Barry Herald

ALL JUGRTS RBSERVBD. J THE WHITE FEATHER. By "RUY." READY, Helen?" asked peremptorily, more SUlI, Gertie Fairfax, appearing, parasol-whip in hand, at one of the open windows of the long drawing-room at Laureston one afternoon, the last of a certain August. "Ready, Helen ?" A fair-haired girl, buried in a low, soft chair, day- dreaming, with her pretty gloved hands lying in her lap, answered lazily. Yes, dear," and rose, not too willingly. Then come along," said Gertie; Damon and Pythias are wild to start, and the dog-cart went for Dar half an hour ago. We shall be too late for the train, after all. Come alohg, dear!" And, thus adjured, Helen Treherne followed her cousin out of the cool, pleasant room on to the hot asphlate of the terrace, and eventually into the per- feet little pony-chaise it was Gertie's pride to call her own. do Drake," Miss Fairfax said presently, when the white dust-wrapper had been settled over her own skirt and her companion's that'll do; let them go!" And Drake (a tiny Elzevir groom, known to his mistress's inmates as "the Childe") obeying, the impatient ponies flung themselves with a jerk into their collars, and started off at a hand-gallop down the avenue almost before the Childe could swing himself into his perch behind. They're awfully fresh, Nell!" said there delighted mistress, as soberly as she could, while the Jouvin's sixes on her firm little hands, that controlled so skilfully the vagaries of those wilful pets, were sorely strained and tried in the endeavour to keep the said pets straight now as they rushed past the lodge;" they're awfully fresh It's lucky they knew we were coming, and kept the gates open, isn't it? I think we shall get to Bad- dingley before Dar, after all. Gently, Damon! Quiet, sir!" as the off thoroughbred tried to break into a canter again on the smooth high road, and the congenial Pythias, on the near side, seemed quite ready to follow his example. There! that's beauti- ful Aren't they darlings, Helen ?" "Dears!" assented Miss Treherne: "but just a little too much for you at times, I think, Gertie." Nonsense! they've never got out of my hand once since Dar gave them to me. Why, he chose them for me himself, on purpose for my own driving, or mamma would never trust me with only the Childe,' who is only ornamental, you know. I say, Nell, I'm to glad Dar is coming. This is the last we shall see of him. His leave's up in December, and the regiment isn't to come home for goodness knows how long." "Will Dar go back to India, then?" Miss Treherne asked. I'm afraid so Gertie sighed. I wished he wouldn't. So does mamma. She wants him to marry and settle down with us at. Laureston." And Dar declines ?" 0: So it appears. He always laughs in that provok- ing way of his at the notion of his ever being seriously epris, you know; says he should tire of any woman in a week, and that sort of thing. The fact is," Gertie added, after a pause, "in his quiet, dangerous" way, Mr. Dar is a frightful flirt; and he's been so spoiled that I don't thing he is likely to give me a sister-in-law yet awhile. This last season he was aitx petits sows with Flora Hoddesdon. You know the'Hoddesdons—up yonder at The Place. And I fancy Flora liked him. ÅS, indeed," remarked, en parenthèse, the partial sister, "most women do some- how, when he means they should. And we thought he really did mean something. But Dar went off quietly one morning to Baden, or somewhere, and nothing came of it. I think mamma would quite approve of Flora; and perhaps now, when they meet —but one never knows what to make of Dar. He takes everything so coolly; though no one can be more winning when he chooses. Vere Brabazon says he's worshipped in the regiment." And who is Vere Brabazon inquired Helen. Oh! didn't I tell you ?" Gertie said, looking straight forward between the off-pony's ears he's friend of Dar's, in the same regiment. Dar saved his life in India. They came home on leave to- gether, and we met him in London. He follows Dar about everywhere." Tienswill he follow his preserver down here ?" I'm sure I don't know. I believe mamma asked him. She took rather a fancy to him." And is be a' cool captain,' too ?" "No; he's only a sub. And he doesn't like Dar's line at all, though he looks up to him immensely. They call him 'Hebe' in the regiment, because he was quite a child when he joined, and has yellow hair ) and a face that would be like a girl's if it weren't for his moustache and the Indian bronze on it. But he behave splendidly, Dar says, in that horrible mutiny!" Gertie went, on, her pale, delicate little face lighting upas she spoke—" splendidly and bore all the hardship and suffering as carelessly as the oldest soldier there. And then he was awfully wounded, too, poor fellow! And he would have been killed but. for Dar." Altogether, Hebe is rather interesting?" Well, yes," Gertie responded, laughing, but with :he flush on her cheek stiil. And Dar saved his life! How was that ?" Miss Treherne pursued. Well, you know," Gertie answered, neither of them would say much about it. But. he, Mr. Bra- bazon, told me that Dar swam his horse into a river under a heavy fire, and helped him to the bank. when he had been hit, and was just falling from his saddle. He says nothing but Dar's pluck and coolness saved them both, and that Dar ought to have the V.C. He's very quiet and gentle, and at first I thought almost ladylike in his manner. I suppose he hasn't got. strong again yet; but he grew quite excited and elo- quent when he talked about the Don's' (they call Dar the Don,' you know) good-nature in coming in after him. I thought it was all up with me, Miss Fairfax,' ho said to me I was getting dizzy and confused, for I'd been rather badly hit, and couldn't head old Mustapha, my charger, for the bank, as I ought to have dope, and we began going down stream, while the niggers were tAking pot-shots at us quite comfortably from their cover. I felt I should roll out of my saddle in another minute, when I heard the Don's voice close beide" me, and then I knew it would be all right. He brought Mustapha and me out of it, and never got touched himself, though the Pandies blamed away harder than ever all the time, and he was covering me. It was the noblest, thing that eter was done, by Jove it was." So it was !"Miss Treherne said, with a light in her own violet eye, when Gertie had finished her ex- tract from Hebe's narrative; and you quote Mr. Brabazon admirably, dear she added. t Absurd!" the other laughed, administering rather uncalled-for punishment to Damon for breaking the trot. And neither spoke again till they were driving through the High-street at Baddingley. The cousins were more like sisters than some sisters are I wot of. The same age to a day, they had been nearly always together since they left their Paris pension, and never separated for so long a time before as they had done this year, when Gertie Fair- fax had been up to London for her presentation, and had been entered to run the gauntlet of her first season. Helen Treherne's father, the dean, a courtly, clerical grand seigneur, who grew every year more loth to leave the dignified ease and repose of the Cathedral Close, and to miss his darling's fair face and brightening presence from his side for very long, had put off that ordeal in her case till another year. Even as it was, when she came back to Laureston, Gertie had to take dean and deanery by storm, and fight a hardish battle, before she could carry off his aunshine (as the old man loved to call his daughter) for a brie" visit. But Miss Fairfax had a knack of getting her own way in most things, and the dean had to yield, and did. While the ponies were trotting up the sharp rise which leads to Baddingley Station, the express, five mites off, was rushing full. swing down the line bound for the Bame goal. Fast as they were going, and admirably as they have kept time all the way, one of its passengers, lounging on his cushions over Punch and a regalia, was beginning to wax impatient. Deuced slow work this,ain't it, Hebe?' Daryl Fairfax said at last to his companion, a slight, tall, fair-haired Light Dragoon, with a bronze face and a yellow moustache, who was sucking away at a facsimile of the other's cabana. We ought to be there by now." Don't know about slow, you know," Vere Bra- bazon responded done the last six miles in seven minutes and a quarter by my watch. Whereabouts are we? You ought to know, Dar." Daryl Fairfax picked himself up, and looked out of the window. All right!" he there's Baddingley spire. And there's the whist.Je! he added, the next moment, as the engine began to shriek on nearing the junction, Get yourself together, Hebe, and hand us over that gun-case. Can't afford to trust that to any one but myself. Here we are And creaking, and groan- ing, and hissing, the express ran into the station. There was a crowd of people on the platform; but for all the noise and confusion of yelling porters* struggling passengers, gaping, helpless bucolics, and the rest. Vere Brabazon managed to catch a glimpse of a face which had been haunting him all the journey down, and for many a long day before. "I say, Don," he said, flinging away his cigar, there she is 1" Is she ?" responded Dar, with a rug..trap between Ilia teeth. "Who?" v 1 Your sister." "Deuce she is observed Miss Fairfax's brother. Why, I told them to send over the dog-cart for us. At least, you know, I don't think I said anything about. your coming, Vere. I suppose she's come te meet me with the ponies. Here, guard!" And that polite official came hurrying up to unlock the door. Never mind," Dar went on, when the two were on the platform, we'll make room for you somehow. You shall have "the Childe's" perch behind, if Gertie's here alone. Come along In