The Aberystwith Observer

THE ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE. A Portsmouth correspondent says that the ?nnouncement that the Admiralty have decided to Increase the personnel of the navy by drafting into the service 50 junior officers of the Royal Naval Reserve has so far excited but little interest amongst officers of the latter service. It is under- stood that Sir Ughtred Kay-Shuttleworth has taken a leading part in originating the proposal, the details of which have not yet been officially Published. It is thought, however, that the junior Officers alluded to will include merely the junior ■heutenants on the active list of the reserve, most of ^hom occupy important and remunerative posts in the higher branch of mercantile marine. These, it is Pointed out, would probably be unwilling to exchange the salary of master, or senior officer, in the mercan- tile marine for the post of naval sub-lieutenant, for a vast majority of them could not afford the Pecuniary loss such a change would involve, e^en taking into consideration the prospects of pro- motion and pension. The only plan which is appa- Parently favoured by the Naval Reserve, and which ^ould in some sense fulfil the idea of the Admiralty in ransferring officers from that service, is to select the ^ost efficient sub-lieutenants of the reserve to be aPpointed acting lieutenants in the navy, and then to Continue their training in gunnery and torpedo Practice until they should be qualified for permanent appointments. The promotion to the rank of acting 'eutenant would secure the new officers remunera- i°n which might prove such as to obtain the Services of a number of suitable men from the Naval reserve, and it would also have the effect of Popularising and increasing the strength of that ervice, which is probably the primary object of the Admiralty in proposing the transfers in question.

SIX MEN DROWNED. sad disaster by which six men lost their lives Occurred at Inverness on Friday night of last week, -during a strong gale Chief Divisional Officer Hobbs, P* the Coastguard station, observed a large ferryboat £ ith four men on board drifting down the Firth, and resolved to rescue the crew. Accompanied by hree officers, he put off in the coastguard boat, and f 6 crew of the ferryboat were safely taken off. Un- ortunately, however, a sudden squall struck the ^oast guard boat, which was capsized, and the J§ht men were thrown into the water, oastguardsman Lovejoy succeeded in swimming shore, and ferryman Angus Mackinnon clung to the upturned craft until rescued. The remainder Perished. The names of the drowned are: Mr. obbs, chief divisional officer, who leaves a widow family of eight A. Kelvie, boatman, leaving a je ?w and one child Richard Spaite, chief officer, aving a widow and five children. The foregoing i e*"e aU Coastguardsmen. The members of the crew s were: M. M'Leod, skipper, leaving a widow and four children John M'Kenzie, leaving a widow and BIght children and John M'Donald, unmarried. Mill—III

of J !I,P0RT«"IRE has a notable character in the person in he afft<?°^erS' a PauPer centenarian, who, though eVeiir year, was able to sing a song lately at an tttateT" +C 111 c:n^ given to the workhouse in- Bpoj.S Biggleswade. The centenarian's singing is evenir^r" a cr^c as the feature of the 4* iiARIMY who has distinguished himself by secur- s ■a^taneous photographs of animals in motion, eeedP/eStlgat?Dg the locomotive process, has now suc- ranirlf m takin& 27 photographs in a second. This Cre-vf1 him to study the movements of a Ezard Vari6^ °f creatures, such as fishes, birds, that 8> snakes, and insects. One curious result is lon« K ,d can trot exactly like a horse. It has swim vi'n ?hserved that frogs and other batrachians m "ke human beines.

BRITISH REVERSE IN WEST AFRICA. The rumours of a disaster to the gunboat Widgeon on the West African coast, which were in circulation on Friday night of last week, have turned out to be an inaccurate version of a reverse of a serious kind which has befallen a combined force of bluejackets and of detachments of the West India Regiment and the Marine Light Infantry, engaged on an expedition against a slave-hunting chief named Fodi-Silah on the Gambia. The official reports state that, after the force had carried two stockaded villages, it was attacked on its return to the boats; two lieutenants of her Majesty's ship Raleigh and a sub-lieutenant of the Magpie and 10 men were killed, while five officers, all of the Raleigh, and 40 men were wounded. The Widgeon was one of the vessels engaged in the expedition. The detach- ments of the West India Regiment and Marine Light Infantry, according to a message received at Liver- pool from Bathurst on Saturday, are still absent, and some fears are entertained as to their safety. MESSAGE FROM HER MAJESTY. The First Lord of the Admiralty has received the following telegram from the Queen I am much grieved at the sad intelligence con- tained in your telegram. Pray express my sympathy with the relatives of the killed, and let me hear any further particulars and how the wounded progress.