Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
17 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
--WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA.
WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA. THE INVASION OF THE FREE STATE. PARLOUS POSITION OF THE BOERS. HUMANE OFFERS BY ROBERTS REFUSED. "I BULLERS ADVANCE TO LADYSMITH. FIERCE CONTLYrOCS FIGHTING. GATACRE AT STEEKSTEOOM. CAPTAIN DE MONTMOEEXCr, V.C., SLAIN. MAFEKING HOLDING OUT BRAVELY. CRONJE'S STERN STRUGGLE. The silence which had been maintained in official quarters for several days concerning the operations of Lord Roberts was broken on Sunday afternoon by the issue of an interesting despatch from the Com- mander-in-Chief in South Africa. This message ran as follows: Field-Marshal Lord Roberts to Secretary of State for War. PAARDEBERG, Saturday (12.20 p.m.). Parties of Boers recently arrived from Natal attacked our outposts in force again yesterday. They lost a good many killed and wounded, and nearly 100 prisoners. Our casualties: Killed.-2nd East Kent Regiment, two men. lat Yorks, seven men. Wounded.—2nd East Kent, Captain Marriott (severely) and six men. 1st Yorks, Captain Pearson, Lieutenant Gan- thorpe, and Second Lieutenant Wardle (all three slightly), and 17 men. Two of same regiment misa- mg. On the 21st 13 men of the K.O.S.B.'s were wounded, and on 22nd Captain Pratt, of same regi- ment, was severely wounded. Six of the men yesterday were wounded by hollow- nosed Mauser btillets. The nickel case is slit with four slits, making the projectile of the most expansive and explosive nature possible. A wounded Boer brought into our hospital yester- day had 60 of these bullets in his pockets. During the advance to and at Kimberley the fol- lowing casualties occurred 9th Lancers—Killed, one man wounded, Captain Gordon and Lieutenant Durand, and 17 men, both officers and men only slightly. Scots Grays.—Killed, three men wounded, Lieu- tenants M'Clintock, Bunting* (since dead), For- dyce,* and Long,* and six men (severely). Roberts' Horse.—Lieutenant A. Gray (severely) and five men. 14th Hussars.—Sergeant-Major Ayres (slightly). 6th Dragoons.—Lieutenant Dixon Johnson* and two men. 12th Lancers.—One man. 10th Hussars.—One man. R.H.A.—Killed, Lieutenant Carbutt*; wounded, Captain Humphreys* and Lieutenant Houston* (both slightly), and Lieutenant C. C. Barnes, and 24 men: missing, one man. 75th Field Battery—One man. 16th Lancers-Killed, Lieutenant Hesketh*, and one man; wounded, Captain Tuson* (slighly), and 18 men missing, two men. Methuen reports that Barkly West was occupied by our troops on the 22nd inst. The loyal inhabi- tants displayed great enthusiasm on the occasion. The country to the west of the Cape Town—Kim- berley Railway is gradually settling down. A detachment has started from De Aar for Brits- town. and Douglas and Prieska will shortly be visited by our troops. Methuen's account of the admirable manner in which the Kimberley Hospital is managed has made me desire to send some of our sick and wounded there. *These casualties have beei already reoorted. DESPERATE RESISTANCE. P.vARr»EBHBG, Wednesday of last week via Moddet River, Friday, 7 p.m. Renter's Agency, in a special service message dated as above, said: The four day of General Conje's fine defence of the Boer laagar opened in a startling manner. Soon after dawn a most terrific rattle of rifle broke out, waking everybody. It was the heaviest fire known during the war, and all awited with fore- boding news as to its effect. Soon the information came that the Gloucester- shire and Essex Regiments had lost their way, and bivouacked in error close to the Boer laager, on the north side of the river. When they were perceived the enemy fired the terrible fusilade which had startled the whole camp. Wonderful to relate, our casualties were practic- ally nil. The incident proves again, what our soldiers have always contended, that the Boer shoot- ing is bad. Desultory firing continued on both north and south banks of the river, General Knox's Brigade holding the containing lines on the south sides, while General Smith Dorrien, on the north, worked towards the laager. General French had meanwhile advanced far in an aasterlv direction, and approached a kopje which was held by a strong force of Cronje's men, reinforced by a contingent from Ladysmith, while General Broadwoofl's Brigade, with a battery of horse artil- lery, was on the left and rear of the same kopje. The front of the hill was thoroughly searched from every side. Suddenly the Boers bolted in the direc- tion of General French, who headed them towards the drift, shelling them vigorously. A great number escaped, but many were killed by shrapnel, while about 5U prisoners were taken. As soon as the kopje was evacuated I visited the position, which is one of wonderful natural strength and really forms the key of the fighting area in case we have to defend ourselves against the enemy's rein- forcements advancing from the east. The first contact of the Boers from Ladysmith with our force was thus singularly unfortunate for them. A great deal of forage, provisions, and equipment fell into our hands. I found frequent marks of blood, showing where the wounded and dead, who had been removed, had fallen. The Boer method of taking away the dead is to tie two reins round the body, which is then carried off at full gallop by two horsemen. Several pourparlers passed between us and the enemy during the short armistice in the middle of the day. It appears that Cronje is willing to sur- render, but the young Transvaal Boers refuse to give in. The rest of the beleaguered force are said to be anxious to surrender. One of our doctors who visited the Boer lines to see the wounded found the trenches near the river fell of them. He also saw many dead. A deserter who came in last night states that yes- terday's bombardment was deadly and terrible in its effects, the howitzers especially battering the river- bed with an enfilading fire. The position, nevertheless, remains the same. The Boers are strengthening their entrenchments round the laager, but their case is hopeless. The capture of the kopje which we effected to-day lias given us a splendid position, and will prevent any relieving force marching to join hands with Cronje. Everybody admires the splendid stand which the Boers are making, but from a purely humanitarian point of view further resistance is now regarded as criminal. Every shrapnel shell finds a victim, and unless a miracle happens Cronje's force must be wther wiped out or compelled to surrender. The annihilation of the whole force is terrible to contem- plate, but although it would require a few days it would be easy to accomplish. To-day Lord Roberts sent a message to Cronje offering a safe conduct for the women and children and a free pass anywhere. He also offered a loan of doctors and medicine. General Cronje's reply was a curt refusal, and desultory shelling followed. PAARDBRBK8Gj Thursday (via Cape Town, Saturday). The scene of the last five days' fighting (according to a Reuter's message dated as above, and published in London on Monday) I one of the prettiest spots in South Africa. The river where General Cronje is ensconced and lighting for his life resembles parts of the Thames. The ground all round slopes towards the river. All the higher ground is covered with our artillery, 80 that General Cronje is face, front and rear, on both banks, by onr men, while General French's horse, operating far from our flanks, presents any sudden inrush of Boer reinforcement. The Shropshire Regiment occupied the bed of the river from Sunday till to-day.. Yesterday onr artillery continued 1 During the night, after the last gun had been hred, the Shropshires rushed forward and seize near^y 200 yards of the new ground, where they spen remainder of the night in entrenching themselves. d When niorirng came General Cronje thus found himself with 200 yards less space. As the Shropshires ever since Sunday bad been ttnder a galling fire and had done good work, they were to-day relieved by the Gordons. The manner in which the relief was effected was amusing, in spite of the danger. The Highlanders crept up to the trenches on their stomachs, and the Shropshire men crawled out over the bodies of the jNlwing force. j In the course of our artillerv fire last evening the mules of the 82nd Battery, which remained hitched to the carriages, were startled by a sudden discharge, and the whole of them stampeded and galloped off, but to-day all except one waggon have been recovered. General French has sent in 75 men whom he had taken prisoners, while a patrol eight miles to the west have captured 30 Boers, whom they found away. Altogether this force has taken already 460 prisoners, while numbers of Boer dead have been seen. The prisoners all comment bitterly on General Cronje's persistence, which they say is simply murder. They are extremely depressed by the course the war is now taking and by our refusal to attack their strong positions. We have captured large quantities of cattle, sheep, and trek oxen, which had wandered from the Boer laager. ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE FIGHTING, P AARDEBERG. Thursday (viii Modder River Camp). A Central News message from Paardeberg, via Modder River Camp, said Following as closely as possible upon the superb march of French's Cavalry Division to Kimberley. the 6th Infantry Division, under General Kelly-Kenny, and the newly-formed 9th Division, undar General Colvile, crossed the Riet, occupied Jacobsdal, and reached the Moddet far to the east. They had scarcely time to rest when news was brought of the retreat of Cronje's army from Magersfontein. It was of vital importance to bring Cronje to bay in the open, and General Kelly-Kenny undertook to do it. Both divisions consequently made forced inarches, the dangers and fatigui) of which were re- warded on Sunday, when we came up with the flying foe, headed him off, and drove him by hard fighting and beautiful manoeuvring into a very awkward posi- tion in and about the bed of the Modder River, east of Paardeberg. Cronje made desperate efforts to continue a straight course for Bloenifontein, and nothing but a direct attack upon him in force could make him falter and turn. The Boers quickly set to work to improve their position, and they soon had trenches in the bed of he stream, and shelter for many in the steep banks of the river. General Kelly-Kenny, having overlapped the enemy, was able to attack with advantage from the east with the full strength of the Sixth Division, while General Colvile, 'with the Ninth Division, took av 1 held the west flank. A heavy ritie fire was maintained until evening, while the bombardment of the enemy's laager by the artillery was terrific. On Monday morning French's Cavalry Division Viade an extremely opportune appearance, and sweeping round in grand style, blocked Cronje's line of retreat on the north-east. The Seventh Divison, under General Tucker, coining from the south, com- pleted the cordon round the doomed Boers. Earlier 'n the day, at seven o'clock in the morning, nearly "if) guns commenced an appalling bombardment of the Boer position, while the infantry steadily crept nearer and nearer. Hundreds of shrapnel were exploded over the Boer trenches and the big laager, but a* first they did not seem to have much effect owing to the steep banks of the Modder affording such excellent cover. During the afternoon the infantry made a con- certed attack on the enemy, who fought with tenacity and courage. They had placed a strong body of sharpshooters amongst the trees lining the banks of the river, and these inflicted considerable damage on onr men. Most of the fighting at this stage fell to the lot of the Ninth Division, which comprised the Highland Brigade, the West Riding Regi- ment, the Cornwall Light Infantry, and the Canadian contingent. These fine troops by successive rushes pushed the attack home on the west flank of the enemy. Nothing could have exceeded the gallantry of the attack. The I Seaforths and the West Riding men, in particular, crept to within short range, exposed all the time to a terrific fire, and finally drove the Boers out of their more advanced positions headlong at the point of the bayonet. The advent, of dtisic alone put a stol- to the battle, during which all arms had displayed magnificent courage and dash, comporting them- selves with the same dogged determination that they had shown throughout the severely trying forced marches. While the infantry were thus at work the artillery rained shell into the Boer langer and almost entirely destroyed it, while several waggons laden with ammunition were set on fire and blown up, with disastrous results to the enemy. Our losses were naturally severe, and they included the temporary disablement of Major-General Hector Macdonald, who, while leading his Highland Brigade into action, had his horse shut under him and him- self received a bullet in the hip. But the general result of the battle was so important as to compen- sate for the price which he had to pay for it. We have learned from prisoners and deserters that Conjo has been buoying up the spirits of his officers and men by assurances that a great army is on the march from Colesberg to their relief, but all the remaining Boer forces in the field could not pre- vent either the surrender or destruction of the 'enemy now within our grasp. Cronje has been sparing of his ammunition, and, according to statements by prisoners, it is running rapidly out, so that even time is in our favour. Each night has been one of the keenest watchfulness, lest Cronje should stake everything upon one desperate effort to break through our lines under cover ol darkness. Last night several hundred mounted Boers actually stole through our lines, but only to fall amongst French's Lancers, and few of them got clear a"ay. Cronje has made several half-hearted overtures foi terms of surrender, and he may definitely throw up his hands at any moment. He has, by common con- sent, done all that honour demands of him. The Boers have been using explosive bullets freely. They have probably used up the bulk of their Mauser ammunition. They lost a good many thousands ol rounds by the blowing up of the ammunition waggons in the laager. It is expected that our success here will materially assist (general Buller in his operations for the relief of Ladysmith. It is right to state that General Kelly-Kenny was in command during Sunday's battle, ana that to him is due the credit of stopping Cronje and bringing him toibay. BULLER'S ADVANCE. VERY HEAVING FIGHTING. General Buller, in forwarding a return of three officers killed and 14 wounded in the advance on Thursday of last week, stated that owing to con- tinuous fighting he had been unable to give the number of men killed and wounded. Among the officers wounded is Major-General Wynne, C.B., who was appointed to command the 11th Brigade in succession to General Woodeate, GENERAL WYNNE WOUNDED. CoMijrso, Thursday. (Colenso Camp, February 24, 1.40 p.m.) The enemy (said a Reuter message published in London on Monday, and dated as above, having evidently been held back at Colenso a couple of days by Censor) are being reinforced, and are making a stand on Grobler's Kloof and on a range of kopjes running east from Grobler's. They have been forced from all their fortresses on the right. General Lyttelton's division advanced under cover of the kopjes along the right front. The Boers fired their; Long Tom from Ladysmith Road, behind Grobler's Kloof, and their Creusot from their front position. Our artillery, who were well sheltered, were in action from daybreak till late in the afternoon, when a heavy musketry fire from both sides was developed. Meanwhile our infantry had advanced about a mile1 and a half, and all the afternoon sustained a continuous fire. The enemy stuck to their positions, and late at night they sent a steady fire on the kopje held by our infantry. The artillery fire was irregular. A howitzer bat- tery sent a few salvoes into the hills, ravines, and thickly-wooded spots from which the Boer fire was heaviest. The