County Observer and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser Abergavenny and Raglan Herald Usk and Pontypool Messenger and Chepstow Argus

I NEWS NOTES. THE news to hand from Shangai on Monday morning, coming from what was described as Chinese official sources," removed the last hope that the terrible fears concerning the fate of the white residents in Pekin might not. after all, have to be realised. The mournful intelligence thus received covers, it must be ad- mitted, the most revolting tragedy in the whole history of civilisation. The massacre of the Legates of the Powers and their families, and coincidently of the Ambassadors of Commerce from the West is a hideous tragedy almost too enormous to contemplate; and the punishment of the unspeakable out- rage must be commensurate with the im- mensity of the crime. It was China against the outside world; now the reprisal must be the world against the corruption which has brought China to this fearful pass. THE most circumstantial details came to hand of the slaughter of our compatriots and their womankind, and of the personnel of the other legations. We are told how the Boxers, with artillery under Tung-Fu-Siang, breached the wall of the British Legation, where the white folk had sought sanc- tuary. This occurred after the garrison had exhausted its ammunition, and the heroic little band, still fighting stubbornly, were put ruth- lessly to the sword by the relentless Mongolian fiends in defiance of all the canons of civilisa- tion. Many of the murderous horde who did the strangers within their gates to death so cruelly were themselves slain, but this circumstance will be small con- solation to the relatives of the fallen whites who fell in such harrowing circumstances while doing their country's work. The feeling against Chinamen generally is naturally now uni- versally bitter, and it will be difficult for authority to keep within bounds the thirst for revenge. IT is satisfactory to have the assurance of a reputable authority ill South Africa that Lord Roberts's health is good, despite reports to the contrary, and that the brave old Field-Marshal is as cheery and vigorous as ever. He has evidently a good deal yet to do in completion of his triumphal campaign. THE Boers are thoroughly beaten on all sides, but, with a pertinacity worthy of a better cause, the remnant of their armies refuses to recognise the fact. It may take some time yet, without avoidable carnage, to^reduce them to submission. Lord Roberts may be implicitly trusted to consummate his victories in the best way, and we here at home must meanwhile exercise patience. THE Boers doubtless found the British prisoners they captured a burden. They wanted feeding and guarding; while their captors had quite enough to do to keep themselves from being overtaken by the forces of the Queen. So the bulk had to be liberated, after enduring very con- siderable hardship. Many of our Militia and Yeomanry who had fallen into the enemy's hands were kept on the march for a month, during which they were fed on crushed mealies and raw beef. At night they were compelled to sleep on the bare veldt, with nothing but a blanket to every five as a protection against the frosty air. On one occasion they suffered several casualties through being exposed to the fire of British troops, and most of them were relieved of their money and valuables before they were desperately put across the Natal border at Van Reenen's Pass. It would be better for the Boers were they to recognise that the game is up," They are only adding to the reckoning which has to be paid when all is over. WE know now that Parliament will rise in the second week of next month. Whether with the Prorogation the life of this present Parlia- ment will end no one can surely tell. The intent, as things are, is that there will be at least-another Session before a dissolution takes place, but events march fast in the political world nowadays, and complications abroad may likely enough hasten matters. THE South African War has resulted in the permanent addition to the British pharma- copoeia of a valuable drug, if we are to believe report. This is tincture of the geranium or pelargonium root as a dysentery cure. The specific is known to all the Kaffirs and other natives, and is said to be a sure specific. The blacks chew the crude root, but our army doctors make a decoction by boiling it in milk. Apropos of remedies for the ills which human flesh is heir to, we are reminded that Dr. Defraysee, a Belgian savant, is credited with the discovery of a new consumption serum. The announcement of the fact is creating great interest in the medical world. Dr. Defraysee's remedy is reported to have radically cured several cases. Certain tropical plants, we are told, enter into the composition of the serum, which is animovegetal. Dr. Defraysse left Antwerp the other day for Grenoble, where the plants are being cultivated. He will experi- ment in France on a much larger scale. The doctors express great hope of the discovery. We in England may well hope that a valuable find has been made by those who have to combat a scourge of our country. IT is by no means too well known that the great work of charity performed by the Sol- diers' and Sailors' Families' Association, of which Col. Gildea is the chairman, is the result of voluntary effort on the part of the 11,000 ladies and gentlemen throughout the country who are engaged in ministering relief to the wives and dependent relatives of soldiers and sailors serving in South Africa. The only salaried official in connection with the associa- tion is the secretary at headquarters.

