Flintshire Observer Mining Journal and General Advertiser for the Counties of Flint Denbigh

A RAILWAY VETERAN. The G.W.R. Magazine contains an account of an old employe of the company in the London Loco- motive Department, named Charlie Wheller. It seems he joined the service as a temporary labourer ia the Loco in January, 1838, having been previously stoker on a river boat running to Sheerness, and continued in the service until the Christmas of that year, when he was discharged through slackness of work. After an interval of three months he obtained employment with the company in his former capacity, and in 1840 was placed on the permanent staff. He has since served as labourer, office messenger to Mr. Gooch, engine-cleaner, and for the last 15 years as gate-keeper at the principal entrance of the London Loco Works. At the time when he entered the service, the company possessed four engines only, and the Loco shed stood between Bishop's-road aad Ranelagh-bridges. In 1851 he was one of the men selected to take charge of the Lord of the Isles at the Great Exhibition. In once narrating some of the incidents of his life to a veteran of the battle-field, he showed that in respect to exposure of life and limb a railway man could often compete with one who sought the bubble reputa- tion even at the cannon's mouth," as could be proved by his own (Charlie's) record-viz., knocked off the engine into the turn-table pit and ruptured, loss of right eye through spurting of a piece of hot clinker from the fire-box of an engine he was working under, skull fractured through an accident in the engine-shed, also twice eaught between the buffers and badly injured. Recently he has suffered from severe bodily ailments, but his mental powers still preserve their old vigour, and he is happy and cheerful. Charlie is fond of books, especially poetry, his favourite poet being he who so aptly sung the lays of rural labour and rural scenery-Bloomfield. Every year sees a card placed on the Loco Gate entrance, its lines written by himself-a Christmas greeting to his Loco friends from Old Charlie." Notwithstanding his advanced age (75) he still pursues the routine of his daily duties with zeal and interest, and when the writer, a few evening ago, alluding to his bygone con- nection with the Lord of the Isles, said, "They ought to have sent you with it to Chicago," this prompt and vehement reply came, And I'd have gone if they had only given me the chance."

CRINOLINE AND BELL-SKIRT." The very full skirt of the present day is (says the Warehouseman and Draper) good for trade, as so much more material is needed for it; but now that fancy cloths and muslins are used instead of the handsomer fabrics of velvets and tweeds, which stood out by themselves, stiff linings have to be em- ployed to make the dresses stand out round the foot, which seems perilously like the thin end of the wedge of the dreaded crinoline and we fear that, in spite of Worth having pronounced against it, and all sensible people agreeing with him, it will gradually take the place of the stiff linings, especially under the soft summer dresses. The unanimity of feeling for the bell skirt is very remarkable nothing else is made or seen, and though every variety of trimming is allowed, the skirts must all be cut on the same pattern, and fashion has this year shown her good sense in making the dresses short for the street; the trailing garments of last year were both inconvenient and dirty.

A GERMAN wine-lover says: Wine is a kind of standing army against the burdens of life. Rhine wine, the infantry; champagne, the cavalry; Bur- gundy, the artillery; sweet wine, the adjutant; Tokay, the old general. If nations fought only with these, the peace of the world would never be dis- turbed; its balance, however, might be." A GENTLEMAN gave a friend some first-rate' wine, which he tasted and drank, making no remark upon it. The owner, disgusted at his friend's want of appreciation, next offered some strong but inferior wine, which the guest bad no sooner tasted than he ex claimed that it was excellent wine. "Butyousaid nothirg of the first," remarked his host. Oh," replied the guest, "the first spoke for itself; the second needed a trumpeter."

WHY is sweet scent like a blind alley ?—Because it is nose treat (no street). AN intelligent Princetonian, being advised to read Spencer's works in connection with his philosophical studies, at once obtained from the library Spencer's Faerie Queene."

