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

The Scottish Miners' Federation forwarded a demand to the Scottish Coalowners' secretary asking for a further increase of wages for the colliers throughout Scotland. When a train arrived at Clapham Junction, en route for Victoria, the dead body of an ex- engine driver, Richard Locke, aged 60, was found in a third-class carriage. An engineer named Bernaschek, of the local electric supply works at Teplitz, committed suicide by climbing an electric light standard and grasping the conducting cable. Through the depressed state of the building industry, the timber trade is in an unsatisfac- tory condition, and during- the past week two weil-knowu London firms have suspended pay- ment.

I £ 55,000 FOR CHARITIES. I I Mrs. Anne Julia Lloyd, of West Kensington- gardens, W., who died on March 2, left estate valued at Y.70,187 gross, with net personalty l £ 59,796. By her will she left the funds over j which she had power of appointment to her son, Hubert Gore Lloyd, and she bequeathed to him .also £ 1,000 and certain furniture and plate. After a number of small bequests to other persons, Mrs. Lloyd (referring to her son) stated: I conscientiously object very strongly to the system and distinctive doctrines of the Rom.n Catholic Church, in which, to my great grief, his isons are being brought up. I wish to leave the bulk of the money over which I have control to charities connected with the Protestant Church, with which all our family 'I has hitherto been connected." The Imperial Cancer Research Fund will benefit to the extent of £10,000, and the Royal Blind Pension Society will get £ 2,000. The total sum available for charitable purposes is expected to exceed £ 55,000. I

l ALPINE DEATH SLIDE. Six tourists who arrived at Weesen on Satur- day evening from Zurich started climbing the Speer (6,415ft.) during the night. They lost their way, and got on the BlaettLiberg, a spur west of the Speer. Seeing their mistake, they determined to turn back, and started sliding down. The two first soon saw that their situa- tion was becoming dangerous, and shouted out to the others to stop. They themselves, how- ever, were carried by the impetus which they had gained over a precipice, and fell 100 metres I to their death. The four survivors brought the news into Weesen. A rescue party was at once despatched, and returned with the two bodies in the evening. The names of the two victims are Ernest K aseer, engineer of the Federal Railways, and Otto Hegerter, a Zurich engineer. A tourist from Vienna fell a distance of nearly 1,000ft. in the Finster Valley, near Zirl, while searching for Alpine flowers, and was killed on the spot.

'THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE. At the third meeting of the Colonial Con- ference on Thursday last, the members dis- cussed various questions respecting its con- stitution, and considered particularly Lord Elgin's draft resolution on the subject. The -arrangements proposed therein, after a full interchange of views, were accepted, but the final settlement of the precise terms of the resolution was held over. A resolution proposed by the Australian Commonwealth, inviting the Secretary for the, Colonies to frame a scheme providing opportunities for members of the permanent staff of the Colonial Office to acquire more intimate knowledge of the circumstances and conditions of the Colonies with whose busi- ness they have to deal, was considered. In regard to another resolution proposed by the Commonwealth, advocating representation of the Colonies on the Committee of Imperial Defence, it was explained that it was the object of the constitution of the committee to provide means for the most effective dis- cussion of questions relating to the defence of the Empire, and that any representative of a Colony desiring advice could be summoned to attend, and would be welcomed as a member of the committee during the discussion of the questions raised. The Conference held its fourth sitting on 0 Saturday, when the resolution on the constitu- tion of the Conference was unanimously adopted. It declares it, to be for the advantage of the Empire if a Conference, to be called the Im- perial Conference, be held every four years, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom being ex officio president, and the Prime Minis- ters of the self-governing Dominions ex officio members. The Secretary for the Colonies will also be an ex officio member, and will take the chair in the absence of the president. Such Other Ministers as the respective Governments may appoint will also be members of the Con- ference, but unless by special permission of the Conference discussion will be conducted by not more than two representatives from each Government, and each Government will have only one vote. The resolution declares it to be desirable to establish a permanent secretarial staff, •charged, under the direction of the Secretary -for the Colonies, with the duty of obtaining in- formation for the use of the Conference, of attending to its resolutions, and of conducting correspondence on matters relating to its affairs. Upon matters of importance requiring consulta- tion between two or more Governments which cannot conveniently be postponed until the next Conference, or involving subjects of a minor character, or such as call for detailed con- sideration, subsidiary Conferences should be 'held between representatives of the Govern- ments concerned, specially chosen for the pur- pose. The Conference considered the subject of Imperial defence, and Mr. Haldane made a "Statement as to the general principles cf Im- perial military organisation. The Colonial representative's expressed general concurrence in the principles enunciated, and explained the defence organisation of their respective do- minions, and the extent to which they could put those principles into practice. A draft resolution on the subject of the creation of a | General Staff for the Empire was laid on the table. The question of Colonial representation I on*'the Committee of Imperial Defence was further considered, and a resolution was unani- mously approved providing that the Colonies be, authorised to refer to the Committee of Imperial Defence for advice on any local ques- tions in regard to which expert assistance ia deemed desirable; and that, whenever so de- «ired, a representative of the Colony which may wish for advice should be, summoned to attend as a member of the committee during the dis- cussion of the questions raised. cussion of the questions raised. '?"' ALBERT HALL BANQUET. I The Colonial Premiers were the guests of I the "1900 Club" at a banquet given at the Albert Hall, which was specially arranged and profusely decorated for the occasion. On a temporary floor, constructed at a height of about 12ft. above the arena, and in the grand tier and loggia boxes, tables were placed with covers for 1,600 guests. The largest Union Jack ever made-it contained some 20,000 square feet-formed a carpet, while overhead a huge Imperial crown, composed of artificial lowers, 36ft. in circumference, was sus- pended from the central dome of thfe roof. From this numerous garlands of artificial flowers were stretched to the balcony. The balcpnies were draped with red, white, and blue, at intervals were placed shields with the coats of arms of the various Colonies, And other large shields bore the arms of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom. Trophies of Colonial flags were placed in prominent positions, and stretched across the hall was a great banner, measuring 130ft. by ft., bearing a quotation from a recent speech by Sir Wilfrid Laurier: "We are turning our faces to the Old Motherland." Mr. Balfour, president of the club, occu- pied the chair. A letter from Mr. Chamber- lain, expressing confidence that the Imperial Conference would mark another great step in the union of the British Empire, predict- ing that the British people would not long ahrink from the only method of giving effect to the movement for union, and wishing for the banquet a great success, was read amid -cheers. „ Mr. Balfour, in proposing Our Guests," pointed out that, while the Empire was the most natural growth of our political constitu- tion, it was also the most audacious. Great Britain and her Colonies were at present making an experiment never before made in the history of the world-an experiment still only half accomplished. J.t was that of bind- ing in one Empire communities unhampered and untrammelled in the liberty and freedom of their government. The true parallel was not that of an alliance nor of a partnership, but of a family. That was the ideal they had to look to, and he did not think its attain- ment in a permanent form impossible. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, in responding to the ,toast, said that Canada's offer of ten years ago stood to-day, and it rested with this country whether or not it should be accepted. it had been said that if the British people -did not give a mutual preference, Canada was prepared to desert its policy and seek markets in the United States. Those state- ments had no shadow of foundation. When- ever it came to competition in the markets between the products of the United States and those of Great Britain, the choice of Canada was made. They stood by the Old .Motherland. THE QUESTION OF PREFERENCE. The Colonial Premiers (except Dr. Jameson, Mr. Deakin, and General Botha, who were un- able to be present) were on Friday entertained at luncheon at the Royal Hotel by the Im- perial Industries Club. Sir Wilfrid Laurier. in responding to the toast of Our Guests," proposed by Sir G. Hayter Chubb, said that of all the questions now being discussed in the Conference, that of tariff preference would probably interest the Imperial Industries Club more than any other. His Government, as one of its first acts, gave a preference to the trade of Great Britain with- out asking for, or expecting, any compensation. But Canada had done more she had said that if Britain was ready to meet her, she was ready to meet Britain, concession for concession. Whether that policy would suit the British people was another question; he could only speak for Canada, and the question was one which the British people must determine for themselves. Sir Joseph Ward (New Zealand) and Mr. Moor (Natal) also declared the readiness of their respective Colonies to give preference to British trade. PREMIERS INDISPOSED. I Both Sir Wilfrid Laurier and General Botha. I SfPere unable to attend the banquet on Friday night at Claridge's Hotel by the Pilgrims' Club, both being indisposed. Sir Wilfrid, at the luncheon earlier in the day, remarked that he had fbund that there was another problem than that of unemployment—the problem of being too much employed. "Between official duties, personal business, and the constant overflow of British hospitality I find that twenty-four hours a day are not sufficient." In the evening ne found it impossible to go out, and Lady Laurier sent a telegram to Lord Roberts, the president of the Pilgrims, that Sir Wilfrid was indis- posed, and not in a position to be present at the banquet. General Botha was unab.e to attend any of the day's functions, and a letter of regret at the fact that his indisposition pre- vented his attending the banquet was received by Lord Roberts. Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Secretary, pro- posed the toast of the evening, and he suggested that one of the greatest glories of the Empire was not its size, nor its wealth, nor its popula- tion, nor its power, but the relations of the self-governing Colonies with the Mother-land. Mr. Deakin, in responding, said the Colonies believed they were a great deal nearer to the Colonial Office than the Colonial Office was to them. The Colonies remembered they were only members of a large family who asked the Colonial Office for instruction and admonition, and received sometimes admonition without in- struction. In the years now passing we were entering a new order of things, and he trusted that the next few years would show Australia making a ZZ long stride towards independence of the British Navy for its coastal defence. The Common- wealth was a Commonwealth of peace, and if the Colonial Office had taken Australian advice in the past Australia would not now have some of ita European neighbours in the Southern Seas. GUESTS OF THE PREMIER. I Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman gave a dinner to the Colonial Premiers on Saturday night at 10, Downing-street, and a very distinguished company was-present. The usual dining-table was dispensed with, and the guests sat at a table built in the shape of the letter "E," to signify the Empire. The Prime Minister had the United States Ambassador on his right and Sir Wilfrid Laurier on his left. Among the other guests were the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Elgin, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Mr. Asquith, Sir Edward Grey, the Lord Chief Justice, the Earl of Aberdeen, Lord Tweedmouth, the Duke of Argyll, Mr. John Burns, Lord Knollys, Lord Strathcona, lfr. L. V. Harcourt, and Mr. Herbert Glad- J stone. Massive silver bowls filled with Cathe- rine Mermet roses of a delicate shade of pink alternated with the massive silver candelabra, and gold and silver dessert dishes were placed at intervals along the tables. The banquet was strictly non-political and there were no "Deeehes. STAFFORD HOUSE RECEPTION. I The Colonial Premiers and Ministers were ] able to enjoy some hours of quietude on Mon- day and devote themselves to personal matters, j Sir Joseph Ward attended the Shipping Con- i ference, and Sir Robert Bond was at the Foreign Office. The other Premiers found themselves free until the evening, when, with j the exception of Dr. Jameson, they attended a j banquet at Stafford House, St. James's, given j by the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland. The < banquet was served in the State banqueting chamber at two large round tables, which were decorated with daffodils and narcissi and im- j chamber at two large round tables, which were decorated with daffodils and narcissi and im- j mense silver candelabra. At the reception which followed, the noble suite of rooms ac- commodated a brilliant assemblage, and the i scene was a magnificent one. Each apartment j was specially decorated for the occasion, the •' white drawing-room witu pink roses and the red drawing-room with yellow flowers. I

