Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
27 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
THE MINIATURE.
fALL RIGHTS BESERVBD.] THE MINIATURE. £ y the Author of Sydney Fielding.- CHAPTER I-(Continued.) I still did what I could' to induce the wanderer to return to his home, but without avail: he was fixedly intent upon traversing the world in quest of her beauty. Though the young lady had been prudent enough to take herself off, the poor, impassioned lover would not hear of letting her go her own ways. I myself went back to town very speedily, to report the otter failure of my mission. But before Coleraine could take himself away from H-, he went once more to the theatre, as if fascinated thither by (he strength of late associations. In a dreamy, unheeding mood, his thoughts chiefly busied over past acts and scenes, he sat through the Comedy, and then wandered behind the scenes. There he happened to meet Craven, on his way to his dres- sing-room. The actor was in a violent passsion, and was complaining with bitter sarcasm of the performance of the principal actress declar- ing that such acting would not go down at a child's Christmas party; that it was a degradation to be cast with such an automaton that that sort of thing would not do for him and so on. Scowling Coleraine, he strode on, entered his room, and slammed the door. A pretty fellow for a lady to be coupled with, at .»nyrate!" thought Charley. Stepping slowly and saunteringly on, much like, a Drifting lover, he came presently to the little chamber where Beatrice had been wont to attire herself for those charming personations which turned the heads »f half the folks at H-. The door was open, and Seeing that the room was unoccupied, he went in and Set down by the table. Here was the full-length flressing-glass, and there the smaller toilet mirror, that had so often reflected that lovely and brilliant I face. Can you not show me her features for one moment!" he murmured, with the lovery proverbial Irrationality, as he looked into these unconscious pieces of furnitnre. You are very much unlike the World, inasmuch as you never make reflections of the absent." Such wise thoughts passing through his mind, he drew out the miniature, and began to regard it with the accustomed tenderness. S.uddenly be discovered that the chain was broken-one of the links having become split. He laid it on the table, and disengaged the chain from his neck, and then, taking some thread from his pocket-book, proceeded to attach the several portions together. While he was thus occu- pied, his ears were suddenly assailed by the noise of &violent altercation without, and almost immediately the young lady who had been engaged as leading •ctress entered the room, followed by the manager and Mr. Craven. The lady was in teare, and evi- dently greatly excited, and the two ,'gentlemen were beated with passion. Coleraine instantly divined what might be the cause of all this excitement. The r young actress, it seemed, had gone to the manager immediately the first play was concluded, to complain, of the great rudeness with which she bad been treated throughout the evening by Mr. Craven, and of the wounding and contemptuous language he had ad- dressed to her, in the hearing of several members of the company between the acts and deqlarcd that she could not submit to such behaviour, and that, if it was to ,be permitted, she must throw up her engager ■teat. Upon this the manager had instantly sum- moned Mr. Craven to his presence, reproached him for his ungentlemanly conduct, and warned him that there must be no repetition of it. Mr. Craven, fcoweyer, was not the man to take a scolding from any one. He answered with scornful insolence. He didn't know what the world, was comirg to. Managers didn't seem to think it. worth, while to study their interests, nor actresses their parts, and a man of talent found himself lost between them. If managers knew their business, they wouldn't cramp 8Dd foil their best performers by pairing them with dolls and sticks, who rendered every point a fail- ure. The manager, greatly incensed, rejoined Warmly, and the young lady, somewhat alarmed, re- treated towards her dressing-room, the manager leading Craven after her, and insisting that he shopld make her an immediate apology. This was contemptuously refused, the comedian still exclaim-, ing that the manager did not know his dut-y-thatit was for the interest of the theatre and for the pro-' lection of talent that he had expressed his opinion, and that the idea of an apology was preposterous. Beeing Coleraine, the manager eagerly appealed to1 him as to the character of Mr. Craven's behaviour, and as to the lady's right to an instant apology—for he knew Coleraine to be every inch a gentleman, and one who would know no hesitation in speaking his mind. Our friend, much moved by the distress of the poor young lady, and by the insolence of Craven, Started from his seat, and warmly seconded the manager's side of the question. Craven resented this. interference, declaring that the affair was purely pro- fessional, and one with which strangers had nothing to do and, directing a sarcasm at Coleraine and the ectress together, uttered a wish that he had never come near the place, since it seemed to have been banded over to amateurs and sticks." The man lladconsiderable talking powers of that sort which, in a lower order of life and education, generally ap- pertains to bullies, and he continued to scold, sneer, and complain, walking to and fro in the little room, and working up his passion. Meanwhile, Coleraine addressed himself to the manager and the actress, and told them fearlessly and plainly what sort of course be should take with a man who took it into his head to behave in such a manner. Suddenly Craven cried oat, "Hark ye, Mr. Manager! my mind is made up. I quit your theatre this instant. I throw up the {engagement, and forfeit what is due, rather than experience another hour's indignity in such associations. You hear me; I throw up the engage- ment I" So saying he left the room, and, asi it appeared, Slurried from the theatre. Coleraine then addressed himself to the young lady, making a kindly attempt to encourage and reassure her; and presently several ladies engaged in • the establishment came in, anxious to know the cause of the disturbance and the angry voices they had beard, There was considerable bustle in the little room all at once; many voices, moving figures, eager, Curious faces. Then the manager reminded Cole- raine that it was a lady s apartment, and they with- drew together. Shortly, however, when the excitement of the moment wM over, Coleraine remembfei-ed that he had left the precious miniature upon the table,, ifor he had but just completed the joining of the chain when the disputants suddenly broke in upon him. He went back, tapped at the door, and begged that one of the ladies would hand it out to him. They answered presently, as if after a search, that there was nothing of the sort on the table, or in the room The pocket- book was lying open there, and that they delivered to him, bat as fbr the miniature, they could not see it BDywbere Coleraine, in great ihdignation and distress, com- ynunicated his loss to the already ^sufficiently vexed foanager; and soon there ensued another scene" In the house. But nothing came of either quelltlOna IX an-swers-the miniature was gone, and the ex- I 0sperated loser knew not whom he could accuse of lIle theft. To the manager it was a most disagreeable pjffair, as well as to all the ladies who had been in the mdom-for Coleraine, greatly enraged at a loss to 18m so serious, looked around him with angry and gaspicious glances. t The only other person who came into the room pas Mr. Craven; however, it isn't likely he would go such a thing as that ¡" exclaimed the perplexed manager. i The remark gave a new direction bo Coieraine's Suspicions, and he was by no means so confident as tÐ the unlikelihood of such a trick on the part of the