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

-—— ART AND LITERATURE. THERE is always (observes the Globe) a fairly keen competition between the various large country galle- ries to secure the pictures which have been the su' cesses of the London season. This year Liverpool seems to have done but moderately well, and to have gathered a smaller number of sensations than visual. The chief things it has to show are Mr. H. J. Draper's Sea Maiden" Mr. G. F. Watts's "Eve"; Mr. Briton Riviore's "Beyond Man's Footsteps"; and Mr. Prinsep's A Versailles. Besides these, how- ever, there is a considerable proportion of good pic- tures in the exhibition; and the worth and importance of the collection as a whole are raised by the presence of such notable works of art as Mr. Alfred East's Sunlit Haven"; Mr. Boughton's "Ordeal of Purity"; Mr. Irancis BC'teis" End of an Afternoon Mr. J. W. Waterhouse's Field Flowers," Ophelia," and "Portrait of Mrs. C. Newton Robinson"; Mr. P. W. Steer's "The Sofa" and "The Looking-Glass Mr. F. M. Skipworth's "Rosetta" and "Biddy"; Mr. Furse's "Lord Roberts and Mr. Watts's" Portrait of Mp. Walter Crane." Two special features of the exhibition are a group of 16 water-colour drawings of Eastern landscape by Mr. F. Goodall, and a room devoted entirely to portraits of artists. AT Manchester, conspicuous canvases are more Dvinerous. The chief places on the walls of the jptlleiw tfre ven to Sir F. Leighton's Spirit of the Snmnrit Mr. Stanhope Forbes's Quarry Team Mr. Solomon J. Solomon's Mrs. Patrick Campbell as Paula Tanqueray" Mr. Arthur Hacker's Temptation of Sir Percival Mr. Hol- man Hunt's "The Importunate Neighbour"; Mr. Watts's For he had Great Possessions"; Mr. Henry Moore's Bright Morning After a Breeze." Outward Bound," and Homing"; Mr. J. J. Shannon's The Children of the Marquis of Granby"; Mr. North's "Summer Waters"; Mr. A. Chevallier Tayler's Gentlemen, the Queen Mr. W. Stott's "Faerie Wood"; Mr. Leslie's "Tea" Mr. J. W. Waterhouse's Lady of Shalott"; Mr: David Murray's Dorset, Downs Mr. Poynter's. 11 Beirine"; and Mr. W. L. Wyllie's "Butterflies and Working Bees." Mr. Greiffenhagen's Eve," and Mr. Boughton's Evangeline," are also in the gallery. The total number of exhibits i3 less than half that of Liverpool, 629, against 1367. THIll Royal Society of Artists at Birmingham is showing Mr. H. S. Tuke's August Blue"; Mr. Hacker's Circe Mr. Holman Hunt's May Morn- ing on Magdalen Tower, Oxford Mr. Watts's Greek Idyll a couple of Mr. Moffat Lindner's St. Ives landscapes; Mr. F. Bramley's After Fifty Years Mr. Hook's Before Sundown landscapes by Messrs. Alfred East, Alfred Parsons, Walter Langley, and Clarence Whaite and portraits by Mr. Tadema, Professor Herkomer, and Mr. J. S. Sargent. This exhibition is particularly strong in water colours. MESSRS. CASSELL AND COMPANY have just published The Tidal Thames," by Grant Allen, with illus- trations by W.L. Wyllie, an artist whose acquaintance with that picturesque part of the river has been for many years peculiarly intimate and thorough. Other books promised by the same publishers are Mdme. Henriette Ronner's Cats and Kittens," of which the text has been translated by Clara Bell from the original by Marius Vachon; a popular edition of Paradise Lost," with Dora's illustrations; and European Pictures of the Year 1894." BLACKBURN has inaugurated its new art gallery, and proposes to form a permanent collection of works of art.. At present the gallery is occupied by a loan collection of considerable importance. The chief pictures on the walls are Sir F. Leighton's Last Watch of Hero"; Professor Herkomer's Last Muster" and "Hard Times"; Sir John Millais's "Deserted Garden"; Edwin Long's "Diana or Christ ? Mdlle. Rosa Bonheur's Horse Fair Mr. Arthur Hucker's "Annunciation"; Mr. F. Dicksee's Passing of Arthur Keeley Hals- welle's Royal Windsor Mr. Peter Graham's Spate in the Highlands"; Lady Butler's Balaclava," and Listed for the Connaught Rangers"; Mr. J. W. Waterhouse's Danae "and Death Crowning Innocence by Mr. G. F. Watte. Three pictures recently bought by the Corporation are also included, Mr. A. W. Strutt's "Move On," Mr. B. W. Leader's "Fine Day in Autumn," and Mr. Marcus Stone's "Two's Company, Three's None." It is to be hoped, however, that these three works are not to be taken as samples of the class of art with which the good people of Blackburn propose to fill their gallery. AN abundant supply of entertaining literature