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

NEWS NOTES. I THE eyes of Europe and, one may say, of the entire civilised world, are turned anxiously towards the sick bed of the Czar. His Imperial Majesty is a great force for peace in the councils of the nations, and at such a critical time his personal weight is of infinite value. The hope that the young sovereign of All the Russias" may be providentially enabled to resist the fell disease which has attacked him is widespread and doubtless sincere. The Czar has many genuine admirers as well as attached friends and august relatives in this country. LORD SALISBURY has got his reconstructed Ministry into working order, and the first sitting of the Cabinet was held on Saturday. The Cabinet consists of a round score of mem- bers now, and is unusually large; but it would be difficult, as things are, to dispense with the attachment of Cabinet rank to any of those included in the select Governmental council. No doubt the more weighty matters of State will be virtually decided by what may without offence be styled "an inner ring," consisting of the Premier, Mr. Chamber- lain, and a few others of the most prominent of her Majesty's Ministers. Some of the sub- sidiary members of the Government are gentle- men whose promotion in public life could safely have been foretold; and no doubt the whole of Lord Salisbury's colleagues, young and old, have a busy time before them. THE pre-Christmas Parliamentary Session may or may not be complete in itself, but it is clear that it is being called for, and will be occupied almost exclusively by, business con- nected with the provision of ways and means.' There being a new House of Commons, certain constitutional preliminaries must of course be gone through; but there will be no attempt to discuss affairs generally in any lengthy discur- sive way. After the necessary money has been voted-on account or otherwise-the holidays will be taken; and, in the New Year, we may expect a broad indication of the Governmental programme which will evoke great interest, especially as regards the matters of the national defences. GUERILLA tactics are still pursued in a dis- tressingly extensive manner by the Boers, and it becomes increasingly evident that General Baden-Powell and those responsible for the pacification of the conquered territories in South Africa have a formidable task before them. But the work undertaken by Britain will be carried unfalteringly to a proper con- clusion. It is satisfactory to note that the Por- tuguese authorities at Delagoa Bay have resolved not to further recognise the existence of the Transvaal and the Orange State as in- dependent territories. This should go some way to let the burghers see how they have been buoyed up in recalcitrance by false hopes. MR. KitUGFVS coming to Europe has been made a fuss of by certain sensation-mongering newspaper writers, and by a few mistaken sympathiser's with the ex-President's mischiev- ous Transvaal policy; but, on the whole Oom Paul" cuts a sorry dash. If ever a veteran lagged superfluous on the stage," it is he. Nobody wants him anywhere, his remainder days must necessarily be unfriended and melancholy. The worst of it is that the effects of the evil wrought by his regime cannot be wiped fully away for many a long day to some. SOME report says that Prince Tuan is a prisoner, others that he is a fugitive but what is certain that what there is of solidity in Chinese authority is beginning to recognise that the anti-Foreign game is up." Li Huni Chang is manifesting a disposition to pull China round to coincidence with the demands of the Allied Powers; but there are many dis- quieting elements apparent in the presenti- ment of affairs in the Far East yet. China is a sad puzzle, and it will require all possible harmony of action on the part of the interfer- ing nations to put an end to the long continued crisis. APROPOS of the rumour that the Marble Arch-one of London's best-known landmarks —is to be demolished, a contemporary recalls the fact that it has stood in its present posi- tion since 1827, when it was moved from its old place, shown in many old engravings, opposite Buckingham Palace. It was designed by Nash, whose master work undoubtedly was the planning of Regent-street. The Marble Arch lacks completeness, for the architect intended that the equestrian statue of George the Fourth, now in Trafalgar- square, should be placed on the top of the Arch. Were the designer's original idea carried out, and the whole structure erected in a really suitable situation, the effect might not be un- imposing. But the poor old arch has few sympathetic admirers, take it for all in all, we fear. WE are told with familiar and sad circum- stantiality how many men are killed and wounded in battle, but little or nothing is reported of the poor horses. It may surprise many to know that generally more animals are slain in war than soldiers. Thus, in recent brilliant charge at the battle of Omdurman, the 21st Lancers had 119 horses killed and wounded, while their roll call" showed 21 and forty-six men killed and wounded respectively. At Balaclava the deathless Light Brigade lost 247 men as against 475 horses. Many horses have been lost in the difficult South African country, but not proportionately so many as might have been expected.

