Buffalo Bill's Wild West In England (Part 1)

THE WILD WEST SHOW.

As we took our places in one of the little boxes which edge the arena in the grounds of the American Exhibition, where Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show is given, we could not help being struck with the effectiveness of the scene before us. The size of the enclosure was one element of the impressiveness of the coup d'oeil, and this was cleverly increased by the picturesque scenery which inclosed half of the circle. For the illusion to have been as perfect for those in the lower tiers and seats as it was for those placed above them, the canvas should have been carried up high enough to conceal the neighbouring houses, and for the pictorial sky to have blended with the real one; but this is a mere detail and to attain perfection would doubtless have entailed considerable extra expense. Certainly no one thought of criticising the background minutely when at the edge of the ash-covered circle in the centre were drawn up on parade the whole strength of the Wild West company. There were the various tribes of Indians in their war-paint and feathers, the Mexicans, the ladies, and the cow-boys, and a fine array they made, with the chiefs of each tribe, the renowned Sergeant Bates, the equally celebrated Buffalo Bill, the stalwart Buck Taylor, and others who were introduced by Mr. Frank Richmond, who, from the top of an elevated platform, described the show as it proceeded. The post of lecturer is no sinecure when such a vast area has to be filled by the voice of the speaker; but Mr. Richmond made every sentence distinctly heard, and the interesting information conveyed by him in a mellow and decidedly audible voice was one of the most agreeable features of the performance. Few, perhaps, of the audience would have remembered, without the notification of the lecturer, the history of the pony Express, one of the most romantic in the annals of intermcommunication, or have enjoyed fully the exposition by one of the leading cow-boys of the way in which the mails were carried. The emigrant train, which next wended its way across the arena with its teams of oxen and mules, its ancient waggons, and their burden of families and household goods, to be attaked by a tribe of redskins, who were soon repulsed by the ever-ready cow-boys, was an equally interesting resurrection of a method of peopling the soil practised even now in the remoter regions of the West, though the redskins, we believe, are pretty well confined nowadays to the Indian territory, and are reduced to, at least, an outward "friendliness." The next sensation was created by Miss Annie Oakley, who did some wonderful things with her rifle. Miss Oakley is of petite figure, and only just twenty years old. One of her most remarkable feats was that of standing twenty feet from her gun, running and catching it up, and with a double shot, hitting two clay pigeons, right and left. A more difficult trick even than this was throwing up two balls with one hand, and knocking them both to pieces, and performing the same feat casting the articles backwards over her head. Miss Oakley's performance was a decided hit, and she was loudly applauded. We should like much to see a match between this lady and Miss Lillian Smith, "the California girl," whose forte is shootingataswingingtarget. She compliments her feats by adding all kinds of difficulties to her aim, and her crowning achievements of smashing a glass ball made to revolve horizontally at great speed and clearing off ball after ball on the target just mentioned to the number of twenty were really marvellous. The part of teh entertainment most novel to Londoners was undoubtedly the riding of the "buking" horse. As Mr. Richmond explained, no cruelty is used to make these animals "buck". It is simply "a way they've got." The horses are saddled coram publico, and the ingenious maneuvers by means of which this is accomplished were extremely interesting to observe. Some escaped altogether from their masters, and had to be pursued and lassoed; others had to be thrown down in order that they might be mounted. When the cow-boys were in the saddle came the tug of war. There were various degrees of violence in the leaps and springs of the animals, but the mildest of them would have thrown even a moderately good rider to the ground in a moment. The "ugliest" of the lot seemed to be that bestridden at the conclusion of this part of the show by Antionio Esquival, but those mounted by Jim Kidd, Buck Taylor. Dick Johnson, Mitchell, and Webb were all "customers" of the "awkwardest" description, and showed what a rebellious demon there is in a half-broken horse who has lost his fear of man. There was enmity, savage or sullen, in every attitude, and in every movement of these creatures. The bucking horses should be seen by everyone in London who takes an interest in the "noble animal." The attack on the Deadwood stage-coach, which is a celebrated item of the show, was a very effective spectacle, and in this, as in an attack on a settler's homestead, there was a great amount of powder burnt. Mustand Jack performed the startling feat of clearing a horse sixteen hands high, having previously covered thirteen feet with a standing leap. He is, without doubt, an extraordinary jumped. Buffalo Bill's speciality is shooting whilst riding at full gallo, and he does this to wonderful perfection. He is accompanied by an Indian, bearing a basket full of glass balls, which he throws high into the air, and Mr. Cody smashes each with unerring aim, whilst both horses are going at a hard gallop. The buffalo hunt was realistic, but necessarily a little lacking in incident. There was also some interesting manege riding by two ladies, and several short races between them, and also one between Indian boys mounted on mustang ponies. Summing up the Wild West show from an English and theatrical point of view, we should say that it is certain to draw thousands from its remarkably novel nature. When the first "rush" is over, alterations will probably be found necessary. One of the three attacks by Indians, for instance, might with advantage be removed and replaced by some novel "sensation." Could not a prairie fire be managed? We woul also suggest for consideration the advantage of the introduction of a little scalping. Why should not the Indians overcome a party of scouts and "raise their hair?" Wigs and scalps are not very expensive, and carmine is decidely cheap. But it will be a long time before public curiosity will be glutter, and until then "Buffalo Bill" may be content to "let her rip," and regard with complacncy the golden stream that is flowing with such a mighty current into the treasuries of teh Wild West Show and the American Exhibition.

