The Aberdare Times

AGRICULTURAL ITEMS. THE PRICB OF CORN continues (cottments the Graphic) to be the chief drawback to English agri- culture. The imperial average for wheat is only 30s. 4d., and though the price in London, 33s. 7d. is rather better than this, there are very few wheat growers who can save themselves from loss even at the higher of the two quotations. The imperial average for barley is 26s. 9d. with which the London quotation of 26s. 3d. is practically identical. The period of depression in the price of barley seldom comes eo early in the cereal year, and, preceding as it does this season the weeks when barley is sown for the new crop, may be expected to have at least some result in reducing the acreage. Oats at 16s. 6d. in th9 country, and 17s. in London are so cheap that the vast proportion of what is grown is consumed on the farm. English beans at 30s. are scarcely remunera- tive, and only the best peas escape the depressing effect of foreign competition. New malt is quoted 31s. to 44s. perqr., and it is only the finer malting barley, exceptionally scarce this season, which is quoted at satisfactory terms. "THE EXPEDITIOUS FEEDER FOR MOTHERLESS LAMBS" is the name of a recent invention patented by a Canterbury (New Zealand) farmer. It is said, too, that the young lambs thrive amazingly on this "feed- ing-bottle system. As IAMP.IN'O TIME appproaches (observes Professor Wrightson, in the Live Stock Journal), the flock- master begins to prepare for this important season. We know, as a fact, that lambs are often lost for want of care. Shelter for the ewes must be provided, and this leads us to the consideration of the lambing pen. There are two descriptions of enclosures for lambing ewes. One is the old-fashioned permanent shed. for which the rick-yard has often been em- ployed. The advantages of this system are that the flock is near home, and that the rick-yard is a pro- tected enclosure which, when well littered down and fenced with thatched hurdles, forms a very suitable place for the purpose. We have seen special walled enclosures, furnished with accommodation for the shepherd, and shedding for the ewes. The shedding is most conveniently divided into coops by means of hurdles, and in such a shed ewes will lamb safely and comfortably. ON LARGE SHEEP FARMS this system is objection- able on account of the distance between the flock and their food. It is, therefore, the custom to make a pen near to where the ewes and lambs are to turn out after lambing. The position of the pen should have been fixed during the previous summer, and have determined the situation of certain hay and corn ricks. As threshing proceeds, the corn ricks yield straw ricks, which are made long, and placed so as to secure the greatest amount of shelter from the wind. A gentlo slope towards the south is the best site, and in close proximity to a field of swedes, or of late turnips. The enclosure consists of a double row of hurdles, stuffed between with straw, and kept firm by means of a few posts and rails. About two feet from the outside wall, an'd on the inside, are driven 6 feet posts carrying a head rail or plate, and, resting on this plate, and upon the outside hurdles, with a sufficient run or slope, thatched hurdles are fixed thus forming a continuous narrow shed, which is again divided by hurdles into coops or cells. These coops are best open to the south and east, and backed to the north and west; and in such a position ewes and lambs lie warm even in the severest weather. Outside these cells, and inside the enclosure, the space is divided by hurdles into four or five good-sized yards, a d a straw rick ought to occupy a central position with reference to the entire space. The shepherd's portable house is drawn up at a con- venient distance, and with such a fold we may look forward to the throes of lambing with a feeling of confidence and security. THE FORWARD EWES should be brought into the pen every night and lie upon straw. A good-sized heap of swedes should also have been provided, and hay racks or cribs should be placed around, so that the animals may receive a foddering when they come into shelter at about four o'clock in the afternoon. During the height of the yeaning, the shepherd remains night and day with his flock, and provided with a good lan- tern he makes periodical visits, carefully looking at every ewe. As soon as a lamb is born, it and its dam should be removed into one of the coops or cells, as dready mentioned, there to remain for three or four days, until the lamb is able to fo'lowits mother with- out difficulty, and until the two thoroughly know each other. When this is judged to be accomplished, the cell is vacated for other occupants, and the ewe and her lamb or lambs are transferred to one of the larger divisions of the pen. THE CHOICE OF SEEDS (remarks a writer in the Agricultural Gazette) is of vast importance. Good seed is one of the conditions of successful crop grow- ing, and by no means the least important. We are believers in pedigree seed, just as we are believers in well-bred stock, and, not only so, but in clean, well- developed seed. Most of us are well able to judge of the qualities of wheat, barley, and oats, and the prin- cipal points are to secure a good variety, a good bulk identical with the sample. Where we are often weak is in the selection of the smaller seeds. Here we are too much at the mercy of the seedsman, and the result is occasionally disappointment. THE PRFSENT seems to be a good opportunity for pointing out one of the commonest cases of adultera- tion in seeds—namely, the occurrence of Bromns mollis, or soft brome grass, among Italian rye- grass. The two seeds are much alike, but are easily distinguishable to the instructed eye. In Italian rye-grass the seed is narrow, but in Bromus mollis the seed is much broader and more open, espe- cially towards the free end, and nearest the awn. Another seed easily mistaken for Italian rye-grass is that of the false oat-grass, Arrhenathcrmn avcnacum. This is also a narrow, awned seed, but inspection will show that the awn springs from the base of the seed, and is only closely applied to the back, and not adherent. The awn also has a spiral appearance at the base, as though it had been twisted between the finger and thumb. The best method of examining rye-grass is to scatter it thinly over a black surface, so that each seed is distinctly visible, and all in- truders are at once made evident. The sleeve of a black coat, or a piece of black cloth, answers excellently well, and impurities are thus brought out to view, which could not be discerned in a sack or handful. THE PURITY OF CLOVERS may be proved by moisten- ing the tips of the fingers and taking up a few seeds upm them. The seeds are thus seen lying on a plane surface, and no great amount of experience will enable the observer to detect whether they are pure or of mixed character. Every farmer should make it his study to know the principal clover and grass seeds by sight, 110 as to be able to detect impurities. The subject, no doubt, has its difficulties, especially when carried into the study of the less-known grass seeds. What, however, may be spoken of as well within the sphere of every good farmer's knowledge is the power of identifying such bad seeds as burnet, garlick, lop, couch, dodder, and to thoroughly know a sample of pure red, yellow, white, or alsike clover, or such grasses as perennial and Italian rye-gass, timothy grass, cocksfoot, crested dogstail, foxtail, and as many more as he can manage. TUBERCULOSIS is a constitutional disease, specific and infective, of frequent occurrence among bovine animals, well-bred animals (observes Mr. H. B .Arnatd, M.R.C.V.S., in the Farmer). and especially milch cows, being most susceptible to the disorder. It is charac- terised anatomically by the formation of small nodular masses known as tubercles, due to the presence and multiplication of a vegetable micro-organism, the ba- cillus tuberculosis, in the blood and tissues. These nodules may be generally distributed as in acute general tuberculois, or they may be limited to small areas as in local tuberculosis. The disease is undoubtedly hereditary, and therefore is most apparent after breeding in-and-in. It has been observed in all warm-blooded animals submitted to domestication, and it is prob- able that it may be transmitted from animals to man by the consumption of milk from phthisical animals. There are several forms of tuberculosis met with in the ox, the principal of whirh are—(1.) Phthisis pulmonalis, or tubercular disease of the lungs; a chronic affection in which tubercles occur in the lung tissue and set up, by the irritation which they produce, local inflammatory action. (2.) Tabas mesenterica, a form of the disease in which the mesenteric glands are affected. It occurs most frequently in young animals, those attacked being vulgarly termed piners." (3.) Tubercular arthritis, a frequent form, affecting the joints, generally of young stock. Probably the knee and stifle are the most frequently affected, and when the joints of the foot are involved, it is known as scrofulous foul." ENGLISH RUTTER (contended Mr. T. S. Mason, in a paper recently read before the Boroughbridge Farmers' Club), would hold its own, provided proper methods were pursued in its production. The difference between the supply of milk in summer and in winter was great. At the present time the inducements to a farmer to sell his cows had been too much for him to resist in many instances, and the supply of milk had consequently diminished in quantity. If, however, dairies were conducted on the co-operative principle, as in Denmark, the farmer would be obliged to retain or replace his cow to enable him to contribute his siipplv of milk to the dairy. He (Mr. Mason) did not think" tho farmer would he a loser in that way in the long run. He urged all farmers to pay close attention to discussion on the subject of dairying, for he believed it had a more extensive hearing on the agricultural position of the country than we imagined. They must be prepared to discuss the question with an open mind. Let them get rid of prejudice if possible.

