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

EXTRAORDINARY SUPERSTITION IN JAMAICA. The Primate of the West 'ladies, Dr. Enos Nuttall, Bishop of Jamaica, and other authorities of the Church there, are much exercised in their minds concerning an outbreak of religious fanaticism which has lately developed in Jamaica. A black man named Bedward, of the labouring class, and said to be a Methodist, lately settled in the neighbourhood of Hope River, and has given it out that he is a prophet from God. At first no one took much heed of him, but now he has a following of some thousands, and he has persuaded them that he can work miracles. Every Wednesday morning he stands by the bank of the Hope River and offers a prayer, and by this means claims to convert the water into a healing stream capable of relieving the sufferings and healing the afflictions of those who bathe in or drink of the water. The attendance on these occasions has grown to some (5000 persons, many of whom come from distances and profess to have implicit faith in this means of cure, but it is believed-that the majority are mere sightseers. The bathing, it is said, is carried on with much indecency. The water is drunk on t-e spot, and is also carried away in bottles, but it is taken from the stream while the bathing opera- tions are proceeding. Many of the bathers are suffering from wounds and epen sores of various kinds. The Roman Catholic Bishop has issued a prohibition forbidding any of his people attending the river performances, but the English Primate has refused to do that at present. "I could not see my way," he told a representative of the Jamaica Gleaner, to advise the cutting off from, Christian communion of every person who may have gone to witness or take part in the ceremonies. Of course, the clergy and ministers of all denominations will repel from communion any of their members known to have taken part in the indecent exposures at the bathing in the Hope River." Bishop Nuttall thinks that this wave of fanaticism will do less bt » if it is allowed to spend itself without very much re- sistance. If the Government, the Press, and the ministers of religion were by a combined effort to stop the proceedings at Hope River, the faith in Bedward as a prophet and in the miraculous virtue of the water after he has blessed it would, accord- ing to the bishop, become a vital and permanent article of their creed among thousands of the people. Of course, the bishop does not believe in the cures which it is alleged have been effected. To some persons, anything which they can be got to have faith in is, he believes, beneficial in cases where the mind is the principal source of the disease, but h. is confident that as soon as reason regains sway, those who have congregated at Hope River to take part in these ceremonies will see that they have been the victims of a great delusion. Meanwhile, the bishop thinks that much may be done by the promotion of religion and education amongst the people; then, although there may be a recurrence of such out- breaks of fanaticism, their force will become less and less as time goes by.

INTERESTING GIFT TO LAWYERS. An interesting and rare copy of an 18th century history of the Inns of-Court and Chancery has just been presented to the Bar Library at the Law Courts by a barrister. The work in question is (says the London correspondent of the Birmingham Post) the more valuable on account of its many plate^jwhich show great alterations have been made in the Inner and Middle Temple, and how few, comparatively, at Lincoln's-inn and Gray's-inn. The hall of the last named is shown without the stucco which has been recently removed, and dis- playing the Elizabethan bricks, which are now once more restored to their original condition, after having been hidden from sight for nearly a century. It also appears that Gray's-inn Chapel bad a very fine window to St. Thomas a. Becket, "gloriously painted," which was removed in the reign of Henry VIII. Gray's-inn has always been Puritan and anti-Royalist, for Bradshaw and Ireton were both members of its bar; and the Benchers had one or two controversies with Laud when Bishop of London. The chapel is now being extended and en- larged by the building of a new sanctuary, and, pro- bably, if an election of new Benchers takes place in a few days, they will offer special gifts for this portion of the sacred building.

WHAT shall women do for a living ? Dentistry is being invaded by lady practitioners, and now it is stated the eternal feminine is taking to canvassing for life insurance offioes. A lady suggests that there is a wide field for trained lady hairdressers, who would go from house to house, and for a moderate fee arrange their clients' coiffure for the day. Wails are frequently made of the untidiness and unbecom- ingness of the average English woman's style. There must be thousands of London women who would cheerfully pay 6d. or Is. daily for the privilege of having their hair dressed in the latest mode. THE honour of being the oldest Oddfellow in the world is claimed by Mr. John Hill, of 30, Trafalgar- Btreet, Derby, who, if he live till Christmas, will have been a member of the Manchester Unity for seventy years. Born at Alfreton, February 28, 1803, he was initiated into the Prince Edwin Lodge at Christmas, 1823, and transferred to the Spring of Love Vodge, Derby, in 1842. He was a bookseller by tradd^md in spite of the burden of his 90 years enjoys fairly I good health. j

THE Duke of Westminster is interesting himself in furthering the idea of a permanent memorial to the late Professor Jowett, Master of Balliol. It is well known that Balliol is not a too heavy endowed insti- tution, and the late master was very anxious that something should be done to augment its finances. Many influential people who are associated with the Duke of Westminster in this matter feel that they could not do better than carry out Dr. Jowett's views as a permanent memorial of his worth and a tribute to his memory,

OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. Five years ago, when the prorogation of Parliamul'; did not take place until Christmas Eve, there was a grave shaking of head among our OJdtf Parliamentarians over the abnormal length of the Session, and the prophusy was freely heard that it would be many a year before the like was seen again. From lSb8 to 18!;3 is net such a very long space, and yet in this year we are promised not merely a repeti- tion of meeting at Westminster almost up to Chm trcas Day, but there is even some talk of the Session b"ing carried into January. Under the circumstances, if anything of the kind were none, it would be absolutely without pre- cedent, for although, of course, there have been various occasions in which the Session has commenced in one year and been termi- nated in the riext-ald that occurred, indeed, in opening has been at a late date, and never, as in the present Cq,Se, in January. Of course, what is expected to happen seldom occurs in Parlia- meat, snd no one really knows what the next few weeks may bring forth: but the mere fact that there should be serious talk among practical poliiieans of th3 Session being carried forward into next; year, is calculated to stagger the aver- J. age member and to secure the sympathy of his admiring constituents. Ever since the construction was commenced j of the underground railway system in the metro- polis, there has been talk of a central London scheme, which, roughly speaking, should pass from the Bank, by way of Holoorn and Oxford- street, to Bayswater. It would be difficult to reckon up how many plans have been submitted to Piriiii neat with that end; but two years ago the issue seemed to have been practically1 resolved, when the two Houses sanctioned a "J scheme for a line from Shepherd's-bush, under f Uxbridga-road, Oxford-street, High Holborn, and Cheapside, to tho Mansion House, which last year was permitted to be extended to Liverpool-street, already the terminus of the Great Eastern and North London Railways. or But matters have been llat in the City for some r time, and it has been found necessary to prepare a bill to afok Parliament to extend time in wnich 1 to construct this Central London Railway, as, otherwise, the period for taking the land will expire next year. It is to be added that, as fi authorised, the line was to be worked by elec- tricity, but the Houses are now to be asked to sanction the alternative use of some other 1 motive power. The unveiling in the Chapter House of West- minster Abbey this week of a stained-glass window as a memorial to the late James Russell Lowell was a pleasant, function of international appreciation and amity. It was, of course, to Lowell the poet and essayist, and not to Lowell the American Minister to the United Kingdom, that the memorial was really dedicated and the fact that it owed its origin to a movement started by Mr. Leslie Stephen, one of our most distinguished writers, and himself a son-in-law of Tnackcray, sufficiently showed the part literature had in its promotion. To most people, Lowell is the author of The Biglow 0 Pauera" and nothing more, though even that is murh when it is remembered how large and how worthy a part those verses played in the history of the anti-slavery agitation. But those who know his other works are well rewarded, for not only in his poetry, but in his prose is he one of the greatest writers to whom the United States has given birth. The many friends ho made in England duringjiis sojourn hero as Minister knew and deeply appreciated his social virtues as well as his public worth and it has seemed not only to them but to a large circle of outside admirers a fitting thing that, though an American citizen, proud of his birthplace and his race, he is now and henceforward to have permanent memorial in our great temple of silence and reconciliation- Westminster Abbey. It is an old idea that a person scarcely realises the possession of his various limbs until he feeli a pain in one of them; and in much the same fashion London does not seem to know the value of its great system of bridges until one is blocked for repairs. That has cer- taiuly been the case in regard to Waterloo- bridge, which has been totally stopped for vehicular traffic during the past ten days or a fortnight, in order that its granite paving may be taken up and replaced by wood. No one doubts the utility of the improvement, but a great many are inconvenienced by the process. As most folks know, the London and South-Western terminus is very little south of Waterloo-bridge, and as all cabs and other vehicles going to or from the north and that station have now to pass around by either Westminster or Black- friars, there is necessary delay and sometimes not a little confusion. How many people, by the way, are aware that Waterloo-bridge was originally called Regent-bridge, and that the latter designation officially remained with it for some time after it had been dropped by the populace. Hospital Sunday for 1891 in London has already been provisionally fixed for June 10, and there is every reason to hope that the result will be worthy of the greatness of the metropolis. Those who are aware of the immensity of the good achieved by our hospitals are the most eager for their efficient support, and, seeing how seriously the revenues of some of them have been diminished of late years owing to the decreased rental of their agricul- tural estates, it is a pity the whole public is not made more conversant of their need. Perhaps it is not altogether the fault of the public, for, singularly enough, some of the hos- pital committees, whilo virtually depend- ing unon voluntary subscriptions for their continued maintenance, appear to extremely resent any external criticism, and claim to be infallible in their dealings with the funds. The business-like Briton does not care for this sort of thing. He may give a casual donation and not trouble much but, if he is to regularly subscribe, he properly insists upon an authenticated balance-sheet, and upon being able to express his opinion upon it. All charitable institutions which ignore this feeling are certain in the end to suffer. The receut appalling storm which devastated these islands appears likely to have a dual effect upon the charitably disposed, the one being to K swell the funds of the Royal National Life- J boat Institution, and the other to raise the question of whether the time has not come for the State to deal with lifeboat organisation. There is never any disposition to lightly accept tales which reflect upon the courage or the capacity of onr lifeboatmen but at Lloyds', on the day when, more wrecks were announced than upon any single day in the history of that institution, some painful stories were related in this connection, which demanded and are receiving the closest investiga- tion. Voluntary service in matters of this r kind is a quality of which we have a right to be proud: but it is beginning to be doubted whether an entirely voluntary service is suffi- cient. It has been asked in some quarters why the coastguard did not assist during the recent storm but, in point of fact, there is reason to believe that a rule of the service absolutely pre- cludes them from so doing, and that a coast- guardsman would imperil his place if he offered to serve in a lifeboat. And yet an infusion of so excellently-disciplined an element into our lifeboat crews might have incalculable advantage. A steamship due from Australia this week is bringing a consignment of a curiously interesting nature, that being a bouquet intended for presentation to the Queen, which consists of a collection of native wild flowers, frozen for transmission across the ocean. We have had frozen rabbits and sheep from Australia, as well as fruit and wine, but frozen flowers are a new dtrparture, and the success of the experi- ment will be watched with interest. Even as it is, London absorbs an immense quantity of foreign-grown flowers. Nice and its neighbours in Southern France send to the English metropolis every winter vast num- bers of such; and it is possible in the darkest and tempest days of December to purchase in a London street for a penny flowers that a few years ago at such a season could not have been seen outside a hothouse. But the Australian experiment is a very great development, and one may hope it will succeed. R.

