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

PHILATELIC PHILANTHROPY. Last year two stampswere issued on behalf of the prince of Wales's Hospital Fund. They produced a turn of about £ 35(000, and were issued to give small -subscribers A haiidy-and, convenient form of receipt, which has become popular; these, in conjunction with the. stamp albuw and subscription books, afford evidence of the actual sum each person hah, given to hospitals through the Prince of Wales's Fund. Tn 1897 a largo number 'of ;the public, esti- -mated at about 600,000, gave their subscriptions by purchasing these stapips. The 1898 issue consfsti of} our stamps, each of distinct design, with a facte I yalue of Is., 2s. 6d., 5s., and 10s. respectively. Thb designs for the,stamps and the colours in which they are printed were selected by the Prince of Wales. It is probable that ,stamp collectors who displayed genuine interest in these stamps last year will be largely interested in the early, purchase of specimens of the .new stamps for their albums, wost of which Save specially prepared pages for the msertion of the hospital stamps. This year it has been decided -to reduce the number of stamps printed to one-thard y *f :the number produced in. 1897.

MARKRT NEWS. ^ARP-LAKB.—To say that this market shows every jign. of reiurning'to a standpoint of stability is only Jo, repeat a truispi yhich must be generally admitted, while obstacles become more arid' more Removed. Both jwheat and flour have for the most part regarded lost jgroupd since last week, neither cereal being now un- duly pressed. Althpugh by no means large, the attendance of buyers was satisfactory, and the (demand was well sustained since noon, but business has been comparatively checked by thd higher "pre- tensions of merchants. Weather conditions, on the other hand, have also been more conducive t6 busi- ness. English wheat shows a further advance, reds .being fully 6d to Is dearer on the weelc, and'the supply on offer continues limited. Some samples were submitted, and piet with a gOod reception, white irealising 30s and red 28s 6d 631b. The former ranges at 27s up to 3ls, and red 26s to 30s per. qr. gee s Foreign descriptions are also firmer, but there is only a quiet trade passing. No. 1 hard Manitoba quoted 35s ex-ship. C»Ii{orntan, nominal. Northern .Spring (Chicago inspectioh), 33s 9d landed. Walla Walla and hard Kansas, nominal in absence of offers. Red Winter No. 2, New York '29s 9d, ex- quay; Australian, 31s to 32s 6d ex-store 'North Russian, 31s 6d to 32s (Jd and South Russian 30s to 32s ex-ship; No. 2 Calcutta held for 29s landed. ,The market for flour, in sympathy with that of wheat, has agaiii evidenced a healthy tendency, and there has been a fair demand during the day, white trade has continued moderate. American grades are distinctly firmer. The London Millers' Association fhave made,no further reduction. Town household, 26s 6d, and whites, 29s 6d, being last Monday's de- •cline.- Of country mftkee, gaienfas arequofced^at 28g to 28s 6d; roller, 23s to 25s; and stone, 226 to 23s; Cascadas, 25s ex-store. American first patents, 28s 6d to 31s; second ditto, 26s 6d to 289 first bakers, 209 to 21s; seconds, 17s to 19s, Californian ranges at' 26s to 27s; and Hungarian at 35s up to 38s, ac- cording, to quality; and French, 21s to 23s per sack. Grinding barley firmer, and the market is now better supplied, while some business has been transacted in Odessa Nicolaieff, at 15s 9d, ex-ship. The market in A nierican oats, which, on continued scarcity, command attention, is upheld, being. distinctly better on the week, with a moderate amount of business carried on. Mixed clipped, none offering ex-ship, 16s being i quoted ex-q uay white ranges at 15s 9d to 16s ex- ship. New Zealand, 26s to 30s, according to quality. Maize has., .also responded to the improvement in other feeding-etuffs, and is fully 3d to 6d dearer on the week. A-fnerlcJan, mixed, 16a to 16s 6d, ex-ship., Odessa, steady, at 17s 6d ex-ship, 18s ex-quay. Except that there has been an improved run on blue beans, there is nothing fresh to report in the market for either beans or peas, which remains stationary. BarbaryT 18s 9d. Smyrna beans, 26s 3d to 26s 6d Egyptian splits; 20s 3d, ex-mill; and Canadian white peas held, for 26s 6d ex-ship, 27s landed. LONDON METROPOLITAN CATTLE. Prime quality (beasts being rather scarce opened with a firm tone,' but became quieter. Middling sorts experienced a stow demand. With an improved inquiry, bulls and fat cows were a shade better. Herefords and'Hunts' 4s Id to 4s 2d; Devons, 4s; Lincolns, shorthorns, 3s 8d to 3s lOd; Irish,,3s lOd; fat cows, 3s 4d to 3s Gd per 81b. Sheep arrivals were larger, and with a slow demand prices tended against holders 7g to B-stone Down wethers, 5s 6d 9-stone, 5s 2d to 5s 4d 10-stone, 5&; 10-stone half-breeds, 4s 8d; 10-stone Irish, 4s 6d to 4s 8d; 11-stone Hampshires, 4s 6d 12-stone1 LinGolns, 4s 4d; lO-stone Down ewes, 3s lOd. Lambs were cleared at lower prices, 5-stone fat Downs, 6s-to 6s 2d per 81b., sinking the roffal., Calf trade firm and supply nominal. Milclr cows £ 16, to E22 10s per head/ The fol- lowing, were the quotations: Coarse and inferior .beasts 2s 4d to 3s Od second quality, ditto, 3s 2d to 3s 8d and prime large oxen, 3s 8d to 4s ditto Herefords,' &c., 4s to 4s 2d inferior sheep, 3s 2d to 3s lOd; second quality ditto, 4s, 2d to 4s 8d; and first, 5s to 58 6d; coarse and inferior4 lambs, 5s to 5s 4d; second quality ditto, 5s 6d to 58 8d; and first, 6s to 6s 2d per 81b. SMITIIFIELD MEAT.