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[ALL ltlGKTS RESERVED,] LUCK AT THE DIAMOND FI ELDS. BY DALRTMPLE J. BELGRAVE (BABRISTER-AT-LAW). A TALE OF THE KIMBERLEY I COACH. CHAPTER II-(Continued.) I When Kate got back to the Homestead she found that a young Van Beers, a son of the old farmer, had arrived from Kimberley. Jappie Van Beers was not a very pleasant type of the young Boer, but by no means an uncommon one. He was a noisy braggart, who might be heard wherever he went, shouting out in his broken English about himself and his belongings, and bragging about his shooting and riding, his horses, dogs, and guns. He some- times would express violent anti-English senti- ments, but for all that he imitated the people be professed to hate, and it was not at all difficult to see that he was half ashamed of being a Dutchman. He owned some very good claims in the Kimberley mines, and had made a good deal of money on the Fields. When he was at the Homestead he gave himself great airs, for he did not think it necessary for him to show much deference to the old people, since he wa& so much richer than they were, while their homely Dutch ways of life afforded him opportunities for the expression of considerable con- tempt. What made him more odious to Eate was, that he had taken it into his head to pay her an amount of attention that was very embarrassing to her. The truth was, that Jappie Van Beers had fallen head over ears in love with the pretty gover- ness at his father's house. He had contrasted her very favourably with the heavy, shapeless-looking Dutch young women whom his cousins and brothers chose for their wives, and had determined that she should be Mrs. Jappie. On the occasion of his last visit to the Homestead she had snubbed him most unmercifully, and she hoped that in future he would keep at a distance. There was something in his manner as he shook hands with her that told her he had got ovar any discomfiture he might have been made to suffer before. "Ah, Miss Gray, you're looking very well and pretty, though you seem to be just as proud as ever. Well, I have a little bit of news for you. I have met an old friend of yours on the field a friend of mine who knows you. He came up in the coach with you; he told me all about your goings on when you came up in the coach," he said to her after they had shaken hands. Kate looked extremely uncomfortable; the last subject she wanted to talk about was that journey and its incidents. Jappie Van Beers appeared to derive a considerable amount of satisfaction from her embarrassment. "Yes, Miss, my friend Aarons told me about you," be continued; a malicious grin coming across his stupid heavy face. Is that person a friend of yours ?" Kate asked; her expression showing that she did not think any the better of Jappie for his choice of friend. The other looked a bit put out. The truth was, that when he was in Kimberley he associated with a good many of the worst characters in the place, not because he was one of them, but because it suited their purpose to flatter him, and allow him to be as insolent and boorish as he pleased. Well, I know him to speak to, and he told me about you, and he gave me a message for you. 'Tell her,' he said that she is likely to see her old sweet- heart again, if she looks amongst the men working on the roads at Gordon.' Then he told me how you went on when you travelled with this Darrell, the thief whom they trapped at Red Shirt Rush. Aarons gave me a paper and said that perhaps you would like to read about the trial, and see what he had done." Jappie was surprised to see how little attention she paid to his chaff; but she took the paper from him very eagerly and turned over the pages until she came to the report of the trial. The report was short. Kate felt sure that Darrell was the innocent victim of a conspiracy, and the idea came at once into her mind that somehow that conspiracy had been carried out by the man who took care that she should learn how successful it had been. Yes, this seems to be the same man I came up with in the coach, but I don't know why your friend should take so much trouble to let me know about it," she said, making an effort to speak as if she had read the report with little interest. Jappie, feeling that his chaff had fallen rather flat, became silent, and contented himself with star- ing stupidly at her. She read and re-read the report. Five years of that degrading slavery-five years working with Kaffirs and white men who were more degraded than Kaffirs '-it seemed to her that he never would be able to survive his term of punishment. Well, Miss Gray, you're angry with me because I just chaffed you," said Jappie, flicking his whip against his boots and looking half ashamed of him- self I will tell you something that will make you forgive me. I have brought my little white horse, which you may ride. I know you like riding; and you can ride down to the river in the mornings with me and see the lines pulled up as you used to. I brought the little white horse because I knew you liked to ride him, and I will take out Kedult; he is the best horse in the Colony. I won a race with him the other day at Cradock, and beat all the imported horses." A morning ride with Jappie did not hold out a very pleasant prospect, but as he spoke there flashed vividly upon Kate's memory a sight that she noticed day after day the year before, when