County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

THE first part of Berlioz's Les Troyens is in rehearsal at the Paris Opera. The second part, under the name of Les Troyens a Carthage," was' performed in Paris in 1863 in what the composer described as a very mutilated form, and new, 30 years after his death, the first part, which is called Le prise de Troie," is. to be given on the French stage. The work was first performed in its entirety at Carlsruhe in 1890, under the direction of Herr Felix Mottl. The distinguished composer is re- covering from his attack of whooping cough, which followed influenza. A RECOMMENDATION has been forwarded to the Prussian Upper House by the proper committee (says a Berlin correspondent), that Prince Gebhard Lebrecht Bliicher of Wahlstatt shall, on official proof being forthcoming that he no longer possesses Prus- sian citizenship, forfeit his rights as a member of that House, and be struck off the rolls also that the right to representation in the Upper House con- nected with the ownership of the entailed estates of Wahlstatt shall fall into abeyance. The Prince is the great-grandson of the famous marshal, and some years ago gave up his Prussian nationality, and was naturalised in England. j

HOME HINTS. EGGS A LA DUCHElSE.-Boil half a dozen eggs foe ten minutes allow them to become quite cold, theii divide them into quarters. Put two ounces of buttef in a saucepan, and as it melts work in a tablespoon- ful of flour smoothly. Add seasoning of salt, and stir (off the fire) until the flour is sufficiently cooked. Then pour in a large breakfastcupful of stock, and add a tablespoonful of vinegar. Get ready a hot dish, place the eggs upon it, and pour the sauce thus made over it. EGGS AU GRATIN. Boil six eggs hard, and cut them in slices, a quarter of an inch thick. Next make a cupful of good white sauce to which add the beaten yolks of three fresh eggs; stir on the fire carefully, and do not on any account allow the eggs to set. Then take a pie dish, and having buttered the bottom, pour in some of the sauce. Next place on it a layer of the sliced eggs, then sprinkle some grated cheese (Parmesan preferably), and again pour on sauce. Repeat this process until the dish is full, taking care that the last layer is made of the grated cheese. Put on a few little dabs of butter, and bake in a hot oven. INDIAN EGGs.-Mince carefully some ham, to each tablespoonful of which allow the same quantity of fine breadcrumbs, as much suet as will lie on a shilling, and a little parsley. Mix all well together, add a dash of anchovy sauce (being careful not to put too much), a saltspoonful of mixed spices, and salt to taste. Boil six eggs for 10 minutes only, adding a little vinegar to the water to keep them from discolouring. Take the shells off with the small end of a teaspoon to prevent breaking, and roll them in the above pre- paration, afterwards frying them carefully. DieAl up with pieces of fried parsley between each egg. KENTUCKY BAKED EGGs.-Boil a dozen eggs until perfectly hard; take off the shells, cut the eggs in halves, take out the yolks and mash fine. Add a heaped teaspoonful of butter, a teacupful of bread- crumbs, and a cup and a half of milk. Mix them all thoroughly, season well with pepper and salt. Put the halves of whites in a baking dish and cover them with the mixture. Bake about 15 minutes. A GERMAN SALAD.—Take a pound of raw ripe tomatoes, a pound of carefully boiled sound potatoes, and a medium-sized fresh cucumber, and cut up the whole into half-inch dice, then put them into a bowl with a tablespoonful of very finely minced onion, a teaspoonful of chopped parsley, a large tablespoonful of French capers, 6oz. of chicken, veal, rabbit, or any other white, very tender meat, and 4oz. of either prime ham and tongue, out into fine julienne shreds, and sufficient of the dressing recommended for cheese salad" to just nicely moisten the whole, and when well mixed, pile up the salad in the bowl, garnish round the base with tiny heaps of boiled beetroot chopped small, and sprigs of pleasantly seasoned water-cress, arranged alter- nately, and serve. COMMON-SENSE IN THE MILK JUG.