The Aberystwith Observer

A REMARKABLE RELIC. A French correspondent writes I was present on Whit-Monday at a religious ceremony of a very re- markable kind, which is celebrated every year in the parish church of Argenteuil, a small town upon the banks of the Seine, just outside Paris. For ten days every year, from Ascension Day to Whit-Monday, a casket, containing one of the supposed fragments of the robe or tunic worn by our Lord just before His crucifixion, is carried in procession along the aisle of the church, and the congregation are afterwards admitted to view it in the vestry. Many of your readers will, doubtless, be aware that what is said to be the exterior robe worn bv our Lord is preserved in the Church of Treves, in Germany, but that at Argenteuil is alleged to be the inner garment which the Saviour wore, and for which the Roman soldiers cast lots. The holy tunic is enclosed within a double shrine, and is only exhibited in its entirety at rare intervals, as it is placed under seal by the bishop of the diocese (Ver- sailles), who alone has authority, under .he Pope, to break them. Thirty years ago the seals were broken by the then bishop,as the late Pope bad expressed a wish to have a fragment of the sacred garment, and at the same time two other fragments were cut out of it and placed in two small shrines, which the faithful are allowed to kiss, kneeling at the altar. The seal affixed in 1854 began to crumble away about three years ago, and they were renewed by the Bishop of Versailles just before the Whitsun festival, among those present being the parish priest of Argenteuil, who tells me that the holy tunic is made of camel's hair, being dark brown in colour and very much like the garment which the Arabs of the present day wear next the skin. He adds that it was examined through a microscope, and that all who were present unanimously agreed that they could detect not stains but traces which they are convinced are of blood. Beyond remarking that there is no inherent impossi- bility in a camel's hair garment being preserved for eighteen centuries I do net feel called upon to express any opinion as to the authenticity of this relic which, however, is venerated as such by all Catholics, and believed by them to have been the means of effecting many miraculous cures, among others those oe the eldest son of Lord Clifford, the Marquis d'Harcourt, and the Comte de Damas, who was for many years a companion of the Comte de Chambord.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY. The working of the National Gallery Loan Act of 1883 is illustrated in the latest report of the Director of the National Gallery. It appears that pictures to the number of 125 have been lent during the past year to various institutions in London and the provinces. Of these fifteen were portraits by Reynolds and others, now on loan to the National Portrait Gallery, South Kensington, and nine pictures are temporarily located in the National Gallery of Ireland. Of the three sets of Turner's drawings available for tempo- rary loan to provincial institutions, No. 2 is lent at present to the Corporation of Manchester, to the Art Gallery of which eleven other pictures are also en- trusted twelve pictures have been lent to the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool; and other loans of pictures varying in number have been made to the Corporations of -Oldham nine, to Warrington eight, to Stockport seven, to Nottingham nine, to Leicester, Stoke-upon-Trent, and Sheffield seven each, to Dundee five, and to Glasgow eleven pictures. Plymouth, with three pictures, Bradford with one picture, and Coventry with four, one of which is G. Jones's Lady Godiva Preparing to Ride Through Coventry," have within the past year been added to the list of to Nns to which loans have been made.

You may speak," said a fond mother, about people having strength of mind, but when it comes to strength of don't mind, my son William surpasses everybody I ever knew." Two Liverpool merchants were conversing about business matters one day on 'Change, when one of I them remarked on the badness of the times, and the difficulty of meeting acceptances which were coming I due; at the same time, observing a group of sparrows on A neighbouring house-top, he exclaimed to his com- panion, "How happy those birds must be!—they have no acceptances to provide for." Why," re- plied his friend, I don't see how you can properly say that; they have their bills to provide for the same as we have." ft H?

When I grow up i shall luarry a rich man, or I won't marry anybody," a little girl was heard to say. But if you don't marry anybody," replied her father, smiling, you will pure to live with a poor man all your life." Instantly the little maiden answered Oh, but pape, I love you, so you don't seem poor." In a certain street are three tailors. The first to shut up chop hung out his sign: "Here is the best tailor in town." The next put up: Here is the best tailor in the world." The third simply had this: Here is the best tailor in this street." A meeting of the General Committee of the Gordon Memorial was held at Marlborough House on Saturday, the Lord Mayor presiding. The report of the sub- committee recommended that the Port Said Hospital scheme should be no longer entertained, and a motion approving of the report was carried, moved by Sir John Oowell and seconded by Sir Henry Acland. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge spoke in favour of the resolution. The fund now amounts to about £ 16,000.

