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INATURE NOTES. I -.-
I NATURE NOTES. I KGBS OF HORSES. Grey horses are said to be the longest lived, and roans come next in order. Blacks seldom live to be over twenty, and creams rarely exceed ten or fifteen years. LIKE A SPONGE. The sea cucumber, one of the curious bodies that inhabit the ocean, can practi- cally efface itself when in danger by squeez- ing the water out of its body, and forcing itself into a crack so narrow as to be in- visible to the naked eye. THK "TARANTULA." The bite of the wolf spider of Tarento is credited with being poisonous, and is sup- posed to have the extraordinary effect of making its victim have a sort of dancing madness or frenzy (tarantism). The only cure for this is the in.fluence of music, where- by the frenzy is soothed or lessened; the same tarantelle or tarantella is given to cer- tain compositions written in quick triplet time on account of this. The mother wolf spider exercises the same maternal care as I WOLF SPIDER. J I the rest of the family, carying her eggs about in a cocoon until hatched, after which the young spiders are strapped to her back by means of silken thread. The English variety of the wolf spider is to be found in our hedges and lanes in the spring, and is, of course, much smaller than the Italian J species. These spiders do not spin webs to I attract their food, but catch their prey as I hunters. CHIVALRY AMONGST BIRDS. j "I really believe," said a gentleman who has studied bird life in all parts of the globe, "that birds have some notion of right and wrong. On one occasion," he continued, "in J the South Pacific, I saw a tern hotly pursued by a frigate bird. The tern was carrying a small fish which was no doubt coveted by its pursuer, for frigate birds are sad robbers. In this case the poor tern would have lost its property but for a curious thing. A large ¡ bird which was sailing overhead descended upon the piratical frigate bird and drove it off, leaving the tern to pursue its way in peace. Another odd sight I witnessed in an English farmhouse. A couple of very quar- relsome bantam cocks were commencing to fight when an old gander interposed, and acted the part of peacemaker by dealing the fighters some smart blows with its bill. The little roosters made several desperate efforts to renew the combat, but were stopped each time by the gander, which evidently regarded itself as the guardian of the peace." THE SAND MARTIN. i One of the peculiar characteristics of the swallow family is the ingenuity displayed by them in the construction of their nests; and the sand martin is no exception to the- rule. It takes its name from the locality selected by it for breeding purposes. It usually builds in high sandy banks, by the sides of rivers, cuttings, sand-pits, or, indeed, anywhere that the soil and situation are suitable for the purpose. The nests are built in holes ex- cavated in the sandy sides of some balk or cliff, and these holes are dug by the birds themselves. The sand martin is a skilled workman, and the gallery in which its nest is built is said to be usually excavated in thir- teen or fourteen days. The nest is commonly made of a little hay and a few of the soft breast-feathers of ducks or geese, loosely put together. Four to six eggs are laid. The flight of the sand martin is rapid, but it I SAND MARTIN. [ lacks the bold, sweeping curves of the swift and the swallow, and may be described as j somewhat wavering and unsteady. The sand martin is to be found throughout the entire j continent of Europe, even as far north as I Norway, Russia, and Sweden. The arrival of this pretty little visitor takes place in the spring, about the middle of April, and it may be most frequently seen skimming over the surface of ponds, streams, meadows, or com- mons, in pursuit of food, or occasionally dipping into the water to lave its plumage. It takes its departure from our shores about September. A COLONY OF OWLS. On the banks of the Santa Ana river, in sou- thern California, is a queer colony. It is situ- ated in the cliffs which rise above the surface of the river, and has a multitude of inhabitants. In passing along the river by daylight one would not imagine that the cliffs werc. inhabited for the members of the colony are fast asleep in the chambers of the cliffs. But at dusk there is a I change. At every one of the openings with which the cliffs are perforated appears a countenance I so human-like in its expression that the be- holder is apt to imagine that these must be the ¡ faces of the pixifc-and elves of whom he de. lighted to hear in his childhood days. The tiny faces belong to a family having the strange name of Strix pratincola, or monkey-faced owl. TO SCARE AWAY MOSQUITOES. Mosquitoes are extremely frightened by dra-gon flies, and will not come within yards of them. If one or two dragon flies are sus- pended from fine silk under- the roof of an open porch infested by mosquitoes, the dead I will scare all the htfile pests away, and they will not come back while the dragon flies are there. This has actually been tried, with surprising results. It is a well-known fact that dragon flies are predatory and voracious insects, and that they subsist largely upon gnats, midges, and mosquitoes, and it is but natural that the mosquitoe, who is a wise in- sect, should regard the dragon fly as a small I bird regards the bm, t'.
MOTOR MISHAPS.
