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

The Society of Women Journalists. This Society, which now numbers some 200 members, celebrated the tenth year of its existence by its first annual dinner, at St. Ermin'a Hotel, Westminster. on Saturday evening, when about 120 ladies and gentlemen met and spent some pleasant hours together—the banquet being in every way an unqualified success, thanks mainly to the untiring exertions of the Hon. Secretary (Mrs H. Timbrell Bulstrode) and the Hon. Treasurer (MissTait). After dinner, the toast list was proceeded with, the speecheq being characterised by many brilliant flashes of wit. "The King and QueenH was given from the chttir by Mrs T. P, O'Connor (president of the Society), and heartily responded to, after which Mr T. P. O'Connor, M.P., proposed the tosst of the -evening "The Society of Women Journalints." He recalled the time when there was not one woman journalist on this side of the Atlantic, and he heartily welcomed them to the journalistic sphere of labour. It was one of the best professions for a gifted woman, but at the same time it was one of the most precarious. Tha great function of jonr. nalism was I to make the world know itself," and he strongly deprecated the newspaper being made a mere shop, run solely for the purpose of making money. In briefly reviewing his own journalistic career, he offered some useful advice to his hearers, and urged them not to confine themselves too closely to one particular school of thought, one groove of action. Ia the absence of Mrs Craigie (John Oliver Hobbes) ■who telegraphed an apology at the last moment, Mrs Jack Johnson (chairwoman of the Society) zesponded in a happy vein. The toast of The Guests wns given in an exceedingly telling and humorous speech by the president, who included J in it the names of M. de Wesselitsky (president of the Foreign Press Association) and Mr Max Beer- bohru, both of whom responded. The former elo. quently urged journalists to use all their influence in furthering the world's peace, Hod the latter spoke in his delightfully original style of the cosmopoli- tanism amongst journalists, humorously describing Mr T. P. O'Connor all the Irish member for the Scotch division of Liverpool." In a few nelit and graceful words Mrs Burnett Smith (Annie A. Swan) gave the toast of "The President." The table decorations were especially effective, one most appropriate design consisting of Parma violets in the form of an ink pot, with a penholder of white flowers standing in the well. An enjoyable conversazione followed the dinner ,w 'hen several sonaa and violin solos were given, and Miss Helen Mars occasioned much amusement by .or clever American anecdotes.

PRESENT POSITION OF THE BELLIGERENTS. I The present stage of the Russo-Japanese war is a particularly interesting one, and there can be no eoubt that it is leading up to events which will rivet the world's atten- tion to a greater extent than all the previous incidents of the campaign. The two divi- sions of the Baltic fleet are now well on their way, by different routes, to the Far East, and it is scarcely possible that their fate can be regarded with anything but ex- treme concern by the Russian Government and people. The Japanese have made the most valiant efforts to bring about the fall of Port Arthur, and, no doubt, one of their objects has been to set Admiral Togo free in order that he might attack the separate divisions of the Baltic fleet before they had time to effect a junction. In that event the chapter of history which is to describe the operations of Admiral Rojdestvensky's ships, would probably have been closed, but the Russians, who have made the defence of Port Arthur as famous as was that of Sebastopol, are certainly doing their best to assist the squadron, and present appear- ances are in favor of the Russian Admiral. That he will have to fight is certain, unless the war should come to a most unexpected termination, but it seems likely that he will have the advantage of opposings his full strength to the enemy. If we may judge of the result by recent events-and the ex- tent of a fleet's discipline is generally a dependable criterion of its efficiency- the issue is not likely to be a satisfactory one for Russia, but it is possible that the Admiral is comforting himself with the famous saying of a French Archbishop at the time of the great revolution. There are so many accidents, and one is sufficient to save us."

A VEGETARIAN DIET, J The successes of the Japanese have been adduced as evidence in favour of a vege- tarian diet, and it is quite possible that one of the results of the war will be to encour- age the opening of vegetarian restaurents In n t, under a new name. Professor Clifford All- butt and others have drawn attention to this aspect of th esituation in the Far East, and one writer has described a Japanese dinner to which he and some British friends were invited, The fare included a small portion of quail, but butchers' meat" was entirely absent. The party found the meal satisfying, but they were unable to obtain quite so much of it as they would have liked, owing to the introduction of chop- sticks in the place of knives and forks. Having gained some skill by the practice which they then obtained, they will pro- bably be more successful on the next occasion. On the other hand it may be that one of the results of the Anglo-Japan- ese alliance will be the introduction of knives and forks among the native popu- lation of Tokio, or at least the grant to Europeans of a dispensation from the use of the unfamiliar ohopstick.

