Rhyl Record and Advertiser

A AND JAPAN. OMINOUS OUTLOOK. The reports from St. Petersburg of the Far East do not tend to increase the conviction that peace will be maintained. The Russian reply to the Japanese demands is said to have been forwarded to Admiral Alexeieff, the Russian Viceroy of the East., for communication to the Japanese Govcrn- ment, but its nature is said to be evasive, and it is reported to contain "reasoned proposals" for a settlement. Meantime Japan has made her pre- parations for war, and that the situation is very strained is evidenced by the issue of an official order forbidding the publication of any information respecting the movements of Japanese ships of war or troops. The Japanese Squadron of six cruisers has left for an unknown destination, but is sup- posed to be intended to occupy the Corean port of Masampho should the Russian reply be unsatis- factory. Another significant fact is discovered in the absence of Baron von Rosen, the Russian Ambassador, from any of the functions which have taken place at Tokio during the last few days. Russian news is not less alarming. The Rus- sian ships at Vladivostock are said to be preparing for action, and a Russian cruiser is said to have left Port Arthur with troops on board, presumably for Chuemuipo. Meanwhile the Powers arc taking precautions to protect their interests in Corea. A British cruiser a., Chemulpo is said to be about to land a naval party for Seoul, and 100 American marines have already been despatched to the Corean capital. FEELING AT ST. PETERSBURG. Iniorma'.ion irom an o>iiiial source, says Renter's St. Petersburg correspondent telegraphing on Tuesday, is to the effect that the Russian reply, the instructions for which have been forwarded to Aiiii-il"" was drawn up in the most con- ciliatory spirit. Some Japanese proposals are accepted, while others are made the subject of extended observations and are met by counter pro- ponls.. Hopes are expressed in Russian official circles that the concessions made to Japan, which are regarded hlre as very considerable, will prove acceptable. The Russian Christmas falls on Thursday, and it is hoped that the Emperor will be able to announce on that day that peace is assured. The excitement on the Bourse is explained by bankers here as having been due to the annual settlement operations, and to have been entirely uninfluenced by the Eastern situation. COAL FOR THE CHINA FLEET. The Cardiff correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says there was an extraordinary development in the demand for tonnage for the Far East on the Cardiff Exchange on Tuesday. The British Admiralty, who had been inquiring for a couple of steamers at about 17s. 6d. freight for Hong Kong, paid 20s.. an advance of about 3s. within a couple of days. This is regarded as particularly ominous. Four additional fixtures were repoited lor Japan. The urgency of the request may be gauged by the fact that 25s. was paid for a prcmpt boat, the current rate a few days ago being about 21s. Other fixtures are being concluded for January loading at 22- 22s. 6d., and 23s. Later the British Admiralty were again inquiring for several other boats, not only for Hong Kong, but for various coaling stations on the way to the Far East. These inquiries came quite, as a surprise on the market, and quotations for the best steam coal generally were harder. Whether the Admiralty will come forward for any new contracts remains to be seen, but they have already very large contracts in operation, of which they have not taken more than one-third. Inquiry for Japan also seems to be strengthening, but no additional Russian business was done. WHAT JAPAN REQUIRES OF RUSSIA From a Japanese source comes the fo!lowing statement as an explanation of Japan's po«iticn in connection with the present Russo-Japanese relations. The essential points on \\¡1il'lI .Tapan proposed to Russia to come to an agreement are as follows First, a mutnal engagement to respect the inde- pendence and territorial integrity of the Chinese and Corean Empires. Second, mutual recognition of (he special interests of Japan in Corea and Russia in Manchuria, Third, mutual engagement in accordance with the principle of (final facilities for the commerce of all nations that neither Japan nor Russia shall interlere with the commercial rights acquired by the other, by virtue of treaties with China and Corea respec- tively. Japan, therefore, demands no concession from but merely a confirmation of the repeated and unequivocal declarations of unselifsh motive in to Manchuria. Russia, to the surprise of Japan, rejected the proposals, refusing, on the one hand, to discuss the ioll of Manchuria, and in respect of Corea proposing the establishment of a neutral zone extending from the northern frontier of Corea to a line betwen Gensan and Ping-Yang. This proposal is quite unacceptable to Japan. A tion of Manchuria along the Corean frontier, while a third of Corea was neutralised, would be a fatal menace to the independence of Corea, winch Japan would defend at all costs. The German Emperor is stated to have said in conversation with Admiral Hoffman that he had everv reason to hope that peace would be main- tained. It is reported that thp two Argentine cruisers purchased by Japan will leave Genoa in about three titlit-, and that they will be taken out by the builders and handed over to the new owners in Japan. Some of the Russian war vessels for the Far East are still tarrying at Bizerta. The Russian battleship Emperor Nicholas I. and the destroyer Abbek have left Oran for the Far East.

