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

JJOKD SHAFTESBURY is not leaving the army on coming into his mother's fortune, but is about to tejoin his regiment, the 10th Hussars, at Canterbury. He is one of the most popular of the officers in the regiment. Bx the death of her husband, at the South Kensing- ton Hotel, Mrs. Sharpies is for the second time a widow. She was a Miss Grant Morris, and as Mrs. David Wyllie married Mr. Sharpies about two months ago at Cannes. TUB Emperor and Empress of Russia gave a lunpheon party at the Palape of. Tsarskoe in honour of the birthday of Queen Victoria, the Empress's grandmother, to which the British Ambassador, Sir Nicholas O'Conor, was invited. IT is very arousing (remarks a writer on fashions pwg in the St. James's Gazette) to note the comments of different papers on the circumstance that at thp funeral of the late revered Mr. Gladstone both thb Princess of Wales and the Duchess of York wore orape Some see in this so-called unusual mark of respect a sign of the great affection in which the dead statesman was held by royalty. Others that as her Majesty had not then publicly expressed her sorrow, as she did in the case of Lord Beacohsfield, this show of respect was to make up for the omission. Con- sidering that the leading ladies'fashion paper recently stated, 41 As for drape, in spite of all assurances to the contrary" it is in great demand, especially amongst the most fashionable-- people;" there is surely, remarks our contemporary, no other explana- tion reouired. THXBB is a curious little tale about Captain Bagot, M.p. for South Westmoreland, which cannot fail to interest those superstitiously inclined. It is said '-hat, some generations ago, a witch cursed Levens Hall," the seat of Captain Bagot, and said that there would' be no direct male heir to the estate as long as the Kent (the river which runs through the grounds) flowed. Such has indeed been the case, until in 1895, when, owing to the severe frost, the Kent was, for a time, entirely frozen up, and a few .months afterwards Mrs. Bagot presented her hpaband with a little boy.

IMFJiiUAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS—JCKK 6. Mr. Chamberlain, replying to a question from Mr. Hogan, said an agreement giving to a British syndicate an option to purchase lands in British New Guinea, to the extent of 250,000 acres, for the pur- pose of cultivation of rubber and other products, or for mining, was concluded after full discussion at Brisbane, and on its being submitted to him with the draft of an ordinance of (he Legislature of New Guinea to give effect to it he intimated to the promoters of the scheme and to the Government of Queensland that, subject to certain modifications re- quired to protect the Government of British New Guinea, lie should be prepared to advise her Majesty not to disallow the amended ordinance. The syndi- cate had agreed to his conditions. GOVERNMENT BUSINESS. Mr. Balfour moved a resolution providing that for the remainder of the session Government business should have precedence on Tuesday and Wednesday. Mr. Dalziel pressed the right hon. gentleman to make a definite statement concerning the measures which the Government intended to drop, and Captain Bethell regretted that greater efforts had not been made to restore to private members several of the privileges which they formerly possessed. Sir W. Harcourt hoped the Government would proceed with the Schoolmasters' Superannuation Bill and would introduce the measure, promised in the Queen's speech, for the amendment of the Agri- cultural Holdings Bill. Mr. Channing, Sir E. Ashmead-Bartlett, Mr. Carvell Williams, Mr. Labouchere, and others having spoken, Mr Balfour said the Government desired, in con- formity with the generally expressed wish of Scotch members, to refer the Private Bill Procedure (Scot- land) Bill to a Select Committee with a view to pass- ing the measure at the earliest possible moment. With regard to the Companies Bill, he did not think it was likely to come down to this House in the course of the present session. He hoped, however, that the Prisons Bill would pass, although he should not like to give any absolute pledge on the subject. As to the London Municipalities Bill, he had pro- mised the hon. member for the Strand division of Westminster to give him an answer to-day. He hoped the London University Bill would be passed. A division was then taken and the resolution was passed by 208 to 68 votes. THE FINANCE BILL. On the order of the day for the second reading of the Finance Bill, Colonel Milward moved an amendment to the effect that any readjustment of taxation ought to include a remission in favour of clergymen whose income was wholly or in part derived from tithe, and in whose case it could be shown that they were contributing more than their due share of local taxation. Lord Cranborne seconded the amendment. Mr. Carvell Williams opposed it in the interest of the taxpayers of the country, and maintained that the object of its promoters was to create a new endowment for the clergy of the Established Church Mr. Jebb urged upon the Government the extreme desirability of rendering this relief to the clergy at the earliest possible moment; Mr. Jeffreys, while sympathising with the object of his hon. friends, thought the only way to relieve the tithe-payers from their rates and taxes was by a scheme of redemption Major Rasch supported the amendment and called the attention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the possibility of a remission of land tax on clerical incomes under a certain amount; Colonel Williams considered that the clergy were suffering under an injustice which he hoped the Government would do their best to remedy; Mr. Robson said the promoters of the amendment really proposed that the whole burden of any increase in the rates should be thrown on the trading and residential classes in agricultural parishes and Mr. J. Heywood Johnstone agreed that the clergy were labouring under a grievance, but held that the true remedy was a change in the law of assessment. