Weekly Mail

MEDICAL. ICOKDUCTKD BT A PHYSICIAN- AND STTRGEON OF TWEKTY YEARS" EXPEBIKNCE.I SWOLLEN ANKLES. This may at first sight seem to be a carious leading for an article, but we s'aall see that it is really all imporkcllt one, because spelling: of the inkles is not a disease of itself, as is often jhought, but it is a most important symptom of ither diseases. Rheumatism may affect both ankles at once, And no other joint, but this would be very tin- nsual; rheumatic swelling- would be very pain- ful, and there would be a blush of redness of the skm, Gout does not often affect the ankles. Apart from these diseases and from inflamma- tion of the joints due to sprains and injuries, there is the common painless, not reddened swelling- around the :1111des. to which we wish now to direct attention. This swelling is not- inflammatory, but is really a farm and sign of dropsy, that is an ffusion of watery fluid frem the blood into the leose cellular tissue under the skin. This" form f swelling- pits on pressure, and can be removed for a time by bandaging- or by raising the posi- tion of the limb. This swelling comes Oil because either the coats of the blood vessels are too thin and weak, or because the hlood is un- healthy and too thin, or because there is too preat a prassmG of blood, caused by the heart pumping- more violently (to overcome some ob- struction) than the coats of the bloodvesels can stand. For instance, the liver or kidney may be suffering-from a chranio disease, which tends to harden them and to diminish the now of blood through them then the has to work extra hard to keep up the "circulation, and then the veins a long way off the heart and near the ends of the limbs suffer too gTeat a strain and so they allow the watery part of the blood to escape and so a dropsical swelling is caused. Weakness of the lieavt itself may also cause a similar state of effusion of fluid, and so may several forms of disease of the valves of the heart. The chronic kidney and liver dise:1ecs already mentioned are very often the result of chronic alcoholism; indeed, the habitual drunkard is almost always dropsical before he dies, unless his end comes by sudden syncope due to fatty dise2.se of the heart. It is then very important to remember that swollen ankles nearly always mean serious and often fatal disease, and they should lead at once to proper medical advice being procured, and a regular course of treat- ment being adapted. "I" N. R."—For the sting of an insect apply drops tOf sal volatile, which is a spirituous solution of am monia. I' Fastnet," Paint the corns eyery night for a week with salicylic collodion; they will then be se soft as to rub oix with a blunt knife. "Thomas" (Knole).—A glass of weak gin and water may relieve the kidney symptoms "better even han the mixture you describe. "N. A. 6."—Take five grains of antipyrin in water, slud repeat it in three hours if you are not relieved by the first dose. "Helen."—Do not under any consideration marry the man who lias the disease you mention 3-011 and your children will certainly be affected, perhaps even for twenty years. "James S,Such glandular swellings are only what you may expect to follow such a disease as you have got. Thej will probably grow larger, and at last 'burst, or have to be cut opeu, and then you ma-y have a running wound for a monrh or more, for those ulcers art; very difficult to heal. Jones (Swansea).—Your night cough seems to me to be caused by sore l'e1:ed throat and tickling by a long uvula hanging down. I do not think van have any lung disease. Use an alum gargle three times a day. and again before going to bed at night. Jackson.—Give the child a teaspoonful of this cough mixture four or five times a day Oxymel of squills two drachms, syrup of poppies two drachms, spirit of chloroform half a drachm, paregoric tincture one drachm; water to four ounces. Two teaspoonfuls for a aOie, "Neaiider" (Camber-well). A ncevus is a tumour bora with a child; it is a little bag of en- larged veins in or under the skin. They are some- times called birth-marks. Ths-y are cured either by cautery red hot, or by caustic acids," or by tying, or by cutting out, or small ones are cured by vac- cinating them Niplion." — Apart from the fact that there is now <)1.1' made by Japan, I don't think the climate of yanan would be at all likely to suit your delicate Jrngs. It would be wise to dissuade your father from li 11" n avny from England so long as you are — gilt and still coughing so much. ,j. l. ra.. —iBiiHilgia of the lace is very nearly always set up by aeeay of the teeth; even if there is no tooin noilow that yon can see there may be one or more decayed at the roots. So long as such decay exists no drugs will cure the neuralgia, and you are really partially poisoning yourself without any gain at all. "Edith."—It is only when strong children are from the first brought up in the open air without pre- cautions as to damp and rain that you can afford to pay no -attention to wet feet. The ordinary town-bred child will almost always catch cold from boots which let in water. It is very difficult to do what you call "hardening" children, you would kill many in the process. Nabob."—Although you call yourself poor you have got the same diseased states of the liver and stomach as the very wealthy glutton may get from his very expensive wines and banquets. He has spent more on his disease, and you have got yours cheaper; but no amount of medicine can make you any more a healthy man with sound organs. "Tonl Thin."—Tourthin body may depend, as you say, on overwork, but it may be due to chronic con- sumptive disease. If your lungs are affected your food is not properly digested nor assimilated; it does you no good, in fact. Of course, overwork, unless you have very good and judicious feeding, may- make you thin; it is not wise to volU11teer for extra work for too long a tin1', "1< T. S.You have what is called housemaid's knee. This is a chronic enlargement of a closed bag of oily liquid which always exists over the kneecap, hut when it-is constantly irritated by kneeling it forms a soft bulging tumour. It is treated either by rest and plaisters, or by tapping by a. surgeon and then rest and strapping up with plaister, perhaps for month. Go to a hospital, if possible.

