Barry Herald

DEATH OF LADY SALISBURY. The Marchioness of Salisbury died peacefully at Hatfield House at 2.30 on Monday afternoon, in the presence of Lord Salisbury and those members of the family near town. Her death was not unexpected, for her ladyship was in advanced years, and had suffered a long and painful illness, borne with Christian fortitude, of wnich the end was in no way doubtful.- A year or so ago dropsical symptoms manifested themselves, and Lady Salisbury's only chance of staving off a fatal termination of the ailment was to submit to a series of operations for relief from the distressing symptoms accompanying the complaint. It was due to her ladyship's splendid constitution, and the skill of the eminent surgeons who bad charge of her case, that good results were attained, and for a time it looked as though she had made a lasting recovery. But the members of her family were aware that the measures adopted could only temporarily relieve, and not avert a fatal termination, and the marchioness herself was conscious of the unavoidable end. On the occasion of a notable garden party given at Hatfield many months ago her ladyship took an affecting farewell of some of her younger relatives, and was then heard to express the conviction that she would not live to see the anniversary of the occasion. Her ladyship managed to make her customary sojourn at Beaulieu a few months back, but was very poorly on her return to England. In conse- quence she proceeded to Walmer instead of returning direct to Hatfield. There, as will be remembered, the patient became seriously ill, and for a time daily bulletins as to her progress were issued officially either from Walmer or in London. Two months back Lady Salisbury had recovered sufficiently to travel to Hatfield, but she made the journey in an invalid carriage, and it was arranged that she should travel over the different railway companies' systems without change, so that she might make the trip with a minimum of inconvenience. Since her return to Hatfield House Lady Salisbury had been very unwell, with short intervals of better health, in one of which she was able to take carriage exercise a few weeks ago, and at an even more recent date she was able to get out in an invalid chair. Latterly she bad kept to her room, and for nearly a fortnight was more or less uncon- scious. Her critical condition was kept extremely quiet, and the only public intimation of an approach- ing crisis was revealed in the frequent visits of specialists to Hatfield. While at Walmer Lady Salisbury benefited greatly by the treatment of Dr. Walker, and it wae arranged that he should accom- pany her to London. He made almost daily visits to Hatfield, and during the latter part of her lady- ship's illness he was constantly there. When the marchioness breathed her last at 2.30 on Monday afternoon, almost the only near relative absent from the house was Major Lord Edward Cecil, who is with the forces at Mafeking, and this fact alone would indicate that the end was expected. The death of Lady Salisbury has cast a great gloom over Hatfield, where her unostentatious kind- ness and charity Were appreciated at their true worth. The tenants' ball, which usually takes place early in December, will probably be postponed or held elsewhere than at Hatfield House, and for many months to come the village will show signs of the mourning which it feels and the sorrow and sym- pathy for the bereaved family which have been evoked by her ladyship's death. The news of the death of the Marchioness of Salis- bury reached Windsor Castle by the evening, and messages of condolence with the Prime Minister in his bereavement were sent by the Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales. It is understood that the Queen, on hearing of Lady Salisbury's death. at once released the Premier from his obligation to attend the State banquet. In London the announcement of the death of Lady Salisbury was received with sincere regret, and with a feeling of profound sympathy with the Premier, whose bereavement falls upon him at an anxious political juncture. Immediately on hearing the sad intelligence the Lord Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of London, telegraphed to the Marquis of Salisbury, offering his most earnest condolence and sympathy. Georgina, Lady Salisbury, was a daughter of the late the Hon. Sir Edward Hall Alderson, a Baron of the Court of Exchequer, and her marriage with the Premier, then Lord Robert Cecil, took place in 1857, so that their wedded life has extended well over a period of 40 years. The deceased In.dy leaves five sons and two daughters, the former being Viscount Cranborne, M.P., the Rev. Lord William Cecil, rector of Bishop's Hatfield, Lord Robert Cecil, Q.C., Major Lord Edward Cecil, D.S.O., who is taking part with Colonel Baden-Powell in the gallant defence of Mafeking, and Lord Hugh Cecil. M.P. Of her two daughters the elder is the wife of Lord Selborne, Under-Secre- tary for the Colonies, and Lady Gwendolen Cecil is unmarried. Lady Salisbury was a Lady of the Imperial Order of the Crown of India, and a Lady of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert, these two decorations having been conferred upon her by the Queen. It ie to be noted as a melancholy coincidence that two of Lord Salisbury's colleagues in the Cabinet, Sir Matthew White-Ridlev and Mr. Goschen, have suffered a similar bereavement during the last 12 months.

IN view ot the lact. that. Major Giroimrd is to be General Buller's chief railway officer, it is interesting to notice that the author of The Soudan Campaign, 1896-99," declares that the success of the expedition was largely due to his speed and thoroughness in lay- ing out the line. PATRIOTISM takes many forms. In view of the war in the Transvaal a photographer announces his willing- ness to photograph sailors and soldiers in uniform free of charge, and to present a cabinet portrait to every- one accepting the oifer; while a hire system furnish- ing company gives notice that it will suspend pay- ments for goods to all Reserve men called out, and that, in the event of any of their customers being killed during the war, the company will forego the balance of the account and make a present of the whole of the goods to the widow or children. THE Manhattan Eye and Eur Hospital in New York possesses a novel surgical instrument intended to extract particles of iron and steel from the eye. It consists of a powerful electro-magnet mounted on a stand running on castors. When an operation is to be performed one end of the magnet is cautiously brought near the patient's eye. If a < piece of steel or iron is imbedded in the eyeball, the patient experiences a sharp pain as the metallic silver forces its way through the tissues and fli.e& to the magnet. The injury to the eye is said to be legs than that caused by using a knife. DURING the last 200 years England has spent over twelve hundred millions of money in war, which still means a payment of over twenty millions a year in interest on debt. But the naval wars of the future will be far more expensive than the land wars of the past. It is estimated that a naval action between 30 modern battleships would cost something like a million sterling an hour; and that a naval war between England, France, and Russia would cost a sum of money equal to the market value of every inch of English soil. I

SUCCESSFUL SUBMARINE BOAT. The submarine boat Goubet "has, according to advices from Toulou, gone successfully through her preliminary trili. J he uoat, with a crew of three men, runtained under wi<ter for ifve hoiirs without I accident, and though'the eioubct was hermetically sealed and the waves freq-iently covered her dome the crew jiuffered no il'-eff, ct i.