THE QUEEN AND THE AMERICAN EXHIBITION.

The Queen, accompanied by Prince and Princess Henry of Battenberg, paid a private visit to "Buffalo Bill's" Wild West show at Earl's Court, on Wednesday afternoon. Her Majesty drove in a closed carriage from Buckingham Palace at 5 o'clock, and was loudly cheered by crowds of people who had gathered along the route to West Kensington. The members of the Wild West show went through several of their peculiar performances, finishing with the spectacle of the attack on the Denver coach. Miss Annie Oakley and Miss Lilian Smith were sent for by Her Majesty, who spoke a few words of praise to each. At the conclusion of the performance Colonel W. F. Cody ("Buffalo Bill" had the honour of being presented to Her Majesty who expressed herself as greatly pleased with the exhibition she had witnessed. Colonel Cody asked her whether it was too long, to which she replied, "Not at all; she only regretted that her time was so limited, and she would like to come again." Red Shirt (Ogila-Sa), chief of the Sioux, was then presented, and the Queen expressed her pleasure at seeing him. Red Shirt replied that it made him glad to hear it; he had come a long way to see Her Majesty. Mr. Nate Salsbury, director of the Wild West, was presented to Her Majesty, who expressed a desire to see the Indian babies or papooses. Two of these were presented for Her Majesty's inspection, and she was please to shake their hands and pat their painted checks. Her Majesty after being presented with a boquet by Miss Whitley left at about 6:45.

