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INDIA'S TROUBLES. -
INDIA'S TROUBLES. AMEER'S SUBJECTS FIGHTING WITH THE FANATICS. MASSING OF BRITISH TROOPS ON THE FRONTIER. In view of the concentration on the Nortli- Western frontier of reserves of great strongth, mili- tary activity is very general in India. Troops from distant cantonments are on the move to variom points on the northern border, and the railways are very busy transporting them. A large number of officers are under orders to return to their regiments. All leave has been stopped in the Indian Medical Service, and 21 medicai officers have been recalled from furlough borne. Regarding Afghan intrigue, it is generally recog- nised that the raid near Peshawur was entirely due to the action of the notorious Mullah of Haddn. He did his best to create trouble during the Chitral campaign, but the Mullah lives in the Mohmand country, which is subject to the Ameer of Afghanistan, and he is known to have had intimate relations with the Ameer s General, Gholan Haidar Khan, at Jellalabad. His raid on Shabkadar was doubtless designed to serve as a diversion in favour of the Swatis. The fanatical priest's proclamations, summoning all the tribes along the border to join the jehad, were circulated broadcast in Bajaur, Swat, the Black Mountain, Indus, Kohistan, and Khyber districts, and among the Afridis and Orakzais. The local Afghan officials are said to have assisted in passing on these proclamations. Much of the unrest on the frontier was likewise due to the preaching of itinerant Mullahs, who have been expatiating on the successes of the Turk in Europe, the coming millennium of Islam, and the necessitv for entering upon a jehad forthwith. A feeling exists among the tribes that a rising will be welcome to the ruler of Afghanistan, and there is little doubt that the Hadda Mullah, in the attack upon Shabkadar, had with him a considerable num- ber of men who are the Ameer's subjects. A rumour has, indeed, been current that the men fighting against the British at Shabkadar were the Ameer's Sepoys in mufti. Abdurrahman will doubtless disclaim all responsi- bility, but a mere disclaimer will scarcely satisfy the Government of India, in view of the attitude of his Highness of late. It is felt here that the Ameer, with his missions to Constantinople, his reception of the Turkish Envoy, his constant reminders to his people to prepare for a Jehad, his distribution broadcast of pamphlets which have served the Mullahs as admirable texts for their fanatical harangues, and, finally, his gifts of arms and ammunition to the frontier tribes, is drifting into dangerous waters, and the Indian Government doubt- less thinks it desirable to have an overwhelming force ready to hand, on the North-Western frontier, in order to minimise further troubles. Brigadier-Generals Westmacott and Yeatman- Biggs have been appointed to the command of the two new reserve brigades at Rawal Pindi. WOMEN AND CHILDREN SENT BACK FROM PESHAWUR. A telegram received in Bombay from Cherat states that sharp firing was heard in the direction of Fort Shabkadar on Saturday evening. The distance of the latter place from Peshawur is only 17 miles, and great excitement prevails in Peshawur city. The women and children at the Cherat cantonments have left for the Murree hills, north-east of Rawal Pindi. It is learnt at the India Office that nothing is known about the simultaneous withdrawal of the Ameer's agents from Calcutta, Bombay, Simla, and Karachi to Cabal, as reported in Bombay, but it is explained that the main function of the agents is commercial, and too much importance need not be attached to the news. At the same time it is clear from the news generally coming from the frontier that both Afghan subjects and officials are at least credited with having a share in the disturbances along a considerable part of the Ameer's frontier, and the Indian authorities are fully alive to the situation thus created. A number of army surgeons were ordered to India on Saturday morning. Nine surgeon-majors and turgeon-captains will leave immediately for Bombay. They are Surgeon-Majors F. W. Rogers, M. F. Kele- wald, H. Adey, D. P. Warliken, and Surgeon- Captains Mac Watt, Luard, Sarth, Hulbert, and Earle. A telegram received at the India Office states that Colonel Lumb is going on as well as can be ex- pected THE AMEER FRIENDLY TO INDIA. The Ameer of Afghanistan has issued a firman for- bidding his subjects to join the rebellions natives under the Hadda Mullah near Peshawar. The Afghan Governor of Khost has received orders from the Ameer to punish any Afghans who may again raid the camels of the Tochi punitive expedition. IN THE UPPER SWAT VALLEY. News from the Kohat border shows that no gatherings have yet taken place of the Orakzai tribe. It is believed that the excitement caused by the Mullah's preaching may flicker out. Sir Bindon Blood, with the 1st Brigade and three batteries of artillery, on Monday reached the con- fines of the Upper Swat Valley, where the tribesmen have not yet tendered their submission. The Musa- khel, whose villages he passed through on Sunday, submitted abjectly before the troops moved. A force composed of the Highland Light Infantry, a squadron of the 10th Bengal Lancers, and the 39th Garhwal Rifles, under General Wodehouse, has marched from Mardan to Rustam, where they are watching the southern Boner country. Subadar Gurmukh Singh, 14th Sikhs, of the Tochi field force, has been shot dead by a sepoy in the regiment who ran amok. The murderer was cap- tured after shooting at his comrades. The subadar was one of the finest native officers in the Indian Army. He was with the detachment of the 14th Sikhs which defended Chitral fort, and to his cool- ness and gallantry much of the success of that defence was due. The Government specially re- warded him for the services which he rendered on that occasion. THE CASUALTIES AT SHABKADR. The following telegram has been received at the India Office from the Viceroy "Simla.—Following is amended list of killed and wounded British troops action at Shabkadr, August 9: 51st Field Battery, R.A.—Captain Blacker, wounded severely. No. 10,529 Sergeant Wallman and No. 15,882 Sergeant Chase wounded slightly. Somersetshire Light Infantry, 1st Battalion.— Killed-No. 2173 Sergeant William White, No. 3734 Private Ernest Bisher, No. 3199 Private Thomas Atkins. Wounded severely.—Major Lumb, No. 1202 Sergeant Jesse Miles, Privates No. 3539 Henry Eyles, No. 3309 Charles Gleed, No. 1776 John Gatehouse, No. 1310 Thomas Walker, No. 3205 George Landford, No. 3520 William Barker. "Wounded slightly.—Lieutenant Eric Drummond, Privates No. 3327 Themas Trake, No. 2872 Albert Miles. 20th Bengal Infantry.-30 wounded severely in- stead of 20, as already reported.
AN AWKWARD ACCIDENT.
AN AWKWARD ACCIDENT. Advices received at Portsmouth from Portland state that while the ships of the Channel Squadron were being exercised at general quarters on Friday of last week, one of the quick-firing guns on H.M.S. Prince George was inadvertently loaded with live instead of with dummy cartridges, and, on the gun being fired, the shot passed across the Japanese battleship Fuji. Fortunately no one was injured, but considerable consternation was caused. Apologies and explanations were sent from the flagship Majestic, and an official inquiry has been ordered into the matter.
ROBBING A GRAVE.
ROBBING A GRAVE. Richard Head, 40, and Thomas Grau, 17, were charged at the Dartford Police-court on Saturday with stealing 16 wreaths, value JE7 10s., from a grave in Horton Kirby Churchyard. The wreaths bad been placed on the grave of a lady who was buried on August 9, and the same evening the prisoners were seen with a targe number of wreaths in their fiorsession. They were afterwards found on the lawn of Horton Kirby Vicarage. Head said be bad been enticed to get flowers, and was under the in- fluence of drink at the time. Head, against whom convictions for burglary and herse-stealing were proved, was committed for trial, and the other prisoner was sentenced to 14 days.