- IV. OFFICIAL DESPATCH. The following information has been received by telegraph from Rear-Admiral Bedford, Commander- in-Chief on the Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa Station, from Bathurst: A force of 50 Marines, and 50 men of the 1st West India Regiment, and one field gun, under Lieutenant-Colonel Corbet, R.M.L.I., proceeded on Thursday morning, Administrator and self going with them as far as Sukutta. We destroyed stockade, &c., no resistance being offered. They marched yesterday to Busamballa, destroying stockade, &c.; slight resistance was offered, but no casualties occurred. They returned to Abako yesterday, and will guard outlying British Combo until reinforcements arrive. Captain Gamble, R.N., with 200 officers and men from Raleigh, Widgeon, Magpie, one field gun landed Thursday at Madina creek, and advanced on Birkama. They met with no resistance on landing, but were attacked after marching a short distance; they destroyed two stockaded villages, but failed to find the principal one, and absence of water prevented advance. Yesterday morning, whilst returning, they reached landing place before the tide enabled the boats to approach the shore. The enemy attacked them from under cover, and heavy loss was sustained. All showed the greatest gallantry and coolness, a splendid example being set by the officers." KILLED. Henry Adams, A.B., Magpie; Frederick Herbert Dewey, A.B., Raleigh; George Herring, A.B., Magpie; Charles Howard, A.B., Raleigh; George Leslie, first- class P.O., Raleigh; Sidney Maeers, A.B., Raleigh; William James Morgan, A.B., Raleigh Robert Perkis, A.B., Raleigh; Arthur Royle, leading seaman, Raleigh John Alexander Wark, A.B., Magpie; Frank Breed, private R.M., Magpie; William Geary, private R.M., Raleigh; William R. Parker, private R.M., Raleigh. DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED. Thomas Underhill (death since reported), A.B., Magpie; William Henry Vicary, leading seaman, Raleigh J. H. R. Wadlin, leading seaman, Raleigh George William Bensley, corporal R.M., Raleigh; John Howe, private R.M., Widgeon. A further telegram from the Commander-in-Chief states that the wounded, with few exceptions, are doing well.

ANARCHY 1.N FRANCE. FUNERAL OF MADAME CALABRBSI. The funeral of Madame Calabresi, the victim of the bomb outrage in the Rue St. Jacques, took place in Paris on Saturday, and was witnessed by a large and sympathising crowd. Henri, the perpetrator of the outrage at the Caf6 Terminus, in the course of his confessions gave a detailed account of his move- ments and of his manufacture of the bombs. The 1. "'0 -0- 'y -rv1N.LV110U by the police, and various documents were seized, as well as chlorate powder which is used in the manu- facture of bombs. One of these infernal machines exploded on Saturday evening in the city of Lyons, but fortunately did not do any damage, and another was discovered in the courtyard of a house, with a burning fuse, which was promptly extinguished by a passer-by.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY. A MUNIFICENT OFFER. A correspondence has been published between Mr. H. Yates Thompson, lately the proprietor of the Pall Mall Gazette, and Mr. Shaw Lefevre, First Com missioner of Works. Mr. Thompson offers to con- tribute the sum, not exceeding £38,000, necessary for the erection of a monumental chapel at Westminster Abbey on a site at present occupied by certain houses in Old Palace-yard, on condition that the cost of the site and of the removal of the houses is defrayed by the Government. Mr. Shaw-Lefevre, while ex- pressing his own and his colleagues' warm sense of the great liberality of Mr. Thompson's offer, defers giving a definite answer until a scheme for the re- moval of the houses in Old Palace-yard has been carried out and the question of the design and site of the proposed monumental chapel submitted to the highest authorities who are competent to form an opinion upon it.

MANOR RIGHTS ON STOCKBRIDGE DOWNS. An important case deciding the rights of a lord of the manor came before Mr. Justice Wright in the Chancery Division of the High Court on Feb. 24. It was an action brought by Mr. Lancashire, Lord of the Manor of Stockbridge, against Mr. Hunt, and Messrs. Maynard and Hunt, to restrain the former from using Stockbridge Downs as a training ground for horses and the latter from using the Downs for games and recreative purposes without permission, and from holding noisy and disorderly meetings." The ancient history of manorial rights was gone into at length. The judge decided against the claims of Mr. Hunt to exercise racehorses on the Downs as a matter of business, and in favour of the joint defendants to use the place for games and recreative purposes.

COMMONS PRESERVATION SOCIETY A meeting of the executive committee of this society was held on Saturday at Westminster, under the presidency of Mr. G. Shaw Lefevre. A draft bill for the better regulation of commons was considered, and arrangements made for its introduction in the House of Commons early next session. A deputation from the promoters of the London, Walthamstow, and Epping Forest Railway Bill attended and ex- plained their plans. A portion of this line is pro- posed to be constructed on Walthamstow Marshes, which are Lammas lands. The matter was sub- sequently considered by the committee. A number of other private bills which propose to interfere with commons and other open spaces were considered, and instructions given as to the policy to be pursued in reference thereto.

BATTERSEA POLYTECHNIC. The Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by the Princesses Victoria and Maud, visited Battersea on Saturday afternoon, when the Prince formally declared open the new Battersea Polytechnic Insti- tute, which has been erected at a cost of nearly £ 60,000. The Royal party, on their arrival at the institute, were received by the members of the govern- ing body, and Mr. E. Tate, the chairman, presented an address. The Prince of Wales, in his reply, referred to the progress of the movement for establish- ing polytechnics in South London, and to the apprecia- tion that had already been shown of the educational facilities offered by the Battersoa institution.

