Flintshire Observer Mining Journal and General Advertiser for the Counties of Flint Denbigh

SAMOA. A correspondent who has recently returned from Samoa states that, should the powers attempt to carry out their rumoured intention of disarming the natives, the consequences will undoubtedly be of a more serious nature than is generally anticipated. One of the strongest characteristics of the Samoan is un- governable pride. Like his neighbour the Tongan, he looks down with supreme contempt on the white man, who, it must be admitted, is greatly his inferior in physique, a fact which, with the unthinking native, has always been a matter of considerable importance. Some few years ago Europeans residing in Samoa were subjected to many petty insults and indignities by the Samoans and it was only by winning over the chiefs to their side that white men were allowed to remain in the group. Tamasese, the son of the King formerly proclaimed by the Germans, although friendly towards Europeans at present, is of a dis- position so variable that little reliance can be placed on his promises. He is a young man of magnificent presence, and, but for the fact of his being blinded by self-importance, is of more than average intelligence. In an interview he expressed his views as follows: I aim friendly towards all Europeans but I wish white men to understand that Samoa is for the Samoans, and that, whilst always ready to extend my protection towards white men, and to repair their wrongs, my word must be law with Samoans and whites alike." On his attention being called to the fact that the gunboats in the harbour, representing the European Powers interested, were doubtless capable of protecting European interests, he promptly replied, with a contemptuous smile The Europeans are a clever people but they are puny and illgrown, and they cannot compare with the Tongans or Samoans. The King of Tonga defeated one of your war-vessels once and killed the captain and what the Tongans have done the Samoans could also do." Tamasese has certainly considerable influence in Samoa, but has not nearly so large a following as Malietou. The latter chief is, however, less popular with the Europeans.

A SPY'S CAREER. The story of a spy's career was told the other day by Herr Singer, a Socialist in the Reichstag a Berlin. He spoke during the debate on the in- terpellation of the Social Democratic Deputies con- cerning the distress. As an instance of the relations between Anarchists and Government spies he referred to the case of a journalist who, he said, was the first to reveal in the press the Anarchist nature of the recent attempt upon Count von Caprivi's life. Herr Singer proceeded to state that when Herr von Puttkamer was Minister of the Interior the journalist referred to acted as political agent of the Berlin police in London, at a salary of 450 marks a month. While there he procured admission to an Anarchist aociety, which, however, eventually expelled him. It was the same individual who brought the Anarchist Neve to the gallows. j

THE POOR FARMER AGAIN. The total number of farmers against whom receiving orders were gazetted in England and Wales last year was 283, as compared with 234 in 1892. In the milling industry 19 failed in 1893 against 27 in 1892, and the number of receiving orders gazetted against bakers was 123 in the year 1893, as compared with 119 in 1892. Of the three industries-farming. milling, and baking—the manufacturing of flour seems to have been the most profitable, and this no doubt is due to the fact that on account of the very low prices prevailing in this country the American millers were not able last year to send quite so much flour: and there being in this country a good supply of foreign wheat rich in "strong" gluten, the British millers were able to get a small profit and still increase the amonnt manufactured during the year In fact, in 1893 the British millers manufactured 1,179,140 sacks of flour more than they did in the year 1892,

THE eight unmarried ladies who hold office as the Queen s Maids of Honour are given the prefix of "Honourable," and, on marrying, receive from the Queen, the gift of £lOtX!. One or two Maids of Honour reside for a fortnight at a time at Windsor or Osborne, but her Majesty seldom takes more than one to Scotland. The dowry of a Maid of Honour has been given for at least 150 years, but is according to her Majesty's pleasure and'in 1768 it was refused to one lady who engaged herself in marriage without the consent of her Royal mistress.

