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

liucn attention has lately been drawn to Crater I Lake, a remarkable body of deep water in the Cascade mountains of Oregon, occupying the immense crater of an extinct volcano. that this mountain was once one of the lofuest „ America, but that ages ago liM jed b heart of the mountain "™*te8t depth is ^Oft. exquisitely blue water, whose grea £ a-half The lake is 'six miles long by about f^r-aud.a half miles -in .idth,-and i..eompel.y. encircled oy CI I- j tons walls varying m height from lUWi „rater f above the water. The greatest elevation of w rim above sea level is 8200ft. Crater Lake ranked amone the wonders of natural scenery m i j world. I f-

I REATER BJRITAIA. THERB has been some difficulty about filling the post of Minister in the Bhopal State since the death of the Munshi Imtiaz All. Many names have been mentioned, but it is understood that the Begum is anxious for the appointment of Moulvi Khan Bahadur Abdul Jabar, C.I.E., a choice which should meet with the approval of the Supreme Government in India. The Begum has great faith in this dintin- guished official, and as the Government is anxious to gratify her Highness's wishes in most respects, from a political point of view, it is more than probable that Mouivi Khan-will have the appointment. TIIB Session of the Canadian Dominion Parliament opened on Lady Day in beautiful spring weather. The Speech from the Throne states that the Dominion will be effectively represented on the occa- sion of the Diamond Jubilee. On the Manitoba schools question the Speech says that the arrange- ment with the Greenway Government is the best ob- tainable under existing conditions. Hope is expressed that the settlement will put an end to the agitation which has marred the harmony and impeded the development of Canada and will prove the begin- ning of a new era to be characterised by generou3 treatment of one another, mutual concessions, and reciprocal good Will. The Goterhment announces t hai, the enlargement of the St. Lawrence canals will be rigorously prosecuted so that there may be con- tinuous 14ft. navigalicn from tide wafer to the head of Lake Superior by the spr'ng of 1899. Parliament will be asked to approve arrangements by which the intercolonial (Government,) railway system will be extended to Montreal. The speech closes with a feeling expression of deep sympathy with suffering India. (The publication of a telegram from Mr. Chamberlain to the Governor-General has caused great satisfaction. The telegram reads as follows: "The Gentral Famine Relief Committee wish to express their deep gratitude for the great energy and liberality displayed by Canada in giving effect to her sympathy with the Indian sufferers. Her Majesty's Government and the Government of India have cordially associated themselves with these sentiments and highly appreciate the generosity of Canadians as a proof of the solidarity of the Empire. The Mani- toba Legislature has passed without opposition a bill giving effect to the agreement on the schools question. Two cases of leprosy have occurred in the province of Manitoba. The victims are Icelanders. The Government contemplate sending them to the laza- retto at New Brunswick. TilE Nova Scotia Legislature has been dissolved, and the general elections have been fixed for April 20. LORD BRASSEV has been on a holiday cruise along the New Zealand coast in the Sunbeam, and be is quite enthusiastic about the scenery of the West Coast sounds. He writes: In all my travels-and they have been far and wide over the globe-I have never seen Nature put forth such a magnificent com- bination of the sublime and the beautiful as we see in the sounds of New Zealand. I came here with expectations, but they have been altogether surpassed by what we really have seen. We came to get a holiday, and we have had one. I think no language could do justice to the subject." I THE Earl of Glasgow is coming home from New Zealand, and will not return to the colony. It has been an open secret that he could not get on very well with Mr. Seddon, the Maoriland Premier, owing chiefly to the fact that the Governor often found himself unable to approve of the suggestions and methods of the Democratic Prime Minister. Whatever troubles arose however were of a political character. Owing to the pecularity of the position, with a strongly Democratic Government in power at Wellington, it is said that the Colonial Office authori- ties are finding some difficulty in selecting a suitable man for the Governorship. It is said in some quarters to be likely that Sir Henry Wren- fordsley will be offered the post. Sir Henry has been Chief Justice in Western Australia, Tas- mania, Fiji, and the Leeward Islands (the latter position he still holds). He has also acted as a Supreme Court Judge in Victoria. He has on various occasions been specially selected for impor- tant work. He is an authority on colonial, financial, and trade questions, .and he has the advantage of knowing New Zealand, having an intimate knowledge of its general conditions and the wants of the people, As a matter of fact, in the dilemma which has been Sroduced by the peculiar political development in 'ew Zealand there seemB good grounds for the belief held by many people who know the colony, and who are acquainted with Sir Henry Wrenfordsley's experience and talents, that he is the one man specially fitted for this important post. As a memorial of the Queen's record reign, a shilling fund is to be opened in Victoria, Australia, for the purpose of establishing a hospital where, women will receive medical and surgical treatment III from members of their own sex exclusively- THE British and African Company's steamer Bat- hurst arrived at Liverpool on March 25 from the West Coast of Africa and the Canary Islands. Thsii Bathurst left Bonny on February 27.. She took from, Bonny to Old Calabar four prisoners, who were i, alleged to be the ringleaders in the revolt of natives on the estate of Herbert Jumbo, and who subse- quently threatened a descent on Bonny. One was a Jri Ju doctor, and was said to be the instigator of the rising. The prisoners, who were accompanied by four Niger Coast Protectorate native officers, were handed over to the prison authorities at Old Calabar. The Bathurst also landed at Old Calabar the members of the Niger Coast Protectorate band. These men were being taken up to Benin by the late Acting j Consul-General Phillips with the ill-fated expedition, but at the solicitation of Chief Dore, of Benin, they were left behind, and thus escaped being amongst the Benin victims. The Bathurst made a special call .at Sapelli, and brought from there to Sierra Leone 900 carriers who had been engaged in the Benin punitive expedition. They Were landed at Free- town. Most of .the men had scarcely been,1 two months away from their homes. The Bathurst < left Lagos on March 4. Acting-Governor and Mrs. Denton bad just returned from the in- i terior, where his Excellency had proceeded to pacify the natives, a tasfi; which be succeeded in accom- 11 plishing, There had been some serious fighting with the Ilofins, 200 of whom were killed in the epgage- M ment, whilst there was not a single .casualty on tbp J] British side. The Ilorins attacked several towns in !j the Lagos (territory. News reached the resident British officer at Odo Otin that a town on the oppo- site, side of the river was being threatened by the Ilorin Army, and assistance waa asked. The officer despatched a force of Hausa troope, numbering 40, with a s Tho. Ilorins, who were very numerous, attac.d the plAQf, The small British force met and defeated thtnt at all points. The Ilorins Oed, and left about300 killed. They were armed chiefly with bows fcftd arrows. Not one of the British received tba blightltk injury. I The Ilorins then sent messenger* to Bldft for the King of that plac4 tp send some ol his soldiers to 1 assist the Ilorins in another attack on the British, but the messengers learned that flida had been taken by the Niger Company's forets, and then the Ilorins retreated bodily tctbetr own 'II town. The Hausas had no Maxims with them, simply their rifles and some rockets. Th. Ilorin head war chief, Adactfu; was mortally wounded in the engagement, but was carried by his own I men back to their camp. The Hausas sent in rockets, Betting fire to the estop, Which Was broken up, and in the confusion the Ilbrins Retreated. Adamu died of his wounds, and his body was car- ried back to Ilorin, where there was great lamenta- tion. It was said the Ilorins did not know at the time of the battle that the Niger Company's forces intended to attack them in their own country. The Ilorins when they invaded the Lagos territory bad both infantry and cavalry, but were poorly aimed, It is said 'that they were so scared by their complete defeat by the Lagos tiausas that half a dozen of the British troops would hate been able to take the whole Ilorin counrry. The victory of the British had a most salutary effect in all the districts around. The 116gos Railway was being pushed on very onergeti- cally, and about 10 miles of the line had been cora- pleted and an engine and waggons were running, Accra was left by the Bathurst on the 5th inst. News from the interior showed that all was quiet there. Captain Donald Steward was up at Coomassie, and with him were 300 of the Hausa troops. The fort at Coomassie had not been completed. One or two ordinances which had been put in force in the coast I' towxrwere causing some little friction with some of the natives." "r,

