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

RECORD IN MASONIC CHARITY. The Prince of Wales, Most Worshipful Grand Master and President of the Institution, was in the chair at the centenary festival dinner of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boy», which took place at the Royal Albert Hall, at Kensington, on Friday of last week. Over 2500 vouchers had been issued for the gathering. The numerous applications for tickets which had been received from all parts of the country were most satisfactorily met, the amphitheatre, the private boxes, and the grand tier boxes all being utilised to accom- modate the vast assembly. All the chairs in the arena of the hall had, of course, been put on one side, the tables in this part of the building being placed longitudinally. In the amphitheatre each other row of seats had been removed, and tables put in their place, while the private boxes, immediately behind the amphitheatre, each provided seats for four persons, eight diners being accommodated in each of the grand tier boxes. The boxes round the uppe* tier and the .balcony were occupied by ladies. Merfi- bers of the craft, to the number of nearly 1000, Who had previously dined in the Freemasons' Hall, als" occupied seats in the balcony. The Prince of Wales, who was accompanied b} Major-General Sir Stanley Clarke, was received at th# Royal entrance to the building by Earl Amherst and a large body of rulers," including Lord Leigh, the Earl of Dartmouth, Lord Harlech, the Marquis of Zetland, Brother Richard- Eve (chairman of the Board of Management), Brother Letchworth (the Grand Secretary), Brother Charles E. Keyser (the treasurer), Brother J. Morrison M'Leod (hon. secre- tary to the Board of Stewards), Brother thomae Fenn (Acting Grand director of Ceremonies), and others. All the brethren appeared in evening dresa with full Masonic craft clothing. Grand and Pro- vincial Grand Officers were in full dress, while masters, past-masters, wardens, and officers of lodges wore the collars and jewels of their respective offices. The scene was a brilliant one. The Prince of Wales first gave the toast "The Queen and Craft," the organist playing the first half of the National Anthem, at the conclusion of which the whole com- pany joined in. The Earl of Amherst,; Deputy Grand Master, next rose and gave His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Most Worshipful Grand Master, president of the institution and chair- man of the centenary festival." It was needless for him, he said, to dilate upon the benefits that hnd come upon them since the Prince of Wales had been Grand Master. It was the reign of the best Grand Master in their history. God bless the Prince of Wales was sung by the whole assembly, and deaf- ening cheers followed. The Princ3 of Wales, in reply, said: I am not likely to forget the reception that I met with in coming into this vast hall, or the way in which you have receiveathe.toa*t nf xoy health. lit Is now 30 years since I was initiated into the craft, and I have been yonr Grand Master for 24 years.. We hav6 reason to congratulate ourselves on the large body we now are. When I was elected to your chair there were 306 lodges in this country. At the present time the roll of grand lodges is 2270. Freemasonry flourishes in all countries, but in no country more than our own. The Prince next gave Success to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys," remarking that lie had little doubt that they would considerably in- crease their funds that night, and he hoped a record would be established. Brother Charles E. Keyser had given 5000 guineas towards the fund, and he hoped 940,000 more would, be raised that evening. He asked them to support an institution that- was; highly appreciated, and one that was a credit to the cotiiitry, Brother Charles E. Keyser, treaeurer of the institution, having replied, Mr. J. M. M Leod (hOn. secretary) announced that the subscription list '000 amounted to £ 134;000. — ——

-IMPERIAL PARLIAK^a:, 17 HOUSE "OS* LORDS.—JtMB ft. THE JAMBSON RAID. !¡ L 1: Lord Carrirtgton asked whether the Gofettiment were now prepared to restore ttioit- commissions to the oflcere who toot; part in the Jafiieson raid; and the Ihtke of Abercorn and Lord Loch Also joined in the appeal made on behalf of those officers. Lord Lansdowne, rfi replying, reminded the House that' the Government- had had to deal with 13 Officers who were implicated in the raid, and -also- with Colonel Rhodes, wto. took an active part in the proceedings at Johannesburg. Eight of those officers were discharged at the suggestion of the Attorriey-General as having only Obeyed the Orders of their leaders,' while the others, having been convicted Of being prominently con-, nected with th6 scheming ana fitting out'Of the expedition, were not expelled from the service, but permitted to resign their commissions, receiving the full gratuities to which their past services entitled them. The Government, after examin- ing the grounds on which it was urged that their punishment should now be mitigated, were willing to allow that some of those officers might have been to a certain extent the victims of circumstances, but it could not accept that view either in regard to Sir J. Willonghby, whose position differed in importance and responsibility from that Of his subordinates, or in regard to Colonel Rhodes, who took a very conspicuous part in the conspiracy in Johannesburg. In the case of the other four officers, who had already suffeired severe punishment, it was intended to give them the right of again wear- ing the Qneen's uniform, and they would be ap- pointed to unattached half-pay in