Our Weekly Budget

number oi * amounts collected in various churches and chapels . The lyric stage has sustained an irreparable loss by the somewhat sudden , though not unexpected , death of Mdlle . Titiens , who passed away peacefully early on Wednesday

morning . The afternoon previous she had been in excellent spirits , and a gracious message from the Queen had contributed much to cheer her up . But in the evening she became faint and slept several hours , awaking only to fall into the sleep eternal . This gifted songstress studied music

nfc Vienna , and on returning in 1847 to her accustomed residence iu Hamburg , made her first appearance before the public in the character of Lucrezia Borgia . On the 19 th May last she appeared for the last time at Her Majesty ' s in the same character . She had been engaged

in England during nineteen successive seasons , and had justly won for herself tho respect and esteem of all classes for the social qualities she possessed as well as their admiration for her great musical talents . Her voice was a soprano of the richest quality . Of her singing it is impossible to

speak too highly , while her acting was almost equally worthy of praise . Nor were her talents confined to operatic singing only , for she was as great a proficient in oratorio , her rendering of " I know that my Redeemer liveth , " and " Rejoice greatly , " being magnificent . The

year before last she visited the United States , and occasionally she revisited her native Germany ; but generally the most tempting offers , which were again and again made to her , failed to induce her to leave the country of her adoption . As our readers are aware , Mdlle . Titiens

had been ill for some months past , and had undergone an operation , which it was hoped might prove successful in restoring her to health . It was only when this had been done , however , that it was discovered a second operation would be necessary , and a fatal termination to her illness

was thenceforward anticipated , though the end came , as we have said , very unexpectedly . Mdlle . Titiens was about fortysix years of age , during thirty of which she had been before the public , first in' Germany , and from 1858

continuously in England . She was one of the most eminent of prime donne , and Mr . Mapleson must feel her death most acutely , not only as one of the principal mainstays of his company , but also as one of his most intimate personal friends .

The daily papers are filled with letters respecting the condemnation of the Penge murdei'ers . Many , and among them Mr . Charles Reade , appear to think the conviction will not stand , because tho judge did not comply with the wishes of the jury by furnishing them with a copy of the indictment . Others maintain that this refusal cannot

make the slightest difference in the value of the verdict . Then , again , while the two men attract no sympathy for their fate , the public appear to think that the sentence is too severe in the case of the two women , and especially in the case of Alice Rhodes , who was rarely at the residence

of Patrick Staunton . There is a certain degree of force iu this latter view , but no doubt the whole of the facts and the evidence will undergo a most careful review by the Home Office authorities , while the eminent judge before whom the case was tried will assuredly be consulted , particularly as to the recommendation of the jury .

Mr . Gladstone has been at Nottingham , where he has expounded his views on the Eastern Question in particular , and public affairs in general . He does not appear to have

altered or modified his opinions as to the action of Russia in attacking Turkey ; but we think he would be acting more wisely if he followed the example of the Ministers , and remained a silent , though watchful , spectator of events .

One of those cases which occasionally form the subject of atrial in one of our Law Courts , of an attempt to extort , money by threats of publishing private correspondence , was recently tried before Mr . Justice Hawkins , in which two foreigners , Theoclorides and Gorlero by name , were

concerned , the prosecutrix being Miss SJade , niece of Sit Adolp hus Slade . Theoclorides and the Indy had been engaged to be married , but the engagement was broken off . Miss Slade destroyed the letters she had received from the defendant Theodorides , but tbe latter did not do so , and

tbe letters and the box in which they were contained passed into the possession of Gorlero . Subsequently ^ 500 was demanded under a threat of publiabino ; the letters if tin

demand were not satisfied . Evidence having been given ol the facts , and the judge having summed up the case , the jury found a verdict of Guilty against both prisoners , who were condemned to seven years' penal servitude . We think

Our Weekly Budget

the verdict of tho public will bo " served them right , " while a feeling of admiration Avill be shown towards tho lady who had the courage to resist such a demand . The great pedestrian feat of walking 1500 miles in 1000 successive hours at the rate of a mile and a half in each

hour , starting at the commencement of each hour , will , if all goes well , be completed by about half-past five this afternoon . As the undertaking has neared its completion , tho greatest interest has been excited among tho public , and last Sunday it is reckoned there must have been quite

20 , 000 people present during the day to witness the per . formance , and cheer Gale in his effort to beat Time . Let our readers try , if they can , to realise what it must be ; what powers of endurance , and , above all , what pluck it must require , for a man to walk for within a few hours of

six weeks at the rate of a mile and a half an horn - , with intervals of rest never exceeding three quarters of , and latterly little more than half-an-hour . The mere attempt to walk thirty-six miles a clay for forty-two consecutive days , would tax even an unusually strong man , though , he would

probably be able to enjoy some twelve hours' continuous z-esfc on each day . But Gale has never flagged in spirits , or failed in his appetite till now , nor has he suffered so severely in hia legs as might have been expected with so prolonged a strain on his system . We hope that those of our

readers who have not witnessed any of his walks will go to Lillie Bridge to-day , and cheer the man who , in walking , has done what Captain Webb did last year in swimming , and that is , has surpassed all the grandest efforts ever before accomplished .

There is a lull in the warlike operations in Bulgaria . Rumours , of course , appear nearly every day to the effect that this or that army , the Russian or the Turkish as the case may be , has made an attack on this or that position ; bnt these rumours are not often confirmed , and the belief

is gaming ground that we must wait some time before hearing of any great struggle . Plevna is to be regularly besieged , under the direction of General Todleben , of Sebastopol memory , and reinforcements of the Imperial Guard and other Russian troops are being rapidly pressed forward

towards Plevna and to strengthen the Czarewitch , who is no longer being pressed by Mehemet Ali . Indeed , the latter has withdrawn to his position on the Lorn , as the rains have rendered any forward movements impossible , and have also , as a matter of course , rendered it difficult

for him to obtain supplies . In Asia there are said to have been two more engagements , in one of which the Russians were defeated , while the result of the second was not known at the time of writing , though it was believed to be in favour of the Turks , on Avhose General the Sultan has very

properly conferred the title of " Ghazi , " that is , " the Victorious . " The Montenegrins have gained further successes , as might well be expected , seeing that they have no particular force opposed to them , while the Turks , it is believed , have established a communication with the

Roumanian side of the Danube . If so , the Russians will have to look sharply after the lines by which all their supplies of mon and material are forwarded . As regards Servia , we hear on the one hand , of military preparations to aid Russia , and on the other , of threats by Austria that if this petty

principality should engage in a second wanton war , it will go hardly with her . Considering the generous terms of peace accorded to Prince Milan in March last , and that he seems to have no idea what honour means , we cannot but think that Austria has acted both wisely and becomingly .

A concert was given on Wednesday , 26 th ult ., by the members of the City of London Orchestral Union , at the Schoolroom , Woodland-street , Dalston , under the conduct of Bro . G . T . H . Secldon , who was assisted by Bro . Moss

and others . The novelty of the entertainment—it consisted entirely of instrumental music—seemed to be fully recognised , and from the applause which followed the efforts of the performers , we feel sure their endeavours to please were appreciated .

An influential committee has been inrmed amongst the musical , literary and dramatic friends of Bro . Dr . Joseph J . Pope , No . 940 , who are desirous of testifying their lppreciation not only of his professional kindness' , but also

of his social worth . It is intended to pi'esonfc him with a estiraonial at the Eoyal Surrey Theatre , which ( by the kindness of Bro . Holland ) has been placed at the d ' upisal of the Committee ) , on Thursday eveniup ; . ll'h October ; it is expected a large number of brethren will be present ,