LEGAL, Breach of Promise.—" Doiiy."—The return of #ngagement presents does not operate as a release ander seal, &c., and there sesms no reason whv "Dolly should not bring her action. Purchasing a House. House.'—We should advise TOU to apply to the Birkbeck. The purchaser pays, jut we should say that the Birkbeck would give you hill details. Benefit Society.—" An Old Member."— "Old Mem- ber" must be aware that this is a serious matter which we should not like to advise upon through these columns. Consult a solicitor. Duty of Executor. G. E. H."—The will is pro- bably home made, and there may ba some diincnlty; but, so far as it consists of money, the executor can pay the funds into court under the Trustee Act, 1893. Distress for Rent, H. F."—If the money is due as rent the landlord must either distrain himself or through some authorised county-court bailiff. A collector of rents would not have the right to act in the way described. Agency.—" Hants."—As you admit the receipt of the money, but claim a set-off for commissions, we do not think any criminal proceedings would lie against you, but merely a civil action, in which case you could put forward your counter claim or set off. Payment of Debt.—"A. S."—The lX1.ymellt of a debt can be proved without producing th receipt. A debt contracted in 1884, umess created by an in3ru- ment under seal, is now statute-barred, unless the debtor has in the meantime paid sums on account or acknowledged the debt in writing. Codicii-" Sm!tll Bequests."—A codicil is an in- strument adding to, revoking,or amending the dispo- sitions in the will. There is nothing to prevent your making the dispositions required by 111 instrument commencing" This is a further codicil to the will of me which bears date the day of—&c." The codicil must be attested by two witnesses. Land adjoining Higl1way-" Fiddler."—The land adjoining a highway generally belong's to the adja- cent landowners. There is a legal presumption to that effect, and probably they could prevent your cutting the grass along the road if they thought it worth while doing- so. Agreement.—" J, K. L A great deal must depend upon the. pecial terms of the agreement. We expect the week really determines on a Wednesday, but ihat you have been in the habit of paying on Saturday instead. But if your tenancy began on a Saturday, we do not see why tou should pay a week's reut for four days' occupation. Trade Name.—" Injunction."—A tradesman can prevent anybody adopting his name so as to pass off his business 98 that of the plaintiff. Your relation can use his own name, and if he is not adopting your initials instead of his own we doubt if you can do anything. You cannot claim an injunction about the lease. Sub-Tenant-—" Brixton."—A sub-tenant, whether a lodger or under-lessee, falls with his own immediate Sub-Tenant-—" Brixton."—A sub-tenant, whether a lodger or under-lessee, falls with his own immediate landlord. Therefore, if his interest determines that of his sub-tenants will expire also. You are not entitled to any notice from the superior landlord. We do not say that if you determined to hang on ihat you would not put the superior landlord to some trouble and inconvenience to get rid of you. Maintenance Order, Illegitimate.—" C. 0."—If the mother has married after the birth of the child, and is living with her husband at the time of the applica- tion, she is not a single woman" within the meaning of the Bastardy Acts (Stacey v. Lintell), and, there- fore, no order could be obtained against the father compelling him to contribute towards the child's sup- ,port. The subsequent marriasre of the mother does not, however, affect the liability of the father to con- tinue the payments under an order obtained prior to the marriage. Desertion. J. S."—There is no law compelling husband and wife to live together. The most that oaa be done is to get an order for restitution of con- flgaJ. rights, and if this is not obeyed the party who gets the order can obtain a judicial separation. In the present case the wife, having deserted, cannot pledge her husband's credit, but we do not say that the parish, authorities might not have some claim on the husband if the wife h comes destitute. Will-making.—"Thankful." We do not advise home-made will-making, but, as regards your points (1) a will written out and sisned by the testator per- sonally does require to be attested by two witnesses; (2) -it legatee may be appointed executor, but if he is all attesting witness he will forfeit the legacy; (3) blank forms" bought and filled up" must be attested by two witnesses, as such forms have no special privileges; (4) we see nothing objectionable in the forms submitted, but the proper formalities of execu- tion and attestation must be duly complied with. Bill of Exchange.—" Cardiff."—Do not sign, the bill for your friend unless you feel that you can conveniently spare the cash to meet it if he does nnt; the surety generally has to pay. As to the rate whieh will be charged for discounting it, all we can say is that it depends on the financial posi- tion of yourself and the borrower, and the place where he gets it discounted. if you begin TOP king yourself respmsible for the debts' of your friends you will orobably in the end lose both money and friends. Master and Servant.