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

I FOREST DANGERS. j It is reported from British Guiana that the Bishop of Guiana (Dr Parry) had started to walk through a dense forest, and been lost therein, owing to the path having become obliterated by the growth of heavy bush. Happily the guides succeeded the next day in discovering a way out. By a coincidence, there appeared just about the same time a new book by M. Eugene Andre, in which he describes a similar adventure, also in the Guianas, which had a disastrous result. M. Andre, who seems to share his Swedish namesake's contempt of danger, describes his journeys through the mysterious South American forests. On one occasion, a boat having been wrecked, he found himself with 8 days' provisions for a month's journey. The party was divided into two sections, one of which elected to travel by water in the remaining boat, while the other, numbering 5 persons, endeavoured to find their way to La Prision through the forest. The party who went by boat lost only one of their number, but those who sought a way through the forest were never heard of again.

Board of Education Enquiry at Newport. At the Town Hall, Newport, on Wednesday, an inquiry, ordered by the Bourd of Education, as to the making of a Provisional Order for the constitu- tion of an Education Committee for Newport, in view of the scheme submitted by the Newport Town Council on the 16th of April, 1903, being deficient on the question of co-option, was presided over by the Hon W. N. Bruoe, one of the principal assistant secretaries of the Board of Education. The Town Clerk (Mr A. A. Newman) represented the Newport Town Council, Mr J. Moxon, solici- tor, appeared for the minority on the Newport Council, and Mr Le Brassaur, solicitor, represented the Roman Catholic party. The Town Clerk submitted the views of the Newport Council, and defended the position they had taken. Mr Moxon said that to provide for the co-opting only of three persons would not meet the views of the minority, which stood on the Council at 18 to 22. He asked that the spirit of the Act, which made no distinction between provided schools and non-provided schools, should be recognised, and said that in Newport there were 2,000 children attending the latter, against 11,800 in the board schools. The minority had relied on the Board of Education dealing with the question of co-option, by which he meant that the services of gentlemen who were experienced in education should be secured. Unfortunately, this question had been mixed up very much with politics, but the welfare of the children was the thing to be studied in dealing with its solution. Apparently, the Pro- visional Order intended to be made for Newport 4aye over the voluntary schools absolutely, and would tend to make their continuance impossible. Mr Bruce said the representatives of the denomi- national schools would always be a small minority on the Education Committee, and pointed out that if the majority determined to act in the particular manner indicated by the Llandrindod conference that would not prevent them from doing so. Mr Moxon complained of the action of the Newport Council on the previous day, when they allotted the minority only six out of eighteen members on the Education Committee, although the minority on the Council was eighteen to twenty. two, and on the School Board it was six to seven. He asserted that the majority was composed of representatives bitterly hostile to voluntary schools The minority asked the Board of Education to protect the voluntary schocls from being stamped out. Mr Le Brasseur, on behalf of the Roman Catholics of Newport, also addressed the Commis- sioner. He said Newport Roman Catholics were in the unique position of contributing one-seventh of tho children of school age, and asked that the scheme should provide for the election on the Committee of a Roman Catholic representative who should be one of three recommended. At present there was not a single member of the Town Council who was a manager of public schools, and, therefore, the question of co-option would arise at once. Alderman Bear said that three gentlemen out of the eighteen to constitute the governing body for Newport were Roman Catholics. That was a proportion of a sixth for a seventh of the number of children, and at once showed that the Newport Council had acted fairly. Mr T. Parry said the minority would be glad to see some of the members of the Newport School Board elected on the new authority. That, amongst others, was the reason why co-option was favoured. The Commissioner concluded the inquiry with the intimation that he would report to the Board of I Education in duo course,

