Flintshire Observer Mining Journal and General Advertiser for the Counties of Flint Denbigh

UR LONDOS CORRESPONDENT. So many and such varied rumours have been current in London Society during the past few. as fo the health of the Princess OT Wale's, 1 that the average uninformed person may well have been puzzled as to precisely how her Royal Highness is, and what for the next few months sha intends to do. It had been positively stated, for instance, that, although she had 'virtually recovered from her recent attack of the influenza, her spirits remained so low that she did not intend for the future to take any more part in State functions than she was compelled, and that she would be very little seen again in society either in London or in the country- house. But now it is being asserted, and upon authority that should be, equally good, that her Royal Highness proposes to take her usual part in the engagements of the London season, and that the disquieting reports respecting her health and her intentions to withdraw from society are wholly devoid of foundation. Evory citizen of those realms will most heartily trust that the later variant of the current rumour is true, and that the Princess of Wales is indeed so fully recovered that her graceful presence may once more be expected to be seen at the great functions of the Court at which she has been accustomed to attend. The popu- larity she enjoys among us all is unique, for both in quality and degree it has never pre- viously been accorded to a Princess of Wales, and that that popularity may always exist upon so substantial a foundation will be the lasting wish of everyone. Simultaneously as these sinister rumours concerning the Princess of Wales were being somewhat sedulously circulated, similar re- ports were being promulgated concerning the Htar-Apparent. These were not, perhaps, so grave, but they were equally circumstan- tial and, from the fact that the Prince of Wales was commencing to prefer quadrilles to more energetic dances, it was an easy step to say that he was ceasing to care for any active exercise at all. But in the case of the Prince as of the Princess, these reports would appear altogether to have been exaggerated. It is, of course, quite conceivable that a lady who is just fully recovering from a severe attack of the influenza is not as eager for a continuous round of social festivities as one who is in the enjoyment of the most robust health. Equally, it may be taken for granted that a gentleman who is in his fifty-third year is not as desirous of participating in the valse a trois temps as when he was younger. But all that is quite different from assuming that either of the illustrious couple, who in the course of natuK«-. will be the King and Queen of this reahn, -ire so ill as to; be beyond reach of the accustomed duties and enjoyments of their class. Such reports. indeed, are exceedingly easy of invention, but this very facility should put the average Briton on his guard. English authors have been accustomed to show much pluck in the choice of a subject, and equal determination in carrying their work to an end, but they will need the utmost allow- ance of both these qualities in order to win the prize most recently offered to them. Lord Rosebery, as Foreign Secretary, has been in- formed. it appears, by our Charge d'Affaires at Cettmje that the Montenegrin Government proposes to celebrate in 1896 the two-hundredth anniversary of the accession to the throne of the first member of the present reigning family; and that, in connection with this, a prize of five thousand francs, or two hundred and fifty pounds, will be given for the best history of the Principality from then until now. Histories in English, it is noted, will be accepted, but as there are no Montenegrin officials who possess sufficient knowledge to en- able them to judge a work written in our language, the condition is imposed that the authors shall furnish the Government at Cettinje with the means by which it may be judged, or shall indicate how this can be done. It is not many authors possessing historical leanings who would be attracted to Montenegro as a subject, romantic as the chronicle of the Black Mountaineers has been but the added condition as to teaching the Montenegrins how to understand English may be considered an almost absolute bar to competition from these parts. The German Emperor's birthday last Satur- day was celebrated in London, not merely by the hoisting of the Prussian standard at the German Embassy, but by a banquet, over which Count Metternich, the Councillor of the Embassy, presided in the absence of Count Hatzfeldt, the German Ambassador, at Brighton, owing to a slight indisposition. The birthday was also celebrated with considerable festivity at the German clubs in the metropolis, whereat much congratulation was expressed at the conciliatory meeting on the previous day between the Emperor and Prince Bismarck; and it was this historical event, indeed, which lent colour to this year's Imperial birthday. Quite,apart from any political consequences that may flow from this reunion—and such are likely to be more far-reaching than are suspected by the casual observer-the personal aspects were most interesting. It is close upon four years that Prince Bismarck, after his dismissal from the Imperial Chancellorship, left Berlin ex- claiming Le l'oi me reverra." And now his Sovereign has called him back, and one of the most striking figures in modem European his- tory has come prominently to the front again. Railway shareholders were probably prepared for the evil condition of things which, in the dividend-declaring direction, has just been in store for them, but that can scarcely have made the announcements of diminished distribution of profits any more acceptable to them. The coal struggle, of course, has been largely respon- sible for this, but the general depression in the whole commerce of the country has had more to do with it, and against such a combination of circumstances even the most astute of rail- way managers fight in vain. Very long faces have been pulled in Cipel-court as divi- dend after dividend has been declared, showing in every instance a decrease, which was sometimes as much as three per cent. Probably, if this loss fell only upon professonal speculators, the average onlooker would not feel greatly grieved but it happens that a large proportion of our railway stock is held by the thrifty and the comparatively poor, and that upon these any decrease of dividend weighs with extreme seriousness, for it is to them not a mere loss of profit but a tangible lessening of income. While in the Australasian colonies there has of late years been a steady decrease in the number of overt inducements to immigants to settle there, the Canadian colonies con- tinue to do their best to attract new settlers. The Agent-General of the latter in London is just now engaged, indeed, in setting before intending emigrants from this country the advantages of proceeding to the Dominion. The usual inducements to emigrate—namely, a grant of about one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, and a money bonus—are being offered; and it is being pointed out to those who wish to take advantage of these terms that the farmer delegates who visited the Dominion last autumn have reported strongly in favour of it as a land for settlement. It is not for sentimental reasons alone that those of us who stay at home would wish that intending emigrants from these shores should proceed to Canada instead of to the United States. Not merely is it that we would desire them all to retain their allegiance to the great Empire under whose protecting care they were born and nurtured, but that the Canadians are, head for head, far better customers to us than the inhabitants of the United States. In .,& fUøQ ,1 » this case it is peculiarly the fact that trade follows the flag, and, in so far as emigration is desirable, the efforts of Canada can certainly be commended. Y Mr. Justice Hawfcuvs, who has always been considered a very butspoken judr- certainly justified that reputation at the Law Courts a few days since by saying some very pointed things as to the present methods of einp annel ling a jury. It appeared that sovera o the s jurymen whose names were called before hl": had died, and Sir Henry Hawkins observed that it was monstrous that, when jurors were re- t quired, the farce should be gone through of summoiding dead men whoni-lie added with a touch of his own grim humour—he could not fine for absence. The sheriffs' officers, of course, may reply that London is a very vast place, and that it is not as easy a process to purge the lists of the dead as it would be in a small town. But there is much to be said, from a practical point of view, in favour of Mr. Justice Hawkins's idea that the present system is largely a farce. Some men under it are sum- moned frequently; others never in the course of their householding lives and such of the reason for this as is not ludicrous is apt to be j a little venal. R.

