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

GARDENING GOSSIP. I TWO LOVELY DELPHINIUMS. I Neither (says Mr. Hawthorne, writing in The Gardener of two pretty things) is blue—that is one interesting fact! The Delphiniums of our gardens used all to be blue, no doubt, and our ancestors and ancestresses perhaps thought Del- phiniums always would be. The first I would re- commend, by name Albert Edward, has Plum- coloured blossoms of fine size, the number of blossoms to one spike being unusually great. Each flower, too, has a black eye so it is easy to imagine how dark, rich, and striking an effect is yielded by a well cultivated plant or clump, which sends up several flower spikes. The other Del- phinium, a striking contrast to Albert Edward, is General Roberts. This is white, with a cream eye, beautifully set into a spike, and semi-double, as are many of the best Delphiniums. Delicate in appearance though it is, this variety is noted for its robustness of constitution. I do not think that either of these Delphiniums can be purchased for a less sum than 7s. 6d. per plant; but what is that in the case of a perennial that will go on increasing year after year ? Cuttings can be taken in March of young shoots, and placed in pots in a cold frame, and large plants can be divided in October. THE WIG TREE (VENETIAN SUMACH). I This hardy, ornamental tree is not cultivated nearly so much as it deserves, alike for its curious feathery inflorescence, tiny Olive-like fruits, and the rich colours of its foliage in the autumn. Un- like the majority of the Sumachs, the Venetian Sumach (Rhus Cotinus) has simple round instead of compound leaves. The fruit is small and is slightly juicy. The Venetian Sumach is also known as the Smoke Plant and Old Man's Beard. The tree is said to yield the yellow dyewood called Young Fustic. The Wig Tree at the present season presents a striking appearance, especially when growing amidst other kinds of shrubs. A branchlet of it in a vase upon a table is much ad- mired. Plants may be procured from our leading nurseries. THE BRITISH MAIDENHAIR. I Although practically extinct now as a wild plant. Adiantum Capillus-veneris is plentiful enough to be always cheap, andin its many varieties it is one of the most generally useful cool house species. It will thrive in semi-dark positions and under green- house stages, where few others will; and when a good form of it is grown the fronds are very valu- able for cutting. It is easily and quickly raised from spores, and the simple expedient of shaking a few fronds with well developed spores over a damp surface in the greenhouse or stove will resuit in a large crop of young plants. The roots delight in a rough, open medium, containing a large percentage of sandstone, broken in lumps. If this cannot be obtained easily, broken brick is a fairly good sub- stitute. But the sandstone is better, being the material in which the species used to grow naturally in Somersetshire and elsewhere. PLAINTAINS AND DANDELIONS ON A LAWN. I These weeds are exceedingly difficult to eradi- cate when they become firmly established. Cut- ting them off just below the surface has been tried repeatedly, as has pulling them up. In both cases, however, portions of the roots remain in the ground, and these growing quickly the pest is soon as bad as before. Digging with a two-tined fork is liable, unless done with the greatest skill and care, to spoil the lawn, and is not always certain to bring forth all the roots. The only absolute cure is to go over the lawn and drop into the heart of every Plaintain or Dandelion a little oil of vitriol. A blacking bottle with a wide mouth should be procured, and wire should be attached to the neck to form a handle a notched stick that will gather one or two drops is inserted in the oil of vitriol, and placed in the centre of each plant. Death is practically instantaneous. Needless to say, the vitriol must not touch the boots, clothes, or hands, and it must not be dropped on the grass. REPOTTING ROSES. I This, where necessary, should now (advises a writer in Gardening Illustrated) be carried out. Plants that are to be forced early must not be re- potted now, the best time for such being July, but they may be top-dressed with advantage. This consists in removing an inch or so of the top soil; then gently prod up the top of the remaining soil with a pointed stick, and scatter on sufficient Ich- themic guano or other good fertiliser to just cover the surface. The soil removed is replaced with good loam, having previously mixed with a little well-rotted cow-manure. Press this firmly, then afford watar from a rose can. Roses when repotted must not be dry at the root. A compost is pre- pared as follows: Two parts fibrous loam, one part well-rotted manure, one year old cow-dung being best. Mix this well together, then incorpor- ate a 5in. pot full of some good artificial manure to each barrowload of soil. The pots must be well washed, also the crocks. Oyster-shells make fine material for crocks. On to the latter (which must be plentiful) a thin layer of well-rotted manure is placed, then a little of the compost, and all rammed firm. The plant to be repotted is turned out and laid on the potting bench. Remove the crocks care- fully, and if roots are abundant the plant needs repotting, otherwise return it