Abergavenny Chronicle

A verdict of "Death from misadventure was returned at the inquest at St. Helens on Joh i Dixon, a collier, aged 43, who died after chloro- form had been administered for an operat'on. Six guineas damages against the London County Council for injuries received while alighting from a tramway-car were awarded to Robert Chapman, 76, at Southwark County- court.

HOUSE ATTACKED BY WOMEN. A strange story was told during the hearing of an assault case at Newcastle-under-Lyme Police-court, the complainant being a woman named Wain wright, living at the village of Alsagers Bank, Staffordshire. It was stated that certain people were in- terested in removing from the house of the Wainwrights a young woman and her child. Hearing that an attack was to be made on their house, the Wainwrights fastened all the doors, and the young woman and child were secreted in a box in a bedroom. Soon afterwards a crowd of between 20 and 30 women burst open the door with miners' picks, and a woman named Clarke (the defen- dant) was alleged to have roughly used the com- plainant in the ensuing struggle. The crowd invaded the house and searched for the young woman. The hiding-place was revealed by the crying of the child. By this time the police had arrived, and they drove the invaders out of the house.

FOUR KILLED IN EXPLOSION. Four persons were killed by a mysterious explosion which occurred in a cottage occupied by John Wheeldon, in the parish of Bolsover, near Chesterfield. Wheeldon was standing in front of the fire, when a tremendous explosion occurred, completely wrecking the chimney from the fireplace to the roof. The room was reduced to matchwood. Wheel- don was found impaled by a piece of ironwork, which had gone through his neck. Two children were killed instantly, the body of one being riddled as if by small shot. A woman named Berry was in the same state. When rescued from the debris she recovered a little and said to her neighbours, "I saw curious sparks rise up from the fire; then there was a crack." She died a few hours after the explosion. It is thought that when Wheeldon came home he banked up the fire for the night, and that an unexploded cartridge which had been brought up from the mine in the coal exploded.

DRAGOONS V. TRACTION ENGINE. I A detachment of dragoons stationed at Houns- low barracks had an unpleasant experience with a traction engine, attached to a pantechnicon, on the Staines road, near the barracks. The driver of the engine, Stanley Talbot, of May- bury-road, Woking, was charged at Feltham on Monday with being drunk while in charge of the engine. The experience of the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays) was described by Sergeant- Major Norton, who said that when the troop met the engine he called upon Talbot to stop, but he took no notice, and ran into his (witness's) horse. About 20 of the horses broke loose, and there was some confusion in the troop. The chairman sentenced Talbot to a month's imprisonment in the second division.

PRINCE AS A SURGEON. I The Prince of Wales was on Monday made an honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Sur- geons of England. The occasion was the delivery of the Hunterian Oration by the presi- dent, Mr. Henry Morris, M.A. The president stated that the recent visits of the Prince to several of the London hospitals had been a source of gratification and encouragement to patients and officials alike. "Those visits have also qualified your Royal Highness for the diploma w4ich you have this day received," continued Mr. Morris, "for in the noblest spirit and in the best sense of the words you have been engaged in that most essential part of the surgical curriculum known as 4 walking the hospitals.'

MARRIAGES TO ORDER. I Marriages to order were deprecated at Black- pool Petty Sessions on Monday by Mr. C. W. Callis, solicitor, when the chairman, Alderman Mather, suggested that a case should be adjourned to see whether a marriage could be arranged between a young couple before the court. The young man's proposal had been rejected because the girl alleged that he had given way to drink. Resisting the justices' suggestion, Mr. Callis eaid: "I know of many marriages that have taken place by order of the Bench, but I don't, know one case, and I don't think your worships know one, that has turned out right."

LABOUR PARTY. I At a meeting held at the Victoria-street offices, London, on Monday afternoon, in ac- cordance with their usual custom before the opening of a new Session, the Labour Party unanimously re-elected Mr. A. Henderson, M.P., chairman for the year. Much regret was expressed that Mr. J. R. Macdonald. M.P., acting under doctor's orders to givp. up some of his work, should have been com- pelled to resign his position as secretary to the Parliamentary group. Mr. J. Parker, M.P., was appointed his successor. Mr. George Barnes, M.P., was elected vice-chair- man, and Mr. J. H. Roberts, M.P:. and Mr. C. Duncan, M.P., whips.

