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

The creditors of a Braintree seed merchant, named Fairhead, whose estate has been in Chancery since 1869, have received a first and final dividend of one farthing in the pound. An interesting archaeological discovery has been made on the Clyde. During excavations at Old Kilpatrick what is believed to be an old take dwelling, or crannog," was unearthed. The Rev. J. G. Barrow has landed at the island of Tristan d'Acunha, where he is to act as chaplain to the islanders. A long delay en- sued before a ship could be found to call" at the island. The steamer King Orry arrived at Liverpool and reported that 20 miles S.E. of Douglas Head she passed a schooner with a large boiler on deck, and with only the fore lower mast stand- ing. As a result of the open-air life, two young Leadbeater's cocatoos have been hatched in the eastern aViary at the Zoo. This has never happened at the gardens before. u'

HOME HINTS. To give handkerchiefs a. faint scent of violeu, add a small piece of orris-root to the water they are boiled in. To clean cake tins and strainers that are greasy, scrub thoroughly with hot socla water, and then scour them with a soapy flannel dipped into fine sand. To Skim Soups.-Tilt the pot by lowering the handle towards you; the scum will rise on the opposite side and can be easily removed with- out loss of soup. Every cook should) dean all her flues and re- move all the soot at least once a week if she wants her range to "draw" properly. An oven will never heat, however big a fire is put on, if the stove is chokedi with soot. Tar or paint marks are often somewhat diffi- cult to remove. A little paraffin oil or turpen- tine rubbed briskly into the sitain soon effaces it. Rinsing thoroughly in tepid water with good toilet soap removes all smell from the, skin, and leaves the hands beautifully clean and soft. If you wish to clean your felt hat before put- ting it away, first untrim the hat, removing the head lining. Take some bran, and mix with a little crushed! white starch. Then rub well into the hat for some time, and it will leave it beautifully clean. Then brush, well, and your hat will be as good as new. Here is the recipe for a cheap and good furni- ture polish Take a .pennyworth of sweet oil, a •halfpennyworth of turpentine, a gill of vinegar, and the white of one egg. Place in a bottle, and shake till thoroughly blended, which will be in about five minutes.. Apply in the usual manner. Coins make good substitutes for weights in an emergency. Three- pennies weigh an ounce, a florin and a. sixpence together equal half an ounce, and a threepenny bit and halfpenny together weigh a quarter of an ounce. Rissoles in Paste.—Two ounces of cold meat, four tablespoonfuls of stock, half an ounce of butter, salt, pepper, cayenne, half a small onion (boiled), short pastry. Chop the meat and onion finely. Melt the butter in a pan add the flour, and then the sfcock. Stir till they boil; add the meat, onion, and seasoning, and allow to cool. Roll out pastry very thin; put little lumps of mix- ture on it, leaving a space between each. Wet the paste round the meat, fold the paste over, and cutfc out the rissoles with half a round cutter. Dip each in beaten egg and bread- crumbs, and fry in boiling fat. Red ink can be made, at home from the fol- lowing recipe; take ten grains of pure carmine j and dissolve them in one ounce and a half of ammonia liquor. When the carmine has dis- solved, add ten grains of gum-arabic to the mixture. ;— Washing red flannels is quite easy if you have a good lather of soap, to which is added a tea- spoonful of powdered borax. Rub only with the hands, and rinse in warm water. Press very dry between a cloth, and shake well befona hanging in a shady place to dry. As window panes are liable to crack if washed in frosty weather in the ordinary way with water, it is useful to know that if rubbed over with a little paraffin oil they may h. polished without danger of breaking, besides making them look wonderfully clear and bright. To clean brass ornaments wash them over with strong ammonia. The fancy parts should be well scrubbed with a brush dipped in the ammonia. Rinse in clear water, wipe dry, and polish with a wash leather. Salmon Steak.—Salmon cutlets, one table- spoonful of chopped parsley, rind of half a lemon, two ounces of butt&r, juice of haJf a lemon, cayenne pepper, and salt. Take some nice salmon cutlets three-quarters of an inch thick, wrap these in a butt-eyed paper, and fry till cooked. Meanwhile chop finely one table- spoonful of parsley and the rind of half a lemon peeled thin. Take the butter, squeeze a little Lemon-juice into it, work in the parsley and lemon peel, season with salt and cayenne pepper. Carefully take the cutlets out of the paper and arrange on a very hot dish, place lumps of butter on each cutlet, and serve at once. For a further giarnisih. to the dish, use sprigs of parsley and cut lemon. To Whitewash a Ceiling.