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MRs. HARRINGTON'S SECRET. BY HENRY FRITH. AUTHOR or The Mystery of Moor Farm The Skeleton Cupboard;" 11 The Black Shaft;" The Cruise of the Wasp;" The Huntiny of the Hydra;" "The Lost Trader;" "Search for the Talisman;" The Opal Mountain" The Red Spectre;" The Lock-Keeper's Secret;"$c,, tfe. [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] CHAPTER XXI. A MIDNIGHT EXCURSIOW. THE two men who had pursued Jonas Kedge, finding all further search useless, made the best of their way back to Walton to investigate the circumstances under which the late marine store-dealer had so suddenly developed homicidal tendencies. Jonas was not an universal favourite, and many had been outwitted by him in business transactions, but, never- theless, neither murder nor highway robbery was attributed to him. When, therefore, Donald called for help, and the constables he had paid to assist him had arrived, the boatmen had volunteered their assistance, with the idea of becoming partakers in the money or the prestige of the affair, or in both. He's gone, mate we may as well pull up homo," said one. So they pulled home in the dark, and arrived to find themselves famous at the Anglers' Inn. "Did ye ketch him, 'Enery," asked the land- lord. No," replied 'Enery, we didn't. If he's cotched it will be bad for him. But he won't be found he's rolled into some o' them holes under the piles below." "Drowned, eh?" said the landlord. "Well, Tom and I was discussin' that, and it's my pint, Tom!" Wait till the inquest; I ain't, goin'to pay pints before proofs is forthcomin'. But I'll tell ye one thing, young Mackenzie is badly beat by Jonas Kedge, and when he and Jonas comes to blows there's a reason, you may depend." "There's a reason for everything," replied the landlord: "but what could Mr. Mackenzie have to do with Jonas ? Kedge, rery likely, tried some game with him, and then the young gentleman called for assistance." Not him. They two constables was all ready. I see them waitin' a hour ago. It was a put-up job, and there's more in it than you expects," persisted Tom. It's nothing to me," replied the landlord. So now, good-night. It's time to close np, and I promised your missus to send you home, 'Enery. So good-night." Ye needn't trouble yourself about me, Mr. Adams: I can go home without being sent," said 'Enery," haughtily. Good-night," repeated Adams, laughing. You are all right, I know." All right ? Well, I should think so. I say, Tom, you a,int afraid of ghosts are ye ?" 11 Well, I dunno," replied Tom, stopping in the dark to scratch his head. I dunno; I never see one. I might be if I did. What made ye ask that ?" Because if you are not afraid, we might just go over and see whether Kedge's place is locked up safe." "Ah, certain, for sure we might. And we might hear of somethin' to our advantage; we was great friends of Kedge's, o' course. Poor old Jonas!" Much better we had a finger in his pie than another-eh, mate ? Come along, then. We'll go by the bridge; there's no one about." So these two "friends" of Jonas Kedge made their way towards his house, with the intent to appropriate any little souvenirs of the dead man which a kind fortune might put in their way. With this plausible end in view, the chums made their way across the old bridge, and approached the solitary cottage which had once called Jonas Kedge master. Don't quite like this here, somehow," said one to the other. Suppose Jonas' spirit should come out of the water and affront us?" Spirits don't come out o' water once they're mixed/' replied his companion, with pleasant humour, and they'll never 'affront' you if ye don't annoy them. Don't ye be afeared, mate." "Well, a" to afeared, I suppose I may be a little, considerin' the darkness and the ghost. What's that? Hush!" Only the wind in the trees. Come on, booby. There now, there's no one in the place. Close the door, and I'll strike a match." The two men entered as soft as if they were afraid of disturbing the inanimate objects in the room. Just as we always enter into a chamber of death, as silently as possible, so these men came cautiously in, and, having closed the door behind them. stood listening. All serene," remarked 'Enery," the bolder of the twain. "Now stand steady and I'll strike a light. We must pull across the curtain, though, or we shall be spotted. The curtain was drawn, the match was lighted, the candle was soon burning; then with cautious step and manner the men began their investigations. Here's been a row," remarked Tom, a shindy. Things is scattered all over the floor. Wish I could read this paper, mate it's been dropped unknown, I suppose. Nothin' in the cupboard, eh ? Bah Jonas had money somewhere. Wonder where it is! Perhaps in his bedroom. He was a cunnin' old fox. You may depend be had a lump somewhere. Let us go in and see," said Tom. Ain't you afraid, then, after all ? It's a case of penal' if we go and get caught." Never mind, we're in for it now, mate. It's only the ghost I'm afraid of. Come along." The scene was rather weird; the dim light, the crouching figures of the men, the gleam of the candle in their anxious and half-fearful faces, the flickering shadows on the wall, and, above all, the terrifying sense of silence which pervaded the cottage —a silence which was actually felt by both men— rendered their movements cautious and fearful, while adding to the effect of the somewhat ghostly sur- roundings. The tick-tick" of the common clock was painfully audible as the men entered the inner room, and Henry, holding up the candle, took a survey. "Ah!" he sighed, with a sense of great relief, here we are--all right. Now then, let us' look slippy.