A LIVERPOOL CRUELTY CASE. William llenrv Stewart, a prominent dentist, was charged at Liverpool, at the instance of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, with illtreatiug his son, aged eleven and a-half. Some mouths ago the defendant's wife obtained a separation order, and on December 27th, according to the evidence given, the lad had been to visit his mother, and ret lIrlled to his father's house shortly before ten. A little later, however, he went out again without permission, not returning until eleven. lie was ordered upstairs by the defendant, who, with a riding-whip, administered a severe castigation. The boy's screams caused a crowd to collect outside the house, and the police-sergeant who obtained admittance found him in great pain and crying bitterly. —Dr. Glynn, a well-known Liverpool specialist, living next door, accompanied by Mrs. Glynn, also entered the house, and the boy was taken away for the night to the Children's Shelter. The defence was that the boy was dis- oixdient, and undue severity was denied.—The stipendiary fined the defendant £5 and two guineas costs, or a month's imprisonment in default.

A STRANGE FRENCH STORY. Investigations are being made relative to the of a Mme. Citappuis, who lived near Veivailles, and whose fortune is supposed to have been fraudulently obtained by a spiritualistic I medium. The heirs of the deceased, her three nephews, found, to their intense surprise. that their aunt had not left them a sou, and that all her 11 enev was bequeathed to a Mine. Martin. The inquiry which followed proved that :1111". Martin legan her spiritualistic seances in the widow's house. Mine. Chappuis missed her husband very lvueh, and the alleged medium called up his ghost. ■Jl:e dead man was supposed to say that his widow would lIOt long remain on earth, and that she Mould not see the New Year. He himself was in purgatory, and he was to be freed from that place v. lien his wife joined him. Then followed the ghost's injunctions: "Don't forget the medium. Be good to her. Leave Mine. Martin not only your fortune, but also your house. Don't mind the buv.ily. Come quickly." Another night the ghost directed his wile, through the medium, f.o inhale some stuff out of a bottle. Owing to these pro- ceedings Mme. Martin was arrested, and the dead bodv of Mme. Chappuis was exhumed. The post- mortem examination shewed that death resulted from heart trouble, but there is a supposition that some stuff absorbed or inhaled may have hastened her death.

LOWAGER-EMPRESS OF COREA DEAD. ] A message from Seoul announces the death of the Dowager-Empress of Corea. The Dowager-Empress was of a retiring disposition, and led a very simple and unostentatious life all through her long widow- hood, and took no part whatever in the political concerns of her country. Indeed, as a factor even in the social life of Seoul she was well-nigh for- gotten, as she lived in the utmost seclusion in the palace of the present Emperor. The Dowager- Empress was seventy years of age and the widow of the late King, who died about forty years ai;a. Mr. U'ilJiani Driver, ot Stanhope, who has just froiii liis po.it.io!i as r;iil%vz,,N- (,tit(-i-(!d tiie service of tll(' old S:oc;,on and Darlington line it J 857. { .Mr. Chamberlain's reply to the Premier of the Australian Commonwealth, in which he declinc's the neitafion to visit the Antipodes, explains he thinks it best not to leave England iust now.

