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

UNDER the new system, recruiting in South Wales will be conducted by the officers commanding Mie 24th and 41st "Regimental Districts, and-tho Recruit- ing Staff Officer at Newport has been moved lu Shef- field, which is considered likely to be a more produc- tive, field for recruiting operations. THE number of recruits who joined the British army last year was 29,583. Of this number, i enlisted for 12 years with the colouie, 26,IDS for seven years with the colours and five years in t!w reserve, and 1576 for three years with the colour# and nine years in the reserve. THE Freedom of the City of Edinburgh will be ron ferred upon Mr. W. M'Ewan, M.P. for Central ViI j- sion of Edinburgh, on the occasion of the opening of the new hall of the university. Mr. I" Ew,w lias defrayed the entire cost of the building, which amounts to nearly £ 70,000. THERE are at the present time upwards of SO mik- of hydraulic man's laid in London, seven of which were added in 18U5. Some 2G00 machines are being run with water supplied under pressure through this pipe system. The quantity pumped last vear amounted to 455.000.000tial.

BLACKBALLING MR. CARNEGIE. Mr. Andrew Carnegie, the Pittsburg millionaire, was 11 few nights ago refused honorary membership of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. When at tl, Illec-ting of members his name was presented, a gentleiuiin present delivered a bitter speech against him, denouncing him as an oppressor of the poor, ai.d chaJlcnged anyone to dispute the statement. Some bus in688 men sided with Mr. Carnegie, but more onposed him. Amid much confusion a secret ballot Willi ordered, with the result as announced by the President that Mr. Carnegie had been blackballed. The action of the Chamber has attracted consider- able attention in the United States.

LUCKY WINDFALLS. "Probably the Queen receives a greater number of windfalls than any other person in the world. In KIJ HER Majesty acquired ftll the real personal nifite of ono John Camden Neild and in Ibto thou- *-inds of pounds' worth of antique pwte and money v-rre discovered bv some workmen during alterations Buckingham Palace. Several years plater -her Vriie-tv received the sum of £ 10,01)0, which fell to ,,1.J as' Duchess of Lancaster, through the death, hnut heirs, of Mr. C. M. Newliouse, of Hey wood. I In 1,1n, a private in the 91st Begimen., stationed at Cork chanced to see a newspnper^advertisement rela- I in<y to himself, and on making inquiries found that. Pi/was heir to no les3 than £ 250,000. A still larger nearly £ 3n0,000—much more recently fell to a poor barber in Gloucester. In 18S0 a rubvay guard Oil t LA South-Western line came in for £ 4;j,0^0 from funds in Chancerv.

MUSIC AS A HYPNOTIC. On several occasions we have referred (says the British Medical Journal) to the efforts of the lie v. F. jt ITarford and others to bring niusic within the s-ihere of practical therapeutics. The St. Cecilia Gu;Id—excellent as its intentions were-worked oni.'iowhat fitfully and aimed too high. It is difficult to belike that music will ever take a place among recognised antipyretics, though its influence m calin- iiie the delirium of fever may to a certain extent bo allowed. Of its real usefulness as a sedative in cer- tain forms of nervous disorders there can be no que*- tion. As a hypnotic it was tried—if we icniernofr ari'difc—in the London Temperance Hospital wit I a fair measure of success; indeed, on one occasion a phvsiciMi who was present at one of the experiments ip'the character of "devil's advocate'' found the soporific- influence of the music so powerful that ho had difficulty in keeping awake. It would, pernnps. be indiscreet to inquire too curiously into the exact significance of this testimony; but there is evidence, that there is in music what Moliere^s immortal Bachelor would call a nrtus dormhica. o may be allowed to cite Dr. Beschinsky, a liussian phvsician, not as the strongest but simply as the most recent witness. Having to treat a little girl, flfTed three, who was made sleepless by night terrors, and having tried various recognised methods of treatment, he at last bethought himself of music. He ordered Chopin's waltz, No. 2 (dose not, standi, to be played on the piano by the child's mother the effect was immediate and satisfactory. After four nights of this medication it was suddenly interrupted, and the last state of tha little sulierer was worse than the first. Then Chopin was ngain i administered, at first nightly, then every second, and lastly every third night. The cure was complete and permanent. Dr. Berberff used the same treatment in a similar case with equal success; it is not, however, stated that he used Chopin, and indeed we are almost disposed to think that a simple hushaby sung by the mother would bring sleep to her child S tyes as effectually as Apollo's lute.

