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

The next subject in this series will be A OOll- PACT."

ROYAL TAPESTRY AT WINDSOR. A lapestry is often history, writ in threads. Many a visitor to the open palaces of Great Britain asks how it is made. In the Pall Mall Magazine Mr. Ernest M. Jessop, who has had special facilities afforded to him, gives an extremely interesting account of the ancient art apropos of the Royal tapestry at Windsor. He writes Tapestry an art work which has been practised from the very earliest times, is produced by intertwining coloured threads with lines stretched vertically or horizontally 80 as to make a substance or web in imitation of any picture or design which it is desired to copy. The difference between tapestry and embroidery is that in the former the picture represented forms the actual fabric, whereas in the latter it is worked on an already existing material. Tapestry differs from other woven material by being the work of a highly trained artist-weaver who copies in the fabric the painted picture which is prepared for his guidance, and does not make a mechanical repetition of a design which shows no trace of the worker's individuality. It is also an appearance of boldness and freedom of touch which is lacking in embroidery. This, of course, requires the finest judgment as tapestry, unlike embroidery, once finished, cannot be altered or retouched. So far back does the history of tapestry-weaving extend that there is still extant an Egyptian fresco painted some 3000 years ago before our era which represents two girls working at a loom constructed on almost iden- tical principles with those now in use at the Gobelins factorj. The loom of Penelope (of which a painting on an antique Greek vase manufactured about 400 B.C. is still in existence) was practically constructed on the sawe principles and in this painting we even see part of the design of the tapestry which was being woven on it. The excessive cost of producing tapestry will always prevent its general use; for instance, to drape Ii. fair-sized room costs about £1000; but as there is always a certain demand for fine tapestry, something might in these days of technical education surely be done (as in France by the State) to foster an art the acquisition of which is in itself a liberal education. At the Gobelins factory a weaver now possess a choice of over 14,000 tones of colour, and can only make about nine square yards of tapestry in a year, the retail value of which is about e35O. The looms Dd tools used are of the simplest description, but it is a matter of at least 15 years' education to produce ;he combination of the artist's eye and the work- man's hand which constitute a fine tapestry weaver.

It IT WAS VERY VEXING," but if he had used one of KEATING'S LOZENGES he would have stopped his cough in a minute and obtained a good night's rest. KEATING'S LOZENGES are simply unrivalled, and, the most delicate can take them. Sold by all chemists, a tin for 13d. li has often puzzled the uninitiated to give a reason why musicians tune their instruments in public and not before they enter the orchestra. If they tuned their instruments before entering the theatre or concert-room, the temperature is very apt to be different in the place of performance, and therefore the instruments would not be in tune. A piano that is in a cold room would get out of tune if the room were suddenly heated. MUCH of the Queen's good health is owing to care- ful dieting. Every morning, between breakfast and luncheon at two o'clock, she never fails to have a nourishing little repast of soup and a glass of wine, or an egg beaten up with milk. Besides this, she generally takes a small liqueur glass of very fine old whisky after both luncheon and dinner. Beef at one meal, if not at another, is daily placed upon the Royal table, and is invariably partaken of by her Maiestv.

