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

M*&McKjNt.EY is a great dog-fancier, and owns e largest Mouat St. Bernard in the world. His name is Washington." A special servant looks after the domestic pets of the President's wife, and they are groomed each morning, in the same way as at £ axi|hr|pghatn-and Marlborough House. After their morning bath thef:ari liberty to roam 11.11 over the President's bouss. alahington has a weakness for all strong dii-K I" lading whisky, and every day has. his mug of tna, McKinley's dog menage also includes a teirier called" TroDlg," and an Irish setter I'-iddie." BOYAL are,costly and cumbersome. Iuries; andal" '•-v? frequently than not quitein- operative. A -i-miod from the Home Ollice recently siiovv • ot'ix 1837 and 189o there wore fortyrone Coui'- iSK'O"ftppoiated. Of those which are included ia ti.e purase "Government by Royal Commission," ti e IUOf't expensive was the Labour Commission, ""I"eil cost £ 31,235. The Opium Coni- mission cost £ i-S,503, the Horses'Commission £ 14,143, the ilieloricil Documents' Commission £ 46,103, yswcJnY.uVu T23o4; arid"Agriculture £ 975Sv accident to Lady Warwick is not serious, although extremely painful and troublesome. It seems her horse either slipped in taking off, or over- *eTfC™ £ aQd foil. Lady Warwick tried to save ber- Belrwieh her hands,.but the sudden strain on the arm dielotate# the elbow. As yet the swelling is too great for .the doctors to say whether the cure will be slow or quick; but it must be some time, in any oase, before the unlucky Diana is about again. With almost as much brains as beauty, Lady WarwUSfc has been able to Impose the charm of her personality on the"inost diverse orders of society. Both.Jio.yaUy afid Radical Editors areknown to be her friends, and she is hardly less celebrated as a Bond- street millinerthan as the chatelaine of the most, beautiflrl,,castle in Great Britain. Her signature is a* familiar in the pages of the monthly magazines as her trim and graceful figure m the hard riding fields of the. shires; and the many, admirers that w warm-hearted and expansive nature h^wo^fgrjter. will await'^ritb :upatience the newfofli^ cotapjet^ "• *'■ .liiiia w<».

