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

A MONSTER GOLD FISIF. Among the numerous attractions offered to h-il idat- makers and sight-seers by Hampton Court Palace and its grounds, the huge carp which are to be seen in the Long Canal in the Home Park, and the large and beautiful gold fisi^u»ch are the principal occu- pants of the basin surrounding the Great Fountain in the garden on the east front Of the Palace, are far from being the least attractive. Considerable num- b-ers of the former (says the Globe) may be seen during the summer, or warmer months of the year, either basking in the sun near the surface of the water, or swimming leisurely along at the end of the canal that immediately abuts the Great Fountain Garden, on the look out for the pieces of bread or for the other food which visitors are in the habit of throwing to them. In the winter, however, they seem to confine themselves almost entirely to the deepest parts of the Ardter, and are seldoni; if ever, risible. Some of the fish taken, from time to time, from this canal have, we believe, been found to weigh as much as 151ba. and 181bs. each, weights indicative of great age, but then carp are reported to have lived even so long as 100 years. The gold fish of the Great Fountain are also re- markable for their size as well as for their beauty. Indeed it has been recorded of them in Mr. Ernest Law's guide-book to the palace, that the late Mr. Frank JJuckland pronounced them to be the largest and finest he had ever seen." These fish are also of the carp family, but they are of a species originally introduced into this country from China, through Japan. Unlike their relatives and neighbours of the Long Canal, the gold fish are to be seen in greater or smaller numbers throughout the year, although they too, appear sometimes to scei- in the winter the warmth afforded by tho deeper water in the middle of the basin. Accus- tomed to see fish of this species in a glass globe, in an aquarium, or in some other confined place of abode, and to see them comparatively small in size, the visitor to Hampton Court cannot fail to be struck by the great size, as well as by the unusually fine colour, of many of those to be found in the spacious basin. One particular fish has, indeed, long attracted attention by its enormous propor- tions even amid such companions-and many have been the visits made to the Great Fountain for the purpose of seeing it. But this leviathan will not, we regret to say, be again seen in the well-known fountain basin. Notwithstanding the mildness of tlitf whiter, "the fish had not recently appeared to be so lively as usual, although no external disease was apparent to account for the change, and one day last week it was discovered lying flat on ifls side, and at the bottom of the water, near the edge of the basin. It had been seen alive on the previous afternoon, but proved to be quite dead on being taken out of the water. Not even those who had observed it for many years were quite prepared to see eo large and weighty a fish, and no time was lost in accurately ascertaining •it" weight and measurements. The weight was found to be 51b. 13oz., the length from head to till nearly 23 inches, the greatest, depth (down the side) from back to stomach 6 inches, and the 2 greatest girth 15 inches-a weight and measure- ments which have never probably been excelled by any fish of the species that has been bred and has died in this country. The fish had, it is stated, been especially remarkable for its size for some 15 years at least, and, havings regard to this fact, and to its iiamense weight, it would seem probable that its age, although not known exactly, could not have been less than 2U or 25 years.

J GLANDERS. The spread of glanders has assumed a serious "aspect in Liverpool. At the last meeting of the Health Committer, Alderman Morgan referred to the matter, and said it was exercising the mind, not only of their veterinary surgeon, but of their inedieal officer, and drastic measures • ought to be taken to stamp out the disease, which affected horses and human beings alike.. Mr. J. Wilson remarked that it was a very serious matter for trade and the community. The Board of Agricul- ttiie had had considerable experience in con- nection with an attack of this character in London, while it was almost new to Liierpooli thlra, having previously been only ocoasionalcasea. Every animal attaoked had to be instantly destroyed, as there was no possibility of cure. He knew cases where seven horses had been vistightered. in one stable, three in another, and one in a third. It was desirable that the Board of Agriculture should be Approached by a deputation, who could also confer With officials of the London County Council as to how they dealt with the outbreak. One matter bear- ing upon the sprtad-tff the disease in Liverpool was the importation of horses from Canada and other places. Horses had 'for some time past been landed in Liverpool in very poor condition, and suffering from fever and lufag diseases. In March 1443 horses were landed in Liverpool, and from inquiries at the \naclert'' yards he foiitfd that from 50 to 60 had died. There were at one of these places in Liver- pool" recently visited 100 horses, and about 40 luffered from lung disease. He moved that a depu- tation shbuld,wait bn the Board of Agriculture and the London. County Council. The resolution was adopted. Alderman Dr. Bligh said he had seen a case of glanders in a human being, caught from a horse, and it was the most terrible case he had ever seen. It would be a very serious matter, indeed, for the disease to get among cattle in this country*