LITTLE Nellie was looking at her picture book called" Wild Animals when Mr. Jorkins called, and she appealed to that gentleman to explain one of the pictures. That is a wild boar," said he. And the little lady looked at it thoughtfully, and replied It dont look like you, does it, Mr. Jorkins P "I hope notresponded the guest. Why ? '• "Because." eaid the artless infant. mamma &ait% when your card was tent us, rThère is that old tare Jorkies agrin.

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COSSACK MISSIONARIES."—The Italian Government fearing (so the Chronicle Rome correspondent states) asked the Russian Embassy for their explanations re- specting the Cossack mission to Abyssinia. the Embassy has denied that the mission has a political character, or that it has in any way received the sap- port or approval of the Russian Government. SCHOOLBOY CUT TO PIECES.—A very sad accident has occurred at the St. Lazare Station in Paris. A boy of 13, named Talpomba, who came from Asniertf twice a day to attend the classes at the Lycee Con- dorcet, jumped out of the train before it had stopped, and, falling on the line, was cut to pieces. Eight carriages passed over him before the train was brought to a standstill. A FISHERMAN'S HEROISM.—There was a very heavy wea along the East Coast of Scotland the other day. Shipping was in consequence much interrupted. At Fraserburgh a boat containing three youths sank. Two of them were drowned. The third lad kept himself afloat with an oar, and was sighted by a fishing boat. Failing to get the boat near the drowning youth, one of the crew leaped overboard with a rope round his body. He then swam to the boy and rescued him. THE SHAH'S EXCURSION.—The Shah is expected to leave Persia for Russia about the end of March. His Majesty will travel by way of Tabriz, and will touch Russian territory at Dohalfach, on the river Araks. His Majesty will then cross the Caucasus, and will remain in St. Petersburg about a fortnight. After that he will prooeed to Berlin, Paris, London, Con- stantinople, Bulgaria, and Servia. He will be attended by his chief Minister, Emin Sultan. HIGHGATB ARCHWAY.—Since the Islington Vestry agreed to contribute JE2500 towards the reconstruction of this archway, the rest of the cost being defrayed jointly by the Hornsey Local Board and the London Street Tramways Company, who were desirous of ex- tending their system to Finchley, it has been found that the proposed reconstruction would be useless unless Archway-road, within the parish of Islington, was widened. The land requisite for this purpose, together with the necessary retaining walls and works, are esti- mated to cost JE3500 to JE4000. As, however, the Homsey Local Board are unwilling to entertain any modification of the plan conditionally agTeed to, or to co-operate with the Islington Vestry in obtaining inde- pendent plans, the latter have postponed taking any further action in the matter until it is seen what steps the London County Council propose to adopt steps the London County Council propose to adopt with reference to the maintenance of the main roads of the metropolis. FRENCH CATTLE FOR ENGLAND.—The French Minister of Agriculture has just written to M. Ricard, deputy for the Department of the Seine Infdrfeure, who bad asked him to take fresh steps to procure the entry of live cattle into England, saying that be is ready to do so, and to select various ports, including Kouen, at which the cattle can be embarked, after undergoing an inspection that will allow of the beasts being guaranteed free from anycontagious disease. M. > lette adds that he is now studying a project for the reorganisatiOT of the sanitary service, with a view to dispelling whatever ap- prehensions may still linger in the minds of our neighbours." EARTHQUAKE IN EDIWBTTROH.—A distinct earthquake shock was experienced on Friday morning about seven o'clock in the Edinburgh district. The shock, which was sharp, and did not last more than a few seconds, iq described by several correspondents as a mmaaticm the like of which they never before experienced. Others acquainted with similar phenomena in India and the East had no hesitation in identifying the disturbance as an earthquake. Sleepers were awakened by the tilting of their beds, those who were wideawake and out of bed speak of the rattling of crockery, ftre- tron", and doors in their houses; while others who were outside also hear testimony to the trembling of the earth. Such phenomena are so rare ia this country that it seems rather to have surprised than startled most of thapa who experienced it. It was most felt in the west-end of the city, and along the valley of the Water of Leith. Sir William Muir, whose long Indian experience entitles him to speak with authority. declares that be has no doubt the shock was that of an earthouake and various other persons have testified that they f tit a very sharp motion, some experiencing quite a giddy sensation.

