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

THE LANGUAGE OF FISHES. A few months ago Mr. Matthias Dunn, a Cornish fishing expert, contributed to the Contemporary Review an article on The Seven Senses in Fishes," which contained a few etories and theories that were generally received with notes of interrogation. Among these was an opinion that fishes emit sounds which are understood by their fellows. This surpris- ing theory has now been confirmed by Professor Kollicker, of the Naples Aquarium, who has wrapped himself ia a diving suit and has been let down to the bottom of the Mediterranean in an iron cage lit up by electricity. With the aid of a powerful receiver and a specially-constructed phonograph he has registered the expressions of surprise with which the fish welcomed his appearance. He notes that the sound made by one fish differp greatly from that of another, and has summed up the results of hie experi- ment in the conviction that the sounds produced by fishes will yet be recognised as a language.

in —— VICTIMS OF THE GREAT ST. BERNARD. In the Temple Magazine for February is an illus- trated descriptive article of a visit to the hospice on the Great St. Bernard. Close to it is-the-morgue. Bays the writer;. Over snow some eight feet deep we picked our way to this humble erection, where are placed from time to time the dead who perish in their attempted passage of the mountain. One end of the morgue, to a considerable depth, is filled with the bones and skulls of those whose bodies have decayed in this resting-place of the dead. The opposite end, and larger space, affords a pathetic sight. Around the walls are placed the bodies, some erect, some-prostrate, of the dead as they were foand. Here they remain to be, if possible, recognised by their friends, if such shall search for them, or at last to strew this floor with their dust and to mingle their bones with the heap hard by."

WHAT TO DO WITH THE PRISONERS. The Exchange's Cape Town correspondent says one of the problems of the war is what is to be done with regard to prisoners of war, who are accumulating on both sides, though to a vastly superior extent on the part of the enemy. There is no manner of doubt that the 2000 prisoners at Pretoria are a serious source,of embarrassment, to ithe authorities there, seeing that they have tp bp-^d from the by no meani too fully stocked, stores of the Transvaal capital. Later on they are likely to prove a serious embarrass- ment to the British forces, for, in the inevitable result of the siege of Pretoria, it is more than likely that the prisoners would fall victims to our own shells. Notwithstanding the custom in civilised war- fare of removing non-combatants, including prisoners, to a place of safety, President Kruger, or his military advisers, are not likely to lose 90 golden an oppor- r tunity of embarrassing the British forces. The autho, rities at Cape Town are also embarrassed with their prisoners. For various reasons, pne of whic^i, it is believed, was the desire oq the part of,the prisoners themselves, they were removed from the Penelope, in Simon s Bay, to the mainland, where, however, a legal difficulty' propped up. Cape Town and the immediate surrounding district are not under mar- tial law, whereas the sole charge of these prisoners, so far as they belong fo one of the neighbouring States, is a military one, There is nothing in the Common or Statute Law of the colon j under which they can be charged, and in a test case which was brought before the Supreme Court" of the colony lately it was shown pretty «IearJy that the continued confinement of the prisoners on shore vrw-contrary to the law of the colony. The Supreme Court has not actually come to a deciaion-on the pointy but it will probably speedily do so. Meanwhile, it has been deemed advisable to again send these gentry out to sea,, and they now lie in one of the transpoits far out in Simon's Bay.

CHICAGO has a bird hospital, the only one. of its kind, it is said, in the world, where sick and wounded birds are received and cared for. Such an institution ought to be a great success in this country, for thou- sands of valuable pets are lost through their owners ■ being unable tortreat them wben ill. j IT is not generally known that Sir Erancis Jeune is a remarkably clever actor, and those who saw him act tvhen a'voung man say thai Had Be not made his mark as ft lawyer and a judge he would have 0 occupied a ftaetti&it plabe in the theatrical profes- sion. •" M' ■V'

RATING OF CARISBROOK CASTLE. Having regard to the fact that the "admission** fees charged to the thousands of visitors who flork to Cariiibrook Castle represent, according to calcula- tions based on an official estimate, an annual income of about L-,00, the rating authorities of the Isle of Wight have been anxious to get a contribution from this valuable property in lieu of rates, as is usual with Government property. The Treasury authori- ties have, however, blighted their hopes in this direction, as a letter just to hand states that the Exchequer obtained no receipts from the Castle, which was maintained out of public funds at an annual cost of about 9150, and that no part of the castle was occupied for public service. It was ex- plained that everything was rated except the castle ruins, the large income from which went to the deputy-governor of the island and custodian of the castle (Mr. T. B. H. Cochrane, J.P.), and that the ruins could not be rated. 'r

SANITATION ON A TROOPSHIP. In an, article on the Sanitary Arrangements on a Troopship that appears in the February part of Building World, the author says, in reference to the water supply: The ship's ordinary supply would be totally inadequate for the requirements of, say, 1000 troops, besides horses; but the difficulty is over- tome with the aid of a good condensing apparatus. From the tanks into which the water is condensed (about 20 tons and upwards a day), extra iron pipes are run to suitable positions on the dif- ferent decks, and draw-off cocks are fixed. Under the cocks, for supplying the horses, tubs are placed into which the water is run. In the soldiers' quar- ters small pipes are fixed, and the supply is taken from spring cocks, the amount allowed being usually six pints per head a day, except when the vessel it in the tropics, when one gallon per head is allowed. To provide against any breakdown of the condenser, portable iron tank! holding about 400 gallons each, are placed in the lower holds and filled. Lift pumpa. are then filed fore and aft on the main deck, and the suction pipe from the pumps is t&ken down close to these tanks and finished with a union, on to which a rubber suction hose is screwed and led to each tank as required. A rising main taken from pump is turned down, and run parallel with the main supply and finished at the same points,