—Supplies were-of fair extent, -but met, a generally quiet demand" but mutton and pork, however, were firmer. Scotch beef quoted 3s 8d to 4s 4d; English, ,6d 1,0 3s 8d American, Deptfordrkilled, 3» 4d to-8. 6d Liverpool, 3s 3d tq 3B 6d; American refrigerated, hindquarlers, best, ♦A 2d seconde..3810d to 4s forsquarters, 2s 24 to 2s 4d average; 2s 3d. MutU>n-r-Scotch, 4a 6d toi 4rlOd English wethersy 4s to s(dd; ewes, 3s to 38 4d Argentine, -3a to 3ø 4d English lamb, 4s 4d to 4s 8d. V ealEnglish, 4s to 4s 4d; Dutch, 3s 8d to 4s. Pork-Ptitch, 3s 6d to 3s 8d Der 81b. BILLINrSGATz Fisii. Tlii supplies available in the morning were of good extent, which met a fair de-< mand. Soles, Is 2d to Is 6d slips, 8d to lid; red mullet, Is Odto Is 34; dories, 2d to 3d per lb.; turbot, 7s to 9s; brill, 7s to 8s; lemon soles; (7s Od plaice, 4s 'to .^s OL per stone; steamer ditto, 12s to 25s ppo fcruokwhiting, 6s to 8s Dd j gurnet, J0» ihake.i 12s; 16s dead,lis per box; English to. 14f, per 60; ffesh h&ddock(S, 3a to 711. per trunk eels, live, 20s dead, VPI I 18s per draft; lobsters, .158 to ,{)Os.perllCDr.ei crabs,' 18s per hamper Dutch,fiysters, 10s; French, 6s per 100 winkles, 7s to 8s; whelks, 4s per bushel mussels, 4a Od to 6s 6d per, bag; bloaters, 28 to 2s Cd; kippers, .2. 6d to 3s; red herrings, 28 6d to 3a per box; smokedhaddocks, 2s ,to. 8s .per dozen; whitebaijt, is per [quautpr shrimps, 8* tfi .12s tpeif bushJ. -r ..> • u'r. ? WOOL.—Therej is very little change, to note with) regard to this trade during the past week. Bristol half-yearly fair has, been held, and resulted rather disappointingly for, those interested., The prices offered for fleeces being below those anticipated, holders declined to do business, as no margin for profit existed. Skin wools, which usually, sell aft these fairs, changed hands at moderate ratesj Buyers still resist all efforts on the part of holders to enhance prices, their position by no means offering any encouragement to such a course. Political events still adversely affect business, and no sooner is one matter settled but another presents itself and keeps markets restless. Spinners still report diffi- culty in obtaining fresh business, the prices offered .them being, below the rates atwhch wool can be pur- chased in the market, though in self-defence they ask increased prices. :i Downs, 8d to 9d; Kents, 7d half-breds, 7|a. CovHNT-GAiiDBN.—A fairly good supply of fruit and vegetables cleared to a steady demand. English apples, 38 to 8s 6d per bushel; English. grapes, lOd to 2s;. Channel Islands,. 8d to Js per lb. .Dqrya, 5s to 8s; 6d per barrel; English pears, 3s 6d to 7s per bushel; French, 2s 6d to 6s 6d pej- casp; Victoria plums, 2s 6d to 4s 6d Orleans, 2sto 4s greengages, 2s 6d to 4s.6d per half-sieve; English melons, 9d to Is 6d each; peaches, Is 6d to 6s English tomatoes, 3d to 4d; Jersey, 2d to 3d* per lb.; cobnuts 3s to 4s per 121b.; celery, 12s to 18sper dozen rolls; horseradish, 10s to 15s per dozen bundles; eschallots, Is 3d to Is 9d; mushrooms, 4s to 6s per 121b endive, Is to, Is 3d oauliflowers, la.3d to 2s 6d: cucumbers, 2s to 4s per dozen; lettuce, 9d .to Is 3d per score; vegetable marrows, 4s to 5s 6d; .cabbages, 4s to 5s.; beetroots, 2s to Ss per tally mint, Is 6d to, 2a parsley. Is 6d to 2s; turnips, 2s 6d to 3s 6d carfots, 2s to 3s pel: dozen bunches; Valencia onions, 4s 6d to 5s odi; Ports, 5s to 68 per case; potatoes, 50s to 90s per to n. WHITECHAPEL RAY AND STRAW.—rSuperior picked hay, 80s to 84s; good hay.74s to 76s; inferior, 549 to 68s- best clover, 92s to 96s good clover, 80s to 85s'- inferior ditto, 60s to 75s; straw, 28s to 38s. BOROUGH Hop.-A better demand has been expe- rienced for parcels of the new growth, and occa- sional increased firmness is discernible m values, which in a due measure may be attributed to the hops that come to market being of better quality East and Mid-Kent bramblings are quoted 110s to. 148s; Weald of Kents ditto, 112s to 135s; fuggles, 110& to 130s Sussex, 100s to 130s. A moderate inquiry has been experienced for yearling Eng h hops,, and, .with extremely short supplies avail- able,an occasional advance m Pr'ces, resulted. Picking is making favourable head- way in the plantations, and as it pro- gresses the lightness of the crop becomes more and more striking, complaints from planters as to the smallness being quite numerous. In some planta- tions a deficiency of 2cwt. and occasionally 3cwt. per acre is recorded. The recent extreme heat expe» rienced is spoken of as likely to have a somewhat deteriorating effect upon the quality of the later pick- ings, and the proportion of strictly choice grades will thereby be less than previously anticipated. SSKW TitA-nim.-Cable advices describe American clovfcreeed as dearer. The crop of Alfala or Lucerne will, it i& 'Baid, prove short. For trifolium sowing orders" are naturally diminishing. Winter tares are now cheap. B>ye, however is dearer. The sale for birdseeds is slow,- but for blue peas and harico^ beaM there is am imopoved tone.,