Boers sent some shells among our head- quarters' baggage and close to the hospital, without, however, doing any damage. Brigadier-General Wynne was slightly wounded while conducting operations on the left. Early on Friday morning of last week operations were resumed by severe musketry fire on the right and front. The infantry were on the hill in the positions they had gained overnight leading to Grobler's Kloof and the hills on the right of that eminence. In the forenoon our artillery fire developed. The fire of a mountain battery, the naval guns, the howitzers, and the field batteries was directed mainly on the Boer trenches. The roar of the cannon was incessant, and salvoes were fired at frequent intervals. Good work was done, but the Boers still stuck in their trenches. Their cannon played on the hill behind Grobler's Kloof, as well as on the righ\ The Creuzot, on the |eft, fired several shells at the pontoon and the how- ttzera. ihey burgt over the hospital and compelled us o remove some of our wounded. An artillery duel, which had no decisive result, continued torsome hours between onr howitzers and the enrimys Creuzot. In the afternoon the Pifth Brigade, the Innis- killing B:1d Dublins leading, commenced to advance I up the hills.. Despite the constant shelling, the s\cod up in their trenches and took deliberate aim down the side of the hill. The infantry advance was further covered by parties firing volleys on the right and left. The advance was slow, our men availing themselves of every piece of cover. In addition to their trenches the enemy had shelter behind a long wall on the crest of the hill. They poured lead along the advancing lines of in- fantry, which, however, continued steadily to cover the ground. The enemy showed wonderful tenacity. Few of them left the trenches, and the majority maintained a deadly fire. When darkness set in our infantry had got within a few hundred yards of the first line of Boer trenches. With the exception of Grobler's Kloof the enemy's position is not strong. They cannot hold the range of hills which extends from Grobler's Kloof to near Nelthorpe Station, when their trenches are searched by lyddite. These hills are not so high, and cannot be so well entrenched as the mountains we have taken. The Somersets were the first across the pontoon in the battle of Wednesday, and were subjected to severe fire for five hours in an isolated position on the left towards Grobler's Kloof. It was the first time they had been under fire, and the men behaved excellently. The action in developing towards the enemy's left enabled them to enfilade our infantry in front, but cover was found on the kopjes. Trooper Walters, of the South African Light Horse, swam the river and brought over the pontoon, thus repeating the performance of Potgieter's Drift. Mr. Hunter, the general manager of the Natal Rail- ways, has visited Colenso, and arranged for the re- sumption of a daily service of trains. GATACRE BUSY. A BRAVE SCOUT CAPTAIN KILLED. From Sterkstoom, General Gatacre has made a re- connaissance in force towards Stromberg, disclosing the fact that the position is held by a small force only. De Montmorency's Scouts must have been severely mauled during this advance, as their losses are large for such a small body. It is to be hoped that the British General, who must feel his enforced inaction very keenly, is not going to take his forces once more against a stone wall. The Boers opposed to General Bsthune at Dordrecht are holding Labuschane's Nek, six miles to the north-east of the town. Our Irregulars are not likely to leave them there in quietness for very long. Captain de Montmorency, V.C., who was killed during General Gatacre's reconnaissance, has a fine record as a cavalry officer. He was adjutant for a time of the 21st Hussars (now Lancers), and, with llis clean-cut, thin face, and waxed moustache, was the type that artists always draw of the beau-sabreur. His courage and nerve were superb. Riding the little grey Arab polo-pony which has been his favourite mount during this war, he won at Omdurman a V.C., which all the Army agreed was a most well-deserved honour -for there are degrees of excellence talked of by soldiers in this matter. He and his men have been the eyes and ears of General Gatacre's force during the campaign. His death occurred during a melee when Boers and British came unexpectedly upon each other. He was the eldest son of General Lord Frankfort, a very distinguished old soldier. OUR WOUNDED GENERALS.. No official intelligence with regard to the condi- tion of wounded Generals was up to Monday to hand. There are now four in number, viz., Major- Generals MacDonald, Knox, Woodgate, and Wynne. With reference to Major-General MacDonald, it is noteworthy that while the War Office report spoke of him as severely wounded, Heuter's correspondent said lie was only slightly hurt in the foot. On the other hand, the Central News correspondent states that General MacDonald was struck in the hip, while Lnffan's agent, again, mentions the wcund as one in the foot. HOLDING OUT AT MAFEKING. My latest inforiiiat ion from Mafeking (says a Cape Town correspondent.) is to the effect that the garrison and the public there remain thoroughly determined never to surrender. They declare that though they may be starved out, it shall not be before the town is turned into a cemetery. The latest specimen of the Boer disregard for the rules of civilised warfare is the shelling of the women's laager a mile outside the town. The occupants number about 400 women and child- ren, half being Dutch, who am fed and clothed by British charity. The Boer leaders promised not to shell this laager. One night, however, the Dutch women were found to have slept in the bomb-proof trench. They never having done this before, suspicion was excited, and the English women, with their little ones, were ordered to take shelter also. Thoroughont the next day, the Boers shelled the laager with all their guns. The Dutch women clapped, cheered, and sang when the shells fell near the English. The enemy had pro- bably been communicated with by these women here. As a safeguard against a repetition of this mean- ness, Colonel Baden-Powell is now detaining a number of captured Boer spies near the women's laager. The Boers have received further reinforcements at. Goberones. Natives say that these are from Mafeking, and that the Boers there have taken on four regiments of Kalifen's natives to carry on the siege. The enemy evidently contemplated an attack on us this morning. They commenced shell-Ore at six in the morning. Shortly afterwards a squad of the Rhodesia Regiment, under Lieutenant Blunt, when reconnoitring on our right, came upon 200 mounted Boers concealed behind an outlying kopje. The enemy opened fire on our men, who retired to bring up reinforcements. The Boers then fell back to their laager. Lieutenant Blunt and Troopers Mather, Morton, and Kellv were wounded, it is hoped not, seriously. SAPPERS AND MINERS AT WORK. The 7Y,nes special correspondent at Paardeberg, in n message dated Friday of last week, said that the cordon round Cronje's position was being daily drawn a little closer, and that the Gordon High- landers had pushed 200 yards further up the river bed beyond the point gained by the Shropshire Light Infantry. Meanwhile, Cronje's investment has been drawing the Boers together from every quarter, and some thousands are hover- ing in the neighbourhood of Paardeberg. The Times correspondent describes the at- tempts at relief referred to in Lord Roberts's lelegram of Saturday. There appears to have been two simultaneous attacks made on the British posi- tions. The first, directed against Poplar Farm, was only feeble, and was easily repelled. A more 3erious assault was made by a large force of the enemy against the south-easterly kopje known as Kitchener's Hill; but the position was resolutely held by the 1st Yorkshire Regiment., and the Scottish Borderers, a battery of artillery, and the Buffs coming up in support, routed the Boers, and took 37 prisoners, including two Field