and to Ireland and Swift; and there are fourteen volumes of pamphlets collected and arranged by Lord Macaulay. A glance through the pages of the catalogue shows the presence of many presentation copies and volumes enriched with autographs, letters, and notes; of books that have belonged to men of mark, or formed part of other famous collections; of original editions, rare and privately printed books; of illustrated books, and books on art. The manuscripts and autographs fill many bound volumes, and the oil paintings are fifty in number, besides a considerable number of drawings and sketches, and include works by Reynolds, Gainsborough, West, Turner, Cattermole, Eastlake, Clarkson Stanfield, Maclise, Sir E. Landseer, Frith, and others.

The

23. PRINCE LEOPOLD arrived at Oxford on February 22, and was the guest of the Dean of Christ Church. In the afternoon His Royal Highness was installed as Grand Master of the Apollo University Lodge of Freemasons, and on February 23 was elevated to the dignity of Provincial Grand Master of Oxfordshire, to which he had been nominated by the Prince of Wales. The ceremony took place in the Sheldonian Theatre. A procession of the brethren was formed in the Divinity School, and on entering the hall "God Save the Queen" was played on the organ. Earl of Carnarvon, Pro-Grand Master of England, then took the chair, and after the patent of appointment had been read, a deputation of brethren withdrew, and introduced His Royal Highness as the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master Elect. A procession of stewards and officers then conducted His Royal Highness to the throne, and, after being "obligated," he was duly installed by the Earl of Carnarvon. The installation was then proclaimed by sound of trumpet, and the brethren saluted His Royal Highness as Provincial Grand Master according to ancient form. After the proceedings had terminated a procession was formed, and the brethren proceeded to the Corn Exchange, where a banquet was held. The attendance at the Sheldonian Theatre was very large, and included representatives of the Masonic body from all parts of the world.

-MUSICAL TRAINING SCHOOL.-A public meeting, convened by the Lord Mayor, was held at the Mansion House the same day in connection with the National Training School for Music. The Duke of Edinburgh, in moving the adoption of the report of the City and Metropolitan Committee, explained the object of the school, and traced the steps which had been taken to attain it. His Royal Highness took the opportunity of correcting an erroneous impression that the institution was calculated to interfere with the work of the Royal Academy of Music, and pointed out the importance of completing the full number of scholarships as soon as possible. Mr. Lyon Playfair, M.P., and Sir Julius Benedict were also amongst the speakers.

MEMORIAL TO KEATS AT ROME.-A memorial tablet, containing an excellent medallion portrait of John Keats, has been placed near the simple tomb of the poet, in the English Cemetery

at Rome. A number of English and American ladies and gentlemen assembled to witness the unveiling of the medallion, when Sir Vincent Eyre made a speech, in which he asked for subscriptions towards a bust of the poet, to be placed in Westminster Abbey. February 23 was chosen for the ceremony, under the impression that it was the anniversary of Keats's death, which, however, it appeared, from the inscription on the tombstone, took place on February 24, 1821.

DEATH OF THE GRAND DUCHESS MARIE.-From St. Petersburg the death is announced of the Grand Duchess Marie, sister of the Emperor of Russia, and aunt to the Duchess of Edinburgh. She expired between one and two on the morning of February 23, at St. Petersburg. Their Imperial Majesties visited the Grand Duchess a few days since, and took leave of Her Imperial Highness The Grand Duchess Marie Nicolaievna was the eldest daughter of the Emperor Nicholas and the Empress Frédérique Louise Charlotte Wilhelmine, daughter of Frederick William III., King of Prussia, and was born in 1819. She married, in 1839, Maximilian, Duke de Leuchtenberg, Prince d'Eichstädt, by whom (who died 1852) she had issue six children, the eldest of whom is the present Duke de Leuchtenberg. The Grand Duchess re-married, in 1856, Grégoire Count Strogonoff. The Grand Duchess Marie was well known in the higher circles of society from her frequent visits to this country, and her occasional residence at the Isle of Wight and Torquay.

