Barry Herald

Cliii LONDON CORRESPONDENT. The near approach of Christmas does not find London in the reoorl accustomed to F, associated with what by all custom and tradi- tion is the festive season." It is a poor heart that never rejoices, but a poorer that cannot sympathise with others' sorrows, and sorrow is proving a heavy burden to many just now. A war is like no ordinary casualty, for while, in the case of a great wreck or a disastrous railway accident, we very soon know the full extent of the fatal list, it is not the same with a series of battles, for those who escape the earler may fall in the later, and the anxiety of those who have friends or relatives at the front never ceases from the moment hostilities commence until their close. That is a consideration plainly to be noted in London at this moment, and it does not need one even to to the melancholy waiting-room at the War OfÚce, in Pall-Mall, where the list of casualties is earlist posted, to perceive this. It is having a marked effect upon social Catherines and the attendance at the various places of amusement: and before the winter is over, it is likely to have more. The seriousness of the struggle, in fact, is being recognised upon all hands and it is that which ronrlersthe quiet determination of the populace the more noteworthy and noticeable. Naturally, the War Office is being inundated with suggestions just now us to how best to conduct the military operations of the future because of those of the present; and it is equally a matter of course that many of these are impracticable and some impossible. But t is understood in quarters likely, upon such point, to be well informed that the authorities in Pall Mall have under con- sideration the question of an alteration in the working or field dress of both officers and men, as far as our infantry is con- cerned. in order to avoid their being made a distinct mark for the enemy's fire. Xot only, however, is a distinctive head-dress doomed, 'out the officers' sword i^ threatened to be relegated—at least, up.'n the field of battle—to the limh, of forgotten things, for it is now con- demned. as not hein!2: merely inconvenient to carry and much in the way, but as singling out its bearer as a target for tlv bullets of the foe. Even those who condemn the further carryin of this weapon on the field are not agreed, however, as to what is to be put in its place, ome recommending a long range carbine, and others a revolver: and probably, in the end, the latter will he adopted, not only for the commissioned officers but for the sergeants, to whom tho rifle is now little better than, ai hindrance. The statue of the great naturalist Owen, which at present stands in the splendid Natural History Museum at South Kensington, is soon to have a worthy companion, for that of the late Professor Huxley is now finished, and it will very shortly be moved from the studio of Mr. Onslow Ford, the sculptor, to its intended permanent home. It is understood that the unveling of this memorial statue, which will probably take place early in the New Year, will be made the occasion for a great assembly of scientific men. gathered not only from all parts of the United Kingdom, but from abroad: while an even more perma- nent result will be obtained from the movement., for the Memorial Committee has received over £:;jnO in subscriptions, and it has been decided that the balance, after paying for the status, shall be placed at the disposal of the Royal College of Science for the foundation of a scholarship or exhibition. This is an idea which would certainly have appealed to Huxley himself, who was always most desirous to assist the assiduous aspirant after special knowledge. Not only every dweller in London, but every visitor to town, must be interested in the efficiency of the metropolitan police, and the annual report of the Commissioner concerning it is always good reading. Most Londoners themselves have scarcely a nation as to what is done by their police or what strength of con- stabulary is necessary to do it. The force con- sists of as many as sixteen thousand men, and these have to keep watch and ward over an area which is not much less than 700 square miles,and which includes a rateable value of nearly: 41 millions of money. It is good to know that never before was the proportion to population of crimes against property been so low as recently, und, fcr the last half-dozen years, there have been a little under three per thousand but, while crime diminishes, the same cannot be said of carelessness for, during 1898, 17,000 umbrellas were left behind in public car- riages, in addition to 3000 purses, while the total of such leavings was no less than 38,201, a I total which should awaken some at least of us ) to the necessity for greater care. Some of the problems involved in the London Government Act, which comes into force on November 1 of next year, are of curious interest to many who are not householders and ratepayers in the metro- polis, and they will prove hard nuts for the Privy Council to crack. One such is as to whether Kensington Palace, specially memor- able for us as the birthplace of the Queen, should be brought within the new borough of Kensington or the city of Westminster. It is admitted that, although it is called Kensington Palace, its area has always formed part of Westminster, but it is contended that the name, with its popular associations, should carry weight- in the final decision. Something of the same kind of sentiment is involved in the question of whether one of the newly-made boroughs shall be called Newington or West Southwark, and a strong contention has locally been put forward-in support of both. There has been too little attention paid in the past, as most lovers of history would agree, to local sentiment in London; but the growth of it promises to prove somewhat embarassing just now. A question that is somewhat troubling cer- tain of the metropolitan magistrates just now b one that has its concern for a considerable class of hard-working people throughout the country, and that is as to whether hair-cutting is a trade. The point has been raised within the last few days under the well-known Act of Charles II. which forbids any to exercise their ferade on a Sunday and the particular stipen- diary before whom the matter was brought raised the difficulty ft once that hair-cutting was not a trade. His theory was that a hair dresser simply sold his labour, and that to constitute a trade, there must be a traffic'in goods. If, therefore, a hair dresser sold a news- paper or a bottle of pomade, he would be a trader; if he simply cut hair or executed a shave, he would be a labourer. The point admittedly is a fine one, but it may be imagined that, even at the risk of coming within the meshes of the wida net thrown by the Act of Charles II., the average hair- dresser would rather be considered a tradesman than a labourer. When he has risen to the point of calling himself a coiffeur, he would probably claim to be dubbed one of a profes- aioz4 but, perhaps, to be strictly accurate, a BaSwbflesser had best be described not as a tradesman, a labourer, or a professional man, but as a member of a calling, which is at once both useful and honourable. Cattle-show week" has been once more upon us in London; and no one who has been in the neighbourhood of the Agricultural Hall at Islington within the past few days could Uly more mistake the fact than the accustomed passer through the Strand can err as to the time when the May meetings are in progress. This year's was the one-hundred and first Show which the Smithfield Club has held- since its formation at the very close of last century; and, although the entr<5s were not as large in numbers as they have been for the last few years, they were sufficiently numerous to furnish the material for a very interesting exhibition. One of the features added in more recent years continues to rery popular, and that is the show of poultry, accompanied by lectures upon the proper methods of preparing birds for the table, and for trussing fowls for roasting and boiling; and this is a matter in which not only agriculturists, but housewives have much con- own. R.

