Barry Herald

Tftp. extent ot canvas possessed by a modern racing yacht like Columbia or Shamrock is immense. Many a 90 ton schooner has doubled the Horn with a crew of five men and the cook, says Mr. Ray Baker in the Illustrated London News, but these racers require from 30 to 50 men to handle their sails alone. MR. F. W. POMBROY S statue of Mr. Gladstone, which is to stand in the Houses of Parliament, is making rapid- progress, and will probably be put into position early in the coming year. The sculptor com- pleted the full-size model for the statue some little while ago. and the figure 18 now being carved in marble. The work promises to be admirably effective and excellent as a likeness of the deceased statesman. Mr. Pomeroy has also nearly finished his model of the colossal bronze statue of Admiral Blake which is \0 be erected at Bridter.

TRAWSVAAL WAR. BOERS BEGIN HOSTILITIES.—TRAIN WRECKED AND CAPTURED. MAFEKIJYG MENACED. SIR GEORGE "WHITE'S RECON- NAISSANCE. I CAPTURE OF AN ARMOURED TRAIN. The following despatch has been published by the War Office: "From the General Officer Commanding, Cape, to the Secretary of-State for War. Cape Town, Oct. 13, 1.40 p.m. Armoured train from }Iafekingescortíng-7 -pro guns sent from here to Mafeking was attacked laat aight a.t Kraaipan. about 40 miles south of Mafeking. Apparently the rail had been removed and the train left the rail. Boers fired into it with artillery for half an hour and captured it. Communication by telegraph is interrupted with Mafeking at Kraaipan. The women and children have been sent to Cape Town "The guns referred to belonged to the Colony and are light guns of an old pattern. We have no details as to casualties." The train containing 300 refugees from Mafeking —which was supposed to have been the train wrecked by the Boers—is reported safe. All the passengers were women and children except one clergyman, who is ill, some coolies, three men from Vryburg, and xome destitute refugees. A further telegram, states that all those on the train were taken prisoners, with the exception of the engine- driver. Opinion at the Cape is not hopeful with regard to Vryburg. That place is inhabited chiefly by Dutch Colonists, and, it is expected, will fall an easy prey whenever the Boers choose to attack it. It appears that the armoured train convoyed the ipefugees' train as far as Vryburg, and then started to Returned to Mafeking. The return journey was ac- complished in safety as far as Kraaipan siding, 35 miles from Colonel Baden-Powell's base. It was here lhat the disaster occurred. Warlike operations (aays the Times) have been begun by the Boers on the western frontier. On Thursday night of last week an armoured train which haS been despatched from Mafeking to escort two 1 jf-pounder guns sent from Cape Town was attacked at Kraaipan, a station about 40 miles south of Mafe- iing. The Boers in the viciaity of Mafeking were re- ported to be moving restlessly in the vicinity of their laager, but had made no sign of an advance across the border. The search-light at the fort is kept working across the veldt. Three Boer spies have been arrested. At Mafeking all precautions have been taken against attack. The Boers are reported to possess 12 guns, and a is said they intend to shell the town before attempt- ing an assault. The military authorities are confi- dent of their ability to repel an attack, but they have not sufficient force to follow up a Boer retreat. DETERMINED BATTLE IN NATAL.—BOERS THROUGH VAN REENEN'S PASS. The Scotsman on Saturday published the following from a well-informed source The Boers have come down through Van Beenen's Pass, with 11 guns, and a battle now rages. General White has got 12 guns, and is very san- guine of success." It was reported that the Boer forces were advanc- ing towards Ladysmith. The object of the incursion apparently was to attack the three towns of Dundee, Glencoe, and Ladysmith, which constitute the head- quarters of the British force in Natal. A Daily Telegraph message states that before day- break on Friday, Gen. Sir George White moved out from his campatLadysmith, with a force described as a strong and mobile column composed of all anns." He was accompanied by General Sir Archibald Hunter, andwhile the movement might have been a mere reconnaissance in force, there is no doubt the inten- tion was to give battle to the Boers, who were known to be massing in the neighbourhood. On inquiry at the War Office at a late hour on Friday it was ascertained that official information had been received of the advance of the British troops from Ladysmith towards Acton Homes, and further intelligence was hourly expected. Acton Homes lies south-west of Ladysmith. It is on Venter's Spruit, one of the tributaries of the Tugela River, and is about 20 miles from Tintwa Pass. It is in direct telegraphic communication with Ladysmith, from which town it is distant about 15 miles. Included in the defending force are the "Natal Mounted Infantry and the Carabineers. These men are a remarkably smart and workmanlike lot. They are fine riders, and excellent with the rifle. STILL MINING ON THE RAND. From Johannesburg it is reported that mining con- tinues on the Crown Reef and Ferreira Mines. About 4,740oz. of gold, lying in the different Johannesburg banks, has been commandeered. Despatches from Basutoland state that the Boers have been trying to open communications with Leorthodi, the Basuto chief, but his loyalty to the Queen and that of his people is believed to be quite firm. STEYN DENOUNCES BRITAIN. President Steyn has issued a proclamation to the Pree State burghers, denouncing the British Govern- ment as an unscrupulous) enemy who is attacking the tister Republic, and has long sought a pretext to annihilate the Afrikanders. He calls on his burghers to stand up as one man against the oppressor and violator of right." Martial law was proclaimed throughout the Free State on Thursday of last week. In Cape Town the greatest enthusiasm prevails among all classes of the loyal population. The Ses- sion of Parliament was closed on the 12th. In mov- ing the adjournment, Mr. Schreiner, said th" duty of all was to save the colony as far as possible from being involved in the vortex of war. Mr. Hofmeyr and pother members of the Bond have issued an appeal for subscriptions on behalf of the Transvaal wounded and widows, in which they say that their dutv M British subjects forbids them to join in the work of warfare, but they ask every Afrikander to contribute his utmost to the fund. THE TRANSVAAL IRISH BRIGADE." The Times Cape Town correspondent says that the so- I called Irish Brigade in the Transvaal is a fraud there are scarcely any known Irishmen in it, and the Irish in the colony strongly resent its formation. NEWCASTLE ABANDONED. Rigid official censorship of Press messages renders the receipt of military news from South Africa exceedingly difficult, and the intelligence to hand is alow and sparse. The Standards