CHRISTMAS CHEER FOR THE HOSPITALS. The managers of the Santa Claus Society, are pre- paring for the 15th annual distribution of gifts to the adult and child patients in hospitals and infirmaries at Christmas time. Gifts of dolls, toys, clothes, games, books, wool and needles for knitting, &c., and donations to buy gifts, will be most gratefully received. The gifts are distributed to the patients as far as possible by friends interested in the society. The gifts received will be exhibited on Dec. 12 and 13, at Inglehome,Bishops wood-road, Hampstead-lane, Highgate. and a sale held for the benefit of the society. The society is under the patronage of the Baroness Burdett Coutts and Lady Lucy Hicks-Beach. All gifts to be sent to the Misses Charles Storuiont, Highgate. a

IN view of the recent exportation of the new quick-, firing Colt gun to the Cape, an interesting series of experiments for testing the time in which tha destruc- tive Wet pon can be taken to pieces and reconstructed, ready for use, has just teen held in London, before a large company of interested experts, an English- man managing to accomplish the feat in the extra- ordinary time of lmin. 39see. The Boers do not possess specimens of this gun, which only weighs 401b., and fires between 300 and 400 shots per minute. The range of the gun is nearly two miles. M. PADKRKWSKI, who has just completed his 39th year, was born in Poland. He displayed his musical abilities at a very early age, but it was not till after the death of his first wife that he seriously devoted himself to the profession. He is now probably the first of living pianists, and he is, in addition, a by no ,means indifferent composer. One of his fantasias WAS produced at the Norwich Festival in 1893, and be has composed a minuet which has been compared with the finest efforts of Mozart in this direction. M. Paderewski was married a second time a little while since. ONE of the strangest and most conservative of Christian communities is the settlement of monks and hermits on Mount Athos. According to a German scholar who visited the region not very long ago, there are 21 large monasteries, 11 villages, 250 cells, and 150 hermitages, which, together, accommo- date about 6000 persons. They represent all nations, but agree in Kving in perfect seclusion according to the rule of St. Basil. They are said t& be tolerant and hospitable, but no Moslem is allowed to settle in the, district. and DO woman may set foot on the mountain.

CURRENT SPORT. Saturday was the busiest day thus far in the season in connection with cross-country athletics in the South of England. At Oxford, the Oxford University Hare and Hounds beat the Blackheath Harriers by 13 points—21 to 34-although the losers supplied, in W. Manning, the first man home. The Cambridge University Hare and Hounds took two teams to London, the first contingent beating the Ranelagh Harriers by 20 points-or 19 points to 39-and supplying the first man home in W. Winterbotham, of King's, while the second team defeated the South London Harriers' second team by three points-or 26 points to 29-the losers supplying the first man home in H. P. Jones. At Hampton, the local barriers held a five miles open steeplechase, in which J. T. White, of the, Promoting Club, was the winner (with 3min. start), beating J. Binks, Unity A.C. (30sec. start), by a yard or so, after an exciting race. J. H. Fellows, C. H. Crowley, and G. W. Bishop accomplished a fine ride, on a triplet bicycle, at the Crystal, Palace :track, on Saturday, when they rode 50 miles in the fresh record time of 2h. Omin. 39 3-5sec., beating Clarke, Litchfield, and Little's previous best, which was made at Herne-hill over four years ago by 44 1-5sec. Fellows, Crowley, and Bishop rode without the assistance of pace-makers, and started on level ground, whereas the previous holders started from the top of the banking and were paced throughout. In Saturday's ride 26k miles were covered in the first hour. A motor cycle meet- ing was held, in the presence of a large number of spectators, later in the day, when the following events were decided: Five Miles Handicap: C. Jarrott (scratch), 1; C. Sangster (scratch), 2; and A. McCormack (scratch), 3. Won by three lengths; time, 8min. 59sec. Ten Miles Handicap: C. Sangster (1-3rd mile start), 1; J. W. Stocks (1-3rd mile), 2; and C. J. Wridgway (scratch), 3. Won by a length. Time, 18min. 1 2-5see. It is doubtful if any hockey club has ever possessed a team as strong as that which is now doing duty for Teddington. On Saturday, the Bushey Park eleven J were again in their best form, and Surbiton were beaten by four clear goals. Blackheath are showing their best form just now, so that Oxford University did well to effect a draw. Ealing gave East Sheen a rather better game than was expected. The revival of county lacrosse (remarks a writer in the Daily Chronicle) in the South of England on Saturday resulted in two very even games being played, and these close contests will do much to in- crease the interest in future fixtures. The most san- guine supporters of Surrey did not expect them to get within a goal of the strong Middlesex team at Wimbledon-park, for four of the men originally chosen were unable to turn out. However, after Middlesex had held a two to none advantage at half- time, Surrey later on led, at five to four, and even- tually were only beaten by six to five. Equally close was the match at Blackheath between Kent and Essex, and again the result was something of a sur- prise, as the home team were rather favoured, pro- bably on the strong form of Catford this season. An even first half left the score at three all, and the victory of Essex was only gained by five goals to four. Such was the density of the fog over the Midlands and North of England, on Saturday, that of the nine Association football matches set for decision in the League Championship only four were played out, that is excluding the Derby and Sunderland fixture, abandoned in the second half of the game. But amid the many disappointments from the weather there stood out prominently one feature of success — the clever victory of that very skilful side, Sheffield United. The United's football has been consistently excellent this season,, and away from home they gave another demonstration of their prowess on Saturday by beating Preston North End by one goal to none. Their success may have been well expected, from the fact that Preston have fared pretty badly this year; but the North End occa- sionally develop some of their old form, and, in addition to this, they had the advantage of playing at home. However, Sheffield won. and their victory gives them a lead of four points over Aston Villa, the two clubs having played an equal number of matches. Details: Preston North End v. Sheffield United: United won by one goal to none. Liverpool v. Atlton Villa: Drawn, three goals all. Burnley v. New- castle United: Newcastle won by three goals to one. Glossop v. Notts County: Nothing scored game drawn. Sunderland v. Derby County Game aban- doned through fog. Thick fog necessitated the postponement of the following games: Stoke v. J Bury, Notts Forest v. Manchester City, West Brom- wich Albion v. Blackburn Rovers, and Wolverhamp- ton Wanderers v. Everton. j The one second division match, Middlesbrough v. Loughborough, had to be postponed owing to fog. The Southern League.—Southampton v. Brighton United. Southampton won by four to one. Swindon v. Sheppey U nited,-Swindon won by four to none. Bristol City v. Cowes.—Bristol won by five to none. The Association Cup (Qualifying Competition Fourth Round).—Fog interfered with several ties in the North. The results of those played to, a finish were Millwall beat Chatham, at Millwall, by three to none. Luton beat Wat ford, at Luton, by three to two. Chesham beat Richmond Association by three to one. Reading beatMarlow by two to one. Queen's Park Rangers beat Civil Service by three to none. New Brompton v. Thames Ironworks drawn. Bristol Rovers v. Portsmouth drawn. 13ediiiinster beat Bristol East by four to one. Crewe Alexandra y. Burslem Port Vale drawn. South Shore v. Southport Central drawn. Chesterfield beat. Ilimsiet by six to none. Chorley v. Darwen drawn. Willington Athletic beat Bishop Auckland by two to none. Stalybridge Rovers beat Stockport; County by two to none. The Glasgow Cup. (Final Tie).—Glasgow Rangers Y. ceitic.-Rangers won by one to none. Other Matches.—Corinthians v. Queen's Park: Corinthians won by two to one. Old Corinthians v. Oxford University drawn. Old Westminsters v. Cambridge University drawn. London Welsh beat London Caledonians by one to none. Tottenham Hotspur beat Bolton Wanderers by four to none. With their victory of three goals and a try to a try over Gloucestershire, on Saturday, Devonshire made their position as champions of the west country division at the Rugby game pretty socure, for they had already beaten Cornwall; while Somerset, whom they meet on the 9th of next month, are not rated very good this season. Saturday's match was decided at the County Ground, Bristol, and was witnessed by 5000 people. Devon beat their opponents both forward and behind, and their tries were nearly all the work of a well-developed attack. Gloucester's last match (against Somerset) is fixed for Saturday next at Bath. The Yorkshire and Lancashire match at Keighley, on Saturday, after being begun, was aban- doned,, in consequence of fog, early in the second half of the game, there being no score. Neither Yorkshire nor Lancashire has been beaten this season. Rugby Club Mr. telies.-OXford University heat Har- j lequins by four goals and two tries to none. Cam- bridge University v. Blackheath, drawn. London Scottish beat Richmond by seven tries to none. Ken- sington beat Old Leysians by one goal and five tries to one try. Marlborough Nomads beat Croydon by two goals and one try to one goal. R.I.E.C. beat Old Merchant Taylors by one goal and two tries to one try. St.. Thomas's Hospital beat Rosslyn Park by one goal and two tries to one try. Lennox beat St. Bartholomew's Hospital by three goals and one try to none. Newport, Mon., beat Coventry by three goals and seven tries to none. Swansea beat Cardiff by two goals and two tries to none. Guy's Hospital beat Bedford by two goals and three tries to one goal. Manchester beat Liverpool by one goal and four tries to two goals and one try. Park House beat London Irish by one goal and one try to nene. Northampton beat Castbford by five goals and four tries to one goal and one try. A good many fixtures were abandoned owing to the fag,

