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

THE FRONTIER WAR. AN INCIDENT AND A STORY. A correspondent of the Times of India, writing from Camp Khanki Valley, says that early one morn- ing a reconnoitring party of the 3rd Goorkhas went out towards Sampagha. They found the enemy occupying the heights, and a few shots were fired as the reconnaissance was withdrawn. One sepoy was •lightly wounded. Foraging parties, which were out during the day, found the enemy lurking upon most of the spurs, but there was no serious attack, though a few men fired at long range. The head of the let Division moved in from Chagru in the even- ing, and a large convoy of commissariat wis streaming in all day. In the evening the enemy were seen in most of the neighbouring hills, and it was thought probable that they might make an attempt upon the camp. Just after nine a severer are than usual was opined, and it soon became evi- dent that the enemy were moving in the bed of the nullah which runs north-east of the camp. The Gordons, who held the north ridge above camp, were reinforced by two companies, when it was found that, the enemy were scaling the hill in the front. They were received by a heavy fire which extended to the outlying picket due west, before which the enemy at one time collected in force. Morning showed that the enemy meant business, for among the few dead bodies which worked their line of advance in front of the Gordons' lines was found an Orakzai who had 80 yards of string trailing be- hind him. Evidently this pioneer was intended to sneak into camp, and if successful in finding a weak spot, to signal to the main attacking body at the end of the string. The result ef their fire during the night was that a native officer of the 21st Pioneers was mortally wounded (since dead), and a man of the 1st Sikhs wounded, also a Drabi and a mule. The camp is by this so full of men and animals,, and covers so large an area, that it is marvellous that there is not more loss from night firing. The following story, which reads more like a chapter from Kings" than anything else, has reached the Politicals. It appears that the Afridi folklore has it that about a century ago an influential Mullah buried a sealed earthen pot which contained his standard. It was buried with great ceremony, and the legend thereto attached Was that at any time when the senate of tribe elders was at a loss bow to act in a national ques- tion that they were to unearth the pot. If the intentions of the majority were to prove success- ful, the standard would appear in all its pristine Slory, but, if otherwise, eaten by decay. Said Akbar lullah called a "jirga," and with great pomp j the pot was unearthed from its sacred resting spot.' The standards of the tribe representatives were planted in » circle round it, and seven cows were beheaded, and a libation of their blood poured upon the pot. The pot parted, and the standard stood forth untarnished and unharmed by time, and by divine impulse the circle of surrounding fhgs dipped in salutation. This story has gone forth far and near among the tribes, and has been received with such childish credulity that all sections are confident Of success. The circulation of such a fable shows that Said Akbar at least is bent upon keeping the tribesmen up to fighting pitch.

TRAVELS IN CENTRAL ASIA. A large assembly has been held in the theatre of the London University, under the auspices of the Royal Geographical Society, for the purpose of hear- ing a paper read by Dr. Sven Hedin, the distinguished traveller and geographer, on the subject of Four Years' Exploration in Central Asia." Sir Clements B. Markham, president of the society, was in the chair, and there was a large attendance of Fellows, with many ladies. Dr. Hedin, who met with a very hearty reception, proceeded to read his paper, which was illustrated throughout by an almost continuous panorama of lantern slides. He said it was a hard campaign which was begun on Feb- ruary 23, 1894, when, with a caravan of 12 horses and four men, he left Margilan to cross the snow- covered Pamir Plateau by the tortuous moun- tain path leading through the Isfairan Valley to the crest of the Alai range. The climate of the Pamir had its peculiarities. The sun burned one in the face on the one side, while on the other one was near freezing. At the little fort Pamirsky Post be was very politely received by six officers and 160 Cossacks. On the Chuggatai PMS the Chinese frontier was crossed. After many if« and "ands the Chinese Commander at Bulun-kul gave him per- mission to visit Mus-tag-ata. He had only time, however, to do some preliminary work, when, after an attempt to ascend the mountain, which was frus- trated by a snowstorm, he was attacked by in- flammation of the eyes, which compelled him "urry to Hash gar. During the summer and autumn of 1894 the researches in Eastern Pamir were continued, and the magnificent mountain of Mvs-tag-at, was studied all-around and ascended to 20,000 ft. Like a great frontier fortress against the Central Asian deserts, Mus-tag- at&, the highest mountain in the Pamir Plateau, and one of the highest m the world, was seen rising to a height of ^5,000ft. It constituted a worthy con- tinuation of the great mountain chains, Himalaya, Kwenlun, Kara-korum, and Hindu-kush, which met. to form the roof of the world. After having spent the winter in Eashgar, Dr. Hedin again broke up camp in February, 189a, and on the way had an un- happy journey across the Takla-makan Desert. The first 13 days all went well, but the following 13 the party did not find water; the caravan suc- cumbed, and they lost two men, seven camels, and 4 almost all their luggage. After another visit to the Pamirs Dr. Hedin went to Khotan. In January, 1896, he found between Khotan-darya and Keria-darya the ruins of two old towns buried in the sands. In the valleys between the downs the travellers could see, as far as the eye could reach, ruins of houses built of poplars. The walls consisted of inter- woven reedil covered with plaster, on which were found some artistic mural paintings-among others, • praying women of the Aryan type, Buddha sitting on the cup of the lotus. To the north from Keria-darya wild camels were found in great herds. In June, 1896, the party left Khotan again. In travelling east the travellers discovered 23 lakes. During two months the travellers did not see a single human being. Dr. Hedin arrived in March, 1897, in Pekin, and returned through Mongolia and Siberia to Sweden. Dr. Hedin was awarded a cordial vote of thanks for the paper.