VICAR'S CURIOUS BEQUESTS, I Some bequests of an unusual nature were made by the late Rev. Arthur Gilbert Girdle- stone, Vicar of All Saints', Brixton-hill, London, who left estate of the gross value of £ 14,820. He bequeathed £ 10 each to the organist, verger, blower, and pew-opener of All Saints', £ 5 to each of the fairly regular flcholars and teachers of the Sunday-school Bible-classes, one year's wages to each of his servants, including his gardener, and a sum not exceeding £ 250 for distribution among hia church-workers at the discretion of the execu- tors.

BEER AS AN EXPLOSIVE. I Mr. Frederick W. Tisbury, a tailor, sued the Bodega Company for .£75 damages in the City of London Court on Monday. Mr. Tis- bury was standing at the bar of a Bodega when a bottle of Bass which was being opened for another customer burst. A piece of the glass flew into Mr. Tisbury's hand, cutting an artery, and for five weeks he could not carry on his business. Judge Lumley Smith, in giving judgment for the defendants with costs, said the bottles wculd burst, and that the defendants harl not been guilty of negligence.

The Roses left her Cheeks. And Pain Saddened her Youth. A sad change came over my daughter in her 'teens.' She became languid and melancholy, and the roses left her cheeks; her lips and gums were quite bloodless, and it was pitiable to see her suffer. So nervous was she that any noise would make her tremble; also, she dreaded being alone. Her strength vanished and she often fainted. "A specialist said she was suffering from Anaemia, Neuralgia and Heart VVeakness, but in spite of clever treat- ment she remained in the same weak, bloodless state. At length I gave her a course of Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People, and after a time I noticed a pleasing difference in her health. She improved in appearance and her nerves were strengthened; she was always bright and well, and the pains round her heart and fainting fits ceased. Her cheeks glowed with a good colour, and her appetite was quite restored. Since her cure she has remained strong and full of energy." The above statement by Mrs. Ormerod, of 82, Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, concerning her daughter is published for the guidance of all bloodless, weak and nervous young women. Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People cure Ancemia, Blood Disorders, Eczema, Indigestion, and Nerve Troubles because they supply Rich, Good Blood to the famished system. Sold by dealers, or direct from Dr. Williams' Medicine Co., 46, Holborn Viaduct, London, 2s. 9d. per box; 13s. 9d. for six. Avoid substitutes; you must have Dr. Williams' Pink Pills

UNION OF TRADE UNIONS. I An important agreement has been con- cluded among a number of trade unions for semi-skilled and unskilled workmen. The agreement has been signed by ten societies, and provides for the mutual recognition of each other's cards of membership, transfer of members from one society to another in the case of men changing their employment, mutual help in work, organisation of joint action in case of disputes, and, where dis- putes arise among unions, arbitration as a means of settlement. The societies which have given their adhe- sion to the agreement are: United Order of General Labourers or London; Workers' Union; British Labour Amalgamation; Navvies', Builders' Labourers', and General Labourers' Union; Dock, Wharf, Riverside, and General Workers' Union; Amalgamated Society of Gas Workers; Brickmakers and General Labourers; Amal- gamated Association of Tramway and Vehicle Workers; National Amalgamated Union of Labour; and National Union of Gas Workers and General Labourers. These unions have a membership of over 100,000. The promoters of the agreement hope that it may lead the way to complete amalga- mation.

"RIPPER" CRIMES IN BERLIN. I The poorer quarters of Berlin are in a state of panic owing to an epidemic of "Ripper" attempts on unaccompanied women which has broken out. Frau Albertine Henke, the wife of a merchant, was attacked with a knife on Mon- day morning outside a house in the Gitschiner- strasse, by a man of about 25 years of age, who inflicted wounds on her left hand and left thigh In the Invalidenstrasse a servant girl, aged 20, was attacked by three young men, one of whom stabbed her. The girl was unable later to give an exact description of her aggressors. In the afternoon another "Ripper" outrage was committed at Rixdorf. A Frau Loobs was attacked by a man who seized her by the throat and stabbed her in the upper part of the thigh. Later two more stabbing outrages on women were perpetrated in the south-east district of Berlin. In the first case a woman was struck at by an unknown man, but the knife glanced' off the busks of her corset, inflicting no injury. Towards evening a young servant girl was attacked in the Lichtenrade, and stabbed. In all 17 women were injured. Owing to the increasing number of outrages the Chief of Police has raised the reward for the apprehension of the perpetrator from £50 to E 150.