ANYONE found in the streets of Russia in an ine- briated state is imprisoned, and when sober is ordered to sweep the streets for a day. Well-dressed men may be seen sometimes fulfilling this menial office. ONLY two women in England have the right to append the mystic letters M.F.H." to their names. The one is Mrs. Cheape, who is master of the Bentley pack, with her daughter as whipper-in, while she Comtesse de Paris is master of the Woodnorton Sunt

BOUR DIN'S DEATH. VERDICT OF THE CORONER'S JURY. The inquest concerning the death of Martial Bourdin was resumed on Feb. 26 in the Lecture Hall at Greenwich. THINGS FOUND ON THE BODY. Police-constable Tangney was the first new witness called. He examined the body and clothing of the deceased after the explosion, and found various articles, which he enumerated-a watch, a glass bottle, two pieces of metal, one piece of lump sugar, two cards of membership of the Autonomie Club, two tickets for a masquerade ball in aid of the revolutionary propaganda, a bunch of keys, a tobacco-pouch, a pocket-knife, a bit of red sealing-wax, nine cards containing various addresses, memoranda concerning certain explosive materials, various bills, a memorandum-book, a tram ticket, five halfpenny stamps, a tailor's thimble, a piece of string, and a purse containing E12 19s. 6d. Between the lining and the cloth of Bourdin's coat he found also what appeared to be fragments of a glass bottle. Replying to Colonel Majendie, Tangney said Bourdin's watch had stopped at half-past three, and stated that he did not find any brown paper on him. William Smith, tram conductor, proved that the deceased travelled through from Westminster to the Greenwich terminus on the day of the disaster. A HUMOUROUS LABOURER. Charles Burchell, a park labourer, was in the park on the afternoon in question with another man named Freeman when he saw a youngish foreign* looking man—a half-caste was his way of putting it-proceeding in the direction of the zigzag path leading up to the Observatory. He had a small. neat brown paper parcel in his hand about the length of a brick, and he (witness) suggested to his com- panion that he should ask the stranger if he wanted a light porter. (Laughter.) Apparently, however, this suggestion was not acted upon. Subsequently he discovered that the man was Bourdin. Henri Bourdin, brother of the deceased,was further examined, and testified that his brother knew nothing of Greenwich, and that the latter was always pos- sessed of money; while the landlord of the deceased proved that Martial Bourdin paid his rent regularly. DETECTIVE OBSERVATIONS. Detective-Inspector Gommer gave information as to the skin, sinews, and other fragments of the body found in the neighbourhood of the explo- sion. On the pathway were two pools of blood, separated by a distance of about 24ft. by way of the path. He enumerated also various other measure- ments which he had made bearing on the subject. The direction of the explosion, he added, had appa- rently been in one line-viz., towards the Observatory. THE POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION. Dr. Jervis, house-surgeon at the Seamen's Hospital, where Bourdin was received, said the deceased died 25 minutes after admission. The only thing he said was, "I am cold," when he was put in the bed. Then the doctor gave details of the post-mortem examina- tion he had made of the body in conjunction with Dr. Willis: On the face there were marks of blood. His left hand was almost completely gone, all that was left of it being a few bones of the wrist joint and long strips of tendon. On the right thigh, on the inner side near the knee, was a dark red scar. There was another similar mark on the front of the right thigh, nearer the groin. These marks covered penetrating wounds. On the left thigh there were five dark red marks on the front and in the side. There were two marks on the back, and these also covered penetrating wounds. The legs below the knees were practically untouched. Nearly in the middle line, about ltin. above the centre of the abdomen, was a large oval wound, measuring 2in. by 1 Jin. The edges of it were reddened and jagged, and from it the intestines protruded. A little below, to the right of this large wound, was another, measuring about 2in. by Itill. This had not opened the abdominal cavity, but had gone into the muscle, which was lacerated. To e' the right, just below the last rib, was a circular wound, with jagged inverted edges. The intes- tine protruded also from this. Just within the wound was a piece of metal. All the front of the abdomen was stained with blood. There were no marks of wounds on the back except one in the right loin, which had penetrated from the front right through the body. Internally the wound on the penfef/atmg'f&e muscies^ee'pY^and contained an elongated piece of metaL The wound in the left thigh ran directly backwards into the muscle, and also contained a small piece of metal. The cause of death was hemorrhage and shock. The wounds were scorched, and were such as would probably be caused by an explosion. COLONEL MAJENDIB'S EVIDENCE. Colonel Majendie, Chief Inspector of Explosives, said he had been investigating the circumstances of the explosion since February 16. The Coroner: Have you come to any conclusion as to the way the man was facing when the explosion occurred ?—There is no doubt in my mind that the man was facing towards the Observatory. Why do you think that ?—From the position of the wounds, and the fact that the portions of the body found were between the man and the Observatory. Was the man standing up at the time of the ex- plosion ?—Yes, there can be no doubt. The explosion was not due to an accidental fall of the deceased on the bomb ?-I have conclusive proof it was not. There was no disturbance of the gravel, and had the explosion been near the ground there would have been a crater formed, and there could hardly fail to have been pieces driven into the ground at that point. Could you say in which hand the bomb was when it exploded?