Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
16 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
-NOTES ON NEWS.1 ■O !
NOTES ON NEWS. 1 ■O There is a good deal that is mysterious I in the reported mutiny in the German I GERMAN NAVAL MUTINY. Navy. Perhaps the stran- gest part of the whole story is that it was not told until six weeks after it is said to have hap pened, and it is impossible to help won- dering why the German Government, having kept the news quiet all that time, should then have announced it in the Reichstag. Even to throw discredit upon the Socialists, one would hardly have sup- posed they would wish the German people -and the world to know that the Navy was seething with discontent and that a re- volutionary spirit was abroad in it. It may be taken as certain, however, that the German Government had some purpose to serve in making the announcement, and it would be the height of unwisdom on our part to assume that the mutiny has been a very serious affair and that henceforth the German Navy may be regarded as of little account. There would be nothing surprising in a stat-e of dissatisfaction in the enemy Navy. IT MAY BE TRUE. Ships and men have been inactive d u r i n g the I greater* part of the war, and nothing is more likely to create discontent among young and able-bodied men than that, unless it be bad and insufficient food, which is pi-etty sure to have been their portion too. There is a significant story that the mutiny (if there was a mutiny) arose out of the disinclination of the men to serve in the submarines. Whatever the German people generally may know or not know, the Ger- man sailors are fully aware of the perilous nature of the under-water service. They know very well how many 17-boats go out from their ports, and they know how many come back. It may, very well be that they show no desire to volunteer for a duty so full of danger, and resent being compelled to serve where there is little glory and a great deal of death. If the revolt was really due to this cause the shooting of the ringleaders will not have made the others more anxious to. go to sea. Even German Ministers must by this time have begun seriously to doubt AMERICA COMING ALONG. whether they were right in saying that 'the entry of the United States would make no difference to the war. For the submarines have a long way to go before they bring this country to its knees, and America is coming along with giant strides. Some interesting things were said the other day by the American Ambassador, things full of encouragement to us and to our Allies, and which will give Germany, with her fast-waning man-power, furiously to think. On the other side of the Atlantic new armies are being trained with all speed, and in a short time. says Mr. Pago, a million and a half men will be ready to send to France, to be followed by another million and a half before next year is far advanced. Ten millions have been regis- tered, men between twenty and thirty, and if necessary the age may be raised to forty, which will mean another ten millions. Once the first million have come over-and efficient soldiers are being made with as- tonishing speed—America's armies will be crossing the Atlantic in unceasing volume. Before that happens, however, Germany will have realised what the coming of these now millions will mean, and much history may have been made before next year's 4C great push." It is even possible that Germany may decide not to wait for A-Inerica. While admitting .the urgency of the matter, Mr. Lloyd George has informed a MINISTRY OF HEALTH. deputation that tnere can be no Bill introduced until after the war for establishing a Ministry of I Health. That announcement will cause a good deal of disappointment to social re- formers, and it must be said that if the war goes on long enough such a Ministry will become an imperative necessity in order that properly organised effort may be made to repair the ravages which the war itself is making. At the same time, it is easy to understand the reluctance to sanction at the present time the expendi- ture of large sums of money while the direct cost of the war is making such an enormous drain upon the financial resources of the country. Upon the general prin- ciple Mr. Lloyd George was, of course, heartily with the deputation. You have to repair the ravages of war," he said, ■"and strict attention paid to the health of the community is one of the most effective methods of attaining that end." There are, however, many aspects of the ques- tion 'to be considered, many points of de- tail to be settled, and many criticisms to be met, and the Premier holds that these things cannot be done until after the war. then the problem will be grappled, and we shall get a Ministry of Health, housing reform, and other badly needed things, and slums, misery, and squalour will be no more. So) at any rate, we may hope. Women have had many complimentary things said about them since they turned I I I "OMEN SLACKERS. out to do tne worK or tie men who have gone to I fight. High tributes have been paid to the women munition-workers, the women tarm- workers, the women motor-drivers, and so on. There is no doubt that they have well deserved the compliments—those who have done and are doing the work, that is. But what about the slackers? For there are slackers, even among the women. Sir Auckland Geddes, the National Service Minister, has been talking to, or at any rate, at them. There is, he says, "a great mass of young, quite lwolthy, middle-class femininity which is doing nothing to help the war along." They are patriotic enough in their talk, no doubt, and in their kearts too, but when it comes to war work-well, that is another thing. Their share of help- ing to win the war, as Sir Auckland ■Geddes scathingly says, is confined to oc- casional assistance at a flag day or helping for a day now and then in a canteen. Per- 'haps, also—let us give them their due!— they haps, did their "bit" in the early days of the war by presenting white feathers to young men who they thought ought to be wearing, khaki. There is work for these women. Any women who has the leisure from necessary duties—and there are thou- sands with no duties of any kind can find useful work for the nation in these* days. If they do not set about doing it they will have the men handing white feathers to them. And they would not like that!
