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

SURVEYING ABYSSINIA. Mr. Weld-Blundell, a member of the well-known north-country family, has recently started on a return visit to Abyssinia wHere. he has already spent some considerable time. Mr. Weld-Blundeu succeeded during his former residence in the country iï1 winning the confidence of the Emperor Menelek", and the London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian believes that the main object of the explorer's present journey is to undertake a survey or some of the less well-known portions of genelilew Empirel He has high, regard for the Emperor, who is, fit. Weld-Blundell asserts, a man of quite excep- tional intelligence and political capacity, and by no means so ill-disposed towards British interests as the information that reaches JSurope through French and Russian sources would Ieatf us to suppose,"

1 §.your wife better this morning, do you think" asked ihfc doctor. Yes, indeed." Has some appe- tite?" "Well er—no; bnt she finds fault with -olerything I say or do. TftAJir (in the country): "Yes; I once rode er ♦heel, but I had ter give it up." Biker: "Why?™ Tramp Well, yer see, the. owner wuz com in' down the road behind JU, and the. policeman had a rooo stretched across in front." PROFESSOR lirl.PRECUT, who was the leader oi the American expedition to Nippur, is about, to start for the interior of Babylon, in order to explore the lowest parts of the ancient temple of Bel, and examine its structure and its history. It is now generally believed that the greater number of the Jews banished by Nebuchadnezzar settled in Nippur and the neighbour- hood, and that probably Nippur is one of the capital towns in the Kingdom of Nimrod named in the first book of.Moses.