MR. RICHARD JAMEB WILKINSON, of the Straits Settlements Civil Service, has offered to present to the University of Cambridge his entire collection of books in the Malay language amounting to 63 MSS. and about 50 lithographed or printed volumes. Mr. Wilkinson, who was formerly of Trinity College, has been for some time in the service of the Straits Settlements at Singapore and Penang, where this valuable collection was made. He has made a last- ing name for himself among Malay scholars as the author of a great Malay dictionary (now in course of printing), which will be far and away the best and most up-to-date dictionary of Malay existing. He is a remarkable linguist, and a well-trained and thorough scholar. SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT has pleaded guilty to absent-mindedness, and tells a story against himself. He suspected a manservant of stealing money, and at last resolved to set a trap. Taking a handful of gold coins, he laid them down on his writing-desk and went out. Presently he sent this servant to the room to fetch some article. When John had re- turned he promptly went to his room to see if the coins had been touched. On the table, in the place where he had left them, were gold coins. But were there as many as he had left ? He did not know, for he had neglected to count them before he had laid them down. By this incident, you see," said Sir Wflliam, in. telling the story, I, that I was born to be Chancellor of the Exchequer."

COUNTESS SHOT BY HER HUSBAND, 1 The Comte de Cornulier on Saturday, in the Rue de Provence, in Paris, shot his wife, from whom he had been for some time separated. He is the only son of the late M. Cornulier, Deputy for the Vendee and a Papal Count. He is in some respects a religious man. A rosary and several medals of the Virgin, Saint Joseph, and other Saints were found in his pocket, with a freshly-sharpened bowie knife. In the other pocket was his will. It began: In the name of the Trinity." Then there was a long prayer, and the declaration that he had lived in the religion of his forefathers, and hoped to die in it. He had gone through the greater part of his fortune. The excuse for shooting the countess was jealousy. Two years ago (says a Paris correspondent of the Daily News) Count de Cornulier de Luciniere, an ex- infantry officer, suspecting his wife, whose maiden same was Genevieve Tineau de Vuilay, of being on terms of intimacy with one of his friends, instituted proceedings for a judicial separation. Judgment in the case was given a few days ago, and the custody of the three children was given to the Countess de Cornulier. The count, having learnt that his wife paid fre- quent visits to a certain M. Leroux, who formerly practised as a solicitor in Normandy, went to the latter's residence in the Eue de Provence on Satur- day afternoon, and found his wife's carriage standing at the door. The count then went up to the first landing and waited. At about a quarter past two the count heard a door open on the floor above, and also professes to have heard M. Leroux say good-bye to his wife, and then the sound of kissing. The count, who was carrying a revolver, went up to his wife and fired three shots at her as she was coming downstairs. One of the bullets struck the countess in the left side, coming out again on the right side; another struck her in the head, and the third in the left hand. When the deed was done the count was the first to render assistance to his victim, and have her taken to a chemist's. The countess ex- pired on her way to the hospital. After seeing that his wife was properly attended to, Count de Cornu- lier went to the local Police Commissary of the Chaussee d'Antin, and told him the story of the tragedy. He manifested the deepest grief, and de- clared that he had not meant to kill his wife, but only to make a scandal. The Commissary has taken he evidence of M. Leroux, who denies that he was tthe lover of the countess.

THE WAR OFFICE. I The Secretary of S!ate for War has appointed Sir Charles Welby, Bart., C.B., M.P., an Assistant Under-Secretary of State (unpaid) on the Staff of the War Office. Sir Charles Welby, who acted as Private Secretary for some years to Mr. Stanhope and Lord Lans- downe, has accepted office temporarily, at the request of the Secretary of State, to assist in the reorganisa- tion of the War Department.

DUKE OF MANCHESTER MARRIED. The Duke of Manchester was married on Wednes- day of last week by special license at Marylebone Parish Church to Miss Helena Zimmerman, the daughter of the well-known American millionaire, Mr. Eugene Zimmerman, of Cincinnati. The ceremony was a very quiet one, Prebendary Barker officiated. The duke, accompanied by Mr. Oliver Lambart, great-grandson of the seventh Earl of Cavan, and Mr. Lawley Faudel-Phillips, and other friends, drove up to the church shortly after one o'clock, and were followed by the bride, who was accompanied by Miss Effie M. Evans, a friend of hers. After the ceremony the Duke and Duchess of Manchester went to York, and afterwards to the duke's seat, Tanderagee Castle, county Armagh. It is understood that the duke and duchess contem- plate an early visit to the United States.

