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

OUIR LONDON CORRPONDENT. Even so historic a ceremony as the opening -of a new Parliament, partakes in these days so little df the picturesque that no great crowd assembles on the occasion and, therefore, it is not *tx) be expected that the forthcoming function of this kind will, in this respect, diR'er from the rest. The first duty of the members, of course, is to elect a Speaker, and this is done by them before the House is formally 'const1tlted. or the members have been swor'K. Th:t fact is the more curious seeing that the 'vote thus taken has often had a most impori&nt po!itic:d effect, and has even menaced the existence of Ministers. It takes two or three days to get a new House fully into working order: and on the present occasion, though the opening day is Monday, there will b& no real work done until Thursday. Natu- rally there is much talk of both among members and politicians generally as to the possible length of time that the execution of that work will occupy and there have even been dismat prophets who have asserted that it may take until after Christmas. That, however, is very far from widely believed, and the prevailtng impression is that no more than a full fortnight will be required to vote the necessary nnancia.1 resolutions and to pass the Appropriation Bill required to give legal affect to them. It has been noted that the nrst duty of a new House of Commons is to elect its Speaker or mouth," as the old phrase ran, and it is in- teresting to know what perquisites, as well as what duties, attach to that high ofBce. Ancient custom ordains that the occupant of the Chair is entitled to two hogsheads of claret at every election from the national funds; but there is more generosity displayed by the CIo!:hworkers' Company and the Master of the Buckhounds, for their girt is a- yearly one; that of the former taking the form of a large quantity of broadcloth, and the tatter's being a buck and a doe from Windsor Forest. The incoming Speaker has further the fight to ;ei000 for equipment, and he takes over the pictures and the plate with which the omcial residence in the Palace of Westminster is beautined. The country, therefore, cannot be considered to deal ungenerously with the great oSicer who takes precedence as the nrst Commoner in the realm and it is very largely because of this that Parliament has had the proud satisfaction of seeing such a succes- sion of impartial and unswerving occupants of the Chair. One consequence of the assembling of a new House of Commons is the trial of a certain number of election petitions, and of these this time there will be about half-a-dozen—a. smaller total than usual, but sufficient to indicate that our electoral workings continue to be carefully watched. The trials will not be proceeded with before the middle of January, and there is a rumour to be heard at the Palace of Justice in the Strand that two Courts may be formed in order that the petitions can be disposed of without delay. Two judges in these times are necessary to form a Court, though the number originally was one; and despite the fact that the new system was devised to prevent anomalies, the greatest anomaly of all remains, and that is that, if one judge con- siders a member ought to be unseated, and the other takes the opposite view, it is the latter that prevails without appeal, with the consequence that a man whom a judge has publicly declared to have been unduly elected, remains in the House of Commons during the whole of the Parliament. The special honour shown to the taAe Sir Arthur Sullivan by the Queen in signifying her express desire that the nrst part of the funeral service this week should take place at the Chapel Royal, St. James's, has been much appreciated not only by professional musi- cians, but by the public generally, who have sincerely mourned for the great composer. Some sort of academic argument has been pro- ceeding as to whether he would not have done better to devote himself to a diSerent style of music to that by which he won so much of his fame; but the main point assuredly is that he furnished such a full opportunity to his generation to thoroughly enjoy healthy harmony. His compositions have been known and loved in tens of thousands of homes all the world over and it will be very long before there will be willingly let die the memory of one who composed not only so many joyous songs, but such touching airs as those of "The Lost Chord" and Thou art passing hence, my brother." One of the latest fruits of the prolonged campaign in South Africa is that Boer tactics have been formally tested at Aldershot, an idea which, before the war broke out, would have been laughed at as impossible, a blindness of idea for which the nation has had very heavily to pay. It appears that the supposed enemy were split into small commandos of nfty each, and these took up positions all over the country round Alderahot. Nothing was seen of them as the home troops advanced, but when the retirement commenced, these com- mandos came promptly into evidence. One of the four infantry brigades engaged was at- tacked on its flank, and, when it moved towards the enemy, these climbed into their saddles and went off, only to reappear and harass the column at other unexpected points., with the result that, as in the actual warfare of the Boer territories, several small parties of our scouts were cut off. The idea seems, indeed, to have proved a very practical one, and it is certain to be repeated elsewhere. Winter does not seem to be a specially appropriate period for starting-or, as in this case, resuming-a railway race; but it is announced that, after the decision of Lord Balfour of Burleigh in favour of the accelera- tion of the service of trains by the East Coast route from London to Edinburgh, the London and North-Western and Caledonian Companies, which work the West Coast service, regard the agreement of 1896 against racing as at an end. They, therefore, from this week will reduce the running time of their Scotch expresses by a quarter of an hour, as the East Coast com- panies-the Great Northern, North-Eastern, and North British are doing and the process of accelers.tion, of course, may not stop there. This will furnish some answer to those critics of railway management who have lately been complaining that British railway companies are in certain respects behind their Continental and American com- petitors, and notably in point of speed. But, even if this be so, our all-round train service is a far better one than that to be experienced on the Continent, if cleanliness, comfort, and punctuality, and notably on the northern lines, are taken into account as well as speed. The two great cycle shows of the year are once more open in London, and it may be noted as a very striking fact that neither is as large as it was a twelvemonth ago. There are, however, some interesting points about each which ira well worthy of attention, and these especially in the direction of developments of the now very popular free wheel and the special braking arrangements auxiliary and, indeed, indispensable to its use. The lessened number of exhibits may be accounted for in various ways, but it is certainly not explained by any diminution in the popu- larity of cycling of which more and more proofs are yearly to be found. The latest concession, by the way, which metropolitan cyclists have obtained for themselves is permission from the London County Council to wheel their machines through the new subway under the Thames at Greenwich when completed, while the way has been maJe easier for them in the Blackwall Tunnel already open—a" concession that appears certain to be valued. R.