DR. HERZ'S CASE. It is now over three years (says the Law Jov.rvcl) Sinco the arrest of Dr. Cornelius Iferz was effwted at the instance of the French authorities. At the time of that arrest and ever since lie has been lying in bed ill with diabetes and heart disease, the presence and seriousness of which have been repeatedly attested by eminent English doctors. The French authorities, executive and judicial, have again and again refused to accept as authentic or conclusive these medical reports, upon which no doubt could possibly be oust by any person in England. But the Homo Ollice has throughout the whole period felt bound to accept the accuracy of British medical opinion-; and the nature of Iho diseases diwg- nosed precludes anv prospect of ameliorated health. When the Extradition Act of 18HG was passed the then Horne Secretary said in Parliament, that, it could be applied to Dr. Herz in view of his grave illness. Since their a convention has been iriado with France, modifving the treaty of 187(» so as to allow any magistrate to conduct the examination of C an extradition prisoner anywhere in England. This qonvent ion comes into force at once, and we believe that tha llome Office has intimated its intention of holding an inquiry at Bournemouth before a metro- politan magistrate during this month. Whether this me>ms that Dr. llerz will be taken out of his bed to t,he local police-court, or that the magistrate will go to hi3 house and conduct the inqniry at his bedside, remains to be seen. Tho medical history of the case points to the extreme inexpediency, from the point of view ot common decency or humauitv, of taking either course. Ihe legal aspects have already been treated, but.it nin v be a? well to restate that the accusations against nin v be a? well to restate that the accusations against j'z ^wr which extradition is asked relate (1) to alleged complicity in mismanagement of the funds of the xanania Company, of which he'waa not director, oflicer, or d erriber—a -mismanagement of which the directors nnd officers were acquitted in June, JS93; (2) to alleged extortion from tho late Baron de B-oinach—charges never suggested by the baron in.his life, aiul charges unfounded in fact and recognised as statu to-bar red, by a decree of President Curnot aCt.ua puhlisj)e(i after, the first arrest of Dr. .:er7 in Engb,jid, The truth is that political exigencies in i?rance forbid the executive or the cotuts eithep to believe. the unanimous testi— fl°"J or ta!1 doctors who have seen Dr. erz, or to withdraw charges which have been once T6 I procedure with reference to A.rton a tun .nit y illustrates this, for, though surrendered as tera having nothing to do with the Panama scan^ .i..I or bribery of deputies, the first use made of us surrender was to call him as a witness in libel pros? "cu ions with respect to the supposed Panama C U,eS" ossibly our own Government for diplo- '3,uPoses does not like to put a summary end to ie P^^edings; but, inasmuch as the .accused as >een under arrest and domiciliary visitation for I0(^ than he could have been kept in prison ""•H •1?n<h law if ho bad been both well and guilt), it is Sltrelv tjni0 thaf) jf t)l0 I!iedical report* are ru., som0 decisive step should betaken to put an immediate eud to the proceedings*.

be gleaned ^°'a irnmense s'ze Siberia may states ki 111 tho following comparison: All the ir,,rni>n l'oms, principalities, empires, &c„ of including A]fvUussiauiand rf!he. ,i:nited States, Siberia, Rnd-vlku' f 1 fi 6 b-V side >n mens* but -'ttIe more than COver that im-

UNION LINE for the SOUTH" South^n^ton^eTetv' K'T'1' ?Iail Bn<l 'mediate p.ssaSK.ft "A.as'fe.a'i'a.y- «&&& TPOuildihgjTand roofihK: A churche*. Chapel#, Mi»«lon and 8ohool ■«» 1 Lawn Tennis, Golf, and Cricket <a"* I tages, Stables, Farm Buildings. Bornin. Oo2 JL peacrlptiou of Iron Buildings. I' I; I111 Ut South BERMONDSEY STA/fio* W. A 8 8 R 0 "4 S WUhKS, LONDON, S. B" ILLIAED AND BAGATELLE TABS.ES. A I.AKOK STOCK OF NEW AND SECOVT? n%ce j* LIA THE 50AP (fo'- Dc!icate Skins). CREAM (for Itching, Face Spots, &c.), l/ji POWDER (for Redness, Roughness, &c.), 1 TilfMCHT CURED INSTANTLY BY HUNTER'S Ileadftchoi uidaimerre MLDulHE ^v5ra jaxgga Htilwliw^ rMuOBEATHOUsiKEE^ < BOONS. TRY ONE, TRY ALL. fc "ÅÂ..ÂAÃÂAÎ- t:I Q¡ !IJ | J J 5 "S i §?J Iiabour» you can produce More 8J o 4 .2 BlS Polish with Two Penny Packets ff| 5 fc I 3 B « of Rising Sun than with Half- B# Z 1 5 (S j Dozen of ordinary Blacklead. tarn | g x f 2 I ISoId in 3d., 6d. & l/. Eottle3. No Mixing, [ ST 5 4 j No-Scratches, Scarcely any Rubbing. y 2.P 5 3kfflCELLOK'S PLATE POWDER. C M <•' There is no preparation of which we know to equal > £ 4 j .3 Its ^xcel^nc^ l*>x. 1 s 3 1 REQUIRES uu aiJr.iwon cr prepr.raticrti. r £ 7 4 2 -<SS.YES Time, Labour, and Uncertainty. £ "r i PRODUCES EeautiJulWhite Glossy Linen. £ g V 4 Ask your Grocar to get thorn for yon» f R C. CHANCELLOR & Co., LONDON, E.C. £ r jtULES roil S TAli CIIING. A most valuable little book for tllose who do their starching at home. Post f free for two stamps. C. CHANCELLOR & CO., London, P,.C.