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said the amend- ment appeared to be directed against the financial scheme of the Government, and its success would result in the defeat of that scheme and the resigna- tion of the Government. He was aware, however, that those who initiated the discussion only desired to call attention to a grievance under which, intheir own opinion, the clergy were suffering. It was true that last year the House affirmed the existence of a grievance and the necessity for a remedy, but the question was really one of local and not of Imperial taxation- in the first instance at any rate. He admitted last year, and he still felt, that the case of the clergy with reference to local taxation was nothing less than a hardship. The subject formed part of the great question of local taxation which was at present under the consideration of a Royal Commission, and it would be impossible for! the Government to take one part of this question out of the com- petence of the Commission and to make a pro- posal with regard to it without any suggestion from the Commission that it should be dealt with separately. He did not believe it could be shown that, except to a very small amount and in certain cases, the Agricultural Holdings Act had injuriously affected the clergy. If any proposal were made by the Royal Commission with a view to ameliorate the position of the clergy the Government would give their best attention to the proposal. Sir W. Harcourt thought the right hon. gentle- man's speech was in contradiction to all the argu- ments upon which the Agricultural Rating Act was passed. After some remarks from Captain Bethell, Mr. Bartley, Mr. Jasper More, and Mr. J. G. Talbot, Colonel Milward asked for permission to withdraw his amendment. Mr. Labouchere said hon. members on that side of the House would not agree to its withdrawal. On a division the amendment was negatived by 215 to 27. Sir C. Dilke contended that recent declarations of Ministers outside Parliament appeared to reveal a need for defence preparations inconsistent with the reduction of taxation proposed; in the finance measures of the year. Mr. Wanklyn entered a protest against the reduc- tion of taxation in view of potential difficulties during the next 10 years. Sir W. Harcourt was unable to support Sir C. Dilke's contention. So far from thinking thr; there had been too much diminution of taxation during the existence of the present Administration, he was of opinion that there had not been enough. Some people were always in a state of alarm at what was going to happen. He had been assured that there was nothing alarming in the unreported speech of the Prime Minister to the bankers. Another speech, delivered by the Colonial Secretary, might I have scared some people, but they soon recovered from the scare, and he thought the right hon. gentle- man was only speaking in fun. There was, in fact, no reason why they should forego the very small reduc- tion of taxation now offered to the country. He rre- sumed the Cabinet were satisfied that the condition of affairs at home and abroad was such as to justify a re- mission of taxation. On the whole, he approved of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's proposals respect- ing the income-tax, and he was glad that the right hon. gentleman had determined to deal Wilh growing. Coming to the question of the enormous expenditure, he expressed his belief that a large part of it was utterly unjustifiable, and he emphatically condemned the system of subsidies in aid of local taxation. As to the great increase of expenditure on the army and navy it had grown up in consequence, of a desire to make war upon everybody and to take everything. Mr. Yerburgh, Mr. Broadhurst, Mr. Gibson Bowles, and Mr. Buchanan continued the discus- sion. Sir J. Fergusson doubted whether it was wise at' the present moment to reduce taxation in any im- portant matter. This part of the financial scheme of the Government ought to be reconsidered. Mr. J. A. Pease drew attention to the increasing expenditure of the country. Mr. James Lowther remarked that nothing was more popular with the electorate than a bloated expenditure. With regard, however, to the present bill it was difficult to resist the conclusion that the member for the Forest of Dean had made out an un- answerable case. Mr. Buxton thought the Government were wise in making a remission of taxation. The Chancellor of the Exchequer observed that tho debate had taken a wide range, and some hon. mem- bers had referred to subjects with which he could hardly be expected to deal on the present occasion. He denied that the speeches which had been referred to were of an alarming character. With regard to the remarks of the member for the Forest of Dean he would only say that the Government had framed their estimate of the expenditure and their proposals for taxa- tion on t lie circumstances before them. He admitted that the expenditure on the army and navy was very large, but the increase was due, not to her Majesty's Government, but to the practically unanimous demand of the people of this country. In his Budget speech he gave his reasons for reducing the duty on tobacco, and lie had since become quite satisfied that he was right. He demurred altogether to the suggestion of his right hon. friend the member for Thanet that what he had proposed amounted to a surrender of an important matter of revenue. Ha did not deprive the revenue of any object of taxation, aa was done in the case of the sugar duty, but he simply reduced the taxation on an article which was taxed to the extent of 500 per cent. of its value. It was his belief that he should be able to convince the com- mittee when they came to discuss the point that the consumers of tobacco would largely benefit from the proposed change. The right hon. gentleman de- fended the small alterations which he intended to make with regard to the income-tax, and he ex- plained at some length certain changes which would be made in connection with the death duties. Tie did not know that there was any other question on which he need detain the House. There had been a good deal of criticism of his proposals, but lie did not gather that there was any intention to oppose the second reading. Of course, details could be fully considered when they got into Committee. After a few words from Captain rretyman and Sii J. Leng, The bill was read a second time.

IMPROVIDENT PENSIONERS. The War Office has recently been memorialised by a large number of boards of guardians in the country, in favour of pensions being paid weekly, or monthly, instead of quarterly, as at present, so as to meet the difficulty or the pensioners constantly re- sorting to the unions. A letter was received from the War Office on Saturday by the Guildford Guardians, stating that of the 75,000 army pensioners in the United Kingdom, only a very small number resorted to parish relief, and of these, many through age or infirmity, have become permanent inmates of the workhouse. On the other hand, the present system is, the letter states, distinctly advantageous to and generally appreciated by the great body of pensioners, who are for the most part thrifty and well-conducted men. The proper course in the opinion of the Marquis of Lansdowne is to punish individual offenders. This course was adopted in 1890, and has been con- tinued up to the present time with satisfactory re- Bults.

