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

ROCKFORD MANOR. Tbe CM rtains of pale blue dimity edged with lace were but slightly drawn back to admit the eool even- ing breeae; so slightly that the man and woman pass- ing to and fro below might never think of being observed from above and yet the girl standing there in tbe semi-dafrkness behind the curtains had not only seen the couple pass and re-pass, but bad caught fragments of their conversation, wafted up to her through the open window. How can I thank you for giving me hope P" be was saying earnestly, as he laid bis hand with a strong pressure upon the slender fingers on his arm. You do not know what even such faint encouragement as yours is to me. The truth is I was wretched until I spoke to yoa. My father might have left me a dozen places, all as beautiful as this dear eld Rockford Manor, and not one of them could have seemed like home if I might not find there my wife that is to be." But yet I only said that perhaps you might hope," the young man's companion said, lifting her beautiful dark face toward him as they passed ou. That was all that the girl standing alone a few feet above them had heard. But it was enough—enough to chase every ray of colour from the pretty face- enough to turn her from that window, thrilling through and through with the throbbing of a woman's heart, conscious at last of a woman's love, a woman's despair. For she knew now that she loved Clarence Yantz and she wondered she had never guessed before that he loved that handsome Miss Stanley, her music teacher, who was walking arm-in-arm with him out- side. That be should do so seemed in noway strange to Sibyl she herself loved her teacher, older than herself by some five or six years, yet younger than Clarence Yantz, the new heir of Rockford Manor. But if he married Miss Stanley-Sibyl recognised at last the fact that old Rockford Manor could no longer be her home. It was bard-bard She had lived there ever since she could remember. She bad been but little more than a baby when her uncle, the former master of the Manor, had brought her, the child of his dead sister, to his home. She and Clarence Yantz, his adopted son, had been reared together like brother and sister. Then Clarence went away to college, and at the end of his course became a lawyer in London, whi!e Sibyl stayed on at Rockford Manor with her governess. And now the old routine had come to an end. The beloved uncle was dead to Clarence had passed Rockford Manor and the guardianship of Sibyl according to the will this morning lead, and which was made six months ago, But the note which the girl held in her hartds- what was that ? It bad startled her so, a few minutes ago, when it fell at her feet out of her uncle's prayer-book. The house had been very still nnd solenln all day, and when Sibyl wandered by herself into the library, her uncle's favourite room, she took up first his Bible, then his prayer- book, to seek consolation therein as he had done all his life. She was sitting on a low stool by the fire, with the book open upon her knee, when the paper fell at her feet. It was folded just like the will she had seen the lawyer read aloud that morning, and for a single instant she had believed it was the will, and won- dered how it got there. She had opened it idly, knowing there was nothing in it she might not read nothing she bad not already heard. But the next instant, as she turned it carelessly in her fingers, she had started to her feet with a quick, deep-drawn breath, for some words had caught her eye which never, never were in the other will. The book slid from her lap unheard, unseen. In the will that morning read aloud there bad been no syllable of giving and bequeathing Rockford Manor to my beloved niece, Sibyl Harbrook." And this paper-it had never been sealed-it bore date only a month ago. A later will! She had been still staring upon it, lost in bewilder- ment, when those voices reached ber from outside. She heard them involuntarilv. She had not meant to listen and yet why should she not ? It was not likely that her cousin and her music teacher would have anything to say to each other which she might not hear. And yet when she did bear, the girl's face was colourless even to the lips. For one instant she stood as one stunned then slowly her eyes fell again upon the paper in her hand. Had she st every- thing at once. Her kind old uncle, her cousin- whom Miss Stanley bad taken from ber-ber home ? Her home! But was not Rockford Manor her very own ? Did not this paper say so? The temptation rushed upon ber to keep the Manor, at least, if everything else bad failed her. For one long moment the struggle with herself went on; the next she was kneeling on the hearth, bend- ing over the dying embers and trying to coax them into a flame which would consume the paper she held over them. So absorbed was she in her endeavour that the did not hear the door open at the other end of the room and the tread of feet over the soft carpet; she was aware of no one's presence until a hand was laid upon her shoulder. Sibyl!" She started up and dropped her right hand at her side, with the scorched paper in it. Her cheeks were burning. What is it, Sibyl ?" asked Clarence, struck by her rapid change of colour. What has happened ?" And then, as she looked at him in terror, he stooped suddenly and kissed her quivering lipa. She drew herself away from him vehemently but his arm was around her, and he was saying I did not mean to do that, Sibyl; but I love you and I forgot myself." "You love me!" My darling, the Manor is nothing to me if you do not stay here as my wife." This time she looked him full in the face. And Mips Stanley ?" she said coldly. "Ah. you need not think I did not bear what you were saying to her outside." For an instant he seemed bewildered; then he cried: Sibyl, Sibyl! How could you misunderstand us so? Whatever you may have heard, concerned yon only. She knows and loves you all. Is it strange I should have asked her if I might venture to tell my story to you as soon as this? For I did not like to delay. How should I know what schemes for flitting Rockford might be arranging themselves in your dear little head.' That dear little bead was resting on his shoulder now but a quick flush deepened in her cheeks which caused him to look at inquiringly. She made a cuvert movement to bide the paper yet more completely in the folds of her dress, and the movement betrayed her to Clarence, who remembered how she bad been engaged upon his entrance into the room. lie stooped suddenly and lifted her hand, with the paper in it. The missing will he cried, and then went on to explain: .C When I was here last, Sibyl, I told the dear old man how I loved you, and hoped to make you my wife, and he was greatly pleased, and promised to settle the Manor on you, that you might feel yourold home was still your very own. He having been a lawyer, must have drawn up this will himself, for it was not among the other papers in his partner's hands. There was a thorough search made for the missing will, and when we did not find it, we came to tbe conclusion that the promise had never been fulfilled. But what is this, you naugli y girl ? You have been trying to destroy a legal document! Do you know what the law would do to such a wicked person ?" I only know," Sibyl answered in a tremulous voice, that I did not want to take old Rockford Manor away from you-and Miss Stanley. I meant it for my wedding gift to both." But no doubt the wedding that followed was all the merrier that no such gift had to be made. And the little bride, if not quite so handsome as the stately and noble Miss Stanley, was altogether lovelier and more winsome at least in Clarence's happy eyes.

