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

RAILWAY ACCIDENT AT HAMPTON COURT. SIXTY EXCURSIONISTS INJURED. I A mishap involving injury to some 50 or 60 pas- sengers, but happily no loss of life, occurred at Hampton Court on Wednesday morning to an ex- cursion train from Hastings. The excursion was organised by the Hastings Pleasant Sunday After- noon Association, and the trippers were on their way to Hampton Court, which was reached about ten o'clock. For some reason, probably the slip-' pery state of the metals in consequence of the rain, the train overran its destination, and the engine crashed into the stop-block just as the pas- sengers were rising from their seats preparatory to leaving the train. The locomotive was badly damaged, as also was some of the rolling-stock. About half a dozen persons were very severely cut about their beads and faces and were removed to the waiting-room. It was actertained that there was no loss of life and that no limbs were broken, but the cases of tuts and contusions were numerous. The railway authorities promptly summoned medical assistance, and amongst the earliest arrivals were Drs. Holberton and Blount, who attended to the worst of the injuries on the company's premises. The train (says the Press Association) was a heavily laden one, and consisted of the London, Brighton, and South Coast carriages drawn by a South" Western engine.

BRITISH OFFICIALS MURDERED IN WEST AFRICA.. Travelling Commissioners C. Sitwell and F. E. Silva and six police-constables have been killed at Sannkanndi on the south bank of the Gambia River by Mandingoes.

THE RISING IN ASHANTI, WOUNDED BRITISH OFFICERS. The following are the names of the officers who were wounded in the fighting on June 6: Colonel Carter, commanding the Southern Nigeria Constabulary, Lieutenant Edwards, R.A., and Lieu- tenant O'Malley, West African Frontier Force, severely; Colonel Wilkinson, Gold Coast Constabu- lary, Dr. Fletcher, Southern Nigeria, and Colour- Sergeant Mackenzie, slightly. Captain Melliss, commanding the West African Frontier troops who recently engaged the enemy in the Monsi hills, has been severely wounded. Two thousand Sierra Leone carriers arrived at Cape Coast Castle on Sunday. A column of 300 men has gone via the Obuassi mines to relieve the Bekwais. CAPTAIN WILSON SLAM. The following telegram from Colonel Willcocks was received at the Colonial Office on Tuesday PRAIISTT, June 18. As reported previously Lieut.-Colonel Carter evacuated Kwisa June 14. In the meantime Cap'ain Hall, from Bekwai, sent him one com- pany 1st Battalion West African Frontier Force in accordance with my instructions, which in- structions I was quite unable to countermand when first heard that Carter had made movement to the south. Company referred to left Bekwai June 16, attacked by the enemy near Essian-Kwanta, and also along the road to Kwisa. As they found that Kwisa was abandoned they marched to Fumsu. Fight con- tinued till they reached Brafu Edru. This morning they reached Fumsu, which is garrisoned by a detachment of sufficient number. To my great regret, Captain Wilson, 1st Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers and 1st Battalion West Afiican Frontier Force, killed in action and also seven native soldiers, in addition to 10 native soldiers severely wounded and also 17 of all ranks slightly wounded. Body of Wilson brought on to and buried at Fumsu. West African Regiment start from Cape Coast this morning. They have been very quick. No further news from Coomassie. Telegraphic communication restored (with) Fumsu, where I am establishing post (and) store depot. EUROPEANS IN COOMASSIE. I The Colonial Office has issued the following list of Europeans believed to be now in Coomassie: Sir Frederic M. Hodgson, K.C.M.G., Governor of the Gold Coast Lady Hodgson Major A. H. Morris, D.S.O., Acting Commissioner and Com- mandant, Northern Territories; Captain C. H. Armitage, private secretary to the Governor; Captain F. B. Parmeter, Inspector Gold Coast Constabulary Captain F. E. Bishop, Captain-P. II. A. Leggett, and Lieutenant A. P. Berthon, Assistant Inspectors Gold Coast Constabulary; Captain G. Marshall and Captain G. C. Digan, Special Service officers; Dr. P. J. Garland, Senior Assistant Colonial Surgeon, Gold Coast; Dr. E. H. Tweedy, Dr. A. J. Chalmers, Dr. W. M. Graham, and Dr. J. B. Hay, Assistant Colonial Surgeons, Gold Coast; Captain J. G. O. Aplin, C.M.G., Inspector-General Lagos, Constabu- lary; Captain J. E. C. Cochrane, Captain B. M. Read, and Mr. J. C. Ralph, Assistant Inspectors Lagos Constabulary; Dr. W. F. Macfarlane, Assistant Colonial Surgeon, Lagos; and six mis- sionaries, of whom the name of one only, Mr, Ramseyer, is known.