—In the left hand, because if it had been in contact with the body it would have been more severe in its effects. Have you been able to form any idea of the de- ceased's intention ?-I believe his intention was the immediate use of the explosive substance. And may I say against the Observatory, its con- tents, or its inmates ?—I can come to no other con- clusion. When I examined the clothes more care- fully I found some more pieces of a broken bottle in the pocket of the inside coat. Are you able to tell the jury what its contents were ?—Yes strong sulphuric acid. Was the bottle broken by the explosion?—From complete examination I conclude the breakage of the bottle was probably caused by the explosion. Have you heard Burchell's evidence?—Yes. He said deceased had a package about the length of a brick. With regard to the pieces of metal, do you think the metal article would have been about that size ?— Yes. THE MYSTERIOUS EXPLOSIVE. Mr. Mathews: In the public interest, and in the interest of humanity, I do not propose to ask what the particular explosive substance used was. I only propose to ask whether in your opinion, Colonel Majendie, the explosive was one which sulphuric acid would ignite. Colonel Majendie: It was. Witness went on to say that doubtless the man applied the acid to the explosive, but through some miscalculation or clum- siness exploded it too soon. He produced in a sealed envelope the portions of the bomb which were found in the man's body, and said that doubtless in the in- terests of the public the coroner would not let them be publicly examined. One juror protested, amid some stamping of feet from the few Anarchists present, and the coroner thereupon merely opened the packets, looked at the pieces of metal, replaced them in the envelope, and returned them to witness. THE VERDICT. The coroner then summed up, and the jury, after a short consultation, found— That deceased met his death according to the medical evidence secondly, by an explosive bomb; and thirdly, he was in unlawful possession of the same. The Coroner said that that amounted to a verdict of Felo de se," and the jury returned a verdict accordingly. )

A CHURCH in Ashbury-park recently gave an enter- tainment, the admission to which was one potato. Some generous people gave two, and thus a collection of food was secured for the poor. A RAT weighing lllb., and with two 4in. tusks, is on exhibition in a restaurant in Brussels. THE difficulty which has for a long period surrounded the almoners of Christ's Hospital appears to be in a fair way of removal without much further delay. The Sanitary Committee of the Commission of Sewers have now been satisfied by the almoners that by a reorganisation in a modified form of the system of drainage the buildings may be made habitable for the time being.

I EPITOME OF NEWS. TIITS year's Dentists' Register contains the names of 4795 qualified men in dentistry. While the number is nearly the same as that appearing in the Register for 1893, a further diminution is &ppt.ret)t in the number of those whose claims to registration existed in the fact of their haring been in practice before July, 1878 but an increase is shown in the number of those registered on the production of a i diploma. IN some parts of Persia hops grow wild in the jungle, and are not collect-id. The thickets lining the main roads outside Resht aie covered with hop plants, and in certain periods of the year the blossoms present a very pleasing effect. The few Europeans in that town collect the hops required for making yeast for their own use from these plants. IN the recent gale 21 lives were lost in Germany, while no fewer than 450 persons were more or less e severely injured. The damage to property in Berlin alone amounted to over 100,000 marks. THE Warrior, the first ironclad introduced into the navy, launched in 1860, has been placed under the sheers at Portsmouth to hare her old boilers removed and new ones lifted on board. TIlE Hon. Montague Forbes-whose engagement to Helen, the eldest daughter of Mr. Campbell, has been announced-is the youngest son of the late Lord Forbes, of Castle Forbes, Aberdeenshire. The Forbes family is one of the oldest and most distinguished in Scotland. The barony of Forbes holds the very first position on the Union Roll, and its holder ranks as the premier baron of Scotland. Some of the property of the family was granted to it over 600 years ago by charter. Old Baron Forbes, the Hon. Montague's father, was one of the heroes of Waterloo, where he fought with the Coldstreams. He was an interesting old man, who in his later days talked eternally of the conflict in which he had played a part. The Hon. Montague is the son of a second marriage, his mother having been a Miss Ormonde, a very charming Berk- shire lady. The bridegroom-elect, is a popular man, and a. fairly well-known figure in London society. MR. MONTAGU MUIR-MACKENZIE, the new Recorder of Sandwich, is fortunate in his associations. He is a younger brother of Mr. Kenneth Muir-Mackenzie, the permanent secretary in the Lord Chancellor's department. However, his present appointment has come to him as the result of his undeniable ability and legal distinction. Mr. Muir-Mackenzie, indeed, holds an assured poi itio-a in legal esteem that is evidenced by the fact that he is largely responsible for the current edition of Wilson's Supreme Court of Judicature." A man of 46, he has for some years held a seat on the Recordership bench; but it was at Deal that he hitherto dispensed justice. A sound jurist, Mr. Muir-Mackenzie is a typical Oxonian. THE Board of Trade have given a binocular glass to Mr. Ole Petter Pettersen, master of the Norwegian barque Nicolay H. Knudtzon, of Risor, in recognition of his kindness and humanity to the shipwrecked crew of the brigantine Gordon Bennett, of Ply- mouth, which was abandoned in the North Atlantic recently. PBOPLB familiar with the upper Columbia river, in Eastern Washington, express grave doubts of its ever