- It's eleven o'clock by this ticker, and, hush didn't you hear something?" No I didn't," replied Tom, nervously. What did you think you heard ?" "A creaking noise, like a door moving on rusty hinges," said the other. We musn't be caught here. There it is again." Perhaps it's the ghost," whispered Tom, who was much alarmed by this time. "Let's go home. I don't like this." No, neither do 1, and that's the truth. Heavens above there it is ?" He pointed to the window as he spoke. Tom lifted his head quickly to the level of the case- ment and came close to the grinning face of Jonas Kedge. With a cry of terror the men made for the door, and tumbled out into the darkness, leaving the candle behind them burning in the bedroom, on the floor, as they had placed it. In another moment a figure, dripping wet, entered the cottage and glanced round. itobbmg me, the varmints Hallo here's one paper left; that will do for evidence by-and-by. I must find the right man. Now for the < swag,' and then away from here for the present." Jonas still wet after his bath in the river, pro- ceeded at once to unearth his treasures from their hiding-place. He carried wit v. v,™ -j sum of money and a few books. An °f°n^ f peculiar colour he also carefully pocketed. Then he did a cnriou7thLTP "P He went outside and collected all J •, shaving, he could find and piled them the floor; upon this heap he poured some oil Td threw some pitch from the shed, leaving in th "l several openings, which he stuffed with paper and his remaining books. Then he placed the candle within the pile of combustible material, and watched the paper and the wood light, and spread into flame. That will do," he muttered. No one will take anvthing more. The ghost has burned his house, ha.! ha! They can't try spirits for arson. Spirits is above proof now, ha ha! So saying, he slunk quietly away, and took an observation of the cottage until the flames began to mount. Then perceiving that people were stirring, and approaching the burning cottage, he struck ag, across the fields and made the best of his way to London. Arrived there, he sought John Harrington un- successfully, until he met him accidentally at the shipper's office. Then his courage failed him. The fear of detention was too strong. I'll tell him some other time when I am out of reach. Too much to risk just now. Wait until I am on board, and then we shall see, Mr. Mackenzie, who will win the game," muttered Jonas Kedge. [ CHAPTER XXII. I (I THOU ART THE MAN." Two splendid vessels were speeding across the ocean to Australia, in each of which we are equally in- terested. The first has Lilian Manville for a pas- senger, the elegant young lady, so self-possessed, so demure, yet so pleasant withal, who is so entirely occupied in thinking of Edward Harrington that she is quite unconscious of the attentions of the gen tlemen who daily surround her. The Australian pushes its way through the yield- ing waves, leaving a foamy streak and a smoky cloud behind it. Every day widens the distance from England, and every night Lilian Manville goes to her berth wishing she were proceeding in the opposite direction. She has already learned to like Harrington, and she cherishes his memory. But she cannot alter past events, however much she may regret or deplore them. There is no turninn back now. A landing at Madeira served to change the current of her ideas for a time, and the pressing attentions of two gentlemen on board, each of whom flattered himself he was making good progress in the young lady's estimation, served in a degree to occupy Lilian's mind. At Madeira an excursion was planned —a common excursion enough but it was productive of a curious effect. There is above Funchal a convent, up to which excursions are frequently made. It is not super- latively easy to reach this building, and anyone who does not desire the effect of a Turkish bath will not attempt it. The excursionists are therefore carried up in conveyances like the Indian dandy-a kind of hammock slung upon poles, which are carried by two men each. Several persons from the ship united in the picnic, for the end and aim of all such expeditions, where Englishmen are concerned, appears to be eating and drinking. In this particular instance the beauty of the scenery was a greater temptation to the tourists than even the luxuries of ship's stores and iced champagne under the trees, the oaks and the pines, which, amid the tropical surroundings, gave a somewhat English aspect to the place. Lilian Manville was of course carried in the dandy or palanquin. She had taken with her a volume of poetry as a kind of defence against her devoted swains. It was one of the two books which Harrington had given her, and contained poems by Jeanlngelow. Her assumed name was on the fly- leaf, and Harrington's initials were underneath. The ascent was made. Close by the palanquin walked one of her admirers, who had determined to escort her up the ascent. Lilian consoled herself with the idea that he could not talk much on the way, and she only occasionally gave him the oppor- tunity. The views were lovely, and she enjoyed them to the full. When tney reached their destination. Mr. Arcott, the passenger aforesaid, persisted in paying consider- able attention to Miss Manville, and she, not wishing to be rude, accepted his escort. So it came to pass that they sat almost alone, looking down upon red roofs, through sugar canes and brilliant hues of flower and leaf, upon the sparkling sea beyond. "This is very beautiful," he said. Would joulike to live in Madeira, Miss Manville ?" "Very much," she replied; "that is, if my friends or relatives were here. It is a lovely spot." You would soon make friends," he replied, and such a place as this would be a paradise—with you." There was a serpent in Paradise, remember," she replied. "But my ultimate destination is far away. I shall die in Australia." Do you never intend to return to England again?" he inquired. Surely you will one day go back? By-the-by, Miss Manville, excuse my curiositv but it may be useful for you to know this. Have you 6een the papers on board ?" "No," she replied. "There is not much to interest me in nevspapers. I am not politically inclined, and unless there is something stirring, I seldom read even the list of 'hatched, matched, and despatched. Well, in one paper, which I have preserved, there is a paragraph which will, I venture to think, interest you, if your name is Lilian." Yes, it is but how can any newspaper paragraph concern me ? My name is not likely to appear except when I am dead, even if anyone will take the trouble to insert the notice of my death, which I doubt." You are morbid, Miss Manville, but listen. Shall I read the paragraph, or will you ?" Oh, you may read it, Mr. Arcott. I daresay it is not intended for me at all." Then Mr. Arcott read as follows from a weekly paper: The sudden death of Mr. Harrington, the well- known