s- -Jó' "I v.. OYEB-EXPENDITURE IN HOSPITALS. The Paris correspondent of the Lencet writeir: Dr. Navarre has presented to the Murcipsl Council a report upon the financial statement of the Assist- ance Publique for the year 1895. The increase in expenses had appeared to the Leouncil so extra- ordinary that further inquiry was necessary. The total sum spent by the Assistance Publique was 36,600,856f., being 441,242f.- in excess of the sum spent in 1894. One of the most extraordinary items in the expenditure is the sum set down for milk, and one can only wonder where all the milk has gone to, seeing that there has been no propor- tionate diminution in the consumption of wine and beer. Dr. Navarre attributes this state of affairs to gross negligence in the administrators of hospitals, who have exercised no proper control over the re- sident staffs, &c. At Bicetre it appears that 100 litres of milk have been used in the preparation of bceuf a la mode and 27 litres in the due cooking of some rabbits, while several patients were entered as the re.,ipients of milk which they were not get- ting. During 1895 the price of charcoal dropped, but under the item of chauffage" 150,514f. have been expended, or 80f. in excess of what was spent the previous year. The sums spent upon instru- ments and hospital fittings have been enormous, aDd designed, it is suggested, to attract wealthy patients and not to minister to the poor. From Coch n a requisition was made at the Central Pharmacy for 20,000 metres of silk ligature and 10,000 metres of catgut. This fantastic demand represented only the needs of three months, and at the time it was made the hospital was in possession of 1800 metres of silk ligature sterilised and 8000 metres unprepared and 800 metres of catgut ligature sterilised and 1000 metres unprepared. A very good case for an investi- gation would seem to have been made out.

A GREAT CANAL. Surveys are being made for the great Tims-Con- tinental canal, which is to put the Baltic into com- munication with the Black Sea. The surveys, says Engineering, are now well advanced, and the spring will witness a commencement of the great-not. to say, colossal—enterprise. The canal is to be 216ft. 8in. wide at the ordinary water-level, and 116ft. 8in. at the bottom. Its depth will be 28ft. 4m. It will commence at Riga, and will follow the couree of the Duna as far as Dunaburg. From that point it will be carried by a costly piece of excavation to Lepel, on the Beresina. From the Lepel the course of the Beresina will be utilised until its junction with the Dneiper; and finally borrowing this latter streilm, the canal will fall into the Black Sea at Cherson. Bat of its whole length of 1000 miles, the Baltic and Black Sea Canal will have, accordingly, only about 125 miles of artificial excavation; for the remaining 875 miles it will utilise the natural bed of one river, and two other rivers which will be canalised. Fifteen ports will be developed upon the route of the canal, besides two great terminal ports at Riga and Cherson the enlargement of these two latter ports is being already actively-pfoceeded with. The canal is intended to secure the passage of ironclads, as it, has a double object-first, commercial, and secondly strategic. The commercial importance of the canal will be considerably increased by branches which will be de- veloped by deepening several rivers flowing into it by this means such towns as Disma, Mozyr, Cerni- gow, Aster, Zitomir, nnd Poltawa, which are all situated upon railway Heg: will he attached to the new waterway. The Baltic and Black Sea Canal will be so substantially constructed that the large.-t steamers will be able to pass through it at a speed of six knots. At this rate, the whole "trajet" will be made in 144 hours, as it is proposed that vessel., shall be kept moving by night as well as by day, by the aid of electric lighting. The total expenditure which will be involved by the construction of the canal, together with its equipment and branches, is not likely to be so large as might at first sight be supposed. The estimates amount at present to £ 20,(XX),000. The work8 will extend over five years, but the canal is expected to be brought into operation towards the close of 1902. Tke spring of that year will witne-s the completion of the Trans-Siberian Railway, which is already in working order on its western sections as far as Kansk, beyond Krasnoiarsk, while at its eastern end it is in operation from Vladivostock aa far as the Amoor. Great works which are now in hand for the transformation of the port of Windau, securing its junction with the Niemen, will be completed about the same time.

