clerk to Salisbury—Cab-hire to South-Western Railway .. .. £ 0 1 0 Fare to Salisbury and back of clerk 12 8 Gig-hire fourteen miles there and back , driver and gate 1 10 0 Cab-hire back : 0 10 Expenses on the road 070 Clerk ' s allowance—out all night , can only return by mail train 100 Clerk to Stow-on-the-Wold—Omnibus and cab-hire from Camber well to Great Western Railway 0 2 6 Return ticket—Oxford .. .. 0 15 0 Gig-hire to Stow ( twenty-eightmiles ) and back , gates and drivers 3 0 0 Expenses on road 0 7 0 Clerk's allowance , out all night 10 0 Cab-hire back from mail-train to Camberwell .. 0 6 0 £ 9 12 2 " I myself am just starting for the Eastern Counties Railway to go down to the defendant ' s brother , who is a witness , and procure his attendance . En route to the Eastern Counties I shall post this to you , and I shall take down with me a letter disguised as a parcel to the defendant himself , who lives lower down the line , to apprize him of what has occurred , and bribe the guard to get it delivered . Now , I simply ask , can the practical folly of this Sunday-post prohibition be more strongly illustrated than by an instance like this ? Sunday labour is thus increased tenfold , to say nothing of the frightful expense you entail , and the frauds on the Post-office Acts which must , without number , be perpetrated . One of my clerks , who has a brother in the Post-office , was a strict Sabbatarian— -he is cured : and the defendant , -who is

    rather inclined to the saints , as he most probably will lose the action , will , I warrant , be cured when he receives my bill . " We understand that the South-Western Railway take the newspapers to the country and deliver them , at the stations to the parties addressed , for the charge of Id . each . Other railways will , of course , imitate the example , and thus , to save one postman in each town an hour ' s labour , scores , perhaps hundreds , of individuals will be kept from going to church or chapel . A deputation of London weekly newspaper proprietors waited upon the Postmaster-General , at his residence , C ! arltnn . hmiHP-tf > rrflttP- on Tuesdav . for the purpose of

    inducing the Government to rescind the new Post Office regulation prohibiting the delivery of newspapers in the provinces on Sundays . The Marquis of Clanricarde said there were obviously very serious objections to the Crown and the Executive Government being put forward as opposing the wishes of the people , expressed through , their representatives in a matter touching strong religious feelings . But a counter-motion on the subject stood for an early day , and , of course , if the House of Commons then chose to reverse its deoision , he individually , and he took it all the other members of the Government , would agree that the original arrangement should be at once reverted to .

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    CONJUGAL DISCORD . The Irish papers contain a report of a singular trial which took place at Skibbereen Petty Sessions last week , in which the Honourable Cecil Lawless , M P ., was prosecutor , and Major Clerke , late of the 77 th Regiment , defendant . So far as can be gathered from the confused report , it appears that Major Clerke had quarrelled with his wife some time ago , and that they were living separately . Last March , the Honourable Cecil Lawless , having heard as he himself states , of Mrs . Clerke ' s ill-treatment by her husband , consulted with his wife and mother-in-law , and , as the result of their advice apparently , wrote a note to Mrs . Clerke , offering her an asylum in his house . She does not appear to have accepted his kind offer , but Mr . Lawless continued to pay her very constant attention , if one may judge from the following letters , out of which the Skibbereen prosecution partly arose : — " Skibbereen , June 15 , 1850 . " Major William Clerke presents his compliments to the Honourabie Mrs . Lawless , and begs she will acquaint the vile and cowardly scoundrel to whom she has the misfortune to be allied , that it was only his rapid flight from town that he was indebted for escaping the dogwhip of Major Clerke ' s servant last night , and that it was fortunate for Mr . Lawless that the Major did not at first recognise his person when let out near midnight from the lodgings of the woman whom Major Clerke is as yet compelled to call his wife . " " Skibbereen , June 18 , 1850 . "Ma- ' am , —With reference to a letter addressed by me to you on the 15 th inst ., for the information of your husband , connected with his undue intimacy with Mrs . Clerke , in public and private , whatever may be the conduct of Mr . Lawless in first so deeply injuring me , and then placing his personal safety under the protection of the law , I have the honour to say , subsequent and cool reflection has shown me that I was wrong to address that letter to you , the object of my perfect respect , and that nothing but the exasperated feelings of an outraged husband , after what had occurred the preceding night , would have caused me to incur the possibility of doing aught to pain you ; and yet that occurrence , so deeply painful to me , has been represented to you as an « attack upon my wife , ' as appears by your note of invitation to Mrs . Clerke , which has been hawked about Skibbereen . I feel assured , Madam , from what I hear of you , that your kindness and consideration would make allowance for my position . I pray you then to accept this my apology to yourself alone , as I deeply regret that I have caused a moment ' s annoyance to a lady . As to my wife ' s statement of ill-treatment during the twenty-four hours she remained with her husband and child , be assured that your mind shall soon be disabused as to that flagrant misrepresentation . " I have the honour to be , Madam , your obedient servant , " Wm . Clehke , Major , unattached . " The Hon . Mrs . Lawless , Glandore . " From the cross-examination of Mr . Lawless it turned out that he had been in the habit of visiting Mrs . Clerke at all hours , up to nearly midnight , and also that he had corresponded with her frequently while in London , attending his Parliamentary duties . It was contended , on behalf of Major Clerke , that no offence in point of law had been committed , as the letters conveyed no challenge . The magistrates , however , decided upon sending the case to the assizes , and holding Major Clerke in bail to appear to take his trial , himself in £ 50 , and two sureties in £ 25 each . A labouring man , named William Collins , living somewhere about Edge ware-road , went home drunk on Saturday evening , and , as usual , began to abuse his wife , to whom he has been married five years . She became angry , and flung a spoon at him , upon which he lifted a heavy piece of wood and broke her left arm and seriously injured the right one . The man was apprehended , and , on Monday , was brought before the magistrate at Marylebone , when the poor woman , with great reluctance , gave evidence against her brute of a husband , who denied that he had broken her arm . The woman was not desirous that her husband should be punished ; her

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    July 6 , 1850 . ] mi&t & * && **? 343

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), July 6, 1850, page 343, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1845/page/7/