the used to go out in the morning with the children to see the lines pulled up. It was the sight of a party of convicts and convict-guards on the other side of the river; the former working, filling water-barrels, the latter listlessly watching them. This recollection made her determined to go out for those rides, however unpleasant they might be, and instead of refusing Japple s offer, she accepted it with an enthusiasm that flattered and delighted him. The next afternoon Darrell was at his task at the court-house with two or three ill-looking white men and a gang of Kaffirs, who appeared not to take their punish- ment much to heart. Watching them were two white convict-guards armed with carbines, who lounged about listlessly, finding their duty very tedious, and some Zulu police armed with rifles and a collection ef assagais, who looked as if they would deal out death and destruction, if not to the fugitive, certainly to some of the bystanders, should there be any attempt at an escape. Every now and then Darrell looked across the flat towards the river, where he had seen Kate go the day before, She had recognised him, he knew. What did she think of his disgraceful position ?-but what should she think ? She had only known him for a few days, and in that time she had learned more to his disadvantage than otherwise, he thought to him- self. For once the long weary afternoon's work had some interest should he see her again. he kept wondering? At last he saw her coming from the river-bank. He watched her, though he tried to look down so that their eyes should not meet. As she pasaed she took a hurried glance at the convi ct-guard, who were paying liitle attention to the prisoners. The white men were thinking of the hard luck that gave to them such a dreary dead-and-alive lot in life. The Zulus as they clutched their weapons were back again in their imagination at some scene of savage blood- shed, and were happy. Then she for a second managed to catch his eye, and as she did so she threw a crumpled-up piece of paper to him. He snatched it up, and half hiding behind part of the building he unfolded it, and read the few words written on it. You have a friend; look out for a signal to escape when you are at the river to-morrow. I know you are innocent." As he read this he felt a new man. He had even in his miserable position felt depressed to think that he had not a friend in the world. But here was some one who believed in him. Then he remembered that she would be likely to get into some trouble if she were mixed up in any plot to secure his freedom. But he had no means of warning her; he could only wait and wonder what the letter meant. At seven o'clock next morning, Darrell was marched as usual to the river-bank to carry water up to the magistrate's house and the public works. Drearily and hopelessly he laboured at the wretched work of filling the water-carts. What did that note mean, he kept asking himself ? How could that English girl in a strange country help him ? Perhaps she was acting for others, he thought, and the only part she took was to give him notice. If so she might not run any great risk of getting into trouble. But this theory had to be put on one side. Who was there in the country, or for :,he matter of that in the world who would take the trouble to help him? He looked at the distant range of hills far away across the river if he could only get there he would be free and safe, for not only was it native territory, but it was in a disturbed state, and there were bands of men collected together there, one or two of whom he happened to know who would welcome him as a comrade very heartily. The men worked at their tasks slowly enough; the con- vict-guards thought that they might just as well hang about the river-bank looking after convicts, as be any- where else engaged in the same dreary work, so they did not hurry them. After he had worked for some minutes, Darrell saw two figures on horseback across the river he recognised one of them as Kate, the other was a young Dutchman he bad seen ride towards the farm a day or two before. He looked at their horses, and he coveted the one the Dutchman was on. It was a good horse anywhere, and looked as if it were just suited for the country. If he were on it and had a fair start, he would save the Colony the cost of his board and lodging, and show his enemies a clean pair of heels. Of course he re- membered the letter, but he felt sure the young Boer would never be induced to help him. After they had ridden along the river to a place about a hundred yards down stream from where he stood, he saw the man dismount and leave his horse to be held by his companion. Darrell began to feel a thrill of excite- ment as he watched him go down to a boat, get into it, and drop some way down stream. He watched how the stream of the river ran, and he guessed how it would carry anyone who jumped in from where he was, across to the point where Kate was with the horses. The Dutchman had almost crossed the river, and was pulling up a fish on a line he had rowed up to. Darrell took in the situation, and his heart beat, and he felt a longing for liberty as he first looked at the good horse on which he could secure it, and then at the convict-guard near him who was yawning sleepily, as he sac with his carbine in his hand. Just then he saw Kate hold her handkerchief about her head and wave it. It was the