THE YILDIZ BAZAAR. A London correspondent at Constantinople says I have visited, in company with Sir Vincent Caillard and a colleague of the English Press, the Bazaar at Yildiz, which has been organised under the auspices of the Sultan in aid of the widows and orphans of the soldiers killed in the late war, and for the relief of the sick and wounded. Very few Europeans, or, indeed, natives, have thus far been admitted to visit this exhibition of Turkish and European industry and works of art. The articles are intelligently laid out in a vast woeden chalet situated on the heights of Yildiz, in close proximity to the Imperial Palace. We were very courteously received by the officials in attendance, who conducted us round to the various stalls, at each of which there was an attendant, and information was willingly imparted as to some of the principal articles and their donors. The principal contributor is the Sultan himself, who has sent some beautiful specimens of Turkish em- broidery work, including several pieces prepared by the ladies of the Imperial harem, besides rare specimens of pottery from the Imperial factory at Yildiz. Some of the latter would compare very favourably with any European manufacture. Besides these, there is a profusion of carpets of various makes and sizes, in some cases remarkable for their soft tints and com- binations. There are articles from Egypt, Anatolia, Persia, and even Tashkend, including from the latter country a peculiar saddle richly ornamented and painted. The Khedive of Egypt is also a large con- tributor, having sent several drawing-room suites of furniture of native and European manufacture. Next in the number of articles contributed comes Marshal Fuad Pasha, the victor of Elena, who has sent some costly objects, includiug a writing desk said to have been used by Louis XVI, and which has been purchased by the Sultan. The German Emperor has contributed several beantiful specimens of German pottery and a number of piotures, repro- duction of drawings by his Majesty. The articles sent by the Emperor of Austria consist of a drawing-room case in crystal and a liqueur service, while President Faure has contributed a bunting group of fine work- manship. Monsieur Cambon, the French Ambassador to the Porte, has sent a pair of valuable vases, and the late German Ambassador, Baron Saurma-Jeltch, a conple of water-colour paintings drawn by himself Altogether the bazaar is well worth a visit. Quantjtie of articles continue to arrive almost daily.

MR. LUKE FILDE'S "DOCTOR. Mr. Luke Fildes has been giving the Temple Mnga^ zine some particulars about the painting of his famous picture "The Doctor." Any resemblance that people find between the artist and bis creation in this picture is, be said, quite unintentional. As a matter of fact," Mr. Fildes added, "the model who sat for it was a clean-shaven man, and had not the slightest idea of what I was painting. I had my ideal quite clear in my mind, and I selected a model, as far away from it as possible, for the main reason that I did not want my idea interfered with Lv suggestion." When he had got the right We, Mr. Fildes called in the assistance of friends to sit for him, Mr. Val Prinsep being one of them. .For the last two years Mr. Fildes has wintered at the seaside, having a house at Kingsgate, near Broad- I stairs. The house stands a little way back from the sea-front, but in rough weather the spray is carried right over it. Asked if he had anything to say to the student, Mr. Fildes replied, Well, I only wish I that, as a class, he would take his art a little more seriously." He thinks the student who intends to go in for painting should possess means or its equivalent -an ability to do black and white work with facility 1- but if he relies too much on the latter Nemesis will overtake him he will get into a groove and unfit I himself for his more serious work."

I TUB advance of woman into public life is not without its drawbacks. In Nebraska, Miss Alice Thomason was the populist candidate for the ofilce of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Professor Laughlin was the Republican candidate. before the election, when it was too late for the Populists to get another candidate, Miss Thomason withdrew and secured Laughlin's election. Then she married Laughlin. and they enjoy the spoils of office together. — Æè-¡;;t.<-i

NED LOW'S BEST SHIP; A FIRATA STORY. When Captain Ntd Low, one of the most formid- able pirate leaders in old dajs, eommitted his depre- dations along the Atlantic coast from Newfoundland to Panama, he took special delight in wreaking ven- geance upon the crews and captains of New England vessels. The reason for this is found in the accounts of his exploits by an old historian. The sturdy colonists would not permit him to perform his outrages with- out some sort of retaliation. So formidable a foe did they send after the noted pirate chief that more than once he was cornered and nearly captured. In Jnne, 1123, Captain Low formed a partnership with a successful pirate of lesser note known as Charles Harris. The tWo united forces and directed their energies towards the New England coast. They toon aroused such indignation in the New England coast towns that the warship Greyhound was sent out after the pirates, and, disguised as a merchant- man, she soon fell in with the enemy. The warship was manned with 20 guns and one hundred and twenty men. When she sighted the pirates her captain pretended to be in great consternation, and the vessel stood away for two hours, with the pirates close at her heels. When Low and Harris were in gunshot the war- ship suddenly turned around and delivered several broadsides into the chasing vessels. During the conflict which followed Captain Low escaped on his fleet vessel; but Harris and his crew were captured and hanged near Newport on July 10, 1723. This incident created a feeling of relief and re- joicing throughout New England, but it was of short duration. Instead of being frightened away by the fate of his partner and his crew, Captain Low in- creased his activity and scoured the seas after New England vessels. At that time New England was sending ont large fleets of whaling boats, and the sturdy, innocent sea- men of these were bothered by the pirates probably more than any other class. They carried very little merchandise that was of any value to the pirates, but out of a sense of revenge Captain-Low toot special delight in destroying the whaling vessels and in set- ting their crews adrift in small boats or killing them. Matters went on this way for a few months, when the noted pirate chief either became frightened at the number of warships searching for him or he felt that he had been sufficiently revenged for the hang- ing of his partner, for after the winter of 1723 there is no record to show that he ever again- visited the American coast. His operations thereafter were