Barry Herald

Tin young African chief Inga-ka-Fqra Cooatefce, who came to England some Weeks ag<5 with "Dr. Carl Peters, will return to his home in Macoiube's country in the heart of mid-Africa at the end of the present ,niouth.

I NEWS NOTES. I HER MAJESTY has been unremitting in her I gracious commumcatIOns to the troops who have done so nobly in South Africa, and there can be no doubting the good effect of the Sovereign's anxious watchfulness over those who are fighting for Her glorious cause. As Sir George White prettily put it, whatever the soldiers have suffered in Ladysmith during the long dreary siege—and we are only now learning what the brave beleagured band did suffer-is compensated for by the Queen's appreciation. Lord Roberts, too, has displayed a fine tact in acknowledging good work in the field with ungrudging and yet simple words of praise. The war-hardened old field-marshal is no doubt the most popular man to-day in the British Empire. "VYE are assured that the Queen has come to tJfb decision to abandon her projected Conti- nental trip. Hiali affairs of State have lately engrossed her Majesty's incessant attention, and she has been in a condition of constant strain which would have proven trying to many younger than she is. She naturaiiy, all things considered, wishes to remain near the central seat of government until a more settled aspect of affairs. Our Queen subordinates her own personal convenience and desiringtothe general good of the Empire, thereby setting the highest example to rulcra of every age and clime. THERE will be disappointment on the Riviera, where her Majesty is much revered, and the people of Bordighera especially are to be sym- pathised with. They had prepared a warm welcome for Queen Victoria, and her inability to proceed thither will, we fear, affect the spring season detrimentally. THERE has been a big fluttering of the finan- cial dovecotes over the unfolding of the War Budget. Its introduction on Monday was a surprise to the mercantile world, who supposed themselves left with another month in which to vaticinate respecting new or augmented taxa- tion. The Excise men-had a busy time at all the chief centres on Saturday, with traders get- ting dutiable stuff out of bond at furious speed in the hope of evading heavy additional charges. Taxpayers generally, however, looked for con- siderable new burdens, temporary as well as permanent, for it is impossible to plav the war game without cost nowadays in treasure as well as in blood. As to the bill of the campaign we shall hope to get it refunded to the nation in the long run from South African resources, but meanwhile present liabilities must be met by statesqianly expedients. As to those of the commercial community from whom the war taxes are collected in the first instance, they may be trusted to recoup themselves from the consumer. Regarding income taxation, we would remind those who are inclined to growl that the Crimean war brought an impost on the incomes of our predecessors in 1856 of as much as sixteenpence in the pound. THERE is more money in the land now by a very long way than was the case forty odd years ago. The yield of the direct income-tax per head is vastly in excess of what it was then. A penny in the pound on the nation's income-tax, under existing conditions of assessment, will put into the Treasury £ 2,200,000. An extra shilling a gallon on spirits will produce £ 1,200,000: and an extra shilling a barrel on beer brings in £ 1,400,000. An added halfpenny an ounce on tobacco yields as 300,000 at the normal consumption rate. So long as this continues one must expect the Chancellors of the Exchequer, as a matter of easiness of revenue raising, to call on the country to smoke and drink its debt away. WERE a simple tax of equal relative pressure on all people possible to be assessed and collected, some anomalies would be extin- guished, but the Finance Minister has to look to practicality, and take things as they are. Abstainers from intoxicants and non-smokers naturally favour the obtainance of revenue from articles they do not favour; but the ideal of taxing dispensable products of large consumption is favoured by most folk, and very much endorsed by most Chancellors of the Exchequer. It will continue as an adopted principle, we suppose, until the scientists in polotical economy have evolved an acceptable plan of direct assessment whereby every person is charged his equitable share of the upholding of the State and pays accord- ing to his just ratio of his ability. And the time of this very desirable consummation of statesmanly skilled is not yet, we fear, anywhere within 4p- Prince of Wales, as was his good father before him, is very sympathetic witn the town- dwelling toiler. In Kast London on Saturday his Royal Highness formally inaugurated the Boundary-street estate of the County Council —designed for the better-housing of the work- ing-classes and their families. The Prince said that he would welcome any legislation which would give landlords such power over their own property as to enable them to make their tenants happy and well-cared for. The law as it is leaves too much power for evil in the hands of leaseholders, who are masters of the situation as long as their holding lasts. But why not reform the entire property law in the ultimate interests of those most concerned, the occu- piers ? Vested rights could be dealt with pro- perly, and all the varied evils attendant on a bad old system abolished without injustice if everybody involved would put their heads together in a right spirit.

THE PRINCE AND GENERAL MACDONALD. There have been many versions of the conversation said to have taken place between the Prince of Wales and General Hector Macdonald, when the latter returned to England after Oradurman; but a cor- respondent or the Daily Chronicle vouches ifor the following as being the correct version. The Prince asked Fighting Mac how it was that they had not met before. Pardon me, air, I think we have," was the reply. Where can that have been ?" asked the Prince, surprised. When you were in India, sir. I did sentry-go outside your tent." But why was a øentry needed outside my tent ?" The answer, which I need not be reported here, caused his Royal High- aess considerable amusement, but when he had regained control of his features he held out his hand and said, "General Macdonald, you were doing sentry-go in 1875, and now you are a general in the 1-0" ash Army. I am proud to have met you.