another moment they had emerged from the ruck, and Miss Fairfax's watchful eyes had lighted on them. There they are, Nell!" she said, suddenly. There's Dar, with that gun-case in his hand!" "And 'Hebe' bringing up the rear?" whispered Helen; for the pair were close upon them now. The soubriquet suits him admirably, Gertie But Gertie had moved off to welcome her brother, dutifully. Dear old Dar I'm so glad you've come!" Beau oblige, petite the dear Dar vouchsafed to answer; but I say, I hope you've sent something for us besides your phaeton. I've brought Vere down with me." Oh, indeed," Gertie said, becoming suddenly aware of the existence of such an individual. How do you do, Mr. Brabazon ?" Mr. Brabazon, who had been standing silently by, pulling his yellow moustache, and looking (Helen thought) certainly very "ladylike" and languid, brightened up immediately, and seemed perfectly happy when his fingers closed round the little hand Gertie gave him. There's the dog-cart for you, Dar," his sister said, presently; I'm afraid Helen and I and the Childe quite fill the phaeton, you know." Helen," Dar said—he had been wondering for the last thirty seconds who the blonde-haired girl with the white feather in her hat might be—" 'Helen,' not Cousin Helen." Why not ?" Cousin Helen asked, with a smile and little blush, as she put out her hand to meet Dar's. On the contrary," that individual responded, in somewhat involved speech on the contrary every reason why. Except my failing to recognise you, as I ought to have done, at once. It's—how many years—since we saw each other last ? There is that excuse'for me." And they made their way out of the station by de- grees—Helen and Dar, followed by Gertie and Vere Brabazon—till they came to where "the Childe" stood at the ponies' heads, and conversed affably on the chances of the coming Cambridgeshire," with the groom who had brought over the dog-cart. While the porters were stowing gun-cases and dressing-bags, and other light luggage into the in- terior, the two men stood one on either side of the phaeton when the girls were seated, talking plea- santly. Pleasantly, because Vere and Gertie Fairfax were beginning to understand each other; and because the Don was by no means sorry to discover that "the blonde-ha red girl was Cousin Helen. Little by little he began to identify her with a pet of his some ten years ago, a plucky little women of eight, whom he had taught to sit her first pony, and who had wept such passionate tears one night when a big official letter had come to Laureston, and Cornet Fairfax of Ours was ordered to embark for India and active service forthwith. I He remembered, too, how they had drunk a bumper after dinner to his bon voyage-how the old Squire, the kind, generous governor he was never to see again, had pledged him with a somewhat shaking voice from the head of the long table in the oak dining-room, and prayed God bless his only son— how Cousin Helen had turned white in her muslin robes, and had slipped from her chair and from the room; and how he had discovered her, half an hour afterwards, in the dark library alone, sobbing as though her heart would break. He had called her La Fee Blanche in the eld time, she was so delicately fair and fragile looking. Watching her face now, as it was lifted to his, and as the child's smile seemed to come again upon the lips, and the old. half-grave, half-laughing look to fill the violet eyes, the Don" was, certes, not dis- pleased to discover that time had only ripened that early promise, and that Cousin Helen was very good to look upon, and La Fee Blanche still. So there was a happy ten minutes' talk. For Gertie was at least that time in finding out that her pets were waxing wrath at the delay, and taxing "the Childe's powers of soothing and intimidation to the uttermost. As the phaiton drore off at last, Gertie nodded saucily in adeu, and promising to announce their approach to "my lady" at Laureston, Dar stood watching the white feather in Helen's hat till they had turned the corner, lighting a fresh cigar the while, and thinking how well that velvet toque with its long steamers became her. Floranever looked wellin ahat," he thought, aloud and ungratefully, and she'd never the sense to dis- cover it. Wonder wheiher she's down here, and whether she's likely to be troublesome if she is." By-and-by he and ^"Hebe" were driving towards Laureston in the wake of Gertie's phreton, which, however, as she had told them, they had small chance of overtaking. "We'll shoot the home covers to-morrow, Vere, I'm thinking," Dctr said, as they went along; I hear uncommonly good reports of thpm." "All right," murmured "Hbe," lazily; "there won't be so much tramping to do. That floors me utterly, you know." L izy beggar you are You mean to shut up by lunch-time. Well, we'll send you back in Gertie's charge if you do. She always c rivts to meet us with the vicrcs when we shoot near home, and lunches with us. So there 11 be a fifld amhularcer. ad, for yon if you get put hors-de-combat." ''Capital arrangement." asserted Vere, making up his mind to be utterly exhausted bv the a teri oon "morning's always enough for me, you krow. I aint eo enthusiastic as some iellows the afternoon birds." In point of fact H be v as n good deal too indolent to care much sor any tpjrt thit involved long-protracted physical exertion, and detested walk- ing above all things. And he t ad b wn rathur dread- ing long days over the sti bbUs and the turnip* f r wild conveys without parh^ps a glimpse ot Fairfax till dinner-tim- The prospect seemed brighter now a ter the Don's," his liege lord's announ •• ment, ana Vere pulled away at bis eternal cab-inn Wiiii renewed energy. "Yes," pursued Dar, stiil busy w,th his progr mme for his opening day, that will be a lair morn ng's work. Shoot up to Thicket, n; lunch in the Hoddesdons wood under the jCn" Oak: mee, their keepers, there, and keep the (lying fields for the afternoon. Thnt'U do «ip<rally^" "The H dde«lins?" "He e" asked. "lothey live hi re ?" "There's th ir p ac," Dar said, if kin » hjs whip towards a tall chimneytd fice on a r sing gr< und we've j"st pas ed th-ir lodge-gates. ou kno.v 'em, don t you ?" "Mademoiselle—all, dark girl. with good eyes. Yes, I know her." well, jon kn, w all that's necesfary if you know Flora. She rules,\ou know, jgnorts Madame Mere altogether, ex(ept us a cliap« ron." "By the vay, Dar, hJiin't jou tomitliing on with the daughter this season ? I h ar J something about you two." "My dear boy; no! Flora an-i Inre very food friends, 1 believe. That's all. She's not the sort I should tver think ser ou^ly abo t. In act I never met a woman who wss jet. Ours is a very platonic business, and I mean it. to remain mst that," "Tantpis pour elle!" thought "Hebe." "Shouldn't like a plaipmc friendship, that was never to be any- thing more, to exist between the Don and a sister of mine, if I had one. I know." And then he fell to thinking about the state of things between himself and Gertie Fairfax, and to wonder what his own chances were in the little game he felt it would be bitterly hard to give up, or to lose now. His chances! A youn.er ton, living, he couldn't tellyou exactly how, on his younger son's portion of,a few hundred plus pay and allowances, what thence had he of winning a dowered belle like Gertie? He loved her, poor boy! he couldn't help that, but he doubted often very sorely, in his odd times of reflection, whether he loved wisely. 8he might like him to valse with—" Hebe knew that, despite his indolence, natural and acquired, be could steer a valseuse through an ugly crush, or swing her round a croivded circle as few of the Light Brigade coulc* do—and she mighi n't object to have him by her side in her morning canter in the Row, and she might bow and smile pleasantly enough to him when be doffed his hat to heir irr the Ring. But didehe really care for him? Would ahe listen to him one day? Would his love win her ? And even if it did, would her people let her fling herself away upon a penniless sub, with nothing but his sabre to depend on ? ° Sometimes, when these considerations and doubts presented themselves to him very strongly And disagreeably, poor Hebe" was fain to bite his yellow moustache savagely; and, groaning in the spirit, to wish the dtiice he hadn't applied for that confounded sick-leave, and almost make up his mind to report himself well at once, and rejoin Ours that winter at Amberabad, N. W. P.; and then find a dozen unanswerable reasons for staying on, and hug his chains the closer, and ask for that extra fast dance, and, perhaps, while the Clicquot was hissing and sparkling in his tumbler, persuade himself that he really had some chance of pulling off the race after all. Going to bed, or to finish the night at the Rag, with the recollection of Gertie's •mite and the carriage, haunting him still, and with a happy though hazv notion that it would all come right somehow perhaps." But there were times when sophistry of this sort was powerless to soothe him. as now. Aud SO sat behind his big cigar answering such observations as his companion vouchsafed him in languid mono- ayllablear but sorrowful at. heart, and inclined to curse the folly whinh had made him accept so grate- fully Dar's invitati on to come down to L:I\¡!1.n the first, and the greater folly he had committed in coming down to play moth to the dangerous flame that had singed his wings desperately already. At)d yet okinvt! and yet !—She had looked adorable when he saw her at the station. She had welcoir.ed so kindly and so frankly, that surely he would ha,ve been an idiot to miss seeing her, and the rest of it. "Hebe's" cogitations described thoir wont cd circl, and came back to their old starting-point as usual. (To be continued*)

