Cheshire Observer

[PUBLISHED BY SPECXAI. ABBAS GKMESU] A DEAD CERTAINTY,! BY NAT GOULD, Author of "The Gentleman Rider," "The Pace That Kills," "Racecourse and Battlefield," "The Dark Horse," "The Double Event," &c., &0. • r I [COPYRIGHT.] CHAPTER XI.—TONY CRASHER SUR. I PRISED. "It is a mistake, Mr. Dtmbar-a grave mistake, -and I am sure you will regret it I quite agree with Gilbert Honey that you are unwise to enter- tain such a proposal." Thus Martin Mill, when he heard of Arthur Dunbar's suggestion that Henry Royston's horses should come into the Glen stables. When he mentioned the matter to Gilbert Honey the trainer had not said many words, but he ex- pressed his sentiments in no measured terms, and had given his employer clearly to understand that such a course would be most distasteful to him. And Martin Mill had not been one whit behind the trainer in giving vent to his feelings and strongly condemning the whole thing. Arthur Dunbar was annoyed at this formidable opposition, although he expected it. He knew both his trainer and Martin Mill were in the right, and had by far the better of the argument. This, however, did not soothe his ruffled feelings. When a man is determined to adopt a course he knows to be wrong, he is generally the more obstinate and persistent in having his own way. It was so with Arthur Dunbar. Had Pat not expressed a wish that her father's horses should come to the Glen, he would have declined Henry Royston's request in a peremptory manner. But _h e could not deny Pat, and had no wish to do so. He tried to convince himself, against his will, that what Pat desired must necessarily be right. The three men were sitting in the trainer's snug- gery at the Glen. They had often sat there on previous occasions, discussing and planning racing coups, and there had been peace and harmony among them. This was the first time a serious disagreement had arisen between them, and there was a majority of two to one. "I don't see what objections you can have to Mr. Royston's horses coming here," said Arthur, testily. "He has, I believe, four good animals, and expressed a wish to me to buy more useful racers. It will be an advantage to us to get good trial horses in the stable. I have no doubt Mr. Royston would be guided as to which horses to buy by you, Gilbert." The trainer made no reply. He was deeply grieved there should be any difference between them, but he knew he was in the right. He also knew Arthur Dunbar would have his own way; but he wished to make it clear, in case anything happened afterwards, that he objected strongly to the course he was taking. "When you have more than one owner in a stable," said Mill, "it makes the execution of a commission more difficult. If you will take my advice you will let things go on in the old groove." "I have promised Mr. Royston his horses shall be trained here," said Arthur. "Then that settles it," said Gilbert Honev, to whom a promise was sacred; "but I am sorry you gave him your word before consulting me." "'You'll find it will all come right in the end," said Arthur, "and that it will be to our advantage to have the horses here." Martin Mill shook his head. He did not believe in it at all, and felt confident no good could come of it. When may I expect the horses here?" asked Gilbert. "T will write to Mr. Royston to-night, and ask him," replied Arthur. Martin Mill remained behind when Arthur Dun- bar had left, and had a long conversation with the trainer. "I am sorry this has happened," he said. "You can't be more sorry than I am," replied Gilbert Honey. I never expected anything like this to happen after all these years." "I'll bet a trifle there's a woman at the bottom of it," said Mill. "Has Mr. Royston a daughter?" "Yes," replied the trainer. "I heard Mr. Duti- bar say she was to look over the stables, but she has not been." "Then you may bet your life she has influenced him in favour of his plan." "You may be right," said the trainer. "Any- how, it is a bad day's work, but we must make the best of it." "I shall keep a watchful eye upon Mr. Royston and his doings. I know several Australians over here, and in the first place I will find out how Mr. Royston stands in their estimation." "Be careful how you act, and make certain of your ground," said the trainer. "I am sure Mr. Dunbar would not countenance .anything shady, nor would he on the other hand condemn a man without sufficient proof." "If there is proof to be had he shall have it," said Mill. "I tell you, Honey, I don't like this business at all. I don't like Royston's looks; and I firmly believe he is merely anxious to have his horses here to work his own ends. If he makes any proposals to you that you do not approve of, pretend to fall in with his plans and see how far he will go." "He will not propose anything underhand to me," said Gilbert Honey. "There's no telling. Such men, as I believe him to be, have but little faith in the honesty of trainers, or any other men," said Mill. When Henry Royston received Arthur Dun- bar's note asking when the horses would be ready to go to the Glen stables he was overjoyed at the success of his plan. "Pat worked it well," he said to himself, "and he must be deuced fond of her to give way to her wishes. What fools some men make of themselves over girls! I never did." He wrote back stating the sooner his horses were housed at the Glen the better he-would be pleased, and that he would order them to be brought from the South of France without delay. In due course they arrived at the Glen in charge of a man called Tony Crasher. Tony Crasher came over from Australia with Henry Royston, and was about as unscrupulous as his master. He was one of the lower type of men connected with horses, half trainer, half jockey, and not very skilful in either line. He suited Henry Royston, however, because he always fol- lowed his master's instructions and risked the con- sequences. Tony Crasher made a very unfavourable im- pression at the Glen, and Mrs. Honey said if the master was like the man there would be trouble before long. Gilbert Honey, however, had not undertaken to provide a billet for Tony Crasher, nor did he mean to do so. When Tony Crasher was making himself at home in the stables, superintending the horses he had brought, and ordering Gilbert Honey's lads around, the Glen trainer said to him quietly, calling him on one side, "Those horses are under my charge now, and I am responsible for them. You have handed them over to me in good condition, and there your wor k ends, so far as I am concerned-you under- stand? Tony Crasher stared at him open mouthed. He could hardly believe his ears. Gilbert Honey or- dered him off the premises—that was what it amounted to, and had done it none the less effec- tively because he was polite over it. "I understood from Mr. Royston that I was to remain here," said Tony. "I have looked after The Rake ever since he has been in training, and I don't mean to leave off now." "Then I am afraid you will have to take The Rake away with you," said Gilbert Honey, quickly. "Take him away!" exclaimed the astonished Tony. "How can I take him away? And where the devil am I to take him to?" "You mustn't use bad language here," said Honey. "I thought this was a training stable"" said Tony Crasher in disgust. "I believe it is," said Gilbert Honey, "but it is not licensed to permit bad language on the premises." ,-Well, I'm blest r" exclaimed Tonv. "Fancy that. Live and learn. I never heard of such a thing before. I suppose you'll tell me next all your lads go to church on Sunday." This sar- j castically. "Most of them do," said Gilbert, causing Tony to exclaim: "No gammon, you're chaffing." "The next train from Leybum leaves ia an hour," was the trainer's reply. "You don't mean I am to catch that," said Tony. To"nV?u have caught my meaning exactly," was the short reply. "Then I'm —— if I'll go." Gilbert Honey looked Tony Crasher fairly in the face and said: "I have had to deal with men of your stamp be- fore, perhaps not quite so far gone as you are, and they have generally found that what I 8aY I mean. The trap is ready, and one of my men shall drive you to the station." Gilbert Honey hesitated a moment, and then said: "On second consideration I think you lkad better walk; it is only a couple of miles, and it will not hurt you." "Mr. Royston shall hear of this," said Tony, using somewhat lurid language. "He will certainly hear of it from me when he comes here with Mr. Dunbar," said Gilbert. "He'll take the horses away, that's what he'll o. Fancy a fellow behaving to me in this man- tier. A nice place this is to train horses im Why, you haven't a decent gallop on the place," said Tony Gilbert Honey's fingers itched to get hold of the speak ees, cottar, and bundle him out of the yard. He reetmined himself, however, although it was with an effort. The mere thought of such a cad as Tony Craaher running his beloved Moots down made his blood boil. I "I do not think you are much of a judge of what. 0 tuning ground ought to bé" said Gilbert. "Yes, I am, a very good