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

A REMARKABLE WEAPON I 119 The Zurich correspondent of the Lancet writes I that at a recent meeting of the Zurich Medical Society Professor Eronlein demonstrated a self- loading pistol which is creating quite a stir in army circles. A man who shot himself with this weapon was admitted to the Surgical Clinique with a perforated skull and died soon after. The necropsy revealed a most extraordinary power of destruction in the bullet, there being quite a network of fissures in the skull, besides the small wound of entrance and exit. The German Army authorities, it is said, intend to introduce this destructive weapon into the army. The simplicity of loading is such that 120 shots can be fired in one minute. It seems a weapon admirably adapted for cavalry forces and mounted infantry.

CONGREGATIONALISTS' TWENTIETH CENTURY FUND. Oongregationalists are celebrating on Sunday next the completion of, the first year of their Twentieth Century Thanksgiving Fund. The report that will be read in the churches will be of the most en- couraging character, showing that the promises within the last five months have increased by £64,000, and that the total now realises £ 518,648. In the young people's department the plans adopted for the instruction of the youth in Congregational Church history and principles have been so success- ful that an even more extensive programme is in preparation for the coming year, and arrangements have been made to celebrate the first year of the new century by demonstrations at all places of his- toric interest to Congregationalists.

THE INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT. In an account of The English Intelligence De- partment" in the Forum, Major Arthur Griffiths remarks that, Having regard to the possibilities of war with the Transvaal, a very likely danger ahead, it was surely incumbent upon the Imperial Govern- ment to undertake the triangulation and survey of a country that might become at no remote date a theatre of war. Nevertheless, what the supreme authority neglected the Intelligence attempted with its own officers out of its own limited means. For some time previous to the rupture great efforts were made to lay down the principal physical features of North Natal; but, very unfortunately, the district of the Upper and Middle Tugela could not be touched before the war broke out, and this, as we know, became the scene of the most serious conflict. The mapping of other parts of South Africa, and even of areas within the frontier of the two Dutch Republics, was a.so undertaken and it may be claimed for the Intelligence that as tha war proceeded its topographi- cal publications became of exceeding value."

"DON'T COUGH-STOP INTEUNAL MISCHIEF." Quick Relief—Keating's Lozenges. Sure Relief-Keating's Lozenges. Easy Relief—Keating's Lozenges. Cheap Relief—Keating's Lozenges. Sold in tins only, lStd. each, everywhere. SiNem the murder of King Humbert attention has been drawn to a book of horoscopes published in Paris in 1885, in which July 29, 1900, was pre- dicted as the date pre-ordained for King Humbert of Italy to die. This was the date of his murder. The person whose forecast in the case of the murdered King proved so terribly accurate drew horoscopes of otht'r Sovereigns with equal exactness. Thus March I 5, 1907, is the date assigned for the death of the King of the Belgians, while the Emperor of Austria is to live until February 24, 2*911, when he will be an octogenarian.