—Instead of raising such an outcry over poor and impure milk, it would surely (says a writer in the Agricultural Gazette) be more practical if the housewife would take average care of that she gives out for the use of her household daily. For instance, in how many houses is milk strained after it is delivered ? I ven- ture to say not in one per cent. It is handed in at the door by the -milkman, and only too often put straight into a jug used for all kinds of other liquids, which may or not be clean in fact, is the first that can be laid hands on when the milkman's ring or catcall is heard. Without any further care it is sent to table; if it remains sweet till the next supply is due, so much the better; if not, well, the unlucky purveyor hears of it. For a moment let us look at the better way of pro- ceeding. All vessels should first be washed in luke- warm water to remove previous traces of milk they may have contained, and then one, or if possible two washings with boiling water should be given. The milk on being taken from the milkman should at once be strained through a wire or muslin strainer into the china lining of a milk saucepan, hot water is placed in the outer tin jacket, and by this means the temperature of the milk raised as quickly as possible to 170deg. Fahr. If it is kept at this for thirty minutes there will be less danger of infection from II any of the common complaints spread by milk, and the boiled flavour which so many people object to will not be apparent. Milk which is not heated above this temperature is much more digestible than that which has been boiled, as in the latter case the albumen is coagulated, and is therefore less available for nourishment. SCOURING TABLES.—Scour wooden tables with the following mixture, which will whiten them wonder- fully: Mix ilb. of sand, fib. of soft soap, and Jib. of time. Apply with a scrubbing-brush and wash off with plenty of clean water. A VERY GOOD RECIPE FOR CHOCOLATE MOULD.— Boil one pint of milk in a china lined or enamel saucepan, add the grated rind of a lemon and two ounces of lump sugar. Do not let it burn. Take one and a-half ounces of good plain chocolate grate and slowly stir in the boiling milk; mix very smooth. Dissolve half an ounce of best gelatine in a little hot water. Add it to the mixture with vanilla or any special flavour you desire, and put into a wet mould. In hot weather keep in cellar till served. j COLD BEEF SALAD.—Chop very fine a spring onion, a little parsley, and a shallot, and mix well. Mix separately two tablespoonfuls of salad oil, the same of vinegar and of cream, a teaspoonful of Tarragon vinegar, two teaspoonfuls of made mustard, pepper, and salt. Cut your cold beef in nice, neat slices, tear up a dry, crisp lettuce, pour the dressing over it, j and add the onion, &c. Stir all well together and serve. Some people like the flavour of anchovy added. If so, put one spoonful of anchovy sauce for the two of cream. j KIDNEY SAUTE.—Cut three or four kidneys each in five pieces, put an ounce of butter in the pan when very hot, put in the kidneys, stir until set. Add one teaspoonful of flour, a little salt and pepper. Mix well, add half a gill of broth and a few mushrooms. Do not let them boil; a few minutes is enough to do them. SWEETBREAD PATTIES.—Blanch two or three small sweetbreads in salt and water, cut into dice, broil in butter, add chopped shallots, parsley, a tablespoon- ful of flour; season to taste, let simmer for a few | minutes. Moisten with a little white sauce; put the mixture into small puff-paste cases, put on their covers, and serve very hot. ALBION PUDDIIQG.- ave ready a greased mould. Put the weight of three eggs in castor sugar and in butter together, cream them. Beat three eggs well, and add them. Mix their weight in flour, to which you have added a teaspoonful of baking powder, with the other things. Stir all lightly together. Chop two ounces of candied peel, cut two ounces of pre- served cherries in two, and stir in with a wineglass- ful of miik. Put into mould or moulds, tie paper over, and steam for two hours. Turn out and serve with sweet sauce, or let it get cold and serve with custard.-ne Rural World. BABY'S SIGHT.-The modern perambulator or berceaunette on wheels has, to counterbalance its many advantages, a distinct danger to a baby's eyes, one which mothers want especially to guard against at this sunny time of year, Lying flat on its back the child looks straight up, and the brim of its hat or sun-bonnet is no protection to the sight. Therefore the carriage should be provided with a summer awn- ing in place of the winter hood, which will keep the sun's rays from shining directly into the poor little one's unprotected eyes with a blinding glare. I have seen (remarks a writer in the Sural World) many a nurse going carelessly along, with no awning up, apparently quite unconscious of the misery and danger to her little charge. Therefore, let every mother see that her child's carriage has an awning, and that it is used. LEARNING TO WALK.