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

BOER ADVERTISEMENT AGENTS. I Unconsciously, according to the Cape Arg'w;, a Boer commando recently became advertising agents For an English firm upon an extensive scale. Norman )tnd Stacey, of US, Queen Victoria-street;, London, Bent their Illustrated Souvenir Pamphlet to every 3mcerat the front, but en route the mails were seized by the Boers, who scattered the contents over the veld t. The effect of thousands of these books lying around is described by a yeomanry officer who witnessed it as curious in the extreme. Norman and Stacey are the well-known Art Furnishers upon the instalment plan, and also the originators of the Insurance Scheme of Furnishing, by which widows or their pext of kin obtain their furniture (should the husband die) without paying any further instalments, and, moreover, receive back the amount aiready paid.

HE (timidly): "Now that we are engaged, I—I presume I may—may—kfssyou as much as I piease, mayn't I ?" She (encouragingly): "Yes, indeed. Make themost of your time, dear. There's no telling hmv Ions; an engagement will last nowadays, you know." YouNo LADY: You are a wonderful master of the piano, I hear." Professor Von Spieler (hired foi the occasion): I May aggomp&niments zometimes.' Accomp!Ø1Jllentsto singing?" "Aggoinpanimento to soaversatioaz."

THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT. The Proas Association aays A suggestion, emanating from official quarters, to the effect that ParHa'nent was likely to meet a few days later than nrat announcec!. namely, on the IHth instead of the 14th of February, will not be borne out by events. Arrangements are actually in progress for the customary dinner to Unionist Peers at Lord Salisbury's residence, in Arlington-street, and as that fixture is for Wednes- day, February 13, it is clear that Parliament is to meet on the 14tb. The other usual Ministerial and Opposition dinners for communication of the Queen's Speech will be held on the 13th. For Lord Salisbury's dinner over 80 invitations will be issued."