NEWS NOTES. RECENT rains have wrought temporary damage to the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal, but that gigantic piece of engineering may be said to be practically completed. his undertaking has cost some ten millions of money for erection of works alone. It is now some six years since the work was commenced. As a proof of the immense labour it is enough to say that for some period 16,000 to 18,000 tons of rock and other material were excavated per diem. The last length, frem Randle's Sluice to Latchford, has been completed in three and a-half months, some 5000 men and 70 locomo- tives having been employed. OUR protectors in the navy are sometimes rather shabbily treated by official heads, it seems. 8--io of the surviving officers of the Victoria for instance, pointed out to the Admir»' u the amounts granted to them as conipeu, -.ion for loss of clothing and other effects, although in accordance with the Queen's Regulations on the subject,are quite inadequate, and they have asked for further compensation so as to equip them for future service without entailing upon them actual personal loss. The Admiralty have, it is said, replied that it has been decided to revise the scale of allowance for loss of effects, and that any modifications of the scale which may be made will be applied in favour of officers of the ill-fated Victoria. This is as it should be. THE leaflets issued by the Board of Agricul- ture contain sometimes rather curious scraps of natural history. The best way of coping with the raspberry moth is by attacking its cater- pillars while they are yet underground, and so prevent them emerging in the month of March. A more difficult iDEeco deal with is the apple blossom weevil, a tinft beetle which does infinite damage to apple ancrpear orchards. In some departments of France syndicates have even been formed to carry out operations of defence against its ravages. The best method of getting rid of these pests is also the most simple and the least troublesome. Spread cloths under the trees, shake the trees, and quickly collect and destroy the weevils that fall. This may to some seem a trivial matter, but to many a market gardener it is not. ONE does not expect much romance to arise within the gloomy enclosure of a workhouse walls. But the unexpected happens occasionally. The master of the Yeovil workhouse was recently visited by a farm labourer of about forty years of age, who, says the JELirter Gazette, stated that his wife was dead, and he had no one to keep home for him. He asked if the master could recommend him a decent woman as housekeeper with a view to marriage. The master told him that there were several who would probably be only too pleased to become his housekeeper, and, after he had satisfied himself as to the man's bond fides, introduced him to a single woman, the mother of a boy ten years of age, and of a baby eleven weeks old, but who had the virtue of being cleanly and domesticated,and withal, comely in appearance. The master told the woman the object of the man's visit, and left them in the hall together to discuss terms. Half an hour afterwards he returned to find that during the interval wonderful progress had been made in the direction of sealing a bargain, for the man declared that Lucy was everything his heart could wish for. He addressed her most affectionately, as if he had known her for years —an affection which Lucy heartily reciprocated. The master pointed out to the man the respon- sibility he wished to undertake, but George said he wasanxious to take the woman and the family, and implored the master to draw up an agree- ment to the effect thathe would marry hen&asoon as the necessary formalities could be gone through, which was done. The man having signed it, the couple bid each other an affectionate good- bye, and George promised to fetch Lucy and her family and a few sticks of furniture she had on the following Monday. True to his pro- mise he arrived at the workhouse on the morn- ing of the day named, with his employer's horse and farm waggon (having previously written Lucy a gushing love letter), and drove trium- phantly away with his intended wife and her children, saying that he was going to give her all the money he earned every week, and that he was sure she would make him a comfortable home. The wedding, we are told, will take place in about a fortnight hence. THE Independent Labour Party has issued a manifesto, in which the executive dilate on the hypocrisy" and "cant" of the Liberal Party, and declare that the Liberal Party have dipped their hands in the blood of English workers." The language of the framers of this document is plain enough for any reader to form a strong opinion on for himself, and remarkable enough for all interested in social economics to note. The manifesto concludes: There are are only three ways to get the social reforms for which the Independent Labour Party is fighting. (1) By a resort to physical force. (2) By applying for them to the Governments as at present constituted, and to public opinion as at present manufactured. (3) By the working class seizing political power. Or- ganised labour must grasp the fact that so long as land and capital are owned by private individuals, the worker is at the mercy of these exploiters. There are hopeful signe; that the trades unions are beginning to realise this fact. The Belfast Congress this year passed resolutions in favour of the collective ownership by the workers of all the means of production and distribution, and in favour of an Indpendent Labour Party as the instrument whereby such a change could be most efficiently effected. To you, the workers of every grade, therefore, we appeal to break with Liberalism and Conservatism, and enrol under the flag of Independent Labour. Many thousands have already done so, and at the next election the Independent Labour Party vote will be a power to be reckoned with." We shall see. TT is stated that the Government contem- plate, at an early date next Session, introducing two very important measures affecting the great army of workers engaged in factories and in mines. The law as it stands, even administered rigidly as it has been during the past fifteen months, is totally inadequate to safeguard the health and lives of the workers engaged in these dangerous occupations. The Home Sec- retary desires to have his hands strengthened, and he will doubtless (remarks an ardent would-be reformer) receive the support of members of all parties in his plea for wider and more comprehensive powers.