MERRYWEATHER ON WATER SUPPLY AND FIRE PROTECTION of COUNTRY MANSIONS. EXPERTS SENT TO ALL PARTS TO Report on EXISTING Arrangements. WRITE FOR PAMPHLETS: MERRYWEATHER & SONS, 631 LONG ACRE, LONDON, W.C.

BRISTOL'S GRIEVANCE. I The way in which our manufacturers and traders are handicapped by the charges of railway companies is illustrated by the ex- perience of the Bristol rnerchaats. Durin g the past few years they have been makiag an enlightened and public spirited effort to encourage a direct trade between the West Indies and their own port, and, in so doing, they have rendered a service, not only to Bristol, but to Britain and the Empire. The prosperity of the local popu- lation has been increased, our fellow sub- jects in the West Indies have been assisted in the prosecution of an industry which is helping them to recover from the losses of recent years, and the people of Britain have been provided with large quantities of bananas and other fruits at moderate prices. The scheme was apparently a conspicuous success, but experience has shewn that the people of Bristol, like Virgil's bees, are in danger of producing results for others to enjoy. The railway freights from South- ampton to London are out of all proportion cheaper than from Bristol, and the ap- prehension, for which there appears to be good ground, is entertained that the steamers from the West Indies will prefer to discharge their cargwes at Southampton. Should such a diversion take place, it will be most unfair to the Bristolians, who have created the trade by means of a large ex- penditure of capital and the business capa- city and enterprise which have been able to direct that expenditure to the best advantage.

Ask F r 5 Ask -For" s: 1 WALDRON'S*$ I "PALACE" SAUCE! 5 FRAGRANT AND DELICIOUS.$ JGJ COUPON WITH ORERY BOTTLE. FOR SAMPLO BOTTLE AND FOIL ■< 3 PARTICULARS, APPLY SIRING NAME OF GROCER U> S- S Manufactory: SOOTH QUAY, WORCESTER.$

KEPRFSENTATIVB AMERICANS. I There were several men at the Thanks- giving Day banquet of the American Society who are eminently qualified to speak for the intellectual society of Britain, and they testified with one voice to the high opinion which we all have of Mr Choate, the Am- bassador of the United States to this Country, Whatever opinion we may have of trans-Atlantic institutions, we must in any event feel grateful to the Government of the United States for the very marked compliment which they pay to this country in sending the best available men as their representatives at the Court of St. James. Such men as Lowell, Phelps, and Bayard, have been our most welcome guests, and Mr Choate is worthy to rank with the best of them. We know that Queen Victoria, who was a sagacious judge of character, thought very highly of him, not only as a personal friend, but as one who has con- tributed in no small degree to the good understanding between this country and the United States.

I n Wood-Milne Fatigue and Double the^ J Revolving c Hook Greater & iTirr" BlVVldComfort. M ■ Will stand 12 mon ordinary wear. B 'Wood-Bllne on tha^jfe'" WB faoa^Sold e»ery- QUALITY/^

HAIRDRESSERS AND DISINFECTING FLUIDS. I A visit to one of the high-class London hairdressers is sufficient to satisfy anybody that they present all the appearances of scrupulous cleanliness, and at least theore- tically, they offer to the customer no danger of any of those diseases which are so easily communicated by means of a razor, and still more easily by the medium of the lather brush. Whether the precautions are as real as they are apparent is an open question. Assistants at the City shops have been known to smile when they were asked of what the H disinfeeting fluid" consisted, and it is possible that if an analytical chemist examined the fluids which are really intended to disinfect, he would find that, in the majority of cases, they were not calculated to effect their purpose. Now, however, the City Corporation has taken up the question, and with the valuable assis- tance of the Incorporated Guild of Hair- dressers, has devised a set of rules whioh are intended to guard the public against the possibility of, contagion. The regula- tions are admirable, but one cannot help wondering how far they are likely to be adopted by the men who charge only ld. or even Id., and can scarcely afford on such terms to give to each customer a clean towel, and the other luxuries embraced in the Corporation's 11 etcetera." Nor can the penny barber raise his prices without loss; some of his patrons only come to be shaved once a week, and if the fee were increased they would do as they sometimes do now- wait a week longer.

