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

BEATEN TO DEATH. I GIRL'S AUNT COMMITTED. I Intense interest continues to be manifested in die circumstances surrounding the death of the hielve-year-old girl, Esther Longman, who re- Bided with her aunt, Emily Winslade, at Albert- terrace, Sunbury-lane, Walton-on-Thames. Mm. Winslade has been committed for trial on a coroner's warrant for the wilful murder of the child, and when the adjourned magisterial pro- ceedings against her were resumed at Kingston em. Saturday the old Assize Court was crowded. TJie accused woman was present, looking pale and ill and wearing a downcast appearance. Mr. JS. Pearce stated the case for the Treasury at ^reat length, repeating the facts which have already been published. Isaac Longman, father of the deceased, re- peated the evidence given by him at the in- quest. On one occasion, he said, the accused paid the girl was rather troublesome, and wit- ness said, "Give her a stripe or two, and see tiow she goes on then. Replying to Mr. Washington Fox, who de- fen-d.ed, witness said on that occasion prisoner looked very peculiar indeed—like a person going mad. Dr. Percy Burrell described in detail the •many bruises and wounds he found on the body, and when he asked the accused to account for tfhem she said, "I gave the girl a seidlitz t (powder. I also offered up a long prayer with the girl, praying that she might be a better girl." Witress remarked, "Neither the seidlitz yowder nor the long prayer could have battered *n the girl's head like this." Mr. Fox: How was she?—Quite calm and Rlbfiolutely indifferent. Did not that strike you as strange?—No. \Ynai;, not in the presence of a tragedy with the dead girl in the room?—No. You made up your mind that a cruel murder had been committed?—Yes, after I had seen 4he body. After hearing other evidence, the chairman paid the Bench was of opinion that there was not the premeditation necessary to send the prisoner for trial on a charge of murder, and they would send her on a charge of manslaugh- ter. Tho accused was accordingly committed for trial on a charge of manslaughter.

IRISH LAND PURCHASE. I BETTER FROM THE CHIEF SECRETARY. I Replying to a letter from Sir John Colomb, M.P., Mr. Walter Long, Chief Secretary for Ireland, Bays that very considerable progress has been aaade since the passing of the Act of 1903 in the transfer of land from owners to occupying tenants, and has so far encountered only one impediment— the insufficiency of funds. After reviewing and justifying the proposals which he put forward last Session for overcoming this difficulty, Mr. Long says he has been carefully con- sidering the position in consultation with the Treasury, and has come to an arrangement with them under which they have agreed to provide additional funds amounting to two millions, before the end of the present year, to- gether with such an amount of stock during the year 1906 as will produce in two loans 10 milliona of cash. By this means, at the end of 1906 the Treasury will have issued in all 23 millions of etock for the purposes of the Act of 1903. He has ftlso obtained Treasury consent to a considerable increase in the staff of the Land Commissice.

PREHISTORIC PEEPS. J GIANT BODIES OF HISTORIC ANIMALS FOUND. One bitter Arctic night, while drifting in the facial ice and frozen gravel 40ft. below the isirrfaoe, on his claim, No. 1 below Discovery, tiuljhur Creek, a Klondyko tributary. Charlie fatten struck his pick against something that avas not bedrock, and was not a nugget. It was the skull of a giant ox of primeval age. A few more strokes and Charlie's pick not cnly uncovered what is prolbaibly the largest and sno-st -perfectly preserved specimen of the giant ox ever found, the ancestor of the horned cattle tA to-day, but disturbed the ancient resting-place erf the predecessor of the elephant, that other "ppohifitoric peep" the mastodon, who struggled IfYr 6upremacy with the ox in the valley of Juna before the Pactolean stream of dust and nuggets tiad swept downward to the gravels of Bonanza, Eldorado, and Sulphur Creeks. Proibalbly those weird bones lay thus, as Charlie's pick found them, before the Pharaohs raised the Pyramids. Tho relics were brought south by Patton'a "fjftrdner," Frank Caldwell, on a Northern ves- sel and are on exhibition. So far as is known the skull and horns of the ox are the largest and most perfect ever found. The measurements are Sis follows; Horns: Tip to tip, posterior, 6ft. 8in.; tip to tip, anterior, 5ffc. 8in.; tip to tip, straight across, 4it 6in.; circumference at base, without shell, tft. 4m.; estimated circumference of horn at lbagge during life, when covered with shell, 2ft. tin. circumference of eye-socket, 1ft. 2in. Distance between eyes, Centre to centre, 1ft. 7in. The ekull was fiilled with sand containing ptacer showing that when it lay on the ex- d ground centuries ago- placer gold was washed in'to it through the eye-eockerta and other cpenings.