BRITISH NORTH BORNEO. The recent reports of native troubles in British North Borneo and of preparations for a raid on the part of Mat Salleh were due to the spreading of a malicious report on the part of one of Mat Salleh's former adherents that it was in- tended to break faith with him and to put a price on his head. In consequence of this report Mat Salleh came down from the interior to Lawas, a place] on the west coast in the Sultan of Brunei's territory, to buy gunpowder. On hearing of this, the British North Borneo Company at once tele- graphed out denying the truth of the native report, ordering the punishment of the native responsible for it, and directing that steps should be taken to reassure Mat Salleh. In view of the misunderstanding the company have decided to hasten the departure from England of Mr. Clifford, the new Governor. They feel no serious apprehension on the matter, and con- fidently expect that the misunderstanding will be put right on the Governor's arrival.

NEW BRUNSWICK. Mr. Charles Alexander Duff Miller, the indefatig- able Agent-General for New Brunswick, has issued in pamphlet form a concise presentment of the his- tory, position and prospects of the virile colony that derives its name from the reigning House of Eng- land. Mr. Duff Miller knows all there is to be known concerning the colony which has the good fortune to command his services as Agent-General, and what he has to say thereanent in the booklet adverted to—which is entitled "New Brunswick, Pastand Present"—was originally saidauthoritatively before the members of the Imperial Institute, of which he is a Governor. Mr. Duff Miller has marshalled his facts in an orderly and striking way, and describes the New Brunswick of to-day as graphically and accurately as he deals picturesquely with the past of the Colony—one of the nearest to the Empire's metropolis. He is enthusiastic as to the future of New Brunswick, which certainly offers many allurements to the enterprising capi- talist, and to men of wealth desirous of situating themselves amid agreeable surroundings. New Brunswick abounds in rich lands, waiting the hand of {the energetic agriculturist, to whom the Colonial Government offers every encouragement; whilst its mineral riches are extensive and very varied. As a sporting country New Brunswick, Mr. Duff Miller shows, possesses almost un- paralleled attractiveness, by forest, lake. and river. New Brunswick is by no means new and unde- veloped, but on the contrary enjoys the advantages of a well-established Governmental system and wisely-administered public institutions, having been happily spoken of as one of the most English of the British Colonies." It possesses many good ports and has already a railway system covering over 1300 miles. The interesting statistics and descriptive infor- mation put together by Mr. Duff Miller are at the service of intending emigrants and their friends, and indeed, of all concerned in the expansion of Greater Britain. Copies of the pamphlet in which the Colony's rise and progress is dealt with so illuminatively, and its advantages set forth so instructively, may be had at the offices •f Agent-General for New Briinswick, in London, free of charge. The pamphlet reads as entertain- ingly as an adventure story, and has the advantage •f being undeniably authentic in every particular.

