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

THE NORFOLK BROADS. A bill will be brought in by a piivate member as soon as Parliament reassembles with the object of placing the law on a better footing with regard to public rights on such tidal and open sheets of water as the Norfolk Broads, and already a good deal of support is assured to it on both sides of the House. There is (says the London correspondent of the Liverpool Conrier) a very strong feeling that recent judicial decisions on this question leave much to be desired, and may encourage encroachments on privileges long enjoyed by the public in other parts of the country as well as in Norfolk and Suffolk. If the measure is a reason- able one it will hardly meet with any opposition in the House. Meanwhile it is within the range of pos- sibility that the Government may themselves take the matter in hand. It is practically certain that among the measures to be included in the Queen's Speech is to be a bill giving effect to the resolution passed last session in regard to public access to mountain foot- paths, and so forth. It may be found possible to en- large the scope of this measure so as to cover the whole question of public admission to playgrounds,in regard to which certain fundamental rights of private ownership are legally declared to exist.

WORKING-MEN MAGISTRATES. r ^Pondent recently addressed a letter to the Lord Chancellor of England drawing his attention to the fact that at the last Trades Union Congress, which met at Glasgow, a resolution was passed in favour of the appointment of bona-fide working men as magistrates and the abolition of the money qualification. It was also pointed out that the work- ing classes throughout the country were greatly in- terested in the question, which was, above all, one of paramount importance to trades unionists. The writer, therefore, asked his lordship, on behalf of a large body of trades unionists, to favour him with his views on the subject, inquiring at the same time whether the Government would bring in a bill to alter the existing law. The following reply was received "House of Lords, S.W Sent 23 "Sir,-I ami instructed by the Lord Chancellor'to acknowledge the receipt of your letter. His lordship is unable yet to say whether the Government will decide to bring forward a bill to alter the money qualification for county magistrates. There is now no money qualification in the case of borough justices of the peace, and the Lord Chancellor fully realises the importance of the question to which your letter calls attention.—I am, Sir, yours obediently. C. G. HAMILTON. « W. Perry, Esq."

AN ACTRESS'S MYSTERIOUS ENDr The circumstances attending the recent death of a young woman at a bousein Lillie-road, West Brompton, formed the subject of a coroner's inquest on Saturday. The evidence showed that, although she was known as Ruby Russell, her real name was Marion Fanny Sharpe, and that for some 18 months she had been living in England and on the West Coast of Africa with Mr. Woodburn Heron, of the Colonial Medical Service. That gentleman stated that the woman had threatened to commit suicide by poison, and that on the day of her death she bad been upset. There was, however, nothing to show that she bad taken poison, and the inquiry was adjourned until October 13, so that a thorough medical investigation may be made. STFLCIDE OF DR. HERON. The West Brompton mystery has further developed owing to a startling occurrence on Sunday night at a London hotel. It appears that after the inquest on the body of Marion Fanny Sharpe on Saturday, Dr. Heron, the gentleman under whose protection she had been living, went to the Craven Hotel, Craven- street, where he took a private room. On Sunday evening he was found lying dead in the bedroom. His hand was clasping a razor, and his throat was cut in a mqst determined manner, there being a frightful gash almost trom ear to ear. Two doctors were at once sent for, but of course they could not do anything, as Dr. Heron was quite dead. So fearful was the scene in the room that one of the doctors fainted away. It is supposed, though this requires verification, that Dr. Heron first drank a dose of poison to make doubly sure of taking his life. The police were called in, and from the effects of the deceased discovered his identity. A detective was despatched to Lillie-road, West Brompton, to summon the landlady, Mrs. Ellen WilliamLk, for the purpose of ensuring complete identification. The body was quietly removed, and taken to the mortuary at St. Martin's Church. A detailed account states that Dr. Heron was found to have committed suicide in a most deter- mined manner. The body was stretched full length on the floor of the bedroom he had occupied. 'The head was lying on a pillow taken from the bed, and there was a deep gash in the throat. By his side was a blood-stained razor. The police were fetched, and, on a further examination of the room being made, an empty bottle, which had evidently contained poison, was found. It is inferred from this that Dr. Heron determined at first to poison himself, but that, find- ing the effects of the drifg were too slow, he had deliberately hastened his death by cutting his throat. When he arrived at the hotel on Saturday night, Dr. Heron gave his own name. On Sunday morning he came out of his room and sent away some mes- sages. The servants who saw him state that he looked careworn and grief-stricken, and his appea ance suggested that he had not been in bed all night. From documents found in the room it would appear that he must have spent a great portion of his time in writing. All the letters were at once taken charge of by the coroner's officer, the contents being kept strictly secret. One of the surgeons summoned was Dr. Lloyd, of Bloomsbury. He states that the suicide of Dr. Heron is probably unexampled for the determined. manner in which it was accomplished. It is sup- posed that he first took 13 grains of morphia. This would be a fatal dose, but its action would be slow. Then he had cut his throat in front of the glass, The wound was still not sufficient to cause imme- diate death, and finally he lay on the floor and in- flicted another and. a deeper wound. Later on Sunday evening the body of Dr. Heron was quietly removed to the mortuary near St. Martin's Church, and an in- quest will shortly be held. A later report says:—Dr. Heron seems to have deliberately resolved on self-destruction. On search- ing his clothes the police found in one of the pockets a number of visiting cards. They bore the inscri tion: A. Woodburn Heron, H. M. Colonial Medical Service." Several papers were also found, and among these was a letter about which there has been much speculation. It was in Dr. Heron's handwriting, and was addressed to a gentleman whose name has not yet become known. It was taken possession of by the police, and is under- stood to have contained only instructions as to the disposal of property. It was despatched to the gentleman to whom it was addressed, with an intima- tion that he would be required, as the last person with whom the deceased held communication, to give evidence a the inquest, and to produce the letter if necessary. A newspaper was found in the room, on which was some writing addressed to a person who at present is not known in connection with the casex It commences Dear Dolly and proceeds, iU is understood, as follows Impress on all our friends how strictly I avoid all spiritous liquor. Good-bye, Good-bye, Dolly, Ruby and I will soon meet now, Dolly, if people do meet there." Then there is the date—" 25-9-92. In another ptace on the paper there is the following: It seems vftz slow. Why, it is actually 2.15 a.m." Then, again, he writes, Fancy fancy! actually half-past 2.30 a.m. Good-bye. I feel comfortable. Good-bye." Then, in another place there is the time, 2.38 a.m. and the words, It seems very slew. However, there is some more left, for I bought 30 grains. I have fully taken 18 grains now. I feel perfectly healthy and well. I have felt, as you knowMnost beautifully warm and comfortable, as people al do after morphia." The Scotland-yard police on Monday made tele- graphic communications with the police at Jamaica, New York, Gambia, and other places especially with regard to what took place in connection with the inquest on the body of Dr. Heron's wife, who died at Jamaica in 1881. No definite replies have yet been received, but Dr. Heron's manner when que ned about this at the inquest indicated that the subj^c^ was an unpleasant one to him. The result of these investigations abroad may, it is apparent, have a very important bearing upon this sad tragedy. The analysis of the contents of the stomach of Marion Sharp will, we are informed by the medical officers at a late hour on Monday night, take quite a fortnight, and their report will be, of course, pre- sented at the adjourned coroner's inquiry on October 13. _—————