A NEGRO REPUBLIC. The inhabitants of Hliyti are (says the Echo) so accustomed to revolutions that they probably will not allow the present troubles at San Domingo to greatly disturb the tenor of their ways. The Black Republic of the Caribbean Sea, the Hispaniola of Columbus, has for four centuriei been a scene of almost unceas- ing struggles. Here eager and callous Spanish adventurers exterminated the simple and kindly aborigines in their greed for gain; and here English buccaneers found refuge after plundering Castillian galleons. By the close of last century the island had drifted into the hands of France, and the spread of revolutionary ideas caused much ferment among its people. The blacks wanted to know why the doctrines of liberty and equality should not be as applicable to San Domingo as to Paris, and both klavee and free negroes loudly claimed some political rights. Robespierre in Paris supported them, and when warned that s*ch a thing meant the loss of the colony, be made bis famous declaration, "Perieb the colonies rather than sacrifice one of our principles." While the French National Council was debating, the slaves acted they rose in revolt, murdered large num- bers of the whites, and burned hundreds of planta- tions. For some years a fierce racial war was carried on, and even the large army sent by Napoleon could not conquer the blacks. The cruelties perpetrated by both sides during this time were horrible. In the end the blacks triumphed, and set up their own government, The deeds .of some of their rulers read more like pages from an adventure story than serious facts. They have had Emperors who imitated the State of European monarchs, 1 ro- dents who made Robespierre their model. It has been a very dull year when there has not been a revo- lution or two to create an interestin public affairs. Although nominally a Republic, Hayti is really a military despotism. Its Presidents attain power by aid of the army, and only retire when a rival wins the affection of the troops. If it were not for the wonderful natural Weaith of the island its people must hare nerished long ago.

THE STRICKEN CRIER. To a reporter of the Orkney Herald, who visited him, Mr. John Clouston, mason, late bell-man and town-crier, of Alfred-street, Stromness, narrated an extraordinary affair. He said: "During the spring of 1895 1 had a severe attack of-sickness which incapacitated me from all work. My symptoms are not easily described. For many years I have been troubled with eeverehiiious attacks, and while suffer- ing from one of those turae I bad a stroke, followed by utter prostration, which rendered me unable to work, or even walk any distance. Severe pains in the limbs and arms, and indeed all over my body, would make me start like a person awakened from a night-mare; at other ..times iny limbs, became powerless, like a person suffering from paralysis, and when the pain abated for a little I was almost help- less. While sitting by my own fire I used to feel a cold shiverthat DO amount of clothing would dispel- The pain and suffering continued and increased in severity for three months. About this time I eVe" in the newspaper reports of similar cases thaJLKUd been' cured Tlr. "WiniamV ^Plnk" Tills ^le People, and I resolved to give them a trial, JJ&R;1 taking the first box the pains gradually got e&j&r. I commenced with one Pill after each meal, and after a time increased the dose to two. The alarming symptoms above described gradually wore away, and when I had finished the last box 1 felt hale and well, and in my usual state of health-in fact, better than I have been for many years. I have never been troubled with my health since; even my old trouble, biliousness, has gone. I cannot but believe that Dr. Williams' Pink Pills were the means of saving my life. I have recommended them to my friends. A near neighbour of mine, who has been in delicate health for years, is now using them, and although she has only had them for a short time, she is deriving great benefit. They are unlike other medicine; they are easy to take, and quickly build up the system. This case confirms the remarkable cures effected by Dr. Williams' Pink Pills, not only in cases of paralysis and rheumatism, but in all the many dis- orders which follow influenza and rheumatic fever, or arise from an impoverished state of the blood and nerves, such as atuemia, pale and sallow complexion, general muscular weakness, loss of appetite, short- ness of breath, pains in the back, nervous headache, early decay, all forms of female weakness, hysteria, locomotor ataxy, sciatica, palpitations, low vitality, and wasting strength from any cause. These Pills are genuine only with the full name, Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People, and are sold by chemists and by Dr. Williams' Medicine Company, Holborn- viaduct, London, E.G., at 2s. 9d. a box, or six for 13s. 9d. They are unrivalled as a tonic and strengthening medicines for both sexes.

