Barry Herald

THE SHOEBURYNESS MEETING. The gathering of the artillery volunteers at Shoe- buryness was brought to a close on Saturday, when the different detachments left the Government ground. Most of the volunteers left by a special train, which left Shoeburyness Station an hour before noon, but some of the detachments which had to travel a long distance left earlier. In the course of the morning the result of the guard mounting competition was made known, and it was announced that the 2nd Middlesex had won the prize of EIO presented by Major Wrenn, the camp adjutant, with 141 points. The carbine com- petition was won by the team representing the 4th West Yorkshire Volunteers with 159 points. Before the volunteers left, the following marching order was issued by the camp commandant, Colonel N. P. Fowell, R.A.: The camp commandant takes this opportunity before the departure of the force to bid good-bye to the volunteer artillery, and to express his appreciation of the soldier-like bearing of all ranks, whose continuous good conduct, as testified to by a clean defaulters'-book since the year 1894, h<^i been I fully maintained during this meeting. He also wishes to express the gratification it has been to him- self to command so fine a body of men."

KING OF SIAM AT WELBECK ABBEY. The King of Siam arrived at Worksop on his visit to the Duke and Duchess of Portland at Welbeck Abbey on Sunday afternoon. Miserably wet weather prevailed, but a large crowd assembled at the station and cheered his Majesty, who graciously acknowledged the welcome. He was received by the duke, and was at onca driven to the Abbey in a covered carriage, driven by four beautiful animals, with two postillions. The house party invited to meet him consist of the Duke of Manchester, the Marquis and Marchioness of Gran by, the Earl of Enniskillen, Lord and Lady Wantage, Lord and Lady Ribblesdale, Count and Countess Kinsky, Lord and Lady Lurgan, Sir Frede- rick and Lady Milner, Sir Jacob Wilson, Captain Holford, Miss Dallas Yorke, Miss Grenfell, Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay, Mr. J. Boege, and Mr. Chandos Pole. His Majesty left on Monday night for Edinburgh.

TURKISH HOLD ON THESSALY. The Ambassadors of the great European Powers assembled at Constantinople are in a difficult posi- tion, as they are ignorant of the disposition of Greece regarding the payment of the war indemnity, while the Porte, on the other hand, expresses strong doubts whether Greece will agree to pay, and consequently demands as a guarantee a more extended zone of occupation than is regarded as admissible by the Ambassadors. It is likely, therefore, that the question of the evacuation of Thessaly will yet occupy some time. The admirals at Canea have definitely removed the censorship of telegrams for the European press from Turkish control, and placed it in the hands of the in- ternational authorities, under the most liberal and equitable conditions, leaving with the Ottoman Government the censorship of telegrams to Greece and Turkey.

NEW GOVERNMENT OFFICES. The committee on the sites for new buildings re- quired for Government offices have agreed to a report in continuation of that issued last year. In the course of their various recommendations they reco'u- mend that Nos. 11 and 12, Downing-street, should be removed. But we are of opinion (the report pro- ceeds) that the principal block of No. 10, the his- toric residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, for reasons of practical necessity and on account of its associations, should be retained, the Downing-street front being masked by erecting a new building with a good architectural facade, and the park front being cased in stone."

RAILWAY ACCIDENT. On Saturday evening a double fatality occurred on a train of the Irish Northern Counties Railway, run- ning between Londonderry and Belfast. When a short distance from Antrim a serious escape of steam and hot water took place in consequence of the frac- ture of the stays securing the fire-box at the right side of the engine, and the driver, James Turner, and his fireman, Cornelius McMister, lost their lives, the former being scalded to death, and the latter dying from fracture of the skull. Both men leave widows, and one of them a family.

SEDITION IN INDIA. Aurry Xragen Gokhale, who was declared to be the printer of the Kesari, surrendered on Saturday at the Bombay police-court, having heard that he was wanted by the police. The Public Prosecutor said that it was not proposed to lead evidence against him, as Bal was evidently the printer of the journal. Gokhale was therefore discharged. Articles are published in the Turkish journals Sabah and Mdumat inveigning in violent terms against what are described as the injustices of British rule in India. The journals declare that Great Britain is responsible for the recent troubles, and express the opinion that the disorders will extend if Great Britain does not change her line of conduct towards the inhabi- tants. The Melumat finally asks if Europe will undertake, in the name of humanity and civili- sation, to protect the people of India. For some days the Turkish press has been attentively follow- ing the progress of events in India. Soma importance is attached in Constantinople to the arrival there of Mir Seyd, an Afghan personage, son-in-law of the Sirdar Emir Ebzal Khan, and a dignitary of the Ameer Abdur Rahman's court. He is accompanied by a suite of 30 persons. The new- papers staM Mir Seyd will pay his respects to the Sultan, and add that he will stay here some days.

THE naval pensions of £ 60 a year for lieutenants of the Royal Navy, rendered vacant by the deaths of Commanders Ernest L. Hoblyn and Ernest F. Brick- dale, have been awarded to Commanders Edward C. Hall and Albert W. Whish. THE Duke of Westminster, Sir J. Wolfe Barry, Mr. Burdeit-Coutts, M.P., Mr. F. Rose, and Colonel T. Davies. Sewell have undertaken to act as trustees to the fund which has been raised in Westminster for buying a freehold home for nurses in commemoration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. SIGNOR BRIN, the Italian Minister of Marine, who t. an able naval engineer, has for some time been engaged on the plans for an entirely new type of vessel, which, it is declared, owiug to its power, speed, M t. cy as a tactical unit, will oompletely ceretaittaM Q*, navy.

THE ENGINEERING DISPUTE. On Saturday the officials of the Employers' Fede- ration decided to extend the lock-out throughout the whole of the country. On the men's side the strike baa developed few fresh features, but the Amalgamed Society of Engineers are busily engaged in arranging details for a vigorous campaign in the metropolis, and a lnrge number of public meetings have been fixed. It was stated on Saturday that answers are still being received by the socie'.y in reply to the circular issued a few days a7 giving promises of financial aid when the time arrives for appeals to be made for levies. The society has decided to approach Al r. Gosehen, the first Lord of the Admiralty, with reference to an important matter which is looked upon by the oflicials of the society "as a distinct breach of the agreement that was arrived at with the Admiralty respecting the attitude of the Government during the present dis- pute in the engineering and shipbuilding industry." The society allege that the Admiralty have supplied to Messrs. Laird Brothers, of Birkenhead, a number of naval stokers to facilitate the trials of a new cruiser for which they are the contractors, and this the men say is a breach of the agreement in which the Admiralty undertook to "observe an attitude nf strict impartiality during the dispute," and that their present action in supplying Govern- ment employes was a distinct violation of that under- taking. Should the Government not countermand the instructions given it is possible that the strike may extend to the Admiralty Departments. The total number of men now on strike is given as fol- lows: Engineers, 17,000; allied workers, 15,000; non-unionists, 6000; labourers, 3000; total, 41,000. On the other side the Free Labour Association chiim io have supplied 1800 men to London firms affected bv the strike. THE MENS REPLY. The Amalgamated Society of Engineers has issued a manifesto in reply to that of the federated employers. To many of the statements made by the latter they offer a flat denial, while others are characterised as too absurd for serious attention." The sympathetic lock-out they declare to be an abuse of the power of combination and an act of aggression upon society, while they hold to the asser- tion that trade improves when hours of labour are decreased and say that the federation has been intent upon combat for some time past. Upon it, in con- clusion, they lay the whole responsibility for the pre- sent situation.

