Barry Herald

SOMTC of the American States present the most re- markable opportunities to unmarried women. In Idaho, for example, there are 16,584 bachelors to 1426, maids. Next to this ideal State—from the spinster's point of view-come Wyoming, Arizona, Washington, Nevada. And everywhere else the number of marriageable men is greatly in excess of marriageable women. Even in New England the woman has the advantage, Massachuetts, which is at the opposite extreme to Idaho, having 224.38 bachelors to 218,070 maids.

OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. Just as it has been said that Egypt is the Nile and the Nile is Egypt, so it may in these days be almost claimed that London is the Thames and the Thames is London. Whether for purposes of business or pleasure or health, the river means an overwhelming deal to the Londoner, and everything concerning it is, therefore, watched with the deeper interest by dwellers in the metropolis. These have been rejoiced to find that under the auspices of the Commons Preservation Society a conference has just been held of representatives appointed by various national and local societies interested in the preservation of the Thames and its valley for the public enjoyment. These societies desire to preserve not merely the amenities of the Thames Valley, but the rights of the public respecting the ferries, towing-paths, landing- Z, places, back waters, buildings, and other features of beauty and interest in or adjacent to the river. They have determined to concentrate their first effort upon securing the carrying out of the recommendation of a Parliamentary Committee, which urged the importance of establishing not only free horse tow-path throughout the navigable length of the Thames, but of making it a footpath free to the public. There is something tangible here to go upon: and it will earnestly be hoped by all lovers of the metropolitan river that the steps now taken will not alone secure success in themselves but give the promise of other successes to come. Commercial education is one of the practical questions of the age, and how widespread is the interest taken in it may be judged from the circumstance that an international congress on the subject is to be held in May at Venice. The official representative of Great Britain at that gathering will be Mr. Gilbert Redgrave, the chief senior inspector of the Science and Art Department; and merchants and others interested in the matter are to be invited to take part in the congress. There will be discussed the aim, limits, and organisa- tion of middle or secondary commercial instruc- tion, and its relation to elementary teaching and higher commercial education; the best way of teaching foreign languages in commer- cial schools the results obtained from the chair of commercial practice, and the best way of organising this branch of instruction in middle and upper commercial schools the use of scholarships in commercial practice abroad, and the way in which they should be con- ferred; and the question whether commercial teaching should be represented in the superior councils of commerce. Here are certainly topics enough for very ample debate and the result will be the more interesting for this country in view of the new Secondary Educa- tion Bill just introduced in the House of Lords on behalf of the Ministry by the Duke of Devonshire as Lord President of the Council. The influenza fiend has at last achieved the distinction of getting itself noticed on the question paper of the House of Commons as having seriously affected the business of that branch of the Legislature.. The Speaker has been troubled by the epidemic, but he managed to return just in time to see the Deputy Speaker succumb to a more serious attack. It happens, however, that the Deputy Speaker is Chairman of Committees, and that while he possesses the full powers of the Speaker when filling his place, no Deputy Chairman of Com- mittees possesses the power of the Chair- man. Those who are familiar with the ways of conducting business in the House of Commons will perceive at a glance what this involves. When the Chairman of Committees is not able to be in his seat, no single one of his five deputies has the requisite authority to put to the House a motion for the closure; and, when that cardinal fact is remembered, something that may have seemed mysterious in the recent arrangements of business in Parliament will be seen to be explained. Probably the British army-or any portion of it-will not feel particularly flattered at receiving a compliment from Major Esterhazy; but it is interesting to note that that worthy, in one of the most recent of his many inter- views," exclaimed, "What splendid soldiers the English have! Have you ever seen the guard being relieved at St. James's Palace ? I know nothing finer." It hap- pened by sheer chance that this was published in London on St. Patrick's Day, and on that very morning the public had had a special opportunity of seeing the spectacle which had so impressed Major Esterhazy, for the band of the Grenadier Guards, which was doing duty with the detachment from Chelsea Barracks, that mounted the Queen's Guard in London for the day at St. James's Palace, played a selection of Irish music in the historic courtyard during the ceremony of mounting and changing the guard. This was much appreciated by the assembled crowd, which in- cluded many Irishmen who were taking a holi- day in honour of their country's patron saint; and this should prove an additional incentive to go on the part of those who have never witnessed this most interesting and picturesque spectacle. The appallingly fatal hotel fire in New York has created a special thrill in London, where the tendency of the last few years has been to erect monster caravanserais for the reception of travellers. Not only travellers, indeed, are catered for in these places, for both in London and New York there has been a growing fashion of living in hotels and the consequence is that such a catastrophe as this latest calamity comes home to a far larger number than it would have done a few years ago. The story has been told of how the New York calamity was caused by the careless fashion in which a guest who had lit a cigar or cigarette threw the still ignited match to the ground, where it set fire to a curtain. There is thus a further reminder of the danger which lurks in the careless handling of lighted matches and to those who keep their eyes open the wonder will be that there are not more accidents of the kind. A melancholy illustration of such dangers was given a few yeas ago at one of the South Kensington Ex- hibitions, when a lady who was looking at the illuminated fountains was burned to death owing to a smokers lighted match being heed- lessly thrown on her dress.- As long, of course, as there are careless folk in the world-and that promises to be as long as the world shall last—this sort of calamity may be expected to happen but it may fairly be hoped that after such a terrible occurrence as that in New York, some smokers at the least will be taught caution. This week there has been resumed the pro- gress of a metropolitan improvement which will specially interest visitors from outside, and that is the widening of Fleet-street. A very ahort piece of the work on the southern aide was executed two years ago, and now a rather long block of houses is under process of demolition. The work is to be pursued night and day, which is a plan much approved by those having business in Fleet-street; who do not at all wish that historic and important thoroughfare to be topsy-turvy for a day more than is absolutely required. Even when this is done, of course, nothing like half the work will have been accomplished, for the street has to be ultimately widened as f ar as the site of old Temple Bar, and that is not likely to be done for many years. The cost is so enormous and the difficulties of acquiring the property so great that it is absolutely neces- eary to throw the work over a period which at first si a lit seems unconscionably long. R.

wir.LTA.M iiiNG. a coloured man ot ew .Bedford, Ma^Hi-hHssPtrs, has. according to Dr. Munroe Long, of Muhlenberg Hospital, enjoyed the use of two' hetirrs for a century. Apparently there advan^aee in having more than one heart, for King is remarkably htre and hearty. He can bend n bAr,- across his arm. One heort is on the rigbit-aai the or her on thE 1eft side of the chest, but, though g«*p.T.r Ut-d they beat in unison. Apparently King has also two breast-hones, one hind the other, and the tear one movable at. his pleasure. "X'i' Senate cf the Stztte of Lllorlh Dakota has efi- Mp&'l t law providing for the appointment of a board ot jiliyciwana to examine the physical and mental ttordifio.t* of applicants for marriage licenses. Li'-er-es are to be refused to any who suffer from n::n:"r:t¡; which are Ukeiv to manifest themselves in thfr progeny, especially dipsomania, insanity, and T'v- measure is largely advocated in the hope that oth-.jr States will follow lIIorth Dakota's example in attempting to improve the health of the nee.

