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

OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. The spontaneous and enthusiastic welcome which has been given to the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York on their return to these shores from their prolonged visit to the Colonies, is known to have deeply gratified not only the Heir-Apparent and his Consort, but the King and Queen Alexandra. The welcome began"at Portsmouth and culminated in London, and throughout it was marked by a vibrant note of deep feeling which much impressed all who witnessed it. All the picturesque elements attending upon the spectacle of a fleet in motion gave the pageant an added beauty at Portsmouth; but m London the human note as more emphatically struck, and not least by the presence in the procession, as it emerged from the station of arrival, of the children of the Duke and Duchess. Little Prince Edward is by this time becoming accus- tomed to being saluted; and as he stood up in the carriage containing his illustrious grandfather, the King, as well as his father, he acknowledged the cheers of the crowd with much gravity. But joyousness was the dominant feature of the way in which his younger brother, now nearly six years old, who rode in a later carriage, returned the salutes of the crowd. He smiled with the utmost satis- faction when he heard the cheers, and nodded his head vigorously to the crowd, who were so delighted that they applauded him again and again. A gentleman with whom the Duke of Corn- wall was talking on board the Ophir, not long before England was reached, ventured the suggestion that his Royal Highness must have become tired of sight-seeing. No," was the reply, not quite but the Duchess and myself are becoming tired of being stared at." That is a feeling which can well be understood, seeing that for seven months and more their Royal Highnesses had been the cynosure of neigh- bouring eyes to the number of tens and even o f hundreds of thousands. But that feeling will be only transient, and the permanent one that is certain to remain will be that of joy and thankfulness in the remembrance of what they have seen and heard throughout the mighty dominions over which the Duke, in the cours of nature, will one day be called to rule. Another permanent remembrance of the tour will be furnished by the collection which his Royal Highness has formed of many interesting things accumulated on his travels. Not the least in- teresting or valuable of these are the sets of postage stamps presented to him by certain of the colonial Governments and which in some cases are unique. While London continues to be troubled with the visitation of smallpox, its inhabitant!! may well give a meed of sympathy to their friends of Liverpool, who are threatened with an even more dread visitation in the shape of the plague. That name of ill-omen had almost died out of the memories of Englishmen until a recent date, when Glasgow was troubled with a few cases; and it is now obvious that, but for elaborate sanitary precautions, the dread epi- demic might once more spread among us. Happily, however, modern medical science knows how to cope with what was once so swiftly spreading and fatal a disorder; and both at Glasgow and Liverpool the visitation appears to have been nipped in the bud. That, of course, will not deter the local authorities from continuing to exercise the utmost pre- cautions, nor will it hinder those of other ports from taking care that every incoming vessel from either of them shall be thoroughly examined. The Health Department of the United States, for instance, will subject all ships from them to rigorous inspection, and such of their crew as are considered likely to have been nearer the scene of the outbreak of the plague than the ordinary passengers will be examined with the greatest care. No one is likely to seriously complain of such precautions as these, which are obviously justified by the circumstances of the time. The story of the strange bird, asserted to be an eagle, which has just distinguished itself by attacking a workman who was engaged at the Houses of Parliament, appears to have aroused some mirth in various quarters. The tempta- tion to make a joke at the expense of our legislators by enquiring what an eagle could possibly wish to visit their home for, has been too great to be resisted; and assuredly the compara- tive dearth of young parliamentary talent just now would seem to indicate an eaglet rather than an eagle as a visitor to Westminster. But this kind of visitor, strange though it must have seemed to the workman he assailed, was little more singular than some human beings who during the Session haunt the Outer Lobby. There is something pathetic about certain of these who, possessed of-some wondrous ideas which they wish to impart to members, come night after night and spend there hour after weary hour with a patient persistence that is painful to witness, for the observer is well aware that nothing that is