INSUBORDINATION IN THE LIFE GUARDS. The statements of officers of the 1st Life. Guards as to recent insubordination in the regiment in its quarters at Windsor are to the effect that rumours which. have been current are largely exaggerated. The corps, in the absence of Colonel Byng, is just now under the command of Colonel Sir Simon Lock- hart, the senior major, who was in London on Mon- day afternoon, and saw Major-General Lord Methuen, who commands the Home District. Particulars of their interview have not transpired but from what has been given officially as the substance of the dis- order it appears that at Friday's parade last week the saddlery of one wing of the regiment was found by the commanding officer to be dirty, and the atten- tion of the squadron leaders was called to the circum- stance. At Saturday's parade the saddles were in better order, but one squadron, the C, had to parade again in the afternoon, an order to which the men demurred, and wished to appeal to the commanding officer of the regiment, who, however, did not see them. It is stated that there was no unusual noise on Satur- day night, when the men are generally singing, but during that night 24 saddle panels were cut with knives in a manner to seriously injure them. On the matter being reported erders were given that the me.n should not be "let out of barracks"—a thing distinct from being confined to barracks," which is a punishment recorded against men-until the case can be decided by Sir Simon Lockhart. It is stated that on Sunday night the barracks were quiet. The offence, it is understood, is confined to the damaged saddlery, and the inquiry as to who are the offenders is still proceeding.

CARDINAL HOWARD'S FUNERAL. The remains of the late Cardinal Howard arrived in Arundel on Monday evening, having been conveyed from Brighton by road. The coffin, which was of polished elm, was in a hearse, followed by several mourning coaches. It proceeded direct to the Fitzalan Chapel, where it was met by the priest in charge of St. Philip's Church, with acolytes and cross- bearer. The Rev. Father Burke read the Prayers for the Dead, and the choir sang the Vespers of the Dead. The Bishop of Southwark sang the responses. There were present the Archbishops of Westminster and the Mauritius, the Bishops of Clifton, Salford, and Portsmouth, the Duke of Norfolk, and Lord Edmund Talbot.

