Denbighshire Free Press

UJtLEAir JJIAMONDS. Wit) J-cace practically apsurcd, the value of all the Kimberley estates must naturally go up, and amongst others it is tolerably certain that the St. Augustine Diamond Mine, which is little more than a quarter of a mile from the De Beers, will share in the general advance. Diamonds tr> a fair amount have been won from it, and under its present auspices, with working capital provided, it should prove a profitable speculatr>n, ;ncro especially with the well-founded run/i^ir that the directors are engaged in negotiation- of an important-character. For those who care to make a slight venture on the possibility of a big return, St. Augustine Diamond shares offer unusual opportunities. That the entire issue of 200.000 shares at the present market price of 2<. 6d. means £ 25,000 for the whole property is zi in assessment which is likely to be re-adjusted now that the public have re-commenced buying; anyhow, it, is difficult to look down the list of quotations and find anything as promising at so low a figure. — IV hitehall R"1lirm

CORONATION- PROCESSION REHEARSAL. A vphear»al of the Coronation procession took plice on Tuesday morning over the whole length >1 (in: lOute to be followed on ti, day of the ••eremonv. Sir E. Bradford, Commissioner of and Sir. C. Howard, District Commis- sioner, rode at the head, followed by several mounted coachmen in livery from the Royal news. Then followed fifteen coaches and brakes, a heavy brake drawn by the eight magnificent creams of the Royal stud bringing up the rear. The coaches emplovi d were not those which will be actually in use on the day of the ceremony, but simply plain coaches and brakes. The famous creams'wore ordinarv black harness, instead of the highly-embellished har- ness by which they will be attached to the Royal coach 011 Coronation Day. The splendour and pageantry of the actual procession, indeed, were entirely absent, the object of the rehearsal being chiefly to test the approach to the Abbey entrance. Immediately in front of the Sove- reign's coach was a brake to represent that of the Prince and Princess of harnessed to six beautiful coal black horses. The rehearsal passed off satisfactorily, and the procession returned to the Palace by wav of Whitehall, Cockspur-street, Pall Mall; St.*James's-street, Piccadilly, and Constitution-lull. In the course of a week or so there will be a rehearsal of the long procession of June 27th through some of the principal City and South London thoroughfares.

LORD ASHTOWN'S COACHMAN FIRED AT. According to the Dublin Evening Herald, news has been received at Athcnry that an attempt had been made to shoot Lord Ashtown's coach- man. It seems that the coachman was returning from the railway-station at Woodlawn, and when he reached a place called Carabulla three shots were fired at him by some persons concealed in the woods. Beatty, the servant in question, escaped uninjured, and the matter is in the hands of the police. The. Evening Herald con- cludes its announcement with the following paragraph: "For some time past Lord Ashtown has been oil very bad terms with his tenantry, and has evicted several of his herds and filled their places with Scotchmen."

THE FRENCH PRESIDENT. After a very rough voyage from Copenhagen, President Loubet landed on Tuesday at Dunkirk, where, after being greeted by the French Ministers who arrived from Paris, the Belgian Mission, and the local authorities, he and his party were entertcrined at luncheon. Replying to the only toast given, M. Loubet said the welcome extended to him in Russia exceeded in cordiality and sincerity anything that could hare-been hoped for. His journey had not only drawn closer the ties of affection and interest between the two countries, but it should excite a responsive thrill in the hearts of ali French- men, and induce them to moderate their differences. A correspondent says that moderate enthusiasm was displayed by the public at the President drove through the town to the railway station. The special train by which he and the Ministers travelled reached Paris at six o'clock, and M. Loubet, looking very fatigued, with M. WAldeck-Bousseau and M. Delcass6, at once-drove to the Elys6e.

ACCIDENT TO A DESTROYER. At four o'clock on Tuesday morning, in a very thick, fog, the torpedo-boat destroyer Recruit, Lieutenant and Commander Rooke, struck the Vineck Rock, about a mile off Cape Cornwall, St. Just, and began to sink. Rockets were sent up, and the .crew were ordered to the boats. The Recruit sodn settled on the rock, but as fortunately the sealwas smooth there was no danger to life. Fifteen of the crew landed, pending the arrival of tugs. The cruiser Hyacinth, the torpedo destroyer Vigilant, and dockyard tugs were sent from Devonport to give assistance. Later in the day the Recruit was got off the rock and towed into Penzance Harbour by the steam tug Triton. The vessel was subsequently placed in Penzance Floating Dock and examined by divers from Devonport Dockyard. A rent was discovered underneath her boilers. The Recruit was built at Glasgow, and was launched last year. She is a twin-screw torpedo- boat destroyer of 5,800 indicated horse-power. Her steaming speed is 30 knots, and she has on board one 12-pounder and five 6-pounder guns. Her official complement is 58 men. Both the Recruit and the torpedo-boat destroyer Dove, which last week struck a rock and lost a propeller on the Irish coast, belong to the Portsmouth Instructional Flotilla. Further surveys shewed the damage to be much more serious and extensive than was at first thought. For 35ft. she was full of water to the level of the water outside. From right away forward to the mess-room deck, between the first and second funnels, the plates on the starboard side were broken and indented for the whole of that length. A singular statement is made to the effect that, being short of rockets, the Recruit fired live shells. The fog was so thick that the shells were, by mistake, discharged landwards, and burst over St. Just, breaking a number of windows. No one was hurt, and the folk of the town secured fragments of the projectiles as a memento of the stranding of a warship.