IT is proposed to convert the old obsprvatory buildings situated on the Boulevard Bischoffsheim, Brussels, into a residence for Prince Albert and his bride. COLONEL SIR SUION LOCKIIART, Aide-de-Camp to Lord Wolseley, has been appointed a Brigadier- General on the Staff to command the Cavalry at the Curragh. LADY MALONEY has returned to England from Grenada. She has been residing for some time past at Government House, St. George, Grenada with her husband, the Governor of the Windward Islands. CHOLERA in an epidemic form lias broken out at Kohat, where all the units of the native garrison have been attacked. The regiments have gone into camp. A ONE-[-AGE note of Rudyard Kipling's, simply making an appointment in London, is priced on the market at £ 2 7s. 6d. Twenty-four shillings will pur- chase a letter of thanks from Lord Beaconsfield for a charming notice of Sybil." A TABLET to the memory of Mr. Joseph Chamber- lain, father of the Colonial Secretary, has been afrixed,iii the Unitarian Church, Upper-street, Isling- ton, where he worshipped >f or#t«retnan Gftvyeara.

(A SK^ION THAT S T P. U C K SOME. Silas Marvin, a farmer in a small but well-to-do way in one of the Western States of America, was never so well pleased with a sermon as when he felt that the pastor was giving soire delinquent members of the church a rub." He possessed the faculty of following the good man's well-directed shafts straight into the right pew, which, curiously enough, never happened to be his own. He prided himself on his powers in this direction. It was to him a source of never-failing satisfaction. One Sunday the minister. took this passage of Scripture for his text: Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest." The preacher led it off pretty plain to them that ain't living up to the notch. Did you notice how old Reed squirmed ?"said Silas, as drove home with his wife after the service. Mrs. Marvin's answer was slow in coming. It was preceded by the faintest suggestion of a sigh. I wasn't thinking of him," she said. A capital serment," Silas went on, I shouldn't wonder if it set's more'n old Reed to thinking." During the long afternoon Silas sat in the shady piazza looking out over the fields of ripening corn. An open book, not a line of which he had read, lay beside him. He raised his hand and brought it down on his leg, with a resounding slap. Six-ty-nine." His wife came hurrying to the door. What is it ? You didn't leave your specs in church, did you ?" As Silas seemed disposed to pay no attention to her inquiry, Mrs. Marvin turned away. The cows came lowing up the lane. The birds twit- tered in the pine trees beyond the garden. Tell Jake to see to things. I guess I'll go to bed I don't feel just right," said Silas. So to bed he went, though it lacked a good two hours of his usual time. He tossed about the greater part of the night. Finally, he got up, and groping his way to a chair, seated himself in it. It brought me up standing, but I'm going to look the thing square in the face," said he, in a hoarse whisper. His wife raised herself on her elbow. Are you out of your head, Sile, or what on earth is the matter?" Mither, you go to sleep. My head's all right. I'll resk that." "Is it your rheumatiz?" "Rheumatiz, nothing I" Mrs. Marvin said no more. Silas dressed himself and went down to walk back and forward in the bean path. Next morning he abruptly broke the silence of the breakfast table by saying About out of flour, ain't you ? I'll throw a grist abroad and go to mill." If anything'll scatter these notions," said Silas to himself as he drove off, it'll be the noise of the grinding. I don't mind the text so much-I ain't a man to shirk the work my hands find to do, when I see it afore me. What's the trouble with me is that .,i other passage that the text is all the time bringing up: Except ye forgive men their trespasses.' He's never asked me to forgive him-none of them ever has." Silas gave his horses a sharp cut with the whip and the surprised creatures bounded into a trot. Down came the whip again. "There's just this much about it," said he, when he had replaced the whip in its socket, and settled himself in his seat, I'm in the right of it, fair and square, or—I'm in the wrong." The horses fell into their accustomed gait and Silas drove on with bowed head and troubled brow. In this attitude he sat for some time in the mill while his grist was being ground, then got up and went outside. What's got into the old mill's click-clock ?" said he, as he gave his hat a pull over his ears. The ratt- ling machinery had dinned these words into his brain through his sense of hearing: Do unto others—do unto others—do unto others as yeu would that they should do to you." He climbed into his waggon, received his grist and drove off at a smart pace. And now the ad- monitory words came clattering from his trace- chains Do unto others-do unto others-do unto others as you would that they should do to you!" They went jingling and rattling down a long hill, at the foot of which a sudden Whoa!" brought horses and waggon to a standstill. Wheeling about, Silas turned into a cross road and took his way to a farm house, in front of which was a young girl hoe- ing a double row of cabbages. "Good-morning, Libbie." On being thus accosted by Silas, the girl looked up, turned red in the face and acted as if about to beat a retreat. She seemed surprised, confused, even angry. "Libbie,come, go home along with me; I've come to fetch you." "Uncle Silas, do you mean it?" That's what I do, and I'm going to take Kate, too. Your missis won't mind." I think she'll be glad. I was only helping for my keep till I could find a place." With Libbie's poor box among the bags in the back of the waggon, and Libbie herself in the seat beside him, Silas repaired to another farmhouse where Kate, the younger sister, made herself so useful that it was not until he had agreed to send a stronger girl to take her place, that the woman, whose drudge she had been, would consent to her leaving. They went their way homeword in silence. At length they came to a creek, and Silas got out to loosen the check reins that the horses might drink. What dces it mean ?" whispered Kate to her sister. I do not know," the answer came doubtfully and tremulously, but I've been