THE ENGLISH CHURCH IN CYPRUS. A correspondent writes from Cyprus: An event of great importance to the members of the English Established Church resident in what has been termed the gem of the Mediterranean' took place at Nicosia, on May 6, when the High Commissioner of the island, Major-General Sir Robert Biddulph, C.B., K.C.M.G., laid the foundation-stone of the first build- ing for Protestant worship erected since the occupa- tion,' as the transference in 1878 of the governing power from Turkey to Great Britain is called. Though services have been held (as well at other towns as the capital, where the chief officials reside) in rooms affording sufficient accommodation, the want of a proper place for divine worship had long been felt, and many bad set their hearts on building a temple made with hands.' There was a healthy diversity of opinion as to the best manner of achieving the object in view. In some quarters a strong feeling prevailed that the Church of St. Nicholas-a monument testify- ing to the piety and munificence of the Crusaders- now desecrated and used as a store, should be restored and arranged decently and in order,' that English voices might again, after a lapse of centuries, re- sound through its vaults in praise of the Creator. As its handsome triad of doorways, still manifesting the skill of the carvers, is within a few yards of the stately, but defaced, portals of the spacious Gothic cathedral raised by the Venetians, now used as the chief mosque of the Mahomedans and known as St. Sophia, as the feelings of Orientals in religious matters are sometimes fervid, even if unaggressive, and as there might have been some difficulty in acquiring the building, this scheme was gradually relinquished. A small majority of the residents supported another proposal—that the new church should be without, and not within, the ramparts. A piece of land nearly half a mile west of the city, and close to the Government offices, was accordingly selected, and was given by the authorities in England for the purpose required. The design selected was that of Mr. W. Williams, of the Government Engineer's Department, one of the many alumni of Cranleigh College who have carried their recollections of the Surrey school into various parts of the globe. The pro- duction of his facile pencil is one of elegant simplicity, with chaste ornamentation and detail, showing that the rare architectural treasures of his native city (Winchester) have not been lost upon him. The style chosen is early English, with a touch of French characteristics introduced into the bell-tower, the interior length being 52ft. and the width 22ft., afford- ing accommodation for 100 persons-abotit one- third more than the present congregation. On the north side stands the tower, with recess for organ below; on the south there is a vestry; and on the west a porch. The main portion of the building will be constructed of the local buff-coloured freestone, with dressings of a harder white stone (resembling that of Portland), quarried a few miles from Nicosia. The church will be known as St. Paul's, being named after the great Apostle, who visited the island in A.D. 45, and converted the Roman Pro-Consul, Ser- gius Paulus. Indeed, so abiding was the success of the mission that before the time of Constantine the Great, a little more than two and a half centuries later, there were thirteen bishops in the island. The erection of the church, exclusive of seating, lead lights, &c., has been undertaken by Mr. J. H. Hut- chinson, a well-known local contractor, for E924, which sum, thanks to acceptable donations from the mother country, may be said to be in hand. Before the great Christian festival the building will be com- pleted, and, from its elevated position, it will form a prominent object for many miles. It is hoped that at some not far distant day a residence for the officia- ting clergyman may be rained near the fabric. His Excellency, attended by his aide-de-camp, Captain Sapte, arrived at 5.30 p.m. at the enclosure, which had been gaily decorated with English flags, and was presented by the contractor with a silver trowel of native workmanship. Colonel F. Warren (the chief secretary, whose keen interest in the progress of the island is well known, and was manifested last sum- mer by an exhibition of Cypriote antiquities, &c., in London), the head officials, many ladies, the Greek Archbishop of Cyprus, the Bishop of Kitium, the Abbot of Kikko Monastery, several Greek priests, and some of the most influential residents of the city. The Rev. J. Spencer, the resident minister, conducted the service. Dr. Dobbs, the Chairman of the Build- ing Committee, having thanked Sir Robert for obtain- ing the site, desired him to lay the stone, which his Excellency did with the usual formula, and the pro- ceedings terminated."

