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

I ESTATE DUTY. I A petition was heard on Tuesday in the Queen'a Bench Division in the matter of the estate duty payable on the death of Colonel Vernon by Mr. Bertie Wentworth Vernon by way of appeal from the Commissioners of Inland Revenue. Before the passing of the Finance Act in 1894 the appellant had, by the creation of annuities and by mortgages, charged his reversionary interest in the estates, which were worth 9-86,000, to the extent of 9-82,000, and in respect of that amount he claimed to be exempt from the payment of estate duty. The Court dismissed the petition with costs, upholding the con- tention of the Crown that estate duty was payable on the sum which the petitioner had charged on his expectant interest.

I WRECK OF THE HIND. I Her Majesty's fishery cutter Hind was on Tuesday wrecked on the Shipwash Sands near Harwich, one of the numerous treacherous banks with which the East Coast abounds. The weather was hazy, and a stiff gale was blowing when, at six o'clock in the morning, the Hind went ashore. The crew state that it the time of the grounding nothing was discernible, and the first intimation that they were ashore was the upheaving of the stern. A cursory examina- tion then showed that the vessel was hard and fast. The vessel speedily filled, 6ft. of water being shipped in five minutes. The men behaved very coolly under the circumstances, and worked manfully for about two hours at the pumps, firing off rockets meanwhile. They were ultimately rescued by the pilot cutter Alpha. The water was at that time washing over the gunwhale. They were transferred by the Alpha to the Trinity steamer Satellite, and were taken to Harwich, where they were put on board her Majesty's ship Ganges. The Hind has been for many years stationed at Harwich on the North Sea fishery protection duty and also inland revenue work. In the afternoon her Majesty's ship Onyx went to the Shipwash Sasds to ascertain if anything could be done to save the cutter, but her efforts proved unsuccessful, the Hind being totally submerged.

MARK TWAIN detests the autograph-hunter. To an applicant on one occasion he sent a letter, the sub- stance of which is as follows To ask a doctor or builder or sculptor for his autograph would be in no way rude. To ask one of these for a specimen of his work, however is quite another thing, and the request might be justifiably refused. It would never be fair to ask a doctor for one of his corpses to remember him by. There was no autograph to the letter, which was typed throughout I KING LEOPOLD of the Belgians, who is become a most enthusiastic Chaffeur," has lately ordered a 20-horse-power automobile from Paris, the makers having been given carte blanche as to cost. The carriage, which is to be used for tours, is to be painted red and blue, and is to be sent to Brussels in two weeks' time. The King, after spending two day a at home, has gone to Wiesbaden for a short visit to consult Professor Pagenstecher.