BUFFALO BILL AT BROMFTON. In connection witht the American Exhibition an unusual attraction has been offered to Londoners in the large encampment of SIoux Indians at present located within the confines of the extended area which is occupied by the former project. This is Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, organized by the "Hon." W.F. Cody, whose sobriquet stands at the head of this article. After being in course of erection for some time, the American Exhibition was formally opened last Monday, many thousands of people being present. So far as attractiveness goes, however, the Exhibition compared with the startling realism of the picturesque appearance of the Buffalo Bill contingents, whose white tents, with their curiously coloured totems, and their semi-savage looking appointments, seem in curious contrast with such modern appliances of civilization as underground railways or the fashionably-dressed habitues of one of London's most fashionable suburbs. A large company was bidden to the opening of the Exhibition proper, which preceded Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. As is customary upon such occasions, a pleasant lunch was given by the executive, after which the visitors adjourned to a platform erected by Washington-avenue, the name of the location in the Exhibition where the function was held. Amongst those present were Alderman Sir John Staples, the always-youthful Sir John Bennet, Sir H.C. Knight, Colonel Hughes-Hallet, M.P., Cardinal Manning, and the Venerable Archdeacon Farrar, D.D. After the Grenadier Guards' band had played "Hail, Columbia," Dr. Farrar read a prayer, a poceeding which appeared to be almost painfully artificial, the crowd barely preserving a decent silence, and the clergyman, as he read the works from broad slips of blue paper, really seemed to be acting a part; and at this point, as throughout the whole of the proceedings connected with the opening itself, an air of unreality prevailed. Upon the conflusion of the prayer, which was followed by some verses from the First Book of Chronicles, and a repition of the Lord's Prayer, the Grenadiers played the National Anthem. Lord Ronald Gower next stepped to the front; and instead of addressing a few manly and hearty words to the assembly, proceeded with great deliberation to drone forth a set oration, in which he said he was speaking on behalf of the executive council of Englishmen who had been formed to welcome the American guests. If the welcome was not more warn than Lord Ronald Gower's speech, it is highly probable that no American of standing would care to have anything to do with it. After Lord Ronald had mangaed, by the help of keeping his eyues carefully upon the text, to get through his task, the president of the Exhibition, Colonel Henry Russell, responded in a manly and vigorous way. Colonel Russel said: -- "In the name of those who are here from America with their products and inventions, I thank you for your generous welcome, and, through you, I beg to thank all the many Englishmen, high and low, for the encouragement they have given us in our effort to make a fair show ofYankee industries. When our forefathers two and three hundred years ago set sail from these shores in search of freer lives and opportumities, they may have dreamed that their sons would some day be back to claim a place in the busy markey of the world, but never could they have realized the generous hospitality and brotherly kindness with which we have been received. It would be an easy task to lay before you figures showing the enormous yearly product of our country and prove that her resources still underground are abundant to tempt many generation of Englishmen to explore and develop lands yet untouched; but our object here is merely to show what improvement we have made since the days when our ancestors reclaimed the American forests from the families of the very red men who are with us here. Sincerely we thank you, and cordially do we invite you, one and all, to join us in the future development of the New World." Upon the conclusion of Colonel Russell's speech, Mademoiselle Lilian Nordien, the famous prima donna associated with Mr. Mapleson's Royal Italian Opera, made her appearance upon the platform, and was loudly cheered. After being presented with a superb bouquet of azaleas and white roses, the cantatrice sand with charming feeling "The Star-spangled Banner," and in response to the applause which it evoked gave a verse of "Rule Britannia," the notes in the upper register being delivered with a crystalline resonancy, the effect of which could be heard in the most distant corners of the building. Mr. John R. Whitley, the director general of the Exhibition, next made his appearance, and treated those present to a dissertation, which he also, like Lord Ronald Gower, carefully read. And after all these essays had been duly given, it was quite pleasant to hear the familiar air of "Dixey's Land," after which Colonel Russell declared the Exhibition open. Finally, came a few extracts from "Yankee Doodle," while, the ceremonial business of the day being over, the crowd adjourned with some haste to the huge stand, which accommodates some 20,000 people, and which overlooks the vast area in which Buffalo Bill's troupe gave their performances. In fact, so dull and so dreary was the make believe speech making, that long before Mr. Whitley had concluded his remarks nine-tenths of the audience were racing rapidly upstairs, ready to cross the bridge which leads to the other part of the grounds. Here a word. The pitch at this flight of steps is most dangerously steep. In the event of a panic occurring with a crowded audience, it would be, to all appearance, practically impossible for a large number of people to walk swiftly down them, and the directors of an Exhinition, which is otherwise remarkable well provided with almost every modern appliance pertaining to the comfort and security of those who patronise it should vertainly in this respect make some slight structural alterations. On arriving within the arena set apart for Buffalo Bill's show, a most pituresque spectacle presented itself. Two-thirds round the expanse set apart for the evolutions of the redskins, the Western cowboys, and their various cavaclades, has been constructed an enormous range of seats, which rise tier about tier. This was absolutely crowded with a dense mass of spectators. On one side may be seen --- and the make-believe is most perfect--- the blue skies of California, its rocky canons, and its waving pine-trees. Punctually to the moment appointed, what is quaintly termed the "orator" of the show, Mr. Frank Richmond, made his appearance in the stand, constructed out of rough-hewn pieces of timber, and proceeded clearly, in a voice which reached every individual, to describe the various items of the performance. Evidently, wherever Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show has travelled, it has not been the custom to purchase programmes, and this verbal indication in the several parts of the entertainment was as welcome in its vigorous tenseness as the previou speech reading had been wearisome. At the far end of the ground, yet apart from the exercises of the SIoux and their confreres, a long procession of braves and Indian warriors was now seen making its appearance, gaily garbed in mocassins and feathers, daubed from head to heel in hideous green or yellow ochre, and presenting a fluttering of finery, the chief artistic merit of which was its violent contrast of tint. As the redskins entered the enclosure, and while the long line of riders and steeds was still coming into the field of view, they wheeled sharply round, and the various bands of colour seen as the whole tribe deployed was striking in the extreme. The several tribes into which Buffalo Bill's contingent of Indians is divided were then described by the orator as they shot ahead at a hard gallop, and then suddenly checking the speed of their steeds, reined in as immovable as statues, within a few paces of the grand stand. After a race, and such illustrations of frontier life as an oldfashioned pony race, an attack on an emigrant train by the Indians and its defence by frontier's men was depicted. The waggons composing the train, with the eigrants within, and covered with linen, plough their way across the plain, when suddenly, with a wild, savage yell, the Indians appear and dash forward, firing as they speed towards the point of attack, many of them hanging upon the sides of their horses and firing under the neck. The emigrants respond, hurriedly compelling their cattle to lie down, and making temporary breasments of their bodies. The battle is changed in favour of the attacked by the appearance of the frontier's men, who discharge shot after shot with their revolvers with telling effect. The fault, however, of the scene - and it is a fault which mars the exhibition - is that the realism is only carried up to a certain point. Enough gunpowder is burned to make a mimic Sedan, but not a man or horse appears to be touched, and in an instant everybody gallops merrily away from the scene of what ought to have been a most bloody conflict.