NEWS NOTES. j THE great reconciliation is consummated. The astute, if impulsive, German Emperor has j healed the breach between himself and Prince j Bismarck. The Kaiser sent the Iron Chancellor j of other days a bottle of rare old wine and a cordial invitation to his birthday festival; and Bismarck, propitiated, accepted both, The grandson of the hoary diplomat's master had his illustrious visitor from Frederichsruh re- J ceived with fitting honours in Borlin, and j saluted Bismarck cordially on both cheeks. Later the Emperor gave his veteran guest, j as a special mark of favour, grey cloth | for the making of a coat such as he wears himself habitually on all pos- sible occasions. This apparently complete making up of a painful quarrel is very popular in Germany. Kaiser William has done great things in gathering hia empire into closer touch, but his recall of the old pilot who steered Germania in stormy and fateful days may be reckoned as wise and graceful a deed as he ever resolved upon. THERE has been jubilation in many circles at the prospect of a return to Britain of Mr. Jabez Spencer Balfour, who is, perhaps, as widely known a person as any of British birth, and whose absence abroad has been deeply and largely lamented. Probably, however, the former chief controller of the Liberator and its I kindred concerns will not, for reasons of pri- vate and personal convenience, be back ¡ among his old friends sooner than is considered absolutely necessary by those who are endeavouring to secure his; home- coming. It is stated that some of the de- positors in the Liberator are endeavouring to arrange for their old managing director a fitting reception on his landing at Southampton. It is impossible to say, though, with any show of certainty, exactly when that will be. No doubt Mr. Balfour's talked-of change of residence from the Argentina is desirable in many ways especially as it is in his power to give valuable information respecting some missing millions of money, and to clear up numerous matters which are causing perplexity to all concerned, pecu- niarily or officially, in the winding of the Liberator and its allied companies. Meanwhile nothing should be said or written in any way calculated to prejudice the interests of justice —justice to Mr. Balfour and all who have been in any way associated with him, either as confix dants or colleagues. Jl .f KHEDIVE ABBAS has climbed down "—to use an expressive modern slangy phrase—with celerity. He said some very disparaging things, perhaps prompted by jealous native underlings, about the British officers who are his salvation and the salt of his army. The Sirdar, Colonel Kitchiner, naturally resented and our Foreign Office properly gave him support. Now the Khedive has publicly swallowed his offensive words, and perforce bestows praise where before he had nought but blame to give. And so the incident ends. It is well. Perhaps the youth- ful ruler of the ancient land of the Pharaohs will some day learn who are his real friends. But for British help where would he have been to-day ? ————— OUR neighbours across the Channel are as fitful in their political faith as they are volatile by nature, and France is never long without a ii crisis of some sort or other. If Cabinets are not falling and changing there is some Socialist or Anarcliist scare disturbing the fair land. The latest sensation is occasioned by the shouting of Long live the Commune!" in the Chamber by a Deputy named Thrivier, a man who wears regu- larly at his legislative work the typical blue blouse of the Gallic labourer. He was turned out of the Chamber by a detachment of the Republican Guard, suspended for some days, and deprived of a portion of his senatorial pay. The affair has, however, created considerable turmoil, in Paris especially, and more may be heard of it. MR. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN pleases many and displeases many when he talks in his plain and forceful way about politics but when he con- fines himself to the consideration of commerce all discerning folk are inclined to allow him to be rated an eminent authority. It is gratifying to see him, therefore, following in the wake of Sir Courtney Boyle, and prophecying a speedy departure of the depression which has hung latterly over trade in general. Let us hope that they may both be right, and that the lessons of a dull time, with its necessity for economisation of produce and stimulation of resourcefulness, may tend to the future advantage of the in- dustries of Britain and the world in general. A WEALTHY deceased Salopian, Mr. Thomas Harper Adam, has devised property valued at some £ o0,000 for the teaching of practical and scientific agriculture in the county with which he was associated and its neighbourhood. This is a sensible and worthy way of disposing of money at death, for no occupation is in such need of assistance in getting up to the exigent requirements of to-day as the peculiarly British industry of farming. £ 50,000 should, if sapiently spent, do much towards the inculca- tion in the Midlands of an effective knowledge of the Royal Agricultural Society's motto, Practice with Science." WE heard a good deal the other week about a queer banquet of a body called the Thirteen Club in London, at which much ridiculing of superstitious objections to salt-spilling, walking under ladders, the crossing of knives, and the like was paraded but the ignorant old-world beliefs survive for all that. Here is an officer's cook in a southern garrison town buying wish-papers and dragon's blood, and giving money to put into loving cups and for other alleged ways of fortune-finding. The dame who was duping the simple domestic has gone to hard labour for seven days for practising her occult profession; but she had the audacity at the police-station to offer to tell the fortune of the detective who appre- hended her We suppose there will always be some cheating old harridans with a reputation for seeing into the future as long as there are foolish servant-girls willing to give them silver for the prediction of their possible matrimonial course. Which is equivalent to saying that in this harmonious world there is an assortment of sharps and flats. .'•V. "J,