POSTMEN AND TELEGRAPHISTS. The Postmaster-General has drawn up a state- ment indicating the changes bA is prepared to make with respect to the larger issues dis- cussed at the recent conferences at the House of Commons. He does not think that the maximum salaries of telegraphists should be raised, but he is making arrangements by which a number of promotions will be effected, and he consents to the abolition of certain technical examinations which might act as a bar to advance- ment. The facilities for men to qualify for acting in more than one capacity and thus to secure increased salaries are also to be enlarged, while rural and auxiliary postmen receive certain concessions as well and a promise is made that, if possible, there shall be more holidays granted in the better months of the year. Some smaller matters are left for future consideration, but, as to the points already dealt with, the Postmaster-General expresses the hope that his decisions will be loyally accepted.

CAPTURE OF ABU-HAMED. The column under Major-General Hunter left Merawi on July 29 and attacked Abu-Hamed at 5.30 on the morning of the 7th inst. The place was cap- tured after severe house-to-house fighting. Brevet- Major H. M. Sidney and Lieutenant FitzClarence were killed. Major-General Hunter's column con- sisted of the 3rd, 9th, 10th, and 11th Battalions of Infantry, No. 2 Battery of Field Artillery, and a small detachment of cavalry. The following telegram from the general officer commanding in Egypt was received at the War Office in London on Monday Cairo, Aug. 9 Sirdar reports Hunter s column took Abu-Hamed morning of 7th, after severe house-to-house fighting, in which Major Sidney and Lieutenant FitzCfarenee were killed. Attack began at 5"30 a.m. after IS miles' march and lasted one hour. No other details yet received."

NORTH-EASTERN AWARD. The North-Eastern Railway dispute, which was submitted for arbitration to the general manager and a representative of the men employed, has now been settled by the award of Lord James of Hereford, who was asked to act as umpire. Many concessions are granted to the men. With regard to hours of work, for instance, they are fixed at 10 a day for engine-drivers and firemen and for guards of goods, mineral, and pilot trains; and at 56 hours a week, exclusive of meal-times, for guards of passenger trains. Sunday pay is fixed at half as much ngain and overtime at a quarter as much again as ordinary pay. The hours of work at many signal- cabins are to De reduced, and tne claims of other classes of workers also receive attention. The award goes into minute detail and lays down in the clearest manner the rules by which the company ig t0 guided in its relations with the men whom it employs.

THE LOSS OF THE ADEN. Judgment was on Monday given in the Board of Trad« inquiry into the Joss of the P. and O. steamer Aden off the Island of Socotra. The Court found that the vessel's speed was slightly reduced on the morning of June 8, to allow coal stowed on deck to be taken below. This altered the course of the vessel, but whether sufficient to account for the casualty there was not sufficient evidence to show. The probabilities were that the master anticipated a stronger current than be actually experienced. The Court expressed a high opinion of the conduct of chief officers, crew, and passengers.

SISTERS KILLED BY^A TRAIN. A verdict of Accidental death was returned on Monday evening at an inquest at Midge Hall, near Preston, as to the death of two sisters Alice Aah- croft, aged 11 years, and Mary Ann Ashcroft, two years-who were run over by a tram on Saturday night, and killed on the spot. ay

FELO DE SE. A verdict of felodese was returned at Claydon near Banburv, at an inquest on a young girl named Wells, who was at a dance when her father went to her and said that unless she went home he would thrash her with a stick. She immediately went and threw herself over the Oxford Canal Bridge, and was drowned. The deceased was an attractive girl-

PAINFUL SEQUEL TO A RESCUE. A painful sequel to a gallant rescue from drown- ing occu rred on Monday afternoon aL Tottenham. A man noticed a lad fall in the River Lea, and promptly plunged in and brought him ashore. On reaching the bank, however, the rescuer feU ^ea(J apparently through heart failure, probably inducsd by the immersion. The body awaits Verification at the mortuary.

AN EXPRESSION OF REGRET. Lord Herschell, after consulting his colJeague8 on the Executive Council of the Imperial Institute, ha* written to Mr. Townend, the manager 0f the Australian Press Association, expressing regret that the representative of that association was excluded by the secretary of the Institute from the banquet to the Coloniul Premiers, under circumstances ma(je public some weeks ago. Lord Herschell has also given a satisfactory assurance that a similar mistake shall not oceur again. not occur agtun.

Tm; Boult system ot rlbiiw-y »'g"mling is NOW undergoing practical testing by dai y use on the Man- Chester, Sheffield, and Lincoln9 ire ail way. troiii all accounts it is likely to bring a ut a revolution in signalling practice, and to entire y do away wi'h sound signals when fogs are preva ent. Instead of the arrangements of semaphores and coloured lights at the sides of the track, which have to be viewed from a considerable distance, the ^ou.t system gives a means of bringing the signalman s messes imme- diately before the engine-Jr'ver" small semaphore and bell are fitted side by side with the pressure gauge and other appendages to the boiier. Elec- tricity is, of course, the medium t rough which the motion of the switches is conveye o the engine. COLLISIONS at sea due to miscalculations as to the positions occupied by two ships, at times when a fog has rendered seeing an impossibility, are so frequent that they will not unlikely be diminished to an appreciable extent by the introduction of Dr. Lodge's proposed sound-locatidg contrivance. At stem, at s'.ern, and on port and starboard sides of a vessel, sound-receptive trumpets are to be b*ed up. From these, tubes are to convey the sounds to a common centre, such as the chart-room, where the termina- tion of each tube would be close to the others, yet all would remain sufficiently distinct. An observer here would be able to judge, by the greater clearness with which a fog horn or syren could be heard at one tube end than at the rest, in which direction the siiHMiltng ship was lying-