GRAVE AND GAY. THE late Professot Barry once amused Judge Ball by an application on behalf of a man who was a dealer in horses and sugar-sticks. The incongruity of his avocations struck the judge. What a strange junction of trades," said Judge Ball. I see a close resemblance between horses and sugar-sticks," said the witty barrister. In what way ? inquired his lordship. The more you lick them the faster they go," was the reply. SEE the moon, said a lady to her nephew, a bright little boy of five, as they sat looking out of the window the other day. The moon said the little man. You can't see the moon in the daytime." Yes, you can," continued his aunt; there it is over the trees." The little fellow had to admit that he saw it, but added, Tain't lighted, any way." A STERN necessity—the rudder. A WAG says of a toper: His nose has passed the rubicund." WHY should a man with a wheelbarrow be most successful in life?—Because he carries all before him. THIS animal," said an itinerant showman, is the Royal African hyena, measuring 14ft. from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail, and the same dis- tance back again, making in all 28ft. He cries in the woods in the night season like a human being in dis- tress, and then devours all that comes to his assistance —a sad instance of the depravity of human nature." WHEN we moderns say that a person is as obstinate as a mule, we have explained the situation as forcibly as our poor language will permit. But the old Romans knew better; they knew something far more obstinate than a mule, and therefore called woman mulier. A YOUNG woman has painted the picture of a dog and tree so life-like that a person can't distinguish the bark of the dog from the bark of the tree. ARE railroads aristocratic in their tendency because they teach every man to know his own station and stop there ? A PORTUGUESE book for students of English gives among others the following sentences: How do you can it to deny ? That are the dishes whose you must be and to abstain." Give me some milk newly get out." She do not that to talk and to cacle." I think what there is it three days that I eat nothing." He is valuable, his weight's gold." It must never to laugh of the unbappies." I go me to get up." I am catched cold in the brain." I dead myself in envy to see her." The rose-trees begins to button." The ears are too length." Don't you are awaken yet ?" Since you not go out, I shall go out not I neither." One clock has not stricken still." A WRITER on style says, It is the fashion in France for ladies to take tea in their bonnets and gloves." One objection to this is that some of the bonnets do not hold much more than a lump of sugar. THE effects of red tape on the official mind seems to be experienced by all who are brought under the influence of the Circumlocution Office. A Parisian flaneur has picked up the following particulars of a conversation which passed in an emigration offioe. The father of a family presents himself and asks for tickets. How many are you ? asks the agent. "Three—I, my wife, and my child." "Good; your age, your profession ? "Thirtv years, carpenter: my wife 24, needlewoman." The boy ?" asks the agent. Seven months." His pro- fespion ?" The father's eyebrows formed Gothic arches on his forehead. His profession, I say ?" repeated the agent, angrily. We have no time to lose." The father reflects, and at last replies; "Bachelor 1" A GOOD-NATURED traveller fell asleep in a train and was carried far beyond his destination. Pretty good joke, this is, isn't it ?" said he to a fellow- passenger. Yes, but a little too far-fetched," was the rejoinder. PROFESSIONAL pomposity is well taken off in the following anecdote Shields Doctor (looking learned and speaking slowly): "Well, mariner, which tooth do you want extracted ? Is it the molar or incisor ?" Jack (short and sharp): It is in the upper tier, on the larboard side. Bear a hand, you swab, for it it nipping my jaw like a lobster WIVES should always sit up for their husbands. It makes two hours' difference in their arrival. THERE is no peace for the bald-headed; just as sharp winds are going out flies are coming in. THE First Night of a New Piece-Irish Box- keeper There isn't a seat in the house, sir; but I can give you a chair." MAMMA, what is the meaning of a book being printed in ]2mo ?" "Why, my dear, it means the book will be published in 12 months." I WONDER," said a gentleman at a dinner-party, why Bonaparte should choose a watchmaker to be his private secretary ?" "Oh," exclaimed another, he required him to make minutes.' A LITTLE girl was told to spell ferment," and give its meaning, with a sentence in which it was used. The following was literally her answer I. Ferment, a verb, signifying to work. I love to ferment in tne garden." WE don't know exactly what the height of ambition" is, but we have seen many fussy little specimens of it not more than five feet high. INDEED, you are very handsome," said a gentle- man to his mistress. "Pooh, pooh," said she, "so you'd say if you didn't think so And so you'd think," he answered, if I didn't say so." AT the Brighton Beach Concert: You have ex- cellent critical taste, and seem to delight in good music. Tell me, then, my friend, why have you never mastered some instrument?" "Alas, my dear fellow, mv ear is so delicately strung, I shrink fr om the horrible prospect of hearing myself practice." GOOD doctors are liable to be wrapped up in their business. A LITTLE fellow, on going for the first time to a church where the pews were very high, was asked on coming out what he did in the church, when he replied. II I went into a cupboard, and took a seat on a shelf." A GOOD way to cure a wild young man is to bridal him. AN uninteresting period in boyhood-waiting to be whipped. To promote a woman to a hire position-engage her as a lady help. EYEN the bootblack says his business is brightening up. ONE-HALF of this world don't know what the other half take in their soda-water. SMILE when you can is the latest thing we are asked to do by those gratuitously-admonitory beings the poets. No one can smile when he can't. WISHING to pay his friend a compliment, a gentle- man remarked, I hear you have a very industrious wife." Yes," replied the friend, with a melancholy smile; she's never idle; she's always finding some- thing for me to do." • PRISONER at the bar," said the judge, is there anything you wish to say before sentence is passed upon you ?" The prisoner looked wistfully towards the door, and remarked that be would like to say Good-evening," if it would be agreeable to the com- pany. You may very properly take a man s word, but do not steal his dictionary. A DEAD hen is better than a live one she will lay wherever you put her. ARE the fair inhabitants of a convent generally SO meagre in appearance because they lead a nun- natural kind of a life ? I THINK," said a farmer, I should make a good Parliament man, for I use their language. I re- ceived two bills the other day, with requests for immediate payment; the one I ordered to be laid on the table—the other to be read that day six months." (i T "MY dear," said a wife to her husbanu, L really think it is time we had a greenhouse. 11 Well, my love, paint it any colour you please—red, white, or green will suit me," responded her husband. WHAT is the difference between a schoolboy study- ing his lessons and a farmer watching his cows ?— The schoolboy is stocking his mind, and the farmer if minding his stock. A COUNTRY hair-dresser of our acquaintance says he is the head man of the town.