MR. GLADSTONE ON HOME RULE. REPLY TO THE DUKE OF ARGYLL. The new North American Review contains an article from Mr. Gladstone, entitled, "A Vindication of Home Rule: Reply to the Duke of Argyll." Mr- Gladstone sets himself the task of refuting an article contributed by the duke which attempted to show a close analogy between the struggle of the North against the Southern Confederacy and the struggle to maintain the present form of government in Ireland-a form of government to which the Irish people have never constitutionally assented, and which the duke himself knows they abhor. The Irish people support their allegation that the present form of government is totally unsuitable to their practical legislative wants by returning five-sixths or four-fifths of their Parliamentary representatives to uphold them. Mr. Gladstone says: "The task the duke took in hand was to convert the American people to the opinion that to liberate a race is the same thing as not to enslave them and yet to deny them, all the rights of communities, historical, national, and inde- pendent, over their own destinies." The Prime Minister states that before the last Presidential election an American statesman of the first rank told him that of the 13,000,000 votes which would be cast 12,500,000 would be favourable to the cause of Ireland, and Mr. Gladstone asks whether the duke's arguments will abstract a single man from this enormous phalanx of opinion. Mr. Gladstone twits the Duke of Argyll on his remark at the close of his paper that he bad written it currente calamo, a method better adapted for the journalist, who, in the small hours of the night, has to render the pith or froth of a debate scarcely ended, or a telegram just received, than for a statesman who was a Cabinet Minister 40 years ago, but is now spending his years in leisure. It is a currens calamus indeed," says Mr. Gladstone, for the article affords no indication that its author has even reined in the eallop of his pen for a moment to study any book or speech or pamphlet about Ireland. The right hon. gentleman then quotes from the duke's article a number of passages which he says would show that the Irish are savages or a sort of compound between brute and demon, and that in their case the common rudiments of human existence are inverted, perverted, and confounded eo that we cannot frame a rational government for them more than for Yahoos or Houyhnhnms, and that, either in the character of liars, knaves, or dupes, they are outside the pale of ordinary human, dealing. Mr. Gladstone says assertions and conse- quences of assertions such as these supply, by their own extravagance, their best confutation. He then vigorously defends the members of the Irish Parlia- mentary party against charges of breach of faith, and proceeds to show that the period from 1782 to 1795, when Ireland had the management of her ewn affairs, was one of unexampled national progress. Mr. Gladstone repels the duke's charge of historical untrustworthiness, and declares that his Grace has not refuted a single one of his statements, and has never examined them any more than he has examined Irish history itself. The Prime Minister then proceeds to defend the accuracy of his description of the bill of 1886. The Parliament it contemplated was accepted by Mr. Parnell as a subordinate Parliament,' whereas the Parliament of 1782 was sovereign and independent in the same sense as the Parliament of Great Britain. It had power over peace and war, army, navy, and defence, commerce, and every description of taxation. The bill of 1886, on the contrary, kept these matters in Imperial hands. It is true that re- sponsible government was not contemplated in 1782. and was contemplated in 1886, but in 1782 responsible government did not formally exist even in England. Now, wherever a local autonomy has been granted, responsible government waits upon it. There are a score of such instances, and in not one does it cause the smallest strain- ing on the bonds of untty between the United Kingdom and the Colonies. It is difficult to under- stand the perverse ingenuity which can conclude that the negative of the principle should be kept alive in the single case of Ireland, as if for no other purpose than to inflict dishonour on that country. The negro was in too many ways dishonoured and oppressed, but the negro never met with that particular species of oppression termed insult in the same manner as the Irishman. A Prime Minister classes Irishmen with Hottentots, and now another statesman divides them into knaves and dupes. The Duke of Argyll, with his currens calamus, has carried the practice to a height which can never be exceeded. Mr. Gladstone then calls attention to the modera- tion in several instances displayed by the Nationalists in their demands, for which they never receive credit. Referring to the Duke of Argyll's arguments, de- rived from the restrictions placed by the Federal Constitution on State rights after the War of Seces- sion, Mr. Gladstone declares that among the fifteen Articles of which they consist there is not one which could gall the withers of the Irish Nationalists or which has the smallest relevancy to the case of Ireland. The Prime Minister, alluding to the horrors which it is prophesied the Irish Parliament will enact and the Imperial Legislature be impotent to prevent, ridicules the idea that thirty-five millions of people who have the entire military force in their hands will stand by with arms folded while three million Nationalists inflict all kinds of wickedness on the other two million Irishmen who possess the property and intelligence of the country. Mr. Gladstone declares I the case of Ireland is analogous with that of the I Colonies, except that Ireland accepts restraints which I the Colonies reject. He quotes Lord Salisbury to I disprove the statement that Ireland's woes are self- It sought and self-inflicted. Mr. Gladstone also quotes It a letter of the Duke of Argyll himself, written in 1885, II in which he looked across the Atlantic to supply a I pattern of the connection he contemplated between I England and Ireland, for which the relations between I the States and the Union should be the great exemplar. I Mr. Gladstone's article concludes by asking: Does Ij that passage give Ireland less than the plan of 1886, I or does it not give more ?

I PANIC IN A SYNAGOGUE. I A terrible panic, attended by disastrous results, I was caused by an alarm of fire on the 23rd inst. in ■ the Jewish Synagogue in Ludlow-street, New York, I where the second day of the New Year was being ■ celebrated with the customary rites of the Hebrew I Church The Synagogue is a tenement house, 27, I V Ludlow-street, the first, second, and third floors, | and on each floor there was a celebration, the I congregations numbering between 1000 and 1200, I mostly women. A candle on the altar in the third I floor fell from its place and ignited a small piece of I drapery. The cry of fire was instantly raised, and I the congregation made a rush for the door. The I noise of the stampede and the screams of the panic- ■ stricken worshippers attracted the attention of those I on the floors below. The alarm spread rapidly ■ through all parts of the tenement, and the people I scrambled wildly down the narrow stairs, blocking the ■ landings. Many fell and were trampled under the feet ■ of those who, regardless of the fate of others, were < I making for safety. On the landings where the ■ different streams of worshippers met there were ■ violent struggles, aad the police were attracted to the ■ scene. What appeared to be the dead body of a ■ woman, which blocked one of the narrow passages, ■ was removed, and the street door, the only means of ■ exit, was opened wide. When the bulk of the people ■ gained the street it was found that four women had ■ been trampled to death and that 12 were injured.

