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

EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE AGAINST A POSTMAN. On Saturday, at the Ongar (Essex) Petty Sessions, George Tween, 34, the village postman, was brought up in custody, charged on remand with the theft of a number of letters and parcels. It was stated that a short time ago a lady made up a parcel containing several pounds of butter, and handed it to the prisoner, with the money to pay for the carriage. This, however, did not reach its desti- nation, and inquiries were set on foot, with the result that Inspector Gallagher found the package in tht stable where the prisoner kept his pony. The man was at once arrested, and a further examination of the stable revealed nearly 2000 letters, circulars, and parcels. Some of the letters bore dates as far back as 1891, and mice had begun to build among the papers. Inspector Gallagher produced the letters and parcels in court. The prisoner was committed for trial at the next assizes for the county.

PRIMROSE DAY. This year's anniversary of the death of Lord Beaconsfield was remarkable for the extent of its observance in London on Sunday. London's Sunday population had been enormously increased by thou- sands of excursionists who came up from the country to witness the play in the great football match at the Crystal Palace, while the summerlike weather doubtless induced many who would other- wise have stayed at home to pay a visit to Parliament-square to see the statue of the dead statesman. There was, consequently, such a con- course of persons as has been rarely seen at West- minster on a Sunday, and the police declare that they have never seen a demonstration of such extent on any previous anniversary of Primrose Day. All day long the crowd was considerable, but ( between four and five o'clock in the afternoon the roadways on all sides of Parliament-square were packed and all the efforts of a strong force of police under the direction of Chief Inspector Warner, were required to keep anything like a passage way open. It was noticed that almost every- body in the crowd wore primoses. The decoration of the statute was effective, if not quite as profuse as it has some times been. The square pedestal had a broad band of primroses at its crown and base and also at each angle, and upon the panel facing Westminster Abbey was a solid tablet of these blooms with the words Imperium et Libertas" worked upon it in purple violets. Here and there the pre- dominant colour was relieved by blue hyacinths. Rising from the base of the whole structure and reaching nearly to the front face of the pedestal was a screen of trailed ivy, upon which in everlast- ing flowers was worked V.H., 1877," and the late earl's monogram. The whole screen was surmounted by a crescent-shaped scroll xnth the words God bless our Empress Queen" in everlasting flowers. The wreaths were numerous, and were arranged on each side of the statue. They were mostly of primroses, and the majority eame from habitations of the Prim- rose League, metropolitan and otherwise. Perhaps the most beautiful contribution of all was » floral shield from the Constitutional Club. It had worked upon it in pale blue and purple violets th word* Peace with Honour," a crown, crossed swords, and a monogram. Scores ofadinirers threw over bunches of primroses, and even single blooms, fA) that the ground in front and around the statue was literally covered with pale yellow flowers. The Queen sent to Hughenden a large wreath of primroses, which was placed at the head of Lord Beaconsfield's grave by Mr. Coningsby Disraeli, M.P. Wreaths were also received from the High Wycombe Conservative Club, the Clarendon Habitation of the Primrose League, Hyde, the Ealing Habitation of the Primrose League, and other places. Thousands of persons also visited the grave. There was a considerable display of primroses in Liverpool and neighbourhood on Saturday, and, as usual, there was a great popular demonstration in front of St. George's Hall and around the statue of Lord Beaconsfield, which was decorated with wreaths and other designs in primroses. The day was also observed in many other towns in the country.

LORD CHARLES BERESFORD ON I THE NEEDS OF THE NAVY. Speaking at the Sheffield Press Club dinner on Saturday night, in response to the toast of the "Navy. Army, and Reserve Forces," Lord Charles Beresford said that of late years the navy had much improved, but a great deal yet remained te be done, more in the direction of organisation than expenditure. Theoretically, the present system was excellent, practically it was rotten. He desired to attack the system not party or person. Heavy expendituie on ships and guns was useless without men, and at present we had not men enough to man our ships, and no provision bad been made for the future. Our big reserve of men was greatly paper reserve, and men available would, have to be drawn from those assisting in bringing food supplies. More ships were wanted, and in the case of a European war we should wish to Heaven we had more. The country should not be satisfied until it had a ship's company ready on active service ratings for each ship, without touching the reserves. In 12 months we should have 105,000 men, not counting 11,000 men necessarv for new ships. From April, lSt>7, to April, 1899, 22,000 men would uave to be found.