KRUGER IN EUROPE. RECEPTION OF THB BE-PRBSIMiNT IN PARIS. The reception of Mr. Kruger in Paris on Saturday was a success, in a French sense, so far as enthu- siasm wf),s concerned, but it did not pass off quite so smoothly as the multitude had hoped. To begin with, the train shot past the reception aaloon, and consequently there was a somewhat undignified rush to the other end of the platform. The cheering was terriCc. When Mr. Eruger and his friends had descended, M. Crozier, of the Protocol, hade him welcome. The ex-President having replied, was next button-holed by M. Grebauval, President of the Muni- cipal Council, who delivered a speech of welcome, in which he said that Paris detested oppression, and had herself combatted and overthrown it. Mr. Xruger now thought that he would be allowed to proceed to his hotel, but another speech was aimed at him-this time the oration of M. Cherioux, Presi- dent of the Council General. His reply was very brief. Clearly be was tired, and his face gladdened when the procession headed for the carriage. He took his departure amid a scone of great disorder. Several deputies, who had expected to greet the ex President in his saloon, were very wroth, and straightway accused the Govern- ment for upsetting all arrangements. The procession to the Hotel Scribe was rather a failure. The police rushed Mr. Kruger's carriage along at quick speed they stopped other carriases behind, and the result was that the ex-President arrived at the hotel well ahead. It was observed that decorations were not by any means on an extensive scale. There was, however, much cheering, a good deal of the shouting being done by bands of students. Mr. Kruger was welcomed at the hotel by an address in Dutch, a bouquet, and the Dutch hymn. VISYT TO M. LOUBET. For several hour& After Mr. Kruger's arrival at his Paris hotel there was a continual stream of delega- tiong, and late in the afternoon Mr. Kruger, accom- panied by Colonel Meaux Saint Marc, of President Loubet's military household, left his hotel, and went to call oa the President, the carriage proceeding by way of the Champs d'EIysees in order to avoid passing the British Embassy. An hour later Presi- dent Loubet returned the visit. This having practically ended the ex-President's day's work, he sought a little rest. But more dele- gations came, amonsr them Miss Maud Gonne, who, however, was told by Dr, Leyds that Mr. Eruger was tired, and was not visible to anyone. This reply was also given to Prince Renr-F of Orleans. In the evening Dr. Leyda attended an oScial dinner at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in honour of Prince George of Crete. There were only two serious accidents during the day. A policeman had both his legs broken by a carriage running over him. Dr. Leyds, acting on behalf of Mr. Kruger, sent ICOf. to the Prefect of Police for the men. In another case a baby was, it is reported, trodden to death. There were, of course, forbidden cries raised in the course of the day, and the police, adhering to their instructions, arrested about 30 persons, but only a few will be proceeded against SUNDAY SPENT IN QUIET. It was impossible for Mr. Kruger to spend Sunday in strict accordance with the Dopper faith, for the reason that there was no Dutch church handy. But be did the ne1,t best thing—he held a service in his drawing-room at the Hotel Scribe. He himself read a chapter from the Bibte and one of the Boer delegates undertook to read a sermon. The ex-President, who years ago got over his dis- like to' musical instruments in church worship, ex- pressed a wish that they might have a harmenium, out the desire could not be gratified, and so the sing- ing was unaccompanied. After the service Mr. Eruger kept to his room, reading his Bible, and declining to see anyone. He snubbed severe importunate photographers by send- ing word to them that he could not consent to be ohotogr&phed on a Sunday of all days. THE BX-FRESIDBNT'S EFFORTS FOR ARBITRATION. I Early on Tuesday morning Mr. Eruger called on M. Waideck-Rousseau, the French Premier,. with whom he ha.d a ten minutes' interview, and the visit was returned as soon as the ex-President had got back to the Hotel Scribe. The officials of the Muni- cipal Council and of the Council-General of the Seine subsequently waited on Mr. Kruger, who on their departure was driven in a landau, escorted by Republican Guards, to the Hotel de ViUe. Dense crowds had assembled and gave him an enthusiastic reception as he passed through the streets. At the Hotel de Vilie he was pre- sented with an address which declared that if the people of France spoke arbitration would become a necessity. Mr. Kruger, in his reply, declared that be would not cease to appeal to arbitration. Later in the day, at the Hotel Scribe, the ex-President received the members of the Boer Subscription Committee, who presented him with a sword for General Cronje, MM. Rochefort and Drumont being the chief speakers. About a thousand students assembled in the Place do la Sorbonne, and marched in procession to the Hotel Scribe, where a delegation representing the different faculties waited upon Mr. Eruger and presented him with an address. As the students were passing the Grand Hotel some coppers were thrown among them, and but for the interference of a police commissary and a municipal councillor a disturbance would have fol- lowed. At a quarter to seven o'clock Mr. Kruger, who was accompanied by Dr. Leyds, bad an inter- view of three-quarters of an hour's duration with M. Delcasse, Minister for Foreign Affairs.

THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT. j Mf. Balfour has adnreesect to his supporters a letter siting that Parliament will moet on December 3, and that as the prolongation of hostilities in South Africa has rendered it necessary to submit a supplementary estimate for current military expendi- ture, Mr. Balfour trusts it will be in the power of members to be in their places on that day. Lord Wa.Idegra.ve, on behalf of Lord Salisbury, has issued a letter to the supporters of the Govern- ment in the House of Lords, notifying them that the House will meet on Thursday, December 6, when the Address in reply to the Speech from the Throne will be moved. -Letters have been addressed to the members of the Opposition in the two Houses by Lord Eimberley and Sir H. CampbeIl-Bannermaa respectively, intimating the opening of Parliament. ROYAL PROCLAMATION. The following Royal Proclamation appeared in a supplement to the London Gazette on Monday night: Whereas Our Parliament stands prorogued to Monday, the tenth day of December next; and' whereas for divera weighty and urgent reasons it seems to Us expedient that Our said Parliament shalt assemble and be hofden sooner than the said day. We do, by and with the advice of Our Privy Council, hereby proclaim and give notice of Our Royal intention and pleasure that Our said Parliament, notwithstanding the same now stands prorogued as hereinbefore mentioned to the said tenth day of December next, shall assemble and be bolden for the despatch of divers urgent and important affairs on Monday, the third day oF December next; and the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Knights, Citizens,- and Burgesses, and the Commissioners for Shires and Burghs of the House of Commons, are hereby required and commanded to give their attendance accordingly, at Westminster, on the said third day of December next. Given at Our Court at Windsor, this twenty sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred, and in the sixty-fourth year of Our reign. God Save the Queen."

SMITHFIELD CLUB SHOW. The annual exhibition of fat cattle, sheep, and pigs by the Smithneld Club will be held at the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington, on December 10 to 14, under the presidency of Mr. Leopold de Rothschild, when animals from all parts of the United Kingdom will meet to compete for prizes amounting to £3900. The entries for the show number 574, and comprise 259 head of cattle, 153 pens of sheep, and 114 pens of pigs and for the carcase competition 15 head of cattle and 33 sheep. The chief interest will be centred in the competion for the challenge cup for cattle, value :E150, presented by the Queen the challenge cup for sheep, value £100, presented by the Prince of Wale- the :E50 challenge cup for p's:a, presented by the Duke of York, and the one hundred guinea champion plate for the best beast in the show. The valuable prizes offered will draw together the finest animals of their respective breeds in the kingdom, the champion cattle, sheep, and pigs from the Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Norwich Shows meeting here in competition. The animals entered for the carcMe competition will be exhibited alive on the Monday of the show up to five p.m., and the carcases on Wednesday and until seven p.m. on Thursday. The carcases will be sold by auction on Thursday at twelve o'clock. A large portion of the hall downstairs, as well ae the extensive galleries, is set apart for the exhibition of agricultural engines, machinery, and implements, seeds, roots, <&c., all the leading agricultural imple- ment manufacturers being represented with machinery emd implements of the most approved type. In an annexe to the reat an exhibition of dead poultry will be held under the auspices of a committee of which Sir Walter Gilbey is the chair- man. The admittance to this exhibition will be free to the public from the Smith6e!d Club's show.