NEWS NOTES. PRESIDENT KRUGER is inclining tov/srda greater liberality in the settlement of the; vexed question of burgher rights in the Transvaal. Is "Oom" Paul preparing to bow himself to the inevitable: It looks like it. THE dreadful hotel fire in New York sLonU load to something tangible being done there in the way of protecting the lives of those who have to tarry in those veritable death-trap^, the many-storied, many-corridored buildings of the Empire City. The New York "sky-scrapers71 are. it would seem, by no means all lire-proof, and should a blaze breakout in the basement of some of them in the dead of ni^,ht, it is <1 La- cult to see how a holocaust could be avoided. LonD HERSCHEIX'S body has been reverently brought home for quiet burial at Clyde, the actual interment being preluded by an impres- sive service in the grand old abbey of Wcst- minster. Lord Herschell's sad demise occurred whilst he was engaged actively in theservjee or his country: and honours were as fittingly con- ferred upon his remains as if he had been a con- spicuous hero slain in battle. THE Indian financial statement made on Monday in the Legislative Council at Calcutta was, on the whole, very satisfactory. It aliudos to the remarkably rapid recovery of our Empire in. the East from the effects of famine, as evidenced by the revenue and trade returns. There is saving under most of the revenue heads, and the Budget estimato exhibits a good surplus. The Indian Government do not propose, however, to reduce taxation at present, as bearing in view the deficits of the two years last past, they wish to solidify the financial position, and prepare the way for extensive currency reforms in the near future. THE Prince of Wales takes up the Presidency of the National Lifeboat Institution in place of the late Duke of Northumberland; and his Royal Highness will no doubt devote himself con amove and with characteristic energy to the noble work done by this body. It is safe to assert that no benevolent corporation in these isles is more extensively or deservedly popular than the Lifeboat Institution. THE Workmen's Compensation Act is making a good deal of work for the legal profession, and eliciting quite a variety of judicial opinion. Would it not be well for Parliament to endea- vour to simplify the measure, and point out with precision what its clauses really mean ? LORD KITCHENER would appear to be making ready to complete his conquest of the Soudan at the earliest fitting moment. The Sirdar has commenced an inspection tour covering Gedaref, Kassala, and Suakim; and he has caused warning to be issued to all officers on leave that they may be recalled at any moment after midsummer. It is said that the Khalifa has three or four thousand followers with him in the vicinity of Abba; but what his intentions are no one seems to know. AN attempt is to be made to settle the differ- ences between the Filipinos and the United States authorities by arbitration. This is a sensible proceeding. All success to the sug- gested mediation. 0 ITALY does well to incline towards entrusting her interests in China into British keeping. Mutual' understanding between the European Powers as to matters in the Far East is a very desirable thing for the good of all concerned. THE Chancellor of the Exchequer is having a good many gratuitous suggestions sent to him just now as to how most readily he may raise the additional monies he will need on raise the additional monies he will need on Budget night. That most of Sir Michael Hicks- Beach's advisers commend him to do something which will not touch their own pockets, it n-2e;¡ not bo said, they are so very disinterested. For a curious ideal one may mention a corre- spondent's proposal that bird cages should be taxed. Many (who do not ride awheel) are for putting an annual duty on cycles; but the Chancellor who essays to tax the recreations of the people must prepare himself for a storm of criticism. Some are for taxing cats: but their plan requires an accompanying explana- tion as to how the tax could be satisfactorily collected. One thing might be set down as sure, the adoption of such an impost would speedily result in a very great access of Feline mortality. I-

FRANK BUCKLAND'S FISH MUSEUM. A memorial has been presented to the Duke of Devonshire and Mr. Ritchie, M.P., prttyinij that Frank Buckland's Fish Museum may not be abolished, R.. recommended in the second report of the Select Committee on the Museums of the Science and Art Department. The memorialists point out. that the Se'ei't Committee consisted of 1~> members, of whom s, eii only approved the report, three, including Sir John Gorst, voted against it, and five abstained. Against the opinion of Sir John DonnpIly and Ma jor- General Festing is cited that of Sir Richard Owen. who considered that the collection would be a most valuable appendage to the Salmon Fisheries Com- mission and Office. The memorial relates the history of the museum, and submits suggestions for extend- iii" its usefulness as suggested on different occasions hv rllt. Prince of Wales and by Professor Huxley. For this the co-operation of the Board of Trade is considered essential. It should, it is submitted, be made a part of the di-it of the Inspectors of Fisheries co preserve and deoosit in the Museum of Economic Fish Culture any objects of permanent interest which may come under their notice, together with photographs or models of improvements in fish- passes, fish-culture apparatus and appliances, and other matters useful for reference or record; while the inspectors' knowledge and varied experience may perhaps be further utilised for the public benefit, by lectures in connection with the museum. The secretary and inspectors of the Fisheries Department, together, perhaps, with representatives of the Fishmongers Company of the City of London or other important I bodies connected with the sea und river fisheries, should, it is suggested, be appointed visitors to advise on and aid in the manH-getnent of the museum. The hiemorial is signed by, among others, the Pukes of Richmond and Gordon, Beaufort, Bedford, Northumberland, Sutherland, Westminster and Abercorn, the Marquises of Tweeddale, Bute, DufTerin and Ava, Worcester, and Granby, the Earls of Home, Stamford, Sandwich. Jersey, Portsmouth, Radnor, Kiruberley, and March, Lord George Hamilton, M.P., the Rev. Walter E. Bucldand (nephew of Frank Buckland), Mr. George Cox Bompas (brother-in-law of Frank Buckland). with representatives of many piscatorial societies and the chairmen of various provincial fishery boards.

