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

SCOTTISH LICENSED GROCERS. 'Xr'. li "Mod Nicol, manager Of ar Co-operative A ;otiati.on, afcr BreAferwho gave evidence before tlife P»nifnission on the Liceifting Laws, presided ovet fliy Eoi*d Beel^aid lie •rfUs •'forHS^rJ^.in business at Aloiitq?bse *Vh hm father,-wh<» Carried t)n businete are ■jiiigrocer and-ipirit dealer,for the purpoia. of support- ^<*88 *^thypgh he had^.personal,dis- tto the corobiHatflon of th$i two trades, fitness ^e#v6d #or nine y^rs in the shop, and .lus attention tva^" directed" by his father to a case in which every > item relating te liquor in an account sued onswas /struck out. j SJ < J > The Chairman: As the result of this case, what iny etructions did you get from your father?-Never to enter liquor as liquor, but to enter it as goods, such us butter, or anything that can^e near it in,price. The' Chairman: Are you quite sure that you did not exceed your father's instructions?—Quite sure: There waff another case in which the wife of a sailor, ,'Vvhose husband receive d his wages'monthly. gave in- lom structions not to put down liquor on the bill, but to put down something else near the price, for fear her husband on coming home from sea would see where, l.er allowance w^ftt. The Ghairman: And you sotd her whisky and entered it as butter?—I did. The Chairman: Does.thsfc ttistom generally pre- rail ?—I don't know that every groe'er or assistant Joes it, opportunity. Mr. Gritffingr-Do you come hereto confess that > ou and ydlir father, whais dead, connived at these malpractices—th^fftlse.. booking ?*-I hatfe <ome to nsi^r auy qrlpstfchs^ thaf'I apr a^ted. You may olltitthøtway;'ifyouliie"}.j 1 Mr. Youtigar^Ik> yea hot: think your action in, ?n(ering4whifky*os fitter was a fraudulent action?1 —I think so now; but I d'd not think so then. I bought it was part of my business to do it. By Mr. Wbittaker; Conversations with grocers md their assistants confirmed his view that what he had described was a fcommp practice, though he. did not now engage in it himself. As indicating that, ^•istomers were sometimes ashamed of what they were loing, women wouMo rjne a' grocer's shop with a large basket containing,a small towel and apparently my amount of goods,, and cpme out with nothing but he towel in the basket and a bottle of whisky in their, i)ocket. J, Mr. paine:, YouTiave evidently come heto per- form a-very disagreeable duty, in the interests- of the publics"?—Yes. i Mr. RrehardrWilson, who had been engaged;in the grocelty tra^te in Dundee -for nearly quarter of a; rentury; saidlbe had been in the habit of going into the country twice a week with a van, dispensing groceries, whisky, ale, and stout without previous i orders, and he believed1 that the habit of grocers ilLagaHy selling liquor was still carried on. He had 1. also supplied liquor in a grocer's shop for, consump- tion on the premises. He thought there was a great deal .of drinking in grocers' shops in a secret way.! There was a practice of giving children sweets when they went with air order for liquor. r. i «] i i ■' ■ • =

AGRICULTURAL WAGES. An article, pubiishediiin the Labav; Gazette on The Recent Rise in Agricultural Wages" shows that in certain Poor Law unions in th midJand, :eastern, home, and soutlheirn and south-western; coujorities there is -an,upward movement in the rate of wages of Agricultural labourers in the present summer j iaa compared .with, » year ago. Out of .a total.of ,261,331 agricultural labourers in the districts named,; ,137,077 iQr 62 per-c"t.) ham. had increases in their wages varying, frpm Is. to 2s. 6d. a week. Of these,, v 105.328 received a rise of Is. a week, 17,990 Is. 6d. a rfeek. 10,359 2s. a week, and 3400 2s. Od., a week. By j far the greater number of changes, took place in the eastern counties, which are the principal corn-grow-1 ing ones—namely, Essex, Norfolk,. Suffolk. Cam- bridge, and Lincoln. Out of the 137,077 labourers) who had rises in wages in all the districts referred) to, 101,165 (or 74 per cent.) were in the eastern, counties.

THE HOUSE OF COMMONS BAR. A -correspondent of the Standard says that if the persong, by whopi the proceedings were instituted had referred to the old case of," Stockdale v. Hansard," they .would have saved themselves trouble. The fol- lowing is an extract from the resolutions passed by the House in 1835-6: That by the laws and privi- leges of Parliament, this House has the sole and exclusive jurisdiction to determine upon the exist- ence and extent of its privileges, and that institution or prosecution of any action, suit, or ot her proceed- ings, for the purpose of bringing them into discussion before any court or tribunal elsewhere than in Parlia- ment, is a high breach of such privilege, and renders all parties • concerned therein amenable-to its just, dfsprfeasure,' and to the punishment consequent thereon." f

CLERK With all due respect, your worship, 1 should like to know why you gave ope bicycle thief the limit of th&law and let the other off with flight fine." Magistrate: "For veiry; good reason^The first man stole the machine to sell, and the other took it because ae wanted one to, ride. I am a, cyclist myself, you know." ( IT is true," she said, that our fclub has ,dis.- banded." "What was the difficulty ?" he. asked. "Why, the president tried to enforce a rule to the effect that only one member oould, talk at a ;im«." TUB leather industry of Germany, according to meet recent information, has become the third or fourth ih point of importance throughout the Empire. In 1895 there were 596,717 persons enumerated as finding employment-in preparing or working up j leather. In making boots and shoes 433,586 were i 74,839 were on saddlery, harness, &c.: T,iQ0 were tanning and dressing hides 16,278 were ^iove making. Siina. to the value of £ 7,000,000 and wvnjng^naterials Worth. £ 1,400.000xvere imported in lhe army absoCb«d. 500,000 paiiB Of slides' | during the vear.