HERE is a new story about the Bishop of Win- chester—Dr. Randall Davidson. After a recent ecclesiastical gathering, as the. clergy: were trooping into luncheon one of the most unctuous observed, "Now to put a bridle on our appetites!" "Now te put a bit between my teeth retorted the bishop. THE War Office, it is reported, has practically re- solved to adopt a shield for our soldiers. It is held by the advisers of Lord Lanedowne that the Natal campaign has shown this mode of defence to be im- perative. The proposal suggested is that alight shield should be used from 3(WO yards up to 700, and then that it should be discarded- smce it, is conceded that no shield would be useful in the final rush. AUTHOR Now, 1 want your honest opinion. Tell me wht faults you see in my book," Friend: "Well, for one thing I think the covers are too far apart." JIMSOST "This grip is a mtghty good thing when I you come to think of it. Jamson IJon tsee how/* ¡<'Tbat's because you are not practical. I've saved, a heap of mjnoy by It." Saved money ?" "Lots. The first time 1 had it I went to a doctor and got a pre- scription. Instead of taking that prescription to a °r?' a c°py of it and took the copy t« the druggist. Since then every time I've caught the grip 1 ve just used that same old prescription, and it hasn t coBt me & cent f6r doctor's fees. I just toft you its a sight cheaper than having half a doieot different diseases, no two afcW

CANAL SYSTEMS OF EUROPE. Engineering states that the total length of natural and artificial waterways in European Russia is esti- mated at 53,000 miles. Of this total 4000 miler represents canals and rivers, portions of which have been rendered navigable artifically. This total equals the waterways in all the other countries of Europe, France having 8000 miles, Germany 6250, Austria-Hungary 3750, Belgium 1380, and Britain 2660. In Russia the average length of the canal I barge trips is 670 miles, almost the whole length of the British Isles, in Germany the average is 220- from London almost to Land's End, in France 85, and in England 38 miles. England, however, excels in the volume of canal traffic, having 36 million tons a vear, Russia 32 million tons, France 23 million, Germany 13,500,000, and Austria-Hungary 2,500,000. t