—Buy a pennyworth of Paris white, and a halfpennyworth of powder blue. Scald in overnight by pouring over it a' quart of boiling water, and in the morning add to it a quart of skim milk, which will make it work beautifully smooth, leaving no streaks. Mix the whitewash thoroughly. It is not necessary to put it on in any special manner as long as the ceiling is equally covered, and no bare spots are left. If the whitewash be splashed on the wallpaper, Let it dry thoroughly, and then rub it off with a clean duster. Blood stains may be removed by soaking ia tepid water with a little ammonia added, or, if the fabric be delicate, borax should he substi- tuted1. The water may require to be changed once or twice, and the article squeezed well down into it, in order to rush the clear watep through the stained part. Handkerchiefs, and even pieces of washing silk used for dresses and blouses, should be con- sidered valuable possessions even when they are very shabby, for they make better dusters for polished wood than any which one could buy. An old white silk handkerchief laid across a sore by long lying in bed will sometimes give relief when nothing else will. Whether the candlesticks are, tin or enamelled fill them with boiling water to clean, them. Do' not allow the water to stand any time, but pour it off, and then thoroughly dry the candle- stick with a cloth. In this. manner grease and dirt may be removed without damage to the colour or substance of the candlestick. The most common, and sometimes the most aggravating too, are tea,and, coffee stains. The simplest and quickest way to remove them, is to place a basin below the stain, holding the cloth in place over it, and pour over it boiling water until the mark disappears, then slip out the basin and lay a folded clean towel below the wet part. After the dishes, &c., are re- movedtfrom the cloth it should be dried in the open air if possible, and then m,angledi or ironed. Even if the cloth should not be u&ed again until it is washed, this is a much better plan than plunging it into a tub of water at once, as is oJten done. Almost every lamp wants boiling occasionally when the light burns dimly, and, no attention to oil or wick will make any difference. Take the lamp apart, remove the wick, and then boil both burner and wick in hot water in which has been thrown some washing soda. When every part has been thoroughly cleaned! and as thoroughly dried, put in the wick, trim it, fill the lamp with oil, and the light will be brilliant. Swiss Soup.—One pound of calf s liver, one onion, one ounce butter, three pints stock, one roll, two eggs, a little flour, pepper, salt, a grate of nutmeg, a lemon. First slice the calf's Uver, dredge it with flour and fry brown in the butter, with an onion sliced thinly. Then pound the liver in a mortar, season with pepper, salt, and a grate of nutmeg. Stir into this three pints of well-flavoured stock and simmer for a quarter of an hour with a roll cut in slices, crust included; strain the soup and again make hot, colouring to a good brown and seasoning to taste. Beat the two eggs and place in a tureen and pour the soup on them while beating. Hand quarters of cut Lemon with this soup. Ascertain that both plates and tureen are hot before putting the eggs into the tureen.

Edward Dolan, sixteen years old, of Cruinhill, Northwich, rescued Edward Ford, eight years Northwich, rescued Edward Ford, eight years old, from drowning in the River Don. Dolan learned to swim in the urban council's classes. It was stated at the annual meeting of the j Anglo-Indian Temperance Association at Wheat- sheaf Hall, South Lambeth, that the number of i drink/ in India had risen from 118,472 in 1903 xo 120,875 in 1904.

KING HAAKON'S LONG DRIVE, King Haakon and Queen Maud will leave Christtiania on June 11 and journey by rail to Lillehammer for the Coronation on June 22. From Lillehammer the Royal party will pro. ceed by road to Trondhjem in order to give the population an opportunity of greeting the King and! Queen. The procession will consist of five carriages and two luggage cars. In the firat carriage will be the King and Queen, and in the second the Crown Prince Olav with his nurse. Colonel Knollys and Nor- wegian offi,cers will occupy three carriages, and the attendants the remaining two. The drive wiJI last ten days. Great preparations are being madie by the authorities on the, route to give the King and Queen a suitable reception.

