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

THE PREVENTION OF EXPLOSIONS IN MINES. The distinguished professor of geology, Edward Süss, has just delivered a lecture in the Geological In- stitute, Vienna, upon the means of preventing explo- sions in mines. A large audience, including Archduke Renier, had assembled to hear him. The Professor said The supposition that atmospheric pressure has an influence on the development of explosive gases in mines has been repeatedly expressed by English ex- perts, and barometers have consequently been placed in many English mines. Frencb and German experts, on the contrary, have hesitated to give an opinion. Experiments have been made in two shafts at Ivarwin in order, if possible, to obtain positive results. These experiments are still beingeontinued. The first report upon them was published in July of this year, and demonstrated that whenever the barometer sinks the quantity and intensity of explosive gases increase. A further comparison shows that of the five great catas- trophes in recent times, four-namely, those of Ostrau, on October 8, 1884; Karwin, March 6, 1885; Saarbriicken, March 18, 1885; and Clifton Hall, June 18, 1885—took place when the barometer was sinking; whereas the explosion of Dombrau, on Maich 27, 1885, is attributed to coal dust. Thus, these experiments confirm the opinions ex- pressed by Mr. Cowen in the House of Commons in 1879, and prove the great importance of barometric observations for coal mines. The weather charts, the publication of which extends from year to year, will in future have to be provided by all the administra- tions of such mines in Austria. A regulation is already in force at the mines of Karwin to the effect that at the approach of a barometric depression in all the dangerous places the blasting works are to cease, and in case the danger increases work is to be entirely suspended. This regulation will have to be univer- sally attended to."

