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

NMARLT every shop in Japan for the sale of foreign foods is furnished with a s.gn in a foreign language No matter whether the language is intelligible ,if it is only in foreign characters, that is enough. Many of these signs afe a study The al country Boot and Shoe Small or Fine Wares; Old Curious "Horsehoe maker instruct by French horse leech Cut Hair Shop" If you want sell watch, I will buy if you want buy watch, I will sell. Yes, Sir, we will, all will. Come at my shop. Watch-maker. "Hatter Native Country;" "Antematic of Nausea Marina;" "The House Build for the manufacture of all and best kinds of Hats and Caps." I

CHINO-JAPANESE WAR. PORT ARTHUR TAREN. Despatches from Port Arthur, via Hwang-Ju, d&ted Thursday of last week announce that the fortress, with the dockyard and arsenal, has been captured by the Japanese. For a fortnight previously Marshal Oyama's army had been steadily marching in two division down the peninsula. Early on the Wednesday morning the right divi- sion crept up the range of low hills north-west of the port, and carried them with a rush. A heavy fire was then opened on a strong redoubt about 1000 yards distant, under cover of which the Japanese infantry advanced without faltering, and about nine o'clock carried the redoubt by storm in most gallant fashion. The Chinese, who had directed a deadly shell fire against the advancing troops, stood for a minute or two against the final onslaught, fighting fiercely, and then fled towards the dockyard. The division then marched against Koh-chin-san fort, which was armed with several heavy Krupp guns, and strengthened by trenches and loopholed mud walls. At noon the fort itself was stormed and captured after a short but desperate fight. By three o'clock in the afternoon the right division were in full possession of the western part of the stronghold. Meanwhile the left division had been fiercely engaged on the south cast. Advancing over the hills, they first had to clear the enemy out of some outlying works. Then their progress was momentarily checked by a very heavy tire from three forts, connected by trenches, strongly held and well placed on high ground. A heavy can- nonade ensued, and eventually the infantry, taking advantage of the brushwood and other cover, rushed to the attack. The final assault, was splendidly delivered, the enemy being driven headlong from their works after making a gallant stand. By the evening Port Arthur was in possession of the Japanese, but the enemy still held some eight or 10 redoubts on the coast line, mounting about 20 guns. The Japanese bivouacked on the hills and in the cap- tured forts. Early on the morning of Thursday, Laomu and other forts were attacked in succession, all being captured without serious loss to the con- querors. In some of the forts the Chinese are reported to have fought with unflinching gallantry, and, refusing quarter, were cut down to a man. OFFICIAL DESPATCHES. A despatch from Marshal Oyama to the Imperial beadquartera at Hiroshima, dated Port Arthur, November 22, stated: His Majesty's second army is in possession of Port Arthur. The right division stormed and captured the fort westward of the artillery parade-ground at half-past eight yesterday morning, and then advanced in the direction of the port, where the troops stormed and captured Fort Koh-chin-san. The left division stormed and captured the main fort to the south-east of Hachiriso. To-day the two divisions captured the remaining forts. The enemy fought bravely throughout. Our killed and wounded over 200. The enemy's loss in killed, wounded, and pri- soners not yet definitely ascertained. We have cap- tured a great quantity of cannon, ammunition, and other material. The enemy numbered over 20,000." A despatch boat left Ping Yang inlet on Sunday morning for Port Arthur with messages from the Emperor of congratulations to Marshal Oyama, and thanks to his brave troops. An official despatch from Admiral Ito says that the united squadron stood off shore during the engagement, merely attracting seaward the attention of the coast batteries. Since Friday the sailors of the fleet have been hard at work re- moving the numerous torpedoes protecting the mouth of and entrance to the port. The dockyard and arsenal were found in perfect order. Admiral Ito adds that the ships in port have been handed over to the naval department, but gives no particulars of Lhe vessels captured. A BRITISH WARSHIP rRESENT. II.M.S. Porpoise was present at the capture of Port Arthur, and witnessed the engagement. and the successful storming of the stronghold. The Japanese have secured a great deal of spoil, no fewer than 10,000 tons of coal and 3,000,000 taels worth of ammunition having fallen into their hands. It is believed, from news received at Shanghai, to be the intention of the commanders of the combined Japanese forces to take the railway running from Shanghaikwan to Tientsin before the Chinese have time to destroy it. The wounded on both sides are being attended by the Japanese Ambu- lance Corps. JAPAN ASSENTS TO RECEIVE PEACE PROPOSALS. Japan has consented to receive proposals for peacb from China through the American Ministers in Tokio and Pekin. According to a telegram received at Yokohama the Japanese loss at Port Arthur is estimated at about 200, and that of the Chinese at 3000. It is reported that a large number of the Chinese troops fled from Port Arthur on the night of the 21st, and that, a way of escape was specially opened for them by the Japanese. Another account states that when the fighting was at its hottest part of the Chinese land forces fled to some warships which were held readv for embarking troops in the event of the position becoming untenable. The Japanese squadron, how- ever, it is stated, at once fired on these ships, and sunk two of them. An advance guard of Marshal Oyama's army has started on the march to Niuchuang.

THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE ON THE LORDS. The Duke of Devonshire, speaking at Barnstaple on November 26, said the majority in the present Parliament had failed altogether to fulfil the promises they had made or to satisfy the hopes they had held out to their supporters. Nor was it likely that they would do anything in this direction next session. That would pro- bably be devoted to preparing for the general election, at which the question of the House of Lords was to be put in the most prominent place. The duke contrasted the way in which this question had been brought forward by Lord Rosebery with Mr. Gladstone's method of de- claring himself upon great political issues, and said the former had yet to learn that revolutions were the outcome of passionate feeling, of deep conviction, and of a burning sense of injustice and wrong, and could not be brought about by a few disappointed politicians. The only question on which the House of Lords had come into real conflict with the Lower Chamber had been that of Home Rule, and by their action on this question they had given expression to the plain and manifest opinion of the majority of Englishmen. Lord Rosebery would find arrayed against him in his campaign against that House all those who had anything to lose. There was a strong Labour party in the country which proposed to place everyone's capital and everyone's labour at the disposal of someone else for the advantage of others, and, though this proposal was not yet in- cluded in the Radical programme, it soon1 might be. The House of Lords formed an effective bar against sudden changes being irrevocably introduced into the Constitution, and at such a time as the present no safeguard of this nature ought to be surrendered. In conclusion, the duke said the Unionist party looked forward with confidence to the verdict of the country at the next general election.

DEATH OF THE COUNTESS OF BRADFORD. An intimation was received at Bolton on the 26th November of the death of the Countess of Bradford. Lady Bradford (the Hon. Selina Louisa Forester) was a daughter of the first Lord Forester, and sister to the second, third, and fourth barons. She married in 1844 Viscount Newport, who in 1865 succeeded his father as third Earl of Bradford. Her ladyship was well known and greatly esteemed at Court (where Lord Bradford held several appointments) in society, and in the Midlands, the family seat being Castle Bromwich, near Birmingham. A few months ago there were great family rejoicings in celebration of the golden wedding of the earl and countess, and also of the silver wedding of the Viscount Newport, and the coming of age or Viscount Newport's eldest son. Lady Bradford took a deep interest in the suc- cess of the Primrose League.

WHY don't you drop me a line occasionally, Mattie ?" asked the forward young man. Line's busy," replied the telephone girl in an abstracted manner. CARLBTON: How did you enjoy yourself at Mrs. Hamilton's last night ?" Montauk First-rate; there wasn't a song or recitation sprung on us during t<he entire nvenina." I

1 THE CZAR'S MARRIAGE. POPULAR REJOICIN6S. In spite of dull, cold, grey weather and a threaten- ing sky, the city of St. Petersburg, having put off all its mourning, wore on Nov. 26 the aspect of fnll festival. Almost as soon as it was light the move- ment of the public began towards the centres of attraction, the Newski Prospect, the Great Morskaja Prospect, and the large square in front of the Winter Palace, along which the Imperial bride and bride- groom were to pass on their way to the church within the precincts of the Palace. By seven o'clock a crowd had gathered, which every moment added to its numbers. There was a striking note of gaiety among the people, who seemed desirous of forgetting in the happy occasion of the present the prolonged mourn- ing of the past week. The troops were already at their stations, forming loose lines through which a fair view of all that was passing could be gained. Many people had brought benches, camp-stools, and chairs, standing on which they could see over the heads of the soldiers. Then amid the crowd were vans and carriages on which seats could be had at a cheap rate. Elsewhere ladders were propped against the houses with a spectator on every other rung. Laughter and merry cries passed from group to group. In Russia the windows in the winter are closed and sealed with felt, and few casements were on Monday opened, but behind each could be seen bevies of on- lookers. Happily, though the sky was lowering, the streets were dry. PASSING OF THE PROCESSIONS. A few moments before the clocks chimed the quarter after eleven the majestic strains of the Russian National Anthem" suddenly broke forth. Every head was uncovered by the time that a light open carriage, drawn by four white horses, drove past. In it was the Emperor Nicholas, in the brilliant uniform of the Hussars of the Guard. By his side was his Majesty's boyish brother, the Grand Duke Michael, also in uniform. The cheering which arose was deafen- ing. Every man shouted "Hurrah!" at the top of his voice, and the women and children joined in. Behind the Imperial landau came a brilliant retinue of Chevaliers of the Guard, with troops of Hussars and Lancers, who having formed up early in the morning at the Anitchkoff Palace, were escorting the Emperor thence to the Winter Palace. Soon afterwards