LONDON'S FOREIGN SECRET POLICE, The Russian Government still maintains a small staff of secret police in London, and the German and French Governments have about four detectives, each having special charge of offences outside the ordi- nary criminal range.. Practically the Europear Governments have for years past considered London as no. longer the hunting-ground for crack-brained revolutionaries, whose one centre now is Switzerland, and in Switzerland Zurich.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION ANJD RESEARCH., Major P. G.-Craigie'-S annual > report to the Board of Agriculture on the distribution of grants for.agri- cultural education and research in 1897-98, with statements respecting the several colleges and insti- tutions aided and-the experiments conducted, has just been issued aa. a Parliamentary paper. Major Craigie says that the total amount distributed during the financial year to. each of the 15 institutions re- ceiving assistance was £7200, as compared with £ 7000 in the previous year. The following table shows how this money was expended: Institutions aided. Work. IG 1, University College of North Wales. Bangor ••• ••• Collegiate centre 800 University x> £ Norbil v Walfe^ Bangoir College farm 200 -»Durham College of Science, New- burl/am^oUege of Science, New- Col'e £ 'ate ««tre 800 Unu'ersityCoire^eoVWalesfAber- Co,e farlu ••• 200 ystwytU Collegiate centre 800 Reading College Collegiate centre 800 Yorkshire College, Leeds .Collegiate centre 600 diversity College. Nottingham Collegiate ceritfe 6(V1 South-Eastern Agricultural Col- lege, Wye Collegiate centre 600 Cambridge and Counties Agncul- tural Education Committee .J. Collegiate centre 500 Eastern (bounties Dairy Insti- tute. Ipswich Dairy instruction 300 British Dairy Institute. Reading Dairy instruction 300 Royal BotAnic Garden, Edtn- Class for foresters burgh and gardeners. ISA Bath ancl West an4 Southern Counties Society Field experiments fin Bath and West and Southern Cider experi- Counties.Soclety j. ments 50 Bath and West, and Southern Cheddar. cheese Counties Society „. research 200 Highland arid Agricultural Agricultural ex- J Socitety periments inn Agricultural Iieaearch A«socia-i Agricultural ex- tion, Aberdeen periments I/VJ Stewartry of Kircudbright Dairy Cheese discolora^ Association. .[ tion inquiry 53 I The grants to the collegiate centres in England and Wales are of a general character, intended tc :assist and improve the local provision made for in-, struelion in the higher forms, of agricultural educa- tion. The 32 separate counties are thus provided with an efficient and economical means of systeina2 tisiug.their local instruction, and of supervising de- monstration plots and agricultural experiments bj securing scientific advice iand the assistance of qualified lecturers drawn from the col- legiate educational staffs. The- Durham Col-5* lege of Science and the University College of Norttf Wales have been granted special assistance in con- sideration of their having taken farms for practical work and field experiments. An attempt has been 1 made in this report to furnish in an appendix various interesting, statistics respecting each one of t&e eight collegiate centres, whose functions, however, are not" to be understood;^ confined to the regular in-college work, but as extending to shorter courses of instruc- tion, experimental work, and general educational- i help in the surrounding counties. Single-year* courses do not seem to be very successful, but still shorter courses, more or. less specialised, have been ibetter attended, „ Seven counties—- Northumberland, Cumberland,. Derbyshire, Essex, Berks, Hants, and Dorset—have once more had their local methods., of agricultural instruction reported pn by an inspector of the Board. ,The only feature deserving of special mention is the arrangement made by the Dorset County Council for an exhaustive series of,analysis of typical local soils by the,.Agricultural Department of the Reading College °

