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

GARDEN GOSSIP. I In pruning roses, always cut the weak shoots harder than the strong ones. Stephanotises should always be trained as near the glass as possible without actually touching. Repot any Cacti needing larger receptacles. More water will be necessary for nearly all sec- tions. The various forms of Campanula persicsefolia are useful for cutting, and should be included in every border of hardy flowers. Gloxinias should never be grown in a dry at- mosphere moisture is very necessary in develop- ing fine foliage. A circulation of warm air must be maintained in houses containing Grapes in flower, to ensure free setting. Keep your Tomatoes near the glass; the aim should be sturdy, short jointed growth. Strike a few cuttings of Hydrangeas; they should give splendid trusses next season. Nearly all plants fare better on close stages covered with gravel or similar material than on open woodwork. A dressing of weed killer now will save much expense and worry in connection with the walks and drives for the rest of the season. Always use a clasp knife in propagating and grafting; the operation in either case is always far more satisfactory. Coreopses are much used and greatly admired as light material for table decoration; they do well when sown in the open on a warm border. Francoa ramosa (Bridal Wreath) is a useful plant, requiring little heat. A few seeds sown now should result in fine plants another season. Young plants of Alyssum saxatile should from time to time be raised from seed. Those raised now will flower next season. Put in a few cuttings of Fuschias now; they will make useful, free blooming plants in autumn. Ten-Week Stocks should be raised with as little artificial heat as possible; there would be far less damping amongst the seedlings if this were remembered when sowing. Half-hardy annuals raised in boxes will be ready to prick out fer strengthening, either en a bed in a frame or in ooxes. Place them 2 inches apart in light soil. Do not forget to sow a few Shirley Poppies; of all the family they are the loveliest, and when cut in the opening stages last fairly well in water. Growers of Carnations should cut away any foliage affected with "spot." If this is done when the pest first appears the disease rarely makes headway. Never allow the haulm of peas to fall about before placing supports, or the growths will not fasten themselves so well afterwards. Never graft trees unless the bark can be easily raised many failures result from the work being done before circulation has properly commenced in the stocks. New flower pots should be well soaked before using, otherwise they extract all the moisture from the soil they contain. Without special preparation, it is useless to attempt growing Rhododendrons and similar plants where lime is found to any extent in the soil. Sow seeds of broccoli, cabbage, savoy, etc., in drills; weeds are so much easier to keep down amongst the plants than when sown broadcast. Anthericum lilitstrum is a Lily-like plant, pro- ducing beautiful white flowers, and is quite hardy. It should be more frequently grown. In strong, wet soils, Scabiosa Caucasica sel- dom thrives when planting mix some sand with the earth around the roots, and choose a dry situation if possible. A slight dressing of salt has an excellent manurial effect on hot, light soils it should only be applied when the ground is vacant,- with the exception of one or two crops. Give liquid manure to old fruit trees and any younger ones which produce weakly growth an application now is frequently of more benefit than if given in summer. Scatter a sprinkling of artificial manure in the drills when sowing turnip seed this will help the young plants to grow away quickly, and in a measure overcome the attacks of the fly. A good rule to observe in sowing seecte is to cover them their own depth many are buried too deeply, and thus fail to germinate. Seed of double and single Chinese Primulas may be sown in a pan or pot in good compost. Moisten the soil before sowing, and afford a gentle, moist bottom heat. Merely cover the seed with fine soil or sand, and lay a pane of glass over the pot or pan. DAHLIAS.—Old roots may be brought forth from winter quarters, and placed in a frame or cool greenhouse to start steadily into growth. Division of the roots may be effected when growths push. Cuttings which have rooted in heat should be transferred to cooler quarters. PLANTING CALCEOLARIAS.—Shrubby Calceo- larias which have been growing in frames are now ready for transferring to beds or borders. If positions are not ready for them, it is a good plan to temporarily transplant them on a bed of soil, placed on a layer of decomposed manure, from which they may be lifted and planted later on. BULBOUS PLANTS.—These are grand standbys in the summer garden, and especially in the suburban garden, for often they will flower and flourish where the ordinary perennials and an- nuals are a failure. Many a town garden might be made beautiful for months if the characteristic feature were made of these subjects. First and foremost, so far as brilliancy of colouring is con- cerned, is the Gladiolus. Corms may be planted in succession through March and April. The ground should be well worked and manure added, and the corms planted at least 5 inches apart. In thinking of the well known G. Lemoinei and G. Gandavensis, we are too inclined to overlook the smaller G. Colvillei, both alba and roseus, which are charming together. CHRYSANTHEMUMS.—The majority of the rooted Chrysanthemum plants in small pots must have a position in frames near the glass, and have plenty of light and air, removing the light;! en- tirely on favourable occasions. Watering must be strictly attended to, as the soil in small pots dries rapidly. Bushy plants are produced by stopping the growths, so as to induce them to form a number of breaks. Stopping or pinching is also practised for the purpose of inducing a-a earlier natural break when growing for exhibi- tion, and thus accelerate the production of suit- able buds at the right time. Many varieties which are late in showing the first natural break may have the points of the shoots pinched out during April.