practical will come of it to the end. More than one of the metropolitan municipal boroughs is adopting the idea of turning its rub- bish to good account by causing the destructor to furnish electric light. Hackney is the latest to adopt the system, and great things are hoped by both the municipality and the average householder from the experiment. It is in- tended, when the entire scheme is completed, to put the refuse collected in the borough into the destructor, which consists of twelve furnace cells, capable of burning one hundred and sixty tons of refuse in twenty-four hours, and it will be burnt, at a high temperature, with the assist- ance of a powerful fan blast. The gasses given off will supply a large amount of heat energy, which will be utilised for the purpose of raising steam in three of the six water-tube boilers, which are capable of working up to a pressure of two hundred and fifty lbs. per square inch. Arrangements are made for the automatic handling of the refuse, as far as that is possible, from the moment it is tipped at the works to the time when it emerges from the furnace in the form of clinkers; and the system is obviously one that may have many interesting and important developments. Londoners continue to be agitated over the 91 question of the constant breaking up of the streets; and among the latest protests to be raised is one from a metropolitan member of Parliament who wants to know why it is that the Thames-embankment is accustomed to be dealt with in its present fashion. The com- plaint is that that important thoroughfare is closed in sections for some six weeks in the year, a free passage along its entire length being thus prevented, and the traffic forced into the Strand and Fleet-street, causing an insup- portable block. It is contended that this was not always so, and that formerly, while the em- bankment was repaired every year, the operation was done one side at a time, this always leav- ing a free passage throughout its entire length. The inconvenience thus caused was naturally small; and, as it is submitted that the roadway was repaired then quite as efficiently as now, it can be understood why a protest is being raised on the question. That protest may not be quite appreciated by those who do not know and love their Thames- jmbankment. Time was when that wondrous thoroughfare was held suspect by many Lon- doners, who had an idea that it was the haunt of highwaymen and the training ground of thieves; but, with the good lighting and effi- cient police supervision now attainable, that sort of reputation ought for all time to disap- pear. Whatever the regular dweller in London may think, it will scarcely be news to the dweller in the country districts remote from the bills of mortality to be told that the hunting season has begun. Times have changed since the one aim of the average cockney humourist was to represent the woes of his friend, the average cockney sportsman, and pourtray by pen and pencil the tribulations amid which he all unwittingly was thrown. In these days it is recognised that the London lover of outdoor sport is a person to be reckoned with. and t hat, although he may not always subscribe with the expected freedom to the hunt fund, he is one without whose aid it might be dilTieiilt to carry on the sport. The railway companies of a surety have full cogni- sance of this, for new more than ever they make provision for the hunting-man and his hunters and the beginning of the hunting season with them is, therefore, an important affair indeed. I R. I

NEWS NOTES. I A BRIGHT sunshiny Saturday, with the air brisk after the dissipation of a frosty November morning mist, saw the welcoming home of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York to London, after their long Imperial tour of eight months' duration. From Victoria Station, at Pimlico, round by Hyde-park-corner. Picca- dilly and St. James's-street to Marlborough House the way was lined with footguards and other troops in brilliant uniforms and accoutre- ments, the cross thoroughfares being kept by close-packed detachments of mounted Life Guards, Royal Horse Guards, Hussars, and Artillery, while each regiment had its band and colours. Behind these guards of honour the people were packed thickly on the pavements and every 'vantage point beyond, up to the house tops, while many coloured flags and decorations en- livened the vista. Through these picturesque scenes drove first in a Royal town coach, with State outriders, King Edward reunited to his son and heir, and accompanied by his son-in- law, Prince Charles and his cheery eldest grandson Prince Edward of York. His Majesty and the Duke were all smiles, as they acknow- ledged the enthusiastic cheers of the populace, the bands at each station playing the first, bars of the National Anthem as the King and Queen passed, and a battery of artillery in the adjacant park booming out from its guns the Royal wel- coming salute. The Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall, both