.° THE PARIS EXHIBITION OF' NINETEEN HUNDRED. < (In the course of a few ds^ys a report giving a coin- "plete account øf the progress of the Exhibition works will be presented to the President of the Republic. The buildings may be divided into two "distinct oate- n OL gories. There are the two fine structures' in the phamps Elysees, between the site of the old Palai's de Tlnclustrie and the Seine, and there are also the Ijuildings on the Champ de Mars. The former will M :I:e of a permanent character, while the others, which will only meet temporary requirements, are rising this. being particularly the case with the larger one adjoining the Avenue d'Afitm. As for the tructures to be erected on tlie Champ de ilars, and also at the Invalides (says ..the Telegraph's correspondent), they wiH be far simpler matter than the Galerie des Machines and the Dome Central with which V isitors to the World's Show of 1889 ar^So'familiar. In IJfacf, the most effective display Mn bë mlta on The Champs Elysees side bf the Seine, which wilf- tfe specially connected with the other bank by "the Pont Trois, on the preparations for Mifth work- jnen are busily engaged. The Cours la fteifte'^ahd the adjacent ground are now the Scenes of feverish activity. Trees have been femoved; the quays'are jbeirig modified, and on the fàvourltc'r!?e>, shaded by maghiQceht foliage, arrangements are bèfngmltde for the lading dmfn of tHimrilils. The old Jardin de Paris "h is long disappeared, and a successor 'has lately been found for it in" the gardeh in which tfte Care de l'Horloge "coiicerts were given. The whole .district, in fact, is upside down- at' the present■ 'moment, much to the distress of the inhabitants.'

F" THE KESTORATION*' OF THE APPARENTLY DR0WNES:' j v" The Royal National Lifeboat Institution havV issued a pamphlet containing instructions for the -restoration of the apparently drowned. During the .summer months deaths from drowning are upfqrtp- nately very numerous, so that the iAstAviion render ithe public a very important service hy publishing these instructions with a view to decreasing the mortality attending bathing and,.boating, accidents, the leading principles of the directions are fquruied t- Wd, om those of the late Dr. Marshall combined with those of Dr. H. R. Silvester, and.iwe the result of extensive inquiries made by tlie Rqy§A National Lifeboat .Institution amongst medifial m^n,,medical bodies, and coroners throughout the United Kingdom. They are in use in her Majesty's Fleet, in the Coast- guard Service, at all the stations of the British. Army .at.boyje and abroad, in the lighthouses.^nd vessels of the Corporation of the. Trinity. Hou&e,. the Al.etro- politan and provincial police forces, the.metropolitan School Board Schools, and the St. John, Ambulance Association. L

.w-- _0. '4:- }: BURNING THE YANKEE "PIGS." Spanish humour excelled itself at Bilbao receritly, gays a correspondent of the 'Morning Lender. There- had been a bull fight, and the matadors had1 disposed of their bulls in the most gory fashion to the number of some half-dozen, and the audience was in a mood of exhilaration when an individual èónceivéd' I.th happy thought of turning into the arena, ^-hich was' drenched with the blood of bulls and horses; ødive pig, with an American flag tied to its tail.- The flag -was set on fire, and midst hoarse yells from thou- sands of throats, the pig rushed about the ring nntil it Avas roasted to death. The local chronicler tfott- oludes his description as follows Would ttf God that the flags of the Yankee nation might be as quickly, reduced to nothing." p

HORSEFLESH IN PARIS. The Paris Municipal Council is rioconsidering lhe' advisability of building a special slaughter-house for'horses on account of the continual increase in the consumption of horseflesh. The first horse- butcher's shop was opened in 1866, and in the fol- lowing year 2152 horses were consumed. Last year 14,840 horses, 257 donkeys", and '40 mules—making a total of 15,137 animals, weighing 3,743,700 kilos- were eaten by the Parisians.

THE SCOURGE OF TUBERCULOSIS. The Practitioner publishes a 11 special Tuberculosis number." It contains communications by a number of medical men on the character, extent, and treat- ment of this fell disease. In pointof, destructive- ness there is no disease that can be voinpa)red with tuberculosis. No race or country is exempt from it, and no climate affords security, against it; It has been estimated that at least ofle-eleventh of the whole population -of these islands dies; of .consumption alone. The mortality from the disease in the whole of Europe is, according to Professor Leyden, not-less than 1,000,000 every year." In Eranceone out, of every; six deaths is caused by it, and it claims twice as many vicUms everywhere as typhoid fever, diph- theria, scarlet fever, measles, small-pox, cholera, and all other infectious diseases together. Our contemporary advocates a new crusade against tuberculosis, and says there is reason to believe that .such a crusade if carried out on a sufficiently large scale and with adequate vigour would be successful: What is needed is an organised movement for the provision of sanatoria for poor tuberculosis, patients where they can be treated while their disease is yet in a curable stage and where, they -can -be isolated so as not to form a danger to those among wbom» they live." In France and Belgium leagues for the sys- tematic combating of tuberculosis haves been formed, and the .editor of the Practitioner says that some of our, millionaires could not find a better object than the foundation of properly equipped sanatoria in this country for poor sufferers from the disease. Will omeone take the hint? 1