DIVOKCE looks like becoming an agreeable social function in America. At Chicago, recently, after a decree of divorce hnd been granted to a lady, t III parties shook hands warmly in court., the ex-husband going so far as to shake hands with his ex-mother-in- law herself. A TUB committee of the Italian Church Reform ssociati°a hate chosen as their secretary the Rev. 'j j ,u'ghi who will commence his duties at onrc, an evo e the whole of his time to the interests of the mi.-sion. OF United States parents issued during the past 20 year*, fully 50 per ceat. Lave, after litigation, teen dec! lied vo don the ground of prior discover hv e.pviber person.

MENELIK THE MAGNIFICENT. The reception of the Biitisb Mirsion by the Empe- ror Menelik must have been a striking scene. Accord- ing to the Paris Times correspondent, Prince .Henry of Orleans witnessed the spectacle, and he has given an account of it. The Emperor, he says, was seated on a platform covered with red velvet embroidered with gold, under a canopy ornamented with brocade. He wore an embroidered velvet cloak a white linen cap ornamented with yellow and green silk covered his head. On his finger sparkled a large diamond, which Leontieff presented to him on behalf of the Emperor of Russia. Round his neck and on his breast were the insignia of a high Russian order and the plaque of the Legion of Honour. Mr. Rennell Rodd, in diplomatic uniform, enters with the officers of the mission, and eight tall Sikhs, wearing grey turbans with blue and gold stripes. The Emperor gives his hand to Mr. Rodd, the latter announces that he is charged with a message from the Queen, and a servant brings him a little bag of sky-blue silk. The members of the mission rise, the cannon outside are fired, and the Englishmen seat themselves again in silence. While the last guns are being fired Mr. Rennell Rodd rises, and speaking English to an interpreter whom he has near him says in substance that he is charged by the Queen of England and Empress of India to bring a message of friendship to the Emperor, to assure him that the English have no sentiments of hostility against Abyssinia, and to renew the ancient ties which united England to Abyssinia. The Emperor receives the letter, keeps it on his knees, and places beside him two letters of lets importance-one from the Khedive and the other from the Patriarch of Alex- andria. Then he asks friendly questions as to the Queen's health, the Greek war, the Indian plague, &c. Then after other talk the Emperor gives his hand to Mr. Rodd, and he retires. Prince Henry describes the reception as correct, short, and cold."

THE WELSH EISTEDDFOD. In connection with the formal proclamation of the Welsh National Eisteddfod at Festiniog a special meeting of the Bardic Gorsedd has been held. The Archdruid presided, and Mr. T. H. Thomas, Cardiff, ?resented a report upon gifts to the Gorsedd Beirdd nys Prydain," of which the Prince and Princess of Wales are initiated members. The report showed that within the present year special gifts of official vestments and appurtenances, entailing an actual expenditure of over £ 1000, had been made to the Gorsedd. Lord Tredegar had signified his intention of presenting to the Gorsedd a Hirlas Horn, in order that the ancient Gorseddic custom of the Aberthged might be carried out. The work has been entrusted to the Welsh sculptor Mr. W. Goscombe John, and will be mounted in the most magnificent manner in worked silver and ornamented with gems. The horn, which will be prepared at a cost of £ 250, will be one of the very finest of its claw, the only one which will bear comparison with it being the historic horn of Henry VII. Sir Arthur Stepney has also piesented the Gorsedd with a handsome banner, fitted in a a moat elaborate stand of worked brass, at a cost of £150. In addition to the bardic vestments, on the designing of which he is now engaged, Mr. Herkomer has inti- mated his intention to present the Gorsedd with a spetially-designed and jewelled Gorseddic sword formed on the most authentic ancient models. The whole of the vestments and adjuncts will be in use at the Cardiff National Festival. The meeting prepared a report for submission at the Newport National Eisteddfod in August, recommending the adoption of a scheme of endowment, for the Gorsedd and for the selection of Abergele as the national burying place of the bardic archdruids with the erection there of a national commemorative column.