PEOPLE WHO COIN WORDS.I
PEOPLE WHO COIN WORDS. I Words and phrases, often spoken or written in jest, ooiiietimes "catclt on" to such ,an extent that they become recognised parts of -the. language. Dickens enriched his mother-tongue .with may such words as -bumbledon" and "Pecksniffian," and that •well-understood phrase, "in a Pickwickian sense." A chance reference by Edmund Burke to the reporters in the Commons. •Gallery led to the term "the Fourth Estate" being applied to the journalistic craft. Joseph Chamberlain coined a telling phrase in his reference to IllnctuouN correctitude." More recently Edwin Pugh, novelist and humorist., has ere., l ted the word "Suburbia," ar6d n Pardonably proud of the frequency with which it is used.
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For eelling a three-year-old unbroken horse without a permit, Algenine Busby, dealer, was fined £10, and James S. Tompkins, €armer, who. bought it, was fined £6&\ Ban- bury. I
HUMOUR OF -THE WEEK. I
HUMOUR OF THE WEEK. I HOW CATS MAT HILP. I Among thp aims of the £ 4,000,000 milk combine for London is one "to prevent overlapping." Cats should patriotically co- operate. "STAKE PDI." I The Germans are finding substitutes for everything. The Herr Professor Thingum- stein discovers that a good deal of nutri- ment is to be extracted from wood- A stake pie from an old fence is one of the possi- bilities of the near future. IUIB RAIDS! I Germany 'is having hair raids. The women and girls are selling their tresses to I help the Fatherland. A CAn FOB EXES. I I like that story they tell me of the kite balloon officer who went adrift and came down somewhere in the North Sea (says "Cassell's Saturday Journal "). His first action after he landed was to send in a claim for special Travelling Allowance. OBVIOUSLY. J Lieutenant: "Please, sir, the enemy are as thick as peas. What shall I do?" Commanding Officer: "Shell 'em, you idiot, shell 'em." THOUGHTFUL. I After many trials and tribulations, Mrs. Timson had managed to get a "maid" of sorts. "Now, Thurza," said she, "be careful about the water. We only use the well water for drinking, as we have to pay a man to pump it. The rain water is good enough for washing up and so on." After tea Mrs. Timson asked: "Did you remember about the water, Thurza?" "Oh, yes, mum!" said Thurza. "I filled the kettle half full of water from the butt and the other half with water from the well. I thought the bottom half might as well be getting hot at the same time for washing up after tea."—"Argonaut." ABOUT WATER. I Directed to write a composition on water, a schoolboy handed in the following effort: Water is found everywhere, especially when it rains, as it did the other day, when our cellar was half full. Water is used for a good many things. Sailors use it to go to sea on. If there wasn't any ocean the ship couldn't float, and they would have to stay ashore. Water is a good thing to fire at boys with a squirt and to catch fish in. Nobody could be saved from drowning if there wasn't any water to pull them out of. Water is first-rate to put fires out with. I love to go to fires and see the men work at the engines. This is all I can think of about water—except the flood. THE MAIN POINT. I A negro was recently brought into police- court in a little town in Georgia, charged with assault and battery. The negro, who was well known to the judge, was charged with having struck another "unbleached American with a brick. After the usual preliminaries the judge inquired: "Why did you hit this man?" "Jedge, he called me a black rascal." "Well, you are one, aren't you?" "Yessah, I is. one. But, Jedge, s'pose somebody'd call you a black rascal, wouldn't you hit 'em?" "But I'm not one, am IT" "Naw, sah, naw, sah, you ain't one; but s'pose somebody'd call you de kind of rascal you is, what'd you do?"—"Everybody's Magazine." A TRIFLING MATTER. I After a spell at the front Army officers are sometimes apt to forget the niceties of military etiffuette (says the "Daily Chronicle"). The other afternoon at Vic- toria Station a commanding officer was spotted by a member of the military police, who reminded the homecomer that he was not carrying his gloves. "Gloves!" ex- claimed the C. O. "Where I come from you're often lucky to appear in trousers!" AFTER THE HONEYMOON. I A food bonus—double rations for six weeks-is the German Government's latest way of encouraging just-married couples; at the end of six weeks the material, like the sentimental, honeymoon is over, and te bride and groom return to turnips.