This, said' tHe city chap, who was showing J Ins rural relatxve the^w «ia call<Kj th| teruierk>m district. Why fe it calkd thai?.» | queried the rural relative. "Because it is so tough," explained the other.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR. I SIR GEORGE WHITE AT LIVERPOOL. oir lieorga White, V.U., on Saturday unveiled memorial to the heroes of the Liverpool Regi- ment who met their deaths in South Africa, It has been erected by public subscription in St. John's Gardens, Liverpool. The statue is 01 hroTize, and the architectural work of grey Scottish granite. The whole of the work took three years to complete. The sculptor was Mr. Qoscombe John. Sir George White, who received a great ovation, after drawing aside the curtains which veiled the monument, paid an eloquent tribute to the bravery and self-sacrifice of the men who had fallen in Afghanistan, Burma, and South Africa, dwelling on the diversified character of the duties which fell to the British soldier in all parts of the world, and the blessing which in the case of Burma followed British conquest. He paid a special compliment to the work of the Liverpool Regiment in the front lines at Ladysmith, where he had often visited their post, which they called Liverpool Castle, and which they held till that ill-prepared and sleepy giantess, England, put forth her latent strength and swept back the Boor war of invasion. After the ceremony, Sir George White paid non-political visits to the Conservative and Reform Clubs, and later dined at the town ball.

SEXTON SIXTY-TWO YEARS. There are few men who can claim a record equal to that held by Mr. Elijah Lindley, of Burton Joyce, between Nottingham and South- yell. For the past sixty-two years he has been parish clerk and sexton at St. Helen's Church. Burton Joyce, and prior to that was organ iblower for six years. He was appointed parish clerk in February, 1843. He has served under five vicars, and has tolled the bell for the death of three sovereigns—.George IV., William IV., and Queen Victoria. His father was the sexton when George IV. died, and he took his son down to the church and made him toll the bell, Elijah then being but six years old. During his 62 years as serton he has dug the graves for 900 funerals, has been present at 1600 baptisms, and 300 marriages. Strange to say he still lives in the house in which he was born 82 years back, which belongs to the Earl of Chesterfield, three earls having died during his tenancy.

REMARKABLE BLIND TRIO. I SWINDON'S RECORD. I Probably in no town in England are there three blind men holding such important posts as in Swindon. One, Mr. Edwin Jones, is a member of the Town Council and of the Board of Guardians (of which he was vice-chairman last year), a leading tradesman, and a sub-post- master. Mr. Jones lost his sight many years ago while employed in the Great Western Rail- way Works. Mr. Edward Ferris, who is known as a clever electrician, and has superintended the wiring of several large buildings, is also blind, and until recently used to perform a remarkable feat for one so handicapped. To get to his house he had to walk half a mile along the canal side, and cross the water over an unguarded lock. This he did without even the aid of a stick. The third member of this remarkable trio is Mr. H. Whittaker, one of the most- talented orga,nis1:6 in the district. Mr. Whittaker holds an appointment as organist in one of the neighbouring village churches, and makes his living as a teacher of music. It may be mentioned that Messrs. Ferris and Whittaker are close friends, and may be often seen "leading" each other about the streets.

ELGIN BURGHS ELECTION. THE RESULT. I The result of the Elgin Burgbs by.-election occa- sioned by the death of Mr. A. Asher, K.C., who had held the seat in the Liberal interests since 1885, was declared on Saturday as follows: Mr. John E. Sutherland (L.) 2474 Mr. Rose-Innes (U.) 1021 Liberal majority 1453 1 From 1885 till 1892 Mr. Asher was returned un- opposed, and in the latter year he secured a majority of 541, while in 1895 he defeated Mr. C. T. Gordon, L.U., by 692 votes. At the last election in 1900 the figures were Mr. A. Asher (L.) 1744 Mr. J. Moffatt (U.) 1187 Liberal majority 557

TRADE UNION CONGRESS. I The Trade Union Congress concluded its sittings at Hanley on Saturday. The result of the voting for the election of the Parliamentary com- mittee was announced, and Mr. W. C. Steadman was elected by a small majority to the position of secretary of the congress. Mr. D. C. Cummings was chosen as chairman of the Parliamentary com- mittee, and will therefore be president of next year's congress.

ANGLO-JAPANESE ALLIANCE. I Lord Londonderry, speaking at Wynyard-park on Saturday, expressed the opinion that the Japanese, in agreeing to the terms of peace arrived at, had shown themselves as magnanimous in the hour of triumph as they had shown them- selves magnificent in the hour of trial. The details of the new treaty which had been con- cluded between this country and Japan would be shortly published, and entitled the Government to claim credit for having extended a treaty of enormoui service to us and to the rest of the world.

The right of letting the chairs in the streets, .1 equates, and parks in Paris has been farmed out for £4,000 for the ensuing year by the City Fathers. -I Mr. Justice Phillimore has been appointed president of ttie International Law Conference for the coming year.

