Barry Herald

GREATER BRITAIN. THS extent of the mortality in Sind among cattle, to the famine, may be judged from the fact that One trading firm alone has already purchased three million hides for shipment. Up to the present the tattle [have suffered more acutely than the people. This is partly doe to the promptness with which re- lief works have been opened, and partly to the npidity with, which grain has been poured in from MIler provinces by the actual operation of the laws of supply and demand. In this connection it is in- teresting to notice the comparative smallness of the rise in grain prices which has taken place in Bengal. this is clear indication that great as must have been the withdrawals of grain already, the stocks have been too large to be appreciably affected by the drain. THAT India, at least a fvery considerable portion of it, is again face to face with the horrors and calamities of a severe famine a letter from Dohad, dated October 27tb, bears painfully convincing testi- mony. I proceeded," says the writer, in Tonga to report my arrival at Kavia. I noticed men and women, even girls and boys, hanging on the trees collecting leaves. They were eating the soft leaves, Meerving the old leaves for the cattle. All the treei •n the public roads are without a single leaf, and even the tender branches are cut off by the poor jfamme-stricken people, who are selling their cattle at ifrom four to eight annas a head. All the fields an dry and without grass. I saw some people who art living skeletons waiting for death. This is the present rtate of this place, and I do not know what will hap- pen afterwards, i am afraid that plague and cholera Will break out." WRITISQ on the picturesqueness of Sydney Har- bour, a Sydney correspondent says: It is a sight well worth a sea voyage of several thousand miles tc Jjehold, the harbour with its magnificent lakelike ex- panse of water, stretching away eight or 10 miles in- land, forming one of the natural beauties of the world. As the eye wanders along the vista, a succes- sion of picturesque and beautiful landscapes come Wilder review. The irregularity of the shores, the luxuriant verdure with which the hills are clothed the innumerable villa residences nestling cosily on the slopes of the cliffs, which form the general out- lint of the bays, surrounded with exquisitely laid out gardens filled with plants and fruits Irom almost every clime, form a panorama of singu- lar beauty. The waters of the port are 01 a. depth sufficient the largest ship afloat to manoeuvre in; vessels drawing 27ft. can enter the Heads at dead low water with perfect safety while. OS regards its capacity, it is not surpassed by any Other haven. It is surrounded by a hundred or more fcays, inlets, and creeks, the scenery around each feeing of amost charming character. Many of these fcays form, of themselves, capacious harbours some of them extending inland for miles. The main Waters are dotted over with glittering islets, which Odd to the exquisite grandeur of this noble estuary, while they form no impediment to navigation. io The entrance to the harbour is about a mile in -width. On either side the rocks rise up to a great lieight, forming a natural gateway. So completely it the harbour shut in, that until an entrance is fairly effected its capacity and aafety cannot even be con- jectured. The North Head rises with singular 8bruptness to a height of about 300ft. The outer South Head, immediately under the Macquarie Light- house, rises to an elevation of upwards of 350ft. twit the rocks dip towards the northt until. at the inner entrance to the bay, where a fixed Coloured light stands, the elevation is not more than eo or 90ft. Immediately opposite, the entrance ( fttnnds a bold, rocky promontory, Middle Heed, which, when viewed from a distance at sea, gives tc the harbour an appearance of comparatively Omall dimensions, a mere indentation of the coast which deceived even the experienced eye of Captain Cook. At the further end of the harbour are the entrances to the Parramatta and Lane Cove rivers, the former being that on which the leading Aus- tralian rowing and sculling contests take place. Both Otreams pass through scenery of the loveliest descrip- tion, the Lane Cove river being famous for its pro- vision of ferns and beautiful native flowers. On one oide of Middle Head is an inlet, extending a winding Course of several miles, between lofty, precipitous attopea covered with primeval forest, and from the ridges of which may be seen the blue waters of the acífic Ocean stresitching away until they appear to Wend with tte sunlit sky on the distant horizon. Tin arrival of the New Zealand Shipping Com- pany's steamship Waikato. in tow of the British Steamer Asloun, at Fremantle, Western Australia, Concludes the story of another of the many exciting iSpisodes which lhave occurred in Australian waters during the last two or three years. The Waikato left (London on May 4, and had a good run to the Cape of Good Hope, but after leaving the South African Coast her troubles began. Early during the morning of June 5 all hands were alarmed by the terrific Vibratory motion in the ship. It was then discovered that the tail-end of the propeller shaft had broken at O point in the stern tube where it could not be reached. Waikato at this time was about 180 miles off Cape Agulhas. All possible sail was set, bat in the absence of steering apparatus the vessel remained at the mercy of the winds, drifting hither and thither and Crossing and re-crossing the beaten track several times. For nearly a couple of months the vessel remained alone in that part of the ocean, despite the anxious look-out maintained night and day, but on July 28 the barquentine Tukora hove in sight. The Captain very readily promised to do what he could, and it was arranged that he should endeavour to take the Waikato in tow, but the attempt failed, the first hawser breaking, and the second having to be cut, to mitigate the effects of a collision, which fortunately, did little damage to either vesseL After the Tukora had taken her departure, three or four days elapsed when a Danish brig, the Aal- fcuy, hove in sight, but the captain could do nothing save take charge of some letters and send a quantity of spare biscuits on board, to assist in relieving the monotony of the diet, which consisted of tinned berrings at every meal, no provision ^having been made for such an emergency as that in which both Captain and crew found themselves. The Waikato was subsequently sighted by another sailing ship, the Banca, bound to Brisbane, but only an inter- change of intelligence could be effected. Meanwhile all the vessels on the Cape route kept a Vigilant watch for the missing steamer, and an un- successful search was made by H.M.S. Melpomme, despatched by the Admiralty from Mauritius for that purpose. Yet, strangely enough, the Waikato was generally within a day's steaming of almost every vessel on the look-out. her erractic courae being the sole cause of tire difficulty. The average rate of drift was about a mile per hour, certainly not more than 30 miles per day. At last, after remaining a helpless floating mass on the waters of the Pacific, Waikato's crew beheld the smoke of a steamer on the distant horizon. They could scarcely believe their eye sight, but directly it was ascertained that the stranger was approaching in their direction, urgent signals of distress were hoisted. The steamers proved to be the steamship Asloun, 2828 tons burden, from London to Western Australia. The captain, Mr. P. K. Barnet, was asked to take the drifting vessel in tow, but hesitated, it being double the size of his own. At last he con- sented to see. what could be done, and when his re- solve became known the crew of the Waikato gave three ringing cheers, and in a delirium of joy danced about like madmen. But the task was a formidable one. The bottom of the Waikato was