AT Plougastol, a small town in Brittany, all the weddings of the year are celebrated on one day. In February last 34 couples were married simultaneously. DR. SIR JAMES REID is to Queen Victoria what Dr. Schwenniger has been to Prince Bismarck. The keeper of the monarch's health has a more important duty than the keeper of the monarch's conscience. At the same time Sir James Reid has always had a much easier patient in the Queen than his brother physician has had in the ex-Chancellor. A patient who, like Prince Bismarck, would swallow his vast quantities of mixed porter and champagne, sometimes needed cateful doctoring. The Queen has been endowed by nature with a first-rate constitution, of which she has taken good care

FOREIGN COMPETITION. I A report just issued by the Foreign Office from Mr. Lowther, of Tokio, on the railways of Japan, I states that British manufacturers had hitherto prac- tically bad a monopoly in furnishing rails, loco- motives, rolling stock, &c., but it would require renewed exertions on thsir pait to continue to be the purveyors in this line. Whether from an absence of such energy, or from other causes, it is a fact that e tendency has latterly been for other countries to furnish such commodities. As an example he quotes the following In September, 1896, a tender was granted to Messrs. Mitsui by the Government Rail- way Department for 13.000 tons of rail. They subse- quently placed the order with Messrs. Carnegie, of Pittsburg, at a price alleged to be 10 per cent, under that quoted by English makers. Some time previous to this contract being let, there existed a syndicate of American rail makers to keep up the price of rails for home consumption, and also for ex- port. English makers advanced their prices in sympathy with this movement, but it is asserted that, in spite of the syndicate, rails were exported by certain makers in America at prices lower than those quoted as the syndicate prices, and thus many orders went to America, but, with the advent of the M'Kinley regime and the prospect of increased tariffs, it is not improbable that Japanese orders may again be placed in England. The difficulties surroanding the system I of tender have, to a certain extent, militated against orders being placed in England. The conditions of tender, purchase, and contract have latterly been radically altered. Up to the end of 1895 Government requisitions and indents were sent en bloc" to London, and the materials required were purchased by Government agents under very rigid inspection and supervision. Since the end of 1895 all requisitions have beet issued from the head railway office at Shinbashi, and this will probably continue to be the system adopted. In most cases a nominal fee is charged for specifi- cations, and the following conditions must be com- plied with :—1. Applicants for specifications and forms of tender must be Japanesed subjects. 2. They I must give proof of having been in business for at least two years. 3. They must satisfy the depart- mental authorities that they are able financially to carry out the contract. 4. With the tender, an accompanying deposit of 6 per cent. of the amount of the tender must be made. 5. In the event of the tender being accepted, such deposit must be increased to 10 per cent. These stringent regulations naturally reduce competition within extremely narrow limits; in fact, only some three or four Japanese firms can compete successfully. Take, for instance, the contract for rails referred to above, ) which would probably amount to £ 90,000. The re- quired deposit would be £9000, which is practically abstracted from the capital of a business firm during the time the contract is being executed, probably I from nine to twelve months, and this sum may also be forfeited under certain conditions. Mr. Lowther adds: —In my report No. 390, of 1816, I pointed out the fact that a very large proportion of the locomotives on Japanese railways were of English make. I believe the proportion to have been at a comparatively recent date-Englitb, 2'24 American, six. Some of the latter were purchased in 1890, but did not give satisfaction, the finish being unsatisfactory and the consumption of coal greater than on the English engines. However, some more were ordered in 1894, with a like result. With this experience, it is not to be wondered at that the Japanese should prefer to purchase English-made locomotives, but we do not have a monopoly in this line. In October, 1896, tenders were considered for 18 locomotives. Three Japanese firms and one foreign (French) firm ten- dered through a Japanese subject. The locomotives were to be of English make, six well-known manu- facturers being selected. The contract was let to the French firm at E48,000, while the amount of other tenders ranged from 7 per cent, to over 50 per cent. higher. Subsequently, owing to the specified English makers being so busy, and the contractor, therefore, unable to fulfil the necessary conditions as to delivery within a specified date, the contract was thrown up, and the deposit money, 10 per cent., for- feited. Now fresh tenders for the same 18 loco- motives are being considered, bat the number of approved makers has been increased to nine. Pro- bably owing to English makers finding it difficult to adhere exactly to a special date of delivery, which, in view of the fact that a considerable impetus has latterly been given to railway enterprise in Japan, is rather short, orders are now going to America. Some 60 or 70 locomotives have recently been ordered in America by the Government railways and tbe Japan Railway Company.