HARD-WORKED ADVERBS. A hnmorou3 correspondent of the Morning Post thus writes about a question which much vexes him Thanks, awfully, for your disposition to help hard- worked adverbs. I wish Practically every success under your championship, but I do hope my harder lot may not be forgotten. I have "practically" no repose. If a girl be pretty, I am called npon to describe her in tittisg (Miss-fitting ?) terms. If anyone be pleased or vexed, I am required to show how awfully jolly leas the one, or how awfully bored was the other. But, as I should be awfully sorry to say or do anything to check the awfully delicious flow of slang to which we are getting so accustomed, I will only add that I should lIke a holiday now and then—I will hot sny for what length of time, It may te for years, or it may be for ever." If the letter, so much the better for- Yours, weary, AWI-ULLV.

TIIEDE lias just died in Brussels a journalist who, writing under the pseudonym of Victor de la Hos- bave,"=achieved a great reputation. Victor Hallaux was,'as the Belgian Xctcs puts it, something more than the Geor,e Augustus Sala of Brussels journalism. His bonhomie iviis 1;5 genuine as it, was genial; his wit was at once pungent and playful, and some of his amusing sayings will live for all time. When illness overtook him ho never murmured, and his cheery presence will be sadly iiiiqsed in the ,passage"'as well as at. Lt Plailte and at the Brussels premieres. THE idea of working the Snowdon Railway by electricity has been abandoned for the present, but the engineer is satisfied -that ample power could be generated by the storage of the mountain torrents. Alas, for Snowdon. It is not enough that his hoary summit should be made the scene for the humours of a Bank Holiday., crowd, but, his foaming becks and rills are to shuro the fate of Foyers. Theexperi- mental trip has been successful, and th railway is expected to be open for Easter.

CMSRVS LITTLE ? LiV £ K PILLS. /gV Email '1 Small Price. plPyt* Fort* in a Purely Vag-table. Curo5 Torpid TIver, Dl!«; Coriipicxt'Vi, ami Sick Headache* promptly and cure hem at) as to IK-j curefl. Cheuudta, 1A- Ifr* TEETH for all wh'I UA6 daily on tb* taw* brash a few SOZODONT — the pleaMAiait d*nuftwo la of world. Cleanses the teeth and spaces between them as nothing else will. Sound and pearly white teeth, rosy lips, and ftagtaufc breath eusured. Ask for BOZODONT. Qs; TIR

JYI. Z,OI>A, M spite ot his large earnings, is"said TTF bi ri6t a rich man. He does not care for wealth, except for the enjoyment he is able to obtain in the spen- ing of it. He has handsome apartments in Paris, and a fine chateau at Medan. The chateau has been built piecemeal, so to speak. As M. Zola made the money he lept on adding wings to his country seat, until now his residence is completed and adorned and furnished after a style of M. Zola's ,own. AT Southampton a beautiful cedar and mahogany cfentre-board lugger has just been made for the use of the Marchioness of Londonderry. This little vessel iS 26ft. on the water-line, and has aluminium silver- plated fittings and gun-metal centre-plate. The entire fittings are of the newest and most expensive descrip- tion, the sails being of silk. Gilt headings and scroll work relieve the sheer plan of all stiffness. The y;ichtlet has been named by the marchioness the Metuenda, and it is expected to sail wonderfully fast. It is rendered unsinkable by metal cases,, bow an(J i spern, and side cases, all covered by mahogany sheathing. .TIIEKE is at present a proposal, emanating from a leading shipowner interested in the question of the land transit between east and west coast northern counties, to construet a plateway- which- to be available for ordinary lurries and will them the same ease of traction that rails ensure lor locomotive-drawn trains. The scheme is comprised locomotive-drawn trains. The scheme is comprise in( laying a double set of channelled iron plates between Liverpool and Hull, with branches to in- termediate manufacturing towns. In section the plates would have a width of 6in. or 8in., and would carry a short upturned flange to guard each edge. There would be through sidings by which the quicker traffic could Let, in froni- of thl' sWPr.