GREATER BRITAIN. 1 SIR DENNIS FITZPATRICK has been appointed A member of the Council of the Secretary of State for 1 India. Sir Winfitld Bonsor, Chief Justice of Cej Ion, is leaving that Colony for England. Mr. A. M. I Skinner, C.M.G., is retiring from the office of Resi- dent Councillor of Penang. Lieutenant-Colonel Daiton is the new Commandant of Royal Artillery in South Africa. Lieutenant-Colonel L. E. Coker has been selected for the command of Royal Artillery at Singapore, vice Colonel R. H. W. Plunkett, while Lientenant-Colonel A. R. Rochfort has been placed in command of the gunners at MeeTut. SIR G. T. M. O'BRIEN, K.C.M.G., has again entered the Civil Service, this time as Governor of the Fiji Islands, where he will find ample scope for the tact and judgment for which he is distinguished. Sir George has a record of 30 years' service. Mr. Grey- WilsoD, C.M.G., has been transferred, as Governor, from St. Helena to the Falkland Islands; t he office he vacates at St. Helena will be filled by Mr. R. A. Sterndale. Colonel D. Wilson has left Trinidtrd lo assume gubernatorial duty at British Ilondurns. Sir Hubert Jerningham succeeds Colonel W ilson at Trinidad. Louis J. Bertram, Auditor-General of the Leeward Islands, has been transferred to Jamaica. Mr. Frederick Graham,' of the Colonial Office, has been promoted to the Assistant Uiider-Secretaryship, vacant in consequence of arrangements made on the retirement of Sir Robert Meade. AT the last meeting of the Royal Colonial Institute in London, Mr. Samuel Rowe read a paper on "the Dairy Industry in the Colonies." Sir Wiiliam C. F. Robinson presided. Mr. Lowe, after referring to the important part trade and commerce were likely to play in the consummation of the federation of the Empire, said that in 1891 the number of cows in the three principal dairying colonies of Austra- lasia was 945,575, and in, Canada 1,857,112, and the quantity of butter produced was 23,000 and 51,700 tons respectively. The amount of cheese produced was 6700 tens in Australasia and 51,000 I tons in Canada. In 1895 these figures had grown to 1,100,000 cows in Australasia, and 1,050,000 in Canada. The butter made in Australasia reached the total of 36,000 tons, and in Canada 52,000 tons. The manufacture of cheese in Austra- lasia was 11,500 tons, and in Canada, 08,000 tons. The United Kingdom in the year 1896 imported 264,124 tons of butter and cheese, valued at £ 20,244,000. Of this enormous import the colonies supplied 80,000 tons, of the value of E4,130,000, the balance of 184,000 tons, worth over P-16,000,000, coming from foreign countries. The means he sug- gested to the colonies to'sefcure the bulk of this trade were (1) the improvement of their dairy herds; (2) the adoption of a system of winter feeding; (3) the confinement of the production,gf batter and cheese entirely to the factory system (4) a careful study of the latest scientifIc discoveries in bacteriology (5) the universal adoption of the system of pasteurisa- tion and (6) the establishment of dairy schools and experiment stations: He laid great stress on the extension of the factory system in dairying. At present the butter factories in Australasia num- bered over 450, and employed 2300 hands, as against 300 factories and 1100 hands in Canada. More economical production; greater .regularity, and stipe- riority of quality were, he said, the influences that would enable the factory system to successfully over- throw the older methods. During a'visit to the Australasian colonies he had been much impressed with the great need-tor dairy schools and experiment, dairy stations. Without these it was absolutely im-, possible to carry on an industry so scientific as 'dairy- ing with the same success as if they existed. It Was largely owing to the influence of these institutions that foreign countries bad been able to supplant British farmers on their own markets. A discussion followed. THE report is just published of the Acting Governor of Jamaica sent to Mr. Chamberlain under date of November 14, and in view of the special inquiry about to be made into the condition of that coloiiy,, it is interesting to read that although the year was not one of special prosperity it cannot be said to have been one of depression in the island gene- rally. No doubt some industries have not been so fortunate as in previous periods, but others have been prosperous. Trade has not declined, although it has not largely increased in volume. The value of lae imports of the colony has again risen above; that of any previous year, showing that the purchas- ing power of the population has not diminished. Pro- ceeding to details, the report states that the estab- lishment of the Jamaica Agricultural Society has done much to encourage and foster improved agri- culture, partly by the spreading of knowledge, partly by the importation of seed, end partly, and very practically, by the establishment of model farms, as object lessons of the results which may be Obtained1 by the application of the principles' of agriculture.1 As the cultivation of the sugar cane—which had been for so long the principal product—decreases, it is most important that the, production of other crops should be stimulated. It will be long, doubtless, before the loss of Bugar can be compensated for by the gain in other products, but tbe rateofincreaatl in [ the output of the latter is greater than- the rate Of decrease of the former, an encoursglug circumstance for which fruit -deservos, the largest sharecOf credit. The decrease in the acreage of land under cane cul- tivation during the:paat year has-been 313 acres, as compared with the preceding year,:and 477 as com- pared with the average of the four preceding years, TUB decline in the cultivation of the cane has been gradual but persistent. Thus 20 years ago the acre- age was 48,246, lO years ago it was 40,515, and now it is 30,971. The decrease in the period mentioned has thup been 35 per cent. Coffee during the year was under cultivation to the extent of 23,643 acres, being 120 acres morel than in the year before. In 1871 it was 17,620 acres, so that the area occupiediby it has increased 34 per cent", in the quarter century. Similarly large increases have taken place in, the areas under cultivation in"ginger, tobacco, cocoa,, &c., and;,etjier minor products during the past 25 years, amounting, the Collector General reports, to 43- per cent., and he adds that if bananas be taken into acoonnt the increase has been no less than 61 per cent. —a very remarkable growth. Perhaps a simpler method of showing how steadily other products are compensating for sugar is to refer to the relativo pro- portion which the export of that staple bears to the total exports' of the colony. Thus- in 1875-76 the valud 'Of the Wand's exports was-E,1,440,080, sugaS being 31'6 per cenfl. of the whole. In 1885-86 the value-ef the exports was 11,280,118, sagar being 16 9 1 of the whole, and jn 1895-96 the total value of exports was £ 1,8^,506, to «»M(fh"gtigftt 'doWl tfute8 billy 11 percent. One >ef-Bbe principal features-of the year in the way of agriculture liàs. been thft large increase in the output of oranges. ,'ThY'numlier s*ipped Whb no less than 97,025,398, of the estimated value of £ 169,794. This is said-16 be over 12,000,000 more than were shipped in the four preceding years ptit together. JAMAICA thus continues to benefit btthe blizfc&trd which destroyed the < Flprida groves in 189*4, bnt growers have much to learn yet in the way of culti- vating the fruit, and in placing it in good. condition on the market. The area under cultivation ffi birnniiiis has increased by 319 acreS*ltirFft$tbf> year; and that under cocoa and ground pfovieiotie by --rn3"aoJf,p3t acres respectively. WithMgardte the last named, it is still remarkable that notvithstanding the rapid increase of population the area under cultivation df the principal food of the people has so lightly increased. The,t' caii-e is probablj pi _v mainly-attributable { £ > the abseBce of many'of the male members of the cpmtnunifcy from-their homes working on the railway extensions. too, it may be accounted for to'sbme extent'tfy thd-peopld acquiring a. taste* for imported fooastuffs..of which such large quantities have been imported during recefit ytears. The year has not beon a prosperous one for those whose pastoralin- [ dustries Df the cOJOfiy. The "difitSase arnohg cattle, l although not so destructive in particular places as it | was last year—^owing, perhaps, to the means for checking it Kaetrwiiag' better' untierstbbd—has been more widespread; and thereieoaccelyto pansli which has not sù!rered ,tdrE( IÕr¡Jea8, severelý i. It becam# increasingly evident during the year that some steps should be taken to endeavour to ascertain the precise fiatare^ 6f the disease and the means of eradicating it, or, at least, of-mitigating its ravages. The services of an eminent veterinarian have been secured toéfttíJin'infO and advise oatao subject, and the result of his inquiries is looked forward to | with interest by all who have the welfare-of the colony at heart. T.I • i

44W gen I Wb are on the ave of fiMtuiyJ" saidjthe i major. "Yes;" said the Iii the bright • morning of the times.' Yes," replied the colonel, s An^ life has new duties for us." It has;" said the colonel. And would "you ^endorse my note for thirty days 'edthè'trfájor: I would not," re- J plied the colonel. and I wiah vou a vfery good morn- I T j. .y, J 3/

