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

THE ELDER'S REVENGE. He was an elder of a chapel in a little country town. He was also a tradesman, and he fell upon evil days. His creditors pressed him, and he was forced to file his petition in bankruptcy. His failure was the talk of the town. He felt his position acutely, and kept as much as possible within doors. Then the brethren decided to hold a meeting, and the unworthy elder was summoned to attend. The pastor spoke first. He urged his people to be considerate and tender. He was followed by a man who made an eloquent speech on honesty in trade, and concluded by moving that the elder be suspended from office for a period to give him time to purge himself of his heinousness. A seconder and supporter spoke to the same effect. The brethren looked severe, their countenances were set with the sternness of a righteous wrath, a deep silence pervaded the room. Slowly and humbly the elder arose. "I want," he murmured meekly, "to say a few things based on my ledger. The mover of the resolution owes me L16. I offered him three weeks ago to settle it for L12, to save myself from my present position. The seconder owes me Z13. I told him I would accept Z10 to prevent this exposure. The supporter of the resolu- tion is indebted to me to the amount of £ 9." A brief pause. "And now, with your permission"— turning to the pastor-III will read out the sums the others present owe me." He read them out, calmly and deliberately, but long ere he had finished the brethren had fled.

I CHEPSTOW. I POLICE COURT, SATURDAY. Before GODFREY SBYS. E*q. (in the chair), and C W. WHALLEY, Esq. D. AND D.-WillieLm Webber, of Bristol, was charged with being drunk and disorderly the previous evening.-P.S. Bullock said he received complaints of the prisoner being in Station-road begging, and on going there found him drunk, he having previously been ejected from the railway station. Witness requested him to go away. but he declined, and said he would be locked up, and wanted to get in for three months over the winter. Prisoner insulted several persona. He admitted two terms of imprisonment for assaulting the p lice in Bristol, and convictions for other offence.-He was now fined 10s and 48 lOd costs, but having no money went to prison for 14 days. I PETTY SESSIONS, TUESDAY. TBAOTION ENGINB DRIVER SUMMONBD.—John Scott, junr., son of John Scott, traction engine owner, was summoned under the new County Council bye-law that he being the driver of a traction engine on a highway more than 100 yards long and less than 16 feet wide, did neglect to have anyone preceding such engine to warn approaching vehicles.—Mr Berthon defended.— The engine wall coming down the Dewstow-road, at the bottom of which is a main road.-P.C. Pritchard, who gave evidence, admitted that no vehicle was about, and that 150 yards away he met Archie Scott riding a bicycle.—Archie Scott deposed that he preceded the engine from the quarry and saw that no vehicle was coming from the direction of Caldicot. He could see the engine coming on to where the Dewstow-road was more than 16 feet in width and ride along towards Rogiett to look out. for a vehicle from that neigh- bourhood. There was nothing in sight and the engine came oti. -The Bench dismissed the case.