in mourning, were in the car- riage following immediately, seated opposite to them being the Princess Charles and Princess Victoria. Then four more Royal coaches, con- taining Court functionaries and attendants, and the rest of the helmeted and cuirassed escort, and the bright little procession passed on to Marlborough House without hitch of any kind, the reception at Victoria by Ministers, Colonial representatives, the Headquarters Staff of the Army, and the civic authorities of Westminster having been admirably arranged and expeditiously accomplished. There were illuminations at night, and everything passed off admirablv. THE Duke of Cornwall and York looks bronzed and better in health than he has appeared for the last year or two, the Duchess, though a trifle travel wearied, also seemed well. His Majesty's robust and happy appearance gave the lie to the ugly rumours of illness and throat trouble which some gossips have put about during the few days past, and the Queen seemed as gracious and lovely as ever. The Cornwall and York children are delighted to have their mother and father back, and no doubt the Duke and Duchess are just as pleased to be once more with their family after girdling the earth and living so long in the strain of official visita- tion. The great Colonial tour, from first to last, has proven an unbroken success, and its good effect will be felt for many a long day to come. BEFORE quitting Portsmouth, his landing place, for London, the Duke of Cornwall re- ceived the Mayor and Corporation on board the good ship Ophir, and received from them an address of welcome. In response to this testi- mony of loyalty, expressed the hope that the voyage he had accomplished with his consort, would have its happy sequel in drawing more closely together the various parts of the Empire, through the sympathy and personal regard which he felt had been developed during the fulfilment of the proud mission entrusted to him by his father the King." THE news that reached London early on the morning of the 2nd inst. from Brakenlaagte, near Bethel, in the Eastern Transvaal, telling how a strong force under Botha had surprised in a storm of rain and mist a composite column commanded by Colonel Benson of the Artillery fallen on their rear, rushed their two guns, in- flicted heavy damage, and after a desperate fight got away-was most unwelcome and grievous. We lost over two hundred and fifty in killed andwounded, including those who have since succumbed, and of the slain a dozen were officers. The casualties to the attack- ing force are computed to have been heavier than ours, but something like one in four of [the British fell. It was a sanguinary encounter indeed, and we can only hope that nothing like it will occur again until the final conclusion of the campaign. QUEEN ALEXANDRA is stated to have made arrangements to present a Christmas gift to as many as possible of the soldiers now serving at the front in South Africa. Her Majesty has ordered some thousands of good briar pipes, silver-mounted, and upon the mount of each one is to be stamped a crown and the Queen's mono- gram. It is understood that the makers will be required to deliver the consign- ment in good time to allow of their reaching South Africa before Christmas. This kindly thought on her Majesty's part for "Tommy Atkins will make the Queen even more dear to the troops than she is at present, which is say- ing a very great deal. THE War Office, after waking up to the shameful impropriety of keeping time-expired Imperial Yeomanry out of the pay they had earned in South Africa, because of some failure of the military check in vogue, has done its best to make amends by establishing an appeal board and authorising payments under guar- antee of repayment if necessary in doubtful cases. This is as it should be. We cannot afford to affront our citizen soldiery by bad treatment. MR. HERBERT GLADSTONE and his charming bride may surely account themselves as held in high esteem. The wedding presents were end- less, and came from all sorts and conditions of people, from his Majesty downwards, the donors numbering many in the front rank of politics on both sides. The newest Gladstonian household will be well equipped in the matter of inkstands of sorts-mainly of massive silver —for the popular Liberal Whip received no less than thirteen, and Mrs. Gladstone three! The King's elaborate gift to the bridegroom took this form, and was specially designed and in- scribed. No doubt it will have a honoured place on the drawing-room table or in the library but perhaps the gifts most prized by the bride will be the two jewelled rings worn by the bridegroom's mother and given to her in her young years by the distinguished lover who was afterwards her husband and England's Premier. Mr. Herbert Gladstone's long list of wedding presents included several cheques for consider- able sums of money (one for £ 500) and quite a number of really useful gifts, including amongst them a handsome and costly fur coat.