I, MARKET SEWS. IfAKK-LAlrs. —AMwugh the market was again; found wanting in the shape of business," there was a general tint of Bfmness surrounding Careals, the •tbendahce in (she meantirtie being of about the nopal average. Wheat is frequently held for an .advance on the-week. The condition of English continues in. a direction altogether opposed tothe views of buyers, and the limits of trading still keep pace with the Supply on hand, which is unusnally email, whilst vagaries of weather Cause disappointment amongst farmers, and-threshings make no progress whatever. Support is accorded to guaranteed dry samples only, ,And these are saleable in sellers' favour. White bf fine 'dry quality," 29s 6d; and good heavy red, 28a .6dper .qt' delfierta. American 3d to 6d dearer, with smaller arrivals and shipments. No. 1 hard Manitoba, new, quoted at 31s ex-ship; old being-nominal in absence of offers. Northern Bpfinf hew, 30s 9d ex-ship, 31s landed; and new hard Duluth about 3ls 3d in the former, and 31s 6d in the latter position. The market for flour, although slow, is, firm, with a hardening tendency, and shipments are omall. English patents up to 23B 6d for choice quality. The London Millers' Association made no alteration in prices. Town households, 23s; and whites, 26s per sack. Morrison's superlatives quoted ..t 23s; and gilt edge, 17s- 9d ex-store. Iron Dukd, 188 to 18s 3d ex-ship. Cascadas, 22s 6d ex-store. Reverting to feeding stuffs, grinding barley continues scarce, and business in Black Sea is practically (topped. Persian of sound quality, 19s ship to come Bp, and 19s 3d to 19a 6d ex-quay; with American Winchester, 481b, 198 ship to come. Malting descriptions are not mentioned. The market for eats favours sellers, apart from the heavy arrival. American mixed clipped, 148 6d to 14b 9d ex-ship, >jU»8 3d to 158 6d; ex-quay, and white clipped, 158 OM ex-ship, 1&" to Ma Sd landed. Common ILibait, 128 6d ex-ship, 12s 9d ex-quay; and 148 6d, 401b. Be vols, 15s 6d to 16s .ex-quay, 401b. Canadian white No. 1, The 9d ex-ship. Shipments small. Maize oeutinues in exceedingly short supply, and flat is dis- tinctly dearer on the week. Ataerican, mixed, old, 11. 9d to 18s ex-ship, and 18s 3d ex-quay. Odessa, new, ex-ship, to come up, 21s; and old, 22s 6d ex-quay. No fresh developments were apparent in 18e market for beans and peas, the tone being firm if subdued, and trade checked through the indiffer- ence of holders, and supply still very scarce. Ameri- can maize germ meal about due, favours buyers, at £ 4 12s 6d to £ 4 13s 9d and English continues in favour, £ 4 15s to £4 17s 6d per ton being named ex-wharf. London METROPOLITAN CATTLE.—A quiet demand prevailed, this being attributable to salesmen asking an occasional advance of 2d. per 81b., and business progressed slowly for both prime and second quali- ties. Fat butchering cows dull of Sale at late values. Quotations: Scotch, 4s 8d to 4s lCd; Devons, 4s 8&; ISTorfolks, 4s 6d to 4s 8d; shorthorns, 4s 4d to lis 6d; Irish, 4s 3d to 4s 6d per SIb. Irish stores, two and a-hatf years old, zC12 108 per head. Sheep supplies were heavier than on Monday last, but con- sisted principally -ef withers, Which evidenced a dull demand at late prices. Ewes, forming a small proportion, ruled 2d per 81b. higher. n. to 8-stone Down wethers quoted 5s 6d to 5s 8d; 9-stone Uttto, 5s 4d to 5s 6d 10-stone half-bred, 5s to 5s 2d; Jf2-stone Lincolns, 4s lOd to 5s Od; 10-stone Down ewes, 4s Od to 4s 4d; ll-stone half-bred ditto, as 8d to 3e lOd per SIb., sinking the offal. No Calves or pigs were offered. Milch cows. JE16 to £ 23 per, head. Coarse and inferior beasts quoted 3s Od to 3s 6d; second quality ditto, 3s 8d to 4s Od; prime large oxen, 4s 2d to 4s 6d$ ditto Scots, &c., 4s 8d to 4s lOd coarse and in- ferior sheep, 3s 4d to 3s lOd; second quality ditto, As 2d to 5e Od; and first ditto, 5s 2d to 5s 8d per 8tt>. SUITHFIM,D ,MEAT. --Supplies fair, but trade was of a quiet character. Scotch beef quoted 48 to he 6d; English, 38 lOd to 4s Od; American, Deptford killed, 3s 6d to 3s lOd Liverpool, 3s 6d to 3s 8d; American, refrigerated, hind- quarters, 3s lOd to 4s 2d; fOrequarters, 38 Od to Bs 2d. Mutton Scotch, 4s 4d to 4s 8d; English wethers. 4s 2d to 4s 6d ewes, 2s lOd to 3s°2d. Veal: English and Dutch, 4s 44 to 4s 8d. Pork: English, 3s 6d to 3s lOd Dutch, 3s Id to 3s 3d; and Irish. 