sincere convictions; men of the people, resolute and active, who are well known for their sense of justice and honesty. Give your preference to those who do not canvass for your suffrages; the only true merit is modesty; it is for the electors to know their men, not for the candidates themselves to come forward. We are convinced that you will take note of these observations, and you will at last have inaugurated a truly popular representation; you will thus have found representatives who will never consider themselves your masters. A few of the more active members of the "Central Committee now formed themselves into a SubCommittee," ultimately the real body in which the power of the Communal Assembly centred.

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At a meeting in the Mansion House the Lord Mayor announces that the Captain Relief Fund now amounted to 54,000l.

28. The Commune proclaimed in Paris in front of the Hôtel de Ville. The members of the Communal Council assembled on a platform fronting the great entrance of Henry IV., over which was placed a bust representing the Republic, wearing a Cap of Liberty, ornamented with red ribbons and flags. Numerous speeches were delivered, but amidst the hum of the crowd of National Guards who filled the square they were not much heard. Salvoes of artillery were also fired from a battery on the quay. The Journal Officiel had previously announced that Paris," federated with the Communes of France already enfranchised, ought in her own name and in the names of Lyons and Marseilles, and soon, perhaps, of the other large towns, to study the clauses of the contract which ought to bind them to the nation, and to lay down an ultimatum to the treaty which they intend to sign. The ultimatum ought to contain a guarantee for their autonomy and reconquered municipal sovereignty, should secure free play for the connection existing between the Commune; and the representatives of the national unity should impose upon the Assembly, if it accepts the treaty, the promulgation of an Electoral law by which the representatives of the town shall not for the future be absorbed, and, as it were, drowned by the representatives of the country districts." Direct incitement was at the same time given to assassinate the Duke d'Aumale. 66 Society (writes Citizen Vaillant) has but one duty towards these Princes-Death! But one formality is required-the proof of identity.

The D'Orleans are in France; the Bonapartes desire to return. Let good citizens think of it." The red flag was now hoisted on all public buildings.

28. Declining the offer made to command the National Guard of the Commune, Garibaldi writes from Caprera :-"Choose a single trustworthy citizen-and you are not without them -Victor Hugo, Louis Blanc, Félix Pyat, as well as Edgar Quinet and the other veterans of radical democracy can serve you. Generals Cremer and Billot, who, I perceive, have your confidence, may count among the number. Remember well, however, that one single trustworthy man ought to be entrusted with the supreme position with full powers. This man will choose other honourable men to aid in the rough task of saving the country. And, if you have the good fortune to find a Washington, France will rise from her shipwreck in a little time greater than ever.'

A

The Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences opened by the Queen, who was received, on entering, by the Prince of Wales as President of the Provisional Committee. Biblical Cantata, composed for the occasion by Sir M. Costa, was afterwards given with great effect. Eight thousand people were said to be within the building on this occasion.

30.-Mr. Dilke's motion expressing regret that Government assented to a conference on the Black Sea question under the circumstances disclosed in Prince Gortschakoff's note, negatived, after debate, without a division.

The official organ of the Commune publishes a decree abolishing the conscription, and declaring that no central force, with the exception of the National Guard, can be created or introduced into Paris. All able-bodied citizens to form part of the National Guard. Another decree grants a general remission of rent to lodgers from October 1870 until April 1871. The amounts paid during those seven months will be reckoned on for the months to come. The sale of all articles deposited at the Mont de Piété is suspended. Another decree directs all officials in the public offices to regard from henceforth as null and void all orders or communications emanating from the Government

at Versailles. Every official not conforming to this decree will be immediately dismissed. Another of the many decrees now being issued almost hourly prohibited chaplains from celebrating mass in the prisons to which they were attached. The Gaulois afterwards mentioned that the Governor of one of the prisons, yielding to the importunities of a dying prisoner, made an exception, and gave a priest a pass thus worded: "These presents are to authorise the Governor to allow the visit to prisoner A- of the Citizen B, who says he is the servant of somebody called God [le nommé Dieu]."