A MILLIARD MINUTES. The approach of the 20th century has led the Fremdenhlatt, of Vienna, to the calculation that the [ epoch very nearly coincides with the completion of the first milliard-or thousand million—minutes sirrce the Christian computation of time began. There is, of course, a slight difference of opinion as to the precise date from which we reckon the year one A.D. in relation to the previous lapse of time. According, then, to the calculation of the Fremden- hlatt, we shall have completed that tale of minutes on April 30, 1902, at 20 minutes to 11 a.m.

I5 New York public dining has reached such a pass that the Times of that city hascome forward with a scheme of reform one, 'it may be added, which might in many respects be also followed with advan- tage in London. Every dinner, it is laid down, should begin at 7.30, and coffee should put an end to the meal by 9.30 at the latest, while no banquet should be of more than five courses, and only two kinds of wine should be served. It is in the matter «of speech-making that those who attend Metropolitan banquets would welcome the proposed change, for it is iuggested that all the speeches together should not ^oJfcupy more than an hour and a half THE total ad dition of steam tonnage to the Register of the United Kingdom during 1898 was 1,111,768 tons gross, and of sailing tonnage 29,053 gross tons, making altogether 1,140,821 tons, an aniount whieb has never before been equalled in one year. Of new vessels last year, 665, of 1.138,575 tons, were added to Lloyd's Register. On the whole, during 189a. the steamers on the Register of the United Kingdom have increased by 245 vessels, and 415.108 tons, while sailing vessels have decreased by 344 vessels, and 20o,815 tons. The total number of vessels on the Register has, therefore, decreased by 99, and the total tonnage has increased by 209,293 tons during th year.

A LONG-SUFFERING WIFE. RINGS CUT on IIER FINGERS. A Yorkshire newspaper publishes a remarkable interview with a lady. She said: I am going on for sixty-two years, and my hus- band and myself have lived in this one house over lortv years. Some years ago my hands broke out and hied frightfully, and, oh I have been punished with them since then. The skin cracked, and seeing this I went to, and was eventually admitted into, the hospital, where I remained for three months. My fingers were so swollen that I had to have my rings (.Iir, )!f them. I went to a doctor who burnt my hands with caustic, but got no better; I then went to other doctors with a similar result." ■' Thon huw did you get cured?" was the question put. to the lady, whose hands showed no signs of disease now. Well, about 12 months ago, by accident one day, I came across a book, and turning over its pages I found an identical case to mine—bleeding eczema in the hands. I was advised to try a box of Dr. Williams' pink pills for pale people, and did so. From the first they seemed to do me good. I had eczema also in my head, and rheumatism in my right knee. Sometimes when I got upstairs I could not get down again, and the surprising thing is, that though I took Dr. Williams' pink pills for the eczema only. the rheumatism disappeared at the same time." Hoiv's your health now ?" inquired the reporter. Mrs. Hodgson replied good-humouredly, My health ?-why, I was never better in my life. There are plenty of people in the village who know about my hands, for I have had to get people to wash for me, and help in my household duties. I could do nothing at all; I could not wash my own face." Skin troubles indicate one of two things—either an impoverished, vitiated state of the blood, or general debility. The blood, being impure and heated, inflames the skin, giving rise to blotches, pimples, eczema, boils, or a sallow, muddy complexion. Dr. Williams' pink pills, though not a purgative, not only purify, but at the same time directly enrich the blood, and give it warmth and colour, causing skin troubles to disappear and give place to a clear, smooth com- plexion. An aperient should be used before com- mencing the pills, which are praised on all hands for their cures in cases of all disease arising from im- poverishment of the blood, scrofula, rickets, chronic erysipelas, consumption of the bowels, and lungs, anjemia, pale and sallow complexion, general weak- ness, palpitations, pains in the back, neuralgia, early decay, all forms of female weakness and hysteria, also paralysis, locomotor ataxy, rheumatism, and sciatica. These pills are a tonic, not a purgative; thev are genuine only with the full name, Dr. Williams' pink pills for pale people, and are sold by chemists and by Dr. Williams' medicine company, Holborn- viaduct, London, E.C., at two shillings and nine- pence a box, or six boxes for thirteen shillings and ninepence. Pink pills sold loose or from glass jars fire not Dr. Williams'; accept them only in the pink closed wrapper as above described.

THE CYCLE IN WAR. Captain B. Baden-Powell, Scots Guards, in a paper on The Bicycle for War Purposes," read in London the other day at a meeting of the Royal United Ser- vice Institution, Major-General Stracy presiding, confined himself strictly to the importance of the bicycle from a military point of view, but much of his paper was of interest to civilian cyclists and Volunteers. It was at home, as Captain Baden- Powell at the outset declared, in case of invasion, that the cyclist would prove of the greatest value. There were various ways in which cycles might be employed-first, for strategical purposes, as a means of rapidly conveying comparatively large bodies of troops to the seat of war secondly, for what might be included under the head of raiding-a rapid march into the enemy's country for some particular object, such as the destruction of a railway bridge or the relief of a hemmed-in force thirdly, for scout- ing and reconnaissance; fourthly, as mounted in- fantry to a force of all arms; fifthly, as orderlies and messengers sixthly, for transport; and, lastly, for a number of special purposes. Having discussed various types of cycles, especially those constructed on the folding system. Captain Baden-Powell ex- hibited what he called the Tripartite fitting, with which a machine became detachable rather than foldable. The operation of folding only took about ten seconds, and it could then be readily slung over the shoulder without necessitating any adjustment of straps. The lecturer finally dealt with all accessories of the cycle, the dress, arms, and equipment of the cyclist. Incidentally, while speaking of Volunteers as cyclists, Captain Baden-Powell said he often heard it said that many of our young men, and those most suited for Volunteers, preferred going for their bike ride on a Saturday afternoon to doing a bit of steady drill in the barrack-square. The extension of Volunteer cyclists, he thought, might be a great incen- tive to volunteering, and properly organised military 11 tours would doubtless proof popular. For this particular mode of employment, Volunteers would, of course, have to use their own machines, and no one special pattern could well be adopted. After a brief discussion, during which the suggestion was I'll made that machines might be supplied free to Volunteer corps, Captain Baden-Powell was heartily thanked for his paper.

