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

Mr. John Arthur, a Canadian horse-breeder, offers to beit S300 Itc, 40- that no one has ever eeen a white foal. "Mte focuses, he declares, are a (bluish colour at birifch, and: beoomawhioo e&,be,rwiaxds. A va-luable owl in (the GenrW Park menagerie, New York, has, for gome •unknown reason, lost e,ll its feaJthers. It will be supplied with "trou- and (Coverings for Itihe claims to protect it from the cold. For baiting a horsle in the upper lip, George Soler, a New York blacksmith, has been fined £ 5. Apoillioeman testified that he 6W Soler beating the horse with the harness trace, and that when it refused to move he bit the animal in the lip.

STBANGE AND WONDERFUL. I Curious Relic. This curious italic is to be found in the top loft (the rafters of which are shown) of an old monastery near Cirencester, which is 7ictw a farmhouse, and the mill (probably cut lerust 350 years old) is the only relic of the monastic pur- pose of the building. It was used by the monks for grinding their corn, and the "dress," or toolmarke, of the steel pick used to break up the surface of the stone are still piLainiy visible. ▲ QUAINT HANDMILIi. I This stone the photographer stood on edge vertically, to show its face, but it, of course, worked in a, horizontal position. The arrange- ment of the gear is quaint—many of the teeth axe broken off, and the wooden casing of the handle has nearly crumbled' away. The frame is of oak, and) traces of ornamental carving still show on it. Laying Sea Cables. For landing heavy submarine telegraph cables the method; employed is unfamiliar to most people, and is an interesting process. Two light ropes tare first brought ashore from the cable-laying ship; one is passed round a pulley firmly secured, into the ground and spliced to the second. On an agreedi signal being given, the ship, which is, of course, anchored, hauls on one end of the rope, and a heavier rope attached to the other end is drawn in to the shore. This also passes round the pulley, and is taken back to the ship, but previous to its second) end leaving the vessel the cable itself is attached to it. A number of barrels are them fixed at regular intervals between the vessel and the shore, and over these the cable passes, thins facilitating the ¡ hauling of the cable. When the shore end of the cable has been made fast the barrels ill:0 1 released and the cable drops to the bottom. T The cable-steamer then heads seawards, paying I out the cable as it proceeds. I The Devil's Corkscrews. Nobody knows with certainty what the BO- called "devil's corkscrews" really are. They are found by tens of thousands out in Nebraska, most particularly in Sioux county, and! some of them are as much as forty feet in height, with- out counting the gigantic "roots" presently to be described. Quartz is the substance of which they are madle, but how they came to be embedded, numbers of them together, in the sandstone cliffs of that region, is more than anybody can tell, unless, perhaps, one theory is to be accepted as correct. Professor E. H. Barbour, of the University of Nebraska, declares QUARRYING OUT A GIANT CORKSCREW. I -and. his decision is accepted provisionally, until somebody offers a better—that the cork- screws are. of vegetable origin. They are foseil caste of, the prehistoric water weeds. just as they stoodl when they grew hundreds of thousands and probably millions of years ago. Their tissues were replaced, as they decayed, by silica from the water, particle by particle, and thus, as if by magical means, their like- nesses have been preserved for the, wonder and I admiration. of the present survivors on the earth. Making New Money. As the New Year is essentially the time for I tips, and as the modest shilling or half-crown assumes an inereased value if it is bright and ) new from the Mint, there is always a great demand for new coins, and for some time before the festive season the Royal Mint on Tower Hill is exceptionally busy. We give an illus- tration of one of the rooms where the machinery is in full work. In th;c> room there are eighteen coining presses, each one of which its capable of striking 110 per minute, so I A SCENE AT THE MINT. I that when all are at work 1,980 new coins come into existence. Our readers, remarks the "London Argus" may exercise their leisured moments by multiplying this number by sixty to discover the number produced in one hour, by eight to obtain the for a day, by seven for a week, and by fifty-two for a year. And when the grand total is discovered a further arithmetical problem will be to discover how many coins will fall to the lot of each member of the population.