very foul, and they were 2600 miles from Fremantle, the nearest port. Moreover, the route to be traversed was over a part of the ocean unfrequented by regular steamers. But where there's a will there's a way, and the two captains and their crew set together in true British style, to accomplish the work of rescue. This waa on September 15. The first difficulty to be over- come was the shortness of the Asloun 8 coal supply, bat after the Waikato had been taken in tow a course was steered for Amsterdam Island, which was reached on September 20. j!l Here, under the lee of the island, a mere speck on the ocean, and dose to ita steep, almost inaccessible cliffs, a considerable quantity of coal—100 tons— was transferred, by means of boat, from the Waikato to the Asloun. Had the weather not have been fine, this could not have been done. At one time the five boats engaged in this record perform- ance broke adrift, and got out to sea, but were happily recovered. Then the work of towage com- menced. Every precaution was taken, for if any- thing had happened to the Asloun, such as getting the tow-rope round the propeller, both ships would have been rendered helpless, and might have drifted about for months before assist- ance arrived. As the two steamews entered Australian waters, they were sighted by a vessel, bound for a New South Wales port, and soon the news of the Waikato was known throughout AasttaiMia. Aa rescued and rescuer appeared off the of Pre- mantle, the whole population turned out and greeted them with tremendous cheering and waving or 1tand- kerchiefs. It was a scene to be long remembered. Ample supplies of fresh food were sent on board by the townsmen, the luscious oranges being regarded as the richest of luxuries by men who had subsisted for nearly three months on tinned provisions. Both jirews are described as furnishing fine examples of the British mercantile marine, and the two captains describe the conduct of the men as most exemplary, as worthy of the British Aag under which they sailed. the Waikato is being provided with a new shaft, and will shortly leave for her original destination, while the Asloun will remain in port to discharge cargo, the captain and crew rejoicing in the prospect of a ?*afe of the salvage money, which will probably be ^out £ 20,000. f'

RETRO SPECT OF THE YEAR 1899. THE YEAR'S EVENTS: PARLIA- MENTARY AND POLITICAL. The extra-Sessional political oratory, prior to the opening of Parliament in February, included impor- tant speeches by some of the leaders on both sides. Mr. B:ilfour told his constituents in Manchester that he thought the Irish were entitled, as a matter of justice, to a Roman Catholic University but that he was not inclined to press his personal view upon his colleagues. The Colonial Secretary denounced the sugar bounties given by certain nations as an iniquity, against which he held we ought to protect our fellow-subjects in the West Indies. Mr. Asquitb declared that "the Liberal party believed in Imperial expansion guided by good sense." Colonel Lockwood, M.P., as Chairman of the East London Water Company, denounced the London County Council as "a gang of Jack Cades." On February 7 Parliament was opened, with a Governmental majority in the House of Commons of 137. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was elected Liberal leader. The debate on the Address in reply to the Queen's Speech was not of a particularly lively or interesting character, and it was agreed to on February 21 in the Commons. Mr. Balfour intro- duced on the 23rd a bill for the reconstruction of the municipal administrative bodies af London. Sir Edward Sassoon (Unionist) was returned member for Hythe. March saw the introduction by Mr. Walter Long of the Foods and Drugs Bill, designed to stop frauds by adulteration and wrongful description. On the 15th of the month Mr. Reckitt's bill for the better regulation of the sale of petroleum was rejected in the Commons by 241 to 159 votes. A compromise between the Government and the Telephone Com- panies was entered into and received the approval of Parliament. A bill was introduced into the House of Lords to limit usury and control money-lending. Outside the Legislature, the chief home political event was the meeting of the National Liberal Fede- ration in Hull, at which, on the 6th inst., Sir H. Camp- bell-Bannerman protested that the expenditure of the Government was excessive, and called for inces- sant, vigilance on the part of the Reform party. Mr. Holland was elected member for Rotherham in the Liberal interest. On April 10 the House of Commons reassembled after the brief Easter recess, and an animated de- bate ensued on the crisis in the church. The Chan- cellor of the Exchequer brought in his Budget on the 13th. and formal resolutions sanctioning changes in the Wine and Stamp Duties were agreed to. also a resolution altering the law relating to the National Debt. The Naval Estimates exhibited a large in- crease nine new waships were provided for, and increment of 4250 seamen. Mr. Chamberlain's bill for the acquisition of ownership in small houses by tenants was met by a hostile amendment, but the Second Reading was passed in the Commons by a very decisive majority on the 17th inst. Warm debates took place in the Commons over the Government's policy in China, which was criticised as wanting in vigour. Lord Russell of Killowen introduced a bill in the Upper House dealing with the subject of illicit commissions and a bill was brought in by the Duke of Devonshire for the promotion of Secondary Educar tion. Bye-elections occurred during April at Harrow— where Mr. Cox was returned by a majority of 1105 over Mr. Corrie Grant, his Liberal opponent; and in North Norfolk—where Sir. W. B. Gurdon defeated his Conservative competitor by 11(55. The death of Mr. Tom Ellis, M.P., created a vacancy in the post of chief Liberal Whip in the Commons, and Mr. Herbert Gladstone undertook the office. During May the London Government Bill was keenly discussed in the Commons, Ministers winning on important divisions by substantial majorities. Mr. Gerald [Balfour's bill for according Ireland agri- .j cultural Home Rule, and a speeral deparfcrfieht for agricultural aad technical interests was well received and the Church Discipline Bill was rejected in the Commons 08 the ¡10th; and the House adjourned over Whitsuntide on the 19tb. The membership for Oxford University, vacant on the death of Sir John Mowbray,, "Father of the Commons," was filled by the return of Sir William Anson, a Liberal Unionist, without a contest Supply largely occupied attention in the Common* in June, and on the 5th a vote of £30,000 to Lord Kitchener for his Soudan services was granted. On the 6th the tragic death of Dr. Wallace from an apoplectic seizure in the Commons created a painful sensation. The London Government Bill passed through Committee in the Lords on the 27th. Sir William Harcourt, in an address to his constituent* which attracted very general attention, declared that a thorough readjustment of taxation would form a leading feature of the new Liberal programme. A decisive victory was the outcome of the Southport bye-election, Sir G. Pilkington securing a majority of 583; and in East Edinburgh Mr. Macrae, the Liberal candidate, scored an overwhelming success at the poll. The Tithe Rent-charge (Rates) Bill was read a third time in the Commons on July 24, and subsequently passed the Lords. The Small Houses Bill passed through Committee in the Lords on the 25th. The Food and Drugs Bill amended to meet the wishes of commercial members, though repudiated as useless by representatives of the agricultural interest passed with ease. Government brought forward a proposal to take over the Niger Company's territories, and obtained a majority of 223 to 101 for their scheme. On a vacancy occurring in the representation of Sonth St. Pancras, the seat was retained by the