thinking that perhaps poor papa is- Not dead I" Kate clutched the other's arm ia a vise-like grip you can't think he is dead! I'm go- ing to ask him." Uncle, as Silas climbed in over the wheel, is anything the matter with papa ? Is he dead ?" Silas gave her a startled look. Dead! Why, child, have you heard he was any worse ?" Much relieved, Kate hastened to assure him that they had heard nothing, adding,— But we thought that might be it." Having deposited both girls and grist on the piazza, Silas led the horses away to the stable, saying as he went out,- Go right in, girls, and give -your aunt a surprise. She'll be glad enough to see you!" He could have taken care of his team and been back to the house in fifteen or twenty minutes, but more than an hour went by before he made his ap- pearance there. As he afterwards said, he bad no sooner got away from his nieces than he was put through an over- hauling of himself." He had given way, had done what he had vowed he would never do. He had yielded to what he had believed to be the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Yet now when he should have the consciousness of having performed a duty, he felt that he had but suffered his imagination to guide him, and that, in consequence, he had committed an act of folly. Of course he would be laughed at for a man of weak and variable mind. He told himself that he deserved to be. He crept into the mow, and threw himself at full length on the new hay. His blood was in a ferment. Drops of sweat stood out on his forehead like beads. It's well I came to my senses afore I meddled with him-miserable critter that could never learn the worth of money 1" Down by the pond the geese gabbled a hen with her brood perched about the open door swallows twittered in their nests under the eaves, but Silas was too deep in troubled thought to heed the familiar sounds. The sun climbed higher, and poured his beams from mid-heaven. A ray of sunlight streamed in through a chink in the gable and stretched across the hay at his feet. There his eye caught it, and follow- ing it, his thoughts took a turn. Upward, upward, past the roof-barrier past the sun itself, they reached forth toward the Infinite. Light that was not of the sun broke upon his soul and irradiated his face. He clambered down and went to the house. Out- side were the two girls making the acquaintance of Tige, the house dog. Girls, come and give your ugly old uncle a kiss." One glance into the eyes beaming in real kindness upon them and they bounded into his arms. Well, I never! This morning I hadn't a child, and now I've got a pair of girls so big and strong they're liable to hug the breath out of me I" Silas found his wife busy with preparations for dinner. She came and laid a hand on his arm, smil- ing through tears. ,9 I'm so glad you've done what's right by Tohn's children she said. Tut!" said Silas, it's no credit. I'd ought to done it long ago. Git ready a big chair and some quilts. After dinner I'm going to fetch your brother John himself. Oh, Sile do you think you can ? He didn't use you right, I allow." "I ain't going to think whether I can or not. I'm a-going after him I" It was with a feeling akin to remorse that Silas, accompanied by Jake, the farmhand, drew rein before a cluster of buildings of cheerless aspect, and looked about for a convenient hitching place. Against the only post available for that purpose, a strange creature, a combination of old man and beardless boy, sat mumbling over a half devoured turnip and leering at them from under a frayed hat- brim. "Deliver me from the poorhouse if that's what it does I" said Jake, with unction. "Coming to it wouldn't make you nor me an idiot like that fellow," said Silas. It would make us like that, though," Jake pointed as he spoke to a man seated under a shed attached to one of the buildings. The man, who was dressed in a faded suit, was so thin in flesh as to appear literally but skin and bones. He sat, or rather leaned back as if too weak to hold himself up- right, in a rickety, high-backed chair. Hia thin hands moved slowly, tremblingly back and forth. He was sewing carpet rags from a basket by his side. Silas got out of the waggon, and, going straight up to the man, held out his hand. John, how do you do ?" A quick flush overswept the man's leaden face. I'm only tolerable," said he, taking no notice of the extended hand. I've come to ask you to drop the difficulty between us out of your mind, and I'll drop it out of mine," said Silas, battling with a lump in his, throat. The man's face softened somewhat. "After all," said he, in the start I was most to blame." "And I've been most to blame ever since. I humbly ask your pardon for all I've done to you that was mean and ugly. As Silas said this he again held out his hand. The consumptive caught it to his bosom. A convulsive tremor shook his frame. Tears were coursing down his wasted cheeks, but Silas appeared not to see them; very likely he did not, for his own eyes were ready to overflow. Now, John, do you see that big chair? Sarah's expecting you to supper." Sarah is expecting me ?-to supper ?" Yes, and breakfast, and dinner and supper to- morrow I'm going to take you away from here for good 1" They got him into the waggon and took him home. Can't we manage to let the girls know ?" John asked while they were on the way; they'll be so gled to hear I've got away from that place." The reply of Silas was assuring though non-com- mittal. They're going to know about it," said he. When they came in sight of the house, Mrs. Marvin, who had been for an hour on the lookout, called her nieces. Your uncle and Jake are back. Who's that in the chair behind ?" It looks like-oh, can it be ? It is, it surely is papa!" Then all three ran out to give welcome; the girls to a father whom want and sickness had driven to the poorhouse, the woman to a brother from whom she had long been separated, through a quarrel in which she had had no part. Silas kept the best for the last," said JoJm, as his children led him to the house, one by each hand. May he never regret what he has done." He'll regret nothing," that individual said, as he walked after his wife, carrying the wraps, but that he didn't know the blessedness of forgiving and being forgiven many a long day ago."