Individual me- tioned. He now remembered the look o) the man when he had first shown 111m the miniatv,e, and the several indications of a tsooked natur that had come under his observation lance. An immediate conviction struck him that jfcaven was the thief. Apart from circumstantial toosiderattons, who else in the world was likely to ■wet the portrait so much? But what could be ■Mie? Several persons besides Craven had been in lie room before the loss was discovered, and it would fee folly and rashness to accuae him without some on uable clue to his guilt. The affair altogether belonged to that extremely awkward class, in which nam be. people are unpleasantly involved, and ia which no one can take any decided steps for a folution, without bringing annoyance and trouble IIpOn all the rest. Coleraine was obliged, as yet, to Bear hi8 loss in silence. In the morning he called upon Mrs. Duke, and ggfced to see Craven, intending cautiously to probe jthetman, with a view to test the correctness of his ■wpicions. He was informed, however, that Mr. feraven had left by the six o'clock mail for town, as be said bis coming to H was a de&d loss, and bp must. aecure an engagement aa speedily as pos- jWe. The old lady spoke in a somewhat sharp and taevieh manner, as if she wished to be rid of her Sector. Coleraine supposed she was In tfread of Kther inquiries after her niece but this was a mis- e, it seemed, for, as he was turning coldly on his Bed, she produced a little note, and handed itto him, ^claiming, "Tberel you've got it nowl It was against my will-I said I wouldn't countenance it." And with these flurried and half-passionate wordt., Ae closed the door upon him. half a glance he saw that the direction was in feftiukodwritiiig of Beatrice. He went to open the |^tf fiMb envelope, but suddenly put it in his pocket, and walked briskly on-presently stopped again, and proceeded to open it, and again denied himself; and so on, many times, until he took to his heels, to satisfy his impatience to reach the seclusion of his own apartments. It was very brief—this little note: "DEAR SIR,-Beatrice knows not what may be your opinion of the step she has taken, in abruptly and secretly leaving H- but she can assure you, that she was prompted by a sincere sense of duty. You may be assured also, if you will, that the separa- tion has cost Beatrice much. It is her hope and ambi- tion that she may attain a different, and a better position in society. May she ask if you have enough regard for her to allow her to go her own ways for a year or two, until she has either accomplished her design, or discovered its impossibility ? Have you sufficient love for Beatrice to return to your home at her de- sire, and not to think of her, until she may:enter that home, without bringing discord with her. Can you wait for her all that while ?" Such was Beatrice Jervan's curious little note. Coleraine wrote in reply: My DARLING BEATRICE,—Your note is just like you. Wherefore are you so diffident ? Where is the ne- cessity of your striving to attain a different, and, a better position in society ?' Can I wait ? No, I can- not wait, my dearest; and it is my present intention to go a-hunting for you—east, west, north, and south -until I find you. CHARLES." This note he left with Mrs. Duke, but received no answer to it, though he remained in H- several days, wearily hoping for one. He then took his de- parture, and commenced that search which he had promised to make-seeking out every person, and journeying to every place, that he had ever heard Miss Jervan mention as being associated with her career or friendships. But not an inkling did he get as to the direction of her retreat. Poor, wild Cole- raine after some three months of bootless roving to and fro, and countless disappointments, he came home—a thin, restless, dejected Werther The poor fellow was, indeed, very deeply in love the passion possessed him to the very core. I remember well how his parents grieved over the state he was in, and with what tender solicitude they strove to bring him to himself again. All this had gone past some twelve months, during which time our Wertherremained athome; a steady, serious, but lethargic young man-like one, indeed, for whom life has lost its grand, savouring impetus,- when, at the instance of my own stupid self, ja turn was given to affairs, and a catastrophe-terrible, awful-brought about. Business had called me to the west of England, where a banking-house in connection with our own was suffering some difficulties, which necessitated a strict examination of its affairs by one of our firm. Luckily, matters were shortly put straight, and all apprehensions of further embarrassment quieted. This successful termination of a very trying piece of busi- ness elated me very much, so that, on my way to town, I stopped for a day or two to amuse and re- create myself in the fashionable and beautiful city of B-. I went to the theatre, thereto pass an even- ing. I entered the house carelessly enough, po expecting to be much interested, further than by a sight of the interior, and of the fashionable people assembled; but from the moment the red curtain Was drawn up, to the moment of its descent, my attention was riveted, with wondering emotions, to the proceedings on the stage. The principal parts in the drama were sustained by a Mr. and Mrs. Houghton and in those person- ages I recognised the ci-devant Mr. Craven and Miss Beatrice Jervan! In spite of theatric smiles and tints, the -young lady was but a poor likeness of the beauty of other days. She was thin and careworn; her bright eyes were dimmed, and her light steps had lost their graceful, happy spring. She played well, however; like a woman of intellect, and one naturally gifted with unusual dramatic powers. Craven, or Houghton —the latter, as was discovered, being his real name —also played his part very fairly with a certain decision and professional finish and I rioted that. in theccenes where he was brought in direct histrionic contact and relationship to his fair partner, he seemed to observe towards her much admiration and tender- ness, and the genuine regard which it becomes a husband to evince towards his wife. I was greatly amazed at this discovery—and indeed when.:I first saw them before me could hardly believe my senses; but there was no gainsaying the identification of eyes, ears, and memory. After the performance bad come to a conclusion, I went to the manager, and, as a friend of the drama and general habitue, of theatres, I delicately gained as much: information as I could about his leading players. It was very slight, however, though all that I required. Mr. and Mrs. Houghton had been playing in his theatre, he said; ever since the com- mencement of the season, and enjoyed much pnblic favour. Were they married ? Oh, dear, yes and were living in great respectability and decorum. The discovery of this extraordinary state of affairs astonished me beyond measure. I had been the almost daily companion of Coleraine-the reprover and consoler of his perpetual sorrows and this eclair- cissemcnt came like a thunder-clap upon me. And then, in my excitement, I sent my friend that deplorable, ill-advised letter—that letter that brought about a wilder catastrophe than ever romancist dreamed of. In my innocence, I hoped that r "should be able to cure him for ever of the mania that was wasting his life. I [addressed him at great length, and with earnest solemnity, upon the chances of fate-upon the futility of basing our hopes of happi- ness upon the fancies and dreams of this life-upon the frailty of love and friendship—upon the incon- Stapcy of woman—upon the duty incumbent upon us to maintain the mastery of our feelings and passions amidst the viccissitudes-—of rationally pre- serving our hearts and :ininds amidst all trials and sorrows and then I bade him free himself from the thraldom he had known so long-I bade him have done with that languishing business: Plough not the seas, sow not the sands, Give o'er your idle pain; Seek other mistress for your mind, Love's service is in vain In fine, I warned him to forget Miss. Jervan, for. that all his love had been thrown away—not one jot returned or respected; since I had seen at B——. not only the lady herslf--but her husband also I CHAPTER II. My communication, instead of inducing Charley to throw off his dreams and pinings in quiet and proud disgust, brought, him immediately down to B, in hot hasted He looked pale, and greatly wrought UPI but assured me that he was quite calm about the affair, and had only come down to see them with his own eyes." Hitherto it had not been re- vealed to him who the husband was, but now, of course, concealment was out of the question. He was quite aghast when he heard that Houghton, or Craven, as he had called himself, and gained pos- session of the young lady; and, grasping my arm with intense excitement, he declared that the man must have been guilty of some diabolical perfidy before he could have turned her heart from him. Her heart could not be that wretch's—no, no !