SOUTH AFRICA. FIERCE FIGHT. OVER 20C BRITISH KILLED AND WOUNDED. TWO GUNS RUSHED BY THE BOERS. Early on Saturday morning the War Office published the following telegrams from Lord Kit- chener PRETORIA, Friday, Nov. 1. I have just heard that a severe attack was made on the rear-guard of Colonel Benson's column, when about twenty miles to the north-west of Bethel, near Brakenlaagte during a thick mist. The strength of the enemy was reported to be 1000. They rushed the two guns with the rear guard, but it is uncertain whether they were able to remove them. The casualities are, I fear, heavy. Benson was wounded, but not severely. A relieving column will reach him this morning. Full particulars will be sent as soon as they reach me. PRETORIA (2.15), Friday, Nov. 1. Have just received further news of Benson's column. Colonel Barter, who marched from the constabulary line at 2 p.m. yesterday, reached the column early this morning without opposition. He reports Colonel Benson has died of wounds. Other Casualties are: Killed.—Royal Artillery Lieut.-Colonel E. Guiness. Scottish Horse Major F. D. Murray, Capt. M. W. Lindsay. Yorkshire L.I. (3rd M.I.): Capt. F. T. Thorold, Lieut. E. V. J. Brooke, Lieut. R. E. Shepherd. East Kent Regt.: 2nd Lieut. A. J. Corlett. Wounded. Coldstream Guards Capt. Eyre Lloyd (since dead). Cheshire Regt.: Capt. C. W. Collins, severe. Northampton- shire Regt: Capt. A. A. Lloyd, D.S.O., slight. King's Royal Rifle Corps Lieut. H. F. W. Bircham, severe Lieut. T. G. Dalby, severe Lieut. R. Seymour, severe. Scottish Horse: Lieut. W. Campbell, severe Lieut. C. Woodman, dangerously; Lieut. Firns, dangerously Lieut. A. T. Wardrap, severe. East Kent Regt. Capt. Ronald, slight; 2nd Lieut. L. H. Soames, severe 2nd Lieut. W. Greatwood, slight. Yorkshire L.I.: Lieut. L. H. Martin, severe. Killed: 54 N.C.O.'s and men wounded, 160 N.C.O.'s and men (four since dead). I assume the two guns have been recovered, and that enemy has withdrawn, but have no further details. I deeply regret loss of Colonel Benson and of officers and men who fell with him. In Colonel Benson the service loses a most gallant and cap- able commander, who has invariably led his column with marked success and judgment. Colonel Barter adds:—The fighting with the rearguard was at very close quarters, and was maintained with great determination on both sides. The enemy suffered heavily, but I have not yet received reliable estimate of losses. Boers retired east. [Bethel, near which this desperate engagement took place, is in the Eastern Transvaal. The enemy engaged were a portion of General Botha's forces, which retreated northward from Zululand.] SUCCESS BY KEKEWICH. The following telegram from Lord Kitchener was published before the above by the War Office: PRETORIA, Friday, Nov. 1. Colonel Kekewich reports that after two con- secutive night marches he took by surprise Van Albert's laager at Beestekraal, thirty miles north- east of Rustenburg, and captured three wounded and seventy-five unwounded prisoners, including Commandant B. A. Klopper. FURTHER LOSSES. The War Office has issued the following addi- tional casualties in Benson's column: Killed.—Captain F. W. Inglis, Scottish Horse; Lieutenant Kelley, Scottish Horse; Lieutenant C. Woodman, Scottish Horse, wounded (since dead). Wounded.—Lieutenant J. Maclean, Royal Field Artillery (severely ^wounded); Captain A. C. Murray, Scottish Horse (slightly wounded). Passengers from Cape Town, either to England or to the coast ports, are now required to obtain a pass from the military authorities. Colonel G. E. Benson, in command of the column, who is described in the latest Army List as Staff Officer of the Rustenburg command, had seen much active service besides distinguishing himself in the present campaign. He belonged to the Royal Artillery, was slightly wounded at Hasheen, in the Soudan, and was present at the destruction of Tamai. He went to Ashanti under Sir Francis Scott in 1895, and served as brigade-major of mounted corps under General Kitchener with the Dongola force in 1896, being twice mentioned in despatches. Lieutenant-Colonel E. Guinness, Royal Artil- lery, does not appear to have seen active service previously. Major F. D. Murray, Scottish Horse, went to Africa as signalling officer in the Natal Field Force. He was made a brevet-major last February. Captain M. W. Lindsay, Scottish Horse, served with the Chitral relief force in 1895. He fought at Magersfontein (mentioned in despatches), and helped to relieve Kimberley. Captain F. T. Thorold, 3rd Mounted Infantry, served in the North-West Frontier, compaign and with the Tirah expedition. He had seen much fighting in South Africa, having fought at Belmont, Enslin, Modder River, and Magersfontein, besides taking part in the operations at Lindley, Beth- lehem, and Slabbert's Nek. BOTHA IN COMMAND. ONE OF THE FIERCEST FIGHTS IN THE CAMPAIGN. The attack on Colonel Benson's column near Bethel by General Botha (says Reuter's special correspondent at Pretoria, wiring on Sunday) to one of the most sanguinary and determined fights of the campaign. Botha, retreating to