[No title]
THE 1st, Grenadier Guards, who are shortly to go to Gibraltar, have been ordered, as a preparatory step, to hand over their regimental transport at once to the 2nd Scots Guards. THE Dukn u. Westminster has received a furtner donation of £IO from Mr. John P. Thomasson for the Thessaiiati refuses who have lost their harvest. Tin] Sheffield C-)ij()ration is about to introduce the •lectricai oveihead system on all the present tramway routes within the city, and also to make extensions to many of the populous suburbs. '1'HEGreenwich Hospital pension of £3.> a year for Aief c&. p(m., el., of the Royal navy, rendered vacant by the d,.atti of Mr. James Reading, has been Warded te Mr. William E. Nicholls. superannuated caroentair.
THE ROYAL DUEL.
THE ROYAL DUEL. The duel between Prince Henry of Orleans find rho Count of Turin was fought at five odock on Sunday morning in a small wood at Vaucresson, in the r:eÎ1 p-irk country to test of Pari, and Prince Henry h"d In consequenc^to go to bed with the prospect óf rhe development of his plan" bo:ng considerably re arded owing to the unfortunate and nnre or dangerous wound which he has received in the lower portion of the abdomen. No outsiders, Plot even the reporters of the most privileged L'tiris ioi;VIIHI^, were present at the encounter. Scores of H>nrnnli!"t3 had haunted the hotels of the Feconds Imd he precincts of the dwellings of the principals, but the secret of place and hour was resotuteiyund sur- prisingly well kept. It was only towards ten o'clock on Sunday morning that the best, informed learned wlnt had taken place, and vaguely learned huw it had tak-n place. Tlia minutes as drawn up at Vaucresson, and signed by M. Leontieff and 11. iiaoul Mourich m for Prince Henry, and by Colonel di Quinto and riignor Paliivicini for the Count of Turin, are less concise, perhaps, than is usual, in order to respond to the unusual interest aroused and to make up for the lack of the professional report! coverirg a column or more, to which certain very Parisian journals have habituated us in the case of those duels which ure Parisian events." This minute is as follows In conformity with the minute of the date of August 11, the meeting derided upon between Prince Henry of Orleans and the Count, of Turin took place at five o'clock on the morning of August 15 in the wood of Vaucresson, at the place known as Dois des Marechaux. The combat lasted 21) minutes and comprised five assaults, directed alternately by Count Leontieff and Count Avogadro. In the lirst engagement the Prince of Orleans was hit in the right breast by a sword-thrust, which, apparently, did not penetrate farther than the subcu- taneous cellular tissue. After consultat on with the doctors the seconds decided to continue the combat. The second engagement had to be interrupted owing to t he combatants coming to close quarters. In the third engagement the Count of Turin was hit, m tb" back of the right hand by a sword-thrust, which did not penetrate beyond the subcutaneous cellular tissues. Upon the combatants resuming their positions it was noticed that Prince Henry of Orleans s sword bad been bent. The engagement was stopped and the sword changed. In the fifth engagement, after the duel had been stopped owing to the combatants coming to close quarters, Prince Henry of Orleans from a counter thrust received a wound in the right-hand lower portion of the abdo- men. whereupon the engagement was stopped. After verification and examination of the wound, the doctors of both parties having recognised that the wound of Prince Henry put him in a state of manifest inferiority, MM. Leontieff and Mourichon proposed to stop the duel. By common agreement it was stopped. After the meeting and during the dressing of the wound, Prince Henry, lifting himself up, extended his band to the Count of Turin and said to him, Permit me, Monseigneur, to shake hands with you,' and the Count of Turin shook hands with him. "The doctors were—for Monseigneur the Prince of Orleans, M. Toupet and M. Hartmann, of the hospitals; and for Monseigneur the Count of Turin, M. Carle." The only other details which have leaked out may be quickly stated. Prince Henry drove out to Vau- cresson in a coupe with his two doctors. The duellists fought in shirt sleeves; Prince Henry without, the Count of Turin with gloves. When the word of com- mand was given the two Princes rushed so vigor- ously at each other as to disquiet and sur- prise the seconds. In fact M. Leontieff is reported on excellent authority to have said in reference to the extraordinary viva- city of the meeting, "It was terrible." Both Princes, it has been seen, were wounded, but Prince Henry's wound in the abdomen is the only one in any way serious. It appears that his sword was bent by a button of the Count of Turin's trousers, and that but for this chance the Count would certainly have been dangerously wounded, if not pierced throwgh. Prince Henry wa? taken home to his father's house in Rue Jean-Goujon by Dr. Toupet, and put immediately to bed. A wound in the abdomen, as is well known, may be complicated by peritonitis, and this renders Prince Henry's friends anxious. All day long there have been inquirers, but the doctor can only state that he cannot pronounce on the gravity of the wound before two or three days. It is said that the sword point has penetrated to within a half-centimetre of the intestines. The Count of Turin arrived in Paris on Saturday morning. The statement made that he arrived on the preceding day and had an interview with Prince Henry was, of course, incorrect. Principals in duels do not meet until they meet in the field. Another statement calling for contradiction is the alleged sig- nature of Sir Edmund Monson in Prince Henry's visitors'-book. The signature was a silly forgery, and perhaps not the oaly one. Sir Edmund Monson is not acquainted with the Prince. PRINCE HENRY'S CONDITION. Prince Henry of Orleans passed a quiet night after the duel, and hie condition continued on Monday satisfactory. The news of the victory of the Count of Turin over Prince Henry of Orleans was received in Rome with the utmost enthusiasm. The people crowded the streets, and bands played the Italian National The decision of General Albertone to abandon his intention of fighting Prince Henry was conveyed in a letter sent by his seconds to Count Leontieff and M. Mourrichon, Prince Henry's seconds, on Sunday. The letter stated that in consequence of the duel which had been fought between the Prince and the Count of Turin, General Albertone withdrew, and sonsidered the matter at an end. The Matin learns on what It, describes as sure authority that telegrams were exchanged on Saturday between Rome and Paris, and that the Count of Turin was called upon to withdraw his challenge. It was then that the seconds, weary of the negotiations and the incessant messages, resolved that the decision arrived at by them in the morning should hold good, and that the duel should take place at Vaucresson at the French and Italian Armies have long learned to respect each other, and all that should h«red of the duel is the handshake es» £ jffwo.SW th' C°"°' T»i».
THE ENGINEERING TROUBLE.