signal, and he knew how good a chance he would have if he obeyed it. There was no time for delay, and in a second he had taken a header from the bank and was swimming for life and liberty. For a minute or so there was some wild shooting, as the guard aroused by the splash took a hurried shot at him, and the Zulus let off their guns recklessly. The sound of the shots startled Jappie, who had been intent on pulling up his fish. For a second he stared stolidly, and then as the oonvict came to the other side; hitting just upon the spot where the horses were, he saw what his object was. Allah Macter, but he is going to take my horse. Hi! Miss Gray, gallop the horse away keep away from him, he's going to take the horse." The guards on the other side had ceased firing, as they were afraid of hitting Kate and the horses. Kate did not make any attempt to get away from the convict; in fact Jappie felt certain that she was doing her best to help the fugitive. Jappie yelled and gesticulated, but it was no use. To his disgust he saw the con- vict come up the river-bank, jump into the saddle, and give a shout of triumph, and then gc. off across the veldt. Above all things, Jappie valued and swaggered about his horse. He had woa one or two races with him already, and hoped tQ win more, and he was never tired of boasting and bragging about what he hoped to do with him. 0 the skelltim 1-0 the scoundrel!—there is not a horse in the province that can catch him, and there is no one ready to follow him," he shouted out to no one in particular as he splashed clumsily across tha river against the stream. For once he thought of Kedult's pace and staying powers without much satisfaction. When he had got to the other side he stood shouting and yelling to the convict-guards, and watching Darrell growing smaller in the distance. It was something of a relief to him when he saw two troopers of the border police cross the drift. They had saddled up when they heard the alarm of the escape, and were starting in pursuit. Jappie ran after them, and shouted out some directions to which they paid very little heed. Ah, they will never catch him on Kedult; he will ride the horse to death first," he despondently said as he watched the troopers ride across the flat. Kate began to realise that she had probably got her- self into a good deal of trouble, for the part she had taken in the escape was pretty evident. She did not know what offences she might not have committed, still she felt that she would gladly do it again, and chance whatever punishment she might have to suffer, rather than have to see Darrell suffering his degrading punishment. Certainly he would be a fugitivo and an outlaw, but that would not be so bad for him, and he would have a better chance of proving his innocence than if he were a prisoner; so she hoped. "Well, Miss Gray, so ýou have played me a nice little trick, letting that skellum steal my horse. That was your doing. You think yourself very slim, to be able to fool me into leaving you with m y horse so that you could let your sweetheart have it to get away on; but you have made a mistake-I am going to go to the magistrate, and he shall know what you have done. You will find your- self in prison very soon for stealing my horse and helping a prisoner to escape," said the young Boer to Kate, when he met her at the door of the farmhouse as she rode back. He was half crying about the loss of his horse, and desperately angry; and yet, as he looked into the pretty English girl's face, a very different idea to that of revenge suggested itself to him. There was something he cared for even more than his horse. Look here, miss, you have lost me the best horse in the country, but I forgive you, because you're such a pretty girl. No Dutch girl would do what you have done; they would be ashamed to; but I like girls who have plenty of pluck. Be my sweetheart instead of that skellurn's, whom you will never see again, and I will say no more about what I saw. Look, I am rich; I have some of the best claims in the mine. and have ten good farms. I think there is no girl in the Colony who would not marry me, and I offer to make you my wife-a poor little English girl, whom I could send to prison if I thought right. Come, I have lost my horse and won a frow, for you must marry me or go to prison— which will you do?' To emphasise his declaration he threw one of his clumsy arms round her neck and tried to kiss her. Her answer came in a way that surprised him. She dodged away from his grasp, and as he came for- ward again she slashed him twice across his face with her whip, and then ran < away into the house, leaving him standing in the yard listening to the laugh of a Kaffir servant who had witnessed the scene. All the worse for you, missy," he cried, almost blubbering from the pain and from his anger. You shall suffer for this, and for stealing my horse." Then catching sight of the Kaffir's grinning face he relieved his feelings by cutting that unfortunate son of Ham across the back with his ox-hide whip till he yelled with pain. Somewhat calmed by this he walked down to the boat and went over to Gordon, deter- mined to let the law of the land revenge his wrongs. It turned out that his threat was not an idle one. Already the inhabitants of Gordon were discussing the part she had taken in the escape of the convict. One of the guards noticed her give the signal, and