QUAKER SCHOOL METHODS The gentleness of the Quaker is, remarks the fiew Ytor/o l\i>urie, shewn in their treatment of children. The Quaker baby is born with an even disposition. Seldom, unleea he is sickly, does he get into tantrums or endeavour to disturb the community. He is a quiet, I well-behaved infant, with an inherited liking for decency and order. As be grows up he becomes like most lads in his liking for noise and all the I healthy sports of childhood yet the life in the I home circle to which he belongs tends to make I him obedient and manly. He has before him examples of what men and women should ve, for in the Quaker household there is no bickering or strifo. Husband and wife are equal rulers of the same domain. The Quaker mother, for instance, unlike the average woman, does not say my children," 3but our children," and similarly in everything pertaining to the home there is perfect copartnership andr. equality. On account of all these influences, it may be that Quaker children do not require the punishment which many say is absolutely essential in the training of a cbild. The Quakers, like the Unitarians and Universalists, do not believe in so- called" original sin." They believe rather in I original goodness." The bringing out of the good in a child is their aim. And so the Quaker child is not brought up to look upon himself as a depraved little creature, and he soon loses all interest in naughtiness. It has often been told that a Quaker child is moat severely punished by being deprived of the usual Quaker form of address. The familiar and tender "thee" and "thou "are not used when talking to the offender, but the ordinary you is substituted. The naughty little Quakeress weeps when she is called" a naughty little you." The I culprit so addressed feels like an outcast and a pariah and it is to this method of excommuni- cating, as it were, for a time that the Quakers gene- rally resort when punishment becomes necessary. Professor Allen, who is at the head of the Friends' Seminary of New York, -when asked about the punishment of children, said that the Quakers never j resort. to corporal punishment. Even in the case of the most refractory of boys," he added, I found long ago that. moral suasion and moral, rather than physical, methods were the more effective. If a scholar is inclined to be unmanageable and ill- tempered, I think that a little mental punishment long drawn out will bring him to a better state of mind and do more than can be accomplished by a thrash- ing. The latter mortifies the offender, and makes him ugly, resentful, and distrustful of his instructor. For instance, if a boy disobeys his teacher and con- tinues to disregard the rules he is sent to me. I talk with him and make him see how he should have I behaved. The following day I will make him write out a statement of the case, acknowledging his faults. During this time he is practically not ore of the school family. He may attend classes, but he is not an active niemher. He presents the sta tement to his an active niemher. He presents the sta tement to his teacher there is a conference, in which everything is gone over and explained; he is- again admitted into the ranks, and the matter is never referred to again. I consider this method a rather good one, for during the time the culprit is in suspense he has time to view his conduct and review it; and ten to one ho will not offend so again."

A GREAT ORCHARD. The biggest walnut orchard in this country is to be found in a large village on the outskirts of Bedford. It was planted some 60 or 70 years ago on 20 acres of land, originally used for growing hops. No less than rS65 trees were planted, but it has been found neces- sary to cut 'Out a few trees. The owner of the orchard sella the produce fully twb moaths before the nuts are ripe, and the price, of course, varies with the amount of fruit then hanging on the trees. The lowest price paid ,-dar^^ years was £ 20, and the' highest £ 140. In the former year the walnut bloom was nipped by âi1 exception- ally severe frost in May. When the purchase price *as £ 140, a nett profit of £ 240 was made by the lucky buyer. The amount of fruit on the trees varies greatly. Certain trees in favourable years have been known to yield 20,000 nuts, the wholesale selling price per 1000 being 3s. 6d. The loams," OK outside husks of the nuts, are also saleable, and are largely toed for staining and dyeing purposes. A strange fact about grass in walnut-fields is that;cattle and sheep do not relish it, so that for grazing purposes walnut-fields are practically useless.

BREAKWATERS. An interesting development of the Titan crane is (says Engineering) about to be applied to the cpn- struction of the breakwater at Veal. Cruz to be con- strncted ^y a firm Qf 4oildon contactors. Hitherto the T^tan crane has been confined to the deposit^ of the large'masses of concrete constituting the super- structure of the breakwater, the mound, or founoa- tion of rubble, been tipped from barges, and allowed to consolIdate-a. process which oc<;up.i<?s a year or 18 monthp. It even then occurs ,thatf w^en the 40-ton blocks of concrete are placed ip position there is further settlement, involving dif- JlcprtIcs At Vera Cruz the weather an'dspa c.ondi. tions make it impossible to carry out the usual prC- cedure, and the Titan crane has been adopted for the work so as to construct the breakwater from the initial stage, on the telescope system, of course. The i crane with its special gear was tested at Bath the other day, in the presence of a large number of engi- neers, and proved well adapted for its purpose. The horizontal jib of the crane, which is about 130ft. long, is designed on the lattice girdle principle, and the engines, with cylinders lOin. in diameter by 14in. stroke, are designed to lift 40 tons at a radius of 60ft. at a maximum speed of 9ft. per minute. pn a trial 45 tons were lifted, a complete revolution being made by the crane in three minutes. It travels forward 45ft. per minute, and can rack the load at 25ft. per minute. The gauge of the rails is six metres, and the rail wheels are 2ft. Gin. in diameter. Over the axles are volute spiings to distribute the weight more effectually. The total weight is 320 tons. The first departure from the usual design of such cranes is that the weight-40 tons-may be carried by two sets of gear, each with cable drums worked independently. Thus American railway cars with the rubble can be lifted, carried forward by the crane, and the contents tipped into the bottom of the eea by the use of the independent Gets of lifting tackle. A trench, of course, is previously prepared. At Vera Cruz it is intended to use a sand pump dredger to fill-in the interstices, and, is done by the wash of the sea in the long-drawn-out natural process of con- solidation. Again, tp prevent any ill effects from scour at the bottom of the mound, a trench is to be made on either side, -a foot or tvwrbelow the level of the surface, and to be filled in with rubble. The outside of the mound will be further protected by a mass of concrete deposited in the "promiscuous" way. The superstructure, as usual, will consist of 40-ton concrete blocks placed in position by the Titan crane at an angle of 70deg., and keyed the one to the other. The Vera Cruz breakwater is to be S00'metres (2952ft. 9in.) long, and it may be added that the same procedure will be adopted at the break- water .at the Pacific termination of the Tehuantepec Railway, which will be of still greater length.