HINTS FOR THE HOME. IF a little pipeclay be added to the water in which clothes arc boiled a great economy in soap will be effected, and the clothes will be whitened without being in the least injured. GRKASE spots on wall papers may be removed by covering them with a paste made of fuller's earth or pipeclay and water, allowing it to dry, and then brushing it off. More than one application may be necessary. BEFORE laying carpets after spring cleaning, see that the floors are well scrubbed with a disinfectant and quite dry. The floor should then be well aprinkled with an insect powder to keep away the moths. To clean japanned trays, gently rub the surface with a little olive soil,and then polish with a piece of clean, soft flannel. Never touch japanned trays with boiling water, for it will cause the varnish to crack and peel. MEND gloves with cotton, for it will shew less than silk, as it is not bright-looking, and, moreover, it soils rapidly, thus taking on the shade of the glove if it be a tan colour. The cotton used should be fine, and it is generally best to do the mending from the inside of the glove. fo clean white shoel, rub them with dry pipe- clay, using a tooth-brush or nail-brush, and rubbing with the grain of the leather. Another method is to rub the shoes with benzine, and then to give them a coat of pipe-clay, which is allowed to remain for tome hours, and then brushed iff. APPLE WATElt. Apple water is a refreshing drink for an invalid. It can be made with either baked or raw apples, the former to be preferred when haste is wished, that is, if the apples arc baked and in readiness. They should be sour, and when cooked should be im- mersed in boiling water to cover them. Let stand until cool, strain and sweeten to taste. For that made from raw apples, three or four juicy sour apples of tine flavour should be pared and sliced. Pour over two cupfuls of boiling water and lot stand three hours. Strain, sweeten, and add a small piece of ice. A pleasant flavour is added if the rind of a lemon is mixed with the slices of apple. CHEAP WATER SOFTENERS. Hard water is a great beauty destroyer, and is the cause of much discomfort. Soft water should always be insisted on for facial ablutions, and it can be obtained by using the old-fashioned remedy of oatmeal, or even bran. If the water in the district is hard, counteract its evil influence upon the skin by soaking muslin bags filled with oatmeal in the water of the toilet pitcher—which water. by the bye, should be in a boiling state whell first poured into the toilet jug and on to the bran. To fur! her ensure softness, use a small oatmeal-bag for washing the face. Orange and lemon peel are other cheap water softeners. Instead of throwing away the peel of the fruit toss it into the toilet pitcher, and it will perfume the water as well as soften it. An occasional face bath of rosewater or elder flower water is excellent, and is especially useful for greasy skins or those which shew a slight growth of down, and for which creams may be inadmissible. SKIPPING FOR GIRLS. The Hospital maintains that skipping is not alto- gether a good exercise for girls. By practising what may bo described as "rising on the toes," so as to develop the calf and plantar muscles, much may be done to correct any tendency to flat foot: but by skipping the rebound is too great, and if carried on too long much injury may result. Skipping should only be undertaken as part of a system of exercises. SELF-CONSCIOUSNESS. Self-consciousness is often a barrier to popularity in social life,and it is a mabdy from which some girls suffer. Not everyone can be graceful and easy, but one can be self confident without being self-asser- tive, serene and dignified without being dull. Morbid fears as to what others are thinking, and over- anxiety as to one's appearance, may be overcome. Little nervous mannerisms, a lack of repose, con- sciousness of one's clothes, are all bad form and to be avoided. Xo one can make a good impression of talk agreeably, i 1 half-absorbed in putting on gloves, clasping a bangle or a pin or arranging stray locks of hair. It is a mark of good breeding to be neatly dressed in every detail and no'-or to appear conscious □ f one's cloihes. Self-conscious manners in public 4re bad form and detract from a woman's charm. TAIiF. CAIJK OF V -FR ANKt.F.S. Doctors say that unprotected ankles are responsible for manv of the illnesses from which women suffer, a very