FROM HACKNEY TO AIX-LA- CHAPELLE. From Hackney-downs to Aix-la-Chapelle (says a writer in the Belgian News) is not any longer in winter than in summer, and starting by the Great Eastern Continental Express from Liverpool-street and Parkeston, the Hook van Holland is reached by very early morning. How different though the numbers in winter and in summer. Passengers there are for all parts of Germany and Holland, travelling via the Hook, and One and all express their approval of the new route which in seven months has established itself as a Continental favourite, and the shortest and speediest to North and South Germany. The Belgians were a bit jealous of the attention paid to Holland, but the state- ment made by the editor of the Bdgitin NØtOB, who is now in England, that with the two new boats that were built for the summer traffic to the Hook, the Lord Claud Hamilton, the Chelmsford, the Colchester, and the Cambridge would be restored to the Antwerp route, have satisfied the minds of the Exhibition Committee that as far as Antwerp is concerned the G.E.R. will be the favourite for price and speed, as the Antwerp Exhibition will prove a great success, for it is ever a favourite city with the tourist, the archaeo- logist, the man of business, and the student of the past. From Antwerp to the City of Charlemagne is but a four hours' ride. The train passes through Bel- gium and Holland, but there is no turning out of the frontier until Germany is reached, for the Belgian Government encourages travellers, although its cross- channel steamers are the most unfortunate of all passage or packet boats. Every passenger who has passed through to Cologne by the day mail has peeped out of the carriage window to see the round church and minster which holds the bones and chair of the great Charlemagne, and which to-day is as of old the oldest watering-place in Germany for gout and rheumatism. Though Royal patronage may in the summer make Homburg preferable, in winter it is deserted, while the commerce and the wealth of Aachen, the centre of the needle and cloth industry, prevent it from ever being dull, and little by little English and Americans are returning to test its cure, which for five centuries has attracted the workers and the sufferers of Europe. The two great politicians, Harley and Bolingbroke, the two great Indian statesmen, Clive and Warren Hastings, nave left their names and their testimony behind them, and it is only fair to add no attempt here is made to charge fancy prices to visitors at any season of the year. For 10s. a day board and lodging can be had at the hotel, while for persons of humbler means, the same accommodation, but simpler food, may be had for five marks a day, and a hot sulphur bath is only one shilling, a marked contrast between prices and treatment at Harrogate, while the German doctors are painstaking and scrupulous. Dr. Mayer, like the late Sir Andrew Clark, has a European reputation as a doctor, for few men can speak to their patients in four different languages, and there is hardly a shop or a restaurant where English is not at once understood. The Christmas festival here is essentially a family one on Christmas Eve, and an ecclesiastical one on Christmas Dav. Everyone has his tree and his present. The poorest wage- earner must have one in his room for Christmas Eve, and then after the tree there is the Christmas supper, resembling our' family re-union. And the next day there is church from five o'clock till twelve. Mass every half-hour and vespers at half- past two. Every church is full, the fine old German chorales are sung by Protestant and Roman Catholic alike. There is peace in the land to men of good will." The Christmas Eve is forbidden by the police authorities on account of the scenes it caused, but on o the last night of the year the Aachen people gather in the cathedral and in every parish church to finish the year in worship and adoration, which at the strike of midnight enters on a new year with Te Deum and Benediction. The last week in the year is spent in special prayer; each man takes his turn or watch in church night and day so that there is indeed a week of unceasing prayer.

AN EL DORADO OF SPORT. At the Imperial Institute in London the other night a most interesting and illustrated lecture— From the Thames to the Fraser, with Notes on Sport in Canada"—was delivered before a very large; audience. The Hon. Sir Charles Tupper, Bart., High Commissioner for Canada, who took the chair, ex- plained that as the author of the paper himself, Mr. J Archer Baker, was indisposed, his place would be taken by a friend who had been his companion along the course of the "Queen's Highway" from Quebec to Yancover last autumn. This great railway line traversed tracts of 'country where fish and fur" were still almost as plentiful as when they were first sought for by the adventurous trappers. Better trout fishing could not be found anywhere in the whole world than in the streams of Ontario and further west, while the angler might procure board at 1 dol. a day, | with a guide and boat for the same price. Canada is, in fact, a' "piscatorial paradise," and fur of all kinds was just as easily come by as fish-moose, carriboo, black bears, wolves, elk, reindeers, beavers, &c., being still to be found in great numbers. When the sportsman reached Manitoba he found game of all these kinds more abounding than ever, and if he preferred feathers to hair he would find more grouse, prairie chickens, wild ducks, geese, and other species than he could possibly shoot. On the English river, a tributary of the Winnipeg, no !j fewer than 1247 ducks fell to three guns in a few days. And as he approached the Rockies the quest for big game became more exciting, though the only real danger the sportsman incurred was from grislies." Black bears were very numerous, so much so that several had actually been shot in the streets of Pembroke. And all these nimrod delights were still to be found within a few miles of the Atlantic and Pacific railway track. The lake lands of Manitoba were also the haunts of myriads of migratory water fowl; and here the sports- liian might shoot till his gun got too hot for him to hold. Incidentally the lecturer took 'occasion to describe ill glowing colours the vast strides which had been made in the cultivation and colonisation of Canada within the last few years, prosperous settlements, with within the last few years, prosperous settlements, with all the adjuncts;of an advanced civilisation, now stud- ding the country where in 1871 Lord Wolseley had to make laborious road for his troops, while Winni- peg, which was destined to become the Chicago of the- Canadian North-West, had within a dozen years, before which its civic area was roamed over by Indians: and cattle, had conjured up public buildings that would not discredit Liverpool or Manchester. These Indians had now been pushed back to "reservation" at Calgary, where they lived, about 8000 of them, on ZI per head per annum granted them by the. Government for the appropriation of their land The Pacific terminus of the railway, Vancouver,; was seven years ago a mere wilderness, and now it was a beautiful and prosperous town of 25,000 in-, habitants, with an opera-house and all the other marks of an up-to-date civilisation, while as for the salmon in its rivers, were not the hotels of all Europe, supplied with the tinned sports of these splendid, fish ? The scenery along the whole line was lovely in some parts and sublime in others; the climate was, most salubrious; the country either a golden granary or a rich mining region, or a storehouse crammed with all the living bounties of nature and what more was wanting to make Canada at once the goal of the colonist and the paradise of the sportsman ?

