Evening Express

have abolished the primeval struggle of tribe against tribe, and introduced order and civilisation. In every case the result has justified the effort. In India we have brought to an end the reign of robbery and murder and put in its place the reign of law and justice. As far back as eighty years ago one of ou- Governors-General of India, Lord Hastings, was able to use these words, "It is a proud phrase to use, but it is a true one, that we -ojis have bestowed blessings upon millions. The ploughman is again in every quarter turning up a soil which had for many seasons never been stirred except by the hoof3 of predatory cavalry." If there is a country where the people have been enabled to beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks, it is India, and it is the British Raj that must be awarded the credit. Not only have we beaten down the swords of civil foemen, but we have given justice and security for life and property. We have fought the battle with pestilence, and have given bread to the starving millions. We have taught them to think that England if, the home of freedom and the temple of jus tice, and they have come to regard this country with feelings of unbounded admira- tion and with affection scarcely inferior to that which they have for their own native land. There is no colonising nation that has shown such aptitude in developing the resources of a variety of climes and in con. straining or conciliating the aid of the aboriginal inhabitants. Between the treat- ment of the natives in British Nyassaland, or, the one hand, and those in the (Belgian) Congo Free State, on the other, and between thos( in Cape Colony and Basutoland. on the oiu hand, and in the Boer territory, on the other, there is a. wide and painful contrast. Even the United States has much to learn fron Canada in the treatment of the Red Indians. The extermination of natives practised by Spaniards in America, and the sweating and extortion practised by French and Belgians in the Congo basin, and by Dutch in the East Indies, are not only foreign to our usage, but abhorrent to our principles. In ev-ery Colony where British rule has long been experienced we can count on the loyalty of the natives, and the Maoris of New Zealand in their patriotic enthusiasm are almost morn British than the British themselves. Our recent adversity has proved to us how strong and intimate is the tie by which the daughter nations we have founded ar< bound to us. British in blood and in affec- tion, they have poured out their strength and their treasure without stint that the Empire'^ wrongs might be righted. They have set the seal of blood to the Imperial covenant. Liberty, justice, and mercy an alike the watchword and the achievement of that world-empire "whose morning drum beat following the sun, and keeping com pany with the hours, encircles the giobi with an unbroken chain of martial airs." PERSONALITY OF THE KING. MODERN ATTRIBUTES OF ROYALTY. The present Kaiser is credited with the remark that the first thing expected of a monarch is that he should look like a monarch. Whether this requirement really stands first is a question of personal opinion, and we will go no further than to admit that it has a place among the attributes of sovereignty. That King Edward VII. looks like a king no one will deny, nor, surely, will anyone contest the remark that his kindliness haa become part of himself, and is not a matter of theatrical pose. In his boyhood he was a perfect little gentleman. Like all the other members of Queen Victoria's nursery. ,11.) was taught to be universally polite and always considerate of the feelings of others; and when his mother said. "Make your bow, sir." upon introducing a- visitor, he did it with a charming grace. The Queen would con- stantly speak of him as "good little Bertie." It is one of the advantages of the monarchial system—at least, it is an advantage which we have a right to expect—that the heirs apparent and presumptive, being born in the purple, are trained from their earliest years in those accomplishments which best fit them for the exalted career which lies before them. The word "accomplishment" in the foregoing sentence has not. of course, that narrow mean- ing usually associated with a young ladies' "finishing" academy, -where our daughters are sent to learn to "parley-voo," and to "diddle- dififlle twang-twang" upon some long- suffering piano. The accomplishments expected of a monarch in these days. wher Mrs. Grundy strains to the furthest limit h<: prerogative of criticism, are such as would never have been dreamt of in the olden days, when "keeping up appearances" 'was an unfamiliar art. And the appearances which a modern Sovereign—at least, a modern Eng- lish Sovereign—has to keep up are not by any means confined to those which con- stitute the eocial virtues of Suburbia. To keep up a style—in houses, raiment, cuisine, and retainers—are among the least of the social exactions to which Royalty has to submit. In all his dealings—in his public appearances and his private relations-the King must place tact in the forefront of the Royal virtues. He must never look tired or bored, he must be affable to all who are admitted to contact. he must be. courteous to all who seek that privilege, he must take an interest in everything he is expected to take an interest, in; he must be faultless in manner and in spirit, and a paragon of good sense and good taste; he must know the tables of precedence as well as he knows his ABC. and he must never forget a favour or a face. But these by no means exhaust the catalogue. for the King, in addition to being leader of Society, is a constitutional Sovereign, is the head of the Church. and the head. at least in a titular sense, of a hundred institutions or movements that have been privileged to enjoy the Royal countenance and patronage. j and he is expected to fulfil all the obligations i which those positions entail. But while his Majesty the King presents an almost flawless exterior to the average citizen, he is by no means able to satisfy everybody. It is con- venient to remember in this connection one of those "moral tales" much beloved of our childhood, which tells how a certain man of a too-accommodating disposition endeavoured t.) please everybody, but ended by pleasing nobody, and suffering a heavy pecuniary loss into the bargain. King Edward does not please everybody. And how can he, or why should he? There are some cantankerous persons who would pick holes in an angel's garment and suggest im- provements to the landscapes of Paradise. And. no doubt, it is in some reflection of this wrt that his Majesty finds comfort when he reads what the Puritan tub-thumpers think about his triumphs on the turf, and what the intemperate teetotalers have to say about the Royal brew of Bass. Though his Majesty's power to control public policy amounts to little or nothing, there are few more exacting and responsible positions than that which he occupies. The light that beats upon the throne is a fierce one. There is no flaw that it will not reveal to the scru- tiny of an ever censorious public. His Majesty's positio&via'Tendered all the more difficult by the fact that he had Queen Vic- toria for his predecessor. A thousand claims to reverence closed in her. and the public would not veil the dissatisfaction and con- tempt they would feel towards a successor who contrasted in too marked a manner with the late occupant of the throne. Happily, King Edward is not only the successor of Queen Victoria. He is her son and pupil. He has inherited her wisdom, her prudence, her tact, her sense of justice and fairness, her kindness of heart, and the thoroughly English bent of her sympathies. He is like her,1 too,- in-jhis wide knowledge of affairs and in 'his profound understanding thereof. He knows what limits are set to his Sovereign power, and he fully observes them: he knows also the wide liberty he is allowed :n the encouragement of the arts and virtues of modern civilisation, and he has exercised that liberty. In a speech delivered in the House of Commons on the occasion of his Majesty's accession. Sir H. Campbell-Banner- man said:—"He (the King) has been called upon to take a leading part in almost every scheme established for the benefit, moral or material, of the people of this country- religion. charity, public health, science, art,, literature, education, commerce, and agricul- ture," and to all these subjects his Majesty. both before and since his accession, has; applied a strong sympathy and a personal ■ffort and interest. It would be hard to find a Sovereign who touches the life of his sub- jects at so many points, who shares so much their joys and their griefs, their intel- lectual aspirations, and their philanthropic I endeavours, and who is so much with them in their work and in their play. His Majesty is credited with a rigid adhe- j rence to etiquette on all ceremonious occa-1 sions, but on other occasions he is a man among his fellow-men. He fulfils the social claims which hedge about the life of an Eng- lish gentleman, and be also enters fully into its liberties and pleasures. He is as much beloved in foreign countries and in foreign Courts as in his own. and among hi3 subjects he enjoys an almost. universal and unanimous popularity. The following story may be re-called to illustrate the King's unfailing bonhomie. While he was Prince of Wales some sporting pressmen wrote to his equerry for permission to view the stud at Sandringham as soon as their duties in connection with fiat racing were j over. and they formally submitted a. list of j the names of those who sought leave. They never expected for a. moment that the Prince would invite more than half a, dozen or so at one time; but the Prince, after glancing at the names, handed the letter back to Sir Dighton Probyn with the familiar sentence, "Oh, let 'em all come!" While staying at a country house not many months ago the King went into a village school. In his usual genial way he began to put questions to the children. "I dare say. little ones. you can tell me the names of a few of our greatest Kings and Queens, eh?" With one accord they cried out. "King Alfred and Queen Victoria, sir." Then there was a dead pause, during which an observant stranger might have seen the intelligent schoolmaster whispering something to a sallow slip of a boy in a back row. At any rate, the young3ter held up his hand, and on being asked unblushingly replied, "King Edward VII." The King laughed, and again asked, "What great act has King Edward done, pray?" The boy bowed his head, and stam- mered ont, "I don't know, your Majesty!" "Don't be distress-ed, my lad," said his Majesty, smiling; "I don't know, either." We know little of the King's home life. for a thick veil of reserve and a stringent reti- cence on the part of the members of the Koyal entourage indicate that his Majesty claims for himself the privacy of home to which every Englishman is entitled. But those who have been privileged to catch a few glimpses of the Royal penetralia inform us that the King's home is like any other English home in the ease and comfort. the freedom and affection which mark its relationships. Outside the home there are a King and a Queen. Princes and Princesses. but within the home there are only father and mother, brothers and sisters. It is recorded, indeed, that the daughters of the King are not over enamoured of their Princely I dignity, and in their childhood u«ed ir. play at not being Princesses. If a quarrel arose, the taunt would be uttered, "Oh. yu like being a Princess"; and when one of them I waa naughty the bogey-man who was invoked to frighten her into a becoming demeanour was not the King of the Cannibal Islands, nor even Napoleon Bonaparte, but Islands, nor even Napoleon Bonaparte, but a mythical German Prince whom she; would have to take for a husband! That German Prince has not yet made his appearance, for the Royal daughters are very English in their tastes and affections, and devotedly fond of their home and of their home country. The King has reigned for close upon a year and a half, and be has favourably impressed his subjects. His people know him and trust him, and in him their devotion to the Crown is strengthened renewed. J