the ranks theyc held When they left the army; but the time between their resignation and their reappointment would not count as military service. Captain Coven- try, as a militia officer, would be allowed to return to his regiment in his old rank, but placed at the bottom of the list. That decision, he thought, tempered justice with mercy in a reasonable manner. Lord Carrington expressed deep disappointment at the decision just announced by the Secretary of State, which, he held, could not be logically defended, and wis particularly unfair towards Sir J. Willoughby. HONG KONG. Lord Camperdown asked the Prime Minister whether he could give the House any information with reference to the acquisition by this country under treaty of territory at Hong Kong. Lord Salisbury replied that a convention of that kind had been concluded with the Chinese Government, the pro- visions of which were substantially the same as those which had reached this country through the ordinary channels of information; and as soon as her Majesty's Government were in possession of its actual text the convention would be formally communicated to Par- liament. What had really happened in that matter was that an opportunity had been taken, not only to remedy a want that had been long felt by giving a slight extension to the colony of Hong Kong, but also to make it strategically safe. Some territory that belonged to China so far commanded the colony of Hong Kong that in case of war we should be put to certain disadvantage; and, therefore, in view of the great changes which had taken place since the colony was founded, it was only conformable with the ordinary rules of military prudence that our strategical positions in that quarter should now be carefully revised. Recent events had, more- over; made the Chinese Government more sensible of the possibility of unexpected occurrences in their empire; and they quite understood and appreciated the solicitude displayed on our part for the preserva- tion of peace and also for the maintenance of Great Britain's commercial interests, which were identical with those of the whole world. Her Majesty's Government had been met frankly and fairly by the Chinese Government in regard to the necessary pre- cautionary measures they were taking, and they had every reason to believe that the objects they had in view would be fully attained. HOUSE OF COMMONS. TOBACCO DUTY. the Finance Bill was considered in Committee. Mr. J. A. Pease moved the omission of Clause 1, which provided that, there should be a remission of 6d. per lb. in the Customs duty on unmanufactured tobacco. W was in fovpur of,.a reduction of the duty on tea rather than on tobacco because the former would reach the poorer classes of the community. Sir J. Leng thought the reduction of the tobacco duty was so small that the consumer would derive no benefit from it. Sir W. Harcourt said he was informed that in re- gard to the lower kinds of tobacco the proposed re- mission of duty would not allow of any reduction in the price of the article; but that there would be a reduction in the price of the higher class of tobacco. He was also told by the highest authorities that the whole of the reduction of the duty by 2d. per lb. on tea would go to the consumer. The reduction was represented to cost £¡,600.000, and he desired, to know on what basis that was calculated. Of course he could not support any proposal which would lead to a deficit in the balance-sheet for the year. Sir J. Willox pointed out that there had lately been a steady increase in the cost of the raw material, and that if the duty had not been altered the public would have been called upon in a very short time to pay an increased price for manufactured tobacco and Mr. James Lowther, thought it would have been better to keep the money in the national pocket. The Chancellor of the Exchequer reminded the Committee that the manufacture of tobacco was a most important industry in this country, giving employment to a very large number of persons. There was nothing corresponding to that industry in regard to tea. The reduction of the tea duty by 2d. per lb. would result in a net loss to the-revenue of £ 1,760,000 against £1,120,000 which would be the loss on tobacco. If he were to bring the loss on tqa down to the latter figure he should only be able to allow a remission in the duty of lid. per lb. After some further discussion the clause was agreed to. Clause 2, restricting the amount of moisture m tobacco, was agreed to without discussion. On Clause 3, relating to the Customs duty on tea, Mr. J. A. Pease moved an amendment with the view of reducing the duty from 4d. to 2d. per lb. On a division the amendment was negatived tjy 28D to,ioo, and the clause was then ordered to stand part of the bill. The remaining clauses and several new clauses having been, after considerable discussion, agreed to, the bill was reported with amendments to the House. PIPER FINDLATER. In reply to Dr. Farquharson (Aberdeenshire, W.) and Mr. Pirie (Aberdeen, N.). Mr. Brodrick said, the circumstances of this case are as follows Piper Findlater received the Victoria Cross from her Majesty's hands on May 14, 1898, and was advertised shortly afterwards to appear at a music-hall. The military authorities requested that this appearance should not fake place, it being repugnant to military feeling that an exhibi- tion should be made at a music-hall of a soldier who ,had been so recently decorated by the Queen. For the same reasons they forbade the attendance of the officers and pipers of the Aberdeen depot at his appearance in Aberdeen. There are no precedents for such an exhibition. Piper Findlater s financial