—"An Old I{ellder.The girl has been paid all she is entitled to; she cannot recover the wages for the month in the nuctdte of which she left. She ha.3 behaved very badly, and you will be quite justified in refusing to pi.y her anything. Debtor and Ci-edi- Od Ieader. "-r(\lke the baian-e which you owe and offer the actual coins, tc the man in settlement. Have someone with you who can prove the oiler. If he refuses to take it and sues for the full amount of his claim without giving you credit for the contra account go to the county-court office at least six day- before the day fixed for the hearing, taking your summons with you, and pay the registrar the balance you owe, and tell him yo-i wish"to plead a counter-claim and tender of balance before action, and he will fill up the necessary notices for you to sJgn. Bequest of Leasehold Property.—" Leaseholti. There is nothing whatever to prevent you disposing of your interest in the property by will in favour of any person voi may think fit. Clerk's Wagjs and Notice.—"Bardcck."—You are entitled to your wages up to the day you were dismissed, and io one week's wages in lieu of notlq. Your employer is not entitled "to deduct anything in respect of ilie time vou were a-btent fmi work thxough sickness, nor »JJ he justified in dismissing YOU without notice. 0 Landlord and Tenant.—" I'onrY.Yl1en the notice to quit has expired you may commence an action in the county-court for the recovery of pos- session of the premises Rnd for the rent (if any) which may then be owing. As to the rent now in arrear he ought to instruct a certificated bailiff to distrain for it. If tle tenant removes or damages the wall-papers he may be sued for compensation. Palmistry.—" Manus."—If you openlv practice palmistry as suggested in your letter, vou will, no doubt, be promptly prosecuted as a rogue and a vagabond. An Act passed in the reign of George IV. provides that any person who pretends or professes to tell fortunes, or uses any subtle craft, means, or device by palmistry or otherwise, to deceive or impose on any of her Majesty's subjects is liable to be convicted as a rogue and vagabond. Intestacy. Inquirer."—The widow was entitled to one-third of the personal estate of the deceased (including leaseholds), and the children to the remainder. If the deceased left any freehold or copyhold property the widow would not be entitled to anything beyond one-third of the rents during her life. She cannot sell, mortgage, or dispose by will of anything that belongs ti) the children. Tlie widow ought to make a will leaving anything she is possessed of to her eldest daughter. Party Wall.—" Glasgow."—if you refer to your deeds you win, peihaps, find that you are bound to pay half the expense of I\)?inta.;nin¡; the party wall. If you are not so bound you may refuse the teims offered you, and build a wall adjoining it, entirely on your wn land. Intestacy, &c.— I. J."—If the eldest brother died without a will, either a bachelor or a idowev without children or father surviving him, his elde-st br01her would be entitled to his freehold pioperty, but his leasehold and other personal estate would be divi- sible among his brothers and sisters in equal sh¡¡res. Tenant-? in common may by action in the UlwNBry Division compel partition of the estate; who,? the estate cannot well be divided among ife tenants in common so f-s to constitute each the sole owner of an equal part the court will order it to be sold and the net proceeds divided. If a leasehold term is surrendered to the fieehoiders the property should not thereafter be described as leasehold. Wharfage Charges.—" H. D."—Unles.4 you can prove that the charges 3,"e illegal or excessive you will have then to pay. The fsct that you have not previously been charged is a fortui ate one for you, but it is no defence to the pn sent claim. Intestacv of Father-in-Law.—" Comno,If your late wife's father continues in;;anellW his death he cannot make a will, and will, therefore, die in- testate. In that event your two children will be entitled to share equally bdween them the s'naie of his personal estate to which your late wife would have become entitled if she had survived him. You will get nothing. If your children are under 21 years of age when Oleir grandfather dies it w'.il be the duty of his administrator to see- that th mlimy to which they will be entitled is properly invested vntil they -respectively come of age. If your father-in-law had died hdo1'8 your wife she would have become entitled to a share of his estate, and i she had died intestate 1 ffore receiving it you would have become absolutely entitLd to it for your own sole benefit. Receipt for "foi1ey,JaJir Tar."—Ycu can do no good whatever by reporting ihe facts to the Corn- missioners of Jnhnd Revenue. If you had been given an unstamped receipt the giver wo aid ha"e been liable to a penalty of 913, but it is very seldom the commissiomrs exact th, full penalty; on beh:.(" memorialised they generally reduce it to a much smaller SHm. The letter "wMclt admits tint 3-011 had previously paid certain sums of money is not a receipt, and does not require a stamp. Ue of Boyil Anw<Heí-aldry." -Any person who, without the authority of t.er Majesty, ->r any of the Royal Family, or of any Government :1par- went. assumes or uses in conncc-ticn with any trade, ,c. the Boyal Arms or any re:emÎ)la¡);e thereof is lia'ile, on summary conviction, to a fine or £ 20. You had better not take the risk. Infringement of Copyright —" Ne",tho.1Í:¡,¡;H you have correctly stated the facts y)1( are entW0¡1 to sue for an -injunction and damages. It would serve no useful purpose to detail the virions pro- ceedings dlÍeh may become necessary during the course of the action, as is wilt be absolutely neces- sary to employ a solicitor to brine the action. Liability for Debt of Wife.