30. Tried at Kingston Assizes, before the Lord Chief Justice, the case of Goldschmidtv. the printer of Public Opinion, in which journal had been inserted a libellous paragraph from a New York paper, imputing wasteful extravagance and domestic infelicity to the plaintiff, the husband of Jenny Lind. Verdict for the plaintiff, damages 750%., the foreman of the jury adding that they felt that no amount of damages could compensate for so iniquitous a libel.

31.-The gates on the western side of Paris closed, in consequence, it was said, of the Assembly's troops mustering in great force at Neuilly and St. Cloud.

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M. Félix Pyat, in the Vengeur, to-day, rejoices that Paris has not returned a single moderate, temperate, or conciliatory man to the Commune, and no old men, with the exception of himself and two others. He then banters the National Assembly in language unfit for translation, adding they dare not attack Paris, but they isolate it, starve it, and cut off its work and provisions; they annul the elections and empty the Bank and the Treasury; they arm the peasants, and call to their aid the Bretons of Trochu, the Vendeans of Charette, and the Chouans of Cathelineau to aid the Prussians. Citizen Pyat recommended a visit to Versailles.

April 1.-University Boat-race won by Cambridge by a length.

Engagement between the troops of Versailles and the Commune at Courbevoie, from which place the latter were ultimately shelled out by field pieces on Mont Valérien. In the evening M. Thiers issued a manifesto declaring that France-Paris excepted-was entirely pacified. In Paris the Commune, already divided, endeavours to spread everywhere false news, and pillages the public purse. It is in a doubtful position and a horror to the Parisians, who wait with impatience the moment of their deliverance. The National Assembly, rallying round the Government, is sitting peaceably at Versailles, where it is organising one of the finest armies which France has ever possessed. Good citizens, then, may reassure themselves, and hope for the approaching end of a crisis which has been sad, but short. They may be

certain that they will not be left ignorant of passing events, and that when the Government is silent, it is only because it has nothing grave or interesting to communicate.

3. Noisy meeting in St. James's Hall, presided over by Mr. Chambers, M. P., to protest against the unconstitutional policy of the House of Lords in rejecting bills repeatedly passed by the Commons, and to demand the removal of the Bishops from Parliament.

More fighting before Paris, again to the advantage of the Versailles troops. They were observed to treat the captured Communists with marked severity. Gustave Flourens was among the killed, and Duval taken prisoner and shot. Wild with rage at the defeat and slaughter of their leaders, the Communist party now set about schemes for making reprisals, and placed many in prison to await their pleasure in this respect.

Died, at Postford House, Surrey, aged 74, Sir William Magnay, Bart., who filled the office of Lord Mayor in 1844, when the Queen opened the Royal Exchange.

Mr. Secretary Bruce introduces a Licensing Bill, carrying out, as he described, two broad principles:-1. That the public have a right to a sufficient number of respectably conducted houses; and 2. That all vested interests should be fairly considered.

Mr. Goschen introduces two bills on the subject of local taxation, designed to provide a uniform system of local government throughout England and Wales (the metropolis excepted), and to secure uniformity of rating. The three main features of his scheme were to popularise the character and increase the efficiency of rural institutions by the establishment of parochial boards, presided over by an elective chairman, and furnishing representative members, to be associated with the magistrates in the administration of county affairs; to give a measure of relief to tenants by a division of rates between owners and occupiers; to give a boon, especially to urban ratepayers, by the surrender of the house-tax to local authorities in aid of local taxation. There were also provisions for subjecting to rates certain kinds of local property, such as mines, woods, and game; for the assessment on a higher scale of country gentlemen's residences; for the collection of all rates as one consolidated rate; and for the simplification of the areas of local taxation. Local expenditure was said to amount to 36,000,000l. per annum.

- In opening the Spanish Cortes, King Amadeo said :- "We shall afford an opportunity for your patriotism to remove the difficulties which are surrounding the management of our finances, and to dissipate the apprehensions of the future. In coming to Spain, I intended to identify on the same soil the interests of the realm which has been entrusted to me with that which is dearest to me in the

world-my wife and son. The mission entrusted to me is difficult, but glorious; perhaps beyond my strength, but not above my will: and with the help of God I hope to succeed. God knows my intention, and with the cooperation of the Cortes and all good men, which will not fail me, I hope that my efforts will be crowned with the reward of achieving the happiness of the Spanish people."