« ..nlirn IT inhMM— a Ir. Hastings-Clay's Otter Hounds. I The following letter from Mr W. B. Pilkington, I of Penycraig, near Ross-on»Wye, hon seoretary to Mr Hastings-Clay's Otter Hounds, appears in the "j'ield":—I tru&t yon will permit me to refer to your reference to the doings of these hounds which appeared in the "Field" on March 26th ult. As our financial condition has been referred to, it is necessary to explain that at a general meeting of subscribers held in September last it was agreed that the financial year should end in September in each year instead of at the end of March, as had been formerly the case, and in consequence of this alteration Mr Clay's accounts showing disburse. ments in 1903, to whioh you refer, extend over a period of six months only, and not an entire year, as your informant suggests. The total receipts for the year 1903 were (on paper) 262 INa., with an expenditure of £ 188 17s. for six months. It is, of oourse, important, where Iiiiidii depend entirely upon subscriptions, to rfcfiiOve an erroneous idea that the master's iubscriptibtiB 'for one year have been ao liberal that they not dhly pay all hia expenses for that year, but lealrb him in affluence' for the next taason. Suck'is'fc&t the case with Mr Clay, I regret to Bay."

Monmouthshire Hunt Point-to- Point Races. The first annual Point-to-Point Steeplechases organised by Colonel B. Herbert M.F.H., took place at Penylan, Llanarth, on Thursday week, there being a fair attendance of members and the farmers of the district. After the first race a luncheon was given by the master and members, at which about 350 sat down, the master being supported by Coun- cillor James Straker, J.P., C.C. (Mayor of Aberga- venny), Captain R. Powell Reea (hon. secretary), &c. Results: Race for horses hunted regularly with the Mon- mouthshire Hounds, about 3t miles, Trophy for memberø-l, Mr A. F. Attwood's Primrose; 2, Col. B. Herbert's Polly 3, Dr. Logie's Nipper. Trophy for non-members-I, Mr J. Gilbert Harris's Flag- pole 2, Mr Albert Lewis's Rsglan. Challenge Cup, presented by Major Stacey, to be competed for by the Monmouthshire Squadron of the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Imperial Yeo- manry, about 3i miles-I. Corporal A. Adams' The Spider; 2. Trooper W. J. Williams's Tip Cat; 3, Trooper Walter Adams' Ploti-hboy. Race open to horses hunted with the Monmouth- shire, Llangibby, Lord Tredegar's, and Mr Ourre's Hounds, that have not started under N.H. Rules. Heavy weights 14pit and over, and light weights 12st and over, about 3! miles. Light weights—1, Col. Walwyu'a Worcester; 2, Dr. Logie's Nipper 3, Mr H. Gethings, Topsail Heavy weigbts-1, Miss Edith Clay's Maori; 2. Mr Edward Phillips's Blue Peter 3, Mr F. Phillips's Topper.

FACTS AND FANCIES. THH average depth of the Pacific is 2,500 fathomst, of the Atlantic, 2,200 fathoms. Txx water lily is largely used in some parts of India by the natives as food. SWEDEN is ftaid to have the lowest death-rate of any civilised nation. During the last ten yl'.ars tha annual average has been only 16*49 per 1,000. THB rats of Southern Italy are very cunning, and display discrimination. They climb the orange trees and suck the blood oranges, neglecting the others.

THE SBA CUCUMBER. The Chinese are very fond of the marine "cucum- ber." They make a number of them into a rich soup, and also stew them in various ways, a large trade being carried on in these strange products of the sea. They are prepared for the market by being carefully opened and cleansed, laid in lime, and then dried either in the sun or over wood fires.

THE EGYPTIAN CIOAHETTB. The name Egyptian cigarette is, strictly speak- ing, a misnomer, for no tobacco is grown in the Nile country. In fact, cultivation of the plant has been forbidden by Khedivial decree since 1890. Cigarettes made in Egypt" would be the exact •description, says Mr. F. C. Penfield in "Present Day Egypt." Practically all the tobacco used in making these misnamed cigarettes comes from Turkey, where it is obtamed chiefly from Cavallo, Latakia, and Yenidjc. The comes from Austria and Italy, and the major part of the labour employed is Greek, except for common cigarettes, which are made by native workmen. The tobacco used is not adulterated in any way, but it is skil- fully blended to acquire the desired strength and flavour. The best leaves are used for export orders, the common grades being consumed in Egypt, where nearly every man, woman, and child is a constant smoker of cigarettes.

