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

It has been suggested, according to the "Scientific American," that it would be a profit- able and popular move on the part of our lead- ing steamship companies if. th^y were to add to their fleet one or two passenger Bailing-ships, with a view to affording those passengers who teltm the transatlantic trip purely for health and pleasure, an opportunity to spend more days upon tie ocean than they can enjoy in a trip between America and Europe on a fast modern steaaa- Mip.

I The shares of the New River Corporation are the most valuable in the world, and only frac- tions of them usually come upon the market. For many years the shares were sold at £ 5 apiece, and, indeed, Charles 1. reassigned his King's shares to the company in return for a perpetual annual payment of £ 500, which sum under the styls of the "King's clog," is still paid. How Led a bargain that was is shown by the dividend for years past having averaged over z22,000 per share, while a few years ago one of the shares was sold for £ 122,000 by public auction. The actual face-value of the shares is £ 100. Dr. Benjamin Ward Richardsdn fernm!, after long experiments and practice, that 64deg. Fahr. is the best temperature in which to conduct .mental labour. If tlie' temperature falls below this the mind becomes drowsy and inactive; and if it rises much above there is a relaxed state of the body and mind which soon leads to fatigue and exhaustion. It is important that the temperature be the same in all parts of the room, and that it is steadily maintained. r

Why harden your hands and spoil your complexion over the wash-tub ? You won't if you use V.H.S. It's a. new soap. You will have, tq do a little 'It. f,! work, not much, but a little, and that little will be the best paying work you ever did. 2 V.H.S. 2|d. and 3d. per bar, Viaolia Co. Ltd., London, N.W. J

4 IXI,000 WORTH OF JEWELLERY STOLEN., I During the early hours of Monday morning a daring burglary was committed at the premises of Messrs. Frazier, Grenfell, and Co., jewellers, of 14 and 16, Edgware-road, London. The premises were securely fastened on Saturday night, but on Monday morning some of the assistants discovered that the lock of the outer door had been picked. The fastening on the inner door, however, had resisted the attacks of the thieves, who were compelled to have re- course to drills in order to force an entry through the woodwork of the door. When this was accomplished two "jemmies," which were afterwards found on the premises, were em- ployed in order to force the door. The contents of a window were nearly cleared, the value of the stolen articles being about £ 1,000. No at- tempt had been made to force a safe which con- tained a large quantity of valuable jewellery. The robbery is a remarkable one, for a police- constable passes by the shop every few minuter, and a light is kept burning in the shop which would enable a person outside to have a good view of the interior. ■ .WI

TIBET EXPE DITION. In the issue of the Pioneer Mail" of Allahabad .dated November 6, and received by the Indian mail in London on Monday, it is stated that as regards the position generally on the Sikkim-Tibet border ,no fresh developments appear to have occurred, except that the Tibetans have turned back 500 yaks that were being sent from Nepaul for transport work with the British force. The yaus had been despatched without an escort, and the Nepaulese in charge of them had no option but to obey the orders of certain local Tibetan officials who objected to their marching toward Sikkim. It is thus quite evident that the Tibetans are on the alert, though it is impossible to say what orders have been issued from Lhassa". As mentioned last week," continues the "Pioneer Mail," "it seems plain that the British 11 Commission will push on from Khamba Jong, the amount of transport collected indicating a for- ward move when ail necessary preparatieus have been completed. The Lhassa officials may, perhaps, deem it advisable to send representa- tives to meet Colonel Younghusband when the Commission has advanced several marches into Tibet. At present they are playing their time- honoured game of passive resistance, trusting doubtless to the near approach of winter to close the passes. There are, however, routes that can be used for many weeks to come, especially if yak- transport is made available."