Bexley: "Yes, I'll be glad to run out and see you some time. What's your number?" Clap- hamite "Why—er—the houses in Swamphurst are not numbered yet." "Well, how shall I find you?" "Turn to the left from the station, and walk down the road until you come to the second big puddle. My house ia directly opposite.t

OUR SHORT STORY. I A Hairbreadth 'Scape. I Give a fell w a chance, Sue," said George I Wellsman, as he Good by the garden gate of a cottage in which Susan Maitland lived with her aunt on the outskirts of the little South country town called Oakdean. What chance have you given yourself, George ?* asked the young girl sadly. "Two years ago, when you told me you loved me, you promised to reform, and, trusting in your keeping your word, I said that I would one day become your wife. How have you changed since then, or rather, how have you advanced upon the fatal road which brings you nearer to ruin ?" "My cousin forgets his own youthful days," answered George, and thus does not make any allowance for mine." Your cousin took you into his business and promised you a partnership in the brewery when you should have qualified yourself for it." Robert got my services at half the salary that he would have had to pay a clerk," said George. There was not a man in the office who did not get double what I did. Then he expected me to live like a hermit, and told me I was disgracing him because I was unable to pay my debts." Well George, it is not for me to judge between you and Mr. Wellsman," replied Susan, but I have the right to consider my own position towards you, and I am sure that it is for my good as it will be for yours, if anything can be for your good, that I now cancel our engagement." Susan's lip trembled as she spoke and her eyes filled with tears which, in spite of her effort to re- strain them, coursed down her cheeks. George remained silent for a minute, as if he were trying to offer some fresh argument in his own favour. Then he raised his head, and, with a glance full of tenderness and despair, he "pressed her hand in token of farewell as he said- Yes, Susan, I am sure it is for your good to be auit of me. This is the last time I will trouble you. He approached her face with his lips, but as he did so, he seemed to distrust his power of control- ing his emotion, and, turning from the young girl who had been the one beneficent influence of his manhood, he hurried away. Susan looked after him for a moment, then, overcome by her grief, she entered the cottage, and in the privacy of her bedroom indulged the sorrow that was oppressing her young life. George was quite in earnest when he told her that she would no more be troubled by him, and had, there and then, resolved to quit the world. He walked along back to Oakdean, a few minutes bringing him to the little High Street in which most of the business of the town was carried on, and at once entered a shop where second hand goods of every description were for sale. There was a revolver in the window priced at twehe shillings, and, placing a soverign on the counter. he asked for it. The shopkeeper in handing him the weapon, ex- pressed a doubt about having sufficient change in the till, but at last produced three half-crowns and a sixpence, apologising for the latter being defaced. Thence he went to a gunmaker's a few doors off, and supplied himself with some cartridges to fit his revolver, and left the town, intending to take the train to a quiet coast town. There is no station in Oakdean, but five miles on one side of it there is a busy one, at which most of the trains stop; on the other side of the town, at Braill, two miles distant, there being a platform and ticket ollice for the accommodation of the few Oakdeaners who live away from their place of business. As the opportunities at this latter place are very rare, but few travellers, except the regular passengers, make use of it. So George Wellsman started off for the more distant station, and within an hour and a half was seated by himself in a first class carriage. George meant to shoot himself on the beach when the tide was rising, that his body might be carried out to sea, so that neither Susan Maitland, nor anyone else, should be troubled by him any more. Dinner at Mr. Robert Wellsman's home had been ready more than an hour, but the arrival of that gentleman had not given the signal for its being served. Mr. Wellsman was a bachelor without any relative residing with him-indeed, his cousin George was his only relation-so his absence did not cause inconvenience to anyone except the cook. But he was such a regular man that his failing to