for young people, which shall be pure and wholesome while at the same time it is free from that mawkish sentimentality that characterises too many of the books and articles specially written for juvenile readers, has never been more necessary than at the present time, when the spread of education through all classes has produced a perpetual and enormous demand for something to read amongboys and girls, a demand of which purveyors of unhealthy and ultra- sensational Action have taken only too great an advan- tage. Several excellent magazines are already in exist- ence in which this necessity is catered for in a con- scientious and lively manner, but there is plenty of room for others, and the appearance of an illustrated magazine entitled School Girls, in which stories and articles suitable for girls of from 10 to 16 years of age are provided, may be noted with approval. The edit.. is Miss Olivia Landale, and many well-known lady writers will contribute either fact or fiction. Ax interesting table, prepared by Mr. English, of the British Museum, appears in the Author, giving examples of the prices at which novels were pub- lished at various periods during the last 150 years. In the middle of last century 3s. a volume was a recognised price, "Tom J oes" and "Peregrine Pickle originally appearing in four-volume editions at 12s. Half a guinea a volume was reached some 40 years later, and was about the average price until some 35 years ago the leading publishers of fiction reduced the price to the figure which now generally prevails, viz., 6s. MESSRS. SWAN, SONNENSCIIEIN, AND CO. will shortly issue a new edition of the late Colonel Tomlinson's Diary of a Cavalry Officer in the Peninsular and Waterloo Campaigns." "IN Shadow of Shame" is the title of the new serial story which Mr. Fitzgerald Molloy is specially writing for Casseil's Saturday Journal. It is com- menced in the current number, in which issue also appears the first of a series of papers by Mr. Max Pemberton on Celebrities of the Day," dealing with the turning points in their careers: Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Alma Tadema, Mr. Walter Besant, Mr. Henry Irving, and Mr. A. W. Pinero are the subjects of hit first article. SEVERAL of our Irish authoresses are preparing works for the autumn season. Mrs. Tynan-Hinkson is revising the proofs of her miracle plays at Ealing; and Miss Jane Barlow, the authoress of the pretty "Irish Idylls," is busy upon a new batch of stories as the result of a recent tour through North-West Ireland in company with Lady Aberdeen. Another woman of letters, who writes under the pseudonym of M. E. Francis," and is the granddaughter of a well-known Catholic landlord in Ulster, will follow up shortiy her successful Story of Dan" with another study in Irish character, and also a novel dealing with country life in Lancashire. ROSA BONIIEUR'S evenings at By, near Moret, where she has made her home, are spent in reading and study, or in the enlargement of photographs which divulge to her the secrets of certain quick, furtive movements of animals, which it would be otherwise almost hopeless to obtain. MARGARET DELAND, the authoress of John Ward, Preacher," and other popular works, is a bright-faced woman still under 30. Her manner is gay and lively not at all the demeanour that one would expect from the writer of theological novels. She never goes out without a large mastiff. M. JAN VAN BEERS, the painter, is the son of the poet laureate of Belgium. His first important pic- ture, The Funeral of Charles the Good," contained so many figures and faces that, although it was sold for a large sum, it did not recoup the artist for his expenses in hiring models, &c. Since he made Paris his home, Jan van Beers has devoted himself to modern pictures, and has become famous for his por- traits of female beauties. Just now he is having a new house built for him in Paris, each room of which is to be different in design, shape, and colour. CANON BELL, whose "Diana's Looking Glass, and Other Poems," Mr. Edward Arnold is about to pub- lish, is vicar of Cheltenham, and one of the pillars of the Low Church. Dr. Bell, who is a benevolent- looking old gentleman, not unlike the Bishop of Oxford (Dr. Stubbs) in general appearance, is known by sight to many London litterateurs as a prominent member of the Society of Authors, and as having read Mr. Walter Besant's Uncut Leaf" for him at club night at the Authors' Club some months back.