PONTYPOOL. POLICE COURT, SATURDAY. PAWNBROKER FINRD.—Joseph Donoghue, pawn- broker, GeorRe-street, Pontypool, was summoned under the Pawnbrokers' Act for unlawfully detaining a watch belonging to Theophilus Lapping, a labourer, residing at 47, George- street, Pontypool.- M r W. J. Everett appeared to prosecute, and called evidence to show that the watch was given into pawn on July 29th, Is 6d being advanced upon it. A week later Lapping lost his ticket and went to see the defendant about an affidavit, which was sworn before Mr Edward Fowler. When he returned with the declaration on the 23rd of September the defendant was unable to produce the watch, and had not handed it over to him since.—The defendant, on oath, said that he remembered distinctly redeeming the watch to Lapping's brother, whom he described as a "professional pawnticket buyer. "-Lappitig's brother, however, when called, denied that he ever took out the watch, although in cross- examination he admitted that he had bought several pawntickets from time to time and redeemed articles.—Prosecutor also denied the statement of the defendant that he sold the pawn- ticket, and declared that he lost it at the Cwm.— The Bench, after a short retirement, ordered the defendant to pay the value of the watch and the costs of the Court, making 43* in all. THEFT OF BOOTS.-George West, a tramping masous' labourer, from London, was sent to prison for a month for stealing a pair of boots from the shop door of Mrs Rosa Williams, Crane- street, on Friday. YOUNG DRUNKARDS.—Joseph Taylor, a labourer, made his eleventh appearance on two separate charges of being drunk and disorderly and refusing to quit the Prince of Wales, Pontypool. For the first offence he was fined 15s, or fourteen days' imprisonment; on the second charge he was fined 20s, or fourteen days.—James O'Connell, another young labourer, who was with him on both occasions, was fined 17s 6d in all, or fourteen days' in default of payment. No LIGHTS.—William Knight, aerated water manufacturer, Little Mill, was fined 5i for driving without lights, at Little Mill, on October 29th. POLICE COURT, MONDAY. Before E. FGWLHR* Esq., and Alderman D. JONBS. ALLEGBD BURGLARY.—Joseph Price and Richard Jones, two young tramps, were brought up in custody, chargerl with breaking and entering the dwelling-house of Edwin Bevan, lodging-house keeper, and stealing therefrom a china tray and 18a 9d, on Sunday evening.—Beatrice Bevan, daughter of Edwin Bevan, said that on Sunday afternoon she placed the china tray produced, which contained a quantity of money, on the table in the cellar of her father's house.—George Hibbs, labourer, Pontypool, said that about 7.25 p.m. on Sunday 118 saw the defendants coming down a passage near the proeenutor's bouse. Shortly afterwards witness aw Price, who has a wooden leg, standing near a grating which is in the kitchen of Mr Bevan's house On looking down the grating witness saw someone underneath, and stood near to see what, would happen. Shortly afterwards the prisoner Jones lifted the grating and pushed out the china tray produced, which contained 18s 9d. Jones then got up, replaced the grating, and as he was about to pick up the money witness caught hold of him and called for assistance. Witness accused Price of being Jones's colleague, and he replied, Yes, I was here to receive the rbotiey.Edwiii Bevan gave evidence to the effect that the tray pruduced was his property, and on Sunday it contained 18s 9d.— P.S. Watkins said he arrested the prisoners. In reply to the charge, Jones said, "I would not have done it only I hungry." Price replied, "I say the same."—Defendants, who did no wish to say anything, were committed for trial at the assizes.

Lord Csirzon's Departure for India. Lord Curzon of Kedleston left Victoria by the boat train on Thursday morning to resume his duties as Viceroy of India A great crowd assembled to bid him farewell. Lord Knollys came specially to bring a message of farewell from the King to the departing Viceroy.

I MOURNING COLOURS. The following are the various colours used for mourning in different countries, together with the reasons given for the selection: Black expresses privation of light, worn throughout Europe and America. Yellow, the sere and yellow leaf, Egypt and Burmah. In Brittany, widows' caps among the peasants, are yellow. Purple and violet, to express royalty, mourning for the cardinals and kings of France. Violet is the mourning colour for Turkey. White, emblem of "white-handed hope," China. Deep blue, Bokhara mourning. The significance of this selection is not known. Pale brown, the withered leaves, Persia. Greyish brown, earth, Ethiopia and Abyssinia.

I THE OSTRICH AND ITS PLUCKING. When a year old the plumage of the ostrich is usually large enough and fine enough for plucking, which is one of the most difficult and dangerous operations of ostrich-culture. A few of the birds are driven into a corral, when one by one they are pushed into a small angular enclosure, and a long, narrow bag is placed over the head, with a hole in the end to admit air. Then one man holds the bird, while the operator skilfully clips and pulls at the feathers that are "ripe." Blinded, the bird becomes very tame, but care is exercised by the men to avoid its kicks. The short feathers are pulled out without any apparent pain to the creature, as they are ripe and would fall off in the course of nature if not extricated by the skilled operator. The heavy wing feathers are cut off with scissors, the stumps being left in the skin. These stumps are ripe for extrication about three months after a plucking taking place. —

I OPTIONS. In Stock Exchange phraseology, options are stipu- lated privileges given to a party, in a time-contract, of demanding its fulfilment on any day within a specified limit. Thus a buyer's option is the alternative of one who contracts to buy stocks at a certain future date, and at a certain price, to demand the delivery of the stock-giving one day's notice-at any previous time, at the market price; while a seller's option is the discretionary powers allowed to one who contracts to deliver stock at a certain price on a certain future date, to deliver it —giving also one day's notice-at any previous time at the market-price. Such options are privileges for which a consideration is paid.