HOW THE CHINESE ARE ARMED Up to the last two or three years (remarks the Daily Express) anything that would fire a bullet did for the Chinaman, and if a European nation had contemplated supplying the army with new and better rifles it is quite certain that the Chinese authorities would have been the first to endeavour to purchase those that had been cast aside, however obsolete they might have been. The rifles used in the Chinese army at the time of the war with Japan were of multitudinous makes, and represented every conceivable pattern and decade. For instance, after the Crimean War the Russians discarded the old rifles they had been using and introduced one of more modern manufac- ture. The bulk of the weapons the Rus- sians despised went to China, and have been in use there ever since, while Sniders, Reming- tons, Mausers, and other patterns are also employed very often in the same regiment. This necessitates vast quantities of cartridges of different sizes being taken on active service, and it is a matter of history that while fighting the Japanese, serious mistakes in connection with the ammunition arose, resulting in large (bodies of men being placed hors-de-combat simply because they could not use each other's cart- ridges. The Remington rifle is more favoured by the Chinaman than any other, perhaps because he is generally familiar with the mechanism. For this America is responsible, as when the present long- range weapon was introduced into the United States vast shiploads of Remingtons were sent over to China, with ammunition in proportion, and were eagerly bought up by the military authorities. The proposal to introduce bullet-proof shields into the British Army reminds us that they have been used to a certain extent by the Chinese for some time. They are made of silk, and will turn a bullet at 500 yards. Fitted to them is a contrivance that might prove useful for hand-to-hand fighting. The soldier has only to touch a spring on the inside and a bayonet darts out in front, which could be used with deadly effect at close quarters.

TIME RECKONING. I Mexico is considering the advisability of adopting a standard system of reckoning time. At present (says the New York Tribune) Mexico has an official time, computed at the capital and telegraphed to various parts of the Republic. The time differs from Greenwich six and one-half hours. It is the time adopted by the railroads and telegraph lines, but in many parts of Mexico, especially in places not in telegraphic communication with the rest of the world, local time prevails.

DUTCH FRUIT AND THE STRIKERS. The announcement just made that the dock labourers at Rotterdam had extended the strike, so that the fruiS; boats, or certain of them, could not -srry fruit and market garden produce to Hull, Grimsby, Ev»d other ports at the North of England, has produced a very depressing effect in the fruit trade. Large quantities of cherries, onions, and potatoes have been coming in for months past, the bulk of these goods being bought by buyers for dis- tribution in the retail shops in the poorer districts of London, and the working classes of the metropolis will, therefore, feel the stoppage of the supplies, if carried out, very seriously.

THE SCARCITY OF SERVANTS, I Discussing the scarcity of servants, a writer in the Leisure Hour says it should be reckoned as respect- able to serve in the house as to serve in the shop. The status of the servant class needs raising in public opinion. In France the Government has established an Order of Washerwomen, to the most efficient of whom medals and diplomas are awarded. Why not medals and diplomas for servants? Let there be examinations and practical tests of competency in the several branches of domestic work, and public presentations of credentials of ability. This would promote a laudable ambition and esprit de corps. A servant would have a higher sense of the responsi- bility of her vocation if she were thus encouraged to perfect herself in it.