becoming a safe or certain stream. The principal trouble is in its erratic changes of course, its rise and fall, and its shifting banks. THHRE are now published in the United Kingdom 2291 newspapers, no fewer than 449 of which have their offices in London. AN election of 27 married couples, 52 females, and 32 males wiM be held by the Royal Agricultural Bene- volent Institution in June. THE University Extension movement is taking hold on the Continent. Belgium and Sweden are already in the field, and they are being followed by the ancient University of Vienna, which has favourably received a petition from the People's Education Society of that city, and has decided to extend its protection to their work. A scheme of co-operation is now being elaborated. THERE has just been deciphered on one of the clay tablets from the Temple of Nippur in Chaldsea what seems to be the oldest tailor's bill extant. Among unintelligible technical terms there is an account of the furnishing of 92 robes and tunics, of which 14 are perfumed with myrrh, aloes, and cassia. The nature of the inscription determines its date within a "IT centuries of 2800 B.C. YV HTTN n" UV^ off, our first thought is probably to ask if Venice ever had any trade since the Republic and the days of her commercial pre-eminence. There has been a steady revival until recently. The decline began in 1892, when there was a decrease of £ 363,362 in exports, the vessels entering the port that year being 2581 sailing ships and 1014 steamers, with a combined tonnage of 295,192. Of the steamers 228 were British, with a tonnage of 295,192. Matches and wine had increased as exports, but the latter repre- sented a really lower value than hitherto, owing to the low prices consequent on an abundant vintage. The decrease of trade may be put down to the im- {>osition of high protective duties, vexatious Customs aws, high rates of Italian railways compared with those of Austria, and other burdens inflicted by the Government and the Municipality. IN England landed estates have been go big fairly well; in Scotland very well; but in Ireland land is a drug in the market. An estate was purchased some years ago for nearly £ 8000, the tenants' rents of which at the time amounted to about £ 500 per annum. The tenants surrendered, and new ones took their places from time to time, and in the end the rental was reduced to about £250. A sale to the tenants has just been effected at about £3900, or just half the original price. ONE of the attractions of the Chicago Exhibition was the National Days" that were organised, at which members of all the European nations scattered over the States were brought together. The Welsh extended theirs into a week by means of a series of choral competitions, and men and women came thou- sands of miles to join in the gathering of their com- patriots. Mrs. Mary Davies, the celebrated singer, who is the daughter of a well-known and popular Welsh clergyman, was the leading artiste on the occa- sion, and at a reception she had to shake hands with several hundreds of Welsh-speaking people, many of whom had been born in the States, and yet had been so carefully trained in the language of the Principality by their parents that they spoke the purest and best of Welsh. LORD CREWE once, on the occasion of some charitable entertainment, leaned up against a cor- ridor wall, fast asleep, with his hat in his hand. Some wild young men started dropping coppers and half-crowns into the hat until the chinking awakened him, when, with gay humour, he pocketed all the silver, and pelted his impertinent benefactors with the pence. THE Queen rarely sends any telegrams to any member of the Royal family, or to her intimate friends, otherwise than in cipher, a system of figure ciphers having been carefully prepared for her and their use. THE Emperor of Germany has an English—or, rather, Welsh-governess for his children, and at the present time this enviable, if difficult, position is being filled by Miss Green, a young lady who hails from Cardiganshire. A CASE was being heard in a Berlin law-court the other day, and the evidence of a lady was being taken, when suddenly, apropos of nothing in par- ticular, the judge said, sternly, "Do you like potatoes, madam?' Naturally the people in court Were much surprised, and their surprise was inten- sified when the judge proceeded to make grimaces at the witness, and to talk at random on incongruous subjects. The unfortunate gentleman had to be led from the bench and placed under the care of a keeper. The incident made a very painful impression on those who witnessed it. IN the waters of the Red Sea the cessation of the engines on a steamer for an hour means extreme physical suffering for passengers; for a day it would involve absolute torture. The wind which prevails every day is a hot, asphyxiating blast, and its con- tinuous directions are from north and south towards the centre. As a result, every passing vessel is sub- jected to two days of almost intolerable heat, followed by two days of comparative comfort; but instances have been known of crowded liners being compelled, when travelling with the wind, to turn round and steam back for an hour or so, in order to give the passengers even a brief respite from the sufferings induced by the dull, dead, unbearable atmosphere. A MAN in Birmingham, Alabama, has been arrested for manipulating an ingenious gambling device in Vrhich a current of electricity under the operator's control could be used to determine the way in which the dice should fall. A SCHEME for using the tidal rise and fall of the Mersey to light the whole of Liverpool by electricity is under consideration, as is also another for making a tunnel across to Birkenhead for vehicular traffic. Miss SARAH DOUDNBY, who recently published her 4oth novel, sometimes puts living characters into her books. In this way she has treated Mr. W. S. Stead and the Rev. Benjamin Waugh, of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. She is a personal friend of