WASHING AT HOME. XRJLDIORDIS "VOWBL XLS" Washing. Wrlnfla* bel 8.nCline 8aohln.. SAVE tlMB, SAVE LABOUR, and SAVE THE CLOTHES. Writtfor CataUgve, post /re* on application. THOMAS BRADFORD & CO., 14°, M1, and" Ma> High HbLDOItN, London Victoria AVZMUK, DBANMATB, Manchester; 130, BOLD-STitzarit Livbxpom. Crbscknt Ikon WORKS. SAL$ orb.

Glainorgan Assizes. THE PENTRE MURDER. I At the Glamorgan Assizes, at Swansea, on Monday, before Mr Justice Bray, Eric Lange, 30, a Russian seaman, was indicted for the wilful murder of John Emlyn Jones, landlord of the Bridgend Inn, Ystrad, Rhondda Valley, on September 11th. Counsel explained that in the early morning a man was seen in Mr and Mra Jones's bedroom, crouching at the foot of the bedstead. Mrs Jones screamed, whereupon the man struck her with a blunt instrument. Her screams awakened her husband, and the burglar struck him. There was a struggle, and the burglar drew a knife, which was tied with a rope round his waist, and stabbed the landlord. He then left his boots and cap behind and escaped, but was arrested seven miles away. Prisoner, three years before was a billiard marker at the inn. Aa Mrs Jones, the widow, was giving her evidence, a sensational icene occurred. Lange shivered and shook, then a low, deep moan of terror escaped him, and he fell back from his seat. When the warders went to his side Lange screamed and struggled and kicked them. The four warders had some difficulty in holding him. Then Lange fell exhausted. The warders raised him, and for a moment he seemed to recover. Then he again gave a terrified cry; sobs came from him in great gulps as though be would choke, and again he struggled with and kicked the warders. Mrs Jones continued her evidence, and during the recital of the incidents in the bedroom thick sobs came from the prisoner, who was still held by two warders. Every reference to the struggle moved him to a paroxysm of terror, and he would jump in his seat. He was sentenced to death, and was conveyed on Monday evening to Cardiff Prison, where the execution will take place on a date to be fixed by the High Sheriff. On receiving sentence prisoner bowed to the judge and paid, "Thank you." He then turned ff.und and walked calmly down the steps to his cell below. DAVID SHEPHERD'S SENTENCE. I On Tuesday, David Shepherd, late clerk to the Governors of the Cardiff Intermediate Schools and secretary to the two Cardiff Starr-Bowkett Building Societies, who pleaded guilty to charges of embezzling sums amounting to X14,000-E6,000 from the intermediate schools and X8,000 from the building societies -was put up for sentence. Mr Justice Bray, in addressing the prisoner, said David Shepherd, you have pleaded guilty to serious and continual frauds. According to your own counsel, these frauds commenced as far back as 1885 as far as the Starr-Bowkett Societies are concerned, beginning in 1898 in regard to the governors of the intermediate scheme. Of course, when I look at the large sums of money which have been taken— £ 6,000 in one place and X8,000 in another—the punishment I must inflict upon you must necessarily be very severe. Mr Williams, your counsel, has urged certain grounds before me, but. I cannot pay much regard to them. There might be some excuse and some ground for making your offence less grave, but I cannot pay any attention to the fact that you were respected, that you undertook temperance duties, that you took a prominent position in this and other matters in your town, because it was only by means of your apparent respectability that you were able to commit these frauds. No one would think of passing these accounts, as has been done, but for the fact that he had absolute trust and confidence in you. I must sentence you to five years in respect of each of these offences, the sentences to run concurrently. The prisoner, who had maintained a calm and serious demeanour, was then removed.