SCIENCE GOSSIP. THB Commission appointed seven years ago to examine the various plans for draining the Zuider Zee having reported, the Dutch Government has ordered a delegation of the Chambers and engineer- ing experts, under the presidency of M. Lely, the Minister of Waterways and Commerce, to pronounce upon the scheme selected. In general terms, it has been recommended to dyke in the mouth of the Zuider Zee by a wall 18 miles long, and then to pump out the imprisoned waters, with the exception of an area in the centre, which, by the inflow of the Ysel and other streams, is to form a fresh water lake, the overflow of the sheet being regulated by sluices. From this lake there are to be a series of canals to the towns, which, by the draining of the Zuider Zee will be stranded, and two great chaufiels to connect it with the open sea. But as neither of these utilise either the North Holland or the North Sea Canals, it seems to us that there is an immense waste of existing works. About 500,000 acres of good land are expected to be reclaimed innbout 24 years, at a cost of not less than £ 16,000,000. But unless the State helps, and the in- terests of the "dead cities" are consulted by the payment of heavy damages, not to speak of the fisher- men, who will find their occupation gone, we fail to see how this gigantic enterprise of turning into dry land the country overwhelmed six centuries ago is to be accomplished. A 310-ST ingenious application of electricity for making exact observations in physics has just been published by MM. Elster and Geitel. Wishing to measure the amount of the sun's ultra-violet radia- tion, they devised an instrument for this purpose, the action of which depends on the influence of the ultra-violet rays in accelerating the dissipation of an electric charge from a cathode of amalgamated zinc. By-exposing a plate of this metal to the light of a stream of sparks from an induction coil at various distances, and determining the dissipa- tion of a negative charge imparted to it, this was proved to be a linear function of the light intensity. The fall of potential during a few seconds exposure is deternrned by means of an Exner electroscope. It is found that ultra-violet radiation exhibits an inverse relation to atmospheric electricity. PROFESSOR DEWAR having succeeded in reducing atmospheric air to a liquid condition, the natural sequel seemed to be solid air-if such a scientific Milesianism is allowable. This he has now accom- plished by obtaining a very low temperature, when the air appears in the form of a clear transparent substance, the precise nature of which can only be substance, the precise nature of which can only be determined by future research. One opinion is that this jelly is solidified nitrogen, containing liquid oxygen, while another view holds that it is a true ice of liquid air in which both oxygen and nitrogen take the solid form. Yet up to the present date oxygen has not been solidfied in the pure form of that gas, though nitrogen is frozen with comparative ease by the cold produced by its own evaporation under the air-pump. ———— WITH reference to the use of wood ashes as a condition powder," Mr. Wigktman Bell, of Spald- ing, informs us that so far as feeding it to pigs is concerned, the "Illinois farmer" has not made quite such a discovery as be fancies. For Mr. Robert Warrington, an eminent English chemist, states in his Chemistry of the Farm," that" at Rotbamstead a mixture of coal-ashes, common salt and superphos- phate was used with advantage in the case of young pigs fed solely on maize. Maize contains an unusually small proportion of mineral matter (ash) which is necessary for the formation of bone, hence the advantage of the addi- tion of the ashes, &c., referred to." It would thus appear that it is to Sir John Lawes and Dr. Gilbert we are indebted for this as for so many other long-neglected observations. The Illinois farmer, therefore, either discovered it in- dependently, or-as Americans sometimes do-coolly annexed the Britisher's property without permission asked or the fact acknowledged. THE accidental arrival in New Zealand of two poisonous snakes among ballast from Queensland and South America has justifiably alarmed the colonists. For the islands contain no native venomous reptiles, though the climate is in places well fitted for them. The result of the alarm is that Parliament has passed an Act subjecting to heavy penalties any one import- ing dangerous serpents. Even travelling showmen and zoological gardens come under the new law. M. MOISSAN has succeeded in preparing large quantities of the more refractory metals by subject- ing their earths to the temperature of an electric furnace. This is simply a small furnace composed of lime, so arranged that it can be intensely heated by a powerful electric arc. By this means chromium and uranium were obtained in considerable masses. Uranium has hitherto been prepared with great diffi- culty, and in minute amounts, by reducing the oxide with an alkali metal. At ordinarily procurable tem- peratures the various oxides of uranium are practi- cally irreducible by carbon. Now, however, they yi-eld with 'comparative ease in the electric f urnaoe. Osmium, however, still defies the furnaoe. MOST of these rare metals are solely of scientific interest, though as they cannot be obtained in suffi- cient quantity to test them, this inference is perhaps erroneous. Thus, for example, the extremely sen roe and very refractory ruthenium discovered 50 years ago by Claus in the ore of platinum, and pronounced of no practical importance," has just been found by M. Joly to yield a beautiful dye. Amnioniacal oxy- chloride of ruthene furnishes a red colour incom- parable for richness," and which may be changed to an equally rich yellow by acids, and back again to red by alkalies. Unfortunately, however, unless M. Mois- san's electric furnace is to be the philosopher's stone which is to bring it in plenty to the dyer, even a Silver King's wife must deny herself the pleasure of a sweet thing in ruthene." IT has long been a familiar fact that many lowly marine animals—the minute, almost structureless jelly-fighgg which cause the phosphorescence of the sea, among others-rise and sink slowly in the water, owing to these tiny beings possessing the power of changing their specific gravity at will. Herr Vervorn, after a careful study of Thalassicola nucleota, a radiolarian" about the size of a pea, has discovered the mechanism of this remarkable faculty. As a rule, this little speck of jelly floats on the surface. But when it envelops itself around food heavier than its own body, or when strongly stimu- lated by shaking or by chemical agents, it sinks. In the centre of the almost transparent body is a little vacu0ieor cavity, which it fills with sea-water, epriveti of its salts by passing through the proto- P asm, a power of this kind being an attribute of this • r,lc, "reless basis of all structure. Then the animal ♦ than the ocean in which it lives. But if it W iT ° 8'nk, the long thread-like processes act °° e. ,C?LtePta °f the vacuole, so that it is pumped oat. e bottom a contrary operation goes on, and he jjei y pea rises ouce more.—-Daily Chronicle.

STATE INSUIIAKCE IN MYSORE. My&ore occupies the unique position of the fore- most State in India. The Government has recently instituted a scheme of State insurance, which seems likely to work well and to effect a marked improve- ment in the condition of its employés. In British India State insurance' s only obligatory for the postal and telegraph corps, but in Myaore the system was made compulsory at the beginning of last year for all employes of the Maharajah s Government. A report of the first seven months working shows that there were 391 applications for insurance during that period, and that 230 policies were issued.

CONSIDERING what a miserably unpicturesque mansion the Villa Palmieri is, many wonder why her Majesty selects it for her spring residence. The gardens, which are of considerable extent, are all laid out in the prim cut-and-dried geometrical Dutch pattern, all squares, and albeit there is a fairly good view of Florence to be obtained from the windows, there is little else to recommend it. The Queen, however, as is well known, delights in statuary, and the garden of the Yilla boasts some of the finest to be found in any palazzo of Florence. There are seven groups and 15 single statues in the gardens, the chief being the Boy with the Bucket at the Well and Adam first seeing Even in Eden. Florence just now is exceptionally cold, but there are a number of English visitors there, so that the plaza, about one p.m., bears a slight resemblance to the Ladies' Mile, a similarity which will be intensified with I the advent of the Princess of Wales and her children.