FXiiLD AND FARM. (From" The Ag1 icultural Gazette.") ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. A-A in the affairs of life generally, so in relation to concerns, results are hardly ever as good as oiir ho;) or as bad as- our fears. Five weeks wro tilt1 J,!J"¡f>t'(;t of getfting all the wheat and other r crops sown in fair time, in additif)n.to har- v"Br.' £ i-r t'1". ni'tn-^el and potato crops, see'ned about hJ teul as: if colitcl well be. No sowing worth, mention- illt b< en done,, and very-little land had been But 'he drought broke up it). the nick 0;- ,p,e, and the season since tho middle of., Od lwr has been so remarkably favour- able to rapid progress that roots and tubers have boon Rifely harvested, while nearly alt the land for wliitit and other winter crops has been sown fender except iorv.lly favourable conditions. It appears to t he general impression that, by the end of the pres-nt month, the full area of wheat «own last st-asui; will have Leen drilled, though we shall not be sur^jr sed to find it a little reduced, because prices urcfuot tempting. The point is, however, that any <]<^4^nse in area will not be compulsory as the re?uft of ite Agcsin, in consequence of thf abnormal mildness of the autumn, and the conse- quent.growth of grass and the swelling of swpdes and tirnips, the stores of keep for live stock are likely to be ample for a winter of ordinary duration On the whole, then, the first stage in the new agri- cultural campaign has -been most agrefably dis- appointing. TTESP'ONSTBITRRRESR 'OF MANAGEMENT. The farmer (observes Professor John Wrightson' holds the reins of his entire business himself. He is neither secretary, treasurer, manager, director, 01 departmental controller, but he is all these put together, and upon him falls the entire burden. It is true that he may be assisted by competent men but tlrey accept no responsibility as to whether the business pays or loses. There are large issues upon which profit or loss depend, such as judicious cropping of fields, choice of stock, choice of the main objects of the management, whether, fot example, breeding, or fatting, sheep stock or horned stock, hard feeding or low feeding. These are im- portant matters which usually are settled once and for all, but a cardinal error may lurk in the systea-, pursued. If a wrong system is followed the farm, will probably lose money, although every detail may be well worked out. If, however, a good general system has been inaugurated, it still remains of utmost importance that the details should be rigorously and energetically carried through. New is a fitting time for reflection, and time will not be wasted in considering briefly what this means. A farmer needs to be always on the watch to guard against small losses. These are possible at any moment of every day, and among other duties the farmer must be as watchful as the policemanto check irregularities and enforce punctuality.: On every large farm there are numerous offices, all of which should be inspected. There are poultry houses and pig sties; calf houses, and cow bales; stables and fold yards, barns and grananes. Many of these are pos- sibly seldom visited, and when peeped into the effect is not always pleasant. There are, perhaps, accumu- lations of filth, suspicions of vermin, signs of waste, which require to be seen, and which mean unthrifty ness or unhealthiness in the occupants. Feeding must be regular, and lairs must be' clean, or at least whole- some, whether for poultry, calves, pigs, or bullocks. If well looked after stock thrive, but. if neglected they fall into an unthrifty state. Everyone must feel his conscience strike him for want of attention to some of these details. There are, however, larger issues even than these. There is the choice of foods and manures. No doubt scores of pounds may be thrown away by purchasing fraudulent foods and fertilisers, as well as by injudicious feeding and man- uring. Then there is labour, which entails daily ex- penditure. Too many or too few labourers may be employed, and time (money) may be daily wasted in bad labour arrangements. As to dishonesty, it is.a delicate subject, but a keen eye must of course be kept upon all stores, and especially upon the smaller sources of income, such as eggs, poultry, milk, and butter. Thus it is evident that an energetic farmer who looks daily after his multifarious business may make it pay, while one who lets things slide may easily lose a great deal of money. These thoughts are suggested at the present period, when it might be thought that there is little to occupy the farmer. There is always plenty to look after when there are stock and people. Neither are the above remarks penned in a censorious spirit, but rather from a vivid sense of the difficulty of managing a large holding, involving an expendi- ture of thousands a year, and a gross return which ought to leave a balance of profit. It is the daily waste or leakage which tells. All mistakes, acts of dishonesty, irregularity, cannot be avoided by the most Careful management; but it is well to remember that one, two, or perhaps even three pounds sterling may be frittered away easily in a day through want of careful supervision. One of the most important points lying at the foundation of successful farming is the amount arranged to be paid as rent. It is right that the owner of the land should have his due, but no greater incubus can be fastened round the neck of an en- deavouring farmer than an excessive rent. It is not sufficiently known among ratepayers that temporary reductions of rent must be taken into account by Assessment Committees if brought before their notice. FATTENING GEESE. Her flock of geese is now one of the chief cares of the thrifty farmwife. To get the birds into prime condition, and to scale as heavy a weight as possible, so that they may be disposed of to the best advan- tage, is the object aimed at; and in order that it may be accomplished it is necessary that the food supply is ample, nutritious, and well regulated, the housing warm and comfortable, and the birds disturbed as little as possible. If they have had a good meal daily since (Joining off the stubble, three weeks should bring1 them into a fit state for the market. If, however, they have been allowed to run down in condition, a longer period will be required. As a rule, there is plenty of room in the way of out-buildings on a farm, and a good roomy shefl, or bay, with a litter of chaff or short straw in an excellent place in which to bring them on. They may be let out for a quarter of an hoiir or so once or twiee daily, but only into the yard. Their meals should commence with a warm break- fast, especially if the weather be cold-barley meal mixed with sharps or oatmeal and boiled potatoes; the whole scalded with milk, if this is at hand, and it frequently is. This may be varied with wheat- meal, maizemeal (not too large a proportion of the latter), with chopped fat or greaves, and an occasional feed of corn. Plenty of the fat or greaves should be given during the last eight or ten days; it plumps 11 y them up wonderfully. Give them what they will eat, but do rot surfeit them, or allow stale or musty food to lie about in the troughs or pans. Fresh water for drinking purposes, cut green food, and grit must be supplied to them. FATTENING TURKY8. The birds selected for fattening purposes should be kept and fed apart from the stock birds if pos- sible. If the turkeys are in a fine, healthy condition, With smooth glossy plumage, they will come on Very rapidly when taken in hand to fatten. If they are tame. so much the better, as then any necessary handling for weighing and so on can be accomplished without flustering" them. Let them have their liberty. They will not range far when well fed, and heavy. They can then p;ck green food and grit for themselves. Barley meal, whole ground oats, wheat meal, and meal, mixed with milk, are excellent fattening foods for them. The, two first-named should be largely given. Potatoes boiled ani mashed may be added with advantage, also finely chopped fat, or pheasant greaves. Small corn and a few oats may be thrown to them occasionally to vary their diet. Let everything, the soft food especially, be fresh, sweet, and clean; no bird in the poultry yard appreciates such attention more than the turkey. The cramming method is now very generally employed when fattening them. In a short time they appear to take to it quite kindly. If a machine for the purpose is not readily available and there are many districts where such appliances have not yet penetrated—cramming by hand may be adopted. The work is quite simple. and needs but little prac- tice. Give the bird all it will eat, but when it. no longer swallows readily, stop feeding. The hand method is ratlier slow, but with practice one gains dexterity. I have fed a flock of 40 in this way; the birds, however, were very tame and this helped matters considerably.

I HAVE proposed to her just twelve times and shall not propose another time." II JT ow suoerstitious you Aro Mr. Sinks."