special telegrams from the Natal frontier report that up to Friday night of last week there had been no fighting. New- castle had been abandoned, and a large number of Boers are reported to be nine miles north of that place. All the railway stations up to a point seven I miles north of Glencoe Junction hare been dis- mantled, and the Standard correspondent says the action of the authorities looks like a part of an organised plan of operations rather than a retreat before the Boers. From Ladysmith it is stated that the patrols report that the numbers of the invading force have been exaggerated, and that the Boers have withdrawn across the Border, where they will, in all likelihood, await our attack." Boer waggons, however, have been seen this side of the Tritwa Pass, and the Boer and Natal patrols are in touch with each other 15 miles north-west of Ladysmith. [RECONNAISSANCE BY SIR GEORGE WHITE. From other sources it is stated that on Friday morning of last week Sir George White moved out of Ladysmith in force to reconnoitre the Boer posi- tion. Although the enemy were seen in some force, our troops did not come in touch with them, and returned to their camp in the afternoon. News had reached Durban that 3000 Boers were on Thursday night of last week encamped at Ingogo, and that Newcastle has been occupied by the Boers. There are 15,000 British troops in Natal, the greater portion being concentrated at Ladysmith and Glencoe, smaller forces being stationed at Pieter- maritzburg and Estcourt. This (the Daily Telegraph considers) may account for the quiet return of the powerful column which the General led out towards the passes on the western border, where the Boers were known to be in force, and from which they had commenced to advance. If the enemy will only keep advancing at ^1S rate we shall soon have reinforcements on the spotwhich will give their movements quite another cba«-acter. n 18 clear the mistakes of former campaigns will not be repeated, and that we shall not be drawn near puses in small detachments to be picked off by sharpshooters securely placed behind rocks. An army such as Sir George White has now at his command is equal to any attack in the open that the Boers may he able to deliver, and the reconnaissance above referred to dearly shows that he is indisposed to remain inactive if he can only get the Boers obligingly to COme into the open. t HOW THE ARMOURED TRAIN WAS p DESTROYED. 1re have received the following communique from rflfae War Office: "General Officer Commanding Cape, to Secretary of State for War. CAPE TOWN, Oct. 14, 2.35 p.m. The engine driver and a native have escaped from the armoured train; former has been wounded in hand. Lieutenant Nesbitt, in com- mand, was slightly wounded, and the party ia train, number unknown, captured by Boers, and are believed to be unharmed. An armoured train which was sent to Vrvburg with the two seven-pounder guns, has returned to Kiinberley safely, -having handed over the guns to train which was lost." SITUATION IN THE LADYSMITH DISTRICT. The following (f.aid the Daily Telegraph corre- spondent, telegraphing on Saturday morning) is what I may describe as a general review of the situation as it. has presented itself since the seizure of a train at H.irrismith. The Boers from both States have crossed oar borders into Natal in. considerable force. They have not, however, advanced any consider- able distance as jet. but all the indications tend to show that they are gathering their strength with a view to doing so. At all the principal passes leading from the Free State and the Transvaal into Natal cannon have been placed by them in position, and rough defences have been made at Van Reenen's and Laing's Nek at poincs which are miles within Natal territory. Along the Buffalo River and near Dundee their numbers are relatively few, and matters are quiet at Glencoe Camp. I am inclined to believe that the apparent hesita- tion of the Boers from Tintwa and Oliver's Hoek Passes to press forward is due to the rains and swoilen rivers, which are delaying their probable combinations. Accounts agree in stating that all the com- mandoes now have abundant waggon transport, a8 long trains of these vehicles, numbering as many as a hundred, have been seen. It is stated that four of their waggons are stuck below Tintwa Pass. The reports to band about the Boer column which entered there are conflicting, but the native mounted scouts assert that the enemy are still in Natal. In spite of the heavy rains with which we have been visited our troops present a good appearance, and the animals also look well. unfortunate incident occurred on the voyage of the vessel which brought a squadron of Lancers from Cape Town to Durban, the detachment losing half its horses during a storm at sea. I have (continued the Daily Telegraph correspon- dent) interviewed the stationmaster, Mr. Thorburn, and the other railway officials who were captured at Harrismith. The men all came in Saturday. A party of eight came by a trolley, and the others on horse- back. Mr. Mailer, the booking-clerk, says At one o'clock Charles Warden, the Landdrost, came and said I annex the He took the keys of the place and cut the telegraph wires, and then locked up the station. Meanwhile, the others were made prisoners, viz., the driver, Gummow; the stoker, Scott; the guard, Hautfy; and an assistant, with the telegraph clerks, employes, and ceolies. The train comprised engine No. 43, two coaches, and an eight-wheeled wagon. The Boers also re- moved the rails. The prisoners were allowed to board at the Com- mercial Hotel, and, on the whole, all of them were well treated, including the civilians. They were allowed to wire briefly to their friends, though the texts of the messages were dictated by the captors. Yesterday, at eight in the morning, Mr. Thorburn went to get passes for himself and his 13 com- panions to return. Under the instructions of Presi- dent Steyn, Mr. Thorburn was permitted to use his own horses. He drove part of the way to the border, whils; eight of the party came down through Van Reenen's Pass by rail on hand trolleys. Scott, the stoker, declares that they met with kindly treatment until just before they started, when the stalwart, curly-haired Boers loudly cursed all of them for rooineks," and pushed Gummow about, but the prisoners avoided any quarrel or retaliation. They halted at Albertina, and from there they hurried, still under armed escort, to Van Reenen's, where Commandant Theunissen inspected their per- mits and let them ride on. They proceeded to Blaanban k, where they slept eventually coming on here this morning. They were challenged in the dark by our Carabineers close to Biaanbank. Those who were riding on the trolly had to re- place the rails which had been torn up by the Boers. They had a number of places, including culverts and bridges, to cross, and when so occupied below the summit of Van Reenen's, in Natal territory, the armed Boers above