A LION-HUNTER FOREWARNED. I TELEPATHY AND TRAVEL. In the Review of Ref,iews Mr. Stead gives an in- teresting Character Sketch of an interesting character M —Mr. F. C. Selous, the well-known hunter of lions and elephants and collector of butterflies. Mr. Stead gives many stories of his remarkable adventures, and among them the following curious narrative of alleged spirit writing:" A WARNING FROM ? Mr. Selous, in 1888, found himself at a station on the western border of the Transvaal on the eve of a hunting expedition north of the Zambesi. He made no objection to an experiment which was proposed by some friends of his who were deeply interested in the subject of spiritualism. Dr. who had married one of the daughters of a mis- sionary in Matabeleland, and another daughter; who was married to Mr. K- were of the party. Mr. Selous had known the missionary, and had been well acquainted with one of his sons, who two years previously had been killed by the natives north of the Zambesi during an expedition which Mr. Selous had partially equipped. Mrs. K- asked Mr. Selous to see if he could not get any message by auto- matic writing. He took a pencil in his hand and took up a position to write. Mrs. K—— then placed her hand lightly upon the back of his fingers. Almost immediately the pencil began to write. Mr. Selous is quite convinced that he had no idea what the letters were being formed by the pencil, nor did he look at the words as they were being written, but purposely turned away his head. The message ran as follows David Thomas Selous, go out of the country." After reading this, Mr. Selous asked why ? His hand wrote, Because you will be murdered." Then it stopped. Presently it began again, and wrote," Because you will be murdered by the natives." Mr. Selous still kept his hand upon the table, and the message was repeated two or three times. As it was evident that his hand was going to keep on writing Selous, go out of the country, because you will be murdered by the natives," Mr. Selous laid down the pencil and got up. Mrs. K- took up the pencil, and laying her hand upon the paper waited to see if the same mysterious force would use her hand. Her Land began to move as Mr. Selous's had done, and wrote exactly the same message, Selous, go out of the country, because you will be jnurdered by the natives." This message, repeated so often, and written with such emphasis without any consciousness on his part, and which could not have been written by Mrs. K- who simply lightly r. sted her fingers on the back of Mr. Solons's hand, might have impressed most men, but Mr. Selous treated it lightly. He had been hunting and exploring for many years among the natives of South Africa that he paid no attention to the warning, went on with his preparations, and started for the interior. A PREMONITORY FOREBODING. When he reached the Zambesi he was oppressed with the sense of something being wrong. Do what he might he could not shake it off. He bad never before, nor has he since, felt such a sense of gloom oppress him. So strong was this impression of im- pending calamity that he did what he had never done before: he wrote to a friend in the Transvaal as to what should be done in case he never returned alive. His determination to hunt north of the Zambesi, however, was much too strong to be thwarted by a presentiment, which he in no wise connected with the warning written in the Transvaal before he started. He crossed the river. A NIGHT ATTACK. Sure enough he did find himself in deadly peril soon afterwards, when in the country of the Mashukulumbwe. Some rebel Marotse incited the Mashukulumbwe to attack the camp for the sake of i securing possession of the powder. The Marotse opened with their guns, then their allies hailed assegais upon Mr. Selous's party. It was densely dark, and they could only tell that the assegais were flying thick by hearing them strike the ground or the packages. Then the camp was rushed. Mr. Selous then retreated backwards, rifle in hand. He was loth to use any of his four remaining cart- ridges, and also feared that he would hit some of his men if he fired. As he was retreating thus, he suddenly tripped his foot and fell. He was literally charged over by the assailants, but beyond a few bruises he was none the worse. All hi stores were seized and the camp looted. His powder and guns were lost, and he, clad in a shirt, a thin coat, and a pair of ehoes, with a rifle and four cartridges, was wandering alone in the jungle. After having tried to come across traces of his men, 12 of whom, it many be mentioned, were killed, while six others were wounded, Mr. Selous set off by himself to try and get to his waggons. He shot an animal, and so had something to -eat. It was intensely oold at night. He had no blanket and, attracted by a fire blazing in a native village, he approached it and warmed himself. Hardly had he laid down than be was conscious of the approach of some of the natives. One of them stole his rifle and bolted, while the others threw a handful of dried grass upon the fire. As it blazed up he saw another native pre- paring to shoot him with a musket, whereupon he fled into the darkness and escaped once more. His .position was now worse than before, for he had no food and no rifle. He kept on, however, with indo- mitable pluck, and after 14 days of terrible privation he came up with some of his party. It was not until another week that they were able to reach the waggons. It was a narrow escape—narrow enough to have justified the warning of David Thomas. ,Curiously enough, as soon as he got back to his waggons all feeling of oppression and of presentiment of calamity disappeared.

STATE OF THE LABOUR MARKET. The Board of Trade, in reporting on the state of the skilled labour market, states that in the aggre- gate there is a general tendency towards improve- ment, though in no case to a very marked degree, for, on analysing the returns more closely, it is impos- sible to refer to any trade particularly the condition of which ean with justice be described, taking all things into consideration, as very much better than last month. The engineering trades con- tinue to show an improvement, so far as the number of unemployed members are concerned, and the same may be said of the building trades to some extent; but the printing and kindred trades, especially in the metropolis, though somewhat busier than last month, are still very slack, looking to the period of the year at which we have arrived. The dispute in the Lancashire cotton trade has con- siderably paralysed that important industry, and though several efforts have been made to bring about a reconciliation between the contending parties such efforts have so far proved futile. The actual condition of the skilled trades can possibly be best gauged by the remarks accompanying the reports of the 23 Unions whose returns have come to hand. In these reports, 13 describe trade as bad,' six as moderate,' and only four as good'-facts which speak for themselves and go far to prove the con- tinued unsatisfactory state of the skilled labour j market." Altogether, it is evident that, although there is not much ground for encouragement, trade it probably more active than might be thought if we based our opinions solely upon the returns of our im- ports and exports.

