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

OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. The celebration this week of, the sixtieth tmniversary of the coronation ofc the Queen in Westminster Abbey has notllaturally served to recall various aneedttea concerning her Majesty's early years. Some of these have to be taken with more than the proverbial grain of Bait, while others cannot be accepted at any price by those who know the facts. One such is just now in circulation to the effect that it was only by an accident, and at the very last moment, that the infant Princess was called Victoria at all. It is related with circumstance that her father, the Duke of Kent, wished her to be called Elizabeth, and that her uncle, the Prince Regent (afterwards George IV.) pre- ferred the name Georgiana; and that it was when the latter was objected to, the Regent insisted that she should be christened Alexandrina after the then reigning Czar, and that it was only when at the font that, upon the officiating Archbishop pressing for a second name, that he hurriedly gave permis- sion for one of the names of the babe's mother to be added. But this tale is sheer fantasy, for, in point of fact, it was at the father's express wish that the name Alexandrina was given, this so much annoying the Regent that he would not allow Georgiana to be placed second, and hence it was that the present Queen was called after her mother. Most people, by the way, follow the usual text-books In thinking that her Majesty's names are Victoria Alexandrina," but the order in which they were given at her baptism was, as is now stated, "Alexandrina Victoria," and it was because she was always called Victoria in the home circle in her childhood that that one name has now, and for all time, passed into history. The more stirring events which within the past few days have taken place at the Cuban seat of war have very considerably revived public interest in every phase of the Hispano- American struggle. One result of that struggle promises to be similar to that which followed upon our own melancholy experiences during the Crimean war a thorough overhauling of the Commissariat Department. That branch of the military organisation, as far as the United States are concerned, would decidedly seem to be in need of reform, if we are to accept as a well-founded the grumbles on the part of some of the American soldiers which are now beginning to filter through to London. At one Virginian camp, both the quantity and the quality of the food are being adversely criticised, one of the men being quoted as say- ing that the chain gang in Albany is better fed than this," while another is credited with the remark, This kind of food takes a lot of the patriotism out of the man." This latter must decidedly be a feather-bed kind of a soldier; and it seems that the complaints chiefly come from the New York regiments, which, from the time of the Civil War, have had a reputation for not being particularly tractable. It is said that hitherto the trouble has been to distribute the supplies properly, in consequence of the enormous amount of red tape with which the allowance of the men has apparently been tied up but this is an allega- tion which at various times has applied to more armies than one. Those among us who can remember Charles Dickens as a reader of selections from his own works are steadily decreasing in number, and are beginning to verge upon age; but there remain enough to be keenly interested in a tetter of the great novelist, written to his pub- lisher just exactly forty years ago, which was sold in a London auction-room this week, and which seems to indicate that he had consider- able anxiety at the outset as to the probable results of the policy of giving such readings. i After sketching his programme for London, the Eastern Counties, the West of England, Lan- cashire, Yorkshire, and Scotland, Dickens observed The question I want your opinion on is this: Assuming my hopes to be well- founded, would such an use of the personal (I may almost say affectionate) relations which tubsist between me and the public, and make my standing with them very peculiar, at all affect my position with them as a writer? Would it be likely to have any influence on my next book? If it had any influence at all, would it be likely to be of a weakening or of a strengthening kind ?" What was the pub- lisher's reply does not appear, but, if he could accurately have forecasted the future, he would have advised Dickens not to give public read- ings. That he was a magnificent reader every- body knows; that the effort brought him many thousands of pounds is as well attested; but there is equally little doubt that the strain entailed shortened his life by years, and was one of the causes of his sudden death. Nothing would seem to moderate the anxiety which possesses the female sex to secure posi- tions either in the Post Office or some other branch of the Civil Service. At the four last examinations in connection with the female side of the former department, an average of thirty- two applicants presented themselves for each vacancy, the number of applicants for each position at the latest having risen to thirty- i ur. This is by no means an unusual experi- ence, for no Civil Service female clerkship is offered for competition which does not attract at least thirty competitors, While, at the early examinations for the Post Office Savings Bank, the candidates for each vacancy frequently numbered forty. It would, therefore, appear that the answer of an immense number of .parents to the increasingly-pressing question -e i" What shall we do with our girls p". is Make Poet-office clerks of them"; but it is easier in this matter to ask than to have. So great is the total of candidates that the examinations are being made more and more stiff; and many a clever girl, who has gone into them with the brightest of hopes, has been "ploughed" because of a stumble over some wholly un- expected question. It is a sign of how extremely dull, from the news point of view, is the present sum- mer that there has been started, well in advance, of what has been accus- tomed to be called "the dead season," a controversy in the London Press as to the rights or wrongs of smoking on the tope of omnibuses. Twenty years ago there would not have been the slighest occasion for such a controversy, seeing that only men then ventured upon the « knif eboard by means of perilous ladders of narrow strips of iron; but, the in roduction of garden-seats on the omnibus-tops and improved stairs to reach them has revolutionised 'bus-riding, and upon a bright summer day more ladies than men are to be found on an omnibus in the metropolis. These ladies-or, at least, a portionof them- object to cigar and pipe ashes being blown in their face, and a certain amount of sympathy will be extended to them; but it has in fair- ness to be remembered that. the cigar or the pipe is a considerable comfort to many a man after the worry of his day's business m the City, and that, as the ladies always crowd inside if it be rain, they might make some allowance for the other sex in fine weather. One way out of the difficulty would be to adopt the plan which is in use in some Conti- nental towns, and that is to reserve the two or three seats at the rear for smokers; and that is, perhaps, what will yet be done. Although it still seems a far cry to 1900, active preparations are already being made in various quarters in London for the Inter- national Exhibition in Paris which is to mark that year. The Royal Commission which, under the presidency of the Prince of Wales, is to organise the resources of the United Kingdom for that occasion is now at work, and there is a keen hope displayed in commercial circles that it will be placed by the Treasury in a position to do its task thoroughly and well. In another direction preparations are being made which indicate that a very large number of British visitors may be expected to attend. Already many persons are beginning to subscribe a small sum weekly to enable them without appreciable pecuniary effort to visit Paris during the Exhibition period. The trip, under ordinary circumstances, would be more costly than usual, because it may be taken for granted that the hotel-keepers will follow the precedents they themselves have established in previous Exhibi- tion years, and raise their tariff fifty per cent It is this kind of thing which makes the Englit h visitor exclaim, as did Punch in 1867, Exposi- tion Imposition! but the hotel keepers declare that the price of food is so greatly in- creased at such times that the additional change no more than covers it. However th: t may be—and one has his doubts—there can no mistaking the fact that those who visit Paris in the summer of 1900 will find it both costly and crowded; but those who do not mind the latter point and who can afford the former will of a surety enjoy themselves. R.