Mr. Stead, and to some extent has sympathy with his views on the subject of spiritualism. Miss Doudney has been writing ever since childhood. MR. JUSTICE WRIGHT will be the Easter Vacation J udge. DURING the most peaceful years the world has 3,700,000 soldiers. The pay, equipments, food, and clothing of these men cost, it is calculated, nearly £ 1,600,000 a day. TIIB Manchester City Council are petitioning the Queen to grant a charter of incorporation to the Manchester Royal College of Music. It is attached to Owens College, and seeks power to confer its own degrees, which will place students on the same footing as they are in London. FUTURE contracts for locksmiths' work to be sup- plied to the Admiralty will contain a clause stipu- lating that all locks shall be made in the contractor's own factory. This measure is taken to stop the in- ferior workmanship which is found to result from the practice of employing outworkers and sweaters. Tins is the 40th anniversary of the first dispatch of soldiers from England in connection with the events which resulted in the declaration of war by Great Britain and France against Russia. The troops that embarked at Southampton on February 22, 1854, were battalions of the Grenadier Guards and Cold- stream Guards, the former leaving London early in the day, and the latter proceeding from Chichester, then one of the Foot Guards' stations. ACCORDING to official reports just issued in Paris, no fewer than 19,000 microbes have been discovered in two bank notes, which had only been in use for five years. Among the bacilli, whose presence was de- termined by analysis, were those of tuberculosis, diphtheria, as well as the streptococcus of erysipelas. In view of the fact that in many countries, notably m Spain and Cuba, the lower classes are accustomed to carry bank notes in their mouths, this discovery is not without its value. TiiE Cannes regatta begins on March 10, when the first heat of the Prix International de la Mediter- ranee will be sailed under the auspices of the Societe des Regates Internationales and the Yacht Club of France. On the 13th of March L'Union des Yachts- nen de Cannes, under the patronage of L'Union des Yachts Francois, offers the two handsome cups given by Messrs. Godet and Gordon-Bennett, one of which is to be contested for by yachts of 20-ton rating or over, the other being reserved for vessels between five and 20 tons. The enterprising proprietor of the New York Herald has established two more prizes of the value respectively of £ 400 and £ 80 for steam- yachts of all dimensions. These will be raced for Later in the spring over a course to be laid down in the Bay of Nice. SINCE the passing of the Compulsory Insurance Act in Germany in 1884 the sum paid year after year as compensation for injury has steadily advanced. Roundly, the figures are: 1886, £ 95,000; 1887, £ 296,000; 1888, £ 484,000; 1889, £ 723,000; 1890, £ 1,000,000; 1891, £ 1,300,000; 1892, £ 1,600,000. A CERTAIN philanthropic woman has proposed the establishment of marriage service" classes for coaching matrimonial aspirants in their prospective duties and obligations. One critic says that this would wipe out the last clinging vestige of romance in marriage. Imagine Edwin," says he, whisper- ing tenderly in the moonlight to Angelina, Do I understand that you have passed with honours in the marriage service exam.?' and Angelina responding, with modest pride, Yes, Edwin, with distinction in modesty, pastry, and milk puddings,' and the delight- ful rejoinder from Edwin Modesty, pastry, and milk puddings! Angelina, be mine WALES is not inclined to rest content with only three or four university colleges. If Cardiff, and Aberystwith, and Bangor-to say nothing of Lam- peter—can boast of such glories, why not Swansea ? That town has at last awakened to its shame, and is going to set about wiping it out. It means to have a college all of its very own, and a bit of the Welsh Univer- sity into the bargain. It looks as if the chief industry of the Principality in the future is to be the manu- facture of professors and the importation of under- graduates. The export trade in those commodities has not so far been accompanied by much success. THE latest official figures state that about 14,000 fet&tovyiAlodek are in elided in fhe 1 week. Four private firms employing 600 or more persons have during January adopted the 48 hour week, and chemical workers to the number of 1500 have had their week reduced from one of 56 hours to a shorter one of 50. THE death of M. Maxime du Camp, of course, creates a vacancy at the Freneh Academy; and it appears that M. Zola is once more going to venture on the war-path. No literary man of his eminence seems to possess a smaller measure of the gift of per- suasiveness. At the approach of every election he makes his round of visits, is received with a polite- ness which, in a better sense, we may call French," and finds the voting steadily hostile. The latest news is that his most formidable rival this time will be another man of letters. M. Paul Bourget is now -n America, but he is hurrying back to put forward iris candidature and pay his 39 academic visits. BALLOON steering is, up till now, rather an uncer- .ain art. Air currents are found to travel in various directions at different heights above sea level, and by letting out small captives from the main balloon the direction of an overlying stratum of air can be ascer- tained. If this direction is suitable for the required course of the main balloon, ballast is thrown out until the rise is sufficient. Lower currents can be gauged by weighted captive pilots in the same way. MR. C. P. LUCAS'S report on the Emigrant's Infor- mation Office for 1893 was circulated a few days ago. It contains some interesting facts and deductions. In the statistical parts will be found the number of per- sons seeking information re emigration both by letter and in person. It seems that nearly 8000 written applications were received, being 1027 in advance of the preceding