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

THE Emperor Francis Joseph is to be crowned Kipg of Bohemia next year at Prague.. The Cardinal- Archbishop will place the crown of St. Wenceslas upon the white head of the Emperor, but the Arch- duchess Maria, as AbbeEs of the Convent of Noble Ladies of the Hradschin at Prague, will crown the Empress. This is the only-instance wherein a woman is permitted to fulfil episcopal functions. It has belonged to the convent for countless generations, but has never been exercised since Bohemia was united to Austria 300years ago. DR. ARTHUR T. PIERSON, who is once more hi London, is best known to English people through the controversy there was about his non-appointment urgeon's successor at the Metropolitan Taber- -ge filled Spurgeon), pulpit for many months a, ter that modern Chrysostom's death, and the ER„J*>RFC'ON of the congregation wanted him 0 ER6,J^ But the majority stood out for SPURF°»L^N'*AD won the day. Dr. Pierson is a £ LANDER, A powerful preacher ° F IV F A ~WELL advanced in years. There is gk, talk of his being askeci to accept the pastorate of Harcourt Chapel, CRIMINALS condemned to. Siberia are henceforth to be conveyed by ay. Hitherto the prisoners haye had to walk the whole way from Tomsk to Irkutsk, taking 98 days, and have often had to wait years in the central prisons before being able to continue their journey. A LtoADiKG American paper announces gravely, not only that the most striking event in connection with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee is to be the abdi- cation of her Majesty, but that the alleged contem- Pr&d ^cation is to be, not in favour of the Prince m aH8' ^ut °t the Duke of York 1 OF SPAIN has received from Venice ball-dress of glass, as soft and pliable a« silk*

VITAL STATISTICS. The Registrar General's Annual Summary just issued contains some interesting statistics relating to London and to many of the largest Provincial towns. With regard to "Registration" London, which is almost co-extensive with the Administrative County of London, it appears that its population in the middle of 180(5 was estimated at 4,421,955 persons, an increase of about 41,000 upon the number in the preceding year. The area of London is stated to be 121 square miles, equal to a square of 11 miles to the side; on each acre of this area, on an average, 59 persons reside, or nearly 38,000 persons on each square mile. In different parts of London the density of population shows remarkable contrasts the districts with the lowest densities are Lewisham, Woolwich, Wands- worth, and Hampstead, which at the most recent Census enumeration had less than 35 persons per acre. On the other hand, the most densely-populated districts are llolborn, Bethnal-green, St. Saviour's, Southwark, Shoreditch, St. George's-in-the East, and Whitechapel, among which the number of persons residing on each acre ranged from 171 to 208. The marriages of 79,738 persons were solemnised in London during 1896; the proportion to the popu- lation being higher than in any year since 1883. The births registered numbered 135,796, equal to a pro- portion of 3013 per 1000 of the estimated popula- tion this is the lowest London birth-rate on record. The natural increase of the population during last year, or the excess of births over deaths, was 52,285, and exceeded by 11,2,30 tlif, estimated increase of population during the same period. The deaths registered in 1896 were 83,511, and corresponded to a rate of 18'6 per 1000 persons living. Although the death-rate in London last year exceeded the very low rates recorded in 18Ba and 1894, it was considerably below the average rate in the preceding 10 years. Compared with the mortality experienced in these 10 years, there was a net gain in life saved during 1896 of 6854 lives—that is to say,if the death-rate last year had been the same as the average, the deaths of 6854 more persons would have been recorded in London. With regard to the mortality from the principal zymotic diseases in London last year, the death-rate from smallpox, scarlet fever, and fever" was below the average, while that from measles, whooping-cough, diarrhoea, and diphtheria showed an excess. The mortality from the last-mentioned disease has been excessive in the metropolis for the past nine years; and, with two exceptions, the deaths from diphtheria in 1896 exceeded the number in any year on record. In pro- portion to poulation, diphtheria was more fatal in the East districts than in any other part of London. A new and most valuable table in the Registrar General's summary shows the death-rates during 1896 in each of the 43 sanitary areas of London, after dis- tribution of deaths in public institutions to the different districts in which the patients had pre- viously resided. From this table it appears that the death-rate, thus corrected by the distribution of deaths in institutions, was equal to 16'8 per 1000 living in the West, 16'9 in the North, 17-8 in the South, 21'3 in the Central, and 21'4 in the East dis- tricts. In other words, among equal numbers living in each of these groups of districts, for each 100 deaths in the West, there were 101 in the North, 106 in the South, 127 in the Central, and 127 in the East districts. Among the 43 sanitary areas of London, the lowest rates of mortality during 1896 were 11-9 in Hampstead, 127 in Stoke Newington, 13'4 in Lee, 13-6 in St. George's, Hanover- square, and 14'3 in Wandsworth and in Lewisham in the other sanitary areas the death-rate ranged up- wards