A WOMAN MINER. Mrs. A. K. Rikert, the woman miner of Tuolumne, has for 14 years been steadily prospecting and developing different properties in California. In that time she has discovered some valuable ones, from one of which nearly two million dollars' worth has been taken. Mrs. Rikert is a Southern lady. She is tall, has dark, sometimes flashing eyes, and the enunciation which tells where her early life was spent. "I am the daughter of a cotton planter near Vicksburg. and was early taught how to ride a horse, shoot, and do many of the things which only a young lady's brothers are supposed generally to do," said she. "My father was a wealthy planter, and owned slaves. As Annie Kline I will be recalled for the part I took in the war, as will my sister, for we were both imprisoned. Fourteen years ago I came to the new mining camp of Calico, determined to make a fortune, if it was to be done. To this end I began to carefully study mining. It was a very rich silver camp, and I soon learned to find mines by the out- croppings, and to make tests of the ledges, wh i < -11 I had found. It was while prospecting Unit, I found the famous Alhambra mine, which proved to have such a large body of rich ore. This mine was bought by the late W. W. Stow, of this city, and became a part of the great Silver Odessa, of which everybody has beard. Along the mines was the enormous borax mine bought by William Alvord and Jerome Lincoln. Its output since it came into their hands has been increased year by year, until now the works erected on it are the largest of any, either in Europe or America. At the time of the rush to the goldfields of Alamo I and my daughter were among the first to go there. We were two years there, and did pretty well. Hearing of the interest in mining in Tuolumne county, I came hero, and have discovered a number of good properties, which I will develop."

OF tbe candidates for the army who fail to pass the tests, four out of five are rejected because of defective vision. The eyesight teat consists of being able to count correctly with both eyes, as well as each eje separately, a number of small black dots exhibited on a card 10ft. from the candidate.

— THE latest reports from the mainland of New Guinea and Woodlark Island are very discouraging. Carriers for the diggers are still unobtainable, and there is much sickness. The returned miners have very little gold. It is reported that some of the men at Port Moresby are destitute, and that many intend to return immediately. There are at present from 700 to 800 miners in British New Guinea.

FARMING NOTES. KOOT CROPS. The most rapid period of growth for grass and conr is now well over the cereals begin to show signs of age or maturity the quickest haymakingweat^r ia- gone and night dews begin to fall after seven o'clock. Berries and nuts take the place of the hawthorn and the catkin. Such signs betoken the approach of harvest, and, if wheat-ears are examined, they will bo.. seen to be filling. And yet, (observes Prof. John Wrightson, in the Agricultural Gazette) while frnit and corn are developing towards ripening, thf-re Is one section of farm crops which is only emerging out of its early troubles and overcaming its infantile com- plaints. This is ths important section of the root crops. The first six months of the year control the corn prospects to a great extent; but the last six months make the root crop. As is well known, the fint six months of the present year were of a chequered character, unfavourable on the whole, bat tempered by a mild winter and a few fine eave at times. It was only at the close of May that a really prosperous time began, and throughout June the weather was of that extremely favourable character which is said to putallthingsin tune. J unewaa. indeed a- wonderful month for pulling up corn crops and start- ing root crops. Weeds also grew apace, and, what with Whitsuntide holidays and Jubilee rejoicing^, there was great danger of the young turnips and swedes, rape and mangle, being stifled beyond re- covery. In some cases, no doubt, much damage was caused by the protracted jubilation, which seemed only to end with last week. Now, however, that men have settled back to their occupations, and the horeo-hoes are kept going eaily and late, the root crops will assume a more cultivated and lesB wild appearance, and there is every prospect that they will prove heavier than for some years. The ground is warm and moist, and the plants are thriving. The air also is warm night and day, and it is seldom that we have witnessed a quicker progress. The amount of produce from a large farm in such a season as this will be much in excess of what bas lately been experienced, although the wheat crop of last year will not be equalled. Still, in light soils, liable to injury from drought it is probable that a better crop of wheat will be harvested, as on such soils the crop was deficient, and formed an unfavour- able contrast to the heavy crops produced upon nal- wheat lands. The straw of all cereals is strong, and capable of nourishing the heads, which draw the major part of their food not from the soil but from the stem. The beads are large and the spikelets numerous, and the season is favourable for filling. The possible fluctuations in climate are beyond fore- cast, but as things are going now the prospects are good. We cannot (continues Prof. Wiightson) withhold a few words of sympathy for the Essex farmers who have suffered such a terrible calamity as was scarcely thought possible under our temperate skies. To sea promising crops dashed down with tempest and hail beyond hope of recovery is what no one expects, and the same risk hangs over us all. Essex, too, hu suffered so much, that it seems scarcely fair, as the boys say, that it should be singled out as the theatre of a tropical visitation of unparalleled violence, some of the related details being almost beyond credence. VALUE OF TURNIPS PER ACRR. The actual value of turnips per acre will, I fear (" T. J." writes) never be arrived at conclusively, and to fix it is, I believe, an impossibility, for turnips and swedes that will one year fetch by auction £ 6 an aere, perhaps the very next year are not worth more than £1, and in some instances may be given away. They are matters of convenience in sheep-feeding. If they are plentiful nobody wants them if they are scares they will fetch high prices. In fact, they are worth just what the seller can get for them, like a Hackney horse. Nor can the price be easily averaged, for some years they run scarce year after year for several seasons, and then a plentiful year will come, and then, again they will be scarce for several years. The value seems to muddle men quite, nor can the exact cost be accurately laid to the crop, as if well done the barley,, clover, also the following ley corn crop, will benefit by a good preparation for turnips or the like crop. I do not know that the effects of a good fallowing, or two green crops such as vetches, &c., and turnips after, consumed on the land, stop there.: The vetches, turnips, barley, seeds, and next ley corn crop, seem to me all of a piece, and sometimes one crop is bene- fited most by the fallow (or turnip crop) and some- times the other. Besides that, the fact of having a piece of turnips on a piece of land gives the farmer the opportunity of feeding cake, com, hay, and straw on the land, which he could not do without some such crop being on the land. If some one can look at these things as a whole, and then tell us the exact value, or even give a reasonable estimate of the talue of an aore of turnips, which aometimes seetn to look like being very valuable at Christmas and by February are rotting in the ground, and the sheep starving for want of them, his details would be inte. resting. DANDELION VERSUS RIBWORT. The ribwort (Plantago lanceolata. L.) is sown in large quantities by the wold and cliff farms in Lincolnshire, along with white clover for sheep pasturing. But I cannot say in my experience (observes E. A. Woodruffe Peacock) sheep take readily to this plant if other and better food is plen- tiful. It is certainly eaten when the seeds are bare in dry weather, for its deeply searching root enables it to remain green and fresh when species of, a shallower rootbold suffer. The dandelion (leoiitudou Taraxacum, L.) is never sown in this country for sheep pasturing, and yet go where you will you never see the seed-heads or leaves of this species where, sheep have been grazing for any length of time, unless the pasture has run altogether away from the flock. On the bank of the River Ancholnne this Beason the dandelions were eaten close off by the root, and had to be looked for to be found while just over the hedge, where horses and young stock were grazing on some found old amde, the white seed-heads were conspicuous all over the pasture. In Switzerland, east of the Lake of Neuchatel, in the district between Morat and Fri- bourg, a friend of mine has observed that the dande- lion is sown along with temporary grass and other "seeds" for green fodder. It is cut and carried from the fields for feeding milking cows and other stall-fed animals, which cannot be allowed to run abroad till after harvest, as the fields are not divided by hedges. The custom is to mow it close while in full flower,, and a lovely sight, I understand, the crop is, and it is never allowed to seed, for fear of the succeeding crop. The seeds of no species are more easily gathered than the dandelion; and, being a deep- rooted plant, which flourishes well in dry soil, it con- tinues green and fresh and in fuU growth when white clover and ryegrass are failing for want of moisture. EXISTENCE OF SIIEEP SCAB. From inquiries made at the Royal Show, it was (" Z." remarks) apparent that many of the buyers of sheep for export have been somewhat misled in refer- ence to this question. Some of these gentlemen seem. to think that this disease exists in England amongst the pedigree flocks of the country. Such is not, how- ever, the case, and the fact cannot be too strongly emphasised. The need of the better control of the disease and its eradication, however, are not in the slightest degree lessened by its not being found amongst our registered flocks. The dem .nd for English stud sheep being so good, it is only natural that men who have consistently for years kept their flocks healthy and weU should look with consider- able apprehension upon the continued existence or a disease which need not actually break out within one's flock to cause not only great trouble, but large pecu- niary loss. Taking the whole of the registered sbeep- breeders of England, it is almost if not a certain fact that no scab exists amongst their flocks, and it is simply for the reason that it would be much lees likely to get there if the disease were brought into and kept under proper control that the leading sheep societies of the country are pressing strongly for uniformity of action on the part of those authorities who are responsible for carrying out snch regula- tions as may be made. The continued existence and circulation of the disease are constant means of danger of infection. This ought at once to be, put a stop to. Why should pedigree breeders whose flocks are free and have kept free be liable to be infected with any disease through the carelessness of a neigh- bour who cares not whether his farm becomes infected or not ? Our foreign buyers can rest assured that they are perfectly certain of not finding any scab in any of the leading pedigree sheep flocks, and if they have any purchases they make transported by passenger trains, either in the special cattle-boxes or by horse-boxes, there will be little or no danger incurred. Buyers of sheep for export that have to travel over lines where Scotch or Welsh sheep from the mountain districts are handled should, if possible^ avoid the use of the ordinary means of transport, and- use only passenger-train transit.