the north with his force from the Zululand border, effected a junction with a big commando which had collected there, and then waited for a favourable opportunity to overwhelm Colonel Benson's force in an isolated position. The combined Boer force is estimated to have been 1000 strong. An attack was first delivered on Benson's rearguard while on the march on October 30, the enemy depriving the latter of two guns, though they were unable to get possession of them themselves. Colonel Benson was mortally wounded in the early part of the fight, and Major Wools-Sampson, attached to the column as Intelligence Officer, took command. He at once proceeded to collect his convoy, which he accomplished successfully, and then took up a position for defence. This was within 500 yards of some entrenchments prepared by the Boers. The two guns mentioned were so situated that neither side could touch them, though the Boers made desperate efforts to overwhelm the whole force, charging repeatedly right up to the British lines, and being driven back as often, with heavy loss. The defence was stubbornly and successfully maintained through the whole of the next day and the succeeding night, until Colonel Barter, who had marched all night from Bushman's Kop, brought relief on the morning of November 1, when the Boers retired. The losses on both sides were very severe. That of the Boers is estimated at between 300 and 400. Colonel Benson did not live long after he was wounded. General Botha took part in the fight. THOUSANDS OF PIPES TO BE SENT TO AFRICA. Queen Alexander, following the example of the late revered Queen, is to remember our soldiers in South Africa at Christmas time. Mer Majesty purposes making a Christmas pre- sent to a number of soldiers now serving at the front. The Queen has ordered some thousands of good briar pipes, silver mounted, and upon the mount of each one is to be stamped a crown and the Queen's monogram. It is understood that the makers will be required to deliver the consignment in good time to allow of their reaching South Africa before Christmas. CHRIS BOTHA CAPTURED. Information has been received of the capture in Volksrust of Chris Hotha, a prominent rebel from this district. He is a cousin of General Botha, and was formerly in the Natal Civil Service. Ho has been on commando since the beginning of the war.-Reiiter. A further list of 17 Boer leaders to undergo permanent banishment has been published. It includes one captain, two adjutants, five field- cornets, and the late landdrost and assistant land- drost ot Pretoria. I 200 BOERS "NEARLY CAUGHT." On the night of the 29th ult. a farm on which 200 Boers were laagered was surrounded on three sides, and the fourth side of the cordon was on the point of being completed when the Boers broke out of the laager at 3.10 in the morning, getting away with a loss of one killed, two wounded, and six prisoners, the latter including Field-Cornet Odenaal. General Hattingh, Commandant Celliers, and Field-Cornet Reeve were in the laager with the Boers. A LAAGER OF TRAIN LOOTERS. Among the stores captured in Muller's laager near Balmoral last Saturday was a quantity of train wrecking material. Muller's commando consisted principally of train looters. Jack Hinton, the notorious train-wrecker, had a narrow escape from capture. THE BRAKENLAAGTE WOUNDED. Lord Kitchener, in a telegram despatched from Pretoria on Sunday, says the wounded of the late Colonel Benson's Column were brought in -that afternoon to Springs, and were being well cared for. The column itself was due at Brugspruit on the 4th inst. The Commander-in-Chief, who states that he has not yet recoived further details of the fight, adds that the column which moved out from Standerton on Thursday of last week under General Gilbert Hamilton, arrived at the camp next day after a slight opposition. A party of the Worcester District Mounted Troops was surprised on Friday of last week by Boers, under Van Heerden, six miles from Constable. Fourteen of the 17 men were captured, after their ammunition was expended. Van Heerden said the Worcester Congress en- couraged the invasion, and they were determined to ruin the farmers, who had promised so much by word but had failed in deed. The Boers, he added, knew that the restoration of their inde- pendence was hopeless, but they continued the struggle to make the Colonial farmers, their quondam friends, feel the pinch. Another section of the Worcester District mounted troops encoun- tered the Boers near Touws River. Two of the enemy were killed and six wounded. Twenty-one Boers have been captured near Aliwal North by a detachment of Colonel Taylor's Column. OFFICIAL STORY OF BENSON'S BATTLE GUNS CAPTURED. REPORTED ILL-TREATMENT OF OUR WOUNDED. Lord Kitchener has now sent full details of the gallant fight of Benson's column against Botha's commando. It is clear that tho weather was all in favour of the surprise attack by the Boers. Lord Kitchener adds that the Boers are reported to have behaved badly to our wounded. The following is the official telegram: RESIDENCY, PRETORIA, November 4, 11.55 a.m* "Following