position is as follows: He receives 910 a year with the Victoria Cross; he has also a pension of 2s. a day or £36 10s. a year for his wound and gallant service, and I understand he has had an offer from the highest quarter of a permanent post with a residence, though I. am, not aware of the precise conditions and emolumerts. An ample provision for a man in his position has thus been secured him. In reference, however, to soldiers earning the V.C. who, from old age or infirmity not due to their own fault, may be in poor circumstances and unable to earn a living, it has been decided that at the Secretary of State's discretion the sum of £ 50» year may be granted by way of pension in lieu ot the £ 10 which has accompanied the Victoria Cross since its institution. <. n Dr. Farquharsoixaaked whether the pension of 2s. a day was permanent or temporary.. Mr. Brodricksaid the custom was to give these pen- sions temporarily—in the first instance for a year, as a technical point, until it was decided that the injury was permanent. Sir H. Vincent asked whether there was any foun- dation for the statement in the question of the hon. member for North Aberdeen that several V.C. men are known to have lately ended their days either in a workhouse or in great destitution." Mr, Brodrick: No such case has come to our notice. Mr. Bryn Robefts asked whether the military authorities preferred their request that Piper Findlater should not appear in the music-hall to t the managerd the Alhambra pr to Piper Findlater PBrodl'ick"øáf,d the reauest was made to the manager of the Alhkmbr*, wtio met them in a very public-spirited manner having regard to the circum- stances of the Case.. Mr. Buchanan asked undef what legal antho*itv had the War Office attempted to interfere with this discharged soldifcr earning his livelihood in any Way ^The^'peaker said that was a question of which notice should Mr. Pirie fiald he imould be happy to supply par-' ticularS of the cases to which the hon. and gallanl member for Sheffield had referred.

NIGER BARGAIN. CONCESSIONS TO FBAKCB. The Niger Convention was signed on Monday on behalf of Great Britain, and now awaits ratification Uy the French Chamber. The Daily Mail is able to state on high authority that the following are the main points in the arrange- ment which has been come to between the two countries with regard to the disputed territory: The French agree to evacuate Kishi, Boria, Ashigere, Kiama (Kayama), Busa (Boussa), Gomba, and Ilo. Nikki—a doubtful claim so far as regards Great On the left bank of the Niger the French get a • triangiriar- piece -ef territory;whose- base- extends from Say to Ilo, and in return gives 100 miles radius from Sokoto. They also give us Bornu, in- cluding the portion which is east of the meridian passing through Barua., > r. On the right bank of the Niger the French get the country from Say to Ilo, to which Great Britain bar. no claim And also G, 4 which our elains is doubtful. The French get 30 years'-leases of bonded areas at Liaba, and facilities for transit in bond. This is to secure the benefit of the navigable portion of the '"in return, they give 30 years' reciprocity for the whole of the West Coast colonies from the Liberian frontier to the Niger. „ With respect to the Gold Coast, the French evacuate Wa, and probably Tumu and Leo. In return, Great Britain gives up Bona and Dawkita, which are practically in tl\e Trench hinter- land, and accept the Volta as tne best natural boundary. The French retain Mosi, which they have held for 18 months. 1., ,,¡

A VILLAGE IN MOURNING. A terrible catastrophe is reported from the little French village of Biot, near Antiles, where a four- storeyed house collapsed on Sunday night, bringing two smaller ones down with it, and causing the death of 26 persons. The collapse occured so suddenly that no one inside the houses had a chance of escap- ing. When the ruins were cleared away some of the inmates of the houses were brought out alive, thou hall were shockingly injured. Twelve of the dead are children, including a little kirl in honour of whose confirmation a party was being held at the time. It was in con sequence of this party that there were so many children in the house at the moment of the catastrophe. It appears that the people were sitting at the dining table when a loud crash was heard, and the1 frblit wall fell out into the street. The terrified people had barely time to gain their feet when, with a tremendous crash, the roof fell in upon them, simply burying them beneath a mass of masonry. So great was the noise of the fall that every- one in the village was alarmed, and rushed into the street, but great clouds of dust rising from the ruins effectually prevented them from realising at once the full extent of the damage. The shrieks and cries of the injured coming from under the piles of fallen brickwork and beaius were pitiful. The villagers set to work with a will, and succeeded in bringing out five while still alive. Messengers were also 0 despatched to the neighbouring barracks for engineers, and a company which arrived also did splendid service in clearing away the ruins and re- covering the bodies of the slain. Many were hideously mangled, and were almost unrecognisable. One of the survivors, a woman, cried for her child as soon as she was rescued, and on learning that it was among the dead she immediately went raving mad. The villagers say the house, which was very old, has been unsafe for years, and no one was surprised at the collapse. It belonged to a family named Pelle- join, of whom seven were killed. Another village family lost six, and another four. The whole villaw 18 m mourning.