It makes a Lady mad to find her Blankets and Furs ruined by moths. She ought, when placing away, to see they are plentifully sprinkled with KEAT- ma's POWDER. This is unrivalled in killing Moths, Fleas, Beetles, Lice in Children's Heads, whilst harm less to everything but insects. Tins, 3d., 6d.f Is. New Filled Bellows. 9d. THE Bishop of London has conferred the rectory of Much Hadham, Herts, vacant by the death of Dr. Stanley Loathes, on the Rev. R. S. Gregory. Mr. Gregory, who is the son of the Dean of St. Paul's. has held the vicarage of Edmonton since 1882. The latter benefice is in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's.

FUNERAL OF MRS. GLADSTONE. i Amid many manifestations of sorrow and respect from persons in all classes of society, the remains of Mrs. Gladstone were on Tuesday laid to rest beside those of her illustrious husband in Westminster Abbey. A very large congregation assembled in the Abbey, among those present being representa- tives of the Queen and the "al family, the Government and the, Opposition, and many personal friends of the late Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone, as well as delegates from various philan- thropic institutions in which Mrs. Gladstone was interested, and members of the general public who desired to show by their presence the esteem in whieh. she was held and the sympathy felt for her family in their bereavement. The Hon. A. Yorke represented the Queen, Sir Francis Knollys the Prince and Prin- cess of Wales, and the Duke of Argyll the Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll. The Queen, it should be- mentioned, had pre- viously expressed her sympathy with the family in the following telegram, which was sent by her Majesty to Mrs. Wickham on the 15th inst.: Pray accept my sincerest expression of sympathy and regret at your dear mother's death, whose invariable kindness to me, for so many years 1 shall ever gratefully remember. Pray express my feelings to your brothers and sisters. V.R.I." The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke of York sent wreaths, on that sent by the Prince and Princess of Wales being the following inscription: IN MEMORY OF BEAK MRS. GLADSTONE. It is but crossing with a bated breath, A white set face! a little strip of sea- To find the loved ones waiting on the shore More beautiful, more precious, than before. ALEXANDRA. In accordance with the wish of the family, the service was a simple one. It was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the other officiating clergy present being the Sub-Dean and Canons Wilberforce, Gore, and Robinson. Sir Frederick Bridge was the organist, and played appropriate music immediately before the service, which began at one o'clock. The opening sentences were sang to Croft's music and Psalm xc. to Purcell's chant. Then, after the lesson, came the anthem, Their bodies are buried in peace, but their name liveth evermore (Handel), followed by the hymn "Rock of Ages." While the body was being borne to the grave in the north transept the hymn "Praise to the Holiest in the height was sung. This was followed, at the grave- side, by I heard a voice from Heaven" (Goss), and after the final prayers the whole congregation joined in singing the hymn 0 God, our help in ages past." The service concluded with the Grace, and the organist then played the Dead March in Saul and, as the congregation dispersed, Schubert's Marche Solennelle in E Flat."

THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION. Instructions have been issued with Army Orders in regard to the meeting of the National Rifle Asso- ciation to be held at Bisley from the 9th to the 21st of July. The following are the dates fixed for the competitions The Royal Cambridge Challenge Shield, July 21; the United Service Challenge Cup, July 20; the Brinsmead Challenge Shield, July 13; the Evelyn Wood Prize, July 7. In addition to these, which are team competitions, many competi- tions will be open during the meeting to individual members of the Regular Army, as well as a competi- tion for individual members of the militia, exclu- sive of officers and permanent staff. Commanding officers of cavalry regiments which intend to com- pete for the Royal Cambridge Challenge Shield art to send the proper forms to the Under Secretary ef State, War Office, not later than noon on July 11.