a second procession appeared. This was the bride and her escort, who were coming, from the palace of her sister, the Grand Duchess Sergius. Her Royal Highness, who was accom- panied by the widowed Empress, drove in a splendid State coach, with four white horses caparisoned with heavy gold trappings. The iduks, in their picturesque liveries, were on the box. At the sight of the bride-elect the cheers broke out once again louder than ever, and scarcely less enthusiastic was the greeting which hailed the appearance of the carriages which fol- lowed, with the Princess of Wales and the bride's two sisters, the Princess Rene, wife of Prince Henry of Prussia, and the Princess Elizabeth, wife of the Czar's uncle, the Grand Duke Sergius. Meanwhile, each of the military bands echeloned along the lined route had struck up the National Anthem," which thus seemed to be perpetually fol- lowing up the procession itself. AT TUB WINTER PALACE. There was a very large guard of honour in front of the Winter Palace, where the scene was most striking and interesting. Apart from the great mili- tary display, which lost some of its effectiveness owing to the disappearance of many bright uniforms under the dull grey overcoat, there was a constant coming and going of resplendent State functionaries, gorgeous carriages, and high officials of the Court. The wedding guests assembled in gorgeous State array in the great reception halla of the palace. At 12.35 the wedding procession began its progress through the apartments towards the Chapel Royal. First came the Dowager Empress, lean- ing upon the arm of her father, the King of Denmark. After walked the bride, escorted Royal. First came the Dowager Empress, lean- ing upon the arm of her father, the King of Denmark. After walked the bride, escorted by the Imperial bridegroom, and the Royal Princes followed. The bride's dress was a Russian Court costume of white silk. On the head of the Princess was a magnificent diadem of brilliants, and from her shoulders depended an Imperial mantle of gold brocade, lined with ermine. The train was borne by four Court officials, two on either side, while in the middle the extremity was held by the Grand Chamberlain. The Czar wore the uniform of I the famous Red Hussars of the Guard, with the dol- man suspended from the shoulders. As the glittering cortege passed through the Nicholas Hall, where the military and naval officers were assembled the Hall of Escutcheons, where the civil dignitaries, members of the nobility, and ladies of the aristocracy were stationed; the Marshals' Hall, where were the Mayor of St. Petersburg and the representatives of other municipalities and the Concert Hall, which was filled with Maids of Honour, Secretaries of States, and Senators, the spectacle was one of the most imposing grandeur. FLIGHTING THE TROTII. Arrived at the Chapel Royal, the wonderfully im- pressive marriage ceremony of the Russian Church was then begun. The first part consisted of the betrothal, the essential feature of which is the exchange and blessing of the gold rings to be worn by the bride and bridegroom. Prayers having been recited, and an anthem chanted by the choir, a rich eilken carpet was laid down, to which the officiating priest conducted the bride and bridegroom, each holding lighted tapers. He then addressed the bridal pair, and proceeded to put the following questions to the Czar: Hast thou, Nicholas Alexandrovitch, a good and unconstrained will and a firm intention to take unto thyself this woman, Alexandra Feodorovna, whom here thou seest before thee ?" The Czar responded I have, reverend father." The priest: "Thou has not vowed thyself to another bride ?" The Czar "I have not vowed myself, reverend father." Then turning to the bride the priest interrogated her in similar terms, reversing the names, and sub- stituting the word "man for" woman." He received exactly the same responses. Special prayers and litanies followed, and on their conclusion the priest took the two crowns of gold and I precious stones, which, during this portion of the service, had been held over the heads of the bride and bridegroom, and with the words, The servant of God, Nicholas Alexandrovitch, is crowned for the handmaid of God, Alexandra Feodorovna, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," he placed one crown upon the head of the Czar, and with corresponding language similarly I crowned the bride. The service concluded with the I Benediction, the priest having taken the hands of the pair in his right hand, which was covered by his stole, and, followed by the Grand Duke's holding the crowns over their heads, led them three times in a circle round the holy table. The Czar and Czarina then approached the Dowager-Empress, who embraced them both most warmly. The other members of the Imperial family afterwards gathered round the bride and bridegroom and saluted them affectionately. ENTHUSIASM IN THE STREETS. During the betrothal service within the Winter* Palace the crowd remained stationary, awaiting the return of the newly-married pair on their way to the Kasan Cathedral, and thence to the Anitchkoff Palace. The clocks had just struck half-past one when the booming of guns from the fortress announced' that the ceremonies in the church were over, and that the marriage of the Emperor and Empress was an accomplished fact. The drive of the Emperor and his bride to the famous