-he must have exercised some subtle villany to have gained her hand. Didn't I remember the losing of the miniature ? Depend upon it Houghton was the thief, and that he had turned his possession of that trinket to villanous account. Nothing could keep him from the theatre in the evening. Afraid, however, of any show of excite- ment, or any direct observation from the stage, I persuaded him to accompany me to the gallery, rather than go to more conspicuous seats in the boxes or pit. The play this evening was a curious sort of melo- drama—something after the dreary fashion of Kotzebue's Stranger "-forlorit and tragic, with little action, but incessant emotion. As before, Mr. and I Mrs. Houghton sustained the principal characters. My poor friend buried his face in his hands, and ground his teeth, as his one-time charmer came on, pale, thin, and worn, but speaking with her old sweet voice. His agitation throughout thej evening was, indeed, a source tof constant apprehension to rue but, after all, there was no loud outbreak. There I was a moment of peril, however, in the last act. By that time the action of the piece had plunged the hero (Houghton) into all sorts of misery, separating,, him from the object of his affection (only to be re- joined to her in the very last scene), and piling an Olympus of woe upon his head ;rand in the midst of his extremities had to produce from his breast the likeness of the loved one, and pronounce an im- passioned soliloquy over it. As the actor performed this passage, Coleraine pressed my arm sharply. His face was white with the excitement of many passions —white even his compressed lips. Do you recog- nise the setting?" he asked, in a hissing whisper. I knew from the first that fellow was the thief but mlio could have imagined such audacity of im- pudence He must be mad to parade the stolen goods before the world like that All the while the player was speaking his soliloquy, holding his breast, raving at the top of his voice, or lamenting, in the low choked whisper of grief, and still keeping his bright, flashing eyes fastened upon the miniature, my poor friend was almost beside himself. Rage and despair-furious indignation and bitter disappointment, swayed him with cruel severity —with exquisite suffering. The performance over, in spite of all expostulation, he went directly round to the stage-door, and hand- somely bribing the too-acquiescent porter, made his way behind the scenes. I followed on his heels, feeling as if I must keep near him, though I might j just as well hare taken myself home, and sat myself .nr, down to-supper in quiet, for not a eautionofentreatv. that I utteredjwas listened to. As it happened, we met Mr. and Mrs. Ilousrhton face to face, as we were hurrying along the pa-sanga that led by the green-room towards the stage. To this moment I can remember the wild start and jzrasp the poor young lady gave as she first perceived her former lover advancing directly on her pain, and the strong effort with which she strove to disguise her agitation in proud and cold indifference, dtricning her husband's arm, and turning to him her pallid face. But Houghton himself, when hs «TW;jtjrho was approaching, turned white, and topped short, as it seemed to me, with a mean and guilty fear., He re- covered himself in some measure, however, as it were, with a jerk, and evidently intended to brush quickly past us, dragging his wife with him. Byt Coleraine planted himself directly in their way, took off his hat with a sardonic smile, and compelled recognition. I will thank you to inform me, Mr. Craven, or Mr. Houghton, whichever you please to call your- self," said my poor friend, with a determined air- "I will thank you to inform me how you obtained possession of that miniature which I observed in your hands this evening ?" What r exclaimed Houghton, looking all round as if in search of some one to appeal to-some one to bear witness in what an extraordinary manner he was being insulted. What! do you know whom you are addressing ? Have you lost your memory, or your reason, sir?" "The miniature!" exclaimed Coleraine, stamping with impatience how came it into your hands ? It was stolen from me some twelve months since, and I desire to learn bow it came into your possession and surely you will tell me, for it cannot be your wish to conceal and screen the thief ? Never mind my memory or reason, but give me an answer to my plain ques- tion." Your plain question, my friend, puzzles me ex- ceedingly Let me ask you again, have you lost your memory or reason ?" returned Houghton, looking fiercely and pointedly in Coleraine's face, but giving evidence of great agitation and wild perplexity. Come, sir I" cried Coleraine, stamping again your answer, or I shall be forced to consider thtt you are the thief—that it was you yourself who stole that miniature!" Oh 1 what means this ?" cried Beatrice, shrinking back, and clasping her hands in a strange, sickened, and affrighted manner; and looking from the hus- band to the lover, from the lover to the hnsband, as if she feared some blasting revelation. What does the man mean by crossing my path and assailing me thus ?" cried Houghton, drawing his wife towards him again, and preparing, with flurried precipitation, to resume his way. If you are his friend, sir, why do you not take care of him, and check his vagaries ?-why do you let him run into danger thus, insulting people with his outrageous accusations ?" Do not think that you will escape me," said Coleraine. If you refuse to answer the question here, I will taka care that you shall have to answer it elsewhere and at a tribunal before which refusals and evasions will be in vain." Out of the way with yon we have had enough of this "But why does he&ccHse you, and why do you de- cline to answer him ? What does this meanAI say ?" cried Beatrice, refusing to pass on, though her hus- band urged her forward violently; and looking at him and at Coleridge with the despairing suspicion of one who swddenly-finds that a whole life's peace and happiness has been sacrificed through a decep- tion. Stuff'.—he is mad! Come along this moment returned Houghton, with a furious scowl. Perhaps, at any rate, you will give me your ad- dress ?" said Coleraine. Anything to be rid of you," exclaimed Houghton; throwing him a card. Take that." But," cried Beatrice, still holding back, and look- ing at Coleraine, while her voice seemed like a sup- pressed soream, did you not give him the miniature, saying that you prized it no longer?'' Certainly not, said Coleraine, turning still paler at the comprehension of the villainy this innocent question betrayed. The miniature was stolen from me, and all that I wish is to trace the thief. And wherefore should your—your—husband refuse to aid me ?" What! and you never gave it to him repeated poor Beatrice. Certainly not," said Coleraine again; I could; not have given it to any man; I would not have parted with it for all the treasures in the world "Oh God!" cried Beatrice, hiding her face in her hands, in an overwhelming ecstacy of grief and horror. "Come, I say?" exclaimed Houghton. "Oh! how can I go with you ?