I CALCIUM CARBIDE. I The industrial world is < working itsel" up into a great state of excitement over the new order 'in Council, which states that from April 1 prox. cal- cium carbide will rank like an explosive under the Petroleum Act of 1871, and thenceforward may tfot be stored without a licence. A trade journal declares that this new order is on a par with most Government restrictions, and that the Patent Laws, the restrfefiohs on the use of alcohol in manufactures, etc., all show that Whitehall official- dom has made up itfe mind to throw every' possible difficulty in the way, of home industries, new and old. We believe that on the Continent, where acetylehe gas is much used, the restrictions on calcium carbide are being'relaxed, and that it may be sent by rail, br through the post, without restraint. The discovery of some damp-proof calcium carbide which would resist the moisture of the air would solve the dimculty.

I I AM informed," wJÍtes the London correspondent of the Ilirr/i inghatn Po&t,- that Mr. Seton-Karr has sent home a remarkable collection flintimpleuifints and objects, comprising hammers, chisels, bracelets, &c., whjjch bo-di8covered'in Egtpt at,a gpot about 200 miles from Cairo, between the Nile and the sea. The place,, was. no doubt (a, quarry where the vftinfc was obtained, and the implements made. Experts who have examined the objects speak very highly of the impor- tance of the discovery from an ethnographical stand- point, as these worked-flints are the first of their kind 1 that have been found in the land of the Pharaohs." V t >• V-

SPANNING THE ATLANTIC. A most wonderful plan for establishing communis cation across the Atlantic has (says Casieli's Saturday Journal) recently been devised, which, if it be capable ,pf Ijjeing ojftrp'e<j ou,t, wall revolutionise pceap travel- Hng. It provides for the establishment of a chain of stations over the ocean, placed at distances and under conditions that the inventor claims will easily permit of intercourse with every part of the land. Should a merchant wish to communicate with a captain of one of his steamers it would be possible to do so by inter- cepting the ship in mid-ocean or elsewhere along the chain of stations. Should a passenger change his mind on the trip over, or, fbr any reason, desire to return without completing the voyage, a landing could be affected at one of the stations, a ship on the return voyage communicated with, and the passenger taken off. But the great merit of the scheme lies in the facilities it would afford for saving life, which it is proposed to effect by establishing OOtall unsinkable boating lighthouses at intervals of a mile, lighted by automatic beacons, requiring atten- tion but once' in four or six months, and provided with foghorns, worked by compressed air, that would be beard at a distance of five miles. Shipwrecked mariners would then merely have to steer in the direction of the sound to find safety from the waves. From the surface of the water ladders would be placed to enable them to reach the deck of the buoy, from which, by opening a keyless door, admittance would be gained to the interior. The opi ning of would be gained to the interior. The opi ning of the door would send an alarm ringing down the chain of buoys until the call for help reached a central station, where willing hands would be ready to despatch instant aid to the castaways. Meanwhile they would be safe in the warm interior of the unsinkable life-buoy, where food would await them, and where they could rest in perfect contentment, knowing that tucQQur would come as fast ag; hum^n, bands could bring it. This assistance would come from'a' central station placed at intervals along the life-saving chain. This central statipn, according to the inventor, would be a double turreted structure, provided witlk,e.loeping, Iivinig, and cooking quarters, well supplied with stores, equipped with a life-boat and life-raft, and manned by three men. Meanwhile word would be telephoned to a still larger station that the inventor proposes to provide on his won- derful chain. Every hundred miles along the line of buoys would be placed unsinkable, detachable light- ships, provided with steam-power or sails, and each manned by an officer and a crew ef eight or 12 men. The equipment of these lightships would include two uibsinkable naphtha or steam launches. It would be part of the daily duty of the crew of the lightship to board the launch and patrol up and down the line of stations from lightship to lightship. ¡

ARISTOCRATIC DOWNFALLS. No slight flutter has been caused in the aristo- cratic circles of Vienna and Pesth by the rumour that Count Samuel Gyuiai and the Marquis Sigmund Pallivicini are about to be struck off the roll of the Hungarian House of Magnates. The nominal ground for this step, says a Chronicle correspondent, is the lack of the necessary property qualification, both these scions of the nobility having run through their fortunes with great rapidity. The count has played a considerable part on the Turf, several millions of his ancestral florins having been sacrificed to that sport. Not many months ago he tried to get a divorce from his beautiful wife, by birth the Baroness Alice Becsai. The lady is now said to be figuring as a living picture" at one of the music-halls of Buda- Pestb.