NURSE'S ACTION FOR LIBEL. A King's Bench jury has just awarded Miss Mansell E600 damages against the proprietors of the Sun newspaper for libel. The plaintiff was superintending nurse at the Lambeth Infirmary, and an inmate made accusations against her character, which were reported in the Sun. She complained that the report was unfair and libellous, as it omitted to give her denials, which were borne out by the medical super- intendent.—Mr. Justice Grantham said that everything in the report that was not spicy appeared to have been struck out.

THE SHIPPING TRUST. The main clauses, fourteen in number, of the 44offensive and defensive alliance" concluded between the German shipping companies and the Morgan Trust are made public in the form °[ a communication to the German Press and shareholders. The profit-sharing paragraphs of the agreement stipulate that while neither the Anglo-American Trust nor the German companies are to acquire ncurectly any Df each other's shares, the Anglo- fa '"th*6?*1 's entitled to a yearly payment German companies, of a sum equal cv,6 dividend on one quarter of the those companies. The Anglo- r\av tna*H?rUSt' on ot^er band, is bound to J ..ttle German companies a yearly sum amounting to 6 percent, on a quarter of the share capitals. Last year the North German Lloyd and the HamMrg-Amencam Line both declared dividends of 6 per cent. The Trust will, therefore, the Stcnwtrd correspondent points out, have an interest .W) see that the German companies earn at least. o per cent. per annum, as otherwise it would have to provide the difference. Nor will the German companies in future be anxious to declare more than 6 per cent., because any surplus dividend would benefit the Trust.- Of the other details contained in the state- ment, the most important is that the Anglo- American Trilst reserves to its ships the ex- clusive monopoly of all Belgian ports, which, therefore. must not be used by any of the German snips plvlng oexween liermany and North America, this privilege is granted in exchange for the obligation undertaken by the trust not to send any ships from America to German ports. One of the paragraphs of this document is summarised in the following words: "This agreement is to represent an alliance for mutual protection and defence, and the two contracting parties will assist each other against any inroads by outside competitors." Another vital point of the agreement, is that the nainburg-Americau Line "is to have the monopoly of the traffic between Xew York and Eastern Asia, as well as between New York and the West Indies. A special paragraph provides that during a war between Germany and either -the United States or England, or between England and the United States, the agreement would-be suspended. The rassenger rates have been regulated in common by a special supplementary treaty, which, how- ever, remains unpublished.

BOY'S BODY IN A BOX. The booking-clerk at the Great Central Station, Sheffield, made a shocking discovery on Tues- day. Opening a yelIN- tin box, about 18in. in diameter, he found wrapped in a small potato sack the body of a little boy about four years of age. The child had long brown hair, inclined to curl, and the face had been smashed in. The box was consigned from Sleaford, Lincolnshire, as passengers missing luggage. It was received at Sheffield the following day, and as no claimant appeared, it was opened. The box was fastened with a brass padlock. The police are making strenuous efforts to elucidate wiiat is apparently a dark crime. —

GUATEMALA EARTHQUAKES The Central American mail has brought details of the earthquakes which have lately occurred in Guatemala. All previously published accounts of the disasters, it appears, fall short of the terrible reality, which makes this calamity second only to the more recent one in Mar- tinique. Eight cities have been destroyed, thousands of persons are homeless and starving. The shocks began on April 8th, and ceased on April 24th. Quezaltenango, which was the second city after the capital, and the most flourishing, lies in ruins, as also do San Marcos, Solola, Mazatenango, Santa Lucia, and San Felipe. All the machinery on the plantations in the chief coffee-growing districts has been damaged. The number of dead appears to run into thousands. From the least important of the ruined towns seventy bodies have already been taken out. T ENGLISHWOMEN DROWNED

An English lady named Rose Davison was out swimming with her maid at Viareggio, Tuscany, on Monday, when both were seen to be in difficulties. Two fishermen went to their rescue, and both women clung to them so desperately that all four were drowned.

INGENIOUS CHEQUE FRAUDS. An ingenioas cheque fraud is being perpetrated on London shopkeepers who are having their places of business painted. The prime movers in the fraud ascertain the name of the master painter, and filling up a cheque for a few pounds in his name, send it by a messenger to the shopkeeper with a note requesting him to cash it. As a rule silver is asked for, and the tradesman, probably thinking that the painter requires the money to pay his men, falls into the trap, and does not find out until it is too late that the signature is a forgery.

