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THE HOUSE IX PICCADILLY.
THE HOUSE IX PICCADILLY. A Tale for Maidens, Wives, and Widows; and, incidentally, for Elderly (ientlcmt BY ANNIE THOMAS (MRS. PENDER CUDLIP), At THOR OF Unfulfilled," That Other Woman," The Love of a Lady," Philip Morton," &c, [ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] CHAPTER X. GFORGIE "THHOWs HERSELF INTO THE BREACH." MRS. RUPERT KXIGHTLY kept Floy with her for some days after Gussie had become Lady Tolle- mache. She judged it best to do so for severa reasons. One was, that in the companionship of herself and Tiny Jiraybrooke-who had also remained on a visit—Floy would not have so much time for cultivating grief. Another was, that until she herself had found an opportunity of talk- ing privately to Mrs. Knightly, and trying to make matters more harmoniously in the Piccadilly household. Floy was best away from her mother. So one morning, after seeing them quietly settled, Tiny at something that she called work, and Floy in an easy chair, with a book that she could not read, Mrs. Kupert Knightly got into her little pony phaeton, and drove herself over to see Ikupevt's mother. Before starting, she made this resolution and she kept it too-that let Mrs. Knightly, senior, say what she would, she would not lose her temper and that nothing should tempt her to say anything that might cause Mrs. Knightly, senior, to lose her temper. Mrs. Knightly was suffering from a soft and gentle attack of low spirits and sulks, when ( eorgie, with a fearless step, and a bright cordial greeting, entered the pretty pale- green octagon room, which had witnessed the dis- closure of those plans which had spread dismay through the Knightly family. So when Georgie bent over and kissed her, she was only allowed to touch a very small and cold portion of her cheek. She looked upon Geo gie as a rebel, and wished to punish her only she didn't know how it could be done. Now positive incivility would not have checked Mrs. Kupert Knightly in the good work she had felt it to be her mission to undertake therefore coolness had just no effect whatever upon her Mrs. Knightly would have been a stony-hearted woman, which she was not, if she had been capable of resisting the geniality and affection of Georgie's manner, as the latter took off her bonnet and mantle, and seated herself on a low chair, by the side of the little couch on which Mrs. Knightly reclined. 1 have come over to talk to you about a great many things," she began, frankly but, first of all, dear Mrs. Knightly, I must tell you that Gussie went away very sad indeed in con- sequence of your refusal. No, no, not because you wouldn't give her the- money but because you refused to see and be friendly with Frank, with whom you've been friendly so long, you know, and because you wouldn't be at her wedding. I cheered her up as well as I could, by telling her you'd soon write, as I'm sure you will, nnd make good my words." Mrs. Knightly would have answered angrily here, but she could not, for her hand was taken and kissed. Pefore she could frame another sort of answer, her daughter-in-law went on: "And I can't have you staying away from us- from our house—in this way. It can't be, you know; my own dear Rupert's mother not friendly with me That must not be. Say you will come, and soon." Mrs. Knightly murmured a faint assent. Now I'm coming to the point," Georgie con- tinued, waxing hot in spite of herself, and feeling a fine well grown bullet rolling about in her throat as she spoke ''the point which has in a measure created this unhappy est> angement between you and your children. No. dear, dearest Mrs. Knightly—don't speak yet, please; but let me go on, while I can. Hupert-all of them, in fact- are too proud to speak and plead as I am going to. I think them wrong in that respect. But first, before I go any further, you must give me a forgive- ness beforehand, because I'm going to speak of a subject you may not. like to have spoken about— the marriage with Colonel Crofton you have con- templated. Mrs. Knightly stooped and kissed Georgie's forehead; and, happy omen, there were tears, not of anger, in her eyes. It is you, not the property, they all care for so much," George continued, speaking spasmodically, in spite of herself, "you believe that, don't you? 'J hey can none of them endure that their mother should bear another name. Still comparatively young as you are and pretty as you are—it is only natural that your hand and heart should be sought by many. I dare say," she continued, smiting, Colonel Crofton is not singular in his desire to possess himself of both." Georgie was using the right weapons; Mrs. Knightly was giving way fast. Georgie read that she was, in the deepening expression of gr avity on her face, in the drying up of her tears and, more than all. in the firmer grasp impressed upon her own hand. It was only natural, too, that yon atfirfit should be undecided as to whether you should pledge him your hand. As to giving him your heart, I am sure—we are all sure—you have not done, and you never will do it." "You are quite right, quite right, my dear," sobbed the completely routed lady. Oh if you had only said this to me before.' But it is not too late now, dear mother," inter- posed Georgie, fondly; thel-e is no feeling in farour of Colonel Crofton to combat, is there ?" None whatever, my dear," simply replied Mrs. Knightly. Then now I may tell you something else," said Georgie and that is, that Florence has lost her heart to Colonel Crofton and though we none of us like him very well, yet— and I know so well how desirous you are of doing everything to make your children happy, if they II only let you know how it's to be done you had better for her hake give her a fortune large enough to induce him to propose to her What do you think?" And then for upwards of an hour. Mrs. Knightly and her daughter-in-law amicably discussed various plans for bringing about such a desirable consummation as Floy's being united to Colonel Crofton. It was finally decided—subject to Rupert's approval—that Mrs. Knightly should inform Colonel Crofton by word of mouth, of her change of sentiment that she should at the same time tell him the amount of money she intended at once settling upon her daughters, both of them; for one or two of Georgie s disclosures hnd sent Frank Tollemaehe disinterested, unselfish Frank —up in her estimation again. They must trust, then, to his feeling of honour for everything to come right, as he could not but be aware of the havoc he had made in poor Floy s heart, And now," said Georgie, springing to her feet when these imporiant a'rangements had been made, do let me take you for a drive in my new pony-carriage; you haven t seen it yet. Rupert gave it to me only yesterday and 1 think you'll Bay it's far prettier than Mrs. Vining's, that we've all thought perfection till now." Mrs. Knightly had never bestowed a single thought upon Mrs. Vining's pony-phaeton; but she did not say so. She contented herself with raptu- rously praising everything—Georgie's driving, the carriage, the ponies, the harness, everything about it, when she was at last comfortably seated in it, in a more than usually becoming bonnet, and with one of the handsomest Cashmeres over her shoulders that had ever caused the eyes of a Frenchwoman to glisten, and her heart to ache, for the possession of just such another. Bo they rolled comfortably through Regent- street, and Georgie was patience itself as regards shopping. Mrs. Knightly made a colossal selec- tion of flowers at Covent Garden, and of dresses at Swan and Edgar's, and directed them to be packed there and sent to her daughter, Lady Tollemache. And she purchased expensive gifts for the daughter in-law who was by her side, as well as for the one Gerald was going to give her, and whom she had only seen in the course of one stiff morning call. But it was upon Floy es- pecially—upon poor Floy, whom she blushed hotly to think of as having suffered through her in any way, that she lavished the largest amount of presents. Nothing was too rich, beautiful, and costly for the mother's heart to offer to Floy. CHAPTER XI. SETTLING DOWN. A FEW months have passed over their heads since that drive behind the new ponies, when I bring the Knightly family before the reader for the last time. It is the close of an early spring even- ing, and there is that air of lassitude over the three ladies who are sitting in the little green room, which shows that one great excitement is over and another is yet to