judge. There's few men know more about training hones in Australia than I do." "Then rm aorry for them," replied. Gilbert, and looking at his watch said: "You have just nice time to catch that train" Tony Craaher did not like the determined look on Gilbert Honey's face, and had no desire to risk a personal encounter with him. Without saymg more he walked out of the yard and had the mortification of hearing the stable lads laughing at his discomfiture. Gilbert Honey watched Tony Crasher off the premises, and thought: "That is the first jar in the new arrangement. I expect more serious differences will follow." Tony Crasher walked to Leyburn in an evil frame of mind, vowing vengeance against Gilbert Honey and everything connected with him. During the journey to London he was still at boiling point, and be had not cooled down when he entered the Hotel Victoria and asked for Mr. Royston. He was kept cooling his heels for nearly an hour, and this did not improve his temper. Whea at last ushered into Mr. Royston's presence his employer said coolly: "You have delivered the horses all right? You did not make a long stay?" The vials of Tony Crasher's pent up wrath burst forth and he poured out his tale of woe rapidly and incoherently. "Have you been drinking?" coolly asked Henry Royston. "No, but I have been insulted. He ordered me off the premises, and made me walk back to Ley- bum," said Tony, sullenly. Mr. Royston laughed as he replied: "I am airaid you must have misbehaved your- self, Tony. It is a nasty habit of yours, and one you ought to get over." "I understood I was to remain with the horses," he said. "Then you were under a wrong impression. I told you to take the horses there, but I said nothing about your remaining." "Then what am I to do?" asked Tony, in- solently. "Keep that tongue of yours quiet in the first place," was the reply, "and in the second place obey my orders." "And what may they be?" asked Tony, de- fiantly. "At present I cannot tell you. I shall en- deavour to get you a jockey's licence, and I may want you to ride for me. You are not a good rider, but still you come in useful," said Royston. '.1 think I came in useful when I rode The Rake in the Cup," grinned Tony. "You rode a bad race in the Cup, and you know it." "I rode to orders." "Did you? Whose orders?" Yours. "If I were you, Tony, I should not repeat that remark, it might get you into trouble." "It is true," said Tony, doggedly. "The truth is better left unspoken sometimes," said Royston. "The Rake was a 'dead un,' and you know it," went on the persistent Tony. Henry Royston glared at him angrily and said: "If you repeat that again I shall find some quick means of getting rid of you." Tony Crasher turned pale. He knew he had gone too far, and he also knew Henry Royston did not stick at trifles. "I'm upset about the way I've been treated," said Tony. "You'll excuse me, sir, but when a fellow's had charge of The Rake for so long it's a wrench to hand him over to somebody else." "You are talking nonsense," said Royston. "If you behave very well I may be able to put you in charge of The Rake again at the Glen stables. You were foolish to quarrel with the trainer, it makes the matter the more difficult." "He aggravated me," said Tony. "It was enough to make any fellow lose his temper, and all those stable lads giggling behind my back." "Perhaps it will be your turn to giggle at them some day," said Royston. "By the way, how are you off for money?" "I have not too much," was the reply. "You never have." "It goes quickly here." "Gambling as usual?" "I have a flutter now and again," said Tony. "Then you had better drop it. I cannot supply you with money to fool away at cards and dice." He opened a drawer, and taking out some sovereigns handed them to Tony Crasher, saying: "Remember if you breathe one word about The Rake's running in the Melbourne Cup you will re- ceive no more money from me." "I'll not mention it," replied Tony. When Tony Crasher left the hotel he thought to himself: "He's a bit frightened that Rake affair will get out. I have a hold upon him there, and he knows it. What a narrow squeak it was. I fully ex- pected we should all be sent up, and it would have been no more than we deserved." CHAPTER XII.—NO SATISFACTION. Henry Royston was well pleased at the success of his plan. He knew the footing he had obtained in the Glen stable would be of inestimable ad- vantage to him. It would give him a standing on the turf he could never have obtained other- wise. When it became generally known in racing circles that Arthur Dunbar was associated with Henry Royston's Australian horses there was much comment upon it. He's made a mistake," was the prevalent tone, for Royston was an unknown man, and the Glen stables had always been above reproach, and solely used by the Dunbars. Arthur Dunbar heard about this expression of opinion and resented it. What right had anyone to interfere in his affairs? Because people thought him wrong he was more than ever deter- mined to follow his own line of action. It made him angry to think he had not yet convinced himself that what he was doing was right. Now that Henry Royston's horses were at the Glen he became more familiar with Arthur Dunbar, who had not bargained for this, although he ought to have expected it. When two men are associated in the management of 8. racing stable they are naturally brought together a good deal. Henry Royston determined to pay a visit to the Glen.alone in order to sound Gilbert Honey. He had no faith in trainers as honest men, but luckily for them, he was not a competent judge in such matters. Henry Royston's ideas of what was right in racing were widely different from Arthur Dunbar's trainer's. Pat's father travelled down to Middleham in a perfectly contented frame of mind. Everything was going well with him. Some Autralian stocks he held had suddenly gone up, and he was wait- ing for a further rise before he sold out. The first shock he experienced was when he arrived at Leyburn. He expected the trainer to meet him there, and treat him deferentially as a wealthy and important patron. Gilbert Honey, however, was not there, but he sent a dogcart to meet Mr. Royston. "Where's Honey?" testily asked Henry Roy- ston of the lad who had driven it over. Mr. Honey is at home." I expected him to meet me," said Royston. He never meets strangers," was the reply. He only drives over when Mr. Dunbar comes down." Oh, indeed!" said Royston, mentally vowing he would have an alteration. There was no one to be seen when he arrived at the Glen, and he could not help contrasting his reception with that accorded him on the last occasion when he came with Arthur Dunbar. He walked up the path, banging the gate after him, and knocked at the door. A neat servant maid opened it and ushered him into the morning room. I am sorry to have kept you waiting," said Gilbert Honey, but I was very busy when you arrived." "I thought you would have met me at the | station," said Henry Royston. I seldom drive to the station," was the reply. I You meet Mr. Dunbar there?" Oh, yes. I always meet Mr. Dunbar, but that is different," said Honey. | Henry Royston kept his temper with difficulty. He did not relish the somewhat abrupt manner in which the trainer treated him. "Would you like to look round the stables?" said Gilbert Honey. Certainly—if it is not too much trouble," he added, sarcastically. Not at all," replied Gilbert, ignoring his tone, and they went out into the stable yard. Henry Royston was anxious to hear what Gilbert Honey thought about The Rake. He had heard a good deal of the Glen trainer since he had been in England, and he knew he was highly thought of. The Rake looked well. Royston saw that at a I glance, and noted the improvement made in him in a short time. "What do you think of him?" he asked with a tone of anxiety in his voice. I have hardly had time to form an opinion of his merits," said the trainer. "He moves well in his work, but I have not had him alongside any of our horses yet. I shall be able to tell you better when I have given him a good rough gallop." ga !'But you can tell me what your opinion is as far as it goes?" I think him a very fair horse," said the trainer. "As good as Whirlwind?" I No." You have not tried them together?" asked Royston, suspiciously. No," replied the trainer, emphatically. H ave you "Have you galloped Flannel Flower, Schnapper or Gill asked Royston. Yes, and I like Schnapper best." Then you are wrong," said Royston. "GiH Bird gave him a stone and beat him. I won the race and claimed Schnapper." "Indeed!" said Gilbert Honey. "Then I ex- pect you got Schnapper a bargain." I got him cheap." He is a good horse," said Gilbert. "Barely you would not compare him with The Rake?" I am, inclijned to do so," was the rel Henry Royston laughed as he answered: "Then you have a far different opinion pf the horses to myself." That is, not at all improbable, said the trainer. You'll allow I know something about their merits ?" said Royston. They are your horses," answered the trainer. "And therefore I ought to know all about them?" That does not necessarily follow," was Gilbert Honey's cool reply. Henry Royston felt inclined to swear. The trainer's manner of treating him was aggravating. After luncheon, however, he felt mollified and commenced chatting to the trainer in a familiar strain, but he received. very little encouragement. "1 suppose we had better run my horses in two or three races first to get a feeler," he said. You had better have them well tried, and run them to win, said Gilbert. 