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

NEW FRENCH NAVAL GUN. I At Toulon preparations are being made for the trifvl of two exceptionally long range naval guns, which have been designed and made under the super- vision of Admiral Pournier, the Commander-in- Chief of the French Mediterranean Squadron. It is stated that the guns will show a good penetrating power up to 16 or 17 miles, and a special sighting arrangement has been devised for the purpose of making long-distance firing more sure of its mark.

PRINCE'S MARRIAGE SOUVENIR. I A dingy glass transparency, on which is painted alleged likenesses of the Prince and Princess of Wales, has just been found in a cellar in Islington. It was displayed on the occasion of the marriage of the august couple on March 10, 1863.

"SPECIALIST" MUSEUMS. I The city of Lucerne has received two offers for the foundation of specialist museums. The first came from the Russian politician, M. Bloch, who proposed the erection of a War and Peace Museum," for the illustration and promulgation of his peace theories. M. Bloch engages to subscribe a sum of 200,000 francs. The second proposal came from a Dutch- man, who has asked leave to acquire a plot of ground for the erection of a Transvaal Museum," after the model of the Poland Museum in the Castle of Iiapperswyl (on the Lake of Zurich).

ARMY MOTOR CARS. I Important experiments in the direction of sub- stituting mechanical for animal traction will be made during the grand manoeuvres of the French army. By using motor cars it is expected that the transport will be much more rapid, while the forage problem will also be solved.

WILL OF MR. CONSTANTINE IONIDES. The will of Mr. Constantine Ionides, whose be" quests of pictures to the nation were announced awhile ago, has been proved. The estate has been valued at £ 155,584, 14s. 8d. gross, including per- sonalty of the net value of E149,685 10s. 9d. The executors of the will, which bears date August 31, 1899, are his sons, Constantine Albert Ionides and Theodore Henry Ionides, both of Hove, and Henry Sketch ley Bacon, of Brighton, solicitor. Mr. Ionides bequeathed, free of legacy duty, all my pictures, both in oil and water colours and crayon or coloured chalks, and all my etchings, draw- ings, and engravings, to the South Kensington, for the benefit of the nation, to be kept there as one separate collection, to be called 'The Constantine Alexander Ionides Collection,' and not distributed over the museum or lent for exhibition, and I desire that the said etchings, drawings, and en- gravings shall be framed and glazed by and at the expense of the authorities of the museum, so that students then can easily see them. I direct my trustees to notify in writing to the authorities of the said museum so soon as may be after my death the terms of the said bequest, and I empower my trustees until exceptance of that bequest to make such provi- sion for the custody of the articles therein comprised as they think fit, without any liability for loss or damage meanwhile, and if the said authorities shall not within six calendar months after notification signify to my trustees in writing their acceptance of the said bequest upon the terms hereinbefore im- posed, then I give the articles comprised in that bequest to my trustees upon trust to permit my wife to have the use and enjoyment thereof so long &s she shall remain my widow," or in the event of her death or remarriage to divide them between certain of his I. children whom he named.