.1' SiS NEOTS MURDER. v SENTENCE 91) DEATH. ft. At the Hunts Assizes on Monday, before Mr, (fustioe Hawkins, the trial of Walter Horpford, for the 'niurder of An Aie i ^Holmes was conclude&, -A large number of people ags^mblqd at an early hour in Market-square and in the main street of the town, and soine. excitement prevailed.. Hundreds of persons" clamoured for admittance to the court, which was crowded almost to. suffocation. Four of prisoner's brothers were present, but his wife stayed at 8 idwick. His lordship began his summing up at twenty S"mutes to eleven o'clock. H<5 said ^hey wert ere that day before Almighty God to perform a most solewi"ut_v, and he was, there to tell the Jury the law and to assist them so far as he could jn their deliberations, so that they would be able to come to an honest and just conclusion on the evidence put before them. The law was that if ? man administered to a woman poison or any other- obnoxious drug with intent to procure abortion, whether the woman were enceinte or dot, the poison being administered with intent to procure abortion, and the woman to whom it was administered died in consequence, the person whoiso administered it was guilty of murder. Sir Henry taid that there bad been an endeavour to show that tlfc deceased was a loose woman, but there had been 110 evidence to show that. I was a little jpained— more than pained "-continued his lordship,vhefe i heard learned counsel instructed by the prisoner cross-examine that poor little child, the daughter ■ of,the deceased—motherless, and ftt the death of her mother an orphan-in order to create' Am impression in yotir mind, gentlemen of the jury, that her poor dead mother •ras a person of shameless charactejRobut ithere was ino ground to argue that she was a worthless profligate., I have bad no evidence at all to satisfy me with regard to that. She had had money, and the learned counsel seemed to think that as some persons were good enough to send her money from time to time it could not be for any other purpose than for granting her favours in such a manner as a moral woman ought not to. have done. Surely for a poor relation burdened with two or three little ohirarerl under her care, it would not be thought extraordinary if she received money from her friends now and again. But if the woman was the biggest prostitute which walked the face of the earth her life was sacred. The only ques- tion was, Did the prisoner administer thatpoisop or cause it to be talren by this woman? -That eras the, only question which the jury. lukd to determine," After going, briefly through the; evi- dence of the little daughter of the deceased", his lordship referred to the letter which prisoner had sent to the deceased, commencing Dear Annie." That letter was evidently written by Horsford in reply to a,cormpunication from-deceased, who thought she was enceinte by him. She had evidently written to him on the subject..The,learned counsel for thp defence had made muchJof the argument1 that because the prisoner had only valued the poor woman's body at half-a-crown, he would not imperil bis immortal soul by sending her poison ,to take. HiB lordship thought, that* at all events^ the argument that' because tlfe prisoner paid the poop woman half-a-crown only, therefore she was nothing to him, whether she lived or not, was an argument whid? \9 £ hardly consistent with one's knowledge o{f theK world. People. who had, a .grievance, whether they were rich or poor; constantly had written letters of a very annoying character, and letters of a cha- racter which disclosed immoral communion with other women which would: be very likely to cause grave mischief and grave discomfort at/frome. ft was "not a "question of half-a-crown. They were not 'trying that at all. The question was, as argued by the learned counsel, whether, under thp circumstances before the jury, there was motive for such a crime. Sir Henry then, at considerable lengtH, went through the incidents of the evening of Jan. 1, when Annie Holmes died. Dealing with Constable Purser's search, his lordship said that it would nak. have been right for' hinrtto move the dead body, and he did his duty. In cross-examination of Misses Hors- ford and Busby learned counsel had tried to suggest, that some evilly-disposed person might get into the house and for vicious and wicked ptirposefe, disturb the order- of things- in the house unseen. The jnry might take a long time before thiey coulcl Imagine any such wickedness as that to be possible, and he could not see any indication of suspicion of anyone else being in the house beyond those two young ladies, who were there for humane purpose of doing the best they could, for the poor little mothsr- less children. "I was astonished," continued Sir Henry, when I heard the learned counsel eay that, a statement of Miss Horsford'g about •not leaving .the house was a .piece of deliberate, perjury. It only shows that in the zeal of advocacy people sometimes say things which are not justi- fiable. Of course members of the family visited the poor dead woman out. pf sympathy, ..but unless) the jury could.dismiss from their minds the Rafter in the letter containing the half-crown phrase they would have expected that at all events- a man who had been On most intimate terms with her would have at least, have, gone near her house, if .only to make in- quiries as tq the cjrcumstances of her death. But he never went near the place, although he wasat Hunting- don. In asking the question, Who, else cou.I have committed the murder? his lordship said that so far as he had discovered there ,was not a. sjngle human being who had had any difference with the g,or woman. Who gave the strychnine to Annie olmes, and who wrote those. directions for her to take it? It was beyond- all question that prisonejr had in the month of December bought poison at Thrftpston in aT quantity 6f no less than 90 grains. Finally, his. lordship said, "I ask'^you to set aside prejudice, to set aside sympathy,"and to look at the matter as one to whichyou have to simply say 'Yes' or 'Jfo' to the evidence. Has it been brought home to thte Trisoner that he must have dohe this ? The question is whether this is reasonably brought home- to. him. If not, of course he is entitled to be acquitted, but if it is proved, there is a fearful duty ;to perform, jl implore you to remember that we are here bound by the sanctity of the path which we have taken to deal with the evidence we have had before us. We have one issue to determine, whether or not the prisoner at the bar is guTIty of the murder of the deceased. It is for you to do your duty to God, to society, and tp all." The jury retired to Consider their verdict at 20 minutes past bne o'clock. They were hardly half-ari- hour absent, and returned into court with a verdict -of guilty. In passing the sentence of death, his lord- ship made a, solemrxand impressive speech to the pri- soner, who stood up clutching nervously at the dock railing, and with pale face and twitching lips. In that trial, said Sir iHenry, the jury had felt it their painful duty to find the prisoner guilty, of the crime with which be was charged.. He bad no hesita- tion4n saying that he thoroughly believed the, prisoner to have been guilty of a moat cruel and treacherous murder by putting to death the poor woman to whom he owed nothing but kindness and consideration, and vho had done him no harm. He had put her to death by the most cruel torturei and when he knew hq had done that terrible deed his indifference to her suffer- ings did not even permit him to go tothehouse where she lay and shed one tear or give expression to a single word of sorrow. It was the prisoner s desire to be comfortable and to disregard her and all her claims op6n him. He had made orphans of those two poor little children who were dependent upon her for thejr existence, and he did not hesitate to suggest, m order to escape from his just doom that the deceased was a loose and abandoned woman, and that some- body had conspired to put him to death by a most infamous Crime, but as to which there had not been. the least scrap of evidence. In conclusion, his lordship said Your time of life is short. I have no alternative but to sintenee you to die. You have to account to your God, who knows the secrets of all hearts, and I hope you will spend the little time which remains to you in prayer, and implore God's great mercy for your heinous sin against His law," Sentence of death was then, formally passed The brothers of deceased, who were in court, completely broke down, and the scene was a most pathetic one. Many of the ladies in court were in tears, but the prisoner bore up well. He said, in answer to the usual question, in a clear voice, All I have to say, my lord, is that I am not guilty." "When the. sentence of death was passed. Horsford turned from the dock and walked quietly down to the cells below the court. Later in the day he was driven to the railway station in a closed con- Toyanoo, and thence taken to Cambridge Gaol.