THE FOUNDER OF THE RED CROSS. It has been reported that the Dowager Empress of Russia has come forward to rescue onof the greatest of practical philanthropists from. an old age. of dependence, if not of actual, want. This is a striking proof of the fact that the world knows nothing; of its greatest men," that, in announcing the Empress's kindly act, the papers spoke of the recipient of her bounty as M. Dupont." The very name of the founder of the Red Cross has been forgotten in his lifetime. In fact, so utterly has he passed from the knowledge of his own countrymen that a Geneva newspaper recently referred to him as one long since dead. This is the way of the world. It remembers those who dq it Karm; conquerors and criminals volitant vivi per ora virom. As for those who do it good, their name perishes from among men. A short account of the career of the man to whom is due not only the Red Cross organisation, but jtho Convention of Geneva, may therefore be interesting. J- Henri Dunant was born at Geneva on May 8,1828. He comes of a family that has done the State ser- vice for more than two centuries. Quite early in life he devoted himself to philanthropic work among he poor of his native city. Mimw- Florence Nightingale's work among the sick and woutided in the Crimean War made a deep impression on him, and when, a few years later, he saw the realities of war with his own eyes in the campaign of Napoleon III. against the Austrians in Italy, in 1859, he described them in a pamphlet entitled Un Souvenir de Solferino," which sent: a thrill of horror .throughout the civilised world. From that time M. Dunant gave: his life to the furtherance of the work which he had undertaken. In 1863 he entered on a pilgrimage at his own ex- pense to the different countries of Europe, seeking audiences with Sovereigns, Ministers,, and other persons of authority and influence, and every- where striving to, stir up men's minds to the im- portance of the purpose -which he had in view. i His object was to organise a conference of, Govern- ments which should devise some means of miti- gating the horrors of war. Bis persevering efforts triumphed, and in October, 1864, the historic Conference was held at Geneva, the outcome of which was the Convention which has made, modern warfare comparatively humane. By 1870 M. Dunant had spent' half his fortune on the philanthropic work to which he had given his life, and a few years later he lost the remainder of it. For some time past he has lived 16, absolute Retirement in an institution at Heiden, in the Appenzell Canton, Switzerland. The benefaction of the Dowager Em- press of Russia will make hini cdinfortable for the rest of his days but is it not a reproach to th^whole tfyilised world that such 'a man should have' been allowed to become a pensioner on public charity ? He passed by doing good and because he bad not the faculty of self-advertisement, which goes to the making of a successful philanthropist in these days, bis 'reward was the poorhouse. British Medicql Journal.

lit.E"i COLDEST. OOHfTRY. In the new bulletin of the Royal Geographical ■Society of, Irkutsk, Professor Sergus Kovalik gives an interesting account of. "Life in the Coldest Country in the World." The coldest region is that of Werkojauk, in Siberia, where the lowest tempera- ture of 90deg. Fah. has been observed, and the mean of January is 4Sdeg. Fab. It is inhabited by about ten thousand five hundred persons of the Jakut and JLatnafc races. In a large part of the region,: ac.-ord_ ing to Prof. Kovalik, the air is so dry and the winds are so rare that the in tensity of the cold cannot be fully realised. In the most distant parts of the East there are pometimes terrible storms,.wiiich aremost faftalto life in their consequences. During the summer time the temperature occasionally rises to 86deg. r1 ah. in the shade, while it freezes at night. The latter part Of this season is often marked-by copious rains and extensive inundations^ which invariably Jay waste a vast acreage of land, and prove to be a serious obstacle tp the cultivation of the soiL Vegetation is very scanty. There are practically no trees, only wide, open meadows. The people hunt fur-bearing animals, fish, and raise cattle and reindeers. It requires about eight cows to support, a family, four being milked ih the sumbier; *■ and two in the winter. The cattle are very small in size, and are fed with hay in winter.. Occasionally they are allowed to go out when there is the slightest break in the weathery but .their; t«ate. are always carefully covered up with felt., Milk is the principal food. This is sometimes-ejjpplemented with hares, which arc quite abundant, but not very relishable, The houses are constructed of wood, covered with clay, and as a rule consist of only one room, in which the people and the animals live together. The upper and wealthier classes are better provided with lodging and food. As a racè they are exceedingly courteous and very hospitable, and they are excessively punctilious concerning points of honour, such as the place at table and the proper place at festivals.

XHE Commissioners of Prisons have directed that in future the time of attendance of prison clerks shall be increased one hour daily, without any remunera- tton far such additional hour of duty. This action has created great dissatisfaction in the ranks of the Clerical staff. 1. v M 1 R. ,y'. v

A MILLIONAIRE'S YACHT. There is now being constructed at Coney Island New York, for Mr. Archibald Watt, of New York, and former commodore of the American Yacht Club, & magni6nt steel twin-screw yacht, that will be 252ft. 4in. long, 32ft. beam, and 21ft. 9in. depth of hold. The vessel, which is to be rigged with) ards on her three masts, will t e the largest pleasure craft ever constructed in the United States. Her fittings are to be more elaborate than those found on the yachts belonging to the crowned heads of Europe. There will be two bm;(>8 on deck, of steel, which will be grained, but not covered with wood. From the forward end of the forward house to the stem there will be a space of Gift.; between the houses 76ft.—"Quite enough to accommodate a dancing party," as Mr. Watt expresses it; and from the after end of the after house to the taff-rail, 38ft. The forward houpe, 30ft. L'ng by 21ft. wide, will contain the wheel bouse, captain's room, and chart room. There will also be a breakfast room under the same roof, from which a stairway leads to the large dining- room on the deck below. The wheel house will be at such an elevation as to permit the captain to obtain an excellent view of the entire after part of the ship. White mahogany will be the finish of the interior of this house, and leather cushions and leather-seated ohairs will be provided. The after houso, 33ft. by 14ft. will be fitted as a social hall, with red mahogany inside finish, in which there will be a piano, organ, centre table, four buffets, and other furniture. Two stairways will lead from this room to the main hall below. Going aft in the latter hall will be found a library, and ladies' saloon, four large state rooms on either side, designed for guests; two bathrooms, the linen room, and that for the stewardess, and, finally, the fish well. The State rooms wili be finished in hand- some bard woods, and the upholstery in blue plush and gold trimmmings. The bathrooms are to be tiled on the sides, and have marble floors. The fish well opens from the upper deck and extends to the inner bottom. Both the owner and his wife, the latter, by the way, a thorough yachtswoman, love to fish, and there are on record in the iog-book of the steam yacht Golden Rod, owned by Mr. Watt at present, but now receiving new boilers and propeller, and likely soon to be secured by some other yachtsman, catches that seem the most shadowy of fish yarns, but are truthful -to the letter. Salt water may be pumped at will ieto this well. Forward of the stairway is the main saloon, which will be a handsome apartment, 18ft. by 30ft.. which it is expected will be finished in white and gold, while the cushions and lounges will be of tufted wine coloured and gold plushes. From this saloon the owner's rooms are entered, one on either side of the hallway, 10ft. by 12ft each, which connect with two bath-rooms, each 9ft. by 12ft. Still going through the hall forward the engines, which will face each other, are passed, and then the boilers, when the visitor or guest may reach the din- ing-room, of 22ft. by lift. Here hard'wood will be used in the finish, and the sides and ceilings hand- somely panelled. Again stepping into the ball, the forward stairway is reached, and the state rooms on either side of the passage way are for the officers and stewards. Then comes the galley, extending athwart- ships, after which are to be found the cooks' rooms, toilet rooms, laundry, officers' mess room, and the crew's quarters. In all the rooms throughout the vessel there will bo hot and cold water, and in the bath-room salt water will be as easily obtained as fresh water. There will be an evaporating machine, and an ice machine, and the yacht will be lighted throughout with electricity, and two search lights will be always available.

