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

CURRENT SPORT. Scotland Beats England at "Soccer." The 32nd meeting of England and Scotland under Association rules took place on the Bramall-lane ground at Sheffield. The usual playing area at Bramall-lane was partially dis- carded, and a portion of the cricket ground was taken in in order to afford more accommodation for spectators. The result of the match was a win for Scotland by two goals to one. The game proved a very stubborn contest. There were in- tervals of brilliancy, but, taken as a whole, it was more an exhibition of dogged pertinacity than of skilful football. The English team, who had the advantage of winning the toss and playing with a strong wind and the sun behind them in the first half, gave the impression of being the sharper of the two sides, especially in the for- ward line, where the combination was excellent. It was seen on changing ends that the vind had been a more powerful factor than had I een imagined, and for quite twenty minutes Scotland swarmed around their opponents' goal. it was during this period that the issue of the game was decided. Early in the match England attacked, and from a free kick Crompton put the ball into the net, but it had touched no one, and so, of course, no goal was scored. England's solitary point was obtained just afterwards. The ball was twice cleverly centred, and at the second op- portunity Woodward smartly put the ball through, Doig having no chance of saving the point. Later a splendid shot by Cox beat Doig but hit the post, the Scottish goal having a very narrow escape. Scotland pressed after this, and but for brilliant defence by Baddeley must have scored on two occasions. England were leading by a goal to nothing at half-time. Scotlarl pressed so severely on changing ends that in the first eight minutes as many shots were sent in, some of which Baddeley saved in splendid style. The attack had its reward at last. Speedie shot a beautiful goal, which Baddeley had not the slightest chance of stopping. Two minutes later Walker gave Scotland the lead. Both goals, it should be said, were got from corners, and Smith centred finely in each case. Occasionally England were dangerous after this, but Scotland were the better side and deserved their victory. Corinthians beat Queen's Park, Glasgow. The meeting of the leading amateur sides of England and Scotland always attracts a good deal of interest, and there was a large number of spectators present at Queen's Club, West Ken- sington, to watch the game, which resulted in an easy victory for the Corinthians by five goals to none. The Queen's Park team are not nearly so good at the present time as they were a few seasons ago, and they were entirely outplayed by their opponents, who had got together a strong combination. The conditions were not favour- able to good football; rain fell during the greater part of the game, and the ball became heavy and slippery. However, a good pace was maintained throughout, and the passing, in the circum- stances, was very accurate. Both teams were stronger in defence than in attack, the Corinthian backs, O. T. Norris and W. U. Timmis, both playing especially well. In the forward lint there was no comparison between the sides, both in combination and in individual play the Corin- thians were much the superior, and, if it had not been for erratic shooting, the score might have been even larger. The best feature of the Queen's Park play was, perhaps, the goalkeeping of W. Eadie. He had a great deal to do, and he was seldom at fault, some of his saves being quite brilliant. Up to the interval the game was closely contested but soon after change of end! the Corinthians had so clearly got the upper hand that the closing stages of the game were devoid of excitement. The League Championship. Sunderland played a fine game on Saturday, and though without three of their usual side, whi were playing in the England and Scotland match at Sheffield, they defeated Notts County. This victory may have a great deal to do with their winning the championship, for they are only two points behind the leaders, Sheffield Wednesday, and they have played two games less. West Bromwich Albion suffered a further defeat at" the hands of Stoke, and it seems as if they had quite lost the fine form they showed earlier in the season. Tke three clubs at the bottom of the list were all engaged, two of them, the Boltoi? Wanderers and the Blackburn Rovers, meeting each other. The former, who have been playing exceptionally well lately, could, however, only score two goals against their opponents' four. The third club, Grimsby Town, went further ahead of them by defeating Liverpool. The re- sults were —Sunderland beat Notts County, at Sunderland, by two goals to one; Aston Villa beat Wolverhampton Wanderers, at Birming- ham, by three goals to one Grimsby Town beat Liverpool, at Grimsby, by three goals to one; Notts Forest beat Newcastle United, at Notting- ham, by three goals to two; Blackburn Rovers beat Bolton Wanderers, at Blackburn, by four goals to two Stoke beat West Bromwich Albion, at Stoke, by three goals to none; Bury beat Middlesbrough, at Bury, by three goals to one; Everton and Sheffield Wednesday drew, at Liver- pool, each side having scored one goal. The Southern League. Southampton gained a further advantage over Reading in the Southern League Championship, for, while they