THE CHURCH ARMY. The authorities of the Church Army have Sent us particulars concerning three cases, as samples of what goes on in their limited" labour homes all the year round. Medical assistant, aged 30, was a student in London Hospital for six years; after that had a dispensary practice; drink has brought him down; admitted to Home now got a situation asassistantto a medical man. aged 36, was in Medical Staff Corps in Ceylon for seven years, came into some pro- perty when aged 21, and wasted it all; has been lamentably weak and foolish; admitted to Home; now got situation as clerk in an insurance office. Clerk, aged 22, has held several good places, having contracted debts through betting, took his employer's money to pay them; was prosecuted and got six months', ImPrisoninent drink and fast life cause of his downfall admitted to Home; now got a situa- t ion at a gas company.

MAJOJI-GENERAL SIlt JOHN McNEILL, equerry to the Queen, is going to the Mediterranean on the 14th 0f February for a two months' cruise in the steamer Orient. Sir John, who is now in attendance on the Queen at Osborne, will be again on duty at Court en at during the Month of May.

THE SENSE OF TOUCH. Dr. Symes Thompson, M.D., F.R.C.P., has made the above the subject of his latest Gresham lectures, in London. Among other things he referred to that deeply-interesting subject, the markings of the finger- tips in young and old. Speaking of palmistry, he quoted the readings of a palmist in a periodical, in which marriage and money formed the main prog- nostications. One subject was to marry twice, another was to have a legacy, another, who appeared to have offended the palmist, was very conceited and aggressive—there is no sign of marriage." There was no harm in this. It tended to divert, and was better, perhaps, than reading the novels which the clients of the palmist would seem to affect. Mr. Oscar Wilde had examined the lecturer's hand, and told him that he had had a serious illness when between 15 and 16. That was a very bad shot, for he had had nothing of the sort. He suggested to Mr. Oscar Wilde that he should come to Brompton, and examine the line of life on the hands of the con- sumptive patients but it was not acted upon. To be a successful palmist one required a ready way of getting out of holes and explaining away blunders, There was value in anything that led to accurate( observations. An immense deal was to be learned by the accurate study of the human face a9, Lavater had shown, and. there were elements of truth in phrenology, of which we now heard so little: By pat iently taking the markings on the finger-tips of our acquaintance, we might find a majority of one class of markings to belong to one set or type of, people, and one to another-those of the artistic an4 of the business-like temperament, for instance, might each show special tendencies. The markings on our, finger-tips never lost their main characteristics, but, they became fissured with age. The latter part of. the lecture was taken up with the development of the tactile sense by patient care in the case of the blind. Subsequent lectures were concerned with Touch in Health and Disease."

STRANGE CONCEALMENT OF BIRTH CASE. An inquest was held on January 26 at Harrow Weald on the remains of four infants found at Weald' Cottage. The jury found that the remains were those' of fully-developed children, but that there was no, evidence to show whether they were born alive or not.' The jury further declared their opinion that the' woman Darvill, now in custody on the charge of con- cealment of birth, was the mother of the children.

A DESIRABLE SITUATION. Some weeks ago the following advertisement ap- peared in a great London daily paper Wanted, a' lady by uirth and education (essential), who would prefer to be a general servant to governessing. Salary £ 12. Would be treated as one of the family." We do not reproduce the address given, to which educated- lady applicants, essentially of good birth, were requested to write. Perhaps the pbst has been filled1 up. But one applicant, at least, was not lucky enough' to get it. She wrote this letter to the generous and cautious advertiser: In reply to your advertisement, I beg to offer my services as general servant. Through' unforeseen circumstances I have to earn my living, and I think your place would suit me exactly, as your1 offer is so generous as regards salary. I will give you particulars of my capabilities. I can cook well and' understand nursing the sick, can undertake every kind of housework, and if there are any children can instruct them in English, French, German, music' and drawing. I can also do the family washing, and should a perambulator be required to be pushed about shall only be too happy to do' it. I feel very anxious to come, as I am sure' you must be benevolent, kind, and generous. I will come for six pounds, and if I suit a rise to follow. As regards birth, I must tell you I belong 1.01 one of the oldest ftinilies-in fact they came over with William the Conqueror—and could be traced if necessary to an earlier period. I am an orphan, so' that I shall not have any relations coming to see me, which I know is so annoying to the family. I shall not require an evening a week, neither shall I want to do any work for myself, but am anxious to devote my time entirely to you." Really it is astonishing to, see that even in this age of fierce competition for existence, people are not ashamed to publicly offer' such terms to employes.

t NATIONAL LIBERAL -FEDERATION., ANNUAL MEETING ARRANGEMENTS. "The annual meetings of the National Liberal Federation will be held at Portsmouth on February 12, 13, and 14, and the arrangements connected' therewith are now well advanced. About a score of local jneetings in connection with the Federation have been arranged to be held on the evening of the first' day in Hampshire, Sussex, and Isle of Wight. The, Society of Certificated Liberal Agents, a newly-formed organisation, will meet at Portsmouth on February 12. They will be entertained to luncheon by Mr. Marjoribanks, M.P., and in the evening there will be a meeting of agents and secretaries to consider the work of their organisation. The advocates of Welsh Disestablishment are arranging a demonstra- 'I tion for the Monday evening in Portsmouth Town Hall. On Tuesday the annual council meeting of the Home Counties Division of the Federation will be held, presided over by Lord Carrington. On Tuesday afternoon the first session of the' Federation Council will take place in the Victoria Hall, with the president of the Federation, Dr. R. Spence Watson, in the chair. Mr. Arthur Acland, M.P., Minister of Education, will be the chief speaker at this gathering. In the evening the visitors will be the guests of the officers and committee of the Portsmouth Liberal Association' at a reception to be given in the new town hall. On Wednesday the second session of the Federation Council will take place, the afternoon being devoted to excursions and sight-seeing, for which extensive' arrangements are being made by the local committee. On Wednesday night there will be a great public meeting in the drill hall, Sir William Harcoiirt being the principal speaker.