A MAN winds up his clock to make it run, and his busmessto make it stop. No man can avoid his own company—so he had best make it as good as possible. ACCORDING to Professor Tait., the time occupied in a "drive" at golf of 186 yards is 6-2see., the initial speed is 240ft. per second, and the average force exerted during the brief duration of impact (say the 1000th part of a second) is about three tons. Pro- fessor Tait, it may be added, is the father of the wll- known amateur, Mr. F. G. Tait, who is credited with the longest drive on record. THERE was a man up M Gorham, says a membel of the South Paris George Washington Club, who used to keep a pig in his barn cellar and fed him through a spout from the floor above. One day he remarked to bis wife 'I have to go down and see what ails that pig; he doesn't eat at all lately. William 15. Blank!' replied his wife, you killed that pig three weeks ago.' I swan,' said he, I did. I'd forgotten all about it,' One tiri-e a man came and paid him some money while he was milking. Whan bo got the milking done, he went to put the money aWlkyin a drawer. He opened the drawer and turned the whole paiiful of uulk into it." '• IN battle musicians are always kept in the rear." Thats not fair. Many of them riclilv deserve killing.

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—APRIL 20. GERMANY AND JAPAN. Mr. Curzon stated, in reply to Mr. Orr-Ewing, that he had not yet seen a copy of the com- mercial treaty between Germany and Japan, but in any case this country would secure, wrier the most favoured nation" provisions in our own treaty, the benefit of any independent con- cessions granted to Germany or any other Power. METRIC WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. In reply to Mr. Arnold-Forster, Mr* Balfour said be did not think it would be within the range of practical politics to impose by law on the inhabitants of this country so great a change in their ordinary habits as would be involved in giving effect to the recommendations of the committee on the metric system of weight and measures. ESTATE DUTY CHARGES. Mr. Thornton asked whether the proposed exemp- tion from the estate duty charges of works of art or other objects or collections of national or historical interest not yielding income, included also manitr scripts ancient and modern. The Chancellor of the Exchequer replied that his proposal was not properly described as an exemption, but it included manu- scripts, provided that they appeared to the Treasury to be of national or historical interest. COAL MINKS.—TRUCK ACTS. Sir M. W. Ridley moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend itie Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1887. and also a bill to amend the Truck Acts. Leave was given, and both the bills were read a first time. AGRICULTURAL BATING. GOVERNMENT BILL. Mr. Chaplin, in moving for leave to introduce a bill to amend the law with respect to the rating of occupiers of agricultural land in England, obaevved that this was one of the measures by whichW^ Majesty's Government hoped, not indeed to remedy, but to do something to mitigate the severity of agricultural depression. To those who had studied the evidence adduced before the Royal Commission now sitting it must be manifest that the true cause of agricultural depression was the abnormal fall in the prices of agricultural pro- duce. At present we knew nothing of the views of the Commission as to the causes of or the remedy for that fall, but we had had the advan- tage of learning their opinions as to the exces- sive burden of taxation upon the land. Upon that point the Commissioners unanimously agreed in January last to consider an ad interim re- port, which was issued two or three months ago. They made propt'^als for lessening the burden, and urged as a matter of the very first importance, with a view to arresting the progress of the depression, that their recommendations should be carried out without delay. It was in that direction that the Government made their present proposals reJating to agricultural land. The Government Wfre, how- ever, perfectly alive to the claims of other kinds of rateable property to an equitable readjustment of taxation. In point of fact they contemplated an inquirv into that branch of the question, and he would take an early opportunity of stating their views as to the scope and method of that investigation. But in regard to agricultural land there ought to be no more delay in proposing such remedial measures as might be possible. The right hon. gentleman emphasised the fact that all classes connected with the land were suffering flom agricultural depression, and asserted that the results of depression were beginning to affect the labourers most seriously. After quoting various authorities with a view to showing that on grounds both of expediency and of justice land was entitled to some relief from taxation, he proceeded to give an explanation of the bill. The Government, he eaid, proceeded upon this principle. They would enact by the first clause that after March 31, 1897, the occupiers of agricultural land in England should be liable, in the case of every rate to which this Act