THE ENGINEERING TROUBLE. EXTENSION OF THE GREAT STRUGGLE. In all strike pay was disbursed last week-end to 44,000 men throughout the United Kindom to the amount of £25,000, this including to the non- Unionists and labourers who are out in sympathy. At a meeting of the englDeen executne on Satur- day night it was reported that offers of assist- ance had been received from several quarters, and it was further announced that communications had been received from Messrs. J. Northrop and Company, engineers and millwrights, Ful- uam Works, and Messrs^ Goodacre and Com- pany, engineers, Custom House, E., to the effect that they had conceded the eight hour day to their employes. Down to the present the total number of firmil in the London districts who had granted the shorter working day was 202, employing in the ag- gregate 15,00'J men. A telegram waa rece,^ durmg the day from Mr. G. Barnes, the mens secretary, showing that the dispute. had extended to tbe great Elswick shipyard, of which firm Co (Pre- sident of the Employers Federation) is at the head: "Elswick Shipyard, Newcastle.nety memberg have received notices to-day ro *hipyard as follows: 'In consequence of the backward state of the machinery on the ships Paclobus and O'Higgins, we are competed to ™*uce fcnds on these vessels, and consequen y "j^er you notice to terminate your eng g this day week. The Executive Council of the society decided in view of the ,ack. ,fe.fin,te in- formation to postpone any e action affscting the thousands of hands that are em- ployed at the Elswick shipyards. In the eTet of the engineers having been singled ou the remainder of the men will be withdrawn at the ex- piration of notices. It is estimated that the lockout notices posted in the Sheffield district will throw out UOOO men, but at Leeds the society claim to have gamed a, great victory, in that Messrs. Fairbairn have found it im- possible to keep their works open ID the face of the opposition of the strikers. Messrs. Thorneycroft announce that they have filled the vacancies in their works a iswick by non- unionists, and that work is procee i g as usual.
A LIVERPOOL TRAGEDY.
A LIVERPOOL TRAGEDY. George Kennedy, an employé of the Liverpool Grain Elevator Company, committed suicide on Satur* day by taking poison. Kennedy, it appears, was in love with a young woman, but she declined his over- tures, and married another man, and hearing this Kennedy resigned his situation, and left home. He had since been wandering. On .briday night the woman and be bad an interview at his request, and on Saturday he was found in a yard behind his father's huuse at Everton, having taken carbolic. He was alive when discovered, but died shortly afterwards
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THE competitions for th* Diamond JJLHILEE Scholar- ships and Exhibitions, open to ail British subjects and held at the London College of Music, resulted as follows: Singing scholarship (value £ 2>i), Blanche Williams; pianoforte scholarship (£O), Violet Dixon; elocution exhibition (£ LO), May W. Drysdale violin exhibition (£IO), Winifred 1 weedie Ashdown prize (value £5 6..) Suzanne Stokvia.
THE ALDERSHOT MANOEUVRES.
THE ALDERSHOT MANOEUVRES. The First Field Column was on Monday evening I lying at. Frensham-common. The Second had gone H considerable way further in a south westerly direction, and after the main operations of the day the detached troops—O Battery Royal Horse Artillery and a squadron of the 15th Hussars—which for the occasion were attached to the First Field Column, returned to Aldershot. The march from the station was made by all the troops under most favourable conditions on Monday morning. During the there had been a considerable rainfall. \Vh"!1 the bugle notes of the reveille sounded on the morning air the sky was dull and leadeu-hued, and II drini,ng min continued to descend. By the time the columns were on the move, however, the weather had unproved considerably. The sun soon after- wards made a welcome appearance, and the atmo- sphere became bright and fresh. The roads were pleasant to march õn. the rain having effectually laid the dust. During the course of these manoeuvres the Field Columns have been operating on a set plan, the con- «ecut i vestages of which was worked out diurnal'v, with a few (Jells of work at night also thrown in. The idea on which all this turned was that on the 14th of AIgl1"t. a Nortbern Army, advanclDg to oppose a Southern Army, reached the Thames at Staines. The Southern Army reached th3 line Petersfield-Pet- worth on the same date." Monday's work turned on an assumption that on the morning of August 15 a detached force of the Northern Army reached Guildford, while detached forces of the Southern Army were holding the lines of railway at Farnham and Witley Stations. On the even- ing of the 15th the detached force of the Northern Army ILijor-General Bengough's First Field Column) held t position on the Hog's Back, near Seale, its outposts being in touch with the enemy holding Farnham. The Northern General, whose headquarters were at Staines, sent from that place a small force to occupy Bagshot, and telegraphed instructions to General Bengough to keep touch with his enemy at Farnham, and if the latter retired to keep touch with him, harass his retirement, and, if possible, push him west- ward. On Monday morning, when at Seale, General Bengough received reports from his outposts to the effect, that the enemy was retiring upon Frensham. Major-General Barnard's Second Field Column was the earliest to evacuate Alaershot. This was just I before seven o'clock. It moved by Farnham, Wrecklesham, Frensham Village, and then on to the Common. General Bengough's troops left Aldershot about, an hour later, following an eastern direction until the head of the column reached a point about half a mile west of Ash, when it suddenly changed direction and dropped almost due south until the pine-clad slopes of Crooksbury-hill were turned, then through the village of Tilford, with its well- truunied green and neatly-kept church, and the Wey lazdy llowing through the hamlet. From this point the route followed was the good metalled road which runs almost in a straight line from the south corner of Tilford Village to those prominent landmarks in this part of the country, the Devil's Jumps, the road- way bisecting on its southernmost limits Frensham and Kettlebury-hill Commons, which are as pretty stretches of heather-strewn moorland as one could desire to see. Having ascertained as far away as Seale the line of retirement of his enemy, General Bengough ordered a troop of his Cavalry to follow the rear- guard of the Southern troops, so to fulfil, according to scale, the role of a contact squadron. The Northern General pushed on to the head of the column his battery of Royal Horse Artillery, which took up a magnificent position in full command of the crest line of the sharply-cut ridge which runs north and south of the common. Meanwhile, with the exception of one battalion, his Infantry were halted behind a thick belt of trees and under the lee of Kettlebury-hill, ready, when occasion justified or the opportunity required it, to debouch on the Common and advance to the assault of the crest. The exception referred to was the 1st King's Own Scottish Borderers, who were sent round to the extreme limits of what eventually became the, assaulting line, by rounding the Devil's Jumps, and thus securing a sufficient check on any turning movement General Barnard might eventually have contemplated on his own right. So soon as the Southern Artillery came along and prepared to come into action General Bengough's Horse battery opened fire, and as the whole of the three batteries of General Bar- nard's Column were brought up the two Field bat- teries on the other side were hurried along, and on their coming into action the Artillery duel went on merrily for some considerable time. The odds were strongly in favour of the Northerners, whose guns were so placed that they offered little or no target to the Southern gunners, who themselves were by no means so fortunate. The engagement did not last many minutes after the Northern Infantry had debouched from their cover, but two important things happened about this time. Before cease firing" was sounded General Barnard had retired from the position he assumed on the crest Ime, and all his troops were in rapid flight in the direction of Headley. At the conclusion of the operations, which was shortly before one o'clock, an armistice was declared until balf-past six on Monday evening, when hostilities were again resumed. Outposts were thrown out from both camps, and the utmost military vigilance was again established in order to prevent the possi- bility of surprise. The columns moved complete and carried their own baggage. In former years there have been com- plaints of the number of private hired vehicles that have been used for the transport of the officers' bag- gage and mess equipment. This year the Duke of Connaught restricted the number of private wag- gons taken with the baggage columns to two, and these were not permitted to have more than two wheels each. One of these was for the officers' mess purposes, and the other for the men's dry" canteen. A great amount of misconception exists in the public mind with regard to the expression "dry canteen, which means nothing more nor Jess than a grocery bar where the rank and file may purchase those requisites of their daily fare, other than alco- holic liquors, which are in excess of their ration of beef and bread. The only tents allowed on the present field columns for officers beyond their living tents are one small hospital marquee and one circular tent to be used for messing in. The Duke of Connaught and the Aldershot District Staff, together with the Special Umpire Staff, were at Woolmer on Monday night. The different columns marched about 15 miles on Monday, and at the end of the respective journeys the men were almost as fit and sound as when they started.