<* ) • •• LORD C. BERESFOLTD'S I^AVY. • DEMANDS. ¡' ■■ Admiralty authorities, if we are rightlyinrorrned (remarks the Westminster Gazette) art hot greatly perturbed or impressed by Lord Charlfes Beresford's latest manifesto. No one doubts the excellence of the hon. and gallant agitator's intentibbe, even if like most agitators, he is inclined to take himself and his views a little seriously. Nobody doubts^ either, that, with his popular personality and ktifack Of get- ting a public ear, he has managed to do good work in' thisr direction before. Unfortunately his ment is not always equal to his' enthu- siasm, and in this case again; it is re- presented, this has once more befcrt exempli- fied. "Lord Charles commits the ettor," observed a high authority to a representative, to hf assuming that vessels projected by foreign Powers are already in existence. The Admiralty goes on the more practical plan of keeping pace with foreign navies as t] they are actually built—a feat which the vastly supfl? rior fepeed of our ship-building'(barring stifcn inci- dents as the recent strike) enables us to do with ease. As to his remarks about muzzle-loaders, many of our muzzle-loading guns are just as effective as Prench or Russian breech-loaders of the same date. It is the age of a gun which primarily determines "tts' efficiency. As to the obsolete vessels in our lists, this is an old story, of course. We have more ves- sels of this class than France, for the simple reason that we bega;n using iron ships earlier than they did, which early iron vesseli have consequently lasted, whereas their., wooden' orftft have been broken up. Of course we don t couht these obsolete vessels êffectiiä the ordinary sense. Bat we do. think them worth preserving as a reserve line. In any-great, naval war a time might come when the veriest old tubs in existence might com- mand the seas. Among the blind the one-eyed is King so these same obsolete vessels-which Lord Charles scoffs at might prove invaluable. Finally, Lord Charles writes in ignorance of plans which so far he is aware the responsible naval advisers of her tyfajesty may already have under con si deratio n.

1-ø, If". Ma. CHAMBERLAIN has sent a latter to a co spondent on the subject of insurance rates arising out of the passing of the Workmen's Oompensatioa Act, in whicn he says the probability is that after a little'experience the insurance companies will become more reasonable in their terms, and that he is in- formed by some of his friends that already some of them are cutting the rates very much below those that have been publicly quoted. He adds that in Bip. mingham and elsewhere a number of manufacturera have joined in a mutual insurance. In this case the first, subscription is fixed high to meet all possible claims, but the amount is of no importance, as if itia found to be too high the extra wiil be returned to the subscriber.