AN OXFORD ROMANCE. Perhaps one of the most interesting ficts which have transpired in connection with the present summer meeting of Extension students at Oxford is the new attitude of the University and some of the colleges towards working-class agitation. At the present moment one of the Brackenbury scholars of Balliol College is Joseph Owen, of Oldham, the son of a Lancashire artisan, who has himself worked in an Oldham mill. He left school at 13, and his chief means of education have been free libraries and University extension. For many years he was Mr. Hudson's Shaw's best pupil, and constantly mentioned in examiners' reports. In 1895 Mr. A. L. Smith, Fellow of Balliol, was struck by the quality of his work in English history, and recommended that he should come to Oxford. There were many difficulties. He was 23 years of age, mar- ried, and had no knowledge of Latin or Greek. Nevertheless, the college admitted him on the strength of his University Extension work, and gave him a special exhibition of V-50 a year. By the generous help of the Marquis of Ripon, Mr. M. E. Sadler, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Sedgwick, and other friends of University Extension, the necessary funds were provided, and Mr. and Mrs. Owen took up their residence in a cottage in Oxford. Mr. Owen's career since has been remarkable. He entered Balliol in October, 1895. Six weeks later he won, in open competition, a much-prized scholarship, the Bracken- bury, for history, which is of the value of V-80 a year, and tenable for four years. Within 18 months from learning the Greek alphabet he has passed both Responsions and Moderations, cleared away all pre- lim inaries, and is now just embarked on an honours' course in history, with every prospect of a brilliant deg.ee. He has been well received by the men, and takes his part in the life of the college; while nis wife, herself an Extension student for many years at Oldham, has won warm friendship and deep respect. From first to last the experiment has proved an extraordinary success, and it is hoped that many others of a like character may follow.

THE COWLEY DIVORCE. In the Divorce Division OH Monday the decree nisi obtained by Countess Cowley in February last, by reason of the desertion and misconduct of her husband, Earl Cowley, was made absolute, the statutory period having elapsed. An applica- tion was also made on behalf of the countess on the question of maintenance. Mr. Barnard, who appeared for Lady Cowley, said that with the decree nisi the countess was given the cus- tody of the child, Lord Dangan. The Registrar had reported that Lord Cowley should secure E2000 a year on his wife for life, but in the report only £ 150 a year had been allowed as maintenance for the son. He (Mr. Barnard) asked that the sum should be made into R200. After counsel's arguments, his lordship said he did not see sufficient ground to interfere with the Registrar's order, and therefore the report would be confirmed.

OUR VOLUNTEERS. The Duke of Connaught, in his final remarks on the great operations at Aldershot on Friday of last week, says the volunteers moved quicker over the ground than in former years. Silence was well preserved, and much intelligence shown in sejgeting cover in broken ground. The Duke further observed that there was a tendency on the part of volunteers to try and keep units separate, thus preventing the firing line being reinforced to the desired extent, and by retaining the supports in close proximity to the firing line, they were exposed to fire without being able to use their own rifles. His Royal Highness pays a special compliment to the Volunteer Medical Staff Corps, whose companies, he remarks, rendered valu- able assistance in the removal of casualties, proving that they were carefully trained in this very impor- tant service.

PIRACY ON THE ACHIN COAST. Lloyd's agents at Penang, under date of the 14th ult., report as follows: "The British steamer Pegu, owned in Penang, left this port on the 7th, bound for Edie and the usual ports up to Olehleh. At Edie she took on board, as passengers, a party of some 10 Achinese and one woman. The men, as is custo- mary on that coast, were searched for arms, but none were found, and it is supposed these were all concealed on the woman's person. At about seven p.m. on the 9th, when the master, Captain Henry Ross, and the chief engineer, Craigie, we:e at dinner in the saloon, they were set upon without warning, by these men. The engineer, though wounded by stabs about the body and arms, managed to escape, and barricaded himself in the engine-room. Captain Ross also escaped from the saloon, but in trying to gain the bridge was overtaken, stabbed fatally, and disemboweled. The Achinese then turned t heir attention to the rest of the crew, killed the mate and steersman on the bridge and five of the passengers, all natives, while five other passengers jumped over- board and were drowned. In addition to these 14 others of the crew and passengers were more or less severely wounded. Having gained possession of the I ship in this way, they proceeded to plunder the strong room, securing about 15,OOOdols. in coin, with which they made good their escape in the ship's boats, landing on the Achin coast near Simpang Olim. After they had left, the serfing and engineer took charge of the ship again, steered her out to sea until daylight, and then made for Telnk Semawe, where the Dutch authorities took possession. The first news of the disaster reached this port by telegram on Sunday, the lIth. On the loth (yesterday) the Pegu was herself brought over by some officers of the Dutch navy and escorted by a gunboat, and is now in harbour here. The attack thus resulted in 14 deaths, Captain Ross being the only European killed, while 14 or 15 were wounded of whom only the engineer was a European. The pirates landed on a part of the coast which is in the hands of the Achinese, and it :s very unlikely that any of them will ever be canght."

BATHING FATALITIES. On Monday afternoon, at Bantham Bay, an attrac- tive resort some distance from Plymouth, Mr. Roberts, schoolmaster, of Plymouth, was with his son, aged 14, and another boy, named Duncan, bath- ing at a dangerous spot near the mouth of the Avon, when the boys got into difficulties in the surf. Mr. Roberts, who is near sighted, attempted to answer J the lads' calls for assistance, but all three were drowned. A shocking bathing fatality occurred on Monday nfternoon at Freshwater East Bay, a favourite seaside resort near Pembroke. Miss Annie Jones, dress- maker, and Miss Annie Mathias, employed ata West- gate boot shop, while bathing together were over- powered by a large wave, and dashed against the rocks. In an iLsnsible state they were being carried out to sea by the receding water, when some men seized them and brought them ashore, amid a scene of great excitement. Miss Jones was with difficulty resuscitated, but her unfortunate companion, whose head had struck the boulder with terrific force, was found to be dend.