be home in time for his six o'clock dinner aroused anxiety in the breast of his housekeeper. At last the good lady sent the page down to the station to enquire for his master. There the lad found everyone in a state of alarm. The porter, upon opening Mr. Wellsman's carriage as usual, had discovered him lying back dead on his seat, shot through the head, the revolver, which had presumably ended the brewer's life, having been thrown upon the floor of the compartment. The station-master had wired to each place at which the train had stopped between Robert Wellsman's point of departure and of that at which his corpse had arrived. From the former had come the statement that a young man had jumped from Mr. Wellsman's carriage after thatgentleman had entered it and, leaving the station, had given up a first-class ticket entitling him to travel to a seaside station further along the line. As notice had been taken of so eccentric a passenger, men had been sent in every direction in search flf him, and the police had been communicated with. The page was despatched home with his diije message, the body of his master being shut up in a room at the station pending instructions from the authorities. Although ill news is said to travel quickly, Susan Maitland heard nothing of Robert Wells- man's death until an inquest had been held and her old lover found himself committed for trial on the charge of wilful murder A local lawyer had advised George to reserve his defence, but virtually nothing had been attempted en the young man's behalf. As soon, however, as his perilous position came to Susan's knowledge, the broken hearted girl stirred herself to do all she could for him. With the assistance of his lawyer she retained Sir Authur Lewin for his defence, the lawyer going up to London to instruct the popular criminal barrister. Umph!" said Sir Authur, when he had heard George's account of his doings on the night of his cousin's murder, I think we had better leave it to the prosecution and find what flaws we can in their ease., So it was settled that the prisoner should simply plead Not Guilty." Susan Maitland, who remembered the ill-feeling for his cousin expressed by her lover, did not dare attempt to see him, and trembled lest she should be summoned as a witness. George, who had easily been captured about four miles from the station at which he had given up his ticket, had no apprehension as to the result of the trial, knowing himself innocent, but by the people of Oakdean he had been already found guilty. it George's assurance, however, was more than shaken as he listened to the opening speech of the prosecuting counsel. Sentence by sentence he heard the arguments advanced which brought home to him the crime of which he was charged. "I shall prove," said council, that the prisoner had had a quarrel with his cousin, who had dis- charged him, because of his irregular life, on the day when the murder was committed. I shall produce the person who sold the prisoner the pistol which was found in the carriage near the murdered man. This witness will not only identify the. revolver, but also a defaced sixpence found upon the prisoner and given to him in change when the weapon was purchased on the evening when the murder took place. A gunsmith will prove having sold the prisoner some cartridges, and it will be shown that when the revolver was picked up in the railway carriage, which the accused had quitted at Braill. after the murdered man had entered it, one chamber of the weapon was empty, and the prisoner will be found to have quitted the train at this said station, Braill, although the ticket he gave up would have taken him right to the terminus of the train journey. It is true that the murdered gentleman's watch and money were not found upon the prisoner, but there was ample time between his leaving the station and being .arrested to have disposed of them. One by one the witnesses deposed precisely as the counsel has promised. Sir Arthur Lewin tnea in vain to shake their evidence by sharp cross- examination. common in such cases, but they were all sure of their facts and had been convinced of the prisoner's guilt directly they had heard that his cousin had discharged him. When it came to Sir Arthur Lewin's turn to address the jury everyone felt that he had a hope- less task. Indeed, his own depreciation of his cause was apparent in his substituting special pleading for argument, casting doubt upon the accuracy of the witnesses' memories and expatiat- ing upon the danger of trusting simply to circum- stantial evidence. As he sat down there was a movement amongst the crowd