FARMING NOTES. TnH ORTLOOK. Rwil harvest weather at last (exclaims the Home Farm writer of the Journal of Horticulture)'. Corn stacks springing up fast on every farm after weeks of weary wait.ing, cleared stubbles," and little, if any, of the corn sprouted. Oats end barley may be carted with a hope of some profit, but we fear that realiv bright malting samples of barley will be few and far between. Yery much of the wheat crop is a heavy pae. Doubtful must the sowers have been of the Wisdom of sowing it at all, still more doubtful the reaper. To the home fanner wheat growing of the best is still as important as ever. lie must have enough of it for an ample supply of (lour for the household, and wheat straw must be had for hunting stables and carriage horses. To him we say, get in what wheat you have te BOW early in September. Lose 110 time now in sowing enough rye for all possible require- ments in spring. We commend this ear!y green crop to the attention of those farmers who have found themselves at a loss after folding late swedes. A word in favour of rye may appear unnecessary, yet wr were asked about it for spring folding recently by an intelligent young farmer in the North Midlands,'who had seen, but never tried it in his own practice. Bv all means sow some, was our advice, and sow erjrly. Of winter oats we ffre bound always to speak highly; no corn crop for home consumption has proved taore useful—few so useful as this. Sow it early, too, and take especial care if this season is your first with it to procure as fine and heavy a sample of seed of it as can be had. rYou will have to pay something extra, but it will prove one of the best investments in corn you ever ftiade. A good sample of winter oats always com- mands a special price on market, especially if it is Old corn. See also to the sowing of tares early in September; then a couple of successional sowings may be made with advantage at intervals of a fort- night. Green maize is now well in use. Do not forget that the first sharp frost will turn the upper part of the leaves brown, and though cattle will eat it afterwards, it is not so useful as when quite fresh and green. Better use a fair quantity of this in covered yards during the hot wjather we appear likely to have awhile, and keep stotk from the flies. WHEAT-GROWING I ENGLAND. The fact that a greater area of wheat by over I 30,000 acres has been produced in Great Britain during the present year than in 1893 is (Professor Wrightson remarks in the Agricultural Gazette) cer- tainly surprising. It must, however, be remembered Ithat a large breadth of turnips failed, much of which would naturally find its way into wheat instead of into spring corn. As a counterpoise to this there was, ;On account of failure of clover and grass seeds, a large area of old seeds left down. On the Other hand, the dry summer was extremely favourable for fallowing, and therefore for pre- paring land for wheat. The outcome appears to have been a temporary check to the gradual and inevitable contraction of the wheat area of Great Britain. Another reason for this unexpected reaction is to be seen in the fact that at wheat-sowing last year we were not suffering from the extreme depression in wheat values which we have since experienced. Twenty-eight and twenty-nine shillings a quarter £ Ould then be obtained, and, poor as such prices are, the agricultural world had been accustomed to them jfpr several years past. An additional in- ducement to sow wheat last autumn was the extra- ordinary price of wheat straw, which, as we pointed out at the time, had become as valuable as jthe wheat itself; so that, taking wheat and straw together, the value of the crop was considerably higher than it is now. During tho winter a deeper depression than we had ever before experienced set in, and prices for wheat were accepted which were most disastrous. In the meanwhile the wheat crop for 1894 was in the ground, and the increase was not affec^d by what occurred later in the year. It is, however, probable that when the crop statistics of 1895 are published we shall see a marked decrease in he area under wheat. VALUE OF WHKAT STRAW FOR THATCHING. It is often asserted that a ceatain area of wheat must be grown to provide thatch for ricks and other pur- poses. It is, therefore, well to state that it is nor necessary to thatch with wheat straw. A few days spent among some of the best farmersof Ireland after the recent Horse Show gave the writer an opportunity for gaining information on this subject. In Ireland Very little wheat is now grown. The climate is more suited to oats, and remarkably fine crops of this cereal are grown. One of the best agriculturists in Ireland stated that not only does he use straw for thatching ricks, but that a thinner coat is needed, as the oat straw settles into a more compact covering than does wheat straw, and is actually considered by him preferable for the purpose. He also stated that he often thatched with barley straw, a fact which is accounted for by the greater length of the straw when grown in .the humid climate of Ireland. The information is im- portant, for if oat straw is used in Ireland, whera the rainfall is much greater than in England, it stands to reason that it may be used even more effectually here. It is possible, and, in fact, probable, that in districts of England in which wheat is but little grown the same practice prevails, but we believe that the idea of using oat straw for thatching will be regarded as a novelty by many good English farmers. We are in- clined to think that if it were generally known that oat straw may be used in the way indicated many farmers would be less disposed to sow even their present re- duced area of wheat. SELLING STRAW. Farmers who sell straw see a source of profit from wheat which is not open