OUR LONDONCORRESPONDENT. It is little to be wondered at that even those "!ong-suSering folk. the people of Eondon, are b,Qpiiirii-Li; to become re§tive at the fashion in which month after -month certain of their most crowded thoroughfares have been up." For now close upon four months Fleet-street has been in this condition and, at the present leisurely rate of progress, no one can tell when the process will end, for it no sooner seems to terminate than it commences again. The in- convenience to the public is not the only factor to be considered in the matter, for the loss to the shopkeepers is very serious, would-be customers being driven away by the mud which !s so lavishly scattered as a consequence of the excavations. Dwellers in the country may imagine this to be merely a local grievance; but the nuisance is one that likewise affects virtually every visitor to town. There can be but very few of such who, in the course of their stay, have not occasion to be in the Strand, Fleet-street, or Ludgate-hill, and these are the three great arteries of traiEc which have been most seriously sheeted. One of the latest consequences has been the diversion to the Thames Embankment of the omnibus ser- vice by this route from the City to the West- end and any who are ignorant of this and who stand in Fleet-street or the eastern portion of the Strand waiting for a western-bound 'bus are both delayed and aggravated. The resolve of the Metropolitan District Rail- way Company to substitute electricity for steam on its system cannot be said to havebeen un- expected, but it is a daring stroke nevertheless, and one that will cost a great deal of money. Yet, how welcome will be the change when it can be effected, none except frequent travellers upon "the Underground" on hot or foggy days can realise. There have been occasional endeavours to prove that the sul- phurous fumes were health-giving, however nauseous both to taste and smell; but the traveller who could be converted to that view has yet to be found. The main dimculty, of course, in the way of the suggested change is that this particular railway was not built for purposes of electric traction, and that it is one thing to provide for a route specially designe d to take electric trains and a very different one to nt an existing route to take them. The solution of the problem, indeed, still remains to be ejected; and the services of the most celebrated engineers and electricians in the country have been called in to assist in the work. That it will be solved seems beyond doubt; but it will be as well for the travelling public not to be sanguine as to the change being effected soon. A conference of science teachers, held under the auspices of the Technical Education Board of the London County Council, has taken place in the metropolis to consider points of much interest, and its success was unmistakable. Ample instructions" ere given as to how chemical, physical, and mechanical laboratories should be fitted up, while many pieces of appa- ratus were explained which students them- selves could make. One point of especial in- terest was emphasised, and that was that, as good work is a question of personality rather than apparatus, much good scientific work could be done in an ordinary room. This is of the more importance, because the simpler the apparatus and the more economical the style of equipment, the easier will it be to introduce the general teaching of science in this country. That this will in course of time be introduced there seems no reason to. doubt; out it will be seriously reharded unless it is recognised that costly and delicate instru- ments which would be quite in place in some great institution are not required in small town or village schools, where expense is a considera- tion always to be kept in mind. Except in certain cases connected with agri- culture and horticulture, liquid preparations of carbolic acid and its homologues containing more than three per cent, of those substances will henceforward be dealt with as poisons within the meaning of the Pharmacy Act. This is because of a decision of the Privy Council approving a resolution passed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain; andit is somewhat quaint toRndthatthe issue of the consequent order has given an opportunity to the Local Government Board to enforce a lesson upon the various public bodies under its direction. It appears to be the case that, in a very large number of cases where local authorities disinfect or procure the disinfection of premises and things which: have been exposed to infec- tion, the disinfectant employed is carbolic acid, and that in such cases strict attention is not always paid to the stringent regulations which exist on the subject. A copy of these is, therefore, being specially sent to every local authority throughout the country; and, in euch a matter, a word to the wise should surely be sufficient. One of the most interesting and instructive places in London to which a viait can be paid is the Natural History Museum at South Ken- sington and yet this strikingly handsome building does not receive as many sightseers as it deserves. The wonderful collection there has just been strengthened by the addition of some very remarkable nshes from the Niger Delta, embracing specimens new to science, and, therefore, of unusual scientific interest. From South Africa and the Congo have also been received several consignments of iish, while, as regards the fish fauna of Lake Tan- ganyika, the collectioa at the Natural History Museum contains specimens of every known species. Students of pisciculture will realise what this means when it is added that, although as lately as three years ago, only six nshes in Tanganyika were known, there are now at South Kensington as many as ninety species and this is only one instance in which such splendid work for natural science is being done. It would seem, indeed, as if just now science in one form or another is attracting the atten- tion of pome of the best minds in London. One fruit of this is the fact that within the present month, definite shape will be given to the project for establishing an advanced School of Historical Studies in London, for the kind of teaching contemplated thereat is nothing if not scientiRc. One of the special subjects to be discussed at the new school, for instance, will be the influence of geography upon historical evolution, and those who may wonder how these matters can be correlated are recommended to study a recent work on the historical geography of literature as a typical achievement in this department of enquiry. It might be suggested to such a school, however, that there is much interesting and useful work in this direction to be accomplished at home before we need to commence looking abroad. The influence of geography upon historical evolution." for instance, could not be more pro- ntably studied than in regard to the relative developments of Ireland and Scotland, and to the position towards the English generally of such Celtic fringes as the Welsh and the Cornish. And much energy will be wasted unless this point is carefully borne in mind. That all sense of the picturesque is not iost in our prosaic modern life, was strikingly titt,,e,sted a few evenings since at the banquet given to Lord Roberts, thsnewCommander-in- Chief by the ofBce-s of th6 Royal Artillery at 'Woolwich, for five hundred of the men in barracks turned "'out to line the route from the gates to the door of the Omcers' Mess, each one holding a lighted torch, and the general effect being most striking. It is interest- ing to know that Royal Artillery officers who retire with less than a quarter of a century's service forfeit all chance of being made mem bars of the Woolwich mess, and that only those officers who have served at least thirty years cat* cl&im this honorary membership as a right. Lord Roberts is understood to have been specially gratified by his raception, and he has reason to be sim:!s.r!y gratified wherever he ,71 pees just now, for even his entrances to the War OQice in Pali every morning are v.'aitched by a smn,H cro\vd, some of the most interested members of which are younEr children, brought by their nurse; to see the e&liant commander. R.

