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[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] THE HOUSE OVER THE WAY. BY HORACE LASHBROKE, .Author of To the Rescue," "An Unjust Steward," Forisaken," "That Carl Williams," "Poor Cousin Tim," etc. etc. CHAPTER XI. OCHE NARRATIVE CONTINUED BY PAUL WINGROVE. RED LETTER DAYS. -EVEN to those whose lives have been the brightest And happiest from their cradle upwards, I suppose there have been brief periods therein which, when looking back upon them, stand out in bold relief ,as by far the sweetest and most sublime red-letter days in the calendar of existence. Looking back, as I do now, upon the first few weeks I spent at Silver Hall, I can say, without exaggeration, that they were fraught with a blessed sense and realisation of happiness too perfect to admit of adequate description. Had my previous career been other than it had been—sad, colourless, and overshadowed by the sorrow over which I have already dwelt, perhaps too l^bg—I do not doubt that I should still be able to recall those days with the conviction that "they were some of the brightest im my life. If you would know how and why this was so, I I can tell you in four short and simple words-I was m love! Yes it was there and then that I first tasted the fruits of that sublime passion that should rule the world, and that alone makes man worthy of .his high calling. Need I tell you that it was Agnes Pearl who lighted that sacred flame within my breast ? Un- consciously, without premeditation, without pre- conceived effort, she took possession of my heart. In this there was nothing wonderful or in any degree surprising. Her exterior charms were sufficient to have captivated nineteen men out of twenty. And possibly—although I do not alto- gether admit this, so far as I was personally .concerned-they might have captivated me. But the love I entertained for her was founded on something far deeper, far more potential—the nobility and inestimable worth of her character Every hour passed in her society assured me, more and more, that I was in the presence of a I woman possessing a heart and mind that placed her on a level with one's loftiest ideal. The entire absence of false pride, of paltry vanity; the love of simplicity, and of goodness for goodness' sake, manifested in one whose social position was calculated to encourage opposite views, stamped her with the hall-mark of unique ¡¡ superiority. And then, beyond all this, there was her intense love for others, her solicitude for their happiness, I her perfect unselfishness. These were the qualities that won my heart; these the traits that taught me to regard her as the I dearest, sweetest creature in the world. To love such a being as this was imperative to be beloved by her with an equal devotion, too much to hope for. And yet it was so Even now my hand trembles, and the pulsation of my heart, -quickens, when I recall the moment in which I first I knew that she reciprocated my devotion. I will not attempt to record the words we uttered on that still autumnal evening when first we knew our "souls were one." It would but vulgarize the memory of that which of all memories I bold most sacred. 11101d most sacred. Let the hard man of the world, the cold cynic, the shallow sceptic, the sour unsentimentalist, say what they please, there is no hour in one's lifetime to compare with that in which he hears the voice, sweet to him as an angel's, say, "I love you The world to him is then a new world life has a grander and nobler meaning; and he leaps with one bound to a purer and loftier conception of hia II duties and privileges. I would with all my heart that this great truth were better recognised than it is. I would with all ¡t my heart, that the young and hopeful were encouraged in their mutual affections, let them be ever so poor and struggling, rather than sneered at I' And thwarted by their seniors, who would have them look upon marriage as little, if anything, better than a matter of sale and barter, or at least of worldly expedience. The record of pure lives .and happy homes would increase a hundredfold, I the succeeding generations would attain to a loftier jj and more richly diffused morality, and the dead sea fruits of delusive pleasures tempt few, if any, I to-sicken and perish with the taste of their ashes. Halcyon days were those to me when Agnes and I roamed together in the autumn sunshine, and the i twilight hours, blessed in the consciousness of our 1 mutual love. It seemed as though all things con- spired to enhance our happiness. The fear that just at first cast a slight shadow across my otherwise clear and sunlit path, was that Sir Jasper might rebel against the idea of his daughter ever becoming my wife. Looking at our relative positions from a worldly point of view, this would have been quite natural. True that I was a gentleman by birth and educa- tion, and, therefore, had the right to regard myself —as the celebrated novelist regarded himself on similar grounds—"on a level with princes." But what one feels and knows to be right is not always recognised as such in