Sir W. Harcourt.--I am not aware that there is any defect in the law. Judges and magistrates have the power to inflict severe sentences in cases of brutal assaults, but, of course, they are not compelled to do so unless circumstances require; and I have no power to overrule their discretion by saying that magistrates or judges should pass higher sentences than they think fit to do. Mr. Macfarlane gave notice that when the Bill of the hon. member for Glasgow (Mr. Anderson) for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals got into Committee, he should move to include women in the schedule (laughter). (_C._)--In case it should appear incredible that an Englishman should say grace before taking a glass of grog, I give the following anecdote, the veracity of which I vouch for. A clerical friend of mine, Vicar of the Parish of ----, and late professor of mathematics at one of the great English military colleges, was one evening taking a glass of whisky and water with a Presbyterian minister. Before carrying his glass to his lips, the latter suggested to his companion that one of them should repeat grace. "Not over whisky and water, my friend, it would be a farce," answered the Vicar. ----"My congregation would be ashamed of me if I took a glass of whisky without first saying grace," said the Presbyterian. ----"Now, just see how congregations differ," said the other; "mine would be ashamed of me, if I said a prayer over a glass of toddy." Another anecdote, while I am on the subject of grace-saying. This one is an old English veteran. An evangelistic parson and a Quaker were seated at table together in the dining-room of an hotel. The evangelist, seeing a chance of displaying his piety, said to the quaker: "Had we not better say grace?" ----"Friend," replied the quaker, "if you like, we can be silent a few moments." Be silent a few moments! that is rather out of the line of the evangelist; he does not like to hide the light of his piety under a bushel. (_D._)--SOUTHWARK POLICE COURT. (_8th August, 1884._)