THE YARMOUTH BEACH MURDER I FURTHER EVIDENCE FOR THE CROWN. I The young man Herbert John Bennett was on tht 23rd November again placed in the dock at Yar- mouth Police-court on a charge of murdering his wife, Mary Jane, on Yarmouth beach on Septembei 22 last. As on former occasions, the public evinced the keenest interest in the case. Mr. Wiltshire first asked, on behalf of the Crown, to recall Mr. Clark (the murdered woman's father). Mr. William Clark was asked as to a silver watch which he had given his daughter when a child. Shown a silver watch and chain, he said this was a similar watr" 'I) that which he presented her with. He now pro- u. vd a recei'pt showing that he bought a silver watch at, Poplar, close to the railway-station, and said he gave this watch to his daughter when she was twelve years of age. William Thomas Borking, manager of the South Quay Distillery, said shortly before closing time, probably about a quarter to 10, on the night of September 22, a lady and a gentleman entered his house. The prisoner was the gentleman. Shown a photograph of deceased, the witness said to the best of his knowledge that represented the lady who was with the prisoner. Witness observed that she had a very pretty scroll on her dress. The man was in a steel-coloured coat. with a waistcoat of a peculiar cut. Counsel: What kind of a waistcoat was it ? Witness It was an ordinary common cut like mine (laughter, in which the prisoner heartily joined.) It was a square or clerical cut. He also had a Trilby hat. The gentleman took down a Great Eastern time-table, and after looking at it, left it on the counter. After the gentleman had paid for the drinks, the couple left. Witness had to call the lady's attention to the fact that she bad left her glove. Prisoner was asked to stand up and show his waistcoat. Immediately he had opened his coat, the witness said, "That's the coat; that's the waist- coat. Mr. Robb wanted the witness's reply carefully taken down, namely That's the coat; that's the waistcoat." The witness interjected, "The colour of the coat and waistcoat." Witness said the lady and gentleman remained in his place about ten minutes. Alfred Mason, a moulder, residing at Yarmouth, said he was on the beach with a girl named Blanche Smith on the night of September 22. He saw a young man and a young woman coming from the direction of the New-road, and later they lay down about 30 yards from witness. They appeared to be quarrelling. About 10 minutes later screams were heard, and an exclamation. As defendant's counsel objected to witness saying what the exclamation was, the Bench decided not to allow it to be repeated. The prosecuting counsel (to witness): What else did you hear ? Witness I heard groans proceeding from the woman. We got up and walked in the direction of the man. The man's back was towards me. Ne was kneeling on the woman; his right arm was on her chest, and his left arm was on her right side. Witness added that he could not identify either the man or the woman. Other evidence having been taken, the case was adjourned until the day following. BENNETT COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. I Mr. Wiltshire asked on the 24th inst. to recall Miss Meadows to prove the handwriting of documents. Alice Meadows then entered the witness-box. On being shown a letter, she said that see recognised the handwriting as that of Bennett. (The solicitor here read the letter, which purported to be signed W. A. Phillips," and had no date.) In it the writer spoke of Mrs. Bennett as a responsible, careful person. She had been his tenant for five years at £36 a year. He said he could recommend her as a Lenant at 8s. a week. Miss Meadows said that another letter which was shown to her was in Ben- nett's handwriting, and she also recognised a signa- ture. Mr. Robb said he did not see how this was rele- vant, but he would not object, as his friend said it would become relevant. Henry Robert Horton, Park-road, Plumstead, bookkeeper at the Metal Case Factory, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, said that he entered in a book the times when the employes were at work and absent. In September last about 350 men were employed in his particular factory. In that month there were entries relating to a man named Bennett, Iwd witness remembered his being employed there. He now identified him as the man in the dock. Witness produced a list of questions put to employes on joining, purporting to be signed H. W. Bennett, with date July 16 last. Bennett's number on his metal cheque was first 5342, subsequently altered to 5069. On September 15 Bennett was absent, sick." He resumed work on September 17 at eight a.m., and remained till 5.40 p.m. On Friday, September 21, he came to worf at Six p.m. and left at seven p.m. The factory closed at 12.40 p.m. on Saturdays. On Saturday, September 22, Bennett come to work ot six a.m. and left at 12.40 p.m., working the usual hours. William Henry Parrott, King-street, Woolwich, who, according to the prisoner, was one of two persons who could prove an alibi, was here recalled. The witness had fainted in the box on the preced- ing day. Mr. Wiltshire: When you gave your evidence yesterday I am afraid you were unwell and at a .disadvantage. Tell us what time you left the stores on Saturday, September 22 ? The Witness: At ten to 10.20. I left with Cameron. Were you in Cameron's company till you got home ? I was with him the