INTERVIEWING CHAMBERLAIN. M.A.P. tells a quaint little story concerning Mr. Chamberlain, which, if it bs not true, has at least originated from someone who has studied the Colonial Secretary and his ways pretty closely. It is said that one day lately MI. Chamberlain was engaged in conversation with a friend in a well- known London hotel, when a young man approached and whispered into Chamberlain's ear: M I am on staff of the and I should esteem it a great favour if you will tell me what you think of the pre- seat situation in the Transvaal1 Mr. Chamber- lain started, looked sharply at him, and then, his severity softening into pity for the young man's nmplicity, he said Follow me I Leading the way like a man requiring still greater secrecy for what he had to impart, he walked throagh the dining-room into a passage, down some steps into the readiag- roem, into the drawing-room, and finally into a remote and curtained dark comer, where, after a hurried glance rouad to make sure there were no eavesdroppers, he whispered in the young man's ear: Mv friend, I really don't know anything about itt"

MOST inland folks have an idea that the average cat has an invincible repugnance to water, and to a great extent this is so, but training and habit do much, and there is scarcely a single boat of the North Sea and other great fishing fleets of this country which does not on every voyage carry its own favourite cat, and a cat, too, which has no dread whatever of the wet and slippery decks. Some of these cats, says a writer in the Gem, are wonderfully intelligent creatures, and most of them are prime favorites with every soul aboard. In the first regard, I ™en the fi8h are beginning to be hauled in many o{ the pussies that the writer has seen can diserimi- 5elfrec% in a great heap between such unsale- able fash as they may freelv help themselves to, and I delicate morsels like soles, mullet and the like. At ) a Grimsby skipper's invitation the writer has even offered an old fishing-boat cat—it had been every voyage with the boat for tenyeara-the temptation of < a lovely sole, but it walked away and got to work on some sprats.

AN OBJECT-LESSON IN GRATITUDE. Mrs. Ann Brown, of 20.. Freer-street, AttJeborough, Warwickshire, is the heroine of a remarkable report, in the local newspaper. "Sincerity and gratitude" (says this reporter) "were the predominant notes of Mrs. Brown's story, and the thing she most im- pressed upon me was her earnest desire for the full facts she related to be published in the interest of the public. The wife of a rural postman who has tra- versed the country around Nuneaton for thirty- seven years without \n¡erIUiSili, ilrs. I)i\>wft a typo of woaiuri, h it p- V:y not it a- co in mOil in lliis country, in whom great liijidliness o disposition is iiilied with a shrewd outlook on the facts of life and a large fund of plain, practical common-sense. About two years ago she experienced very grave cause for alarm in the appearance of a large tumorous growth in the abdomen. She underwent examination at the hands of several doctors of high repute, and with one con- sent they informed her that an operation would re- sult in certain death. To add to the poor woman's agony of mind, she was confined to her bedroom by a severe attack of bronchitis, and, as she informed a representative of the Nuneaton Observer, life became one long spell of indescribable suffering. In addition to the unsuccessful treatment by doctors," said she, I tried numberless remedies suggested by friends and neighbours, but I could get no rest night nor day. In spite of a steam kettle, used continuously in my bedroom, I was subject to a dry, hacking cough which often kept me awake the whole night through." "But you appear hale and hearty: enough now, Mrs. Brown," said the reporter. Will you tell me the cause of such wonderful improvement?" With pleasure. And all the neighbours round here can bear out what I say. One day, when 1 was at my worst, a pamphlet was left at my door, and as the result of my reading it I asked my husband to get a box of Dr. Williams' pink pills. I took two or three the same day, and that night I experienced the best, niaht's rest I had had for months past. The benefit I derived from the pills naturally induced me to persevere with the remedy, and in a short time I was almost entirely free from pain in fact, I waa as well as I am now." u And so you left off taking the pillls ?" No; I still carry a box in my pocket," and as she spoke Mrs. Brown produced, truly enough, the familiar box for the reporter's inspection. But if you are better, why do you continue to, purchase the pills ?" asked the reporter. I keep them for my own use in case of emergency, and I give a great many away." "And linve vou found any of your friends benefited by them?" > Frequently. Only the other day a neighbour complained to me of pains at the heart, and I advised' him to try Dr. Williams' pink pills for pale people. He said they would do him no good but I persuaded him to try them, and the nextday he came to me and said: Mrs. Brown, you can scarcely credit what relief I got from those pills you gave me. I am going to get a box for myself. Mrs. Brown also furnished the reporter with the details of other remarkable cures, including that of her own niece, whose lips and ears were like wax," but who was completely restored to health after tak- ing two boxes of Dr. Williams' pink pills. Mrs. Brown's history, and the numerous similar- experiences she was able to refer to, on the part of persons well known to. her, account for the confidence with which Dr. Williams' pink pills are regarded by all classes of people, from th^ lowfsat, tothe highest in the land. They have cured paralysis, locomotor ataxy, rheumatism, and sciatica; also all diseases arising from impoverishment of the blood, scrofula, rickets, chronic erysipelas, consumption of the bowels and lungs, anannia, >pale and sallow ,coniplexiork, general muscular weakness, indigestion, loss of appetite, palpitations, pains in the back, nervous, headache and neuralgia, early decay, all forms of female weakness, and hysteria. These pills are a tonic, not a purgative. They are genuine only with the full name, Dr. Williams' pink pills for pale people, and are sold by chemists, and by Dr. Williams' Medicine Company, Holborn Viaduct, London, at 2s. 9d. a box, or six boxes for 13s. 9d. Pills sold loose or from glass jars are not Dr. Williams'; they should be accepted only in the pink closed wrapper as above described.