applied, to pay one-half of the rate in the pound payable in respect of buildings and hereditaments. The right hon. gentleman cited precedents in favour of this proposal and enume- rated many rates in which a proportion was fixed by statute, pointing out that in nearly all these cases land was assessed at one-fourth of its rateable value. In his opinion that proportion did not exceed what justice and expediency might very well have dictated in the present case, but, considering the exceptionally heavy claims made on the Chancellor of the Exchequer, he had been obliged to cut his coat according to his cloth apd to adopt the proportion of one-half. Even this would create a considerable deficiency in the amount raised by the rates which were levied by the various local authorities. The Government esti- mated the deficiency in England at £ 1,550,000, only half of which amount would, however, lie re- quired during the present financial year. The Chan- cellor of the Exchequer bad already explained that they intended to meet the deficiency by a contribu- tion from the Imperial Exchequer, and this was re- ferred to in the bill as the annual grant." At present agricultural land and the houses and other buildings upon it were valued together, but for the purposes of this measure a separate valuation of the two would be required, and the bill accordingly provided that a separate valua- tion should be made by the local authori- ties, who would be required to supply information on the subject to the Local Government Board. This separate valuation was essential because the land waa to be assessed in future on half its rate- able valuable, while houses and buildings would still continue to be assessed on the whole of their rateable value. With regard to the division of rates between the owner and the occupier of the land, theoretically, of course, the whole of the burden ultimately fell upon the land but ultimately was a word of wide interpreta- tion, and in practice at the present time the Govern- ment had not the slightest doubt that the relief given b) this bill would go wholly and directly to the tenant. Therefore, in the circumstances they were not prepared to propose that the rates should be divided between the occupier and the owner. In conclusion, the right hon. gentleman expressed the hope that the bill would tend to arrest the progress of that depression which was cru^iing the very life out of the chief industry- of this country. Sir H. Fowler reserved his criticisms on the details of the bill, but inquired who was to be responsible for the expenditure, and what was to be done with regard to Ireland and Scotland. Speaking generally, however, the Government asked the House to sanc- tion a grant of a million and a half to the cultiva- tors of agricultural land in relief of their local taxa- tion, but ignored in that appropriation the claiwis of the urban ratepayers. At the next stage lie and his friends would meet that proposal with the most un- compromising opposition, and would resist it on the ground of its inexpediency and injustice. The discussion that ensued, in which Mr. Jeffreys, Sir C. Dilke, Captain Pretyman, Mr. Haldane, r. Stuart, Mr. Lopes, and other members took part, was entirely upon party lines, except that Mr. Whiteley declared his intention, although a Conservative, of opposing the bill, which was a gross and cruel in- justice to boroughs and urban districts. Sir W. Harcourt expressed his astonishment at the recklessness and want of considerat-ion with which the Government bad flung their measure on the floor of the House. This dole fof a distressed industry was gross and palpable in its injustice, for the bill proposed to deal with local taxation in the interests of one class alone. If the Government once touched a question of such magnitude and extent as that of local^ rating they would be touching one which involved £ 30,000,000 of money at present, and would involve, before they were done with it, a sum probably equal to the Imperial expenditure of the nation. Anything more preposterous, ignorant, and unstatesmanlike than these proposals for a settle- ment of the rating question it was impossible to con- ceive. The bill went half way towards a National Poor Rata; and he ventured to predict that it would not be long before the Government were forced to go the whole way. The result would be that every parish in the country would be found contending as to who should have the highest rate. Mr. Chaplin, in the course of a general reply, said that the principle of the bill was as old as the time of Quen Elizabeth, namely, that property cf ftll kinds should be liable to taxation according to its ability. When they were in office the present Oppo- sition were loud in their professions of sympathy with distressed agriculture, yet the very first recom- mendation of their own Royal Commission was met by Mr. Fowler upon the:r behalf with threats of an uncompromising resistance. After some criticisms by Mr. Harrison and Mr. Lough the bill was brought in and read a first time. irusu ESTIMATES. The Report of the Irish Estimates gave rise to some discussion, and the House adjourned at 25 minutes naat. twelve.