THE NANSEN ARCTIC EXPLORATION. WHERE THE EXPEDITION IS WINTERING. The interesting question as to where Nansen is wintering is most probably answered by the follow- ing important communication just to hand. It may be remembered that he intended to winter at the New Siberian Islands, north of Cape Tstjeljuskin, the northernmost promontory of Asia. The Arctic skipper Hans Jobarnessen, of Hammerfest, Norway, who in 1878-79, simultaneously with the Vega's voyage round Asia, commanded the steamer Lena to the Lena River, and who remained in East Siberia several years, states in an interview that old Yakutsks told him that trom the highent parts of the northern shores of the New Siberian Islands, which they had frequently visited, in order to oollect mammoth tusks, they could in fine weather distinctly discern a lofty land to the north- west. The distance is estimated by the Norwegian skipper, from the statements of these natives, at about 15 nautical miles. From this lofty land, too, Johanneseen considers, hailed a large iceberg, which in 1878 was seen ashore east of Cape Tstjeljuskin, a berg which could not have had its origin from any part of the coast between the northernmost Cape of Asia and Behring Strait, nor could it have come from the low New Siberian Islands. Jobannnessen was surprised that there were currents which could have carried the berg south, but this was also almost the only real iceberg seen along the coast of North Asia in 1878. Should, therefore, Nansen, he con- siders, not steer too close to the coast, it is very pro- bable that he might discern this lofty, unknown land from the masthead if the weather was clear. And should the state of the ice be at all favourable there can be ne doubt but that he would attempt to reach it this year, and take up his winter quarters at this unnamed Polar terra nova.

VICTORIA'S PENSION-LIST. According to a Parliamentary return printed in full in the Melbourne Age, there are 1929 officers who have retired from the public service of Victoria, and who are now in receipt of pensions amounting in the aggregate to E220,612 19s. lOd. per year, or, capital- ised, the sum represents £ 5,515,300. These pen- sioners include officers from all branches of the ser- vice, and some have been paid annually for the last 20 years, but the majority are of much shorter date, and the recent retrenchment epidemic is responsible for many additions to the list. A large proportion of the pensions are paid under the Civil Service Act, 1860. The payments under this Act amount to £ 83,028 a year. The pensioners under other Acts and the departments with which these officers were connected absorb the balance of the £ 220,000. The Department of Education is credited with £ 42,075 the Railways with £ 36,813; the Police Force with £ 28,859; Chief Secretary's office, £ 3657; Public Works Department, £ 3536; Lands and Survey Department, £ 2697; Law Department, 91848; Defence Department, £ 1593; Trade and Customs, E1541 Lunacy Department, £ 1401; Agricultural Department, E1096; and Post and Telegraph Department, E1133. Apart from these pensions, large sums have also been paid from time to time to officers who have accepted compen- sation in a lump sum when retiring from the service. The return makes no mention of the total amount paid away in this manner.