INCREASE. OF LUNACY. The official returns for the year 1897 show an increase of 2607 in the number of officially-known lunatics in England and Wales on January 1, 1898, ow.' the corresponding number of, January 1, 1897i Thii increase compares with an increase of 2919 in the preceding year. The total number of Iunatielq was on January 1 of the present year, 101,972. Of pauper patients, the increase in county alaa boriiiigh. asylums was 2356; in registered hOSPltaIs 35; in ordinary workhouses, 1; and as. out-door paupers, 100; but the number of licensed houses decreased by 3, in the Metropolitan Distriot asylums by 2 and in Broadmoor by 1.. We gather that of the itotal number of private patients enumerated on January 1, 1879, 6'3 per cent, were in county or borough asylums, 36'1 per cent. in registered hospitals, and 46'8 per cent. Ja licensed houses; the corresponding proportions on January 1, 1*898, being 14"9, 43'5, and 3'6; showing a considerable increase -M-Vlle proportion of private patients treated in asylums and hospitals which are public institutions; and a material decrease in the propoi tion treated in licensed bouses which at* j private establishments. The following results may be summarised Population Total of Number p«r „ Estimated for the Officially- .Million of Middle of the known Population Year. Lunatics. Year. Lunatics.. 1859 19,686,701 36,762"" 1867~~ 1863 22.223,299 53,177 2393 1879 25,371.489 69,885 275t 1889 28,447,014 84,340 ;S93 31,397,078 101,972 3248 The recovery rate in 1897 was 38'35 per cent. of the number of admissions, and it was 0'18 per cent, lower than the rate in 1896, and 0*64 per cent, lower than the. average rate in the ten years. Of t b a. total number of patients under treatment in 1-897, 7"34 per cent, were discharged "recovered the corresponding proportion in 1888 having been 7 50; or 0-16 higher. The ¿¡'1.th rate, calculated with reference to the average numbers of patients resident, was 9'43 per cent.. The total deaths bore to the total number of admissions the ratio of 38'45 per cent., being nearly the samo.-ratio as that of recoveries. Two n urderous attacks were made in asylums by patients during the year—in the one case upon the superintendent, and in the other upon a male atten- 'I" dant. Fortunately, neither of them was attended by fatal-results, but, says the official report of the Com- missioners, the repeated occurrence of such incident* strongly accentuates the dangers of the service, and the claiits of those who are engaged in it to excep- tional libcrality of treatment. The avcyragp weekly cost in the asylums of main- fenaiice-,aamely, lodging, maintenance, medicine., clothing, and care of patients (excluding buildine' repairs, additions, and alterations) during the Tear ending March 31, 1897, was as follows: In county asylums 8s. 7fd. In borough asylums 9s. 8|d. In both taken together 8s. 10|d. In both takentogether .I d. Intemperance in drink still remains the chief camn of insanity in this country.

'• COMB rad. dine with us to-morrojy," said the illiterate old fellow, who had made his money and wanted to push his way in society. Sorry," replied the elegant ma.n, I can t. I'm going to see Hamlet, 11 That's all right," said the hospitable old gentleman, bring him with you." f -t.M.

THE BEAUTY OF MODERN WOMEN. Two interesting letters have recently been pub lished giving some reminiscences of what smallpox was before vaccination became general or compul- sory. The Duke of Argyll writes to deplore the mania which has set .in against vaccination, and attributes it to "a long immunity from disease. which has led to a discreditable and stupid forget- fulness of its cause. The highlands of Scotland in the last century used to be swept," the British Medical Journal adds, by the pestilence- to a fear- ful extent. 'Decimation' is now inadequate to convey an idea of the effect on the population. Whole parishes were depopulated. All this stopped when inoculation came, and vaccination subse- quently. No fact in history is more clearly estab- lished." The other letter is from Mr. Holman Hunt, R.A., who says that about the year 1862 he asked the veteran judge, the Bight Honourable Stephen Lush- ington, what was his view of the relative beauty of ladies 70 years ago and in the passing day. The answer he got from Dr. Lushington astonished him. Well," he exclaimed, you can hav,- no idea how it was that not more than one person in 20 then was undisfigured by traces of the small-pox, and this generally to such a degree that whatever beauty there had been was very seriously marred. It followed then that when a vioman had escaped there was a disposition to regard her as a beauty for this cause, alone, and if with this she had chiselled symmetrical features and good form of face and figure, too, the adtniratiQn of her amounted to worship. The difference I see now is that every lady we meet would .have been a beauty in my early days."

THE IRISH IN AMERICA. Professor F. Spencer Baldwin, of Boston University, delivered a lecture recently in Boston (U.S.A.) on What Ireland Has Done for America." He contended that the Irish had contributed elements both of strength and weakness to American civilisa- tion. Their political influence had been important; but for American literature, painting, music, and architecture, Ireland had done almost nothing. Com- menting upon this, United Ireland (New York) says This emphasiBes the necessity of Irishmen in this country doing their work as Irishmen; and taking care that their country and their race shall have the credit of their achievements. The Boston lecturer may not be to blame for not knowing that James Hoban, the architect of the White House, was til Irishman; that a good proportion of the few eminent painters of America are Irish. He is to blame, how- ever, for omitting mention of an important depart- ment of high culture, the art of sculpture, in1 which Irishmen stand pre-eminent."

COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS In the second report of the Committee of Public Accounts, it is stated that the total recoverable ex- pendiaire on account- of Ashanti Expedition amounts to £ 101,794 15s. 10d., towards which the Colony has only contributed E4026 5s. 6d. It is pointed out that any further repayment can hardly be looked for for a year or two, seeing that the circumstances of the Gold Coast and the special expenses in the Hinterland neces- sitated the inclusion in the Civil Service Estimates for the current year of a sum of £ 25,000 as a grant in aid. The extent of the responsibility of the officers taking part in the Jameson Raid is also dis- cussed, and, on the ground that their cases are pro- vided for by Articles 101 and 502 of the Royal War- rant, £ 300 per year active pay was given to Colonel Hhodes, as also the following gratuities; £ 1200 tc Captain White, £ 1600 to Captain Ealeigh Grey, £ 1750 to Major White, and £ 1133 to Major Wil- loughby. The cost of the Benin Expedition is esti- mated at £ 60,927.