MOTOR MISHAPS. A motor accident, unfortunately attended by fatal results, was caused on Monday by a car belonging to Lord Salisbury. The car, which contained the Countess of Selborne, Lord Howick, and Lord Wolmer, was on its way from London, and ran into a pedestrian, a carriage driver named John Harding, at Little Heath, Potter's Bar. The man was terribly injured, and died shortly afterwards. The chauffeur, it is stated, was endeavouring to steer clear of a number of approaching cyclists, when Harding, who was crossing the road, got in his way. He did his utmost to avoid Harding, but unfortu- nately the poor fellow was caught by the off lamp. A mishap also occurred to Earl Beauchamp's car (in which the Countess of Grosvenor and Mrs. Drew were riding) on Monday afternoon at the Marble Arch, where the automobile collided with a Carter Paterson van. The promptitude of the driver of the car in putting on the brakes prevented a serious accident, though the ladies were somewhat shaken. A woman named Alice Jenkins, 58, was knocked down by a motor-car in High-street, Bromley, Kent, on Monday morning. She was picked up in an unconscious condition and re- moved to the Bromley Cottage Hospital, where she died. A Westminster jury investigated the death of William Kirk, a road sweeper, who was killed by a motor-car driven by Walter Norris, chauf- feur to Mrs. Gilliatt, of Upper Belgrave-street. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death," and censured the chauffeur.
AEROPLANE TRIALS.I
AEROPLANE TRIALS. I The aeroplane models which were on view at II the Agricultural Hall during the recent exhibi- tion were put to a practical test on Monday at the Alexandra Palace. In the morning the owners demonstrated to a large and expectant alienee within the central hall of the Pal-ace thcfiying capabilities of their various inven- tions. In the afternoon a similar trial was made in the grounds. Two competitors ran one another very close. Mr. W. F. Howard's aeroplane, conspicuous for the simplicity of its design, flew 75 feet; while thp much larger and more complicated structure of Mr. Roe, consisting of two main superimposed planes, covered 84 feet. The other competitors must all have been disappointed with the results they attained, their machines in most cases coming down to the ground with a crash within a few feet of their start. Exception may, per- haps, he made in favour of Mr. H. B. Webb's bird-shaped airship, which showed considerable promise of rapidity of motion. It appeared, however, quite unable to take any but a most erratic course. At one attempt it turned round before it had gone twenty feet, and darted back to its surprised owner; another time it took a zigzag course, and charged another competi- tor's machine at the side of the arena. The best performances were made in the open air, Mr. Howard's aeroplane covering 108 feet. No first prize was awarded, the second and third prizes going respectively to Mr. A. V. Roe and Mr. Howard.
ROYALTY AT RICHMOND. I
ROYALTY AT RICHMOND. I The Prince and Princess of Wales drove to Richmond on Monday to open an addition to the Royal Hospital, in which the Princess has long been interested. From Kew Bridge the Royal visitors were escorted by the Surrey (Princess of Wales's) Imperial Yeomanry, and were received at the entrance of the hospital by a guard of honour of the Richmond detach- ment of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion of the East Surrey Regiment. The Prince, in reply to an address, said that the Princess and he were very glad to visit the hospital for the purpose of opening the new wards given by Mrs. Swan. The hospital was near to the heart of the Princess, and was asso- ciated with her earliest recollections; she had always felt a personal interest in its well-being, and it was a personal pleasure to her and to him to inaugurate further developments of it, which he trusted might be as beneficial as the "Prin- cess May Ward" had been. He trusted that ample support would be given to the new wards. The Princess received purses for the Mainte- nance Fund and a key as a souvenir of the occa- lion, and she and the Prince were then con- ducted to the new Ophthalmic Wards, which they inspected, and which the Princess declared open.
-P,16,700 FOR ROPE OF PEARLS.
P,16,700 FOR ROPE OF PEARLS. Christie's was crowded on Monday on the occasion of the sale of the jewels of the late Mrs. Lewis Hill, better known by her former name as Mrs. Sam Lewis. Dealers from all parts of the country were present. The bidding started quietly, the earlier lots fetching prices ranging from £ 20 to £100, and it was late in the afternoon before the more valuable items in the day's programme were reached. The highest price of the day was CI6,700, which was bid for Lot 86, a magnificent rope of pearls. Among the other high figures were for Lot 110, a pearl and brilliant neck- lace 11,000 for a magnificent brilliant tiara, Lot 109; £ 6,100 for Lot 75, a pearl and bril- liant brooch; £4,500 for Lot 100, an emerald and brilliant brooch; and P.3,400 for Lot 101, a pair of fine pearl earrings. The dav's sale realised £ 95,000. °
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A serious accident was narrowly averted at a presentation to tÀn. Rev. T. E. and Mrs. Beckett, at the Ifoly trinity School, Vauxhall- bridge-road, London, N.W. Mrs. Becket's hat caught fire from a g jet on the platform, but it was promptly extinguished by her husband, and she was uninjured. Discussing the new Workmen's Compensation Act, the Rector of West Hacknev (Rev. A. L. Jukes, M.A.) observed that if the gardener pinched his finger, or an accident befell the verger, the churchwardens would be called upon to pay. If anything happened to the curate the Bishop would be dropped on. and for that he (the rector) rejoiced.