ANOTHER INDIAN RISING. Colonel Weeu, with a small force, on Monday attacked and defeated, after very severe fighting, in which his column was temporarily repulsed, a large gathering of Mohmand tribesmen, who on Saturday attacked Fort Shubkard, in the Peshawur district. The day was saved by a brilliant charge of the 13th Bengal Cavalry. The British casualties were 12 killed and 48 wounded, including the following officers Blacker, Artillery; Lamb, Somersetshire Regiment; and Cheyne, 13th Bengal Cavalry. It having been reported that 5000 tribesmen in the Peshawur Valley were marching on Shubkard Fort, a email column was sent from Peshawur, and reached that locality at daylight on Sunday. The tillage of Sbankargar, near the fort, was found to have been burned. The enemy had retired.

r K, F. E. YOUKUM, of Los Angelos, California, has been successful in applying the X rays to determine the gold which exists in quartz. The discovery was made accidentally, as while photographing a surgical case he placed a piece of gold-bearing quartz on a vacant spot on the plate, with the result that the ou^" lines of the rock showed, with specs indicating the presence of gold. This process will, obviously, be of considerable use to prospectors. THE sale of the late Mr. Barnato's Park-lane palace to Sir Edward Sassoon for £ 100,000 is another illustration of the old saw that men seldom live m palaces they themselves built. Mr. Barnato paid for the land alone in Park-lane ovei £ 50,000, and spent another V-60,000 on the building. The bouse is of grey Portland stone, designed in a free treatment of Renaissance. The hall is, perhaps, the most gor- geous feature in the house it is decorated in richly carved old oak, and has a great white marble stair- case. The reception-room is in Moorish style, and the ball-room in Louis XV. style. In short, a very nice place to look at, but rather too garish for com- fort, good taste, or convenience. A MOST wonderful phenomenon has (according to a contemporary) recently occurred at Boston, Lincoln- shire. A poultry-keeper placed a hen on la «oub|6- yolked egg, and 29 chickens were the reault. It is said that the hen's bewilderment at this extraordinary brood from such an ordinary number of eggs was very pronounced. The chickens, which are black Minorcas, are now (continues our contemporary) about three weeks old, healthy and peckish, and have beenviewed by scores of incredible curiosity-hunters. We give the story for what it is worth.

PLUGGING AND BULLYING AT PUBLIC SCHOOLS. ThA Headmaster of Harrow does not believe in corpurnl punishment, and is glad it is seldom used at. Harrow. In reply to an interviewer of the Church himily Newspaper, he says: "The upper classes don't object to it at all, and now that it is abolished in Board Schools and middla-class schools, practically it is only the 'vilia corpoJa of dukes and princes that we are allowed to experiment upon." "But do you believe in corporal punishment ?" Frankly speaking, I do not and I am glad to say that it's seldom used at Harrow." Does not the remembrance of it prevent a boy from ever thinking kindly of his master? Judging from my own ex- perience, that would be the effect on most boys." I cannot agree with you, I know many examples to the contrary. When Dr. South was a boy at Westminster, Busby used to thrash him mercilessly, saying, I see wits in that ugly little boy I must bring them out with a cane.' Yet when South was on his death-bed he expressed wiah to be buried neat him. Then there is a case of Dr. Iveate, of Eton He was an awful dogger, yet Mr. Gladstone cncetolu me that the farewell dinner given him by his old pupils was one of the most enthusiastic gatherings ht ever witnessed. There was a certain well-known headmaster who used to say to a boy after he had caned him, I forgive you,' and to accompany every stroke with such expressions as 'Now be a man.' 'Be true.' I'm so sorry.' He was so soft-hearted that at one time be got another master to do the caning for him. He only resumed it when be found that his substitute was so much more kindhearted than himself that he used to strike the forms instead of the boys." TIIE SECRET OF SCHCOLMASTERING. Questioned on the subject of bullying, Mr. Welldon said: "I think you ought to distinguish carefully between bullying or physical cruelty and t "asing ot 'ragging.' as it is called. As to physical cruelty, I deny that it is practised nowadays to any extent. I have never bad in all my experience a case of physical cruelty, of the kind, say, that is depicted in 'Tom Brown's School Days.' But that a system of petty annoyances, which may be described as teasing or ragging,' prevails in public schools, I will not deny. Why should I ? My object is not to declare Harrow already perfect, but to endea- vour to make it as perfect as possible, and to wel- come the publicity of the Press on this subject an helping iue in my endeavours. The great diffi- culty, and it is the main difficulty with which masters of public schools have to contend, is how to protect sensitive boys from such treatment. I can assure you it is a source of much anxious thought to me and my fellow-masters. The fact is, there is a class of boys who, I frankly confess, are hardly fitted for public school life at all. They are highly sensitive, prone to exaggerate, and ready to put a sinister meaning upon everything that is said to them. But the tendency nowadays is to send all boys to public schools, whether they are fitted for the life or not. Sometimes it answers well, so that a sensitive lad has his angularities rubbed off by contact in a big school, but sometimes it does not. You know that English public school life is based upon the principle of liberty. The boys are not sub- ject to any clandestine espionage, but are more or less self-governed. The object, then, of a school- master must be to establish such a bond of sympathy between himself and his boys, and especially between himself and his leading boys, that what be dis- approves of they shall disapprove of. That is the secret of schoolmastering in a nutshell. You must make the boys hate what is hateful, by attaching yourself to them as their friend. There has been a great change of late years in the relation of master to boys. A greater nearness has been established, and nearness, you know, promotes confidence." HARROW DOyg' COAR-TAILS. The Head Master of Harrow, in the course of the same interview, also narrated some interesting public school stories. He said You noticed the tailcoats worn by the fifth form and senior boys. There is a capital story about tail-coats told with reference to a predecessor of mine, Archbishop Longley- good-natured Longley,' he used to be called. He met two boys out late one night, and gave them chase. The boys made off, but one of them left a coat-tail in the headmaster's hands. Dr. Longley made sure of discovering the offender on the follow- ing day by his missing coat-tail, but when the next day came every boy appeared at school with only one coat-tail. It was Archbishop Longley who, see- ing a rope hanging from the window of one of his boys' rooms, caught hold of it, and was hauled up by the unsuspecting boys. But when it was the headmaster's face that appeared at the window, the delinquents dropped him on to one of his own bushes quicker than they had hauled him up. Dr. Longley it was who once questioned a youth as to whether he had been concerned in a certain breach of dis- cipline. At first the youth denied it, but afterwards he ran up to the headmaster and confessed his guilt. I I'm so glad you told me,' said Dr. Longley, and quietly passed on. I have only time for one more story, because I am due at school at five. One of my predecessors had a capital way of getting rid of little boys whom he bad invited to breakfast, and who could not summon up courage to leave. He would go up to them and say And must you really leave now ? I'm so sorry.' A boy addressed in that way would always go at once."