NEW MAYORS. I Subjoined is a list of newly-elected Mayors ABERAVON.—Mr. R. Jenkins (L.). ABERYSTWITII.—Councillor George Green (L.). AisINGI)o.i.-Alderman John Thornhill Morland (C.). ACCRINGTON.—Alderman Smith (L.), re-elected third time. | AUDOVER.—Alderman Charles Herbert (C.), re- elected. APPLEBY.—Alderman Thomas Wilson (L.). AR U-IDEL. -Councillor C. Bartlett (C.). AsIlTO'l- u-, D E:R- LYNF.. -Alderman James Walker (C.), re-elected, third time. BACUP.—A.dermaj W. J. Clegg, M.D. (L.), re- elected. BANBURY.—Mr. William Johnson (L.). BANGOS.—Alderman Thomas Lewis (L.). BARNSLEY.—Mr. H. Pigott (L-), re-elected. BARNSTAPLE.—Mr. Alexander Lander (L.). BARROW-IN-FURNESS.—Alderman Townsend (L.). BASINGSTOKE.—Councillor John May (C.). BA TII.—Mr. Anthony Hammon, J.P. (C.). I BATLEY—Councillor J. J Jubb (L.), re-elected. BEAUMARIS.—Sir Richard Bulkeley (L.). BECCLSS.—Mr. Edward Masters (L.). BEDFORD.—Mr. Edwin Ransom (L.). BERWICK.—Alderman Alder. BEVERLEY.—Councillor T. Taylor, re-elected. BIDEFORD.—Mr. Alexander G. Duncan (C.). BUKENHEAD.—Mr. John Laird (C.). BIRMINGHAM.—Alderman Thomas Martineau, (L.), re-appointed. BLACK B vEtN.-Councillor FarrerBaynes (C.). BLACKPOOL.—Alderman M'Naughton (C.). BLANDFORD.—Councillor Luff (C.). BODMIM.— Mr. Thomas Baron (C.). BOLTO. Alderman T. Fletcher (C.), re-elected. BOOTLE.-Dr. Hill (L.) BOSTON.—Mr. John Cabourn Simonds (L.). BRADFORD.—Alderman Thomas Hill (C.). BRIDGNORTH.—Councillor Edward Morrall (C.). BRIDGWATER.—Mr. Alfred Garrett Barnham (L.). BRIDPoRT.-Alderman James Beach (L.). BRIGHTON. Alderman E. J. Beeves (C.), re- elected.. BRISTOL.—Mr. Charles Wathen (L.), re-elected. BUCKINGHAM.—Alderman Edward Harper Ridg- way (C.) BURNLEY.—Alderman George Keighley (L.). BURSLEM.—Mr. S. Oldham (C.). BCRTON-ON-TKENT.—Alderman T. B. Lowe (L.), re- elected. BURY (LANCASHIRE).—Mr. J. Burrow (L.). BURY Sr. EDMUNDS.—Mr. George John Oliver (C.). CA.LE.-Alderman Harris (L.), re-elected fourth time. CAMBRIDGE.—Alderman William Beales Redfarn (C.), third year in succession. CANTERBURY.—Mr. William Robert Young (C.). CARDIFF.—Councillor David Edgar Jones (L.). CARLISLE.—Mr. J. A. Wheatley (C.). CARMARTHEN.—Mr. Thomas Mostyn Davies (L.). ip CARNARVON.—Alderman Lewis Lewis (L.), re- elected. CHARD.—Mr. F. G. England (C.). CHELTENHAM.—Mr. George Parsonage (C.), re- elected, fourth time. CHKSTER.—Mr. George Dickson (C.). CHESTERFIELD.—Alderman T. P. Wood (C.). CHICHESTER.—Councillor A. S. Bostock (C.), re- elected. CHIPPENHAM. —Mr. Edmund M. Awbry (C.). C IIIPI'I'IG !N'OitTO-,i.-Mr. Alfred Adolphus Webb (L.). CLIORLICY,-Aldernaan John Heald (C.). CLITHIROE.—Alderman James Garnett, fourth time. COLCHESTER.—Mr. Henry Laver (C.). CONGLETON.—Alderman Salt (L.), re-elected. CONWAT.—Mr. D. P. Davies, re-elected (L.). COVENTRY.—Mr. James Maycock (C.), second time. CKEWE.—Alderman Whale. CROYDON.—Alderman Reuben Vincent Barrow, J.P. (L.). DARLINGTON.—Mr. Joseph K. Wilkes (0.). DARTMOUTH.—Mr. F. C. Simpson (C.). DARWEN.—Mr. T. Lightbown, M.A., J.P. (L.), re- elected. DEAL. Mr. A. E. Ralph (L.). D ENKIGH.—Mr. Robert Humphreys Roberta (L.). DERBY.—Councillor Charles Leech (L.). DEVIZES.—Mr. George H. Mead (L.). DEWSBURY.—Alderman T. B. Fox (L.), re-elected. DONCASTER.-—Alderman Hough (L.), re-elected. DORCHESTER.—Mr. G. J. G. Gregory (C.), fourth time. DOVER.—Mr. W. J. Adcock (C.). DUDLEY.—Alderman William Elwell Walker (C.). DUNSTABLE. -Councillor Sinkwell (L.). DURHAM.—Mr. Samuel Holdsworth (L.). EASTBOUP.Nr,Alderman Boulton (C.). EVESHAM.—Mr. Horace Eyre Haynes (C.), re- elected. EXETER.—Mr. R. R. M. Daw (C.). EYE.-Mr. Henry James Barnes (C.), re-elected. FALMOWTII.—Mr. Richard Carter (L.). FAVEESIIAM.—Mr. Lewis Shrubsole (C.)., re-elected. FLINT.—Alderman Alfred I)yson, first time. FOLKESTONE.—Alderman John Banks (C. GATESIIEAD.—Alderman M'Dermott (L.), re- elected. GLASTONBURY.—Alderman John George Lawrence Bullied (L.). Gi.ossor.—Councillor William Dawson (C.). GLOUCESTER.—Mr. Trevor Powell (L.), re-elected. GODALMING.—Councillor W. Tanner (L.). GOD.MANCIIESTER.—Mr. F. R. Burt (C.). GRANTHAM.—Alderman Wand. GKAVUSEND.—Councillor William Fletcher (C.). GRIMSBY.—Alderman H. Smethurst (L ). GUILDrOlID.-Councillor John Mason (C.), re- elected. HALIFAX.—Alderman Richard Horsfall (L.). HA-LEY.—Mr. J. Shirley 'C.). HAKTLETOOL.—Dr. Rawlings, J.P. (C.), re-elected. HARWICH.—Alderman John Henry Yaux, J.P. (C.), fourth time. H.T1"Gs.-Mr. Edwin Bradnam (C.), re-elected. HEL.-TON.—Mr. Frederick Hall (C.), eighth time. HENi.EY-oN-THAME?.~Mr. Charles Clements (L.). HEREFORD.—Mr. J. H. Morley (L.), re-elected. HElnFor.D.-Councillor C. W. Nunn (C.). HEYWOOD.—Mr. Thomas Lord (C.), re-elected. HONITON.—Mr. Charles Read (C.). HuDDERsriELD.—Alderman John Yarley (L.), re- elected. HULL.—Mr. Willows (L.). HUNTINGDON.—Mr. S. Windover (C.). HYDE.—Alderman John Cheetham (L.). HYTTIr.Councillor Judge (C.). IPSWICH.—Mr. B. P. Griuisey (C.). JARROW.—Councillor Thomas S. Salter (C.). KEIGllLEL-Councillor E. D. A. Marriner (C.). KENDAL.—Mr. Richard Nelson (C.). KIDDERMINSTEU.—Mr. George Holdsworth (L.). Knw'" LYN-N.-Aldernaan John Dyker Thew (C.), third time. KINGSTON ON-THAMES.