Ministerialists; but two seats were lost at Oldham. Parliament was prorogued on August 9 after a comparatively uneventful session, the chief Acts passed being the Food and Drllga. Bill, the London Local Government Bill, the Irish Agricultural Bill, the Tithe Rent charge Bill, the Board of Education Bill, and the Shop Assistants (Seats) Bill. This latter comes into operation on the First of January, 1900, and provides that in all places where goods are actually retailed to the public by female assistants, the employer shall provide at least one seat to every three female assis- tants employed in each room, either behind the counter or in any other suitable position. Penalty for non-compHance with the Act—for a first offence, a fine not exceeding JE3 and for a second or subse- quent offence a fine not less than JE1 and not exceed- ing £5. The Board of Education Act establishes a new administrative body, to consist of a President of the Board, of the Lord President of the Council (unless he is appointed President of the Board), her j Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, the First Commissioner of the Treasury, and the Chan- cellor of the Exchequer, who shall be charged with the superintendence of matters relating to educa- tion in England and Wales. The existing Vice- President of the Committee of the Privy Council on Education is also to be a member of the Board, but on the next vacancy in his office, the office is to be abolished, and the Education Department Act, 1856, is to be repealed, as also the words the Vice-Presi- dent of the Committee of the said Privy Council on Education being one of them in the 7th Section of the Public Health Act, 1858. The Tithe Rent-charge Act exempts the owner of tithe rent-charge attached to a Benefice from one- half of the rates to which the Act applies; the remaining half shall, on demand being made by the collector of the rate on the surveyor of taxes for the district, be paid by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue out of the sums payable by them to the Local Taxation Account, on account of the Estate Duty Grant. The state of public feeling became so tense during September concerning the crisis which had arisen in South Africa between her Majesty's Government and the Transvaal and Orange Free State Executives that two Cabinet Councils had to be held at this unusual season of the year, on the 21st rod 28th inst. respectively. The result was that strong despatches passed between Pretoria and London. October 7 saw the summoning of Parliament to a Special j Session, and aimultaneoualy the calling out of the Reserves. Actual war with the Dutch Re- publics in South Africa commenced on the 11th, and on the 18th Mr. Balfour announced in the Commons, the emergency SeuiOD having commenced,that Govern- ment would ask for an additional War Office vote of 10 millions sterling, and 35,000 men for Transvaal operationa. Both were granted on the 20th. Par- liament was prorogued on the 27th. Bow and Bromley bye-election: Mr. Guthrie (U.), 4238; Mr. Harold Spender (L.), 2123. November.—6. Exeter bye-electioa; Sir £ Vincent (C.) 4030, Mr. A. Bright (L.) 3371. At the Guildhall Banquet in London on the 9th, Lord Salisbury delivered an important apeech, dilating on the cordial relations existing between Britain, Germany, and the United States, and announcing that the Government would permit no outaide interference with the settle- ment of the Transvaal trouble. On the 20th great sorrow was occaaioned by the demiae of Lady Salis- bury, wife of the Premier. ) December.—7. Mr. R. E. Dickinson (C.) returned unopposed for Somerset (Wilts). 9. Mr. Chaplin, at United Service Club banquet in London, an- nounced that there was never a more united Cabinet than that of Britain with regard to the South African war. 20. Clackmannan and Kinross election: Mr. E. Wason (L.) returned, majority 516. I THE YEAR'S CHIEF EVENTS: FOREIGN AND COLONIAL. January.—1- Coba transferred to the control of the United States. 5. Lord Cromer laid foundation Gordon Memorial College at Khartoum. 7 AguincH-> claimed independence from the-Philip- pines; desperate fighting, but America troops every- where victorious. 18. Ahmed Fedil's forces, 2000 strong, surrendered on the Blue Nile to the gunboat Meteinmeh. 21. Lord Kitchener appointed Governor of the Soudan. 27. Disturbance in the Austrian Reichsrath. Important progress was made during January in the arrangements for Australian federation. February witnessed a wave of enthusiasm in the United S ates, provoked by the publication of a poem by Rudyard Kipling-" The WhiteMan's Burden calling on white men to assume the rule of half- civilised races as a duty to humanity. 6. Count Caprivi died. The death of Prince Alfred of Saxe- Coburg brought the renunciation of the succession" by the Duke of Connaught, making the young Duke of Albany heir to the reigning head of the Duchy. 11. Iloilo captured by the United States forces. 16. Sudden death of President Felix Faure, throwing France into mourning. 18. M. Loubet, advanced Republican, elected President of the French Re- public; M. Meline, nominated as a Moderate, de- clining to stand. 19. Serious fighting between Russians and Chinese at Talienwan. March saw Spain in political convulsion, the Con- servatives under Senor Silvela coming into office. Lord Charles Beresford returned to England from his commercial mission to China on the 8th. The German Emperor met Mr. Cecil Rhodes in conference concerning South African Developments on the 11th. Agreement signed on the 21st between France and England for the settlement of Central African boun- daries, this country retaining Darfur and the Bahr- el-Gazal. April witnessed the spread of general indignation on account of the abrogation of local rights in Fin- land, which bad been recognised under successive Emperors of Russia for over 80 years. 4. British troops ordered from Hong Kong to Kowloon. 18. British flag hoisted there. 27. Announcement of coming construction of all British Pacific cable. The International Peace Conference summoned by the Czar met in May at the Hague, under the presi- dency of M. de Staal, but its proceedings proved dis- appointing. Another abortive conference was opened at Bloemfontein between President Kruger and Sir Alfred Milner respecting the Uitlander grievances and other South African matters but the efforts of the diplomats concerned did not obviate the subse- quent outbreak of war between Britain and the Hollander republics. A moderate Conservative Ministry came into power in Italy on May 12. under General Pallotpx, and. in Roumania a new Govern- ment was established, with M. Cantacuzene at its head. The Egyptian Budget exhibited a deficit of £ 838,000, a million and three-quarters being absorbed by the expenses of International control. June 1 brought the return of M. Marchand and" his companions to Paris, "the Fashoda incident" being thereby definitely concluded. France's atten- tion was distracted from this matter by the order of a new court-martial oq Dreyfuo, imprisoned on the Devil's Isle for alleged treason. The Dupuy Ministry fell on the 13th, and a Coalition Government, with Waldeck Rousseau as Premier and General Gallifet as War Minister, was appointed. Political disturb- ance in the capital and other parts of France firmly put down, General Negrier and other Royalists being deprived of their appointments* Senor Castelar, the Spaipish Ropublican leader, died. July 10 was the death-day of the Czarewitch of Russia, the Grand Duke George, but little surprise was thereby occasioned as he had been ailing for years the Grand Duke Michael became heir to the Russian throne. The Italian Parliament, after a week of scandalous disorder, was closed by Royal decree. Dreyfus was taken. to Rennes for re-trial. The failure of the Bloemfontein Conference and sub- sequent negotiations rendered the South African crisis growingly more serious. The