this illogical and contra- dictory world. Xow-a-days a poor gentleman has not half the privileges accorded to the parvenu. Sir Tilbury Turbot, the one-time fishmonger, who has pushed and purchased—no matter how—his way into a title, can swagger and air himself in high social circles where the poverty-stricken gentleman with a, high pedigree may not hope to enter. Had, therefore, Sir Jasper Pearl been a man eaten up with the pomps and vanities of this world, 1 could not have hoped for one moment that he would have entertained me as a proper suitor for his daughter's hand. And even as it was, I repeat, I at first had my doubts and fears as to my acceptability in his sight. But Agnes never doubted it. Have I not told you already," she said, that my father glories in my freedom, and would have me choose of my own free will the being in whose keeping I would repose my future hopes of happi- ness ? Yes, Agnes, you have given me to understand all that, but, my dearest, you must remember that I am, comparatively speaking, a very poor man, and "Your so-called poverty," she interrupted, "is quite out of the question. That will not weigh for one moment with papa. Oh dear me how many times must I keep telling you the same kind of thing 1 Really, Paul, I shall begin to suspect that yfcu wish to find some kind .of excuse for getting rid of me." "Agnes My own darling I protested. "Oh! protestation is all very fine, sir," she resumed, with a delightful counterfeit of annoy- ance, "but you are laying yourself open to the greatest suspicion. Now, I will tell you what Sir Jasper Pearl, of Silver Hall, would object to very, very strongly indeed He would very, very strongly object to your having laid siege to his daughter's heart, and having once captured it, raising petty objections as to your worthiness of its detention." "I do not say, my darling Agnea, that I am totally unworthy of you, though, heaven knows, no man breathing could be perfectly so; but what I mean is that, looking at my position, as Sir Jasper will probably look at it, from a worldly point of view "That is just the view he will not look at it from, she interrupted. Have I not told you so again and again ? Oh what an obstinate, un- believing creature you are Papa will look at you, not at your circumstances or your surroundings. He will judge of you as I have endeavoured to Judge of you—by what I believe to be your intrinsic merits." "I don't mean to say," she added, after a moment's pause, "that if you went to papa and said, Sir Jasper, I and your daughter are in love, and wish to get married before the church bells have rung the old year out and the new year in,' that he would jump at the suggestion. I shouldn't 19 for one, sir !-but what i do mean is, that you need not fear to approach him with anything like ft reasonable DroposaL" Strengthened by her assurances, I approached Sir Jasper with less fear and trembling than other- wise I should have done. But still-was it other than natural ?—I was a little nervous, and a little apprehensive. He listened to all I had to say with character- istic sweetness. Why burden these pages with the words in which I clothed my appeal ? Enough that it was favourably received, and that I was able to return to my darling with the glad tidings that her father was willing to accept me as her 3uitor. Sir Jasper, however, gave me clearly to under- stand that he would not entertain the idea of marriage until we had known one another for at least twelve months. My acquaintanceship with Agnes, he pointed out, had been so brief, and possibly-he would not say probably he had no wish to challenge the sincerity of our feelings-we might not know our own minds, though, doubtless, like all young people, we were quite certain we did The majority of lovers are in a desperate hurry to consummate their bliss in the bonds of matri- mony. I do not mean to assume that I should have had the smallest objection to following in their footsteps, but, believe me, I was more than grateful for the concession Sir Jasper had so gracefully accorded me. Aghes was entirely at one with her father in regarding marriage as a state not to be contem- plated for at least twelve months to come, though the possibility of her not knowing her own mind at the present moment was a suggestion that she could not entertain for a single instant "However deluded other people may be as to the state of their feelings—Paul Wingrove, for instance !—I'm perfectly tdive to the real state of my own," she said, poking fun at me in the midst her earnestness. Paul Wingrove," I answered, is as free from delusions as is the sweetest lady in the land!" "But, seriously, Paul, I am so, so thankful that you have spoken to papa. I could not have borne sailing under false colours and leaving him in the dark as to the real state of our feelings." It is much happier as it is," I answered. "Ever so much, Paul. Compare our position to that of poor Mary an-l Ralph Prescott. I wouldn't change places with them for all the world. But that is a selfish thing to say, and I am ashamed of having said it." Why a selfish thing, darling? I asked. 