to the Sister of Charity vocation. The situation is becoming embarrassing, when a fire breaks out in the town; John, in saving the life of Dusty Bob, a drunken old scavenger, loses his own, and Maud puts on mourning for him who was not her husband. These are the outlines of the story, but the canvas contains a good many fibres, of which by far the most amusing and natural is that of the very High Church undergraduate, Edgar Purcell, He is a man of large fortune, and proposes, when he comes of age, to found a monastery, of which he hopes eventually to become abbot; but whilst he is on a tour, in search of an eligible site, he has to become the champion of a pretty girl who is assailed by ruffians, and the result is, that his fancy of clerical celibacy vanishes into thin air, and he settles down with his wife in a country parsonage, like a reasonable man, and kind, goodhearted creature as he really is. Other Oxford men, from dons to scouts and gambling doctors, are introduced and are drawn amusingly enough, but as the writer disclaims any personal knowledge of the university, the reader may take them with as much, or as little, qualification as he pleases.

HESTER'S SACRIFICE. By the Author of "St. Olave's," "Janita's Cross," &c. 3 vols.

We look upon the hero and heroine of this novel as very ill-used individuals, and cannot, for the life of us, see why one should perish at sea, and the other be left to pine away in hopeless misery; certainly it is not poetic justice, though it may be paralleled in real life, no doubt. Hester, the heroine, is the elder daughter of Captain Tredegar, and her dying mother has given her a charge to be "kind to May," her young sister. This charge she fulfils, to the sacrifice of her own happiness, and a more loveable, unselfish creature has never been depicted by the novelist. Mr. Basil Brooke, the accomplished master of the School of Art at the town where the Tredegars reside, after gaining the love of Hester, transfers his worthless attentions to May, and her noblehearted sister uncomplainingly resigns him. Her life creeps on in a round of domestic duties, and in affectionate cares for a father who does not appear to value her as she deserves, until Nils Brayton, the hero, appears, gains her love, and we are led to hope that she will be as happy at last as she ought to be. But an evil fate, or "destiny," pursues the lovers, and the tale ends as we would not have it, through the fiendish malice of Ginevra Fossanette, a creole. Poor Nils, a widow's only son, has been in the West Indies, where he has, almost without intending it, gained the love of a fierce beauty, and has broken his engagement to her when her jealous temper has rendered her intolerable to him; but for this she follows him to Europe, haunts his steps in the disguise of a woman-servant, and, at last, accompanying his betrothed bride to India, where she reveals herself to him, and commits suicide, after setting fire to the ship. Poor Hester, who has been kind to the creole, and thus has given her the opportunity of wreaking her revenge, perishes, and Nils has the greater misery of surviving her. It is a melancholy tale altogether, although not without relief in the character of Miss Lapiter, a kind-hearted, well-meaning old lady, but who is, unintentionally, the cause of most of the mischief, through her persistent efforts at match-making, which all go wrong.

TRADITIONS ABOUT ALDERSHOT; POEMS. By Charles Stanley Hervé (de la Moriniere).

Both Traditions and Poems are light, amusing reading, and they may while away an idle half hour, but that is all we can say in their favour. This, however, we take to be all that their author intended, and, therefore, we cannot let them pass without a word of commendation.

FIRE CONSIDERED AS THE SEAMAN'S SCOURGE; with a Glance at the Causes of a few of our most serious losses from such source, beginning with the "Boyne," 1795, and ending with the "Bombay," 1864. By Captain Alfred Mathews, R.N.

The title is comprehensive enough to give a fair idea of the contents of this little book. Beside the "Boyne" and the "Bombay," we have notices of the loss of the " Queen Charlotte," the " Centaur," the "Athenienne," the “Indostan," and the "Ajax;" not all by fire, however, for our author is rather discursive, and the evidence given before the court-martial, in reference to the "Bombay," is somewhat closely scrutinised. The result of the whole is, that the risk of fire on board ship has been largely increased by the innovations of modern warfare, and that "there is nothing for it but multiplied precaution. A well-digested system of police, steadily adhered to, backed by an intelligent, able-bodied staff, cannot choose but have a telling influence on the floating commonwealth." A conclusion this, in which we heartily join.

DICTIONARY OF BRITISH AND INDIAN DATES; being a Compendium of all the Dates essential to the Study of the History of British Rule in India.

This little work, which is alphabetically arranged, has been drawn up for the use of young men who are preparing for an examination with a view to the Indian Services, and it seems to us very well adapted for its purpose.

WHERE SHALL WE GET MEAT? The Food supplies of Western Europe. By Joseph Fisher.

This is a very interesting little book, first published in the " Morning Herald," in the shape of letters. Mr. Fisher is alarmed, and we cannot say without reason, as to the supply of food, especially animal food, in the west of Europe; his idea is, that the substitution of proprietorship for tenancy of small farms is the best remedy, particularly in Ireland. We readily agree with Mr. Fisher, that it is very desirable to preserve to all parts of the United Kingdoms a well-to-do agricultural population, else where are we to get soldiers? but we fear that the system of small proprietary he advocates will neither forward this, nor the supply of food, now become a vital question. In fact, Mr. Fisher, while he shows us the condition of the proprietors in France, Switzerland, Holland and Belgium, furnishes at the same time evidence that there is no supply to be looked for from those countries, they all import more than they export, and we are sorry to be obliged to inform him that their populalation is also deteriorating rapidly, and, as we believe, in consequence of the very system he recommends. But we can cordially recommend his work, as being well worthy of attention, and especially as a model of useful and interesting information very agreeably imparted.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.