-how can I ever' think of you again? What have you done, sir?— what have you done?" gasped the Spoor young lady,; absolutely beside herself. Come I think—I think I shall be angry pre- sently," said the actor to her, in a low murmur, that' had a threatening and ominous sound. I will wait upon you to-morrow," said Coleraine, "Yes, yes, to-morrow," returned Houghton, "And take care that you are not forestalled—take care that I do not wait upon you Come t" He gasped the arm of his wife, and hurried her unwilling, uncertain steps away. As they retreated, we heard her still repeating, in the same bewildered voice, "What have you done?—what have you done ?" At that moment a troupe of ladies, and two or three gentlemen connected with the theatre, came along the passage, and Coleraine drew my arm within his, and we strode away out of the building. Did I not say to ?" be asked. Did I not guess at once that he inust have played some villainous trick upon her? Do you not see how he won her ? —that ne showed her the miniature, saying that I gave it to him, not wishing to keep it, as I loved her no longer? Her very words I-'Did you not give him the ininiatum" said she, 'saffhig that you prized it no longer?' ? 1 will be even with htm! If he will not answer-to me, he shall to the law. The thief shall be ooftvicted But you forget," I remonstrated, yoti would en- tirely rmii3: thw wan for life; and though, perhaps, he may deserve it, still married; think of his wife. Coleraine topped short^startled andnbaahed. ob -PRetrice! I have been forgetting you all this time he exclaimed, with sudden remorsè. Ned I what mischief may I not already have d&he her! God forgivft me !-I could not thinkof hei- as his wife It was, indeed, a grave thought! What mischief might not already have been effectedl-tbe utter alienation of the wife from the husband—the conver- sion of a bearable marriage state into an intolerable one—the thorough ruin of the peace, comfort, and perhaps Safety, of the woman's life—if, howfevWr,_ h«f nuptial days had known such. The more he reflected upon this phase of the affair, the more Coleraine repented what he bad done; and, in his changed htomonr, entirely gave up the thought of forcing the matter to the termination he had in- tended—indeed, resolved to return home immedi- ately, bear his griefs as he could, and strive to forget both the original and the history of the miniature. There was nothing to be done, he said. Fate had wrought the mischief, and it could not be undone. And that was the truth of the whole miserable piece of work. (To be continua)
PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF THE…
PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF THE COMPANIES' ACT. The text of the bill to amend the ComfjaiiTe^. Act to be brought in by Mr. Ritchie, and backed by the Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General, hasb^en issued. It enacts that a certificate 6tincorporation given by the Registrar in respect of any association shall be conclusive evidence that all the requisitions of the Companies' Act in respect of registration and matters precedent and incidental thereto, has been Complied with. A person shall not be capable of bemg appointed director of a company unless, before the registration of the articles or the publication of •t. Pro8Pecku8, he has a consent in writing and either signed the memorandum- of association for a number of shares not less than his qualiflcation (if any), or signed and filled with a registrar contract in writ- ing to take from the company and, pay for his qualification shares (if any). No allotment shall be made of any share capital unless the following con- ditions have been complied with: The amount fixed by the memorandum and named in the prospectus as- the minimum subscription upon which the directors may proceed to allotment, or. if no amount is so fixed and named, then the whole amount of the share capital has been/subscribed and the sum payable on application for the amount so fixed and named, or for the whole anirmnt subscribed, has be^h paid to and received by the company.
[No title]
WHBN Lord Kitchener joined the Royal Engineers, now nearly 30 years ago, he was a tall, slim, very handsome youg nman. The ex-Sirdardid not at first taketo the Army, but had serious thoughts of going on the stage, and one day, while in London, introduced by a comrade to the late George Honey. Young Kitchener consulted George on the subject of his histrionic ambition. Honey looked critically at the officer, and remarked I could get you an engage- ment in five minutes as a walking gentleman, but, let me tell you, you'd be better oif as a sapper in tbe Engineers." Then, very seriously, Honey gave the other an insight into the seamy side of.an actor's life, and finished with the advice: Stick to the Army, Mr. Kitchener it's a better shop than the boards Had Kitchener cut the service and joined the prp- fession," history nw^ht have been, differently written.. >
WHERE ROBERTS HAS OPERATED.-
WHERE ROBERTS HAS OPERATED. Naturally great interest has been evinced in the scene of Lord Robert's operations on the Riet and Modder Rivers. All existing maps are so defective that it has not been possible to fix the position of the drifts with absolute certainty. On the Intelligence Department map, not yet issued to the public in England, there is hardly a single drift named on either of the Rivers east of the railway. De Kiels Drift, by which the Riet was crossed, is generally placed a few miles south-east of Koffyfontein. Twenty-five miles north-east of this point there are several drifts close together on the Modder River, and there is very little doubt that these were the crossings seized by th4 cavalry division after its forced march. One bf them is known as Klip Drift (i.e., stony ford), but there are several drifts of the same name in the district. For instance, there is one oh the Modder near the railway bridge, aind another at Barkley West on the Vaat THE MODDER. KLMBEELEY. AND BLOEMFONiEIN I ii e KimèèrIey is 6ve ibiles- kiortli, of Wimbledon Station, which is shown on several published maps. The reaching of the Diamond City" by General French's mounted force on the 15th inst. caused very great satisfaction in London.
WHO IS TO BLAME ?
WHO IS TO BLAME ? Frank Lewis, a Reservist hailing from Ammon- ford, Carmarthenshire, writes from Rensburg giving j some details of the disastrous fight in which the Suffolks suffered so severely. "Two hundred and eighty men went into action against them," he says, but only one officer and megr have returned as yet. The colonel was shot—he had the top of his head bhpwn, off; and the adjutant-no one could recognise him. We obtained the body of the colonel from the enemy under a flag of truce, and many of the Boers came down and assisted us to bury them, and sung hymns in Dutch over the graves. It put me in mind of dear old Walll. They said they were sorry to see the Dutch and British at war with each other, and pitied us, but the big people in London were to blame." "1'1 l
11 MOVE ON
11 MOVE ON Private Rogers, a Chester policeman, now of the R.A.M. Corps, describes some curious wounds which he saw at Coleuso. In one case a bullet struck a man's jaw, turned downwards, and zan down his neck. Another man was struck in the upper part of the thigh, and the bullet passed out at the back of the knee. Rogers was attending to two men in a ditch, one of whom was wounded in the head and the other in the arm. He decided to dress the head wound first as being the most serions. He told the other to sit down in the meantime. Almost imme- diately a piece of shell struck his. homdsknd almost tore one finger off. The next minute, while Rogers was looking at this further injury, a shell went clean over the man with the wounded head. He then deemed it prudent to move away.