NEW YEAR HONOURS, j AN INDIAN LIST. I In a special supplement to the "London Gazette "issued on Sunday night a list of New Year Indian honours was announced as follows: The King has been pleased to make the follow- In a special supplement to the "London issued On Sunday night a list of New Year Indian honours was announced as follows: The King has been pleased to make the follow- ing promotions in and appointments to the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India TO BE A KNIGHT GRAND COMMANDER. I His Highness garamad-i-Raiaha-i-Bundelkhand Maharaja Mahindra Sawai Sir Pratap Singh Bahadur, G.C.I.E., of Orchha. Bahadur, G.C.I.E., of Orchha. TO BE KNIGHTS COMMANDERS: I Mr. Joseph Bampfylde Fuller, C.S.I., C.I.E., Indian Civil Service, Lieutenant-Governor of Eastern Bengal and Assam. Lieutenant-Colonel Harold Arthur Deane, C.S.I., Chief Commissioner and Agent to the Governor- General, North-West Frontier Province. Sir Edward FitzGerald Law, K.C.M.G., C.S.I., lately an Ordinary Member of the Council of the Governor-General. His Highness Raja Bhure Singh, C.I.E., of Chamba. Eleven Companions of the Order are also ap- pointed. The King has been pleased te make the follow- tng promotions in and appointments to the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire. TO BE KNIGHTS GRAND COMMANDERS: I Major-General Sir Edmond Roche Elles, K.C.B-, K.C.I.E., lately an Ordinary Member of the Council °f the Governor-General. His Highness Nawab Sidi Sir Ahmed Khan Sidi Ibrahim Khan, K.C.I.E., of Janjira. I 'U. TO BE A KNIGHT COMMANDER: I major Arthur Henry MacMahon, C.S.I., C.I.E., Political Department of the Government of India, lately British Commissioner, Seistan Arbitration Commission. There are also nineteen appointments to a Com- panionship of the Order. KNIGHTHOODS. I The King has been pleased to confer the honour of Knighthood upon the following gentlemen Mr. George Edward Knox, Indian Civil Service, Puisne Judge High Court of Judicature at Allahabad Mr. Ralph Sillery Benson, Indian Civil Service, Puisne Judge of the High Court of Judicature at Fort St. George, Madras; Mr. Harvey Adamson, C.S.I., Indian Civil Service, Chief Judge, Chief Court, Lower Burmah; Mr. Walter Charleton Hughes, C.I.E., chairman of the Bombay Port Trust, and an additional member of the Council of the Governor of Bombay for making laws and regulations; Mr. Alexander Pedler, C.I.E., Director of Public In- struction, Bengal, and Vice-Chancellor of the Calcutta University; Mr. William Dickson Cruick- shank, C.I.E., secretary and treasurer Bank of Bengal; and Mr. James Buckingham, C.I.E., lately of Assam. In the case of several notabilities an addition of two guns has been made to their salute of fifteen guns, this being an honour that is very highly prized. A number of awards are also announced of the Kaisar-I-Hind Medal for public service in India. NAVAL. I The Admiralty have made the following pro- motions in the Royal Navy: Captain Spencer Henry Metcalfe Login, C.Y.O., A.D.C., Commodore Second Class, has been pro- mated to the rank of Rear-Admiral in His Majesty's Fleet, to date January 1, 1906. The following commanders are to be captains: Drury St. Aubyn Wake, Stuart St. John Farqu- har, Herbert Orpen, Hon. Stanhope Hawke, Edward Herbert Moubray, Herbert James Ogilvy Miller, James Andrew Fergusson, Thomas Webster Kemp, C.I.E., Thomas Legge Barnardiston, Ber- tram Mordaunt Chambers, William Reginald Hall, Henry Harvey Bruce, Clement Greatorex, George Cuthbert Cayley, Allan Frederick Everett, Her- bert Bertram Pelly, M.V.O. A number of lieutenants are promoted to be commanders, and of sub-lieutenants to be lieu- tenants. Captain E. A. Simons has been appointed a Naval Aide-de-Camp to the King, in place of Commodore S. H. M. Login, promoted to flag II rank. The following appointments were made at the ¡ Admiralty on Saturday Commanders J. C. Tran- cred, to the Pelorus, and R. Sullivan, to the Pan- dora, to date 1st insfc. Lieutenants E. G. W. j Davidson, to the King Alfred, to date December j 29, and to the Bramble, in command, un- dated; E. E. Parker, to the Victory, for the Lightning, in command, and W. L. Bamber, to the King Alfred, for the Britemart, in command, undated: M. B. Baillie Hamilton, to the Emerald (1st), F. C. Fisher, to the Ganges, for the Bos- ¡ cawen III. (1st), C. D. Fenn, to the Ganges, for 1 the Boscawen II., H. Haire-Forster, to the Ganges I (G.), for Training Establishment at Shotley, and J G. P. Legard, to the Vivid, temporary, additional, < for R. N. Barracks, to date January 1. I