A GENEROUS OFFER. Much is being done for the families of our soldiers and sailors in South Africa. Very little has yet been thought of for those of the officers who are engaged. And yet in many a gentle household the death of the father will bring great suffering as well as great sorrow. An offer has been made, by one who feels this strongly, to defray the entire educa- tion of a boy or girl at one of the Woodard Schools for three years, provided the chjld be the son or daughter of any officer killed or permanently dis- abled, who by virtue of his services deserves some recognition. As the Woodard Schools are Church of England schools this generous offer applies only to the sons and daughters of Churchmen, but the example thus set may well be followed in other direc- tions as well as multiplied for the Woodard Schools. The offer is made to the Provost of Denstone (Rev. Arthur Talbot, Church Eaton,^ Stafford), who will be glad to consider any applications which may come to him.

Voices made to order are the latest thing in surgery. The Family Doctor points out that actual operations have demonstrated that the larynx or vocal box can be successfully removed, and the patient may not only survive the shock, but recover. In order to restore speech to the patient an artificial larynx and vocal chords are provided. The voice attiftcially produced is incapable of inection, but although it is a monotone, the patient is perfectly able to carry on a conversation. Iw the public distribution of electric energy for lighting and power (says Professor Sylvanus Thomp- son) the necessities of economic workmg are effect- ing a slow but sure revolution. The methods that were in vogue at the date when the Electric Lighting Act of 188S made electric distribution in this country commercially possible are being superseded. Larger generating unita are being used in our stations. Larger areas of supply and fewer and fewer generat- ing centres in an area are a necessity of the time. From the row of little bipolar dynamos, each with its own high-speed engine—a sight so familiar in the older lighting stations in this country-we are gradually passing to the use of large multipolar machines coupled to larger and moreeconomical steam engines. Ten years ago a distribution at six miles from the generating station was looked upon askance by many electrical engineers. To-dayitisrecognised that the secret of economical work is to generate on the large scale—"in bulk," as the phrase goes—and J to distribute over large areas at an appropriately hi £ h voitage. -J