THE M ATHEM A^iCAt TRIPOS."!
THE M ATHEM A^iCAt TRIPOS." Lord Justice-Romer has been asked for his opinion on the question of making changes in the Mathe- matical Tripos. The Lord Justice, who was Senior Wrangler in 1863, is decidedly against the proposed alteration. He believes very firmly in the Tripos &s an excellent training, especially for barristers, and calls attention |o the number of Cambridge'mathematical men who have succeeded at the Bar. In connection with Lord Justice Romer's remarks it is interesting to notice that of the six judges of the Court of Appeal no less than four are Cambridge men. These are Sir, A. L. Smith, Sir R. Henn Collins, Sir John Rigby, and Sir Robert Romer. Oxford only contributes one Lord Justice-viz., Sir R. Vaughan Williams. Sir Nathaniel Lindley, the Master of the Rolls, was not at either University. —
THE ORIGINATOR OF KHAKL
THE ORIGINATOR OF KHAKL Now that we are all talking and thinking of khaki, the Daily Chroniclc says, it is curious to recall the length of time that was necessary to induce the War Office to realise that scarlet was not a good colour to fight in. The khaki uniform, as we have it now, was, more or less, recommended by the Colour Com- mittee of 1883; but something of the kind was first suggested by Lieut.-Colonel John Luard as far back as three years before the Crimean War. In his "History of the Dress of the British Soldier," Colonel Luard sketched a uniform which should consist of a light grey tunic, light brown or dark drab trousers, short gaiters and shoes, and heliiiets the same colour as the trousers, with bronze orna- ments without plumes or feathers."
SOME LADY MISSIONERS' MARRIAGES.
SOME LADY MISSIONERS' MARRIAGES. A Continental contemporary draws the attention of European Missionary Societies to the development of matrimonial tendencies on the part of the ISOY, missioners they send out to foreign missions, Swedish lady missionary set the unfortunate example in marrying a Chinese ^coolie, an example followed by an American deaconess who took to her breast and heart her former cook- a native. Sagely land soberly our Continental contemporary points out: "The societies which send out ladies to the mission field might be desired to be a little more prudent, and not allow time, money, and labour de- stined for missions to be so publicly wasted.
AT MAFEKING.
AT MAFEKING. Describing the attack upon the Boer redoubt at Mafeking on Boxing Day Keuter's special correspon- dent writes: When the men charged (one gathered from the stories of the survivors) they rushed for- ward under a perfect hail of bullet., intent only on getting to close quarters with the Boers. Captain Fitzclarence, well in front of his men, was shot in the thigh about 150 yards from the fort, perhaps luckily for him, for to-dav he is doing well. Captain Vernon was killed within 10 yards of the redoubt, poor Paton. got unscathed right up to them, and was shot dead while in the act of firing his revolvet through a loop- hole as he endeavoured to pull a sandbag from its position with his left hand; Sandford was killed within a few yards of the muzzles of the enemy's rifles^
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An DFcroR WILL TILL YOU there is no better Cough Medicine than KEATINGS LOZENGES. One gives relief; if you suffer from cough try them but once; they will cure, and they will not injure your health an increasing sale of over 80 years is a certain test of their value. Sold everywhere in 13id. tins. THE Durban correspondent ot the fans Temps, sends an account of the detection and execution of a Boer spy amw, the British coastguard at the port signal station there. It was ascertained that from the very outset of the war he had signalled to the Boers the immediate arrival of every transport, with every particular as to the number of men, guns, &c., ok board. His messages were sent from hill to hill by special agents posted to receive them, and so reached the Boer headquarters near Ladysmith. The sentence was carried out on board a man-of-war, which put out to sea for the purpose. THII cases in which people are forcibly deprived of their property are far outnumbered by those in which they carelessly lose it. The returns of the Lost Property Office show 38,201 articlea found in cabs and omnibuses during the year. Purses with con- tents of from £ 10 to £ 20, many bank-notes, 250 in coin, cases of jewellery, thousands of bags, sticks, umbrellas, opera-glasses and articles of dress, and more than 9000 miscellaneous articles are com- prised in the list. About one-half of this lost pro- perty found :its way back to the owners, whose re- wards to driven and conductors amounted to £2762. The other half, being unclaimed, was, after an in- terval of three mbnths, returned to the cabmen and omnibus conductors who had placed the articles ia the handv of the polioe.
--BULLET WOUNDS.
BULLET WOUNDS. A doctor on active service writes to the British Medical (Tournal a detailed account of the various types of wounds with which he has to deal. He says: Wounds inflicted by the Mauser bullet heal very kindly, as favourably indeed as do wounds earned by the Lee-Metford. If a Mauser bullet has merely inflicted a flesh wound through the shoulder, arm, or thigh, healing^ throughout by primary union can with certainty be looked for. It is uncommon to find any portions of clothing, buttons, &c., carried into the wound. In some cases, however, this does happen, and I was assured that in not a few that came under treatment at the field hospitals at the Modder River, portions of. the Highlanders' kilts were embedded in the wounds, and were re- moved. The vast majority of the wounds are inflicted by the Mauser bullet proper—that is, the familiar conical bullet sheathed completely in nickel. But wounds inflicted by thfpe «tHer kinds of bullets in our man have to be tafcen into account. The sporting Mauser fthe same size and weight as the other, but the nickel does not entirely enclose the lead, being deficient at the fore part for about half an inch. The posterior point of the lead bullet being enclosed and tightly gripped in its nickel sheath, the lead on striking any bard substance-bone, for example—spreads out, or mushrooms," as it is j usually expressed. This involves much laceration of soft parts. There is yet a bullet occasionally used which is practically identical with the dum-dum," and in a very few instances the ordinary "Express" bullet has been extracted. To this list should be added the Mauser bullet as a ricochet shot. Not many of I these are met with. Some that I have seen show bending of the bullet, or it may be twisted on its long axis. The nickel top may be intact, but the nickel sheath will probably be split and stripped off the lead core to a greater or less extent, so that the bullet resembles a moth with closely folded wings. Such missiles would be likely to deflect in their course, and they would obviously lacerate the parts through which they passed. An intact Mauser bullet nearly spent may be twisted and bent, and the nickel sheath split in a somewhat similar fast ion if it strikes a hard bone. In such cases the entrance is small, and there is pro- bably no exit wound, thus showing that the bullet was of normal shape when entering. A few of the patients have injuries from shell splinters, one or two injuries from the 116 Norden- felt projectile, and once in a way wounds inflicted by shrapnels are met with. i
IA WOMAN SENTENCED TO DEATH.