whole time. I got home soon after eleven. No one else was with us that evening, and I did not go out again. The witness produced a protograph of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett which prisoner had sent him. Walter Edward Hudson, Kent Cottage, Bexley- heath, manager to Rolph and Sons, auctioneers and surveyors there, recognised the beach photograph as that of Mrs. Bennett and her child. The witness first saw her on Friday, June 1 last, when she called at his firm's office. She took a top flat at No. 10, Woolwich-road. The witness asked for a reference, and she brought one. Mr. Wiltshire proposed to put in the reference Mrs. Bennett which Miss Meadows had said was in prisoner's handwriting and signed Phillips. Mr. Robb objected, saying it was irrelevant. The Bench admitted the letter. The witness said that was the document which Mrs. Bennett brought him. She was then allowed to have the flat and took possession on Tuesday, June 12. Subsequently he let Mrs. Bennett the house in Glencoe-villas, Izal-road, Bexley-heath, and she paid a half-quarter's rent, £2 5s., taking a receipt. On September 26 at five o'clock, as they were closing the office, a man called and said, My name'is Bennett. I wish to give notice to leave the house I now occupy in Izal-road," and witness took that to be No. 1, Glencoe-villas. This was no ac- cepted, Bennett being referred to Mr. Butler, the owner. The witness now identified the prisoner in the dock as the man who called. Mr. John Butler, Bexley-heath, builder, part owner of Glencoe-villas, said that he received the following letter: Clapham, London, S.W.September 28,1900. Dear Sir,-I called at your office on Thursday, but you were out, so I am writing to inform I wish to give you three months' notice from to-day, Sep- tember 28, as I shall be leaving the premises in December. I am sorry to do so, but I have to leave England for America on December 24. Mrs. Bennett is away on account of her health, so I will call and see you on Thursday afternoon next.—H. W. BENNETT." On October 4 Bennett called upon him. He recognised the prisoner now as Bennett. He said he wished to leave the house as he had an ap- pointment abroad, and said Mrs. Bennett was unwell. The witness agreed to release him on his paying £ 4 10s. A receipt was given him for this. The chief constable, Mr. Parker, was recalled and said the receipt was found amongst the prisoner's things at Woolwich. Chief-Inspeetor Leach, Scotland-yard, said he had been making inquiries in London in this matter. On November 6 the witness and Inspector Former went to Bexley-heath. After making inquiries at Glencoe- villas they went to Woolwich, where they were joined by Chief-constable Parker. Just before eight p.m. they saw the prisoner. A Mr. Allen introduced the prisoner to him as Mr. Bennett, and introduced the witness to Bennett as Mr. Brown. Witness arrested the prisoner and said to him, I am a police officer, and I arrest you for the murder of a woman named Hood on Yarmouth beach on the night of the 2nd or morning of September 23 last." The prisoner said, I don't understand what you mean." In two or three seconds he said, "What for?" The witness again told him, and the prisoner replied, I have never been to Yarmouth. I have not lived with my wife since January last. I found a lot of letters in her pocket from another man." The prisoner was con- veyed to Woolwich Police station. There the witness showed him the beach photo, and said, This is a photo of the woman I refer to." The prisoner asked to see it, and after lookmg at it said, I don't clearly recognise it." The witness added, in reply to another question, that the distance from Liverpool-street Railway-station to Marble Arch was about three miles 800 yards, and it would take a man going the quickest way and walking about an hour to cover the distance. Mr. Wiltshire intimated that this was the case for the Crown, and upon the evidence he asked the Bench to commit the prisoner to take his trial at the next Norwich Assizes. The Mayor, having consulted the other members of the Bench, told the prisoner to stand up. The prisoner at once rose, and with firmness stepped to the front of the dock. The. clerk then administered the customary caution, asking prisoner if he had anything to say in ituswer to the charge of wilful murder, reminding him that what he said might be given in evidence Hgainst him at his trial, and asking him if he had any witnesses to call. The Prisoner (in a firm voice): I reserve my defence, sir. The Clerk And you call no witnesses ? The Prisoner (quite unmoved): No, sir. Mr, Robb said he was about to state that the pri. soner would at this stage reserve his defence. As this was the last time he (Mr. Robb) would appear before this Bench he would like to express his in- debtedness for the courtesy and patience displayed by them, and he would also like to acknowledge the courtesy of his friend (Mr. Wiltshire) and that of Chief Constable Parker, who had given him every possible facility for communicating with his client. The Mayor (addressing prisoner): You are com- mitted to take your trial at the next Norwich Assizes on the charge of feloniously and with malice afore- thought killing and slaying your wife on the beach in this town on the night of the 22nd or the morning of the 23rd of September last. The prisoner, who did not appear to be in the least affected, was then conducted to the cells below.

DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S WILL. I By his will of March 4, 1885, the third Duke of Wellington, who died on June 8 last, appointed as executors his brother, Colonel Lord Arthur Charles Wellesley, now fourth Duke of Wellington, and the testator's brother-in-law, Thomas Anthony Hwfa Williams, of St. James's-street, to the latter of whom the testator bequeathed E500, and he confirmed to his wife, Evelyn Katrine Fwnfra Duchess of Wellington, daughter of the late Colonel Thomas Peers Williams, of Temple House, Berks, all presents made to her by him or any other person, and he bequeathed to her any two of his carriages and any six of his horses, with proper saddlery, harness, and accoutrements, and an immediate legacy of £ 1000 and a further legacy of £ 10,000, payable within 12 months after the testator's death. The late Duke left all of his real estate and the residue of his personal estate in trust for the person who should succeed him in the title of Duke of Wellington. His estate has been valued at E104,319 4s. 6d. gross, including personalty of the net value of £ 93,124 2s. 7d.

STRANGE STORY OF ABDUCTION. An application was made on Saturday at "W est- minster Police-court by Mr. Philip Conway, solicitor, respecting what he described as a very gross outrage. A month or six weeks ago a young woman of 18, a native of Ceylsn, was placed in a private hotel in Belgravia. On Wednesday afternoon of last week, between three and four o'clock, two men came to the door, and the proprietor being away it was answered by one of the servants. Representing that they were detectives from Scotland Yard the men forced their way into the house, and frightened the proprietor's wife to such an extent that they succeeded in obtain- ing from her a bank book containing entries for a sum of money which had been entrusted to the young woman's temporary guardian. Next they discovered the young woman's luggage, and finally abducted the young woman herself. She was taken to a house at Highbury, from which she escaped two days later, arriving at St. George's-road, in a nervous and frightened condition. In these circumstances he asked for a warrant for the arrest of the men who were unknown. Inquiries failed to connect them with Scotland Yard. Mr. Horace Smith said he would like to know more definitely what happened before he issued a warrant. Mr. Conway I understand that the girl's experience has been so terrible that she cannot be persuaded to leave the house and attend here. Mr. Horace Smith: Surely such allegations of abduction are matters for the police. I cannot judge of things when they are only ex-parte in this way. A girl of 18 may run away and come back and tell a story which is absolutely devoid of foundation. I must see the statement of some one else as to what happened. It is a very strange story. Mr. Conway: I have just outlined it before pre- paring a written statement, in which the whole story would be formulated on oath. The girl is not now in a fit physical condition to say or do anything. Mr. Horace Smith: If two scoundrels rush into a house and carry off a girl and keep her a day and a night it must be terrible to contemplate what has happened. Mr. Conway added that the proprietor's wife saw all that happened in the house at St. Georges-road, and would be able to make an information. Mr. Horace Smith said he must have an information prepared and he would consider it.

RISING IN BRITISH EAST AFRICA, MURDER OF A BRITISH OFFICIAL. The Ogaden Somalis have risen against the Government in the Jubaland province of British East Africa. About 4000 are stated to be in arms. Mr. A. C. W. Jenner, Sub-Commissioner, who lately left the seaport of Kismayu on a tour inland, is now some distance from the coast, and is reported to have been attacked. Colonel Ternan, who is at Mombasa, and Colonel Hatch, Commandant of the East Africa Protectorate Forces, have pro- ceeded with two companies of troops to Kismayu. The available force numbers 500. The Magicienne, cruiser, has sailed for Kis- mayu. Mr. Jenner's position is understood to be grave. It is considered doubtful whether he will succeed in reaching Kismayu safely. The Somalis in the vicinity of Kismayu have raided cattle pre- viously taken as fines. The Europeans at Kismayn are reported to be safe. The Press Association says that the Foreign Office has received news from Zanzibar stating that Mr. Jenner's camp was visited on or about the night of November 13 by a party of Ogadens, who professed friendliness and then treacherously attacked the un- suspecting expedition and murdered its leader.

SOLDIER'S REMARKABLE SUICIDE. j An inquest was held on Monday at the Connaught Hospital, Aldershot, on the body of Private Shaw- cross, 1st King's Own Regiment, who committed suicide in an extraordinary manner. He was admitted to hospital suffering from ague, and two days later he, without anyone seeing him, swallowed a large-sized table spoon. He was discovered in a choking condition, but refused to divulge what he had swallowed, neither could the doctors discover what it was, although everything possible was done. He died on November 22, and the post-mortem revealed the spoon in the throat handle downwards. He had lived eight days in this condition, and it was only when the edge of the bowl had cut through his windpipe, setting up septic poisoning, that he succumbed. The doctors agreed that the greatest force must have been used to get the spoon down, and although the pain must have been intense, yet throughout de- ceased resisted all attempts made to relieve him. A verdict of suicide whilst temporarily insane was returned.