THE PALACE OF ENCHANTMENT." Albert Leister, alias Professor Lisle, has been charged on a warrant at Bow-street Police-court, with having obtained X50 by means of false pretences, Mr. Abrahams, who appeared for the prosecution, said that he should be inclined, if Mr. Flowers were of opinion that:a prima facie case were made out, to apply for the assistance of the Public Prosecutor, as there would, no doubt, be other cases against the prisoner. The prisoner had represented himself to be a conjuror. Mr. Abrahams thought he had cer- tainly succeeded in conjuring his client's money into his own pocket. The prisoner had represented to the prosecutor that he was a manufacturer of conjuring tricks and that he got from X3 to X7 a week from Messrs. Hamley and Co., of High Holborn, and from Messrs. Bland, of New Oxford-street. He also led the prosecutor to understand that he had a fortune coming to him from Australia, which had been left by his uncle. Owing to these representations his client went into partnership with the prisoner, and paid him £50. The place of entertainment was to be called, among other names, The Arabian Palace of Mystery and Enchantment." The following was one of the programmes which had been drawn up: The Royal Combination Burlesque and Variety Company. Under the direction of Messrs. Leister and Squires. Change of programme each evening. Part I.: Songs, solos, glees, dances, and musical marvels. Part II. Mirth, Magic, and Mystery, or how to become a Wizard. Part III. The Royal Continental Musical Wonders. The great Daniels Family, in their novel musical act. Part IV.: Miss Alice Merrilces, in her marvellous second-sight seance. American Tambourine solo by Mr. A. Leister. The performance to conclude each evening with burlesque, operetta, or musical sketch." Then came the names of the manager and stage-manager, Mr. F. Squires and Mr. A. Leister. The prices of admission were 2s., Is., 6d., and 3d. Half-price for children. The intimation that carriages may be ordered at ten o'clock p.m." was marked out of the manuscript programme. The prisoner also bad transactions with a young lady. This young lady was to be taught to give clairvoyant performances. She was induced to give the prisoner iJlO in order to be taught. Mr. Squires, a gilder, of Marylebone, said in January last he read an advertisement in a news- paper asking for a partner to bring out a few inven- tions before the public. In consequence of that advertisement he wrote, answering it. He was told to call at Savoy House in the Strand. The house was kept by Mr. Grayle, a theatrical agent. He saw the prisoner, who said he was the maker of tricks for Messrs. Hamley, Messrs. Bland, and others, and also an inventor. He said he earned from those two firms from X3 to £7 per week. The prisoner gave him catalogues of Messrs. Hamley and Messrs. Bland. The prisoner said he should bring out his greatest invention before the public, and that was why he wanted a partner. He also stated that he bad an uncle who had died in Australia, and he should have his money in a month. He refused the name of his solicitor. He said he had been left several hundreds of pounds. The prisoner offered as a security a Mr. Gold smith. The prisoner represented himself to be a con- juror. He gave the prisoner altogether £ 50 in order to become his partner. There was an agreement drawn up. He wrote it at the prisoner's dictation. There was no such place as the Arabian Palace of Enchantment. Up to the present time the prosecutor had got something under a sovereign profit. Mr. Goldsmith became a surety for the prisoner in £ 50. The prisoner also had X5 to further the business. Witness was present when the young lady paid JE10 to be taught the clair- voyant business. He parted with his money believing that he bad business with Messrs. Hamley and Messrs. Bland. He went to Messrs. Hamley's with the prisoner, who laid out about sixpence or seven- pence. Mr. Hamley, of High Holborn, said he carried on business with his brother in High Holborn. The house was called the Noah's Ark, and he sold toys and conjuring apparatus. The prisoner never sold him conjuring tricks. Mr. Abrahams hoped Mr. Flowers would ask for the assistance of the Public Prosecutor. The case was a very hard one for his client, as he had already lost a lot of money. Mr. Joseph Bland, a manufacturer of conjuring tricks, of New Oxford- street, said he never saw the prisoner before in his life. The prisoner had never supplied him with conjuring tricks. Kate Leslie Grayle, a married woman, carry- ing on the business of a theatrical agent in Savoy House, Strand, said that the prisoner was introduced to her about the end of last November. She inserted an advertisement in a newspaper at the prisoner's request. People used to see the prisoner at her house. Among others she saw Mr. Squires there. Mr. Abrahams said there were several other charges to be brought against the prisoner. One of the persons who bad a charge to prefer against him was a lady who resided in the country. The prosecutor bad no money to spare to bring the lady up to town. For this reason he again urged that perhaps Mr. Flowers would exercise his influence to induce the Public Prosecutor to take the case up. Mr. Flowers thought there was quite sufficient evi- dence to deal with the case. The prisoner was com- mitted for trial.