THE ZOOLOGY OF THE UPPER NILE. An expedition has just left England with the object 'of ascending the Nile as far up as possible beyond Khartoum, and exploring the country on both sides of the river south of Fasboda, which ilil said to teem with big game of all kinds. Almost nothing is known of the zoology of the region of the Upper Nile, and the expedition will devote most of its atten- tion to this subject, making extensive collections as it works its wity up. The services of the two expe- rienced naturalists who were with Mr. Mai-kinder in his recent expedition to Mount, Kenija have been secured, and they will be aided by a number of native collectors.

HOW "LONG CECIL" WAS MADE. According to the Standard's special correspondent at Kiniberley, "Long Cecil" is a really beautiful weapon, of perfect rilling and accurate aim. The machinery for its manufacture had all to be con- structed, and the gun was cast from Bessemer steel shafting, and ringed with Lowmoore iron. To the surprise of everybody, it was finished in three weeks. The range is 9600 yards; weight of shell, 281b.; charge, 61b. of black powder. The gun is mounted on a special carriage, the wheels of which were taken from traction engines, and the limber from the Boers. It fired in all 250 rounds. Mr. Labram also made shells for the 2-5 guns.

THE LANGUAGE OF THE BOERS. During the war a good many words have appeared I which are not to be found :n English or Dutch dic- tionaries. The fact is (according to a Chronicle cor- respondent) the Boer has a language of his own known as "Taal." He has rejected much of the superfluous in the original Dutch, and has evolved a language at once more simple and more harmonious. One of the speakers at the Taal Conference of 1897 said the Afrikanders look upon Dutch as their grand- mother, who must be borne with but who has no longer a voice in the rule of the home.

STILL IN DEATH. Lance-Sergeant Clare, of the Scots Guards, writing of the Modder River battle, says: "Our machine gun was blown to pieces, and the sergeant in charge was also killed, but we managed to drive the Boers out. It was a terrible sight next morning to see the dead lying all around. I saw two or three touching sights. There was one poor fellow who was lying dead, had taken a letter from his pocket, and had it grasped in his hand. Another had a Bible in his hand, and another had a cartridge between his finger nd thumb and the breech of his rifle open in the act of loading, when be was shot through the heart."

REPRESENTATIVES OF THREE MILLIONS. A monster convention of t.ie Society of Christian Endeavour is to be held at the Alexandra Palace from July 14 to July 20. The society already in- cludes some 53,000 branches with a membership of 3,000,000, and new branches are being organised in Great Britain at the rate of two a week. Prepara- tions are being made for an attendance of 40,000, of whom at least 5000 are expected from America. Australia will also be largely represented. Among the speakers already engaged are Dr. Clark, founder of the society, Dr. Lorimer, and the Rev. Charles Sheldon, author of In His Steps." The Rev. F. B. Meyer, of Christ Church, Westminster, will preside.

A GREAT COMPORT."—Yes, it is often misery for a person to cough and cough until it distress both himself and friends almost beyond endurance, but KEATING'S COUGH LOZENGES would stop all that; they are simply unrivalled one alone affords relief. Sold everywhere in tins 13id. each. A PAPER bicycle hits now invaded the field. Paper fibre, similar to that sometimes used in the manufac- ture of railway wheels, is employed for tubing, and is as strong as any in use. A factory is said to be contemplated for the production of bicycles of this sort. THE Duchess of Albany has headed the list of subscribers to a public testimonal to Mrs. Rowley Lambert, widow of Rear Admiral Lambert, on her retirement from the Esher and Ditton Urban District Council. Mrs. Lambert, who is a resident of Hampton i Joi ^een identified with public work since 1H81. By Mrs. Lambert's desire, the testimonal will take the form of something of permanent benefit to Thames Ditton.