—"New York Evening Post." —— — PICKINGS FROM "PUNCH." I "The Church of to-morrow is not to be built up of prodigal sons," said a speaker at the Congregational Conference. Fatted calves will, however, continue to be* a feature in Episcopal circles. Only a little care is needed in the cooking of the marrow, says Mrs. Mudie Cooke. But in gating it great caution should be taken not to swallow the marrow whole. Four conscientious objectors at Newhaven have complained that their food often con- tains sandy substances. It seems a pity that the authorities cannot find some better way of getting a little grit into these poor fellows. "Boy, to heat at hearth and to strike occa.siZn,illy. Sheffield Daily Telegraph." A case for the N.S.P.C.C. WHAT TO DO WITH OUR SPARE TEETH. I From the window of an emporium of ivory I articles: I "CUSTOMERS OWN TUSKS MOUNTED. I AIR-RAID FASHIONS AT MANCHESTEB. I "Monday commences the final week of Sir rhomas Beecham's SEASON OF NIGHTY PROMENADE CONCERTS. —"Manchester City Press." —— —— 'QUIPS FROM "LONDON OPINION." I Between the dairy-farmers and tne mll". men, the public are being led a pretty lance-a sort of can-can. A scheme for refugees to sleep in church pews is announced. They won't be the first ?ople who slept there. D' d h Diamonds have gone up in price now. This increase in the cost of living may neces- sitate yet another war bonus for munition workers. A damaged Gotha that was returning from a raid on London was forced to de- scend at Sneek in Friesland. It certainly chose an appropriate place. Pickpockets have been very busy on raid nights. And, indeed, on all other days and nights—but it has been thought polite to call them profiteers. A family discovered in the Midlands knew nothing about the war. This sort of de- tachment would tax the linguistic powers of a sergeant-major. Although soap in Austria now costs a sovereign a cake, the Austrians on the Isonzo have been showing Cadorna a re- markably clean pair of heels.
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Rev. Elijah Cobham, Chaplain attached to the King's African Rifles, has died of wounds in East Africa. The number of local War Savings Com- mittees on October 6 had reached the total of 1,528. At the corresponding period last year the number was 591.
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Limnaflthes Douglasii.—This is one of the best dwarf hardy annuals (some 6in. high) for late spring and early summer flowering. The fragrant yellow and white blossoms are favourites with bees. Sow the seeds in the open border now, preferably where they are to flower. < < Auriculas.—Though they can be planted at other seasons, in many gardens this is the most convenient time to attend to the bor- der auriculas. A few of the old leaves re- quire removal, and a top-dressing of new fibrous soil will be appreciated by the plants, first removing the old rough surface soil. When getting straggly, auriculas pay for lifting and replanting. Seedlings and other surplus plants from the frame should be planted in the rock garden, or in groups along the front of the mixed- flower borders. Preparing for Sweet Peas.—Thoroughness is essential to success in the culture of sweet peas, hence the preparation of posi- tions for next year's sowing may well be got in hand. If they are to be grown in trenches it is well to open these and expose the soil to the action of winter frost. The way is to remove the top spit of soil, placing this on right hand side of the trench, then shovel out the loose soil, placing this on the same side. Then remove another spit, placing it on the left hand side together with its loose soil. Then fork up the bottom. In this way the whole of three spits is ex- posed to the action of the weather; the soil thus not only becomes friable, but sweet and mellow through atmospheric influence. Another method is to trench the site a simi." lar depth, enriching by a layer of manure; then after a lapse of several weeks to give a dressing of freshly slaked lime, lightly forking it in. Winter Violets.—The violets ought to be planted in a frame not later than the middle of September. Bottom heat is not required, but the plants should be so placed as to be close to the glass. Keep the frame closed for a week or two; afterwards it is merely necessary to protect the plants from frost. Cover with mats and litter in severo weather, and give all the air possible at other times. Trenching Ground for Roses.