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ROSA BONIIECR, the famous artist, leads the life of a peasant, rising early and going to bed late- Every morning, on getting up, she takes a walk in her garden, invariably accompanied by her dog. From nine o'clock until half-past eleven she works in her studio Then she has breakfast. At one o clock work is resumed until five, when MMe.Bonheurgoeaforan excursion in the forest near her home. She finishes her day by reading. QI/KEN SOWABHA PONGSRI OF SJAJ, who UI acting as Regent in her husband's absence, is a very modern woman, and quite as well-informed as to matters European as her Royal spouse. j ¡,L/II.IUIN coinetimes speak contemptuously ol vastus, hut any suspicion that Lascars are not so irave as Englishmen must be removed by the story if the heroic conduct of Sheikh Homar. On the -ream-thip Bombay's trip to Colombo a Lascar com- rade alterupted suicide by leaping overboard. A buoy vas prompt ly thrown to him, for in the heavy sea it vas impossible to launch a boat. He would have "een drowned if Sheikh Homar had not jumped into he water to his rescue. The brave fellow took with nui a rope, which be tied to the lifebuoy. Then he "nUD to tiie ship, and clambered to the deck, where be would-be suicide was hauled later, after being in he sea nearly an hour. NEARLY 12 months have elapsed since anything was known about the people living on "lone St. fvilda's isle," in the Western Hebrides. But it ap- jears from the Oban Times that the Dunara Castle a as made the first visit of the season, and brought ack with her the history of the island sinen Aug. '21 tat. An uneventful history it is. Rev. Mr. Fiddes s the historian, official minister, schoolmaster, libra- rian, postmaster, and registrar, and he reports that -ince August last there have been no births, mar- riages, or deaths in St. Kilda. Life has not been all Humdrum, however. There have been colds in the head but for these the crews of visiting fishing boara are held responsible. TIIBKK are 155,284 miles of railway in Europe, of which 20,977 are on British soil. In Asia the pro- portion is very different. Out of 26,890 miles ol railway 19,700 miles are British. The British rail- way mileage throughout the world is 74,129. Add ta this 181,717 milell in the United States, and we have a total of 255,is46, or about three-fifths of that of the world belonging to the English-speaking race. This is independent of railways under other flags which are due to English or American capital and jkill. THE King of Siam's son, who is receiving a nava* education on the Britannia at Dartmouth, is one of he most popular lads on the vessel. He has a bright manner; he is fond of making gifts, and that, too, with no intention of patronising he is very tenacious of his friends, and he does not put on" side." The Krince, who is undergoing the usual education for massing out as a naval cadet, and who, when that raining is completed, will at once join the Siamese fi>t»v, speaks English prettily, and shows all an Eng- i^h'lad's fondness for the sea. He is under the personal charge of a former instructor on the Britannia, who fpenka in terms of the warmest, admiration of his Vasaidaity. „ i «
i/AKISH COUNCILS.
i/AKISH COUNCILS. J'ROPOSED INQUIRY INTO CIIAIIITIES. At t b ,.1at meeting of the old Radnor PArishCouncil, read a letter from the Chairman af I h County Council, stating he had given norice that he should move a resolution requisitioning the Charity Commissioners to institute an inquiry about the charities in the county of Radnor, under the Char.ties Inquiries (Expenses) Act, 18!)2. The letter terminates by saying that the Chairman of the County Council wished to know if an inquiry into the Chari- ties would be approved of by the different, Parish Councils. Mr. John Williams proposed that the Council approve of an inquiry being instituted, as there was alieady one unknown donoi's chaiitv, and if the inquiries resulted in another charity blrg brouglit, to light, no one would begrudge the halt- penny rate which would have to be made to defray the cost of the inquiry. The motion was seconded by Mr. J. Curran, and carried. LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND WATER FINDERS. Mr. Dolby, Local Government Board auditor, has concluded an inquiry into the water supply expendi- ture of Forthcawl Urban District Council. The «nter finder's fees were disallowed, and, after the production of the correspondence with the Local Government. Board, Mr. Dolby said the Council bad illegally paid fees to a person supposed to be pos- j-es-t-ed of supernatural powers, and on his advice they spent, several hundred pounds, which action was not sincere and bona-fide and involved waste of public money. He disallowed the whole of the expenditure, less £ 250 allowed as a loan for experimental pur- poses. The total expenditure is estimated at about {,"I iO. The Council's action was opposed by rate- payers representing over one-half of the rateable valtfe of the district. WATER DIVINATION AT AMPTHILL. In view of a possible appeal to the Local Govern- ment Board or the High Court against the surcharge of the District Auditor upon certain members of the AIllptbill Urban District Council, in respect of fees paid to the water-diviner for the exercise of his art at Amut hill, the District Auditor (Mr. W. A. Casson) limp (the Bedfordshire Times and Independent says) drawn up the reasons for his decision, and for- warded the same to the Urban District Council, in order to give the surcharged Councillors full and fair opportunity of stating their case, should they elect to appeal. The following is the text of the Auditor's reasons: "At my audit of the accounts of the Ampthill I rluin District Council for the year ended March 31, 1897, certain ratepayers attended, and objected to some payments in the accounts, amongst which was a payment of £13 8s. 7d. to Mr. Leicester Gataker, 1 found that, after some correspondence had passed, Air. G»taker was engaged by the Council to visit the district, and that he made a report to them in the following terms: "On the 13th August, 1896, I visited Ampthill and, in the presence of some of the members of the District, Council, I prospected the various fields in the vicinity with a view to discovering water for to meet the requirements of the town. I commenced operations on the north side, and stakes were driven in, and a supply varying from 2000 to 5000 gallons per day at a depth of 200ft. to 300ft. deep can be found. This is impracticable. I then visited Mr. Fountain's farm, Launder's Well in the Little Park. There I located several springs. No. Galls, per day I-Depth 20 to 25ft., and the flow about 3000 2— „ „ 25 to 80 or 100ft. 7000 „ 3— „ „ 25ft 4500 „ 4- „ 20ft. 4000 „ „ 5— „ „ 20ft. 4 to 5000 „ „ G— „ „ 20ft 5 to 8000 „ „ 7— „ „ 20ft. 3 to 5000 „ „ 8— „ „ 20ft. 2000 „ „ 9- „ „ 20ft. 2000 „ „ 10- „ „ 20ft. 2000 „ „ 11— „ „ 60 to 100ft. 3 to 4000 „ „ 12— „ „ 60 to 100ft. 3 to 4000 „ „ (H— „ „ 100ft. 2000 „ „ Total. 