LONDONERS' DISEASES. Statistics published by the Hospital show that no fewer than 123,840 persons were treated in the London hospitals in 1896 for various forms of eye disease. Some 81,000 women were attended to for the relief of diseases peculiar to their sex. The patients suffering from consumption numbered 46,000, while nearly 16,000 people received treatment for epilepsy, paralysis, ana diseases of the nerves. Persons suffering from throat disease numbered 53,333; from skin disease, 43,823; while there were ,28,802 fever cases.

:MR."O'CHA:MBERLAIN'S DEFENCE. irfTfeSMTING DEBATS OK K>fiEIOK ATTAIHS. 0" For thie third or fourth time this Session thfere was a debate on foreign affairs on Friday night of last week in the House of Commons, raised by Sir Charles Dilte, who took a Wide ssrvey of otijr rela- tions abroad, "Covering.Crete, Abyssinia, Smm, Tunis, Madagascar, and China. He moved a nominal re- duction of the Foreign Office Vote byway of enabling the decision of the. Committee to be taken. His mtain point; was the subject of alliances," for which Mr. Chamberlam's recent speech at Birmingham fur- nished him with a text. He dwelt, of course" on what he described as the blunders of the Govern- t nd denounced also the h t- in-66ijim a s Qp inL, J Sent, and denounced also the "shouting Jingoism Of the British public, which, he-feai-;d, grows in volume as the years progress. lie did hot believe in the possibility of an alliance with the United States for war Durposes, nor did hp think there was any prospect of Germany ever consenting to bear in Europe the brunt of defending for us the most dan- gerous of our interests—namely, India. Mr, Asquith and Mr. Curzon were the! most important of the speakers before the dinner hour, the former charg- ine Mr. Chamberlain with having touted for an alliance in thei highways ahd bywayfc of Europe, Mr. Curzdn's contribution was in the nature of an answer on general matters of foreign policy, and- he left Mr. Chamberlain to defend himself as regarded the specific and personal matter raised. The end was tho best; a dialectical duel between Sir William Harcourt and Mr. Chamberlain. The House filled up, and a good deal of excitement pre- vailed, when the Leader of the Opposition rose about 20 minutes past 10 to deliver his onslaught. His opening point was a comparison between the various —and, as he argued, mutually destructive—speeches on foreign policy from members of the Government. Lord Salisbury (whom he applauded as a respon- sible statesman, sensible of his own self-respect and the dignity of the country") had administered "soothing syrup" to the Primrose League at the Albert Hall, whereas Mr. Chamberlain had delivered a counter manifesto at Birmingham, sounding the tocsin of alarm based on the terrors and dangers of the iargon of isolation." It was difficult, pro- ceeded Sir William, for those who were not in the secrets of the Cabinet to account for this extraordinary performance, which partly amused and partly scandalised Europe." The Colonial Secretary, he insisted, ought to tell Parliament and the country what the danger was, and what the coming battle was to be fought about. What terrible combination of Powers" had he in his mind's eye, and with which of the conspirators did he propose to make his alliance ? Sir William went on to ridicule the idea that the Birmingham speech was calculated to give us allies; for what was it but a pitiful confession of impotence before the world?" In short, according to the leader of the Opposition, Mr. Chamberlain had "gone cap-in- hand throughout Europe in search of allies." As to Germany, the speaker was certain that not a single Pomeranian Grenadier would be forthcoming to make war on Russia in the interests of British trade. The principle of treating Russia as our natural and permanent foe" had proved, in his judgment, a failure in the past, and he believed that it would fail in the future. He hoped that no per- manent mischief would accrue from Mr. Chamber- lain's indiscretion, and that this epoch of vacillation and self-contradiction among the members of the Administration might be brought to an end, so that they might present to the nation a consistent And worthy policy which would command and deserve the respect of the world. Mr. Chamberlain, in reply, spoke vigorously, and at times with some heat, for nearly an hour. Why, he asked, had the Opposition not brought forward a vote of censure, which would have clearly defined the point at issue. There was no courage on the paLt of the Opposition in voting for an amendment to which 50 different interpretations might be given. The best proof of the solidarity of the Government regarding foreign policy was that he was still a member of the Cabinet; that he had not been discarded and cast forth by Lord Salisbury and his colleagues. What he had to defend on that occasion was the speech itself, not