Abergavenny Chronicle

STATEMENTS BY OFFICERS OF THE ASTURIAS. The Secretary of the Admiralty issues the following statements made by the master and officers of the hospital ship Asturias, which narrowly escaped being torpedoed by a German submarine Captain's statement, Hospital Ship Asturias, Havre, February 2, 1915: — "At 4.15 p.m. on February 1, with the P. M. 0., I inspected ship, finishing at five p.m. Going towards the bridge from the main saloon, Mr. Fletcher, cadet, reported to me torpedo just fired at us passing astern. I at once went on the bridge, and upon the second officer confirming the state- ment that he observed the wash of a sub- marine two points on the starboard beam, I at once starboarded 3-1 1 points, sending down to the engine room instructions to give the ship all steam possible. After that until passing the lightship I made a zig-zag course. "Seeing a French destroyer on my port quarter, also one on my port bow, I sent a wireless message that a torpedo had been fired at me and missed; there was also a fishing boat in the vicinity of the French destroyer on my port quarter. "Apart from the testimony of my officers, a number of people on board not only saw the course of the torpedo, but also observed the submarine following in our wake. "It was a very light and clear evening, and at 5.15 broad daylight, and in no pos- sibility could the character of the ship be mistaken. "(Signed) CHARLES LAW, Master." Statement of Mr. Thomson, Second Officer, Hospital Ship Asturias, Havre, February 2, 1915: — "At five p.m. on February 1, whilst in charge of the bridge, the ship being N.N.W. fifteen miles from Havre lightship, I observed a smooth in the water about two points abaft the starboard beam 500 yards away; about 150ft. from this smooth I dis- tinctly observed ;he track of a torpedo which passed us close under our stern. "On observing the torpedo I immediately called the attention of Cadet Mr. Fletcher, who was on watch with me, and instructed him to inform the commander, who arrived immediately and starboarded 3i points, at the same time ordering all steam. "I was then relieved by the chief officer. "(Signed) A. N. THOMSON, Second I Officer.

THE WRONG HOOK. 1 0 ■■ ■ ■ ■■ l "Are they taking the bait to-day, BiUy!" I "No, all they're takin' is their hook!"

KING AND WELSH DIVISION. I Twenty thousand troops at Cambridge have been inspected by the King. Accompanied by General Sir Ian Hamilton and Major Clive Wio-ram, his Majesty, on reaching Cambridge, drove to the centre of the parade ground. After receiving the Royal salute, his Majesty inspected the various units. The King next proceeded to the let Eastern General Hospital, erected on the King's and Clare cricket ground, and inspected the various wards, in which there are 1,000 beds. The kitchens, operating theatre, and X-ray room were also visited. The General Officer Commanding the First Welsh Division has received the following mes- sage in reference to the Cambridge inspection: "His Majesty was much pleased with the smart appearance on parade of the Welsh Division and the 11th Sussex Regiment and B Co. National Reserve, Local Guards, and with the soldierly manner in which they marched past."

REALLY SERIOUS. I "Put the mare in, Frank, and fetch the doctor. Willy's very ill. He won't eat any breakfast, and he complains of pain in his head." "Oh, give him a powder; he'll soon be better. He's often like this in the morn- ing." in Yes, but that's only on school d&ys, never on a Saturday morning 1"

DISGRACING THE UNIFORM. I At Shropshire Assizes, in Shrewsbury, Edward Gordon, a military impostor, who was I wearing sergeant-major's uniform, was sen- tenced to five years' penal servitude on several charges of obtaining money by false pretences. He had represented that he was a sergeant- major in the Scots Greys, and had returned from the front wounded, having been in the Battles of Mons and the Aisne, and twice re- commended for the Victoria Cross. Mr. Jus- tice Avory described the prisoner's conduct as most despicable, because it was calculated to dry up the fountains of charity, which was flowing in aid of those who had really suffered in war.

I ON THE RETURN JOURNEY. I "Hi, Bill! Bring my 'bacca-box with yer I when yer comes up again

The Goeben has again been repaired and is cruising in the Bosphorus. I The "Patria announces that fifteen squadrons of Italian aeroplanes are in readi- ness with 150 machines, sixty wagons, and a reserve of petrol for forty-five days. The number of airmen exceeds the requirements.