—I humbly believed that the last generation was so much less wise than this, that I was much amazed the other day to see a clever and superior child's nurse of to-day urging a heavy boy of 13 months to stand and walk. It was quite beyond him, and he flopped, every time, she tried in a cheer- ful heap; and when I ventured to suggest that until his legs were stronger he was much better off his feet," all she had to say was, she was going for her month's holiday, and she did not'want her substitute to have the honour and glory of her boy's beginning to walk." I never heard anything more foolish and downright stupid from the most antiquated and ignorant of old-fashioned nurses, and it reminded me that the old-faults and follies are with us still, since jealous vanity could counterbalance clear knowledge. When a baby's legs are strong enough he will teach himself to walk, and we only invite bandy legs, knock knees, and weak ankles by trying to force him. Let children crawl as early and as much as they will, this strengthens the muscles of their legs and things, but never try to anticipate the day when Nature teaches them to -alk und run without out into- ference. i

DREYFUS AT RENNES. Captain Dreyfus continues to be visited by his wife in the prison at Rennes, and his counsel saw him again on Monday. The town remains quiet, the attempt to promote demonstrations on the National Fete day having failed. Prince Henry of Orleans has written that -he will bow to the decision of the Rennes Court-martial. The Minister for War has superseded Generals da Pellieux and Julliart. THE PRISONER'S TORTURES. The Figaro publishes a letter from M. Louis Havet, member of the Institute, giving particulars regarding the ill-treatment to which Captain Dreyfus was subjected during his imprisonment on the Devil's Island. M. Havet says: On his arrival in Guiana Captain Dreyfus was not landed immediately, but was kept for four days at the bottom of the hold in a temperature of 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Latterly he was put on dry bread and water for a month. In 1896, when Colonel Piquart ex- pressed his belief in the prisoner's innocence to General Billot, the cage in which Captain Dreyfus was confined was surrounded by a palisade distant only 15in. After a year of this close confinement he suffered so much from a feeling of suffocation that the doctor insisted on his receiving more air. The height of the cage was thereupon merely increased. In a remarkable article in the Aurore, M. Clemen- ceau says that the torturer Lebon will drag down through history a dishonoured name for having, sweating from fear, added his last turn of the rack to the agonised prisoner. When the telegram was re- ceived ordering Dreyfus to be put in irons, the little forge of the lie du Diable was lighted, and they undertook to manufacture the instruments of torture. On the very first day the ankles, swollen by the pressure of the iron, became lacerated. A sore formed, sanious, putrid, and surrounded by a circle of inflammation. Was it necessary for so little to cease the torture? The idea did not occur to any- one. The sufferer, stoical, not complaining but extending to the executioners his tortured legs, asked to be told at least the reason for this new torture. No reply. For two whole months every morning the irons, stained with blood, were taken off to leave exposed the terrible wounds. Then the sores were dressed, to form the beginning of the scab which it was proposed to destroy in the evening. And so, indeed, it was. When the sun had set, the irons were once again screwed to the bleeding flesh, and the scab formed during the day served only by its cracks to render all the keener the pain which banished sleep. Mean- while, Lebon, delighted, watched every morning the Christian Anti-Semitic sheets, and noted with joy that he was not attacked. Such, at the end of the nineteenth century, is what has taken place in the French Republic, and there are some of Christ's tender lambs who are asking to begin again. Owing to these revelations of his inhuman treat- ment of Dreyfus, M. Deniel has been dismissed from his position of Goveraor of the Penitentiary on the lies du Salut.

