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

FIELD AND FARM. ] VARIATIONS IN CROPS. ( I Careful inspection of the crop returns pub- lished by the Agricultural Gazette" reveals some striking differences in the estimates re- ceived from different parts of the United King- dom. In the case of wheat there are wide dif- ferences in the same division, and even in the same county, and this is explicable mainly by the fact that where a good plant was. obtained, the crop generally turned out fairly well, the great fault of the crop being its thin or gappy plant in most parts of England. It is notice- able, however, that in nearly all the northern counties of England, in Scotland, and in Ire- land, the estimates of this crop are generally satisfactory, whereas, in the greater part of England, the under-average returns greatly pre- ponderate over the good ones. Conversely, the oat crop is the best of the white straw cereals in three-fourths of England, but the worst in the North of England, Scotland, and Ireland. It also appears to be the worst in Wales. There are no broad lines of difference in relation to barley, which comes out, on the whole, about as badly as wheat. Similarly with the bean crop there are no large districts in which it has done strikingly better than in others, the majority of estimates of it from most counties being favour- able. Peas, too, vary in a county, as a rule, more than in separate divisions of the country. On the other hand, the hay crop proved a bulky crop in most parts of the Midlands, the Home, the Eastern, and the Southern counties, variable in the West, and generally deficient in the Nor- thern counties of England, in Scotland, and in Ireland. As a rule, where hay was best, po- tatoes are worst, and where the former proved deficient the latter are generally promising. This is not surprising, because hay was best where the rainfall was greatest; while potatoes, where they have done badly, were put into an unkindly seed-bed, in consequence of the wet- ness of the spring, particularly in the south and south-east of England. Speaking broadly, tur- nips go with hay, while mangels follow the lines noticed with respect to potatoes. In our sum- mary totals of last week, wheat comes out less unfavourably than it should, because most of the over-average estimates are from those parts of the kingdom in which it is very little grown. Oats, similarly, are finest in those divisions in which the crop is not the most important of the cereals and, speaking generally, the unfavour- able verdicts on turnips are most common, with some exceptions, where the crop is most exten- sively cultivated, as in Scotland, for example. SALEABLE STOCK. I There is (writes Mr. F. Wilson) no question that the farm devoted to the raising of live stock has a decided advantage over the farm devoted chiefly to grain production in these days. Look- ing round one becomes cognisant that many far- mers seem to have discovered this fact. Good mutton is nearly always saleable at a paying price, and this may be said of both store and fat sheep, so is good beef-for some time past the average prices for both have been very good in- deed, though varying a little, of course, in dif- ferent localities-and pork and bacon have been well worth attention. When rent-day comes round, and a considerable sum has to be pulled together, it is everything if one has some really good saleable stock to fall back upon. The plan to follow is not to buy stores in a dear market and sell them again some length of time after- wards when they have consumed pounds' worth of food for little more than they were bought for, if as much, as is not infrequently done; but breed and feed, the latter not sparingly, re- membering the adage which says that "feed is half the breed"; then sell in a good market. Good stores, put upon the market at a time when the demand is keenest for them, often realise almost as much as fat stock at vastly less expense to the seller. But they musb not be sold anyhow, nor at any time. Unless a keen outlook is kept as to how things are going, and they are disposed of as profitably as possible, it will be better to keep them at home than let them go for the proverbial old song. Never, therefore, be compelled to sell if you can pos- sibly help it. Just as much judgment is required to sell well as to buy well, but there is not much chance to exercise judgment when the stock must go at any price. Another warning is, never get overstocked. This seldom means anything else than that the animals must be disposed of at a loss. The on- coming of winter, a late spring, or the like makes keep run short, and there is nothing else for it. It will pay the best to have such stock as your farm will easily carry and keep in good condi- tion, parting with them, as far as poslsihle., when buyers are looking out for them and prices are worth while. It is just as well to learn tOo adapt ourselves to circumstances a little, since circumstances will not always adapt themselves to us. If one thing is dear and another cheap it may sometimes be wise to turn stores into fat stock, or, should the latter not be fetching a paying price, to hold ona's hand at the meal and cake. The best of the stock rearer-and this applies especially to heifers from the shining lights among the really first-rate cows—should be re- tained on the farm. The owner wiU benefit him- self in the end by following this method. Your finest fat beasts will make their price in the mar- ket, they have been fed to that end; but your finest stores take the pick of for yourself. It does not always pay to sell stores any more than it does anything else. Slack prices recur again and again in almost all marketable things. As a rule, however, good money can be had for good stock. A well-grown yearling in excellent store condition will often make as much, fre- quently more, than an indifferent. cow. A new milch cow, especially in the autumn and winter