THE ARMY ESTIMATES, GREAT INCLJGKGP IN HUMBHRS AND EXPBHDITCBB. The Army Estimates for the coming financial year, 1900—1901 has been issued. They provide for an increase in the establishment to 430,000 men and a total net expenditure of no less than £ 61,499,400 as against an establishment of 184,853 men, and an expenditure of £ 20,617,200 originally voted for the current financial year, showing an increase in num- bers of 245,147 and an expenditure of £ 40,882,200. It must be borne in mind, however, that the foregoing figures for the current year are those of the original estimates only, and that there have since been two supplementary estimates—one last October for ten millions sterling and an additional 35,000 men, and the second on February 8th last for 13 millions ster- ling and 120,000 men. The total establishment voted during the current year is thus 339,853 men and the total net expenditure £ 43,617,000. The estimate of 961,499,400, for the coming Itar is made up as follows: Vote 1. Pay, &c., of army 916,200,000 Vote 2. Medical services. 555,000 Vote 3. Militia. 2,288,000 Vote 4. Yeomanry Cavalry 144,000 Vote 5. Volunteer Corps 1,230,000 Vote 6. Transport and remounts. 10,000;000 Vote 7. Provisions, &c. 13,100,000 Vote 8. Clothing. 4,680,000 Vote 9. Warlike and,other stom 8,000,000 Vote 10. Works, See 2,670,700 Vote 11. Educational 113,800 Vote 12. Miscellaneous 66,900 Vote 13. War Office 275,000 Vote 14. Non-effective charges (officers)l,611,000 VQte 15. Non-effective charges (men) 1,379,000 Vote 16. Superannuation, &c 186,000 Total £ 61,499,400 In an explanatory memorandum published later, Lord Lansdowne, Secretary of State for War says: "The Estimates have been framed under the following abnormal conditions: (a) Provision has to be made for carrying on the war in South Africa. (b) It has been decided to make at once an addi- tion to the permanent strength of the army. "(c) Temporary measures have been authertsed for the purpose of increasing the number and efficiency of the force available for the defence of the United Kingdom." Having recapitulated the steps to be taken under these three heads, all of which have already been stated in Parliament, the memorandum states: "As regards the vote for men, 212,449 may be regarded as permanent, the balance being due to the war {in South Africa, and to the special measures for home defence. The estimated expenditure of 961,499,400; it ac. counted for as follows: Normal estimate E-91,777,700 Permanent addition to the Army 1,925,000 Special temporary measures for Home Defence: 6,228,000 War charges 31,568,700 "The war charges are- based on the assumption that the full field force will be maintained in South Africa till September 30, and a reduced force for the re- mainder of the year-, but the estimate contains no provisions for terminal charges, such as the trans- port home of the troops and- gratuities on demobili- saiion." Explanations are then given of the various votes, and with refereuce to vote 6 (transports and re- mounts) Lord Lansdowne remarks 1 Very large amounts are required for land and sea transport, a large proportion of the latter being to meet liabilities incurred during the present finan- cial year. Arrangements nave been made for the re- tention of a number of transports partly in South African waters for the transfer of troops from one portion of the seat of war t3 another, and partly for the conveyance home of invalids and wounded, and for the despatch of reinforcements and of drafts to 'make good the waste-among the troops in the field. It is also necessary to provide for conveyance of further consignments of supplies, stores, and animals to South Africa. The item for land trans- port provides not only for the conveyance of troops and stores by railway; but also fbr^the hire of ox transport in the field." On Vote 13 (War Office) the statement explains that the increase is almost entirely due to the war, I and more than half is due to the charge for foreign telegrams.. 6 j | r. || r •>

RAILWAY RATES AND FRUIT. If we look into the rates charged by the amalga- mated lines in Kent we must in all honesty conclude bhat they are reasonable, and especially so since they have been reduced within the past few years in the most liberal manner. We have spoken to growers who send their fruit to the London markets a dis- tance of over 70 miles, nd they have told us that they are satisfied with the rates, and would not ask for a reduction, considering them to be reasonable. We know another grower who got a good living from half an acre of land, sending up his forced straw- berries in good style to Covent Garden Market by passenger train, and who expressed himself well con- tent with the rates charged hiui by the company. In both these instances the men knew their business; they went in for best stuff. The forced strawberries referred to were put up in one layer boxeb: they wfre in the market about ten o'clock each morning, and they usually sold from os. to cs. per pound.

MENELIK AND THE PARIS EXHIBITION. We gather from the Gaulais that Ilg, Menelik's councillor, who, with his wife, has arrived in Paris, has a little son who at his birth received the title of Prince from the Negus. Ilg has made a statement that Menelik will in all probability pay a visit to the Paris Exhibition, accompanied by a brilliant suite. The Empress will not undertake the journey. Mene- lik's councillor, although not charged with any official mission, will nevertheless interview the Pre- sident of the Council and the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

R-HODES'VIE W OF FUTURE LIFE. Miss Rhodes, the sister of Rhodes (says a writer in M.A.P.), has neve* shown the slightest fear for her brother's safety during the long siego of Kimberley. She told me that it had been foretold to her, both by cards and by two palmists, that her brother would live four years more during which time he will achieve more than 10 all bis previous career. Miss Rhodes is short and rather stout, with massive, handsome features, very humorous lines round her mouth, and a remarkably square strong chin. Her hair is touched with bet*leonine bead seems rather large for her vigorous frame. She is devoted to her brother, and is 8UPPOsed to be the frequent recipient of his confidepees, on weighty matters. She is a great spiritualist, regarding death as a mere transition stage, which in no way prevents communication with living hu»»anity-. This view is shared b]y Cecil Rh'odcs himself* Miss Rhodes has but one weakness she wants to marry off all the pairs of young folks whom she sees to be fond of each other. But she has never met tho woman she thinks good enough for Cecil Rhodes.

WHERE HAND LABOUR BEATS MACHWtf WORK. JEngineenng says that the manufacture of corks is of very large importance, and it one of those few industries in which labour is compete suc- cessfully against machine methods. Our contem- porary compares the production gross of ljin. brewers' corks made in Spain with a similar output in the United States in the &acne year—1897. By the same method, three cork cutters and one sorter could make the 10 gross in less than a day; and as the wages for the sorter Was qply IW., and for the cutters 2s. a day, there would not be much margin for economy. Still, under th-0 conditions, and paying wages to the American labourer, varying from 4s. 2d. to 7«. Id. a day, the difference in labour costs was only 6i-d. on the 10 gross, the labour cost for the 1440 band-made corks being Is. 9d., and for *&e machine-made corks 2s. 3d.

UNAVAILING GALLANTRY. Private Alfred Clarke (or Bradley), of the 13th Hussars, with Lord Dundonald's Cavalry Brigade, tells this story of an attempt to cross the Tuela. He says It was an agonising sight to see the poor fellows struggling in the rushing, foaming water, and the horses plunging, so a major of ours asked for two powerful swimmers. Lieutenant Wise, of our troop, said, I will make one,' and in an instant was off. Then yours truly said, And 1 will make two,' and in less time than I can tell you we were stripping, and, half-dressed, I plunged into the river after the officer. In the meantime, one of ours had drifted a long way down the river, and the adjutant Captain Tremayne, jumped in, clothes andall. ite was' brought out unconscious, but the poor chap he tried to save was drowned. Private Guylar was his name. However, we saved our man."