Before boiling a ctacked egg. rub salt over the shell. This prevents the white from boiling out. Green Venetian blinds, when faded, can be restored by rubbing with a rag saturated with linseed oil. The white of an egg applied to a burn is more efficacious remedy than carron oil or collodion. Knife handles which have become yellow with age can be whitened by rubbing with fine emery pa pr. Old worn-out emery paper can have its rough surface quite restored if- placed in a warm oven for five or six minutes before being used. Old newspapers finely shredded up make excellent fillings for cushions. Coffee grounds should be placed in the oven to dry, and used to clean knives in place of ordinary knife-powder. To clean pickle jars and other glass bottles which have become stained, crush up an egg- shell, put it into the bottle, add a little hot (but not boiling) water and shake well. This will clean and polish the glass. When heating pies, place the pie in a deep baking dish filled wit.'i boiling water and stand on the top of the oven for an hour, then fifteen minutea before it is re- quired place it in the oven to heat the crust. It will be as good as if freshly baked. To clean currants quickly, place them ill an enamelled colander, sprinkle over with. a teaspoonful of flour, stand the colander on a plate, and rub the currants lightly about. The stalks and soiled flour will pass through the holes, leaving the fruit clean. To RESTORE LEATHER CHAIRS. I Wipe the leather over with a cloth wrung out in lukewarm vinegar and water. Then dissolve a threepenny b-vttie of dye, of the same colour as the leather, in one pint of boiling water, and with a soft paint brush go over the whole of the leather, seat, and back of chair. Let it get thoroughly dry, then polish with furniture cream, and the chair will look like new. BaiGHT OILCLOTH. I Nothing freshens up a house so much as the smell of lemon or lavender. You can buy oil of lavender or oil of citronella, and add it to your furniture or floor polish. Oil of citronella is especially good to use about the house in the summer, as flies hate the smell of it, and keep away. If you want your oilcloth to look bright, and yet la;t a, long time, never use water on it. To clean it, rub it with a flannel dipped in turpen- tine to get out stains. Then shave half an ounce of beeswax into a cup, and stand it in a cup of boiling water. Add a saucerful of turpentine, a little Castile soap (shaved up), and a few drops of oil of citronella. Whiji skis until it begins to get stiff, and then put it in a pot. A little of this rubbed into the oilcloth not only brightens, but preserves it, and freshens up a stuffy room wonderfully. It is especially good in an invalid's room. CLEANING CURTAINS. I Curtains can be cleaned with carpet soap in exactly the same way as carpets, though some people prefer to wash them in bran water or in a soapy lather in the same way that blankets are done. Bran water will extract dirt quite as well as soap, and not take out the colour from the fabric. To make the bran water, allow lib. bran for every gallon of water. Tie up the bran in a bag, put it into the water when cold, and simmer gently for nearly an hour. Wash the curtains in this, and rinse in cold water to which a little salt has been added, as this will set the colour and prevent it from running. Wring and dry as quickly as possible. CLEANING AN UMBRELLA. I Place a tablespoonful of sugar in a basin, pour over it half a pint of boiling water, and stir till dissolved. Then open the umbrella, and, starting from the ferrule, sponge each gore down to the point. Leave th.? umbrella open till dry, when the cover will look fresh and bright. How TO CLEAN IRON SAUCEPANS. I These should be cleaned as soon as pos- sible after use, and if anything greasy has been boiled in them put in some soda and boil this up. If starchy food has been cooked in them steep them in cold water, as h.)t water makes the starchy material stick to the pan. The soot should first be re- moved from the bottom and sides of the outside with an old knife, and when this is done clean lioth the inside and outside with soap, using a brush dipped in silver sand. They should then be rinsed thoroughly, first in hot and then cold water, and the pan should be ptaced in a. warm place, upeide down, to dry. SOME USEFUL RECIPES. J CURRIED EGGS. Boil three eggs for 20 minutes. Shell them and cut them into quarters. Make a curry with half a chopped apple, a little lemon juice, half an ounce of butter, a tea-spoonful of curry powder, a tea- spoonful of flour, pepper and salt, and one gill of milk. Cook this sauce for about ten minutes, stirring it carefully all the while. Stand the eggs on a foundation of rice, and pour the curry sauce over the whole. Serve very hot. A little cooked onion may be added to the curry mixture, if liked. AUNT MAR.Y'S PUDDING.—Well butter a plain mould, and stick alternate layers of raisins and sliced almonds round it. Pour a breakfastcupful of warm fresh milk over a leacupful of finely-grated breadcrumbs. Let them soak for a little while, then add a small piece of butter, one dessertspoonful of sugar, a little thinly-grated lemon-rind, and two eggs. Beat all well together,, pour the mixture into the mould, cover it closely, and allow it to steam for three hours. FRUIT SALAD.-About half a pound of ripe tomatoes, two hard-boiled eggs, two nice eating apples and a dozen skinned walnuts, three bananas. Cut the tomatoes into nice sliees, arrange them around a dish. Peel and ccfre the apples and also cut into slices; place them upon the tomatoes, then skin the bananas; cut each one into throe neat slices and place them crossways upon each other in the centre of the ditch. Skin and divide the nuts into four and scatter them all over; squeeze over these the juice of a lemon and an orange; screen the whole with castor sugar. Beat or whisk twopenny- wQrth of cream to a thin butter, then lay it in little heaps around the dish. Many house- wives marinade the fruit in a little sherry an hour before arranging upon the dish. This salad may be sent to table with a glass jug of mayonnaise sauce, or the dish, may be garnished with hard-boiled eggs cut into shapely pieces. HOME-MADE GIKGER BEER.—Place in a large stone jar one pound of D<merara sugar, one ounce of root ginger, half an I ounce of carbonate of soda, and the same of cream of tartar, then pour in one gallon of boiling water. When partly cool mix a little yeast to a paste with warm water and add to the contents of the jar with the well- beaten white of an egg, and the cleaned shell to clear the beer. Allow to stand for two days before bottling.