con- fined chiefly to the African coast and among the Canaries and Cape Verde Islands. But one incident of his career among the New England whalers before he left for Southern water? will illustrate the pluck and ingenuity of the sturdy seamen of that dhf.. The Carrie Bald, of Boston, sailed from that city manned with a crew of fifteen sailors, and after ten weeks of successful whaling she turned her prow toward home loaded down with blubber and whale oil. Her crew were in the best of spirits, anticipat- ing large profits from their cargo and a hearty wel- come home by their wives, children, and sweet- hearts. On July 10 she sighted land, which proved to be a rocky headland on the Maine coast. With this guide-post telling the captain and crew that they would be in Boston Harbour in a few days everybody began to make preparations for landing. Everything about the vessel was put sbip-shape, and the ole sailors even got their belongings together and packed them in bags and old sail-cloth. But before Mount Desert Island was sighted a sai was seen heading toward the coast, standing up from the sea like a great, white cloud. Captain Bald, oi the Carrie, grew anxious as the sail approachec nearer and displayed a flag at the mizzen nmstheac which he could not make out. Ode reason for hit running so far inshore had been to escape the noticf of any piratical craft that might be cruising 1 p anc down the coast. Most of the trading vessels stooc well out from the rocky Maine shore. I Half an hour later Captain Bald felt reasonably surethat the approaching sail meant mischief, anc that his whaler was in imminent danger. We'll run in a bit," he remarked to his first mate. Long familiarity with-the New England coast now stood him in good service. He ran his craft to dost to the shore that it was dangerous for one noi familiar with the channels to follow. j, I It's no use, Captain," the first mate said after e long pause. If that's Captain Low he knows everj inch of this water. He's better acquainted with this coast than any whaling captain from Portland to New Bedford." -Well, if it ain't Ned Low, we'll give him a cBaee among these rocks that he won't forget very soon,1! replied gruff Captain Bald, pulling his long whiskers nervously. In a short time the black flag of the pirates indi- cated even to the crew what mission the ship was bent on. There was a short time of general fear yrheo stout hearts quaked and rugged faces turned pale Every sailor knew the cruelty of the pirate captain and his horde of savages. Then Captain Bald called the crew together and addressed them in these words "We may as well face this little difficulty bravely, my men, and not mince matters. That's Ned Low't ship, and ye knows what he's after; he never sbow, mercy to anybody, especially to a New Englander, and we'd better die fighting than be strung up to the yardarm or have our lips and noses cut off for a fry We've got harpoons and axes aboard, and every one of ye knows how to use 'em. So just get low and stick together and fight until ye're dead. just re- member that it's better to be killed than to fall in their hands. I'll use my wits to get away fioir them, but if worst comes to worst, we must fight That's all." The stout words of the grim old whaling captain lent new courage to the crew, and they gave a little cheer that meant more than the loud huzzah of a crowd. Every man felt that he was about to face death, and he was determined to do it with a brave front. Nearer and nearer approached the threatening boat, on whose decks black swarms of armed men could now be seen. A small swivel gun sent a ball ricocheting across the waves towards the whalino schooner, but the latter continued to thread her Wli; carefully among the sunken rocks. The pirate craft, when she reached the outlying fringe of rocks, hove to and beat up and down like a duck uncertain which way to go. It's dangerous water here if you don't know your, way," muttered Captain Bald, and I guess you don't know it." He was scanning the ship through his sea glasses. Aha Now Captain Low takes the whee.I." His pilot don't know the way. Now we're in for it!" There was a change noticeable on board the pirate* .Then she directed her course once more toward the rocks and plunged boldly between them, following the narrow, tortuous chanimet. Captain Bald watched her in silence.. Thet) his light blue eyes, shaded by thick, shaggy eyebrowsfi grew worried and restless. He scanned the sea and the shoije, and then he returned his gaze to the pirate. II We can't lose them here," he said finally to hia Brat mate. "They'l.LoTerhaul u, :toæ !gt. atd then—-—" He shuddered involuntarily. We might run her aground *nd tfwim for 111 shore," he ejaculated finally. No, we'll run her u,, the river, This is Macbias Point, and we might re^ch the river phead of 'em." This decision was no sooner made than the order was given to change the course of the schooner. In half an hour she rounded the point and slood iri toward the moutho, the river. The pirate craft sent several solid shots after the old whaler, but the aim was poor, and no pal ticular damage was done. It was late in the afternoon when the Carrie sailed up the mouth of the river against a strong tide^rith the pirate craft less than a mile astern. The coast at this point was bleak and deserted in those day £ and Y Eihd it was almost as certain a death to land and desert the ship as to face the pirates. "Still, we'll do i't," Captain Bald said. better to fall among the Indians than among theee human fiends. I'd rather be eaten by wolves than have my tongue and eyes gouged out." The piratea were to certain of their prey now that their loud shouts of defiance could be distinctly heard by the whaling crew. Suddenly Captain Bald started, and, knowing that the best Way to keep his men brave was to find employment for them, be gave orders quickly. "Get the. whaleboats ready for action> he shouted. There were four of theie-two on either sidè- and each one was manned with a crew ot three sailors and an officer^ When the men bad alalashid them from the davits the cxptaizk shouted: < u.. ,41 Form a water-bucket brigade for a fire in the hold!" This strange order made some of the men hesi- tate, but explicit obedience in their captain's words had become a habit with them. When the men were in line armed with their buckets, Captain Bald went below and in a few minutes tBe men were passing the buckets from one to the other, emptying their contents first into one whaleboat and then into another. But there was 80 fire to fight, and the men were not bundling water. They were dipping the whale oil from the great tanks and hogsheads in the hold and pouring, I it into the small boats. "Enough!" shouted the captain a little later. "Every man on deck The novelty of the "orde rs made the men now obey with alacrity, and they had partly forgotten their danger in their exertions. But