Barry Herald

NEWS NOTES. THE air is full of wild war talk, and if hosti- lities between Spain and the United States are averted after all, there will be every reason for satisfaction as well as surprise. It is a little difficult to see what the United States have to gain .by, plunging into a conflict the end of vvhicPno man can foresee, since even theJSenate at Washington repudiates at the outset the idea of ultimate annexation as regards Cuba, and even disclaims the desire for United States control in the island. Of course opinion in America has been strongly and righteously stirred against Spanish misrule and the cruelties incident to the insurrection in Cuba, and intervention with a view of putting a stop to much that has been heartrending is humane and laudable: but for the United States alone to take upon itself the responsibility of setting things to its own liking by means of force is a matter about which the rest of the world might have a good deal to say. Spain, however badly her agents have done in Cuba, pos- sesses indisputable sovereignty over the island, and. seeing that the malcontents there have made no direct appeal to Brother Jonathan, the position of the United States, with Spain standing on her dignity, is a little difficult and illogical when well examined into. But, with all the parade of preparation and ('(Ick-a.-whoop inflammatory speaking and writing which we have been treated to, there remains some hope that so much talk and so little action may yet make for a solution of the difficulty without recourse to all the horrors of tl rn-olanged war. Most folk fear that America «' has gone too far for -this, but we trust such is not the case, for the sake of all con- cerned. Surely the resources of civilisation are r sufficient to settle the dispute between Spain and the Cubans without war. EXPERTS tell us that a naval campaign .between the United States and Spain would work to the interests of British shipowners: and so it might. Spain could scarcely keep out all ships from the ports of the United States, and even if she managed a blockade with any- thing like success, passengers and goods Could still be landed on the Canadian side without let or hindrance, and carried thence by rail to any part of America. United States merchandise could be exported through similar channels also with little inconvenience after arrangements had been perfected. But the whole idea of a life and death struggle between two nations ilke Spain and the United States ought, at this time of day, to be out of the question. No man can tell, however, under certain conditions, how reason may be overcome by passion, in the relationship of States as well as < f individuals. A HUGE crowd of people, sixty thousand strong, swarmed on Saturday to Sydenham y from all parts of the country to witness the iinal tussle of the season for the Football Asso- ciation Cup, and were rewarded > for their trouble with fine weather and interesting play. Those most closely acquainted with the tech- nique of the game considered that the Derby County team stood the better chance of cap- turing the trophy this year; but the represen- tatives of Notts Forest undoubtedly deserved to win on the day's play. They are fortu- nate in occupying the position they do, fbr they would scarely have reached the final had they Y had to meet some of the formidable. clubs vanquished by their rivals, and Southampton only succumbed to the men from Laceopolis because of bad luck and a snowstorm. All is over now, however, and nothing remains but to compliment otts Forest, who certainly dealt very finely with the leather last Saturday. PARLIAMENT has re-assembled after the brief Eastertide recess, and when question asking and answering has groSvn a little less voluminous and Budget' considerations have had their full debating, our" legislators will address themselves to the handling of promised measures for the benefit ,of the lieges. Yet there cannot be said to be any very keen interest evinced in the pro- ceedings of Parliament, and dulness undoubt- edly surrounds St. Stephen's. It may be noted that a bust of the late Lord Randolph Churchill was unveiled at the House of Commons on Monday. It possesses a striking likeness to the once celebrated statesman who was called II away without fulfilling "the promise of his spring," and may be seen in the corridor at the Z, top of the members' staircase, J almost opposite the counterfeit presentment of the late Mr. W. H. Smith. Lord Randolph is por- trayed in his characteristic everyday dress, with the well-remembered collar and tie. 01. A VERY numerously-signed petition is going into the Treasury from members of the Civil Ser- vice of all grades. What the 50,000 contributors' to this bulky document desire is that the amount which any dead officer may have had withheld from his salary in order to secure him superannuation at the age of compulsory retire- ment may be yielded up to his next-of-kin. On a civil servant dying before the age of his ex- pected quittance for age reasons of his appoint- ment this money, under present conditions, goes to the State, a manifest injustice. THERE were a good many people who thought that a memorial window in Lincoln Minster would be but an inadequate remembrancer of so distinguished a personage as Lord Tennyson for the capital city of the shire of his birth to possess. A movement has been started, .there- fore, with Earl Brownlow at its head, for the erection of a statue to the late Laureate in Lincoln, and no doubt the ultimate result will be satisfactory.

AJSTGLO-SAXON CHURCHES. There exist throughout the length and breadth of the land remnants, and in a few instances largo portions, of buildings of a wholly exceptional cha- racter. not assignable to the Norman or any other of the well-known styles which have prevailed in England, but evidently of earlier date. They aro clearly not Early Norman, for with the single excep- tion of the round arch they have nothing in common, says the Architect, with the specimens of that style erected in the name of the Conqueror, but are clearly of a style quite distinct from them. In one instance we have a tower known to have been erected in the days of the Conqueror in juxtaposition with the remains of a church in this more ancient style; and in many other instances we have Norman features in connection with these mysterious remains, and to every eye asserting the entire diversity of their art. In some instances, again as Monk Wearmouth, Jarrow, Brixworth, and Deer- hurst. the remains of this style are on the sites where churches are recorded to have been built in Anglo- Saxon days. These remains corfespond in character with buildings represented in Saxon illuminated books. They evince in many instances evidence of having been built in rude imitation of the Roman works of these periods, though in some instances they seem also to suggest the imitation of timber construction. The most obvious rules of induction, then point to the conclusion that these are the re- mains of buildings of Anglo-Saxon date.