swore at them, shouting to their comrades standing around the fugitives, Shoot the damned rooineks!" Guns were loaded and pointed at them, but none were fired. The fugitives were ordered te pitch the replaced rails down the gully. They obeyed, and they found that the line and wires had been injured as far as Brakwal. They declare that they saw thousands of armed Boers.withguns and waggons, holding the posses, and far inside the Natal border. "ALL QUIET" ON SUNDAY. All is quiet (said the Daily Telegraph correspon- dent at Ladysmith on Sunday morning) here along the front. The Boers on the western side are still keeping near the passes, though within the Natal borders. The fine weather and moonlight nights may induce a forward movement on their part, or at any rate some raids. The only shooting has consisted in the inter- change of shots between a patrol on the Dundee side and a party of Boers who had crossed the Buffalo River, but no casualties occurred. Boer scouts are upon the Natal side of the Buf- falo. Ladysmith Camp is in a splendidly defensible situation. It is a healthy place, and our men and horses are thoroughly fit. Boer patrols have been seen occasionally, but they were 12 miles from the camp. NATIVE SPIES CAUGHT. Three native spies were caught at North Tugela on Sunday. There seems little doubt that they are guilty. Numbers of Boers suspected of being spies are in Ladysmith. The Boers are strongly fortifying and entrenching positions at Van Reenen's Pass, and down as far as Brakwal. RAILWAY BLOWN UP. On the western frontier the enemy have crossed the boundary in force some miles south of Mafeking, and appear (says the Times) to have blown up or otherwise destroyed the ra.lway line at more than one point, with the view of cutting off communica- tion between Mafeking, Vryburg, and Rhodesia and Cape Colony. It is believed that the enemy, under Commandant Cronje, are about to attack Mafeking, where the garrison under Colonel Baden-Powell is pre- pared to receive them. BASUTOLAND IN DANGER. It is rumoured that the Free State Boers con- template attacking the headquarters of the Basuto- land Government, and that they are endeavouring, though hitherto with little success, to stir up the Basutos against the British. Maseru, the capital of Basutoland, has been placed in a state of de- fence. STEYN'S REPUDIATION. In reply to Sir A. Milner, who addressed him on October 11 on the subject. of complaints of British subjects in the Free State being called upon to serve against their Sovereign, President Steyn has replied that he is not aware of a aingle instance in which a British subject has been called on to take up arms, TROOPS COMING UP. The cruiser Powerful has arrived in Table Bay, bringing troops from Mauritius, who have been landed. The Canadian Dominion Government has decided to contribute 1000 men for service in South Africa. Fully 5000 men have volunteered for service. The New Zealand contingent is to sail immediately. The British squadron in South African waters will probably be strengthened, Mtd the cruiser Hermes is being held in readiness to proceed to Delagoa Bay. The official strength of the South African field force, as distinct from the Natal field force, has been given out as 48,000. GENERAL BULLER'S DEPARTURE. On Saturday General Sir Redvers Buller left England for South Africa to take command of the British forces against the Boer Republics. The General and a number of the officers of his staff left Waterloo by special train for Southampton shortly after two p.m., their departure being wit- nessed by an immense crowd, while among those who were on the platform to give them good-bye were the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Lord Lansdowne, Mr. G. Wyndham, M.P., and many distinguished military officers. Ar- rived at Southampton, General Buller at once went on board the Castle Dunattar Castle, which started on her voyage amid enthusiastic cheering from another great gathering of people. The scene which ensued when the ship began to leave the quay is de- scribed as the most stirring that any could remember having witnessed at that port. RUMOURED BATTLE NEAR KIMBERLEY. A report was current on Sunday evening in Cape w!Tn at a ^)at^e had taken place at Spytsfontein, J J miles south of Kimberley, and that at the dodder RiTer, still further south of Diamondopolis. ere wu a conflict between a party of Imperial troops and a number of Boers. CAPE COLONISTS ARMING. rge Dumn of Englishmen at the Cape are arming at tneir own exmnse. and it is believed there would be no difficulty in raising several regiments of seasoned Colonists for service. REFUGEES' FUND. « The London Mansion House Fund for the Trane- vaal Refugees amounted on Saturday to £61,000, of which £50,000 is now credited to Sir Alfred Milner for immediate use. MARTIAL LAW IN NATAL.—PROCLAMATION AGAINST TREASON. Two Gazettes Extraordinary have been published in Pietermaritzburg. The first contains a proclama- tion stating that there is reason to believe that Natal subjects have assisted and in some cases joined the enemy, and establishing martial law at Newcastle and Dundee, and in the Klip river, Umsinga, and Upper Tugela districts. The second proclamation reminds British subjects of their obligations to the Queen, and warns them to abstain from all inter- course and trade with the Transvaal and Orange Free State. WAR OFFICE STATEMENT. The War Office issued at four o'clock on Monday afternoon the following statement respecting the situation in South Africa: Telegrams received do not point to any material change in the military situation. Small bodies of Boers are reported to have crossed the Natal frontier at various points, and intrenchmentsare said to have been thrown up at Van Reenen's Pass." FIRING NEAR KIMBERLEY". A message received from the stationmaster at Modder River late on Sunday night stated that firing has been heard in the direction of Kimberley. The stationmaster at Belmont telegraphs that a Boer force was advancing south. At a late hour on Sunday night the telegraphist on dutv at. Modder River Station, 30 miles south of Kimberley, was still in communication with the south. He had been working night and day for 72 hours, and intimated that he was suspending com- munication for an hour or two in order to obtain some sleep. Although there has been great excitement to ob- tain the latest news from the front, not the slightest uneasiness has been felt at the destruction of sec- tions of the railway and telegraph lines by the Boers, as this was expected to happen immediately upon the declaration of war. No anxiety was expressed as to the safety of the force at Mafeking. LAST WIRE FROM KIMBERLEY. A despatch from Modder River states that the railway and telegraph were cut by the Boers during Sunday night. Before communication was inter- rupted, the following message wa received from Kimberley Military Kimberley all well." Martial law has been proclaimed at Mafeking, Vryburg. Taungs, Barkly