!THE GLASGOW POST-OFFICE ROBBERY. At Southwark Pdlice-couft, on "the 13th inst., James Girdle, 26, of Marcia-road, Old Kent-road, general dealer, was charged, before Mr. Fenwick, with unlawfully receiving E376 worth of postal orders, stolen from the Eglington-street, Glasgow, Post-office, which was broken into on the night of March 17. Mr. E. Arnold, solicitor, prosecuted on behalf of the Postmaster-General. Detective Brooks, 532 AT attached to the General Post Office, stated that he received a. warrant from this Court, and, in company with Detective-sergeant Gray, L Division, he received the prisoner into custody at Glasgow from Lieuteuant Carmichael, of the local police. The prisoner said he wished to make a statement. The Magistrate: The time has not 'come for that. The Prisoner: Well, sir, I was discharged from this court by you on Wednesday week, and was conveyed to Glasgow. I was then tried thera and discharged, and the solicitor told me in Scotland that he did not think you had power here to try me for this case. Mr. Fenwick remanded the prisoner for eight days, and refused bail, remarking that the application could be rertewad-next week.

nmi A REMARKABLE DIVORCE DOCUMENT. A the Thames Police-court on the 13th inst., Myer Goldstein, of Whitecbapel, was summoned, before Mr. Mead, to show cause why he should not be ordered to contribute towards the support of his wife, Fanny. Mr. Jacobs, who appeared in support of the complainant, stated that the marriage took place in Russia, and since the defen- dant blid been over here be had refused to support his wife. The complainant, in reply to frlr. Vann Damm, who defended, said she was married in a synagogue, in Russia. The defendant went into the witness-box and denied having been married to the complainant. He already had a wife and two children. On being shown a "bill of divorçe" by Mr. Jacobs, he admitted having signed "r that document. A Jewish clergyman translated the bill," which was as follows: On the first day of the week, on the third day of the month of Siwan, in the vear 5655, anno mundi, as we reckon in London, on the river Thames and on springs, I, Myer Ben Jacob, at present resident in London, a city on the river Thapies and on springs, consented voluntarily and without coercion to free, dismiss, and liberate fhee, my wife, -pidet Feige, the daughter of Soloman the Levite, now resident in London, a city otf the river Thames and on springs, who has hitherto been my wife, and now I have freed, dismissed, and liberated thee, that thoa tnayst have authority and p6wfer bye* thyself, to go and be married to any mail thati it (i.e., the marriage) iiiiit be valid and none from this day onward nnd for ever, and thou art. lawful to any man. A-od-thlS it is that 'thoa ebalt. have from. roe in a;book of divorce,, a letter of libera-, tion, and a document of dismissal, according to the law of-Moses aad Israel.—Nehemiah ben Israel Kal- man (witness), Joseph ben Chaim (witness)." Mr. Mead, in reply to an observation made by Mr. Van Damm, said even in this country the law;witli regard to marriages was singular and surprising. Eventually the case was adjourned.