to 22'8 in St. Saviour's, Southwark, 22-9 in Limehouse, 23'4 in Holborn, 24-0 in St. George's, Southwark, 24-5 in St. George's-m-the-East, and 25'1 in St. Luke's. Only nine deaths from small-pox were recorded in London during 1896, against 206, 88, and 55 in the three preceding years. In proportion to population, measles was most fatal in St. George's, Southwark, St. James's, Westminster, Marylebone, and Woolwich; scarlet fever in St. Luke's, Shoreditch, St. George's-in-the-East, and St.. Olave's, Southwark; diphtheria in Chelsea, Limehouse, Mile-end Old Town, Bermendsey, Camberwell, Lewisham, and Plumstead; whooping-cough in Bethnal-green, Shore-' ditch, Limehouse, St. Olave's, Sojthwark, and Ber- mondsey; and enteric fever in St. Martin's-in-the- Fields, Clerkenwell, City of London, and Rother- hithe. With regard to the area of Greater London, estimated to contain a population of nearly six and a-quarter millions of persons, the rata AT mortality during 1896 was equal to 17 0 per 1000. The death- rate, as usual, differed greatly in the two constituent parts of "Greater Londonnamely, Inner or Registration London, and the Outer Ring. In the former, as before stated, it was 18'6 per 1000, whilo in the latter it did not exceed 13'1 per 1000. The Registrar General also includes in his Annual Summary some interesting information relating to many large Provincial towns. The aggregate popula- tion of 33 of the largest English towns, including London, dealt with in this summary, was estimated at upwards of ten and three-quarter millions of persons in the middle of 1896. The deaths registered in these 33 towns during last year were equal to an annual rate of 18-9 per 1000 of their population. The rates in the several towns, ranged in order from, the lowest, were as follow: Croydon, 14 2; Derby, 15-7; West Ham, 16*1 Brighton, 16*1; Huddersfield, 16'5; Bradford, 16'5; Portsmouth 16-6; Leicester, 16'7 Cardiff, 16-8; Swansea, 16'8; Bristol, 169; Halifax, 17-3; Norwich, 17'4; Not- tingham, 17'5; Burnley, 17'5; Blackburn, 17*9; Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 18-5; London, 18*6; Leede, 18'8; Hull, 18'9 Gateshead, 19-1 Birkenhead, 19*2; Sheffield, 19'3; Plymouth, 19"6 Sunderland, 19'8; Wolverhampton, 20 0; Oldham, 20-3; Bolton, 20*7 Preston, 20 8 Birmingham, 20-8; Salford, 22'6; Manchester, 22-6 and the highest rate during the year, 22'7 in Liverpool. With regard to the mortality from the principal zymotic, diseases in these large towns during the year under notice, measles showed the highest pro- portional fatality is Oldham, Hull, and Gates- head scarlet lever in Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, and Salford; diphtheria in Birming- ham, Burnley, London, West Ham, and Wolver- hampton whooping-cough in Manchester, Salford, Bolton, and Birmingham; "fever" (principally enteric) in Nottingham, Bolton, Wolverhampton, and Sunderland; and diarrhoea in Birmingham, Leicester, Wolverhampton, and Salford. There.were 25 deaths from small-pox in the 33 large towns during 1896; of these, nine occurred in London, five in Bristol, four in West Ham, and three in Cardiff. The general abstract, of births, deaths, and mar- riages registered in England last year has also been issued. The estimated population to the middle of 1896 was 30,717,355. The marriages were 242,445, the births 917,201, and the deaths 527,929.

UNCLAIMED MONEY. An interesting Parliamentary return recently issued, shows that the receipts and transfers into the Supreme Court of Judicature (England) during the year ending February 29, 1896, were EI5,383,257 Is. Id. This sum, added to the balance in hand on, March 1, 1895, makes a grand total of £ 76,768,417; 7s. 5d. After payments out of court to successful claimants and others, amounting to E17,035,648 14s. 10d., there remained in hand, injcash and secu- rities, on February 29, 1896, the large balance of 959,762,768 8s. 7d., exclusive of a large item under the head of Foreign Currencies." The proportion of this balance, which may be classed as unclaimed," is not stated, but no less than E2327,822 134 5d. has been appropriated, in the absence of claimants, to various objects. The Consolidated Fund is liable in respect of this appropriation in the event of legiti- mate heirs at any time substantiating their claims. The number of suitors' accounts is 49,924, of which some 5000 relate to funds unclaimed since 1877.

FRANCE appears to be England's keenest competitor in Portugal. According to the British Consul's latest report, the rivalry of France has been excessively severe of late. It is added that the activity of French agents is noticeably stimulated by the circumstance that many of the chief industrial institutions-the harbour works, gasworks, sugar; refineries, the arsenal, and even the practical super- vision of the State railways-are confided to ad- ministrators of their own nationality. A-gentleman resident in Lisbon recommends, with a view to the encouragement of British trade, the necessity of greater facilities in the way of credit, the study of the proper class of goods to be supplied, and of the form in which they can be best furnished, so as to meet the custom-house requirements. ONE of the most celebrated divers of the day is an Englishman named Hooper, who has recently per- formed perhaps the greatest feat ever achieved by one ^his profession. The ship Cape Horn was ^recked off the coast of South Amenoa. nnd Hooper made seven descents to a depth of over 200ft., remaining on one occasion 42 minutes under water.