A DURHAM MIRACLE. A MISBtt's MIUACULOUB PIRLBASS. (From the "Di#rAam CAromicle,) The miner follows a difficult and dangerous soiling. Even if ho etcipec the dire result of an explosion or some other form of accident, his labour in the dark and narrow passage* of the mine, in a general way. impairs his physical nature, and often enough, at forty or fifty years of age, you find him bent in figure, iroken' in health, and prematurely aged. A miner, Mr. Henry Harrison, living at Station Town, Wingate, a populous village in the thiok of the eastern collieriea of Durham, suffering from sciatio pains of crippling severity, has ro- cently been miraculously restored. His condition less than six mouths ago was one of helplessness, but now he has recovered vigorous health, and daily ?ursues his ha«ardous occupation as a hewer in the Vingate Colliery, though fifty years of age, with all the freshness of sturdy manhood. Mr. Harrison's wonderful recovery is generally talked of in 'the dis- trict, and his work-fellows marvel at his changed condition. During this week a member of the staff of'the Durham Chronicle called upon Mr. garrison at 56, Vane-street, Station Town,Wingate, to inquire into his case. A son of Mr. Harrison's admitted him, and said his father would b& pleased to tell the" reporter all about the case. When Mr. Harrison entered the room the reporter was astounded. A man in the best of health arid in the. pink of condition stood before him, and in answer to his enquiries explained that eight or nine years ago he first suffered with that dreadful disease sciatica, but it was not until three years ago that it became severe, and from that time up to a few months ago he was troubled with it almost con- tinuously. Sometimes it was very severe, arid at other times it would be a bit easier. During the latter periods he would go to Work, but the Eain endured was most distressing "I think ardly another tnaH ever worked under such conditions," said Mr. Harrison. This, however, did not last long, and I was obliged to stay off work from time to time—sometimes a few days, but oftener for a week or a fortnight. I was beginning to feel that life was a burden, so fruitless was every attempt to effect a cure of my complaint. I have spent pounds and pounds again, but all to no purpose. I have tried several doctors, but they never did me the slightest good. Indeed, one of them suffered from sciatica, so that if he could not cure himself it was hardly likely he could cure other people." "What else have you tried, Mr. Harrison?" Well," he said, I've tried, I am thankful to say, Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People. I heard of the wonderful effect they had had on other severe cases, and also read of them in the newspapers. Several Qf the cases described seemed to be men who had suffered like myself, so I thought I would give them a trial. I went to the chemist, Mr. Cross, in Wingate, and got a box. I felt they did me good straight away. The cure was only effected gradually, though. You don't get sciatic pains, such as I had, cured in no time. I felt the Pills were doing me good, and I persevered with them. That is about six weeks since." Then Mr. Harrison, to give a practical demonstration of his freedom from pains and his physical fitness, walked in vigorous fashion across the floor of the room. That doesn't look much like pains does it ?" said Mr. Harrison. Before I took Dr. Williams' Pills," he continued, I could not have walked like that, to save my life. When I was able to get to my work, I had often to sit down and rest, unable to go on any longer, and my journey home from the pit, when the pain had been severe, was undertaken with tne greatest difficulty, The seat of the pain was in my left hip, and round towards my back. Sometimes, too, it was in my left leg, like a rope tied tightly round. I could not sleep in bed because of the pain in my side. My back was doubled, and seemed to twist on one side, and I despaired of being anything but a helpless cripple for the rest of my life. I think Dr. Williams' Pink Pilfe for Pale People the only remedy for ailments like mine, and I would always advise those similarly afflicted to try them." After hearing Mr. Harrison's story of his marvel- lous cure, my next care was to secure corroboration of it. He had told me of his connection with the Primitive Methodists of Wingate, so I found the minister of the chapel, the Rev. Wm. Baitey. Yes," said Mr. Baitey, I know of the pains from which Mr. Harrison suffered. He was a great sufferer, and I look upon it as a simple duty of acknow- ledgment to add my testimony to the wonderful' cure of Dr. Williams' Pink Pills effected in him." That was sufficient. Mr. Baitey was abundahtly satisfied as to the certainty of the cure, and as to the medicine which had brought it abont. I Aèxt saw the chapel steward, one of -the most widely- reepectcd men in the village, Mr. S. Colwill, con- tractor. He also corroborated the statement of the minister, and equally convincing proof was forth- coming from Mr. J. T. Cross, chemist, of Wingate, from whom Mr. Harrison purchased the Pills. There is not the least doubt that, as shown in this and other cases, that Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People are recognised as one of the greatest modern medicines, a perfect blood builder and nerve restorer, Curing such diseases as rheumatism, sciatica, neu- ralgia, partial paralysis, locomotor ataxy, St. Vitus' dance, nervous headache, nervous prostra- tion, and the tired feeling resulting therefrom, diseases depending upon humours in the blood, such as scrofula, chronic erysipelas, &c. Dr. Williams' Pink Pills restore pale and sallow complexions to the glow of health, and are a specific for all the troubles peculiar to the female sex, while in the case of men they effect a radical cure in all cases &rising from mental worry, overwork, or excesses of whatever nature. These Pills are manufactured by the Dr. Williams Medicine Company, of 46, Hoi born-viaduct, London, England (and of Brockville, Canada), and are sold by Chemists everywhere (but only in boxes with pink wrapper bearing the full name, Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People) at 2s. 9d. a box, or six boxes for 13s. 9d., or they may be had direct by post from the Company at the same price. Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People are never sold in bulk, or by the dozen or hundred, for any dealer who offers substitutes in this form is trying to defraud you, and should be avoided.