RELIC OF DISRAELI. An interesting political reminder is afforded by an item in the exhibition of local antiquities at Taunton in connection with the Jubilee of the Somerset Archaeological Society. Among the Taunton elec- tion addresses was that of Benjamin Disraeli, who "young and alone, is engaged in a not inglorious struggle with the most powerful person in Europe who does not wear a crown," this being Daniel O'Connell, who on this occasion described the future Prime Minister of England as the heir-at-law of the im- penitent thief who reviled the great Founder of the Christian religion.

WHEN driving out with the nurses Prince Albert of York occupies the place d'honneur in the barouche, and Princess Victoria of York sits on the head nurse's lap. The Prince often wears a white serge suit and white hussar cap with a white busby, and gravely returns the salute of anyone who acknow- ledges the baby couple. The position of eldest line" is strictly adhered to, even in the nursery arrangements. OF individual grouse shooting records one of the best is reported irom the Perthshire estate of Mr. Dewhurst, whose moors in Glen Errocht are among the best in Scotland. Seven guns, of whom the Earl of Enniskillen was one, bagged over 500 brace in five days. IN Geneva there is an electrical postman, or at least a substitute for the postman. In high houses letters rightly dropped into the box provided ring an electric bell on the floor to which they are going, and actuate an automatic hydraulic lift, which carries the letter up to the floor and descends to be ready for the next.

THE SIBERIAN EXPEDITION. Count Zichy is at this moment travelling through Siberia on a journey undertaken for scientific re- search, and the Pester Lloyd has just published the j following letter from him under date of July 12: A week ago we set out from Tomsk, and after a week's voyage on the River Irtysh, we reached Omsk. We journeyed through a beautiful country, but we suffered terribly from the heat, as, well as from gnats and small flies, which plagued us with- out ceasing. The thermometer registered from lOOdeg. to 104deg. Fahr. in the shade, and more than 122deg. to 127deg. in the sun. It was a fear- ful state of matters, and the nights were very cold. At Omsk we came across the Siberian Railway for the first time. After a stay here of five days we shall return to Tomsk, a journey of two days, and there we shall devote five or six days to our re- searches and studies. Thence we make our way to Krassnoyarsk, and shall stay there from August 1 tp August 15. We shall make a trip up the river Yenisei from Krassnoyarsk, and also up the Minnussinek; the journey to the latter river lasts four days, and we shall remain there five days. The philologist, Dr. Papay, set out from Tomsk on July 3 to visit the Osyacks at Obtshotsh, where he will stay three months, and then go on to the Bashkires, in the neighbourhood of Ufa, and stay with them also three months, so that he will be dome again probably in April of next year. On July 5 Dr. Johann Janko went by special boat to the lower Osyacks at Tchurgut, with a view to procuring certain ethnographical objects, which I mtend.to send to the National Museum; he will also study the occupations of this people, and then go from Tchurgut to Tomsk by rail to the Bash- kires near Ufa. In both places he will take photo- graphs and return at the end of November. Our journey, so far, has been an agreeable one, and up to the present no serious accident has happened to any of us. The result is absolutely satisfactory; but there is still, before us the return journey via Krass- noyarsk, Irkutsk, Baikal, and Gobi, and very bad reports are in circulation as to this journey of 2000 miles. It is both difficult and dangerous. Write to us at Krassnoyarsk, and send us a few newspapers there, for the Siberian Railway goes as far as that place; the post would reach us there in from 12 to 14 days; it sets out at present every six days for Krassnoyarsk, and letters are dispatched thence every 12 days by post-chaises to Irkutsk and else where.

Mus. AIiN FLETCHER, of Langton, Spilsby, is the sponsor of 100 babies. She has just carried thi hundredth to the baptismal font. Childless herself, she dearly loves other women's children and as baby after baby appeared in the hamlet it was her delight to carry it lip the churchyard path and put it into the arms of her parish priest to be baptised. It has taken many years to make the 100. as in a hamlet of only 150 babies come slowlv. THE peculiarities of the jury system in the Trans- vaal are many and quaint. For example, the de- fendant in a charge which was recently heard at the Circuit Court at Johannesburg, and which resulted in acquittal, invited the jury who gave the verdict to a repast in honour of the event. The invitation was accepted, and the acquitted's health toasted enthusi- ilstically. MR. ANDREW CARNEGIE, the Scotch American millionaire prophet of Democracy, and exponent of the advantages of poverty, has bought the estate of Skiboj in Sutherlandshire, which stretches for many miles along the shores of Donoch Firth. We believe that by this purchase Mr. Carnegie becomes the largest landowner in the county with the exception of the Duke of Sutherland. Skibo was the chosen resi- dence of the Bishops of Caithness in pre-Reforma- tion times. Tradition has it also that after the capture pf Montrose. at Apyat, the gallant marquis spent a night at Skibo on the way to Edinburgh to take his trial. The estate has been purchased in the name of Mr. Carnegie's only child, an infant daughter. It is interesting at the moment to remark that Mr. Carnegie has republished one of the ohapters from his book, "Triumphant, Democracy," with a new preface containing a pre- diction in reference to the Anglo-Saxon alliance. It is to the effect that the next generation will see repre- sentatives of England, Canada, and the United States sitting in London to deliberate over the affairs of the Anglo-Saxon Federation. Millions and broad acres tend to sunny prophecies. THB first six months of the present year went by without a single discovery of a minor planet," says the Daily Graphic, and astronomers, to whom these little wanderers were something of a drug in the market," as one new one a month has been the average rate of discovery for many years, begun to hope that the supply, which had seemed inexhaust- ible, was at last running low. July and August, however, each contributed a find, and that discovered in August proves to be an object entirely unique in the solar system so far as yet known. It was dis- covered by Herr Witt, of the Urania Observatory, Berlin, on August 14, and if the first elementg obtained for its orbit are correct, it revolves as much within the orbit of Mars as without it, and at tinier approaches the earth within one-seventh of our dis. tance from the sun. So close an approach will enable us to determine its distance, and, inferentially, that of the sun, with a far greater precision than has been previously possible. Its orbit is one of great eccentricity, and the body, while of the sixth magnitude at a close opposition, is no brighter than the eleventh at a distant one. Even so it is brighter than the greater majority of the asteroids *nd it seems very strange that it was not discoverocl long ago.