AN ILLUSORY TERROR. AN AUSTRALIAN STOay. The day's shearing was at an end, and the two old college chums were sittring opposite each other, with their feet on the same chair. Bob Clare, the prosperous owner of Wingaroo, smiled over his cigar at George Millington, the out-at-elbows tramp, who had, as often before, just called at the station for a job. It was a smile of' pity as well as affection. When we you going to settle down, old chap?" he asked, as bis smile faded away. "Never, Bob, never. That's a sure thing." Still the old wound ?" J ust about as sore as ever. I've given up hoping it will heal—even wanting it to, I think." This with a shrug. The more fool you, old chap-till I've told yon before. Come Make a big effort. I want to run down to Melbourne, and there's no one I'd like better to be in charge while I'm away." But George shook his head. "N<>ne of your benevolent larks, Bob," he replied. "1 know that 'run down to Melbourne.' I know the size of your heart and what a downright good fellow von are. Not- but what it's very jolly to have a week with you like this. I reckon I was the best man of the lotto-day. Seven score to rnyowncheek isn't bad." You must be a fool, George," cried the master of Wingaroo. It's five years now, isn't it ?" Five precisely, at half-past four on the twentieth of June." It beats all!" exclaimed Bob Clare. Can't you yet guess at the meaning of it?" "Er—I don't trouble to, old man. The facts satisfy me. For quite eighteen months we were as thick as-well, thieves, I suppose. I always got the pick of her dances; we always drifted together when- ever we were within a hundred yards of each other; she called me 'George,' and never looked better pleased than when I called her Reggy'—Regina is such a stately name for a girl, you know. So it went on, and all but the knowing ones in our set booked us for a eoupi through life. W hy, hang it all, I: nearly got as far as giving the guard a tip to lock os up together for the journey and ordering two luncheon baskets to be shoved in at Preston, with iced claret, and all that. How do you like this for metaphor, Bob ?" Bob Clare winked seriously. It's my opinion killing yourøelf-your brain won't stand much more of it." Fudge I We're made of wire out here. I'll be the same fool this time thirty years." "The saints forbid! Let's Bee-how did she actually say no to you ?" That's just the cream of the joke. She never said it. She kissed me and said, Go, there's a dear good boy I' She piled on the wood and coal, blew up the fire with a horse-power bellows, then yawned and said, Go out, can't you 1"' II Wasn't there something about a parent ?" Oh, Of course. A convenient father! A gentle- man with the tastes of a recluse. 'Twas for his sake. She'd be a sister to me, if I wanted a sixth, which I didn't. But she wasn't unselfish, I will say that, for, having kissed me (she took me unawares, you bet), she bade me seek another and a fitter spouse. She feigned tears, or something of that sort. Is that final?' I asked, for I'd begun to have my suspicions. 'Go, George,' she whispered, it is final?' And I went—rather, and didn't stop anywhere until I found myself in Melbourne." Bob Clare pushed the whisky, feeling very sad. for there was no misreading the deep-set despair and bitterness behind the other's words. I've not had much to do with women," he said slowly^" but I'd enioy humbling that one. I'd like to see her, rarely. She seems the sort that feed on men's hearts with a most Epicurean relish, and Hullo who's coming now ?" The. sound of a rider drawing up outside wai heard. Both men rose and went into the passage. It's a telegram, boss," said Bob's housekeeper. Thea Bob read these words aloud: Come home promptly. Uncle dead-leaves yoa everything. WILLIS." "Liquor him up and feed him," said Bob quietly, when he had looked at George without a word. The two then resumed their seats, George having first heartily congratulated his friend. Old chap," said Bob, Fate's pretty funny. Now | I'll just have to entreat you to boss my show while I'm away. I know you'll pull me out of this hole. And—I tell you what—I'll do you a good turn, too, George, if you'll give me her address. I'll find out what's come of that vampire and report progress. Five years makes a lot of difference with women." But George just smiled his old bitter smile. "Please yourself about that," he said. "Of course, if you like, now, I'll squat at Wingaroo until further notice." It's a bargain, then," exclaimed Bob Clare, and the two clasped hands across the cigar-box. All the same George Millington was not very happy when he went to bed. Regular habits irked him like a pain, and he did not want to know what rich man Regina Nixon had married and how many children she had borne. » When he had seen to his own affairs in the old country (they were highly satisfactory, by-the-bye), Bob Clare took train to Cappertori. He was more than ever set on championing the cause of George MiHinon-in the way that seemed moat suitable. As it happened, too, his leaal adviser, Mr. Willis, could give him a letter of introduction to a Mr. Neve, of Capperton, who, as estate agent for Lord Graze- brook, was likely to be in the best Capperton set. But Bob made Miss Nixin's acquaintance before he had shaken hands with Mr. Neve. In accordance with his colonial habits, hfe rose early on the morning after his arrival at Capperton, and, going outinte the cool August air with a cigar, came face to face with a woman of surprising beauty. She was walking quickly towards a church, the bell of which was tinkling quietly. On the pavement behind her was a prayer-book. It was so evidently hers that Bob did not hesitate about picking it up and following her with it. But before giving it to her he looked inside to see if there was a name. Then the words Regina Nixon met his eyes, and he understood that Fate had played one of its fine old mellow tricks of coincidence upon him. "Miss Nixon, perhaps?" be asked in the church porch, where be caught her up; and she, noticing the prayer-book, looked full at him with the most magnificent purple eyes Bob bad ever seen, thanked him and took the book. He now had much to think about. By-and-by he had still more to think about, and it was only by main force that be constrained himself to remember his wronged friend. Mr. Neve was quite at his service, and when he heard that Bob purposed to stay in Capperton, did what he could to make things agreeable for him. Thus he saw much of Regina Nixon. She was a lone girl of four-and-twenty, living in a large house, with a cousin as companion. But though thus lonely, she did not live the life of a recluse like her father. Bob met her at garden parties, golf, and wherever social sport was in progress. And she was more often than not at such times the gayest of the gay, basking, as it seemed, in the admiration she excited. "j Whafs the meaning of it ?" he asked Mr. Neve on one occasion. But Mr. Neve did not answer the question point- blank. He shook hishead as he said— I don't pretend to understand women, and least of all girls like Miss Nixon., She might marry a baronet if she would, but—she prefers to have a good time first, I suppose." That's it!" exclaimed Bob to himself afterwards. She is one of those lovely monsters that get born into the world now and then to curse mankind. Since she broke poor George's heart I daresay she hm trodden on scores of others in the same way." Nevertheless, he himself soon fell under the fascination that held so many others in Capperton, and in a month he found himself laying, Will she be there ?" whenever he was bound for aome social gathering at which Capperton's elite, might be ex- pected to be present. He fought against the temptation desperately, but Begina Nixon's face was always stronger still. There was this, besides; though he had not said a word to her to imply that he knew George Millington, she felt a strange interest In him which heightened her beauty and set a certain connecting link of sympathy between them. At last the inevitable happened. The twain were together alone in a secluded part •f a garden. Will you let me speak seriously to you ?" Bob asked her, with trembling Hps. Shejooked at him—almost compassionately, yet with a smile aewen. Seriously P" she echoed. 1-1 want you," he then said abruptly, with singular lameness, and was at once interrupted by j her little upraised band. JJJJ" Stop, Mr. Clare!" she exclaimed. For your own sake, please don't continue. I can see what is coming. I have had experience," she sighed, and added, it is no use." I love you," he said, notwithstanding. "I am sorry to hear it," said she; and do me the justice to confess that it is not my fault." Then, in a flash, Bob realised that he had been treated much as George Millington had been treated, and he hated himself. Also, for the moment, an overmastering hatred of this beautiful girl gripped kim. YOUlerye ns aU alike," he aid fierotly, from 90or George downwards," At these words Miss Nixon started and went pale as the water-lilies in a fountain near them. George she muttered, George—who ?n George Millington, whom I left the other day in Australia, cursing for your sake the hour he was born. As good a fellow as ever breathed, yet wrecked—by you But I hope I am of sterner stuff. Good afternoon, Miss Nixon!" He was leaving her when she put her hand on his shoulder. Mr. Clare," she said calmly, I fancy yon do not know what you are talking about. Where is this Mr. George Millington whom you-" Where ?" he cried. "Well, you may as well have it, to minister to your fiendish pride With this he threw her a letter he had received only that morning from George, and, careless of manners and aught else, left her. That evening, too, having written a note to Mr. Neve, he left Capperton also. There was not much actual mention of Regina in George Millington's letter, but the tone of the whole communication was evidently inspired by the ex- tremity of bitterness and resignation of a sort. But there were these words: "I can't help it, old man, get me her photograph, by hook or by crook, and I'll ask no wages of you for playing locum!' Even as Bob Clare left the party without word to anyone, so too did Regina Nixon, and she kept her head bent until she reached home—that people might not see the tell-tale gleam in her eyes. < Bob Clare did not return to Capperton. He wrote George stick a letter, confessing everything, and dis- cussing Regina as if she were a vile sort of pestilence, and then he gave himself up to business and pleasure. And five weeks afterwards, having wired to George, he set off back to Wingaroo. "Mv word, Mr. Clare," said the man at the "Bushman's Rest," where Bob called in his ride from Crossfire Station to Wingaroo, them's startling changes up at your place "What!" cried Bob. "What's happened? No fire, rot, or anything, is there ?" The man preferred to draw his hand across his mouth, grin and say, I reckon its nothing to dis- tress you, sir. I'd rather it sprung itself on you as a surprise." Then Bob rode away; he expected some trifling improvement in sheds or fencing, due to George's keen mind—that was all. But instead, when be got to Wingaroo, he saw the head of a lady in the garden that fronted the house, and by the time he was at his own door the lady had a companion, and Mr. and Mrs. George Millington stood smiling before him. Thought you wouldn't mind, old man," said George gaily. We spliced and settled down two days after Reggy's arrival. There've been a lot of howling mistakes about., but, God bless her, made none of 'em. We've fixed up in the blue-faced hut, and are as happy as sandboys." After this, Regina held out her hand and quste timidly said. Can you forgive me, Mr. Clare—for George's sake ?" Then Bob dashed away his personal emotion. If there's anything to forgive," he replied, of course, I forgive it—for George's sake!" But it wasn't until later that he understood how the main cloud of trouble had originated. Regina's father had for the last years of his life been mad- this was the secret she had had to guard so jealously, and it was in terror of the hereditary curse that she had said no" to George when he asked her to marry him. The terror had since then been proved illusory, and remorse had worried her night and day until Bob's visit to Capperton had given her new hopes, which she had herself fulfilled.