in the court, as if the people were relieved by no longer having to listen to reasoning with which they could not agree. George, who had watched the faces of the jury- men during Sir Auther's address, told himself that every word had been spoken in vain, and that all his judges had already condemned him. Then across his mind flashed the fearful out- come of that day's proceedings, and everything passed unnoticed by him. When he came to himself the judge was about to commence his summing np, but rendered reckless in his despair, the prisoner dared to speak for himself. My lord," he said, I have taken my lawyers' advice and have left them to defend me after their own fashion. But I feel that my first impulse was the better course. I bought the revolver and cartridges with the intention of taking my own life on the shore, for the sea to carry away my body. By chance I left one of the chambers of the weapon without a charge. When my cousin got into the carriage which I occupied, I quitted it that I might not have more ill-words with him, forgetting the revolver in my haste. I might have gone to another carriage, but in my excitement I left the station. That is all I have to say." There was a flutter in the court and those who saw the prisoner's face were disposed to believe him. The judge, however, was not so impressed. Doubtless your legal advisers showed their dis- cretion in not adopting a defence which is un- corroborated," said the judge coldly, as he pre- pared to address the jury. At the moment a woman's scream and the dull thud of someone falling were heard in the gallery. Poor Susan Maitland had fainted. The judge paused while the insensible girl was removed from the court. At the moment a prison warder entered the body of the hall and handed the clerk a paper, which the latter read and passed up to the judge. Gentlemen," said his lordship, the prisoner seems to have told the truth. Although the case for the defence is closed, I shall ask you to hear this warder who will tell you that in making the capture of a man, charged with a murder at Canterbury, the police have found on him the missing watch and rings of the late Mr. Robert Wellsman, and that he has confessed the assassina- tion of the deceased." So poor George obtained his acquittal, and escaped the gallows to find himself the heir to his cousin's business and property, Robert having died intestate. More than that, he induced Susan Maitland to become his wife and to bless the life which she had done her best to preserve.

SHOP-GIRLS WHO FENCE. I The latest development of the scheme for providing rational and healthy exercise for Paris working-girls—dressmakers, milliners, and others —is a class for fencing. After singing, dancing, and declamation, "Mimi Pinson" is now being taught to handle the foils, and a few nights ago, at an exhibition at the Conservatoire Populaire, the young women showed that they could thrust and parry in quite a remarkable fashion. The one thing that annoys them is that they are compelled to hide their pretty faces behind unprepossessing masks.

A ROYAL SALVATIONIST. I Next to the State Church (the Lutheran) the Salvation Army is the strongest religious organisation in Sweden. In fact, nearly all the plain people belong to it. The Queen has for years been a member of the Auxiliary League of the Army, and has contributed largely to its funds. Her wish was, however, to become an out-and-out member, to do which she would have to adopt the Army uniform and would probably take an active part in the street parades. Her second son and his unroyal wife have both taken an active part in street meetings many times. The Queen is especially interested in the Warm Shelter, a. club-house for the poor in Stockholm, and she has always been particularly active in this sort of rescue and relief work. One time she heard of the conversion by the Army of a blind woman. She ordered that the woman be brought to the Court without being told where she was. The convert was left with the Queen and the ladies of the Court. She felt her way about and preached, exhorted and prayed for two hours, asking each one if she were a Christian. Her simple sincerity brought tears with the smiles that could not be suppressed. At the time Prince Oscar, now King Oscar II., met and wooed Sophia Vilhelmina Mariana Henrietta, the accomplished daughter of the Prince of Wied, there was little expectation of his ascending the throne, for he was a third son. The simple life did not last long, however, as deaths in the family first forced Oscar into the position of Crown Prince, and then set him on the throne.