THE apricots of Courbevoie, near Paris, have been spoiled this year by a fly, which on examination turns out to be the redoubtable Ceratitis capitata of India. The fly has been observed in Italy, Malta, the Azores, the Cape, &c., before, and is known as the peach fly" in Bermuda. At the Cape the fruit trees are enveloped in gauze like a mosquito net. Quicklime is also usod to destroy fruits ripe or un- ripe which are already infected by it. To prevent its arrival in the north, oranges, mandarines, citrons, and other fruits from the south or east should be inspected, and destroyed if need be. STARTING as an office-boy with Messrs. Fletcher and Parr, Mr. Alfred L. Jones, now chairman of Elder, Dempster and Co., went through all the grades in the firm. Then he started for himself, with success. He foresaw the enormous revolution in shipping, when stean.ers would take up the carriage of goods as well as passengers and mails, And he has done much to develop the fruit trade with the Canaries and West Indies. His fleet of 70 steamers does not occupy all his energies, for he has vast banana and tomato farms at the Canaries, and has also large West African developments. THE President and Mme. Loubet on Sunday enter- tained at lunch, at the Chateau Rambouillet, the delegates of the British Chamber of Commerce. M. Picard, Commissaire-General, also held a reception in honour of the delegates at the exhibition on Friday night. The proceedings throughout the stay in Paris have been very harmonious, and the visit has been most agreeable and productive of much good feeling. CARRIER pigeons are to be substituted for the tele- phone in Berlin during thunderstorms. Some few weeks ago an official in the telephone department was struck by electricity in the diocharge of his duties during a severe thunderstorm, and since that incident the authorities have been very careful to close the telephone when a like danger was feared. IN the following telegram from South Africa an Australian paper perpetrates an unconscious libel on the bagpipes: "Major-General Macdonald ordered his pipers to play over the last six miles of the march. There are now no armed Boers in the neighbour- hood." THE municipal Council of Paris has hit upon a capital idea for encouraging citizens to beautify the city. They give an annual prize to the architect and the builder of the most beautiful building erected during the year, and allow the owner to deduct 50 per cent. when he pays his taxes. "JIP," a collecting dog belonging to a hotel pro- prietor at Taunton, has lately died, and will be missed by many local charities. As an instance of its skill in attracting coins to its box, it may be men- tioned that since the hospital carnival last October the dog collected 3361 coins for the hospital, CAPTAIN M'CALLA, ot the United States warship Newark, who was with Sir Edward Seymour when he advanced on Pekin, says it was an inspiring sight to witness the courage and promptness with which the line of British marines, under Major Johnstone, sprang forward as one man, and drove the enemy from the western rampart of Tientsin. DOWN at The Durdans, near Epsom, Lord Rosebery plays the part of the bucolic agriculturist to perfec- tion. He is a many-sided man, and a knowledge of pigs, poultry, pruning, and potatoes comes as naturally to him as a pet Parliamentary peroration. One of the farmers on his estate ventured to draw his attention to a litter of very fine Berkshire piglets. Lord Eosebery declared they were cross- bred, and offered to back bis assertion with a bet of a sovereign. The farmer lost, and went up to the house" to discharge his liability. Lord Eosebery accepted the money, and then said Look here, I knew I was right and you were wrong; but I don't want you to lose over the transaction, so I have ordered a Utter of really pure-bred Berkshires to be sent to you, and you can christen the young beggars after me, if you like." This is the sort of landlord whu makes himself popular among bia tenants. 4 c- r