t NEWS NOTES. METHTEN'S march to the relief of Kimberley has been particularly brilliant, but the points he gained, one by one, were only gained at very heavy cost. This, wo suppose, must be reckoned the fortune of war; but one cannot help reflecting how much more satisfactory the progress of things would have been had Britain possessed the advantage of a sufficient force of cavalry and artillery for all emergencies. IT is remarkable that of all the transports utilised by Britain for the carrying of her troops to South Africa only the Ismore, so far, should have met with mishap. Happily the troops were saved from disaster, but we may lose some very badly-wanted guns. MR. A. F. HAY, sm of the United States Secretary, has been appointed American Jonsul at Pretoria, in place of Mr. Macrum, who has been suffering ill-health. Ir. Hay will have charge of English interests in the Transvaal capital until a now condition of affairs arises. A GOOD deal has been said of late concerning some dreadfully improper cartoons of the Queen issued by certain French papers of small reputation. Some of our statesmen have been roused to indignation by the cir- i'cumstance but many others, more philosophic, have refused to recognise the hand of France in the doings of her hysterical Press. Perhaps it were better to pass the whole thing lightly by; but it is at least satisfactory to see that the French authorities haveif belatedly—forbidden the sale of the most offensive prints. THE bottom of France's venomous feeling towards England is the understanding between Germany, this country, and the United States and the absence of friction in the attitude of England and Russia. Why cannot France reeo^nise that we can expand our amicable relationship*, without simultaneously increasing our enemies r1 LXT it be noted that the partition of Samoa is 1 I MA,!Iy agreed on, down to the smallest par- ticu'iarisation, and that the treaty therefore was signed in Washington last Saturday. The pacific- settlement of a matter which once looked ominously thorny is pleasing indeed. WE note that Count Goluchowski, in his statement the other day to the foreign com- mittee of the Hungarian Delegation, was able to express his conviction that a general eadfciwour was observable among the Powers of Europe to bring all differences of opinion to a peaceful adjustment. Sc) mote it be." The outbreak in South Africa and its large usage of British force alters this reflection nothing. It (leals with no disagreement between Sovereign states. WE are getting a very big contribution from the general public for Tommy Atkins and his connections; and the question is, what shall be dono with the money being patrioti- cally subscribed. We trust it may be expended wisely and well, with chief re- gard to the quick relief of suffering entailed in any direction by the war. The generously-minded crowd is not enamoured at all of red-tape methods and long-continued inquisitorial preliminaries. MII.DXESS holds so persistently atmosperi- cally that we are almost in sight of Christmas before we have realised that autumn is over. It is well. There are many thinly-clad folk who will be thankful that sharp Winter delays his icy approach. ON the land all looks promising, and the farmer will open his new year with bright prospects. It has not latterly been ever thus; so that we may congratulate those engaged in agricultural pursuits upon a turn of luck. They can do with it," to make use of a collo- quia! phrase. THE Reservists have turned up handsomely at the call, and their country is proud of them. If mob-itiisationoon be executed with so little of hitch at emergency times, we need have little fear of the need of conscription. WHEN the Reservist is proving himself so valuable an upholder of the State, it behoves us to do our best nationally to secure his posi- tion. Now is our chance to show him how we appreciate him, and to grapple him to us with enduring bonds for the future. Senators and publicists, please note

THE DRUCE CASE. The Druce burial case was before the Court of Ap- peal on Saturday. Mrs. Druce and her son had entered an appeal against a decision of Justices Law- rauce and ChanneH, to the effect that Dr. Tristram, Chancellor of the Diocese of London, had no authority to order the opening of a grave and tha examination of the contents of a cofiin in Highgate Ceraetery, and that the licence of the Home Secretary for such purposes was necessary. The Divisional Court granted a writ of prohibition against the issuing of the order by the Chancellor. When the case was called on no one appeared for Mrs. Druce, and counsel for the respondents intimated that, in any event, the application to the Court was out of time. The Lords Justices dismissed the appeal for want of appearance on the part of the appellants.

A PROPERTY CASE. Mr. Justice Farwell on Saturday gave judgment setting aside a settlement of property made by Miss Ellen Jane Burleigh Powell, under which she agreed to divide money, which came to her under cerain trusts executed on the first marriage of her father, with her sjtep-brother and sister, the issue of a second marriage of her father. The plaintiff alleged that she had not voluntarily executed the deed, and the judge accepted her view of the case, and directed the step-mother, Mrs. Alice Mary Powell, at whose instigation the settlement was made, to pay the costs of the action.

BREWERY BURNED DOWN. Messrs, Flower and Sons' brewery, at Stratford-on- Avon, caught fire at an early hour on Saturday morning. The large barley-drying store, filled with over 5000qrs. of grain and some costly machinery, burnt fiercely,, and in a short time nothing was left but the charred wall. The flames spread to a range of malt houses, and these were soon destroyed, together with their valuable contents. The damage is estimated at £ 25,000. During the fire one of tba under-brewers, named Hartcup, ventured into oue of the malt houses, when the floor collapsed and he fell into a cellar with a large quantity of bricks. He was picked up terribly injured, and died shortly after- wards.

DAVID COLQUHOUN'S COOL REQUEST. The ex-treasurer of Glasgow, David J. Colquhoun, whose trial began in Edinburgh on Monday, made an appeal direct to the Prison Commissioners that he should be allowed to travel first-class from Glas- goiv to Edinburgh, accompanied by two officers in plain clothes, and by his wife and a lady friend, he paying the difference between'third and first-class faro. The application was refused, and Colquhoun travelled third guarded by warders in official attire.

— CROWDED TO DEATH. The jury at an inquest in Birmingham on Satur- day on the body of Percy Pimm added to their ver- dict of Accidental death that had proper accom- modation been provided by the London and North- Western Railway the accident would not have occurred. Witnesses stated that Pimm was a pas- senger in a workman's train, and he was standing I leaning against the door of the compartment, which had 12 other passengers. As the train was drawing up another passenger opened the door, and Pimm fell out and was crushed between the platform and the carriage. This train was invariably crowded.