"EVERY MAN HIS OWN LAND- LORD." PROVISIONS OF MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S BILL. Mr. Chamberlain has laid before the House of Commons the Ministerial Bill empowering local authorities to advance money for enabling persons to acquire the ownership of small houses in which they reside. The measure, which applies to the whole of the United Kingdom, extends to the occupiers of small houses in towns the same facilities for becoming owners that have been already given by legislation to the owners of small farms in Ireland. It is purely voluntary-voluntary upon the work- ing man whether he will offer to buy, voluntary npon the owner whether he will sell, and volun- tary upon the local authority whether they will ad- vance the money. All occupiers of houses worth not more than E300 come within the purview of the measure, no matter what their occupation or position in life. Local authorities can advance four-fifths of the purchase-money, but whenever the advances rise fibove a rate of one penny in the El the operations of the Act shall cease until the advances sink below that level. All ownerships of this kind shall be registered, and transfers made on the payment of a fee not exceeding lOöt. The house must be insured by the purchaser, the insurance must be paid regularly, the premises must be kept in proper repair, and the instalments due to the local authority must be paid at the periods fixed. If any of these conditions are violated, the local authority can step in and take possession of the pro- perty.

IP YOU CANNOT SLEEP" because you have a cough or tickling in your throat, use the unrivalled remedy, KEATING'S COUGH LOZENGES, one alone affords relief-well called sweet relief "-in cases of cough, asthma, bronchitis. Sold everywhere in tins, 13id. each; free for stamps. Thomas Keating, Chemist, London. THE Archbishop of York makes the important statement in his Diocesan Magazine that the Pri- mates, when they sit jointly to hear the cases which may be brought before them, will listen to laymen as well as priests. This has not hitherto been formally announced. Dr. Maclagan now states that aggrieved parishioners may, like clerical appellants, appear either in person or by counsel. The first sitting of the informal Archiepiscopal Court will be at Lam- beth Palace on Mav 8. LINSEEDICOMPOUND, gives Expectoration without strain, gid., 13id. Sold by Chemists only. COMPENSATION in a claim by the trustees of the Bishopgate Foundation against the Metropolitan Police for a site adjoining the Eagle Tavern for a new police station, was recently assessed at EW,166 at the London Sheriffs' Court. < LINSEED COMPOUND* for Coughs and Colds, allays irritation. Gives immediate relief. WHILE the Rev. Dr. Owen Lovejoy, of Mount Vernon, New York, was on a sick bed recently, his young wife, impelled by her sense of duty, filled his pulpit and delivered an eloquent sermon, which had been prepared by her husband. CO AG U LIN E.—Transparent Cement, for broken articles; A STORY is going round that Paderewski, while in America, having had an eye-tooth extracted, a wealthy widow paid the dentist a large sum for the precious particle of the pianist's anatomy. Set in gold, it now dangles as a charm from the watch-chain of the maestro's infatuated admirer. ;■) •••U'

CULTURED FILIPINOS. All the Filipinos are by no means untutored savages. Those who have been in touch with civili- sation for a generation or two, even though it has been only Spanish civilisation, have become quite modernised in their ideas and dress, and have shown a remarkable aptness in adapting themselves to better conditions. The better class of Filipinos are dark skinned and black eyed and not without a quaint attractiveness of their own. Many of their children are sent to Europe to be educated.

TELEPHONE GIRLS AND INFLUENZA. The influenza epidemic has attacked so ma. tele- phone girls in Paris that the authorities have been obliged to issue a notice to the public. The notice sets forth that the prevalence of influenza is inter- fering with the efficiency of the telephone service, notwithstanding the efforts of the personnel. Every measure." adds the notice, has been taken so that the public may not be inconvenienced from a state of things which, it is hoped, will be of short duration.r

A HOME FOR JACK. There has just been opened in the busy Spanish seaport of Bilbao, a Sailor's Institute, under the aiwpices of the British and Foreigh Sailors' Society. Bilbao is one of the great iron-ore ports of the world. The British Consul states that last year, without counting ships of other nations, no fewer than 1601 British steamers of 1,381,897 tons, with crews of 28,048 men, entered the port. Contributions for the Bilbao Sailors' Institute may be sent to the treasurer, Ald. Sir Joseph C. Dimsdale, Cornhill. E.C., or to Mr. Edward W. Matthews, secretary, British and Foreign Sailors' Society, Shadwell, E.

FIGHTING FIRES IN "SKY- I SCRAPERS." The New York Fire Department (says the Daily Mail correspondent) made an interesting experiment at the request of several insurance companies, who wanted to have it demonstrated whether water could be forced to the top of a sky-scraping building in case of fire. Each sky-scraper has a service pipe running through its centre from basement to roof, with arrangements for connecting a hose upon each floor. St. Paul building, an edifice of 24 stories, and 317ft. high, was chosen for the test. A hose was attached to the service pipe of the building, and one of the largest fire-engines was employed. The water was forced to an elevation higher than the roof, thus proving the ability of the department to fight fires in any part of the highest buildings. Air costs nothing, and a building in New York from 200ft. to 300ft. in height is quite a common sight; and they are crowded together in some places. Potit surely, with such enormous business structures on all sides, it is a little late in the day for Jonathan's first fire brigade in the world to be experiment- ing with a hose to ascertain if water can be advan- tageously "played on the tops. This was the view expressed the other morning by Commander Wells, the Chief of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, when (a Westminster representative writes) I unceremoniously detained him at Southwark Bridge-road in the course of his official duties and gently hinted that the L.C.C.F.B. could not shoot its water 300ft. high "Now, is it not so, Commander?" I queried. Disdaining the formal "yes" or "no," the Chief Oflicer placed his sturdy arm deliberately on a beau- tifully shinmg boiler, curled his excellent moustache once, then emphatically said; American bunkum What next, if you please, from over the water ?" I pressed for a continuity of the conversation. A come with me from the commander brought us to one of the engine-houses, where snorted a couple of brilliantly-clean fire destructors. "You see this valve," said my informant; well, I have a pressure here equal to 1501b. to the square inch; 1401b. would send the water just as high, and higher, than can our cousinly American firemen under the same conditions. That is, with the aid of a strong iron service pipe running up at the side of the building from storey to storey. It is a question of little difficulty with us to force water up a pipe in this manner—our engines could do it any day of the week. The process is, however, seldom resorted to, as the majority of London business buildings are, in comparison with those in America, conspicuously lower, the streets are narrower, and an equally effective flood of water is maintained by egress to some vantage spot opposite the fire or at the side." And a simple jet of water, Commander, without the stationary service pipe, how do the two countries compare ?" There is no material difference. All the appliances they have over there may be seen here. It would be utterly absurd to think for a minute that a Yankee fireman can send a jet of water 300ft. high; he couldn't hold the hose, neither would the column maintain its uniformity at such an elevation—the jet must break up long before, spray would fall, and the water would immediately lose its killing force. We shoot on an average, I suppose, from 100 to 120ft. high, but it is quite possible to go 150 with a single jet, provided a larger nozzel is used. As I say, how- ever, there is little necessity in London for such steep shooting; when there is, we are perfectly equal to the task."