SAXON ALMANACKS. There are three examples of Saxon Almanacks in existence, written on stone and lead. The first is to be found on the Norman font at Burnham Deep- dale, in Norfolk, and datts from the eleventh century. The almanack is contained on three of the four sides of the font, and has figures emblematic of the twelve months. The second almanack, which is m lead, is at Brookland, Kent; and the third is fa be found on a series of stones high up in the fnird stage of the tower of the church of Calverton, Notts. But this almanack is incomplete, only six of the months being represented.

WILD BEASTS ON THE BaA. A French scientist has made some interesting observations as to the behaviour of different wild animals at sea. The polar bear, he says, is the only one that takes to the sea, and is quite jolly when aboard ship. All others violently resent a trip on water, and vociferously give vent to their feelings until seasickness brings silence. The tiger suffers most of all. He whines pitifully, his eyes water continually, and he rubs his stomach with his terrible paws. Horses are very bad sailors, and often perish on a sea voyage. Oxen are heroic in their attempts not to give way to sickness. Elephants do not like the sea, but they are amen- .ble to medical treatment. A good remedy is a bucketful of hot water containing three and a-half pints of whisky and 7oz. of quinine.

THII LUCK OF THE FLY. A Monte Carlo paper tells that a By alighted on No. 13 on the roulette table the other day at a time when the players had suffered a persistent run of bad luck. The superstitious gamblers exchanged covert glances and searched their pockets for money with which to stake. In a few moments the "middle dozen," that is to say the numbers 13 to 24, was liberally covered with stakes. Then an elderly gambler arose and piled napoleons round the square on which the fly had alighted, thus backing the numbers from 10 to 17. Less confident players staked small amounts on the "transversales." The ivory marble was sent spinning round the roulette wheel, there was a moment of suspense, and then the croupier announced the winning number, 13. But what is far more extraordinary, the same number came up three times in succession. That fly cost the Casino £ 5,000! :.4"" Au !■

LAUGHABLE DEFINITIONS. Many children are so crammed with everything that they really know nothing. In proof of this, read these veritable specimens of definitions, written by public school children "Stability is the taking care of a stable." "A mosquito is the child of black and white parents," "Monastery is the place for monsters." "Tocsin is something to do with getting drunk." Expostulation is to have the smallpox." "Cannible is two brothers who killed each other in the Bible." "Anatomy is the human body, which consists of three parts, the head, the chist, and the stummick. The head contains the eyes and brains, if any; the chist contains the lungs and a piece of the liven The stummick i, devoted to the bowels, of which there are five, a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes w andy."

THE PROBABILITIES OF LiFE. An American doctor, speaking of the probabilities of life, says that out of 1,000,000 babies 150,000 die before they are a year old, 53,000 before the end of the secund year, and 28,0G0 at tire thirteenth, and by twos and threes others would succumb until at the forty-fifth year there would be but 500,000 left. At sixty years there would be 370,000 grey-headed veterans, but at the end of eighty years there would be but 17,000. At, ninety-five there would be but 223 to continue the race, and the winner would | reach the age of 108.

l/J THK CUCKOO.—The cuckoo was heard this (Friday) morning, on Trostrey Common, at 5.30 a.m.

I The Far East, I Reported Russian lining of the Mountain Passes. Ping Yang, Wednesday. According to Korean reports* the Russians in retreating from Korea left behind detachments of engineers to carry out mining operations. Mountain passes are said to have been mined by the Russians.

I The Grand Duke Cyril; St. Petersburg, Friday. The Grand Duke Cyril was swept over-board from the sinking Petropavlovsk by a wave. When he came to the surface- he clung to a floating hatch, and. was rescued, ten minutes after- wards, by a torpedo boat.

JI The Missouri Disaster: Gross" Carelessness the Cause. New York, Friday. It is alleged that the Missouri- disaster was caused by gross. carelessness.

I A Brutal Murder Expiated. John Kelly was hanged at Kilkenny to-day, for the murder of his wife at Kildare. Nearly every bone in the woman's bodyr was broken.