THE MATABELE RISING. THE WlJUCB TO BULUWAYOK There was sharp fighting three miles -fro Bultj- wayo on Friday morning of last week an Afrikander patrol engaged a large body of insurgents, who were looting, and killed several. The Buluwavo field force numbers 1100 and is reported quite strong enough. The enemy's impis are near Buluwayo. Olinao, the native "god," has told the rebels that he will give the town into their hands, and, unless energetic action be taken, the Matabele may make aggressive movements. A reconnoitring party under Captain Dawson were attacked by 500 rebels seven miles west of Buluwayo, but cut their way through, killingabout 20 of the enemy. A telegram received from a staff officer at Buluwayo, dated Saturday last, says the rebels continue to increase to the north and east, forming a semi-circle of about three miles on the Umgusa river, six miles from the town. The rebels' advanced guard was attacked by a force under Captain van Niekerk, and driven back on the main body after two hours' fighting. Over 50 of the enemy were killed. Several waggons loaded witn provisions have reached Buluwayo from Mafeking. A Mafeking despatch says there is some native discontent in Bechuanaland. The rebels round Buluwayo are col- lected in four impis, estimated at upwards of 15,000 men. A dynamite train to be fired by by electricity is being laid round the outskirts of Buluwayo and along the side and bv streets. LARGE BOER FORCE NEAR MAFEKING. The Times correspondent at Mafeking says that Mr. Duncan, in communication with Earl Grey, expresses confidence in his ability to resist an attack at Buluwayo, and hopes the Matabele will approach near enough to enable him to use his machine guns. Treachery on the part 8f the natives in the town is most to be feared, and steps are being taken to guard against such a contingency. The laager is considered impregnable. A force of from 1500 to 2000 Boers with a machine gun, is assembled about 25 miles from Mafeking, ostensibly to prevent the spread of cattle disease, but really because another raid is feared owing to the concentration of troops at Mafeking. The Times correspondent adds that the position in Bechuana- land and the Protectorate demands that troops should be moved up at once. Major-General Sir F. Carrington left Gibraltar for Plymouth, on his way to South Africa, on the 20th inst. c=s=====r============^s

THE SOUDAN EXPEDITION. A TREMESDOUS OVATION." A messenger who has returned to Souakim from Berber states that Omdurman is in a state of great unrest. A quarrel lately broke out in the Khalifa's bodyguard, and in the fighting which ensued 50 men were killed. The Khalifa sent orders to EmirZeki of Berber to despatch 300 horsemen to help Osman Digna in his operations around Souakim, but Zeki sent a force of 100 men only, stating in his reply to the Khalifa that that was the largest number at his command. Emit Zeki, however, has sent 400 camelmen to operate agaiast Eorosko and threaten the Murat Wells,l and has also despatched a considerable number of men along the Berber-Assuan road. Osman Digna is still at Horasab. The Arabs de- clare that his following are much cowed* by their recent defeat. It is expected that Osman, who is said to be in want of provisions, will fall back upon Adarama. He is also stated to fear a march by the Italians from Kassala on Adarama. During the recent operations of the Souakiru field column the friendly Arabs held quite aloof, all being in terrible dread 6f Osman Digna. On the return of the field column to Souakim tht troops received a tremendous ovation, the whole population turning out and meeting them outside the walls. The streets were decorated with bunting, and there was much rejoicing. THE PROJECTED OPERATIONS. The Press Association says: From further inquiries at the Military Headquarters' Staff relative to the alleged decision to dispatch 10,000 troops to the Soudan, we have ascertained that the report is in- correct. We. were further informed that if an expedition is sent from Souakim-whieh is regarded as very problematical by them—the majority of the 7000 troops employed in it will be Indian. The further alleged employment of Household troops in such a contingency was also similiarly denied. W. wero authoritatively informed, in fact, that no details have been at all considered with respoct to an ex- pedition from Souakim, and that no private notice, as the report alleges, had been given to the officers of the Guards for the purpose of replacing semi-invalids by men better adapted for such a campaign. It was pointed out in this connection that such an intimation was not needed, because before the despatch of troops to foreign fields reliance is placed upon the medical inspection usual in such cases. In confirmation of our previous IItatements on the expedition we were informed on Saturday that the attention of both our own and the Egyptian military authorities is concentrated on the advance on Dongola, and that nothing practically has been considered or arranged respecting any other move- ments in the Soudan. It is thought possible that a small force of British troops may be used as sup- Korts for the Egyptian force in the autumn campaign > effect the re-occupation of Dongola. JOY OF THE FRIENDLIES. The Daily News special correspondent with the Nile Expedition, in a telegram from Wady HaIfa, describee what is being do no to utilise the aid offered by the friendly Arabs General joy, he saH, is caused by the news of the expedition, and the tribes are waiting only till they can do so safely to declare themselves in favour of the Egyptians. The der- vishes are quiet, but are believed to be preparing a movement of some importance.