THE ADMIRALTY'S CHRONO- METERS. In the report issued by the Committee of Public Accounts there occurs a passage on this subject show- ing how the Admiralty pay for their chronometers, &c. The committee report Out of a total of E2914 granted for chronometers, the account shows an un- expended balance of JE20 17s. 9d. The Comptroller and Auditor-General, however, draws attention to the fact that chronometers to the value of E802 and deck watches to the value of E828 bad been so far selected and delivered that the claims for payment in respect of them had matured within the financial year, which claims, if discharged, would have caused an excess expenditure on this head of some E1610. In reply to an inquiry as to the reasons for postpon- ing payment the Comptroller and Auditor-General was informed that payment was not made in these cases, because the hydrographer considered it more convenient, m the absence of provision, to wait for the following financial year, when funds would be obtainable. It was explained to the committee that after a chronometer has been tested and accepted by the Adrtiiralty, it is sent back to the maker to be re-regulated, cleaned, and burnished before final de- livery and receipt into store. It has hitherto been the practice to pay for the chronometers as soon as they have been selected. In the present instance there has been a clear departure from established practice, inasmuch as the payment was deferred to another financial year; but in this case also the established practice was observed in so far as the articles were paid for before final delivery. The re- presentative of the Admiralty maintained before the committee that payment was not due until final de- livery. and stated that, in accordance with that view, payment will not be made in future until the articles have been re-delivered by the maker, and taken pos- session of by the Admiralty authorities.

THE MUZZLING OF DOGS. VIKWS OF TUB BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. So many letters have been received by the editor of the liural World in regard to the muzzling orders issued by the Board of Agriculture that he drew the attention of the President to the subject, and has received a reply, from which the following is taken As it is an established fact that rabies can only be communicated by the rabid animal to some other animal by means of a bite, and as it is impossible to ascertain for certain how many dogs may have been so tnfectf d, it is necessary to muzzle all the dogs in an infected district in order to stamp out the disease by making its communication from dog to dog im- possible. From 1889 to 1892 the Central Authority exercised their power of imposing mnzzling orders, but in that year the amount of rabies in the country having considerably diminished, these powers were again relegated to the local authorities, with the consequence that great variation in practice and want of continuity were brought about, resulting in a steady increase of the disease; and as surely as rabies increased so did hydrophobia. That this is the case is shown by the following flgtires In 1892 ther3 were 38 cases of rabies; in 1895 these had in- creased to G72; while the cases of hydrophobia for the same Yeats were for 1892 six, for 1895 20. "The wide extension of the area covered by F. muzzling order is due to the ascertained fact thut, a rabid dog frequently covers a considerable mileage in his wild career before he is caught, or falls down exhausted; and the object aimed at is to secure the ,nuzzling of all dogs which may possibly hav* been bitten by the rabid dog in the course of his journey. As regards the wire muzzle, it is a complete mis- apprehension to suppose that a wire muzzle when properly fitted prevents a dog from drinking. A leather strap muzzle, if tight enough to be safe, would have that effect, while if it were loose it would be ineffective. Again, the leather quickly perishes, owing to the constant immersion of the muzzle jn water and the saliva from the dog's mouth. The statement made by some that a muzzle produces canine illness cannot possibly be maintained. It is, of uourse, true that a muzzled dog may have a fit, but so may an un- muzzled dog. The muzzle, if properly fitted and properly put on, will not, however, produce illness indeed, it will not even cause discomfort to the dog beyond the strangeness of the fiwt few days. The assertion that the muzzle does tl)t reduce rabies ia also contrary to all experience." It ¡

TIIE PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT. The House of Lords met at eleven r,V]nr.Jf on Friday of last week to receive the Consolidated Fund A ppro- pnation Bill, which was brought from the Commons half-an-hour later, and immediately p^sed through all It, stages. The sitting was then suspended arid cn its resumption at half-past two o'c!cck the Commons were summoned to the bar of the Upper House, when the Royal Assent, was given bv Commis- U°M t0 Jthe,VVorkmen (Compensation for Accidents) i.ill, and a large number of other Bills wlii,;h hud been passed by both Chambers. The Lord Chancellor then read the Queen's Speech closing the Session, nnd Parliament was declared duly prorogued until Satur- day, October 23. THE QUEEN'S SPKKOTI. The following is the full text of the Queens Speech Mr LORDS AND GENTI.KMEN', At the close of a Session during which there hns been disturbance and conflict in Furope, I am clad to be able to inform you that the cordiality of mv relations with foreign Powers remains unchanged. The united influence of the Six Powers, Signatories to the Treaty of Paris, was earnestly exerted early in the year to dissuade the King of Greece from the war upon which he unhappily desired to enter. Though they failed in this endeavour, they were able to bri ng about an early suspension of hostilities between the two belligerents, and to open negotiations for peace. These proceedings have been protracted, and a formal Treaty has not yet been signed. But there is good ground for believing that all the more important matters in controversy have been adjusted, and that, in return for an adequate indemnity, the territory conquered by Turkey will, with a slight modification of frontier, be restored to Greece. I have given notice to the King of the Belgians nnd the German Emperor to terminate the Treaties A Commerce of 1862 and 1805, by which I am pre- tented from making with my Colonies such fiscal nrranaements within my Empire as seem to me expedient. In consequence of the infraction by the Chinese Government of certain stipulations of the Convention :>f 1894, a fresh Convention has been concluded, esta- blishing a frontier between Burmah and China more advantageous to my Empire, and opening the West River in China to European commerce. I have concluded a Treaty of Commerce and Friendship with Menelik, the Emperor of Abyssinia. The presence of the Representatives of the Colonies fvnd of the Indian Empire at the ceremonies held in celebration of the sixtieth year of my reign has con- tributed to strengthen the boad of union between all I parts of my Empire, and an additional proof of the attachment of the Colonies to the Mother Country has been furnished by the fiscal legislation of Canada, and by the contribution which the Cape Colony, following the example of Australasia, has offered to our naval defence. The famine which, to my profound grief, has pre- vailed throughout large portions of my Indian dominions since the autumn of last year has taxed severely the resources of that country. I gladly acknowledge the energy and self-sacrinee of my officers of all ranks, both Europeans and natives and of many private persons who, with untiring zeal, and with an anxious desire to avoid offence to native feel- in?, have laboured to save life and to relieve suffering. An appeal to the sympathy of my subjects in all parts of my Empire has been responded to in a most generous manner; and I rejoice to learn that, owing to a satisfactory rainfall, there is now every prospect that the area of distress will be very greatly diminished. The Plague, which caused a large number of deaths in certain districts in India during the earlier part of the year, has now almost disappeared. This improvement is mainly due to the energetic and judicious steps which were taken by the Local Governments to prevent it from spreading. Every precaution will be adopted in view of the poesibility of its recurrence, but at present there is a steady decrease both in its prevalence and in its fatal effects. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I am grateful to you for the liberal provision to which you have assented for increasing the maritime forces of my Empire. My LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, It has. given me great pleasure to sanction the arrangements you have made for enlarging the important harbours of Dover and Gibraltar, and for strengthening the military defences of the Empire. I anticipate that the facilities you have given for the practice of military manoeuvres will conduce to the greater efficiency of the Army. The assistance which your legislation has given to the support of necessi- tous schools will secure an adequate provision for education in the localities where it is most required, and will, I trust, close for some time a difficult and anxious controversy. The measure which you have passed for the compensation of workmen who are injured by accidents in the course of their employ- ment will confer great benefits on a large section of the population. I recolíise with satisfaction the steps you have taken to facilitate the transfer of land, to protect the interests of the consumers of water in the metro- polis, to relieve distress in the congested districts of Scotland, and to reform the law of public health in that country. I am rejoiced that you have been able to provide a more efficient and economical system for the judicial institutions of Ireland. I pray that the fruit of your labours may be assured by the protection and blessing of Almighty God. In the House of Commons, which met at ten o'clock in the morning of Friday of last week, On the order of the day for the third reading of the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill, Sir E. Ashmead-Bartlett took occasion to comment on the statement made by the First Lord of the Admiralty that the Admirals in Cretan waters had decided not to allow the Turkish fleet to enter Canea Bay, and that her Majesty's Government did not disap- prove of the decision. He thought it unfortunate that such a statement should have been made in public, as he was of opinion that if a step of that kind were necessary the proper mode of proceeding would have been by private representations to the Porte. Mr. Curzon said the statement made by the First Lord of the Admiralty was not of a provocative character. The matter had been already published in the newspapers, and his right hon. friend simply answered a question which was addressed to him. All that happened was that the Admirals met in consulta- tion and decided to make an announcement to the Turkish Commander-in-Chief that the presence of Turkish war vessels would not be allowed in Cretan waters. There was nothing in the manner in which the communication was made to the Turkish Com- mander-in-Chief or repeated to the House that was in the least degree unusual. After some conversation with reference to the sale of intoxicating liquors in the House, The Bill was read a third time, and the sitting was suspended. At half-past two o'clock the sitting-as resumed, and shortly afterwards the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod appeared at the bar and summoned the Speaker and the members present to the House of Peers to hear the Royal Commission read. On their return khe Speaker read the Queen's Speech, and the Session was then brought to a close with the customary for- malities. _—————