After some very clever shooting by Miss Annie Oakley, who seem to be a feminine Dr. Carver, and illustrations of "cowboys' fun" in throwing the lariat, and picking up objects from the ground while riding at full speed, the audience were treated to a spectacle of some very clever riding, several members of Buffalo Bill's troupe mounting bucking horses and ponies, which dash about in a manner which threatned to dislocate their own backbones, and much more to injure anyone who dared to try to ride them. In almost every case, however, the cowboys were successful in mastering their own backhones, and much more to injure anyone who dared to try to ride them. In almost every case, however, the cowboys were successful in mastering their steeds. More rifle shooting by Miss Lilian Smith, and horseback riding by American frontier girls, led up to the attack on the Deadwood stage coach by Indians, and their repulse by cowboys commanded by Buffalo Bill. This was very much a repetition fo the previous part of the programme, the attack on an emigrant train. The Deadwood coach, with its solid india-rubber springs and ancient woodwork, was drawn rapidly along the ring by its team of mulos. Suddenly the Indians appear on the horizon, and with a wild war-whoop bear down upon it. The passengers in the coach respond vigorously with their revolvers, and in the end Buffalo Bill and his followers give a good account of themselves, and the Indians are obliged to sheer off. The warfare, as in the previous contest, hurts nobody, and it was quite amusing to see the attackers and attacked galloping off in such happy guise. A race between Sious Indian boys on barebacked Indian ponies, and another between Mexican thoroughbreds, were followed by an illustration of the phases of Indian life. As the nomadic tribes were seen camped on the prarie, an attack by hostile Indians was made, and this was followed by a scalp, war, and other dances. The latter were novel, in not musical nor particularly pictureseque. Buffalo Bill, "America's practical all-round shot," then gave an exhibition of roping and riding of wild Texas steeds by cowboys and Mexicans. The latter, however, appeared to be a little cruel, and was not quite so successful as teh other parts of teh entertainment. After an illustration of the buffalo hunt came an attack upon a settler's cabin by hostile redskins, which was vivid to a degree.