"How did Ricketts come to be called Colonel?" asked Cumso. He admits that he was never in the war." "The substitute he hired reached that rank, replied Cawker.

AN AMBITIOUS ENTERPRISE. Mr. Walter Wellman, who recently arrived hi London to complete arrangements for his next Arctic enterprise, thinks that if Uncle Sam is bent on territorial extension, he should not overlook the North Pole. In fact, Mr. Wellman sees no reason why the Pole should remain outside the Union any longer than it will take him to reach it. Sanguine of success, his expedition will sail for the rctic regions from Tromso, Norway, next month. i e expects to return to America in a year with the news that the Pole is the newest "territory." In a recent interview he explains his Views at length. Our party," he says, will make its station for sup- plies at a point as far north as possible on Franz Josef Land. Any effort to reach the North Pole is necessarily a dash. Nansen attempted it with his ship as the base of supplies. Andree tried a balloon. Peary proposes a dash from North Greenland. A dash is necessary because an exploring party is compelled to carry its own food after leaving the land, as no game is found on the ice packs. There is a limit to the weight you can carry, as well as to the time you can advantageously devote to the journey. If anyone will stop to think he will readily see that between the two extremes there must be somewhere a balance or equation of greatest effectiveness. I have just discovered the curious coincidence that this balanoe between the two extremes of time and load falls almost precisely at the number of. days which cliinatic conditions also fix as the favourable season for Arctic study. What about the danger of such a trip ?" "The danger is 1. comparatively small," answered Mr. Wellman. I do not regard the increased hazard of life as being appreciable. It is true in going into these regions one must incur the danger of shipwreck, of boating accidents, of falling off pieces of ice and drowning, or of being frost-bitten so badly as to re- quire amputation. But as against these risks one in leaving civilisation escapes all the hazards of bicycling, troItey cars,andmore important than all-the risk of dying of fevers and the ordinary ills that attack mankind. The Arctic zone is really a sanitarium so far as general health is concerned." While my expedition is planned for the purpose of reaching the North Pole, the attainment of that particular spot is really only the nominal objective. The actual importance of any effort to reach the Pole consists in the exploration of the unknown regions lying about it and the ascertainment of all tha facts regarding them. Indeed, the scientific work in connection with my attempt to reach the Pole will be of the greatest value. My party consists of Professor J. H. Gore, of the Columbian Univer- sity Washington, D.C., the noted geodetist, who will go to Franz Josef Land to make important pendulum observations; Lieutenant Baldwin, of the Weather Bureau, together with a meteorologist, geologist, and botanist. The National Geographical Society of Washington, the Coast Geodetic Survey, and the Weather Bureau are co-operating in the scientific rrangement.s.. My expedition sails from Tromso, Norway, June 20, in the ice steamer Fridtjof, which is said by the agents of the Norwegian Lloyds to be the fastest and strongest ice steamer in Europe. She is stronger, and has more powerful engines than the Windward, the ship which has been to Franz Josef Land .for three yews. On board the Fridtjof will be nine men in addi- tion to the crew of the steamer. At Archangel, Russia, 75 draught dogs, 'naw-I)qizig. brought out from the interior of Siberia, will be taken on board. Our vessel will then steam for the southern coast of Franz Josef Land. To the south of this land lies a belt of pack ioe, usually from 100 to 150 miles wide. Navigation within it is difficult, but not impossible. The geographical party of six men, with the dogs and two or three canvas boats, will at once push forward through the straits for the northern part of Franz Josef Land. Having reached as far north as we safely can go by the end of autumn we will winter there-that is, build a hut from blocks of ice, and cover it with skins and make ourselves as somfortabje as possible. Of course our home will be rude and uncouth and very jauch resemble a bear's den. Here we must provide food for our- selves and dogs for the winter. There is no difficulty in doing this, for the region round about contains plenty of polar bears, walruses, and seals, and in summer many birds may also be shot there. Having passed the winter in the improvised hut, g utilising the lighter periods of the Arctic night, when the moon is out full, in snowshoe expeditions and in training the dogs to draw sledges, we will await the coming of, the light next spring to set out upon our journey tp the Pole. If we meet with any kind of good luc we should make-the round trip to the Pole in 90 days. In short, I expect to reach Washington next year' again, safe and sound, having succeeded ixi reaching £ he North Pole.