M lib SING SHIPS. ¡ The recently issued Board of Trade Blue-book. dealing with shipping casualties during the year ended June 30, 1896, goes far, says the Syren and Shipping, to prove Mark Twain's contention that life at sea in a large liner is even safer than on shore, especially under the British red ensign. Of the casualties throughout the 12 months only 231 were deemed sufficiently serious to require formal inquiry. There were 104 inquiries held in the United Kingdom before magistrates, 95 before courts in British pos- sessions abroad, and 32 before Naval Courts in for- eign countries. In 156 cases out of the 231 the cas- nalties were found to be owing, partly or wholly, to neglect or default of persons on hoard the vessels but in only 73 were the certificates of masters or officers dealt with in any way. This is extremely creditable to those who are responsible for the safe conduct of British ships under every sky. We are here principally concerned with ships which have dis- appeared without leaving a trace. There were 38 sailing vessels of 27,213 tons, and eight steamers of 9153 tons, belonging to the United Kingdom, and nine sailing vessels of 3179 tons owned in British possessions abroad, which were posted as missing. The number of lives lost was 527, 172, and 102 re- spectively. Whereas in 1894-5 the number of mis- sing vessels was 101, it was only 55 in 1895-6. This is decidedly matter for congratulation to all con- cerned. An enquiry into the circumstances attend- ing the disappearance of some unfortunate vessel seldom elicits any definite information which may be useful for future reference by shipowners or ship- masters. Several of these missing vessels were coal- laden, making the passage between Newcastle P.S.W.and the West Coast of the Ameriryas. The, report of the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into this matter condemns the system in vogue at that port in dumping truck-loads of about eight tons from a height of 30ft. into a vessel's hold. Among the recommendations of the Commissioners are some of vital importance to the industry. Excessive heat when loading, through ventilation, small coal, depth of hold, and the length and mean temperature of the passage, are all important factors in the spontaneous combustion problem. Imperfect trimming and the absence of shifting boards lead to the shifting of coal cargoes, with the loss of ship and all bands. Efforts are to be made to lower the coal in the truck nearer to the bottc-m of I the vessel's hold, to ensure surface ventilation, to cease loading when the air temperature (in the shade) exceeds 80 F., and to compel the adoption of satisfactory shifting boards. Still, it must not be forgotten that even with shifting boards coal will find a ready WLY to the lower side unless the trim- ming has been thoroughly carried out, so as to pre- vent large empty spaces being left between the upper surface of the coal and the deck overhead. Very large sailing ships of iron or steel are considered to be especially dangerous coal carriers, in so far as the liability to spontaneous combustion is concerned. The missing list given in the Beard of Trade Blue- book tends to show that disappearances of vessels sailing from Newcastle, N.8.W., are more frequent among smaller craft of about 1000 to 1200 tons I register. One of them was taken to sea by her master against the written opinions of the port authorities. He preferred to risk the lives of all on board rather than put the owner to a slight expense by re-arrang- ing the cargo before sailing. A glance at the crew lists of missing ships reveals the fact. that foreigners are fast filling, not only the forecastles, but also tie cabins of British ships, outside the large lines. The I' Stoneleigh, of 2101 tons, 28 crew, Melbourne to London, was last spoken in 46 S. 146 W., since when I nothing has been beard of her. With the exception of her omcera and apprentices, nearly all I he crew were Scandinavians. A similar vessel, the Saratoga, of 2134 tons, just now overdue, had her master, second mate, all the petty officers, and 14 able sea- men all owning allegiance to foreign flags.