3.-Eighth decennial census of the people taken throughout the kingdom.

4.-The Economic Museum, Penryn House, Twickenham, destroyed by fire.

5.-The Commune issue a proclamation to the Parisians regarding the recent engagements:- Every day the banditti of Versailles slaughter or shoot our prisoners, and every hour we learn that another murder has been committed. Those who are guilty of such crimes-you know them; those are the Gendarmes of the Empire, the Royalists of Charette and Cathelineau, who are marching on Paris, in shouting' Vive le Roi!' and with a white flag at their head. The Government of Versailles is acting against the laws of warfare and humanity, and we shall be compelled to make 'reprisals should they continue to disregard the usual conditions of warfare between civilised peoples. If our enemies murder a single one of our soldiers we shall reply by ordering the execution of an equal number or double the number of prisoners. The people, even in its anger, detests bloodshed as it detests civil war, but it is its duty to protect itself against the savage attempts of its enemies, and whatever it may cost, it shall be an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."

6. The Princess of Wales gives birth to a son (Alexander John Charles Albert), who died the following day.

Decree issued by the Commune setting forth that, as the Government of Versailles had trampled all the laws of humanity under foot, anyone convicted of complicity with it would be imprisoned as hostages of the people of Paris; and, upon the execution of any prisoner of war or any partisan of the Commune of Paris by the Versailles Government, three of the hostages retained by the people of Paris would be shot. On the day the decree appeared the Archbishop of Paris, the Cure of the Madeleine, and a crowd of other ecclesiastics, were lodged in the Conciergerie. The plate and other valuables found in the churches to which the Commune had been were also seized.

7.-General Cluseret, who had now come to the front as directing the military movements of the Commune, reports :-" "With regard to the conduct of our troops, the soldiers are excellent, the officers of a mixed character -some good, some bad. There is much dash, but rather a want of firmness. When the war companies shall have been formed and separated from the sedentary element, we shall have an army corps d'élite, whose effective

strength will exceed 100,000 men. I cannot too strongly recommend the Guards to give the utmost attention to the question of the choice of officers. At present the respective positions of the two armies may be summed up thus: The Prussians of Versailles occupy the positions which were held by their allies from beyond the Rhine. We occupy the trenches of Les Moulineaux and the station of Clamart. In fine, our position is that of men who, strong in their good right, await with firmness the attack of the enemy, being satisfied with acting on the defensive In conclusion, if our troops retain their sangfroid, and do not waste their ammunition, the enemy will be tired out before us.

7.-Good Friday news from Paris describe the fighting continued between Neuilly and Courbevoie. At 6.30, P.M., the advantage is reported as slightly resting with the Versailles troops, "who have carried the barricade on the Paris side of Neuilly Bridge, and are also masters of the upper part of the Avenue, but the Communists are still fighting with remarkable courage and tenacity, and have just been sending down the Porte Maillot reinforcements of men and artillery strong enough possibly to turn the fortunes of the day. The excitement in Paris near the quarter in which the fighting is going on is intense. Crowds are assembled round the Arc de Triomphe, and especially at the head of the Avenue de la Grande Armée, from which much of the fighting can be distinctly seen, and which has itself received numerous shells to-day, chiefly from Mont Valérien. A few have fallen in the Avenue Uhrich, and as no house in the neighbourhood is considered safe, the consternation of the inhabitants is very great. On the other hand, in those parts of Paris which are not exposed to the bombardment the prevailing tranquillity is, under the circumstances, extraordinary. People are lounging and promenading in the Champs Elysées, and, but for the incessant marching backwards and forwards of battalions, the boulevards and principal streets would have much the same aspect that they had before the attack on Neuilly began; yet it is believed generally that the Versailles corps are bent on taking Paris by storm, and not a few expect the assault to be made to-night, possibly with

success.

the Government should bind itself to abandon all investigations into the facts which have been accomplished since the 18th of March last. It is necessary, on the other hand, in order to assure the free expression of universal suffrage, to proceed with the general elections of the Commune of Paris. We require a great and powerful manifestation of public opinion to put an end to the struggle. Let the whole of Paris work with us to-day as she did during the siege, for the salvation of the Republic and of France is at stake. Should the Government of Versailles remain dumb to those legitimate revindications, let it be well aware that Paris shall rise as one man to defend them."