38 to 3a 2d Der 81b. BILLINGSGATE Fisii;—Hatch,- salmon, 3. to 3s 3d; Irish, 28 6d to 3s; French, 2s 9ti;. Canadian, Is soles, Is 4d to 2s slips, Is 2d to Is 8d dories, 911 to 3d per lb.; turbofc, 10s to 14s; brill, 7s to jtt; halibut, 8s to 9s lemon soles, 7s to 9a plaice, !f8.6d to 6s 6d par stone; steamer ditto (large), 28s to 30s per trunk; Abeidfcen plaice, 35s; whiting, Be 6d to 7s; gurnet, 10s to 15s skate, 10s to 16s; bake, 20s to 26s bream, 6s live cod, 16s to 22s 6d; dead ditto, 8a to 15s per box English aeackerel, 15s to 24s per 60; fresh haddocks, 9s to 16s per trunk; loose, 35s per turn; Dutch smelts. Is to 3s per basket; salted herrings; 30s per barrel; Bee eels, 18s to 22s dead ditto, 13s to 15s per draft; lotwtere, 258 to 80s per score; crabs, 30s per hamper; crawfish, 2s to 2s 6d each; crayfish, 2s -6d per dozen native oysters, 8s; French, 4s; Dutch, 6s per 100; Mhelks, 4s per bushel; mussels, 4s to Co per bag eared haddocks, 5s to 9s per dozen'; smoked salnicitti Bsper lb.; whitebait, 9d to Is per quart; and prawns; Be-to 10s per lb. tcoVANT GARIODN.-Ample supplies of fruit and bles were offered, the demand being fairly brisk. English apples, So to 7s 6d per bushel; Nova Sootian and American, 8a 6d to 22s 6d per barrel; French pears, 5s to 7s 6d per crate; English grapes, Is to 2s 6d; Canary tomatoes, 4s 6d .to 5s 6d per box; parsley, Is 6d to 2s carrots, 2s to 3s; turnips, 2s to 3s per dozen bunches; endive, Is 3d to ls9d; Wtuce, Is to Is 3d cauliflowers, Is to 2s 6a; tuenmbers, 4s to 7s 6d per dozen;, cabbages, 3s to ilrvoys, 4B 6d to 7s per tally; English onions, 8s fcoos 6d per cwt.; Valencia, 5s 6d to 7s per case; BaushrQoms, 6s to 9a seakale, 8s to 12s per dozen punnets; French asparagus, 3. to 4s per bundle; forced rhubarb, Is to Is 3d per dozen bunches; spinach, 2s to 2s 6d per bushel. Wow..—There is very little change in this trade since we last wrote. Holders, as a rule, take a san- guine view of the situation,' and still ask fuli rates, mebeiplit.ing that buyers will in the end yield their iterms. Buyers, however, being well supplied are by no means eager to purchase, but take advantage of Oe present luH to obtain any lots that may be met (with at easier, prices. Trade, though quieter for these nåfons. keeps very healthy, and spinners are very busy; Uing, as a rule, well supplied with the raw material] and good orders on hand, they ask full prices for further contracts, and are not compelled to yield to Slower quotations. Downs, 9d to 14d; Kents, 7d to 18d; half-breds, 8d to 9d. LONDON HAY and STRAW.—Superior picked hay, (80s to 84s; good hay, 72s to 76s; inferior ditto, 55s to 65s; best clover, 95s to 100s; good ditto, 82s to øw;, inferior ditto, 60s to 75s straw, 25s to 36s. IjfeKn TRADE.—Bed cloversped keeps firm. Alsyke, wbtteund trefoil, are unchanged. 1 Perennials well supports the( recent advance.. Italian qpiet.. Timothy gardening. Crenel) s»nfofn cpntinue» cheap. Morfc doing in tares.at; advancing rates. Rye is wanted. Mustard jandrapeeeed favour holders. Reasonable 1 terms prevail for peas and haricots. Scarlet runners. come cheap and good. ^amrrIiige CATTLE.—There was a ger, show of store beasts, and nearly all were sold. Fat beasts were a. good all-round trade. Fat sheep trade slow, at leSs money. Not many store sheep to hand. Good ehaw of fafcpig9' an" ^rac|e better, stores a fair trade. Say, straw, and roots—slaw trade, except for roots. gripes: Beef, 78 to 8s, mutton, 4. to 5s; pork, U 3d to 6s. e-- Reaping! CATTLE.—Beef came to hand sparsely, end sold well at 4s 8d to 5s Ja per atone for best; to 4s 61 tot secondary. Mutton fair supply, and trade quiet, best making 4s 10d to 5s 4a secondary, <4s 4d to 4s 8d. Veal trade brisk, best making 5s to fi#6d secondary, 4s 6d to 5s per stone. COBK BUTTER.—Seconds, 99s; thirds, 80s per cwt. €Wimsbt FISH.—Fiaice, 5s to 6s; lemon soles, 73«b 8s per stone; soles, Is Od to Is 6d per lb.; live dabs, tS*to20S; dead ditto, 14s to 16s lire clings, Ifif to 18s; dead ditto, 12s to 14s Od; kit haddocks, S5s to 18s .gibbfid ditto. 17& 6d to 23s live ditto, 20s per box; whitings, 6s; wbitches, 8s. per stone .gurnets, 6s per box; tur- M. 1ø .2d.tQ Is q brills, Is to b 2d per lb.; live ling, õø to 6s; dead ditto, 4s to 6.1\ ,J8 Od to 8e;dead dio, 3s0d io*5s Od; live skate, 6.tp 78; dead ditto^3s to 4s each finnan haddocks, 4s;; live halibut, to 9s dead ditto,'6s to 8s; English shrimps, 3s 6d.foreign ditto;.3s 3d prawns, i 3s per stone; ki ppers, 2s; bloaters, 2s; reels', 2s per |>ox; catfisb,^ 3os_; Wte coalfish, 25s dead' ditto, E(^ J,fJer score 5 English Oysters, fir 6d; Atoeri- 4s 6d per 100; smelti^ Ss 6d per Box; whelks. is Od Der wash. salt cod. i2a 6d ice, Is 611 »er 6wr. ■ 1 :>■[ y'- ■ .■ 'o,. ri„.