THE NORTH SHIELDS MURDER. At Newcastle-on-Tyne, in the Crown Court, on Monday, before Mr. Justice Grantham, Oscar Matt- son, 26, fireman, was indicted for the wilful murder of Mary Ann Macguire, at North Shields, on August 13 last. Mr. Joel and Mr. Simey (instructed by the solicitor to the Treasury) were the counsel for the prosecution Mr. Shortt defended the prisoner. The girl Macguire was only 19 years of age, and had for some weeks been living on the streets. The pri- soner is a Russian seaman, and had been for some years in the habit of trading to North Shields. He was very much attached to Macguire, and had on several occasions asked her to marry him. He arrived in the Tyne on Friday, August 10, and at once called for her, and afterwards went with her to her father's house. He shook hands with her father, and said I am going to marry your daughter, and if she does not marry me, I will murder her." He was smiling as he said this, and no importance was attached to the remark. He afterwards took her to the theatre. On the Saturday morning he purchased a silk handkerchief, and afterwards returned to the same shop and asked for a revolver and some bul- lets, but as he was not sober he was not supplied with them. He lived with Macguire until the Monday morning. She got up at 5.30 a.m. to call her father to go to work, and returned about three hours later, the worse for drink. About nine a.m. a woman was going upstairs to her room, when she met the prisoner, who had a can and six- pence in his hand. He asked her to go with him and have a drink, but she refused until she had been upstairs. The prisoner went downstairs, and the woman went to Macguire's room and found her lying face downwards on the bed quite dead, with the handkerchief the prisoner had purchased tied tightly in two knots round her neck. Meanwhile the prisoner gave himself up to two workmen, saying, Will you take charge of me and take me to the police-station ? I have killed her." They asked him whom he had killed. He replied, "Never mind, if you don't take charge of me, I'll jump overboard." At the police-station he was very excited, and de- clared that the woman had robbed him. He after- wards said, She had a cruel death. I strangled her with my silk handkerchief." The prisoner was found Guilty," and sentenced to death in the usual form.

IN the Probate Court, on Monday, Mrs. Druce applied for an order directing the opening of the Druce vault in Highgate Cemetery. She had a letter from the Home Secretary stating he would not open the vault without an order. The President said the Home Secretary did not suggest the Court had power to make such an order. He should dismiss the applications without prejudice to an application in chambers. 1b. A. GRIFFITH BOSCAWEN, M.P., has accepted the Parliamentary Charity Commissionership (unpaid) vacated by the appointment of Mr. Grant Lawson, M.P., to the Local Government Board. MR. J. GRANT LAWSON, Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board, has appointed Mr. R. H. Gordon Duff as his private secretary. EICIIARD PERCIVAL DURNFORD, 50, was, at the Central Criminal Court on Monday, sentenced to nine months' imprisonment with hard labour for forging a cheque for A:5 and obtaining money by false pretences. The prisoner had had a remarkable career. He was formerly a clergyman of the Church of England, and had taken a prominent part in tem- perance work, but used the name of the society with which he had been connected for the purpose of passing off bogus cheques. Previous convictions in England and Scotland were recorded against him. JUSTICES WILLS AND KENNEDY, sitting in the Queen's Bench Division on Monday, granted a rule nisi forawritof prohibition'directed to the Chancellor the Diocese of Chichester and certain complainants to prevent them proceeding further with a judgment. Application had been made for the removal of certain ornaments from the Church of the Annuncia- tion, Brighton, on the ground that they were illegal. The Vicar and Churchwardens, who were the Respondents, urged that the matter should be dealt with by the bishop, but the Chancellor overruled this point, hence the present appeal. THE premises of Mr. W. J. Lewis Abbott, jeweller and expert in precious stones, of Grand Parade, St. Leonards, were forcibly entered on Sunday evening, and gold and silver watches, rings set with precious stones, and other articles, altogether of the value of nearly 91000, were stolen. From marks on the door, it would seem to have been forced with a crow- bar or some similar implement. The robbery was a daring one, the shop being right on the front. THB Queen has sent a donation and a letter ex- pressing to Mrs. J. C. Williams, of Netley Abbey, her Majesty's appreciation of Mrs. Williams's inte- resting military record, which is as follows: Father, husband, six sons, and one grandson, all in the Royal Artillery, and son-in-law, total 10.