I MARKET NEWS. I MARK-LANE.-The attendance of buyers was below the usual average, and there was little disposition to embark upon fresh engagements in general, bread- stuffs being comparatively neglected and in liberal supply, both on hand and in prospective. Feeding stuffs, on the other hand, once more tended in sellers favour. English wheat unaltered. The local markets continue to absorb what little is being submitted, and that very slowly, and millers still incline to German, both quality and cheapness affording every satis- faction. Fine white, 30s 6d to 31s fine fluffs, 31 s 6d good red, 30s; and not thoroughly conditioned, 29s to 29s 6d, 631b. delivered up. Foreign unchanged. Stocks of American continue large, and no attempts were made to enhance prices. No. 1 Northern Spring, old, quoted at 33s 3d landed; and none offered ex-ship. No. 1 hard Manitoba, old, 34s ex quay, with nothing obtainable ex ship. Hard Duluth in these positions, 34s 6d and 34s respectively. Red Winter, new,. No. 2, 30s 6d ex-ship, 30s 9d landed Australian, 31s 6d to 32s New Zealand, Tuscan, 30s to 31s ex-store, 4961b. The market for flour, although slow, remains steady, country makes being well maintained. London Millers' Association reduced their prices. Town households, 25s; and white 28s per sack. Top price town made 23s. net. English patents, 22s 6d to 23s 6d; stone, 19s 6d to 20s roller whites, 20s 6d to 21s; choice patents, 24s 6d to 25s 6d. Cascadias, 23s 9d. American first patents quoted at 25s to 26s; second ditto, 23s to 24s. First bakers, 20s to 21s; and second 17s to 18s. Hun- garian up to 29s 6d per sack. Australian patents, 21s 6d to 22s; and superfine, 18s to 19s ex-store, 2801b. Grinding barley in sellers" favour, and in small supply. Persian, 17s 3d ex-ship, 17s 9d ex-quay Azov, 18s ex-ship to come up, and 18s 6d ex-quay. The market for oats tended firm, notwith- standing liberal arrivals and shipments, being 3d to 6d better for American, while Russian sorts have also responded during the same period. American mixed clipped quoted at 14s 7!d ex-ship, 15s ex-quay white clipped in these positions, 15s 6d ex-ship, 16s lid ex-quay, 401b. Ordinary Petersburg, 14s 3d ex-ship, 381b. Vologdas, 14s 6d ex-quay, 381b. New Zealand, 24s 6d to 25s 6d ex-store, 3841b. Flat maize is 3d dearer on the week, and in small supply, round corn being also scarce, while firm. Mixed American, 21s to 21s 3d ex-ship, 22s ex-quay, 4801b. Odessa, 26s to 26s 3d landed. Sound River Plate held for 23s. Beans and peas were again feature- less markets. Egyptian splits, 21s 3d ex-mill; Mazagans, 20s 3d landed; New Zealand, 32s 6d to 34s, 5041b. Canadian white peas maintained at 29s 6d ex-ship, and 30s ex-granary. American maize germ meal (arrived) realises £5 7s 6d, with a ready demand. English also in request at £5 8d 9d to £5 10s per ton. ex-wharf. LONDON METROPOLITAN CATTLE.—A good supply of beasts at market. A moderate demand prevailed, and a steady trade was passed in both prime and second qualities at generally late rates. Fat butcher- ing cows moved slowly. Quotations: Scotch, 4s lOd to 5s Devons, 4s 8d to 4s lOd Norfolks, 4s 8d to 4s lOd Herefords, 4s 8d to 4s 9d; runts, 4s 6d to 4s 8d; Lincoln shorthorns, 4s 4d to 4s 6d; Irish, 4s to 4s 3d fat cows, 3s 8d per 81b. Sheep arrivals were of fair extent, but a slow demand was expe- rienced for both wethers and ewes. The former remained without appreciable change in value, the latter, however, ruling 2d per lb. lower. 7| to 2 8-stone Down wethers, 5s lOd to 6s; 9-stone ditto, 5s 8d 10-stone half-breds, 5s 4d to 5s 6d 10-stone Irish, 51!! 10-ston3 Down ewes, 3s lOd to 4s; and 11-stone half-bred ditto, 3s 6d to 3s 8d. Calf trade was quite nominal. Pigs evidenced quiet support. Neat small, 4s 4d to 4s 6d per 81b. to sink the offal. Milch cows, El6 to 922 per head. Coarse and inferior beasts quoted 3s to 3s 6d; second quality ditto, 3s lOd to 4s 4d; prime large oxen, 4s 6d to 4s 8d; ditto Scots, &c., 4s 8d to 4s lOd coarse and inferior sheep, 3s 4d to 4s; second quality ditto, 4s 4d to 5s and firsts, 5s 4d to 6s per 81b. SMITHPF-ULD MEAT.