West, and Herbert. FROM ALIWAL NORTH. The advanced, patrols of the Beeste Kraal com- mando have been (said a message of Monday from Aliwal North) to the bridge nightly between twelve and one. On Monday morning they fired a few shots, it is supposed for signalling purposes. It is stated that the plan of the Boers is to seize the rail- way station, lift the rails, and cut the wires. The enemy, it is reported, possess a few guns, which they intend mounting on the ridge on the Free State side commanding the town and the railway approach. The magistrate has issued a proclamation on the sub- ject of treason, printed in English and Dutch. BRITISH AGENT SAFELY AWAY FROM PRETORIA. Mr. Conyngbam Greene was shown every civility rm his journey from Pretoria. Six men of President Kruger's bodyguard accompanied him as far as the Transvaal border. The Free State authorities were equally courteous. CAPE VOLUNTEERS. All the volunteer regiments in Cape Colony have been called out. The Volunteer Garrison Artillery will do garrison duty in Cape Town, taking the place of the Imperial forces. Sir A. Milner, replying to a deputation of veterans who offered their services, for the war, said he felt that the presence among the civilian population of large numbers of persons who had served her Majesty in the army and navy was a great source of strength, the import- ance of which could scarcely be overestimated. The Times Cape Town correspondent learns, on the highest authority, that there is no truth in the statements which have been circulated, doubtless with seditious intent, that the Imperial authorities intend to place small detachments of troops through- out the country districts. A JOHANNESBURG VIEW. A correspondent of the Times lately in Johannes- burg describes the wholesale commandeering that has been remorselessly carried on by the Boers iuring the past fortnight, and says that the Boers ire buoyed up by belief in a general rising among the 3ape Dutch. It is stated in official circles in the Transvaal that definite assurances of active support tfere received from the Bond leaders. This, how- sver, is not believed in Cape Town. OFFICIAL NEWS FROM NATAL. The following statement has been officially com- municated to the Daily Telegraph special correspon- dent at Ladysmith: The colony of Natal was invaded from the Trans- vaal early on the morning of the 12th inst. An advance was made by the enemy in three columns. On the rigttt was a mixed column of Transvaalers and Free State burghers, with a Hollander volunteer corps. It moved through Botha's Pass. In the centre was the main column under General Joubert's personal command. It crossed Laing's Nek. and moved forward via. Ingogo. On the left a large commando advanced from Wakkerstroom, via Motts Nek and Wool Drift. "The object of all three columns wag Newcastle, which was occupied on the night of the 14th inst., the central column having slept on the previous night at General Colley's old campaign place, Mount Prospect. Yesterday [Sunday] an advance party of 1500 Boers, with artillery, pushed south to Ingagane, but the greater portion of the commando retired during the day on Newcastle. A Boer force, which for some days had been con- centrating east of De Jagers Drift, on the 14th inst. captured a patrol of six men of the Natal border. A picket of rnounted infantry of the 60th Rifles has also exchanged a few shots with the enemy. This, as yet, is the only fighting. "A large forco of Free State Boers, estimated at from 11,000 to 13,000, is watching the passes of the Drnkensberg from Olivers Hoek to Collins Pass. They have pushed patrota in a few cases down the berg, but at present their main force has not de- bouched from the actual passes, which are being en- trenched. Our troops are in excellent spirits and fettle. The Natal Volunteers, in particular, are doing valuable work in a soldierlike manner and spirit. The General Officer commanding in Natal greatly appreciates their conduct." DUNDEE EMPTY. Dundee (said the Telegraph correspondent, wiring late on Monday night) is now practically empty. Special trains have brought down 3000 persons, mostly women and children, besides natives, in trucks. The military order to evacuate was received at Dundee at nine on Monday morning. Mr. Oliver Davis reports that his store at Ingogo was looted by the Boers. He watched them enter Newcastle on Sunday night. The advance guard of General Joubert's column has entered Dannhauser Station, which is south of Newcastle. Our patrol beyond Dundee on Sunday night caught a spy named vermaak. It appears that this man is a Dutchman. The Boers have torn up the railway near Ingagane. The hotel-keeper there saw them. Four Boers entered the hotel and bought and paid for their goods, then told him to get out and took possession of the place. On Sunday three Kaffirs attempted to loot Mr. Webber's store at Ingagane Bridge. Mr. Webber, assisted by a friend, shot one, and drove off the others. About, three hours later the Boers appeared, took possession, and looted the place. They smashed the piano and furniture. An eye-witness of the scene has supplied this information. Private reports put the strength of the Boer column advancing from De Jagers Drift against Dundee at about 15,000, but this number is greatly exaggerated, and it is probably only about 7000. [Ingagane is 14 miles from Dannhauser and 29 from Glencoe, on the railway route to Pretoria. It is situated in a good agricultural district, where stock is plentifnl.] [Dannhauser is a station on ■ th& Pretoria-Durban line, 246 miles from the latter town, 15 miles from Dundee, and a little further from Glencoe, near which latter towns there are strong British forces under Generals Symons and Yule. Dannhauser is little more than a railway siding.] ANOTHER BLUE BOOK. A Blue-book was issued on Monday evening, con- taining correspondence with the Governments of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State from September S to October 12. FURTHER DEPARTURES FOR THE FRONT. Scenes of great enthusiasm took place on Monday at Crewe on the departure of the local section of the Railway Engineer Battalion for service in South Africa, at Cannon-street Station when the detach- ment of the Tower Hamlets Engineers entrained for Chatham to join te same battalion, and at Bir- i mincham, Cardiff, and other places on the occasion af the departure of the local Reservists. A detach- ment of 200 seamen, with Maxims and field guns, are 1>$iji £ >3jSrput from Portsmouth to South Africa. 'EAST KENT YEOMEN TO GO The offer of some 50 members of the Royal East Kent Yeomanry to volunteer for service in South Africa has been accepted, and they have been instructed to hold themselves ready for embarka- tion at an early date. REFUGEE FUND SWELLING. The Mansion House fund for the relief of the Transvaal refugees yesterday amounted to £74,000. The contributions received during Monday included a cheque: for 500 guineas from the Queen.