—" Interested "—You cannot be compelled to pay the money lent to your wife, unless she borrowed it for you, and with your authority, or you have made yourself responsible hy signing a promissory note or other document as surety for her. Your wife can be sued for the money if she has any gocds or other separate pro- pHty, Purchase of Goodwill.Bex. "Although the person who sold you the goodwill of the business, and who is the owner of the shop, has given you notice to quit. you are not entitled to recover from him any part of the money paid for the goodwill. You ought to have arranged for a longer tenancy. Count Persecuted."—If the case was merely struck out because the plaintiff did not attend, he is quite within his rights in re-entering it. When it was struck out you ought to have asked the court to order the plaintiff to pay you for your attendance, and, no doubt, the order would have been made. Claim to Property.—" Inquirer."—You cannot get your papers without paying your solicitor's charges; he has a lien upon the papers. We do not know sufficient about your case to enable us to offer an opinion upon your, chances of success. If the case was so clear we wonder your solicitor did not proceed with it. Probably your 1 ght to sue for the recovery of the property has become barred by the Statute of Limitations. You will have to employ a solicitor if you take any proced;;3;, Sale of Busmess. M. 1. D."—You ought to defend any action which may be brought against you for the recovery of the money which was paid to you for the purchase of your business. If you have correctly stated the facts, you have a good defence to any such action. Mortgage of Life Policy, ten.—" T. J."—The person to whom you mortgaged your life policy was quite justified in surrendering it to the insurance company when you Tmid neither interest nor premiums, There is nothing whatever in your letter to lead us to uppose that you wi1l succeed if you endeavour to get the mortgage set aside, but you can compel the delivery of an account.

THE SOUTHEND liiUUDER. FURTHER MAGISTERIAL PRO- CEEDINGS. EXCITING- SCENE IN COURT. James Canlia-m Read, until lately a clerk emplojea at the Royal Albert Docks, who is charged with the murder of Florence Dennis, aged 23, at Frittlewell, near Southend, on June 24, was again brought before the magistrates at Southend Borough Sessions on Monday. There was no sign of diminished interest in the case. Once more the precincts of the court were besieged with people anxious to be pre- sent at the inquiry, and though when the pro- ceedings commenced and the gates were thrown open the portion of the justice-room allotted to the public was already crowded, there was a perfect stampede across the court-yard which separates the police-station from the court. READ IN THE DOCK. The prisoner, who was permitted to be seated in the dock, looked somewhat paler a.nd more anxious than when last before the bench. He was attired in a flannel shirt and the suit of light clothing which, it is said, he purchased while in hiding. A man of medium sta,ture, squarely built, Read, though 39 years of age, has the appearance of a much younger man. His fair hair, closely cropped at the back, clusters in short wavy curls over a well- formed forehead, and his tinely-cut nose, blue eyes, carefully trimmed moustache, and fresh complexion complete an intellectual and. withal, pleasing, type of countenance. Mr: Lamb, solicitor, again prosecuted, on behalf of the Treasury, and Mr. Warburion appeared for the defence. COUNSEL, TAKES OBJECTION. Before further witnesses were called, Mr. Warburton said he wished at once to object to certain evidence that the prosecution intended to produce. The Treasury had served on the prisoner a notice to produce certain evidence, the first being a letter alleged to have been written to prisoner by Florence Dennis about the second week in May. So far as he was instructed the prisoner had not got that letter, and knew nothing of it. What the prosecution sought to do was to allege that such a latter was written and say what the contents of that letter was. Such evidence, he submitted, was inadmis- sible, and he should object to it. Another letter, alleged to be writen by the deceased girl to another, was also asked for. In Para- graph 8 of the notice prisoner was asked to produce the whole of his correspondence from the 15th of November, 1892, to the date of the murder, in order that the prose- cution could find something in it which would make the case against him a lit-le stronger. That, he thought, was most unfair. In Paragraph 9 prisoner was asked to produce a pin revolver, which he took from his brother in December, 1892, and the cart- ridr.;<?" contained in it. This was the first time he (Mr. Warburton) had known a man who was said to be a murderer calmly requested to produce the weapon with which he com- mitted the crime. There were other points, also, on which he should resist the admission of evidence as strongly as he could. The Bench agreed to decide the points as they arose. THE VICTIM'S LAST MOMENTS. Mr. Dowthwaite, umbrella manufacturer, of Pritt-Iewell, who gave evidence last week as to seeing prisoner and the deceased in Prittie- well on the day of the murder, and afterwards identified Read at the police-station, was further examined by Mr. Warburfcon with re- gard to an interview he had with a reporter before the inquest was held.. He denied that he told the reporter that he heard prisoner try- ing to persuade the girl to go across the fields. He told the reporter he did not hear a word that was said by the prisoner. Plans of the spot where the body was found having been prOQucen" WHAT