Transvaal diffi- culty was discussed in both Houses of Parliament on the 28th, the Government announcing that, having taken up the Uitlander grievances, they "would see the thing through." August was marked by the spread at a strong anti- French feeling in Britain, Germany, and Italy, in consequence of disclosures in the- Dreyfus case and the strained relationship between this country and France was not decreased by the firing upon a French lugger by one of her Majesty's ships in the Channel, whereby a seaman was killed. Later, though his vessel was in the wrong, the Qlieeh graciously compensated the fisherman's family. The Conservative parties- in France coalesced in favour of a plebiscitary Republic; Anarchist and Royalists plots in Paris and elsewhere occasioned during August very considerable trouble. Illness of the Czar created some uneasiness on the Continent; and the Prussian Parliament distinguished itself by rejecting a Canal Bill favoured by the Kaiser. The Indian nnances were pronounced satisfactory for the first time after many years. Towards the end of August a large force of British troops was despatched to the Cape. September 9 was the date of the conclusion of the Dreyfus second trial, the civilised world being scan- dalised by the prisoner's re-conviction, which was followed by his free pardon, secret release, and re- moval to Carpentras. Political plots in France thickened, and various prosecutions were instituted. The publication of the Boer rejection of British terms was quickly followed by expanding military preparations, and 24,000 British troops were con- fronting the forces of the Dutch Republics in South Africa by the close of the month. A disastrous earthquake occurred on the 25th at Darjeeling; and disquiet in Chile caused a change Government there, M. Sotomayor becoming Premier. The Tenezuela award was declared on October 3, and was received with general favour. Manifest strengthening of good feeling between Britain and the United States afforded general satisfaction throughout the Anglo-Saxon speaking raceJyTbe final contest for the America yachting Cup between the Columbia and Sir Thomas lipton's Shamrock ended in the complete defeat of the latter. October witnessed the commencement of actual war between Britain and the Boersw November witnessed the waxing of the war in Southi Africa, and public attention in this country was almost entirely centred theraon. 24. Dervish host, put to flight by Anglo-Egyptian force at Oofn Debrikhat. 28. Final battle fought, Mahdism being definitely overthrown, the Khalifa and his Emirs slain, and the entire force under him slain or cap- tured. December.2. Treaty for partition of Samoan Islands signed at Washington. 4. United States new shipbuilding programme announced. 5. President McKinley's Message to Congress. German steamer searched for arms at Las Palmas at request of British. United States Budget showed deficit of 89.000.000dols. 9. Severe fighting in the Philippines reported. 70 insurgents killed and wounded. 19. General Lawton shot in the Philippines. 21. New Austrian Ministry, under Dr. Von VVitten, formed. THB SOUTH AFRICAN CAMPAIGN. Concisely stated, the principal detail.,of the South African campaign are as follows October.-16. Boer Ultimatum received, and reply sent. Free Staters cross into Natal. 11. Laing'a Nek occupied by Transvaal Boers. 12. Western border crossed 40 miles south of Mafeking. Enemy cut railway and telegraph. British Agent leaves Pre- toria. 13. Boers shell an armoured train south of Mafeking. Lieutenant Nesbitt and crew captured. 14. Mafeking attacked. Enemy repulsed with loss. Newcastle abandoned. 15. Railway destroyed and telegraph wires cut by Free Staters south of Kimber- ley. 20. British victory at Glencoe. Our losses: j Killed 36, wounded 191. Enemy's casualties vari- ously estimated, but heavy. in this battle British General Sir W. P. Symons was mortally injured. 21. Elandslaage. Another victory. British losses: Killed 51, wounded 210. The enemy lost 100 killed and wounded, with 2W missing and 300 captured. General Joubert, with the Boer main column, advances south. Dundee shelled. 22. Dundee evacuated. General Yule marches south with the Glencoe column to join Sir G. White. 24. Enemy defeated at Rietfontein. Our casualties: Killed 12, wounded 103, missing 2. Successful sortie from Kimberley. 25. Mafeking: General attack repulsed. Boers lose 50 killed. 24L General Yule's column arrives at Ladysmith. 30. Battle at Ladysmith. Two British battalions and a mountain battery captured by Boers. British losses 300 killed and wbunded. General Buller (appointed to chief command) arrives Cape Town. 31. Mafeking: Second attack repulsed. Enemy lose heavily. Our casualties: Six killed (two officers), fire wounded. Nov. 3. Ladysmith isolated. Telegraph wires cut. Fighting outside the town. Boer camp to the west shelled. Reported rout of Free Staters and capture of their camp. Cape Colony invaded by Free State Boers. Norval's Pont captured. 3. Colesso evacu- ated. Martial law proclaimed in northern districts Cape Colony. Garrisons withdrawn from Stormberg and other stations. 7. Kimberley. Bombardment commences. 9. First Transport (Roslin Castle) anives Capetown. 10. Fighting Belmont, north of Orange River Station. Lieutenant-Colonel Keith Falconer and Lieutenant Wood killed. 15. Armoured train from Estcourt shelled by Boers. Engine get* back with 15 wounded. Many men missing includ- ing Captain Haldane and Mr. Winston Churchill, news correspondent. 23. Battle near Belmont, Western Frontier. Boers routed. Over 80 killed. Forty prisoners taken, including Colonel Schiel, German Commandant. British Tosses; 50 killed, 245 wounded, two missing. Fight at Beacon Hill Willow Grange). General Hildyard loses 11 killed, 57 wounded, nine missing. 25. Battle at Graspan. Four hours' desperate fighting. Boers driven back. British loss 24 killed, 166 wounded, seven missing. 28. Battle of Modder River. 8000 Boers routed. Fourteen hours' desperate fighting. Total British I tosses, 475; four officers and 68 men killed, and N officers and 377 rank and file wounded, with seven sussing. Successful sortiefrord Kimberlair; British casualties, 22 (including Major Scott Turner), killed, and 31 injured. December.—2. General Clery reached Frere. 3. Transport Isinore wrecked 180. miles north of Cape Town; all soldiers saved. 5. General Buller left Pietermaritzburg for Frere. 6. Lord Methuen estab- lished commas-cation with beleagured Kimberley garrison. 8. Shr.rp fight between Methuen and Boers near Enslin. Boer position near Ladysmith cap- tured two guns destroyed and the Maxim taken one British soldier killed, one officer Wounded. 10. General Gatacre suffered serious reverse inttackinR 8tormberg, being misled into a strong Boer atnbuHb by guides. 11. Battle of Magersfontein: General Wauchope killed British casualties, 1.Lotd.- Methuen retired to Modder Bridge. 13. Successful, skirmish near Naauwpoort; skirmish from Orarige River. A..5. Sir RedversBuller suffered reverse While attempting to force the passage of the Tugela; 10 guns abandoned; total British losses-killed, wounded, and missing, 1108. 18. Lord Roberts appointed to command in South Africa; Lord Kit- chener, Chief of Staff; 50,000 more troops to be sent out, Volunteer and Yeomanry force for active ser- vice being raised. 22. Ladysmith reported safe. THE YEAR'S CHIEF EVENTS.— SOCIAL AND GENERAL. January—7. Queen conferred the|V.C. for gallantry at Khartoum and decorated eight Omdurman heroes at Osborne. 10. Farewell dinner party to Empress Frederick at Osborne. 13. Launch of the Oceanic at Belfast. 14. Queen knighted Mr. F. Flannery, M.P., and other gentlemen. Mr. Cecil Rhodes arrived from the Cape. 18. Marriage of the Bishop of Hereford and Miss Symonds. 