GARDENING GOSSIP. {From Cottage Gardening'*) FLOWKR GARDEN. ft is time all the necessary arrangements for making a bright display in spring were completed. The matnvials for dping this are cheopnnd abundant, and may to a large-extent bo'raised at home if the .right, srti-ps are taken at theT,proper time. I have often seen~someof my amateur friends sowing Wall- flowers, and other plants which require a lone season of growth; too late to be of any use., A very small sum well laid out will raise enouch plants of Wallilowers, Primulas. Canterbury Bel's, Sweet Williams, Forget-me-nots, Pansies. aid a few; hardy annuals to be sown in aittiitiin, not later than the first week in September. Tho biennials ehtiiild he sown in April, and pricked off as soon as large enough and planted in the beds and borders. The early flowering bulbs are very beautiful, especially Snowdrops and Datlodils. One never has too many of these, and they are never out of place; but 1 always think these early flowers look brightest and best when sheltered by shrubs or trees. I sometimes visit an old-fashioned garden where there are immense bushes of Lilacs and other flowering trees and shrubs, and round the margins of the lawn and among tho trees,clustering in some instances;round the trunks of the trees, are large clumps of Snowdrops. Crocuses, Daffodils, and other bulbs. Those who have a garden of this kind may plant all the bulbs they can obtain, and for this purpose those bulbs ofDaffs, Tulips, &c., which have been forced, are available. Planting operations are being carried out in many places now, and the ground is in splendid order now for planting Roses and hardy trees and shrubs generally but no one should plant without first preparing the site. To grow good Roses is easy enough in almost any soil if the land is deepened and improved with manure and good soil. GHRKNIIORSE. There app-ars to be a good deal of mildew on uto Chrysanthemums this season, especialJy among those plants that were struck early and confined in com- paratively small pots. For furnishing the green- house or to decorate the room the Chrysanthemums need not be struck before March, and we have a lot of plants in 6in. pots witbJeaves down to the bottom, perfectly clean, that were not struck till April. The latest of these plants does not exceed 3ft., many are dwarfer, and each carries from one to three blooms of good size-not large enough for exhibition, of course, but quite as large as one wants for home decoration. Do not use too much fire heat, and give abundance of air-flowers soon decay in a close, moist atmosphere. We are leaving our cool plant houses open a little along the ridge all night up to the present, with manifest advantage. MCSII ROOM-BEDS. These may be made up now, preferably in build- ings, such as a large old barn or cellar, and the more beds the place will contain the better, as the heat from their fermentation will keep the temperature of the "house about right. WINDOW GARDEN. There is not much to do now. Bulbs may be potted for succession." Hyacinths should be placed in glasses and kept in the dark to make roots. Joss Lilies can be started now in bowls, the bulbs sur- rounded by pebbles. "<-O-Å- J HOW TO GROW VIOLETS. Few plants are more improved by good soil and generous culture than the Violets. In preparing a bed for them the soil can scarcely be made too rich, provided it is in an open position and well drained,t and under such conditions there should be no lack as to quantity or quality of bloom. They thrive well in a moderately heavy rich soil. If it happens to be light and gravelly some stiff material and plenty of manure must be added to it, and if poor and clayey it will be benefited by the addition of some sharp, gritty matter and abundance of rotten manure. Aspect,, too, is quite as important as tlie proper preparation of the ground. Violets require shelter, but not that of a wall. Their natural shelter is a hedgerow, in which position they get, currents of pure air, which are so essential for keeping down red spider and for maintaining the foliage in a healthy state. In town gardens and other gardens surrounded by high walls, they are seldom healthy. They grow well on the north or north-east side of a Ilornbean hedge, pro- vided it is somewhat naked at bottom so as to allow the sun to shine on their leaves early in. spring, and able also to afford a partial shade in summer. When, however, the soil is deep and rich, they will bear a considerable amount of .sunshine without injury. It is well to have a few plants of them in different positions in the garden, so as to ensure a succession of blootn. On south, borders they often dwindle and die, but a few roots on sunny banks will produce some early pickings. Violets of all kinds are easily increased by means of cuttings made from stout short runners, rejecting all that are wiry and hard, and they should not be taken from plants that have grown in pots or under glass. The cuttings should be taken off the first week in April if they are in- tended to bloom next year, put under hand-lights in a shady border, and kept cjoge until they have begun to grow, when the lights may be tilted up a little to admit air, gradually increasing this until at last they are wholly dispensed with. By September they will be ready for transplanting, when they may be set out, in beds 4ft. wide, three rows in a bed, 1ft. apart. This will afford space to hoe between the rows when they are growing. They will soon spread and fill the beds; but they must not be allowed to remain more than two, or, at the most, three years in the same place,, or the flowers will become small and short-stemmed. If they are per- mitted to remain more than two years on the same piece of ground, they.must receive either liberal top- dressings of rotten manure or copious applications of manure-water. Another mode of propogation, which is perhaps attended with the least trouble, is as soon as they have done blooming to get a few large plants, and tear them into as many pieces as possible, with a. little bit of root attached to each piece. Little pieces without roots may be placed under hand-lights and treated the same as cuttings. The Russian and the larger form, the Czar, are the best to grow, and if in good .order plants should produce a succession of flowers from early in October until late in the spring. NASTURTIUMS. The clinching forms of Nasturtiums, if of tho common large-flowered type, undoubtedly do exhibit some coarseness that is not desirable in garden flowers, but still, if employed to run over and hide ugly fences, tree-stumps,, roots, or any similar things ungainly and not too near to the eye, they are useful and even effective. But the Lobbianum forms, such as Brilliant, Firefly, &c., even if raised from seed, usually give less coarseness and more correct colours in the flowers. The best reatil-a come from plants raised from cuttings, and it is very easy indeed to keep a few stock pots of the&e through the winter in a greenhouse on a shelf near the glass. It is better still to have a few plants of these rich coloured climbers, obtained from June cuttings, put into 8in. pots and stood in the green- house, so that they can be easily trained under the roof to give bloom during the winter. Such plants prove not only to be exceedingly graceful during that season, but furnish a great profusion of flowers. Plants put out into beds and pegged to run thinly over the soil, and having above them pot plants of white Fuchsias, Tobaccos, or similar things, are during the summer very effective. Dwarf Tropneo- luina, especially the Tom Thumb type, come easily and very true from seed. Their season, however, is not a long one, and they usually produce an excess of leafage. The best of the dwarf forms are those of the compactum strain, because they bloom for so long a season. There are of these sulphur, yellow, carmine, scarlet, crimson, and maroon, all very free and true; but the best, no doubt, are the yellow, ecarlet, and crimson. To get plants into flower early, sowing under glass in April, transplant- ing at the end of May where to bloom in advisable. All the varieties can be propagated readily from cut- tings put thickly into pots early in September. Plants so produced are rather less leafy, more free flowering, and certainly come absolutely true to colour.