the interpretation that his critics had seen fit to put upon it. From first to last he had never attempted to lay down a course of policy all he had done was to state the facts and to lay before his constituents and his countrymen what he conceived to be the conditions of this great problem. Many of the criticisms were unfair and inconclusive, based on want of knowledge of the fundamental elements of the case. What he had endeavoured to show was that in framing our foreign policy for the future we must cut our coat according to our cloth. He believed this to be the most powerful Empire in the world, but it was not all-powerful. It was because of this knowlege that he made his speech, "not one word of which," he said, I now with- draw." He had neither spoken for nor against alliances—except as regarded the United States- but what he said was that if this country decided for a policy of isolation it must not make absurd »nd ridiculous demands on the Government, but must iccept the inevitable consequences of the situation. He warmly resented Mr. Asquith's suggestion that he had touted for alliances. As he had said on pre- vious occasions, this country was capable of standing alone, but in these circumstances we should have to surrender certain natural ambitions. A five minutes' speech from Mr. Dillon preceded the division, which, on being taken soon after midnight, resulted in the rejection of Sir Charles Dilke's proposed reduction of the Foreign Office Vote by just about two to one- 254 votes against 128.

£ ABSLEY • The war excitement has done me some good at last." Wickwire: "As to how?'' Yafcsley. •'The landlady won't let her daughter play tne Spanish fandango on the guitar Shy more." Ah 1" sighed the sad-faced man at the poker table, as his last cliip disappeared, if we could see our- selves as otbera see us 1 POLITENESS is a good thing, hut sometimes it's wearin—ralely," said Mr. Brown. Seems so it almost borders on sarse to foller any one up so an pester 'em with kindness, as they do at these bi<> hotels." What are you objecting about now?"asked Mrs. Brown. Well, I was only thinkin' how them porters toiler you up like a parcel of detectives. When I sot my foot in one of them hotels up to New York, a feller looked at me, jest as pryin', an says Cant I carry up your baggage ?' It seemed jest as though he knew all I hed was my paper collar rolled ap m the top of my hat. His manner was kind of lAvittin like, seems ef." Well, I said you ought or Jarried a change," began Mrs. Brown in her most sorrective manner. Now, that ain't the point," said her husband, I'm jest sayin' I don't like to be -p-ed an an follered up. I got the best of 'em once though. When I got on one of them ferryboats, a little chap :n brass buttons come up an asked me if my baggage was aboard. I said very dignified that it was right in front of him. 'Whereabouts?' he up an asks. Well, I'm standm' right in the middle of jt— aamtlr ~my doSsj' says I. And that settled him.

ROYAL VISIT TO READING. The Prince of Wales visited Reading on Saturday y to open the new college buildings there. His Royal High ness, accompanied by Prince Christian, met with an enthusiastic reception on arriving at Reading. Their Royal Highnesses were welcomed by Lord Wantage, president of the college and Lord Lieuten- ant of Berkshire, and escorted by yeomanry through the gaily decorated streets to Reading College, near which the civic welcome awaited them. There was also a procession consisting of the corporation, local officials, and the graduates of the nniversities. The Reading Corporation having presented an address, which was followed by another on behalf of the col- lege, his Royal Highness unlocked the north door with, a gold key, and entered the building amid the cheers of the large and fashionable company present. The Prince then proceeded to the college, where the National Anthem was sung, and after a prayer by the Bishop of Oxford his Royal Highness formally opened, the new buildings, the object of which is to further promote the study of science, art, literature, and agri- cultural subjects- • Subsequently the Prince tnspected the college and afterwards took luncheon ia the Queen's Hall, where Prince Christian and others were also the guests of Lord Wantage. After luncheon toasts were given. Replying to the toast of the Royal Family, His Royal Highness expressed regret at the absence of the Princess of Wales and the Duke of Yori, remarking that the latter could not bq present owing to his, paval duties. The Prince also intimated that Mr.' Walter Palmer, of Reading, had: contribute^ £ 4000 towards the col- lege fund r, the Prince of Wales, accqmpanied by Prince Christian and Lord, and Lady Wantage, drove with an escort of the Berks Yeomanry to the railway station,along an extended route. Tho special train conveyed the Royal visitors to Wantage, where the week end will be spent.