I lan jt jtttniF I MlYFV'c? /BLACK i niAL I S/LEAD

¥» OUR LONDON COnHESPONDENT. It is a commonplace among the frequenters of the Parliamentary lobby that no sooner no our legislators assemble after a recess than they begin eagerly discussing the probable date at which the next holiday wiil commence. Tiiat tradition was certainly lived up to this year, for scarcely had i gibers come together in February when reports bean to circulate as to the Ministerial intentions concerning the Eai- cer recess. The decision of the Government to have a somewhat brief holiday at Easter, in order, if members make pood progress with the work set before them, to have a longer ono at Whitsun- tide, has accordingly been the theme of much more interested private discussion at "West- minster than would be supposed by those v- !iu imagine that our legislators arc always ub.orbed by the gravest aiiairs of State. Easter, in fact, comes somewhat too early for a long holiday to be always enjoyable, and the latter part of May is a far butter selection for such than the early portion of Al,iii. There are some, by the way, who have talke(I as if the Government's vesolvo had been dictated by the idea that by giving a longer holiday than usual at Whitsuntide, any possible trouble about adjourning over the Derby Day may be avoided but this is not the case, for, while Whit week commences 0:1 May 24, the race referred to will not be run until June 3, and it would be practically im- possible. with the work that is now before them, for Ministers tAallow so long a recess to cover the two dates. ) t The striking news from Egypt this week has seeded to carry us back some eleven or twelve years, when the most frequent subject of conversation in Parliament and at the club, in the railway-carriage, and at the street corner was the situation in the Soudan. Probably those who have friends in the Delta were the least surprised to hear of the proposed advance to Dongola, for they for some time have known of the growing strength of the Dervishes in that district, and of the manner in which the Mahclists were ravaging the country. It is said by those on the spot that the tract of country between Wady Haifa and Dongola has been practically devastated by some eight thousand Dervishes, who have cleared the soil of every crop, and have not left as much as a single palm treo standing. This very fact will add to the diffi- culty of the advance, for not only will a long line of communications have to ba kept up, but the Anglo-Egyptian force will need to take with it all the food and forage it requires. Ono of the first effects of the news in London was to call forth the war correspondents. Some of these had just returned from Ashanti, and others from Madagascar, and they were pre- paring to take life easily for a short period when they received telegrams from their re- spective editors, asking how soon they could be in Cairo. The British public, when a penny is paid for a newspaper, does not always appre- ciate the amount of organisation that is re- quired to make that newspaper the repository of information it is; but this incident may serve to throw some light upon one phaso of it. At a moment when preparations for" the May meetings of the present year are being made with increasing energy, it is of interest to note that at two of them announcements of special importance will be made in regard to centenary celebrations. The centenary year of the London Missionary Society will close with the end of the present month, and by that time the special fund of 1:100,000, which is being raised in com- memoration of a hundred years' work, will be virtually, if not actually, in existence. During the last few days the Church Missionary Society has determined to signalise its own centenary by some such gigantic effort, and, as the dafte will not be reached until 1899, the friends of that institution have three years before them in which to make the requisite preparations. The honourable spirit of emulation that exists between these great bodies will assist to make each celebra- tion triumphant; and the success which attends upon all such institutions is a triumphant refutation of the taunt sometimes levelled against us by foreigners that we are a selfish nation, for anything less sellish than this work of Christian missions could not be well be imagined. Even those among us who sometimes think that propositions for memorials to departed worthies are in these days in danger of being overdone, are not at all likely to carp at the success which is attending the one to the late Professor Huxley. When it is said that the committee for promoting the memorial now numbers considerably over seven hundred members, and that the amount already received exceeds two thousand three hundred pounds, there is sufficient evidence that the movement is a genuine one. It may be noted that, as enough money has now been guaranteed for the statue at the Natural History Museum and the medal at the Royal College of Science, which were the two lirst objects definitely decided upon, sub-committees have been appointed to carry them out, and designs for the monument are being preparod by Mr. Ford, R.A. The third object, however, remains for execution, that being the further- ance of biological science in some manner to be hereafter determined, dependent upon the amount collected," and a special appeal is being made in that behalf. An endeavour is being made, and not before it was time, to draw the practical attention of the police authorities of the metropolis to the amount of overloading of horses, which is to be witnessed in our streets. With the grosser forms of cruelty to animals the constabulary most efficiently cope, and less of these are to be seen in London than in almost any great capital; but overloading is one of the insidious methods of cruelty which it is difficult to detect and punish. There are a few cases in which it is palpable, but there are many in which it is hard to draw the line, and nothing is so awkward as to have a prosecution fail on a technical point when such a charge as this is involved. Much, however, may be done by appealing to the conscience of the owners of the animals engaged in heavy traffic and it may be, now that attention is being so widely and openly called to the matter, that we shall have less of it for some time to come. Hap- pily, we are spared the sight of the overloading of dogs, which is one of the most painful to be witnessed in soino Continental cities; but tho mere fact that so much has been done in the way of preventing cruelty to animals ought to stimulate all concerned to do more. A visit from a tax-collector^ is never looked upon by the average Briton in the light of a joy, but this month more complaints than usual have been heard, and havo had their echo in Parliament, because of the idea that special efforts have been made to gather in every penny of Income Tax before tho 31st inst., which marks the close of tho financial year. How far these have been well founded is a matter of opinion, for the Chancellor of the Exchequer has denied that any instructions for such special efforts have been given by the Treasury; but the over zeal of even a very few collectors would suffice of itself to stir up a storm. What is chiefly complained of, as far as London is concerned, is that tho use of envelopes appears to be unknown to various collectors, who leave Ir with a man's domestic servants an open demand note, stating the precise amount of income-tax he has to pay, and thieateinng him with a dis- tress warrant if that sum is not forthcoming within seven days. It is quit* possible that this has the effect of stirring up the tiiLutvry, but it is certain that many o, householder has a strong and reasonable objection to his servants being made officially aware KII the amount of his income-tax. When it is remembered how persistently and effectively the introduction of a similar impost is resisted in the United States and France, for instance, because of its inquisi- torial nature, it is obvious that the iiiitish taxpayer is entitled to complain if its incidence is made specially hard to himself. Tho viji-y near approach of tho University boat-race Uas seTVed to call the attention of the curious in such matters to tho fashion in which such inter-University contests have grown within recent years. No more than forty years have elapsed since the boat-race became an annual lixture, while only thirty years have passed since the athletic sports began. la these days there are competitions in gelling, lawn-tennis, cycling, and chess j and probably only ono such ° endeavour has broken through. and that is steeple-chasing, but this probably for a reason that the doi.s can best appreciate. As long as the competitions, in fact", are confined to healthy sport,into which tho element of gambling can enter little, if at all, so long will tho general sympathy bo with these inter-University struggles. Oxford and Cambridgo may be in theory devoted only to study, but they admittedly have done much to encourage legitimate and honest sport. H.