GENERAL BULLER'S RETURN, Sir Redvers Buller arrived at Southampton on the evening of the 9th. inst. on board the Dunvegan Castle, and was received with immense enthusiasm, He was present at. the Mayor's banquet, and spoke briefly, in reponse to the toast of his health. Sir Redvers said "I have maintained all my life that there is one reason that makes it desirable for Englishmen to leave England, and that reason is the great pleasure it is to come back. (Cheers). I am sure the re- ception to-night is more than I have deserved. (-Cries of "No, no," and You do deserve it.") I feel it is wrong for anyone to interfere with the mayoral toast list—(laughter)—but I shall never forget the kind way in which you have received me. (Cheers and cries of You have deserved it.") Thank you. I hope I have deserved it. I have been called upon suddenly to reply for the toast of The Army, Navy, and Volunteers." I have seen all three services in war fighting in defence of our flag. (Cheers.) I have been serving now for nearly a year with England in South Africa, when England put forth her best strength, and not before it was needed-when Eng- land had to assert her right, a right which she was absolutely entitled to. (Cheers.) For ten months I have been in the middle of the dispute, and I can any that never in the past has England been repre- sented by more gallant men. (Cheers.) These men belonged to the Army, Navy, and Volunteers, and they were fighting for a common object. (Cheers.) They were equally brave and equally ready to lay down their lives for their country—(cheers)—and one of the reasons that made them so willing to lay down their lives was the knowledge that behind them in the old-country were those who were looking after them. When the people of England were resolved to win, they won. The men sent from England fought as Englishmen with a single-minded desire to do good for England, because they knew they were supported by the people at home. We who have been striving to do our duty in South Africa have felt, and keenly felt, that our own people at home were behind us. In that spirit which makes Englishmen and makes the Empire, I say, Lot us stand together, and let us be ready to fight whenever the necessity arises, for if it is inown we are ready to fight I do not think we shall often be asked to do so. (Cheers.) Subsequently Sir Redvers Buller appeared on the balcony of Radley's Hotel, and received quite an ova- tion from the multitude in the street. Briefly addressing the crowd, he said, We have only done our duty as Englishmen, and we are prepared to do it again." (Cheers.) "You are our best General," cried someone in the crowd. If that is so," an- swered Sir Redvers, please obey my orders, and go to bed. I wish you good-night." So saying Sir Red- vers bowed to his audience and disappeared within the hotel. But Southampton was far from being satisfied, and deep into the night crowds promenaded the streets of the town singing patriotic songs. Next morning Sir Redvers Buller, after being in- Tested with the freedom of the Borough of Southamp- ton, left for Aldershot by special train. THE FREEDOM OF SOUTHAMPTON, Sir Redvers Buller was on Saturday morning pre- sented with the freedom of Southampton. The ceremony took place in the great hall of the Hartley College, which was crowded with an enthusiastic assemblage, while the town itself was gaily decorated, and General Buller, on his way to the hall from his hotel, was lustily cheered by great crowds in the streets. The presentation was mads by the mayor, and in acknowledging it Sir Redvers Buller said he most earnestly trusted that the serious and severe war which had been forced upon us in South Africa would have the result of producing happiness, prosperity, and peace there. He had known South Africa for several years, and he saw no reason why his anticipations should not be fulfilled, and why the war should not turn out to be for the advantage of England and of the whole world. It was impossible for him adequately to express his gratitude for the reception that had been accorded to him. Hard things had been said in some newspapers of the army, of their training, and of the manner in which some of their operations had been carried out; but he believed that when the history of the war was thoroughly understood it would be found that the army had had in South Africa difficulties of a nature far greater than any army operating against an equally civilised enemy had ever experienced. After alluding to the extent to which our troops were handicapped by the superior eyesight of the Boers and by their ignor- ance of the Kaffir language, General Buller said be was positively certain that no other nation on the globe could have sent out, within a year, across more than 6000 miles of sea, an expedition of the size of that sent from England and have carried through the war as it had been carried through by British troops; and when abusing the War Office, let them re- member that the War Office had sent out over 200,000 men and had got them well fed for more than a year abroad at a distance of between 1000 and 1500 miles away from the sea. It was a great perform- ance—he believed one of the greatest that had ever been done in the way of making war—and it was one they might all be proud of, because it was not merely a military performance. It was a war in which the whole of educated and mercantile England had been called on to bear its share, and the way that had been done had proved that poor old England was not so backward as many people said she was. An illumi- nated address was then presented to Sir Redvers Buller from the Chamber of Commerce and briefly acknowledged. TRIUMPIIAL ENTRY INTO ALDERSHOT. The General was then escorted to the railway station, being again greeted in the streets with great demonstrations of welcome, and proceeded by special train to Aldershot, where his reception was enthusiastic, his carriage being unhorsed and drawn by firemen. General Buller was presented with ad- dresses of welcome from the Aldershot District Council and the South Farnborough Working Men's Club. In reply to the former, he expressed his plea- sure at returning to Aldershot, and also at the fact that the command there had been kept open for him, and he bore testimony to the excellent behaviour in the war of a brigade that had come straight from Aldershot. GENERAL DULLER AT THE WAR OFFICE. Very quietly and unostentatiously, without so much as notifying the stationmaster at Waterloo, Sir Redvers Buller on Monday came up to London. All the same, the news of the General's arrival leaked out, and the crowds that had assembled, in spite of the rain, to witness the departure of the Duke of York's guard of honour rushed across to the main line to see Sir Redvers Buller. He sef med qnite shaken of his old grim and taciturn self, and smiled abroad on the world genially as he stepped. from the train with Lady Buller, Those who met him on the platform were Colonel Fludyer, Major St. Aubyn, Mr. Owens, the general manager of the South-Western, and Sir Walter Peace, the Agent-General for Natal. The cheering was tremendous as Sir Redvers entered Lord Wolseley's carriage, which was waiting for him, and drove away to the War Office. Pall-mall was reached shortly after noon, and the big crowd outside the War Office cheered with wild delight as the General appeared. Walking straight upstairs, Sir Redvers made his way to the room of the Commander-in-Chief. He was met at the doorway by the Duke of Connaught, Lord Wolseley, and Sir Evelyn Wood, With them the General remained for a time, after which he pro- ceeded to the Adjutant-General's quarters, where he held quite a little reception of old friends, practic- ally the whole of the Adjutant-General's staff being present.