General Lord William Seymour, Colonel- in-Chief of the Coldstream Guards, has died at Lythanger (Hants). Khaki workers in Leeds rejected by a small majority a proposal to take a strike ballot immediately. Lieut. Gwilym Lloyd George has been ap- pointed A.D.C. on the staff of the General Commanding the Welsh Army Corps. Owing to the growing numbers at the Crystal Palace depot of the Royal Naval Division, the Admiralty have closed the Palace entirely to the public.

SUBMARINE DEFIED. BRITISH STEAMERS ESCAPE IN NORTH SEA. Germany's piratical campaign against Bri- tish merchant vessels has begun. The steamei Laertes, belonging to the Ocean Steamship Company, A. Holt and Company, Liverpool, has put into Ymuiden, after an exciting escape from a German submarine, said to have been the U2 or the U9. The Laertes had come from Japan with a valuable cargo. When to the north of the neighbourhood between the Schouwer bank and the Maas lightship, she was challenged by the German submarine and ordered to stop. At that time (says the Rotterdam correspondent of the "Daily News ") the Laertes was not flying a flag, and refused to pay any attention to the submarine's orders. Full steam ahead was ordered. The stokers were asked to get the utmost out of the engines, and they responded with a will. Mean- while, the vessel was steered along a zig-zag course to escape any torpedo that might be launched at her. The submarine continued to steam on the surface in order to get greater speed and thus approach the escaping vessel. Unable to launch a torpedo, she commenced to fire at the ship with her light gun. One of the shots took effect almost immediately. It passed through the funnel. Others followed from the submarine, and it was obvious the latter's commander was disap- pointed and angry that the ship was steadily holding its own, and, in fact, appeared widen- ing the distance between him and his potential Iron tcrw. On board the ship there were neutrals, and the captain, in order to save them, hoisted the Dutch flag, but the Germans refused to honour this, and continued to fire. One shot struck the compass, others crashed into lifeboats and on to the upper deck, putting the lives of the neutrals on board in the utmost danger. As the fight continued the stokers, working with tremendous energy, managed to get more speed out of the ship, sending her along at a good sixteen knots. At this speed the sub- marine could not hope to get alongside and make a hit with a torpedo certain. Further shots were rained at the Laertes, but Captain Propert absolutely refused to give in. In his anger at not being able to cripple the ship and compel her to obey his signals, the German commander ordered a torpedo to be launched. The white wake of a torpedo was seen speeding towards the Laertes. The speed and the course of the ship saved her, although the torpedo passed just astern, missing by a few yards. Beaten in the chase and unable to frighten the totally unarmed crew, the submarine ac- knowledged defeat and made off. The Laertes steamed into Ymuiden with the whole crew proud of having saved their ship from the pirates.