8.-M. Thiers, by a threat of resignation, induces the Assembly to rescind a resolution that Mayors should be elected by the Municipal Councils.

9.-General Dombrowski appointed Commandant of the Commune of Paris, in place of General Bergeret.

10.-M. Jules Favre protests in the Versailles Assembly against the calumnies brought forward "by those who pretend that an understanding exists between us and the Germans. The documents which will be laid before you will be a proof of our sincerity, and will testify on the contrary that we constantly declined the assistance which was offered to us by the Germans. It was also no less important that the position of the German authorities towards the insurrection should be clearly determined. They have always considered, as did all the other Powers, that the Government issued from universal suffrage was alone legitimate and presenting serious guarantees." M. Favre afterwards announced that the insurgents had taken away all the plate at the Foreign Office. to ourselves," he concluded, we shall do our duty, and re-establish order in Paris. Our brave army can rely on our devotion as we can rely on its courage.'

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"As

Marshal MacMahon assumes command of the Versailles army.

11.-The Marquis of Normanby gazetted Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Queensland.

Replying to a remonstrance requesting the Bishops to abstain from voting on the decision of the Privy Council in the Purchas case, the Archbishop of Canterbury writes :-"The chief pastors of our Church are of all men the very last who ought to be requested to set to this nation the example of refusing obedience to the highest tribunals. Such obedience I feel sure you consider to be the duty of all good citizens, and to be especially incumbent on all ministers of Christ, not only in our own Church, but among Nonconformists. And here I will remark that Roman Catholics, and all bodies of Dissenters, are liable to be continually called upon, like ourselves, to submit the terms of their contracts in matters most intimately affect

...

ing their doctrine and discipline, to the decision of the courts of law. This is an obligation from which no section of the community can escape under a well-ordered Government. The rubrics, interpreted by the Supreme Court, form the lawful rule of Divine service to which the clergy are bound to yield a loyal obedience; but certainly, as a matter of fact, not all the clergy are expected by their parishioners, or required by their bishops, rigidly to observe every point in the rubrics at all times and under all circumstances." In conclusion, his grace exhorts his brethren not to be disquieted by any strifes respecting matters affecting the vestments or posture of the clergy. "Such things," he says, cannot touch your teaching of the Gospel of Christ, or affect the validity of His sacraments. In days when every effort is required to resist ungodliness and infidelity, all our zeal and energy ought to be directed to the promotion of real religion among our people."

11. Another ineffectual sortie on the southern forts of Paris by Versailles troops. It had been anticipated for some time, and was made in such force as furnished ground for believing it would close the protracted strife. Fifteen thousand men, consisting of gendarmes and Pontifical Zouaves, collected during the day in the Meudon woods. The movement was detected, and 80,000 Federals drawn up within the line of the forts. General Eudes, who was in command, permitted the enemy to approach to the glacis of the Fort of Issy, when he poured a cross fire from Issy and Montrouge, repulsing the Versailles troops with slaughter. Only four men were killed within the two forts.

Earthquake at Bathang, a village in the Chinese province of Szechuen, causing the destruction of two large temples, the offices of the collector of grain tax, the local magistrates' offices, the colonels' offices, the Ting-lin temple, with nearly 700 fathoms of wall around it, and 351 rooms in all, inside; six smaller temples, numbering 221 rooms, besides 1,849 rooms and houses of the common people. The number of people killed by the crash, including the soldiers, was 2,298, among whom were the local magistrate and his second in office. The earthquake extended from Bathang eastward to Pang-Chahemuth, westward to Nan-Tun, on the south to Lintsah-shih, and on the north to the salt wells of Atimtoz, a circuit of over 400 miles.

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The trustees of Rugby School having had their attention directed to certain complaints of want of discipline, adopt a resolution expressive of their opinion that the irregularities referred to were not such as to call for any special interference on their part, or to cause alarm to parents. "In justice," they said, "to the head-master, they desired to impress on the under-masters generally the necessity of giving, not only a nominal, but a cordial co-operation."