into a similarly pre- pared pot, which of course, must correspond in size to that from which the plant was taken. When the roots are plentiful, gently release them and remove the outer crust of soil all over the ball with in the end of a pointed stick. Take the ball in both hands and give a good, vigorous shake, and by this time sufficient of the old soil will have been removed. If the plants have not been repotted lately, more of the old soil should be shaken off, but be very careful to preserve all roots. When the ball is thus prepared, place it in a pot one size larger, and fill up the sides with the new compost, making this run down freely by using a thin label. A thicker but flat stick is now brought into use, which rams the soil well down. It is the little de- tails which tell in gardening as in other things. If a cavity is left around the ball serious mischief is caused, and this is very likely to happen when a pot only a size larger then the previous one is used After potting stand in full sun on a bed of ashes, and should the weather be dry the plants must be watered with a rose can after the first three or four days, but only resort to artificial watering when really necessary, or the soil becomes too much compressed for the new roots. If it be desired to retard the Roses as much as possible for the late spring shows, keep the plants outdoors so long as frost keeps off, but we are rarely safe after October, I prefer to lay the plants on their sides, during November, partly to ward off excessive rains and partly to prepare for covering over should frost occur. A few degrees of frost will not harm the Tea Roses, but 9deg. or lOdeg. will seriously injure the pith, so that unless one can well cover over with mats, remove the plants to an airy glass structure. HONEYSUCKLES. One of the commonest, and at the same time one of our sweetest climbers, is the Honeysuckle or Woodbine. What places they will cover if only room is permitted them window frames, garden walls, the summer-house, the galvanised arch, over which some plants absolutely refuse to grow, there the Honeysuckle will thrive. If you have not one in your garden it must be an omission surely, for nothing is easier to grow. Planting may be done now. PLANTING IVIES. I As Ivies can generally be procured in pots, they may be planted almost at any time of the year, but if there is one period more than another one may prefer it is in October and November. Ivies are effective all the year round, and should therefore be borne in mind where a cold and bleak wall or fence needs covering. A house-end over-run with Ivy is all the drier, notwithstanding what some people say about it harbouring damp. In almost every garden there is some wall where one has tried other creepers to grow and failed, all because of its cold position, and it is just such a place that Ivies come to one's aid. For the end of a house (" Leahurst" says) I would plant Rsegneriana or palnmta, or, if a quick, bright green variety is wanted, then I would select Emerald Green. is very pretty in late autumn, with bronze thits, and is often used for mixinv, with cut flowers-

HE WAS A KING MAKER. The late Francesco Crispi never forgot, King's servant though he was, that he had also been one of the King-makers. To the unhappy master of ceremonies of the Quirinel, on the first occasion when he was invited to dinner, and his wife was omitted because of the unconventionality of the relations between the two before their marriage, In. cried, Inform his Majesty that if the insult to me is not repaired before to-night a republic will be proclaimed in Italy within forty-eight hours." On another occasion he waa asked in the Chamber by a colleague if he belonged to Mazzini's party. No," replied Crispi. Then perhaps you belong to Garibaldi's ?" No." Then whose party do you belong to ?" Crispi's."

A WONDER OF THE WORLD. An interesting picture is given by a special correspondent of the great railway across Siberia, which links Moscow to the Pacific. Though this Trans-Siberian track is a wonder of the world, all built within ten years, the idea of some such a way had filtered through the minds of men for a genera- tion and more. It was an English engineer, with the unkind name of Dull, who away back in the fifties thought of a horse railway from Nijni- Novgorod to some port on the Pacific. As there were some four million horses in Siberia, the idea was not a bad one. The Russian Government thought well of the plan, and invited estimates of cost. But not a single estimate was sent in, and so Dull's seheme passed to the limbo of might have been. But like a vision-as we sometimes think it will be possible some day to go to America by airship-kept floating before the brains of engineers the idea of one continuous line from Moscow to the Pacific. Then one morning came the order from the Czar of all the Russians, Let it be done." And it has been done. The topmost express speed of the train is fifteen miles an hour; it is so slow and easy that a passenger can shave as it goes along. It dare not go faster for fear of running off the track. Already it has been dis- covered that the track has not been sufficiently ballasted, and that the rails are altogether too light for the increasing traffic. So for long stretches the line, is now being freshly ballasted and relaid.