CONSORT OF THE KING. ALEXANDRA THE BELOVED OF THE EMPIRE. There is no more beloved in England to-day than our Most Gracious Queen. We do noi merely pay her homage because she occupies such a regal position, but because she has endeared herself to her people and by her own great and lovable personality she hai made a place for herself in our hearts that is sacred to her while life lasts and to her memory always. The simplicity of her early Danish childhood is a great contrast to the splendid position she has occupied as the, wifc.i of the Heir-Appareut and now as our King'F Consort. Throughout all her great career she has preserved that simplicity and charm o! manner which made her people love her when, as a beautiful and blushing girl, she came to England to be united in marriage to the Prince of Wales. Her Royal Highness Alexandra Caroline Maria. Charlotte Louise Julie, Princess of Schleswig-Holstein, Sonderburg, Gluckssburg, was born on December 1, 1844, at the Chateau AnirkUeiiborg, Copenhagen. She was the eldest daughter of King Christian IX. of Denmark (who was Prince Christian of Schleswig-Hol- stein at the time of her birth). The palace in which Queen Alexandra was born is com- paratively small and unpretentious in appear- ance, and the street in which it stands is a very quiet one. With a mother and father of such high prin- ciples as the King and Queen of Denmark, it is not surprising that our Queen has developed into the noble and beauti- ful woman we love and revere. As a child she was extremely pretty, and the simple outdoor life she led and her quiet and unpre- tentious up-bringing resulted in £ er"develap- ing into a beautiful young woman. Romantic accounts have been given of the King of Den mark being obliged at the time of Queen Alexandra's birth to supplement his income by giving drawing lessons, but this is altogethei contrary to fact. The Prince at that time had oaly a small private income, which neces- sitated a quiet and retiring existence. The Prince and Princess conducted most of the education of their children, and the training was thoroughly practical. Many of the dresses the Princesses wore were made by themselves, and many of their bats were trimmed by them. and it is said that the late Queen Victoria was never quite satisfied with a hat or bonnet until it had passed through the skilful hands of her beloved daughter-in-law, Queen Alexandra. But in spite of the simplicity of Queen Alexandra's youth, she was trained so as to adorn any future exalted position which she as a Royal Princess might be called upon to occupy. She inherited much of her mother's talent in art. music, and dress-making. Her remarkable dignity and self-possession in public may to some extent be attributed to her youthful interest in private theatricals. As a girl, it was Queen Alexandra's great ambition to be an actress, and that fact may also account for the wide interest her Majesty takes in the dramatic world to-day. She used to study secretly all the great playa, and arranged many amateur performances with her sisters, always insisting in playing the heroine herself (thereby betraying the little feminine weakness general amongst amateur aspirants to the stage). Her mother disapproved of Alexandra's youthful enthu- siasm, and her plays had to cease until she appeared in her first public role, as the future Queen of England. Princess Alexandra paid her first visit to England as a little child, at the invitation of her aunt (the Duchess of Cambridge). When only seventeen she first met the Prince of Wales, and theirs was truly a love match. Although the Prince had heard of the beauty of the Sea-King's daughter, and it was arranged by the two families that they should become acquainted, with a view to marriage, their first encounter was purely accidental. Both were staying at Worms, and while inspecting the cathedral they met, and were introduced. The interview was brief, but not so brief but that the Prince lost his heart to the lovely girl who afterwards became his Consort. The formal betrothal took place in the autumn of 1862, and the youthful Princess came over on a visit to Queen Victoria, who received her as a dear daughter. The match was one of mutual affection, as Denmark was a country towards which the English people were disposed to be very friendly. There are many people to-day who can recall vividly the reception of the young Princess in England. Never has a scene of such un- bounded enthusiasm been witnessed. She left Copenhagen on February 26. 1863, after the most torching farewells to her own country people, and came to England in the Victoria and Albert yacht: which had been placed at her disposal for the voyage, and anchored at Gravesend, where the most elaborate prepara- j tions were made for her reception. One special feature was the group of 60 fair maids of Kent dressed in the red and white colours of Denmark, waiting with baskets of choice flower3 to cast on the pathway of the young girl who was just emerging from a life of Geclueion to one of the most brilliant posi- tions the world could offer. When the Prince advanced to. meet his bride he took her hands and kissed her lips, oblivious of the fact that hundreds of eyes were watching his action. This was the "one touch of nature that makes the whole world kin." and the large crowd burst into hearty cheers. London turned out en masse to welcome the youthful bride. The crowds were so dense that the carriages with difficulty proceeded on their way in the drive through the city, and at one point the pressure was so great that the young Princess was seen to lean over and with her own hands help to disentangle the heads of some venturesome youths from the wheels of her own carriage. The Princess was deeply touched by this tribute of loyalty on the threshold of her married life. She went through the trying ordeal with a sweetness and dignity that will never he forgotten. The brilliant wedding on March 10 at St. George's Chapel was historical in its gorgeous display of magnificent robes, priceless jewels, Court, military, and naval uniforms. Her late Majesty Queen Victoria, on account of her deep mourning, did not mingle with the party -118 __n at the altar, but sat apart in a private pew, her mother heart entirely in sympathy with the event. The appearance of the Princess when she swept into the church on the arm of her father was lovely in the extreme. Her dress was composed of Brussels lace. curiously wrought, with a groundwork of English crowns and the bride's initials, interspersed with which were designs of roses, fuchsias, and forget-me-nots. It was of great beauty and priceless value—the gift of the King of the Belgians. Her diamonds were the gift of the Prince of Wales and of her uncle, and her bouquet was composed of orange blossoms, white rosebuds, rare orchid flowers, and sprigs of myrtle. There were many handsome women present, but (wrote Captain Charles Bagot 011 the event) the Princess was far and away the prettiest person at her own wedding." After, a brief retirement at Osborne, the Royal couple took up their residence at Sandringham and Marlborough House, and since then Queen Alexandra .has devoted her Jiftj to the welfare of her people. Her public ■ appearances'have been numerous. As Prin- cess of Wales she never tired of being present on every occasion when she could do some good deed for her beloved people. Her life throughout has been one of unselfish devotion to the nation. After the wedding there were many public functions at which the King and Queen had to appear. They were entertained by the Lord May'or of London, and then went to Oxford for Commemoration, where they had a splendid reception. Later on the Prince opened the new Town-hall at Halifax. All military functions, too, the Prince and Princess of Wales attended. After the birth of Prince Albert Victor the Princess of Wales paid her first visit to Cambridge University on the Prince of Wales receiving an honorary degree, and the undergraduates won her most gracious smile as they called for Three cheers for the baby.' Queen Alexandra paid an early visit to her Danish home after her marriage, and one of the greatest griefs in her married life has been the loss of her beloved mother. One of the moet prominent of the public appearances of the Queen was on the occasion of her visit to the Dublin University, when the degree of Doctor of Music was conferred upon her. During^ th»sl&«t year, since the King has Tifccuplcdthe ^Tfjrohe, the public demands made upon Queen Alexandra have been numerous. Queen Alexandra has fiiled her new role with the gracious dignity characteristic of her sweet nature. At the opening of Parliament, at the Drawing Rooms, when rewarding the soldiers and nurses the Queen is ever at the King's side ready to help him in his arduous duties. The life of a king and queen is not all a bed of roses—Royalties are more slaves to the public than subjects are slaves to the Crown. As a leader of fashion Queen Alexandra has always held sway, and to such length did some of her enthusiastic followers go that on one occasion after suffering for some months from an inflamed kneecap, when she made her re-appearance into public life she limped slightly, all her ladies immediately adopted a. limp in walking-which madness in imitation was sternly rebuked by one of the great preachers of the day. The quiet and retired life at Sandringham is more congenial to Queen Alexandra than all the glory of publicity. There she has c-ndeared herself to her people by her gracious and womanly acts. She is the constant friend of the sick and infirm, and will sit by the bedside of a sick labourer and with her own hands bring him delicacies from her table. She rarely enters a sick room without doing some little act of love that make the poor sufferer her worshipper. The Queen is a most devoted mother. She conducted personally the training of her chil- dren, and has never yet quite shaken off the grief at losing her first-born. She is as devoted now to the charming little inmates of the Wales nursery as she was to her own little ones, and the photograph of her with our future King, Prince Edward, on her knee is one of the most delightful pictures. She is a great lover of all animals, particularly of dogs, and she herself visits the kennels once a week, carrying food for her favourites. She has a wonderful control over the dogs. They all love her, and will obey her in a moment. It was her father who helped to implant in her heart her great love for animals. Queen Alexandra can use the spinning wheel. and prides herself on the way she can knit a stocking. Her interest in her model dairy and farm at Sandringham is great, and the Queen and her daughters have often been engaged in the art of butter-making, in which they are thoroughly proficient. Her deep sym- pathy with all sufferers is shown in deeds as well as words. She was chiefly instrumental in introducing "the light cure" for lupus, and her effort was crowned with success Sundry hospitals and homes owe their establishment to Queen Alexandra. TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL. King Edward has some important engage- ments to fulfil to-day. At half-past twelve he holds a Privy Council, to which special inte- rest attaches, as some of the retiring Cabinet I Ministers and their successors will attend. It is understood that three new mem- bers of the Privy Council will be sworn. Their appointment to that honour has not been officially announced, but it is obviously a foregone conclusion. They are the Earl of Dudley, Mr. George Wyndham. and Mr. Austen Chamberlain, though Mr. Wyndham, it may be mentioned, is already entitled to the address of "Right Honourable," because he is a member of the Irish Privy Council. It is understood, though not stated officially, that the new Councillors whose appointment figured in the Coronation honours will also be sworn. It is further understood that the new Lord-Lieutenant will be declared at the Council, and that in the eases of those members whose offices carry seals there will be a. formal transfer of seals to their suc- cessors. Mr. Balfour, who has taken a new office, as well as a new post without office, will be sworn as Lord Privy Seal. He went to Hat- field after the Coronation, and will come to town to-day for the Council. After the Council the King will hold another inves- titure.