TRACED BY A DOG. At Wakefield, two miners; George Edward Cutts and John Margison, were charged with stealing a number of fowls. The prisoners had been traced by a dog which had been running among the fowls left behind, and which was captured. The dog was taken by a string up and down the district for the whole of the night, and ultimately stopped opposite the residence of Margison's father. Information obtained here led to the arrest of the prisoners, who were each sent to gaol for two months.

CONVICT'S DARING RUSE. Details of an ingenious attempt to escape from Parkhurst Prison have just leaked out. In broad daylight one of the convict guards stopped a man suspiciously dressed in white trousers, cap, and grey shirt as he was about to emerge into the nighw&y. Examination revealed the fact that the man was a convict who had in some that the man was a convict who had in some unexplained manner divested 'himself of his prison clothes for a very scanty civilian outfit. The convict came within an ace of gaining freedom. No alarm had been given. R FIRE AT LIVERPOOL.

Another outbreak of fire occurred on Monday, night at the Dingle Station on the Liverpool Overhead Electric Railway. Six lives were lort last Christmas at this place by & fire caused through the fusing of a motor on the train. In the present case also it was the motor which fused. The train, consisting of three carriages, was standing by the platform when a llame of electricity issued from the motor-box, and the woodwork around caught fire. An alarm was at once given and the station officials came with a hose and hydrants, the flames being extin- guished before much damage was done. The motor-box was intact.

A STRANGE PHENOMENON. A telegram from Lloyd's Signal Station at Brow Head, near Cork, states that a curious phenomenon was observed on Monday resembling a column of smoke, at first taking the form of a cone, with the apex pointing towards the sea, and afterwards transforming into what appeared to be a tall spiral column, which eventually disappeared. The weather at the time was very clear, a solar halo was distinctly visible, and the sea a moderate ground-swell. The cor- respondent adds that weather prophets would calculate that these conditions indicated an approach of bad weather.

TERRIBLE MURDER IN IRELAND. The Killaraey coroner has held an inquest on the body of Emily Riordan, sixty-five, who was found dead in a pool of blood in her bedroom at Shancoshil, near Glencar. She had been employed at the police barracks, at Glencar, as a servant, and was last seen alive on Saturday night. She resided alone. An entrance had evidently been effected to the house by forcing the staple of the door. There was a large wound over the woman's eye, her face was badly disfigured, and there were marks which indicated that she had been outraged. A verdict was returned of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.

FATAITTCCIDENTS. A terrible accident occurred at TrimdonColliery, near Fecryhill, on Monday, at the time the first shift, numbering twelve men, were descending the shaft to commence work. From some unex- plained cause the brakesman lost control of the engine, with the result that the empty cage was drawn up to the pulleys, while the cage contain- ing the men fell with great force to the bottom of the shaft. One man, named Robert Marley, was killed, and the remaining eleven were more or less badly injured.. Three workmen were ascending in a lift to the top floor of Albert-buildings, Bradford, when the wire rope snapped, and the cage fell from the fourth floor to the bottom. One of the men, Daniel Judge, was killed, while the others escaped with trifling injuries.

PERILS OF ELECTRIC LINES. The Loraine surface contact system of electric tramways recently adopted at Wolverhampton was responsible the other day tor two serious accidents. In the first case a Great 1. Western drawhorse stepped on one of the electric studs and was immediately thrown down. The driver, on going to the animal's assistance, also received a shock, and had to be taken to the hospital. In a second case of a similar character a valu- able horse was electrocuted, and dropped dead on the spot.

CONSTABLE'S ACTION FAILS. Mr. Justice Wills, in the King's Bench Division, has delivered judgment in the case of Welsh v. Duckworth and others, which was an action brought by Patrick Welsh, formerly a detective- sergeant in the Liverpool police force, against Jnspector R. Duckworth and two other officers of the same force, to recover damages for alleged conspiracy and false imprisonment. Plaintiff alleged that the defendants had conspired to pro- cure his discharge from the police force, and that they also imprisoned him in the Toxteth Workhouse for a period of three days. The defendants denied the conspiracy, and submitted that at the time the plaintiff was suffering from delusions, and that he was removed to the workhouse on the certificates of medical men, who had examined him by the direction of i Captain Nott Bower, who was at the time Chief Constable. The case was tried at the last Liverpool Assizes, when the jury found for the defendants on the claim for conspiracy, and for the plaintiff on the claim for false imprison- ment. and assessed the damages at £ 200. The learned judge now said he had come to the conclusion that judgment must be entered, notwithstanding the verdict of the jury, for the defendants. It was quite true that the jury found that the plaintiff was under proper care and control, but there was no evidence to justify that conclusion. He was now of opinion that he cught not to have left that question to the jury. The plaintiff was under no control at the time. No doubt he was living at home with his wife when he received the request to come down to the police office, but it was ridiculous to say that he was under her control. The doctors who examined the plaintiff certified not only that he was out of his mind, but that he was liable to become dangerous, and therefore it was the duty of the Chief Constable to take proceedings under the Lunacy Act. Thers would be judgment for the defendants, with costs as between solicitor and client.