—Trenching is one of the most important operations in the work of a garden. Not only is it neces- sary when breaking up new ground but with cultivated ground periodical trenching im- proves its fertility with advantage to the Drops, whether flowers, fruits, or vegetables. One has only to compare roses on trenched and untrenched land to realise the advan- tage of the former. Cultivate the ground for roses to a depth of 2ft. to 2ift., working in decayed manure and wood ashes; Jeaf- mould is also useful on heavy ground. By preparing the ground thus early, it will have a month to settle in readiness for November planting. On cold, heavy ground leave the surface rough, and defer" planting until late February. • Root Pruning.—Where there are over- luxuriant trees which annually fail to crop, the work of lifting and root pruning may now be done. The sooner the work is com- pleted from this date the better. Cut a trench some distance from the stem of each tree, and gradually work away the soil from the roots, severing large bare roots and pre- serving all the short. fibres as much as pos sible. In the case of larger trees it is wise to do half a tree one year and half the next. Planting Standard Fruit.—Early planting of standard fruit trees is advisable, as then they are given a chance of obtaining a root- hold in the ground before it becomes chilled by inclement weather. In taking out holes remove the upper soil and disturb that underneath to a depth of 2ft., incorporating well-decayed manure if the soil is in poor condition. Place the trees in position, and cover the roots with fine soil, then fill in with the soil removed. Be sure and tread firmly as the work proceeds. The trees should not be planted deeper than pre- viously allowance for settling down must be made. It is always best to insert the stakes first and plant the trees against them; put- ting them in afterwards is liable to injure the roots. Secure the trees lightly to the stakes at first, just to prevent disturbance by wind; complete the staking when the trees are settled in the new positions. # # This Week's Work.—Lift the roots of gladiolus even if they are still green. Tie in bundles and hang in an airy place to dry, cutting off the old flower spikes and leaving the foliage intact. Later, when quite dry, the bulbs will readily separate from the tops and can be stored in Band. The spring snowflakes (Leucojum vernum and the larger variety Carpathicum) are de- lightful early spring bulbous plants. Plant the bulbs in clumps in positions where they will get some shelter from changeable early spring weather. The giant,. snowdrop-like flowers are white tipped with yellowish green, and some 6in. high. They are nice in the rock garden and at the foot of a west wall or fence. It is a good plan to leave strawberries in pots in the open as long as possible. Should the weather prove exceptionally wot, it may be advisable to get the plants into a cold frame where they can have plenty of air tnd -be protected from rain. Failing this shelter, lay the pots on their sides until the weather im- proves. Cut globe artichokes down almost level with the ground, and cover the crowns with plenty of coal mhesor old manure; this is most important where the soil is heavy and the -plants are exposed. Aspara- gus beds should now be cleared of all growth, and all weeds removed from surfaoe. This is best done by hand weeding, the use of a tool of any kind being likely to cause considerable damage. If a constant supply of fresh mint is desired during winter, a few good roots should now be lifted and planted in large pots or shallow boxes. After .a few weeks in a cold frame they may be taken into a warm greenhouse, and growth scon resnends to heat and moisture. w Early-planted Cabbage.—If plants were planted permanently early in September growth has been very rapid, many of the earliest varieties having now tie appearance earlie,st varietice, havin g ages. Such plants of half-developed cabbages. Such plants, owijig to the rapid rate of growth, often l le %,ere winter un- fail to pass through severe winter un- harmed. Tn ensure steady growth and sturdy plants well tread the soil between the rows during the present week, repeating this when the first spell of sharp frost is. followed bv a. thaw. Dwarf Beans in Fram.If seeds of a good variety were sown in a frame, as ad. vised in early August, the plants should now be carrying fair pods. To increase the size of these and hasten the development of others, gi.ve water freely at the roots and overhead in the morning of a 6unny day.
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"The V.T.C. is much more exacting thai I the Army. They are a cruel body of men; I they make you march."—Captain Fisher, at Shoreditch Tribunal.