when they assembled on deck again and saw the pirate only a short dis- tance off their faces paled once more. But Captain Bald realised that the' moment for action had come, and he gave his orders in quick, sharp commands. Lower the boats and tie them together with a rope twenty feet long He fastened one of the lengths of rope to the first boat himself, and threw the other end to the first mate. The pirates saw the launching of the four whale-boats, and prepared to do the same with their boats. But they little realised that the brave sea- men Were not making ready to escape to the shore, but were planning for their destruction. "I want four brave men who are willing to risk their lives for the rest of us," Captain Bald said in his usual abrupt way. Will they please step for- ward?" Instead of four men every one of the crew stepped forward. "That's enough, my brave men," the captain said, while his eyes grew moist. I'll select my >» men." Then taking four of his most trustworthy sailors he gave them brief but emphatic directions what to do. The sailors nodded their heads, and jumped into the boats, each carrying a fife-preserver with him. The last words the captain said to them were: Remember, the right bank I Swim toward it and I'll pick you up." What could he mean ? The sailors on board the Carrie asked this, and the pirates must have been curious also to know. They stopped a moment in their yelling and watched the peculiar proceedings of the men in the whaleboat. The four boats shot out from the Carrie, and were rowed directly toward the pirate, the strong current of the liver helping them in their speeds The pirates did not notice at first that each boat was fastened by strong ropes to each other's prows. They were too intent in watching the strange proceedings of this attack. It might have dawned upon their obtuse minds that part of the crew of the Carrie had deserted, or that they were coming to plead for morcy. But the four rowers were silent and active. When they were within fifty yards of the pirate the men threw away their oars simultaneously and bent over something in the middle of their whaleboat. There was a tiny spark of light, a fiaeh and then a sudden upward blaze. The four brave men slipped over the side of their boats into the water and disappeared, but the flames which they had started burned furiously. The whale oil in the bottom of the boats furnished fuel that made a fire hard to extinguish. The tide was carry- ing the boats lapidlv down the river toward the pirate. Then for the first time the pirates noticed that the boats were tied together, forming a wide line stretching half across the river. Instantly there was commotion on board the pirate ship. In the confusion everybody forgot the prey they had so neatly hemmed in the river. The guns were aimed at the approaching oil boats of fire, and one was actually blown to pieces, but the oil floated on the water and only spread the flames. In a few minutes the fire boats struck the pirate ship, and the ropes holding them together drew the and boatB around toward the ship in such a way that flames were soon spreading through the rigging and hull. A few brave pirates climbed down and cut the ropes, but before they floated away the ship Was a huge mass of flames and smoke. Meanwhile Captain Bald had not been idle. Just as soon as his men dropped into the water from the fire-boats he crowded on all sail, and helped by the tide, he went bowling down the river close up toward the right bank. While the pirates were fighting the fire and trying to avert the doom of their ship, Captain Boyd was leisurely picking up the four brave sailors who had caused the mischief.. Now we'll stand out to sea," he said, and let 'em chase us again." But the last he saw of the-pirates, as his schooner rounded the point of land at the mouth of the river, Was a cheering sight. Most of them were seeking safety in the water. For more than two hours a dense wreath of smoke could be seen curling upward, and as long as it was visible Captain Bald chuckled softly to himself on the forward deck. Whftt wouldn't Captain Low give to catch me ?" he said over and over again. He'd cook me alive and feed me to his men." But no one was more joyful over the outcome of the encounter with the celebrated pirate chief than the sailors of the Carrie, who ever afterward told with great glee how they helped to burn Ned Low's beat ship.

AHMED FUAD'S PROSECUTION. The following is a translation of the pctepi,lately published (says a Cairo message) by the newspaper Saiku (Thuhderbolt), owing to which the police have instituted proceedings against Ahmed Fuad, the editor of the publication in question Greetings Presented to his Highness the Khedive on his Return from Alexandria to Cairo, Return which I cannot call happy. Hpwever longthe reign, it will have an endv At thy departure smiles wero seen on every lip. At thy return all hearts-were filled with sadness. Thou comest and no eye regards thee pass, 1. No heart among us beats with lorp for thee, Why felicitations? Are there noble deeda Which gladden us or benefits of thine ? What mean processions when no pc-wer exists ? To one without authority what use are guards? Thy aspect brings to mhid the cursed days When black calamities thy forbears piled upon us FromMac dire fate did throw you on our shores, Since when misfortnnes fall on us like darts. Whilst you bad might like tyrants you behaved, 'Tis thus the Turk is wont to use his power. ("In floods of time our innocent blood hao flowed. What countless tombs received thpse scts of gqre! What countless human forms with severed limbs Eviscerated strewed the crimsQDedmain 1 How many human creatures hifvo been racked I H6w many noble palaces destroyed How many of our greatest men o'erthrpww. WeigBed down by burdens under whi,:h they groaned! j Not one of you was ever just; Not one of you had equity as guide. To see the Royal Palace fall I wait, Bowed down by unjust acts which all destruction cause. The owls upon the ruins hoot With iterating funereal chant. Oh, Abbas, dost thou to the Khalifate aspire, As years ago aspired thy ancestors ? Rather than that the world's end would we seS, And underneath the earth much rather lie. Oh, Abbas, sorrow not for thy authority, For that is gone, and sorrow cannot bring it back. Ob, Abbas, those who wield the Sovereign Power to-day Are just, and justice always will uphold. The eyes of time for long were shut in sleep, To-day, wide open, they regard the land. Oh,.Britain, may thy will be always done" Thy buckler on all points of Egypt rest. i, That order there may well established be; ■ And Tyranny be banished from our soil t The wolf will never dare to place his feet Upon the rampart which the lion guards. Oh, Britain, who didst come to a decaying land, Which now to-day once more is flourishing. When shall I see thy noble standard float Over Egyptian soil and be at rest ?

