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- D AND FARM.
D AND FARM. (From The Agricultural GneetleD POULTRY FARMING. g.)Ue cf 'he largest farmers (says Ed. Maidment, wrting on "Poultry Farming in Sussex"), keep as iu;»ny, i».r»ls as their land will accommodate, and adopt, "the' first, course, "but the generality do not. The ]ar.;t«sj, number of birds are reared in small quantities by farmers and cottagers, who keep as tiauy u they can rear without extra accommodation of any kind, and then sell them every fortnight to higglers for Is. 9d. to 4s. in April, and from Is. 9d. to 3d. later, from 12 to 16 weeks old, according to the season. Almost everyone keeps poultry, but in spite of this the demand is far greater than the supply, and thousands of birds are imported from Ireland and other places every year to be fattened and sent, out as Sussex fowls. It seems such a pity in a county liktJ Sussex, with its warm climate, boun- teous shade, and in many districts admirable soil, that this. the industry Qf the county, should not be developed to the fullest possible extent, and with it the more general cultivation of fruit, flowers, and vegetables. Where poultry are kept there must be land, and crops must and can be grown on it. Cows must also be kept, as milk is necessary, and ie largely used, and as there is a great demand for all kinds of soft and fancy cheeses, butter and cream at remunerative and even extravagant prices. A fllrm managed by anyone with a first-rate know- ledge of all the latest methods can be made a very profitable business. The County Council of Sussex, like many others, are sparing" no trouble or money in providing the best. instruction in dairying, poultry keeping, dressing,. an$their efforts have been highly successful. -People are appreciative, and not only are tbe. classes supd lectures largely attended by the farmers, thpir wives and daughters, but many ladies "send their servants to be taught, but better (still, they are learning themselves, and recognise tjtat there is more in dairying than meets the eye, and that it is an art worthy of their own inr telligence and interest. Consequently, in many of the beautiful Country houses of Sussex are to be found ladies w.ho,take the keenest interest in the management of their dairies and poultry, and the delicious milk of the many beautiful Jerseys is no longer consigned entirely to the tender tperciesbfthe good old-fashioned dairymaid who creamed £ > nee a day and churned once a week, but is now manipulated with graca and skill and all the best appliances into butter, and cheese so excellent that its very goodness makes it difficult. to keep it; but, as one lady remarked, it certainly pays to look after one's dairy; we get double the quantity of everything, and have to sell produce instead of buy, as we were obliged to do formerly." TUB DAIRY INDUSTRY. In the interesting letter on the Agricultural Out- took, which Sir" James Blyth recently addressed to the Timos, a very important point is brought out in reference- to the development of the milk trade. He writes as follows: The development qf the dairy1 iildustry-in the United Kingdom is a striking/case in point, and in the matter of milk alone its growth has been enormous. The subject was discussed in an- Interesting and careful analysis of milk products by Mr. R. Henry Rew in the •Journal of the oJal Agricultural Society for 1892, wherein, after the. best methods of, computation available, the average quantity of milk consumed per bead of the population in 1890 was found to be 60 quarts..From similar data and other information, I have no hesitation in assessing the consumption of milk seven years later at 80 quarts per head for every man, woman, and child in the kingdom in 1897, which, if it reach the public at the low price of 3d. a quart, is equivalent to a total payment for milk, all home produce, of no less than 40 mil- lion pounds sterling, a sum, roughly speaking, equal to the whole .wheat bill of the United King- dom, of which three-fourths come from abroad. Pursuing like methods with regard to the greater production of butter in this country—a result attributable in no small measure to the example and encouragement of dairy associations, creameries, and kindred societies in Great Britain and Ireland— as against 61b, estimated to have been consumed by every individual in the kingdom seven years pre- viously, in 1890, the consumption in 1897 averaged 101b. per head of the population, approximating a total payment for butter, all home produce, of million pounds sterling last year. After availing myself of all accessible sources of information (as well as conferring with some of the best authorities on the subjects dealt with in this communication) the following may be regarded as the relative value of laat year's consumption of milk and butter Foreign. British. Milk £ 1,500,000 £ 40,000,000 Batter £ 16,000,000 smooo,ooo It Will thus be seen that 20s. worth of home pro- clueed milk was consumed per head of the popula- tion, as against 9d. worth of the foreign community; while the consumption of British-made butter was 10s. for every inhabitant, as against 8s. worth of the foreign-made product." WINTER CHEESE. In some of the dairying districts of England it is customary for the dairyer (according to two expert writers) to utilise the skim milk obtained by the shallow-pan system of cream raising for the making Of a winter cheese, which, as its name shows, is made during the winter months. Taking, for instance, the county of Dorset, there they make blue vinnies," a skim milk cheese, during the most favourable months for cheesemaking; and at the latter end and beginning of the year con- vert the skim milk into winter cheese, which sub- stance, although not by any means a luxury, is readily saleable in those districts where there is considerable demand for it, for instance, among the working popu- lation of the south-western counties, who seem to have digestions capable of assimilating some good from even winter cheese. Now although at first sight it would appear to be unprofitable work, especially considering the time of fear, and consequently the unfavourable circum- stances under which it is produced (when indeed a good class of cheese cannot be produced), yet with skilful making and a ready sale for the product the returns show a profit considerably larger than would be realised from feediug the skim milk to pigs, after, of course, allowing for labour, use of utensils, &c., in producing the cheese. In the process of making this cheese the milk, which because of the winter season is not very acid, will probably require a starter of warm, sour whey added to get a degree of acidity present equal to ibout that required in Cheddar-making; but, although this is the plan which ought to be adopted, -it is not always done, consequently certain points in creating the curd are regulated to meet the sweetness of the milk. RENNETING. Usually, owing to a non-sufficient amount of acidity paving-developed in the milk, a highrenneting temperature is adopted, even reaching to the exces- sively high point of 97deg. F., which, although it o, appears high, is thought necessary, and often attained. The quantity of rennet used is two tablespoonfuls, or loz. of Hansen's, to about 40 gallons of skim milk, the coagulation under these conditions being com- pleted in 30 to 35 minutes, or sometimes less. This high renneting point, if allowed to act, of course leads to the production of a fairly firm curd, which drains freely, leaving very little time for acidity to develop. These conditions are, however, neutralised by the sweetness of the milk, which usually prevails, tending to the formation of a soft tender curd, and also: an other factor, namely the low temperature of ihe surrounding atmosphere in winter, which, by extracting heat from the curds re- tards the draining process, and so by leaving a certain amount of whey in the curd helps the after development of acidity in the ripening of the curd. By this it is plainly shown that although starting to rennet, at a high temperature, a great deal of heat is lost daring the coagulation process, and that for certain reasons we do not want to either loseor retain too much heat.