NEWS NOTES. DESPITE the inclemencies of the weather and other impediments something like actual hos- tility has at length transpired in the long- written-of alleged warlike operations between Spain and the United States. It is more than a mule killed this time; and perhaps something tangible may shortly arise out of the Ameri- can inraid upon Cuba. So conflicting are the messages from the scene of action, and so highly-coloured in the in- terest of the senders, however, that we must suspend judgment as to the ultimately probable outcome of it all. There is a growing feeling for the desirability of a settlemeut of the dis- pute on terms from outside Powers, and amongst humanitarian common-sense folk gene- rally but a good deal depends upon the events of the immediate future. Both Madrid and Washington have played, and will have to pay heavily that they may desperately stand out to win or to lose all; but one would fain see, prudence and not desperation prevail. CHINA'S troubles have not yet ended. She made a concession to certain persons under the Belgian Government in regard to the railway- line between Peking and Hankow. Belgium possessing nominally no political influence m China, this seemed a perfectly harmless move. But it transpires now that the principal financiers of this r..dventure are Frenchmen and Russians, which places the matter on quite another footing. Other Powers, who have hotly contended for neu- trality and free-trading from the West to the Empire of the Celestials, object, naturally; and, as China protests that she has been misled, we may hear a good deal more of the whole busi- ness. IT is satisfactory to see what is likely to prove an adequate relief subscription list being raised on behalf of the survivors of those who lost their lives at the launch of the ill-fated warship Albion. The pity of it is that, since it was patent beforehand to many that the staging from which they were swept would be unsafe ,after the moving of the huge hulk, such steps were not taken as render any influx of the public to this dangerous point absolutely im- possible. THE weather, taking the country through, is still disagreeably varied. What is wanted is a settled and seasonable temperature. If in- tervals of refreshing rain came between I the normal spells of sunshine all might be well; but cold winds and chilly wet spoiling most days, with interludes of excessive heat, put humanity out of tune and temper and place the crops in jeopardy. It is no use, how- ever, grumbling at the disagreeables which mankind cannot alter; so we must endure the incurable with the best grace that we can com- mand. THE Fisheries and Harbour Departments ot the Board of Trade are henceforth to be rolled into one, on the retirement of Mr. Ber- rington, who was the chief fisheries inspector. Mr. Archer, who has been salmon fisheries in- spector, succeeds Mr. Berrington, while the Hon. T. H. W. Pelham takes charge of the consolidated departments as Assistant Secre- t tary. Will this be conducive to the general good, or a dangerous move for economy's sake ? Some fear the latter, but we shall see. SIR GEORGE NEWNES costly gift of a cable tramway to Matlock may be a convenience, and a cheap one, to the dwellers in the Bath distriot a cheap one, to the dwellers in the Bath distriot of that particular part of Peakland; but the question is whether it has not something of the character of a desecration of natural beauty ? Sir George does not think so, else he would not so generously have initiated it, but there are those who do. Some of the loveliest spots in the English Switzerland have been shorn of their chiefest attractions through rendering them easily accessible to the cheap tripper. Let anyone who does not realise this visit Dovedale next August Bank Holiday, making the approach to the Happy Valley from the Peveril of the Peak." One does not want to shut away too rigorously the town-pent mil- lion from sylvan charms; but the "Aunt Sallies," the cocoa-nut shies, the beer bottles, and the discarded paper coverings of food which follow in their wake so plentifully dispel all the illu- sions of solitude, romance, and rusticity. Derlyshire proper might suffer monetarily were the day excursionist from a distance shut away; but the loveliness ofthe hill county would thereby be materially conserved. And who would not lament the ultimate spoiling of such a match- lessly varied piece of panoramic countryside :as that which nestles around the Peak ? Two of the Gordon Highlanders who distin- guished themselves for valour at Dargai were decorated by ther Queen on Saturday at Windsor with the coveted V.C. Let us hope that we shall hear nothing in their cases, or in those of any who shall succeed, of distressed circumstances following conspicuous bravery. A grateful country should see that its heroes are kept out of want's way, and placed in a position beyond all temptation of exploiting for the sake of gain their position in shows of any kind. No more need be said. THE Prince of Wales's visit to Mr. Joseph' Arch in his cottage home at Barford, in War- wickshire, on Saturday, was a graceful act, whoever prompted it. Mr. Archer is not exactly a peasant now-indeed, he is member of Par- liament for the constituency in which our; future King has his home at Sandringham-but time was when the burly senator's laborious days were spent in hedging and ditching. f~r*, A-^h rose to excellence as a farm: nanci, and his intellectual gifts and ac- quirements have since called him up to St- Stephen s; but none the less the visit of the Prince is an event which does him honour, and does honour to the Prince as well. No political significance, in the partisan sense, of course attaches to it; but it is a notable event for all that, in our social economy.