—Fair supplies, with a slow sale. Quotations: Beef: Scotch, 4s to 4s 6d; English, 4s to 4s 2d; American, Deptford killed, 3s 8d to 3s lid Liverpool, 3s 8d to 3s lOd Ameri- can refrigerated, hind-quartera, 3s 2d to 3s lid; fore- quarters, 2s 8d to 2s 9d. Mutton: Scotch, 4s 4d to 4s 8d; English wethers, 4s to 4s 4d; ewes, 3s to 3s 4d. Veal: English and Dutch, 3s 8d to 4s 4d. Pork: English, 4s to 4s 4d; Dutch, 3s 6d to 3a lOd; per 81b. POULTRY AND GAME.—Fair supplies were again offered, but met a slow sale. Quotations: Fowls: Yorkshire, 2s 3d to 2s 9d; Essex, 2s 9d to 38 6d; Boston, 2s to 2s 6d Welsh, Is 9d to 2s; Surrey, 3s 0<1 to 3s 6d; Sussex, 2s 6d to 3s; Irish, Is 6d to Is 9d turkeys, cocks, 7s to 9s hens, ditto, 4s to 5s; geese, 4s 6d to 5s 6d; country ducks, 2s 3d to 2s 9d Bordeaux pigeons, 8d to lOd feathered, 7d to 9d; wild rabbits, 8d to lOd; tame, Is to Is 3d each; Australian, 7s 9d to 9s 6d per dozen; pheasants, 3s 6d to 4s young partridges, 3s to Ss 6d; old, 2s; young grouse, 4s to 4s 6d; old, 3s Od per brace; hares, 3s to 3s 3d; leverets, Is 9d to 2s; wild duck, 2s pintail, Is 6d; widgeon, Is; teal, 8d to lOd; woodcock, 2s to 2s 6d; snipe, 8d to lOd: golden plover, 7d to lOd; black, 5d each. BILLINGSGATE FisH.-Large supplies were offered for which a slow demand prevailed. Soles, Is to Is 4d slips, lOd to Is 2d red mullet, Is 2d to Is 6d; dories, 2d to 4d per lb.; turbot, 9s to 12s; brill, 7s to 9s; halibut, 7s to 9s; lemon soles, 4s ed to 7s; plaice, 4s 6d to 6s per stone; large steamer plaice, 32s to 36s per trunk; Aberdeen plaice, 35s; whiting, 6s to 10s; gurnet, 6s to 14s; hake, 14s to 20s; skate, 9s to 12s; bream, 6s; live cod, 20s to 25s; dead, 14s to 27s 6d per box English mackerel, 15s to 17s per 60; large fresh haddocks, 10s to 16s per trunk; loose, 3s 6d per stone; Dutch smelts, Is to 3s per basket; live eels, 14s to 20s; dead, 8s to 14s per draft; lobsters, 25s to 60s per score crabs, 25s per hamper; oysters, 6s to 15s per 100; prawns, 2s to 3s per lb. smoked haddocks, 4s to 8s per dozen: whitebait. Is ner auart. COVENT GARDEN.—Nova Scotian apples, 10s to 18s per barrel Californian pears, 4s 6d to 7s 6d per half-case; English tomatoes, 4s to 6s; Channel Islands, 3s 6d to 4s 6d per 121b.; Canarv, 2s 9d to 4s per deep; chestnuts, 7s to 12s per sack; radishes, 9d to Is per dozen bunches; cabbages, 3s to 4s per tally; English onions, 4s to 4s 6d per bag; Valencias, 6s to 7s per case; celery, 9s to 12s per dozen rolls; eschallots, 2s 6d per 121b.; potatoes, 65s to 90s per ton. SEED TRADE.—Market quiet; sowing wants and speculative inquiries are alike wanting. Quotations consequently unchanged. Rye and tares neglected. Mustard and rapeseed firm. Canaryseed tends upwards. Stocks everywhere proving remarkably light. Hempseed lower. Haricots and peas steady. A few choice longpods offer cheap. The new scarlet runners come good and moderate. Canadian Wonders are also reasonable. CAMBRIDGE CATTLE.—A good show of store beasts, and nearly all sold. Fat beasts a good number and trade brisk. Fat sheep not so good as last week. Very few stores shown. A good trade for fat pigs at last week's prices. Not so good trade for stores. Short supplies of hay, straw, and roots. Prices: Beef, 7s to 8s: mutton, 4s to 5s 4d pork, 6s 9d to 7s Ed. READING CATTLE.—Both beef and mutton were in average supply, and business ruled steady. Best beef fetched 4s 4d to 4s 8d per stone; secondary 3s 6d to 4s 2d. Prime mutton sold at 5s 2d to 5s 8d secondary, 4s 6d to 5s. A brisk trade pre- vailed for veal, of which there was a fair supply, and best made 5s 4d to 5s lOd secondary, 4s 8d to 5s 2d per stone. GRIMSBY FisH.