MRS. ANNIB ARMSTAOSG, whose credentials have re- cently been investigated, may fairly claim to be the oldest person alive. She was born in 1781 at a-place called Florence Court, in the county Fermanagh, and is now in her 117th year. She is residing in'Mil- town Malbay, a small village in county Clare. She retains all her faculties and a fair *h*rW of"_Bttbn gth, and walks quite erecJt and stately, • • 7.: ¡

™ _■ FARMING NOTEa (From The Eural World") A LADY ON PoiwLTay-KREPING. I have (writes Poultry Farmeress) got my living by poultry farming in a small way for eeveraf' years; therefore, have made it my especial study. To,get as much profit as possible from them I always feed with the best corn, and a variety also. The best, meal and plenty of clean water. Their houses must be very elmn-tbis is a great point. If the poultry run in a farmyard, keep them from all manure heaps, also from liquid manure, for that is fatal to the health and life of poultry. It pays better to keep pure-bred .oockerels and have fresh ones every year, and not related by any means. I keep my fowls in olosed-in pens. I give them a midday meal of green food in the summer, and roots in the winter, and plenty of sharp grit which [ supply from crocks and old bottles, with the aid of a" patent smasher." Grit i8; quite as necessary as corn. Boultry-keepers must not think much of their trouble. If fowls are not well looked after they will not pay. DAIRY NOTES. A dairy farmer writes It is the custom in many dairies to churn twice a week in summer and once a week in the winter. When such a course is, taken, oa:e a week churning should not commence before begin- ning of December, and that for two reasons. Firstly, because in late autumn the weather, although it has become much colder, has by no means settled to a cold temperature indeed, at times, the close, muggy atmosphere is about the worst kind to keep cream. Secondly, because before cattle have settled to their winter food they are apt to feed on fallen leaves and other unwholesome material that gives taint to the butter. The longer cream is kept before churned the stronger these taints come out. Person- ally, I have always got slightly better butter by churning twice a week in winter. Even then the cream has sufficient time to ripen if it is stirred thoroughly every night and morning while gathering, nproviding the morning's skimming of cream is not added on churning morning. The object in stirring the cream is to bring all portions equally to the air, so that decomposing germs, of which the air is full, should influence all of it alike—give it all the Bame state of ripeness. The germs floating about in a pure atmosphere are most useful, indeed, are essential to give the cream a ripe and mellow state. But the case is very different where the bacteria arise from tainted meat, from vegetables, or so many other bodies br fluids that are too often allowed to pollute the atmosphere in which mild cream or butter is stored. Hence the necessity for keeping a dairy wholly and Solely for a dairy, and not using it as a larder and common store-room, as is too commonly the case. To turn out the very best butter it is needful to skim milk at least twice. The first skimming should take 12 hours after the milk is panned, and the cream be kept in a separate jar while gathering. A final skimming, when weather is cold enough to admit of it, may take place, say, 24 hours afterwards, and the cream be put in another jar. The first cream taken should be churned separately, and that makes the prime butter, because it contains the richest butter fat. Butter made from the second skimming is of inferior quality, and may be used for home consumption, or be sold at a price according 4 to its quality. The dairymaid may say, "What a loss to thus divide the cream I" Not much of that, for far away the greater body of cream will be taken at first skimming, so that of the inferior butter there will be vety little. Here it is that Skimming in the old-fasliioned way beats using the separator. It is impossible to take two qualities of cream with the latter contrivance, so that while all the butter may be tolerably good, none can be of extra high quality no more than any will be with proper management of over inferior quality. These hints should prove of infinite value to those dairy- maids who exhibit butter at shows, also to those whose aim it is to put on the market A 1 quality. And what does putting A 1 quality on the market mean to the dairymaid ? It means that she will always get a better price for her commodity than her more careless neighbours. It means that she will always, get a good sale for it, even when neighbours may not be able to sell owing to a glut in the market, and lastly, but not of least importance, it means that Bhe does more towards upholding the good name of British dairy produce than she possibly could do by managing her dairy in any other way. And that is the way to compete against foreign competitors, so matter of what nationality they may be. A ONE-COW DAIRY. To ensure the greatest success in tiae butter Jairy (observes W.")-the most scrupulous cleanliness is essential. Every vessel used should be thoroughly cleansed before using in any way conneoted with milk, oroream. The milk should be allowed to stand 12 hours before skimming, and should only be skimmed twice for, although by skimming oftener a greater quantity of cream may be obtained, it is of an infe- rior quality, and mixing it with the cream very often affects the butter. Mixing cream of different ages is not desirable, and it is best where there is a sufficient quantity of cream to churn daily. The cream should be ripened before churning, and it is ready when it tastes slightly sour. The best vessel for keeping cream in is a glazed ware crock. To prepare a churn for churning, scald it with boiling water, and immediately after cool with, cold water. When the temperature of the churn is reduced to that of the prepared cream it is ready for use, and the proper temperature for the cream must be decided according to that of the surrounding air. In churning, during the early part, ventilate the :churn by using whatever mechanical device is pro- vided for the purpose. Let your speed be timed and regularly maintained, until the first appearance of the granules of butter on the glass or plug; then open the churn and add cold water. This reduces the temperature and helps to separate the butter- milk. In drawing off the butter-milk use a hair sieve, as this prevents any particles of butter escaping. In washing the butter, use five quarts of water to a gallon of original cream, and three washings are generally sufficient. The butter should be removed from the churn with a wooden scoop to the worker." It should not be touched with the hand. The best form to mould it is that best suitad to the market for which it is intended, and if required to be packed, each roll should be put in a piece of Vegetable parchment; and be particular in not put- ting it in a box made of wood which could impart its odour to the butter. Immediately after use, wa.