GREATER BRITAIN. GRPUT indignation is expressed, says a Brislane correspondent, in commercial and political circUs there at, the news of large orders for tinned meats having been placed by the British War Office with the American firms. THE Government have been getting their males for transport work largely from Spain, and a large number were shipped at Gibraltar the other day. The finest mules in the world are probably the South American ones, which fetch anything up to £40. MALTA ia so important to us as a militar y and naval station, that it is interesting to learn from the best official reports that sanitation is improving and crime is decreasing. While the sanitary administra- tion is capable of further improvement, Malta is singularly free from crime of a serious nature, and we are told by the officials that the rare appearance of men of the fleet or garrison (some 20,000 in all) in court is very satisfactory, and speaks much for the good behaviour of the men. THE following figures give the number of hands engaged at the various relief test works inaugurated by the Government throughout India: Bombay, 36,000; Punjab, 60,000; Central Provinces, 18,000; HyderabtMi, 11,000; Rajputana, 200.000. AT the close of last year there were 308,603 per- sons employed on the railways in India. AT present, in the Simla functions, Lady Curzon has her two sisters with her, and many dances have been given in honour of the fair American visitors. A SERIOUS riot has occurred at Kalgoorlie. Three hundred miners rushed the Brookman boulder and other places, and removed the ore in defiance of a strong body of police, who were beaten off with picks and shovels. THE theft of pitch in Trinidad is carried on in an unusual way. The stratum of pitch is generally from 4ft. to 7ft. below the surface of the soil. If a person wishes to steal the pitch underlying his neighbour's land, he has merely to cut a hole just below it near the border. The pitch which bulges out into the hole can be cut off as is convenient. In a recent case of theft tried before the Trinidad court, the defence was that the pitch, like water, was no man's property until appropriated; but the court did not uphold that view. THE catches of seals m Behring Sea by the British Columbian sealers appear to be considerably above the average. STOCK-OWNERS in Queensland state that their losses through the tick pest generally range from 20 bo 75 per cent. Some stock-owners say that they have lost nearly the whole of their herds. THE Spurgeon of Australia" (the Rev. Samuel Chapman), who was born in Sheffield and died the other day, used to have congregations in Melbourne of upwards of 3000. THE Queensland Legislative Council recently adopted the address to the Queen praying for the adoption of the Federal Enabling Bill by the Imperial Parliament. LoIlD BRASSEY, who has always displayed the greatest interest in the important question of the manning of the mercantile marine, sends a long letter on the subject from Government House, Victoria. "We shall never," he says, "get at the root of the gyjl we shall fail to attract good men of our own race to the sea—unless we raise their earnings." This is undoubtedly one of the reasons for the increasing dearth of British seamen, as was pointed out in a series of articles in the Globe last summer. While wages on shere have risen enormously for even the most unskilled labour, the pay of the seaman has re- mained stationary hence a growing disposition to give up seafaring life for work on land. TUB fumigation of trees for the destruction of in- sect pests is soon to come into use in New South Wales. Successful experiments have already been carried out. The tree to be treated is completely covered with a tent, and is subjected for nearly an hour to the fumes of hydrocyanic acid, produced by the combination of sulphuric acid and potassium eyanide. The number of men generally employed in a fumigating gang is four or five, according to the size of the trees. One man introduces the chemicals, another looks after the generator and measures the acid, and two or three handle the tents. Such a gang can handle from 30 to 40 medium-sized tents, and cover from four to six acres of orchard in a night. BUTTER is firm in New Zealand. The first and second shipments represented 330 tons, or about double the quantity shipped at the opening of the two previous seasons. THE iron sand found on the coast of New Zealand, which has puzzled so many exploiters, is not as valu- able as some people seem to think. According to Sir George Whitmore, who lately gave an interview to a representative of Commerce, there is a good deal of misapprehension concerning the extent and the possible value of this sand. There are great quantities of it, but if the industry assumed anything like large proportions the sand would not last very many years. And, besides, these deposits are not unique. On the coast of Norway and Sweden there are already under treatment great breadths of this same kind of sand, containing quantities far beyond anything that exists in JNew Zealand. Sir George Whitmore was at one time a commander of the Colonial forces in New Zealand, a minister in the Colonial Governments, and a life member of the Upper House of the Colonial Parlia- ment. He is now on a visit to this country, but he will be leaving shortly to return to the colony, where Lady Whitmore is now residing. THE following history is (says the Globe) instruc- tive, if exceedingly irritating. Some. time ago Mr» Frederic Rhotlcompleted a purchase of land within the British territory of Wai-hai-Wei, for the purpose of conducting mining operations. As per- mission to undertake such operations was refused him by the Vice-Admiral, Mr. Rhodes appealed to the Foreign Office, and forwarded. at the same time an application for mining rights to the Admiralty. To this he received a reply that, "as it. has been decided to grant no mining rights of any kind in the territory for the present," the Admiralty could not grant his request. Yet since their lordships arrived at this decision, the Commissioner of Wei-hai-Wei has given per- misiion to a German named Jurgens to mine for a coal deposit. Now, as far as military or naval con- siderations are concerned," there cannot possibly bo any objection to the one process which does not apply to the other, and it is nothing short of scan- dalous that a German should be able to obtain privileges on British territory which are refused to a British subject. The permanent officials of no other nation in the world would be guilty of such a dis- regard of the interests of their own people.