1, "It is throwing money away to back a' horse when you are not qmte sure of his fottr^ wbqln 'if make sure of that before I a'qvifie you to back one of them," said t? trainer. W?ba are you training Whirlwind for? He is getting fit 7" asked Royston. "I hardly know at present," said Gilbert. Mr. Dunbar is anxious to get a good win early in the season. We had a very unlucky time last year. and I tnust try and make up for it." I heard Mr. Dunbar lost heavily," said Roy- ston. "It is a bad plan t. plunge to recover your losses. I never heard of Mr. Dunbar being put down as a plunger," said the trainer. "He has that reputation." Then I should advise you to contradict it when you get an opportunity, because it is untrue." It is no cfa«inenp of min*. ..u"? -1]!1'. :I{ "But you aro Mr. Dunbar's friend, and, there- fore, ought to make it your business," said Gil- bert. Thank you for your advice, was the reply. but I know how to manage my own affairs, and one of my mottoes is not to interfere in other people's business." Gilbert Honey was tired of the conversation and wished Henry Royston would take his depar- ture. This, however, he did not appear inclined to do. You treated the man I sent here with my horses in rather a summary manner," said Roy- ston, with an attempt at a laugh. I treated him as he deserved to be treated," replied the trainer. He came to me with a tale of woe, saying he had been insulted," said Royston. It would have been impossible to insult him," said Gilbert. sa, V You consider he was past that?" Yes." "And yet I have always found him a willing, trustworthy man." Possibly that is your experience, but he would not suit me." You have to make some allowance for a man brought up as Tony Crasher was," said Royston. A liberal allowance, I should say, judging by my experience." Henry Royston's visit was not turning out as he anticipated. He could make no headway against this sturdy Yorkshireman; he might have tried to draw a badger from his lair with more success. "I do not think you are over pleased at my horses coming here?" I bad quite sufficient to look after before they arrived," said Gilbert. I am not so young as I was," he added, smiling. Then it is useless my buying two or three more?" I do not say that. Now your horses are here one or two more will make very little difference to me. M?: Do you know of a couple of good handicap horses I could buy cheap?" asked Royston. Not at present, and it is a difficult matter at any time to buy good handicap horses. You had better wait until the season is advanced." But I thought a couple of good performers would come in handy as trial horses." A horse may have shewn good form at the close of the season, and gone all to pieces during the winter. It is always advisable to see if he retains his back end form before purchasing," said the trainer. Henry Royston knew Gilbert Honey was right, but would not give him the satisfaction of saying so. He left the Glen in a dissatisfied state of mind. He had gained nothing by his visit, and had no inkling as to Arthur Dunbar's plans. One thing he had learned, and that was that Gilbert Honey was not at all partial to either himself or his horses. Confounded impertinence," he muttered. "I must speak to Dunbar about it. My horses are there to be trained, and I'll have civility from the trainer or know the reason why." When he saw Arthur Dunbar he complained of the reception he received at the Glen. Arthur laughed, and said, "I am afraid you will have to put up with Gilbert Honey's ways. He is an old-fashioned trainer, and not likely to change much now. You'll find he will do far better with your horses if you let him alone." "I have no wish to interfere with him," said Henry Royston, but as one of the patrons of the stable he ought to answer my questions respectfully." "And did he not do so?" said Arthur, sur- prised. Not in my opinion." "I will inquire into it." Please do not interfere on my account; it may only cause unpleasantness," said Royston. Arthur Dunbar, on his next visit to Middle- ham, gathered from his trainer that it was Henry Royston who had tried to ride the high horse, and come to grief in consequence. You did right not to tell him what Whirl- wind was being prepared for," said Arthur. He shall know when I think fit to tell him, not before. Meanwhile Martin Mill had not been idle. The commissioner had a wide circle of acquaintances and friends, and generally discovered anything he wished to know. Henry Royston forgot there were several Australian racing men in England who knew what his turf career had been in the Colonies. Tom Orford was a Colonial jockey who had come over to England to try his luck in the old country. Martin Mill made his acquaintance soon after his arrival, and having taken a fancy to him got him several, mounts. He thought of Tom Orford in connection with Henry Royston, and sought him out with the object of gaining some information. Tom Orford was grateful to Martin Mill for the helping hand given him, and knew that in the commissioner he had a good friend. When he received a letter asking him to dine at Martin Mill's house he accepted it readily. Martin Mill was not long in coming to the business he had in hand. He prepared the way for it by saying he did not like the change at the Glen stable, nor did he care very much for Henry Royston from what little he had seen of him. The jockey smiled when Royston's name was mentioned, and Mill noted it. "Did you know Royston in the colonies?" he asked. "I should rather say I did," said Orford. "I rode for him three or four years ago." f But not lately?" No." "Why?" Because things got too hot to be pleasant," said Orford, and I did not care to take the risk. He is not what you would call a straight goer out there?" "Not exactly; but lots of them are not." "I am sorry he has got into our stable," said Mill—he always alluded to the Glen as our stable. Mr. Dunbar will have to keep a sharp look out," said Tom Orford. I was surprised when a gentleman like Mr. Dunbar took up with him. Mr. Royston is no class for such a gentleman." That's my opinion," said Martin Mill. I'd like to know the real reason Royston was taken into the stable. It's my belief there's a woman at the bottom of it. I told Gilbert Honey so, and I repeat it to you." ai?l I shouldn't be at all surprised," said the jockey. Then you would advise me to steer clear of Henry Royston?" Yes, let him do his underhand business him- self," said Orford. He goes in for that, does he?" "When he thinks there is no chance of de- tection. I was not in Melbourne when Tony Crasher lost the Cup on The Rake, but I heard a good deal about it, and received two or three letters after the meeting. A jockey who rode in the race wrote to me that The Rake was de- liberately pulled, and that everyone connected with him ought to have been sent up." Martin Mill did not remain satisfied with the story he heard from Tom Orford concerning Henry Royston, but inquired from other Australians he met at various places, and they, all oonfirmed and added to what the jockey said. It was quite evident to Martin Mill that Henry Royston was a bad lot, and that it was a thousand pities he ever became acquainted with the Glen stable. The thing was done, however, and Arthur Dunbar was so obstinate that Martin Mill knew it would be difficult to persuade him to change his mind. He'll never consent to any underhand busi- I ness," thought Mill, and if I can prove Royston is up to practising his little games here there's ¡ sure to be a burst up. I'll keep a sharp look out, and I hear most things, good and bad, that are going off." Martin Mill happened to be walking along Regent-street a day or two after he had the con- versation with Tom Orford, when he saw Henry Royston and Hector Bexley on the opposite side of the road. Whew!" whistled Mill softly to himself. He knows Bexley, does he? Wonder how he I came across him. I'm not surprised. They are congenial spirits, I should say. Let me see—it was Bexley's sister Mr. Dunbar had a serious flirtation with at Scarborough. I have heard about that and also that he quarrelled with Bexley over it. This bodes no good to the stable, for Hector Bexley is a decidedly shady character. He owes me a trifle, but I'm Dot the only one." l Strange to Say,the next mornings post brought Martin Mill the "trifle" Hector Bexley owed him. "Got money, has he?" thought Mill. I wonder if he obtained it from his new friend.. If Henry Royston obliged him I'm open to bet he'll want something in return." (To be continued.)