THE QUEEN OF HOLLAND. The following official bulletin, signed by the doctors in attendance, has been issued at the palace at Het Loo: "The Queen's condition is improving to such an extent as to enable her Majesty to leave her bed twice a day and rest on a couch for three-quarters of an hour. The Queen takes sufficient nourishment, and the desire to do more brain work grows in proportion to the increase in her Majesty's strength,"

FRENCH LAWYER SHOT. A tragic affair took place on Sunday night in the express train from Paris to Lille. Several passengers bad taken their places in a second- class compartment of a corridor carriage, includ- ing among others M. Fournier, a lawyer of Bethune, and his wife, and an individual whose conduct seemed strange. The two men were for a few moments in the corridor together, but upon M. Fournier trying to return to his seat tlie other person endeavoured to prevent him. M. Fournier tried to push by the man, who was evidently a lunatic, when he drew a revolver and fired. M. Fournier was shot dead. The other passengers disarmed the lunatic, and he was subsequently handed over to the police.

ALLEGED BILL FRAUDS. At the London Mansion House Police-court, seven persons have been charged under the Debtors' Act, at the instance of the Official Receiver, with conspiring together to obtain money, valuable securities, and credit by false pretences. The prisoners are Edward Beau- champ Roger-si broker; Algernon Wallis, agent; Raasome Wallis, no occupation; Shepherd James Ransome, merchant; Henry Everard Norman Rogers, broker; Arthur James Ransome, mer- chant and Joseph John Rolls Short, merchant. It is alleged that they offered to various banks and firms their mutual acceptances and cheques as genuine trade bills, whereas the same had been given for the accommodation of each other, and the dishonoured bills are stated to represent a total of over £ 34,000.—The case was adjourned for a week, the prisoners being admitted to bail. pn

A BADGER UNDER THE BED. In the absence of the family of Mr. John Casey, • farmer residing near Ballingarny, co. Limerick, a daring badger took possession of his farmhouse, and went for a peaceful slumber under a bed in one of the rooms, without being noticed by the occupants. The unwelcome visitor was seen for the first time next morning enjoying a quiet sleep on the hearth. The family, afraid to approach him, could not eject the badger from the premises till some neighbours succeeded iu I-asnoing him and dragged him out.

DEATH OF M. BENJAMIN- CONSTANT. French art. has suffered a severe loss by the death of M. Benjamin-Constant, which occurred on Monday afternoon in Paris, The loss will be felt keenly in England also, for the famous painter had exhibited at Burlington House for many years, and, of course, attracted everyone's attention last summer by his State portrait of Queen Victoria. He was only in his fifty-sixth year. A Parisian by birth, he studied painting., in the Ecole des Beaux-Arts under M. Cabanel. His first picture accepted at the Salon was hung in 1869. It represented a scene from Hamlet, and for many years he continued to paint subject-pictures, with occasional portraits. He chose principally Oriental scenes, with some- vigorous, melodramatic action introduced into them. This gave him opportunity to indulge in his fondness for strong, vivid colour, and also for painting the nude figure. Gradually, how- ever, as the taste of the time changed, M. Constant gave up subjects almost entirely, and devoted himself more and more to-portraits. He rapidly became a portrait.painter who was much sought after by the fashionable world, both of Paris and of London. With the English Royal Family his work was high in faviour, and his career really culminated in the portrait of Queen Victoria, which was painted to the. order of an illustrated paper and to which circumstances gave the place of honour-a special and, excep- tional place, seeing that it bad a whole wall to itself—in the Royal Academy of 1901.

SHIPPING DISASTERS. The shipwrecked crew of the Liverpool steamer Clyde were landed at Dover on Monday night in boats from the steamer Floris, of Amsterdam, which had picked them up adrift in the Channel. The crew consisted of Captain Thomas Brown and nine bands. According to their story it appears that the Clyde was coming out of Portland when she struck the breakwater, doing damage which resulted in the vessel's making water. As it was anticipated that this could be kept under by the steamer's pumps they did not put back, but it was found at night that the water was rapidly gaining. When she was about ten miles off the Isle of Wight the position was so critical that it was found necessary to take to the boats. The crew got away in two boats, and shortly afterwards the steamer foundered. The crew were all night in the Channel in the open boats. A Lloyd's telegram states that the Laghetto, for the United Kingdom, has been burnt and sunk at Rettimo. Lloyd's telegrams from Bilbao state that the steamers Heston and Saltillo have been in colli- sion sixty miles south of Usbant: the former

The Lord Chief Justice and several of his Majesty's judges will attend the afternoon service at St. Paul's Cathedral in State on Sunday next. Baron Banhans, the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Danube Steam Navigation Co., former of Commerce, died on Monday morning at Vienna. vessel sant.the latter has put in badly damaged. Part of the crew: of the Heston were picked, Cip by the Saltillo and landed at Bilbao. The first officer Dicks, the steward Lowery, and a searnaln Fisher were drowned; the remainder were, saved.