cathedral, where in the afternoon a thanksgiving service was held, was a prolonged triumph. The people, swayed by in- tense emotion, cheered and cheered again as their young Sovereign and his Consort drove through their midst, and they pressed so on the hedge of troops which lined the way that tho Imperial carriage was almost brought to a standstill. Shortly before four o'clock the bridal pair returned to the Anitchkoff Palace, amid carillons from the church towers and the thunder of the saluting guns. At his second audience of the Czar, General de Boisdeffre, head of the special French Mission, was invited by his Majesty to attend the wedding cere- mony. IMPERIAL MANIFESTO. The Imperial manifesto issued by the Czar on the occasion of his Majesty's marriage announces various acts of clemency. The decree remits all arrears of taxes and fines, and alleviates or shortens sentences of imprisonment. As regards indulgences which may be accorded to political prisoners, the Minister of the Interior is ordered to maka a remort to his Majesty. Finally, all persons undergoing punish- ment for participation in the Polish rebellion of 1863 are permitted to reside anywhere in the Empire with the restoration of their birthrights, but without the restoration of their property. Forty thousand poor people of St. Petersburg dined on the day of the wedding at the Imperial ex- pense. ) REJOICINGS IN ENGLAND. The Queen gave a banquet on the night of the wed- ding at Windsor in honour of the Czar's marriage, which was also celebrated with much rejoicing bv the Russian colony in London. The Czar, having been appointed by her Majesty to be Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Scots Greys, sent a telegram to the regi- ment declaring his appreciation of the honour con- ferred on him. A return message of congratulatio* from all ranks upon his marriage was at once de- spatched to him.

THE AFGHAN STRUGGLE. BRAVERY OF INDIAN TROOPS. Details have been received at Brindisi by th", Indian mail, which arrived there on Sunday, of the attack made by the insurgent Waziri tribesmen on Colonel Turner's camp at Wano, on the Afghan frontier, on November 3. It is now evident that had the attacking force waited to effect a junc- tion with 2000 allied tribesmen, the fight would have probable been an unpleasantly big affair, and might have entailed a grave reverse to British arms. The Waziris divided their force into three bodies, which simultaneously attacked the left flank, left rear, and front respectively. Taking advantage of the dense darkness preceding dawn the enemy advanced as closely as possible to the British lines, and then their swordsmen, regardless of all obstacles dashed straight into the camp, covered by a heavy fire from the remainder of the attacking force. The position of the camp was such that the brunt of the fighting fell on the Goorkhas. These, encouraged by the splendid example of their officers, literary fought their way to their posts, and being once formed rapidly cleared the camp. Meanwhile, ho.vever, the enemy, rushing upon the left rear, penetrated the field hospital and commis- sariat cavalry lines, hamstringing some hundred mules, and trying to stampede the horses. It was while endeavouring to repel this attack that Lieutenant Macaulay, of the Engineers, was cut down by a noted Ghazi, and mortally wounded. The ultimate repulse of the enemy was largely due to Lieutenant Ballantyne, who quickly restored order. The attack commenced at 5.56 a.m. At a quarter past six, however, it was already seen that the enemy's efforts were slackening, and the com- manding officer sent orders to the cavalry, mounted infantry, and guns to prepare for pursuit. A quarter of an hour later the cavalry left the camp by the right flank, and, sweeping round, barred the tribes- men's retreat to the Tiasa Pass, and then pursued the flying Mahsuds towards Inzar. The infantry took up the pursuit to Inzar Kotal, and utterly scattered the enemy, ef whom at least 350 were killed, and the estimate is still increasing. The British loss was heavy. Lieutenants Angelo and Herbert were shot while gallantly exhorting their men to get into position, and Lieutenant Hornby was cut down while assisting the camp followers. Not- withstanding his wound, however, he subsequently joined the Goorkhas and rendered valuable assistance. Surgeon-Major Haig received a sword cut on the arm. All the wounded oflicers are doing well. The total British casualties amounted to 45 killed and 75 wounded.

THE FIRE AT GLENALMOND. At the Edinburgh Justiciary Court, on Saturday, Alan Walter John Fergusson, 16, son of Sir James Fergusson, ex-Postmaster-General, was sent to prison for 12 months for wilfully setting fire to por- tions of Glenalmond College, Perthshire, where he was a pupil, on the 15th and 18th of October last. Young Fergusson pleaded guilty at the Perth Court, and was sent to Edinburgh for sentence. Evidence was given to show that the lad was in a state of arrested mental capacity." Lord Justice Clerk Macdonald, in passing sentence, said that the case was a very serious one. After listening to the doctor's evidence and counsel's statement, he felt he could give effect to them to the same extent as in a former similar case. I The effect of the imprisonment was not one that he could take into consideration, but he doubted not that the lad would be properly looked after in prison.