TO ASSIST AGRICULTURE. In view of the interest that has lately been ex- sited in the work of the Irish Agricultural Organi- sation Society, Mr. W. L. Charleton, vice-president of a similar society for Great Britain, writes, to call attention to its work, which he claims will "help to stem the tide of rural depopulation." The British Society, which was founded more than a year ago, has already, Mr. Charleton says, justified its existence, and will, it is hoped, ultimately become self-supporting. But it wants as- sistance at present to the tune of E2000 a year to thoroughly work out" its programme. He con- siders that this sum is "insignificant in compari- son with the national interests at stake." He urges that it is not an untried programme," Mr. Horace Plunkett's movement in Ireland having demonstrated its soundness." The scheme con- templates the establishment of co-operation in pur- chase, in production, and in sale by means of village societies. Of such societies, it is proposed, in time, to form a federation, under a "central trading body." The scheme, Mr. Charleton announces, has the support of such authorities as Lord Ripon, Mr. F. A. Channing, M.P., Mr. Henry Hobhouse, M.P.. Canon Barnett, and Professor Somerville. The offices of the society are at Newark-on-Trent.

SPORTING RIGHTS AGREEMENT STAMP. In a Queen's Bench Divisional Court on Tuesday, the Right Hon. James Lowther appealed from a decision of the Inland Revenue Commissioners to the effect that an indenture into which as reversionei he had entered, should be stamped with a stamp oi the value of E2 instead of, as the appellant sub. mitted, a 10s. stamp. The Earl of Lonsdale waf also a party to the reference which related to shoot- ing and sporting rights on a farm in Westmoreland The Attorney-General, on behalf of the Crown, said he could not contest the point, and the appeal was allowed.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S RETURN. The Colonial Secretary arrived in London on Saturday evening by the Calais boat express. He was accompanied by Mrs. Chamberlain and her mother and Mr. Austen Chamberlain, and all looked better for the trip. A slight contretemps occurred on board the Channel steamer. Five deck chairs, which had been previously reserved for the Chamberlain party, were appropriated by other pas- sengers, who refused to give them up. The inter- vention of an official, however, saved the situation.

CZAR'S ILLNESS. AN INCREASE OF FEVER WIIICH SOOTF SUBSIDED. The following bulletin was issued at Livadia at eleven o'clock on Sunday morning The Einpror passed a quiet day yesterday. At three o'clock yes- terday afternoon the temperature rose to 103-46 pulse 88. Temperature at nine o'clock in the even- ing, 102'2 pulse 80. His Majesty slept well during the night, and this morning his general condition and strength are satisfactory. No complications whatever have been observed. At nine o'clock this morning temperature 99'5; pulse 75." A Moscow correspondent hears from Livadia that the water from the well which the Czar had been drinking has been examined and found to contain typhoid germs. Typhoid is endemic among the Tar- tars around Yalta, and the source of the pollution is therefore not far to seek. VERY FAVOURABLE BULLETIN. The following bulletin was issued in Livadia on Monday: The Emperor passed a good day yesterday and was able to sleep a little. There was some perspira- tion. At three o'clock in the afternoon the tempera- ture was 99'3 and the pulse 76; at nine o'clock in the evening the temperature was 99'5 and the pulse 72. His Majesty passed a good night, and perspired pro- fusely. This morning the august patient's condition is very satisfactory. At nine a.m. the temperature was 96 08 and the pulse 70. In the general course of the illness a distinct improvement is observable." ANOTHER GOOD DAY. At Lividia on Tuesday the following bulletin was issued The Czar passed a good day yesterday. At nine in the evening the patient's temperature was 97'9 and pulse 66. During the night his Majesty slept well. This morning the Emperor's condition and general strength are perfectly satisfactory. Temperature 96"8, pulse 66." The three doctors who are in attendance on the Czar, and sign the daily bulletins, are Dr. Hirsch, the Court Surgeon, Dr. Popoff, the Honorary Court Physician, and Dr. Tikhonoff. The first two are well known, but the last named, who is hardly known to the general public, formerly practised in the district of Riajsk, in the province of Riazan, where the Grand Duke Peter Nicolaie- vitch has an estate. The Grand Duke having heard very good reports of Dr. Tikhonoff at the time of the typhus epidemic, appginted him as his personal physician, and took him with him when he went abroad. Dr. Tikhonoff was next entrusted by the Grand Duke with the care of the inhabitants on an estate in the Crimea, near Yalta and Ai-to-dor, and this led to his being called in in the present illness 0" Nicholas II.