DOGGIE'S RECORD. There has just arrived by the North British Railway, at Edinburgh, on its way to Hamilton Barracks, a beautiful, long white haired South African dog, addressed to Sergeant Rowe, Scottish Rifles. On the one side of the label were the fol- lowing remarks: Please give me some water on my journey. I am a soldier's dog, and have been at four battles, the Relief of Kimberley, and the Siege of Boshof. My name is Ponto, and I love biscuits." The Sergeant got the dog in South Africa, and it became a great favourite. Although the dog had been several times undee a perfect hail of bullets, it never got hurt.

KITCHENER AS THE FRENCH SEE HIM. I THE MAN-MACHINE. The Figaro has printed an article on Lord Kitchener from the pen of M. Germain Bapst. The tone of the article may be judged by one or two extracts, It starts with a sketch of the con- queror of Khartoum, with some thoroughly French touches, as, for instance, the following: Do not speak of woman to this man, who is devoured by ambition. This superb specimen of humanity, who might be credited with numberless feminine conquests, does not understand woman He is insensible to her charms, her grace, and her beauty. He prefers not to have officers under his command who are married or who are noted lady-killers. The man who is attached to a woman cousecrates to her a portion of his life, whilst those who serve under Lord Kitchener must be lemons from which he can squeeze all the juice." Evidently (says the Paris correspondent of the Chronicle, who sends a summary of the article) the writer imagines that modern warfare ought to include the amorous gallantry of mediaeval knighthood; and the general tone of the article indicates that sentimentalism which seems to have been forgotten in Madagascar and elsewhere. Lord Kitchener neglects the wounded and treats the sanitary service as an obstruction. He is such a thorough condottiere that he looks ungainly in ordinary gentlemanly attire. He is, in a word,. more of a machine than a man. The following passage is of a serious turn: As a General, "Machine" Kitchener has pro- duced nothing literary. His orders and despatches are not drawn up in the studied form of a N apoleon or a Wellington. In a couple of lines the opera- tions are reported, or the results only are tele- graphed. On the other hand, when Lord Kitchener is in the leisure of private life he is not insensible to art, literature, or lofty thought. Far from that, on the day he was named Sirdar he chose a house in the most agreeable district of Cairo and filled it with the treasures of Eastern art and with master- pieces by artists of Damascus depicting the grand epoch of Islamism. When ordered off to the Trans- vaal these were all sold by auction with the mansion that contained them. M. Germain Bapst faintly refutes the charges of cruelty in which French papers hourly revel. He concedes, however, that the hero of Omdurman is not a Bayard, or even a Napoleon, and concludes thus: -'Kitchener is above all a man of action. If England remains at peace with the world his mission will be over, and he will remain effaced. If, on the other hand, she goes into new wars, he will be the General most adapted to achieve good results, but probably according to principles which are not those of our age."

HISTORICAL DANDIES. I Sir Edward Lees, M.P., had a good word to say for dandyism in a speech he recently delivered at Higher Tranmere. The habit of sneering at those who gave great care to their toilet was, he sai d, not justified by history,.as many dandies had done some of the wisest and noblest of deeds. Sir Walter Raleigh, Lord Nelson, and George, III., were named as notable dandies. Lord Nelson's vanity in the the wearing of his glittering medals at Trafalgar led to his death by providing a con- spicuous target for the enemy. In the dandyism of Beau Nash and Beau Brummell, however, there was nothing admirable.