PRIME MINISTERS REASSURING STATEMENT. Government proposals for dealing with the situation caused by the rise in food prices were outlined by Mr. Asquith in the House of Commons. They include the release at the earliest possible moment of merchant ships now in the employ of the Admiralty the re- distribution of ships on various trade routes, and the release of fourteen ships used for pri- soners and the giving of precedence by the railway companies to foodstuffs and perishables over all other goods traffic, subject to military requirements. Mr. Asquith pointed out that the rise in 1 the price of commodities, stated in its most extreme terms, was substantially below the level which might have been anticipated if a war of the present magnitude and duration had been apprehended. The level reached also fell short of the level to which some of them—and certainly those before them—had been accus- tomed in times of peace. Comparing retail prices in July of Inst year and at February 1 of this year, they found the following rises: In London, 23.9 per cent. in other large towns, 22.S per cent. in small towns and villages, 20.4 per cent. Comparing the prices that existed at Feb- ruary 1 of last year and February 1 of this year with the three years' average, they found as follows Wheat showed an increase of 72 per cent. since last year and an increase of 66 per cent. on the three years' average; flour showed a 75 per cent. rise on the year and C6 per cent. on the three years' average British meat a rise of 6 per cent. on the year and 12 per cent. on the three years' average foreign meat 12 per cent. on the year and 19 per cent. on the three years' average; sugar, 72 per cent. and 43 per cent. coal, 15 per cent. and 14 per cent. The rise in the price of wheat was due to diminished supply and increased demand. After June there would be no great shortage in the world's wheat supplies, and abnormal specula- tion would then come to an end. The dimin- ished supply was due to shortage of Australian crop, high prices in the bazaars of India, the closing of the Dardanelles, and to the depre- dations upop the crops of Belgium and France. The increased demand was due to the in- creased consumption of the armies of Europe, as compared with the consumption of the indi- viduals composing them in civil life. The increase in price was also due to difficulties of transport and rise in freights. The increase in the cost of coal was largely due to the rise in coastwise freightage. The I Government had released twenty vessels from internment for this trade, with the result that rates had been reduced from 13s. 6d. to lis.

I THE AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK. The crop reporters of the Board of Agricul- ture, in reporting on the agricultural position on February 1, state that the heavy rains during the first three weeks of January pre- vented farm work nearly everywhere; but cul- tivation was generally resumed during the last week of drier weather, except in low- lying districts. Wheat and other winter-sown crops are looking quite well on the drier land; but that sown late, or on wet lands, is every- where less satisfactory, being often weak as a result of the excessive rainfall. The prolonged wet weather has been very trying to the ewes, but they appear to have stood the conditions as well as could be ex- pected. In the early districts of Dorset, Hamp- shire, and neighbouring counties there are reports of some losses among young lambs, many of which are weak, while there appear to have been fewer twins than usual. The few flocks which have lambed elsewhere have yielded rather more satisfactory results, while in the rest of the country prospects are gener- ally regarded as normal. Live stock have naturally not been suited by the conditions, but are generally satisfactory and healthy, although they have deteriorated somewhat where it has not been possible to give them a sufficiency of dry food. The supply of keep is generaly ample or sufficient, except in the eastern and south-eastern districts. Labour is now everywhere reported to be scarce, but the work require d on the land has generally been so small during January that the shortage has proved no material hindrance. Everyhere, however, apprehensions are ex- pressed as to the propsects in the busy spring time.

I BRITISH PRISONERS INSULTED. Mr. Macmaster asked the Foreign Secretary in the House of Commons whether British pri- soners of war in Germany were subjected to insult because they were Brtish? Sir E. Grey replied: From numerous com- munications received, and the reports of officers who escaped, there is reason to fear that this is a fact.