ROYAL WEDDING AT COBURG. The marriage of the Princess Alexandra of Coburg and the Hereditary Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg was solemnised at Coburg on the 20th inst. The civil ceremony was performed at half-past, ten in the audience room of the Ehrenburg by Herr von Strenge, Minister of State, the Duke of York and the Grand Duke Paul of Russia acting as witnesses. The wedding procession was then formed, and at eleven o'clock entered the richly-decorated Castle Church to the strains of the organ. The Royal cortege, which waa precede! by the Court officials, was headed by Duke Alfred of Coburg, who conducted the Empress. Then followed the Emperor with the Duchess Marie of Coburg, the Duke of York with the Grand Duchess of Hesse, and Prince Ferdinand oF^JBouuiania with the Duchess of York. The bridegroom was led to the altar by his father, the Statt- halter of Alsace-Lorraine, and the bride by Duke Alfred. Immediately behind the bridal pair came Princess Beatrice of Coburg, who earrie(I the bride's bouquet. The religious cere- mony was performed by Superintendent-General Dr. von Muller, assisted by Superintendent- General Balinsen and Dr. Hansen, the chief Court Chaplain. At the moment when the rings were exchanged a salute of artillery was fired. At the close of the ceremony the procession was reformed, and, headed by the newly-married couple, repaired to the Throne Room, where the wedding breakfast was served for the members of the Royal and Ducal family, while the guests were enter- tained at a special table in the Riesensaal. At the Royal breakfast the Emperor William proposed the toast of the bride and bridegroom. The Duke of York sat next to the Grand Duchess of Hesse and the Duchess of York by the side of Prince Hohenlohe Langfenburg, the bridegroom's father. Shortly before two o'clock the newly-married pair, amid the enthusiastic cheers of the people lining the streets, drove to the railway station in a richly-deco- rated bridal carriage, and left by special train for the Castle of Langenburg. All the members of the Ducal family, especially Duke Alfred, were deeply affected both at the ceremony and on the departure of the Princess Alexandra, who shed tears. In the afternoon the German Empress and the Duchess Marie went for a drive through the town to view the decorations, and were everywhere heartily cheered by the people. The weather was fine, and the city crowded with visitors.

AFTER adding several newly-formed organisat ions of metropolitan workpeople to their roll during 1805, the London Trades Council, according to their 36th annual report, just presented, now includes repre- sentatives of 191 affiliated societies and branches. comprising 108 distinct industries, having a member- ship of 58,789. The Council's income from subscrip- tion's during 1805 waa £ 463 8s. 9d., and expenditure £ 460 178.54 v t'" "'f,

PADEREWSKI reads after he has gone to bed, and also in the morning before he gets up. In this way he can give his body rest while he is employing his mental faculties profitably and for his recreation. When he is en tour reading is almost his only amuse- ment. There is, however, one other, more entirely an amusement, for Paderewski's reading is more or less atudy as well. This is billiards. He is very fond of he game, and handles a cue with a good deal of skill. If lit) could master ivory, in the shape of billiard balls, as well as he does the same material when it rencers the keys of a piano, there would be a new record established in billiard runs and difficult ihots. MR. JOliN GILBERT KOTZE, LL.B., who is to be the uew Vice-President of the Transvaal, was born at Cape Town 46 years ago. In 1870 he came to this country to obtain a legal education, and entered as a student of the Inner Temple. After obtaining a Bar exhibition, and graduating LL.B., with honours, at the University of London, he was called to the Bar in 1874, and since 1881 has been Chief Justice of the Transvaal. Ho has edited Van Leeuwen's Com- mentaries on Roman-Dutch Law." THE well-known Italian dramatic author, Stefano Interdonato, who for the past 30 years has been a prominent figure in society at Milan, has just died in that city. Ho was an intimate friend of Verdi, and sometimes spent several months with him at his villa overlooking Genoa. Born in Messina in 1844, he be- came a successful advocate, but forsook the law for literature. Of his many works, "Sarah Fciton" and "Malacarne" are the best known, although many of his other pieces have for a long time been exceedingly popular throughout Italy. IN the south of England there lives a judge who has a daughter. She has recently taken to farming, and, being a fearless girl, she wears top boots and a smock. The judge's daughter goes thoroughly into the whole business, and her latest exploit was o go to the country town with pigs to see that they brought the proper price. This has been too much for the native peasantry, who express their feelings in plaID language for miles round. < AN experiment recently made in the American army will interest those who want to feed themselves by means of globules and tabloids. The rations served out to the troops in Colorado were, as a test of what might be done in case of siege or any other military emergency, composed entirely of tabloids oonsisting of bread, bacon, soup, and coffee. The result was that in two days half th men were pros- trated in the hospital.