A, TALE OF A CITY'S GROWTH. An interesting story of the rise and progress of he city of Birmingham is told by Mr. George Kynaston in the current issue of the Ludgate. Until a few years ago Birmingham was wholly in the county of War- wick, but extensions made in 1890 inclaided three suburban districts, one of which was in the county of Worcester, one in Staffordshire, and one in Warwick- shire, so that modern Birmingham is geographically in three counties, though for all administrative pur- poses it is self-contained. Within its municipal boundaries 500,000 people have their habitat, and pursue a larger number and wider variety of crafts and industries than can be found in any other city of the United Kingdom. Its municipal government is of modern origin, dating from a charter obtained in 1838. Search into the early history of the corporation does not show more than a slow advance, but during the mayoralty of Mr. Joseph Chumberlain-1873,1874,1875-local government made immense strides, and the strong communal.spirit which permeates every class ot the inhabitants received its ohief impulse and direction from this period. These were prosperous yeATs for Birmingham. iu ,b&i A capital outlay of six, mjjliooa might Val' have been considered big enough to satisfy even the people of Birmingham for a considerable term, but it did not. Between 1873 and 1879 they spent £ 250,000 more on the -,Coaucil,lffou- and added largely to the other pablio buildings of the city, besides expending the greater part of £ 500,000 on a scheme of sanitary improvement..Edi^a^ionally there are few provincial towns, m#rp wtunately situated than Birmingham* It,jhas AOtt like Manchester, a degree-granting University, but a Midland University with this power hap -lopg been talked of, and is now within distant sight, All the other advantages of a university are «ro^id^>4. i^ the Mason and Queen's Colleges, with faoultieaptarts and Sciences, medicine, and divinity; thje.sp^qdldgschools of King Edward's foundation, thq Midla^a lqs^itute, and a number of privatefitftbenb pK>^de,for intermediate eduetitkm the MunicipalrSifheol of^Art and the City Technical School to the special education in these branches and,tik city is covered with a network erf Board and Voliagftfiy eteraentary schools. In conclusion, sayS the ^rijter, while the citizens of Birmingham mpdeatljf-dpcline to consider, their city the best governed. in the, jf*»rld, there, are few competitors with, it ifor-that b(^our for within or without the realms of tb'6 QhQflfc'# dominions-there r lcilwxl are not many plaeee whera-publicupisit is so high, or public service so ungrudgingly rendered } where sani- tation, education, and' soukd1 'government are so advanced, or whew the dtetermiu'fttion is so firm to press forward to a still fflMe (perfect state of physical and social existence?" '0 vv"

-11 J' AN EAR; X ;OLOS*$(r INCIDENT. This amusing little story is^qtcl.by,correspondent .,Rgrre-spon on of the Warehouseman and Draper. which.ia .particu- larly apropos just np.w, tn viev,pf;^r Jobh' Jjubbock'a Shops (Early Closing) Bill.1^ Deputation (waiting upon. smaJI.^bceri,; We 9rQ canvassing the town, and wouldlika yon to isi^n that tq, be, g.*60e itt., -four you ire agreeable fftt the ah,op3 ^p-'be^elosed^afc four o'clock. >, tr, Grocer Certainly, gentlemen, certainly vXwill^do Grocer-: Certainly, gentlemen, certainly vXwill^do o'clock. >, tr, Grocer Certainly, gentlemen, certainly vXwill^do BO with pleasure (and signs). Deputation: Thank you Good morning." Grocer Good morning, and I hope you" will be chwice to do a little business. Deputation 4 But you wijl^piose, at ■$bpr, of course ? ■„ Gidcer: Oh, dear no j £ didn't «rgn= for dosing myself, but' that I am willing1 all, tNe others should •lose. vv And he has kept his word, and h»^ ijot closed at four up to. the.present.

SAN FRANCISCO'S municipal officials have decreed that no bicycle ridter can carry on his wheel a child under six years of age.. BooTs and shoes are extensively manufactured in Australia. The number made in New South Wales j during 1894 was 2.611.700 oairs. «

"I LOVB yo* like anything," said a young gardener to bis sweetheart, as he gently pressed her hand. Ditto,' said. she, returning the pressure. The ardent lover, who was no scholar, was sorely puzzed to know the meaning of ditto." The next day, being at work with his father, he said, Father, what's the meaning of ditto ?' Why," said the old man, tb ore's, one cabbage-head, ain't it?" "Yes, father. "Well, that 'ere's ditto." Drat it," ejaculated the indignant son, then she called mea cab head." —

GENERAL Ducili^NH has an historical: retic of his Madagascar campaign to which he attaches great store. It is the pen with which he And the Qiteen signed the treaty that conveyed the island to France. When that instrument was completed a subordinate French officer quietly possessed himself of the pen. He gave it to General Duchesne on board the Yi»ng-ts6 when they were both returning to France. It is a painted quill, with a brass earriaga and steel nib. The nib is a ladyte pen, of Birmingham make. DR. W.- F. ARNOLD, of the United States Army, has been eent to Hong-Kong -to study the plague. He was detached from the Petrel some months ago with instructions to investigate the cholera and all other contafficus diseases in Japan and China. A UNIVEESAL ISVTTATIQN.—In a pamphlet just published appears the following interesting invita- tion: "Men and Women, please write to-us- -If you are ill and the doctor cannot cure you if you have been pronounced incurable at the hospital; or if you have some ailment, small or great, that gives you trouble, write to us. Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People have cured 4978 incurables," and want to cure more.—Address: Dr. Williams' Medicine Company, Holborn-viaduct, E.C. It is no trouble to answer your letter, and we shall answer it honest.y. We will not sell Pills to people whom we do not think we can cure."