A CLIFF OF GLASS. A cliff of natural glass can be seen in Yellow- stone Park, Wyoming. It is half a mile long and from 150ft. to 290ft. high, the material of which it consists being as good glass as that artificially manufactured. The dense glass which forms the base is from 75ft. to 100ft. thick, while the upper portion, having suffered and survived many ages of wind and rain, has naturally worn much thinner ':=1"

For Printing of all Descriptions Try the County Observer Office.

President Roosevelt. I New York, Friday. President Roosevelt started at midnight for St. Louis. Twelve special guards travelled on the train, and every mile of railway track was guarded by police.

I Bisaslrotis Fire at Staines. A fire at Sir Charles Gibbon's residence, Staines, completely destroyed the servants' wing. The inmates were rescued j in night clothes. I

I Manchester Meeting Abandoned Manchester race meeting has been abandoned owing to frost. j

Confectionery Works Burned Down- Messrs. McDonald & McMilreneV confectionery works, Glasgow* were destroyed by fire this morn-- ing. Seventy horses were rescued.

I Stolen Jewels Restored. St. Louis, Friday. Prince Fushimi has recovered his stolen jewels. They Wer6" mysteriously returned last night.

I Russian Mutineers. H Paris, Friday. A Petit Parisien telegram from Sebastopol, says that the crews of two Russian warships in the Black Sea have mutinied. Troops were- requisitioned to restore dis- cipline.

I Submarines from U.S.A. Paris, Friday. An Echo telegram says that the' Russian Government has ordered thirty submarines from the United States. Some have already been delivered in sections, and have been success- fully tested at Yladivostock.

I Cabinet Council. A Cabinet Council was held at, noon to-day, Mr Balfour pre- sided.

The Study of Geography. Durifig the time that war was proceeding in soufh Africa, a jrentlemaa wrote to one of t'se London papers that in the course of his travels on the Continent he met a Ger- man officer who had never been in England out w o, nevertheless, astonished the "writer by tiiving him a minute description of the locality in which he lived. Asked how it happened that he possessed such know- ledge, the officer explained that everyone holding a commission in the German army was required to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the topography of some portion of England, and that the spot where the writer's house was situate was part of the aren which had been committed to him fThis story was printed as an illustration of -the superiority of the German Intelligence Department over our own, and about the jsama time the point was emphasized by a cliscoyory that the maps issued to our troops in South Africa were grievously inaccurate *So conspicuous were their errors that it was said at the time that the only theory one could he *ure of was this, that a place would ,.not be found at the spot indicated by the -map A correspondent of the Tivies, who «eems to have followel the drums in many lands, has presented A SCATHING INDICTMENT 11 against the War Office in this matter and has illustrated his complaint by references, as we (rather, to his own experiences. In South Africa, for example, some troops were informed by the Staff map that beyond a certain hill there was 11 a grassy slope and favourable ground for cavalry to act." Ex- amination proved that there was on the other side a precipice falling abruptly 300 feet to an unfordable river. Again, "It was disappointing, to say the least, to build a railway across the desert to Abu Hamed, and then to find, when we worked up near to it that someone had been tampering with the equator while we slept, and that Abu Hamed had moved south." Of some opera- tions against the Afghans the writer 88"8 that a march, calculated to take seven hours, occupied a column two days and nights. In janother case, where the incident was only amusiny, a young officer, departing for Nigeria, was presented by the Colonial Office with a map made in Germany. The officer, being unnble to read German, it was discovered that there was another map, which might just as easily have been given to him at first, with the names of British possessions indicated in English. The writer suggests that the War Office, the In Universities, the Royal Geographical Society, and the Civil Service Commis- sioners, should devote more attention to lencouraging the STUDY OF GEOGRAPHY. I A similar suggestion was offered by the I L Manchester Geographical Society, who passed at one of their meetings a resolu- tion recommending that, in all examinations for the pat. ic services, geography should be classed as an independent subject in which a separate p:lper should be set, carrying mai-k,4 of equal value with those awarded to history Possibly a further examination would show that there is room for improvement with respect to the facili ties afforded for the study of British history, but in any event the Civil Service Commis- sioners do not altogether neglect geography. 15 Z5 r5 It is true that thev do not examine specially in that subject" candidates for admission to the military cpllo res, but they do provide for a most minute t-x tminatiou in geography in the case of Excisw Officers, who are not required to go outride the United Kingdom, and devote their time to seeing that the trade" do not defraud the revenue, and that people do not keep unlicensed dogs. The importance of this "question is par- ticularly important at the present moment. Happily, we have so far escaped being in. volved in the conflict which is now pro- ceeding in Manchuria, but we can. never be sure of what may happen until the campaign ends. But, although one of the belligerents is our ally, yet the War Office have made no attempt to circulate among our officers maps of the seat of war, and if our troops were ordered to Manchuria to-morrow, they could only provide themselves with such maps as have been produced by private enterprise.