——— AT Bristol Assizes, on Nov. 26, a sub-postmaster ——— AT Bristol Assizes, on Nov. 26, a sub-postmaster named Marshall was sentenced to three years' penal servitude for embezzling zE200 entrusted to him as the representative of the Postmaster-General, and for falsifying his accounts. He had taken the money when he was hard pressed by creditors, hoping at some time to be able to replace it. TIIE Bible Education Council met on the 26th Nov., when Canon Trench, who presided, said that the result of the London School Board election had certainly justified the Council's action. A series of resolutions was adopted declaring that, although the policy of the circular was unlikely to be persisted in, the Council would continue to exist as long as might be necessary for the purpose of maintaining the principles which led to its formation. THE Speaker delivered an address on November 26 at the Wesleyan School, Leamington, where he also distributed the prizes. Referring to the religious education controversy, he expressed his own belief that morality could not be taught effectively without the sanction of religion. Children, he said, need not be taught hard questions of theology, but they ought to be properly edueated in the Christian religion. 0 TjiE Duke of Connaught opened on Nov. 26 a now building that has been erected at Aldershot in con- nection with the Church of England Soldiers' Insti- tute. THE detective stories, now so popular in English magazines, are being imitated in India. Amongst the best books published in Bengal during the year are some of these tales written by a native Calcutta detective, which for mystery and gruesomeness quite outdo the British productions. Altogether vernacular literature in India is exceedingly productive just now, although rmality is inferior to auantity. FLUSIIER "Did Miss Gaygirl make any remark when you handed her my bouquet ?" The messenger Yes she said, 'Oh, the dear, dear flowers. Flusher Humph That florist must have sent the bill along with the bouquet." AUNT MARIA "I really think she would make you a good wife, John. I admit she is something of a scold, but then she is such a good housekeeper! so neat, you know." Harry But then one would soon tire of neat's tongue." LAURA: "While Jack was calling the other evening, he made the statement that he would kiss me or die in the attempt." Belle: "Yes?" (Afer a pauee). "Well, did he kiss you?" Laura: You haven't road any account of Jack's death in the papers, have you t" NOT ONE.-The stranger was wandering helplessly along the street when he met a quiet looking gentle- man. I beg your pardon," he said, approaching him, is there a good saloon in this town?'' Not one," sighed the quiet looking man. "Is that so ? Is it local option ?" "I regret to say that it is not." And there are no saloons ?" "Indeed, there are, but there is not a good one. They are all bad, sir, very bad," and with another sigh the good man went his way without having told the stranger where to find what he was looking for. A STORY OF MARK TWAIN.—One summer, not long ago, while the celebrated humorist was at his Elinira home, a smooth-faced man rang the bell, and told the girl who came to the door that lie wanted to see Mark Twain, or Samuel L. Clemens, as he is properly called. Give me your card and I will take it to him," said the girl. The stranger did so, and waited in the hallway. Twain studied the card for a few moments. He couldn't remember the name. As it was a French one, he thought possibly that it was some notable he had met abroad and who wished to renew acquaint- ances. So he went down stairs and shook hands with the stranger. Now, Mr. Clemens," began the visitor, in fluent English, "you are wondering who I am. Well, you have never met me before. I simply came here to deny a certain passage in your book, Inno- cents Abroad.' Now, when you went to Paris," the stranger went on smoothly, "you said that the most terrible thing that ever happened to you was the shave you got there on your arrival." Twain began to look astonished. Now," continued the stranger, suavely I am a Frenchman, and moreover, a barber. My intention in coming to you is to give you one of my shaves, and if you don't praise it, then you don't know what a good shave is. Now what do you say ?" "Well, in the first place, I lost all desire to get shaved after I took the one you refer to. In the second place I consider shaving immoral. In the third place, I shouldn't want the job of shaving one of your cheeks. Good day."