year. Taking the personal inquiries, 24 per cent. are classed as general labourers, 23 per cent, as mechanics, 16 per cent, as clerks and shopmen, and eight per cent, were female domestic servants. The written applications are thus divided: 30 per cent. from the home counties, 20 per cent. from the north, 10 per cent. from the Midlands, nine per cent. from Scotland, and eight per cent. from the south- western counties of England and Wales. THE Comte de Montesquieu, a rich and eccentric French nobleman, lives in the neighbourhood of Paris in a show-place, especially remarkable for the dining-room, which contains a winter garden. Walk- ing about among the plants are a great number of small, live Venetian turtles, variously enamelled, and incrusted with precious stones. IT is a source of liveliest satisfaction to all who love and admire her that the Princess of Wales should have so entirely recovered health and spirits. She has quite taken up the old routine, and with new interest after her retirement. AN addition of over 10,000 Egyptian papyrus documents is shortly to be made to the Vienna Museum. For some years these interesting records have been undergoing translation and arrangement. Their contents prove a very perfect epitome of Egyptian history, covering a period of some 2500 years, from B.C. 1200 onwards. Amongst other facts they bring to light are the prevalence of the practice of printing from wood blocks in Egypt as far back as the 10th century, and the manufacture of paper from rags there 600 years before it became known in Europe. THE news of the forthcoming visit of the Emperor Francis Joseph to France has gratified the French people. It is probable that the Emperor on his way to Cap Martin from Vienna will stop at Paris, where he has not been since the Universal Exhibition of 1867. He was then the guest of the Emperor Napo- leon III., and by a curious coincidence it happens that he will meet this year at Cap Martin the Empress Eugenie. It is believed that his Majesty will spend a day or two at Cannes, where the King of Naples and several members of the Imperial House of Austria-Hungary are at present staying. WHEN a prisoner resists the Paris police they take off one of his shoes and compel him to walk like My son John." He is so hampered usually by this treatment that there is no further trouble. If this is not enough, they cut off his trousers buttons, and force him to use his free hand to hold on his garments. THE longest time during which a note has remained outside the Bank of England is 111 years. It was for £25, and it is computed that the compound interest during that long period amounted to no less than £6000. IT is estimated that the death-rate of the world is 67 a minute, and the birth-rate 70 a minute, and this seemingly light percentage of gain is sufficient to give a net increase of population each year of almost 1.200.000 souls.. A YOUNG countess was nearly buried alive in Bcssia. She was taken ill, and to all appearance died. The funeral was delayed several days on the advice of a doctor, but three others having pronounced life extinct, the coffin was tal:en to the cemetery. Just as it was being lowered into the grave, a 'piercing shriek was heard coming from within. On the lid being removed the young lady was lifted out alive. WE pay £ 500,000 a year for American and £ 100,000 a year for Canadian apples. We also im- port from Belgium £ 100,000 worth of apples a year. Altogether it is estimated that foreign apples alone cost us £1,000,000 a year. THERE are two men living at the present, time who have beards over seven feet in length. One is an Englishman, Mr. Richard Latter, of London, who has a. beard 10ft. in length, and the other is Mr. Lagrand Larow, of Missouri, America, whose beard is upwards of seven feet long. SOME of the produce dealers in New England towns assort their hen products in three grades, which they classify as "eggs," « fresh eggs," and strictly fresh eggs." Housekeepers, who want prime goods, are occasionally heard to order a, dozen of stric'lies." VVIIEN a Japanese audience wish to express dis- approval of a play, they silently turn around and sit with their backs to the stage. If this be done by a considerable number, the curtain promptly descends. IT is calculated that each year there is an average of 6000 murders committed m the United States, 130 legal hangings, and 200 lynchings. THE latest victim of the duel in France. Mi Wal- deck-Rousseau, was at one time rather a prominent politician, though he has recently rather dropped out of notice. He was a Minister of the Interior in the Gambetta Cabinet of 1881, and his famous circular to the prefects, directing them to be on their guard against the recommendation of the deputies, made a good deal of stir at the time. In 1883 he accepted the same office under Jules Ferry, and the fall of that statesman dragged him down hopelessly. Since 1886 he has practised at the Paris Bar. where he has gained a very considerable reputation as an advo- cate. ACCORDING to a recent number of the London and China Idegraph, the cotton industry in Japan is going ahead in a most remarkable way. In 1888 the production of cotton yarns in Japan was less than one million pounds' weight. In 1892 it had risen to more than 64,000,0001b. This result is due, of course, to the cheapness of labour in Japan, which renders the cost of production even less than in India. The figures form a striking commentary on the demand among English operatives for shorter hours and larger wages. In face of such competition, Lancashire will be harder put to it than ever. CAPTAIN KANE—who is to replace Rear-Admiral Domvill as Director of Naval Ordnance, a post worth £ 1000 a year, independent of service pay--is the dashing officer who was in command of the Calliope at Samoa in 1889, and who caused quite a thrill, of pride in this country by successfully navigating the vessel out of the harbour during a terrific hurricane that proved fatal to four foreign men-of-war, and re- sulted