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

THE "VALUE OF ALCOHOL. Several eminent doctors, including some J of the best-known London practitioners, | have thought it necessary to issue a mani- festo vindicating the use of alcohol in sick- ness, and as a daily beverage when taken in moderation. They appear to have thought that there was some danger in the view that medical opinion was becoming more and more hostile to the use of stimulants. That such is the popular view is not sur- prising seeing that in nearly all the hospitals the administering of alcohol to patients has been reduced from 50 to 75 per cent. in recent years. In any case these doctors appear desirous of counteracting this im- pression, and state that they belie7e alcohol to be "a rapid and trustworthy restora- "tive," if not life preserving in cases of .sickness, and also that the moderate use of alcoholic beverages is beneficial to adults. TThis will be comforting to all who are in -the habit of taking a little stimulant, but it is more than likely there will be a second manifesto by another set of doctors, equally eminent and distinguished, but expressing very qualified, or indeed quite opposite, views.

I For INDIGESTION. A SAFE Household I I Remedy; NORTON'S CAMOMILE PILLS. I I J20 years' unequalled reputation. S I The best remedy for Indigestion, 1 I Headache, Dyspepsia, Biliousness, I 1 Constipation, Stomach and Liver I Complaints. Try them and prove for I yourself. The cost is small. The I benefit great. I Bottles 18. lid., 28. ed., sold all over the World, 8 or Horton's, Ltd., t1 Spital Square, London. g î r ..d .A.F ¿

THE HABITS AND UTILITY OF WILD BIRDS. The Board of Agriculture is giving some attention to the feeding habits and utility of birds, and it is to be hoped that a -thorough and comprehensive research will be made into this subject. That many wild birds do a great deal of mischief to fruit Z5 growers and agriculturists is beyond all dou at, and unfortunately many of these are of the species we desire to protect on ac- count of their plumage or song. From the agriculturists' point of view, wild birds may "be divided into three classes, those that live ontirelv at his expense, those that do good and harm in about equal proportions, and those which are entirely beneficial to him. There is. however, much conflict of opinion as regards the feeding habits of birds, and between the uncertainty on this point and -the fact that the Vvild Birds' Protection Acts have been framed without regard to the agriculturists' interests, the result is about as unsatisfactory as it can be. It is useless to protect the birds whilst allowing iree trade in their eggs, as is the case in those of the peewit or lapwing, the most numerous of the family of plovers. The peewit which feeds on slugs and worms is one of the birds which are entirely useful to agriculturist, and only recently the Dor- setshire farmers asked for a bye-law to prohibit the sale of its eggs, of which the birds are robbed for the gratification of the epicure.

BAD LANGUAGE BY CHILDREN. The Chief Constable of Rochdale was only adopting a familiar comparison when he told the magistrates that a certain child of three swore like a trooper, but, what- ever may have happened in Flanders long ago, the Tommv Atkins of to-day is by no means specially addicted to the use of bad language. There are other people much more accomplished in this respect, and when we see the class of men who enlist improving every year it is only just that somebody else should have the credit of the habit which has too long been charged against the cavalry. At the same time there is another aspect of the question Nobody really me ns that the trooper is exceptionally proficient in swearing, hut it is only too true that the use of bad language by children has increased to a most lamentable extent. On this subject Mr Plowden, the well-known police magis- trate, has written, "Ùne of the worst social symptoms of the present dav, as reflected in the police court, is the terrible freedom in disgusting language by boys and girls in the open streets." The frequent employ- ment in the streets of obscene or blasphem- ous worder is an iutolertble nuisance to respectable people, but wtien the offender is a child the occurrence is particularly shocking.

FLANNELETTE. If purchasers of this useful material for underwear all the year round would buy the best English make, which can be obtained from all leading Drapers, they would avoid the risks they undoubtedly run with the inferior qualities of Flannelette. HORROCKSES' FLANNELETTES, made by the manufacturers of the celebrated Longcloths, Twills and Sheetings, are the best. H0RR00KSIS"

A NAUTICAL BENEFACTOR. f One result of the wreck of the Jebba, and other recent accidents at sea, has been to draw attention to the service which was rendered to the nation just a hundred years ago by Captain G. W. Manby, F.R.S. It is always difficult to say who is the original inventor of any useful contrivance, but it is evident that, whether or not Manby iu- vented the mortar apparatus, he at any rate drew attention to the idea that was the basis of the more recent rocket apparatus, which has been the means of saving thousands of lives. Our indebtedness to Manby in this matter is attested by the fact that he received, in 1814, a reward of Y,200 from Parliament, but attention has recently been drawn to the national ingratitude—or rather, one should say, the national thought- lessness—which has allowed his grave to fall into decay. The incident suggests the reflection that there must be in the aggre- gate very many people to whom the world owes much but whose graves have been similarly neglected.