MYSTERIOUS FATE OF AUSTRALIAN EXPLORERS. The perplexing uncertainty as to the fate of the missing members of the Calvert Exploring Expedi- tion will not, says the South Australian Register, be entirely removed even by the full and circum- etantial account of his exhaustive search which Mr. W. F. Rudall has given in the telegrams received from him. The only things really demonstrated in the facts ascertained by the relief party are the ex- tremely dangerous nature of the work of exploring in country inhabited by natives of such a treacherous and crafty disposition as those of the Oakover River district, and the courage as well as skill and con- stant watchfulness required by a leader and by all his men in making their way through such a locality. When the relief party went out at the beginning of December they took with them provisions sufficient to last for three months, and on their return to civili- j sation they had not more than one day's supplies left. It is therefore evident that to have remained any longer in the locality in which the two skeletons alleged to be those of the missing men were found would have been to have jeopardised the safety of the whole party, and perhaps to have brought about a worse disaster than that which they were endeavour- ing to investigate. In many respects the accounts given by the natives of the course taken by the two white men who were killed agree closely with the facts already placed on record, or with the balance ef probabilities with regard to Messrs. C. F. Wells and Jones. In reaching tbe place indicated from the neighbourhood of Joanna Springs they would have coile from the far north-east, as the ratives stated in reference to their two victims. One man, too, was younger than the other,. and had but a few hairs on his chin. So far it might readily be taken for granted that the descriptions were those of the two lost members 9f the Calvert Exploring Expedition, But these are only matters of general resemblance, and, on the other hand, there are positive and more precise matters of detail in which the descriptions given of the two murdered men and their movements will not apply to Messrs. Wells and Jones at all. The latter, although young, was not like the younger of the two victims whose skeletons were shown to Mr. Rudall by the natives, a man of medium height. On the contrary he was quite exceptionally tall, stand- ing 6ft. 2in. Both of the missing men are believed to have possessed teeth in better preservation than those on the skeletons; but on this point there is need for further elucidation. At any rate it seems almost incredible that in the short space of four months the skeletons of the two men in a dry country such as that of North-Western Australia should have become bare, or very nearly so. Besides, it is plain from the map that the scene of the murders must have been a long distance out of the track of the explorers, unless we surmise that they were making for the goldfield after having taken a detour. In regard to the number of camels that were accompanying tbe men, it is, however, signifi- cant that three were taken by Messrs. Wells and Jones, and three are spoken of by the natives as being in the possession of the murdered men at the time they were attacked. It is just possible that the skeletons secured by Mr. Rudall are those of two unlucky prospectors, who may have pushed northwards from th9 gold mining camp at Nullagine in search of new country and fallen victims to the treachery of the natives just as described. Prospectors are usually very secretive about their movements, and popular tradition in the West asserts that a large number have lost their lives through undertaking similar enter- prises. On the whole, however, Mr. Rudall's return, if it has not at once finally cleared up the mystery enshrouding tbe fate of the missing explorers, does not afford much hope of their having been able to survive during the long period which has elapsed since October 11, the date of their separation from the main party. The country is terribly inhospitable, and the natives still more so. It is greatly to be feared, therefore, that the names of Messrs. Wells and Jones, concerning whose fate their friends have for months been kept in a state of awful suspense, must be added to the already long list of martyrs to the cause of Australian exploration.

THE INFLUX OF ALIENS. The latest special information regarding the influx of destitute aliens into this country appears in the Board, of Trade report, on Emigration and Immigra- tion for 1896. It states that Russian and Polish immigrants increased in number by 2569, a rather large increase, though less than that of 1895 as com- pared with the preceding year. Of the total number of these Russian and Polish immigrants, more than 76 per cent. came to London. The number that ar- rived at this port was 9762 in 1896, as against 7281 in 1895, so that practically this increase accounts for the whole increase in the number of immigrants of this class. The only other port to which more than a thousand of these immigrants came was Hull, which shows a slight increase for 1896, the number having been 1219 in 1896, as compared with 1070 in 1895. Grimsby shows some increase, the number having been 794 in 1896, as against 549 in the previous year, while Leith, Grangemouth, and the Tyne ports show a decrease amounting altogether to nearly 500. Of Russian and Polish immigrants that arrived at the Port of London in 1896, the greater number, as in previous years, came from Hamburg and Bremen, which together sent 8064 of these persons to London, or nearly 83 per cent. of the total number of Russians and Poles that arrived in London. But a marked, feature of this immigration during the past year was the large number of Russians and Poles who came here direct from the port of Libau. Of these 1197 came to London, while 571 (not stated to be en route to other countries) came to Hull. How many 'of these Russians and Poles who were not stated in the Alien Lists, to be en route to other countries subsequently left the United Kingdom within the year, there is no means of knowing but that many did leave is certain. In the first place, the Customs officers ascertained that nearly 3000 alien immigrants of all nationalities (most of them being immigrants who had arrived at London) pro- ceeded to other countries, though not stated in the Alien Lists to be on their way thither, and as.Russians and Poles formed considerably more than half of the alien immigrants arriving in London, it may be presumed that not less than some 1500 Russians and Poles were included in this number. There is the further fact that about 1600 Jews were assisted by the Jewish Board of Guardians and the -1 Russo- Jewlsh, &c., Conjoint Committee to leave London in 1896. Again the report of the Poor Jews' Temporary Shelter (Whitechapel) shows that, of the inmates who arrived in the year ending 31st October, 1896 (almost all of whom came from the Continent), more than 3000 left for countries out of Europe, two- thirds of them going to Africa. No doubt, as between these various figures there is some duplica- tion indeed the persons who passed through the shelter are probably to a large extent those immi- grants referred to above who came under the notice of Customs officers as intending emigrants. What proportion, however, if any, of the inmates of the Bhelter subsequently received assistance to emigrate from the other charitable Jewish bodies just men- tioned, and are included in the number of 1600 given above, does not appear, but it is probable that dupli- cation in this direction did not take place to any great extent. We shall probably, therefore, be well within the mark in assuming that more than 4000 Jewish immigrants (mainly Russians and Poles) left the United Kingdom in this way within the year. These figures refer solely to Jews that arrived in London, but the reports of other Jewish charitable bodies in the provinces show that similar work in assisting emigration is' carried on by them, though exact figures as to emigrants are not given. It would seem, therefore, from the information available, in- complete though it is, of the subsequent emigration within the year of Jewish immigrants from the Con- tinent, that the number of persons belonging to the destitute alien class who came here for settlement in 1896 cannot have exceeded some 5000 in London, and about 2500 in the rest of the United Kingdom, or 8000 in all.