RACHEL RAYMOND; OR, LOST AND FOUND. BY THE AUTHORESS OF "Allan Thornton," Effie Baird" II Almcst a Criminal,"$~c. r ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] CHAPTER VIL RETURNED. HERBERT TEMTPLE started to his feec in alarm as too saw his wife enter the room, and rushed towards her. Emily, my darling he exclaimed holding her in h's arms. What is it ? Tell me what has fnghtened you so ?" She could not answer him for some time. A terrified look was on her face, and she could only cling convulsively to her husband as he murmured reassuring words into her ears. She was evidently in extreme terror, though he could see no trace of anyone upon the lawn, and was at a loss to account for her great alarm. But she recovered herself in a short time and, ^"hen he saw that she was calmer, Herbert renewed his enquiries as to the cause of her affright. What is it, my dearest he asked, soothing her as a mother might her child. A ghost! I saw a ghost!" she answered, shivering she spoke. A what ? Nonsense Where ?" Beyond the great oak there- I saw——" What?" "Lionet." Lionel Yes he stood there, looking straight at me. Ah, my darling, you have been frightened by a shadow or else by one of the two gardeners crossing the lawn in the twilight." "1 tell you, Herbert, that I saw him as plainly and M close to me as you are at this moment. I could have touched him with my outstretched hand as he stood before me, white and still. Ob, Herbert, what can it mean ? What misfortune can be hanging over us ?" "Hush! hush! my darling!" he began; but even liS he spoke her eyes distended, and, with a hysterical shriek, she pointed to the window, at which stood a motionless, silent figure. You see she exclaimed. "There it is again Lionel! Lionel!" and with a faint cry she fell into her husband's arms. Hastily, but gently, he laid her on the sofa, and turned to ring the bell for assistance, and as he did so his eyes fell upon the form that had caused her agitation. For a moment he stared in wild dismay at the apparition, for such he deemed it, which waited with outstretched hands and eager eyes, waiting, as it seemed, for a welcome home. The next their hands had met in a warm and loving clasp. "Lionel!" Herbert 1" "Alive!" "Yes saved by a miracle almost, but still in the land of the living. But look to your wife, Herbert. I seem to have frightened her to death almost, though I can hardly understand why. Did you not get my letter, telling you of my escape from death P" When ?" To-day." No; wet have been from home all day, and the letters are lying there unopened. But I hear Helena's footstep." You had better meet her and prepare her for my arrival." No, no, she won't faint at the surprise, be sure of that. Here she is." Herbert was right. Helena entered the room, and saw it all at a glance. The next instant she was folded in her brother's arms, and was sobbing with delight. Let me go now," she added, after their first rap- turous greeting had subsided. I must go to our mother, and prepare her for your coming. She has mourned for you sorely, dear; and the shock might be too much for her. Keep out of Emily's sight when she recovers; she is very weak, poor girl, and if she saw you before her eyes when she awoke it might be dangerous." Helena, even in her great joy, was matter-of-fact still, and she marched her younger brother off, saying that by-and-by would do for all explanations, leaving Herbert to look after his wife, and see her to their room, while she went up to their mother and broke the glad tidings of her son's return to life —for so it might almost be called; and soon Lionel was called to con- firm the truth. The meeting between Mrs. Temple and the son she had mourned as dead was witnessed by none. Her joy was, as her grief had been, too sacred to be pro- faned by curious eyes; but the news was not long in making its way to the servants' hall that the young man they had loved so well for his frank bonhomie and kindly nature had returned— given up from the merciless ocean they had deemed his grave—and one after another crowded up to the drawing-room, and clustered round the windows, trying to catch a sight of the familiar face. Had Lionel Temple ever doubted their love in the old days, the tearful welcome with which he was greeted by one and all would have b?en sufficient to assure him that he held a place in the:" hearts, and very roverently he returned thanks to the merciful Providence which had spared him to return. It was a happy family party which was gathered together in the long drawing-room of Tregarthen that night with the exception of Lionel, whose heart was aching sadly at the thought of his lost Rachel; but he dared not think of ht'r, and it made his misery so much the greater that he could not ask for or show that he needed cemfort. Mrs. T"mple came down to her accustomed seat, very pale and silent, but with a peaceful look in her face, and calm look in her eyes, which spoke the happy joy she felt. There was no occasion for their wearing their customary suits of solemn black now, and with the next day they would doff their mourning garbs which had covered such whilsome aching, but now gladdened hearts, and be the same gay. happy circle they had been six months before. Emily, indeed, appeared that night in a radiant fairy-like dress, all bright and soft. As soon as she discovered that the spectre which had come upon them was a real living man, she insisted upon meeting her brother-in-law in a costume that should show her gladness and her fair, fragile beauty never showed to greater advantage than in the dress she chose to do honmir to the occasion. And so they sat far into the night, listening with eager ears to Lionel's story of how he came to be amongst them once again, when it was supposed he bad met with the same fate as the remainder of the unfortunate boat's crew. When the boat turned over," he told them, we wore all thrown into the water, and for a few moments I resigned mvself to my fate, and thought that I should n»ver see dear old Treparthen again. But it is not in man to die without a. struggle; and, shaking off the grip of a despairing creature who was clinging convulsively to me. I rose to the surface and found myself beside the boat. For a while all I c->uld do *vas to support myself by its aid: but in a short time I recoveird myself sufficiently to raise mv body further out of the water, and then I found that another man was clinging to the same support. We looted round, but in the darkness not another soul was to be seen, and we endeavoured but without avail, to right the boat, and at last when we found that, to he impossible, managed to raise ourselves upon the keel. It was intensely cold and a rough sea on. and my poor companion had not strength to support himself against the dashing of the waves. We never spoke, and I saw him washed off before my eyes—with what feelings of agony you may partly guess. I was alone now, and saw no hope, no chance of escape, yet still I clung desperately to my refuge-how, I know not—until I saw the light of day come. I sxw a vessel, evidently steering in my direction, but it seemed ages to me before it came near, and when it did I was usable to make any sign. I could not shout—even if I had my voice would not have reached their ears—and the alterna- tions of hope and fear which passed within my mind almost sufficed to drive me mad." My poor Lionel murmured his mother, while large tears stood in her eyes as she listened to the story of her son's peril. But you were saved at last. Thank Heaven for that Amen answered Lionel reverently; and the simple thanksgiving found an echo in the hearts of all his hearers. However," he continued, it was a very close shave. The boat was seen by the look-out man, and he apprised his captain but, though they looked most carefully to see whether anyone was clinging to it, no one saw me, and the vessel was nearly sail- ing on her way when, as the captain afterwards told me, a sudden impulse prompted him not to risk the barest chance of saving a life, and he ordered out a boat. which found me almost insensible, and perfectly unable to afford the least assistance to my removal. They contrived to get me off, though with great dif- ncutty and when I awoke to consciousness—which was not for several days after-I found myself on board