-Strong demand, at prices averaging as follows: Plaice, 58 to 6s lemon soles, 8s Od per stone soles, Is 8d to Is lOd per lb.; live dabs, 18s; dead ditto, 17s; kit haddocks, 16s to 18s; gibbed ditto, 18s to 20s; live ditto, 22s to 30s per box whitings, 2s; whitches, 58 Od per stone; gurnets, 7s per box; turbot, Is 3d; brills, Is per lb.; live ling, 6s dead ditto, 4s to 5s live cod, 8s to 10s dead ditto, 6s to 8s; live skate, 5s; dead ditto, 3s to 4s each; Findon haddocks, 4s; live hali- but, 8s dead ditto, 7s English shrimps, 3s 6d foreign ditto, 3s 3d; prawns, 3s per stone; kippers, 3s; bloaters, 3s; red herrings, 3s per box; live coalfish, 40s; dead ditto, 30s per score; English oysters, 6s; American ditto, 4s Od per 100; conger eels, 6s to 8s each hake, 90s roker, 35s er score; ice, Is 6d per cwt.; live codlings, 16s; dead ditto, 12s per box.

HOME HINTS. I I BEEP OuRRY.-Take two la-ge Spanish onions, ot their equivalent in small ones, slice them very thinly, put them in a stewpan with ;k'z. of butter, dripping, or lard. Fry till they are a light brown all over. Add to this one or two tablespoonfuls of curry powder, according to the heat of the powder, stirring carefully for a minute or two. Now take 21b. of steak, cut it up into inch squares, and add to the other ingredients, and fry for five minutes very care- fully. Add to this lfpt. of stock, with one dessert- 2 spoonful of brown sugar, bring it to the boil, and allow it to simmer very slowly for at least three hours; a longer time will improve it. Remove the cover of the stewpan half-an-hour before serving to dry the curry a little stir in the juice of half a lemon, and add salt to taste. Serve very hot with rice in separate dishes To BOIL RICE.—Patna rice is the best for curry. Have a large saucepan, holding about l gallons of water. When quite boiling throw in a full breakfast cup of rice and a large handful of salt; boil at a gallop, stirring. occasionally, and when it will press between the thumb and first finger, leaving no "hard bone in the centre, it is done. Pour quickly through a colander, strain well, and stand it in front of the fire to dry for ten minutes, cutting the rice with a fork occasionally to let the steam out. Patna rice takes about twenty minutes to boil. EGG CURRY.-Boil six eggs for ten minutes till quite hard, drop into cold water, shell, and cut them in half lengthwise. Proceed with the onions and curry powder in the same manner as you would for a meat curry; when browned stir in one dessert- spoonful of con flour, and salt to taste, then add one pint of new milk, simmer slowly for one hour, stir- ring occasionally. Arrange the boiled eggs neatJy on a dish, and pour the curry-gravy over them. A little grated cocoanut is a great improvement if added to the curry at the same time as the cornflour. MmLIGATAWNY. Fry two Spanish onions in as little butter or dripping as possible when quite brown, add one tablespoonful of curry paste or powder (not heaped up) mixed with half a teacup of milk, stir well for about a minute, then add one teacup of milk and three tablespoonfuls of grated cocoanut stir again, mix with this one saltspoonful of salt and cne quart of good stock. Wash a teacup of Egyptian lentils, and add them to the other ingredients let it boil slowly for two hours. Strain and rub the lentils through a wire sieve before serv- ing. Send it to the table in a soup tureen, accom- panied with boiled rice and a lemon cut in quarters. CURRY POWI)FR.-Many excellent Indian curry- powders can now be bought in England, but a moderate and very good one can be made from the accompanying native recipe, the ingredients being obtainable from any good chemist. Turmeric, ljlb 4 coriander seed, 10oz cummin seed, 8oz. dried chillies, loz.; fenugreek, loz.; dried ginger, 2oz. All the ingredients to be pounded and well mixed. Store in tins, and keep in a dry place. PRLLAU.