Meetiug of the Defence Committee. A meeting of the Defence Committee was held at the Foreign i Office this morning, all the members being present. Mr Balfour presided. I

I Stocks. Stocks firm, Printed and Published by" THE COUNTY OBSBBVKR, NBWSFAPHR and PBINTINO COMPANY, Limited, by JAMBS HBNKY CLARK, AT their Othces, Bridge^ Street, Usk, in the County of 1rIollmoutla,8atarda, April 16th, 1904.

Football. THE USK TEAM'S RECORD, I The season which has just closed has been one of the most successful in the history of the organi- sation certainly many seasons have passed since Usk held an unbroken ground record, as is the case this year, aud we congratulate the club on this achievement. The season's record reads: Matches played, 24; -won, 16; drawn, 5; lost, 3. Points for, 228; against, 58. On only three occasions has the home line been crossed, viz., by the Old Moiiktonians, Newport Extras, and Llanhilleth. Under the able captaincy of Dai Prothero, the team kept together well. He was always in form, and to his untiring energy in the field much of the success is due. He played in every match, and this remark also applies to Ted Waters, the vice- captain, whilst Johnnie Jenkins, who through- out was most consistent in his good play and a tower of strength to his side, missed only the first match, which was before he elected to throw in his lot with the Uskites, to whom he was no stranger. After an easy victory at home in the first match, Usk journeyed to Cbepstow with a weakened team and met with defeat, which was not surprising, as they had the misfortune to lose Prothero before the game was half over, and before their opponents had scored. Then followed a sequence of eight successive Tvins. The defeat at Chepstow was avenged on lÚctoberUth, when a strong St Mary's team was outplayed in a drenching storm by eight points to even. This score, however, hardly represented the play, for Usk crossed their opponents' line twice, whereas the visitors' points were gained by good individual efforts on the part of Bailey, who kicked two spleudid goals-oue penalty and one from a mark, The following week Newport Extras went under, jand a fortnight later Monmouth were met at Usk. -On the eve of this match it became known that A. Williams and A. Weare intended deserting their ;club to play for Mountain Ash. However, Sid Adams, of Newport, kindly volunteered his assis- tance, and in the course of a grand game this player turned the scale in Usk'" favour by dropping a magnificent goal from a penalty. # Maindee and Crickhowell were met and defeated, and then the first drawn game was played v. Newport Imperial, at Newport, in a quagmire. Christchurch being again accounted for, the Old Mouktonians, a smart Cardiff combination, paid their first visit to Usk on Boxing Day. A record crowd witnessed this match, one of the best of the .season, the homesters emerging victorious by two tries to one. Prothero scored both tries for Usk. On January 16th, Crumlin were encountered, and, thanks to a brilliant effort by Johnnie Jenkins, Usk ran out winners by a try to nil. Maindee and Crickhowell fared as in the earlier matches with Usk, and on February 6th Usk were due at Monmouth. Great interest was taken in this match, and a large crowd of supporters accom- panied the fifteen in expectation of a good game, but with both teams over-eager, the finer points of play were absent, and a draw was the result. The return match with Crumlin was played a fortnight later, Usk displaying their worst form of the season and meeting with their second defeat. Usk recovered their form the following week, when a strong team of Newport Extras were beaten after a hard tussle. it Only fourteen players made the journey to Uanhilleth on March 19th, but, notwithstanding this, Usk notched the first adverse try scored on the Llanhilleth ground during the season, and 'were very unluckily beaten by eight points to five, A week later the return match at Usk ended in a -draw, Llanbilleth equalising the homesters' score in the last minute. The tour to Berkeley and Stroud at Easter has too recently been described to need further com- ment. It will suffice to say that the fifteen did remarkably well in both matches, and considerably added to their reputation by drawing the game at Stroud. It may be stated that the hon sec is now arranging a strong fixture card for next season, and confidently anticipates an extended tour next Easter. The following players scored tries during the reason :—D. Prothero (captain), 15 A. Weare, 10; W. A. Williams, 9; J. Jenkins, 6; J. H. Itoberts, 4; H. Gibson, 3 F. M. Davies, 2; J. Knight, 2 G. Smith. E. Waters (vice-captain), J. Morgan, Reg Haggett, Frank Morgan, A. J. Thomas, G. Edwards, and W. Morris 1 each. Prothero converted 11 tries, A. Williams 10, and J. Roberts 1. Williams also kicked a goal from a mark, and S. Adams dropped a goal from a penalty. Appended is the full table of results:— For Against Date Opponents Rslt. G. T. G. T. Sep.26—Christchurch (h) w 2 7 0 U Oct. 3-Chepotovv St Mary (a) 1 0 0 1 2 lO-MoumOltth G.S. (a) w 4 1 1 0 17-Newport Imperials (h) w 7 6 0 0 24-Cbepstow St Mary (h) w 1 1 .2 0 31-Newport Extras (b).. w ..ti 1 0 0 Nov. 7-Pill United (h) w 0 2 0 0 14—Monmouth (h) ..w £ 1 0 0 0 21-Maindee (h) w 0 2 0 0 28-Crickhowell (a) w 3 2 U 0 Dec. 5-Newport Imperials (a) d 0 0 0 0 19—Christchurch (a) w 1 1 0 0 26 -Old Monktonians (h) w 0 2 0 1 .Tan. 16-Crumlin (h) w 0 1 0 0 23—Maindee (a) w 0 1 0 0 30-Crickhowell (b) w 0 4..00 Feb. 6-Motimouth (a) d o 1 0 1 13-Monmouth G.S. (h) w 1 5 0 0 20-Crumlin (a) 1 0 0 ID 3 27—Newport Extras w 1 0 0 1 Mar.19—Llanhilleth (a) 1 1 o 1 1 26-Llanhilleth (h) d 1 0.. 1 0 Apr. 4—Berkeley (a) d 0 0 0 0 5-Stroud(a). d 0 0 0 0 228 pts 58 pts One peualty goal and oue from a mark. t Goal from a mark, • One peualty goal and one from a maik. t Goal from a mark, } Peualty goal. I