I OUR SHORT STORY, I A COUSIN'S TREACHERY. TLired of life T said my cousin Jasper Meadows, as we sat in my wretched garret in the heart of one of the most poverty-stricken quarters of the metropolis. Perhaps my lines may be cast in more pleasant places than yours I may have been more lucky, or-or something but you never know when you come to the end of your tether. Never court death like that. Never say that you are tired of life." But I am," I replied, bitterly, raising to my lips the glass of spirits which had been my insidious companion of late. I have lost all that makes human existence dear to man the love of woman, friends, money—that the root and cause of all. I have tried everything and failed. Heaven knows, it is difficult enough for skilled artisans to get work in these hard times. I am among them, yet not of them. They look askance at me; they do not understand me-- the penniless, starving gentleman. I am an anomaly, an outcast—perhaps partly by my own fault, I grant you-but I have been ready to go down on my knees for the hardest, the most degrading labour, so long as it be honest, in order to keep a roof over my head and put into my mouth a crust of bread, just to keep body and soul together. Even now "—I know there was a ring of envy in my tones which I could not suppress—" even now I hear that our uncle, dying, has left you rich, but has not remem- bered me. So can you wonder when I tell you that this winter finds me without a hope-that I am tired of my life?" And would fain end it?" And would fain end it n Ah, I would not say a thing like that, if I were you. One never knows how soon one may come to recent it," he replied, with a strange smile, although I do not think I noticed at the time. What with misery, want and strong drink upon my empty stomach, I fear that I was not in a condition to remark anything very distinctly. It was my cousin who had brought whisky up for me. He was one of that curious form of modern Samaritan whose charity always takes the shape of alcoholic beverages, yet who turn a deaf ear to a more direct appeal to their benevolent feelings. Well, no, I did not specially believe in Jasper. Meadows; but here, alone as I dwelt—the most miserable of all solitudes, that spent in the midst of a vast multitude—it was seldom I met anyone to whom I could unbosom my grief. Here poverty was the common lot. No one believed me. Did I not pretend to be a gentle- man? How could I be poor? There was silence between us for a few mo- ments; then Jasper suddenly started up and exclaimed Well, Dick, old man I must be going. I am very sorry that I cannot give you any pecu- niary aid just now, but I have some good news for you. I thought I would keep it as a surprise till the last. Uncle Joe has remembered vou. after all. Look here! This is a sworn copy of his will. He leaves you most of his money— forty thousand dollars. It would only come to mo in case of your death without issue—that death which you have been so earnestly wishing for!" I staggered to my feet, and I made a grab at the paper which he held. aloft. This was surely too good to be true. Show it to me I cried, and my own voice sounded to me strange and hollow. He took a few steps backward, and slipped out of the room, closing the door after him. I rushed to call him back, but my tongue clove to my palate, my feet seemed weighted down as by lead. That cursed drink! How quickly it had taken effect upon me! I reeled and fell heavily to the floor and knew no more. At last I came to myself, and the first impres- sion. I experienced was of a fearful weight opnressing my chest. What was there? Nothing. Oh, it must be that cursed whisky! But, stay! I remembered falling. I remem- bered all that distinctly now—falling on the floor, and now I was in bed undressed. Who had put me there? Jasper? But he had gone before I fell! put me there? Jasper? But he had gone before I fell! Meantime I was choking. Strange figures were dancing before my eyes. What wae the matter? Ah the cause was not far to seek. No food, and then. too much drink; supposedly to drown my sorrows, but really to multiply them ten thousandfold, for I will freely confess that this curse lay at the bottom of at least one-half of my misfortunes. Yet what was this strange smell, this red light which pervaded the room? Was the house on fire? If 1'10, no one knew of it. for all was quiet. I raised myself up painfully, and perceived only a foot or two from my bed a little stove which spread its warm glow around the room. Was this a piece of eccentric kindness on the part of my cousin, who knew I was short of fuel as well as of all other necessaries ? But my brain was going round and round in a. wild whirl, my breath was becoming more laboured, I was choking-Great Heaven it was a charcoal stove! As this thought flashed upon my mind, my head -sank back upon the pillow like a lump of lead, and my glance happening to light upon the mantel, which was close to my bed—for the room was so small that it had 'been necessary to close the fireplaoo-I perceived that a candle was lighted, as though to draw attention to a scrap of paper which was pinned on the wall, having the following words written in a fair imitation of my own handwriting May Heaven forgive me what I hav.e done this night! But I have lost all that makes human existence dear to man; the love of woman, friends, money—that the root and cause of all. I have tried everything and failed; so this winter finds me without a single hope, and I am tired of my lif e. RICHARD WENTWORTH." In that single instant I remembered Jasper Meadows' parting words, and the whole truth flashed upon me. He told me that mv uncle had left me forty thousand dollars, and I stood between him— Jasper—'and the money. I understood it all. He must have resolved to murder me He had drugged the whisky, and. using my own words with malignant and diabolical sar- casm, had, at the same time, averted all sus- picion from himself. How clearly did the meaning of his words come back to me, and how bitterly did I repent my own impious thoughts. I was not tired of life. I had money now, which is the god and slave of the world, the key to all happiness, for with its (possession we can delude ourselves into the fond boli-ef that we have true loves and honest friends. But I would have given up all that at this moment for a single breath of fresh air. And this waa the very death which I had 'thought of, dreamed of, wished for, coveted. I had fancied, in my desperate, impious folly, how sweet and redtful it must feel for one like me, who was so cold, -both in body and mind, who had known so little of the genial light of the world's sympathy, to lie here in this insidious warmth, and, recalling one by one each scene of early days, gently to pas's away and solve the mighty problem of eternity. But I did not know then what it was to choke, to gasp for every breath, to die a alow, horrible and lingering death. Die No, no, I would not die I could not die! Great Heaven I was not tired of life But I was not dead yet. It was easy enough to free myself from this horrible situation, afternU. Only to rise and then open the door or the window. It was, however, easier said than done. I jumped up, but something held me back. I looked and sa-w, to my utter dismay, that my left hand had been firmly fastened to the bedstead Oh, the fearful, vain efforts I made to get free! I called loudly for help but no one heard me; and, in the meantime, the oppression waa grow- ing* heavier and heavier upon my chest. My tongue seemed too large for my mouth. I could feel my eyes starting from their sockets. I was dying a horrible, lingering death, and all I prayed for now was a little fresh air. At last, one tremendous wrench, a supreme effort, which nearly broke my wrist and dragged the bed halfway across the room but I had burst the cords which Taouxid nAe; and wse frei)-f I staggered to the door, but nugia ,W vveii nut have wasted the precious moments used in get- ting there. It had been locked on the outside the key was gone, and the keyhole stopped up. Now, quick to turn to the window-my only remaining chance of life-—while I had strength left, and there waa yet time. 0 I grasped at the casement, but it would not move. A nail had been driven through it. fas- tening the lower to the upper sash The horror of the discovery, the fiendish pre- cision of the meditated crime, seemed utterly to crush me, and I sank helpless and hopeless to the floor. The insidious fumes of the charcoal were gain- ing rapidly upon my senses, and my thoughts passed wildly from one subject to anotner, as though I had been in a horrible nightmare. What was the use of gold. after all? Had not the first possession of these few miserable thou. sands only made for me a mortal enemy? All that mattered was the breath of life. At that moment I would have given all the world for a mouthful of heaven's pure air—the inalienable birthright of every created thing. Oh. Heaven how I repented my words now. I was not tired of life. I would not die. My brain seemed to be seething, bursting but, with one more despairing effort, I scrambled to my feet, striking out with both hands at the dust-begrimed panes, which fell with a crash into the street below. Oh, that first puff of wind I shall never fcr- get it. It was only the dense atmosphere of the overcrowded neighbourhood, but to me then it seemed the sweetest air that had ever fanned my cheek, and on its wings was borne. the distant sound of church bells, for it was Christmas morn- ing. But the sudden reaction was too much for me, and once more I sank down insensible upon the ground. The sound of the breaking window attracted some neighbours, and I was saved. I was cliarged with attempting to take my own life. I let them think that the truth. Why not? I might have done so. But they heard of my suddenly acquired wealth, which was to put an end to all miseries, and so I was set free. At first I almost dreaded to touch that money, the first possession of which had been so unlucky to me; ibut I have been ha-ppy enough, as this world gOles, since then. Jasper Meadows disap- peared, went far away, and I saw nor heard no more of him. I brought no accusation against him. He had designed a fiendish crime; surely it must bring its own punishment to his con- science. But, for my part, I felt that he had taught me a lesson of infinite wisdom when he had warned me not to say or think that I waa tired of my life.