THE HUMBERT CASE. The latest development in connection with the Humbert-Crawford case, says a Paris corre- spondent, is the arrest,1 at Lille, of M. Delachirie. This gentleman's house was recently searched by the police, and the documents then discovered, it is stated, led the Examining Magistrate to issue a warrant for the arrest. M. Delacherie was brought to Paris, and has been sent to the Saute Prison, notwithstand- ing the protests he made against his detention. A Lille correspondent says that the arrest of M. Delacherie has again raised the question of the mysterious murder of M. Schotsmans on 11 July 24th, 1899. It is reported that the inquiry into this crime has been reopened; but the authorities, the correspondent adds, are very guarded in their statements. Acquaintances of the Schotsmans, however, are less discreet, and a friend of the murdered man has related various incidents tending to justify the reopening of the case. The informant stated that he had often met M. Paul Schotsmans, the victim, and Romain d'Aurignac at the buffet of Lille Station engaged in animated conversation. What was more, he affirmed that on the night of the crime Romain d'Aurignac dined at the buffet at Lille. When the body of M. Schotsmans was discovered in the carriage, Mme. Humbert's brother was at a table in the waiting-room with M. Marchand tnd his accountant. The three persons went and looked at the body, and though it was stated that it was that of M. Schotsmans, M. d'Aurignac took no notice, though he must have known the gentleman who had lent his sister such large sums of money. Another coincidence is also being remarked upon at Lille. M. Schotsmans lent the Humberts 2,000,000 francs in July, 1896, for a period of three years. The crime was committed in July, 1899, at a period wlien they had to refund the money. The corre- sjxHident says that so many curious coincidences have come to light that the public at Lille are deeply concerned in the case. The Atto York Journal says that the valet of M. Humbert has been arrested at Jersey City. He confessed his identity, and said that M. Humbert and Madame Humbert were on their way to Argentina in their yacht. The other members of the family left France s eparately by different routes, but he expected they would reach the United States shortly.

An American svndicate wants to buy up the Mexican volcano Popocatepetl with the objected working. the sulphur deposits in the crater.

THIS, AT WEEK AT WESTMINSTER THE RETURN TO Woux. The House of Commons returned to its labours at Westminster on Monday, after the Whitsun- tide recess, but not exactly "like a giant re- freshed." In fact, half the giant.did not return at all, and consequently question time saw the Chamber but sparsely tenanted. The sudden change in the weather, converting mid-winter into summer, was apparently too much for even the faithful Conimonsi and the majority of them preferred to risk the- displeasure of the Whips rather than miss the glorious country and sea- side weather which this week has given; Mr. Balfour was not exactly invited by Sir- H. Catnp- bell-Bannennan to make a statement about peace, but -Sir Henry said he was sure-Mr. Balfour would do eo-spontaneously if there were any statement to make- To which the Leader of the House responded by an emphatic "Hear, hear." Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman then ques- tioned him as to the course of business for the week, and in Mr. Balfour's reply the most suggestive statement was that the Budget Bill, which had been fixed for to-morrow, would not be taken before Friday at the earliest. He would not give a pledge whether it would be proceeded with continuously after it was taken, and, speaking broadly, he did not think it con- venient to have too much in-and-out work in connection with the Budget Bill. In reply to Mr, Gibson Bowle6, Mr, Balfour thought it would not be in order to discuss, on the Navy Estimates on Thursday, the amount of the sub- sidy to the White Star Line but in any case he was clearly of opinion that it would not be convenient. He added that when the time seemed ripe for discussion he would put down in Supply the salary of the President of the Board of Ttadev-and on that vote he believed that any action of the Government in connection with the shipping combination, relating to the mercantile marine, could be legitimately dis- cussed. A DULT, DAY, The morning sitting was spent in discussing various educational matters on the Education Vote, moved by Sir John Gorst. All the educationalists in the House had something to say, protests regarding the action taken respect- ing Evening Continuation Schools being many and lengthy, a reduction of the vote being moved by Dr. Macnamara. This was lost by 181 to 102. In the evening the House discussed the •xeking topic of Cyprus, and the Consular Vote was also, taken. A FARMER'S DAY. The House of Commons on Tuesday found itself in the extraordinary position of not having a single question to listen to. Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman, ever jealous of the rights of Parlia- • meutand. its duties to the natien, filled the gap by an impromptu inquiry regarding the course of business, and elicited from Mr. Balfour what was practically a declaration that the Budget would Mtlbe taken while the question of peace remained "in the balance." Mr. Balfour did not say it quite so definitely, as that, but everyone understood that to be his meaning. When the House got to business the agricultural members had matters all to themselves. Sir Edward Strachey was anxious that the Food and Drugs Act should not- be allowed to become a dead letter, and painted all sorts of horrors conse- quent.on the negleot to detect diluted milk and improbable butter. Mr. Lambert got on the muzzling order for Devon, urging that sheep- dogs should be exempted; and Mr. Hutton wanted Mr. Hanbury, whose vote was being attacked, to define swine fever. Mr. Hanbury responded valiantly. He took great pains to shew how anxious he was that Sir Edward Strachey's views should be met. He treated Mr.Lambert with kindly indulgence, and assured Mr. Hutton that swine fever was decreasing, though, unfortunately, anthrax was gaining ground. He also promised a bill regarding sheep-worrying, which would deal with both England and Scotland. THK UNEVENTFUL CLOSM, The Charity- Commission Vote and the Rich- mond Hill (Preservation of View) Bill were dis- cussed after agriculture was disposed of. and the report stage of the latter was carried. Supply occupied the House until the adjournment. WKDNKSDAY'S SITTING. Wednesday saw plenty of questions" starred" for oral answers, and as may be imagined they ranged over a variety of topics. Mr. Jame« O'Connor asked if the Home Secretary's atten- tion had been called to the recent fatal accident to a lady parachutist at Sheffield, and whether it was his intention to issue a prohibition against performances by parachutists. The Home Secre- tary said he had seen an account of this acci- dent, and he viewed with regret performances ] involving such risks to human life. The law, however, allowed freedom to females over eighteen- and males over sixteen, and he had no power to issue a prohibit. The lady to whom the accident occurred was twenty-three years of age. Mr. Brodrick was worried by Mr. Swift MacNeill over the execution of Scheepers, but did not give the lively Irishman much satisfaction; though, in relation to General Buller, he revealed the fact that the General had addressed a communication to him with regard to the Lady- smith heliogram. to NAVAL VOLUNTEERS. Mr. Arnold-Forster moved the second reading of the Royal Naval Reserve Volunteers Bill, which, he explained, was to remedy a patent defect in the law, and to enable British subjects serving in vessels not registered in this country to be enrolled in the Royal Naval Reserve. It would legitimise the service of Newfoundland fishermen and extend the service to Colonial subjects. After some discussion the bill was read a second time. SHIPPING SUBSIDIES. The evening sitting was taken up by Sir William Walrond's motion for the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into shipping subsidies. Mr. Caldwell, who objects to this sort of thing. protested against the motion, but Mr. Evelyn Cecil warmly supported the appoint- ment of the committee—or, rather, its reappoint- ment, for it sat last year. He dealt with sub- sidies from the naval point of view, reading the conditions under which these are given by the Gorman Government—the ships must be German built, of German materials, the design approved by the German Admiralty, the crews German, and so on. The "combine" was not directly referred to, as it was not in order, but Mr. William Allan did his best to dissipate despair. "Don't be afraid," he said, "we haven't lost our British nerve and pluck yet. No matter what Powers may give subsidies we can fight 'em." When Mr. Gerald Balfour interfered, apropos of nothing in particular, to deprecate discussion he only brought forth a rebuke from a Newcastle Tory, Mr. Renwick, without stem- ming at all the flow of speeches. They were all short and most of them good. When they were over the motion was carried without a division.