THE "HOMING PIGEON." The second edition of Mr. Jo,n Day's work upon the Homing pigeon appears very appropriately at a time when the attention, not only of the naval and military authorities, but even of the Home Office, is being directed to the establishment of an aerial post. Etery detail of breeding, training, an<5 management of the birds is entered into, whilst the numerous illustrations which appear in the book will be found of the greatest services to those who desire to learn what the Homing pigeon is like, or what sort of loft euita his requirements the best; whilst at the pub- lished price-one shilling-the results of Mr. Day's experiences are brought within the reach of all.

T SIGNALLING ON THE RAILWAY. THE VAIN EFFORTS OF IXVEXTOHA. The collision on the South-Eastern Railway at St. John S has aroused public interest in the question or sign iiiing on the railway. 3fr. Schwann questioned the President of the Board of Trade in the House or Commons as to whether there were not several 6ys!ei!i3 of signalling in existence that woald have prevented the Lew;sham accident, and also r. to whether there were nut appliances for Living fog Signals without the intervention of railway servants. Sir. 1; itchie indicated that the attention of of lraue inspecting oiilcer who was invstiffating.the i t, of the accident would be.called to these points. Ine jury, it. will be rer oilected, made n,1 reference to the question of signalling in their verdict, but tJlmd that the accident was due to the mistake of the sig- nalman in lowering the distance signal for the Hastings express to proceed when the slow tr:lm was waiting outside the station; and they recot iiiieiiic-d that in future two signalmen should be stationed in the cabin. The requirements of the Board of Trade in regard to the opening of railways and recommen- dations in reference to their working, recentlv issued, make no mention of any fresh improvements in the system of railway signalling by which accidents mav be prevented. It' is stated that the levers by which points are worked shall be interlocked, ths point-levers and signal-levers to be so placed in the cabin that the signalman when work- ing them shall have the best,, possible view of the railway. The cabin is to be so situated as to enable the signalman to see the arms and lights of the signals, and the working cf the points. The interlocking must be so arranged that the signalman is unable to lower a signal for the approach of a train until he has set the points in the proper posi- tion for it to pass, and so that it slia.11 not be pos- sible for him to exhibit at the same moment any two signals that could lead to a collision between two trains. Further, the home or starting signals next in advance of trailing points when lowered shall lock such points in either position, "unless such locking will unduly interfere with trafficand that a distance signal must not be capable of being lowered unless the home and starting signals in advance of it have been lowered. TUB OPINION OF RAILWAY ENGINEERS. A representative has sppn some of the officials connected with the engineering departments of two or three of the leading railway companies. They are unanimous in stating that they knew of no system of signalling that would have prevented the accident on the South-Eastern Railway. All the great companies have adopted the latest appliances. On most of the systems the" absolute" block system prevails. Under this the section ahead must be clear before another train is allowed to enter it. The permissive block system in force on a few lines giyes some discretion to the signalman. It was asserted that the first aim of the railway companies is-to provide for safe travelling, in the interest of the public and for their own interest. The question of expense is not considered in any way if an improvement can be effected. Hundreds of rail- way signalling inventions are submitted to the engineers of the different companies, and if it is thought that they possess any merit facilities are afforded.the inventors to test their appliances most thoroughly, and if the tests are successful the im- provements are adopted. But in the majority of cases the improvements prove to be failures. The inventors. spend years in working out their ideas, and a considerable sum of money in protecting their patents, only to find that, when put to a practical test, their inventions are useless. Various fog-signal- ling inventions have been patented, but none of them has been found reliable, and the railway companies have still to depend on the old-fashioned system of "the.jnan, the clips, and the detonators." The absolute block system prevails on the South- Eastern line, and the opinion was expressed that no human agency could have prevented the accident at St. John's. No matter how perfect mechanical appliances-might be, they had to take into considera- tion the fact that they had to deal with a man. A man had to exercise his powers of vision and hearing, and if, these failed for a. moment. everything was upset. The Board of Trade exercises great vigilance in seeing that their signalling "requirements" are com- plied with, and in the case of new railways a certifi- cat.e.for opening them for traffic will not be given until ,the (interlocking system is complete. There is considerable danger, the engineers stated, in having lines," over-interlocked." That system causes great delay and cannot be used on the trunk lines. Several schemes have been formulated for providing auto- matic arrangements but these automatic appliances, when tested, have failed in fact, they tend to bring about the very results they are designed to prevent. A TRIBUTE TO BOARD OF TRADE INSPECTORS. You may take it," said one gentleman, that the Board ot Trade are well aware of any fresh inven- tions of importance in reference to railway signalling, and are well up in all matters affecting railway management. The Board of Trade inspectors know their work thoroughly. They don't want much teach- ing. They are very exact in their requirements, and, taken all round, are a lot of sharp fellows. If they spot' anything that is not right they call upon the railway company to remedy it without delay, and the company is only too anxious to carry out their su< ^gestions and recommendations." Sir Francis A. Marindin, chief railway inspect M* of the Board of Trade, in reply to a question, ad- mitted that the railway companies showed a willing- ness to romply with the recommendations of the Board of Trade inspectors. The recommendations were not compulsory, btit the companies generally carried them into effect. Sir Francis declined to go into the question of the accident at St. John's station, but said that an exhaustive report would shortly be presented by one of the inspectors. and no doubt the subject of signalling would be dealt with.