A MAN OF MARKS. CUAT WITH MR. WALTER GIBBS. Circumstances have combined to make Mr. Walter Gibbs (whose portrait we reproduce) a man of light and leading to his West-country neighbours. He resides at 9, Eastbourne-gate, Taunton, and is widely respected for his position and his shrewd, candid cotnmon-senee—conspicuous even among the hard- headed notables of that rather canny district. Mr. Gibbs, says the Somerset COltNty Express, from which the following interview is clipped, has a wife and live bright, happy young children. I am now thirty-two years of age," said he, and when in my teens I worked for more than four years in a tan- yard, and had to carry heavy, wet loads. Since then —for over 10 years—I have been in my present situation, in which I have charge of the shirt- starching department of the Somerset Manufactur- ing Company—work which necessitates my hands and arms being frequently in waler." MR. WALTER GIBBS. (Ffrom a photograph by Chafjin and Son, Taunton.) The water certainly seems to agree with you," was the comment of the press repre- sentative. Yes: but doyou see these marks on my faca, chin, and hands? I was always well till about three or four years ago, kwhen eczema appeared, and the marks yon. see are some of the eviden- ces of what I suffered." "Please tell me how you wereafIlicted ?" "My legs, arms, face, and most of my body were covered with running, itching sores I could not rest, by day, and at night I was in such incessant agony tjiat. I often felt inclined to throw myself out or the bedroom window. I was completely laid up at times. At, the knee joints I had dreadful rheu- matic pains, and my wife had to help me upstairs. I put cioths on my arms, they wept so much, and these -cloths had to be changed every half-hour. I could not bear anyone to come near me, owing to the fearj I had that they would accidentally touch me. All my friends told me to try ditferent remedies, but no J.)()d cu.lIle of them. I had only one wish in life, and that WflS to die and be released from agony." Wtijtt efforts, then, did you make to obtain a cure ?" asked the reporter. I WlIt. as an in-patient to the hospital, and after treatment, there, I was discharged as cured, but two months afterwards I was as bad as ever. I then became an out-patient foe four months, but this was no good. I was next under a doctor for: seven nionths,. but- appeared to grow :worsc instead §of better. He finally said my eczema was chronic, and that I should never be free from it." Yoii Ilook well and strong now;" interjected the newspaper man, so tell me what effected your cure." I am glnd to have the chance of telling you. A young girl who was working in my department of the I mill, three or four years ago got soweak that she could not. stand, and was only fit to lie down and faint away. She went off work for a fortnight's rest, but got. no better. After a while, however, she re- turned to work quite strong and cheerful, and I was curious enough to ask how she had mauaged to over- come her complaint so thoroughly. She replied," I have been cured by two boxes of Dr. Williams' pink pills for pale people," and thinking to myself that if the pills had done her good they should do the same forme, I purchased a box, and after taking the con- tents I noticed a slight improvement. I then pur- chased second box, and before it was exhausted every sign of the eczema bad disappeared from the skin, and the itching sores and other painful symp* toms had vanished. I took part of another box, and was as well as ever I was in my life. This was about, a year ago, and I have had no return of the trouble. I am now as sound as a bell, and I hope all who are afflicted after the same manner will profit by my ex- perience." It is not necessarily in the form of a skin eruption that poverty or impurity of the bipod is manifested. Our blood is the cleanser and food carrier of the body, and anything wrong with it may make itself manifest in a variety of ways-as by anfemia (where thin, watery blood causes pale lips, weakness, languor, headaches, and breathlessness), palpitations of the heart, indigestion (from inability of the blood to absorb nourishment from food taken), wasting away, a cough, and eventually, consumption; or ner- vousness, St. Vitus' danoe, fit;3, rheumatism and unhealthy sensitiveness to cold, and even paralysis. Dr. Williaius' pink, pills act directly on the blood.' Their effect is speedily seen thin people put on flesh, rheumatism and coughs disappear; there is new life in all the body. But substitutes will not give new blood, nor do any other good: the genuine pills are those, and those only, which bear the full name, Drj Williams'pink pills for paJe people. If substitutes are pushed it is best to send ditect to Dr. Williams' Medicine Company, Holborn Viaduct, London, enclosing the price—two and ninepence for one box; thirteen and nine for six boxes. I —

8c ,k It I", AT SMITH FIELD. Considerable co-nsterriat-iob was excited among thrt habitues of Smithfield MftrkeL by a report that tha greiat meat emporium of the metropolis was on the point, of descending into the lower sphere now occu- pied hv the underground railway. It was alleged (says the (FelegrapH) that the iroti girders on which the market, is built, had become so, corroded with fumes and) gases that they were unable to support the weight, and the buildings in consequence ) threatened to collapse: So persistently and circum- stantially were these stateiiientq affirmed that the Market Committee of the Corporation made a thorough investigation into the subject. They found that the structure was in no danger what- ever. in order to make assurance doubly sure they have idetormined to cover the ironwork with concreLe. on which underground fumes will have no effect. Those who were anticipating a fall in beef will therefore be disappointed.

OVERCROWDING OF FOREIGN VESSELS. The half-yearly report of Dr. Coilingridge, medical officer for the Purr, of London, again serves to show the great variety of duties which fall upon him, and the importance of the sanitaiy work which is being carried out on the river, not only in protecting London from the importation of infectious disease, but in maintaining the health of that large popula- tion which depends on the river for its livelihood. ve 1 '00 Among the many points dealt with (says the hospital), there is one to which especial atten- tion may be drawn namely, the amount of overcrowding which is sometimes found in foreign vessels arriving in the port. The steamship Jyden. at Randers, arrived in London from Libau with 39 passengers, all of whom were berthed in the port alleyway, the dimensions of this space being 20ft. by 6ft. 9iri. The Danish steamer Magnus, from Libau, arrived with 176 foreign emigrants, 169 of whom were, carried in No. 3 'tween deck, in a space which allowed only 6'15 square feet per head. Men, women, and children were all berthed together, and it was found that one death and one birth had oc- curred among these people on the voyage, the dead body remaining until it could. be removed in London.

LATEST IN "FLYING MACHINES." A telegram from St. Petersburg states that a young Russian named Feodoroff and a young Frenchman named Dupont claim to have invented a flying machine capable of travelling through the air at the rate of 100 hiiles an hour. It is made of metal, and is driven by gas generated from liquids. It can carry one person, and is so easily guided that the inventors propose to giV0 an exhibition, when it is to perform evolutions in the air in time to music.