I NEWS NOTES. COMMANDANT BoTHA has boldness and deter. mination, as demonstrated by his vigorous attacks on the British posts In connection with the Delagoa and Pretoria line. Fortunately the forces at Lord Kitchener's command have been able to withstand the Boer onslaught, and the repeated repulses of the recaJcitrnnts should be teaching even the most puissant of them the futility of further resistance. As for De Wet, he would appear to be quite outside of the influences of conciliatory argu- ment. Attempts to reason him into submission are worse than wasted, and his savage treat- ment of pacific envoys at Lindley, as reported by Lord Kitchener on Monday, quite puts the "Sying Dutchman "outside the pale of civilised war. He can only understand the logic of might, and so long as he and such as he remain at liberty, the guerilla war will go on. THE Cape Colony has risen to the situation, and the general arming of the loyalists is having the desired effect of preventing the spread of disaffection in the districts so impudently invaded by Boer marauders. The volunteering of the colonists for local service sets free for operation at the front a good many regular troops. The defences of Cape Town and the country inland are being placed on a perfectly secure footing, and it is scarcely likely that any considerable number of the raiders who crossed the Orange River will get away from the pursuing British. ANOTHER interval of mysterious interna- tional palaver has eventuated in the long-drawn haggle at Pekin, and no man can foresee what I will be the outcome of it all. China Is indeed an inscrutable land, and the preservation of, order there presents a puzzle that defies diplomacy to solve satisfactorily. There are some disturbing and repeated reports of the grave illness of Li Hung Chang, who-wily though he be-is among the more hopeful of the Celestials to deal with. ALARM is experienced in industrial circles concerning the falling-oil in our iron and steel exports. The output of unwrought metal for December was less than half the total for the corresponding month of 1899. This is a very grave matter. MR. HENRY CHAPLIN and many others inte- rested in the subject are not enamoured of the prospect opened up by the appointment of the Commission to inquire into the matter of poisoned beer. The idea is that the investiga- tion indicated by the terms of reference will occupy an unconscionable time, while what is urgently wanted is prompt legislation in accordance with known facts and ascertained requirements. Government by Royal Commis- sion may be easy, but it is by no means always convincing. EMULATORS of Dick Turpin seem a bit belated in the twentieth century, and those survivors of the unhonoured knighthood of the road who stopped the Royal Mail early the other morning between Bourne and Peter- borough ought to be made an example of in order to deter others from following in their nefarious footsteps. OuR naval powers that be like to see things fair and above-board, the Admiralty dis- courage the use of submarine vessels for nght- ing purposes, on the plea that the almost in- surmountable difficulties of navigation are an effectual hindrance to their practical use. This is all right, supposing rival maritime nations do not find them workable and go in for a submarine equipment. There have been instances of spurned offers to the authorities of both the Army and the Navy which have been taken up enthusiastically abroad to our great disadvantage. BIRMINGHAM has recently made for the British Government as many as forty thousand rifles, and now another order has been placed at Small Heath for an additional fifteen thou- sand weapons of the Lee-Enfield type. Conse- quently the small-arms industry in the Mid- land metropolis is extremely brisk.

TnE Poet Office now employs considerably over 32,OCUwomen. BoAHB school children cost the nation :E2 4s. 8d. per cbiid a year. BmTAiN brews 36,500,000 barrels of beer in a year, and drinks them all but the odd half-million. ENGLAND uses six million square feet of plate-glass a year. OvER JE200,OCO worth of diamonds are stolen every year from the South African diamond mines. THE annual earnings by an omnibus from adver- tisements are said to be £33 on the average. IF the whole water-power of Niagara were used it would be worth ;E300,000 a day. THERE are over 200 brands of wine produced in France, but more wine is drunk in England than in France, and London is the greatest wine market in the world. Swiss steamboat companies, to avoid disputes as to the age of childrec.have established measurement rules. Children under two feet in length ride free children under four feet four inches and dogs pay half fare. A MARRIAGE has been arranged between Mr. Thomas Walter Bacon, of Ramsden Hall, Essex, and Edith Mary, fourth daughter of Mr. and the Hon. Mrs. Alexander Leslie-Melville, of Branston Eall, Lincolnshire. AMONGST the latest contributions received at the Bank of England for the Prince of Wales's Hospital Fund for London is the annual subscription of Mr. W. Waldorf Astor for .E1000. A MARRIAGE has been arranged and will shortly take place between the Rev. William Pennyman, youngest son of the late Mr. Fennyman, of Ormesby- hall. Yorkshire, lute chaplain of the Archbishop of York, and Beatrix, third daughter of the late Sir Ja.mea R. Walker, of Sand Hutton, Yorkshire and Louisa Lady Walker. IT has been arranged to celebrate the bi-centenary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in the City of London by a meeting at the Guildhall on Tuesday, February 12, at three p.m. The Lord Mayor will preside, and the Lord Chancellor and the Archbishop of Canterbury hope to attend and speak. TOLD that her father had been killed in an acci- dent, a. girl of twenty at Wnremme, in Be!gium, fell insensjblp, and on recovering consciousness was found to have become dumb. ONE of the sparse population of Juan Ferna.ndpz, Alexander Selkirk's Is!and, is a Swede who leads a hermit's life. He hardly speaks to his neighbours, and he subsists on the product of a small garden and byHsh!ns;. Aa & national industry, agriculture employs more [abonr than any other. More than a million men over 15 years of age are employed as farmers. labourers, graziers, and gardeners in agricultural districts. These men* spend more time in the open tir than any class in England, except, perhaps, the Bshermen. They are the product of the country life, and the heirs of the constitutions, so developed. Their death-rate is low at all ages. From 15 to 65 it is, on an average, 3'5 per cent, or leas than that of Et!l other workers in Great Britain, and lower than that of all other workers in the country districts —than shopkeepers, for example, or the smiths or wheelwrighta.