COLONEL EGERTON, commanding the District at Dorchester, has issued a notice that he will be pre- pared to give favourable consideration to applications by local farmers for soldiers to help in the harvest fields. SIR WATKIN WILLIAMS WYNN, who threw himself so whole-heartedly into the work of raising and equipping Volunteers for the war, is one of the rich- est and most powerful of Welsh magnates. He owns about 145,800 acres, and is happy with a six-figure income. Sir Watkin is a square, muscular man of average height, and he mingles practical farming and engineering with field snorts of all kinds.

MARKET NEWS. MARK-LANE.—Home-grown wheat offers sparingly, and while the country markets continue above rates ruling here, factors would only entertain high limits. Fine white, 33s, and red of similar sample 32s, 631b. delivered, and offers very scarce. New wheat will soon be coming up. Holders of American less interested themselves in the general situation, and quotations tended easy. No. 1. Northern Spring, 33s ex-ship, 33s 6d landed. No. 1 hard Manitoba, 34s 6d in the former and 35s in the latter position, and hard Duluth, 35s ex-quay. Continental markets continue favourable for the crops. Flour unaltered, with nothing calculated to disturb the market, and American brands remain scarce. The London Millers' Association reduced limits. Town household, 25s 6d whites, 28s 6d per sack. American first patents quoted at 26s to 27s second ditto, 24s to 25s. First bakers, 22s to 23s; and second, 20s to 21s. Hungarian up to 30s 6d per sack. Grinding barley continues very steady, with no Black Sea up, and American very scarce; while Persian supplies for present wants being in ample supply for requirements at about 17s 9d ex-ship, and 18s landed. Plentiful arrivals and shipments of American oats are overlooked by holders, and a regular demand prevailed. Mixed clipped quoted at 14s 6d ex-ship, 15s ex-quay, 401b.; and white clipped in these positions 15s 6d and 16s respectively. St. Petersburg and Archangel, 14s ex-ship, 381b. and 15s 3d 401b. Common Libau, 13s 6d to 13s 9d, 381b., ex-quay. Maize maintained. American mixed, new, held for 21s ex-ship, 21s 6d landed. Odessa, old, 24s ex-ship, 24s 9d ex-quay. There is nothing fresh to mention respecting beans and peas, except that the latter is barely so good. Egyptian splits, 20s 6d ex-mill; Mazagans, 20s landed, New Zealands, 32s 6d to 33s 6d, 5041b. Canadian white peas, 29s ex-ship, 29s 6d ex-granary. Maize germ meal con- tinues scarce for American, and held for jE5 ex-quay. English, 94 17s 6d to £ 4 18s 9d per ton, ex-wharf. LONDON METROPOLITAN CATTLE. — Beast entries fair. A quieter demand was experienced, and prices of both prime and second qualities the turn in favour of buyers. Fat butchering cows were easier. Quo- tations Herefords, 4s lOd.to exceptionally 5s Devon 4s lOd to 5s runts, 4s 6d to 4s 8d Norfolks, 4s 7d to 4s 8d Lincoln shorthorns, 4s 6d to 4s 8d per 81b. Sheep supplies were smaller than on Monday last, but the inquiry for both wethers and ewes was of a slow character, prices ruling 2d per 81b lower, 7j to 8 stone Down wethers, 5s lOd to 6s; 9-stone, ditto, 5s 8d to 5s lOd; 10-stone, half- bred, 5s 6d to 5s 8d; 10-stone Down ewes, 4s 6d to 4s 8d; 11-stone half-bred ditto, 4s Od to 4s 4d. Lambs met a slow support at 2d. decline. 5-stone fat Downs, 5s lOd to 6s per 81b. to sink the offal. Calf trade and supply nominal. Milch cows, E15 to R22 per head. Coarse and inferior beasts quoted 3s 4d to 3s lOd; second quality ditto, 4s 2d to 4s 6d prime large oxen, 4s 6d to 4s 8d; ditto Herefords, &c., 4s lOd to 5s Od; coarse and inferior sheep, 3s 2d to 3s lOd; second quality ditto, 4s 2d to 5s and first, 5s 4d to 6s; inferior lambs, 5s 4d to 5s 6d seconds, 5s 6d to 5s 8d first, 5s lOd to 6s per 81b. SMITHFIELD MEAT.—Fair supplies, but trade slow. Quotations: Beef: Scotch, 4s to 4s 8d; English, 4s to 4s 2d; American (Deptford killed), 3s lOd to 4s; Liverpool, 3s lOd to 4s; American refrigerated, hindquarters,3s6d to 3s8d; forequarters,2s 6d to2s 8d Mutton: Scotch, 5s 4d English wethers, 5s; ewes, 3s 8d to 4s; English lamb, 5s 4d to 5s 8d. Veal: English and Dutch, 4s to 4s 4d per 81b. POULTRY AND GAME. — Moderate supplies were offered and sold quickly. Quotations: Fowls: York- shire, 2s 6d to 3s Od; Essex, 2s 6d to 3s 6d; Boston, 2s 6d to 3s 6d; Welsh, 2s Od to 2s 6d Surrey, 3s 3d to 4s Od; Sussex, 3s Od to 3s 9d; Irish, Is 9d to 2s 6d; Aylesbury ducklings, 2s 9d to 3s 6d; country ducks, 2s 6d to 2s 9d goslings, 3s 6d to 4s 6d; Egyptian quail, 9d to Is; Bordeaux pigeons, lOd to Is; feathered ditto, 7d to 9d; tame rabbits,. Is to Is 3d each Australian ditto, 6s 6d to 9s per dozen; venison haunches, 18s to 25s each forequarters, 6d per lb. BILLINGSGATE PIS H.