THE ALDERSHOT SCANDAL. 1 Major-General Brook, commanding the Aldershot District, in the absence of the general officer com- manding, speaking on Saturday afternoon on in- spection of the West Yorkshire Volunteer Brigade on the completion of their training, in reference to the unfortunate field day on the 11th inst. when so many men in camp suffered sunstroke, said that he had had command for many years, and his first thought had always been for the welfare of men under him. Had he forseen the distress that would have arisen from these operations he could say that they would never have taken place. As regards the manner in which the unfortunate occurrence bad been reported in the Press, he strongly condemned the way in which some papers had treated the matter. He was glad the papers had not acted alike, but some had treated the subject in a very unfair and un-British spirit, and had condemned, an4 wrongly condemned, those most responsible for the unfortunate happenings without knowing the actual facts and all sides of the case.

REMARKABLE PRICES FOR PICTURES. At the sale of the Dudley collection on Saturday 57 lots realised £ 3625 13s. A Woody Lane," by T. Gainsborough, R.A., fetched 1150 guinea* (Agnew); and Off to the Rescue," by Sir E. Land- seer, 360 guineas (C. Davis.) After this sale worko of the early English school were disposed of as fol- lows Portrait of Charlotte, daughter of H. Peirse, of Bedale," by G. Romney, 7000 guineas (M. Col- nagh); A View of a Watermill, with figures, by A. Van de Velde," by M. Hobbema, 2600 guineas (ignew);" A Lady of the Court of Louis XV. by J. M. Nattier, 1742, 1550 guineas (Agnew); and Por- trait of Miss S. D. Chambers," by J. Russell, R.A 1798, 1660 guineas (Agnew).

THE PRISONERS AT WATERVAAL. ¡ THEIR HARDSHIPS AND PLEASURES. 1 A sergeant of the E Squadron of Kitchener's Horse, formerly a sergeant in the 1st Surrey Rifles, who has been a prisoner of war for the last four months, in writing to his sister from Watervaal on the 6th May, says Our life here is not so bad con- sidering. We are encamped in a place about the size of Kennington-park, hedged in by a triple fence of barbed wire, and armed guards every few paces, with a Maxim up in one corner, so they-do not mean us to walk away. We live in sheds, which have"no floor or front, which is really good from a health point of view: plenty of fresh air. At first we had to sleep on the ground in our blankets, then we made ham- mocks which nearly pulled the place down, so they gave us wood with which we made a kind of trestlebed, Food is the chief drawback. We get enough in a way, but no variety. We get a loaf of bread a day, 21b. of flour, 21b. of mealie, lib. of rice, Jib. of sugar (salt and pepper as wanted), and §lb. of tobacco every week. This alone is rather tasteless, but now and again we get a few shillings, with which we buy baking powder (4s. per lb.) and pork fat (Is. per lb.); and twice a week we get meat and potatoes, so when we get a few vegetables things are not so bad. For washing we have a small stream running at the end of our field, where we have dug out a pond for bathing in, and tables have been erected where we can wash our clothes. For pleasures we have a foot- ball and cricket set, and some fine matches we have —England v. Australia, England v. Ireland, Regulars T. Volunteers, &c. Then we have cards, draughts, and so on. Sometimes we have a concert, and on St. Patrick's Day we had a special one, commencing with a march round to the tune of St. Patrick's Day in the Morning." The band consists of a cornet, a flute, and bagpipes. This struck me as being rather sad—just try and imagine a lot of men, mostly Irish, pretending to be drunk, staggering about with empty bottles in their hands, poor fellows who have not tasted a drop of anything since they left the coast." The sergeant does not say where he got his few shillings from.

DEATH OF A GREAT ORLEANIST, I The Prince de Joinville died in Paris on Saturday. The deceased Prince, who passed away at the ripe age of 83, was the only surviving son of King Louis Philippe. He was riding by his father's side in 1835, when Fieschi exploded his infernal machine near them and wounded their horses. He married in 1843 a daughter of Emperor Pedro 1. of Brazil, and im- mediately after landing in England he went with his bride to Treport, where her Majesty and the Prince Consort were staying, and returned with them to Brighton. This was the foundation of a lasting friendship. A. sailor, he bombarded Tangier, when the Sultan of Morocco required punishment, and later on he was chosen to bring back the coffin of Napoleon I. from St. Helena. Exiled by the revolution of 1848. be took refuge in England, where he resided till 1871.