MRS. STEBL, the novelist, has some interesting re- marks concerning social matters in Indii in the July Humanitarian. The result of my own pers.n; il observation, says she, is that marriages in India tire singularly happy. Thereftre fewer cases of unkiud- ness and violence than in this country. The dowry system is a great protection to the wife. Every bride takes her husband a dowry, which is a kind of marriage settlement against unkindness. If she ig badly treated and thus compelled to go back to her father's house, the husband has to return her dowry. THERE are no fewer than three pairs of brothen., the sons of the same father and mot her, with different .surnames in the present House of Commons. Thus Sir Henry Campbell-Bannennan is a younger brother of Mr. James Alexander Campbell, who has been lory member far the Universities of Glasgow and Aberdeen since lS\ Sir Charles Dalrymple, who has been a member of tihe House of Commons since 106M. 1i6 » younger brcUity of Sir James Fergusson, whose Parliamentary experience dates from 1854 and Captain Chaloner, who has recently bounded into Parliamentary is a younger brother of Mr. JRsdt,er Long;. j j

A MERCANTILE VIEW OF THE I JUBILEE. The Drapery World has published a very readable article on jubilee Lessons," which suggests that other people made profits out of the Jubilee beside them who had seats to let in the line of route in London. It says some business men who are always happiest, when they grumble, have been loud in their lamentations that this Imperial pageant-making interferes with the now of trade. There is very little doubt that it swelled the volume of the mercan- tile tide. It interrupted the even flow of seasonable trade, but it concentrated the transactions and the profits of weeks into days, and thus enabled the general trader and warehouseman to participate extravagantly in the Imperial jubilation. He will not be the loser by a penny at the end of the business. And if he is a studious being, what a magnificent measurement he might have taken of the height, depth, length, breadth, and solidity of the trade pre-eminence of the race to which he belongs! There, along the route of the Imperial pageant, moved the living types of the varied races composing the greatest Empire the world has yet known. There, too, were the repre- sentatives of the nations outside our Imperial circle, but with whom we still retain friendly relations in trade and commerce. Our customers from every quarter of the world lined the route, and gave us a glimpse, at all events of the immensity of our tran- sactions in trade. In the West of London one could read the variety of our invention and production in textile fabrics, measure the advance of artistic sense in millinery and haberdashery, and at least dimly calculate the mani- fold activities called into play to produce the splendid display in costly costume. Then, again, a tour through the East-end would have revealed the fact that though the poor still exist, they are not so con- spicuously with us as they were when the Queen com- menced her reign. The East-end and Southern crowds were well dressed, which means that they are able to spend more money than their fathers and mothers before them ever dreamt of. Our foreign customers were in evidence, through the Babel of tongues which sounded in the unaccustomed ear at every point of vantage along the processional way. The Continental visitors mingled with the mild Hindoo, the Heathen Chinee, the turbaned Mahome- dan, the Ebony African, the tawny South American, and the flaxen-haired Northern. And the English- man in the crowd could say unto himself, They are all customers of ours." The black-eyed Spanish maid or matron, the smiling Italian, the brisk French woman, the phlegmatic German frau, the elegant Americaine," were all arrayed in English fabrics; all paid their tribute to English fashions in dress by adopting them. There were millions of money spent in the purchase of English goods, represented in that moving crowd of life and colour. That, probably, it one of the facts which the jubilating warehouseman, manufacturer, or draper did not think of for the moment. But he will realise it on reflection. AD inspection of the myriads of human beings who parti- cipated in the phenomenal festival would have sug. gested that there must have been an immense boom in muslins and ribbons and laces. Light and airy costumes were the order of the day for the ladies, and most of them looked spick and span new. It was a mercenary and malicious member of a drapery establishment who, in St. Paul's Churchyard, while the Queen was being prayed for, devoutly wished that the heavens might open and pour down saturating showers. It would have been splendid for business, he remorsefully said, for all those bril- liant costumes and dainty headgear would have been spoiled by one five minutes' beneficent rain. The rain refused to come down, and the sun still keeps on shining, which is also good for trade, and will bring in profits by-and-by. Practically, however, no business was done in Jubilee week. The men from behind the counter and from the counting- houses threw dull care to the winds, and gave them- selves up to the rejoicing influences of the occasion. They will not be one penny the poorer in the end. On the contrary, the fact that, for one whole week a nation of traders can cease from trading, and the money-maker can rest from the Mammonite strife, is a very eloquent testimony indeed to the reserve of accumulated wealth and prosperity which this trading Empire of ours possesses. From this point of view the demonstration has, therefore, its advantages and its abiding lessons.