"GEORGE, father has failed." "That's just like him I I told you all along, darling, that he wae going to do all he could to keep ua from marrytng." YOUNG WOMAN (timidly, to shopman): "iwouia like to look at some false hair, please." Shopman (experienced): Certainly, miss. What colour does your friend want ?" A TELEGRApH operator tells how he recently had to despatch a telegram which read Miss will you be mine ?" It was delivered to the proper party, and soon she came tripping into the office to write her reply. It read: Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes." Twelve words exactly, and she paid her 6d., then tripped out of the room with the sweeetest kind of a blush.

MARKET NEWS. MARK-LANE. Business has been firm in tone, though not active. The sales of home-grown wheat in the leading markets of England and Wales during the first 34 weeks of the season have been l,8l6,525qrs., against l,106,593qrs. last season, at an average of 29s, against 25s per qr. last season barley, 3,169,820qrs., against 3,321,492qrs., at an average of 25s against 23s 6d per qr.; and oats, 470,7l6qrs., against 566,088qrs., the average being 16s 2d, against 13a 9d per qr. English wheat was in request, and was Is dearer, making a rise of 3swithin the fortnight. For foreign wheat the demand was steady, at a further rise of Is. Flour was firm and Is dearer. Barley was in request at 3d advance. Oats realised 3d more money with a moderate demand. Maize was firm, and 3d dearer. Beans and peas were steady on firmer terms. LONDON METROPOLITAN CATTLE.—The trade has been dull. The supply of beasts was in excess of the average* and included some choice consignments from Scotland and Norfolk. Trade has been very slow throughout, and there has been a difficulty in maintaining late rates for all qualities. The best Scotch made 4s 8d, and occasionally 4s lOd Nor- folks, 4s 4d to 4s 6d; shorthorns, 4s to 4s 4d fat cows, 3s lOd to 4s; and fat bulls, 2s 8d to 3s per 81b. Heavy supplies of sbeep and lambs were in the pens. Sheep moved off slowly, but were steady in value. The best 7-f I to 8-stone Downs made 5s 6d 9-stone, 5s 4d 10-stone half-breds, 5s to 5s 2d 12- stone, 4s lOd and 10-stone Down ewes, 4s 4d to 4s 6d per 81b. Lambs were in limited demand, and were drooping in value 5-stone fat Downs 7a 6d to 7s 8d and 6-stone half-bred 7s per 81b. Calves were a nominal market. Pigs steady; top price, 4s 6d per 81b. English milch cows, E16to £21 per head. The following were the quotations: Coarse and inferior beasts, 2s 6d to 3s 6d; second quality ditto, 3s 8d to 4s Od; prime large oxen, 4s 2d to 4s 6d; ditto Scots, &c., 4s 6d to 4s 8d; coarse and inferior sheep, 4s Od to 4s 6d second quality ditto, 4s 6d to 4s 10d prime coarse-woolJed ditto, 6a Od to Ó8 4d; prime Southdown ditto, 5s 4d to 5s 6d; lambs, 5s lOd to 7s 8d; large coarse calves, 3s lOd to 4s 4d; prime small ditto, 5s Od to 5s 6d large hogs, 2s 8d to 4s Od; and neat small porkers, 4s 2d to 48 6d per 81b. to sink the offal. SJIITHFIELD MEAT.—The supply was larger of mutton, but moderate generally. The trade ruled slow, but quotations were maintained for all except inferior descriptions, for which there were few buyers, as follows: Inferior beef, Is 8d to 2s 4d middling ditto, 2s 8d to 3s 4d; prime ditto, 3s 6d to 3s lOd; Scotch ditto, 3s lOd to 4s 2d; Scotch short sides ditto, 4s 2d to 4g 6d; American, Liverpool-killed, 3s 7d to 3s 8d ditto killed, hind- quarters, 3s lOd to 4s Od ditto killed, forequarters, 2s 8d to 2s lOd English veal, 2s Od to 4s Od; Dutch ditto, IsSd to 4s Od inferior mutton, 2s 4d to 3s Od middling ditto, 3s 4d to 4s Od prime ditto, 4s 4d to 5s Od; Scotch ditto, 4s 6d to 5s Od; New Zealand ditto, 2s 4d to 2s 6d; English lamb, 5s 4d to 7s 4d; New Zealand ditto, 3s 6d to 3s 8d; large pork, 3s 8d to 4s Od; small ditto, 4s Od to 4s 4d per 81b. by the carcase. SMITHFIELD PouLTttr AND PROVISIONS.—Supplies moderate demand poor. Prices: Goslings, 5s 6d to 6s Aylesbury ducklings, 3s 6d to 4a 6d; capons, 6s to 8s 6d; Surrey chickens, 4s 6d to 5s 6d; Boston chickens, 3s 6d to 4s; Essex chickens, 3s to 3s 6d; Irish chickens, 2s 3d to 3s 6d; Russian chickens, Is 3d to Is 9d; Russian ducks, Is 9d; quails, 9d to Is 6d; feathered pigeons, 9d; Bordeaux pigeons, lOd to Is; Russian black game, 9d; ptarmigan, lOd; Russian partridges, Is 3d; live ducks, 2s live hens, 2s to 2s 6d Russian brown hares, Is to Is 4d; Rus- sian white hares, Is tame rabbits, Is 4d to Is 9d wild rabbits, Is; Australian rabbits, 9d to 10d; skinned ditto, 5d each, English eggs, 6s per 120 large pigs, 3s 2d to 3s 4d small pigs, 4s 2d to 4s 6d per 81b. BILLINGSGATE Fisn.