THE ST. NEOT'S MURDER. BOMB, LEGAL POINTS. I Some questions of legal interest, says the Law Journal, arose on the St.Neot's murder. The evidence ^eceased died of strychnine was conclusive, and there was equally conclusive proof that the accused had bought strychnine. But the proof that he sent it to the deceased was circumstantial only, and also rested on identification of handwriting; and it was open to argument (1) whether, assuming he sent the poison, he intended to induce the deceased to take it with fatal effect, in belief that she could pro- cure abortion ly taking it, or (2) whether he merely intended to aid her to procure a miscarriage. In law, no doubt, the offence would be equally murder; but the latter form is of so technical and constructive a nature that it would probably noMW vitrttetf by the extreme penalty of the law. This matter will, however, have to be fully eontfidbred in the forthcoming trial of Regina V.- Ctwinfc. "The most difficult question which aroSC "Wfts as to the power to admit part of statements Triads by the de- ceased when stricken with th(j defi^h a^onie# conse- quent on the poison. The reportt fct pwsftwfo hand do not fully or adequatelySfate tHfcargJiaffeiWbrt this point; but in the result tB& judR ajfteafrsitohave admitted so CRuchuftS retetej^j fiWhvOTOn'i^crip- ments^dirw^SSmiTia^f^^thettCcriiJWl TsSseemi to be the right cour*», having-r^gaird to the ruling Mr. Justice Charles in Regina v. Glorter.

PATENTS IN EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-SEVEN. According to the annual report of the Comrtroller- General, the applications for patents in 1897 num- bered 30,958 of which about 6000 were for inventions connected with cycling. The increase in applications for the year is 765, or 2-5 per cent., as compared with an increase in 1896 of 5131, or 20 5 per cent. But the growth in 1897, though less in quantity, has been apparently of a more substantial quality than that of 1896. For, whereas in 1896 the increase was mainly in applications accompanied by provisional specifications, in 1897 it was mainly in applications accompanied by complete specifications, which rose by 677, or 14 per cent. while those accompanied by provisionals rose by only 88, or 0'3 per cent. The p rate of' increase in the applications since 1893 hae been less constant than in preceding years. The number remained almost stationary in 1894, fell in 1895, rose with a sudden leap in 1896, and rose again, but only slightly, in 1897. In spite of these variations, however, tne average increase of applica- tions for the four years, taken together, is exactly the nominal average, namely 5*7 per cent. As regards specifications, the total number received in 1897 shows an increase of 1862, or 4'9 per cent. upon those of 1896, and this is the normal rate of increase, When the Patents Act of 1883 first came into force, and the initial fees were reduced from E25 to £ 4, it was thought probable that the average value of the patents granted would be diminished in a corres- ponding degree, as trivial inventions, upon which formerly it had not been worth while to pay hig^h fees, would in future be made the subject of patents. The accuracy of this presumption can now to some extent be tested, for the last renewal fees have been paid upon the patents of the year 1884. Out of the 9983 sealed patents of that year, 451, or 4 5 per cent., have been maintained for their full term of 14 years. Now out of the 3898 sealed patents of 1883 (the last year of the old Act) 238, or 6'2 per cent., were maintained for their full term, and speak- ing generally the percentage of patents under the old Act that ran their full course was about six. It thus appears that the percentage of sealedpatents that run for 14 years h&s fallen from six to 4'5 per cent.; but, on the other hand, though the ratio is smaller, the actual number of patents continued for their full term is considerably larger than before. England and Wales were less inventive in 1897 than in 1896, and the additional applications came chiefly from Scot,land, Ireland, Victoria, New Zealand, Tasmania, South Africa, France, Germany, Holland, Russia, Sweden, and the United States of America. Of foreign applications, far the largest number came from Germany and the United States, which contri- buted 2459 and 3084, as against 2172 and 2725 respectively in 1896. Japan, from which no applica- tions were received in 1896, sent five in 1897, the same number as in 1895 but China, from which nine were received in 1896, sent only three. The West Indies, from which nine, 16, six,eight, and 12 applications were received in each of the five prece- ding years respectively, contributed only five in1897. The number of applications for patents in this country made under the provisions of the Inter- national Convention of 1883, by inventors residing in other states of the Union, amounted to 271. Women inventors contributed 702, or nearly 2-3 per cent. of the total number of applications, about 148 being for inventions connected with articles of dress, and 106 for inventions relating to cycling. During the year there were 122 applications for amendment of speci- fication before the sealing of the patent, and 108 applications for amendment after seafinf.