KING'S GENEROSITY. Osborne House Given to the Nation. CONVALESCENT HOME FOR OFFICERS. The King has addressed the following letter to Mr. Balfour in his capacity as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury for reasons which are apparent on the face of the docu- ment. but it is clearly intended as a fitting corollary to the gracious rescript of a few days ago, in which his Majesty gratefully acknowledged the sympathy of his subjects:— "Buckingham Palace, Coronation Day, 19C2. Under the wiil of the King's much-loved mother the Osborne Estate is, as Mr. Balfour is aware, the private estate of the Sovereign, Having to spend a considerable part of tbe year in the capital of his kingdom and its neighbourhood at Windsor, and having also strong home ties in the county of Norfolk, which have existed now for nearly forty years, the King feels that he will be unable 10 make adequate use uf Osborne as a Royal residence, and accordingly he has deter- mined to offer the property in the Isle of Wight as a gift to the nation. As Osborne is sacred to the memory of the late Queen, it is the King's wish that, with the exception of those apartments which were in the persona! occupation of her Majesty, hie people shall always have access to the house which must ever be associated with her beloved name. As regards the rest of the building, the hopes that it may be devoted to national purple "lnd be conversed into a convalescent home for Vers of the Navy and Army whose health has ueen impaired in rendering service to tiieir country. If. in order to give full legal effect to the King's wishe", it is found that an application to Parliament is necessary, the King trusts that Mr. Balfour will see that the necessary steps are in due course taken."

SHOOTING FATALITY AT CARDIFF. Death of Private Landers at the Barracks. Private Thos. Landers. a- recruit of the 3rd Welsh Regiment at the Cardiff Barracks, who was shot on Thursday last by what appears to be an accident, died at the Barracks hospi-1 tal on Saturday night. He and a fellow- soldier, John Williams, had been told off to clean up the armoury, and while inspecting a rifle which had been icit for repair in a vice, and which they did not know to be loaded, the deceased stood in front of the bore and AVilliams pulled the trigger. The bullet of the service cartridge went clean through the abdominal part of Lander's body, embedding itself in the wall. AVilliams, who id now in custody and remanded on a charge of doing grievous bodily harm. will now be charged with causing the death. The inquest has not yet been fixed. j

MR. BALFOUR'S MINISTRY. I LorJ Windsor Congratulated; by Cardiff Unionists. In addition to being president of the Cardiff Conservative Association, Lord Windsor is also president of the Conservative Club, and the members of the latte.r body on Satur- day enthusiastically agreed, en the proposition of Mr. George Padfield, seconded by Mr. C. E. Waring, that the following telegram should be sent to his lordship by the chairman (Mr. Henry Frazer): — "The., members of the Cardiff Conservative Club, whilst loyally celebrating the Corona- tion of our Gracious Sovereign to-day, beg to offer to your lordship, as our president, their very hearty congratulations upon your admis- sion to the Government in the important posi- tion of First Commissioner of Works. (Signed) "HEXRY FRAZER. "Chairman." On Saturday evening Mr. Frazer received the following reply from Lord Windsor: — I heartily thank the members of the Cardiff Conservative Club for their kind con- gratulations.—WINDSOR." The Ludlow Corporation have sent a congra- tulatory telegram to Lord Windsor on his appointment to the position of First .Com- missioner of Works. Lord Windsor has accepted the invitation extended to him to lay the foundation-stone of the new convalescent home at Cwmdnukill, Swansea, on Saturday. August 30. The home, which haa been largely paid for by handsome and anonymous subscriptions, is situated in one of the most delightful portions of the west end of the town.

