Our Weekly Budget.

access from all parts of the Metropolis , consequently the horse show , annually held there , was visited b y large numbers of people , who would probably have gone further a-field in search of enjoyment had the weather permitted . It is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good . Had the

early days of Whitsun week been less disagreeable , the Horse Show management would probably have been minus a good many shillings . As to the number and quality of the exhibits , we need say little here . All seem to have been pleased with what they saw , and the decisions of the judges

appear to have given satisfaction , except in some few cases . The Duke of Connaught was present on Monday , while sundry of the prizes were being adjudged . Having mentioned the Alexandra and Crystal Palaces and the

Agricultural Hall , we must not overlook the Royal Westminster Aquarium , which sets itself bravely to cater for the public amusement . Its efforts in this direction were thoroughly appreciated , if we may judge from the numbers who patronised it .

Lord's was highly favoured , in spite of the wet , by amateurs of cricket , the occasion being the match between North and South for the benefit of the well-known professional , Tom Hearne , who has been before the public one-and-twenty years , and during that time has earned

the respect of all classes of cricketers . The match lasted the usual three days , and ended in the victory of the South , by 85 runs . Several excellent scores were made , among them being the Grace 45 and 48 , Mr . Buller 67 not out , Lord Harris 23 and 69 , Mr . Hornby 29 and 58 ,

and Lockwood 29 and 49 . On Wednesday , Woolwich was gay with numerous visitors , on which occasion the Eoyal Military Academy held its Annual Athletic Sports , under the personal supervision of General Sir John Adye , the governor . The usual programme was varied somewhat

by the introduction of a polo match a pick-a-back , the combatants being armed with besoms , and the tug of war . In the former , victory inclined to neither side , as not a single goal was obtained . The third term Cadets won the latter . Other athletic meetings have been held in

various parts of the Country , the Irish Civil Service being the most notable , but none will have proved so great an attraction as the Grand Military Meeting arranged for yesterday , and to-day at Lillie Bridge . The entries are likely to prove very numerous , and great interest has been

taken in its success , the Prince of Wales and the Secretary of State for War giving cups for the mounted competitions and tent-pegging . The first heats came off yesterday , there being no less than 58 events run off in the course of

the afternoon . It was hoped the Prince would be able to attend , but a numerous Rojal party , for whom a special enclosure had been set apart , was expected , and considering the numerous and able Committee to which the

management was entrusted , we have no doubt the meeting was a very successful one . The annual dinner of the Royal General Theatrical Fund was held on Wednesday evening , at the Freemasons ' Tavern , under the presidency of Mr . Alfred de Rothschild ,

who was numerously supported on the occasion . Mr . Buckstone , in responding to the toast of Prosperity and Perpetuity to the Fund stated that its invested funds amounted to £ 12 , 400 , its annual fixed income being £ 360 ,

but its disbursements to annuitants during the past year had reached £ 2 , 000 . Later in the evening , the Secretary , Mr . Edgar , announced a list of subscriptions amounting to close upon £ 1 , 000 .

Lord Mayor Cotton has been paying a short round of visits in the Provinces . The reception at Bath must have been highly gratifying to his Lordship . He so expressed himself , indeed , when leaving for Bristol on Monday afternoon . At the latter City his Lordship was the guest

of the Mayor , by whom he was entertained in a manner worthy of the high rank of our great Western port . On Tuesday , he left for Reading , where he experienced an equally cordial reception . Here his Lordship visited the celebrated Biscuit Works of Messrs . Huntley and Palmer , and Messrs . Sutton and Sons' Royal Seed Stores .

On Wednesday and Thursday , the Royal Horticulf oral Gardens at Sontb Kensington were the scene of the great summer show of Stove and Greenhouse plants , azaleas , orchids , and likewise of fruit and vegetables . The

display was pronounced to be a very fine one , and had the weather been more brilliant , there would doubtless , have been a far more numerous array of visitors . The most successful exhibitors of roses were Mr . Charles Turner of Slough , and . Messrs . Paul and Son of Oaesliunfc . Mr . B , S .

