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

KEPT HIS SON IN A CAGE. J A man at Buda Pesth has been arrested for having kept his little son shut up in a cage. He said he did it with the object of preventing acci- dents', and that it mattered to no one in what way he carried this out. A doctor is to examine the child to see if it has suffered in any way from its imprisonment.

TOWN'S RAID ON GAMBLERS. l The latest American city to be struck by the anti-gambling crusade is Memphis, Tenn. The movement has been backed by a "committee of fifty" prominent citizens, who, acting with characteristic Southern vigour and thorough- ness, hav$raided every gambling den in town, seized the roulette tables, faro boxes, and other gambling devices, and dumped them into the Mississippi River. Public feeling against gam- blers has been aroused by the murder of two deputy sheriffs engaged in a raid upon a gam- bling "joint," and the prospects are good that these outrages and the disclosures of police connivance together will result in such a "house-cleaning" as Memphis has not had in many a year.

A YEAR OF DROUGHT. I The year of greatest deficiency of rain in re- cent times within the British Islands was 1887. There was a deficiency of 38 per cent. in Scot- land and 37 per cent. in England in that year; 1887 was the first of three consecutive years in which the rainfall was deficient by as much as 21 per cent. in Scotland and 16 per cent. in England. On the other hand, the great rainfall of 1903 came directly after the very moderate rainfall of 1902, which had a deficiency of rain- fall to the extent of 17 per cent. both in England and Scotland, while 1904, coming di- rectly after the great rainfall of last year, is, up to date, very little different from the aver- age in any part of the United Kingdom.

KUROPATKIN AS A MARKSMAN. I General Kuropatkin, when visiting Sevasto- pol as Minister for War, was invited by the Commandant to contest at a shooting saloon there. Each was to fire ten shots with a re- volver at fifteen paces, the target being a piece of white cardboard about the size of a small cigarette-case. The general put all his ten shots into the target, and when a similar target was put up ten paces further off he repeated the performance with a rifle.

DANGERS OF ICEBERGS. I People unfamiliar with icebergs or their lore, says a writer in the "Windsor Magazine," may doubt that the sea monsters are as large or de- structive as this narrative indicates; but no one who has traversed the northern seas, or seen a crippled steamer making into port with gaping bows telling of her combat, will ques- I tion for a moment the most improbable story of battle with these rovers. The really amazing feature of .the bergs is that they show so little of their bulk—one-eighth above water. Hence, even when a colossal one is seen, the mind fails to grasp the significance of what it represents— the vast bulk concealed below the ocean level. It is only when a berg overturns that an idea of its immensity is obtained. This occurrence usually results through one berg fouling with another, the nicely adjusted balance being dis- turbed and the colossus floundering forward and throwing off fragments with noises like the discharge of a park of artillery, the movement communicating itself in turn to the bergs in the vicinity, until they are turning turtle liKe a school of whales at play. Such a scene is not uncommon along the Labrador coast in summer, where hundreds of bergs are to be sighted every day; and the mailboat gives them a wide berth as she makes her risky runs up and down the rugged seaboard. An American college professor two years ago counted 176 one day from a hilltop at Cape Charles. These figures cease to excite surprise when it is remembered that the bergs are the product of the Greenland glaciers and are formed by the thousand itf the far northern fiords. As the glaciers sweep into the sea they "calve" or throw off mighty blocks, and these are what we know as icebergs.

Albert Fennell, the four-year-old son of a fireman on the Midland Railway, living ir Sheffield, was killed by falling from the Sheffie] to Morecambe express, on Sunday, near Wen nington Junction. He was going with hi parents on a holiday trip to Morecambe, am tho carriage door accidentlly opened. The boy't skull was fractured and his leg broken in two places.