11 We ought to be willing and happy to change places with those who sutler, Paul. We have no right to rejoice in being more blest than others." "Agnes, my dearest one," I answered, "I'm afraid we shall never attain to that exalted stand- ard of perfection you erect so boldly until we find ourselves in a much better world than this." There are people, Paul, who attain to that exalted standard, though I grant they are few and far between. Ah that is just where we make such a sad mistake; because we do not come in contact daily with the nobler specimens of humanity whose lives are living sermons of self-sacrifice, we persuade ourselves that they exist only in imagination, and so excuse ourselves for being no better than the ordinary run of people. Oh Paul, do not let us be Winded by any such fallacious reasoning. We are blest—far more blest than we deserve—and may it be our great object and aim in life to prove our gratitude to the Divine Author of our blessedness by living for others rather than for ourselves." What could I say in answer to such a thought as this ? What poor words of mine could express the reverence and adoration I felt for one whose soul was so much nearer Heaven than my own ? I could but press her dear hand in mine and wait in silence until she spoke again. Now that we are so happy, Paul," she resumed at last, we must endeavour to make our happi- ness contagious. Have we not an excellent oppor- tunity to commence with in poor Mary and Ralph Prescott ? Deeply in love as they are, they are not happy. Cannot we strive to make them so ? "We have striven, dear Agnes! Their case seems hopeless." We must not look at it in that light, Paul; W8 must persevere." "But what more can we do? Mary will not take you fully into her confidence. All she has done, so far, has been to ackowledge that she loves Ralph dearly but she has not told you why she cannot marry him. I have endeavoured to induce Ralph to go boldly to Professor Cloud, on his return, and, in spite of Mary's protestations, ask him for his daughter's hand but Me refuses to act in opposition to her will." If they are left to manage their own love affairs, Paul, I am convinced there is nothing but disappointment in store for them. As you know, I strongly object to interfering in such cases—how should we like anyone to interfere with us ?—but there are exceptions to every rule, and this, I think, is one of them. Now, an idea has entered my mind which I think will meet with your approval. Mary, being beneath papa's roof, is under his care and protection he i9, to a certain extent at least, re- sponsible for her well-being. Don't you think papa is the right person to speak to Professor Cloud ? "About the attachment existing between Mary Cloud and Ralph?' Exactly." Do you think he is aware of it ? "That I cannot answer for: but he can easily be made acquainted with the fact." Would not that be a betrayal of Ralph and Mary's secret ? "To their advantage, Paul. If a friend of yours were suffering from heart-disease of a physical nature, and was foolish enough to tell you not to disclose his condition to the family doctor, would you consider yourself in honour bound to hold your peace? Would you on that account permit him to sink into a premature grave? "Certainly not, Agnes." Well, are not Mary and Ralph Prescott suffer- ing from heart disease, not of a physical, but spiritual, nature, and are we justified, out of a mistaken sense of honour, in leaving them to make a shipwreck of their lives ?" I suppose not," I answered, a little dubiously. "•Suppose not! responded Agnes; "you must know that we are not, emphatically I am quite willing, my dearest one, to submit to your superior judgment," I answered. I do not lay claim to superior judgment, Paul, and while you are, perhaps, a trifle slow in arriving at conclusions, I may be a little to precipitate; but think for one moment what our position would have been had you not followed my advice in speaking to papa. You would not have opened your lips to him until goodness knows when, and we should have remained in a condition of trem- bling expectancy until-well, perhaps until dooms- day Quite true, Agues I acknowledge the justice of your observations. Perhaps it would be as well if Sir Jasper were to speak to Professor Cloud." "It's quite certain," she answered in her firm and decisive way, that matters cannot go on as they are going. Poor Mary is becoming more low- spirited and wretched every day of her life, and I'm sure Ralph Prescott, naturally so bright; and high spirited, is rapidly degenerating into a state of melancholia." Throughout the above conversation we were slowly pacing up and down the lawn in front t, the breakfast room. Before I had time in which to reply to Agnes's last observation, Sir Jasper, who had been engaged in perusing his morning letters, appeared at the window and beckoned us to him. His kind face was beaming with pleasure. I have heard from the Professor," he said ( "he rejoins us to-day. Listen to his characteristic letter." My dear Sir Jasper. What can you think of me? How can von forgive me? For six