E LAME BOOTBLACK. lie had wandered far away from the graft city, this poor waif of poverty, crippled Bee. the bootblack. lie liitd wandered miles and miles, asking for a ei-tirit at the dool's of farm-houses, and sleeping in any out-of-the-way places that could afford him shelter. lie came to the little village of N-- at last, where every house loolied like a pictnre, and every child so well clothed and well fed that they looked snrpriscd at poor lame Bill's bare feet aiid lioor clotliiiig,Lliat colt] November d«Y—Tliimlcsgiviiig Day, too-vviieittlie tables were coven d with many rich things, and the children had a holiday. lie did not mind their enrions gnze. for to him till tinys were alike, and he felt as mnch (it home in his rags on Thanksgiving Day as oil any other, but when he noticed tiieir, bright faces, and warm and pretty clothing, he almost wished he were dead, and wondered what there could be in life for it poor lame boy like lie was. When he came to the bakery lie peered long in the window at the heap of delicious looking brown doughnuts, and rolls of white bread, for lie was so hungry. The little rosy-cheeked girl, Madge Martin, who øtuOII behind the counter, saw him, and said to her mother, who was filling a basket with dainties for her brother,the villagedoctor, to tttke to his more humble patients. "Look ut that poor boy ont there, mamma. I niu trtire he is hungry. Won't yon call him. in and give him uome of our;Thanksgiving dilniier? I expect, he is a regnlar little tramp, bnt as it is Thanksgiving Day, you may doasyou like;" She ran to the door and invited liiin Ili, and Ben had been living too loug in the streets of tllecity to have any modesty in accepting it, but some hidden instinct madehiin take off his olti bi-itnies8, hat before the little blue-robed, rosy-eheeked girl. The doctor looked.with some interest at the drawn limb of Ben as he limped past him. After asking some qnestions about it he said to Give him n good dinner aud bed, and I'll be in again to-morrow." The old worn look faded out of Ben's faee as he sat in the warm kitchen before a table where brown roast turkey and savoury mince pies titood ont oonspicnons. plenovis. It was the first Ylue in her young life that little Madge had the opportunity to play the Lady Bountiful, and now no qnecn could have been more gracions than she to the poor lame bootbinetc. I like that boy," MM the doctor to liis sister the nest day. "He has a good face, and I think L can core Lie laiaeness., Why don't yon keep him ? Yon need a boy in the store." "I have been thinking a great deal about it. lie Ittu already expressed his tvilliugqeM to stay, and Madge has pleaded hard for liiin she feels lonely since her brother Willie died. And so a new life opened for Ben—a life so fall of love and kindness that the old one with its vice and hardships almost faded away entirely. Iu Ure comae of lime Ben's lameness was gone, and he walked by Madge's side to and from school, feeling as proud and happy as any l>gy |ti the place/ 'r Madge at last learned all the village school cCmld teach her,aud wassenbawuy to a fashion- cCmld teach her,aud wassenbawuy to a fashion- able seminary- lien, who was now nineteen, took sole charge of the bakery,which he enlarged and improved, and made the most attractive place iu the village.. Madgt's weekly letters to her mother were listened to in breathless attention, and some- how whenever his name was mentioned in Lliem, a blnsh would spread over his face aDd oL atrange, ti-eintaiijg would come over his heart. Poor fellow he did not realize then how he loved the little maiden. She finished her education at last, and came home with many pTetty tittle affected airs that quite pnzcled lien and made his; heart sore sometimes. When Balpl^Mftvtin,her gaytfoppiahconaint came from the city to take is week's vacation at- her home, IJen grew beside himself with jealottsyj and made quite ft bear in grafluee* and snlky moods in eonseqrtenGes. Of conrf-ie Ratph noticed ib, aiW became more devoted to Madge than evetv while Madge, astonislied^ at his, behaviour, teased him un- mercifully. Mrs. Martin only saw under the auvfaee of Ben's heart, but site said tiotilifig. trusting that in time Madge's good sense wonld decide which was the most worthy—shallow-headed Italph Martin, or plain, honest Ben Carrol. M rtdge gave a party one evening for her cons iu, who was going Hwaythe next day. Ben tried to be as gay and smiling as the rest, but when he saw how persistently Bafph remained at Madge's side, lie conld notetidofe it, and went back into the store, and bowing liis head <m liis hands, felt that he could weep with 'Mtteruwte. She must have missed him, for she came ont in the store and began laughing at his dejected attitude; but when Ire rnised his face, and she saw his dark eyes øofnll of anguish, she stopped, a blush spread over lierute, her eyes dared not meet 1118 own. A new light broke over Ben. He had a hope that the graceful little lignre robed in wlrite, with her sunny hair looped np with ilae ribbons, loved him. lie sprang up, and catching hold of Madge's hand, cried: "Oh, do yon love me?" Well, no matter what she answered. They are married now, and Ben declares lie is the italppient man in all the land, while Master Ben, Jr., has the wildest of frolics and the best of good things oil each Thauksgiving Day to help to celebrate the memory of one which Will never be forgotten by Ben, his father, who was once a poor, lame bootblack. At St. Paul's, Knightsbridge, on Tuesday, Captain P. B. Cookson (1st Life Guards) was married to Miss Gwendoline Brassey, third daughter of the late Mr. Henry Brassey, M.P., and niece of Lord Brassey. W. Leonard Brassey gave his sister; awary. ■ Captain leaser was best man. Messrs. Barclay and Co. are, it is stated, to take over the business of the YoHc Urfion link- ing Company, which hat'a subscribed capitirof £ 1,260,000. and £ 262,500 paid up. A veryi fast; yacht, built on a new depigt*to> the orifer of Colonel McCalmont, has fcesnn launched flrdnv th<* yafrd of MeSsrs.- ydrr&wlnnd., Co., of the vessel in which it differs from a brst.toit. torpedo-boat. The gingla engagements in Ascot wefcfc twill include a banquet, whioh ^Will be crnenvdn St. George's Hall,- Windsor Castle, and a i>all in the Waterloo Chamber, for which up of I five hundred- invitations have been-fsraw!^