I COMING CRICKET. No county (remarks an authoritative writer in the Daily Chronicle) will start the cricket season with better prospects than Middlesex. The acquisition of Albert Trott will give bowling help to a team famous tar its batting strength. Of course, it does not follow that the Victorian will do as well here as against Stoddart's first team, and the dismal failure of J. J. Ferris for Gloucestershire makes one a little appre- hensive for the fate of Trott. The beet Middlesex eleven will no doubt consist of J. Douglas. H. B. Hayman, SirT. C. O'Brien, A. E. Stoddart, F. G. J. Ford, J. T. Rawlin, A. J. Webbe G. Thornton, GJ MacGregor, A. E. Trott, and J. T. Hearne. Thus, P. F. Warner, J. Phillips, H. Philipson, H. R. Bromley-Davenport, F. H. E. Cunliffe, R. S. Lucas, 8. Webb, and C. P. Foley may have difficulty in finding places in the team. Middlesex has always been an: amateurs' county. They went through many seasons with one professional, the veteran stock bowler, Burton, whose partner in attack, L. H. Bacmeistir, now plays in small cricket. Middlesex has produced several fine amateur bowlers. There was J. Robertson, whose style earned for him the appellation Jumping"; then E. A. Nepean's form has been closely copied by C. M. Wells; while Stoddart is also useful with the ball. It was the advent of J. T. Hearne that made Middlesex a respected and feared county. The young bowler was discovered in a colt's match, the hero of which, by the way, was another colt named Jennings, who actually took seven county wiqkets for 17 runs. This marvellous success was attributed to the state of the ground, and, so far as one knows, Jennings never received a trial. The other professional bowler, Kawlin, is remembered as a Yorkshireman. He, like- Beaumont, of Surrey, and others, took the earliest opportunity of Administering a sharp reminder to his native county of its. unwieldy resources. I Yorkshire will, no doubt, miss Peel this season, out there is said to be his reproduction in Cordingley, of Bradford, who has 'been promised an early trial. Another left-hander, Rhodes, of Kirkheaton, is likened to Hirst. It is to be hoped that both colts will play themselves into the team. -J. great deal is expected in Essex of W. M. Turner, a younger brother of J. A. Turner, whose appearance and success in first-class cricket were so sudden. W. M. Turner headed the batting averages at Wellington School last year, making 476 runs in 10 completed innings (highest score 106 not out), thus securing the fine average of 47*60. He was captain of the team. In addition to his skill with the bat, Turner was the second best bowler, capturing 29 wickets at a cost of 25 runs apiece, with medium- paced deliveries. He is also a smart short-slip. Hampshire will presently have to ,e considered a military county. The latest acquisition to the team is Captain R. M. Poore (ex-lieutenant of the 7th Hussars). This gentleman was the hero of a memo- rable century against the English team touring in the Cape. If Captain Poore could make 112 against an attack made up of Lohmann, A. J. L. Hill, S. M. J. Woods, C. Heseltine, H. R. Bromley-Davenport) Tyler, Hayward, and C. B. Fry, he will have to be respected on English wickets. Kent may derive considerable assistance this season from S. H. Day, the young Malvernian, who last season headed the school averages. He is a. fine steady scorer, placing delicately on the leg-side. Mention of schools reminds one that Oxford will command the services of L. P. Collins, the hero of sensational innings of 203 for Marlborough last season. Collins, who has some grand strokes on the off-side, headed the averages, scoring 670 runs in 12 completed innings (average 55-83). The best cricketer in the schools last season was E. R. Wilson, the Rugby captain. He made 460 runs in nine com- pleted innings (highest score 206 not out and average 51'11), and took 31 wickets Q (average 14"93), He bowls slow right hand.

THAT GRAND OLD MAN. AN INTERVIEW. rfrom the Peterborough Express.] A -Pet e,"borough Express report mentions that. Mr. E. Jebb, one of the oldest and most respected resi- dents of the cathedral city, who has been for many years a trusted employe of the Great Northern Rail. way Company, lias been the subject of a remarkable interview. Mr. Jebb, who has resided for 36 years at 44, St. Leonard's-street, Peterborough, had, a quarter of a century ago, the misfortune to fracture liia right ankle and has suffered from lameness since. In 1885 the inconvenience under which he then laboured as the result of his accident, was increased when he was at- tacked by sciatica in his left leg. In connection with this. which em- bodies the account of a miraculous recovery from the attack of sciatica. a startling story was related by TillS GRAND OLD MAN to a repre- sentative of tho paper named. According to Mr. Jebb's state- ments, it is twelve years since he was the subject of the first attack of .6'00 =- .1. t. ::Sl.ilUllu..&. JH tIlt" J" and he was then 56, years of age, He contrived to get about, but for thedast three, or four years, to use his own expression, "his sufferings were something awful." To make matters ivorse, the pain extended to his back, completely disabling him from working except now and then at odd jobs at home. r Many a time," said Mr. Jebb, the pain has been so great I have had to take hold of anything that came in my way to support myself, just as if I were a child learning to walk. My back became doubled, and the pain1 has struck me when I have been in the house and also in the street. Then I could not move fi foot. Someone has had to lift my leg for me before I could proceed. Often I have had to stand and eat my food, as I could not sit down, and v \en 1 have managed to get into a chair, I have had to sit in n position far from comfortable, owing to the pain in my back. I cannot tell anyone the number iif supposed remedies I have tried, all in vain, and I have tried doctors with no better result. At last they broke the news to me that I had a diseased hip, and should never be able to do anything more. Up to within a fortnight or three weeks ago the pain was very much worse. I cannot describe it to you, except that it "Was an aching ah'd' gnawing one, just is though someone was puUing the flesh off my bones. Interrogated at this point with regard to the cause of the remarkable cure which had been effected, Mr. Jebb resumed: "I will tell you. I ha e read over ind over again in the newspapers of the cures by Dr, Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People. I thought I would try one more remedy, and hoping I should be lucky enough to be numbered amongst those who had received the blessing and benefit of their properties, I sent for a box from Dr. Williams' Medicine Com- pany, and followed the instructions laid down. It may almost appear to you to be past reason when I say that in a few hours after taking the first dose I noticed a glow spreading over my leg, just as if I had rubbed it with a towel, and I already felt; easier. This was the new blood circulating. I HAD NOT DARED HOPE for an improvement so quickly, and I continued :aking the pills. The third day, as I was sitting in my chair in a position which gave ease to my back, I suddenly felt I was able to straighten myself up. I don't wish to make more of the matter than is the truth, but I must confeEs I was startled. You have seert me about almost doubled up. Look at nfe now. I am more upright than many a younger man than myself. This is how I have been since that day, and I am thankful to say the pain has left both my leg and my back, and I am able to take a walk with ease. The pills, I am atisfid,without doubt have worked the cure in my case, and I can now be num- bered amongst the many who have received benefit from them. I have only taken two boxes. I feel stronger and better ifi other ways, and it is a great relief to be free from pain." Mr. Jebb's account of these circumstances bears weight, coming from a person of his' experience, and respectable position. Dr. Williams' Pink Pills have more patrons among educated people and the clergy than any other medicine, because the proprietors are always willing to state with equal candour whether they have cured a given ailment or not. Anyone may write to the Company freely and at length. These piils have cured paralysis, locomotor ataxy, rheumatism, sciatica, and the after-effects of influenza also all diseases arising from tho impoverishment of the blood, scrofula, rickets, chronic erysipelas, consumption of the bowels and lungs, anrcmia, pale and sallow complexion, general muscular weakness, loss of appetite, palpitation^, pains in the back, nervous headache and neuralgia. early decay, all forms of female weakness, and hysteria. These pills are a tonic, not a purgat ivè. They are genuine only with the full name, Dr. Wil- liams1 Pink Pills for Pale People, and are sold by chemists and Dr. Williams' Medicine Company, Holborn-viaduct, London, E.C., at 2s. 9d. a box, or six boxes for 13s. 9d. Pink pills sold loose or front glass jars are not Dr. Williams'.