—Prices Wholesale: Scotch salmon, Is lOd to 2s; Canadian salmon, 9§d; Ame- 2 rican, 6d; soles, Is to Is 6d slips, Is 4d red mul- lets, 2s 6d to 3s Dorys, 2d per lb.; turbot 7s to 8s; brill, 7s to 8s; halibut, 7s 6d; lemon soles, 6s 6d plaice, 4s 6d per stone fresh haddocks, 10s to 12s per trunk live cod, 12 to 16s dead ditto, 8s to 10s; whiting, 5s to 6s; gurnet, 10s; eatfish,7s; coalfish 10s; hake, 14s; roker, 118 per box English mackerel, 10s per 60 Irish. 32s per 120; English smelts, 12s, Eer 100; whitebait, Is per quart crabs, 16s per amper lobsters, 30s to 50s per score; native oysters, 8s to 15s Dutch, 4s to 7s French, 3s to 5s per 100; mussels, 4s to 6s 6d per bag; winkles, 7s to 9s; whelks, 4s per bushel London-cured haddocks, 4s 6d to 9s per dozen bloaters, 3s to 4s kippers, 3s to 3s 6d red herrings, Is 6d to 2s 6d per box. BOROUGH AND SPITALPIELDS PoTATo.-There was a fair supply of potatoes on offer. The trade was stead v, with prices ruling as under: Magnum bonums, 35s to 4os Hebrons, 60s to 70is; main crops, 70s to 80a snowdrops, 60s to 70s; imperators, 40a to 60s per ton. SEED TRADE.—Numerous sowing orders coming to hand, which are executed at the low rates current: indeed, farm seeds generally are now abnormally cheap. Tares unchanged. Mustard and rapeseed steady. Lucerne and Timothy in improved request. Canaryseed, although quiet, is stronger. Liverpool prices come higher. Some Canadian haricots just landed offer on tempting terms. Peas firmer. WiiiTEciiArBL HAY AND STRAW.—Superior picked hay, 85s to 90s; good hay, 78& to 80s; inferior, 57s to 70s; best clover, 92s to 95s good sound clover, 84s to 88s; inferior, 60s to 75s; straw, 28e to 40s. Supply moderate; hay more inquired for. ENGLISH WOOL.-The same unsatisfactory state of things continues to affect this branch of trade, and so far nothing at present appears likely to relieve it. Some report a more depressed stato of business, but these are generally buyers, as all conditions of Con- tinental politics have for some time been anticipated, and the commencement of war adds nothing new to the recent outlook. Indeed, it would have to be some- thing quite out of the usual run of events to cause trade to become much worse, for sellers as a general rule have for some time abstained from offering their stocks or endeavouring to tempt buyers. The holi- days have really been looked upon with unusual favour as affording a good excuse for the curtailment of business, and, in consequence, have been made the most of. Reports from the Continent are still very discouraging, and by no means point to any likely improvement. Spinners still continue purchasing only to cover needs, and certainly are not attracted by present rates into speculative purchases. Colonial wools are relatively better than home growths, but the business passing is very moderate. In these cir- cumstances prices are reallv only nominal. Downs, 9d to lOd; Kents, 9d half-brer's, 8|d. COVENT GARDEN FRUIT AND VEGETABLES.—Good supplies of vegetable produce have been received, for which the demand was only moderate. Fruit trade steady. Greenstuffs r Cabbages, 5s 6d to 7s beet- roots, 2s to 2s Gd parsnips, 2s to 2s 6d per tally; mushrooms, 6d to 9d per lb.; rhubarb, 2s to 3s; celery, 7s to lOa per dozen rolls; horseradish, Is to Is 6dper bundle turnips, 9d to Is; carrots, Is to Is 3d per bunch; parsley, Is 6d to 2s Od per dozen bunches; spring onions, 2s 6d to 3s; leeks, Is 3d to Is 9d per dozen bunches old potatoes, 45s to 85s per ton. Fiuit". English grapes, Is 9d to 3s eoakale, 12s to 15s per dozen punnets endive, 9d to Is 3d; lettuces, 9d to Is; artichokes, Is 6d to 2s; cucumbers, 2s to 5s per dozen. CAMBRIDGEOATTLE.—With a short supply of fat beasts, trade was brisk at a little more money. A tew lots of fairly good store beasts were offering, but trade was rather slow. Fat sheep in short supply, and a good trade all round. Large supply of lambs, and trade fair. The few lots of store sheep were all cleared. Good show of fat pigs, and trade good at last week's prices. Hay, straw, and roots good trade all round. Prices: Beef, 7s to 8s 3d mutton, 4a 8d to 6s 4d lamb, 9d to lOd pork, 5s 9d to 7s. READING CATTLE.