FRENCH RELIGIOUS LAW A Colonel Arrested for Disobeying 5 Orders. Vannes Morbiham. Sunday.—The Prefect. having requested General Prater to send a detachment of Cavalry to Ploormel to aid! tho civil admini?tr itive authorities in enforcing the association's law. Generals Frater ordered Lieutenant-co'onel De Saint Hemy. commanding the 2nd Regiment of Chasseurs at Pontinz. to proceed to Ploer- mel with a detachment, and hold himself at the disposal of the Assistant Prefect. Co.'onel De Saint Reroy refused to obey. declaring that his religious feelings forbade his taking part in the closing of religious csetablish- ments. General Frater sent the major to Ploermel in place of Colonel De Saint Remy. The general commanding the division placed Colonel De, Saint Remy under close arrest. General Andre, Minister of War, changed this sentence to one of detention in a for- tress. He. will be conveyed to Fort Belle Isle and tried for breach of discipline.— Renter. Paris, Monday.—The "Gaulois" and "Libre Parole" publish a dispatch from Auvanches. according to which the rumour is current in that town that the captan of the 2nd Chasseurs had followed the example r.f his lieutenant-colonel, who refused to take part in the operations against religious establish- ments. It is added that the cap!rin is, like his chief, confined in a fortress.—Reuter.

AN EXCITING CHASE. Quanity of Silver Recovered by the Police. On Saturday Police-constable Thomas observed a man leaving the residence of Mr. W. Croft, at Sevenoaks. carrying a large bundle. The roan made off across the country with the constable in < hase. The latter, in negotiating a fence, fell. and the man got away to a trap which he had waiting, and drove off, leaYing a hundle behind containing valuable silver. Another constable took up the chase on a bicycle, and with the assistance of a police-sergeant, succeeded, after a struggle, in capturing the supposed burglar. A further quantity of silver was found in his trap.

PRESENTATION TO A TREDEGAR VOLUNTEER OFFICER. At Tredegar on Saturday evening Major J. A. Shepard, V.D., who for 23 years has been in command of F" Company (Tredegar) End Volunteer Battalion South Wales Borderers, was upon his retirement mades the recipient of a mahogany roll-top desk by the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the company as a token of their esteem. Captain H. W. Berthon presided, and the presentation was made on behalf of the subscribers by the chaplain (the Rev. T. Theophilus, R.D.), who said that the announcement of the retire- ment of Major Shepard was received with the deepest regret by every member of the bat- talion and by many outside. It must have been gratifying to Major Shepard that a large proportion of his company had expressed their .readiness to go to the war in South Africa. The chaplain referred to the glowing testi- monies given of Major Shepard by Colonel Browne. VO., and Colonel Mansel. No. one more richly deserved recognition, for they knew a great den I that he bad done, bnt they would never know all he had done in the way of time spent, enersy devoted, and money ex- rended for the welfare of the company. (Ap- plause.) Major Shepard returned thanks for the handsome present, and he said he could assure them he would.look upon it as the best and] most valuable he had ever received. He pro- mised to watch the interests of his old com- pany as clesely as possible, and he gave them his heartiest good wishes.

FATAL ACCIDENT AT MERTHYR VALE. Fred Wooton. aged eighteen years, living in Wyndham-street, Troedyrhiw, was killed on Saturday by a fall of stone in No. 1 Pit, Mer- thyr Yale. It is said that he went out of his own stall to an adjoining one for the loan of a s11Ovel. and the stone fell on top of him. David Jones, living in Aberfon-crescent, Mer- thyr Vale. also had a narrow escape, the same fall knocking him down and grazing his side and leg. He was able to be taken home on ,horseback not much the worse for his injury.

REVIEW OF FLEET. -0 Arrangements Nearing Completion. HIS MAJESTY TO WITNESS A SHAM FIGHT. The arrangement for the review of the fleet by the King next Saturday have been prac- tically completed. His Majesty will enter the fleet in his yacht from Cowes about ten o'clock, and will eteam around the lines. The review is expected to finish about four, when the King's yacht will cast anchor with the fleet near the Royal Sovereign, the flagship of the commander-in-chief. Early in the day the ships are to dress with bunting, and, whilst the Royal procession is passing through the lines, every vessel's crew is to be drawn up in ceremonial style, and Royal salutes 10 be iired. His Majesty will remain amongst the fleet throughout the night, giving the signal for the illuminations to begin. These last from nine till midnight, and will be the same as last Saturday night, except that the Royal salute is to be fired at half-past eleven. On Sunday his Majesty is due back at COWCE. whence he will start early on Monday to see the sham-fight between the Channel and the home squadrons. The programme for this is that the fleet shall be ready to leave by nine o'clock. His Majesty's yacht, escorted by 24 torpedo-boat destroyers, will pro- eed from Cowes. pass through the lines of warships, and anchor off St. Helen's, where the fleet will steam by the King. saluting a. tiiey pass. This parade will take place about half-past ten. Steaming out into the Channel, the squadrons are to carry out a sham fight, which the King will witness, and which is to last from about eleven a.m. till two p.m. At its conclusion the ships disperse to their stations, and the King returns to Cowes.

ST. DAVID'S CHURCH, FLEUR-DE-LIS, The corner-stone of a new sichool-room in connection with St. David's Church, Fleur-de- lis, was' laid on Saturday afternoon by Mrs. J. L. Smith. Cascade. Pengam. The building will cost about £ 1,000 when completed, of which £ 500 is already guaranteed. The vicar and the rector of Gelligaer officiated. Messrs. J. L. Smith, A. E. S. Thomas, and others gave short and appropriate addresses. After the ceremony tea was partaken of at the Board Schools.

LOCAL AMUSEMENTS. THEATRE ROYAL, CARDIFF. Mr. John Tully's American company will produce at the Theatre Royal. Cardiff, this week the favourite drama of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." with striking new features. The charming actress, Miss Edith Blanche, fills the dual roles of "Eliza" and "Cassy." whilst Mr. John Tully takes the part of Marks, the lawyer." GRAND THEATRE, CARDIFF. The return visit of Miss Isabel Hunt's com- pany at the Grand this week in Mr. Levis Gilbert's sensational drama, "The Sons of Toil," will be welcomed. THE EMPIRES. CARDIFF.-The leading line at the Cardiff Empire this week is one of deep and abiding interest. By means of the bioscope views will be shown of the Coronation festivities in London and the Bute celebrations in Cardiff. The variety artistes are all of the best. NEWPORT.—For the present week the bill of fare at Newport Empire is again attractive and full of sensational items. The fareetie, "The Peacemaker." by Walter Pink and his company, is a veritable tit-bit for laughter- lovers. MVANSEA.—At Swansea New Empire the original and funny Poluski Brothers head the list. which includes the three Albion3, Verno and Voyee. popular comedians, and other notable artistes.