I IJIKB less exalted people, her Majesty has poor re- lations-poor for the position which they are called to occupy—and many of them are relieved of pecuniary difficulty by a timely cheque from her hand at Christmas. Then there are the old and infirm dependants, and for these there are comfortable woollen goods, sometimes made by the Queen's own hands, for she is fond of a little plain knitting. She uses. says the Young Woman, large bone needles and double Berlin wool. It amuses her to make com- forters and cuffs ready for Christmas presents, but. it is only special favourites within the'.Royal Family circle, or amongst old retainers, who arp, honoured with these gifts.

PLAYING AT SWEETHEARTS: A HOLIDAY ROMANCE. Heigh ho, I; I -am really to lazy to 61th. This soft wind and babbling stream and all the rest of it affeds me like a narcotiq., Giiess 111 obey the voice of naturo and take a nap. Hello, what's this? A letter? What kind fairy sends one to me in this isolated spot ? Let me me. With his rod, Basil Elmott deftly fished from the etream a folded paper. The water had not been ab- sorbed, nd., upon the outside he read, "Wanted—a Sweetheart." Ah! this excites my curiosity. I must see tho contents. Wanted, a sweetheart for two weeks. He must be a gentleman, well educated, a fine dancer, not afraid of a horse, the possessor of a good name. He must know how to make love gracefully. A tall man preferred. One fulfilling these requirements may obtain a temporary situation and receive a cheque for one hundred pounds at the expiration of the two weeks for services rendered." I" Well I of all original advertisements this takes the cake! I wonder who wrote it, and where it came from I" And handsome, careless Basil Elmott threw back his head and laughed. Queer," he ruminated, "that it should fall into my hands just now, when Fm eager for a new sensation. Phew! she offers a good price-one hundred pounds for two weeks. Some "rich old maid, I guess, who never had a lover. Wonder if she requires many kisses in public? In that case the salary is none too high. Ill try to find out who wrote this, and scribble an answer. How must I begin ?- Fortunately she has left some blank sheets of paper. I like this vertical style of penmanship. 4 Wanted—a Sweetheart. Must be a lady, young, good looks a speciality. She must dance without stepping on her partner's toes; must understand how to sit in a buggy without clutching the reins if the horse goes out of a walk. Must not giggle or expect to be kissed in public. If sentiment is required, she must receive it with maidenly modesty. Cheque for services rendered must be cashed promptly at the expiration of two weeks, and the transaction kept secret, the parties interested to meet hereafter as strangers.' It would be fun if I could send her letter to the rightful owner. I must see if anyone at the hotel recognises the writing." Hello, what's this— rain ? A storm brewing, I must seek refuge in the mill. Now for a run." Basil Elmott was a writer on a big daily paper. He had come to this quiet neighbourhood for a tem- porary rest. Two years previously he had been engaged to a worldly beauty who discarded him when she learned that he had lost his property. His pride was more deeply affected than his heart by her rejection nevertheless he Had fought shy of women ever since. Now, however, he had met at the hotel where both were staying a girl who strangely at- tracted him. Miss Weston was not especially beauti- ful, but si certain dignity and repose about her at- tracted Basil. He had endeavoured to induco hertp talk, dance, or go driving with him, but she in- variably declined, and met all Ms overtures with & coldness that provoked him. He wondered if she knew he was considered a "good catch," having re- covered his lost money. He almost decided to re- main here for the entire month, and force her to succumb to his power of fascination, just to teach her a lessoil-the proud little thing! He had been thinking something like this while he pretended to fish. The rain caused the night to fall quickly-it was an afternoon in the latter part of Septeniber-and every minute it grew darker and colder. Basil, shivering in his wet clothing, threw his coat aside when he reached the mill, and finding some matches and dry wood soon had, a,fire in, the rusty stove. Good this is more comfortable. Let her blow- who cares ?" he said. With a yawn of coptent. q stretched his long limbs out to the cheerful blaze, closed his eyes, and was almost asleep when he was startled by a sounds and felt, rather than perceived, that he was not alone. Peering in the direction of the window, he was sur- prised to discern a woman standing there, and to hear her say: Will you please tell me the time ?" Quickly Basil threw another piece of wood upon the fire which illuminated the room, glanced at his watch and answered Half past five o'clock. Miss Weston! Pardon me-I did not know you were here. I suppose, like myself, you sought shelter from the stolm. Won't you come nearer to the fire?" No, thank you I am not cold. I was not caught by the rain. I have been here all the afternoon." Didn't you find it dreary ?" No, I wanted to be alone." "Indeed t Then I am sorry I intruded; but until the rain abates, I fear you will have to let ire shattl your eetreat." Certainly," she coolly responded. Basil felt < thrill of resentment at her demeanour, and yet was rather glad that the storm compelled them, for a time, to be dependent upon each other for company. From his position he could obtain a good view of her profile as the firelight flashed upon her. She had seated herself upon a rude bench by. the window, her hands, clasped in front of her, her eyes, with a'fixed, strained expression, gazing into the; dark clouds above the swaying branches of the trees. For some time neither of them spoke she seemed to have entirely forgotten his presence, so absorbed