details of engagement at Baaken- laagte just received. Column under Colonel Benson left camp just to the north of Bethel dawn, October 30, marching on Brugspruit. A certain number of Boers were about, and reported to be holding Baakenlaagte, where they intended to camp. The weather was wet and stormy. Enemy were easily kept off during march, and Baakenlaagte was occupied at one p.m. Rear- guard, with two guns and screen of 2nd Scottish Horse, were stationed on a ridge, evidently within range of camp. "An attempt of Boers on one flank of rearguard was driven off, and the screen of 2nd Scottish Horse was being brought in when Boers circled round under cover of rolling ground, and attacked ridge, on which guns were placed under cover of tiolent storm of rain and hail at their back. This attack was unnoticed until enemy had reached position on ridge within short range of guns, whence they shot down escort and the gun horses. Colonel Benson and Colonel Guinness were both shot at the guns. Owing to simultaneous attack on camp sub- stantial support was not sent to position on ridge. Boers were unable to remove guns, until our ambulance went out, when, under cover of them, the guns were taken away. Enemy withdrew to long range, and maintained desultory fire during October 31, but made no further attack on camp. Boer losses undoubtedly heavy, but no correct estimate can be yet obtained. Commandant Opferman was killed, and Chris Botha wounded. Boers are reported to have behaved badly to our wounded. 1 will report details later." BOERS IN CAPE COLONY. The War Office issued the following telegram on the afternoon of the 5th inst.: RESIDENCY, PRETORIA, November 4, noon. Since October 28 columns report 28 Boers killed, 11 wounded, 275 prisoners, and 23 sur- renders also 230 rifles, 21,500 rounds small-arms ammunition, 112 waggons, 150 horse, and 1430 cattle. These numbers include all separately reported during week, but none from the attack on Colonel Benson's column on October 30. General French reports on November 2 that he is dealing with Fouche, Myburg, and Wessels, who, with about 400 men, some of whom are un- armed, are between Barkly East and Rhodes. With this exception the whole of the Colony is now clear east of flic western railway. There are one or two small parties of 20 or 30 wandering aimlessly about, and he is employing columns of Doran and Lund to pursue them as well as search kloofs and farms for dismounted Boers known to be in hiding there. Vandeventer and Botha, with about 130 men, after continual pursuits for several days by the columns of Scobell and Lukin, crossed the line at Victoria Road, and were last reported some 40 miles west moving west. Many of their horses were captured, besides some ammunition. The other commando under Smuts, Bouwers, and Pypers was pursued for several days by Crabbe and Kavanagh between Oudtshoorn, Ladi- smith, and Barry dale. There were some rearguard actions. Many horses were captured, and the enemy lost a few killed and wounded and prisoners. They were finally driven by Kavanagh on the line at Tous River. On the night of October 31 they were headed by Caldwell, who had moved out from Matjesfon- tein, and who was in touch with them last night. Kavanagh is following up in the west. Capper and Wormald united at Compagnies- drift, at Hoistingdoorn, and Oliphants Rivers on October 29. On October 30 information reached them that Maritz was again moving south to the west of his "aition. THE FIGHT AT FORT ITALA. The men wounded at Fort Itala are just coming through from Zululand. A non-commissioned officer, who has lost an arm as the result of that battle, says that the fighting during the 19 hours was the severest of the war. The fury of the Boers at the resistance of the small outpost, and their endeavour to break through the British lines, equalled anything seen at Wagon-hill, Ladysmith, January 6, 1900. The enemy endeavoured to j swamp the position by their very numbers, Loriis Botha riding from point to point and energetically urging the Boers to persevere, while they were being mowed down by the British rifle and Maxim fire. The wounded fully confirm the reports of the heavy losses of the enemy. The position of the outpost is to be marked by the erection of a monolith in memory of the defenders. I A MONTH'S BRITISH LOSSES. I The British losses reported during the month of October, according to the official returns, are aa follows: Officers. Men. Killed in action 17 130 Died of wounds 9 49 Died of disease. 4 132 Accidental deaths. 1 29 Missing and prisoners 2 25 Sent home as invalids 65 2106 Reduction of forces. 98 2471 The wounded number 61 officers and 439 men. The total reduction in the army to date is 22,773, of whom 18,283 have died. J J