j- FOLK-LORE RIDDLES. 'Folk-lore studies are in high favour these years HI sveral quarters. One of the latest developments it be study of folk-lore riddles, and the researches so tend to prove it a profitable and, in some measut'e, ifascinating one. Mr. P. J. McCall, a young writei imiliar in certain circles of London and Dublin. !as given us soiiie results of his investigation* a out-of-the-way places. The riddle in its implest, form, that of a simjle, is, say,- dr. McCall, the oldest extaAt fotin of tumour. With the peasantry of Germnny, Russia reland, with the gypsies, the Zulus; the Samoans, t is still preserved in its Original guise, often enshrin- '"Vig a mythological germ. It was founded oh some inalogy discovered between two distinct things, and n the question put for solution the personalising jendency of early human thought just beginning to be consoious of itself, and endeavouring to conceal its working in the form of a fable, was apparent. Thus lhe riddle on" the wind "put by theGerman peasantry: What goes on the face of the sun, and leaves no shadow ? is very slightly different from that of the French paysan: "What is it which crosses the river without leaving any shadow ?" A Gaelic peasant put the same matter more poetic- ally. To him the wind was a fine beautiful lady brushing the castle, without hands or hair, without brush or besom." In Virgil, in Russian folk-lore, in the Koran, in Arabic and Persian myth-tales, in Egyptian lore, there are similar mystical sports." The Greeks loved their Griphoi." The Latins their "Liber-ludicorum." French, German, and English riddle-books existed from 1511. Gaelic riddles were generally simple and direct. The sun was a little barrel of gold on a miry road." On The Dew and the Sun was a more complicated one: I washed my hands in water that never yet did run, and dried them in the towel that was never woven or spun." The moon was ."a'silver bridle on a slippery road," or it was a white cow in the lake that is not wetting a foot." The sky was a white sheet full of ten penny bits." Fire was a red-haired girl by the side of the ditch. She will eat everything but drink nothing." Finally, on the subject of puns, Mr. McCall says simply: Primitive man did not indulge in puns." Happy primitive man

HISTORIC HOUSE FOR SALE. Among the country seats advertised for sale in May is Lainston House, near Winchester, a residence of the Elizabethan era. It is a house with a history, having been the scene of the marriage of the cele- brated Miss Chudleigh with Captain Hervey, after- wards Earl of Bristol. The marriage was celebrated in a private chapel adjoining the house of the then squire, a Mr. Merrill, late in the evening, by the light of a candle stuck into an empty bottle, and in the presence of only two or three witnesses, but with sufficient form and ceremony to be regarded as legal and valid. In 1769, while her husband was still alive, she married the Duke of Kingston, for which, it will be remembered, she was brought up before the House of Peers, and tried for bigamy in Westminster Hall, where she was found guilty, but pleading her privilege as a Peer's wife (her first husband having become Earl of Bristol), she was discharged with- out any punishment." After this she went abroad, living in Italy and in Russia, and dying in 1788. At- tached to Lainston House is an estate of about 450 acres, mostly park and woodland, which will be sold at the same time.

A LEGAL DECISION"; IMPORTANT TO CHBJirSTS ANDI OTHERS. On the 13th ult. the Court of Chancery granted an _,) important injunction at the suit of the Dr. Williams' Medicine Company against a firm of chemists at Cardiff, who had sold, un(ler,the title of Pink Pills for Pale People" (without name), a subStittite for q IA6 well-known advertised remefly Dr. Williams' Pint Fills for Pale People. Counsel on both sides having been heard, it was ordered by the Court that the defendants be restrained froth supplying under that tame, or any abbreviated title, pills other than those manufactured by the Dr. Williams' Medicine Co., and from passing off such pills aaDr. Williams'Pink Pills for Pale People; render accoujat. and pay over to the company the entire profits on pills previously so Mid; and pay the plaintiffs' costs, to which order the defendants submitted. The importance of this ruling is considerable, and it will have far-reaching coflse- quenoes. The solicitor to the Dr. Williams' Medi- cine Company (Mr. C. Urqiharti Fisher,; Holborn- viaduct, London, E.C.) invites communications, in oOnfidence, from persons who have seen substitutes for Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People offered for sale, and will take proceedings against the ■•hers.