defeated Luton, their nearest rivals could only draw with Tottenham Hotspur on their own ground. Millwall showed a wel- come improvement, and won a decisive victory over the Queen's Park Rangers. The results of the matches were Swindon Town and West Ham United drew, at Swindon, one goal all; Millwall beat Queen's Park Rangers, at Millwall, by six goals to none Southampton beat Luton, at Luton, by three goals to one; New Brompton beat Portsmouth, at New Brompton, by one goal to none. Kettering' and Bristol Rovers drew at Kettering, two goals all; Reading and Totten- ham Hotspur drew, at Reading, neither side having scored. The Amateur Cup. In the replayed final tie for the Amateur Cup, at Darlington, Stockton beat Oxford City by one goal to none. The game was very close and < x- citing, and there was little to choose between the sides. The only goal was scored oy Morgan early in the second half. Afterwards Oxford City made a fine fight to equalise, but the Mock- ton defence prevailed to the end. Other Association Games. At Tufnell-park the Casuals beat East Sheen by four goals to three. Derby County beat. Wal- sall, at Walsall, in the semi-final round of the Bass Charity Cup by two goals to none. Under the 44 Rugger" Code. The Rugby Union County Championship tournament came to a close on Saturday, when the respective winners of the North and South Divisions-Durham and Kent-met at West Hartlepool for the deciding engagement. Durham held the championship last year, and they succeeded in retaining it, but only after an extremely stubborn contest. Nearly 10,000 persons witnessed the play. Kent, who won the toss, had a little the best of matters in the first half. Dillon, Llewellyn, and Skrimshire played well behind a good, hard-working pack of for- wards, but Taylor's kicking on the other side repeatedly checked their efforts. At the expira- tion of half-time neither side had scored. Late in the second half Taylor, receiving a pass from Knaggs, lowered the Kent goal with a well- directeu drop-kick, and this won Durham the match. Kent fought splendidly to get on terms, and they should have scored after a fine run by Skrimshire if he had been better supported. In the last minute McEverdy got in after a smart passing bout. The goal kick would have given Kent the victory had it succeeded, but Spicer's kick was unproductive. Durham thus won the championship for the second season in succes- sion. The final score was-Durham, one dropped goal (four points) Kent, one try (three points). In the final of the Midland Counties Challenge Cup Leicester beat Rugby, at Coventry, by three goals and one try to nothing Among other results at the "Rugger" game were -Devonport Albion beat Torquay, London Devomajis beat Beckenham, Swansea beat New- port, Cheltenham beat Burton, Aberavon beat Mountain Ash, Cardiff beat Plymouth, London Welsh beat Catford Bridge, Gloucester beat Northampton, Exeter beat Bristol, W. G. East's fifteen beat the United Hospitals. Court Tennis. Mr. Joshua Crane defeated Mr. Sands for the court tennis championship at Boston, U.S., on Saturday, the scores being 6-1, 5-6, 6-5, 13-11. Mr. Eustace Miles has telegraphed from England that he will be unable to play Mr. Crane before May 27. This date, however, does not suit the American player. International Gymnastics. At the Athletic Institute, Birmingham, on Saturday, the fifth annual international gymnastic contest was decided. The result was a win for Scotland with 214f points, England being second with 211-1-, Wales third with 174%, and Ireland fourth with 170J. Scotland owed their victory to the fact that they won the last event, rope- climbing, in which they gained 18t points from their rivals. "Couching" for Henley. The stewards of Henley Regatta at their meet- ing on Saturday declined to adopt Mr. R. C. Lehmann's proposition that the resolution recently passed prohibiting the services of pro- fessional coaches being used by competitors in the rowing races for four weeks prior to the regatta should be extended to scullers. The voting was, however, very close, seven being in favour of the extension and six against. Scullers competing at Henley will thus, as heretofore, be allowed to avail themselves of the services of professional coaches. The following foreign entries have been received for this year's regatta Argonaut R.C., Toronto, Canada, for the Grand Challenge Cup. C. S. Titus, Atalanta R.C., New York; J. B. Juvenal, Vesper Club, Philadelphia; Ferdinand De Morville, New Orleans; and L. F. Scholes, Don R.C., Toronto, Canada, for the Diamonds. Yachting at San Remo. The yacht races at San Remo were sailed in fine, sunny weather, while there was a strong breeze. The race for the San Remo Cup was won by Magdalen, Leda captured the King of Italy's Cup, and Melisanda took the Silver Cup. Monday's footbal. In a fairly good game, at Tottenham, on Mon- day, Tottenham Hotspur beat Queen's Park, Glasgow, by one goal to none. Bury beat Shef- field Wednesday in a first division league match, at Bury, by four goals to none. At Millwall, Millwall beat Portsmouth, in the Southern Lea.gue, by two goals to one. In the South- Eastern League, Brentford beat West Ham United, at Brentford, by five goals to on&. Under Rugby Union rules, a match between Dulwich College and L'Ecole Albert le Grand, Paris, played on Monday at Dulwich, resulted in a win for the college by four goals and three tries to nothing.