"nothing NEW. "There is nothing new undr the sun." At the present moment, when the scientific world is watch- ing the researches concerning the transmission of light through animal bodies, it is interesting to note that Sir W. B. Richardson refers in the Aselepiad to some similar experiments which he himself made 28 years ago. At the British Association in 1S68 he exhibited' a lantern the light from which was distinctly transmitted through a thick piece of bone. Later bv this means he was able to detect enlarge- ment of bone, nodulations springing from bone, and very distinctly a fracture. He was also able to observe displacements of bone with correctness. But the most interesting case of all had relation to stigmata. A medical friend was consulted by a lady and her friends on a singular point. The lady had an idea that on frequent occasions she detected spots of blood in places where they ought not to be-on her pocket- handkerchief, on her serviette, and on the table- cloth I t was inferred they came from one of her hands, although nothing could be detected. Sir W. li. Richardson put the hand in the light, and found a little plexus of blood-vessels about the size of a small pea, with an opening point leading to the skin. He marked the spot, laid the plexue freely open with the lancet noint treated the wound with caustic alcohol, bound it firmly with an elastic band, and effected at once a perfect cure.

A SOMERS- CENTENARIAN". "Doctor" Gilbert, well-known throughout the western counties as a pill doctor, is lying seriously ill at llridport Workhouse, and it is not expected that he will recover. Gilbert, who IS said to be 104 vears old, is suffering from an apoplectic seizure. He is believed to be a native of Wineanton, and marned his wife at Totnes, Devo-a. His uncle was the late Dr Gilbert author of the History of Cornwall.' He has travelled through the south-west ever since OA „]rl. and the distances ne covered on he was 20 years oW foot were marvellou jn 24' h'riurs.° His last, journey was in West Dorset, when he walked :;5 )Olles.