DEATH OF THE CESAREYITCH. It was officially announced in St. Petersburg on. Monday night that the Grand Duke George, the heir apparent, died the same morning, at half-past nine o'clock, at Abbas Tuman, in the Caucasus, from sudden and excessive haemorrhage of the throat. This sad news cannot be said to be altogether unex- pected, for though little has been published lately about his state of health, it has been well known for some years that his Imperial Highness was in a very precarious condition, and that the best medical authorities could hold out little hope of his recovery. The Grand Duke was born at Tsarskoe Selo, near St. Petersburg, on May 9, 1871, and was consequently three years younger than his brother, Nicholas II., the present Emperor. As a child he was not very robust, but there seemed to be no organic defect in his constitution, and it was hoped tnat, with proper care and due attention to sanitary conditions, he might attain the physical strength for which the Romanoff family have been remarkable for several generations. These sanguine expectations were not to be realised. When he reached the critical age of 20 he began to show symptoms of a tendeney to pulmonary consumption, but the symptoms were not of so grave a character as to incapacitate him from pursuing his career as a naval officer, to which be was warmly attached. When his brother Nicholas, who was then Cesarevitch, undertook his voyage round the world, in 1890, the Grand Dukt accompanied him unofficially as a naval officer, but when the squadron was at Bombay it was found that he was suffering from a mild attack of Indian fever, and the most eminent medical authorities con- sulted gave it as their opinion that he ought to return at once to Europe, as there was no reasonable pro- bability of his recovering his strength in a tropical climate. The two brothers, who were warmly attached to each other, were thus compelled to separate. The elder curtailed his Indian tour in order to spend a few days quietly with his brother on board ship- in Bombay harbour, and Prince George returned at once to Europe. On his arrival it was found that the pulmonary symptoms had become accentuated, and the doctors decided that for some time to come he must spend a great part of the year in a mild climate. From that moment the life of the Grand Duke has been that of a confirmed invalid. After trying the climate of Northern Africa he settled at Abbas Tuman, in the Caucasus, from which place his death is now an- nounced. The laconic anrouncement that death re- sulted from sudden excessive hemorrhage of the throat indicates plainly enough that the cause of 0 death was the insidious disease which the doctors diagnosed nearly 10 years ago. The Grand Duke wns nominally Chief of the Horse Artillery of the Guards, Ataman of the Don Cossacks, Chief of the Cossacks of the Ural, and of the Irkutsk Regiment of infantry, but his real career was that of a naval officer, and in that career he might have gained real distinction. Of his per. sonal qualities aU who had the privilege of coming in contact, with him must speak with the greatest admi- ration and sympathy. By his death his brothel Michael Alexandroviich, bora at St. Petersburg December 4, 1678. becomes Heir Apparent to the Throne.

LORD SALISBURY'S HOBBY. It is stated by the Medical Press and Circular that Lord Salisbury has discovered gind completed an im" portant chemical process iH his private laboratory at Hatfield, and that the results will be made known to the world on his behalf at a forthcoming meeting of one of the learned societies. The scientific world has for long known that it had in the English Premier a devoted student to chemical science. Despite the arduous duties attached to his official post, he, nevertheless, snatches every available oppor- tunity of prosecuting his favourite study.

THE MECCA OF CRICKET. Every schoolboy worth his salt, from the time he first handles a bat, looks forward to the dey when he can don the famous colours and enjoy all the delights and privileges of membership of the M.C.C. (says Mr. Randall Roberts, in the Windsor Magazine). Old members, when their days for active play are over, gravitate to Lord's on fine summer afternoons as surely as steel filings are attracted to the magnet. No self- respecting old Blue would absent himself from Lord's pavilion on the occasion of the Tarsity match any more than the Chancellor of the Exchequer would keep away from the House of Commons on Budget night Among the members there are certain old cricketing Nestors whose proud boast it is that for 40 years they have never missed a match of importance at Lord's, and who hope to continue the same pro- gramme, if they live, another 40. What a chance for the cricketer chronicler if he eould only secure a seat among those veterans. They are most of them full of reminiscences and could supply him with enough gossip about bygone heroes to fill half a dozen ponderous tomes. While discussing the ever fresh story of famous cricket matches, an enthu- siastic member told the writer last season that he could walk blindfold from the pavilion to the exact spot on the ground where the wicket was pitched in the historic match 21 years ago, when the Australians suddenly leaped into fame by beating a powerful M.C.C. team in a single day.