season, will nearly always find a buyer at a pay- ing price, and, if she is not wanted, for the benefit ctf her owner's dairy she should go; but not otherwise. The demand for good store sheep in sarly autumn is fairly brisk as a rule, but most sellers put them on the market practically at the saute time, and in consequence of the rush the ssle yards become glutted, with the result that on a busy day they are rushed off in a hurry and prices come down considerably. The markets must be watched, and as far as possible the stock sent in at the best time. I Again, with pigs, the shortsighted breeder has "his litters farrowing in the late summer srd thereabouts. They do not even get a fair start before the cold weather sets in, and, if fed fer bacon, come in at the hindmost end of the killing season—in the following March or April. The pig-breeder who practises foresight does a great deal better than this. His stores are saleable at a time when people are looking sharply out for likely animals to feed for the Christmas season and onwards. His baconers are early in the field, when the price per stone or score is really a paying one. His porkers, likewise, are ready for "the season." On any farm that carries a good head of stock, keep should be looked to first and foremost, and grown in proportion. It is shortage in the food supply that is the cause of most stock being sold in a bad market. Better be in a position to hold in hand, and feed at a little extra cost, than sell in a giving-a.way market-to use an Irishism t, What a great standby saleable stock is to the average agriculturist in these days is daily be- coming better and more widely realised. Grain no longer pays the rent, nor is there any prospect of it doing so. He is a wise man, therefore, who moves with the times, and fits in his own arrange- ments to meet existing circumstances. ————————————

Edith "What did you say to George when ha proposed?" Maud: "I asked for time to con- sider it was so unexpected, you know." Ethel: "It always is, dear, when one has given up all hope." Did I understand you to say that you didn't have any company in the kitchen while I was out, Katie? Yis, mum that's what I said." "But I gmell the tobacco from a pipe all through the house." "Yis, mum; the policeman was in for half an hour, mum; but we were in the parlour."

GARDEN GOSSIP. I i Rhus Cotinus, or Venetian Sumach, with its curious inflorescence, makes a striking display in the shrubbery at this season. This is also called (the "The Gardener" observes) at times the Wig Tree; shrub lovers should certainly endeavour to extend its culture, as it is not too frequently grown. When the fruit ha3 been gathered from any house, whatever its occupants, the borders in- side will still require watering as they become dry; this is a matter often neglected. That showy Sweet Pea Gorgeous has come through the alternate hot sunshine and heavy rain very badly with us. That small but most useful black Plum River's Early Prolific should be found room for in every garden, large or small. Always replant Lilium candidum immediately after flowering when this operation is necessary. Remove the old fruiting wood from Peach trees directly the fruit is gathered. Whc, I left it may rob the trees of energy, and crow d the spring growths. 0 A healthy Stephanotis in full growth needs the shoots manipulated every two or three days, or they become a tangled mass, and all the more difficult to keep clean. An ounce of salt in 2 or 3 gallons of warm water is an excellent pick-me-up for Mushroom beds that are getting past their best. From now to October Auriculas should have a northern or eastern aspect. Take care of Gloxinias after blooming; unless the foliage is properly ripened the tubers will be weakened, and fail to start freely into growth in spring. Take cuttings of any specially good Wall- flowers inserted in boxes containing sandy soil they will quickly root and make useful plants. In exposed gardens, Brussels Sprouts and Kales should be earthed up before heavy gales set in. The Dahlia exhibitor should provide shades for his finest blooms, especially those of dark tints, as the sun quickly burns the colour out of these. Constant picking off affected parts and occa- sional spraying with sulphide of potassium solu- tion will greatly mitigate, if not actually cure, spot disease in Carnations. ROMAN HYACINTHS.—Sound, firm, well ri- pened bulbs should be procured. Four medium- sized bulbs are usually placed in a 5-inch pot, and a compost of loam, leaf soil, and sand is used. The tips of the bulbs may be level with the soil. Water, drain, and plunge under ashes outdoors until roots are freely produced and growth commences. CHRYSANTHEMUMS.—Second crown buds showing now may be secured, gradually rubbing out growths surrounding them. The plants must be helped by judicious feeding with weak stimulants prepared from natural or artificial manures. Keep growths tied in, but not too rigidly secured. Trap earwigs and destroy aphis. GERANIUMS FOR WINTER.—Short, stocky plants of Geraniums ought now to be placed in flowering pots to grow on for winter. Pot firmly in 5- or 6-inch pots in good loamy com- post. Plunge the pots in ashes outdoors and keep well watered. Nip out all blooms as they show. PROPAGATING BEDDING GERANIUMS.—Cut- tings of Geraniums, including tricolor and Ivy- leaved varieties, will root freely now in pots or boxes outdoors. In procuring the cuttings do not disfigure the plants or beds any more than can be avoided. HELIOTROPES.—Young growths may be taken from old plants growing outdoors, and inserted I inch apart in pots of sandy soil. These cut- tings will strike best under glass in a frame, keeping moist and shading from sun. ROSES IN POTS.-Tea Roses which require fresh material ought now to be turned out from pots and the exhausted material picked away. Shorten any of the long, straggling roots. A good loamy compost with the addition of de- composed manure, a litle leaf soil, and a sprinkling of bone meal should be employed. Work in firmly and plunge the pots in ashes outside. OUTDOOR TOMATOES.