ENGLISH VISITOR SWINDLERS. A decade ago an English cheque was accepted as readily as English gold in Switzerland. Tbesa J times have changed. Swindlers and sharpers of every nationality have so often victimised Swiss hotel-keepers and business houses that it is now nearly impossible for a stranger to cash a cheque j without vexatious delays. j The visifcor-s windier is well aware," said a j hotel proprietor, that we will not prosecute him for a small sum, as it gives a hotel a bad name to be mentioned in a law court in these cireum- I stances and if we detain luggage a scene results j in the hotel, and we are the greater losers. Of course, wo flan always hand the delinquent over I to the police, but in nine cases out of ten he will, I when in extremis, scrape the money together to j settle the bill, and then a paragraph finds its way j into the papers. j "Again, we must be careful not to offend. Last summer I lost the patronage of a wealthy American by asking him to stay a day longer, as I wished to verify his cheque, which was drawn on a London bank for a large amount." Another hotel-keeper said This season I have had three worthless cheques—one on Paris and two on London—returned to me marked 'No funds/ After much trouble and expense I dis- covered the addresses of these persons, and sent I them rather strong letters. One replied that he had no money, and the others stated there was some mistake.' This happened four months ago, { and my bills are still unpaid." I

> I Reporter: "Have you fixed the blame for that last accident?" Railroad Official: "N-o, not one of the injusedl train men is dead enough to blame it on yet." Twaddle's "Why are you spanking Tommy? Ma Twaddles: "He needs a lesson, andi I'm impressing it on his mind." pa Twaddles: "Well, you've got a very queer idea a.s to where the lad's mind is situated." "Woodby declares his grandfather descended from one of the greatest houses in England." "Ah, yes; I did' heiar a. story about the. old man falling off a, roof he was repairing once for Lord Somebody or other."

DRESS OF THE DAY. I EMPIRE AND PRINCESS GOWNS. 1 As the season progresses, we see two varietK* of gowns more in demand than any othe-r-em- pire and prineesse. Of course, strictly spea-k- ing, empire gowns are prinoesse also, but not in the sense we mean. Empire gowns or wraps always hang from the bust to the feet in long, straight, simple lines, and show no waiet line. On the other hand, what we call prin-cess.e gowns are tight-fitting and unbroken in line from top to toe, and they are the most becoming kind a woman can wear, be she tall or short, thin or fat. The empire fashion is so perfect for tea- gowns and loose wraps that we see no reason for its ever going out, but for evening gowns and long street coats we do not like it. We don't know how long the craze for Irish lace will last, but as it is now the most popular trimming, we advise all to use every scrap of it at hand. Fur is used to border skirts and edge the low- necked gowns, and it isn't any more expensive than many other trimmings. A great many of the newest models have high. rolling collars of fur, velvet or feathers, but perhaps collarless garments are prettier, and certainly more healthy, as fur close around the throat is most unhealthy, and when- left off is apt to leave a sore throat behind it. Then, too, a woman's throat is one of her good points, and when it is huddled up in furs and ruches the whole effect of proportion is .gone. Keep the lines of your shoulders, throat and waist, and put your trim- mings and fussiness into the sleeve finish and skirt bottom. PRETTY HOUSE DRESS. A pretty white house dress is of chiffon cloth with Irish lace and rhinestone buttons. The front of Irish lace has a band of the cloth across the front and is held in place by four buttons- The shoulders are all in one piece, with the va,ist and sleeves a style we like, and one that women with broad shoulders should always choose. Each side of your lace panel is a wide box plait of the cloth, and at the top of the plait is a button. These plaits continue all around the back and blouse slightly over the WHITE CHIFFON CLOTH HOUSE-DRESS. I girdle of white satin. The shoulders continue down over the arms to form islee-ve tops, and are bordered with lace. Under them are sleeves of chiffon which are caught up at the elbow. Three flounces form the skirt, each one bordered with lace and cut circular. These flounced skirts seem very popular just now, and are becoming to most women, not cutting them off, as one would expect, but adding to the height. I- A