A CELEBRATED" FOOT ARTIST." Elizabeth Kunneich, the foot artist," a well- known figure at Belgian fairs and popular enter- tainments, but a German by birth, has been wooed, won, and wedded. The lover who asked for her foot (we cannot say her hand, for she has .neither hands nor arms) and obtained it, is an Austrian impresario, who has doubtless made a lucky match from the money point of view, for her earnings are said to be very large. The wedding was celebrated in Verniers, first at the mayoralty and then at the church. At the civil marriage" Elizabeth signed the legal document with her right foot, and at the ecclesiastical marriage the priest placed the wedding-ring upon the fourth toe of the bride s left foot. It seems probable, from a portrait of the lady, that if she had been blessed with hands and arms nobody would have fallen in love with her., WNW

ASSOCIATION OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTES. At a meeting of representatives of technical insti- tutions from all parts of the country, hold at the rooms of the Society of Arts, in London, it was resolved to constitute an Association of Technical In- stitutions. Rules and a formal statement of objects were drawn up, and a Parliamentary committee, council, and officers for the ensuing year were elected. !mom

LORD ROBERTS ON OUR NAVY. Lord Roberts was, on January 26, presented with. the freedom of the borough of Cardiff, and in acknowledging the honour insisted on the importance of maintaining our maritime supremacy. The British Army and Navy must be strong, welf-organised, and ready in all respects to give due emphasis to diplo- matic representations.

ToPSAlf-Whon the auctioneer reaches the garret

THE RECONCILIATION OF BISMARCK AND THB EMPEROR WILLIAM. Prince Bismarck left Priedriolwruh at half-past nine on the morning of January 26, and reached Berlin at one o'oloek. There wore enthusiastic demonstrations both at his departure and on hie arrival in the capital. He was re- ceived at the Berlin railway station by Prince Henry, the Emperor's brother, and a number of official personages, and rode in a State carriage through an immense crowd of cheering^epectatQrs up the TXnter den Linden, which was profusely decorated, to the Royal Palace. Here he was met by the Emperor, who welcomed and embraced him heartily. He afterwards lunched with the Emperor and Empress. The Emperor nominated him chief of the 7th Regiment of Cuirassiers, and in the evening the Prince entertained a deputation of the regiment at dinner. Manifestations of popular dehghf orcT the completion" of the reconciliation between the Emperor and the great statesman con- tinued in Berlin throughout the day, and most of the newspapers published articles expressing warm satis- faction at the event. In the evening the Emperor accompanied the Prince to the railway station and bade hiWfarewell on his departure for Friedrichsruh.