THE GABLE KECOJELD. The friendly contest between the rival cables represented by the New Pacific Line and the Eastern Telegraph Company to secure first place for a message announcing the result of the great cricket matches in Australia has proved almost as exciting as the play itself. So far the Pacific, or "All British line, working in conjunction with the Anglo-American, claims the victory, with a record time of 11 minutes for Monday's result. This company, which is controlled by the Pacific Cable Board, subsidised by the British, Australian, and Canadian Governments, takes the eastern course from Australia by way of Norfolk Island, Fiji, Fanning Island, in the Pacific, to Vancouver, thence across Canada to Montreal, Newfoundland, and Valentia Island to South Wales and London. The Eastern Tele- graph leaves Australia by the western route by way of Cocos Island, in the Indian Ocean, Durban, Cape Town, St, Helena, arriving in Eng- land at Land's End. In rough figures each com- petitor takes in a track across earth and beneath ocean of 15,000 miles, and between them in send- ing the results of the matches they girdled the globe. The times occupied in transmission on each day by the two competitors are given below.: New Pacific. Eastern Telegraph. Friday 17min. Friday IHmin. Saturday 15min. Saturday 12miu. Monday llmin. I Monday 15min. It is true that the result to which the above .messages refer would be given in two or three 0 words, but the performances of both lines repre- sent, nevertheless, a tremendous victory of human intelligence over material obstacles, which a few years ago would have been deemed impossible. At the intermediate stations, of which there are several in each ease, the operators transmit direct from the telegraphic slip, and only at the terminal stations are the words tran- scribed. The latest accessories of telegraphic science, combined with organisation, discipline, ,and skill, are, of course, the secrets to which suc- cess was due. It is "simply a question of clearing the line," according to the cable expert, who tells of a still more remarkable performance achieved this year by the Eastern Telegraph Company, which sent a result of the America Cup race from London to Australia in two minutes. The ordi- nary private rates from Australia are 3s. per word, but to secure a preference such as the cricket results obtained the price was 9s. per word. It was at this latter rate that most of the descriptive telegrams published on the day of the matches were sent. A few years ago one counted himself lucky in receiving a telegram from the Antipodes under four or five hours, but the period has now been reduced to something less than one-fourth. The prospects of improvement on the present'time of transmission are considered even better at the present than at any previous period.

i. • The postal authorities are proceeding with the work of facilitating telephonic and tele- graphic communication with outlying districts. The old-fashioned telegraphic instruments are being superseded in village post-offices by tele- phones, and in the course of a few years the authorities hope it will be possible for the public to telephone direct to the most out-of-the-way spot in the United Kingdom, provided it has a telegraph office. Already much has been done, and one can send a message from a telephone call-office or private instrument to any post- office where a, telephone is attached, and the message will bo taken and either telegraphed on. sent as an express letter, or forwarded as a letter in the ordinary way. By this means much time and expense is saved.

SKETCH OR PLAY. Mr. Denman, the magistrate at the Marl- borough-street Police-court in London on Mon- day decided that "La Toledad," a sketch per- formed at the Palace Theatre, was not a mere incident, but really a stage play, which could only be produced at duly licensed'theatres, and not at music-halls. He accordingly fixed the penalty against the Palace Theatre (Limited) at ten pounds a day for the five days to which one of the summonses referred, and the other sum- monses were withdrawn. It was mentioned that the proceedings were brought in a friendly spirit, in order that a decision might be given on, the question.,

The long-suffering bachelor will welcome the new paper socks and stockmgs-3d, a pair- which solve at once the knotty problem of darn- ing and save the laundrybiil. riper is made into a sort of strong fcvvme, which is roughened to give it a woolly I00A", and then it is knitted like the ordinary stocking. 0 ordinary stocking. 0 .LI ,d bo1 'iT ."1 1fl:

J SHOOTING OUTRAGE AT THE | BANK OS" ENGLAND. An extraordinajy and alarming incident occurred on Tuesday morning at headquarters of the Bank of England in London. Shortly after eleven o'clock a man who was respectably dressed, and apparently froaa thirty to thirty-five years of age, entered an office in the secretary's: depart- ment and told one of the messengers that he desired to see "Sir Augustus Prevost, the z, GOYeTllOX- n He was informed that this gentle- man, the previous Governm" and now one of the directors of the Bank, was out of town. He thereupon handed the messenger a card, bearing om it the name G. F. Sobinson," and stated that he had called on business of the Bank. The card was at once taken to Mr. Kenneth Grahame, the secretary, who went to see the visitor, who had been shown into an adjoining room. Imme- diately on entering it, Mr. Grahame was asked whether Sir Augustus Prevost or Mr. Morley (the present Governor) was at the Bank, and he replied in the negative. Robinson then said, "I suppose you are in charge," at the same time handing him a roll of papers to read. Mr. Grahame declined to read the papers, and requested the visitor to state his business briefly. Robin son replied, "If you won't," and added a few words which Mr. -Grahame did not hear. He then sprang ba.ck and took from his pocket a heavy six-chambered revolver. Mr. Grahame, who at the moment had been about to withdraw, hurriedly left the room, hearing a, shot fired as he quitted it. Two other shots were discharged by Rssbirtsan -almost immediately afterwards. The police were at once communicated with, and Mr, Grahame gave other instructions, both for cerumrÏngthc man's apprehension, and! for the security of the governors 'and directors, one of whom bad been about to enter the apartment a.s Mr. Grahame was leaving it. A few minutes later Hoblnson quitted the chamber, and, after I firing .his revolver in the corridor outside at one off the messengers, he entered another room, wiiere he threatened to shoot any one who aiftempited to approach him. Eventually the fire hose was brought to bear on him, and he was fkas offireome. He was, however, very violent before he was secured by the police, who conveyed Mm, strapped on an ambulance, to the Cloak-lane station. The incident at the Bank lasted about an hour, during which, Mr. Grahame -states, four or five shots were fired by ilobinsm. A subsequent examination of the Revolver showed that all the chambers were empty. On arriving at the station, the police sent for Dr. Griffiths, of Queen-street, who dressed a slight scalp wound which the prisoner had received in the course of the struggle. He gave his name as George Frederick Robinson, and stated that he lived at an address in Westbourne- sfereet, Sloane-square. From statements made by him at, the station he appears to hold Socialistic views. He is a mining engineer, and has been to West Africa, but at present is out of employ- msnt. The charge against him is entered as "Wandering, deemed to be a lunatic." Later in the day he was sent for detention and observation to Bow Infirmary.

At the inquiry into the affairs of the United States Shipbuilding Trust in New York, grave charges of corruption were made against Mr. Schwab. The Lord Chief Justice and Mr. Justice Kennedy, in the King's Bench Division, fined Mr. Reid, the editor of the "Meat Trsides' Journal," £ 25 and costs for commenting upon the ca.se of Thomas Winter Calveriey, a sanitary inspector in the employment of the Westminster City Council, charged with d.emanding E20, with menaces, from, a Soho restaurant-keeper. In the Divorce Court on Tuesday, Mr. Charles Taylor, a veterinary surgeon, of NGtLin 'gliwa was granted a. petition for the dissolution of his marriage on the ground of the misconduct of his wife.

What to Eat. Eat Shredded Wheat in the morning and have good health all the day- sound teeth, strong nerves, firm muscles. Natural food brings natural healthful conditions. Sample free. C. E. Ingersoll, 53, St. George's House, Eastcheap, E.C.

LONDON BANK ROBBERY. WORKMAN'S SMART DETECTION. At the London Mansion House Police Court on Saturday a middle-aged, well-dressed man, giving the name of John Johnson, and refusing his ad- dress, was brought up in custody charged with the theft of eighty £5 bank notes and one sove- reign from Messrs. Williams, Deacon Bank (Limited), in Birchin-lane, City, on the preceding day. Harry Wright, a joiner, employed on some alterations at the door of the bank, stated that about 2.30 in the afternoon he saw the prisoner looking into the-bank through the glass door in the porch. The head cashier then entered the bank, and the prisoner went down the steps, but returning walked through the door into the bank and proceeded to the place where the pass-books are given out. Then he came back to the counter where the head cashier was, and handed in some- thing. The cashier spoke to him, and moved away to speak to a colleague. Prisoner leaned over on the counter, and with the crook of his walking-stick pulled towards him a packet which he placed in his pocket. He then immediately made for the main entrance, and witness rushed at him, and, with assistance, the prisoner was secured. Evidence was given by the head cashier of the bank to the effect that the prisoner handed to him a £5 note. Witness then turned his back on him, and immediately after missed a packet which contained eighty C5 notes and one sove- reign. Prisoner was remanded. s_-