SHHE55==5=S=5!= i THE ENGINEERING TRADE. The artisans engaged in the engineering trade on the Tyne and Wear have received notice from the masters of a reduction in wages, to take effect in May next. The decrease which the employers ask is 10 per cent. on all wages exceeding 20s. per week and 5 per cent. on wages of 2 Us. or less. The notice also affects the operatives in the boiler yards connected with the engineering establishments. About 15,000 men have received notice, but those employed by Mr. Allan, M.P., are not concerned, as he is not a member of the Employers' Association. A year has elapsed since the close of the strike of engineers on the two rivers owing to the dispute as to the apportionment of work between the engineers and the plumbers. That dispute, which was entirely between the two trade societies mentioned and was one in which the employers were not implicated, caused a loss estimated at half a million. The employers were obliged to refuse many remunerative orders, and others were sent away.to be completed elsewhere. The dispute accelerated and emphasised the general decline in trade, and, while some of those who came out on strike could not find employment in the district again, some of the firms on the Tyne have since been discharging workmen from time to time owing to the slackness of trade. Although the consideration of the matter has not yet been entered upon by the men, it is not thought that the request for a reduction of wages will lead to a strike, but that a compromise will be effected. Ui (c- <

MR. GLADSTONE AS A BOOK- BUYER. 0 TUB TALE OF A MARKBD CATALOGUE. Some interesting particulars on this subject are given by a writer in Wit and Wisdom, who has had access to a list of some of the Premier's recent pur- chases. Evidently Mr. Gladstone's tastes in this respect are as eclectic as ever. One turns over the catalogue's pages with curio- sity," says the writer, to glean the story told by the titles of the books he is ordering. The first is Nansen's Narrative of the First Crossing of Green- land.' The next marked lot' represents an intellec- tual giant's stride from interest to interest, literally from pole to pole. The book in question is Dr. Dale's 'Impressions of Australia, the People, their Characteristics, Education, Politics, Religions, Morals, &c. bought for the trifle of 3s. 6d. Has the next book, which I find noted, a personal interest ? It is no other than Bailey's Lives of Some Modem Methuselahs, Biographies of Select Nonagenarians who have been distinguished in Art, Science, Litera- ture, Philanthropy, and how they lived and of their Longevity, &c.' The purchase of a 'Doomsday Book' later invites attention, but is easily explained. The two volumes affect the interests of three counties in which Mr. Gladstone's heart is probably most centred -I refer to Flintshire, Cheshire, and Lancashire. Mr. Gladstone's most striking characteristics are Celtic. He is, therefore, to be found marking in the cata- logue under examination books of such varied nature as Johnston's Coloured Plates of the Scot- tish Clans and their Tartans,' and a very little known work, published 90 years ago- viz., Archdeacon Coxe's Vindication of the Celts, from Ancient Authorities, and Historic Evidence preserved in the Welsh Language.' The most ponderous order is undoubtedly Lady Blenner- hassett's translation of Madame de Stael's Memoirs'; I Donaldson's Christian Orthodoxy, reconciled with the Conclusions of Modern Biblical Learning,' 3s.; Treatise on the Nature and Causes of Doubt, and on some Common Difficulties,' 2s.; Edersheim's Exodus and Wanderings in the Wilderness,* 2s. 'Christmas Echoes of the Universe from the World of Matter and the World of Spirit,' 2s. 6d. Sir William Hamilton's Metaphysics,' 10s.; The Par- sees, their History, Manners, Customs, and Religion,' 3s. 6d. John Morley's Diderot and the Encyclop.Tdists" 10s.; Professor Boulgers Familiar Trees,' 12s. 6d.; some of Balzac's novels Freeman's 'Sicily,' 3s. 6d.; Jusserand's 'History of English Wayfaring Life in the Middle Ages,1 6s. 6d.; Jones's Essays on the Distribution of Wealth,'3s.; and four different works on Irish subjectii are among the subsequent purchases enumerated." Finally, one finds that Mr. Gladstone has been investing in a first edition of Swinburne's Song of Italy "-which serves to remind us, as the writer in question remarks, that poetry comes after theology with Mr. Gladstone as a favourite subject for reading.