A LABOURER BAW. Richard Golding, a labourer, of Southend, was called. He said lie was in the Golden Lion public-house at Prittlewell on the night of Sunday, June 24, and on leaving, at ten o'clock, he met his wife and daughter. While passing near Gainsborough-avenue, which leads to the spot where the murder was committed, he saw a man come out of the hedge on the Prittlewell side of the road and go at a quick pace in the direction of Leigh. Witness was going in the same direction. A fortnight ago he went to the Southend Police-station ¡;nd picked out the prisoner from among a number of men as the man he had seen on the night of the murder. Cross-examined, witness said he had not been drinking much at the Golden Lion. The night was not very dark, but there were no lights in the road. He had not spoken to Mr. Dowth- waite about this case. The man he saw was dressed in a dark coat and waistcoat, dark hat, and light trousers. He had no overcoat. He was never nearer than fifteen yards to witness, POLICEMAN'S STATEMENT. Police-con stable Daniel said on the morning of Monday, June 25, while on duty in Beufleet, he saw the prisoner walking- along the road coming from the direction of Southend. He asked witness the way to Banfieet. Witness replied, "Tou are in B-sn fleet now who do you want?" Prisoner said, "I want no one here; I want the road to London." Prisoner also said he had come from Southend. Witness told him he bad come a mile or two out of his road by coming to Benfleet, and then directed him on the way to London. It was about a quarter past one in the morning, but there was moonlight and he saw the prisoner's face quite plainly. He afterwards identified him at the police-station. He was yveariijg a dark coat and a dark trousers a.nd was carrying an ordinary walking stick. Cross-examined Before he had identified prÜ;oner witness heard that he had bean arrested in a light suit and had heard the kind of man he was. j MISS KEMPTON IN THE BOX. Miss Kempton was then called, and a buzz of ¡ expectation at once filled the court. Miss Kempt on, who looked very pale and ill, had to be assisted to the witness-box by Sergeant Morden, and when a chair was placed for her she I san1;: into it and, burying her face in her hand- kerchief, cried bitterly. Several women at the back of the court stood up to g-et a better view of the witness, and thus drew upon them- selves the anger of Mr. Lamb, who exclaimed, I "Do sit down, please. Common decency sug- gests that, surely." Meanwhile so greatly dis- tressed had Miss Kempton become that she was conducted, along the bench behind the mag-is trates to a private room, where she was attended I by her friend Mrs. Martin. OTHER EVIDENCE. Mr. Charles Fryer said he wa,s the principal I clerk in the general office at the Royal Albert Docks. Prisoner was a pay clerk in the docks. On Saturday, June the 23rd, Read left the office at one o'clock in the afternoon, and on the following Monday morning he arrived at the office at a quarter-past ten, having called on a fellow clerk who was ill. Cross-examined, witness said the prisoner was generally liked and was regarded as a quiet, peaceable fellow. L James M¡¡,honey, tailor, of Commerciahroad, London, said he was with tho prisoner in the Railway Tavern at about six o'clock on the evening before the murder. Prisoner went away saying he had his wife waiting for him. The Stepney Station on the London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway was close to the Rail- way Tavern. Cross-examined Prisoner's home was in that neighbourhood, and Stepney would be the station he would go to in travelling to and from the Albert Docks. Mr. Warburton caused considerable amuse- ment by the manner in which he cross-examined the accurate gentleman," as he called the witness, and the prisoner joined heartily in the witness, and the prisoner joined heartily in the laughter that was thus evoked. A SCENE IN COURT: Miss Kempton, still looking extremely ill, but On t, much more composed, then returned into court, and was again conducted to a seat in the wit- ness-box, accompanied by Alrs. Martin. While the evidence of the previous witness was being- read over Miss Kempton again burst into tears. Mr. Lknib It is too bad of the prisoner to look at this poor woman and upset her like that. (To Miss Kempton): You had better turn your face away. Mr. Warburton disclaimed any desire on the part of the prisoner to upset the witness. Miss Kempton having changed her position so that her baok was turned to the witness, Mr. Lamb stood by the witness-box and proceeded to examine her. Mr. Warburton asked that Mr. Lamb should examine the witness from his proper place. Mr. Lamb If he does not look at her I shall be satisfied, Mr. Warburton It is ridiculous to say that when a witness comes into court the other party should not look at her. A Magistrate We want her to give her evi- dence, and she won't give it properly if he stares at her. Mr. Lamb If he won't do that I will go back. Mr, Warburton The prisoner will not stare at her. The prisoner then changed his position, so that he should not face the witness. MISS KEMPTON'S STORY. Witness then said her name was Beatrice Dina. Kempton. She first met the prisoner at G-loucester-road Railway Station in October, 1892. He said his name was Edgar Benson that he lived at 16, North-road, Poplar, and that he was a commercial traveller. In 1893 he met her twice, and on one occasion brought a gentleman with him, who he said was his friend, Harry Edwards. Witness had since learnt that this gentleman was the witness's brother, Harry Read. From December, 1893, to Feb- ruary, 1894, witness lived with the prisoner at Hallingsbury, where a child was born. They afterwards went to Upper Mitcham. Whilst at Hallingsbury witness saw a revolver in the prisoner's possession. Mr. Lamb And whilst at Hallingsbury did you sell some Red Sea Annuities r-Ye, What became of the money? Did the prisoner have it ?