I THE FOUDROYANT. I The Lord Mayor of London has expressed, his ■ willingness to open a public subscription list at the ■ • Mansion House for the repurchase of the Foudroyant, ■ which was recently sold by the Admiralty to be H broken up in a German ship-builder's yard. Steps H are being taken to prevent the demolition of the vessel, so as to enable the public to get her back if they wish it. A sum of H 16" or E7000 will be required, and the idea is that when restored to this country the ship Bhould be fitted up as a naval museum for exhibition. It would be well (remarks the Daily Telegraph) if My Lords" at the Admiralty could furnish the Chief Magistrate with an authorative statement as to the length of time Nelson actually served on board ■ the Foudroyant, and the service she shared in. The general impression is gaining ground that the association between the vessel and our great naval commander was of the slenderest description, and much certainly will he required to disturb the public ■ sentiment that now surrounds the old Victory, on board of which Nelson received the bullet that H terminated bis heroic career.

THE precautionary measures of the Local Govern- ment Board for keeping off cholera have, it is said, occasioned an estimated expenditure of nearly ;Eiooooo. I

THE ALLEGED LITERARY FRAUDS. At the Central Criminal Court on Monday, before the Common Serjeant, the trial of the six defendants —Sir Gilbert Campbell, William James Morgan, David William Tolmie, Charles Montague Clarke, James Tomkins, and William Nathan Steadman-on an indictment, charging them with a conspiracy to cheat and defraud divers persons of their moneys and property, in connection with the formation of alleged bogus literary and art societies, was resumed. This was the sixth day of the trial. Mr. Charles Mathews, Mr. C. F. Gill, and Mr. Guy Stephenson, instructed by Mr. Frayling, prose- cuted on behalf of the Treasury; Mr. Bonner defended Sir Gilbert Campbell; Mr. Paul Taylor represented Clarke; and Mr. Leaver defended Tolmie. Morgan continued his defence by calling witnesses with. the object of showing his bona fides in the conduct of the various companies with which it was alleged he was associated, and the absence of any desire on his part to swindle the public. A witness named Stone (recalled) said that he did not complain of having paid his money to the society with which Morgan was connected. He had always found him an honourable man in the fulfilment of his duties. Miss Poulteney, a singer, said that she sang at one of the concerts of the International Society, of which she was a member, which passed off most satisfactorily. General Bates, of Hill-grove, said that br-at one period was the Chairman of the City of London Pub- lishing Company. He held £ 50 worth of shafts. Mr. Douglas Onslow and Major-General Scovell were two of the directors. Their meetings were generally held regularly, but they were not very well attended. The Company published books and magazines. Cross-examined: He knew nothing of an agreement by whjfpb. Tom tins and Morgan were to hold respec- tivel^nMie posts of secretary and manager of the com- paByrat a salary of E300 each, for five years, nor did be know of the sale of the company-to the Authors' Alliance by Morgan and Tomkins for E2000 as a good going concern. He knew nothing of the original sale of the business to the company by Tomkins and Morgan. He had been the director of mant com- panies. By the Common Serjeant: The City of London Publishing Company was insolvent when it was wound up. He was not aware of the sale of the company in November, 1887, to the Authors' Alliance. Fees were paid to the directors for the time being. Emily Jones, housekeeper, of John-street, Adelphi, said that she only knew a man named Bellamy as connected with Bevington and Co. She never saw Morgan at the office. R. Morgan, concert agent, said that be was ap- pointed to the post of musical agent to the Inter- national Society for the purpose of getting engage- ments for the members. Engagements were obtained and concerts were given. He believed that Morgan did his best for the society in the interest of its mem- bers. Morgan, in the course of his address to the jury, urged that he had always done his best for the wel- fare of the societies with which he had been con- nected, and for the interests of the subscribers. He complained that a number of prejudicial statements had been introduced in the course of the investiga- tion. He distinctly denied the truth of the allega- tions made. In all his business transactions he had acted in a perfectly bona fide spiritd with an honest and conscientious desire carry out the objects of the various organi- sations. If errors had occurred in the man- agement of the societies they were errors of the head, not of the heart. He had the highest regard for Sir Gilbert Campbell. He accepted the entire responsi- bility for what was done. The only business to which he looked back with regret was the Authors' Alliance, which was floated under a misapprehension. He went on to refer at length to the various companies which had been mentioned in the course of the case, and argued that with respect to each of them there had been, on his part, no intention to defraud. Mr. Charles Mathews then replied on behalf of the Crown. Tolmie, in his defence, said that he first made the acquaintance of Morgan in connection with the production of. a work entitled The Medical Educa- tion of Women." He urged that be was simply an emtlOY6 in the service of the company with which he had been connected. Mr. t .er having spoken on behalf of Tolmie, the jur 10 minutes to nine, asked the Common Serjewrtw he would adjoin. The Common Serjeant said the difficulty was that he bad on Wednesday and Thursday it official duties to perform, and that if the trial Vv not concluded by that night he should have Mo adjourn the case until Friday. Steadman: I shall not address the jury, my lord; I leave my case in your hands, trusting in your lord- ship's genius to place my case before the jury with truth and justice. The Common Serjeant: I am afraid I do not pos- sess much genius. (Laughter.) The case was again adjourned.