[AN. RIGHTS Rzsjmvml THE HOUSE OVER THE WAY. BY HORACE LASHBROKE, Author of To the Rescue," "An Unjust Steward," Forsaken" "That Cad Williams," "Poor Cousin Tim," etc. etc. THE NARRATIVE CONTINUED BY PAUL WINGROVE. CHAPTER XIII. ON THE EVE OF MISCHIEF. WHEN at last I rose from my seat in the arbour I felt conscious of pending evil; the shadows of approaching sorrow lay heavily upon me. How few had been the days of my happiness How quickly had they flown by-even as a dream. It is in the nature of some people to anticipate the worst, to aggravate sorrow by meeting it half way. It was so with me. That Professor Cloud had said something to Sir Jasper calculated to prejudice my fondest hopes in respect to Agnes it was only natural for me to imagine; but that he would succeed in his evil machinations I had no reason to regard as certain. Nevertheless, I anticipated the worst. I made my way back to the house with the full conviction that the halcyon days of my life were cambered. I found Agnes still in the drawing-room with Lady Pearl, and by this time Mary Cloud had joined them. The last-named was looking pale and even more dejected than usual. Agnes was doing her utmost to render her companion cheerful, and was so thoroughly occupied in her labour of love that I could find no opportunity of speaking to her privately before Lady Pearl challenged me to a game of cribbage. That, I knew from experi- ence, meant bondage until the ladies retired for the night. Sir Jasper did not appear upon the scene until quite an hour later than was his wont. When he entered the room, followed by Pro- fessor Cloud, his benevolent features wore an expression of unmistakable sadness and uneasiness. The Professor, on the contrary, looked cheerful and self-satisfied. He just glanced at me furtively, but in that glance I detected, or believed I de- tected, a betrayal of inward triumph. He approached his daughter and Agnes with his usual exaggerated phraseology, declaring that he had never known a moment's genuine happiness since last he had heard Sir Jasper Pearl's unrivalled daughter sing. Would she once more lift him into the seventh heaven of bliss by permitting him to conduct her to the piano ? Would she once more confer upon him the unparalbled honour of allow- ing him to turn over the leaves of her music ? I felt that I would have given anything I pos- sessed for my darling to have refused to comply With his request. I felt that nothing in the world 'Would have given me greater satisfaction than to have seized Professor Cloud by the throat, and shaken half the life out of him, and kicked him out of the room. The sight of him hanging over her "While she played and sung, with his great pale face almost touching her hair, tried my patience to its utmost limits. "My dear Mr. Wingrove," said Lady Pearl with kindly reproval, if you do not pay a little more attention to the game I can take no credit to myself for conquering you." Apologising profoundly to her ladyship for my shortcomings, I did my best to keep my eyes fixed on my cards, but even then I found it impossible to keep them from wandering now and again in the direction of the piano. I was thankful when Agnes ceased singing-much &811 loved to hear her sweet voice-and when the ladies showed signs of retiring for the night. From the time Sir Jasper had entered the drawing-room he had appeared almost entirely pre-occupied with his own thoughts, and only at the last moment before the usual hour for retiring to the smoke- room did he address a few pleasant words to Mary. When the ladies had said good night," poor Sir Jasper, still painfully ill at ease, informed the Professor and I that he hoped we would excuse him from joining us in a cigar as he felt tired and rather indisposed. My dear Sir Jasper," exclaimed Professor Cloud, "do not permit us-the privileged slaves of your pleasure-to keep you one moment from the beneficent arms of refreshing slumber. Sleep, baiiny sleep!' What would the noblest and the bravest be with- out its gentle and restoring hand ? I was on the point of following in Sir Jasper's footsteps and excusing myself from the usual in- dulgence of a last cigar on similar grounds, when Sir Jasper said: "I am sure you and Wingrove are quite capable of enjoying an hour's conversa- tion without me. Were either of you companion- less I would not ask to be excused." This, of course, rendered retirement on my part possible. Sir Jasper wished us both "good-night," With his usual sweetness of manner, but with the sad and troubled look still upon his kind face. As he left the room my eyes followed him, and toy heart too. It wounded me more deeply than I could have expressed to see him look so wretched, the one who studied so earnestly to render all about him happy. Who but Professor Cloud had brought thi? shadow on his brow The voice of the Professor hroke in upon my bitter reflections. My dear young friend—so full of thought— shall we adjourn to the smoke-room ? I turned upon him so sharply that I firmly believe he imagined I was on the point of attack- ing him, verbally at the least. He shrunk back a pace or two, and a startled look shot across his features. But in a moment I had recovered my Self-possession. "Yes, Professor Cloud I was thinking. Certainly We will smoke. Will you lead the way ? The Professor bowed, smiled blandly, and led the way to the smoke-room. Arrived there, he helped himself to a glass of whisky and water before passing the decanter to me, did likewise viith the box of cigars, then threw himseif into Sir Jasper's chair as if he were the master of the establishment. In doing this it seemed as if he wished to im. press me with the idea that his position at Silver Sail was superior to, and far more established than, my own. I need hardly say how my incli. nation to think favourably of Professor Cloud had by this