— Councillor Charles Edward uthall (C.), re-elected. LAI, CAST L it.- -Alderman James Hatch (C.). LAUNCESTON.—Mr. William Andrews (C.). LEAMINGTON.—Councillor S. T. Wackrill (L.). LEEDS.—Alderman Gaunt (L.). LEICESTER.—Alderman Hart (L.), re-elected. Alderman T. n. Stallard, sixth time. LEWES.—Alderman Farneombe (C.). Liciii IBLD.—Mr. A. C. Lomax. LINCOLN.—Mr. Hugh Wyatt (L.). LISKEARD.—Mr. W. Nettle (L.), re-elected. LIVERPOOL. Alderman David Raflcliffe (C.), second time. LLANFYLLIN.—Mr. John Dugclale (C.). LLANIDLOES.—Alderman Evan Williams (C.). LONDON (Lord Mayor).—Alderman John Staples. LONOTON.—Mr. n. M. Williamson (L.). LOUTII.—Alderman Cusworth (C.). LOWESTOFT.—Mr. W. Youngman (C.). LUDLOW.—Dr. Brooks (C.), re-elected. LUTON.—Alderman William Mayles (L.). LnIE JJEGI?.—Mr. Henrv Henley (C.), re-elected. LYMINGTON.—Alderman W. Murdoch (C.). MACCLESFIELD.—Alderman John Willott White (L.). MAIDBNHEAD.—Alderman Woodbridge (L.). MAIDSTONE.—Mr. William Daynes (L.). MA.LD.Alderman Albert Prime Clear (L.). MANCHESTER. —Mr. Philip Goldschmidt (L.), Ger- I man merchant. M ti,G.iTF, Councillor H. F. Hermitage (L.). MARLBOROUGH.—Mr. James Morrison (L.). MID LILESBELOUGII.-Alderinan Richard Weighell (C.). MONMOLIII. Mr. Champney Powell (C.), third time. MONTGOMERY.—Major Harrison (C.). MORPETH. —Councillor J. W. Chimey (C.). MOSSLEY.— Alderman George Andrew (L.), re elected. NEWARK.—Alderman Becher Tidd Pratt (C.). NEWBURY.—Councillor Richard Ravenor (C.). NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.—Mr. B. C. Browne (C.). NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYNE.—Mr. T. Bullock (L.), re- elected. NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT.—Mr. Henry Mortimer (C.). NEWPORT (MONMOUTH).—Mr. E. J. Grice. NORTHAMPTON.—Mr. Thomas Adams (L.), re- elected. NORWICH.—Mr. John Gurney. N OTTINGILul.-Alderman W. Lambert, second time. OLDHAM.—Mr. Joshua W. Radcliffe (L.), re- elected. OSWESTRY.—Mr. Robert Lloyd (L.). OXFORD.—Alderman Robert Buckell (L.). PEMBROKE.—Alderman Morison (L.). PENRYN.—Mr. J. Besson (C.). PENZANCE.—-Mr. Wellington Dale (L.). PETERBOROUGH.—Alderman Nichols (L.). PoNTiiFRACT.—Alderman Rhodes (C.), sixth time. POOLE.—Mr. W. Douglas Dugdale (C.). PORTSMOUTH.—Councillor Alfred Starling Blake (L.). PRESTON.—Alderman Benjamin Walmsley (C.). PWLLHELI.—Mr. Robert Jones (L.). QUEENBOROUGii. -Mr. Josiah Hall (L.). RAMSGATE.—Captain Lawrence W. Vaile, J.P. (C.). READING.—Mr. Arthur Hill (C.), third time. REICATE.-Aldorman Budgen (C.), re-elected. RETFORD, EAST.—Councillor W. Clater (C.). RICHMOND, YORK.—Mr. Gerald Walker (C.) third time. Ripo-i.-Alderman Baynes (L.). ROClIDALE.-Mr. J. R. Heape (L.). ROCHESTER.—Alderman Lewis Levy (L ). ROTHERIIAM.—Councillor Gammer (L.). RUTHIN.Air. John Jones (L.). RYE.-Alderman Francis Bellingham, J.P. (C.). SAFFRON W A WEN.- Mr. Joseph Bell (L.). SALFORD.—Mr. James Farmer (C.). SALISBURY.—Mr. W. M. Hammick (C.). SANDWIcii.-Mr. I][. S. Watts (C.). SCARBOROUGH.—Councillor Joshua Rowntree (L.). SHAFTESBURY.—Alderman White (L.). SIIEFHELD —Alderman John W. Pye Smith (L.). SHREWSBURY.—Alderman T. Southam (C.), re- elected. SOUTHAMPTON. —Councillor H. Coles (C,). SOUTH MOLTON.—Alderman John T. Widgerv (L.), re-elected. SOUTIlPOlT.-Councillor John Unwin (L.). SOUTH SHIELDS.—Councillor Eltringham (C.). SOUTIIWOLD.—Mr. J. E. Grubbe (C.), re-elected. ST. ALBANS.—Councillor Miskin (C.). ST. HELEN'S.—Alderman J.M'Bryde (C.). ST. IVES (CORNWALL).—Mr. Edward Rain, jun. (L.), re-elected. ST. IVES (HUNTS).—Mr. Frederic Warren (L.), second time. STAFFORD. -Councillor Joyce (C.). STALEY B RI DC; E.-Alderman Mark Fentern (C.). STAMI OKD.—Mr. Frank Riley (C.). STOCKPORT.—Mr. William Leigh (L.). STOCKTO-, -oN-TEEs.-Counciflor W. Metcalf Watson (C.). STOKE-ON-TRENT.—Mr. G. Leason (C.), re-elected. STRATFORD-ON -Avo -Councillor Arthur Hodgson, C.M.G. (C.), third time. SUDBURY.—Alderman G. W. Andrewes (C.). SUNDERLAND.—Alderman R. Preston (L.), re- elected. SWANSEA.—Councillor W. J. Rees (L.). TAMWORTH.—Mr. Charles Starkey (C.), re-elected. TAUNTON.—Mr. T. Penny (L.), re-elected third time. TEXTERDEX.—Mr. Edward Winser (L.). TEWKESBURY.—Mr. John H. Boughton (L.), re- elected. TIVERTON.—Mr. H. Hayden (L.), re-elected. TOTXES.—Mr. T. C. Keilock (C.), re-elected. TRURO.—Mr. T. Chirgwin (C.). TYNEMOUTH.—Mr. Joseph Elliott (L.). W AKEFIELD.-Alderman Reuben Reynolds (L.). WALSALL.—Alderman T. Evans (L.). WARRINGTON.—Mr. Joseph Harrison (C.), re- elected, third time. WARWICK.—Councillor Stanton (C.), re-elected. WELLS (SOMERSET).—Mr. W. Chadwick Vonberg (L.). WELSHPOOL.—Mr. W. A. Rogers, re-elected. WENLOCK.—Alderman Instone (C.), fifth time. WEST BROMWICII.—Councillor Thomas Rollason (L.). WEYMOUTH.—Mr. R. N. Howard (L.). WTIGAN.—Alderman Henry Park (C.), fourth time. WILTO.V.—Mr. R. Eyres (L.). WINCHESTER.—Mr. J. B. Little (L.). WINDSOR.— Mr. Joseph Lundy (L.). WISBECTI.- Councillor Peatling (C.), re-elected. WOLVERHAMPTON.—Mr. J. G. Wright (L.). WPUX IIA)t.-Alderman W. E. Samuel (C.). WYCOMBE.—Alderman G. Wheeler. YARMOUTH.- -Mr. Thomas B. Steward (C.). YEOVIL.-Afr. E. Hellier (C.), re-elected. YORK (Lord Mayor).—Alderman Joseph Terry (C.).

