Our Weekly Budget.

from a statement made by Mr . Straight that the occurrence took place on the Saturday previous to Bank Holiday . He said there "was a good deal of pressure upon the company to provide accommodation for persons desirous to avail themselves of the holiday , and three steamers

belonging to the company—the Bhine , the Albion , and the Seine—were at i ' resh Wharf for the purpose of conveying passengers to Yarmouth . The Bhine was only licensed to cany 3 b' 3 passengers , but on this day G 22 passengers were allowed to go on board

the vessel , and were conveyed to Yarmouth , the excess on the number being 259 . The learned gentleman urged that though the journey Avas performed by daylight , the admission of such a large excess in the number of passengers

might have been attended with most serious consequences , and that the defendant , although an excellent seaman , and fully competent to take charge of his vessel , had been several times before convicted of a similar offence .

Two witnesses were called on behalf of the company , who showed that although the larger number of passengers was carried on board the Bhine , she was not in any way crowded , and all were safely conveyed to their destination without suffering any inconvenience . Sir . B . Phillips

considered the question was one of considerable importance , and the public were indebted to the Treasury authorities for having taken up the matter . He regarded it as a very serious thing for a steamboat company to allow such a large number of passengers to be conveyed on board one of their vessels in excess of the number she

was authorised to carry . He ordered the defendant to pay a fine of £ 20 , and 2 s Cd for every passenger carried in excess , and the costs , amounting altogether to £ 52 10 s , which amounts were at once paid . The various questions presumably settled by the Berlin

Congress still appear to give considerable trouble to those interested in their definite adjustment . The resistance to the Austrians , both in Bosnia and Herzegovina , is not overcome , and it has been deemed desirable that large reinforcements should be sent in order to complete the

occupation . It is even reported from Belgrade that General Szaparay has been forced back and compelled to retire across the river Bosna , but this news needs confirmation . The Vienna papers are very strong in their condemnation of the Porte , which they state is secretly

urging the inhabitants of Bosnia and Herzegovina to oppose the advance of the Austrian troops . The withdrawal of the English Meet from Turkish waters has not yet taken place , in consequence of the Russians not having completed their retirement from San Stefano . As

this work is being carried on , although very slowly , we may expect to hear in a few days of the movement of the English Meet , and thereby ihe removal of the last of the precautionary measures it was deemed desirable to take during the recent conflict . The Russians seem very

undecided how to act with regard to tho occupation of Batoum ; it appears certain were they to enter by force , considerable disturbance would occur ; and to avoid this , they have now consented not to advance any further for a fortnight . The Turks have promised during that time to use

every endeavour to induce the armed tribes to abstain from opposition , which , we trust , they will be able successfully to accomplish , if once force of arms has to be resorted to it is impossible to say when or where the matter will be settled . Certain of the Turks , now that

they are released from the pressure ot their enemy , are urging the Sultan to refuse to surrender any territory , and although at present the party who advocate such measures are in the minority , it is questionable whether the feeling will not spread , and that some difficulty may yet arise . The

Russians with a view of providing for fie cust of their late expedition , have announced a new 1 > an of 300 , 0 uO , 00 O roubles , which they offer at 93 per IOC , to bear interest at the rate of 5 per cent . There has be . u some rumour of iMarshal MacMahon resigning his posi ion as President oi the . French after the close of the 1 . xhibition at Paris ,

but nothing definite has been announced . Considerable discussion has occurred respecting such an event , but it is generally believed the rumour is entirely unfounded . The Jctes which we last week announced as being held in

Belgium in commemoration of the marriage of the King and (^ ueen have continued , but have been greatly marred by bad weather . The report cf Mr . Wilson as to the Egyptiau finances has been accepted as a correct statement by tht . Khedive , who expresses hia willingness that his own pnvatt estates , aa -well aa those of hia relatives , shall be given up

Our Weekly Budget.

for the public benefit . Fearful accounts of the ravages of yellow fever are daily received from the various towns and villages on the Mississippi , the infection this year being

worse than that known for some time past , many of the negro inhabitants being attacked as well as Europeans . Intelligence from the Cape is satisfactory , the native insurrection being reported as subsiding .

Villainy Defeated!

VILLAINY DEFEATED !

THE Lodge was dim , and dusk , and grim ; The lights were lit , but they had mostly Been tnrn'd low—too low—and so Tho placo look'd very blue and ghostly .

No sound was heard , and nothing stirr'd Tho hash that made tho place so mystic , Until the door , full slow and sure , Was opened in a way mephistic !

And , lo ! a head , all shock and red , Into tho room with care intruded ; With hollow eyes it quickly spies That no one ' s there—itself excluded !

Then , gaunt and thin , a man comes in—He shuts the door and turns the handle , Darts thro' tho gloom across the room , And near upsets the Master ' s candle !

Not long he thinks , but quickly sinks Upon all fours , in manner able ; Then off he glides , and softly hides Beneath the Secretary ' s table !

In folds around unto the ground The coyer falls so very neatly , That 'neath its lid the wretch is hid , All safely , surely , and completely 1

Anon , a noisy neighb ' ring clock Distinctly tells the hour of ei ght , And with the last decided knock Comes ev ' ry mighty potentate .

Each settles quickly in tho Lodge , For business must be set about ; Around the Guard and T yler dodge To keep all interlopers out .

Tho Secretary sagely sits , And coughs a cough quite grandly gruff ; And theu , to brighten up his wits , He takes a mighty pinch of snuff . As always is tho case with such ,

One half the pinch he tries to taste Soon proves to be—a half too much , And so it all is lost in waste , For little clouds in mid air hover , That settle on the table cover :

And when the Secretary shakes it , The hidden man unkindly takes it , As clouds of dust and snuffi arise , That fill his mouth , his nose , his eyes , And make bim very ill at ease , For , oh ! he wants—he wants—to sneeze !

Oh , clear ! oh , lor ! how snuff is curst ! He feels as tho' he'll choke or burst ! He struggles , gasps , and pants , and wheezes , Until , oh , woe ! he loudly sneezes !

" S'death ! " The Lodge is all confusion ! Each one dashes from his seat , Eager to ret cnt intrusion , And aid i : wreaking vengeance meet ,

Bat quick t o foeman leaves the floor , And qnicke still undoes the door ; Aud then— h , black aud base defiler , Ho doubles ip tho poor old T yler !

But tho he free , and now can dash oil , Aud so esca le their righteous passion , A clond of cubes , and plumbs , and gavels , Assist the villain on his travels .

The moral ot this short narration Is worthy great consideration—For should taean spies admission "etj You'd tain remove each knavish duller : To PUT OUT WICKED men , why , let Your Secretary be—A SJSUITJSK ! S \ JUMAH CBOQSSi