IT will probably startle a good many persons to find, on the authority of a well-known statistician, that, could the infants of a year be ranged in a line in cradles, the cradles would extend round the globe. The same writer looks at the matter in a more picturesque .light. He imagines the babies being carried past a given point in their mothers' arms, one by OGe, and the procession being kept up night and day until the last hour in the 12 months had passed by. A sufficiently liberal rate is allowed; but even in the going ipast at the rate of 20 a minute, 1200 an hour during the entire year, the reviewer at his post would only have seen the sixth part of the Infantile host. In other words, the babe that had to be carried when the tramp began would be able to walk when but a mere fraction of its comrades had reached the j reviewer's post, and when the year's supply of babies I was drawing to a close, there would be a rearguard, not of infants, but of romping six-year-old boys and girls. THE employes -of J. S. Fry and Sons, Limited, of j Bristol, her Majesty's Warrant Holders (with the assistance of the members of the firtn), are contri- buting liberally weekly for the maintenance of the wives and families of the Army Reservists (Qf whom they employ a large number) who were in their em- ploy previous to being call out to reioin their [ respective regiments in South Africa. 1 t

A STORY OF LORD METHUEN. Lord Methuen is a min of great personal energy and physical strength, and a story bearing on this fact appears in M.A.P. He was famous in his day for his skill with the gloves, a taste inherited from his father, for the last lord had few equals as a boxer. Paul once put his powers to good use in the defence of a lady whom he championed against an extortionate hansom cabman. The man was very cheeky, and said, looking down from his perch, Yon wouldn't be so free if I was down on the pavement in front of you I" Come down," said Paul, "and we'll soon settle that!" Cabby, nothing loth, accepted the challenge, and soon put, 'em up before the stalwart young Guardsman. After the third or fourth round be had enough, and was sorry he had not asked his proper fare. But he lost nothing in that way, for Paul made him a handsome compensation for the licking he gave him.

NEW TROPHIES FOR DOGS, Her Highness the Maharanee of Dholpur has pre- sented the Ladies' Kennel Association with a golden challenge cup, valued at £ 500, to be competed for by members only. This Indian princess is owner of the largest kennel of Borzois and Great Danes in the East. The Duke of York has presented to the newly- formed International Kennel Club a challenge cup for the national dog of England, the bull-dog the Marquis of Waterford has given one for Irish terriers; Lord Dunraven one for Welsh terriers the Vicomte de la Rockefoucuald one for Bassets; and Lord Algernon Lennox one for field trial winners. These trophies will be in competition for the first time at the Earl's Court Exhibition on December 13, 14, and 15.

TELEPHONES ON RAILWAY TRAINS. The Frankfurter Zcituny learns that in response to an invitation from the authorities of the Bavarian State Railways, Dr. Mario Russo di Assar has gone from Rome to Munich, in order to practically test his invention for the "telephones in railways trains," by which, it is said, any two stations can, cotyiiiiuni- cate by telephone with all trains between them, and also with all signal boxes.

THE END OF THE CENTURY; 'I The Emperor William in spite of his" instinct for numbers," is under the impression that the next century will begin on January 1,1900. His ancestor, however (says the Berlin, correspondent of the i Standard) Frederick 1., was of opinion that the first year .of every century must end with the tiatire one. Thus the thalers coined under him in 1701 bear the inscription in Latin :—" The first share (of the Prussian kingdom in the silver output at Rothen- burg) crowns the beginning of the century and of the Ivingdoftu" Some people think that the King started the new century in this way in order to establish this coincidence of the new century and the new kingdom, as he made Prussia a kingdon in that year.

DEATH OF THE EMPRESS EUGENIE'S COMPANION. The Empress ElIgie hits sustained a heavy loss in the death of her faithful friend and companion Madame Le Breton Bourbaki, who entered her service in 1867. She was in her second widowhood when she became reader to the Empress, and accompanied her to the oPeninL- of the Suez Canal, and to Constantinople, while she was with her in her memorable flight to England just after she had lost asott at Metz, where he was serving as a cornet under his brother, General Bourbaki. For years she had been blind, yet she accompanied the Empress, who leant on her arm and on a stick in visiting the Tuileries Gardens, once their daily walk. She was the granddaughter of the great sea-captain, who, with Bonaparte on board, ran the blockade established by the British to prevent the great Napoleon returning to France.

THE COMING OF MAN. Professor Grenville Cole has a very fascinating article on this subject in the current number of He, says: "The remains of man are notably subject to decay, and the signs of his former existence in this or that locality often dopend upon the more enduring objects that his skill has left be- hind, Baked pottery, chipped stone implements. the very charcoal of his fires, may survive in places where his Own bones are extremely rare. Much of our knowledge of early man is derived from inter- ments conducted wjth careful ritual by his tribal fel- lows. Is it likely that, in a ruder age, when cere- monial burial may have been utterly unknown, the skeleton of man would have much chance of pre- servation ? Unlike many other :mammals, early man was not compelled to collect in vast herds around the lakes and water-course. His very intelligence, his Xariety, Pf aim, made him a wanderer across the earth. Dying in the forest, or on the barren rock, or isolated in his log-canoe, his skele- ton was rarely covered oyer and adequately pre-

THE. New York Fire Department have adopted a portable searchlight plant in a waggon which will go to fires. The waggon carries a dynamo and two search- lights, each having an 18-inch lens. The lights can be removed from the waggon at will, and planted at a distance by means of flexible cables running to the dynamo. LThe appar^s wjill illuminate the dark parts of streets and houses, and help the firemen to lay the hose, set the ladders, and light the front or the rooms of burning houses so that lives can be saved. The idea seems'a good one, and worthy the attention of all fire brigades, SIR WIIXIAM MACCORJUC, BAKT., possesses a great personal charm of manner that, of itself, unsupple- mented by more sterling qualities, would in great measure account for his popularity among his pro- fessional colleagues and in society generally. This year he again occupied the position of President of the Royal College of Surgeons, having thrice pre- viously fillgd the ofree. Erect, well-preserved, pos- leøsed of a fine presence and an excellent physique, be carries his threescore years without feeling them the least burdensome. Ilad he sot an iron con- (titution he would never have been able to stand the itrain of his everyday work for the last 30 years. Indeed, were he not thoroughly fit to-day he would not have {tff^red tua service* to the<Jovennent as be f" oJ¡a,'t,;