SUGGESTED SHIP CANAL FOR LEEDS. Now that Manchester is a seaport here is renewed talk, the Yorkshire Post says, in Leeds and district and the Riding generally as to a scheme for a ship canal from Leeds to the Huinber that was much discussed 10 years ago. Speaking at a dinner of engineers in Leeds in December, 1883, Mr. W. L. Jack- son, M.P., broached the subject of a ship canal to the town. He referred to the new powers that the Aire and Calder Company were then applying to Parliament for, which, he said, were tending in the direction of a ship canal, and, giving credit to its water communica- tion with the sea, imperfect though it was, as one'of the great causes of the growth and prosperity of the town, argued that any improvement of this waterway would be followed by an increase of the prosperity not only of Leeds, but of the great district of which it is the commercial centre. The late Mr. Daniel Adamson (chairman of the Manchester Ship Canal) was present on the same occasion, and taking up a challenge from Mr. Jackson to give his opinion as to the feasibility of the scheme, he said it was plain, to him that we could not have heavy goods cheaply carried unti we had ship canals, and he hoped to see one constructed to Lee ds as well as to Man Chester. Near Leeds was one of the finest coalfields in the country. East of Shireoaks, east of the Permians from Doncaster, and east of the Permians coming to Leeds from York were mineral resources beyond conception. There was more coal untouched in "those dips than was to be found in the whole of the South Durham coalfield. With a ship canal to bring the. ore, iron might be made in this district as cheaply as in any part of the world and as in the district there was all the needful skill and energy, there was no end to the grand results which might follow if the means of development were afforded. Mr. Adamson added that when they had got the canal to Manchester he should be glad to do anything he could to help the people of Leeds to* obtain the same blessing. Manchester has got its ship canal, but Mr. Adamson did not live to see it opened and if Leeds is to have a similar communication with the sea, it must get it, unfortunately, without Mr. Adamson's assistance. Many people are wondering if a practicable scheme at a reasonable cost can be formulated; and seeing that the success so far of the Manchester project has favourably impressed the public mind, now is the time for any engineer who has thought the matter out to place it before the manu- facturing and commercial community.

THE heart" is the best card in the chance game of matrimony; sometimes overcome by diamonds and knaves, often won by tricks, and occasionally treated in a shuffling manner, and cut altogether.

THE CORBETT-MITCHELL FIGHT. This degrading spectacle, under the' name of a glove-fight, was witnessed in Jacksonville, U.8.A., on January 25. Reuter's telegram of the samedate said: The glove-fight between. Corbett and Mitchell came off to-day, and resulted in a decisive Tictory for the American. People crowded to the fight on conveyances of every description, and when the men entered the ring there were nearly 4000 spectators. As soon aa Mitchell appeared A. Smith, a well-known sporting man, walked up and paid him the bet of 2000 dols. which Brady, Corbett's manager, had made that the English champion would not appear. Prior to the fight betting was all in favour of the cham- pion, who towered above his opponent in the ring. A start was made at 2.22 p.m. The first round finished with no decided advantage to either, but in the second Mitchell was staggered by severe blows on the head and felled' several times, in the third round Corbett felling Mitchell thrice in rapid succession. At the third blow the latter fell on his face, and being unable to rise when time was called, Corbett was declared the winner. Mitchell was carried helpless to his corner, his face covered with blood. The fight lasted nine minutes. Warrants have been sworn for the arrest of the seconds and timekeepers and several other persons prominently connected with the fight.

DEATH OF SIR GERALD PORTAL' Sir Gerald Herbert Portal, whose name has recently been much before the public, in connection with the Mission to Uganda, died shortly before three o'clock on the afternoon of January 25 at his London house. When Sir Gerald was shooting with the Duke of Devonshire about five weeks ago he was stricken with recurrent symptoms of malarial fever, from which he appears to have suffered during his residence at Zanzibar. Typhoid fever supervened, and for the few days previous to his death little hope had been entertained that the sufferer would be restored to bmlth. At the time of death Sir W. Broadbent, his principal medical adviser, was in attendance. Lady Alice Portal, Miss Ethel Portal, Lord Norreys (brcther-rin-law), and Lady Edmund Bernard Talbot (sister-in-law) were also at the bedside.