VICAR IN THE LIFEBOAT. GALLANT RESCUE OFF THE LIZARD. The Stag Rocks, immediately beneath the Lizard Lighthouse, was the scene of a wreck and lifeboat rescues on Saturday. The Norwegian barque Glimt, from Rosario for Falmouth, with 600 tons of wheat, just before three o'clock in the morning was driven by the gale into a most dangerous position close to the Lizard cliffs, and soon crashed on to the rocks about a quarter of a mile from the shore. In a very little while the tremendous seas reduced the barque to a total wreck. Six of the crew got off in a ship's boat, and, disobeying the captain's orders to stand by, they rowed away, leaving the captain and four men on the wreck, which was breaking up. The masts crashed down and the hull went into three pieces, leaving only the stern above water. The four men clung to the rail. The captain orst lashed himself, but, finding he became sub- merged by the seas, he got free, only to be plunged into the seething water amongst a mass of floating wreckage, which bruised and battered him severely. Just as he was giving up hope the lifeboat from Cadgwith arrived, and after several efforts to get near him managed to throw a life line, by which he was hauled on board in a state of complete ex- haustion. Meanwhile the crew of the Lizard life- boat directed their attention to the four men on the stern, and by means of ropes dragged them through the sea to the safety of the craft. The six men in the ship's boat were found by the Coverack Bsher- men some houra later and landed at the village. Thus the whole eleven of the crew were saved, the captain in a very bad state, his present condition being serious. Several volunteers were in the Lizard lifeboat, and the Cadgwith crew included the vicar of the parish, the Rev. H. Vyvyan.

A RANGE OF TWENTY MILES. In America everything, we know, is on a scale of surpassing magnitude, and therefore it is but in the proper order of things that a gun should be pro- duced there which surpasses all made elsewhere in the distance to which it will throw its projectile. No gun in existence, we are told by the New York Army and Navy Journal, can equal in range the new 16in. rifle of the United States, which has been calculated, theoretically, at 20,978 miles, by Lieut.-CoIonel James M. IngaIIs, 3rd Artillery, the best living authority on ballistics. He shows that this range is obtainable with a muzzle velocity of 2300 feet per second, the necessary angle of elevation of the piece being 40 degrees.

SKELETON IN SHACKLES. The London workmen who are opening the road for the laying of telephone wires were engaged the other day in Newgate-street, near the Old Bailey prison, when they unearthed a skeleton, round the thigh-bone of which was discovered a large iron ring, rusty with age, with two long shackles suspended from it. The nnd was removed to the Post Office by some oSciaIs in St. Martin's-Ie-Grand, where it will be preserved just as it was found. It is believed, remarks an Express correspondent, that these are the remains of a malefactor hanged in chains out- side the prison, as less than 70 years ago it was a common practice to hang the bodies of all prisoners guilty of murder in this manner, or to bury them undor the gallows, according to the order of the Court.

THE Foretgtt (JSice have been informed by the German Ambassador that an international exhibition o? appliances and arrangements for protection against nre will be held in Berlin in June and Julv next. MME. JEAN POMMEROL, a French &uthoress and explorer, is about to start on a new expedition into the heart of Africa. Her object is to study the manners and customs of the natives in the Sahara.

?'B?-='?'t<?? !)!! ==ago, aw v,^Df ^OAK 0', 3>5 YF-ARS EFFIICACY. 10. AN EVER READY HOUSEHOLD REMEDY LOOSENS PHLEGM. <- ALLAYS CIO 'Mg- _<- GIVES irlmr=DIATF RELIEII. uUNUM CATHARTICUM PILL5t POR IWDIGES11.QN {a ITS EVtLX, SlOHIEAOACtlE BILIOUS D'ERANCEMEMT AN" AGREEABLE APErIENT. ? -KAYST:CP!LLS' -c- cur.: FACEACHE&Ktt]RALCAA. ? /?fy??S?' ?<y??777X/7?SL ? <-? = COAGULINE The 7'fanspafent Ce<nea& DON'T THROW AWAY ? ????????? ?°' article simpty beca,UM it te V-??t????? in pieces. Keep ')&he pa.rt<tt <t0 send for a bottJ.e of Cvagultn% with which yon ca.n. in 2, few minutes, ma,ka & }oiot m lI'trøng a.s the original terlal, and one whtch oBly the ctoseat eerntiny wNB detect. MENDS ALL BROKEM ARTICLEa. Refuse all SubstitutOG- Bottles, 6d. and Of ar7 CAem/sfa d 8UM% ITMLLIARD AND BAGATELLE J? TjS.BX.ES. ALARHB STOCK OF KKW AND SECOND HAND r'A.LES &hvay3 on hand. WR[Ti! FOR !'Ii.[CK L1ST)<. -0. EDWARDS. 134. KlNUSLAND IWAD, Ll)]:O)ON. N.jt. F. SMITH & oops ? tron Churches, Chapcts, Mission $& Halls, Hospitals, Bunga)ows, Stab!e<, 41& 60. jj?????????, ??t?j?- /tt??t?? /'?-< Z.M<. MiS?SMMRPMIERS' ROAO. SIMIFOM mBB.i. ,PR'9'W'" "-?-* t?nden, E. V!M!i M '8 Nga???mBF? M?N ? ME p HOUSEHCLO SCAP IS WHAT SOAP'SMULD BE. Twin Bar, Scented, 21d.