the Star, a merchant vessel, bound for the Antilles. The captain, who was very kmd to me-" Heaven bless him interrupted Mrs. Temple. Told me that he was already far on his couise, hut he would put me on the first homewara-DOun ship he met; but fate seemed to be against me and I was forced, unwillingly enough, te make the voyage before I could get a vessel for England. And were you the only one in the boat that was saved, Lionel ?" asked Emily, her gentle voice full of sorrow and sympathy at the terrible tale she had heard. None, I believe. The boat which rescued me rowed about for several hours, in the hope of finding soiiie poor wretch clinging to a spar, but all without avail. Until I landfd at Plymouth this morning I did not even know but that I was the sole survivor. So sudden was the catastrophe, and the night so dark, that whrn the black waters which had closed above mv head wi re again below me 1 believed that no one else had escaped." Such was the tale that Lionel Temple told his hearers, thougli broken with many a question, or ex- eLl nnt i. to of horror and affright; and very thankful hearts they were which offered un oraiseto the all _I merciful Judge who bad seen fit to preserve this, the Benjamin of their family, and give him back to them. It was very late when the ladies retired for the night, but still the brothers sat on, for Lionel had much to hear, and Herbert was too excited to think of bed but even the largest budget of news must come to an end sometime, and the conversation began to flag, till Herbert suddenly said: Oh, by the way, Lord and Lady Addeleigh have returned from Italy. Clare has come home with them for good." "Indeed!" Yes she has grown into a. lovely girl, Lionel." There was a meaning in his tone, of which how- ever, Lionel took no heed. He did not dream of his brother having any motive in thus speaking of their neighbours with whom they had always been on intima e terms. Lord Addeleigh was a very eccentric man—plain and blunt to the last degree, having been brought up in a very low position in life, during which time he had married the pretty daughter of a small shopkeeper and it was not until their only child, C'are, had grown almost a young woman, that her parent, by a series of fatalities in the family of which he was a member, succeeded to the rank of Baron Addeleigh, of Per- maddock. The new lord and his wife were too old to get rid of their natural habits, and still retained a slight trace of their humble origin but their natural good- ness of disposition, and frank unaffected geniality made them very much liked. Besides, a lord is a lord, and as such, Lord Addeleigh could hold his own with the proudest families in Cornwall; and though he and his wife would sometimes show traces of their earlier surroundings, the world, always ready to pardon vulgarities in the great, by a polite euphenism, turned them into eccentricities; and they spared no expense in fitting their daughter, who was, as Herbert said, a lovely girl, for the station she would occupy in society. Termaddock Castle adjoined Tregarthen, and the two families were very intimate but for some time Lord Addeleigh had been travelling on the continent with his wife, and had now returned to their home, bringing with them their daughter, who had been placed abroad for an education, and was now about to take her place as heiress to her father's fortune. A few more words of explanation arestillnecessary to account for the close intimacy which existed between Permad- dock and the Temples. Tregarthen came to Herbert Temple very much embarrassed, and by means which it is needless to dilate on here, Lord Addeleigh relieved the estate from some ruinous mortgages which existed on it, and in so quiet, unassuming a manner, that he had won the heartfelt love and gratitude of the family; and Herbert Temple had built Mp a very pretty little romance, of which his brother and Clara Addeleigh were respectively the hero and heroine. Yes," he repeated, seeing that his brother took very little notice of his words a very 1-n ely girl is Clare." "Ah!" replied Lionel; "is she? I haven't seen her for some time, you know, and she was but a child then." But she is no child now—why, she is seven- teen, and very womanly for her age-so charming too." Indeed reiterated Lionel, listlessly. Yes; a refined likeness of her mother." I can hardly fancy Lady Addeleigh having any claim to good looks." Well, well, we won't argue that point; but the daughter is beautiful, and has just a dash of her father's oddness, but only sufficient to make her piquant and original in her manner." She must be original if she resembles him," said Lionel, with a comical grimace. He's a good-hearted true man, Lionel; remember that we owe much to him." "True," said Lionel, warmly. More than we can ever repay, except with gratitude." I think," Herbert said, in a hesitating sort of way, that you could repay hit lordship, if you liked." Me How ?" Very easily." Explain yourself." In three words, Lionel-marry his daughter." CHAPTER VIII. CLARE'S ENTHRALMENT. "MARRY his daughter With a bewildered look upon his handsome face, Lionel Temple started from his seat, and gazed at his brother with undisguised amazement. He fancied at first that Herbert was joking, but the serious look he saw in his features soon dispelled that idea, and he repeated the words almost mo- chinally: Marry his daughter P" Yes." You must be jesting, surely, Herbert. T marry Clare ? The idea is preposterous besides and ho hesitated, then more abruptly he asked, What can have put such a notion into your head p It's not such an unnatural one. I have long aero imagined such a thing might come to pass hut still, I should never have spoken on the subject but for one thing." And that was ?" A suggestion from Lord Addeleigh himself." A nd do you mean to say that he proposed this to you ?" I do." Strange How did it come about ?" Oh, it was some time since. His lordship was talk. ing to me on the old subject, bow best to clear off all demands upon Tregarthen, and then his plan came out. I should never have dreamt of such a thing my- self but he told me that it had been a favourite project of his for some time to see you and Clare united. And really, Lionel, unless you have some other attachment I know nothing of Why, what's the matter ? What have I said ?'' ho asked. "Surely I can't have hit upon the < ruth ?" For Lionel had hid his face between his hands in a tumult of feeling he was equally unable to repress and unwilling to show, and was sobbing with the rare passion that rouses a man to tears. It is nothing—nothing," he exclaimed, after a few moments' silence, during which his brother eyed him curiouslv. I am an ass to be overcome like a woman; but I'm not very strong, even yet, Herbert, and your words have roused some slumbering recol- lections in my breast, that's all. Don't talk to me just now about either love-making or marriage; but go on with your news, there's a good fellow." And Herbert left the subject for another time, and went on with all the chit-chat of the neigh- bourhood. At last he came to the incident which had created so great an interest in the village. Isaac Raymond's journey to London, and the return, together with the news he brought, and his after dis- appearance. All this Lionel heard in silence, his head resting on his hand, which shadowed his features from the light, and prevented Herbert from seeing their ex- pression. I had a sort of ;(1flt, at first," sa;d Herbert-, that you might have had something to do with Rachel's disappearance." Lionel started, hut his brother went on. There was something peculiar in the old man's manner, and he certainly said that you knew all about it; but his next words contradicted himself, fnr, when I questioned him further, he told me that his daughter had suffered neither shame nor wrong at your hands, and grew quite indignant at my sus- picions." You did suspect me. then ?" For a moment, I acknowledge but it was only a passing thought, dismissed as soon as born." What did Isaac do afterwards ?" Found his way to London to enquire into the truth of what lie had heard. It was from a man called Bossanquet that he got the news of Rachel's death." "I know—I know! The scoundrel But go on; tell me all you know ab01lt this matter." Indeed, I have very