THE CRISIS IN CHINA, I RIOTS IN PEKIN. I MASSACRE OF NATIVE CHRISTIANS. I DESTRUCTION OF FOREIGN PROPERTY. I A serious anti-foreign outbreak took place on the night of the 13th inst. (according to a message from the Times correspondent in Pekin, received via. Tientsin 15th inst.) when some of the finest buildings in the eastern part of the city were burned and hun- dreds of native Christians and servantp employed by foreigners were- massacred within two miles of the Imperial Palace. It was an anxious night for all the foreigners who were collected under the protection of the foreign guards. The Boxers burned the Roman Catholic east cathedral, the large buildings of the London Mission, and the American Board of Missions, and also all the buildings in the eastern part of the city occupied by the foreign employes of the Maritime Customs. If the troops reinforcing the foreign guards fail to arrive further riots are expected. It is believed that no European has been injured. Telegraphic communication with the north to Shanghai (says the Times correspondent there) ceased early on the morning of the 16th inst. The last message received from Tien-tsin said that fight- ing had begun, but gave no details. Messages from the north are now forwarded by steamer from Chifu. The Boxer movement is gaining strength, and, after the impunity with which recent outrages have been committed, is likely to spread rapidly. Telegrams received at Shanghai on the 15th inst. by the Consuls from the fleet at Tpku describe the position of the force under Admiral Seymour close to Pekin as serious, since it is confronted by Tung- fuhsiang's :troops, with large bodies of Boxers in its rear. Water is scarce, and commissariat is lack- ing. A Russian force of 1700 men left Tien-tsin on the 14th. The situation is critical, and much depends on the action of the leaders, of the Chinese Government and the troops. No further information had been received at Shanghai on Sunday as to affairs in the north. The situation emphasises the long-felt need for the exten- sion of the telegraph company's services so as to connect Eastern Shanghai, Wei-hai-wei, and Tien- tsin. The Nanking Viceroy has addressed a strongly- worded memorial by telegraph to the Throne urging the suppression of the anti-foreign movement and stating that the fate of the Chinese Empire depends on the action of the central Government during the next few days. The Wu-chang Viceroy has de- spatched a similar memorial, but in the absence of telegraphic communication with Pekin it is difficult to see how such memorials can immediately affect the situation. Both Viceroys have issued stringent orders to their provincial official! to maintain law and order. The British cruiser Hermioneisgoing to Nanking, the second-class gunboat Linnet to Hankau, and the cruiser Undaunted to Wu-sung. No local disturbances are anticipated, but adviees from the river porte report the posting of anti-foreign placards. According to information from foreign sources, the 10,000 Imperial Chinese troops between Pekin and the mixed Eurepean relief force now on the way to the capital have been disbanded and have joined the Boxers. The Chinese Government, it is further reported, will not consider itself responsible for any eventual encounter with the European forces. The native banks at Chin-kiang suspended busi- ness on Friday of last week from fear of the Boxers. The Chinese troops are openly (says Dalziel's Shanghai correspondent) co-operating everywhere with the Boxers, thousands of whom are now in North Ngan-whei province, in Kiang-su province, and in southern Shan-si province. The position in Pekin is precarious. The Chinese here persistently assert that a foreign Minister and many foreigners have been killed. A despatch from Wu-chau-fu, in the province of Kwang-si, says that trouble is brewing on the 'West River, in the direction of the south-west. Jj, is reported that riots have occurred at Bunchau and that over 100 fugitives from that place reached Wu-chau-fu on the 12th inst. About 5000 rebels are assembled at Kweihsien, and the Prefecture is awaiting reinforcements. Her Majesty's cruiser Terrible, with two com- panies of Welsh Fusiliers, left Hong Kong on Saturday morning for Ta-ku. Captain Percy Scott has arranged to land some 12-pounder naval guns for service with the troops. The British cruiser Undaunted has been suddenly ordered north under sealed orders. TA-KU FORTS CAPTURED, I The, Times Shanghai correspondent says that a telegram has been received from the British Consul at Chifu stating that at one a.m. on Sunday the Ta-ku forts opened fire on the combined fleets. The latter returned the fire, blew up two of the forts, and carried the others by assault. Another report of th3 action states that the British sloop Algerine was damaged, and that two officers and four men were wounded. In a later telegram the Times corre- spondent supplies from official sources some details of the action at Ta-ku. On Saturday afternoon, in view of the fact that large bodies of Chinese troops were assembling in the forts and that torpedoes j were being laid in the river, the naval commanders sent in an ultimatum demanding the disbandment of the troops. If this demand were not complied with before two a.m., next day it was intimated that the united squadrons would destroy the forts. The latter opened fire shortly after midnight. The British, French, Russian, German, and Japanese warships replied, with the result already stated. The commander of the gunboat Iltis was seriously wounded. The commander of the British sloop Phoenix, at Chifu, has telegraphed to the Admiralty that a Japanese man of war which has just arrived at Chifu from Ta-ku reports that the commander-in-chief and the tr 'ops of the composite force have returned to Tien- tsin. The Times Shanghai correspondent, however, Bays that nothing was known at Ta-ku of the where- abouts of Admiral Seymour's force. A Reuter de- spatch from Chifu mentions that Russia and Japan are reported to be landing a large force. The Ger- man Consul at Chifu is said to have telegraphed to Berlin that a report has been brought by a Japanese torpedo-boat that the Legations in Pekin have been captured but doubt is thrown on this statement by the semi-official North German Gazette, Two I ndian regiments are to be sent to Hong Kong. HOW THE FORTS WERE WON. I We are informed by the Admiralty that the follow- ing telegram has been received from the command- ing oflicer of H.M.S. Endymion atLiu-kun-tao (Wei- hai-wei), dated Liu-kun-tao, June 18, 8.30 p.m. Taku forts opened fire at one o'clock in the morning June 17 on the ships of the allied squadron. After six hours' engagement forts were silenced and occupied by the allied forces. Additional men for storming forts were sent in- shore from the ships previous afternoon. British ships up the river engaged were Algerine (sloop), Fame and Whiting (torpedo-boat destroyers). The two latter captured four Chinese torpedo-boat destroyers. Casualties AIgerine slight, storming party and others unknown. Chinese second-class cruiser flying Admiral flag detained outside Taku by the allied Admirals. No information of Commander-in-Chief's return Tien-tsin had been received by the Rear-Admiral by two p.m., 17th June. Am leaving at once for T iku.—Endymion. 9 y The Admiralty add the following note It is observed that as the Japanese ship Toyo- hashi, which, as telegraphed by the captain of H.M.S. Phcenix, reported at Chifu that Admiral Seymour had returned to Tien-tsin, left Taku at 5.30 a.m. on the 17th its information is not confirmed by the report from the Endymion that no news had been received by the British Rear-Admiral of the return of Admiral Seymour up to two p.m. on the 17th.