EPITOME OF N-E, WS. r MORE than four-fifths of the people in Lcndon I never enter a place of worship. AN Antarctic iceberg has been seen that was 20 miles wide, 40 miles in length, and 400ft. in height. MORE than S:21,000,000 sterling represents the sum annually wasted on an average during the past five years in promoting companies that gave no re- turn to the shareholders. AMONG reverses of fortune perhaps the strangest is I that of the Duchess de Santonna, who has just died in Madrid in the greatest poverty. Eight years ago she possessed a fortune of four millions. A number ¡ ot law-suits were commenced against her by her rela- tives, absorbing a large part of this. Another large amount went in charity, and the remainder went in I trying to place the Bourbon family on the throne. A ftorv is told of the duchess which illustrates her kind- I ness of heart. Hearing that a lady, a member of a r very old Spanish family, was in great want. and I wished to sell jewellery to the amount of £ 40,000, the Duchess de Santonna sent her a cheque for that Duchess de Santonna sent her a cheque for that amount. When the jewellery reached her she re- turned it, saying she did not want it, and was glad to have been of some service. Now she has died in want and suffering, forgotten and neglected by those she beggared herself to help. LIGHTNING is most destructive in level, (pen country. Cities, with their numerous projections I and wires, are comparatively exempt. THE agitator, Johann Most, is a man who has played many parts. First he was a zealous Roman Catholic next he was an eaEóer Social Democrat; then I lie shook the dust off his feet against the Sooialists and turned Anarchist; and now he has resolved to devote his powers to the stage, and become an actor. He has hired the National Theatre in New York, which he opened under his own management in October. THERE are over 60 catacombs known to exist in Rome or its immediate vicinity. The entire length of the passages that have been measured is 5S0 miles, and it is estimated that from 6,000,000 to 15,000.000 dead are there interred. AMONG the devotees of the wheel are Jean and Edouard de Reszke, who have recently made a bicycle tour of some 500 miles in France. HER MAJESTY'S footmen wear wigs which have eight rows of curls, whereas those of the Prince of Wales are allowed seven rows, and those of the Lord Mayor of London are given six only. INVESTIGATIONS concerning ministerial veterans have elicited the fact that there are living 96 who have completed their jubilee in the ministry, 13 having done so by more than a decade. Rev. John Burton, of Leeds, has travelled the greatest number of years, viz., 69, and Rev. Wm. Arthur is the father among the ex-Presidents. A Fr.ENcn rural postman, named Alray, has just died at Mier de Barrez. He retired from active ser- vice last year, after spending 70 years on the road. His daily round consisted of 46 kilometres, making 16,790 kilometres a year, or nearly the circumference of the globe. He consequently walked during his term of service 730,214 miles. NORWAY has 350 savings banks, of which 67 are in the cities and 2S3 in the rural districts. The total number of depositors having accounts with the banks is 470,799, 269,371 of whom are in the cities, and 201,428 in the rural districts. Compared with the population of the kingdom, this shows an average mm;!??!' of 230 depositors to each 1000 inhabitant; or 132 for tlie rural districts and 569 for the cities. In this connection it must be noted that a great number of people in the rural districts make deposits in the savings banks of the cities, while hardly any residents of the cities make deposits in the banks of the rural districts. ALLUSION has been made, in connection. wi tli the death of the Czar, to Catherine M'Kinnon^ the Scottish woman, who, born and bred on the Ross of Mull, served as nurse for many years in the Imperial Court of Russia. She was the daughter of a crofter, and from the primitive little school at Viskfcn was sent to Edinburgh. Finally, through theefferts of the late Dr. Norman M'Leod, she found her way into the service of the family of a Russian nobleman, and afterwards joined the Russian Royal household. The late Czar did not seem to have forgotten his father's nurse. Only two years ago he desired a tweed suit woven under the sooty cabers of a Ross of Mull weaver's house. The cloth was dyed with the lichen which grew on the whin rocks, not far from\he spot where Catherine M'Kinnon skipped and romped a bare-footed, bare-headed Highland lassie. THE new Governor of New York, Mr. Levi P Morton, is the son of a Vermont Congregational preacher, and earned his own living at 10 years of age by doing odd jobs. At 21 he had a small shop, and five years later was partner in a large grocery business. He very quickly made a large fortune. In appearance he is one of the most striking men in America. THE coldest place in the world is Yakutsk, in Russia, where the mercury sometimes drops to 73deg. below zero. ELIXTRIC lines and bicycles have reduced the average value of horses in the United States from 25 to 50 per cent. In the Western range country the loss is felt the worst, for the surplus has formerly been sold in the East. Now the East is a closed market to ordinary grades of horses, and there is a surplus everywhere. In cases of forced sale prices are sometimes ridiculously low. Recently a number of cartloads of range horses of good grade were received by an Eastern road for shipment to an Eastern terminal. The Eastern road advanced the charges of the Western lines which had forwarded the horses, and added the amount to its charges for transportation. Arrived in the East there was no market for the horses, and they were finally sold for six dollars a head. The Eastern road was paid the entire purchase price, and was then compelled to charge 800dol. to profit and loss for its experience in the horse business. In the future it will advance no more charges on horses. DR. BULHOER has published an interesting report