VOLUNTEER MUSKETRY TRAINING. Major-General Trotter has issued an order to London and Home District Volunteers directing that during the present winter special attention shall be paid to musketry. Instruction is to be given, at least twice a week, during December, January, and February in firing exercise, fire discipline, control of fire, and musketry duties generally. Every non- commissioned officer is to have an opportunity of drilling a squad under the supervision of the adjutant or sergeant-instructor. Special atten- tion will be devoted to loading and firing from the magazine, charging and uncharging magazines, &c., which must be constantly practised, and especially by recruits, a great want of knowledge of these points having been noticed in the present year. Dummy cartridges are issued for the purposes mentioned at the rate of 100 per company. Shelter trenches are to be constructed on all ranges, in order that men may be accustomed to fire from them. Those corps belonging to the district which desire to join the Gravesend scheme (which, it is stated, worked very satisfactorily this year) for the 1901 season, and perform their target practice at the Milton Ranges, are directed to make application at once.

THE new Board school at King's Gorton, built at The Cutteridge, is an adaptation of the Renaissance style of architecture freely treated and is constructed of Leicester brick with red terra-cotta dressings. It is a two storey building, each floor being provided with a central hall, the whole providing accomoda- tion for 620 children. The corridors and staircases are of granolithic stone, while the two halls and classrooms on the ground floor are paved with pitch- pine blocks. The corridor walls are formed up to a certain height of white glazed bricks. THE first electricity station on the Congo, West Africa, is to be erected by the Roman Catholic mission at Luluabourg, a settlement on river Lubia, a tribu- tary of the Kaosas river, which flows into the Congo. A waterfall, 28ft. high, will actuate a turbine, which will run a dynamo supplying current to 100 incandes- cent lamps and three arc lamps. All the machinery is of French construction.

THE DOVER CANTEEN CASE. I ACIIESON HONOURABLY ACQUITTED. r The second court-martial in the Dover canteen case honourably acquitted Master-Gunner Acheson of all the charges brought against him—n'.e., two charges of having given wilfully false evidence at the trial of Lieutenant P. A'Beckett, R.A., on charges of stealing marked coins whilst counting the canteen receipts. In the course of his summing-up, the Judge Advo- cate pointed out that the case affected the character of a non-commissioned officer who had for nearly 15 years held an unblemished record, and that it was most unlikely, looking at it from the merely common-sense point of view, that any man would apply to go through the ordeal of a trial by court- martial unless he were innocent. The Court took only 10 minutes to reach its decision, and the result was received with some applause. Colonel O'Sullivan, counsel for the defence, then appealed to the President, as a favour, to state whether the finding of the Court was unanimous, rhe President was evidently taken by surprise by this question, for he hesitated; but, after a minute's consideration, he said: "I hardly think that is necessary, Colonel O'Sullivan." A fresh appeal elicited the same answer. Colonel O'Sullivan: Do you consider that the character of the prisoner is completely cleared ? The President: We honourably acquit him I can Bay no more than that we honourably acquit him as Not Guilty of all the charges. The prisoner is released. Master-Gunner Acheson, interviewed by a journa- list at the close of the trial, expressed himself as having been certain throughout that with justice he would be honourably acquitted. Seen in his quarters after the delivery of the ver- dict by a reporter, Lieutenant A'Beckett said You will understand that as an officer and a gentleman my lips are sealed on this matter. If I said a word that codd be in the slightest degree construed as disrespectful to my superior officers, I should be committing an offence against military discipline. Besides, what is there to say ? I have been tried and honourably acquitted. This man has been tried and honourably acquitted. If there is anything more to be found out it is for the authorities to institute further inquiries, which I should welcome. There remains nothing for me to do but to go on doing mv duty, and that, of course, 1 shall do."

BATTLE WITH BRIGANDS. I At Villasar, in Sardinia, a sanguinary encounter between carabineers and a band of 20 brigands has just taken place. The brigands, who were engaged in stripping a mansion, were surprised by the carabineers, who had surrounded the house. On being called upon to surrender, the brigands replied by a volley. The troops then deploj ed for an assault, and after a battle of several hours the house was finally carried. A number of brigands were found, and all were wounded.