THE CHARGE OF MURDER AT YAEMOUTH. SENSATIONAL REPORTS DEPRECATED. I At Great Yarmouth Police-court, on Friday of last, week, Herbert John Bennett, 25, was charged, on remand, with the murder of his wife, Mary Jane, by strangling her on Yarmouth beach on September 52 last. Mr. Wiltshire, of Yarmouth, prosecuted on behalf of the Treasury; awd Mr. Robb, of Tunbridge Wells, defended. The Mayor presided, and there was a full bench of magistrates. Mr. Robb complained of the campaign of calumny against the accused on the part of certain organs of the Press. Mr. Wiltshire agreed in condemning these sensational reports, and the Mayor said they would not influence the magistrates. Mr. Wiltshire, in opening the case, explained how Bennett and his wife became acquainted, and spoke of differ- ences which arose between them at their various lodgings, during which the prisoner had been heard to wish his wife dead and to say that she soon would be if she did not look out. The prisoner afterwards took lodgings as a single man near London, and made the acquaint- ance of Alice Meadows, a parlourmaid, whom he engaged to marry, fixing the time at next Christmas. His wife went to live at Yarmouth, and on Sep- tember 22 the prisoner visited her there. They wenl out together at night, and were seen drinking to- gether at ten o'clock. Evidence would be given thil shortly before eleven o'clock a young couple whc were on the beach saw a ma,n and woman there and heard a woman's cry. They went home without interfering. At twelve o'clock Bennett called at the Crown and Anchor and took a bed, and left for London on the following morning. On that morning the dead body of Mrs. Bennett was found on the beach at the spot where the young couple would say that they had seen the man and woman on the pre- vious night. Evidence having been called the court adjourned till next morning. EVIDENCE OF THE ACCUSEb SWEETHEART. At Great Yarmouth Police-court on Saturday, Herbert John Bennett, 25, was again placed in the dock on a charge of having murdered his wife, Mary Jane, on Yarmouth beach on September 22 last. The mayor (Mr. Orde) presided, and there was again a full bench of magistrates. Mr. C. J. Wiltshire prosecuted for the Treasury and Mr. Robb, of Tunbridge Well, defended. Alice Amelia Meadows said was a single woman, living at Stepney. In June last she was a parlourmaid at Hyde Park terrace. She was introduced to the prisoner by a fellow servant. He told her that he was a grocer, but out of work just then. She believed him to be a single man. He said he had a cousin, and that that cousin had a wife and child at Bexley-heath. Aftei their first meeting in June they constantly met and wrote to each other. She sent him a telegram on his birthday, August 9. She sent it from Albion-street, Hyde-park. The prisoner told her that he had received another telegram on the same day as he got hers. He said that it came from his cousin at Bexley. The prisoner signed his letters to hei Herbert." She and Bennett came to Yarmouth on the Saturday before Bank Holiday. They travelled first-class and stayed at the Crown and Anchor Hotel. They occupied separate bedrooms. They returned to London together on the following Monday evening. The prisoner had given her a diamond and ruby ring. She recognised the ring produced as the one. It was given her on August 28 and was intended to mark their engagement. After the return to town the pri- soner told her that his cousin Fred's wife was ill. On August 28 she and Bennett went to Ireland. During the whole of the visit they occupied separate bedrooms. Bennett had plenty of money and spent it freely. He said that his mother had given him £500. They were in Ireland two weeks and then returned to London, going to Woolwich on the dal ifter their arrival in town. On September 14 Bennett said that he was going to Gravesend on th. Saturday as his grandfather was ill. She next saw Bennett on Sunday, the 16th, at half-past three in the ifternoon. He was wearing a blue coloured suit with striped trousers. He said his other clothei had been spoilt by his cousin breaking a bottle oi iodine over them. She next saw him on Thursday September 20, outside the house where she wa's in service. He asked her if she would not mind if hE did not come to see her the following Sunday morn- ing as he was going to see his grandfather, who was ill at Gravesend. The following letter was in Ben- nett's handwriting: Mr. Wiltshire said he would only read the material part of the letter, which was from the prisoner to Miss Meadows, and bore the Woolwich postmark of September 22. In it the prisoner said: "I shall go and see my grandfather to-morrow. I wish to hear from you as soon as you can get time to write, my dear. I shall be glad when this writing business ends, so as I can have you to welcome me in our own home. I am pleased to hear you are going to have somebody to cheer you up on Sunday, tear. I am very sorry I shall not be able to see you, dear, but I'll make up for it when I do see you." The letter was signed Your own loving, most affectionate Herbert." Miss Meadows, continuing her evidence, said that an the morning of Sunday, the 23rd, while she and it friend, Louisa Humphrey, were going through