WHAT IS UNWOMANLY? What is Unwomanly ? was the subject of a prize esoay set by Woman to its 1 idy readers. One of the prize-winners gives the following answer To consider herself undeveloped man, and aot accordingly. To storm the Woman's Rights citadel, instead of advancing by mine and oountermine. To rudely reject mau's aid, and then state that chivalry is dead. To touch pitch unnecessarily and publicly, and then abu?e men for despising women. To compete jealously with men, oblivious of her delicate organism and the rights of posterity. To fret because her home work is little. To wear too short skirts, or to drag them in the mud. To forget that woman is only womanly when she sets herself to man- Like perfect music unto noble words." Another competitor replies as follows To ape the man is the true essence of*iuiwomanli- ness but to go forward with the e^r-moving crowd of knowledge-seekers is not unwOTnanly. Woman loses none of her womanhood in keeping thus with man—cultivating her mental powers- she thus strengthens her mind, and the petty trifles of the past woman become air-bubbles and vanish, and the "going forward" steadily but" not too fast" serves to bring out her hidden powers of attractions, so that with all her learning her chil- dren may rise up and call her blessed. An unmarried lady answers the question briefly and to the point: Trying to live up to the adage Imitation is f the sincerest form of flattery," with man for a model. I The neglect of home duties is touched upon by a I large number of correspondents. One lady gives, among other characteristics, to prefer riding bicycles in sexless garments to pedestrian exercise in feminine garb" and another gives smoking, gamb- ling, and boxing." On the other hand, one writer says Many things, like smoking, will depend on individual judgment rather than on strict rules," while D. H.' considers that Lady Godiva and Joan of Arc were womanly. They outraged no sense of propriety because they acted in a spirit of womanly Belf-effacing love."

THE NEEDS OF THE NAVY. LORD C. BERESFORD'S SCHEME. Lord Charles Beresford has given permission for the publication of a paper on A Programme for Proposed Increase of British Fleet," which he was to havp read before the London Chamber of Commerce in July last. With regard to cruisers, Lord Charles Beresford says that France and Russia combined have 90, and one-third more makes England's uirements 120, which number she possesses. But as two cruisers ought to be attached to each battleship, nWfiing is left for the protection of mercantile marine; there- fore, in his opinion, ten more large cruisers should be built, at a cost of £ 2,000,000; displacement about 3500 tons, armoured belt 8in. and 6in., speed about 17 knots, principal armament 6in. and 4'7 guns (about 12 m number), with light draught to enable them to get to their work. After making other pro- posals as to shipbuilding, Lord Charles urges the im- mediate necessity of building a mercantile mole at Gibraltar, and greatly lengthening the present mili- tary mole another 1800ft. on the eight-fathom line. This work, which is all-important, should be under- taken at once, and not spread over a number of years. The sum of the suggestions is as follows: 6 Royal Sovereigns £ 5,376.000 12 Barfleurs 7.560,000 10 Blakes 4,320,000 10 New-class Ironclads 2,600,000 50 Havocs 1,800,000 30 Torpedo-boats 450000 Gibraltar Moles 634,000 Reserve Ammunition and Stores 500,000 Total £ 23,240,000 Lord Charles Beresford further says that this pro- posal was made in March, 1893. Since then vessels costing in all 25,170,000 had been projected, and this amount should be subtracted from the £ 23,240,000, leaving £ 18,070,000.

COBRAS AT DELHI. The following about snakes appears in the Lahore paper: Delhi is becoming quite notorious for its snakes, and cobras have been seen in many houses, but especially in one particular set of rooms in the Dak Bungalow. A short time ago a gentleman, a permanent lodger there, was disturbed by the furious barking of his little dog and the venomous hissing of a cobra under his bed. A friend of the same gentle- man recently happened to be going into his room, when he had to beat a hasty retreat on hearing the angry hiss peculiar to the cobra, but he procured a light, and was fortunate enough to demolish the rep- tile, the latter darting and striking out furiously in self-defence. The creature was a fine specimen, measuring over 4ft.; a few days after another, evi- dently its mate, came to look for it, and was dis- covered just in time sneaking into the room, and put an end to, this one being of almost the same length as the former. The strangest part of the affair "it that these reptiles seem to have taken a violent fancy for hovering about this particular gentleman's room, as another instance will show. One night the gentleman felt inclined to take a bath, and was going to carry his inclination into effect, when something prompted him to procure a light prior to going into the bath- room. It was lucky he did, for, on looking into his tub, he found it already occupied by a cobra, who was found calmly swimming about. If it is a personal attraction that this gentleman exercises over the reptiles, like the heroine of the novel of "Elsie Vernier,it must be an unfortunate gift, especially for his friends and neighbours.