was she in her meditations. Basil felt no qualms of conscience as he noted the unconscious grace of her position, admired the tight- fitting, airy white dress, with the light wrap falling, forgotten, half around her. He wondered if she knew how long were her eyelashes, and thought the, little. curls. and waves of her hair very prettily arranged. He wished lie knew why she appeared so pensive and sad, and wondered what she saw OlJt, there in the darkness. Did she know how late.itwas growing? Perhaps she wanted more light. Happy- thought. There before him,#n the shelf or mantel, he saw a candle in a Mack bottle. Iffe lit it, ano glanced again in the., direction of the,girl. She thad risen, and was looking around and about her,, as if searching for something. j < "What is it? Have you lost anything?') C»njl; help you find it?" Basil politely, inquired. No-y.s:that is, it does not make any differ-, ence; I dropped a letter, I think." Were you writing here ?" j "Yes; I had nothing to do, so I scribbled to while away the time. I suppose the wind blew rny effu8j0p; away it was awfully careless of me." She blushed and appeared embarrassed as shp drew a stool nearer to the fire and continued to turn the leaves of the blotting-book she carried., Basil, noticed her confusion, and thought she must hive, been writing to her lover. Aloud, he said-he knew, it was rude, but he was unaccountably jealous of this unkn,,own, lover- "To whom was the letter addressed? Perhaps I may find it for you after, I)ie rain is over." Again the colour mantled her face as she said; No, ho! I hope, I pray, you won't look for it^ Really, it is not of any importance." "Just as you please," he answered, while he inwardly vowed he would make a diligent search for the missing sheet, and satisfy his curiosity by look- ing at the address. Then he remembered the letter, the advertisement, he had answered. Could she have written it ? Now to punish her for her cool- ness Taking the letter from his pocket he walked leisurely to Miss Weston, and placing it in her lap returned to his former position, bending upon her a mischievous gaze as he said Will you kindly read that note? Perhaps TOU can help me find the owner of it." A smothered- exclamation escaped her as she read the superscription. One indignant flash of the eye she bestowed upon him, then began to read. When she reached the end she sprang to her feet, ex- claiming: How dare you ask me to read this? Where is my own letter? Is not that your letter?" ¡ "You know it is not! You wrote this yourself. Now give me mine." Miss Weston He had actually given her the advertisement he had written. "I—really, 1t "118 a mistake, believe me. I thought I handed you the letter you had written. I fished it out of the Water this afternoon, and just for the joke of the thing I answered it. I had no idea you wrote it. Here it is. Will you forgive me?" "There is nothing to forgive, only I shall be glad if yon will keep silent in reference to this matter ?" It shall be a secret between you and 1. But I wish you would tell me why you wrote such an extra- ordinary document." She coloured, then said frankly: "It is rather extraordinary, I admit, Mr. Elmott, and rba it is only fair that I should tell you all about it., I do want a sweetheart and for just two I weeks, during which time Harold Lamar and his betrothed, Vera Morton, will be guests at the hotel." t Miss Morton ?" Basil rppeagted, wit^i a start; Do jro» know ber ?'r 1 I know of her—she succeeded me in the affec- tions of Mr. Lamar. I am a jilted girl, Mr. Elmott. Do you begin; to understand ithe situation? I have not met Harold for two years. I don't want him to think I am wearing the willow for him, therefore I do want a temporary sweetheart. That is why, having nothing better to do, I wrote that foolish scrawl, in- tending, of course, to destroy it immediately." Are you not afraid to meet the rascal again ? Do you love him still ?" "Don't you, can't you comprehend? I have a perfect contempt for him But I would like to show him that someone appreciates me if he did not. He must not think I am pining for him." l,tinderstand you now. I also have a cohfession to make and debt to pay, for Vera Morton was once engaged to me, and threw me over. Now suppose we make a bargain, you and 1. Why can we not make ourselves useful to each other by playing that we are sweethearts while the two are here?" Are you sure it would not be a tax upon you ?" she doubtfully asked. Quite sure," Basil cheerfully responded. In fact, I shall rather like it. Up to this time you haven't treated me at all well; it is time for you to make amends." "I have no faith in men," she murmured. "I thought you merely desired a flirtation, and so- You have no objection to me, personally ?" Oh, no," she quickly responded. How could I ?" Then the matter is settled, and you will be my little sweetheart?" There is an eager light in his eyes as he makes the request, and she thrills at the knowledge that he loves her. Then she timidly says: You are not asking this in pity, or because I confided in you ?" "On my honour, no I really mean it." Then I accept you for my sweetheart while they are here but remember, I have no faith in the vows of man, and everything I say or do will only be pretence." We will settle that question later," said Basil, quietly. "See-the rain has ceased. I shall expect you-to go driving with me to-morrow, and lead off in dancing at night. Permit me to wrap this shawl more snugly around you-and give me your hand, sweetheart." Is that necessary ? I thought our bargain began to-morrow ?" As she spoke they arrived at the open door; a [>uff of wind extinguished the candle, and they were eft in darkness. "No, I claim my sweetheart to-night; we will leave the darkness behind us." She gave him her hand, echoed his glad, triumphant laugh, and they ran gayly out into the night. » # # The rest may be guessed.