TWO TEMPERANCE BILLS. The Church of England Temperance Soctety haw decided to confine its efforts at the commencement of the new Parliament to two bills ansing out of recommendations made by the Royal Licensing Comtuisaion. One will be what is termed the Chil- dren's BiM, and seeks to prohibit the sale of intoxi- cating liquor to children under the age of 16, this having been one of the points of agreement between the majority and minority reports. The other bill will be drafted on the lines of the minority recom- mendation in regard to the further restriction of tb& hours of sale on Sunday.

A DANISH electrical engineer hae invented an etectrtcal lamp, which will cause tt considera.bte advance m the therapeutical treatment with light foHowed by the Danish Professor Finsen. The lamp has been tested at Professor Finson'a hospital in Copenhagen, and has been proved to produce in an especial degree those chemical rays which are necee- sary for the purpose. MB. CRACKANTHORPB, Q.C., has resigrod the chair- manship of the Incorporated Council of Law Report- ing which he has held for the last seven years, and haa been succeeded by Mr. Bosanquot, Q.C. TsB Secretary for War has approved of the Corps of Electrical Engineer Volunteers borrowing six thousand pounds from the Public Wortrs Loan Com- missioners for the construction of headquarters buildings. LoRD OxMANTOWN, who has returned from South Africa, where he was serving. with the Coldstream Guards, has been ordered to .]om at once the Irish Guards, in which regiment he has been promoted to be captain. IN the terrible hailstorm encountered by the 'steamer Sydenha.m. near Algiers, some of the stones. ( were, says a mecaber or the crew, as large as half- pint cups, and o? Pierced the captain's hat, cutting: his head ooen-