—I asked him to take care of it. Mr. Warburton objected to this evidence, and said it had nothing to do with the charge. He did not intend to cross-examine the witness at any length. Mr. Lamb You ought not to keep the poor girl in the witness-box with such questions. Mr. Lamb submitted that the terms in which prisoner had been living with this girl formed the strongest possible motive for his getting the other girl out of the way. The Bench decided that the evidence was in- admissible. Witness in further examination said while they were at Mitcham prisoner was only away from home on two or three Sundays, including June 24. On these occasions he told her he had been to Canterbury. When he came home on Monday the 25th "of June, he was wearing the brown bat, dark coat and vest, and light trousers produced. On Tuesday, the 26th, he took witness to Croydon, and bought a light suit of clothes, which he wore until the time of his arrest. Mr. Lamb then proposed to put in a certain document and some letters written by the prisoner to witness, but the Bench decided that these were inadmissible. Cross-examined by Mr. Warburton, witness said that during the time prisoner visited her at Mitcham he was always very gentle and kind, and they were very much attached to each other. Was he generous and kind in money matters ? --Yes. As a matter of fact, you were not very happy at home before you left with him ? The witness did not answer, and Mr. War- burton said be would not press that point. FURTHER ADJOURNMENT. The procesnings were then adjourned until Tuesday next and prisoner was ordered to be sent to Chelmsford Gaol.

THE HIRE SYSTEM. The popularity of the hire system is ample prooof that it supplies a genuine want. Still, there are persons who, for selfish purposes, attempt to decry the system, and would, if possible, destroy public confidence in that which lias proved of such an inestimable benefit to thousands of persons. Given a firm of repute and substance, and the buyer or hire purchaser is amply protected. But for this system of purchase comparatively few would be able to become possessed of exjpehsivfc articles, such as pianos, sewing machines, and superior furniture. The Singer Sewing Machine Company, whose mode of doing busi- ness we can speak in the highest praise, is in itself a proof of the value of the hire system. The company, during the past twenty years, have put out no less than 2,000,000 sewing machines in the British Isles and at the pre- sent time they have over a quarter of a million customers paying weekly on this easy and advantngVKms system. The fact that such an immense amount of business can be done by one firm alone, and done in such a manner that we really hear of a case going into court, speaks volumes in favour of the hire system. Indeed, it is seldom that we find la.rge piano manufacturers or sewing- machine firms, or, indeed., any other goocl business houses, making a wrong use of this long-tried and popular system. It is esti- mated that 30 per cent, of householders are patrons of the hire system. But a wrong impresssion exists amongst a certain class of people with regard to pledging, selling, or otherwise disposing of hired goods. A case recently tried before the courts, viz., that of Charles Jeffreys v. The Singer Manufacturing Company. This was a case in which the machine was taken by the landlord for rent, whereupon the hirer was sued for balance due on the machine, and promptly recovered. It should be distinctly understood that it is illegal to part with any goods hired until such time as they become the absolute property of the hirer. The bona fide hirer, however, need have no fear when dealing with a reputable firm, for, in most cases, allowance is made in cases of sickness or misfortune. =:

IT AWED HIM. Two man Aveut into a Turkish bath estab- lishment the other day. They had a !vth. When they oame out, they found a new boy at the desk. The boy had been working but a day or two. He was a German. One of Ms duties was to attend to the desk when the regular nfl,shier was out, and a limited amount of change was put at his disposal. One of the men took a 20clbl. bill and tossed it to the boy, saying, "Take the two out of that." The boy picked up the bill and looked at it ctiriousiy. He turned it over and looked at both sides of it, and then said, "There's 125 cants more." "Well, take it all out," said the owner of the bill, The boy looked the bill over carefully again. He laid it down and picked it up nervously. Clearly, he was stumped. Aifcer a couple of minutes' wait the man who owned the bill said 'sharply. "Wel-l?" The boy gave a start and laboriously counted out 75 cents in change and handed it through the wicket. "That's a 20dol. bill," said the man who owned it, handing back the silver. The boy flushed and looked the bill over again. Then he picked up the silver and handed it back, adding a silver dollar. "I want 17dlo-l. 75cent. change," said the n-ian who owned the bill. "Wh-a-a-a-t ?" gasped the boy. "I want 17doil. 75cent. change, and hurry up about it." The boy's face took on an expression of blank despair. He twisted and untwisted the Mil. Then the mumbled nervously, "Why, mister, I didn't never see so much money as that in my life."