—Beef proved somewhat scarce, the trade for same ruling brisk best sorts realised 4s 6d to 4s lOd, and secondary, 3s 4d to 4s 2d per stone. There was plenty of mutton on sale, and a fair inquiry. Best in wool made 5s 8d to 6s 4d secondary, 4s 6d to 5s 8d per stone lambs sold at 6s to 7a 4d and veal, 48 lOd to 6s per stone. GRIMSBT ,hslI.-Supply and demand good. Brillp, 8d to 10d per lb.; cod, live, Is to 3s 6d each coal- fish, 10s to 20a per score; codlings, 9s to 12s per box; catfish, 10s to 25s per score gurnets, 2s 6d to 4s 6d per box; halibut, live, 6s to 7s; dead, 5s to 5s Gd per stone haddocks, 50s to 60s per kit; round, 14a to 218 per box; live, 16s to 18s per score finnan, 4s" to 4s 6d per stone; ling, live, 2s 6d to 5s dead, Is 6d to 3s each; lobsters, Is per lb.; mackerel, 5s to 6s per score; American oysters, 4s; English, 7s Heligo- land, 6s 6d per 100; plaice, 3s 6d to 4a 6d per stone roker, 14s to 20s per score; soles, Is 4d to Is 8d per I lb.; lemon, 68 to 7s per stone; salmon and grilse, Is.8d to 2s 4d per lb.; skate, dead, Is 6d to 4s eacb; ,turbot, 8d to 10d per lb; tusks, 10s to 20s per score, whelks, 3s 6d per wash; ice, Is 6d per cwt.

FOR IGAMAGE, CYCLING OUTFITS. LEADING THE WAY AS USUAL. CHEAPEST AND BEST HOUSE. Write or call for comprehensive Catalogue for the Season, Post Free to any Address. THE SHORLAND." 4/11 Cut all in one piece. Horseskin. Extra Quality, 6/6, 8/6, io/6. Black or Tan. Pottage on Shoes, 4îd. Send size with Order. Latest registered Design for Ladies' 8/6 ) and Gentlemen's Shoes. 18/6 LAJ Inserted Moulded Kabber Bars, which prevent slip- ping and reduce vibration, and are specially recom- mended for Rat-trap Pedals. Made in all Shapes at 3|6 and upwards. Send size -when ordering. I The LADY'S "SHORLAND," Horse-Skin or Tan French Calf, 8/6, 10|6 and 1216; Gamsoo Calf, (Reg.),14; 6. Extra Fine, 16 6. Extra Hand Sewn, 21/- CYCLINQ SHOES IN ENDLESS VARIETY. Send size ieh.cn ordering. Horse-Skin or Tan French Calf, 8/6, 10|6 and 1216; Gamsoo Calf, (Reg.),14; 6. Extra Fine, 16 6. Extra Hand Sewn, 21/- CYCLING SHOES IN ENDLESS VARIETY. Send size ieh.cn ordering. Ventilated Cycling Cap. I Ventilated Cycling Cap. X./6 | Postage, 3d. 1/6 Waterproof Cycling Capes. I Good Friends in Foul Weather. I All Prices from I (Men's) N N 3/3 TO 16/6. 101 THE NORTH ROAD Shoe, 8/6. THE RIPLEY Shoe, 6/6- 1\ I "I I I 0% I I 0 Ladies' Cycling Waterproof CAPES AND PONCHOS 6/6 TO 25/- TEE Holborn Shoe, 4/11. =- I I THE "REFEREE" Men's Cycling Shoe, |A/fi Best in the BU/Oi World. Cycling ——— sons. (Racing) Wool lined FROM FROM 9/5 26/- RAIN BUT NOT AIR PROOF 31/6 & 40/6. Cyclists who have regard for their health should wear only Gamazes "Referee" Sanitary Wool-lined Cloth- ing. Patterns and Rules of Self Measurement sent Free to any address. Orders over 10/- carriage free. p I .1 I [ 1 1 Thick Legs and Thin Feet. GOLF, SHOOTING AND CYCLING HOMEKSIT STOCKINGS Free from all Seams. Pure lonq staple Scotch Wool,full length, broad ribs, double heels and foes, most comfort- able. Colours: Navy )lue, black, light md dark grey, leathers and fan- cy mixtures. fhick Legs & Thin Feet. 11 sizes, 2(6,3/6 Th, Highland Check. Hand-knitted, Thick Legs & Thin Feet, 3|6, 4|6. As Illustration, 5 6, 8 6. Usual Feet, S[6, 4f6. Postage, 3d. per pair; 2 pairs, 4irf. A. W. GAMAGE, 126, 127, 128 & 129, Holborn, London. J i -I- 11 I-

THE GREEK ARMY. Unless tiae Greek Army has during the last 18 months undergone transformation, and if the account of that army given in the Handbook of the Armies flf the Smaller South-Eastern States of Europe," which was prepared in the Intelligence Division of the War Office, and bears date October, 1895, still (says the Times) holds good, Greece has entered on the war ill prepared for a struggle against her power- ful enemy. The war strength, including officers and non-combatants all told, is but 6G,250, and 180 guns. The peace strength is given as 23,435 in the estimates for 1895, but is quite 15 to 20 per cent. less, and we are told that it would probably take eight or 10 weeks before the Greek Army could be mobilised, and even then the result would hardly be satisfactory. The organisation is based on universal conscrip- tion, liability to service beginning when a man has reached his 22nd birthday. The nominal total army fervice is 30 years, of which two are to be spent in the active