ELEPHANTS IN TRAINS. The Pioneer gives some account of an experiment lately tried at Mooltan in the way of conveying elephants by train. The animals, two in number, were loaded up in specially-built trucks in the evening, and at about 4.20 p.m. the train steamed out of the station.. It consisted of two brake-vans, the two elephant trucks, and four other open waggons, two on either side of the elephant trucks, a reserved carriage for the Quartermaster-General for Mobilisation, who was in company with the local management of the railway, as well as the traffic manager, Mr. Jacob. A third-class carriage was also attached for the men of the Artillery, who went with the elephants. When the start was made one of the elephants began to grow a bit restive, but this soon stopped, and ne got used to the moving truck. On the arrival of the train at Shershah Junction the train was reversed and then began a series of trials for the elephants. The engine was moved backwards and forwards, and the driver used the whistle freely, to see if it would have the effect of frightening them but, except for a slight shrinking to the other side, they showed no fear. Altogether the experiment may be decided to be a success, 'and there is no doubt that it has now been demonstrated that we have added materially to our means of offence and defence on the frontier. We can now have these batteries on the frontier in as many days as jt took months before, and that I am sure is a great consideration."

CHILD MARRIAGES IN BARODA. The Baroda Government has for years shown a desire to be in the van of enlightenment and progress. Its last manifestation of this goodly trait is its legis- lation for the prevention of infant marriages. A bill just introduced by it fixes 10 years as the limit. The Mahajans appear to have taken a deep personal interest in the framing of the bill, which, it is ex- plained, is to lend the helping hand of law to a community desiring to enforce measures adopted by it for the purpose of prohibiting infant marriages, when the majority of the community have become alive to the evils resulting from such a pernicious practice; it being a principle generally acknowledged that legislative interference is not desirable in social reforms, and that in such matters the community itself should take the lead and bring about its own reformation."

• BIG STORMS. During the recent gales Dymchurch sea-wall from the Redoubt up to a distance of half a mile has suffered seriously. The damage done is extensive, but is only visible at low tide. Although temporary measures have been taken to prevent further destruc- tion, it is of very little use in face of the high winds. Gangs of men have been continuously at work en- deavouring to arreet the inroads of the sea by putting down faggots with heavy stone blocks to keep them in position. The foot of the groyne has been under- mined by the action of the sea, and the work of re- pairing the present damage will occupy, it is stated, at least two years. The sea defences are controlled by the Romnev Marsh Local Commissioners. At Hythe, although no apparent damage has been done, the sea has washed over the sea defence wall in great volumes, and there are fears of extensive floods should the wind remain in the same quarter. The damage done at Sandgate is estimated at at least £ 2000, and it is the more serious as the town is already heavily handicapped by the disastrous landslip 12 months ago. During a storm at Oldhill, Staffordshire, on January 27, a wall was blown down, and five youths, named Joseph Darly, 16; Joseph Shaw, 15; George Crumpton, 14; John Hipkiss, 12; and Ernest Smith, seven, were buried in the debris. They were all more or less severely injured. In the westerly gale which blew on January 27 on Tynesido an old pottery at St. Peter's, Newcastle-on- Tyne, was blown down. One man was killed and another injured. The same evening a terrific storm of rain and wind was experienced in London and elsewhere.

A MUNIFICENT BEQUEST. At a quarterly meeting of the Salop County Council, held at Shrewsbury on Jan. 27, under the presidency of Mr. S. K. Maintfaring, a letter was read from Mr. C. R. Liddle, of Newport, solicitor to the trustees under the will of the late Mr. Thomas Harper Adam, of Edgmond House, Newport, inform- ing the Council of the bequest of considerable real estate and personal property to the following gentle- men as trustees, namely, Sir T. F. Boughey, Mr. C. C. Coates, and Mr. S. T. H. Burn, for teaching practical and theoretical agriculture to men and youths and a knowledge of dairying and housekeeping and other subjects to women and girls, either by means of lectures or the establishment of a school or schools of agriculture at Edgmond or Woodseaves in Shrop- shire, or Chadwell in Staffordshire, or elsewhere; or by such other means as the trustees shall think fit. Mr. Liddle has intimated to the trustees that a sum approaching £ 50,000 would be available for the pur- pose of the bequest, and they invited the County Council to appoint a member to sit with the trustees as a representative of that body in the consideration of the drafts and general details of the scheme. The Chairman was accordingly appointed to sit with the trustees in the matter.

KAISER WILLIAM'S BIRTHDAY. The birthday of the German Emperor and the 25th anniversary of his entering the army were celebrated on January 27. Early in the forenoon he re- ceived the congratulations of his family and of the chief military and Government authorities. After Divine service in the White Hall of the Palace, the Emperor held a reception. In the afternoon he drove to the arsenal, and was heartily cheered by great crowds. In honour of the day and of Prince Bismarck's visit, Herr Krupp, of Essen, has pre- sented that town with £ 5000 to found a charitable institution.