come on. Mrs. Knightly, Lady Tollemaehe, and Mrs. Rupert Knightly were rest- ing a while after the fatigues of the wedding- breakfast, before they dressed for the grand ball Mrs. Kupert gave on the occasion of the marriage of her sister and brother-in-law, in her new house. Yes; hers it was now. Mrs. Knightly, senior,had delighted in sacrifices and peace-offerings from the time (-eorgie had risked angering her by telling her what she o. ght to do She had lost no time in making over to all her children that which should have been theirs before. She had prayed !'np rt and Geoigie to lne when in town at the old family maiisi.iti in Piccadilly, though when it came to the pom! they won d both rather have stayed in t e house wlieio they had made their first start in married Iile. And now she was going to divide her time equally between her three children who wera married and settled in England. It had all come round as (ieorgie had said it would. Possibly she have given Colonel Crofton a hint as to the course it would best, become him to pursue. At any rate, as soon as he was given to understand that Mrs. Knightly had definitely altered her mind, he recommenced shining on licences horizon again. And Flov. who had faded and withered when he had with- drawn what was more than the sun to her, bloomed freshly as of yore ere very long. She was solemnly betrothed to him soon—as soon as he was quite clear what she was to have and then her worship ping love for him was such, that though they all marvelled at it. they had none of them the heart to tell her how really cold and calculating was this man who she adored. Gerald and Florence were married on the same day from the house in Piccadilly; for Tiny had no mother and no female relative; and Gerald who was deserving of ten times as much love and devotion as Colonel Crofton, had not such a wealth of it lavished upon him by his young bride as had that gallant officer. The Croftons were to reside abroad and though he had given some sort of promise to her mother not to play, it was to the orange-groves of Baden-Baden that he took his wife and there they remain, in spite of the frequent invitations they receive from mother, brothers, and sisters in England. Once, on the occasion of the christening of the little heir of the Tolleniaches, Florence ex- pressed a wish to see them all, but on her husband's replying, Well, my dear, and as I don't care about it, you can go and have that pleasure, and stav as long as you like, and I'll remain here;" on his replying in this way she crushed the wish out of her heart: for rather than leave him for one day she would submit to never seeing any of those well-loved ones at home again. It is her vocation to adore her husband, and nobly she fulfils it. Her idol has never been shaken on its pedestal yet, and never will be shaken though no idol of clay or gold could receive such loving worship more coolly than he does. He is an indifferent, not a negligent or unkind husband. He is always polite, and calmly affe-stionate to her and though her warm heart yearns u for more in her deep love and reverence for him, she 18 humbly grateful and thankful for so much. lie likes his golden-haired, dark-eyed wife to be courted and admired- within bounds; and he makes her diess richly, to set off her beauty and he takes care that she shall have plenty of amuse- ment and that her amusements do not interfere with his. And here his interest in her ceases. And she—well, her one prayer is that she may not for one hour survive this man Florence Crofton was a woman to be one of two things there could be no medium a tyrant or a slave. she is far happier as she is, than if fate had made her the former. Lady Tollemaehe and Georgie, both happy wives, with loving husbands ever anxious to please and make them ha] py, sigh and shake their heads as they think of the state of bondage poor Floy must be in, when she can t even come to see them and Tiny, who rules < erald absolutely, but so grace- fully that he doesn t know it, looks upon her as little better than an idiot for ever Caring about that horrid man: for Colonel Crofton was the one member of the family into which she had entered whom Tiny could not take into her large warm heart. Indeed, she had honoured Colonel Crofton with her profound, unconcealed, and hearty dis- like and he had been rather favourably disposed towards her for it than otherwise. He surely had something of the spaniel and the walnut tree in his nature. Kupert Knightly is entitled to write M.P. after his name now; and he is the master of Warming- ston Hall, and of the Warmingston fox-hounds. He distinguishes himself rather more in the latter capacity than he does in the house for up to the present time he has shown that he considers silence to be the better part. Cerald is in the Guards, though Tiny gave up the point so magnanimously. Mrs. Knightly—rather prettier and more bloom- ing in her grand maternal character than she was kefore—is far happier than when she had too Such power in her hands. They would perhaps be the happiest family in the world, were it not for their occasional sad thoughts of Floy, who con- siders herself the favoured by fate of the Knightly race. THE END.
kN ENTHUSIAST ON GROUSE.
kN ENTHUSIAST ON GROUSE. Why is it, asks the Hon. A. E. Gathorne-Hardy in the course of an article in the Badminton Magazine, that there is something in the word "grouse" which raises a thrill in the heart of every sportsman, and of a good many others with little claim to the title? It is certainly not any particular merit the grouse has as a test of the high qualities of the marksman, for I doubt whether any bird—even the hedgerow pheasant beloved by our ancestors—is quite so easy to shoot as a grouse rising to dogs after a steady point on the 12t,h of August. But your grouse has the advantage of t.be first, start. The guns are brought out of dock whether they have been resting on the shelves of a dry cupboard or warehoused with a competent and trust- worthy gunmaker--for my part I prefer to shift the responsibility for their condition to another, now that it can be so readily done at a small cost-nnd leaving the counting-house, the courts, or the House of Commons, you find yourself, after a night inlhe train—which every year approximates more nearly to the comforts of an hotel—either on board a West Coast steamer enjoying the see breezes and the fairy- land panorama of the Hebrides, or delivered at your destination even in Inverness or Sutherland at a time which would have seemed fabulous to our not very remote progenitors. Happy is the man who is not obliged to defer his holiday till the last moment before the 12tb, but can devote a few days to burn and loch trout, to pot- ting those troublesome rabbits with a pea rifle, and trying the young pointers and setters over a few of the neighbouring moors. He is not so likely as some to find upon the day his native heath very different from his native flagstones, and to collapse utterly at noon like Mr. Briggs. However, for many it is good fortune enough to be able to begin a holiday on the eve of the happy day, and Members of Parliament have long been only able to obtain even th it privilege either by neglect of their duties or the useful institu- tion of a "pair." Still, the flesh is weak, and these are the confessions of one who generally contrived to have his feet upon the heather when the blissful 12th came round. Those happy Twelfths My memory carries me back over 30 ) ears, every autumn of which has been spent in the North. There are few parts of Scotland from Sutherland to the border which have not echoed to the report of my gun. What varieties of scene, what differences of climate, flit across the mind's eye at the thought of the first day of the season tropical heat, arctic cold, light breezes, and shifting clouds thunder and lightning and torrents of rain; the round rolling hills of Ross-shire; the Perthshire tablt lands, so easy to walk after the bard elimb to get to them; the broken mountains of Argyll, with their succession of small hills and valleys and constantly recurring visions of blue sea and distant islands; the down-like Border country, intersected by Esk, Teviot, and Dryfe, and rich with a thousand memories of Christopher North, and Sir Walter. Each of these spots has a charm of its own for Caledonia, like another Queen, Governs men by change, and so she sways aU moods." As the blissful date draws round I feel at peace with all mankind, and disinclined to take a controver- Mal line. Let others exalt the varied charms of driv- ing, shooting over dogs, walking in line, or stalking the old cocks round the billocks-eacb method has its uses, each its dE-lights; but let us at least tolerate the idiosyncrasies of others. When I hear a man say that he sees no sport in driving I find out, in nine cases out of ten, that be is either an indifferent shot or has had little or no experience of what he is de- nouncing. But I plead for a reciprocal toleration from the driving expert who fails to see the fun in knocking down slow-flying birds getting up under your feet." A good shot finds plenty of scope for his powers in selecting the right birds and bringing them down neatly and well, and if the survival of the fittest is to extinguish every breed of sporting dog except the retriever, J hope it will not be in my day. It is delightful to see a pair of well-trained setters or pointers quartering the ground and if you know and love your dogs, how often their faults and peculiarities rather endear them to you than other- wise