REV. C. If. SPURGEON'S SUCCESSOR. The Central News states: In connection with the invitation which has been given to and accepted by the Rev. Dr. Pierson, East Northfield, Mass., U.S.A., to the pastorate of the Metropolitan Taber- nacle, a hostile party has declared itself, and a determined effort is being put forth to have an invitation extended to Mr. Thomas Spurgeon to succeed to his celebrated father's ministry. The Anti-Pierson party may be said to be acting in oppo- sition to the official section of the congregation, and what makes the feeling of bitterness more strong between the two sections is that young Mr. Thomas Spurgeon has not concealed the fact that he would not be personally unwilling to occupy the Taber- nacle pulpit, notwithstanding the fact that arrange- ments are practically complete for Dr. Pierson entering on his new charge early in November next. The awkwardness of the situation has been increased by the circumstance that young Mr. Spurgeon is now fulfilling at the Metropolitan Tabernacle a three months' engagement prior to the advent of Dr. Pier- son. The young minister's admirers are sparing no effort to induce as many as possible of the congregation to siga memorials in favour of his being invited, and are especially active In canvassing the women and the less influential part of the membership. The requisitions for an invita- tion being given to Mr. Spurgeon are asked to be returned to a committee not later than Wednesday next. The deacons are being called upon to convene a special church meeting, and the Anti-Piersonites are insisting upon the production of all the corre- spondence relative to Dr. Pierson's return at this meeting. The following are the names of the com- mittee promoting the call to Mr. Spwgeon Messrs. Ch&ndlftr, Norris,-Thomas, Fryer, Stubbs, Freeman, Morgarjfc Stock bridge, Dipple.E. Horn, Tate, Spence, Bowker.'sen., Fairman, Budd, Brookman, D. Johnson, Mitchell, N. Coe, and R. Smith. The following letter has been written to Mr. Brook- man by Dr. Pierson:— East Northfield, Mass, U.S.A., Aug. 30, 1892. Dear-Bir,-Your communication of Aug. 19 to hand. The officers of the Tabernacle know that they are free to act in any matter pertaining to the Taber- nacle without reference to me, as I have often told them that no invitation extended to me must for one moment hinder them in calling any man who is likely to serve the church acceptably. My devout hope is that God would guide this beloved congregation to a speedy and unanimous choice of the man whom He has chosm.-Youre very truly, "AKTHUR T. PIBESON." Much is being made at the present crisis of the following extract from sermon No. 1164, by the late Mr. Spargeon It may not be my honour "CO1 be succeeded in this pulpit by one of my own sotn; greatly as I would rejoice that it might be so but at least I hope they will be here in this church to serve their father's God, and to be regarded with affection by you for the sake of him who spent his life in your midst." The congregation are now being urged, as they revere and honour their late beloved pastor, to assist" (by signing the requisitions already referred to) to promote the realisation of this fond and natural desire."