STATUES OF SCOTCH WORTHIES. Three interesting additions (says the London Scots- Tticiii) have been made to the statuary in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh. One of theso is a statue, by Mr. W. Grant Stevenson, R.S.A., of Alexander III. of Scotland, which has been placed in a niche at the east end of the building. In another niche has been placed a statue, by Mr. D. W. Stevenson, R.S.A., of James I. of Scotland-the poet- King. The sculptor has based his work upon a por- trait believed to be contemporary and authentic. The meditative attitude suggests the poet while the robes and sword indicate the knight. The third statue, which, like the second, is from the studio of Mr. D. W. Stevenson, is that of Napier of Merchis- ton, the inventor of logarithms. It is the gift of the Scottish Actuarial Society.

HOW TO BE HAPPY THOUGH MARRIED. A remarkable character died the other morning au Indianapolis in the person of Samuel Yoder. He was married five times, but obstinately refused to speak to any one of his brides after the marriage ceremony. He gave as his reason that if he did not talk to his wife she could not argue with him, and that this was his plan for ensuring domestic peace. One wife became so exasperated at his persistent reticence that she sued for a divorce, and was granted it, whereupon, the tie between them being broken, he talked with her freely. Another of his wives put up with him for twenty-three years. During the whole of that time he never exchanged a word with her, but conversed with his previous wife and other ladies of his acquaintance. He left a considerable amount of property. His fifth wife and his children have re- fused to attend the funeral. He had no friends.

GLADSTONE 'PARK. The General Purposes Committee of the Middlesex County Council have recommended that body to give £ 12,500 towards the purchase of Dollis Hill, WilIVsden. where Mr. Gladstone was wont to siay when the Earl of Aberdeen occupied the house. The Willesden District Council propose to use it for a recreation ground. The scheme does not seem likely to be carried out, as several local authorities have re- fused to contribute towards the cost, and it is said that the condition upon which the General Purposes Committee of the Middlesex County Council make the recommendation is that Willesden will not apply for a charter of incorporation, and that if they do they will repay the amount to the County Council.

AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVES FOR SWEDEN. The Swedish State Railways are very short of locomotives at present, andjhave bestirred themselves in various directions in order to obtain additional engines, which is no easy task fortbetime being. They have first of all endeavoured (says Engineering) to hire locoinotive8 from the private railways within the country, but they have in this manner been able to only obtain eight locomotives, and that only until sprin". The Swedish locomotive manufacturers are all very busy, and are unable to accept any further orders as far as the present year is concerned. The only acceptable offer has come from America (from the Richmond Locomotive and Machine Works), the same firm having supplied locomotive to the Finnish State Railways. The firm has offered to deliver 10 heavy goods locomotives by May, 15, ànd 10 tank locomotives by June 4. The price is about the same as that asked by Swedish manufacturers.

TEETOTAL MAYORS. The arrangements for the National Temperance Fete, which is to be held on July 5 at the Crystal Palace are well in hand. A striking innovation in regard t8 the fete is the social reception of teetotal Mayors of the United Kingdom. The Lord Mayor of Sheffield has accepted the inyitatjon to attend, as have also the Mayors of Bournemouth, Bury St. Edmunds, Batley, High Wycombe, Jarrow, Luton, Maidenhead, Newport (Mon.), Rye, a»d others.

GREAT FIRE IN NEW YORK. The Windsor Hotel in New York city was burnt on the afternoon of the 17th inst. There was some loss of life, but how much is yet unknown. The hotel filled a block on Fifth-avenue between Forty- sixth and Forty- seventh-streets. It was six storeys high, and one of the largest and finest hotels in New York. Now the whole is destroyed, and has disap- peared, except parts of the wall on the courtyard. When I first saw the building. 10 minutes after the alarm was given (writes a correspondent of the Times), the whole was in flames, and lives ha.d already been lost by people plunging from the uppei windows into the street. The firemen saved the adjoining buildings. The hotel had been long a favourite with English visitors. The front walls fell bodily into Fifth-avenue, which, for many blocks, was rendered impassable. Steam fire-engines promptly came up from every part of the city. Tha cries of the wounded were plainly heard by the dense crowds outside, and the whole spectacle was one of the most appalling ever seen. By 4.10 in the afternoon four dead bodies and 12 injured persons had been recovered from the burn- ing ruins of the Windsor Hotel. It is feared that 25 in all have perished. Ten men, mostly employes, and 14 women, including several domestics, are known, in addition, to have been injured, several fatally. Mr. Warren Leyland, the manager of the hotel, and his wife are among those whose injuries are only slight. One of the staff states that there were complete arrangements to provide against fire and that the employes were instructed in the use of the apparatus on the premises, but that they lost their heads when the fire gained so rapidly. There were many narrow escapes and heroic rescues. AN UNSAFE STRUCTURE. Dead 14. injured 51, missing about 50—such are (said the Times New York correspondent, telegraph- ing on Sunday night) the latest approximate figures of the Windsor Hotel fire. The papers are filled with accounts of narrow escapes, of firemen's gallantry, of individual heroism amid the general panic, and with speculations on the causes of the disaster. It is admitted that the structure was unsafe and was known to be unsafe; yet, since it complied with the laws in force when the hotel was built, the authorities were powerless to do more than insist that the owner should provide external fire-escapes. There are many other old hotels in New York equally dangerous, says Mr. Bonner, chief of the fire department, none, perhaps, where the lack of ordinary precautions is so glaring. The papers call on the city authorities to compel the owners to make the necessary alterations, on the Legislature to make new laws, and on the hotel managers to provide safeguards. They threaten, tailing this, to publish the names of hotels unfit, like the Windsor, to receive guests. Not long ago the President stopped at the Windsor, and some of his kin were there when the fire occurred. Mr. B. W. Jones, of Leamington, Mr. S. H. CTark, of Liverpool, and Mr. A. B. Coutan, Mr. E. P. Porter, Mrs. E. G. Williams and daughter, and Mr. and Mrs. Stephen D. Myers, all of London, who were staying at the Windsor Hotel when the fire broke out, are safe, and are now at other hotels.