A BERLIN TRAGEDY. A Reuter's telegram from Berlin says —A family drama resembling the terrible domestic tragedy which caused such a sensation at the beginning of June has just been enacted here. At eleven o'clock on Tuesday morning a blacksmith, named Pats chow ski, his wife, and two sons, aged ten and seven, ioere found hanged at their lodgings in the Surnemuende- strasse. All four were dead when cut down. No cause is assigned for the tragedy, but it appears that the man Patschowski was suffer- ing from consumption, and it is supposed that this preyed upon his mind.

Brace (to his valet): Is it possible I have been deceived in you, Jeemes? Jeemes: Lor', sir, what's wrong? Brace: What does this mean-all these trades' people sending me receipted billsi

APPEASING THE SPIRITS. QUAINT NEGRO BURIAL CUSTOM. A curious custom is still observed in an old negro burying ground at Washington, in America, viz., that of placing upon the graves of departed friends and relatives the articles that were most enjoyed or used by them whlle ) living, and the bottles containing the residuu#1 of the medicines that were administered cur- ing the last illness. The Mount Zion Graveyaru, as it is called, lies in the shadow of the beauti- ful Oak Hill Cemetery, on Georgetown Heights. Both are charmingly situated on lU ing ground overlooking Rock Creek at its most picturesque point. Separated only by a short stretch of land and a high board fence, the two "silent cities" present the most vivid contrast J imaginable. On one side are soft green law»8> flowering shrubs, gravelled walks, and cent monuments; on the other a, rank growth of grass and weeds, worm-eaten and discoloured wooden headboards, ancl instead of flowers a miscellaneous jumble of toys, ornaments, I tools, &c. Bat Mount Zion lias its own pecu- liar charm, and its patrons are unique in the J belief that the> things used by the departed during life are needed bjr them in the land 01 shadows. The old, white-haired sexton, in his quaint dialect, gives many amusing obituaxie8 and explains the significance of certain articles that litter the mounds. The idea of the negroes in placing them in the cemetery is that they may be within easy reach of the whom they confidently believe re-visit scenes of their sufferings. If they find family- objects on their graves they confine their manifestations to the cemetery—if not, they haunt the families who have neglected to pro- vide them. One grave has, instead of a monu- ment, a large wooden hobby-horse, buried to its haunches in the ground. It marked-—so the sexton said-the last resting-place of one Mr. Johnsting," who, while living, was the driver of an express wagon. He was extremely fond of his horse, and his widow, who was obliged to sell it, used some of the proceeds to purchase a wooden one. A complete set of harness was provided also, and Ebery night he hitches and onhitches dat hoss, an den goes back and lies down again quiet. Ef he didn't have dat to ockerpy 'im he'd hant de ol' woman." Often one grave is made to serve for an entire family, One of the most pretentious monuments in the cemetery-a plain marble slab—had carved upon its surface the names of Andrew Jordan and his four children—Erastus, Sophia, Andrew, and Washington. "Ob course," said the sexton, commenting on the practice, has to dig de first grabe deeper, but its. eckernomical an' sosherable in de end." Most of the inscriptions are real curiosi- ties. With few exceptions they are planted roughly in black on white wooden tablets Few of them bear any date whatever, and in the majority of cases names are not given in full. Nearly all of them were composed and printed by tha sexton hiims'elf, who modestly deplored the fact that he was not k as handy at it as he might be. but the look of pride with which he regarded his handi- work belied the sincerity of his words. On the grave of a little boy—Grover Hancock Van Clief—a high chair and a toy wheelbarrow stand guard. He had been a special pet of the old sexton, and the grass waving over id him showed evidences of cultivation in strid- ing contrast to the tangled, neglected growth on either side. The sexton admitted that these objects often disappeared from the graveyard, but scorning the idea that ,ther? was anyone mean enough to steal from dea folks,asserted that it was a sign that tje spirits were never coming back agam, and so bad taken them to glory." The medicine bottles, accompanied in most instances by a glass and spoon, were, he said, placed upon the graves