V •• fikW«P^!T 0.f:Te^etarian8' while taking'd walk in the furiously w a bullock> which chased t^hem of the party, panting with fright! « AfterOris iTl •at beef three times a day J"

WILLS AND BEQUESTS. The will, dated January 31, 1895, with a codicil, dated February 4, 1897, of Richard Comer, late of The Bower, Wellington, Somerset, who died on Feb. ruary 15 at the above address, was proved bv Thomas Nicholson, merchant, Edward Corner, and Samuel Corner, the nephews of the testator, th6 personal estate amounting to £ 26,277. The following chari- table legacies are bequeathed: The Taunton and Somerset Hospital, £ 50; the Church Missionary Society, E25 to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, P-25 to the Governors of the Bounty of Queen Anne, for the benefit of the vicarage of Rockwell-green, in Wellington, £ 50 tohis wife all consumable stores, horses, carriages, goods, furniture, and plate for life or until her second marringe, the sum of £1450, an annuity of 1:50 and The Bower for life; to his nephew and nieces, George, Elizabeth, and Sarah Corner, £ 1000 each; to Samuel Corner, all his estates in the parish of Gulmstock, in the county of Devon to his nephews Thomas, William, and Richard Corner, each £ 300, and George Corner, £ 250; to his niece Harriet Sweet, ;F.I(JO, and many smaller legacies and annuities to other nephews and nieces to his niece Mary Corner six leasehold houses at Springfield, and to his niece Susanna Corner six other leasehold cottages at SpringGeld to his sister-in-law, Jane Marke, his house, Beaconsfield. Edward Corner is appointed residuary legatee. The will, dated April 29, 1891, with a codicil, dated May 10, 1895, of Mr. Thomas Kingston Austin, for- merly of Blackrock, County Dublin, but late of 33, Edwardes-square, Kensington, who died at the last- named address on January 20, was proved by Henry Evans Austin and Charles Howard Austin, the sons, John Hampton Hale, and Arthur William Mills, E 'citor, the executors, the personal estate amounting to 4:51,506. The testator bequeaths to his wife an immediate legacy of £ 100, the income of EIOOO for life with power to dispose of the same by will in favour of his children, and an annuity of 100 pro- vided she does not, for more than one week in each year, reside in Ireland to each of his children, Henry Evans Austin, Charles Howard Austin, and William Beresford Austin, £ 50; the testator be- queaths the residue of his estate equally among his children. The will* (dated January 14, 1896) ol Jean Fran- 9018 Gravelet (better known as Blondin), of Niagara House, Little Ealing, artist acrobat, has been proved by his widow, Mrs. Katherine Gravelet, Mr. Henry Coleman Gravelet, of 46, Boston-park-road, Brent- ford, and Mr. Henry Levy, 3, Arundel-street, solicitor. The testator bequeathed to the said Henry Coleman Gravelet, son of Charlotte Sophia Lawrence Grave- let, his medals, decorations, diplomas, and presenta- tion gifts, and he bequeathed £100 in trust to keep in order his grave and monument in Kensal-green. He bequeathed E200 to Iris D'Aguilar at Buenos Ay res, daughter of the said Charlotte Sophia Gravelet, and he bequeathed £ 200 in repayment of a loan to Adele Pauline Frances Pastor. The testator bequeathed to his wife CIOO, certain jewellery, and the portraits of himself and his late wife, and he left the residue of his property in (rust as to one-third for his wife, as to one-third for Henry Coleman Gravelet, and as to one-third to pay £2 a week to the said Adele Pauline Frances Pastor. The testator's personal estate has been valued at £ 1445. His house at Ealing was free- hold.

BAN KING STATISTICS. At the London Institution, before a meeting of the Institute of Bankers, Mr. James Dick read the other day a paper on "Banking Statistics of the United Kingdom in 1896." Mr. Dick stated that the period of five years which had elapsed since the last in- vestigation of bank accounts was made by the insti- tute bad been rather dull and uneventful. For bankers the largest event of the period had been the Baring liquidation. The five years ending 1896 witnessed the chief part of the progress and the close of the insolvency, and nobody had been any the worse. The daring experi- ment of transferring a bankruptcy estate to a public body had Iren completely successful, and the end had justified the means. The period had been remarkable for an official two per cent. Bank of Eng- land rate of discount lasting continuously for more than two and a-half years, and a market rate much below that. The Bankers' Clearing-house returns were sometimes referred to as a barometer of trade. A moment's reflection would show that the figures as blished were an imperfect measure of commerce. published were an imperfect measure of commerce. wo cheques or bills of the same amount at dates several years apart might not represent the same quantities; but it was quantities they wanted to measure. In 1896 the average price of 45 im- portant commodities was 25 per cent. less than it was in 1878. Therefore a cheque for gloo at the present time represented £125 18 years ago. The Savings Bank accounts showed a marvellous progress, and the accumulation of £ 150,000 000 by the smaller capitalists of the country was a hostage to political stability which could not be overestimated. As large holders of coin bankers had a material interest in the Coinage Acts; the latest Act had altered the current weight of the standard gold coins. It was re- markable that no discussion of the bill took place in Parliament on the historical principles which regu- lated the condition of the metallic currency. Prior to Goschen's Act, a sovereign more than a grain deficient was not current coin now the short weight was increased to three grains. He knew that a sove- reign could be reduced 10 grains and show no visible signs of illegal wear. In the present state of science large numbers of coins could be reduced without detection unless weighed. This was one reason why a new note issue on a metallic or other secure basis was advisable.