BRAVEST DEED OF THE YEAR. I The Stanhope Gold Medal of the Royal Humane Society has been awarded to a Woburn Sands man, who performed what the society decided was the most courageous life-saving act in 1908. Following are the circumstances of the rescue effected by Smith:- On October 24 a man named Griffin was engaged in clearing ballast from the top of a kiln at Woburn Sands brickworks, when part of the roof gave way, and he fell into the kiln, being buried up to his waist in red-hot ballast. The barrow which he was using blocked the entrance to the kiln, save for a space of about a foot across. Through this opening Smith made his way, and in the intense heat, surrounded by choking dust and poisonous gases, with the re- mainder of the roof liable to fall in at any moment, he succeeded in sescuing his fellow- workman.

CLERGY AND UNEMPLOYED, I In order to show their desire that something should be done by Parliament for unemploy- ment in fl-e coming session a demonstration was held on Saturday at Trafalgar-square by representatives of the various religious denomi- nations. Between 2,000 and 3,000 persons were present. A resolution was passed which urged upon the Government that immediate steps should be taken to compel the Local Government Board to distribute the money voted for the relief of the unemployed, and demanding that the ques- tion of work or maintenance with training should be the first business of the coming session.

At a meeting of the Lambeth Board of Guar- dians the decision arrived at a fortnight ago, to close the labour yard at the end of the pre- sent month, was rescinded. It was also de- cided that the yard should be opened on five days a week, instead of four, as decided by the previous resolution.