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vVNATIIKH forecasting has become a branch of study in I iany American schools, but especially in Boston. Some 400 schools in New England now receive the dailv weather maps from the U.S. Meteorological Bureau, showing the atmospheric conditions prevail- ing all over the country. These, as interpreted by the teachers, enable the pupils to comprehend the various factors which enter into the weather forecast. It is co itended that this not only adds to an interest in natural phenomena, but is a practical introduction to scientific habits of obserration. Of course, it in- volves instruction in the proper use of thermometers, barometers, and other instruments. Prizes for the betrt, work in this branch of study have been offered in the New England lower schools.
OECILTA AND M A !' \ .
OECILTA AND M A Tha sitting-room looked very cool and inviting with its shaded doorway and the blinds drawn auwu to keep out the hot afternoon sun. This is the coolest room in the house," Cecil's said to Mary and then she gave a terrible yawn. Mary sat on one side of the room sewing, and Cecilia sat on the other side watching her. Mary felt displensed. For one thing, she did not like to have lazy people gazing hthfr while "he worked, and she was terribly shocked at the way Cecilia sprawled about. Cecilia had hunted up 11 very comfortable and disreputable-looking chair from somewhere, and sat with it tilted as far b!ick against the bookcase as it would go without tipping clear over. Every time she moved the chair creaked in alj its joints and threatened to fall to pieces. That i: did not do so was surprising, since it was at thirty years old, and Cecilia's weight was not a frac- tion under one hundred and fifty pounds. But that did not worry Cecilia any more than did Mary's very evident disapproval. She dividedber thoughts between a paper-covered novel which iay on her lap and a plan which she had of enjoy ing some of the ripe cherries out in the yard when it should get cool enough, which would not be till several hours later. Cecilia felt very well contented with everything with which she was at present con- cerned the hot afternoon, the cool shade, the night of her prim, severe sister, and her own comfoirable self, even down to the paper-covered novel. She knew what her appearance was as well as Mary did, and she knew what Mary thought; but she did not care. it was something to be home again when she bad been so long away. The thought of thr., gave her some animation; nothing else did. Cecilia's appearance was not stylish. Mary's was not, either. Each went to extremes in her own way. If some of Cecilia's plumpness could have gone to smooth over Mary's angularity of outline, both girls would have been improved. Cecilia's state of mind, on this afternoon, did not tend toward a conversation that might have any troublesome requirements in it; but she saw what was coming, and tried to make herself impassive. Mary was not the kind to fall short of her duty, and the present occasion afforded opportunities that must not be wasted. Pausing in her work long enough to arrange some gathers and thread her needle, she oppned the attack. I saw Mrs. Hickey over at Stark's, yesterday. She come there to borry some buttonhole twist to finish Tbena's dress. She said the Stinsons moved part of their things on to the Allen place Inst week. I'm sure they've got disgusted with Jeff." Cecilia yawned. Jeff ?" she queried. "Yes," lesponded Mary. I don't see how they have anything at all with everything they have to do for him. Uncle Smith says he thinks that when people are such fools as to imagine they can earu anything by writing for papers they're not worth worrying over, and their folks oughtn't to feel called on to help 'em out when they get into difficulties." Cecilia felt the thrust. All she did was to raise her large hands from her lap and scrutinise them carefully. I suppose you know about how much they earn," went on Mary. If you'd kept on school-teaching you'd have laid by, and now you'll not unlikely soon be unable to even earn enough to live on. Sence pa died I've made enough to buy that piece of land I've almost furnished the house, and got enough clothes to last me a long time; but I think I'll get me one of the newest fashioned frocks. I've always wanted one trimmed with beads." Mary's sudden change of subject from her sister to herself might have seemed odd to any one who did not know that she was drawing a contrast between them. Well," said Cecilia, rising from her chair and walking meditatively toward the door, I've had a steady grind of eleven months, and all I'm equal to during vacation is having a good time without ringing in business worries to spoil it." But," struck in Mary, eagerly, the only way to be sure of a school is to get it in the summer, as soon as the spring term is finished. Ye can't risk waiting. They give ten poundsa term in the Raines district, and Mabel Fuller said Miss Canton wasn't going to teach there any more. If you were to try you'd get it, because Mr. White's one of the managers, and then you could come home every week." From the pacific turn that the conversation had suddenly taken Cecilia judged that she would not have to listen to any more slighting references to her chosen profession. And she did not just then, but in the cool of the evening, after she had helped Mary with the milking and stood inhaling the fragrance of the honeysuckle outside, while her energetic sister put things right inside, the unpleasant subject came up again. What right have you to suppose," said Mary, that you're better than anybody else ? Now why should you stick to something that anybody can do, and that brings no profit, when ye could get such good wages teaching ? You can't get pay out of it, if there's no pay in it, any more'n any one else can. Any one might set up to do something easy for a living, according to your reasoning." But Mary," said Cecilia, although you haven't had the experience that I have, you must know there's a difference in the way different people do things. Just in writing letters, you know." Cecilia had to hold a bunch of honeysuckles in front of her face to conceal a smile when she re- ferred to letter-writing. Mary's achievements in this direction had been such that Cecilia wondered at her daring in making even the remotest mention of them. H'm do you suppose that if I cared to take the time from doing useful work that I couldn't run out long strings of stuff just equal to anybody's? And you know Jane Hunt always could write poetry at school, and you never could. She wrote poetry equal to the very best, and never thought anything about it. Of course, anybody could write common prose. I never pretended to be smart in school, and you couldn't learn a bit better than me, nor as well. Of course, writing prose isn't anything. Afteryou'd been sent to school it would have been a pity if you couldn't write good enough for the papers." Cecilia was glad to let the subject drop. She could gee that the fact of her having really been in a measure successful had no weight with Mary. After reasoning it all out, she decided that her sister was not so much to blame. Mary had never been in a large town in her life," she thoi ght. She doesn't inherit any liking for study her mother and mine were so different! Here in the country, where one can live for so little, she has never found out what one's food costs, and my clothes are so plain that I suppose she thinks I can live on a very little a