banker, took place last Friday evening at his residence, Ivy Lodge, near Weybridge. We are given to understand that the bulk of his immense property descends by will to his widow, with certain legacies to her daughter and Miss Lilian Manville, the ward of the deceased gentleman." Lilian Manville sprang from her seat. Let me see that paper, please, Mr. Arcott," she cried. "Wait a moment, there is something more," he Baid, withholding it. You must really Give it to she exclaimed, almost angrily. Surely I may look at the paragraph in a weekly paper ?" Yes, but "Yes, but—I am waiting, Mr. Arcott. Why did you offer it to me just now if I may not read it ?" You said it could not interest you," he replied. But there is the paragraph," he added, turning the paper down. Lilian perused it attentively, and the tears gathered in her eyes. I wish I had seen this before," she said. This is the paper of the date we left Plymouth, is it not ?" Yes, I got it at the last minute almost. It was brought by a friend of mine. I am sorry if I have in any way pained you, but I fancied you would be benefitted by knowing." Ye -fi- k-, I am sure you acted for the s, t an t 7011; best; but what is this—the next paragraph? You didn't tell me of this: Suspicious circumstance— Mr. Mackenzie-Mr. John Edward Harrington!- what does it all mean? I am quite bewildered," cried Lilian. "There were some remarks made concerning old Mr. Harrington's death," replied her companion. The terms of the will—the suddenness of the death —were commented on. The local gossips gave rise to ridiculous rumours. Do not be alarmed." "I am not alarmed," replied Lilian, sadly, "only sorry. Poor Mr. Harrington! He was my guardian, Mr. Arcott, and though, from certain circumstances, I was obliged to leave the Lodge, he was always kind." But will you continue your voyage ? Under the circumstances, will you not return to England ?" No. The money will reach me all in good time. I am in no want of it. Now, I think I will go back to the ship, Mr. Arcott, for I shall be glad to be quiet." She had indeed much food for reflection. So think- ing of her future, and the chances against her ever meeting Harrington again, she descended to the town and at once went on board the vessel. The Australian was detained at the island longer than had been expected, in consequence of an accident, and when she did take her departure she passed,a large vessel making for Funchal. A bundle of English newspapers was tossed on board. The passengers stared at each other. One gentleman sprang up in the bulwarks and waved his hat—others cheered because he seemed to cheer. The ships separated immediately, but two people had recognised each other. Lilian waved her handkerchief to the man of all others she wished to see-John Edward Harrington. He was terribly put out when the captain declined to signal the other ship to lie to. I cannot, sir," he replied, in response to Har- rington's request; "she is long behind her time already. You may rest easy, we shall overtake her, very likely." "I would give a hundred pounds to do so," said Harrington. We will do our duty without being paid for it," replied the captain, walking forward; and Harrinm ton felt snubbed. For many a weary day did the young man per- ambulate the deck seeking in vain for the smoke of the Australian. Hour after hour, time after time, be deluded himself into the belief that some cloud or other was the ship which he desired above all things to see. But daily he was disappointed, and nightly he went to his berth to hope and to dream of Lilian, until at length he became fretful and quite unlike himself. All his hopes were. doomed to disappointment, however. A violent storm arose, and for several hours the ship was in great danger. Head to wind, she struggled bravely, while giant waves dashing fore and aft threatened to wash every movable thing over- board. Harrington, with other passengers, was badly bruised. Some of the steerage passengers also were injured, and one man was reported to be dying. The fine ship staggered, rolled, and plunged, so that every minute it was expected the masts or spars would five way and occasion grave disaster. But after twelve hours the gale abated, and the proper course was resumed. John Harrington, as he lay in his berth, still under the doctor's care. tormented himself in his fears con- cerning the Australian, nor did the assurances of the captain that in all human probability the other steamer had been quite out of the line of the tempest latisfv him entirely. But he endeavoured to console himself, and bad partly succeeded, when a new excitement quite changed the current of his thoughts. We mentioned that amongst the passengers in the steerage was an individual who had been very much hurt when the ship had lurched and one day when the doctor was attending to Harrington the surgeon mentioned this. My attention was particularly directed to the fellow," said he, because yesterday, in his delirium, he distinctly pronounced your name." Pronounced my name!" exclaimed Harrington; are you quite sure ?" Certain," answered the doctor, as he proceeded to examine his patient's arm: quite positive. Yes, you are much better to-day. That will do. He also mentioned a man called Mackenzie." "Mackenzie! Surely, you cannot be mistaken! My uncle married a Mrs. Mackenzie. There is some- thing very odd in this coincidence. Where is this man ? What did he say, doctor ?" "He is in the steerage. He made some curious statements which few overheard. He rambled for a long time about a will and a bottle of poison, and then he named Harrington and Mackenzie, and raved about the heir being sold' by a woman. Have you any ideas concerning these statements ? They can- not remain unnoticed much longer, because in the papers there were remarks concerning a curiously sudden way in which the old banker, Aaron Harring- ton, died the other day!" He was my uncle," replied the young man. "Can I see this fellow in the steerage ? I should like to fathom this business." You are interested, then ?" said the doctor, with sudden suspicion. You knew, perhaps, that the man was on board ?" No, certainly not," answered Harrington. "What is he like ?" The doctor described him very accurately and in a sudden flash of memory Harrington recalled the person who had selected him to inquire concerning his passage. He started, and the doctor remarked the move- ment. Where is the man ?