AT the Scottish National Kifle Meeting on. Satur- day Sergeant Smith, of the 1st Ayrshire Volunteers, won the Scottish championship and £ 100 With •core of 2W points.

A SURREY WONDER. The picturesque old Sight-street of Guilford, with its historic pro- jecting clock, pre- sents a delight- ful old-time aspect, and Surreyites n; aj be pardoned for considering it the prettiest street scene in England. Falcon-road ia one of the more modern roads in Guildford, and at No. 43 lives Mrs. R. Styles, a stout matronly lady, the proud High Street, Guildford. ™° £ er of ten J J children. Two years ago last September," said she to a Surrey Times reporter, I was very ill with influenza, and I never seemed to get over that attack, although previously a strong woman. I was for months unable to do my housework. When the influenza left me I suffered dreadfully from palpitation of the heart and nervousness, and had such pains in my head that I thought I should go out of my mind. In addition, I had rheumatic pains in my limbs, and life was getting a misery. Medical treatment wae unsuccessful, and I really felt as if I was dying. While I was in this critical condition a book was left at my house telling the virtues of Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People, and I resolved to try a box. I am very glad that I did, for at the end of a week I found they were doing me good. In a fortnight I felt a different woman, and new I don't think I ever felt so well in my life before-certainly never better. The palpitation of the heart has gone, and the pains in my head and limbs have likewise disappeared. My neighbours are amazed at the wonderful change in me, but I can safely say that it is entirely due to those pills and to nothing else." Mrs. Styles also mentioned the case of a friend, a dressmaker, who complained of general weakness, and her eyes paining her. After a course of Dr. Williams' Pink Pills, she has derived wonderful benefit. Mrs. Stylet (concludes the reporter) gave one the idea of a strong active person, the very reverse of an invalid. It is because they fortify and strengthen the system that these pills are unlike any other medicine, and this shows the importance of always getting the genuine pills, which are sold only in a pink wrapper, bearing in red the full name, Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People." In case of doubt, it is better to send direct to Dr. Williams' Medicine Co., Holborn-viaduct, London, enclosing the price, 2s. 9d. for one box; 13s. 9d. for; six boxes. The disorders they have cured include anaemia, loss of appetite, palpitation, shortness of breath, early decay, all forms of female weakness, hysteria, paralysis, locomotor ataxy, rheumatism, sciatica, scrofula, rickets, chronic erysipelas, consumption of the bowels and lungs. These pills are not a purga- tive, and contain nothing that could injure the nioef delicate.

THE KEEPERSHIP OF THE RA. The Royal Academy is just now without a keeper, and there is considerable speculation as to who is likely to succeed to Mr. Calderon's post. It is one of the few lucrative appointments connected with the institution. The salary is R,800 a year, with a good house-indeed, an historic house, for its rooms are those that remain standing of the old Burlington House—in certainly a covetable situation, in the most prized thoroughfare of the West-end, and yet with- drawn from its noise and bustle. The President gets E1000 a year; but then he has to entertain, he has to subscribe to the appropriate charities, he has to make those inevitable speeches. The keeper's, on the whole, is a happier lot. And the position has its dignity, too, for the keeper is practically the Vice- President of the Academy.

TURNER'S FIRST EXHIBITED PICTURE. A picture of considerable interest to art collectors and the public generally will shortly be offered for sale. The title of the picture is given as "The Archbishop's Palace, Lambeth," and it was the first drawing exhibited by Turner at the Royal Academy. In the catalogue of 1790 it appears as being the. work of J. W. Turner, Maiden-lane, Covent-garden." Thornbury, in his Life," refers several times to this early drawing, stating that it is now in the possession of Miss Dart, of Bristol." Miss Dart was a niece of Turner's old friend, John Narraway, and the drawing remained in her possession until 1868. afterwards passing out of her hands. The picture next came into the hands of a Mr. Courtault, of Braintree, in whose hands it remained until his death, which took place some six years igo,4 when his effects were sold, and most of his pictures came into the possession of a local furniture dealer. This man, who in all probability had never heard of Turner, put it away among some old lumber at the back of his shop; the present owner, seeing some pictures in "the window when passing, went in and turned over the whole stock, with fruitless results. The picture was recently sent to Messrs. Vokins for reframing, and they discovered a record of having framed it in 1868. The writing on the picture is quoted in part in,the Life of Turner," and the age of the artist is com- nafented upon. The full inscription, which has been protected under glasr at the back of fbe- frame, is The Archbishop's Palace, Lambeth (London), done by J. M. W. Turner, when a lad about 16 or 17 years of age his first picture in the exhibition at Somerset House, and afterwards'given bv himself to his old friend Mr. John Narraway, of Broad-road, Bristol, about the year 1790 or 91." Double interest attaches to it as being not only the first Turner exhibited on the walls of the Academybut a pictorial record of a great historic building, kg. it appeared in the closing years of the last century.