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SOCTS AFRICA. 'BOERS COMING IN. A 'B1de'm'rontein telegram states that th% BtnHsh troops have cleared the country to the eastward for a distance of 25 ajiles, and are thoroughly saarch- ing the hills. A number of Boer Mfugeas have come in from Thaba Nchu. A consta.bnla.rly post 2.-5 miles south-west of Joha'nnesbtirg waa attacked on November i9 by 180 Boers, who, itfter two hours' Sghting, were driven off \v)tli a loss of two killed, several wounded. and six horses captured. The British ha.d no casualties. A Cape Town telegram states that it, is understood that after Lord Boberts's d&' pasture Sir Alfred Milner will proceed to the Trans- Taal and will make Pretoria his headquarters. Ar- rangements are being made for the return to Johan- nesburg of 2000 refugees on condition that they enrol themselves as a town guard, subject to t,ho ordinary military discipline of an irregular corps. If the plan is successful the number will probably 100 increased. A LIEUTENANT'S TERRIBLE FATE. Lieutenant Nunmeyer, commanding the Oracge River Police at SmithGcId, was driving to Ahwat North in a c&rt when be waa held up by two Boers. Although unarmed, the omcer was taken prisoner. handcuffed, and treacherously shot in the back and again through the head. The murderers searched his clothes for money, and afterwards dragged the body to the shut. Two natives were eye-witnesses of the murder. About 50 Dutch women and children <tf Thaba Nchu have been sent to BIoemfontein. The women had been baking bread in preparation for the Boers. They left Thaba Ncbu, singing and happy. BOTHA REPORTED IN PRETORIA DISTRICT. According to a Central Newa telegram from Johannesburg, dated Friday of last week, it is re- ported that Bot.ba is within 20 miles eastward of Irene, which is the first railway station south of Pretoria. Artillery firing was heard from that direction. A farmer at Aasvogelskop has been arrested, and his house, from which Boers had fired under the protection of the white 3asr, has been burned. Mr. Theron, member of the Volksraad for -Eaalspruit, whose farm had been constantly visited by the enemy for supplies, has been arrested and relaased on .EoCObaiL Colonel Copley, of the King's Royal Rifles, haa returned to Standerton with his convoy from Orange River Colony, whither he was sent to obtain supplies for General Rundle's column, which has proceeded to Heidelberg. Colonel Copley brought with him OOO cattle, 200'horses, and much small stock. He had some Bghting, says the Central News Standerton correspondent, but only lost two men, both of Thorneycroft's Horse. BOER SNIPERS CAPTURED. Twenty-eight Boer snipers, who had been giving much trouble in the Magaliesberg range, have een captured by the little garrison at Rietfontein. BOER SENTENCES COMMUTED. Lord Roberts has commuted the sentence of death passed upon Henry Mack, a German-American, who endeavoured to seduce a British soldier from his allegiance, to imprisonment in Ceylon or St. Helena until all the prisoners of war have returned to South Africa. George Olivier, who, with hisbrotberand father, Gen. Olivier, was captured by the Queensland Volunteers, has been permitted by Lord Roberts to return on parole from Ceylon. Lieutenant Dutort, Pretoria Police, suspected of complicity in the plot against Lord Roberts, has also been allowed to return to South Africa from Ceylon. Strathcona's Horse, which is only to see six weeks' further service, will be rehorsed next October and converted into a permanent Canadian regiment. REFUGEES MUST WAIT LONGER. Lord Roberts and his daughter are rapidty recover- ing. There is, at the present time (says a Johannes- burg message), very little prospect of an early return of refugees. The food supplies of civilians are actrce. TRANSVAAL FLAG TAKEN. Lord Roberts-who had been silent for a week— supplied another message to the War Office on November 27. It was as follows JOHANNESBURG, November 26 (10.45 a.m.) Bruce Hamilton reports Remington was engaged with parties of Boers near Frankfort. The Boers, who were under Steenkamp, cleared off to the south. Our casualties nil. Large numbers of stock and eight prisoners were taken. Dougtas from KIerksdorp also reports large cap- ture of stock. So, also, does Wynne from Heidelberg. De Lisle from Eroonstad reports Colonel Fan- shawe bad rearguard action with about 60 Boers near Barnsfontein. One man New South Wales Mounted Rifles killed. Fanshawe reports Captain Watson performed a gaUant act. Seeing Private Robinson, New South Wales Mounted Rifles, fall, he turned back and car- ried him out on his own horse under hot fire. DELAREVS SHRUNKEN ARMY. Clements, moving towards Rietfontein, was op- posed by Delarey with a total of 800 to 1000 men. They had with them one Erupp, one 12-pounder, one pom-pom. He completely dispersed them. Three dead Boers were seen, and natives report, three more dead and several wounded. Barton reports Brakpan was attached at three a.m. on the 24th. and was defended against a fierce attack by seven Railway Pioneer Regiment and ten mounted infantry. Our men behaved splendidly and drove off the enemy, who lost three dead. A Transvaal flag was captured. It was carried by a Seld-cornet, who was shot at close quarters. The Town Guard took part in the fight and behaved very well. Rundle reports Boyes has returned to Harrismith, having had slight opposition. He brought with him a large amount of cattle and horses. Boyes's casualties since 14th were five killed and 16 wounded. W. G. Enox reports all wounded from Bothaville do'ng well. The commandant at Baixville telegraphs on 22nd that Lieutenant Neumeyer was found brutally mur- dered, shot in the back, and lying in a donga about three miles from Stitzkraal. He was in a Cape cart, and when he jumped out he left his rifle in it, and so was unarmed. Ee was en route to join con- stabulary at BIoemfontein. HART'S MOUNTAIN MARCH. Hart reports that on Friday and Saturday be marched along the Gatsrand, reaching Welverdiend Loseberg Pass mid-day. The enemy retired before him, stopping to Bre from well-chosen positions. He estimated their number as about -MO. An English civilian, released by them, states they have nothing but meat to eat, and only a few Cape carts for trans- port. Our casualties were Killed, one man wounded. Second-Lieutenant Moffat, South Wales Borderers (sitgbtly). and four men. Hart attributes our slight losses to the expertness with which the strong positions were turned by the mounted troops under Wilson and Sprot, and to the steady advance of the infantry under Roche and Hicks, whilst the guns were ably handled by Stoke* and Pisher. Much forage and a large amount of cattle were brought in. I ANOTHER PLOT REPORTED AGAINST LORD I ROBERTS. A startling report reached London on Tuesday evening to the eSect that a plot to assassinate Lord Roberts, in which some 20 foreigners were con- cftned, bad been discovered. According to the details given, a mine that had been laid was to have. been blown up last Sunday whilst Lord Roberts was at church at Johannesburg. Thanks to the vigilance of the police, and the Field-Marshal's bodyguard, the conspiracy was providentially frustrated. Some 10 men, mostly Italians, are aaid to have been arrested. The War Office on Tuesday night iaaued the fol- lowing despatch: Lord Roberts to Secretary of State for War. JOHANNESBURG, November 26. As report of a plot against my life will probably reach you, I think you should know the facts. The police have been aware for some time that a plot was in existence, and arrested five Italians, four Greeks, and one Frenchman on the 16th inst., who are now awaiting triaL Their intentions were to explode a mine in St. Mary's Church at eleven o'clock eervice on November 18.