THE ACCIDENT TO THE SWIFTSURE. Letters received at Plymouth from Rio de Janeiro contain particulars of the accident which occurred recently to the ironclad Swiftsure, Captain the Hon. T. S. Brand. The Swiftsure, which has been absent from England about three years, left Coquimbo on the 20th of August, and having called at Valparaiso, where she took in coal, she proceeded for the Straits. She had a most stormy passage, the worst that the ship has experienced during the whole of her com- mission, encountering strong head winds and very heavy seas, which caused her to roll and pitch con- siderably. This continued until the Swiftsure reached Sandy Point, where she fortunately found a vessel Sandy Point, where she fortunately found a vessel laden with coals, and she took in a cargo of nearly 50 J tons, including a deck cargo, in order to avoid calling at Monte Yideo. She left Sandy Point under full steam 10th September, so as to get clear of Cape Virgin as early a3 possible, and was abreast of Cape Elizabeth Island, steaming at a rate of 11 knots, when she suddenly bumped on a bank with so much violence that officers and men were thrown off their legs. Every precaution was taken for the safety of the ship, orders being instantly given to close all the watertight doors. The vessel heeled over about ten degrees to starboard, and so serious was the situation regarded on board that preparations were made to gtt all the boats out, but this could only have been done at imminent risk, and the precaution was taken to draw all the fires and empty theboilers. so as to avoid the danger of an explosion. As the tide rose the ship gradually righted, and eventually went off into deep water, after having been ashore four hours. Divers were sent down to ascertain the extent of the damage, and they reported that it was not serious, although a hole had been knocked between the plates aud the wood sheathing. The ship made so much water that the pumps had to be kept going until the hole bad been plugged. She had struck on a bank of sand which is not, it is said, marked on the chart, and at the time the officers supposed her to be in about forty fathoms of water. A Chilian surveying the vessel at Sandy Point has gone t) survey the spot and report upon it. All the damage done to the Swiftsure is on the starboard side, between the bilge and the main keels, and can soon be repaired. The ship is expected at Plymouth early next month.