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AGRICULTURE. I MORE SEASONABLE WEATHER. I Since last writing the weather has taken a favourable turn, and we are now having a spell of winter, which is more agreeable to the farmer, and which it is hoped may last a week or two longer at all events. The frost has made the surface soil sufficiently hard to bear carting over, and farmers have net been slow to take advantage with the manure cart. It seems to be the general opinion that there will be a decrease in the breadth of wheat sown, as the continued wet weather in the autumn prevented a good deal of work of this nature being carried out. Moreover, the poisoned beer scare has intervened, and it is not at all improbable that more effort will be directed to the cultivation of barley wherever circum- stances and opportunity permit. So far the autumn sown wheat, winter beans and seed grasses are promising well, and there is at present no indication of a falling off of keep. The fall of lambs in the southern counties is still represented as satisfactory, excepting that twins are not numerous. The mothers are, however, doing as well as can be expected during such weather as we are having. There is little or no variety in the cheese trade. There has been rather more doing in English makes, with a fairly good inquiry for strictly finest goods, while secondary has been in small supply. Finest Cheddar has been selling at 72s. to 74s., anything below ranging from 66s. to 70s. Business in Canadian has been much interrupted. Finest quality fetches 54s., and is not in plentiful supply. United States, very few on offer. New Zealand, 51s. to 54s. for finest white. BIRMINGHAM SHORTHORN SHOW AND SALE. The thirty-second annual spring exhibition and sale of pure-bred Shorthorn cattle will be held at Bingley Hall, Birmingbagg, on Wed- nesday, Thursday, and Friday, Mp.rch 6th, 7th, and 8th. 9396 in prizes are offered, and the schedule comprises eleven classes, viz., four for cows, heifers, and heifer calves, and seven for bulls and bull calves, including the champion class, with prizes of X50, X20, and 910 for bulls between ten and twenty-one months old on which a reserve up to lOOgs. may be placed. An extra prize of lOgs. is offered for the best lot of five young bulls from nine to twenty-one months old, bred by the exhibitor. IMPORTATION OF LIVE CATTLE. I A statement has gained currency on what appears to be pretty good authority, that a movement is on foot to stop the importation of live cattle into Britain, and that the matter is to be brought before the House of Commons on an early date. It is well known that cattle in transit to this country suffer fearfully. During the voyage the beasts are afflicted with sea-sickness, and when landed at the ports are in a weakly and enfeebled con- dition, and when slaughtered their flesh is flabby and unwholesome and even dangerous as food. As the law stands immediate slaughter is enforced, in order to protect our own stock from infection, but it stands to reason that time is required for the poor beasts to recover their natural state of health which can only be attained by rest and proper feeding. THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE. I The imports of frozen meat into England shew no decrease at present, but as regards next season it is considered that colonial sup- plies cannot be heavy, as time must be allowed for Australian flocks and herds to recover from the losses incident to three successive years of drought. In New Zealand the stock of sheep has been at a standstill since 1896, while the increase in cattle has been unimportant j con- sequently no immediate extension in the output can be looked for. In the Argentine there is the prospect of a full supply of cattle and sheep, though the quality of the latter may not recover immediately from the effects of the recent floods. On the whole. it may be said that supplies from home, colonial, and foreign sources in che immediate future will probably not shew much, if any, increase upon those of 1900. The bouth African market seems likely to continue to absorb considerable quantities of beef and mutton from Australia. No reduction in values is therefore probable for many months. FOOD ADULTERATION. I According to the recently-issued report of the Local Government Board, 53,056 samples of foods were examined in the course of the twelve months under the Food and Drugs Act, and of that total 4,970, or 9'4 per cent., were found to be adulterated. Faulty samples were slightly more numerous than in the preceding year. London shewed an improvement in milk; but only nine of the thirty-two great towns had a worse record. The practice of adding large quantities of water to milk is declining rapidly, and the process of watering rich milk down so as to make it resemble a naturally poor sample, which may just manage to pass, seems to be more common. A great deal of mar- garine is still sold as genuine butter. In the north-west of England the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society took up the work of sub- mitting samples which its agents believed to be spurious. Many analysts drew attention to the growing practice of making up margarine so as to resemble real dairy butter. In all, 666 penalties were imposed, the fines amounting to £ 2,657, which included three of ESO each. HOW TO TELL AN IN-CALF COW. The following teat is, we believe, a very old one, but it may not be generally known, and is worth repeating. It is brought to mind by a writer in an American journal who says:- "The cow to be tested ia, of course, milked separately, and as soon as possible after the milk is drawn we dip a straw, or timothy stem, in the bucket of milk. Have a glass of pure water at hand, and allow one drop of the milk to fall into the water—only one; if the milk quickly dissipates and renders the water murky, she is not in-calf; but, if the milk-drop sinks to the bottom of the glass before mixing with the water, she is pregnant. If you are not sufficiently expert, take the milk of another cow that has newly calved, and pursue the same treatment with both at the same time, and you will not fail to note the difference in the way the drop of milk will mix with the water. I have practised this method of deter- mining pregnancy in my herd for years, and I never knew it to fail. Of course, I only speak from my own experience; but the theory is that the milk of a pregnant cow is viscous, or has a sticky, adhesive quality that causes the particles to cohere more closely; consequently, the tendency to drop in a mass instead of mingling immediately with the water. I usually take the morning's milk for the test, and use cistern or rain water, if obtainable, or, better still, filtered and boiled water."

DENBIGHSHIRE AND FLINTSHIRE AGRICUL- TURAL SOCIETY.-A meeting of this society was held on Tuesday i,at Mold, under the presidency of Mr. J. E. Davies (auctioneer). There was a fairly large attendance of mem- bers.—In the absence of Colonel A. Mesham (who was not able to arrive until a later stage of the meeting) Mr. Storey moved the following recommendation of the Finance Committee:— "That, in the future, in the interests of the society, the local committee in each town the society visits must undertake to guarantee a sum of not less than .£150 for local prizes, &c., and also find a suitable piece of ground, free of cost to this society, to hold the annual show on." The motion was carried, but it was ex- plained that the new regulation would not apply until the show was held at Ruthin next year.—The following rule was also added :— That in future all exhibitors whose entry fees amount to 5s. and upwards shall have a non- transferable pass sent to them, which will admit them to the show free."—It had already been decided that this year's show shall be held at Mold, and Thursday. August 15, was now fixed as the date.

FRODSHAM. I CONSERVATIVE CLUB ANNUAL MEET- ING.-The annual meeting of the members of the Frodsham Conservative Club was held on Wednesday in the Club Rooms, Main-street, Mr. E. G. Steward presiding. The hon. secre- tary and treasurer (Mr. C. H. Hibbertt) pro- duced the balance-sheet for the past year, which shewed that the olub was in a most flourishing and- prosperous condition, there being a larger balance in hand than any previous year. The officers were appointed as follows :-President, Mr. Alfred Thomas; vice- presidents, Messrs. John OeWeston, F. P. Weaver, Mil)., H. Tiley, H. P. Mortimer,W. Collinaon, and M. Steele; hoi secretary and treasurer, Mr. C. H. HibberfctV hon. auditor, Mr. E. G. Steward; committee, Messrs. P. Spencer, J. Gorst, A. J. Ash worth, J. Entwistle, L. Pollard, E. Lawlee, J. J. Wilkinson, J. Hoilarfd,aenr.,andF.Gleave. > j

— —k HzmTT'S toh BOOTS RtPAUHNS.— 'l. 1 No matter where your Boots were bought. we Oda them repw* And when you think they're It for naught We'll maketbem lit to wear. Fifty years' reputation for Durable Boots [ OLD FALSE TjSBTH BOUGHT. 3tany Indies, and gentlemen have by them old or disused false teeth, which might as well ft turned into money. Messrs. R. D. & J. B. Frasb, of Princes-street, Ipswich (established since 1833), buy old false teeth. If you send your teeth to them they will remit you by return post the utmost value; or, if preferred, they will make you the best offer. and hold the teeth over for your reply. If reference neoassary, apply to Messrs. Bacon & Co., Bankers, Ipswich.