THE CRISIS IN CHINA. 1 I PEACE PRELIMINARIES DISCUSSED. The ?MM8S Shanghai correspondent says that according to Pekin advices the United States Govern n)'ent refuses to join in the demand For tha death polity on high officials connected with the outrages. Telegrams from Si-ngan-fu report that the Empress is seriously ill, but the public are sceptical., Reports recently current that Russia now refuses to band back the Northern Railway are now apparently conRrmed. The mixed expedi- tioeiary force from Pekin under the command of Count Yorck is stated to have occupied Huai-lai and to be advancing to Suan-hua. The Chinese General Ho, with 10,000 men, is retiring towards Salgan. An official report puMiahed in St. Peters- burg states that the destruction of the Russian rail- way in Manchuria was carried out by Russian regular troops under the direction of omcials, and not by Boxers. A Router despatch from Pekin of Saturday's date says that the foreign Ministers held a final meet- ing on that morning, at which the preliminary condi- tions of a peace treaty with China was discussed and definitely agreed upon. All that now remains is for the Ministers to se<ure the approval of their respective Governments. The terms are believed to be in substantial agreement with those set forth in the French Note. The Times Pekin correspondent, in a message of Saturday, says that the Russians, having undertaken to return the Tien-tsin-Shan-hai- kwan Railway to the allied troops, have suddenly changed tbeir determination, announcing that by orders from St. Petersburg they will retain the rail- way till their troops are withdrawn from Chi-Ii. To the Chinese Russia explains that she is retaining the railway in the interests of China. I THE INDEMNITY. The Times Pekin correspondent, in a teMgram ef Sunday, says it is a misconception to speak of peace negotiations between the Chinese and the foreign Ministers in Pekin. No negotiations are possible until the Chinese have accepted the terms of the conjoint Note, not yet presented. The foreign Ministers have now accepted two proposals previously rejected owing to want of unanimity—that of Sir E. Satow that China should agree to recast the commercial treaties, and that of the Italian Minister, that China should agree to such measure of foreign control as may be considered essential to guarantee the payment of the indemnity. The delay in the presentation of the Note is adding greatly to the dimculties of the situation. If the Chinese envoys accept the terms of the conjoint Note serious work will begin. First comes the extreme dimculty of enforcing the death sentences on the Princes and oSicials, of compelling the Court to retmrn to Pekin, and of removing the Empress and the Emperor from the domination ef Tung-fuh-siang. The next problem will be how to secure the payment of the indemnity, which on the lowest estimate already amounts to JZ60,000,000. The third task will be the recasting of the commercial treaties. A tele- gram received in Berlin on Monday states that Eal- gan was occupied by the column under Count Yorck on November 18. DISTURBANCE BETWEEN FRENCH AND BRITISH TROOPS. The Shanghai correepondont of the Times says that a serio'ns disturbance was caused there on Monday aight by French soldiers in the British setttoment. The police bad several casualties. The matter is under investigation, and the French and British troops are restricted to their respective settlements pending the arrangement of a modus vivendi. Ihe Times correspondent says that t,he ex- tension of the French settiement at Tien-tsin, it is announced, dates from June 17, and includes all properties between the British and Japanese settle- ments. It nnlIiSes all contracts since June, and carries with it control of all residents within the %rea.

I SIR A. SULLIVAN'S FUNERAL. The remMM of Sir Arthur Sullivan were interred on Tuesday in St. Paul's Cathedral. The nrst part of the funeral service took place, by permission of the Queen, in the Chapel of St. James's Palace at noon. The chapel was inconveniently crowded, and amongst the congregation wers the American Ambassador (Mr. Choate), Lord Glenesk, Lord Cobham. Theresa Countess of Shrewsbury, Sir Edward Lawson, Sir Douglas Straight. Mr. R. D. Walker, Professor Stanford, Sir Herbert Oakley, Messrs. Randeggar, August Manna, W. Ganz, A. W. Pinero, C. Wyndham, and Rutland Barrington, Mr. and Mrs. Comyna Carr, Signer Tost), Mr. and Mrs. F. Bur" nand, and many other people prominent in music and the drama. Her Majesty, the Prince of Wales, Prince and Princess Christian, the Duchess of Argyll, the Duke of Cambridge, and the German Emperor were also represented. The comn was of extremely handsome construction, and on the top of it and around the sides were lovely wreaths In the rear of the comn were the paM-bearers—Sir Squire Bancroft, Sir Frederick Bridge, Mr. Francois Celtier, Col. Arthur GoMins, Sir G. Lewis, Sir Alex- ander Mackenzie, Sir G. Martin, and Sir John Stainer. The musical part of the service was most elaborate and impressive. There were two anthems sung by the choir without organ accompani- ment. The 6rst was, "Yea, though I walk through kbe Valley of the Shadow of Death," from the late composer's Light of the World;" the second was Wreaths from our Graves," which Sir Arthur had set :o very pathetic music. When the procession started from the Palace on its way to St. Paul's Cathedral for the interment the wreaths alone occupied three hearses, and the comn was borne in a fourth. On the route along the Embankment there were many manifestations of respect for the departed Binger of the Savoy. When the cortege reached St. Paul's the band of the Scots Guards played the Dead March from Saul." The service at the Cathedral, where an immense con- gregation had assembled, was a replica of that at the Chapel Royal, but in a grander setting. The choir sang the anthems exquisitely, but the special feature was the singing of "Brother, thou art gone before us by the members of the Savoy Theatre Company a,s the comn was lowered in the grave. Archdeacon Sinclair read the prayers the Committal Prayer was 9aid by the Rev. Edgar Sheppard; and the lesson was read by the Dean. The open space through which the conin was lowered into the crypt bad a bordering of chrysanthemums and lilies of the valley, with an inscription in violets, "Thy sun has gone down while yet it was day." Wreaths were de- posited near the grave of the late composer in re- fnarkabJe profusion, many of them being of exquisite design. The Qneen sent an enormous wreath of taurels, which rested at the head of the grave, imme" diately fronting that from the German Emperor, while those from other members of the Royal family [ay close at hand. The most striking floral design of a.!l was undoubtedly that contributed by the company of the Savoy Theatre, the central feature of which was a harp of seven strings, with the Bfth broken.