ABT and literature. Air indispensable work of reference to all ton., cerned, in the vast machinery of1 local government throughout the, ki- -,dotii is Kelly's County Councils Municipal Corporations and Parish Cotincils- Com- panion," the 24th annual issue of which has just been issued.The immense mass of carefully com- Etled and handily-arranged statistics presented.has sen revised down to the latest possible date. In addition to the information comprised in the magis- terial directorYl and the comprehensive local government directory, the work contains much use- ful and Reliable matter respecting electoral, fioao- cial, administrative, police, and corollary subjects and it may unreservedly be pronounced fitting to fill properly the place of the public man's perfect vadi pnecum, for-its fulness and accuracy leave nothing to be desired. THB result of the Royal Academy elections, which are conducted with a ourious form of winnowing machinery, must (says the Echo) have been disap- pointing for Mr. Farquharson. At the first ballot of, the first election he led, in the second he was defeated by Mr. Scott Turner, who was ultimately elected. In the second election he led once more in the first ballot and in the !I blackboard'' stage, but was defeated on the third ballot, when Mr. John Belcher, alrchitect, was declared elected. In the election for the third Associateship the same thing happened again be led at first, but finally bad to give way before Mr. Alfred Drury, sculptor. Sir George Reid, President of the Scottish Acacicmy; Mr. Yeend King, Mr. Edward Stott, and other well- known artists received votes for the vacant A.R.A.- ships. The three new Associates of tie Royal Academy elected have all earned their distinction. Mr. John Belcher is the architect of the Institute of Chartered Accountants., in the City, of the new South Rensing- ton Museum, and of Colchester Town,-Hall. Mr. Alfred Drury is a young sculptor of strong individuality. He was formerly. assistant to M. Dalou, the sculptor of "La Itepublique," recently inaugurated ia the Place de la Nation in Paris. His bust of Griselda will be recalled by all visitors to the Tate Gallery. Mr. Henry S. Tuke, the other A.R.A., was one of the founders of the New English Art Club, and was born in York 42 years ago. He studied first at the Slade School, afterwards in Paris under J. P. Laurens, and began to exhibit in the Academy 21 years ago. Mr. Tuke is an artist of the newer English school —an accomplished and original painter. He has two excellent examples in the Tate Gallery, "IÂUgust Blue" and All Hands to the Pumps." AMATEUR photographers who expect to take "snap-shots at the Paris Exposition in 1900 will 'have to pay for the pleasure. Cameras will be allowed on the Exposition grounds only after a per- mit-has been secured from the Exposition authori- ties. A charge of 10 dents. will be-made for this, and the applicant will be required to furnish his name, age, and other personal data, and residence in Paris, that he may be identified. After the permit is granted, exposures will be allowed only of public buildings and general groxipi.t Photographs of individual exhibits will not be allowed. PUBLISHERS' lists were few and far Detween two hundred years ago, but when we Come across them they are none the less worth glancing over on that account. From a page of such advertisements, printed a few-years after the Revolution, we learn that there are now in the press, and will speedily be published at the Unicorn, at the west end of St. Paul's Churchyard," (1) 'A Compleat History of England,' written by several hands of approved ability.. To be contained in two yols. in folio, the first whereof will be published in Trinity Term, 1695"; (2) A new volume of Pin's History of Ecclesiastical Writers,' English'd with great care"; and (3) TWeatram Scotise "—a title that at first sight appears highly incongruouswith the state of Scotlaiid at that time, but which has nothing, as it turns out, to do with the drama. The work is, indeed, stated at length to be "a short Description, and Prospectus curiously engraven in copper, as large as the sheet, of the Castles, Palaces, and most considerable Towns and Colleges; as also the remains of many ancient Churches and Monasteries of tha Kingdom-of Scot- land. Written by John Sleezer, Captain of the Artillery Company, and Surveyor of his Majesty's Stores in that Kingdom." ON the close of the exhibition at the New Gallery of the collected works of Siç Edward Burne-Jones the Berlin Photographic Company were enabled, throilgh the courtesy of the-lvjirious owners, to pho- tograph the principal pictures at The Grange, the residence of the artist for so many years. The pub- lishers are under a legal obligation to tell no more than a Ui^ited number of copies. As a guarantee for theIfulfllment of this undertaking each copy will bear on its title-page tohe signature of Sir Philip Burne-Jones, the artist's son, who will hand over aU royalties due to him to the committee of the Burne- Jones Memorial Fund. A cover has been specially designed for the work by Mr. Walter Crane. THE Cromwell Memorial Committee, which has undertaken the tast of raising funds for the erection of a statue of the Protector at St. Ives, Huntingdon, is to be congratulated on its decision to commission Mr. F. W,. Pomeroy to execute the work. Mr. Pomeroy has lately achieved a remarkable success with his statue of Admiral Blake, for Bridgewater, and his colossal figure of Mr. Gladstone .for the Houses of Parliament promises to be in every way admirable, so that he may fairly be expected to show an adequate sense of the artistic opportunity now offered him. TWENTY-PJVB works of some importance by Michatl Munkacsy are at present collected BL the Continental Gallery in London. They- show instructively the in- equalities of an artistic method that was more than ordinarily dependent upon the stimulus of a momen- tary inspiration. Munkacsy is to be counted among the men whp could deal vividly and impressivSlj with a great subject on a commanding scale, but could not in less ambitious work rise above a com- monplace level. In this exhibition both aspects of his art are presented. The best things are the large sketches for Christ before Pilatq," and Calvary,' which have great merits as strongly handled and dramatic conceptions unspoiled by any straining after that theatrical effectiveness which passes with the public for grandeur and dignity. THE Marquis of Anglesey has composed an operetta which has been produced in the little, prjvate:tl>eatrei in his mansion at Plasnewydd. IN the Revs. Heiul Solly's Reminiscences, These .Eighty Years," a story is told of one of the discus- sions at the Artisans' Institute, at which Lord liose- bery presided. A workman named Elliott, of Republican opinions, addressed the chairman as Mr. Rosebery. Thereupon Mr.Solly rose and said that Mr. Elliott must not be rude to his guest. At the end he said to Lord Rosebery he was sorry the man had behaved rudely.. Oh," said his lordship, if those men only kaew how little we care vfor our titles, they would nlit make such arfusa about them." Seeing Eiliott and others at the Coffee-bar as he went away, kordnBosaberj held outi his himd, saying, "Come, Mr. Elliott Jet usshake hands; I'm not such a bad fellow, after all." « i a' e -Tux Which exposes natidhalj collections to the most serious risks of destruction ig,uppa,nmtay J1 a'monopoly of our Science "and Art Department. A story comes- from Paris which, serves as B;U,,excollett- pe-qdant to the recently published record of -the sins ■ of ominion I and com- mission that for a long time past have been sup- posed to be,, peculiarly characteristro of the So nth Kensington authorities, In oae wing of the Louvre is; housed the FrenchColonial Oflce,J in another part of the sSme building, which is eld -antf- not. fireproof; are some of the most im- portant of the art treasures that belong to the; French nation. The .wisdom of puthng under the, same roof an ordinary Government office apd, an viit ( gallery full of things that by no possibility could be replaced, is open to question, even if extreme pre- cautions were taken against accidents. But what is the nature of the safeguarding done by the French officials may be judged from the account given of the arrangements in the Colonial section. The rooms I assigned to thj3 office are subdivided by wooden partitions into small compartments, which are packed with records and papers of all sorts, and heated by stoves. In many cases the flues of these stoves pass through the wooden partitions. Altogether every device calculated to encourage a serious con- flagration may be said to have been provided; and I it is not surprising to hear that in the last two years 14 fires have varie< 1 the monotony of the business in the Colonial, Office. The ieason given for con- tinuing this state of affairs is that there is no money available for nnprovetBMtts. South Kensington at its best could not have given a more -striking example of inefficiency; the Depaitment has been beaten 011 it,, own ground. vr.rM-- i i,