LANDSLIDE FATALITY. I While three men employed on the dock ex- tension works were in a cabin on the north tension works were in a cabin on the north slope of the dock at Newport the cabin and the earth upon which it stood began to slide away. Two of the men escaped before the whole dock slope slid down to the deepest part of the foundations, carrying thousands of tons of earth with it. No trace could be seen of the third man, David Littlejohns, and it was not until men had been at work I for twelve hours clearing the fall that his dead and battered body was recovered.

FARMYARD TREASURE TROVE. I While working in the yard at Trembraze I Farm, near Liskeard, Cornwall, the son of the occupier found a gold coin at a spot where continuous dripping of rain from an outhouse roof had hollowed out a hole. Fur- ther investigations led to the discovery of thirty more gold coins, including a number of the reigns of James II. and Queen Anne. At the inquest on the treasure, James Croker Govett described how he found the coins over the ife of an old barn. His mother's family, the Crokers, had owned the farm for many He showed a document, dated 1745, .-elating to the finding of 55 guineas in the barn Lv John Croker and his wife. Mr. Yolk, jeweller, said many of the coins tvf-o rare. The most ancient were James 1. 1 and Charles 1. 20s. pieces; the rest were dated i. cm 1680 to 1725. The jury found that the I <<r s were treasure trove, and siVbsequently t.hcv wove, claimed by the Duchy of Cornwall.

DEATH OF VISCOUNT MIDLETON. I Viscount Midleton died in his 78th year. He is succeeded in the title bv Mr. St. John Brodrick, the ex-Minister for War. The late Viscount's name were never pro- minently before the public, although he sat in the House of Commons for several years, and did much useful work on Parliamentary Committees. But in Surrey, for which county he was Lord-Lieutenant for a considerable time, he was well known and very popular. Especially round about Peper Harow, near Godalming, with which the Brodrick family has been associated for many years, be was held in great affection. The blindness which afflicted him during his later years did not put an end to his ac- tivities. Often he could be seen riding on horseback across the park at a gallop, and his inability to see did not prevent him from opening flower shows and presiding at local meetings in the ordinary way of landowners.