Glamorgan Assizes. I THB DAVID SHBPHEBD CASE. I At the Glamorgan Assizea, at Swansea, on Tuesday, the grand jury returned true bills figtiinst David Shepherd, accountant, on counts charging him with misappropriating over £ 6,000 belonging to the Welsh Intermediate Education Governors at Cardiff, and about LS,000 belonging to the 4Cardiff Starr-Bowkett Building Societies. Prisoner pleaded guilty, and it is understood his case will be considered and counsel heard respecting his sentence next Tuesday. COTJMTBRTMT COUT. I Albert Heitzman, watchmaker, was sentenced to eighteen mouthel imprisonment for making counterfeit coin and having in his possession a galvanic battery for the purpose of making such coin, at Whitchurch. PBNAL 8BRTITUDB. I James Tobin was sent to penal servitude for three years for maliciously wounding Elizabeth Stillraan, a woman with whom he lived, at Barry Dock. .Dock.

FACTS AND FANCIES. I GERMAN engine-drivers receive a gold medal and £100 for every ten years of service without accident. THE scales used in weighing diamonds are so delicately poised that the weight of a single eyelash will turn the balance. THE letter "I" in the Chi-ase language has 14? ways of being pronounced, ISBS. each pronunciatit,. has a different meaning. THE title of "Majesty WAS first given to Lou. XI. of France. Before that time sovereigns wen usually styled "Highness." THE ORIGIN OF Trps. Tips had their origin in the popular coffee-houses of two centuries ago. At the doors were hung brass-bound boxes, and on each was engraved "To Insure Promptness." Those who contributed were the subjects of special attention from the waiters. The initial letters of the phrase have ever since been used to denote a special fee to servants, and as an inducement to do their work quickly and well. &-

I HIS MAJESTY'S GUARD. When Charles II. was in exile in Hollan number of Cavaliers who had fought for his fathei in the great Civil War escaped to the Continent and joined him. There were about eighty of them, and the young King formed them into a body of cavalry, with the title of "His Majesty's Own Troop of Guards." From that day to the present time the troop has remained, says the Fenny Magazine. There were changes, of course. The number was largely increased until a regiment was formed, with special privileges and honours, in- cluding the distinction of bearing the Royal coat of arms as a regimental badge. About the year 1700 the soldiers were deprived of their cuirasses —a needless and absurd reform, which, however, lasted until 1821, when the breastplates were restored, and the Life Guards (as they were now called) regained something of their old-fashioned splendour, for, of course, they wore the cuirass in the days of the Merry Monarch. The Life Guards are no "carpet knights." Their flag bears the names of such campaigns and battles as the Peninsula, Waterloo, Egypt, Tel-el-Kebir, and Khartoum. In their battles with the French the bullets are said to have rattled against their breastplates with a sound like hail. In fairness to the Royal Horse Guards it should be mentioned that they share with the Life Guards the honour of providing his Majesty with an escort when he rides abroad.

I HOW A PIG SAVED A BESIEGED TOWN. During the Civil War the Royalist garrison of Taunton found its live stock reduced to a single pig. As the besiegers depended chiefly on famine making the enemy capitulate, the defenders drove the animal daily round the walls, making it squeal continuously, and giving the impression that there were a number of pigs in the town. Rennes was besieged by the English, and the Duke of Lancaster, knowing the garrison to be reduced in rations, drove a number of hogs near to the city, in the hope that the defenders might be tempted to sally forth after them. Du Gueselin sent a sow out to attract the pigs, and when a sufficient number had been attracted within the gates they were secured, and the town provisioned until the Treaty of Bordeaux was signed.