—Ingredients: One fowl, two breakfast- cups of Patna rice, spice, 4oz. of butter, two eggs, 2oz. almonds, 2oz. saltana raisins, and one Spanish onion. Have a large saucepan of boiling water, in which place your fowl, one stick of cinnamon, six cloves, and twelve peppercorns, the two latter to be tied in a piece of muslin simmer gently for an hour and a half, but do not let the fowl break; remove it, and put it in the oven, and baste with some dripping till brown. Strain the liquor, and return to the same saucepan throw in your rice and a handful of salt, boil till done the same as for ordinary rice, strain, and dry in front of the fire. Slice one Spanish onion very thin, place in a large frying-pan with 2oz. of butter, fry till a light brown, remove the onion when done, add the almonds to the same, which have pre- viously been blanched and cut into four lengthways, fry them till brown, then remove and place with the fried onions. Fry the saltana raisins in the same butter till swelled out, remove them. Add the other 2oz. of butter to what is already in the frying-pan, melt and put your cooked rice in, toss it well up in the butter. Place the browned fowl in the centre of the dish, cover it over with the fried rice, and over that sprinkle the fried almonds, raisins, and onions. Garnish round the edge with the eggs, which have been previously boiled hard and cut into quarters lengthwise. Serve all very hot. DIIAL.-Boil one breakfastcup of lentils in two breakfastcups of water till tender, which will be in about half-an-hour. Put 2oz. of butter in a saucepan, add to this one Spanish onion sliced very fine, and fry to a light brown. Mix a teaspoonful of curry powder in half a teacup of water, and add to the butter and onions when mixed well, pour in the cooked lentils, and simmer very gently for twenty minutes; serve with fried onions over the top, and send to table with boiled rice like curry. BREAKFAST DisH.-Melt in a saucepan a piece of butter the size of a walnut, add to this some salt, a pinch of red pepper, and half a dessertspoon of curry paste or powder, one dessertspoonful of cream or milk, and two hard boiled eggs chopped up fine. Simmer over the fire till it thickens. Serve very hot on fried toast.-Agricitltural Gazette. TOMATOES AU FROMAGE. Cut three fair-sized tomatoes in two, and put the juice and most of the pulp in a small saucepan, with half an ounce of, butter. Let it boil. Prepare one ounce of bread- crumbs and one ounce of grated cheese, a little finely- chopped parsley, and a wee bit of very finely-chopped onion or shallot. Season to taste with pepper and salt. Strain the tomato pulp on to these ingredients, well mixed, and stuff your half tomatoes with it. Put a. crumb or two of butter en each, and bake for a.bout twenty minutes. Serve on little rounds of buttered toast. CREAM SCONES.-Sift together two teacups of flour, three teaspoonfuls of baking powder, and a little salt. Work in two tablespoonfuls of butter. Next add two well-beaten eggs and about one-third of a teacupful of thin cream. Mix to a dough. Turn on to a floured board, and roll into sheet of three-quarters of an inch thick. Cut with a knife into diamond- shaped pieces, prick the top with a fork, brush with white of egg, sprinkle with sugar, and bake in a hot oven for sixteen minutes or so. To REMOVE GLASS STOPPERS.—Put a little oil round the top of stopper with a feather, and place the bottle about two feet from the fire. When warm strike the stopper very lightly with a piece of wood. If it does not move, add a little more oil, and put the bottle back near the fire, and after a short time tap as before. This always succeeds with patience. FOR A GKSASY SKIN, which never conduces to a good complexion, it is well to use soap regularly, washing it off with plenty of tepid water. Castile soap is, perhaps, the best. Dry very thoroughly, and once a day rub gently with a paste made of rose-water and toilet oatmeal. Rub getitly in with soft tips of fingers until the paste dries and falls off in a fine powder. Then dust off with a dry powder puff. Some skins are improved by using oatmeal instead of soap. It is often the result of a bilious temperament, and care in diet, avoidance of rich gravies, soups, and fats will make a great difference to the skin, as well as improving general bealth.