LORD MILNER IN A MILK CART. An adventure of Lord Milner in a Berk- shire village was described in an amusing case al thf Abingdon County Court IJie de- fendant, a farmer, who disputed a bill for re- pairs to a millc cart on the ground of bad workmanship, said, "I had the honour of driving Lord Milner from Sutton, and he Wli»dSour:WiPerh%s0aS-reminded Mm of Ho toot » home at Sutton^and asked me to drive him mto^ A ^nfvou? we got there he exclaimed: No m J milk cart. I am perfectly disgusted." :I

THE ROYAL CRUISE. Tho British Royal yacht Victoria and Albert, with King Edward and Queen Alex- andra on board, arrived on Thursday last at Gaeta, where a cordial meeting took place with the King of Italy. The vessel arrived in a thick mist, accompanied by rain, but soon after the rain ceased. King Victor Emmanuel boarded the Victoria and Albert, and was re- ceived by King Edward at the gangway, the two Monarchs embracing and kissing each other repeatedly. Both King Edward and Queen Alexandra appeared in excellent health. His Majesty was tanned by the sun, and seemed in the best of spirits, in spite of the weather, which again became overcast. After the first greeting between the Sove- reigns, King Edward shook hands with Sig- nor Tittoni and the members of King Victor Emmanuel's suite, then, amid the cheers of the crews of the Royal yachts, the Italian warships, and the Lancaster and Suffolk, King Edward conducted the Italian Monarch to the Royal cabin on board the Victoria and Albert, where their Majesties remained alone for 20 minutes. On leaving the Royal cabin the two Kings proceeded to the saloon where the Queen and Princess Victoria were, sitting, and King Victor Emmanuel presented the Queen and the Princess with two magnificent bouquets. The King of Italy left the Victoria and Albert at a quarter to eleven, and at eleven o'clock King Edward, accompanied by Sir Edwin Egerton and Sir Charles Hardinge, returned King Victor Emmanuel's visit, pro- ceeding on board the Trinacria, where he was received with Royal honours. The two Sovereigns went down almost at once to the Royal cabin, where they stayed for about ten minutes. King Edward left the Trinacria for the Victoria and Albert,. but later the Royal party returned to the Trinacria, lun- cheon being taken in the grand saloon. After luncheon the two Monarchs retired for a short conversation together, while Queen Alexandra took advantage of a sunny interval to take some snapshots, and shortly after the King and Queen, with Process Victoria and their suites, left the Trinacria. The British Sovereign and King Victor Emmanuel took leave of each other in the most affectionate manner. The Victoria and Albert left Gaeta at two o'clock, and arrived at Naples at a quarter- past five. The arrival was purely informal. King Edward wore the uniform of an admiral. Queen Alexandra Stood on the bridge of the yacht as she came in, enjoying a view of the bay. The Duke and Duchess of Aosta received their Majesties at the Arsenal. The Royal visitors had cloudy and uncertain weather at Naples on Friday. King Edward spent the morning aboard the Victoria and Albert, the state of the sea preventing his pro- posed trip to the Blue Grotto .of Capri. The Duchess of Aosta paid an early visit to the Royal yacht, and passed the morning on deck, with Queen Alexandra and Princess Victoria, who busied themselves in taking photographs. Their Majesties lunched on board, and after- wards received a call from the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland. In the afternoon Queen Alexandra and Prin- cess Victoria went shopping in the city with the Duchess of Aosta in the latter's motor-car, while the King, with Consul-General Rolfe as cicerone, motored round Naples and then drop- ped for an hour into the National Museum, where he closely inspected its famous collection of statuary. The Royal guests were recognised, and warmly cheered. King Edward and Queen Alexandra motored to Scrrento on Saturday afternoon in delightful weather. Their Majesties had intended visit- ing Capri, but the excursion was abandoned in consequence of the heavy 6ea. The royal party (stopped at Castellamare, where the towns- people presented Queen Alexandra with a bou- quet, and then proceeded direct to Sorrento, where lunch was served at a picturesque open- air cafe. Their Majesties also visited La Cava and Amalfi, and on their return journey Queen Alexandra secured a number of snapshots of Mount Vesuvius from the motor-car. Their Majesties attended Divine service on the royal yacht on Sunday morning, and after- wards motored to Capodimonte to lunch with the Duke and Dnchess of Aosta. After leaving Capodimonte, the King and Queen drove through the city, and visited the horse show. AN AMUSING ADVENTURE. I King Edward and Queen Alexandra landed after luncheon on Monday and proceeded in a motor-car to the Church of SS. Francesco and Paolo, which faces the Royal Palace. Their Majesties were received by the royal chaplain, and inspected the numerous statues and pic- tures by Italian masters as well as the high altar, which is inlaid with lapis lazuli. On leaving the church their Majesties drove to the basilica of Santa Chiara, where an un- usual incident occurred. The church, which was founded in 1310 by Robert the Wise, was closed, as the monks who are entrusted with its keeping were taking their mid-day meal. The royal party knocked at the door, and the sacristan behind it, thinking that they were beggars, replied, "Go in peace, there is nothing for you." King Edward was greatly amused,, and laughed heartily. One of the suite again knocked, explaining that the party wished to see the church, but the sacristan, even more irritated, said Don't bother; this is not the time for sight-seeing." Fortunately, General Salsa happened to be passing, and, recognising their Majesties, called upon the sacristan to open the door, which the latter did imme- diately. The poor monk, on discovering the real situation, could not find words to excuse himself. On learning who their visitors were, all the other monks hastened up and attended them through the church, pointing out its various features and attractions, including the two columns which are said to have belonged to the Temple of Solomon, and which were given by Charles of Anjou, and the tomb of Maria Chris- tina of Bourbon, whose life and the miracles connected with it led to her beatification.