TALKING of the days of his youth in the columns of M.A.P., Mr. George W. E. Russell tells the follow- ing good story of his Schoolboy days at Harrow: In 1S69, B.R.H. Prince Thomas of Savoy, Duke of Genoa, and nephew of Victor Emmanuel, became a member of the school, living with Mr. and Mrs. Arnold. In the autumn of that year the Crown of Spain was offered to him by the Cortes. The school generally showed its interest iritheoccur- rence by kicking the young King; each boy being animated by the wholesome hope that in after years be might boast that he had kicked the Lord's Anointed. LORD ROBERTS has just completed his 67th year. Lord Roberts, or Bobs," as he is spoken of by the man in the street"—and a nickname of this kind is he surest proof of popularity—has had a distin- guished career. He gained the Victoria Cross soon after he was 25 for distinguished gallantry during the Indian Mutiny, and has since proved himself to be not only a brave but an able soldier. His greatest feat was his splendid march from Cabul to Candahar, which, enabled him to defeat Ayoob Khan, and practically close the Afghan War. Few despatches relating to engagements in which he has been con- cerned have been complete without the mention of his name, and the manner in which he has acted up to his family motto, "By virtue and valour," has made him one of the heroes of the BritIsh, people. FROM Hankow comes the announcement of the death of a very promising young naval officer, Lieu- tenant and Commander Ion Plunket Barton, brother of the Solicitor-General for Ireland. The deceased officer, who was only 27 years of age, served as mid- shipman under Lord Charles Beresford in the Undaunted, and two years ago had the distinction of being the youngest lieutenant- and commander in the Service, when he was appointed to the command of the Whiting, the new torpedo boat destroyer, for its first voyage to Wie-hai-Wei. Last May he was telected for the command of the Woodlark, one of the new gunboats built for service on the Yangtse River. THOSE who claim that the present water supply of London, aided by an increase in storage capacity, is sufficient to meet all possible demands for many years to come are supported in their view on the important question of purity of water by Dr. Percy Frankland, who, by special request, has made a re- port to the Registrar-General. Dr. Frankland, who gives a most reassuring account of the quality of the water supplied to the metropolis during September, says that the samples taken from storage reservoirs testify to the striking removal of bacteria during the process of sedimentation. As to filtration, out of every 100 bacteria present in Thames water at the intakes, from 99'6 to 97'8 per cent. were removed by this method of purification. Tn. Ottoman Government has decided to increase the duties on imports in, the Vilayot of A.idin by three per cent. The sum realised by this surtax will be l applied in the relief victims bv the recent eArthauake. '■ t jiv,

SCItiJNCE NOTES. TnE extinguishment of mine fires by pouring in liquefied carbon dioxide gas-has proved very -siitis-- factory in cases where more ordinary means lailed. INVITATIONS to eminent electricians in this country are being sent out by the President., M. Maseart. and the Council of the proposed international congress of electricians in connection with the Paris Exhibi- tion. THE proposed electric railway to Kashmir, which will be the longest in the world, was nn<ierti-,ken I after Mr. R. G. Crompton, the well-known electrical engineer, had reported favourably upon the scheme during his late visit to India. M. MOISSAN, the eminent French clie nist, has devised a new electrolyptic apparatus for pi-odrioing fluorine. He can get eight litres of fluorine giis per hour with a current of 20 amperes at 50 vol's. A WELL-KNOWN scientist furnishes some informa- tion in regard to the ages of trees. He assigns to the pine tree 500 to 700 years as the maximum, 425 years to the silver fir, and 170 to the ash. AN apparatus to prevent collisions at sea has been invented. It employs two or more thermopiles mounted on a vertical shaft capable of rotation these are shielded so as to exclude all air currents and radiations from the ship and from solar rays, whether direct or reflected from the surface of the water. The thermopiles are supposed to receive radiation from any approaching ship, and ring a bell when pointing in the direction of the approach- ing object. A SYSTEM of wireless telephony is proposed in connection with the railway service. It is to be first tried in Italy, of all places in the world, and it is claimed that the telephone will reveal to the driver of the engine and the guard the presence of any obstacle on the lines. If this claim is sustained, wireless telephony will justify its existence at a very early stage. TN. electric neurotone is an instrument by which a gentle electric current can be applied to the human skin. The improved form of the instrument has all its parts contained on a base-plate, at the bottom of which are mounted the two electrodes that are applied to the skin, consisting of polished metal plates each about 3Jin. long and 51'n. wide, having a suitable gap between them. The batteries are con- nected by a flexible cord to the apparatus, which is held in the hand of the operator and moved over the affected place. A current regulator is situated at the base of the instrument. PROCESSOR GAGE, of CorneU University, Vice- President of the Section of Zoology in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, seems to think that malaria fever is transmitted by mos- quitos, as Texas cattle fever" is transmitted by cattle ticks (Boophilis bovis). The ticks suck the blood of animals already infected with the germ of fever, and the germs enter the eggs of the ticks and infect the next generation, which introduce the disease into cattle. Thus the mutual infection goes in a vicious circle from generation to generation. POLARIS, the north star, according to Professor Campbell, the American astronomer, of Lick Obser- vatory, using the Mills spectroscope and a 36-inch telescope, embraces three distinct bodies, a bright and a dark star, with another invisible body. The first two revolve round their own centre of gravity, and both round the centre of gravity of the three. Polaris is approaching the solar system with a velocity varying from eight kilometres (about five miles) to 14 kilometres (about nine miles.) a second every four days. A NOYEL. means of destroying a wooden bridge- by electricity has recently been successfully used by American engineers. The bridge consisted of three spans with a 70ft. draw over a navigable stream„ the total length of the bridge being 735ft. Each span was composed of nine chords of three timbers each, and by cutting these 27 sills simultaneously the spans dropped into the river between the piers. This eut. ting was done by burning through) the wood by loops of iron wire made red hot, by an eleetric current. Weights were fastened to the bottom of each loop to pull it down as it burned through the timber. An alternating ctu rent at 50 volts was used. One span was wrecked "t a time, one hour 40 minutes being required in each efise from the turning on of current until the fall of the span. SHaWR DE SANCTIS, of Turin., has (the Globs says; published an interesting book on dreams under the title