20. Memorial services for Prince Henry of Battenberg at Wipping- ham. 21. Marriage of Lady Winifred Clements and Mr. Arthur Renshaw. Board of Trade Return* showed vastly improved figures both as to exports and imports. The sale of the late William Morris's library realised Funds raised for the re- lief of the widows of the late Gleeson White and Harold Frederic. Protestant demonstration at the Albert Hall, Kensington. Archbishop of Canterbury made a vigorous appeal for the temperance cause. Canon Eyton resigned hie position at Westminster. February-2. Queen held Council at Osborne. 7. Mr. John Kensit made aa ineffective appeal to Con- vocation. 14* Princess Charles of Denmark arrived from Copenhagen. 15. Engagement of Lady Margaret Primrose to the Earl of Crewe. 18. Lord Salisbury had an audience of ftfte Queen. 19. Duke and Duchess of Cannaught arrived at Omdurman. Dangerous illness of Rudyard Kipling from pnetK monia occasioned' widespread sympathy. March.—3. Princess Christian held secead Draw- ing Room. 4. Engagement of the Earl of Scar- borough and Miss Ashton. 6. Duke of York held Levee. Queen received Mr. Joseph' Choate, the new U.S. Ambassador. 9. Opening of the Great Central Rail- way. 11. Princess of Wales. with Princess Victoria and ^Princess Charles of Denmark, left for Paris ea- route for a cruise on the Mediterranean. Queen left for Cimiez. 12. Queen arrived at Cimiez. 14. Duke of York held Levee. 15., Duke of York went to. Abergeldie. 21. Funeral of Lord Herschell at Westminster Abbey" 25. Cambridge won the Boat Race. The decoration of St.Pauls-Cathedral excited much controversy. London County Council mad. proposals for the establishment of a. National Opera House. Universal pleasure ex-preseedat the recovery* of Rudyard Kipling. Friction at South Kensing- ton Mr. Walter Crane resigned the directorship. April.—8. First experi ments-in wireless telegraphy between the South Foreland and the Goodwina. Marriage of the Earl of Scarborough and Miss Ashton. Engagement of the Earl of1 Shaftesbury and Lady Constance Grosvenor. 12. Birth of a son to the Marchioness of Camden. Church Missionary Society celebrated its centenary.. Tarner Exhibiton opened at the London Guildhall. 19. Marriage of the Earl of Crewe and Lady Margaret Primrose at Westminster Abbey., 25. Marriage of the Hon: G. Gathorne-Hardy and Lady Dorothy Boyle; also of Colonel Lloyd Anstruther to the Hon. Mrs. Alexander Stewart. Mr. Cecil Rhodes spoke sym- pathetically at the annual meeting, of the Salvation army. The Mendelssohn scholarship, the most valuable prize of the year in music, was- won by P. H. Miles, of the R.A.M. May.—1. Coming of age of the Marquis of Graham. Lord Salisbury delivered a vigorous speech at the Royal Academy banquet; but the show of pictures declared poor: 2. Queen left Cimiez for Windsor. 3. Arrival of the Quee who knighted Admiral Fullerton, commanding the Victoria and Albert. 6. Banquet and presentation of sword of honour to Colonel Macdonald. 10. Princess Christian held third Drawing Roonit Launch of the Queen's new yacht by the Duchess of York. 11. Queen con- ferred the Royal Red Cross on three nurses, the- Victoria Cross on Captain the Hon. A. G. A. Ruthven, and the D.S.Q. and medal on several officers and men. 20. Confirmation, of Prince Arthur of Connaught. Funeral of the Earl of Straf- ford. 24. The Queen's- 80th birthday; world-wide rejoicings. 26. Queen left forr-Balmoral. Duke and Duchess of York visited Lynn. 2ffc Prince of Wales- held Levee. J uoe.5.. Centenary of the Ro-yal Institution. 9., Princess of Wales held Drawing Room. 10. Prince of Wales and Duke and Duchess jof York attended- Lady Salisbury's garden party at Hatfield. 14. Statue to Charles Darwin unveiled at Oxford. 17. Automobile Club Show ab Richmond. 22. Marriage of Princess Marie oi Mecklenburg Strelitst and Count Janitel at Kew. 26. Queen reviewed troops "t Aldershot. Opening of Women's International Congress. The appointuient of Sir George Keke- wich as Secretary of theScience and Ai$Department. Mmtmnced. < July.—1., Queeni conferred D.S.Q. on Colonel Barton and Captain Hobart, and the Royal Red Cross on Miss-Isabella Smith. Meet of the Coaching Club. Queen inspected the Hon. Artillery Company. 2. Operatic performance at Windsor. Prince, of Wales visited Agricultural Show at Edinburgh. 6. Marriage- of Mr. Guy ■ Fairfax and, Mise Joan WilSon. 7". State ball. 8. Prince of Wales reviewed the volunteers- in Riyde-park. departure of officers for South Africa. 11. Marriage of Lord Delamere and Lady Florence Cole. Engagement of the Hon. Evelina Rothschild and Mr., Clivfe Behrens. 1. Princess Louise gave garden party at Kensington Palace. Court went into mourning for the Czarewitch. Lord Kelvin resigned the professional chair which he held at Glasgow for presented new colours to the- Scots Guards. Queen viewed Sanger's circus procession. 18. D"ke and Duchess of Connaught held at fancy fair at Bagshot-park. 19. Duke of York visited Liverpool. 21. Queen left Windsor for Oabora*. Prince and Princes of Wales, received the nurses at Marlborough Ijouse. 22. Queen's Fri. at Bisley won by Private Priaulx,. of Guernsey. 28. Queen opened cfaildoen's wing of the Isle of Wight Hospital at Ryde., M. Avaroff, of Alexandria, mawSeent art patron, left by' will £240,000, for the preservation of ancient Greek j remains, a"£.t9.000 for the' encouragement, of mueic. 51. Sir Julfaii" PaiiBcefote raised' io, tIJé. peerage. '»'• Auuøt.3. Qveen held faveetiture at OtDorne. 4. Duke and Duchess of Fife entertained over^OOO" school children at Duff House. Confirmation of the- Duke of Albany at Windsor. 5. Duchess of Albany left Claremont with the Duke of Albany to take up her residence in Germany. 9. Queen held Council at Osborne. 10. Marriage of Miss Dorothy Ellis and Mr. Kenneys-Tuite. Princess Henry of Battenberg opened new block at the Consumption Hospital, Isle of Weight. 11. Queen reviewed the Portsmouth Volunteer Bripd.. 14. Princess of Wales left for Copenhagen. 16. Cele- bration of Lord Castlereagh's- majority. 17. Mar- riage of Commander Napier and Miss Culme Sey- mour. 18. Arrival of Prince Charles of Denmark. 19. Queen went for a sea trip in the Alberta. 26. Queen attended Harvest Home on the Osborne estate. 31. Queen left Windsor for Scotland. Mr. Fortnnm left £10,000 to Oxford University, and £20,000 to the British Museum. Westminster was constituted a city, and the chief magistrate of Bristol raised to the dignity of Lord Mayor. An extensive plan for the creation ol a great fortified harbour at the Scilly Isles was adopted by the Government. September.—8. Prince of Watos returned from Darmstadt. 9. Indignation ia London at re-condemnation of Dreyfus. 13. British Associa- tion meeting at Dover opened. Departure of Sir George White and troops for the Cape. 18. Prince of Wales presented new colours to the Gordon High- landers. 21. Arrival of the white Arabian donkey sent by Lord Kitchener,to the Queen. 23. Meeting of lady cyclists in rational dress at Reading. 30. Queen presented colours to Seaforth Bighlanden. Depar- ture of troops and hospital nurses for South Africa. October.—3. First of aeries of nee. between the Columbia and Shamrock for th* America Cup (Sir Thomas Lipton's yacht was eventually defeated, after many disappointing tries, withont winning a race). 9. Nine Pillars of the Temple of Karnacfet 28. Lord Robertson appointed a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary. November.—2. Launch of the battleship Venerable. 4. Sir William MacCormac and other eminent sur- geons placed their services at the disposal of the Government for the South African war. 20. Lady Salisbury died at Hatfield; widespread expression* of sympathy with the Premier. December.—4. The Queen received at Windsor the medical staff and nurses of the American hospital f ship Maine. Smithfield Club Cattle Show; the Queen carried off many champion prizes, and the Prince of Wales also a very successful exhibitor. 7. The Queen sent £10 to the Windsor branch of the Navy League. 