I A WOMAN SENTENCED TO DEATH. The trial of William and Ada Chard Williams, indicted for the wilful murder of S,elina Ellen JQs, n aged 19 months, was concluded at -the, Central Criminal Court in London on Saturday. Oh the con- elusion of the case for the prosecution, Mr. Wild announced that he did not intend to call any witnesses for the defence. He admitted that the female prisoner had been engaged in baby farming, but he asked the jury to try and divest their mind;, of; the prejudice which must exist against anyone engaging in a trade of that description. He argued that there was evidence to corroborate the female prisoner's statement that after receiving the child she handed it over to a Mrs. Smith, of George- road, Croydon. As to her using assumed names, this was a part of the terrible business in which she was engaged. Baby farmers did not use their own names. As to the male prisoner, he did assist his wife in the baby farming business, but there was nothing beyond this, and even the prosecution must admit that this was very far from proving any com- plicity in the charge of murder, of which he was accused. After Mr. Justice Ridley had summed up, the jury, after half an hour's deliberation, returned into court, finding the female prisoner guilty of murder and her husband guilty of being an accessory after the fact. In reply to questions, the female prisoner said she had nothing to say why sentence of death should not. be passed. Mr. Justice Ridley, in passing sentence of death, recommended the female prisoner to seek repentance of Almighty God, who alone conld abundantly pardon. The Female Prisoner: Thank you, my lord. She was asked then if she had any- thing to urge in stay of execution, and she, in a clear and firm voice, said, I have nothing to say, gentle- men." She was then removed. The jury then returned a formal verdict of not Guilty, and the male prisoner was discharged.
DEATH OF MR. JOSEPH COWEN.
DEATH OF MR. JOSEPH COWEN. A Newcastle-on-Tyne correspondent says that Mr. Joseph Cowen, who represented Newcastle in the House of Commons from 1874 to 1886, died ori Sunday at his residence, Blaydon-on-Tyne. Mr. Cowen had been unwell for several months, but con- tinued to direct the policy of his journal, the New- castle Chronicle. He had otherwise taken no active part in public affairs since his retirement from Par- liament.
1I DULWICH BURGLARS.
DULWICH BURGLARS. At the Lambeth Police-court, on Saturday, three Germans, named Franci, Reuter, and Brawn, were committed for trial on a charge of being concerned in a series of burglaries in the Dulwich district and with shooting, with intent to cause bodily injury, at two members of the police force who effected their arrest. At the same court, two Russian subjects, named Muschat and Shapiloff, were also committed for trial on a charge of feloniously receiving a large quantity of plate, the proceeds of one of the bur- glaries said to have been committed :by the three other prisoners.
THE INDIAN FAMINE.
THE INDIAN FAMINE. The Viceroy of India presided at a public meeting held in Calcutta on Friday of last week to inaugu- rate the fund for the relief of the sufferers by the famine. Lord Curzon said the famine was of unpre- cedented magnitude, and the pathos and tragedy of the situation were emphasised by the plague at Bombay. He rejoiced to find that the British nation, in the midst of its anxieties and troubles, had opened its purse, and that the Lord Mayor of London was able to help. Whatever the public gave would not affect the extent and cha- racter of the State outlay, and do difference would be made between the claim of native States and British India. He announced that the Queen had become a patron of the fund, and had given £1000. whilat many other generous contributions have also been received.
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AT the London Guildhall Justice-room, ON Saturday, Walter Thomas Staden was brought up on the charge of having forged and uttered certain transfers of shares, involving a large sum of money. The came was adjourned. MB. GBORGE WHITELBV, M.P. for Stockport, ad- dressed the Liberal Council of the Pudsey Division of Yorkshire, at Leeds, on Saturday, and was adopted as their candidate at the next election. Tjiit floods in the Thames Valley have been very serious, and great damage has been done. At Mai- denhead and other places on Sunday, many people went to church in boats. Disasters are "reported from different parts of the provinces. THE Rev. S. Johnston, D.D., a prominent divine of Baltimore, writes to the Methodic Times: The Americans are a reading people, and they are getting at the bottom facts of this struggle. The great body of thinking, solid people believe in the righteousness of the English cause." COLONKL GORDON has resumed command of the south Australian Military Force from leave in England. During his stay here Colonel Gordon acted as representative of the Australian Colonies on the Ordnance Committee, having been chosen to take the place of the late Lieut.-Colonel Harman. when that able ofB dind two sears agq
HAROLD'S RETURN.
HAROLD'S RETURN. The night after his step-father, Squire Halsted, thrashed Harold Burr for a thing he had not done, Harold ran away. No one knew it but I, and I was nobody. But I thought as much of Harold as ever a human being could think of another. And I knew that he was wronged, and I felt that Mrs. Robling had done & dreadful thing when she took Squire Halsted for her second husband, and let hiin rule her, take possession of her money, and ill-use her handsome boy. 1 I had had my share of it, too; for while Mr. Robling lived and while she was a widow, I was like a daughter of the house. But no sooner had she come back from her honeymoon trip than all that was altered. The squire looked at me coldly, and I heard him ask Mrs. Halsted who I was. "Her mother died when she was born," Mrs. Halsted said, and 1 took the baby to my own nursery, where Harold lay in the cradle." More fool you, my dear," said the squire. The father went away," said Mrs. Halsted, and was lost at sea-so they said-and I kept the little girl. You must remember that she will need to earn her own bread," said the squire. She is not a lady. Let the servants keep her in their part of the house and teach her her duties as a servant." Oh, Mr. Halsted!" cried the bride, "I cannot do that 1" My dear," said Mr. Halsted, I am master here." The poor lady was helpless. She had no longer any control of her own money. I was six years old, Harold the same age, and a terrible life we had had of it. I was very well used in the kitchen, but I felt cast down and degraded. I wore coarse aprons that covered me from head I to foot, instead of my pretty muslin and silk dresses. I was delicate, and waiting is hard work when your wrists are slender. ) Mrp, Halsted did all she could for me. I used t" hear her pleading with the squire to let her send mi to a boarding-school to learn to be a teacher. But he called her a little goose," and she fancied him very wise. But for Harold I should never have known any- thing, as after school he used to come to me and teach me what he had learned himself. Cook would whisper: That's right, Master Harold. It's a good deed you are doing. God spare you. I was never taught to rade meself, on account of an evil-minded step- father iv rile own that put me to sarvice before I could get schoolin', an' I know the loss." And not a servant but would have waited in my place, for they said I was too small to carry dishes but the cruel squire would have me come in to make sure that lie was ooeved. Mrs. Halsted really felt badly about it, I know. But two little girls came soon, and then a little boy, and soon she cared nothing for her own splendid boy, and why should she care for me ?" • But I am wandering away from the morning when Harold Robling, just eighteen that day, walked down the garden pith in the grey morning light, and I with him. choking down my sobs. For now the one being I loved was going away from me, perhaps for- ever. It was only five o'clock, and no one up. The grass was wet with dew, and there were only a few pink streaks in the sky to tell that day was coming. We did not dare to speak until we got out of hearing of the house, but then I said Oil, Harold, what will you do with no money and no friends-tlone in the world?" 