his evidence was confirmed by Jappie. Johnptone, who had been acting as magistrate, cursed his fate which obliged him to commit Kate to take her trial at Kimberley. But the affair was a serious one, and became more serious when the next day the border police came back without having found their man. "It.s a beastlv duty to have to discharge, par- ticularly for such a pitiful scraw as one gets from this cursed Colonial Government. But I had to do it on the evidence," he said to her when the inquiry was ended, and she was duly committed to take her trial, and circumstances allowed him to resume his non-official way of looking at things. You need not be nervous, however; jury won't bring themselves to convict you," he added, to reassure her. The case created immense excitement at Kim berley. From the first public feeling was with the prisoner. Jappie was considered to show great vindictiveness, and the story of his having been an unsuccessful suitor to the prisoner somehow got abroad. He had got his horse back too, it having been sent to him from Stellaland, and this, in the opinion of the public, made the animus he showed all the more vindictive- When the day of the trial came on, and the prisoner was seen in the dock, public opinion expressed itself most unanimously in her favour. The Crown prosecutor's arguments were very cogent, and the judge'a summing up dead against the prisoner; but the jury gave their verdict without ever turning round in the box. It was not guilty. There ain't such a crowd of pretty girls in this camp that we can afford to shut 'em up in prison," was the opinion expressed by the foreman as he par- took of champagne at the expense of a sympathiser with beauty in distress. In the mean time George Darrell found himself secure in Stellaland. After riding all day he had pulled up with his horse dead beat, at a house which had once been used as a store some miles on the other side of the river which marked the border of Griqua- land West. The house was inhabited by some white men, who constituted themselves into a body which somewhat resembled the free companies some centuries back-nominally fighting for the Kaffir chief, but really pretty much for their own hand. "Hullo, who the is this?" exclaimed one of these warriors, who was sitting on the bench outside the house as Darrell came up. Hullo, he has got 'em on-he has got 'em all on," said another of the company—a gentleman who in the course of his varied career had been a singer in a London East End music-hall, and now sang the songs of Houndsditch in a strange land-as he saw the fashion of Darrell's garb, Look here, it won't do it will bring the peelers on us." He's a good fellow; I know him—worth a dozen of you," said a black-haired, handsome, devil-may- care-looking young fellow, known as Black Jamie, who acted as the leader of the company. It's Darrell, who used to be working down the river. I heard he was run in some time ago "-and getting up, he came forward and shook the new arrival heartily by the hand. It was lucky for Jappie that Black Jamie bad a high opinion of Darrell; for it was on that account he was induced to give in to the other's wish that the horse should be sent back by a Kaffir to his owner —a proceeding which was thoroughly repugnant to the feelings of himself and the honourable company he commanded. He let Darrell have his way, how- ever, and then sent him on with some Kaffirs to their huts, where the police, even if they crossed the border, would not care to follow him. A day or two afterwards, when danger of pursuit was over, Darrell was enlisted as one of Black Jamie's troop in the service of Mankoron, the chief of the Bechuanas. (To be continued.)

HISTORICAL MSS. AT WELBECK. I The Historical Manuscripts Commission has issued a further instalment of its report on the MSS. of the Duke of Portland preserved at Welbeck Abbey. The new issue is Volume V. The preceding volume of the Calendar of iHarley Letters and Papers con- cluded on May, 1711, shortly after Robert Hurley was raised to the Peerage as Earl of Oxford and his appointment to the office of Lord Treasurer. The present volume contains the selection fiom the cor- respondence down to 1724, the year in which Lord Oxford died. — ————————————————

TREATY-RIGHTS OF MISSIONARIES. Apropos of current events in China, the Laic Journal says, it may not be inopportune to recall the various steps by which the position of English mis- sionaries in the Yellow Empire was secured. First came clauses in the English Treaty of Tientsin in 1858 guaranteeing the personal safety of missionaries, and declaring that if they acquired land at the Treaty Ports and certain other places the agreement should be made without exactions on either side.' The French Treaty of 1858 protected French mis- sionaries travelling peaceably and with duly authen- ticated passports in the interior, and also by a clause —said to have been surreptitiously interpolated—per- mitted them to purchase land and erect buildings in-all the provinces." Of this clause English mis- sionaries came in time to get the'conventional benefit, and the Imperial seal to their status and that of the missionaries of other countries was given by an edict in 1891, which, after declaring the right of foreign missionaries to promulgate their religion in China,' directed the authorities under the strongest sanctions to protect them and their converts.