THE QUEEN AND LORD ROBERTS Lord Roberts arrived at Osborne just after Sve o.'ciock on Monday evening on a visit to the Queen The Coninipnder-in-Ciiief travelled from London in a saloon carriage attached to the ordinary train tc Southampton, and on alighting on the pier he re- cetved a hearty reception from a number of penp)f gathered there. He recognised one of theharbou! constables as an old soldier who served under him on the march to Canda.bar, and chatted freely with him. The Duchess of Saxe-Coburg, who was also proceeding on a risit to the Queen, was in the same train, and met j'ord Roberts on board the Roya! yacht Alberts Her Royal Highness and the Field Marsha] bad tea together in the pavilion on the quarter deck. Directly the yacht was made fast at Trinity Pier the Duchess of Saxe-Coburg landed and was met by Princess Christian and Princess Henry of Battenberg. Lord Roberta was conveyed tc OsborDe House in one of the Royal carriages. He left between nine and ten o'clock on Tuesday mum- ing on his return to London. FETING DISTASTEFUL TO THE COMMA.NDER-IN-CIHBF. In response to an invitation to fix the date for the presentation to him of the sword of honour sub- scribed for by the people of Portsmouth, Lord Roberta, on his return from visiting the Queen at Osborne, expressed a strong feeling that it would be more suitable to postpone all public entertain- ments until affairs in South Africa are more settled. "It is," adds his lordship, "moat dis- tasteful to me to be honoured, feted, and called upon to rejoice while so many people are in bitter grief, and before we can properly return thanka for the cloud being rolled away which has for more than a year darkened homes and crushed the hearts of so many people in this country." In a. letter accepting an invitation from the Dover Corporation to receive the freedom of the borough, Lord Roberts says he would much prefer not to ta.ke part in any public function until the war in South Africa has been brought to a satisfactory co nclusion.