J/ T- THE VISIT OF THE AUSTRALIAN CITICKET TEAM. Now that we are about again to see an Australian eleven in England during the coming cricket season, we find (says a writer in the Globe) many people wondering whether these frequent visits are an un- qualified benefit to English cricket. That this is a selfish view of looking at the questipn goes without saying, for if we do apt derive benefit from our visitors, it is only reasonable to suppose that they, at any rate, get some sort" of advantage from being our guests. Originally, this interchange of picked elevens undoubtedly did good to Australian cricket, but now the game, both with players and spectators, is as popular in Australia as in England, and the need for stimulus which was once so pressing has now, happily, passed away. Yet, there is no disguising the fact that Mr. Stoddart's tour had a most exhilarating effect on Australian crioket, and this in spile of the defeat of. the home side in the majority of the test matches. But still the grumblers have, as usual, some grounds for their complaints. They say, with a certain show of truth, that English visits to Australia do not upset Australian cricket to the same extent that Australian visits upset English cricket, They assert, moreover, that the English summer is far too short f&r the ordinary programme, and the first-class cricketer far too overworked during the brief season, without a number of extra matches—and these matches, for the most part, of an arduous and trying nature. We admit that there is teason in this argument. The wear and tSar1 of a first-class cricket season is terrific. Every year we see proofs of this. Young 'Varsity batsmen make their centuries and fifties jn May and June, when the probability is that the wickets are not so good as in the later months, but in July and August they are often stale, overworked; and quite out of form. Even during last season ww had examples df this in G. J. Mordaunt and N. F. Druce, who could diS little at the end of the summer, although they bad not only made runs, but made them in beautiful style, during the early months of the season. And since it is even hurder for profes- sionals than amateurp, we cap no longer wonder at the sudden disappointments and unexpected failures which are so often occurring. In the coming summer, Richardson, for instance, will apparently be wanted to play in some 36 matches, taking for granted that Surrey will not be able to spare him from any of their more important engage- ments. Under the circtiihstances, it is a matter for congratulation that Richardson bowls with so easy an action, or we might see one of the best bowlers who ever played cricket vanish as quickly as he appeared. Yet, in a case of this kind, it is fair to bear in mind that it is only a chance that Richardson bowls so easily, for even if he belonged to the fly, fling, and frighten" order of bowlers, he would, as long as he was successful, probably have to bowl in just as many matches—with the result that he would almost inevitably break down. We thinkr however, that :this question must be left to the discretion of County Committees, and that it does not form an adequate reason for wishing the Australians to remain at home. Naturally, the presence of an Australian eleven L takes interest away from the County Championship, but we vesture to say that until some more satis- faCtory scheme is devised in connection with this Championship, no real lover of cricket will regret Australian visits merely because the County Cham- pionship fails to provoke the excitement which it might otherwise create. Everyone, of course, is glad to see their favourite county at the top of the ,tree, but much needs to be done in defining qualifi- cations and other essential matters, before a cricket- loving public are going to take the County Cham- pionship with absolute seriousness. There is one remaining objection to the coming Austral ian team. We refer to the choice of players made by the Selection Committee." Why aren't Turner and Blac^ham. coming ?" Where are Lyons and A. E. Trott ?" Why don't they send C. Hill and Howell ?" These are the kind of questions which a censorious public is asking, and a suitable answer to all of them would seem to be, that the Australians are not send- ing over a crowd of excursionists, but a cricket team. But if this answer does not satisfy, then the Melbourne Argus, in a graphic account of how the team was chosen, seta it rest all doubts as to the various claims of the players. Turner, however, is such an old friebd, and such a redoubtable opponent on English wickets, that we cannot refrain from .expressing a regret.that we are not, as at present arranged, to see him this year.. And we must say, although we say it with a certaitl amount of trepida- tion, that we are exceeedingly doubtful if the coming Australian eleven will bo able to hold its own with the picked elevens of England. When we remember that lredale, Donnan, Jones, Harry, Johns, Eady, Darling, and tMcKibbin have not visited us before, and that the Australian bowling it not just now of a very high class, wo are compelled to confess that both. these facts will militate against the chances of Australia in the test matches. At the same time, we hope fervently that theatour will be a complete success, for we feel sure that these tours whether they consist of Australiatis to England, oi English to Australia, the Cape, or the West IndieJ, do ipueh to promote the good-ftdmg which unitea all true sportsmen through- out the-Efiglish-speaking world and while they do thisi Work we can afford to forget the voice of the compluiner, <