CROSS-CHANNEL SWIM. ABORTIVE ATTEMPTS.—WATER TOO COLD. All the three attempts by nominees of news- papers to swim the Channel on Saturday and Sunday proved unsuccessful, only Holbein accomplishing any considerable die tan ce. After an effort extending over 10 hours and 20 minutes, Holbein found himself unable, owing to illness brought about by the coldness of the water, to complete his attempt to swim from Dover to Calais, which was started on Saturday afternoon. Those who have witnessed Holbein's five cross-Channel attempts are of opinion that his powers were never more conspicuous than on this occasion. For the last two hours the swimmer was fighting against continuous sickness and other internal troubles set up by the coldness of the water, which during the night registered only 60deg. The water was 3deg. lower than on Holbein's previous swims, and 5deg. below the temperature of the sea when Captain Webb swam the Channel. The advent of the French swimmer Burgesse, of the Paris Swimming Club, was quite unexpected. He entered the sea immediately after Holbein, having been rowed ashore from the French tug Calaisin. There were'many inquiries as to his identity and inten- tions, and these were answered by M. Georges Moebs, president of the Paris Swimming Associa- tion, who was in Holbein's tug. Holbein was the first to make a start of the three swimmers who had been waiting at Dover for the conditions to become favourable. His tug, the Scotia, Captain Anning, left the Prince of Wales Pier, shortly after 3 o'clock for a point 2t miles westward, where the swim was to be started, the opinion of the pilot Foster being that this would give the swimmer the best position on the prevailing tides. The party in the tug included Mrs. Holbein, Captain Groves, Trinity pilot, and several French and English sportsmen. Holbein, whose mask and goggles were fixed on with collodion, was rowed ashore and entered the sea at 4.32, amid cheers. The sea temperature taken at this time was 62deg., the air temperature being the same. The swim afforded a surprise from the start. Instead of usiag the back stroke, from the start. Instead of usiag the back stroke, as before, Hol'bein went off with a. powerful side stroke, making 25 to 30 strokes to the minute. This is speedier than his back stroke, and keeps the head clearer of the water. There was a fresh easterly breeze and a nasty loppy sea in the Channel, which was a source of discomfort to the swimmer from the start. The progress made by Holbein was most satisfactory, the first hour seeing him over a mile out from the starting- point, while he had another mile to his credit ¡' in the swim towards France, at the end of the 6econd hour, with only half a mile eastward drift. From the beginning of the third hour Mr. Faith accompanied the swimmer, who now took his first nourishment, consisting of a steak sandwich and cocoa. At the end of the third hour he was 3t miles from the shore and about a mile eastward of the starting-point. The Admiralty steamer Industry then passed quite close, the crew lining the side and cheering. At a quarter to 8 a fine auxiliary steam yacht, La Belle Sauvage, arrived on the scene and followed the swim for some distance. Holbein was making light of his great task and getting through the sea in splendid style. After less than an hour on the back he reverted to the side stroke, swimming 23 to the minute with machine-like precision. At 8 o'clock he had some more nourishment. Swimmers con- stantly succeeded each other in accompanying him for a time, Mr. Hiller and Mr. Record fol- lowing Mr. Faith. By the end of the fourth hour Holbein had swum four miles and a half on his course to France, but the eartward drift had been considerable. The bearings taken at this time showed the South Foreland high light N. quarter W., South Goodwin lightship N.E., Folkestone W. three-quarter N. The Frenchman Burgesse, was still level with Hol- bein at five minutes to 9 after a fine swim of nearly 41 hours. He had no protection to his eyes, and suffered a great deal of discomfort. He was taken on board the French tug Calaisin, which then continued to follow Holbein. The fifth hour saw at least another knot covered towards the French coast, Holbein still going very strongly. Bearings taken at 10 o'clock showed that Holbein was five miles from the English coast. The tide was still taking him well eastward, the drift on the swim having been six miles. In the opinion of Captain Groves, still further eastward drift would be advantageous, as Holbein would then catch an outset with the ebb tide, which would assist him greatly. The end of the sixth hour found him six miles out. The temperature of the sea was 61deg. and of the air 56deg. Holbein asked for and was given some sugar sandwiches about 11 o'clock. He continuously used his new side stroke, averaging 24 strokes to the minute. About half-past 11 the French mail steamer from Dover to Calais projected her search light on to the swimmer and the accompanying fleet, which she passed quite closely. Between 10.30 and 11.30 Holbein covered well over two miles, directly on his course, with practically no drift. The western tide began to flow at 11 o'clock, but proved very slack for the first hour, and the swimmer continued to make excellent head- way. On the completion of the eighth hour Holbein was half way across the Channel and making a splendid course. About 1 o'clock he began to experience a bad time, being fre- quently sick, with other bad symptoms. So ill did he seem that Nr. Nix, in charge of one of the feeding boats, came up to the tug to get some webbing in order to assist Holbein out should it be necessary. In spite of his illness the swimmer kept steadily on. At the end of the ninth hour and throughout the tenth his condition was much the same. Then he sud- denly inquired whether he had been swimming for ten hours, and on being informed that he had been in the water over that time, he an- nounced his intention of giving up, adding that he had been sick nearly all the night. He then caught hold of the boat and tried to climb in, but he had some difficulty owing to his weak state, and had to be assisted. The final bearings showed him to be then III miles from gs 4 the English shore, having swum for ten hours and 20 minutes and covered about 20 miles. His illness was caused by the cold and the swallowing of the sea water. Holbein was en- veloped in flannels steeped in hot water, and given hot drinks, under the influence of which lie rapidly improved, and when the tug reached Dover two hours later he was able to walk to his hotel. He had quite recovered on Sunday, and declares he will make another attempt in a fortnight's time. He states that he was much impressed by the advantage of the new course. Haggerty and Greasley both made very in- o; effectual attempts; they entered the sea from the end of the Admiralty Pier extension, which is about a mile from the shore. Haggerty started at 6 o'clock on Saturday evening and Greasley at 8 on Sunday morning. On both occasions the sea was fairly smooth, and the temperature varied from 62deg. in shore to 60deg. further out. The swimmers wore no protection for the eyes, but they had a thick covering of protective grease on their bodies. When Haggerty was about two miles from the shore off the South Foreland, where he had drifted, he was seized with cramp, which af- fected the whole of the muscles of his body except the arms. He turned quite blue, and had a narrow escape from drowning, being rescued with difficulty. Under the care of Dr. Forbes Ross on board the accompanying tug Britannia he soon recovered. Greasley found the sea too cold to afford any chance of success, and gave up after 55 minutes.