Hyde-park she saw Bennett. Sha was surprised Because he had said he was not coming. She asked aim why he was there. He replied that his father ind others were with his grandfather and that he was on his way there. He had waited about to meet her. While in Ireland the prisoner proposed that they should get married in the following June. Shown another letter, she said she received it from Bennett. It was dated September 23, from 41 Union-street, Woolwich, and was as follows My own darling Alice,—I received your kind and loving letter this evening and was quite pleased to hear from you, as it cheers me up. I ari ived home quite safe, but was not at all happy. I am glad you have some one to pass the time away with, dearest, as you would have felt very miserable after seeing me as you did. I shall be glad indeed, my darling, when you don't have to leave me at all, for I feel quite miserable now that I have to wait so long to see you. I shall be up on Thursday evening, dearest, all being well, as I am at present on day work and I hope I shall keep at day work, as it is much better. I have been to Bexley-heath, dear, and am sorry to tell you grandfather passed away this morning at 3.30 a.m. and is to be buried on Monday next, when I shall not be able to attend as I must not lose any more time at present, I hope you are feeling better, my darling, I shall be glad to see you out of a place altogether. Don't take any notice of Kitty and be sure and don't get miserable. Give my love to mother and all at home when you write. I hope they are all quite well. I must now close, my dearest, as it is getting late. I hope to see you on Thursday, when I shall have lots of news. With kindest love and kisses, I remain your most loving and affectionate Herbert." Miss Meadows said sht, next saw Bennett on Thursday, September 27, when he gav3 her a gold brooch. On the following Sunday it was arranged that they should get married at Christmas. Other letters from the prisoner to Miss Meadows were put in. In one of them the prisoner said he had sent her a cape and skirt and sealskin cape. Miss Meadows, who identified a cape which was shown to her, said that on October 9 she wrote thanking the prisoner for the clothes. He said he had got the things from his cousin, who was going to South Africa. On October 17 she met the prisoner at Woolwich. He said he had been to Bexley. She left her situation on October 18, and a home was taken at Charlton, a deposit of £ 2 being paid by Bennett. She first heard of this occurrence on the beach at Yarmouth on Sunday, November 4. On that day Bennett was at her mother's house. Her two brothers were there also. Her sister referred to the affair, and said it was funny that nothing had been heard of the Yarmouth murderer. Bennet made no reference to the affair. While at Woolwich on November 7 she heard that Bennett had been arrested. She did not know that Bennett had a wife until she heard it from the police after his arrest. He never referred to his wife or child to her. Mr. Wiltshire then put in some other letters written by Bennett to Miss Meadows. Mrs. Elliston, the wife of a policeman at Plum- stead, recalled and shown a brooch, said that she had seen Mrs. Bennett wearing it. Mrs. Bennett said it had been made in South Africa. Mrs. McDonald, of Woolwich-road, recalled, stated that she had seen the same brooch on a lady whom she knew as "Mrs. Bartlett" in July and August, when Mrs. Bartlett" had a flat in the same house. Mr. Bartlett" came home, but only stayed one night. John Rudrum, shoemaker, Yarmouth, stated that on Saturday, September 15, a woman whose photo- graph he now recognised came to lodge at his house. lie "first saw her on the night of September 15 with a man at the end of the row. He did not take any particular notice of the man. The woman remained all the week. He saw her on Saturday, September 22, at dinner time and he believed at tea time, but not afterwards. She went by the name of Mrs. Hood. She did not come home to sleep that night. On the following morning the police came to his house and he went with them to the mortuary, where he saw the body of a woman which he recognised as that of Mrs. Hood. He no", identified the clothing produced as hers. CUSTODY OF PRISONER'S CHILD. I As the Court was about to rise Mr. Eobb macis an application with respect to the infant child of the prisoner. He said that the prisoner, who was the natural guardian of the child, was desirous that the custodv of it should be entrusted to his father. Mr, John J-ames Bennett, of Swanscombe, Kent. Chief Constable Parker, of Yarmouth, wished the matter to be mentioned before giving any direction to the people now having the child. Bennett had executed a formal appointment of his father as guardian. Mr. Wiltshire said he had no instructions from the Treasury in the matter. The child was in good hands, and perhaps it would be better to leave it so until the judge at the assizes gave some direction. Mr. Clarke, the mother's father, wished to have the child (Ruby). The Mayor said he was advised that any decision he might give would be inoperative, and therefore it was useless for him to giveany direction. The prisoner was remanded until Friday of this week.