ATTACKED BY AN ORANG-OUTANG M. Duchesne, a retired officer of the merchant service living in the Rue d'Al^sia, Paris, brought home, an orang-outang with him from Borneo some two years ago. The briite has since grown -to its full size, and is a terror to the neighbours. J|s master refuses to chain it up, contenting himself with shutting the animal in his bedroom before going out. M. Duchesne did this as usual "one Saturday, which was the day selected by a burglar to make a professional call at his apartment. Nicolas Bargeve, alias The Devourer," had only completed his ninth term of imprisonment three days before, and was, consequently, unaware that M. Duchesne kept a pet. However, when he broke into the bedroom the burglar found himself grasped by two hairy paws. The orang-outang bit him horribly in the face, and was trying to strangle the captive when the burglar's screams brought help. The ape retreated to a corner showing its teeth, and threaten- ing to spring oil the new arrivals. Bargeve was drawn out of the room by his feet, and after- having been medically attended to, was- conveyed to the depot infirmary. He had gone mad. The burglar now imagines himself to have been changed into an ape.

THAT wicked flea kept me awake all night, SIMPK, because I forgot to &et a tin of Keating's Powder*" the unrivalled Killer of Fleas, Beetles, Moths, which is sold everywhere in 3d., 6d., and Is. tins. Harmless to everything but Insects. See the signature qf ,o. Thomas Keating on outside label. WHEIT will people understand that when they GO boating on the sea they ought to have somebody them who knows something about it, if they are themselves ignorant ? Four young fellows have just been drowned at Blackpool, and three at 804thsm Apparently not one of either party had the slight est notion of how to manage a boat. No doubt the tale will be repeated at intervals throughout this summer, and for as many more as utterly inexperienced lands- men are permitted to take boats out to sea with no one to look after them. THB Journal of the Kew Guild has a portrait of Miss Gulvin, who left Kew last year to take charge of the gardens of J. Brogden, Esq., in South Wales, This young lady, who has the management of four vineries, an orchid-house, cucumber frames, flower and fruit gardens, and five acres of kitchen garden, has been successful as an exhibitor at horticultural shows. Slie is assisted by a lady gardener and four men, and writes, my staff is now quite contented to be controlledibfoni fof the: weaker sex."