"My dear," said her husband, gently rousing his wife (the lady was dangerously ill), Mrs. Hobson called a little while ago and left her love and sympathy for you. She seems deeply affected." "John," said the sick lady, in a very weak tone of voice, as she slowly unclosed her eyes, what did she have on ?" While the Scotch are the tallest people in Europe, the Indiana men are, it appears, the tallest in the United States. According to Dr. Gould, during the great Civil War they furnished 118,254 soldiers, and of these over 15,000 were 5ft. lOin., over 8,000 5ft. llin., over 6,000 were 6ft., and over 5,000 taller still. For the new Dunderland railway, on the west coast of Norway, only ten miles south of the Arctic circle, orders for locomotives have, after severe competition, been placed with British firms. The contract for steel hopper waggons, however, has been secured by a Pittsburg firm. All the rolling stock has been specially designed to withstand the severity of the northern climate. While entertaining her friends at supper, Mrs. Erdine Cretor, of Kokomo, Indiana, was killed by the explosion of a coffee-pot. The utensil, which was of granite iron, burst into many fragments, one of which struck her upon the temple and instantly killed her. All the guests were scalded and more or less hurt. The first season of Bury in the Association Foot- ball League First Division was in 1895-6-10 years after the club made its debut-where they have remained ever since. The "Shakers" hold the distinction of having captured every cup they have entered for, viz., the Lancashire Junior Cup, Manchester Cup, Lancashire Cup, and English Cup. They have yet to win the cham- pionship, however, in connection with the First Division of the League. Professor Arthur Thompson, writing in "Know- ledge," discusses the variation in height of different races. Apart from the Lapps, whose height as a rule is about 5ft., we have other races of small people inhabiting different parts of Europe. Quite 14 per cent. of the population of Sicily and Sardinia do not exceed 4ft. llin. in heiht-

EPITOME OF NEWS. I Prospects of the apple harvest are promising Four persons cross the Ae in the steerage to each cabin passenger. It is a notable fact that most of the subjects of King Edward VII. are Hindus. The Premier will open the full course of the Sundridge Park Golf Club on April 25. It is rumoured in Pekin that France is prepar- ing to intervene to suppress the insurrection in Kwang-si. Colonel Crewe has announced his acceptance of an invitation to contest Aliwal North in the Cape elections. Malta has just issued its first stamps bearing the portrait of King Edward VII. The values are id. and 2d. Lamb being now in season, the usual enormous call is being made on the farmers in Wales for small Welsh mutton. Kent is having a prolific lambing season. A ewe belonging to an East Sutton farmer has given birth to six lambs. Lord and Lady Craven are staying in Paris on a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Martin, Lady Craven's father and mother. For the first time in its history, Lincoln Prison is full, and some 30 prisoners have had to be transferred to Leicester Prison. Mrs. Martha Duck, aged 75 years, who fell'on the fire during the absence of her daughter, has died from the effects at Leeds. Experiments are being made at Halifax with electric tramway-cars which require no rails, but TS ill run on ordinary roads. In consequence of Sir Howard Vincent's illness Lady Vincent's dance, announced for May 8, is postponed until after Whitsuntide. Cuba, which is now entering into the Postal Union, is also considering commercial and extra- dition treaties with Great Britain. The University at Foura Bay, Sierra Leone, is said to be the smallest in the world. It has five professors, but fewer than twenty students. Quartermaster J. F. Rice, of the United States Army, states that he has found Indians in Alaska entirely ignorant of the existence of horses. According to figures given by Mr. Hanbury, ever six million hundredweight more dead meat was imported into this country last year than in 1892. According to the Treasury accounts the cost to the Government of erecting the memorial to Chel- sea pensioners buried in Brompton Cemetery was £ 308 12s. Hsi Liang, who was degraded from his post of Governor of Ho-nan on account of his anti- foreign tendencies, has been appointed Viceroy ef Fu-chau. A woman candidate for the post of caretaker to the Penge board schools gave as one of her quali- fications that she captured two burglars in her last