DHULSKP SINGH, son ana inneriioi Ut me Prince who formerly cut a gay figure in London society, is about to be marrisd. In view of this in- teresting event, he has applied to the Indian Govern- ment for an increase of his pension to the modest amount of JMOOO a year. At present he has a life income, paid through the Indian Government, of c.SOOO a vear. IN New South Wales, during lbJo, six instances ot triple births, and 398 cases of twins were recorded, only one of the 796 infants being still-born, the period 1876 to 1895, there were four instances of quadruple births, 42 cases of triplets, and 5965 cases quadruple births, 42 cases of triplets, and 5965 cases of twins. Of the quartettes, all were living at the time of birth of the triplets, three were still-born; and of the twins, 33 were stiil-born. Of the parents of the triplets, two of the fathers belonged to New South Wales, three came from England, and one from Scotland. Of the mothers, New South Wales con- tributed five, and England one: the ages of tbe fathers ranging from 28 to 45, and that of the mothers from 26 to 40. ;\1". h JIAKK SMITH, of Adelaide, has olterea to pnhsi rit e tha whole amount necessary for the estab- lishment (if a tentative itieteorol,gieal sta.iun on the d Mount Kosciusko. OWI.NO to the intervention of the Duke of Saxe- Coburt; and Gotha, the threatened constitutional con- ilict with the Gotha Diet has been averted by a settle- ment of I he dispute in favour of the latter. TJIK death is announced from Paris of the Marquis de I Rochejaqnelin, deputy for the department of Deux-Stfvres, and a descendant of the illustrious family which figured so prominently in the Vendean insurrection. REAR-ADMIRAL AUTHUH K. WILSON, V.C., has been selested to succeed Vice-Admiral Fisher as Con- troller of the Navy when the latter hoists his flag as Commander in Chief of the North American Station. THE Figaro says the Czar invitea France to send an extraordinary military mission to the Russian iiiiincetivres. Russia will send an identical mission to the French manoeuvres. THE voyage to the Senegal, which the French Minister of the Colonies is about to take, is for the purpose of studying the best means of establishing ^government in Western Afrii -t- i :i J