THE SPEAKER AND THE BOARD OF CONCILIATION. The Speaker has nominated Lord Shand to be Chairman of the Board of ConciliatiQn established in accordance with the Rosebery agreement, and his lordship hM accepted the olfice.

A QUAINT PROCESSION. The annual procession of the fat bullock," with which the period of Lent, usg-d to be ushered in in., P^*is, has been discontinued for some years: J,t" is to be revived 'this year at Versailles. The fat bullock, decked out with garlands of roses, will be followed by men dressed as sacrificial priests and lictors, and a number of allegorical cars containing figures, of heathen gods and goddesses designed to impersonate the industries of the place, and even the "Versailles Canqil,.the construction of whicfy, has just been approved by the Government. The poor will not be forgotten, the occupants of one car being told off to collect subscriptions from the charitable. The bullock is afterwards to be raffled, the price of the tickets being fivepence each. As there are possibly people who, if they had a real live bullock, might feel emarbrassed somewhat in the same way as Mr. Pickwick with the horse, it is announced that the promoters of the entertainment are ready to ransom the beast for 1000 francs.

DR. NANSEN'S EXPEDITION. A communication has been received at the Royal Geographical Society from Captain Wiggins, dated from Yeniseik, on the Yenisei, December 7, 1893. 1 It is of considerable intereist connection with Dr. Nansen's Polar expedition. After referring to his own voyage last summer with a flotilla of ships to the mouth of the Yenisei, Captain Wiggins goes on to say "The question with respect to Nansen now is, how has he succeeded, ,notomerely. in -paosing the Kara Sea, and perhaps visiting Diekson's Harbour, but rather how has he managed to pass the northermost ?romontory of these Arctic shores, Cape Chelyuskin ? am rather afraid he has had some trouble, seeing that, I found the drift-ice very close iia-shore to the northward of Dickson's Harbour; but, as our voyage did not admit of a deviation sufficient for properly inspecting that ice and ascertaining whether f or not it impinged closely on to the north-west land, I am unable to give a decided opinion as to success or | non-success. 'This l'must say, I never before saw the ice in that vicinity so late in the season; still, that must not be taken as a drawback or hindrance to the steady and successful progress of the Fram. I sincerely hope that the iceweaawwasat afairdistancefromthe land, in which case we may, perhaps, have news, by way of the Lena, of the safe wintering of the little band at or in the vicinity of the New Siberian Islands, pro- viding always that Nansen has an opportunity of com- municating with the mainland. On the other hand, I should not be surprised to nnd that Nansen has gone farther to the northward, should the lead of the outer edge of the main pack permit of his doing so. In such a case we can have no further 'news of his doings until we hear of his safe return by way of the Pole, or retreat by way of the Novaia Zemlya sefis, the Kara Sea, or the Siberian coast. I recommended his- .keeping, if possibly- tin the line of and near the meridian of Cape Chelyuskin, or not farther eastward than the 100th degree, and to avoid the dangerous vicinity Of-the new'Siberian Islands. I hope he has been able to do this. Of course, should the trend of the heavy pack-ice edge lead him eastward, he is bound to go; but I much fear the shallow water and the strong erratic currents of the Siberian Islands may cause them much trouble. I have been confirmed in this belief by the experience of Dr. Bunge, of the Russian Imperial ltVY, who has been located on the desolate islands for the last five years. He has but just left that spot, where he has been making scientific inquiries, to join this, our present expedition from England. "On the other had, should Nansen have been prevented from rounding the Chelyuskin Cape, or have been compelled to retreat to Dickson's Harbour for the winter, then we ought to have heard of him by the many natives who roam about those parts. This absence of news leads me to think that he has rounded the Cape, in which case I hope he has gone well northward, where the strong and steady currents from the Kara Sea join the stream of these mighty Siberian rivers. By this route I have every faith that the expedition will reach a high latitude, dis- cover new lands, and perhaps closely approach the vicinity of the Pole itself." In a later letter Captain Wiggins states that Baron Toll and another Russian officer had just arrived from the New Siberian Islands. They had landed stores, &c., at the northern islands of the New Siberian group. They assured Cftptain Wiggins that should the expedition require to retreat by way" of the Siberian Islands and the Lena, or any part of the coast between that and Cape Chelyuskin, the natives have been ordered to lend assistance.