-SHOT WHILE HUNTING. .
SHOT WHILE HUNTING. Mr. Spens, son of Mr. Nathaniel Spens, the well-known London financier, met with tragic death, being shot by a stray bullet from a rifle range near Aldershot, while hunting with the Ripley and Knap Hill Har- riers which were holding their last meet of the season. Both Mr. Spens and his. mother Were with the harriers, there being a large field. The hounds were laid on about one eclock at Merrist Wood, near Worplesdon, and soon found a fox near Henley Park, the Seat of Lord Pirbright. Taking a south-westerly course, the fox went off over Normandy Common, with the hounds and field ih hot pursuit. The weather Was squally and hazy, and heavy mists hung OTer the countryside. It was owing to this that the riders failed to notice the red and white posts which mark the boundaries of the danger zone on Romping Downs, at the back of the Ash ranges, which are always fully occupied by the troops of the Aldershot Army Corps. The danger that the field ran from stray bullets was not realised until the master of the hunt, Mr. Hutchinson Driver, felt a bullet flash past his ear. He immediately shouted to those nearest to rein up and gallop back, and as he gave the alarm Mr. Spens, who was just going ever a slight rise near, was seen to fall from his horse almost without a sound. When the others reached him he was dead. The bullet had passed through the neck near the ears. The accident was witnessed by Mr. Spens' mother, who was naturally overwhelmed by the suddenness of the tragic occurrence. At the inquest at Camberley on Saturday, Captain Balfour and other military officers Watched the case. The Master of the Hunt said that he and some 60 or 70 followers of the hunt were at the back of the butts before they realised their danger. He called out: "Follow me We are in the line of fire." At that moment a bullet struck the heather a yard from his horse and another passed just over his head. Mr. Hale, of Putney Vale, said that as the Master, shouted Mr. Spens was struck. The witness picked him up and tried to get him out of the danger zone, when he found the bullets whizzing about, and so he laid down with him. Evidence was given showing that at all en- trances to the danger zone there were warning boards. The jury found a verdict of "Acci- dental death," and said that no one was to blame.
THE 20TH CENTURY WOMAN.
THE 20TH CENTURY WOMAN. Mr. Plowden, the magistrate at the Maryle- bone Police-court, gave utterance to some re- flections on the twentieth century woman in deciding a case in which one woman charged another with assaulting her. From this and other cases of the kind Which come so frequently before the court," he said, it would seem that woman's nature is undergoing very considerable modifications in the twentieth century. The gentleness and irit of dependence and the 'sweet reasonable- neee' that used to distinguish the sex are giving place to a love of advertisement, and a taste for unseemly scenes of rowdyism and violence. The doves are changing into eagles. ( Even the hatpin, designed for such inno- cent purposes, is becoming, in the hands of women, as much a weapon of danger as the stiletto or the revolver. These changes in the nature of women are forced on my attention by What is constantly occurring in the police- court. In the present case no hatpin was used, but there has been a display of temper and violence which is most discreditable to any one who belongs to what one used to call the 'gentle sex.
KILLING A LADY'S DOG.
KILLING A LADY'S DOG. Before Judge Hamilton and a jury at Lan- Crmnty-coart Mr. Archibald Robertson Dougias, medical superintendent of the Royal Albert Asylum, Lancaster, was sued by Miss Agues F. Oxcroft, dog fancier, of Lancaster, to recover E25 damages for unlawfully killing A Pomeranian dog eight months old. In February sixteen prize Pomeranians were being exercised in a country road, along which Mr. Douglas and his wife were strolling. The dog began to snarl at them, and while protect- ing his wife Mr. Douglas hit one with his walk- ing-stick, fracturing its skull. The defence was a plea of justifiable, protective, but uninten- tional injury. The jury awarded the plaintifl seven guineas damages.
--HISTORIC CHURCH ON FIRE.