CLUB WINDOW. A curious episode showing the state of the present Czar's nerves occurred when h. and the Czarina paid a visit to Queen Victoria at Balmoral in 1896. It had been arranged that when the Imperial train arrived at Ballater Station some rockets would be sent up to an- nounce to the Queen their safe arrival. As the Czar took his seat in the carriage he was startled by the noise. He sank back in the carriage, half-insensible with fear, and it was some minutes before he recovered suffi- ciently to bow to the crowds that lined the route through the village. » King Edward's table-linen is of the finest material, and is specially manufactured. The designs are very handsome and elaborate, the Royal monogram predominating, with rosea, shamrocks, and thistles among armorial bear- ings. It is also made in sets, each table- cloth having a number of napkins to match it in design. President Roosevelt attributes his wonder- ful energy to his very simple mode of living. Hard boiled eggs, rolls, and coffee are the staple articles of breakfast. For lunch, Mr. Roosevelt declares that when he is alone he seldom has more than a bowl of milk and a chunk of bread, and the evening meal never consists of more than three simple courses. Mr. Roosevelt has been a non-smoker nearly all his life. Considered either from the standpoint of age or duration of reign, the Emperor Francis Joseph holds the record among the rulers of civilised countries. Born in 1830, he succeeded his uncle on the latter's abdica- tion in 1848, and became King of Hungary 19 years later. The King of the Belgians comes next in point of age, being 73 years old, but his 43 years' reign is beaten by both Prince Nicholas of Montenegro and by King George of Greece. < The Duke of Richmond is a "triple Duke in the United Kingdom, besides holding the French title of Due d'Aubigny. The late Duke succeeded his father as Duke of Rich- mond and Lennox, and in 1876 the title of Duke of Gordon was revived in his favour. Mr. Thomas Holmes, the well-known police-court missionary, and secretary of the Howard Association, has had many curious experiences, but he confesses that the most embarrassing was being beloved—needless to say, greatly against his will—by poor, de- mented Jane Cakebread. The lady wished to elope with him. • • • A French priest resident at Perigueux, in the Department of Dordogne, has opened a small public-house, in which he is doing a thriving business. • • Mr. Rudyard Kipling was in the habit of paying even the smallest bills by cheques. After a while the author found that many of the small cheques he drew were never cashed. For a time he was at a loss to account for this, until one day he happened to visit an office, the principal of which was aa enthu- siastic autograph collector. There he saw one of his own cheques framed and hanging on the wall. It appeared that the local shop- keepers found they could often get more for Kipling's small cheques from autograph hunters than they could by cashing them in the usual way. • From Switzerland, a copy of a newspaper was sent to Mr. Beerbohm Tree, and, among the complimentary comments on the actor- manager was the following: "Encouraged by the success of his other classical productions, 'Nero' and 'Julius Caesar,' Mr. Tree is about to bring out a play called Antony and Cleopatra.' The name of the author, how- ever, has been kept secret. < The Rev. A. Hamilton Roes, who was re- cently appointed United Free Church minis- ter to the new aluminium works settlement in the rugged Highland region of Kinlochleven, could not obtain a manse, but, undaunted, bought a. 20ft. yacht, and, single-handed, sailed her round the Clyde and used the craft as his home. Reece, the billiard expert, is a bit of a wag. Some time ago Harverson and Diggle were playing in the North. The players kept re- markably level. This furnished an oppor- tunity for a joke, and Reece could not resist it. Towards the end of the week the players received a parcel addressed to them jointly. When they opened it they found the contents to be a song, the title of which was, "I'll wait for you, love, if you'll wait for me." < < Mr. Tim Healy, M.P., does more travelling in the course a session than any other member of the House of Commons. He' not infrequently arrives in London from Dublin at six in the morning and leaves again for the land of his birth the same evening. Cavalier Luigi Azario, a restaurateur, of the Italian colony in London, who came to this country as a waiter in 1877, has had con- ferred upon him by the King of Italy the Dis- tinguished Order of the Italian Crown, in recognition of his services to his compatriots residing in London. t That America has no monopoly of the romances of commerce is proved by the career of the late Mr. George Singer, who has just died at Coventry, and who, starting as a mechanic, amassed one of the greatest for- tunes ever made in the cycle industry. Sir William Arrol began his working life, as a child of nine, in a cotton mill; Sir Christo- pher Furness's fortune was cradled behind a grocer's counter; Sir Alfred Jones's on a stool in a shipping office; and Mr. Whiteley'a in a Wakefield draper's shop. Sir Donald Currie, at fourteen, was learning clerk's work at Greenock. < The Earl of Shaftesbury, who is the Lord Mayor of Belfast, is the owner of a splendidly trained voice, and he often sings at concerts given in the cause of charity. In this case he is ably seconded by his handsome sister, Lady Maud Warrender, who might have made a name for herself professionally had necessity arisen. The Czar Ferdinand of Bulgaria is stated to be the best guarded among European Royalties. His bedroom is filled with all sorts of lethal weapons. Scattered on every piece of furniture there are pistols, revolvers, daggers, and even knuckle-dusters. The wire-haired fox-terrier Csesar, which accompanies King Edward on nearly all his travels, some time ago received a drubbing from an irritable old lady in Paris, where the King was visiting. Caesar "went for the old lady's French poodle, whose owner sharply retaliated with her umbrella. "It is the King's dog!" exclaimed a horrified offi- cial. "The King's dog, is it?" retorted the peppery old lady, flourishing her weapon. "Then so much the worse for the King! Mr. Arthur Sherwell, M.P., who has just been married to Miss Amy Whadcoat, was originally trained for the Wesleyan ministry, and was appointed conductor of the Sunday afternoon lectures in St. James's Hall. < Prince Francis of Teck was once out walk- ing alone one dark night, when he was sud- denly jostled by a rough-looking man, who, however, hurried away immediately. The Prince promptly felt for his watch—it was not there. He gave chase to the man, and demanded the instant return of his timepiece. The man protested, but eventually handed a watch and chain to Prince Francis, and then made off again. But the Prince's astonish- ment can be imagined when he discovered that the watch was not his own There is an etiquette in the matter of Royal birthday greetings. So far as Royal person- ages are concerned, it is quite in good taste to use the ordinary post, and the old custom, which required such messages to be delivered by special courier, has gone out of fashion. All greetings must be throughout in the hand- writing of the sender. » Professor Metchnikoff, who has gone to Russia on the invitation of the official Medi- cal Board of St. Petersburg to help fight the cholera epidemic, is assistant director of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, and has been pro- bably the most distinguished scientist of that city since the death of Pasteur in 1895. < Snatcher, London," is the telegraphic address which will find Lord Justice Moulton. Its origin is a mystery, so far as the gener&l public is concerned.