43,500 Of course other streams can be collected whilst the work is being carried out. Some were marked that are not included in this report. I suggest a large diameter well being sunk, and adits being driven to the points located to collect the water in one reser- voir, so to speak, and pump from the one well. The water can be raised if the levels do not permit of a gravitation scheme from that field. I them visited Doolittle Mill.' Here the flow was about 40 to 60 gallons per hour, and the depth 100 to 130 feet—the only one spring about the place. From there I went to a small garden, which is situated near Mr. Sea- brook's house (I believe), and I reckon about 9000 gallons per day can be taken out of that garden alone by sinking to a depth of 15 to 20 feet. I shall be pleased to carry out any work required by the Council, and should I be entrusted with the lame, knowing the whereabouts of the water at each point, it may be an advantage to me to carry out the- water scheme. Any question the Council wish to put to me, 1 shall be pleased to answer. LBICISTBR GATAKER, p.p., F.M." In pursuance of notice from me of intended sur- charge, Mr. Field, Mr. Meek, and Mr. Crisp attended at. the audit and stated to me that the method of seeking for water which was adopted by Mr. Gataker was as follows: Mr. Gataker started from a spot and walked with his bands spread out, and from time to time came to a dead stop. He then made a mark with his heel, and then went back a few paces to the spot where he first felt the presence of water, and stepped forward again to the spot he had marked with his hoel. He then directed the Urban District Council's surveyor to turn a sod at these spots, and he stated that water would be found there and in given quantities. Thirteen springs were so in- dicated by him. From a printed book of testimonials in the possession of the Council, which had been received from Mr. Gataker, it appeared that Mr. Gataker was described as a "Water Diviner" and a "Dowser, and there were pictures of; Mr. Gataker using the twig or divining rod," and also prospecting for water with his hands alone," together with descriptive accounts, in one of which it was stated, Most water- wizards use the twig in their divinations; but Mr. G,tt aker uses his hands only. He is made sensible of the existence of water beneath the surface by ex- periencing a mild tremor all up the muscles of his arms, and a slight tingling sensation in the palms of his hands not unlike a weak electric shock. But Mr. Gataker not merely finds water he also gauges the depth at which it will be found, and this he estimates according to the sensations felt." The payment made to Mr. Gataker was described in his account rendered to the Council as follows: 11 18Ju. £ a. d. August 13-To professional visit and search for water: Ft>e> •• 10 10 0 Travelling expenses 2 18 7 E 13-8 £13 8 7 I disallowed the said payment of JE13 8s. 7d. 1. Because I was satisfied from the information before me that Mr. Gataker bad represented to the Council that he could discover subterranean sources of water by means of a power of Divination or Dvwsing that he had been employed by the Council to exercise such power, and that he had in fact gone over lands in the district in the presence of certain members of the Council professing to seek water by divining "with the hands alone"; and I considered that Mr. Gataker had therefore, with a view of obtaining the fee paid to him by the Council, made pretence to a power within the meaning of the decision in the case of Regina lJ. Maria Giles (34 L.J. M.C. 54; 10 Cox C.C. 44; 11 Jurist U.S. 119; 11 J.T. 643; 13 W.R. 327) in which it was held that the pretence of a power either physical, moral, or supernatural, and obtaining money by the false asser- tion of such a power which ever it may be, is, in our opinion, an indictable offence under the letter of the statute, and within the mischief intended to be pre- vented by it." I therefore regarded the considera- tion in the agreement for Mr. Gataker's employment as an illegal one, and the agreement for such employ- i ient, as void in law, and the payment made under it an illegal. 2. Because I was gatisfied from the information before me that Mr. Gataker bad represented that he could discover subterranean sources of water by means a power of Divination" or Dowsing and that he had been employed to exercise such powers. From a report dated September, 1895, which had been obtained by the Council from Mr. Marshall, C.E., and which was produced to me by the Clerk to the Council, it appeared that Mr. A. C. G. Cameron, a Geological Surveyor attached to her Majesty's Geological Survey Department, had explained in writing and by means of a diagram section the geological features of the Ampthill district, as being a layer of lower greensand, superimposed upon a very thick bed of Oxford olay, in which no water was likely to be found. The Council had disregarded this information and acted on the advice of Mr. Gataker, and I was of opinion that their proceedings in this respect were reckless, and calcu- lated to lead to a waste of the public funds under their control, and the employment of Mr. Gataker as a guide as to the whereabouts to bore for water was, )n consequence of the methods of seeking waterwhicb he adopted, of a speculative and hazardous nature in which the Council were not justified in embarking and the money paid for such employment was at improper payment for which there was no lawfu ant hority. S. Because I was satisfied from the informaliot e •i.. ■■ v t oeioie me that Air. Gataker bad represented that In could discover watet by means of a power of Divina tion or Dowsing," and that he bad been employee to exercise: such power. I regarded this claim to i power of finding water either with or without i Divining Itod as being an imposition on the mind of the credulous, seeing that however it may be nOli defended by reference to highly sensitive nervou organisation" and the like, it is a survival fron times when magic and witchcraft were generally- believed in, and when the Divining Rod was useo to discover not only sources of water, but lodes o' metal ore, hidden treasures, the bodies of murdere(i I persons and lost boundaries of land. That Mr. 1 Gataker could find water by the exercise of the powei- of "Divination" or "Dowsing" was, in my opinion, as impossible of belief as a claim to exercise power.* of witchcraft, and I therefore treated Mr. Gataker as being a person whom it was not competent fcr the Council to employ for the purpose for which he had been Employed, and the payment for whose employ- ment as one for which there was no authority in law. (Signed), Wii. A. CAssoN, District Auditor.
ATTi £ Ml T I) M U K D K K…
ATTi £ Ml T I) M U K D K K OF A MOTHER-IN-LAW. Shortly after midnight on Saturday a fruiterer's H.ssiHt.int named Peter Davie, of Barnsley, attempted o murder his mother-in-law, a greengrocer named I- r-, i) Hopes. Prisoner and his wife have i,e(- ii parted for about a vear. Though the infer did not live with her mother. Davie visited Mrs. Hopes's house on Saturday night, and shortly after midnight, Mrs. Hopes asked him to go home. Going to the front, door, followed by his motlier-in-law, he suddenlv turned with a revolver and tired tive or six shots at her. Fortunately, the wounds are not, very dangerous. Prisoner bolted, but was pursued by Folice-constable Hall, at whom liii presented the revolver, which was, however, un- Umvied. The oflicer grappled with his man and threw him down, and, after a struggle, overpowered him.
A RAILWAY MYSTERY.
A RAILWAY MYSTERY. Visitors to the popular watering place of Karlsbad Imve been unpleasantly startled by the news thnt a very remarkable robbery has occurred in the sleeping- car express which left Vienna on Friday nigbt. of last wet-k for Karlsbad. It appears that the thief or thieves managed to drug five of the passengers in the sleeping car, and afterwbrds relieved them of all their purses, jewellery, and other portable property. The Total value of this haul was about £1000. With -xtr,.ordin-,try luck and dexterity, the perpetrators of be daring theft succeeded in leaving the train at the fat ion before Prague, and so far there is no clue \eir identity.
THE TELEGRAPH CLERKS' AGITATION.
THE TELEGRAPH CLERKS' AGITATION. Saturday was a quiot and uneventful day at the General Post Office. The Controller, the Superinten- dent, and other officers in the telegraph section at St. Martin's-le-Grand expressed undisguised satis faction at the result of the preceding night's meeting of the London Branch of the Postal Telegraph Association, and the feeling in official circles is one of entire security. As an instance of this it may be mentioned that on Saturday the Controller of Telegraphs and Mr. Spencer Walpole started on tboir holidays, the former going to Germany and th latter to Grantham. Several of the superintendent* who were recalled from their holidays last week started off again on Saturday.