of "I Sogni." Like Heerwagen, be finds th>t j the dreams of wouien.are more frequent, vivid; and j better remembered than those of men. Hysterical or paranoic subjects dream very often,wherells imbeciles and epileptics dream, seldom. Criminals and other delinquents, especially the more depraved, are poor dreamers, and their dreams are unemotional, as a rule. Criminals rarely dream of their own crimes, and, if so, they are usually unaffected by it. Twenty-two out of 93 subjects examined by Dr. de Sanctis acknowledged that they had dreamed of their crimes, but half of the number said they did so without emotion. Most normal adults have dreams influenced by their experiences in the day-time, Chronic emotions rather than unexpected and sudden feelings, and emotions of uncertainty, like doubt, fear, suspicion; hope, rather than feelings of settled grief, are reproduced in dreams. Moderate rather than violent emotions are also reproduced in dreams. IN carrying out the repairs of the Torcenay tunnel on the Eastern Railway of France, a portable electric light plant is employed. A railway track carries a petroleum engine driving a dynamo, which furnishes current, both for propelling the truck by means of a motor and for lighting the works in the tunnel with four to six arc lamps or 20 to 40 incur; descent lamps. IN connection with some detailed investigations on the nutritive values of various substances, a bulletin by Mrs. M. H. Abel has just been issued by the United States Oflice of Experiment Stations, on sugar as food. The English-speaking people are the largest con- sumers of 8ugar, about OOlb. per bead being used annually. Germany, France, and Holland consume about 301b. per head, but Italy, Greece, and Turkey only use about 71b. per head. There is a fair amount of positive evidence that sugar in food, if not in too great quantities or too concentrated, lessens or delays fatigue and increases the capacity for muscular labour. During the last autumn manoeuvres in Germany a number of men who were given 10 lumps of sugar daily were compared in various way. with men performing the same amount of work in marching and drilling, but whose food contained little or no sugar. The results were in every way to the advantage of the men using sugar. Most of the bad effects attributed to sugar are due to its use in larger quantities than the three or four ounces a day, which seem to be digested by a healthy adult without difficulty. There is no proof that sugar is harmful to the teeth, although, doubtless, sweet food, allowed to cling to the teeth after eating, rapidly ferments, producing acids which may attack the teeth. This, however, is true of starchy foods and against the aspersion may be placed the factthatthe negroes ofthe West Indies, who consume enormous quantities of sugar, have the finest teeth in the world.

COLONEL SIR CHARLES NUGENT, whose death is announced, had rendered valuable service to his country both at home and abroad. For several years he was engaged at the War Office, first as Assistant-Director, and later as Deputy-Director of Works and Fortifications. Subsequently he was appointed Brigadier-General of the Royal Engineer* during the Egyptian Campaign, and was in com- mand at Kassassin during the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir. Sir Charles had also seen service in earlier years, for in 1854 (he joined the Royal Engineers in 1845, obtaining his company nine years later) he was senior engineering officer to Admiral Sir C. Napier in the Baltic Expedition. THE members of the Liverpool medical expedition to Sierra Leone have come back, apparently quite convinced that with the extermination of the malaria mosquito the endemic disease of West Africa will disappear. The general conditions of health in the country are, in Major Ross s opinion, favourable; there is, in particular, a good snpply of water. One member of the expedition, Mr. Austin, suffered from malaria, but his attack is held to be proof of the new theory. He attributes his illness to the fact that he slept one night without mosquito curtains. A PERSIAN cat which steals pigeons' eggs furnishes the latest curiosity in feline ways. A Wimborne correspondent of the Field says that his cat scales a high garden wall, turns a neighbour's pigeons off their nests, takes the eggs in his mouth, makes a safe journey back, and lays them at his master's feet. The writer adds: "At this moment I have two on my office desk brought in to-day. On examining the eggs I find two small holes in each shell, made by the cat's teeth to facilitate easy and safe carriage; beyond this the eggs are iataot. Although there are many young igeonsin the cote, some unable to .41. the cat never in any way attempts te touch them." HE: Yon know there never was love without jealousy." She; u How about Adam and Eve "? THE Home tary appointed Porteoua to be Ul iiKsQootor of f u

ART AND LITERATURE. Miss Low, in one of the reviews, speaks of Mrs. Gaskell as one of the most lovable and sympathetic of English novelists. We agree that Mrs. GaskeU has not gained the full recognition to which she is entitled, but we are convinced she will. Her stories are imperishable. AN autobiography which should be of uncommon interest is that of Mr. C. Kegan Paul, partly because the author has been intimate with many eminent writers and public men, but chiefly because of Mr. Paul's spiritual pilgrimage from the Anglicanism of Maurice and Kingsley through negation to the Roman faith. IN Mr. Fitzpatrick's new book on the Transvaal— "The Transvaal From Within"—there are some interesting glimpses of President Kruger. The President, it is said, is the only reat man in it," Dr. Leyds and the others being merely the useful tools of the strong man. Speaking of the Reform Leaders' Manifesto of Rights in 1896, before the Raid, Mr. Kruger remarked Their rights. Yes, they 11 get them over my dead body." MR. H. C. FEIIR is busy with the second of the statues which he has been commissioned to execute for the square of Leeds that is being decorated by a group of leading sculptors. The figure represents Harrison, the philanthropist, and is treated with re- markable vigour and sound sense of decorative detail. It will form one of a series of similar statues com- memorating men who have played a prominent part in the history of the city. A LARGB map of Mouth Africa (printed in colours; will be issued free of charge with Part 1 of the new issue of Battles of the Nineteenth Century," pub- lished next week. It will include a specially-pre- pared inset showing in detail the roads, railways, and places of interest in the Transvaal, Orange Free State, and bordering British Colonies. "WINNING SUCCESS WITH THE PEN" is the subject of a special chat with Mr. T. P. O'CMnor, M.P. (with a portrait), which appears in this week's number of Chums. "THOUSANDS LOST ON. FOOTBALL" is the title of an article dealing with. the increasing difficulties of making the great winter game pay, which appears in the new number of Casscll's Saturday Journal. MR. E. H. COOPER'S volume of fairy-stories, Wyemarke and the Sea-Fairies," which has been illustrated by Mr. Dudley Hardy, will be published bv Messrs. Duckworth on November 1. The book is dedicated to the 160 children in the- London Hospital," and is the first attempt on the part of both author and artist at such nursery work. It is in all respects a