A MODEL ACT. The Solicitors' Journal remarks that it may be well to note that just 60 years ago, among the first Acts of the present reign, there was passed a measure of enormous importance to every Englishman owning property; dealing with, amending, and consolidating an extensile and complicated branch of Jaw, and yet containing 36 comparatively short sections only. So admirably, however, was the work done, that only one amending Act has been found necessary, and that was passed, not to remedy any obscurity or mission in the original Act, but to relax the strin- gency of its provisions in one respect. The Wills Act, 1837, which was introduced by Lord Langdale, was the result of careful and elaborate reports by the Real Property Commission and the so-called Ecclesiastical Commission, and it was drafted by Mr. Tyrrell, who was a member of the first-named Commission, and we believe at the time practised as a conveyancer in New-square, Lincoln's-inn. Apart from the care which was taken in laying the foundations of the measure, and the skill with which the greater part of it is drafted, there were two cir- cumstances which have beyond question most con- duced to its successful working. The first of these is that nearly all the previous legislation on the sub- ject was swept away, and the other is that, as Lord Langdale explained in introducing the Bill, copies had been sent to many eminent men engaged in dif- ferent branches of the law," and valuable annotations had been received from them, with regard to wh'ch alterations had been made in the Bill. That is the way to frame measures altering the law of real pro- perty if they are meant to worlr easily and need no subsequent tinkering. If we compare the course which was adopted 60 years ago with regard to the Wills Act with that adopted to-day with regard to another measure of almost equally far-reaching im- portance—the Land Transfer Bill-we shall come to the conclusion that whatever else may have been improved in the present reign, the process of pre- parations of Acts of Parliament has not advanced,