THE HAUNTED ROOM; I EARLS OF STRATHMORE INHERITING I SECRET. When Lord Glamis comes of age in a few days' time the secret of the "Haunted Room" at his ancestral home of Glamis Castle, Forfar- shire, will be communicated to him by his father, the Earl of S'trathmore. At least mat is locally understood to have been an invariable practice on such occacions from time immemorial. What secret the "Haunted Room" conceals is supposed to be passed on to every heir as he attains his Jiaiority. Thus its precise nature is in the possession of never more than two per- sons at tii-6. same time. Conjecture and tradi- tion say, however, that in the long ago, when the Lindsays and the Ogilvies were at ieud, a nurn- ber of cue iatter clan were imprisoned and died in that particular chamber. That the room has some uncanny peculiari- ties appeals to be beyond doubt, for the late Lord tttrathmore had it walled up after visiting the apartment one night to determine the origin of certain weird noiver3 which, it is said, had for a long time disturbed and puzzled him. The Earl opened the door with a key, wrote a correspondent to a Dr. Lee, "and dropped back in a dead swoon into the arms of his com- panions; nor could he ever be induced to open his lips on the sulbject afterwards." The experiences of a lady visitor at the castle are quoted in the book, "Haunted Homes and Family Legends." The lady was accompanied by 'her child, who slept in a dressing-room ad- joining the apartment occupied by the mother. "Suddenly," so the story runs, "a cold blast stole into the lady's room, extinguishing the nigllt-Hgllt by her bedside. She saw a tall mailed figure pass into the dressing-room. Im- mediately thereafter there was a shriek from her child. Her maternal instinct was aroused. She rushed into the dressing-room and found the child in an agony of fear. It described what it bad seen aa .a giant,' who came and leant over its face."