The Australian Prime Minister is favour- ably inclined to the idea of a special Aus- tralian medal for soldiers and sailors and others specially distinguishing themselves for bravery, and it is probable that some definite action will be taken. Mr. Edison, the famous American, inven- tor, who has just celebrated his sixty-eighth birthday, declared in a birthday prophecy that the Allies would win, but that in Ger- many's defeat would come her greatest vic- tory, for her form of Government would be changed to that of a republic.

Border Varieties.—The present is a good time to take cuttings of these, so as to obtain good plants to put out early in May. The cuttings will root well in fine sandy soil, and it is a good plan to root them in shallow boxes. Place the cuttings about two inches apart, make them firm, and place the boxes in a frame with a temperature of 50 degrees, keeping it fairly close until the cuttings commence to take root, when more air may be given. Guard 'against excessive moisture, or the cuttings will damp off. < Gooseberries.—These, owing to the attacks of birds, have in many cases to be left un- pruned until now but as growth will be commencing, the work should be taken in hand before long. Severe spur pruning is I PORTION or A GOOSEBERRY BUSH. a.pruning young growths; b, removing an entire branch to make space for young growths. not advocated. Opening out the centres of the bushes and thinning the young growths should be aimed at, though spurs may be allowed to remain where these latter are cut out. < < Maidenhair Ferns.—These begin to look rather untidy at this time of year, and the old fronds should be removed. This is a good time to repot those specimens that need it. Large plants can be divided at the same time by cutting them through the middle. When repotting ferns, take care to have the pots quite clean and crock them carefully. Prepare some soil, consisting of two-thirds part fibrous loam and one-third part peat, adding some silver sand; failing the peat USè flaky leaf-soil. Mix this well, and pot firmly. The plants hould be grown on in a temperature of from 55 to 60 degrees. Keep the surroundings moist, but do not over- /water the plants until growth is well ad- vanced. Other kinds of ferns like asple- uiums and pteris may be repotted now with similar soil. < < « Alstrcimerias.—As these will now or shortly be starting into growth, an oppor- tunity should be taken of lifting and aiding the clumps, where it is desired to increase the number of plants. Apart from this object, the plants themselves will derive benefit from being lifted and replanted in a I LIFTING AKD DIVIDING ALSTROMERIAS. A, strong clump to be either lifted or have portions detached as shown at a. B, an offset or portion removed raady for planting. little fresh soil and manure, or upon a new site. If it is desired to form large clumps as early as possible, the divisions may be planted three or four together, as shown in the sketch. A. flava and A. aurantiaca are both well known and useful, the former especially for cutting. < < The Week's Work.—If you grow dahlias, look over the clumps of tubers which have been wintering in a cool place safe from frost. Some tubers of each section—cactus, pompon, paeony-flowered and double exhibi- tion—may be placed in warmth to start growth from which early cuttings can be taken. A sowing of perennial lobelias in pots or pans in warmth may be taken now to obtain plants for summer bedding. Roots of L. cardinalis, Queen Victoria, or the mixed perennial hybrids which have been wintered in a cold frame may now be divided, the divisions being replanted 3in. apart in a frame or potted singly. Sow a few seeds of hardy perennial chrysanthe- mums of such varieties as King Edward VII., Mrs. C. Lothian Bell, and Westralia. Pricked out in boxes or frame from the seed pots, they will make fine plants during the season, and flower abundantly the following season, With accommodation and warmth for forcing, a batch of strawberry plants may be introduced fortnightly, giving them a preliminary start under cool conditions. When in flower, ensure a good "set by fer- tilising the lfowers with a camel's hair brush. Thin the fruits and assist swelling with liquid manure. In addition to filling up vacancies in autumn-planted strawberry beds, further rows may be required. The ground should be deeply dug and well manured, making the soil firm when dry be- fore planting. Spring-planted stock ought not to be allowed to fruit the first year. See to the growth of early vines, that as they advance in length and vigour they are tied down gradually and carefully from the glass. Stop at the first or second joint beyond the bunch. Maintain a warm, moist atmos- phere, and see that the border is kept moist. Sow round or summer spinach in drills 1ft. apart, or between rows of early peas. Thin the seedlings early and freely, for in propor- tion as the plants have plenty of room they make large foliage. Make a sowing of brussel sprouts in a box to provide for an early planting. In a mild temperature the seed will soon germinate, and when the seed- lings are large enough prick out in a frame. Make further sowings of tomatoes, placing the seeds lin. apart in pots of light soil in a temperature of 60 deg. Seedlings from an earlier sowing keep near the light in tem- perature of 55 to 60 deg., and pot singly as soon as large enough. Sow several varieties of early and second early peas, the first on sheltered border in rows 3ft. apart, the latter in more open positions, the rows 4ft. apart. Draw the drills 4 to 6in. wide and 2m. deep. Potting Chrysanthemums.—Cuttings that were inserted at the end of December and early in January with the object of pro- ducing big blooms are now well rooted, and should be potted separately in three-inch pots. Mix some soil consisting of two-thirds part good fibrous loam and one-third part leaf-soil, with the addition of a little coarse sand. Do not damage the young roots when turning the cuttings out of the pots, and press the soil firmly around them when pot- ting. Grow the plants on in a temperature of 50 degrees, and keep them near the glass to promote sturdy growth. It is prefer- able to keep the house fairly close for a few days after potting, but later on admit air freely on fine days. Continue to insert cut- tings of singles and decorative varieties.