FLINTSHIRE STANDING JOINT COMMITTEE. I APPOINTMENT OF CLERK OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL. A special meeting of the Flintshire Standing Joint Committee was held on Monday at Mold, under the presidency of Mr. A. Llew. Jones, for the purpose of considering the question of filling the vacancy caused by the death of the Clerk of the Peace and of the County Council (Mr. T. T. Kelly), and of re-appointing a deputy clerk of the peace and of the County Council. A numerous attendance included Sir W. G. Williams (St. Asaph), Dr. Humphrey Williams, Messrs. P. P. Pennant (chairman of Quarter Sessions), P. B. Davies-Cooke, P. T. Davies- Cooke, J. Prince, J. Reney, W. Astbury, H. J. Roberts, R. Jones, and Major Webber (chief constable). The Chairman said since the last meeting a great loss had befallen the nation and Empire by the death of our greatly beloved Queen. She was undoubtedly a remarkable woman, and the greatest of all monarchs. Her noble and spotless life had raised the status of womanhood. Her wise counsel, so we were assured by eminent men, had saved our country many a trouble. Her reign had not only been the longest on record, but also the most beneficent to all classes of the community. He therefore asked the committee to join with him in passing the following resolution, which he had already sent to Sir Francis Knollys- Will you kindly convey to his Majesty the King and members of the Royal Family the sincere sorrow and sympathy of the members of the Flintshire Standing Joint Committee on the death of our dearly-beloved Queen." While we mourned the loss of our late Queen, we were comforted in our sorrow by the knowledge that she was suc- ceeded by a King who would, as he had said himself, endeavoured to follow in her footsteps, and guided by such noble examples as his late father and mother, we might look forward with confidence and pleasure to his reign, and wish long life to King Edward VII. and the Queen Consort. The motion was formally carried, and at the request of the Chairman the members, standing, then exclaimed in a loud voice Long live King Edward VII." The Qhairman said a paintul duty devolved upon him owing to the death of Mr. T. T. Kelly. He was sure they all deplored his demise very much. Mr. Kelly had been an official of the Council for many years. Many members of the committee bad known him for a greater number of years than he (the chairman) had. He had known Mr. Kelly for nine or ten years to respect and admire him, and he did not think that any county in Wales, or even in England, had a more able and efficient clerk than tho. Flintshire County Council had in the late Mr. Kelly. The way in which the deceased gentleman brought the ijocai (iovern- ment Act of 1888 into existence was, he thought, an instance of his marked ability. He (the chairman) moved that the committee convey to Mrs. Kelly and her family an expression of their deep sense of the loss they had sustained by Mr. Kelly's (death, and of their sympathy with them in their bereavement. Mr. Pennant, in seconding the motion, re- marked that it really required no seconding, because he knew it would be supported unani- mously. He believed Mr. Kelly came to this county and began his duties the same year that he (Mr. Pennant) became a member of the quarter sessions, and he could, therefore, bear testimony to the ability, care, and intelligence which he brought to bear upon the affairs of the county during his long career. Unfortunately, Mr. Kelly had not ,in his latter years, owing to failing health, been able to shew the great ability in county matters which had formerly been characteristic of him. His remarkable business aptitude was particularly evidenced in 1889 when he steered the Council through the troubles of its infancy. There were few county councils in the country which had so soon become accustomed to harness as that of Flintshire. Mr. Reney supported the resolution, which was formally carried, the members standing. The committee then proceeded to consider the appointment of a clerk and deputy clerk of the peace and of the County Council. Mr. Prince proposed that Mr. T. H. Ollive, who had acted for a considerable period as deputy to the late Mr. Kelly, be appointed deputy clerk of the peace and deputy clerk to the County Council, at a. salary ot X250 a year. Most of the labours of the County Council had devolved upon Mr. Ollive, who had performed his duties with every credit, and he would make an excellent deputy. Sir W. G. Williams questioned the authority of the committee to appoint Mr. Ollive, as he understood that gentleman had already been appointed deputy clerk by the committee, and that that appointment should hold good at the present time. The Chairman pointed out that Mr. Ollive was appointed only by Mr. Kelly as his deputy, and upon Mr. Kelly's death his appointment ceased. But the committee had power to re- appoint him. Sir W. G. Williams seconded the resolution, and it was supported by Mr. Astbury. After some discussion, however, it was unanimously agreed to appoint Mr. Ollive deputy clerk, without fixing the amount of his salary. Considerable discussion then arose as to the salaries that should be apportioned to the clerk and deputy clerk. It was stated that the total salary paid to the late clerk, and which included the salary of the deputy, was £ 770. Mr. P. B. Davies-Cooke thought that con- sidering the amount of work Mr. Ollive had done for a considerable time, and the admirable way in which he had done it, his salary should not be less than JE300 per annum. Dr. Williams said there was a strong feeling in the county that the clerk should devote the whole of his time to the duties of his office, which were very onerous. He doubted whether a legal gentleman could be found who was willing to devote the whole of his time to the work for the salary he would receive. Mr. P. T. Davies-Cooke said he understood the salary of the clerk in Denbighshire was X850, out of which X250 was paid to his deputy. Mr. H. J. Roberts thought the county could not afford to pay the deputy clerk more than X250 per annum. The ratable value of Den- bighshire far exceeded that of Flintshire. Mr. Pennant concurred with the suggestion of Mr. P. B. Davies-Cooke, and said it should be borne in mind that the newly-appointed clerk would for a considerable time be de- pendent upon the knowledge and experience of Mr. Ollive. That fact should be borne m mind in fixing the salary of Mr. Ollive, who had been a faithful, good servant. (Hear, hear). It was eventually decided nem. con. that the salary of the clerk of the peace (who must be a barrister or a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Judicature) should be L770, and that out of it Mr. Ollive, as deputy clerk, should be paid X270 per annum. It was also agreed to invite applications for the appointment of clerk of the peace, which would be made at the quarterly meeting of the committee at Mold on the 21st inst. Candidates who would undertake to reside in Mold or its neighbourhood would be considered more eligible, and the clerk of the peace would be required to give the whole of his time to the duties of his office, or should at his own expense provide any additional clerical assistance that might be necessary for the due performance of his duties. Canvassing on the part of a candidate would not disqualify him. Mr. Ollive thanked the committee for his election, and remarked that it was only a further evidence, if such were needed, of that good feeling which he had experienced with the committee from the first. It was a very pleasant reflection that during the whole of the time he had been connected with that large body of men representing all shades of opinions, he had never received one harsh word from any of them. (Hear, hear.) Referring under the influence of emotion to the death of Mr. Kelly, he said there was, perhaps, no man in the county who felt his loss more keenly than he did. He (Mr. Ollive) had been associated with him for a great number of years, and the severance of their connection was indeed a shock he would never forget. A vote; of condolence was passed with Mr. Charles Davison, ft member of the committee, in hw bereavement through the death of his wife.lj

I A YOUNG* WIFE'S DILEMMA. A young wife wrote the other week to the editor of a ladies' paper asking the surest means of retaining her husband's affections. The reply was "always be as attractive, look as pretty, and pay the same attention to hfm as you did daring the days of courtship." It has been admitted, however? tu& woman's good,Iooka?re dependent to a great extent ,aa hit h46a?lth4 CII-harlea Fo*,do, 13ue B"uo for MMnMness, are, in tb4 connection, woman't greatest friend. They preserve the appetite, and thus ensure keeping up the strength. They stimulate the liver it inclined to be sluggish, thus ensuring energy and briskness. Their action on both liver and kidneys results in these organs being always reguftLt in their action; and conrtipation, headache, nausea, and debility are thereby rendered highly improbable. The blood is purified, and the result of the occasional use of Bile Beans is seen in the sprightly step, the bright eye, the healthy colour, and the clear complexion. These qualities, which Bile Beans ensure, go far towards making a young lady attractive.