ONE knows that the Transvaal is a fairly big place, but hardly realizes that it is more than twice the size of England. The railway from Delagoa Bay to Pre- toria looks a mere bit of line on the map, but it is as long a journey as from Hull to Glasgow; and from Glasgow to Milford Haven represents the distance M-r. Kruger has to go in order to see his neighbour, President Steyn, at Bloemfontein,

THE PRINCE AND THE POOR. The Prince of Wales, who was accompanied by the Princess on Saturday afternoon visited Shore- 181 ditch to open the buildings completing the Boundary- street scheme of the London County Council for the housing of the poor. The Royal visitors, who drove to the spot by way of the Victoria Embankment, Bishopsgate-street, and High-street, Shoreditch, were received by Lord Welby, the chairman, anda number of other members of the County Council. l ord Welby having made a statement as to the work done by the Council in the erection of working-class dwell- ings, the Prince of Wales said there was at the present time no question of greater social importance than that of the housing of the working classes. No one knew better than the London County Council the difficulties by which that question was sur- rounded but those difficulties must be surmounted. *10be. subject was one in which he bad long taken a deep interest. He was a member of the Royal Com- mission of 1884, and had closely watched the develop- ment of the question since that time. After referring to the general results achieved by the County Council and also by private enterprise, and briefly reviewing the work done in that particular locality, the Prince observed that the cost of the present undertaking, including the land, the buildings demolished, and the erection of those which had taken their place, was over £ 600,000; but accom- modation had been provided for 5380 persons, or only 359 fewer than the number who occupied the demolished buildings and the cost, though large, was not so in proportion to the benefits that had been secured. The conditions of the problem had changed of late years. The means of travelling frpm the centre to the outskirts of London were yearly growing easier, and increased attention was being given to the important matter of work- men's trains. He noted with pleasure that the County Council itself was providing means of locomotion from the central to the outlying dis- tricts of London by promoting schemes for light railways and now tramways, and that they were about to make an experiment in erecting a cottage settlement. He hoped the Legislature might be able to deal with the case of those who were responsible for insanitary property. No one knew better than < he d.d the difficulties with which the London freeholder was surrounded. He was the nominal owner of some property in Lambeth, but he had, unfortunately, no control over it, for it was all let on leases. He would gladly welcome any legislation which would give back to landlords, under proper conditions, the power over their pro- perty with which they never should have parted, and would enable him to see the tenants on his Lambeth property as happy, comfortable, and well cared for as he was able to say they were in Norfolk. After Mr. D. S. Waterlow and the Bishop of London had spoken, the Prince formally announced the opening of the Boundary-street Estate, and the proceedings closed.

LORD ROSEBERY'S POSITION. The Press Association. has been requested by Lord Rosebery to publish the original text of his letters to the Midlothian Liberal Association and the Scottish Liberal Association, in place of the telegraphic version which appeared on Saturday: 38, Berkeley-square, W., March 2, 1900. Dear Mr. Wood,—I am honoured by the cordial and unanimous vote which you have transmitted to me from the Scottish Liberal Association, and I beg you to convey to the members my sincere thanks. I am sorry to terminate my connection with an association over which I have so long presided. This severance, however, represents no new departure on my part, but is the natural corollary of my resigna- tion in October, 1896. Since then I have only been a sleeping partner in the association with political liabilities beyond my control. A relation which is purely formal, but which involves apoarent responsibility, is a false position and should not continue. Under these circumstance, I should have resigned long ago, but for an oversight, and, perhaps, for a not unnatural reluctance to cut these last nominal ties which were once so real. But, though I resume my entire independence as Di a just and logical consequence of previous action, I retain all the friendship and gratitude which I must always feel for my old, political associates.—Believe me, yours sincerely, ROSEBEUV. 38, Berkeley-square, London, W., March 4. Dear Mr. Wood,—I am honoured by the cordial and unanimous vote which which I have received from the Midlothian Liberal Association, a society with which I am linked by lifelong ties and stirring memories. I owe, indeed, an apology to the association for not having long Ily ago withdrawn my name, for this eourse was the necessary corollary of my action in October, 1896. If I could not be leader I could not be presi dent. My retirement should, therefore, have taken place at that time, and it was only by an accident that it did not. But, though I now resume absolute independence, unfettered even by thfe slight bonds of nominal office, it is, I beg you to believe, in no Way inconsictent with the principles which have guided my past life from its political commencement—Libe- ralism at home and the maintenance of our free, un- aggressive, tolerant Empire abroad; in a word, the large and efficient development of our nation on libe- ral lines, both within and outside these islands. This always has been, and always must be, my creed, whether in public or private life; whether or no it consist with the framework of any actual political party. It is a matter of no momentexcept to myself. I only mention it lest my own friends should imagine that I contemplate anything but personal enfranchisement. Finally, I bid them all good-bye, with grateful re- collections of their constant and ^generous kindness. —Believe me, yours sincerely, ROSEBERY.