SIERRA LEONE. TOEMIDABLK REBELLION.—WHITE TROOPS MAY HAVE TO BE SENT. Contrary to general expectation, what was thought would be a purely local disturbance has now attained the proportions of a formidable rebellion, which has plunged the whule of the Sierra Leone Protectorate into bloody chaos, and threatens to bring absolute ruin upon every commercial interest in the colony. It is not too much to say that the feeling among the African community in Liverpool and Manchester is one of lively indignation at the hope- less muddle in which Sierra Leone affairs have got, and active efforts are being made to organise a depu- tation of prominent persons in the West African world to wait upon the Government as soon as the official sanction is forthcoming. Meanwhile com- r, munications are passing between the Liverpool and Manchester Chambers on the subject, and it is be- lieved that those two Chambers are about to make an appeal for concerted action to all the most important Chambers in the United Kingdom. The continuation of the present state of things spells absolute ruin to the trading industries. Merchants are losing money fast. Their agents are sending no produce home, and several firms are seriously considering the advisability of abandoning Sierra Leone altogether. Private advices to hand from Sierra Leone state that the unpopularity of the Governor is becoming very great. He is openly hissed in the streets, and goes nowhere without an escort of West Indian troops..Large numbers of natives are crossing the frontier to French territory after burning their villages. Mr. J. D. Marcus, who has jtet returned from Sierra Leone, and is one of the greatest living authorities on Sierra Leone affairs, Remarked to a Daily Chronicle interviewer: "I feel very strongly about the execrable policy adopted by the Sierra Leone Government, and the situation is moat serious- The troubles have been brought about by two things, the Conduct of the frontier police and the imposition" of the hut tax. The way in which the frontier police:- have been behaving in the hinterland for a consider-1 able time past has exasperated the natives. These fron- tier policemen beforebeineolled were mostly, domestic slaves of the big chiefs. Now that domestic slavery has been abolished and these fellows have got uniforms they think they can do just what they like,, and commit all kinds of atrocities of which the Government never hears, but which we traders are well aware of. On the top of this smouldering dis- content came the hut tax, which has been a fearful mistake, both in the amount imposed and the methods adopted in collecting it. The fighting will last as long as efforts are made to enforce the hut tax. You may feel sure of that; and if the rising cannot be quelled with the troops we have out there at present, there will be nothing for it but to send white troops." The War Office is sending on 50 tons of war material to Sierra Leone in the steamship Niger, but at the Colonial Office there is held to be every reason for hoping that the recent rising in Sierra Leone was merely a local and unimportant affair, which is net likely to spread, but has, on the contrary, been prac- tically suppressed.

A PORTSMOUTH correspondent learns that the Colonial tour of the Duke and Duchess of York will be postponed until next year, when the new Royal yacht building at Pembroke will be ready for their use. The tour, which will embrace every English Colony, will practically constitute a trip round the A VESSEL of 1000 tons left London recently with plant for the construction of the two gigantic dams that are to be built on the Nile, 250 miles apart, in order to bring immense tracts of land under cultiva- tion. Ffteen thousand native workmen will be employed on the work for five years. The dams will be built of brick with granite foundations.