large proportion of which have their origin in what is termed an ordinary cold." These Ordinary cold-, would In much less ordinary if only women could I-e persuaded—both for themselves and /or their children—of The extreme folly of wearing low shoes in cold or wet weather. There is but Iirtle risk of taking cold in the most inclement weather during walks if the feet and ankles be well protected. Either stout boots should be worn, eon ing well over the ankle, or else gaiters in addition to thick shoes. Thanks to her athletic training, the (Illl: girl of to-day is fairh' sensible in her appreciation of thick boots for wet and cold weather, hut there are still an immense number of vain or silly folic who sacrifice their own health Mid, wor-e stili, that of their little ones rather than forego the dainty lace stockings and thin kid shoes which they are pleased to regard as the only possible l'ooigear for the well-dressed. FRUITS FOR THE COMPLEXION. il-.ie of the lotions acknowledged to be among the (nost cooling tor skin use is cucumber juice. When- over you have a cucumber in cut, pare off the rind and keep it on your washstand, rubbing the juicy inside of the rind over the face each time you wash. Haif a lemon is m ;st useful to keep on the wash'tand'for facial use. and again for the hands. To whiten the neck and arms the lemon should be dipped in borax before it is used. Fresh milk and buttermilk are time-honoured remedies for freckles, tntl a skin tonic that is recommended by French- women is a decoction ol milk in which shredded aorseradisii has been steeped for two or three hours. NICE DISHES. 17 BUTIEUMIMI SCOMICS.—lhittennilk scones arc made just like pancakes, only buttermilk is substituted for new miik, and au extra pinch of salt is added. They are lighter than the ordinary pancake. Sift hf.lf a pound of iiour into a basin, add a pinch of salt and two stir tl-e-e smoothly with the flour, and add gradually a pin- of buttermilk. Melt a little butter in a perfectly clean pin. and pour in the batter in taolesno .nfuls; it spread, and InWII cooked on the under side turn. Place these pancakes on ton of the other on a hot, dish. and serves as soon as possible. Keep them covered till ill are ready. Te,e -.e may be eaten with a little butter or with maple syrup. Svn;rs JVUF>.NK ;O'T.-Cut into one-inch lengths, and then illto .-hreds. carrot, turnip, celery, and union in rqerd quantities if all young vegetables, so much The better. Ilave enough 10 fill a large teacup when shredded. lhrow these into three pints of boiling water, add sad, and cook fast till tender. Stir into this a Isbiespoonlul of meat ?sfence and, if you have it, some good gravy taken of a roast jci::t. hire the soup boil up for a few minutes, add pepper and sait and a pinch 01 sugar, then pour into a hot tureen and serve. The addition of seme pieces of ripe tomato, added before the final boil up, and some finely chopped paisley put in the last moment serving, v. ili be appreciated by most people. CUIU S; TO\ST.—Break two eggs into a basin and feat them until thev are quite frothy and add a tablespoon fill of milk. Melt a tabiespoonful of butter in a small saucepan, add the eggs and stir them over the lire until they thicken, but be careful that they do not curdle. Then draw the nan to the side of the stove and stir in by (h grres two ounces grated ch< ese and a little salt and pepper. Have .(") (I N- "OJile squares, or rounds, of hot buttered toast, ant! some brown crumbs which have her n fried in a little butter; pour 1hc cheese mixture over the toa.-t. Then scatter the. crumbs over the top and put it into a very quick oven for a few minutes. Por-Ai>ri:u.— Take about two and a half to three pounds of Jean or beef, tie it neatly together with tape, and set it in an earthenware jar sufficiently large to take it easily. Cover with two quarts of water, and set the jar by the side of the fire. When the contents come to the boil, add a bouquet or sweet herbs, a few peppercorns, and a small piece of mace, tied together in a small piece of muslin. Slice and add to the beef the roots of two leeks, a turnip, two sticks of celery, and a couple nf carrots. As the fat rises, carefully skim it off, dud lot all cooh slowly for four lioufre. Strain off :he In uor, serve the meat on a hot dish with a good jramisn of vegetables and some slices of French roll fried quite crisp. The liquor will come in as soup Mie next day when the fat has