THE -Emperor of Germany is followed wherever he goes by an official shorthand writer, Herr Engel, the chief of the staff of the Reichstag. Since 1889 the Emperor William has delivered more than 700 speeches and addresses, which have been published in the official gazette. Herr Engel says that the Emperor speaks with great rapidity, and often utters 275 syllables a minute,.and at high pressure has even rewheo 300. THE Christian Globe in its current issue contains the opening chapters of the Rev. C. M. Sheldon's new story, entitled Edward Blake." It will be remembered that Mr. Sheldon is the author of In His Steps," which created such a sensation in literary circles a short time back. With this number of the Christian Globe is given away a beautiful plate en- titled The Soldier's Return." LORD AVEBURY, in the Museum of Practical Geology, Jermyn-street, London, on Tuesday, de- livered the first of the Huxley Memorial lectures, in which he gave a comprehensive sketch of the work which was accomplished during his lifetime by Pro- fessor Huxley, whose great object, he said, was to benefit mankind.

THK CRISIS IN CHINA. j TORTURERS OF MISSIONARIES BEHEADED. A despatch from Pekin states that the three Pao- tin-fu officials who were sentenced to death by a military tribunal for their connection with the massacre and torture of missionaries have been beheaded. The Standard's special correspondent at Tien-tsin telegraphs that there is much dissatisfac- tion in that place owing to the belief that too much leniency was shown by the British force sent to Pao-ting-fu. The Governor of Shantung has offered to supply the Allied Forces with 10,000 cattle and sheep for the use of the troops. According to Chinese official reports which have been received at Shanghai, the Allied troops are converg- ing on Honan, with the object of intercepting the large convoys of supplies on the way to Si-ngan-fu. Various provincial armies, it is said, are marching towards Honan, to check the advance of the Allies. A telegram from Pekin, published in New York, announces that Li Hung Chang has received a note from the Emperor, declining to accede to the demand for the punishment of Tung-fu-Hsiang, and consent- ing only to the banishment of Yu-Hsien. TYPHOON AT HONG KONG. Hong Kong was visited on Friday night by a severe typhoon, which lasted until Saturday morn- ing. The British river gunboat Sandpiper and a dredger were capsized, and three lives were lost. The war vessels Wivern, Tweed, and Firebrand were in danger, owing to their anchors dragging. Tents and temporary barracks on shore, in which soldiers were quartered, were blown away. Many houses collapsed in the Colony, and already twelve deaths have been reported. THE NEW BRITISH FLAGSHIP. The Glory, battleship, Captain F. S. Inglefield, is under orders to leave Portsmouth Dockyard to com- plete her gun trials, the mounting for the after barbette guns not having been finished at the tima the ship was commissioned. Should these trials ba satisfactory, the vessel will then have her commis- sioning steam trial and leave for China, where she will serve as flagship. THE POWERS AND CHINA. TERMS OF THE DEMANDS. Pressed by their common desire speedily to termi- mate the present conditions, the foreign Ministers have finally agreed (says the Pekin correspondent to the Times) on the following terms, to be presented in a conjoint note, which, subject to the approval of the Governments, will be pressed upon China as the basis for a preliminary treaty. China Bhall erect a monument to Baron von Ketteler at the site of the murder, and shall send an Imperial Prince to Germany to convey an apology. China shall inflict the death penalty on the 11 guiltv high officials and Princes whose names have been sent you. Where outrages have occurred provincial examina- tions shall be suspended for five years. In future all officials who have not made due effort to prevent outrages on foreigners from being committed within their jurisdiction shall be imme- diately removed from office and punished. This is a modification of Mr. Conger's proposal. An indemnity shall be paid to States, corpora- tions, and individuals. The Tsnng-li-Yamen as at preesent constituted shall be abolished and its functions shall be vested in a Foreign Minister, as in civilised countries. Rational intercourse shall be permitted with the Emperor, as in civilised countries. The Ta-ku forts and other forts on the coast of Chi-li shall be razed. The importation of arms and war material shall be prohibited. Permanent Legation guards shall be maintained, also guards of communication between Pekin and the sea. Imperial proclamations shall be posted for two years throughout the Empire suppressing the Boxers. The indemnity includes compensation for Chinese who suffered through being employed by foreigners, but not compensation for native Christians, the words missionary and Christians not occur- ring in the note. THE PAO-TING-FU EXECUTIONS. The Secretary of State for India has received the following telegram from the General Officer Com- manding, China Expedition: Punishment as follows has been inflicted at Pao- ting-fu on account of murder there of British, American, and Belgian subjects: Provincial Trea- j surer Ting yung, Tartar Governor Kueiheng, Cavalry Colonel Wang Chun-kuei were decapitated November 6; Municipal Councillors sentenced to fine of 100,000 taels. Towers on corners of city wall destroyed, and breach has been made in south- eastern wall near place of murder;of British subjects, on which execution also took place. Trial by Inter- national Commission, proceedings confirmed by Field-Marshal. CHINA'S ATTITUDE. The Pekin correspondent of the Times says that, so far as it is possible to judge, China will willingly accede to all the terms of the conjoint Note now ready to be presented except the demand for the death penalty on Princes and officials, which it is impossible to fulfil while the Court is in the hands of these very officials. The Times Shanghai corre- spondent says that considerable interest is felt in Tientsin regarding the whereabouts of the Japanese forces, which, though not leaving the country, are disappearing from Pekin and Tientsin, and it is not known where they have gone. Several of the Russian journals cprnment indignantly on acts of violence, destruction, pillage, and profanation which they allege to have been committed by the German forces in China.