-h all the utensils, first with water, then with hot, and finally with boiling water. Leave them in an airy position to dry. Then let the dairy be thoroughly cleansed, being careful to dry the floor with a mop as much as possible. CONSUMING WHITZ TURNIPS AND HYBRIDS 'should now (a Practical Farmer" advises) be pushed on with as fast as may be. Where large (locks ara hurdled on the crops, they will soon consume whole breadths, and while there may be no need for clamp- ing, it is far better that the bulbs be raised, cut and served in troughs, rather than consumed while yet in the soil. The sooner the fields are passed over by the flocks, the sooner may they be ploughed up deeply, and the furrows left exposed to frost and snow, which is doubtless in store. There is just time to plough up and sow further breadths of wheat, this back-end, if all possible dispatch be used. It is these light turnip soils that bear sowing late on in the present month, because the soil being light is warm, and being warm, seed soon chits and comes through the surfaice. I have found a liberal supply of hay or corn or cake well repaid for by flocks consuming roots. There is more meat made if the sheep are for the butcher; if for going on, the carcase is increased in size, and the constitution made all the stronger against widter. The flecee, too, is improved, and unless stagnation is brought about by neglect of the flocks afterward, a eatisfactory coat is given at shear-day. Then there is the benefit of the land. A fair crop of roots of the kind under discussion, consumed by sheep liberally fed on extra food, gives ground an excellent manur- ing, one that is not soon forgotten, especially if good manure-making food be served, such as cotton cake. But the farmer who has such corn as oats, peap, or beans by him will hardly see his way clear to run up a cake bill, and after all, the corn makes its mark 'on land if liberally fed to flocks, although cotton cake leaves the best manurial returns, so should be preferred if extra food really must be bought. CHOICE AND USB OP FOOD. In feeding any animals for profit the choice and use of food are most important. Saleable products must be offered when they are demanded, or they will be rejected and the market value will be lessened. The cheapest food must be used with due consideration to its healthfulness and efficiency. Pasture, clover, or lucerne, is the cheapest of all food for swine, and its large proportion of albumi- noids tends to increase the lean flesh rather than A tne tat. Peas contain two-aad-a-half ar much albuminoid as maizel and hence- are most awful in pig feeding. Beans are equal to poor in this respect, and as both crops are easily grown their extensive use is to be commended* A certain proportion of maize fed with these may be given with advantage, but growing pork on maize- alone is not a profitable business. For dairy cattle foods rich in fat should be selected, although all Miimah seem to appreciate and fatten best on < mixed diet. But the subject having such depth and breadth of variation as regards kinds of food, and difference in individual animals, calls for most care- ful and intelligent study of the principles of feeding rather than for special directions which may apply to a majority of instances. An average can never form a satisfactory basis for feeding; each case mull be studied out for itself by the penon concerned from the principles here suggested, rather than folly described.

GARDENING GOSSIP. (From Gardening Illustrated.") p r v.; FEBNS FNDEH GLASS. 4 Many ferns may be grown in a night temperature- ef SOdeg. or so. It does riot matter to a degree or two, bat anything about 50deg. will grow nearly all he moet useful Ferns, including a good many of the moat useful Adiantums, all the Pterises, and Aspleniums. If the tropical Ferns are grown, in- sluding Gymnogrammas, then have a division across the house, and keep one end warmer. The atmospheric moisture should be regulated according to the temperature. When Maiden-hairs get shabby from picking off the fronds or otherwise, cut them, keep them a little drier till the new growth start* away, and then repot according if more stock is re- quired. FIGS IN POTS should not be exposed to frost, and if outside should be placed under cover. The Fig forces well in pot. if well nourished with rich top-dressings and liquid- manure after some progress has been made. Mix a little bone-meal with the top-dressing compost. VINES IE POTS, if strong and well ripened, ,may be started now in a, night temperature of 50deg., to be gradually in- creased as growth progresses till 65deg. is reached,. when in blossom. WINDOW GARDENING. Begonia Gloire de Lorraine is a pretty plant in a warm, light room where gas is not burnt. Ferns, Palms, Aspidistras, and other foliage plants will not require so much water now, but must not be per- mitted. to get dust dry. OUTDOOR GARDRN. Chimonanthus fragrans is a sweet thing on a shel- tered border. In very warm gardens it may do as a bush, but it flowers more freely on a wall. It is rather a difficult shrub to propagate except from layers, and layers take some time to root. Garrya elliptica is a very ornamental wall-plant in winter when covered with catkins. The male is the moot ornamental. Ivies in all forms are always effective in winter. The variegated kinds come out brighter when washed and refreshed by the autnmn rains. The variegated varieties are generally grafted on the green sorts, but they strike freely from cuttings. Pyramids of the larger-growing Ivies, such as I dentata, Rsegneriana, and Emerald Gem are very effective, and are easily created. Fix a stout pole, lit. or 90 long, firmly in the. ground, plaint- couple of plants out of pots near it, and.keep them regularly trained. Poles furnish with Roses, Honeysuckles, and Jasmines are charming when tfell covered. Fuchsias, even those generally considered hardy, axe bfltter with a little protection in winter in the form of a.mound of ashes, burnt.earth, or old j tan.- Have a heap of dry, porous material ready for earthing up Tea Roiaes the day after frost. sets in" We wait till the frost has dried the ground, and then earth up.Where the plants have to be; earned np with the surrounding soil the frost must be antici- I pated, but care must be taken that the roots are not exposed. There should be no Tulips or other balks out of the ground now.