TEA TABLE TALK. Lady Henry Somerset has decided to retire from public speaking after this spring. # # Among the exhibits at the annual show of the Ladies' Kennel Association was a Pekingese toy spaniel, bred by the Dowager Empress of China. At a recent London wedding, where there were no bridesmaids, the bride's married sister attended as a "matron of honour." Mrs. Philip Snowden, wife of the well-known Socialist M.P. for Blackburn, recently occupied the pulpit at Pembroke Chapel, Liverpool, and though at first nervous she afterwards spoke with great eloquence. She was formerly a member of the congregation. Miss Hastings, who was married last week to Mr. Edgar Sheppard, son of the Sub-Dean of the Chapels Royal, is a grand-daughter of the veteran Royal Academician, W. P. Frith, and a god-daughter of Mr. R. B. Haldane, the Secretary of State for War. » Bertha Krupp, the heiress of the great Ger- man ironmaster of Essen, who was recently married, has received a new title—"Queen Krupp." Her income goes on increasing, as does her state and power. Bertha Krupp is absolute owner of her kingdom. In Essen alone she has 40,000 workmen toiling for her, who, with their families, make more than 200,000 per- sons dependent upon her now. If other concerns be added, we have a total of 300,000 dependents. » In common with other operatic artistes, Madame Albani confesses to one little super- stitious weakness, and to her belief in a big black cat she attributes the success of her debut at Covent Garden five and thirty years ago. Just as she was waiting for her cue, the door of her dressing-room opened slowly, and a big black cat walked in solemnly and looked at her. She was delighted with the omen. "A black cat," she says, "has always been a lucky thing for me, and I welcome one at any time." » A French lady, Madame Camille Du Gast, has found it possible to penetrate into the out- lying regions of the Fez province of Morocco, her object having to teach the people how to cultivate properly their as yet virgin and neglected lands. Not only did Madame Du Gast receive a hearty welcome from the mountaineers, but she won their esteem and confidence. Everywhere she was held in respect, and the tribes furnished her with an armed escort. Worrying is a habit to be avoided in every case, but especially so in the case of a mother. The mother who worries not only impairs her own health, but sheds an influence that is men- tally and physically bad for her growing children. The effect is hardest on young children, for they cannot use their reasoning powers as an antidote. They believe their mother has real ground for her repinings and forebodings, and they are depressed by nameless fears, and their minds darkened and sometimes warped. The German Empress possesses a unique piece of jewellery in the form of a bracelet. A birth- day present from the Kaiser, it was made from his own design. Portraits of himself, his six sons, and little daughter, painted on ivory, are connected by wreaths of diamonds and gold. The place of honour is given to an oval minia- ture of his daughter, with three boys on each side. The Emperor's portrait hangs as a heart- shaped pendant. It is stated that the Pope has decided defi- nitely to bestow the Golden Rose of Virtue on the Queen of Spain. This is the highest Order which the Pope can confer on a Catholic Prin- cess. It was last given in 1893 to the late Queen Henriette of Belgium. The Golden Rose, which was first presented by Pope Urban VI. to Joanna of Sicily, is a mimic plant of pure gold standing in a, golden pot. The leaves of the plaat are set with small diamonds in imitation of dew drops. A palm leaf blessed by the Pope is set in the central flower. Among the living princesses who possess the Golden Rose are Queen Christina of Spain and the ex-Empress Eugeaie. If women would only realise it, there is far more saved by keeping strict accounts than one might imagine. "I put the items of my expen- diture under various headings, such as" Neces- sities,' Luxuries,' Charities,' Saving,' and Pleasure,' said an economical manager lately, "and you have no idea what a valuable check I found it. When I first came to overlook my accounts, I discovered far too much went on trifling trash—you would be astonished to find now the pennies and sixpei £ c#s you fritter away mount up by the end of the year. Now they go under the saving column, and prove the practi- cal benefit of keeping accounts." Miss Charlotte Knollys is said to be the only lady not related to Queen Alexandra who en- joys the privilege of calling her Majesty by her Christian name and by its diminutive, "Alix." The Queen recoprocates by calling her devoted companion "Cliatty"-this because of her joy- ous disposition and bright conversational powers. The Princesses and close friends of the Royal Family also call Miss Knollys "Chatty!" The Queen's companion is a woman of many accomplishments. Her intellect is keen; her tact is proverbial; she is an excel- lent artist; and she speaks several languages fluently. The latter gift is, of course, invalu- able to the Queen on her travels; and the Queen has never travelled anywhere without Miss Knollys. Miss Decima Moore, who recently returned in England, in eight weeks travelled thousands of miles by land and sea, and went through Nigeria and the back of the Gold Coast, where no white woman had been before. It was her second trip in a few months, for her husband is stationed out there. She had the wildest experiences, was carried ninety miles in a ham- mock, was bitten by a wild horse, and was taken down real gold mines. She was entertained by native kings and chiefs and assisted at a native law case. The dispute related to land, and in the end the judges rubbed chalk on some of the parties as a sign that they had won. Those who had no chalk had to pay. At Coomassie, she was entertained by the regiment, and as she was the only white woman she acted after dinner in a little sketch of her own to amuse them. No white woman had ever performed there before. Amid all his troubles, no doubt the Czar has sometimes remembered the summer evening at Walton-on-Thames when he asked for the hand of the Princess Alix Victoria. The surroundings were conducive to love-making, but Russian etiquette is severe, and the words must be uttered according to ancient formula. Seating himself beside the Princess, he took her hand in his and braced himself to utter the formal pro- posal. "The Emperor, my father," he said, "has commanded me to make you the offer of my hand and heart." Then the woman's intui- tion smoothed the way. "My grandmother, the b Queen," she replied with a smile, "has com- manded me to accept the offer of your hand"; and, with a merry laugh, she continued, "your heart I take of my own accord." Speaking at a butter-making demonstration, near Truro, Viscountess Falmouth said it was sometimes imagined that persons who did dairy work became coarsened by it, and were not such refined ladies as those who did not do farm work. But why should those who were able to milk a cow, or to make butter, not be able to read poetry or play the piano? Gloves have for some time been rising in price, and are now so expensive that a fashion is being inaugurated in Paris of wearing no gloves at all. The fair supporters of the no- glove movement, when they meet a friend whose hands are clothed, exclaim, according to a French fashion paper "What? Are your hands so dirty that you must wear gloves?"