NORTH NORFOLK ELECTION. The result of the polling for the election of a re- presentative in Parliament for the Northern Division of Norfolk in room of Mr. H. H. Cozens-Hardy, who has been appointed a judge, was declared as follows: Sir W. B. Gurdon (L.) 4775 Sir Kenneth Kemp (C.) 3610 Majority 1165 Jhe figures at previous elections were: 1885. H. H. Cozens-Hardy (L.) 5023 S. Hoare (C.) 3342 Liberal majority 1686 1886. H. H. Cozens-Hardy (L.). 4084 Hon. A. E. Fellowes (C.) 3324 Liberal majority 7W 1892. H. H. Cozens-Hardy (L.) 45GI John Cator (C.) 3278 Liberal majority 1283 1895. H. H. Cozens-Hardy (L.y 4246 Sir Kenneth Kemp (C.) 3738 Liberal majority "0 'oo 508 Sir William Brampton Gurdon is the younger on of the late Mr. Brampton Gurdon, of Letton Hall, Norfolk, who represented West Norfolk in the Liberal interest for some years. His mother was the eldest daughter of the first Lord Colborne. He was born in 1840, and was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1863. Entering the Treasury, he was private secretary to Mr. Gladstone as Chan- cellor of the Exchequer in 1865-66, and as First Lord of the Treasury in 1869-74. Sir Brampton Gurdon served on the Monetary Commission in Paris presided over by the late M. Leon Say in 1878. and in the following year was despatched by Sir Stafford Northcote to South Africa on a financial commission. While there he accompanied Viscount, then Sir Garnet, Wolseley with the expedition against Sikukuni, and was with the storming party under Sir Baker Russell at the capture of that chief's strong- hold. In 1881 he was again in South Africa, as a member of the Transvaal Inquiry Commission, and retired from the Treasury in 1885. The ami year he unsuccessfully contested South-West N orfol k in the Liberal interest, and at the ensuing general election, in 1886, stood as the Home ilule candidate for Rotherhithe, where, as at a by-election at Colchester in 1888, he was also defeated. Since his return from an industrial mission to British Central Africa, Sir Brampton has resided at Assington Hall, Suffolk, one of the family seats. He married in 1888 Lady Eveline Camilla WaIloP- daughter of the fifth Earl of Portsmouth, who died five years ago. His return makes no change in the balance of parties in the House of Commons.

POISONING AT WATFORD. Mr. S. J. Broad, the Watford coroner, held an inquiry at the Metropolitan Asylum for Imbeciles, at Leavesden, on Saturday afternoon, concerning the death of an inmate named Caroline Ansel). 0 On Thursday, the 9th inst., Ansell received through the post a parcel containing cake. She ate some of it, and also gave some to four other women, and soon afterwards they all complained of pains and vomited. Ansell continued ill until Tuesday last, when she died, whilst Mary Smithers, another woman who ate some of the cake, now lies ill in the infirmary. Inallcasesthe symptoms were practically the same. Some time ago Ansell received a parcel containing tea and sugar, but when she made the tea she complained that it was bitter and threw it away. The women also who ate the cake said it tasted bitter. Nurse Felming- ham, who had charge of the case, said that some time ago Ansell received a letter purporting to have been written by a cousin, informing her that her mother and father were dead, but this news was false. There was no note with the cake to say from whom it came, and the wrapper had been lost. After the death the doctor, having his suspicions aroused, communicated with the coroner, who ordered Dr. Cox to make a postrmortem examination. Dr. Cox told the jury that the appearances were compatible with death from an acute irritant Poisoning, a*d that he bad handed over the contents of the stomach to the police. Harriett Parish, the cousin referred to, de- posed that she did not write the letter produced, nor had she sent her cousin any presents. Mrs. Ansell, the deceased woman's mother, who could neither read nor wr^te, said she did not send anything to her daughter as she was too poor to do so. The inquiry was then adjourned, the coroner intimating that he would order an analysis of the contents of the stomach to be made.

A MISSING CLERGYMAN. At. Brihouse, on Saturday, a letter was received from the Rev. C. Knapp, who disappeared on January 18, to the effect that he was at New York, having crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel after a terrible voyage. The letter was written to his brother, Mr. Valentine Knapp, of Kingston-on-Thames, who journeyed to Brighouse. Yorks, on Saturday after- noon to inform Mrs. Charles Knapp.