WHEBE GLASS WAS DISCOVERED. According to Pliny, the discovery of glass took place by accident, in Syria, at the mouth of the River Belus, by certain merchants driven thither by the fortunes of the sea. Being obliged to dress their victuals by making a fire on the ground, and plenty of the plant kali being on the spot, this herb was burnt to ashes, and the sand and stones accidentally mixing with it, a vitrification was undesignedly made, whence the hint was taken, and easily improved. The manufacture of glass was first begun in England in 1557, London leading the way.

ORIGIN OF THE TERM BLACKMAILING. Literally, blackmailing means black rent. In ancient days rent that was paid in money was known as white rent, and rent that was paid in kind was known as black rent, and sometimes as blackmail. In the sixteenth century the border- land between Scotland and England was in a perpetual state of disorder, and the farmers of the neighbourhood used to pay such rent, or blackmail, to the powerful chieftains, to preserve them and their property from molestation. As public opinion began to view border discord with disapproval, the term blackmail acquired a meaning akin to that which it now suggests—viz., payment extorted by illegal threats.

v No. 13 IN AMERICAN HISTORY. ueen Victoria once asked Ambassador Choate if Americans believed 13 to be an unlucky number. "No, your Majesty," he replied, "we do not, for the eternal foundations of our Republic were built upon the number 13." Let us see what Mr. Choate ret rred to, says the "Boston Brown Book." In the fir; place, America was discovered on the eve of th< 13th day of the month, and the original Re ublic consisted of 13 colonies. The first official stars and stripes adopted June 14th, 1777, had 13 stripes and 13 stars. The national emblem-the American eagle-requires 13 letters to spell it, as does the motto on the seal—"E pluribus Unum," and of the great seal Annuity Coeptis. The first word to pass over the Atlantic cable was sent on a Friday, the 13th day of the month. Above the head of Liberty are 13 stars, the eagle bears an olive branch with 13 leaves in one claw and 13 thunderbolts in the other. On his breast is a shield bearing 13 bars, and from his beak streams a ribbon with our motto containing 13 letters; each wing has 13 feathers. The war of 1776 was called revolutionary, and was not unsuccessful because spelled with 13 letters. The flag was saluted by 13 guns when Washington raised it-yes, and by 13 cheers. The American Navy had just 13 vessels at the outset-no more-and the founder of it, John Paul Jones, was not unlucky because of the letters of his name. He was exactly 13 years old when he first came to America, and was the first to carry the 13-starred flag to victory, and to have it saluted by a foreign Power on the 13th day of the month. Perry's great victory on Lake Erie was won on the 13th day of the month, and the Stars and Stripes were raised over Sumpter on the 13th.

COMPULSORY SILBNCH. I The reproach of a long tongue cannot be brotght I with truth against the Korean wives. They are almost absolutely silent. A bride dare not utter a word, or make even a sign, however much her husband may tease or taunt her; for to break silence would mean total loss of caste. Among the higher classes it may be weeks or months before a husband hears his, wife's voice for the first time, while the wife does not speak or even look at her father-in-law for years after her marriage. Lovely place of abode, that Hermit Kingdom!

Football. j Played on the ground of the first named team Newport v Cardiff.-The home team won by 1 goal (dropl ed), I try, to 1 goal. Swansea v Leicester.—The home team won by 1 goal, 1 try, to I goal. Llanelly v Lampeler.-The home team won by I goal, 8 iries, to uil. Cardiff Reserves v Newport II.-The home team I won by 4 tries to nil. Pontypool v Petiartb.-The visitors won by 2 tries to nil. Blaenavon v Bryn mavv r. -Resulted in a pointless draw. Bedwas v Chepstow.—The home team won by 1 dropped goal, 2 tries, to nil.