An International Exhibition in Manchester i3 proposed to be held in 1905. Newfoundland is sending 10,000 dols. as its contribution to the Queen Victoria Memorial. Every cell in Wandsworth Prison is occupied. There are 1,116 prisoners. Mounted warders have been introduced with a view to the prevention of escapes at Dart- moor Prison. France will be represented in the race for the Gordon-Bennett Cup in Germany next year by the first three motors in a preliminary race, to be run in France a month before the date fixed for the Cup. "IT WAS VERY VEXING but if one of KE A T- ING'S LOZENGES had been used it would have stopped the cough in a minute and a good night's rest at once obtained. KEATING'S LOZENGES are simply unrivalled, and the most delicate can take them. Sold by all chemists, a tin for 13d, "This is George the Fourth," said the pro- prietor of a penny waxwork show, pointing to a very slim figure, with a theatrical crown on his head. "I always thought he was an ex- ceedingly stout man," observed a spectator. "Werry likely," replied the proprietor, not approving of the commentoof his visitor "but If .you'd a-been here without wittles half as long as he has, well, you'd a-got thin!" A traveller passing through a Lincolnshire town was surprised to see a post on which was marked the hei-ght to which the river had risen during the floods of 1902. Turning to a native, he asked: "Did the river really rise to that mark last year?" "No," replied the native; "but children used to obliterate the original mark; so the mayor ordered it to be put higher, so as to be out of their reach." BALKAN AFFAIRS. TURKS LOSE SEVERELY IN A FIGHT. The protracted fight between the insurgent, band and the Turkish troops in Macedonia at Baraklijuma ended on Saturday, when the Turks succeeded in bringing up a fresh bat- talion and two guns from Seres. The insurgent band then fired a parting volley and withdrew in good order. According to information from a trustworthy source, Reuter says, the Turkish losses were severe, thirty men and an officer having been killed, and forty-seven wounded. The Bulgarian loss is unknown. ni\

iL;ilt;:¡'1œ I <0 9 rm. « I Cjuy s I onic I H For the Weak and I 1 Debilitated, and 1 I in Dyspepsia. 1 '¡¡aao.laCIlZIU'Q'I;'¡']. i Guy's Tonic cures habitual Weakness if H of the Stomach, improves Appetite, |gj I JOigestioji, and Nutrition, and never fails a to remove the causes of Debflity and ■ H Emaciation. It is a splendid Tonic for II jl ail Weak conditions, quickly restoring ■ If Strength and Vitality to the entire || System. jl Guy's Tonic banishes Flatulency, H. H Heartburn, Nausea.Constipation, Fulness, -BT- Drovn3iness :11(1 after latillg. If It corrects Biliousness, Palpitation of the H a Heart, Shortness of Breath, SaKowness of H H the Skin, Dizziness, Wateibrash, and fit B Acidity. It enriches the Blood with the If |H Nutriment derived fiora well-digested || H Food, and has a highly Invigorative H action upon the Nervous System, restoring- I |H that feeling- of Elasticity and .Buoyancy II |>| that is only experienced by those in l| |g robust Health. And it has no re-acuon— K EH the good it does is lasting. || H A Six*o-.mce Bottle of Guy's Tonic, 11 El price i3}4d., is on Sale at Chemists S S| and Stores Everywhere. Jg "flO" '¡,fiií P Ieno's lightning | Cough cure K' "■*} "ke Purest an<l most efficient remedy W&tf procurable for COUGHS, COLDS, BRONCHITIS, FEW ASTHMA, CATARRH, WEAK LUNGS III and CHILDRESS'S COUGHS. AND ASTHMA Veno'a Lightning Cough Cure Produces its most brilliant effect in Chronic Broncidtim, and Asthma, it effects astonishing cures in the *ror«t and most persistent cases. BftQiSOfUIS AND ASTHMA Veno'a Lightning Cough. Cure Produces its most brilliant effect in Chronic Bronchitis and Asthma, it effects astonishing cures in the *ror«t and most persistent cases. liev. W. W. 1VLLOCH, D.D., Bonar Bridge, Sutherlandshire, writes,: "July 22nd, *03-1 have been a martyr to asthma all my life and lately to ch?onic winter bronchitis. I have found VenoV Bridge, Sutherlandshire, writes,: "July 22nd, *03-1 have, been a martyr to asthma all my life and lately to ch?onic winter bronchitis. I have found VenoV Lightning Cough Cure a valuable Medicine." COUGHS Mrs. ADA S. BALLIN, 5, Agar Street., London, Editor Womanhood," and a great authority upon children's diseases, writes "Verio's Lightning Cough Cure is an exceedingly successful remedy; It Is very pleasant to take and CmLDHEfi'S successful remedy; It Is very pleasant to take and the relief it gives is very rapid. The preparation is perfectly safe for children." W. LASOELLES SCOTT, F.R.M.S.o In his Certificate of Analysts, among other things says :—"I hare pleasure In certifying that In my opinion VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURB is an exceptionally puxe, safe, and effective preparation." LARGE TRIAL QLFL Regular Sizes. BOTTLES. ™ 2 ■ I/TJ and 2/9. Ask for VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE at Chemists and Drug Stores everywhere, or post free from the VENO DRUG Co., Hulnte, Manchester, England. ENGLAND'S BEST VALUE! "BONQOLA" TEA § HAS NO EQUAL. RUBBER APPLIANCES. Illustrated Booklet of Elastic Hosiery, Water Bottles, Bandages, Belts, Trusses, Syringes, Enemas arid Surgical Appliances of every description, free.—Northern Surgical Appliance Co., 161c, Seven Sisters Eoadj Etolloway, London. Billiabd AND BAGATELLE TAZJXXS. A LARGE STOCK OF NlTIW AND SECOND- HAUDTABLES always on hand. WRITm FOR PRICE LISTS. .1;, KDWARDS, 134, KIKQSLAKD ROAD, LONDON, N.H. VINOUA~Soari» is perfection for the Complexion. =-i"Oo-1I'If