little more to tell. I offered the old man money to assist him in his search, but he refused it, saying he was well provided ahd I have seen nothing more of him since." Has he not returned, then, to rolperro ?" He's not here now, at any rate. I did hear of gomf wild story being afloat that the poor old fellow had been seen at his cottage, and had even gone to a farm in search of his daughter, who, he insisted was there. The, people treated him very kindly, I am told, and tried to persuade him to return; but the general idea seems to be that he has been driven out of his mind by the shock of Rachel's loss—for he per- sisted in asserting that she was not dead, and that he was going to find her—and wandered off, 80 one knows where." And has never been seen since ?" "No; his cottage is deserted, and no one knows where the poor old man has gone." "How long is it since this happened—since his return, I mean ?" About three months—that is, if he came back at all. I did not see him, and the whole story is very mythical, to my mind." ^Lionel rose from his seat and paced the room in "J.ioody silence. He longed, yet dreaded, to tell his brother all the miserable story and Herbert, entirely unsuspicious as to the true sfate of his thoughts, wondered what he had said to move the young man in such a manner. Oh, that I had the villain in my hands!" exclaimed Lionel, in great excitement. What do you mean ?" asked Herbert, surprised. What has Isaac Raymond done fI" No, no, not he. I mean the man who has con- trived all this misery and degradation. Heaven's curse light on him all it will—it. must. There will come a day of reckoning some time and I shall live to see It. I pray to be the instrument of ven- geance." Herbert Temple thought that his younger brother bad gone m..d. Who are you speaking of, Lionel ? Don't talk in riddles." Hossanquet—the double-dyed scoundrel, who stole mv Rachel—no—no—not that. 111 not believe that she was false Your Kanhel' Oh Lionel, then you do know of that poor girl's fate. She was VClur-" Lionel turned fiercely on his brother. Not a word against her, Herbert, if you love me —not even from jour lips will I brook the suspicion which hovers there. Rachel was my wife. '• Your wife." ( Yes. Herbert. Mv loving, pure-hearted wife. J | know, I feel that she was true, now that she is dead, and I can see her sweet face no longer. That villain has traduced her memory, and made me— even me, believe, that she fled froru my arms to his. I was mad enough to doubt her at first, but I do so no longer." This is strange news, Lionel." Oh it is true-it is true I was on my road to seek a reckoning with him when I was wrecked." Then the letter you received- Was from him—Bossanquet—to tell me of her death, under circumstances so horrible, and substan- tiated with such proofs, as might excuse me for my madness in believing them true. I swore to be revenged then on the mocking villian who had wrung my heart, and I will, though years elapse before I meet him. I will have vengeance for my wife and little one." A child too ? Lionel, I Yes, a child—a boy; and a Temple in every feature save his mother's blue eyes. My darling you have seen her, Herbert ?" Yes, but not often. I only remember a very pretty girl; remember—I was not in love with her. But this intelligence has pained me very much, Lionel. I can understand now how you must have suffered. I am glad to find my brother is not a be- trayer—rather a mesalliance than to bring dishonour on any woman. But tell me all about it. Lionel; your story will be safe with me, at all events." And Lionel did so, glad at last to ease his mind of the terrible burden which had so long oppressed him, and told his brother how his love for Rachel had grown and prospered, while no thought of wrong to the humbly-born cottage girl had ever crossed his brain. How, like Celia and Oliver, they had no sooner met but they looked, no sooner looked but they loved, no sooner loved but they sighed, no sooner sighed but they asked one another the reason, and no sooner knew the reason but they sought the remedy." And that was soon found. Lionel was no libertine lover, but wooed the peasant girl with as much respect as though she had been a lady of his own rank and station in society. They were married, but as the reader knows, secretly-bis reasons being already set forth. Such was the story that Herbert Temple heard from his brother's lips as also how Lionel took his young wife to London, and how happily they lived the birth of their child, and of Rachel's rapid ad- vanceme nt in the education and manners that were to fit her for an introduction to her husband's family and finally of her mysterious disappearance during Lionel's temporary absence in Dublin, and the lying letter he had received from Lieutenant Bossanqnet, telling the story of her fearful death in the shameful house to which, he said, she had gone of her own free will. But I cannot, will not, believe it," said Lionel. "She always feared and detested the man, and if, as he says, she did accompany him. it must have been through some trickery on his part. I feel assured in my heart that his story is a vile fabrication but the proof is wanting, and that shall be the business of,my life to discover." Herbert was silent for a time, but at last he spoke, gravely and firmly. You are right, Lionel," he said. It must be proved; you must go to London at once, an I seek out this man. His grudge against you is sufficient motive, to my mind, of his villany, but our belief is not sufficient you must prove him to have lied. I am sorry that you could not sufficiently trust us with your secret- but that is past-and your wife's fair fame must not be traduced, even in death." Lionel took his brother's hand, and pressed it in gratitude for his sympathy. •' You will keep my secret for the present," he said. Do not tell Helena or your wife at present. When I have proved my Rachel to have been pure and true, as I feel I shall, then I will speak of her; but not now, while there rests the slightest shadow on horname. It would kill my mother." "Yes," answered Herbert; "she must be spared the knowledge. But you must go to London, and at once. If you do not bring the lie home to that cowardly scoundrel, Justice is deaf and dumb as well as blind. But you will, Lionel- you will, I am sure --and brighter days will come to cheer you for your present misery." "There will be no brighter days for me, Herbert," the young man answered, bitterly. My heart is dead, gone into the grave which holds my bright-eyed Rachel." It will rise again when you have cleared up this mystery. You must give our mother a day or two to rejoice over and make much of you, then go to London, and leave no single stone unturned to obtain the proofs of this man's infamy." So it was settled between the two brothers. Nothing was to be said at home of his secret marriage to Rachel; and, after a few days' burning impatience which Lionel spent at Tregarthen, lie started for town on a second attempt to trace out the slander which had reached him before. His first visit was to the barracks at which Lieutenant Bossanquet's regiment was stationed, intending to take his enemy by the throat, and force him to confess the truth; but here he was foiled, for he found that the men ho was in search of had exchanged from the Guards to a line regiment, stationed in Canada, whither he had gone to join it. Thwarted in his first attempt, Lionel sought the lieutenant's former servant, Harper, and from him, he learned the confirmation of the story respecting Rachel's death and burial, and her father's visit to Bossanquet. From him he went to the police station where the body had lain, the church where she was buried, and the registrar of the district, only to find a confirmation of the tale at every turn, and to turn away with the feeling that Heaveu itself was against him in his search. And then he went to the lodgings he had left her at. and managed to elicit from the landlady that Rachel had set left the house in company with Bos- sanquet, as the had formerly made it appear. There was a grain of comfort in this, and still more lay in the fact, which he discovered, that his wife had called repeatedly at the address he had given her for that purpose and been much distressed at finding no letters from him. Of Arthur