to all. We are not able to give a decisive answer to the question whether selling straw is or is not advisable. As a general rule we cannot recommend the practice, but in exceptional cases, and on strong lands, it may lie consistent with good farming. When, however, we take into con- sideration the feeding value of straw, its manurial value, and its value for bedding, it is questionable whether on any farm, where a sufficient head of live stock is maintained, a good farmer will venture upon selling any quantity of it. The sale of straw should either be concurrent with the purchase of straw-made manure from neighbouring towns, or with a judicious and liberal use of special manures calculated to restore the lost constituents to the land. On light seils of mode- rate or poor character no system is more calculated to exhaust them than the sale of straw, while a large head of live stock is necessary to maintain their fertility. On all such soils, and on many other classes of land, the system of chaffing as much straw as possible for the use of sheep and cattle is in all respects preferable to the imme- diate but short-lived advantage of selling straw. When this is well carried out it will be found that there is barely enough left for bedding and we should be disposed to feed as much as possible, and at the same time economise bedding by every means in our power. The old system of "st rawing before sheep as a ready means of manuring land and getting rid of straw is probably now as extinct as the dodo. Bad practices, however, die bard, and it is not very long since we heard an animated discussion between two farmers, one of whom maintained the principle of strawing to be consistent with good management. We should also be glad to know if our Scotch friends still regard bullocks as a means of treading down straw. Straw no doubt must eventually be made into manure, but the idea of setting to work with the avowed purpose of crushing it down under foot within a certain period is antiquated. It has been held that troughed or spouted buildings are objectionable, as tending to prevent the rapid conversion of straw into dung, the idea being in strict harmony with the practice of strawing before sheep. Both ideas have, we hope, been abandoned in favour of more truly economic methods, but it is not impossible that men who are accounted good farmers may still be found ready to I champion such obsolete practices. PLEURO-PNEUMONIA. I In his evidence before the Council of the Board of Agriculture Professor Brown referred to the work carried out by Mr. Duguid in connection with the "stamping-out" of pleuro-pneumonia. He said: "stamping-out" of pleuro-pneumonia. He said Mr. Duguid had under his immediate observation 3133 sets of lungs during that period, hardly one of which was free from disease. In tny almost daily visits to the college,on my way to the office,I found Mr.Duguid surrounded with these morbid specimens, and it was a perfect harvest of cattle lung pathology. There were specimens of every disease, I should think, that ever occurred to the lungs of an ox, certainly in any part of Europe. Now, out of that 3133 sets of lungs, Mr. Duguid separated 1087, which he decided to be pleuro-pneumonia. And that his decision was right was frequently proved by the subsequent slaughtering out of the herds when other cases were found, sometimes considerably more advanced than the cases on which he based his decision. The important thing to notice is that Mr. Duguid eliminated out at his own risk over 2000 cattle as not being affected. Now, with our system of inspection, cases of infection could not have occurred from these cattle without our being able to trace back to those herds which he had set free the animal which had been the cause of another out- break. But that never happened in one single case. This is the most remarkable instance of accurate diagnosis which I think could be quoted, and I should like to say a word in reference to the benefit the country has obtained. If Mr. Duguid, to avoid responsibility, had taken one addi- tional thousand, about whivh he might have had a shadow of a doubt even, the result would have been the loss of something like £ 600,000 to the country, since something like 60 animals are killed in each outbreak, on the premises or upon other premises, and as we reckon a loss of £4.0 upon every animal is incurred."

GARDENING GOSSIP. (From Gardening OlustraWl.") CONSERVATORY. Tuberous Begonias and any other plants losing colour may be turned outside to complete th? ripen- ing. Zonal Pelargoniums which have been making growth outside should soon be placed under cover in a light position, and. the .blossoms allowed to de- velop. If them plaota gdt.too much water they lose colour and become sickly, and, of course, are useless for winter blooming, but when a plant has gone a little wrong I have often restored it to its former condition by transferring the plant to a new pot of thme size without disturbing the ball. This does not involve much trouble, and it is very beneficial treatment for any plant a little out of sorts from heavy rains or too much water from any source. Pot bulbs in numbers suitable for requirements. When one has a large conservatory to keep gay in winter, there is not likely to be too many flowers, and the cheap Dutch bulbs are very useful to make a show about Christmas and 'later, after Chrysanthemums are getting over. Pro- vision should soon be made for sheltering the early Chrysanthemums. Mme. Desgrange and other early- flowering sorts are now beautifully in bloom, and will come in useful for the rooms or hall, as well as con- servatory. Early-flowering Tree-Carnations should be placed inside to open their blossoms. Among the best are Miss Jolliffe Improved, Winter Cheer (scarlet), Mrs. A. Hemsley, La Neige (white), Uriah Pike (new crimson). It may not be generally known how very pretty and useful the new hybrid Strepto- carpuses are in the conservatory at this season. I saw a very handsome group in a cool conserva- tory the other day, quite rivalling the Gloxinias. Anyone who can grow Gloxinias will have no difficulty with these, and they are just as easily raised from seeds which may be sown either now or in spring. Seedlings raised now must be kept moving all the winter in a temperature intermediate between the warm stove and the cool greenhouse 50deg. to 55deg. at night will be suitable. Those who have not yet sown Cyclamens should do so at once, as it is full late for such work, and plants raised now and moved along quietly all the winter will be far in advance of anything raised in spring. The early-flowering Heaths, such as gracilis, are now opening their blossoms, and should be taken inside, special care being given to the watering of all hard-wooded subjects now. Scarlet and other winter-blooming Salvias should be potted up if not already lifted. Let them stand in the shade for a few days to get over the check of lifting. There will be no necessity to use fires yet, but the heating apparatus should be over- hauled, flues cleaned, &c. STOVE. Steady fires will be necessary now, as the nights are cool, but for most things 60deg. to 65deg. will be high enough at night. Of course, some tropical plant-houses are kept much hotter than this, but for the plants usually grown in them a lower tempera- ture will do just as well, and bemuch moreeconomical. The shifting of young winter-flowering subjects will still claim attention. Poinsettias and Euphorbia Jacquiniajflora in many places are grown in large numbers, and among the commoner kinds of Orchids, which nearly everybody grows nowadays, are Cypri- pediums, of which the common type, C. Insigne, is very cheap. I have bought flowering-plants of the variety for 3s. 6d. each, and its culture is as easy as that of a Geranium." A resting period follows the season of growth, and that resting time is in progress now. Another useful Orchid which those who do not go in for a collection may usefully grow is Dendro- bium nobile, and this may be grown by the dozen with manifest advantage to the* stock of winter flowers. Those who think of making purchases may do so now, when the plants are resting, when a slight change of temperature or treatment will be less felt. FERNS UNDER GLASS. Where there is plenty of room, those who grow Adiantums or Maiden-hairs, as this class of Ferns are called, may, besides the common form cuneatum," grow elegans, scutum, Pacotti, Williamsi, fragrantis- sirna, frutescens, Weigandi, Le Grandi, grandiceps mundulum, decorum, Victorix, and Farleyense. It is true, of course, that for bouquet-making there is only one Maiden-hair regarded as suitable, but I think elegans, which is a variety of cuneatum, is even better adapted for cutting than the old kind, and it is now largely grown for cutting purposes. There is generally more interest felt in growing a dozen or so dis- tinct members of one family than having the same number of plants all of one kind, though necessity may compel us to go in largely for special things. It is the same with the Pterises, another most useful family. Such kinds as cretica and its varieties have somehow established a lead, mainly because they are hardy and vigorous, and thrive well in rooms. Pteris tremula is another plant which is largely used for fur- nishing. One of the most useful families to have in numbers for winter decorations are Nephrolepis, in- cluding exaltata, davalloides, furcans, recurvata, cordata compacta. HARD-WOODED PLANTS. These will now for the most part be taken back to their winter quarters all the better for their summer outing. The house must not be closed either night or day. They should feel the change of position as as little as possible. By-and-bye the air at night will have to be reduced, and later on, when severe frost comes, be taken off altogether, but the change should be made as gradual as possible, and great care should be exercised in watering, looking over the plants twice a day, so that there cannot be any possibility of a plant being overlooked. ORCHARD HOUSE. When the fruit has all been gathered, any trees, which require larger pots or top-dressing, where that will suffice, should be attended to, as during the autumn, before the leaves fall, the roots will make some progress in the occupation of the new soil; but where the plants are already in large pots, the removal of as much of the surface soil as can be taken out, and filling in with suitable com- post, will suffice for another year. Very much can be done in fruit culture by top-dressing and liquid stimulants. I can recommend the Patent Silicate Manure to mix with the soil for top-dressing fruit trees growing in a circumscribed space. It is not only stimulating, but its action tends to prevent the soil becoming sour and pasty, which high foeding seems to engender. WINDOW GARDENING. Myrtles seem to have gone out of fashion. This is to be regretted, I think, for they do so weU in the dark corners where other plants fail. Cuttings will root if put in now. Those who are thinking of buy- ing Palms had better do so now before winter sets in. The Kentias are the best for room culture. Pot bulbs for winter and spring blooming. OUTDOOR GARDEN. Iceland Poppies are always attractive, and though they are perennial irf habit and character, it is safest to raise a few plants every year. The best time to sow these and many other plants is as soon as the seed ripens and the seeds should either be sown in a box or on a well-drained border. If the soil round the old plants is not disturbed there will be quite a number of plants springing up self-sown, and these may be transplanted