DEPRESSION IN THE CYCLE TRADE. There is a great deal of depression in the cycle trade of Birmingham, Coventry," and Wolverhamp- ton. The subject was brought before the Coventry Board of Guardians at their last meeting, when a deputation attended from the Trades and Labour Council. It WAS stated that through no fault of their own there were about 2006 unemployed, mostly belonging t9 the cycle trade, and that the wages most of them had been receiving did not permit of the taring to tide over a period of depression. In the cases of the majority of cycle hands, excluding chain workmen, the average wage in the last 16 months had not exceeded ,£1, a week, and it was denied that the position of many wtvs due to improvidence. The, guardians fold the deputation that the corporation w&s empowered to find work for the unemployed without pauperising them, and they Referred the de-, putation to that body. J r.

THE POTATO CROP. Potato disease has made its appearance this season f the United Kingdom, but in few instances only! lias any material damage been done. This-attack is. in no way surprising, for the heavy rains that fell at, Wervalw. during August accompanied by much elec- trical disturbance of the atmosphere and an exces-, •_»ively.high,temperj»tur«r have beau favourable to the; ■I development ot'tho fungus, by which the disease is> caused. According to the reports received from cor-» respondents of the Gardeners' Magazine, the disease has been tho most destructive in Cornwall, Devon, Kent, Lincoln, and Norfolk, but in none of these,, oounties does the lpsainflicted appear to be heavy. Inj 20 other counties evidence of the attack of the disease, has "been found. "The attack has been very slight in: Scotland and Wales. It will thus be seen that the, Cssibilities of a general outbreak of disease exist; t at present there is no cause for apprehension upon this point, >

JUDGES AT PRAYER. The Lords Chancellor, remembering the remark- able success which attended his revival last year of -the practiced the judges attending Divine service on the day 6f the reopening of the Law Courts, is arranging for a similar ceremony on the 24th of next. month, when the legal year begins. Before the-official reception of-the. wearers of the ermine there will be 8! specialservice in Westminster Abbey. Dr. Vaughan has sanctioned a service for' the attendancelof the three Roman Catholic judges.

THE YOUNGEST BISHOP. Prince Maximilian of Saxony, who has just been appointed to the see of Kulm, is undoubtedly the, yoiingeat,living; bishop. He was born on November 17, 1870i and is accordingly not yet 28. From a very early age, sayw the World, he was remarkable for his piety, and his vocation for the Church became so evi- dent that the King and -Queen of Saxony, who ob-t jected to orders being taken by even so remote an heir to the throne, were at last compelled to give way. ^During hi? missionary work in Whitechapel he ac- ^quired,-a. great reputation as an, eloquent preacher p tand this he has more, than, Bustained. by his: recent sermons at the Royal Chapel in Dresden. His present appointment is directly due to.a sermon he-preached there last Lent, when the whole Court.waa-profoundly attected, and his friends predict that ae will un- doubtedly one day fill the Papal chair.

EXHIBITION IN CENTRAL AFRICA The first agricultural show ever held in the British Central Africa Protectorate is to be opened at Inlnze. Judging from the prosperous condition of the country, the exhibition is likely to be a success, for during the past year the number of cattle baa krielyinereaidy throughout the whole district, and some of the horses are of-excellent breed. Several • dairy farm* Tiave beeln started; wheat and oats are grown with success; and large quantities of chickens aliff eggs come in daily from Lake Shirwa. Among fruits, mango, atocado pears, guavas, peaches, flag gjahadillfts, grape vines, and banana* grow with much luxuriance. As to prices; fowls are sold at 4d. e 15 a shilling, sheep 5s. each, goats 40.. fnd millch cows 40a. ,).

J 'A .rr TTTRAM received at Brussels states that two members'of a scientific expedition, M. de Wind, a fflleolLst, and Mr. Taysney ah Etiriish pro- spector, were drowned in Lake Tanganyika. tW d.

#0 PRESIDENTS YACHT. Until within a few days,ago no President of the [Tnif'ed States had pojseesied an official, vaclit. But now that the war is overthe American Govern- ment find themselves in possession of so many craft of one. kind. of another that they have decided tc a yacht for President M'Kinley. The SJlpp w,ill be: used for the President and .Cahiiiet on the, Potomac River. At the beginning of the war she was'built with the idea of being a comfortable cruiser, and at the same time of light enough draught to enter most of the A.merican poits. The Sylph has a battery of two six and two three- ponnd rapid-fire guns. Her extreine lefigth is 152ft.; she is schooner rigged, her speed is 15 knots, she is lighted throughout with [electricity, and the handsome state-rooms and dining- ,salot,r. are finished in white and gold.