year. She knows nothing of the horrors of an unpaid lodging bill, and the dis- comfort of not having a fixed income. I hope she will never know the shifts I am sometimes put to. She thinks I'm a disgrace to the family as it is." It was with such reasoning as this that Cecilia attempted to soothe her rumed temper whenever her tyrannical sister—she was a half sister—treated her with more contempt than it was easy to endure. The summer days went by one after another, until six weeks had gone. One day a messenger rode up to the house and announced that Aunt Kellogg was about to die, and that Mary's presence was required at her bedside." Mary was reluctant to go. Not hut what Cecilia's competent enough," she confided to a neighbour. She's competent enough at most anything she lays a hand to but somehow it seems if I can never trust her to feel a proper re- sponsibility." On her return home, three days later, Mary found her worst fears realised. If there isn't Brindle's calf loose in the field, when it ought to be shut up in the stall!" she said to young Abner Kellogg who sat beside her in her new dog-cart. They drove slowly up the pleasant, shaded lane that led to the house. Anger, dismay, mortification, crept into Mary's soul. The gate stood open, and there were evidences that intruders had taken advan- tage of the defenceless condition of things inside. The pigs grunting in their pen were in want of water, while the pail containing the skim milk stood un- emptied. Place your trust in no man or woman is a lesson I ought to have learned a long while ago," said Mary, as she swung gloomily along over her neglected pre- mises en her way to the kitchen door. Law the Hoskins bairns 1 Why, what are you doing here? Where's Cecilia? What on earth's she leaving things goin' to rack so for?" The two children started up guiltily at Mary's un- expected entrance. They had been examining the photograph album, and handling things generally. The mills are burned called out Stephen ROll- kins, on the instant of self-recovery. The mills at the head of the river! Burned clean down! Jim Roberts rode past full speed The boiler burst, and killed ten men. Cecilia went off in the cart." The story was only too true. Such a sickening disaster had never before happened within one hun- dred miles of that place, and there was intense ex- citement. What part's Cecilia takin' in affairs ?" wa3 the question Mary asked young Mr. Mason, the first person she saw who had come from the scene of disaster. Why, I hardly know; she appeared to be on hand all the time, finding out the rights of matters. She was not getting in the way, but she seemed greatly interested." Mary lost no time in despatching the Hoskins bairns about their own affairs. They were highly grieved at this action. Anticipations of a good time and of great freedom had taken hold on them as they watched the departure of the substantial-look ing Cecilia, seated upon the uncertain dog-cart. Days went by and no Cecilia, B. W't >,pr¡ T I>I< with tlie c'rr, whose springs hlid suei-uoi-eo i*. r, ment tnai Msry forebore to mention by »hn' i-i/e considered its proper name. Even in her di^ust with her sister, Mary would have liked to hear trom her some news concerning the mills. he could not gather much from people passing, as they were always too hurried to talk so she was very glad when the doctor from town, and two other men came to dinner at her house. While she was pre- paring their meal she caught scraps of their con- versation. "The latest Call," "Tuesday's Call," Monday's Call," were words she heard spoken a number of times. It'll be looked into pretty thoroughly," she beard Doctor Brown say. "There's no show of its being any chance work at the bottom. Your sister, the reporter for the Call, has been doing her work shipshape," he said, respectfully to Mary, as she handed him his coffee. "She's got the better of all the other artists and journalists. Her sketches are so accurate that you know as much about the disaster as if you were on the spot." Be quite a coup for her, won't it ?" said one of the other men. She seems to have the monopoly." She ought to have," rejoined the doctor. It's a shame the way reporters, as a rule, are paid for mi8repreeDt.jng things." she might have waited till I got home to see to things. I don't call it such a great thing for a girl to be mixing up in, and I don't see where people see the good of it. I never approved of shiftless ways, an' I wish people'd never encouraged Cecilia in 'em, for she's naturally a bright girl, and could make her way if she'd turn her to some account. I've been listening for news, an' all I can hear ye say is talk about, the (Mil whatever sense there is in that." Why, look here," said the doctor, holding up tt large newspaper, "Don't you think its important to have a correct account of things in print ? You surely don't realise how many people are interested in this matter, and how much is required in supply- ing the necessary information. I assure you, Miss Mary, that your sister is very fortunate in possessing qualifications which so few have. You really will find out, if you inquire, that it's no small matter to be a good reporter, and that it is paying work." 1 don't know that Cecilia ever got much pay," said Mary. "Well, she can get pay, if you'll help her to secure a paying place. The public's on tiptoe to see who'll reach the mystery at the bottom of this catastrophe. and they're depending on the Call reporter to find out." Mary sat down, after the men had ne, to read the Call which they had generously left her. The idea that Cecilia was a genius, and that through her oversight in not recognising that genius and enforcing Cecilia's proper rights, she had not been fully appre- ciated, was new to Mary. She made out the descrip- tion in the Call very slowly, but when she had finished she felt greater excitement over the accident, and greater sympathy for the victims, than she had ever felt before in her life, and she wished she could be on the scene and assist in caring for the sufferers. The next day Cecilia came home quite unexpec- tedly. During her short absence her face had lost its rosiness and much of its roundness. Why, child!' exclaimed Mary, for once in her .ife with real feeling, for she had never seen Cecilia look that way before. Mary," said Cecilia, when she had sunk wearily into a comfortable chair in the kitchen, I haven't had a good night's rest since I've been gone. I had to sleep on the floor and biscuit is the only food I've eaten. I'm nearly dead She gave the additional information that the col- lapse of the dogcart bad shaken her up very un- pleasantly, though she had been lucky enough to escape any real injury. I was afraid you were vexed about the cart and about my leaving things, but I was ambitious to be on the ground first." "Oh, Cecilia, I wanted to be up there so bad, and do something to help 'em Cecilia, I don't see how you sketched everything so natural." And, Mary," said Cecilia, desperately, I only got ten pounds for it all." "Ten pounds!" exclaimed Mary. "Why, Cecilia, I thought you wer'n't paid enough. I never dreamed of you getting so much It wasn't much," replied Cecilia. A man would have had twice the amount. There's lots of unfair- ness about newspaper work, and I've about concluded that the game isn't worth the candle. I'm going to take your advice and do something else after this, and grow out of the writing habit." I don't blame you for giving up if they don't make things equal," said Mary. But I've been a-reading the papers while you were away, Cecilia, and I know what kind of reports men write. They are not nearly as nice as yours. It seems to me that you've got real genius, and I've kept you back by discouraging talk. Well, I'm not going to do it any more and if you stick to the business, and ever get into a tight place, or are paid less than you ought to be when you've been depending on the money, why, I'll help you through." Oh, Mary, if you only will!" cried Cecilia. I shall always be able to pay you back again, you know and it will be such a comfort to have some one to depend on—to say a kird word now and then. So far it has all been uphill WOrk, and I am getting se tired She stopped with IOmething like a sob that Mar; felt nervous tears were not in her line. She rose, and began bustling about the room. I see you're upset for want of a good cup of tea," she sid, "and I'm going to make one. And don't worry about the future, Cecilia; things will be al] right now, and find we aren't sisters foi nothing."