SOME PAST WAR SCARES. At a time when rumours of war are being echoed from various quarters of the earth, an article on this subject in the Philadelphia Press is interesting read- The writer points out that the United States, ar an organised Government, has been in existence 1r") years only, but during that time it has fought two foreign wars, one war on its own soil, and been subjected to a number of war scares, some of which developed nearly into actual war. The two foreign wars were with Great-Britain and Mexico, the former being popularly known as the war of 1812, from the year in which it began, and the latter as the Mexican war. Both of them are fully and clearly described in history, and all the leading incidents are well known to every schoolboy. The war: for flip Union was so recent also that it is still fresh in the public mind. The war scares are not so weil known. They began soon after the Government w!is organised, and have continued to occur since with more or less frequency. The first war scarce was the result of the French Revolution. The French Government, formed on the fall of the Monarchy, wished the sympathy and support of the United States Government, and sent to that country as its Minister the well-known Genet. His design was to form an offensive and defensive alliance between France and the United States, and embroil that country in a war with all the enemies of the French Republic, The enthusiastic reception given Gendf by the people of America, who were eager to ex. press their sympathy with a nation struggling foi liberty, turned his head, and he imagined that: hT could override the Government and take whatevei liberties he chose. He had privateers fitted out if the ports of the United States, and the Britisl iner, antvessels captured by these privateers wow confiscated by French Consuls in that country, not I withstanding the neutrality proclamation issued bli the American Government. It was only the firmness and decision of Washington, whose demand for the recall of Genet was promptly complied with, that saved the country from a war with England at that time. This is the best-known war scare the country has experienced, probably because it was the first and one of the most acute. There were two other French war scares. The second one arose from (he delay France showed in making compensation for the American vessels seized in French ports during the times of the first Napoleon. The controversy over, these seizures dragged along until near the close of the second Presidential term of General Jackson. when he peremptorily demanded reparation. The two countries were dangerously near to war on this occasion, and diplomatic relations between them were stopped for a time. But England mediated, and the, war-cloud blew over. The interference of France in Mexico during the war for the Union was a cause of great irritation to the United States, but beyond pro- test nothing was done until rebellion in the Southern States ended. Then an emphatic demand for the withdrawal of the French was made, and had it not been complied with, war would have resulted. Louis Napoleon saw the need of prompt action, and quickly withdrew the French Army from Mexico, and another war scare was dissipated. Brk-ish war scares have been frequent, but with t lit exception of the war of 1812. they have all ended without hostilities. One of the first of these i- I caused by the refusal of England to surrender the forts as agreed when the Revolutionary War ended. But this difficulty was settled by the Jay treaty. England and the United States were very near to war in lf-07, when the British warship Leopard tired upon and boarded the United R ates frigate Chesapeake. This trouble was quieted by England's dfsavowing the act and making reparation. The setflement of the Oregon boundary line loomed upon, the horizon for a time as a probaWe cause of war, but the question was settled amicably in 1846. Great Britain's course during the war for the Union was the occasion for much unfriendly feeling in this country. The fitting out of the Alabama and other privateers in English ports gave rise to what were known as the Alabama claims, which might have caused a conflict -had not England paid damages to the amount, of 15,500,000dol. The %VenezufelA war scare growing out of Great Britain's claim to' terri- tory in South America is too recent to need explana- tion. Spanish war scares were numerous as long as Spain held possession of any part of the North American Continent. Her hold on the mouth of the Mississippi River was a constant irritation to tha American people until Louisiana was sold to America, and later her possession of Florida and thb disputes as to its boundaries were a perennial source of war scares. For causing some of these I scares the people of America, are not wholly free., fie the South was not over scrupulous -out observing Spanish rights. Since Spain's! hold on the continent was released Chba has been a fertile source of war