HISTORIC CHURCH ON FIRE. Camden Church, Peckham, where Ruskin Worshipped, was badly damaged by fire late on Saturday night, and when the congregation as- sembled for morning service on Sunday they found their church, which was only recently restored and beautified, in ruins. Damage to the extent of many thousands of pounds, which is fortunately covered by insurance, was done. The chancel, memo- rial window, and all the beautiful east end of the church have been com- pletely wrecked, and the gutted building will have to be completely rebuilt. A magnifi- cent electric organ, which was only recently presented to the church at a cost of £ 1,500, was destroyed, and is believed to have caused the disaster, by the fusing of the electric wires, which smouldered among the woodwork until the chancel burst into flame. Ruskin and Sir Gilbert Scott, the famous architect, were among the congregation of Cam- den Church at the time the chancel was built, and assisted to design it. Two pillars executed from Ruskin's plans were fortunately saved from the flames, but much that was treasured Was destroyed. The Church of St. Mary's, Park, Lanark, erected over forty years ago at a cost of £ 25,000, Was almost entirely destroyed by fire on Satur- day. The church was beautifully decorated, and contained many valuable works of art, all of which have been destroyed. The Wesley chapel and class rooms at Cinder- ford, Gloucestershire, were damaged exten- sively by fire on Saturday.
BULLDOG ATTACKS A MOTOR-CAR.
BULLDOG ATTACKS A MOTOR-CAR. A curious incident occurred on the sea front at Brighton on Sunday afternoon. A motor- ear belonging to Mr. Barrasford, of the Brighton Hippodrome, was being driven slowly near the Hotel Metropole when a white brindle bulldog suddenly sprang at one of the front wheels, in which it fixed its teeth, bringing the car to a standstill. The tyre was considerably damaged. The dog then tore the motor apron to shreds, but was ultimately secured by a lead and handed over to its owner. The dog did not attack any person.
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Franz von Vecsey, the celebrated boy-vio- linist, in whom the Queen is taking a great In- terest, and who is to give a recital in May, celebrated his fourteenth birthday last month, and -has now reached the dignity of trousers. Through the unusual thinness of his skull a Bury lad named Rowell lost his life. He waa knocked down by a cyclist, and at the inquest the doctor stated that had his skull been of the normal thickness he would have been little harmed. The ancient seal of the town of Winchelsea, which was struck in 1280, has just been re- stored to the corporation, after being out of its possession for more than a century. A prisoner at Feltham asked a constable, Who was giving evidence, whether another con- stable concerned in the case was a man or a gentleman." He is a policeman," was the xep-ly. It was agreed unanimously at a special meet-. Ing of the Ilfracombe Council to purchase the plr. and harbour for E40,000 and the lands for £ 3,750 from the committees of the •weld Estate.
I COLONIAL CONFERENCE. !
I COLONIAL CONFERENCE. I WELCOME FROM THE KING. The Colonial Conference held its first meeting at the Colonial Office on Monday, all the Colonial Premiere being present except Sir Robert Bond, the Prime Minister of Newfound- land, who had not arrived in this country. Great public interest was manifested in the event, and a large crowd gathered in the vicinity of Downing-street to see the Premiers assemble. By a remarkable oversight the Ministers who are accompanying the Premiers were overlooked in issuing the invitations to the preliminary meeting, and the mistake was not discovered until close oa the hour of assembling, when special messengers were sent to the Hotel Cecil foi? them. Most of them were able to proceed to the Conference at once, but several were late in arriving. The Earl of Elgin, Secretary of State for the Colonies, presided, and other members of his Majesty's Government who attended were Mr. John Morley, Mr. R. B. Haldane, Lord Tweed- mouth, Mr. John Burns, and Mr. D. Lloyd- George, while Mr. Winston Churchill, Sir Francis Hopwood, and various assistant Under- I' Secretaries and Secretaries to Ministers were also present. Lord Elgin opened the Conference by reading the following telegram which had been received from the King:- "At the first meeting of the Colonial Con- ference I wish you to convey to the Prime Ministers and representatives of my self-govern- ing Colonies a warm welcome on my behalf, and to inform them that I shall look forward with pleasure to receiving them on my return to England. The questions which will be sub- mitted to the Conference for discussion, in- volving matters of weighty interest not merely to the Colonies there represented but to the British Empire at large, will, I am sure, receive the most careful attention, and I am confident that the decisions arrived at will tend towards the closer union of my Colonies to the Mother Country, and to the strengthening and consoli- dation of my Empire." Lord Elgin then briefly welcomed the Pre- miers, and called on the Prime Minister to ad- dress the Conference. Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman gave the delegates a warm wel- come. He explained that the different members of the Government would be present to take part in the discussion of matters affecting their I particular departments. The Chancellor of the Exchequer and the President of the Board of Trade would state the views of the Govern- ment on the important matters of finance, Amongst these the question of preference would hold an important place, and he felt sure that his right hon. friend would be fully prepared to recognise the friendly action which had been taken by some of the Colonies, and to enter upon this subject in the fullest and frankest manner. He hoped that an agreement might be arrived at on many points, and, if in regard to others they were compelled to differ, he trusted that they would differ in a perfectly friendly way. They had no power there to arrive at j any binding decisions, for his Majesty's Govern- j ment could not go behind the declared opinions I of the country and of Parliament. But there remained many matters in which there was room for advantageous arrangement. He re- ] minded the Conference that freedom and inde- pendence were the essence of the British Im- ■ perial connection. Endorsing a remark on this point made by Mr. Chamberlain at the opening j of the last Conference, Sir H. Campbell-Ban- nerman took the opportunity of expressing sin- j cere regret that Mr. Chamberlain was at pre- sent unable to take any part in public affairs. Sir W. Laurier, Mr. Deakin, Sir Joseph Ward, Dr. Jameson, Mr. Moor, and General Botha each spoke, endorsing generally the sen- j timents expressed by Sir H. Campbell-Banner- ■ man. A reply was sent to the King acknowledging gratefully his graciou§ message. It was agreed that the constitution of the-Conference and military defence should be the first subjects dis- cussed, and decisions were., also arrived at on the subject of the publication of the proceed- ings, and in regard to the position of Ministers other than Premiers-who, it was settled, should be at liberty to attend the meetings- and it was resolved that a telegram of sympathy should be sent to Mr. Chamberlain.