POWER OF S UN BEAMS.
POWER OF S UN BEAMS. The very greatest of physical paradoxes (says the Echo) is the sunbeam. It is the most potent and ver- satile force we have, and yet it behaves itself like the grntlest and most accommodating. Nothing can fall more softly and more silently upon the earth than the rays.of our great luminary—not even the feathery flakes of snow which thread their way through the atmosphere, as if they were too filmy to yield to the demands of gravity like grosser things. The most delicate slip of gold leaf, exposed as a target to the sun's shafts, is not stirred to the extent of a hair, though an infant's faintest sigh would set it into tremulous emotion. The tenderest of human organs —the apple of the;eye-though pierced and buffeted each day by thousands of sunbeams, suffers no pain during the process, but rejoices in their sweetness, and blesses the useful light." Yet a few of those rays, insinuating themselves into a mass of iron like the Britannia tubular bridge, will compel the closely knit particles to separate,,and will move the whole enor- mous fabric with as much ease as a giant would lift a straw. The play of those beams upon our sheets of water lifts up layer after layer into the atmosphere, and hoists whole rivers from their beds, only to drop them again in snow upon the hills, or in fattening showers upon the plains. Let the air drink in but a little more sunshine at one place than another, and out of it Bprings the tempest or the hurricane, which desolates a whole region in its lunatic wrath. The marvel is that a power which is capable of assuming such a diversity of forms, and of producing such stu- pendous results, should come to us in so gentle, so peaceful, and so unpretentious a guise. It is as great a wonder as if the cannon-balls which were to batter down a fortress danced through the air on their mission of death like motes in the sunbeam, or as if shrapnell shells were bred in the atmosphere, like drops of dew, and demeaned themselves as meekly too, until they exploded.
SUN BONNETS FOR HORSES.
SUN BONNETS FOR HORSES. The Luton Chamber of Commerce has just received from the new Government Department of Com- mercial Intelligence several specimens of foreign made hats for horses, sent to England by the British Consul at Bordeaux, who, in his report, states that the hats are now in general use in that district. In order to prove their utility, he further adds that only a few years since the tramway company at Bordeaux lost annually during the hot weather 12 horses on an average through sunstroke, but since the introduction of the headgear in question tbey have not lost a single animal from that cause. The specimens mentioned are made of rush in theshapeof a wide-brimmed and high- crowned hat with holes for the horses' ears, and bound with red braid and strings to tIe" under the chin." The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have already taken the matter up seriously, and orders to a considerable extent have, it is stated, been placed with one of the largest manufacturers in Luton for sun bonnets for horses.
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As an outcome of this year's naval manoeuvres, tne French Marine Department contemplates the crea- tion of two flying squadrons composed of cruiseis, destroyers, and sea-going torpedo boats for per- manent service in the Mediterranean and with the Northern Fleet. IT is stated that the summit of Cader Idris Moun- tain, with the celebrated Llyn Cau Lake and Valley, has been purchased by Idris and Company, Limited, as a portion of an estate, which also includes some farms near Tal-y-Llyn Lake. A LABOUR petition has just been forwarded to Lord Salisbury by Mr. James Mawdsley, of the Cotton Operative Spinners. It is signed by more than 350 Labour organisations and societies throughout the United Kingdom, representing various branches of industry, and urges the Government heartily to co- operate with the Governments of the other Powers in the effort now being made to secure by international agreement a stable par of exchange between gold and silver."
jXEWS notes.
jXEWS notes. TITB vinit of the Duke ami Duchess of York tiolreland,though only a social tour of plea- sure. arising out of the desire of their Royal Highnesses to be in closer touch with the warm-hearted Hibernian feeling. should accom- plish much good. The Duke is a breezy, h!1 sailor whom Ireland has seen and appreciate:! before the Duchess hns not. until this }'!•<?- sent, set foot upon the Green Isle. Thtv arc both brimming over with kindly consideration for Ireland, and, if only Ireland will let thi'iu. they will work and wish for Ireland's recaptnr.- and prosperity. It would be better for the solidarity of the United Kingdom if more visits to Ireland could be arranged; for the natural beauties of Hibernia are great, and the people who dwell there are nothing if not hospitable and pleasant. We should like to see a royal residence permanently established in Dublin, with a prince of the blood as "N iceroy. There has been a good deal of talk about such an arrangement: but, though it has never reached the point of actual pro- bability, we see no insurmountable barrier in the way. WHAT a farce this duel between Prince Henrv of Orleans and the Count of Turin is í )1 course there was a certain amount of personal danger involved—not intentional—but two hot- headed responsibles tilting, weapon in hand, are always liable to mishap. Bar accidents, however, no one expected to hear of anything but slight injuries to certain" subcutaneOllS ¡ cellular tissue," and honour satished. A good stout horsewhip in the hands of authority. equipped with the lash of ridicule, seems the best thing to wield against these firebrand adventurers. If only they could have brought off their deadly combat at some big venue, on a holiday occasion, with a Barnum as manager, what gate money might have been made! But the "duel took place ingloriously in the grey mist of early morning on Sunday in a secluded wooded waste of suburban Paris. As a coup rh theatre—though the Press of the gay city wanted it otherwise—the affair" w as some- what of the damp squib sort. THE business about Peshawur is bad, especi- ally if the peace of the Afghan borderland of our vast Indian territory should prove to be in peril through disaffection on the part of any considerable portion of the subjects of the Ameer, as has been hinted at in despatches to hand. This, however, we hope to be a report founded upon imperfect or otherwise incor- rect premises. One thing, however, we are assured of, and that is that the authorities responsible for the preservation of ordei will require to have all their wits about them if a terrible outbreak is to be pre- vented. If ever the iron hand, velvet-gloved, were wanted in India, the time is—now. Fullest sympathy must be accorded to all native aspirations and grievances of a legitimate sort, and firmest administrative power, with all judi- cious simultaneous display of available execu- tive force, be apparent. India was won by the sword, and for the present it must be held by the sword yet the sword may be wielded judi- ciously. The thing above all is to wield the sword warily, but never to relax the grip on its hilt. ONE is sick of seeing the repeated paragraphs in the foreign telegraphic intelligence setting forth that