THE GERMAN EMPEROR'S VISIT. The German Emperor and Empress, with two of their sons, arrived at Portsmouth on; board the, Imperial yacht Hohenzollern at ten o'clock on Mon- day morning. The Imperial party were attended' by a brilliant suite, which included Count von, Bulow, the German Imperial Foreign Secretary. The Hohenzollern was accompanied by the battle- ship Kaiser Friedrich III., the cruiser Hela, and a torpedo-boat destroyer, and was escorted into, Portsmouth Harbour by a squadron of eight British torpedo-boat destroyers. As she came up to the pier she was greeted with a salute from the special squadron stationed at Spithead, and the Emperor, who was standing on the bridge, was received with hearty cheering by the assembled spectators. About 1000 sailors of the Royal Navy and 1700 troops had been assembled on the jetty and adjoining railway viaduct, and the Duke of Connaught, who arrived at the harbour shortly before 10 o'clock, had the officers in command of the different detachments presented to him. As soon as the Hohenzollern had been laid alongside the jetty, the Duke of Connaught went on board, cordially welcomed the Emperor, and then greeted the Empress. After a few inutes conver- sation the Imperial party landed, and the Emperor inspected the military and naval guards of honour. The train left for Windsor at 11.25 a.m., and arrived there shortly before two p.m. The Imperial guests werfe met at the railway station by the Prince of Wales and several other members of the-Royal Faiijily, and were greeted by the Mayor of Windsors with a few words of welcome,, which the Emperor briefly and cordially acknowledged, and-, then, the j whole party were conveyed to the castle. | On the line of Carriages emerging into the prin- eipal thoroughfare the cheers of the people, who. were packed many deep along the route towards* the Long Walk, broke forth and were continuousy not the least enthusiastic were the many hundreds. who had hired sitting accommodation on hotel buloonies and in the windows of leading tradesmen at fa<¥ly"higlf prices. The girls of the British Orphan Asylum at Sloflg'h'were massed at Castie Hill-road, and joined vigorously in the popular plaudits. A curious but pardonable e'tTbr- was made by t I(filrt some of the multitude. Under the impression ititht-ithe Emperor wa one of the ocoupa-its of the tirst. carriage, they cheered: th-a.fr4" particular vehicle with might and main, but suffered their energies to flag when the carriage actually con- taining the Queen's guest-appeared at the end. Across the lower-end of High-street was a banner of blue silk, bearing two ihscriptiohs^ "Windsor j heartily Welcomes the German Emperor "a'ft'd Empress," and. "May we always latter of these so impressed his Majesty that in passing he dilected the Prince of Wales's attention specially to it. The Kaiser was certainly not sparing in his acknowledgments of the popular greeting. Short as the route was, he not only repeatedly saluted, hot several times rose from his seat the better to emphasise his appreciation of the public expression of goodwill. A second guard of honour-was posted within the cnstle quadrangle, stretching diagonally from the Queen's private entrance, near which the band was stationed, towards tho grand entrance, where their Imperial Majesties' suite were to alight from the quadrangle. The public were excluded, but this did not prevent very considerable numbers gathering on ad jacent spaces, and even on the Round Towr. from which, of course, a perfectly uninter- view was obtainable. As the escort passed ander the gateway the National Anthem was played, followed by the Duke of York's March." The head of the procession, turning to the left. swept round 0 the qtuidrangle, but the carriages in which the Emperor and Empress rode turned sharply to the right., drawing up at, the spot already indicated. Her Majesty he Queen received her Imperial guests at the hoad of the grand staircase, and, of course, quite privately. A few moments elapsed, and then the Emperor raippeared; accompanied by the Prince of Wnles, the Duke of Connatiglit (who wits in the full dress of the Prussian Hussars, and the Duke of York-. While a tattoo was played the Kaiser inspected the guard of honour, and this con- ohuled the ceremonial of the day, the Imperial party afterwards entering the State apartments for luncheon. Shortly after luncheon the Queen drove out. with the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of York. The Emperor, accompanied by the Prince of "Vales and the Duke of Connaught, took a walk in the Great Park, his Majesty having exchanged his naval uniform for civilian dress. The Empress and her sons also walked out, returning to the castle befoie dusk. In the course of the afternoon the Kaiser made a visit of inspection to the armoury. The Duke of Cambridge returned to town in the evening. At the Queen's family dinner last night in the Oak Room at the Castle covers were laid tor 19, namely, her Majesty the Queen, the Emperor and Empress, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, Prince and Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, Princess Henry of Battenburg, the Duke and Duchess of York, Princess Victoria of Wales, Prince Arthur of Connaught, Princess Margaret of Connaught., Prince Albert of Scli!esw;g-Holstein, Princess Victoria of Schloswig-Holstcin, and the Prince and Princess Aribert of AnliElIt.