I THE CRISIS IN CHINA. I FLIGHT OF PRINCE TUAN. I The Times Pekin correspondent, in a telegram dated Thursday of last week, says that, according to Li Hung Chang, Prince Tuan has fled to Ning-hia- hsien, on the Mongolian frontier of Kan-su province, the residence of a Mongol prince who is his father- in-law. Meanwhile, the foreign Ministers have re- opened the discussion regarding the death penalty for high princes and officials. The Ministers are weakening, having reduced their proposal from the punishment of death to the most severe punishment provided by Chinese law, forgetting that princes lie beyond the reach of Chinese common law. The Times correspondent explains that the destruction of the White Pagoda in the westera hills was not due to General Wilson, the commander of the expedi- tion. On the contrary, he strongly opposed it. THE PUNISHMENT OF OFFENDING OFFICIALS. The Pekin correspondent of the Times in a message of Saturday's date, said that Li Hung Chang, in communicating to the foreign Ministere the Imperial edict ot November 13, imposing punish- ments on the Princes and officials on whom the Powers demand death sentences, submitted that this was the final punishment which the Court was abls to inflict, and added that he and Prince Ching were threatened by the Emperor with severe punishment if they should fail to induce the Ministers to accept this compromise. The sentences excite ridicule. Tuan is sentenced to banishment for life and imprisonment at Mukden, where his ancestral home is situated. Duke Lar has his salary stopped, and is reduced one step in rank. Another is sentenced to retire to reflect on his sins. Chao Shu-chiao is deprived of his rank, but retains his office. Yu Hsien is banished and condemned to imprisonment for life, which means a life of honoured retirement, while Tung-fuh-siang is omitted entirely, being protected by his present military power. A Reuter telegram from Pekin describes the sanitary condition of Pekin as being very bad, and creating serious danger of the out- break of an epidemic. J THE MURDER OF BARON VON KETTELER. I The report, dated Pekin, September 25, from Herr von Below, secretary to the German Legation, to Dr. Mumm von Schwarzenstein, the new German Minister to China, has been published in the German official Beichsanzeiger. The report, which deals with the murder of Baron von Ketteler, states that the correctness of the statements made by Enhai, the actual murderer of the German Minister, in examina- tion by the Legation Dragoman, Cordes, was con- firmed by other Manchu soldiers. Undoubtedly," the report adds, "Enhai committed the crime on instructions from his superiors, but he really did not seem to know which Prince had given the order, which is quite credible considering his subordinate position." The report of Herr von Below appends the deposi- tions taken at the examination of Enhai. The fol- lowing is an extract from the soldier's statement: On the evening of June 19 an order was given by a Prince, whom he did not recognise, to shoot down the foreigners that entered his quarter. There was, however, no specific command to fire upon Ministers or the German Minister. Ching was commander-in- chief, and Tuan was in command of the division. On June 20 Enhai fired at Baron von Ketteler, who immediately fell back dead in his litter. Enhai requested that, as he must die, his execution should be hastened." I THE BATTLESHIP GLORY. 1 The Glory, battleship, Captain F. S. Inglefield, completed her gun trials at Portsmouth on Monday and anchored at Spithead, where at night she tried her electric search-lights. When she was going out of harbour, steam was by some misunderstanding shut off from her steering-gear, and the vessel showed a tendency to drift on to the Gunwharf. As she did not answer her helm she was steered by means of her engines, but as she had very little way on she moved down towards the St. Vinoent, train- ing ship, moored on the opposite side of the har- bour. It was not until then that the helm signal was observed to indicate that the rudder was sta- tionary. Both engines were put full speed astern and steam was turned on to the steering-gear, after which no difficulty WM experienced, COUNT BULOW ON THE CRISIS. Count von Bulow made his first appearance in the Reichstag on Monday, and introduced the estimates for the China expedition in a speech of an hour's duration, defending the action of the Government, and protesting against the allegation that the troubles in China could be traced to the German occupation of Kiao-chau. The reply of the Chinese Emperor to the German Emperor's last letter was received in Berlin on Monday. It expresses general concurrence with the Kaiser's views, and promises the bmperor's return to Pekin "as soon as the peace negotiations shall have led to the desired results." STATEMENT IN THE FRENCH CHAMBER. M. Declasse made a statement in the French Chamber on Tuesday in regard to the position in China. After reviewing the events which led to the occupation of Pekin, he described the basis of negotiations which had been agreed to by the Powers for a settlement with China. Beyond stating these, he said he could go no further, as he hoped the Powers were on the eve of opening negotiations. The Minister pointed out that he had always been in favour of the policy of th3 open door in China, which he believed could only be carried out by maintaining the territorial integrity of that vast Empire. Those two principles, he said, had received the unanimous adhesion of the Powers. The Government desired to put an end as soon as possible to the sacrifices entailed by the Expedition in the Far East, but Parliament must now ask to have a date fixed, or require that the French troops should be withdrawn from China, until the necessary reparations had been obtained, and the negotiations had terminated.