I Markets. CHBPSTOW, CATTLE, Wednesday.—There was a very fair market to-day, with a good supply of beef and mutton. Best beef made about 6-d 2 per lb, and second quality from 5-id to 6d. Store cattle fetched about late rates, and not so many on offer. Prime wether mutton went at from 8d to 81d per lb, and ewe about 6d. Store tegs, of which only a small number were on offer, sold well. Pigs were in large supply, but did not sell so well. Small porkers realised 9s per score, and heavier 7s 6d to 8s; baconers, 7s per score. Store pigs low. NEWPORT, CORN, Wednesday. -Wheat at this market to-day was reported to have a slow trade, with prices unchanged. Maize 3d dearer, and barley 8d in advance of last week, while flour (fines) was at 26s 6d per sack. NEWPORT, CATTLE, Wednesday.—The trade done at this market to-day was rather improved, although the weather was extremely stormy. There was a large supply of cattle on offer, but an exceptionally small supply of sheep and lambs. Quotatioi)s: -Best beef, 6 £ d per lb: secondary quality, 6d cows. 5d to 5-id bt wether mutton, 2 8d ewe, 6d to 7d lamb, Sid to 83d, and veal, 6d to 7-ld porker pigs in fairly good supply, 2 2 fetching 9s 3d to 9a 6d, and baconers 8a to 8s 6d per score. NEWPORT, CHEESE, Wednesday.—The average attendance at the cheese market to-day only made the demand fair, while the supply was good. Quotations :-Caerpbillie. 36s to 40s per cwt: fancy dairies, 44s to 46s: Derbies, 44s to 56s; truckles, 50s to 588 and Cheddars, 448 to 56s.

"RAINING CATS AND DOGS." I In Northern mythology the cat is supposed to have great influence on the weather, and English sailors still say, "The cat has a gale of wind in her tail," when the animal is unusually frisky. Witches that rode on the storms were said to assume the form of cats. The dog is a signal of wind, and was an attendant of Odin, the storm- god. The cat, therefore, symbolises the down- pouring of rain, and the dog the strong gusts of wind which accompany a rainstorm. A "rain of cats and dogs is a heavy wind with rain.

FAKE ADVERTISEMENTS. I A traveller with a mania for answering advertise- ments had some interesting experiences. He learnt that by sending five shillings he could get a cure for drunkenness. And he did. It was "to take the pledge and keep it." Then he sent a shilling to find out how to raise turnips successfully. He found out. "Just take hold of the tops and lift." Next advertisement he answered read, "How to double your money." Change it into notes and fold them. Next he sent for twelve useful household articles, and got a paper of needles. He was slow to learn, so he sent a shilling to find out "how to get rich." "Work hard and never spend a farthing." That stopped him. But his brother wrote to find out how to write without pen and ink. He was told to use a lead pencil. He paid five shillings to find out how to live with- out work, and was toJd to "Fish for easy fools, as we do."

The Far East. Further Skirmishing. St. Petersburg, Friday. A telegram from Chansiamutung; mentions further skirmishing OB the Russian left flank. Cossacks killed three, captured: seven. Retiring Japanese detachments reported that Japanese losses were two hundred in yesterday's fighting: near the second pass.

w Kuropatkin's Council. Rome, Friday. A Mukden telegram says that General Kuropatkin held a council of war yesterday, and decided to" take the offensive along the entire front.

Newspaper Prohibited. St. Petersburg, Friday. The sale of Journal Syn Otethesivm has been prohibited, a leading- article being officially designated u pernicious."

w — Gunboat Re-Captured. Paris, Friday. A Petit Parisien telegram says- that the Russian soldiers have re- captured the gunboat Sivoutchs lying half submerged in Liao-hcs* n river.

Japanese Reserves Inferior. St. Petersburg, Friday. Reports from the front assert-, that Japanese reserves are proving- less tough than the soldiers of the- standing army.

♦- Cabinet Meeting. A meeting of the Cabinet took I" place at the Foreign Office at noott to-day.

Death of a Principal. The Rev William Caven, princi- pal of Knox's Presbyterian College^ Toronto, died last night.

Murder and Suicide. At Burnley to-day, Michael, Walsh, a plumber, murdered his wife and committed suicide. The* man was an habitual drunkard.

I Naval Court Martial. A Court Martial on Richard Johnston, chief officer of the Gunboat Thrush, charged with negligently carrying out target practice, whereby the steamship Grange was damaged, was opened at Chatham to-day. Captain* Stopford presided.