THE WAR. FIRST LAND BATTLE.-AMERICAN LOSSES. The first land battle of the campaign took place on the morning of Midsummer Day, in the vicinity of Santiago, and resulted in a complete and decisive Victory for the American forces. The advance guard of the United States expedition wats moving slowly towards Santiago, feeling its way as it went. The troops bad reached a point about eight miles from Santiago, when, from a strong position, the Spaniards, who were in ambush, opened a heavy fire. Many American soldiers fell at the first volley, but without giving ground. The invaders deployed, and opened a galling fire from every point of vantage open to them. Gradually the entire Spanish forces were located, and then, with a loud cheer, the Ameri- cans in the front and the Cuban volunteers on the flanks made one grand rush at the Spanish position. The Spaniards held their ground for a moment, and then fell back before the American onslaught. The Americans cheered again and charged home, and the retreat of the Spaniards became a rout. Many were killed in the running fight, the American firing being good. The. Spanish force was pursued until it reached the main body, when the American troops fell back. The Spaniards were evidently taken by surprise by the vigour with which the Americans pressed the charge home. The American loss was the most serious they have yet sustained. Seventeen Americans were killed and 43 wounded. Besides these, 20 Cubans were killed and many wounded. The Spanish loss is estimated at 200 killed and a large number wounded. Among the killed on the American side is Mr. Hamilton Fish, one of Roose- velt's rough riders, who held a prominent position in New York society. The two armies were thus placed within touch, the Spaniards occupying a strong position. The ambush was prepared by the Spaniards near Sevilla, and it was very cleverly arranged. The American officers killed and wounded were Killed.—Captain Cabras, First Regiment of United States Artillery. Seriously wounded.—Major Bell, Major Brodie, Captain ifnox, Captain McCormick, Captain McClin- tock, and Lieutenant Edward Marshal (special corre- spondent of the New York Journal). The American forces have captured the town of Alpares. The Spaniards fled. Five thousand Cubans, under Generals Rabi and Garcia, have joined the American forces at Alpares. GENERAL SHAFTER'S DESPATCH. The first despatch received at the United States War Department from General Shafter regarding the fighting which followed the American landing is as follows: "Baiquiri, June 24. News from General Wheeler places the loss during this morning's firing at about 10 killed and 40 wounded. The Spaniards occupied a very strong, entrenched position on high hills. The firing lasted about an hour. The enemy was driven from his position, which is now occupied by our troops. It is about a mile and a half from Sevilla. The enemy has retired towards Santiago." SPANISH VERSION OF THE FIGHT. The following official despatch has been received in Madrid from Marshal Blanco Three hundred Americans attacked the-Spaniards near Siboney and Sevilla. The Spaniards lost three killed and three wounded. The Americans then attacked General Rubon's camp, but were repulsed, the Spaniards pur- suing them and taking possession of their ammuni- tion and clothes. The American warships have fcombarded Caselda." HEAVY LOSSES ON BOTH SIDES. Details have been received in New York of the skirmish near Santiago on Midsummer Day, in which 16 Americans were killed. A force of 1200 Americans, composed largely of Roosevelt's rough riders, many of the members of which are well known society men of New York, ran into an ambush of 2000 Spaniards, who fired a furious volley into their midst. The Americans at once dis- mounted, and charged into the chaparal firing as they, advanced. The Spaniards were lying behind fallen trees, and it became necessary for the Ame- ricans to push aside the thick bushes as they ap- proached the enemy. They leapt the trees, and with clubbed rifles attacked the Spaniards, who fled across a clearing, nd took refuge in a blockhouse on a hill top, five miles from Santiago. The Americans charged up the hill and captured the blockhouse. The Spaniards then fled to Santiago. Three hundred regulars were with Roosevelt's rough riders. The Ame- ricans had several men killed, among them being Mr. Hamilton Fish, a member of Mr. Roosevelt's regi- ment. He was a grandson of General Grant's famous Secretary of State, and was a graduate of Columbia College in 1895. Many of the others killed were his fellow class men. Mr. Roosevelt re- signed the post of Assistant Secretary