THE V AR. I OCCUPATION OF LYDENBURG. BOER FORCES DIVIDED. The following telegrams from Lord Roberts have been received at the War Office BELFAST, September 6. 10.30 a.m. September 6.—The move of Ian Hamilton along t,he Dulstroom-Lydenburg road—thus turning the enemy's right flatik-has resulted, as I hoped it would, in clearing the way for the advance of Builer's force. He telegraphs that the enemy are now retiring from his front, Yesterday Buller was able to bring a good deal of pressure to bear on the enemy's left by some good work done on the part of the Leicester Regiment and 1st King's Itoyal Rifle Corps. These two batta- lions managed to scramble np. a steep mountain and draw a battery of artillery after them, thereby bring- ing a heavy fire on the enemy. Dundonald is now advancing up the valley leading to Lydenburg. Builer's casualties yesterday were two men slightly wounded. No news from Hamilton yet, but I hope to hear that he has suffered no loss, as he met with but little opposition. A portion of Hildyard's Division occupied Wakker- stroom yesterday, Boer force under Joshua Joubert retiring before it; one man was killed and two wounded, all belonging Bethune's Mounted Infantry. Clements, who has been deputed to march about the country of Pretoria with a view to bringing it to order, met with slight opposition all yesterday near Kekepoort. His casualties were one man killed and five wounded. SEPTEMBER 7, 9.50 a.m. Sept. 7. Dundonald and Brocklehurst occupied Lydenburg yesterday afternoon. Buller and Hamil- ton's forces were then within live miles of the town. Only three men in Buller's force wounded yesterday and one in Hamilton's. Later. Buller reports from Lydenburg that the Boers have split up, some going north by Krugers Post, others in an easterly direction towards Spitzkop most of the guns, stores, and ammunition waggons have been sent to Krugers Post. BOER RAILWAY RAIDS. I REPORTED DEATH OF THtiRON. I The War Office has received the following tele- grams from Lord Roberts: BELFAST, September 6, 10.30 a.m. The enemy continue to fire into trains and are very persisting in their endeavours to derail trains and destroy railway lines. Scarcely a day or night passes without accidents happening. A day or two ago the stoker of a train near Deiw- berg [? Leeuwberg] was killed by a rifle bullet and the driver seriously injured. Last night a train was derailed between Pretoria and this by the engine being blown up by dynamite. The Boers were close by and at once opened fire on the train fortunately, enough soldiers were travelling in the train to drive them off. The attacks annoying, but in every case prompt punishment follows, and I think the Boers will soon discover that they are more injurious to them than to us. Commandant Dickson, in return for some civility paid him by General Hutton, has informed t,hat officer that he will to-morrow release the six Cana- dian Mounted Infantry men who were made pri- soners yesterday when the attack was made on our post between the Pan and Wonderfontein Railway Stations. SEPTEMBER 7, 9.50 a.m. Hart has been engaging the enemy south-west of Krugersdorp during the last few days in order to drive them away from the vicinity of the rail- way. He does not mention the casualties in his own force, but states four dead Boers were left on the ground, one of whom is thought to be Theron, the officer who has been at the head of nearly all the attacks on our lines of railway. No one present was able to recognise Theron, but in the deceased officer's pocketa were letters to Theron by Commandant De Wet, containing much official information about our movements. I THE DEFENCE OF LADYBRAND. I The following despatch from Lord Roberta has been received at the War Office: BELFAST, September 7. Major White, Royal Marine Light Infantry, was in command at Ladybrand, and the garrison consisted of one company Worcester Regiment, with Lieutenant Moss and Second Lieutenant Dorinan, and 43 rank and file Wiltshire Yeo- manry, with Lieutenants Awdry and Henderson. Dorman is slightly wounded in leg, and Sergeant- Major Clifford, Wiltshire Yeomanry, badly. Seveial Boers were wounded and left in the Ladybrand Hospital. The five officers hit reported to have behaved with great gallantry, especially Lieutenant Moss. The credit for the relief of Ladybrand is, I find, mainly due to Bruce Hamilton, who managed the operation with judgment and despatch. His infantry marched 80 miles in four days and a half. CONCESSIONS IN THE TRANSVAAL. The Cape Town correspondent of the Times says Sir Alfred Milner has issued a proclamation in which be states that every concession granted by the South African Republic will be considered on its merits. Her Majesty's Government reserves the right to modify or to decline to recognise any concession not within the power of the Republic to grant, having regard to any convention or agreement between her Majesty and the Republic, or granted without proper legal authority or contrary to law, or on conditions not complied with or which are prejudicial to the interests of the public. The commissioners appointed .to conduct the inquiry give notice that they will first inquire into any concession which gives the sole right to manufacture, to import, or to deal in any commodity; any contract under Volks- raad resolution No. 1871, of January, 1896; any con- cession to any bank; and any railway, tramway, water, or light concession. The first sitting of the Commission will be held on October 1. BRITISH SUCCESSES. 1 BOER POSITIONS CARRIED. The subjoined telegrams from Lord Roberts have beeu received at the War Office; BELFAST, September 9. Clery reports that on the 6th inst. near Rooikop a patrol of Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry came in contact with a party of Boers and the following casualties occurred Killed: Four men. Wounded Captain E. Molyneux, Bengal Cavalry, severely, left lung, and two men. Clery moved out from Stander- ton yesterday with a small force of all arms with a view of attacking the enemy. Hildyard reports that he has established fortified posts at Wakkerstroom and restored telegraphic communication with Volksrust. A certain number of Boers who took the oath of neutrality have re- mained quietly on their farms and refrained from fighting against us. Hildyard states that Major G. Hilliard, Royal Army Medical Corps, was severely wounded near Doornkop on September 6. Methuen left Mafeking for Lichtenberg yesterday; he met with slight opposition, one man was slightly wounded. He captured three or four waggons during the march. Clements, who is moving about the Hekspoort district, north of Krugersdorp, reports that he daily conies in contact with small parties of Boers. No report received from Buller to-day, but his intelligence officer telegraphs that the Boer position between Lydenburg and Spitzkop was attacked yes- ii rday by Lvttelton's and Iari Hamilton's columns, lae gives no particulars, but says the enemy retired tiVvards Spitzkop. Later intelligence states that Buller crossed the Mauchberg at 7.30 this morning. His guns have been heard in action by the Officer Commanding at Lydenburg. 