I STRANGE MURDER CHARGE. Richard Brinkley, a grey-haired man of 53. was charged at Croydon, on Monday, with the murder, "by administering a noxious drug or poison," of. Richard and Annie Beck, and with attempting to murder Daisy Kathleen Beck, their daughter, and R. Clifford Parker. The Becks lived in Churchill-road. Croydon, and on Saturday night, after they had drunk some bottled stout, all three became seriously ill, and Mr. and Mrs. Beck died. Parker, a former lodger of the Becks, was at their housa on Saturday night, and he says that Brinkley was also at the house when the stout was drunk. In consequence of what he told the police after the tragedy, they arrested Brinkley at Fulham. Parker, an accountant, told his'story in the witness-box as follows On Saturday night, about twenty minutes past eight, there was a knock at the front door, and Beck answered it. Brinkley came in and produced a bottle of stout. He opened it and drank some of the contents, as also did the witness. Brinkley then asked for a glass of water, and the witness went out and brought one. He was out of the room about three-quarters of a minute. Beet was also ab- sent from the room, and Brinkley was left alone. About eleven o'clock the witness went to his lodgings, and during the night a police-inspec- tor came, and he (the witness) told him what he had informed the Court. The witness had known Brinkley three years, and he came to the house by appointment in connection with the pur- chase of a dog from the witness. Mr. Dempster, surgeon, spoke to seeing Mr. and Mrs. Beck on the kitchen floor at half-past twelve, dying. They had been poisoned. In a stout bottle the witness detected the smell of cyanide of potassium. Detective-inspector Fowler stated that when J he arrested Brinkley, the latter denied that he was at Croydon, and said, "Well, I'm sugared! ¡ This is very awkward, isn't it?" Brinkley also said he had just left Parker's wife and mother, On the way from Fulham to Croydon, Brinkley stated that Parker was spiteful towards anyone who spoke to his wife, and that Mrs. Parker and her mother would not have Parker there. Brinkley also said he had a good character and was a teetotaler. Replying to Brinkley, who was remanded, witness said two persons who were called in to identify him failed to do so.