THE memorial which is to be raised to the memory of John Ruskin over the grave in Coniston Church- yard is to take the shape of a Runic cross designed by Mr. W. G. Collingwood, Ruskin's secretary and biographer. The design is understood to be alle- gorically illustrative of the master's writings. Ac- cording to hi3 wish, the cross will be made by a local craftsman in stone from the neighbourhood. The wish is harmonious with all Mr. Ruskin's teach- ing and influence, but it is possible that his more discriminating admirers may await the allegorical design with just a trace of misgiving.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW. I The 61st country meeting of the Royal Agri- cultural Society of England was opened on Monday at York, and 2233 persons passed the turnstiles, as compared with 1050 on the first day of the Maidstone Show 12 months ago. The live stock classes were of a high degree of merit. The show ground, which is situated on a part of the famous Knavesmire, is far and away superior to any that the society has been lucky enough tc secure of late years. The attendance at all the ring sides was extremely good, and the number of spectators present on Tuesday when the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke of York visited the show was extremely large. The quality of the exhibits was far above the average, whilst every patriotic Briton will rejoice to learn that both her Majesty and the Prince of Wales sup- ported the meeting strongly and with considerable success. The Queen bad one horse-Clydesdale- entered, and with this won a third class, but the Royal exhibits in the cattle classes accomplished far greater things. With only five entries to represent her the Queen won the championship of shorthorn, bulls with the Winchester winner Royal Duke; first in shorthorn heifers with the roan. Rose of Sharon; highly commended in yearling shorthorn heifers; highly commended in Hereford heifers; and first in Devon heifers. The Prince of Wales was not successful as usual in shire horses, though he took a third prize in fillies with the shapely bay Maidenhair, who represented the Sandringham stud so worthily last spring at the Agricultural Hall. His Royal Highness was, however, destined to do better with his cattle, as he won first in three or four-year- old shorthorn bulls with Stephanos, and second in two-year-olds, the third prize winner in this class being Crystal Quality, likewise a Sandringham repre- sentative. The Prince also secured a second prize in Dexter Kerry bulls with Bantam Cock, and a similar honour in Southdown rams whilst several reserves and commendations fell to his share. The Duke of York had only a single entry, this being the red polled bull Field Ranger, which was awarded second in a very good class. Cleveland bays showed welcome signs of improvement. The brood mares and young stock were particularly good, whilst Mr. H. C. Stephens, M.P., gained second premier honours in stallions with the very typical Welling- ton. Hackneys were a great feature of the horse section, the 19 three-year-old stallions being headed by Mr. George Wilson's Rodasor, a fine actioned chestnut, but he was hard pressed by Mr. Wrench's Irish bred Silver Squire, a beautifully made colt and a real mover. In the two-year-olds Sir Walter Gilbey was well to the fore with Bonny Dovegilt, before which chestnut a great future must surely lie, whilst the championship in hackney mares was awarded to Mr. Livesey's famous Orange Blossom, which, however, was hard pressed for the honour by Mr. Henry Moore's Lobelia, the winner in the three- i year-olds, Sir Walter Gilbey again taking first in the three-year-olds calculated to make harness horses with Bright Spark, a grand bay. The following is the full list of CHAMPION PRIZES. HORSES: Best Hunter filly in Classes 8, 10, and 12; gold medal offered by the Hunters' Improvement Society. —Mr. R. E. Dixon (Lady Meta); r., Lord Middle- ton (Hollyhock). Best Cleveland Bay stallion in Classes 14 and 15 champion prize of P-10 offered by the Cleveland Bay Horse Society.