-Large supplies were received, and a good demand was experienced. English salmon Is 2d to Is 4d; Scotch, Is 5d to Is 6d Irish, Is 4d to Is 6d; Canadian, 6d; grilse, Is Id to Is 4d trout, Is 4d to Is 6d; soles, Is 3d to 2s; slips, Is to Is 6d; red mullet, 2s; dories, 3d per lb.; turbot, 9s to 12s; brill, 5s to 7s; halibut, 5s to 6s 6d lemon soles, 4s 6d to 58 6d; plaice, 4s 6d to 6s per stone Aberdeen plaice, 35s whiting, 7s to 9s; gurnet, 6s hake, 10s to 15s; skate, 10s; bream, 6s; live cod, 14s to 18s; dead, 9s to 12s per box large steamer plaice, 36s to 38s ditto haddocks, 108 to 12s per trunk loose, 2s per stone; English mackerel, 13s to 18s per 60; live eels, 15s to 20s dead, 6s to 12s per draft; lobsters, 15s to 40s per score; crabs, 18s to 20s per hamper; bloaters, 2s to 4s per box; and kippers, 2s 6d to 4s per box; smoked haddocks, 3s 6d to 7s per dozen whitebait, 9d to Is per quart. WIITTKCIIAPEL HAY AND STRAW.—Superior picked hay, 84s to 87s; good hay, 78s to 82s; inferior, 60s to 70s; best clover, 97s to 100s; good clover, 87s to, 90s; inferior, 60s to 75s straw, 25s to 35s. SEED TRADE.—New English trifohum now offer- ing. Supply promises to be abundant; quality good but demand small. Cloverseeds, with but little business passing therein, are firmly held. Full rates are asked for mustard and rapeseed. Canaryseed, with a strong undertone, attracts increasing atten- tion. Hempseed meantime is Is. dearer. Peas and haricots realise former terms. WOOL.-This trade is still very unsatisfactory, and the outlook is not encouraging. Speaking generally, prices at the country fairs are about Id. per lb. above those ruling in the market, and though this anoma- lous position of things is not altogether new in such a condition of trade as that through which we are passing, yet in view of the recent fall in prices many dealers are rendered nervous as to the result. Spinners are still confronted with low offers on the part of their customers, but with the prices being given for wool they have to refuse such offers, as business on these terms could only be done at a loss. Downs, 8d to lOid; Kents, 6d to 6d; half-breds, 61-d to nd. 2 2 2 COVENT GARDEN.—English grapes, Is to 2s 6d Belgian, 8d to Is 3d per lb. cherries, 2s 6d to 7s 6:1 per half-sieve; apricots, 6d to 9d per box; gooseberries, Is to 2s per half-sieve; peaches, 2s 6d to 8s; green figs, Is 6d to 2s 6d per dozen English tomatoes, 4s to 6s per 121b.; leeks, 2s: carrots, 4s to 5s per dozen bunches artichokes, 2s to 2s 6d cauliflower, 2s to 3s per dozen cabbages, 2s 6d to 5s per tally English spring onions, 3s to 4s per dozen bunches peas, Is 6d to 4s per bushel; broad beans, 2s to 2s 6d per bushel; radishes, 2s to 2s Gd per tally vegetable marrows, 3s to 58 per dozen potatoes, 4s 6d to 9s per cwt. j CAMBRIDGE CATTLE.—There was a good supply of fat beasts, but trade was slow at less money. Very few store beasts were offered. The trade for fat sheep were not so good as last week. Only a few store sheep were shown. Fat pigs commanded a fair trade, and there was a good number of store pigs to hand with a better trade. Prices Beef, 7s 3d to 8s; mutton, 4s 4d to 5s 8d; pork, 5s 3d to 6s 3d. READING CATTLE.—Beef Supply short; trade fair at 4s 4d to 4s 8d best; 3s 6d to 4s 2d for secondary. Mutton: Supply medium trade fair. Best, 5s 4d to 5s lOd; secondary, 4s 8d to 5s 2d. Lamb: Short supply good trade at 6s to 6s 4d for best, 5s 6d to 58 lOd for secondary. Yeal: Rather short supply; trade fair at 5s 6d to 6a for best: 4s lOd to 5s 4d for secondary. GRIMSBY Fisii.-Ilaice, 5s to 6s lemon soles, 58 6d to 7s per stone; soles, Is 2d to Is 4d per lb.; live dabs, 14s; dead ditto, 10s; live codlings, 12s 6d to 15s; dead ditto, 10s 6d to 13s kit haddocks, 14s to 16s; gibbed ditto, 15s to 18s; live ditto, 17s 6d per box; whitings, 4s; whitches, 6s per stone gurnets, 6s per box; turbots, lOd to Is; brills, lid per lb.; live ling, 3s to 5s dead ditto, 2s to 4s; live cod, 4s to 5s dead ditto, 3s to 4s live skate, 3s to 4s dead ditto, 2s to 3s each find on haddocks, 4s live halibut, 6s to 7s dead ditto, 5s to 6s; English shrimps, 4s; foreign ditto, 3s 6d; prawns, 3s per stone; kippers, 2s 6d; bloaters, 2s 6d; red herrings, 2s 6d per box; catfish, 25s; live coalfish, 20s; dead ditto, 15s per score English oysters, 6s 6d; American ditto, 4s 6d per 100; smelts, 3s 6d per box; whelks, 3s 6d per wash; malt cod, 10s 6d; ice, Is 6d per cwt; salmon, Is to Is 3d per lb.; hake, 25s; roker, 18s per score; tusks, 208 per score.