DEATH OF THE MARQUIS OF BATH. A telegram was received by Lady WeymOuth at Widcombe House, Bath, on the evening of the 20th inst., that the Marquis of Bath, who has been dan- gerously ill at Venice for some trme past, had died during the afternoon. The telegram was irom Viscount Weymouth, who, in company with his mother, the Marchioness of Bath, his brother, Lord Alexander Thynne, and his sister, Lady Beatrice Thynne, proceeded from Bath to Milan at Easter. The marquis, who had been spendmg thr winter at Algiers, had been removed to Venice under medical direction, as he could not shake off an attack of pneumonia. He was accompanied by Lady Katherine Thynne, but his lordship's other rela- tions did not proceed further than Milan, as ft was thought their arrival npght dan- gerously alarm the marquis, who suffered from excessive weakness of the heart s action. Only last week, when the end became imminent, they pro- ceeded to Venice. On Saturday information reached Longleat that the worst was feared. News of the- marquis's death has been received with deep regret in Bath. The late marquis was a prominent advocate in the district of the Unionist cause, and a generous sup. porter of voluntary schools. His death, and Lord Weymouth's accession to the peerage, will cause a vacancy in the Frome Division of Somersetshire. Lord Alexander Thynne is mentioned as a possible Unionist candidate, in succession to his brother, whilst Lord Charles Beresford's name has also been suggested. Mr. John Emmott Barlow, who had represented the division in the Liberal interest from 1802 to 1895, is re- garded as certain to contest the seat, from which he was only ousted last summer by 383 votes. The new of Lord Bath's death was received with much regret at Widcombe House, where Lady Weymouth is staying. Her ladyship has only just recovered from illness following the birth of a son and heir, who becomes Lord Weymouth. The late Lord Bath had never been robust, and his health has been weaker since the death of his son, Lord John Botleville Thynne, who was thrown from his horse whilst practising tent pegging at York Barracks a year ago.

FATAL COLLISION IN THE IRISF SEA. FIFTEEN LIVES LOST. A disastrous colli.>n occurred off the east coast of Ireland, near the Kish Lightship, on Sunday, the Glasgow ship Firth of Sol way being run down by the London steamer Marsden. The first-named vessel was cut in two, and foundered immediately. There were 24 persons on board the Firth of Solway, and of these only nine were saved by -the boats of the Marsden. Some of the survivors were a long while in the water. The names of the sur- vivors, who arrived on Monday morning at the office of the owners, James Spencer and Co., Glasgow, are Edwin R. Kendrick, master James M. Wilkie, first mate James Blackwood, second mate; Alexander MacLeer, carpenter Neil Smith, James McKeilor, seamen Rob Smith, Alexander Ord, Adam Brown, apprentices. The 15 who perished are Charles George Steward, George Ross, Rene R. Perdrian, Henry Jus.inian, James Murphy, George Barry, Carl Thomson, Christian Christiansen, David Gunn, John B. Foster, seamen Henry Webb, cook Thomas Collingwood, Christopher Finlayson, appren- tices; Mrs. Kendrick, wife of the captain, and their daughter. The Marsden is owned by Burnett and Co.. of Newcastle. The Firth of Solway was an iron barque of 1313 tons, and left Greenock on Thursday afternoon of last week. The calamity occurred about half-past one a.m. on Sunday morning. Some error of judgment appears (says the Daily yews report) to have been made on one side or the other, for it is stated that the steamer Marsden was distinctly seen 12 minutes before the collision, and that she was steaming at a rate of 10 knots per hour, the barque being on the starboard tack. The vessels rapidly neared each other, and the Marsden crashed into the Firth of Solway at the fore hatch, almost cutting her in two. The barque sank immediately, leaving a mass of floating wreckage, interspersed with struggling human beings. The steamer was much damaged about the bows, but was promptly put about, and the boats were lowered. The task of attempting to pick up those swimming or floating was difficult in the com- parative darkness and nearly half an hour elapsed before the last of the nine survivors had been rescued. The boats continued the search, and the steamer cruised for some time in the hope of finding others, but without avail, and the captain was finally com- pelled to head for the Clyde for repairs. Survivors of the collision state that after it occurred several men caught up life-belts and jumped overboard as the ship went under, but the majority bad no time to get at belts or buoys. The sight was a terrible one, some of the apprentices shrieking aloud in the agonv of the moment. Only four of those float- ing were able to swim, and as they had clutched at life-belts, they were able to support some of their com- rades despairingly struggling beside them. One man kicked off his sea boots to lighten himself, and then transferred his lifebelt to a comrade. Another man stated that only one, if any, of the watch below was saved, and among the drowned are two important wit- nesses-the man on the look-out on the Firth of Solway and the man at the wheel. The night was cold, and the water was like ice. Captain Kendrick, of the Firth of Solway, stated that close upon two o'clock he was aroused by the collision, and without delay ran upon deck, but was only in time to see the forecastle head disappearing under the waves. Those of the crew who were on watch on deck jumped into the sea, and with them the second mate, the only one of the watch below who was saved. Captain Kendrick was much distressed at the loss of his wife, and daughter aged seven. It appears that Mrs. Kendrick lost her life mainly owing to her devotion to her husband. Three weeks ago Captain Kendrick underwent an operation for a severe complaint, and was still far from well when he received his appointment. He determined not to remain at home, Mrs. Kendrick resolving to accom- pany and to nurse him.