An American paper asks why Tennyson did not wait to bring out his "two suns in one day" until the cold weather had set in. They were simply maddening" in July, but they would be much appreciated now. Lord Tennyson will be delighted with the realistic effects ascribed to his poetic creations, At a cheap restaurant. Will you have a 25 cent dinner, sir, or a 35 cent one ?" What is the differ- ence between the two ?" Ten cents, sir." Some folkses smiles brightens up de room mor'n a hickory fire on a frosty mornin'. The once mighty Euphrates seems likely to dis- appear altogether, according to the Times of India. For some years past the river banks below Babylon have been giving way so that the stream spread ou into a marsh, until steamers could not pass, and onlv a narrow channel remained for the native boats. Now this passage is becoming obliterated, and unless matters improve the towns on the banks will be ruined, and the famous river itself will be swallowed up by the desert. It was stated by counsel the other day that a North-country woman had been so impressed by the discourses of a doctor, who was also a lay preacher, that she assumed his physic must be as beneficial as his pulpit utterances. She therefore" called him in." But it would be dangerous to carry the prin- ciple too far. A preaching bootmaker does not neces- sarily make good boots. >

THE RUSSIAN NAVY. The Czar has a new hobby. Tired, apparently, of costly conquests in Central Asia, he is now turning attention to the augmentation of his naval forces. No longer shall a scornful Bismarck ridicule the idea of the Russian elephant fighting with the British whale. No longer shall Britannia boast that she rules the waves. Before many years elapse, the Vikings of the icy North will sail forth in scores of huge ironclad dragons," and the British tar, shiver- ing his timbers, may consider his occupation gone. Not only has a new armour-plated cruiser, con- structed at a Russian dockyard of Russian materials, been added to the Imperial navy, but quite a dozen of other craft are ordered to be constructed, all for the benefit of England and for the peace of the world. As one of the illustrious officers who were present at the launch of the Admiral Nakbimoff pleasantly remarked, England will never be Russia's true friend and ally until the Russian fleet is equal to that of England," Now we know, therefore, the price that we are expected to pay for the love of our Northern admirer. We have merely to cease ship- building, and the Czar will make all possible haste to equalise matters on the ocean. It is to be feared that our present rulers do not quite recognise the advantages of the bargain thus offered. In a spirit of downright cussedness they are laying down new monsters, hurrying forward those in course of com- pletion, and in other ways largely increasing the fighting strength of the navy. It follows, therefore, that as we build very much quicker than Russia, we shall be farther ahead of her than ever by the time her new vessels are finished. Clearly M. Lessar must again be called in to experiment once more with his patent "ethnographical" specific for the creation of friendly relations between England and Russia. It is true that, ever since he left London, he has been boasting about the clever way in which he "diddled" British diplomacy over the Zulfikar affair. But we repose such perfect confidence in his capacity for adapting himself to circumstances, that we make no doubt whatever he would not be a week in England before he flattered our wounded amour propre by re- presenting himself as the diddled.-The Graphic.

AN IMPORTANT EXPERIMENT WITH "WASTE FOOD. Mr. Henry Roberts, of the firm of Bertram and Roberts, has moved to carry out a most admirable design. It is, briefly put, to utilise for the poor the enormous quantities of food which are daily wasted in the metropolis; and, no doubt, if the scheme is found to work in London, which there is no reason to doubt, it will be applied to other large centres. The only possible objection to the benevolent project will come from cooks in those establishments where the system of petty pilfering, which is set down under the head of perquisites, is allowed; but this is a question for masters and mistresses. Mr. Roberts, from forty years' experience as a refreshment con- tractor, speaks with knowledge, and there is evident reason in his plea that, with a little care and fore- thought, the bones and trimmings of mutton chops, cutlets, together with cold potatoes and other vege- tables; cold rice, maccaroni, soups, pot trimmings, tons of cut bread and other wholesome food might be I collected and utilised for the hungry. The plan he proposes (further details of which may be obtained from him at Linkwood, Central-hill, Upper Norwood) is that a few ladies and gentlemen should, in the first place, form a committee, and invite subscriptions, whereby a Permanent Receiving Store might be formed, with suitable boilers and ovens; for, of course it is proposed to dress these scraps and leav- ings in the most palatable manner possible. The scheme is taking definite shape. In order that strangers to the business of a restaurant may have an insight into the fearful waste that occurs," Mr. Roberts writes, "I have made arrangements with a large establishment in the West-end to take their trimmings for one day-viz., December 8th; and on December 9th, these trimmings and leavings will be prepared and exhibited at the forthcoming Cookery and Food Exhibition to be held at the Royal Aquarium, Westminster. I shall also endeavour to make two soups-a meat soup and a vegetable soup —without having recourse to any ingredient beyond what is handed to me by the establishment in question."