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—— M MAUD, I am almost afraid to go and see YOllt father." You needn't bp, Harry! When he asks ▼ou if yo'J can support jus in the style to which 1 have been accustomed, teU him you can support me a great deal better than he could ever have done if it hadn't been for mamma's money." Tin Queen has been pleased to approve the appoint- ment of the Earl of Mar and Kellie to be Lord- Ldeutenant of the county of Clackmannan in succes- sion to the late Earl of Mansfield. Her Majesty has also appointed the Marquis of Tweeddale to be a Knight of the Thistle in the room of the late Earl of JgansfiekL
¡',:. GARDENING GOSSIP.
¡' GARDENING GOSSIP. (hom Gardening RlutfreUed&y CONSERVATISM ° r, The conservatory ought to be bright now (remark Mr. E. Hobday) with early-Sobering Chrysanthe- mums, scarlet Salvias, -scarlet Geranium Raspail Improved* Tuberoses, Heaths, Boiivardias, &c. There will be a brave show, of Chrysanthemums from this until Christmas, but the brightest thing with us at this moment is the scarlet Salvia splendens grandi- Elora. There will, of course, where the conservatory is to be kept gay all winter, be relays and plants coming on, including Chrysanthemums in variety Begonias, Tree Carnations, Genistas, Heaths, Epacris, Chorozemas, Eupatoriums, a-,id many bulbs in variety. The most useful forcing bulbs for making a show in the conservatory are Narcissus in considerable variety. The earliest should now be making roots in various aJ¥d pots ready to be placed in a little heat when the roots are ready. Early Tulips_syill make a good show, and they may be used in various ways in the roojnp. To give length of stem they should be started in a sub- dued light. They will start very well under the stage, and this will draw up tlffl stems atid,niakei them more valuable, for unless this is done the flower will open as soon as they are out ot. the ground, and of course this spoils their effectiveness. Roman HJa- cinths when wall rooted may be placed in heat if required to flower early. Cyclamens will now be coming into flower, and a group always looks pretty. Double Primulas also are effective in a small way. The Marguerite Carnations are very easy to grow, and seedlings raised in heat in spring will now be in flower. They may be-either grown on singly in 5in. pots or three plants in a 6in. pot. The last way of growing thpm is the most effective for tho conservatory. There has been frost in some districts, though not severe enough to do any harm, but wise people will have all their tender plants under cover now; but the light may be left open at night so long as the weather keeps warm. At present it has not been necessary to use fires, but flowers will soon decay unless a little fire-heat is used in limp weather or oircold nights. MOVII; This house will have received all the plants back from other houses now, and Poinsettias, Begonias. &c., from pots, and it will be advisable to use the vaporiser to destroy any stray insects which may have been introduced, and so start clean. Regular fires will also be necessary to keep up a night tempera- ture of not less than 60deg. to 65deg., the lowest point being reached about sunrise in the morning. Shade will not be required now, and the syringe should be used with care, so as not to saturate plants in bloom or Maiden-hair Ferns, if any are grown in the house. Recently potted plants must be watered with care, so as not-to sour the soil before it is occupied by the roots. This is the best; season to cart a stock of potting soil and stack it ir ridge-shaped heaps to get ready for the spring pot- ting. More loam is used now than was formerly th( case, as the plants make firmer and sturdier growth in it, and may be grown in smaller pots. HARD-WOODED PLANTS have now all been housed, and if the. watering has been properly attended to they will be all the better for their outing. Give night air for the present unless it is frosty or wet with gales of wind. Anj specimen plant which requires retraining shonlc have attention as soon as possible. Thin the buds of Camellias if too numerous, and give weak soot-water occasionally. Azaleas also, ii at all potbound, will benefit from the same treatment. These plants are rather subject tc thrip, and if there is any suspicion of their presence vaporise the house, as it will save expense anc trouble in the future. Winter-flowering Heaths arc coming in bloom, and there are many winter-flower- ing plants among hard-wooded subjects that will be moved to the conservatory for a time by-and-bye Be specially careful with the watering. Make sure a plant is dry before watering, and then give enough tc moisten all the roots. POTTING ORCHARD-HOUSE TREES. Lose no time in shifting into larger pots any trees which may require more root-space. Pot very firmly using the best turfy loam, with a few bones and a sprinkle of soot. Liquid-manure can be given when the trees are bearing, so that now the loam had better not be overloaded with manure. Yoiing trees from the open ground should belifted and potted aS soon as wood and foliage are ripe. After potting stand them on a coal-ash bed, and protect them with litter round the pots when frost comes. EARLY PEACH-IIOUSJS. Examine the borders to make sure the roots are sufficiently moist. The inside borders very often get too dry. I have seen many instances of it and then the difficulty of a thorough moistening is great, but this must be done if the trees are to do any more good. Most of the failures of Poaches under glass with inside borders are due to this cause. PITS AND FRAMES. Cyclamens and Primulas should be-taken to a light house and placed on shelves near the glass, where a little fire-heat can be given when necessary. Zonal Geraniums grown for winter blooming and Tr^e Carnations in bud must have a 1 ight position in a night temperature of 50deg. to 55deg. OUTDOOR GARDEN. The long drought has had a bad effect in many gardens, and one of the lessons to be learnt is to take measures for improving the site where hardy plants have to be planted. In the coming autumn there is much work to be done in deepening and improving the soil of the herbaceous and Rose-beds. This is especially the case in small and moderate-sized gardens in the suburbs of towns. The town gardener often is placed at a disadvantage in the matter of soil, and very often the place has been ;turned upside down by the builder. To make things suitable for the better class of hardy