PAINFUL DEATH of an INDEPENDENT LADY. On Saturdav afternoon Mr. A. Braxton Hicks held an inquiry at the St. George's Hospital, London, re- garding the death of Elizabeth Birch, aged 81 years, lately residing at 39, Scarsdale-villas, Kensington, who had died in that institution. Mr. William Morse, principal clerk at the War Office, Pall Mall, said he had known the deceased for the last thirty years. She was never married, and was quite inde- pendent. Mary Ann Cyster, domestic servant to the deceased, stated that she saw her mistress go into the drawing-room, and witness went to the top of the house to attend to her duties. In a few moments she heard Miss Birch give two loud screams, and on rushing downstairs found her standing on the landing in flames. All her clothes were alight. Witness endeavoured to extinguish the fire with-a. mat, but not succeeding, she opened the street door and called for assistance. Two painters came in apd threw rugs round the deceased, who was then sitting on a chair in a small room. The flames were even- tually put out by a doctor, who ordered the lady to be taksn to the hospital. Engineer John Douglas, of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, stationed at High-street, Kensington, said the fire in the drawing- room was nearly out when he got there with an engine. The blinds and curtains had been consumed. At this point the coroner was informed that the deceased made a statement to Eliza Whitmore, the head nurse of the Wellington Ward, and she was accordingly sent for. Ralph, the officer, returned, however, say- ing that nurse would rather not come down," and a second attempt to secure her attendance resulted in a message to the effect that she should not attend, as she had not been served with a notice. Eventually she was brought down by the officer, and in reply to the coroner she said she thought she need not attend without a notice, and another reason why she did not come down was that she did not think her evidence necessary. The coroner advised her not to mistake her position. That was not the way to treat a coroner and jury, and if she had not attended she might have been taken into custody by the officer. The witness was then sworn, and deposed that the deceased told her that she was smoking plants to kill the insects when the curtains caught fire." She asked her why she did not run away, and she replied that she did as soon as she could. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."

ABOLITION OF THE GREEK EMBASSIES. King George of Greece has now signed the official decree abolishing all the Greek embassies abroad, except that in this capital. In future, therefore, Greek interests will be represented in the capitals of Europe by the secretaries of the respective legations, who will officially replace the Ambassadors thus re- moved at one stroke of the pen. The reason for this somewhat extraordinary action on the part of the Greek Government is the increasing difficulty which it finds in making both ends meet, the finances of the country being, indeed, well nigh on the verge of bankruptcy. This must not, however, be attri- buted to the extravagance of the Tricoupis Ministry, as that statesman, although he has undoubtedly created an added expenditure, has worked wonders in the government and financial administration of the country. It is, indeed, with a view to the continued internal development of the country that the drastic measure has been adopted of recalling the foreign Ambassadors, and, although Greek foreign interests may suffer from the change, it will certainly effect a much-needed relief in the Budget.

"And so you have married a Mr. Penny," said a gentleman to a lady of his acquaintance. No, Mr. Pence," she replied. Ah," said he, you nave done better than I thought.