ONE of the most curious-looking birds which has ever been brought to Europe and submitted to the skill of the taxidermist, is the whaleheaded stork, which derives its name from the singular shape and bulk of the bill, which resembles nothing so much as an inverted shoe. The bird, says the Birming- ham Post, is a native of the Upper Nile, and, al- though dead specimens reached this country in 1850, it was not until ten years later that Mr. Petherick, at that time British Vice-Consul at Khartoum, succeeded in transmiting a couple alive to the collection of the Zoological Society of Lon- don. In England it is more popularly known as the shoe bird, while among the Arabs it is called Aboumakoub, which means literally the father of the shoe." BARON BRAMPTON, before he was elevated to the Lords, had several exciting experiences. He was always noted for his closeness of crop, and this led to a curious incident in a skittle alley in a country village. While out one day with a com- panion of like tastes, he stopped at a wayside inn, and was soon hard at skittles with two rustics. In tin unguarded moment the judge removed his cap. Thereupon one of the rustics, eyeing him suspici- ously, said I doan't mind bein' neighbourly, but I'm darned if I'm goin' to play skittles with a ticket- of-leave man." FORMERLY prison life in Scotland was sometimes a free-and-easy arrangement, as is recalled by a chaplain in an article in the People's Friend. A new Inspector of Prisons had been appointed, and on arriving at his first destination, a prison on the western seaboard of Scotland, he inquired of the solitary warder as to whether the Governor was within. No, sir," said the warder, he's away fishing." Oh, indeed," said the inspector. Well, I'll see the prisoners." There is only one, sir," re- turned the warder. Very well, let me see him." Hi in He's out, sir." Out ? The prisoner out ? Has he escaped ?" Oh, no, sir, he's with the Governor at the fishing carrying the bag."

OUR SHORT STORY. -EILEEN'S EL-OPEMENT. My dear Paul, give her a shadow of a chance and she would elope with the Englishman to- morrow." "Meaning——?" said Paul Caudrot, lifting his eyebrows. "The Englishman Talbot; the poor, pre- sumptuous, doting Talbot, who would sell his two eyes for my pretty Eileen. Whom else should I mean ?" Receiving no reply, Captain Sebastien St. Pierre d'Artois, of the French army, continued to pace the floor of his luxurious bedroom in a first-class London hotel. The Captain, clad in a dressing gown odorous with perfume, was just now very well pleased with himself. He went on- To be more exact, I should say if her father gave her the shadow of a chance. But he takes good care of his pretty bird. Meanwhile, the Englishman rages. He is not allowed admission to the house. He stays outside and looks up at the windows. You may see him any time you like to pass. Ha! ha! But good family tells; the old nobility of France carries weight yet." Paul Caudrot, the Captain's friend and fellow- countryman, looked up sharply. "What do you mean by that ?" he asked. The other stared at him and then answered frigidly: Am I not of good family? Do I not carry noble blood in my veins ?" But—but is it for you that the Englishman is denied the house ?" Of course," said d'Artois. Pardon, am I to understand that you love M. Treharne's daughter ?" If I must answer you, my friend, I will say that I intend to marry her before my leave ex- pires. Eileen will come with me to France." Your Curse it! What are you talking about ?" ex- claimed d'Artois, fixing a frightful stare upon his friend. One would think you wanted to marry her yourself "Ah!" gasped Paul Caudrot, pulling at his collar as though it were strangling him. He was very pale, but he did not flinch before the other's look. "Of course I-I presume she does not know anything ?" About what?" sneered the Captain, tugging at his great black moustache. You'll be telling me soon that I am already a husband." Paul Caudrot uttered a mirthless laugh, and his gaze rested upon two purple scars upon his friend's face, Forgive me, d'Artois," he said; it was only a curious foreboding I had; Eileen is such a child, and—and, but there, we need not discuss it." I can assure you I do not mean to discuss any- thing unpleasant." said Captain Sebastien St. Pierra d'Artois in slow, chilling tones. As you know, it is my habit to deal with such matters in other ways than by words. But I am going to dress now, my dear Paul." Caudrot took the hint. As he left the hotel he threw a savage glance backward. And I never knew it!" he groaned. But he shall not bully me; I am not afraid of him. What! shall I stand by and see my dear Eileen married against her will to that—that—a thousand plagues upon him! I can stop him with a word, and I will speak that word now!" An hour did not pass before PauFCaudrot sought and obtained an interview with Mr. Julius Tre- harne. By that time Caudrot had worked himself up into a fine jealous rage. A thousand pardons for this early interruption," he began. "My business, sare, concerns your charming daughter. I long, but fear to ask the question—is it, can it be true that Mademoiselle Eileen is betrothed to my friend Captain d'Artois ?" Julius nodded curtly. Then, monsieur, it is my painful duty to ac- quaint you with certain facts in my friend the gallant captain's life, which—which