—If a good crop has been secured the chief efforts must be directed to- wards assisting the fruit to swell. Sufficient root moisture must be afforded by clear water, assisting further by liquid manure and mulchings of manure. Keep down superfluous growth, re- moving any yellow or useless leaves. SCARLET RUNNER BEANS.—Make a point of gathering all pods before they become too old. Plenty of moisture must be afforded the roots, both with clear water and liquid manure, apply- ing it over a mulching of manure spread on each side of the rows. Take out the points all growths extending beyond the sticks. CELERY.—Growlsg Celery must Le kept moist at the roots, affording copious supjiles of liquid manure to well established plants. Previous to earthing for the first time, trim away sucker growth and useless basal leaves. Draw the leaf stalks together round the hearts, and loosely secure with strands of raffia. Some of the ad- vanced rows previously earthed may be finally moulded up. ENDIVE.—Strong young seedlings should be planted out 6 inches apart in rows 1 foot asunder. Make another sowing of Green Curled Winter on a fairly sheltered border, thinning out in good time, so that the seedlings may grow strongly, the larger proportion not needing transplanting. VINES IN POTS.-Vines in pots for next season's fruiting may now be allowed to finish growth out- doors. Stand the pots on spates in a sunny posi- tion. Under the influence of plenty of sun and air, with abundant moisture, the wood will ripen well, and in due time the leaves colour and fall. EARLY VINERIES—The Vines should be ap- proaching ripeness and the resting period. The house should be wide open and abundance of air in circulation through it. Gradually shorten the laterals, and reduce the supply of water to the roots, but the borders ought not to become dust dry. A FEW GOOD ANTIRRHINUMS.—Amateurs who are desirous of securing an envied display next summer should obtain a few packets of the Tom I Thumb, intermediate, and tall Antirrhinums, sow the seeds thinly in drills, and in late autumn carefully transplant to their flowering quarters. No flowers have been so much admired in my garden this summer as Yellow Prince, whose dwarfness, combined with luxuriance, has made it an ideal one for an exposed place, while White Queen, in close proximity, is quite as profuse and striking. Dotted about with a lawn for a foreground, Z, Crimson King is admirable, the blooming period extending over several months. For large, well-established Rose trees the inter- mediate varieties afford excellent plants for car- peting the generally bare space beneath, the shade, too, assisting the retention of the colour- ings, especially the Aurora strain. For screened I borders, the immediate vicinity of arbours, and sheltering trelliswork, the tall varieties have an exquisite effect, especially Crimson and Gold1, Rosy Morn, Cloth of Gold, and Coral Red, whose immense spikes immediately attract the most casual observer.

OUR SHORT STORY. MRS. COREY'S MODEL. What made him notice her in the first place was the way she hesitated before pronouncing his name. He met her in the Art Institute, where he had gone to study a choice collection of the works of a foreign master. Mrs. Kerr brought them together. He merely glanced at her when ac- knowledging the introduction and noted, me- chanically, that she was a little body dressed in black and that her face was pale and her bow stiff, and then he unceremoniously transferred his attention to the pictures. It is doubtful, if he would ever have thought of again had she not taken upon herself to address him. "Are you an artist, Mr. Brown?" she asked from her place at his elbow, which was thrust out at right angles to his body, as he stood there lost in admiration of the painting 0 before him. He turned then and looked at her with sud- denly awakening interest. It was the way she brought out his surname that made him do it. He wondered why she had said it so, and even while assuring himself with the rapid, accurate glances of the artist that she was pretty in spite of her paleness, that her hair was soft and blonde, her eyes fine and her clothes perfectly fitted, he was swiftly calculating the possibility of her having confounded him with the ruck of the Smiths, the Joneses and the Greens, and at the thought he was conscious, for the first time in his life, of a feeling of repugnance rising in his breast against his useful, irreproachable name, and he muttered an imprecation against the fates that had decreed that by it his identity should forever be established. It took him an uncon- scionably long time to find an answer to her simple question. "No," he said at length, "not much of a one. I daub a little, that's all. Are you?" She cast down her eyes with an air of self- deprecation. "No oh, no," she said. "That is, I daub a little, too. I do heads mostly." He looked around the studio to see if there was any relief in sight. Mrs. Kerr was at the other end of the room engaged in earnest con- versation with a party of ladies, and it dawned upon him that his passing acquaintance, whose name he could not remember—he was sure it wasn't Brown-wa,s thrown upon his hands for an indefinite length of time. "Do you do heads, Mr. Brown?" she asked, reverting to the subject from which she had been diverted by his prolonged inspection of the studio. There it was again-that same inexplicable hesitancy which reflected more strongly than be- fore upon that combination of consonants and dipthong to which he had hitherto cheerfully re- sponded. He smothered a groan of rebellion. "No," said he, "I prefer landscapes." "Oh, do you?" she fluttered out in a tone of surprise that could not have been excelled had he told her he was to be executed on the gibbet within an hour for the murder of his