upon the experiments which he has recently carried out for the purpose of ascertaining the effects of alcohol on working bees. By placing them on a regimen of alcoholised honey the most astonishing effects were produced. He discovered unmistakable signs that they revolted against their queen, and gave themselves entirely over to idleness and to habits of pillaging and pilfering, until they were cast out by j their fellows. I SOUTH SHIELDS is said to possess the oldest lifeboat in existence. It has been in use since 1830, and by means of it 1028 persons have been rescued. M. STAMBOULOFF, the Bulgarian ex-Premier, was in his younger days apprenticed to a cobbler. On becoming Prime Minister, he appointed his former master, the cobbler, Prefect of Police at Sofia, as a mark of respect for his just and unerring severity and his remarkable talent for flogging. THE circumstances of the late Empress of China's marriage were not calculated to insure a happy union. She was chosen out of an immense crowd of other young ladies by a committee at which the Dowager Empress presided, and neither she nor the Emperor had anything to say in the matter. IT is now a rule of the White House at Washington that no bird shall be allowed to warble, or even live, within its walls. The wife of President Haves made this rule years ago, and it has been obeyed as a sacred precedent. When Mrs. Cleveland first went to the White House to live after her marriage she had a pet canary. But the rule against birds was explained to her, and she gave the bird away. Mrs. Harrison also started to bring a couple of canaries home from Indianapolis before she" learned that birds were tabooed inside the White House. ) THE Rev. J. W. Horsley is probably the hardest- worked clergyman in London. In addition to'his ordinary work as rector of St. Peter's, Walworth, he has taken upon himself the duties of a Poor-law Guardian, an unpaid teacher in a local institute, chaplain to a volunteer corps, and lecturer on various subjects. Ten. years of his life were spent at Clerken- well I rison, and he acquired such a love for his good work as chaplain there that it was almost a grief to him when in 1886 the gaol was demolished. Mr. Horsley is now 50 years of age, but has all the vitality of most men of 30. A GOLDSMITH of these days might find no lack of subjects-or, rather, the Deserted Village" would serve as it stands, without re-writing, in all its mournful particulars. In a Yorkshire Wold village a purchaser of cottage property thought he had secured, a few years ago, a good bargain when lie bought a row of five neat cottages for E200. He borrowed most of the money, repaying it by instal- ments. After holding the property until he had at last paid the last of his instalments, which he did recently, he has been obliged tore-sell it at a sacrifice of more than £ 125. And it is a question whethei the buyer, who gave the ridiculous sum of E15 each for the cottages, will be able to find tenants for them i at anv nrice. T IT has been stated that the art collection now at Hamilton Palace is valued at £ 150,000. THE Transvaal Post Office is taking steps to pre- vent the entry of foreign lottery circulars into Salis- bury. THE health of the Queen of Denmark has been greatly tried by the illness, the death, and the funeral of the late Czar. She held him in tender affection. The union of sentiment in which he and the Czarina lived was a source of constant thankfulness to the Queen. WITH reference to the Swazi name given to Sir Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett, Mr. Robert J. Colenso ex- plains that it is derived as follows T-T Silomo, from i Silomo, which denotes a front or foremost man in war or council, a brave'; i Silomo, from urn Lomo, which means a mouth, beak, or entrance of anything, such as gun or cave a front or advanced guard, head of a herd of cattle." THE report of the Parliamentary Committee on the French expedition to Madagascar states that the Government has assured the committee that as soon as the expedition is over the expenses of occupation will be reduced to the narrowest limits. An assurance that the expenses of the expedition itself will be con- fiued within the estimate would have been more to the purpose. THE confidence trick has appeared under a new and more ingenious form in Paris. A coachman who had a couple of hundred francs to invest, was met near the Bourse by a gentlemanly person who filled his imagination with tales of the immense profits of speculation. He lent him his 200fr., and the stranger departed with them. Presently he returned with 400, which he declared were profits. The coachman was overjoyed, and agreed to bring the next day every bit of money he could raise. He did so, and handed the eminent speculator about 3000fr. This time the latter did not return. MR. READER HARRIS, one of the new Q.C.'s, is a preacher like Mr. Waddy-and a preacher of the rousing, vigorous, eternity-warning type. It is a curious organisation of which Mr. Harris is a member. Its title is The Pentecostal League," its headquarters are at Clapham, and it is devoted to "salvation, sanctification, faith-healing, and the second coming." Mr. Reader Harris is an apostle in the organisation, and so is Mrs. Harris. There is nothing dry or legal in the method of Mr. Harris's pulpit oratory. He is vigorous, moving, and has the disregard of a General Booth himself for conven- tional phrases. Mr. Harris not unseldom addresses himself to particular members of the congregation, and that with a directness there is no mistaking. ONE of the stories current in the court over which Justice Hawkins presides is that the learned judge has received a round robin, signed by his immediate neighbours, urgently entreating him to have a name- plate put on his door. It is pointed out that, if he is marked out for Anarchist reprisals, it would be just as well for the emissary on the next occasion to present himself at the right house. Sir Henry is imperturbable amid circumstances that might well try the bravest