MR. CARNEGIE'S BENEFACTIONS. Many people have thought that Mr Car- negie was disposed to confine himself too, much to one class of benefactions, and his belief in libraries evidently remains as strong as ever, for after dotting these in- stitutions all over Great Britain he has now commenced to do the same in Australia. His munificent gifts, however, are by no means represented solely by libraries, which there is reason to believe have borne fruit to a far greater extent than perhaps some people imagine. In Dumfermline there has been a marked improvement in the social well-being since Mr Carnegie heaped his gifts upon the thriving town. This is evidenced by the simple test of the police statistics. But Dumfermline is fortunate not only in its Carnegie library, but in its swimming baths, gymnasium, club, public band, etc., all of which it owes to the generosity of the great Pittsburg mil- l lionaire.

IMPORTANT TO MOTHERS.—Every Mother I who values the Health and Cleanliness of her Child should use Harrison's I Reliable' Nursery Pomade. One application kills all Nits and Vermin, beau- tifies and Strengthens the Hair. In Tins, 4?¡.d. and 9d. Postage Id. Geo. W. Harrison, Chemist, 118, Broad Street, Reading. Agent for Usk P. Aui/r Chemist, Medical Hall.

Forthcoming SSalli and West Show. Amongst the most popular competitions at the forthcoming show at Newport will be those offered for tradesmen's turn-outs. Valuable prizes are offered for the best heavy and light mares or geldings ued for general business purposes, to be driven in trade cait, and to be the property of a resident in South Wales and Monmouthshire; also for the best pony mare or geldiug not exceeding 13 handn, to be driven in harness, and to be the property of a South Wales or Moumouthshire resident. Prizes are also being offered for the best donkey to be driven in harness; for the best butcher's turn-out, which must have been used in Newport for at least six months prior to date (If show and for the best mare or gelding over 14 2 hands, the progeny of a Newport tradesman, to be exhibited in cart and harness, and that had been used for two months previous to the opening of the show. Much interest is also being shown in the ambulance competitions. This is restricted I' to holders of the St. John Ambulance certi- ficate The art manufactures section will be another intfrfsting pection, the object being to afford local firm* especially the opportunity of exhibiting fur sale articles of an artistic or scientific character. If there are any local firms who desire to book spaces for this purpose, they will be given preference over firms from a distance, provided they make application to the secretary, at Bath, immediately. Ent'ies for the tradesmen's turn-outs close on May 17th. aud the local hon. secretaries, Messrs. J. C Llewellin and L. Foster Stedman, will be happy to give further particulars to anyone apply- ing at their respective business addresses or at the Town Hall.

TOWER TEA-) A "A DAILY TREAT." The perfection of tea goodness and "a real refresher." Sold in string-tied packets. Full weight t'Sy R FR FoRrr I

Monmouth Assizes. ALTERATIONS OF DATES. I Mr Percy Laybourne. the Under Sheriff for Nlot,mo-itbshire, has received an official com- munication that the lking has ordered that the Trinity sir titlgs of the Hourt of Appeals and the High Court of Jua'ice shall terminate on the 31st July instead of the 12th August, and that the Long Vacation ehall extend from the 31st July to the 12th October, whe-, the Michaelmas sittings of the Courts are to commence. Following on the abt,vo al, erations, his Majesty has further ordered that the dates of the assizes shall be altered to meet the new circumstances. The Monmouth Summer Asnizes are in future to commence on or about Monday, June 24th, and conclude about the end of the week, instead of as formerly, commencing on the 5th July. A still greater alteration has been made with the Autumn Assize, which will commence on or about October 29th instead of the 22nd November. The Winter Assize will be held as formerly, about the 21st February.