TRANSVAAL AND PRIVATEERING. There have been constant rumours that tho South African .Republic is about to issue letters of marque to privateers for the purpose of capturing or destroy- ing British vessels. If such a plan has been seriously -entertained, it seems to us that its originators must have come to the conclusion that there are difllcul- I ties, both legal and practical, which render it quite unfeasible. In the first place, as the Transvaal has neither ports nor sea board, any privateer would have to be equipped in neutral territory. To permit this would on the part of any State be a breach of neutrality, which, especially if the State were bound by the Declaration of Paris, it would hesitate to commit. Then, again, it is difficult to conceive how a privateer, using the ports of any State, could comply with the "aws or customs regulations of the State as to ship's papers, unless it sailed under a neutral flag for there is no Transvaal port to which a ship can belong. And it is olear that any ship sailing under a neutral flag and committing acts of depredation on English ships on the high sea would be deemed a pirate, and that those engaged in the enterprise would be liable to the penalty of death.— Law Journal.

THE new battleship U»nopu8 IS to be fitted witu Marconi's system of wireless telegraphy. IN the Pathological Institute at Berlin University Professor Verchow was recently presented with a beautifully illuminated address, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his occupation of the profes- sorial chair. A RECENT estimate states that there are in this country some 540 women editors, authors, and journalists, and of these a well-known publisher has declared I hat five have an income of 4:4000 a year. In journalism women have met with immense success. At least one lady journalist receives a salary of £700 a year, and there are not a few who have no difficulty in making from F-300 to R-W. The last census in the United States showed that lh?re were no fewer than 3000 women engaged in as apart from journalistic, work.

FORBIDDEN GUNS FOR INDIA. Severe comment was passed at the last meeting of the Birmingham and Provinciul Gunmakers' Union upon a notification from the Government prohibiting the entry into India of arms and ammunition of certainl sizes. Mr. W. Hughes, the chairman, attri- buted the restrictions to losses by theft from Govern- ment stores of ammunition which happened to be suit- able for guns of a certain kind. But it was, he con- tended, unfair to penalise the gun trade because of the inability of the Government, to protect its own pro- perty. This notification, following the prohibition of sending firearms to Persia, was another serious blow to the gunmaking industry.

THE HURRICANE IN THE WEST INDIES IN 1898. Further correspondence has been published in, a blue-book (C—9550, in continuation of C—9205), relating to the hurricane in the West Indies. bom September 10 to 12, 1898, and the relief of the distress caused thereby. Altogether 68 despatches, telegrams, and reports are now printed, which passed between Mr. Chamberlain. Sir C. A. Moloney, Governor of the Windward Islands, the- Governor and Acting Governor of Barbadoes, Mr. Thompson, Administrator of St. Vincent, the Crown Agents for the Colonies and Mr. W. J. Soulsby, C.B., of the Mansion House Relief Fund. The correspondence ranges in date from October 24, 1898, to August 30; 1899. It. affords stiiking testimony to the devoted and successful efforts made by a number of persona to mitigate the widespread distress caused by the hurricane. Thus, writing to Mr. Chamberlain on October 24, 1898, Sir C. A. Moloney refers in the following terms to the exertions of Mrs. Thomp- son. wife of the Administrator of St. Vincent "The work that has been accomplished by Mrs. Thompson with her willing band of lady assistants has afforded, and continues to afford, considerable comfort to the distressed people of this island. At the expense of her own convenience and health, and with unflagging energy and patience, Mrs. Thompson has devoted her entire days to this noble work, also to visiting the hospitals and sufferers in the country districts, and has by so doing in no small way pro- moted the peaceful and contented spirit and resigna- tion with which the people are bearing their losses* From the very first Mrs. Thompson's action has been beyond all praise, and I would beg respectfully to suggest that her heroic cohduct be brought to the notice of her Majesty, that some recognition of her valuable services be made, if it may please her Majesty to graciously confer a mark of her Royal favour on one of her most deserv- ing and exemplary subjects." Mrs. Thomp- son herself, writing to the Governor, gives the names of all her assistants, acknowledging par- ticularly the aid rendered by Lady Moloney. In a despatch dated April 4 last, Mr. Chamberlain com- municates to Sir C. A. Molony the appointment of Mrs. Thompson to be an honorary Associate of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England, and also expresses his warm appreciation of the services rendered by Lady Molony and the ladies of Grenada in relieving the distress in St. Vincent. Sir A. C. Moloney also drew Mr. Chamberlain's attention to the valuable work done by Dr. W. F. Newsam, colonial surgeon of St. Vincent, bnd his medical staff, Mr. E. D. Laborde, chief of the St. Vincent police, Lieutenant F. Owen H. Lewis, the Governor's aide-de-camp, and Mr. F. W. Griffith, chief clerk in the Government office. In reply, Mr. Chamberlain asked the Governor to communicate to all these gentlemen his high appreciation of the good work done by them.

PRINCE LOUIS NAPOLEON. The Czar, it appears, refuses to grant a long fur- lough to Prince Louis Napoleon, who is a Major- General in the Russian Army. Prince Victor's brother did not specify that the object of his request was to take service against England in the Transvaal, and Nicholas II. merely replied that the absence of so brilliant an officer at this moment might be wrongly interpreted. The Prince, who is staying with his aunt, Princess Mathilde, has left Paris for St. Petersburg. Lieutenant Galopaud, attached to toe garrison of Auch, has sent in his resignation to the Minister of War, and is now on his way to join Genera! Joubert, who has offered him a colonelcy in his cavalry. A score of young men have left the little town of Lec- toure, in the Gers department, to enrol themselves in the Boer Army. The recruiting at the offices of the two Paris Com- mittees does not progress. A private notice has been issued to the students, reminding them that enlist- } ment in a foreign army without special permission- from the Government entails certain penalties and- the loss of civic rights.

WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA. ARMOURED TRAIN FIGHT.-BRAVE BKH AYIOUR OF MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL. SIEGE OF LADYSMITH A STUBBORN RESISTANCE. TCGELA BRIDGE BLOWN UP. COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE TROOPS. THE HORRORS OF WAR: THRILLING DETAILS OF THE FIGHTING. ARMOURED TRAIN FIGHT. The 'following telegram from General Buller was feceived by the War Office: CAPE Tows, November 16. I have received from Hildvard, Pietermaritzburg, a telegram dated November 15, of which the follow- ing is the purport: The Officer Commanding the troops at Estcourt reports midday that armonred train left Estcourt this morning with one company Dublin Fusiliers, one company Durban Volunteers; north of Frere they encountered a party of Boers and began to withdraw; while retiring some trucks were derailed, and the company of Dublin Fusiliers was turned out. They then advanced towards the enemy, while the rest of the train appears to have returned without them to Estcourt. The Officer Commanding the troops reports that he was sending mounted troops in order to cover withdrawal, but that about 100 men were then missing. Following telegram received from General, pietermaritzburg: November 15.—Following list of casualties in armoured train engagement near Estcourt to-day: Killed.—Private J. Espeland, C Company, Durban .Light Infantry. Wounded.-Dublin Fusiliers, A Company: 5263 Private C. Johnston, severe; 5826 Private J. Flood, slight; 5914 Private T. Coyle, severe. Durban Light Infantry, C Company: Private Jarkks, slight; Colour-Sergeant G. Cumming, slight; Private A. Smith, slight; Corporal A. Dickie, slight; Orderly-Room Sergeant J. Bond (?) slight; Private J. Christie, slight; Private R. Brunill, slight; Private H. Webb, slight; Private J. W. Hatten, slight; Private Paxton, slight; Private J. A. Murdock, ttight; Private T. Cold beck, severe; Foreman plate- layer C. Goodfrey, slight. Maintenance Department: ,j". Bramley, slight; W. Jallow, slight. Missing.—Dublin Fusiliers:—Captain J. A. Ealdane, Gordon Highlandars (attached); Second Lieutenant F. H. C. Franckland; 3672 Sergeant Edward Hassett, 5114 Corporal Henry Hallahan, 5800 Private Edward Buckley, 6293 Private Charles Kempster, 5499 Private Patrick Bryne, 4497 Private James Barry, 5755 Private Lawrence Dunphy, 5741 Private James Dwyer, 5256 Private Martyr Kavanah, 4691 Private Thomas OMorke, 5676 Private Denis Buckley, 5958 Private Bernard Glynn, 5057 Private Martin Kirwan, 5058 Private Martin Pakenhan, 5239 Private Patrick Thomas Murray, 5210 Private Thomas Rice, 5329 Private Thomas Stanton, 5792 Private Michael Balfe, 5316 Privato Owen Daly, 6516 Private Bartholomew Scully, 5031 Private John Birney, 5697 Private Thomas Davis, 5297 Private John Drew, 5841 Private William Hoy,6287 Private Thomas Lynch, 5908 Private Thomas Murphy, 6308 Private William Connell, 6116 Private Owen Harty, 6368 Private J. Mechan, 5297 Private James Mogan, 8319 Private Charles Burke, 4676 Private Michael Driscoll, 4565 Private George Reynolds, 6354 Private William Sheridan, 5310 Private Samuel Black, 3715 Sergeant J. Osborne, 4443 Drummer W. Hoey. The following liet of able seamen reported missing in connection with the attack on the armoured train near Estcourt has been issued by the Admiralty: Walter Thompson, George Moog, Ernest John Read, and Christopher Connor. All four belonged to her Majesty's cruiser Tartar. GALLANT BEHAVIOUR OF MR. WINSTON i CHURCHILL. The following letter has been forwarded to the teneral manager of the railways by Inspector Camp- bell, of the Natal Government Railways, writing on behalf of the railway employes who escaped with the armoured train: "Sir,—The railway men who accompanied the armoured train this morning ask me to convey to rou their admiration of the coolness and pluck displayed by Mr. Winston Churchill, the war Correspondent, who accompanied the train, and to whose efforts, backed up by those of the driver Wagner, is due the fact that the armoured engine and tender were brought successfully out, after being hampered by the derailed trucks in front, and that it became possible to bring the wounded in here. The whole of our men ace loud in their praises of Mr. Churchill, who, I regret to say, has been taken pri- soner. I respectfully ask you to convey their ad- miration to a brave man." The brave driver Wagner it gauffering from a scalp wound caused by the frag- ment of a shell, but the injury is not ssrious. The railway men missing are David Young, W. Kuter, W. M :ln, and M. Branaghan. 'Several of the men had marvellous escapes. When Mr. Winston Churchill requested Captain Wylie to call for volunteers to remove the truck which had Iteen upset the Boer ^bullets (says Reuter's special correspondent) were dropping on the train like rain. Nevert heless the men all through stuck to their work, responding gallantly to the noble examples set by Lieutenant Franckland and Mr. Winston Churchill until line was cleared. Mr. Winston Churchill actually left with the engine, look- ing. after the wounded, but got out at Prere, Lite next station, and took a rifle from one of the wounded soldiers, saying he could not leave the oth-r wounded. He then hurried back in the direction of the enen,y. Sergeant, E. Hassett, of the Li 11 Dublin Fusiliers, also behaved with great gallantry. After the accident to the train he took charge of the firing party and stood up unflinchingly facing the hot fire which the Boers poured in, issuing his orders to his men like a true soldier. His example inspired the Fusiliers with heroic determination, and for some time, firing volley alter volley, they kept the enemy at bay. Captain Haldane, of the Gordon Highlanders (at- tached). feH early in the engagement, shot through the shoulder. Lieutenant Franckland's conduct is spoken of in the highest terms. He exhibited the utmost, coolness during the most, critical period of the unequal contest. He is among those reported missing. The shower of Mauser bullets was so heavy that one private after being struck down dug a hole in the ground for his head. Lieutenant Alexander had an exciting experience. One of the Dublin Fusiliers was shot by a shell in the arm. The shattered limb swung round and hit Lieutenant Alexander on the neck, almost smother- ing hitniu blood. The shell at the same moment burst. in front of him on a level with his face. He was staggered and blinded for an instant. When he recovered his self-possession he saw a comrade lying j dead at tis feet, while he h; nisei f had escaped un- i harmed. Private Coyle, of the Dublin Fusiliers, has had I his right arm amputated. When I saw him (con- tinues Renter's correspondent; he was smoking and I doing well. Privatt3 Cavanagh, Dublin Fusiliers, performed aplendid work. When the firing line fell back he time a ter time rallied his comrades, who by firing Volleys prevented the horse-shoe line of the enemy fcom enveloping the train. THE SIEGE OF LADYSMITH. Some interesting details have been received in Pietermaritzburg by runner from Ladysmith of the fighting which took place there from the 9th to the 14th inst. On the 9th the Boers made a determined attack on the town. Their artillery opened a h--i).vv fire about four a.m., and under cover of this their troops advanced along the kopjes and ridges adjacent to the British positions. The main attack was between the Free State and Newcastle lints, where the position was defended by the King's Royal Rifles and Rifle; Brigade. The Boers had dug a trench in open ground, and from 'hia they retired to bring up their liorses. The Rifle Brigade promptly occupied the trench, and when the enemy reappeared poured volley after volley into then». The Boers, as they retreated, were shelled, and lost heavily. The Manchester Regiment found seteral hundred Boers hi iing from our shell lire in a ditch to the south-ei^t. and opened fire on them at a few hundred yards' range, inflicting further severe loss, The enemy su'Jered so severely in this action that up to the 11th they had not attempted anything further i hey end desultory shell fire. On that day a success- tal reconnaisance drove back the Boers on fhe right new (Jo'enso road. The Lyddite shells are re- ported to have had a Tuost terrifying effect on the Been, who are also said to be suffering greatly from dysentery. An official telegram from Cape Town states that reports were received from Ladysmith on November 12 and 18 to the effect that all was well. j BOER ADVANCE ON ESCOC'RT REPULSED. The advance of the enemy on Estcourt, of which ttwe have been indications for two or three days past, '•cok a definite shape on Saturday morning, When various bodies, numbering from 500 to 700, j were E moving on the place I rom the north-wea. j The British forcrs at once stood to arms, and alter i some outpost firing a naval gun discharged a shell at «X) yar.J « range, which caused the Boers to retire flurried' 7. Lieutsuant-General Sir C. F. Clery has j assumed command of the British forces south o; LacivsLuith. TUGELA BRIDGE DESTROYED. A Transvaal official journal states that the bridge over the Tugela near Colenso was completely destroyed on Thursday of last week. BOMBARDMENT OF KIMBERLEY. A despatch from Kimherley, dated November 11, reports a brisk bombardment on that day, which did nor, however, do much mischief. The besiegers appear to have abandoned any idea of assaulting the place, and are confining their operations to shell fire and the destruction of the railway line. CAPE COLONY.—LORD METHUEN'S ADVANCE. Lord Methuen, who is in command of the British troops in the north of Cape Colony, has almost com- pleted his arrangements for the advance of the column intended to relieve Kimberfey. The Free State Boers have followed up their occupation of Aliwal North by taking possession of Jamestown and other places in that neighbourhood. Their com- mander has proclaimed the annexation of the dis- trict, and they have been joined by a small number of the Colonial Dutch. Sir W. Gatacre, with his staff and the Irish Riiles, arrived at Queenstown on Saturday. THE BASUTOS. The Basutos are still quiet, but restless, and the attitude of the chief Joel is doubtful. The Boers i are spreading false reports of British disasters through Basutoland. BOERS DESPERATE. The Times Cape Town correspondent describes the general condition of the Boers as desperate. Nearly all the male population capable of bearing arms, down to boys of 13, has now been called out. The failure of their plan for rushing" Natal and getting possession of Durban has completely discon- certed their projects. MORE TRANSPORTS ARRIVE. Several more transports, with troops and supplies from England, have reached Cape Town, and the Oriental and Manila have arri ved at Durban. THE DEFENCE OF MAFEKING. The following has been received at Bulawayo (says the Times correspondent) from Colonel Baden- Powell Mafeking, November 5.—All well. We have had a few successful sorties. Our losses are two officers and 17 men killed, 29 men wounded, and four officers slightly wounded. The enemy have lost heavily. The enemy's numbers are decreasing, but their guns remain and shell us, keeping out of the range of our small guns. We have had no news from outside since October 20. "November 6.—We are all right here. The enemy continue to push their trenches and gun en- placements nearer and to shell us daily. Our casual- ties are trifling, and the health and spirits of the garrison are very good." A hundred volunteers and 25 police left here on the 11th for Magalapye, the present base of the armoured trains. All is quiet at Tuli. THE ARMOURED TRAIN LOSSES. A Boer version of the fight (according to a Lorenzo Marques message) with the armoured train from Estcourt, near Colenso, on Wednesday of last week states that two British were killed and 10 wounded, and that 56 were taken prisoners, including Mr. Winston Churchill. The Boers had five men slightly wounded. The prisoners, it is added, left General Jonbert's headquarters camp for Pretoria on Friday morning of last week. COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE TROOPS. The War Office has issued the following notice PARCELS, &C., FOR OFFICERS OR MEN ON ACTIVE SER- VICE IN SOUTH AFRICA. 1. Parcels, &c., for corps or individuals serving in South Africa cannot be received at the War Office. 2. Customs duties will not ^be charged in Cape Colony or Natal on tobacco, &c., addressed to officers ind men serving there. 3. It is recommended, as more satisfactory to the tenders when the size permits, that they should transmit the parcels by parcel post addressed to the consignee. 4. If sent carriage paid to the Embarking Staff Officer, Empress Dock, Southampton, boxes or parcels will be forwarded without charge at the sender's risk by the first transport in which room is ivailable. 5. The War Depertment cannot, however, under- take any responsibility for the distribution in South Africa, but every effort will be made to carry out the distribution as expeditiously as possible. 6. If the consignment is one for distribution to troops by the General Oflicer Commanding it should be addressed as follows: Tobacco (or whatever it consists of) for the troops in South Africa. The Embarking Staff Officer, Empress Dock, South- ampton. To be forwarded to the General Officer Commanding Lines of Communication, Cape Town (or Natal, as may be desired), for distribution. If for individuals it should be addressed The officer, N.C.O., or man, with rank, name (number), and corps, Field Force, South Africa. CAMPAIGN STORIES FROM TTIM LETTERS OF THE WAR CORRESPONDENTS. The mail has brought fuller accounts of the jarlier stages of the campaign in Natal. z, 11 The Times correspondent, in an admirable letter, says that "the storming of Talana Hill will always be remembered as one of the greatest achievements in the long roll of the great achieve- ments of British infantry. It has laid the founda- tions on which our military prestige, in South Africa alone non-existent, can now be reared." BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER. One feature of the war, says the Teleg raph's corre- spondent, is that relatives are, often against their will, engaged on opposite sides, and some hundreds have been compelled to fight against their own country. We have a prisoner at Maritzburg, one of three brothers named Impey, who have a sister married to a Natal merchant. They were com- mandeered, and one of them was killed in action at Elandslaagte, another severely wounded, and the third captured. PAT CHANGES SIHF.8, An Irishman, who was one of the Boer mercenaries, cleverly changed sides before the battle. A body of the Imperial Light Horse were approaching the railway station. Pat might have escaped, but he thought better of it. Why," said he, there's my brother in the squadron. I'm off. I'm hanged if I am going to fight against my own relations." The readiness with which he discovered a brother at a distance-a :really distant relation—was equalled by the nimbleness with which he exchanged his own scraggy pony for a good horse that was standing by, and then rode off to join the Light Horse. A HORSH FOR A CIGARETTE. After the fight at Elandslaagte scores of riderless horses were careering around. Their masters had in many cases no more need of them. Tommy Atkins suddenly became a dealer. Horse and saddle and bridle went in many an instance for 5s., or 10s., or 20s. But the lowest price of all was reached when a Highlander sold his prize for a cigarette. "NO BREAKFAST, NO MAN?" The battle of Talana Hill was fought in drizzling rain, and the men had to go through their eight hours' fighting without their breakfast. SYMONDS'S LAST ORDER. It was in the wood just at the bottom of the hill that General Symonds fell. He had galloped up to tell his men that the hill must be taken. Through- out the morning he had exposed himself, perhaps unnecessarily, his position always being marked by the red flag carried by a Lancer orderly. MOUNTED INFANTRY. After the battle was over Boer ponies were gallop- ing about, and one of the humorous sights of the day was men of the Dublin Fusiliers gaily riding iback from the battle on these captive steeds. IT WAS AWFUL." The victory (says the Times correspondent) was well worth the price that was paid for it. The impression made on the Boers, both by our artillery and infantry, was enormous; One wounded prisoner declared that he had had union experience of Kaffir wars, but this was quite a different business it was awful THE IIORROR3 OF WAR. Mr. G. W. Steevens, special correspondent of the Daily Mail, describes in a very vivid manner the ter- rible scenes that followed upon the battle. Slung in a blanket came a captain, his wet hair matted over his forehead, brow and teeth set, lips twitching as they put him down, gripping his whole soul to keep it from crying out. He turned with the beginning of a smile that would not finish Would you mind straigthening out my arm ?" The arm was bandaged above above the elbow, and the forearm was hooked under him. A man bent over-and suddenly it was ,dark Here, bring back that lantern!" but the intern was staggering uphill again ta fetch the next, Oh, do straighten out my arm," wailed the voice from the ground. And cover me up. I'm perishing with cold." Here's matches I" And 'ere; I've got a bit of candle." Where ?" "Oh, do straighten out my arm "'Ere, 'old out your 'and." Got it," and the light flickered up again round the broken figure, and the arm was laid straight. As the touch came on to the clammy fingers he met something wet and red, and the prone body quivered 3 1ofer "What," said the weak voice-the smile struggled to come out again, but dropped back even sooner than^ before —" have they got my finger too ?" Then they covered up the body with a blanket, wringing wet, and left it to soak and shiver. And that was one out of more tbftn 200. For houn-.and by now 1 it W33 a month of nights-every man with handsand legs toiled up and down that ladder of pain. By heaven's graca the Boers had filled their waggons with the loot of many stores; there were blankets to carry men in. and mattresses wherein to lay them. THE COLONIAL DUTCH.—IMPUDENT MANIFESTOES. The Tones special correspondent at Estcourt, telegraphing on Sunday, says that the Boers on Saturday raided many farms in the neighbourhood of that place p.nd twisted the rails on the line two Riiles north. They were quiet on Sunday, but were believed to be still working round. The Standard and Diggers' Arcws of November 11 admits that the Boers sustained a reverse at Ladysmith on the 9th. General Lord Methuen's column for the relief of Kimberley was completely concentrated on Sunday, and will begin its advance within the next few days. The enemy continue active in the districts of Aliwal North and Colesberg, and on the 15th their commando at Colesberg held a demonstration with a view of enlisting the support of the colonial Dutch. The commandant delivered a speech in which he declared that the time had come when the people of the colony must make common cause with the Republics for the achieve- ment of South African independence, and he read a manifesto to the same purport from President Steyn. Very few of the Boers of the district, however, showed a disposition to respond to these appeals, and the enemy declared that they must be com- mandeered for service. Commandeering of horses, provisions, and stores of all kinds is being carried on throughout the district. There has been some skirmishing between outposts in the vicinity of Orange River, but no fighting of importance has yet taken place. It is reported that the Boers intend to concentrate at Donkerpoort to resist the British advance. Mr. Schreiner, the Cape Premier, has issued an intimation that the burgher forces of the colony will not be called out, but that all citizens are expected to remain loyal to the Queen. A Lorenzo Marques telegram says that the machinery of two mines at Johannesburg which had been closed down has been wrecked. The damage is estimated at 4:10,000. Five more transports 1. with troops, transport, and stores, arrived at Cape, Town on Monday.