THE WOMAN'S WORLD. A NHW fad (»ays the Eveuwg News.) is a perfumed; nightcap. Very-different from the caps that our' grandmothers wore, however, are the dainty con fee-, tions of this period. The object of the cap is to per- fume, the hair. Perfumes and extracts are apt to injure the hair. The alcohol in them is said to engender grey locks; and while young women are willing to apply powder to a small part of their pom- padour, they object distinctly to grey hair. The caps in-question are made something on the order of-the head-dresses worn by the Florentine ladies of caste in the seventeenth century. They are made in two layers of thinnest silk, between which are tiny pieces of cotton batting heavily dusted with sachet. Being worn for several-houra, the hair becomes thoroughly perfumed.. THE mother is responsible (observes the Swi) foir the proper dressing of her little daughter, and this is the point at which I trust lean be most useful to her. Those who have long used, or abused, the corset are not to be converted from it, but why can the mother not begin right with her daughter, if she has any regard for her health, her comfort, even for her beauty ? There would be more. perfect forma in the, world if there were more sensible mothers. If a maiden is slender there is great haste to put on a corset so as to improve (?) her shape, but these girls are precisely the ones whose corsets should not be worn too early or tqo long or tight. I am ready- to admit that the corset, properly used, may be an advantage in distributing the weight of the skirts over a larger surface, instead of having them all pulling around a single line. But to serve this end best the corsets should rest upon the hips, so that the tender body is not subjected to pressure or borne ;qo,n iJJy ,the weight of the skirts., It should be loose, so as not to interfere with the free m ove- ment of the body, and especially so as not to inter- fere with the organs beneath it, compressing the liver, stomach, &c. Nor should it extend too far up, avoiding any interference with breathing and the movements and development of the muscles of the back. The weight of the underclothing should not be too great. The fewer and lighter these garments are the less the pressure on the corset. Let them be warm and light. t, 0;, EVERT young wife naturally wishes (remarks a writer in the London Journal) to be one of those whose quiet evenings are not voted a bore. She will do well, therefore, to remember, above all things, that it is to be a quiet evening, and avoid all fuss and display. If a meal is included in the invitations, let it be dainty, but simple, modelling it on your own every-day style of living, with here and there an addition in honour of the invited guests. Supper, dinner, or high tea is no trouble if dainty serving is the rule in a house. It is only when things are usually at sixes and sevens that guests are a worry. Do not fuss, and, above all, be natural. Do not feel obliged to talk company subjects; speak of those things which interest you most, or are your guests? pet hobbies; remember, rest and quietness is the motto of a friendly evening. Do not dilate on the burning topics of the day; argu- ment is the thief of pleasure and recreation", and in these days of high pressure of work and worry for both sexes, your guests will not come and spend another quiet evening with you if they wake up the next morning with nervous headaches. Suggest music if there is a really musical member of your party; but do not put a nervous performer through his pases for the sake of a doubtful pleasure afforded to the audience. Pipes and cigarettes are lighted sometimes, even when the fair sex is present; and its tirod limbs are relaxed, and minds weary with the dull round of business or household work are expanded, there will be no lack of" brightness and cheei fulness. TUB absolutely plain and tight-fitting skirt is dying, if it is not already dead, and we welcome in its stead the box-pleated skirt. The simplest has one box-pleat down the immediate centre of the back, narrow at the top, and becoming wider, or some- times two box-pleats appear side by side. The newest development however, is to have many small pleats on the upper part of the skirt, the material below them falling in full folds. Needless to say, these tiny pleats must be carefully handled, or the effect will be to greatly increase the apparent size of the figure. In, some cases they are arranged in narrow pleats at the back and on the hips, the front of the skirt being left plain. I! THE latest bowa consist of numerous loops of bands of velvet machine-stitched. These bows fre- quently form the only trimming of dtttpod velvet toques, or those covered with fur., HAIRBRUSHES need to be washed more frequently in summer than at any other time, because of the perspiration of the head, which readily retains, the dust ill the hair. The best brushes may be ruined by careless washing, and if the Wistles are allowed to become soft a hairbrush "beconies practically useless for its intended purpose. Many persons cleanse hair- brushes by covering them with wheaten flour, and simply rubbing the bristles^ together. This niethocl, however, is not thoroughly satisfac- tory. To keep your brushes in good condi- tion proceed in the following manner: Have two dishes of cold—not hot—water. To the first dish, which contains, say, :a. quart of water, add a dessertspoonful of ammonia. Now take your brushes, one by. one, and keep dipping the bristles up and down in the water (being Careful not to wet the backs), and in a minute or two the dirt and dust will come out of them M if by magic, leading them beautifully white. Now dip up an^d down several times in the second dish, containing the clean water, to rinse- them shake -well, and place to drain across a rack or towel-horse. No soap is needed, and no rubbing' with the hands. If you adopt this method of cleansing your brushea you will find that they will .last three times as long as if cleansed with hot water ,and soap, and that the bristles will preserve their stillness. FOR with all the work that has to be accomplished with soap and: water rubber gldves should be worn; they are cheap, durable, and very pliable, the hand being as fred almost as if uncovered. They ar? a sort of flesh-coloured rubber,' aend art for sale wherever rubber goods are kept. A pair last a year. After:, using the gloves, they should be turned wrong side out and thoroughly dried and sunhed. They should never be used for washing dishes, for the grease in the water eats the rubber away very quickly, and once a puncture the size of a pin-head comes, the gloves are useless. But it is not at all, necessary for one to wet one's hands in washing dishes, for a long-handled swab should always be employed, as it is neater and better than a cloth.- In using one only the tips of the fingers touch the water. One can whiten the hands and prevent them getting cOarse and red by washing them frequently in oatmeal water. This makes the skin fine"and «oft. Occasionally, if the hands are very red and un-' sightly, a few grains of chloride of lime can be put in the softened wkter used in washing the hands; but- one must be very careful to remove all rings and 4 jewelry, as the lime is injurious to them. As the afterwear of gloves depends much on the way they are treated from the very beginning, new, gloves should be put on most carefully. Those who know say that you should never put on gloves, when you are in k hurry and just going out;, ralher choose another time when your hands are. cool and you have 10 minutes or so to devote to them. Before beginning, dust a little powder ¡ into each glove, for this will cause them to blip on more easily. Work the fingers well OIA i before putting in -the thumb then work that in j slowly, gradually smoothing the kid on to the hand- When the glove is carefully put on, pull it well down and button the aecoii d biittor, and any others there! are, with the exception of the first. Leave this first, button until the last. If the hands are hot, remove the gloves and then turn them inside out, pulling j them carefully into shape and leaving them ia tht air for an hour or two before putting them away.