8. The Premier recovered from bit recent illness. U. Mansion House War Belief FLUUl reached £ 400,000. 15. Prince of Wales- presentect- Omdurman medals to the Grenadier Guards. 18. The Queen abandoned her Osborne Christmas arrangements, remaining at Windsor because of the war. 21. Her Majesty visited the ex-Empress Eugenie at Farnborougb. 22. Great patriotic activity showed throughout the country in raising citizen soldiery for service in South Africa; City Imperial Volunteer force formed. THE YEAR'S CHIEF CALAMITIES, CRIMES, AND CIVIL CASES. ■January.—6. Boiler Explosion at Barking,nine men killed. 12. Disastrous gale and loss of life off the British coasts. Official Receiver's report on Hooley bankruptcy published. Robbery of 1:50,000 in notes from Parr's Bank in London. 22. Earthquake in Greece, village destroyed. February.-5. Miss Peterson, daughter of rector of Biddenden, shot the local schoolmaster dead. 8. Terrific thunderstorm in the West of England; two churches struck by lighting in Cheltenham. 15. Anti Ritualistic rioting at Peterborough. 18. London express wrecked in Brussels, 21 deaths, March. -5. Naval magazine exploded near Toulon; 50 killed and 130 injured. 16. Mr. Birt, late manager of Millwall Docks, arrested for fraud. 17. Great hotel fire in New York. 31. Wreck of the Channel steamer Stella on the Casket Rocks; 75 lives lost. April.12.Anglo-American reverse in Samoa English lieutenant and two U.S. slain. 27. Tre- mendous cyclone in Missouri. May.-12. Destructive explosion at St. Helena, Two Primates commenced at Lambeth hearing evi- dence and argument concerning the use of incense and :candles in procession in the English Church. 18. Lady Rose Leigh divorced by her husband. 21. Liner Paris stranded on the Manacles. 25. St. John's, New Brunswick, devastated by fire. June.—1. French Cour de Cassation quashed the first court-martial conviction of Dreyfus, and ordered a new trial. 11. Destructive fire at Elswick; Works. 12. Bad outbreak of swine fever in Britain 11,000 pigs destroyed. 16. Frightful mining disaster in Canada. 24. Russian military party massacred by Chinese brigands near Kirin. 28; Heavy thunderstorms, in the Midlands and elsewhere; Mentmore, Lord Rosebery's seat, struck by lightning. July.—1. Railway smash near Crewe. 6. Fatal floods in Texas. The Court of Chancery decided- that the copyright of a speech at a public meeting rests in the reporter, and not in the speaker or the- general public. 12. Miss Peterson sentenced to be detained during the Queen's pleasure in connection with the Biddenden tragedy. 26. Reformatory ship Clarence destroyed by fire on the Mersey. August—1. Archbishops pronounced opinion that incense and processional lights were illegal in the English Church. 4., Terrific thunderstorms. 8. French fisherman killed oa board a lugger in the Channel by a shot from a British gunboat. 15. Plague raged in Oporto. 18; Explosion at Leest colliery, Glamorgan; 19 deaths. 20. Anarchist riots. in Paris. 26. Abnormal beat, many deaths occa- sioned. 27. Accident to the Irish Mail e, RiDlyhead. September. 6. Destructive thunderstorms over England. 9. The Dreyfus-Court-martial at Rennes (second trial) ended. Prisoner re-convioted by five votes to two. Notice of appeal to the Cour de Cassa- tion given, and prisoner subsequently received a free pardon. 19. Accident to the Scotch express at Perth. 25. Disastrous earthquake at Darjeeling. 30J Heavy gale in the Channel; great loss of life. October.-4. Dr. Colquhoun sentenced at-Glasgow- to five years' penal servitude for fraud. 7. Tremend- ous typhoon in Japan. 30. Fatal gas explosion at Manchester. 31. Cardiff Empire Theatre destroyed by fire. Noveinbon-1. Dreadful boilerfatality in Sheffield, six lives lost. 16. Verdiot of wilful murder returned against Louise Masset in connection with the murder of her child at Dalston. 20. Four, children burned to death at Plaistow. December.—2. Appeal in the Druce case dismissed; no one appearing for the appellants. 3. Trooper Ismore stranded 180 miles north of the Cape crew and soldiers-saved; many horses. drownedJ 4. Pool heirlooms case, appeal dismissed. Mr. Justice Wright concluded his investigation into the affairs of the Industrial Contract Corporation. 5. 300 Armenians reported massacred by Kurds at Kosbur. Mr. Constantinidi obtained a judicial separation- from his- wife Julia (nee Ralli) for .desertion. 7. Shipping casualties on the East Coast, five lifeboat- men drowned. 8. Accident to. the Irish Mail near Norton Bridge, one man. killed; 9. Big timber fire at King's-crossi 11. Troopship Dehton Grange went, ashore at Las Falmas. 14. Judges ruled that ho; criminal information could be granted against the Echo in respect of the publication of false news of the, to" of the Nubintmnitport. 18. Louise Masset sentenced, to death for the murder of her child at Dalston. 21. Large awards- made at* the London Sheriff's-court J against the London and South-Western Railway. Company to relatives of passengers drowned: in-the- wreck of the Stella. < THE YEAR'S OBITUARY OF EMINENT PERSONS. January.;—2. Duke of Northumberland. 10i Mias- Sarah Thome (aotress). 14. Nubar Pasha (ex- Egyptian Premier). 19. Admiral John Hay. 22. Earl Poulett. 27. M. Sisley (einienent French painter). 30J Rev. Dn Berry (Nonconformist divine). 3h. Princees-of Bulgaria. February.—6. Prince Alfred of Saxe-Goburg. Count von Caprivi. 9. Dr. Sangster (organist and eomposer). Walter Hamilton (writer on the aesthetic movement). 11. Erince Charles Napoleon Bona- parte. 15. Lord Justice Chitty. 16. President Felix Faure; 25. Baron* de Reuter. 26. Dowager- Lady Sefton. March.:—L Lord' Herschell, ex-Lord ChancellOtIL Dr. A. K H. Boydj of St. Andrewa. 8.. Rose- Leclercq (actress). 10. Sir Douglas GaltOri (scien- tist). 11. Mrs.. Keeley (veteran actress). 12. Sir Julius. Vogel. 16,. J. F., Nisbett (dramatic critic). 21. Sir Arthur Fowler; 24. William Barnes (Notts cricketer). 26. Prince Lowenstein (at Eloilo). 27. Birket Foster (artist). April.-3.. Madame Michelet (litterateur). Archi- duke Ernest of Aurill..1 5. Mr. T. E. Ellis, M.P., chief Liberal Whip). 11. Prof. Moiner Williams. 22. Str John Mowbray, Father of the, House of Commons." 23. Jabez Hogg, (microscopist). 30; Duhe of Beaufort. May.—1. Professor Buchner. 7. Sir B. S-. Nay lor-Ley land, M.P. 13. Earl of Wharncliffe. 15. Earl of Strafford (killed on the railway). 16. Francisque Sbrcey. 26.. Rosa Bonheur (animal painter).. 30i Dr. Norman Kerr. June.-& Herr Johann Strauss (musician). 6. Dr. Wallace. M.P. (suddenly, after seizure in the Commons). 8. Aiigustin Daly (actor). 13. Xawson Tait (surgeon). July.-IO. Grand -Duke George of Russia. 15. Dr. Graves (Protestant Bishop of Limerick). 20. Colonel Robert Ingersoll (American Agnostic). 26. General Heuveaux, President of San, Domingo (assas- sinated). August.—4. Dr. Lloyd (ex-Bishop of Bangor). 11. William Simpson (war correspondent). 17. Lord Dunboyne. Miss Sara Lane (theatrical lessee). 19. Sir C. Lennox Peel (suddenly). 22. Edmund Rout- ledge (publisher). 30. Baron Gmut (ex-millionaire financier). September.—4. Earl of Lisburne. 10. Viscount Clifden. 12. Cornelius Vanderbilt (millionaire). 14. Lord Watson. 15. B. Wells. (omisent English flautist). 19. M. Scheurer Keetner. 30. Baron Somers. October.—13. Lord Farrer., 25. Grant Allea (novelist). General Sir W. Perm Symons (died of wound received at battle of Dundee, Natal). 27. Florence Marryat (novelist). 31. Lord Hylton. November.—16. Dr. Moritz Busch (biographer of Bismarck). 20. Marchioness, of Salisbury. 28.rhe Xbalifa (killed in the last decisive battle against Mahdism by the Egyptian foccee under Sir Francis Wingate). December.—5. Sir Heney Tatej art patron and philantrophist. Mr. Justice OTrin. 7. Sir Charles Mitcbtoll, Governor of the- Straits Settlements. 9. Lord Penzance. 13. Madame de Falbe. 16. General Sir Gerald Graham. 17. General Sir Henry Norman. 19. Earl of Tankeni 21. M. Lamoureux I (musician).