i i = TORTURE OF A SLAVE. Mr. Charles H. Allen, secretary to the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, lenda, to the papers a quotation from the Zanzibar Gazette, giving an account of the torture of a slave in the British island of Pemba, and of the trial of his master before, his Honour Judge Craeknall. It was given in evidence 'that some months ago Aluftah,, the slave in question, and several other slaves, ran away trolll their master, Ali bin Abdulla, an Arab, of Pemba. Muftyih was caught and restored to > his master. The slave was punished "iby having double irons weldedon his Resli just over the ankles, the irons being connected by a ibar with a clove tree between the unfortunate man's legs. This confined him to that spot practically in one position. To prolong his misery and save i. him i from a speedy death, a cocoanut was given to him morning and evening as food and drink, and thro chained and thus starved the miserable man con- tinued in the self-same spot, exposed to all the in- elemencies of weather, and to the ravages of insect life, for seven months." Muftah was rescued by Dr. O'Sullivan, her Britannic Majesty's Vice-Consul at Pemba, and sent down to Zanzibar. Dr. Charles- worth informed the Court that the slave's feet were permanently injured, and that a nionth.longer of the connnenaent would have killed him. Ali bin Abdulln., who denied that Muftah was his slave, was sentenced to seven years'imprisonment, with subsequent depor- tation from" Zanzibar and Peniba, and a fine of' I&8.0000. T A warrant for the arrest -Pf Abdul 1 a'A son was also ordered to issue.

A ir, Women's Employment Association is inviting the co-operation of all those practically acquainted, .with working-class life to assist them in ascertaining: whether the new restrictions of women's labour (imposed by the Faetory Act (1895) are benefiting: working women or the reyerae'. TIIB. lambing season in the United Kingdom is now dravy iiig to a elose except in tike higher or mountainous; districts. The result, generally speaking, is exception- ally satisfactory, the lambs being both numerous and of excellent quality. 1 A REMARKABLE-tfavern of great extent, and with some curious characteristics, was discovered recently near AHegaih Lake, U ine, Some- half-dozen chambers of great size have been explored, andthere appear to be many more. The air in Jth> c'vétn is quite warm, and it is said thatithe compass IS oddly disturbed in many parts of it. THy. extension of the Bechuanalatid Jlailway Jrom Mafelun^ toXlaberoned will be opened for .traffic m July. The survey of the'JOO.miles.f^'her .to Mapje is almost completed. ^.0l1 Palapye, so that 3^ milesof hae wdl have to be laid ere Cape Town is linked by railway with the capital of Rhodesia. „ SIR H: H. Johnston, has lecovered from the dangerous'attack of fever from which he Suffered after the recent campaign north of Lake Nynsea, and be proposes -ceming home on, IpaVQ of absence at the beginuinp of next May.