LORD ROBERTS' RETURN. The Standard's special correspondent at Pretoria telegraphs that it is reported that the Boer leaders propose to strike once more at the borders of Cape Colony, where they believe that there are numbers of disaffected Dutch with supplies of hidden weapons ready to renew hostilities on the slightest encourage- ment. The enemy are extremely energetic in almost every part of the Transvaal and Orange River Colony. From Durban the Standard's special correspondent reports that the Boers are still moving about on the northern border of Natal. A Town Guard has been enrolled at Newcastle for the defence of the town if required. The transport Canada sailed from Cape Town on Sunday for Natal, and will, it is said, bring Lord Roberts back to Cape Town. The Field Marshal has notified his willing- ness to be present at the dinner to be given in his honour at Durban by the Irish Association.

EPITOME OF NEWS. THE Queen has sixty housemaids at Windsor uasue. OVER 1,000,000 pawn-tickets for sums under 10s. are issued weekly in London alone. THE G.P.O. pays F-1,250,000 a year for the carriage of English mails. THERE are nearly 2700 crossing-sweepers in London. PEAT is now used in the furnaces of the Iocomo* tives on the Nicolas Railway, France. THERE are 132 railways in the United Kingdom. England and Wales own 94, Scotland nine, and Ireland 29. THE purchase of the Alexandra Palace and Park on Muswell Hill in the public interest has now been completed at a cost of £ 138,000. THE Empress of China is said to carry with her 3000 dresses when she travels. These fill 600 boxes, and are taken care of by 1200 coolies. THE average number of horses killed in Spanish bull-fights every year exceeds 5000, whilst from 1000 to 1200 bulls are sacrificed. IRELAND sends annually 44,000 tons of eggs-some 640,000,000 in round numbers-to England alone. THE contract to rebuild the Han-Ku Bridge, China, on the Ti-.ntsin-Shan-Kai-Kwan Railway, is reported to have been secured bv an American firm. IN preserving and fireproofing wood by a German process, the wood is subjected for from six to eight hours to a boiling solution of 33 grammes of man- ganese chloride, 20 grammes of orthophosphoric acid, 12 grammes of magnesium carbonate, 10 grammes of boracic acid, and 25 grammes of ammonium chloride in one litre of water. The wood thus treated is said to be perfectly incombustible even at great heat, and to be protected against decay, injury by insects, and putrefaction. MR. J. GRAY and Mr. J. F. Tocher, from observa- tions made at Strathdon, West Aberdeenshire, infers that at some distant date an early tall broadheaded people, with dark hair and blue eyes, descendants of the Bronze Age men, who, perhaps, came from South-east Europe, were driven inland by shorter blondes, with narrower heads, from North Germany. QUENBY HALL, near Leicester, has been taken by Prince and Princess Henry of Pless. During the coming winter, Mr. A. H. Heath, M.P., will hunt from Newbold Revel, near Rugby, and Ranceby Hall, in the Duke of Rutland's country, will be occu- pied by General Willson. Mise Massey-Mainwaring has taken the Manor House, Billesdon, which is one of the best hunting centres in the Midland counties. Mr. W. Baird will be at Oakham. IT is considered by M. Borodin, the Russian economist, that the cost of the Siberian Railway will be so great that it will never repay the cost of con- struction. The sum still required to complete the line is estimated at 85 millions sterling. The rail- 2 way will, when finished, be of great strategical importance, but it can never count on carrying either goods or passengers sufficient to bring in a yearly dividend. To compete successfully with marine transport it will have to carry goods at a very low rate. A REMARKABLE article on Lord Russell of Killowen, in an American magazine, offers to its readers an estimate of his earnings at the Bar." These were enormous, of course, but the writer overpasses the mark when he puts them at £ 20,000 a year for a period of 30 years. Somebody else has quoted Lord Russell himself as saying, when a rumour that he made £ 30,000 a year was quoted to him, that a third of the sum would be nearer the mark. THE Botanical Work Committee appointed by the Government to inquire into the scientific work carried on respectively in the herbarium of the British Museum at South Kensington and at the Kew herbarium has commenced its inquiry. The chairman of the committee is Sir Michael Foster, and the other members include Lord Avebury, Sir John Kirk, Professor Bayley Balfour, Mr. Francis Marwin, and Sir John Evans. IT will not be long, in all probability, before Sir James Willcocks, who has done such fine work in Ashantee, reaches home again on leave. He was but 21 when he joined the army in 1878, and he has seen service in India, Afghanistan, the