—I will go and see him," said Harrington, rising wearily. There is no objection, 1 suppose I N—no," replied the doctor, hesitating a little: I suppose you would recognise him ? His ravings are rather damaging; or rather they would be damaging were they not ravings." Harrington said no more. The doctor led the way to the steerage" quarter, and in a few minutes the men stood by the bed-side of the sick passenger. Harrington recognised the man at a glance. He was the same person who had accosted him in London, wasted by illness and distress of mind, but undoubtedly Jonas Kedge. As they stood regarding bim, the sick man rose up and after staring at Har rington for a minute screamed: There he is Secure him he's the heir. Where's my papers—the will and the te stament! You shall not escape Hold him fast!" Harrington grew pale, and then red. The doctor's eyes were upon him. Suspicion had already been aroused by the young man's eagerness to reach bis destination. Perhaps his accomplice had tracked him at any rate, he had denounced him, and some notice must be taken of the circumstances. The doctor looked gravely at Harrington. Do you know him ?" he asked. No," answered the young man I've seen him once, I think." He knows you," said the doctor, quietly. But Harrington's answer was drowned by the cries of the invalid, who then mumbled his words; and finally, after invoking the aid of the law, sank into a restless lethargy. There is something in this which needs explana- tion," said Harrington. There is, indeed," replied the doctor, drily; and it is my duty to repeat it to the captain. You will make no attempt to escape, I suppose ?" Escape exclaimed the young man, aghast. Yes you have heard the accusation and you must answer it!" CHAPTER XXIII. I LILIAN MANVILLE REACHES VICTORIA. I LITTLE did Lily Manville suspect the imputations to which John E. Harrington's conduct had given rise. The glimpse she had had of him as the ships passed in and out of the harbour convinced her that he was seeking her. He had received her letter evidently, and was coming to plead his cause. „ But she could not see him-she must not. After the way in which she had treated him, she felt bound to write him a few lines of farewell, but after that, what more could she say ? Surely he would never follow her to Australia and claim her hand ? The very idea brought the blush to her cheek, and yet she experienced a curious feeling of satisfaction in think- ing of the young man. There is no need to detail the incidents of the voyage to the colony. The vessel ploughed her way to Australia, by the long sea-route. Lily took little part in the amusements devised by the passengers for relieving the monotony of the voyage. She smiled at the newspaper which was initiated, and laughed at some of the "exchanges" advertised in it. The amateur theatricals wearied her, and the case of Regina v. Waddell—a passenger-for the murder of William Shakespeare, poet, was not even honoured by her presence in court. The proceedings were brought to a summary conclusion by the lurching of the ship, which flung the presiding judge into the jury-box, and half killed him as he was about to pro- nounce the sentence of death. Mr. Arcott's attentions becoming more and more marked, our heroine kept aloof from him, and she finally obtained the character of a proud minx." The Bosphorous, with the homeward mails from the, Cape, created a little excitement. A look in at Ascension in order to obtain more coal gave the passengers a little amusement; but Lilian declined to go up the Green Mountain with the other pas- sengers, and was unanimously voted to be in love.' She really began to, be afraid that she cared for Harrington; but she did not dare to ask herself how much. So the time passed. The Cape was left. A severe gale was encountered, and after the storm had ceased, the steamer Vulcan, of the Royal Navy, appeared and hove to. Many questions were put and answered concerning events in the colony but the answers did not appear very satisfactory to some of the party on board, for their high spirits deserted them, and they were severely silent after H.M.S.S. Vulcan had disappeared with the Sydney mails. One morning, about a fortnight after speaking the Vulcan, a cry of Land ahead I" reached Lily in her cabin. She hurried on deck with many other passengers, and Kangaroo Island was reported. This was her first glimpse of the Antipodes. What a thrill of hope pervaded her as she watched the gradually approaching shores of the North Arm, and presently the ship dropped her anchor in Port Adelaide. Here Lily was witness of a fatal accident, which, for a few days, quite affected her spirits, and made her welcome to the Antipodes anything but a pleasant one. Some people, a man with his wife 'and children, had come out to settle in Adelaide. They had more than once made liberal offers to Lilian to remain with them, and she would under other circumstances have consented. But her older friends were to meet her at Port Philip, and she had accordingly declined all other suggestions. Good-bye, then, Miss Manville," said Mr. Heron. Good-bye. We will always remember you. Come and see us whenever you may chance to be anywhere near. You will find us out, I daresay." Lilian knew the invitation was zenuine but there was little hope of its ever being accepted. Her future was in the settlement far away—within a coach-ride of Ballarat, only up by the Kangaroo Creek, where no one would ever come to seek her under the wooded hills. Farewells were exchanged. Mr. Heron and his family got into the boat they had hired, and all were ready save one. Mr. Arcott had begged a passage, and he lingered with Lilian. "Miss Manville, I am going away. For the last time I ask you to be my wife. I am desperate, despairing. Will you drive me to madness and death?" Mr. Arcott, I have no answer to such ravings," she replied. "I can never be your wife. Fare- well Farewell for ever he said. On your head be it." She made no answer to this. Her tormentor had disappeared. He entered the boat, and it pushed off. Lilian waved her handkerchief in response to Mrs. Heron's farewell. The boat flew along before the gusty breeze. Mr. Arcott was standing