DAINTY TEA-TABLE FARE. I Mothers and daughters could add to the I delights Of the tea-iabia it 9nl7 knew, as j thousands of them do, how easily and quickly tne most dainty and tempting little tea scones and light cakes can be made with the help of Brown & Poison's new raising powder called Paisley Flour." "Paisley Flour'' is mixed one part with six to eight parts of ordinary flour, and delicious pan-bread can be baked with it, without the tedious delay caused by the use of yeasl, or the uncertainty of baking powder. 11 Paisley Flour is worth a trial by all who bake at home, indeed, it has made many converts to home-baking. Get a 7d packet from your grocer, and see for yourself. If you are not pleased with it you can get your money back at Brown & Poison's expense. SUICIDE BY HANGING. -BlOrgan Edwards, single, residing with his brother at 18, Panteg Terrace, Newbridge, committed suicide by hanging himself on Saturday afternoon. Deceased, who had been to South Africa, went out on Saturday afternoon, returning about four o'clock. At the suggestion of his sister-in-law he went upstairs to rest, but some time afterwards a girl, named Saunders, who: was eent to call him, was horrified to find him hanging by a silk handkerchief from the bedsfesad. Deceased was immediately cut down by his brother, and Dr Evan Thomas pronounced life to if extinct.

MAY SAVE YOUR CHILD'S LIFE. An eggapoonfut of Virol la the ftoding bottle strengthens trio bonojo. makes the flash firmer, and the blood richer. Virol Is used in over aoo Hospitals. An Ideal Food for Wasting Diseases. VI Is sold in Jars. i/8, 31- & AA6, 7

THE COSSACKS. The Cossacks, who have entered upon their first engagement at Turing-Sien, will, L no doubt, be a good deal heard of in the course of the next few months, unless some pacificator, who has the confidence of both, can persuade Russians and Japanese to de- sist from the work of tearing each other to pieces. The original signification of the word Cossack is bandit." and, if his- tory reports truly, these formidable horse- men were for a long time true to their name. Napoleon launched his cavalry against them in vain, and other skilful commanders have been taught by failure that the Cossacks are not to be defeated by the ordinary tactics of European warfare. Alert, fearless, and steady marksmen, they are accustomed to conquer, and the Japan- ese, who are not particularly strong in cav- alry, are likely to find them a difficult factor in the war. One who has had the oppor- tunity of observing these Russian horsemen says that the tactics which can most use- fully be employed against them are the tactics of the Boers, and that, if the Japan- ese have profited by the lessons of the South African War, they may be able to meet the Cossacks on their own ground, and destroy them.