— — I EIKPLAND AND HER COLONIES* THADH EHLATIQXS. A representative of Reuter's Agency has had an intertiewwithiflieHotourable Robert Reid, Victorian' Minister of Defence, who has just arrived in London from Melbourne on an important mission from his Government. By the terms of his commission, Mr. Reid was despatched by Lord Hopetoun "To proceed to Eng- land, Canada, the United. States of America, and other countries, to make inquiries with a view to estab- lishing markets for the products of the colony of Victoria, and generally extending its trade; also To confer with regard to a telegraphic cable via the Pacific Ocean, the coinage of silver and bronze at the Melbourne branch of the Royal Mint, and matters relating to the defences of the colony Also to investigate the management of the Victorian Court of the Imperial Institute in London, and to inquire into the sphere and scope of operations of the Agent-General's office, with a view to their extension commercially in the interests, of colonial producers Also to make inquiries (especially in America) as to the management of railways and the qualifications necessary in a manager, for economic and efficient working, and generally to make such other inquiries in the interests of the colony as he may deem fit." Speaking on the subject of his mission, Mr. Reid said: You will see that my mission is at once important and comprehensive. On my wav home I had an interview with the Governor of Cevlon and General Justice, commanding the troops in the island, with regard to supplying the garrison with frozen. meat from Victoria, and my suggestions metwith sympathy and promises of co-operation. < After conferring with the authorities here on the I various subjects included in my mission, I shall pro- < ceed to Canada and the United States, and also visit 1 any foreign countries I may regard as likely to enter I into reciprocal relations with the colony. I One of the most important objects of my visit is ( the discussion of the matter of Imperial defence. We I enjoy at present the protection of the ordinary fleet on the Australian station, as well as that of the auxiliary force, for which the Colonies pay £ 130,000 annually. While, therefore, we have a sufficient force to pro- tect our own shoresand We in Australia have spent many millions for that purpose—including 38,500 well-drilled' and efficient men ready for service, we must recognise that our existence" and our future welfare depend upon our command of the seas. This must be maintained at all costs. That the free passage at all times of the natural products of Australasia and the manufactures of Great Britain in return should be assured is an abso- lute necessity for the welfafe of the Eiilpire. The Government of Victoria recognises that the future of that great colony depends upon the increase of the natural products of the soil, animal, vegetable, and mineral, and in order to secure a profitable market for colonial produce, we have sent special' delegates to India, China, Japan, and the Straits, as well as to England, the United States, and Canada. We in Australia, feel that every investor and manu- facturer in Great Britain is equally interested in this important movement. Upbn'the further development of these resources depends the whole volume of trade in the future. In my opinion the present commercial depression results from the prevalent want of confi- dence exhibited by Britishers towards the colonists, tending to the destruction of the manufacturing interests of the mother country. It is," continued Mr. Reid, to try and throw a new lightupon existing relations fhafl have come to England." Speaking of the financial and general situation Mr. Reid said Although the Australian debt may be £ 188,000,000. it must not be forgotten that gold has been shipped to the extent of £ 328,000,000. In additton to this there has been an annual output of silver, copper, wool, wheat, wine, butter, &c., and this production has not ceased, notwithstanding the depression in the colony, but is gradually and steadily increasing. The financial position in Australia as regards a gold reserve is to-day stronger than for many years past, but the low price of all products hinders the rapid recovery of the finance of the colony. Things are steady at present, and while there is certain to be a recovery, it will, nevertheless, be very gradual, and we cannot expect that the volume of trade of past years will be again reached for a very long time. On the subject of the Pacific cable the Minister said: We recognise it as an Imperial necessity that there should be a cable passing entirely through British territory and tending to cement the ties between Great Britain and her great colonies in Canada and Australia. The expense of this should be borne proportionately by the Imperial Government and the colonies interest. The cost of the alternative cable would not be great, having regard to the enormous interests involved, and it is believed that it would pay interest on expenditure from the date of completion. My visit to the United States is for the special purpose of inquiring into the working of the Ameri- can railway system, and to see if any lessons can be learnt in the working of the lines. American and Australian railways are alike in that they have to traverse long tracts of sparsely populated country. In addition to this matter I have to arrange reci- procal trade relations with the United States. ——

IRON AND COAL. There is rather a more cheerful tone in the iron trade of South Staffordshire and East Worcester- shire. Export business, however, remains weak in nearly all branches. Home orders show more energy, both in branded and lower qualities. Shoe bars are selling in good parcels, and tire flats and half rounds are also in very favourable demand. Busi- ness in cable rounds is not showing much change. Bolt rods and nut bars are in fair request. The nail and small rod mills continue in steady operation. The commoner kinds of hoop iron are in good in- quiry. Strips are in improved demand. Steel kinds, for tube and hinge purposes, are selling in larger parcels. Locomotive and gas qualities are in medium sale. The demand for angles, tees, and other sectional kinds is mode- rately good. Local sales show a steady in- crease for sizes for bridge, roofing, and gasholder purposes. Joist and channel sections are in fairly brisk request. Sales of rivet bars are well main- tained. Link rod and draw bar iron is in quiet request. Half-rounds, ovals, and moulding bars are in medium demand. Screen bars are in tolerably brisk inquiry. Steel bars in ordinary sizes are in fair sale. Plating, edge tool, and stamping sorts are hardly so brisk. Blooms, billets, &c., continue to be asked for in fair quantities. The sheet mills are doing a fair business. Tin-plate and tinned-sheet makers 1' are doing a steady trade. The fender trade is quieter than usual. The vice and anvil-trade is light. The bedstead trade is fairly brisk. The pig-iron market is firm, and makers are consigning steady deliveries. The coal trade is pretty brisk both in the works and The coal trade is pretty brisk both in the works and household departments of sale. Prices show some stability. =========—=—=

THE USE OF WINDMILLS. A prize of £30 is offered for the best essay on the most advantageous way of using windmills in the production of electricity by the Society for the Encouragement of Industry, at Haarlem. The essays must be sent in before July 1. There is no restriction as to nationality and language. r

A LITTLE girl hearing it said that she was born on the king's birthday, took no notice of it at the time, but a day or two after asked her father if she and the king were twins.