OPENING UP THE NILE. REMOVAL OF THE HunD. The Cairo correspondent of the Bally New,send8 a summary of an interesting report which has been drawn up by Mr. W. Willcocks on the value of the White Nile to Egypt and the injurious effects of the sudds. The extraordinary behaviour of the low flood of 1899 is possibly due to the existence of this in an especially aggravated form. Mr. Willcocks traces the history of the sudd, and shows that the White Nile is gradually getting blocked up by it. The sudd is formed of floating weeds brought down from Uganda and Lake Albert. Mr. Willcocks says As matters now stand, we find that the Bahr el Gebel, which in 1840 carried practically the whole of the supply of the Victoria Nile, and was a broad open stream some 400 metres wide and five meters deep, is to-day well nigh obliterated for 250 kilo- metres. The waters of the Victoria Nile are in great part carried by the Bahr Ziraf, which has thus taken the place of the Bahr el Gehel. The great decrease in the discharge of the Bahr el Gebel has caused Lake No, which was a very considerable expanse of water in 1840, to dwindle into an insignificant marsh. The broad, shallow arm of the river which connected Lake No with the Saubat River and went by the name ef the White Nile, has been in great part obliterated by sudd, and the Gazelle River is doubtless finding a more commodious outlet for its waters by means of the Bahr Lolle. As there are only 30 kilometres of sudd in the llihr Ziraf, it would be a comparatively easy task for the Egyptian Government to remove the sudd from the head waters of this arm of the river, and open a wide channel into the Victoria Nile, and then close the Bahr el Gebel at the head by a dam. On the com- pletion of this work, the cost of which Mr. Willcocks estimates at the Victoria Nile supply would be brought, straight down:to Egypt, and not only might the summer supply of 1900 be increased, but the rise of the river in June, 1900, might begin at an earlier date. Once the sudd were removed, it would be easy to devote annually a fixed sum of money to the raising of the banks in the low parts. On this work Mr. Willcocks proposes an expenditure of £600,000, spread over 10 years. If the project were estimated to cost £6,000,000, instead of £tJOO,OOO, he thinks it would be well worth the while of the Egyptian Government to execute it. The Soudan without the head waters of the Victoria lfiIe, he -II&S. is worth nothing: as the highway of these waters it is a possession of great value.

BRISTOL'S GIFT TO THE QUEEN. The Queen by graciously accepted a "ery hand- some gift from the members and associates of the Bristol Academy in commemoration of her recent visit to the city. The gift consists of 34 typical works by members of the academy, and is encased in a very handsome ruby-red Russia-leather portfolio, beautifully-tooled with gold, and bearing the Imperial crown and ivoyal monogram. It is lined inside with a rich gold-coloured napped Russia leather, upon which rests a silver plate with suitable inscription setting forth the purport of the gift; the sketches being mounted in white over-mounts (Royal size), with inner narrow gilt matts, harmonise well with the surrounding colour.

A SEAL WITH PIG'S BRISTLES. An American paper tells of a fisherman at Mama- oneck, who shot and killed a seal weighing 64lbs., which was swimming in an inlet in Long Island Sound and interfered with his nets. The seal is now on exhibition. Instead of having a fur coat the skin is covered with hair like bristles of a pig. It is the opinion of some of the fishermen who have examined it that, the mammal belongs to the coast of Maine, while others are of the opinion that it is one of the seals which escaped last summer from Glen Island.

AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVES IN ENGLAND. Some facts set out in the current number of FieJden's Magu^ive will have a reassuring effect on those disturbed by the recent much-vaunted exporta- tion of American locomotives for this country and China. A writer points out that so far from this year witnessing the first invasion of foreign-built locomotives, it is rather more than 60 years since the innovation was started, the first American looomotiv* used in England being supplied to the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway, now incorporated in the Midland system. The company contracted for a supply of engines at a price from £1000 to £1600 each, including 20 per cent. import duty. These engines were, more or less, Standard American locomotives of that period, just as the recent impor- tations of Midland engines are Standard engines of the present day. One of the first to be delivered was called the England."

TH* dentist with a pull is hound to draw. STOIIIBS without end, pathetic and humorous, cluster round the annals of the Dublin Fusiliers. Only the other day we read the touching story of the private who lay all night with his arms round Cap- tain Paton, who was seriously wounded in one of the Natal battles, in order that warmth from his own body might keep the spark of life burning in the officer's. A similar story i. related in the Christmas number of the English Illustrated. It tells how two foster-brothers—one an officer the other a private— were wounded together in an engagement, and how on the following morning the private was found dead and the officer living, though the officer was the more seriously wounded. The private had stripped off all his clothing and heaped it above his uncon- scious master, in order to shield him from the bitter niht-frost. These are deeds of which a regiment may well be proud.

THE TUGELA RIVER. The Modder and Tugela Rivers oj-e at the present moment (observes a Pall Mall Gazette correspon- dent), the most conspicuous streams in South Africa. The Tugela, or Startling" River, is the longest river in Natal, being over 200 miles long, attaining a breadth at its mor.th of 450ft. For the last 60 I miles or so of its course it forms the boundary line between Natal and Zululand, the latter being now a province of Natal. It rises on the Free State side of Mont aux Sources, m the Drakensberg Mountains, the extreme western point in Natal, and at once leaps down into the colony with a fall, broken by one or two ledges, of 1800ft.. I-the highest waterfall in the world. It then tears through a canon over two miles long, joined here and there by many a foaming stream from kloof and hillside, and cuts the colony in two, separating Klip River County from Weenen County. Its first tributary of any importance before reaching Colenso is the Little Tugela, flowing in from the south. At Colenso it is crossed by the Bulwer Road Bridge, and a substantial railway bridge, consisting of four stone piers and five iron spans. Whether the latter still remains entire is very doubtful. Some distance below Colenso, the now famous Klip River, on which stands Ladysmith, flows in from the north. The Blauwkranz River next joins it on the south bank, and a few miles nearer the meuth the Tugela is augmented by the Bushman River, on which Estcourt stands. Ten miles lower down, but on the north side of the "Startling River," the Sunday's River comes tearing in from its distant sources in the Biggarsberg. past Elandslaagte. This latter river receives the Inkunzi and Waschbank streams, which traverse the southern district of Natal's coal- fields. Just before the Tugela reaches the Zulu border the Mooi (good) River runs in from the south. At the Zulu border the Tugela receives its largest tribu- tary, the Buffalo or Unizinyati River, which from its source near Charlestown flows south-east, form- ing Natal's Eastern boundary between her territory, the Transvaal, and Zululand. Near Dundee are Landman's and Commando Drifts, across the Buffalo, and lower down come Rorke's and Fugitive's Drifts, at the latter of which Lieutenant Melville was killed, with his regiment's colours wrapped round him, in the Zulu War of 1879. On the Buffalo hank, overlooking the Drift, there is a monument to his memory. The Buffalo is joined between Amajuba and Newcastle by the historic Ingogo River, where over 150 of our men were lost by fight and flooded stream in the first Boer rebellion. The scenery throughout the whole length of the j Tugela is picturesque, and at places wild and magni- ficent. High cliffs, lofty hills, deep ravines and wooded kloofs, mark its progress to the sea. Like all Natal risers (save the first few miles of the Umzimkiilu in the extreme south) the Tugela is not navigable, and a bar of sand stretches across its mouth.