SCIENCE NOTES. THB colours of birds' eggs are apt to chaise tint and fade on exposure to light. Blue eggs generally become purplish, and then greyish. Brown or olive green e.gs are more stable in the tint. This altera- tion in colour is easily proved by protecting a purl of the shell against the light. M. MILNE-EDWARDS, the well-known French natu- ralist, recently described a new kind of monkey found in the mountains of Thibet. The animal, which is !arge, has a furry coat and a nose, a real nose, of the "tip-tilted" fashion. It is seldom nowadays that a new animal of comparatively tall figure is found by naturalists. INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, U.S., has an electric laundry. It is not only lighted by the electricity, but all the irons used are heated by the same means. Each iron is connected by flexible wires to a metal hanger or book supported by the table. There are three large tables, and 32 laundresses in the establish- ment, which is connected with a hospital of the city. A PHYSICIAN reports a case of a boy who has shed his skin. On some parts of the body it came off in large patches, in others it seemed to scale off in fragments. At all events he has gotten rid of it and comes out with a brand new cuticle. No cause is assigned for this curious state of affairs. Such abnormal conditions occasionally occur, and must be set down merely as caprices of nature. THE Bulli vtmt nets, regarded as a protection against torpedoes, have been suppressed in the French navy by the Minister of Marine, not only in ships on ser- vice, but in those under construction. It is proposed to utilise them for making dams, stockades, &c. GREAT part of the rubber from the West Coast of Africa is produced by lianas, or climbers, belonging to the Llandolphia." One of these, the N'djembo of Fernan-Vuz, in the French Congo, gives a very elastic gum, whereas the Malvimba gives a very poor quality, it being too resinous. An interesting paper on the < subject was recently read before the Academie des Sciences, Paris. THE Hydrographic Omce of the United States Navy has issued a set of coloured pictures of clouds as they are classified for the use of observers at sea. There are 12 different views printed on one sheet 23 by 28 inches. The views are reproduced from paint- ings, and are more typical than those in the Cloud Atlas." The price of the sheet is only 40 cents, and for 60 cents the views can be had on separate sheets, with descriptive letterpress. WHEN a plant is bruised or injured in any way, a condition arises which exactly corresponds to what we term fever. The rate of respiration is incteased, and temperature of the parts affected is considerably raised. The disturbance has its period of increase, reaches a climax and subsides as does ordinary fever. Indeed, the increase in temperature is quite as great, if not greater than in animals. This opens a wide field for investigation and discussion, and one which will be followed up by lovers of nature and its very interesting phenomena. THOSE who doubt the existence of a hot core inside the earth will not find much confirmation of their views in the deep borings made at Parusehowitz, near Rybnik, in Upper Silesia. For a depth of 1,1, miles it has been found that the temperature increases about ldeg. Fahrenheit for 50ft. of descent, that i3 to say, the last results given by a very deep borehole are no exception to the rule. If we infer that the temperature goes on increasing at this rate a depth of 40 or 50 miles would give us the temperature at which rock fuses. Some of these deep bores have revealed unsuspected treasures. That at Sperenberg discovered a mass of rock salt, and that at Parus- chowitz a 8 3 seam of coal. Both of these were under- taken by the Prussian Government. IT is a notable fact that steel has almost. entirely superseded iron as a material for boiler plates. Steel has a greater tensile strength than iron, nnd much greater ductility and elasticity. From 55,0001b. to 60,0001b. per square inch is the tensile strength now required by standard tests. The test is made on steel bars lin. square, and so carefully are the tests calculated, that in the speciifcations for high-pressure boilers it is one of the conditions that the plates shall be of the tensile strength specified per square inch, and that any reduction of area at the point of fracture under test shall not be less than 56 per cent. In other words, an inch bar of steel when strained to the breaking point must not be reduced in size to not quite one-half the original area of the bar. The varying temperatuies to which the boiler is sub- jected when in use makes it necessary to exercise this care, as the resistive ability of the plates must show a- clear 56 per cent. THE attention of builders is being drawn to the value of bamboo as a building material. The great strength of bamboo poles is not at all understood by the majority of persons. It is stated on excellent authority that two bamboo poles, each of them 1 7-10in. in diameter, when placed side by side, will support a grand piano slung between them by ropes, and that they will neither sasi nor break under the burden. Bamboo will form poles QJh. to 70ft. long and from Sin. to 10111. in diameter. A derrick, 26ft. high, made of tin. bamboo poles, raised two iron girders, weighing together 4241b. The wonderful lightness of this material in proportion to its strength has excited comment of late, and new uses are constantly being made of it. Scaffoldings of bamboo have the advantage of lightness and strength. It is predicted that this material will come in general use for such purposes. An additional advantage is that bamboo resists decay in .water as well as in the earth, that the older and drier it get". the more solid it becomes, and that it can be grown for an incredibly small sum. CARELESSNESS on the part of the motor-man is, according to recent investigations, t-ho cause of a great waste of electrical force. This occurs at the starting and stopping. Sometimes the power is left on until after the brakes are set, at other times there are melé!y partial currents, but quite enough to foot up a considerable aggregate. In fact, it is estimated that as much as 20 per cent. of power may be lost. in this way. So noticeable has this become that it has been found advisable to adopt a very simple de- vice by means of which the lost current is, at least approximately, measured, and the amount thereof can be charged up against the unskillful or careless motorman. This device consists of a strip of alloy placed in a box prepared to receive it. The allov is held against the wire by a weight attached to -the lower end of the strip. It is supported by a short piece of German silver wire of such cross section as to be heated by the current which flows through it to operate the car. At a certain tempera- ture the wire melts its way through the strip of alloy, thus allowing the strip nnd weIght to descend. There is an automatic device I to prevent injury to the recorder or the stoppage of the car in case the wire should melt under an abnormal current. The recorder is pushed into place, at. the same moment closing the car circuit. To insure its use the arrangement is such that unless the recorder is in place, and the circuit is open, the car will not. start. A record is kept of the number of mileil each man run, and the number of inches of alloy melted during the run. This is returned at the end of a month and is posted up over against the man s name. It has been estimated that a considerable saving is effected by this means.

TO HELP FARMERS. IMPORTANT LEGISLATION RECOMMENDED*. Her Majesty's commissioners appointed to inquire into the subject of agricultural depression issued last week a very lengthy report, in which they recom- mend some important amendments of the present Agricultural Holdings Acts for England and Scut- land. Among the proposed amendments are (1) Full compensation for the cumulative fertility resulting from continuous good farming, irrespective of any arbitrary time limit. (2) Freedom to carry out and compensation for all improvements suitable for tbe purposes for which the holding is let, whether the landlord consent or not. (3) Compensation should be given retrospectively for suitable improvements prior to the passing of a new Act, where the landlord did not dieserit trom such improvements at the time. (4) A tenant remaining in his holding f..t the de- termination of his tenancy and entering on a IH-W contract of tenancy should be enabled to proiect himself from being rented on his improvements by the right to claim compensation for their unexhausted value without quitting, or to obtain a proportionate reduction from the new rent. (5) A tenant arbitrarily compelled to quit his holding, except for non-payment of rent and for bad farming, should be entitled to such compensation as will cover his loss. It is also suggested that the Railway and Canal J Traffic Acts should be amended, so as to test the reasonableness of every rate or condition of transit.

——— DR. HENRY ROBERT OSWALD, the Deputy Coroner for the Central and West London districts, who has just taken up the important subject of the low- flash lamp oils, is an Edinburgh M.D. and a bar- rister-at-law, Middle Temple. He has made several most valuable contributions to medical literature, and lives in a pleasant house in South Kensington,