-DEATH OF MISS CUSHMAN.-A telegram from New York announces the death of Miss Charlotte Cushman, the famous American actress, at Boston. She was born in that city, in 1816, and first appeared on the stage in opera in 1835. Her voice shortly afterwards failed her, and she became an actress. Lady Macbeth was the first part she played. In 1845 she came to this country, where her talent was at once appreciated. She remained here for several years, playing in conjunction with her sister, Miss Susan Cushman, and met with great success. In 1874 Miss Cushman took her farewell of the stage in New York.

-A FASTING GIRL.-Considerable curiosity and wonder have been excited at Culcheth, a village about three miles from Leigh, by the statement that a fasting girl, who had not spoken for about four and a half years, had recovered her accustomed powers of speech. The following are the leading points in the extraordinary affair:-Five years ago Ellen Sudworth, then a girl of eleven years of age, daughter of William Sudworth, shoemaker, was taken ill, and soon afterwards confined to bed, when she ceased taking food, and in a few months gradually lost her voice. From that time until last week she remained speechless, her parents, who are respectable working people, believing their daughter had become absolutely dumb. Prior to the recovery of her voice she had been unable to open her eyes-so state her parents-for at least ten weeks. During the girl's long illness it is affirmed that she had

partaken of no solid food, all the nourishment she had being from the moistening of her lips with wine, brandy, &c. Frequently strangers believed her to be dead, as breathing was all but imperceptible, though she affirms that she never during the four years and upwards once lost a perfect consciousness of what transpired around her. The case has excited a good deal of attention.

25. THE QUEEN AT THE ÅLBERT HALL.-The Queen attended a concert given by Royal command at the Royal Albert Hall this day. Her Majesty, who looked remarkably well, arrived shortly after four o'clock, accompanied by the Princess of Wales, Princess Beatrice, and Prince Leopold. The Royal party was received by the Duke of Edinburgh, and conducted to the Royal box, which had been especially decorated for the occasion. On Her Majesty's appearance the audience rose and gave her a cordial reception. The concert consisted of a selection of sacred and secular subjects in solos and choruses, with orchestral and organ accompaniments. The Royal party left at the end of the first part, and so did most of the company.

26. STEAM FERRY ON THE THAMES.-The Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress were present to-day at the launch of the first steam ferry-boat of the Port of London, which is to ply over the Thames Tunnel from the Tunnel Pier to Rotherhithe. The boat was named the "Jessie May," after the Lord Mayor's third daughter, who performed the ceremony of christening.

27. SHIPWRECK OFF DOVER.-The wreck of the "Strathclyde" led to-day to another disaster. The screw steamer " Harlinger," on a voyage from London to Rouen, struck upon the "Strathclyde's" iron masts, which were under water, and the steamer sank within about fifteen minutes; but fortunately the crew, consisting of eleven hands, saved themselves in two boats. There was a heavy sea running at the time, which was at night, and the launching of the boats was attended with no little peril. In the first boat only two men got off, and it seems that, owing to the plug being out, the one man had to bale while the other rowed, and they were two hours in reaching Dover. The other boat contained nine persons, who were also nearly two hours in a nasty sea before getting into port.

MARCH.

1. THE VICEROY OF INDIA.-The newly-appointed Viceroy, Lord Lytton, with Lady Lytton, accompanied by Colonel and Hon. Mrs. Burne, Colonel Pomeroy Colley, and Mr. Liddell, started this day on his journey to India. Lord Lytton is the son of the eminent novelist and statesman, who held office as Secretary for the Colonies

in the second Administration of the late Lord Derby, and was created a peer in the summer of 1866. The new Viceroy was born on November 8, 1831, and was educated first at Harrow, and afterwards at Bonn, in Germany, where he devoted himself especially to the study of modern languages. He entered the diplomatic service of the Crown when nearly eighteen years of age, and in 1849 was appointed attaché at Washington, where his uncle, Sir Henry Bulwer, afterwards Lord Dalling and Bulwer, was the British Minister, and to whom he acted for the time as private secretary. After acting first as attaché, and later on as Secretary of Legation or of Embassy, at the principal European courts, Lord Lytton was made British Minister at Lisbon, where he was residing when the offer of his elevation reached him. Lord Lytton has been well known as an author for many years, under the pseudonym of Owen Meredith. He was married in 1864 to Edith, second daughter of the Hon. Edward Villiers, and niece of the late Earl of Clarendon, who was for many years Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