TJSK F. PENARTH RESERVES. This encounter took place on Saturday last, on the Usk Cricket Ground, before a fair attendance of spectators J. Morgan was the only absentee from the Usk team, J Mead substituting him at the last moment. The visitor" won the toss, and Waters kicktd off towards the river. Penartb failed to flitd touch and Prothero followed up a kick by Pugsley and forced play to touch inside the viators' 25. With a forward rush Penarth relit-ved to half-way, where Harold Morgan got a mark, but little ground was gained, and another dribble by the opposing forwards forced Usk to defend. F Prothero, Waters, aud Gibson came away with the ball at their feet, and transferred play to near their opponents' line, where their back was tackled in possession. The bltll came out on the Usk side of the Bcrurn, but Vanghan alliwed his opponent to beat him and kick to touch at mid-field. Again the homesters dribbled, and Jenkins, picking up, got over with a nice try. A. J. Thomas added the major points. Penarth kicked out, and Marfell failing to bold the ball, put iu a flying kick, and the visitors' right wing fielding, tried to get round, but Morgan accounted for him. The Uek front rank again lemoved the scene of play to the Penarth '25 with a combined dribble, and Symonde, after smartly fielding, get in a fine screw punt to touch near the line. A minor followed, and through a dribble by D. Prothero, after the drop-out, Usk resumed the attack. Jenkins lost about 25 yards in trying to evade a touple of opponents, which left play at half-way. Gibson bioke away from a line-out, and reached the Penarth 25 before he was checked, and D. Prothero, picking up, looked like going through, but he was tackled near the line, and his pass went astray. A mark by the visitors trans- ferred operations to half-way, whence the home forwards broke away, and dribbled over the line, E. Waters scoring. D. Prothero added the extra points. Half-time score Usk 2 goals. Penarth Nil. The visitors restarted, and Pugsley re urned the leather to half-way, where a free to Penarth lost them ground, Davies returning well, and Gibson and Thomas following up and tackling the op- posing back near his line. A mark to Peuarth almost ended in Uek scoring, Mayberry picking up and making a bold bid for the line. A couple of minors followed, and after this, Prothero, receiving from Vaughan, tried to break through, but was forced to pass to Pugsley, who put in a good kick to touch close tu his opponents' line. Directly after Pugsley again br«ke right through and a score seemed cerain, but he was overtaken and grassed near the line. The visitors relieved with a rush to half-way. Play was now very uninteresting, being confined to the forwards, and mostly in the Penarth half. Towards the end, Waters had hard lines in not scoring from a dribble, the ball rolling out of bounds. Final score:— Usk 2 goals. Penarth Reserves Nil. The following was the Usk team :-Back, F. M. Davies; i-backs, H. Morgan, P. Pugsley, J. Jeukins. and E. Symouds '-backs, D. Prothero (capt.), and S. Vaughau; forwards. E. Waters, E. Timms, H. Gibson, A. J. Thoma-, R. Mayberry, J. Stead, F. Prothero, and J. H. Marfell.

A Boon to Women Workers in London, The Women's Dining Rooms Co." has been foimed to meet a very real need. The number of workiug women in London increases every year. Of these the majority work at some distance from home, and it is obvious that one of the first problems that confronts them and their employers is that of the mid-day meal. Good work depends on good food, and in one way or another, clerks, secretaries, dressmakers' assistants, and typists must be fed. The ordinary solutions of the problem are becoming well known. A chop, hastily cooked over a fire lent by the employer, the contents of a paper parcel eaten in the office or work-room, a sandwich and a cup of tea, procured at a restaurant where the price of hot meat is out of all proportion to the salary of the woman diner such are the too ordinary substitutes for a wholesome meal. It is not to be wondered at that cases of anaemia and nervous break-down are of such frequent occurrence. Various philanthropic agencies have, it is true, stepped into the breach, and have done exoellaut work in providing inexpensive dinners, but something is still to be desired when women, earning a full wage, are obliged to accept charity or go without proper food. The Women's Dining Rooms Co." is the first attempt to meet this need on business lines. Their restaurant at No. 3, Barrett-street (James-street, Oxford-street), is open only to women. An excellent meal of hot meat, vegetables, bread and pudding can be obtained there every day for 5d or 6d, between 12 and 2, the helpings very generous, a choice of dishes is always offered, and fish is served every Wednesday and Friday. Tea, coffee, and cocoa are always ready for Id a cup. Afternoon tea with bread and butter or a ban costs only 2d. The two large dining rooms, with their casement windows, small tables covered with white cloths, and dark brown chairs, have a most attractive appearance. Lady Sterling Maxwell and other friends have kept the rooms well supplied with flowers, and the blue bells and primroses in the spring, and the chrysanthemums in the autumn, will not soon be forgotten by customers. A comfortable rest room, well supplied with easy chairs, magazines and newspapers opens out of the upper dining room. On each floor are well appointed lavatories, where hot water, soap and towels may be used without any extra pay. ment. The following ladies and gentlemen are acting as directors of the Company:—Mr H. L. Tennant, M.P., and Mra Tennant, General Moody, Lady Ricker, Mrs Crowder, Mr Petherick, and Mrs Roberts. They much hope that their efforts will be sufficiently well supported by busy London women to enable the company to open similar restauraata in other parts of London.