GALADI OCCUPIED. Sharp Skirmish at the Wells. -Hardships of the March. The operations in Somaliland against the Mullah are now being pressed with some vigour, and a despatch dated Galadi, March 31, brings the news of the occupation of that place on that day. The despatch adds that "the troops met with no opposition on the march, but there was a sharp skirmish at the Wells with a small force of the enemy, who lost five killed. "Tne trying march was admirably borne by the troops, who are now taking a well-earned rest here while plans for the further pursuit of the Mullah are matured. The Mullah is reported to be not very far distant from Galadi with a strong force. The water supply at Galadi is sufficient for the present. "Although the troops met with no opposition they encountered great hardship through the excessive heat and the scarcity of water. Most of the mounted troops remained at Dudub owing to the lack of water." Captures from the Enemy. Following on this important despatch is one from Colonel Swaiin, dated Bohotle, April 2, to the Secretary of State for War. The colonel says that—"Major Sharp's flying column returned to Damot all well this morning after week's success- ful operations in a southerly direction from that place. Camel Corps pushed on to within twenty miles from Galadi, but failed to obtain com- munication with Manning. Total result:- Enemy's loss 98 killed; captured 2,000 camels and 6,000 sheep. "The Indian Contingent B.C. African Somali Mounted Infantry and Camel Corps returned to Bohotle with captured camels as there is a short- age of water Damot. Rain is expected soon." The Position Defined. To understand these operations it is necessary to fix the position of the places, say as regards well-known London localities. Let Bohotle be Highgate, then Damot is Hornsey, Galadi is Chelsea, and Galkayu is Greenwich in regard to position. t Manning has been pushing forward to Galadi in a straight line almost from Galkayu in the direction of the Mullah's forces. Sharp's flying column has been operating from the north to- wards Galadi to strengthen Manning's hands, but has not succeeded in joining the general. When the start was made from Galkayu it was expected that the column, which was made up of levies from the King's African Rifles, the Indian troops, and British and Boer mounted infantry, would reach Galadi about March 26. It will be observed they were five days late, and that is ex- plained by the difficulties mentioned in the despatches. The whereabouts of the Mullah were the all-important thing. He has been reported on the Webi Shebeh River, about 90 miles from Galadi (West), with a force of 5,000 more or less well equipped; but he had taken care to leave a force in Galadi, who retired probably before the British force came up. One feature of the operations at present is the lack of news of the rather large Abyssinian column towards which, if all is going well with that column, the British general must be gradu- ally driving the Mullah's forces. In such case the Mullah is between the upper and nether millstones of our forces. At this time the Abyssinians, which are di- rected by British officers, should be somewhere near Gerlogubi. However, it is difficult to specu- late as to the exact whereabouts of the Mullah. He has proved himself an elusive foe, and the campaign is by no means yet ended.

MR. MCMILLAN'S EXPEDITION. The American expedition which left England in January with the object of exploring the whole course of the Blue Nile arrived at Jibutil on the 27th of February and left on the 2nd of March by railway for Harrar, at which point its arrival has been announced by telegraph. In view of the incorrect reports which are constantly appearing in the French Press to the effect that the expedi- tion consists of British and American engineers who are going to survey a railway between Addis Abeba and Khartoum, it may be stated that the expedition consists of Mr. W. N. M'Millan, of St. Louis, his secretary, Mr. Morgan Brown, and a servant named Marlowe, both the last-named being British. Mr M'Millan is proceeding to Addis Abeba, and thence he and Colonel Harrington, the British Resident, will start on a journey of 1000 miles on the Blue Nile for the purpose of ascer- taining the practicability of using the river as a trade route. Mr. M'Millan met with the greatest hospitality from the Governor of Jibutil on his arrival. He found that all the preparations for his journey had been satisfactorily completed, and after re-engaging a number of headmen, he left for the interior. He is not expected to return until the autumn.

Mrs. Goodsole: UWhy, Johnny, are you only just going home? Your mother's been looking for you all the afternoon." Johnny: "Yes'm, I know." Just think how worried she must be." "Oh, she's near the end of her worrying I'm jest beginnin' mini..