DA MMBmEaO GOLD/MEDAL. iUK. DOBBIN Hi Waterproofs, softens, and pre- JBUM serves the life of BOOTS and MB Q9 HARNESS. Allows polish. Pleasant aroma. 22 Exhibition B lwA\ highest awards. Tin5; ?<?■, M., « 1 /• & 2/0 of Bootmakers, Sadd- lei's-, Ironmongers, See. Manu- iactory, East Dulwich, S.E. aSfijgSjjplapjialJl J_-

ALL THROUGH A MISTAKE. A Reuter's teldglram from Seoul stated that the Russians were over-estimating the Japanese force at Anju, and, in consequence, were retreating. If that was so, it is not quite certain that the Japanese would be enthusiastic concerning the enterprise of Router 1ft. giving the information inciden- tally to the Russians; but, in any event, it tfofeld not be the first time that the Russians had retreated through a mistake. In the course of the expedition against the Tekke Turkomans, the Russians made an attack upon Dengeal Tepe, and, having sustained rather severe loss, marched tfff in a state of great dejection towards the Caei- pian. Early next morning (he Itekkes, who

USEHOMOCEA FOR BRONCHITIS, v EMBROCATION "IT TOUCHES THE SPOT."

IT" had also lost a large number of their people and, in particular, nearly all their leaders, decided to send messengers to the Russian camp with an unconditional surrender. On reaching the spot where the camp had been, the envoys found the place deserted, and in the distance they descried a cloud of dust which showed that the Russian army was in retreat.

THE GREAT REMEDY. B ,at!A I F;N&,t4S GOUT PILLS GOUT, RHEUMATISM, SCIATICA LUMBAGO, Is quickly relieved and cured witout restraint from diet, by these celebrated Pills. All Chemists and Stores at Is. ild. and 2s. 9d per box.

I RUSSIAN BOASTS. The Russian boasts as to what will hap- pen when the forces of the Czar are fully assembled, may find some justification in the immense military resources of the Rus- sian Empire, but such vaunts have not al- ways proved to be quite as warranted as they were supposed to be at the time. Thus, on the occasion of the expedition against the Tekke Turkomans, in 1878-9, Laz-areff, the Russian commander, being told that eighteen prisoners had been taken, summoned them to his presence, and ad- dressed them in these terms:—"You are at liberty. Go back and tell your people that I shall soon pay them a visit. Eigh- teen Turkomans arc nothing to me. I shall take eighteen thousand Turkomans when I come, and shall not leave a village in the whole district. Be off and tell this to your friends." Lazareff died shortly afterwards. The troops, having made an attack upon Dengeal Tepe, were driven off and retired, but not before they had killed four thou- sand Turkomans, of whom half are stated to have been women and children. That expedition failed completely. Another, under Skobeleff, was more successful, and we are told that many thousands of men, women, and children were killed. Lord Curzon says that the pursuit was not a rout but a massacre, not a defeat but an extirpation." Unless the Russians have been greatly maligned by historians, or have since changed their ideas, it would appear to be an advantage to the Japanese that they dwell on islands, protected by a fairly strong navy.

I COLFON GROWING. The Geographical Society of Stefbourne have urged the advantages of -^North Australia for Cotton growing. btit tthough millions of afcres may be suitable 'for this ¡I purpose thfe country has no population to carry on its 'cultivation. tfhÐ pr4ndice in Australia against cheap or immigrant labour both prevents the development of its natural resources and keeps its population stationary. Nowhere in the world is cotton grown in any quantity by white labour. In America it depends entirely upon the negro population, and in Egypt and India upon native labour. It would be quite impossible for Queensland to compete with these sources of supply, except by importing colored labourers, and it is therefore to British West Africa, where labour is cheap and plentiful, that Lancashire manu- facturers will look for new sources of supply of the raw material. The distress in Lan- cashire, consequent upon the gambling in American cotton, will not be wholly an evil if, as seems likely, it leads to the general cultivation of the plant in that part of the world.