flowers and Roses, manure and richer soil, mUft be introduced, and the land broken up. This work may be set about at once-or, at liiast, as soon as rain comes, to enable the plants to be moved safely. The best course is to take everything up and lay them m temporarily somewhere, and then thoroughly break up and improve the site. There is a growing demand for Tea Roses, and owners of gardens are becoming alive to their value as perpetual bloomers, and in the sheltered garden, at any rate, their reported tender- ness is a myth, and it is better to spend money upon improving the soil than on insecticides. FRUIT GARDEN. It is thought by some that the present season has been more suitable for ripening up the wood and in- ducing fertility than any we have had lately. But the drought has been too severe and prolonged for really healthy growth, and there is such a condition as premature ripening. My experience suggests that both very dry seasons and wet, cold seasons are not so suitable for anything as when things move along steadily in a normal manner. The season has been fertile in insect life, as all dry seasons are. There will be more of the moth and weevil family to be dealt with next season, and measures should be taken to reduce their numbers as soon as the leaves fall. Fresh lime is a cheap insecticide, and it is one of the constituents of all good fruit soils, and where it is deficient it should be used freely over the branches when they are damp in winter. Old plantations of Strawberries have suffered much from the drought where no hejp has been given, and in most gardens it has been im- possible to water; but mulch of some kind might have been more freely used. Then again, heavily- laden fruit-trees should have had the crop thinned, and some extra nourishment given. A deeply-hoed surface is better than nothing, as it attracts nitroge from the atmosphere. PHLOX AMCENA. Among the dwarf Phloxes, that is the true alpine forms and other allied kinds, this pretty species should always be freely grown if only for its value in spring and autumn. Naturally enough, the finest display is in spring, but where the plants are divided and replanted after this flowering it frequently happens that quite a rich display is secured in the early atitumn. At the- latter named date the rock garden is by no means gay, and this easily grown plant should in no wijle be lost sight of. Its free growth and abundant flowering at all times render it a dot'irable species for the rock garden. In any position deep and fairly rich soil i. always appreciated.
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j. GOOD many men believe that when they have borrowed a shilling they have earned it y MOTHER (displaying the baby): "Do you think he looks like his father, Mr. Olduffer ?" Well, ye-es, there is a family resemblance, but it isn't striking enough to worry about." POPULARITY consists as much of what you don't Say as what you do.
MAKING A CLEAN BREAST OF IT'
MAKING A CLEAN BREAST OF IT' THE STORT or A PLOT. N Yon are quite mistaken in regard to young Turner." "Excuse me-, Mr. Mason, I have eyes in my head. "ft ell, there is an affinity in youth. And I can't forget that I'm forty odd. Still,? it's hard to have the plum snatched frpm one just aq it seemed within reach. By a J "Nonaense, Nesbit; you torment yourself unne- cessarily..And supposing that the young man is fond of Alice, what signifies ?" "You deceive yourself. As long as he's to the fore I haven't the shadow of a chance with her. Why not get rid of him ?" It would be a little awkward to .do so. His father was good to me when I started in business. And when he got involved I considered it incum- bent on me to provide for his son." And make him useful. Ah, gratitude is a very nice feeling and brings its own reward," sneered Nesbit. "Poor old Turner t, After -floating you on to fortune, to die a bankrupt. Serve him right, though. Business is business. Grab the lot if you can and hang sentiment. That's how we made our little pile, eh, Mason? No offence." My fortune was gotten honestly at all events," protested the elder man. ".And as to Turner's failure, it might have been safely predicted; from the first his was careless of his own interests." Rather t But it looks as if Turner, junior, had Erofited by paternal short-sightedness. Mark me, e's playing a bold game. And I don't blame him." "If I imagined that Joe was presuming on my friendship for his father- Accept my word for it. And I won't brook a rival Take your choice—him or me." Mr. Mason was averse to letting an eligible son- in- law escape him. Being wealthy, he naturally yearr-ed for an increase of riches; and, in view of an alliance with his daughter, Mr. Nesbit,-who was reputed a mil- lionaire, had hinted his intention of investing a large sum in his business-he dealt in colonial produce— which ha was desirous of extending. But hopeful of the revival of a depressed industry, three years pre- viously he had purchased a sugar plantation in the West Indies. In about six months I might send him out to Jamaica," he said reflectively. In six months!" The millionaire's laugh had an unpleasant ring. It would be better than loosening people's tongues," Mr. Mason said apologetically. Everybody knows of my obligations to his father." It's not. always wise to risk the raking up of one's past," Nesbit sardonically agreed.. Meanwhile Alice shall pay her aunt in Devon- shire a visit. Will that suit?" You overlook the facilities of epistolatory com- munication., Parting them might answer or it mightn't. I have to run. down to Manchester to- night, and I may have to remain, a few days; but 1 11 ponder your suggestion." Wearing an absent air, Nesbit departed. Perturbed, Mr. Mason went in search of his daughter; and presently he had not the slightest doubt of his late visitor's insight, and that the imme- diate removal of Joe Turner to a distance was highly desirable. He awaited the millionaire's return with anxiety. But despite his assumed indifference, that gentle- man had set his mind on marrying Alice; and in the fond belief that Joe was the sole obstacle to the ful- filment of his wishes, impatient of half measures, had already planned to temporarily dispose of him. With his yacht lying off Harwich, what easier? Nesbit's journey to Manchester was the outcome of his sudden inspiration, for until he could call Miss Mason his wife it behoved him to be wary, lest here- after she should associate him with his rival's