long and anxious weeks I have been absent from the hospitable mansion that shelters the child of my bosom-the apple of my eye. For six long and anxfous weeks I have not penned you, her benefactor, a syllable. What can you think of me ? How can you reconcile such apparent ingratitude with the vows of obligation and esteem that I have verbally enunciated. Without explana- tion there can be no reconciliation. Let me briefly explain let me prove the verity of the proverb that silence is golden. I have been overwhelmed with business that has occupied every hour of my existence, and which rendered it uncertain as to the day on which I could once more turn my face towards the peaeeful seclusion of Silver Hall, towards the ideal home of my dearest friend. I had hoped that each succeeding day might bring the wish of my heart, and in that hope postponed writing. Am I understood ? Ain I forgiven ? I long to grasp your hand, to hear your voice, to see your face. I pine to fold sweet Mary, the light of my eyes, ths queen of my heart, to my lonely bosom. Shall arrive at the familiar railway station at 4.15 P-lu to-morrow assuming that the train will be punctual. If a conveyance from Silver Hall awaits me, I shall be conscious that I am as welcome as of yore if no conveyance awaits me, I shall be conscious that I anr unwelcome and unpardoned. In the former case I shall be the happiest, the most blest of beings. In the latter case I shall be the most downcast and* wretched of mortals. Retirement, without leaving the platform, by the first available up train will be a cruel necessity. Adonis, my beautiful Adonis is well and cheerful' Adonis accom- panies me. Forgive Adonis, if you cannot forgive the poor, struggling Professor. Adonis at least is innocent. Ever your attached and grateful Friend, "FERDINAlfD CLOUD." Sir Jasper made no disguise of his delight at the prospect of the Professor's return. Agnes smiled at the diction of that learned gentleman's letter, and, of course, I was not so impolite as to exhibit the distaste I could not help feeling to his affected I and exaggerated method of expressing himself. I shall be very pleased to have the good fellow back again," said Sir Jasper he is a most enter- taining companion. I hope he will be able to remain with us for some days. Of course you young people cannot so well appreciate the society of a man of his age as I can. Tke shadows are beginning to lengthen with the good Professor and me, while you are still enjoying the morning sun- shine of life. Well, thank God I am not too old to take delight in the happiness of the young I hope I may never be." Sir Jasper stooped and kissed his daughter as he said this, then turned to leave the room; when Agnes spoke. Papa, dearest! I have something very impor- tant to say to you about Professor Cloud." Why did her words fill me with a sudden appre- hension of evil to come? Why did I wish that the days of Professor Cloud's absence were not num- bered ? We had been so, so happy without him. (To be continu.ed).

I GARDEN GOSSIP. Cordylines in the Open.—Ireland is the place to see Cordyliites Australia in the open air, and in many gardens there plants are both numerous. and remarkably fine. NIaxiy are from Irish raised seeds, and the resulting plants are vigorous and strong growing, as, indeod, they I ought to In Scotland, too, particularly on the west coast, there a.r.9 some good specimens, aaid, of course, the south of England has a great many fine plants. < Love-lioG-Blesding.—Those gardeners who are growing this simple, old-faslhioned plant should try tha eifeet of potting some specimens, and training them in pyramid style, supporting the chief stem as high as possible, and the Bide shoots lower. The soil should be rich, yet sandy, liquid manure should be frequently given, and the pots may well stand in shallow saucers of water when hot days come. The beauty and size that these plants, will attain will be puito a revelation to most growers. # Primulas.—Sow a small packet of seed to pro. vide early pLante for the conservatory in autumn, Place the pan or pot in which the seed", are sown in a shaded position, or place a sheet of brown lytp-er over to ensure a uniform stare of moisture. Seedlingc that were raised some weeks ajro ought now to be ready for prickling off round the edgee of pots. Keep them in gentle warmth, upon a shelf close to the glass, where they can be shaded from the sun. » The Double Silen.e Acaulis.-—It is a pity that the cushion pink, as silene acaulis is popularly called, is rather a ehy bloomer in many places, as its bright flowers are welcome even in April and May, when spring flowers are plentiful. The new double pink variety, which seems to have several aliases, is a pretty subject, but not a whit more free in blooming than the single. It has been named1 S. a. Correvoniana.. and also S. bryoides plena. It is not a dear plant now, but its requirements are not as yet very well known, so far as inducing it to flower well are concerned. The whole plant is not over one inch or two inches high. Half Hardy Annuals.