LADY GRANVILLE GORDON. Writ of Sequestration, Application was made m the Divorce Division on the 6th inst., by Mr. Bayford in the case of "Gordon v. Gordon and Gordon," a suit which he said doubtless his Lordship would remember. The President: Oh, yes, painfully. Mr. Bayford said that on March 10 his Lord- ship dismissed a summons which had been taken out with regard to the custody of the child, which summons was made at the time the decree nisi was granted. On March 8 Lady Granville Gordon sent the child out of the custodv. and on the 10th she herself left the country. On the 13th his Lordship made an order to commit, and also issued a writ of attachment against Lady Granville Gordon. The application that was now made was that a writ of sequestration should issue as regarded Lady Granville Gordon, who had an income of C2,000 per annum, which she received from certain trustees, and was paid periodically by the bank. He submitted that under the case of "Hyde v. Hyde" there was sufficient for his Lordship to act on. He sug- gested that a writ of sequestration should issue in general process, and he submitted that the court had power to order that certain persons should come up for cross-examination, it being material to know of what the lady's estate con- sisted. His Lordship said he doubted whether he had power to order that. Mr. Bayford said he thought so, under the practice of the old ecclesiastical court. His Lordship said he considered that the old courts had not the power to enforce an order of sequestration, and in any case this was not an ecclesiastical court. Eventually his Lordship said he would direct that a writ of sequestration should issue in general terms, and he would appoint any person who might be named as sequestrator, subject to the Registrar being satisfied as to fitness.

FATAL MIDNIGHT RIDE. In the Westminster Coroner's Court, on Monday, Mr. Troutbeck held an inquest on the body of Henry Bowman Cochrane, aged twenty- eight, of Queen's-terrace-mews, Kensington, who was fatally injured while riding near Hyde Park on Wednesday of last week. James Alexander Cochrane, of Manchester, identified the body as that of his brother, and described him as an insurance manager. It was stated in evidence that Mr. H. B. Cochrane went home about one o'clock in the morning. As he suffered from sleeplessness he saddled a bay cob and went out for a ride. Mr. Charles Leslie Cockle, an officer of the Imperial Yeomanry, said he met Mr. Cochrane, and when near Prince's-gate the horse fell and rolled on its rider. Witness thought the horse had bolted. The surgical evidence showed that Mr. Cochrane's skull was fractured and the brain lacerated. He died about an hour after the accident happened. A verdict of "Accidental death" was returned.

THE PRINCE AND THE NAVY. Mr. Henry Fedden, of Bristol, from whom a fiommunication recently appeared in reference to the beneficent work carried on for over thirty years by the Formidable training-ship in the Bristol Channel, and to the effort now being made to obtain funds for building a nautical school at Portishead, to take the place of the old ship, whose days are numbered, has received the following letter:- "York House, St. James's Palace. "Sir,—I am directed by the Prince of Wales to write and tell you that his Royal Highness "has read with close attention your letter with reference to the Formidable. "His Royal Highness takes the deepest interest in his Majesty's Navy, and has always set a high value on the advantages derived from the train- ing-ships, amongst which the Formidable has held so high and honourable a place, and it is on these grounds that the Prince of Wales learns with regret of -the disappearance, owing to unavoidable circumstances, of the old ship. "His Royal Highness feels certain that the public, mindful of the services of the Formidable, will readily assist you and your colleagues in continuing on fresh lines the splendid work with which you have been so long associated, and for which the thanks of us all are due. "The Prince of Wales directs me to enclose you a cheque for twenty pounds as his subscrip- tion to the au-e you appeal for, and his Royal Highness wishes you every success. "I am, Sir, your obedient servant, William Carrington, Comptroller and Treasurer to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales."

„ ,„„. IRISH LAND BILL. Views of Ulster Farmers. A jmeeting of the Executive Council of the Ulster Farmers and Labourers' Union was held in Belfast on Monday for the consideration of the Irish Land Bill. Disappointment was expressed with the provisions of the measure. The prin- cipal points in the Bill to which exception was taken are the provisions for fixing minimum reductions to tenants' prices which have been realised, and for abrogating the right of having a fair rent fixed. The financial arrangements are stated to be of a most unsatisfactory and dan- gerous character both to the tenants and to the Irish funds which are to be impounded. Members of the Union, the official report states, a.re more convinced than ever that no settlement of the land question is possible bv means of any Bill which does not include an element of com- pulsion. General dissatisfaction exists that there is no compulsion whatsoever on the landlords to sell in any circumstances outlined in the Bill, while an attempt has been made to put com- pulsion on the tenant, in certain circumstances, to buy. Altogether it would appear that there was a growing dissatisfaction with the measure, and it is anticipated tbat-a formal pronouncement at the convention of the Ulster Farmers to-morrow week will reveal most serious defects in almost all portions of the Bill. The opinion was expressed that the provisions in regard to labourers' cottages were "nothing but a sham." It is possible that at the conference further objections may be raised to the proposals, but the hope is entertained that both sides will accept the Bill as a basis of a satisfactory settlement of the question, and that such modifications will be secured as will render it a purely remedial measure.