FRENCH FRUIT IN THE ENGLISH MARKET. The continued supply of extra fine, choice English walnuts this year has, says the Fruit-Orower and Florist, created a great sensation in French walnut sending circles. Already a very serious effect is being produced among those engaged in the French fruit trade through the Extraordinary increase in the supply of choice fruits this season from home centres ot production. It seems that the French fruit traders have a very serious prospect before them, and it is possible, in another year or two at the latest, that many of the French fruit trading companies will be in queer straits, through the permanent and in- creasing competition on the part of English growers. All engaged in the French fruit trade have recog- nised the serious turri in affairs, and they know from the experience bern the past' season that the competi- tion with forced asparagus will be more serious than ever, threatening, as it must, the very existence of the French asparagus trade with the markets of the United Kingdom.

MUSICAL DEGREES. Sir Frederick Bridge has won his fight concerning musical degrees at Oxford. A certain number of non-musicians wished, to alter the practice of the past 400 years and to insist upon three years' refci- denceand the B.A., degree before a musical degree could be granted. This, of course, would shut out from musical degrees all but the rich and leisured, while it has proved a conspicuous failure at Cam- abridge, where during the past six years,only two j'persons have taften' even the lower degree, rrolessor Bridge presented the other day to the Hebdomadal Council a memorial signed by 170 Oxford musical -graduates against the proposed change, which the Council accordingly, after a prolonged debate, decided should not take place, i

KIONDYKK EXPEDITION/ Some interesting particulars have just been re- ling par ceived concerning the Swedish Expedition which went to Klondyke last year under the leadership of Herr Otto Nordenskiold. The expedition was seat, out by Herr Ek, banker, of Stockholrp, who ex- pended about £ 5500 over it, but the money appears to have been well, spent. Its purpose was bobli scientific and commercial', and 'its results are statdd to have been very satisfactory, partly due to the fact that the staff of the missiori consisted of competent men ig the several departments.' Herr Nordenskiold and/his scientific cplleagufs' are the first geologists who have examined. tfce.nejiv goldfield methodically, and on this account the special reports may be looked forward to with more than usual interest. From his investigations in the country of the Pelly and Stewart Rivers Herr Nordenskiold arrives at the conclusion that, compared with what may be achieved in tha, Klondyke district proper, all other gold finds in the'/JTukon territory are of little value. The' Klondyke district he regards as the country bordered on the north by the Klondyke River, oil the south by the Indian River, on the west by the Yukon River, and on the east by the Ofd Gold Creek. Herr Nordenskiold, soon after his arrival at Dawson City, took up several claims, which are now being worked by the personnel Of the expedition, and are said to posses a value of £ 150,000. The ^ndicate at the back of the Swedish Klondyke Expedition, of which, among others, Baron A. E. N ordenskiölá i, à member, is to be turned into a Limited Liability Company. Tlfe object of the company, however, is not the working of gtold mines in Klondyke, but the acquisition of claims, their combination into blocks suitable for organised mining, and the formation of Mfnfng Com- panies for the block system. It Ys mentioned in the Report that Dawson City, "where bn! Sepfeinber jj, 1896, a single gold-digger settled, is now a town of 35,000 inhabitants, and that quito recently the city petitioned the Canadian Go- vernment for Municipal Institutions, and Illil right to elect a member to the Dominion Parlia- liament. Dawson City, the seat of the adminis- tration of the Yukon district, is stated to be as safe as any other large city; and that murder and theft are unknown in the Vallfcj. • ■ Tfae further astounding statement U raade that, gold,to tle,-Yaltm- of thou- 47 sands may be left unguarded, and that no one thinks of locking his door. Two newspapers appear in Dawson City, the Klondyke Miner and the Kur/qef, which supply the gold diggers with current neVs; and, in American fashion, make war on each other. The city possesses one church. There is no lack of amusenieats in Dawson City.- There are already two theatres, a number of music-halls, and dancing- saloons, gambling-dens, and cafes. Tlie inevitable Salvation Army has established a headquarters there. It is expected that next summer the town will be put- in telegraphic communication with the rest' put- in telegraphic communication with the rest' of the world.