J THE furnishings, china, and books of Whitestock Hall, in the Rusland Valley, of the English Lake district, are announced to be sold by auction at a date to be fixed within the present year. The hall was the home of George Romney, the English por- trait painter; it has since been in possession of the Romney family, and the present sale will allow connoisseurs and others to purchase the ancestral relics of Romney. The furnishings date back to 1740, and the volumes of books which have been carefully preserved since that time, reach over 1500. The house or hall draperies will be sold, a Barrow correspondent learnt, on the Whitestock Estate, but the rare volumes and the old china will be taken td Ulverston, the nearest railway centre for both north and south connections. Romney died in 1802,and was buried in Dalton Parish Churchyard, and although on the present occasion there will be no paintings offered for sale, yet it is expected that there will be a very keen demand for the painter's books and his relics.

-Ll TASEE PW%P* pkruN 35 YEARs ROVEN EFFICACY; y* AN EVER READY HOUSEHOLD REMEDY f UOOSENS PHLEGM. ALLAYS COUGH." GIVES IMMEDIATE RELIEF. "UNUM CATHARTICUM"PLLBR^L FOR INDIGESTION fi fTS 1 SICK-HEADACHE Bl LIOU5 DERANGEMENT AN-AGREEABLE APERIENjT- J "KAYS TIC PI LLS" « CUR" FACEACHE &'NEURALGIA. Jk < REFUSE SUBS 77 TVTFS. „ SOU»#r ALL CHEMISTS THROUGHOUT C3EAT BRITAIM & THE i I I 11 11  I- I GOAGUU,NE The Transparent Cement. DON'T THROW AWAY an article simply because ttia in pieces. Keep the p&rteaad send for a bottie of CoagottiMb with which you can, in a few minutes, make a joint ML atroner an the oriirmal ma. terial, and one whleh only the closest scrutiny vffl detect, MENDS ALL BROKEN ARTICLES. Refuse all Substitutes. In Bottles, 6d. and 1/ Of arl Chemists tt Otoma BILLIARD AND BAGATELLH TAHXjZS. A LARGS STOCK OF NEW A>rD SECflBO" HAND TABLES always on hand. WRITE FOR PRICK LISTS. ".8DffABD3. 134'. KINGS LAND ROAD. LONDON. K.i. • F„ SMITH & GO'S I Iron Churches, Chapels, Mission || Halls, Hospitals, Bungalows, Stables, Ac. ^rr*ie-f°r Illustrated Price List. HlffilwmGARPENTERS' mad. STRATFOBB KMtBUdLiBlMlWlWwt.1. wlff'fc London, £ VINOLIA CO. Is HOUSEHOLD SOAP IS WHAT SOAP SHOULD BE. Twin Bar, Scented, 2!d.