JMt TTNION LINE fer the SOUTH AFRICAN vJ <>OU KIHLOS. Tbe R«jral Mail and [nt«cuv><ija|* Ct/Tiiucrf Mil frxtn Southftntitoa "Ttj Satnrd'ir. far &ntfh b Bm Afrima ►•<■»€, at Linfeoa, MwMri, ;»ad Canary Ulanaa. PLY T-> »M*5-8TKAM SHIP OO., Led., C*KI»1» ltd., 3uivetiM«D*bil, aii.1 'b AfrirSin Honn.W to ft1»hr>f«vn>ty CIA WiiJilLLX SiiiiVIU £ from LOtfWlt a. n I 1 1 n>k 7HK TJUJJ GOLD FIELDS of SOUTH ATRIO&i For <ph tk* Managers, DoMD CURRIE & CO.. ASK YOUR GROCER FOR A BOTTI.1&. •r ask at any Restaurant or GoSee 'l averB fox ft Grlasa of BECKETT'S WINTERING „ nu DRINK or T1U SEASON. The best non-alcoholic substitute for Brandy. An excellent preventive against Cold. A sample bottle sent per post for nine stamps. Mannfacturar, W. -eeatto Hayvood, ManchMtMw *^7O Country in tha world inviting Settlors offer. brighter JJl prospects to practical afjrioutturist.s thaii ONTARIO. Descriptive Pamphlet with Map fre« on application to th* OSTTAHIO GOVERNMENT AGENCT, HI, Bi-uuswi. k St., Liverpool. VE LaVETEiSSr. Buy direct from the Maker I beautiful flue silky Velveteen, v t at Is. 6d. Buy direct from the Maker f Laxnriou* depth ofpilH,") at Buy direct from the Maker ( tba marrel of perfoctiou ) lis. ftt Buy direct from the Maker Kcatiomy with exo-lli-ncA Buy direct from the Maker Silk Velvets aupmse.lwi. WO INTSRMZDIATi: PROFITS. Carriag'e paid ou ord«r<4 of 90s. or more. 3 iva poat-oard jratterns, whioo may be kept. THE TEXTILE MANUFACTURING OO ft Newton StrMt, Manchcaior. HARDEN REQUISITES, GREENHOUSES, 6t)C. AVrite for Catalogue,/Veef <>fF. RO8HER&C0., Old Jiuaaica Wharf, Upper Ground Street, London, 8.K. Established over 150 years. ILLIA.ED AND BAGATELLE TABLES. A. LAIIUR STOCK OP SEW ANIi .-WOND- tiAXD TAiiMiS ahvuys on hand. WKITK FOIl PRICi; LISTS. "H. 1; 1) NVAltl)14, KI.\»8LAKD nOAH. LONDON". N.K. ABERDEEN GRANITE MONUMENTS J~M- from £ 5. carris^e paid. Inscriptions accurnto awl U-autildL H*ns and Price* from J. VT. LEUQK, Bculplor. AHKROHMN. WEBBS' SEEDS. VECETABLES. I FLOWERS. Webbs' Collections pro- Webbs' Boies of Floral duce a constant supply Gems arranged for the of the best Vegetables Gardens of Ladies and all the year round. Amateurs. 61; 7/6, 12/6, 21/ 42/, & 105/- 2/6, 5/ 7/6,10/6, 421/- each, each. Delivered Free. Delivered Free. For Priced Lists. Descriptions, and Illustrations of the beat mortfi, see WEBBS' SPR TITO C ATATOGUR. Post free L' PATFLI to Customers. Abridged FAitim gmtis and Post JJTEBB & SONS, The Royal Seed Establishment, WORDSLEY, STOURBRIDGE. THE FOR -$1 SKI" 11' 50AP (for Delicate Skins), CREAM (for Itching, Face Spots, &c.), l/lie POWDER (for Redness, Roughness, &c.), 1/-