U5I0N LINE for the SO-UTIT °01iD PrEU>S. The Royal Mail and mUr^^HlCAJT from Southampton tvery Saturday fur South t>. ■J li' ealliDg at Lisbon, Madeira, and C:mary Island, SHIP CO. Ltd. Canute Rd.. SOUTHING 4 'AFRI««A Hou»«, Wfcm, BishofittgaU St. Witkia, toth« ON BUILDlHCS^lNOoOFiBir • Churohea, Chapels. Mi salon "ad Befc 'IRu. ■ Lawn Team., Golf, and Criokot j. I Btablea, Farm DuiMme*- A Description of Iron Vr«y ttt. South DNDSZY W. PH A WUKKS, LONDON. a TATIOII. -x BILLIARD AND BAGA^-—• A STOCK OF NEW HAIfO TAV/r^? ;i;W!v5'* on hand. WRITB FOR PKlo^&CONIV —a. BPWAitns, Kixosr.Axn noAi). london. N.Li3xa, TIŒ 8KIH. SOAP (for DClicate Ski s), CREAM (far Itching, Face Spots, ppWPER (for Redness, Roughness, OnRHD* INSTANT^LY BY BUHTER'S HEKVljfts TO t A p L LARGEST SALE IN GREAT BRITAIN FOUP, GREAT HOUSEKEEPER!G < BOON&. TRY ONE, TRY ALL. Z ÂA.A,A.A, ."STOVE r Q, '=I, 1 WOR I » J AI Half the Time, with Hal* ft 4 4 fll you can produce MOM |J F § 1 3 S I ■ Wlth Two Penny Packet* Il S f ? I'll Of Rising Sun than with Half- il l g -i —j. Dozen of ordinary Blacklead. 1 .MF-TAL- 2 POLIS IH-' i n < ► S1 c 2 • UStei&lalSfeW I ■ Sold in 3d., 6d. & i/. Bottles. No Mixta*, > Sri J No Scratches, Scarcely any Rubbing. | PLATE POWDER. l M « There Is no preparation of which wo know to equal J § J ,OQBLE: "( r 4- S',ARCi6P f > If v a BE0U1BES no *,dditicra or preparation. > » 1 4 a < SAYBS Tiaie, Labour, and Uncertainty, k k t < PRODUCES BeautitulWhite Glossy Linen. • o N 4 Ilk your Grooer to get them for you. ► r 0. CHANCELLOR A Co.. LONDON. E.C. J IIULES FOB STARCHING. A most valuable little book for those who do their starching -at home. Poat free for two stamps. C. CHANCELLOR & CO., London, E.C.

THE DANGERS OF TINNED GOODS. The possibility of lead poisoning being caused by articles of food preserved in tins has frequently preated alarm, and in some instances there may have been reason for the belief, says the British Medical Journal, that mischief had been caused in that way. It is therefore all the more satisfactory to find that an inquiry, undertaken for the purpose of tracing the pr esence of lead is a cue whore sus- picion had arisen^ has led to results of a negativw character. We refer to the report of Dr. Murrell at page 858, showing that, although the solder of tins in which meat preparations are put up may soyietimea contain traces of lead, the contents of the tins proved to be in every instance free from lead; This result is so far satisfactory; but it does not do away with the prejudice against metallic y vemis, and it must be admitted that. in. regard to the particular class of preparations to which Dr. Murrell 8 report relates, glass vessels are from every point of view mu ih preferable to those made of tin.

CARTER'S LITTLE M I, LIVER PILLS. PIlL ■JSSff&ITTLE Small 4p&JglVER rriM. FJI. ror^ta • Purely Vegetable. Core Torpiit I-iyer, B0», ■allow Complexion, autl Sick Headache, promptly: and aur« theiu *o titoiiu oured. ^mFUL TEETH jot ill who qm dtfly m tbm brafth » few drops ol S0Z0D0NT tII. plMMotut IntiftiM b vorii Cleanses the teeth and sp&00 between them as nothing els* Will. Sound and poorly whit* teeth, rosy aud traeraw* breath ensured. Aokfog BOZOPO»T.gfcg»*

RHODESIAN RELICS. If there is not plenty of gold in Rhodesia tiers are, at least, increasing signs, that, tUere plenty. The Ancient Ruins Company of Buluw»y has just made another haul in some little-known ru» 100 miles north from Buluvvayo. This last find particularly curious, as it includes several ° .j crucibles in which the gold can *till bo seen in globules sticking to the edges. One curious m0l\ seems to have been used for casting the gold There are also bells and candlesticks among the sp°*\ But most valuable of all are the gold chains and go1 ornamentation, evidently from idols which been discovered: It is plain that the'kneient knew how to work the geld as well as find it.

=- Ms. Diiimlcx, who has just married GetOfo Harrison, ex-Preaident of the United 8tat had 50 bkcv b tl 0- unfortunate first experience of matrinrbny," her the band dying on their honeymoon. She is now tb a most talk ad-of woman in American Five ieet 00 and a-half inches high, with a well-set figure, sttrac tive face, and very dignified manner, she has jj been well known in Washington political circles. has no desire that General Harrison should aSal become President. "Life in the White House is t' most unhappy thing," she declares. The PresldeI1 has no time for anything but work. I can't see Wily any man once out of the White House shouldi eve. want to return."

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