-¡¡¡ SETTLED AT LAST. The location of the National Physical Laboratory, the new institution for testing materials, standard- ising, and verifying scientific instruments, has been settled. In view of the strong opposition manifested to the Richmond site in certain quarters, the Treasury have finally decided to abandon it, and to allot instead Bushey House and grounds, at Hamp- ton Court and, further, the trustees of the labora- tory have accepted the allotment. The Government will ask Parliament to grant a sum of Z2000 as an addition to the original grant of E12,000 for capital outlay, on the score of the extra expense involved in converting Bushey House, as against the estimates for building in the Old Deer Park.

THE late Sir Henry Acland was once in a wreck off the coast of Dorset. The crew were in despair, and most of the passengers were in hysterics. The vessel had struck on the rocks in the dark, and av day was breaking the confused crowd on deck was amazed, says the King, by the appearance of Dr. Acland, fully and carefully dressed, with the announcement that Breakfast is ready." He added that, as it was impossible to get ashore, they would be, wise to prepare themselves for their trials by begin- ning the day in the customary manner.

Whd" 18 Bennrity In OMTER'S WHILE iSVER ?*■ H NM ■ M, TO"-11 j|| FILLS Absolutely are Sick Headache. Biliousness, Torpid Liver, Indi- gestion, Constipation, Dizziness, Furred Tongim. They Touch the Liver. ———'——————— Ifot to xunftoy too CARTZRIS. A few trop. the liiiilliTii 11S •rtrjr moxniM -9 of SOZODONT WiU SvNtn the Breath all day, and make all the difference be. good Toetfc aad Bad Teetfc. White Teeth and Yallov Tooft prettjr Teeth aad TJgly T.,t% Complete 19 ToUet Case, wft T«w "owder, a/f.

UNCLE SAM'S FAMILY. A Chicago paper heads an article with the words, "Uncle Sam has just 76,295,220 boys and girls." The recent census returns for the United States are indeed interesting and instructive. In 110 years their population has increased from under 4,000,000 to over 76,000,000, and during the last 30 years it has just about doubled. The primary reason for taking the census is to arrive at the basis of repre- sentation for Congress. There are now 357 members in Congress, which is considered an unwieldy body. If with the increase of population the present basis were maintained, the number would be 430.

THE grave-digger may dig for the dead, but he also digs for a living. I HOPE things are more peaceful in the choir than formerly," said the pastor, Yes, air," replied the organist; it's perfectly calm now." I'm glad to hear it. How was peace restored ?" Everybody I aTe-Antine mvself resigned."

"WITHOUT AN EQUAL in respect of its PURITY, and for all round EXCEL- Mmgk LENCE. It is my IDEAL OF PERFEO- TION. There is no BETTER FOOD." *P||l||!p2; IsiBjBi Dr. Andrea Wilson, F.R.S.E., &c. Lavishly endowed with aN those, J properties so essential to the Sup- port, Building Up, and Strengthen- Ing of the System. PURE FRI SCONCENTRATEDCOCOA JUST THREE WORDS are necessary in order to get the right Cocoa, viz., FRY'S PTTRE CONCENTRAT-ED.

THE (Jrown Jfrince ot lfermany apparently promIsee to be what his father thinks that the German Emperor is—very good at everything. Though only eighteen years old, he has already shown himself a good rider, a clever whip, and an excellent shot. He is also fond of music and the drama, and has found a hobby in breeding racehorses. THE disturbing powers of one man with a big voice were well illustrated (says the Liverpool Daily Post) at a recent political meeting in Glasgow, but seldom has a row had so laughable a sequel. The fellow would persIst in interjecting remarks, and the meet- ing seemed on the point of proving a fiasco till a man ia the front seats rose and shouted Shut up Smith, or I'll send for the wife." Of course the audience roared; even the interrupter's friends laughed up- roariously, as well they might, for Mrs. Smithf it nmopirea, was a terror in her locality.