1 THE WOMAN'S WORLD. FINE materials, like muslin or thin silk, are apt (says "Janet." of the to in machining. To prevent this baste a piece of double tissue paper at the back of the seam before sewing. This makes it slightly thicker, and can easily be turn out afterwards. ONE way of perfuming under] inen is to put orris- root into the water in which the clothes are boiled. -Another plan is to fill little uiusiin bags with freshly- powdered orris-root, and store them among one's linen on its return from the laundry. Either of these methods imparts a faint perfume of violets. The filling for the bag needs to be renewed fairly often, as the perfume evaporates. For girls living in the country, nothing is cheaper or nicer than the old-fashioned plan of storing lavender amongst one's belongings. A "DUSTING APRON" is an ordinary apron with several big pockets in which to stow the various dusters and cloths needed. Until you have worn one you can have no idea of the comfort such an apron is, for each duster is ready to your hand when needed. IF your frocks get shabby there may still be a great deal of wear in them. First of all see if the material will turn, or if it will clean but if both of these expedients are futile, then renovate it with some inexpensive stuff. Cut a pointed bodice into a round one, and insert a smart silk front, with revers of the same material and cuffs to match. Run braid down seams that are getting shabby, and, to cover stains, make patterns of braid. If worn out beyond hope, round the bottom of the skirt, cut it short, or use for cycling or muddy weather. REMEMBER that while rooms must be kept warm in winter, stuffiness is to be avoided. NOTE that if hot-water bottles are used to warm a bed, they must not be allowed to remain in all night. IT is well to modify children's lesson-hours in the winter, so that they may have the brightest part of the day for outdoor exercise. IT should be noted that the preparation of little girls for Christmas will cause dull winter afternoons to pass cheerfully, and also train the children in un- selfishness. TEACH boys to be polite to their sisters, and never encourage them in the idea that it is a girl's duty to wait upon her brother. STRIVE to let your child see in yourself the virtues you would have him possess. NOTE that children may now with advantage be allowed a little more meat than in the hot weather. COCOA should form the breakfast beverage for all school-going children. ALLOW children as much butter, cream, and other fatty foods as they will take in cold weather, unless, of course, it is found to make them bilious. ENDEAVOUR to keep up a sick child's spirits as much as possible. REMEMBER that regularity in the sick-room is of first importance. NOTE that a little convalescent will eat with enjoy- ment a piece of toast it has been allowed to make itself, when it might refuse it if prepared in the kitchen. THIS is to be a velvet season. Velvet will make tb" best visiting gowns and blouses of the rich material will be awfully correct. Then there is a velvet for plain street gowns that has almost a look as of being a corduroy, and it will be built into severe walking skirt-and-jacket gowns, with smart little short coats with revers and pocket flaps, and severe, plain skirts with a little fulness at the back and with rows of stitching by way of trimming. Silk velvets will form the basis of elaborate frochs, with the most extravagant of trimmings. Gold thread, lines of narrow but; costly lace, and beautiful jets will be mixed together to form embroideries that will be elegant in the extreme. Some of these embroi- deries of lace and gold thread will be done on fine net and hung over delicate silks for dinner gowns, with most sumptuous effect. REAL laces are being used to a remarkable extent, Cluny, Arabian, point d'Alencon, Irish point, point de Flandres and Renaissance taking the lead. Batiste laces are