—Mr. H. C. Stephens, M.P. (Welling- ton); r., Mr. F. H. Stericker (Potto Baron). Best Cleveland Bay mare or filly in Classes 16, 19, and 21; champion prize of £10 offered by the Cleve- land Bay Horse Society.—Mr. H. C. Stephens, M.P. (Cholderton Darling); r., Mr. John Lett (Madam 11.). Best Coach Horse stallion in Classes 22 and 23; champion prize of £10 offered by the Yorkshire Coach Horse Society.—Mr. John White (Master John); r., Mr. E. Connell (Albert). Best Hackney stallion in Classes 30 to 33; gold medal offered by the Hackney Horse Society.—Sir Walter Gilbey (Bonny Danegelt); r., Mr. G. Wilson (Rodasor). Best Hackney mare or filly in Classes 34, 35, 37, 39, and 41; gold medal offered by the Hackney Horse Society. — Mr. Harry Livesey (Orange Blossom); r., Sir Walter Gilbey (Bright Spark), Best Polo pony stallion in Classes 52 and 63; gold medal offered by the Polo Pony Society.—Sir Walter Gilbey (Rosewater); r., Messrs. John Jones and Sons (Gownboy). Best Shire stallion in Classes 61 to 63; gold medal offered by the Shire Horse Society.—Lord Llangattock (Hendre Hydrometer); r., Mr. E. Green (Moors Regent). Best Shire mare or filly in Classes 64 to 67; gold medal offered by the Shire Horse Society.—Sir J. B. Maple, M.P. (Victor's Queen); r., Sir J, B, Maple, M.P. (Stanney Commotion). I I -I Best Shorthorn bull in Classes 86 to 88; champion prize of E20 offered by the Shorthorn Society.—Her Majesty the Queen (Royal Duke); r., the Prince of Wales (Pride of Collyme). Best Shorthorn cow or heifer in Classes 89 to 92; champion prive of E20 offered by the Shorthorn Society.—Mr. W. J. Hosken (Countess of Oxford 14th); r., Mr. Joseph Harris (Empress 12th). Best Red Polled bull in Classes 118 and 119; champion prize of £10 offered by the Red Polled Society.—Mr. James E. Platt (Champion); r., Lord Amherst of Hackney (Redvers). Best Red Polled cow or heifer in Classes 120 to 122; champion prize of 910 offered by the Red Polled Society.—Lord Amherst of Hackney (Char- mante); r., Mr. James E. Platt (Red Lass). Best Aberdeen Angus animal in Classes 123 to 127; gold medal offered by the Polled Cattle Society. —Mr. W. S. Adamson (Diaz); r., Mr. Alexander McLaren (Delamere). Best Highland bull in Classes 133 to 135; cham- pion prize of £ 15 offered by the Highland Cattle Society.—Earl of Southesk (Lasich); r., Mr. W. D. Mackenzie (Calum Ban of Atholl). Best Highland cow or heifer in Classes 136 to 138; champion prize of E15 offered by the Highland Cattle Society.—Mr. T. V. Smith (Cruinneag 6th of Ardtornish); r., Mr. George Bullough (Rhouma). Best Kerry animal in Classes 153 and 154; challenge cup, value 25gs., offered by the English Kerry and Dexter Cattle Society.—Messrs. Robertson and Sons (La Mancha Fan); r., Messrs. Robertson and Sons (La Mancha Bobs). Best Dexter animal in Classes 155 and 156; challenge cup, value 25gs., offered by the English Kerry and Dexter Cattle Society.—Messrs. Robertson and Sons (La Mancha Union Jack); r., Mr. B. de Bertodano (Cowbridge Tiny Ann). SHEEP. I Best Leicester ram in Classes 158 and 159 champion prize of 5 offered by the Leicester Sheep Breeders' Association.—Mr. George Harrison; r., Mr. J. J. Simpson. Best Lincoln ram in Classes 168 and 169 champion prize of lOgs. offered by the Lincoln Long- wool Sheep Breeders' Association.—Mr. Henry Dud- ding r., Mr. Tom Casswell. Best Southdown ram in Classes 185 and 186; champion prize of lOgs. offered by the Southdown m 11 Sheep Society.—Mr. C. R. W. Adeane; r., Mr. Jeremiah Colman. Best Hampshire Down ram in Classes 190 and 191; champion prize of E20 offered by the Hamp- shire Down Sheep Breeders' Association.—Lord Rothschild r., Mr. Cary Coles. Best Suffolk ram in Classes 195 and 196; gold medal offered by the Suffolk Sheep Society.—Earl of Ellesmere; r., Earl of Ellesmere. Best Wensleydale ram in Classes 205 and 206; champion prize of EIO offered by the Wensleydale Blue-faced Sheep Breeders' Association.—Executors of the late T. Willis; r., Mr. William Cleasby. The implement, dairying, and appliances exhibits were as numerous and interesting as at any previous show; and the parades of prize annuals and machinery demonstrations attracted great attention. Altogether the show at York must be reckoned a pro- nounced success.