Local M.P.s Voting. I During the short neriod between the assembling of Parliament and Easter there have been no fewer than 99 divisions in the House of Commons, and of these the large number of 43 took place at the notable all night and all day sitting on March 20th, when the House sat for 27 hours without adjourn- ment. Mr R. C. Everett (Woodbridgej was the only member who performed the task of voting in every one. There were 27 members who never voted at all. The following is the voting of the Monmouthshire members:— Halam, Lewis, Monmonth Boroughs. 40 Herbert, Colonel Ivor Caradoc, South 60 M'Kenna, R., North ^2 Richards, Thomas, West ^4

The Severn Bore. I Thousands watched the Severn bore on Easter Monday morning. For fully a dozen miles below Gloucester this most interesting natural pheno- menon was a great attraction, and spectators from Stroud and Gloucester on the one side and Dean Forest on the other, lined the banks of the Severn, patiently waiting the great wave's approach. The bore came along at eight miles an hour, stretching 80 yards from shore to shore, and lashing the water of the outer bank of the curve into a great white foam. It was a grand sight to witness was tins three or four feet of water, standing almost hori- zontally and rushing on as if in a mad race for mastery. The wave itself was preceded by a mighty heaving and swelling of the water, which cl stirs and excites the imagination.

Markets. ) USK, CATTLE, Monday.—Although it was Bank Holiday, there was a fair attendance and supply at the monthly market to-day, and the stock on offer was mostly cleared. The following were the quotations:Best quality beef 6d to 6Jd per lb, seconds 5d to 6d, wether mutton 8d to 9d, and 2 veal 8d to 8d per lb; cows and calves X12 to 916, yearling £6 to xio, two-year-olds fil to £ 14, sows and pigs £ 6 to £ 10, strong stores 35s to 45s each, three months old 20s to 23s, weaners 16s to 20a each, heavy-weight porkers 9" 6d a score, light ditto 10s to 10s 6d, and baconers 9s 6d.

COLONEL C. T. WALLIS, the new High Sheriff of Monmouthshire, has renewed the appointment of Mr Percy Laybourne as Under Sheriff. rlKB'S MEAL OF SI.)-VERBIGNS- -While fishing in the river Nore, near Graigue, County Carlow, a young man named Finn landed a large pike which turned the scale at thirty-one pounds. On opening the fish there was found inside it a rosary, part of a pocket-handkerchief, and a rubber tobacco pouch containing twenty sovereigns. It is believed that the pike must have eaten the pocket of some person who had been drowned. ARCHAIOLOGICAL FIND AT CARDIGAN.—Interesting finds were made whilst excavating foundations for Mr Edward Mathias's new drapery establishment in High-street, Cardigan, one being an ancient Welsh handmill grinding stone, which was found 7ft. below the surface, with the handle sockets for turniug. There was also a small walled enclosure about 3ft under the surface, which contained the bones of a small animal. PLANTATION FIRE AT TREDrC.AR.-On Sunday afternoon a plantation belonging to the Tredegar Iron and Coal Company adjoining the Tredegar Council's reservoir at the rear of Bedwellty Workhouse, was discovered to be on fire. The dry tufts of grass blazed furiously, and hundreds of young fir trees were completely destroyed^ before the large body of beaters could extinguish the flames. A large number of officials of the company wore on the spot directing operations, and valuable assistance was rendered by a gang of inmates from the Workhouse under the direction of Porter Morgan. Inspector Wilmot and P.S. Wilson were also present. It is conjectared that the grass was set alight by some youths. The damage was very considerable. A RUNAWAY, NARROW ESCAPES.—A timber wagon weighing about three tons, was being drawn, by four horses down the steep gradient in High- street, Cinderford, when the horses began to trot, and on coming to the sharp turning near Station- road they ran into rails and a lamp-post, knocking them down. Mrs Wilce, wife of Mr M. Wilce, timber merchant, High-street, was walking up the hill with her two children at the time, and seeing the danger she threw the children over the fence and then jumped over herself. Immediately after- wards the horses and wagon came crashing through the fence she had just gone over.