CHARGES OF "COOPERING." The crews of the Dutch vessels Noordstea and Rebecca, captured on Friday of last week and taken to Grimsby for alleged coopering" in the North Sea, were brought before the Grimsby Justices last Monday, and remanded for Y, seven days pending instructions from the customs in London. The chief officer of the revenue cutter Beaver stated that both the vessels, though themselves outside the limit, had small boats inside the limit, trafficking among trawlers leaving Grimsby. On the Noordstea they seized more than 1001b. of tobacco, 151b. of cigars, and a quantity of spirits and liqueurs. On the Rebecca they found 801b. of tobacco and 121b. of cigarettes, as well as cigars and spirits. They were trafficking between Withernsea and Spurn. One of the crew who understood English pleaded on behalf of the other defendants that they were never within the three mile limit.

I THE KING IN PORTUGAL. I Royal Sight-seeing. King Edward and King Carlos made, on the 3rd inst., an excursion to the beautiful Royal castle at Cintra. Returning to Lisbon in the evening, the two Sovereigns held a reception of the Diplomatic Corps, and King Edward received deputations from the Chambers. Later on there was a brilliant firework display on the Tagus. The public enthu- siasm over the King's visit continues unabated in Lisbon and throughout Portugal. The newspapers have devoted much of their space to the subject, and the Diario particularly contained a series of signed articles by eminent Portuguese writers and statesmen on the importance and significance of the British alliance. I [A Shower of Roses. King Edward drove through Lisbon on Satur. day morning, accompanied by the Marquis De Soveral, and had a great popular welcome. At the Geographical Society's Museum, his Majesty, escorted by Dom Carlos, ascended a dais amid a shower of rose leaves from ladies in the gallery. Replying to an address, the King said tho alliance and the friendly relations of England and Por- tugal, which dated back for centuries, were never closer or more cordial than now. When he left Portugal there would be engraved upon his heart the memory of the enthusiasm of his reception by the Portuguese people. At night the King at- tended a gala performance at the Opera, and the audience responded with great heartiness to the call of the President of the Municipal Council, "Long live King Edward, Queen Alexandra, and the Royal House of England!" A member of the Chamber of Deputies called for cheers for the King, which were given with boundless en- thusiasm. The King, after attending service at the English Church on Sunday, received ad- dresses from the British residents in Lisbon and Oporto, and replied to them, laying stress on the friendly relations of the two countries. After opening the British Club, his Majesty left for Cascaes, where King Carlos has a summer resid- ence. His Majesty at a Bull Fight. A bull fight was given in honour of King Edward in Lisbon on the afternoon of the 6th inst. A Portuguese bull-fight being devoid of the barbarous features of those in Spain, his Majesty was able to attend it, and there was a brilliant assemblage of fifteen thousand people. When the King, followed by Dom Carlos, en- tered the Royal box, the vast company rose and gave an enthusiastic cheer. The preliminaries of the encounter were most picturesque, and the contests between the bulls and cavalheiros very exciting; but no incident occurred to mar the display of daring and horsemanship, and not a horse was scratched. The bulls left the arena with only a few punctures in the neck. Before the bull-fight the King reviewed the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, of which he is Honorary Colonel, and later his Majesty attended a concert at the Palace of the Queen Dowager.. At the State dinner on Sunday night, the King, replying to the toast of his health, said he hoped the alliance between England and Portugal would last for all time.

DREYFUS AGAIN. The French Chamber, on the 6th inst., held a very tumultuous Sitting. In pursuance of his promise to revive the Dreyfus case, M. Jaures read a letter written by General Pellieux to the then Minister for War, M. Cavaignac, asking to be placed on the Retired List, because his Chief3 had caused him to act on forgeries. M. Henri Brisson, who was Prime Minister at that time, repudiated all knowledge of the letter, accused M. Cavaignac of concealing it, said he was un- worthy of the Republic and of his lineage, and deserved to be impeached. M. Cavaignac vigor- ously defended his action, and further scenes arose when M. Jaures proceeded to refer to the letter alleged to have been written by the Em- peror William, and which, he said, those who used it knew to be a forgery. He challenged M. Mil- levoye to disclose the name of the person who gave him the text of the alleged Imperial letter. This M. Millevoye refused to do, and the Debate was adjourned.