AN Athens Correspondent telegraphs that the wheat harvest in Thessaly has proved unusually abundant. THE Prince of Wales's Hospital Fund for London has received a donation of £ 500 from Mr. H. L. Bischoffsheim. Two emminent physicians have found thai" out of 1000 piano-playing girls, 600 were physical wrecks. M. LAGARDE, the Governor of Jibutil, on the Red Sea, has arrived in Paris on leave, bringing with him it is said, a promise on the part of King Menelik ta visit the Exhibition next year.

THE WOMAN'S WORLD. I DISCIPLINE (says a writer in the Evening News) is very necessary for children, and they should be taught early in life that, however much they are loved and petted by their patents, still mother and father are reigning monarchs in the home, and that their word is a law to be obeyed without delay or question. Some mothers very foolishly over-indulge their children, and take no trouble to make themselves obeyed, but are content with threats of punishment to be administered by the child's father. I have a case like this in my mind's eye at the present time. There the child is a little boy, who completely rules his mother, and makes himself a perfect nuisance to her numerous friends and relatives. The child only behaves himself properly when in his father's pre- sence, and he, good kind man that he is, is regarded as a sort of ogre by his little son, 'for whenever the boy's naughtiness is too bad to be tolerated by his mother, he is carried off to the study for paternal chastisement. This is distinctly unjust to both father and son, and unless the mother sees the error of her ways and amends them, she will bitterly re- pent of her folly later on in having thus sown the seeds of dislike towards his father in the heart of the child, from whom he deserves so much love. IS IN some cases a poor complexion arises mainly from lack of exercise. Women who live an entirely sedentary life have a slow circulation and usually a bad digestion, and these are fertile causes of a muddy- appearing skin. Exercise gives rapidity to the move- ment of the blood, stimulates digestion, and calms the nerves, and is frequently more beneficial than any Bort of medicine, although it should not he in- dul ged in immediately after meals. Physicians are beginning to recognise the fact that drugs are not the most potent restoratives, end that exercise, peace of mind, congenial society, and recreation are not merely luxuries, but necessities if good health is to be pre- served. Chapped and rough lips are not only pain- ful, but disfiguring, and it is advisable never to go into the open air without previously using a little glycerine or vaseline upon the mouth. To moisten the lips with the tongue has a dry- ing effect upon the skin ultimately, and the habit is one to be rigorously avoided. Toilet soap of inferior quality is extremely injurious to the complexion. At first sight the following incident may appear extremely pretty, but when it is thought over it becomes almost ridiculous: A recent American bride carried into church with her a beautiful Persian cat. The bride in question was an exceed- ingly romantic young lady, and it appears that this cat was the first present which she had received from her husband to be, and she allowed her romantic dis- position to carry her so far as to turn to the one whose wife she now is and say she would take the first present which he gave her to church. The gentleman being in a merry mood purchased this beautiful Persian cat, presented it to his fiancee, and smilingly asked her if she intended to keep her word when the happy day arrived. She replied, Yes; and she did. Of course, one cannot help admiring the lady for keeping so honourably to her promise, but at the same time the whole thing strikes one as getting very near the ridiculous. WHEN sewing braid to the bottom of your skirt, be careful not to pull it tightly, or when it gets damp it will shrink and gather the hem of the skirt. Some people soak the braid in cold water before sewing it on, to shrink it thoroughly. SASHES are much in evidence both of silk and ribbon, and many scarves of tulle and gauze just passed round the waist, tied, without a bow, and left in long ends behind to the hem of the skirt, are to be seen. POLKA dots are the feature of the new hosiery, and blue and tan stockings are liberally sprinkled with blue, white, or red spots. For evening wear the silk hose have real lace fronts. SOME of the newest shirt blouses are made with a