situation. Protesting against the necessity of "viewing" bodies at inquests, the Bury coroner described the custom as a disgusting and stupid anachronism,. The Archbishop of Canterbury has become patron of the London Society for Promoting 11 Christianity amongst the Jews in succession to the late Dr. Temple. The Board of Agriculture has under considera- tion the exception of regimental pets from the regulations respecting the importation of animals into the United Kingdom. A marriage has been arranged between the Hon. Robert Lygon, Grenadier Guards, son of the late Earl Beauchamp, and Cecil, only daugh- ter of Sir George and Lady Arbuthnot. The Bradford City Council has refused to give special representation to either the Church party or the Roman Catholics among the six co-opted members of the Education Committee of 31. Parkminster Monastery, Sussex, although the largest in the world, proves insufficient to ac- commodate all the monks who are flocking there from France, and is to be extended. French officialdom seems little more expe- ditious than our own. The inquest into the acci- dent by which Zola met with his death last Octo- ber has only just closed. Senor Palma, the President of Cuba, has sent a message to Congress in which he announces that the Government is considering various Extradi- tion Treaties, and that a Commercial Treaty with Great Britain is proposed. Reports by the Irish Forestry Society show that the recent gale blew down over 3,000 trees in Phoenix Park, Dublin, over 60,000 at Knock- drum Castle, Westmeath, and 40,000 in Emo Park, Portarlington. So greatly is the coming Gordon-Bennett Cup race increasing the popularity of the motor-car in Ireland that in Dublin next week there is to be an auction of cars, the first ever held in the country. Fish of the total weight of 869,655cwt., and of the value of £ 801,751—a splendid increase over the corresponding period-have been taken from the sea between the Humber and Tyne during the past quarter. The sardines which have deserted the shores of Brittany seem to have taken refuge in the Mediterranean. Near Toulon over 500 net-loads of them have been caught. Altogether the catch weighed about 6,0001b. With the exception of the British Parliament, the Swedish Rigsdag is the oldest legislative body in the world. The Kingdom of Sweden has maintained its integrity as far back as there is any record. To compete with the electric tramways between Hartlepool and West Hartlepool, the North- Eastern Railway are constructing a number of 95-h.p. auto-cars to carry fifty-two passengers for a speedy and frequent service. Since 1890, the Liverpool Watch Committee reports, the number of liquor licenses in that city has been reduced by 422, while the singing and music licenses in public-houses have been cut down from 348 to 35. Joseph Ryder, of Scranton, Pa., has had both his eyes torn out and his nose smashed by a fly- ing rivet. The metal was driven from a boiler, and, flattening upon coming in contact with the man's face, acted similarly to an explosive bullet. Three men in a motor-car mounted the steps of the Capitol at Washington last week. At the sixteenth step the chain of the vehicle snapped and the car ran backwards into the street. The riders were not hurt, but the 'police arrested them. Thirty boys, who,, all being charged together, made the police court look like a class-room, have been fined 2s. 6d. each at Buckie, Banff- shire, for fighting a "pitched battle" with stones and slings in a school-boy feud between two villages. James Dowd, who was arrested on a charge of attempting to blow up Rosemount Police Bar- racks, County Derry, with dynamite, has been discharged, the boy who identified him having ad- mitted that all he had said was "lies told to please the police." The Agent-General for Natal announces that after the 24th of April all goods grown, produced, or manufactured in Natal, with the exception of spirits, blasting compounds, wheaten flour, and wheaten meal, will be admitted into the Trans- vaal free of duty. Major and Lady Sarah Wilson have just left London for Paris, and after a short stay there will proceed to the Cape, and from thence they will probbaly go on to Australia. Major Wilson, who has been rather out of health lately, has been ordered a sea voyage. What is said to be the largest railway engine in Britain has made its trial trip from Glasgow to Dundee. It is for passenger traffic on the steep gradients between Carlisle and Perth on the Caledonian line, holds 5,000 gallons of water, carries five tons of coaJ, and weighs 100 