¡, MARKET NEWS. 'I' ij MABiw,Aflja.—A, subdued tone has again prevailed, and with only a moderate attendance at market, the amount of business passing has continued restricted, while quotations show no improvement since last week. Arrivals of both wheat and flour are on a fairly liberal scale, prices of the former being fully 2s to 3s easier. English white quoted at 43s to 48s and red, 40s to 46s. Of foreign No. 1 hard Manitoba rules at 49s ex-ship, 50s landed Northern spring, 46s ex-ship; and Californian, 48s; South Russian ranging at 43s to 50s. The flour.trade con- tinues in a lifeless state, at Is to 2s decline. The Millers' Association have again put down the price. Town household now ruling at 40s, and whites at 43s. Of country makes, patents quoted at 39s to 41s; roller, 36s to 38s and stone, 34s to 36s American first patents, 38s to 41s; second ditto, 35s to 37s; first bakers, 34s to 85s; and second, 29s to 32s Californian, 34s to36s Hungarian ranging at 42s to 48s per sack. French nominal. Barley for grind- ing purposes meets with slow support, at a reduction oAson-the week, Odessa 16s 9d ex-ship, 1 < s 9d to 18s ex-quay. Oats neglected and 6d easier, the market being steady at the decline. Shipments show a great falling off. American mixed clipped 15s 9d ei-ship, 16s 3d ex-quay; undipped, 15s 9d ex-ship; and white clipped, 16s 3d to 16s 6d ex-ship, New Zealands, fine heavy samples, being held for 28s to 30a ex-store., Maize also offers at less money without attracting attention, the decline being mostly in rqund American mixed, 15s 9d to 16s ex-ship; Odessa, 17a 6d to 18s ex-quay, and Danubian nomi- nally unchanged; Beans quiet and rates unaltered Egyptian splits, 20s 6d ex-mill. Barbary held for 19s 6d 3301b. and New Zealand, 33s 6d to 34s 6d per 5041b. ex-store. White beans continue sparingly offered, business being suspended. Maples quoted at 32s to 33s and Canadian whites, 28s 6d landed. LONDON METROPOLITAN CATTLE.—The supply ol beasts was good. Trade for both prime and second qualities was of a dull and dragging character, values tending against holders. Fat cows were very slow, but prices unchanged. Scotch quoted 4s 2d to 4s 4d Devons, 4s 2d to 4s 3d Norfolks, 4s to 4s 2d shorthorns, 3s lOd to 4s; and fat cows, 3s 4d to 3s 6d per 81b. Sheep pens were fairly well filled. and neat weights on which the demand was centred, realised 2d per 81b. advance, 7! to 8 stone Down wethers, 5s 4d; 9-stone, 5s to 5s 2d; 10- stone, 4s lOd to 5s 10-stone half-breds, 4s 8d to 4s lOd; 11-stone Hampshires, 4s 6d to 4& 8d; 12-stone Lincolns, 4s 2d to 4s 4d; 10-stone Down ewes, 3s 8d to 3s lOd. Lambs, in fair request, supported current values; 5-stone fat Downs, 7s 2d to 7s 4d 6-stone half-bred ditto, 6s 4d to 6s 6d per 81b. sink- ing the offal. No calves or pigs were on the market. Milch cows offered at E15 to E22 per head. Coarse and inferior beasts quoted at 2s 4d to 2s lOd; second quality ditto, 3s to 3B 6d prime large oxen, 3s lOd to 4s 2d; ditto Scots, &c., 4s 2d to 4s 4d; coarse and inferior sheep, 2s lQd to 3s 6d; second quality ditto, 3s lOd to 4s 6d; and first quality, 5s Od to 5s 4d; inferior lambs, 5s 8d to 6s 2d; second quality, 6s 4d to 6s 6d and first quality, 7s to 7s 4d per 81b. SMITHFIELD MEAT.—A quiet tone pervaded, sup- plies on offer being of moderate extent. Scotch beef, '3s 6d to 4s; English, 3s 6d to 3s d; American, '3s 6d to 4s; English, 3s 6d to 3s 8d,' American, Deptford-kiHed, 3s 2d to 3s 4d; Liverpool, 3s to 3s 2d American, refrigerated, hind-quarters, 3s 3d to 3s' 6d; average, 3s 4d fore-quarters, Is 8d to Is lOd; average, Is 8d. Mutton: Scotcji, 4s 6d to 5s Od; English wethers, 4s 0s to 4s 4d; ewes, 2s 8d to 3s 0d'; German wethers, 3s 10dto4s 2d"; ditto lamb, 5s 4d; Argentine, 2s 8d to 2s IOd. English lamb, 5s to 5s 8d. Veal English, 4s Od to 4s 4d; Dutch, 3s 8d to 4s Od. Pork: English, 4s to 4s 4d; Dutch, 3s 4d to 3s 10d and Irish, 2s IOd to 3s 2d per 81b. POULTRY AND GAME.—Supplies were short, but a very poor demand prevailed. Quotations: Fowls Surrey, 4s to 5s; Sussex, 3s to 4s 6d Boston, Is 9d to 2s 6d Essex, 2s to 2s 6d Welsh, 2s 3d to 2s 9d; Irish, Is 6d to 2s; Aylesbury ducklings, 2s 9d to '3s 6d; goslings, 3s 6d to 4s 6d; Russian fowls, Is 6d ditto ducks, 2s 3d ditto partridges, Is 4d; wild rabbits, IOd to Is; tame ditto, Is 2d to Is 8d each Australian ditto, 10s per dozen; feathered pigeons, 7d to IOd; Bordeaux, lOd to la 4d; fat quails, 'Is 2d; medium ditto, IOd; dittp live, 7|p each; EngTish new-laid 'eggs, 6s 6d to 7s per 120. BILLINGSGATE Fisii.