SURGEONS IN VOLUNTEER CORPS. Several medical gentlemen who have beenagrving as surgeons in volunteer corps have been compelled to relinquish their commissicns owing to the action of the War Office. At one time," says the Rally, the fact that a man was a member of the medical profes- sion was regarded as a sufficient qualification for that man to hold a commission as a medical officer in a volunteer battalion. But now that has been m. '"8"8"9' cnangea. rxne war utnee now insist on can- didates for commissions as medical officers passing a certain examination. Well and good. No one can complain of that, particularly when it is remem- bered that all combatant officers in the volunteer force have to qualify themselves by an examination within a certain stipulated period or resign. By why this rule should be applied to medical officers who have already held a commission as such for a number of years is another matter. However, it has been applied, and those medical volunteer officers who served before the rule was made have been informed that they must either comply with it or resign their commissions. Many have chosen the latter alterna- tive."

LADIES AS ARCHITECTS. The Builder, remarking upon the fact that two ladies were proposed as members at the last meeting of the Architectural Association, says: There is no possible reason why ladies, if they have studied architecture thoroughly, should not practise as archi- tects, except the single objection that personally climbing about buildings in progress is not very con- venient or suitable work for women; but some architects of the other sex shirk that too. We presume the candidates are the two ladies who are known to have been working for some time in the office of an eminent London architect; we understand that they are bent on serious work, and they deserve credit for their spirit in facing a little probable foolish opposition in order to get the same advantages of study which other archi- tectural students enjoy. The extension of the field for the exercise of women's abilities is one of the most important questions of the day; the best minds of the day are in favour.of it; architecture is certainly a perfectly refined and unobjectionable study for women to take up; and if the association repulses these lady candidates we think it will make a mistake, and will show itself wanting in chivalry, besides being behind the times.

IT is proposed to form a club whose membership shall embrace the adherents of all Free Churcires," the original proposal t8 limit it to Congregationalists having been abandoned. The idea is net a new one, for a good many years ago such a club was actually started. It bore the name of the Milton, the mem- bers being supposed to be of the poet's opinions with regard to debateable questions of politics and Church Government. The career of the Milton Club was, however, a short one, and it died of inanition. ? <