Mr. Timothy Healy, M.P., married a daughter of the late Mr. T. D. Sullivan, M.P. As the happy couple were leaving the residence of the bride's parents to start their honeymoon, Mr. Sullivan noticed that his son-in-law had by mis- take taken the wrong umbrella. Rushing to the window he shouted, "Hi, Tim, that won't do. I've got six daughters, but only one good umbrella. Bring it back 1" Civilisation proceeds with speed in Abyssinia. Nearly 800 miles of telephone wire have already been put up there, and 1,000 miles more are under construction. The contractor's task, however, is by no means an easy one. The chief trouble is gjvan by elephants, who use the poles as scratching-posts, knocking them down in this salubrious exercise, and monkeys who swing on the wires.

WOMAN'S WORLD. I WOMAN'S. WORLD. I THB WOMAN OF TACT. A woman of tact is one who fenls (says a writer in the "Daly Mirror") that the story told to hurt your feelings is essentially bad form. A woman of tact is the woman who is courteous to old people, who laughs with the young, and who makes herself agreeable to all her own sex in every condition of life. A woman of tact is one who makes her good-morning a plea- sant greeting, her visit a bright spot in the day, and her good-bye a hope that she may come again. A woman of tact is one who does not always gauge people by their clothes, or their riches, and who strongly condemns bad manners. A woman of tact is one whose love for humanity is second only in her life's devotion, and whose watchword is un- swerving unselfishness in thought and action at all times and in every season. THE FIRST KISS. Folks are quite contented to go on kissing without wondering who invented the salute or as to who gave the first kiss, yet there is a dainty little legend as to the first kiss. It is said that there was once a beautiful young shepherdess in Greece, who when out one day with her lover picked up an opal on the hills. Wishing to give the jewel to her sweetheart, whose hands were both occupied, she placed the gem on her lips and let him take it from her with his own. Then, tasting of this pleasure that had been revealed to them by accident, they continued the agreeable habit of kissing, and soon found that others began to copy their example. WHAT IS Lovs ? What does love mean, or, rather, what will it mean to me ?" queried a girl reviewing the lives of her sisters. And many another girl quite heart-whole has asked herself the same question. Will love, when it comes, bring her all the happiness she would wish ? Will it always make her life bright and happy, will it burn ever strong or will it have a fierce flare at first and then quiet down until it is like smoulder- ing ashes that only now and again emit a bright spark. If only she could penetrate into the future. She feels now that when love comes it will find her ready to meet it with outstretched arms, and that her love will make her strong to I dare and do all for her loved one's sake. She j thinks for better, for worse will not hold any j meaning for her, love will be all-sufficient. Then she thinks again, what if the love that is roused in her be but a weak, faltering love, a mere echo of a love that is already somewhat feeble? Will love make too great a demand upon her, will the sub- stantial comforts of her home life prove too strong in the face of the only love she will ever know, and will she discard the lover who comes to woo ? How many a girl wishes to know what love will mean to her! LOVB LETTERS. To sit down. and have to think out a love-letter cannot result in a much appreciated epistle. Love- letters to be what it is supposed they should be-an expression of "I love you"— must come from the heart. The words should just be poured forth from the heart that is full of the message. A business or even a friendly letter can be planned out and sound true, but a lover would soon detect the false ring in a note that was not spontaneous. Love-letters are precious for this very reason, that whilst others are conventional, love knows nothing of time or the world and its affairs, and its messages from heart to