WHAT WE DRINK. I ENGLISHMEN'S NATIONAL BEVERAGE. I Why should the people of the British Empire be the greatest tea-drinkers in the world, whereas in other countries the predisposition is towards coffee? A return issued by the Board of Trade gives some interesting figures, but supplies no solution of the problem. in the United Kingdom just over 61b. of tea per head of the population is consumed yearly. This quantity has remained practically stationary for the last five years, but increased by about lib. per head in the preceding ten years. There is no other European country where such a per capita consumption is approached. Indeed, there is no other European country, with the exception of Holland, with 1.451b., where the consumption of tea exceeds lib. per head. In Russia and in the United States, which are the other two large tea-consuming countries, the consumption amounts to about lib. per head; in France the total quantity of tea consumed is under 2,500,0001b., or .061b per head of the population and in Germany it is under 7,000,0001b., or Illb. per head of the population. The total consumption of tea in the United Kingdom is about the same as that of all the other European countries and the United States put together. The following statement shows what has been the per capita consumption of coffee during the five years 1899-1903 in the principal countries of Europe and in the United States United Kingdom, 0.71; Germany, 6.49; Holland, 18.42; Belgium, 9.48; France, 5.02; Austria-Hungary, 2.11; United States, 11.07. Coffee is free of duty in Holland, Belgium, and the United States, a fact which explains the apparently wide fluctuations in consumption in those countries, imports nominally entered for consumption being often in these cases imports for stock, whereas, in countries where coffee is dutiable, the imports for consumption more closely agree with the actual consumption by the population, and consequently fluctuate much less from year to year.

THE DUMMY HIGHLANDER. t What is believed to be the only remaining "dummy Highlander" sign in the metropolis is now in Whitehall. The figure, a sign pecuiar to the tobacconist's trade, is life-size, being carved from a solid block of oak, and dates back considerably over one hundred years. It w,as on Ladysmith night that some jovial spirits carted this Scotchman from his sentry post in Tottenham-court-road, and introduced him to the War Office authorities in Whitehall. The sign is a beautifully preserved survival of old London, and to this day the Highlander grasps a snuffbox in his left hand, and offers the passer- by a "pinch."

It is told of Rufus Choate, one of the greatest of American lawyers, and a kinsman of Mr. Choate, lately the United Statet3 Ambassador to this country, that on one occasion ke appeared in court to defend a blacksmith, whose ironwork had been seized by a creditor. So powerfully did the great advocate depict the wrong which he contended had been done to his client, and so graphic was his descrip-1 tion of the extent to which the forge had been stripped, that the blacksmith, who apt near by, was observed to burst into tears. "Why, Tom," said a sympathetic friend, "what's the m-itto)r with yon? What are you crying about?" "Oh, dear me replied the blacksmith, between his aob3. "I had no idea I had been so abominably i -t-t-troBtcd I"