-English salmon, Is 8d to Is 9d; Scotch, ls9d; Irish, Is 8d; Dutch, Is 4d; Norwegian, Is 3d; salmon trout, 10d to Is; soles, lid to Is Id; slips, 7d to 8d; red mullet, 9d to Is; dories, Is 2d per lb; turbot, 8s to 10s; brill, 7s to 8s halibut, 4s 6d to 5s lemon soles, 4s 6d to 5s; plaice, 4s to 4s 6d per stone; Aberdeen ditto, 25s; whiting, 4s to 6s gurnet, 8s hake, 10s; skate, 10s; cod, dead, 8s to 70s per box; English mackerel, 12s to 14s Irish, 15s per 60; fresh haddocks, 10s per trunk; loose, 20s per turn; eels, live, 20s; dead, 18s per draft; lobsters, 20s to 40s per score; crabsi, 12s per hamper; crayfish, Is 6d per dozen; smoked haddocks, 38 to 8s per dozen j' whitebait, 6d to 9d ^BOROUGH HOP.—The tone of the market all round, as'is usual at this period of the year, is of a quiet character • but a shade better inquiry has existed Burin" the past week for the few remaining good English hops of last year's growth. Good yearling English are also inquired for, but stocks of these are practically exhausted. The currency is without change. East and Mid-Kent Goldings, 95s to 110s Weald of Kents, 95s to 110s Sussex, 90s to 100s Farnhams and Country Farnhams, 90s to 110s and Worcesters, 85s to 100s per cwt. The low values of Pacifics, viz., 40s to 80s, has led to increased trade and a firmer market generally. The ungenial weather continues to check the normal growth of the young plant, though with reasonably warm tempera- ture, crop prospects may be considered as good as usual at this time of the year. COVENT GARDEN. = Average wholesale prices: Asparagus, English, natural, home-grown, per bundle, 3s to 3s 6d ditto Worcester, Is 3d to 2s ditto Eng- lish, sprue, bundles, 6d ditto Victoria, large, 4s 6d to 5s ditto Argenteuil, 3s to 3s 6d; ditto Montauban and various, Is to 2s; artichokes, Globe, per dozen, Is to 2s beans, English (Dwarf), lb., Is to Is 2d; ditto Channel Islands, per lb., Is; ditto French, 6d; ditto flats, 3s B. beans, flats, 4s beetroots, per bushel, 3s; ditto per. tally of 6Q, 4s. to 5s; broccoli, per dozen, 6d to Is; ditto crates, 4s to 7s; ditto pot, Is to Is 6d; ditto bushel, 6d cabbage, open, per dozen, 6d ditto open, per tally, Is 6d to 2s; ditto bushel, 4d to 6d; ditto pots, open, 6d ta Is; cauliflowers (Dutch) per dozen, 3s cress, dozen punnets, Is 6d coleworts, or greens, per bushel, 3d to 4d; carrots, in bags, 2s to 2s 6d; ditto new, bunches, per dozen, 6s to 8s; ditto, new round, per bunch, 6d to 8d; celery, old, per bundle, Is; ditto new, Is 9d cucumbers, per dozen, 2s to 3s 6d,; endive, new, per dozen, Is 3d to Is 9d; garlic, per lb., 4d ditto horseradish, foreign, per bundle, 9d to Is leeks, new, dozen bunches, 2s ditto lettu.ee, cabbage, home-grown, per dozen, 6d tp yd; ditto, ditto, per score, Is to Is 3d ditto, cos, per dozen, 2s to 2s od mint, per dozen bunches, 2s to 3s mushrooms, per Ib. ôd tó-Sà; onions^ Egyptian, t bags, 6s to 7s ditto, ditto, green, per dozen bunches, > Is 6d to 2s 6d; parsnips, ber bag, Is 6d; ditto, parsley, per sieve, 9d; ditto, ditto, per dozen bunches, In to Is 5d; peas, English sieve, 8s; ditto, ditto, flats, 4s to 5s; ditto, blue, in flats, 4s to 4s 6d; ditto, Telephone, per lb., Is to Is 3d; potatoes, Channel Isles; kidneys, per cwt., 13s to 13s 6d; ditto, Malta kidneys, per cwt., 14s to 16s; ditto. ditto, round, per cwt., 10s to 12s; ditto, Canary. kids., per cwt., 13s to 16s ditto, Lisbon round, per' box, all at 5s 6d ditto, radishes, round, per dozen punches (home-grown), 8d to Is; ditto, ditto, per tally, 2s 6d to 4s; rhubarb, per dozen, home-grown, natural Is 6d to 3s 6d; salad, small, punnets, per dozen, Is 3d'; shallots, per lb., 2d; spinach, spring, per bushel, Is; tomatoes, English, per lb., 6d to 8d; ditto, Channel Isles, per lb., 5d to 6d; ditto, Canary, deep boxes, 2s 6d to1 4a; turnips, new, French, per bunch, 5d to 8d; watercress, per dozen bunches, 4d to 8d; Apples, Tasmanian, cases, various, comprising Sturmer, N.Y. Pips., Adams' Pearmain, Sc., Nonpareil, F. Crabs, &c., 14s to 21s; ditto, South Australians, comprising Wellingtons and various sorts, per case, 15s to 20s; apricots, per box, Is to 2a; Bananas, bunch, 8s to 12s cherries, per box, Is to Is 6d; ditto, pecks, 10s 6d; figs, per dozen, 4s to 6s; grapes, English, Hamburgh, per lb., 2s to 3s; ditto, Channel IsleS, per lb., Is 6d to 2s; ditto, Muscats, per lb., 2s 6d to 5o gooseberries, per sieve, 3s 6d to 5s; melons, each, Is 6d to 2s 6d nectarines, per dozen, 9s to 18s peaches, per dozen (according to size), 12s to 18s ditto, second quality, 4s to 8s; pines, each, from 2s 6d to 5. strawberries, per lb., 2s to 5s; ditto, second quality, Is to 2s. LONDON HAY AND STRAW.—Best selected hay, 75s to 80s; good, 70s to 75s; inferior, 50s to 65s; prime clover, 80s to 97s 6d good, 70s to 80s; inferior, 60s to 65s; straw, 28s to 36s per load.