that they might be finished up." The old man called attention to the grave of "Aunt Chloe Brown," whom he apostrophised as a reg'lar terror." On its surface is a large palm-leaf fan. It seems that Aunt Clo use ter git up in meetin' an' talk an' pray louder 'en anybody else an' den go home an' cut up lively." The chief bone of contention with her was that the rest cf the family would insist on eating twice a day. She usually terminated the family repasts when,in her opinion,they lasted long enough, by routing the feasters with a broomstick. One day while chasing her hus- band, who was the patipntest nigger alive," she caught her foot in her dress and fell, striking j her temple on a sharp stone. When they picked | her up she was dead. "I put de fan on her I grave," said the old sexton, finishing his re- cital, cause ef ebor any one went to de hot place she did, certain shore, an' she'll find it refreshin' when she comes back in de night.' A grave in which he evidently took much pride has arrayed around the mound a toy fence. Inside the enclosure so formed a wooden soldier stands like a sentinel at either end. In front of each soldier is a row of smaller ones, and in the centre of the mound three bottles are pressed into the earth. Lize Lundy sleeps peace- fully in an obscure corner under a pasteboard band-box. Lize was a good woman," said the sexton, "and earned a nice livin' enuff to die comfort'ble on, anmkin' dresses. She liked to dress well herself, also, and bad a regular passion for bonnets. Nearly every week she went to church with a new one, and as often bestowed her discarded one upon a less fortunate friend, in order to make room in her hat-box for the latest. When she died her sister put the last bonnet Lize bought in the cherished band-box, together with a small hand- glass with which she used to view herself, and placed them on the grave. All but the box disappeared long ago, which fact serves only to strengthen the belief of the sexton that they l. were just the things most desired by the spirit of Lize Lundy. One grave, marked only with the single word Cecelier," was kept in per- petual bloom by means of two immense rose bushes, all made of waxed paper.

INGENIOUS LOCAL INVEN. TIONI. PATENT SAFETY PULLEY BLOCKS. An excellent and most ingenious invention has just been patented to obviate tha constant | risk to person and property involved by the j breaking of chains or ropes in pulley blocks whilst raising heavy loads. We observe that 1 t Mr. H. J. Laybourne, the mechanical engineer 1 t at Newport Docks, has brought out an appliance i f at once clever and simple, by which a series of i pawls are fixed to the top pin of a blgck--a pawl j ¡ to each sheave—which drop by their ij own weight upon every link of any chain feeing used, and, in case of the n breaking of a link in any part of the chain, mediately arrest the running-out action in the same way as the pawl on a winch or capstan. it The appliance may be fixed to blocks already sj in use as well as to new ones, and for blocks 1,) used for ropes the pawls are provided with grips. I which run into the substance of the rope. ft Having regard to the fearful aocidents not III, b: frequently arising both on shipboard and o.fl ) ft land from the parting of chains and ropes, ik 1 tl to be hoped that the Board of Trade will it a sine qua non of the fitness of plant that thl Jli safety appliance be used. safety appliance be used. II;

J1,.1l! 1- v- t DEATH OF A FOMEK f) CARDIFF JO URN ALl ST. tl tt We deeply regret to announce the death f Mr. James McKay, late assistant editor of ),s "Western Mail." Mr. McKay, who was exceptionally gifted journalist, and who 1, Cardiff about two years ago with a sple' record of previous work in the North of J land, secured, early this year, the positiOl °, tjj editor of the "Aberdeen Journal.' Wajn T"t I fv, McKay left for Scotland he seemed in the bØ; j of health, and full of hopefulness, but, It two months ago, he suddenly broke down, had to lay aside from duty. A medical nation disclosed the cause of his illness to f t}j internal cancer, and this was responsible his death,, which Occurred at late on Sunday night. Mr. Mc"' y leaves a widow and several young and his unexpected demise will be read of genuine sorrow among South Wales by -whom he was highly respected and est-eeH1 for his rugged. geniality and versatile talents- P<t

Wool: There is one thing I like aboi$* dog. s0j Van Pelt: What? > Wool: He may have a good pedigree, he isn't forever telling about it. 1>,