SCIENCE NOTES. IT is reported that a school for wireless telegraphy is being established in one of the Government bulb "t portsmouth. A COM MITT NAT of the Royal Society have recom- mended the Council to nominate annually for election of the Society as privileged Fellows five persons who are members of the Privy Council, or have done signal service to the cause of science. Of theae the the Council are to select three by ballot. (, In a paper to the Societe des Gens de Science, M. Ch. Henry shows by experiment that silks, which aif the easiest etectrined.are also the best non-conductors of heat, and, therefore, meet suitable for clothing. THE thyroid gland of man (says a scientific writer in the Globe) is- the richest in arsenic, but the thymus gland also contains it. Arsenic plays the part of organic phoepborHs in the organism, he says, and it occurs in the thyroid gland in the state of nucleine. Arsenic ought, therefore, to be present in the organism ia sufficient quantity, or else mysoedemic troubles arise; A very little arsenic ie also found: in the brain and the skin. MIt. CHARMS SCHUCHEKT, of th*- Fossil' Fields Geological Exploring Expedition in Wyoming last summer, states that six car-loads of fossil bones of saurian* were discovered, but all in a fragmentary condition. complete skeletons of Dinosaurs were found) in one place. To make a good collection would require several expeditions. The members of the party found plenty of game at times, and enjoyed themselves under Pirofestor Knight,, the leader; A CASE of hysterical hemiplegia in a married woman of 28, which arose from a quarrel with her husband, was recently cured by hypnotic suggestion, and studied by the chronophotograph. The move- ments of her arms-, bands, and legs were crippled. A full account of the case, with illustrations- of the halting walk of the patient, while the cure was- iRl progress, are given in the Comptes Rendm: PROFESSOR BEAL, in a paper to the American' Society for Promoting Agricultural Science, reports- that seeds of a large .number of important plants' will germinate after being kept 15, but not after 2€ veaMt THB Illinois Steel Company employ electric power for their steel manufacture, and electric-magnetic cranes for carrying plates from the rolls to thE shears. In this crane a row of electric-magnets attached to a* horizontal travelling bar attract the plate, and hold it; while the bar travels from the rolls to the shear*. THE Chinese are following the lead of the Japanese* in adopting Western science, and Tientsin may be called the Athens of China. It' has an Imperial Naval Qollege, with 60 students-, and English and Dutch professors, a railway school with two German professors, an Imperial college of telegraphs with 30 pupils-, an Imperial college of medicine under French direction^ and a university superintended by an American, but having professors of various nationality and250 atudents.. "y PBOfEaaOR DUSSAUD, of the University of Geneva, recently showed to the Acadeinie des^Sciences; Paris, a new. arrangement of the telephone and'phono- graph, by which the message of the telephone can be recorded on the phonograph in the absence of the subscriber. This result" which Edison foresaw when f. he first introduced the phonograph, is brought about by amplifying the power of the telephone. PfeoFEsaoR'H. F. NACHTRiKB, of the University of Minnesota, uses Fleming's mixture of alcohol and glycerine in preference tp pure alcohol for preserving zoological specimens in sealed glass tubes. After-the- tube, haviag one end closed, is partly filled 1 with the- liquid; the specimen is put in and the upper-end of the tube sealed. With some not too delicate specie* the liquid can be poured off the specimen before the- tube is sealed. OA< barfe is notthe only material used in tannings Quebracho and sumac are among its rivals. Sitmae is made from the leaf, branches,- and even seed3 of the sumac bush, which are dried in the 'sun and grounds It; is used for-tanning fi^te leathers. Sumac is grown in France, Spain, Sicily, and Montenegro; the Sicilian being' richest to-28 pefr cehtt). The exporters of Palermo aduitalrate su with the-leavesof a TimHIian, planteøntinitJg allitlë tannim Suínsè grows best in. a chalky soil, and it1 flourishes-in the arid, rocky mountains of Cordtiwa. MR. R. W. WOOD, of the Universityvof'Wisconsin, thinks that.the aoii^a-of.^g intense light; sucih a* a flash of lightning on a phofogmphic plate for a very brief space of time decreases- it* serisitiveness to light. On the other .fewd, exposure of a plate to a dim light for a moment or two appears—to,, increase the sensibility by^doing the small amount of work necessary before any change can be-effectedthat will respond to the developer. IN a recent paper to the PARIS* Academic det Sciences, M. Armand Gautier showed-that arsenic plays a part in the organism as- important as that of iron. The Asiatics, a*-well: as* the Greeks and Romans, presenbed it as a medicine. Nevertheless, it is-Only now that the part played by arsenic, which is-not foundin the blood, has-been made. out. Last M. Gaudier int.ro,duced an organic arsenic, unde^ the form of cacodylic acid, for the treatment of phthisis, and with so muoli, success that large qnanpties of it have been made. Knowing that the thyroid gland contains iodine, he suspected that it a'so I produces arsenic; and investigation of these giands in cattle and man proved that his was, conrect. .1 IT is stated that sn. attempt willi shorfrjy be mads t > connect Havana and Key West, Florida, by wire- less telegraph. c ble. Perhaps it is the intention to-use intermediate islands as relay stations. Archipelagoes like those of the Caribbean and" the Mediterranean are well adapted for wireleBs telegrapby. MR. CHARLES DAVISON findia that when Kurtz'* alkali works at St. d$elens. were blown up by the e; plosion of 80 tons. of chlorate of potash, the noise wis heard at Marple, 2& miles away. The door" wndows; and chimneys of workmen's cottages wtbin a few hundred yards of the works were", dismantled, and: within the radius of a mile hardly a. "wihdow escaped. At the battle of C irunne, 1500 barrels of giinpowder blew up, causing the ground to rock for miles: The blast at Hell G'Iotè, New York (13& tons Of dynamite) was per- ceived 183 miles away by the vibration* of mercury. The shock of the dynamite explosion (50 tons) at Johannesburg waa fe-lt at Pretoria, 33 miles distant. The naval magazine of Lagouban (Toulon), which- blew up 50,000 kilograms of black powder on Maroh 5 last, was heard at Nice, 84 miles distant, and even at Ventimiglia, in Italy, 100 miles distant. The country for a radius of nearly two miles was. blown bare, houses knocked to pieces, and trees up. rooted orbeldiato fantastic shapes, i ,1 KITEFLYtöØi is a popular sports in the United? States, and kite clubs are about as common aa bicycle and photographic clubs. The kite is-.now useful in meteorology, and might be employed in connectian ^Fth Wfrelfess telegraphy, saving life, sig- nailing, and even for making ascensions. Th* Lecornu cellular kite is one of the best of the tailles* variety. It resembles a magnified honeycomb with the bottom o>it of, the oeils. A full descriptiDlofi it was gi*e» recently in La Vie Scientifique. ,ó' THt detection of gold inøre, enD when there an only 77 centigrammes of metal per ton of ore, is.pro- vided for bya method recently discovered byDII. OMer. Equal volumes of finely powdered ore and tincture of iodine are shaken together in a flask, agitated from lime to ti mef or aiihour, and the whole is^then allowed stand untouched. Moisten a strip of filter jxtpet ia the solution which separates away, allow the paper to dry, and again dip in the solution, repeating these operations five Or six times, so as to Mmdveall doubt of the paper being saturated. Calcine the paper, and if gold was present in the ore, the ash of tna paper will show traces Of purple colour; the colour should dis- appear quickly,.on moistening the ash with bromine water. Another method of detecting gold in ore i* to cover the finely-powdered ore with bromine water, agitate for an hour, and then to filter off the solution; the latter takes a purpln colour if gold be present on the addition of protoclilonde of tin, the reaction being known as Purple of Cassius.* Sulphide: orea should be roasted previous to testing, and ores con- taining much carbonate ol lime should be calcined in the presence of ammonium carbonate.