After the performance, those present adjourned to the Souix village which has been erected close to the entrance into the grounds from the West Brompton Station. Here the redskins and their gaily caparisonod "squaws" did the honours of their wigwams to all who chose to pay them a visit. With the exception of a wooden floor, the tents are practically the same as those used by the tribes on the prairies. In the plaster tents huge fires were burning, the smoke finding its way out of the rafters on the top. The lodges are pitched right and left at two main roads converging to a common point, and form quite a pretty spectacle. Buffalo Bill's hut is a miracle of really luxurious comfort, with it costly skins and cosy easy chairs; and all the appliances of the camp, including the rough log hut, with the aperture by the sides of the door for taking a "pot shot" at visitors who were not wanted, is an odd reminded of the necessities of existence amongst those who first designed this somewhat primeval kind of dwelling. The windows in its walls are almost too small for the ingress of a human body, and light is conqequently somewhat scarce, but it si a faithful reproduction of the earliest settlers' huts. From the Indian encampment the visitors strolled into the gardens, which comprised an area of some twelve acres in extent, and which during the coming summer may become a very pleasant popular place of resort, seeing that no less than four railway stations, those at Earl's-court and West Kensington as well as the two West Brompton Stations, give access to the grounds.

"RED SHIRT'S" OPINION OF THE QUEEN.

Red Shirt, the Sioux chief, speaking of his presentation to the Queen at the Wild West Show, said that he and his young men had sat up all night talking about the "Great White Mother." White men who had come from this nation to the Indian reservation had told him of the power of their Queen, and now they had seen her all his young men knew she was a wise woman. All the Indians in Dakota would come to them when they returned home to hear [tell?] how they had seen this great woman. It pleased all their hearts that she came to them as a mother, and not with all her warriors around her. Her face was kind and pleased them, and every one of his young men resolved that she should be their great white mother.

OUR LADIES' COLUMN. BY "PENELOPE."

THE AMERICAN EXHIBITION. -OPENING DAY. A CROWDED ARRIVAL.-THE ORATOR.-BUFFALO BILL.-THE QUEEN'S VISIT.-PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES. -MR. GLADSTONE.-ENGLISH VERSUS AMERICAN ACCENT. -A SCIENTIST IN PARIS.- PASTEUR'S EXPERIMENT. -PROF. CHARCOT'S HOSPITAL WARDS. -THE PARIS SALON. -A WELCOME SURPRISE.- HAMLET IN PARIS.

An invitation to be present at the opening of the American Exhibition tempted me to abandon a drive through country lanes and a ramble amongst daffodils and primroses on the finest and warmest day we have this year. Nevertheless, as we went in an open carriage, we had a longer time to breathe the air of Kensington and West Brompton than we had anticipated, for the whole distance of more than a mile before we reached the great building at Earl's Court Station was blocked with vehicles making their way thither. Carriages of every degree jostled with each other; coroneted carriages, neat little broughams, victorias, and stylish hansoms, but the crowding was not alarming, unless a brewers' dray or ponderous omnibus endeavoured to push on through the fashionable throng.As we sat waiting to move slowly along, we saw as many notabilities making for the Exhibition as at the picture private views a few days ago, and so, though we were late by reason of our slow progress, we were in good company. As is inevitably the case at the opening of every exhibition I ever saw, things were by no means complete on the opening day. Even the road up to the principal entrance was rough and unformed, and most difficult for horses to traverse. Inside the building the very shavings of wood still lay about, and the stairs were covered with sawdust. Nothing seemed ready, and in this one was reminded of every great exhibition ever opened in London since the year 1851. Not a seat was to be had when we reached the covered gallories overlooking the large open area in which Buffalo Bill and his troupe were to exhibit their feats of horsemanship, etc. Under a bright, clear sky, we saw before us an expanse of rough ground, apparently surrounded by well arranged rocks and boulders, with clumps of trees and thickets in the distance, which seemed capable of providing ambush for any number of hostile invaders. The stands on which we were placed seated some 20,000 persons, and there were another two or three thousand scattered about the place. On a rostrum in front of the raised seats stood a gentleman called the "orator," who explained and directed the proceedings from his elevated position, and in a stentorian voice and Yankee tones gave a sort of running commentary on all that was done.