TEMPERANCE LEGISLATION. The Council of the Social Science Association have decided to organise a Conference on temperance legislation, to be held on the eve of the meeting of the new Parliament. The details of the work have been referred to the executive committee, with power to add to their number. The attitude of the Associa- tion in regard to any reform of the licensing laws being at present undefined, it is the desire of the Council that the Conference Committee should be made fairly representative of the interests of both the temperance bodies and the trade societies; and by both parties invitations to ioin the committee have been accepted. As at present constituted the com mittee consists of the executive committee of the Association and two delegates from each of the fol- lowing societies The Church of England Temperance Society, the United Kingdom Alliance, the Inde- pendent Order of Good Templars, the Licensed Victuallers' Protection Society, and the Country Brewers' Society. The National Temperance League have yet to appoint their delegates. A meeting of the committee has been held at which it was re- solved that the following should be the questions to beset down for discussion: First day—"What re- form in the licensing laws is desirable?" On this question representatives of the Church of England Temperance Society and the Licensed Victuallers' Protection Society or the Country Brewers'Society will be invited to select writers of papers. An exponent of the municipal authority scheme will also give a paper. Second day: 1—"Is prohibitory legislation desirable, and, if so, in what f orni ?" The United Kingdom Alliance and the Licensed Victuallers' or Brewers' Societies will be asked to contribute papers on this question. 2. "Should compensation be given on the compulsory extinction of licences, and if so, from what source ?*' On this question the papers to be written will be invited from the Licensed Vic- tuallers' or the Brewers' Societies, from the Church of England Temperance Society, and from the Inde- pendent Order of Good Templars. The joint organiz- ing committee have unanimously agreed that this programme, which includes for discussion the main proposals before the public, and ia, as regards the contributors of papers, representative of the views held by the leading temperance and trade organiza- tions, will afford a desirable opportunity for the full and frank discussion from a neutral platform of a subject ot growing importance to the social welfare of the people and the interests of a large section of the community.

When a Chinese boy is one month old his head is shaved and a bladder is drawn over it, and as his head grows the bladder bursts and the queue sprouts forth. The first shave is made the occasion of a magnificent banquet, and the guests are expected to make the host a handsome present in coin for the newly-shaven baby, with which a bank account is started to his credit. This is the most pleasant feature of the affair for the baby, as the razor always pulls and he cannot take part in the feast.

HYDROPHOBIA. j Even now, says the Graphic, there are some in- j credulous people who assert that the terrible disease called hydrophobia is due, not to the infection caused. by a poisonous bite, but to the terror aroused in the mind of the person bitten. He broods, they say, in- cessantly over the incident, until at length the peculiarly distressing malady is developed. This theorv may hold good in some instances, but it cannot be true in others. Children, for example, far too young for indulgence in these dismal apprehensions, have nevertheless undoubtedly died of hydrophobia after being bitten by dogs. At all events, whatever hydro- phobia may be, it has of late become alarmingly preva- lent, and we are glad to see that the police have been ordered to exercise additional strictness in looking after stray dogs. For we must confess that we feel rather sceptical about the value of M. Pasteur's alleged discovery, great as is his reputation in other directions. Can he certainly prove that the patients whom he is treating would have gone mad if nothing had been done for them or, on the other hand, can he prove that sufficient time has as yet elapsed to ensure their safety ? As regards the first point, it is possible that, judging from the analogy of scarlet and typhoid fever, only a certain percentage of persons are susceptible to the poison of rabies. Mr. Scoborio, the manager of the Dogs' Home at Battersea, was bitten hundreds of times in the course of his duties without ill effects. Yet perhaps no man in England had a better chance of making acquaintance with the teeth of the mad dog than he. Nor can we quite credit the story of M. Pasteur's patient being bitten fourteen times by a mad dog. It sounds very steep." Mad dogs don't worry their victims, they snap suddenly, and then go on their lonely way.

INTERNATIONAL INVENTIONS EXHIBITION. In a supplement to the London Gazette, just issued, there is contained a list of the jury awards in Division II. (Music) and Old London" exhibits. Gold medals have been awarded to the following: Augener, William, and Co., excellence and cheapness in music printing. Beeson, F. and Co., general goodness and quality of tone of the brass instruments manutactured by them. Boosey and Co., patent compensating pistons adapted to brass instruments, and general excellence of manufacture. Broadwood, John, and Sons, general excellence of pianos. Bryceson, Bros., application and development of electric action as adapted to organ mechanisms. Chanot, George, double-bass and other instruments of the vioiin class. Chanot, G. A., and Co., violoncello. Chappell, S.A., Oboes, cors anglais, and bassoons, made by A. Morton, of London good quality of clarionets, made by Albert, of Brussels; and of the brass instruments made by Courtois, of Paris. China, Imperial Maritime Customs, collection of musical instruments. Duncan, George, violins. Hill, W. E., and Sons, violins, violoncellos, and bows. Hopkinson, J. and J., good excellence of pianos. Japan, Government of, collection of musical instru- ments. Kirkman and Son, general excellence of pianos. Mason and Hamlin Organ and Piano Company (U.S.A.), American organ. Metzler and Co., Victor Mustel's harmonium. Roder, C. G. (Germany), excellence in music print- ing. Rudall, Carte, and Co., improvements in flutes, and general excellence of other instruments made by them. Schiedmayer and Sohne (Germany), general excel- lence of pianos. Schroder, C. (Russia), general excellence of pianos. Siam, Government of, collection of musical instru- ments. I Steinway and Sons (U.S.A.), general excellence of pianos and several meritorious and useful inven- tions. Thibouville-Lamy, J., and Co., good quality and moderate prices of the oboes, bass clarinets, and other instruments made by them. Thibouuille-Lamy, J., and Co., cheap and good stringed instruments of various classes. Tubbs, James, bows. Walker, J. W., and Sons, excellence of organ tone, more particularly of flue work. Willis, Henry, and Sons, excellence of tone, ingenuity of design, and perfection of construction in organs. Donegal Industrial Fund, organised improvement and encouragement of peasantry industries. Elkington and Co., electro deposition of metals; gold and silver work. Gillett and Co., turret clock and chiming machine. Starkie, Gardiner, and Co., wrought iron work.