IN THE PUBLIC EYE. I "Cu'" BOWXBS. I The House of Commons is a duller place without Mr. Thomas Gibson Bowles, who, until the election of 1906, represented King's Lynn, and was a thorn in the side of the Government. His Free Trade views did not commend themselves to his party, and he found himself opposed by a Tariff Reformer when he submitted himself for re-clect-oit The Tariff Reformer did not win the seat, but he kept out "Tommy" Bowles. Afterwards Mr. Bowles fought an absolutely hopeless fight against Mr. Balfour in the City of Lon- don, and now he once more takes the stage, as a Liberal candidate this time, in Central Glasgow. Mr. Bowles is an acknowledged financial expert, and an experienced navi- gator—he holds a master mariner's certifi- cate. Mr. E. T. Reed used to draw him as a sailor man, with an iren hook instead of a hand, and many people really believe that he is like that in real life. But he has both hands, a wonderfully clever head, and a sar- castic tongue. ILORD CHARLESS SUCCESSOR. I I LORD CIURL::S SUCCBSSO.R. I When Lord Charles Beresford hauls down his Bag on March 24th, and ends his active connection with the Channel Fleet, his successor will be Vice- Admiral Sir Berkeley Milne, who has been second to Lord Charles in the control of the Fleet since June last. Sir Berkeley Milne's father was Sir I Alexander Milne, Admiral of the Fleet, and a very distinguished officer. Sir Berkeley has seen forty years' service in the Navy, and has seen a good deal of fighting. During the Old Colony and Zulu Wars he was Lieutenant of the Active. He landed with the Naval Brigade in Novem- ber, 1878, and was one of Lord Chelmsford's Aides-de-Camp. In the following January he was present at the capture of Uairayo's stronghold and he was also at the battle of Gingihloro, the relief of fckowe, ana the battle of Ulundi, where he was wounded. He was a Flag-Lieutenant in the Egyptian War. He has commanded Royal yachts, and before becoming attached to the Channel Fleet had been Rear- Admiral in the Atlantic Fleet. -:0:- "MAXIM GORKY, HOUSE-PAINTER." I In this humorous fashion the Russian police describe Maxim Gorky, the famous novelist, for whoae arrest a warrant is issued. But why house-painter? Gorky, or, to give him his real name, Alicksei Maximo- vitch Pieshkov, has been most things in his time, and the warrant would have been just as correct if Gorky had been ealled railway worker, doctor, tramp, painter of ikons, ped- lar, gardener, or watchman. In his younger days he was scullery-boy and baker's appren- tice. Gorky's literary talent was discovered by the great Russian writer, M. Korolenks, and he jumped into fame with his first story. He is, as everyone knows, a Socialist, though it was not until 1905 that he declared himself a Social-Democrat. Lately he has been living chiefly in Italy. Nsw LORD-ADVOCATE. I Well earned promotion is secured by Mr. Alexander Ure, M.P., who becomes Lord-Advocate for Scotland in succession to Mr. Shaw. The ex-Solicitor-General for Scotland is the son of a Lord Provost of Glasgow, and was born in 1853. He has a passion for the law, in which he has had a brilliantly successful career. For a dozen years he was lecturer on Con- stitutional Law and His- tory at Glasgow Univer- sity, and he is a speaker of much eloquence and resource. He is a strong advocate for the taxation of land values. He has represented Linlithgow- shire since 1895, having before that time fought unsuccessfully in the same constituency and in Perthshire. He has a fondness for the open air, and for all he has tremendous quantities of legal work to get through he finds time to indulge his tastes for yachting, walking, and motoring. -0; 0- JAPANESE AMBASSADOR. I Mr. Takaaki Kato, the new Japanese Ambas- sador to this country, who was appointed some time ago, has just arrived in London. Not for the first time, however, for be was Japanese Minister in London from 18940 to 1899, and before that time had paid a private visit to England. It was Mr. Kato who established the Japanese Embassy in its present location in Grosvenor-gardens. He had I it furnished and fitted in the English manner, and howed his liking for English customs in many tvays. He was the origi- nator of the negotiations which resulted in the Anglo Japanese Agree- ment. Fifty this year, the Japanese Ambas- sador has had a large experience in Japanese and international politics. When he returned to his own country in 1899 he once more entered politi- cal life, obtained a seat in Parliament, and served a short term as Foreign Minister-an office he held again in 1906, Mr. Kato 4s a journalist as well as statesman, and owns one of the oldest-established newspapers in Japan. o MANY PROFESSIONS. I Most people follow only one calling in life, but Sir Edward Boyle, K.C., who has resigned his seat for Taunton, has been successful in two professions, notwithstanding his early training was intended to fit him for another. He was educated privately for the Army, but changed his mind and became an architect. In 1870, when he was just of age, he began to practice. He was elected Fellow of the Surveyors' Insti- tute in 1878, but a few years later he became convinced that the law was his line. Events justified that conviction, for he "took silk" feleven years after having been called to the Bar in 1887. He has written several well- known legal text-books. In political life* he experienced two defeats, at Hastings and Rye, before he secured a seat at the General Elec- tion. Sir Edward is a Conservative. -:0:- "A SELF-=DB MAN." I The most likely successor to the late Lord Robertson as a Lord of Appeal is Mr. Thomas Shaw, K.C., Lord Advocate for Scotland, whose action in returning his brief in the Stirling divorce case is considered significant. Mr. Shaw is one of the self-made" men, of whom Scotland has produced such a large number. His parents were comparatively humble folks in Dunfermline, where he was born in 1850. He was educated at the local High School, afterwards proceeding to Edinburgh University, where he had a dis- tinguished career in Arts and Law. He became a member of the Scottish Bar in 1875, and Advo- cate-Depute in 1886. In 1894 his services to the Liberal party were re- warded bv- his appoint- ment as Solicitor-General for Scotland. When Sir Henrv Campbell-Bannerman formed his Ministry in 19(55 Mr. Shaw was advanced to the office of Lord Advocate. He has represented the Hawick district of Burghs since 1892, and played a great part in the dispute between the Wee and United Free Churches of Scotland.