DON'T THINK I AM HOBSON." The fighting in the Philippines, though of a very severe character, has not been without its amusing incidents. A writer in the Barton Traveller, who is a soldier in the United States fortes, describing the aiting of Calamba, says: "When we reached the church in the town there was a lot of Spanish pri- wners outside the insurgents could not manage to L-et them away. When they saw us coming, they ran 11p to ntl, hugged us, and called us all kinds of good names. One hugged and kissed our lieutenant, but mr lieutenant said: 'Hold on! Don't think I am

COMPANY INTERMENTS IN 1898. The eighth annual report. of the Board of Trade 1n the Companies Winding-Up Act has been issued. l'he number of companies wound up in 1898 was 1745. of which 1554 were voluntary. The amount capital inrolred was compared with £5;),i)47,67 for 1897, when 1587 companies were buried. The chief general conclusions drawn by the compiler of the return from a perusal of the figures for the past seven years—which total £ 327,048,911— are That there has during the past three years been a great increase in the total number of liquidations and in the amount of capital involved in them, an increase which to some extent corresponds with the increase of new companies formed; (2) That there has been a disproportionately large in- crease in the proportion of vendors' capital involved as compared with that subscribed by the public (3) That the method of liquidation has undergone a considerable change in the direction of an increased number of companies being wound up voluntarily as compared with those wound up by the Court. It has been pointed out in previous reports that a close parallel exists between the increase of vendors' shares, which necessarily gives to the per- sons connected with the formation of the company a larger controlling voice in the liquidation, and the increase in the voluntary method, which avoids in- dependent investigation into the causes of failure and into the history of the company's transactions. Then there can be little doubt that these coinci- dences are in the nature of cause and effect, and that the general tendency of liquidation proceedings is to withdraw the failures of companies from the super- vision and investigation which Parliament has thought it necessary to provide in the case of com- Danies wound up by the courts.

PARIS UNDERGROUND RAILWAY. The Paris Underground Railway is making pro- gress (a Chronicle correspondent reports), but it will not be open along its whole length on tlie opening of the Exhibition. When finished there will be 23 stations in a distance of about 10 miles. The train will be limited to one first-class and three second- class carriages. The fares are to be uniform to all stations—95 centimes and 15 centimes, with facilities for purchasing books of tickets at reduced rates.

AGRICULTURAL RETURNS. From the Board of Agriculture we have received a preliminary statement showing the estimated total produce and yield per acre of wheat, barley, and oats in Great Britain in the year 1899, with comparative statements for the year 1898, and for the average of the 10 years 1889.98. For England, Wales, and Scotland the area under wheat is given as 2,000,981 acres against 2.102,206 acres last year, while the yield is put at 65,529,325 bushels compared with 73,028.856 bushels, being a yield per acre of 32'75 bushels, Against 34 74 bushels for 1808 and 29 86 for the years 1889-98. Under barley there were this year 1,982,108 acres, an increase of nearly 80,000 acres on last year, though the yield is rather leu- 67,715,698 bushels, or 3416 bushels per acre, against 68,051,918 bushels, or 35*75 bushels per acre. For this cereal the decimal average is 33'26 bushels. Oats also show an increased acreage and a diminished out-turn. The land under oats was 2,959,755 acres, compared with 2,017,760 acres, while the yield is 114,746,544 bushels, against 118.920,917. To the acre this yield works out at 38*77 bushels, against 40*76 bushels, and an average of 38*86 bushels for 1889-98.

LORD METHUEN'S PATRONYMIC. The patronymic of the heroic commander of the Brigade of G uards in the Transvaal is the Daily variously pronounced, according to taste, as Meth-u-en, Meth-uen, Meth-yoon, and Meth OOB. Properly it should be Meth-ven, the arhaic style of spelling—when u did duty for itself and v as well-having been retained by the family. The founder in Scotland of this distinguished house came over from Hungary with Edgar Atheling. Fearing that William the Conqueror was conspired against him. the visitor fled to Scotland, and was hospitably received by King Malcolm Canmore, Atheling's brother-in-law. The Scottish King gave the refugee the barony of Methuen (now spelled Methven), which stands in the centre of Strathmore. The name is derived from a Gaelic word of apparently kindred pronunciation, which means middle." The story of the descent of the Methoens of Corsham, Wilts, from the friend of Edgar Atheling, is told in that, 0lrl-fashion9d work, Douglass's Baronage of Scotland."

A REAL HERO. Possibly, writes ex-Major Tamplin in the Cape Times, the real hero of Eland's Laagte will prove to be Lieutenant Meiklejohn, of the Gordon High- landers "This young officer, one of the 'Dargai Boytl: helped the charge in an endeavour to embanrass the Boer flank. Supported by a party of Gardons,, says ( that paper, Meiklejohn waved his sword wld cned out to his party hastily gathered round ninx. But the Boer ranks were alert, and poured in a deadly fire on the gallant band. Lieutenant MeIkleJohn: received three bullets through his upper right arm, one through the right forearm, a finger blown away, a bullet through the left thIgh, two bullets through the helmet, a f snick' in the neck, and his sword and scabbard were literally shot to pieces. He has by now lost, his right arm, but, happily, being left- I handed. we may hope for his continuance as the valiant commissioned officer he is."

MAS. CRIMSOHBEAK Has Mr. Crimsonbeak got home from dinner yet, Bridget?" Bridget: mum." "I thought I heard him downstairs, t Shure, that was the dog you heard growling, i untn."