THE SCARBOROUGH FIRE. FUNERAL OF THE SEVEN VICTIMS. The funeral of the seven victims of the fire at Scar- borough took place on Saturday. Two coffins con- tained the remains of the four youngest children, the mother and the two elder children reposing m separate shells. The five coffins were made of pitch pine with silver mountings, and were borne to the cemetery in thrte hearses. Many beautiful wreaths were sent. Such a scene as was witnessed on Saturday has never before been observed at a funeral in Scarborough. From Elder-street (where live the mother and sister of Mrs. Brooks) to the cemetery, a distance of over a mile, the road was lined on both sides with a dense throng of people, and the blinds of all the houses on the line of route were respectfully drawn. The persons present attired in black were numbered by thousands. The funeral rites were performed by the Bishop of Hull, assisted by three clergymen. The mother and her six children were buried in one grave, the children being laid at rest on either side of their parent. The scene at the graveside was a most pathetic ,one. Owing to the unpopular, feeling excited against the husband and father some 40 polk-e- men were on duty, and as. the funeral procession moved along the crowded streets on its way to the burinl place many hostile demonstrations against the man were noticed, especially on the part of the women folk, who imagined Brooks to be an occupant of the first coach, but who, it was. under- stood, owingto the hostility displayed against him diH not attend the funeral. On Saturday the coroner for Scarborough, accoin- panied by Detective Ward and two members of the Fire Brigade, made an inspection of the premises vn Queen-street where the fire occurred.

EPITOME OF NEWS. THE new French Espionage Bill makes the crime of treason punishable with death. THE cost of our Consular establishments for 1896-J was £ 278,681. THE second-class cruiser Dido has sailed from Devonport for Los Palmas, to relieve the Charybdis. THE Welsh coal strike accounted for a diminution of E220,136 in the export of coal last month. THE Duke of Connaught has been elected an Elder Brother of Trinity House, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Gladstone. The Archbishop of York has decided not to pro- ceed further with the scheme for establishing a bishopric in South Yorkshire. A SPECIAL COMMISSION will shortly be appointed to go out to Sierra Leone to make full inquiry as to the rising. THE Primrose League asserts that over 5200 new members joined last month. No finer fighting material can be found on the borders of India," says Sir William Lockhart of his late enemies, the Afridis. THE Empress Frederick will come to England next month for a week or two on a visit to the Queen. THE Prince and Princess of Naples are now in Norway, where their tour comprises Bergen, Hammer- fest, and the North Cape. In a few days they will 3tart for St. Petersburg. A SNAIL farm has been started by a farmer of Anet, France. He has already 200,000 of these in- teresting creatures, and they eat as much green foddei is two cows. A HEW rifle range has just been completed at Salis- bury (Rhodesia), and the first match will be between two rival teams representing Salisbury and Umtali. OF the old people in the United Kingdom above the age of 60, one in seven is at the present moment in receipt of parish relief. Two magnificent candelabra from the Royal Porce. lain Manufactory at Berlin have been sent to the Queen by the German Emperor and Empress all birthday presents. M. JULES LEMAITRE, the well-known French Acade- mician, is said to be the only one of the Forty Immortals who rides a bicycle. CAPTAIN LINDSAY, Chief Constable of the county, whilst driving home after the Merthyr Vale Demon- stration received some attention from the stone- throwers. One stone weighing 81b. fell into his trap. THE Queen, it is pleasant to read, is much more comfortable since she has taken to wearing spectacles. Her Majesty can now read well again, and she is able jo enjoy her drives much more than she was doing a ffhile ago. IT is rumoured in the South of Ireland that the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire are making arrange- ments for a visit in the autumn from the Duke ind Duchess of York to them at Lismore Castle, Waterford. IN order to illustrate experimentally the teaching it the agricultural department of the North Wales University College, it has been decided to acquire a farm of 358 acres at Lledwiean, in Anglesey, at a ;ost of £ 4000. The Drapers Company have pro- mised 91000 towards the object. THE latest proposal for meeting possible attach øt he Spanish vessels on American harbour towns is the jmployment of petroleum, which is to be distributed )ver an area of ocean and set fire to. ACCORDING to the Yorkshire Post difficulties of a -ather serious kind have arisen in connection with he British representation at the Paris Exhibition. THE Lord Mayor of Liverpool has received £ 2000 rrom an anonymous donor, who desires it to be ievoted to some Liverpool charity. LORD ROSEBERY has personally expressed a wish that nothing shall be done at present to demand his recall to the Leadership of