SPORT OF THE D"Y Bandusia {2y). by Encounter- -Goneaway. has left G. Chaloner's training establishment at Xewmarket for Egypt. TiH. Lane is the only jockey who gives a pro- fit to those who consistently follow him, and despite his extraordinary run of luck this year the pound-a-mount backers are only £ 22 to the good. The front of the Haydock Park raeecard on Saturday was embellished with excellent like- nesses of their Majesties the King and Queen, surmounted by the words, "Coronation Day August 9, 1902. God save the King." Mr. George Gould, it is currently reported in America, intends to buy Mr. Clarence Mackay's racehorses, as the latter is retiring from the Turf owing to his father's death" The report has aroused much interest, but Mr. Gould refuses to deny or confirm it. That Mr. Frank Gardner should be contem- plating giving up racing in England at the end of the present season is not to be won- dered at, seeing that many of his financial interests are in -Prance, and that four-flfths of his time is spent in Paris, where he has a most charming house in the Avenue Bois de Boulogne. Although (says the "Sporting Times") he has won a number of races this year. and must have some verv useful ones indeed amongst his big string of forty horses, he has only attended one meeting, and that for a single day. At the Paris meetings, how- ever. he is generally to be seen, and enjoys the travelling to and fro in a Gardner-Ser- pollet automobile. In all probability Mr. Gardiner's "khaki" colours will be seen a great deal in France next year. and it is safe to assume that Eugene Leigh, his trainer, will cross the Channel.

M ERTHYR VALE. BRASS BAXD CONTEST AXD SPORTS. TO BE HELD OX THE FOOTBALL FIELD, SEPTEMBER 1st, 1902. Band Contest, Class B, Test Piece, Songs of Other Days," or A Garland of Song." Prizes: 1st, £ io; Znrt £ 4: jrd, £ < 1th, complete set of band books, with gold enpravinp of instrument, with medals for host cornet euphonium. trombone players. Adjudicator: Mr. J. Ord. Hume (Edinburgh) SPORTS. Boys' Race (under 13 years of age).—Prizes: 1st 10s • 2nd. 5s.; 3rd. 2s. 6d. -> 3^75 a6dS> Kov.ce nandicap.-lst, El 105.; 2nd, 15s. 5rd^°10sardS' Handicsp ^Open)-—1st, £ «; 2nd, £ 1 lOs.; 300 Yards' Handicap Open)-—1st, £ 4; 2nd, £1 10s. 3rd. 1(r. ii Miles' Biri 'rle Haadicap (Open), -1st, £ 4; 2nd, 3rd. 105. Quoit Tournament to 1 tams of Four Aside (Open) 1st, four silver medals with gold centre, value L2; 9nd four silver medals. Tug-ot.War, Eight Asid.) (Open).-lst, £ 1 low; 2nd, 10s. Entries Close August 26th. Entrv Forms, apply Georpe Rogers, Jun., The Laurels, Merthyr Vale, hon secretary. eIOZ29 TOPPING A SPINDLER, FLrsniNG. HOLLAND. no St. Leru. Cesaiwltch, and Cambridfr«shire Double and Treble Erfntt. S. P. Aeclumulit tort, fcc. Tile "Continental Sportsman." puMithtd twiee daily, free on Tecelpt of addrass. Telerraphie Instructions cae be smt to London for S. P. All lettars to be addrcsnnd- TOrPINO ft SPINDLER FLTT8HINC. HOLLAND reettft ltd- poat card*. Id al9189

FIRST-CLASS AVERAGES. PATTING. The qualification for this week is eighteen innings. limca Mostin Ins. not out. Inns. Avf* Shrewsbury 23 7 1030 IV* 51 43 V. Trumper 35 0 1694 i?3 43**2 K. 8. Ranjitsinhji.. 24 2 1036 ?S4 47*09 T3-lrieshv M 3 1418 165 45:74 M. Ashcroft 20 1 834 16? 43 t,o IrcmonRer 32 2 1245 1 46 4 K43 I. L. Taylor aS 3 1364 14 41 33 9uaUe' ^V' G 24 2 901 153* 40 95 l 1395 15S* 3f.75 P?"'? ?! f 952 1?1 3S.08 *,al'V 5 1050 1 26 37 5 C J. B. W ood 3 1299 176 37 10 Knight 31 a 1076 190* 37:10 P. I'. Warner 19 1 6^9 139 3S 61 Hon. F. S. Jackson 25 3 793 1"S 36 n Hir,t 33 4 1050 134 31;20 A. C. MacLarcn — 31 ? 1045 174 je n3 Abel 50 5 1600 179 35 51 A. O. Jones 29 2 9S9 100 3555 C. ;T. Burnup 33 2 1277 161 35.47 C.H.B.Marshtm..M 945 1£0 3i Indicates not out. BOWLING. The qualification for this week is 40 wickets. Mi j) s. E;:ns. Jus. Av Haibli 535.5 156 1313 108 V 15 Harirreave 733.5 241 1345 101 r ti Rhodes 523.2 ?°3 2033 149 v;g4 H. Trumble 477.3 155 956 69 ix RS M.-thp. 6^0.4 125 14E1 105 ] 4.10 Hon. F.S.Jachson 33.1,2 P7 7M I", I E37 Tate, 936.3 ?*7 2171 140 u"c ,T. R. Mason 426.5 152 9,3? 50 ]5.53 E. R. Wilson 464.4 165 904 54 1674 F. Howell 374.4 112 904 Ft 74 Ilearne, A 287.2 100 621 -7 16.78 THE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP. The follow ng 'able shows the number of points scored Iw the first-class eo unties in the championship tournament:— Per- -'ork Piyd. W. I,. D. rts. centage. Yorkshire 20 9 1 10 8 EO 0 x 19 5 2 12 3 4? R5 Lancashire 19 6 3 11 3 33 33 Notts 17 4 2 11 2 33,33 Warwickshire 13 4 3 6 1 14 23 Surrey 21 5 4 12 1 n'.h Kent 18 7 6 6 1 7.69 Worcestershire 17 4 4 9 0 00.00 Somerset 15 5 7 3 -2 -16.66 Ensci: 16 2 3 11 -1 -20.0 r."rbyshire. 12 2 4 6 —2 —33.33 Gloucestershire 17 3 7 7 -4 -40.0 Middlesex 14 2 5 7 -3 —4J.S5 Hampshire 12 2 6 4 -4 -50.0 Leicestershire 14 1 4 9 -3 (The match Leicestershire v. Torkslrm, abandoned, is not included in this tH"le. The drawn frame* are ignored, and lasses deducted I from wins. The championship is decided by the per- I centage of point* to the number of matches actually I finiibeO. [

TOWN STOhMED AND BURNED Sanguinary Battle with Revolutionists. The follotvipg telegram has been received from Port Aux PrlncG: -Four hundred Volun- teer adherents of General Fouchard. the can- didate for the Presidency. and a regiment of Regnlars attacked the Firminista at Petit Goave yesterday. After the battle the Fir- minist s set fire to Petit Goave and fled. The town was burned except two German ball*. Fifty Firminists were killed in the engage- ments, and fifteen were wounded. The latter took refuge in a house, which was burned, and they were cremated.. The attacking party suffered heavily.

YACHTING. The Seawanhaka Cup. The third race of the series for the Sea. wanhaka Cuup was sailed at Montreal on Saturday. A strong wind prevailed. The Canadian yacht Trident won by 4min. Usee. -Reuter.

BALLOON TRIP ACROSS THE CHANNEL Mr. Anguste Gaudron, who was accom. panied by Dr. F. A. Barton, on Saturday made a successful baHoon trip across the English Channel. The ascent was made from Beckenham in connection with the Corona- tion programme of festivities. The balloon left at four o'clock in the presence of a large gathering. A favourable north-westerly wind having carried the balloon in the direction 01 the coast, Mr. Gaudron decided to cross to France. The balloon passed over Dover at 7.45. and descended on the seashore nine miles north of Calais, touching the ground at 9.23. Dr. Barton is the inventor of the Barton airship, which is now being con- structed to the order of the War Office.