become cold and Ween wmoved. ,*r Cine oi 101(' :nm..rc.H 01 the lunatic asylum i, Tours, named Pierre Maehiu, has been strangled by his keeper. while they wa re endeavouring to put a strait-waisl coat oil him. The police authwri!'li» have ordered all inquiry. At Madrid a tradesman has been sued in the courts for payment of a draft which he refused to honour because it had been torn in two and stuck together again. The court held, however, that this did not invalidate the bill. YAH! They bumped into each other on Fulton-street, and both started to do the polite thing. "I beg your pardon," said the first. "And I beg yours," replied the second. "It was unintentional, I assure you." And I beg you to believe that it was purely acci- dental on my part." I trust you have taken no offence ? "None at all, and permit me to feel that ——" Oh, certainly. Beautiful day ? "Positively splendid." "Ever see nicer fall weather ? "Never." "Why, by George, but you are Andy Slathers!* exclaimed the first in tones of contempt. "And you are Dick McQuirk replied the second. as he backed off. "And I was addressing you as a gentleman "And I thought you was an upper-crust "Yah!" "Yah!" SAME EVERYTHING. "I haven't bin in this town before in five years,1* said a broad-backed young man as he sauntered up I' to a policeman on Flatbush-avenue the other day. No ?" queried the officer. as he looked the stranger over and concluded that he was going West in search of a job. "Came in at the same depot five years ago and decided to wait over one train and see the town," continued the young man. "Seems funny that I ihould do exactly the same tiling again, on the same date, five years later." "Yes, it does. You saw the town, did you?" "Not all of it. I walked up this street feelin' thirsty, and decided to take whisky straight. Went into a place up here aud took one. Fellow in there he began to blow how fur he could spit and hit a cent. That's my best hold, you know, and I bet him fifty cents and beat him. Then he kicked up a fuss and three fellows jumped on to me and I had j an awful time." "You don't feel thirsty this time?" queried the officer. "Yes, I do. It's kinder cur'us, but I want another whisky straight. That's what they call a co-in-cidence, hain't it?" "Looks that way, but I hope you'll keep clear of a row." "Yes, I'll try to. Wonder if I kin find the same place again ? The officer looked after him as he moved up the 1 street, but it was not his business to interfere, and something else soon demanded his attention. An hour later, when he had circled around to the same lamp-post again, somebody suddenly fell against him, and he looked up to find the young man with the broad back catching at the post to steady himself. "Well, you found the place, I see?" remarked the officer. "Yesh-found'er shame place," thickly replied the stranger-" found 'er very shame place." "And was there a spitting man there, same as five years ago ? "Yesh, just 'er shame. Shame place-shame l man—shame bet of fifty shents. No change 'tall in five long years." Did you win as before ? "Yesh; beat 'er feller all holler on 'er shpit." y "And did the same three .men pitch on to you y again ? "Yesh, shame three men. Pitched right on jusser shame and almost killed me. and throwed me out of doors. Shame place—shame men—shame every- thing. Shay, officer!" Well ? ¡ "Goin' to run me in ? j "No, I guess not. You are pretty drunk, but I guess you can get down to the depot and make your train "That's jess what man said to me five years ago! Shav, officer! A "Well?" Five years-five long years—shame town—shame whisky—shame saloon-shame men—no change. That's what 'er calls a co-co-co- "Coincidence," finished the officer. "Yesh—quincidence—that's it. Good-bye." "Going?" "Yesh-oin', but I'm comin' back ag'in. Be back jess five years from to-day. Shall look f r you right on zhis corner. I shall be thirsty ag'in—go j right up 'em shame place-tind shame man there- 11 git licked jusser shame. Officer, farewell I like zhis town, I do When feller comes here lie finds 'em jusser shame-no changes—shame place- whoop-ee 1"—Brooklyn Citizen. ¡ "It used to be my ambition," said the business I man, "to accumulate a fortune and then retire." "Well," answered the friend, "haven't you realised it?" "No. I've got the money, but I don't dare retire. I've got to stay awake night and day to keep some- body from getting it away from me."