.LADYSMITH u JUSTlCEi" ENGLISHMAN'S GRAVE STORY. Recent events in South Africa, the glamour of War, and the distance tempt us to forgetHkat our countrymen in the colonies, who, happily, are not always fighting, have itiuck,,bhesameotroubles. as we at home. Englishmen .a.øe-. Englishmen the world over; tellers of the truSh and haters?df injustice beyond some other nations that might-be -mamedi and these national characteristics lend weight to a story that came from Natal just before the war. sMr.1 W. A. C. Bester is aJ«stace of the Peae. for IlOy- smith, and he told somejgraveexperiences: For a long time," said-be, when interviewed, "I suffered from very poorchealth.' I always: fett tiredy was afflicted with swollen and very painful legs, which made it difficult for me to walk; and also with severe bilious headaches. Often I felt so bad that I had to leave my work and go to the house to lie down and I think that others, not so active as myself, would have given in altogether and taken to bed. Very often when I walked I became so giddy that I felt like falling in fact, I did fall twice. On one occasion, I remember, in particular, I had gona out early in the morning to kill an ox, and I felt so bad afterwards that I fell down, and my KAFFIRS HAD TO ASSIST me to the house. Indigestion also caused me a great deal of suffering. Needless to say, I consulted the doctor and took the medicine he prescribed for me, but with no good effect. Afterwards, having read in the newspapers of the cures effected in England and abroad by Dr. Williams' pink pills, I tried them, and although the, first hot did me only a little good, after using three boxes I felt that I was getting better. For some time longer I went on with Dr. Williams' pink pills, and they completely and permanently cured me of the indigestion and torpid liver which occasioned the trouble. For the last two years I have not felt a touch of my old complaints. My son-in-law, I may also state, was afflicted with neuralgia, and, acting on my advice, he used Dr. Williams' pink pills for pale people, which were recommended as a nerve tonic. He used to suffer terrible pain from neuralgia in the head; fiB WAS TORTURED so that he could neither eat nor sleep, and felt thoroughly miserable. The pills did him an immense amount of good, and when I saw him last he could eat, work, and sleep admirably. He was a man again, and a strong one. What is my opinion of Dr. Williams' pink pills ? Well, I have no hesitation in saying that I am convinced, providing they are properly used, they are certain to prove most bene- I ficial in cases like mine.