mother. How strange. Now I dote on heads. The last piece I completed was Newton as I conceive his facial expression to have been when he saw the apple fall. I am now at work on a head of Diogenes as he looked when experimenting with the tubs. My studio is in Orion-terrace. If you care to come with Mrs. Kerr to see me I shall be glad to show you what I have done. I am thinking of showing at the next exhibition and shall thank you for any suggestions you may offer. Oh, Mrs. Kerr is calling me. Good-bye, Mr. Brown." Brown had no intention of accepting her invi- tation to call at her studio in Orion-terrace, at the time it was given, but at the end of two weeks, during which period he had been daily tormented by disturbing memories of a petite blonde woman in a stylish black costume and the vexatious manner in which she seemed to catch her breath before venturing to speak the detestable name of Brown, he went over to see Mrs. Kerr and asked her to take him to call on the pretty artist. I don't know the name of the lady I want to see," he said, throwing himself on Mrs. Kerr's widespread mercy. "But you introduced me to her over at the institute about a fortnight ago. Don't you remember? She is a blonde and runs to heads. She hangs out in Orion-terrace, I believe." Mrs. Kerr looked at him severely. "I presume," she said, sharply, "that you refer to that pretty young widow, Mrs. Corley. Pray speak more respectfully of my friends. Careless- ness is a fault you ought to have outgrown before this. She may have her odd ways, but she is a good little soul, and I won't have her trifled with, not even by you." "Heaven bless me, Mrs. Kerr," he ejaculated, fervently. "I didn't mean any offence. She asked me to come, and if I hadn't taken a fancy to her do you suppose I should be wasting all this valuable time hunting her up? But if you don't want to go, never mind There was pleading in his eyes and in his voice, and they went, of course. Mrs. Corley was hard at work on another head by that time. I'm glad to see you, Mr. Brown," she chirped out, gayly. "I haven't quite finished my Diogenes. I am in doubt about one or two strong lines. Can you advise me? Oh, I forgot. You know nothing about heads. Just see what a collection I have of them." Brown's eyes followed her comprehensive gesture that took in the whole room and he sur- veyed with indiscriminate admiration the scores of heads of ancient martyrs, philosophers, and warriors and modern scholars and rulers. "Did you do all that?" he asked, in dismay. "All that, and more, too," she responded proudly. "But I am not satisfied with anything. None of them is good enough to enter at the exhi- bition. I am going to do another for that, and I intend to cut loose my .devotion to historical subjects and take my model from real life. With nature to draw from, I am sure I can accomplish far more than I have yet done. You must come is now and then, Mr. Brown, and see how I am getting along." He took her invitation at its par value, and went often. Had he been pressed to answer why, he could hardly have told. Certain it was, it was not with a view of assisting in painting the head for the exhibition, for she told him that she was doing that where she was freer from inter- ruption than she could be either at her own home or at the studio. But in spite of the lack of a definite purpose in view he kept on calling. Whenever he stopped to try to analyse his motive for so doing his brief periods of intro- spection seemed to convince him that the most potent reason that urged him on was an insane desire to experience the pleasure derived from her hesitation over that non-euphonious name of his, and then gratify his ensuing contradictory thrill of exasperation and strangle her because she held back as though she disliked to utter it. A few additional moments' diliberation always served to lead him to the belief that he was actuated solely by a wish to break her of a bad habit and' teach her to come out promptly on proper names as other people did. It was three months after he first climbed the steps leading to the studio in Orion-terrace, in the wake of Mrs. Kerr, before the head that was to be her masterpiece was finished. But one afternoon when he walked into the cheery apart- ment and found her sitting there with her blonde head laid back peacefully against the crimson pillows, he saw at once that her delicate face wore a new expression of satisfaction and joyfulness in the knowledge of something attempted and some- thing achieved, and he knew it must be done. She saw that he bad read aright the explanation of her unwonted idleness, and smiled in answer to his unspoken question. "Yes," she said, after a short silence, "it is all over. It is there behind that curtain. I'll show it to you in a minute. Only promise that you will not be too scathing in your criticism. I did the best I could. In spite of my love for heads it seems that every day I work on them they become harder for me to master." She led him to the side of the room that afforded the best vantage ground, then' drew aside the curtain. He studied it perhaps ten minutes, perhaps twenty, perhaps longer. When he had finished, his conception of the peculiar twist and crooks in his own countenance was tenfold clearer than it had ever been before, for the mirror between the windows told him that he had been her model. He did not speak for a titae, but sat quietly down beside her at the table where she was writing. "What are you doing?" he asked, at length. "Making out the card that accompanies my head to the committee," she said. "I don't know just how to fix it. Listen-is this all right? Number Four and Fifty-Six, Head. Painted by Mrs. It was there again, that maddening hesitation She looked up and their eyes met. There was something in his face that made her pale cheeks flush scarlet. He lad his hands on hers. "Brown," he said, finishing the sentence for < her. "Brown," she repeated, softly.