THE WOMAN'S WORLD. -L: (JProm" Thi Womiirii Weekly,") BLACK and white are going together on a number ,of autumn dresses, not only in shepherd's plaids, but as a combination in larger sses.. A nice black serge coat and skirt is an eminently useful invest- ment, and particularly since serge is to be very smart indeed this autumn. I wish someone with an inven- tive brain would introduce a new word,,to,t;ike the place of smart." We used to talk of everything quiet th". height of the, mode as II chic," and before oil ,that it was "stylish"; before that again "fashion- able," and in the back ages distingu £ e." In New York stunning" is the ac^ective in most request, but here it is still0 smart," and from V smart" we do not peem able to depart. To proceed with my black serge suggestion, a white cloth collar and cuffs, and a double-breasted tailor-made waistcoat, also of white,-should go with it. • After the first wear all the white should be covered (except the waistcoat) with coarse black braid. Then when this, too, i? impossibly-dingy, beetroot-red or mandarin- yellow might be substituted, with a covering of hand- some black braiding. It looks rather well to trim skirts of serge gowns with a rather deep band of coloured serge at the edge, trimmed with a braiding design. The Greek key pattern is a good one, or dan bly-crossed, zi g-zags. WttAT, do you say to making yourself a new scarf ? lit is somethfing very smart and most novel, and withal not terribly difficult to concoct. Buy some 'cream satin øasb ¡width -ribbon, and cover it with tbltcck velvet spotted net or tulle, the spots quite a iconsideruble size. Make a neck piece—a large flat "bow and two long ends-to extend as you like to your waist or knees. Edge the ends with little frills of satin, put on straight or in a slanting direction. If •Coloured satin is more to your taste, use it. t PoHK-ria toques are new and quite piquant, though pi they are only Remotely reminiscent of the flat round hats 11 depicted by that great chronicler of the mode as it was worn in the sixties, Leach, the famous Punch artist. The. new adaptation is made of velvet, and 'fits closely to the coiffure. It is triinmed round with billows of satin covered with chenille-spotted net, caught in here and there with narrow slides of steel, jyid in front, turning backward and quaintly grace- ful, there is a bushy aigrette. I FEAR many of our pet dressmakers will have to seek quarters in lunatic asylums if we insist on the double skirt, which seema to be the cry of the moment among those who are, or would be thought, 'up to date and a little bit beyond it. Personally I object to these skirts, unless they are tailor-made. It rs not necessary actually to go to a tailor to get them!; all the expensive dressmakers employ men to do their precise work, and it is jprecision that these tiresome skirts require. The simplest way of simulat- ing the effect of a-double skirt (and naturally it is only by pretending,and not in reatlity,that the skirt of &heavy cloth can be double) is to cut it so that> by employing a triple row of piping the effect of-a graceful flounce may be given. The flounce is graduated in width (what flounce jir not, for the moment ?); sometimes it rises at the back to a giddy height, dropping in front to almost nothing; and then sometimes, again, the position is reversed. A three-decker effect is brought about by- further pipings several inches above the flounce. THAT atrocious fancy, for padding the hips is now thought very bad style among the best Frenchwomen, and I cannot think it .will flourish at all in London, though have heard somewhere that an enterprising firm is selling the pads ready made. Very neat, small hips are considered the bekt, and the waist is worn Smaller than it wafr—by which I mean that, though it was thought rather good form not to define it a little while ago, it is now deemed desirable to be extraordinarily neat and trim about the waist. 'With suph lovely belts .waiting to be bought, what woman would not jmake herself worthy of them? A pfretty figure is more a matter of corset than any thing, and long and short waists are to be had at 'will, with a little trouble taken in the fitting-room. I mean women Can cultivate their figures to assume length or short- ness. Length is usually most admired, and certainly the grace, the stately elegance, the simple dignity, when found make a note of it, I say. Then order no -other: but'keep'fi). the shape and make that suit you. Moreover, dé; not go to yoqr dressmaker to be measured or tried on in quite a new corset. I know it is against the usual rule to urge this; but far better will your gown fit, and more natural will it look as Co shape,, if you allow your corset to have become moulded to the lines of your figure, before your dressmaker is called upon to fit over it. Pipsn linen on cloth, and particularly serge gowns, provides a touch of novelty and brightens an ordinary toilette into something beautiful. Take a "brown serge, for instance, pipe it with black and red, and wear a black and red "shirt with it, You havetiow a smart toilette instead; of rather a. dowdy one, for ndthirig will convince me to the'contrary that un- relieved brown is dowdy. It suits very few, of us, and many of our girls it makes look old and wretched. The new Eton should be considered when cloth dresses are being ordered. It is waist length both back and front,, aud clings to the waist at the back. But the fronts fly away, and are stiffened. Braided all over, a coat of this type is most fascinat- ing. Two rounded or very sharp points sometimes finish the fronts, but as these rob the coat of every characteristic an Eton possesses, I' prefer to leave them to real coatees, f' THE girl who wantai to look well dressed attends to thdetailsor her toilette, and whin she knows her gloves and footgear are immaculate, but not before, thinks of buying the new hat upon which her heart is set. Then she can wear her dresses many weeks longer if she will attend to the bindings thereof, and see that about the bands they are perfectly nice and neat, and in all points with- out those tell-tale whisperers of lengthy wear, such as untidiness of any kind. By thoughtful care many a shilling can be sated, to go towards some extra trifle every girl desires and but few can possess. One of these must surely be the new tulle boa, the usurper of the proud position occupied by the feather boa. It is sometimes made in a colour of most becoming tint, such as mauve or rose, but the majority of women with bright complexions prefer white or black, or a mixture of both, which is so ex- traordinarily smart. STOCKINGS with lace insertions sell well for wealthy women, but they do not wear in proportion to theif price, and still less do they repay the outlay when set with jewels, as some of the finest are. True the jewels are not real; they are imitation pearls and amethysts, rubies, diamonds, turquoieea, and the rest, but they are very expensive all the same. Tartan hosiery always has an autumn season, and I have even seen a pair of Tartan shoes to be worn with them, but the majority of our sex prefer something quieter. The IUostcbarroing evening shoes directly the weather chills are velvet ones; for full-dress affairs satin embroidered on the toe, with a very pretty little design in tiny jewels, or steel, gold, and silver beads, leads the way. REVJmS play a, pretty part in children's dresses as well as in. those of older folk. A blouse of hunter's red clotli (the skirt was of the same fabric) was cut down the left side of the front, and had a single rever of dark red velvet. The opening Ahowedavest, very prettily gauged, of bright but darkly inclined blue merv, and where the opening below the rever came two rows of crystal buttons fastened across with red silk drew the sidea together. PERHAPS there is nothing neater than the box pleat in single or double form, to finish the back of a dress ikirt. But certainly there is something newer, and I will explain what. The rage for a well-fitted and perfectly plain hip has induced some clever tailor to arrange so that tnere shall be no pleat, nor even so much fulness as a gather at the back. Instead, an apron-like "shape is fitted, which buttons or laces at the back, or the back is left quite unadorned and the buttons appear at the side. I have seen a cloth gowa 80 arranged for a girl of 17, with a very becoming result. What curious old-fashioned buttons we seem 00 be going to wear-crystal ones and green glags ones, instead of the lovely enamels we were enjoying this t me last year. Some are pierced; others have cut surfaces, while a variety may. be just plain nt\ of » round of barret shape. I-, 4