THE FIGHTING AT DUNDEE. The following letter has been received, says the 1 Times, from an officer who took part in the battle and retreat described: Ladysmith, October 28, 1899. I will give an outline of our doings since arrival in this country, and as much in detail as I can from the 20th. The Avoca arrived at Durban early on the morning of the 12th, and, after anchoring for a short time, steamed into harbour and tied up. We began to disembark at once, and got on very well. My company was on baggage fatigue in the ship. We left in three trains, the one I went in being the last, and starting at about 2.30 p.m. Just as we started the news arrived that war was declared. We passed through the town, which was in a state of wild enthu- siasm, and our men returned the cheers; indeed, although they were packed 60 in an open truck with- out any protection, and it poured with rain nearly the whole night, they never stopped cheering. At one small station some ladies bad come miles to get tea ready for us, which was very acceptable, as it was cold. We stopped at Pietermaritzburg for the men to get something to eat. and the officers had dinner. We got to Ladysmith on the morning of the 13th, and had a very cold reception, nearly all the troops having gone to meet the Boers, and the camp, which was some distance from the town, expected to- be attacked. We marched up to camp very disappointed at having missed a chance of meeting the enemy. We were broken up and sent away on picket duty at once, H Company being sent to hold the ration post, where we stopped till the regiment left for Dundee on the night of the 15th, again in open trucks. We got to Dundee very early on the 16th, but kept in the train till daylight, when we marchad up to the camp, which we pitched next to the Dublin Fusiliers. Nothing of importance happened till the 20t.h, though there were any amount of reports as to the Boer doings. On the morning of the 20th the troops had just fallen out from the usual parade before daylight, and the men were beginning to cook and do fatigues, &c., when the Boers began to shell the camp from Talana Hill; the other side of the town their fire was accurate, nearly every shell falling into the camp, but fortunately they did not burst, so the effect was local. The troops immediately fell in under arms, half Company, which was on fatigue in the Army Service Corps, having a narrow escape from a shell as they doubled back to the camp. From here I can only tell the part that Company took in the day's proceed- ings. We formed up by sections behind the tents so as not to give a target to the Boers, and doubled dowpi into a watercourse east of the Camp while our artillery replied to the Boers' fire. When the whole battalion was under cover in the watercourse we received orders for the attack, — Company being told off as a reserve to the firing line. The regiments were a good deal mixed up at first, but as we got on evert thing worked smoothly. We passed through the outskirts of the town. consisting of small houses made of corrugated iron surrounded by small gnidens with wire fences, which had to be cut, and eveiifuivlly found ourselves in rear of the left of the tiring line, lying down ou a grassy slope opposite Talana Hill. gonie of the GOth were behind us. We lay here some time under cover of ant, lulls so far as possible. The colonel then came up and told us to move to our right and get under cover of some buildings in an old brick- yard on the banks of a spruit with steep banks. Wo moved at. once, —Company under Captain—— also going with us. Ail this time there was a heavy nrtillerv and rille fire going on. Just as we got to the buildings Major Davison and some others were carried .in wounded. We had not been more than a few minutes at the building when we got orders to move down into the bed of the stream, which had a Tery steep bank on the nearest side of the enemy; we and several other companies.gqt under this bank, and the meii were ordered to take off their great-coats, which they were currying strapped on to their belts. All the(olllpanies in the river bed then advanced by half-comp'Wiies in extended order. We had to cross a perfectly flat grass plain about 800 yards to a wood, winch was already occupied by our men. — Company was on the left of,;this advance. The rifle fire got pretty warm as we got near the wood. There was a crowd lying in and behing a small ditch on our side of the wQod. From here we again advanced by half-companies through the wood, which* con*- sis.ted of scattered trees with little or no under- Krowth. We could only get on a short way at a time, as we were now pretty close to the; firing line, and the firing was heavy. We got an order to pro, tect, the left Hank of the advance, and to do this the whole company wheeled to the left and lay down under the remains of a stone wall and some big trees. The whole Wood was swept by rifle fire, hut I fortunately most, of it went over our heads. We slopped here some little time firing at. a ridge from which m'o»t. of the bullets seemed to come. We hud just bee A joined by a half-company of the IWlcs, when General Symons rode up and said he wished us to go further forward and not. bother about the flanlc. We accordingly pushed up to the further edge of the wood, stili working by halt-companies. We were now at the left corner of tiie wood nearest the enemy, who had got the range from this corner. A ravine ran almost directly towards, and p,-trtly, up,,ttie hill. A small party of the Dublins iverei.iitliisrariiie. -Cciii- pany doubled, or rather scrambled, down into, this ravine, one man at a time. So soon as a complete section was down they were led forward to the next cover, their place being taken by the n::Ù section. In this way I he company made their way about half-way Liptlie ravine but we could not get further—at least-, we could not do so without suijering.considerable. Further losses without gaining any adequate advanr tage. The Boers had got the range and to be seen was to be hit. There were a large propor- tion of casualties in this ravine. A stone wall ran across our front following the contour of the hill, and about., half-way up it this wall was connected with Smith's Farm, on our right, by another wall running up the face of the hill; the junction of these two walls was near the foot of the steepest part of the hill, which could only be climbed by armed men with considerable difficulty. Tha walls were both lined by our men, and it was up this very steep and diffi-. cult, hillside that the assault was made by the Rifles and Irish tftistliers, not Dublin Fusiliers. We saw the assault made it was just, to our right front, and I afterwards saw Sergeant Burns lying dead on the crest. Just behind him lay young Hill, and on his left. Doctor Duncan (who before going into action had expressed hi^( intention of getting a V.C. or dying). Behind these three and close to them lay; several other men. There is no doubt whatever that the honour of the assault lies with the 87th and E ifles, but the reporters got mixed with the two Irish Fusilier regiments. Connor, Pike, Carbery, and Wortham were all wounded in tho assault, but in the ravine 1 was partially stunned by a bullet striking close to my head. We also saw General,Symons wounded. I He rode with his Staff to the corner of the wood from which we had come, and was hit imme- diately, like everyone else. — Company now reinforced us under Captain -— doubling up one man at a time. Corporal Philips, of B Company, lay down, as he thought, under cover, but 'not so and drew a heavy fire we shouted to him to come on; he got up to run and was shot through the left thigh. Sergeants Cross and Richard- son helped, to drag him to a place of safety. Our own artillery now came into action against the part of the hill'opposite to us. Great relief for us, as the fire slackened, and we were able to send the wounded to the rear, of whom there were a good many. When our artillef-y stopped firing the whole line advanced up the hill; It was hard climbing. When we got to the top of the hill the Boers had gone and the place was covered with ammunition, rifles, wounded, saddlery, &,C. 'i So soon as we were formed ffpi the company was sent to search the battlefield for wounded men and arms. We could see the Boers making off in great disorder, alnd in large numbers all over the plain east of the hill. Our artillery did not fire on them —there was some nonsense about an armistice. It came ori to rain heavily about 3.30 p.m., and we had great difficulty in getting the dtad and wounded down the steep hillside. They were all taken to Smith's Farm. When we had done all we could we started' back and came over the ground we had fought over and through the wood, and stopped to 9 shoot a poor horse that had been badly wounded and to pick up our great coats, or what remained of them, and got back to camp a littie before 5.50 p.m., having had nothing to eat all day, and had been six hours under fire. It was a grand day for the regi- ment, as they did splendidly, though they have not as yet got the credit for it—at least, from the papers but it was a very saa usiy. x oor Ltonnor died during the night, anxious to the last to know if we had licked the Boers. To make a frontal attack against an almost in- accessible h'ill, 1000ft. high, is as hard a task as any infantry could be asked to perform. This is very roughly what happened on the 20th, as far as an individual who took a small part in it could be cer- tain about.i We had some food and turned in, little thinking what was in store for us. On the 21st we were under arms as usual in the morning about one p.m. we were ordered to move out of camp, not knowing in the least that we were leaving behind all we possessed in the world. We carried the men's dinner, which was just ready in the kettles, and marched about IW miles to a coal mine and grassy ridge. A terrific thunderstorm burst over us. wetting everything to the! akin. We were placed in position on the hill, and proceeded to make shelter trenches. Whilst doing so the Boers began to shell us at about 3000 yards; their fire Was accurate, but again their shells, fortunately for us, did hot burst. Oqr. men behaved splendidly, simjply. lyin^ in open u^der the,shell f fire. When it was quite dark I was sent with a party I back to the camp to get the men's greatcoats, and to I get money from the regimental safe. It was pitch dark and raining and muddy, and we got into an awful mess. During the night we moved to a hill more to the east and got into position. At day- break, after a very wet, uncomfortable night, we got news of the victory of Elandslaagte, and this did a lot of good, and the men cheered. The 22nd was a dull, wet day. We marched down towards Glencoe, the railway junction, in hopes of getting a position there from which to defend our camp and secure stores, &c., but the railway line was cut, and the Boers already in possession, so we marched back to our hill. The night of the 22nd we evacuated our hill, and started on the march for Ladysmith, marching all night. I had five prisoners in my charge. By morning we had got a considerable distance, and apparently the Boers had not found it out. We had some breakfast, during which the Boers tried to call us up with a helio, but we took no notice, and pushed on. It was not pleasant for anybody, but less than ever for a poor man to know we were leaving literally all our worldly possessions. We moved on, and halted for the night at the head of a pass; my company was out on picket. There was a cold wind, but fortun- ately no rain. About 11.30 p.m. we marched again, and got out of the pass by daylight into a wide valley the men were tired, but they marched well. We crossed a spruit called Waohbank, and halted; this was most fortunate, as a very heavy thunder- storm came on, and turned the little stream into a foaming torrent—quite impossible; we were only wet and cold that night. About four a.m. on the 25th we again started, and afterabout six miles crossed the Sunday's River and had some breakfast. A lot of Kaffirs came round the eamp very like Zulus. At two p.m. we pushed on. and halted again for the night, but we met a patrol of the 5th Lancers, who were received with cheers, and brought orders to move again, so we got ready and started at nightfall. All these marches were beau- tifully arranged, and carried out without a hitch. The night of the 25th was the worst I ever spent. It I began to rain as we moved off, and was so dark that the whole column had to hold on to one another to keep on the ruad at all; the roads were only beaten tracks, and soon became ankle deep in thick tenacious mud. We struggled on all the night, and at daybreak we were about ten miles from Lady- smith., 1 i is not possible to describe the state of the regiment; most men had fallen in the mud, at least once during the niirht. A force had been sent out to meet us, and the Manchester Regiment gave us food, which was most welcome. After a short rest we reached Ladysmith. This march was a retreat, but it was not the troops' fault; they were in an unten- able position, -and throughout the operation was perfectly conducted. The men could not have behaved better, and it must be remembered that we were being followed, and liable to an attack at any moment,, and I do not think we ever got more than two hours' rest at a time.