,¡'\ HOME HINTS. j; AMBER P(TI)DING.—Grate some stale breud, as much as will nil, to overflowing a breakfast cup, Put the crnmbs in a basin witlx.Pot. of finely-chopped "beef su6t (or dripping will do), two heaping tablespoonfula of brown sugar, the'grated rind and juice of two lemons, and two whole eggs. Mix well, put into a well-buttered basin, tie$cloth over t^o top, and steam for an hour. Make a sauce with a generous lump of butter, the juice of a lemon, and a heaping tablespoonful of sugar. Let this, boil until as thick åi3 hohèy; turn the pudding out on a .H>t dish, qr^d pour the same over. STOKE CREAM.—Put a pii^t of milk into a saucepan: with the thin rind of a lemon and a two-inch stick of rinnamon; let this stand on the stove to come slowly to the beil. Put three tablespoonfuls of ground rice into a basin, with two tablespoonfuls of sugar. Mix these quite smooth with a- teacupful of cold milk bring the milk to the boil, and pour in the sipoot lily- inixed rice, stirring well while boiling terpen minutes. Spread some jam thickly at the bottom of a glass dish or pie-dish, pour over the rice, taking out the lemon- v,eel and cinnamon; let it get quite cold. When it is jreadyfor use, sprinkle some h'undreds-and-thousands °^PJ^^KED ^SII WITH MACARONI^—Break up into one- iric h lengths as much macaroni as will fill a teacup, throw it into boiling water with a little salt, and boil .-quickly 25 minutes. Drain away the water, and put the macaroni into a well-buttered pie-dish. Cut up -lib. of cod in five or six pieces; put these into the pie-dish with a slice of fat bacon cut in strips, one onion, chopped, a teaspoonful of finely-chopped .parsley, a little finely-powdered lemon-thy me; well season with pepper and salt, pour over a teacupful jof boiling milk. Cover the top of the pie-dish with a cover, of mashed potato, bake in a hot oven three- quarters of an hour. BAKED LKMOX PUDDIBG.Put À heaping break- fastcupful of bread-crumbs into a basin, with half a iteacupful of finely-chopped beef suet, the grated rind and juice of two lemons, a teacupful of sugar, a tablespoonful of flour, and two whole gggs. Mix well, line a pie-dish with a nicely-rmade short paste, pour in the mixture, and bake in a hot oven three-quarters ,of an hour. HORSERADIsH.Wash and scrub the root until thoroughly clean, then,soak it in cold water for an ihour after which scrape it with a sharp knife into very Sno shreds, and use immediately, because, if allowed to lie, after being thus prepared, it will lose nice, pure, delicate appearance. Arrange it in tiny heaps, straight lines, or rings, in conjunction ig t co- something else of a. bright colour. IIARD-BOIJJED EGGS.—These may be simply cut in .quarters lengthwise, or in slices across; or, if pre- ferred, the yolks may be rubbed through a fine wire .sieve,, and the whites cut into kings, long narrow strips, or very tiny dice. These can be arranged in a !variety of pretty styles, and, with sprigs of fresh green parsley, form an exceedingly attractive garnish. PARSLEY.—This, which is rightly considered an in- -dispensable item in artistic garnishing, should first'be .thoroughly, .washed in cold,, slightly-salted water, and be well dried in a clean, sott cloth it should then be Aivided into small, neat sprigs, and may be used in that form, or it may be finely chopped. If required ,as a,garnish for a hot dish, the parsley should be either crisped or fried., Tj) fry it, plunge, the sprigs, afyer. heing properly prepared, into boiling clarified fat and let them remain until quite crisp, then take them up, drain thoroughly, sprinkle lightly with pepper and salt, and use. Crisped parsley is some- times, however, considered more convenient, and when this is so, just lay the sprigs out on a sheet of clean, white paper, and kee"p turning tHem about in front of a hot, clear fire, until thoroughly hot, crisp, and dry.. VARIEGATED Asnc JELLY, To prepare an economical sort of aspic, sufficiently good for gar- nishing, put a quart of water into a scrupulously clean saucepan with a dessertspoonful of salt, two bay 1.s,,20z. of French sheet gelat.ine, a medium-sized sliced onion, a blade of mace, a dozen peppercorns, a tablespoonful of tarragon vinegar, two tablespoonfuls of pure malt vinegar, and the whites and crushed shells of two fresh eggs. Mix all these ingredients thoroughly, bring to the boil, then pass through a warm jelly-bag into a very shallow dish or plate, and use when cold and firm. It is a good plan to divide the jelly while in a liquid stato into three equal parts, then by colouring one part with saffron, one with carmine or cochineal, andkeoping the remaining-part clear, a strikingly pretty effect can be obtained.— Agricultural Gazette. • BEEFSTEAK RoLY. PUDDING.—Make a suet crujt with tlb. of flour and 3pz. of beef suet or nice sweet dripping, chopped with the floiir. Mix into a fine dou"h with cold water. Take lib. of buttock steak, cut °it in lin. pieces spread th? paqte, after rolling it out about lin. thick, with bptterf sprinkle it freely with pepper, salt, a teaspoonful of finely-chopped parsley, and onion; Put the,pieces of steak on the herbs, sprinkle the steak with flour, roll it up like a bolster, put it on a pudding-cloth, tying each end tightly; put at once into a saucepan of quite boiling water, with a plate under the pudding to keep it from burping. Boil for one hour and a-half. Turn out of the cloth on a hot dish. Pour a nicely-made parsley sauce over the pudding. CHEESE PUDDJN BAKED.—Put half pint of milk in a saucepan with a generous lump of butter. As soon as it begins to simmer throw in half pint fine grated bread-erumbs, and half a teacupful of grated cheese, pepper, salt, and half a teaspoonful of made mustard. Stir well; let it get a little, cool, then mix well into the bread two whole eggs, beating them for quite five minutes. Well butter a pie-dish, pour in the mixture, and bake in a sharp oven for half an hour serve at once. Ricr,, WlTji TOMATOES.—Put a teacupful of rice into a saucepan three parts full of boiling water, and boil 15 minutes. Strain off the water, give the rice a good wash in cold water. and leave it in the strainer to drain for a, quarter of an hour. Melt a lump of butter or dripping in a frying-pan, take off the skin of two ripe tomatoes by dipping them for a minute or two in quite boiling water, tlicp slice them up into the hot fat in » pan with a large onion chopped fine, a bunch of chervil, a sprig of tarragon, pepper, salt, and a heaping tablespoonful of grated cheese. Put in the welWrained rice, stir all well together to get well warmed, then break in one whole egg. Stir lightly until hot and the egg just set Serve with some nicely-fried rashers of bacon on top. BISCUITS AU RUUM.-—Take the whites of three eggs, a small cupful of powdered sugar, one dozen maca- roons, a quart of cream, a large wineglass and a half of rum. Beat the eggs to a stiff froth, gradually in- corporate the sugar, pound and roll the macaroons until they are crumbs then add this to the Cggs and sugar. When well mixed make into biscuits or small round cakes, and lightly brown a colden colour. Now whip the cream, sweeten slightly, and season with the ruin when ready to serve, line a glass dish with the biscuits, and entirely cover them with the whipped (-ream. Decorate them with maroon glaCes (preserved chestnuts). This is a specially pretty pud- ding." Rural World. LAUNDRY HINTS. If shèetsrand tablecloths are so folded that the selvage edges will pass through the wringer first, they will be less likely to curl and will be smoother. Never hang articles singly on a windy day; if doubled or quadrupled even they will dry, and frayed and otherwise dilapidated corners will be less frequent. Use a small whisk-broom to dampen clothes preparatory, to ironing. iFoId napkins and handkerchiefs once, place one upon another and roll. To prevent the fringe oCtowels from breaking and wearing off, snap the towels when the fringe is damp. CARPETS.-If a clean cloth wrung out of water to which half a teaspoonful of ammonia1 has been added is used to wipe off a carpet which has been recently swept, the dusty look will be removed and tlie colours brightened. LEAKY Pin$s.—If a pipe leaks it is a good plan, while waiting for the plumber, to make a thick paste of powdered whiting and yellow soap, damped with a little water, and put it over the hole to keep the water from dripping out.. DRIED FRUIT. Housekeepers who cook "drIed fruit properly prepare it by washing it thoroughly, letting it soak in cold water until all dirt or sedi- ment has been loosened and washed off, then rinse it thoroughly and put it to soak for ,2<1 boors in clea. water. C6ot i»Wy" and m **7 in the water in whiph it has been soaked. This process brings out the real fresh-fruit flavour better than any other. —

AND you wouldn't begin a journey on Friday ?I Not me!" I can't understand how you can have any faith in such a silly superstition." No super- stition about it—Saturday's pay day." ExTREHt danger makes us all common friends or common enemies.