in the stranding of two others, with a total loss of 130 lives. Cap'am Kane has also seen service in Egyptian waters. Among other things he was commander of the Northumberland landing party at the occupation of Ismaiiia in 1882. Or all the coal mined in the world, from the beginning of this century to the present time, Great. Britain has produced one-half. In 1891 she mined 36 per cent. of the world's product, while the United States produced 33 per cent. The United States is increasing its output of coal at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum, while the increase in Great Britain is less than two per cent. The cost of coal is increas- s' ing in Great Britain and decreasing in the United States. England exports 31 per cent, of her total product of coal, while the United States exports less than one per cent. THE Persian collections in the South Kensington Museum are to be shortly transferred from the main building to the northern upper gallery, running the whole length of the Imperial Institute. TnEY appear to have a curious variety of valuable minerals in New South Wales, and in the Broken Hill mining region particularly all sorts of odd metals are being constantly discovered. Not long ago sternber- gite, a very rare metal, was found in one of the mines there, and lately quite a new mineral has been hit upon. This has been named by the local geologists ftjFW.1 \:t& 'Lt'.vraJwiine: ao^name in the calender mixture of cobalt, nickel, antimony, and sulphur, with traces of iron, copper, and lead. The Broken Hill geologists are enthusiastic over these discoveries, and it is confidently expected that other interesting mineral developments will be brought to light in that neighbourhood before long. BoRic acid is so useful and economical for preserv- ing milk in a fresh and drinkable state that it is a good thing to know that its toxic effects are inappre- ciable in the quantities consumable by human beings. It takes an ounce of boric acid to produce any bad effect, but the proper quantity of the acid put into a pint of milk to keep it fresh and good is eight grains. One must, therefore, drink 60 pints of milk before the preservative acid will do any harm. This should re- assure prudent housewives who know that thiisty children will sometimes drink a large quantity of milk straight off and have feared to put the boric acid in it. THE memorial-stone has just been laid of a new institute for the adult deaf and dumb in Glasgow and the neighbourhood. The building is to cost over £ 6000. AN old lady who recently died at Stoke Fleming, near Dartmouth, with the key of her safe in her hand, and who lived a life of comparative seclusion, owned propertv worth £ 100,000. Her relatives have just found, hidden away in her house in vases End jars, about £ 10,000 in cash. THE instincts of maternity have probably never before been so vividly illustrated as in an incident that has occurred in the London Strand. In that famous thoroughfare a Mr. Harriett has a cat which is suckling a litter of five pups. The mother of the puppies died about four weeks ago, and as the cat had at that time given birth to kittens, it was decided to drown the latter and put the puppies with the cat. This was done, and they are now sleek and beau- tifully little clean animals, and their foster-mother, with whom they fondly gambol, is evidently intensely proud of her charges. THE Duke and Duchess of York have accepted an invitation to visit Birmingham and take part in the, ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the new general hospital, which is to be erected there at a cost of over £ 200,000. THE Oxford Summer Meeting in connection with University Extension will present two main features. There will be a sequence of lectures on "The Life and Duties of the Citizen," dealing with Central and Local Government, and arranged under these sections: The Empire," Social and Industrial Life," and The Growth of English Institutions." The other feature will be a sequence of lectures on The History, Literature, and Philosophy of the Seventeenth Century," including the Great Rebellion, the Laudian Movement, the Restoration, the Thirty ) Years' War, the American Colonies, the philosophers, scientists, painters, architects, and musicians of the period, and the statesmen of contemporary France and Holland. The meeting will occupy the month of August. THE fund for presenting a testimonial to Mr. Peter M'Lagan, ex-M.P. for Linlithgowshire, now amounts (we learn) to £ 1813. Other donations are expected, and it is understood that the promoters of the testi- monial have decided to purchase an annuity. Among the subscribers are Lord Roseberv, Lord Hopetoun, Lord Cardross, Lord Overtoun. and a number of members of the House of Commons. "LOVE." says the Rev. Charles Voysey, "is the offspring of pure kindness, quite as often as kindness is the offspring of love. And so I would urge upon the unhappy that it is never too late to mend, never too late to ameliorate their own condition if only they will only go the right way to work and seek the happiness of those around them first. For in this also the principle holds good that joy is purifying and elevating. M= !:e any man or woman less miserable, add ever to little to his or her happiness, and the fruit of a beuerlife will soon show itself." THE Danish fleet, which has just undergone a THE Danish fleet, which has just undergone a I' general overhaul, now consists of 10 armour-plated "t warships, 10 gunboats, nine corvette cruisers, 29 torpedo boats, 15 transports, five barrack ships, and six training vessels. There are in course of con- struction a powerful armour-plated floating battery, a torpedo gunboat, and two or three new torpedo boats. LIEUT-COLONEL STEVENSON late of the Carabineers, who has charge of the Recruiting Department at j Leeds, has been appointed recruiting officer for the whole of the North-Eastern Military District, which extends from Berwick to Leicester. Leeds will remain the headquarters of the district.