The Mayor of Camberwell has received an invitation from the War Office to raise a brigade of four batteries and one ammuni- tion column of the Royal Field Artillery. Since November the soldiers and sailors passing through Waverley Station, Edin- burgh, have been served with tea and coffee and pies. I Mr. Harry Lauder has organised a special recruiting band of pipers, which will tour the whole of Scotland and the North of Eng- land. Butter, milk, and herbs are the only food- stuffs exported from Italy.

I MOTHER AND HOME. I The cheerful woman is pre-eminently a useful woman. She sees that everywhere the good outbalances the bad, and that every evil has its compensating balm. The habit of cheerfulness enables one to trans- mute apparent misfortunes into real bless- ings. The cheerful woman's thought sculp- tures her face into beauty, and touches her manner with grace. If we are cheerful and contented, all Nature smiles with U8; the air is softer, the sky is clearer, the earth has a brighter green, the trees have a richer foliage, the flowers are more fragrant, the birds sing more sweetly, and the sunshine is more beautiful. All good thought and good action claim a natural alliance with gcod cheer. Grief, anxiety, and fear are the great enemies of human life. Cheerfulness is their antidote. RETICENCE BRINGS REWARDS. There is much truth in the saying that a strong character is never entirely under- stood. The weak nature is given to prat- tling and bestowing its confidences on all and sundry. The effect is to lose that re- spect with which the average man is apt to regard things and people he does not quite understand. Whether you are strong or weak it is always a mistake to be too com- municative even to one's intimates. The woman who can keep silence is not only re- spected for her self-restraint, but she is popular with the talkers, who generally find in her someone who will listen to her, for the average person loves rather to be lis- tened to than to listen to another. WHEN TO BE SILENT. Many a reputation has been built on silence. Many another has been spoiled through rushing prematurely and volubly into speech. It is safe to be silent when your words would wound. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend," says an old pro- verb, but one wants to be very sure one's friend needs the wounding and that we are qualified to administer it. Silence is golden when your words will incite to anger or discomfort. An incredible amount of breath is used in trying to make our friends dis- like their friends. Never speak when what you have to say is merely for the purpose of exalting yourself. Shut your lips with a key when you are inspired to babble incon- tinently of yourself-your ailments, accom- plishments, loves, hatreds, hopes, and de- sires. It is only to the choice, rare friend that one may speak of these things without becoming a bore. WHERE WOMEN SHOULD RULE. clever Society woman recently made the very pointed remark that women are largely responsible for the manners of men. "The fact is," she said, "that women give the tone to the manners of the men with whom they associate. In spite of their superior stability of mind, men are on some points easily influenced by women. One woman of tact and ability could set the key for a dozen men, subduing the more aggres- sive of them with a look, and it is women of this kind who are responsible for the tone of the society in which they move. If the men of that class are ill-mannered it is because a sufficiently high standard is not set by the women. Notice the difference in the social codes of men and women. Men laugh at small breaches of etiquette committed by one of themselves. Their condemnation is reserved mainly for those who talk over- much about themselves and their posses- sions, or who fail to show a spirit of good fellowship. Well-bred women, on the other hand, are rendered angry by breaches of good manners, especially when committed by their own menkind. It has always seemed to me that in the social world woman is not merely the equal but the superior of man, and is largely answerable for his behaviour." WHEN ATTENDING A DINNER. Wear a low evening dress, unless your hostess