MOTHER AND HOME. -low-
MOTHER AND HOME. low- I If you made mistakes yesterday, forgot them. True, to-day is the result of yester- day, but it is more important to remember that to-morrow is the result of to-day. The result of the actions of to-day we can deter- mine, but no amount of dwelling tlpon yes- terday's regret will re-shape 'to-day. If you fell yesterday, just pick yourself up, shake off the dust, and start afresh. Rise above yesterday. It is hard work to hold up the head and live down a black yesterday, but the blocker the yesterday the greater the need 01 rising above it, the higher the head must be held. Yesterday has passed. Let it rest in peace. Don't waste energy on what cannot be undone. Let yesterday alone. I "Do.TS" fob Gubsts. Don't if you can play or sing, make your hostess waste a quarter of an hour pressitag you to do so. Don't when you are leaving, forget any of your possessions. It is tire- some to have to send such things on by post. Don't begin a book and ask if you may take it home to finish. Your hostess may not want to lend it, but it will be difficult for her to nefuse. If she suggests your taking it that is quite another matter. Don't at the last moment, unless it is absolutely un- avoidable, telegraph that you will arrive by a later train than that already decided upon. It may upset your hostess's household arrangements considerably. Don't if you have other friends in the place arrange to go and see them, or go out with them, with- out first consulting your hostess. Don't appear to notice any little hitch that may occur in the domestic machinery. Don't absent yourself from the family circle for any length of time without explanation. CARE OF GLOVES. If you do not want your gloves to get stiff and hard always breathe into them after they have been worn., Even if your hands Jj get very hot, they will keep soft and nice if you remember to treat them in this way always after wearing. 1- ,CA.RE OP- PATENT FOOTWEAR.  CARE OF PATENT FOOTWEAR. No matter" how much one pays for patent leather shoes they are apt to crack unless rubbed with a little vaseline when removed from the feet. The vaseline should be rubbed into the latter and left on till the shoes are to be worn next time, when it should be rubbed off with a soft rag. Should they crack, however, brush a little blacking into the crack and rub the shoe over with a little furniture polish. Allow it to dry, then polish with a soft rag. Very old patent leather shoes can be made to look like new if given a thin smooth coat of black Japan. This can be bought at any shop which sella paint and v n ish, and two pennyworth will do a pair of shoes.. [ "STUDY YOUR SIGHT. Here are some useful hints from an oculist for the care of the eyesight. When reading or writing for any length of time look up occasionally and direct the eyes to some object out of doors, or, if that is not poa- sible, to a picture in the room. This exer- cises the muscle of "accommodation" and re- lieves the strain. Keep the eyes shaded from excessive light, especially at night. A period- of darkness assists the eyes to recuperate after the hard work of the day. For weak and tired eyes a strengthening wash may be made by mixing a tablespoonful of salt with a cup of clean water. The use of tobacco and alcohol-unless very sparingly indulged in-is injurious to the sight. Sometimes the white of the eye assumes a yellow, bilious appearance. This is due to injudicious habits in eating, and the diet should be changed either as to kind or quantity. CROCHET BUTTON SUBSTITUTE. Crochet buttons are rather expensive, but a good substitute may be effected by buying some wooden moulds and covering them with white silk. Next, cover again with heavy white lace (the kind that is used for making lace blouses), and, really, the effect is so good that one can hardly discern the dif- ference. r I 7*0 WASH A SHETLAND SHAWL. I Make a good lather with soap jelly ana lukewarm water, and press and squeeze the Shawl in this until quite clean. Do not Tub soap on to it. Take from the first suds to another lot already prepared, and from this to a bath of clean water. All the waters should be of the same temperature. After the final rinsing press out what water you can- with your hands, and leave in a heap on a clean sheet on the table or floor until dry, turning occasionally. Now stretch on j the sheet to its original shape and size, pin down firmly, and sprinkle lightly with cold water. When again dry, it will look like fiew. After PINCHING A Finger. I Should the top of a finger get. badly squeezed it should at once be dipped into hot water and kept there for a few- minutes. The heat will cause the nail to soften and expand, and so enable the blood to flow freely again, when the gain will at once be lessened. JJ coren MARKS ON LINEN. I Squeeze or pound the juice from a fair- sized onion, and to this add a little pure white soap, shredded finely, and a little fuller's earth; stir this into half a pint of vinegar. Boil the mixture well, and 4imtil all the soap has dissolved, and then put aside to cool. Spread a little of this com- pound over the scorched linen, and leave to dry. Then wash out the linen in the or- dinary way, and dry in the open air. The scorch mark will have entirely disappeared. Bottle the remainder of the mixture for future use; it will keep in good working order for quite a long time if well corked, and is most useful to have at hand. 'tANE CHAIRS. I The cane-bottom seats of these are apt. after long usage, to become loose, which renders them likely to break at the first opportunity. Try my plan of washing the chair seats with a strong solution of soda and water. When the seats are thoroughly dry, the cane will be found to have shrunk, and the seat, consequently, is tighter and firmer. MAKES A MACKINTOSH LAST. I The life of a mackintosh may be lengthened in the following way: Boil a little linseed oil until it is thick, then add twenty drops of terebene (this can be ob- tained at any oilshop), apply with & brush while hot to the mackintosh. When dry- which will be in about forty-eight hours— wash over with indiariiliber solution, dis- solved in methylated spirit to the thickness of cream. To KEEP HANDS SOFT. I It is u6 easy matter for a woman who does her housework to keep her hands soft. She has to put her hands in hot and cold water many times a day. Keep the following lotion in a bottle on the sink and in the barthroom, and before drying the hands each time, pour a little in the palm of one hand and rub well over both, afterward wiping with a soft towel. Dissolve a lump of gum camphor; the size of a hazlenut in a half of a pint of alcohol; add one tablespoepftil each of glycerine substitute and of lemon juice. If the skin is naturally very dry, use Jess alcohol. CLEANING FURS. I A safe method of cleaning fur is as fol- lows Take four good handfuls of bran and put it into the oven, leaving it there until it has become very hot. Lay a clean cloth on the table, put your fur on to it, and rub the bran up and down the fur until it is cool. Shake out the bran carefully and the furs will be clean.