of the Navy on purpose to go to the war. The Spanish loss is unknown, but 14 dead wero left by them on the field. When the Spaniards evacuated Juragua they fled in such haste and so unexpectedly that they even left their breakfasts cooking oh the stoves, though they tried to destroy the bags of flour they could not carry away by slashing them with their swords. They also endeavoured to disable a locomotive by throwing some portions of it into the sea. The invaders soon overcame this difficulty by improvising substitutes for the missing portions and repaired the engine. Then they got. steam up, and attached the locomotive to a car filled with sharp-shooters, and steamed for some miles along the track, the marksmen taking shots at any Spaniards they sighted. YANKEES AMBUSHED. The New York Post publishes the following despatch from Playa de Este, in reference to the fight at Juragua: Immediately on several of the rough riders being hit the men burst out in angry curses. Their commander, Colonel Wood, shouted "Don't swear-fight." Meanwhile, the invisible Spaniards continued to pour in volleys of bullets, which seemed to explode on striking, and though the Americans endeavoured to press forward they were compelled by the heavy fire to fall back for 100 yards. They then rallied, encouraged by the shouts of Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt and Major Brady. The auxiliary warships in the harbour tried to shell the Spanish flank, but none of them had artillery powerful enough to reach the enemy. The Iowa, Oregon, and New Orleans, whose guns would have been of use, were outside, down the coast watching. the steel rail-road bridge over the Jura- kuacitos River, with a view to preventing its destruc- tion by the Spaniards, as it is wanted for the passage of General Shafter's artillery. The Evening Worlds correspondent telegraphing from Playa del Este says The Rough Riders, who fell into an ambush, advanced without any particular plan of action as to how to attack the enemy. They marched noisily through a narrow road in the wood, talking volubly, when they suddenly came upon the Spanish lines. A fierce fire was poured upon them from the dense thickets, and a terrible fight ensued. Nothing of the enemy was visible to the Americans, whose bearing could not have been finer. They lost heavily, however, owing to the remarkably wrong idea which prevailed among them as to how Spaniards can bushwhack.' It was simply a gallant blunder." In the attack on Santiago the Cubans will be given the post of honour in storming the outside entrench- ments east of the city if they can hold it. The need for horses is imperative. There are not sufficient to get the artillery alongy to say nothing of the wagon trains and supplies. Light batteries-of siege guns are, however, moving on Santiago. Garcia has captured Fernindia, five miles from Bocopa Castle (on the west side of the mouth of Santiago Harbour). SPANISH COAST MENACED. The Navy Department in Washington on Monday issued an official announcement that a squadron under Commodore Watson will -at once proceed to the Spanish coast. It will consist of the Newark (flagship), two battleships, and three cruisers, with three colliers in attendance. The measure is said to have been under consideration for six weeks, but the Times New York correspondent thinks that the news of the arrival of Admiral Camara's fleet at Port Said brought matters to a crisis. It is thought by the Wash- ington authorities that the presence of the American fleet on their coasts will bring home the realities and the inevitable result of the war for the first time to the Spanish people. The Times' Madrid corre- spondent says that the threats of sending an Ameri- can squadron to bombard the Spanish coast towns are regarded there as proof that the Washington Government is alarmed at the prospect of Admiral Camara's arriving in the neighbourhood of Manila otherwise, they make little or no impression. The American troops, with their Cuban auxiliaries, were on l'uesday morning steadily drawing closer to Santiago -and fefling-the Spanish front, but no further fighting had, up to then, been reported. In Madrid it is hoped that reinforcements will reach Santiago from Manzanilla; it is known that they are on the way. The peace movement in Catalonia is reported to he gaining strength. Thousands of workmen are being thrown out of employment and a disturbance of public order is apprehended. Statistics published in Berlin show that British imports from the Philip- pines are 33 times greater than those of Germany, and her exports to the islands are more than three times greater.