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FOUR CHILDREN BURNED TO DEATH. Early on Monday morning a fire broke out at 32, Watson-street, Plaistow, which resulted in the death of four children and the gutting of the premises. The house was in the occupation of a man named Kramer and his wife and five children, a sixth, the eldest, a boy of about 16. living in a house close by. On Sunday evening Air. and Mrs. Kramer went out to pay a visit to some friends at Poplar, leaving the house in charge of Conway Kramer, a boy of about 13, who under- took to look after the four youngest children, whose ages ranged from eight to two. Soon after midnight the place was found to be on fire. The boy Conway, the first to be- alarmed, took his two little brothers downstairs, but the frightened children ran upstairs again. Neighbours were called, and a message was sent to the street fire sta- tion in The Broadway, Tlaistow. and then to the chief West Ham Stations. Meanwhile, Henry Chappell, a lireman, hurried on to Watson-street with the fire escape, but this was found to be of no use, for the front rooms of the house were full of flames; As soon as he learned that there were children in the house, Ohappell rushed up the stairs. Met by dense volumes of smoke, bo went on all fours and managed to get to the middle room on the first floor. Hero he caught sight, of the feet of two children, and succeeded in pulling one child towards him. Going backwards downstairs, he handed his burden to a civilian. Then, without an instant's delay, the plucky fellow went upstairs again, and, forcing his way through the heat and smoke, brought the second boy however., eventually,succuiub«d to their injuries. While Chappell was engaged in the work of rescue the firemen had got to work on the flames, but the house of five rooms was burned out. When the heat had subsided the two girls were- found in the front room, both dead. The cause of the fire is supposed to be the explosion of a tin paraffin lamp.