I Stocks. Stocks quiet, irregular. 1-3 I Prmted and Published by "THE COUNTY OBSERVER," NEWSPAPER and PRINTING COMPANY, Limited, by JAMES HENRY CLARK, at their Offices, Bridge' Street, Usk, in the County of Monmouth, Saturday December 3rd, 1904.

CHILDREN FED ON VIROL have firm flesh, good colour, strong bones and teeth. I For infants give For infants give Virol with milk in the feeding- bottle. 4/6 JARS for 3f11.

I Monmouthshire Chamber of Agriculture. I IMPORTANT MEETING AT NEWPORT. A meeting of the Monmouthshire Chamber of Agriculture was held at the King's Head Hotel, Newport, on Wednesday, when Mr L. C. Wrieley presided. I AGRICULTURAL LEGISLATION WANTED. I A statement of legislation required in the agricultural interest prepared by the Business Committee of the Central Chamber was con- sidered. Among the questions referred to were local taxation, tuberculosis, beer duties and brewing materials, adulteration, damage to crops by sparks from railway engines, and weights and measures. The Chairman urged that as a body they should submit certain questions bearing on the subjects mentioned to Parliamentary candidates, and that those engaged in agriculture should support the candidates who were in favour of what they wished. After all, everybody had to be selfish, and while they were in the position of having few enemies, they seemed to have no friends. Local taxation was a matter of life and death to farmers in every county. The tem- porary relief to farmers would terminate next year, and unless something were done to prolong that relief they would be met practically with bankruptcy. Mr L. Forestier -Walker took exception to the paragraph that the granting by railway com- panies of preferential rates and facilities for foreign produce be absolutely prohibited, and that the Board of Trade be empowered and instructed to enforce the law. The general feeling was that the quantities and circum- stances being equal, they should be treated by the railway companies similarly to foreigners. Ultimately the whole of the subjects and recommendations were passed, and it was left to their representatives, together with the chair- man (Mr Wrigley), to voice the opinions of the Chamber at a meeting next week of the Central Chamber. UTILISATION OF CANALS. The question of the utilisation of canals was discussed, consequent upon receipt of an iavita- tion from the Mansion House Association on Railway aud Canal Traffic to send a representa- tive to attend a meeting in London, to consider the advisability of seeking early legislation for placing canals under the control of one authority. Mr Stratton thought they were not in a position to make a recommendation at the same time they did not like the idea of the railway companies monopolising the canals and then shutting them up. Mr Ernest Lyne remarked that the canals in Monmouthshire did not go through agricultural districts, but were more for mineral purposes. The matter was not thought to be of sufficient interest to justify a representative being sent. THE TARIFF COMMISSION, I A letter was read from the Tariff Commission asking the Chamber to send a witness to give evidence before the Commission. It appeared, however, that Mr Stratton, a member of the Chamber, had already giveu evidence before the Commissiou as a private individual, and the matter was allowed to drop. THE MOTOR-CAR QUESTION. ) The question of motor traffic on highways was raised, Mr Henry Williams maintaining that the maximum speed should be 10 miles an hour. He moved a resolution to that effect. In supporting it Mr Stratton said motor-cars were extremely dangerous, and people driving them were like the Russians in the North Sea- they did not stop to inquire as to damage done. At night motor-cars were like the infernal regions on wheels. The resolution was unanimously agreed to. MR. STRATTON'S MILK EXPERIMENTS. I The milk standard came under discussion, and Mr R. Stratton gave the results of experiments he had conducted, which tended to show that the milk dealer was greatly open to the possibility of suffering for the fault of the cow. It is held that pure milk must have 3 per cent. of butter fat. Mr Stratton's first two samples were taken on October 24th, and, analysed, showed 3.50 per cent. and 3.52. After feeding the cows in a certain way for a week the second cow's milk showed 3.04, while the other's was absolutely stationary. On October 28'h the first cow's milk fell to 2 70 per cent. of butter fat and the other possessed 2.20 per cent. On October 31st the first-mentioned actually dropped to 1.50 per cent., while the other rose to 3.80 per cent. Then he took a white cow, as she was old, and a black cow, which was an average animal. The milk of the one gave 3.60 per cent. of butter fat, and the other 3.40 on the 1st November, but on the 3rd November the analyst's certificate of the samples from them was 1.60 per cent. and 5.10 per ceut. respectively, yet both had the same food. Subsequently the 1.60 per cent. rose to 5.20. The whole thing was absolutely confusing and bewildering. It would be grossly unfair to convict a man on one analysis or one case. Evening milk was generally better than the morning. The figures above mentioned referred to the morning supply. He took four samples of evening milk, sending two to be analysed at Cardiff and two at Newport. The result of the Newport analysis revealed one to be 2.70 per cent. and the other 5.50 per cent. The Cardiff analyst was away, and did not return for a week, but even then his figures were much the same as in the Newport analysis. On a second lot of samples the Newport analyst reported 2.20 per cent. and 3.70 per cent. The Cardiff analyst's report was that the one cow's percentage of butter fat was 5.17 and the other 2.83. The meeting passed no resolution, as it was thought the Board of Agriculture's regulations went as far as they could be expected to go. -L