OXFORD LOCAL EXAMINATIONS.
OXFORD LOCAL EXAMINATIONS. The division lists in the Oxford Local Examina- tions have been issued by the secretary of the dele- gacy. Although there was an increase of upwards of a thousand candidates compared with last year, there was a decrease of between 200 and 300 in the number of the passes. The examinations were held in July at 155 centres, of which 41 were special local centres and 17 new centres. The total number of candidates examined in 1897 was 8485-namely, 2693 preliminary, 4087 juniors, and 1705 seniors. Of these 1738 pre- liminary, 2443 juniors, and 928seniors passed, making a total of 5109. The total number of candidates and other persons entered for the examinations was 8660, of whom 175 failed to present themselves for examina- tion. In 1896 the figures were as follows: Total examined, 7428—namely 1567 seniors, 3666 juniors, and 2195 preliminary. Of these 1177 seniors, 265G juniors, and 1530 preliminary candidates gained cer- tificates. In 1887, of the preliminary candidates four girls were placed in the first class, three in the second, and 11 in the third. Of the juniors one girl was placed in the first class, 27 in the second, and 79 in the third. Of the seniors three girls are placed in the first class, 16 in the second, and 30 in the third. Out of the 227 preliminary candidates (8*4 per cent.) who failed in the preliminary siabjecto 32 failed in dictation and 206 in arithmetic. Of those who failed in one preliminary subject only, 21 failed in dictation and 195 in arithmetic. The first place in the first class of the seniors, in which are 26 candidates, as against 31 last year, is gained by G. Flowers, of Portsmouth Grammar School; the second by G. D. Rudkin, Blundell's School, Tiverton; and the third by D. A. Chart, of the Christian Brothers' College, Cork. The juniors in the first class show a considerable falling off, num- bering 66, as compared with 92 in the previous year. There is a tie for first place between F. J. M. Srratton, King Edward's School, Birmingham, and W. Brown, Horsham Grammar School. The are several noteworthy features in the exami- nation. The proportion of successful senior candi- dates this year is lower than usnal. Whilst the traditional standard in the several subjects was main- tained, there was a falling off in the quality of some of the work, this being particularly the case in French, natural science, and religious knowledge. The arith- metic papers indicated an improvement, 341 failing in this subject out of 1705 examined.
MATABELELAND.
MATABELELAND. lIlt RICHARD MARTIN ON THE CAUSES OF THII REBELLION. The Blue Book containing the report of Sir Richard Martin, the Deputy Commissioner, on the native administration of the British South Africa Company, has just been issued. It is dated Jan. 16, 1897, and deals with the questions of native labour, seizure of cattle, the maize concession given to Mr. Homan, and the causes of the Matabele rebellion. On the first of these points Sir Richard Martin arrives at the conclusion that a system of compulsory labour undoubtedly did exist in Matabeleland, if not Mashonaland. Of the 15 native commissioners who sent in reports eight unhesitatingly admit this, one is unable to speak with certainty, another does not deal with the subject, while two only state that no such system prevailed. Dealing with the cattle question, Sir Richard con- cludes The fatal mistake made by the company in claim- ing all cattle as the property of the King immediately after the war, and the uncertainty that must have existed in the native mind regarding the proprietor- ship of the cattle previous to the distribution, together with the irritation caused by the frequent drafts made by the native police, and finally the un- satisfactory division, could not fail to produce wide- spread discontent and distrust. Referring to the concession to Mr. Homan, the deputy commissioner says: It appears to me that a decided privilege was granted to him, to the detriment of other traders, and this, in my opinion, amounts to a concession, and was in conflict with Article 20 of the Charter. "I also am of opinion that the action of the Government was detrimental to the white settlers jjenerally, who were dependent on the natives for their mealie supply." The causes of the rebellion are stated to be the fol- lowing: 1. The fact that the Matabele had never been thoroughly subdued. 2. The labour regulations. 3. The cattle regulations. 4. The rinderpest and the slaughter of cattle. lo quote the words of an old settler, continues the report, the principal cause of the rebellion was the fact that the Matabele were treated as a con- quered people.' At tbe end of tbe year 1895 the withdrawal of tbe police by Dr. Jameson presented a splendid opportunity for the long-contemplated revolt. Fiiially' catiie tbe rinderpest while the distribu- tion of cattle was actively going on, and the whole- gale slaughter, with a view to check the disease, ordered by the Government worked the natives up to a st.ate of desperation that they could no longer suppress. The M'Limo and his fellow witch doctors seized tbe occasion, and prophesied that the white people were doomed, and would now be driven out of tbe country. "The people believed the prophecy, tbe hitherto buried arms were unearthed, the murderous work began, and tbe rising soon became general."
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LONDON has 1000 firemen, Paris has 1500, New York has 1100. TH. Queen has approved of the grant of a Good Service Reward to Col. A.B. Morgan, C.B., retired pay. This officer has long and excellent service, having entered tke army as an ensign 'n the 19th Foot as far <back as April 6, 1855. He has taken part in no lesa than five different camnaigns.
GULLi biiilN l Li\or. u.
GULLi biiilN l Li\or. u. ASSASSIN'S ATTEMPT TO JUSTIFY HIS CRIME. Particulars of the trial of Golli by court-martial at Vergara have been received in Madrid. About L'OU persons were present in the court-room where the trial was held, but the environs of the prison were deserted, the inhabitants of the neighbourhood seem- ing to be indifferent. The officers forming the Court, entered the court-room at noon, and Golli, escorted by gendarmes, was brought in and seated opposite the tribunal, the pieces de conviction being lnid on the table. The reading of the papers in the case was then proceeded with. The President read the declaration of a correspon- dent of the Correspondencia, named Jose Torres, a witness of the murder, which related the circum- stances of the crime in terms similar to those already published. The statements of two other witnesses of the assassination, named Aispurua and Balsco, confirming that of the previous witness, were then read. This was followed by the written statement made by Golli. From this document it appeared that Golli, in October, 1885, left Foggia, his native place, for Marseilles, whence he proceeded to Barcelona, where he assumed the name of Jose Santos. He at first took no part in the anarchist movement. He then returned to Marseilles, from which city he was expelled. After a stay in Belgium he went to London, where he associated with anarchists. Golli further declares t.hat he first con- ceived the crime at the time of the execution of the Barcelona anarchists, but without attempting to secure any accomplice, and came to Madrid. He added that passion and a longing for vengeance im- polled him to the crime, and that he used a revolver because he knew nothing of explosives. He brought to Barcelona a letter of recommendation from an anarchist at Marseilles. The Public Prosecutor declared that the crime was one of premeditated murder, and of treason against constituted authority, without extenuating circum- stances, and he asked for the sentence of death to be passed. Lieutenant Gorria, counsel for the defence, then addressed the Court, reading his speech. Declaring that he considered Golli bereft of reason and intelh- >. gence, he therefore appealed to the benevolent senti- ments of the judges. He then paid a high tribute to the late Senor Canovas, whose virtues, he said, rendered the crime all the more repellant and lent support to his contention that the prisoner was in- sane. This speech Golli listened to with attention, with- out uttering a word, and at its conclusion asked to be allowed to speak. Permission being granted, Golli began by thanking his counsel for his efforts on his behalf, and denied being an accomplice of the Barce- lona anaichists, or that he had been present at any secret meetings. He then attempted to address the Court on anarchical principles, but the President, in- terrupting him, threatened not to allow him to speak at all if he entered into matters unconnected with the crime. Golli nevertheless endeavoured to speak on poli- tical questions, the war in Cuba, and the Philip- pines. Interrupting him, the President said That has nothing to do with the crime you have committed." The Prisoner I must justify my action." The President: "That is no justification, and, besides, you will convert no one to the doctrines you hold." On the prisoner insisting, the President daclared the hearing at an end, and had the court- room cleared. Golli was then taken back to his cell. The public hearing of the case ended at 20 minutes past one, and sentence of death was passed an hour later. After the trial the President left for San Sebastian to submit the sentence to the Captain-General for endorsement. If the sentence is carried out in con- formity with the ordinary code, the execution will be by the garrotte, and will take place within the prison walls.