LONDON FACTS AND FIGURES. The City Press publishes the following interesting facts and figures of London. It appears that in the metropolis there are 101 hospitals, in which one and a-quarter millions of people are relieved, and which dispense out-door relief to four millions annually. Twenty-five per 1000 of the population are paupers, and arerelievedatacostof over two anda-half millions sterling. It also seems that there are more lunatic women than men. Cabs have increased during tbelast ten years from 10,000 to ever 19,000 and 14,478 chil- dren wore lost in London last year. Greater London contains an area of 448,334 acres. The population for this year is given as 5,199,166, of whom 60,252 are foreigners, 49,554 Scotch, 80,778 Irish, 3214 blind, and 1972 deaf and dumb. In 1884 there were 11,705 licensed public and beer houses, and 15,519 males and 9618 females were charged with drunkenness. In the same year there were 265 persons killed and 3592 maimed by street accidents, and 354 suicides. There were 20,667 articles lost in public conveyances, of which 11,248 were restored. There were 407 news- papers published in London.

There is nothing like practical illustration to bring home the meaning of things. Puzzled by hearing a deal of talk about contracting and expanding the cur- rency, an American girl asked her sweetheart: "What is the difference, John, between contraction and ex- pansion, and how do circumstances affect them ?" John was was quite equal to the occasion. Well, dear," said he, when we are alone we both sit on one chair, don't we?" "Yes." "That's contraction. But when we hear your pa or ma coming we get on two chairs, don't we?" "I should say we did." Well, my love, that's expansion, and you see it's ac- cording to circumstances." "John," said the satisfied maiden, we're contracting now, ain't we ? Yonr'e right! said John; and then was performed an operation which a great mathematician defined as con- sisting in the approach of two curves which have the same bend as far as the points of contact." ¡

LIVE STOCK IN EUROPE. The United States Consul at Copenhagen, writing on the subject of the live stock in Europe, says that the number of horned cattle throughout Europe is estimated at about 92,000,000, of horses 36,000,000, sheep 200,000,000, and of swine about 46,000,000. We find the figures summarised in The Journal of the Society ot Arts. Of the European states, the Scandi- navian countries and Servia stand in a prominently favourable position as regards the relative amount of their live stock to the inhabitants, Denmark ranking first on the list with. 735 head of horned cattle per 1000 inhabitants, next Servia with 609, then Norway with 562, and, lastly, Sweden with 483. France may be t5.ken as representing the European average, whilst below the average come Great Britain, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Portugal, and Italy. Of sheep, Servia has relatively the largest number namely, 2200 head for 1000 inhabitants, and Greece with 1496. Spain, Roumania, Great Britain, and Norway rank as above the European average, Denmark above the average with 777 head, and all the other countries below the average, the lowest in rank being Holland, Switzerland and Belgium, with 121 head. Of swine, Servia has relatively also the largest number-namely, 1062 head, whilst Spain, which follows next, has only 272, then Denmark with 263; Portugal, Austria, Roumania, and Germany being all above the average, France about the average, and the remaining countries below, the lowest in rank being Sweden, Holland, Italy, and Norway, with only 56 head. In an examination of the total numbers of live stock in the different countries, it will be found that Russia has the decided superiority, taking all classes of animals together. This country, including Poland and Finland, in the year 1876 possessed 25,000,000 head of horned cattle, 45,000,000 sheep, 10,000,000 swine, and 17,000,000 horses. The increase during the last 20 years has been the greatest in sheep- about 20 per cent.; whereas the increase of horned cattle and swine has only been aoout 4 per cent.; and horses have remained stationary. Next to Russia, Germany has the largest number of horned cattle-- about 15,000,000, of sheep 25,000,000, of swine 7,000,000, and of horses 3.000,000. In Prussia there has been, of late years, a considerable increase in all classes of animals in Saxony and Baden it has been stationary; while in Bavaria, Wurtemburg, Hesse, and Oldenburg, there has been a falling off. Austria, with Hungary, ranks third on the list, so far as horned cattle and swine are concerned, respec- tively with 12,000,000 and 7,000,000; in the second rank as regards horses, namely, 3,000,000, but only in the sixth rank as regards sheep, with 2,000,000. After Austria, France has the next largest number of horned cattle, about 11,000,000 head, while it only occupies the fourth place for sheep and swine, namely, 24,000,000 and 5,000,000 and 2,000,000 horses. From 1850 to 1872 there was a considerable falling off in horned cattle in France, but in later years there has been a steady improvement. Great Britain follows next in regard to horned cattle, namely, with 9,000,000 head but, in respect to sheep, stands second on the list with 32,000,000; she takes the fourth rank in respect to horses, viz., with 2,7500,000, but for swine only the sixth rank, with 4,000,000. Live stock in Great Britain has fallen off very considerably of late years; for example, from 1874 to 1880 there was a decrease of 500,000 head of cattle 4,000,000 sheep, and 750,000 swine. Italy ranks last with respect to horned cattle, with 3,500,000 head, 1,000,000 horses, 9,000,000 sheep, and 3,750,000 swine. Of late years there has been a falling off in the number of horned cattle, but sheep show an increase. In Holland the absolute number of live stock may be given as 1,500,000 head of cattle, 1,000,000 sheep, 500,000 swine, and 300,000 horses. The cattle interest in this country is of considerably more importance than the culture of cereals, about 40 per cent. of the land area being devoted to meadow and grass land. Denmark, in the cattle census of 1881, was stated to possess about 347,500 horses, 1,470,000 head of horned cattle, 1,548,600 sheep and lambs, and 527,000 swine. These figures, as compared with the previous census of 1876, show a very considerable increase in horned cattle and swine, while there is a diminution in the number of horses to the extent of 5000, and in sheep of 170,000. In Norway, where the cattle interest is of more importance than cereal culture, the number of horned cattle is given at about 1,000,000 head, sheep at about 1,700,000, but of swine not more than about 100,000. Lastly, Sweden appears with 2,000,000 head of horned cattle, 1,500,000 sheep, 500,000 horses, and 450,000 swine. Taking the extra European countries, the United States comes first with its enormous and steadily- incroasing amount of live stock, which, notwithstand- ing the large annual increase of population from natural causes as well as from the great tide of emi- gration annually pouring into the country, has been fully able to keep pace with its relative position to the population. According to the latest returns, the number of horned cattle in 1882 amounted to 41,000,000: of sheep and lambs, 49,000,000; horses, 11,000,000; and swine, 43,000,000. From Canada there are no later census returns than those of 1871, when the numbers given were 2,700,000 head of horned cattle, about 3,000,000 sheep, and 1,500,000 swine. South America has relatively a larger number of animals even than the United States, especially the La Plata States are noted for their enormous hordes. Statistics place the number of horned cattle at 19,500,000 head, with 70,000,000 sheep, and about 500,000 swine. In the Pampas the horned cattle are esti- mated at 30,000,000. In Algeria, the number of live stock in 1879 was stated as 1,1,00,000 head of horned cattle, and about 9,000,000 sheep. As regards Australia, the stock of animals in these colonies hae received a very great increase during the last ten years. In the census of 1878, horned cattle are stated as 7,400,000, as compared with 4,700,000 in 1876; sheep, 61,000,000, against 51,000,000; and swine, 815,000, against 695,000. The proportion of live stock to every 1000 inhabitants is very large, being as much as 2800 head of horned cattle, 23,400 for sheep, and 310 for swine.-Tlee Live Stock Journal.