I FORTUNE-TELLING. I Fortune-telling is traced to the early astrologers, by whom the planets Jupiter and Venus were J supposed to betoken happiness. In different parts of the world, women, known as Sibyllm, who were said to be inspired by Heaven, did flourishing business in this branch of occultism. In England the laws against fortune-telling were very severe. In France several persons suffered death as the result of a declaration issued against fortune-tellers and poisoners in 1680.

MIND-CURE MAXIMS. I The following maxims afford a very fair idea of lip-to-date "New Thought" principles Your thoughts are the sculptors of your face and body. Plant happy thoughts in your mind instead of small annoyances. Open your eyes and your nightmare will vanish. The good that comes to us is oftener hidden than Been. Listen to Confidence, never to Fear. We under-estimate our victories, and exaggerate our failures. If you are at rest in your mind you rest others. Let a man know his strength, and keep obstacles out of his path. ■

SALT FARMING. I One of the strangest of farms in the country, if not in the whole world, is situated in Southern California, 265ft. below the level of the sea. The place is known as Salton. It is a salt farm of about 1,000 acres. Here the salt lies, as deposited by Nature, from 6in. to Win. in depth. The salt farmers are busy harvestmg this crop the year round and, though the harvest has continued for twenty years, during which time more than 40,000 tons of salt have been harvested, only ten of the 1,000 acres of the farm have been touched. The salt is first ploughed up into furrows; it is then thrown into conical piles by men with barrows, after which it is taken to the reduction works near by, and put into marketable condition. The work is done by Mexicans and Chinamen, the intense heat being more than the white man can endure.

A RHAPSODY. I (These well-known vemes are capable of two readings. The hidden one, which is the exact opposite in meaning to the direct one, may be arrived at by reading each verse in the order of lines 1, 3, 2, 4.] That man must lead a happy life Who is directed by a wife; Who's freed from matrimonial claims Is sure to suffer for his pains. Adam could find no solid peace Till he beheld a woman's face; When Eve was given for a mate Adam was in a happy state. In all the female race appears Truth, darling of a heart sincere; Hypocrisy, deceit, and pride In woman never did reside. What tongue is able to unfold The worth in woman we behold ? The failings that in woman dwell Are almost imperceptible. Confusion take the men, I say, Who no regard to women pay! Who make the women their delight Keep always reason in their sight.

WHO INVENTED SUGAR? I If you search the Bible through, from the first word in Genesis to the last word in the Revela- tions, you cannot find the word sugar. There is no sugar in the Bible. It is not there, because the ancient Jews did not know sugar. They used honey instead. It was in honey that Rachel and David's mother preserved their fruits-with honey that Jezebel and Esther and Martha mixed their daintiest pastry. It is said to have been one of Alexander the Great's generals who first brought sugar from India to Greece, and that would be fully 300 years before the Christian era. In Galen's time, however, about 150 years after Christ, the Western nations had heard of sugar only as a rare medicine. But, a while ago, it was stated in a German contemporary that the Chinese can be proved to have manufactured and used cane sugar for more than 3,000 years. In which case the Chinese were the inventors of sugar, as of printing, the mariner's compass", and probably gunpowder.

Sir Harry Maclean. Sir Harry Maclean, commander of the Moroccan forces, landed at Plymouth to-day. He said the- attack upon him near Tanjier was due to a mistake on the part of the natives.