has said something to the contrary, or unless it is a very friendly and informal dinner indeed. Keep your gloves on till you aro seated at table. Then take them off, and lay them on your lap. Put them on again after you have had coffee in the drawing- room, unless you happen to be playing cards, in which case you should keep them off in the evening. Towards the end of dinner, keep an eye on your hostess, and be ready to rise when she does. It is absolutely necessary to be punctual for dinner. If you like you may be two or three minutes before the time, but it is very rude to be late. You should not leave before ten o'clock, except for some very urgent reason. Any time between ten and eleven is correct for an ordinary small dinner. Accept the dinner invitation promptly in the same terms that it is given. It will be your place to call on your hostess afterwards, whether she owea you a call at the time or not. I AXF-'ICE ABOUT TEETH. Decayed teeth cause an unclean mouth. Toothache and disease of the gums may result. Neglect of the first teeth is a fre- quent cause of decay of the second teeth. If a child has decayed teeth it cannot properly chew its food. Improperly chewed food and an unclean mouth cause bad indigestion, and consequently poor general health. If a child is not in good health it cannot keep up with its studies in school. It is more likely to contract any contagious disease, and it has not the proper chance to grow into a robust, healthy adult. If the child's teeth are decayed, it should be taken to a dentist at once. The teeth should be brushed after each meal, using a toothbrush and tooth powder. The following tooth powder is recommended: Two ounces of powdered precipitated chalk, half an ounce of powdered Castile soap, one dram of pow- dered orris root; thoroughly mix. This pre- scription can be filled by any druggist at' a cost not exceeding 15 cents. The child should take the toothbrush and powder to the school and receive instructions from the nurse as to their proper use. I GLOVES THAT STAIN. Frequently a new pair of black kid gloves will stain the hands, handkerchief, or other articles touched by them, when that trouble —by no means a characteristic only of inex- pensive gloves—may be greatly mitigated by taking a piece of flannel and, after put- ting on the gloves, briskly wiping them with the flannel. Use the cloth in a down- « fcard motion, in long, even strokes. If the dye then rubs off, take a fresh piece of flannel and repeat the process. In the majority of instances, this treatment is known to have been satisfactory, the gloves being subsequently worn without a repeti- tion of ,;he crocking. It is said to be the oil in the newly dyed gloves that is respon- sible for their rubbing-off propensity. The oil is essential, for without a proper amount of it the kid would crack and be useless. I BEAUTY "DON'TS." Don't i;it too much over the file. It's bad for the complexion, and chilblains are often contracted in this way. Don't forget that a few drops of eau-de- Cologne are splendid for softening hard water. Eau-de-Cologne added to the water in which you wash has a wonderfully re- freshing effect. Don't wear ill-fitting boots, for these cause corns, bunions, ingrowing toe-nails, and other ills. Don't forget that you require to eat more meat in winter than you do in summer. Meat is a very warming food. Don't breathe through your mouth. You will find that you catch cold very easily if you make a practice of doing this. Don't use soda in washing the hair. It removes the natural oil and makes the hair harsh and brittle. Don't wear hair-pads that are heavy, for these prove very harmful to the scalp.

At the Upper House of the Convocation of Canterbury it was not judged expedient abruptly to introduce into the Prayer-book 162 alterations submitted to the Convoca- tion, but such changes should be embodied in another volume to be sanctioned by authority for devotional use. Lieutenant W. Crabtree, of Doncaster, serving in the 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, was killed while motor-cycling from London to Leighton Buzzard. Near Tring he lost control of the cycle and crashed into the bridge at Tring Ford.