army the cavalry pass eight years, all other branches 10 years, in the Active Army Reserve, which includes all men between the ages of 21 and 33 whether they have served with the colours or not. Then there is a Territorial Army, in which the cavalry serve 10 and all other branches eight years, and finally the Territorial Army Reserve, in which the duration of service is 10 years. But, unfor- tunately, tho limits are not strictly adhered to even in the army and its reserve. As a matter of fact, only the cavalry serve two whole years with the colours; the remaining branches rarely serve more than a year and a few months. A large number of infantry and cavalry are passed to the gendar- merie after eight months. Both the Territorial Army and its reserve exist only on paper. Voluntary engagements are permitted to a certain extent. As f6 the proportion (about six officers to 100 men) is very large, and iVbeing gradually re- duced. The average age of efficers is very high the youngest infantry lieutenant in October, 1S95,' waa 35 years, and the youngest second lieutenant 23 years old. Owing to there being so few men actually under arms, there is very little for the officers to do. There are nearly 500 officers in the reserve. The infantry company (locha) is 250 all ranks four companies make up a battalion (tagma). The regiment (pezitoi) of the line is composed of two battalions. Six battalions in addition are rifles or light infantry (euzonoi). Fifteen line battalions and one euzonoi are formed on mobilisation, presumably in connection with 14 or 15 already existing battalion cadres. The infantry are armed with the single loader Gras (*433in.) rifle, sighted up to 1300 yards, and the sword bayonet. It is stated that when money is available they will probably be armed with the Austrian Mannlicher magazine rifle; but, as in 1^1)5, owing to the serious financial state of things in Greece, it was contemplated, for the sake of economy, to abolish two infantry, one cavalry, and one artillery regiments, not much progress can have been made in this direction. It seems more than probable, however, that, to some extent, the most modern forms of small arms will be found in use against the Turks. The cavalry, armed with Gras carbine and Bword, is organised in squadrons of 150 of all ranks, four squadrons to a regiment; but in peace there are but three regiaients an additional three squadrons are to be raised on mobilisation. The horses are mostly AIgerine or Hungarian. The riding is not' good. The artillery batteries are of six guns. The bat- teries are formed into three regimentp, of which two have four field and three mountain batteries; iu the third there is one field battery less. The gnns are of Krupp manufacture, two batteries being 12-pounders. The other field guns are 0-pounders. How this force is to be augmented to the war strength of 180 guns is not stated. The engineers include a regiment of two field bat- talions, each of four companies; one railway and telegraph company, and one pyrotechnio company. A battalion is to be formed on mobilisation. The train consists of only one company, 57 strong and 60 mules; this is to be augmented on mobilisation by two battalions and two companies. Of the medical service, which is to be augmented by two companies, there are already two companies, each consisting of nine officers, 224 men, four horses and 21 iaule?, I lql divided between eight hospitals. The gendarmerie is a large force, numbering altogether 115 officers, 3376 I foot gendarmes, and 256 mounted gendarmes. The war organisation is three Army Corps, of equal strength. There is no divisional organisation. The I corps is composed of five regiments of infantry in two brigades, five squadrons of cavalry, seven field and three mountain batteries, a battalion of engineers, a telegraph company, a train battalion, and a medical service company. On mobilisation the army has to make good a deficiency of about 4000 horses and 400 mules, without counting transport. There is a Hellenic gunpowder factory for making cartridges, &c., but it is stated that very little ammunition is in stock anywhere in the country. If Greece has been able in the short time which has elapsed since this trustworthy statement of her actual military condi- tion to be come fit for the field she must have achieved a marvel of progress in military organisa- tion and military preparation.