by the little mast. He waved his hand, and Lilian kindly responded. They could see from the ship the darkening water and the coming squall. Not so those in the boat. A warning hail was sent across the sea, but it was not heard, or if heard, not understood. "Look out squall approaching 1" roared the mate through his hands. Sit fast!" But the man still stood up, waving his hand, and the sail remained unaltered. With a booming gust the wind struck the too heavily laden boat. She lay over, and in a moment the luggage shifted. The man standing by the mast was flung headlong into the sea, and Lilian saw no more. The boat eventually was recovered by the exertions of the sailors; but Mr. Arcott, Mr. Heron, and one child were drowned. On the very threshold of the new world they passed into the Better Land. This accident made a deep impression, and when her kind friend, Mr. Butler, came on board at Port Philip he found her in a very depressed condition. We must cheer you up," he said. Let us get ashore as soon as we can. You must rough it to- night, but to-morrow we will carry you off to the station-our little settlement, I mean-and vou will be happy." W Even then Lilian's heart sank. She would be carried up the country, and John Harrington would never hear of her, perhaps. "There is one thing I should like to do," she said. "Poor Mrs. Heron is at Port Adelaide. May I send her my address ? She may require assistance, and you- Certainly," replied Mr. Butler, whe treated Lilian as his daughter rather than his children's governess. "I will write and tell my agent at Adelaide to help them, if need be. My brother is my agent, Miss Manville, (I suppose you have given up the other name now), and will soon set matters right." Lilian kept reproaching herself on account of the Lilian kept reproaching herself on account of the accident, and Mr. Butler did all he could to reassure her. They went ashore-first in a wretched little steamer up the Yarra-Yarra-and were landed in Melbourne. It is a fortunate circumstance that you are not alone," said Mr. Butler. "The place swarms with desperate and reckless characters. Look at these poor, houseless creatures. There is no room for them, and if it rains to-night as it can rain, they will scarcely survive the week." Is it the gold digging that breeds all this misery ?" asked Lilian, wearily. Bless ye, yes," said Mr. Butler, anxious to cheer and interest her. Why, you would scarcely believe the things which happen here. The Governor's wife once wanted some velvet for a dress, but the price was too high, and Lady Latrobe declined to purchase it. A miner in the shop heard the conversation, and inquired the price of the whole piece. He threw down the money, and had the velvet sent up to Government House as a present to her ladyship." How extraordinary!" exclaimed Lilian. They are very reckless, I am afraid Reckless!—well, a little," replied her companion. l have myself seen one of these fellows purchasing a dozen of champagne, at a pound a bottle, simply to wash in it! You people in the old world do not i know what is going on here. Come, here is our hotel. I have secured you a room. It is rough, I grant, hut it is only for one night. We start to-morrow for the Creek. One evening in Melbourne is enough for any respectable person, I assure you." Lilian thought so too before morning. There seemed a reign of utter lawlessness in the town. Murder and outrage were so common that no one troubled himself about the victims, or the assassins, or the robbers. Those who had made money were insolent, those who had lost it were desperate and drunken. The very servant who was addressed by Lilian, who propitiated her with a present, told the young lady she must wait upon herself if she wanted anything. So tired out, dispirited, regretful, with her thoughts upon the ocean, Lilian WRnville passed her first night in Australia in misery and tears. It was for this she had refused John Harrington, and despised his love in her pride He was already revenged, she thought. How could she have acted otherwise ? Yet she began to think she was destined to work harm to all who cared for her. She was" unlucky," she said, and she felt so. (To be continued,)

SILK GIIOXYTHS AND WEAVERS. UNEASINESS IN THE TRADE. A good deal of uneasiness nas been causer} among silk growers and weavers by the intro- duction of an artificial product so muck resembling silk that it has been feared that its low price may undersell the genuine article, and cause the difficulties of the silk trade to be furthr accentuated. The artificial silk is prod-Leed in several ways, ,an) however, having cellulose as their basis. The cellulose is first transformed, into gun- cotton, which is dissolved in alcohol and ether, and passed through a fine sieve. It may be dis- solved in other ways, but the result is prac- tically the same, it becomes a vegetable fibre like cotton, linen, canvas, or even wood-pulp. Hence, what is called artificial silk is nothing but cellulose or vegetable fibre more or less modified in its molecular composition and in. its physical structure, but chemically little, if ,at all, different from its original material, while between real silk and such materials as cotton and linen the difference is that tha former contains azotes to the amount of rather more than one-sixth of its weight, and the latter contains none at all. It must be admitted that artificial silk has » fine lustre, but, on the other hand, it has many important draw-backs. It will not stand being pulled, it has but little elasticity, its specific gravity is fa.r greater than that of silk, it ia very inflammable, and at the slightest action of water or even of damp it tears easily. These defects render the product unsuitable for dresa materials or any uses where wear and tea-r hava to enter into the calculation. Its inflammability alone makes it unsuitable for covering furnitura or for curtains and hangings, and its suscepti- bility to injury from rain and damp renders it useless out of doors. Its cost is also not really so very much lc8 than that of true silk. No doubt as methods improve artificial silk will become better as well as cheaper, but the variety of the processes and the expene.e of the plant make it doubtful that it can ever fall below certain tolerably high limits.