A REJECTED CHINESE ENVOY. Huang, who was recently nominated bv the Chinese Government their Minister in Berlin, ana refused by the German Government on account of certain alleged conduct of his when Consul-General at Sin- gapore, has addressed a long letter of explanation to Sir Cecil Smith, at that time Governor of the Straits Settlements. The letter, Huang says, is addressed to Sir Cecil because the conduct complained of arose out of acts well known to him, and four years of his duty in Singapore were passed under Sir Cecil's ad- ministration. The point of the complaint against. Huang is that he illegally levied a compulsory tax, or fee, on the, Chinese merchants of Singapore. He reminds Sir Cecil of certain conversations which took place between them in the spring of 1893 in regard to opium smuggling from Singapore, and encloses a copy of a petition trom a number of Chinese firms there offering to deposit 40dols. per chest as a kind Ðf caution money, and by way of acquittance of the merchants from any further responsibility for the duty on importation, into China. He gives his reply to this petition, in which he says that the Peking authorities must decide the matter, and that in the meantime they could place the money in the hands of one Tsai, being an honourable, upright subject, re- spected by all." Thereupon he granted clear- ances for Chinese ports to the junks in the harbour with opium on board. Huang reminds Sir Cecil that, on July 10, 1893, he called on the latter and discussed the petition with him, when Sir Cecil remarked that, since the merchants asked this and were willing to pay of their own accord, there was nothing in it contrary to English law. After Sir Cepil's departure from the colony, Huang proceeds, the relations between himself and the Protector of Chinese in Singapore were not good; and the Pro- tector, "finding no weaknesses in me that he could utilise, finally took away the money that was in Taai's charge and deposited it in the Colonial Treasury. And afterwards he misrepresented to the Governor, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Minister for the Colonies, that this- money was a compulsory tax from the merchants." But Huang contends that the records show clearly tliat the payment was not compulsory, and that he was. merely the means of transmitting the views of the-weretanis to the colonial Government and to Peking. It was not for him to decide whether in a free port like Singapore the regulations proposed by the Chinese Government should or should not be enforced; and from first to last he never had the money in his charge, and he is sure Sir Cecil Smith never imagined that he was levying a compulsory fee to appropriate it himself. The German Govern- ment, hearing these unfounded reports, have refused to accept my appointment as Minister to that Court. I have done nothing that would cause Germany to raise such objections,-nor have my actions been dis- agreeable to England." 1 1 J 1 1

-< V. 1,i' "SHE (at the fire): "Horrors! Look there! A man is trapped on the top floor of tbe burning build- ing." He: "What in thunder is he excited about! The fire won't reach him for several years yet. That's the beauty of these tall office buildings." ;0.