THE GREELY RELIEF EXPEDITION. Nine months ago Europe and America received with thankfulness and delight the news that Lieu- tenant Greely and such of his companions as had not succumbed to the privations to which the party had been exposed, hrd been rescued and brought safely home. The story of their deliverance has now been told, and, we may add, told singularly well, by Com- mander W. S. Schley, who commanded the relief expedition, and Professor J. R. Soley, in a volume entitled The Rescue of Greely," published by Messrs. Sampson Low and Co. The expedition had been re- solved upon by President Arthur and his Ministers in January, 1884, but the squabbles which arose in Congress about the necessary vote might have wrecked the whole scheme if it had been in less energetic hanas than those of the Secretaries for the Navy and War Departments. The bill introduced by the Government was finally carried, but so vexatious were the Parliamentary disputes about it that the senator in charge of the measure was driven to express the ironical hope that if Greely and his companions were to be left to perish they might at least perish in a Parliamentary manner. So deter- mined were the two Ministers that no time should be lost that they made themselves responsible, pending the decision of Congress, for 100,000 dollars, the price agreed to be paid for the whaling steamer Bear, which it had been agreed to buy of its owners at Greenock. The steamer Alert was subsequently offered for the expedition by the British Government, and Mr. Leigh Smith had generously placed on board that vessel his Arctic outfit of tents, sledges, and clothing. The old country has, therefore, no incon- siderable share in the honour attaching to the success- ful conduct of the expedition. On the 28th of February last year Commander Schley was appointed to the command of the expedition, which consisted of the Bear, the Thetis, and the Alert. The fullest powers were conferred upon him, and he was made to under- stand that he would be held responsible for every detail. How well he fulfilled the trust which had been reposed in him the narrative shows, but it would be a grave omission not to notice the strenuous and unwearied attention which was given to the enterprise by Mr. Chandler, the Secretary of the Navy, whose official instructions, it may be remarked in passing, are models of clear and concise despatch writing. Not a single detail was omitted which could tend to ensure success. It was ascertained, for example, that the use of anthracite coal, such as is employed in the American navy, would involve loss of speed, and thereupon an English steamer was chartered, there being no ship in the United States fit for the service, to bring over 2000 tons of the best Welsh coal from Cardiff. Reindeer skins, again, were wanted for the winter clothing of the men; but the article could not be had in America, and an order was at once despatched to Stockholm. Even there some delay occurred before the skins could be pro- cured from the Swedish country villages, but happily they arrived before it was too late, and the suits were made up in New York in an extraordinarily short time. So complete, in fact, were the arrangements, that not a single omission or defect of any importance ever came to light. The first of the ships to start was the Bear, which steamed out of New York on Thursday, the 24th of April. The next day had been fixed, but as it was a Friday, the date was changed in deference to nautical superstition, and in accordance with the promptitude which had characterised all the proceedings, it was resolved to be a day beforehand rather than a day behind. The other vessels followed some days later, and the expedition was in company with a fleet of Dundee whalers, the captains and crews of which had been exhilarated by the offer of the United States Government of a reward of 25,000 dollars for the rescue of Greely and his party, or for authentic news of them. On the 4th of May the region of perpetual daylight was reached by the Bear, and the officers and men had every night to manu- facture artificial darkness, in order to secure a few hours of sleep. It was on Sunday, the 22nd of June, that the relief party first came upon traces of Greely. A party under Ensign Harlow bad been landed on Stalknecht Island, and, after a little search, the officer signalled to the ships the message, Have found Greely's records: send five men." The papers were soon examined (they are set out in full in the narrative), but their contents were more depressing than exhilarating. The latest date was October 21, 1883, and at that time there were but 40 days' full rations left. It seemed impossible that any of the ill-fated men could have survived all through the intervening eight months of Arctic winter. The records showed that Greely's expedition, during its stay of two years at Lady Franklin Bay, had marked out the interior of Grinnel Land, and that Lockwood had followed the northern shore of Greenland, and had reclaimed for America the honour of the farthest north. As the writers of the narrative truly remark, its was a wonderful story. But now the question was how to find its heroes, and to help them, if they were yet within reach of help, which seemed barely possible. Before night, how- ever, or the hours which should be night in the temperate regions of the world, the objects of the search were found. A man was seen by the look-out party in a cutter, who responded by waving a flag to the signal hoisted on board the boat. Twice he fell, as he slowly and cautiously descended from the height on which he had been described, but he persevered, and as he came within speaking distance was able to reply to the eager question of the officer in command, How many are left ?" Seven." A few more words followed, and then it was learned that Greely was among the survivors, but that no other officer was still living. The information was added that the tent had been blown down. It did not take long to bring the relief party to the spot where the six miserable men were lying. It was a sight of horror. On one side, close to the opening, with his head towards the outside, lay what was apparently a dead man. His jaw had dropped, his eyes were open, but fixed and glassy, his limbs were motionless. On the opposite side was a poor fellow, alive to be sure, but without hands or feet, and with a spoon tied to the stump of his right arm. Two others, seated on the ground in the middle, had just got down a rubber bottle that hung on the tent pole, and were pouring from it into a tin can. Directly opposite, on his hands and knees, was a dark man with a long matted beard, in a dirty and tattered dressing-gown with a little red skull cap on his head, and brilliant, staring eyes. As Colwell appeared, he raised himself a little, and put on a pair of eye-glasses. Who are you ?' asked Colwell. The man made no answer staring at him vacantly. Who are you ?' again. One of the men spoke up: 'That's the Major- Major Greely.' Colwell crawled in and took him by the hand, say- ing Greely. is this you ? 'Yes,' said Greely, in a faint, broken voice, hesita- ting and shuffling with his words. Yes—seven of us left-here we are- -dying—like men. Did what I came to do-beat the best record.' Then he fell back exhausted." It was but too evident that none had much longer to lire, if they had not been helped, and it was doubt- ful whether the help had come in time. The famished men had lost all appetite when they were discovered, but after taking food they became ravenous, and it was needful to exercise strict restraint. They were some time recovering their almost exhausted mental faculties, but happily, with the exception of one, named Elison, of whose funeral at Upernivik a touching account is given, all were eventually brought round, and reached America in safety. We are told but little in this book of the survivors' experiences through the "hard, hard winter," of which Long, the first to meet the deliverers, spoke with such pathos. If ever the story should be told it will be one of the most terrible in the annals of adventure. The men bad seen their comrades die one after the other, and knew that their own turn must quickly come. The earliest victims bad been buried deeply and carefully, while the remains of those who succumbed later were barely covered with loose earth-a terrible testimony to the growing weakness of the sufferers left behind. Greely had been the first to recognise the sound of a steamer's whistle, but nobody believed that he had really heard it; his assertion that he had done so was thought to be the utterance of a crazed fancy. It is a painful indication of the apathy to which the men bad been reduced that this sound of hope does not appear to have awakened even in the mind of him who heard it any expectation of deliverance, or even desire for it. As we close the record, it is hard to repress the feeling that the results of Arctic exploration have not been commensurate with the fearful sacrifices which are demanded by its pursuit.