Soudan, Burmah, Manipur, and with the Tochi force but it was Ashantee that brought out his sterling qualities and great resource, and made his name known all over the Empire as a dashing but level- headed soldier. WE import many millions of oranges from foreign centres each year. The largest quantities reach our markets from Spain. The imports from that country, according to Government returns, exceed 6,216,000 bushels. Spain is the greatest orange-exporting sountry in the world. Italy stands second, Turkey somes next, then Portugal, and then the Azores. Egypt sends us more oranges than France, and the United States has 22,313 bushels to her account, these fruits coming from California, and consisting af the famous seedless variety. A few oranges come from Brazil and Germany. LORD C IIFSHAM, the new Master of the Buckhounds, is widely known as a keen sportsman and a bold rider to hounds, who is never happier than when he is in the saddle. For some years he was Master of the Bicester, and has since then hunted regularly in the shires. Writing from South Africa, some months ago, to an old and intimate friend in London, he said that nothing could surpass his enjoyment of the work he was doing with the yeomanry force, and that the country there was the finest to ride over within his experience. THE dials of "Big Ben," the famous clock at Westminster, are 22Jft. in diameter, or nearly 408 square feet in area, and are formed of cast-iron framework giving the divisions and figures, the spaces being filled in with opalescent glass. The hour figures are 2ft. long, and the minute spaces 1ft. square. The hour hands are made of gun-metal, but the minute hands are tubular and made of copper, and are lift. long. The apartments where the dials are fixed have the credit of being the hottest places in London at night, for about a score of gas-jets burn fiercely in a room about 4ft. wide. IN some personal recollections of the late Prince Christian Victor, the head master of a well-known public school points out that he was the first Eng- lish Prince to go through the ordinary routine of a public school like any other boy. When he was sent to Wellington College it was expressly stipu- lated that he was to be treated in all ways just as the other boys were, and the experiment was emi- nently successful. Probably no Prince before him. in any civilised country enjoyed such freedom, and he made good use of it. ONE of the most interesting personalities in Russia is the famous Father John, the handsome prieet whose piety is so great that he is supposed to have the power of performing miracles. He is devoted to his religious work at Cronstadt, where he often greets English travellers; and he distributes large sums of money entrusted to him by the wealthy Russian nobles among the poor of the neighbour- hood. It was Father John who was called to pray at the bedside of the late Czar, and he possesses many tokens of Royal favour. PROFESSOR KNIGHT'S long announced work on Lord Monboddo will shortly be brought out by Mr. Murray, The "eccentric" Lord Monboddo was one of the foremost figures in the literary and scientific society. not only of 18th centnry Edinburgh, but of London also-in the latter of which he was lionised. The Scotch Judge interests posterity less for his attain- ments as a scholar than for his anticipations of the ideas and doctrines popularly labelled Darwinism. MR. HANBURY is credited with having recently asked the way to the Foreign Office. "This is nothing," writes a correspondent, compared to Mr. Chamberlain's ignorance when he first visited the' Colonial Office to take up his new appointment. Although he had been in two of Mr. Gladstone's Administrations, he had to be guided by the present writer to the Colonial Office, which is just opposite Downing-street, where he had sat so often as a Cabinet Minister." THE French Committee of Universal Exhibitions, composed of the representatives of the great com- mercial and industrial firms of France, held a meet- ing in Paris the other day, under the presidency of M. Emile Dupont. The subject under discussion was the participation of French industry and commerce in the International Exhibition to be held at Glasgow next year. The number of French firms which have already applied for space is over four hun- dred. ACCORDING to the Meat Tradei Journal, Australia a beginning to find use for her rabbits. Our con- temporary says: The sheep as a source of our food supply is beginning to find a rival in the rabbit, particularly the Australian animal. In two years the supply has more than doubled, and down to the end of last month our imports this year reached the large bulk of 16,085 tons of dead rabbits. This great weight of dead rabbits is equivalent to about 600,000 New Zealand sheep and to even a larger number of Australian."