COUNTY MAGISTRATES' COURT. WEDNESDAY.—Before W G Rigby, Esq, (in the chair) and Frederick Burton, Esq. LICENSING APPLICATIONS. Mr A 0 Evans applied on behalf of Edward Roberts for a transfer of the licence of the Cymro Inn, Llanrhaiadr, to Joseph Hughes.—Granted. Sarah Vaughan applied for the transfer of the licence of the Kinmel Arms, Bont- newydd, from the present licensee to her- self.—Granted. Edward Roberts applied for the transfer of the licence of the King's Head, Llan- rhaiadr, from the present licensee to himself.—Granted. POACHING AGAIN. John Roberts summoned William Jones, of Panton-hall, Denbigh, for poaching on the 7th inst.—Mr A 0 Evans appeared on behalf of the complainant and said John Roberts was a gamekeeper in the employ of Mr W C Jones, Llannerch Park. On the 7th inst he discovered the defendant with a ferret and dog, and when he asked him wha the was doing the defendant said, I am looking for a rabbit."—Defendant did not answer the summons and was fined 20s and costs or one month's imprisonment. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Police-constable Evan Williams summoned Richard Roberts, Llansannan, for being drunk and disorderly. The officer said on the 19th inst he saw the defendant coming out of the Saracen's Head. He was noisy and collected a crowd around him.-De- fendant did not appear and was fined 2s.6d and costs. DOG WITHOUT A LICENCE AND A WANDERING DONKEY. Police-constable Evan Williams sutaoMned J Hurst for having a dog in his possession without a licence, and allowing his dotfkey to stray on .the highway.—Defendant said he had given the dog away, but it had oome back, and he had done his best to keep the donkey from straying.—Fined Is and oosts in the first case and 2s Gd and costs in th second. A GIPSY ENCAMPMENT. Police-constable George Jones summoned Uriah Lovell for on the 15th instant en- camping on the highroad by Brynmulan smithy.—Defendant did not appear and was fined -2s 6d and costs. TRAP WITHOUT LIGHT. Police-constable George Jones summoned Isaac Roberts, Brynyffynnon, for on the 29th of April driven a trap on the highway without a light after lighting up time.- Defendant did not appear and was fined la and costs. o