A PLEA FOR RURAL RESORTS. OVERCROWDING AT THE SEASIDES. There is great alarm existing in reference to the alleged overcrowding at the seaside resorts. It may be truthfully said, that during the height of the season there is no popular seaside resort which is not illegally overcrowded, and that if the sanitary authorities rigidly enforced the Pub- lic Health Act, crowds of people would be turned adrift to wander elsewhere- for lodgings. In their search for health, thousands of neeme are content to herd together in badly lighted, worse ventilated rooms, and to suffer untold inconveni- ences in order to ensure their annual holiday at the seaside. It is no uncommon tl-iing for a house built to hold a family of, say, seven, to accommodate, during the pressure of visitors, three times that number. and it is quite safe to say that in such cases all the good obtained in the fresh air during the day is undone in the stuffy, crowded bedrooms at night. That overcrowrding is rampant at this season is perfectly well known to the sanitary autho- rities, but owing to the fact that it is to this overcrowding that they look for the ability for a non-industrial population to pay the high. rates prevailing, the offence—for such it is— is winked at. Besides, it is but temporary in its character, and, therefore, by the time the notices could be served and the order carried out the season would He over. For all that, the suggestion to minimise, as far as possible, ithe miserv and unhealthiness which overcrowd- ing begets, is a timely one, and ought to be adopted. If something be not done the pub- lic who go to the seaside for their annual "set tip" for the winter, and pay verv dearly both for lodgings, and food, will discover that attrac- tive rural dfetrids offer equal, and in some re- spects greater, advantages "in health, while the tax upon the purse is infinitely lighter.

WORKMAN'S HOME IN GERMANY. ENGLISHMAN'S SURPRISE VISIT. A Birmingham man recently visited Gernxsny, and thus he describes the home, of the working- man in that country: I paid a surprise visit to the home of a man earning 35s. to 38s. a week--a tenement on a fourth flat, rented at 7s. per week. Note is taken of the staircase from the street, scrupulously clean and neatly matted, and gerv- in for two families on each floor of a lofty building in a wide street. The principal apart- ment is a bed-room-sitting room, with two large double-glazed windows. It is well and substan- tially furnished, two single beds lying along one side of the room, with a child's bed filling up the space between. Babies are not allowed by law to share the bed with the mother. They must have a cradle to sleep in, and so no C8,ses of overlaying are reported. The room is warmed by a closed stove of glazed white tiles, from which there is no dust or smoke. We considered some articles of food decidedly dearer than in England, but that for some reason the working people are unmistakably better nourished. They appear to enjoy their work more. and to be able to work more easily, and with more satisfaction, and also to have a better home than our brasfiworkers in Birmingham. Nothing is wasted. I! Everything is utilised and made the most of—nourishing broths from scraps of meat, bones. &c., Boups being a daily fare. Cooking is not taught in the board schools, but by the mother. The system of payment is always cash, all clothing, boots end foodstuffs are paid for in cash—no credit. It is usual for working-men to have an allotment garden, in which a certain amount of vegetables are grown. From what we could gather, meat, butter, ham, and bacon were dearer than in Eng- land, bread a little dearer, and eggs and milk cheaper. Clothing costs about the same, but more economy is practised, and more care is taken of the garments. The clothes worn are substan- tial, quiet in colour, scrupulously tidv. and well cared for.

ROYAL NEST EGGS. Revolutionary rainy days would not find. the rulers of Europe unprepared. Should the Russian war precipitate a revolution the Czar, could he flee the country, would find a comfortable fortune awaiting him on deposit in London and Paris. Alexander II. left nearly £ 1,000;000 as the savings of his lifetime, and the present ruler makes frequent deposits with both the Bank of England and the French National Bank. Leopold of Belgium, in addition to his income as ruler, is the firm of Leopold & Co., the largest dealers in rubber in the world. In spite of his iavish expenditure, he could abandon his kingly state and still be insured a comfortable income from his investments. King George of Greece speculates in grain and puts his gains into solid stocks, and the personal fortune of the Sultan of Turkey is scattered pretty well through Europe, not one penny of it being on deposit in his own land. He owns one entire street in Constantinople and also has large sugar interests in India. Most of the other rulers have a share of their private fortune on deposit in some country other than their own, and the Bank of England has as depositor practically every member of the reigning families of Europe.