-A ""WO,UL u .1 t Wort's di-esses are to be amdn'g'the 'mosit 'Fa'sliron* able costumes for the silriamer.' 'Mdhy 6f ihe!rii are* marvels bf. Oaintiness, and in some instances cf expense', '^he finest and" jttettl&at' embroideries are used, and elaborateness §eeni&'to;be the order of tlle day. Ladieawho are fortunate to have among fheir- possessions any- of the old time eihbroiileries in which their grandmothers used' to delight think tb'efriselv^s exceeding^ well off.' The figurfes are cut^otiit arid1 appliquedupon ilnie and handsome materials, and serve as yokes and triminings of various'so'rf^. Orie1 costume is made of old-fashioned Swiss work." The1 figure is an independent spray of leaves and buds. There* was a sufficient amount of this material to uia'ke the front of the skirt and the waist. The remainder'of the skirt was of Indian linen, which was the nearest approach to a match that the market afforded. — • (" r? IT is a curious fact that several ladies have tried to match these old-time materials, but have been5 quite unable to do sbV" There is nothing on sale that equals them in fineness, delicacy, and evenness of weave. Quality seems to have been entirely sacrificed' for effect in these'fabrics. ..11 THE frailness and delicacy of some of the new cotton fabrics is emphasised by the fact that they are' treated in the same way as thin silk materials. In their making up no consideration is given to their use beyond their first freshness. It is pot supposed they will be done up except possibly by a professional cleaner, and even this is not taken into account in their, selection. They are built over silk and so put togetnertbat even the damp air of the seashore is' likely to Convert them into unsightly rags. ladies who contemplate spending the summer by the sea will And silk muslin and very thin wool fabrics much more serviceable than these transparent cotton stuffs. IT is well'enough to plan fqr diaphanous dresses, but somewhat disappointing to discover that these .tliir. materials have become utterly worthless from ex-' ■posureT to dampness. A NO VELTTT trimming is made of very narrow r)bboriJ in checks or'stripes. Along one edge is iewed' a cord of metal threads or silk, and to these is attached tiny button# or silk-covered drops of a style which used to be extremely fashionable. (, TUHQUOISHS supported by diamonds are still the favourite stones, and, although a few people find it hard to overcome their superstitions about opals, their great beauty is always. admitted, and each year they are m-Qre sought after. A magnificent dogoollar is formed of intermingled elliptical rings of diamonds, n which at intervals are oval clusters, each, centered with a single great flashing opaL lif epite of constant rumours that the hair is to be worn low down on the head again, it still remains firmly fixed on-the top, and is evidently likely to stay there, at any rate for this season. Hats, headdresses, and even; jewellery are all arranged especialiy for its present elevated position, and it forms, when well coiffd, a soft, becoming frame to most faces. THE gay plaided silks have joined the Roman stripes in amicable' sisterhood" and are beirg shown high favour for stick ties and sashes. PLAID borders on wide black satin ribbon are new and chic. The bayadere effect is now extended to the nevvcotton crepons. • TINY fiowers brocaded in white satin on grounds of checked silk are new. Charming taffetas show a high lustre and a design of enormous plaids. FRILLS of satin ribbon embellish fluffy-lookin" pamsols. ° PLAID piques are a novelty, very pretty for blouses, ,for slim figures, but for the plump maiden they are 'impossible;" EMBROIDERED batiste for bodices is again in vogue. Bilk lines-are worn in ultra-fashionable checked ginghams. Corded edges decorate handsome black latin sash ribbons. THB new plain and silk-striped French challi fabrics are brought out in very many of the beautiful designs popular in matelasse silks, pompadour satins, Indias, and foulards. There are, besides these, small brilliantly coloured Persian devices, rtrewn-over pure%hite grounds; also Empire gar- lands, chintz patterns, and richly shaded foliage sprays, In-tints of olive-green and gold. These soft, theer, all-wool materials make up very effectively with-flounced skirts, the bodices slightly toned with relvet trimmings.. Two young women who had their own way to make in the world (says a writer in the Star) -and were trying to make it by sewing, and having a hard time of it, had a bright idea not long since and are now coining money out of a very simple thii g-the kind of thing that usually does make money. This was to buy from the manufacturers the regular mackintosh goods by the bolt and make a combina- tion suit of skirt and cape for a rainy day costume for women. The- mackintosh cloaks are always too small around, never as full as any fashion- able dress skirt, and the effort to hold up the dress is one which requires considerable manoeuvring. There is not enough room for the arm when bent in holding the skirt up; the macintosh pulls and draws, and finally always yields and tears at the corners of all openings. As the dress skirt is held up or let down, the wet edges of the mackintosh draggle the entire bottom of the skirt and trimmings. The arms are never free to carry anything, and one would rather be drenched than wear one. The new suit is a great improvement. The skirt is cut on the prevailing fashionable iuts of skirts and falls in graceful folds when worn either with or without a dress skirt. There is no body to this garment, but an ample double cape is made which covers the waist fully, and gives a graceful appearance to the wearer and ample protection from the rain. It is also more airy than the one- piece garment, and, consequently, more health- ful. Even when made of the ordinary water- proof goods these suits are extremely neat and pretty, but when made of the finer qualities of serge finished or Scotch mixed goods they have no appearance of a mackintosh whatever, but simply of a stylish wool suit. The goods is heavy enough to need no linings, its natural stiffness making it hang well, while the backing is of silk or plaid in any colours ordered. The weight of the garment being divided in two is another advantage, while either garment may be worn separately. Unlike the unwieldy mackintosh, this suit is always made to measure and fitted to the client, so that it hangs well from the waist and from the shoulders. THERE is a remarkable shawl (remarks a contri- butor to the Sun) in the possession of the Duchess of Northumberland. This was formerly the property of Charle X. of France. It was manufactured entirely from the fur of Persian cats. Several thousands of eatsikins were utilised in weaving it, and the task oc- cupied some years. The shawl measures eightr yards square. THE Queen of Italy, according to the Ladies' Home, shares one weakness with many women who are still beautiful, although past their premilre jeu- nesse she would like her grey haired husband to look as young as herself. And one day she told him so, suggesting that he should follow his late father's example, and use a harmless hair dye. But- King Humbert would have none of it. The Queen persisted, like a woman, and at last had a bottle of dye placed upon the King's dressing-table as a gentle hint. Her Majesty had a white Pomeranian of which she was very fond, and the following morning Pom ran into her room with his long hair transformed into a jetty black! The dye was gone from the Boyal dressing-table, and although tlie King remains grey to this day he has heard no more of the advantage of harmless hair dyes.