WHISTLING STRICTLY FORBIDDEN* It has probably struck most people coming to Germany, say the Berlin correspondent of the Dailly Telegraph, that whistling is seldom heard in the streets. The merry humour of the errand boy rarely finds a Vent in melody of any kind, whereas the air is, rent in Berlin with the shrieking and screaming of' children at play. For some reason or other it is con- sideredextremely vulgar, both in France and Germany, to whistle in public or even in one's own room at home it is a privilege reserved for stablemen in these J hyper-civilised countries. Tilf now, however, I never- knew that it was actually illegal for a hotel portot- to whistle by wav of calling a cab! A case in point was tried in Berlin a few days ago. A page-boy of one of the larger hotels whistled for such a vehicle, and; c was promptly ordered by the policeman on patrol to desist. The hall porter, annoyed at the interference, which he took for unjustifiable pedantry, seized the whistle and used it pretty freely. He was reported and punished by the police. He demanded the settle- ment of the question by a judge. Before his honour it was pointed oilt that from time immemorial it was customary to whistle once for a second-class cab, twice for a first-class victoria, three times for a landau, and four times for a coupe. The agent of the law feifttnitted that he had received strict orders to prohibit the use of whistles, especially in Unter den Lind«ti, where, oWing to the number of hostelries, the noise would disturb ^public peace. The police had resolved"to punish the defendant for a gross misde- meanour. The Court, it is true, took a lighter view of the" offence; but actually fined him 3s. for making a noise that disturbed the: repose of the public. The- plea was that hotel whistles were not necessary, as a boy coulC!àlways be sent to fetch a conveyance. The defendant has appealed, and there is still hope that the higher courts will not be of opinion that iuch trifling sounds can be distinguished amidst the din of ordinary traffic as being of special annoyance to anybody. Fifty years ago Prince Bismarck was pulled up at Hull for piping" some patriotic melody on a Sunday morning, but this was on the plea that he was profaning the Sabbath.- What are we to say of such draconic measures on ;t weekday in the capital of sceptical Germany ?

ROMAN WALLS. A discovery has just been made on the Koman Wall near Newcastle, which appears to be of primary im- portance. Dr. Collingwood Bruce, the eminent local archaeologist, maintained that the earthwork which runs parallel to "The Wall" on its south side was a rear defence for the stonq wall,-a, protection, against possible onslaught by unquiet. Southern Britons. There are others, no less eminent than the doctor, who believe the earthwork to be devoid of,military purposes, and probably to be older than the stone wall. Some sections just cut through the earthwork by the- Newcastle antiquaries show that this is actually the case.

Latest Exhibition Honours: First Order of Merit awarded Chicago World's Exposition, 1893. W. G. H'XEYS —————— ¡. MANUFACTURERS Tfl '.1 CELEBRATED REFINED £ B ™ ,(" DEEP, LASTING POLISH FOR I I C MII V GRATES AND STOVES. RhHWH ■ The most Popular Black Lead in Existence. y y •• -a i i<- r IJ

THE KHEDIVE AND HIS ENGLISH OFFICERS. The Khedive of Egypt, acting on the advice of his Ministers, has withdrawn by telegraph all adverse criticism of the frontier force, and consented to sign a general order expressing his satisfaction with the condition of the force and the British officers com- manding it. He also agrees to the removal of Maher Pasha from all connection with the army as soon as civil employment can be found for him.

A CHASE AFTER BANK NOTES. While a Leeds bank clerk was walking along Boar- lane, Leeds, on Jan. 27, a gust of wind blew off his hat. He was running to recover it when a bag which he carried flew open and bank notes of the value of £ 2000 fell out and were blown in all directions. After an exciting chase, in which many persons joined, all the notes except one for 1:100 were re- covered.

ALCOHOL AND SMALL-POX. In the. Medical Pioneer Dr. John Moir, the well- known West Ham medical superintendent, writes on The Treatment of Small-pox Without Alcohol." Moved thereto by the results obtained Jby iDr. Bird- wood in the hospital ships at Long Reach, Deptford, Dr. Moir determined to treat his small-pox cases without alcohol. This determination was put into effect in 1886, with the result," says Dr. Moir, that the average mortality in the last 500 treated by me has diminished from 17 per cent. to 11 per cent., and in the last 200 cases has been only eight per cent. I do not wish to push post hoc ergo propter hoc too far, but I am entitled to say that the patients certainly have not suffered in any way by the disuse of alcohol; and so many apparently hopeless cases have I now seen recover without its use, tjiat I do not regret the substitution of safer remedies. I should be afraid again to treat sinall-pox cases with alcohol, fearing that the mortality would again rise, and that my treatment was responsible for that rise and consequent loss of life. Milk, ice and milk, carbonate of ammonia, citric acid, and the like have been my substitutes for alcohol in 500 cases referred to, and in the medicines supplied to the patients alcoholio tinctures or alcohol in any shape had no place, glycerine having been used instead, 'Islo along with liquors-and infusions, sa that there should be no possibility of doubt entering into my mind, or that of the staff, or anyone else,, that, alcohol or alcoholic tinctures in the medicine took the place of brandy, wines, or beer adminietetred, as such to the patients either during their illness or convalescence. I know of no other reason for. thft.reduced mortality. This record may encourage other observers to adopt the non-alcoholic treatment, and will most assuredly confirm them by their own experience of its trust- worthiness and superior efficacy."

THE gamester, if he die a martyr to his profession, is doubly ruined. He adds his soul to every other loss, and, by the aot of suicide, renounces earth to forfeit heaven. (: S Ufici-'Af. :ii't Uiat* X- '.i. t • .t • r r if