Colonel Cody, or "Buffalo Bill" as he is called, is of course the centre of attraction in this his own particular domain. Here he is "at home," and his exploits in the Wild West seem almost to be re-enacted for the benefit of a fireside English public. The wonderful feats of horsemanship on backs of really untrained wild horses put ot shame anything like our cut and dried, tame, tinsel circus shows. This was real riding, worth going to see, and it filled me with admiration for the pluck and skill of the rough riders of the Far West. The Indian camp, with its painted reskins, the squaws and hideous little papooses, all anxious to display their accomplishments, whether in a war dance or a love song, brought scenes from Fennimore Cooper's novels vividly before one, and seemed altogether to justify the reputation of this American bit of enterprise. Never was any exhibition better advertised, for has not the Queen herself patronised it ? excluding the whole of the public whilst she watched the evolutions of Buffalo Bill and his troupe, and allowed a selection of them to be presented to her. How pleased an audience of ordinary visitors would have been to have welcomed her Majesty on such an occasion, when, had she so chosen, she could have been as little annoyed or disturbed as royalty usually is when it trusts itself at the theatre or any show managed people. A week ago the Prince and Princess of Wales made acquaintance with Buffalo Bill himself, and shook hands with the redskins in their tents. Then every paper told us some days since how Mr. Gladstone was one of the first visitors to the famous "scout" of the Wild West, and how he applauded and enjoyed the sharp shooting, buffalo hunting, and cowboys' feud, with which we were all entertained on the opening day.

The wonderful rifle shooting, in which Westen Boys and girls seem equally expert, was, I confess, less interesting to me personally than the feats on horseback, the races between cowboys and Mexicans on wild Texas ponies, the efforts at mounting and keeping a firm seat on bucking, jumping, untamed steeds, which I would, I fancy, have astonished a civilised full-dress circus rider, but which hese plucky followers of Buffalo Bill seemed to think excellent fun; then the attack on the mail coach as if jolted over the plain, by a group of wild Indians, was most exciting, adn I forsee that the front row of the raised seats will be besieged daily by schoolboys from every quarter, as soon as holiday times begin. Buffalo Bill himself does not do much beside looking very handsome and imposing as he rides about on his grey horse, firing at glass balls most successfully, and cracking a bullock-whip till it sounds like the sharp report of a gun. Mr. Cody, or the Hen. W. F. Cody as the programmes call him, earned the title of Buffalo Bill by supplying meat in his capacity of praire ranger to the men who built the Pacific Railway, and he is said to have killed for them above 5,000 buffaloes, besides deerland antelopes. Mr. Cody was once for a time in the Nebraska Lefislature; hence the prefix of "Honourable" to his name. His knowledge of the Indians and their territories was most useful and valuable in matters relating to border legislation and the Indian problem. Taller than most Americans, with a bronzed and handsome face, and considerable personal dignity indicative of physical courage, Buffalo Bill cannot fail to be adired by all ladies who see him, for I believe these characteristics go a long way to win favour with the fair sex, and amongst his numerous followers there are many fine fellows who deserve to divide such favours with him. But one item in the very attractive programme of camp life, buffalo hunts, attacks on travellers, and so forth failed to please me, and that we did not stop to see. I am told the bull baiting, to illustrate the use of the lasso, is cruelly carried on, and that it was not well recieved by the spectators. When the managers find that such performances are not according to the English taste they will undoubtedly omit it from the entertainment, which is indeed quite sufficient both is quantity and quality to satisfy the most voracious sightseer, even to the thrilling climax of beholding a party of painted and half naked Indian warriors seize their victims, apparently to scalp them.

I feel sure that this will prove to be one of the greatest and most popular exhibitions in London during the season. It was full of Americans on the opening day, who seemed highly pleased with these illustrations of some of the startling realities of far Western life. Whilst listening with interest to a conversation between two ladies just behind me, whose very decided Yankeeisms and tone of voice proclaimed their nationality, I was amused to hear them regretting that some friend of theirs had been so long in England that she had scquired the "English accent." I had no idea till them that the absence of Americanisms was ever to be regretted; but a Boston friend tells me that she always recogines the English by their "accent," not as I fondly imagined by their perfect freedom from anything of the sort.