THE EVENING SCHOOL CODE. The Education Department has issued the follow- ing Circular to her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools: Education Department, Whitehall, S.W., November 22. Sir,-As the introduction of the Evening School Code makes a very great change in the mode of inspection of evening schools, it is thought advisable to communicate to the Inspectors the views of the Department on certain questions which have already arisen or are likely to arise. 1. Article 11 (c) of the Evening School Code requires the managers to give notice to the Depart- ment at the beginning of the Session that they desire a grant. When this notice is received, if the premises in which the school is held have not been previously under inspection, and appear prima Jacie to be in any way unsuitable, plans may be asked for, or the Inspec- tor may be sent to report on their suitability. In the great majority of cases, the premises will be well known, and no such visit will be necessary.Jn these cases, and also where the Inspector visits the premises and reports them to be suitable, the school will be at onoe placed on the annual grant list, and the managers' attention will be called to Artiole 11 (d), which, as modified by the Minute of 24th of July, 1893, requires them to submit the time-table in duplicate to the Inspector, and they will be supplied with forma for the annual returns. At the same time the Inspector will receive the form (10 N) for his report, a form which will in future be detached from that on which the managers make their return. "2. Unless he is specially directed to do so, it will not be necessary that the Inspector should pay a visit to the school before, or immediately after, its being placed on the annual grant list. He should, if possible, visit every evening school (except, perhaps, small schools in country districts) at least twice during its session, but he will exercise his own judg- ment as to the date of his visits. After the last of such visits he will be able to fill up his report, but he will not send it in until be receives the managers' returns (Forms 9 N and 65) after the close of the school session. He will then send all the forms together to the Department. 3. Paragraph IV. of the Explanatory Memo- randum prefixed to the Codo lays down what the Inspector is to aim at in his visits, and how he is to attain it. The following suggestions are made with reference to the subdivisions of that paragraph (a) In small rural schools in remote districts one visit may in most cases suffice. In larger schools, which will be usually more accessible, two visits at least should be paid; one of these should be paid early, in the former half of the session, to observe methods and arrangements and to discuss with the managers and teachers the value and suitability of the subjects taught; the second, in the latter half, to observe the progress wade, and to review note- books or other records of the work done. (b) Where the principal teacher is not certificated, Article 10 requires that he should be approved by the Inspector. It is not thought necessary that the Inspector should in all cases pay a preliminary visit tor the purpose of approval. If at his first ordinary visit he is not satisfied with a teacher, it will be well to give a warning, specifying at the same time the grounds of his dissatisfaction. Success in an examination conducted by some competent body may be taken as satisfactory evidence of the attainments of a teacher. Where there is no such evidence, the Inspector'sJJudgment must be based on observation of a I As regards power of teaching, treatment of the Subject of a lesson and the attention and order of the school or class will be the principal points for considera- tion. r- It is probable that in some evening schools, as in day schools, the same teacher may be superintending the work of two or three small classes. In c-uch cases it will be necessary to judge how far the superin- tendence of the teacher is effectual. The Inspector's opinion on the course of instruc- tion should be based chiefly on the syllabus of lessons which evrry teacher should be expected to draw up. You should impress on managers and teachers that it is very desirable that a brief record should be kept of the progress of the class in each subject from week to week. Such a record will show how far the syllabus has proved suitable to the capacities of the class, and will help the Inspector in framing his questions and in forming a just opinion on the value of the teaching. (c) It is necessary that every subject should be made a subject of inspection for the payment of the higher or lower grant, and that in two subjects at least the Inspector should question the scholars. He should, if possible, hear a lesson in every subject, and should (when necessary) supplement his observa- tion by questioning the scholars. In exceptional cases he may find it useful to take away with him and examine the exercises. It will probably be often necessary for his convenience to shorten the lessons when he has satisfied himself as to their value. It is essential that no question should arise as to his decision in regard either of hurry or con- fusion, and the time-table should be gone through, if possible, in the usual routine but the Inspector is not absolutely bound to adhere to the time-table, and in small schools he may find it necessary to take all the subjects in one evening, though the time- table may provide otherwise. (d) As regards the suitability of the rooms, the managers should be advised that the ordinary school desks which are suitable for young scholars are ill- adapted for adults, and that by means of chairs and trestle-tables a cheap and convenient method of seat- ing may be obtained. It would be well, too, in certain cases to have moveable lights. The offices should be separate for the two sexes, and saiiitary.-I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant, "G. W. KEKEWICII." A new Minute by the Committee of Council on Education has also been issued. It sets forth That the Code of Regulations for evening con- tinuation Schools, as modified by the Minute of the 24th July, 1893, shall henceforth regulate all grants to be made to evening schools until such Code is duly altered also that certain Articles of the Code of Regulations for 1893, for day schools, shall be can- celled, so far as relates to evening continuation schools, but this cancelling shall not operate so as to prevent payment of a grant, under Artiole 106, to an evening school, the scholars of which have been already examined under the Articles cancelled.