THE burglar is a hospitable fellow. It is always open house with him. THE principal librarian at the British Museum re- ceives £ 1200 a year and a residence, while the Foreign Office librarian gets EIOOO, the Indian Office librarian E800, the House of Peers librarian ;E600, and the House of Commons librarian EIOOO, the chief of the Bodleian Library at Oxford receiving a similar amount. j¡ r" ,It

GRAVE AND GAY. A man has recently started a paper to be issued "occasionally," which is a great deal oftener, the editor says, than he expects to be paid for it. JOIINNIE was kicked by his pony. What made him kick you ? inquired his sympathising aunt. I don't know," sobbed Johnnie I didnt ask him OVERHEARD in a barber's shop. Modern Elijah, who is inclined to be facetious I'm getting to be pretty bald, ain't I ? Think you'll have to cut my hair for about half price hereafter, eh ? Tonsorial artist, who is equal to the emergency Oh, no, sir we always charge double when we have to hunt f )r the hair I WISH you would pay a little attention to what I am saying, sir," roared a lawyer to an exasperating witness he was examining. Well, I am paying as little attention as I can," was the calm reply. LAST week a -professional man addressed an artisan who was waiting in the hall in the following brusque manner: Hallo, there, you fellow, do you want me ?" No, sir," was the prompt reply, I am wait- ing for a gentleman A PARISH clerk having, according to custom, pub- lished the banns of matrimony between a loving couple, was followed by the minister, who gave out the hymn commencing with these words: Mistaken souls! that dream of heaven." A PHILOSOPHER informs us that there is more e happiness in an ounce of contentment than there is in a ton of gold." What ability some people have for making comparisons, to be sure We shall wil- lingly take that ton of gold off his hands at his earliest convenience. ADORING "masher Oh, how I wish I were that book you clasp so lovingly!" She: "How I wish you were, so that I could shut you up "CmlE along with me and have a fine time," re- marked a policeman to a man he arrested. I'm afraid you're trying to cell me," replied the prisoner. JONES says that he used to be proficient in half-a- dozen languages, but that since marriage he isn't master of his own tongue. A GERMAN scientist says that every cubic foot of air contains 15,000,000 insects, and a travelling man says that some hotel beds he has been sleeping in must be built entirely of air. A QUARRELSOME, hasty fellow, in supping with a friend who never contradicted him, not wishing to provoke his wrath, unable to endure this acquiescence at last burst out, "Hang it, deny something, that I may know there are two of us." WITH pardonable pride a lady displayed a very ancient piece of house-linen to her servant, saying, as she held it up for inspection Look, Bridget, at this table-cloth it has been in our family for over 200 years." Bridget eyed the article in question carefully, and then, stepping close up to her mistress, remarked, in a most confidential tone, "Shure, never mind, Mrs. Arthur, dear. If you just kape quiet about it, and don't let on to anybody, who would know but what it was bought bran'-new out of the shop ?" THE bullying manner of the German students is proverbial, as is also their mania for duelling. It was at Heidelberg that a quiet citizen leaving the cars said to a swaggering student, Sir, you are crowding me Keep back, sir." The student turned fiercely, and said, in aloud tone, "Do you not like it ? Well, sir, I am at your service whenever you please! "Oh, thank you!" said the travelled Your offer is very kind, and you may carry my valise to the hotel for me." The student fled amidst shouts of laughter. My dear fellow," remarked the judge to the plaintiff, who had lost his action before him that afternoon, you had a mighty good case but what made you employ such an ass of a lawyer ?" Because I had been told that he had the ear of the court." A DOCTOR, on calling upon a gentleman who had been ailing some time, put a fee into the patient's hand and took the medicine himself which he had prepared for the sick man he was not sensible of his error till he found himself getting ill and the patient getting better. A LITTLE boy went one day into a river, and not having learned to swim, had like to have been drowned. Seeing, however, a man at a distance, he called out to him for help. The man, as soon as he saw the lad's distress, began to expostulate with him on the folly of going into a river before he had learned to swim. The boy, instead of answering him, cried out, Save me, save me first, then chide as long as you will." BRIDGET'S REFERENCE. (Read first and third lines of each verse but, mind, not to Bridget.) The bearer's Miss Flannigan, she Is steady, hard-working, and never Drinks whisky and goes on the spree, For she is a girl very clever. You'll find she'll steal on the sly No moments from working to play, And you will discover she'll lie Abed never late in the day. Whatever she cooks vou can't eat Without praising her wonderful skill She runs late at night on the street On errands with very good will. She's ugly and impudent to The cops if they come to annoy Her mistress, and fighting she'll do If they venture in to-destroy. She saves all the food, which she takes Good care of, and often she writes To her ma, who keeps boarders, and makes Her daughter know many delights. In fact, you'll find Bridget is good To children, who'll want, when she's by, For nothing, not even her food Will keep her away, if they cry. A NOBLE lord, who was noted for his uncontrollable ebullitions of temper, having a shooting-party, was angry that he had so little sport, and sternly asked the head keeper whether the party would find more in the next covert. I hope so, my lord." Hope so roared the peer. Do you think I give you a hundred pounds a year to hope ? Now go and beat that wood this way, and I'll post the guns." Your lordship means this wood ? said the terrified func- tionary, pointing to another. No, I don't! But, my lord-" "Not a word, sir; obey my orders." The wood was beaten, but there was absolutely nothing. Terrible was the wrath of the sportsman, till the head keeper managed to get out, It's not your wood, my lord. It belongs to Lord W., who shot it last Friday." LAUGHTER IN COURT. Mr. Pickwick envied the facility with which Mr. Peter Magnus' friends were amused."—Dickens. Scene Any Court. Time: Any Trial. Q.C. What sort of a night was it? Witness: It was dark. (Laughter.) Judge: My learned friend hardly expected the night to be light, I should think. (Laughter.) Junior: Perhaps, m' lud, the learned counsel was thinking of a nightlight. (Roars of laughter.) Q.C.: Well, we'll take it that it was a dark night. You went out for a stroll? Witness: No, I went for a walk. Judge: At any rate the witness was walking about. Witness No, my lord, I wasn't walking a bout." I was walking fast. (Great laughter.) Q.C.: You were walking fast. Now did yousee anything? Witness: I saw the prisoner. Q.C.: Well, tell us what he was doing. Witness: He was doing nothing. (Laughter.) Jue: How did he, do it? (Renewed laughter.) Witness: Very busily, my lord. (Laughter.) Junior: Like a brief- less barrister, m'lud. (Roars of laughter.) Q.C.: Did he continue to do nothing long ? Witness: No; he soon seemed to get tired of it. Q.C. What did he do then ? Witness: He went into a public-house. Q,C.: What for ? Judge: What does my learned friend go into a public-house for? (Great laughter.) Q.C.: Will you answer my question? Witness He went in for some rum-shrub. Q.C. (proud of, his acquaintance with slang, and with a knowing look to-wajrds the junior bar): It was a very rum plant" the prisoner was engaged on. (Shrieks of laughter; during which the Court rose, being too convulsed to transact any further business).—Punch. KIIVABOL said of Buffon's son, who was a very dolt, that he was the worst chapter of his father's Natural History. HENS may be a little backward as regards laying eggs, but they never fail to come to the scratch where flower beds are concerned. THE dress-coat is generally worn by the groom at the city wedding, but for an elopement there is nothing like the cutaway. KEEPING up appearances-The successful actor. THERE was a good deal of truth in the answer made ,ttion by a medical student at his examination. What is medicine ? he was asked. The art of killing people without necessitating the interference of the police."