also much worn as trimming for cloth or silk, designs copied from our old laces being embroidered on ecru batiste. Silk applique on net, and velvet applique on net or silk, are trimmings as popular as lace, and stunning little coats are made of black velvet applique on coarse net and lined with white. Another popular trimming is made by laying silk, with an irregular outline, upon cloth, and em- broidering it to the goods in self shades. THE most comfortable form of attire for a lady during the earlier part of the day (contends the Sun) is a flannel blouse, fastened up the left side and mounted on to a tight-fitting lining foundation, and a four seam box-pleat skirt, made of Cheviot tweed or frieze home-spun, and for outdoors a fly-fronted Chesterfield or double-breasted coat made of covert coating, or, if preferred, the coat might be of the same material as the skirt. A costume of this kind is not at all difficult for the amateur dressmaker to produce, as everything is plainly made, and the cost inconsiderable, for woollen dress materials were never so low in price as they are at the present time, and the patterns of fashionable tailor- made dresses that we supply are so easy to under- stand that a previous experience in the way of making-up is altogether unnecessary, for every part of a pattern it written upon and plenty of turnings are allowed for. FANCY shape revers and elaborately embroidered collars are not at all fashionable this season, the tendency being decidedly in favour of plain dresses, and very little trimming of any kind is used beyond a brief display of braid most of the facings are, however, decorated with rows of stitching, and work of this kind can be done for a few pence at almost any sewing machine shop after the coatume was finished. TIIERB is no longer any doubt as to the continued prevalency of boleros over every other form of fur coat. There are other styles, of course, but the bolero is first. The smartest, moreover, pouch a little at the back as well as in the front, the effect being more pronounced in ths latter case, and they are, further- more. somehow attached at the waist to an ordinary leather band, which buckles in front. A quite pro- nounced fancy, too, obtains for arranging the fronts in such manner that they can be worn closed, also half or fully opened. A little sealskin bolero we saw ornamented in front with button rosettes of brown velvet, and those little tagged ends, while another carried swallow-buttons in paste. But the main part to be remarked is that boleros are booming," as Camilla rather slangily puts it, and that sealskins, broadtail, and caracule are the furs most in favour for its elegant expression. A SMART toque described in the London Journal is of chiffon, feathers, and ribbon. The chiffon is laid round the toque in very loose folds, in order to give a careless look to the shape, thus avoiding any stiff- ness. On the left side two big black feathers are placed rather high, the lower one to come down to meet the hair. Opposite the feathers is a bow of lighter satin ribbon than the colour of the toque. Corn- flowers, blue or grey chiffon, and a pale-blue bow look very well with the black feathers. ON many of the gowns intended for young girlt jacket fronts are seen. The lace boleros are per- mitted, and the tucked taffeta jacket fronts aj well, showing a vest or full front of some othei colour. In materials plaids and checks in cheviots are exceedingly attractive, and the Scotch plaids are to be had in a wider variety of choice than usual. WHEN making down pillows, do not forget to wax the inside of the tick coverings. This precaution will prevent the annoyance of the feathers working their way out, and as the process is simple it should on no account be neglected. Iron the wrong side of the tick with a flat-iron rubbed with beeswax, renewing the wax on the iron each time before putting it on gm cloth. °