NOTES ON THE BILLIARD HANDICAP AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL CLUB. [BY A WITNESS.] The second and third rounds of the billiard handicap which has been in pro- gress for some time at the Constitutional Club, Denbigh, has been completed. There have been some very interesting games and some exciting finishes witnessed. A very large number witnessed, with much interest, the game between the brothers Lloyd in the second round of the first division, the younger, George Lloyd, winning a very exciting game by 42. Another good game was contested between J G Lloyd and J W Hughes, the former winning by seven points. One of the most keenly contested games in the second division was that between J H Gibbs and OR Moseley, the game being-very even up to 147, when Mr Gibbs ran out with a nice "pot the red," thus winning by three points. The games in the third division were all fairly evenly fought. In the third round both the brothers G E Lloyd and J G Lloyd won their respective games, which subsequently brought them together in the final tie of theftrst division, J G Lloyd winning, after a very good game, by 27. W Nott won his game nicely by nine and also beat J H Gibbs in the final of that division by eight. F J Mardall just pulled through his game by 10 in the third division, but was "knocked" out in the final against R Roberts by 12. The three finalists of the respective divisions are J G Lloyd, W J Nott, and Richard Roberts, who are to compete for the first three prizes and as soon as they are played off I will publish the result. I gave the result of the first round. some time ago and the concluding rounds arc send-owl. SECOND ROUND- 1st Division: W Hughee (owes 40) beats J H Palmer (owes 20) by 16 J G Lloyd (owes 110) beat J W Hughes (owes 30) by 16 Dr F Jones (owes 30) beat W Barker- (owes 30) by 26. G E Lloyd (owes 30) beat R W Lloyd (owes 110) by 42. 2nd Division: W Nott (owes 15) beat T J Jones (owes 10) by 28 J Cooke (scr) beat B Bryan (owes 10) brl6. J H Gibbs (scr) beat 0 R Moseley (owes 10) by 3. J Lewis (owes 10) beat T R Rutter (owes 10) by 40. 3rd Division: F J Mardall (reo 50) beat J P Jones (ree 10) by 78. H G Piper (rec 50) beat J D Sayle (rec 50) by 15. R Roberts (rec 20) beat E S Williams (reCt 10) by 22. T Pugh Jones (rec 50) beat E B Barron (ree 25) by 11. THIRD ROUND- 1st Division: G E Lloyd beat Dr F Jones by 27. J G Lloyd beat W Hughes by 132. 2nd Division: J H Gibbs beat J Lewis by 20. W Nott beat J Cooke by 9. 3rd Division: R Roberts beat H G Piper by 20. F J Mardall beat T Pugk Jones by 10. FINAL ROUND. J G Lloyd beat G E Lloyd by 27. W J Nott beat J H Gibbs by 8. R Roberts beat F J Mardall by 12.

COSTLY CARELESSNESS Ugo Biondi, the well-known quick-ehange artist, brought an action against the West London Dairy Company (Limited), to recover damages for personal injuries. His case was that he was taking a snapshot of the Camden llie&tre from the opposite side of the rotcpl. 111 order to get the proper focus he took a step or two backwards and tell into the cellar of a shop belonging to the defendants and was seriously injured. For tbe defence it was said that the accident was entirely plaintiff's'llault in walkirig backwards. The jury awarded plaintiff £ 150 damages.

B0KWICK'S BAKING POWDER This Celebrated Manufacture has beeiTweU known for nearlv 60 veara m„n B B „ „ and Pa*tr*" XV/ VyilJZlXV) nearly years. When ordenng Bakmg Powder;,nsiat on Borw.ck's • ForCakes, Yorkshire Puddings, Gingerbread, Set. 1357j3#

DEATH FROM TIGHT LACING. At Kensington an inquiry has been held respecting the death of Mary Edwards, twenty- three, a servant in the employ of Mr. R. W. Perks, M.P. She died suddenly while leading the singing in a Salvation Army barracks at Notting Hill oil Saturday night. Medical evidence was given shewing that tight lacing had caused a malformation resulting in death. Verdict accordingly.