time completely changed. I had grown to thoroughly mistrust and dislike the man. Having lit his cigar, thrown himself back in his at, crossed his fat legs, and permitted the white rat to crawl up on to his shoulder, he opened the Conversation. "If, my dear young friend," he commenced any word of mine, uttered at the dinner table thi; e\> fining, caused you annoyance, I regret it--believe j*j,e in all sincerity, I regret it. I had no intention Wounding your feelings." "The subject is not worth referring to," I Sewered, coldly. It is my wish," resumed the Professor, to be t peace with all men, with the whole world. I > ished to be at peace with your uncle Richard. Ii baa declared war against me it is not my fault. A* he has set his face against me it does not follow you also should set your face against me. 1 hat injury have I done your uncle What injury flave I done you ? Cannot we find some pleasanter topic of con- versation ?" I asked. p "Dear Mr. Wingrove," answered Professor ,8 °U<1» you are a young man with, if I may say without offence, a limited experience of the orld I am a man advanced in years, whose days vin the yellow leaf, and who has seen much of nature. If we are to be, as I trust we may e> friends, we must not start by misunderstanding another. We are, in all human probability, i es^ned to spend years of our lives in the same °CalLfcy» to live within a stone's throw of one v °ther. Are we to be friends or enemies ? Are fs°u resolved, simply because your uncle Richard Unwarrantably prejudiced against me, to be un- ^fantably prejudiced againBt me also ? jv.j. hope I am above being unwarrantably pre- uiced against anyone," I answered. v0ll <>d !» said the Professor. Judging from demeanour towards me at the dinner-table to fll ening, I much feared that you were disposed tollow in your uncle Richard's footsteps. I am thankful to find that I was mistaken-very thankful. Doubtless, it was my own want of tact, and I may add, against myself, my want of taste, in speaking somewhat bitterly of your uncle, that occasioned your annoyance. It was not, as I incorrectly imagined, any personal and unreasoning prejudice. I may, therefore, conclude that what- ever may occur in the future between your uncle and myself, you will not be guided in your feelings towards me by anything he may please to think of me, or do in opposition to my interests ? "I have never been permitted to interfere in my uncle's affairs in any respect whatever," I answered, nor has he ever consulted me as to his personal likes or dislikes. But remember, Pro- fessor Cloud, that he is my uncle—the relative to whom I owe everything from my early infancy- and against whom I could never be induced to raise a finger." My dear young friend, I never suggested your raising a finger against your uncle I merely asked you to judge me impartially. Heaven forbid that I should seek to raise the hand of relative against relative. What could have put it in your mind that I should ever have occasion to ask you to raise a finger against your uncle ? Had he committed some hidden crime which it was in my power to disclose, you could not have spoken more warmly in his defence." The Professor's eyes never left mine as he said this. You quite misunderstand me," I answered. "What I wished to convey to your mind was simply this: that if my uncle pleases to oppose your interests at Winford, you cannot expect me to quarrel with him on that account." Ha exclaimed the Professor, raising his hand as he spoke, now I clearly comprehend your meaning. Of course I would not have you quarrel with your Uncle Richard-to whom you owe so much, so very much !—on my poor account, for all the world. All I ask of you is not to join in battle against me without just cause; not to oppose me out of mere vulgar and unwarrantable "treiudice. as he appears determined to do," :iave no intention of committing an injustice you or any man," was my reply. "This world, my young friend," responded the Professor, "is overrun with injustice; you must, therefore, forgive me for having imagined it possible that you might be disposed to go with the crowd. The thought has crossed my mind that your Uncle Richard may have formed a prejudice against me simply and solely because I happen to be related to Sir Percival Cloud, who, many years ago, resided in the immediate neighbourhood of Winford. I hr-ve imagined it possible that Sir Percival and he may not have got on well together hence Mr. Richard Wingrove's prejudice against my unworthy self. Perhaps you can enlighten me on the subject ? I never heard my uncle mention Sir Percival I Cloud's name in my life," I answered; indeed, I never heard anything of the man." I was not personally acquainted with him," replied the Professor. I only know from hearsay that he was an eccentric kind of creature, and not a general favourite—the kind of man your uncle Richard would be likely to quarrel with. There is —forgive me for alluding to the fact-a certain amount of eccentricity about your uncle, and eccentric people seldom agree." 