r I MARKET -NEWS. =.. •••• a i o k Witli t4,e, breakdown-, of. the huge Cjhi<:a^(i wheat b#nm, heralded throughout .the land, indeclsion |^nd jnflatidn iia longer, exigfcand now that t^e spinC of speculation haS completely died out. a Tmii impetus is given to business." '^j.tt§rf, how- ever,, at the moment remain in a state of idle sus- pense. The market for botK wheat? and flour has manifested inten'se St&gnatioiT since noon, and with uittlers stilt holding off, there is consequently only'a small consumptive business ^passing, wMIe prices -show a fresh decline. Figures point more and more to inadequate supplies of English wheat-a fact which, however; causes no? Uneasiness amongst the trade, so long' as the 'scarcity is' fteely m'etf, as tit is at present, by foreign sources.' The attendance of buyers at, Dparket has continued on a moderate scale, -tke and. tilken as a. whole, the amount of business trans- acted has been of^very small' dimensions. Without the faintest signs of any improvement in the demand for *vheaf; quotations -of English sh-OW a further genel-al break of 4s to ns since last week, while foreign kirfds sYrffei* even more in some cases. English white now ranges- at 41s to 46s, and r8d at 40s to 44lt: Foreign descriptions are almost quite neglected. Some attention, however1, has been centred upon Indian, in which a good deal feis been done. No. 1 hard Manitoba now offers at 40s. ex-Ship and 41s landed. Northern Spring nomihafiy'^Os^aria Califor-' nian 43s landed, Walla Walla and red Winter temain- ing nominal. South Russian ranges at 36s to 38s ac- cording to quality, and Indian No. 2 club at 34s 18 35s landed. The market for flour is libePally'Siipplied, while remaining in the same listless state, and although holders are prepared to accept a further, concession, offers meet with poor response. An irregular dwine-of folilf gr to 4s has beeive^cfablished on thewetffe,- -The loiftltm "Millers'Association have aeain put '-tTown' Towii household#-1 « •officially"" quoted at 36s, and whiteS- .at 38s. Of country makes patents range at 36s to 38s; roller, 33s to 35s; and stone, 30s to 33s American first patents, 33s to 37s; and second ditto? 30s to 34s; first bakers, 28s to 30s; and sedondMitte^ 32s to 34s; Califdrnian, 31s to 33sL; Hungarian is nominally 40s nf to 48s Und French 34s to 37s per sack. TBarley has remained slow ^of gale, with an easy tendency. Odessa, 16s to 16s '3d ex %Mp, 116 to 17s 6d ex quay. Danubian nominal. The demand for oats has continued satisfactory, and quotations are steadily supported. Ameritan mixed clipped 156 6d ex ship, 15s 9d ex quay; Undipped, 15s 3d; and white clipped, 16s 3d. New ^Zealand quoted at 26s" to 30s for ordinary to heavy samples. Maize meets with little attention. American Aiixed, 15s Od ex-sliip; and Odessa, 17s 6d ex-quay. Danu- bian remains nominal. Beans in slow support, at last Friday's rates, but sellers are not pressing. Barbary, 19s, 3301b.; Egyptian splits, 20s 6d ex mill. There is nothing fresh to report in the market for peas, which remains stationary at the moment, and maples rule at 32s to 33s, with Canadian white 28s. landed. t LONDON METROPOLITAN CATTLE. Beast entries were fair. Little or no inquiry existed for either prime or second qualities,the latter being weslk, with holders pressing. Fat bulls attracted no attention. Fat butchering cows were firm, an improved demand being experienced. Scotch quoted 4s 2d to 4s 3d; Devons, 4s 2d; Norfolks, 4a to 4s 2d; shorthorns. 3s lOd to 4s and fat cows, 3s 4d to 3s 6d per SIb., Sheep supplies were moderate, and trade for neat weight wethers, although quiet, ruled steady, -heavy descriptions being easier. Ewes in shorter supply, supported late values. ,7J to 8-stone Down wethers, 2 5s 4d; 9-stone, 5s :to 5s 2d; 10-stone, 4s lOd; 10- 3tone, half-breds, 4s 8d 11-stone Hampshires, 4s 4d to 4s 6d; 12-stone Lincolns, 4s Od to 4s 2d; 10-stone Down ewes, 3s 8d. Lambs were a shade dearer for best qualities, others being slow; 5-atone fait Downs, 7s Od to 7s 2d 6-stone half-bred 6s lid to 6s 4d per 81b. sinking the offal. No salves or pigs were on offer. Milch cows offered at jE16 ■ to £ 22 per head. Coarse and inferior beasts quoted 2s 4d to 2s lOd; second quality ditto, 3s to 3s 6d prime large oxen,.3s 8d to 4. ditto Scots, &c., 4s 2d to 4s 3d; coarse and inferior sheep, 2s lOd to 3 6d; seoond quality ditto, 3s lOd to 4s ?6d and first ditto, 5s to 5s 4dp inferior lambs, 5s 6d to 5s lOd: second quality, ditto, 6s to Bii 4d and jfirst, 7s to 7s 2d per 81b. SMITHFXELD ),lEA". —— oderatC ■ suppUes were offered, but met a very quiet sale. Scotch, 3s 8d to 4s; exceptionally, 4s 2d; English, 3s 6d to 3s 8d; America,n, Deptford-killedi 3s 2d. to .-8s 4d; Liver- pool, So to 3s 2d American, jrefrigerated, hind- quarters, 3s 6d to 4s; average, 3s 8d; fore- quarters, Js 6d to Is lOd average, Is 8d. Mutton! Scotch, 4s 4d to Õ; English wethers, 4s to 4s 4d; W, 2s 8d to 3s Argentine, 3s 2d. English lamb, 5& 4d to 6s. Veal English, 4s 2d to 4s 4d; Dutch, 3fe 8d to 4s. Pork: English, 3s 8d to 4s 4d-; and Dutch, 2s 8d to 3s 2d per 81b. POULTRY AND GAME.—Supplies were short, but reyidenced a slow demand* Quotations: Fowls: Sprrey, 3s 6d to 4s 6d Sussex, 3s to 4s; Boston, 2s ;d 2s 6d; Essex, Is lOd to.2s 6d Welsh, 2s to 2s 6d; [righ, ls 6d to 2s; Aylesbury ducklings, 2s 6d to 3b 6d j goslings, 4s to 5s Russian fowls, Is 9d; ditto ducks, 2s 3d ditto partridges, Is 3d; wild rabbits, IOIil; tame ditto, Is 2d Australian ditto 8s to gid; feathered pigeons, 8d to lid; ditto Bor- deaux, lOdto 19,3d ditto medium, 9d; ditto live, 8d each; English new-laid eggs, 7s per 120. BILLINGSGATE Fisii.-English salmon, Is 3d to la 5d Scotch, Is 4d to Is 6d; Irish,Is Id to Is 2d Norwegian, Is Id to Is 2d salmon trout, Is 3d <) to Is 9d; grilse, ;1s, to Is 2d soles, 10d to Is 2d; slips, 6dto 8d; red mullet, Is to Is 2d; dories, 2d to 3d per lb.; tupbot, 4s 6d to7; brill, 5s to 6s 6d; halibut, 3s 6d to 5s 6d; lemon soles, 3s 6d to 5s; plaice, 3s to 4s 6d per stone; steamer ditto, 20s to 22s per trunk; Aberdeen ditto, 20s; whiting, 2s to 4B; gurnet, 8s; hake, 7s to 8s; skate, 6s to 8s; cod, live, 12s to 14s; dead, 7s to 98 per box; English mackerel, 10s to lis per 60; Irish, 20s to 22s per 120 fresh haddocks, 7s to 9s per trunk; loose, 20s per turn eels, live, 18s to 20s; dead, 10s to 14s per draft; lobsters., Is to 2s each; crabs, 18s per hamper; Dytch oysters, 8s; French, 6s per 100; winkles, 8s; whelks, 4s per bushel; bloaters, 3b to 3s 6d kippers, 2s. 6d to 3s 6d per box; smoked Haddocks, 2s to 8s per dozen; whitebait, 6d to 9d per quart; shrimps,, 8s per busheL Hofs.—Thearp is no change to record in this market, which, remains in the same (juiet, steady state as previously reported. East Kent Goldings quoted 951 to HQs; Mid-Kent ditto, 9 pi to 110s; Weald of Kents, 90s to 110s; Sussex, 90s to 100s Earnjiams and Country Farnhams, 90s to 110s and Worcesters, 85s to 100s per cwt. The dull weather ind temperature that prevailed during the greater part of last week retarded the growth of the young plant, and the attack of fly blight has become more jevere" and general. Notwithstanding this, with 3easonabler hot dry weather and the usual washing -prospects, the crop, although not so encouraging as st-this t4ne Istat year, may be considered good for an .rage, one in England. Reports from the Con- tinent and also America regarding the cropa continue favourable. SEED TBADE.—There is an idle seed market, trans- actions as usual at this season being few and small. Clover seeds just now are quite neglected. -America is still buying mustard from England. Peas are slow but haricots attract more attention. For bird- seeds the demand is meagre. Rapeseed keeps firm. Linseed is flat. FVKADING CATTLE;Business ruled steady to-day. .p Best large beef realised 3s 8d to 4s sm^' 0 f3 secondary, 3s to 3s 6d best mutton 4s bd o a 8d, secondary, 3s 8d to 4s 2d best lamb, 6s 4dto 6s 8d; secondary, 6s; best veal, 4s 4d to 4s 6d; secondary, 3a 8d to 4s per stone.. CORK 1JUTTER. Priroest, 75s. per cwt.; prime, 7os firsts, 75s; seconds, 72s; thirds, 71s; 'fifths,1 50s. Mild cured: ^uperfine,, 76s; fine, 74s; choicest boxes, 78s; choice boxes, 73B fresh butter, 76s to 72s. ":< GRIMSBY FISH.—Supply ifthd demaVtd gtiod. Brills, €d to 8dper lb.; cod, live, 2s Od to 4s Od; dead, Is to 3s Od each; salt., 8s per cwt.; codlings, 7s to 10s per box crabs, 5s Od per score halibut, live, 5s to 6s Od; dead, 4s Od to 5s Od per stone; had- docks, 7s to Us per round; 9s to 12s per box; live, 8s to lis level; finnan, 3s Od per stotfe ktchets, 8s to-10s Od per box; ling, Bve, J 2s tÓ 148"; dead, Is 6d to 3s Od each; lobsters, Is Od per k. mackerel, 4s to 4s 6d per score-, monks, lOsto 25s per score; American oysters, 4s 3d per 100; plaice. 2s 9d to 4s 6d per stone; roker, 6s to 14s per score soles, lid per lemon, 4s 6d to 5s 6d per stone; English smelts 3s per.box; salmon, Is 2d to Is 4d grOse, U ld to ls 3d per lb. skate, live, 2s 6d to 4s; dead. Is 6d to 8a, each; squibs, lOs to 20s per scoire turbots, od to od pe* lb.; whelks, 3s per: wash ice, Is 8dper cwt.