Williams of "U pper Holloway , was also very successful in several classes . To Messrs . Veitch and Sons was awarded the Gold medal for miscellaneous plants . The band of the Royal Engineers was present on Wednesday afternoon . There was a large and fashionable gathering on

Saturday at Hurlingham to witness the game of La Crosse , which is so popular in Canada . The ladies were there in considerable numbers , and the sport was greatly enlivened by the attendance of the band of the 1 st Life Guards . The game takes its name from the implement which tho players

use , and which resembles a shepherd ' s crook , the curved end being furnished with a network of catgut or rhinoceros thongs , liko a battledore or tennis-bat . The sides consisted of twelve players , each with his stick , and a captain , who looks on and directs . The goals are about

six feet apart , and placed at a distance ranging from 150 to 250 yards apart . On this occasion the rival teams consisted of twelve Canadians under the captaincy of Dr . Beers , and a like number of Iroquois under that of an Indian , whose name , being interpreted in . the vulgar

tongue , signifies " Blue Spotted . " Though the game is originally an Indian one , the white men have acquired such perfection that they usually get the better of their opponents , and this contest was no exception , as the Canadians were victorious by three goals to one . When

the match , which will be repeated to day , was over , a polo match between England and Ireland was played , in which the latter was beaten by four goals to two . To-day there will be more polo at the same ground , the rival teams being from the Blues and 12 th Lancers .

At both the Opera houses , the performances have been drawing large audiences , Madame Patti being the central attraction at the Royal Italian , while Madame Christine Nilsson and Mdlle . Titiens have been received with enthusiasm at Her Majesty ' s . The latter house enjoys the

advantage of having Bro . Sir M . Costa as director of music and conductor . The third Floral Hall Concert is fixed for this afternoon . On the afternoon of Monday the 19 th , will be held , in the Floral Hall , Bro . Kuhe ' s grand annual Concert , while on that of the Monday following

will be held Sir Julius Benedict's Concert . The news from Constantinople is to the effect that the ex-Sultan , Abdul Aziz , has committed suicide by opening the veins in his arms by means of a pair of scissors , and allowing himself to bleed to death . The statement is not

improbable if we bear in mind previous rumours that his late majesty had already evinced signs of incipient madness , but there are thousands who think he has been done to death by foul means , in accordance with the plan formerly in vogue in Eastern countries , by which , sooner or later ,

deposed sovereigns no longer were . It is no good moralising over an ill-spent reign , which may have done so much to improve the condition of his subjects , but few sovereigns have quitted this life without leaving behind them a few to mourn their loss . Whether the death of the ex-Sultan

will strengthen the position of his successor , it is impossible to forecast . The situation in the East must be even more critical now than it was last week , if it be true that the Servian army is marching towards the Bosnian frontier . So long as the contest is confined within its present

limits there is a hope that the peace of Europe may not be disturbed , but if these semi-independent Principalities , like Servia and Montenegro , side with the insurgents against

the rule of the Sultan , it is impossible to foresee the results that may follow . That the British Government rightly appreciates the character of the situation is evident . The British Fleet under Admiral Druramoiid is in Besika

Bay . The Admiral himself is at Constantinople . Reinforcements are being sent out with all despatch , and medical stores for 5000 men in excess of onr present Mediterranean strength are on the eve of being sent to Malta . There are rumours of a disagreement between Russia and

Germany , the latter power not being prepared , it is said , to go the lengths to which its ally is anxious to commit it . Prince Bismarck has had an audience of the Emperor William , and tho latter ' s proposed visit to Ems , to meet ins imperial brother of all the Rnssias , is postponed . Meantime ,

tho relations between lurkcyand Egypt aro said to be on an unsatisfactory footing . In Paris , great anxiety is felt , and indeed everywhere there seems to be prevalent the

tear that a European war is very far from being the least likely event to happen . We hope it may bo averted , and if the great Powers are all of them sincere in their wish for the preservation of peace , wo see no reason why it should be disturbed .