BEE WORK FOR THE MONTH. During the winter months bees should not be dis- turbed, or any attempt made to feed them, as they are now, except on very warm days, clustered in a semi-torpid condition on their combs, and the quieter they are kept the less food they consume. Roofs should be examined to see if they are perfectly rain- proof, and repaired if necessary. The quilting or warm covering on the top of bar-frames should be examined to see if it is sufficiently warm and dry. Three thicknesses of warm carpet, or about three inches in depth of chaff (if that form of protection is used) are about right. Where hives are close to the ground, the weeds and earth should be cleared from round and under the floor board,to prevent as far as pos- sible damp rising. In case of dampness the wet floor board should be replaced by a dry one, and the hive placed a little higher from the ground. Where straw hives are used, they are often placed on three tall stakes driven into the ground; this is by no means a good plan, as the stakes often rot in the ground, and the hive blown over before its insecure condition is noticed. Now is the time to look into the matter bv lifting the hives off the stands and examining the stakes; or, better still, doing away with them, and substituting a low stand of a few bricks piled up, or a drain pipe or old chimney pot let into the ground. To sum up-see that all hives are dry and secure.— Hereford Times.

LAST DAYS OF THE INVENTIONS EXHIBITION. The great show of Inventions and Music at South Kensington, opened on Monday, May 4, closed on Monday evening, the 9th in st. Inaugurated with Royal state by the Prince of Wales, it was closed without ceremony of any kind. There have been in round numbers 3,660,000 admissions, as against 4,167,000 in a similar period to the Health Exhibi- tion. This result is to be ascribed chiefly to the weather, which, since the excursion season fairly began, has been singularly and persistently unfavourable. There can hardly be a doubt that had the fineness of the season expe- rienced to the clcse of August been continued through September and October, there would have been a very small margin of difference, if any whatever had existed, between the brilliant success of 1884 and that of 1885. Possibly there was a certain charm of novelty in some of the features of ast year's exhibition—that happy bit of antiquity revivified in Old London," for example—and pos"- sibly, also, now that Health has become the social gospel of the age and Hygeia ha" ardent devotees in all classes of the people, the subject matter of the exhibits may have possessed a wider interest. There could be no very startling novelty of invention to put before the world-no new motor like steam, no magic process like photography—it was rather improve- ment than new creation or discovery, progress in detail which appealed for appreciation to the tech- nical classes but failed of necessity to strike popular imagination. Strictly speaking, the newest, thing shown were the electric and compressed air tram- ways, and these were by no means novelties, and odd though it may seem, the subway electric locomotion is a certainty of the future. Even now it would be almost as cheap and much safer to drive a hansom cab by stored electricity, as to have it drawn by a horse, and compressed air tramways are already at work in many parts. The elegant cars running in short—only too short—experimental lines in the Royal Horticultural Gardens had an enormous popularity from first to last. As to the subway-due, it is said, very largely to the insistence of the Prince of Wales —it needed what Bacon would call a glaring in- stance to show to London how the danger of its most crowded streets could be avoided, and it cannot be long before this eminently successful example is imitated elsewhere. In the Department of Music, excepting the natural regret that there was some delay at the commence- ment in completing the installation, an unbroken suc- cess was achieved. From the time of opening to the hour for closing, the programme has scarcely left an hour without musical entertainment, officially pro- vided in one form or other; while in the galleries specially set apart to the art divine, exhibitors have given organ, piano, violin, banjo, and other instru- mental recitals without end. Experience has shown that we are a musical poople. So convinced is the Prince of Wales as to this, that, as president of the forthcoming "Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886," he has determined that there shall be, as it is said, music all day long." Unmietakeably, the popular verdict has declared itself in favour of the al fresco entertainments and with no less decisive- ness it has pronounced the superiority of our English military bands over all competitors, not excepting even Strauss's band from Vienna. Unflagging attention and crowded audiences testified to the attraction of the string band of the Royal Artillery, with its sixty five performers, under Cavaliere Zavertal. Perhaps the pleasantest memories connected with the outdoor fetes will be the pretty scenes that were witnessed on fine summer evenings, when thousands of persons of all classes promenaded in these agreeable grounds while the Guards' bands were performing in the kiosks. Per- chance it will be something more than a memory; a successful precedent like this may find imitators, and good music in the open air may come to be recognised as one of the healthiest and most refined of all forms of entertainment for the people. Doubt- less the splendid illumination of the buildings and grounds enhanced the attractiveness and charm of these evening fetes. No great claim for novelty could be made for the installation, but as a practical test of electric lighting on a large and varied scale the present year's show has hardly been rivalled. How many a day-dream is doomed to disappoint- ment There were those who fancied, with the mil- lions of admissions to these exhibitions, there would remain a substantial pecuniary balance, some scientists in particular even rearing hopes of a per- manent memento of their success in some such shape a3 the sorely needed needed collection of scientific apparatus after the model of the loan collections of supreme interest got together a few years ago. Any such hopes must be given up. Fortunately while there is no probability of any call upon the guaran- tors being necessary, it is equally improbable that there will be more than a nominal surplus. The failure of those four or five hundred thousand visitors, excursionists and Londoners, who very pro- bably would have found their way to South Kensing- ton but for damp and dismal weather, had gradually reduced that prospective balance to the vanishing point; it has grown small by degrees and dis- enchantingly less. Seeing the large amount of assistance derived from the Government, from the fact that these Exhibitions are virtually under sanction of the State, that the site and the use of the Albert Hall are obtained on very advantage- ous terms from the Commissioners of the Exhibition of 1851," that the executive has been enabled to make liberal—not to say lavish—use of the postal service free of cost, thereby effecting a very considerable saving, there may possible be some public surprise and disappointment that the Executive Council will have no better report to present to the Royal Presi- dent. It is understood that those officials who have had to take a very active part in the general manage- ment would he glad to publish an account of receipts and expenditure to remove any impressions that suffi- cient control had not been exercised to prevent too lavish an outlay. To the railway companies in parti- cular high praise is due for the striking liberality with which they contributed to the realisation of an important public object by the adoption of rates which can scarcely have been remunerative. One heavy item of disbursement special to this year j has been the large amount of steam power re- quired to display the machinery in motion, and this power the executive provided. Confessedly, the general arrangements of the exhibition have been ex- cellent, and even liberal. With the professional as- sistance of Sir Frederic Bramwell and Sir F. Abel, who have most, assiduously devoted themselves to the department where scientific knowledge. was indispen- sable, and to whom their colleagues in the council make the warmest acknowledgments, it has been pos- sible to display to the utmost advantage a collection of inventions full of technical instruction, from which it is to be hoped the classes of artisans and employers specifically interested have derived great benefit. I(is, at any rate, no small gain to have provided 3,700,000 people wich practical education and wholesome enter- tainment, oven though the result in pounds sterling may be too easy to count. The general satisfaction with which this undertak- ing as a whole may be regarded from a public point of view is no little enhanced by the admirable be- haviour of the people. Intoxicants were freely sold in the enclosure, yet of drunkenness, violence, dis- order, or wilful breach of regulations there was no trace. More than three and a half millions of ad- missions produced not a single case of serious mis- conduct, nor a solitary police charge. Perhaps we may even come to think, heterodox as the opinion is to some, that morality may be promoted by art and science yea, even by healthy amusement. The Royal Chairman of the Council is distinctly of this view. In the forthcoming exhibition of the products of the colonies and India, the last and most important of the series," as it is officially described, his Royal Highness has invited the mayors of the large towns to take under their care arrangements by which the working classes, by small contributions from time to time, may lay aside funds sufficient for a trip to the metropolis next summer. This plan succeeded excellently in 1851, and the belief is that it, will bring to London still larger con- tingents of visitors in 18S6. The effect, it is believed, will be to impress the people of England with an idea such as they never yet entertained of the re- sources of the British Empire—that will be the moral which the people will be none the more likely to miss because it is backed by stirring music, plea- sant scenery, brilliant illuminations, and gay as- semblies. Such things, indeed, promote national and S 3cial unity.

Worry in' ober what, can't be helped is de shreak on de waggon wheel ob life. SELK-SACRIKICE.—She What Leading Rufus by a string ?" He Well, you see, he bit a man last week, and I'm afraid symptoms of hydrophobia have set in. Of course I don't want him to bite anybody else, or he might have to be killed !"—Funny Folks.

As a result of the plan adopted by some East Kent farmers of killing their own fat stock and retailing the joints to the public, several cheap butchers in the towns and villages are now selling shoulders of mutton at 6d. and 6!d., and beef at 6d. to 8d. per lb. "What is a curiosity, ma ?, asked little Jamie. A curiosity is something that is very strange, my son." If pa bought you a seal-skin sacque this winter, would that be a curiosity ?" "No, my son; that would be a miracle." Impromptu definitions have often the merit of being amusing, whatever may be said as to their cor- rectness. What on earth can that mean ? asked Hicks of Thackeray, pointing to the inscription over a door-way, Mutual Loan Office." I don't know," answered the novelist, unless it means that two men who have nothing agree to lend it to one another. Said Lord Wellesley to Plunket: One of my aides- de camp has written a personal narrative of his travels pray what is your definition of personal ? Well, my lord," was Plunket's reply, we lawyers always consider personal as opposed to real." "Pray, my lord," queried a gentleman of a judge, what is the difference between common law and equity?" "Very little, in the end," responded his lordship; "at common law you are done for at once; in equity, you are not so easily disposed of. The former is a bullet which is instantaneously and charmingly effective; the latter, an angler's hook, which plays with the victim before it kills him. Common law is prussic acid equity is laudanum."