spirit, and abates no jot of his customary humour. Talking to Mr. Reginald Brett on the subject, he said, with a twinkle of his eye, It is no use, my dear Brett, their attempting to intimidate me by blowing in your front door." THE carriages used by the German Emperor are lighted by electricity. WHEN you take your watch to be repaired the loss would be the owner's should thieves break into the tradesman's premises and steal it. That was the pur- port cf a decision given by Mr. Commissioner Kerr, on the ground that the defendant was not a bailee for value, the money paid to him by the plaintiff being only for the repairs to the watch. SMOKING was not permitted in English railway car- riages until 1846. On many foreign lines smoking is go general that carriages are set apart for non- smokers and so labelled. IN a ton of Dead Sea water there are 187 pounds of salt; Red Sea, 93 Mediterranean, 85; Atlantic, 81 English Channel, 72; Baltic, 18; Black Sea, 26; and Caspian Sea, 11. PAPER cigars are one of the most recent forms of adulteration in Germany, where two manufacturers have been punished for making them. In one case only the outside leaf consisted of tobacco, the rest of the cigar being composed of brown packing paper previously steeped in tobacco juice and then dried. In the other case, the cigar-maker had actually entered into a contract with a paper manufacturer to make for him a special kind of brown paper with tobacco remnants aid paper pulp; the sheets of paper being afterwards cut into strips and roPed into the form of cigars. THE French Government is about to introduce a bill fining railway companies for late trains. THE income-tax lias been changed 18 times since 1842, varying from 2d. in the £ to 16d. FOR half a century a man known as Billy Mustard has dwelt in the hollow of a huge sycamore tree, near Hamilton, Ohio. He is said to be the second human tenant of the same tree. IN the German Army two bicycles are assigned to each battalion. Bicycles are to be used for communi- cations between columns on the march and for com- munications between advanced guards. When troops ftre in quarters, bicyclists are to fulfil the functions of orderlies, especially where mounted orderlies are wanted. They will also relieve the cavalry from relay and intelligence duties. In great fortresses the whole of the duties now devolving upon cavalry as message bearers will be transferred to bicyclists. LOUISB MICHEL, the famous Red Virgin of the Paris Commune, is a great lover of dumb animals, and, though a propagandist of militant anarchy, she has surrounded herself with domestic pets of every description, which are much attached to their re- markable mistress. EVERY dish used in a public restaurant of Paris, either in the kitchen or for the table every pot, pan, and utensil in the bakeries and every beer faucet in the wineshop-in short, everything used in preparing or serving foods, is under the care of an inspector. The law forbids the use of lead, zinc, and galvanised iron in the manufacture of cooking ve^els. It orders that all copper vessels be tinned and kept in good condition. It directs that pottery which is covered with a glaze containing enough oxide of lead to yield to a feeble acid be seized. It orders that tin cans must never be soldered on the inside, and that the materials used in their manufacture be conformed to a certain standard. It is the inspector's business to look after all these things, and to see that everything required by the law is carried out. HITHERTO, with the exception of Marshal Mac- Mahon, none of the Presidents of France have known how to ride. Neither Thiers, Grew, nor Carnot, was a horseman. M. Casimir-Perier, on the con- trary, is a fervent lover of what has been called the noblest conquest of man, and rides to perfection. One day recently he went to the Bois mounted on a superb animal. He was accompanied by two officers of his household, and followed by a groom. Naturally his appearance caused a sensation, and he was saluted all along his route. It is said that the bicycle mania has done a great deal of harm to the art of riding, but now that the President prefers the real to the steel horse, perhaps a reaction in favour of the former will set in. AN interesting test was recently made by a French- woman. With a view to testing the sustaining powers of chocolate, she lived upon that alone for 60 days, and lost but 151b. in the interval. THE population of Western Australia continues to increase rapidly. At the end of September the total number of persons in the Colony was 79,665. During the quarter there were 574 births and 5307 new arrivals, while 237 persons died and 1898 left the Colony. THJI Sydney Labour Bureau has registered the names of 38,614 men desirous of finding work since it was started about two years ago, and of these 28,008 have been assisted to obtain employment. MUNIR PASHA, the Grand Master of the Ceremonies at the Turkish Court, has been commanded by the Sultan to proceed to England about the middle of next month, in order that he may hand over to the Queen and to the Prince of Wales the insignia of the new Order of the Imtiaz, which has been conferred upon them by his Imperial Majesty. The insignia consists of a diamond star, composed of brilliants of the first water, and a gold shield, bordered in red and white enamel, and bearing on each side an inscrip- tion in Arabic. The shield hangs from a gold collar chain, from which it is suspended by a white enamel ring. THJI council of the Royal Academy has appointed Mr. G. Birch to succeed the late Mr. Papworth as curator of the Soane Museum in Lincoln's-inn. Like his predecessor, Mr. Birch is an architect. By the will of the founder (Sir John Soane), the administra- tion of the museum is Tested in a body of trustees, while the appointment of the curator is left in the hands of the Royal Academy, with the stipulation that the holder of the office must belong to the proV fession of architect. The appointment carries with it q omcial residence in Lincoln's-inn.