FUN AND FANCX. As American humourist in one of his papers says: The sun was a-going to bed, and the heavins fur and near were a blushing at the performance." WiTy, Mr. Portly, you look ill What's the fcatter? "Bicycle." "Bicycle? But you don's ride a bicycle I" No, but the fellow that knocked me down did." WHY didn't you come when I rang ?" said a lady to her servant. "Because I didn'r hear the b.J. "Hereafter, when you don't hear the bell, you must come and tell me so!" Yes'm." TAKE away woman," asks a writer, and what would follow?" We would. Give us something hard next time. AUNT: Well, Bobby, what do you want tn be when you grow up?" Bobby (suffering from parental discipline): An orphan." PROFESSOR Margaret, please take the cat out of the room. I cannot have it making such a roise while I am at work. Where is it ?" Margarti: Why, sir; you are sitting on it MRS. DELLA CREMK (wearily) I know everything we eat is adulterated but what can we do, Reginald ? We must trust our grocer." Mr. Reginald Creme: (diearily): Ah, yes, Della, very true and if-oh- if our grocer would only trust us COUNTRYMAN (examining a watch): "What luck! I've found a gold watch." City Sharp Ah, well, its mine. Here is a sovereign for a reward.' Countryman (as he walks off) "That's a good game. 111 dispose of all these brass watches that way." JDfSON: My ambition in life, Wertherby, is to' be out of debt. I look forward to the time when I can proudly beat my breast, and say aloud, 'John Ezekiel Jimson owes no man anything. Weatherny (puffing his cigar): Thats a noble ambition, old man, and worthy of all respect." Jimsop Yes, indeed, and I propose to-oh, by the way, Weatherby, I wish you would let me have a sovereign until the day after to-morrow." AN English general and his wife, resident in Ireland, were constantly pestered by a beggar-woman to whom they bad been very charitable. One moru- ing, at the usual hour when the lady was getting into her carriage, the old woman appeared, and began Agh, my lady, success to yer ladyship, and success to your honour's honour, this morning, of all the days in the year; for, sure, didn't I drame last night' that her ladyship gave me a pound of tay, and yer honour gave me a pound of tobacco "But, my good woman," said the general, do you not know that dreams always go by the rule of contrary ?" Do they so, plase yer honour?'' rejoined the old woman. "Then it must be yer honour that will give the tay and her ladyship that will give me the tobacco." THERE is this singularity about photographs if it is flattering, it is invariably the perfect image of her;" while, if it is unflattering, "it doesn't look a bit like her." Miss GOLDBONDS Oh, Ellen, do you think the Duke really sincere in his attention to me ?" Miss Gealus Why, certainly, Maud. I hear he hasn't got a single dollar in the world." GRANDFATHER: "Well, Paul, what would you like for a birthday present ?"' Paul:" Oh, grandfather, buy me a telephone, so that I can answer the master s questions without having to go to school." How's Ryder getting on with that breach of promise suit ?" Compromised it." Indeed ?" "Yes, he bought her a bicycle." NEW CLERK: "I notice some of these barrels of apples are marked X and some Z. Are they different kinds?" Dealer: "No same kind, but differently packed. Some customers want a barrel opened at the bottom and some at the top." MAGISTRATE (to prisoner): The constable says you are a terror to the neighbourhood." Prisoner 1 ain't sich a terror to the neighbourhood as 'e is. You should jist see the people up our court run when they sees 'im a-comin' BAUM We had a row at our house yesterday." Jackson What was the matter ?" Baum Our pretty housemaid broke my china cup and brought me another, on which was inscribed: 'To one I love.' His WORSHIP: I must really make an example of you-ou are here so often." Prisoner Don't be too 'ard on me, guv'nor you ain't had any trouble with me for 18 months. Why, I only came out this mornin' I'VE got a complaint to make," said the office-boy to his employer. "What is it?" "The book-keeper kicked me, sir. I don't want no book-keeper to kick me." Of course he kicked you. You don't expect me to attend to everything, do you. I can't look aftor all the little details of the business myself." F MRS. CAKEISRKAD was entertaining some ladies at a select little five o'clock tea, and Bobby, who had been exceptionally well-behaved, was in high feather. Ma," he said, as cake was being handed round, may I have some tongue, please?" "There isn't any tongue, Bobby." "That's funny," commented Bobby. I heard pa say there would be lots of it." SCENE Newly-married pair on bench in park old gentleman, supposed to be asleep. She: "My dar]I*nR He: My dove She: "My doggie!" "My pussy!" She: "My duck!" He: "My pretty birdie!" She: "My goosie!" He: My lambkin Old Gentleman (interrupting, brutally): Can't you call eah other Noah's arlis, I and have done with it ?" A MAN once went to a ball as Vesuvius, with lava buttons, with the result that he was ever afterwards referred, to as "poor cratur." PATIENT (dissatisfied with dietary restrictions) "Look here, doctor, I'm not going to starve to death just for the sake of living a little longer." CLERGYMAN My boy, do you know it's wicked to fish on the Sabbath?" Young'ster: isn't fishing I'm teaching this 'ere wurm ter swim." "H E has broken my heart," wailed the beautiful I girl. "There, don't take on so," said her friend, in tones of pity it might have been your bicycle." "No, I do not like dogs. They disturb my patients and spoil the operations." You are a den- tist, I suppose ?" No, sir I'm a burglar, and unless this dog nuisance is suppressed I may as well give up my profession at once." A MAN who has kept account of the number of kisses exchanged with his wife since their union con- sents to its publication, as follows: First year, 36,500; second year, 16,000; third year, 3650; fourth year, 120; fifth year, 2. He. then left off keeping the record. WAIT a year, my son, and you may feel very dif- ferent," said the father. "I've tested my love for Miss Higging thoroughly, and I know it cannot change," the son confidently replied. I've played golf with her, and still I want her for my wife." STURDY FARMER Wan' ter marry my darter, eh ? Wall, what hev ye got ter support her with ?" Im- pecunious Youth "I admit, Fir, that I am meagrely supplied with this world's goods; but think of my family connections We have one of the finest genealogical trees in the country." Huh Won't keep a family in firewood more than three weeks." CUSTOM an That was splendid insect powder you sold me the other day, Mr. Oilman." Mr. Oilman (with justifiable pride) Yes, I think it's pretty goad the best in the trade." Customer I'll take another couple of pounds of it, please." Mr. Oil- man Two pounds ?" Customer Yes, please. I gave the quarter of a pourd that I bought before to a blackbeetle, and it made him so ill that I think if I keep up the treatment for about a week longer 1 may manage to kill him." II WELL, Davie, did you enjoy your visit to the museum ?" "Yes, mamma." Do you remember any of the nice things vou saw?" "Oh, yes, I remember lots of them." And can you tell me what they were called ?" Yes most of them were called Do not touch.' LULU You should get him to sign the pledge- before you marry him." Baba: "Why, he doesn't drink." Lulu No but he may be tempted to do so later." How IT BEGAN: Dear Mr. Jonas, my dear George, my darling George, my own darling Georgie." How it ended: My darling George, dear George, dear sir, sir." (Then she sued him for damages.) ONE of the surgeons of an hospital asked an Irish help which he considered the most dangerous of the many cases then in the hospital. That, 8Ir said Patrick, as he pointed to a case of surgical, instru- ments lying on the table. LALANDH was once seated at dinner between Madame de Stael and Madame Récsmier, when he remarked upon his own luckiness in being placed "between wit and beauty," to which Madame d8- Stael replied: And without possessing either." TEACHER Who came after Charles the- First. Smart Boy The executioners." How is it you came home from your party so. early last night, Susan? Didn't you enjoy yourself ?"' Yes, ma am, but the young man as took me in to supper insulted me." Insulted you, Susan Why, what did he say ?" He asked me if my programme I was full; and I m sure I never 'ad nothing but a sandwich and a glass of lemonade so I come away home." PA," said Johnny to his father, who was an estate agent, why does the earth quake ?" And his father replied, On account of the size of the ground rents, my boy." LWIITLOVB: At last, dear Sophia, we are alone. and I can tell you that I lo Sophia: Oh, please, no, Mr. Lightlove—don't tell me here." Light- love Why not ? There are no witnesses." Sophia That's just it MAUD (earnestly) I want to ask you a question, George." George (also earnestly) What is it, deareat ?" Maud (still earnestly): "If you had never met me, would you have loved me just thq IaIQe ?"