the situation as between Greece and Turkey remains as before." It has mainly been the clever, if disgusting, procrastination of the Sultan which has up to the present brought this about; but now Germany's atti- tude as regards the bondholders and Greece's position with respect to the indemnity seem to be the matters which stop the way. Delay, however, is the game of the Porte, and what- ever happens Constantinople steers clear of loss. Will there ever be an end to the Eastern question, or shall we have it always with us ? IT is satisfactory to note that since the passing of the First Offenders Act in 1889, up- wards of 15,000 persons, chiefly young in years, have been spared imprisonment and released upon recognisances within the United Kingdom, on the ground of the charges upon which they were convicted having been of a trivial nature, or because it was the initial step I along the downward way in which they had been discovered. But what is far more satis- factory is the circumstance that of this large number only 1300 have got into further trouble up to date; and the statistics show that the proportion of re-presentments at Court after release in the manner indicated grow less year by year. In some cases magis- trates exhibit a certain amount of reluctance in embracing the provisions of the Act: but where advantage of the opportunity for exploit- ing the quality of mercy is taken, the result seems altogether encouraging. INDULGENCE in intoxicants would appear to be the primal cause of a very great proportion of the vice and misery and crime of the country and, despite moral agencies and insti- tutions and temperance advocacy of every sort, the evils of drinking spread. In our great resi- dential communities and business centres there are indubitably far too many houses licensed for the sale of alcoholic drink if there were less of them there would be less drinking. That is a large question, however; though, so far, all discerning persons will be in full agree- ment. One is always interested to hear of anything really practical which is projected in the direction of reducing the evils consequent on over-drinking, which would seem to be one of the dominant vices of our age of rush. It is with pleasure that we note therefore that the Local Government Board has given its sanction to the proposal of several local boards of guar- dians to send suitable and selected inmates of workhouses to a farm colony in the south of England with a view to ultimate cure. Men who have been addicted to drink in town occupations, and have literally drifted into the gutter in consequence, will be put to agricultural labour with a view to their ultimate reclamation. It would appear from experimentation that a very considerable amount of success has rewarded efforts on similar lines, and certainly the project may so be worked as to give little prospect of harm following its trial, while not unlikely much and material good may result. ONE may hope, now, that the threatened trouble between the telegraphic operators and the Postal authorities will pass over without a rupture. A better feeling, according to latest accounts to hand, appears to bo exis- tant, and St. Martin's Ie Grand feels safer in consequence, as do also the public. But a permanent settlement between the big- wigs at the head of the Department and the various grades of workers in so important a branch of the public service ought to be insisted upon. Adequate remuneration and fixity of tenure as long as capacity and good behaviour continue should be insisted upon in the behalf of the telegraphic employes; while, on the other hand, zealous and faithful service and a willingness to rise to any reasonable occasion of extra application for the public, convenience should always be ex- pected of the men. There is no reason for friction in such a well-defined position pro««»- management might well obviate all that.
MONKEYS AS MINERS.
MONKEYS AS MINERS. A new employment for monkeys has, according to a New York paper, been discovered by the owner of some mines. He has succeeded in training a number of tame monkeys to help the miners by carrying the pieces of quartz entrusted to them at a certain spot, and arranging them in order for crushing. The animals performed their work with the most careful precision, and seemed to enjoy it thoroughly. There are, it seems, great advantages in employing monkeya instead of human beings, for they are quite content with a handful of nuts for wages, and they neither quarrel nor drink, no* refuse to do the work imposed on t hem. Needless to say we leave the responsibility of this story to that enterprising New York paper,
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THAT wicked flea kept me awake all night, simply bec»iii?e 1 forot to get a tin of Keating'* Powder." 'he unrivaled Killer of Fleas, Beetles, Moths, which is sold everywhere 10 3d., 6d., and 18. tiD8. Harmless to nerJthlDg bat ISMQI*
ART AND LITERATURE.
ART AND LITERATURE. THE first volume of the Arch itc<iiiral Eerietr, which has just been issued, certainly justifies the c'mim of that enterprising monthly to rank among the hei t of our art periodicals. It has the merit of being t-xrei- lently produced, and in printing and general arnuiLe- ment gives ample evidence of the care and good judg- ment which have from the lirst, been bestowed upon the magazine. A wide range of roateritt: 1.. handled in this volume; and although uniti- tecture, as was to be expected, occupies a guori deal of the availalde space, the work of such |irm\M- nent decorators as Sir Edward Burne-Jonec, Mr. if C. Haite, and Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Dawson, it- dealt with exhaustively. A very large proponum of the illustrations are reproductions of previously unpublished works by the various artists con-cd-in so that an air of freshness is given to the ap^rici i- tion even of those men whose achievements are t: known to the public, and many welcome ackin are made to our knowledge of their doing?. frontispiece to the volume appears a lithograph < Mr. Whistler of St. Anne's, obo; and a draw ing Mr. Pennell, of one of the Devils of Notre Ifiiu.e, given as a supplement. HAT happens in a French town when a book dedicated to it? In an English town nothing wonlc mark the event, but the French are different. Doe* the Mayor order the decoration of the streets? Do the notaries (as in a comic opera; chuck the nmidens under the chin ? Is the work solemnly added to the archives? Does the marquis fling open his chateau for revelry ? We ask the questions because we notice that "John Strange Winter's" new story is dedicated to Dieppe—" the quaint and pleasant little Norman town of Dr. Johnson's grammarian dedi- cated his great work to the Universe which did not read it. We hope that the author of Booties' Baby will be more fortunate. Two volumes relating to the late pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle will shortly be published. One is a group of Spurgeon sermons, which tbe 1me. Sir Robert Pbayre selected from the preacher's dip- courses, entitled, "The Everlasting Gospel,' the other is a life of the great Baptist minister, which his widow is now preparing for publication. The Life will be in large measure an autobiography rather than a biography, for Mr.Spurgeon left behind him quite a mass of papers dealing with his career and work, and Mrs. Spurgeon's main task will con- sist in editing these documents. She will be assisted in her labours by Mr. Harrald, who for many years was Mr. Spurgeon's private secretary. THE place in the Academie des Beaux Arts left vacant by the death of M. Francais has been filled by the election of M. Antoine Vollon, the well-known painter of still life, landscapes, and genre subjects. He was chosen by a majority of three votes only over M. Harpignies, the admirable landscape painter, who was awarded the Medal of Honour in this year's Salon, and was also, by a curious irony, among the artists who failed to secure a place in the late exhibition of the Royal Academy. A picture, Poissons de Mer," by M. Vollon is in the Luxem- bourg. THOSE persons who like Mr. Howells's novels may like to know what their author himself thinks of them. In once presenting a collection of his books to a friend, Mr. Howells wrote on the fly-leaf of each a little criticism. Seveial of these are re- produced by the Literary World, whence we take them: Venetian Life."