AMERICA. AND SPAIN SANTIAGO HARBOUR BLOCKED, The Navy Department at Washington ha, i posted lip the following despatch Mole St. Nicholas, Hayti, June I succeeded in sinking the Merrimac in, the channel at Santiago at four o'clock in the afternoon (sic.) of the 3rd. This was carried out most gallantly under the command of Naval Constructor Hobson with seven men. By a flag of truce from Admiral Cervera sent in recognition of their bravery, I am informed that all are prisoners of war, two being slightly wounded. I request authority to approve: an exchange, if possible, between these and the prisoners at Atlanta. Six vessels of the Spanish squadron are in the harbour of Santiago and are unable to avoid being captured or destroyed. "SAMPSON." The officials in Washington are much pleased with Admiral Cervera's generous recognition of the bravery shown by Lieutenant Hobson and his small volunteer crew in carrying out the enterprise. It was Flag Captain Oviedo, the Spanish Admiral's chief of staff, who boarded the New York under a flag of truce and announced the safety of Lieutenant Hobson and his companions. THE SINKING OF THE MERRIMAC.—A BOLD FEAT. The Spanish fleet is now (says a message from a dispatch boat off Santiago) a helpless captive in Santiago Harbour, the narrow, channel; having been completely blocked by sinking the Merrimac acroou its entrance. It is therefore now impossible for the Spaniards to emerge, and equally impossible for any vessel to enter. This result was accomplished through the heroism of Lieutenant Richmond P. Hobson and a crew of leven men. The plan had been under consideration for several days, Rear-Admiral Sampson having decided that it was impossible to take the fleet into the harbour. The necessary preparations were begun on the 2nd inst., and by nightfall the craft was in readiness. A row of torpedoes had been arranged outside the hull of the Merrimac, so that Lieutenant Hobson could explode them from the bridge of the vessel and thus ensure her rapid sinking. At nightfall the various ships of the fleet steamed past the-doomed Merrimac, the men cheering lustily. Hundreds of men and scores of officers had volun- teered for the duty, and Commander Miller, who had been captain of the Merrimac, begged for per- mission to go with her, but Lieutenant Hobson, to whom the task had been entrusted, wanted only six men. By ten o'clock all, but the men who were going upon the dangerous errand were taken off the ship, and the old collier took her position near the New York to await the appointed hour. It was an im- pressive night for everybody in the fleet, as few ex- pected that the membersof the little crew would see another .sunrise. At three o'clock in the morning the Merrimac began to drift slowly towards the land, and in half an hour she was lost to sight. Lieutenant Hobson's plan was to steam past Morro Fort, swing crosswise athwart the channel, drop anchors, open the valves explode the torpodeos on the port side, then leap overboard, preceded by the Crew, and escape, if pos* sible, in a little lifeboat which was towed astern it being understood that any who might fail to reach the boat should attempt to save themselves py swim- ming ashore. Scarcely had the sHip disappeared when a flash from the guns of Morro Fort, proclaimed that she had been discovered. Other batteries around the harbour immediately opened fire, but the ship went steadily on and now lies sunk near the Estrella bat- tery. Heavy cannon and' musketry Sre was continued for about half an hour, and the guns were afterwards fired at intervals till long after daylight. None of the American ships dared to fire back for fear of injuring the Merrimac's crew. Cadet Powell, in a steam launch, accompanied the Merrimac to the harbour entrance. On his return he reported that the ship lay -well across the channel, her masts showing above water." Lieutenant Hobson did his work well, sinking the Merrimac almost in the exact spot that had been decided upon. The channel ir not as, wide aa- the Merrimac's length, and it will be impossible for the Spaniards to raise or destroy the _wrgck under the guns of the American fleet. Admiral CjKvera *s the^e'fore no longer regarded as a figure in the war. The Cristobal Colon, the Infanta "Maria Teresa, the Viscaya, and the Almirante Oquendo are known to be inside the S u 0 harbour, and it is, believed that two or three smaller warships/and possibly, spme"torpedo-boats, are with ^Before starting on his mission Lieutenant Hobson said: On deck there will be four men and myself in the engine-room there will be two men. This will be the total crew., We shall allíbe in our underclothing, with revolvers and ammunition in watertight packing strapped. round our waists. Forward will be one man on deck, and around his waist will be a line the other end of which will be made fast to the bridge, where I Bhall stand. By that man's side wiR be an axe. When I stop the "engines, I sh'itlt jerk this cord and he will thus get the signal to cut tiie lashihg Which will be holding the forward anchor. He will then jump overboard and swim to the four-oared^'flinghy which we shall tow astern. It will be full of life- buoys and unginkable. There will also.be rifles in the boat. It will be held by two ropee, one being made fast to her bow and one to her stern. Xhe first man to reach her will haul .in the tQwline and pull the dinghy out to starboard. The, next to leave the ship are the; rest of the;.crew. The: quartermaster at the wheel will not leave until after he has put it hard-a-port and lashed it. then jump overboard. The man down below at, the reversing gear will stop' the engines, scramble on deck, and get over the side, as quickly as possible. The man in the engine-room will break open the sea connections with a sledge hammer and follow his leader into the water. !I%is, la'st gtep will ensure the sinking of the Merrimac, whether the torpedoes work or not. By this time I calculate the other six men will be in the dinghy, and the Merri- mac will have swung athwart the channel to the full length of her 300 yards of cable, which will have been paid out before the anchors are cut loose. Then all that will be left for me to do is to touch a button. I shall stand off the Starboard side of the bridge, and the explosion will throw the Merrimac on her star- board side." A telegram from Kingston, Jamaica, says that Lieutenant Hobson and the rest of the crew of the Merrimac were unable after the vessel sank to make their way back in an open-boat through the Spanish shot and shell, and, therefore, rowed into the harbour to the Sp»niaii yflagship( whi ch took them endtoard* The Spanish, Admiral subsequently, under a flag or' truce notified the American Admiral that;; he wap willing to exchange prisonerev adding that in th, meantime the party would beotreaied with the greatest kindness. PREMATURE REJOICING IN SPAIN. At Madrid reports were received' on Saturday to the effect that one of the ironclads of the American fleet and an auxiliary- cruiser had tried to force a* entrance on the previous day into Santiago Har- bour, .and that the ironclad had fbeen repulse* and the druiser simk .by the fire of the Spanish batteries. The affair was described as a Spanish j .v much reioicing, which was sinkmg^ the Merrinmc had been the to do so has failed. In America, hoWever, it is considered that the harbour is blocked for the present, and it is believed that there is no need for further anxiety as to Admiral Cervera's squadron. RUMOURS AND REPORTS. There was no trustworthy news on Tuesday moni- ing of further military or naval, operations either at Santiago -de Cuba or elsewhere. Rumours as to tho despatch of American troops to Santiago have been freely circulated in the United Slates, but they do not appear to have any foundation; and the Spanish Government absolutely denies that any American expedition has landed in Cuba. A Times Madrid correspondent says that the attempt to close the harbour of Santi- ago by sinking the Merrimac is Considered there to have failed, because the vessel was sunk before reaching the entrance to the channel, but as she might form an obstacle to the freedom of navigation the Minister of Marine has ordered her to be blown up with dynamite. In the United States, however. he operation is regarded aa having completely iuboiidded, and there is much popular enthusiasm over Lieutenant Hobson's exploit. THE UNITED STATES TERMS. 4'ITED S' The Times New York correspondent says the attitude of the Washington Government in reference to suggestions of the possibility of peace is passive. The United States have entered on the war for a well-defined object, and will not desist till that object is attained, but would welcome proposals from Spain which should take account of the inevitable. It is reported from Waialiington that Sir Julian Pauncefote had asked Presi- dent M'Kinley what terms of peace the, United States would grant to Spain. "After holding a Cabinet, the President replied that Spain must evacuate Cuba, and give Puerto Rico to the United States in lieu of a war indemnity. On these conditions the Philippine Islands would be restored to Spain; and until these terms are complied with the war would be pushed on with vigour. Sir Julian aid not make the inquiry at the request of Spain, but simply out of a desire on the part of this country to see peace restored.