GREAT STRIKE IN HOLLAND. I The strike in Holland continues to spread, and on the 6th inst. all classes of railway men were called out. The result is almost a complete cessa- tion of transport, and communication between the Netherlands ports and England has consequently been interrupted. The services via the Hook of Holland and Flushing have been regularly con- ducted, but the train service from Rotterdam has been badly disorganised. A thousand troops have been assigned to Rotterdam to preserve order, and Queen Wilhelmina has signed a decree calling out two more classes of reserves. The troops in Amsterdam have been confined to barracks.

CAMILLE HOLLAND'S DEATH PRESUMED. In the Probate Division, on the 6th inst., appli- cation was made to presume the death of Miss Camille Cecil Holland, who lived at Moat Farm, Clavering, Essex, and who, counsel stated, had not been heard of since May 18, 1899. The lady made a will in February, 1894, and the executors said the farm, property, and stock ought to be pro- tected when the police left it, or possibly the man Dougal, now in custody, might do what he liked with it. The president gave leave to presume the death on May 18, 1899.

DEATH OF MR. REGISTRAR HANNEN. Mr. Registrar Hannen, of the Probate and Divorce Division of the High Court of Justice, died on Sunday, though he was in attendance at the Divorce Court as recently at last week. He was 50 years of age. The son of the late Lord Hannen, the Hon. James Chitty Hannen was edu- cated at Oxford University, where he took the B.A. degree. He was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1876, and had been a Registrar of the Probate Division of the High Court since 1888. He married, in 1876, Lucy, youngest daughter of the late Mr. C. Schaeffer, of Coblenz. The Presi- dent of the Probate Division on Monday referred with great regret to the death of Registrar Hannen. He said that Mr. Hannen's position in that divi- sion was an altogether exceptional one. Not only did he himself for many years very worthily and very admirably discharge the public duties entrusted to him, but he also represented in name and in character and service the very distinguished judge of whom he (Sir F. Jeune) was proud to be a successor, and to whom that Court for so many years owed so much. Mr. H. B. Deane, K.C., on behalf of the Bar said that those who had the honour of practising before Mr. Hannen's father recognised that the Registrar had acquired many of the admirable qualities of his distinguished father.

I ALIEN PILOTS. Mr. Gerald Balfour, President of the Board of Trade, on Monday received a deputation repre- senting British pilots, who protested against the present system of granting pilot certificates to aliens. Mr. Balfour said he could not that day express any definite opinion on the contention laid before him. They were practically asking him to reverse a decision arrived at by a Select Committee of the House of Commons and embodied in an Act of Parliament in 1889. Since that date the number of alien pilots had only increased from 30 to 70, a very small percentage of the 2430 licensedjnlots. The danger from alien pilots in time of war appeared to be a question for the Ad- miralty, and he would bring the matter before that department, and further consider the matter after receiving their opinion.

p The deep seas m the southern hemisphere—the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans-are be- lieved to lie in the depression or vacancy from which the material of the moon was once torn off and thrown into space.

"FASTING" IN THE OLDEN TIME. The Spartan Fare of our Ancestors. The latest product of the excellent work done by the Historical Manuscripts Commission is a transcript of various collections of manuscripts, among them those of Sir George WombweiL These include the household books of Sir William Fairfax, which throw some diverting light upon the manners and customs of the sixteenth cen- tury, especially in the matter of eating and drink- ing. This is the bill of fare for Christmas Day, 1572. For breakfast there was brawn and mur- tard, beef and beer for the master, and beef and beer for the yeomen. At dinner time there was, for "my master," a first course of brawn and mustard, frumenty, boiled mallards, boiled knuckles of veal, nimble pies, peascods, a roast chine of beef, roast veal, roast swan, roast turkey, roast pig, cold crane pie, roast capon, and baked venison. The second course was "gillye," roast conies, roast mallard, roast teals, one roast part- ridge, cold turkey pie, one roast woodcock, and a tart. At supper on the same day "my lord" stayed the pangs of hunger with a first course of five dishes of boiled meats, sliced beef, roast mutton, roast veal, cold crane pie, roast capons, baked venison, and "dulcyttes." The second course consisted of "gillye," roast conies, roast mallards, roast teals, roast pheasant, cold turkey pie, roast partridge, and a tart. It Is comforting to find that Fridays and Saturdays were always fast days, when Spartan fare was the order of the day, and thus gave time for recuperation. For instance, a Friday supper to the Archbishop of York (1579) was severely restricted to the fol- lowing dishes :-Three salads, butter, soup, two boiled chickens (4d.), eggs in broth, turbot broth, salt ling, white herrings, keling, turbot pie, fresh salmon, roast capon, baked venison, and dulcet. There was also a second course, consisting of a matter of fourteen dishes, namely, chine of sal- mon, roast rabbits, roast conger, roast chickens, salmon trout, roast kid, brite, fresh ling, conger in sauce, roast pullets, roast tench, Florentine, tench in jelly, and tart.