—The book that made friends with fortune for me. A Chance Acquaintance."—The book that made me most friends. The Undiscovered Country." — My wife's favourite. Indian Summer."—The one I like best. A Foregone Conclusion."—My first novel. A Modern Instance."—The strongest. Their Wedding Journey."—My first attempt to mingle Action and travel—fiction got the best of it. ONE great advantage which has resulted from the removal to Millbank of a section of the British pic- tures in the National Gallery has been the freeing of a good deal of wall space for the proper accommo- dation of works which have hitherto been rather badly hung. The Spanish pictures, for instance, are now much better seen in the old French room than they were in the dark lobby they have occu- pied for so many years; and the early Flemish pictures are no longer crowded into a space much too small for their proper display they fill now two rooms instead of one. The change has been most beneficial at Trafalgar-square; and when the late Gallery is opened to the public shortly we may fairly expect to hear a general expression of approval at the way in which the historical value of the collection there has been increased by the juxta- position with more modem work of those British canvases that served no very intelligible purpose in the National Gallery. MR. JAMES LANK ALLEN'S story of Old Kentucky, The Choir Invisible," which is beginning to attract attention in England, has already achieved a striking success among his own countrymen. The last accounts from America are to the effect that upwards of 20,000 copies have been sold, and the demand is still brisk. This is a large number to-day for a story so grave in tone, albeit not problematical, and dealing with people so remote. THE decision of the Italian Government to pur- chase, for the sum of £240,000, the famous Borgbese collection fortunately averts the danger, which was at one time imminent, of this splendid array of art treasures being dispersed and the acquisition by the City of Rome of the palace in which the collection is housed ensures the preservation of the build ng and its contents without any alteration. As among the pictures there are such notable works as Raphael's "Entombment," Titian's Sacred and Pro- fane Love," Correggio's "Danae," and many others by the greatest Italian artists, collected with admir- able judgment, the loss to the Italian nation which would have resulted from an open sale would have been lamentable. THE appointment of Mr. Claude Phillips to the Keepership of the Wallace Collection is quite appro- priate. He is an art archaeologist of considerable repute, and a well-established authority on the works of the old masters of various schools, so that be is thoroughly well placed as the custodian of a gallery filled with art objects produced by men long deceased. The perfectly logical objection to entrust- ing to a writer rather than to an artist the care of a national collection does not apply in this case, for there is no responsibility upon the keeper of the Wallace treasures to add fresh works, and therefore there is no risk of his allowing archæologjcal interest to outweigh the artistic value of his acquisitions. In the arranging, cataloguing, and explaining of the Wallace collection, and in the delicate task of deciding the authorship of any debateable pictures, the knowledge possessed by Mr. Phillips should be very well applied. A CONTEMPORARY gives a list of Great Literary Walkers (meaning not dictionary compilers, but pedestrians). Wordsworth heads the list, having covered, it is said, a distance of 180,000 miles during his exercises. The very thought of it in this weather is exhausting. The modern poet probably does not walk much. Mr. Swinburne is said to do so, but for the ruck of poets there is the bicycle. A poet on a pneumatic tyre is as nearly on air" as he can expect to be. The divine afflatus is but one remove. We suspect that all the younger men cycle. Mr. Francis Thompson even refers to himself, in his last volume, as Cyclic me." A PiCTtjR* with rather a curious history has just been acquired by the French Government and placed in the Luxembourg. It is a Raising of Lazarus," which during its recent exhibition in the Salon attracted a great amount of attention. The artist who painted it, Mr. Henry Tanner, is an American negro, the son of an African missionary, and he has received his artistic education in the studio of M. Benjamin Constant. Pictorial ability in men of his race is somewhat rare but Mr. Tanner, not only in this latest success, but in many other clever pictures as well, has proved himself to be an artist of distinct power.
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A PRIVATE car is now being built for the President of the United States, which excels anything of this kind which has been done before. This car is intended to be a complete exposition of the art of car- building, demonstrating to the world the excellence of this industry in the U.S. It is to be presented to the nation, for the personal and official use of future Presidents. A LADY has presented the Church Army with the £100 necessary for placing a second mission and col- portage van in the Truro diocese. "A Yorkshire Lady has also sent JE50 towards a van for tbe York diocese, while A Rector has sent £00 towards a Peterborough van. The Church Army has 33 of these vans at work, summer and winter. TI E Emperor of Japan has just conferred upon Professor Todd, of Amherst College, the distinction of presenting him with "an imperial sake cup." The value of this gift caa be better estimated when it is remembered that in Japan no article bearing the Imperial crest can be purchased. Professor Todd has received this bonour as a recognition of his ser- vices in Japanese educational affairs. THAT lady golfers are not lacking in courage and enterprise is proved by what has just happened at Mitcbllm. The members of the Prince's Ladies' Club have been besieging the matculine company which has had control of their course and clubhouse for certain improvements and extensions. The sordid male has turned a deaf ear to their appeals for the expenditure of money. The ladies, resolved to endure no injustice, have boldly bought up all pro- prietnrv rights in their club, thus getting all control into tbeir own bands.