NATURE AIDS CAPITALISTS. I Nature supplies the inhabitants of Boise City, Idaho, with hot water., The hot water comes to the surface of the plain at the base of the moun- tain two miles above the city. Some years ago capitalists sank three 6-in. tubes 455ft., obtaining a steady flow of about 1,800,000 gallons daily. The wells are connected with mains by which the hot water is led to the city, and to which imrvice pipes are connected, leading the water into the buildings, where i4 is made to pass through the coils,, similar to steam heaters. The natural pressure in the city is 401b. per square inch, and the heat ia regulated by water-cocks, the increase of now increasing the heat. Rates are charged on the basis of the size of waste, and are but little higher than those for coal. All large buildings and many dwellings use it exclusively for heating. The water leaves the wells at 170deg., and loses only 5deg. travelling two miles, as the mains are substantially non-con- ductors of heat. The waters are highly mineralised, but are unfit for table purposes, though excellent for bathing. ♦ •

CAIT GAMBLING BE STOPPED? I Gambling can never be stopped in this world, declares a professional gambler. You might pass laws from now till Doomsday prohibiting gambling, but it would go on just the same< Gambling is one of the oldest amusements in human history. It is older than Christianity- older than Masonry. It was an old-established oustom when the Pyramids were built. It was a favourite pastime in the days of the Cassars. It will continue in one form or another until the world is old and grey, and we little gamblers of to-day are looked upon as ancients. Despite aU the laws that may be made, despite all energetic endeavours of over-zealous leagues, gambling will be an ever-present institution, ■ ♦

HUMOROUS DEFINITIONS. I A smart, pithy definition often furnishea a happy illustration of the brevity which is the soul of wit. Some blundering ones are also sug- gestive. A schoolboy, asked to define the word "sob," whimpered out: "It means when a fel. ler don't mean to cry and it bursts out itself." Another defined a comma as "a. period with a long tail." A youngster was asked to give his idea of the meaning of "responsibility," so he said: "Well, supposing I had only two buttons on my trousers, and one came off, all the respon- sibility would rest on the other button." Give the definition of admittance," said a teacher to the head-bov. This went from the head to near the foot of the class, all being unable to tell the meaning of it, until it reached a little boy who had seen the circus bills posted about the village, and who exclaimed: "Admit- tance means one shilling, and children half-price." "What is a junction, nurse?" asked a seven- year-old fairy the other day on a railway plat- form. A junction, my dear?" answered the nurse, with the air of a very superior person indeed: why, it's a place where two roads separate."

CHINESE QUEER TASTES. I The Chinese will eat anything that comes out of the sea. All the fishes are good to their taste, and are caught with great skill. Seaweeds are used to thicken soups, gravies, and puddings, and are highly-prized because they give a relishing flavour of salt, which is a luxury beyond the reach of most Chinese peasants. Growing be- tween the high and low watermarks on the Japa- nese coasts is a mud-worm called Sabella. It occupies a hard slimy tube of its own making, and gets its food when the high tide comes up over its hiding place, by thrusting out a head bushy with tentacles, and sucking in currents of water loaded with minute particles of nutriment. Out of this wriggling creature the shore people make a soup, which is said to taste aa badly as it smells. ■■0

COLLECTING FOLK-SONGS. I Mr. Cecil J. Sharp has contributed to the Musical Times an article on the fascinating sub- ject of "Folk-Song Collecting." He already possesses over a dozen volumes, containing the words and tune* of 1,200 songs which he baa noted down from the lips of peasant singers. The old singing men and women of the country villages, says Mr. Sharp, guard their secret storea of songs and ballads with zealous care, and a simple and direct manner is necessary to induce them to unlock their treasures. Most of the songs he has collected have been taken down in cottages, in barns, by the roadside, or in the open field. From the lips of one singer, Susan Williams, he has taken down nearly fifty songs. A bird-starver, whose businese it was to guard a patch of mangold seeds i-GIn be'ng eaten by birds, gave him two excellent songs. To keep off the birds he hammered a tea-tray, but he sang the songs on condition that he might be allowed to hammer the tray between the verses. ♦

AREA OF THE UNITED STATES. I According to information contained in a recent bulletin of the United States Geological Survey, the area of the United States proper, exclusive of Alaska, island dependencies and the Panama strip, is given as 3,026,789 square miles. 0

"THB CLANG OF THE SHOON." I An acknowledged authority has estimated there are at least 4,000,000 pairs of clogs sold in the northern counties of England every year. Different woods are preferred in different dis- tricts. The workers in factories and other in- door occupations in such districts aB Bolton, Oldham, and Preston prefer a sole made from either alder or birch, while in the colliery dis- tricts, such as Wigan, beech, birch, and ash are most generally used, the first named being in greatest demand. Some idea of the immense quantity of soles used may be gathered from an estimate that each pair of clogs will be resoled twice before being replaced by a new pair, thus averaging three pair of soles to the life of one pair of clogs. »-

THE MOST DURABLE WOOD. I Which kind of wood is the most durable? To answer this question some interesting experi- ments have been made, and the following re- sults obtained. Birch and poplar decayed in three years, willow and horse-chestnut in four years, maple and beech in five years, elm and ash in seven years; oak and Scottish fir decayed to the depth of half-an-inch in seven years; and juniper was uninjured at the expiration of the seven years.