in spring. When "Geranium" cuttings have to be wintered in a low temperature it is absolutely necessary to strike them early and not crowd them together. Ripen them up well in the sunshine, and then transfer them to winter quarters just before frost comes; but should a frost come suddenly, as sometimes happens in September, before it is time to place the cuttings indoors, cover with old newspapers, or some equivalent. Give the last turn over to beds intended for Carnations and Pinks. It is best to plant early, so that the roots may get a firm hold of the soil before frost comes. In land infested with wireworms burv Carrots near the plants, and examine them frequently to kill the insects. The beds for Tulips and other bulbs should also be trenched up and dressed with old manure. The usual time for plant- ing florist's Tulips is about the first or second week in November. The ground after the late rains is in splendid condition for laying down new lawns, or for planting evergreen shrubs. Take cuttings of Holly- hocks and Dahlias. VEGETABLE GARDEN. Thin late-sown Turnips to one foot apart. Keep a loose surface among growing crops everywhere. This will check weeds, which have sprung up during showery weather. Spinach is not often transplanted, but it succeeds very well if carefully done. Train off the old leaves of parsley to give encouragement to new growth for winter use. If no special provision has been made for a winter supply under cover strong plants may be lifted, the large leaves cut off, and the roots carefully planted in a frame or on a warm border, where covers can be used. I have Eenerally planted a warm border in front of a forcing- cuse, where the soil is deep and good, and a few roots planted at the foot of a south wall will generally come in useful after Christmas. Earth up Celery and Cardoons when dry. Cardoons are generally drawn together with hay-bands, and a somewhat similar course may be adopted with Celery, where clean, white heads are in demand, only instead of hay, paper may be used. Tomatoes outside are late this year. Where strong plants were put out as early as it was safe to do so some ripe fruits were gathered early in August; but since then there has been some disease, and the crop has been a light one at the best, and neither have the crops been so good under glass this year. All surplus growth must be kept down to let in the sunshine, and to throw all the strength of the plants into the late fruits. Do not ftverwator plants under glass. Continue to plant out Lettuce, Endives, and sow Radishes and salads in succession.

"THE SUICIDE EPIDEMIC." Writing on the so-called Suicide Epidemic," and the disquisitions on the causes of these assumed epidemics, the British Medical Journal eays: It reminds us of the question alleged to have been put to the early philosophers at the Royal Society, why a gold fish might be put into a perfectly full bowl of water without causing it to overflow. Before dis- cussing the causes of the alleged epidemic, it is n. well to ascertain whether it exists. We find, on in- quiry, the following are the figures which afford the information concerned: Deaths by Rates per 1,000,000 Year. Suioide. Persons Living. 1881 1955 75 1882 1965 75 1883 1962 74 1884 2043 76 1885 2007 74 1886 2254 82 1887 2234 80 1888 2308 82 1889 2170 76 1890 2205 77 1891 2483 85 1892 2583 88 There appears to have been a gradual increase in the death-rate from suicide for the past 30 years or more, but the rates for single years, of course, show marked fluctuations. The rates for 1891 and 1892 were 85 fluctuations. The rates for 1891 and 1892 were 85 and 88 per 1,000,000 living respectively, and were destinctly the highest record since 1858, the earliest year with which comparisons can be made, the nearest rate to these being 82, both in 1886 and 1888. The average mortality from suicide from 1871-76 was 66 per 1,000,000 1876-80 „ 74 ot 1881-85 „ 75 „ 1886-90 „ 79 go The figures pomt to a good deal of fluctuation from year to year in the number of suicides in England, and to their tendency to increase, but they can hardly be held to justify the assumption that there exists either a suicidal mania or an epidemic of suicides. The fluctuations in the proportion of suicides will be found to bear a pretty close relation to the culmina- tion or decline of periods of commercial prosperity or distress. The causes of suicides are largely very prosaic, those from poverty or inability to meet financial obligations constituting the largest part of them, the next largest division being from unhappi- ness in love affairs, and next comes the varieties of insanity and delusion. Thfese reports, which to the reporter are a means of breadwinning, explain a good deal of the special activity and prominence of pub- lication of inquests on suicides. There are many more reports of suicides when Parliament is not sitting, as they are apt to attract much more atten- tion in the dull season. It must not, however, be inferred that they are more frequent."

DOUBTFUL DAINTIES. In the dingy restaurants frequented by the lower orders of Rome, Florence and Naples, a dish composed of the harmless wood serpent's flesh is regarded as something of a dainty. Parisians of the inferior classes aro also great eaters of fried snakes, but unwittingly so, for the reptiles are palmed off on them as eels. The snakes are caught in the wilder part of the Vincennes Wood and brought up to a special market near the Place de la République. It is probable, however, that even if the members of the poorer classes there who occasionally indulge in eels were apprised of the fraud practised at their expense they would evince no loathing nor even lack of appet ite, seeing that they are ready to devour not only horse fiesh, but meat of mule, donkey, and dog, any day in the week.