disap- pearance. Rut his stay at Cottonopolis was of the briefest. A telegram despatched to Mr. Mason, he returned by the last train. Apart from Alice's obvious preference for him, his ?outh and good looks alone would have rendered 'urner hateful in Nesbit's sight not that he had ever openly manifested/his disjike of him. And as the express tore through the darkness the thought that he would soon be entirely in his power was in- toxicating. To compass his ends all he had: to do was to be in the city on the morrow—Saturday—in the vicinity of Mason's warehouse, at the- hour the employes were dismissed, drop on Joe casually; as it were, and-invite him for a-ctaiee. In the interval he could provision the Dolphin and telegraph to Tunstall —the man in charge of her-to engage fresh haftds. Hid work cut out, en arriving in town, without waste ef time, he proceeded to carry out hia pro- gramme. But judging that her parent's cross-examination bodgd ill, Alice had written a warning to Joe, informiag him that although Mr. Nesbit had gone to Manchester and had telegraphed that he would be detained longer than he had anticipated, as her father favoured his suit she feared the respite was tem- porary, and that she had gathered that his own banishment to Jamaica had been determined on; So that next day when, shortly after emerging from his employer's premises, the young.clerk encountered Mr. Nesbit, who, in pursuance- of his plans, had been watchful of liis exit, he was suspicious of his civilities. But the sultry heat of-the metropolis was unbearable and, with the temptation of a' sea trip, he did not require much persuasion to accompany, the mil- lionaire to Harwich. By the time they stepped on board the yacht the storm which had been brewing burst with fury. Moreover- the additional men engaged had not put in in appearance. "lam sorry, Turner, that we must defer our trip until to-morrow," said his host blandly, after confer- ring with his factotum. But Tunstall is a first-rate :ook, and I daresay we shall manage to amuse our- selves somehow." Joe made a suitable rejoinder; and fortified by an excellent dinner, heresigned himself cheerfully to the inevitable." Nesbit was a genial entertainer f yet partly dis- armed, Joe's native caution did not desert him. His companion filled and refilled his glass, but he drank little. When towards midnight, the storm having spent itself, the two new- hands boarded them, the former was decidedly the worse for the wine he had imbibed. And his malignant glance at Joe and mut- tered expressions of satisfaction at he reeled out of the cabin did not tend; to reassure his guest, who, hearing the men descending, planted himself by the door and listened intently. Nesbit's speech was indistinct, but he gleaned that the yacht was to be kept at sea for some months on a special service. We don't relish the job," said a voice in ah undertone. Taint as if you was going with us, air." Confound you! of what arc you afraid ?" asked Nesbit. A sea voyage won't hurt him, Sleep on it and come to me in the morning." He re-entered the cabin. J V "Now Joe, if you are ready to turn in, I am," He said, and throwing himself on the cabin couch, he was speedily sndring. But the dialogue Turner had overheard increased his distrust of his- host; his slumbers were fitful; and he awoke at length with a Start, to find that the Dolphirt was gliding rapidly through the water, the town only dimly" discernible. He had not exaggerated the situation. Happily- Nesbit still snored on. Dressing, lie crept stealthily on deck to reconnoitre. The sails furled as on •the previous evening, they were drifting with the tide. The men invisible, he lowered him- self into the boat astern, disengaged the tow-liite and, unshipping the oars, rowed aahore. I 'OJ The first train took Joe back to London and con- vinced that Nesbit's hospitality had covered a dark design, and elate at having so easily defeated his scheming, he contrived to have an early interview with Alice; to whom he related his, recent adven- tures. j. < 0 I don't imagine, darliitg," he added, that I was to be a permanent prisoner, but I doubt if I should have regained my liberty until you were Nesbit's wife. Ar.d then lie counted OIL buying me over," he shrewdly divined. Oh, he's a deep one!" But, sharing her loyer's opinion, the telegram from Manchester puzzled her. If he were believed to bo there at the date I dis- appeared, the less likelihood, he pointed out, "of suspicion attaching to him when my prolonged absence excited alarm." I see," said Alice. The unscrupulous wretch! Father shall learn the sort of character he is. How I wish we could have been by when he discovered that the bird had flown!" "Bo silent for the present," Joe requested, chuckling. I'm curious as to his next move." But, like thtrr master, the crew on that memorable Saturday &4d supped not wisely- but too well, and UJJi.. • ■ bad bad no haxidib-, the departure of the Dolphin' which .unknoivn to them, had- broken from her moorings; and it was nearine midday before the violent shock of a collision and vociferous shouting roused them from the drunken sleep in which they had been steeped. The sea was pouring 1n, and with one accord they hurried on deck, as did Nesbit, who had also been awskened. Ropes were flung to them from the vessel-a merchantman—which had collided with them and they had hardly been hauled on board her when the yacht sank. Intent on self-preservation, then and not till then her owner recalled his guest. Lower a boat I" he cried frantically. For pity's sake be quick Another man's in her." Useless," said the captain. He has gone down with her. You ought all four to be strung up to the yard-arm not to have kept a look out," he con- tinued, after disclaiming all responsibility for the disaster. What were you about?" Shame-stricken and remorseful, the rescued men hung their heads guiltily. We are bound for Lisbon, and my orders don't permit delay, or I'd deliver you over to the authorities," he added sternly, guessing the truth that they had been carousing overnight and had only thought of themselves. Notwithstanding, Nesbit's woeful eyes appealed to him. Softening, he commanded his followers to go below and conducted him to his cabin. The par- ticulars of the catastrophe had been duly entered in the log-book, the supposed drowned man figuring as Joe Smith and the millionaire as Harry Collis; and, seeing that exposure of the owner and crew of the ill-fated yacht could