heart are things apart. What love says was never intended to be stemmed, to be thought over so that a letter be a little gem of literature. A j love-letter is a thing of beauty to the one to whom 'tis sent, and whether it be perfectly grammatical, j or even appropriately punctuated, will matter little 1 to the man whose heart responds to every word received from his sweetheart. Let husbands and wives, lads and lasses, write love-letters, but let them be what they are supposed to be, & ] message of love from heart to heart. WOMAN'S WAY. It was her very first love-letter (With an exception or two). She wrote a half a day or better Before she said 'twould 'do." Note after note she wrote, re-wrote, And finally wrote anew. 'Twas done at last—a tedious task To clear away the waste. What wrote she ? What need to ask ? Figure yourself so placed. Thus finished she "P.S.-Pardon me For writing in such haste." WOMEN OF TIBET. The clothing of women in all parts of Tibet is made after the same pattern. In many districts the young belles smear their faces I with a repulsive cosmetic of black, sticky paste in order that by their beauty they may not allure the lamas from their devotions. Other women, instead of painting, weave their hair in fine plaits and let it fall like a veil over their faces. It is amusing to see a good-looking girl in her pulu gown and ornaments hastily pull her veil of plaits over her face when a lama approaches. The Tibetan women dress in most fantastic style, in long, gaudily-coloured dresses fastened by green or red sashes. They wear clumsy top-boots and most elaborate headdresses. The favourite fashion is a great hat with white fur brim and red tassels hanging from the pointed crown. HAIRPIN WORK. Hairpin work has just been elevated by a grand couturier to f the honour of the ornamenting j costly gowns in delicate flimsy j material, such as crepon, eolienne, soie de chine, lavishly tucked and gaged. In such a case the trimming, over two inches wide, simulating gimp, is made on large shuttles with coarse and silky macrame cord, exactly matching the colour of the dress, mostly of chamois or straw colour. Sewn through the plaited centre, with the hoops pro- jecting either side quite free, it is arranged in graceful meanderings, which occasionally encircle Teneriffe wheels, likewise wrought in extra coarse thread. The effect is uncommon, altogether novel and somewhat rustic, but, above all, forms a strong contrast with the ordinary types of garniture now in vogue, generally being either extremely diaphanous, supple, or dazzling. OVER DRESSING. Unless one can afford all the belongings, the setting, so to speak, of a beautiful gown, one should prefer something less I elaborate, and feel that one's appearance, while not so ostentatious, is at least in perfect taste-an infinitely preferable condition. Extravagance in dress has other bad features, aside from its evi- dences of bad taste. It induces many women of less means to indulge in fancy and ill advised clothing which they cannot afford, simply to make an appearance of equal showiness. It is a sad commentary on the vanity of women that this should be so, but half the extravagance of which they are guilty comes from a desire to emulate their wealthier friends, or to go forth in the evening, gowned so showily that they will be the observed of all observers and deceive people into thinking that they aie rolling in wealth. This is a sorry ambition, but it is encouraged by the pronounced over-dressing in public whieh has become so common. BAREGE GOWNS. Among the materials for gowns that will find much favour this year is the old-fashioned barege. Among the materials for gowns that will find much favour this year is the old-fashioned barege. Its soft fabric lends itself readily so tne puffings and snirrings or tne iasmon, wmie I the coloured drop skirt-either self coloured or in some pretty contrasting shades-will show prettily some pretty contrasting shades—will show prettily through its meshes. This is to be found in a great variety of colourings and will be used for afternoon as well as evening costumes.