HORSES MOST DANGEROUS. I An automobilist expert has compiled figures showing that the horse drawn vehicle is far more dangerous than the automobile, since in the last twenty-eight months 939 persons were killed and more than 6000 severely injured. He admits that there are more horse drawn vehicles than motor cars, but insists that in pro- portion the horse is at least twenty-five per cent more deadly than auto cars, and predicts that in the course of time when the people have grown more used to the automobile the death rate will be cut down to a fraction of what it is at present, since the cars are provided with quick acting brakes and can be brought to a stop more quickly I in time of need than a horse.

Husband "I wonder why all miners we read of are old bachelors?" Wife: "Oh, married misers are so common they are not worth mentioning." Customer: "You say, then, that this material is the] atest 1" Shopman: "The very latest, madam." "But will' it fade in the sun?" "W11Y it has been lying in the window for two years- and look how well it has stood." Mrs. Littlewit (proudly): "Only just think' Charles has gone to addrese a public gathering. Friend: I didn't know he was a speech- maker." Mrs. Littlewit: "Nor 1; but he's been called spon to make a statement before a meeting of his creditors." Scribbler: cc Would you call yourself a poet Or simply a versifier?" Scrawler: cc Well, when the editor lights his pipe with my stuff it's a case of verse afire." cc Jobson, I do believe that if you were given the choice between me and your pipe you would biefiitate." That's where you make a mistake, Mrs. Jobson. A pipe soothes and comforts a map,.in his old wse." I

1 HOME HINTS. To Keep Ice from Melting.—Now that ice has grown of late years indispensable to the house- keeper, it is well to know how tLe twopenny or threepenny block delivered daily by the lish- monger may best be kept in hot wea:her. Take a deep basin or earthen pan, stand a colander in it, and in the colander place the ice, care- fully wrapped in a piece of thick, clean, new blanket kept for the purpose. Any ice-water will drain away from the block, and it may thus be preserved for a considerable time, if put in the coolest place available and en the floor. The method given is adopted with success where there is no ice-cellar. Fish Carving Hints.—Whole fish, like baked haddock or bass, and portions of thick fish, like halibut and salmon, should be cut in thick portions down to the backbone, but not througa it; then remove the bone and serve the flesh from the under side, says Mary J. Lincoln in the "Philadelphia Press." Thin fish for broiling are first split down the back, the bone is removed, and when served they are divided down the middle,. Portions from the middle of each half are considered the best. Pineapple Omelet.—To make a. pineapple. omelet beat three eggs for one minute with one teaspoonful of lemon juice and one heaping teaspoonful of powdered sugar. Put this in a frying pan with a teaspoonful of melted butter. Set on the stove, and as soon as the omelet cooks at the bottom break it a little in different places with a fork to allow the uncocked por- tions to run down on the pan. When it is still a little liquid put in the middle of the omelet a heaping tablespoonful of fresh or canned pine- apple, chopped fine. Fold the omelet, turn out on a hot dish, dust a little powdered sugar over the surface and send to the table as a dessert. For the Evening Meal.—For an excellent supper dish, scrape the centres from tomatoes with a. spoon, after cutting off the tops. Boil two tablespoonfuls of well-washed rice in a quart of boiling water for about half an hour, until tender, then drain; melt two even table- spoonfuls of butter in a frying pan, add a tea- spoonful of minced onion, and, after frying slowly for ten minutes, add the centres of the tomatoes, the boiled rice, and a ea-ltspoonful of salt. Mix well, and add as filling in the tomatoes. Scatter breadcrumbs on top of each and bake in an open, buttered pan for twenty or thirty minutes. Julienne Soup.—Cut into small strips equal quantities of turnips, carrots, and celery; slightly brown over a slow fire in a little fresh butter. Add some strips of leek or onion, some lettuce, sorrel leaves, and a lump of sugar. Boil all these vegetables in your stock over a slow fire for an hour, and just before serving add a tablespoonful of green peas and two of asparagus heads, both previously boiled in salted water. Pour into the soup tureen over cubes of fried bread crusts, and be sure that no fat remains on the soup. Cocoanut Cake is a favourite American dainty, made in the following manner —Whites of six eggs, one half-cup of butter, two cups of sugar, one cup of sweet milk, three cups of flour, two teaspoonfuls of baking-powder; for putting in between the layers, mix the whites of three eggs beaten to a stiff froth, and thicken with white sugar spread on each layer, then sprinkle with grated cocoanut thick, and if you want. it white all over, spread on the top and inside of the cake just a.s on the layers. This cake is now to be bought in some of the London confectioners' shops. Mushrooms.