0 Many a young fellow has done the same sort of thing," Harold said. "No man with his limbs and senses need to starve, and I mean to make my fortune. But I'd rather work anyhow for my daily bread than live in Squire Halsted's house, with a mother he has bewitched into doing what he wishes, whatever it, may be. It was a crime to-make a servant of you, little sister. But remember, the moment I have power in my hands, all that shall be altered. I will write to you, and you shall know jhst how I get on." But now we had got to the station where he was to take a train to London, and I was obliged to ljsave him, for he did not want the squire to fi'nd out what he had done until he was fairly out of reach, and then he put his arm about my waist and kissed me. "Good-bye, little sister," he said, "good-bye, Dora, my pet; keep up a good heart and never for- get to answer my letters." And he was off, and I went. hpme weeping as though my heart would break. There was a terrible time at the house when they found he was gone, and the squire swore he should never, enter his. door,% again. -Btrt the Squire's daughters, who hated Harold as their father did, though he was their own mother's child, said they were glad he was gone. And only I remembered him, 11 Y, 1 think very long. A weak woman was Mrs. Halsted, and her hus- band had got her under his power. The way he managed her has always made me think that there must be something in magnetism or hypnotism. She seemed to have lost her senses or to have grown mentally blind, and he led her where he would. Just about this time I fell very ill, and when I grew better, the squire, knowing I was good at my needle, made a lady's companion or me. I am ashamed to say why, but it was because I looked rather stylish and was called pretty many questions were asked me by guests. As it companion and dressmaker I could stay in my upper rooili and work. I was so thankful for the change, 1 could read a little and be more to myself. I made the finery for the young ladies of the family, and no one troubled me. Once, indeed, a rich old gentleman, having some- how got my story from good old cook, sought me out and made me a proposition of marriage, saying it was a shame that such an elegant woman should live as I did. But I thanked him and declined his offer. I was not unhappy now, except that I pined for news of Harold, for in all these years no word had come from him-none of those letters he had promised. I felt sure he was not dead, and it was very natural he should forget to write: but my heart had no rest. He was twenty-six years old by this time, and in all that time much might have happened. My pillow was often wet with tears from thoughts of him-fancies of what he had suffered, and long- ing to meet him, or only see him from afar but once again. At last news came. Mrs. Halsted came running into my room wild with joy. News of my boy! she said, holding a letter toward me. I thought you had forgotten all about him, madame," I said. I was sorry the next moment, for she burst into tears and faltered through her sobs: You don't know what it is to be the wife of a man who dominates your will! I never have for- gotten or ceased to regret other things." Then she wiped her eyes, and said: But, as far as Harold goes, it is all over. He has written to me. He is rich—really rich. He has made a fortune out in the West, and he is coming home to see me. He is in England and will be here to-morrow. The squire is pleased; the girls are wild to see him; hi* little brother is delighted." She ran out of the room again, looking young and happy, and I sat down to my machine, swallowing a great lump that had risen in my throat. He had not written to me. Well, I was only a servant, and he was a rich man now. They were re- {'oicing in his coming for that reason—the squire and lis children. He was a very different person from the poor Harold Robling who went away. I expect he will give us lots of presents," I heard one of the girls say. An older brother who is rich is a great thing to have. We must pet him and make him good-natured." Oh, yes said the other. "When girls have as stingy a father as we have, a generous elder brother is worth having." And I—-oh! if he returned in rags, begg'aS his bread, I should have welcomed him. I cared for him, not for his money; and if he had returned poor, it was I to whom he would have I knew well. But I tried to put the selfish thoughts away and re- joice for his sake that he hadjp^08Pere"» even if he had forgotten his little sister .Dora. The morrow came. As I sat at my machine I heard the sounds below that told he had arrived. I heard his mother cry out and the squire say, heartily: Welcome home, my boy F and his minters squeal and giggle after a way they had. Then the great drawing-room doors were closed, shutting me out. I who loved him so dearly, went back to my room alone, uncared for, wretched. I felt as though my heart would break. I could no longer keep back my tears. Half an hour passed; then some one came to the door-a servant-who told me briefly that I was wanted in the parlour. TreinUing, quivering, feeling as I had never felt before, I obeyed the summons. I opened the draw- ing-room door. The squire stood before the fire, important as usual one hand in the breast of his coat, the other waving toward me as he uttered these words Dora, I have sent for you because Master Harold has returned, and wishes to meet a faithful servant of the family." But before the words were out of his mouth, Harold, handsomer and larger, but the same for all that-the very Harold that I knew-rushed forward and took both my hands and bent down and kissed me. I told you, sir," he said, that I wanted to see Dora—the dearest being alive to me Such words as you utter I can not permit you to speak as though they were mine. You have never received any of my letters. Dora, but I have guessed wh* I I never received a letter, Harold," I Answered. ce So I thought," said he. We will not ask who kept them from you. I have no wish to quarrel with any one; but you were my only friend years ago when I went out into the world homeless and penniless, and I have come now to ask you to share with me the home that I can now offer you." Share your home, Harold ?" cried the squire. The girl is not your sister. It can't be done. It would be improper!" I am elad. sir. that the girl is not my sister," re- plied Harold, for she is the girl I want for my wife and here, before you all, I ask her for her heart and hand, and proud shall I be if she will give them to me!" I could not answer, but he saw all I felt in my face, and led me away with him. There was no quarreling. People like the squire and his family never offend rich people, and I am the happiest woman living.
-----BAD SHOOTING.
BAD SHOOTING. This is a soldier's testimony, as to Boer shooting at moving objects We had to send a 100 mounted men across the Boer front to another position. They went in single file, at intervals of 50 paces, at a gallop. They were well within range of 1500 yards, and from the starting point at 1200 yards to the final 2700 yards these men galloped. Each man had an average of 15 shots fired at him but neither horse nor man was hit. Next day SGO Boers made a light movement to drive in our left. They found that they had made a mistake, and began to get away in parties of 30 to 50, and as they had to cross a plain we had a good look in. Finally a party of I about 400 made a clean bolt for it, spread out like a fan, and then the fun got fast and furious. We I had everything turned on them, three Maxims in- cluded, and they must have lost ;.s they had I to go in the. cpen until out of range."