Markets. USK, CATTLE, Monday.—With the exception of sheep and pigs the attendance and supply were rather small at the hi-monthly market to-day, and business was far from brisk. The following were the quotations :-Beat beef 6d to 61d, second quality 6jd to 6d per lb; wether mutton 7!d to Sd, ewe 6d to 7d per Ib; cows and calves, £ 15 to £ 18; yearlings, £ 6 to £10: two-year-old, Lll to £ 14 saws and pigs, X6 to £10; strong stores, 35s to 458 each; three-rmnths-old, 20s to 23s: weaners, 12s to 18s each; porkere, heavy-weight 88 6d to 9a. ditto, light, 98 to 9s 6d per score; baooners, 8s 6d per acore. MONMOUTH NOVBMBBR FAIR.—There was a good attendance of buyers on Tuesday, but the supply of cattle was scarcely up to the average, Trade in prime beef and store cattle was better- two-year-old heifers made from X9 to S13 15a, yearlings ..B6 to 18 15s. Sheep were in short supply; trade brisk. The pig trade showed an improvement for porkers and briconers store pigs neglected. A short supply of horses, and good heavy carts met a quick demand-heavy carts made from £ 45 to £110, pit horses E30 to 140, 'bus horpes £ 28 to £ 32, two-year-old colts 125 to £ 30. Quotati,,ns:- Best beef 6d to 7d per Ib, secondary ditto 5d to 6d; veal, 8d to 8|d wether mutton, u 8d to 8d, ewe ditto 6d to 7d; lamb, 8d to !d; pork, s 6d to 9s 6d per score bacon, 8s to 8s 6d. The following prices were realised under the hammers of Messrs. Nelmes, Poole, and Atkins (Monmonth, Stroud, and Newnham -Heifers, £ 16 to £ 16 10s, bullocks. £ 15 to £ 17 17s 6d, cows and calves, £ 14 to £ 16, fat calves, £ 3 to £ 3 1 ~!a, wether tegs, 45s to 49s, ewe ditto, 388 to 42s, lambs, 25s to 32s, porkers, 35s to 45s 6d, baconers, je4 to £ 4 10s. NEWPORT, CATTLB, Wednesday.—The Newport Cattle Market was greatly interfered with on account of Lord Tredegar's show. The number of cattle and sheep on offer was very small. as is usual at this particular market, but there was a large attendance of buyers, and prices were very good. Qiirtation.9 :-Best beef 6id per lb, seconds 5id to 6d cows. 6d to 5^d best wether mutton, 8d ewe, 6d to 7d and lamb, 8d. There were no pigs or calves on offer this week. NEWPORT. CHBESB, Wednesday.—There was an average attendance at the cheese market here to- day. The supply of ten tons met, with a splendid demand. QuotationsCaerphillies, 359 to 44s per ewt; fancy dairies, 458 to 50s: Cheddars, 458 to 50s; Derbies, 45s to 58s; and truckles, 60s to 58s.

LL AN HILLETH. POLICE COURT, TUESDAY A LICENSEE HEAVILY FINRD,-Thomas John Davies, of the Hafoclyryny- Inni, nmr Crumlin, was fined £10 and c.sis for permitting drunken- ness on his licensed premises, and also for selling liquor to drunken persons It was stated that several men had been drinking in the house for fourteen hours. THBFT OF CLOTHES.—Mary Howells, 47, a married woman, living at, Six Bells, near Aber- tillery, was charged with stealing a parcel, containing a suit. of clothes, valued at £ 3 12s, the property of the Great Western Railway Company. She was sentenced to a month's imprisonment. A painful scene followed. Prisoner's daughter wept bitterly, and prisoner fainted in the dock and had to be removed by constables. BETTING ON THE HIGHWAY.—James Thayer, collier, Abertillery, pleaded guilty to assembling (with other persons) on the road leading from Llanhilleth to Aberbeeg for the purpose of betting. P.C. Baker said he saw no fewer than eighteen people make bets with defendant in three hours. A fine of E.5 was imposed. INFRINGEMENT OF THE BUILDING LA-ws.-Daniel Powell, builder, Abertillery, was fined JE.5 for failing to provide proper damp courses to certain houses in course of erection at Aberbeeg.—Mr Shepherd, for the local council, said the damp courses had been laid in such a way as to deceive the council's officials. The saving effected in cutting the water proof, as had been done, was a mere nothing.—Mr Dolman, for the defence, pleaded that the offence was committed in Powell's absence.