I.I I BARRISTER'S TRAGIC DEATH.…
BARRISTER'S TRAGIC DEATH. I Robert Metcalfe Minton-Senhouse, a well- known barrister, was found shot dead in his chambers, at 5, King's Bench-walk, Temple, on Monday morning. The discovery was made at 7.15 by the laundress. Mr. Minton-Senhouse was sitting in his chair at a desk in the private room. He had been shot through the head with a revolver, which he was still clutching in his hand. On the floor beside him lay his pipe. Mr. Minton-Senhouse had been in ill-health for some time, and had also worried over the health of a daughter. He had been seen to enter his cham- bers about 11.30 on Suxiday morning, and it is thought that the tragedy occurred shortly after- wards. Mr. Minton-Senhouse was called to the Bar by the Hon. Society of the Inner Temple in Novem- ber, 1887, and went the Oxford Circuit and New- castle-under-Lyme and Stafford Sessions. He had an extensive practice in workmen's compen- sation cases, and his collection of decided cases ¡ in Workmen's Compensation Law published from time to time since the passing of the original Act has been of great value to the pro- j fession.
IA DISAPPOINTED BRIDE.I
I A DISAPPOINTED BRIDE. I A wedding has been interrupted in a dramatic manner at Shillington, a village in Buckingham- shire. The wedding had been arranged to take place at the parish church at 2.30 p.m., but as the vicar did not appear, a, messenger was sent for him. When the rev. gentleman arrived an alterca- tion occurred between him and the bridegroom in the vestry, during which the clock chimed three, and the wedding party were informed that the ceremony could not legally take place that day. The disappointed bride, who is the 'parish nurse, ran from the Church to her home, where she was found in a state of collapse on the floor. j
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The Marquis of Anglesey, his mother, Lady Alexander Paget, and a party from Beaudesert, his seat near Rugeley, had a motor breakdown on the way to Burton-on-Trent, where the mar- quis was to have opened a bazaar in connection with Holy Trinity Church. One of the objects of an expedition which the Duke of Orleans will make into the Polar regions early in June is to seek an island which he believes exists in the Sea, of Kara, and though it is intended to return within five months, provisions for two years will be taken. A report to the General Committee of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution states that on the occasion of the wreck of the Suevic, 456 lives were saved by the Cadgwith, Lizard, Coverack, and Porthleven lifeboats, the pecu- niary rewards to the crews amounting to C404. On the ground that the newspaper impugned her honesty as an author by declaring that she had employed Mr. Frederick Mayer to write her memoirs instead of* writing them herself, Mme. Sarah Bernhardt is suing the New York World for £ 20,000. An inquest was held at Newcastle on the two men who died in Newcastle Infirmary from injuries received in the accident to the Leeds express at Felling on February 26 last. The jury found that the accident was due to the line having buckled because of a sudden transi- tion from cold to heat. Edward Gregory, who was charged at Willes- den with furious driving, offered to give the magistrate the pony if he would drive it faster than six miles an hour. The magistrate de- clined the offer, and fined Gregory £ 1 and costs, which, he declared, was more than the animal was worth.