fevers. In 1854 the famous Ostend manifesto advising the Pierce Administration to buy Cuba from Spain might easily have led to war. The Cuban rebellions have also brought the United States and Spain near to war. Some delicate questions had to be settled during the | Cuban insurrection beginning in 1868, and much patience exercised to prevent war. The notorious Virginius affair of 1873 almost precipitated a con- [lict. And now the long rebellion in the island, the injury to American commerce, the inhumanities j practised hy-the Spaniard?, and the blowing up Of11 the cruiser Maine have strained the relations or the'! two countries nearly to the breaking point. But it is hoped that justice may prevail without the neces- sity of a. conflict, and this latest war scare be dissi- pated) as so many before it have been.

LOCAL TAXATION. j The Seventh Part of the Local Taxation Returns relative to England and Wales for the yeir 1895-96 has been issued as a Blue-book, being a summary of the si £ previous returns for the same financial year. The memorandum which precedes the tables now issued explains that the systematic arrangement and tabulation of the financial' transactions of so and tabulation of the financial transactions of so large a number of local aufliorijjejs—-exceeding p-e ing-t a.OOO-is a work of much time and ltbotir. Nor can the returns themselves, with rare exceptions, be obtained from the authorities immediately on the conclusion of the financial year to which they relate. Other Causes operate in a like manner to produce delay. The particulars obtained' have been care- fully examined, and show that the aggregate receipts of the local authorities during the "year 1895-96, excluding loans, amounted to 963,243.624, as com- pared with £ 53,225,292 in 1891-92. But all these receipts are not the fruit of local taxation. They include. Treasury subventions and payments, grants by the Local Government Board out of the Local Taxation Account, the revenue from gasworks and waterworks, and other items. The receipts from the public rates in 1895-96 were £ 35,898.000, as com- pared with E28,507,000 four years earlier, the rate in the pound on rateable value at the two periods being respectively 4s. 5d. and 3s. 8d., and the amount per head of the population respectively El 3s. 7d. and 19s. 7d. Separating the rates raised in the metropolis from those raised in the rest of England and \V ales, it appears that the, metropolitan rates in 1895-9{> were 5s. 8d. in the pound on rateable value and £ 2 4s. 3d. in amount per head of the popula- tion, compared with a little more than 5s. in the pound, and El 19s. 5d. per head, in 1891-92. The iv-ggregflte expenditure of the local authorities of England and Wales jn 1895-96, so far as it, was mot defrayed out of loans, amounted to I £ 02,226.353, as compared with £ 52,940.000 four years earlier. The loans received bv the authorities during 1895-96 amounted to £ 12,200,000, as compared with £ 10,000,000at the earlier date, the expenditure out of loans during the same periods being respectively E13,449,000 and £ 10,587,000. The outstanding loans of the local authorities at the end of the year 1895-96, including duplicate reckon- .i9S. amounted to £ 243,210,000, as compared with ^07.500,000 at the end of 1891-92. But only a portion of these loans affect the rates. Respecting the growth of local taxation in the country at large, it is shown that the total amount of the. rates raised increased during each of the nine years following 1886-87, when the amount was only £ 26,637,000 as compared with £35,898,000 in The rates raised in London in 1895-96 amounted to £ 9,896,000. Of this amount, rather more than 68 per cent. was raised to meet expenses changeable uniformly over the county area, or the county area exclusive of the City of London, and the remaining proportion to meet expenses chargeable over smaller areas. In another table, owing to an unavoidable dislocation of accounts, the receipts from the Metro- politan rates appear as 99,719,000. The total, re- ceipts, excluding loans, are given as E13,134,000, the corresponding expenditure being £ 12,583,000. Out- standing loans remained at £ 45,621,000. Of the expenditure in which loans were not involved, the Poor-law authorities took the lead with £ 3,241,000. The Metropolitan Vestries and District Boards absorbed £2,638,000; the School Board for London, £ 2,245,000; the London County Council, £ 1,685,000; md the Corporation of the City, £ 732,000. The axpenditurc for the Metropolitan Police is £ 1,392,000. In the expenditure out of loans the School Board figure for 1:502,000, and the County Council for £ 714.000.. It is remarked that at the commencement (if the financial year 1895-96 there was only cne tuivsoike trust in existence in England and Walss, and \his tiso ceased to exist on November I, 1895. The aggr ;ate receipts of the trustees during the period between March 25 and November 1,1895, amounted to £ 391, the expenditure being £ 456. },