KNOW THYSELF."—An old Grecian philosopher advises all men to know themselves. That's advising a good many to form very low and disreputable ac- quaintances.

GENERAL GRAHAM'S FAREWELL TO HIS TROOPS. The Gazette contains the following Speci 1 General Order issued by General Graham en the relinquish- ing of his command of the Souakiip. Field Force Soi'Aicijj, May 16. 1. Orders have been received to, break up the Souakim Field Force, and General Lord Wolseley, Commanding-in-Chief in Egypt and the Soudan, in his Special General Order of this date, addressed to the army, of which this force is a portion, has ex- pressed his approbation in terms which will always be remembered with gratification. 2. I desire, before relinquishing the command which I have had the honour to hold, to convey to all ranks my high appreciation of the soldierlike spirit, gallantry in action, and cheerful endurance of hard- ship which they have uniformly shown. 3. During the early days of the campaign the work thrown upon officers and men, in every rank and in every department, was severe and unceasing. It was- necessary to prepare fcr the active operations required to overcome the power of a brave and fanatical foe, so as to clear the country for the special objects of the expedition. This work was performed under the harassing conditions of incessant night attacks by a cunning and resolute adversary, entailing constant vigilance and readiness on the part of the whole force. 4. Whether engaged with the enemy or labouring under a burning sun in the deep sand of the desert, often with but a scanty supply of water, the Souakim Field Force has displayed the true qualities of good soldiers. 5. In the action at Hasheen the enemy was dis- lodged from h;s position on the flank of the line of advance, and in the subsequent fight at the zereba his sudden and desperate onslaught, made with fanatical determination, was repulsed with heavy loss by the coolness and discipline cf British and Indian troops. By the march and operations at Tamai the main position of Osman Digna was occu- pied and destroyed, and it was shown to him and to the tribes that he was unable to offer any further serious resistance to our advance. 6. Throughout these operations nothing could have been more admirable than the courage and endurance of the troops. 7. Since then the energies of the force bad been employed in the advance to Handoab, Otao, and Tambuk and in preparing the way for the railway. The bush has been cleared, roads and defences made, and permanent posts formed, while large working parties have been 'given to the railway, which reached Otao in a little over three weeks after the operations at Tamai had allowed it to be pushed on. 8. Frequent and successful reconnaissances have been made into the enemy's country, and on the 6th inst., in the attack on Takool, Muhammed Adam Sardoun, Osman's Digna's chief leader was surprised and driven from the position he and his followers had taken up. 9. Throughout the campaign the work of the British and Native cavalry has been incessant, and whether in action, in scouting and reconnaissances, or in the protection of convoys, their important duties have been performed in the most admirable manner. 10. The Royal Artillery have added to the reputa- tion of their distinguished regiment, and have adapted themselves quickly and well to the special organisa- tion and work required in this country. 11. The Royal Engineers and Queen's Own Madras Sappers and Miners have executed most useful and laborious work in all the many engineering opera- tions required in a land which offers no resources, while they have again shown their value as soldiers in the field. 12. The Infantry, whether British or native, has been foremost in fighting and in hard work, and the presence of her Majesty's Guards has brought out a spirit of generous emulation, which is always con- ducive to efficiency. 13. The Brigade of Guards has taken its full share of the hard work and fighting. During the period.of the railway construction, two battalions of the Guards, with the New South Wales Contingent, were always in the front, and to them fell the heavy duties of cutting through the bush by day and ward- ing off attacks by night. 14. The Guards, Infantry, and Royal Marines have also furnished men to the Mounted Infantry and Camel Corps, both of which have attained remarkable efficiency in a short time, and have proved of the greatest value. 