I THE DUKEDOM OF LANCASTER, I The King has been travelling on the Continent as the Duke of Lancaster, and as such he will be known until he goes as King Edward VII. to Vienna. The dukedom thus gets the only air- ing it has had since the days of Harry of Mon- mouth. He, born in 1386, was at thirteen created in Parliament Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, and Earl of Chester. On November 10, in the same year, he was declared Duke of Lancaster and Duke of Aquitaine in France. When he ascended the throne as Henry V., these titles were merged in the Crown. The Dukedom of Lancaster has never been conferred again.

I TWO TOUCHING STORIES. I Two pathetic incidents of real life in Paris are recorded by the "Morning Advertiser" corre- spondent. For seventeen years in a poor house at Menilmontant, the aged mother of Jean Mar- nach has watched and waited and wept for her son. Twenty years ago, deserted by her hus- band, who left her with three children besides Jean, she had to face the world alone to fight for her family. After three years Jean disap- peared, and a few days afterwards of her other two sons one was killed in Tonkin and the other seriously wounded. No news came of Jean. It was known he had taken to bad ways and joined a gang of desperadoes. Ten years passed, and hearing of him at Noumea she ad- dressed a letter there. There was no response at first, but she waited, and after many months received a letter from Hamburg from her lost son. Then he sent money to cheer her, and ultimately, driven by the appeals of his mother, p came to Paris, where he was imprisoned. He has now been pardoned, and mother and son are together again. The President and a great number of citizens have been moved by the stories of the grief-stricken mother, and Jean Marnach, who is now thirty-three years of age, declares he will henceforth be an honest man. A little incident of an equally touching nature took place the other day in the Place de la Republique. A little boy, poorly dressed, was seen to be hovering near a flower-seller. Sud- denly, when he thought the owner was not look- ing, he took up a pot of pretty flowers and bolted. He was soon overtaken, and weeping copiously, was handed over to the police. Be- fore M. Doray, the Commissary, the little fel- low, who proved to be Andre Bologne, aged twelve, stated he had taken the flowers for his mother, who was very ill. The Commissary sent a policeman to verify the story so touched was he, and it was found to be correct. The denouement is pretty, as the Commissary bought the pot of flowers, set the boy at liberty, and added a little money, which sent Andre rejoic- ing homewards.

DON ALPHONSO'S HOLIDAY. The young King of Spain is daily making him- self more popular in San Sebastian, which may be regarded as the summer capital of Spain. Rising very early he goes down from "Miramer Palace before eight to San Sebastian beach for a swim. He then takes long rides in the valleys and across the highlands of the Basque country without an escort, but he is always in uniform, and is accompanied by two aides-de-camp and two Palace servants. He takes great pleasure in returning the salutes of the peasantry. At midday the King attends to State business with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Before lunch he gives audiences, and generally rides again in the afternoon, or drives his own four in hand with Queen Christina and his sisters sitting behind him. He takes an interest in yachting, in the rowing-boat races in the bay, and in pigeon shooting. He is already a good shot and a keen sportsman (says the "Standard's" core- spondent). The Basques are pleased to see him interested in their national ball game, styled "Juego de Pelota."