EPITOME OF NEWS. '7 THE English Good Templar Grand Lodge of Wales reports an increasing adult and junior subscribing membership of over 5000. ■ ADA JANE BACHELOR, a single young woman, was so intently gazing at the harvest moon that she fell out of her window at Hamilton-terrace, Twicken- ham, and has died from her injuries. ON some of the allotments in South Lincolnshire of the Earl of Ancaster, the labourers have secured six! quarters of barley to the acre. This they have sold' at high prices to maltsters. THE London School Board has some 1399 teachers and 6101 assist-ant teachers. Of the latter 2102 are males, with salaries ranging from f.60 to a maximum of £ 155. and 3999 are females, with salaries from E50 to E125. MR. A. J. BALFOUR, M.P., says he is in favour < f some scheme by which teachers can claim a tuper, annuation allowance. IN une week last month we paid for 177,053 hun- dred imported eggs, against 167,657 in the corre- sponding week of 1891. MOONLIGHTERS are again busy in several districts of Ireland, especially in County Limerick. THE Rev. Canon Pattenden, vicar of Chertsev, has accepted the rectory of Frickenham, Suffolk. MR. DONALD CRAWFORD, one of the members for Lanarkshire, got in by such a narrow majority that Mr. Gladstone was afraid to risk a seat by giving him an appointment (says the World). It is said, how- ever, that he has been promised the first vacant sheriffship. Mr. Crawford was the former husband of the lady known as Mrs. Virginia Crawford, who is now believed to have retired to a convent. THE late Earl of Essex delighted in mechanical work. It is stated that during the croquet craze of 20 years ago he made many thousands of pounds out of the well-known Cassiobury mallets he invented, and when his eyesight was failing he designed a light open hearse, or rather bier, on wheels, which he kept in one of his coach-houses, and often showed to visitors. h' CHATHAM Convict Prison is to be closed next month and transformed into a naval barracks. OF our judges one of the most musical is declared to be Mr. Justice Chitty, an accomplished violinist. WIIKN Lord Charles Beresford gives up the coin- maud of the Undaunted in December, he contem- plates retiring from the service and seeking the first opportunity of entering Parliament, where he will prove a thorn in the side of the new Government should his critical faculties be brought into play against the newly-installed representatives of the Admiralty. THE Lord Mayor of Ldndon, on October 8th, will receive at the Guildhall the China Challenge Cup for county teams, which was won at the last Bisley meet- ing by the London representatives. The cup will be escorted to Guildhall by guards of honour from the City volunteer corps. THE 20th Hussars have now yellow instead of crimson plumes in their busbies. This change has been brought about through the instrumentality of Lord Beaumont, the colonel of the regiment, an officer who has always evinced the greatest possible interest in his command, and who, since he became colonel, has brought it up to such a high degree of efficiency. Yellow was the colour worn by the old 20th Light Dragoons when they fought in the Peninsular War, so that it cannot be said to be altogether new to the regiment. The men turned out for the first time with yellow plumes on Sunday last, and those who were present at the church parade agree that it greatly im- proves the appearance of the regiment. THE members for the Craven Hunt have presented a very handsome gold cup to Major Gerald Ricardo of Castle House, Donnington, near Newbury, in re- cognition of the courteous and sportsmanlike manner in which he hunted the Craven country during the five years he held the mastership, which position he has recently relinquished. ENGLISH travellers in France have many complaints to make with regard to the way in which they are just now being inspected by the sanitary police, who do not do their work in the most polite-and refined way. Beyond the first personal overhauling as to their condition of health, they are to be subjected, now and henceforth, to further visitations every four days, to see that they are still in a sanitary state. It is always the first study of wise English people travelling abroad to get out of the reach of the officials, but now they cannot. The first attack is most offensive, and the periodical attacks become in- j supportable. THERE is to be much done during the recess to re- organise the kitchen of the House of Commons. With two-thirds of the members this is considered the most important institution in the kingdom; at the call to feed, the legislators rush off in packs of large nam-1 bers, not allowing themselves to be detained even by the most brilliant oratory, or the deepest interests of the nation. The kitchen is considered of so much importance that its chief officer is not always the chef, but a Government whip. He is doing his best to satisfy his clients of all political proclivities when they return to their duties-gastronomic. THE Society for the Preservation of Ancient Build-' ings has just restored Guy Fawkes' Mansion," in' Lincolnshire. This society has members with sharp eyes', they should keep them upon the" Plague house' between Hythe and Sandgate on the south coast. Not long ago this little cottage, which had the distin- guished pleasure of introducing the great plague to England, was threatened because a number of smart bungalow residences were being built around it. Now, however, it has been annexed by one of these, and will, it is hoped, remain a pride to its owner. Few people who see the quaint little structure are aware of its ominous history. THE gross receipts on the United Kingdom railways for 1891 exceeded those of 1890 by nearly £ 2,000,000, LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL'S menagerie of defunct African beasts is ready for installation in his London residence. The trophies have been prepared at Rich- mond, where a good many people have had the privilege of viewing the collection, and the general surmise is whether Lord Randolph will find house room for the contents of his big bags. There is one life-sized lion, and a lady lioness to correspond the: former alone, that is including his tail, measures 10 feet. There are, besides, the heads of many creatures1 whose names are not familiar, even to the habitue of! the Zoo. The mounted head of a sable antelope hasi been presented to the Prince of Wales. IN order to cope successfully with torpedo-boats when working after dark, it has been found necessary to devise a system of night-sighting for guns. A modification of the sights designed in 1884 by Captain McEvoy for the Armstrong firm has been under trial, and promises excellent results. By em- ploying an electric current from a 3-cell Leclanche battery the fore sight, a small glass cone, is illumi- nated with a red light. The hind sight, shaped after the naval fashion like a letter H, has the hori- zontal line of the letter illuminated with a light of the ordinary name colour. Trials at Portsmouth tend to prove tbatt night-flring conducted with these sights is, to all intents and purposes, as accurate as day-firing. THE British Museum will soon know Professor Reginald Stuart Poole no more—that is, in his official capacity. The professor is about to resign the distinguished position which he has held for nearly 40 years in the department of coins and metals. He will be missed-sincerely missed, for apart from the fact that he is one of the most distinguished numismatics in the world, the professor has brought to his position a kindliness of demeanour and a generous sym- Eathy with the student that have made im many friends. Prof. Poole has shown that scientific eminence is not synonomous with personal crustiness. As a numismatic, his "Treatise on the Coinage of Italy," and "Sicily and the Ptolemaic .Kings of Egypt," are monuments of his industry and research, only a shade less significant than his volumes of the great catalogue of the Oriental ooins in the Museum. But the Professor is something besides a numismatic he has for some years held the chair of archaeology at University College, and in that position has exhibited those same excellent qualities which have made him so popular at the Museum. THE Hon. George Devereux de Yere, Lord Capell, who has succeeded his grandfather in the Earldom of Essex, is 34 years of age. He is a widower, his wife, who was before her marriage Miss Eleanor Harford, having died some years ago. There is one son, who was not a year old when his mother died. Lord Capell was a lieutenant in the Grenadier Guards some 10 years ago, and now holds a captain's rank in the Herts Yeomanry. In the time of Henry VII., the then head of the family, Sir William Capell, was Lord Mayor of London, and being a man of great means, who wished to keep his own for his family and descendants, suffered imprisonment for his stead- fast opposition to the extortion of the king's ministers, and in the Tower of London he remained until his Sovereign's death-A Miss HENRIETTA M. KENEALY, who is doing sue noble work in one of the cholera hospitals at Ham- burg, is a daughter of the late Dr. Kenealy, the counsel for the plaintiff Sir Roger." THE number of commercial failures in England and Wales last week was 87. In the corresponding week of last year it was 74. MR. ALDERMAN JOHN COOPER has been elected chairman of the Croydon Justices in the place of the late Sir Thomas Edrige. THERE will shortly be issued to the public a new postage and revenue stamp of the value of 4*0. It will be available for all postal, telegraphic, and in- land revenue purposes. IN Ireland in 1885 the year commenced with some- thing over 50,000 paupers in the various workhouses. The greatest number of paupers in any week last year was 44,000. A PROPOSAL is on foot to erect at Richmond a suit- able memorial to James Thomson, the gifted author of "The Seasons," who died in 1748 at his cottage in Kew-foot-lane. IN the first seven months.of this year Great Britain exported to Germany 29,790cwt. of beer in cask?, and imported from Germany 14,748cwt. of hops and 9734cwt. of beer in casks. THE Scotch have turned out so many clever com- posers that it is time St. Andrews University recog- nised the act as one worthy of recognition. St. Andrews is not to be behindhand and a proposal has been made to establish a faculty of music which is under the consideration of the Scottish Universities Commission. If the commissioners agree there will be degrees granted just as among an ordinary people with no natural craving for the bagpipe. Dr. A. C. Mackenzie is to be consulted in the matter, and he will probably advise upon the best course of instruction. THE Zoological Gardens in London may perhaps never again be quite so fashionable as of yore, for there is no regular cycle in the varying popularity of London amusements; but the wild beasts of Regent's-park are at present being mtzch exploited pictorially and through the medium of literature. So the result may be a return to the Sunday afternoon functions of the Society. Perhaps the Regent's- park has been left behind in London's progress westward, and a removal to Kensington-gardens might be a beneficial change of air for the entire menagerie. AMONGST the many feasts of beauty which nature has provided during the past month in the southern counties for those who have looked for them a principal one has been the abundance of butterflies. A summer which has rivalled that of the Jubilee vear for sunshine seems to have bad its effect upon these frail creatures, and both brought them into being and preserved their Ii fe in greater numbers. Unfortunately however, this added enjoyment to our holidays has energised the dormant instinct of cruelty not only in a vast number of children, but in their parents. It h 's been our fortune to spend most of our days lately upon some golf-links which are notable for their wealth of butterflies, and here at any time may be seen a host engaged in the extermination of every- thing living they can come across. Not one in a score even professes to be a collector. Cruel slaughter is a sufficiently healthy enjoyment for the dirty flannel- trousered father and his promising offspring. Sel- borne, Ceck Robin, and other societies do not appear to have produced much beneficial effect at present upon our rising generation. PRINCESS CHRISTIAN may well be hailed the nursing Princess." She is now at Baden-Baden, but though on s holiday she has arranged for the perform- ance of a mass of generous work on her return to England. In Germany the Princess Henry of Prussia follows her example in the cause of sweet charity with charming grace. The Princess has thrown her heart into the cause of nursing, and has inspired many ladies of Berlin society to exhibit a benevolent interest in her work. A charming friendship exists between her husband and the Emperor-it is the friendship of Damon for Pythias; and thns the Imperial sympathy has been most cordially extended to the Princess's object. THE big, handsome, long-woolled sheep of Lincoln- shire are growing in appreciation throughout the vast pastoral territories of the Argentine Republic. At the present time there are several buyers for the farmers of La Plata, who are visiting the chief Lincolnshire breeding-farms. A large business is repotted, the only fear, indeed, being lest the very pick of the breed on certain farms should be carried off for breeding purposes abroad. Large drafts have been made on the Pointon and other well-known flocks. SOME artiste at Barcelona mean during the Colum- bus Centenary festivities to project upon a neigh- bouring mountain petrirTr colossal shadow of the great navigator. THE police force in Paris is very inadequate to the turbulent an d criminal element contained in the city. So 1200 additional gardiens de pair will be enrolled at once, bringing up the total strength to 8000. 8 A MOVEMENT has been set on foot to present a testi- monial to Dr. Bickerstetb, the late Dean of Lichfield. A figure of the dean, to whose exertions the restora- tion of the cathedral, at a cost of E40,000, was prin- cipally due, has been added to those which adorn the west front. Her Majesty the Queen is the uniy other living personage represented. IN Austria persons who have not completed their twelfth year cannot be employed in any regular busi- ness occupation, and 14 is the limit for the factory work. No woman, nor males under 16, are allowed to undertake night work. It is provided by law that intervals of rest every five hours shall be given, and that at least an hour shall be allowed for dinner. EXHIBITIONS in British colonies are generally a success, but the South African and International Exhibition just opened at Kimberley is especially interesting. It is the largest display of the kind ever held in South Africa, and is housed in handsome buildings, attractively situated in the public gardens. English people at home have contributed generously, and the loan collection of British pictures is verv fine. OVER E800 has been subscribed towards a memorial in Peterborough Cathedral to Dr. Magee, late Arch- bishop of York. The committee have accepted the design of Mr. Pearson, R.A., for the cenotaph and Mr. James Forsyth, of Hampstead, is the sculptor commissioned to execute the work. Dr. Magee's old friend, Dean Macdonnell, has been asked to draw up a suitable inscription. A further memorial is being mooted. HARVEST festivals are now in active preparation throughout London. That of St. Paul's Cathedral will take place on the evening 0f October 10, when the Rev. F. J. Ponsonby, vicar of St. Mary .Magdalene, Munster-square, will be the preacher. Nothing elaborate will be attempted in the way of music, and in the present state of the cathedral—with four sets of scaffolding erected inside—decorations are almost out of the question. "THERE is one dreadful evil overspreading the whole land, which makes havoc of thousands of our working men-the evil of intemperance." So thinks the Archbishop of Canterbury. AN Italian officer has trained a complete ballet of Abyssinian negresses. THE Figaro states that Mr. Parker Deacon, who shot M. Abeille, at Cannes, has been pardoned by Presidential decree. The journal adds that he in- tends to live in Paris, and to demand the custody of hid children. THE French actor, M. Febre, is seldom seen, whether on or off the "stage, without the cane pre- sented to him by the Prince of Wales on a certain night at the Comedie Frangaise, when the actor was called into the Prince's box and congratulated by his Royal Highness on his impersonation of an English- man. A YOUNG Danish journalist named Wiren has just set out on a tour round the world under somewhat peculiar conditions; that is, he has undertaken to make the journey without expending a single penny either in travelling expenses or in food or clothing, his intention being to earn his living and his passage as he goes. He carries with him a letter of credit for £ 25 sterling, but has taken a vow not to touch it, the document itself being merely a safeguard against arrest by the police as a vagabond without means of support. This enterprising journalist, who is con- nected with the staff of the Vaneborg, of Copenhagen, has just started on his journey as a common sailor on board the Christian XI., and he expects to have com- pleted his tour in 18 months. AN anonymous donor has presented a cheque for £ 1000 to the Essex and Colchester Hospital. MAJOR RASCH, M.P., has promised to give a silver mace to the new borough of Southend-on-Sea. THERB are rumours that Mr. A. J. Balfour. M.P., intends shortly to enter the bonds of matrimony. .V TT ■ j conviotione of women in the year in the United Kingdom 50 per cent, were for drunken- ness. A STEAM launch made of aluminium in all its parts, including engine and screw, has just been finished at Zurich.