BOOKS AND MAGAZINES. LYNCH LAW.—In those times (the last quarter of the eighteenth century) there were a great many bad men settled along the frontiers, who by their thefts annoyed the country greatly, insomuch that the people entered into combi- nations to suppress them, and formed companies called regulators, They formed in military style, with officers, etc. They also organised a court and appointed some three or four of their aged, discreet men judges to try criminal causes, award punishments, etc. The company would bring up suspected fellows, and the court would try them. But they seldom extended punishment beyond whipping and driving them from the country, sometimes making them pay for P £ 9" perty stolen when they had the means. This method of breaking up combinations of rogues was first .set on foot by Col. Charles Lynch, of Bedford county, Va., where I was raised. He and my father were acquainted. This plan was started some seventy or eighty years ago. The measure seemed to be called for from the situation of the country a.t the time. And it has been practised more or less in the settling of new countries from that time until within a few years past, since the laws operate with more efficiency. The authorities generally connived at it from the necessity of the case. And per- haps nowhere has it been more common than in Tennessee. Lynch at first punished with thirty- nine stripes, taking, as I suppose, Moses for his model. And this was for a great while called Lynch's law, meaning all unlawful whipping. Any of the old men now in the South and West can tell us the meaning of Lynch's law.—From Lynch Law," by J. E. Cutler. AGROUND IN MID-OCICAN.-Our ship was out twenty-three days from Manila to the Sandwel-i Islands. It wais a silent, dead-black night. The lead showed deep Bea. Suddenly we felt as if we had grounded. The mate- suggested a sunken wreck, but the skipper stuck to the theory of earthquake. Subsequent events showed that he was risrht. Daybreak revealed a low and misty sky. We lay as if becalmed in the midst of an oily sea, strangely discoloured in patches. Sud- denly the water trembled-I can use no other word. The ship rolled, and in the distance rose a huge, balloon-shaped mass of vapour, steam or smoke. There was not the slightest sound, but a long line of chafing water stretched across the streaky calmness. Then the vapour settled over all, and we could Tiear but not see the seething and pouring water all about us. The captain ordered a bucketful to be drawn up. It was hot, and smelled like gasworks. H'm remarked the old skipper, as he sniffed it. They're poking up a new continent. I wish we were out of it." The air grew more oppres- sive every moment. The vessel gave a gentle side roll, and word was passed that we were aground. Over went the lead, and came up covered with blue, OIJZY mud. We were wallow- ing in sludge, the darkness was pall-like, and the atmosphere suffocatingly close. Then the air was i-ent with reports, awful to hear in that blackness. There were three of the deafening roaring blasts, and all was still again. When the light came, red and unnatural, a strange sight met our eyes. It was as if the bottom of th., Pacific was laid bare. We were helpless in a sea of thick mud. The sulphur fumes were choking, and we had to take refuge below. Hour after hour we gasped, facing the probability of a death by suffocation. Suddenly we felt that we were afloat. Whatever the bank of mud that held us, it had disappeared, and after a time we made our way out of the gruesome spot. When we reached Honolulu the crew de- serted. There's no luck in a ship that ha,» seen the bottom of the sea," they said.—" Pall Mall Magazine." HE REMEMBERED IT WBLT,When Welling- ton was engaged in the Peninsular War one of hia favourite generals was Crawford, who. although a stem disciplinarian, was greatly admired by his soldiers. In "Wellington's Lieutenants" the author tells of an incident which won for Crawford the affection of hie soldiers as well M their esteem: One day, Crawford came riding up with his orderly, when two men burst out of a haiise with S'omebread they had stolen. At that time the division waa on very short com- mons. The men were hotly chased by a Spanish woman, shouting, "Ladrone! Ladrone!" The general and his orderly cut into the pursuit, the loaves were given back to the woman, and the thieves sent to the guard-house. But there was a strange sequel to that incident. The nekt day the men were triedby brigade court martial, and sentenced to punishment. The brigade was formed up; the proceedings of the court martial were read, and the general proceeded to im- prove the occasion by lecturing the officers and men. "Strip, sir!" he said, addressing himself, by way of peroration, to a corporal who was one of the offenders. The man submitted to be tied up in silence; then turning to the general, he said: "General Crawford, I hope you will for- give me." "No, sir; your crime is too great." If the crime was great, the penalty was severe; he was to be reduced to the ranks and receive one hundred and fifty lashes. Then he made another appeial. "Do you recollect, sir, when under commiand of General Whitelocke, in Buenos Ayres, we were marched prisoners with a number of others to a pound surrounded by a wall? There was a well in the centre, out of which I drew water with my mess-tin, by means of canteen straps I collected from the men who were prisoners likemyeelf. You sat on my knap- sack I parted my last biscuit with you. You then told me you would never forget my kind- ness. It is now in your power, sir; you know ow short we have been of rations for some time. The whole square was touched, and waited. The bugler told off to inflict the punishment, after an interval, received the usual signall from the ibuigle-major. The first lash was laid on. Then the general exclaimed "Who taught that bug- ler to flog? Send him to drill. He cannot flo., I Stop Take him down. I remember it well, I rememiber it well," while he strode up and down the square, muttering inarticulately, blowing his nose and wiping his face with his handker- chief, busily striving to conceal the emotion which was evident to all. SCOTT AND ABBOTSFORD.—It was Scott's ambition to assemble at his board at Abbotsford some of the best blood of the country, and at the height of his prosperity he is said to have antertained as m,any persons of distinction in rank, politics, art, literature, and science, as the foremost nobleman of his age ever did in the like space of time. Lockhart computes that one out of every six of the British peerage had dined at Scott's table. Prince Leopold, afterwards Leopold I. of the Belgians, husband of the Princess Charlotte, and the exiled Crown Prince Gustavus of Sweden, were guests at Abbotsford in 1819 and 1820 respectively. With the leading. Border families Scott was on the 'best of terms, and the neighbouring gentry were all, more or less, included within the Abbotsford Circle. Nor was Scott above introducing his poorer relations to Abbotsford. No old acquaintance or family connections, however remote their station or style of manners, were forgotten or lost sight of. These were welcome guests, whoever might be under his roof, and it was the same with many an old classmate, or the fellow-apprentice who had faced him at the desk when he was proud to earn threepence a. page in drudging penwork. "To dwell on nothing else," says Lockhart, "it is surely a beautiful perfection of real universal humanity and politeness that could enable this great and good man to blend guests so multifarious in one group, -or contrive to make them all equally happy with him, with themselves, and with each other." Whilst, however, Abbotsford was a kind of ever-open door to an unparalleled variety of guests, there was another and much larger com- pany constantly invading its precincts—the great army of the uninvited. Such interrup- tions were a constant source of worry to Scott. Lockhart counted in one day no fewer than sixteen parties 'begging admittance. It was impossible at that time, it was said, to pass between Melrose and Abbotsford "without encountering some old figure, armed with a sketch-book, evidently bent on a ep at the Great Unknown." Some came furnished with letters of introduction from friends for whose sáke Scott received them cordially, and treated them kindly. Others had no introduction at all, but, pencil and note-book in hand, took tha most impertinent liberties with the place and its occupants.—From "Abbotsfoni, by W. S. Crockett, published by Messrs. Black.