A METEOROLOGICAL JUBILEE. As the Royal Meteorological Society will attain if* Jubilee, on '.Tuesday, April 3, having been founded on April 3, 1S50, it is proposed to observe this 50th anniversary in a special manner. The council have arranged for a commemoration meeting to be held at three p.m., at the Institution of Civil Engineers, at which the president will deliver an address, and delegates from other societies will be received. In the evening a conversazione will be held at the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours. On the following day, April 4, the fellows will visit the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, and in the evening wiTl dine together at the Westminster Palace Hotel. In view of this Jubileo celebration, Mr. G. J. Symons, F.R.S., was elected president at the annual meeting of the society, on January 1 i, but owing to illness he has since been obliged to resign this office. In these circumstances the council, at their last meeting, appointed Dr. C. Theodore Williams as the president of the society.

NEW LIFE-SAVING APPARATUS. A metal telescope about 20ft. lon<r, which ahoots uo to a height of some 80ft. by means of compressed air, may be classed as something new in the way of fire-escapes. This machine has been brought, over from Frankfurt-on-Main by one of the oillcers of the brigade there, and has excited considerable inte- rest in official fire circles in London. Trials in con- nection with it have been going on all this week at J the Metropolitan tire Brigade neadquarters, South- wark. When at its full height the apparatus can bo turned in any direction and raised and lowered with the greatest facility.

NEW STOCK EXCHANGE FOR MANCHESTER. It has been decided to establish a company in Manchester with the object of purchasing some land in the city on which to erect new Stock Exchange premises. The plot which has been acquired is just at the rear of the premises how occupied, and with the building it is proposed to erect will involve an out- lay of 4L45,000. The lease of the newly-purchased premises does not expire for four years.

THE ARMY AND THE OUTLOOK. At the Sessional Dinner of the United Club held in London on Saturday night, there was a debate on "The Army and the Outlook." The discussion was opened by Mr. Arnold-Forster, M.P., who criticised the War Office, and contended that our military system was unsound, because it did not supply the demands of the Empire, and our Army was not an adequately mobile force, capable of being despatched at any moment to any part of the world. General Maurice defended the War Office, urging that any defects in military administration were due not to that department but to the Treasury, which supervised everything. He observed that while Mr. Arnold-Forster and his friends described themselves as Army reformers, he considered they were reactionaries. Subsequent speakers included Colonel Sandys, M.P., and Mr. Soencer Wilkinson.

THAT spicy odour that you notice in the cigar-box comes from the wood of which it is made. It is not because it is impregnated with tobacco. On the con- trary, the tobacco takes the flavour of the wood. That is the reason why a particular kind of wood is used for the boxes of all the best cigars. It is Spanish cedar. It is an expensive wood, porous and apicy, and the only kind which has been found to improve the flavour of the ciear.

HISTORY OF LADYSMITH'S SIEGEI xc is three months and three weeks since Sir George White was invested in Ladysmith, for on November 2 the town was isolated and its communi- cationa with the outside world cut off. The British successes at Glencoe and Elandslaagte had not availed to stop the advance of the enemy, and after the second battle of Glencoe our forces were with- drawn, while on the following day General Yule re- tired from Dundee towards Ladysmith, where he arrived on October 26. From the 27th till the end of the month there was much lighting outside the town, including the action of the 29th, when Colonel Carletpn's isolated column was captured at Nichol- j sun's Nek. It was on that day that the naval guns from the Powerful arrived on the scene and covered j the retreat of General White's main force. On I October 30 a Proclamation was issued ordering strangers to leave the town, and on November 3, Sir George White sent out his first message by pigeon post. The investment was then not so complete as to prevent our Cavalry scouts from passing in and out of Ladysmith but the troops were employed in constructing redoubts and breastworks, so that by November 20, the General was able to say that the "arrison looks forward confidently to the ultimate result." The bombardment by the Boers really began on November 8, and was continued with more or less vigour every day to the end of the siege. General Joubert did not respect the Red Flag any more than the Boer commandrs in other parts of the theatre of operations, and hospital attendants as well as the patients were victims from time to time of the enemy's disregard of the usages of civilised warfare. GKNKRAL HUNTER'S SORTIE. The arrival of large British reinforcements in Natal caused the retirement of the enemy from the neighbourhood of Estcourt to the positions round Ladysmith, which from the last days of November have been held in great force by the Boers. About this time, too, war guns were mounted, and the bombardment grew daily more severe. The besieged gnrrison, however, were never idle nor despondent. The naval guns constantly did good work. On December 8 a sortie was made under General Hunter, with the result that a Creusot gun and a howitzer were destroyed and a machine gun captured. Two days later a similar gallant dash, led by Lieutenant- Colonel Metcalfe, resulted in the destruction of another howitzer on Surprise Hill. Unfortunately, however, on the return to camp our men met a party J of Boers, and had to force their way through at the point of the bayonet. Our losses in Killed and wounded were 56. A fortnight before this General Buller had arrived in Natal to take command of the relief operations. His Army was reinforced almost daily, and on December 15, he attempted to cross the Tugela, but waa repulsed. The news did not, however, dishearten the plucky garrison; and Mr. Stuart, our war correspondent in Ladysmith, got through a message, which said that the spirit of the troops was excellent. The enemy 's gun fire, however, was improving with practice, and on two days alone, towards the end of December, the losses were two officers killed and nine officers and two men wounded. The rainy season, combined with the ordinary effects of a siege, had increased the amount of disease in the camp, and since the beginning of the year the deaths from enteric fever and dysentery have been numerous. SEVERE BOER REPULSES., On the 6th of January the Boers, acting, as is said, under the direct orders of President Kruger, made an attack in force in the hope of finally subduing the stubborn resistance of the garrison. But the British troops repulsed them at every point, inflicting severe loos, at a cost to ourselves of 14 officers and 135 men killed and 26 officers and 244 men wounded. At one time Sir George White's position must have been desperate. One of his heliograph messages to General Buller concluded with the words, Very hard pressed," and then the sun was obscured, and no-more signals could be flashed. But the next day brought news of the victory. As General White put it: The enemy were repulsed everywhere with very great loss, greatly exceeding my side." After the unsuccessful attempt to take Ladyamith by assault the besiegers remained quiet for several days but the garrison had, unfortunately, still to contend with a deadly foe in their own camp. Enteric fever, dysentery, and other forms of disease carried off about 10 men daily, and in one of his weekly reports Sir George White stated that there were 113 serious cases in Ladysmith. At such an anxious time news of the arrival of Lord Roberta and Lord Kitchener, with most of their staff, at Cape Town came as a welcome relief; while the subsequent attempts of General Buller to cross the Tugela and the flanking movements of Sir Charles Warren and Lord Dundonald's Horse naturally excited great ex- pectations. nOPE DBPERUED, 'The reported wrecking of the quarters ol (Sir George White and General Hunter by the Boer shells was made known at the same time as the sad news of the death of Mr. G. W. Steevens, the Daily Mail war correspondent. Ill tidings followed to the effect that the ammunition and food of the garrison were running short, but on January 23 the people of Ladysmith were cheered with the intelligence that Spion Kop had beencaptured. Unfortunately, when relief seemed almost certain, they were again thrown back into despair by the later news that our forces had retired from Spion Kop and that General Buller and General Warren had withdrawn to the south side of the Tugela. In spite Gf these depressing events, however, Sir George White and his brave garrison continued to resist their enemies within and without Ladysmith, and prepared for further assaults by converting C.-csar's Camp into a veritable Gibraltar. The scarcity of vegetables was severely felt, and substitutes for ordinary food were supplied by the manufacture of horse sausages and soups. It was supposed that the withdrawal from Natal of a portion of LIt, Free State forces for the purpose of checking the advance of Lord Roberts's Army into their territory would result in the raising of the siege of Ladysmith, but such was not the case. General Buller's forces were compelled to fight every inch of the way, and it was not, till after various turning movements had been adopted and the for- midable Pieters Hill had been captured that Lord Dundonald was able to ride into Ladysmith on Wednesday night of last week, followed subsequently by General Buller himself. The final relief of Ladysmith came not a day too soon, though the gallant garrison were pirepared to fight to the last for Queen and country.