HOME people have odd ideas about posting letters. At different times last year letters containing articles valued at over JE1300 were taken from the City of London street-orderly bins-erected for receiving re- fuse from the roadways-where they had been de- posited instead of in the post-office pillar-boxes. THERE is every probability, says a correspondent, that the coming winter will be a very severe one. The movements of the storks in the autumn are an in- fallible sign of what the winter will be like, and this year the birds are already leaving Alsace and gather- ing in the marshes of the Rhine. This early start on their voyage across the Mediterranean shows that the cold will not be long in coming, and that it will be very severe when it does come. In the estimation of the peasants of Northern Germany the stork is the surest of weather prophets. MADAME DE NOVIKOFF, the famous Russian diplo- matist and journalist, whose initials" O. K." are familiar to readers throughout the world, is a widow. She is somewhat plain in appearance, but is a bril liant and persuasive conversationalist, and sings and plays with wonderful charm. TiiE Church of St. Magnus, London-bridge, has been re-opened, after being closed for about two years for repairs, and the removal of a large number of bodies buried under it. In the course of the work just completed, no fewer than 1050 bodies were removed to a cemetery. PUBLIC drinking troughs for horses are condemned by the ex-president of the Royal College of Yeteri- nary Surgeons of England, on the ground that they propagate certain diseases peculiar to horses. THE Victoria Lily of Guiana has a circular leaf, from six to twelve feet in diameter. It is turned up at the edge like a tray, and can support, according to its size, from 100 to 300 pounds. PROFESSOR W. M. FLINDERS PETRIE, who is I-IOIV busy bringing to light the buried city of Coptos, made Egyptology his special study when quite a youth. He did not visil the land of the Pharaohs, however, until he was 28, in 1881, when he undertook the measuring and surveying of the pyramids and temples at Ghizeh. The present work of excavation at Coptos is under his personal supervision, and each day's results are care- fully estimated, the labourers receiving payment for any small finds." The professor speaks Arabic like a native, is an authority on ancient weights and mea- sures, and possesses great skill as a draughtsman. MR. ARTHUR W. PINERO, the dramatist, has a remarkably fine head, and as he still follows the old habit of his actor days and shaves clean, the power- ful lines in his face still show strongly. His debut as an actor was made at the Theatre Royal, Edinburgh, in The Woman in White," in which, as a groom, he had to bring on a letter. Although he did not give up acting for play-writing until 1882, his first piece, Two Can Play at that Game," was produced at the Lyceum by Mrs. Bateman in 1877. The queer names and titles which adorn Mr. Pinero's plays are often picked up by searching for them on the tombstones in old churchyards. THERE is only one town in which the singing of music-hall songs in the streets is prohibited. That is Southampton, and the prohibition extends only on Sunday. Policemen there have instructions to stop everyone singing in the public thoroughfares on the Sabbath.

THE WOMAN'S WORLD. A NEW tailor-made dress has a plain skirt with braid at the hem in Greek pattern. The waist ia braided from collar to point and around the nock, a single figure at the back of the neck and one at the point of the back of the waist. A perfectly smooth section of material forms a basque skirt. This is pointed back and front, the points sloping away I in A shape the leg-o'-mutton sleeves have braided cuffs to match. AN attractive blouse has a yoke of embroidery. The front from the yoke to the belt is gathered on with a standing ruffle. The back is in flat plaits like the old-time Norfolk blouse; the sleeves are very full and drooping, and have elastic bands in casings that hold them to the arms. This is convenieat, but unless the band is carefully adjusted it stops the cir- culation and gives one exceedingly red hands. A FAnnIe specially liked for house dresses and I one that is made up over silk and worn all the year I round is a Priestley clairette. It is also trimmed with satin or moire, and is one of the most valuable of fine wool materials. The new grades come out with a much more lustrous surface than those hereto- fore shown, tà. silk being thrown more to the outside, giving it consequently a finer finish. SOMH new black materials are Carmellite, which is a light-weight fabric with silk in both warp and fill- i ing, and Marcellite, a new material with tiny figures on a twilled ground. It is very light, drapes grace- fully, and is much more durable than the generality of thesafine wool materials. THE peony flowered aster is one of the coming favourites of the floral family. It makes the most exquisite bouquets, especially for corsage wear, and as the flowers last a long time, they cannot fail to please the large and fastidious class who wear flowers as a habit JIUCII has been said and written upon the sub- ject of woman's influence over men (says the Queen), yet at no time has a woman greater oppor- tunity for promoting good or evil than wlnpn, in her own sweet spring-time, the latent germs of another's manhood are laid at her feet; when the rough clay of another's character is placed unre- sisting in her soft palms, to be moulded to her will. A young man is more likely to take life au grand seneux than is his contemporary of the opposite •ex. He is led to the consideration of his manhood by different channels to those which bear the frail bark of girlhood to the wider sphere of woman's estate. The boy is taught when yet in the school- room that in the strength of his own right arm and in the developed capabilities of his own brain lies the key to open the golden doors of future success in this world. It is just when the character of the future man is being formed-that the