AN Iri&hman tells of a fight in which there was but jne whole nose in the crowd, and that belonged to e taykettM. Ie

IliK WOMAN &, WOliLD. A oooi) deal of trouble "d worry t'says a. writer in the Mornint/) may be saved if the little details of spring cleaning are got through before the house is invaded by charwomen and the" additional tielp" engaged for the heavy andl1.borions work. Cup- boards can be turned out, the shelves thoroughly scruobed, and the,, coiiteiats washed or wiped with a oamp cloth. The task of sorting the contents of drawers occupies no little time in a large-house- hold. and should never be left for the day when f the actual cleaiyng of the rooms takes' place. After wiping the interior of the drawers with a damp cloth, take care they are, thoroughly dried before re-lining them with clean paper, and put- ting back the salted contents. Another thinf t.hat can be undertaken in advance is the clean- ing of the clothes closets, which in lIlany honse3 open out of the bedrooms. Remove all the garments, a id if possible hang them out in the sun and air for several hours. Take down the boxes from the shelves, look them over, and destroy anything that is not needed. Some women allow odds and end to accumulate for years, instead of disposing of them at t IC end Of 12 months. If the walls of the closet are of hard finish they should be washed over with tepid water. If papered, and the paper needs renewing, then there is nothing but to wait until the bedrotom is taken in hand. Wash the shelves and floor with clear lime water, and they will remain beautifully white all the summer. All ornamented glass and china can be washed beforehand, and if lamps are used their burners boiled in soda and water. To ensure expeditious work when the day of vigo- rous act ion arrives there must be an ample supply of "tools in readiness. Floor cloths and dusters in plenty must be to hand. the special brass and furni- ture polishes in the house and not at the shop. and the soaps and scrubbing-brnshes remembered. Then, beginning at the attics, and taking one room at a time, and not having every apartment upset at once, there is little fear that the male members of the family will find cause to grumble. Do not allow buckets and brushes to be left lying about in passages to trip up anyone who passes, and see that there are no small pieces of soap to cause accidents and bad tempers. More than one man has slipped on a pidco of soap left by a careless charwoman or servant, and ever afterwards cursed spring cleaning. PAWS has just evolved two new "creations "tin hats for ladies who cycle. One is the "Leonine," in pefl r Y straw of extra quality, with trimming of wings and stiletto, and .taffetas ribbon mingled- wit4 black velvet. The other is the Cyrano." It is a bargee in Manilla straw, with trimming and bow of foulard in various colours. I CONSPICUOUS among elaborate trousseaus anc pretty wardrobes brought from Paris is a most leaitiful assortment of aprons. These articles de luxa are made for the most part of the riches' materials, satin and silk for morning wear, and fci later in the day embroidered lawn or mousseline de soie. One of these charming novelties worn b) a matron was made in rich black satin linec with pearl grey satin and the exact shads of her grey cashmere dress. The apron, which reached to the hem of the skirt, was very wide at the bottom and gradually rotinded until it reached the hip. The trimming of tucks and cream insertion on the costume was reproduced on the apron, which was finished by a flounce of cream lace. fastened off on either side at the waist with large jewelled buttons. These buttons corresponded with a Swiss belt of jeyvellcd trimming. Another of these elegant trifles worn by a young woman was in turquoise blue mousseline de soie over a dress of cream cashmere. The apron was square at the foot, and the trimming consisted solely of a deep flounce of pleated mous- seline de soie set into a ruche of soft cream lace. A bertha of folds of the blue muslin was arranged in a heart shape, so that the elaborate bodice of the dress formed a kind of vest. The waistband was formed of cream-coloured insertion over blue and studded with turquoise, and at the sides a pointed cascade of lace, not sewn on the apron, but held in place by a large turquoise cabochon fell almost to the hem of the skirt. CrusF, lustrous, swishy, black taffeta silk comes into decided prominence among the luxurious and elegant dress fabrics just imported. Many Pari's; costumes show this silk forming the whole gown, the skirts of very many being flounced their entire length, some plain, others edged with rows of very narrow black velvet-ribbon, or lace insertion, with a flat un- gathered frill of the same lace at the edge, matching this insertion, and only about an inch wide. Another use made of black taffetas is as a princesse slip, or bodice and underskirt beneath trans- parent textiles' of black nun's veiling, grenadine, etamine, net, and many other beautiful diaphanous French and India, fabrics. The soft, gentle rustle of grenadine or veiling above taffetas has a refined and rich effect. It will hardly be possible this year to find tt more elegant gown for summer wear-i n black —than one of this combination. Handsome black nets by the yard in patterns of Venetian, Cliintiliv, Spanish guipure, &c., are imported for the making bf stylish black dress toilets; but the plain, sheer, unpatterncd India veilings, and like materials, are newer, and, really, to many women, the more elegant choice. TRIM, taut, and pre-eminently smart are the new spring coats that are made to suit every form and every fancy. Many are belted, others finished with strapped seams and a liberty-satin lining. Pretty styles for youthful figures have close-fitting backs and loose box fronts, and again, are open-fronted shapes with rather large revers that continue into turn-down collars, the revers and collars covered with white satin that is bordered with a number of rows of fine, untarnishable gold braid, or else one medium wide, band of galloon worked with irrides- cent beads. CniFFON and mousseline de soie will unquestion- ably be used for the two seasons before us as the fabrics for the making of many beautiful articles of dress, including entire gowns and fancy waists. Soft, lustrous, becoming, and susceptible of most effective manipulation, it would be difficult to find a fitting substitute for these dainty textiles for certain uses. I AGAIN are the natty shirt waists triumphant. TJhey are to reign, and they are appearing almost hourly in bewitching new forms in every domain of fashion in Paris, and word comes from over- the sea that their vogue for two seasons is assured. BLACK poppies, violets, roses, and other flowers, black lace, jet, tulle, net, and feather tips, are used on delicately coloured straws in pink, ecru, helio- trope, green and grey. ENGLISH walking jackets and English walking hats will be marked favourites for spring wear. THE professional lady cyclists are free to adopt the bolero vest, or a very elegant and small jacket, of .the smoking type, with silk revers, and worn with a white or other fancy waistcoat. The real novelty, however, is the bolero, whose front forms a plastron falling very low, the corners rounded, and ornamented with buttons and tresses forming brandebourgs. Here the revers are in silk, moire, or satin; then a Medici storm collar, -and a cambric cravat. It is an elegant costume, and is more so if turned out in a bright coloured cloth. The cravat will be very general, and is in Scotch material; it has to compete with white ribbon ornamented with russet guipure. The belts are of white, yellow or red leather. In the case of jaquettes, a deep sash belt of black silk is preferred, such as gentlemen display when they dispense with a vest. As for the hose, the choice lies between black and Scotch stockings ladies of full habits will avoid the latter, as they only enlarge the volume of the leg. The lacing boot is preferred to the shoe, and gaiters are serviceable in bad weather. The Mores hat in white or grey felt is superseded by the sailor straw hat, ornamented simply with two knife feathers," as they are named. The beret is :1,180 worn when it harmonises with the costu.ne; so is the tennis and linen cap; the latter are rather masculine. As to coiffure, if an earnest cyclist, the I lady must not devote attention to a puffy coiffure, nor allow the hair to fall too freely upon the temples and neck. For short wheelings only is the veil worn, ind then a simple white veil, without embroidery, as I that disturbs the view and incurs dangers. The white deer-skin flove is a speciality; the interior is per- forated, and that is claimed to impart elasticity.