THE DEBUTANTES OF 1900. The fact that the Princess of Wales will hold this two Drawing Rooms which have been announced for this month will (says a special article in the Daily Afail) ensure a fairly good attendance, not- withstanding that some people are abroad and others « are in mourning on account of the war. Among the I young married women there will be several inte- resting presentations, most of which will take place later in the year. These include Lady Castlereagh j and Lady Cromartie, Lady Chesterfield, who is • mow abroad, Mrs. Clive Behrens, Lady Evelyn Ward, Ladv Balcarres, and Mrs. Clayton. The j debutantes includer the only daughter of Lord and I Lady Cholmondeley,. who is exceedingly pretty and Lady Ashbourne will introduce her youngest daughter, Miss Constance Gibson, who has already been to a Drawing Room in Dublin. A very inte- ] resting presentation is that of Lady Sligo's twin I daughters, Lady Mary and Lady Isabel Browile. It is two years ago, if not three, since Lady Vivian brought out her beautiful twin daughters. Lady Onslow will introduce Lady Gwendolen Onslow this year, and Lady Gray will probably bring out her second daughter, Lady Sybil Grey Lady Alexander Kennedy, who is still one of the young married women, will bring out Miss Irene Kennedy, Mrs. Arthur Paget, also intends to present her daughter. It is possible-that Mrs. Cavendish Bentinck and Mrs. Dudley Ward will bring out a second daughter. Others who are likely to make their first appearance is Miss Muriel Brodrick, daughter of Mr. St. John and Lady Hilda Brodrick, and grand-daughter of Lord Midleton and Lord Wemyss.

THE Admiralty, in view of possible emrgenci, has directed that the cruiser Edgar, which is short y to leave Plymouth with relief crews for the snips o the China station, shall go by way of the C»pe ot Good Hope, instead of the Suez Canal. o will carry a crew of 544 officers and men. miralty has also decided that the fence ship, shall remain at Malta o r?q/yJ[ Hr8 more, and be refitted there, at a cost of £ 9000, in- stead of being brought home for tha p P? ■ A TALK is told (says the Glo «) o 8 eman in search of health, who heard that was the very place for him. He at once journeyed at fuli IJ2dPto F..», «.. -»rt 1ft 'P"t The" he made inquiries, and was told, after many geo- graphical searcbings, that Droitwich was a town o! SePEng\id. ?T. ptl' I"8 lhe ordinary reluctance of the English world to belive in the beauties and excellencies of their own health-re- sort. But there are signs that the foreign fashion becoming,less prevalent.