PUPILS of the School of Arts and Mebiers, the Technical School of the Egyptian Government at Cairo, have from time to time been placed m the Midland .Railway workshops at Derby, and in v i j t- r.f tbe attention shown to them the acknowledgment ot Medjidjeh on th<J IoCQ. Khedive has comer re Joh w-L- a BU' „m;nent foreign engineers nave been good among them Boghes Pasha Nubar, trained a, er y, ent statesman, who spent some the son 01 ie —assing through the Ecole Centvale time thero after at Paris. nnt&'DS an interesting discussion on THE Zoologist £ OK0ASANTS 0F crowing loudly after the habit of COCK"P„^eT tjie firing of a big gun. Mr. a thunderclap or a frequently heard the T. G. Rope states re-echoing artillery practices at birds near hina w;le3 distant. Gilbert White of Colchester, ^.re, 1 £ 3ine fact 100 years ago, and says Selborne noted always crowed when firing was that the pheasan^ ti; 2r)Cl the wind was from that going (in at direction, .4

riCJCKKDHWS IN PARLIAMENT. HorSE OF LORDS,—16. "01101.1TAI, T.ord James cf Hereford presented the Ministerial Hill relative to the metropolitan water supply. It proposes the creation of a Water Trust or Botrd of of) members, of IvIloill. 1G are to be appointed by the London County Council, two by the Corporation of London, two each by the County Councils of West Ham, Middlesex, and and one each by Cnndon, Surrev, Kent, Hertford, the Thames Const nancv, :iud tho Lea Conservancy. Lord Tweedmouth I o described the measure as a Bill to exclude the London County Council from the power of dealing tviththe water question. After further discussion the measure was read a first time. I'RE"I Eiz -A'\]) Tho Summary Jurisdiction Whipping Bill and the Burglary HIll wire passed through Committee, aud just, before their lordships rose, the Marquis of Salisbury referred to the complaint which he under- stood had been mado by Lord Iiosebery, as to the absence -of a statement on Egyptian affairs, and stated that ho would have been glad to have made a statement had the noble lord followed the usual course, and addressed to him a epilation on the subject. Lord Rosebery repeated that he would have liked a statement similar to that made in the other Chamber, and the Prime Minister was understood to reply that no snch statement had been made there, but only an answer to a quest ion, as the Speaker had ruled any other course out of order. To this Lord Rosebery responded But we have no Speaker here," and then tho subject dropped, their lordships rising immediately. HOUSE OF COMMONS. FATEMTION VP THE NILB VALLEY. Sir William Harcourt inquired whether any statement was to be made as to the reported < advance of troops up the valley of the Nile. The Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in a long and elaborate reply, the gravity of which greatly impressed a crowded House, explained that rumours reached the Government at the end of last iiiortli of contemplated advances of dervish forces towards their objectives, together with the information that Osman Digna was advancing with a considerable force in tho direction of Kassala, and that large reinforcements were being pushed forward to Dongola. The immediate objective was Kassala, but the ultimate danger could not t'ail to react upon Egypt. There was naturally much anxiety over this serious news, especially when the. severe reverse overtook the Italian troops at Adowa. When the right lion, gentleman went on to profess profound regret find sympathy for this misfortune to tho Italians, a few Irish members, headed by Mr. Healy, expressed loud dissent, but Mr. Curzon declared, amid loud cheers, that the national regret was not to be discounted by a few disentient voices. He went on to assert that. in- fluences were at. work, and forces had been unchained, which constituted a serious menace to Egypt, to Europe, and to the cause of civilisation, and there- fore the Egyptian authorities and her Majesty's Government, had come to the conclusion that it would be best for the present and permanent interests of Egypt that an advance should be made up the Valley of the N ile. The British advance might ultimately extend to Dungoia, oiit .t present it was only intended to go one-third of the way, and he naturally objected to publishing in too great minuteness the plan of cam- paign. The aotion of the Government must be regu- lated by considerations that were not only military, but political and financial. The Government hoped that this would act as a diversion for the help and possible relief of the Italians in their sore stress at Kassala, and that it would save Egypt from a menace which, if allowed to grow, might, before long, swell to the most formidable dimensions. UK. LAnoUCIIERE AND TUB ITALIAN DKFEAT. Sir William Harcourt asked what opportunity would be given for debating this very important statement, as he understood that, contraiy to the imprsssion which prevailed on Friday, no such oppor- tunity could be allowed in Committee on the Army Estimates. Mr. Balfour replied that the adjourn- ment of the House might be moved, or the debate might be left over until the vote on account was reached. Mr. Labouchere thereupon elected to mova the adjournment of the House at once, and he spent some time in denouncing the new departure o' the Government, and in rejoicing over the defeat ot the Italians, who had no business to be attempting conquests outside their own country. He claimed to have all Italian Radicals with him in this view, and pointed to the riots and disturbances they were carry- ing on in protest against the war, which had only been undertaken by Signor Crispi to direct attention from tho internal affairs of Italy. He maintained that Kassala belonged to the Soudanese, and Italy had no right to it. He once more declared the origin of our interference in Egypt to be financial, and accused Mr. Goschen of being at the bottom of it. He called upon the Government to redeem the pledges re- peatedly given that we would withdraw from Egypt. He thought he saw the author of the new departure not in Lord Salisbury, but in some other member of the Cabinet, probably a Liberal Unionist, who was masterful and bent on having his own way, and he urged Lord Salisbury to emancipate himself from such influences, and to crush out" these efforts to direct his policy, which would lower cur name in Europe, perpetuate the distrust felt against us, and prevent our having cordial relations with Franco. Sir Charles Dilke supported the motion for the adjournment of the House, and strongly condemned the new departure as likely to hamper us in all our international actions for many years to come. Our present, action, too, he declared, to be but an excuse for remaining in Egypt for all time. Moreover, we were entering upon a perilous enterprise with insuf- ficient means. OPPOSITION LEADER'S SUFLGHSTION. Sir William Harcourt agreed that if this was the first step in another "forward" Egyptian policy, it was of a most perilous character, should bo most strongly condemned, and would meet with the most strenuous resistance from the Opposi- tion. It was the Doliey of those who had learned nothing from the past, and who were always ready for the extension of an empire already large enough and already taxing all onr resources to govern it wisely and well. But he would not assume that there was any intention on the part of the Government to give to this movement any other significance than had been given to it by Mr. Curzon, and he suggested that the general debate on the subject should be taken on the vote on account. THE GOVERNMENT VIEW. Mr. Balfour welcomed this suggestion, and promised to put down the Foreign Olflce vote first when the vote on account was reached, but, in the meanwhile, he defended the Government policy as not involving great risk or heavy finan- cial burdens; and he protested against Mr. Labouchere'e jubilation over the defeat of the Italians. He differed altogether from the Views of Sir Charles Dilke, and denounced the govern- ment of the Soudanese as cruel and bad. It was in the interests of Europe and of civilisation that some relief should be given to the distressed forces of Italv, and he emphatically denied that the Govern- ment were entering upon any adventurous or Quixotic policy. Mr. Courtney condemned the new policy, and denounced any attempt at the conquest of the Soudan, and he asked where was the prudence, if we should be at war with any great Power, of locking up all our forces in an absurd ex- pedition. After some further criticism from Sir James Fergusson and Mr. William Redmond, and a question or two cn points of detail from Mr. John Morlev, which were answered by Mr. Balfour.the Honsé diviùed and rejected the motion for adjourn- ment by 268 votes, against 126. TUEAKMyESTrMATKS. The rest of the sitting was spent in Committee of Supply on the Army Estimates. The Under Secre- tary for War made an elaborate statement of the usual pattern on the various details of the votes, and of the administration of the department, and that a loan, the amount of which he did not state, is to b( raised for defensive purposes, and for the protection of our harbours. The usual desultory discussion followed, the vote .for 126,174 men being quickly obtained, and the vote for pay and allowances was agreed to.