CLAIM BY A HAWARDEN I ENGINEER. At Chester County Court, on Thursday, before his Honour Sir Horatio Lloyd, James Ratcliffe, engineer, Hawarden, sued Charles Wycherley, colliery proprietor, of the Sandycroft Colliery Com- pany, Buckley, for J650 in respect of a transaction with reference to the purchase of two pairs of winding engines. Mr. W. H. Churton was for plaintiff and Mr. S. Moss, M.P., represented de- fendant. Plaintiff's case was that there was an agreement between defendant and him that he should buy two second-hand winding engines from defendant for JE277 10s. each. One of the engines plaintiff sold for 2360, and he alleged that after he had spent about 220 in advertising the en- gines, defendant told him that he had sold the second engine, and had got a better price for it than plaintiff had offered. Plaintiff contended that the second engine was his, and that Mr. Wycherley had no right to dispose of it. De- fendant, however, denied this and stated that he did not sell the second engine to plaintiff, because the latter would not agree to his terms.—His Honour delivered his judgment in the case at a special Court held on Tuesday. The Judge said there was unfortunately considerable difference in some of the main features of the case between the two parties as to the facts. He did not mean to suggest that there was any wilful difference or any misleading of the Court in the evidence of either one side or the other. At all events, there was a very serious difference between the parties as to what really took place and as to their recollection of meetings, to say the least of it. After reviewing and commenting upon the evidence, his Honour said the onus was upon the plaintiff to shew him that there was a contract, that there was a sale of the second pair of engines. He had considered the matter very carefully, including the contemporaneous letters, and he could not come to the conclusion that there was such a contract with reference to the second pair of engines, and consequently he could not give damages. He thought there was a great deal to be said on the plaintiff's side. The negotiations had been going on since the pre- vious January, and were continued down to the 30th August, when, according to the defendant's view of it, he left it in this state-that he told the plaintiff he could have them for J6300, and he must have known that after that the plaintiff was moving among his customers in order to see whether he could find a customer who would enable him to give the JB200 asked. Yet, with- out a word to Mr. Ratcliffe, these engines were sold to a stranger. He (the judge) should have thought it fair and honourable dealing if Mr. Wycherley had written to Mr. Ratcliffe and said Now the engines which you were in negotiation for. and which have been offered to you for £ 300, I have an opportunity of selling for that amount to a third person. Let me know whether you want them or not." But not a word was said to him, and he was told bluntly that the engines were sold after he had incurred the expense. He (the judge) must say there was a good deal to be said on the side of the plaintiff. Although he could not give damages to enforce the contract, he should certainly not give costs against the plaintiff. He gave judgment for the defendant without costs.

RAILWAY SUPERINTENDENT I LIBELLED. HEAVY DAMAGES. I Mr. Henry Linaker, a district superintendent of the London and North-Western Railway Com- pany, at Manchester on Thursday week com- menced, in the King's Bench, an action for libel against the registered proprietors and editor of the "Railway Review." It appears that articles printed in this paper had imputed to plaintiff habits of insobriety, and had made other disparaging statements concerning him. Liability was in part admitted, a sum of money being paid into court; but justification was pleaded for the rest of the libel. Sir Edward Clarke, opening the plaintiff's case, pointed out that the plaintiff had been 33 years in the service of the company, and had risen to one of the most important positions. It was impossible, therefore, that there could be any truth in the statement that plaintiff was of habitually intemperate habits. Indeed, his position was one of great responsibility, and the testimony to be adduced would shew that there was no foundation whatever for these libellous statements. He submitted that it was a case for substantial damages. Several witnesses gave evidence in support of the foregoing statement, including Mr. Robert Turn- bull, superintendent of the London and North- Western Railway; Mr. Oliver Stanbrook Holt, of the Oldham, Ashton and Guide Bridge Railway Company; Sir Thomas Brooke, a director of the London and North-Western; and Mr. Fletcher, another director, all of whom spoke to the uni- formly sober and careful conduct of the plaintiff. Mr. Linaker himself gave evidence, and was cross-examined at considerable length by Mr. Isaacs. He said he might have walked stiffly at Stockport Station, but that was owing to illness. He did not stagger across the platform and lose his hat, and no one had to assist him into a cab. He did not remember being drunk at North- ampton, and standing drinks all round in the Red Lion and losing his watch. He never lost his watch. He never went to a Mrs. Pearson's house at Northampton and had whisky and soda. He did not remember any one taking him home when he lived at Northampton. He knew of no public- house there called the Quart Pot. The further hearing was adjourned. At the resumed hearing on Friday John Nichol- son, stationmaster at Stockport, said there was no. truth in the statement that plaintiff had to be assisted out of the train and into a cab by the station staff. Plaintiff stated that he was not feeling well, and was afraid he was going to suffer from a return of an old complaint. William John Chapman, district goods manager of the London and North-Western at London-road Station, Manchester, said he saw Mr. Linaker in the afternoon of the day specified as that on which I he was allegted to have been intoxicated. Plaintiff I was then perfectly sober. Mr. Campbell, merchant, and other witnesses also spoke to being with plaintiff on the same day, when there was nothing in his behaviour to sug- gest any doubt as to his sobriety. Mr. Rufus Isaacs, K.C., then opened the case for the defence, and disclaimed any intention on their part of a mere vulgar and malicious charge of drunkenness put forward for no reason except to injure the plaintiff. This was only one of many serious complaints there were against Mr. Linaker in his conduct as superintendent, who had, in fact, exercised a reign of terror over the men under him, exhibiting vindictiveness, oppression, spite, and inflicting undeserved punishment. The only case now before the jury was whether the plaintiff was intoxicated or hilarious on the dates specified in the particulars. What the defendants desired to raise was the treatment by the plaintiff of the men under his control, and that was the object of the publication of the letters which contained the alleged libels. They could not now go into the question whether those charges were true, though the object of the letters was to secure an inquiry into them. He repudiated the suggestion of plaintiff's counsel that the witnesses for the de- fence had concocted a story for the purpose of injuring the plaintiff, as many of the witnesses who would give evidence had never been under his lash. In fact, many of them risked their positions by coming forward. Mr. Justice Matthews pointed out there was an appeal to the directors. Mr. Isaacs said nevertheless the position of the men must be affected by their coming for- ward. There was no charge of habitual intem- perance made against the plaintiff, but that he was drunk on August 1 and February 22, and the large body of evidence that would be called for the defence would satisfy the jury, he hoped, that the defendants were justified in making the charge. Evidence was then called for the defence. John Green, the guard of the train by which plaintiff travelled on February 22, said his atten- tion was called to the plaintiff by a first-class passenger, and witness noticed when plaintiff got out of the train at Stqckport he did not walk. straight, but wobbled and staggered about. In witness' opinion he was intoxicated. Cross-examined, he admitted his duties would: render his observation of any one on the plat- form only momentary. He gave no information of the incident, but it was general talk among the men. Witness was a member of the society, so he read the "Review," but he did not renieniDer plaintiff being attacked in the "Review" and described as Superintendent Chin-licker. (Laugh- ter.) Henry Fisher, a porter at Edgeley Station, Stockport, said he saw the plaintiff, and formed the opinion that he was drunk, and called Mr. Nicholson's attention to it. Frederick William Wood, another porter from Edgeley Station, also saw Mr. Linaker walk along the platform, and thought his walk was that of a man under the influence of drink. He called the attention of several porters to it. I Edward White, a porter at the same station, gave corroborative evidence; also Stephen BUl- lock, another porter, who booked the fact in his pocket-book. (Laughter.) J. The case was again adjourned. During Monday's hearing, Henry Wood, cab inspector, Stockport, said because be saw plaintiff get in a hansom with his face towards the driver/he thought he was intoxicated., Sir Edward Clarke Do all persons get into a hansom in the same way ?—No. How do they generally get in P-In a business- like and straightforward manner. (Laughtér:) How would you get into a hansom ?—-I should get up, twist round, get my right foot inside the hansom, and sit down. (Laughter.) Sir E. Clarke: That would make people think you were drunk. (Renewed laughter.) Several witnesses were called to shew that plaintiff was of dfnnken habits. > > I THE VERDICT. I Mr. Justice Matbew summed up on Tuesday, | and said if defendants had been misled by the ,I evidence laid before them with regard to three- fourths of the case, was it not likely that they had been misled as to the other fourth ? With regard to the Northampton accusation, a dis- reputable charge had been made-the charge of intimacy with a witness. His lordship had expected to see something attractive—(laughter) —but when she was called he thought he had never seen a more astonishing Juliet. The jury found a verdict for the plaintiff, and assessed the damages at £ 1,000. Mr Justice Mathew said on a future day he would hear counsel on the point whether trustees could be sued so as to bind the property of the society.