A woman who had lost a pearl necklace at a Paris theatre was informed by the attendant when she came to claim it that th article had already been identified and taken away by a voung woman, who rewarded him with Xl for his find. The owner explained that the pearls were artificial, and had cost eight shillings. The Russian Post Office will issue a series of new postage stamps in connection with the ter- centenary of the rule of the Romanoffs. They will bear the effigies of various Russian monarchs, including Peter the Great, Catherine I., Paul I., Alexander I., Nicholas I., Alex- ander II., Alexander III., and the reigning Czar.

I TEA TABLE TALK. I Madame Curie, who helped her husband to disover radium, has just been elected a corre- sponding member of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. • A lady missionary recently left Croydon for Qua Iboe, on the West Coast of Africa, taking with her a large assortment of dolls to give to native girls. The missionaries already there decided that they must not be distributed, "because the instinct of worship would in all probability exalt the dolls to the position of idols. In 1876, a thirteen-year-old girl at Stock- holm, named Caroline Karlsdutter, fell asleep as she was reading a book at school, and no- thing could wake her. Having slept for thirty- two years, in which time she has become a tho- roughly developed and apparently healthy woman of forty-five, she woke up recently. She declares her intention to return to school. The American fashion of dispensing afternoon tea is very pretty. Instead of leaving the serv- ing of light refreshments to the servants, the American hostess choses several of the prettiest girls she knows, and gives them the task of pouring out the tea, coffee, and chocolate at a centre table. The table accommodates four girls, who in their smart party toilettes are at once ornamented and useful. It is considered the greatest compliment a hostess can confer if she asks you to pour for her. In France women are allowed to wear male attire, but they must pay for the privilege. The amount of the tax which a woman pays lor wearing male attire is about .£2 a year; but her willingness to pay the tax does tot insure her the right to wear these garments. As a matter of fact, the right is conferred by Government as a tribute to great merit, &.nd the honour conferred is something like that of the coveted ribbon of the Legion of Honour. < Xenia Kritskaya, a woman soldier, was born at Podolia, but journeyed to the Far East under an assumed name to serve as a volunteer against the Japanese. When her request to be con- veyed together with the troops from Chela Binsk to Harbin was refused, she contrived, under enormous difficulties, to reach there, and finally was enrolled in the mountain troops. No one suspected her sex during the time 5he served, which was two and a half months. An interesting challenge has been issued through the medium of the Scandinavian and German newspapers, by Miss Hilda Andersen, who invites any woman in Europe or America to attempt to wrest from her the title of World's Lady Champion skater, which she gained in open competition in January, 1908. < » One of the best models for women the whole world over is the German Empress. She has one great hobby which stands pre-eminent, and that is her family. No wan ever had a more devoted wife than the Kaiser, and no woman was ever more fond of her children than the Kaiserin. Like our Queen, she, too, is an ardent photographer, and has a fine collection of her own snapshots. Since girlhood she has also kept a diary, and not a day passes but what she enters up something. Even the Kaiser is not allowed to read this. • A craze of certain women in Parisian society is to have song-birds, particularly canaries, chained to the wrists of their owners, and to appear particularly docile the little creatures are frequently drugged, or, if desired, cigarettes are smoked into the bird's face until it is in a half-dazoo condition. Served thus, the poor pet" may be carried from room to room with- out exhibiting sign of fear. t § Madame Surcouf, ttife of the distinguished aeronautical engineer, is herself one of the best-known aeronauts in France. She has a long record of ascents to her credit, and has travelled many hundreds of miles in the air in all sorts of weather. When friends