Cornets and a Commandant. Cronje's laager (according to another correspondent) has been submitted to shelling daily whenever snipers appeared, but the river bed, or the Boers' "ùitcb," showed like a rabbit warren, the enemy being well covered by burrowing into both banks. Our sappers and miners worked steadily and confidently up towards the laager. THE HIGHLANDERS. The Highland Light Infantry have been moved from the kilted brigade to that of General Smith- Dorrien, and their place has been taken by the Gordons. Probably the Highland Light Infantry ire just as happy in one brigade as another, but they have generally been in line with Highlanders. They were in the Highland Brigade which charged at Blaauwberg, and gained for Sir David Baird the victory which gave us permanent possession of Cape Town. LADYGREY'S DANGER. General Bethune is apparently working up north- east from Dordrecht, for the British have reached Barkly East, and the Boers who were in occupation of that town have retired to Ladygrey. The land- drost—presumably of Ladygrey-has telegraphed to President Steyn asking for reinforcements, without which he fears he must lay down arms. As President Steyn will want every available man to make a stand before Bloemfontein, which it now seems probable that he intends to do, Ladygrey will before long be in British hands. AROUND ARUNDEL. Another advance has been made by General Clements from Arundel against the Boers who are at Kuilfontein, in the hills to the north-east of Rens- burg. The General, advancing from the south, sent Prince Alfred's Guard to a position behind Vaal Kop, a peak at the end of the range, to cut off the £ oer retreat. Troops from Hanover Road and Mooifontein attacked the Boer flank from the west. A gun opened on Prince Alfred's Guard, and it was necessary to retire. Coming under Vaal Kop, a heavy fire was directed on the corps, but by racing past at a gallop it escaped with few casualties. The enemy eventually withdrew to Kuilfontein. The Daily Telegraph's special correspondent states that the kopjes to the north-west of tha camp are still occupied by the Boers, while those to the east-south- east are clear. A WEEK'S FIGHTING. On Tuesday, February 20, General Hart's Brigade occupied Colenso, and the impression in Sir Redvera Buller's army was that the Boers were withdrawing From Natal. On the following day the river was bridged near Colenso, and three brigades crossed to the north bank. The Boers made a night attack without much result. On February 22 the ¡ ,hree brigades advanced along the river, ap- parently along the stretch that runs north from Colenso parallel to the railway. There was again night fighting brought on by a Boer counter attack. On the succeeding day there was an attack on the Boer positions at Pieters. Mr. Winston Churchill gives a brilliant description in ihe Morning Post of this attack, but, as it is not quite lear whether he is depictmg merely a local incident or covering the whole battle, it is not possible as yet to make out the whole process of the fight. We know that Sir Redvers Buller has three divisions or six brigades of infantry besides his cavalry. mounted infantry, and artillery. Mr. Chur- chill's telegram describes a serious attack, part of a decisive battle. But be men- tions only three brigades andThorneycroft's Mounted Infantry. It is hardly credible that Sir Redvers Buller would attack the Boer Army in position with less than five of his six brigades. For this reason the telegram may be meant to give a picture of only a portion of the fight, as an eye-witness can seldom see more than one corner of a battle that is going on. Then, again, in the great attack of Friday of last week there other obscure points. The actual attack seems to have been made only by one brigade-General Hart's. In this attack one battalion, the Inniskillings, led. After the artillery preparation this battalion advanced to within 500 yards of the enemy's position, a distance at which effective rifle fire might be opened. But on reaching that point the battalion did not begin a bullet duel. It set out on a charge, and after a short time found the enemy's bullets too formidable to admit of the charge being successful. Thereon the men bad to lie down a,nd make shelter. Then the Connaught Rangers and Dublin Fusiliers came up to their support, but it was getting dusk and the attack could not be further developed. FURTHER CASUALTIES. The severity of the fighting north of Colenso is brought home by the long list of casualties among officers sent home by Sir Redvers Buller. In the three days ending on Saturday he had lost eight officers killed, 34 wounded, and one missing. Such figures prepare us for a very heavy death-roll among the rank and file. In the meantime a return of 113 men killed and wounded at Colenso has been pub- lished, with further casualties about Paardeberg, the 18th and 19th, from Lord Roberts. GENERAL MACDONALD'S WOUND. A private telegram has been received (says the Central News Agency) by Mr. William Macdonald, of Rootfield, near Inverness, a brother of General Hector Macdonald, describing the exact nature of the wound which the latter received at Paardeberg. He was leading the Highland Brigade to the attack when he was struck below the kneecap by a Mauser bullet. The bullet went round behind the knee, and tra- velling. upwards, emerged just below the hip. It then penetrated the saddle, and killed the General's horse. The wound is not serious, and the General is con- fident that be will soon be able to take the field again. MR. CECIL RHODES ON THE WAR. Mr. Cecil Rhodes at a meeting of the De Beers Company at Kimberley referred to the war, remark- ing that the Free State had plunged into it by the will of Mr. Attorney Fischer and Bucolic Steyn.' In holding Kimberley all had done their duty in preserving the greatest commercial asset in the world-the Queen's flag. THE BECHUANA NATIVES. The natives in Becbuanaland are apparently grow- ing restless under the invasion of their territory by the Boers. The Chief Linchwe has made reprisals near Sequani, killing a few men and capturing some waggons and oxen. At Crocodile Pools the Dutch have informed Colonel Plumer that they have placed their sick inside their laager to protect them from the natives. A first detachment of Mashonaland Volunteers, 80 strong, left Salisbury on the 21st to join Colonel Plumer's force. COLONIALS KILLED AND WOUNDED. The Colonials are bearing their share of the brunt of war. The Canadians, according to a despatch from Orange River, have lost 19 killed and 90 wounded up to February 25. BRITISH PRISONERS. A complete list of British prisoners up to January 27 has been given by the Standard and Du/gers Newt, a Boer organ, as 2861 officers and men and 112 natives. This is rather in excess of the number acknowledged by the War Office. UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER OF CRONJE AND HIS ARMY. On Tuesday at ten a.m. the War Office published ihe following gratifying message frem Lord Roberts General Cronje and all his force capitulated un- conditionally at daylight this morning, and is now a prisoner in my camp. The strength of his force will be communicated later. I hope her Majesty's Government will con- sider this satisfactory, occurring as it does on the anniversary of Majuba.
WOUNDED IN THE WAR.
WOUNDED IN THE WAR. The Prince and Princess of Wales, with the Duke of York, on Monday proceeded to Southampton, and visited the wounded and invalid soldiers who have been brought home from South Africa by the hos- pital ship which bears her Royal Highness's name. They travelled by special train from Waterloo, and, after the formal reception, they went on boud the vessel and spoke to each of the wounded men, :n- quiring as to the nature of their injuries, and receiving in some cases remarkable accounts of them and of their progress towards recovery. On leaving the hospital ship, the Royal party proceeded to Netley Hospital, where they spent two hours in visit- ing the wounded soldiers and inquiring into their cases. They returned to London in the evening.