I THE MILITARY SALUTE. The military custom of saluting by bringing the hand into a horizontal position over the eye- brows is supposed to date back to the tournaments of the Middle Ages, when, after the Queen of Beauty was enthroned, the knights who were to take part in the sports of the day marched past the dais on which she sat, and, as they passed, shielded their eyes from the rays of her beauty. The principal part of the officers' salute-kissing the hilt of the sword-dates also from the Middle Ages. When the Crusaders were on the march to the Holy City, the knights were in the daily custom of planting their long two-handed swords upright in the ground, thereby forming a cross; and before these they performed their morning devotions. On all military occasions they kissed the hilts of their swords in token of devotion to the Cross-for the prayers of the soldiers were formerly considered of such efficacy that they were made an essential part of their duty.

I A REMARKABLE ISLAND. Java, with an area of about 50,000 square miles and a population of 32,000,000, which means a density of 568 persons to the square mile, is a violation of every law of social and political economy. France with the same density of popula- tion would number 120,000,000 inhabitants; the United States, at the same ratio, would total 1,688,000,000 persons, or about 100,000,000 more than the estimated population of the world; the British Empire, peopled in the same proportion, would contain 7,200,000,000 inhabitants, or over four times the present population of the world; and the World, similarly inhabited, would muster a population of 30,282,000,000, or over seventeen times its present population. This, according to our leading social and political enconomists, should spell disaster and ruin for the Javanese, more than half of whom should, according to these experts, starve to death at once, or die of the plague, or be killed by wars. But nothing of the kind happens. The natives are happy and reasonably prosperous. Every man, woman, and child has enough to live on; everyone has a decent place to sleep, and an abundance of clothing of the native type, and, though everybody works for a living, they do not work nearly so hard or such long hours as do the people of London, or, in fact, any English city. Furthermore, the island is able to export large quantities of rice, spices, sugar, tobacco, and coffee. A peaceful agricultural people, very religious and extremely careful of the decencies, the Javanese are governed by less than 4,000 whites, mostly Dutch, who have divided the island into twenty-two administrative districts or "resi- dencies," each of which is under the control of a Dutch official called a Resident. A native official nominally governs each of the regencies into which the Residency is divided. The Resident is called the Regent's "elder brother," a title highly honoured among the Javanese, and the orders of the Resident are conveyed to the Regents in the form of recommendations, which, coming from the "elder brother," are, according to immemorial custom, always obeyed.

I THB GREATEST DKPTHS OF THE SEA. The greatest known depth of the sea is in the South Atlantic Ocean, midway between the island of Tristan d'Acunha and the mouth of the Rio de la Plata. The bottom was there reached at a depth of 40,236ft., or 8i miles, exceeding by more than 17,000ft. the height of Mount Everest, the loftiest mountain in the world. In the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland, soundings have been made to a depth of 4,580 fathoms, or 27,480ft., while depths equalling 34,000ft., or 61 miles, are reported south of the Bermuda Islands. The average depth of the Pacific Ocean between Japan and California is a little over 2,000 fathoms between Chili and the Sandwich Islands 2,500 fathoms; and between Chili and New Zealand 1,500 fathoms. The average depth of all the oceans is from 2,000 to 2,600 fathoms.

The Adolph Beck Case. The report of the Committee- appointed to enquire into the case of Mr Adolph Beck is issued-to- day. The Committee do not approve of the Recorder's exclusion of identity evidence, and suggest that he did not fully appreciate the point. They think the Home Office official concerned should have suggested that the Recorder was under a misapprehension. A miscarriage of justice could never have occurred had the judge stated a case upon Mr Gill's legal point.

I Stocks. Stocks quiet. Printed and Published by THB Cotrcrrr OBSBHVBR," NKWSFAPBB and PRUITING COMPANY, Limited, by JAMES HBNRY CLARK, at their Offices, Bridge" Street, Usk, in the County of Monmouth, Saturday November 26th, 1904.