woithv book. TtfE current number-of the Magazine of Art con- bains contributions from Mrs. RusgeIlBarrington on Lord Leighton's House, and what it contains," Mr. C. E. Benham on Bible Pictures by a Chinese Artist," M. Octave Maus on The Third Centenary of Vandyck"; and other articles are also given on "Albert Robida," "Our National Museums and Gal- leries: Recent, Acquisitions," andThe National Art Competition, 1899." Two studies by Lord Leighton, a figure in the Cimebue's-Madonna," and a drawing of a tree; are reproduced, and some of the Bible pic- tures by a Chinese artist are printed in colour. Notes on current events in the Art world add to the interest of the number. TOBIAS SMOLLETT, whose novels are- to be once more republished in a new edition, ""flourished" between 1721 and 1771' He a Scotchman by birth and education, who early determined to push his fortunes in London, and his journey south is described in Roderick Random." Fielding and Richardson were his contemporaries. Roderick Random" was produced in 1T48, at a time when its author was practising as a surgeon. His second novel was The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle." which proved a great success. Smollett was a great favourite with Burko. and Lady Wortley Montagu. Amongst his later kindly critics were Thackeray and Leigh Hunt, who were both enthusiastic. Taineand Leslie Stephen have given him a somewhat lower place in their criticisms. A NEW and most useful publication .(says the Echo) is the cheap edition of Cassell's Gazetteer, which that enterprising fino has just began to issue in weekly parts. It is a complete typographical dic- tionary of the- United Kingdom, illustrated with 60 excellent maps and hundreds of small photographic illustrations. There are to be 45 sixpenny parts. MR. HERBERT SPENCER'S work 00 "Education," having been already translated into- quite a host of foreign languages, has now being done into San- scrit. The translator admits that, some surprise may be caused by the translation of any work into an un- spoken language, but asserts that the Hundits, for whom the translation is primarily intended, can more easily appreciate the ideas conveyed in San- scrit than perhaps in any other vernacular. This may be flattering to Mr. Herbert Spencer and to the Pundits, but it does not sound like a commercial suc- cess- TIIE Paris Exposition bronae medal, to be presented by the French authorities to deserving exhibitors, is 2 I-16th in. in diameter and is the work of a French- man, M. Georges Leroaire. One one side is a female figure in high relief, and beneath this is a sun having the figures 1900 imprinted across it. The figure is seated on the capital of a column which is almost hidden, by drapery, and at the feet of the figure is a scroll, a palette, and a lyro, typifying the fine arts. This side of the medal has the simple words l'Ex- position de Paris." On the reverse side is a cartouche an which will be engraved the name of the recipient. At one side secured by a banderole is a sheaf presum- ably of corn typifying agriculture, and below in the centre is an air ship, at the right of this a telegraph pole, and at the left a battleship with fighting-tops, conning towers, and turrets. Still lower than this are cogwheels, anvil, governor, &c., and at other parts of this side of the medal can be seen a camera, tele- phone, a globe, books, and an alembic, an apparatus formerly employed in distilling, but now superseded by the retort. MANY sportsmen much dislike being stared at whilst fishing or shooting. Mr. Haggard, in A Farmer's Year," just published, says By the way, there is nothing more disconcerting to the ordinary sportsnjian than this process of being watched, anent which a gentleman once told me a most amusing story. He was taking part in some big shoot on a Yorkshire estate where it was the habit of miners to congregate to watch the sport. A number of these gentry attached themselves to him, following him from beat to beat and staring at him so hard that he grew nervous and began to miss freely. At length the last and great stand of the day was reached, when, just before the beat began, a ferocious and peculiarly powerful miner advanced and whispered fcoarsely in his ear: 'Look 'ere, guv'ner, you're shooting h'orful, and I've lost three bob on yer. But I've backed yer double or quits, and, by gosh if I don't win this time 111 knock yer bloomin' head LONDONERS (the Globe argues) might learn a lesson- from the public spirit of the citizens of Frankfort, who have collected a fund, the interest of which is to be expended on the adornment of that city with pieces of sculpture. In London we seem somehow to lack the taste and inclination to make any such effort in the cause of Art, and are apparently willing to accept the Government parsimony with regard to expendi- ture on artistic objects as the correct national atti- tude. Yet a public subscription might, if it were properly organised, do a great <1eal to minimise the evil effect of this official parsimony. From a fund like that at Frankfort in- adequate grants to our national galleries might be supplemented, and the wherewithal might be obtained to help on many aesthetia- move- ments of great value. As things are, London is in the Curious position of being behind not only foreign cities, but even our own provincial towns, in its aesthetic enthusiasm. Abroad large sums- are spent annually in the purchase of old and modern picturellc for public collections, and most of the large towns in. England set aside some portion of their revenue to meet the expense of keeping up excellent art galleries. But the capital of this country does practically nothing in this way, and leaves the encouragement of art to the generosity of a few private individuals. The position is not quite creditablev THE first time I ever heard the name of Shake- speare," wrote Victor Hugo in the new series of Choses Vues now appearing in La Revue de Paris, was at Reims, from the mouth of Charles Nodier. It was in 1825, during the Coronation of Charles X. At that time no one uttered the name seriously. The ridicule of Voltaire made the law." On the next page, however, he says I am wrong when I say that. I did not know Shakespeare. I knew him as all the world did, by having read nothing of bis works, and by laughing at them." Nodier and lIiugo were sidle by side at the Corona- tion. Exactly opposite them was a tapestry repre- senting la-Be- entrevue peu historique de Jean Sans-Terre et de Philippe Auguste," and a certain Deputy named Hémonin, who was close by, handed to Nodier a copy of Shakespeare's "King John," of the edition de Glascow." In the evening a party of friends discussed the play, which Nodier, who savait l'anglaia assez pour déchiffrer," translated to them. One thought the murder of Arthur "invrai- semblable," for the remarkable reason that tuer un roi était une chose inouie que la populace seule etait capable de faire." The result of the discussion on the play was excellent, so far as concerned Hugo. That revelation of Shakespeare had impressed me greatly. King John' is not a chef-a'eeuvre, but certain scenes are elevated and powerful, and in the motherhood of Constance there are oris de gtmie." The opinions of the author of "Hernani" on the author of "Xing John and his work are (remarks the Morning Post) worth referring to at the present mament r- .a""