—Washington Star. Employer: "I'm afraid you've deceived me. You came here as a college graduate." oierH Weil, what makes you doubt me, sir." Emplover Why. you just said in regard to a 0 matter of business that I knew better than you."— Chicago Bungle: "Jenkins seems sore at me about eome- tl) i 11 g Mungle: "Of course. You asked him if the new Woman wasn't beginning to make him tired." Bungle: Well ? Mungle: Well, he's just married his third wire after divorcing the other two. "-I'Itiladelpliia Press. WHAT COLLD nE SAY ? "Charley dear," said young Mrs. Torkins, "I am going to turn over a new leaf." In what connection ? "I'm going to quit, being superstitious. I have always disliked to begin anything on Friday." "Yes. It. is very silly of you." "Well, your arguments have convinced me. You know that new dress I was talking to you about?" "Y-yes." "Well, I'm going to start out and buy the f material on Friday, just to shew I'm not afraid.3 — Washington ttar. A SORT OF SUSPICION. I had been walking all day to reach the hamlet of Bentonville, and as 1 c"it"rod the place at sun- down and was iinquiring uij way to the tavern. a. rough-looking man accosted me with: "Look-a-here, stranger, I don't quite like your looks," "Sorrv for that, but can't help it," I replied. "No, "l don't like your looks," he continued. "Fact is, you 'pear to be a suspicious character, and 1 guess I'll lock you up." "Have vou authoritv to do that?" "I should smile thai; I had! I'm a constable, and I shall lock vou up as a suspicious character." I tried to argue the matter with him, but lie was 44sot" ami to book, and lie was taking me to the lock-up when two or three men interfered to the extent of suggesting that I be taken before the justice of the peace for immediate examination. After some hesitation this was agreed to, and a crowd numbering a score of people accompanied us. The "jedge" was eating supper, but he hurried up, and came over to his office in the bacic end o* a store and opened court. hen all was ready, he asked of the ofucer "Tom, what's tri(, prisoner?" "Suspicion," replied loin. "Suspicion of what. "Suspicion of what. "Dunno. Je^t a sort o' suspicion." "1 deelar", but 1 don't see nutlun' suspicious about him," .^itid his Honour, as lie looked me over. "Stranger, win be you ? I told him. "Whar vou fiom?" Blisslield." Whar you goin' ? "On tfo Mountville to-morrow." "Nuthin' suspicious about tInt, What made yon thin;, him suspicious, tyat he was." "Do vou want to sw'ar out a \arrant ag'in him pJ6 "Guess not." "Then the prisoner is discharged." I went to the ho; el and got supper, and after tho meal sat down on the verandah tor a smoke. In the course of five minutes the same constable walked up the steps and approached me and said: ".Stranger, I've come to apologise." "For arresting me? Yes; you were hasty, but it's all right." "Thank you. You see, it's jest this way: I've bin a constable iu this county fur twenty-two vears, and never arrested a critter jit. Got to thinkin' of it to-day and made up my mind to uphold mv dignity or bust, a leg, and as you looked like a cuss who hadn't any friends and wouldn't kick about being locked up I run you in. Cum hev a drink with me, aud 111 resign to-iiiorrrr A NF,\V XKEROR. Lord Kelvin has alarmed us with the prospect of exhausting the supply of oxygen in the air; Sir Wiliiiiii Ci'ookes has pointed out that, unless we are careful to manufacture nitrates to fertilise the soil, our food stuffs will be insufficient for tho population of the earth; and now, says the 3e» J'enny JMaqazine* Mr. Nikola lesla, the eminent American electrician, "goes one better," and warns us that with the very powerful electric sparks we now make—sparks of "a few million volts "-we are ill dancr of settin fire to the atmosphere. Air consists of oxygen and nitrogen. It is capable of ignition and combustion, the oxygen and nitrogen combining, as the oxygen and carbon unite in burn- ing a piece of coal. If once the atmosphere caught lire 011 a pretty large scale, all the fire engines and buckets available would not be able to extinguish it. A vast conflagration would wrap the globe and when it had spent itself there would be no more atmosphere. Needless to say, all animals and plants would disappear. Only an airless, lifeless ball like the moon would remain to tell the tale. Mr. Tesla. even suggests that lightning flashes may have set the atmosphere on fire in past ages, and thus destroyed a whole system of living beings from time to time.