11 P.M. September 9. French, who left Carolina this morn- ing with Dickson and Gordon, the 4th and 1st Brigades of Cavalry, Mahon's Mounted Infantry, the vSuffolks and Shropshire Battalions, and Captain Berecroft's 4"7 naval guns, met with opposition throughout the march. He drove the enemy from three successive positions, one of which was taken with much gallantry by the Suffolks, who, being skilfully led, had but few losses. French will report his casualties as soon as possible; believed they are slight. The enemy left some of their dead on the field. French will continue his march towaid Bar- btrton to-morrow. Henry's Mounted Infantry has been engaged dur: ng the last two days in finding a gun road along the difficult hills to the south of Waterval Odder. Hutton started from this yesterday to join Henry, and arrived just in tmie to take part in a fight near Weltevroden. Pole-Carew, who could see what was going on from the hills north of Waterval Onder, reports that Henry did very well against a much larger force. Hutton was able to turn the strong position the enemy occupied, when they retired hastily. General Charles Knox, who is moving about north- west of Kroonstad, reports having captured two de- spatch riders of De Wet's who were carrying home interesting letters from that officer. I have just heard from Ian Hamilton, who reports the result of yesterday's operations at the request of Buller, who is away from the telegraph line. Hamilton stated that Buller yesterday morning attacked the enemy's position, which was on a pre- cipitous ridge 1500ft. high, shaped like a horseshoe. The Spitzkop road lies to the furthest point of the ridge. Anything like a turning movement was most difficult, as the ridge was cleft asunder at various points by deep ravines almost impossible even for infantry. Under cover of our artillery the position was carried, the Devons on the right, the Royal Irish Regiment in the centre, and the Royal Scots on the left. The enemy retreated over a narrow causeway. They lost a good many, and would in all pro- bability have suffered more seriously but for a thick mist by which our troops were over-shadowed when they reached summit of mountain. We had 13 killed and 25 wounded; thre& of the former and 16 of the latter belonged to the Volunteer Company Gordon Highlanders. The company was marching in column at an estimated distance of seven miles from the enemy's position when & shrapnel shell burst over it. Notwithstanding this heavy loss, the company, which has distinguished itself on several occasions, continued to march forward as steadily as if nothing had happened. BULLER PRAISES HIS GENERALS. The War Office published the following on Tues- day From Lord Boberts to the Secretary of State for War: PRETORIA, September 10, 7.20 p.m. Builer's force was again brought into telegraphic communication with my headquarters yesterday afternoon, when he gave an account of the attack on the hill above Lydenburg on the 8th inst. He states that the position strongly held by the enemy had a command over Lydenburg of about 1800ft., the road leading to it being on a spur exposed to fire for nearly the whole distance. The three battalions which attacked, the Devons, the Royal Irish, and the Royal Scots, started on a front of about six miles, and gradually approached nearer each other as they came to the top of the hill. Buller says great credit is due to Generals Walter Kitchener and Smith-Dorrien for their excellent leading. He then refers to the fog which unfoitunately enveloped the troops, and deprived them of the advantage they had worked so hard to gain. He adds: I am deeply indebted to Ian Hamilton for the assistance he has given me. Yesterday Buller moved on and occupied the Mauchsberg. The enemy made considerable resist- ance, but wene dislodged by the King's Royal Bifle Corps, supported by artillety fire. He says the road is too bad for description. No casualties mentioned. When Buller telegraphed he was moving on Spitz- kop. In Henry's action yesterday there were no casual- ties amongst the men; a few horses only were killed. The Boers suffered severely. Our troops buried 20 of their dead, one of whom was a member of the Irish Brigade, named O'Hara. Henry specially mentions excellent service ren- dered by Captain H. Walker, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. A column under Colonel Bradley, which went into the district to exact retribution for the destruction of the railway near Klip River Station, brought in some prisoners, 26 horses, 465 cattle, and 1550 Bheep. Hildyard reports that his troops reached Gried Horses yesterday, meeting with slight opposition from Utrecht directions. Two men were killed. Captain Cracroft, Irish Fusiliers, Lieutenant Watson, Dublin Fusiliers, and one private wounded, all slightly. GENERAL BADEN-POWELL. General Baden-Powell has been appointed Chief of the Transvaal Police. The temporary absence of General Baden-Powell from active operations has revived public interest in him, and he has received numerous telegrams renewing invitations to visit various towns in South Africa and give the inhabi- tants an opportunity of honouring him. The General, however, says that he is unable to accept the invita- tions until he receives definite instructions from Lord Roberts regarding his future movements, but he has telegraphed to the mayor of Port Elizabeth saying that he will visit that town as soon as pos- sible to receive the sword of honour to be presented to him. LORD ROBERTS'S RETURN. A Sutton correspondent says On the 7th inst. a telegram was sent from London to Lord Roberts asking if he would kindly give the approximate date of his return. His reply, which was dated Belfast, Sept. 8, was characteristically laconic I wish I could," was all he said. COLONIAL CONGRATULATIONS. From Governor the Right Honourable the Earl of Ranfurly to Mr. Chamberlain. My Government and people of New Zealand desire to express high appreciation at the annexation Transvaal Republic, confirming Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs' declaration that when settlement was made it would be such as to prevent possibility of recurrence of troubles. They wish to express congratulations on the an- nexation and appreciation of services of Lord Roberts and his forces. From Mr. Chamberlain to Governor the Right Honourable the Earl of Ranfurly. Her Majesty's Government have received with much satisfaction your telegram of September 7, and desire to express their thanks to Government and people of New Zealand for their congratulations on the annexation of the Transvaal and the success of her Majesty's forces.