RUBIES IN QUEENSLAND. I The occurrence of germ stones in Queensland is r dealt with in the Mining Journal of that colony, in which the Assistant Government Geologist states that rubies had been found on Jordan Creek, on the road between Atherton and Geraldton. They were found associated with yellowish and red zircons, colourless topaz, red garnet, dull-blue sapphires, quartz pebbles, and stream tin. Rubies have also been found in the neighbourhood of Croydon, and some of the stones from this place are over a carat in weight.

THE AGE TO- MARRY. I A well-known man contends that no young man under 25 years of age is in any sense competent to take unto himself a wife. Before that age he is full of fancies, and it is his boyish nature to flit from one fancy to another. He is incapable of the affection upon which love is based, because he has not lived long enough to know what the feeling, or even the word means. He is full of theories, each one of which, when he comes to put it into practice, will fail. The man of 30 rarely weds the girl whom hf fancied when he was 20."

GENERAL BADEN-POWELL'S POLICE. The following has been sent out for publication from the Colonial Office: South African Constabulary for the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, commanded by Major- General R. S. S. Baden-Powell. A thousand men are to be recruited in Great Britain and Ireland as third-class troopers for this force. Candidates must bo between 20 and Ho years of age, unmarried, good shots and riders, and recommended by at least two persons in responsible positions, and will have to pass a medical examination and a test in riding and shoot- ing. Preference will be given to men who have had experience of South Africa. The engagement in the first instance is for three years. Free passage in a transport will be given from England, and men who desite to return after five years' total service will be entitled to a return third-class passage. Rations, horse forage, clothing, equipment, arms. quarters, and medical attendance are supplied free, and rates of pay are as follows: Superintendent warrant officers 15s. a day. Staff sergeants from 9s. to 10s. a day. Second-class sergeant 8s. a day. Corporal 7s. 6d. a day. First-class trooper 7s. a day. Second-olass trooper 6s. a day. Third-class trooper 5s. a day. Commissions can be obtained through the ranks. Extra allowance will be granted to non-com mis- pioned officers and men while stationed north of the Vaal River within a radius of 50 miles of Johan- nesburg to compensate for extra high market prices. Extra pay will be given to men who re-engage after first period of service. Those who on completion of service desire to settle in the colony will receive special consideration in any Government-aided scheme of settlement. Candidates will be supplied with the necessary forms of application and further details of the corps on writing to the London Recruiting Office, 1, Chapel- plfice, Delahay-street, Westminster, S.W.

EASILY CULTIVATED. I Sir H. H. Johnstone, the British Special Commis- sioner for the Protectorate of Uganda, in a report gives some interesting details of banana-growing. In most of the exceptionally fertile countries the princi- pal food of the natives—the great encouragement to the useless lives they lead—is the banana; This re- markable plant requires scarcely any labour in these countries for its maintenance as a standing source of food supply. It propagates itself by throwing up shoot after shoot from the underground rhizome, which, as it were, grows horizontally, as do many of the allied plants of the same order Zingiberacece, and most orchids. From one of these rhizomes you may break off an incipient shoot and replant it. This shoot rapidly develops into a fine tall tree, and bears one or more bunches of fruit.