GARDENING GOSSIP. (From Coitaqe CrardmitV.") INSECTICIDES AND HOW TO USE TnSM. Great care is required (advises W.") in the ufce of Insecticides. There are plenty of "remedied" for, attacks of insects, and many of them are really effec- tual if properly applied. But we often herof tome one that is well known, and has often proved efficient, being found worse than the disease. Why is this ? The explanation is that the treatment has not been properly carried out. Perhaps the in- gredients used have not been rightly proportioned, or the plants have been carelessly prepared, or-and this is a frequent cause of failure—they may have been neglected after the application. For example, fumigation with tobacco or tobacco-paper is one of the oldest of remedies for the destruction of green-fly, and men who know how to use it dispose of hundreds of pounds daily with excellent result, but, all the same, the tender occupants of many a greenhouse are over and over again destroyed by its careless use. Tobacco-paper is most valuable, and experienced men will not discard it because someone who is not expe- rienced has introduced dangerous fumes with the coal used to burn it, or has allowed the sun to shine on the plants, and to run up the temperature before they were syringed and shaded. In the same way, a wash or solution applied over night, after the sun has gone down, and well syringed off before it rises, may be found effectual, while neglect the following morn- ing may piove fatal to the foliage of plants and fruits under glass. All life-destroying materials should be used with the greatest care. Sulphide of potassium is an excellent remedy for mildew, green-fly and spider. A small quantity of the sulphide was sent to me for impartial trial, the result proving highly satisfac- tory. My first experiment was made upon some old winter Cucumbers badly infested with mildew. Two dressings cleared them; they started into new growth, and bore good fruit for months afterwards. I did not, it is hardly necessary to say, allow the sun to catch them in their sulphur bath, but syringed well the next morning, and shaded until the foliage was dry. I next tried it upon an old Vine touched with mildew and juat coming into flower; bunches, foliage, and every part of the structure received a thorough drenching, for I had made up my mind to the loss o* the crop of Grapes. Early next morning the Vine was syringed with pure water and shaded mildew disappeared for the time, and the Grapes set and finished well. My next application was to a very tender Melon-plant, about 3ft. high, and badly in- fested with green-fly. The fly disappeared, and the plant grew away freely without a blemish. Paraffin, in the same way, is an excellent servant, but a bad master. When properly used among plants, and the syringe applied immediately afterwards, there is a speedy disappearance of bug and filth. It must never be forgotten that common-sense has to be added to all the ingredients which go to make up an insecticide. FEEDING VEGETABLE CROPS. Runner beans in many cases with more food would produce (" W" says) three times as many pods. Many amateurs complain of the flowers failing to set, and there being only a sparse crop; but in nine cases out of ten the fault is want of food and moisture. The plants, having much top, have absorbed all the food from tho soil, and just at the time they are caUed upon for increased exertion they cannot respond, the bloom dmps, and only one in ten sets or comes to maturity. Runner beans are gross feeders. If the roots are very dry, food and moisture should be forthcoming, and if both are given there will be no lack of pods well into late autumn, until the plants are cut down by frost. Moisture should be given liberally at the roots, giving food at the same time, and washing it down to the roots. Take Asparagus, for instance. We expect fine heads in the season from April to June, and complaints are often rife as to its want of size; but in few cases are the plants given the food when required. I nevev advise laying large quantities of manure on the beds in the winter when the roots are dormant. It does not feed or protect-in fact, in time kills the plant. Asparagus is quite bardy. I may say frost does not harm roots at rest, and when large bodies of decayed manure are placed on the bids in heavy soil, it keeps the root so wet that many decay- if old and weak. From July to the time growth ceases feed liberally, no matter what food be even-salt., nitrate, guano, fish-manure, or vegetable food. With copious rains the food reaches the roots, and strong crowns are built up for the next season's cutting, as the plants make their crowns for next year at this season, and the quality of the Grass depends upon the culture given now. I grow this vegetable largely, and since I paid more attention to feeding after cutting, instead of during the cutting and placing manure on the beds in the winter, I have both quality and fize with quantity. HARDY AND ORNAMENTAL GRASSES. The Punick grasses are handsome, and though most are tropical, a few are hardy enough for out- door cultivation in our climate. Of these much larger use ought to be made (" P." observes) in our gardens. Pauicum altlssimum is a very handsome hardy perennial grass, very like P. virgatum, and of very elegant habit. It forms dense, erect tufts, from 2ft. to 6Jtt. high, according to climate, soil, and I temperature. When in flower the plant presents a very attractive appearance, the flowers being of a dark chestnnt-red tinge. P. bulbosum is a tall and strong species, with a free and beautiful inflores- cence. It grows about 5ft. high, and the flowers are very gracefully spread forth. It forms an elegaut plant for the flower garden in which grice and beauty are sought, and is suited for dotting about here and there, near the margins of shrubberies, &c., and for naturalisation. P. capillara is a hardy annual kind, growing in tufts from 16 inches to 20 inches high, and very orna- mental whrn in flower, the tufts being then covered with large, pyramidal panicles, which are borne both at the ends of the stems and in the axils of the stem- I leaves. IT grows well in any soil or situation (as do all the other kinds hero named), and sows itself. It is well s jited for borders, beds, or isola- tion, being one of the most graceful plants in cul- tivation. P. virgatum is a handsome, bold, and useful hardy species from North America, growing in good soil to a height of nearly 3ft. It forms close, compact tufts of leaves, 1ft. or more long. which from July to the first frosts are crowned with very large, dense, branching panicles. The general colour of the plant is a fine lively green, and its graceful habit renders it, in isolated tufts, an admirable subject for the picturesque flower garden, the pleasure-ground, &c. It is also fine for borders. The best mode of multiplying it is by division in the spring when renewed growth is just commencing, THE CAPE FIGWORT. This is not commonly seen in gardens, nor perhaps adapted to every place, but where it succeeds, as in a deep, warm soil, it is distinctly beautiful. It makes a strong wopdy root-stock, and the shoots also par- take of that character in favoured places, even living through the winter like the hardy Fuchsias, and then it makes a big and showy bush. Generally, however, it is herbaceous, and dying back to its root-stock, shoots up vigorously late in spring. In summer it bears branched pyramidal spikes of coral-red flowers, like those of a small Pentstemon. DAnUA PEARL. One sees so many poor kinds of Dahlias in gardens that a really good variety for massing is welcome. Pearl is what is called a show kind, the flowers large, full, and croamy-white, the plant quite dwarf in growth. It ;s rather too dense, but the flowers are well thrown above the leaves. JEW'S MALLOW. The Jew's Mallow (Kerria japonica) is not now so much grown, as in times past, but it is a shrub certainly unworthy of the neglect into which it has fallen, for it has the merit of being thoroughly hardy and growing well in almost any kind of soil. The neglected condition in which it is generally found gives one no conception of its true value when properly managed. It is just the plant to cult i- vate where more tender ones fail. In a good soil it will reach a height of 10ft. To get it to flower freely it should have some of the old wood cut out of it early in spring, and the young growths must be nailed into the wall, especially the strong-growing j fthoote, for it is these that furnish the principal flowering WGod. It commences to open itsbloefoms in June, and a vigorous plant will continue flowerin j all the summer.