IT is not generally known that Signor Foli, the vocalist, began life as a cabinetmaker. Specimens of his skill may be seen in several London mansions. Foli is a warm-hearted and generous Irishman. Dogs and billiards appeal to him almost as much as the concert-room. A WEALTHY Englishman, who recently "Vienna, had a fad for collecting uniform,b" fln teeth of wild beasts, and the fans of b.,»tonB' His collection comprises 352 fans, 20,000 buttons, and about two bushels of nImaà teeth.

OUR SILK SUPPLIES. Those gentlemen in the House of Commons and elsewhere who look upon Cyprus as an incumbrance and a dead loss to the Empire, may find some consola- tion in the news that the island can be utilised profit- ably, says the Drapery TVorld. In climate and other essentials, it is, as we learned long ago from the Silk Association, adapted for the cultivation of the silk- worm and of the raw material for the most beautiful of fabrics. An attempt is now being made to teach the inhabitants the art of silk-cfflture by the most scientific methods and lectures and schools for the purpose are being established under the supervision of an eminent French expert. By-and-by, it is anticipated, there may be an extensive and remunera- tive silk industry in the historic island, and it is intended, of course, to feed the English markets with the Cypriote product. Though it is not the fashion now to walk about in silken attire, there can be little doubt that the employment of silk in the manufac- ture of dress and other of the more delicate textiles for men's and women's wear is growing—and evi- dence enough of that fact is supplied by the statis- tical returns of our silken imports. We levy on all the silk producing countries for our supplies. In the unmanufactured material the imports from China during the last quarter amounted in value to E113,508 —whereas in the same period of last year the value ef our purchases from the Celestials only reached £ 33,401. In the supplies from our own territories, the British East Indies, there was a slight falling off —the value for last quarter being only £ 39,5S0, as against £ 40,752 in the first quarter of 1896. But, taking all our sources of supply, the increase in the value of our raw silk imports in the first three months of this year, as compared with the totals for a similar period in 1896, reaches nearly 50 per cent. As our demand augments, it is, of course, an advantage to have prospectively a new source of supply within our own jurisdiction, and it is beyond question that there are parts of the world under British rule in which it is possible to establish flourishing silk industries. The new departure in Cyprus may only be an experi- ment, but its success, which seems assured, must quicken similar enterprises elsewhere.

A COSTLY BANQUET. For the banquet that took place immediately after the Coronation of tbe Czar and Czarina, no less than 320,000 pounds weight of the finest crystal, gold, and eilTer plate was .^6, f0"" x'he mort f composed of the precious metals. j.he most tamo is services of plate are the Orloff and the c0/el vices, the last including, among other t;1 g P of foor equestrian statues on the AnichkoB. bndge m St. Petersburg, four others representing f scenes, and one St. George and the Dragon. the crystals are some wonderful vases, wit of grupes cut in relief. The Orloff consists of lb vases richly decorated, and 96 large silver centre pieces for the table of exquisite workmanship. A third service, known as the Parisian golden service, bought in 1867, consists of tureens, dishes, and centre pieces.

A TABLE given by Mr. Booth in his latest volume abeut London life to show sections of the population arranged in order of apparent poverty as measured by overcrowding is curious. Costermongers occupy the topmost position. They are, therefore, the poorest, judged by this standard. Architects are at the bottom. EEREKGER'S black velvet smoking-cap has been added to the Carnavalet Museum by M. Benjamin Autier. The relic is a shabby affair. A far more valuable acquisition is a long letter, all in Mdme. de Sevigne's handwriting to Mdme. de Grignan, and dated Hotel Curn-xvalet. It was bought at thePlichon auction by the city of Paris. IN connection with the preparations for the forth- coming Bath and Southern Counties' Show at South- ampton, excavations were being made by the local waterworks company near a reservoir when the earth caved into one of the pits and buried a man working at the bottom. Both his legs were broken, and he sustained other shocking injuries. MR. WILI.IAM MEWBURN, of Wykham-park, Banbury, who is well-known for his munificence to the Wesleyan Connexion throughout the country, is, <- in commemoration of the record reign of her Majesty, adding a new wing to the Banbury Infirmary at r cost of £ 1000, THE official refeneship vacated by Mr. Edward Ridley, the i.ew'y-nppointed judge, has fallen to Mr. Edmund J. Pollock, one of a family who have filled most legal offices in their time. Tnu field force operating in Bechuanaland aim been destroying the kraals of the insurgent natives, and driving them into the mountains, w pected that they will be starved into surrenaer. 0fL?EVTM WYNTAIM, late wit Kent Regiment, who recently vacated the post ^Listant Commandant and secretary of the Royal Mimarv Jollege'sandhnrst, which he had held for seven years, has been appointed secretary of the New Club, Edinburgh. There were upwards of 400 appli- cants' for the post. A WOSOIENT is about to be erected at Sedan in memory of the men and officers who fell in the three terrible days between August 30 and September 1, 1870. M. Croiay has furnished the design, and work will be started at once with a view to the inaugura- tion of the structure thifi autumn on the anniversary of the battle