Rev. Arthur Ward, of Leatherhead, landed after an exciting struggle, which lasted over an hour, a pike from the Mole, near Cobham. It measured 3ft. 7in. from tip to tail, and 3ft. 3in. in girth. It is said that no fewer that 7,769 school gardens exist in Austria, not including the sister kingdom of Hungary. They are connected with both private and public schools, and are used for purposes of practical instruction in horticul- ture and tree-growing.

I HOME HINTS. Queen's Pudding.—Take a cupful of bread which lias been soaked, add to it two ounces of butter and two eggs well beaten, and sweeten it to taste. Butter thoroughly a r^und pud- ding basin and line it with preserved fruits, shredded angelica, and lemon peel arranged in a fanciful pattern. Pour in the mixture and cover the basin with a buttered paper, and bake or steam the pudding until it is thoroughly cooked. Turn it on to a glass dish, and serve it cold with boiled custard arranged round it. Fig Cake.—Cream one cup of butter and two cups of brown sugar. Mix thoroughly, and add four beaten eggs, one, teaspoonful of ground cinnamon, one-half teaspoonful of ground cloves, one cup of water, and three cups of flour sifted with two teaspoonfuls of baking powder. Cut one-half pound of figs and two eupluls of raisins in small pieces, dredge them with one-quarter of a cup of flour, and add to the mixture. Pour into a well-buttered pan and bake in a moderate oven for two hours. Beet Salad.—Line a salad bowl with crisp let- tuce leaves, and pile on neatly alternate slices of boiled beets and hard-boiled eggs. Let the beets predominate. Sprinkle the top with onion and parsley, chopped very fine, and cover with French dressing to which has been added a da-sh of tomato ketchup. This is a wholesome salad Tomato Salad.—On a foundation of crisp leaves from a lettuce heart arrange alternate layers of sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, and onions, and serve with French dressing. z, An Unusual Salad.—Dissolve one-quarter box of gelatine in one-half a cup of water. Stew eight tomatoes and press them through a sieve. Season with pepper and salt, and pour over the gelatine while the tomato is still hot. Have ready a movM dipped in cold water. Pour in the tomato mixture and set away for several hours to chill. Serve on a bed of crisp lettuce leaves with mayonnaise of French dressing: or the jelly may be cut up into little blocks and served on individual leaves. Crab Salad.—This is a nutritious dish. To one-half pound of the picked crab meat allow two tablespoonfuls of lemon juice and one-half salt-spoonful of paprika. Mix these three in- gredients and stand away on the ice to mellow. Serve on individual lettuce leaves with a dash of salt and mayonnaise dressing. Sprinkle the top of each portion with finely-chopped parsley. This will take half a cup of mayonnaise dressing. 1 9- The fish and dressing should not be permitted to stand for any length of time, but should be served as soon as mixed. Calves Foot Fritters.—Calves' feet and calve's foot jelly are among the most nourishing and lightest of the foods generally ordered for in- valids, and in many cases the patients almost live on them for some time. They are especially good for children, but these easily tire of them', and it is difficult to find some new way of pre- paring them. A very good way of using calves' feet after jelly has been made from them is to make them into fritters. Whilst they are still firm, remove them from the stock," split them open, and take out the bones. Allow the meat to get cold, then cut it into rounds about the size of half-a-crown. Dip them in batter, and fry a pale colour. Drain them, and serve with tomato sauce. Cherry Cake.—An excellent recipe for this cake is as follows —Take a round, 'flat sponge cake-the kind used for Victoria sandwich—and cut it evenly through. Place the top half of the cake on a plate, with the cut side upper- most. Moisten with a trifle sherrv. Have ready some cherries, stoned and' carefully stewed in a thick syrup of sugar and water. Arrange them plentifully on the lower half of the cake. Replace the upper half. cover with whipped cream, and ornament here and there with a few of the stewed cherries. Hot Tea-Kisses."