ROYAL MILITARY TOURNAMENT. The Royal Military Tournament was brought suc- cessfully to a close on Saturday night at the Agri- cultural Hall, Islington, when her Royal Highness the Princess Christian, who was accompanied by Prince Christian, presented the prizes won by suc- cessful competitors in the various events. Major R. M. Poore, 7th Hussars, as Best man- at-arms among the officers, took the largest number of prizes—namely, eight, which included two chal- lenge cups. In the officers' competitions, Sword v. Sword (mounted), the final results were Major Poore, first; Captain R. H. Carr-Ellison, 1st Dragoon Guards, second; and Lieutenant and Riding-master Waite, 10th Hussars, third. In Sword v. Lance (mounted), Lieutenant Cairnes, R.A., took the first prize, the second and third falling to Lieutenant ana Riding- master Waite and Captain Carr-Ellison. Appended is a complete list of first prize winners in the regulars' competitions Heads and Posts.—Squadron-Sergeant-Major Harris, 15th Hussars. Lemon Cutting. Staff Sergeant Major Beal, A.S.C. Tent Pegging.—Sergeant Studley, R.H.A. Sword v. Sword (Mounted).—Sergeant Baldwin, 7th Dragoon Guards. Sword v. Lance (Mounted).—Corporal Farrier Leeson, 1st Life Guards. Lance (Mounted) v. Bayonet (Dismounted).—Ser- geant A. Smith, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Sword (Mounted) v. Bayonet.—Corporal-Instructor Elliott, 2nd Life Guards. Bayonet v. Bayonet.—Corporal-Instructor Elliott, 2nd Life Guards. Foil v. Foil.—Sergeant-Instructor Betts, Army Gymnastic Staff. Sabre v. Sabre.—Corporal-Instructor Elliott, 2nd Life Guards. In the team events the bayonet combat was won by the 1st Battalion Scots Guards the riding and jumping competition by the 15th Hussars galloping by "E Battery R.H.A.; driving by the 87th Field Battery R.A. physical drill by the Royal Marine Artillery; bayonet exercise by the same corps tug- of-war (110 stone), Bridging Battalion, R.E., Alder- shot tug-of-war (catch weight), 2nd Battalion Scots Guards; tug-of-war (Regulars v. Auxiliaries), 2nd Battalion Scots Guards beat 4th V.B. E. Surrey Regiment. The bayonet combat, London Regulars v. London Volunteers, was won by Volunteers. In the Empire Competition Corporal-Instructor Elliott, 2nd Life Guards, won the bayonet v. bayonet and sabre v. sabre competitions; sword v. sword falling to Sergeant Baldwin, 7th Dragoon Guards; heads and posts to Squadron-Sergeant-Major Harris, 15th Hussars lemon-cutting to Staff-Sergeant-Major Beal, A.S.C.; tent-pegging to Sergeant Studley, R.H.A.; and lance v. bayonet to Corporal Evans, London Rifle Brigade.

THE Greek forces on Snnday reoccupied Larissa on its evacuation by the Turks. TIIE second son of the King of Siam will shortly be entered at one of the great military schools in Russia. A SPARROW'S nest, containing six eggs, was found in a truck of coal which was loaded at Boston, in Lin- colnshire. ABOUT a dozen cottages at Thorverton, near Exeter, were destroyed by fire on Sunday, damage being done to the amount of £ 2000. THE Chinese Government has approved Sir Robert Hart's request to grant a material increase in the pay of all the Customs staff, as compensation for the loss caused by the low rates of exchange. THE Rev. J. C. Hose, who has recently completed 40 years' ministerial work as curate of St. Saviour s. South Hampstead, was presented on Saturday at the Hampstead Conservatoire with a cheque for EIOOO and an illuminated album containing the names of the 361 subscribers. A «ET of silver candelabra and a silver tea and coffee service have been presented to the Rev. Pre- bendary Whittington, principal of the London College, as a souvenir of the jubilee of the institu- tion. A BOAT containing two persons was capsized on Sunday afternoon near Chelsea pier. The pierman, George Embleton, and H. Cole, put off in the pier boat, and rescued the two occupants as they were clinging to the bottom of their capsized craft, one of them being greatly exhausted. THE Lord Chief Justice, like so many lawyers who have attained distinction, coquetted with journalism in the early days when briefs were few and wants dis- proport1 onately many. His most notable effort in this direction took the form of a series of letters on the condition of Ireland, contributed nearly 40 years fcgo to the columns of the Daily Telegraph. A still earlier literary effort, which has at last found a place on the shelves of thp British Museum Library, is a short treatise entitled The Catholic in the Work- house." IT is a curious fact that red-haired people are far less apt to go bald than those with other co)oured hair. The average crop on the head of a red-haired person is only 29,200bairs. Ordinary dark hair is far finer, and over three dark hairs take up the space of one red one; 105,000 is about the average. "But fair-haired people are still better off 140,000 to 160 000 is quite a common number of hairs on tha scalp of a fair-haired man or woman. A curious calculation has been made to the effect.that the hairs on the head of a fair-hailed person, if they could be plaited together, would sustain a weight of some- thing JiWe 80 tons, equalling that of 500 people. THE Prussian Government, according to a recent statement, owns and works 17 collieries, eight lignite mines, 14 iron mines, five mettalliferous mines other than iron, and three rock-salt mines, together with five ironworks and seven works for smelting the other metals, six saltworks, and five quarries, which have an output of a total value of more than 30,000,000dol. yearly. Besides the above the Prussian State owns one colliery, that of Ibben- buhren, in the Osnabruck district of Westphalia, the collieries of Delster and Osterwald in the Clausthall district, and half the Obernkirchen. Colliery in the same district.