POPPIBS. • 1 .1, xt would seem tnat there is a growing fancy for gorgeous-hued flowers, although their beauty is of a transient characteri and Poppies in variety may claim to be a sort of miniature edition of the Pseony, although some of them -equal, even if they do not exceed, the largest Ptconies in size. The varieties-of orientale and bracteatum, for instance, would, I sup- pose (writes E.") produce the largest flowers to be found in the garden. These, I think, show to the very best advantage in bold clumps in the front of shrubberies, and if they can be planted on the grass, so that a bit of Sreen shows between them, so much the betteft A ifficulty is often found, where rabbits are trouble- some, of providing for the wild garden without the 'expense and unsightliness of wire netting. I should think Poppies, like Foxgloves and Daffodils, would be among the few, the very few, plants that rabbits will not touch. Alike in height of plant as in size Of lower, these Poppies are on the big side, although they vary considerably. The mention of Poppiee and a thought of the wants of the wild garden led to the mention of the large types, but it was P. nudl- caule and its varieties of which I was thinking when starting the comparison and similarity between Pseonies and Poppies, and although the annuals, such as the best varieties of somniferum, exceed them in size and brilliance, for graceful beauty-, purity of colour, long-sustained flowering, and greater duration in a cut state, the Icelahd varie- ties hold their own remarkably well. June is a good time to sow. The plants can either be pricked out for a time or they can be thinned early; a little fine soil being put in among those that are left, these being transferred when convenient to permanent quarters. The Poppy can hardly be put out of place, and a large batch I have for cutting is growing on some narrow borders, filling up any space there it to spare between bush Appler. It is a sign of the increasing favour with which such flowers are re- garded to flnd them very largely in evidence in the | most tastily arranged dinn er tables in fact, together with the annual Poppies, Sweet Peas, largfe-flowered Marguerites, and single Gaillardias, they are the best things for such work.

VEGETABLE REFUSE. The value and necessity for a plentiful supply of manure is known to all gardeners, and as stable- manure is not always available for dressing land, recourse must be had to other ways of obtaining the requisite amount of fertilising material. Now, vége- table refuse, of which a great deal is formed through- out the year, but especially in the autumn and early months, may either be allowed to go to waste, or can be converted into valuable manure. Of the materials which come under this heading, tree leaves are amongst the most bulky and valuable. Now, November is a good time to col- lect them for the purpose in view, lw,. doing this in parks and pleasure grounds, they are some* times throwp, here, there, or anywhere, so long jas they are out of sight, and when deposited in this way they ultimately form small heaps of decayed matter which may be removed and used for some purpoees in the garden in spring, but this kind of material alone is never good manure, and cannot compete with specially prepared refuse. As the leavee are gathered they should all be carried in baskets, wheeled, or carted to that part of the garden set apart for manure heaps, and this spot should be a general receptacle for them t "broughout the collecting period. At the same time all old Pea-straw, decayed leaves, and 0 kinds of cabbage and cauliflower-stumps, from which the heads have been cut, should be brought from the kitchen garden' and thrown into a heap close to the leaves. Light stable-manure should aho be brought here, and, indeed, everything else in the way of refuse. The whole should then be mixed ap in one large heap to decay. As there may be a good deal of matter which would not readily decay, it 18 a good plan as soon as the heap has been made up to begin to make the top of it a receptacle for all kindo of slops and soap-suds from the dwelling house. This plan will enrich the le ares and induce decomposition. In about a month the whole should be turned over, keeping the freshest of the material to the bottom and the most decayed on the top. By January or throughout the spring this will make one. of the finest heaps of manure anyone could desire for digging or trenching into vegetable quarters or dress- ing flower beds. All the year round it is a good plan to make a point of gathering every kind of vegetable refuse in a heap by itself, and it is surprising hdw g valuable it will be found in the course of time. Weeds or any other refuse containing a quantity of seed which would germinate in the ground where not wanted should never be mixed up with anything useful; but with the exception of weeds, stones, ana wood, there is hardly any kmd of refuse about a garden which cannot be converted into a, useful manure.