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Surrey's memorial to Queen Victoria at Kings- ton-on-Thames is to be unveiled by the Duchess of Albany on December 11. The electro-pneumatic hammer is simply an air-pump driven by an electric motor. The compressed air takes the place of steam in working the hammer.

IYP wfe ^BLACK LEAD

TOWN TOPICS j (From Our London Correspondenti.) I The Italian Sovereigns have now returned to their own country ?,t the conclusion of their few days sojourn at Windsor as the guest of King Edward and Queen Alexandra and en ail hands it is recognised that the visit has proved a complete success both from the personal as well as the political point of view, the latter indeed having already been the subject of highly satisfactory semi-official assurances. There is no doubt that King Victor Emmanuel and his beautiful consort were delighted with the real warmth of the popular reception everywhere accorded to them, and particularly in the streets of the capital on the occasion of their presence here to receive an address from the City Corporation and lunch with the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress and a brilliant company at the Guildhall. Though not perhaps so imposing a figure as his father, the late King Humbert, who, with his magni- ficent white moustache and his erect military carriage, presented a most striking appearance, the present ruler of Italy is a handsome man, and what he may lack in stature he makes up in personal charm. This latter characteristic was strikingly shown on the afternoon before I his departure, when, although fatigued from a full day's shooting in the Royal preserves, he received a Bu-mber of deputations in his apart- ments at the castle. A prominent member of one of the deputations tells me that the whole party were greatly struck by the King's extreme courtesy and affable manner, and they also admired the ready felicity with which in his reply he seized upon the principal points in a long address read to him, though not having had the opportunity of previously perusing it. Queen Elena achieved instant popularity, her beauty and gracefulness winning all hearts. Photographs do not do her Majesty justice, for the camera cannot reproduce the brilliancy of her splendid dark eyes, which undoubtedly constitute her most striking feature. The present year has been rendered notable by the exchange of visits between the Sovereign of this realm and the heads of the two principal Latin nations; and as these State amenities largely assist to secure the maintenance of friendly relations between the various peoples. King Edward is assuredly entitled to the thanks of all his subjects. Some important changes have lately occurred or will shortly take place in the personnel and proprietary of London daily journalism. Mr. Fisher, who succeeded Mr. H. W. Massingham in the-editorial chair of the Daily Chronicle," will soon retire; and the appointment of a successor is arousing a good deal of interest. The St. James's Gazette" has quite recently changed hands, and Mr. C. Arthur Pearson has, it is understood, a controlling interest in the property; while within the last few days the evening Sun"—founded some years ago by Mr. T. P. O'Connor, M.P.—which has of late witnessed several changes in its ownership, has passed into the hands of a strong syndicate, of which the principal members are the pro- prietors of the "Globe" and the People." The "Sun," I may recall, has enjoyed the unique experience of being edited" for one day only by the late Dr. Parker as well as by Mr. Dan Leno, and other well-known per- sonages; and further novel and ingenious devices have been utilised in order to bring its claims to the notice of the evening paper buying public. Another recent development in metropolitan journalism has been the establish- ment of a penny morning paper for the gentler sex under the attractive title of the Daily Mirror." Those interested in the preservation of commons and open spaces are hoping that the example of the Earl of Onslow, the President of the Board of Agriculture, in agreeing to the regulation of the land over which he holds manorial rights, will be followed by other large landowners in various parts of the country. In its last report just published here for the counties of Kent and Surrey the Commons and Footpaths Preservation Society pays a tribute to the attitude which Lord Onslow has adopted in respect of his Surrey manors, the society having recently received an assurance from his lordship that he will always be ready to agree to the regulation of his commons situate near an urban centre, and a scheme will shortly be completed by which the regulation of Merrow Downs will be accomplished. The Downs consist of hundreds of acres of undulating land in the neighbourhood of Guildford, and are noteworthy from the fact that they contain the famous clump of yew trees known as New-Jands Corner, which is among the finest group of yews in the United Kingdom. People not possessing a banking account frequently experience some difficulty in cashing cheques, even small ones, particularly if they live in country districts, and now that the activities of the county councils are still further increased through the duty of administering the Education Act. there will'be a considerable multiplication of the disbursements to he made by those authorities, involving the issue of innumerable small cheques. In view of the inconvenience thereby resulting-to those who .