HOME HINTS. Awts very much dislike camphor, so if it is sprinkled on pantry shelves or places they infest, they will quickly leave. IN choosing crabs and lobsters remember the heavy ones are the best, and those light in weight will bs found poor ar.d watery. To REMOVE SPOTS FROM WASHING FABRICS.— Before sending to the laundry, rub the yolk of an egg on the spots and this will remove them. A SLICE of common onion rubbed on the place is a certain cure for a wasp sting. If the sting be in the throat or month an onion should be slowly chewed and swallowed. TABLE SALT.—When salt is dried for table use it should be allowed to grew cold before being put in the salt-cellars, as if this is not done the salt will cake together in lumps. BRASS rings sewn on to muslin curtains are better than the patent safety-pins stuck into them, as the rings do away with the fear of rusty marks appearing at the top of the curtain. FLANNEL garments should not be allowed to become very dirty, as if they have to have hard rubbing it often ruins them. They really ought not be rubbed at all, but only washed in soapsuds by dipping them quickly up and down until they look clean. WHEN scrubbing floors and tables do not use soda, for it makes the boards a bad colour and does not clean better than soap and plenty of cold water. The boards should be scrubbed the way of the grain, and not round and round. If cleaned in this manner they will soon be a good colour. Should they be greased at all, then a little soda and hot water will be needed first, of all to remove it. How TO CLEAN GLOVES AT HOME.—Buy from any chemist three pennyworth of benzoline; take a clean piece of flannel and rub over the soiled part of the gloves with benzoline. If the gloves are first put on the hands it will render it easy to clean them in every part. All dirt will be removed and the gloves look almost, like new. Take great care to keep the benzo- line away from a fire or gas, as it easily ignites and evaporates. ROLLED Ox TONGUE.-Choose a very prime tongue which has been pickled according to taste, and, after trimming it neatly, put it into a saucepan of lukewarm water, add some carrots, onions, celery, &c., all roughly chopped, a bunch of savoury herbs, a tea- spoonful of peppercorns, and a dozen cloves bring very slowly to the boil, after which skin carefully and simmer very gently until the meat is thoroughly cooked. When done enough, remove the skim, trim the root neatly, takeout the bones, and roll the tongue, fat inwards, as tightly as possible, then press it'into a round mould, just barely large enough to hold it, put a heavy weight on top, and leave it untouched until thoroughly cold then turu it out, brush it over with two or three coats of glaze, taking care to let one dry before adding another, and serve on a dish- paper tastefully garnished with suitable items.— Marie," in the Agricultural Gazette. COLLARED OR MARBLED BEEF.-Take the requisite quantity of the thin Hank of beef, which has lain in a good reliable pickle from five to eight days, accord- ing to taste, and, after carefully removing th i bones, Jay the meat out flat, skin downwards, on & board, and beat it gently untH as nearly equal in thickness as possible, then cover the surface with alternate layers of hard-boiled eggs cut in slices, rashers of prime, streaky bacon, finely chopped parsley, and a lew chopped mushrooms or pickled walnuts, each layer being seasoned appropriately, and roll the meat up very tightly and neatly, securing it in shape by a liberal binding of white tape, after which sew it up finely in a strong cloth, and put it into a saucepan of boiling water. Boil for not longer than a minute, then draw the pan on one side, and simmer very gently indeed, until, when pierced by a fine skewer or a knitting needle, the meat feels sufficiently tender, when it should be taken up, well drained, and placed between two dishes with a heavy weight on top; leave it so over-night in a cool place, then next day remove the wrapping and binding, and coat the meat nicely with good glaze. Before the latter is quite set, sprinkle it lightly with a mixture of finely-chopped parsley and sifted egg yolk, then when required cut a tiny slice from each end of the beef, so as to show the dainty appearance of the interior, and serve garnished round about with a full close border of parsley, upon which is arranged fancifully cut slices of fresh lemon and bright red boiled beetroot. MOULDED MEATS.