1 offered no comment on this expression of opinion, but smoked on in silence, wondering within myself what aim Professor Cloud had in view in speaking as he had spoken. "I trust," he said at last, "that we now clearly understand one another, and that what- ever course others may pursue, we, my dear young friend, are destined to meet at all times and in all places on amicable terms." You are, then, quite resolved to settle down in Winford," I answered, evasively. "Quite resolved, in spite of all opposition, in spite of every obstacle that may be placed in the way of my success. Believe me, Mr. Wingrove, I am not devoid of courage, I am not afraid of fighting an uphill battle." "Do you propose taking your daughter with you ? I asked. Mary, the queen of my heart, the apple of my eye, will, in all probability, join me at Winford sooner or later." "The attachment between your daughter and Miss Pearl is very strong," I remarked. "Iam thankful to believe it is so," said the Professor. "Miss Pearl is an angel ît1 human form; my daughter is a gem of incalculable worth. Ah. poor girl! poor girl!" The Professor drew his crumpled handkerchief from his pocket and passed it across his eyes. "I have often observed," I answered, "that there is an air of melancholy about Miss Cloud which is painful to witness." Only this evening," replied the Professor, with great solemnity, "I had a long and somewhat painful conversation with Sir Jasper concerning my sweet Mary." "Indeed! From what Sir Jasper told me, I believe that you and Miss Pearl have been greatly concerned on her account; that it has been your earnest desire to promote my darling's happiness." I am aware that Miss Pearl has been most solicitous to promote your daughter's happiness," I answered. And you also, my dear young friend. Do not be ashamed, do not be too modest, to take credit to yourself for endeavouring to bring sunshine into a fellow-creature's life. Let me be perfectly candid with you; let me be perfectly explicit. From what Sir Jasper confided to me, it is clear to my mind that you have acted the part of confidant to your friend Mr. Ralph Prescott in his love affairs. Unhappily, he centred his affections on my sweet Mary; unhappily, my sweet Mary centred her affections on him." Again the Professor passed his crumpled hand. kerchief across his eyes. "Alas alas! that it should have been so. Alas for the ill-placed love of young and tender hearts Why ill-placed ? I asked. "My friend," replied the Professor, "you have put a question to me that I cannot answer a question that I could not reply to even when pro- pounded by the friend of my bosom, Sir Jaspe Pearl. There, are reasons which render my daughter's marriage to anyone utterly impossible Why it is so I cannot explain. Such, however, being the case, there is only one course to pursue- a course which all who have my daughter's interests at heart should follow without a moment's hesita- tion. And what may that be? I questioned. To render it absolutely clear to your young friend Prescott that his love for my daughter is worse than useless, that to encourage it is folly to himself and cruelty to her. She can never be his wife—never "Never is a. long day, Professor Cloud," I answered. Sir replied the Professor, sternly, it is a cruel and a wicked act to encourage false hopes- hopes that may never be realised ? You are young and sentimental, and may mean well, but I implore you by all that is just and merciful to induce Ralph Prescott to abandon all hope in respect to my daughter. If he has a spark of manhood in his nature, a shadow of genuine affection for my sweet Mary in his heart, he will avoid ever meeting her again." The Professor paused for a moment to wipe the perspiration from his forehead, and the white rat, crawling down from his shoulder, crept in under his waistcoat. "May I appeal to you as a friend, as my daughter's friend, as Mr. Prescott's friend, to impress what I have said to you upon him with the least possible delay ? It would come much better from your own lips, Professor Cloud?" I answered. You shrink from performing what is nothing short of a duty!" he answered, sharply. "Not at all. I consider you are the proper person to interfere in this matter." "Have you not encouraged this clandestine court- ship between my daughter and Ralph Prescott ?" It has been no business of mine," I answered, hotly. I never encouraged Ralph Prescott to court your daughter, nor her to respond to his overtures." Have you not interceded with Sir Jasper in their behalf ? Surely you will not venture to deny that ? retorted the Professor, his dark little eyes flashing at me angrily. "When I saw, as Miss Pearl saw, how wretehed they both were on account of the inexplicable barrier that-" I know all about that," interrupted the Pro- fessor, impatiently. To put it in the mildest form, you tacitly encouraged my daughter and your friend in their love-making, and now, when the mischief is done, you shrink from doing your best to remedy it." I deny having helped to create mischief," I replied, warmly; "and I deny shrinking from any duty that may rest upon me." Words words words my young friend," said the Professor. If you are sincere in your protes- tations, you will relieve me of the painful task of speaking to Ralph Prescott myself. It is not much to ask you, merely a small kindness—a duty I consider-for which I should be appropriately grateful." "Professor Cloud," I answered, "I can only repeat that I consider it your duty to speak to Mr. Prescott that I am convinced your words would have far more weight than mine in this painful matter." You decline to do me the small service I have asked, Mr. Wingrove ? "For the sake of all concerned, I must decline to undertake the responsibility of crushing all hope out of my friend's heart for ever. My word, I repeat, would not carry the fatal conviction to his mind that you desire." Enough answered the Professor, rising from his seat and placing the stump of his cigar in the ash tray. Enough, Mr. Wingrove. I am sadly disappointed in you, sadly deceived. Moral courage is, I fear, a virtue that you do not possess. My sweet daughter and I must fight our battle together without extraneous assistance. Ah, me! this is a selfish world." The white rat once more crawled up on to the Professor's shoulder. Adonis My beautiful Adonis said Professor Cloud, smoothing his pet softly with his moist, fat hand, "you have a thousand times more courage than some people whom I know. Good night, Mr. Wingrove, good night Happy, liappy, happy be your dreams!' With this he marched out of the room, leaving me to my own reflections. (To be continued.)