—The flower garden in which stocks., asters, phlox drummondii, zinnias, and verbenas are not represented would not be easy to find. They are so easily grown, make such a beautiful display, and the expenditure for seeds is so small that one would be surprised if they were not popular. The best method of growing them is from seeds sown in boxeg in March, but where this was not done, we can still have a good display by sowing in the open now in. the positions where the plants are to flower. The soil should be deeply dug, ,and have some good manure mixed with it. The surface soil should consist of the ordi- nary staple, from which all and hard lumps have been removed. It should, be made lenel, the ceeds sown very thinly, and lightly covered with fine soil. Early and wide thicnins is indispensably to securing the most satisfac- tory results. # Wallflowers.—These are indispensable for the spring garden, and they grow annually in popu- larity. They are such passionate lovers of fresh air that they are not the best of town plants, but in suburban gardens they flourish grandly. The great difficulty i6, as a rule, to carry the plants safely through the winter; and to ensure this we must have dwarf, stocky specimens that h-avie, passed ,all their days under the. hardening influence of abundance of fr-edl air. Seeds should be sown any time until the end of the month in boxes in cold frames, or on a pre- pared bed in a sheltered position out cf doors. In either case the seeding should be very thin, and the superfluous plants removed before they crowd their neighbours. The position for the winter bed should be partially shaded, and yet there must be an unlimited supply of fresh air. Planting Sweet Peas.—-The number of sweet peas grown in pots is increasing annually, as it is found that the plants thus raised give espe- cially fine blooms. It is now time that all were in their permanent positions, whether these be in rows or clumps. The plants will be from four to six inches high, and should have had short, twiggy stakes placed to them some time back, so a<3 to have precluded any possibility of the recumbent position being assumed'. Whatever style of planting is decided upon, the soil will have bean prepared long ago, and the roots should be dropped rather deeply, so that the earth may be drawn up to the stems as a means of protection. Fuchsias. Fuchsias will now be growing rapidly, and in order to continue them in this condition young stuff must be repotted at short intervals, while older plants that get only one shift will be benefited by occasional applica- tions of manure water. Some varieties are better if not pinched, and those that require the tips to be stopped occasionally will make handsomer plants if only the strongest shoots We kept. < Roses.—Those planted ouit in cod houses will mostly be past the flowering stage, and should have the whole of the shoots cut hard back. Cleanse the stumps thoroughly, surface dress with rooted cow manure and d.ried blood, and as soon as buds begin to push select the strongest and best placed, and rub off all the others. •* Insects on Wall Fruit.—It is unfortunate that insects invariably manage to attack our wall tree,s, and they must be promptly extir- pated, or much harm will be done to the crop of fruit this year,, as well as more or less per- manent injury to the trees. Strong insecticideta are bad at all periods during active growth, but never worse than in the spring and early summer; .and if the cultivator is watchful, and attackti the enemy immediately it is seen, forceful applications of clear water alone will often suffice for its extermination. If, unfortu- nately an establishment is effected, soft soap and quassia in solution are excellent, as' also is weak tobacco water. There must not be, am question as to the force of application, as mere dewing over with a rose syrings will scarcely do more than strengthen the pest. » Strawberries.These may still be mulched with strawy manure, but if delayed much longer this must be replaced with clean straw. A mulching of jHeh farmyard manure, to be after- wards covered with straw, may still be applied to weakly plants on light soil. On the latter class of soil it will be found of great benefit to give one or two heavy soakings of liquid manure. Young plants that have not been long put out must not be allowed to blossom this season, but should have flower trussesi cut off as soon as produced. Reo3ntly Planted Trees.—In the case of young bush or pyramid trees, it may be necessary to remove superfluous growths from their centres. This will save the use. of the knife to some ex- tent, and prevent the trees expending their ener- gies necdlesly. All such trees will benefit from mulchings of manure, spread over the surface as far as the roots extend. Early Potatoes.—Watch these, and as the shoots push through draw a little earth tc them if done early in the day, so as to become dry before night, this will afford some slight protec- tion against frost. 'Scarlet Runners.-The-re is no finer fence hider for the urban garden than the scarlet runner. It will grow rapidly, produce large, handsome leaves, and later brilliant flowers, with a subsequent burden of pods. What matters it if the leaves do become infestsd with red spider, and these spread to the neighbour's cherished plants! It is the fortune of war. If we would kaep the enemy in check, it can be managed by forcible hoaings or syringing? with clear water. After soaking for several hours, the seeds may be sown at any convenient time now, and if the soil is deep and good the plants will not make heavy demands upon the grower's time beyond the fixing of the strings to support the plants, and the application of water according to necessity.