ly • MR ALFRED MositLy, who is taking out to South Africa, entirely at his own expense, a thoroughly equipped hospital to be placed at the base of opera- tions, is well known in South African circles. He was, indeed, one of the early settlers on the Kimber- ley diamond fields. He is a Clifton man by birth, but he weat eut to seek his fortune in comparative youth. He nowlives at Hadley Wood. Mr. Mosely hopes'to be ready to start in the middle of February. The hospital, which will be fully equipped for a hundred beda. will be named after the Princess Christian.

home hints. I MARBLE nay le cleaned by mixing up a quantity I of the strongest soap lees with quicklime, to the consistency rnilk, and laying it on the marble fQr 24 hours; clean it afterwards with soap and water. BUNIONS.—Rub with camphorated oil, and puta pad of lint steeped in arnica on the place, covered with oil silk. To REMOVB THB BLACK on Corpus KKTTLES.—Rnb well with mould and apiece of ,ø.nl, then polish with-wet whiting and 4jrickdnst or bath-brick. SCOURING MIXTURE FOR TINS OR BRASS.-Boil two ounces of rotten-stone and two ounces of black soap in a pint of soft water. When cold, add two ounces of spirits of hartshorn. F;su.- When boiling fish it may be very much im- proved by adding about half a teacupful of common vinegar. This gives the fish a good colour, makes it firm. and improves the Savour. BLVBHINO.—This < distressful sensation is usually caused from having indigestion and cold feet. The feet should be well rubbed with hot water and a rough towel several times a day, and the diet carefully attended to. COMPLEXION.—For those ugly black specks in the akin that so many people suffer from, this lotion rubbed in well and then washed off with hot water will be found excellent: Ammonia, 20 drops; soft soap, lez.; ether, ldr. FROSTED WINDOWS.—Windows may be frostad by washing them over with a strong concoction of Epsom salts. Repeat this three o r four times, allow- in:; the glass to dry between each application. This gives a sparkling effect. To RENOVATE TORTOISBSIUILL COMBS.—When piaw tortoiseshell combs are defaced the polish may be renewed by rubbing them with pulverised rotten- stone and oil. The rotten stone should be sifted through muslin, then polished with jewellers' reuge or with salted magnesia. I a MOCK CRAB.—Take any required quantity of good mellow cheese, pound it well in a mortar, incorpor- ating with it made mustard, salad oil, vinegar, pepper, cayenne, and salt to season, and render it about the consistence of the cream of a crab. Mix into it half a pint or more of pickled shrimps, and serve in a crabsbell- or on a dish garnished with slices of lemon. ORANGE BRANDY.—-To each bottle of brandy allow one large or two Seville oranges. Wipe the oranges, put them into an earthen jar, pour over the pure brandy, and close the mouth air-tight. Let it stand a month, and stir carefully, so. as not to break the oranges, once a week. At the end of the month strain, and add 21b. of sugar to six bottles of brandy. Tie up again for a week, and bottle. MEAT CHARLOTTz.-Une a pie-dish with stale bread, and moisten with stock or gravy; sprinkle over this some meat (any kind of cooked meat) minced fine, and some chopped onion and parsley, pepper and salt; add another layer of bread, which must be moistened in the same way. Proceed in this way till the dish is nearly full. Over the last layer of meat and seasoning strew breadcrumbs, instead cf a slice of bread, so as to hide the meat completely, place a few little dabs of butter on the crumbs, and bake in the over for an hour.-Londm JournJal. To AVOID DANGER FROM War CLOTHES.Keep, if possible, in motion, and take care not to go near a fire or into a very warm place, so as to occasion a sudden heat, till some time after you have been able to procure dry clothes. c To CIiBAN DECANTERS.—Roll up in small piece* some whitey-brown or blotting-paper; then wet and soap the same; put them into the vessel with a little luke-warm water; shake them --well for a few minutes; then rinse the glass with" clean water,, and it will be as bright and clean as when new from the shop. SOFT POMATUM.—Take what quantity of hog's lard yeu choose to make, cut it into small pieces, and cover it with cit/ar spring water, changing it every 24 hours for eight days. When it is perfectly white, put it.into a pan, and melt it over a clear fire. When it is all melted, strain it, and put to it some essence of lemon to perfume it; so keep it for use. A PLEASANT PERFUME, and also a preventive against moths, may be made at the following ingredients: Take of clove, caraway seeds, nutmeg, maoe, cinna. mon, and tonquin beans, each loz.; then add as much Florentine orris-root as will equal all the other ingredients put together. Grind the whole well to powder, and then put it in little bags among your clptfeesr&c.-p- j t RJSMBDY FOB SzA-wcxxzso.-In all ordinary cases, if in dread of sickness, lie down on the back at least' a quarter of an hour before the vessel starts. No position but that of recumbency on the back will do. Let head, body, and back become, as it were, a part of the vessel, participating in its motion without muscular effort. This precaution is often of itself sufficient. It will be of little use to assume this posi- tion after the sickness has commenced A RICH SEED CAKE.—Take a,pound ana a quartei of flour well dried, a pound of butter, a pound of loaf sugar, beat and sifted, eight eggs, and two ounces of caraway-seeds, one grated nutmeg, and its weight in cinnamon. Beat the butter into a cream, put in the sugar, beat the whites of the eggs and the yolks separately, then mix them with the butter and sugar. Beat in the flour, spices, and seed, a little before you put it in the oven. Bake it two hours in J a quick oven.-Spare Moments. CURUTG COLDS AT THE BEGINNING.—" Only a cold" is a foolish saying, since two thirds of the ailments of humanity are direct or indirect results of neg- lee-ted or half-cured colds. Once a cold gets a thorough hold of anyone, espeoialiy of a child, it is hard to cure, but so much can be done in the begin- ning. Hot bath and an early going to bed and long night will often quite check the development in early stages, especially if a fire be lit in the bedroom and the temperature be kept just at same point as that of the room left. The inhaling has quite a marvellous effoct, either over a basin of boihng water, or of eucalyptus, camphor, or creosote. 'A HAND OF FORK AND WHAT TO DO WITH IT.— This is a most economical joint to buy, as every scrap can be utilised, and from it a really delicious dish provided. See that it is neatly cut, and unless n'nch liked by some member of the family, buy it without the trotter. Skin it and then remove the' bone. Prepare a forcemeat, as for veal, of 3oz. totead (crust or crutnb), loz. suet, or a little melted dripping, grated lemon rind, mixed sweet herbs (parsley, thyme, and marjoram) to taste, and season lightly with pepper, salt, and ground mace. If you use crusts of bread, soak them until soft in a little milk and water, squeeze very dry, and mash very finely with a fork. Stuff the hand with this, sew up neatly and make it into a nice shapely, .form. Lay it in a stew jar with a little milk and Wafer, and cook gently in a moderate oven; keeping it well basted with the liquid and closely Covered. tT-or ipow and then. It will take-from three to four hours, Very little tailk should be used, as the meat always curdles it; still, use a little, as it" greatly improves the flavour of the pork. WheB .ready place it on a hot dish, remove the string, and pour over it A good white sauce nicely seasoned and flavoured. You will be surprised at the delicacy of the pork, which seems to be chicken or veal gather than pork. The remains can be, up and re-warmed in the sauce, :or' made into a 1 curry or Cornish pasties. The bone b(roken up and stewed sloWlyvwith cold, water and » pinch of salt or sugar makes ra excellent «tock for vegetable soups, such as peas, haricot beans, a°d lentil soups, all or which are improved by the addition of a 'rioh, grfeasy stock, such as pork, ham, or bacon bones produce. The skin should be cut np «rid rendered down in a cool oven. When the fat is all extracted, strain it off and it will be as good as lard. The scraps still contain some fat and make a good breakfast dish with a mustard sauce, and can be eaten hot or cold. The liquor in which the porit was stewed is not to be despised. It is excellent Made hot and poured over hot potatoes for supper, I 6r well-soaked haricot beans may be added to it and slowly cooked until the beans are quite tender and yet not broken. Season at the last moment, as salt hardens beans and so prolongs the cooking, The white sauce to be served with the pork should be really good but not necessarily very rich. To make half-a-pint: A strip of thinly cut lemon rind, with an onion stuck with one or., two cloves, four peppercorns, a piece of mace, and a small bouqtiet of herbs, should be put into the milk and allowed to infuse near the fire. When well flavoured, strain this and measure it, To each half-pint of milk use loz. butter and loz. flour, seasoning to taste. Melt the butter in a saucepan, and when quite liquid add the flour (off the fire) and mix thoroughly. When well blended add the flavoured milk, gradually stir- ring all the time. Return the Saucepan to the fire, stir,until it boils, cook well, add the seasoning at the last moment and pour part of it over the poirk and serve the not separately.—Agricultural (wal