SMOKED CAT. Among the curiosities of the Northampton Museum, in Abington Park, there is none more interesting than the glass case containing the smoked cat. In her lifetime "puss" was a re- spected resident at the George Hotel, and cer- tainly paid for her keep by her proficiency in mousing. One day, however, she disappeared- was searched for—lamented—forgotten, till years after a workman repairing a chimney in the hotel threw a sudden light on the mystery of her fate. She was discovered standing in an angle of the brickwork just as she now appears in the glass case, the smoked flesh still adher- ing to her bones, and clenched in each front paw a smoke-dried mouse, who, flying for their little lives up the broad chimney, led the way not only to death, but to unexpected immor- tality. A "CHURCH MOUSE" STORY. I A correspondent draws attention to the fate of an example in real life of the proverbial church mouse perishing in a like manner. "The smoked cat and mice among the curiosities of the Northampton Museum, to which reference was recently made, have their parallels in the crypt of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, where are preserved the skeletons of a cat and mouse which, on the restoration of the cathe- dral, were discovered firmly jammed between the pipes of the organ. The cat pursued the mouse, who took refuge between the pipes. The cat was unable either to catch the mouse or to extricate itself, and both perished." "———

Steel dust to the amount of 247,000 tons flies away from the railroads of the world yearly. Of this amount 19,000 tons is lost through fric- tion on the German railroads alone. One of the wealthiest heiresses in the world is the Lady Mary Hamilton, only daughter of the late Duke of Hamilton. She is a charming girl of 19, and in two years will be mistress of £ 200,000 a year. The Ottoman Government is inviting tenders for the building of an iron bridge between Con- stantinople and Galata which is to cost £ 130,000, and about £ 15,000 will have to be given in fees. The Legislative Council at Capetown has agreed to a motion in favour of a communication being addressed to the Imperial Government on the subject of the adoption of the metric system.

EPITOME OF NEWS. New Zealand's frozen meat trade with Great Britain now equa's about 15,000 sheep a day. Six thousand people sleep in the open air in London every night. Herrings cured in Donegal last season fetched higher prices in America and Germany than any other kind. A pig is usually kept in every stable in Persia, as it is thought the presence of the porker is beneficial to the health of the horses. During the financial year 1901-2, 91,057,399 were expended on technical education in England and Wales. The lost "fashermanh. -Ig" of the late Pope is said to have been fouiid in his writing-table. Cats are licensed in Berlin, and every cat in that city must wear a metal badge bearing a number. Egypt has 2,211 medical men to look after the health of over 8,000,000 people. Six hundred and four are European doctors. There is a larger percentage of blind people in Russia than in any other European country. Two out of every 1,000 of her population aie sightless. Three women letter-carriers have been ap- pointed for the rural districts of Minnesota. Each drives a horse and light buggy when on duty. The visit of members of the British Parliament to the French Parliament has now been defi- nitely fixed for Wednesday, November 25. All the horses in the British Army are branded, each with a different number. The hoof of the animal's near hind foot bears the thousands, and the off hind foot the unitsL tens, and hundreds. Statistics show that' the standing timber of Canada equals that of the entire continent of Europe, and is nearly double that of the United States. The oldest man on earth is said to be Izai Rodfasty-135-of Moscow, Russia, and the oldest woman Mrs. Nancy Hollifield-117-of Battle Creek, Michigan. The United States Government still holds six hundred million acres of land which may be taken up by farmers. Much of this, however, is useless until irrigated. The unusual drought in some parts of Austria has led to famine-prices for water. Thus, nearly 16s. was paid in Rovigno for a small jug of water. The military posts at the German naval port of Wilhelmshaven are fitted out with watch- dogs. Each sentry has one dog by the leash and lets it loose when suspicious people refuse to stop. At the Church of the Sacred Heart in Paris a 22-ton bell is tolled by electricity. A choir-boy does the work which formerly required fbA ser- vice of five men. Miss Helen Gerrisch, of Lowell (Indiana), was made sole heiress to a fortune of some Y.40,000 by the will of her uncle. But she declines to accept it, saying that she has no more right to it than the other members of the family. A twenty-two-month non-stop steam engine run is reported from Syracuse, New York. The engine speed was 250 revolutions per minute, which makes 15,000 per hour, 360,000 per day, nearly 11,000,000 per month, and a total for the twenty-two months of 241,000,000 revolutions without a stop. Reddish-brown fresh-water shrimps, about a quarter of an inch long, found in Birmingham's water supply via a kitchen tap, were, an official assured an inquirer, quite harmless. Tiny spores, he said, had probably passed the filter beds, and subsequently developed in the pipes. The Chicago Directory enumerates 5,896 Johnsons, as against only 5,374 Smiths. The Smiths, jealous for their long unchallenged numerical superiority, indignantly deny these statistics, but as the publisher of the directory is himself a Smith, the truth of the figures cannot be doubted. Hitherto the students at Jena University have been classed in one list, but acceding to a demand from the Hungarians that they should have one for themselves, the authorities have now classed the students under "Austrians" and "Hun- garians." The medical association of Mexico will send to the St. Louis Exhibition an uncanny plant, which grows wild in the State of Michoacan, and the