CHARLOTTE BRONTE'S husband, the Rev. Arthur Bell Nicholls, now an octogenarian, lives the quietest of country lives at Banagher, King's County. He spends most of his time, according to a correspondent of M.A.P., in attending to the land agency business in connection with his own property and that of relatives. His second wife is a most estimable lady, who reveres the memory of the novelist just as fondly as her husband. The recurring anniversaries of Charlotte's birth and death-April 21 and March 31-are never forgotten. There are some of her relics in the house, outside of which they have never been allowed to pass. The desk and nest of drawers on which she wrote most of her works are there with many other mementoes that are highly prized by the family.

NEARLY Adak Lq F TABLETS VIN0LIA, HA'PETTNlsa on nearly 6.000,000 Tei>let*, representing flin fiftn have beon sent to the Soldiers' War SJIU,Uuu, Fund. jd. sent on every Tablet sold. wavi —rarTTW——■

THE FORMATION OF RIFLE CLUBS. Mr. A. P. Humphry, a member of the Council of the National Rifle Association, of which he was for- merly secretary, who won the Queen's Prize in 1871, subsequently commanding the Cambridge University Volunteers, has just reported to the association on his recent examination of rifle clubs and ranges in Switzerland. The great advantages of the Swiss clubs, which have a close connection with the mili- tary system of the country, he states to be: Recog- nition for the purposes of the military regulation rifle practice; supply of Government ammuni- tion below cost price possession by the men of Government rifles in their own homes the small expense at which ranges can be made and worked the custom of shooting on Sundays, when men are free from work; and the great popu- larity of rifle shooting and belief in its value for national defence; and (partly as a consequence) freedom from the competition of athletic sports of other kinds. The following advantages are stated to facilitate obtaining ranges; obligation on the part of the public to provide gr-xirrd; absence of insistence on an ideal standard of safety to the public: indis- position on the part of landowners to make diffi- culties; willingness on the part of shooting men to put up with inexpensive arrangement; frequent occurrence of mountains or forests available as stop butts; in populous places the large numbers of con- tributing members of clubs, and consequent funds available for providing handsomely-appointed ranges; and the non-requirement of long ranges.

LAST year London cost just under V,1,250,000 a month to pay for its policing, its firemen, street cleansing, and the like. But this sum, big as it is, is put in the shade by the yearly outgoings of New York. For 1900 New York's Budget is £ 18,500,000, a fair sum, considering that its population is but 3,438,899, compared with London's 4,504,766. Paris, too, costs a littlo more than London, E15,500,000 a year, wh ilst economical Berlin manages on an income of £4,750.COO ).

