In the war lately commenced between Russia and Turkey, torpedoes are playing a notable part. The Russians, having a weaker navy than their antagonists, supplement the deficiency by employing these subtle agents. One Turkish war-vessel, guarding the passage of the Danube, has unquestionably been blown to pieces by Russian torpedoes, and its crew destroyed. The Russians have shewn much daring in approaching Turkish ships during the dark hours of night, attaching torpedoes to the ships' bottoms, retiring quietly and swiftly, and leaving the explosive monsters to do their fell work. On the other hand, torpedo-defence has been practised with some success by the Turks--preventing the approach of torpedo-vessels, or fishing up the torpedoes themselves before they explode. Torpedo-tactics, in the naval warfare of the future, will evidently embrace the two parts of torpedo-attack and torpedo-defence. Where is it all to end? FOOTNOTES: [A] Since writing the above, information has come to hand concerning the real fate of this submarine craft. When the civil war was over, divers were sent down; they fished up the enemy-destroying and self-destroying torpedo-boat, which was found, with its dead crew in it, _underneath_ a Federal ship, which it had sunk by bursting a hole in the hull. CROSS-PURPOSES. IN TWO CHAPTERS.--CHAPTER I. 'Is it very bad? Do you think it will mark her? How unfortunate I am.' 'Oh, it won't signify--_much_,' says the major, making a feeble attempt at consolation. The groom is on his knees washing down the mare's leg. As he washes, the red raw patch shews out with ominous distinctness from the glossy dark-brown skin that surrounds it; and Cissy, standing in her riding-habit, whip in hand, regarding the operation, begins to look the very picture of ill-concealed misery. 'How dreadfully bad it looks _now_,' she says fearfully. 'Not at all,' replies the major. 'I cannot imagine how it happened; she is usually such a clean jumper,' goes on Cissy, diligently searching for excuses. 'I never in my life injured a mount before, and I would not have harmed _this_ one for all the world. Captain Halkett will be so awfully angry.' 'Nonsense! You don't suppose he will _bite_ you, do you? Think of his angelic temper and your privileges as a woman. He daren't blow you up, you know.' 'It is not so much _that_'--with hesitation. 'Of course I know he will _say_ nothing, but he will _think_ the more; and'---- 'Like the parrot,' interrupts the major. 'And he will look so annoyed,' goes on Cissy, torturing herself with immense success. 'I would not for anything it had occurred. I do think I am the unluckiest girl on earth.' 'Are you in love with him?' suddenly asks the major sharply. 'In love with him? What an absurd question! Of course I am not,' says Cissy angrily, while blushing in the most furious and uncalled-for manner. 'What _can_ have put such a ridiculous idea into your head?'