.L0-MAN WITH A DOZEN WIVES.
L0- MAN WITH A DOZEN WIVES. No". that the curious revival of Mormonism it attracting attention the Mormon of Mormons be- comes interesting. This is an old gentleman of 77, who has a dozen wives, 66 children, and 218 grand- children, so that he takes rank easily as the father of the largest family in the world. Mr. Heber Ricks, or Bishop Ricks as he is commonly called, lives on a ranch in Idaho, and is a high priest in the church. He has even given his name to the town of Ricksville, over which he rules like an ancient patriarch, and once a year a reunion of his whole family is held, and is attended by all who can reach the place. Ricks is described as a giant in form and strength, but where he came from he refuses to tell. Some of his sons have followed in his footsteps by taking plural wives, and some of his daughters have married men who are also polygainists.
THE GLOVE TRADE.
THE GLOVE TRADE. The ladies' glove trade is rather flat, especially the higher-priced section of it, says the DrapersIBecord. It was expected, as many gloves sold are much in the way of extravagance. For instance, a certain London clover stocks a particular glove specially for a very prominent actress. It is 20 button length, and costs the glover about £6 a dozen. The actress puts on a new pair nearly every night. One can feel no surprise that the kind of trade, of which this is only an example, should feel the general depression of society, and the diversion of large sums into the war funds.
PROPOSED FREE CEMETERIES.
PROPOSED FREE CEMETERIES. The Cemetery Committee of Battersea Vestrya having had under consideration a proposal that system of free interment should be adopted in tht cemeteries under their control, have presented totha body a report in which they point out that, as over 2000 interments take place yearly, the proposal would involve a loss of over £900 per annum in fees. As there is also a debt of Eq3,174 on the ground as, Morden, they cannot recommend the adoption of the oroposal.
DECREASE OF CRIME AND THE…
DECREASE OF CRIME AND THE WAR. There has been a very marked decrease in the number of prisoners for trial at the various towns over the kingdom at the present winter assizes, and it has been suggested as an explanation that, in con- sequence of so many men having gone to the front in South Africa, employment has been more plentiful, and consequently one of the chief incentives to crime —want of work-has been absent. At the Assizes, at Manchester recently, there were only about 10 prisoners for trial, and at other large centres the decrease has been equally marked.
THRIFT AMONGST THE WORKERS.
THRIFT AMONGST THE WORKERS. During the past year there was deposited in the Yorkshire Penny Bank, chiefly by the working classes of the West Riding, the sum of £ 8,211,625, the number of deposits being 2,664,055. The amount standing to the credit of depositors at the end of the year was £ 12,500,861. This consider- able increase in business is attributed by Sir Thomas Brooke, chairman of the directors, largely to the activity in trade and the improvement of the position of the wage-earning classes. There was realised during the year a profit of £ 16,316, which goes to the reserve fund, now standing at £ 333,741.
TAKING A KOPJE.
TAKING A KOPJE. Surgeon-Lieutenant Briscoe, describing his experi- ence of the Battle of Colenso, when attached to a mounted regiment formed of Imperial Light Hocse, Natal Carbineers, King's Royal Rifles, and Natal Police, says: We were told off to take a kopje held by the .Boers on this side of the river, a mile or two below Colenso. I had no business in the firing line, but I thought I could drop back any time with wounded, if necessary. We got a heavy volley from a rise to the right, and another immediately from the top, 500 yards off, and from the slopes. We all dropped flat. Well, no one gave us orders, and we lay on. By-and-by Captain Bottomley, I.L.H., passed the word, How are Thorney- croft's getting on on the right?' I tried to pass it along, but could get no answer. I didn'fr realise for the moment why I hadn't heard groans. Then a man in the rear said, 'Doc., you're wanted. There's a man hit{on your right.' I rose up to move, and looked round but whiz, whiz, whiz!—now by my head, now all round, one almost grazing my left calf and plunging into the ground-and I saw I coulll do nothing. So I flung myself forward and playea possum' so successfully that the Boers 1st me alone, and some of our own men reported me hit. Then up I jumped (continues Surgeon-Lieutenant Briscoe), rim 50 yords, and as it was hot again flopped behind a tree that was thick enough to shield my head from the front. That was in the screen of bush. Then all retired, and wa got shelter for a time in a donga, whence one by one the fellows scooted, under cover of our Maxim. I waited till the last for my red flag; but on hearing that I was hit my Red Cross bearer bad gone clean away. I didn't want to face the fire without it; it was too hot to face and live long; but by-and-bye I saw an ambulance on the alope across, and I went for it. I forgot to run this time. Fellows under the Red Cross shouted 'Run t' and 'Take cover I' but I was a bit 'fitin-mad,' and didn't care. The tension of that hour lying still on the field had been so great that to be able to move about under the fire was paradise."
NOT MANY CURIOS.
NOT MANY CURIOS. Sergeant Morton, of the 26th Company Army Ser- vice Corps, which is at present serving with the let Division, 9th Brigade, in the course of a letter says: Do you want a lock ef Kruger's hair ? I wish the troops could get hold of him. There are not many curios about, except shells and bullets,^ which; lay about like stones. You should have seen some of the houses after the battle of Modder River. Most of them were built of corrugated iron, and where the bullets had gone through looked like a pepper-box top. Some of the Medical Staff Corpa have been wounded, and I had some of my mules shot. The Boers fire through the covers of our ambulances. We wear the Red Cross on our arm, but the Boers take little notice of that."
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IT is exceedmg disagreeable to learn that the wounded do not get their letters from home for something like a fortnight from the time when the mail arrives at the Cape. This is stated to be due to the inadequacy of the postal staff at Cape Town, but it ought to be set right-at once. Nothing keeps wounded men in better heart than letters from home, and one knows how they must fret and chafe at not beiøgable to get them except after this cruel and Unreasonable delay. After aH, it is merely a question of money, and that ought not to count for a moment as against the comfort of our wounded soldiers. SEARCHLIGHTS suspended from kites have been ex- perimented with by Mr. W. A. Eddy at Bayonne, New Jersey, the idea being to illummate some signal flags also supported by tbe kites. The acetylene searchlight apparatus weighed only 31b. when charged, and gave a light of 100-candle-power. Three kites were used together, the flags, each 2ft. square, being fastened to the kite cable by means of perpendicular staffs. The searchlight was rigidly braced on the kite cable 2ft. below the flags in such a position that it pointed to the skv.