—Half a pound of flour, 3oz. of butter, two teaspoonfuls of baking-powder. Rub butter into the flour lightly, add baking- powder, mix to a very stiff dough, drop small lumps (rough) on the oven-sheet, dusted with flour- Bake fifteen minutes in a quick oven. These can be mixed with water or milk. Cut open and butter while hot. Tomato Ketchup.—Half a bushel of tomatoes, quarter of a gallon of vinegar, salt, loz. cloves, 1 4 2oz. allspice, oz. of black pepper, two heads of garlic (skinned). Boil the tomatoes till quite soft; then squeeze through a fine sieve. Add the vinegar and other ingredients. Mix well, boil for three hours, and bottle without straining. Roast Grouse.—Ingredients: A brace of grouse, two slices of fat bacon, an ounce of butter or good dripping. The birds must be carefully plucked and trussed, but not washed inside, onlv wiped with a clean, damp cloth. The slices of bacon should be large enough to well cover the breasts of the birds. Tie a. slice over each to prevont them getting dry. Next wrap each bird up in a piece of buttered paper, then either put them in a baking-tin with the butter or hang them in front of a clear fire. They will take about twenty minutes to cook, and must be well and frequently basted. Ten minutes before they are done remove the paper and slice of bacon, so that the birds may get nicely browned, and at the same time place a neatly-trimmed slice of toast under each bird to catch any gravy from it. Arrange the toast on a hot dish, and place a bird on each slice.—"Daily Mirror." Sardine Eggs.—An appetising dish is sardine 11 eggs. For_ each egg to be used allow two sar- dines. Boil the eggs hard and take out the yolks carefully, without breaking the whites. Scald the sardines, season with salt, cayenne, and lemon juice chop very small, and 'then pound with butter and the yolks of eggs. Fill the boiled whites of eggs with this mixture. Press together serve when set and perfectly cold. Potatoes and Cream.—For potatoes baked in cream, boil the potatoes, and when cold cut them in very small pieces. Put them in a saucepan over the fire, moisten well with cream, add pepper and salt to taste, and when hot turn into a baking dish. Have the dish full, level it off, sprinkle bits of butter and some grated cheese over the top, and brown in a hot oven. Curried Eggs.—Curried eggs are a. delicious breakfast dish. Bring one pint of milk to a boil; thicken with one tablespoonful of curry powder mixed to a smooth pa-ste with a little cold milk. When of the consistency of cream poach in it", one at a time, a sufficient number of eggs. As cooked, transfer carefully to squares of'buttered toast arranged on a, hot platter. Pour the sauce around the toast and serve. To Mend Glass.—If you happen to break a glass or valuable glass ornament, it can be effec- tually and easily mended in the following way — Melt a little^ isinglass in spirits of wine, add a small quantity of water; warm the mixture gently over a moderate fire. When mixed by thoroughly melting it will form a perfectly trans- parent glue, which will unite glass so nicely and firmly that the joint will scarcely be noticed by the most critical eye. A Medicine Dial.—A unique contrivance for the tourist appears at first glance to be a travelling clock in a leather case.. The dial, however, is inscribed with the words "next dose" instead of the regulation numerals. The clock proves to be a box, which, when opened, shows a medicine glass, with drachms and other druggist's measures checked off on its surface. The hands of the mock clock can be moved round a.nd the hour for the next dose thus accurately kept in mind.,

Little Boy: "England's a free country, ain't it, pa?" Mr. Patriot (enthusiastically): "It is, indeed, my boy!" Little Boy (aggrievedly): "Then why won't they let me into the circus %rtliout payin'T_