aroma of which is said to make people lose their way and to render them unable to return to their homes until the smell ceases. A person wearing a sprig of this plant in his buttonhole will get lost in his native city. Miss Ellen Terry, when once examining an elocution class at the Royal Academy of Music, was struck by the histrionic talent possessed by a young lady, who being educated for singing, had given a recitation. Miss Terry advised this young lady to turn her attention to the drama, and that is how Miss Lena Ashwell, the well- known actress, first went upon the stage. It is not often that we hear of the kingfisher choosing a site for her nest so close to the haunts of busy men as within the city bounds. This, however (says "Country Life") was the case- in Dublin lately, when a kingfisher made her nest in Orwell-road, in the Rathgar suburb of Dublin. This road, which is nearly all built over with detached residences, runs down to the river Dodder, which accounts for the bird being in such a curious vicinity. A man getting sand from a small pit, and noticing a hole in the bank, put in his hand and caught the female bird on the nest. He brought in the captive to a local naturalist, who bought her from the man, and sent the bird back to Orwell-road, where she was given her liberty, and flew off merrily, evidently none the worse for her trip into town. The Lord Chancellor was born in London and educated at Merton College, and fifty-three years ago was called to the Bar. In 1865 he became a Q.C., and ten years later was ap- pointed Solicitor-General and knighted as Sir Hardinge Giffard. From 1877 till 1885 he re- presented Launceston in the House of Com- mons, and in the latter year was appointed Lord Chancellor and raised to the peerage. Hirst, the Yorkshire cricketer, and one of the pillars of the M.C.C. team for Australia, is the subject of a "Vanity Fair" cartoon. Although he is only two and thirty," writes "Jehu Junior," "it is not too much to say that he is the best all- round cricketer of this English generation. Born at Kirkheaton, near Huddersfield, he is a. York- shireman to the backbone and for Yorks he has played cricket since 1889, having scored a thou- sand runs or more and having taken a hundred wickets in four separate seasons. If he is not a great linguist, he is at least a complete master of the West Riding dialect, who has played for land no fewer than ten times. He bowls with a noted swerve,' he bats with a daring pull," he fields with all the virtues, and he will ever be remembered as the hero of the England v. Aus- tralia match at the Oval last year. He may be summed up as a really fine fellow with the heart of a lion. He has a very good appetite and quite a nice smile." It is interesting to recall to-day a curious fact about the America Cup. Twenty-seven inches high, and measuring two feet round the base, a yard round the middle, the Cup, it w&s discovered years after it had been in the possession of the Americans, had no proper bottom to it. On a festive occasion, in honour of an English guest, at the New York Yacht Club, the Cup, it was found, would not hold the champagne, in fact, as fast as it was poured in at the top ran out at the bottom, a large hole having purposely or otherwise been left bv the English makers. The history of the Cup iSlnscribed on the six shields which adorn its bowl. Soestdyk ia Queen Emma's dower-house. This domain was purchased in 1816 by the States of the Netherlands for the Prince of Orange (after- wards King William II.) in recognition of his skilful generalship at the battle of Quatre-Bras, and it passed to the late King of the Netherlands on the death of his brother, Prince Henry, who married a sister of the Duchess of Connaught. The power of endurance of the Chinese coowt is marvellous. Many will travel over forty miles, carrying a heavy load on their backs, and think nothing of it. A writer mentions the case of certain coolies who, after going twenty-seven hours without food and having carried a heavy burden in the meantime, still had strength enough left to offer to carry a man fifteen mile? farther. King Alfonso had a little adventure, rathei unusual with Sovereigns, the other day. His Majesty was walking in the Prado, when a bul- lock broke from a herd that was being driven and, tearing away at full gallop, showed every disposition to use its horns among the pedes- trians and equipages. There was a regular stampede, but the King showed his spirit, and, drawing his revolver, brought the beast down with two or three swiftly-delivered shots. As the result of observations at the Biological Association's Lowestoft establishment, it has been found that of four plaice marked with tabs and thrown into the sea off the north of Hol- land one made a journey of 170 miles in forty- five days, another was caught after covering ninety miles in eighty-four days, a third tra- versed fifty-three miles in seventy-four days, and the fourth had travelled sixty-three miles in sixty days when taken. All these fish had taken a westerly or south-westerly direction. Lord Brampton tells the following story of the days before he became Mr. Justice Hawkins. His first brief was to defend one of two men charged with coining; and when they were placed in the dock he overheard a brief colloquy between them. Coiner No. 1 told his comrade that he was to be defended by a very good man. Coiner No. 2 said he also was defended. He did not know the gentleman's name, "but"- indicating Mr. Hawkins-he added, admiringly, "he's a smart 'un. When I handed over the fee he put the thick 'un"—i.e., sovereign—"be- tween his teeth and bit it. He's the chap for my money!" When he was in America Mr. W. S. Gilbert was one evening at a fashionable function, given by a lady of the "new rich order, who posed as a patron of music, but who had not had time to educate herself. She was foolish enough to attempt to "show off" before the English cele- brity. "And what is Bach" ("Batch" she called it) "doing now?" she said; "is he com- posing anything?" "No, madam," immediately