EPITOME OF NEWS. takings of London theatres and mosic-halfe exceed £1,500,000 a year. THE British Army is now stronger in point of numbers than it has been at any time in the last 21 years, for it comprises some 2-30,000 men. IT is estimated that 18,000,000 tons of coal are infr* ported into London every year, of which amount 7,288,000 foos come by sea. LONHON is 12 milesbroad one way and 17 the other,, and every year sees about. 20 miles of new streets added to it. QUEES VICTORIA never reads any documents or letters, except from her immediate family, until they have first been looked over by her secretary, who- charge of the Royal correspondence. THAT the Japanese consider salted whale-meat a delicacy would appear by the quantities purchased. The whales are caught off the coast of ,"Korea, the flesh and blubber cat up, salted, and sent to Japan for sale as food. Over 2,000,000ib. of the whale-meat was imported into Nagasaki alone last year. THE Island of Luson, in the Philippines, contains one of the recognised races of dwarf men, the Aetas, whose average height is only 4ft. Sin. or 4ft. 9in. They dwell among the mountains in the interior of the island, and are allied to the Andamanese, in- habiting islands in the Bay of Bengal. It is remarked by a recent writer that all of the dwarf races survive only in the most inaccessible parts of the coatinente or islands to which they belong. THE air-ship of Count Zeppelin, a lieutenant- general in the German army, now on trial besido the Bodeneee in Wurtemberg. is a veritable aerial steamer. It consists of a lattice framework of aluminium 420ft. long, and divided into partitions, each holding a gas-bag. The whole is covered with waterproof silk, and makes a cylinder 37ft. in diameter, with ogivale ends like a conical bullet. A. gallery and two cars of aluminium beneath add stiff- ness to the machine. It is housed in a floating shed on the Bodensee. THE Czarma has a shawl which she values very highly. It was sent her by the ladies of Orenburg, a town in South-Eastern Russia. It reached her in a wooden box with silver hooks and hinges, the outside being embellished with designs of spears, turbans, whips, &c., on a ground of blue enamel, that being the colour of the Cossack uniform. The shawl ia about 10yds. square, but it is so exquisitely flnethafe it be passed through a ring, and when folded makes a small parcel of a few inches only. COUNTERFEIT coins have been conspicuous recently in the collections taken at the church of the Rev. E. D. Shaw, vicar of High Wycoinbe. The vicar at a service pilloried the sham contributors. Holding one of the base coins between thumb and finder, he. remarked that that particular mock contribution waa given in aid of the sick and suffering on Hospital Sunday. It was a terrible mockery in the sight of God, and he hoped the practice would be discon- tinued. MR. HUNT, a Pretoria barber, who has been writing about the Boers in a hairdressers' journal, looks (saya the Chronicle) at the Transvaalers. naturally enough, from the standpoint of his own profession. "Kruger," he says, "like the rest of the Boers is very careless about his toilet. He has never yet visited a hair- dresser he sets his own razor, and shaves himself, and Mrs. Kruger cuts his hair. The trade in Pretoria was kept very busy for about 10 days giving the burghers a commando hair cut. AT a meeting of the Little Hulton District CoonciT recently it was stated that the South Lancashire Tramways Company are now depositing their plans 4 with various municipal and urban authorities. The proposed tramways of the company will commence at St. Helens, and passing through a score of indus- trial towns and districts, will loin the Manchester system. The length of the new lines will be over 80 mites, including branches, and the cost will probably run into seven figures. THE Emperor of Japan has conferred the Imperial Order of the Hising Sun upon Mr. T. R. Shervinton i}--recognition of his services in connection with the Government Railways. Bv order of the Paris Prefect of Police the commie- saries have been instructed to seize a song, entitled The Disembarkation of the Engtish." Miss CIIADWKK, the sisier superintendent of the Princess of Wates's hospital ship, has been engaged in nursing for 17 years. She received her first training under her uncle, Mr. W. Knight Treves, F.B.C.S., at, Margate, doing surgical work for him. Later she bad charge of the operation theatre at the Evelina Hospital for Children, and next served. year at Guy's Hospital, receiving her cerLincate at the end of that term. Sister Chadwick has since de- voted herseif entirely to military nursing successively at Netley, Woolwich, and the Guards' Hospital. IT has been seriously asserted by many people that we are naturally lighter after a meal, and they have even gone the .length of explaining this by the amount of gas thit is developed from the food. Average observations, however, show that we lose 31b. 6oz. between night a.nd morning that we gain lib. 1 2oz. by breakfast: that we again lose about 14oz. before lunch that lunch puts on an average of lib.; that we again lose during the afternoon an average of lOoz.; but that an ordinary dinner to healthy persons adds 21b. 2oz. to their weight. AT the great patriotic concert in Albert Hall in London last week, which was organised by Miss Ellaline Terriss and Mr. C. P. Little, over £400() was realised. Nothing is more remarkable in con- nection with English charities—and by no means only those which are concerned with the war—than the way in which public entertainers give the very best of their work, and the very generous readiness they invariably show, when they can assist any worthy cause. It is not, we think, always realised what great personal sacrifices this often entails. LoRD ARMSTRONG, who has just entered upon his 90th year, is not the oldest member of the House of Lords. As a matter of fact, two peers are older, Lord Tankerville having been born on January 10, 1810, and Lord Gwydyr on April 27, 1810; Lord Arm* strong was born on November 26 in the same year. THE report of the new Panama Canal Commission says negotiationsi have been commenced with the view to the prolongation of the time liimit for the completion of the undertaking, as it is impossible for the canal to be opened by the date agreed upon. The work, however, ma,y be com- pleted in ten years at a cost of 512, 000,000f. The average number of men to be employed is estimated at 12,000. MR. NEVINBOH, the war correspondent of the Daily Chronicle, whose account of the fight at the Modder River was so interesting, is a promising writer. He is a scholar as well as a journalist, and bis contri- butions to the, literary side of his journal have been often excellent. IT is interesting to notice that Mr. Matthew White Ridley, son of the Home Secretary, is coming out soon as a politician. Among Cabinet and ex-Cabinet Ministers whose sons are coming on are Lord Salisbury, Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. Asquith, and Mr. Goschen. LADY Vmcmrr, mother of Sir Howard and Sir Edgar Vincent, whose death has very recently occurred, was a universal favourite—one of the kindest and best of old ladies. Her sons all declare that they owe their success in life to her exertions and unceasing encouragement. It is the mother, after all, who makes the Englishman what he is. ACCORDING to the London correspondent of the Birmingham Post, there is excellent authority for stating that the particulars of at least three bonds which were issued by Dr. Leyds in payment of war material for the Transvaal, and which have within the past few days been dishonoured have come into the hands of Foreign Office authorities. Thens seems to be no reason to doubt that these bondB, u indeed, all the bonds which Dr. Leyds has issnea during recent months for a similar purpose, will form an interesting subject for discussion in connec- tion with the future settlement of the position ia South Africa. THE Courtsat Stettin have just condemned a riph landed proprietor for a simple word uttered concwnn- ing the Army. He own. land which traverses a il- way leading to field in which manasuvres take place: Recently he wrote to the Minister of War complainmgof the damage done to his property by the soldiery," and claimed damages. The military authorities considered the complaint and the wording of it jrere injurious to the 8tettin garrison. The lan^jfr owner was summoned, and was condemned in a fine of 500 marti, although he protested that he had no malevolent intention in employing the word soldiery." J A coRMSPowDBirrJof the "American Paper for the American People" wrote complainingly that'the United States were dropping behind the nations of the Old World in the matter of art, literature, and inventive genius. The editorial reply was typical of. the paper. It ran; Our inventors are already sup- plying the world with valuable devices. Maxim him- self ie an American. Holland, of submarine boat f&me, is an American. Europe has no such an in- ventor as Edison. The teleraph and telephone are American inventions. In short, European manufao?' tories are supplied with mechanical inventions front, this country. Don't worry about art and literature. We have no time for them yet. IT is estimated by competent engineers that there are at least £300,000 worth of railway carriagee and waggons at present building in the Midland Counties for South Africa. These include a large number of bogie waggons, carrying about 20 tons each, and of 3ft. Gin. gauge, for delivery at Southampton for Bechuanaland. They are the same patterns as those used in the Egyptian war. Another company is building railway carriages for Rhodesia. Large steel armour-plated hospital vans are building at a third works for the Cape Government Railway.