PROJECT FOR RE-BUILDING LONDON. I The suggestions which have arisen out of the proceedings of the London Traffic Commission call to mind a stupendous scheme of the late Dr Parker for offering relief to the unemployed. It was no less than a project for the re-building of London, and the rev gentleman seems to have suggested that other great cities should be similarly dealt with. The beauty of his plan, he said, was that it would re- quire all the remaining days of human life to carry it into effect. Life is short, but Dr Parker's scheme was long. According to his calculation it would take over 150 years to go over the first outline, and by that time the repairers will be on the track of the builders." There is no doubt that the latter conclusion is correct; indeed, as buildings are constructed nowadays, it is very certain that the repairer would be at the heels of the builder from the first. But while the desirability of re-building a large Z3 portion of London and of some great pro- vincial towns is indubitable, at the same time it is to be feared that such a scheme must fail of accomplishment for the hum- drum reason that it would cost too much.

COMMISSIONS AND ANNUITIES. The British soldier does not always find the award of a commission an unqualified boon, and there must be many warrant officers and other senior non-commissioned officers who would be poorer than they are at present if they were promoted to a com- batant commission. This anomaly is in- creased by the terms of the recent royal warrant on distinguished service annuities, which provides that if a non-commissioned annuitant is promoted to a commission the annuity of which he has been in receipt must be relinquished. Seeing that the meritorious service award may amount to £ 20 a year and the lowest rate of subaltern pay is 5s 3d a day, the annuitant may sometimes be disposed to think twice before he accepts a promotion which will improve his social status, but, for the rest, increase his expenditure without adding to his income.

In use go year. NURSE JAMES'S SAFETY "MALE F>ii_U.S. Gentle, Direct, Natural. Recommended by Mothers and Nurses ja 88 1/1 J, 2/9 & 4/6 per box, post free, from F* l\ LLOYD, Chemist, MERTHYR.

I RUSSIAN METHODS. A London paper reported that, -1 thanks to their methods of commandeering and pillage," the Russians left behind them in the north of Korea, a scene of wild deso- lation." The same paper had previously stated that the Russians hanged several Japanese officers for attempting to blow up a bridge, and put to death the whole pop- ulation of the nearest village, men, women, and children. Now, although the Japanese are our allies, nobody in this country wishes to be unjust to the Russians, or to believe evil of them without a cause. If such state- ments were contradicted by the Russian Ambassador, or some other sufficient authority, we should either accept the con- tradiction or await some further evidence from the newspaper, but as it is they are not contradicted, and, of course, the major- ity of people believe them. At the same time, some of the St. Petersburg papers suggest that Britain should join the Dual alliance. Every Briton would desire to treat an invitation of that kind with the utmost courtesy, but how is it possible for Britain to consider for a single moment the propriety of an alliance with a nation who are accused of such barbarities, and make no attempt to clear themselves from the charge ?

I CARE OF THE WOUNDED. In the course of one of his campaigns, the great Napoleon ordered his artillery to break up the ice over a river which the enemy were attempting to cross. The fire. was successful, and nearly all the men who had been upon the ice perished in the water. One officer attempted to save him- self upon a block of ice, and a French sol- dier rescued him with conspicuous gallantry. Napoleon manifested great interest in the rescue, and warmly commended the man who had accomplished it, Some writers, have ridiculed Napoleon's solicit"^ for the officer whoiJvhQ had st before attempted to but we see very much the same thing in our own day, and there was an ex- ample of such humanity in the engagement of our troops with the Tibetans. First of all our soldiers did their best to kill the Tibetans, and then they exerted themselves to cure those who had been wounded. Of course, it was the proper thing to do, and, no doubt, the care of the enemy's wounded will have a good effoo but, at the same time, the Tibetans who hear the story will probably say, "ThlOse Europeans) these British, are a strange people.