A BURNS FESTIVAL. What was described as a national Burns festival was held on Saturday afternoon in the Volunteer Hall, Dumfries, when a choir numbering 700 voices and a large orchestra rendered Burns' favourite songs, including "To Mary in Heaven" and "Scots Who, Ifae." It was originally intended holding the concert in the open air at Lincludin Abbey, a pic- turesque ecclesiastical ruin situated near Dumfries. where the poet composed several pieces, but in conse- quence of rain this had to be abandoned. The unique musical treat, the proceeds of which are intended for raising a memorial in Dumfries to Robert the Bruce, was largely attended by people from all parts, two performances being given. Sir James Crichton Brown, who presided, said that while that afternoon's celebration was meant to do honour to the memory of Burns, and to bring home to them the enchantment of his melodies, it was also meant to inaugurate" a movement to do honour to another great Scottish hero, and to remind them of the doughty deeds of Robert the Bruce. Robert Burns and Robert Bruce had a great deal in common. Both vindicated Scottish independence-one indepen- dence of nation, the other independence of Scottish character.

THE SERVICES OF THE CHURCH The Bishop of London has forwarded to all incumbents in his diocese a letter in which, after remarking that in a diocese like London it is natural that there should be a tendency to make new experiments in various ways, he says this tendency must be subject to certain obvious limitations, It is absolutely necessary that nothing should be done which affects the performance of the ser- vices of the Church as laid down in the Book of Common Prayer, and that any additional services should conform entirely to the spirit and inten- tion of the Prayer-book. There must be no con- fusion in the minds of the people as to the standard of worship in the Church of England, and there must be no opportunities for personal eccentricities to invade the system of the Church. The bishop proceeds to give direction on certain points. Morning and evening prayer should be said and the Holy Communion be celebrated on Sundays at such hours as are most convenient to the congregation. There should be no appearance of disregard of any one of these services in favour of another. The service for Holy Communion should be said .as it. is appointed in the Book of Common Prayer, without any additions or omissions. Addi- tional services, where used, should be separated by a distinct interval from the services appointed in the Prayer-book, and should be announced as addi- tional; and the bishop thinks it right that in all cases such services should be submitted for his san<

SINGULAR FALSE PRETENCE. At Northampton on Saturday a shoe operative named Partridge was sent to prison for one month with hard labour for false pretences of an unusual kind. The prisoner went to several townspeople and stated that he had to take his trial on a charge of manslaughter and that he wanted to get money enough to engage a counsel to defend him. He victimised a number of people and was afterwards seen drunk in the streets.

SIGNOR TOSTI, the veteran composer of "For Evet and for Ever and Good-bye, with their haunting pathos and beauty, is one of the most picturesque ana popular figures in musical London. Like Sir Michael Costa and other eminent Italians, he has lived so long in the metropolis that he is, in tastes and sympathies, as essentially English as his music is Italian in its inspiration. Signor Tosti numbers amongst his pupils Lady Dudley, Mrs. Arkwright, and most of the talented amateurs met with in West-end drawing-rooms.