MARKET NEWS. WOOL.—There is very little response in the markets to the firmness which has characterised the London sales, and hardly any transactions of importance are sales, and hardly any transactions of importance are passing. The following are some typical prices obtained at the sales of colonial wool in London: New South Wales and Queensland—scoured, 9d to Is 3d greasy, 6;'d to 8|d locks and pieces, scoured, 7d to Is l^d greasy, 3fd to 7-2-d. New Zealand— scoured, lOd to Is Id greasy, 7td to ld per lb. 4 Victorian-greasy, 6d to lOd locks and pieces, greasy, 6d to 9d. Cape-greasy, 5d to 7d. Natal- scoured, lid to lld: greasy, 52-d to Gid per lb. 2 Hops.-The market is not quite so active, but holders are not inclined to take any less money for their hops. Continental markets are very firm, and continue to draw supplies from the English growth. Pacific coast hops continue to attract most attention, the prices they are selling at making them exceedingly good value on the market. Quotations: East Kent Goldings, E6. P-7, £ 8; Mid-Kent Goldings. E6, E7, £ 7 10s: Weald of Kents, £ 5 15s, £ 6 10s, £ L7 Sussex, £ 5 12s, £ 6, £ 6 15s: Farnhams and Country Farnhams, £ 5 15s, £6 15s, £7 los Worcesters, £ 5 12s, E6 6s, £ 7; Burgundies, E9, £ 10: Americans and Pacific Coast hops, £ 5, £ 5 10s, £ 6 10s yearlings, £ 4 10s, jE5 58 per cwt. SEEDs.-English cow and red a weak market. American cloverseed, meantime, keeps firm and no further supplies of purple seed can be expected from that quarter. Alsyke, white, and trefoil hold their own. There is no change in either Italian or peren- nial rye grasses. Sanfoin continues dear. In canary- seed there is a strong undertone. For hempseed moderate terms are accepted. Mustard and rapeseed are steady. Tares meet an eager inquiry at advancing rates. CORN.—MARK-LANE.—The weather though change- able has not on the whole been unfavourable for the land or the growing crops, which, according to accounts from the principal agricultural districts, are doing well. The trade meantime shows no revival of demand for breadstuffs, which on the leading markets have found an extremely dull sale, with prices in many cases 6d per qr. lower for English wheat, whilst official average price in last week's return was lowered 2d per qr. Foreign wheats somewhat irregular. Russian and American supported. Rivtr Plate easier. Flour met a slow sale at previous value. Grinding barley ruled against buyers, and in some instances 3d to 6d higher on the week. Malting firm at late rates. Maize quiet, with prices about un- changed. Oats in some cases rather dearer. Peas steady in value, with moderate inquiry. Beans un- altered. The cargo trade for wheat is inactive. La Plata February shipment sold on sample at 23s, and February-March f.a.q. at 22s lOid. Twelve to fifteen thousand tons done for March-April shipment at 22s 9d. net. Russian wheats very quiet. Of American and Indian wheats not much on offer. Maize rather freely offered, but buyers hold off, and no sales have transpired. For Galatz-Foxanian by vessel due out 3rd February 21s to 21s 3d asked. For March-April despatch 20s 11-d bid; and for parcels American mixed, prompt or February ship- ment, 18s bid. Barley very slow and easier. For named steamer on passage 14s 3d bid April-May, 13s 9d value and May-June, 13s 10M to 14s asked. CATTLE — METROPOLITAN. Prices opened 2d per 81b. lower, and finished worse. In the early trade rates were about steady, and prime pens of neat wethers were cleared at steady prices. Apart from these the trade was dull. with prices towards the finish very irregular, and in some cases lower. Ewes short and prices fairly firm. The trade flagged towards the finish, but not to affect quotations. Few calves at market, and rates nominal. Pig trade dull. Best Scots. 