I NEWS IN BRIEF. Tragedies and Disasters. The bodies of Edward Green, 19, and bia eight year old nephew, named Ferneo*, wena washed ashore on Monday at Graveoend. The Rev. Henry Frewer, of Clifton, fell for- ward, and died before the arrival of a doctor, at a service he wconducting at Coalpit Heath' near Bristol. Under the delusion that he was going mad, » Slough man swallowed a quantity of prussic acid, a.nd died before the. doc.or arrived. A little girl was knocked over and killed by a oar at Handsworth on Saturday. The body became entangled in the machinery, and some time elapsed before a lifting jack could be ob- tained. to release it. With an old-fashioned muzzle-loading re- volver 'by his side, an unknown man was found dead on Blackheath on Saturday. William Tarr, 19, of Anhover, was caught by the wheels of a traction-engine at Chester- field on Saturday, and dragged under the ma- chine. He was dead when picked up. The dead body of a young woman, Fanny Elizabeth Carter, was found in the canal at Barnsley on Saturday. On Friday she told her mother she would receive a letter on the follow- ing day respecting her death. On the esplanade at Guernsey on Saturday night Francis Recdor, a quarryman, was fatally stabbed, his alleged assailant being handed over to the police. There has not been a case of murder or manslaughter in the island for fifty years. Falling upon a fragment of an earthenware jar she had been carrying downstairs, Margaret Howe, of Kersley, near Coventry, received fatal injuries, her head being nearly severed from her body. A coroner's jury decided at Gilmorton, near Lutterworth, that the death from syncope of Henry Wolfe, at the age of seventeen, was brought on by excessive cigarette smokinp. An inquest was held at Southampton on the body of Mr. Stephen Seward Pearce. an ex- sheriff of the borough, who was found dead on the railway near Millbrook. An open verdict was returned. The captain of the steamer Sea Prince, of Bristol, dropped dead on deck while the boat was lying at anchor off the Mumbles Road. Mr. Samuel Irvine, of Prestwiek, died sud- denly on St. Nicholas golf links while engaged in a foursome. Accidents. Edgar Stanley Cookeon, three years old, of Blackpool, fell otA-, of bed on "Monday, and sus- tained injuries from which he died two hours latter. The ss. Lugano, of Hamburg, whilst on fire, put into Hastings on Sunday, and afterwards left for Dover in tow of a salvage steamer. Her cargo is a valuable one from Baltimore, and al- ready much copper showed in her has been salved. Owing to an accident to her machinerv, the L.C.C. steamboat Edmund Ironside, with pas- sengers on board, drifted helplessly for some time off the Albert Embankment on Saturday. The Midland Railway cottages at Crosby Garret-t station, near Kirkby Stephen. Westmor- land, was set, on fire on Friday by a spark from a passing engine, which lodged in a bird's nest beneath the eaves. A man named Skinner, of Albert-road, Merstham, was knocked down by a Brighton ex- press at Hooley, and carried along some dis- tance. He was picked up unconscious and con- veyed to the Redhill Cottage Hospital. A verdict of "Accidental death was returned at an inquest at Rochester on Frederick Ch-p- man, who was crushed to death by a fall of earth in a chalk quarry at Wouldham." Accidental death" was the verdict at the inquest at Newhaven on Samuel Scott Wood, the boatswain of the ill-fated steamer Blanefield. The old town hall at Consett, Durham, and four shops beneath, have been totally destroyed by fire. Cases Told in the Courts. Charged with having murderc-d her husband, a Preston butcher, whom she attacked with a knife, Margaret Dew-hurst, 38, was. ordered, at Liverpool Assizes on Monday, to be detained during the King's pleasure. Eleven motorists were charged at Haywards Heath on Monday with offences on the Brighton road, and fine,s and costs, amounting to over zE70 were imposed. In les3 than live. minutes on Monday the clerk at West Ham: Polioe-eourt received over £ 100 in fines from street bookmakers. James CocKram, a labourer, was sentenced to a month's hard labour at Exeter on Satur- day for breaking into some provision stores and stealing twenty-three farthings. Charged wi.ih smuggling £ 217 worth of to- bacco, Adolph WolgaJt', second mate of the steamer itagusa., Max Lukenheimer, third mate, and Zenner, the cook, were remanded in cus- tody at Blyth. For assaulting his grandmother and his uncle., Walter Kent, a young labourer, was at Northampton sent to prison