LIEUTENANT HOBSON, who sank the American flhip, Merrimac last week at the mouth of Santiago Har- bour, IS 28 years of age. He is a Southerner from the State of Alabama, and is the son of a Con- federate officer. He is a graduate of the Naval Academy, and author of an interesting treatise on The Situation and Outlook in Europe.' Though of j athletic build, he is extremely modest and quiet in manner. The lieutenant's feat was undoubtedly a ■ brilliant one, and there was not a little, of the heroic in the manner in which it was accomoliahed. )

'+'- -<oro- J CYCLISTS MJL DON'T through. /jgjPIS NOSE. Oil, we have A. B. Non-Puncturable Tyres in stock, but these imitations are just as good. Allow me to recommend our repair outfits 6/- per doz. and our tubes of gummy stuff for mending punctures io/- per pair and our non- slipping bands 7/6 per pair, and Our patent pumps 3/6 each. Oh, yes you'll want thenw It is an absolute fact if you buy .any othei tyre on the market you have to spend at least a sovereign in repair outfits, tubes and gummy stuff and such like. BE WISE IN TIME r SAVE THE SOVEREIGN and two pounds in weight as well. INSIST ON HAVING Write to-night for Catalogue, Testimonials and TEST THEM and satisfy yourself. The Amalgamated Pneumatic Tyre Cos., Ltd., 140, Clorkenwell JUL, London, E.C. (A Dept.)