SOUTH AFRICA. PEACE AGENT FLOGGED AND SHOT BY DEWET. The War Office has received the following telegram from Lord Ji,-jliener: PRETORIA, January 13, 9.35 a.m. January 12.-Three agents of Peace Committe< taken prisoners to De Wet's ia-ager near Lindiey of 10th. One British subject flogged and then shot: two burghers flogged by De Wet's orders. FIGHTING NEAR PRETORIA. The following telegram from Lord Kitchener baa been received at the War OfEce PRETORIA, Jan.l3,9.25a.m. January] 2.—About 1400 Boers crossed the line this morning between Zuurfontein and Eaalfontein, attacking both stations. They were ldriven off east and followed up by Enox's Cavalry Brigade from E!a,ndsfontein. Two Boers were killed and left on ground, several were seen to fall; one Field Cornet I captured. Our casualties, two men killed, four wounded. Zeerust was attached on the 7th, but enemy driven off loss unknown. Our casualties, six men wounded. Gordon and PIumer were engaged with parties of Boers north of Erugersdorp. Killed two Boers and captured two waggons. COMMANDANT DUPREEZ KILLED. The following telegram from Lord Kitchener has been received at the War OGIce PRETORIA, January 13, 9.25 a.m. January 12.-Boyes was engaged with enemy near Seneka.l. Commandant Dupreez and eight Boers killed. No casualties. THE CAPE COLONY INVASION. There is little newa of a deJSnite kind from the invaded districts of the Cape Colony. The ranks of the invaders are stuted to have been increased during the last few days by colonial rebels. On the other hand nearly all the farmers in the neighbourhood of Wellington, a strong Dutch district, are resolved to support Betha's Kroonstad peace appeal and to oppose the Sauer-Merriman mission. Nearly 6000 men have been enrolled at Cape Town in the City Guard. Several members of the Peace Commission at BIoemfontein have issued an appeal to the burghers to do their utmost to spread Lord Kitchener's offer so as to persuade the Boers to surrender. A SPLENDID DEFENCE. The Standard special correspondent at Pretoria telegraphs a detailed account of the Bghting men- tioned in the Commanding Officer's message of Sun- day. He says the small garrisons posted at Ztiur- fontein and Kasifontein, which are between Pretoria and Elandafontein, had been warned of the ap- proach of the Boers. The attack on Zuurfontein was beatea off after the station had been freely shelled. The defence of Eaalfontein, where 90 of the Cheshire Mounted Infantry and 85 details, with no guns, under Lieutenant William Freeman, beat off, after nearly six hours' Sghting, a force of nearly 800 Boers, with two 12- pounders and one Maxim, is said to be one of the finest achievements of the war. MB. MALAN'S TRIAL FOR TREASON. I Mr. Malan, the ed-itor of OMS Zo;M<Z, has been com- mitted for trial on a charge of high treason. It is reported from Maseru that there is a split in De Wet's force, several Commandants and their men having lefb to carry on hostilities on their own account. THE ATTACK ON BELFAST. In the attack on Belfast on Monday night of last week (according to a Central News message) 700 Boers rushed the camp of the Royal Irish RiQes. Fighting immediately became general at close quarters, the enemy having closed in with great courage. The little garrison, numbering about 60 men, were speedily overpowered by the superior force of the Boers, and had to surrender. The enemy only remained in possession of the camp for two hours, when they had to retire or run the risk of having their retreat, cut off. Among the Boers killed in the attack was a son of Commandant Viljoen. On the body was found a despatch from General Botha to Commandant Vil- joen, ordering him to take the important position of Spitzkop at all costs. Spitzkop was subsequently at- tacked, but the Boers were repulsed with loss. RECENT CASUALTIES. In a despatch from the Cape the War Omce has received information to the effect that in the fight near Heilbron on January 3 Colonel D. Tyril Lamg %nd Lieutenant S. W, King, and 12 men of the Com- ma.nder-in-Chief'a Bodyguard, were killed; Lieu- tenant F. C. Vonscha.de and a private died of their wounds; ryhile Lieutenant F. Syhea was severely mounded Lieutenants G. S. Sampson, S. Lewis, and W. G. Ferrin were slightly wounded; while 22 men of the same corps received injuries of a more or less serious nature. In the same action one cavalryman was killed, and five cavalrymen and yeomen were wounded. Lieutenant Geoffrev NicboII Dawson-Scott, of the Royal Artillery, has died at Pretoria, at the ago of S6. The eldest son of Generai Robert NicboII Dawson-Scott, late of the Royal Engineers, he was born on October 5, 1871, and entered the Eoynl Artillery in June, 1895, in which he received his Heutena.nt's commission in June, 1898. He was lieu- tenant of the 14th Company of the Southern Division of the Boval Garrison Artillery. The Lieutenant. Arthur Ormond.of the Imperial Light Horse, who was killed in the action at No.a.uw- poort on Saturday week, the 5th inst., was the only eon of Mr. William Ormond, of The Limes, Swindoa. Wilts. Sergeant-Trumpeter IngMs, of the 2nd Contingent of the Canadian Mounted Rifles, died of enteric fever on New Year's Day on board the Rossland Castle, from Cape Town to Halifax, and was buried at sea. He was the younger son of Major Thomas S. Inglis, late of the 1st London (City of London) Artillery Volunteers, of Oppidans-road, South Hampstead. Private Edward H. S. Coope, of the 40th Company Imperial Yeomanry (Queen's Own Oxfordshire Hussars), who died af enteric fever &t. Lichtenburg, Transvaal, on January 2, was the second som of the late Colonel R. A. Coope, J.P., 4th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, of the Scotch Guards, and of the 93rd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, of Hill- morton Paddor, Rugby. He was 28 years of age. BOERS IN EKAEI. The StandarcZ's special correspondent at Pretoria telegraphs that in the attack on Zuurfontein on Saturday the defence of the station was briHiantiy i carried