TRADES UNION CONGRESS. The final sitting of the Trades Union Congress took place at Huddersfield on Saturday morning, when there were only two resolutions left on the agenda to be discussed. Messrs. Bowerman (London) and Stead man, M.P., were appointed respectively chairman and vice-chairman of the Parliamentary Committee. A resolution in favour of the abolition of the employment of children under the age of 15 was carried by a large majority, and another in favour of appointing May 1 as a general labourers holiday was defeated. The standing orders were then suspended. On the motion of Mr. Sharrocks, of Wolverhampton, a resolution was adopted condemning the proposal of Mr. Cecil Rhodes to import Chinese labour to South Africa, to the detriment of British subjects, both here and in South Africa. The Congress also decided to send an address, signed by the president, to the forthcoming Workmen's Peace Demonstration in Paris, the terms of which regretted the irritating language used by portions of the British and French Press.

AT BRITAIN'S CALL," the new series of complete atories by Mr. S. Walkley, wh'-ch starts in the cur- rent issue of Castett's Saturday Journal, has for its subject one of special interest at the present time. It deals with men and women who, out of sheer love of Queen and country, have risked all in proving their loyalty and devotion, and illustrates the patriotism and heroism displayed by those who during the last twelve months have in various ways defended the honour of the Empire. Mr. J. Bloundelle-Burton's new modern story, entitled A Vanished Rival," commences iw a serial in the new number Oxssell's Saturday Journal. SOMEWHAT belated comes the report of wrecks in 1899, issued by Lloyd's. The report shows that the sea's toll from the shipping of the world was 966 vessels, making a tonnage of 783,508. Most of the vessels, were wrecked after being stranded, and the report givas brief details that recall several melan- choly memories, One vessel, a three-masted schooner, which sailed from Howard, N.C., for Baltimore is referred to in the circumstance column by the laconic comment Lost."