MR J. B. MEAD'S WILL. Leaving personalty of the value of £ 122.53316s.3d., Mr. Joseph Burgess Mead, of Endsleigh, Wickham- road, Brockley, and of the firm of Peak, Frean, and Co., biscuit manufacturers, Bermondsey, bequeathed to his wife, Mrs. Anna Mead, £500, his household effects, horses, and carriages, the use and enjoyment of his house, Endsleigh, and a life annuity of £ 1000. lie left Endsleigh (subject to Mrs. Mead's life interest) to his son, Ernest Joseph, and he bequeathed to his said son his illuminated memorials from the London Baptist Society, the Honor Oak and Brockley Churches, and the travellers and clerks of Peek, Frean and Co, Mr. Mead bequeathed to Mr. Joseph Moram, managing clerk, and one of the executors of his will, 50 guineas a year during the continuance of his trust, and he bequeathed to his sister, Louisa Dale, JE50 a year for seven years, and interest at the rate of 5 per cent, for three years en a sum of X422 6s. 3d. deposited with him by her, which sum is to be repaid to her at the end of three years. His daughters, Edith Anna Evans and Alice Susan Hodgen are to receive each £ 500 a year for three years, after which time a sum of £ 16,000 is to be held on trusts for the first-named, and a sum of E20,000 for his daughter Alice Susan. His sou, Ernest Joseph, is to receive P.750 a year for three years,, and then £ 25,000, and the testator's nieces, Margaret Mend and Elizabeth Buchanan, and his nephew, William Mead, are to receive each, for three years, interestst the rate of 5 per cent. on £ 1000, and at the end of that time a-sum of 93000 which he held for them is to be distributed amongst them. Mr. Mead's estate not available for charitable purposes is left in trust in equal 6haresfor his three children, and his residuary estate available for charity purposes is ultimately to be distributed amongst such charitable institutions, societies, churches, and charities as the trustees may choose; but in the meanwhile his allowances to relations and connections are to be contioued for three years, at the end of which time each annuitant is to receive a sum equal to ten ytars allowance, and the testator's subscriptions to reliot-iis and charitable objects are also to be continued for three years, after which each institution is to receive a sum equal to three years' subscription, but the trustees may at any tfme within two years compound in ahy.case by the payment of a sum equal to five years'-subscription.

THE WEDDING CAKE. Wedding cake was an institution among the ancients as with us, but the cake was a plain one, and was broken above the head of the bride as she went into her new home. This was a special feature of Roman marriages 2,000 years ago. The breaking of the cake was partofasolemn ceremony, and was said to be very impressive. A similar custom prevails in some portions of Scotland where a bannock is broken above the head Of the young wife as she for the first time enters Tier new home. In Qneen Elizabeth's time, spice cakes and buns were eaten at weddings. From these the fashion and fancy grew for all sorts of elaborate and deliciouBly unwholesome combinations, ,as in the cake of to-day.

POISONED BY THE THERMOMETER. A curious case of mercurial poisoning has occurred in a family living near Diisseldorf. During the night a thermometer, which had been left lying on the stove of the night nursery, burst, and the .mercury fiimes were breathed by two children sleep- ing in the room. Towards morning severe symptoms set in, but luckily the doctor, who was called at once, discovered the cause, and properly-applied remedies eaved the children.

Misfe ,ADA WARD, who has iust forsaken the stage for the Salvation Army, has nad an interview with Geueral Booth, the result of which is that she will rest for a fortnight previous to taking up some public work that is being arranged for her. THERE has just died at Abingdon a nonagenarian almsman named George Brown, who claimed the dis- tinction of having been a postillion to George III. Twelve years ago he was elected by the governors of Christ's Hospital to one of St. Helen's almshouses. IT would seem that the alleged practice of anglers of at times Slightly overrating thei size of their takes is not at all new. It has just been discovered that the," Annual Register for 1765 has an account of a pike taken at Lilleshall Lime Works which weighed 1701b. BULLETS made of precious stones are rarities in war- I fare. But during the fighting on the Kashmir frontier, when the British troops defeated the rebel- lious Hunzas, the natives used bullets of garnets, in- cased in lead. The British preserved many as curiosities. t M, MoNTKNOM and Sir- Francis Monte Gore are going to build a parish room and workmen's club at I Worth for the benefit of the railway servants and parishioners generally, to-be-used without distinction of creed and politics.. I QUEEN WILHELMINA OF HOLLAND has a miniature farm, the produce of which she gives and to the hospitals. Her Swiss chalet is stocked wi accumulated toys of twelve years or J she has-learned to "keep house "in the. most approved Dutch style.