PROMOTION IN THE NAVY.-There has been laid before Parliament a scheme proposed by the Board of Admiralty for accelerating the flow of promotion among certain classes of officers of the Royal Navy. It is as follows:

"1. Compulsory retirement to be extended to all the executive lists.

"2. Admirals to be retired on attaining 70 years of age, or when physically unfit for service.

"3. Vice-Admirals to be retired at 68, or when physically unfit for service.

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"4. Rear-Admirals to be retired at 65, or when physically unfit for service.

"5. Flag-officers at present on the active list, who may be retired under these regulations, will retain all the privileges of rising in rank and pay to which they are now entitled; but no flag-officer who has not hoisted his flag, will be considered eligible for the appointments of vice and rear-admirals of the United Kingdom, or for promotion to the rank of admiral of the fleet.

"6. The active flag list to be reduced to 85:-Admirals of the fleet and admirals, 21 (but not to be more than three admirals of the fleet at one time); vice-admirals, 22; rear-admirals, 42; total, 85. This reduction to be made gradually, by only filling up two out of every three vacancies caused by the removal of flag officers who accept Greenwich pensions, and by retirements from age, whether optional or compulsory. Vacancies from all other causes are to be filled up as they occur. Vacancies on the list of officers on reserved half-pay in receipt of service pensions and the list of flag-officers of Greenwich Hospital, will not be filled

up.

"7. Flag officers at present on the active list, who have hoisted their flags, or been employed at the Admiralty, are to be allowed to retain their places on the active list if they should prefer it; but they may be placed on the retired list at their own request, with the consent of the Admiralty. Officers coming on to the flag list after this date will be subject to compulsory retirement at the ages specified above, whether they have served or not.

"8. Captains to be retired at 60, or when physically unfit for service, on the terms of the order in council of 9th July, 1864. Those at present

on the active list who, before attaining the age of 60, shall have served the necessary time to qualify them for promotion to the active flag list, are to be allowed to retain their places on the active list, if they should prefer it but no captain will be eligible for promotion to the active flag list after sixty years of age, or if physically unfit for service.

9. Officers promoted to the rank of captain after this date will be subject to compulsory retirement on attaining 60 years of age, whether they have served or not.

"10. Captains of 60 years of age, who have served the necessary time to qualify them for promotion to the active flag list, and who remain on the captains' list until promoted to rear-admiral, will be placed on the retired list but will be allowed to rise by seniority to the rank and pay of vice-admiral and admiral respectively. Captains who have served their time, but who retire voluntarily before reaching the top of the list, will not be entitled to rise to higher pay, as flag-officers, than 258. a-day, in accordance with the order in council of 9th July, 1864.

"11. Captains who have not served their time for active flag rank, and who have been unemployed for ten years, to be retired on the term of the order in council of 9th July, 1864.

"12. Captains to be allowed to retire on attaining 50 years of age, with the consent of the Admiralty, on the terms of the order in council of 9th July, 1864.

"13. The captains' list to be reduced gradually to 250, by filling up only two out of every three vacancies caused by age-retirements from that list, whether optional or compulsory. Vacancies from all other causes are to be filled up as they occur.

"14. Commanders to be retired at 55, or when physically unfit for service, and to be allowed to retire at 50, with the consent of the Admiralty, on the terms of the order in council of 9th July, 1864.

"15. Lieutenants to be retired at 55, or when physically unfit for service, and to be allowed to retire at45, with the consent of the Admiralty on the terms of the order in council of 9th July, 1864.

"16. Time served by naval officers in civil employments connected with the navy, which does not entitle them to civil superannuation, is to be allowed to reckon towards increase of half or retired pay in the proportion of one year for every two served in such capacity. Admiralty, March 9th, 1866.

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THE ALBERT MEDAL.

(Signed) "C. PAGET.

Whitehall, March 12.

The Queen has been pleased, by warrant under her Majesty's Royal sign manual, whereof a copy is appended, to institute a New Decoration to be styled the Albert Medal, to be awarded in cases where it shall be considered fit to such persons as shall, after the date of the warrant, endanger their own lives in saving or endeavouring to save, the lives of others from shipwreck or other peril at sea.