POLITICAL SPEECHES. I THE HOME SECRETARY. I The Home Secretary, speaking on Saturday at a Unionist demonstration in Blagdon-park, Northum- berland, said the great majority of the people of this country had recognised from the beginning that the war in South Africa was necessary and inevitable, and there was overwhelming evidence to show that for mary years there had been deliberate preparation in South Africa to npaet British influence and make Dutch in- fluence predominant. The war had been one of the most serious in which we had ever been engaged. It had taught us many lessons, and one was that there were defects in our military system which must be remedied, and assurances had been given that this would not be done in a panic. It was the declared policy of the Government that the two Boer Republics should now become part of the British Empire. In regard to China and the question of retirement or non retirement from Pekin, he would only say that they would be satisfied with no arrangement that did not involve the punishment of those really re- sponsible for the outrages that had been committed and the establishment of security for the future. They did not desire any partition of China, or the setting of a foreign Government, but what they wanted, if such a thing were possible, was a stable, civilised Chinese Government which would maintain treaties. Sir Matthew Ridley closed with some refe- rences to domestic legislation. LORD GEORGE HAMILTON. I Lord George Hamilton, speaking at a Primrose League meeting at Weston, on Saturday, referred at some length to the war in South Africa and to the divided state of the Opposition. In regard to China he said it was absolutely essential, if the negotiations with the Chinese Government were to be brought to a satisfactory conclusion, that we must do nothing that would look like giving away the advantage we had gained, or retreating from the position we had won; and, if anything of the kind were proposed, her Majesty's Government would be no party to it. MR. J. POWELL WILLIAMS. Mr. Powell Williams, M.P., Financial Secretary to the War Office, speaking at Birmingham on Saturday night, dealt at some length with recent criticisms on War Office administration and policy. In reference to the correspondence found at Pretoria, he hoped it was sufficient retribution for the gentlemen con- cerned to know that much of the bloodshed which had occurred was due to their foolish and wicked action. SIR W. HARCOURT. Sir William Harcourt and Lady Harcourt, who have been staying with Mr. L. Harcourt at Holwick Hall, Middleton-in-Teesdale, left on Monday. The members of the Middleton Liberal Association, J being eager to hear an address from Sir William during his stay, approached him, but he declined to mix politics with his holiday. He gave that as his chief reason, but he also mentioned that he had not yet addressed his own constituents since Parliament was prorogued, and they had first claim upon him. Also he did not wish to hamper Sir H. Campbell- Bannermann, of whom he spoke in high terms, by a too early utterance from himself. Sir William's last words to the deputation as they took leave were, Let us stick to the old motto of Peace, Retrench- ment, and Reform.

THE PLAGUE. Two fresh cases of bubonic plague were notified at Glasgow on Saturday, and nine persons who had .been in contact with those attacked were added to the number under observation. At Saturday's meet- ing of the London Metropolitan Asylums Board it was announced that arrangements had been made to set aside at the South-Eastern Hospital a certain number of beds in readiness for the recention of cases of plague, should any occur. ANOTHER CERTIFIED CASlI. It was officially reported on Monday that one more case of plague had been removed to hospital at Glasgow, and one suspected case had been certified to be bubonic plague. These raised the cases in hospital to 16. The new cases both come from the district where the malady first. showed itself. The persons under observation number 112. The death- rate for Glasgow last week was 18 per 1000, against 17 in the previous week.

INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISTS. The Institute of Journalists opened their annual Conference on Monday in the Council Chamber of the London Guildhall. The Lord Mayor wel- comed the delegates in the name of the City Corporation, and Sir J. Henderson, president of the institute, moved a vote of thanks to his lord- ship and the Corporation, which was heartily accorded. Certain routine business was trans- acted, and the Conference adjourned for its after- noon sitting to the hall of Lincoln's Inn, to which the delegates were welcomed by Mr. Justice Law- rence on behalf of the Benchers. After a resolution of regret for the death of Lord Russell of Killowen had been carried, the president delivered his in- augural address on The Evolution of the News- paper." In the evening the committee the London district held a recept ion at the Hotel Cecil. LAW OF COPYRIGHT. The Institute of Journalists on Tuesday resumed their conference in the hall of Lincoln's-inn, Sir Junes Henderson presiding. It was resolved that next year's conference should be held at Leeds, and Mr. A. W. a Beckett was unanimously elected presi- dent for the ensuing year. Resolutions in reference to examinations for thoee desirous of entering the profession of journalism and in favour of establishing the institute's orphan fund on a more satisfactory basis were agreed to after considerable discussion. Mr. J. A. Strahan, barrister, read a paper on Re- porters and the Law of Copyright,' in which he commented on and upheld the recent decision of the House of Lords in the case of Walter v. Lane." Sir Edward Clarke, in the course of some observa- tions on the paper, said if everthere was a case in which a newspaper was justified in asserting its rights with all possible strictness it was that of Walter v. Lane." Mr. H. W. Strong read a paper on The Position of the Editor of To-day."