15. The Royal Marines and Royal Marine Artillery, who for so long a time have manfully endured the enervating climate of the Soudan, showed by their conduct in action in the recent operations that they had preserved the characteristics which have always so greatly distinguished these fine corps. 16. The New South Wales Contingent has furnished a bright example of the martial qualities of the Anglo-Saxon race, and has shown to all the latent military strength of the Empire. The soldierlike spirit which has pervaded all ranks of the Contingent is the theme of universal admiration, and it will be a valued remembrance to all who served in the Souakim Field Force to recall this, the first time when their fellow-countrymen from the colonies served and shared with them the fortunes of a campaign. 17. The Indian Contingent came to the Soudan admirably equipped and organised, and has fully justified all that was expected of such a force, and whether in fighting, in marching, or in camp, it could not be surpassed in conduct and appearance, or in discipline and efficiency. 18. My best thanks are due to the Staff Officers of the force for their able assistance and for the self- devotion with which they have worked in this trying climate. 19. The administrative departments of the Army, the Commissariat, Transport and Ordnance, upon which the mobility and effective condition of an army so greatly depend, have been everything that could be desired. The sick and wounded have been well attended to at all times by the Medical Department, and have been supplied with every comfort. The Corps of Army Signallers have proved of the highest value. The chaplains have been unremitting in attention to their duties. The Pay and Veterinary Departments have been well managed, and have given satisfaction. 20. To the Royal Navy we owe a debt of gratitude for heavy and unceasing labour in aid of the land operations, and their gallantry, ever conspicuous. 21. In the force which I have had the honour to command the highest discipline has been maintained; crime has been practically unknown, and the labour of command has been thereby greatly lightened. Amidst the regrets I feel at laying down the command of this splendid force, there is the feeling that I shall ever recollect with pride my association with such a body of troops. In now bidding it farewell, I thank every officer, non-commissioned officer, and man for loyal help, and I wish to one and all success and fortune in following the path of duty to our Queen and country. (Signed) GERALD GRAIIAM, Lieutenant-General.

A REMARKABLE SAINT. A remarkable saint has recently made his appear- ance in Bengal, and, according to the Times of India, has power to effect miraculous cures of professedly incurable diseases. During the recent cold weather he passed fifty-one days in a tank, by keeping nearly the whole of his body under water, and now be is living inside a "pucca" grave, six feet deep. This has been wholly covered over with masonry, keeping only a small hole (the diameter of which is about two inches) through which to serve him with his daily food, simply consisting of an orange, or pomegranate juice with one almond daily. In this state he will remain for fifty-cne consecutive days, and through the hole a string has been passed into the grave, one end of it being tied to a bell suspended on a baliiboo post to enable him to give an alarm in case of danger or mishap. He also uses it to respond to calls inquir- ing after his health, signifying that he is all right. The saint entered the grave with his bedding, some holy books, two or three bottles of rose-watax, and one or two phials of otto of roses, after which the opening was blocked np, barring the hole,, and then levelling the place with earth, some greens wese sown. which, being regularly watered, thrive nicely. The saint has taken the rose-water with him in lieu of plain water to wash his face, hands, and fset before saying his prayers. A money-order came to his address from Bombay, which, being rolled up, was dropped into the grave through the hole. It was shortly after pasaad back ualy signed by the holy man."

A lady passing through the country, observed the following notice on a board: Horses taken in to grass. Long tails, three shillings and sixpence; short tails, twa shillings. The lady asked the owner of the 1cASA the reason for the difference of the price. He, answered: You see, ma'am, the long tails can brush away the nies but the short tails are so tormented by them, that they can hardly eat at all."