—If the remains of cooked meats, veal and ham, for instance, are being used for moulding, a most attractive dish, both as regards appearance and taste, can be made as follows: First of all prepare some economi- cal aspic jelly, which is simply highly- flavoured stock carefully cleared in the usual way and mixed with a sufficient quantity of French sheet gelatine to render it quite firm when cold then when cool, but still liquid, pour a little of this into a plain mould of the requisite size and thoroughly coat the inside, after which sprinkle lightly with finely chopped parsley, and leave the mould in a cool placo until the decoration is nicely set. When ready fill in with the veal, cut in very small, neat pieces, the ham, cut in tiny thin slices, hard-boiled eggs cut in slices or smal! pieces, and a sprinkling of chopped parsley. Arrange the various ingredients quite loosely and in tasteful order, so that when turned out the different colours may contrast prettily, then pour in as much aspic—which has been kept in a liquid state-as the mould will hold, and set the latter into a cool place to stiffen. Serve turned out on a dish-paper, garnished with a rind of fresh green parsley, and accompanied by a well-mixed, daintily- dressed salad. Other kinds of meat caR, of course, be substituted for the veal if more convenient. SUMMER CREA.M.-Dissolve a quarter of an ounce of gelatine in half a pint of milk, and sweeten to taste. When a little cooled, add a gill of thick cream, and stir it till mixed. Place some stewed fruit of any kind preferred at the bottom of a dish, and, when the cream is almost set, pour it gently over the fruit. Set the dish on one side for three hours, then stick it with blanched pistachio nuts. As this cream is perfectly smooth and flat, it can be ornamented in many ways for a variety.-London Journal. To keep butter cool and sweet in hot weather, fill a box with sand to within an inch or two of the top; sink the butter-jar in the sand, and then thoroughly saturate the sand with cold water. Cover the box down tightly from the air. It may be kept in the pantry. To CLEAN A WHITE STRAW HAT.—Stir a teaspoon- ful of powdered sulphur into the juice of a lemon. Brush the mixture on to the hat with a toothbrush, and when quite clean place it under a tap and let cold water run over it to free it from the sulphur. Dry in the air, but not in the sunshine. Let the hat rest on a table or other flat surface while drying, so as to keep the brim flat. POTTED MEATS.—The remains OR almost any kind of cooked meat, or mixture of meats, may be used for potting, but as the method is in every case the same, there is no necessity for separate recipes. The rules, which are very simple, are as follows What- ever kind of meat is being used, free it most carefully from every particle of bone, skin, and gristle, then mince it finely and put it in a mortar with appro- priate seasonings and a sufficient quantity of pure fresh butter to nicely moisten, and pound the whole to a perfectly smooth paste. If any tiny lumps or pieces are allowed to remain they take away very considerably from the delicacy and daintiness of the dish, so that strict attention should be given to this part of the business. Then another very important factor in successful potting is the season ing of the meat. The various items used for this purpose are so numer- ous that it is no difficult matter to satisfy even the most fastidious taste, but it is wise to leave the selection to the one who is doing the work, as she is sure to know best which flavourings will be most relished by those for whom she is providing. A mix- ture of meats, such as veal and bam, fowl and ham, beef and tongue, ham and tongue, or game with either ham, tongue, or prime bacon, &c., is very much to be preferred to only one kind of meat, and when, as often happens, only a small portion of each is left to work upon, this proves a great convenience. When ready, press the paste into small jars or pots suitable for the purpose, and if not required for immediate use, pour liquid mutton fat over the tops, and when this is cold and firm tie down with strong white paper er bladder, and store in a cool, dry place. Serve turned out on to a dish-paper tastefully garnished with sprigs of fresh parsley, water-cress, of mustard and cress, &c. RICE CHEESECAKES.—Line patty-pans with puff- paste, put into each a small teaspoonful of raspberry jam, and cover with the curd made as follows: Melt two ounces of butter in a basin, beat up with two ounces of sugar, the same quantity of ground rice, the grated rind of half a lemon, and two well-beaten eggs. Mix till all is a stiff paste. Bake the cheese- cakes to a golden colour, and serve cold on a d'oyley.