MARKET NE WS. MARK-LANE.—English wheat is in short supply. and red in sound condition is submitted at 30s 6cf 631b. delivered. On rail, country reds, 28a to 2886d, 631b. There was no change in the position of foreign descriptions, which, in face of the prolonged lighter- men's strike, are sparingly offered. No. 1 hard Manitoba 34s landed. Australian, 31s ex-ship. ?>'2a landej, 4961b. Stocks of flour continue plentiful, and consumers were disinclined to pay the prices generally demanded, but no variations occurred. Town household, 25s 6d; white 28s 6d per sack. American first patents quoted at 24s 6d to 25s 6d; second ditto, about 22s 6d to 23s 6d. First bakers, 19s to 20s; and second 17s to 18s. Hungarian up to 29s per sack. Grinding barley is not too plentiful, Persian, how- ever, being mostly in evidence at 17s 3d ex-ship, 17s 9d ex-quay; Azov, 18s 6d ex-ship, 19s 3d ex-quay. Oats in moderate supply. Ameri- can mixed clipped, 14s to 14s 3d ex-ship, 14s 6d to 14a 9d ex-quay white clipped in these positions, 14s 9d to 15s, and 15s 3d to 15s 6d respectively, 401b. Ordinary St. Petersburg, 14s 3d ex-quay, 381b.; Archangel 14s to 14s 3d Vologdas, 14s 3d to 14s 6d, 381b. Maize firm, flat being rather dearer on the week. American mixed held for 23s ex-quay and 21s 3d ex-ship Odessa, 28s 3d ex-quay. The market for beans and peas denotes nothing worth notice. Egyptian splits, 21s 3d and Mazagans, 20s 3d ex-mill; New Zealands, 32s 6d to 34s, 5041b. ex-store. Canadian white peas, about 30s ex- granary. Landed parcels of maize germ meal maintained. LONDON METROPOLITAN CATTLE.—Good supply of beasts. The increased supply proved generally in excess of buyers' requirements, trade in both prime and second qualities ruling very slow. Holders, however, did not force sales, rates making no appre- ciable change. Fat butchering cows slow at late rates. Quotations: Scotch, 5s; Devons, 4s 8d to 4s lOd Herefords, 4s 8d to 4s lOd runts, 4s 6d to 4s 8d; Lincoln shorthorns, 4s 4d; Irish, 4s 2d to 4s 4d; fat cows, 3s 6d to 3s 8d per 81b. Sheep supplies were on a fair scale, and top quality wethers met with attention, and ruled 2d per 81b. dearer, other grades and also ewes being steady and unchanged. 7! to 8-stone Down wethers, '5a lOd to 6s; 9-stone ditto, 5s 8d to 5s lOd 10-stone half-breds, 5s 4d 10-stone Irish, 5s Od to 5s 2d; 10-stons Down ewes, 4s to 4s 2d; 11-stone half-bred ditto, 3s 8d to 3s lOd. No calves were offered. Pigs met with slow support. Milch cows, £ 15 to E22 10s per head. Coarse and inferior beasts quoted 3s to 3s 8d; second quality ditto, 3s lOd to 4s 4d; prime large oxen, 4s 6d to is 8d; ditto Scots, &c., 4s lOd to 5s Od; coarse ind inferior sheep, 3s 4d to 4s Od; second quality ditto, 4s 4d to 5s Od; and first, 5s 6d to 6s per 81b. to sink the offal. SMITIIPIELD MEAT.—Fair supplies and a steady lale. Quotations: Beef: Scotch, 4s 2d to 4s Sd; English, 4s to 4s 2d; American, Deptford killed, 3s 8d to 3s lOd Liverpool, 3s 8d to 3s 9d Ameri- 2an refrigerated, hind-quarters, 3s 6dto 3s lud fore- quarters, 2s 8d to 2s lOd. Mutton Scotch, 4s 6d to 5s; English wethers, 4s 4d to 4s 8d ewes, 3s 2d to 3s 6d. Veal: English and Dutch, 3s 8d to 4s 4d. Pork: Dutch, 3s 8d to 4s per Hlb. POULTRY AND GAME.—Fair supplies met with a moderate demand at steady prices, but with tendency to lower rates. Quotations: Fowls: Yorksliire. 2s 3d to 2s 9d Essex, 2s 6d^to 3s; Welsh, Is 8d to Is lOd Surrey, 3s to 3s 6d Sussex, 2s 6d to 3s; Irish, Is 6d to Is 9d; Boston, 2s to 2s 6d turkey, cocks, 6s 6d to 10s 6d hen ditto, 4s 6d to 6s; country ducks, 2s 6d to 3s Bordeaux pigeons, lOd to Is feathered, 7d to 9d; wild rabbits, 8d to lOd tame, Is 2d to Is 6d each; Australian, 7s 9d to 9s per dozen; pheasants, 3s 6d to 4s young partridges, 3s 6d to 4s; old, 2s; young grouse, 4s to 5s; old, 3s 6d per brace; hares, 3s to 3s 3d; leverets, Is 9d to 2s 3d; wild duck, Is 8d pintail, Is 6d teal, lOd to Is; widgeon, Is; snipe, 6d to lOd; woodcock, 3s to 3s 6d; golden plover, 8d to lid; black, 5d to 7d each. BILLINGSGATE FisH.