not serve the dead, and that the purse Mr. Collis had presented to him contained bank notes to a substantial amount, the captain decided there to let the matter rest. Uncertain as to what might befall them in the future, Tunstall and his mates had likewise been dis- ,re creetly reticent. But during the voyage Nesbit was not to be envied Joe Turner haunted him. And with ample time for reflection he clearly perceived that the inquiries that must sooner or later be insti- tuted would, in all probability, reveal his visit to the yacht in his company, and that, combined with his vanishment, the ruse he had foolishly had recourse to-the sending of the telegram from Manchester- might tell fatally against him. His fears- magnifying the danger, when the Saucy Polly reached port he chartered a small steamer and re-embarked with his men. The summer was merging into autumn. But although cruising from place to place, Nesbit had diligently searched the newspapers, he had lighted on no paragraph referring to Turner's disappearance, and comments on his own had ceased to appear. Taking courage, he returned to -England. A-voiding his accustomed haunts, he came in eontact with none )f his acquaintances and it would be hard to say who was more astonished-he or Joe-when in turn- ing the corner of a street off Holborn they suddenly confronted one another. So you've thought fit to show up at last," said Joe gruffly. "You're alive-thank Heaven 1" devoutly cried Nesbit, seizing his hands. "What I've endured thinking you had gone down in the Dolphin I" "She sank, did she? And you didn't miss the boat ? Oh, Nemesis You scoundrel, to lure me oil board to get me out of the way. I've half a mind to thrash you on the spot." I'll make you amends." Amends, when I've lost Alice!" A minute ago I was the most wretched of men, and now-" Don't you delude yourself," cut in Joe savagely. I don't think for a moment she believed that I was concerned in your mysterious disappearance. But she harped on that confounded telegram from Man- chester and we quarrelled. All the same, she won't1 marry you." No; when she hears all, I shouldn't wonder if she preferred eating humble pie." Do you mean that you-" "Propose making a clean breast? I do. I'm so glad that jou're alive that I could dance a hornpipe on my head. I shall see Alice at once." His candid confession omitted nothing, and all feW out as lie prophesied. Joe restored to favour, Nesbit: interviewed Mr. Mason, aftar which all was plain sailing for the lovers.
A LUCKY WINDFALL.
A LUCKY WINDFALL. A great landed proprietor named Birkner, in Western Prussia, has presented the Emperor Wil- liam with his estate of Cadinen, comprising a splendid manor house and an area of nearly 5000 acres. The estate, which contains extensive pre- serves, is one of the most valuable in the province. Birkner, who is married but has no children, first intended leaving it to his Majesty in his last will, but has now asked him to accept it at once. The Emperor has done so. MORE ABOUT HIS MAJESTY'S MIDNIQIIT ADVENTURE. The Kaiser's night adventure near Oeynhausen has now been narrated by the chemist in question as follows, says a Daily New telegram: It was about four o'clock in the morning. Every house-door in the town had to remain open, all having soldiers quartered within. Suddenly I awoke hearing some- one entering my bedroom. "This is really too much." I cried. "Are you mad?" The intruder, the Duke of Mecklenburg, replied, I beg your pardon. I knocked at the door, but nobody answered, and so I came in. For the rest his Majesty is at my heels. He is coming upstairs. "Wife," I cried, "get up quickly." She had indeed only time to jump out of bed and to disappear in the adjoining room, her clothes being thrown after her, while I began to dress. Next moment the Emperor was in the room with a suite of 40 officers, and went to the balcony, whence he watched the gathering of the alarmed garrison. C'est la guerre," he said to the chemist.. Do not take it amiss." He added laugh- ingly You gave the Duke Regent a friendly recep- tion I hadn't heard he was mad." Before the Emperor left the house he said: "Your wife was evidently frightened I hope to show you my grati- fude." A few days later the chemist's wife received the Emperor's portrait with the following auto- graphic inscription: "As a friendly souvenir of the sddden invasion in the night of 9th-10th September, 1808, four o'clock. William, Imperator Rex." THE EMPEROR AND THE CHILD. The last day but one of the recent army manoeuvres provided an interesting incident. Dinner was just over, and the Emperor had left the manoeuvre tent in order to proceed to the Prefecture, when he noticed a tiny boy, scarcely three years old, and attired in Roumanian costume, approaching him. The little fellow bashfully held out a letter to the Monarch, i who approached him with an encouraging smile, and, taking the document from his hands, began to read it. It was a petition for monetary help. In the meantime the police had taken both the boy and his mother in charge and removed them to the lock-up with a view to interro- gating them. The Emperor soon released them, however, and sent them a substantial sum of money by one of the Court servants. A photograph which was taken of the incident forms one of the principal attractions just now of the Vienna and Budapest shop-xvindows (a Morning Post telegram says). KAISER WORSHIP IN EXCELSIS. In the course of their tour through Central and part of South Germany a month or so ago, the Emperor and Empress took their supper in the open one evening upon the Dornberg. In commemoration of this gustatory event the communities ef Zieren- burg and Dornberg have actually decided to erect a monument upon the spot where the Royal meal took place. The monument (according to a Morning Leader telegram) will bear the following inscription': Wayfarer, stand and read Here upon the even- ing of the 19th August, 1898, the Emperor William II. and the Empress Victoria Augusta partook of supper." Beneath these words the Royal menu, a copy of which is said to have been procured exprt ssfy from the Court Marshal's Office, will be carved- When complete the monument will form a worthy companion to the famous inscription beside the Silesian waterfall, which in large letters informs the traveller that: Here rested awhile his Majesty the King Friedrich Wilhelm III. and her Majesty the Queen Louise when in the act of most graciously ¡ inspecting the wonders of God."