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A fine of 20s. was inflicted on Mr. Douglas Sladen, the well-known author, who was charged with allowing a bright light to shine from a window of his house at Rich- mond-green during a recent air raid. WaJsall • Unionists have approved the action of their M.P., Sir Pichard Cooper, in joining the National Party. Flight Lieut. Basil 'Bowell, R.N.A?., has been killed while 'flyin a seaplane on the south coat, the machine noae-divin?. the south coat, the ma-chine nose-diving.
1BOOKS AND MAGAZINES.
1 BOOKS AND MAGAZINES. I "0* THE JOB." In Montana (says "Harper's M, agazine'l, a railway bridge had been destroyed by fire, and it was necessary to replace it. Two days later came the superintendent of the division. Alight- ing from his private car, he encountered the old master bridge-builder. "Bill," said the superintendent-and the words quivered with energy—"I want this job rushed. Every hour's delay costs the company money. Have you the engineer's plans for the new bridge?" "I don't know," said the bridge-builder, "whether the engineer has his picture drawed yet, but the bridge is up and the trains 1* passin' over it." 1
IA PICTURE IN OLD PORTUGAL.-I
I A PICTURE IN OLD PORTUGAL. I An oxcart comes creaking past carrying a rough wooden plough, just a forked piece of timber shod with an iron coulter on it, and both are Roman. The cart is a little oblong box of two solid wooden disks whose wooden ungreased axle, as it turns bodily, keeps up an ear-piercing shriek. This not only serve. to clear the narrow lane worn by centuries of use into a deep ditch, but also to keep away evil spirits who notoriously hate cart-wheels almost as n.uch as church bells. No doubt this superstition seemed absurd to the Roman legionary, and the yoke also would, perhaps, strike the Roman farmer as rather old- fashioned, being a large board carved with conventional designs of whorls and geometric patterns of obviously Celtic character. Again, the girl that guides the pair of little mouse- coloured oxen is dressed in bodice and kirtle, embroidered in designs and colours that were introduced when the country was flooded with the cheap textiles of the Phoenician. But the girl herself is oldest, of all as she is evidently of that mysterious race we call Iberian. We, in our northern countries, welcome some sur- vival of this Iberian strain, the dark-haired, sombre-skinned, vital type, as giving qualities of charm, character and creative force so badly needed in our dull race and damp regions. But in Portugal, where this strain is still in places comparatively pure, and where the kindlist of climates develop instead of deadening every faculty, the vital force and primeval power of this mysterious people is still cause for fear and-dislike. Women, such as this girl, from a yillage near by where the type is still distinct, are all well known to the witches.—From "Portugal Old and Young," by George Young (Oxford University Press). I » TOO BUSY. i I "Everybody's Magazine" tells story of an Italian who, having applied for citizenship, was being examined in the naturalisation court: "Who is the President of the United States?" "Mr. Wils' "Who is the Vice-President?" "Mr. Marsh' "If the President should die, who then would be President?" Mr. Marsh' x- Could you be President?" No." "Why?" "Mister, you- 'scuse, please. I vera busy worka da mine." HOLDING THEIR OWN. I An Irish tale that delighted Mr. George Wyndham is told by Mr. Charles Gatty, in George Wyndham-Recognita (Murray). It is about two men who set out to walk to Balli- nasloe, having been told before they started that the distance was fourteen miles: "After two hours' steady trudge along the road one of them inquired of a man breaking stones, Are we on the right way to Balli- nasloe?' You are, sorr,; was the reply. And how far might it be?' he asked. 'It will be just fourteen miles from here to Ballinasloe,' responded their informant. On they went again for another two hours, and then stopped and shouted to a woman hoeing turnips in a field, Are we on the right road to Balli- nasloe?' You are, sorr,' she said. And how far is it from here?' he demanded. 'Well, from the corner there,' says the woman, we call it just fourteen milts to Ballinasloe.' Upon which the inquirer turned to his com- panion and said, Thanks be to God, Mike, wo are holding our own I ITALY> THE ENCHANTRESS. I Those of us who love Italy-and how many there are—even if we cannot do anything else, we can help by sympathy, by the spread of information, by a constant recollection of the debt that each of us that has ever travelled in Italy owes te that enchantress of the nations. I myself lwrites Mrs. Humphry Ward, in the Contemporary Review") -? spent spring after spring in Italy, on Lake Como, when all the banks of the lake are a miracle of fruit blossoms, in Venice, in the neighbourhood of Florence, and in a lovely villa on