for five months. When Kent struck his grandmother she fell on a fender, and her head was cut severely. Henry Carter, Mm. James Brown Peter's chauffeur, was fined 2s. 6d. at the City Sum- mons Court for failing to display the registered number on his. car. A husband was accused by his wife in the Divorce Court of having killed their baby by kicking it. The World of Sport. Abou'b twenty of the athletes who went to Athe.ns for the Olympic Games, including Lieu- tenant Hawtrev, the winner of the five miles race, arrived at Victoria on Monday evening. Yeovil Education Committee, as an induce- ment for regular attendance, offered free swim- ming club tickets. to boys and girls who madte. a perfect attendance from October 1 to the end of March. The returns show over 137 scholars entitled to the tickets. Several ladies have come forward to teach the girls swimming, and the latter are to make their dresses at school. F. W. Tate, the Sussex bowler, has received a vote of thanks and a grant of money from the East Sussex County Council for assisting the police at Hayward's Heath, when they were attacked by some navvies. Music and the Drama. A new version of Daudet's Sapho," by Bir- kett Winning, was produced on Monday nig;ht at the Fulham Theatre. "Coppelia," a romantic ballet by Leo Delibes, will be produced at the Empire Theatre on May "Rheingold was given successfully at Covent Garden. Princess Christian was present. Mr. W. S. Gilbert will appear as the Asso- ciate in "Trial by Jury," which will be per- formed at the Ellen Terry Jubilee matinee at Drury-lane in June. The well-known Black Dike Mills Band, of Messrs. John Foster and Sons' works at Brad- ford, are to visit Canada and America in July, where engagements have been made to play at most of the principal towns. Military and Naval. The troopship Dufferin arrived at .Southamp- ton from Bombay on Monday with a number of officers and men selected from native regi- ments to act as the King's Indian bodyguard. The death has just occurred in South Africa of Mr. G. M. Randolph, C.M.G., one of the earliest settlers on the Rand, and principal guide to General Sir Redve-re Buller during 1he Vviir. A sergeant and a corporal who took charge of a diaserter on Monday a.t .the Highgate Police- court asked for a, certificate of attendance, at Court. Sir Francis Cory Wright said that he did not know either of them; but 'they oatisfied, hiri scruples by identifying each other. The German War Offioe is now experimenting with a new automatic repeating rifle capable of firing five shots in ten seconds. Mr. George Wyndham, M.P., has been ap- pointed Commissioner of Dover Harbour, in suc- cession to Mr. Leigh Pemberton, who has resigned. Social. Princess Ena decided to accompany Pririoeva Henry of Batten-berg on Tuesday uo open the 4th West Kent Volunteers' Bazaar. The Emperor Francis Joseph has sent a tele- gram to the directors of the Austrian Exhibi- tion, Earl's-court, stating that he takes the keenest interest in the exhibition, and express- ing the hope that it will bring every satisfac- tion to the promo'.erB Princess Henry of Battenbe-rg distributed the prizes to faithful domestic servants at the festi- val of the Ragged School Union on Monday evening. The Duchess of Connaught has left London on a visit to her daughter, Princess Gustavus Adol. phus, at-Stockholm. Gifts are announced of £ 50,000 by Sir William Dunn to the Presbyterian Church of England, and £ 10,000 by the Drapers' Company to the King's College Hospital removal fund. the marriage-gift to Princess Ena from the people of the Isle of Wight, for which £ 80t) has already been subscribed, will take the form of a- gold-fitted dressing-case. The Princess Royal laid the foundation stone of the new buildings at Bolingbroke Hospital, Wandsworth Common, on Saturday. In reply- ing to the address on her behalf, the Duke of Fife said that if the paying principle had been more universally adopted the financial difficul- ties of hospitals would net be so serious. Sir George Gibb, chairman of the District Railway, has been presented with a handsome pieee of plate by the officers and staff of the North-Eastern Railway, with which he was pre- viously associated. The Mayor of Derby has received a communi- cation from Lord Knollys, informing him of the King's intention to visit the Royal Agricultural Show at Derby on June 28. Commercial and Industrial. Trade and navigation returns for April show a continued increase in nearly evi&ry important line of commercial activity. Sir William Van Home, ;,be chairman of tha Canadian Pacific Railway, says British manu- facturers miss their opportunities of Camdian trade by sending 'boys to represent them. Northumberland eoal owners having for the second time in six months refused to concede a free house and coals to unmarried miners who are supporting their fathers' family, although this is conceded to married men, a general strike is proposed. The boom in the North of Ireland flax-spin- ning industry is so great that mills which have- been idlie for years are about to be opened again. British insurance companies have sent