THE Dalicarlian village of Orsa seems to offer ad- vantages as a place of residence to persons of small incomes. The municipality owns extensive forest lands, and by tbe judicious sale of some of them the village has a zevenue of about Clb,000 a year. The inhabitants pay no taxes of any kind. A first-rate education is provided for their children without the cost of a penny, and each village in the district has its telephone, which is open free to the public use. As usual in the case of abnormally wealthy testa- tors (says the Manchester Evening News, in reference to the death of Sir W. Brooks), stories are already in circulation of real or imaginary eccentricities. One is, that notwithstanding his eminence as a banker, Sir William always defied one well-known banking rule. It is said that he always refused to draw regular cheques, but would fill up a sheet of notepaper and affix his signature to the same in pencil. In answer to the usual remonstrances that the cheque would not be honoured unless the signa- ture was in ink, he would reply, You take that to my bank, and if it is not cashed there will not be a clerk left in that bank." The irregular cheaues were always dulv honoured.

MARKET NEWS. ish wheat is Is to 2s easier since last week. and London millers asrain paid little or no attention to samples submitted. Country exchanges are, however, lairly patronised. Fine white, 32s 6d and good heavy red, 31s 6d 631 b. de- livered. American descriptions show a similar decline since the same period. No. I Northern Spring 33s 6d ex-ship, 34s landed. No. 1 hard Manitoba, held for 34s 6d in the former and 3.5s in the latter position. The flour market, was ak-o less regulated by sellers, while I 28 lewersince last week. The London Blillers" Association reduced prices at their weekly meeting: Town. household, 26s; whites. 29s. English patents quoted at 25s 6d to 27s. American first patents, 26s to 27s second ditto, 24s 6d to 25s. First bakers. 22s to 23s; and seconds, 20s to 21s. Cascadas, 25e. Hungarian up to 31s per sack. Australian nominal; superfine, 19s to 20s patents, 23s to 24s. 280 ex-store. Of feeding grinding barley shows no material alteration. Biack Sea. remains unobtainable, and American scarce, while Persian continues to supply wants, being named at 17s 9d ex-ship, 18s 3d ex-quay. American—Win- chester, in the latter position, 21s; and Canadian 21s 6d. Malting neglected. Oats steady, although slow. American mixed clipped, quoted at 15s ex- ship, 15s 6d ex-quay; and white clipped, in these positions, 16s and 16s 3d respectively, 401b. St. Petersburg, 14s 3d to 14s 6d, ex-quay, 381b; and 15s 6d to lGs, 401b. Common Libau, 13s 6d to 13s 9d, 381b. Revals, 15s 9d ex-quay. New Zea- lands, 24s to 25s 3841b. ex-store. Maize was supported with greater difficulty, while rather easier on the week. American mixed, new 20s 7? d ex-ship. 21s 3d landed. Odessa, 24s ex-ship, to come up; and old, 25s ex-quay. Beans neglected, and nominal. Egyptian splits, 20s 6d ex-mill; Mazagans, 20s landed. New Zealands, 32s 6d to 33s 6d, 5041b. The market for peas denotes nothing fresh, being steady. Maples, 358 to 36s, 5041b. ex-store; Canadian white 29s 6d ex-ship, and 30s ex-granary. Maize germ meal is now in extremely small supply, while dis- tinctly favouring sellers. American, £ 4 17s 6d to £ 5 ex-dock. English finding a ready sale at £4 15s to E4 17s 6d per ton, ex-mill. LONDON METROPOLITAN CATTLE.—A moderate de- mand was experienced, and a steady trade was effected in both prime and second qualities at generally late prices. Fat cows evidenced fair sup- port. Quotations: Devons, 4s 8d to 4s lOd Here- fords, 4s 7d to 4s 10d runts, 4s 6d to 4s 8d: Nor- folks, :4s 6d to 4s 9d; Lincolns, 4s 4d to 4s 8d Irish, 4e: 6d; and fat oows, 3s lOd per 81b. Sheep supplies were of fair extent, but a sic w demand pre- vailed for both wethers and ewes, prices marking a general decline of 2d per 61b. The prices quoted were: 7 to 8-stone Down wethers, 6s to 6s 2d 9-stone, ditto, 5s 8d to 6s; 10-stone, half breds, 5s 6d to 5s 8d; 10-stone Down ewes, 4s 6d to 4s 8d 11-stone half-bred ditto, 4s 2d to 4s 4d. Lamb trade slow, and prices in buyers' favour; 5-stone fat Downs, 6s Od to 6s 2d per 81b. to sink the offal. Calf trade slow, and prices nominal. Milch cows, £ 16 to £ 23 per head. Coarse and inferior beasts quoted 31 4d to 3s 10d; second quality ditto, 4s to 4s 2d prime large oxen, 4s 4d to 4s 6d; ditto Herefords, &c., 4s 8d to 4s 10d coarse and inferior sheep, 3s 2d to 3s lOd; second quality, 4s 4d to 4s 10d llrst, 5s 6d to 6s 2d inferior lambs, 5s 4d to 5s 8d seconds, 5s lOd to 6s first, 6s to 6s 2d per 81b. SMITIIFIELD MEAT.—Fair supplies met a. slow trade. Quotations Scotch beef, 4s 2d to 4s lOd; English, 4s to 4s 2d; American (Deptford killed), 3s lOd to 4s; Liverpool, 3s 8d to 3s 10d; American refrigerated, hindquarters, 3s 8d to 3s 10d forequarters, 2s 8d to 2s JOd. Mutton: Scotch, 5s 4d to 5s 8d English wethers, 5s 4d; ewes, 3s 8d to 4s; English lamb, 5s to 5s 4d.Veal: English and Dutch, 4s to 4s 4d. Pork: English, 3s 6d to 3s 10a and Dutch, 3s 2d to 3s 6d per 81b. POULTRY AND GAME. — Fowls: Yorkshire, 2s 6d to 3s Od; Boston, 2s Od to 2s 6d; Essex, 28 Od to 3s 9d; Welsh, 2s Od to 3s Od Surrey, 4s Od to 4s 6d; Sussex, 3s Od to 3s 66; Irish, Is 6d to 2s 3d; Aylesbury ducklings, 3s Od to 3s 6d; country ducks, 2s 3d to 2s 9d goslings, 4s Od to 5s Od Egyptian quail, 10d to Is 4d Bordeaux pigeons, 9d to Is 2d feathered ditto, 7d to 10d; wild rabbits, 8d to lOd tame rabbits, Is 2d to Is 9d each Aus- tralian ditto, 7s to 10s per dozen; Russian fowls, Is 3d to 2s each. BILLINGSGATE Fisn.