1 TmhtE seems to be just now a revival in the interest taken in Danton, the colossal figure of the French revolution. Two books are being published on the subject this season. For vivid portraiture of [' Danton and other leading figures of the Revolution, however, one can hardly find so good a work as Lamartine's History of the Girondtsts." THE Spanish Minister of Marine has placed before the Queen-Regent a bill abolishing such positions as may become vacant in the navy until the personnel has been reduced to the strict necessity of present requirements. The bill provides that about 50 per cent. of the vacancies shall not be filled up. THE latest of the University Colleges to add a hall of residence for women students is Owens, Man- chester. A strong committee has been formed to gTre effect to the decision. Lttefpooltook" a similar step last year; but by inexplicable ill-fortune, no girl students appeared, And for the present, at least, the doors are dosed. 11 .0\ ¡. <t

BRAVERY REWARDED. The Royal Humane Society at its meeting last week awarded its medal and other honours to a number of persons who had specially distinguished themselves in saving life in circumstances of peculiar risk and danger. Annie Healand, 14, received the medal for a courageous act. A number of children were playing on the ice at Sledmere, Yorkshire, when a breakage occurred, and three of them were im- mersed about 10 yards from the bank in from 5ft. to 6ft. of water. A fourth child gave the alarm, and Healand, who was a servant at Sledmere Castle, ran to the place and, plunging in, succeeded in saving one child. Frank Willis, boy of her Majesty's ship Bonaventure, obtained the medal for his gallant con- duct in the Pasig River at Manila in December last. A stoker fell from a boat, where the depth was three fathoms with a five-knot current. Willis at once sprang after him, but, being dragged under, had to release his hold, and the man was drowned. Frede- rick Hoggett, A.B. of her Majesty's ship Desperate, also obtained the medal for his plucky rescue of Henry Jones in the Thames off Greenhithe on February 4. Daniel Mackinlay, commercial traveller, Portobello, N.B., was awarded the medal for rescuing a woman who had fallen through the ice on the canal at Ratho, near Edinburgh, on February 3.

MR. WALTER LONG AT TROWBRIDGE. Mr. Long, the Minister of Agriculture, speaking at Trowbridge on Satuaday, said there were two dangers into which, in his opinion, the Unionist party were likely to fall. One was apathy and the other was being over critical. It might be said that, he thought so because he was a member of the Government, but it was a great mistake to think a Government could be freely criticised by its own friends, and that they could salve their consciences by saying it was only the Government; they were still true to their party. He believed in wholesome criticism. It made them more likely to do what was expected of them, but he asked his political friends—not for the sake of the Government, but for their own sake and the sake of their cause and their country—not to let criticism develop into con- demnation, because if they did it would only tend to the weakening of their own party and the strengthen- ing of the Opposition.

THE BIDDENDEN TRAGEDY. Miss Bertha Peterson, who is lying in Maidstone gaol, awaiting her trial for the murder of John Whibley, whom she shot at Biddenden after church service on Sunday February 5, has been greatly, affected by the sudden death of her father, the Rev. W. Peterson, who was for many years rector of Bid- denden. When informed of the fact she became hysterical, and for a long time refused to be com- forted. The relatives are doing all in their power to make her incarceration as easy as possible. The largest cell in the prison has been placed at her dis- posal and suitably furnished. She is supplied with the weekly Kentish papers, and by her special request, was provided with copies containg reports of the tragedy and subsequent proceedings. Her meals, together with a daily supply of stout, are also sent to her from outside the prison.

THE CLOUDED LEOPARD. A young specimen of this exceedingly rare animal has just been received into the fine collection of the Zoological Society of London in Regent's-park. Nearly a quarter of a century has elapeed since the last specimen was on exhibition, that having been re- ceived in 1875. This animal is generally miscalled the clouded tiger probably from the fact that the Malayan word for tiger enters into the native name by which it is often known. An adult speci- men is about the size of a small leopard, with the tail as long as, or longer than the body the, ground colour of the fur is grey with black markings— spots and stripes on the head, and ill-defined blotches on the body. The limbs are short, and spotted with black, and there are also black spots and bars on the white under-surface. The skull is long, and the upper canine teeth or tusks longer in proportion than in any other livin cat, thus approaching the extinct sabre-toothed^ tigers. The first specimen was brought to England by Sir Stamford Raffles, who gave a very interesting account of the habits of this animal on the voyage home, and of its tameness and playfulness. This has been corroborated by other authorities; and the behaviour of thifc specimen now in the Gardens goes to prove its correctness. The new arrival is lodged in the small mammals' house, and, when visited on Saturday, roused itself at the call of the keeper, and cair.e up to the bars to be caressed, rubbing against one's hand, just as a favourite cat would do. Then it scampered up the tree trunk, laid across the cage, I ran along the shelf at the back, and jumped thence to the bars to renew the play, of which it did not seem to tire. Indeed, when left to itself, it found amusement in tossing up the straw that formed its bed. The home of the species is in Eastern Asia and the larger islands of the Indian Archipelago, where it lives among the branches of trees and preys on birds and small mammals. Nothing is known of its habits in a wild state, for, as Blanford points out in his Mammalia of British India," the only accounts that have reached us have been those of native hunters, which have, not been confirmed by the testi- mony of Europeans.

A NEW SATELLITE OF SATURN. It is reported that Professor W. H. Pickering, of Mr. Percival Lowell's private observatory at Flag. staff, Arizona, U.S., has discovered a new satellite- the ninth—of Saturn. Its estimated distance from its priniary is seven and a half millions of miles, a.nd its brightness is estimated as of the 15th magni- tude.

COMPULSORY BALLOT FOR THE MILITIA? The following interesting and, perhaps, significant paragraph appears in the London correspondence of the Western Daily Mail: "The Service members admit that the present Government have done all that can be reasonably expected of them for the general well-being of the army, but the report of the Inspector-General of Recruiting is held to be in many respects far from satisfactory. A favourite remedy for this in the eyes of a large body of Ser- vice men who do not go the length of asking for general conscription is the revival of the old system of compulsory ballot for the militia. Captain Norton, a Radical member, warmly advocated this a few days ago, but his speech was not as widely reported as, perhaps, its importance de- served. His idea is, I believe, that every man should be compelled to go through a fixed period of training in the militia, which would at least enable him to understand the use of arms. As a matter of fact, the militia ballot is a part of the law of the realm, although its operation is suspended from year to year. Apart from what may be done in the House of Commons, I see that Lord Wemyss has given notice in the Upper House of a resolution drawing attention to the admission made by the Secretary of War that forced service in the militia may be of great importance in view of national emergencies. This refers to a discussion which took place last ses- sion, when Lord Lansdowne promised to look into the matter during the autumn, and state the views of the Government later on. The discussion, therefore, ought to be interesting, in case a statement is not made in the House of Commons beforehand as to the general views of Ministers on the matter. Presum- ably, Lord Wemyss's. idea would be to enforce the ballot in cases where men of a fixed age had not joined the volunteers. There is, of course, not the least' reason to suppose for an instant that the present Government are likely to lend themselves to a system of compulsion in ordinary times, but they may think it advisable to revive the militia law in view of any danger of actual invasion. That is almost as much as public opinion would probably tolerate, but the ideas of a number of the Service members go a good deal further."