SENSATIONAL ROBBERY STORY. I Strange disclosure si were- made at Preston Quarter Sessions, when John Asihton (16), George Lawrence Tomlinson (19), Joseph Leach (18), Albert Whalley (19), pleaded1 guilty to shopbreaking; and William Thomas Kay (36), broker, a well-known Darwen tradesman, was found guilty of receiving stolen jewellery, silver, and brass goods. Inspector Barnes related a sensational story er 22 robberies, all of a similar nature, com- mitted at Darwen. Upon Kay's house and warehouse being searched the police discovered two revolvers, a box of cartridgee, 80 skeleton and other keys, black masks, pocket electric lamp, files, &e. Mr. Hodgson, representing Ashton, Leach, and Tomlinson, appealed for leniency, and a broad smile went round the court when he men- tioned all regularly attend Sunday-#chool. The he said, were of unblemished characters, with respectable parents. When the robberies were detected the parents discovered that the lads had been reading penny shockers, end seemed to have got into their heads some idea of doing desperate deeds. Ashton and Whalley were bound over under the First Offender's Act, and Leach and Tom- linson were sentenced to six months' hard labour. Kay, who was sentenced to five years' penal servitude, seemed staggered at his sen- tence, and had to be removed from the dock,

——============== A DAYLIGHT GHOST. I A ghost, which does its work in broad day- light, is said to have been doing strange things at the village of Great Badlow, in Essex, in a cottage occupied by an elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. John Wallace. Mrs. Wallace, at the time of its first appearance, had just made the bed when the spook strewed the clothes on the floor. Then the ghost descended from the bed- room and cleared the kitchen mantelpiece of all its ornaments, which it placed, in a spirit of unghostly carefulness, uninjured on the hearthrug. At this the village constable, and after him the village blacksmith and a parish councillor, were called in. But even they could do nothing, and a few minutes later the frolicsome spirit eet several flower-pots dancing on the window- sill before the frightened eyes of Mrs. Wallace.

DIGNITY OF THE CHURCH. I Is the church a place in which one may be generally friendly and pass the time of day? The Bishop of Manchester says it is not. The church may be cold, but that is because it has a dignity to preserve. There are other places where one may be friendly, and one of these is the Girls' Friendly Society. It is not that we do not wish to be friendly, but we think the church is the wrong place in which to show it," said the Bishop, speaking at a meeting of the society.

( A KENTISH FAT BOY. The village of Woodchurch, near Ashford, has produced a curiosity in school boys. Charles Watts, who resides there, and is just leaving school, turns the scale at 25st. He is over 6ft. in height, and, being but 15 years of age, is still growing. In spite of his extraordinary proportions, the boy is very active, and an enthusiastic cricketer. He excels in most outdoor games, and has proved an excellent scholar.

CURRENT SPORT. CHAMPION LADY GOLFER. The fourteenth annual Ladies' Gold Cham- pionship tournament, played at Burham last week, ended in a sensational victory for Mrs. Kennion. In the final tie the new lady cham- pion had to meet the holder of the champion- ship, Miss Bertha Thompson, and she suc- ceeded in gaining a victory by four holes up and three to play. In the semi-final round she defeated the Scottish champion, Miss Dorothy Campbell. Mrs. Kennion belongs to the Brigh- ton and Hove Golf Club. ENGLAND V. SCOTLAND. The fifth annual golf match of thirty holes between teams representing England and Scot- land took place on Saturday at Hoylake. The first round was decided under excellent condi- tions, with the exception that a strong northerly wind was rather difficult to contend with, but in the afternoon rain fell heavily, and made the greens rather uncertain. There was a large crowd of spectators, who chiefly fol- lowed the match between J. Ball and R. Max- well, representing England and Scotland re- spectively. At the finish of the first round Ball had a substantial lead of 5, and, continuing to play splendid golf in the afternoon, eventually won by 8 up and 5 to play. At the close of the first round England led by one match, but in the afternoon the Scotsmen soon put the issue be- yond doubt, and won by 7 matches to 2, this be- ing their fourth victory in this event. OUR CHAMPION SPRINTER. J. W. Morton (South London II.), the 100 yards amateur champion, won the 100 yards championship of the Midland Counties, at the Birmingham Crusaders' sports, on Saturday. beating S. H. Thompson (Birchfield Harriers) by a yard, in 10 l-5sec. At the same meeting E. J. Negus (Crusaflers), the two miles amateur champion of 1903, won the mile walking handi- cap, with 90 yards start, in 6min. 21sec. INTERNATIONAL