Which he wouldn't thank you for disclosing," interrupted the other, knitting his shaggy brows. What have you to say about your friend ?" Ah, monsieur, I notice that you dwell upon the last word, and I protest it is not without many pricks of conscience that I "Hang your conscience!" growled old Julius testily. "Captain d'Artois is a gallant gentleman, with the best blood of France in his veins, and 11 And a notorious duellist, monsieur. He has the deaths of three men on his soul. Malediction! he has no heart. The last affair, monsieur—it was but a glass of wine in his face, and he took the thrower's life as you might take a sparrow's. There, the truth is out. It is for you to judge. But if I had a daughter so. pure, so innocent, so sweet Stop cried Julius. "I begin to suspect sir, that your motive in telling me of these is not altogether a disinterested one." Well, sare, I care not who knows it. I love Eileen and would die for her Your opportunity is not far distant, my friend, for I hear the Captain's voice down below." Caudrot sprpngto his feet. "Y O are right," he cried. There is no need for me to meet him. All I ask, monsieur, in return for what I have told you is that you will not disclose my name." He was about to open the door when he heard the Captain's footsteps on the stairway. Caudrot turned pale, drew back, and cast an appealing glance at Julius. Through there, my brave fellow," said the old man, indicating another door hidden by a curtain and through which egress from the house was to be obtained. Caudrot made a bound and disappeared just as Captain d'Artois entered the room. I- Good-morning, Captain d'Artois," said Julius gruffly. Sit down, will you. I want to put a pertinent question. I am a man of few words, as you know. Tell me, is it true that you have killed three men in duels fought by you ?" Blood and fury!" cried the Captain, red with anger. Who told you that ?" Never mind. Is it the truth ?" It was-it must have been that villi an Caudrot! The scoundrel! I'll pistol him Let me pass, sir. I'll horsewhip him in the public street!" And the Captain, black with passion, flung from the room, down the stairs, and—forcibly collided with a visitor who was arguing with the butler in the hall. The two men staggered, regained their balance, and flashed fierce looks upon each other. Despite his rage Captain d'Artois would certainly have apologised, but the victim of his haste happened to be one John Talbot by name. Therefore he rushed past with a sneer only. Captain d'Artois forgets his education," said a clear voice behind him. The infuriated officer winced and turned instantly. You are right; I apologise," he said. Bows were exchanged. The next instant d'Artois was in the street, going to pistol Caudrot, or horse- whip him, or both. The impetuous idiot!" growled old Julius,when his visitor was gone. He will work some mis- chief unless I can stop him." After some deliberation Julius said that he would go at once to Paul Caudrot's lodgings in the hope of averting trouble. So he put on his hat and coat, took a cab, and in a few minutes was at his desti- nation. He was admitted to the house by a landlady with a white face and frightened eyes. Is M. Paul Caudrot returned ?" asked Julius. Yes sir, that he has," answered the lady in quick, nervous tones; and another gentleman is with him, and they are quarrelling, sir. Oh; just hark to them!" A roar such as an enraged bull of Bashan might have uttered came from above. It was followed by a furious stamping and then a crash of falling fur- niture. "Fools!" exclaimed Julius, running up the stairs. His demands for admittance were either not heard or were disregarded by the occupants of the room from which the hubbub proceeded. The door was locked, but Julius was strong, and the lock flimsy and rusty. A vigorous push, a wrench, and the interloper was in the apartment. C entlenaei-i are you mad ?" he thundered. He might well have put the question. Captain Sebastien St. Pierre d'Artois was chasing Caudrot round and round a table. Chairs were overturned and the fragments of a lamp strewn upon the car- | pet. D'Artois was pale with rage and Caudrot i white with fear. The former held a small dog whip in his hand with which he was vainly endeavouring to strike the object of his wrath. Save me, monsieur!" cried Caudrt)t. "Captain d'Artois, throw that whip down," commanded Julius. Not till I have chastised that miserable coward!" "Do you hear me, sir ? Throw it down, or, by heaven, I'll wash my hands of you!" The angry Captain, seeming to see a gleam of hope in these words, sullenly obeyed the command. I am surprised at you, sir. Such conduct isn't worthy of a schoolboy. A disgraceful scene! Of which, sir, I am prepared to give a full ex- planation, but not here," answer d'Artois, dart- ing a withering glance at his enemy. On the contrary, there can be no better oppor- tunity." Julius closed the door carefully. M. Caudrot, you will please to substantiate your charges against Captain d'Artois." Caudrot looking sulkily out of window, growled, I have nothing to add." Then I shall regard your accusation as malicious and unfair. Caudrot, an extraordinary expression upon his face, turned suddenly. I withdraw it utterly," said he. Ah," cried d'Artois, you had better!" What!" shouted Julius. Am I to understand that you have lied to me ?" Caudrot