-have no account with bankers, a useful little proposal has been submitted to the Executive body of the County Councils Association to the effect that steps should be taken to arrange with the Treasury and Post Office for the payment at any post-oface in England and Wales of cheques drawn by any English or Welsh county council up to an amount to be fixed by the Departments in question. Without endorsing the proposition, the Execu- tive tli-as agreed to approach the Treasury and the Postmaster General to ascertain their views as to the practicability of such a scheme, and a deputation waited on the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and the chief permanent officials this week. The plan outlined has much to commend it, and might moreover be extended to include other public bodies. The Post Office I —theoretically at least—exists for the con- venience of the public, and Lord Stanley, the new Postmaster General, has here an opportunity of iiftroducing a really useful minor reform. j It is reported here with some show of autho- j rity that the Metropolitan police will shortly receive an all-round increase in pay of three shillings a week, but as yet nothing has been officially announced on the subject; and it has, moreover, to be borne in Imind that as the force is directed under the Government, in which respect it is unique among English con- stabularies, any augmentation of pay must be carried out by Act of Parliament. The other body of police doing duty in the capital—the City )orce-is administered by the Corpora- I tion, and by reason of the better remuneration and the nighter standard imposed in regard to stature may fairly fee accounted finest in the country, it not in the world, semi-military con- stabularies being, of course, excepted from such a comparison. One change which it is now said will be introduced in connection with the raising of the Metropolitan police pay j Involves the disappearance of the R. or Reserve class, which is composed of men of long service and good conduct, who aro held in readiness for special occasions, and who may be seen on duty in the vicinity of the Houses of Parlia- ment, the Government buildings and public Institutions and the like. These receive an extra allowance of a shilling per diem, which, however, rloes not count for pension. The pro- Eosed additional three shillings in pay would ardlv suit the officers now in the R. class to lose their present extra shilling a day in order to receive on retirement a slightly higher pension. Borne figures relating to the numbers of the j force and the territory o'er which it keeps its I watch and ward," show what an immense organisation is required bv the metropolis. With a total strength of sixteen thousand of all ranks, it polices a district extending over a radius of fifteen miles from Charing-crttss (excluding the City of London) with a rateable value of nearly forty-five millions sterling and embracing an area of over six hundred and eighty-eight square miles. =1 am told by a leading official in the cycling world that although the concessions made by all the railways, which came into force in the spring, have proved a decided boon to cyclists, very little has been done on the part of the companies to provide special accommodation for machines in transit. Certain lines, it is true, have had appliances in existence for years; and he thinks that the other railways will in their own interests have to follow suit, because with their new liability for compensation for damage done they will find the present method of piling bicycles in a heap in the van rather too expen- sive to be continued. My informant added that the best appliance he had yet seen was the in- vention of a London and North-Western guard, being wimple in construction and working well in practice. It is a two-fold arrangement, one for holding the machines upright, and the other for holding them on the floor; and when not in use it folds up and rests at the side of the van. While a further advantage is that it can be applied to existing vans with onlv a little expense. W R.