-SCIENTIFIC INSTRUCTION.-A deputation of the Council of the British Association waited upon the Home Secretary on March 1 in reference to the report of the Royal Commission on Scientific Instruction. Dr. Lyon Playfair observed that Government were taking considerable steps in consequence of the recommendations of the Royal Commission for the advancement of scientific instruction, but there were some points which they now desired to bring forward, namely, the promotion of scientific education in elementary and endowed schools, the endowment of original research, and the concentration under a minister of the responsibility for all business relating to scientific institutions which received State aid. John Hawkshaw having explained at length the views of the deputation, Mr. Cross replied that Government were quite disposed to entertain the question as far as possible, but as it was a subject closely touching other departments, he would have to take counsel with them. The matter would not, however, be lost sight of.

Sir

THE PEABODY DONATION FUND.-The trustees of this fund have issued a report of proceedings for the year ending December 31, 1875. The financial accounts show that the net income of the year 1875 was 18,425l. 188. 9d.; which sum, added to the amount of the fund given in the last report (593,6271. 178. 7d.), makes the total, on December 31 last, 612,053l. 168. 4d. During the year the trustees have laid out, in the purchase of land and the erection of buildings, 69,0921. 58. 3d.; and the sum in their hands. at the end of the year available for future operations was 162,676. 118. 6d. In April last the new buildings in Duke Street, Stamford Street, were opened, and in July those in Bermondsey, giving accommodation to 424 families. The twelve new blocks of buildings in Southwark Street, for 264 families, are now finished. and mostly occupied. These buildings being in such close proximity to the business parts of the City, are most eagerly sought after, upwards of 1,000 applications having been made for

the 264 sets of rooms. Twelve blocks of building of 200 tenements, near Grosvenor Road, Pimlico, are rapidly approaching completion, and will be opened during the summer. When these are occupied the trustees will have provided dwellings for 1,846 families. The freehold of about an acre and a quarter in Little Coram Street has lately been purchased; but, as the leases on this property have several years to run, this site may not be available for building purposes for some time to come. The average weekly earnings of the head of each family in residence at the close of the year was 17. 38. 10d. The average rent of each tenement was 48. Od. per week, and of each room 18. 11d. The tenants have the use of sculleries, laundries, and bath-rooms free of charge. The net income derived from the buildings occupied was a trifle over 3 per cent. per annum on the cost of land and buildings.

4. A ROYAL REFUGEE.-Driven out of Spain by the collapse of his party, Don Carlos arrived this day in London. He was closely watched by the French police on his journey through France, and during his stay at Boulogne not only were policemen stationed at the gates of the Hôtel du Nord, but when Don Carlos took a walk he was accompanied by the Commissaire Central de Police, who walked by his side. The same precautions were observed when he embarked on board the "Alexandra" for Folkestone. It happened to be the day fixed for opening the new Channel station at Folkestone; and as deputations of the Municipality and Chamber of Commerce of Boulogne were on board the "Alexandra," directly the steamer came alongside the pier a salute was fired. The station was decked with flags, a band was on the pier, and the crowds on the pier cheered as the deputation landed. Don Carlos, who came ashore at the same time, seemed to take this welcome to himself, and raised his hat in acknowledgment, which brought on a counter-demonstration, and the cheers were drowned by groans and hisses. Don Carlos entered a saloon carriage, the blinds of which were at once drawn down, but as the train moved out of the station there was more hissing. At Tunbridge a number of persons met the train, some cheering and others hissing. At Charing Cross a number of persons assembled, who cheered the Prince as he was conducted to his carriage. There was, however, a larger crowd outside, who groaned and hissed when the carriage containing Don Carlos drove by, those who cheered or cried "Viva!" being in a decided minority. Don Carlos has taken up his quarters at Brown's Hotel.

7. OPENING OF THE NEW WING OF LONDON HOSPITAL.-The Queen, accompanied by Princess Beatrice, went in semi-state to-day to the London Hospital for the purpose of opening the new wing which has been built by the Grocers' Company, at a cost of 20,000l. The weather being fine, the whole route, which was through the Mall, along the Thames Embankment, Queen Victoria Street, Cornhill, and Leadenhall Street, was crowded by spectators, from whom Her Majesty received a cordial welcome. The decora