TERRIBLE SHIPWRECK.
TERRIBLE SHIPWRECK. The French steamer Ville de Malaga, a three- masted vessel of 1464 registered tonnage, was wrecked on Saturday near the Caskets, off Alderney. The steamer had a full cargo of coal, and was bound from Dunkirk to Brest. About four o'clock on Saturday afternoon the vessel ran upon a submerged rock known as the Pommier Rock, situated about two miles from the Caskets, on the Alderney side, and three minutes later she went down. Those on board her clung to the wreckage or scrambled on to adjacent rocks. For- tunately, the disaster became known to the keepers of the Casket Light, and they signalled news of the wreck to Alderney, when the steam tug Courier went off to the rescue. She was successful in picking up 10 men and one woman, while the smack Mayflower, of Alderney, saved four men. The last poor fellow rescued was not taken off the rock to which he clung until half-past one on Sunday morning. The weather was fine, but a heavy swell prevented an earlier rescue. Six of the crew were drowned. The Ville de Malaga belonged to Messrs. Hulm, of Rouen, and is a total loss.
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IN me case or momas ijenmon, who snot himseu on H.M.S. Australia in the Solent, the coroner's jury found there was no evidence to shew the state of his mind when be committed suicide. THE tramways, omnibuses, and underground rail- way. in and around London, within a radius of five miles, carry each year, it is calculated, about 453,000,000 passengers. AN interesting report has just, been communicated by Professor Condoa to the French Academie des Sciences, in which he SG("W8 that the nourishing pro- perties of potatoes vary accord ng to the variety. During his investigations he ascertained that some varieties have double the nourishment of others. The richest and best potatoes do not break into flour on being boiled, but remain entire, and these are the most agreeable to the taste and the easiest to cook. LORD TREDEGAR has commissioned that clever Welsh sculptor, Mr. Go«coinbe John to execute a model of a Hirlas Horn, to be ready for next year's Eisteddford. It it" nLt the lirst, time "Mr. John has been called upon to add to the art, wealth "i his native land. In 1889 he executed a bronze portrait bust of Alderman Taylor, M.D., J.P., for the Cardiff Museum and Art Gallery. He is a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy, and he works in metal, plaster, and wax. A CRITICAL tailor has recently inspected the Prince of Wales from his professional point of view, and gives an interesting verdict. Here is a passnge from the sartorial estimate of the morning cost ume of his Royal Highness: "The Prince was clothed as became the first man of Europe—perfectly and the tailor who designed and superintended the pro- duction of the garments he wore must have been an artist in clothes, and as much entitled to rlie appella- tion as the individual who wields the brush upon the canvas. It. is well known that the Prince is not of slight build, but notwithstanding his girth there was not the slightest tendency on the part of the coat collar to rise in the neck, whether the wearer was sitting or standing. The width of shoulder and height of neck were beautifully regulated, and the production was as finished and complete both in the matter of style and fit as skilled hands could make it" Two specimens of the babirussa have just been re- ceived at the Zoological Gardens in London from Celebes, in the Eastern Arch pelago. They belong j to the swine family, but in their habits they differ very much from our domestic pies. They are clean, and do not root up the ground with their snout in search of food. Their food consists mostly of fallen fruit. In form they are more slender and have longer legs than ordinary pigs. They have also two pairs of singular tusks. The lower pal r nre sharp, and somewhat resemble those of the wild boar, but the upper pair curve backwards, and form a protec- tion for the eyes when the animals are in conflict with one another. THE story of how Lord Rosslyn went to Lady Derby's ball is an old story now, and scarcely worth telling, only as first Vanity Fair and then the World have referred vaguely to the case, it may be as well, perhaps, to impartially explain it. It seems that Lord Derby was informed that Lord Rosslyn had made a wager he would attend his Royal" ball without, an invitation, and when he actually saw him in the room he was so incensed that he went up and asked him straight out to withdraw. But, this is only one side of the 6tory. Lord Rosslyn declares that be was not an uninvited guest. He asserts that on the night in question he asked Lady Rosslyn if they bad tn invitation for the ball, and that she replied in the affirmative, which assertion Lady Rosslyn supports. It is difficult tu rightly judge of the mistake. A hostess may as easily forget to whom she sends her invitations as another lady may fail to remember what cards she has received. Moreover, the families being personally acquainted, there was no reason why there should not have been an invitation, nor why one should not have been taken for granted. DR. W. H. WATKIN8, of New Orleans, tells, in the Times Democrat, an interesting story respecting the intelligence of a horse. While he was a student it was customary to wear a distinctive badge. One day, while out with a number of bis comrades, a horse canpe limping towards them then the animal singling out him (Watkins), stuck his nose against his breast and held up a fore-leg. Examination showed a large nail embedded in the frog. No one was at the time wearing the badge except Mr. WTatkins, and the horse, which had been under veterinary treatment before, apparently recognised the article. MR. JOHN COLEMAN'S "Duchess of Coolgardie theatrical company are enjoying a pronounced success with their long autumnal tour, which com- men ced at the Tyne Theatre, Newoutlo. i.' I. t'
--FUN AND FANCY. -
FUN AND FANCY. HAVE you seen those noiseless baby-carriages yet ?" No What I want is a noiseless baby." "MARY, go into the sitting-room and tell me how the thermometer stands." "It stands on the mantel- piece, just agin the wall, sir SHE: James, how grand the tea ie. How wonderful. I do so like to bear the roar of the ocean." He: So do I, Elizabeth. Please keep quiet." EMPLOYER Mr. James writes me that you in- eulted him yesterday." Bill Collector I'll tell you just what happened." Employer: "Tell me first if be paid his bill. MR. X. the other day received a begging letter which told a very pitiable tale. An Irish gentleman coming in at the tirwewas asked what hewould advise in such a case. W hy, write and say that you can't give him anything, for you don't know his was the reply. A GENTLEMAN talking to a friend about, the antiquity of his family, which he carried up to Noah, was told that he was a mere mushroom. Ah said he; how so, pray ?" Why,' replied the other, when I was in Wales, a pedigree of a particular family was shown to me it filled above five large skinsof parch- ment, and near to the middle of it was a note in the margin, 'About this time the world was created. As extraordinary incident is reported from one of the villages in the South. One Sunday morning a young fellow went to a church and took his seat keep- ing his bat on all the while. A gentleman sitting near him politely asked him to take his bat off, but the young man paid no attention. Again be spoke to him, and seeing that he still hesitated, the gentle- man quietly lifted his bat off, when, much to his dismay, out rolled a quart of walnuts, making a great, noise as they scattered about the floor. On this the youth turned round to the gentlemanand said "Now, you see what you have BILDV.CK I saw the doctor's carriage at your house yesterday. Anything serious ?" Gasser: "I should say so He wanted to collect his bill." CHEMIST: "Bad to take? Not at all. It has a very agreeable taste. The children, sir, will cry for it." Customer (father of nine, hastily) Then give me some other preparation, please." MISS BIKEFACE: "So you have given up advocat- ing woman's rights?" Miss Passee: Yes, I now go in for women's lefts." Miss Bikeface. "Women's lefts ? What's that ?" Miss Passee Widowers." Com; up to my house to-morrow night," said Henpecque. I'm going to celebrate my golden wedding." "Golden wedding! Why, man, you've only been married three years." I know it; but it seems like fifty; so ever) thing is all right." 