TRAGIC VILLAGE FIRE, Curate's Wife and Child Burned to Death. A sad occurrence took pKce on the morning of the 3rd inst., in the villa, of Yardley Gobion, Northamptonshire, by which the wife and only child of the Rev. Ernest Alfred Lloyd, curate-in- charge, were burned to death in bed. Mr. Lloyd was rescued in an unconscious condition, and for a time his life was despaired of. He is twenty- nine years of age, and was formerly curate at St. Cuthbert's, Hampstead. His wife, to whom he was married three years ago, was a daughter of Colonel Graham, also of Hampstead. The fire was discovered at four o'clock by Mr. Lloyd, who was sleeping in a room adjoining that occupied by his wife rld child. He ran to his wife's room, and found the bed on fire and the room full of flame and smoke. Opening the window he shouted for help, and was then over- come. His cries had, however, been heard by Police-constable Pollard, who obtained a ladder and mounted to the window. When he saw that the room was full of fire he returned for an axe, with which he burst open the front door. He then rushed to the burning bedroom. On the landing he stumbled across the unconscious body of Mr. Lloyd. Having carried him from the house, he returned to the bedroom, but was unable to enter. The cause of the fire is unknown, but it was stated at the inquest that Mrs. Lloyd had a night-light burning on a table at the side of the bed to keep the baby's food warm. This, it is supposed, was upset.

Apparently the French Naval Department, has become antagonistic, for some reason, to large, heavy submarine boats, for only twenty of their fifty submarines now on the stocks are to be com- pleted, and these are only of 70 tons displacement. The sons of the Prince of Wales are taking a series of riding lessons in the Buckingham Palace riding school. In this, as in many other healthy physical exercises, the young Princes and the elder Princess evince great enjoyment and apti- tude.

I VANISHING HELIGOLAND. As it was reported from Heligoland that con- siderable masses of land had fallen into the sea during the winter storms the Kaiser visited the island a few weeks ago to see for himself what effect this was likely to have on the fortifications. His Majesty evidently regarded the situation as serious, for shortly afterwards a number of Government officials crossed over to make a thorough investigation. It now transpires that these gentlemen have given up the island for lost. It is particularly the western side of the island where the famous grottos are situated that is being rapidly disintegrated. Eight hundred years ago the island was five times its present size, and as the crumbling away of the rock is due solely to geological causes, it is admitted that human skill and power can do nothing to avert its complete disappearance. The rock of which the island is composed contains a large percentage of salt which nothing can protect from dissolution by the North Sea. Germans are now more than ever confirmed in their opinion that Bismarck made an extremely bad bargain when he made an exchange with Eng- land taking over Heligoland.

I HOIST BY HIS OWN PETARD. Mr. Ira Terrill, an ex-member of the Oklahoma Legislature, is serving a sentence of twelve years' imprisonment in a Kansas gaol for manslaughter. He is the first victim of a law of which he was the author, which aimed at putting down lawless- ness. Terrill shot a man named Embree, with whom he had a quarrel about the ownership of some land. The ex-legislator ever since his conviction has been demanding his release on the ground that the law which he passed is unconstitutional. As the author of the law he claims to know more about it than anyone else.

I A ROYAL EARL. Apropos of the forthcoming visit of the King And Queen to Ireland, the Westminster Gazette recalls the fact that among the many titles held by his Majesty is that of the Earl of Dublin. The creation of the title was the direct outcome of his first visit to Ireland in the summer of 1849. Writing in her" Journal" under date August 12, 1849, the late Queen Victoria says I intend to create Bertie Earl of Dublin,' as a com- pliment to the town and country; he has no Irish title, although he is born with several Scotch ones (belonging to the heirs to the Scotch throne and which we have inherited from James VI. of Scotland and 1. of England, and this was one of my father's titles." Her Majesty kept the inten- tion, and on January 17, 1850, the title of Earl of Dublin was conferred on the young Prince by Royal patent.