4s 6d to 4s 8d: Devons, 4s 6d Nor- folks. 4s 4d to 4s 6d shorthorns, 4s to 4s 2d Irish, 3s 8d to 4s: best Downs, under eight stone, 5s 6d; nine stone, os 2d to 5s 4d 10 stone half-breds, 5s; 12 to 11 stone, 4s 8d to 4s lOd ewes, 3s lOd to 4s 2d; calves, nominal; pigs, 3s 8d to 4s 4d per 8b., sinking the offal. LIVERPOOL—CATTLE. — The supply of cattle was larger than last week, and of sheep smaller. The demand dull for cattle, and prices lower. Sheep had a rather better demand at last week's full rates for prime quality, other sorts unchanged. Beef, first class, Gid; second class, 5d; third class, 4îd per lb. Scotch mutton, 8id to 6d per lb. Irish mutton, 7d 4 to 5|d per lb. 2 MEAT—CENTRAL.— Trade very slow all round. Beef: Scotch, shorts, 4s Od to 4s 2d: sides. 3s 8d to 3s lOd English, 3s 8d to 3s lOd American, Deptford-killed, 3s 3d to 3s 5d; Liverpool, 3s 3d to 3s 4d ranch, 3s to 3s 2d. Mutton, Scotch, 4s 4d to 4s 6d; English, 4s to 4s 2d; German, 3s 8d; ewe, 2s lOd to 3s Wellington, 2s 9d to 2s lOd; Canterbury, 3s to 3s Id. Veal: English and Dutch, 3s 8d to 4s 4d choice, 5s. Pork: English, 3s 8d to 4s 4d; Dutch, 3s 8d to 4s per 81b. Fisii.-BILLINGSGATF,Tiirbot, 8s to lis; brill, 6s to 7s; halibut, 6s per stone; live cod, 40s to 130s per score; salmon, Is lOd to 2s 9d; soles, lOd to Is 6d red mullet, Is to Is 3d per lb. plaice, large, 27s; others, 10s to 14s whiting, 68 to 10s; dead cod, 12s; herrings, 6s per box salted herrings, 16s per barrel; haddocks, 10s per box, and 21s per turn; eels, live, 20s dead, 9s to 10s per draft; lobsters, Is to 3s each; crabs, 25s per hamper; bloaters, 2s to 3s 6d; kippers, 2s to 3s per box; smoked haddocks, 3s to 6s per dozen shrimps, 2s to 3s per gallon. WHITECHAPEL HAY AND STRAW.—Superior picked hay, 160s to 170s; good hay, 150s to 155s: inferior, 110s to 130s; best old clover, 150s to 156s; good clover, 130s to 145s; inferior, 115s to 125s; straw, 55s to 63s. CAMBRIDGE CATTLE.—A fair supply of fat beasts business slow. Yery few store beasts on offer. A little better trade for fat sheep. There were not many store sheep shown. A good number of fat pigs, and trade fairly brisk. A better trade for store pigs. A good trade for hay, straw, and roots. Beef, 6s 9d to 7s 9d mutton, 4s 6d to 5s 2d; pork, 6s to 7s. READING--CATTLP.-The beef supply proved suffi- cient for the requirements, and sales were slowly effected at the following prices: 4s 4d to 4s 8d per stone for prime sorts, and 4s to 4s 4d per stone for coarser animals. The sheep pens were fairly well filled. Small sheep made 5s 4d to 5s 6d, and larger sheep 5s Od to 5s 4d per stone. Other kinds of stock unaltered in price. CORK BUTTER.-Ordinary: Seconds, 115s; thirds, 97s; fourths, 71s. Mild-cured firkins: Fine, 112s; Mild, 104s. GRIMSBY Firn.-Suppl.v small; good demand. Prices as follows: Brills, lOd per lb; live cod, 4s to 9s 6d dead, 3s to 7s each salt, 118 per cwt.; coal- 4Rh, 20s to 408 catfish, 20s to 45s per score cod- lings, 13s to 16s gurnets, 6s to 8s per box; dabs, 3s 6d per stone; live halibut, 7s to 8s dead, 6s 6d per stone haddocks, 40s to 44s per kit; round, 12s to 18s per box; live, 10s to 14s per score finnan, 3s 3d per stone; hake, 3s to 6s each live ling, 4s to 8s; dead. 3s to 6s each lobsters, Is 3d per lb; oysters unaltered; plaice, 4s to 5s 6d per stone roker, 12s to 16s per score; soles, Is to Is 2d per lb. lemon, 8s to 9s per stone; sturgeon, 7s 6d to 8s 6d per stone live skate, 5s to 9s; dead, 3s to 5s 6d each turbots, lOd to Is per lb. tusks, 20s to 35s per score; dead whitings, 3s 6d per stone witches, 4s 6d per stone.