call upon her, Madame Surcouf frequently takes them for an excursion in one of her husband's balloons, and instead of having tea at home, they take it in cloudland. « For some time women have been employed as assistants to the police in Stockholm, and it is claimed that the" Sisters" have been a great success. They are particularly useful in the surveillance of women and children who happen to be in trouble. In the case of the habitual woman drunkard and other female offenders, the" Sisters" are able to obtain their confi- dence much better than the men. One of the most beautiful women on the stage, Miss Millard, is truly iil her own element, for she was bred and born in a theatrical atmosphere, in a family where the conversation was always of the stage. Naturally her thoughts turned ever towards the theatre, and so keen was she upon shining as an actress that she was content to commence by merely" walking on." That was at the Haymarket Theatre under Mr. Beerbohm Tree's management. Queen Elena of Italy was one of the first ladies in that country to ride a bicycle. The King did not altogether approve of the idea, and Queen Elena was careful not to let the King see her on the machine. While the Court was staying at one of the country palaces her Majesty was one day tempted to take a spin. As she entered the palace courtyard on her return who should she meet first but the King. Somehow or other the cycle skidded, and the Queen was thrown flom her machine. King Victor helped her up, and, finding her unhurt, regarded her with an eye of disapproval. This is what comes of being too independent," he told her severely. "You are covered with mud how can you go through the main entrance in such a state? Queen Elena looked ruefully down at her soiled garments. "You are right," she said meekly. "Will you take the bicycle? While the King wheeled the bicycle away the Queen went round the courtyard and entered the palace by a back staircase. • Quite a triumph has been achieved by a Swedish photographer, who has succeeded in inducing Princess Therese, the King of Sweden's sister-in-law, to accord him a sitting. Princess Therese's dislike for being photo- graphed has become proverbial in Scandinavia, and it is said that she had not had her portrait taken for more than thirty years. Most men are possessed of the belief that woman is a natural born chatterbox, that she can Keep nothing to herself. Why this should be so it is difficult to understand, unless it has risen from the fact that in days gone by some women have not been so guarded in their utter- ances as they might have been. Let women show men that there are some who know how to restrain their feminine propensity to gossip. Let them remember that the woman or girl who keeps quiet is given credit for knowing a great deal, while the chatterbox tells all she knows, and gains no credit by it. A sixpence paid by the Duchess of Portland for a programme of a charity matinee has been instrumental in providing a breakfast for more than 300 poor children in Mansfield. The coin was raffled, and 500 people bought tickets. < A dramatic little episode once occurred on the magnificent staircase of the Royal Palace in Madrid. On the night of October 7, 1841, a crowd of mutinous officers swarmed up with the intention of kidnapping the child-Queen, Isabella. Shots rang out, and there was a murderous hand-to-hand combat on the stair- case. Poor little Isabella, all her regal dignity forgotten, wrung her hands in an agony of fear, screaming, 44Oh, don't let them kill me As day broke over the city the mutineers fled. » The Queen of Roumania is a writer of con- siderable ability. Some of her stories, which are written under the pen-name" Carmen Sylva," have been acclaimed by critics as masterpieces of technique. < New occupation for women has been provided by Lady Baker, of Ranston, in Dorset. She has established on her estate a terra-cotta plant that gives employment to scores of women. Lady Baker is an enthusiast on terra-cotta, and skilled in that kind of pottery work. The practical philanthropist teaches the women of the neighbourhood herself, and works indus- triously in the terra-cotta manufactory as an example to her poorer sisters. < Many British women find employment as governesses in Spain, and the Spanish ladies have a special likine for those of Irish nationality.