ATHLETICS. At Herne Hill, on Saturday, in the annnsl encounter between represntatives of the Soiun London Harriers and the Racing Club de France, the South London club won by four events to three. In the first event (a half-mile race) A. Pouillot, of the Racing Club, finished first, beat- ing J. P. George, of the South London Harriers, by four yards, in the capital time of lmin. 59sec. With the next event—100 yards—the South London club drew level, A. Longharst, of that side, finishing first, and his club-fellow, H. Watson, second, in lOJsec. By wining tne next event—a mile race-in 4min. 28 I-osee., J. A. Knott placed the South Londoners ahead. Again the Flrenchmen drew level by winning the three-quarters of a mile steeplechase. Once more the English contingent took the lead when L. J. de B. Reed (S.L.H.) won the quarter-mile by 10 yards from his fellcw-clubman, J. B. Densham, in 51 2-5sec. The 120 yards hurdle race, which went to the French champion, A. C. Klingel- hoefer, by two yards from the Welsh champion, E. W. Gould (S.L.H.) in 17 2-5see, again placed the Frenchmen on level terms. In the three miles race F. A. Knott (South London) again ran splendidly. After allowing the Frenchman Versal to cut out the running at a great pace for the first mile, Knott wore the latter down, and eventually won by 20 yards from another South London Harrier-F. J. Spencer. R. J. Geollroy (Racing Club) was third. SURREY BEAT HANTS. I (Seventy minutes' cricket at Aldershot on Saturday sufficed to give Surrey th&:1" second decisive win over Hampshire this season. Over- night Hampshire were a hopelessly beaten side. Going in against a balance of 178 runs, tney had I Ilost six wickets, and were but 10 runs on. Their Jour outstanding wickets on Saturday morning produced 4-3^runs in as many minutes, and the innings closed for 231. Surrey had but to get 54 runs to win. These Hobbs and Raphael 11n off in half an hour, and Surrey won by ten wickets. The scores were —Surrey, 292 and 56 for 0; Hants, 114 and 231. KENT COLLAPSE. An hour and twenty-five minutes' cricket at » Catford on Saturday sufficed to bring the Kent v. Yorkshire match to a conclusion, Yorkshire winning by 119 runs. From the position in which the game had been left on Friday even- ing there seemed every prospect of a good finish, as Kent with all their wickets in hand, required 174 runs to win. As it happened, how- ever, the Yorkshiremen played at the top of their form, and fielding magnificently gained a fine victory. Scores: Yorks 229 and 137, Kent 178 and 69. LANCASHIRE WINS. At Oxford on Saturday the University proved unequal to the task set them, and Lancashire gained an easy victory by 141 runs. Requir- ing 305 runs to win, Oxford had lost two men for 13 runs overnight, and the remaining eight wickets fell in less than two hours for an ad- ditional 150 runs. Scores: Lancashire 195 and 235, Oxford 124 and 163. THE TEST MATCHES. It is stated that it may be announced pre- sently that the three test matches in which the South African team are to take part next year are to be played to a finish. There is a strong feeling in the high quarters of cricket in favour of such an arrangement. In all pro- bability the test matches of the South African team will be managed on this side by a board of control constituted on the same lines as the proposed board of control for Australian test matches. The M.C.C. favours this idea, and the counties are hardly likely to view it in any other light.

I FOR A SUIT OF CLOTHES. "I hardly expected him to be here," said a plaintiff to Judge Smyly at Shoreditch County- court, explaining the absence of a defendant. His Honour: Why?—I am told he is getting married this morning. Oh, and you think he has forgotten to come to court?—Well, I trust he hasn't forgotten to go to the church. What is this claim for?—A suit of clothes. Is it the suit he is getting married in.-No, I think not. I am quite willing to let the case be adjourned, as doubtless, in his other engagements, he has forgotten me. His Honour: Very well; I will adjourn it.

I BRUSH WITH THE ZULUS. The British columns from N'Kandhla and Fort Yolland effected a junction at Cetewayo's grave on Friday. A rearguard action was fought with Bambaata's men, who came down from M'Khala, Hill. Twelve rebels were killed. The Colonial casualties were Lieutenant Wil- kins and Trooper Williams wounded. Lieu- tenant Wilkins, who belongs to the Northern District Rifles, was aesegaied in the arm, and Williams, of the Durban Light Infantry, re- ceived a gun-shot in the leg. His wound is not serious. Hundreds of cattle were captured. The rebel casualties in the fight greatly ex- ceeded the twelve dead who were actually counted. Precautions are being taken to avoi any desecration of Cetewayo's grave, so as not to wound native susceptibilities. The ,now centres round Bambaata. Practically th-s whole of Sigananda's country has been taken and his herds and women captured.