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BTONTHUBST UOLLEGH nas good reason to be prOHC1 of the military prowess of its alumni (says the Westminster Gazette). One of the Victoria Crosses that were given for valour in the Afridi campaign fell to Lieut. Costello, an old Stonyhurst boy, aid now it is not improbable that a similar distinct ioi will be conferred on Capt. Kenna, of the 21st Lancers, who was at the same school. Capt. Kenna was one of the gallant little band who took part in the rescue of Lieut. Grenfell's body, which, had fallen in the miUc among the dervishes.
THE BEGINNING OF (OFFICIAL)…
THE BEGINNING OF (OFFICIAL) WINTER. One of the duties of the Emperor of China is the ordering of the seasons. It is he at whose com- mand the nation declares that summer or winter has come, and that dress must be worn, and domestic arrangements made, to suit the season, though they may not suit the personal feelings of individuals at all. In official,France it is much the same. On October 1 the public libraries are closed at four p.m., in all Government offices fires are lit, and the menials exchange their white summer waistcoat for the thicker and less cheerful one of winter, and in the streets the roasted chestnut sellers put in an ap- pearance. During an October like the first days of the present month, when the heat and the dust in the middle of the day aN more than is agreeable, these official winter arrangements must be somewhat trying.
I.-HOW TO DEVELOP THE SOUDAN.
HOW TO DEVELOP THE SOUDAN. THE COMMERCIAL VALUE OF THE RECOVERED PROVINCES. Mr. R. W. Felkin's article in the Contemporary Review on The Soudan Question is worth careful reading. He knows personally all the districts in question, and has disbussed them with Gordon, Eiiiin, Gessl, Junker, and many European officials and native Mudirs, officers, and merchants, who lived and worked in the Soudan up to the Mahdi's rebellion. He urges in particular the immediate re-occupation of the Negro parties of the Soudan, the Equatorial provinces, and Bahr-el-Ghazal, where the most rapid progress may be ex- pected whereas the Arab portion, depopu- lated and devastated by the Mahdi and Khalifa, can only develop slowly. In order to do so Mr. Felkin points out that railways should be made (1) from Suakim to Berber, (2) from Uganda to the north of Bedden, (3) from Omdurman to El Obeid and El Fasher. The first would not only open up a rapid trade route to Kordofan and Darfur, but would render us independent of the Suez Canal. Forts and garrisons should be re-establisbed at El Obeid, Dara, Sobat, Shambe, Lado, Rejaf, Kiri, Dufile, and Wadelai; also Faliko, in the Shuli district, and a few stations' in the Bahr el Ghazal, Rol, and Makraka. THE EXTUNT O* TIIE NEW WATERWAY. Then there is the Nile itself. It is rarely recog- aised, says Mr. Felkin, what an extent of waterway is available by steamer from Khartoum. On the White Nile steamers can ply as far as Bedden (4deg. 35min. 48sec. N., 31deg. 36min. 6sec. E.), where there is a rapid for about half a mile, above which another jteamer used to ply between Bedden and Kiri (4deg. 18min. lOsec. N., 31deg. 40min. 28sec. E.). From personal inspection, I am inclined M think that there would be no insuperable difficulty >n rendering this rapid navigable at any rate, a teamer was hauled through it by Gessi Pasha, but certainly the current is exceedingly strong, and the auge partially-submerged rocks would have to be re- moved by dynamite. From Kiri to Dufile (3deg. 34niin. 35sec. N., 32deg. 20min. E.) no steam navigar ;ion by river will ever be possible, but from Dufile to ;he south end of the Albert Lake the river is navigable ill the year round. Unfortunately, steamship com- munication between the Albert and Victoria Lakes is iltogether out of the question, owing to the great Merchison Falls in the Victoria Nile. The river 3obat is navigable for steamers for about 300 miles luring most of the year; from Lake No (Mokren-el- Bohur) the Bahr-el-Ghazal and river Jur are navi- gable for more than half the year forsmall steamers to point 5deg. lOmin. N., 28deg. E. Bahr-el-Arab, ivhich flows into the Bahr-el-Ghazal, may be navi- gated as far as 9deg. 50min. N., 24deg. lOmin. E., near to the celebrated copper mines of Hofrath-en- Nahass, for seven months out of the 12. At aU 3easons of the year steamers can pass up to Fazokl on ;he Blue Nile. From these data it will be seen what in immense extent of country could be brought within steam communication when, the Suakim-Berber railt vvay is made. „ THE BLOCKS SN TFIE wifiiTE NILE. There is onty one drawback, he continues, to which this splendid system of waterway is liable I refer to the blocks in the White Nile. South of Lake No a barrier of this kind has been formed three times in he last 30 years-once was in 1878, when I was im- prisoned by it for 40 days. It would, however, be impossible for these blocks to occur were regular and frequent trattle to be maintained, and there would be no longer any fear of such disaster it once the Bahr-eL- Ziirerf were completely opened up. Itisa second channel Df the White Nile, and flows in a more direct course thanlhe usual river-channel, which, at Lake No, has an almost rectangular bend. It has been objectedthat wood supply to the steamers would soon fail, but this difficulty would be overcome by using the unlimited supply of ctoarse grass, which, when properly pre- Eared. makes admirable fuel. I have mentioned thip indrance to navigation on account of the promi- nence which has been given to the blocks when they have occurred, but the rarity of their occurrence and the ease with which they can be prevented show that they do not constitute any real obstacle to the utilisa- tion of this magnificent river communication, i TIIB YALUB Of THE BAHR-EL-GHAZAL. With reference to the Bahr-el-Ghazal district, Mr. Felkin reminds us that it is richer than the Equa- torial Province, which produced such handsom,e surpluses before 1882. After Gessi Pashi had fought and conquered the slave-dealers under Sulei- man Bey in 1879 he administered this large area with great success until recalled by the officials at Khar- toum, and proved that