—The mushrooms proper to be used in cookery grow in the open pasture land for those that grow near or under trees are poisonous. The eatable mushrooms first appear very small, and of a round form, on a little stalk. They grow very rapidly, and the upper part and stalk are white. As they increase in size, the under part gra-dually opens, and shows a fringed fur of a very fine salmon colour, which continues more or less till the mushroom has gained some size, and then turns to a dark brown. These marks should be attended to, and likewise whether the skin can be easily parted from the edge and middle, and whether they have a pleasant smell. Those which are poi- sonous have a yellow skin, and, under part has not the clear flesh colour of the real mush- room besides which, they smell rank and dis- agreeable, and the fur is white or yellow. In stewing, if you wish to have the full taste cf the mushroom only, after washing, trimming, and peeling them, put them into a stewpan with a little salt and no water. Set them on coals, and stew them gently until tender, adding nothing to them but a little butter rolled in flour, or else a little cream. Be sure to keep the pan well covered. Lancashire Parkin.-Put into a large bowl two pounds of medium oatmeal, half a pound of flour, half an ounce of ground ginger, one table- spoonful of moist sugar, and two tea-spoonfuls of baking-powder. Mix these thoroughly to- gether, and make a hole in the centre. Slightly melt two pounds of treacle and pour into this hole. Stir in the dry ingredients, thus making a rather stiff paste. Melt half a pound of butter, or good dripping, in a baking-tin about three inches deep, and put in the mixture. It must, like gingerbread, be baked in a very gentle oven, and requires the same time for cooking. When done enough, remove it from the oven, but not from the tin. Set it in a cool place, and let it remain a week before using it. When first baked it is very hard, but at the end of the week it will be found nice and moist. Before sending it to table, break it into neat pieces. This is better than cutting it. Pickled Onions.—Take off the outer skin and put the onions into a strong brine of salt and water, which has been boiled and allowed to cool. After standing three or four hours, strain, dry the onions in a. soft cloth, remove a second skin. and place in glass bottles or jars. Boil the spices in the vinegar, and when cold strain it and fill up the hottles. Cover and tie down. Of course it is understood that small pickling onions must be used. Large onions do not give 6atis- factory results. Pickled Red Cabbage.—Slice a large firm ealb- bage very thinly, lay on a dish with plenty of salt between the layers, put a weight on top, and leave until the following day. Place in a col- ander and rinse thoroughly—under a tap if pos- sible-and dry well by shaking in soft cloths. Boil one quart of vinegar with half an ounce eacn of whole black pepper, whole allspice, and bruised ginger, and when cold pour over the cabbage. Put into bottles, cork and seal well, and keep in a cold room. Pickled Gherkins.—Place the gherkins in strong brine in a covered vessel for three days. When they have begun to fade drain them, place them in an earthen pan and cover them with (boiling vinegar; put in some bay leaves, and stand the pan in a warm position. Next day, strain off the vinegar, boil it again, a,nd pour whilst hot over the gherkins repeat this pro- cess daily until the bright green colour has returned; then place the gherkins in wide necked pickle bottles, and fill up with fresh vinegar boiled with half dozen bay leaves one ounce whole pepper, and a couple of blades of mace to each quart. Cork the bottles tightly, and seal well or dip in melted wax. Pickled Nasturtium Seeds.—These form an ex- cellent substitute for capers, and their prepara- tion is so simple that anyone growing the plants should fill a bottle or two with the pungent flavoured seeds. To each pint of cold vinegar add one ounce of salt, a teaspoonful of whole allspice, and, if liked, a pod or two of cayenne pepper. Wipe the seeds free from dust, put"them in bottles, cover with the vinegar, and cork closely. If enough cannot be procured at once to fill a bottle, the seeds may be added daily as gathered, the bottle in the meantime being kept well corked. As the seeds are at their best a-fter about a year's pickling, it is well to make them one season to be used the next.

FINGER-PRINTo. POLICE SYSTEM DANGEROUS. Mr. Henry Faulds, who was for many years surgeon-superintendent of Tsoikiji Hospital, Tokio, in a little book just published, eays that the methods employed at present to test ideati by finger-prints are not all that can be desired. c IV Deaimg with the identification of criminals, tho author says if the imprints of the whole ten fingers. of convicted criminals are kept on official record, as in England they are now, any system of indexing must inevitably lead to prompt and unerring recognition. When fewer than ten fingers are on re-cord, the question descends to- a problem of probabilities. It has been laid down," he states, "that 4 points of agreement in a possible 40 or so, which an average single finger-print contains, is enough to secure an infallible identification by the 'experts of Scotland Yard. Three points, it is said, may be found to agree in two finger-prints taken from different, persons, but never can there be found a case with four. This, however, is absolute iuid utter nonsense." Discussing the Deptford "mack IDurdoers" case, Mr. Faulds says that if the smudge left by the condemned man (Stratton) who died for the crime, in old Mr. Farrow's cash-box, the culprit must have moved his finger curiously during the imprint, or the smudge is a complex palimpsest, which no expert could interpret with decision. It is likely that in an old man's well- fingered cash-box there were more than one smudge to be found. Scotland Yard possibly got hold of the wrong one. It served a purpose, and may, for a time at least, be the standard example of a Fptal finger-print.' Fatal I fondly trust it may prove to be to the fallacious IIInd unfair application of a system that, in this stage of its history, demands not a little of that cautious common sense which is really science in the best sense of the word."