LONDON AND THE CHOLERA. The public will be gratified to learn that the Cor- poration of the City of London as the Port Sanitary Authority are fully alive to the necessity of continu- ing in force all the precautions that have been adopted with a view to protecting the metropolis from an outbreak of cholera. That the utmost vigi- lance is -still needed is evident from the fact that on two of the three occasions on which we have been visited with cholera the disease, which was imported from Hamburg and found its way into Hull, only broke out in England in October, when on the Conti- nent its progress bad been effectually checked. Bear- ing in mind this all-important fact, therefore, the Port Sanitary Committee, who held a further meeting at Guildhall on Thursday, have decided to increase rather than diminish the precautions taken on their behalf by Dr. Collingridge, the Medical Officer of Health for the Port. Acting, we believe, on the recommendation of the doctor, the committee have decided to make substantial and very necessary additions to the hospital the Corporation has at Gravesend. No time is to be lost in connection with the matter. The City Surveyor (Mr. Andrew Murray) has been 'instructed to prepare plans and bring up estimates, which will be fully considered and determined upon at a special meeting of the com- mittee next Friday. It may therefore be conjectured that early next week the additions the doctor is of opinion are absolutely necessary will be in a fair way towards completion. Regarding the work of the Port Sanitary Authority, it is of interest to note that, with a view to protecting London and the country from all danger of infection from outside, the doctor has appointed special inspectors, whose only duty is to patrol the coast at Sheerness, Queenborough, and Southend, and give warning in- the event of any suspicious boat making its appearance. The local medical officers at Sheerness and Southend are acting in conjunction with Dr. Collingridge, who has t' made arrangements for them to act as his deputy in the event of any unforeseen circumstance requiring immediate attention happening. The Court of Common Council have had before them a report from Dr. Collingridge, giving a detailed account of all the work he and his subordinates have done at Gravesend and along the coast since the cholera first made its appearance on the Continent. The report gives some idea of the elaborate precautions which have been adopted by the authorities with the object of saving London—and, indeed, the country-from the dread disease which has been creating such havoc almost at our very doorq.-City Press.