-THE wife of a gentleman's coachman at Geisdorf has just been blessed with twin boys, being the seventh and eighth sons. The Emperor William was asked to stand as godfather, and he has consented, sending the parents a handsome sum of money and the permission for the new-comers to be christened William the First and William the Second. These 0^0 tIgp tn i. rAtfisterpd in the chnrch.

UNION LINE forthe SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD FIELDS. Sailings from Southampton j vv. C lis lllndp. at Lisbon, Madeira, and 'i'enerili' A p. ly to rib) UJFION- SHU-Co.,Ltd., Canute Stmtbiniipt- :i- South African House, Bishopg'-rxte St. YjrÎlm "n. 0 -Z URWIC, The Best SIM jgSK n fit JV Mfc 13" oil all POWDER i £ y in the H %J? H W BUa B BAKiNcpnufncp World. BTLLIARD AND BAGATELLlii ^KIM'SLAND KOAIVLONDO*. N.K. TOOTH MACHE CURED INSTANTLY BY Prevents Decay, Saves H* o HIral Extraction. Sleepless Nights S« 6 11 ty? Prevented. Neuralgic Headaches and all Nerve Rgf Will ftS B" I'ams removed by EUNTER'S M g* §f W 1 M g" N K K V1N K. All Chemists, is. 1 i4d. %NGTA QUACK REMEDY E^CT ► | BUT A VERY OLD AND ■ || «?|f H 9 f g WELL TRIEDMEjJ/CINE B W IT 1 XU. PENNYROYAL 8T STEEL K m PILLS I J TLLGP FOR FEMALES- P /^i liiotresBiiip Symptom*. f S^7f S\ •* • Boxes, 1/lJaml 2/i),of»U I J T IBf* .utiElinrn Chemists.Senton receipt W 1-2^ of l5or&T»tamp»,byE.T. W B ulGttf V ,1- CO Manufacturers.Dryden Street, T I YWUI 1°^1 VVMSalions.InjuriousEr Worthless. ■ y inTUiOHxit. Brwareof N 'F.-F I CA -C-Y gypf] co ()kF AL FOR THE SKIN PR LrMrEK SOAP (for the Complexion)i I zy 4dL a Tobkt. CREAM (Itching, Burning Face Spots), 1/1!. POWDER (Redness, Roughness, Sweating, &c.), 1/- 1

LION TAMER MAULED. An exciting scene occurred at Blyth on Saturday night during a performance at Buffalo Bill's No. 2 Menagerie. A lion-tamer named Alicanaza was going through his performance, in which he wrestles with a lioness. During the wrestling his feet slipped, and he fell upon his back. The lioness instantly sprang upon him, striking him on the face with one of her paws. The tamer, with great presence of mind, struck the inimal a heavy blow on the mouth, which seemed to stun her for a moment. He then gained his feet, ird by a succession of sharp blows succeeded in driving the lioness into one of the corners of the cage. He escaped with a lacerated wound over the cheek- bone. This is the third time he has been attacked Sy the same animal.

HAYDN'S BIRTHPLACE BURNED. The house in which Joseph Haydn was born, at Rohrau, in Lower Austria., close to the Hungarian frontier, has been burned down, together with five other houses in the village. The Vienna correspon- dent of the Standard recalls the fact that it was a small cottage thatched with reeds, and Joseph, the eldest of the 14 children of the poor cartwright, Mathiits, Haydn, was born in it on the last day of March, 1732—not on April 1, as his biographers state. Here he spent his childhood and received his first musical instruction, and from here he walked daily all the way to Hamburg and back. A portrait of the great musician was placed on the wall of the best parlour in the house on March 11, 1841, by the Vienna Havdn Society, and 36 years later the Vienna Male Voice Choir fixed a memorial tablet oulsidft

pHRTER'S LITTLfi fv-raTv UVEB PILLS. JT "W BEAUTIFUL TEETH SraaU {or all who w dally on th* tmllt —diiLi DO»». brnaii a tew drops of < cJv?* 1S0Z0D0NT >.|p!UkS Forty in » plwLM&tMt dantUrlM Is tto Clowiso8 the teeth and spares Parciy between them as nothing Cars Torpid Llnr, BI14I. will. Bocutd and pearly wh»la Pv o» -CoinpJoiJnn, and Slek teeth, rogy lipa, and fragr&US prom^: bre^, onWecL Aaktor BOZODONT. 8B. M. u.A

.it_- ■—■■MM 8R.iS'J,¡'i 1 COCOA—The National Drink. | I IV EVER in the history of the world has Cocoa been 8 1 JN held in favour as a national drink as it I 3 is lit tile present day. Yet there are Cocoas and Ooooas. Mk*sb3. JTKYhsve pained no fewer than 275 >iOLD MEDALS and DIPLOMAS, and their Pure (orceu- tratod Coooa is the result of an accumulated expe: n-ne- ut 170 Years, a fact which places this well known Pi nti 1 I at aa advantage far above all j the rivalry existing amongst. firms of latter-day growth. I at aa advantage far above all j the rivalry existing amongst. firms of latter-day growth. There J9 no batter bei/ero^e thai* COCfjA Of which AnùnJ IV Wilson, ■ JUST THREES WORD3 aro neeoss-iry ill or<1«i-1, >;tie 9 j. J T ,T> a ■■■*■■ ■ imainUMiiiiir

A I'II4CH or land not exceeding 24 square yards in allperticial area, situated at the corner of Corpora- tion-strøet and Hanging-ditch, and near the Corn Exchange, has recently changed hands. The ground- floor is occupied as a tobacconist's shop, having an entrance from Corporation-street. The plot, we are informed, has been sold for a sum of £5185, or £ 216 Os. lOd. per square yard. MDLLE. Lucile FAURE, daughter of the late Presi- dotit, has not yet given up the idea of taking the veil, but it is hoped by her family that she will con- tent herself with becoming a lay sister only. In that case she would devote the rest of her life to the work of the Children's Rescue Society, of which she is the head. Mdlle. Faure, it is added, intends, in ,tnv ovent. to write her father's biography.

N N* W A N le/S) p V — ,I|M' ■■* ¡'N" t.r' :3°.. v'