A DELICIOUS NOVELTY. At the recent meeting of Fellows of the Royal Botanic Society at the Society's Gardens in London, the secretary, Mr. Sowerby, introduced to the.notice of the company the fruit of the plant Monster2 delmioea, which it was stated had never borne fruit in England except at the Botanic Gardens. Tht Monstera delijciosa is one of the few climbers of tht phiiadendrons. It is indigenous to Mexico, and if it were possible to export the fruit as in the case of thE pineapple it is probable that the Monstera would sup- plant even that dainty fruit. Green in colour and shaped like an elongated pineapple, the succu- lent part of the Monstera after the outer coating hat been stripped off is of the most exquisite flavour. But when the fruit has rested on the tongue or reached the palate, a sharp stinging sensation is experienced, This is due to the presence of myriads of needle- shaped crystals composed of oxalate of lime. The fruit would be popular if it could be exported largely from Mexico, but this is impossible as yet, for no method of preserving them so that they should retain their exquisite flavour after a long sea voyage has yet been discovered.

WILLS AND BEQUESTS. The personal estate has been valued at E701,345 3s. 9d., the gross value of tfre whole of the estate being E743,771 17s. 7d., of Major Goodrich Holmsr dale Allfrey, of Wokefield-park, Mortimer, Berks, tIA largest shareholder in Reid's Brewery (Limited), who died on the 9th of April last, aged 62 years, and of whose will, which bears date July 21, 1888, with a codicil of July 5, 1892, the executrix and executors are his widow, Mrs. Helen Clara Allfrey, and his brother, Walter Mortimer Allfrey, of The Pad- dock, Smeeth, Kent, and of Clerkenwell-road, and Mr. Charles Hagart Babington, of The Brew House, Clerkenwell-road, to the two last-named of whom the testator bequeathed F-W each, and to Mrs. Allfrey £1000, his consumable stores and horses and carriages, the use and enjoyment during her widowhood of his plate and diamonds, and an annuity during her widowhood of £ 5000, to. be re- duced to £ 3000 for the remainder of her life in the event of her re-marriage. The testator bequeathed a sum of EMO which he had received from the trustees of his father's marriage settlement in trust for his brother, Irving Stening Allfrey, during his lIfe, and subject to his life interest for the children of his said brother's first marriage. Major Allfrey devised his mansion-house and all of his real estate in trust for his eldest son, Herbert Cyril Allfrey, in tail, with remainder to the testator's second and other sons successively in tail, with remainder to his daughters as- tenants in: common with crOBS remainder in tail, or, -if only one, for her, with remainder in trust for sale, but in that event the testator's brothers are to have successively the option of purchase at a valuation. Major Allfrey made heirlooms of his plate and diamonds and the effects of Wokefield- park, and the establishment is to be maintained during the minority of any tenant in tail entitled to possession during that period, Mrs. Allfrey is to be Eermitted the use and enjoyment of the mansion onse and its furniture. The testator left his resi- duary personal estate in trust in equal shares for all of his children. The personal estate has been valued at £ 44,208 Is., 7iI. net, and the gross value of the ete:8 £ 143,890. 9s. 8d., of Colonel Henry Clement Swin- nerton Dyer, of Appleby Lodge, Eushelme, Man- chester, a director of Sir W. G. Armstrong, Whit- worth and Co., of the Elswick Works, Newcastle-on- Tyne, and a member of the Northern Federation of Engineering Employers, and formerly Assistant Superintendent of the Government Small Arms Fac- tory at Enfield, who died on March 21 last, aged 64 years, and of whose will, which bears date March 10, 1896, with a codicil of the 23rd of August, 1897, the executors are his brother Captain Stewart John Dyer, of 56, Warwick-road, and his son-in-law, Colonel George Blake Napier Martin, of Mount Radford, Devon, and John Meade Falkner, of the Elswick Works, and Herbert Ives Stileman, of 16, Southampton-street, Bloom sbury. The late Colonel Dyer having settled E2.0,000-in favour of his daughter, Mrs. Evelyn Henrietta Swinnerton Dyer, bequeathed to her further £ 10,000, -^nd on trust for her and her husband and their issue his estate, The Reculvers, Hastings. He bequeathed to his wife EBOO, his horses and carriages and household effects, and he confirmed the settlements made on their marriage. The executors are tO. keep on foot the policy of insurance on the life of Lord Sudeley and the testator left his residuary estate on trusts for his son Leonard and his son's wife and children, or on failure of this trust for the testator's daughter Mrs. Martin and her husband and their issue, or on failure of this trust for the testator's brother Captain DyT The t^stees may advance £ 1U,WU tor the advancement in business of the testators son Leonard after he attains the age of 25 years. ,0 The value has now been entered at E9190 of the personal estate of Mr. Patrick Donelly, of Church- road, Waterloo, Liverpool, formerly of Bootle, who died on April 25 last. Mr. Donelly left t» the sister superioress of St. Anne's Industrial Bohool and to the sister superioress of the Nazareth Home JE50 each; to the sister superioress of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Belmont-road, Liverpool, and to the sister superiorets of the Little Sisters of the Poor at Carlisle £200 each. There are other bequests to relations, to priests of the Rornan Catholic Church, and to them for the poor of tbeir,-oongregations, and to Roman Catholic charitable institutions. Mr. Donelly left the residue of his estate, which seems likely to be between E4000 and E5000, to the person for the time being the Roman Catholic Bishop of Liverpool.

iiOAID rgf twave-for such the new tramway lines to be worked by electricity will beware to have a great impetus given to them this year in the number of schemes soon to be put before the Light Railways Dommissianers, and m others now formulating TUB Admiralty have approved July ?9 a^e date For launching the cru.ser Psyche at Devonport dock- pard and have decided that tie cruiser Cambrian, irtiose refit has just been completed in the same yard, jhall be commissioned for service on the Nortlfc imencan and West Indies station.