BETRAYED BY A PIGEON. The Duke of Marlborough, in acknowledging a vote of thanks to the duchess for presenting the cottagers' prizes on Tuesday at the Woodstock Agri- cultural and Horticultural Show, told an amusing anecdote of the Boer War, from which he has recently returned. Referring to the use of homer pigeons in time of war, he mentioned that at the siege of Mafeking General Baden-Powell expressed a wish that no ladies should remain in the town. Lady Sarah Wilson, who was now well- known throughout the country, went out a distance of some 15 miles, and being anxious to communicate with General Baden-Powell she attempted to do so by means of a carrier pigeon. He was sorry to say that this carrier pigeon was not very well trained. Lady Sarah wrote a letter and despatched it with the pigeon in the hope that it would fly straight into Mafeking; but instead of that it went and settled on the top of the house of the Boer commandant who was investing the town. The result was that the Boer commandant ascertained who she was and where she was, and she had to explain the reason why she was near Mafeking.

THE REVENUE. The receipts on account of Revenue from April 1, 1900, when there was a balance of 43,517,047, to Sept. 8, 1900, were £ 44,061,601 against £ 44,099,660 in the corresponding period of the preceding finan- cial year, which began with a balance of 98,919,173. The net expenditure was £ 75,836,638, against £ 46,518,4^5 to the same date in the previous year. The Treasury balances on Sept. 8, 1900, amounted to £ 3,503,809, and at the same date in 1899 to £ 3,501,128.

AT the banquet offered by the Conference Scientia of Paris to Lord Kelvin, M. Louis Olivier hailed him as among the greatest masters recognised by humanity, and MM. Mascart and Cornu spoke of him as one of the world's greatest benefactors. His lordship, who studied in Pavis after leaving Cam- bridge, replied with emotion, rratefully owning his 1ebt to the inflexible logic and clear philosophy" of the French race, and especially to one of his masters, the celebrated Regnault, by whom he was taught a faultless technique, a love of precision in all things, and the highest virtue of the experimenter- patience."

'COAGULINE' The Transparent Cement DON'T THROW AWAY an article simpUy because it It in pieces. Reeip the parts and se n d for a bottle of CoagullnoL with which you can, in a few minutes, maiia a joint u ferial, and only the closest Bcrutiny will detect. MENDS ALL BROKEN ART9CLE8. Refuse all Substitutes. n Bottles, 6d. and Of all Chemists cf, Stbnm. FOR THE MLS mm 1"1 SOAP (for tbe Complexion), CREAM (Itching, Face Spots, Burning, &e.), 1/11 POWDER (Redness, Roughness, Sweating, &e.)> 11-

A GRUESOME WARNING. A fixture of a somewhat extraordinary character has just appeared near the cyclists' caution-board on the roadside at the top of Alderley Edge. It is an attractive-looking board, and on it appear a skull and cross-bones, over a notification that a stretcher can be obtained at a certain residence. A prominent resident has caused the board to be erected as a warning to cyclists, a large number of whom have met with serious accidents recently while attempting to ride the formidable hill at this point.

AN ANTI-SUBMARINE BOAT. It is stated that while the Admiralty has been pur- suing experiments with a submarine vessel it has also been experimenting with what may be described as an anti-submarine boat. The purpose of the latter is to arrest the other in its course, and, if possible, check and destroy it. The nature of the bo&t is kept-as have been the experiments-an abso- lute secret, and nothing has become known concern- ing it even in official quarters. At the same time it is certain that the utmost importance is attached to the invention. Not only have the experiments had this secrecy attached to them, but they are being watched by the most authoritative experts con- nected with the service.

OUR BEST MEN. An authority says that of the countries which make up the United Kingdom, England has produced the greatest number of eminent men-1754, as against 445 from Scotland, 254 from Ireland, and 45 from Wales; but when the contributions of the several nationalities are compared with their respective populations it is found that Scotland takes the lead, while Ireland is ousted from the third position by Wales. He thinks that the Bar and the Army offer the greatest, and the medical profession the smallest, hope of success

':J IlWf IMI Wf ■"II■ III IIIIIII—— FSY'S cncamuiB* COCOA NO FLAW IN ITS CLAIM TO BE ABSOLUTELY PURE."—Medical Annual. COCOA NO FLAW IN ITS CLAIM TO BE rq E3 ABSOLUTELY PURE."—Medical Annual. .tlt'IIM+