out by detachments of the Norfolk and Lin- J coin Regiments. The railway has been repaired, and trains were running through on Sunday morn- ing. A cavalry patrol captured Commandant Beyer's adjutant, near Kaalfontein. Like other prisoners recently taken, he was dressed in khaki. When the Boers attacked Zuurfontein they were led by a Eamr through the only entrance in the wire entanglements guarding the British position. Commandant Beyer's entire force, numbering 2000 men, has now gone eastward. Both postal and telegraphic communication with Zeernst have been suspended for many days. On Tuesday of last week the Commandant received an unsigned message, asking for the surrender of the garrison by three in the afternoon, failing which the town would be sheUed. The demand was refused. In the Srin? that ensued, the British casualties were three Yeo- manry and .three of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment wounded. REBELS SURRENDER. The following brief despatch was posted on Tues- day morning at the War Omce RESIDENCY, PRETORIA, Monday, 9.30 p.m. There are no important changes in the position in Cape Colony. Several small parties appear to be ra- turmng to Orange River Colony. Some Cape rebels who accompanied a commando into the colony have surrendered. BEYEB'S COMMANDO GOING EAST. I Beyer crossed railway near JKaaIfontein 011 Satur- day with all his men, 6;oing eaat- Two more bodies of dead Boers and seven dead horses found. [Kaalfontein is a station on the tailway between Pretoria and Johannesburg.] THE BOER TRAP AT LINDLEY. HOW THE BODYGUARD SOLD THEIR LIVES. { Renter's correspondent at Cape Town furnishes an account of the gallant fight recently made by the Commander-in-Chief'a bodyguard against a vastly superior force of Boers under Commandant Botha near Lindley. The bodyguard, it may be mentioned, have been attached for some months to Colonel White's CQ]ump under the command of <jreaej-aJ Knox, and have done excellent work in chasing De Wet. On the morning of the 3rd inst. Colonel White ordered Colonel Laing, the officer commanding the bodyguard, to take 150 men and endeavour to get in touch with the town of Reitz. Early in, the day Boers were seen to the right and left in small num- bers, at a distance of about five miles. Upon getting sight of the troops they appeared to retire suddenly. As Laing's men were riding up a valley in column of troops shots were beard on the right, and one of the scouts galloped back to the main body. Eis horse was shot dead just as he came up, and a com- rade was also shot through the head by an explosive bu)let. Colonel Laing immediately gave the order for one squadron to wheel to the right at a trot. These were the last words heard from the Colonel. The enemy, from a splendid position on a hopje 600 yards distant, opened a terrific Bre, causing many of the bodyguard's saddles to be emptied. Seeing the strength of the enemy, which was about 1000, and the exceUence of their position, the bodyguard tried to retire on Colonel White's column, four miles in the rear, but the enemy anticipated this movement and placed 500 men between us and the column. THE FIGHT AT BELFAST. HEAVY BRITISH LOSS—71 MEN MISSING. From the list of casualties in the 6ght at Belfast on the 7th inst.. it appears that the killed numbered 13, the wounded 44, and the missing 71 (including two ofScers). These missing men were doubtless taken prisoners by the Boers. Fifty'-Sve belonged to the 1st. Royal Irish Regiment, and sixteen to the 2nd Shropshire Light Infantry. This is the iirst ofRcial information that the Boers captured any prisoners at Belfast. WASTAGES OF THE WAR. MORE TROOPS FOR AFRICA. FIVE THOUSAND IMPERIAL YEOMANRY WANTED. The following has been issued by the War Omce: It having been decided to send drafts to the Im- perial Yeomanry units now serving in South Africa, the Secretary of State for War ha.s authorised the enlistment of 5000 Imperial Yeomen. This force will not in any way supersede the South African Con- stabulary, for which recruiting will go on as before. An Army Order will shortly be issued stating the pay and conditions of service, and full instructions will be issued to commanding officers of Yeomanry regiments. The omcfs of the Imperi&l Yeotnanry are located at 16, Great George-street, Westminster, London. The Press Association says The Government has fully decided to raise an additional number of yeomen for service in South Africa. It is under- stood that a meeting on the subject of the conditions of service was held at the War Omce last evening, a.nd that an early official communique may be looked for. The decision has been arrived at in pursuance of a system which has been one of the strong points in the present campaign, so far as the regular troops are concerned, though not hitherto practicable in the case of the Yeomanry. To make up for the wastages of war, the losses by death, disease, and other casualties, and by hundreds of men returning from the seat of war, drafts have constantly been sent out, with the result that no regular regiment has been permitted to fall far below its nominal strength. In the case of the Yeomanry there have been no reserves to draw upon, and the wastage of war has so thinned the ranks that in some cases companies number no more than 20 men. While it is hoped to make up wastage as far as pos- sible, tt is not thought probable that the total strength will be made up. The Central News saya To most of the com- manding omcers of Volunteer Battalions throughout the country who have service companies at the front, the War Office on Tuesday sent a telegram asking them to repiy immediately, giving the date on which they would be in a position to inform the Department ho oN many men they could furnish to repiace the Volunteers who have completed 12 months at the front. No other particulars were given. It is understood that this action has been taken on the initiative of Lord Roberts, who since his return has been deluged with inquiries on the subject.