A COURAGEOUS CAPTAIN. The Queen has conferred the decoration of the Albert Medal of the First Class en Mr. William John Nutman, late master of the iteamship Aidar, of Liverpool. The following is an account of the ser- vices in respect of which the decoration has been con- ferred: At two a.m. on January 19, 1896, while the steamship Staffordshire, of Liverpool, was on a voyage from Marseilles to Port Said, signals of dis- tress were observed to be proceeding from the steam- ship Aidar, also of Liverpool, and the Staffordshire immediately proceeded to her assistance. As the Aidar was found to be sinking fast, three of the Staffordshire's lifeboats were at once launched and with great difficulty, owing to the darkness and the heavy sea, succeeded in rescuing her passengers and, crew—29 in number. At 6.10 a.m. the only persons left on the Aidar were Mr. Nutman (the mast-er) and an injured and helpless fireman, whom he was endeavouring to save, and whom he absolutely refused to abandon. The steamer was now rapidly settling down, and as it was no longer safe to remain near her, the officer in charge of the rescuing boat asked Mr. Nutman for a final answer. He still per- sisted in remaining with the injured man, choosing rather to face almost certain death than to leave him to his fate. The men in the boat were obliged to pull away, and immediately afterwards, at 6.17 a.m., the Aidar gave one or two lurches and foundered. After she disappeared, Mr. Nutman was seen on the bottom of an upturned boat, still hold- ing the fireman. Half an hour elapsed before the rescuing boat could approach, but eventually Mr. Nutman and the fireman were picked up and taken on board the Staffordshire, where the injured man. was with difficulty restored by the ships surgeon.

Wrnn nails form one cf the items ulnde in Ger- wany-that come into tins country in enormous quan- tities and obtrude themselves as a st an ding example of native manufacturers ineompetPnce in what is an essentially national branch of industry. According to recent figure?, ir,1880 the year's production stood » V f bad nsen to 41,040 tons; in ? reached oG,424 tons. Nearlv half the total exports of wire nails from Germany are taken bv Grsat Britain. 'As soldiers in the march of life, wa may new team to mark time, but time never fails to mark us. A BAnnr.i. of beer may be compared to an ind- trious man, because its frequently working. THE lats Duke of Monirose, after reviewing a body of Greenock volunteers, complimented their com- manding officer very highly, saying be was quite sur- hrised at the steadiness of his men. Indeed, my lord duke," replied the ™?hy major, I'm very much surprised at it mysel, for i dont think half a, dizzen o' them ever w* duks u.ore*