A PRINCE FOR A NIGHT, The Wilhelm's Palace, of Stuttgart, was t^Ke theatre of a piece of comical impudence tlie other day. A man climbed up to a first-floor window in the palace. Finding the same open he went in and immediately made himself at home in the bedroom (for such it was), which "had only some time before been vacated by a Prince. He took off his boots and placed them ■ outside the door "for them to becleaned; smoked a cigar, and taking up some writing-paper and envelopes bearing the royal arms he wrote several letters to the king and others. Thereafter he went to bed. Next morning he shewed himself in the corridor in liis shirt, but it was only when he presented himself in I all his clothes that the servants noticed they had an. unbidden guest. He maintains he is of princely blood, and the authorities are inquiring as to the balance of his judgment..

YACHTSMEN AND KAISER. The German Emperor has accepted the address of the owners of the yachts that competed in June last for the Heligoland Cup presented by His Majesty, and desires Mr. Cecil Quentin, the owner of the win- ning yacht Merrythought, to convey his best thanks to the other signatories. In forwarding his wishes Rear-Admiral Baron von Senden, A.,D.C,.Ifstates that His Majesty was much grated 'ari<l .*er. much affected by' the -tetior-oP the liddress the text of which was as follows To His Jth'Jjeri.al Majesty the German Emperor,—May it please your Majesty, we the undersigned coulpetitors in the recent raCe 9 last June from Dover to Heligoland for the Cup. .and other prizes so generously presented by your Ma jesty for'Engli sh cruisers, are 'desirous of re- Ii s^ectfiitly conveying to*y<}\ir Majesty an appreciation of the hoTiour confrt"en upon us; moreover, we are isrfiteerelv thankful foflhe opportunity afforded us by your' Majesty's gfaeioufe •hospitality of becoming ap- iqawintpd with many members'of the German yacht- ing community, £ tndtrust thafcwe maybe permitted to record our observation during the Kiel week of tlie high standard to which, under the guidance of your Majesty, yacht racing in Germany hap hi compara- tively few years attained; not only in regard to the :B&ential teehnical and scientific details, but in the )nrrtl:ttifestations on the part of the Germans of that :tfibrongh spirit of sportsmanlike behaviour without .whifcfo all sueh exhibitions of friendly meeting become .ineffectrve, if not impossibles We could not fail to note the kindly feeling shown on all sides upon the note the kindly feeling shown on all sides upon the success of an English yacht, nor the more subtle courtesy apparent in the entire absence of expressions of exultaticih at the well-merited triumphs of Gernnn1- built yachts over their English-built competitors. Further,'we hope we may, without overstepping the bounds of'this respectful address, venture to express the belief that the cordiality established in; the world of sport by means of such triendly meetings between the subjects of the two nations brought about under the auspices of your Majesty, will June more far-reaching consequences, and may not be without effect upon the destinies of the two great branches of the Teutonic race in Europe."

M. JEAN DE ItiszKF IS well known to be a breeder of horscs, and has won many prizes for his stud. Another great Wagnerian tenor, Heinrich Vogl, the. original [Loge in Der [Ring des Nibelungen bo h at Bayreuth and at, her Majesty's Theatre. London, has just carried off a prize for his breed of cows at the Agricultural Show of Bavaria, held at Munich. M. Paderewski, the pianist, has Qn his estate in Poland also recently taken to the breeding of Scotch cattle.1 There seems, indeed, to have recently sprung up among eminent musicians quite a fsishion for horse and cattlg treedinsr.

DEVILLED MUTTON.—Take some very thin slices of, lean mutton, lioz. of butter, one tablespoonful of red-currant jelly, two tablespoonfuls of vinegar, one., small teaspoonful of made mustard, a pinch each of, black pepper, salt and cayenne. Put the butter into an enamelled or copper saucepan, add the jelly, vinegar, and seasoning; make slightly hot, add tl'te slices of mutton, turning them about in the liquid'to get warmed.but on no account allowing them :to, hQI., Have ready a slice of hot buttered toast, withollti crust, put the slices of meat on this; boil up the sSi»uco: and pour it over the meat, serving quite hot. Miss LA FITTE: "Mr. Spconer is a husband." De Witte: Yes they say he treats his wife as if he were a candidate for election and sho .were a voter," "I WILI, you have some of the sugar-cured ham?' asked the landlady. "What was it cured of asked the new boarder, suspiciously. Y.: Do vou think Ike ev, I- lies' about the fish he catches?" c.: I don f; but I think he lies about the doesn t calch." I