LIBERIA is the only more or less civilised country where clocks are almost entirely dispensed with. The sun rises exactly at six a.m., and sets at six p.m., throughout the year, and is vertically overhead at noon. VKNEZUELA has 200,000,030 acres of forest, in wnich grow all the varieties of ebony, as well as rosewood, satin-wood, and mahogany, »' 1+ « j. .1: ¡..

THE STRANGE CASE AT HAYWARD'S HEATH. SPECIAL INTERVIEW. The case, reported in th" Sussex Advertiser by a member of the staff of that journal, bad for its scene Bolton Farm, near Hayward's Heath, and for its heroine Miss Cordelia Longridge, whose portrait we I reproduce. _10. -1.' Her story will be best told in her own vivid and intelligent language. Five years ago she was enjoying robust health. This gradually broke down, and one day she fell on the floor insensible, in which condition she remained some little time. Without delay she was conveyed to her home, and in addition to medical advice had the advantage of constant attention from a devoted mother. She was for a time confined to her bed, progress was slow, she became indescribably weak, and for many a long month remained at home burden to herself and those around her. Further advioe was sought, and it was by common consent agreed upon that she was suffering from a severe form of nnremia. No improvement being made, a third doctor was consulted, and eventually the aid Jf a hospital was sought, but without avail. Then Convalescents' Homes at Eastbourne and Brighton were tried, in the hope that the change of air would do good, but tbe patient did not improve. And what was your general condition during that time queried the reporter. The answer came tha.t it was one of extreme weak- I ness. For nearly three months she could scarcely stand. She also suffered terribly from indigestion solid food had to be altogether eschewed, and at times was not only distasteful, but positively repulsive, such were the inroads made upon this girl's system by the malady from which she was suffering. But you are said to have completely and rapidly recovered your health ?" Yes, but, not until I had found the remedy—Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People. Someone I knew had suffered from aniemia, and she took some of these wonderful Pills and was cured." How long have vau been taking these Pills "About two months now. I felt relief from the first box, and am now well enough to do anything at any time." The mother confirmed this. Her daughter had been extremely weak. She had been a great sufferer for five year?. She had lost flesh, her colour had gone, and they almost began to despair of her reco- vering her health. A few days after she had taken Dr. Williams' Pink Pills there was a great alteration \n her, and after she had taken them a few weeks so altered in appearance had she become that several of her friends in the street actually failed to recognise her on account of the improvement in her looks. Her appetite began to come again and her health to mend, and, said the old dame, with a look of thank- fulness in her eyes, I have not seen her looking so well as she does "to-day for this pa»t five years/' She regarded Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People as being a great blessing, something quite unlike any other medicine, and added that she recommended them to everyone. Such is this remarkable history, officially verified in every detail. It confirms what is said in all the chief newspapers of this country of the astonishing cures wrought by Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People, which have had an unrivalled success as a tonic and strengthening medicine for men as well as women. They cure palpitations, and the many dis- orders which follow influenza or arise from nn im- poverished state of the blood, such as anrcmia, pale and sallow complexion, general muscular weakuess, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, pains in the laack, nervous headache, early decay, all forms of female weakness, hysteria, paralysis, locomotor ataxy, rheumatism, and sciatica. These Pills are genuine only with full name, Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People, and are sold by chemists and by Dr. Williams' Medicine Company, Holborn-viaduct, London, E.C., at 2s. 9d. a box, or six for 13s. 9d. They invigorate the system after overwork, worry, and indiscretions of living.