The outbreak of rabies amongst the deer at Richmond Park adds another terror to this fearful disease. One always imagined that it was confined to carnivorous animals, and could only be communicated by immediate contact with them. The perils of the wolf hunters of Siberia and the Russian steppes have been greatly aggravated to my mind since we heard of the band of poor victims who came over to Paris for inoculation by Pasteur as a possible antidote to the poison of mad wolf bites. I was greatly interested in the fate of these poor fellows at the time of their visit, and regretted much when I read in the papers that the attempt to save them had failed, and that all of them had succumbed to the terrible disease. Believing this, with the usual credulity of newspaper readers, who are apt to forget that all is not ture that is printed, and that many hidden influences are brought to bear on a paragraph of news, I was rejoiced to have a long chat but yesterday with a distinguished man of science, who spent many days of last week in M. Pasteur's laboratory in Paris. He told me of Pasteur's charming, simple, unaffected behavior, of his earnest desire to discover the truth of his own theory, which, as time goes on, seems almost to challenge contradiction, so satisfacory are the results of his operations. I was glad to be assured that of sixteen Russian peasants who returned home after Pasteur's treatment only one developed rabies and died; the rest, all severely bitten, are now alive and well. My friend saw about fifty patients inoculated in one day, some very badly bitten by dogs, and ony young lady, who having a syte on her eye had been licked there by her pet dog, which went mad soon after. She, knowing the pro bable result, wisely and calmly submitted to M. Pasteur's treatment. As my clever friend explained to me the nature and theory of this system of inoculation with the very poison of rabies itself, I felt able to understand it as clearly as that of vaccination for small-pox; and probably in years to come the one discovery may be as fully recognised by the civilised world as the other, possibly with less numerical results, but who can over-estimate the blessing of escape from a painful and certain death such as hyrophobia, if the sufferers by only counted by hundreds instead of by thousands, as in small pox?

The work and experiments of Professor Charcot, the great doctor, interested my scientific friend greatly whilst he was in Paris, and the account he gave to me of the patients at the Salpatriere Hospital was most surprising. The whole subject of mesmerism is being thoroughly studied and investigated there, and to any one who regards these phenomena seriously as something yet but little uderstood by medical men, and affecting all nervous persons and their maladies, M. Charcot's wards in this French hospital are of the deepest interest. Amongst the pictures in the Salon in Paris at the present moment are two or three representing scenes both from Pasteur's and Charcot's laboratories. In England we should hardly tolerate pictures of so professional a character, but I was very glad to see a good photograph of each secured by my friend, which gave me an idea of the appearance of these distinguished men and their surroundings. Men of science of the highest distinctions have, I find, many interests besides their own specialties, and cultivated men of all classes are almost sure to take plesure in the drama. When the work of the day was ever in Paris my enthusiastic friend amused himself, and says in a letter, "You know how I delight in 'Hamlet', and that I know every word of the play. I have seen many Hamlets - Kean, Fletcher, Irving, Salvini, Barrett. Monsieur Soulet, who is now acting at the Francsaise, is in some respects very good, but he is rather too effeminate and fererish. The play is magnificently put on the stage, and the costumes are excellent." My critical friend was, I think, diverted from his attention to the play by the sight of a lovely face in the stalls which made him say to himself, "Ah, these French women; they are graceful and charming; we do not produce such lovely creatures as that!" when suddenly he recognised, as she removed her pincenez, that he was gazing at an English face, and one well known to him, of whose safety from shipwreck he had not then heard. She had just escaped with her little boy from the terrible catastrophe of the Victoria at Dieppe, and of course he rushed to congratulate her, and to hear of her fearul experience as she sat for seven hours in a boat expecting death every minute. Such moments as those must mae their impression on a lifetime, yet how soon we are all apt to forget dangers when we are out of them! We all live, and I suppose rightly so, in the present, or life would sometimes be almost unbearable with retrospection and anticipation.

London.