I ¡ L B 0 R LO N 0 4i 4 Cheapest and dfest House in the World for all Sporting Requisites. Write or Call for Comprehensive Catalogue (Illustrated) Post Free anywhere. An M.D.'s Opinion of OAMAGE'S I "OSOEZI" SADDLE. í "IT-,tvant, Ranb. Dear Sira,—J have not ridden on the "OSOEZI" Saddle mv Helf, but have been trying it for a lady patient, to ■whom vibration would mean dreadful pain. Sne is perfectly com* furtt.ble on it. and expresses her pleasure eve^y tune I see hei\ I have Rhown the drawing ib seteral people, and the patient, who came some distance to see me-, ordered a saddle of this pattern from one of the agent? Here.. „ „ April S. Tours faithfully, M.D." ASK YOUR DOCTOR WHICH IS THE BEST SADDIJS FOB CYCLING ? HE WILL AT ONOE BEPLY—THE "OBOEZI." AND WHY? It is at once hygienic, anatomically correct, and pressure upon the perineum is avoided No saddle toreness, even after the hardest and moat continuou* riding. 91 post free. Suitable for Ladies or Gentleman. Easily «■*■/ adapted to any machihe. Our Cycles "STAND THE RACKET," and are Marvellous VALUE FOR MONEY. The "HJXTTM." Gent's, £ 8 Lady's, £ 9 10s. The "GAMSPEDE." Gent's, £ 10 10s. Lady's, £ 1111a. The "GAMAGE." Gent's. £ 12 128. Lady's, £ lJ 13s. The SPECIAL GAMAGE." Lady's o* Gent's, £ 16 16#. of every:thing). „ .AnI! of the above can be had by Monthly Payments. The Parcel Post affords a rare opportimity for country residents to deal witn a first- class house. We despatch hundreda of par- cels daily to the, remotest parts of the United Kingdom and abroad. I The "LUCISSIME" MP Cycle Lamp. .f GOOD LIGHT. 'L Won't Blow Out. All Parts Rivetted. No Solder Used. Richly NickellecL raICE 8/S Postage 4d. The SPRINGFIELD Wrench, a sure gripper, nickel platect.. very strong. AV Wjjy' Postafi# 2d. t THE "NEW ERA" | CYCLOMETER. Made by the ail. STANDARD WATCH CO., N.Y. The Smallest and Most Accurate. MADE LIKE A WATCH. DUST AND RAIN PROOF. Graceful in design. Beautiful in finish. Registers 10,000 miles, and fractions. G ed and weight only loz. Price -8/11. In the new Gun Metal, 4/IL Postage 2d. Carriage Paid on all Orders owr 10s. unless otherwise stated. L NOTE THE ADDRESS— A. W. GAMAGE, Ltd., Holborn, LONDON, E.C.

A SECRET MUSEUM DIARY. From time to time, says the Daily Chronicle, one hears of a certain secret MS. book said to be kept by the officers of the British Museum Beading-room—a diary of the ways and manners of that strange human product, the British Museum reader. The- volume can never be published. Still a tale or two now and then gets abroad, and one gathers that the passion of hate certainly runs, high in the vitiated atmosphere. A curious instance occurred not long ago. All day long a man had. sat quietly working at his desk; next him was a lady similarly employed. As dusk was coming on and the air grew more poisonous he was seen to glance nervouslyabout him and then dash, hatless, from the building. He Hurried to the nearest post-office and telegraphed to the lady at the next seat to his that he should at- tempt her life without delay. He returned with an air of relief to collect his books, and was in due time himself collected by the police.