Clevedon be never even thought; he had not seen him since his marriage, and did not dream that he had ever met his wife again, or could have given him such important news concerning her. He heard accidentally that his old friend had gone to India, and dismissed the subject from his mind. Weary and heartsick, after a week's searching, Lionel Temple was wandering aimlessly in the Park one afternoon when he heard himself hailed from the drive by a loud voice, and, turning round, saw a carriage drawn close beside him, the occupants of which were Lord and Lady Addeleigh, and their daughter Clare. Lionel raised his hat and approached the carriage with an odd feeling of consciousness as he thought of what his brother had told him, and his lordship held out a large, horny hand to the young man, ex- pressing great delight at having met him. Few would have imagined that the portly, gray- haired gentleman, with a smile and a kind word for all, who drove unexceptionable cattle, and was hand and glove with the noblest in the land, had served behind a counter at one part of his life, when fortune was at its lowest ebb with him, or that the gentle looking woman who sat beside him had shared poverty and privation with him before they reached their present prosperity; yet so it was, for Time works wonders," and not many troubled themselves respecting the antecedents of the Addeleighs. Why, we heard that you were dead, my boy," said his lordship, when he released his grasp of Lionel's hand; and right glad we were, I can assure you, to hear the news of your escape. My little Clare almost cried her pretty eyes out when the first news came to us." "Oh, papa!" ejaculated a soft, fresh voice from the corner of the carriage and Lionel turned his eyes in that direction. It was a sight worth gazing upon, that fair young face, suffused as it was with a crimson flush of shame and Lionel could not but feel gratified at the interest he had excited. Clare Addeleigh was, indeed, bewitching, though her features wanted regularity, and she had not the picturesque beauty which is set up as a standard of female loveliness; but her great charm lay in the everchanging expression that flitted over her sweet face, which was now turned towards Lionel, her soft brown eyes looking at him with that fearless candour which is never seen except in young people or dumb animals. Lionel felt a thrill pass through him. "Pshaw!" he muttered to h;mself; "a mere child." Alas for Clare's happiness She wa-s woman enough to love, and to be true. (To be continued.)

THE AMBER INDUSTRY. The only spot where amber is found in large quantities is the Baltic Sea, over a space that extends from Russia to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. At one time the quantity of this material obtained de- pended on the storms which washed the product cn to the coast, but during the last twenty-five years dredging machines ha-6 e been employed which work night and day for eight- months in the year, especially in the neighbourhood <A Memel. Further westward the amber is obtained by divers, who often remain under water for four or five hours at a time. There are also amber mines which extend to a distance of about thirty miles inland, and which are said to give employment to about 700 men.

SORROW is not an accident occurring now and then. It is the woof which is woven into the warp of life, and he who has not discerned the divine sacredncsa of sorrow, and the profound meaning which is con- cealed in pain, has yet to learn what life is. The cross, manifested as the necessity of the highest life, alone interprets it. FAILURE.-The real meaning of failure is not com- monly understood. Byron well says, They never fail who die in a great cause." It is those who never have anv great cause at heart to live for, to strive for, and, if needs be, to suffer for, who fail in the arena of life. Indeed, if we are not 6tumbhng and falling, if we are not meeting with rebuffs and de- feats, if we are going on softly and smoothly in an accustomed round, pleased with ourselves and proud of our perfections, then wo may well be afraid that we are making a failure of life itself. Only by press- ing upward and onward, in spite of sharp rocks and aching feet and painful falls, can we make the as. cent which alone reveals the beauty and the glory of life.

HYDE COLLIERY DISASTER. Shortly after nine o'clock on Friday morning a. ter- rible explosion occurred at the colliery of Messrs. J. W. Sidebotliam and Brothers, at Hyde, Cheshire, by which 23 lives have been lost. The men, over 100 in number, wont to work on the first shift at half-past five. The fireman reported the workings free from gas, and nothing wrong was observed until about a quarter-past nine, when an explosion was heard and volumes of ssioke were seen pouring along the Two Foot-way. As soon as possible a body of men went towards the place where the explosion had occurred. They were, however, unable to get within a considerable distance of the spot. There are two work- ings in the colliery-the Peacock and the Two Foot- and the explosion occurred in the latter, at a distance of about 1800 yards from the pit's mouth. The men employed in the Peacock mine were got out first un. injured, to satisfy the crowd of people who rushed to the pit bank on hearing of the explosion and when the searchers were able to proceed into the Two Foot Mine, which could not be done for some time, owing to the afterdamp, a shocking spectacle was presented. Dead bodies lay about in all directions. Seven were carried to the shaft on stretchers, but not until the afternoon were the searchers able to get to where the explosion had actually occurred, and where 20 men were known to be engaged. As the dead bodies came to the bank the scene was most affecting. A story was currcnt on the bank of a deed of heroism which should not go unrecognised. One of the saved, named John Haslam, brought out alive a youth about 16. The lad stumbled as he came along the workings, but Haslam pulled him to his feet a^ain, and encouraged him to push on. The lad again fell, but Haslam once more raised him, and both eventually got out alive and but little hurt. William Dee, one of the colliers who escaped, states that when the explosion occurred there was a noise like the fall of earth. Then a rush of fire came down upon him. After that came the fire-damp, and then complete darkness prevailed. By ten o'clock on Friday night 23 bodies had been got out. Saturday at the Hyde Colliery was a day of ex- treme quiet. The full extent of the disaster was ascertained on Friday night, when, with five persons rescued and 23 bodies recovered, all the miners in the part of the workings where the disaster occurred were accounted for. There were, of course, many persons in the neighbourhood discussing the event, but there was no further need for relief parties, and little or nothing was done in the mine beyond the commencement of a thorough examina- tion by the Government Inspector, Mr. Atkinson, who descended into the workings with his assistant', and Mr. John Higson, mining engineer, Manchester. They remained underground some hours. The Government inspector will require about a week to complete his inquiries. In the meantimo the cause of the ex- plosion is matter for speculation, the mine having always been regarded as one of the safest in the country, and one in which no danger was to be feared from working with the naked candle. It is sup- posed that this confidence was ill-founded, and that the naked candles fired some gas which had escaped owing to a fall of the roof; but no definite con- clusion can be arrived at on this point at present. The inquest was opened on Saturday by Mr. T. W. Johnson, deputy-coroner. Mr. Sidebotham, M.P., ex- pressed deep sympathy with the relatives of the deceased, and said the firm was anxious to do every- thing possible to thoroughly prove the cause of the disaster. Evidence of identification was given, and the inquest was adjourned until the 7th prox. A relief fund has been opened, to which Messrs. Side. botham have contributed £ 300, in addition to JE200 for the immediate relief of the sufferers. Three sisters of Messrs. Sidebotham have also given JE50 ea-h. A public meeting, convened by the Mayor of Hyde, was held at night in support of the relief fund.