answered with a shrug of his shoulders, Julius becami dumb with indignation. Captain d'Artois, knowing that the charge which had been brought against him contained enough truth to have shattered all prospects of the excellent marriage he desired, could scarcely believe his ears. Julius was the first to break the silence. "No doubt you will apologise to Captain d'Artois ?" he said. Willingly," replied Caudrot. This is extraordinary," said Julius. And yet the meaning of it is clear to me. M. Caudrot loved my daughter; his affection wrung from him an accusation at once damaging to you, Captain, and unworthy of himself. He retracts it with a full apology. There let the matter end. Gentle- men, you will please me by shaking hands." "I protest myself satisfied," exclaimed the Captain. And now," continued Julius, there exists no reason why a marriage between my daughter and yourself should not take place without delay." "Pardon," interrupted Caudrot. "If I may speak P" Well, sir?" As I was looking from the window just now I happened, to see your charming daughter and her English lover-" | Malediction shouted Captain d'Artois. Silence!" thundered Julius. What did you see, sir ?" Those two, in a closed carriage, M. Treharne. They looked up at this window and I caught a glimpse of their faces. I am not certain, but I be- lieve they were laughing. The horses were going like the wind. They must be miles-" 0 But before he could finish the sentence Julius and Captain d'Artois had rushed from the room. Ah said Paul Caudrot, placing a cigarette be- tween his teeth, "if I mistake not, our pretty Eileen will have married the Englishman before sunrise!" And Paul Caudrot was quite right.

¡ SPIRIT WORLD SECRETS. CURIOUS CONFESSION BY A MEDIUM. The New York Herald prints exclusively the confession of Mrs. Leonora E. Piper, a famous spiritualistic medium of Boston, whose services had been used by the ^Society for Psychical Re- search in its investigations of the supernatural. She declares that her trance stances furnish no evidence whatever of the possibility of com- munication with the other world, and she frankly attributes the bewildering phenomena to telepathy and hypnotism. These statements pos- sess profound significance, for on Mrs. Piper's so- called Spirit messages," the great English society based its claims to communication with those beyond the grave. Mrs. Piper now announces her withdrawal from the society, and says that in the past I must truthfully say I do not believe that the spirits of the dead have spoken through me when I have been in a trance. My state was investigated by scientific men at Boston and Cambridge, and by the English Psychical Re- search Society when I was taken to England to be studied. I am not a Spiritualist, and I consider I have been only an automaton. Many curious incidents were connected with the sittings of the Psychial Research Society. They first heard of me in the simplest fashion, I was then living in Boston, as a maid-of- all-work. I told the servant of Professor William James, of Harvard, that I went into queer sleeps in which I said many strange things. Professor James at once expressed the wish for me to con- nect myself with the Psychical Research Society. In that way the work began first. When I sat in the chair and leaned my head back I went into a trance state. The action was attended with some- thing of a struggle. On coming out I said dis- connected things and then began to speak broken French phrases. I had studied French for two years. I was one of the first studied by the Physical Research Soci ety. Then a literary man who had died-one called Pelham in the reports of the society--was impersonated. Friends of his felt assured that he talked to them, using my voice, or by automatic writing, while I was in a trance. I never heard of anything being said by myself during a trance which might not have been latent in my own mind, or in the mind of the person in charge of the sitting, or in the mind of the per- son trying to get communication with someone in another state of existence, or of some companion present with such a person, or in the mind of some absent person alive somewhere else in the world."

I CAPTIVE MISSIONARY. The Samakoff correspondent of the New York Journal states that it is believed that the band of brigands which captured Miss Stone has, for the present, been dispersed, and that Miss Stone is quietly sequestered in some mountain village. The missionaries are in complete darkness regard- ing the fate of the captive. The Rev. J. W. Baker, of the Samakoff Mission, returned there from Bonscom and Diumaver, without having found the slightest trace of the brigands or their pri- soner, although he went thither at the request of the Turkish Z, Minister, in the hope of opening negotiations with the bandits. The Turkish Minister is credited with the flippant remark "The kidnapping of another American woman would bankrupt the Ottoman Empire." It is stated at Samakoff that Russia has promised to co- operate in the efforts now being made to obtain Miss Stone's release. It is felt that the payment of the ransom, unless followed by the punishment of the criminals, would encourage brigandage and make travel in Turkey unsafe for foreigners. The labourers in the villages have openly stated they will embrace brigandage as a more lucrative occupation.