-A good demand prevailed for the good supplies which were on effer. Soles, Is 2d to Is 7d slips, Is to Is 4d red mullet, Is 4d to Is 8d; dories, 2d to 4d per lb.; turbot, 10s to 16s; brill, 7s to 10s; halibut, 7s to 9s; lemon soles, 6s to 8s; plaice, 5s to 6s per stone; large steamer plaice, 30a to 368 per trunk; Aberdeen plaice, 30s; whiting, 4s 6d to 8s gurnet, 12s to 15s hake, i 14s to 18s; skate, 9s to 12s; live cod, 16s to 30s; dead, 14s to 35s per box; English mackerel, 14s to 18s per 60; large steamer haddocks, 18s to 21s per trunk; Dutch smelts, 2s to 4s per basket; live eels, 16s to 22s; dead, 8s to 12s per draft; lobsters, 15s to 50s per score; crabs, 15s per barrel; whitebait, Is per quart. COVENT GARDEN.—English apples, 2s 6d to 7s 6d per bushel; Nova Scotian, 9s to 18s per barrel; chestnuts, 7s to 10s 6d; Grenoble walnuts, 10s to 12s per sack; filberts, 3s 6d to 4s 6d; cobnuts, 3s 6d to 4s 6d per 121b; English tomatoes, 3s to 4s per 121b.; Canary, 2s 6d to 3s per deep; English pears, 4s to 6s 6d per bushel; French Duchesse, 4s to 10s per crate; Californian, 7s to 10s per case; parsley, Is 6d to 2s; mint, 2s; carrots, 2s to 2s 6d; leeks, 2s per dozen bunches; endive, 9d to Is 3d; arti- chokes, 2s to 2s 6d per dozen; cabbages, 2s 6d to 4s 6d beetroots, 2s to 3s per tally; English on'ons, 4s 6d to 5s per bag. SEED IRADIC.-Cloverijeeds inactive, quotations being unchanged. Rye and taree neglected. Rape- seed, being in diminishing supply and increasing re- quest, tends upwards. As regards mustard, the manufacturers have already bought up the greater part of this year's crop. Canaryseed improves. Hempseed unaltered. Peas and haricots steady. Some choice hand-picked longpods are now offering reasonably. CAMBRIDGE CATTLIB.-A. fair number of fat beasts were offered, prices remaining unchanged. A good show of store beasts, but they were not all sold. A good supply of fat sheep; prices not so good as last week. Very few store sheep to hand. There was a good brisk trade all round for fat p'gs. A fair trade for store pigs. Short supplies of hay, straw, and roots. Prices: Beef, 7s to 8s; mutton, 4s to 5s 4d; pork, 68 to 7s 3d. READING CATTLE.—A fairly good business was done in beef at 4s 4d to 4s 8d per stone for best; 3s 6d to 4s 2d for secondary. Dragging trade for mutton, best making 5s 2d to 5s 8d; isecondary, 4s 6d to 5s. Average veal trade at 5s 2d to 5s 8d for best, and 4s 6d to 5s for secondary. CORK BUTTER. Firsts, 89s second, 87s third, 80s superfine, 98s; fine, 85s. Mild: Choicest boxes, 95s; choice, 84s. GRIMSBY FISH.—Plaice, 5s to 6s; lemon soles, 6s 6d per stone; soles, Is 7d to Is 9d per lb.; live dabs, 18s; dead ditto, 16s; kit haddocks, 12s to 14s; gibbed ditto, 16s to 20s; live ditto, 24s to 34s per box whitings, 2s 6d; whitches, 5s 3d to 6s 3d per Istone gurnets, 7s per box turbot, Is 4d; brills, Is Id per lb.; live ling, 6s; dead ditto, 5s live cod, 10s to 15s; dead ditto, 6s to 10s; live skate, 5s; dead ditto, 4s each; Findon haddocks, 4s to 5s; live halibut, 8s; dead ditto, 7s; English shrimps, 3s 3d; foreign ditto, 3s; prawns, 2s 9d per' stone; kippers, 2s 6d; bloaters, 2s 6d; red herrings. 2s 6d per box; live coalfisb, 35s; dead ditto, 25e per score; English oysters, 6s 6d; American ditto. 4s 6d per 100; smelts, 3s 6d per score; whelks. 3s 6d per wash; salt cod, 12s 6d per cwt.; congei eels, 4s to 6s each hake, 90s; roker, 28s; mackerel 5s per score; ice, Is 6d per cwt.; live codlings 16s; dead ditto, 14s per box. ..——.——————————————

MADE IN GERMANY. Comment was made by the Parliamentary 'grumblers last session on the action of the War Office in obtaining hoapital huts from Germany. Apparently the Government have been unable to obtain anything to equal them in this country, for another large consignment has arrived at the large per- manent camp that is being formed just near Aider- shot. These German huts are made of papier maohe, and are prettily constructed, forming quite a romantic addition to the lovely scenery in which the camp is located. There is no concealment about the matter, however, inasmuch as they are all branded, Made is Germany."

THE Paris Exhibition was closed on Monday night, and the work of removing the exhibits com- menced next day. An army of bailiffs has been mobolised to levy distress warrants and seize the goods of over 300 concessionaires who are unable to meet their engagements. THE Duke of Norfolk and Lord Edmund Talbot were the principal guests at the annual banquet at Arundel, given on Monday night by the Mayor In acknowledging the toast of his health, the Duke of .Norfolk expressed the hope that he would not dis- appoint the generous trustfulness of Westminster in electing him mayor,