MARKET NEW3. MARE-LAKE.—A dull tone has prevailed, and btisil ness has not been active. The sales of home-grown wheat in the leading markets of England and Wales during the 28 weeks of the season have been l,534,296qrs., against 928,330qrs. last season, the average being 29s 4d, against 25s Id per qr.; barley, 3,062,767qrs., against 3,185,581qrs., at an average of 25s 7d against 24s per qr.; and oats, 417,227qrs., against 497,607qrs., the average being 16s 2d, against 13s lOd per qr. English wheat has sold slowly at 6d less money than on Monday last. In foreign wheat not much was doing, and prices gave way 6d per qr. The flour market was inactive at drooping prices. Barley moved off slowly at pre- vious currencies. Oats were in limited request at about late rates. Maize was about tirle same in value, the demand being inactive. Beans and peas were quiet on former terms. LONDON METROPOLITAN CATTLIC.-Tlie supply was below the average, the receipts from Norfolk having fallen off. Business was not active, although more life was noticed at the opening. Later on the demand fell off, but the firmness was maintained, and the tendency of prices against the buyers. Fat cows made 2d per 81b. more money, but fat bulls and rough cattle were easier. The best Scotch went at 4s 6d to 4s 8d; Norfolks, 4s 4d, and occasionally 4s 6d Lincolns, 4s 2d; Irish, 4s 4d to 4s 7d; and fat cows, 3s lOd to 4s per 81b. The sheep pens were not over-well supplied. For wethers the trade was slower, but without any quotable change in prices. Ewes were scarce and dear. The best 7 to 8-stone Downs made 6s 2d; 10-stone, 5s lOd to 6s; 10-stone half-breds,5s8d to 5s lOd 12-stone Lincolns, 5s 4d; 10-stone Down ewes, 4s lOd to 5s Od per 81b. Lambs were firm, and the best 5-stone fat Downs made 8s to 8s 2d per 81b. Calves were a nominal market. Pigs were dull, and rather easier. The top price was 4s 4d per 81b. English milch cows, £ 15 to £21 per head. The following are the latest quotations Coarse and inferior beasts, 2s 6d to 3s 6d second quality ditto, 3s 6d to 4s Od; prime large oxen, 4s 2d to 4s 6d; ditto Scots, &c., 4s 6d to 4s 8d; coarse and inferior sheep, 4s 4d to 5s Od second quality ditto, 5s Od to 5s 6d prime coarse-woolled ditto, 5s 8d to 6s Od prime Southdown ditto, 6s Od to 6s 2d; lambs, 6s lOd to 8s 2d; large coarse calves, 3s lOd to 4s 8d; prime small ditto, 5s Od to 5s 6d large hogs, 28 lOd to 38 lOd; and neat small porkers, 4s Od to 4s 6d per 81b. to sink the offal. SMITIIFIELD MEAT.-The supply of Scotch beef was large, but only a moderate quantity of other descrip- tions. Prices were fairly firm early, but showed a drooping tendency, and closed 2d to 4d per 81b. below quotations. The trade throughout the morning was very heavy. The following were the current quota- tions Inferior beef, 2s to 2s 4d middling ditto, 28 8d to 3s 4d prime ditto, 3s 6d to 3s 8d Scotch short sides, ditto, 4s Od to 4s 4d; American, Liverpool-killed, 3s 6d to 3s Sd; ditto killed, hind- quarters, 3s lOd to 4s Od ditto killed, forequarters, 2s lOd to 3s Od English veal, 3s 4d to 5s; Dutch ditto, 2s 8d to 4s 8d inferior mutton, 2s 4d to 3s Od middling ditto, 3s 4d to 4s 4d prime ditto, 4s 4d to 4s lOd; Scotch ditto, 4s 6d to 5s Od; New Zealand ditto, 23 Od to 2s 2d American ditto, 3s 4d to os 6d; English lamb, 6s Od to 7s 4d; New Zealand ditto, 3s 2d to 3s 4d; large pork, 2s lOd to 3s 2d; and small ditto, 3s 2d to 3s 6d per 81b. by the carcase. GAME AND POULTRY. — Yenison, 6d to lOd; Ostend rabbits, 7d to 8d; foreign turkeys, 6d to 7d; ditto geese, 4 £ d to 5d; and Brittany butter, Is Id to 2 1 2, 1 Is 2d per lb.; plovers' eggs, 4s 6d to 5s 6d per dozen large guinea fowls, 3s 3d to 3s 8d; ditto larded, 4s to 4s 6d small Italian ditto, 2s to 2s 6d; spring chickens, Is 9d to 2s 4d large fat capons, 5s 6d to 6s; medium ditto, 4s to 4s 4d; large English fowls, 3s 3d to 3s 6d Irish ditto, 2s 6d to 2s lOd Welsh ditto, 28 to 2s 4d Russian ditto, Is 4d to Is 7d Aylesbury ducks, 4s 4d to 4s 8d; and Irish ditto, 3a to 3s 6d each. BILLINGSGATE Fisii.-Prices Wholesale: Scotch salmon, 2s 3d frozen salmon, 6d to 8d soles, Is 4d to Is 8d; slips, Is Sd; red mullets, 2s Dorys, 8d per lb. turbot, 12s to 18s brill, 9s to 12s; plaice, 5s tcv 5s 6d; halibut, 9s; lemon soles, 7s per stone; mackerel, 20s per 60; live cod, 17s to 20s; dead ditto, 12s to 14s; hake, 14s; skate, 10s to 12s; whitings, 58 to 10s gurnet, 8s; roker, 13s per box fresh haddocks, lOa to 12s per trunk; ditto, 15s to 20s per turn; Norway herrings, 13s; salted herrings, 13s per box; English smelts, 2s to 3s per 100; Dutch, 9d to Is per basket; live eels, 20s; dead eels, 12s per draft; conger eels, 30s per barrel; crabs, 16s to 22s 6d per hamper; lobsters, 30s to 70s per score; oysters, 2s 6d to 15s per 100; escallops, 8s; mussels, 4s to 6s 6d per bag shrimps, 10s to 14s per bushel; bloaters, Is 6d to 2s; kippers, Is 6d to 2s per box; London cured haddocks, 3s to ûs per dozen. ENGLISH WOOL.