WILLS AND BEQUESTS. The will, with a codicil (dated respectively April 1, 1892, and Nov. 28, 1892), of Mr. Benjamin Mellor Kenworthy, J.P., late of Delamere-place, Ashton- under-Lyne, Lancashire, who died on Jan. 20, were proved on March 7 by his nephew George Henry Kenworthy and John Whittaker Kenworthy, his great-nephew, the executors, the gross personalty being sworn at £ 107,004 9s., and the net at £ 106,460 16s. 9d. He bequeaths £ 10,000 to his nephew John Kenworthy Stoney; to his godson Herbert Mel!or £ 200 to Albert Edwin Mellor £ 200; to each of the male children of bis nephew John Kenworthy, of Tenby, £1500, and so many legacies of j £ 1000 each as there should be female children of the said John Kenworthy, to be held in trust for them and their issue to each of his nephews, the said John Kenworthy, of Tenby, and James Kenworthy, of Kirkcudbright, an annuity of £100 for life; to the Ashton-under-Lyne Infirmary £ 1000 in augmentation of the endowment fund and he directs his trustees to invest a sum of E2000 and I apply the income yearly in the purchase of warm and comfortable underclothing among certain poor people resident within the Parliamentary borough of Ashton- under-Lyne. There are in addition some legacies to friends. With the exception of certain freehold pro- perty which is entailed, testator devises and bequeaths the residue of his real and personal estate to the said George Henry Kenworthy, absolutely. The deceased never was married. The Scotch confirmation, under seal of the Com- missariot of the county of Edinburgh, of the trust disposition and settlement (dated October 29, 1889) of Mr. Francis Black, publisher in Edinburgh and London, who died on December 29, granted to Mrs. Elizabeth Bennett or Black, the widow, and Miss Elizabeth Black, Adam Rimmer Black, Miss Isabella Maud Black, and Andrew Bennett Black, the children, the executors nominate, was resealed in London on March 3, the value of the personal estate in England and Scotland amounting to over £ 72,000. The will and codicil (both dated March 1, 1889) of Mr. Nicolas de Teresa, late of the city of Mexico, merchant, who died on March 14,1892, at Puebla de Tizapan, in Mexico, were proved in London on Feb. 28 by Alfred Spalding Harvey, the value of the per- sonal estate in England amounting to upwards of £ 46,000. The testator bequeaths 200,000 dols. each to his eight children, Luisa, José, Nicolas, Dolores, Pedro, Francisco, Fernando, and Maria de la Paz and states that he does not leave anything to his daughter Isabel, as she is already in possession of an ample fortune. He appoints as his sole heir his wife. Dona Dolores Miranda de Teresa.. The will (dated Jan. 20, 1881), with a codicil (dated May 9, 1892), of Mr. Charles Tierney David- son, formerly of the Bengal Civil Service, late of 2, Hyde-park-square, who died on Jan. 12, was proved on Feb. 23 by Mrs. Jane Harington Sutherland Davidson, the widow, Charles Steer Davidson, the son, and Miss Edith Mary Davidson, the daughter, the executors, the value of the personal estate amounting to upwards of £ 38,000. The testator bequeaths all his household furniture and effects and C500 to his wife an annuity of E200 to his said son and annuities of £80 each to two daughters of his late brother John. The residue of his real and per- sonal estate he leaves, upon trust, for his wife, for life, and then for all his children, including his said son, in equal shares. The will (dated Oct. 3,1892) of Mrs. Jane Freeman, late of Brier Lodge, Southowran, Halifax, Yorkshire, who died on Dec. 30, was proved on Feb. 27 by the Rev. G. Edward Aspinall, the nephew, and Walter Freeman, the executors, the value of the personal estate amounting to upwards of £ 36,000. The testatrix gives EBOO to the Halifax Infirmary; E100 each to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, the London Church Missionary Society, the Royal Albert Asylum for Idiots, Lan- easter, the Halifax Tradesmen's Benevolent Society and the Harrogate Bath Hospital; such sum to the vicsr and churchwardens of St. Anne's-in-the-Grove, j Southowran, as when invested in Consols will pro- duce £5 per annum, to be distributed among the poor of the township of Southowran; such sum as when similarly invested will produce E45 per annum to be paid to the cumte of the said church her furniture, plate, pictures, books, and effects, and some cottages known as Hilltop Cottages to her daughter Edith Anne Freeman and other legacies. As to the residue of her real and personal estate, she leaves one moiety, upon trust, for her said daughter, for life, and then for her children, and the other moiety, upon trust, for her daughter Mary Leppington, for life, and then for her children. The will (dated Nov. 8, 1876) of Sir John Armine Morris, Bart., late of Hafod Sketty-park, near Swansea, who died on Feb. 8, was proved on March 6 by Sir Robert Armine Morris, Bart., the son, the acting executor, the value of the personal estate amounting to upwards of 916,000. The testator bequeaths the family portraits belonging to him to his eldest son, Robert, to be held as heirlooms all his wines, consumable stores, and provisions, linen, china, and glass, and a carriage, horse, and harness to his wife (since deceased); the remainder of his furniture and effects, plate, books, and pictures, to his wife, for life, and then to his daughter, Amy Blanche Caroline; and all moneys standing in the names of himself and his daughter, Henrietta Ellen, at the London and Westminster Bank, St. James's- square, to his last-named daughter. The residue of his personal estate, including his jewellery and watch, he leaves, upon trust, for his wife and daughter, Amy Blanche Caroline, in equal shares. The will (dated Dec. 17, 1889) of Mr. Charles Henry Smith, late of Ravenswood, Wokingham, Berks, who died on Feb. 6, was proved on Feb. 25 by the Rev. Herbeit Monk, and Robert Lionel Monk Smith, the son, two of the executors, the value of the personal estate amounting to upwards of £ 34,000. The testator leaves E200 to his executor, the Rev. H. Monk £1000 and all his furniture and effects to his wife, Mrs. Sarah Georgina Smith; and the Ravens- wood estate and £10,000, upon trust, for his wife during widowhood. The residue of his real and per- sonal estate he gives to all his children, share and share alike. The will (dated Feb. 9, 1892), with a codicil (dated Dec. 8 following), of Mrs. Marie Susan Jane Fors- brey, late of Evetsley, Clapham-road, who died on Jam. 19, was proved on Feb. 20 by Thomas Killby, Richard James Forsbrey, the son, and Miss Caroline Forsbrey, the daughter, the executors, the value of the personal estate exceeding £ 26,000. There are specific gifts of freehold and leasehold houses and various stocks and shares to each of her ohildren and a legacy of £50 to her executor Mr. Killby. The residue of her property the testatrix leaves to her children equally. The will (dated July 2, 1887), with two codicils (dated March 23 and July 20, 1888), of Major Frederick H. Lang, late of St. Katberine's, Upper Parkstone, Great Canford, Dorset, who died on Dec. 30, was proved on Feb. 18 by Major Charles Edward Lang and Captain Conyers Lang, R.N., the sons, two of the executors, the value of the personal estate amounting to over £ 24,000. The testator bequeaths his furniture and effects to be divided between his seven children E200 to his son, Charles Edward, in token of his affection, but be does not give him any further benefit, as he made provisions for him on his marriage and legacies to servants. The residue of his real and personal estate he gives to his chil- dren, Conyers, Francklyn, Alice Fanny, Flora, Clara, ¡ and Helen Frederika, in equal shares.-Illustrated London Ncivs.

ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT I INSTITUTION. The annual meeting of the members and friends of I this institution was held in London on Saturday afternoon at St. Martin's Town Hall. The Prince of Wales presided, and there was a very large and influential attendance. The annual report set forth that the fleet of lifeboats consisted of 304 that the boats were launched 340 times on service, and saved 836 lives, besides assisting to rescue 33 vessels from destruction. The income from subscriptions, donations, and dividends amounted to E58,654, and the expen- diture to E80 416. In moving the adoption of the report, the Prince of Wales cited statistics to show the rapid increase of late years in the establishment and amount of service rendered by the institution, and pointed out the need that existed for larger resources. Mr. Mundella, President of the Board of Trade, seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried. The Earl of Mount-Edecumbe, the Postmaster-General, Prince Henry of Battenberg, and the Lord Mayor took part in the subsequent proceedings. t

MARKET NEWS. WOOL.-The wool market is pretty much in the same position as last week. Prices for both English and colonial wools are very firm, and the demand is well sustained, lustres, demi-lustres, and cross-breds continuing to be well-favoured, whilst there is more inquiry for merinos. Top makers are getting slightly more money for qualities which have hitherto been neglected, and users are unable to purchase on the terms at which they could obtain tops a fortnight ago. Hops.-There is very little change in the position of affairs in the hop market. Consumers are unwill- ing to buy except for their immediate requirements, being unwilling to increase their liabilities until something definite is known about the course of legislation which appears likely to threaten their in- terests. Prices are variable, some holders being inclined to give way slightly to secure the small orders that arise, whilst others re- main firm at the recent reduction. Con- tinental markets are depressed, and holders seem willing to dispose of their remnants at very low prices. The only market with any solidity about it is the American market, the demand for home con- sumption being fairly good. The lower grades of Californian hops can be bought for less money, but the best quality remains firm. Quotations as follows Ea-t Kent Goldings, £5 5s, £ G 10?, £ 7 10s; Mid-Kent Goldings, £5, £ 6 6s, £ 7; Weald of Kents, E5, £ 5 15s, JE6 10s; Sussex, E5, Yb 5s, £ 6; Farnhams and country Farnhams, E5, £5 10s, 26 10a Worcesters, £5 15s, E6, £7 10s; Bavarians, E5, JE6; Burgundies, £5 5s, JE6 6s; Americans, E4 10s, E6, £ 6 10s; yearlings, B5, £6 per cwt. SEEDS.—A fair all-round sowing demand now pre- vails for field seeds. Quotations generally exhibit extreme steadiness. The German cloverseed that was delayed by the ice is now coming to hand. For alsyke and white the tendency is upwards. Trefoil keeps strong. Full prices are realised for perennial and Italian ryegrasses. Sainfoin continues very scarce. There is a good demand for Koenigsberg and Bruns- wick tares. Canaryseed is cheaper. Some arrivals of bempseed may shortly be expected. Mustard and rapeseed are firm. In haricot beans there is rather more doing. Blue peas move off slowly. New scarlet runner beans are now offering on tempting terms. C OIZN.-MARK-LAzim.-Farm era' deliveries of wheat are kept fully up to recent average, but foreign im- ports into the United Kingdom, whilst comparing above those of last year for wheat?, are not so large of flour. The general bearing of the trade for wheat is towards firmer prices, but the movement is very slow, and some of the provincial markets are again easier, though in fewer instances than recently, whilst the official average price for the kingdom is further lowered 3d per quarter. At Mark-lane the attendance was moderate, and a quiet tone prevailed. Fine wheats were held for steady value. All other descriptions sold slowly at about Friday's rates. Flour is a quiet trade at firmer quotations. Several large parcels of oats have been placed at steady value. Barley meets a quiet sale at unaltered rates. Maize in moderate demand at previous currency. Beans and peas remain at late prices. The cargo trade has shown a weak tendency for wheats, with a dull sale. La Plata, April-June shipment by sailing vessel, sold on Satur- day at 27s 3d, and sales made 26s 10!d. For Walla-Walla, 17s; coast, 27s 3d bid; hard Kansas, June shipment (parcels), 26s 7td net; and hard Manitoba, 15th April, at 30s 6d. Odessa prompt shipment changed hands at 26s 6d. Indian wheat steady in value, with but little doing. No. 2 club Calcutta to Hull,|April-June dispatch, sold 30s and white Delhi, April-May, to London at 29s 3d. Maize dull, distant positions more especially. Galatz Foxanian due out sold 19s lC»-d, and about due out 20s; March, old style, at 19s 9d. Barley steady but slow. For Azoff to arrive, about 15s said to have been bid. The weather has been favourable for agriculture during the past week, and the land is in good working condition. CATTLE.—METROPOLITAN.