the district could be ad- ministertd for £ E .884,688, whereas only half the area had cost fot, administration before his regime EE.1,846.000. The large expenditure in the Bahr-el-Ghazal districts was caused for the most part by the large number of native troops, nominally under the Egyptian Govern- ment, but really under the slave dealers, who were required to garrison the forts, these native soldiers being bought at an average cost of about £7. This was rendered necessary owing to the brutal rule >f the officials. In 1880 Gessi Pasha was able to write that it would be easy to collect in the Meshra- er-Rek 10,000 cantars of india-rubber yearly, worth ibout £ 72,000, and the cost of collection would only be from £ 300 to £400. He reported also that there >vere whole forests producin" arrowroot intheNyam- hyam district, and in the Banr-el-Ghazal an immense Forest producing gum arabic equal to that of Kordo- fan. The cotton grown there is superior ip. Gneness, softness, and length of staple to that of America and Lower Egypt. Beeswax could be Dbtained in enormous quantities^ all European vege- j cables grow well, and a year after the slave war many | looms were at work making dimur (Baker cloth), all worked by young negroes who had been taught by people from Darfur. Copal, palm-oil, incense, noney, and nut-oil could be obtained in large quanti- ties, and there is no doubt that the tea-plant, cin- j chona, and eucalyptus could be easily cultivated. The pottery and iron work of the natives is of a very high class, although primitive methods of manufacture are employed.. The natives evince great aptitude in copy- ing European ironware, and could readily adapt themselves to European instruction and turn it to advantage in the construction of their implements.
TELL-TALE FINGER MARKS.
TELL-TALE FINGER MARKS. The system of identifying persons by impressions of their fingers has been adopted in India, and is in widespread use in Bengal. It is indeed stated that there is no department of public business in that pro- vince in which it is not nsed it is being utilised in agreements and in receipts for money. It is regu- larly used in competitive examinations as the means of checking impersonation. It has also been adopted in the Postal and Military Pensions Department, and tn registration offices, and so successful has it proved ihat it is. being gradually brought into requisition b private persons in substitution of signatures.
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A WEDDING at Hampton Court is always a very pretty sight, and her Majesty gave her permission for the galleries, the oak room, and the orangery t be iised for the occa/sidn qf Cttptain Barwick s wed- ding to Miss Ethel Gordon, daughter of Mrs. Oriel Walton and granddaughter of lady Cecil Gordon, who resides in the Palace. The bride's gown of white satin Was trimmed with a flounce of old lace and bunches of small oranges mixed, in with oranfe- blossom, and her tulle veil was fastened by diamond stars. There were seven bridesmaids in attendance, dressed in pale blue with chiffon fichus and Trelawny hats with long feathers and shaded violets, and their bouquets of Michaelmas daisies and chrysanthemums and gold monogram brooches were the bridegroom's gifts. The little page, who was also in attendance, was dressed in white satin. The bride and bride- groom left iathq afternoon for Brightort on their way t?:P.tf:;¡. t'o- l ¡
J WILD WHITE MEN,
J WILD WHITE MEN, There is nothing new under the sun, and even tilt story told by Mr. de Rougemont in a London monthly magazine (says a writer in the Mommif Leader) has its parallels. Other white men have spent the best part of their lives with the wild blacks of Australia; notably William Buckley and jamis Davis, both of whom were escaped convicts. Buckley, who was born at Macclesfield in 17SD, served in the Cheshire Militia, and subsequently la the King's Own. At Gibraltar he appears to navd been concerned in a mutiny, was tried, sentenced to transportation, and shipped with over 300 fellow- convicts by the Calcutta for the purpose of founding a convict settlement at Port Phillip, Victoria. WitS two other convicts he escaped from Sorrento in December, 1803. Of the fate of the other nothing is known. For 12 months Buckley lived alone on the seashore upon shell-fish, and his cavern is still pointed out to visitors. He was of gigantic size, standing 6ft. 5in. without his shoes, and the vast proportions of his footprints in the sand betrayed him to the blacks. His appear- ance impressed the natives, who jumped to the con- clusion that he was one of their departed chief rein- carnated in the form of a White Fellow." Yon Kondak Baarwon?" he was asked, and fortunately for Buckley he nodded assent. Had he known that his life depended on his answer, his assent. might have been more pronounced than it was. The name mentioned by the black was that of a dead chief whom Buckley by his nod unwittingly impersonated. The natives, satisfied that be was a genuine reincarnation of Kondak Baarwon, thereupon admitted him into the tribe, and he soon became as one of themselves. He learned their lan- guage and conformed to their customs, cannibalism excepted. They gave him a wife, who was speared for her fickleness by a black with whom she had co- quetted. His second wife, seems to have been as faithful as M. de Rougemont's Mrs. Yamba," and to her we are indebted for particulars of his career which she provided after his death. According to her, Buckley was always regarded by the tribe as a mooroop, a spirit of the departed, and was reverenced accordingly. Twice only during his 32 years with the blacks did he have a chance of escape. Once a ship which had anchored in Port Phillip was boarded, and some articles were pilfered by the natives while the crew were ashore getting wood and water. The ship hur- ried away, and Buckley's signals from the shore were naturally disregarded. The second opportunity of escape was still less favourable. Buckley's discovery eventually was due to circum- stances which enabled him to save the lives of a party left by John Batman, an explorer of Launceston. Hearing from the blacks that a