-There is no change to report with regard to this branch of trade, and things show no varies ion. The low prices now and again induce inquiry for the favourite qualities, and the wants of buyers are met by weak holders. Were sellers gene- rally disposed to meet buyers, a slight concession would tempt them, as it is generally felt that prices cannot much further give way, though the ultimate markets at present offer but small encouragement for speculation. Spinners have to tempt their cus- tomers in order to obtain fresh business, and this is very bard to get; indeed, all round a general haggling as to prices is going on, so meagre is the chance of profit. Colonial wools have shown rather more life. on account of foreign buying, but home markets do not follow suit. A general feeling of disappointment is evinced, as real demand does not as yet appear to have set in, and so far this year has brought but scant profit with it. Longwools hold their own better than the shorter qualities. Downs,. 9d to lOd Kents, 9d; half-breds, 8d to 9d. COVJLNT GARDEN FRUIT AND YEGETABLES. A fair supply of vegetable produce was available, and met a fair inquiry. Fruit trade quiet. Greenstuffs: Cabbages, 3s to 5s Od; beetroots, 28 Od to 3s; parsnips, 2a 6d to 38 6* per tally; French beans, 2s 3d to 2s 9d per basket; seakale, 10s 6d to 15s Od per dozen punnets celery, 98 to 15s; horseradish, 12s to 188 per dozen rolls; Brussels sprouts, Is 6d to Is 9d per half-sieve turnips, 2s to. 3s 6d; radishes, 9d to Is; carrots, 2s 6d to 3s 6d parsley, 2s to 3s per dozen bunches; English onions, 3s to 4s per cwt.; rhubarb, 2s to 3s forced ditto, Is to Is 6d per dozen bundles old potatoes. 45s to 90s per ton new potatoes, 15s to 20s. per cwt. Fruit: English hothouse grapes, Is 6d to 3s. BOROUGH AND SPITALFIELDS POTATO.-There was a fair supply of potatoes on sale. The demand was slow, at the annexed quotations: Magnum bonume,408 to 55s; Hebrons, 60s to 80s main crops, 60s to 80s; snowdrops, 60s to 70s; imperators, 50s to 60s,- blacklands, 40s to 50s per ton.. SEED TRADic.-A somewhat increased business doing. With finer weather, however, more orders would come to hand. Meantime clover and grass seeds stand at moderate prices. Tares in quiet request. Full rates are asked for mustard and rape- seed. Lucerne and sainfoin realise former terms. Birdseeds dull and favour buyers. Peas and harictots continue exceedingly cheap. Lineeed easier. W IIITECIIAPEL HAY AND STRAW.—Superior picked hay, 85s to 88s good hay, 77s to 80s; inferior, 57s to 70s; best clover, 92s to 95s good sound clover, 84s to 88s; inferior, 60s to 75s; straw, 2& to 38s. CAMBRIDGE CATTLE—A good supply of fat beasts at unchanged prices. A few lots of store beaste, ano trade slow. A good show of fat sheep, trade n quite so good. A few lots of store sheep to band, and all cleared. A large supply of fat P1^'P being quite up to last week. A good trade o y and roots. Trade for Btraw ruled slow. Beef, 6s 6d to 7s 6d mutton, 4s 4d to 6s 0d, po » 5s to 6s 9d. and READING CATTLE.—Market we 1 atjen 'owi fairly stocked with beasts, which sold at^the i | quotations: 4s 6d to 4s lOd per s por the animals, and 3s Sd to 4s for coaT*e* experienced at few sheep on offer a brisk demand jnje ghe(1p an(j 5s 8d to 6s 4d per stone for made 4s 4d 4s 4d to 5s 4d for heavier kinds. to 5s 8d per stone. ana aemana gooa. GULMSBY FISH. f"PPl?odt lire, 2s 6d to 8s Bnll, l°d *° *s pickled, 32s to 36s per barrel; dead, -s to 6 codlings, lOsto 16s per box; salt Hs tol2sperc gg_ 5g gd 6d peJ. halibut, i gQg t0 60s per kit; round, 16» :fo°°4s per box; live, 18s to 20a per score flnnonB, 4s 9d per stone; hake, 3s to 8s; live ling, oa Qd to 5s:; dead, Is 6d to 3s 6d each lobsters, 28 pèr lb.; American oysters, 4s 6d; Dutch, 8s English, je; Heligoland, 6s 6d per 100; plaice, 3s 6d to os 3d per stone; soles, Is 7d to Is lOd per lb.! to 9s per stone; salmon and grilse, 2s 5d to -s per lb.; skate, live, 3s 3d to 8s; dead, ~s 3d 0 each; tnrbots, Is 2d to Is 4d per lb.; whelks, 311 611 net wash; ice, Is 6d par cwt.