the Liberal party. The novement in favour of such a step is, therefore, checked for the moment. COMPLAINTS come from the Shetlands of the Faroe cod-fishing season. Two Shetland smacks have just -eached Lerwick with but 3000 small cod apiece. The voyage will scarcely pay expenses. THE Queen, according to present arrangements, will reside about a fortnight longer at Balmoral. IN all Great Britain has five flags-tbe Royal Standard, the Union Jack, the merchant flag, the naval ensign, and the blue ensign, the flag of the Naval Reserve. The Union Jack is hoisted by Colonial Governors, and each colony shows a lifferent badge. It takes long practice and con- stant study to identify every British flag that one would see in a voyage round the world. A. ttvin de luxe is to run from St. Petersburg to romsk, on the trans-Siberian line. Four splendid loaches are fitted with all modern improvements. There is an open saloon, a dining-car, a library, a tnth-room, a telephone, electric light, a piano, and a set of games and gymnastic apparatus. Ma. J. G. ROBINSON, of Doncaster, has been acci- ientally drowned in the River Don. Deceased went out for a row, And was seen struggling in the water. HIS false teeth were- found fast in his throat. O-Ni of the strangest streams in the world is in East Africa. It flows in the direction of the sea, but never reaches it. Just north of the equator, and when only a few miles from the Indian On it flows into a desert, where it suddenly and completely disappears. THE probable acreage under wheat at the time. of he Crimean War was something like 4,000,000 aeres. Ihe acreage last year was 1,939,000; 74s. 8d. per quarter was the average price of home-grown wheat n the year 1855. IT is said that about the most expensive railway travelling in the world is to be obtained in Cuba, where at the present time as high a fare as 10d. a mile (third class) is charged. In addition to this, any article of luggage, beyond a bag and a hat, is liable to be charged for at equally heavy rates. The carriages are first,, second, and third class. Those of the first class are generally cane-seated, cool and airy, but carry few passengers, and those mostly ladies, because nearly everybody prefers the second class compartments, which have good cushioned seats at a fare one-third less. THE death is announced of the Rev. Percival Frost, F.R.S., D.Sc., who was well-known at Cambridge, where he had a distinguished academic career. Dr. Frost Was 81 years of age. He was educated at Beverley, Oakham, and Cambridge, and in 1839 was second wrangler and a Smith's prizeman. From 1839 to 1841 he was Fellow of St. John's College, and subsequently became mathematical lecturer at Jesus' College. From 1859 to tl889 he was mathe- matical lecturer at King's College, Cambridge, of which he had been Fellow since 1882. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society, and a voluminous writer on mathematical subjects. j AMATEUR MODEL: "Now, be sure you don t get my feet too large." Illustrator r lJ, they will be reduced one-half in the reproduction." Ctr»."—Levity is not entirely a modern fault, :hough it has unfortunately increased during recent years.. But there have been featherbrains and sauci tongues among the young folks of every ace A recent English publication, The Girlhood of Maria Josepha Holroyd," gives an amusing glimpse of the «y ,wJllch a young girl, charming, fresh, well-bred, of noble family-she was the daughter of Lord Shef- field-and acquainted with the life of town-house, ipuntry-house, and court in her day, could let her gay and girlish tongue run away with her, when writing to an intimate friend a hundred years ago. Gibbon, the historian, was a close friend of her father s, and Miss Holroyd naturally had many opportunities of listening to the famous man's con- versation. She met him at Lausanne, and wrote thus to her correspondent: When Gibbon, the King of the Place, as he is called, opens his mouth (which you know he generally does some time before he has arranged his sentence,) all wait in awful and respectful silence for what shall follow, and look up to It as to an oracle." An oracle which, it may be inferred, the lively Miss Holroyd at least failed to venerate very deeply; since she elsewhere gaily chats of the great man in even lighter vein, speaking of him simply as Gib. He had, as is well-known, relinquished the lady of his heart at the desire of his father. In his own care- fully polished phrase he had "sighed like a lover and obeyed like a son," but it appears that his disappoint- ment did not leave him too love-lorn to be aware of the charms of other ladies. He had admitted in Miss Holroyd's hearing that the piercing black eyes of a lovely Frenchwoman, Madame de Montelieu had so affected him that he narrowly escaped com- mitting matrimony, upon which the English girl tartly comments, It never occurs to him that she might have refused him, and I dare swear he would sooner believe a miracle than that a sensible woman should show such a want of taste A WOMAN'S WATCH—Miss Hiborn: "It seems to run very well for a day and a half and then it will not go at all.' Watchmaker: "Yte: it should be wound occasionally."