WHAT IS A "GENTLEMAN?" I MR. R. ST. J. CORBET'S OPINION. I The difficult question "What is a gentle- man P" has been exercising the correspondents of the Spectator." The latest is this effusion from Mr. R. St. J. Corbet:- Surely there can be but one definition P A. I gentleman' is a man of gentle birth, a member of the gentry, a member of a family I untainted by trade' (as the expression went) for three generations. I think it was Sir Walter Scott who said that three generations are sometimes insufficient' to breed out trade,' and that five should be substituted. No Psalm or sentiment can make a man a I gentleman' any more than Psalm or sentiment can make a man an Admiral or an Attorney-General. A nobleman' is not so called, or entitled to be so called, because he is a man of noble bearing, or noble acts, or noble thoughts; he must be a member of the nobility or he cannot be a nobleman.' In the same way a man cannot be a gentleman' unless he satisfies what is meant by gentle.' During the last quarter of the nineteenth century everybody's desire was to be a' gentle- man and to be addressed esquire,' yet not one probably out of five hundred aspirants had a right to be either one or the other. Nobody wished to be considered a judge or an architect, or to be addressed as Baronet or F.B.S., yet it was a general aspiration to bear other styles, and without the smallest justification. You are not a gentleman' because you wear a clean collar and pay your bills, and you are not an esquire' because you do not dig potatoes or drive an engine; definitions are definitions, and even David and all his Psalms cannot twist them to mean what they do not mean. In America I understand that 'Judges' and Colonels' are numerous; at this nonsense we smile, but are we much better ourselves ? Our gentlemen' and esquires' are probably far mere numerous." This letter has roused the usually phlegmatic editor of the "Spectator" to the following note:—" We publish our correspondent's letter because we desire to express our absolute and total dissent from the pernicious view it sup- ports. The whole of our social and political history is a protest against his attitude on the subject. Mr. Corbet is, of course, perfectly right as to the derivation of the word (every schoolboy knows that' gens' means class' or race'), but it is the glory of the English nation that derivatives of this word soon altered their meaning here and gave us the significance of 'gentle'—the very antithesis of all that is associated with pride of race and arrogance of blood. We have often thought that the history of the meaning of the word gentleman shews in epitome our happy social evolution-an evolution which preserved us from the degrada- tion and danger of a noble caste. The French preserved the true' meaning of the word gentil homme,' and its preservation may in a sense be said to have produced the Revolution. How we steadily gave up the narrow use of the words gentleman' and gentle' is seen throughout our literature. When Chaucer talked of a very perfect gentle knight' (we modernise the spelling) he did not mean, as the context shews, that the knight was of high lineage, but that he was courteous and kindly and without a proud and overbear- ing spirit. When Shakespeare uses the word gentleman' we see again how the idea of race an blood is failing. Dekker clearly bad no thought of the derivation when he called our Lord the first true gentleman that ever breathed.' Cromwell uses the word almost in the modern sense. In our later history it has been a commonplace that the word gentleman' is not reserved in England for men of birth, but for men of conduct and good-breeding. It is true that George IV. said of Sir Robert Peel, He is no gentleman; he divides his coat tails when he sits down,' but no reasonable person ever seriously says that Peel was not a gentle- man merely because of his origin from a trading family."

I BANK MEETINGS. THE NATIONAL PROVINCIAL. The annual general meeting of the National Provincial Bank of England, Limited, was held last week at the head ofifce, 112, Bishopsgate- street, London. Mr. Robert Wigram, who pre- sided, submitted a special resolution in connection with the death of her late Majesty the Queen, which was unanimously agreed to. He then called attention to the very satisfactory report submitted to the proprietors, and referred to the fact that this was the first occasion in which the report had been issued before the meeting. The year had been a peculiarly difficult one, but the bank rate had ruled high, and the time had been profitable for banks. The reserve fund now amounted to 22,275,000, and the whole of it was invested in Government securities. The current deposit and other accounts shewed an increase of £ 1,120,000. After paying the dividend of 21 per cent., and carrying JMU,000 to reserve fund, they were able to carry forward nearly £97,000, or an increase of £ 17,000 over last year. The cash at Bank of England, head office and branches, and at call and short notice, shewed an increase of £ 1,166,000; and the item of bills discounted, loans, etc., an increase of £ 244,000. The result was a most satis- factory one, and reflected the greatest credit on the managers and the staff. The bank had now between 13,000 and 14,000 shareholders, and if each one would only do a little toward bringing in new business, it would be of advantage to them- selves as well as to the bank. The report was unanimously adopted. In our advertising columns we publish the re- port and balance-sheet. I PARR'S BANK, LIMITED. I The obth annual ordinary general meeting of this company was recently held at the Cannon- street Hotel, London. Mr. Cecil F. Parr (chair- man of the board of directors) occupied the chair. The Chairman said: Before beginning the busi- ness of the meeting, I cannot but allude to the shadow of the great and irreparable loss which hangs heavy on all of us here to-day and on the whole nation. The greatest individual personality of the whole of this civilised world has gone from it. Never before in the history of that world has so much love, so much reverence, irrespective of colour, of race, or of creed, been bestowed—aye, and rightly bestowed—on one single human being as on our illustrious Queen, now lying dead at Osborne. Death has robbed us of our Queen, but not death, nor time, nor eternity itself can rob us of the priceless heritage of the noble example which she has bequeathed to her people; an ex- ample of a white and blameless life, of un- swerving, unstinted, single-minded devotion to duty, and of wide, loving sympathy. Surely the memory of that good example will quicken the conscience and nerve the arm and the heart of millions of English men and women in ages yet to come; and in so doing will fulfil in the best and in the triudt sense the prediction of our great poet, the poet of her own Victorian era, when he said: Let children of our children say "She wrought her people lasting good." (Applause.) Mr. Parr then spoke as follows:—When at mid- i summer, in my remarks to the shareholders at Warrington, I noticed the unmistakable signs of a set back in trade, we scarcely expected that such a set back would have become so accentuated be- fore the year drew to a close. A certain re-action from the superabundant commercial activity which prevailed in the early months of the year was, perhaps, inevitable, but it was greatly aggravated by the tremendous rise in the price of ooal—a very good thing for coal owners and coal workers—but a very serious handicap on the energy of every other trade in the country. The depression thus begun was intensified by the prolongation oi hostilities in South Africa, by the troubles in China, and a general feeling of political unrest. However, taking the year altogether, prices were so good, and the expansion of trade so great, not- withstanding the falling-off in the latter part of the year, that the total results for the twelve months have once again established a record in the total value of our imports and exports, and also in the case of most of our leading commodities, a record in volume as well. The report and balance-sheet in your hands differ chiefly from their immediate predecessors in that they record an increase of capital, of paid-up capital to the amount of £93,600-, and a corresponding increase to our re- serve fund, raising them both to 21,463,500. In the course of the year, as you are aware, we ac- quired the business of the Ashton, Stalybridge, Hyde and Glossop Bank, Limited, the transfer be- ing completed after our meeting at Warrihgton in July. In order to pay for this business, we asked you to create 1,250 new shares, and at the same time, feeling that we could employ the additional capital profitably, we created 3,425 more shares, which we allotted to our old shareholdort at JB70 in the ratio of one share to every 20 then held. This meant, of course, a corresponding increase in the amount required for dividend, and, there- fore, it became a question with the Board whether in the face of this increase they would be: justified in paying, ih addition to the usual dividejnd of 19 per cent., the bonus of 4s. per share, being equal to one per eent. for ther year, as well. I:am glad to tell you that good banking rates and an im- munity from bad debts, exceptional beydnd even our ordinary experience, have enabled us, prudent aa we are, to recommoid payment of the bonus as well. I trust, therefore* that our shareholders will be more than satisfied with the results of the past year, for we have not.only by the operation of the increase in capital givei) .to each shareholder an additional benefit of nearly 16s. per share on his holding, but we have also earned enough to pay both dividend of ,19 per cent. and bonus on that increased apita. thus, I venture, to think, justifying in the most practical manner the. pro- priety of the operation. P., You will 'notice that we have opened new branches and sub-branches at St. Leonards, Stalybridge, Gateacre and Gorton. After some further remarks Mr. Parr moved— "That the report now presented be received and adopted, and that a dividend at the rate of 19 per cent. per annum be now declared for the quarter ended 51st December, 1900, together with a bonus of one per cent., both payable, free of income tax, on and after 1st February, and a dividend at the rate of 19 per cent. per annum, free of income tax, for the quarter ending 31st March, 1901, payable on the 1st May, to the shareholders whose names shall be on the register on the 11th April." (Hear, hear.)—The resolution was put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. ,<> I; ,>, :d ;<, :,¡<r.