ITALY AND ABYSSINIA. PEACE NEGOTIATIONS. Various statements are published in the Italian newspapers as to the peace negotiations between the Italian Government and the Negus. The Fanjuila says that Menelik is anxious to conclude peace. He has proposed that the territories of the Italian colony should be limited on the south-west to the watershed formed by the mountains near the Mareb. He will give up all his prisoners, and permit tlia evacuation of Adigrat with military honours. Tigre would again become an inde- pendent province, governed Dy a lias friendly to Italy and accepted by that country. The Shoans would co-operate with the Italians against the Dervishes. The Tribuna mentions other condi- tions, as that the request for peace should be made in autograph by King Humbert, and that the Italians should engage to erect no more forti- fications in Erythrea. The Times special correspondent aays it is not to be admitted that negotiations on such cases can be entertained by tho Government. It is stated that Menelik has 48 Italian officers and 600 men as prisoners. The composition of the new Ministry continues to provoke both friendly and hostile comment. A setni-oilicial note, denying the accuracy of recent reports about whole desertions from the Italian army, has been published in Home.

MR. J. IIAVELOCK WILSON'S LIBEL SUIT. A FAUTIIING DAMAGES, BUT NO COSTS. In the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court, on the 14th inst., before Mr. Justice Hawkins and a special jury, the hearing waj concluded of the libel action Wilson v. Coilison and another," brought by Mr. Ilavelock Wilson, member for Middles- brough, against the persons concerned in the publication of a pamphlet which made very serious charges against him in connection with his management of the Seamen's and Fire- men's Union. Plaintiff's counsel, having opened his case, declined to put him in the box, whereupon counsel for the defendants, who bad pleaded j tlz i ii- .cation, said he would not call any witnesses. His lordship now summed up, and commented on the plaintiff's non-appearance in the box. It bad long ago been laid down that it .was wrong to mislead the jury by stating facts not before them in evidence. If the jury had heard the state- ments of the pamphlet refuted, and if the justifi- cation had failed, no one could have doubted that the plaintiff would have been entitled to substamial damages. Tho jury, after a few minutes' delibera- tion, found for the plaintiff, with a farthing damages, and said that but for his lordship's direction they would have found for the defendants. His lordship gave judgment for the plaintiff for one farthing, de- prived him of his costs, and said he would consider the question of making him pay, the defendants costs.

THE SACRED TREE OF THIBET. Many people will, the Daily Telegraph thinks, regret that the sacred tree of KumrBum in Thibet is; on no less an authority than Mr. Th.stelton-Dyer, of Ivew-gardens, a fraud. Who has not beard of the wonderful tree which sprang from the spot where the mother of Toong-Kape shaved her worthy offspring•« bead when she dedicated him to the divinities and threw his matted hair on the ground ? Ever sinco that memorable event the leaves on its branches and the bark on its trunk have not been the same as on ordinary trees, but contained sacred prayers and symbols, which were supposed to grow naturahy on them, and diffused a strong odour of incense. The priests were very jealous of it, watched over it them- selves, and were careful to prevent strangers seeing either leaves or branches untiLrQady to be sold with letters and signs, on them. Travellers, however, have now managed to obtain specimens, and thoy have been critically examined by experts here. Tho tree has been identified as an ordinary syringa villoma, common in China, and any marks which the leaves contain are impressed on them by the priests with moulds, aided probably by heat.