THE WIVELSFIELD RAILWAY ACCIDENT.
THE WIVELSFIELD RAILWAY ACCIDENT. An action arising out of the collision between the Brighton Pullman express and the boat train from Newhaven, at Wivelsfield, on the Saturday before Christmas, was on Monday before Mr. Justice Darling and a Common Jury, in the Queen's Bench Division. The plaintiff was the widow of a commer- cial traveller, named Arts, who was filled. The London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Com- pany,1 the defendants, had agreed to pay her iL2000, and the only question was the apportionment of the amount between the widow and the children. Judg- ment was entered in accordance with the views ex- pressed by the jury.
- FIRK SALVAGE CLAIM.
FIRK SALVAGE CLAIM. Mt. Justice Barnes and Trinity Masters, in the Admiralty Division on Monday, had before them a lire salvage claim. The plaintiffs were the owners of a Cardiff tug, which went to the assistance of the barque Zinita, on board which an explosion had occurred in the cargo of coal. The case for the tug- owners was that their Tessel was engaged to stand by the barque, and that, owing to the assistance rendered, the vessel had been s^ed. Defendants denied employment, and said the plaintiffs, by pump. ing Bait water on the coal, bad done dauiagp, for which they counter-claimed. In the end the claiu- and counter-claim was dismissed. with costs. '=" I
SERGEANT'S LAST PRAYER.
SERGEANT'S LAST PRAYER. The Royal Field Artillery contains four brothers naiqed Hinton, two of whom are Prisoners at Pre- toria, a third is with General J3uj'ers army, and the fourth is now under orders for the front. From Pre- toria Sergeant G. Hinton writes My brother Tom and I got through the battle of Colenso without a scratch, but most of the others were killed or wounded. It was a terrible fight, but the papers will have described it better than 1 can, as I had all I could do to keep my gun going. There was only GuDner Wright and I left at it when we surrendered. foor Sergeant Howell wa about the first killed, then the captain. Ser- geapt Grey died of his wounds about two hours later. He had a hard death, and died in my arms praying to (Jod to provide for his wife end children.
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THE Lord Mayor of London baa received a letter, enclosing 4134, subscribed by the Greek community at Omdurman and Khartoum, towards the Transvaal War Fund, and expressing a hope that "the English arms may succeed for the sake of humanity." THE Viceroy telegraphs to the India Office that the number of persons employed On relief works is increasing everywhere, though the amount of wages given is limited to bare subsistence. The number now on relief exceeds four millions and a-quarter. MR. RITCHIE, the President of the Board of Trade, on 'Monday received a deputation front the County Purposes Committee of the City of London, who urged that legislation should be introduced with the view of securing a uniform rate of charges for the stamping of glass measures within the area of London. The deputation contended that the County Council were evading the law by making practically no charge at all. Mr. Ritchie expressed the opinion that there was no general desire for legisla- tion in the direction suggested, but promised to bring the views of the deputation to the notice of the County Council. LOUD DURHAM has severed bis connection with the Durham and North Riding Liberal Unionist Asso- ciation, of which he was President,, owing to -hia disagreeing with the policy and action of the Govern- ment.
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I [MPERIAL PARLIAMENT. I HOUSE OF LORDS.—FEBKUARV 26. RETIRED SOLDIERS. I Lord Monkswell called attention to the report of the Select Committee presided over by Sir G. Chesney, on the employment of retired sailors and soldiers, and moved a resolution affirming that, in the opinion of this House, measures should be taken to give soldiers, on being drafted into the Reserve, the best chance of obtaining employment by pro- viding them, previous to their discharge from the colours, while not on active service, with the oppor- tunity of enjoying as large an amount of technical instruction as was compatible with the due perform- ance of military duties. Lord Lansdowne said he had always thought that it would be of the utmost value to the army if soldiers could receive some instruction even in the rudiments of a trade, and thereby render themselves better fitted for civil employment after they left the colours. The War Office had shown their desire to do in a prac- tical way what the noble lord recommended, because last year they provided £ 75 in the case of a number of battalions which seemed suitable for an experiment of the kind, and gave directions for an attempt to be made to impart technical in- struction. The result of the experiment was not encouraging. The War Office would, however, con- tinue the experiment, and spare no pains to make it successful, but the fact remained that it was extremely difficult to induce private soldiers, whose time was so fully occupied, to attend classes of this kind. The resolution was, by leave, withdrawn. LAND CHARGES. The report of the amendments to the Land Charges Bill was brought up and agreed to HOUSE OF COMMONS. OFFICIAL COMPUTATION OF BRITISH CASUALTIES IN SOUTH AFRICA. Mr. Powell Williams, in answer to a question, gave the numbers of the officers aud men killed, wounded, and taken prisoners in the war, the total amounting to 10,742. THE NAVAL ESTIMATES. On the motion for going into Committee of Supply on the Navy Estimates, Mr. Goschen made his annual statement with regard to the position of our Fleet and the policy of the Admiralty. He claimed at the outset to be relieved from offeri ng any apology for the magnitude of the estimates. Their magnitude was explained by the circumstances of the day, and for it niiitiber of years there had been an annual increase, which was not to be regarded as spasmodic or capricious. The Admiralty had been guided by well-known principles which the country had endorsed. If they added to the estimates for the year about two millions for expenditure under the Naval Works Act., the total sum to be supplied amounted to nearly o0 millions. Although there was nothing sensational about the estimates, the Admiralty realised thoroughly the situation in which the country siood. If mobilisation were necessary, the Admiralty would ask Parliament for the necessary supplies but at present they did not think that the time for mobili- sation had come, and they hoped it would not come. It was also desirable not to disturb men's minds. Hut there was an administrative measure which the Admiralty did intend to take. The ships of the Reserve Squadron, which had gone every year to Portland for prize-firing and exercise would go there again this year, but they would act together and not independently as hitherto, and they I would be exercised in tactics. He doubted whether people always realised the enormous number of light- ing ships which were commissioned; 258 sea-going ships were now in commission with crews numbering in all 56,000. With reference to the transference of oflicers and crews from the sailing ships of the training squadron to men-of-war at the time when the demand for cruisers for the Cape was con- siderable, he explained that the Admiralty had not yet decided whether that transference was to be permanent, but that, according to the of opinion among oilicers on the Active List, the sailing training squadron was doomed, and that on such a subject it was the duty of a civilian First Lord to be guided by the advice of his naval colleagues. Alarmists had asked why measures had not, been taken to stop the export of coal to France and Russia. He asserted that such measures could not be considered to come at, this moment within the sphere of practical politics, but the Admiralty were taking every means in their power to ensure their obtaining at any time all the coal they might want. For example, they had emergency contracts. Of the total output of coal in the United Kingdom only four per cent, was exported to France and Russia, and there was no occasion for anxiety. With regard to the transport service he drew attention to the magnitude of the operations undertaken in con- veying troops to South Africa, and complimented the mercantile marine on the success of the efforts made, accidents having been extremely few, and not a single human life having been lost. Leavin" these subjects of general interest he reviewed the Estimates and touched upon some of the great problems which were involved in their preparation. Giving the particulars which accounted for the increase of £ 928,100 he men- tioned with regard to the Works Vote that a great deal had been done in connection with hospitals. As to the Ordnance Vote, which stood at three mil- lions and which had been almost doubled in five years, he observed that nobody would grudge this outlay. The proposed increase in personiinl would bring the numbers up to 115,000, and lie believed the addi- tional men required would be obtained. There were, however, some drawbacks to a