"=,C< 'lit .9 GAMAGE FOOTBILL OUTFITS. LEADING THE WAY AS USUAL. CHEAPEST AND BEST HOUSE. Write or :t't' comprehensive Catalog-ua for the Season, post free to any address. "THB TUIUBY or ASSOCIATION. 5s. 9d. 55. 9d. Stout Cowhide Cases. A STRONG SERVICEABLE BALL. Complete with Red Rubber Bladders. So. 3, 4S. 3d. No. 4. 5s. No. 5 (Match size), 5s. 9d. No. 6, 7s. Postage, 4jd. ALL FOOTBALL ACCESSORIES AT I 1 LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES. ) KNICKERS. Is. 4d. Is. 4d. Swansdown Is. Id., 28. M., 3s. 6d. Navy Sonre (Wide Legs) is. 10d„ 23. lid., 3s. lid. Flannel 3s. lid., 4s. lid., 5s. lid. FOOTBALL SHIRTS. IN HALVI.a. QUARTEUS. STUU'US, AND PLAIN COLOURS. 2s. 6d. 2s. 9d. B°y's |H|^1 f^ Boy's size> CsSr Jl ■ Size' 3 3 less. less. AU Colours and C01llbinatiOfll.. Flannelette (all colours) 2s. 6d. (Harlequin or Stripes) 29. 9d. Flannel (all colours) 6s. 6d. Best Quality (Shrunk) (Halves, Quarters, or Stripes) 78. 6d. SPSCMl FOOTBALL BOOTS. From 5s. lid. 17 From 5s. lid. The "Gamklck" Tirown Russet Calf (as illustration) 8s. lid. Chrome Watorproof leather 9s. lid. The Referee,l Russet Calf Ss. lid. (With or without Ankle-Protectors.) The Forwards, extra light, Chrome nPfJVT* 8s. lid. Black Calf gs, nd. Postage, 6d. THE "BEFE2EE BAU. RUGBY or ASSOCIATION. 10s. 6d. ^10s, 6d# Best Cou-iiide, Welted Seama, Terfect ta Shape. Will last longer than auy other make. Every Section Stretched and Ham- mered before being made. l'rice 10s. 6cL Post Free. ALL FOOTBALL ACCESSORIES AT t LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES. { SHIN eOAROS. Strong Linen Continuous Straps, Tan Leather (strapped across) so. 01 Leather Lined Chamois (do.) Is, 8Ii Brass Inflators from Is. Football Belts from 6d. Football Bladders is, guaranteed. Referees' Whistles, 9d.; Best, Is. 3d. Leather Ear Caps, Is. lod. Cape, 2s. 8d. Football Goals from lIs, per set. Boundary Sticks. 12s. per doien. football Flags (any colour), 4s. 6d. perdozen. -.c. Tan Cape, Lined Chamois (do.) 2B. 3& Shin and Ankle Guard (combined) 2s., 2s. 6d. POSTAGE, 2d. GOAL-NETS (Brodie's Patent),Strong Hemp Cord, 44s. Best Steam Tarred, 47s. eomplett. A-r-r. OE.I53BE.S OVEE TIE IT SHILLINGS CARRIAGE IF-A-IZD. A. W. GAMAGE, U8. 126, 127, 128a 629, HOLBORNs LONDON, E.O. _.>-oiUIC