I MEDICAL MEN INCREASING. In the Medical Register for 1903 the foreign list, which was a new feature last year, and then con- tained only one name, now is given a table showing the total number of medical men whose names are included in the Register on December 31 in each year. On December 31, 1902, there were 37,232 names. On December 31, 1901, there were 36,912 names, and since then 1275 new names have been added, 96 restored, and 1051 removed, constituting a net gain of 320. The average number of names on the Register for the last five years is stated to be 36,279, so that the present number now exceeda that average by 953.

I COMPENSATION FOR LICENSES. Though we cannot help feeling, says the "Spectator," that the action of the justices in re- ducing the number of licenses in various places has been somewhat exaggerated, and though we realise that such action, is not, as alleged, entirely novel and unprecedented, we hold that the re- spectable publican whose license has been suddenly taken away from him has a right to compensation. We feel sure that to the majority of Englishmen the refusal to renew a license to a perfectly well- conducted house will always appear inequitable unless it is accompanied by compensation,

I TWO KINDS OF PLANTS. Lisbon—a city which has been very much in the public eye, because of King Edward's visit—has a public garden in which a police notice is dis- played offering a reward of something like a sove- reign for information that may lead to the convic- tion of anyone plucking flowers. Lately one impecunious student accused a hard-up comrade of the offence. Before the judge the miscreant pleaded absent-mindedness. He was engrossed in a Greek classic, he said, and he thought he was in his father's garden. The excuse was accepted, and he was dismissed. The informer drew the reward, and honestly shared it with his flower- plucking pal. The whole business had been pre- arranged.

I A TERRIBLE DEATH-DEALER. As illustrating recent developments in the power of the guns of the United States Navy, a contem- porary compares the energy of a 6in. gun of a few years ago with that of a 6in. gun of to-day. Then the gun was 30 calibres in length, weighed 4*8 tons, had a muzzle velocity of 2000ft. per second, and a 1001b. projectile. Its muzzle energy was 2773ft.- tons, and its practicable rate of fire two and a-half aimed shots per minute. The latest type has a length of 50 calibres, a weight of 8-2 tons, a muzzle velocity with smokeless powder, and a lOOlb. pro- jectile of 2900ft. per second, and a muzzle energy flf 5836ft.-tons. Its practicable rate of fire is eight aimed shots per minute.

Last month 658 dinners for poor children were provided for by "ceiling collecting" at a Liver- pool hotel. A coin wrapped in paper is flung at the wooden ceiling and adheres by means of a tin-tack in the wrapping. The funeral of the late Lord Abbot at Kioto was accompanied by 311 injuries, faintings, seven fights, 121 thefts, 374 pickpocketl captured, 1,021 articles lost^ while s&venty-ui#* persons fell into a creek.

The last fatal duel between members of reign- ing houses took pla-ce thirty-three years ago. At the beginning of 1870 the throne of Spain was vacant, and among the candidates for it the like- liest were the Duke of Montpensier (son of King Louis Phillippe), husband of the ex-Queen Isa- bella's sister, and the Duke of Seville, brother of the ex-Queen's consort. As the result of pamphlet by the latter, they met near Madrid, and the French Prince sent a bullet through the Duke of Seville's head. He was sentenced to a month's banishment from Madrid, and had to pay 6,000 dollars damages for the victim's family. This incident made the survivor's election im- possible.

I SUPPRESSING THE CIGARETTE. The anti-cigarette war in Canada has received a great impetus by the adoption in the Dominion House of Commons of Mr. Bickerdike's motion in favour of prohibiting the import, manufacture, and sale of cigarettes. This success was the out- come of 20 years' constant labour by the women reformers of Canada. It will be followed by the introduction of a Government Bill by the Minister of Justice after Easter embodying the terms of the resolution. How far the bill will get and what changes willbemadeis of course uncertain. All the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, have placed on their statute-books legislation against the sale of cigarettes to boys and girls under the ages in some provinces of 16 and in others of 18, but nowhere has the law been enforced. Evidence of the growth of the habit and its ruinous effects on girls as well as boys led the Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union of Canada to organise with the object of seriously grappling with the evil. Its circulars elicited replies from physicians, educators, and leading men throughout the country, which showed that the practice was extending to boys and girls of all ages from eight years upwards. Three murders by youths in two years were attributed to the demoralising influences of cigarettes. At the Mimico Reformatory School 75 per cent. of the boys under 14 were found to be confirmed cigarette smokers when admitted. Many cases of utter mental and physical wreck are reported by doctors. In a number of physical schools it is re- ported that there is secret cigarette smoking by girls, who carry the habit into their homes with the most serious consequences. Others, making no attempt at concealment, smoke in defiance of parental entreaties.