BINKS: "I see that some one has defined a friend J is the first person who comes in after the whole world has gone out." Winks Well, I don't think 1 I would care to have a bailiff for a friend." I BELIEVES," said Uncle Eben, dat de human race would be consid'able wiser an' happier ef you -ould git 'em to foiler an' ahgument as easy as you kin git em to foller a circus puhcession."

TTIS ION LINE for the SOUTH AFRICAU GOLD FIKLDS. Sailin gs from Southampton evefjf Saturday. Calls made at Madeira a rid Tenerife. Apply to tlift UNION STEAM SHIP CO., Ltd., CauuteRd., Southampton, anu SouthAfricanHous^,i>4.to98.BisliopqgateSt.Withiii.LoadoM IRON BUILDINGS AHD ROOFINCL w Churches, Chapels, Mia»ion and School Eoon ■ Lawn Tennis, Golf, and Cricket Pavilions, Caw ■ tages, Stableo, Farm Buildings. Boo&QC A 9?fB JML Lieaorqption of Iron BuUdm^s. 1, ,1, 3 South BERMONDSEY W. HARBROWS VYUKKS. LONDON, S.E. JUNO CYCLES are the Very Best.. Diamonds, from £ '10 16s. Sr). Monthly. 12 Monthly Lady's and Gent's Payments. 131.; 21s. Monthly. iC14 148. 2.ts, 611. JvHisSLv I8 Write for Nevv Sea- 8 son's List of JUKO Cycles aid Accessories, sent Pott Iy School, 1,700 fee(( ll~l i\«filV '*fif V"*S»J now open. Metropolitan Machinists' Co,, *>td. 75, 76, luahop* sate Without. B.C., :md at Piccadilly Circus (exactly oppoilt# the Criterion), .LONDON, W. THE NEW rRENC-H RtiiWiKUSri TUEPADintJ This successful and lughly poptdrt I nLllMr lUn. remedy, asexnployedin the Continental Hospitals, by Ricord, Rostan, Jobert, Velpeau, and others combines all the desiderata to be sought ill a medicine of the kind, and surpasses everything hitherto employed for ira, purity of the blood, spots, blotches, pains and swellings of thfl joints, kiduey and liver diseases, gravel, pains in the back; nervousness, sleeplessness, Ac. Therapion is prepared in three different forms, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, according to cliseazes for which intended. Full particulars sf-nrt stamped JvcMresw^ envelopf for liamplifpt to Mb, R. JOHNSOW, 43, HOLFORB RQ17AUK, LONDON, W.O. Name tliis Paper. "COOPER" CYCLES From R5 10s. COMPETITION DEFIED. Latest design frame, larg-e weldless steel tubea, A ball bearings, tangent wheels, vjpT"!brake and mud-guards cushioB /Pf \A '■/■?%, t>'res, £ 5 10S.; pneumatic* If Ac (gg&^J) £ 7 108. Ladies', with dress U /} ?"ar" K'u;lr(ls, from £ 6. TwelfC >-v i 11 months' warranty. 1/sts free. n ■■■' mmB" Agtnti Wanted. AVM. COOPER, 753, OLD KENT ROAD, LONDON". S.K. .O..t.O.$.$' r Special Offer to I Possgtry Fancielfts. < io t TTTE are certain that I VV the "ZSBRII." Ex- < > tract of flifeat is superior to all other Animal Foods < t | for Poultry, and to give » Poultry Fanciers an < ► J opportunity of testing" ♦ our assertion, we l:ave t decided to offer £ 50, <► J which will be given in ♦ sums varying from £ 10 <► to JE1 to persons who, ♦ during the year 1898, S are most successful in <► winning the highest num- 1 I) her of Prizes with Fowls < fed on "ZEBRIL." o Write To-Day for Full Par- titulars, which may be had < post free from < "ZEBRIL" LIMITED, ]t 17, Withy Grove, Manchester. o t CYCLES at Wholesale Cost! Cients' Pneumatic Ladies' Pneumatios £7 18 St Gents, Citlii,us £ 6 12 63 Ladies' Cushions £ 7 7. Marvellous Value. Lists free. THE CYCLEPIHS. 20. LVTTOH ST., LIVERPOOL! VINOLIAI R F- MrF- R SOAP (for the Complexion), 1,p ty 4d. Tblt. CREAM (Itching, Burning Face Spots), 1,lli. POWDER (Redness, Roughness, Sweatl;ng,&c.), I/-

CIVIL SERVANTS' SICK LEAVE. The Treasury has issued the following explanatory instruction in respect to the Orders in Council of March 21 and August 10, 1890, respecting sick leav& in the Civil Service Continuous sick leave on full salary shall not be granted for any periou longer than six months, with power to the head bf the Department at his discretion to exte nd the sick leave on half salary for a further period of not more than six months. The Treasury desires to im- press on heads of Departments that these words do not imply that any Civil servant is entitled to s 'x iiionths' leave on full salary. On the contrary, the intention. is to prescribe a maximum liriiit witliin which it is the duty of the hp-ad of a Department to satisfy him- self as to the period proper to be allowed after care- ful consideration of all the particular circumstances- affecting the case. For this purpose the applicant llIlIst produce such medical evidence as to the state of his health as the head of the Department may require, and as often as may be so required. Tha Bailie discretionary power of heads of Deptrtniexits exists ;wit h regard to every application for sick leave, for whatrror period •

CARTER'S LITTLE LIVER PILLS. .piu- BEAUTIFUL TEETH mKBs Dm. lor»U who Dm daily on tha to4k JjfltTTir o bru,lh ,ew "OP* o1 S0Z0D0NT fi Forty in* tha plraiaatcst dsntUric* in world. ParaiT YaeetaMa. Cleanses the teeth and space* „ between them as nothing els» 8r°nu"1,^dper^wbit? promptly: teetu, roby lips, &nd tr&gr&Bfc cmtt ihem so Mioiuur cured. bre&th ensured. x*. MA I Ask tot BOZODONT. 8s. Ur

WIITLE the Queen of Italy is known as a doughty hill-climber and a beautiful woman, it seems to escape general recognition that she is also the most learned Royal woman in Europe. From her earliest childhood Queen Margaret has had a passion for books, and early set herself to master the different languages in which the best of them are written. She studidd English in order to make Shakespeare's acquaintance; .and to this day he remains her favourite author, followed closely by Ruskin and Darwin. Among German writers she loves Goethe best; among French, Racine and Chateaubriand. Sh'e knows Spanish well, and Latin and Greek are- familiar tongues. Add to this a wide range of "oJogies," of which she has a practical knowledge, and the Italian Queen's title to the reputation of being the most learned of Queens is obvious.

FRY'S "PURE CONCENTRATED" COCOA MAINTAINS ITS PRE-EMINENCE as a LIGHT and NOURISHING ORlNK. F.P.C. Just three words are necessary in order to pet L 'ATFD. .——" the right brand, viz.. FRY'S PUR I -CON CENT-RATED. i—imp——m—ill— nr'-n inwupi—Bimrri

ARICK bicycling we have all heard of, but trick playwriting is, so far, a novelty. An Italian drama- tist, Signor Novelli, has, however, undertaken to write a farcical comedy under the most extraordinary conditions. It is to consist of four acts written in a public room in the presence of witnesses, and com- pleted in 30 hours, during which the author is to be allowed next to nothing to eat and drink, and only two hours' sleep. It is to deal with bicycling, and is to be performed at the Cycling Exhibition at Turin within 50 hours of its completion. This is hard enough for the author and the actors, and scarcely less trying, it may well be imagined, for the audience. THE Guardian states authoritatively that, acting upon urgent medical advice, the Bishop of Calcutta (Metropolitan of India) is about to resign his See. The bishop is suffering from an affection of the nervous system, and, although he is in good health in other respects, his medical adviser is strongly of opinion that he cannot continue to work in India, as he has been accustomed to do.

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