LORD ALLENDALE'S WILL. 0
LORD ALLENDALE'S WILL. 0 Probate was on Monday granted of the will of the Right Hon. Wentworth Blaekett, first Baron Allendale, of Allendale and Hexham, for many years Liberal member for the Hexham and Tyneside Divisions of Northumberland. His estate is entered for probate as of the gross value of £ 3,234,806 13s. lid., of which the net personalty has been sworn" at C3,227,768 18s. 6d. This would appear to be exclusive of much of his real estate, which is entailed and of immense value, including as it does many miles of land containing rich coal and lead mines. The death duties on the value of the property as sworn will amount to about £ 295,000, exclusive of what may be payable in respect of this entailed estate, whose value is not entered in the records. The above valuation of the estate is the largest figure entered in the Probate Registry Calendars for any estate since 1887, when the estate of Baron Hermann de Stern, the mer- chant banker, was entered for probate at £ 3,544,978. There have, however, been three other estates during that period of a probably larger value, although not so entered in the Calendars. The late Mr. Alfred Beit's property, provisionally entered as three millions, will pro- bably be found to exceed £ 5,000,000 in value, and the estates of the late Mr. George Smith, of Elgin and Chicago, and of Baron Moritz Hirsch, although entered at comparatively nominal figures, nevertheless exceeded in value 45,000,000 each. The late Lord Allendale's public bequests in- clude £ 5,000 to St. George's Hospital, London. Wentworth Canning Blackett, now second Baron Allendale, of Allendale and Hexham, will, apart from settled estate, inherit under the will property of the value of about irwo and a half millions sterling.
ILITERARY CHAT.
I LITERARY CHAT. I 0- I Mr. G. Locker-Lampson, who has just written a book on Ireland, is a brother-in-law of the present Chief Secretary, Mr. Augustine Birrell. The American Ambassador, Mr. Whiielaw Reid, has written a little book, which is called "The Greatest Fact in Modern History," and is descriptive of the rise of the United States among the Great Powers of the world. Mrs. Mackirdy (Miss Olive Malvery), the author of that enormously successful book, "The Soul Market," has a new novel, which will be entitled "The Speculator," coming out through Mr. Werner Laurie. "The Soul Market" was specially commended by the Prime Minister. Several of Burns's manuscripts, including I the "Cotter's Saturday Night," in the handwrit- ing of the poet, have been left by Mr. John Chatwood-Aitken to devoive as heirlooms. Mr. Aitken was the great-grandson of Robert Ait- ken, the friend and patron of the poet. Count Tolstoi, while admiring Britons in some way, has a profound contempt for our pas- sion for athletics. He once referred to us thus "The English are a brutal nation. They wor- ship their muscle; they think of it, talk of it." The Count's favourite recreation, by-the-bye, is swimming. 'J During the recent holidays a certain distin- guished personage wanted a copy of "Exton Manor" in a hurry, and accordingly wired to the publisher asking that the book might be sent per return. The office being closed, the telegraph-boy left a docket in the letter-box, with his signature attached, which by a strange coincidence was none other than Baldock— a name familiarised by Mr. Marshall in his earlier book, "Richard Baldock." Some critics have affirmed that the late i Thomas Bailey Aldrich was less a poet than a story writer. His son declares that his father I died a poet, saying only a little while --fore his end "I regard death as nothing but the i passing of the shadow on the flower." The last words of Mr. Aldrich as he passed away were: "In spite of all, I am going to sleep. Put out the lights I No biography has before been compiled of Sir John Hawkins, one of the most brilliant adventurers, generals at sea, and naval states- men of the Elizabethan era. Now we are to I have one from Messrs. Cassell and Co., entitled, "A Sea Dog of Devon," the work of Mr. R. A. J. Walling, editor of the "Western Daily Mer- cury," of Plymouth, to which Lord Brassey con- I tributes an introduction. Sir John Hawkins was a kinsman and the mentor of Sir Francis Drake, and the book deals with the most inte- I resting epoch of Britain's history. Mr. J. T. Grein is editing a new series of illustrated biographies of the leading actorst I actressses, and dramatists of the present day, j to be published by Af r. John Lane under the title, "Stars of the Stage." The first volume is "Ellen Terry," by Christopher S"t. John, while the next four volumes will probably be "Herbert BeerbohmTree," by Madame Dudley "W. S. Gilbert," by Edith E. Browne; "Arthur Wing Pinero," by E. A. Baughan; and "Henry Arthur Jones," by Anthony Ellis. When Lord Curzon represented Southport in the House of Commons nine years ago, he wrote a volume on India. The book was already in type when he was appointed Viceroy, and, simultaneously with the announcement of that appointment, a paragraph appeared in the papers advertising the forthcoming publication. However, the powers that be decided that such a book could never be allowed to pass into the hands of the public, coming, as it did, from the newly-made Viceroy, and the work was accordingly withdrawn. Mr. G. K. Chesterton, whose