infiuence of individual women is the most powerful for effecting permanent good or evil. See how the boy hangs on every word that falls from the dear lips; how every note in the discord of his own life is tuned to the harmony of hers! Every old belief and faith is ready to be rooted out at one sign from the tiny finger that is the compass of his being. See how fearful, how shy, how anxiously restrained he is when she is near, how jealous he is of every friend who has a greater share of her favours than himself. She is a woman, and he loves her; he knows not why, he only feels that it is so. And how do we women make use of this great and holy re- sponsibility ? How many men have we ennobled by our love ? How much of this raw material of man's character have we raised by love from dark- ness into light, from glorious possibilities to divine by our love? How much of this raw material of man's character have we raised by love from dark- ness into light, from glorious possibilities to divine results? Every great and noble man that has lived has qualified his greatness and nobility by honouring those who first taught him that in their weakness lay his strength; yet more lives have been ruined, more faiths have been blighted by woman's unwise appre- ciation of her power, than by any other condition I that can influence the hearts of men. St. Pants, referring to an incident at the Comedy Theatre, in London, recently, when a pitite called out to the Duke and Duchess of York, Why haven't you brought the baby ?" says the question was put not in rudeness, but in pure bonhomie. The pit take an in- fcerest in Royal babies whom they are not privileged to behold except in photographs. They had seen the Duke of York, in many shop windows, holding the third living heir to the Throne in his arms with that bashfulness common to young fathers. This struck one of the human cords which make the whole world kin. There was many a pitite at the Comedy who had found himself in a similar position, and, though he had not figured in a photo- graph to the gaze of millions, he could enter into the feelings of the Royal parent. So Why haven't you brought the baby ? was his way of attesting this friendly interest. Moreover, the situation piqued his pride both as a citizen and a father. He felt himself master of the situation in which he was able to hail a Prince of the Blood on terms of equality. You cannot enjoy etiquette on the London pits. You cannot overawe them with titles and dignities, however august. The incident at the Comedy is described by valetudinarians as unseemly, but there is reason to belieye that it afforded rich entertain- ment to the Royal lady and her husband who re- eeived the affable attentions of the pit. We are sure that, if in answer to the reproachful cry, Why didn't you bring the baby ?" that illustrious infant had been at once produced from the recesses of a private box, the roof would have scarcely with- stood the acclamations. What a dramatic introduc- tion of Edward Christian George Alexander Patrick David to his future subjects He might have been a little unhappy at the moment, but think of his gratitude in after years A PROPRIETOR of a London West-end shop devoted to the sale of knick-knacks and bric-a-brac, has been interviewed by a representative of Cassell's Saturday Joyrnal on the articles which are at present most in demand by fashionable ladies. Women wor- shippers of the weed' being now numbered by the hundred, it perhaps follows naturally that cachous for the breath are in increased demand among ladies. The habit, copied from the men, of using a toothpick after nleals is, I believe, on the inciease among the fail sex and one fashionable customer of mine, who regularly wears a single eye-glass, has also adopted the trick affected by some men of habitually carry- ing a toothpick in her mouth, and thus equipped, may frequently be seen when out shopping. Waistcoats, stand-up collars, and ties being in great request amongst dressy" women, an extended field is open for the sale of cravat pins, studs, and links. Only one day last week I was in a neighbour's shop when a gentleman entered and inquired for a scarf pin of a particular pattern, explaining that he had one already, but his sister had borrowed it. Small watches carried on a short gold chain are frequently worn in ladies' waist- coat pockets. Although, so far, they have not made their appearance in the public streets, very full knickerbockers, reaching just below the knee, are worn indoors in place of skirts by scores of fashion- able ladies, and can now be obtained at most of the leading shops; as can also the now familiar 1 rational' cycling dress for women." ACCORDING to a well-known complexion specialist, a few simple precautions in youth- would defer wrinkles many years. Women should avoid tears above all else. There is a lining to the membrane of the muscles around the eyes which contains water. By crying this water is lost. The supply is not equal to the loss, causing a dryness of skin which produces wrinkles. A passive expression of countenance should be cultivated. People who call into action the muscles of the faca while speak- ing wrinkle early in life. Frowning and laughing also produce wrinkles. It is better never to sleep on the face use down pillows when possible. Getting massage is an excellent thing, but one should be careful to always rub the same way. Even the lines in the forehead can be rubbed away if one is patient enough to do it. A good com- plexion powder lightly dusted on the skin is beneficial, and pure soap containing no alkali is non-injurious, and should be used daily. Exces- sively hot water dries the skin and wrinkles it, while cold water stimulates and refreshes it. The first lines usually appear between the ages of 25 and 28 I years. If they come before, they are usually caused by illness or mental distress. At the period men- tioned the natural secretions of the ilesh begin to Trecodo, leaving the skin two large for the space it I covers. This is what causes wrinkles.