I NEWS NOTES.' King Victor Emmanuel and Queen Helena are highly delighted with their brief visit to Britain, and particularly with the warm recep- tion they had at every public appearance they made. The august young pair may be pardoned for wishing that Sovereigns were as safe and well-beloved by all their subjects in Italy as in England but their Majesties are certainly doing their best to deserve the esteem of their people, and to compass happiness for the sunny southern land over which they have been called to reign, and it is not in mortals to do more. Mr. Warner's team of English cricketers representing our M.C.C. have done remarkably well so far out at the Antipodes: They out- played South Australia at Adelaide, and then disposed in succession of Victoria and New South Wales with more than an innings to spare. This looks promising for the tests to come for now Mr. Warner's men have each and all showed themselves to be in capital form, and they have practically met all the present time cracks of Australia. Hugh Trumble, they say, will play in some of the tests," and he may make a difference; and we note that Clem Hill was the other day in grand form against Victoria with the bat. If these two doughty players are at their best when M.C.C. meet the full strength of Australia, and Noble, Trumper and a few others come off," the Antipodeans with level luck will give our men a good trying up; but Mr. Warner and his merry men will take the field in good heart. We are very hopeful that they will come back with a record of triumph. Things are 11 simmering again in the Near East, and the Sultan is showing a complaisance which may be real or may be assumed as to the sit- uation but it must be said that in diplomatic circles considerable scepticism is being felt as to any unconditional acceptance of reform by Turkey. In face of the dissatisfaction freely expressed by the Slav elements in Macedonia with the dual reform programme, its final acceptance by the Porte, after the long resist- ance, cannot be considered to hold out a -pro mise of providing anything more than a tem- porary respite for all the parties concerned. Constantinople is scarcely a city in which to seek successfully for candour or sincerity. Meanwhile, however, it is some consolation in the fact that bloodshed for the time being is stopped. It is characteristic of the kindliness of our King that his Majesty should have given orders that meat and meal from the Royal and other tables should be distributed each morning while the Court is in residence at the castle to the poor of Windsor. To prevent imposition, the local clergy have been given tickets, which are to be distributed by them to widows and the poorest of the poor. About fifty persons were the recipients of the Royal bounty the other morning for the first time under the new arrangement, which is so far very pleasing in its effect. A quaint ceremony, reminiscent of feudal days, was on Saturday carried out at Dunferm- line, when Mr. Andrew Carnegie's scheme of <! sweetness and light" for his native place was publicly inaugurated. Mr. Carnegie formally handed over Pittencrieff Park and Glen to the inhabitants of Dunfermline. He had pre- viously given £ 500,000 in trust for the town. In the park the ancient ceremony of taking public infeftment of the gifts was per- formed. Mr. T. Shaw, M.P., as bailie authorised by Mr. Carnegie, handed symbols of land (earth), houses (stone), teinds (a handful of grass), and mill (the clap and hammer of the mill) to the trustees; who pledged themselves to administer the property in accordance with the directions of the donor. Dunfermline is a favoured town. Rumours are spreading of the existence of a secret treaty between Russia and Tibet. The Chinese Government is said to have obtained precise knowledge as to the signing of the mysterious Convention, to be much perturbed thereby, and to have recalled its representative at Lhassa. One fears that there is trouble afoot here. The dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty still. Mr. Norman Mac- kenzie, of the Church Missionary Society, de- scribing his experiences in connection with the dreadful famine in the Kwang-si, a province of Southern China, says: "The distress was cer- tainly more acute here than in any place visited subsequently. It was here where human flesh, usually that of executed criminals, were sold in open market. Women and girls were sold by the hundred, and taken to Canton and else- where, until it was estimated that some 10,000 or more had been sold." Not even famine of the direst wouM warrant such dreadful doings as this. There has this week been opened at Brighton the National Inventions Exhibition, at which women are credited with the creation of muck the larger number of the things on sliow. Among tie most aotable may be mentioned tike following: A collap- sible sunshade for cycling, a com- bination kitchen table, which caa be meta- morphosed into a writing-desk, and an appli- ance for cleaning windows without servants. There has also been placed on exhibition a remarkable invention for preventing candle drips and for making light brighter. The wit of womanhood evinces no sign of waning