HE: "Who is your favourite writer?" She "MJ guardian. HE sigils all my checks, you know." ALWAYS keep your temper; it is worth more to yon than it is to anyone else. I afford more one flower in. my hat," she aaid to the milliner. Very well," replied that worthy lady where will you have it ?" Let me see," she answered. I invariably ait, next to the wall in-church', so I tliiuk I'll getyoato put. it on the aide next to the congregation." LITIING SKELETON "1 don't want tp *ik next to the fat woman any more," Manager u Why not?" Li ving'Skeleton: all the Lime cracking joke* and waking (Qt).1tCh. ,1<01 afraittTFaUaU grow Rt,*

UNION UNE for the SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD FIELDS. Sailings Irom dtlJampton every Saturday* Culls made at Lisbon, Madeira, and Teneriffe. Apply to th* UNION STEAM SHIP Co., Ltd., Canute Rd., Southampton, AATF South African House, 94-98, Bishopsgate St. WithïD. Londoiw BILLIARD AND BAGATELLE TABUS. A LARGE STOCK or NEW AND SBOOIHV HAND TABLES alwav* on hand. WRITE FOE PRICH LIST* —e. KDWAKDS, 134, KINGSLAND ROAD, LONDON, N.B. TOOTH-ACHE CURED INSTANTLY BY BUNTIR'S Neuralgic Headaches and all Nerve klf>||||Hir Pains removed by BUNTER'S Nplf|fflMp' NERVINE, All Chemists ts 1 ^d. g a ou OF x-Et-KLI N X FOR 'BREAKAGES Fke i&cc ONE-HALF- i MILLION HA'PENNIES: ( £ 3,125); HAVE BEEN SENT BYrTHE ViNOUA WAR FUND ¡ FOR THE ) SOLDIERS'FAMILIES, WIDOWS and ORPHANS. Id. is forwarded on every Tablet. 2 of Vinolia Soap sold. Every Chemist, Store, or Grocer, i* an Agent* NOT* QUACK REM art —Mlifl IF V* » T0WLE5 Sth ■ fWHYWVM.*SIlSL PILLS W^T NDF FOR FEMALES lv v I,«W1CK|} corrrcnui itiwa. t t Title*, remove *11 Ob- Ve ILIb- Mruction»,*nd relieve all ^3 Ciieminii^entaa'reeeiirt -jny • of i5or34»t*mp»,by K.T.. HlGltWi TOWT.K ft CO..Manufacturer*,Drya^n 8tre«t, W HOTTIHOHaM ■ ■ jk ■ ■Al'tfk *re obtained easily, safbly* U H 11 ■ ■ ML I M Cf tiuickly, and without pub. lin-lflinin^ l!city {if desired), through. UHIIUHI UU' tbo medium o t The Bazaar,. mjtecbwgc and Mnrt News.. paper, which is fively used-j Jf 11 t 1 j by Private Persons for thd AT Oil 1/IHnfl disposal of various articles-* 111 fill K |||||\ of personal property whtclt y| Ull 11 1 II VlW they no longer require, and for which therefore they auk a very moderate price. Tor this reason Buyers all orar the country turn to tb* fsses of The Bazaar, Exchange and Mart Newspaper when^ •yer they require anything, and therefore whenever anyone-* has tiny thing whatever to dispose of, ot- when he wants any*, "thing. tiieTuyes of the same journal oflerfelm a Sure and Speedyr l&rket. Ini addition. The Btaaar, Exchange and Hart Newspaper is Wtefary Journal of an exceptionally useful character, having ft. .nuraver of highly practical and illustrated articles on various. subject* of interest to aniatsurs in connection with Art, playinf various Musical Instrumeutm6- Shooting, Touring, Fishing, Liters*- ture. Cage Birds, Photo- Kmi,Sy Natural History, m KIAIIIP1!! 4V ■Honife matters, Amateur Me- ■ Kl VMflL rliank-g, SresK, Gardening, MM |H W Dogsl ETones, Poultry, Ama- AAIVUPVV kKIUP Skir Farming and innumer- able fitter topics. Another 1 !Wval0it"ie feature is that' Ann AH AdTlATI -im Quesuoii Specialists, gives advice or (/ Gbt A COPT andi>jvd0b>.>«r TOUBBSUP. At any Booloo,. stall or Newsagent. Prioe. 2d. Specimen Copy 3d. itti stamps direct from Offioe170, STRAND, LONDOII, ,W.C..

OOCOA-The National Drink. NBYBH in the history of the world has Co^oa beea so mUch held in favour as a national drink as it is. at the present day. Tet there are Cocoasand Cocoas. MKSSRS. FRY have gained no fewer than 275 GOLD MEDALS and DIPLOMAS, and their. Pure Concen- trated Cocok is the result of an accumulated experience of 170 v, f which places this well-known Firm at an advavtage fsr aboveall flip rivalry m»« £ ing> nmnngiit drms of latter-day growth. rhert It nouht&M* b—eragethmn CtlUDTRATED COCOA Oft 'which Dr^^adrew It Ï;8 mr. Uocó.. gab 1 idiea1 of perfection. right Cocua. viz.I:

the Liver. They ahwfately cure Sick Headache, Bilioo*> xiess. Torpid Liver, InAiffestion, Constipation, Sallw* Skin. Dizziness, Furred Tttague. Small pill, small pric^. small doee, purely vegetable, forty in a phial. Do*> OM M Higfat. Is. l^d. of aU Chemists. Be ana they see CASTKB'S. .L USE BEV,TIFUL TEEIH,FO D, iki. IIV the pleasaateet dentifrioe in. the world.' Cleanse* jteeut and spaces between them as nofcMng else wilL pearly white teeth, rosy lip*, aaad fragrant Weatfc Ask for 8QZODONT. Mas. WIKKS (looking up from tb* P^Per); "A womah out West shot a burglar and killed him. Mr. 'Winks: "Well! well! Wha,t,waa the aiming at?" You say Chat the clergyman^1" responsible #11 your trouble—how is that f" Well, he majRied me. WHAT bird do we represent at dinner time?. swallow. Spur is a school mistress like thft ktU* C f iBeoauisa"aha forms laiaae* into olawes*

LoxD CliMAHAM, who, it is announced, is to organise* and conirnaiid-a force of 3000 yeomanry for service at the Cape, has-had nearly 30 years of military ex- perience. He has- held comdnssions in the Cold- stream Guards, 10th Hussars, and the 16th Lancers. He was. born. some 49 years ago, and educated at. Eton. He-joined1 the army in 1870, and mavrieji, Beatrice, the- second daughter of the Duke-of West- minsters in. 187T. He owns huge estates in Bucking- hanpshire and Oxfordshire, his country seabs. being aik Chesham and: Bicester. His son and. heiri, Charles* attained his. majority this year.

SrihjB W ilk ins married a girl with velvet eyes." Penn: "Yes; btit after they were married he found the had eyes ftaly for silks sud satins." GBUT care should be used in washing silk under- wear.' Soap never should be rubbed directly upon the garment. Strong soapsuds made of warm water, and W white soap will be- found best. Squeeze the. garment in is water, and then, if the -garment i& very much soiled, pass Rctbrdugh another warm suds, and then rinse in lukewarm water. Press between, the hands to get out the water, shake well, and puU into shape, and when the garment ii nearly dry paeaa* it on the wrong side with a moderately hot iron." J