1 THE VOLUNTEER FORCE. SPEECH BY MR. BALFOUR. PROBLEM OF NATIONAL DEFENCE. Mr. Balfour, on Saturday, opened at North Berwick a bazaar in aid of the funds of the local Volunteer battalion, and remarked that, in further- ing the interests of the local force, they were engaged in a task which had direct relation to the whole scheme of defence of the Empire. The Volunteer Force threw upon the taxpayers a not inappreciable portion of those great estimates of which they heard so much; and, unless they justified in public opinion their existence as an integral and essential element of the defensive force of the Crown, their raison d'etre was gone —they were expensive without being usofui. After referring to the great wars of the past 45 years, and the continual changes and develop- ments which during the same period had taken place in the instruments of war, Mr. Balfour said there were two great problems which lay at the root of every rational attempt to deal with the question of Imperial defence. How were we to find an Army numerically sufficient to defend our possessions oversea when they were within striking distance, as they were now, of a great military Power ? And how were we to defend the shores of these islands ? The first might roughly be called the problem of Indian defence, with regard to which he would say that we could not solve the problem by conscription, and that, while not underrating what diplomacy could do as a substitute for force, he held that in the long run it was the might of Britain on which the right of Britain must depend. Turning to the problem of insular defence, he was of opinion that any doubts which recent discussions had aroused as to the wisdom of creating a great defensive voluntary force were without any solid foundation. It was true that a modification of the traditional view as to the possibility of invasion had taken place, and was, he thought, justified by facts. Naval opinion was unanimous that the operation of carrying 70,000 or 100,000 men across the seas which divided us from our Continental neighbours was so hazardous that it was not likely ever to be undertaken. Then it might be asked-Why have a Volunteer Force ? In the first place, we had to protect our shores against raids, as well as against invasions; and if the Volunteers existed for no other purpose than to make such raids impossible, their existence was j notified. Then in the case of invasion, the larger the force to be conveyed the more difficult became the attempt, and the existence of out Volunteer force helped to enhance that difficulty. If the regular Army was engaged in some great war on the Indian frontier, and if we had no Volunteers, a small body of invaders might do great damage to the country. The Volunteers were an integral and necessary part, not merely of home defence, but of Imperial defence. Their existence had a bearing, not merely on the safety of these shores, but on the safety of the far-distant frontiers of India.

I MILLIONS FOR A WIDOW. Mr. E. R. Whitney, the wealthy Canadian, who irecently married Miss Annie Bennett, a telephone girl at the Grand Union Hotel, has died at Concord, Mass., at the age of 70, says the Herald's New York correspondent. The bride, who is only 22, will inherit a lar part of her husband's fortune, which is estimated at over £ 2,000,000. Mrs. Whitney was, up to the time of her mo?»« riage last April, employed at the switchboard ov the Grand Union Hotel. It was there she met her prospective husband. Since then Mr. Whitney lavished presents upon her. His wedding gifts were a motor-car which cost £ 1800 and a sunburst of diamonds. Mr. Whitney's son was best man at the wedding.

THE ANARCHY AT BAKU. I SAFETY OF THE ENGLISHMEN. I The four Englishmen, including Mr. Will an, who were cut off and besiged at Balakhany, in Connection with the anarchy at Baku, have been rescued, thanks to the gallant efforts of Mr. Urquhart, formerly British Vice-Consul at Baku. Mr. Urquhart, with a small escort of cavalry lent by the Governor, rode the gauntlet of marauders and assassins and successfully re- lieved the prisoners. Mr. Urquhart, who is a Scotchman, was born in Persia, and is thoroughly familiar with the language and customs of the country. Indeed, the natives do not regard him tJ¡8 a foreigner. Perhaps it is thanks to this com- bination of qualities that his plucky attempt tlucoooded so well. Tho destruction of the oil industry appears to be complete. Official returns are still lacking, tmt according to a trustworthy computation 6,000 out of a total of 3,600 wells are ruined, and it will take about a year before work can 00 resumed. The loss is more severe than that caused by a whole year of war.