D!SGRACEFUL ELECTION SCENES The lively scenes which have hitherto characterised the contest in South Belfast for the scat left vacant, by the late Mr. Wil- liam Johnson, were continued on Saturday. Mr. Dunbar Buller, thfc otlicial Unionist candidate, was announced to address a. meeting at twelve o'clock at his committee- room. A large crowd gathered, but it was c, ident that the majority of them were not supporters of Mr. Builer, who on arrival, almost an hour late, v,as received with any- thing but marked demonstrations of favour. His speech was <50011 interrupted, and thero was a, scene of the utmost disorder, which became eo acute that the candidate resumed his sort, ;uid several other speakers attempted to make themselves heard, but failed. The meeting broke up without any result. This is the third consecutive meet- ing arranged by Mr. Dunbar Buller which has been abortive, owing to the tactics of the opposing party. It is just possible a Nationalist, may stand, and in that case the contest would be doubly interesting.

A LONDON BLAZE, A fire cf a somewhat serious character occurred in Farringdon-Etreet 011 Saturday morning. The premises occupied as work- shops by Mr. Pudaiefoot. printer; Mr. Alfred Morfit, printer; and Messrs. James Dellagana and Co., elecirotypers, four storeys lrgh, were ablaze from top to bottom 011 the arrival of the firemen, and it was at once apparent that there \18 little hope of saving any of the already burning building. The contents of the building. The contents ct the building consisted chiefly of heavy printing machinery and foundry metal, and as the floors burned through there crashed through with a loud noise, and sent showers of sparks into the air. The roof foil in pieces, and the firemen playing on the flames from the roofs of the adjoin;ng buildings were on several occasions completely enveloped in smoke and surroun- ded by the sparks which from time to time were sent flying into the air. After about ha!f-an-hour's work the flames were subdued, but not before tke building had been com- pletely gutted.

OUTRAGE BY OSTEND BOATMEN The Brussels "Soir" reports from Ostend that some of the boatmen at the harbour there, jealous of the competition offered by small foreign excursion steamers, insulted the crew of the English steamer Southampt- ton. cut one of her mooring ropes, and carried away a gangway at the. risk of in- ¡ jury to several passenrer?. The police arc taking measures against the guilty parties;

I ABERDARE SCHOOL BOARD, A special meeting of the Aberdare School Board was held on Friday afternoon, Mr. W. J. Heppeil in the chair.—The tenders received for the erection of new schools at Aman were considered. Four contractors had sent in their figures, namely. F. Robins. £ 3,277; W. Wilkins. £ 2.700; J. Jones. £ 2.555 15s.; J. Morgans and Sons, £ 2,797. The Hey. C. A. H. Green sug- gested that the lowest tender should be accepted, provided two satisfactory sureties were supplied for the due execution of the con- tract. It was resolved to entertain Mr. J. Jones's offer on a like understanding.

THE "BARDS' TIPS: WONDERFUL SUCCESSES, 'n The "Bard." our special racing correspondent, was In wonderful form for the two meetings, Lewes and Hay- dock. which concluded on Saturday. For Lewes he pave four winners, a Ffi-ond (beaten bv a neck), and a non-runn?r. His winninsr tips wore Lord Carbine, 5 to 1 agst; Cephaline. 11 to 2 agst: Shaun Rhu, 9 to 4 aRSt and Sv.-if! Cure, 5 to 1 afrst. Mor the Haydock Meeting be pave four winners in seven attempts. His successes were Lady Lightfoot, 5 to 1 on; Hnonoo, 9 to 4 apst; Mtreh Daisy. 11 to 100:3: and t ottager, J to 1 on. The "Bard," it may be stated. is one of the leading racing journalists in the country, and, added to a k-'en eve for form, is alto in a position to obtain reliable informt- tion.

I FOOTBALL. DFATH OF A RUGBY INTERNATIONAL. The death took place at Leeds on Satur- day of Fred. W. Lowrie. a once famous Eugby Union internatiomal forward. At eighteen he assisted Wakefield Trinity, and subsequently represented England during several seasons. During the last few ye4ra of his career he played with -o Batley team. 1/owrie, who was only 34 years of age, was a victim to consumption.

ARREST OF AN EX-M.P. Mr. Denis Kilbride, ex-M.P., was arrested in Dublin on Saturday, on a warrant, for failing I t1 appear as defendant at a Crimes Act. Court, held at Templeinore on Wednesday.

nSH. Cardiff, Monday.—Pma'l supply, and reoderat.6 demand. Rest hake fetched is 2d, and Loudon dry codling Is 5d per i-tone. WANTED immediately. Cook-Generai; housemaid ? V I ept.—Apply Wilson, 30, Victoria-road, Ilenarili. p 1612w16 22s. 6d. Weekly.—A sal .ry of 7s. 6d. to 22s. 6<l7o~ffer7d to either sex (\vho can write) for their spare moments: work apay ixs done evenings.—Particulars sent frea to anyone sending addressed envelope to M. Trust- cott and ('0.. 6a, Glcniiowcr. Torquay. el606wl6 "TITAN FED. a good PAioariuaid some Jiousework; H 3 in family; 4 sonants kept.—Mrs. Picton E;chards, Maes-yr-haf, Swansea. el610wl6 DRAPER'S Clerk.—Wanted, a good Confidential Clerk; D vae who thoroughly understands the routine of a draper's counting house—Apply Richard Lewis, 8 and 9, High-street, Swansea. el609wl6 TO let on hire for one nionth~a 4i"h/r>TD<< Dion Voiturettc; new this year.-Apr,ly Davies. c o. Avliffe and Sons. Paradise-place, Cardiff. el0338 WANTED, thoroughly domesticated person as Helpl a:out 25: able to cook and assist, in light house- hold duties and needlework; salary, £12; servant hpt.- Mrs. Hayner. Murnblt*. 1"1608w]3 COMMANDING Premiss to let fn Oiford-strert, J Swansea, having frontage 20ft. and depth 40ft. Apply D. K.. Western Mail, Swansea. el607w23 CS BOOM.—Experienced young Mm wishes situation X with lady; arucious, willing: do anything he is told. —X 25, Evening Express, Cardiff el602wll fPO Tailors —Coat makers wanted.—Apply-Griffiths and X Son, Commercial-road. Newport. el604wl3 CHARLES. Chemist, Brecon, wants an Assistant lm» mediately.—Send ape, experience. &c. el603wl6 WANTED immediately, a respectable youn Lady aa Barmaid for side bar; good references indispen- sable.— The County Hotel. Ebbw Vale, Mon. el601wl6 OITPKHIOR Apartments; one, two bedrooms and sit- O inrr-room.—64, Kichmond-road. Cardiff. el600wl6 IN tho press, post free Is. 2d., cloth Is. 8d~Bankbook JL to tile new Licencing Act. 1%2. with numerous explanatory notes, copious index,, &c., by M. Roberts Jones, author of handbooks on Workmen's Compensation Act, Friendly Society Magistrates' Manual, &er, &c.-x 20, Even in-; Express, Cardilf. el599wl6 WANTED immediately, Lady Nurse; good needle- if WOmit:1 essential.—Apply, per~ns.lly, or full par- ticulars to Mrs. Johnson, Laieston, near Bridgend. «1613wl3 GOOD Genera!, also Nursemaid wanted.—-Mrs. Chorlev, 2, CKre-road, Cardiff. ol614w16 BXPER1KNCED Nurse; good needlewoman; one N»y, 3 years—Apply, stating age, wages, references, Mrs. Forrest, Lianmaes, St. Kagun's, near Cardiff. eh!5Swl6 "T7CTANTED, £ 2,000 mortgage; si; lroohold furms, VV Cardiganshire. el6UwlJ Telegrams from Melbourne. Sydney, Wet- lington, Adelaide. Perth, Brisbane, Toronto. Constantinople, and Bombay all testify to the unique way in which the Coronation was observed by all classes ol peo&Ut