14 MR. COURTS asked me to marry him last night, she blushiDgly told her mother. And what did yon tell him?" I told him to ask you." Ask me echoed the startled parent. Why, Mary, surely you wouldn't have your dear old mother commit bigamy, would you ?" GENERAL GRANT used to tell a story of a soldier in a certain regiment during the war who was continually bothering him by asking favours. Grant one day said to him Look here, I believe you are the most troublesome man in the Union Army." The man quickly replied: 14 Why, that is funny, sir Funny? How do you make it out funny ?" Be- cause it is just what the enemy says about you." I WANT a bicycle for my boy." Yes, sir. Want a good one ?" Yes. What will a first class machine cost ?" Wrell, a really first-class machine would cost you £20 or £25. It isn't economy, you know, to 41 Good heavens 1 can't go as high as that Haven't you something that-" Oh, yes got a splendid line here for 10 guineas. None better in the world. It isn't economy, I was about to say, to pay a high place just for style." DOCTOR For dinner take forty minutes." Timid Patient: Would it be dangerous to add a piece of meat and some vegetables ?" JEWELLER (to burglar): "So I've caught yon neatly, haven't I? What do you want?" Burglar: I reckon what I want now's a good lawyer to get me off!" FRIENPLEIGH I'm thinking of dabbling a little in stocks. What's a good thing to put your money in?" Broker Your inside pocket." GRUMP One false step in my life may lead to irreparable disaster." Spooner: "I know that well. I loved a girl who thought me a hero until I fell down a coal-hole when lifting my bat to her." I'VE brought you some lace for your stall at the bazaar, Lizzie. I'm afraid it's not quite old enough to be really valuable. I had it when I was a little girl." Ob, that's old enough for anything, dearest. How lovely Thanks so very much." MR. DOPSON 44 Quick, Mary, get your things oa we will go over and call on the Hodsons." Mrs. Dodson 44 Oh, John, you know well enough how I detest calling on those people." Mr. Dodson 44 Yes, I know. That is the reason I want you to go now. I just saw fMr. and Mrs. Hodson leave their house and go down the street." VERY YOUNG AND ARDENT LOVER: Jim, Iloye that gal so much that I'd marry her even if her mother-in-law wuz twins!" SHE 411 say, by the way, this ought to be a good year for the umbrella-makers." He: She. Because of the longest reign." A LOCAL poet indited a sonnet to his sweetheart, entitled I kissed her sut-rosa." The compositor knew better than that, and set it up in printer's Latin, I kissed her sub-nosa." You told me last week that you would try to raise my salary," said Briggs. 41 Oh, yes," replied his em- ployer. 44 Well, I did. I raised it after some trouble. Believe me, I bad a very hard time raising it this week." MASTER: Do you understand the meaning of the terms capital and labour ?' Small Boy: II Yel, sir; I know what it is. If a boy toboggans down a hill, that's capital. If another boy pulls the sledge up, that's labour." PAPA So Emily stands at the head of her clasa in French ?" Mamma 14 Yes. Sb, and another girl were exactly even in the written examinations. But it was decided that Emily shrugged her shoulders more correctly." 41 WELL, proceed," said the lawyer. "The plaintiff resorted to an ingenious use of circumstantial evi- dence," said the witness. II For the benefit of the jury, state in plainer lanllage exact.lv what you mean by that," interrupted the judge. 44 Well, my meaning is—that he lied MOTHER You say your husband no longer spends his evenings at the club?" Daughter: I soon broke him of that." Mother "How did you manage it?" Daughter Before going to bed I put two easy chairs together by the parlour fire, and then held a match to a cigar until the room got a faint odour of smoke." A WOMAN doesn't enjoy anything much better than to read a letter in the presence of other women and smile occasionally. DOCTOR: You're a long time paying my account, sir." Hardup Well you were a long time curing me." FRANK: Some genius in Birmingham has invented a buttonless shirt." Billy 41 Why, that's old. I've worn them ever since my wife learned to ride a bike." FIRST LADY There goes young Mrs. Pedigree. 1 suppose she bores people to death telling the bright things her little boy says?" Second Lady: II Ob, no; fortunately he says such dreadful things they :an't repeat them." SCHOOLMASTER (to new boy): 14 What is your father by trade ?" Boy (perplexed): I haven't to tell." Schoolmaster But you must." Boy (after a great deal of hesitation): 41 Please, sir, he's the bearded weman at the circus!" CAPTAIN 44 What is strategy in war ? Give me an instance of it." Sergeant: 44 Well, strategy is when you don't let the enemy discover that you are oat of smmunition, but keep on firing just the same." I CAN'T give you anything snapped the lady to the tramp. You're the thirteenth tramp that has sailed here to-day." Well, mum," said the tramp, after a little consideration, '4 you look a clever, sensible lady that don't believe in any nonsense; and jist to show that there ain't any truth in that silly supersti- tion about thirteen bein' an unlucky number, I ope you will give me a trifle, mum." MAN AT THE TABLE: 41 Waiter, these eggs are as hard as a brick. Yon must have boiled them more than three minutes." Waiter: Yes, sIr; tne master has told us always to do more than is asked of UI, and in that way the trade will be built up. You only asked to have your eggs boiled three minutes; but to show our willingness to accommodate, and to make things agreeable, we boiled them six minutes. IN the early part of the Queen s reign a story was current that her Majesty once asked the Duke of Wellington what kind of boots he was in the habit of wearing. 14 People call them Wellingtons, madam." How absurd I" her Majesty exclaimed. Where, I should like to know, will they find a pair of Wellingtons?" THH lady was in her suburban home, with which there is telephonic communication. She had just re- ceived a message through the telephone, and, still holding the tube to her ear, said to her husband: The Thomsons want us to dine with them to-night. Is it good enough?" Before he could speak, the answer came over the wire: "Yes—quite good enough. Come along!" WAGG What are you doing now r' Verisopht: Oh, I'm living by brain work.' Wagg: Whose?" A CANDIDATE at an election, who lacked eloquence, when another had in a long and brilliant speech pro- mised great things, got up and said Electors, aU he has said 1 will do." GEORGE I just saw you coming from the con- servatory with Miss Goldie. Rather handsome girl, but too reserved for me." Thomas: II Yea. I re just reserved her for life." 1-'