BOW BELLS. In no long time the famous bells of Bow Church will once again chime the familiar "Turn again, Whittington." Instructed by the new rector, Sir Charles Villiers Stanford has set the tune for the pur- poses of the chime. At the present time the twelve bells are being rehung, and the automatic apparatus is being connected with the clock. In addition, how- ever, the mechanism will enable the bells to the chimed by one bell-ringer at the time of service. The first of the famous Bow bells, a tenor bell weighing 53cwt., was cast as far back as 1669, when the metal of the old bells melted in the Great Fire was used. Nine more bells were cast in 1762, and two more were added in 1881.

AN AMERICAN COURTSHIP. I A SEQUEL AT CARDIFF. I A story of the romantic courtship and marriage of two British subjects, who for some time were domiciled in America, was related at Cardiff. The parties were Mrs. Alice Horsley, who now lives in Cardiff, and who claimed to have been deserted by her husband, Hudson Horsley, of Heaton-lane, Stockport. The lady spoke with a strong American accent, and said that she married on December 31, 1890, at Waterbury, Connecticut. She pro- duced her marriage certificate. Eventually, she said, he deserted her. She added that sue met her husband on a steamer, and married him after three months' courtship. She was married in her own house by a pastor. The stipendiary refused to make an order, adding that the case was one that might be more conve-nientty dealt with by a higher Court.

I POISON IN MISTAKE FOR SAUCE. When an inquest was held at St. Pancras on Monday on the body of Frances Genn, of White Lion-street, Clerkenwell, who died from the effects of taking spirits of salts in mistake for sauce, it was mentioned that a recent official return stated that 404 cases of accidental death from poisoning occurred in one year. According to the husband's evidence, the woman suddenly exclaimed at breakfast-time I believe I have made a mistake and have drunk something which is paining me inside." He then found that she had taken some of the contents of a bottle labelled Sauce," in which he kept acid used in soldering. The bottle was kept in the same cup- board with the food. The jury returned a verdict of Death by Misadventure," and recommended more strings nt regulations for the sale of poisons.

I KING'S JOURNEY TO RUFFORD.. The King left Buckingham Palace shortly after two on Monday afternoon on a visit to Lord and Lady Savile at Rufford Abbey, Notts. His Majesty was driven in a closed carriage, pre- ceded by a mounted police official, and in attend- ance were Colonel A. Davidson and the Hon. John Ward. Inside the station, his Majesty, who wore a tweed suit and bowler hat, was received by Sir F. Fison, M.P., and Sir Henry Oakley, directors of the company, and Mr. Oliver Bury, general manager. Ollerton Station was reached early in the even- ing, and his Majesty drove to Rufford Abbey, where he will remain until Monday, when he will journey to Edinburgh for the Royal Review.

I PENALTIES OF VOLUNTEERING. Four.members of the Northamptonshire Voluni teers, at Higham Ferrers Borough Police-court on Monday, sued their employers for a week's wages in lieu of notice. They attended camp contrary to the wishes of their employers, and on their return were not em- ployed again. The employers relied upon one of their rules which gave them power to discharge a man instantly. The Bench, while upholding this contention, said they had no sympathy with the employers, considering that these men had been away on the service of the country, an opportunity should have been given them to return to work.

VISIT TO MR. RHODES'S GRAVE, The members of the British Association, with many local visitors, on Sunday made an excursion to the Matoppos, to see the grave of Mr. Cecil Rhodes, the World's View, and the Shangeni Memorial. Archdeacon Beaven held a service at the grave of Mr. Rhodes, the members of tha party standing round uncovered. The scene waa solomn and impressive.

I "NO JURY WOULD CONVIOT." An extraordinary case was heard on Monday by Alderman Sir G. Faudel-I hillipg at the Mansion House. A Frenchman named Paul Daches was charged with steaiing jewellery and other property, valued at £97 10s. It was alleged that the prisoner had eloped with the wife of a Lancashire gentle- man, and, having obtained from her her jewellery and luggage, deserted her in the City. She was said to have returned to Lancashire and there committed suicide. The Alderman said that as the witness who could have proved the case was dead, no ] ury would convict, and he discharged the accused.

i BIRMINGHAM ANGLERS. The Birmingham and District Angling Associa- tion held its annual contest at Abingdon-on-Thamea Dn Monday, when 1500 persons travelled by three special trains from the Midland city. Eleven hundred anglers were allotted swims, extending a distance of six miles. Tho weather was favour- able, and over 200 competitors weighed in fish, but the takes were small The first prize of ES and challenge cup of the value of £ 50 was awarded fos a bag weighing 2lb. 9|oz.