DEATH IN THE FILTER. The British Medical Journal says: Letters from Sir Spencer Wells and Sir Samuel Baker on the sub- ject of cholera and drinking water have appeared in the Daily Graphic, in which the boiling and subse- quent filtration of all water to be used for drinking is recommended as a precaution never to be omitted during cholera time,' and this is a recommendation which we unequivocally endorse, so long as the boil- ing is sufficient and the filtration is carried out in an unexceptionable filter. Sir Samuel Baker states that long experience in various unhealthy portions of the world has induced him to boil both water and milk invariably before consumption, and he considers that the most malarious climates can be passed through by the traveller without danger if he personally supervises the operation, and if he himself inspects his filter. He very properly calls attention to the fact, well known to experts, but generally lost sight of by the public, namely, that a filter may easily become a dangerous source of contamination by the accumulation of impurities within it. This is precisely the reason why any filter, to be a satisfac- tory one, should not only have a filtering medium capable of effecting purification when in normal working order, but should be so constructed as to admit of easy cleaning of all parts and of the ready introduction either of fresh filtering media or of the filtering substance after purification by heat. There are but few filters that fulfil these requirements, and yet it is a fairly simple matter. The passing of some quantity of boiling water through a filter will, it is brue, afford a fair amount of protection, and is a very useful suggestion, but it must be borne in mind that if a filter has been long used it ceases to exercise any purifying effect beyond that obtained by the strain- ing off of the coarser kind of matters in suspension."

GENERAL" BOOTH'S DEMANDS. General" Booth claims to be the creditor of the British public. Addressing Liverpool Salvationists the other night, he said that three years ago he asked for ;Elz,(o for his colonisation scheme and £ 12,000 for yearly maintenance, but he had spent E160,000. The British public owed him EM,000, and they wdfeld have to pay, for he did not think the sum he astyed exorbitant for taking over the responsibilities of tEe rich.