THE RETIREMENT OF LORD WOLSELEY. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.—SIB EVELYN WOOD'S POSITION. The Press Association says: In reference to the reports which have been circulated to the effect that Lord Wolseley's retirement from the post of Com- mander-in-Chief on November 30 is due to sudden ind special caaaes, we are in a position to state that, it the request of the Government, his lordship con- sented some time back to remain in oSice till the date mentioned, and that he is simply adhering to r,he arrangement originally nxed upoji. Lord Roberts is expected to be back in London ibout the end of December. In the interval between Lord Wolseley's vacation of omce and the ja.te at which Lord Roberts assumes the active duties of Co<nmMider-in-Chief, Sir Evelyn Wood will com- mand. He will not change either his quarters or his title, but, by virtue of an order in Council, he will possess all the powers of the Commander-in-Chief. Sir Evelyn would, in like manner, become Acting Commander-in-Chief in. the event of any prolonged absence of the actual holder of the post from duty, and his assumption of the command will not, therefore, be the subject of any omciat announce- ment."

AMONG the Burmese football is as popular as it is in English-speaking countries. But the Burman scorns to wear boots. He kicks and shoots goala with his bare feet. HOUSEKEEPERS will be glad to learn that the CaH- fornian raisin crop this season is the largest, ever produced, the estimate of its weight being 7?.000,0001b.

AMKRJCAN Presidents, save Washington, have never been rich, and Mr. McKinley is no exception. Jeffer- son died so poor that had not Congress bought his library his estate would scarcely have been solvent Monroe did not leave enough to pay his funeral ex- penses. Lincoln left only ;E15,000. Grant, who knew only too well the bitterness of extreme poverty, bade fair at one time to be rich, but lost all, and only pro- vided for his family by his book on the American War. It is significant of what be inherited from his father that the latter's effects sold at hia death for JE152. THE post of Vice-Admiral of the Yorkshire Coast, to which the Earl of Londeaborough has been appointed, has been in the Londesborough family for some generations. His duties will be to capture any pirates who plunder the Yorkshire seaports. He has also to preside over the court which sees that these pirates are properly hanged in chains. It is believed that the duties will n)t be very onerous just now.

SIR REDVERS DULLER. AUTHORITATIVE DBN!AL OF THB PBBBAQM STORY. It was widely stated on Saturday and connrmed in the Sunday papers that the Queen, after express- ing warm admiration for the brilliant services of General Sir Redvers Bn!!er, had "etrongly urged him to accept a peerage," and that Sir Redvers had accepted the distinction, and would figure in the New Year's Honours List as Lord Buller of Lady- smith." However gratifying to the public MBae of the 6t- ness of things, such a recognition of General Buller's high abilities might be, the story turns out to be pure notion. General Sir Redvers Buller has authorised the Devogb and Exeter .Re?'a'M to state emphatically that there is not a syllable of truth in the report; that her Majesty has made no such communication to him. and that he himself has never thought of assuming such a title as Lord Buller of Lady- emith.

POISONED BEER. A Manchester correspondent of the Daily Tole- qraph has bad an important interview with Dr. Eelynack. of the Royal InSrmary, and Mr. Eirkby, of the Pharmaceutical Department of Owens College, who have been making clini- cal and chemical investigations respectively into the causes of the beer poisoning sensation in Manchester and district, in connection with which many persons are reported to have suffered seriously, and the result will be read with interest. Dr. Kely- nack said there could be no doubt that the source of contamination was made clear, and it only required the fullest co-operation of all concerned to secure the complete arrest of all further poisoning. His recent investigations showed that cases of poison- ing, if carefully looked after, would be found outside Manchester and Satford in many large towns in the district, and he states his belief that even villages had not escaped. It was, therefore, of the utmost importance that medical men, omcers of health, as well as brewers and all others using manufactured eugar throughout the country, should have their attention directed to the matter. Mr. Kirkby said be was now satisfied that the use of contaminated sugars was by no means confined to one brewery; and that more than one variety of sugar comes in for contamination. It was, therefore, incumbent on all users of such articles to be assured of their purity.

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THE Kent County Council has adopted with heartiness a resolution protesting against the gross irregularity of the railway service on the South- Eastern and Chatham system. A LARGE steam turbine, probably the largest in ex- istence, is to be coupled direct, to an alternator belonging to a New York company. Its normal rate of work is to be 2500 horse-power, but it will be able to give 3000 horse-power on occasion. TnB American system of night signalling by coloured lamps is under trial in our Navy. Each lantern has three electric lamps, with red, clear and green glasses, and the combinations of different colours give the signals.