-=- b—M—— attended. Divine service at St. Mary's Church. After service the mayoress (Mrs. J.' G. Thomas) planted an oak tree in the grounds cf the new cottage hospital. The depnty- trlayor (Alderman Foster), on behalf of the Coronation Committee, presented the mayoress 'With a spade bearing a suitable inscription. The church bells were rung throughout the day, and the castle grounds were thrown open to the public, with the London and North Western Silver Band in attendance. A num- ber of balloons were sent up from the grounds, which were illuminated. A huge bonfire was lighted on the summit of the Sugar-loaf Moun- tain, and a number of rockets sent up. The three prises for best illuminations and decora- tions were awarded to the combination of Mr. Joseph Dormer, Mr. W. Stanley, and ^lessrs. Watkins and Son, Mr. W. Dormer, White Swan Hotel, and Messrs. Watkins and Son, Sun Inn, all of Cross-street. Dowlais. Most of the shops and many private houses 111 ,Hie a display of flags, banners, and streamers in honour of the Coronation of the •Kiiig, in accordance with the request of the high-constable (Dr. C. Biddle, Merthyr). The Procession to the Bryniau, the cyclists' parade. and the display of fireworks—all of which ^ere got ready for the Z6th of June—will take Blace on Thursday next. Mid-Rhondda. The Mid-Rhondda festivities were completed on Saturday, when sports were held on the Liwynypia mountain during the afternoon. Owing to the three days' holi- days at the beginning of the week the col- lieries were working, and all the shops were open. There was but little done in the way of decoration at Tonypandy, but at Liwynypia the Workmen's Institute was prettily lit up "With over 3JJ night lamps, as was also the Lhvynypia and Tonypandy Conservative Club. In the evening a fine display of fireworks was witnessed at Glyncornel House. Ebbw Vale. On Sunday afternoon a drumhead Corona- tion service was held at Ebbw Vale. Companies were present from Ebbw Vale, D" and K." Sirhowy, F." 3rd Volunteer Battalion South Wales Borderers, and Tredegar 2nd Battalion South Wales Bor- derers. The service, which was attended by thousands of people, was conducted by Acting Chaplains Rev. D. J. Llewelyn, Rev. T. Theophilus, and Rev. W. C. Williams. The J S-rmon was preached by the Rev. T. Theophilus. The officers present were Major J. A. Shepard, Captain R. H. Spencer. Captain Berthon. Captain Dawson. Captain A. J. Evans, Lieutenant H. Shepard, Lieutenant W. Le wis, and Lieutenant Cowie. The Beaufort Kand. under Bandmaster W. Crew, supplied the accompaniments of the various hymns. Brynmawr. The town was gay with bunting, but the only celebration was a dinner given to the lo-al Vohmteers and the men returned from the front by Colonel T. Gwynne Powell. which was highly appreciated. On Sunday the Virar 3f Brynmawr made special reicrence to the Coronation, and the form of service autho- rised as for June 26 was used in the Parish Church. Rhondda. Some of the towns in the valley had carried out their programmes for the Coronation festi- vities in their entirety during the last week of June. and as a result the celebrations on Saturday were not of a general character. But in the places where the festivities had been postponed till the date of the actual crowning, the arrangements for the celebra- tions left nothing to be- desired. The colliers did not observe the day as a general holiday, for some of the pits were working. Business Premises, with such exceptions, of course, as bankE, were open. In Pentre and the imme- diate neighbourhood part of the celebrations had taken place on Thursday evening, when the carnival was held. and on the following night, when a splendid open-air concert in the Gelli recreation ground drew many hundreds of persons to the place. The Saturday festivi- ties included rustic sports, the chief event of "-hieh was the tug-of-war competition. The first prize of £4 was won by the Ton team. the Second by Tynybedw, and the third by Pentre. In the evening a brilliant display of fireworks was viewed by enormous crowds along the streets. The decorations and illuminations transformed the somewhat commonplace streets ^rjto such a beautiful scen0 as has probably never been witnessed here before. At Porth the corona- tion committee had held the rustic sports on Monday. One of the chief events on Saturday "Was the cyclists' carnival. The Lewis Merthyr Silver Band in the evening headed a proces- sion. the members of which were supplied with some 150 torches. In the Llwyncelyn Field there was a display of fireworks, and the decorations and illuminations, for which prizes were offered, formed a subject for much admiration. SOLEMN AND GRAND Impressions of the Coronation Service. [BY THE MAYOR OF CARDIFF.] Reaching London on Friday evening, I drove through the principal streets in the West. End, and I must say that. to my. nund. the,papers have been guilty of exaggeration in what some of them have been pleased to term the apathy of Londoners in respect to decorations. Even by day the streets presented a scene of beauty which I shall never forget, and the illuminations at night must have been very striking indeed. On Saturday morning I started in a car- riage and pair from the Loudoun Hotel a few minutes after eight o'clo but the driver evidently did not seem to know much about the instructions which had been issued, with the result that he must have taken a wrong route. He drove along the Thames Embank- ment, but when we got near Westminster Bridge we were stopped. The police informed me that it was impossible to get through that way, as the road had been barricaded. There was nothing fur it but to walk to the Abbey or go back. and I preferred the first alternative. Although there were great manses of people lhout, I found it very easy to get along. The lrrangements at the historic pile in which the ceremony took place were perfect, and I had no difficulty in finding the place allotted to me among about 60 lord mayors and mayors from all parts of the country. We were placed In thi gallery of the south aisle of the nave. "y seat was in "B" block, which was in the third row from the front of the gallery and immediately opposite the seats set apart for the. peeresses and their families. From this position I was able to get a per- fect view of nearly all that took place, and I need not say that the scene was gorgeous in the extreme. The dresses baffled description. STid from a spectacular point of view nothing finer or more lovely could be imagined. I was able to see the various sections of arrivals aT they passed through the south nave and took np their respective positions. I took my seat about half-past eight, and was there until RV.out half-past two; but the long wait before the actual ceremony commenced was by no means so tiring as might be supposed. There were continual arrivals of notable personages, and the orchestra played at frequent intervals music suitable to the traditions of the Abbey. The melody floated through the building in enchanting cadence, and greatly impressed all who were privileged to be present. About ten o'clock came the first section of Indian Princes. One was evidently a man of Treat importance, but in our position we were unable to get his name. He was tur- fcaned in gorgeous style, and his head-dress /Vas literally illumined with the rarest of jewels. Accompanying him were a number of attendants, also richly dressed and carrying Jcimita rs. The. orchestra occupied a position tfhich reached across the Abbey from aisle to aisle, under which the notabilities passed. poing through the south nave to tbe part of the building where the ceremony was to take place. It was, therefore, in a position to wit- ness the entrance of each section, and break out into a new and suitable piece of music as the occMion required- The processions were of the moat impressive character. Just before the time fixed for the arrival of the King and Queen a number of peeresses filed in and took up their positions. It was unfortunate that their namee were not indicated in the pub- lished programme of the proceedings. One could not be other than deeply impressed with the solemnity with which all regarded the occasion, and. consequently, one's attention iras diverted from the dresses, rich and flowing as they were. to the dignity and genera tone Df the cercmonv itecH, When the section arrived in which the Queen herself was the central figure the choir, accompanied by the orchestra, sang very beautifully. The procession elowly moving up the aisle affected most touchingly all who witnessed it. But for the character of the building and the solemnity of the occa- sion, there would, undoubtedly, have been a great burst of cheering. As it was, all who were present, from the highest to the lowest, found a difficulty in euppressing their desire to greet her Majesty, and some were unable to control their feelings. Her Majesty carried herself with queenly bearing, just noticing in passing theevideptdéeire pn the part of the congregation that she shonld'He suitably greeted. About ten minutes later his Majesty was seen to be slowly and with dignified mien walking up the aisle to the place set apart for the ceremony, which was not within the purview of those who occupied the gallery. Nothing in all my experience haa been half so striking as the