IN GERMAN NEWGTJINEA. A correspondent of the Melbourne Argus, writing to that paper from Cooktown, gives some particulars of an exploring expedition under the leadership of Herr Hugo Zoeller, which had arrived at that town after spending some time in German New Guinea. He says :—The expedition was very successful. Herr Zoetler started from Constantinhafer with three white officers, twenty-one armed New Britain people, and a varying number of native carriers, the expedition com- prising sometimes almost 100 people. The party had friendly receptions at the various native villages but the native guide tried to humbug them by leading them round instead of forward. In the meantime the carriers began to desert, and Herr Zoeller decided on pushing ahead without the help of the natives. The long drought enabled him to march along the river-beds. Forty days were occupied in passing through a narrow gorge, which pierced the last and highest, chain of the coast range, and led into a hilly undulating country, which is thickly populated. On penetrating the first elevation of the Finisterre Range, the expedition came into contact with tribes to whom white men were apparently unknown. They were exceedingly strong-built, wild-looking, nervous fellows. All efforts to enter into friendly relations with them were answered by shooting or putting arrows on the bow. Nobody, however, was hurt. The party fired not a single shot, and doubtless tbe natives were not really hostile, but were only frightened. Traces of natives were found at an elevation of more than 4200 ft. The expedition, having traversed one-third of the distance to the English boundary along the course of the river-beds, was forced by the configuration of the country to make a turn on approaching the peaks of the Finisterre Range. They made fifteen forced marches, sometimes marching over nine hours a day, and reached the summit of the highest chain of the Finisterre Range, the height being 9000 feet. If hall a dozen sacks of rice more had remained to them, the expedition could have reached the top of Mount Gladstone, which appeared to be within a hand'! reach, but which is really about 1000ft. higher During fhe last two days of the ascent the party suffered from want of water. From the highest point reaches the glorious panorama of the gigantic peaks of the Bismarck chain, which seemed to extend over half the horizon. From a point near Astrolabe Bay, the English boundary, and following that boundary in the direction of Finschhaven between the Finisterre and Bismarck Mountains, the expedition saw another chain nearly 10,000 ft. in height, but lower than the Bismarck chain, which had never been seen by white men before. This was named the Kraetke Mountains, in honour of the German Governor of New Guinea. During the night which was spent at the height of 8400 ft., the thermometer sank to 10 deg. of Celsius. The total length of the journey, except for a few miles, was all through unexplored territory, and, in- cluding the return march, was 140 English miles. It was only on the last day that fever first ap. peared among the Europeans All the members of the party were hurt through falling among the rocks. Six of the natives were invalided from fever and wounds. The geological structure of the Finisterre Range is entirely old volcanic, the coast-range show. ing chalk formation and Randstone conglomerate. In three places fossils were found. The country greatly resembles the mountainous parts of Java. Ths further the explorers went the less game they encountered. The expedition lasted exactly one month. -==

GOVAN ELECTION. Polling for the election of a member of Parliament to represent the Govan Division of Lanark in succes- sion to the late Sir William Pearce. Rart., took place on Friday, the candidates being Sir John Pender, Liberal Unionist, and Mr W ilson, Gladstonian Liberal. The declaration of the poll was made in the evening as follows: Mr. Wilson (G.L.) r'" 4420 Sir John Pender (L.U.) 3349 Gladstonian majority # 10,11 As the late member was a Conservative the result in the present case constitutes a. pain for the (riad- stoniana. The electors numbered 9240. The poll closed amid much excitement, eRppcjapy. jn Govan itself, w here of course the contest, was keenest. The majority of the voters polled comparatively earlv in the day, and the pressure between five and eigh*. o'clock was not nearly so heavy as had been expected. After eight o'clock large numbers of voters made their way to the County Buildings in Glasgow, where the votes were counted, and by nine o'clock an enormous crowd had gathered. The result was received with tremendous cheering. At the last general in 1886, the returns were Sir W. Pearce ;C ), 3574 • Mr. T. A. Dickson (G.L.\ 3212 majority 362. The figures at the election in 1885 were: Sir W. Pea.rce (C.), 3677; Mr. J. Bennet Burleigh (L.), 3522; majority 155.