replied Mr. Gilbert, without a ghost of a smile. "No, madam Batch is just now decomposing!" The yearly expenses of the Sultan of Turkey have been estimated at no less a sum than six millions sterling. Of this a million and a half alone is spent on the clothing of the women, and £ 80,000 on the Sultan's own wardrobe. Nearly another million and a half is swallowed up by presents, a million goes for pocket-money, and still another million for the table. It seems in- credible that so much money can possibly be spent in a year by one man, but when it is re- membered that some 1,500 people reside within the palace walls, and live luxuriously and dress expensively at the cost of the Civil List, it ap- pears a little more comprehensible. Mr. Auberon Herbert is a younge son of the third Earl of Carnarvon. He is of gentle philo- sophic nature, for whom nobody has an unkind word. Every year he gives a free tea lasting three days, to which thousands gladly flock, at his place near Bournemouth. The first two days are for tradespeople and farmers, and the third for the gipsies, but anyone who likes can go. The tea is served in a beautiful glade in his grounds, and there are music and dancing, while the patriarchal-looking host goes round among his guests seeing that they are having plenty of refreshment and enjoyment. With regard to the occupations which ensure longevity, it is the universal testimony that clergymen reach the highest age, being close run by gardeners and vine-dressers. Ordinary agri- cultural labourers, although their occupation is so largely in the open air, are not conspicuous as long livers, except in France, Sweden, and England. People working with wood are longer lived than those whose occupations are with metals, and both attain a higher age than tex- tile workers and workers in chemical industries. The shortest-lived people are miners, except in England, where the superior mining regulations and admirable sanitary arrangements have a bene- ficial effect. In England and Norway sailors and fishermen live to a far greater age than in Germany and France. Irishmen with a full brogue found a friend in Mr. G. T. Cline, who has just died at Chicago. He was a millionaire recluse and miser, but had the one "vice" of spending money to hear Irish- men talk. He would purchase drink for them, and so set their ever ready tongues wagging more furiously than ever. After the World's Fair Mr. Clme bought an hotel of seventy-five rooms, and lived there alone. He occupied only one room, but had all the others furnished. Under his bed he kept eight violins, among them an Amat; worth £300. He played the violin almost con- stantly day and night during the last ten years. Mr. Cline must have had a rare soul for music when he would lavish pence on an Irishman's tongue and play his fiddle to stave off the pangs of hunger, for he allowed himself only twelve shillings a month for food. In the matter of private conveyance provincial towns can give us points and healt us, says a con- temporary. Their four-wheeled cabs are made to open, so that one drives from the station through the town in a clean, comfortably-uphol- stered open carriage, instead of a dirty, stuffy, shut-up box which is all a Cockney has to offer his country cousin. The hansoms are better still; the doors and front windows, instead of being concave, and designed apparently for the com- fort of legless people, are generousily convex, and give plenty of space, even with the doors closed, for two people to sit with their legs crossed in front of them, instead of packed away under the seat. The notice in the "London Gazette" a few days ago, authorising the issue of notes to the value of £ 275,000, recalls the fact, little known to the present generation, that Bank of England notes were at one time actually at a premium in the market. In the year 1825 coin was very scarce, and the Bank applied for and obtained permission to postpone payment of a portion of ita issue of notes, only the holdierSl of those which bore date prior to a certain period being able to demand cash for them. As a result those notes were worth, and did actually sell for, more than their face value. For the manufacture of sand bricks, a French inventor uses sand, lime, clay, loam, and alka- lies. The sand must be clean and gritty, neither too fine nor too coarse, just the sort, indeed, that makes the best lime mortar. The process is too long to describe here, but is nevertheless simple, and the bricks are finally formed by pressure The press makes five bricks at a time, and pro- duces 2,000 bricks per hour. The hardening is done by superheated steam, and the bricks are ready for use in six hours. They are thus more speedily made than clay bricks, and in sand dis- tricts (where alone, of course, they could be pro- fitably made), the cost would come out about the same as that for ordinary bricks. In appear- ance, durability, and hygienic properties, how- ever, sand bricks, it is claimed, are vastly superior to the brick of commerce; and more especially the cheap suburban brick. Sir Donald Currie, even as a child, made, up his mind to be a great owner of ships some day, and by way of preparing himself for his future responsibilities he made a fleet of toy boats which was the envy and despair of his boy friends. Sir Alfred Jones is formulating a plan for start- ing a banana planters' assurance association for Jamaica on co-operative principles, so that the loss sustained in the ravages of the recent cyclone will not bring financial ruin to the business. A fairly brisk trade exists in skulls, and they fetch anything from 3s. to £ 5, according to their antiquity and rarity. Anatomists are not the only persons who purchase them, for they are bought by private people and by museum authori- ties. The great German naval harbour of Kiel now contains the largest electric crane in existence. It is so placed that two of the largest vessels may lie one on each side of it for the purpose of unloading or exchanging cargoes. The crane can lift fifty tons at a time.