FRY'S "PURE CONCENTRATED" COCOA MAINTAINS ITS PRE-EMINENCE as a LIGHT and NOURISHING DRINK. F.P.C. Just three words are necessary in order to get m the right brand, viz.,

EVERY BULLET ITS OWN DOCTOR. In spite of the terrible increase in the destractive- ness of modern warfare, the tendency of the times is to make a conflict as humane as practicable. For this reason the use of copper-covered bullets has been frowned upon, and a medical man now comes forward with a plan that he claims will wonderfully mitigate the suffering of a man whose body has been perfo- rated by the modern small calibre bullet. The phy- sician's idea is to attach a small wad of antiseptic cotton to the rear of the bullet. This would be covered by the shell of the cartridge and could not interfere with loading or firing. As the bullet passes through a person the wad will antisepticise the wound and prevent consequent suppuration.

TilE ever-recurring rumour that the bull-light is a less popular form of amusement in Spain than hitherto is certainly disproved by the fact that Reverte, the favourite espada, has found the season which has just ended one of the most successful he has ever experienced. During the eight months he has assisted at 75 bull-fights, six of which were held in France and two in Portugal. To attend them he has travelled at least 30,000 miles, and has earned the immense sum of £ 15,000. From this sum, how- ever, his expenses have to be deducted. THE Americans have brought a ring gun in contra- distinction to our wire gun, with the advantage of being dismountable. Rings of steel take the place of the wire used by us to strer; l ^n the rifled tube. These rings can be taken off v, l.t n the gun is dis- mounted for transport. They are fixed on the tube by an arrangement of four longitudinal bolts. The cannon has not yet b^ern^rtToro^gtily tried.

CARTER'S LITTLE LIVER PILLS. laaaJ 1 Pill. SqmU DM*. TOE Sortl jfpA? IVCR Mm. MB | piy^S Forty In > I* Tll*l( Partly.VegeuM*. Care Torpid LiTer, -1* Sallow Couipioiion, and Blok BetdaehM promptly: and care them «o u to §uur »ar«4. Oi«ml»t», Jm. 14* ^JEMSTIFUL TEETH vko ase dally .oil lh« tattfc brush A few axopt of SOZODONT th* ptefttantttt dtrntarie* tn ttt worlc Cleanses the teeth and spaces between them as nothing else will. Sonnd ^nd pearly whits teeth, rosy lips, and Ingrani breath etuitLred. Auk tot SOZODONT. 8s. 0&

THE Duchess of Sutherland has since returning from Italy been devoting nearly the whole of her time to philanthropifc-1 enterprises. A few days ago she was complimented by ex-Lord Chancellor Her- schell for her eloquent plea on behalf of the feeble- minded children of London. Her Grace has also done good work in connectiort with the Temperance and other social causes by organising concerts to secure heljTfor them in the form of funds.' We now learn that she is organising a Tweed exhibition at Stafford House on behalf of the Scottish Home In- dustries Association. There is another .cause which well deserves her support, and that is the campaign against lead poisoning in the Potteries," where her nameie a household word. The workmen would be I delighted to learn that thnir duchess was fighting their battles.

LIFE IN SIBERIAN R Mr. Tlioinas G, Allep, jtin, whotravened"acro. Noia on a bicycle, declares that we hold man] erroneous ideas regarding Siberia and her people* There are fashions and fashionable people even in Siberia, and, according fo 'Me- Allen, one meets aa well-dressed women in Siberia as are found to be in any European city. The social forms that exist in the large cities of Russia are observed Hi Siberia, and the fashionable people °f that,vast province enjoy life to the full. f

T»E appointments additional to that ot Dr. Leyd» as Ambassador for the Transvaal in Europe j £ st teen officially announced, and are as fellows: 5^U Van Boeschoten, (at present; Under State A •^i1"etoria),. Charge d'Affairs Mr. P. Li man, Chanceiror Jenkheer Vah Der Hoven, Secretary to the Legations the Hague. THE rltish Minister at Brussels has handed to fu it for Foreign Affairs a copy of the English statement in the Tillett dispute as for- warded to the arbitrator, M. Desjardins, at Parix. The Belgian Government must, according to the terms of the agreement, send in a counter memoran- dum within a month i

Nfffftfr' BLACK I IAL1 5/LEAD 1