the hills above Lucca, where to the north the great jagged peaks of the Carrara mountains peered over the woods, and to the south stretched a blue, sea-bound plain, in the [ midst of which far away—the Duomo, the Baptistry, the leaning Tower. And every- where I have felt the same drawing to the Italian people—contadini, boatmen, gondo- lieri, domestic servants-no less than to the many Italian friends of the educated class it has been my joy to .possess. I believe there is a thinner barrier between us and the Italian life and mind than between us and any other European people. I am certain that the Eng- lish women, when she tries, understands the Italian family much more readily than in the case of the Freneh woman and the French family. "OH NO, OFFICER!" I On a road in Belgium a German officer met a boy loading a jackass, and addressed him in heavy jovial fashion as follows:— "That's a fine jackass you have, my son. What do you call it? Albert I bet!" "Oh, no, officer." the boy replied quickly. "I think too highly of my King." Tha German scowled and returned: "I hope you don't dare to caH it William." Oh, no, officer. I think too highly of my jackass."—From "Good Jests." AN IMMORTAL SONG. I "Tipperary," the song which the old army sang in Flanders, is immortal. But it is not so much heard nowadays as it used to be. The street boys whistle other tunes, and the fight- ing men have many other songs. "Tipperary," however, has a place of its own. Says Major Corbett-Smith, in his new book, "The Marne —and After (Cassells): It seems now almost on a par -with the National Anthems of the Allies. For it is often sung at the end of a concert with "God Save the King," and very frequently the men rise to their feet for the singing of it. Several times I have seen it noted in the Press that "Tipperary is dead. That is incorrect. It "Tip become canonical, if one may use the term, by reason of its association with the men of the old army, and so it is sung on special occasions only.
"SOME" MARROW. I
"SOME" MARROW. I The marrow not only grows big, but like all the members of the gourd family it develops enormous force .in the process of growth. In America a "squash," which is a sort of marrow, has been scientifically tested as a weight-resister. Beginning with a small matter of 601b., the burden was gradually increased until, at the end of a month, the irrepressible marrow was quite cheerfully withstanding a weight of half-a-ton! At two months the burden had been increased to close upon two tons, and still the marrow grew. Finally this "squash" came to maturity under the extraordinary pressure of two and a-half tons!
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St. Katherine's Lodgo, in Regent's Park, placed at the disposal of the American Red Cross by Mr. and Mrs. William Salomon, of New York, has been opened by Dr. Page, the United States Ambassador, as a hospital for American and British officers. Tottenham District Council has acquired a further fifty acves of land for allotments. There are already 6,000 allotment cultivators in the district.
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OUR CHILDREN'S CORRER I By UNCLE RALPH. I IN PORTUGAL. Luiz lives in Portugal, right away up among the mountains, and he has two little sisters called Maria and Irene. Every week Luiz has to go to market to a village which is a long way away. He does enjoy going, and so do Maria and Irene, for they go too. Early in the morning the donkey, Sancho, is saddled, and on one side is a large basket with all the vegetables and things that Luiz is to sell, and on the other side is a basket into which Mother puts Maria and Irene. Then they call Jose the dog, and away they go as happy as they can be When they get to the village Luiz soon sells all his goods, and after they have given Sancho a good long rest they start home again. This time Maria and Irene are rather tired, and often, when they get home, Mother finds two babies fast asleep in the basket; but, of course, Luiz has to keep wide awake all the time. And when he gets in Mother hears all about the day's doings. and then she gives him a kiss and says, "Well done, Luiz I" Then Luiz feels 80 happy! TEASING TOM AND THE GEESE. Teasing Tom weiit out one day, Met some geese cn- their homeward way. "I'll have a game." Master Tom did say- Naughty,. teasing Tom! Teasing Tom to the Goose said "Bo!" (Geese never did like that, you know); So the angry Goose -,fter Tom did go— Silly, teasing Tom! "Oh!" said Tom, "I was only in play." "Yes," said the Goose, "that's what you say. Hiss! hiss! biss! Go away, go away!" Off ran teasing Tom. THE PRIZE AT THE FLOWER-SHOW. "Of course you can have it if you like," said Polly. "But I shouldn't have thought you would want such a silly dead old thing in your garden." "I don't believe it is quite dead," said Annie. "Oh, I'm sure it is," said Polly. "There! Now I've got it out. I shall put in some