-Good supplies were on offer, and met a good demand. English salmon, Is 4<f- Scotch, Is 4d to Is 6d Irish, Is 4d to Is 5d' Canadian, 6d grilse, Is Id to Is 3d; trout, Is 6d to Is 9d; soles, Is to Is 6d; slips, Is 2d to Is 4d red mullet, Is to 2s; dories, 2d to 3d per lb.; tnr^ bot, 58 to 8s; brill, 5s to 6s; halibut, 5s to 7a; lemon soles, 4s tc 6s; plaice, 4s 6d to 6s per stone; Aberdeen plaice, 30s; whiting, 6s to 7s: gurnet, 5s to 12s hake, 10s to 14s; skate, 8s to 128; bream. 6s; live cod, 10s to 16s; dead, 6s to loo per box; English mackerel, 14s to 17s per 60; steamer haddocks, 6s to 13s per trunk loose, 3s per stone; English salted herrings, 32s 6d per barrelg live eels, 20s dead, 12s per draft; lobsters, 15s ff;, 30s per score; crabs, 17s 6d to 18s per ham pert, winkles,6s to 8s; whelks, 4s per bushel; bloaters,]!' to 4s 6d; kippers, 3s 6d to 4s 6d per box; smok&> haddocks, 2s 6d to 9s per dozen; prawns, 6s per IN, whitebait, 9d per quart; English brown shrimps, 10* per bushel. WOOL.-Notwi th stand i ng the fact that country fairs are in progress, and certain quantities of wool have to be sold, there is nothing at present to report satisfactorily of this trade. Competition induces buyers to exceed the bounds of caution, and one hears of prices exceeding those ruling in the market being given, whether rightly or wrongly remains to be seen. Sellers hold out very strongly, and there are many instances of wool being withheld. In the market there is very little encouragement to do business, buyers and users of wool being extremely cautious and careful, and rates appear generally to run in favour of the buyers. Spinners are still occupied on old orders, but for new business very low prices are quoted. Downs, 7d to 9d Kents, 6d; half-breds, 6d to 7d. LONDON HAT AND STRAW.—Superior picked hay, 84s to 87s; good hay, 78s to 82s inferior, 60s to 72s; best clover, 97s to 100s; good clover, 84s to 87s; inferior, 60s to 75s straw, 25s to 35s. COVENT GARDEN.—English cherries, 4s and 98; French, 3s 6d and 8s per half-sieve; English straw- berries, 4s to 10s per dozen punnets French, la 6d to 2s 6d per basket; Channel Islands tomatoes, 3s 6d to 4s 6d per 121b.; Canary, 2s to 2s 6d per deep; apricots, 8d to Is 2d per box gooseberries, Is 9d to 2s 6d per half-sieve; peaches, 2s 6d to 10a parsley, Is 6d to 2s 6d mint, Is 6d to 2s 6d new carrots, 5s to 6s per dozen bunches; endive, 9d to Is 3d: cauliflowers, 2s to 3s 6d per dozen; cabbages, 3s to 6s per tally; lettuce, 4d to 9d per score Egyptian onions, 6s per bag; English spring, 4s 6d to 6s 6d per dozen bunches; asparagus, 9d to Is 9d per bundle; Jersey new potatoes, 9s to 12s; Canary, 8s to 12S per cwt.; Lisbon, 3s to 3s 6d per box. SEED TRADE.—Cloverseed short in supply and firm in value. Indeed the general outlook of the trade has of late much improved. America meantime sends very bad accounts of the new crops. Mustard and rapeseed quiet but steady. Canaryseed unchanged. Peas and haricots firm. Saffior offers very cheaply. CAMBRIDGE CATTLE.—A fair number of fat beasts were shown. Prices were not quite as good as last week. A large number of store beasts were offered, but trade was not so good as last Monday. Trade for fat sheep was brisk, late rates being full main- tained. Store sheep were in good supply. A litlle better trade for fat pigs, and there was a fair all round trade for store pigs Prices: Baef, 7s 9d to 8s 3d mutton, 5s 2d to 6s; pork, 5s 9d to 6s. 3d. READING CATTLE.-The beef trade was fair, best qualities realising 4s 4d to 4s 8d per stone; secondary, 3s 6d to 4s 2d. Mutton sold badly at 5s 4d to 5s 8d for best; 4s 8d to 5s 2d for secondary. Lamb trade brisk at 6s to 6s 8d for best; 5s 6d to 5s lOd secondary. Veal supply fair, but trade indif- ferent, best fetching 5s 6d to 6s, and secondary, 58 to 5s 4d. CORK BUTTER. First, 84s; seconds, 83s thirds, 81s; fourths, 77s superfine, 91s fine 85s, Choicest boxes, 91s choice, 81s.

IJORD STRATHCONA AND MOUNT ROYAL has been appointed a Vice-President of the Royal Colonial Institute in succession to the late Duke of Argyll, subject to confirmation at the next annual meeting of Fellows. THE memorial to the late General Symons in Botus Fleming Church, Cornwall, is to be a stained glass window with the subject of Christ and the Cen- turion. AT Grosseto a peasant named Mancini killed in the woods of Lascone the notorious brigand Fiorvanti, who has been the terror of the country- side for the oast 20 years.