MISSION OF THE AFRIKANDER BOND. In a letter to the Cape Times Mr. Theo. Schreintf., a brother of the Premier of Cape Colony, recalls a conversation which he had 17 or 18 years ago with Mr. Reitz, the President of the Orange Free State. who was then merely a Free State judge. He was busy establishing the Afrikander Bond, and did his best. to get Mr. Schreiner to join it. The latter states: "After studying its constitution and programme I refused to do so, whereupon the following colloquy in substance took place between us, which has been indelibly imprinted on my mind ever since Reitz Why do you. refuse? Is the object of getting the people to take an interest in political matters not a good one?' Myself: Yes it is but I Reern to see plainly here between the lines of this constitution much more ulti- mately aimed at than that.' Iteitz What ?' "Myself: 'I see quite clearly that the ultimate object aimed at is the overthrow of the British power, and the expulsion of the British flag from South Africa.' Reitz (with his pleasant, conscious smile, as of one whose secret thought and purpose had been dis- covered, and who was not altogether displeased that such was the case): Well, what ifit be so?' "Myself: 'You don't suppose, do you, that that lIag is going to disappear from South Africa without i tremendous strnçgle and fight?' "Reitz (with the same ipleasant, self-conscious, self-satisfiod, and yet semi-apologetic smile): Well, I suppose not but even so, what of that ?' ''Myself: 'Only this. that when that struggle takes place you and I wdl be on opposite sidee and what is more, the God who was on the side of tho Transvaal in the late war, because it had right; on its side, will be on the side of England, because he must view with abhorrence any plotting and scheming to overthrow her power and position in South Africa, which have been ordained by Him.' Reitz: We'll see.' "Thus the conversation erlded, but during the 17 years that, have elapsed I have watched the propa- ganda for the overthrow of British power in South Africa being ceaselessly spread by every possible ) means—the press; the pulpit, the platform,' the schools, the colleges; the Legislature—-until it has culminated in the present war, of which Mr. Reitze and his co-wtorkers are the origin and the cause. Believe me, sir, the day on which F. W. Reitze sat down to pen his ultimatum to Great Britain was the proudest and happiest moment of his life, and one which had for long yfers been looked forward to by him with eager longing and expectation."