MARKET NEWS. I 3(ARK-LANS.-Business was very quiet, and prices remained much abbut the same. The sales of home- grown wheat in the leading markets of England and Wales during the 30 weeks of the season have been I,633,696qrø., against 992,890qrs. last season, the average being 29s 3d, against 2Õ8 Id per qr.; barley, 3,115,948qrs., against 3,259,855qrs., at an average of 25s 3d against 23a 8d per qr.; and oats, 441,136qrs., against 526,892qrs., the average being 16s 2d, against 131 100 per qr. English wheat has sold slowly, at previous currencies. Foreign wheat was purchased to a moderate extent at late rates. The flour market was quiet, without change. Barley was in quiet request, at late prices. Oats were firm, and 3d le 6d dearer. Maize was steady, at previous quotectiokB. Beats and peas were quiet on former terms. LONDON METROPOLITAN CATTLE.—The trade has been quiet but steady. There was a fair supply. Fat beasts were rather shorter in number, and business in them progressed slowly, prices remaining about the same. Fat butchering cows were firm in value, with a good demand. Fat bnlls and rough cattle were difficult to sell. The best 80 and 90-stone polled Scotch, 4s 8d; 100-stone cross-bred made 4s 4d; 90-stone polled Norfolks, 4s 4d, and occasionally 4s 6d; 100-stone Lincolns, 4s 2d; 10-stone fat cows, 3s 8d to 31 lOd per 81b. The supply of sheep was rather larger than recently. Ewes were scarce and very dear, and wethers sold quietly it full prices. The best n to 8-stone Downs made 6s 2d; 10-stone, 6s; 10-stone half-breds, 5s lOd 12-stone Lincolns, 58 6d; 10-stone Down ewes, 58. Choice Iambs were in request, and were quite as dear. Other sorts sold slowly. The best 71 2 to 8-stone Downs made 8s to 8s 2d 6-stone half- breds, 7a 8d per 81b. Calves were a nominal market. Pigs were firm and rather dearer. The top price was 4s 4d per 81b. English milch cows, 914 to jE21 per head. The following are the 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 4d; ditto Scots, &c., 4s 6d to 4s 8d; coarse and inferior sheep, 4s Od 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 Sd prime small ditto, 58 Od to 5s 6d large hogs, 2s lOd to 3s 8d; and neat small porkers, 3s lOd to 4s 4d per 81b. to sink the offal. SMITIIFIELD MEAT.—The market was well supplied, for which there was a fair trade at quotations, and more firmness was noticeable in prices for primest small sheep and lamb, as also for choice pork. At the close of the market very little was left unsold, mostly plain and inferior beef and heavy sheep. Current quotations: Inferior beef, Is 8d to 2s 4d middling ditto, 2s 4d to 3s 4d; prime ditto, 3s 6d to 3s lOd Scotch ditto, 3s lOd to 4s 2d; Scotch short sides ditto, 4s Od to 4s 6d; American, Liverpool-killed, 3s 6d to 3s 8d; ditto killed, hind- quarters, 3s 8d to 4s Od ditto killed, forequarters, 2s 8d to 3s Od English veal, 3s 4d to 5s Od; Dutch ditto, 2s 8d to 48 8d; inferior mutton, 2s Od to 2s 8d middling ditto, 3s Od to 4s Od prime ditto, 4s 4d to 5s Od; Scotch ditto, 4s 8d to 5s 2d; New Zealand ditto, 2s Od to 28 2d; American ditto, 3s 6d to 38 10d; English lamb, 6s Od to 8s Od; New Zealand ditto, 3s 4d to 3s 6d; large pork, 3a 8d to 4s Od; small ditto, 4s Od to 4s 6d; and Dutch ditto, 3s 4d to 4s 4d*per 81b. by the carcase. GAME AND POULTRY. Large English guinea fowls, 3s 3d to 3s 9d; Italian ditto, 2s 6d to 2s 9d; Aylesbury ducklings, 5s to 6s 6d goslings, 7s 6d to Bs; fat ortolans, 2s 9d to 3s; fat quails, Is 6d to 2s; ptarmigans, Is to Is 3d Russian black cocks, Is 6d to Is lOd ditto, brown hares, Is 9d to 2s 3d ditto, ducks, 2s to 2s 4d Irish ducks, 2s lOd to 3s 3d large tame rabbits, Is 8d to 2s spring chickens, 2s 6d to 2s lOd; large capons, 5s 6d to 6s 6d medium, 4s to 4s 4d; live hens, 2s to 28 6d; Irish pullets, 3s to 3s 4d; Russian ditto, Is 9d to 2s; and Surrey fowls, 3s 9d to 4s each; ploverie eggs, 10s to lis per doz. BILLIRGSGATE FISH.—The supplies consisted of 272 tons by rail, and 172 tons by water (three steamers). Prices: Wholesale Scotch salmon, 2s to 2s 3d Canadian, 9d to lOd; American, 6d to 7d soles, Is to Is 9d; slips, Is 8d red mullets, 2s 6d Dorys, 6d per lb.; turbot, 12s to 14s; brill, 9a; plaice, 5s 6d to 6s 6d halibut, 7s to 8s; lemon soles, 8s to 9s per stone ;mackerel, 15s per 60; English smelts, 7s per 100; Dutch smelts, Is to 2a per basket; live cod, 16s to, 209; dead cod, 128 to 14s whitings, lOa to 12s skate, 128 roker, 14s gurnet, 10s Norway herrings, 8s to 3s 6d per box; fresh haddocks, 10s to 12s per trunk; ditto, 25e per turn; live eels, 20s; dead eels, 12s per draft; conger eels, 35s per barrel; escallops, 15s; mussels, 4s to 6s 6d per bag; native oysters, 8s to 15s; Dutch, 4s to 7s; French, 3a to 68 per 100; Crawns, 10s to 12s per lb.; shrimps, 12s per bushel; ibsters, 30s to 60s per score; crabs, 16s per hamper; bloaters, Is 6d to 2s 6d; kippers, Is 6d to 2s per box dried haddocks, 4s to 8. per dozen. LONDON FRUIT AND V EGETABLES.