AMOKG the advertisements in a. mornings paper,is I one wherein we are informed thatu two sisters want washing. J

GOSSIP ON DRESS. THE Empire veil is (remarks a fashion writer in Cassell's Family Magazine) one of the few fashions of that period that we have not accepted with alacrity. It is too large and full, and far better suited for hats than for bonnets, but the drawing-string under the chin is not very pretty to look at, and is too much like a nosebag to be acceptable to the majority. The new veiling comes between the old narrow strip of spotted net and this new idea. It is a yard long, and rather wider than of old it is spotted, and has a real lace border of somewhat important dimensions. At present these have only been worn by the most fashionable people; in a few months they will be general. DAXCE and party dresses have been, of course, re- ceiving a larger share of attention than any other just lately (observes Mrs. Leach's Family Dressmaker). For young girls white is all the rage. Next in favour are crfme and delicate shades of pink. There is also a variety of other shades, ciel blue, pale green, and old rose colour, but white dresses decidedly have the preference. White silk and white moiré are much used, and answer well for the scanty skirts that are necessary with the immense ruches which now edge the front of the skirts. These ruches, we may say, do not go round the skirt, but simply across the front, the drapery at the back falling quite to the edge of the skirt. Back draperies are made very full, but when worn with a wide sash of moire less fulness is required. Tulle, net, and lace skirts are made in this way, with only the very full ruche in front, fringed with loops of narrow picot-edged ribbon. With these skirts the wide sash is almost indispen- sable. Bodices for full dress are cut quite low, with ) the slightest suspicion of a sleeve, or the armhole is simply edged with a ruching of tace bows of ribbon or sprays of flowers ornament the shoulders. DRESS is (says Florence Fenwick-Miller, in the Illustrated London News) certainly pretty at present. There is a tone of transition about it which leaves considerable scope for individual taste; but the general aspect is always that of long, flowing, grace- ful lines. For walking wear, the Directoire" style —the flat-sided and pleated-backed polonaise, with square pockets on the hips, and loose-edged bodice, with revers reaching nearly to the shoulder, and vest and petticoat of different material—is being very much worn. The same effect may be produced, if preferred, by draperies arranged on the skirt in a similar way and a separate bodice, with a very short point at the back, tho sides cut off so as to only just cover the waistband of the skirt, and the vest ending in a point. This style, as worn in London, still implies a certain amount of improver," the back of the waist at the extreme top being decidedly held out, though steels have entirely vanished from the skirt itself. A handsome Directoire polonaise worn the other day by a fashionable woman, who is also a well-known authoress, was of watercress-green cloth, with the back arranged in eight box-pleats, which were stuffed tightly with wadding at the waist and for about ten inches down these rouleaux stood out very ele- gantly, and there was neither steel nor pad beneat b them. The fronts of the coats in question were edged all down with deep black guipure and jet embroidery, placed behind which was a narrow band of skunk fur; the revers were covered with the embroidery. but the fur was only on the skirt of the coat. Vest and petticoat of this green gown were of black moire, fur and embroidery being placed as trimming along the hem. This dress gives a very good idea of how originality can be exercised to supply distinction to the Directoire style, which, in its plainest form, has grown common. ACTUALLY the turban and the marabout feather are coming in again for the Elyseean receptions at Paris. IN a couple of months (according to a writer on fashion in the Daily Kev:x) some of the novel modes that were inaugural fd in Paris in tho early autumn will appear in London. Among them will be a re- vival of the surplice pleats which had such vogue some years ago. Dressei, mantles, and sleeves will be pleated in this style, which has a certain beauty of its own on account of the close-clinging of the pleated fabrics to the figure and yet the absolute freedom which they leave to every limb. The pleats are so well ironed that immediately after displace- ment they fall back into their original position, lying so flat that at a little distance there seems to be only a plain surface and no pleats whatever. In the early autumn lace mantles were worn thus pleated in Paris. The folds began at the shoulder, where they were fitted into a yoke that defined the shoulder line with perfect accuracy. Through the lace the figure was visible, and though the mantle fitted tightly when the pleats were undisturbed, they yielded to every movement of the arms. There was much style about these when worn by well-dressed women. ANOTHER new fashion which will be adopted here in the season is that of hats with crowns so flat as to be imperceptible from a front view. A few of these have been seen in London, but there will be many before long Fashionable women, for some inscrutable reason, will have their heads unnaturally large in some direction, though, theoretically, they are of the opinion that a small head is a sign of good breeding and long dcscent. With the flat-crowned hats, it is to be feared, will come a revival of the hideous chigHon that did its best for seven or eight years to deprive the women of France and England of their claims to beauty and grace. Even now enormous rolls of hair are be- ginning to appear at the back of the head, ending in a catogan. Unless this tendency towards over elaboration be determinedly resisted, it will cer- tainly develop into something resembling the cushion, covered with hair, which was the butt of so much satire some 20 years ago. Why will women insist on wearing small mattresses somewhere about them ? Sculptors and artists find exceeding beauty in the outlines of the female form, but its possessors are so far from being satisfied with it that it is seldom seen undisfigured by some nenseWs addition in the shape of irrelevant stuffing beneath the clothes. Now that the mattress is gone from the hack of the waist, it threatens to fasten itself upon the back of the head. Both c.ommonsen«e and aesthetic feeling cry out upon it." hut unfortunately, Fashion is a ruler with- out a Parliament, whose decrees are as arbitrary and despotic as they are often idiotic. SKIRTS are so straight and flat now that dressmakers are omitting the once indispensable little frill at the edge, lest it should interrupt the straight line of the over-dress, and cause the latt«r to bulge at the edge. The foundation skirt is bordered with a perfectly flat, piece of the dress material, and this, in its turn, is edged with a protective line of braid. Rut frill and flounces are both now banished. Tho best-dressed women in Paris, now that they have at last abandoned the dress improver, have done so much more thoroughly than Englishwomen, who, however, were first to reject it. And it is to be feored that, in the violence of that reaction to which the true Parisienne is subject, more than any other woman on earth, she will rush to the other extreme, and make herself painfully flat and her gowns too scant and clinging. Everything at the present moment is in the direction of simplicity, with the one exception of hairdressing. All the lines of the gown are straight, with the effect that well-dressed women look unusually tall. MANY dresses are trimmed round the neck and from the shoulders to the feet with a band of fur, the two nearly meeting at the waist, but widening above and below it. Between these bands is a front of some material that contrasts with that of the over- dress. For instance, an almond-coloured cloth dress edged with beaver opens over a front of almond- coloured silk arranged in surplice pleats from neck to feet, hut caught at the waist with an antique clasp. Or, a dress of black velvet edged with silver fox is made with a front of black and white striped silk, which harmonises excellently with the fur and relieves the soft darkness of the velvet. At a recent wedding, the bride's mother wore a trained dress of pansy-coloured velvet with sable fur trimming, the fronts as above described over a front in moire silk of the precise tint of a yellow pansy. This seemed to bring out the golden lights in the fur in a subtle way, and the dark violet of the velvet was equally happy in union with the dark brown tones of the sable. ARE bustles disappearing?—Not from children's dresses certainly. I saw several little costumes (asserts a writer in the Star) for several little maids | of six or seven the other day filled with huge bustles. The bustle has had a good run. The odd thing is that every woman seems to regret its disappearance, j Yet all seem powerless to prevent it. I suppose there will be something to replace the bustle when it is discarded. Perhaps the prominence will be transferred to the head, for there is some talk of chignons. But the dress bustle hasn't gone yet. Bio FRENCH HATS, with wide romantic brims, run a keen race with the more natty, narrow, turn-up brim of English make. These large hats certainly look better than some of the little potty things that are worn on the top of a woman's head. It is when the brim in these romantic hats grow to four or six inches that they get disagreeably prominent and ugly. The soup-plate hat has by no means made a general appearance. Hats are certainly made, with crowns of very medium height. But that crown groans under a weight of ribbon which, with a bird or two, still makes a respectable show. FVFNINO dresses have not altered much in style- An attempt was made this season to introduce RII"- sian net for evening dresses, but the manager at a popular orappr's told me that they had failed miser- ably to hit the public taste. TAN and bronze are fashionable shades in evening shees. We are promised a novelty shortly in these articles. Imitation alligator skin is to be introduced as material for evening wear. It look. rather ugly, but no doubt the want of something new will make it go. A prettily-shaped evening shoe is the Mikado. It is made chiefly in bronze kid, and sets eft a high Instep, which hide. Another thoe is fiitcned with a broad ribbon, which comes from the back. Tjoe newest shoe is made in red and white ttticet