THE MYTHOLOGY OF OEMS An interesting article on the mythology of gem# is contributed by Mrs. E. M. Davy to the current number of London Society. The writer says; All ancient writers maintain strict silence regarding the birthplace cf gems. This is accounted for by the extreme jealcusy with which the nations who traded ia them endeavoured to conceal the sources whence they drew their rich merchandise. When the truth could not be wholly concealed, it was transfigured by fables, and these fables were always of a nature to deter adventurers from entering into competition, and also perhaps to add supernatural value to the gems. For instance, the finest Oriental emeralds were reported to lie in Syrian gold mines guarded by ferocious griffins. This and similar fictions were sanctioned by the testimony of Pliny, Pomponias, Mela, Strabo, Pausanias, and other serious writers. Strabo asserted that certain death awaited the stranger who navigated towards the island of Sardinia or the Pillars of Hercules. This report was circulated by the Carthaginians, who were extremely jealous of any approach to an island whence they obtained the sardonyx. According to Hereen, the Etruscans and Carthaginians carried on a large trade in diamonds and other precious stones which they obtained from the interior of Africa. It is a fact that the Arabs to this day entertain the same superstitions fears with rega'rd to mines that the ancients did, and believe them to be the refuge of snakes, wolves, and other beasts of prey and the abode of demons, who resent intrusion. THE DIAMOND. Diamond was the name of a beautiful youth of the island of Crete, one of the attendants of the infant Jupiter in his cradle. Diamond, not to be subject to the ills that flesh is heir to," was transformed into the hardest and most brilliant substance in nature. In Arabic and Persian works on natural history Aristotle is generally quoted as the chief authority for the story of the inaccessible valley of diamonds, where it was the custom to throw down pieces of flesh as the only means of procuring the gems. Vultures picked up these with the precious stones attached to them, and dropped them in their flight on various parts of the earth. Marco Polo, who travelled in India in the thirteenth century, gave much the same account of the method of pro- curing diamonds. One of the adventures of Sindbad the Sailor in the "Arabian Nights" is almost identical, and Epiphanius in the fourth cen- tury writes to much the same effect. The diamond was called adamas," which means indomitable. It was never pounded and taken internally like other stones, because it was considered indigestible. The diamond had the virtue of bestowing victory and fortitude. It calmed anger and strengthened wedded love, hence it was called the stone of reconciliation. The learned De Boot takes occasion to discourse at some length as to whether the power of discrimina- tion between right and wrong, legal and illegal love, is a natural quality of the stone or belongs to a spirit residing in it. For the very extraordinary argu- ments he uses the reader is referred to his treatise (B. II., c. IV., p. 154). That diamonds preserved their owners from the plague was considered fully proved by the fact that the plague at first only at- tacked the poorer classes, and that the rich, who wore diamonds in profusion, usually escaped. Though the diamond was not supposed to be fusible by tire, the splendour of its lustre and its properties were thought to be affected by heat, for which reason Wolfgangus Gabelschoverus advises all who wear these gems to take them off at night and place them in cold water or on a marble slab. Among the ancients the diamond was a symbol of severe and inexorable justice and of the impassibility of fate. Hence the judges of Hades were described as having hearts of adamant. A Jewish legend relates of the gem, supposed to have been a diamond, worn on the ephod of Aaron, that when a man really guilty was charged with a crime the jewel became dark and dim if the accused were innocent, it sparkled with increased lustre. But all these wonderful virtues are eclipsed and thrown into the shade by one most marvellous and unique-for it was attributed to no other gem-the faculty of multiplying its species Boetius de Boot, quoting from another learned man, relates that a lady of good family had two heredi- tary diamouds which produced several others, and thus left a posterity. The comments of the nar- rator are no less curious than the statement itself; but he does not inform us whether these descendants were born small and grew in size from infancy to maturity. THE RCBY. The ruby was called by the Greeks anthrax (live coal). The Oriental ruby, or carbuncle of the ancients, either worn as an ornament or reduced to powder and taken internally, was an antidote to poison and a preservative against the plague. It banished sadness, repressed sensuality, put to flight evil thoughts, dispelled fearful dreams, diverted the mind, and guarded against illness generally. If misfortune threatened the wearer it gave warning by a change of colour, which darkened greatly, but when the evil or Eeril was no longer to be feared it resumed its usual ue. This stone had its evil effects also. It shortened the sleep of the wearer, agitated and disturbed the circulation of the blood, inclining him to anger. Pliny tells that there are male and female car- buncles, the males being more acrid and vigorous, the females more languishing." TIJIE SAPPHIRE. This stone, to look at, was considered excellent for the eyesight. Powder of sapphires placed on the eyes drew out dust or insects, and cured inflamma- tion. So great was the power of the sapphire on venomous creatures that if one were over the mouth of a phial containing a spider, the insect died in- stantly. Worn on the heart, it cured fever, and bestowed health and energy. Its power to inspire pure and chaste thoughts caused it to be recom- mended to be worn by ecclesiastics. The ancients held it in the highest honour. At the sacrifices to Phoebus, his worshippers, to propitiate him, offered him a sapphire. Epiphanius states that the vision which appeared to Moses on the mount was in a sapphire, and that the first tables of the law given by God were written on this stone. St. Jerome, in his explanation of the nineteenth chapter of Isaiah, asserts that the sapphire conciliates to the wearer the favour of princes, calms the fury of his enemies, dispels enchantments, delivers from prison, and softens the ire of God. Lapidaries designated the deep stone the male, the pale blue the female.