-Bural World. SHRIMP SANDWICHES.—Pick some shrimps till you have a pint, dissolve three ounces of butter in a sauce- pan, add the shrimps, season with cayenne, and let all get quite hot. lurn all into a deep plate, smooth flat, and when set use for the sandwiches. THE VALUE OF PAPER IN WINTER. Paper is a non-conductor. Sheets of brown paper-or, failing that, even newspapers between the counterpane and blankets are nearly as good as an extra blanket. When flannel cannot be had, brown paper makes a good chest protector. CHILDREN in schools should be carefully watched in order to guard against troubles with the eyes, as short-sightedness is becowing yearly a more common trouble. They should not be allowed to hold their books nearer the eye than fourteen inches, and must not stoop over their work. CHILDREN should wear woollen garments next the skin all the year round. Neither silk nor cotton is as good. Wool sounds hotter than it is; but the fact remains that it is warm for winter and cool for summer wear, and children who wear it all the year round are far less liable to contract colds and chills than those who wear any other material. FOR A BAD HEADACHE.-Pour some boiling water into a basin, add a little eau-de-Cologne, toilet vine- gar, lavender water, or even common vinegar, and bathe the back of the neck just below the hair, using the water as hot as you can hear it. A cloth wrung out of the samejand laid across the forehead also does good. Some people also drink a cup of hot strong tea with a slice of lemon in it, but no milk or sugar,

THE WOMAN'S WORLD, THE lage for appliques (says the Evening News) of all sorts and kinds, which has made us decorate our yokes, boleros, skirt panels, and evening cloaks with appliques in silks, velvets, and satins for so long, is now creating a new departure in fancy work. Some simple, but Very effective, table centres are of the palest of green linens, with a bold floral design carried out in melon seeds (which are easily washed and dried for the purpose), the pattern being com- pleted by big scrolls of gold thread. A charming tea cosy can be made of scarlet velvet be-pat terned in the same way. A very pleasing wedding present can be made by embroidering a square of coarse lace large enough for a small table in gold thread, or a design in pale pink and silver looks effective, too. Beautiful cushions are now within the reach of all, as a satin cone may be decorated with appliques of velvet flowers in a light shade, sewn on with silk and outlined with gold thread. MANY women, even those accustomed to being out of doors all day, think it necessary (remarks a writer in the Sun) when night comes to shut every window. This is a very erroneous idea. During the long hours of the night when all doors are necessarily obliged to be shut, surely fresh air is needed through the window. Some people say that they sleep more soundly if the window is shut. There is no doubt that their sleep is heavier, but at the same time it is not so refreshing as if they slept in purer air. So much carbonic acid gas being evolved from the lungs acts like a narcotic in a close room. We all know how sleepy and heavy we feel in a crowded church, theatre, or concert-room. Some people would be afra;d to make a change in the winter, but as spring advances the change may be made with impunity. Open the window at the top. Once the habit is ac- quired, it will certainly be continued. Accustomed to sleeping in a fresh-air room, one feels suffocated if the window is closed. THE teeth, to be maintained at their best, require more than the daily morning brush over. They should be thoroughly cleaned again at night, and women who are very scrupulous about matters of the toilet are careful to rinse out the