TAILOR GOWN. I A second tailor gown has a walking-length ekirt, and a neat jacket with pointed ends in tfronft and back. The revere are prettily shaped, and have oval ends reaching below the belt of white cloth, edged with a fancy braid. There is a vest of cloth fastened down the cenltre with small butotons. A rollover collar of white cloth ifi BLUE CLOTH TAILOR DRESS. I edged wiilth the same braid, and shows a cravat and high linen collar. Ellbotw-length sleeves have cuffs of white cloth, and a belrt of the same en- girdles the waist, clasped in front with an ovral enamel buckle. The hat of white felt has a tilt over the face, and is banked at the back with shaded roses. A silver band and bow encircles the crown. The hat is merely a plain sailor shape, and is suitable for tailor dresses. Notice KMut tihe whole style of the hat is in the angle at which the hat is worn. T ,tT. PKALTii^AXJ Hi ViliiJNIJNijr COATS. It is all very well tor lashaon s orades. to talk of the party and opera wraps that one must have to go through the season, but the truth of the matter is that most women, have all they can do to manage a serviceable wrap that shall look presentable in the evening over a light silk gown and still be suitable to wear in street cans. For, alias! women who ride in carriages, even han- soms, are the exception, and it is no small pro- blem to evoLve a cloak that shall be warm and smart looking, yet shall not be ruined by wear- ing in snow or rain. Soone of the new coate this season are un- usually well adapted to just such a purpose, and are suitaible attso to use- during the day. They may be worn over a light gown for calling and letfft in the hall while one 'is in the reception- room. Broad and ladies' cloth and heavy mixed gooda, warm, yet soft and light, aire the best for these garments, and that they shall look more dressy than hacka;bouty, it is well that the colour chosen shall be light. White or light grey are impractic- able for persons travelling much in street cars, bult one of the beet is tan, and the russet browns are charming. The lining may be as light in colour as one wishes, greatly increasing the effect when the garment is open and thrown back. Velvet and fr ncy buttons make desirable trimming, and if one wishes to dress elaborately lace and embroidery, of course, are beautiful, If economy, however, is a factor they should be left out.

HUMOUR OF i HE WEEK. The other day a morning paper gave particulars of "the will of Lady Florence Dixie, who died intestate." Our Little Ones' Cosy Corner.-Lady Visitor (to Charlie, aged eight, who has been turning somersaults on the lawn): Why, Charlie, you're quite a tumbler! Charlie: "Then I s'pose baby must be a wineglass." Extravagance continues among the lower classes. 11 A carpenter summoned on a separation order explained that his wife was a travelling pawn- ticket," and would pawn him if she could. Prob- ably something resembling a floating debt. "I am rather I" Your fare, miss," said the conductor of one of the new motor 'buses to surpassing loveliness, who, blushing just the least little bit in the world, said Yes, I am rather." Not to be Found. The village doctor, being a locunr tenens, fond of grand phrases, told a labourer's wife to give her husband his medicine in a recumbent position." The woman, after the doctor's departure, went through the village trying to borrow a recumbent position"! Arid their neighbours, rather than confess their ignorance, all assured her that she should have had theirs if only they had not lent or lost it I Fancied He was a Motor-car. The ignorance of the general public with respect to motors and their habits is painful (says a writer in the Globe "). The other day a man went mad in an Australian town, and fancied that he was a motor-car. We read that he began to run about wildly, and under the impression that he was travelling at the rate of sixty miles an hour, dashed repeatedly into trees, fences, and walls." If he had studied the ways of motors more carefully before trying to be one he would have found that they rarely charge into walls at the rate of sixty miles an hour, and never twice in the same day. Particular I A spirit of meticulous accuracy of speech is one to be encouraged, even if it is occasionally to one's disadvantage. A Grantham woman, convicted for the hundredth time of travelling without a ticket, was stated by the station-master to have pos- sessed threepence in coin. "Liar!" she replied, with honest warmth, "I had tuppence ha'penny." Judicial Ignorance. In the Law Courts. Norman v. Norman: WitneEs did not think Mr. Mason was wearing a bicycle suit on December 3." His Lordship: What is a bicycle suit ?" Mr. Barnard: I think it generally in eludes knickerbockers." After this "Who is Connie Gilchrist?" sinks into absolute insignificance. A Polite Little Chap. A school teacher instructing her classes in grammar wrote this sentence on the board for correction: The horse and the cow is in the lot." No one seemed to know what was wrong with it, till at last a polite little boy raised his hand. What is it, Johnny ?" asked the teacher. You should put the lady first," corrected Johnny; No Lasiguager. "I am not a languager," said a Portsmouth councilior at this week's meeting, in speaking of the difficulty he experienced in understanding a minute. Did he mean linguist ? Dubious Compliment. Tell me what stage succeeds the 1 jolly stage of intoxication," said Judge Addison to Mr. Scar- lett during the hearing of a Southwark County-court case. "1 don't know that I can call an expert on that point," replied counsel, but I must say your honour has exhibited a wonderful knowledge of these things." ..1 The Best Bed. H. E. S. writes The following story of a conversation heard at Gore Farm last week has a pathetic as well as a humorous side, and throws a light on one of the many difficulties with which the authorities have to deal in their endeavour to cope with the spread of notifiable infectious illness -• Fetchin' your kid 'ome, are yer ? That's like me. 'As my plice been disinfected ? Yaas, but yer see I 'as it done like this: When I knows they're a-comin' to disinfect I tikes my nice noo bed out of the room and puts in an old one I've 'ad for years, an' I've allers kept it for this sort of job. Spoil my nice noo bed ? Not 'art." A Coachbuilder's Confidences. Amusement was occasioned at the Bloomsbury County-court during the hearing of a claim for damages done to a cab, the plaintiff, a coach- builder, not only charging the defendant E6 for the damages done to the vehicle, but also 24s. for two weeks' hire of a cab. Judge Bacon Come, come. Surely if I send my brougham to you to be repaired you would lend me one to use while you were repairing mine, with- out charging me for hire. Plaintiff (confidentially): Well, you see, your Worship, it's this way. You might think you was being lent a brougham, but you may take it from me you would be charged for it some other way. (Laughter.) Judge Bacon: You really mean to tell me that the coach-builder would add half-crowns and crowns to the various items to the account for the loan of the brougham ? Plaintiff I rather think that's exactly it, your Worship. (Laughter.) In a Hurry to be Tried. In the case of Luigi Camevali, charged with forgery, application was made to postpone the trial until next sessions, as the prosecutor was ill in Italy, and the prisoner being asked if he had any objection to the adjournment said, I should like the case to be tried at once, as if I am to remain here another month I shall be ill also." (Laugh- ter.) What the Parrot Said. Here is a parrot story which is both new and true. A venerable and pious lady, inspired to enthusiasm by a dealer's emphatic declaration that a parrot he had could sing a hymn," paid what he demanded for the gifted bird; and took it home in triumph. She invited a party of friends of a cast of mind as serious as her own to hear the parrot's rendering of the hymn; When all had assembled the covering was withdrawn from the cage, and Polly," opening one eye, looked round drowsily. What a crew she murmured, quietly, and went to sleep again. Fiat Justitia. A county-court judge said a day or two ago- history does not appear to have recorded his name, and we can, therefore, spare his blushes: "We lawyers, though we have a bad character, care more for justice than for money." M'yes that's what we always thought was the etiquette of the Bar. It is only the unfortunate suitor who has paid a large fee to have his case argued, and finds bis counsel engaged on another and more im- portant case at the same time, who thinks other- wise but be, of course, is not of any aceount. Smart Place, Birmingham I Two Scotland Yard detectives have had a curious experience in Birmingham. They visited the Midlands to shadow some shady characters who haunt metropolitan race- courses. Having time to spare prior to racing, they strolled round the chief Birmingham thoroughfares. On returning to New-street Station to book for the Birmingham Racecourse, one officer found his handsome presentation gold watch missing. His pocket had been picked.