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A GOVERNOR'S CRIME. HOW IT WAS AVENGED. News has just been received at Gibraltar from Southern Morocco that the Governor of Tarudant and his two sons have been killed by the tribe of Horvara, who recently revolted against them. This functionary, Kaid Hamoo Ben Jollali, was also Governor of Mequirez, but being considered one of the strongest" men in the Moorish service, he was sent to command the chronically restless district of Tarudant five years ago. It was he who, in 1894, shortly after the present Sultan's accession, effected the arrests and ignominious imprisonments of the then Grand Vizier, and the Minister of War. The immediate cause of his being killed by the Horvara is said to be that he procured by treachery the assassination of a certain Sus Sheikh, of great influence, whose tribe had refused him gifts for him- self and taxes for the Sultan. Having thus disposed of the Sheikh he expected to divide and capture the tribesmen in detail, but in the event, first one and then the other of his own sons, and then the, Governor himself, were overcome and put to death by the united kinsmen of the murdered Sheik, The tribe's success may now very probably be •>»» further troubles, which may nece§|ltat» theTsending of reinforcements of Sherea^tn troops to the Sus.

I RJAH AND BISHOP. Mgr. Pelckmans, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Lahore, on one of his rounds of visits had occasion to pass through Mandi. The Rajah, to do him honour, sent out a brilliant escort to meet him, and he himselF received him in audience with the utmost pomp and pageantry. After the usual exchange of inflated and circumlocutionary compliments, the Bajah inquired after the bishop's wife and children. It may be noted that ";a Hindus estimate of perfect bliss is based upon the number of children begotten him. The greater the number the greater the sign of divine favour, and vice versa, of course. The bishop's position was a delicate one, but he was equal to the task. He spoke of the significance of the self-sac- rifice entailed by celibacy, and so succeeded in getting the Rajan to understand the motives of those who practised it, that his Highness rose from the throne he occupied, and insisted upon the bishop seating himself thereupon, observing to his courtiers that a man who had the moral courage to make such sacrifices was worthy of all praise.

AN interesting event has just taken place at the Baptist Chapel, Waterbeach, Cain'os., where the famous C. H. Kpurgeon commenced his ministry. Not for. ago expended on the renovation of Spurgeon's Chapel, and now the foundation stones of njwschooirootus have been laid. rhe original estimate of tbe cost has been consiJarably reduced by the practical co-operation of various members of the church: for the preliminary work bus all been done by voluntary helpers—the digging of the foun- da'ions, the carting of the bricks and building irtate- ria's,

i ,,puRE 1 J £ JS S B CONCENTRATED" COCOA 1 "NO FLAW IN ITS CLAIM TO BE § ABSOLUTELY PURE."—MedicalAnnuaL

AVENGED HIS MASTER. When one of our majors wat killed at Weepener (writes a mounted infantryman) his Kaffir "boy" said ho would kill a Boer in revenge for his master's deaih. That very same night, armed with a Martini carbine, and taking some ammunition with him, the boy crept right out on the enemy's flank, got within six yards of one of the Boers, and shot him dead. We heard the report. When he came back he brought the Boer's rifle and bandolier with him, and appeared quite satisfied with what he had done.

RABIES IN OATS. Householders should beware of rabies in cats. The perils of madness are as great to the feline race as to dogs but the trouble is few people can recognise the effects in cats or their victims. Thus it has just transpired, upon a proper investigation (says a Damaun correspondent of the Indian Pioneer Mail) that three of the deaths during the last month which were put down as from plague were caused by the bites of a cat which had become rabid, and which only after it had bitten the three unfortunate persons' was destroyed.

TIIS women managers of the famous Parisian paper La Fronde must look to their laurels, for an American woman is at present running a newspaper in which no man is employed in any capacity what- ever She is Mrs Virginia D. Young, and her paper is tliG Fairfax (^cyouih (Jcivolinci^ J&7itBTpvisc» porters, leader-writers, and editors are all women, so are the compositors, proof-readers, and even those who make up the formes. Women, too, solicit adver- tisements, attend to all the clerical and business work, and run the whole machinery of the press, while even the devil" has been banished, preram- ably (remarks the Chronicle) in favour of an angel, that post of tradition being taken by a neat and sweet little girl who wears a spotless white apron.