f T&TON LJLNB trr rtOUTH AJTRHUM FIB LPS. The Roy»i Mail and lotermedUta vtpMtoer# eall trom Southampton ererr Saturday, for Sooth A £ 3 3wt5v.tr** Lisbon; Msidpfr*, ud OMM?T Islands. "it TP.0* Bslp Co-J-td.. Canute R<lTSouthampton Bopth African House. 94 to Bt. hlgbopi>y»te St v»lthm r "nd« £ p A £ jL*E»|jjjjj[ I>)oY Vies trom ioU" FOR TKB X.T2S"^ FLSI'B* cf SOUTH ATKltt* eONALD C« it CO., 'LCB^SDI or M GARDEN REQUISITES, VJ GREENHOUSES, etc. Write for Catalogue, free, of F. ROSHER & Co., Old Jamaica Wharf, Upper Ground Street, London, S.E. Established over 150 years. BILLIARD AND BAGATELLE 11 TABLES. A LAUUK STOCK OF NEW AND SECONIK HAND TAilLK.S always on hand. Wit IT K M) It PHICB LIST" —a. Knw.utps. KI.M;BLA.VI) HOAD. I.OXDON. N.K. ABERDEEN GRANITE MONUMENTS f'niii £ rnrmsre paid. Itincrl'. tious accurate »nd hrautiftU. «„.i from .1. w LKfltJB. Sculptor. ABBKIHUUI. m im -"L' CLARK'S PATENT dd:s.qlv3px-x4Dlv" GAS STOVE. No Flno Required. No Smoke. No Small. No Pirt ov Tr^ublo. No Danger, invaluable for Halls, Bedrooms, Nurseries. Offices, Ac O/all Ironmongers, _«1,-es, ani uus Companies, rf the t'atfri:r:sy S. CLAH'% -ft CO., Park Street, 1'_1;"nv-tnn- T.r>nelcxv, N. FOI nil THE SKI" î SOAP (for Delicate Skins), \aniJ CREAM (for Itching, Face Spots, &c.), 1/1 POWDER (for Redness, Roughness, &c.), 1/- VELVETEEN. Buy direct from the Maker fme Sllky VeU(;tean Buy direct from the Maker f Luxurious depth of pile, ) at Biiv direct from the Maker t tlw marvel of jverfect ion S 2s. 64.. Buy direct from the Maker Economy with excellence. Buy direct from tho Maker Silk Velvets superseded. NO SUTSK.B3EDIATE rnonTS. Carriage paid on orders of 20s. or mare. S ud post-card fog Patterns, wiiion may bo kept. THE TEXTILE MANUFACTURING CO., e. Newton Street, Mitnfliaater BINTS FOR EOUiiWlYEg. L>i:ige p:.mt)lilet containing useful Donees-tic Hinrg. Post free, 1(1. K. P. FRY, 5a, bjiia- Tille Road, Wandbworth Common, London, B.W. FOUR GREAT I' DUSEKEEPEIRIS BOONS. TRY ONE, TRY ALL. £ to 1 ;§ R| In Half tho 11^8,Half the j o IM Labour, you can produce More II § 3 S ■■ Polish with Two Penny Packets 2 i k-g'll of Rising Sun than with Half- B0 4 S 4 MB Dozen of ordinary Blacklead. rnmm g 7 l S Bold In 3d., 6d. & 1/- Bottles. No Mixing, *5"/ 2 No Scratches, Scarcely any Rubbing. E. PLATE POWDER. j i O m p "There Js no preparation of which we know to equal k <3 m N -g its excellence. —ENQUIRE WITHIN*.—3d. per box. £ V ► § < I'lf 5«y « 4 |!I m 0 n 2 < REQUIRES no addition or preparation. fL/ J 3 SAVES Time, Labour, and Uncertainty. p k PRODUCES BeautifulWluta Glossy Linen. v ° l > « J 5 Ask your Grocer to fit them for you. r £ C. CHANCELLOR \)0.. LONDON, E.C. J RULES FOR STARCIUNG. A most ruhnWf little hCClt for those who do their starching at home. Pout free for L" 0 stamps. C. CHAKCKLLOB & Co., London, E.G. MMTMJSTjIS H til) 1703. ww A Century's Use, dmd intrtating Dtmmnd, frwv*t without úuM that tit AW and Sqflit MtdUin* for Childrtn it ATKINSON and BARKER'S Royal Infants' Preservative, AB SUPPLIED TO HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA. A#lb,(" the Original, and see that yots get n*othoft v; ASK YOUR GROCER FOR A BOTTLE, or ask at any Restaurant or Coffee Tavern for a Glasa of BEGKETTS WINTERINE THE DRINK OF THE SEASON. The best non-alcoholic substitute for Brandy. An excellent preventive against Cold. A sample bottle sent per post for nine stamps. Manufacturer, W. Beckett, Heywood, PAkLnehoster. NO Country in the world inviting Settlers offers brighter prospects to pra-tical agriculturists than ONTARIO. Descriptive Pamphlet with Map free on application to the ONTARIO GOVERNMENT AGENCT, 19, BruiiswickSL.LiverpooL

Is thia the way to Ryde ?" eaid a traveller, who was as ignorant of horsemanship as of the place for which he was inquiring. The countryman to whom the question was addressed carefully surveyed the horseman for a minute or two, and then replied: Na, na; thee turns out thee toas too much." AMATEUR astronomers who directed their telescopes to such good purpose in the discovery of the Nova Auriga; will have an opportunity of making some fine observations on the planet Jupiter, just now so con- spicuous in the heavens, and which came into opposi- tion the other day. The belts, small spots, and other fine details may be observed effectually with tele- scopes of even moderate power, while those who are more fortunate, in possessing instruments having an aperture of 15in. or IBin., or more, may renew and extend their acquaintance with the fifth satellite.

MELLIN'S FOOD For INFANTS and INVALIDS. Price Is. 6d. and 2s. 6d. per Bottle. MELLIN'S FOOD BISCUITS Tor Children after Weaning, the Aged and Dyspeptic. Palatable, Digestive, Nourishing and Sustaining. Price 2s. and 3s. 6d. per Tin. Samples, Pamphlet, and Prospectus post free on application to—■ MELLIN'S FOOD WORKS, Peckham, London, S.R. Latest Exhibition Honouro: First Order of Merit awarded Chicago World's Exposition, 1893. HlH B VI? V'0 BY special wyai mutt ■ G. IfMEY S Hi A.. MANUFACTBKRS TO CELEBRATED REFINED ""whmib DEEP, LASTING POLISH FOR I GRATES AND STOVES. I BLACK lead. The most Popular Black Lead in Existence. il I 11-L''