MAGIC IN A POLICE-COURT. I A woman regarded by some of the natives of Kidderpur, Bengal, as a sorceress, but by the police as a swindler, gave a display of her powers when brought before the local magis- trate. She was accused of taking money from passengers in a tramcar on the Ö pretence that she would double the amount. As a matter of fact, she did not return the sums she received. She was asked by the court if she had any de- fence. She began muttering something, and sud- denly opened her mouth wide, a.nd poured forth a I number of coins, consisting of pice and two- anna pieces, on the head of the Bench clerk. The men who were guarding the prisoner quickly realised what had happened, and there was a grab for the coins, which disappeared very suddenly. The court, unaffected by this free exhibition, sentenced her to eight months' imprisonment. She said that no one could con- 6ne her in a room for two hours, much lesa eight months. «

THE OLDEST ALMS-BOX. I Old alms-boxes of pre-Reformation date are I rare, but a few examples are still to be met with in our churches. A curious old box is kept in the Glastonbury Museum. It was originally in the church of St. Mary, Meare; its date is unknown, but it is supposed to be one of the earliest in the Kingdom. This poor-box rests on a pedestal which is beautifully carved and once formed a portion of the screen, made use of for its present purpose after the Reforma- tion. The box is made of oak, dark with the age of centuries. There are three locks, one on each side and one in front. A slit is cut in the top for the admission of coins, but this reoept- acle is exceedingly small The total result of an examination of school- thildren in Germany shewed that 90 per cent. of fl the teeth examined were defective; only 35 out of 1,020 children had sound sets of teeth. IH 196 children a poor ibodily constitution was dtl. to ooor teeth.

FOR PRINTING ♦ TRY THE county Observer99 Office. Memoranaum Forms Note Paper Envelopes BinneadLs Coimter Bills Friendly Societies' Members' Cards Rtlles Forms Balance Slieets Programmes for Concerts Balls Sports Fetes &0. Atnietic Clutos' Fixtures Fosters lor Auction Sales Entertainm' nts Flower sixows &0., in one or more colours- toold, attractive Sale Catalogues Litnograpliic Flans particulars ol Sale Visiting and Trade Cards Memorial cards Menu cards Receipts Assistant overseers' Re QUisites TRY THE 66 Cottnty Observer Office FOR PRINTING.

King Edward's Departure from Biarritz. Biarritz, Friday. King Edward left at nine this- morning for Toulon, Sir John Fisher, Sir Stanley Clarke, and Sir Ernest Uassel accompanied his Majesty. The townspeople expect the,, royal visit will be repeated next 1. year.

Frost and Snow in Scotland. Four degrees of frost were registered at Fort William last night. Throughout Lochaberli snow fell heavily on the up- lands.

Electric Tram and Motor 'Bos- Collide. Three persons were injured in a collision between an electric tram and a motor 'bus in Southwark to- day. The top of the 'bus was tornc off.

Emigration of Jews from >1 Austria. ) Vienna, Friday. Eighty Jewish families have emigrated to Canada within the- past few days owing to the anti- Jewish attitude of the peasants

Departure of the Queen and! Empress. i The Queen and the Dowager Empress of Russia, with Princess- Victoria, left London this morn- ing, the Queen for Toulon, and the Empress for Biarritz. The Prince and Princess of Wales drove to the station to bid farewell to their Majesties. Large crowds assembled in the vicinity of the station.

Weather Forecast. I Fair, cool weather predicted..

_r' -k, I GOUEIRETURHS i [ fife—5i ?EeiSir^E°^r^ P^1 | i ac-siinile of One-Ounce Packet. j Archer's Golden Returns j The Perfection of Pipe Tobacco. | COOL. SWKET. AND FRAGRANT. Printed and Published by THB COUNTY OBSERVER." NEWSPAPER and PRINTING COMPANY, Limited, bY JAMES HENRY CLARK, a their Offices, Bridge Street, Usk, in the County of Monmouth, Saturdajv April 6fch, 1907.