clever articles have won for him an important position in the I literary world of to-day, is still a young man, being only thirty-four. He was educated at St. Paul's School, and intended to devote him- self to art. Having an opportunity of writing reviews of art books, he developed into a writer. He is justly proud of having been a Pauline," and entertains a great affection for the old school. An introduction to a pocket editfon of Stevenson's "Child's Garden of Verses," pub- lished by Messrs. Longmans, is written by Mr. Andrew Lang, who gives a reminiscence. Stevenson was the bright particular star of a little group who were fond of books and of lunching together at a club. The peculiarity of Stevenson among that set was that he had never published poetry—"never even signed a copy of verses in a magazine." Then, unex- pectedly, "he blossomed on a new bough," and published the "Child's Garden of Verses." The book contains a fontispiece portrait of Steven- son's old nurse, Alison Cunningham, to whom the "garden" was dedicated. Mr. J. Ramsay Macdonald, M.P., is well advanced with his forthcoming book, Labour and the Empire." Mr. Macdonald is an old contributor to the Press. Some of his best work was written several years ago in,the form of fiction, under a pseudonym. But fiction has now been ousted by the stern realities of fact. I The new volume will deal with the position of the Labour movement in Australia and other parts of the Empire which Mr. Macdonald has visited recently. The memorial to Mrs. Gaskell, one of Eng- land's most distinguished women novelists, at Knutsford, is a fine turreted tower of white stone, rising 70 feet high. Its base is a block of buildings designed for the use of visitors. Mrs. Gaskell spent a large part of her maiden life in Knuteford, which is in reality the "Cranford of her novel; she was married at the church in the town it was here that she formed her friendship with Charlotte Bronte; and here, in November, 1865, here remains were buried in the churchyard attached to the old Presbyterian Meeting House. A figure of the authoress appears in one of the turrets. A remarkable scene was witnessed at a Methodist conference at New York, when the Rev. Benjamin Warren complained that many of the 500 ministers present had treated him coldly because they thought they saw themselves burlesqued in the characters of a novel he had written, "In the Land of the Romburg." He had, he said, apparently drawn the characters too close to life, but denied that he had con- sciously wronged anybody. If ever he wrots- another book-which he doubted-he would go" back to the time of the Csesars to get his cha- racters, but he was not sure that some of the descendants of these people would not recog- nise family portraits. His statement that he was going immediately to the publishers to asK them to suppress the book and destroy plates was greeted with applause. Another novel by the American Mr. Winstom Churchill, whom some English readers still confuse with our own Mr. Winston Churchill, is promised for the autumn. It is a historical story on the broad, vital lines which distin- guish Mr. Churchill's work and make it accept- able on this side of the Atlantic as well as lI his own country. Lady Bell, whose book, entitled "At the Works," is just out, has already made her. literary reputation as a writer of very excellent- drawing-room plays. That was before her hus- band succeeded to the title conferred ugon his father, the famous ironmaster. One of Lady Bell's plays nad the distinction of being acted by M. Coquelin., "é'
-5 1 I EPITOME .OF NEWS.
1 I EPITOME OF NEWS. The number of deaths in Belfast from spotted fever now reaches 177. Mr. R. D. Hilton has resigned his position of Mayor of Southwark in consequence of fail- ing health. Tolls charged to visitors to the Monument last year totalled £539. The surplus over ex- penditure was £100. Between May and September 45,000 Regulars, Militia, and Volunteers are to go under canvas on Salisbury Plain. Amongst the boys in the Bethnal-green Work- house a company of the Chur2h Lads' Brigade has been formed. Aged eighty-two, a woman named Jane Jones has been committed for trial at Cardiff on a charge of shoplifting. The entertainment to be given in the City of London to Prince Fushimi will take place at the Mansion House on May 10. Mr. Haldane announced that the War Office delegates' report on the Chicago packing-houses was not to be published. Medical Privy Councillor Prof. von Levden has been appointed a substantive Privy Coun- cillor, with the title of Excellency. In her eighty-second year, the Dowager Lady Brooke-Pechell, widow of the late Sir G. S. Brooke-Pechell, died at Alton (Hants). General Sir Frederick Lugard, the newly- appointed Governor of Hongkong, will leave England to take up his post early in June. Mrs. Gertie Green, a well-dressed woman, was fined £ 10 at the Thames Police-court for street betting in Langdale-street, St. George's. 11 A verdict of "Suicide during temporary in- sanity" was returned at the inquest on Robert Metcalf, 54, master at Scarborough Workhouse. Genwer Colliery, Llanelly, where early last month a serious explosion occurred, resulting in the death of six men, was found to be 011 fire. All the metropolitan borough councils are being asked to give their