—The potato trade remains unchanged. Green vegetables trade fair: Greens, 2s 9d to 3s 6d per bag; ditto, 2s 6d to 3s per dozen bunches cauliflowers, Is 6d to 2s per dozen ditto, 8s to 10s per crate; beetroot, 6d to 8d per dozen; parsley, 2s to 2s 6d per dozen bundles; thyme, 3s per dozen bundles parsnips, 2s to 2s 3d per cwt.; Brussel tops, Is 3a to Is 6d per bag; turnip-tops, Is 6d to 2a per bag; rhubarb (forced), Is to Is 3d .per dozen bundles; rhubarb (natural),. 2b to 3s per dozen bundles; leeks, Is to Is 3d per iozen bundles; broccoli, 2s. to 3s per bag; ditto, Is 9d to 2a per s;eTe;' euctimberp (framed), 38 to 5s per dozen; mustard and cress, Is to 2s per dozen pounds. Potatoes, dark-soil Magnums, 50s to 40s per., ton; ditto, Scotch Bruce, 50s to 65s per ton; ditto, Scotch Maincrops, to 66s per ton ditto, light-soil Bruce, 40s to 60s per ton turnips, 2s to 2s 6d per bag ditto, 40s to 45s Ser ton carrots, household, 30s to 35s per ton itto, cattle-feeding, 16s to 25s per ton mangels, 14a to 19s per ton swedes, 15s to 20s per ton; hay, 60s to 72s per load straw, 27s to 30s per load clover, 72s to 90s per load chaff, 55s to 90s per ton; horse mixture, 100s per ton oats, 14s to 20s per qr. maize, 17s 6d to 22s 6d perqr. barley, 19a to 211 per qr. beans, 21s to 24s per qr. peas, 26s per qr.; onions, Dutch, 2s 6d to So per bag ditto, Bor- deaux, 4s to 4s 6d per box ",p I S, English, 3s to 4s per bushel; ditto, Amerl^D, 7s 6d to 14s per barrel. WHITECIIAPBL HAT AND STRAW.—Superior picked hay, 80s to 88s; good hay, 78s to 80s; inferior, 67s to 72s; best clover, 92s to 95s good sound 67. to 72s; best clover, 921 to 95s good sound clover, 8411 to 88s; inferior, 60s to 75s; straw, 28e to 38s. ENGLISH Woot.-There is as yet; no sign that tusiness is likely soon to improve^ dull state of trade still continues. A certajn of busi- ness has been done for America, but^|nn8tead stimulating the market, has done no more than to keep it from getting worse, and there does not at present appear that the demand for the United States is likely to be on a large scale. The usual qualities of wool have been bought, and at tbe colonial sales American buying has strongly supported the market. The better spirit shown for colonial growths does not spread to English wools, and as a rule directly higher prices are asked buyers decline to deal. American buying is the only bright spot in this trade, for demand from other quarters is but poor, and the home demand the weakest of all. Under these cir- cumstances prices are really nominal. Downs, 9d to lOd Kents, 9d; half-breds, 8|d. 2 BOROUGH AND SPITALTIELDS POTATO.—A moderate supply of potatoes waB on offer. Trade was steady at the annexed rates: Magnum bonums, 40s to 55s Hebrons, 70s to 80s; main crops, 70s to 80s; snow- drops, 60s to 70s; imperators, 50s to 60s; blacklands, (98 to 50s per ton. SEED TRADII.-Sowing orders now come to hand, which are executed at the low rates current. Agri- sulturists are consequently able this year tojseed their land at a small outlay. Tares, dull; rye, unchanged. Mustard and rapeseed, firm. The birdseed trade con- tinued disappointing. linseed depressed. Peas and Haricots move off slowly, at last week's moderate cur- •encies. CAMBRIDGE CATTLE.—A rather short supply of fat beasts, prices being quite up to last week. A few lots of store beasts were shown; trade was slow, but all cleared. Not so many fat sheep to hand, last week's, prices being fully maintained. There were not many' store sheep for sale, but all were disposed of. A good show of fat pigs, prices being a little better. A fair trade for hay and roots; only a poor trade for straw. Prices: Beef, 6s 9d to 7a 6d; mutton, 4a 4d to 6s; pork, 5s 3d to 7a. READING CATTLu.-Beef was scarce and trade brisk at the following quotatione: 4a 4d to 4s 8d per stone for prime,' And 3s 6d to 4s for secondary qualities. Mutton made a good show, and trade was not quite so fast; small choice descriptions realised 6a to 69 2d, lefcser qualities 4s 8d to 5s 9d per stone. Veal made a fair show and not so dear, prices ranging from 4s 6d to 5s 8d per stone.