number of white! had landed in Port Phillip, and that a plan had been formed to spear them, Buckley dissuaded the natives and set out to warn the whites. He presented a striking figure to the latter, who at first were ia doubt as to whether or not he was an European. Buckley himself bad forgotten every word of his mother tongue, and it was not until 10 days after his discovery that it began to come back to his memory. The unique experiences which have been briefly outlined should have afforded material for as thrilling a romance as can well be conceived. Buckley's facul- ties, however, seem to have been permanently clouded, and it was found a hopeless task to extract service- able information from him. A more modern, but hardly less remarkable, case was that of James Davis, whose experiences among the blacks of Queensland were very similar. Davis and a companion were also taken for deceased black- fellows reincarnated. Davis's companion, however, was killed by the tribe soon afterwards for sacri- lege., Davis became known to the blacks as Dur- ramboi, a deceased native whom they thought he resembled. He was. even adopted by the bereaved parents of Durramboi, and although at times his actions and his ignorance of their rites ex- cited suspicion, he was never in real danger of being dispatched by his savage friends. Davis did not, however, stay with the wild blacks who first took him up. He wandered from tribe: to tribe, and had to impersonate several dead aborigines. But he had one useful and unanswerable reply to all inconve- nient questions. It was so long, he pleaded, since his death that he had, clean forgotten his name! Whan he was rescued he could not remember Eng- lish. and had forgotten all about his friends. Unlike Buckley, Davis has turned his long resi- dence with the blacks to good account. He has never read a paper at a meeting of the British Association, but has privately imparted information about the manner and customs of the aborigines which has proved extremely useful. When the writer lived in Brisbane a few years ago Davis kept a small shop there, and, for aught he knows to the contrary, still keeps it. He was born in Glasgow in 1824, being the son of a blacksmith in the Old Wy»J; so, if still living, is now 74 years of age.
ALL NIGHT ON A SANDBANK,
ALL NIGHT ON A SANDBANK, During the recent survey of the Vavau group of the Friendly Isles in the Pacific by H.M.S. Penguia, Captain Field had an unpleasant experience. He landed on a sandbank to take star observations, in- tending to return on board the next morning, but when morning dawned a heavy surf was breaking all round the island, which necessitated his detention, his only food being a few biscuits. Later in the day, there being -no signs of the sea moderating, volun- teers were palled for to man two whalers and at- tempt to get the party on board. Lieut. Lewis went in charge of the one which was to try and reach the shore; the other, with Mr. Payne, boatswain, having to wait.,oiltoidf) the surf ready to render assistance in case of accident. After some very difficult work the rescue was effected, and the captain and party were safely conveyed on board.
I-» OUR SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY.
I- » OUR SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY. The wonderful dimensions to which the British shipbuilding industry has attained are strikingly evinced in Lloyd's Register Shipbuilding Returns for the quarter ending Sept. 30 last. It appears that, excluding warships, the number of vessels under construction in the united Kingdom at that date was 598, with a gross tonnage of 1,364,250. A good idea of the rapidity with which our ship- building is growing may be gathered from the fact that the figures representing the work in hand at-the end of'1897—themielves almost certainly without ep precedent in tliia particular industry—are now ex- ceeded by no less'tnan 351,000 tons. The apportionment of -the total number of vessels under construction is interesting. No fewer than 492 (all but 16 steam) go to the United Kingdom, their gross tonnage being 1,115,900. Eleven are intended for Russia, nine for Norway, eight each for Japan and Germany, six each for the British Colonies, Denmark, France, and Holland three eacb for Austro-Hungary, Brazil, and Sweden two eaeh tot Belgium and Portugal; and one each for Chili, China, Italy, and Spain; while the remaining 29 are accounted for under the heading of For Sale, or, Nationality of Owners Not Stated." Some idea of the distribution of the work through- j out the country may be gathered from the statistics applying to the principal shipbuilding districts, which ■now an increase of 107 over the figures for the corresponding quarter of 1897. Glasgow comes first with 135 vessels under cbnstruction, and then come the following districts: Newcastle 89, Greenock 61, Sunderland 54; Middlesbrough and Stockton 37, HiirtTepool and Whiby 28, Belfast 20, Barrow, Mary- port and Workington 15. I The returns of other countries seem ridiculous by the side of our own. The United States Are building 60, Norway, 26, Holland 22, Italy 17, Germany 45, France 25, Denmark 15, Austro-Hungary nine, Sweden four, Japan three, Belgium one, and Prince Edward Island one. Coming to warships under construction in the United Kingdom, we find that 14 (including a ro yacht) are being built for ourselves at the royal dockyards, with a total displacement cf 110,140 tour. and 58 at private yards, with a total displacement of 265,800 tons. In addition So fewer than 92 war- ships, with a total displacement of 376,435 tonf^ under construction in our private yards, are classi- fled, as Foreign, or, not stated."
A TINTED "LAOCOON."
A TINTED "LAOCOON." A decidedly original treatment of a plaster cut of a familiar classical group, the Laocoon, is to be seen in a villa front garden in the Forest-gate district. The father has been tinted wbri-ht-hiia, thetwosons are green, while both serpents are scarlet, with here. and there a mottling iof black. The other evening a practical joker got over the railing and placed a, battered hat on the head of each of the figures. Forest-jjate is nothing if not classical. 'j