OBSTACLES TO ELECTRIC LIGHTING. The cornpetion of electricity with gas as a means of illumination ha3 (says Engineering) been rendered very severe by the improvements introduced during recent years in incandescent, gas lighting. It is singular that the very same prónrtjes-tlw rare earths—were not turned to account, ii} elpctric illu. mination before the invention by Nernst qf the lamp which bears his name; a lamp for the commercial introduction of which electrical engineers are still waiting expectantly. Meantime, a far more important factci-in the economic struggle remains in apiossible reduction of the high prime cost of electric wiring of buildings. Could electric house wiring be carried out as simply and as cheaply as the putting in of gas- • pipes, art enormous advanfcie might be c'onfide ntly expected.

PROPOSED ALUMINIUM COINAGE. An article in Fieldaia Magazine discourages the suggestion that an aluminium coinage should be insti- tuted in I,ndia, in consequtince of the high price of copper brought about by the demand the metal for electrical purposes. We hesitate," says the writer, to place much reliance upon aluminium for the1 purpose which has been designated. Aluminium as an industrial metal has been very disappointing. Its undeniable merits, strength, and lightness are dis- counted to a,serious extent by defects which it does not appear possible to overcome, so far as present experience enables us to judge. However brilliantly polished in the first instance, it oxidises very rapidly and assumes a shabby appearance in ordinary use. It must be remembered that the United States Government made most exhaustive experiments with aluminintrt and alloyed aluminium for coinage a few years ago, but did not find these experiments at all so encouraging as to entitle them to even a tentative practice."

BOER GOVERNMENT AND BRITISH NURSES. The skilled and complete staff of British nurses at Johannesburg Hospital (observes a writer in the Hospital Nursing Mirror) has been replaced by a number of Boer ladies whose knowledge of nursing is apparently limited to attendance at ,a course of ambttlance lectures. This is the most serious point of the account which has been given of the eviction under the auspices of an agent of President Kruger, though the whole of it will be read with the utmost indignation. The pity is that the sufferers from the astouding action of the Boer authorities will be persons who had no part nor lot in it—chiefly, we may presume, wounded Boers who are likely to find the ministrations of Dutch ladies, who have listened to a few lectures, very different from those of trained nurses, willing and able to afford them all possible attention and relief.

IT WAS VERY VEXING," but if he had used one ot KEA.TING. ,S LOZENGES he would have stopped his cough in a minute and obtained a good night's rest. KEATING'S LOZENGES are simply unrivalled, and the most delicate can take them. Sold by all chemists, a tin for 13$d.. { THE nominal price of wild land in Cape Colony is Is. per ac/e; the real price is generally about 6d. THE health of John Briggs, the well-known Lan- cashire cricketer, is steadily improving, and that there is a possibility of his leaving the institution at Cheadle, where he has been confined during the last few months, very shortly. Weather permitting, I Briggs is to be seen taking daily exercise spins on his bicycle, ana news of his improvement will be joy to cricketers all over the kingdom. STAMPS for gas meters are now being issued to local authorities by the Standard Department df the Board of Trade, for use in the inspection and stamp- ing of meters throughoutthe United Kingdom during the year 1900. The stamps are of uniform design, with such variation of numbers a^;sh^U,i sijfficiflpta distinguish the distr", -Of-i"oac+ mtfpector of gas meters. UNION UNE forthe SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD FIELDS. Sailings from Southampton Saturdmw Culls made nt Lisbon, Madeira, and Teneriffe. Apply to UNfox STKAAI SHIP Co., Ltd., Canute Ed., Southampton,*n»- South African House, !H-98, Bishoy.egate St. Within, Go 13ILLIARD AND BAGAT L TABLES, A LARGE S,T0<^n?TNNFOE PRPCK^LSSK HAND TA liLEtf always on hand. WRIT E FOK PR IC _G. EDWARDS, 134, KIMiSLAND ROAD, LONDON, WJFC. imTAiraY BY ill ITER'S — xtraction NigAW', ill ITER'S — Ncuralcic Headaches and all NfrveVSMIfBMIP Pains removed by BUNTER'S LG|P» F«M 9ML* K F. K VINE. All Chemists, TS T '/2D. AS M 's S 3' 1,000,000 HA'PENNIES ALREADY SENT BY THE n VINOLIA AS FUND For the Soldiers' Familiesi Widows, and Orphans. Id. forwarded on every Tablet 2 Sold until end of Year. aaeank SEB M M ANYTHING YOU WANT. Km iBB IE! [§t3 \i&S3y wh itfiverit may be. if yvi wish to Mm fin \pjjy H-: the best i>os»ib!c Bargain foe ftffl KM k33[ y.mi- money, ilirouuh 'J'l.-e Bazaar* [w BH BBS KM 'ji.i-riiinijja and Mart N -wsraptfc KHW iSht Km WIUL'II contains 1.11.>i;s-• il l.-i ot M» WsHmu^ nr 1 liouncements of all kind* ot Pr> J'erty offered by Private Persons on the most f:woura.bf8 terms to clear. The liazmtr, Exchange and Mart Newspaper 1119 be sot at all Railway Book- tualUand Newsagents. I'ri'v 2d. £ SXlS3^. JS53 Jlost useful aud entertaining. fiaSrfjl JKr™" K9 Get a copy and. see lor yv.ur- \S| £ v Wjjgmm g-« 19 Through the sams journal nrWa if you have anything you wish \jaJjBg gBBMt to idispose of yon can rcn.iily XSgygy TyreSrf t WM

I LODGER SHOOTS HIS LANDLADY AND HIMSELF. A startling tragedy was enacted at Durham oil Saturday night,, when a man named George Catling, ,,e, Izidies' t;iilor,.who for solite timo 35 years of age. a ladies' tailor. who for some tim<» passed had lodged with a Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson, Claypath, Durham, shot Mrs. Wilkinson wit,h a revolver and then shot himself. As far as could bt ascertained at the time of telegraphing, the man and, Mrs. Wilkinson were alone in the house when the tragedy oectnred, but the husband came in sobit after. When the police arrived on the scene Catling was quite dead, with a bullet wound in the heact The woman also haa a wound in the head, and she ivas taken to the hospital, where the doctors expressed the opinion that she will recover. All parties ar^ about 35 years of age.