LORD ROSEBERY. Some correspondence has taken place between Mr. S. E., Short, secretary of the Chesterfield Division Liberal Council, and Lord Rosebery, from which it appears that his lordship has con- sented to address a meeting of Derbyshire Liberals to be held at Chesterfield on a date to suit the con- venience of Lord Rosebery, probably at the end of the present month or beginning of December. Lord Rosebery wrote on November 2: I hope you do not think that I have delayed too long in answering the weighty invitation which you transmitted to me. But I thought that it deserved the most careful consideration that I could give. I have come to the conclusion that it is my duty not to refuse it; not that I flatter myself that, situated as I am, I can be of much use, but because I feel that, at a crisis in the for- tunes of the country which I am persuaded is grave and daily increasing in gravity, I should put my views into the common stock. Subject, then, to our being able to arrange a date, I gratefully accept this mark of confidence, and will aecept your summons." 1_-

LEAVING THE LAND. Mr. Rider Haggard, speaking at a meeting of the Council of the Central and Associated Chambers of Agriculture on the 5th inst. in sup- port of a resolution by Professor Long in favour of giving farm labourers an interest in the land, said that the best young men and women were steadily leaving the land. It was easy to follow what must be the result of that on the national physique and character of the future generation. The Eng- lishman who was bred on the land was and must remain a superior being to the Englishman reared in the slums of great cities, and yet the whole set of the tide was towards those cities. It ought to be the object of the highest statesmanship to try and stem this current which flowed towards the cities to the great detriment and danger of the future of England. There was no doubt that the small holder was in many instances unpopular among various classes of the community. He, however, oould only talk of him as he found him, and he must say that on the whole he was prosperous. The land should be the strength of the small holder, and he should be the strength of the land and the country; in fact, the more, holders of land there were the better, he thought, it would be for the country at large. While he did not want to see England cut np into small holdings, he maintained that there was ample room for every class of ownership. He wanted to see the small holders indefinitely multiplied, because they were about as desirable a class as could exist in any nation. Within 40 miles of where he then stood (the meeting was held at the Society of Arts, Adelphi) he had seen thousands of acres of derelict land, and still further afield more derelict land. If the spade were put to it it would produce great masses of food, and it was desirable that some method should be adopted to bring the small holders together. At the present moment, however, he believed the small holder would be better off as a tenant. He appealed to all in authority to do their best to forward any measures which tended to arrest the dangerous de- population of rural England. He was certain it was most desirable from every point of view, and whoever did it, no matter what means he adopted, would do a very good work indeed. Discussion followed, and it was resolved to keep the subject open for the next meeting.

THE RELIEF OF LADYSMITH. I BULLER'S MESSAGE TO WHITE. I The Devon and Exeter Gazette of the 6th inst. says it has no hesitation in advising the acceptance as absolutely correct of Dr. Maguire's version of Sir Redvers Buller's telegram concerning Lady- smith, as published in the Daily Express. This message of Dr. Maguire, who says it has been in his possession for some time, and that he can vouch for it as being authentic, is in these terms: "I have failed not able to try again without siege operations, taking a month. Can you hold out so long ? If not, I suggest your firing away as much ammunition as possible, finally making the best terms. If you have any other alternative to suggest I can remain where I am as long as you like. The Exeter Gazette further says that Sir Redvers Buller is understood to maintain, on the authority of most distinguished counsel, and a supporter of the Government, that there is nothing in his Westminster speech which can be construed I into a breach of the King's regulations. He does not promise to enter into any political campaign, or to be made use of by any party, but is advised to maintain his position on its merits. It was on the advice of eminent counsel, before mentioned, that there had been no infringement of the King's regu- lations by his Westminster speech that he declined to resign. On his way from Crediton to Upton on the 5th inst. to join Sir Ferguson Davies' shooting party, Sir Redvers Buller received ovations at Thower- ton, Tiverton, Bampton, and other stations. At Tiverton over a thousand people cheered again and again, and sang For he's a jolly good fellow." The Mayor (Mr. W. Thorne) presented an address of appreciation of General Buller as a gallant, brave, and unselfish soldier, loyal to King and country. General Buller simply returned his thanks.

BEQUESTS TO LONDON HOSPITALS. The late Mr. Matthew Whiting, of Aucklands, Wandsworth-common, has bequeathed about £ 120,000 in equal shares to 12 of the London hos- pitals, each of which will thus benefit to the extent of about £ 10,000.