GARDEN GOSSIP. Wallflower Window Boxes.When priekinl? out the seedling wallflowersi, enough should be retained for filling window boxes in autumn or spring. Autumn is the beet time for filling, se. not only are the windows adorned with greenery in the winter, but the plants are protected from cold, and bloom early. Wallflowers, however, transplant well, and may be lifted when coming into bloom. As to their effect in window boxes there can be no two opinions. » A Euonymus Window.—These who dwell near the sea know full well the value of the green and golden Euonymuses for various purposee, and the uses to which they are put are mani- fold. The writer had frequently seen Euony- mus arches, and arbours formed of the same useful shrub, but not till recently had he seen it used as a covering for a window frame. The window was a bay one, with wide brick divi- sions, and up each division, as well as on the side wall, Euonymusea were trained. Kept closely cut in at the sides and front, the plants presented a peculiar neat and cheerful appear- ance. Palms in Rooms.—The present is a good time to overhaul palms in rooms. First, the foliage should be carefully scrutinised for white or brown scale, and all specimens removed with a pointed stick. Then the leaves, the under Bides especially, should be well sponged with wa,rm. soapy water, using plenty of "elbow grease" in the operation. Doubtless the soil will be more or less sour, or so much of it will have been washed away by constant water- ings that more will be required. It is quite useless to employ garden mould for this pur- pOISe-a li.ttle good, fibrous loam and some coarse sand should be obtained. Before apply- ing this. see that the drainage is in good condi- tion, and, remove as much of the old soil as pos- sible with a pointed stick. Then place on the new compost, make it firm, and well water it home. < Rhododendrons.—Some of the more precocious eorts are already making a good display in the Rhododendron dell, and during the next few weeks this paradisusi terrestris will be at its best, providing the elements are at least some- what favourable. The plants, on the whole. show signs of flowering well, and the splendid arrangement of them enables visitors to admire and examine them to their heart's content. Pink Pearl is one among many gems that should be looked for during the coming weeks. The Azaleas, or Rhododendrons as they are now called at Kew, are. situated in a charming spot near the dell, .and will also be putting forth their gorgeous flowers in the near future. Disbudding Roses.-The number of details which have to be kept in mind by those who aspire to the production of exhibition Roses is very great, and none of them can be ignored with impunity. One of the most interesting, and at the same time important, points is dis- budding. Every grower has recourse to it in some degree, but it is often done perfunctorily, instead of systematically and thoroughly. In the majority of cases the central bud is chosen, but should it have received injury from any cause it should be unhesitatingly discarded, as a damaged bud can never develop into a per- fect flower. A too common error is to allow the secondary buds to remain on too long. As soon as it can be seen that the main bud is perfect, those surounding it, and which have to be re- moved, should be rubbed out at once. The earlier in the day that the operation is done the easier it is to remove superfluities. Planting Gladioli.—It is excellent practice to start the Gladioli corms into growth before they are planted in the beds and borders, somewhere in the same way as tuberous rooted Begonias. The soil should be very deep, and contain a good quantity of thoroughly rotted manure in the second spit. In the top soil the incorpora- tion of wood ashes is advantageous, while a light dressing of superphosphate never comes amiss. When planting in beds the lines should be twelve inches apart, and the corms four to six inches asunder in them. In borders the clump system of planting is very effective, but the plants can also be used in ribbon arrange- ment if required. In either case the corms should be covered with four inches of friable soil. » Hoeing.—The more hoeing that can be done among all the crops in the garden, the better will it be for plant and grower alike. The Dutch hoe is the handiest tool, and it should not be driven in deeply, but merely through the uppermost inch of soil in the majority of cases. It is exceeding beneficial in arestmg the growth of seedling and other weeds, the waste of food in the soil, and the admission thereto of the warm fresh air that does the roots so much good. Dwarf Beans.—There is nothing gained by sowing seeds of these very early in open borders. The condition of the soil and the position must be considered. Low lying dis- tricts, too, are often visited by very late frosts, and even a slight one will ruin the plants. In a sheltered spot, in a garden situated on high ground, Dwarf Beans may be sown towards the end of April; but in less protected places the first week in May will be quite soon enough. These Beans are greatly benefited by the ad- dition of plenty of well rotted manure to the soil. The best plan to adopt is the following: Spread the manure on the surface, and deeply. dig it in, well working it and the soil together so that large lumps do not lie unbroken. Hav- ing prepared the ground, draw out shallow but broad drills, two feet apart; sow the seeds thinly, placing them in zigzag form along the drill, and about six inches asunder. Ono plant, if given ample space to grow in, will bear more pods than three plants if the latter are over crowded. Cover the seeds about two inches deep. Some persons may think it quite unecessary to place any sticks to Dwarf Bean plants, but I always advise this being done, as then the plants are kept upright, the pods grow straight, and are not soiled through lying on the ground. Runner Beans.—Before sowing the seeds of these, it may be well to see whether the result- ant plants, with their streams of lively flowers, cannot be made to form a background to a her- baceous border, or even to act as a screen to shut out some unsightly object. As the plants are tall growing, plenty of room must be given them. Draw out two shallow drills, one foot apart and two inches deep. Sow the seeds nine inches asunder in the drills, and cover them with the ordinary soil, unless the latter is clayey; then put a little dry soil—which may be obtained from the potting shed on the seeds first, and finish the covering with the garden. loam. Two rows of plants raised in this way. may be staked and made to look charming, be- sides being a very profitable crop. Runner Beans which are grown on sloping, dry ground should have the earth drawn up, especially on the lower side, in such a manner that all the rain water possible will be captured for the benefit of the roots, as the flowers fall off whole- sale in very dry weather if the roots lack" moisture and plenty of organic manure. Annuals.—Where these are becoming crowded in lines or clumps, an opportunity should be taken to go over tille. plants and remove the smallest, leaving the strongest and best at some three or four inches apart. Another sowing may now be made to c&rry the display of flowers well into the autumn, and to succeed those so was •arlier. Feeding Bedding Plants. — Too frequently these are in a starved condition when planted out, and it is worth while to give those which have been some time in pots or boxes an oc- casional supply of manure water. A very soluble manure is preferable, as it does not choke the apertures in the rose of the water- ing pot.