I THE FRENCH COLLIERS. The Federal Committee of Coal Miners, who are considering the question of a general strike in France, on Sunday held two sittings at St. Etienne, but no definite decision was come to. Whilst in Paris it is generally believed that a strike will be averted, the situation at Montceau-les-Mines con- tinues threatening, and there is much talk of the miners using the rifles which are known to be in their possession. The authorities, however, are preparing to act vigorously if necessary, and troops at Lyons have been ordered to be in readiness to proceed to St. Etienne if required.

THE increase of unsound teeth among the Eng- lish and Americans is attributed by Dr. Egbert to the growth of meat eating. The Hindoos of India, vegetarians, are cited as a race with sound teeth. THE committee of the Young Turkish Party in Constantinople has addressed a petition to M. Deicasse requesting the intervention of France in order to alleviate the sufferings of the inhabitants of Turkey under the present regime,

AN ARCHDUCHESS'S ROMANCE. The sweet Princess who is only just eighteen years oid, and who, by the indulgence of her Imperial grandfather, is allowed to make a love- match with a handsome officer in the army, is (says the Vienna correspondent of the Daily News) one of those girls who ought to have been a boy. Everything would be different in Austria, and in Hungary too, if the old Emperor had to prepare the succession for a direct heir. As it is, he is. not interested in those who will succeed him, and a sort of after me the deluge" system has set in. The Emperor's only son, whose untimely death grieved both father and mother beyond all endu- rance, was a brilliant, liberal-minded young man, and his only daughter took after him in every respect, and not after her mother. Exceedingly tall and slender, she has her father's face and clear eyes, and none of the sleepy hauteur which distinguishes her mother, the Belgian Princess Stephanie, from whom she inherited her beautiful golden hair. Though they must have been dis- appointed at her birth, both father and mother were very fond of her when she was little. There are photographs taken in the park at Laxenburg which show the little baby in its white frock running from the hand of her mother to the out- stretched arms of her father, or sitting in a per- ambulator, which the happy parents push jointly. That was before they quarrelled, before the Crown Princess appeared at the family dinner with a black eye, or the Crown Prince, under pretext of having a cold, stayed away from his father's dinner table, and was found dead with his young mistress in a hunting lodge not far from Vienna. The little Princess was little more than four years old when the terrible tragedy of Meyerling was acted. A will in her father's hand was published by which the Crown Prince's only property, the little island of Lacroma, off the Adriatic coast, was left to the child. The Emperor deposited a large sum of money for the island, on which were the remains of an old convent, and established an order of monks there whose prayers are to expiate the sins of his unhappy son, just as he had turned the hunting lodge in which his son died by his own, or by a rival's hand, into a Carmelite nunnery. The will contained severe instructions that the Crown Prince's daughter was never to be trusted entirely to her mother, and was never to leave the country with her, but to be always under her grandfather's eye. The widowed Crown Princess quarrelled with her mother on this score because she refused to leave her late husbands's country once and for all. This quarrel was so serious that when the Crown Princess was sick unto death about five vears ago only her father and her sister Clementine came for the first time since the Crown Prince's death—the Queen did not come. It was only the behaviour of the eldest daughter, Princess Louise of Coburg, that caused a kind of reconciliation to take place with the younger. We may be very sure that the details of her father's death did not long remain a secret to the Princess Elizabeth Marie, for there are always officious nurses or waiting-maids to enlighten young Princesses. She was, however, very fortunate in finding a foster mother who loved her with all her heart, and brought her up if she had been her real doting mother. This is the Countess Coudenhoven, who never left the Princess since she was trusted to her care 14 years ago. The young widow followed the example of her mother-in-law, and took to travelling in foreign parts, an occupation in which she indulged until her marriage with Count Lonyay, and even afterwards. One would have thought that the Empress Elizabeth, bereaved of the son she loved, would have taken up his little orphaned girl, who would certainly have rewarded her for any love she might have bestowed upon her. Instead of that, she declared she could