I FOR "ARTISTIC JOURNALISTS." Amongst charitable bequests, amounting to E14,000, the late Mr. James Ogden, of Roch- dale, has left residual property valued at £ 6,000 to be expended as the executors may think fit in the encouragement of artistic journalists, or to assist needy students in their ,artistic pursuits." The term artistic journa- I lists gives rise to conjecture. The executors ¡ will probably define the testator's intention as the encouragement of students in black and white qualifying for work in the pictorial de- | partments of the newspapers. The will contains a bequest of T3,000 to the Rochdale Corporation for adapting a portion of the mansion at Fallinge Park for a municipal art gallery and museum, provitled that the whole of the money is expended, and the insti- tution dedicated for the use of the public not j later than January 1, 1911. £ 3,000 is left to the Rochdale Infirmary for the purchasing of land in front of the present building, condi- tional upon not more than one-fourth of the land being built upon. Rochdale Nurses' Home receives £ 1,000 towards the payment of a nurse to be known as the Martha Nurse or the Widow's Nurse," as the committee, may decide.

I THE ARBROATH DISASTER. I The Board of Trade issued on Saturday Major Pringle's report on the Arbroath railway dis- aster, which holds Driver Gourlay primarily re- sponsible for the wreck of the train. Major Pringle says that Gourlay's lack of caution and alertness was partly induced by drink, the ef- fects of which might possibly have been accen- tuated by the severely cold weather. He adds that the driver received repeated instructions at Arbroath to travel with caution and stop at all stations, but the speed of the train at the time of collision proves that he could not have stopped at the proper place in Elliot Junction station in accordance with his orders. The Board of Trade inspector condemns the well-meant but injurious action of the general public in treating railway men with intoxicants. The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers has forwarded to the Secretary for Scotland a petition signed by 21,000 persons praying for the release of Driver Gourlay from prison.

DEATH OF SIR G. ARMSTRONG. The death took place on Saturday afternoon of Sir George Armstrong, Bart., proprietor of the "Globe" newspaper and founder of the People." Born in 1836 at Luoknow, son of Colonel G. C. Armstrong, he became a captain in the Ben- People." Born in 1836 at Luoknow, son of Colonel G. C. Armstrong, he became a captain in the Ben- gal army. He served during the Indian Mutiny, and was wounded at Mooradnuggar, near Delhi. He was afterwards orderly officer of the Indian Roval Military College at Addiscombe until the college was broken up, when a sword of honour was presented to him by the cadets. Sir George joined the staff of the "Globe" in 1872, and subsequently became its editor and proprietor. He was created a baronet in 1892, and is suc- ceeded by his son, Mr. G. E. Armstrong.

A PREMIER'S CHAUFFEUR FINED. I Henry Brewer, a Government chauffeur, was summoned by the Office of Works at Kingston for exceeding the speed limit of ten miles an hour in Richmond Park last Sunday week. He was fined £ 3 and costs, but his licence was not endorsed. Brewer had been driving Mr. F. R. Moor, the Premier of Natal, since he arrived in England, and the Premier and Captain Richards, of the Colonial Office, were in the car when the offence was committed. Captain Richards ap- peared in court at the Premier's request, and pleaded that Brewer should be dealt with leniently.

The Queen, wishing to purchase a gramo- phone record of the song, "The Fleeting Years," Mr. Edward Lloyd, who is living in retirement at Worthing, travelled to Lon- don and made a record, which has been for- warded to her Maiestv. Recent child-study investigations, says the education report on the Southern Division of Scotland, seem to show that the "curve of natu- ral cruelty" as determined by the tendency of a child to exact an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, reaches its maximum between the ages of seven and nine. It may be noteworthy that it is precisely at this stage that the use of cor- poral punishment appears to be most frequent.

i WOOLWICH UNEMPLOYED. --0- Woolwich presented a very animated appear- ance on Monday evening when a great demon- stration of workmen, whose spokesmen were later to appeal in person to the Prime Minister, assembled in Beresford-square to begin tneir march to Blackfriars, the nearest they were allowed to approach to the Houses of Parlia- ment. All classes of Woolwich inhabitants had turned out, and gave every evidence of interest at the unusual spectacle of thousands of men, at the close of their day's work, starting on a good three hours' walk in order to protest against further reduction in the number of Government employees in the ordnance fac- tories. A start was made punctually at six o'clock. Composed of between 4,000 and 5,000 when it left Woolwich—at a quick pace they took eight minutes to pass a given point—the pro- cession increased in numbers as fresh con- tingents of Greenwich and Deptford sympa- thisers joined forces on the way. Two covered vehicles in the rear were improvised as ambu- lance vans, while a third was labelled n Banner van." The deputation waited upon Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman in his private room at the House of Commons. With the Prime Minis- ter were Mr. Haldane and Lord Tweedmouth, First Lord of the Admiralty. Mr. Will Crooks, M.P., introduced the deputation, and detailed the circumstances under which the men had marched from Woolwich. They asked the Government to do some^mg to prevent a further decrease in the number of metf em- ployed at the Arsenal. The Prime Minister, replying, admitted that their case required careful consideration. It was a difficult matter for a Government re- sponsible to the taxpayer to go on with expendi- ture when the necessity did not demand it. The Secretary of State for War had gone into the matter with great care, and he had found the discharges to be necessary. He hoped that the purgatorial practice of keeping the men on tenter hooks or suspending them from work for uncertain periods would be done away with or mitigated, and that in the future the greatest possible care would be taken to prevent undue hardship. Mr. Haldane concurred, and explained the necessity for reducing Woolwich expenditure below the inflation of former war figures, but the minimum was now being approached. Lord Tweedmouth promised all the help the Admiralty could give.