GARDENING GOSSIP. -
GARDENING GOSSIP. (Frem Cottage Gardening.") FLOWER GADE. Bring up arrears of budding, both as regards Rotet and also ornamental trees, such as Thorns, Aoen, &c. Briers are working better now than they did a short time back. Moisttr weather has heen an advan- tage. Continue the propagation of Carnations by layers and cuttings. It is generally considered that layers make the best plants, but we have plants from both layers and cuttings, and there is not. much difference in the strength now, though the lavem appeared to have the advantage when planted. The cuttings should be planted in a frame in sandy compo-t. Choice things in evercreen shrubs may he propagated during the next month or so from cuttings of the young wood taken off with a heel wben convenient. The heel forms a node of hard material from which roots are readily emitted. Layering is a method of propagation which is much practised in the nurseries, and used to be more practised in piivate gardens. Anything difficult, to s'rike from a cutting is generally amenable to InTerinjr. Cuttings of shrubs, &c., should be put in a cold frame, and the frame should either stand on the shady side of a wall or be shaded wih mats, or Fomethlng eJFe. It is best to put the frame in the shade. Sow hardy annuals for spring blooming. There are certain well-known annuala which are usually sown now because they are well known to do well. Limnanthes Douglasi, Silene com- pacta, Saponaria calabrica, Ciarkia alba. und the Candytufts, Godetias, Poppies (Shirley and L eland). Some people dislike to see a dead flower in theij garden, and in such gardens there can be, of course, no self-sown annuals or other plants, but when a plant is permitted to scatter its seeds the plants usually come strong and vigorous. The Iceland is a good ple of this. FRUIT GAUHKX. In carrying out the summer pruning, I may say (observes Cainbs.") do not over prune. I have lately seen all the young wood stubbed hack to within two inches of the old wood in several gardens. This hard pruning will cripple the trees, and, of course, stop the bearing. The young shoots of all trees may be thinned now, some being cut clean out, and others shortened back to four leaes but the leading shoots abould be left unshortened, for the present at any rate. Later on, when the leaves fat!, these leading shoots may be shortened back more or less, according to the condition of the wood. Those who want to make a little money out of Strawberry growing should plant the earliest kind to be obtained. Royal Sovereign is getting popular, and well sought after, and it would pay to plant a good-sized patch if the position is a sunny one. Irf this year of scarce Apple crops, there are several kinds, I notice, almost breaking down with the weight, of Apples. First and foremost is Stirling Cistle; next come the Codlins, inoluding Lord Suffield, Keswick and Mank's Codlins. I never remember a season when these sorts failed, and they are among the most profit- able for the cottager to plant. Cellini Pippin is another kind which seldom fa-Is, and it is a very good Apple for cooking, and not at all bad for eating raw. We should make notes of these things. Cox's Orange Pippin is a good dessert Apple, but so far as my expe- rience goes it fails on cold clay land, also on very light jandy land. On both kinds of soil it seems inclined to canker, and does not bear freely enough. VEGETABLE GARMEN. Sow Cauliflowers about the third week in August. If the weather continues dry, soak tbe land well before sowing, and shade from the bright sunshine. Winter Spinach and Onions should also be sown freely now, and late Turnips. Plant out Lettuces and Endive, and sow again for succession. Abundance of water must be given now, and, if good crisp Lettuces are required, free from insects, the ground between the rows must be mulched. Lift early and second early Potatoes, but keep them from the air and sun- ehine. Potatoes keep best in small heaps or pits, covered with straw and earth to keep them from ex- cessive changes of temperature. When the land is cleared there is jet time to plant again with some useful crop. Next month the spring Cabbages may be set out. In many gardens these follow the spring Onions, the ground being chopped over with the hoe and a sprinkling of soot given. Drills are then drawn two feet apart and the plants set out 18 inches apart in the rows. This refers to the plants intended to grow into full-sized Cabbages, but the Imaller Cabbages, intended for using early in March and April, should be planted thicker—say, not more than one foot apart. Plant a part of the early border with Cabbages at the distance named, and they will pay better than the taller heads at wider intervals, which come in when everybody has had a surfeit of Cabbages. Parsley lifted carefully now. some of the large leaves cut off,and planted in a warm site where it can be covered in winter, will be very useful. COTTAGE GARDENS. Among the things made by man nothing is prettier than an English cottage garden. English," too the word is wanted, as we do not see the same thing in other lands. Cross the Channel, and the bare cottage of Belgium and North France is shocking in its baldness and ugliness. Even in Ireland and Scotland, we do not eM the same pretty little gardens. And these are not so good in some parts of England. In Surrey, Kent, and the southern counties we find the prettiest cot- tage gardens. I pass (" X writes) a cottage garden by a road in the Weald of Sussex never without a flower for 10 months in the year, except there be snow in February and March. It is only a square patch of earth, but the beauty it gives is beyond praise—far more delightful, usually, than the large gardens near. It is often pretty when they are bare. What is the secret of the cottage garden's charm ? Cottage gardeners are good to their plots, and in the course of years they are made rich and fertile. The ebelter, too, of the little house and hedge favour8 flowers. But there is something more. It is the absence generally of any pretentious plan which lets the flowers tell their tale direct. The walks are only what are needed, and so we see only the earth and its blossoms. That is a great point. Wherever the cottage garden threw off its good old ways and went in for the new style, the result, was sad to see, and all the old year-round charms of flowers was lost. The jottage garden being frequently beautiful as a spring garden, to make it into a bedding garden was to rob it of all life and character. This is more generally recognised now than it was a few years ago, and we shall long have numerous examples of beautiful un- pretentious gardening. BOOT IN THE GARDEN. Soot is not used in gardens half as much as it thould be. In some respects it is better than any kind of artificial manure, inasmuch as it not only enriches the soil, but is distasteful to many sorts of insects—a very important matter. It may be dug into the kitchen-garden ground with much advan- tage, and it may also be mixed with soil for potting most plants. I do not know (" F." remarks) any crop in the kitchen-garden that is not benefited by soot, and for Onions, Carrots, and all kinds of roots it it excellent. It is not, however, lasting in its effects, but it is cheap and easily obtained, and may bo put on in quantity every year. We never use it by mea- sure or weight, but spread a good sprinkling over the surface of the ground, and dig it in sometimet with farmyard manure and sometimes by itself. A quantity of it sown in drills with Potato sets prevents the tubers from being worm-eaten. PROPAGATING CARNATIONS Bt CUTTINGS. I was always taught (says J. S. W.") to propa- gate Carnations by means of layers, and for a long time followed that method; but the inconvenience and trouble of it, not to say its untidiness, have led me to discontinue it, and I have never yet heard any reason assigned for tbe preference given to the layering system. Propagating by cuttings I find much easier and far more convenient. We have hundreds of Carnations aU over the place, in beds and on borders, and layering the stock there means many barrowfuls of compost and very tedious work, not to speak of the unsightliness of the hillocks patched by stones to keep the birds from pulling away the compost in their search for worms in dry weather. With U8 anything of that kind is at once scattered by the birds, as we are in the midst of woods. If cuttings are used, on the other hsnd, a barrowful or two of soil and one or two square yards of ground are all one wants in addition to hand-light tops, or cloches, which are handier and cheaper. If cuttings are inserted under these in August or July, every one will strike, and make as good plants as layers. They have only to be inserted and the cloches put over them and left on, and shaded in bright weather but the cloches do not need moving for ventilation, as the cuttings need none under such circumstances —even with cloches without holes at their tope. After the cuttings are rooted, air should be admitted gradually, and in a few days the cloches may be taken off altogether. This is, indeed, the way to root nearly all hardy plants, and hardly one will fail. I put in some Carnation cuttings received in October fast year in this way, and did not lift the cloche off once to April, when the plants were well rooted, but not so strong as July or August cuttings, of course. Cuttings rooted in this way may be left exposed all the winter where they were struck, or potted up, jUJt as needful. Plants that have never been pcti'ed or T ureed flower best, and hence it is a good to ditbl* cuttings in on the border where they are to grow and flower, and if these patches become LOa crowded some of 'be plants can be transported in ring. Too much praise cannot be bestowon the French cloche for propagating pur- poses.
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MAven NERAZZINI has brought to Rome the draft of a treaty of commerce agreed uoon with the Emperor Menelik.