OUR LONDON LETTER. I Jt is understood that we do not necessarily identify ourselves with our correspondents opinions. The meeting of London Unionists in the Queen's Hall was very largely attended. Long before the hour fixed for the commencement crowds of people thronged the doorways, and when they got inside were entertained to an organ recital, interspersed with party and patriotic songs, one or two of them being specially composed for the occasion. There was a good sprinkling of Liberals who, on several occasions, interrupted Mr. Balfour's address. The ex-Premier took these sallies in good part, and dealt with them in the course of his speech, which, by the way, is regarded as the tocsin calling his party to buckle on their armour for the fight. London has lost its holiday aspect. The streets are less crowded and the shops less in- teresting than a week ago. Both have resumed their normal condition. New Year's Day is nob regarded in the metropolis as a holiday in the same sense as Christmas. Indeed, except Scotchmen residing in London, no class takes a regular holiday on that day. The only out- ward sign that anything unusual was occurring was the crowded churches on New Year's Eve at the watchnight services. But there were large suburban districts where no services of this kind were held. The political situation in London is getting lively. One of the severest fights the metropolis has ever known will take place in Battersea, where Mr. John Burns is opposed by Mr. A. Shirley Benn, who occupied a prominent place on Mr. Balfour's platform at the Queen's Hall meeting. The result will be a close one; but shrewd observers are pretty confident that, in spite of a little irritation among Mr. Burns's friends at his having accepted office, he will manage to retain his seat. But it is a seat that can hardly be regarded as a safe one. Waterloo-junction Station was re-opened on Monday, and the South-Eastern and Chatham Railway Company, whose receipts must have been immensely reduced by the closing of both the Charing-cross terminus and Waterloo-junc- tion, consequent on the recent disaster. It is impossible to fix the date for the re-opening of Charing-cross Station for full passenger and goods traffic. The termnius seems all but deserted, and this unhappy state of things has had a depressing effect upon the receipts of tradesmen in that neighbourhood. Drury Lane and the suburban theatres now running a pantomime are exceptionally well patronised. The Drury Lane production has never probably been equalled in the history of that classic building. It is a perfect revelation of stage craft and scenic genius. Cinderella is essentially a piece for children. But children of a larger growth are to be seen at Drury Lane Theatre daily, and their enjoyment of the wonderful spectacle is worth seeing, and certainly worth sharing. Even the attractions of party warfare just now are not damping enthusiasm for the pantomime. The news of the death of Mr. C. T. Yerkes occasioned a great deal of genuine regret among London financiers and railway shareholders. He was the man whose energy and constructive genius led to the electrification of the under- ground railways of the Metropolis, As only a portion of his work in this direction was com- pleted at the time of his death, we must wait before passing a final judgment on his schemes. There is not much doubt, however, that these schemes will be successful. The political honours bestowed upon leading Liberals has given great satisfaction to the party in London. Particularly gratifying is the appointment of Lord Reay and Mr. R. K. Causton, M.P., as Privy Councillors. His lord- ship was formerly chairman of the London School Board, and is a recognised expert on educational administration. Mr. Oatistori has done much to strengthen the Liberal cause in the South of London, and in his capacity of Whip has done yeoman service for the party in the House of Commons. An incident which appeared to give great satisfaction to those who witnessed it at the Unionist meeting in the Queen's Hall, was the cordial greeting which Mr. Balfour gave to Sir Edward Clarke, K.C., as the former walked to his seat on the platform. Just before the meet- ing began, Sir Edward, who was dressed in a light grey suit, was loudly cheered when he first | appeared on the platform, and it is evident that his return to active politics is keenly relished by those Unionists who feel that the debating power of their party may not be very strong in the next Parliament, TTKe underground telegraph cable from London to Glasgow is now completed. The postal authorities promised that the cable should be laid by the end of 1905, and they have re- deemed their promise almost to the day. The improvement will mark an epoch in the tele- graph service. It means that no more land- storms will dislocate the wires between the cities, and that the business of the two centres can be carried on underground regardless of what is going on above the surface. The cost works out to something like L-1400 a mile, and the total outlay on the 400 miles will be at least half a million-a small price to pay for the com- mercial convenience thus achieved. The new telegraphic connection between London and Glasgow means that in all human probability the two cities never will be isolated in a telegraphic sense. In case the overhead wires become disconnected in exposed portions of the route the broken wires will simply be attached to the corresponding underground wires (which follow the same course) and the duplicate connection maintained. This method of underground wires is likely to be followed in other parts of the country. London and Birmingham have been connected for several years, and probably the next move will be in the West of England. The long connection of Messrs. W. H. Smith and Son with the London and North- Western I Railway Company and the Great Western Railway Company came to an end at the close of 1905. Henceforth on those systems We shall see the name of Messrs. Wyrnan and Sons instead of Messrs. W. H. Smith and Son on the platform bookstalls. The change has been brought about by the acceptance on the part of Messrs. Wyman and Sons ilower terms than the old firm was prepared to give to the two companies in question. The actual transfer at the 170 stations involved a great amount of work, which was carried out with a smoothness and good temper beyond all praise. C. B.