12.-M. Guizot writes to the Times that the faults of France cause him more sorrow than

her misfortunes; but he never loses faith in her good qualities, although they may seem to be obliterated by her faults, and he feels sure that the good which is in her will open up infinite resources, even when her prospects are darkest. "On the whole," he wrote, "the National Assembly and its Executive have acted with intelligence, prudence, and justice. And now, driven to the last extremity by the folly, crime, and attacks of the insurgents, it opposes them with energy, and has resolved to put an end to the revolution which oppresses Paris, and to render the guilty authors of it powerless. A new and loyal army has gathered round the representatives chosen by France, and gallantly obeys their orders and those of the generals in command. The first efforts of this army have already been crowned with success.

12.-M. Thiers informs the Prefects that "the army awaits the moment of victory, which will be gained without bloodshed. The insurrection is weary. Delegates have arrived at Versailles. If sent by the Commune they would not have been received, but they were received because they were sincere Republicans of Paris. My answer to them was invariably, 'No one menaces the Republic except assassins. The lives of the insurgents shall be spared. The unfortunate workmen shall temporarily continue to be subsidized. Paris must return into the common municipal law. All secession will be suppressed in France, as was done in America.' This was my answer.'

M. Rochefort, writing in the Mot d'Ordre, defends the "requisition" made by the Commune in Notre Dame :-" We do not hesitate to declare them national property, for the single reason that they proceed from the generosity of those to whom the Church has promised Paradise; and the promise of imaginary returns made to obtain any property is qualified as swindling by every code.

Your purse or hell!' Such is, in the present day, the only programme of the Catholic clergy; and as the French nation no longer believes in hell, it is natural that, in case of need, it should take back the purse."

14. Michael Torpey apprehended in a house in Marylebone Road (where he was living with his wife) on the charge of stealing diamonds and jewellery from Messrs. London and Ryder. A portion of the stolen property w.s found in his possession.

14.-Died at Jarrow-on-the-Tyne, aged 87, Mrs. Minns, maid and confidante to Lady Byron before and after her marriage, and whose name came up recently in connection with the controversy as to the causes which led to the breaking up of that ill-assorted union.

15.-Mr. J. R. Davidson, M.P. for Durham city, and Judge-Advocate-General, found dead in his bed at the residence of Mr. St. George Burke, where he had been staying for a few days. This was Mr. Davidson's 45th birthday. At the election which subsequently took place, Government lost the seat, Mr. Wharton, Conservative, polling 814 votes to Mr. Thompson's 776.

16.-The Westmeath Committee report that, owing to the prevalence of Ribbon Societies in that district, murder and other crimes of the most serious nature have been perpetrated; and that by reason partly of sympathy with the perpetrators of such crimes, and still more by the terror created by the existence and action of the Societies, it has been found to be almost impossible to obtain evidence on which to bring offenders to justice.

Sunday Republican demonstration in Hyde Park to express sympathy with the Parisian Communists. Large numbers-many from curiosity-turned out on the occasion, but the gathering was generally admitted to be a failure.

Died at Bray, aged 77, Lord Plunkett, second son of the famous Irish orator.

Died at Bydews, near Maidstone, Rev. Beal Poste, LL.B., archæologist.

17.-Captain Chalmers, the senior officer of the Ryde and Portsmouth Steam Service, commits suicide by leaping from the deck of his vessel as she was leaving Ryde Pier.

Billiard match in St. James's Hall between Cook, jun., and Roberts, sen., the latter receiving a start of 200 in 2,000. Cook won with an unfinished break of 268, including no less than 78 spot strokes, which his opponent had been the chief means of introducing and popularizing.

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The Versailles army capture the Château de Brem after a sharp engagement.

- M. Louis Blanc writes in the Soir that the solution which he judged and declared "the fittest to save us from the horrors of civil war is that which would consist in the bold proclamation of the Republic by the National Assembly, and in the adoption of a law putting Paris in full and entire possession of her municipal liberties."

18. At the first meeting of the House, today, after the Easter recess, a motion submitted by Lord Henry Lennox for a Select Committee to inquire into the causes of the dismissal of Sir Spencer Robinson from the Admiralty was rejected by 153 to 104 votes.