lilies here, I think." Annie picked up the plant that Polly had thrown away and carefully looked at the roots. Then she said, "Well, I shall see what I can do with it. But I don't believe you will do any good with lilies, Polly; this kind of ground doesn't suit them—at least, Mr. Knight said so." "I wish you would let me alone," said Polly crossly. "Wliv don't you attend to your own garden and let me manage mine?" Some time afterwards, when Polly had for- gotten all about it, Annie said, "Are you ring in for the prize at the r am, but I can't tell you what I am goic? to send, because I want it to be a surprise." "I haven't got anything to send," said Polly. "All my lilies died." When the Flower-show did come off they went together, and all at once Polly said, "Oh, look!—there's the first prize! How lovely: Why, Annie, it's yours! Wherever did you get it? "Don't you know?" said Annie. "Why, you don't mean to say it was that ?" said Polly. "Yes, indeed," said Annie. "Well, I never!" said Polly. THE LAZY LITTLE GIRL. The sun peeped in through the window-blind. "Wake up, little girl," said he. "Here am I shining with all my might— You ought to get up and see." The roses tapped on the window-pane. "Wake up, little girl," they said. "We are all of us opening our cups to the sun; You ought not to lie in bed." The swallows flew past the window-pane, "Wake uv," they'twittered; "arise! All things are stirring this beautiful morn- Come open those sleepy eyes." The little girl opened her sleepy eyes And blinked at the window-pane, Then turned herself over and-what do you think? Went right off to sloop again! THE FIRST PRINCE OF WALES. • A long time ago there was a King of Eng- land called Edward. He was the first of the Edwards, and he had to fight ag-ainst the people who lived in Wales. After he had fought with them and conquered them, he thought of a plan by which he could make thsm his* friends. He went to the Castle of Carnarvon in Wales and met there all the great chiefs and lords of Wales, and told them that he was going to give them a new prince to rule over them. "This prince," he said, "was born in your own country, and cannot speak a word of English." Of course, all the Welsh chiefs were very much pleased at this;. but whom ,do you think King Edward meant? He was speak ing of his own little baby who had been born in Carnarvon Castle, and was only two or three days old. Of course he could not speak a word of English, because he could not talk at all. King Edward took the little baby in his arms and said to the Welsh lords and chiefs, "Here is mv son and your prince; this is the Prince of Wales." Then the Welshmen saw that King Edward had played a trick on them, and some of them were very angry, but others were glad that the King had called his eon after their oountry. So, after ail, King Edward made friends with the Welsh people. And ever since then the eldest son of tho King or Queen of England has been called the Prince of Wales. King George V. was Prince of Wales before he became King, and. his son is now Prince of Wales. MARY AND THE PARCEL. "MotheT," said Mary, "what is in t-haii parcel in the drawing-room? May I open it?" "Not till to-morrow, dear," said Mother. "Why not, Mother?" said Mary. "Because I don't wish you to, dear," said Mother. I am sorry to say Mary looked very cross, and did not seem at all ready to wait until to-morrow. Presently, what do you think naughty Mary did? She went downstairs very quietly, and opened the drawing-room door and crepli on tip-toe to the parcel. It was almost dark » and Mary could scarcely see to undo the string. Mother waa upstairs, and directly after- wards she heard a scream, and Mary came rushing up in a great fright. "Oh, Mother. there's something horrid and dreadful in the drawing-Toom I'm so frightened Then Mother knew how naughty Mary had been. Nert day she took Mary into the drawing- room and showed her the little Jack-in-the- box. "What!" said Mary, starting back in surprise, "is that the dreadful thirg that frightened me so?" "Yes, said Mother, "it was going to be a present for you, but I am afraid that you must not have it now."
.LieE OF BANK-NOTES.
LieE OF BANK-NOTES. An official of the Bank of England has stated that the average lite or period that a note is in circulation is, for a X.5 note, sixty-two days; a 10 note, fifty-eight days; < £ 30 to < £ 100 note, thirty days; Y-200 to £ 500 note1, eleven days; < £ 1,000 note, fifty-five days.
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The American Military Attache in London. Colonel William Lassiter, has been promoted to be a brigadier-general, and is now the highest United States Army officer stationed in this country. Damages of C51 12s. against the London County Council were awarded at Clerken- well County-court to Mrs. Elizabeth Robin- son, Cottenham-road, Holloway, who was thrown from a tramway-car which started while she was alighting. I