SQUARE PEGS IN ROUND HOLES. There are more square pegs in round holes amon £ the clergy than in any other body of men I have ever- come across (says Martin West" in the Church Gazette). It is not an exagr*ration to say that one-quarter of the clergy with whom I have been on more or less friendly terms have owned that they wished their lines had fallen in different places. The stories are strangely alike, and were it not for their individual pathos, they would be monotonous. Many are not removed from pure tragedy. Just now the evil is a-good deal accentuated by the hardness of telerical times. It would hardly be fair to lay the- ,whole fault; at the door of our patronage system, though that is responsible for the majority of cases. To, take one: A gentleman I knew did so well at hi. 'Varsity that he gained a Fellowship and took Orders. I expect when be took Orders he had an eye to one of the comfortable livings that his college had in its gift. Years passed, and the University life grew into his soul, but love is, as we are often tol< all conquering, and it was too strong for him. He accepted the next vacant living, which, as it happened, was in value not one to be despised, and married. The lady he wedded was very charming and unintellectual. The living lay in a district famous for its beautiful scenery, but remote from the paths of men, and his- parishionerspeople who- cared for naught but hay and sheep, and to whom book learning was a thing to be viewed as Mus- sulmans view a lunatic-something to be respected, yet undesirable. His wife and increasing family forbade him to give up the living, and he strove con- scientiously to adapt himself to his people. From year's end to year's end he had few chances of intel- lectual conversation, and he was a truly wretched man. In a city church, or a cathedral pulpit, he would have been useful; among his clodhoppers all he could do was to empty his church. He was a square peg in around hole. Another man suffered 'equally from exactly con- trary reasons. He was a West country man, brought up in the sound of the sea, and knowirg and loving fisherman nature. He got a London curacy, and, attracting the notice of a patron who admired his zeal, he got a living in Suburbia. Having no other choice be accepted it, and is set down for life among people with whom he has no possible sympathy, anck who look upon him as hardly respectable, not to say improper. Given a sea-board parish he would be a most useful cleric, as it is he is a bye-word and a scoffing. Such cases as these are sadly common. I have known men who would have attracted half the farmers for, five miles round get down in East London parishes. One man. owned that he had only one happy day in the week, and that was the day when, in mufti, he attended tha cattle market at Islington. Another man, who knew and- appreciated the North country factory hand, was set down in a fashionable London parish, the life of which jarred almost as much on him as he did on his parishioners. Then, again, I have known a sensitive, scholarly man placed in charge of a lot of Staffordshire miners; What he thought, of them, and they thought of him, I dare not say; his rural dean, rather unjustly, considers the parish a blot on the man. One of the worst cases 1 know is that of a good ma* who is neither a scholar, nor, in the received sense, a gentleman, who has charge of a country parish where the people, ii not particularly intellectual, fancy they are, and entertain immense; respect for Herald's College. He is conscious of his deficieaces, and assumes an atti- tude of humility not consonent with the position ol a parish priest. He is quite aware that he occupies a position un'o which he was not born/')aird goes among his parishioners in a state of perspiration, caused by'his endeavours to support his dignity. II he could only get among the shipbuilders on Tyne- side,,he would be a useful parish priest.

BLASTING A SMOKE STACK. The proprietor of some, brick works in Lorinoa- nyarolo, Hungary, wished to replace an octagonal smoke slack, resting on a square base 16Mt. high, by a new chimney. Being anxious-rtp get, the work done quickly, he aaked the commander of a pioneer regiment whether they would blast the chimney. Such appeals to the military authorities (says Engineermg) are not rare on the Continent, where soldiers, are sometimes called upon to carry out the mandates of the courts of jusiiqe. If, the smoke stack in ques- tion had been declared to constitute a danger for the buildings abound, and the proprietor had been (dila- tory in removing it, soldiers might have done it against his will. In this case Lieut.-CoI'oneI"Tangel conducted the operations. The chiuaney had a height of 135ft., and walls 3ft. ip thickness lm- mediately above the hape, the .bricks were taken out on both sides, so that tvpo openings, 3ft. high, were produced, leaving the three faces of the back and about one face and two-thirds in front intact. This was done by four men in nine hours. The chimney'was to fall on the ground in front, build- ings being too near in other directions. The hlasfr- ing agent was not put in boreholes, but placed against the outer surface of the pillar which had been left standing in front. In order to spare 'the base., the ecrasite," which is essentially picrio acid, was fired about lOin. above the base, one mine charged with 151b. of ecrasite being placed on the frdnt face, and two mines of 111b. each on the remaining portions of the adjoining lateral faces. The ecrasite was kept in position by sandbags. The three mines were fired simultaneously. The chimiiey was seen to shake violently and then to topple over slowly. It fell Exactly in the desired direction, and the dtbris' formed a regular heap of the1 outline of a bottle, with its greatest breadth of 56ft. at a distance of 66ft. from the base. The external diameter of the chimney was 12ft. and 'the chimney base was 17ft. square. From the line of greatest breadth the heap tapered equally in both directions. It had a length of 190ft. and a minimum height of 10ft. about the region of minimum width. The space immediately adjoining tbe "rase was clear of fragments, as was to be expected; the base had, however, a crack extending down the. wfiole trpnt. The "pricks from the upper portions of the chimney simply fell apart, those of the lower third'were rhos'fly'broken. Observers standing on both side's of |"he smoke"stacking during the blasting did riot notice.any rush of the air. In the direction of the fall, however, the air pressure was strong enough to break" the windows of a house situated at a distance of 260ft. not quite in the axial line though, and of workshops almost 500ft. away.

THREE WOULD-BE KINGS. The German cruiser Falke has arrived at San Francisco from Samoa. Her captain says that there are three candidates for the Kingship of the Islands. The Catholics adhere to Mataafe; the Protestants are in favour of Tamasese; aind.Tanu, the son of Malietoa, is the third candidate. Germany has the Falke and the Buzzard, and Great Britain has two cruisers stationed at Apia. Thair presence alone, according to the captain of the Falke, prevents bloodshed, for which the natives are fully ripe.