competed for by five members. The depth of water varied from 13
to 18 feet. Mr. Robert Smith was very successful in recovering the
plates from the bottom, bringing up six on the first and two on the
second morning, with which number he secures first honours. The second
place was taken by Mr. J. Wallace James. Mr. Smith, the medallist, is
deaf and dumb.--_Scotsman_, Aug. 29th.

[Illustration]

"DEAR TAMMAS."

A poor old deaf man resided in Fife; he was visited by his minister
shortly after coming to his pulpit. The minister said he would often
call and see him; but time went on, and he did not visit him again until
two years after, when, happening to go through the street where the deaf
man was living, he saw his wife at the door, and could therefore do no
other than inquire for her husband. "Weel, Margaret, how is Tammas?"
"None the better o'you," was the curt reply. "How, how, Margaret,"
inquired the minister. "Oh, ye promised twa years syne tae ca' and pray
once a fortnight wi' him, and hae ne'er darkened the door sin' syne."
"Weel, weel, Margaret, don't be so short! I thought it was not so very
necessary to call and pray with Tammas, for he is so deaf ye ken he
canna hear me." "But, sir," said the woman, with a rising dignity of
manner, "the Lord's no deaf!" And it is to be supposed the minister felt
the power of her reproach.

ROYAL SCOTTISH ACADEMY EXHIBITION FOR 1880.

John S. Rennie Reid, a young Aberdeen lad, now resident in Edinburgh,
who, though labouring under the great disability of being deaf and dumb,
has for some years back been an enthusiastic art student, has succeeded
in procuring admission for three oil paintings, each of which gives good
indication of his deftness and skill in the delineation of nature, and
the ardour with which he has followed up his studies. "Hide and Seek"
represents some children playing at that game in a hay field. "Largo,
the Beach at Low Water" gives us a pretty coast scene, with figures on
the beach. "Baiting the Line" is a very effective study of a common
incident in fisher life.

IN DERBY POLICE COURT.

[Illustration: PUPIL AS TAKEN FROM THE POLICE COURT.]

A few years since the Head Master of the Deaf and Dumb Institution at
Derby was sent for, with a request that he would hasten to the police
court to see what could be done with a little deaf and dumb boy. The
sketch is a faithful picture of the little fellow as he stood in the
dock charged wit