an im- portant telegram announcing a limit to their liabilities in regard to the ban Francisco eartu- quake. Mr. W. J. Croesley, M.P., has resigned from the directorate of the Manch.es.ter Ship Canal, as he fincta his duties in Parliament and on the Royal Commission of Canais and Waterways occupy much of his time. A committee of clergymen, representing the Milkmen's Sunday Rest Society, is canvassing the householders of Hornsey to learn whether they will consent to a trial of one delivery of milk on Sundays. Miners express satisfaction wiuh the Home Secretary's reply to a deputation urging him to delete the canfracting-out clause of the- Workmen's Compensation Bill. The principle of the Government, he said, is tha.t the majority of the men should agree to the step and should receive benefits equaj to those under the Act. National and Political. Sir Mortimer Durand, British Ambassador to the United States, sailed from New York on the Etruria on Saturday on a prolonged hc-liday. Speaking at Oxford, the Hon. Geoffrey Howard, M.P., said that in the face of the pledges which had been given by members, he thought that the enfranchisement of women must come in the present Parliament. The Rand mineowners have decided to resist the repatriation of the Chinese coolies on the terms laid down by the Imperial Government. The report of the National Liberal Federation shows that £ 46,000 was subscribed towards the funds for the general election. Sir Ernest Satow, the retiring British Minister to China, has left Peking for Eng- land. 0 The expenses of the candidates at the recent Leicester bye-election have been, officially Pe- turned as follows:—Mr. F. Thomasson "(L.)t elected, £ 980 6s. Id.; Sir J. Rolleston (C.). £ S68 16s. lid. From Other Lands. The strike among the miners in the Pais de Calais coalfields is at an end and work has been resumed in all the mines. A committee, with Mr. Choate as chairman, has been formed in New York to receive sub- scriptions for an American jubilee fund for Miss Ellen Terry. Burglars looted the office of the Loiter estate in Chicago, U.S.A., on Monday morning, securing £ 10 in cash and £ 4,000 worth of bonds. They misised a secret compartment in the vault which contained NO. The Governor-General of Elix.abethgrad has been assaesinated by six revolutionaries, and other Russian provincial governors have' been "sentenced to d,eath," Typhoid fever has broken out in the refuge camps at San Francisco. A large number of people have been stricken down. Dr. Holzknecht, of the Vierna, General Hos- pital, has been ordered to pay £ 1,500 damages to a. patient who was badly burned by treat- ment with Rontgen rays. An Austrian engineer has invented a balloon railway, whereby a circular car containing ten p.ersor16 is hauled up a single steel rail by a balloon. It is intended for the ascent- of pre- I cipitous mountains. While motoring near Cincinatti, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholais Longworth (Miss Alice Roosevelt) were arrested for execeding the limit speed. The car was impounded by the police as security for the appearance of Mr. and Mrs. Longworth at the police court. The Emir of Hadeija, one of the most power- ful rulers in Central Soudan, has been cap- tured by a British force sent to punish him for opposition to British administration. An American geological expert has discovered that the western slope of the mountains behind Redwood City, California, have moved two feet towards the Pacific Ocean. This is believed to have caused the San Francisco disaster. Criminal proceedings are to be taken at St. Petersburg against Maxim Gorky on a charge of carrying on a propaganda abroad in favour of the revolutionary movement in Russia. Two policemen and an aide-de-camp were killed, and Admiral Dubassoff was wounded, by a bomb explosion in Moscow. Unable to bear the taunts of his school-fellows. a deformed boy aged twelve has committed sui- cide at Sonnenborn (Germany). A Roumanian crawled from underneath th& Orient express from Constantinople on its arrival in Paris, and declared that he had mad» the entire journey of 53 hours' duration on tha bogie under the restaurant car. Other Interesting Items. The new Victoria station will be opened or. June 1. It will be one of the finest and largest*, termini in London. The platforms measure nearly 2t miles. Motor-boats of all sorts, according to "Motoring Illustrated, have become more find more numerous on the Venetian canals, and threaten to displace tne picturesque ^ondola In order to prevent rabbits destroying flowers. on graves in Putney Vale Cemetery, "the Wands- worth Borough Council have decided to enclose" the cemetery with wire netting at a cost of £5{). About 30 craft took part in the British Motor- Boat Club's opening trip of the season fron* Kingston to Hampton Court and back on Blackpool will be visited on May 26 by 30,000 Lancashire colliers and their wives. The cost of the outing, together with the money spent* by the miners, will be nearly £ 10,000. Sixty-two pictures, the property of Sir Frederick T. Mappin, realised £ o.749 q Christie's on Saturday^