J A Woman's Right to be Well. Gained when Least Expected. I can truthfully say that Dr. WiUiams Pink Pills made me well and saved me from Consumption. For years I was too weak*to find any enjoy- ment in life. My eyes were dark, with heavy lines under them; sharp pains cut through my lungs as I breathed; my hands were cold and clammy; and later on followed a cough that shook me through. At night I was distressed by profuse perspirations and I gradually became a shadow of myself. A doctor told me that through Bloodlessness I was in thejearly stage of Consumption." "Urged by my friends to tryi Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People I did, and after a time a decided improve- ment was evident. I could take food my strength returned, and the cough left me. The weakening perspirations and: fainting fits vanished and I steadily- regained vigour until 1 was quite well. That is the declaration of Miss Mary Russell, of, 66, Cross Sun Street, Bradford, unhesitatingly, given because of benefits received. It is by their enriching and purifying action ooi Weak, Bad Blood that Dr. Williams' Pink Pill. effect such splendid cures, including cases ofi Rheumatism, Neuralgia, St. Vitus' Dance, Early Decay, and ills of the weaker sex. Of dealers, or from Dr. Williams' Medicine Co., 46, Holborrm Viaduct, London, 2s. 9d. a box, or 13s. 9d. for six. Avoid substitutes, for the pills that CURE are Dr. Williams' Pink Pills

PAN-ANGLICAN OFFERING. A provisional report on the allocation of the Thanksgiving Fund of the Pan-Anglican Con- gress shows that of the C-330,000 raised, £ 125,000 bad already been earmarked by the donors for local, Colonial, or other objects. The Central Fund, to be distributed by the Lambeth Conference Committee, amounted to £ 223,000. The allocation scheme provides that Canada shall have £ 15,000, Australasia E12,000,, Africa E50,000, India P-50,000, China £ 35,000, Japan £ 30,000. the remainder being allotted to Asia, South America, The Islands, and other parts of the world. The main instruction to the beneficiaries is that the money shall be used to initiate new enterprises, and educational purposes are to have the first claim upon the fund. Before the fund is finally distributed the Bishops and their lochl workers are requested to confer together and to forward plans to the Committee as to the methods they propose to pursue in making use of the grant. The confir- mation of the grant will depend on there reports.

YOUNG GIRL DEFIES BURGLARS. Details of a daring attempt at burglary; and of a young girl's plucky action in en-< deavouring to secure the arrest of the in* truders came to hand on Monday. On Sunday evening, while Mr. Debaeck, churchwarden at St. Peter's, Edmonton, and his wife were at church, two men appear* in their house, where were Mr. Debaeck's sixteen-year-old daughter Jessie and three younger children. At the first alarm Jessie seized her mother's purse from the mantelpiece and hid it in her pocket, and, in spite of the threat of one. of the intruders to murder her, steadily refused to give any information as to where her father and mother kept their money. Eventually fhe would-be burglars left by the front door, after ransacking several room.

MOTHERS FATAL MISTAKE. Mrs. Lucas, the wife of a carrier at Far* ington, near Preston, and her daughter Ellen, aged five, are seriously ill from poison- ing, whilst an infant boy of five weeks lies dead from the same cause. It is stated that Mrs. Lucas, whilst in a weak and frenzied state, and under the mis- taken impression that the baby was suffering from typhoid fever, on Sunday night admin- istered carbolic acid to the infant, to Ellen, and then to herself. The girl had been suf- fering from pneumonia. The carbolic acid had been used for disinfecting purposes. A neighbour found the mother and her children in great pain, and at once called medical assistance. Emetics were administered, but the baby died early on Monday morning.

A CONSTABLE'S FALL. Six "weeks' imprisonement was the sentence passed by the stipendiary at Hull on Monday upon William Bentley, a policeman, who had been in the force ten years. He was charged with stealing four pounds of beef whilst on tight duty. Inspector Playfoot observed the prisoner at two o'clock on Sunday morning apparently wrapping up a parcel and buck- ling it to his clothing. When asked what he had under his cape, he replied, "Fish;" but eventually produced the beef. It was alleged that the meat had been taken from the shop of a butcher, the door having been left open, and that Bentley must have sawn the beef off.

STRANGE CAGE ACCIDENT. Four miners were in a cage ready to be raised to the surface at Boness pit 011 Mon- day when a huge stone fell down the shaft, crashing through the top of the cage- and killing Richard Fitzpatrick and Jclin Grant. Owen Finnigan and John Kirkwood, the other two occupants, escaped with bruises. Owing to a scarcity of waggons through a dispute with the railway company many of the miners were idle at the time.,