j'BUS DRIVER'S HEAVY DAMAGES. John Mallon, an omnibus driver, was awarded £ 1.200 damages in the King's Bench on Monday for personal injury and loss caused by negli- gence on the part of one of the servants of the London Motor-Omnibus Company, Limited. Mallon's case was that on the morning of June 7 last he was driving an omnibus along St. John's Wood-road towards Maida-vale, when a motor-omnibus owned by the company came into collision with his vehicle, driving it on. the pavement, with the result that he was jerked with great violence against the railing round his seat, and severely injured. It was alleged that the driver of the motor-omnibus I drove it at an excessive speed, and that he did not keep a proper look-out when turning a corner. The company denied that the motor-omnibus was driven by their servant in the course of his employment, and pleaded that the person driving it at the time did so without authority and in direct disobedience to their instructions.

DEATH OF A CRIMEAN VETERAN. The death took place, after a long illness, of Colonel Aubrey Harvey Tucker, C.B., son of the late Rev. Dr. R. T. Tucker, D.D., Rural Dean of Bermuda. Colonel Tucker commanded the 68th Durham Light Infantry, and later the 41st Regimental District and the Welsh Volunteer Infantry Brigade, whose Brigadier-General he was for some years. He joined the 68th Light Infantry in 1853, served throughout the whole Crimean Campaign, 1854-55, was mentioned in despatches, and received the medal with four clasps. He was made a knight of the Legion of Honour, and received the Turkish medal. He served in the New Zealand War, 1864-66, and received the medal with clasp. He was created a C.B. in 1887.

I SEQUEL TO A DISPUTE. A fatal affray on a farm was described to the Croydon magistrates. The prisoner, George Charles Preston, 54, of Little Woodcote Farm, Carshalton, a carman, was charged with the man- slaughter of Frank Packman, of Little Woodcote Farm. Hungry Bottom, Carshalton. Sergt. Spearing was at Hungry Bottom-lane, near the farm, and saw a man lying on the side of the road covered in mud. Finding he was uncon- scious the sergeant sent for a doctor. Meanwhile he moved the man to a shed, the prisoner and another man assisting him. Prisoner said he knew Packman, adding, He has lodged with me and been under notice to loava several times. He came here last night between eleven and twelve, drunk, created a disturbance, and would come in. I obtained assistance. We turned him out, and I hit him two or three times." Packman died in Croydon Hospital. The accused was remanded, bail being allowed.

FOOTPATH BLOWN UP. A somewhat alarming accident occurred in York-road. King's-cross. It was fortunately not attended by very serious results. Early in the afternoon the covers of two boxes of the Post Office underground telegraph cable, passing under the footpath, were blown up with con- siderable force, from some cause at present not ascertained. The iron frames were completely smashed, and the cement forming the top was scattered about the pathway and road. A girl named Rose Filiner, living in the road, was passing at the time. She was knocked down. and subsequently taken to the Royal Free Hospital, where she was detained for some tune. Her injuries are not, however, regarded as serious.

The sudden death occurred of Rev. H. J. Greenhill, rector of Walton-on-the-Hill, Surrey, For many years he was chaplain to the Sta- tioners Company, and chairman of the Reigate ^-dians and District Council. He was on» of the last of the typical fox-hunting parsons of feUJfev xue Recorder of Tiverton, asked what he in- tended to do with the store of white gloves which have been presented to him at maiden sessions, replied: "As my dancing days are over I am storing them up with the idea that I mar some day bestow them on suffragists, in tha hope of persuadiiag these ladies that there Ut some utility in the male sex."

Chief Constable Rafter, of Birmingham, pre- sented Sergeant Chance, of the Madras Volun- teers, with a watch and gold chain, subscribed for by the police for assisting two constables who were attacked by a hostile crowd. Mediterranean ports are shortly to be visited by an exhibition ship, which is to be fitted out with a view of gaining new outlets for French commerce. The vessel is to be arranged as a floating exhibition of products suitable for ex- port, and at each port the salesman will pre- sent their samples to the various buyers, and transmit the orders they may obtain to the head office. A series of receptions and fetes are to be held on board with a view of attracting customers. I