sailor collar pointing down to the belt in front. A dressy effect can be obtained by covering it with lace. MAKING hat crowns of flowers is one of the novel effects in millinery, but the latest form of vegetation used for the purpose is moss-not artificial moss, but the real thing. FLOWERS no longer suffice (a contributor to the Rural World remarks) for the ornamentation of hats; all sorts of small deer are added, for butterflies, maybugs, birds of paradise, and dragon-flies, appear to whirl and fly upon roses. But all is mixed up- foliage, flowers, fruit, and insects. That imparts a very amusing air to the headgear. The latest novelty in straw is to stitch the plaits with coarse silk of different tints, as, for example, white straw with black silk, or black straw with white silk. The plaits of two different shades of straw are stitched also together, one upon the other. There is still something more original in straw," making the latter from the bark of birch, poplar, oak, or cedar. This straw is cut into small strips, about an inch wide, roughly plaited so as to resemble the wrinkles and nerves of the bark; they are twisted round some wire, and that secures the shape of the hat. A duck of a bonnet," made in the new material, was garnished with black velvet and bunches of cherries; it recalled a basket of that fruit over- turned. A Itoque in the same straw had a bird stretching along the side, caressing, as it were, the hair. These original hats can be worn anywhere, ex- cept on ceremonial occasions. The Directoire hat is much in vogue; it is in black straw and trimmed with roses. A white or black bird of paradise is also suitable for ornamenting. Blue straw has many ad- mirers, and harmonises well with grey cloth costumes. White crin has also friends, with roses under the brim and pink or blue feathers outside. The strings to the Directoire bonnets are in tulle, pink or white. THE latest and prettiest effect in colour is the use of three shades of one colour in one gown. In mousseline de soie, with a skirt made of three deep, shaped flounces, and the darkest shade at the bottom, the idea is carried out in its prettiest form. PRETTY, cool gowns for morning wear are made of toile, a new kind of linen, dyed in all the charming delicate shades and the darker colours as well. A FRECKLE-WASH that is sometimes found efficacious is made of the following: One drachm of tincture of benzoin (the simple, not the compound), one ounce of rectified spirits of wine, eight ounces of rosewater and the juice of one lemon. AN excellent drying lotion for fair hair that is too greasy can be made by mixing a quarter of an ounce of powdered bicarbonate of soda, a quarter of an ounce of powdered biborate of soda. one ounce of eau-de-Cologne, two ounces of tincture of distilled water. This lotion also helps to keep the hair fair and bright, and should be used once or twice a week. A GOOD way to clean a white straw hat is first to brush it well with a small nailbrush and soft water, and allow it to dry; then place the hat in a quart of boiling water which contains a teaspoonful of oxalic acid. Dry and press, if necessary, with a hot iron, and then wipe with white of egg. KEEPING a good variety of shoes to select from is an excellent system, and is really economical in the long run but it requires forethought. It stands to reason that shoes, like other chattels, will last longer is properly used, thus fine visiting shoes are not suit- able for rough walking or wet weather; and heavy shoes, however good, are hardly the thing for a tea- party. Neat house shoes are in good taste for the morning, dainty slippers are evening wear. Of the latter, some of the newest and most fascinating are made of black satin, the toe and rosettes having small sprays of real lace sewn on as a trimming. t THE term 44 change of climate" is generally more correct than "change of air," since scientific men have asserted that the composition of the air is the same all over the globe. Still, this assertion is not absolutely true: the sea air and the mountain air differ somewhat in composition from the air of towns and the slightest difference has a great effect on some constitutions. The air at the seaside, where the barometer stands highest, is richer in oxygen than the air of inland and mountain districts, where the barometer is always lower, in this sense that at the seaside we draw into our lungs, at each inspiration, a larger amount of this tonic, ex- hilarating oxygen gas,