tons. -st — wag It seems to be becoming more and more the- rule to admit ladies to men's clubs as members^ says the Tatler." The Albemarle began it. and is known as the "Cock and Hen" in con- sequence. Ranelagh followed, then came the Bath Club, which has lady members and a ladies* committee. The Roehampton Club admits ladies. Last of all the new Naval and Military, River Club includes ladies as members at a sub- scription of £5 5* Civil Service pensions, like all other forms of public expenditure, are, Mr. Ernest Williams points out in the "Windsor," steadily growings In the Civil Service Estimates for 1902-3 a Vote under the head of Superannuation and Retired Allowances, was asked for to the amount of £ 607,950. But this is but a relatively small por- tion of the total amount spent in pensions, for,, in the same year, there is expended from the Consolidated Fund and from Votes for the pur- pose included in other Estimates, no less a. sum' than £ 1,960,302. The aggregate sum, therefore is £ 2,568,272 (two years earlier, E2,404,819). Italy seems to hold the record of late years for expensive law. Signor Antona Traversa, a mer- chant, of Milan, died three years ago, leaving behind him a fortune of £ 600,000 and a will which displeased certain of his heirs. They disputed it, and the more they did so the more heirs came to the fore. Eventually when the case was called for trial no fewer than 105 lawyers were founci to have been briefed to represent the various litigants. So great were their expenses that when all was settled £ 400,000 was divided among them, in fees, while the heirs had to be content with' the remaining £ 200,000. o A performance of "Romeo and Juliet" was given in Hulme Town Hall by members of the- Manchester Adult Deaf and Dumb Instituter, Grosvenor-street, All Saints'. The hall was crowded with people, who, with very few excep- tions, were unable to hear or speak, and the play,; for which dresses, scenery, and stage properties were provided, was entered into with much spirit by those who took part in it. They all gave evid- ence of careful study, their signs and gestures being most expressive. The performance was witnessed T-vith evident enjoyment by every per- son present. As proof of the extraordinary advance that is being made in the Metropolis in incandescent gas- lighting, it is stated that within the past few- years as many as 18,000 street lamps havebeeni fitted on the incandescent system, or practically six-sevenths of all the public lamps in London,) which number nearly 22,000. The system is be- ing so extensively used for private lighting that one of the gas companies sells as many as 750,000 mantles eve. y year, independent of the mantles supplied and maintained by private firms for that users of the company's gas. Mr. Beerbohm Tree tells a story about a dog named Argus, who used regularly to accompany him to the theatre, and particularly objected to sensational scenes. When Mr. Tree was playing in "Captain Swift" Argus used to take his place in the wings and follow his every word and look until the suicidal situation was reached. The moment Mr. Tree felt for his pistol Argus used to rush into the darkest corner he could find and,; burying his head between his paws, listen for the thud of the actor's fall. After that the dog would crawl back to meet his master with a howl of joy at Mr. Tree's apparent return to life. Mr. Gustavus Franklin Swift, who died re* cently leaving an estate estimated at £ 4,000,000„ is another example of the American meteoric way of rising from small beginnings. He started as a butcher's boy and died the head. of one of the, greatest beef firms. It was he, when a young man, who introduced the shipping of dressed meat instead of live cattle to the East. His tradeo grew rapidly, until now his firm has a capital of! £ 5,000,000 and does an annual business ofi £ 37,000,000. Mr. Swift was a strict Methodist and despised luxury and indolence. Prince Albert of Belgium has just been enjoy- ing a short holiday in this country. It would be difficult to find a greater contrast than exista between himself and, his uncle, the King of the Belgians, yet a sincere affection unites them.. Prince Albert is a model heir presumptive, de- voted to his wife and their baby, and he is thought by those who ought to know to be more like his namesake, King Edward's father, than any ofi the numerous Royal Alberts who owe their name to the Prince Consort. Prince Albert takes axe- extraordinary interest in every kind of mechanical aonliance. He has more than once visited the