character of the procession which accompanied the King. Of course, his Majesty was the observed of all observers. In no single instance were the congregation moved by mere curiosity; all were anxious to judge of his appearance, and. seemed to breathe out a sup- pressed prayer that he might be empowered to go through the ordeal which immediately awaited him. As soon as his Majesty was seated we could just hear floating through the Abbey, as if from a great distance, the voice of the venerable Archbishop of Canterbury as he commenced the beautiful service arranged for the occasion, copies of which had been printed in book form and placed on our chairs. The service occupied fully an hour and a half. but I was unable to see the formalities oL the Coronation. The first procession out was that of his Majesty, and on his appear- ance outside h3 was most heartily cheered. Following him in about ten minutes came the Queen, who- wafl most affectionately greeted. the utterances of the congregation being such as to indicate that unspeakable interest which the people take in her. Then from time to time there followed other Royal personages and the notabilities of the realm, and it was nearly three o'clock before the general con- gregation could be released. When I got outside the procession had started, and the last of the Royal carriages were leaving the precincts of the Abbey. The stands in the neighbourhood accommodated vast crowds, who cheered enthusiastically. At all points along the route there were very large crowds, and the populace seemed to be highly pleased with all that took place. THE EMPIRE OF THE KING. BENEFICENT SWAY OVER MANY NATIONS. One of the memorable utterances of the Earl of Kosebery—" the British Empire is the greatest secular agency for good the world has ever known "—may very well be taken as the text of this article. A preacher some- times fortifies his text, or the argument set forth therein, by quoting various subsidiary texts, and following this example passages without number might be quoted embodying a similar testimony. Only two will now be given, and they are selected because they are apropos of the war which has recently raged in his Majesty's South African dominions, and because they express the views of all thinking people with regard to the mission which the British Empire fulfils in the world. The first is takeji from a leading Greek journal, the "Asty." and it is to thi3 cifect :—" Greeks should bo glad that their great friend. Eng- land, has now been freed from the embarrass- ments of a bloody war, a-s she will be the more able to continue her beneficent work for civilisation and freedom and the protection of the smaller nations." The other testimony is from the lips of Mr. Kruger, uttered not long before the war broke out:—"If the Transvaal is to be conquered, we would prefer England as our master rather than any other nation in the world." Mr. Kruger did not love us, but his shrewdness enabled him to see that the British regime offers advantages to subordi- nate and protected nations such as no other Power in the world is able and willing tc give. He knew that the Dutch inhabitants of Cape Colony were treated by the Government on the footing of perfect equality with the British colonists; and he must also have been aware that if the British people in the Transvaal had been treated by his Government with as much consideration as the Dutch in Cape Colony are treated by the British Government there, the Uitlander agitation, the Jameson Raid, and the war of 1399-1902 would never have figured in history. It is perfectly safe to say that there has been no other Imperial dominion whose government is more sincerely and disin- terestedly devoted to the welfare of the peoples whose good fortune it i3 to dwell within its pale. At the same time, the British Empire has a utilitarian basis. Its policy is philan- thropic, but the Empire is not a philanthropic agency pure and simple. The purposes served by our various Colonies and dependencies abroad are of a .Yarjedi character. Fim,, there..are--the Colonics pure and simple, Such as Canada. Australia. New Zealand, Cape Colony, and Natal, which exist for the purpose of accommodating our overflow population. These lands are not foreign countries, for the emigrants are not subject to foreign sway, nor do they merge with foreign populations; rather, they keep in touch with the home population, and con- tinue to enjoy the privileges and protection of the home government. Secondiy, there are trade areas to which the term spheres of influence" is sometimes applied, like British Nigeria. British East Africa, Nyassaland. Rho- desia, British Somaliland, the hinterland of Sierra Leone, and of the Gold Coast; also India. Burmah and Ceylon, British Borneo, and British New Guinea. These areas do not receive anything like so many emigrants as the Colonies, and the British people who go there are traders rather than Colonists. Thirdly, there arc trade centres, such as Singapore and Hong Kong, and the original British settlements in India—at Surit, Bom- bay, Fort George, and Fort William—where merchandise is exchanged and distributed. Fourthly, there are fortified points and coal- ing stations scattered in various parts of the world which assist our mercantile marine, and form the bases of the naval squadrons which give, protection to our commerce, such as Gibraltar. Malta, Aden. Bermuda, and St. Helena. Fifthly, there is a mixed group, which includes Egypt, where our possession is informal—where we ara trustees- in-charge rather than owners; Cyprus, which we occupy for the good of Cypriotes; Afghani- stan and the Transvaal (up to the war), where we exercised merely a suzerainty; Basutoland and other native reserves in South Africa, where we keep order and 40 other kind things for the natives, and do not allow colonisation. The chief of our Colonies entered the Empire by the process of settlement. Upper Canada. and Western Canada. Australia, New Zealand, and other places were settled by English emi- grants. Other of our possessions were ceded to us by treaty, and others were conquered It would he a great mistake to suppose that the dependencies of the latter elacs were seized as isolated acts of aggression. The fact is that in nearly every case their conquest was but an incident of a war with some Euro- pean state, or the conquest was undertaken to preserve the peace. Lower Canada, and Malta were seized as incidents of wars with France; Jamaica and Gibraltar were taken during wars with Spain; the Cape settlement during a war with France and Holland (a handsome indemnity being afterwards paid to the lattér). Our other colonial wars have been undertaken to preserve the peace, and in. a sense, therefore, as measures of police. Take the case of India. For many years we possessed nothing in India but three trading stations on the coast. We never had any intention of conquering India, and we never should have conquered India if our neighbours had behaved themselves. We obtained the Cnrnatic as a result of the Nawab's plot with the French to destroy our settlement at Madras. We obtained Bengal as a result of the aggression and cruelty of Suraj-ud-Daula. We obtained Mysore as 1 result of the aggression of Tippu Sultan. We received the Nizam into our Empire as a feudatory prince to protect him against the Mahxattas. If the Mahrattas. the "Mountain Rats" of Central India, had lived in peace, instead of raiding and blackmailing their neighbours with systematic regularity, the whole of Central India might still have been under the indepen- dent sway of the Peishwa and his four lieutenants. If the Sikhs had maintained order and respected our frontiers, the Punjab might still have been an independent- Sovereignty under the successors of Runjit Singh. The occupation of Burma in 1885 was a police measure; so also are all our wars on the north-west frontier. In every case, except that of, Warren Hastings' expedition against the Rohillas, our Indian wars have been undertaken by us either in self-defence or in the general interest of order and good government. The war which has just con- cluded in South Africa is of a similar nature, in that it was undertaken by us to repel aggression, and was consummated in the annexation of the hostile States for the pre- servation of peace through all the future. It seems at first sight, absurd that we should speak of the Pax Britannicn, since we are nearly always at war in some part of the Empire; yet those wars are invariably under- taken in the interests of peace. The wara of India have already been referred to. The campaigns against Arabi Pasha in 1332, against the Mahdi in 1884-5, and against the Khalifa in 1896-8 were undertaken for the sake of peace and order, and our conflicts with the slave raiders of Nigeria and Nyassa- land and Svith the predatory hordes of Matabeleland may be taken as typical of the rest of our African wars. In the case of Egypt we have given order where there was dIaOB. and integrity, efficiency, and economy in public affairs where those qualities had been disastrously lacking. In the case of the Soudan wo havt extinguished the most bar- barous and devastating tyranny of modern times, and placed a vast territory under the humane and fostering care of British adminis- trators. And in the case of Matabeleland we