not see her because she reminded her so much of her unfortunate son and of the daughter-in-law whom she always made responsible for Rudolph's misdoings. The Emperor, too busy and too old to spend his time with a lively little girl, did his duty by her in the way of overwhelming her with presents—but she was always alone with her foster-mother, whom she dearly loved. A few weeks in the year she spent with Archduchess Isabella's many little girls in Presburg, but the rest of the time she spent in Laxenburg and in the vast Imperial Palace in Vienna, whose only other inmate was the Emperor. Very busy she always was—spending all her free time in gardening and growing vegetables, which she caused to be sold to swell her purse for the poor. Passionately attached to her pony, her dogs, her goats, and her rabbits, she suffered agonies when anything happened to them. Once she took a little fox terrier out walking on the snow in the park of Schonbrunn, and for the time being only a footman was her attendant. The lively little dog jumped on the fresh ice of a foun- tain, which broke under him. The little animal struggled in the water, rand Princess Elizabeth called to the footman to save it. The man found an excuse and did not move a hand. Then the Princess screamed, at the top of her voice, You nasty coward I am not half so big as you, but I'll go in, even if I get drowned." The man held her fast. although she shrieked and struggled, and a gardener coming to the rescue the 'little dog was saved. But Princess Elizabeth dislikes all foot- men and flunkeys since that day. The Vienna Court ball last January was an in- teresting event. The central figure was Arch- duchess Elizabath Marie. It was a well-known fact that she had grieved terribly over her mother's marriage-it looked as if she was crying her heart out—and when she bowed in her carriage as she drove to the Prater, it was with swollen eyelids and the most painful smile. At the ball she was radiant, in the simplest round frock, white, with a sprinkling of silver 10 rows of pearls round her slender neck, diamond stars in her blonde hair, and with just the slightest touch of ingenuous gaucherie, delightful in one so young. In the cotillon every gentleman offered his flowers to her, and she showed her delight as unreservedly as a child. She had been to several so-called house-balls," one in her own apartments, but this was her first big ball. And here she danced for the first time with the tall young officer who is her betrothed to-day. At 18 it is not likely that she understands what she gives up for the man she loves-it is to be hoped she will never repent, and that her life will be happier than that of her parents. If male succession failed in Austria-Hungary, which it is not likely to do, Archduchess Elizabeth would be the first woman who has a right to the Throne, since the Emperor's daughters renounced their rights when they married.

A MARRIAGE has been arranged, and will shortly take place, between Mr. Charles Kirwan King, M.A., Exeter College. Oxford, only son of Dr. King, of Purbrook, Dorking, and Louise, youngest daughter of the late Rev. George Reeves Cooke, one of her late Majesty's Consular Chaplains, and Mrs. Cooke, of St. Mary's Vicarage, Par, Corn- wall.. THERE has been some wonderful partridge- shooting at Eichhorn, in Moravia, the estate where Baron Hirsch entertained the King (then Prmce of Wales) during the autumn of 1890. This place now belongs to Baron Arnold de Forest, and seven guns killed 6500 head of game in nine days, the bag including nearly 6000 partridges. Among the guests were Lord Ashburton, Mr. Henry Chaplin, Lord Falconer, and Prince Victor Dhuleep Singh. THE punishment for drunkenness in St. Peters- burg is to make the offender, no matter what his social position, sweep the streets. Well-attired gentlemen, some of them in dress suits, are occa- sionally seen sweeping the streets after a night's carouse. AVERY-HILL, near Eltham, the lordly but rather garish pleasure-house built by Colonel North, has been in the market for some time. It is suggested that it would suit some one of the Orders evicted under the Associations Bills from France. The picture gallery could no doubt be turned into a fine chapel, though it would probably make a more suitable refectory, and the monks would most likely prefer to build a chapel for themselves. The idea suggests a curious contrast between Colonel North's secular hospitalities and the religious uses of a monastic orner. But there are fine rooms, and many of their? running along corridors just suited to the latter purpose. The magnificent stables might be rather a white elephant, but they .emld probably be turned into residences for lay- b'rothers. A more interesting point if what would happen to the Turkish bath, which is pretty well unique of its kind, and scarcely included in the rule of life of any confraternity..