I HE SAVED LIFE. I HOW PARSON ADAMS 'WON TEB V.C. THE Victoria Cross is given chiefly for rescuing life. The Rev. J. W. Adams, V.C., whose, death was lately announced, is the only clergyman who The late "Parson Adams," V.O. ever received that most honoured of decorations. He rescued two soldiers wounded in the Afghan war, ° The subject of rescue recalls the case of a Man- chester lad who, according to the Lancashire papers, was the subject of a wonderful rescue for which no one will get medal or decoration, or any reward but the thanks of a grateful family! He is 18 years old. For years he dragged him- self about on crutches, a Lifelong Cripple. Dr. Williams' pink pills made him strong and welL He can run like a lamplighter now This young man, now employed in a Man- chester insurance office, is Leonard Naylor, of 99, Nelson-street, Bradford, Manchester (not Bradford, Yorkshire). He said: "I was ill and a cripple for a long time, and walked on crutches. I had disease of the spine. The illness came on in a creeping sort of way. At first, after run- Mr. Leonard Naylor. (From a Photograph by Mccybwry, Piccadilly, Manchester.) ning about for a. short time, my right leg used to give way. It appeared lifeless, and I could not even feel the pressure of my own hand on it. It was a dead leg. By the end of the year the paralysis had crept upon me so that I was only just able to crawl about, and by the end of the second year I was unable to get out of the house. The doctors said my case was hopeless. How- ever, having taken Dr. Williams' pink pills for pale people, I am now quite well, and able not only to walk, but to rnn." Mrs. Naylor, the young man's mother, gave a few additional details of the case. "His young life," she said, "was a burden to him. He was only just able to get about on crutches. We tried bottle after bottle of medicine without suc- cess. Then Dr. Williams' pink pills were recom- mended. By the time he had taken two boxes he was able to get out, and before he had finished the fourth box he threw his crutches on one side. After a few weeks he went to work." Is not this a rescue not less remarkable than any doughty deed of field or flood? All over the land there live strong men and women who were once miserable invalids, but whom Dr. Williams' pink pills have Rescued. These pills are not a cure-all. They cure the one thing that is the cause of most diseases-poor blood. Acting on the blood, and on the nerves through the blood, they have cured anaemia, bile, consumption, bronchitis, eczema, fits, gout, heart disease, paralysis, and the ailments which women suffer in silence. It is the genuine pills, not substi- tutes (which some shopmen push), that cure, The full name on the pink wrapper is a guarantee of genuineness. Refuse pink pills that don't bear Dr. Williams' name. You can send direct for the pills to Dr. Williams' Medicine Company, Hol- born-vmduct, London, enclosing the price, two shillings and ninepence for a box, or buy them at any honest shop, where they sell you what you ask for. Remember this is what Saves Life.

f BISHOP OF CHESTER MOBBED. A critical stage has been reached in the Protes- tant agitation in Birkenhead regarding Ritualistic practices in the Church of England. Ou Monday evening nearly 2000 members of the Kensit crusade gained admission to a meeting at the Association Hall under the auspices of the Church Pastoral Aid Society. The proceedings were quite orderly until the Bishop of Chester rose to address the meeting. He was immediately requested by the leader of the "crusaders" to apologise for having remarked that the Protestants of Birkenhead were "a reforming mob who were discrediting religion." The bishop declined to enter into a. discussion, whereupon most of the crusaders," after hooting the bishop, left the hall. Those who remained would not allow Dr. Jayne to make any remarks, and after he had endeavoured to make himself heard for over a quarter of an hour the meeting broke up in confusion. Outside the building a monster procession with torchlights and several bands paraded the streets awaiting the bishop. Had the infuriated crowd got within reach of the bishop he would undoubtedly have been roughly handled. Fortunately the crowd were hoodwinked, and the distinguished divine escaped through the rear of the building and caught his train to Chester without suffering any molestation.

I FLOODS IN INDIA. I TWO HUNDRED LIVES LOST. The Secretary of State for India has received the following telegram from the Viceroy, dated Nov. 23: Government of Madras report, owing to serious floods Palar river Nov. 12 last, due to breached-tank Mysorse, half Vanizambadi town, Salem district, ruined.. Estimated loss of life 200. Floods subsided; further damage not ,appre,hended.