EXCITING SCENE AT PLYMOUTH, An exciting scene was witnessed at Bedford- street, Plymouth, when a workman employed in repairing an arc lamp left his rubber gloves o ff, and accidentally touching one of the wires carrying the electric current for the trains, received a revere shock. He was fastened to the post by a belt, ancl being rendered almost unconscious was left tl1,Is. pended 20ft. from the ground. He was fetched down by a bluejacket and medically attended.

RAILWAY COLLISION AT BOLTON. An alarming collision between passenger trains occurred on Sunday morriing at Trinity-street Station, Lancashire and Yorkshire llailway, Bolton. A train from Heilifield to Manchester was standing at the platform when one from Fleetwood to. Manchester ran with great force into its rear, The.- engine of the Fleetwood tiain had its front plates smashed in and three trucks containing threaticat: scenery in the other train were damaged. Passengers were alarmed and shaken, but no injuries reported.

A 310-TON block of granite has been cut from th& Palmer quarry, near Vinalhavefi. Maine. It measures GMt. 6in. in width, and 7ft. in thick-, ness, and is destined to form the llrst of eight columns- which will support the dome of a cathedral now being built in:-Ne-,v York. When finally dressed the grartiW will he m the form of a cylinder, 54ft. long and 6tt. 3iiv in diameter.

í J.¡.. PE1 FEELING LIVERISH REMEMBER that CARTEii'3 £ IXTLj £ LIVEK PILLS '"io-ich" the Liver. They al>solutely cure Siek Headache, Biliou*- aes.s, Torpid Liver, Indigestion, Constipation, Sallow Skin* Dii^mess, Furred Tongue. Small pill, small prico, small dose, purely vegetable, forty in a phial. Dose One aft; Night. Is. lid. of all Chemists. Be sure tliey are CARTER'S. HemTfulTeet hforall wkouse « daily on ttie tooth brush a few drops of SOZUIXONT, tho pleawiiitest dentifrice in the world. Cleanses the teetfe sn 1 spaces between them as nothing else will. SounrllU1 pearly white teeth, rosy lips, and IragTant breath ensured. Ask for SO/O DO NT. 2s, 6d.

TRIPLE TITAGEDY. < On Sunday evening,, in Ijiswitfh, a labourer nameS" Thwaites killed his wife tpcl himself, and nearly murdered a man named Hudson, for whom Mrs.. THwaited, who had left her husband, kept house.- Thwaites went to Hudson's house and locked, the door, and when the police arrived he was found deadt upon the floor, with a revolver in one hand long knife in the other. Mrs. Thwaite&'was also dead and lying by his side, with both knife and b,ullet wounds, while Hudson escaped with serious injuries.

VIOLENCE IN COURT. More violent scenes were witnessed in the Parit High Court, on Saturday, the prisoners accused of conspiracy behaving in such a manner as to prevent the trial proceeding. M. Buffet, the Royalist leader, especially distinguished himself by his insult- ing language, and on the Procureur-General demand- ing his, punishment, the Senate directed that he should be prevented from attending the sittings for eight days.

FRom a retnrn circulated by the Prison Commis- sioners, showing the average earning per prisoner last year, it appears that the highest amount among, the local prisoners was at the Canterbury Prison- '• viz., £1.7 6s. lOd.and the lowest at Pentonville £ 7 9s. 8d. At the convict prison, which' would naturally (produce higher earnings, Portlandhad the; iii-hest,amount with E31 Is. 6d., ami Aylesbury the- women s prison, the lowest-v-iz., £ 15 7s. 48. The- men in convict prisons are generally sentenced for a term of years, and po have time to leartv jiome trade thoroughly. This is why they earn so £ auc6 more than the local prisoners.

COCOA—The National Drink. N EVER in the history of the world has Cocoa Been BO much held in favour as a national drink as it is at the present day. Yet thete are Cocoas and Cocoas. MTCHSUS. FRY have gained no fewer than 275 GQLD MElllLLS and DIPLOMAS, and their Pure Concen- trate<l<jocoa is the result of an accumulated experience oi 170 ■* e"r,t which places this well known Firm at an advane far above all the rivalry eXIsting amongst of latter-day grawtb. here Ie "0 befter, tø. Of which Dr. Andrew F.R.6.E.j, Coco*! Sail i eal of perfection/* JUST THREE WORDS itre necessary in order to get the right Copoa, viz., FRY'S PU* *_COXOEN;TR AT<TBTV -=-

I I MR. BOOICFRT. WASITIIQGTON, who is looked upon as the leading coloured man in the United States to-day, is a remarkable example of the development of the negro. Born a slave in Virginia 40 years ago, n, he could not read until several years after the close of the war. He learned his letters while working as & boy in a menial situation. At 15 he first beard Of a place where black boys could go to school, and 'l workca hl way there by stages. W. Washington is noW"president of an industrial institute wtaioik iii < doins valuable work aihong Che negroes, k

ALL the U nitedStatee WARSHIPS will hereafter fre- ¡ quently practise firing at moving torpedoes while steaming at, full suef-,I. j

LEGISLATION AGAINST CORSETS. ■n u1 > r .^reBS reformers, and amuse the British public, to learo that the Minister of Educa- tion in Kouinania has sent an official document to the ladies principal of all private gir]a> 8Chools, which runs: 'As. it has been proved scientifically and by experience that COtsela are prejudicial to health, since they hinder development, the under. aigned command* you to forbid your scholars to wpai* comfits* ,.).P ,J '1