—The beast market was firm for best qualities, and for the pick previous rates were in some cases exceeded, though not to alter current quotations. The selection was up to recent averages. For second quality beasts the demand was slow and prices irregular and against sellers. The sheep supplies were moderate, and for best pens of desirable weights rather stiffer rates were in some cases paid, but hardly to alter quotations, except for ewes which were distinctly dearer and scarce. Very few calves, and rates in a great measure nominal, but best quality firm. Pig market firm. Best Scots, 4s 6d to 4s 8d Devons, 4s 6d best Nor- folks, 4s 4d to 4s 6d shorthorns, 4s to 4s 4d second quality beasts, 3s 8d to 3s lOd; inferior, 3s to 3s 4d best Downs, 8 to 8! stone, 5s 4d to 2 5s 6d; exceptionally, 5s 8d; half-breds, 10 stone, 5s to 5s 2d ewes, 10 stone, 4s 8d to 5s calves, 3s 4d to 5s 4d pigs, 3s 6d to 5s 2d; lambs, 8s 4d to 9s per 81b. sinking the offal. Total supplies: 1900 beasts, 13,370 sheep and lambs, 15 calves, 35 pigs, 40 milch cows. LIVERPOOL CATTLE.—The supply of cattle was less than last week, and of sheep larger. Cattle met Nith a fair demand at rather higher rates. Scotch sheep made more money. Other sorts unchanged. Beef, first class, 6.vd; second class, 5Jd; third class, 2 2 4id per lb. Scotch mutton, 8kd to 7 fd per lb. Irish 2 mutton, 7!d to 6d per lb.; live-weight cattle, 34s to 2 24s. per cwt. MEAT.—CENTRAL.—With moderate supplies of beef prices the turn dearer. Mutton in light supply, and also dearer. Yeal and pork steady. Beef, Scotch sides, 3s 8d to 4s; shorts, 4s to 4s 4d English sides, 3s lOd to 4s; American, Deptford-killed, 3s 7d Liverpool-killed, 3s 6d to 3s 7d refrige- rated hind-quarters, best, 3s 4d to 3s 8d; average, 3s 5d; seconds, 3s 2d to 3s 8d average, 3s 4d thirds, 3s Od to 3s 4d; average, 3s 2d fores, best, 2s 6d to 2s 8d average 2s 7d seconds, average, 2s 4d thirds, 2s Od to 2s 4d average, 2s 3d. Mutton Scotch, 4s 4d to 4s 8d; English, 4s 2d to 4, t3d; German, 4s Od to 4s 2d ewe, 3s 8d to 4s Ort New Zealand, 2s 6d to 2s 8d Port Phillip, 2s 2c to 2s 3d; Sydney, 2s 3d River Platp, 2s 3d to 2 Veal 4s Od to 5s Od. Pork: English, 4s 8n to 5s 2d; large, 4s Od to 4a 4d Irish, 4s Od to 4s od per 81b. FISH, BILLINGSGATE. Supply short; demand eood. Turbot, 8s to 10s: brill, 6s to 7s; halibut, 7s per stone; live cod, 80s to 100s per score; live skate, us to 8s each salmon, Is Id to Is 6d soles, lOd to Is 3d rpd mullet, 2s; dories, 7d per lb; plaice, large. 22s 6d to 30? small, 10s; whiting, 8s to 10s dear! cod, 12s Norway herrings, lis per box mackprel, 12« per pad: haddocks, 10s per trunk; large ditto, 22s per box Dutch smelts, Is to 4s 6d per twkpt.; eels, live, 20s; dead, 14s per draft; lobsters, Is 6d to 3s each: crabs, 30s per hamper; bloaters, 211 6d to 3s kippers, 2s to 3s per box; smoked haddocks, 2s to 7s per dozen shrimps, Is 6d to 2s 6d per gallon escallops, 8s to 10s per bag. WITITECIIAPEL HAY AND STRAW.-Snperior picked hay, 103s to 112s; good hay, 100s to 105s; inferior, 70s to 90s: best clover, 108s to 112s; good clover, 100s to 105s; inferior, 75s to 90s; straw, 34s to 44s. A fair supply, but best hay is scarce. CAMBRIDGE CATTLE.—Only a few lots of store beasts, with dull trade. A good supply of fat beasts at last week's prices. A somewhat better trade for fat sheep. A few stores to hand and all sold. A "good number of fat pigs, but business was not brisk. Stores were still very dear. A fair trade for hay and straw. Beef, 6s to 7s mutton, 4s 2d to 5s; pork, 6s 6d to 7s 3d. READING CATTLE.—Beef on offer sold fairly well at the full quotations of last week. Prime animals realised 4s 4d to 4s 6d; secondary sorts 4s Od to 4s 2d per stone. Mutton changed hands fairly well at 5s 2d to 5s 4d per stone for small sheep, and 4s lOd to 5s for larger animals. Calves sold well, as did also the few lambs on offer. CORK BUTTER. Ordinary: Firsts, 97s; seconds, 90s; thirds, 70s; fourths,58s. Kegs, blank. Mild, 89s. GRIMSBY Fisii.Goocl supply large demand; prices firm. Brills, Is per lb; live cod, 4s to 10s; dead, 3s to 6s each salt, 14s to 16s per cwt; coalfish, 20s to 40s; catfish, 20s to 40s per score; codlings, 16s to 20s gurnets, 6s to 9s per box live halibut. 7s 6d dead, 6s 6d per stone; haddocks 44s to 50s per kit; round, 17s to 22s per box; finnan, 3s 9d Der stone; hake, 2s to 5s each. herrings, 3s per 100 live ling, 4s to 8s; dead 3s to 68 each: oysters unaltered plaice, 2s 6d to 3s 9d per stone; roker, 12s to 16s per score soles, Is 3d to Is J per lb; lemons, 6s to 7s per stoned salmon, Is 9d lb; li\e skate, 5s to 8s dead, 3s to„n JL turbots, Is 3d per lb. tuet", l5a t0 308 p whitches, 4s to 5s per ctone*

IF a hair of a dog is good for his bite, that explains t why sulphur, which comes from Vesuvius, is good 1 for eruptions.

THE following incident in the life of John Logna, of National Calamity fame, is recalled by one of those terrible fellows with long memories. John was once a sinful youth, and plaved poker, and won fr,ml an unsophisticated friend 250 dols. He after- wards reformed, and was elected member of Congress, and came to Washington to attend Sandfly school at the Cave of the Winds. The sad-eyed loser also wandered this way, probably after an office, and while in company with Logan, at Willard tioned the poker-plaving circumstance. » the atom of Illinois piety, "p reformed r don't play poker any more." Well, *<a.d tb shutting up one eye, and gating UP in a meditative manner. 1 7 John, before you won 250 dols. of me. i