Now 76 years of age, Lord Leigh, who has repre- Rented the Kenilworth Division on the Warwick County Council, has retired into well-earned rest. Stoncleigh Abbey, his beautiful seat at" KenilWOrLh, has been the scene of many brilliant gatherings. Lord Leigh has acted as Lord-Lieutenant of his county since 1856, and he is one of the governors and truste03 of Rugby School.

LITERARY MALAPROPISMS. The Liverpool Daily Post vouches for the truth of the following literary malapropisms. They are all said to be the titles of books as asked for in book- sellers' orders. Someone who wanted Bog Myrtle and Peat" asked for "Boy, Muscle, and Peat." Frondes Agrestes" was described as Founders and Heretics." Pharaoh's Life of Christ meant Farrar's great work. Boy Hero of Walthimstow stood for Boy Hero," by Walsham How. The book-buyer who wished to be supplied with Harry Stockle's Masterpiece" was not a very creditable disciple of Aristotle, whose book he really wanted. Across the Russian's Nose was the title given to Across Russian Snows." That bookseller tho- roughly understood his business who, when asked for Improver's Story," knew that Improvisatore was meant. And last, but not least, it must have been some agricultural body who asked for "God Aid us by a Farmer "—meaning "Gaudeamus," by Farmer.

AN ANTI-NOISE CRUSADE. Chicago, which is known to be a distinguished centre of culture, has been conducting an anti-noise movement. The moving spirit in the crusade was one Dr. S. J. Jones. He has (writes a Chronicle cor- respondent) spent years in Chicago searching for quiet. The city council appointed a committee to investigate unnecessary noises, and devise an ordi- nance for preventing them, but it has failed to find any noises that can be suppressed. It is suggested that the city council could not suppress noises in Chicago without suppressing Chicago and Chicago will not be suppressed. Dr. Jones is advised to try Philadelphia.

I JHINESE RELICS AT WINDSOR. It is not generally known (says the London corre- spondent of the Birmingham Post) that the Queen possesses at Windsor a small collection of curiosi- ties reminiscent of the earlier Chinese wars during this reign. There is, for example, a suit of Chinese armour which belonged to a chief in the remote in- terior, and it comprises a cuirass of lacquered steel, a half mask with gilt teeth, and metal coverings for the arms with gilt ornaments. There is also an ancient knife, the ivory handle of which is carved into the figure of a Chinaman, and a one-edged dagger with an engraved wooden scabbard. Greater immediate interest attaches to a similar dagger of damascened steel with the horn handle weighted with lead. This was wrested from a Chinaman in a murderous struggle by Mr. Bazalgette, who presented it to George III. in 1807. Mention may also be made of a pair of ancient chopsticks, some spec- tacles, a carved jade talisman, and other objects of the same kind.