COUNTRY NOTES. Acacia Wood. The acacia promises to "lecome a very us* ful tree. The species known as "false acacia" grows in thirty years as thick as a. pine in hi ty, and the hard wood is admirably suited for making ladders, wheels, and so forth. A too wet soil or atmosphere is unfavourable to the tree. Observation of Nature. It is curious how observations made in one branch of Natural History invariably lead us to the consideration of another. A love of birds (remarks E. M. H. in the cc Daily Graphic") awakens curiosity in the insects on which they prey, and a new field of observation is opened out when we notice the plants which the insects visit, and some of the curious contrivances by which Nature secures the fertilisation of flowers by insect agency. Or if we ramble by the river side in search of aquatic birds such as the grey wagtail or the reed bunting, we can hardly fail to be interested in the minute forms of life for which they seem to be constantly searching, and which we discover to be not only small lurking insects, but tiny molluscs of various species, each having a beauty of its own and a little role in life to play, the details of which are well worth investigating. Classification. In each of these living creatures we may per. ceive some curious feature correlated witk habit, which in a special manner fits the owner for carrying out the purpose in life for which it has been designed; and as classification is based upon structure, and affinities are often indicated by similarity of parts, so we )ook for some peculiarity which enables us to ascertain its true position in the scale of Nature, its natural affinities, and its proper name. ) A Grey Gopher. The accompanying picture represents a grey gopher in the winter sleep in whiah, like our native dormouse, it indulges. These pretty squirrel-like rodents are widely distributed in America, from Mexico to the Arctic regions, ""t are never found east of the great central i ASLEEP IN WINTER. prairie district. They live in society, bun ow- ing in dry sandy or loamy soil, feeding on roots and berries, stores of which they accumulate in their underground dwellings. This provision against hard times is carried into the burrows by the animals in their large cheek pouches, whence they are very often called pocket gophers. Tree on Stilts. While visiting last year a friend who lives near a lake, a correspondent says he came across several trees looking as though raised on stilts, and made photographs of two of them. The one shown in the picture is an oak growing near the edge of the lake, the waters of which when high have washed away the soil from the roots and 1 11 hi A REMARKABLE OAK. then receded, leaving it as it appears. Several trees on the shores of the lake present a similar appearance, but the one shown was the hand- somest and the most free from surrounding trees or brush. Hedgerow Timber. At the present time the bulk of the hedgerow timber south of the Trent consists of English and Wych elm, oak, and ash. Of these the first- named is the most frequent species from War- wickshioo southwards, except in certain districts which are characterised by stiff, sour clays, or by very poor or high-lying land. eucL ns 'tha Downs or Wolds. On clay land, or in districts which have only been cleared of natural wood- land within comparatively recent +* the oak and ash are usually plentiful, while -he Wych elm is abundant in Essex. These last three species also form practically the whole of the ordinary hedgerow timber in the Midlands and North of England, while sycamore also becomes, more plentiful towards the* North. Where other species occur, such as beech, black Italian poplar, etc., it may be taken for granted that they have been planted.

The Queen's Westminster Volunteers are to have a grey rifle-pattern busby for "full dress," the slouch hat being reserved for "drill order." Gwenllian Evans, a married woman, owning property at Pontypridd, has been fined at Ponty- pridd for stealing coal from the Albion Colliery tips. < Giving evidence in a sheep-stealing case at Buckingham, a police-sergeant referred to "the three sheep which I now produce in the market square." Jabez Balfour, who is now in Parkhurst Gaol, will, it is stated, be released on license on. June 1 next, having completed ten years andi six months of his term of fourteen years for the Liberator frauds. For disorderly conduct. at^Parnhairi, a soldier, of the East Yorkshire Regiment was fined 5s. in his absence. It was stated that his regiment was leaving Southampton that day for Burmah, and that the military authorities at Burmah P would, upon application, remit the fine. A block of buildings, 240 feet long by 100 feet widte, has been entirely destroyed1 by fire at Pietersburg, Transvaal. Mr. Choate, the late, American Ambassador in Londbn, is to be elected president of the New York State Bar Association. A sixty-two hour service from Chicago to Cuba has been inaugurated by the Illinois, Central, and Southern Pacific Railway. Crown. Prince George of Servia has inaugurated bj series of literary evenings, of which the first was held the ether evening, when Professor Bogdan Popoviteh gave a. read- ing of the best poems cf Heredi a and other modlern French poets.