rapid increase of per- sonnel. We must be content, to have young crews, and there was a difficulty about getting petty officers of a certain seniority. With regard to the Naval Reserves he did not anticipate that the rather slack enrolment to which he had drawn attention in his printed statement would continue. Explain- ing that the Admiralty wanted to obtain power to call up in the future a certain number of the Re- serves, instead of having, as now,, to summon the whole of them, he announced that be proposed to in- troduce a measure conferring upon the Board the power in question. The Admiralty were also con- sidering how the services of the Seamen and Pen- sioners' Reserve could be put to the best use, and how they could add to the Reserves by attracting Marines who had taken their discharge and seamen who had served 12 years and been discharged. They were also planning a scheme under which we should obtain Reserves from our colonies but negotiations on the subject with Australia would be suspended until federation was established. The arrangements with Canada were further advanced, but no final decision had yet been taken. After stating that the Admiralty had tried to meet the wishes of the engineers, and were giving the medical officers greater opportunities for study, while relieving them of some burdens, he passed to the question of materiel. Coming to what he described as the most regrettable part of his statement, he explained the causes of the failure of the contractors to earn the money voted 12 months ago for armour, hulls, and machinery. The Admiralty, he assured the House, had done their best to induce the contractors to do more, and he characterised as an imaginative perversion the statement which had been made in a serious newspaper that the Treasury had interfered with the Admiralty to prevent expenditure. The present programme of the Admiralty, he then said, had been limited by tne estimated amount of the out- put of machinery, hulls, and armour. Comparing our proposed expenditure on shipbuilding before 1901 with the proposed expenditure of France and Russia, he showed that whilst we were to spend £ 8,460,000, the two other countries were to spend £ 8,454,000. But he believed that shipbuilding in France, and probably in Russia also, was 20 per cent. dearer than here, and that gave us a considerable ad- vantage. As to Germany's sensational programmeof spending 70 millions in 16 years, he observed that it was much more important to regard the sums spent annually than the gigantic total; and ware we to pre- pare a programme for 16 years our total expenditure would appear as 124 millions. A Naval Defence Act was now unnecessary in this country, because the people were accustomed to a continuity of policy. The large programmes of France and Ger- many and other countries ought not to alarm us; but constant vigilance must be exercised and care taken to keep abreast of the great development of naval power not only in Europe, but in America and Japan. Having stated that more labour was to be employed in our dockyards and that it would be employed on repairs and refits, he assured the House that the Admiralty would not repair vessels that did not deserve repair, and that some of the older ships were to be struck off the naval list. The question of telegraph ships, he went on to say, had been most carefully considered. But the Admiralty did not think it would be wise to buy or construct such ships them- lelves, believing that it would be better to rely J upon private enterprise. For repairing purposes "t sea it was proposed to purchase ships, there being vessels engaged in the transport lervice which were very suitable. With regard to the supply of colliers, arrangements were being made with owners to ensure that a sufficient number of ouch vessels would be available in time of war. The Admiralty were also engaged in considering the best means of carrying stores and munitions of war from aur bases to our fleets. Having summed up the pro- posals appearing in his printed statement, he ended by declaring that the Intelligence Department was •tudying most carefully the strategical uses to which our great naval force could be put. The departmen which had been strengthened from year to ionsidering carefully where our ships sho 1 iime of war so as to protect our commerce. Sir TJ. Kav-ShuUloworth eoa*ratulat«d Uw Govern- ment on the fact that in framing the Estimates they bad .t been influenced by panic, and made sugges- tions regarding the construction of armoured cruisers ind other matters, and dwelt in terms of admiration apon the great services rendered by the naval con- tingent in South Africa. Mr. Gibson Bowles referred "to the alteration in the balance of power that could be caused by a mariti"ie agreement between Holland and Germany, and Mr. W. Allan, Admiral Field, Mr. Kearley, and Coinz,lqncier Young continued the discussion. Sir Charles Dilke doubted whether the First Lord's programme could be considered adequate except for the purposes of the year immediately before us. Mr. Goschen then replied, thanking the House for the reception which it had accorded to his pro- posals. With regard to the Reserves, their number having been the subject of comment, he expressed the belief that this supply of strength was greater than many members imagined. To Mr. Allan, who had spoken with disapprobation of the use of warter-tube boilers, he replied by saying that these boilers had been adopted by every great maritime nation. The suggestion having been made that the Government should undertake the manu- facture of armour plates, he showed how difficult it would be for them to conduct a new industry of that kind. The debate was adjourned on the motion of Sir J. Colomb.
RUSKIN AND THE ABBEY.
RUSKIN AND THE ABBEY. There have been two interesting letters in the Tinut relative to the late John Ruskin. Ori9 was from Mrs. Arthur Severn, the great writer's cousin, who wrote from Brantwood: When my cousin died, there was a general out- burst of feeling that he should be laid to rest in Westminster Abbey—an honour deeply appreciated by me and mine and that would have gratified him but, as you are aware, in respect to his wishes, he rests here at Coniston, in the shadow, at sunset', of the hills it was a daily joy to him while alive to look at. He disliked towns and smoke, though no one more deeply reverenced the sanctity and beauty of the Abbey. J The last time the question arose between us was when Mr. Gladstone died. My cousin expressed strongly his feeling that he should have had his wish and been allowed to rest at Ilawarden. We talked the matter over to the event of his own death and the nation offering, as I expected, the honour of burial for him in St. Paul's or Westminster Abbey. There was then, and afterwards, no doubt left in my mind about the course I had to pursue. The Abbey does mean much to the multitude, but Coniston meant more to him and the many friends near who loved and reverenced him here since he made it his chosen Lakeland home; and he took pride in the thought that Wordsworth was laid to rest at Grasmere, and the late Bishop of Carlisle (Harvey Goodwin), whose friendship he valued most dearly, at Crusthwaite. In my first great sorrow and loss it was difficult to give expression gratefully enough to the appeal of many distinguished.'people, amongst whom also ap- peared the names of old personal friends, for burial in the Abbey but now, should the Dean of West- minster see fit to allow a memorial tablet to be placed there to John Ruskin's memory, recording the honour done him, and that in respect to his own wishes he was laid to rest at Coniston, it would be a grateful tribute and a gratification to all who loved and honoured him." The Rev. Stephen F. Bridge writes from the Vicar- age, Kerne-hill: Mr. Ruskin, during his long life, was far more intimately connected with this place than' any other. His father brought him to 28, Herne- hill, a3 a child of four years old in 1823, the preface to Pneterita is dated Herne-hill, 10th May, 1885," and, indeed, in this house, which is still occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Severn, he had a home to the very end, though it is now some years since his health permitted him to come up from Brantwood. The Denmark-hill house to which he removed for some 20 years during the zenith of his fame, and at which he was visited by men only less celebrated than himself is also in this parish. "The historical orlitemry associations of a suburb in South London, as we are often reminded, are none too many, and I am sure that the admirers of Mr. Ruskin's genius will feel that some fitting memorial of him, presumably a mural one, should be placed in the church of a place where it formed itself, and with which lie had such lifelong ties. Mr. Holman Hunt and Sir W. B. Richmond, R.A., permit me to use their names as supporting the scheme. Cheques or postal orders for the 'Ruskin Memorial Fund,' for which I shall be veiy grateful, should be made pay- able to the vicar and church-wardens, and can either be sent to me or to the Herne-hill branch of the London and Westminster Bank."