I IT is estimated that the fame which attaches to Stratford-on-Avon because of the fact that Shake- speare was born there is worth EI,000,000 to that town. The charges for admission to the poet's house, to Anne Hathaway's cottage, to the church, to the memorial, and to the grammar-school net £ 30,000 yearly-a sum which is equivalent to an in- come of 3 per cent. on the EI,000,000 capital. This calculation does not take into account the income to tho railways from the pilgrims to the Warwickshire Mecca, and there is no estimate of the profits of the Stratford tradesmen, who do a good business in photographs, pamphlets, and trinkets relating to the town and the great bard. LOKD ROSKBEHY recently mentioned to Dr. Creighton, the Bishop of London, that there were times, when overworked, he could not sleep at all, and envied those who could do so. The Bishop re- plied, according to The Gem-" Well, my Lord, I never suffer from sleeplessness, I can assure you." Indeed I" said Lord Rosebc-ry. "Perhaps, then, you will tell me how you do this ? I shall be glad to try your cure." Yes, I will tell you," said Dr. Creighton, smiling blandly. Whenever I feel weary I sit down and commence to write a sermon —then I'm off' in a very few minutas. If, how- ever, I commence to read a sermon I am off in a very few seconds." Ah I my Lord," replied Lord Rosebery, of two evils I think I will choose the least. Much rather would I go without sleep than read a sermon And the witty Peer went off laughing, THE Sultan of Turkey rises at six o'clock every morning, and devotes his days, in the seclusion of the Yildiz Palace and gardens, to personal attention to affairs of State. He is of slight figure. A pale- brown overcoat conceals any decorations he might be wearing, so that the attentions of those who see him on the one day in seven when he presents himself to the view of the people is not diverted from his pale, wan, and careworn face, half covered by a thin, brown beard, tinged with grey, and surmounted by a plain red fez. The sultan has been the means of establish- ing fifty thousand schools throughout his empire, not only for boys, but for girls also-a striking departure from the traditional usage of his race. AN appeal is made on behalf of the Church of England Temperance Society for funds to assist the establishment of a home for inebriates, who, though not coming under the Act of 1899, are yet habitual drinkers, and wish voluntarily to seclude themselves. A lady has kindly offered the Society the use of a house and grounds at Hancox, near Bath, free of rent, for saven years, and the Society hopes to open the home at Michaelmas. The inmates will pay according to their means, but to render the grounds safe and to furnish the home, and to provide for the early days before it gets into working order, a sum of £ 1000 to £ 1200, of which about E600 has been promised, will be necessary.

aiiEirs fSTTlE IVEfi 8ho.ii rm. ESS Abr-OiiitcJy c«r« Stek Headache, Torpid Liv^r. hirli- gcsiion. Constipation, D rurrwd Ton^TU*. They Touch LWer. — Owl to nar« th«y art C-fl K TSft'S. =- -— A few Crops m a. iMttitna tvary mD "_#' of 2momt Win Sweeten the Breath all daft and make all the ditfcrence Good Teeth *nd Brvd Tacflbk White TeetL unci Yellow TeetV Pretty Teeth ..nd Ugly Teet\ Complete In Toilet Case. Tootfc Powclor. 214L

THE Queen is particularly fond of her grand- daughter Princess Aribert of Anhalt, who is always so full of animal spirits. A society paper says that as a mimic, too, the Princess isespecially good at taking off certain American types. When the cruise with her mother, Princess Christian, on board the Victoria and Albert was proposed, it was made a stipula- tion that it was to embrace the west coast of Scotland, and that Balmoral Cattle was to be the objective. Fizom an economic point of view the most imme- diate value of the 119,139 square miles added to the British Empire by the annexation of the Transvaal will be found in the auriferous deposits of the Wit- watersrand. In 1892 Mr. Hamilton-Smith, a mining expert, estimated that from first to last the land would yield gold to the value of at least £ 325,000,000. To give its true significance to this figure it may be stated that the total vilfie of the gold got from the whole of the Transvaal between t-hs years 1884 and 1898 inclusive was £ 6U,844,643.

THE British Fire Prevention Committee, during its 18 months' career, has conducted 63 tests, which have been described in 44 publications. During the session the committee have carried out 12 tests with Bre-resisting floors and two with ceilings, and there have been nine tests with fire-resisting partitions. There have been 23 tests with different forms of wood and iron doors, and eight with various forms of glazing. Besides this there have been several testa, with treated wood, with fire curtains, fire blinds, birder coverings, and safes.