SOUTH AFRICAN HOSPITALS REPORT. Speaking at University College Colston Society dinner at Bristol on Tuesday night, Sir William Church said that the South African Hospitals Com- mission's Report was Rnished and signed, and now only awaited acceptance by the Queen in order to be made public.

WELL-KNOWN LONDON LAWYER IN THE OLD BAILET DOCK. Before Mr. Justice Wills the trial was begun at the Old Bailey !<n Tuesday of Benjamin Greene Lake, 63, solicitor, on several charges of having fraudulently converted to his own use money belonging to clients which he held as a trustee and as an attorney. The Solicitor-General opened the case for the prosecution, and said the case was one of great gravity and public importance, in view of the fact that the prisoner had been president of the Incorporated Law Society, And up to the time of his failure was chairman of its disciplinary committee. For many years he had carried on business in partnership with his cousin, George Edward Lake, who was alleged to have died in 1899. In July last the pri- soner wa.s adjudicated a bankrupt, and bis own estimate of his deficiency was .6173,772, of which E170,000 represented money entrusted to the nrm in their capacity either as trustees or as solicitors. The learned counsel proceeded to enter into the details of each of the four cases in which it is alleged that the prisoner misappropriated funds in his care as trustee or as solicitor. Evidence in support of his statement waa proceeding when the Court adjourned.

SHETLAND DISASTER, LETTER FROM THE QUEEN. The Queen has caused to be conveyed a message of gracious sympathy, accompanying a. contribution for the relief fund, to the bereaved relatives of the victims of the Shetland Sshing-neet disaster. It will be recalled that the catastrophe was one of the most painful incidents attending the great gale just before Christmas. The haddock boats from the village of Dolt- Ing were out, and of the tiny flotilla four vessels went down. The little Shetland community lost 22 gallant lives, leaving no fewer than 67 dependent souls. Her Majesty's letter is as follows Osborne, January 8, 1901. My dear Lord BaJfour,—I have shown your letter of the 2nd inst. to the Queen, who is much distressed to bear of the sad accident to the 6shing boats off the Shetlands, and the consequent, sorrow and suffer- ing in so many poor families. I am commanded to convey the expression of her Majesty's deep sympathy with the bereaved, and to ask you to be good enough to forward the enclosed cheque for E20 as a donation from the Queen to any fund that may be raised on their behalf.—Yours, very truly, (Signed), FLEBTwooDj. EDWARDS.

At the last meeting of the Council of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers, M. Kemp- Welch, Philip Pimlott, and P. Waterson were elected Associates of the Society. DAviD EwiNG, who was severely stabbed by < butcher named Harrow, in a public-houae at Aber- deen, on Wednesday evening of last week, died in the Royal Infirmary on Sunday. Harrow fatallj stabbed a man named William Tastard, and Ewing, who intervened for the purpose of taking the knift from Harrow, was also attacked. Harrow, who is in custody, will now be charged with the double murder The affair has created intense excitement in th< town, and at Taetard's funeral yesterday the street) were thronged with dense crowd*.

?s???.'?w-BeS??imtfMaatams????M?????tt? f, b ? ????? fit ?a ? ICOMPO ???????ROVEM EFFtCAC?. Iti 35 YEARS } ANEVERR?D?THOUSEHOLDREMEC?? LOOSEMSPHt-ECM..? AtJ-AYSCQfUGtt- f .<- CtVES tMMEDMTER&UEP. ? .??? ?UNUM CATHART!CL'M"P)LL5. '? ? < FCR )MO!CE$T)OM,& tTS EVtLib? &CK?EAQACHE Btt-tOUS DERANGEMENT-"<e? !?_At? AGnEEABLE APERtENJ: ? ?KAY5 TtC P! LLS'? <- <' ?. I CURE FACEACHE' &'¡;froRAtGtl(:; ? < -? /?eyMS2?' ??/?'?7y7T/7'?S- -? -e? 'r .-='I'7T.; 2""l' r. COAGULINE ???'??? ?-? The Transparent Cerneqt. ??'?? DOM'T THROW AWAY ??'??J&'???'F an article simply because it it in pieces. Keep the pa,rtsa,nd ?- ??-?!??f send for a, bottle of Coaguline, ????"??9' ?? which you ca.n, iB a, tew ?s?????''? minutes, ma,ke a, joint M ?*?*? strong as the original in&- ter!al, a.ud one winch only the closeat scrutiny will detect. MEMDS ALL BROKEN ARTtOLES. Refuse aID Substitutes. /n Satires, 6d. and 7/ Of a// C/te/n/sts &Stores. BILLIARD AND BAGATELLE TABLES. A LABHB STOCK OF NEW AND SECOND. HAND TAHLHS <t)wa.ys on hfmA. WRI'J'H FOR PRICK LIST&. — EDWARDS, 134, K.tNH.SLAND ROAD, LONDON. N'.N. t. Fe SMITH & COPS ? !!ro)n!ChM!rches,Chape!s, Miss!on) HaS!s, Hospitats, ?TS???,? BuMga!ows, Siab!<ts, ?? .???. &c. ??t??A-?? ??''?0?- /M??C/? /'?-< ??<. N?i??MSS'SARPEMTERS' ROAS, SIRATFOEO t'?t.J?-??a??? t.oc<lon, E. i4iOUSEHOlD SOAp. IS W?AT SCA?SHMLn BE. Twit: Bar, Scented, 2d.