GRAND REVIEW AT ALDERSHOT RY HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN.-On the morning of the 13th of March, her Majesty the Queen, with their Royal Highnesses Princess Helena and Princess Hohenlohe, attended by General Grey, Major-General Seymour, Colonel Ponsonby, the Duchess of Roxburghe, &c., left Windsor Castle in two open carriages, attended by an escort of the 1st Life Guards, en route for Aldershot Camp, for the purpose of reviewing the troops in garrison. Generals Grey and Seymour, &c., were in fuli uniform, and rode near the Royal carriage on the journey, the escort from the Castle being relieved at Bagshot by a troop of the 3rd Hussars, which regiment furnished the Royal escort to the camp. Her Majesty arrived at the North Camp about noon, the Royal approach being heralded by a salute fired from the field battery near the church. Lieut-General Sir Yorke Scarlett, K.C, B., commanding the division; Colonel Herbert, Assistant-QuartermasterGeneral; Lieut.-Colonel Luard, Captain Lockhart, Captain Milligan, Lieutenant Trout, &c., rode out of the camp to receive the Queen, who then drove to the parade, where the first brigade, under Major-General Russel, C.B., and consisting of the 69th and 71st (Highland) Regiments, commanded respectively by Lieut.-Colonel Mackirdy and Lieut. Colonel Hope, C.B., with the 17th Regiment, under Colonel Gordon, were drawn up in line. The troops received her Majesty with a Royal salute the bands playing the National Anthem. The Queen then drove slowly along the ranks and inspected the regiments. At its close the Royal party, attended by a brilliant cavalcade, returned to the Farnboroughroad, along which her Majesty proceeded to the South Camp, where a brilliant review of the various troops took place. As her Majesty left the parade at half-past three, the men in the barracks gave a hearty cheer. The Queen then passed through the North Camp, and on leaving for Windsor, escorted by the 3rd Hussars, received a parting salute, fired by the F battery on the Gun Hill. This is the first visit which the Queen has paid to the camp for some time past. Owing to several regiments having lately left the camp on service the number of troops present was not large. Those reviewed by her Majesty amounted to about 4,000 foot and 1,000 cavalry, artillery, aud other mounted corps.

FENIANISM IN THE ARMY.-Sir Hugh Rose, the Commander of the Forces in Ireland, has issued a General Order on the above subject, of which the following is a copy

General Order-No. 371.

Adjutant-General's Office, Dublin, March 8. The agents of a treasonable (the Fenian) conspiracy have done their

The means

best to seduce from their duty the soldiers of this army. which they use are worthy of their designs. By bribes in drink and money they seek to gain adherents to a cause which aims to substitute a reign of terror and spoliation for the Queen's Government. Those who hold lands, which these conspirators covet, and those who differ from them are doomed to massacre and assassination. They defy religion because it condemns them. They plan, by the most treacherous and cowardly means, the destruction of the good soldiers who are loyal to their Queen and faithful to their oath. These infamous designs have proved an utter failure. Not a taint of the conspiracy rests on the army, excepting a few deluded men and the paid agents, who were placed in its ranks for the seduction of the soldier. These wicked agents will meet with their deserts. This warning against an abominable conspiracy is not addressed by the Commander of the Forces in Ireland to the body of the army, who are as true to their duty as they ever were, but to the young and thoughtless soldiers who may be, and, in some instances, have been, ensnared by falsehood and treacherous temptations.-By command,

GRAHAM HAY, D.A.A. General.

Sir Hugh has also ordered the publication of a circular_memorandum regarding furlough men, which particularly concerns Irish soldiers serving in regiments stationed in England, with whom it is hoped this warning will be effectual, so as to prevent any more foolish and criminal adventurers from getting into trouble:

Circular Memorandum

Adjutant-General's Office, Dublin, March 8. Two cases have occurred in which furlough men from regiments in England have been guilty of the worst treachery. In one case a furlough soldier of the 17th Regiment assisted Fenian conspirators to resist the gallant and loyal police who endeavoured to seize them. In another case a furlough soldier of the 64th Regiment headed a band of cowardly miscreants, who, in overpowering numbers murderously attacked in the dark two drivers E battery Royal Artillery at Kilkenny, because a loyal comrade brought a Fenian traitor to justice. Both these culprits are in prison, and will be speedily brought to justice. Other instances have come to the knowledge of the Commander of the Forces in Ireland where furlough soldiers, forgetful of their duty, have associated with treasonable men, whose aim is the ruin of Ireland. Furlough men are, therefore, warned that any man who is guilty of conduct unworthy of a soldier will be instantly arrested and brought to justice, and that any men abusing in the smallest degree furlough indulgence will be immediately sent back to their regiments with a statement of their misconduct.

By order of the Commander of the Forces,

GRAHAM HAY, D.A.A. General.

OBITUARY.

General Sir Adolphus John Dalrymple, Bart., died on March 3, at Delrow House, Herts, aged 82. He entered the service, Oct., 1799; became Lieut., June, 1800; Capt., Jan., 1803; Major, Sept., 1808; Lieut.-Col., June, 1814, Col., July, 1830; Major-Gen, Nov., 1841; Lieut.-Gen., Nov., 1851; and Gen, April, 1860. He served as aidede-camp to Sir James Craig in the Eastern district, Malta, Naples, and Sicily, from July, 1803, to May, 1806, and as Military Secretary to Sir Hugh Dalrymple in Portugal in 1808.

Lieutenant-General Archibald Brown Dyce, Colonel of the 105th Foot, died on March 9, at Grosvenor House, Southampton, aged