employees a iioliday on May 1 by the Labour Day celebration com- mittee. Bird collector, soldier, and farmer, Mr. J. W. Brown has died at Macclesfield, aged ninety- seven. He took part in the native wars in New; Zealand. Alexander Lockwood, a Nottingham game- keeper, shot his wife and then himself. Ho died shortly afterwards, and his wife's condi- tion is critical. Mr. Frederick E. Hilleary, clerk to the West Ham Board of Guardians, has resigned on ac- count of age. He had held the office for nearly ("forty years. A meeting of Irish Unionists, which was helcfr at the House of Commons, decided to erect a. memorial in Ireland to the late Colonel Saun- derson, M.P. The death occurred at Winsford of Mr. Geo. Hamlett, aged 74, who in 1899 founded one ofl the largest salt manufacturing concerns outside the Salt Union. While sitting by the fire combing her hair, & Montgomeryshire lady had a remarkable expe- rience. The celluloid comb caught fire, and all her hair was burnt off. Formerly Minister at Tokio, Stockholm, and Brussels, and afterwards Ambassador at Vienna, the late Sir Francis R. Plunket left estate valued at £ 11,260 gross. A "Simple Life" hotel has been opened at the Garden City (Letchworth). Fruit and vege- tables are the main articles of diet, and the butter supplied is made of nuts. "Public opinion would not allow me to send boys to prison for window smashing," said the magistrate at Tower-bridge Court to a com- I plaining tradesman. According to the "Jewish Chronicle," Mme. Georg Speyer, of Frankfort, a near relative of Sir Edgar Speyer, has given C,150,000 for the promotion of scientific objects. Of the loan of Y-1,500,000 which the Sultan of Turkey is trying to raise it is stated that R250,000 is required for the marriage of two of the Imperial Princesses. Two hundred foreign laundrymaids, coming chiefly from France, Holland, and Germany, will be entertained in London next month by & committee of English laundry proprietors. While playing at the Glasgow Medical Golf Club's spring meeting at Gailes, near Irvine, Ayrshire, Dr. Sneddon, of Beith, collat>$ed oa one of the greens and expired immediately. The schools at Stowmarket, Suffolk, have been closed owing to a serious epidemic of measles. All but four children out of sixty- three on the register at one of them are ill. A woman at Anvers, in the canton of Neu- chatel, who gave birth to twins once in 1904. twice in 1905, and once last year, has now given birth to triplets, who are all boys and healthy. The Corporation of Glasgow has accepted the invitation of the American Consul to send a de- putation to Chicago to inspect the sanitary con- dition of the packing-houses and stock-yards there. A defendant told the magistrate at Marl- borough-street that the poorness of milk sold at his establishment was due to a fault in the can. The excuse resulted in a fine of 20s. and costs. Prizes for the essay competition in the metropolitan schools organised by the R.S.P.C.A. will be distributed by the Prin- cess of Wales on May 11 at the Alexandra. Palace. The entrance-gate of the chancel ie & hurdle left by the builders, and the chancel is papered. It does not appear seemly," said the vicar of Yarmouth, presiding at St. Paul's Church vestry. Somerset is excited over a sentence of ten. years' penal servitude passed by Sir Edward Fry, Quarter Sessions chairman, upon a pri- soner, previously convicted, for stealing a lady's gun-metal watch. Deacons who neither drink nor smoke iR now the rule with the Breconshire Welsh Methodists. The South Wales association has decided that it is too soon to apply the rule in the other counties. Dr. Harrison, the Essex coroner, decided that no purpose would be served by holding an inquest on the skeleton of a middle-aged man, encased in top boots and ^sailors ciothing, ■which was washed ashore at 1 rinton. "I'll be after coming soon to see his Grace, who is a young man by me," said an Armagh, man, aged 113 years, when visited by Miss Alex- ander, daughter of the Archbishop of Armagh, who is eighty-two. Dislike of suet dumplings on the part of in- mates of Dunmow Workhouse led to a wastage left on the plates, of which the Local Govern- ment Board inspector complained. Bread and cheese has now been substituted. A widow, who was summoned for the third time before the Long Stratton (Norfolk) magis- trates for not sending her child regularly to school, was fined 10s., to be paid by instal- ments of threepence a week. As the verger of Birmingham Cathedral was about to ring the bell for evensong he found a man bleeding from a wound in the throata lying on the floor, with a table knife beside him. The man was removed to hospital. At Ramsey, John James Kermeen was com- mitted to prison for a month for cruelty to his nine-year-old boy. The prisoner dragged the boy from bed and beat him brutally with & shoe and a belt, causing seven large bruises. An order has been given for another new; Allan Line steamer for the Canadian service. The vessel is to be of 10,000 tons, and will be called the Hesperian. This is the third steamer in course of construction for Messrs. Allan. A Chester train entering Birkenhead took the wrong points, and dashed into a standing Lon- don train. The front part of the London train and guard's van of the Chester train were damaged, but nobody was injured.