principal British trade and manufacturing dis- tricts, and as he has talked English from child- hood he feels quite at home when being shown over the great works which are the pride of Man- chester, Birmingham, and other centres of in- dustry. Safely back from South Africa, the Duke of Montrose once more returns to the quiet life that he loves. Up by Loch Lomond, where he spends so much of his time at Buchanan Castle, he is the most popular of magnates. For he is a Scots- man to th6 core, a thorough gentleman, a fine sportsman, and one of the best shots of which the northern kingdom can boast. Buchanan. Castle is a beautiful place, roomy and comfort- able and the Duke and Duchess entertain a. great deal there, though very little in London., The Duchess was one of the Grahams of Netherby, and is as kind of heart, and as gracious of manner, as she has always been lovely ot countenance. She is one of the few women who can make a really effective speech; but there eloquence ought to be in the family, since through her mother, she inherits the blood of the Sheridans. It is understood that the Prince and Princess of Wales will resume the garden parties which used to be the annual fixture of the late season at Marlborough House, although it is many years since ar. entertainment of the kind has takeDl place there. A garden party was sometimes given; at Clarence House when the Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha were in residence there, which they always were for a few weeks every season, even after the Duke had succeeded to the throne of Saxe-Coburg. Although the gar- den at Marlborough House cannot compare in' point of size with that of Buckingham Palace, it is an ideal place for a function of the kind, as the guests are less dispersed. It is curious and not a little startling that the fungus concerned in forming the green mould one cheese or on jams is an arsenic eater. It has been shown, says the "Lancet," that many of the moulds, when placed in suitable nutrient fluids containing arsenic, will gradually assimilate thai arsenic, ultimately expelling it *n the form of arsenical gas. In this way a eompara- tively inert arsenical compound may be converted into a powerfully poisonous gas. So readily do these fungi select the arsenic that they have been; employed, so to speak, as detectives of the poisonous metal when present in quite minuta quantities. One of the most remarkable carpets in exist- ence is the Lahore carpet owned by the Girdlers* Company of the City of London. It is 260 years old, and was presented to the company by a man, named Bell, who originally purchased the carpet from the East India Company, and, strange to say, the price at the time of purchase was not definitely fixed. Bell, however, gave security for £ 200, and then took away his carpet. There. is no record that the securities were ever called in or that any money was paid for the carpet,. so that, taking the price to have been 9200, the amount now due with compound interest would be £ 52,000—certainly considerably more than the most valuable carpet in the world is worth. An amusing incident is told of King Victor, of Italy, one of whose chief amusements is motor- ing. One da,y when out with the Queen they, were passing through a small village when a breakdown b occurred. Amongst the crowd attracted to the spot were two English motorists, who, unaware of the identity of the occupants, carried on the following conversation:— Pretty motor-car." "Yes, and the lady is pretty, too.^ "More than can be said of the man. Did you? ever see such a little jnan m such a big car ? "■ "I am out of brandy. I wonder if he can; supply me. Shall I ask? Perhaps he speaks French." "I shall be most happy to oblige you," said the King, in perfect Engli^i, turning and! holding out his flask. Then, as he prepared to leave, he added: Can I be of any further use to you? My kingdom is at your disposal, and it- is not so small as its monarch."

— — MILTON'S LONDON. In the great labyrinth which lies between Moorfields on the east and Smithfield on the west, and which has for its centre the vast tower of St. Giles's, Cripplegate: this is Milton's London, says "Jack o' London" in "T.P.'s Weekly." Here Daniel Defoe ran as a boy; here Izaak Walton hunted for books; here Bunyan sleeps among those who expressly desired that their graves might be near to his; here the ashes of the martyrs were blown over the roofs of a people whose eyes were holden that they knew not what they did. Imperishable names! Yet all seem included in the great name of Milton.