THE WIRRAL TRAGEDY. f SUICIDE IN A POST OFFICE. ■ THE INQUEST. I At Clatterbridge Workhouse on Friday morn, ing, the West Cheshire coroner (Mr. J. C. Bate) held an inquest upon the body of the un' fortunate woman named Mary Bird, who hail? from Oxton. near Birkenhead, and who coø', mitted suicide in the Post Office, at Thereto Hough, under tragic circumstances, on Tuesd*? evening of last week, reported fully in OUf)aSt week's issue. » The Coroner informed the jury that the d<3' ¡ ceased's name was Mary Bird, stated to be 29 I years of age, and the last address at which sb8 was known was in Oxton, near Birkenhead. Tb' case was of a very strange character, and it ha? been reported to him that on one occasion, aboo? six months ago. the deceased was charged w?"* attempting to take her life, and that she ba been an inmate of Upton Lunatic Those circumstances pointed to a somewhat we state of mind. There could be no doubt the deceased administered carbolic acid to herself-  The first witness called was Police ConstablO Diskin, stationed at Thornton Hough, who state4 that the deceased, Mary Bird, was his w^ej sister. To the best of his knowledge she had b?.) no fixed residence for some time. Her pa?'' resided at Stourbridge, Staffordshire, but sb had not lived with them for a year. Her who was at present in America, was in busidel at Stourbridge as an ironmonger. Deceased b?, been in many situations as a cook and housem*1^ The last time witness saw her was in July last' when she had stayed a month at his house, bet? out of a situation. Before then she was io e situation at Southport as housemaid, and  told witness that she gave it up because it pL not agree with her.-The Coroner Did you tb1^ that was the reason ?-Witness: Yes, I dli, because she was not very well when she Icame to our house.-You have not seen her since Ju'? No, but I heard since she was in Oxton.—P?. i ceeding, witness said he was not aware that ceased was in Thornton Hough on Tuesday, ? he said positively that she did not call at ? house that day. He was summoned to the P0 t of&ce. which was next door to his house, abot) a quarter past seven on Tuesday evening, j? found deceased lying on the floor of the o:& unconscious. He rendered her what assist&?c he could by giving her an emetic of salt and wat øS and promptly summoning Dr. Wbipp, who in attendance two minutes later. Questioned øS to a bottle of carbolic acid, witness said it "0 found by one of the jurymen next morning t?? the back door of his (witness') house.—?' Coroner: Could she get to the back of Y? house easily without your observation?—Witnos? Yes.-Do you know your sister-in law's writes Yes, sir.-The Coroner then handed witne-91 piece of paper containing some writing, ?' asked if he thought the writing was that of'' deceased. Witness replied that he believed )t was. The letter (which was found among the deceased's clothing by a nurse when examined the workhouse) was read to the jury by t Coroner, and was as follows:—" Dear sister ?? Just a line to say when you receive this I sb?it be no more. I fully intend doing this, for yoif j husband has driven me to do this. If I j drink I am not a harlot as he says. If such ?? ? the case I should not be in service. I b? g worked hard for my living, but still I will s, 'j nothing. He will suffer more than your brc)k00' hearted sister Poll."—The Coroner remaJ'? that the letter was written in pencil, and  the somewhat indistinct writing it was evd,"tlyi not written under ordinary circumstances. dressing witness, he asked: Have you had  words with her at all?—Witness None at all s'? 0 I she left our house in July last, when she WO going to a situation at Hoylake.—Witness ? i that about two days after deceased left his ho?'? ? she returned there about one o'clock in the  ing. He was not at home at the time, but his wife told him that the woman smelt very strong of drink and that she told deceased if she did 110' I alter her behaviour she would not keep the hols .? open for her.-The Coroner: You knew that Sbe iI took drink?-Yes, sir. I knew she was i-,athet fond of drink.-I ask you whether you knew  t she left her last situation through drink? It ? ) my idea at the time. I know has been at about a dozen altua.?" g. the year before last in three mont? -Is it not in your opinion that her drink1 was the reason why she had not been able t, I keep her situations? Yes, sir.—Witness adde ø that another reason in his opinion was that tb' deceased would not be spoken to by her m&s^ or mistress. He had never accused her of  I behaviour, as she alleged in her letter.- L Coroner: You are quite sure she did not co!? to your house on Tuesday? Yes, sir.—Proce? ing, witness said the deceased did not contri?' to her maintenance when she lived at his hou9 She had no money, and he gave her some she left to take a new situation. In July, 189 J while in a situation at Birkenhead, she appeaf4^ j !i before the magistrates on a charge of attempt"^ to commit suicide by taking laudanum, and af'^ being medically examined she was sent to  Asylum.-The Coroner: Do you kno her state of mind was the result of dri?'?-NV' ness: I could not say.-How long did she sta ¡ in Upton Asylum? Four months.-When  she attempt to take her life again?—In Fbrl1r last year, at New Ferry.-Was she In a situate then? Yes, sir. She was brought before magistrates and discharged with a caution- What did she attempt to take her life with t ellt Laudanum. The cause of her act was that ? was much upset on receiving a letter from father to say that her brother had died. I Evidence was next given by Hugh Cariip bellI, assistant postmaster at Thornton Hough, V-* deposed to seeing deceased fall on the floor d the office. He did not know how long: she b% been in the office, because he did  see her enter. She must have been in a part the office where she was concealed from his ?'< He had not seen her in the office before he saw fall. Immediately before he saw her fall be served a customer with some stamps. Fearing the I deceased had fainted, he called in ConstaMc P") kin. Deceased did not speak to witness. He b seen the woman before at Thornton, but not day, and he did not know who she was. X Dr. Robert Whipp, of Thornton Hough, depo? to seeing deceased in the Post-office unconsc'? and dyin? from the effects of carbolic ?.' poisoning. She expired a few minutes after\v?,t P.C. Diskin, in answer to the Coroner.  there was no chemist's shop or other place in district of Thornton where deceased could b? obtained carbolic acid. The Coroner, in summing up, remarked that tbo note, which was addressed to deceased's sister, 3fro, Diskin, was written on a paper which seemed J have come from a school, because it was with the words "head teacher." Where the l?o?iet had been written it was impossible to say, bi'1 had evidently been written under peculiar eirctlol, stances. It was quite within the power of the jury to say the deceased was of unsound mind the time she committed suicide. Her letter quite sufficient to account for her not being a. V to keep her situations, and probably the drilli might have been the cause of her attempts suicide.—The jury found that deceased had coJJl mitted suicide while of unsound mind. (The above appeared in our last Saturday EveniO4 Edition.) ———i———'—

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