I A GLOBE TROTTER. A rnoflg the sportsmen now rushing off to Sorm,li- !a:)d is Sir Edmund l,echmere, who has already done' some touring in that part of Africa. For a man ot his age—he is not yet thirty-six—Sir Edmund hat done a remarkaMe amount of travelling, and few parts of the world are unknown to him. He married his first wife sixteen years ago, while rambling about New Zealand, but this lady died five years ago, shortly after her husband's succession to the baronetcy. The present Lady Lechmero is as keen a tra, Teller as Sir Edmund, and invariably accompanies him on his journeys. They are both good shots, and will no doubt find some fresh pport in the Somali ronntry this time, for they propose trying quite a new 'oute.

WiiY is it necessary to come to England for so many recruits for the constabulary ? The answer which will be readily supplied by any South African will be that five shillings a day is not high enough to attract the right kind of Colonial. The cost of living in the country has risen enormously since the war, and though it will undoubtedly fall again in due course, it will never reach the original level, which was not a particularly low one. This facb will be by no means an unmixed evil to all classes, except to those which are in receipt of fixed salaries. That class feels the pinch severely now, and th& young Colonial will not willingly enter it if he can iind, as he is rightly certain he will, more lucrative employment.

or. "WITHOUT AN EQUAL in respect of its PURITY, and fior ????? all round EXCEL- LENCE. t-tismy fDEALOFPERFEO- TtOM. There is no BETTER FOOD." ????????? Dr. Andrew Wilson, F.R.S.E., Ac. Z.affsA/jf endowed <c/f* a// those properties so essential to the Sup. port, Building Up, and Ing of 8/1.tem. PURE FRY CONCENTRATED JUST THREE 'WOBDSare Decessary in oroortoget the right Cocoa., -viz., E -a,.V-s PUT!.E COWCEWTBATED.

WmLE there are no army oncers living who have reached their lUOth year, there are many who seem in a fair way of qualifying for this distinction. The Earl of Perth is a veteran of the army of King George IV., antl General Sir Henry Dau- beney (aged 90) was on active service s@ far back as 1836. MR. R. C. LEHMANN, who succeeds Mr. E. T. Cook m the editorial chair of the Daily JVeMs, is a J.P. and a Piinch man; an old Chom!eyan and an M.A. of Trinity; a journalist and an athlete; a successful rowing coach and an unsuccessful candidate for Parliamentary honours; is married, and a proHcient; with the g)r'ves; bikes, fences, and shoots; ha& digested Overruled Cases" and Inner Temple dinners, and still adorns four times as many clubs as most people.

T"nore !s SeonrMytn CARTER'$ ITTLE IVER BmaUFiIl. ? ? ? ??" ?' ? S*!LLo SmiMI price Ahs<,htte)y cure Sic!: Headache. Torpid   I Iir-c red  -1-hey  tshs &1t be sllre tàoy are CA7 TE -r. -'+- A few drop< on the tcothbrM& overy mOrning 'r «f SOZODONT WiU Sweeten the Breath all day. and nlake all tlte difference bo- tween- White Teeth and YeUow Teeth- Pretty Teeth and Ugly Teetb. Complete in Toilet Case, with Toot], a/6.

CAPTAIN THE EARL or KERRY, who was one of Eaft Roberts's aide-de-camps in South Africa., will join the Irish Guards for duty on the 2nd proximo. LopD HERBERT ScoTT, third son of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleugb, who raised the Union Jack at Bloemfontein, had an enthusiastic reception ott arriving at Dalkeith in the afternoon on his return from South Africa. A LARGE circle of friends will regret to hear of the death of the Hon. Allan Dudley Charteris, son of the Earl of Wemyss, who passed away at his Windsor residence in his 41st year. He was for- merly in the Coldstream Guards, and served in th& Egyptian Campaign of 1882, and in the Nile Expedi- tion of 1886. By special permission of her Majesty he was allowed to drive in the Royal treaade at th., C)Mtt!«.