UNION LUff fortbe SOUTH AFRICAN GOlri FIELDS. Sailings from Southampton ermrj 8»tnr<lajr. C.Ols made at Lisbon, Mauieira, and TenerHTa. Apply to tU* UNION STEAM SHIPCO., Ltd., Canute Ed., Southampton, ITND South African House, 9-1-98, Bi3bopajrate St. Within, London. MILLIARD AND BAGATELLE B TABLES. A LARGK STOCK OF NEW ASP SBOOMt HAND TAlil, Always on hand. WalTH FOR PELICH LIS= -G. ED W AltlJd, 134, KIMiSLAND ROAD, LONDON. N.&. f c N 9 V FOR THE I IN 'guftLIA,K,N SOAP (for the Complexion), tS&w. CREAM (Itching, Face Spots, Burning, &c.), 1/1i POWDER (Redness, Roughness, Sweating, &c.),l/-

STEEL PROFITS IN AMERICA. Engineering, in referring to a pending lawsuit be- tween Mr. Carnegie and one of his former partners (Mr. Frick) in the Homestead Works at Pittsburg, gives some startling figures as to the profits made. In 1898 the profits of the company were E4,200,000, and in 1899 as much as E8,400,000, according to Mr. Frick, and £ 8,000,000 according to the Carnegie people. The capital of the company is £ 5,000,000, of which 2,G6G,666dol. is held by Mr. Carnegie him- self, 550,000dol. each by Mr. Frick and Mr. Henry Phipps; and the balance, in sums ranging from 200.000dol. down to 5555dol., among 19 other in- dividuals, most, of whom we, Kvqineering, take to be I officials of the company and nominees of Mr. Carnegie. The Carnegie Works are most admirably fitted to produce the best class of work on an econo- mica! basis. Their processes are of the most modern type, they possess their own iron and ccal mines, and their clientele is a good one. All the conditions tell for prosperity.

IT has been decided to raise a memorial among golfers to the memory of Lieutenant F. G. Tait, a good soldier, a great golfer, and a true sportsman," I who was killed at Koodoosbprg. Mn. J. H. JOHNSTONE, M.P., has been elected a memter of the Executive Committee of the Church Reform League in the place of the lato Mr. Michael Williams.

Wm FEELING LIVERISH REMEMBER I" tnafc CARTEtt'8 LITTLE LIVER PILLS f Touch" the L'ver. They absolutely cure Sick Headache, IiiIiou3- »««, Toi-(.ir] Liver, Indigestion, Constipation, Sallow Skia. Dizziness, Purreil Tongue. Small pill, small price, tuuall dbrie, purely vegptable, forty in a pliial. Dose One at Xighr.. Is. lid. of all Chemists. Be snre they are CARTER'S. BEAUTIFUL TEEfH FOR ALL WHOUSE M daily on tue tooth bruaii a few drops of SOZODONT, the pleHi-antest deiitifricc in the world. Cleanses the teeth and spaces between them as nothing else will. Sound and pearly white teeth, rosy lips, and fragrant breath ensured. Ask for SOZODONT. 2s. 6d. I t j

CRITICS MAY NOTE. Lance-Corporal A. Murphy, of the 2nd Gloucester Regiment, writes from Naauwpoort: It is easy for people to talk at home about what we ought to do, but they ought to come out and have a look at the country. To one acre of flat land there are 500 acres of high hills and great rocks and boulders, and the Boers are up on these hills, and won't show themselves. We have get to force our way up under their fire. If they would only come out and fight like men we would wipe them off the face of the earth. As it is we have got plenty to do, and we have to be careful how we do it."

All idea of pressing for a Hedtstrlbutloh Bill'haa bepn abandoned for the present by the members interested in it. They' recognise that the Govern- ment cannot be expected to take up a question of this sbrt, while the'cOuntry is still at war, and are content, therefore, to leave the matter undisturbed, at any rate for the present Session. A PROSPECT of a new industry for Ireland has been opened up by the IrishAgricultural Organising Society, Which has shown that tobacco can be profitably grown at Donaghpatrick, in County Meath. The ex- perimental crop raised has been cured and manu- factured, and is now being sold by an Irish news- paper at 4-d. per oz. through the post. Competent judges has pronounced the Irish weed an excellent smoking tobacco, and the whole cost of production was but 4d. per pound. Allowing for duty at 2s. 8d., this tobacco, sold at 5s. per pound, would show t, profit of no less than E261 per acre.

n ■ ■ ii ■■IIIHIHWIHTH —mnnmmn COCOA—The National Drink. EV I" Ri. the history of the world has Cocoa been iS u muc h hold in lavoar us a national diink as it < is j t, the i/rwont day. Yet there are Cocoas ami Cocoas. F R. Y have gamed no fewer than 275 GOLD V. I'DAL* linn. IHPLOlYIA". and their Pure Conoen- t j■: c..ro* *■}"' reaiiltof accumulated experience i, i"n I'^ces this-well known Finn MI ad vantage far above all rivalry existing amongst £ ,'• ■■ IUlIi Qf latter-day growth. MBl| FRY'S f PURE CONCENTRATED COCOA I etc-, TIt 13 m7 c" s"" Ideal of THREE WOP D8 arH

A POLISH Jewess who married a Polish Jew was ]at, Jew W" subsequently divorced in accordance with the com. munal law. Coming to England she represented herself as a widow, and was then wooed and won b, a 11 Cohen." Now, a Cohen as one of the tribe oi Aaron, must not marry a divorced woman. On clis- covering the real facts this man not only ceased to live wiih her, but he refused to maintain her. The magistrates, however, before whom he waa brought, refused to recognise the communal law, and several tame* sent him to prison for noci-maintenance. The mac has now been advised (says the Chronirley to apply to the Divorce Coart for a decree of nullity of marriage. Wili the Divorce Court recognise- lhe communal action ? The (.vio reproduces etir.unsly a ^r°!>!<'m eet by Mr. Zangwill in ,f the Ghtito."

Jjftm All If ^.EAD