A MOTOR-PROPELLED LIFEBOAT, tried by the United States authorities at the Marquette life-saving sta- tion is 34ft. long. At each end it has large water- tight compartments, and similar comparLments on and under the decks bring the boat right side up after bein» overturned. Forward is a tank for hold- ing 75 gallons of gasoline, which is used by a 12- horse power, three cylinder engine at the other end of the boat., a pipe conveying the gasoline to the engine cylinders, where it is ignited by sparks from from an electric battery. The oil-storage is sufficient for a 280-mile run. At the trials a speed of seven miles an hour was obtained. The engine was stopped, reversed, and. started backward at full speed in 20 800., and the boat turned in -a circle of 60ft. diameter in 75sec. The builders claim that the engine would work upside down. This point--was not tested.

THE QUEEN AND HER SOLDIERS. A PERSONAL GIFT. The Secretary of State for War has receiveed the following letter front Sir Fleetwood Edwards: Windsor Castle, Nov. 19, 1899. DEAR LORD LANDSOOWNE,—The Queen commands me to inform you of her anxiety to make some little personal present as soon as possible to each of her soldiers serving in South Africa. Her Majesty has decided upon sending chocolate, which, she is given to understand, will be appro- priated and acceptable. It will be packed for"awh man in a tin that has been specially designed for the occasion. The Queen hopes that you may be able to arrange for its conveyance and distribution. g-0 Believe me, yours very truly, FLEETWOOD J, EDWARDS. The Marquis of Lansdowne, K.G. Some particulars as to the Christmas and New Year gift of her Majesty the Queen to soldiers and sailors at the front can now be given. Her Majesty intends to present to each man a tin containing half a pound of chocolate. One-third of the tins-namely, 30,000, are being made by Messrs. Hudson, Scott, and Son, lithographic printers, Carlisle, and the remaining two- thirds by other firms. The boxes are to be adorned with a decorative design, and will constitute an inte- resting souvenir, not only of the kindness of heait of her Majesty the Queen, but also of the trials and triumphs of an arduous campaign. On the top of the lid is an embossed head of the Queen, and at the sides there are the monogram V. R. I., surmounted by a crown and the words "South Africa," with the date 1900." The choco- late will be of the best quality, and will be supplied by well-known firms. The tins will be made without delay, so that no time may be lost in sending them off to South Africa. The Queen's order for a hundred thousand boxes of chocolate for the troops has been divided among the firms of Cadbury, Fry, and Rowntree. The chocolate, which will be suitable either as a beverage or a sweetmeat, will be supplied in tin boxes, each containing half a pound—a quantity sufficient to make from 12 to 16 cups. A special box has been designed. The lid will have a red ground, with a large gilt medallion of the Queen in the centre, as weli as the Royal monogram in red, white, and blue, and the inscription, South Africa, 1900."

BRITISH SOLOMON1 ISLANDS A MOUNTAINEERING EXPEDITION. Sir G, T. M. O'Brien, the High Commissioner te the Western Pacific, has sent to the Colonial Office, under date June 30, the latest report of the Resi- dent Commissioner on the British Solomon, Islands Protectorate. It is just published, and contains a lengthy account of an expedition he made, occupy- ing sevea days, into the interior of the island of Guadalcanar, from the south coast, with the object of ascending the high peak of Mount Lammas, stated to be 8008 feet high. Mount Lammas was stated by Captain Denham, of H.M.S. Herald, to be 8008 feet high, and to be situated in latitude 9deg. 44min. S. and longitude IGOdeg. E. It has generally been í supposed to be the highest. The Commissioner says: eB I The expedition failed in its-main object for several reasons, the first feeing that it was- uncertain which peak really was Mount Lannnas, secondly that the Mount Lammas of Captain Denham i* incorrectly t placed upon the chart, thirdly that the peak which I supposed to be the Mount Lammas of Denham and Shbrtland is not the highest peak upon Guadal- canal the neighbouring conspicuous-mountain range of Kavo being certainly several hundred feet higher, and lastly, because it was, found, impossible, with the resources at our disposal, to carry sufficient food for an absence from the coast of more than one I week, going and coming. The expedition, such as it was, however, may be considered an entire success. The natives met with, although at first extremely shy, were eventually most friendly, and this, it rausfc not bo forgotten, in a district only a few miles dis- tant from the place where the Austrian expedition, belonging to the warship Albtltro, was attacked with such unfortunate results in 1896, the facts, of which were well known to the bwsh natives, with whom we came in contact. The botanical results of the trip proved to be not altogether devoid of inte- rest, and tend to show that the conditions- at an altitude of from about 4000ft. to 6000ft. in the Solomons are much the same as, those encountered by Sir William MacGregor in New Guinea at similar altitudes. The experience gained on the present expedition will make it easy to, aohieve the ascent of the Kavo range at a future time in fact, except for the want of food, we could have reached Kavo, in about another day and a-half from the point where we turned back. After giving an account of che progress of the ex- pedition during the first five days, he says Close to our huts I had noticed two strange-looking cylind- rical holes in the ground. These were about 3ft. in diameter, and about the same in depth. The natives told me they were the holes- made by wild dogs, and that a pack of about 60 used formerly to frequent the mountain. They were said-to hunt in company, and had been known to attack and kill men. Some time ago the natives organised a hunting party, and either killed or dispersed them. I afterwards came upon more of these dog holes, some of which were enlarged at the bottom like an, inverted funnel. The following morning, as- soon a& we had had breakfast, Mr. Svensen and myself, with two natives, started for the top of Popomanasiu, which we believed we could reach in an hour, leav- ing the remainder of the party in camp. There was no track, but the bush was a little less dense, but still covered with the growth of moss, if possible thicker than when we passed through the day before. In our, ascent of Popopanasiu I noticed some extremely pretty. orchids., both terrestrial and epiphytical, one especially of a mauve eolour, grow- ing on the branches of low trees. Some of these I successfully transported to Sydney. His account of the prospect from, the mountain top states that: Immediately at our feeb the mountain dropped steeply down for a distance &f probably 3000 feet to the valley of the Ithina River, and rose again on the opposite side tø. the great Aavo range, which Is undoubtedly the highest point on Guadal- caiiar. The long ridge of the top, stretching to the westward, appeared quite close to us, and was pro- bably not more than three miles distant in a direct line, but the descent from our position, and ascent again on the-other side to reach the range, through bush Adhere every step would have to be cut, would have taken, us at least two days' work. I took notice of two or three leading spurs on the opposite side of the valley by which the top of the range might have been reached, but I was disappointed in not finding any sort of a saddle connecting Popomanasiu with the Kavo- range. Through a small depression in the top. of the range I was fortunate enough to-get a bearing of the top of the island of Savo, distant 40 miles, wisich bore 336deg. from our position, and by climbing a low tree I was able to see the Russell Island archipelago, the central point bearing 299deg., the islands of which appeared with all the distinct- ness of a map, although they were distsnt more than 60 miles. While the natives were preparing food I boiled the thermometer, and found that we were at an altitude of very nearly 6000 feet.