"DON'T COUUH-Stop Internal Mischief." Quick Relief—Keating's Lozenges. Sure Relief—Keating's Lozenges. Easy Relief—Keating's Lozenges. Cheap Relief—Keating's Lozenges. Sold in tins, only, 13.d. each, everywhere. BOSTON, U.S.A., has, according to an American paper, solved the problem of accommodating its school children by means of portable school- houses. Forty-three of these buildings were opened last month, in addition to the five new school-houses which the city has just erected on a more permanent foundation, and the experiment is said to promise well. A particular advantage of the portable structures is that they ean be placed just where they are most wanted, and can be shifted f; ef+on fis desirpiL

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MEMBERS of the leading firms of ironmasters and manufacturers in Middlesbrough, Stockton, and Darlington have been solicited to support a bill proposed to be lodged for next session for a new railway from Barrow to Middlesbrough. The suggestion is to construct nearly 100 miles of rail- way, running from Barrow in a north-easterly direction, through Swaledale to Richmond, thence through Middleton Tyas and Cleasby to Darling- ton, and carry an independent line to Stockton and Middlesbrough, with a dock near that town. HERR JOACHIM, the famous violinist, had recently, according to a leading French newspaper, a pleasant experience. While staying in London he was thrown much into the society of Lord R., a "perfect gentleman," mixing in the highest society, but well known for his profound antipathy to anything connected with music. Learning that Joachim was about to give a series of concerts at St. James's Hall. Lord R. informed the eminent violinist that he intended to come and hear one of the famous Beethoven quartets that appeared in the programme. The great artiste thanked his fordship for this mark of sympathy, adding that tye should be charmed to learn what impression the work made upon him. A day or two later the two friends happened to meet at a soiree. Joachim at once inquired what impression Beethoven's work had made upon his lordship, and expressed a hope that the evening had not proved tedious. Not at all-not at all!" exclaimed his lordship. I en- joyed myself greatly. I did not recognise you at first under your disguise as a nigger, but later on I laughed all the more." There was a death-like silence among the guests. Then came the explana- tion. Lord R. had lost his way. Instead of going to the large hall, he had strayed inadvertently into the Christy Minstrels' concert-room! THE demand for platinum is, and has been, steadily advancing with its price, which in America now stands at £ 4 4s. per oz., not much less than that of fine gold. In 1895 the price was as low as C-2 per oz.

— A FUNERAL which, if not exactly unique in character, was, at any rate, very unusual, has taken place in London. A mother stood at the grave of her infant son, surrounded by twenty of her chil- dren. The woman has only just turned forty years of age, and she bears her heavy family burden cheerfully. Her husband is in receipt of a wage of less than £2 per week. IT will always remain to Mr. Cecil Rhodes'a credit that he was one of the few of whom the late General Gordon made an intimate and trusted friend. Chinese Gordon first met the African millionaire in Basutoland, and it is not generally Known that he was earnestly asked to become the General's private secretary and alter ego, a posi- tion which Mr. Rhodes, after much hesitation, de- clined. THE eight water companies of London made last year a total profit of more than £ 1,000,000. The most made by one company was the E263,071 gained by the New River Co.; the least was the jZ65,841 gained by the Southwark and Vauxhall. Three companies showed increased profits.

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,ø. 1 WHEN the latest of Lord Rowton's houses, the one being built in Whitechapel, is completed, accommodation will be provided in these wonderful institutions for one out of every 15 of London's dossers." Lord Rowton, though in his 64th year, is still one of the youngest of our peers. He is an exceptionally charming and accomplished man, and is said to receive more invitations to dinner than any other man in London. He was during the life of the late Queen as welcome at Court as was the late Prime Minister, Lord Beaconsfield, whose pri- vate secretary he was. He has recently been stay- ing at Beaulieu with Lord Salisbury, who is one of his most intimate friends. PROFESSOR H. S. CALLENDAR, M.A., F.R.S., who has been appointed to succeed Professor Rucker as the Professor of Physics in the Royal College of Sciences, is a comparatively young man, being only in his 38th year. He is an old Marl- borough boy, his early education there being followed by a distinguished career at Cambridge, where he obtained a College Fellowship in Natural Science in 1886. Since then he has been at the Royal Holloway College as Professor of Physics, the M'Gill University at Montreal, and lately at the University College, London. He has fublished a system of shorthand, which he called "Phonetic Cursive," but it is not popular amongst those who have to use the art of stenography most.

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