LEADING THE WAY AS USUAL. CHEAPEST AND BEST HOUSE. GAMAGE, for Cycles, Cycle Accessories, &c. j Write or call for comprehensive Catalogue for the Season, Post Free to any Address. THE "GAMAGE" CYCLES STAND THE RACKET. Tk 'oamspcdc' io.ux The^Lucissime"Lamp. Tht ,Gams de Ut!y.st1 Gds The 'Gamage> £ 12 19*. 6J. m xw 'Gamagc' 13 Gns. The Special Gamage 15 Gns. W 10/6 TLe Special Post Free. Burns &ffin Odourless and Non- HlghQrade,Smart, Up-tO'dmtel explosive. JEjJB RUily uE&ffwSSSi. Rough Roadsw^II not Wreck Work^hlp i„ .very '^■1^ part, The'Gamage'Watch Holder Gamage's Famous Bells. Very neat, (AS ILLUSTRATION.) 114, 2M, 219, Perfectly dualb- proof, 8/3. 3/8, 3/9. Spring clip pro- vents vibration Postage, 3d. Locks on the Bar. w .4 Loud and clear Price 3/8; with L toned. Wakh 2/9 POST FREE. Marvellous Lady'a nod Gent's Hue. value. 'SYKL' JskH Doctors do not differ In their opinions of VERY Can be earned in SADDLE the Pocket. No Stooping. la And why? Pumping up a Because it is at once Pleasure. cor: No Rattlinc on Portage Sd. rect, and pressure upon the perineum is avoided. "1 the Machine. Holds Brake to any No saddle soreness even after the hardest and most 0 Iia si Iy adaptable to any Machine. AGE, HOLBORN, E.G. HOL ORN, Free.