A GIGANTIC SANITARY WORK.
A GIGANTIC SANITARY WORK. One of the most gigantic sanitary works of the day was brought into operation at the beginning of Janu- ary, when the water was turned into the great drain- age canal through which in future the sewage of Chicago is to flow instead of into Lake Michigan, the source from which the city's watersupplyis drawn. This canal has been seven years in construction, and has cost about F-6,000,000. It is 29 miles in length, and has been excavated through glacial drift and solid rock, the width at the bottom through the rock being 160ft. and the depth 22ft. The flow of water through the canal is to be regulated to 300,000 cubic feet a minute, and the volume of sewage will be 4200ft. a minute. The constant depth of water in the canal is to be 22ft., and the rate of flow is to be regulated so as not to exceed one mile an hour, and it has been constructed with the intention that it shall hereafter be used as a ship canal, rendering 'navigation possi- ble from Lake Michigan, by way of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, to the Gulf of Mexico. The watershed of this part of America is situated at the head of Lake Michigan, the water from which ulti- mately flows down the Saint Lawrence, and that to the south of the Lake by the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. This diversion of the water and the question as to what effect it may have in lowering the levol of the lake and so affecting the navigation and other water rights have been. the subject of consider- able discussion and investigation. The general opinion arrived at is that the quantity of water flow- ing down the canal cannot lower the water in Lake Michigan mre than three inches.
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THE Birmingham magistrates granted a music .icense for an Anti-Swearing Club." The applicant explained that the society met at his house f.)r the purpose of discussing current topics, and anyone who lost his temper and swore, or even laughed, was fined a halfpenny, the accumulated penalties goin"- to charities. ° THE King of Bavaria was k-pt very short of money when lie was boy; in fact, the allowance for pocket- money granted to him and his brother was only about 2s. a week. One day he heard someone say that sound teeth were saleable and off he went to a dentist and offered to have his own extracted for a monetary consideration. To the institution of orders, medals, and diplomas in France there is no limit. The latest ia a diploma for washerwomen. The washerwomen, to be sure, occupy a conspicuous position on the Seine, and have played an important part in the life of Paris, especi- ally in revolutionary periods. They are nearly as formidable as the market women. The Government has established this new order, and awarded 12 medals. The important duty of distributing the diplomas to the prize washerwomen is discharged by the Ministry of Commerce. IT is curious that while nearly all the Royal women of Europe are excellent and picturesque horsewomen, few of the reigning monarchs are even tolerably good riders. His crippled arm parcly ex- cuses the German Emperor's poor seat. The King of Italy is famous for his falls; the Emperor of Russia is not an expert horseman; while the Kings of Sweden, Greece, and Denmark are seldom seen astride, and the King of Portugal is too stout to enjoy riding. WE have all been touched by the deeds of unselfish heroism performed by our men at the war. But we are reminded that deeds equally splendid are done quietly here at home. Recently at a fire in Hackney, Police-constable George Stephen Funnell, after rescu- ing two women from the burning house, plunged again into the flames to save a third, and thereby lost his own life. Without any uf the excitement of battle, it was a feat of heroism of the purest kind, such as makes us proud of our race. THE late Dr. Martineau insured his life for BIOOQ as far back as the year 1828. It is not often that a life policy remains in force for 72 years. The total amount payable under the policy with bonus addi- tions was £ 4331. Miss ELSIB FARREL, daughter ot Mr. Franklin Farrel, the American millionaire, is voluntarily earning her living as a shorthand-writer and type- writer in a Connecticut town. She grew tired of a life of luxury and ease, and when the post of secre- tary to her father became vacant she applied for it, but was refused, as she did not know shorthand and could not typewrite. She accordingly set to work, J and, having acquired both accomplishments, obtained the post. MADAMK PATTI has several pet birds at Craig-y- Nos, which she brought from New York. One is a parrot that imitates her songs, not only copying the trills and roulades of his mistress, but putting in some original touches of his own. Another of the parrots for a long time refused to make any utterance whatever, until one day a doctor appeared on the scene to attend a sore throat of his mistress, < when he exclaimed, Ob, doctor, I- am so ill 1"
1 THE GALLANT 60TH.
1 THE GALLANT 60TH. I A writer on the British Regiment with the most "distinctions," in the Pall Mall Maga~ine, says it would take too long to tell of the magnificent deeds accomplished by "the gallant 60th" during the Indian Mutiny, but the word Delhi!" is enough. Listen to what an eye-witness of the grand fighting of the King's Royal Kille Corps said about it in a letter to England-a private one. The charges of the Rifles are things never to be erased from one's memory; they go for- ward magnificently, witL their terrible watch- words, 'Remember the ladies! Remember the babies!' They charge, 10 ritles to 100 of the foe, as coolly and gallantly as you can imagine." As an example of the terrible retribution that the 60th tookj upon the mutineers for those awful slaughters of English women and children at Cawnpore and other towns, it may be stated that, when 100 of the enemy took refuge in a hut, an attacking party of about 20 Riflemen stormed the place and bayoneted every man of the 100 on the spot! In the Mutiny the Rifles won no less than seven Victoria Crosses, for as brave deeds as were ever done on the field of battle. As proof of the effect that the valour of the King's Royal Rifle Corps had in India during the Mutiny, Lord Roberts tells a curious little story. The brave Ghoorkas were so impressed with the gallantry of the 60th that they asked to have the green facings of their own uniform changed to scarlet ones, so that they might be like the brave men whose courage had so astonished them. This request was granted and the Ghoorkas, most valiant and loyal of Indian troops, boast yet to-day of this-that they are like the men who shot and fought so well in the terrible year of 1857!
ABOUT DR. GATLING.