THE SULTAN OF MOROCCO. From being merely a cypher (says a writer in Blackwood), the young Sultan of Morocco is now beginning to assert himself. His awkwardness has largely disappeared. He has grown very consider- ably in stature, and is now a tall man, a head above most of his officials. He walks and rides well, and takes notice of all that is passing, and apparently engages his surrounding official in conversation. In fact he has begun to give some promise of liKeness to his father, who was the most competent and the most charming man who has held the Moorish throne.

THE SULTAN'S SILVER JUBILEE. Great preparations are being made for the Sultan's Silver Jubilee on August 31, when he will have been 25 years on the Throne. Poets and historians (remarks a correspondent of the Telegraph) are busy writing accounts of all his pious works and the great things he has done for his subjects. These will be translated and published in all languages. This year is to signalised by the inauguration of some great works for the public good, which are to be a lasting memorial of the Sultan's devotion to the com- fort and welfare of his people. Chief amongst these are a new water supply for Constantinople at the Sultan's cost, and a University, which certainly will be a curiosity in the way of universities. Political economy is a forbidden subject in Turkey; history can only be taught when it does not refer to the decline of the Ottoman Empire, revolutions, depositions, or assassination of sovereigns, or any- thing else unpleasant; geography is better, but Armenia and the Greek Empire must be forgotten* and as for chemistry and electricity, they do not exist. However, the greatest work of all is the rail- way from Damascus to Mecca, for tho use of pilgrims. The Sultan has announced that the line is to be built by subscription, the list for which he has headed with £ 50,000, this being one month's pay which he receives from the Civil List. At the same time, he requests all functionaries to follow his example. This is rather awkward for officials, who only receive above three months' pay in the year, and they hope that they may he allowed to give a month of arrears, which will not hurt their pockets. The illuminations on August 31 will be something extraordinary, and great efforts are being made to get deputations from all the Mussulman communities in the world to come and congratulate the Sultan, who also hopes that the Shah, Khedive, and several of the rulers of the Balkan States will accept his invitations to be present. The plague, how- ever, seems to be steadily approaching, and likely tc upset all the Sultan's calculations. A reign of terroi has begun here no one talks of anything but plague and rumours are current of cases in all directions.

A CHINESE ARSENAL The lingmeers special commissioner, writing from Shanghai, describes the Kianguan Arsenal, which is, he says, practically speaking, the only one in China worthy the name. It is situated two or three miles up stream from Shanghai on the Woosung River, is under the direct orders of the Viceroy of Nanking, and is managed by three directors appointed by him. Under them is a large staff of Chinese officials, but for technical purposes it has been under foreign management-ever since its commencement, about 30 years ago. At the present day about 2500 men are employed. The works cover a very large area, and have a commanding river frontage. The shops, which need not be enumerated, include all the plant which is necessary for making all sorts of guns throughout, from small arms and quick firing guns of small calibre up to 12in. guns with a length of 30 calibres. In the heavier classes of guns the Arm- strong pattern is almost universally adopted. Annually, and for many years past, large quantities of war material have been turned out here.

A HOTEL KEEPER and his wife at Bruges were nearly killed the other day by drinking coffee in the remains of which vitriol was afterwards found. An orphan girl whom they adopted has been charged with attempting to murder them. CROYDON CORPORATION have decided to acquire Grange Wood, at the north end of the town, as a public park. The wood was once the resort of Jack Sheppard and Jonathan Wild, who four times robbed the south road coach there. A COMMITTEE is to be formed for the purpose of initiating a movement with the object of commemo- rating the life and work of the late Miss Mary Kings- ley. Her brother has recently left for Simonstown to make inquiries into the circumstances of her re- gretted death. Only three days before she died Miss Kingsley wrote home an entertaining letter, in which she admitted her health was suffering. The family regret that the deceased lady's remains cannot be laid to rest in the family vault at Highgate, the more so because she has done so much to preserve the literary character of the name. Now that the birthplace of Buddha has been iden- tified Mr. W. Peppe, of the Birdpur estate, on the Nepaul frontier, has excavated a reliquary or stupa of the teacher, and found relics in a casket of the third or possibly the fourth century B.C. The remains of Buddha, after cremation, were parted among eight sections of the Sakya clan of this region, and these are probably a portion of them. An account of them is expected in the Royal Asiatic [ Society's Journal." THE London City church of St. Bartholomew, Moor-lane, which will be demolished in view of the scheme by which the parish of St. Bartholomew will be united to St. Giles, Cripplegate, has a somewhat curious history. It was originally the church of St. Bartholomew-by-the-Exchange, standing in Thread- needle-street. It was greatly damaged by the Great Fire, and afterwards repaired and partly rebuilt by Wren. From that time until 1845 it stood at the corner of Bartholomew-lane and Tbreadneedle-atreet, when it was pulled down for local improvements, and the same stones being used it was re-built where it now stands.