— '——— A MYSTERIOUS SAILOR. A letter received by a gentleman residing in London from a correspondent in the United States, tells of the death on board a British steamboat that will recall to many a scandal which moved the last generation. The news to hand is of the death of a man of about 35 years, who had the appearance of a gentleman, but was working as a common sailor. This man, who hid under the alias of William Clark the identity of an illegitimate son of a still well- remembered member of a former British Government, died on board the British ship Barracouta, as the vessel was on her way from San Francisco to San Jose de Guatemala. The striking circumstance about Clark's death was the fact that on his body were found strango possessions for a common sailor, namely, pass-books in three banks, one in San Francisco and two in New York, together with bills of exchange, showing that he owned over £1200. A number of letters were also discovered among the effects ef the deceased, clearly suggesting his connection with one of the proudest names of the British aristocracy. Clafrk died intestate, and it will now become the duty of the United States Government to dis- cover, if possible, if he bad any relatives to whom the property found on him should go. Knowledge of this strange case comes to London in a most unustial way. It was first reported here, officially, to the Marine Department of tLe Board of Trade, who made another report of the matter to the Foreign Office. Lord Salisbury, in turn, communi- cated the intelligence to the State Department at Washington through his Excellency Ambassador Bayard, who has just retired from office with the in- auguration of Mr. McKinley. The letter which was received from the United States contains the further information that Clark, just before his death, confided to a fellow-sailor, who had befriended him during his illnesp, the story of his life. So far the messmate in question has refused his life. So far the messmate in question has refused to divulge what was imparted to him.

THE LATEST SOCIETY CRAZE. Referring to modern fashions, the Lady's Pictorial says the amusement craze of the coming season, always excepting the ubiquitous cycle, promises to be skating. At the moment, it is essentially the recreation, and all socieijlias throwu itself con amore into the fascinating pastime of describing grape-vines and eights and double circles on artificial ice. Again, one is compelled to quote Rumour, and that often unscrupulous fictionist will have it that when the weather becomes tempting, and open-air delights woo one to leave indoor amusements, it will still be skating, in a form, wherewith society will in some measure amuse itself, and the new bicycle skates will certainly give ample scope for the wearing of pretty costumes. Royal cyclists were numerous last season, but the coming spring will see many more distin- guished recruits to the great army of riders. Among the illustrious personages who have recently joined in the fashionable pastime par excellence are their Majesties the King and Queen of Wiirtemburg and the Princess Paulina. The King has had a fine course constructed near the Royal Schloss at Stuttgart, and Princess Paulina, who has long been a fine horsewoman, is now a bold and graceful rider of ,the bicycle.

LIGHTHOUSE RECREATIONS. A keeper of one of the Scottish ligh: houses, who is of an artistic turn of mind, has a supply of paper regularly brought to him from the shore, on which, with a piece of black-lead pencil, he produces some really clever drawings: ships, birds, and fish con- stituting his principal subjects. With a fair supply of carpenter's tools some of the men can work wonders. At one lighthouse the keeper turns his knowledge in this line to making models of ideal lighthouses as he thinks they should be constructed. Taxi- dermy is, or was recently, practised to a large extent by the keeper of the Calais light- house. By surrounding the lantern with a wire netting, all kinds of birds are caught, and they are stuffed by this enterprising naturalist. His collection includes cormorants, bitterns, and several rare small birds. In some instances books are the sole companions of the lighthouse-keepers, but the supply of reading matter is very limited. One man, who was fortunate enough to gain possession of a copy of Shakespeare's works, committed the greater part of the plays to heart, and reading or reciting pieces from this book formed his sole hobby. He would stand all alone in his little parlour, and, going through all the necessary action, would roll out passage after passage of Macbeth," or some other suitable play.