ABOUT DR. GATLING. While guns are dealing death in South Africa, the Daily Chronicle recalls the fact that Dr. Gatling, the inventor of the terrible revolving battery gun bearing his name, which has been estimated to have killed a quarter of a million men, is alive and well at the age of 81. In a sense, he is beating Iwords into ploughshares; for he is still hard at work arranging in Chicago for the manufacture of one of his latest inventions, an automobile plough, which, he says, will do the work of eight men and a dozen horses.
"THE SOLDIER PREACHER."
"THE SOLDIER PREACHER." In a remarkable letter dated from Enslin battle- field, the Daily News correspondent gives the follow- ing description of a soldier preacher: His feet were firmly planted close to the graves of the British soldiers and sailors who had fallen when we beat the Boers, and drove them back upon Modder River. In one hand lie held a little, well-worn Bible his other hand was raised high above his close-cropped head, whilst his voice rang out on the sultry, storm-laden air like the clang of steel on steel!—" Prepare ter meet yer God!" No one who looked at the neat, strong figure arrayed in the plain khaki uniform of a private soldier, at the clean-shaven, square-jawed face, at the fearless grey-blue eyes, could doubt either his honesty or earnestness. Courage was imprinted by Nature's never-erring hand on every lineament of his Saxon features. So might one of Cromwell's stern-browed warriors have stood on the eve of Marston Moor. On the soldier-preacher's breast a long row of decorations gleamed, telling of honourable service to Queen and country. Before a man could wear those ribbons he must have faced death as brave men face it on many a battlefield. He must have known the agonies of thirst, the dull, dead pain of sleepless nights and midnight, marches; the tireless watching at the sentry's post, and the onward rush of armed men up heights almost unscalable. On Egypt's sun- scorched plains he must have faced the imad onslaughts of the Dervish hosts, and rallied with the men who held the lines at Abou Klea Wells, where gallant Buinaby was slain. The hills of Afghanistan must have re-echoed to his thread, else why the green and crimson ribbon that mingled with the rest ? His eyes had flashed along the advancing lines of charging impi, led bv Zulu chiefs. Yet never had they flashed with braver light than now, when, facing that holf- mvx-king, half-reckless crowd, he cried: "Prepare ter meet yer God! Rough as the thrust of a broken bayonet was his speech, unskilled in rhetoric his tongue, his periods unrounded as flying fragments of shrapnel shell; yet all who listened knew that every word came from the speaker's soul, from the magazine of truth. Some London slum had been his cradle, the gutters of the great city the only university his feet had known. The coster's dialect was native to his tongue, yet no smug Churchman crowned with the laurels of the schools could so have stirred the blood of those wild lads, fresh from t.he boundless bush and lawless mining camps beneath Australian suns. Prepare ter meet yer God And this was the sermon he preached: "Prepare ter meet yer God I've come ter tell yer all abart a General whose armies hold ther City of Eternal Life. If you are wounded, throw yer ritles down, 'nd 7e will send the ambulance of 'is love, with Red Cross angels, and his adjutant, whose name is Mercy, to dress yer wounds. Throw down yer rifles 'nd sur- render. No rebels can enter the City of Eternal Life. You can't storm ther walls, or take ther gates. at ther point of ther baynit, for ther ramparts are guarded 'nd ther sentries never sleep. When ther bugles sound ther last reville you will ever 'ear, 'nd ther colonel, whose name is Death, gives the order ter march, you'll have nothink to fear abart, if yer bandoliers are full o' faith 'nd yer rifles are sighted with good works. Yer uniforms maybe ragged, and you may not even have a corporal's stripe to show: but if yer can pass their sentries fearlessly, you'll find a general's commission waitin' for yer just inside ther gate. But yer carn't fool with my GeneriLl.1 Remember this: ther password is, Re- pentance,' 'nd nothink else will do. The sentry on duty will see you comin', and will challenge you. Who goes there ?' Friend I' Advance friend 'nd give ther counter-sign If you say Good works,' you'll find 'is baynit up against yer chest. If yer say you forgot to get it, you'll be in their clink in 'ell in ther twinklin' of an eye but if yer say, loud 'nd clear, Repentance,' 'e will lower is baynit, 'nd say, Pass friend. All's well I'
A NEW RIFLE.
A NEW RIFLE. The London correspondent of the Birmingham Post understands that during the past three months trials of a new rifle, submitted some time ago to the War Office, have been conducted with the utmost secrecy at Bisley. The authorities have been so care- ful in preserving and protecting the details of its mechanism that special officers from Scotland-yaxd have been engaged, not only upon observation duty at Enfield (where the experimental weapon was made), but to convey it to Bisley on each occasion it has been practised with.
COLLECTIONS OF OLD PEWTER.
COLLECTIONS OF OLD PEWTER. Pewter-collecting is still pursued with deep devo- tion, and the aim of the collector is to possess an entire set of old pewter—dishes, platters, flagons, and mugs. An old Pewter Society (says the Daily Graphic) exists among some artistic people in Hampstead, and there is much friendly rivalry as to the acquisition of new treasures. The club gives a dinner now and again, when all the pewter owned by the different members appears upon the dining-table. The effect is very artistic. and fruit, in particular, looks beautiful in pewter dishes. The shape of the old flagons is often very fine. The pewter nost in request dates from the time of Charles 1., ana is stamped with the Royal Arms. This pewter is in reality a pledge, and was given to the nobles in return for the silver plate which they gave to the King for the purpose of carry- ing on the war. Pewter plates and goblets were given them in return, stamped with the Royal Arms, and they were told that they should have their loan re- paid them when the war was over.
THE KAFFIR AND HIS TOBACCO.
THE KAFFIR AND HIS TOBACCO. There are (says a correspondent ol Tobacco) many varieties of tobacco cultivated in South Africa besides the well-known Transvaal leaf, and the principal of these are the Pondo, Xesibe, Basuto, and Fingo. These tobaccos are grown in the dif- ferent native territories from which they take their name. The Pondo tobacco, which is supposed to be the king of Kaffir tobacco, is grown on the sea coast. It is made up m the shape of a cone, the leaves being damped and pressed together. The cone is then packed into a covering, made of reeds gathered from the river banks, and the whole is then offered for sale at the trading stores. This Pondo tobacco always commands a good price, the average being about 2s. per lb. It is a pure tobacco and is largely smoked by up-country white men, but is very strong. The Xesibe tobacco, which comes next in popular estimation, is made up in long, thin rolls, which are ai80 encased in reeds. This tobacco is not so full flavoured as the Fondo, and is acoord- ingly less prized, for the up-country resident, as a rule, likes his weed to be fairly powerful. The ave- price paid for this tobacco i8 18. 3d. per lb. Ihe other two tobaccoe are much cheaper, and are only smoked by the lowest class of natives.
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HICKS: Brass, I believe, is a composition, is it not ?" Wicks: Yes; it is made up of about equal parts of cheek and insoUoce. »