London, 20th Nov.
Lord Beaconsfield has declined to receive deputation from the Committee for the opening of Parliament, The Ameer of Afghanistan has left the ultimatum unanswered, At the Cabinet Council hela yesterday, {t was resolved to transmit orders to India to advance the troops.
22nd Nov.
The Secretary of State for India, Mr. Gathorno Hardy, reviewing the relations between England and Afghanistan, said that it appears that the difficulty arose in 43873, from Mr. Gladstone's Cabinet overruling Lord Northbrook's proposal to assure the Ameer of Afghanistan protection from Russian attack.
The British have occupied Fort Kapion on the 21st November unresisted.
The Halifax award has been paid under protest.
The Viceroy of India has issued a proclamation juslfying the declaration of war against Aighanistan on the ground that, though England may respect his declaration of independence, she cannot tolerate the intervention of another power.
The British attacked Alimas under a brisk fire from the enemy'sbatteries. The Afghans evacuated the town, which the British occupied with trifling loss.
At the Cabinet Council held to-day it was decided that Parliament should meet in December.
25th Nov. b Parliament will meet on the 5th Decem-'The Government are sending reinforcements to the Cape.
26th Nov.
Sir Thomas Wade is proceeding to Lahore to confer with the Viceroy as tothe attitude of Russia and China with regard to the possession of Kashgar.
Constantinople, 25th Nov.
The Roumanians have occupied the Dobrudscha, the Russian Government waiving its demands for a permanent right of way.
London, 26th Nov.
The Liberal Leaders deny the assertion that the former Government is in any way responsible for the Afghan War.
The annual meeting of members of the Shanghai Gymnasium wes held on Friday evening last, at the Main Guard, Mr. J. F. Holliday in the chair, There was a larger attendance than usual at these meetings.—The Chairman, in the course of his opening address, regretted that the report and accounts were not so satisfactory as last year, the working account showing the receipts to have been $625, and the expenses $796.62. This was, however, accounted for by the heavy outlay for fencing and boxing gear, which amounted to $160.13, but nothing more of this kind would be wanted for five or six years to come. On the 31st October, the capital of the Gymnasium stood at Ts. 412.37. At thal date, there were 88 paying members, ten more had joined since the Ist November and five resigned, leaving at the present time 63 members.—Mr. Fabris moved, and Mr. Stewart seconded, that the Rising accounts as presented be passed, and it was carried unanimously.—The meeting next proceeded to the election ai the Committee for the ensuing year. Theretiring members were Sir William Johnstonand Messrs. Holliday, Harvie, Voelkel, and Ruttman, who were, however, eligible for re-election, and on the motion of Mr. Hunter, seconded by Mr. Fabris, they were unanimously reclected.—Mr. Fabris drew attention to the fact that the Volunéeers and their band used the Gymnasium for purposes connected with the corps, and burnt the gas without paying for it. The Chairman said it was a small matter, but still it might absorb the subscriptions of five or more members. He felt sure the Municipal Council would not mind paying for the gas, and he also suggested that a second meter should be obtained.—This concluded the business, and with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting broke up.
The annual meeting of the Shanghai Paper Hunt Club was held at the Shanghai Club on Saturday evening, when there was good attendance of members, and some important business was transacted, Mr, H. W. Daniel proposed, and Mr. M. C. Nickels seconded, "That the funds now in hand be given in prizesfora Hunt Handicap, distance twice round the S.C. Course, to be run a week after the handicap in country." "This was carried unanimously.—The question of the Rules was then considered, and the Master, Mr. E. G. Low, proposed, and Mr. A. R. Burkill seconded, That the Rules current last year be in forces this season." This was also carried, and the meeting next proceeded to the election of stewards, Mr. W. Howie moved, and Mr. A. McLeod seconded, That the Stewards be balloted for," which was also carried, and the ballot resulted in the following gentlemen being elected to serve as Stewards for 1878-79:—Messrs. Low, Howie, Dbert, Fearon, McLeod, Irving and Burkill.—Mr. E. G. Low was re-elected Master by acclamation.—Mr. M. C. Nickels proposed, and Mr. Fearon seconded, "That the weight qualifying a heavy-weight rider be raised to 12 stone." Carried.—Mr.
Irving moved, and Mr. Walker seconded, "Phot to enable a heavy-weight rider to take a prize, he must be among the first three in at the fini This was also agreed to, and with the usual compliment to the Chairman, the business terminated.
We have to acknowledge the receipt of copies of two new works on Japan—one by Mr. N. McLeod, the title of which is "Japan and the lost tribes of Israel," being an epitome of the ancient history of Japan, with illustrations of the principal historical personages, taken from ancient pictures. This is an interesting work, and will doubtless be sought after by students of Japanese history. The engravings, which are the work of native artists at Osaka, add greatly to the value of the book, being unique of their kind.—The other volume is from the pen of General Lo Gendre, and is entitled " Progressive Japan, a study of the Political and Social Needs of the Empire." It will also be likely to be found valuable as a work of reference to students of the history and prospects of the land of the ising Sun, We have received, with thanks, a copy of the Imperial Maritime Customs Reports on Trade at the Treaty Ports for the year 1877.
Mr. J. D. Bishop's lecture, " An hour with a battery," given in the hall of the Temperance Society on the 20th instant, was very successful, and we regret that the audience was not more numerous, The arrival of the French mail just before the hour for commencing the lecture, was no doubt the cause of the comparatively thia attendance, but this is a drawback not likely to often occur, and we hope Mr. Bishop will continue the series. We give a report elsewhere, A concert in connection with the Shanghai Temperance Society was given in their hall in Nanking Road last evening, under the direction of Mr. Iburg and assisted by Mr. Fentum and Gentlemen Amateurs, There was a good attendance and the concert was very successful.
We print on snather page a programme of the Foochow Race Meeting, to be held on the rd, 4th and 6th January next. Seven events are cet down for the first and third day respectively, and six for the second doy, Entries to close on the 14th December.
On Thursday night, about nine o'clock, an alarm of fire was given from Hongkew, and by the glare the locality was found to be the extreme end of Station road, towards which the various brigades and Hook and Ladder Companies were soon hurrying, By the time, however, they had got ready for action along the bank of the Soochow Creek, the fire had nearly expended itself, being checked by a strong brick party wall, but not until four small Chinese houses had been destroyed. The French engine was the only one thought necessary to bring into play, so as to prevent further ignition, the adjoining house having several times caught fire, but the Police with thei extinctours held the flames in check, and the stream of water quickly put a stop to all chance of further damage, The commendable promptitude with which the firemen, é&c., reached the spot, and worked together, is worthy of all praise.
About 4.30 on the following morning another fire occurred in the Settlement, this time in a block of houses intersected by alleyways and lying between the Hankow and Foochow roads. The destruction was confined to three Chinese houses, a fourth being partially destroyed, the fire being prevented spreading by stout party walls of brick. Engines and extincteurs were again quickly brought into requisition, and in less than an hour all danger was over. We regret to record that this fire was attended with the loss of a life. An old small-footed woman, 64 years of age, wad lying ill ju bed, and before she could get out of tle burning building would seem to have been overtaken by the flames, as her body was found within a few feet of the door, showing that the poor old creature must have endeavoured to save her life.
The fire is supposed to have originated though the ignition of the cotton covering of a tea-pot, placed on a stove not far from the deceased's bed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.