A FAMOUS pear tree, which has lived nearly six centuries, near Toulon, was destroyed recently by a Violent windstorm. The trunk was nearly 12ft. in circumference. Monsieur Chaubaud, the proprietor of the ground on which the tree stood, after corres- ponding with nearly all the botanical societies in Europe, could learn of no pear tree equal in size and ilge to this one. CONCERNING the restoration of Peterborough Cathedral, the Dean of Peterborough writes to say at the portion of the north-west gable which it was found necessary to reset has now been taken down, and that the work of resetting will be at once pro- .oeeded with. Most of the stones taken down have been found to be in excellent condition, and, with few exceptions, will be replaced in their original positions, but the mortar in which they were set had entirely lost its' cohesive properties, and was reduced to a condition of fine loose powder

OCCUPATIONS FOR THE INSINE. The Conseil General de la Seine lately sanctioned the expenditure of 400f. on artists' materials for the use of the inmates of the asylum for the insane at Ville-Evrard. The publicity given to this fact might, in the absence of explanation, lead to the erroneous conclusion that a very large proportion of those who suffer from mental disease belong to the artistic pro- fession. What, however, has been placed beyond all doubt by Dr. Marandol de Montyel, the physician in charge of the Ville-Evrard Asylum, is (says the Leisure Hour) that a considerable proportion of those who are afflicted with mania show a marked aptitude for painting and drawing, although there may have been nothing in their past lives to account for it. Dr. Marandol de Montyel found that such patients derive great solance and satisfaction when provided with the moans of doing artistic work, and that this occupa- tion, by fixing the attention in normal ways of thought, favours the recovery of the reason. Strange to say, only in one instance-that of a patient who in drawing a stag made the antlers appear to grow from the lower jaw-has the artistic work thus produced at Yille-Evrard borne any mark of insanity. In several cases a high degree of proficiency in drawing and painting has been attained by those who were never known to touch a pencil before they entered the asylum. The art classes at Ville-Evrard have, in fact, produced surprising results, and the system is likely to be adopted elsewhere.

THE DUCHESS OF PORTLAND AT HOME. A very perfect type of family life, according to Woman, is to be found at Welbeck, where the DHchess of Portland reigns with justice, gentleness, and grace. It is said that duke met first met the lady who was afterwards to become his bride on the platform of a Scottish railway-station, and was so struckby her appearance and manner that he at once determined to win her for his wife. The story goes on to say that, to their surprise, they discovered they were bound for the same country house, and it was during their stay under its roof that the engage- ment was definitely arranged. Some time has passed since these brilliant bridal days, but the home life of the ducal pair is said to be of the happiest. The duke's winnings on the turf during the last few years have, it is said by persuasion of the duchess, been devoted to the cause of charity.

THE CHINAMAN'S RETORT. There is a good story in the Youth's Companion of one Sing Lee, an enterprising young Chinaman who conducted a laundry in a small mining camp in Colorado some years ago. His never-failiug good humour made him a universal favourite, and on more than one occasion the boys found that he had a ready tongue in his head. A Presidential election occurred about this time, and one of the boys, an Irishman, remarked to Sing: NVell, Sing, yez'll have to be goin' to China now. The Irish be goin' to run things here, and they won't have any hathen Chinee around." Quick as a flash Sing retorted: All light, me go Ireland. Ilish no lun things there."

How did you happen to insure in that particular company?" "I consulted the wishes of my wife." Of course that's very praiseworthy. But -does she know anything about life assurance companies ?" Yes. She investigated, and found that this one always issues the prettiest calendars." YISITOB I never saw such an obedient, willing boy as your little son is. No matter what task you set for him, he goes at it as cheerfully as if it was play. How he loves to please you!" Host: There'll be a circus in town next week." DURING the past few months there has been a striking increase in the number of wills which are proved at Somerset House by the executors in person. This independency of legal assistance is due not so much to the desire of the parties to save expense as to the great saving of time which personal applica- tion secures. It is not many weeks since a well- known practitioner in the neighbourhood of Caven- dish-square drove up to Somerset House and took the necessary steps to obtain probate of a will which disposed of personalty to the value of 960,000. SOME experiments with a compreesed-air locomo- tive were recently described in the Journal of the Franklin Institute. The motor reservoirs were filled to an initial pressure of 19001b. on the square inch. Before entering the working cylinders, the air was re- heated to 29 Id eg. F., and, under these condition., 222 cubic feet (measured at the atmospheric were consumed per average mile travelie 7 creasing the re-heated temperature to 30- g- •» quantity of air required was reducedto 209^b^eet per mile. Without tbe re-heater fl cubic feet were required. Tbe locomotive ran 16 mile, before re- quiring to be re-charged. The tnalwas made on a Jortion of the Pennsylvania Railroad line. A Swiss naturalist has recently presented to the Helvetian Society of Natural Science the results of a study of the remains of dogs found among the ancient lake dwellings of Switzerland, the earliest of which date from the Age of Stone. He finds that three different races of dogs existed there at that time, one of which resembled the Siberian Bledge-dog of to- day. Later, when the Age of Bronze dawned upon the Alps, two new species appeared, one being a shepherd dog and the other-a hunting dog. All of these dogs were of Northern origin, the canine types of the Mediterranean lands -not- Having crossed the AIDS.