mouth and brush the teeth after each meal. The formation of tartar, a defect to which all teeth are subject, is due to the deposit of the natural moisture of the mouth upon the teeth. Tartar accumulates mostly during sleep, when the mouth is inactive. The health of the teeth depends a great deal upon the state of the general health, and in keeping the moisture of the month free from acidity; otherwise, it will decompose the sub- stance of the teeth. It is essential that the mouth should not be merely rinsed, but that the teeth should be thoroughly well brushed with a good dentifrice every morning on waking in order to prevent accu- mulation of tartar. A rough dentifrice, such as powdered charcoal, should be used. ONE of the strangest customs of feudal times was the paying of a fine by a freeman when his daughter married, should he be in occupation of bond-land. A bondman might not marry his daughter to a stranger, even though the latter were a bondman also, without the lord's consent; but if a girl married a freeman she became free during his life, at all events, but her freedom and permission to marry at all had to be purchased by fine from the feudal lord. For long periods the bondmen of Swincombe, in Oxfordshire, could neither marry themselves, nor give their daughters in marriage, without first obtaining permission from the lord. No sort of degradation was attached to the paying these fines they were loaked on in much the same way as the charge for the marriage license nowadays. A curious custom was long observed at Southfieet, Friendsbury, Would- ham, and various other places in that neighbour- hood of the marriage of any tenant's daughter. The father was obliged to inform the warden or bailiff of the village of all particulars connected with the wedding, and to invite him to it. A girl could be married to anyone within the manor without the lord's goodwill, but not if her future husband was out of the manor; while if she were an heiress his consent was necessary. At Headington, in Oxfordshire, custom allowed a tenant to marry his daughter within the manor without paying a fine but he paid two shillings for )eavo to marry her to a stranger. The origin of these curious marriage fines seems to have been the fear that goods within the manor would be presented to her, and removed out of it with her. THERE is no cosmetic equal to hot water and a good woollen rag," says a bright and rosy matron of fifty, who for many years had used no other. Every night and morning I give my face a thorough washing with a piece of white flannel in hot water. Once in a great while I use soap, but not often, as I have found the hot water, persistently used, very satisfactory. If the skin has not been exposed to a great amount of dust the water may be merely sopped upon the face at night, as once a day is often enough for the scrub. After the hot bath dash on a liberal quantity of cold water with the hands, until the skin fairly glows. This is the cheapest and most wonderful cosmetic known. A month of such treat- ment will transform any complexion. My skin is much fairer and rosier now than when I was twenty. I had naturally a poor complexion, coarse and muddy. I tried many remedies, but they were very unsatisfactory, until one day an old lady whose skin • I always bad admired for its youthful appearance gave me her recipe. I tried it faithfully, and before long saw with delight that ray complexion was clearing." I THE silver and gold braid fad is already so pro- nounced that the smart milliners do not vouch for its being seen on Fifth Avenue before it has become common on Eigth. But thus early in the season it is very effective aud brightens up a black hat with charming effect. A sailor shape, covered with black velvet with a double twist of gold braid encircling the crown, a bow of creamy lace threaded with gold in front, and a mass of velvet geraniums in all shades of rose and red under the brim in the back, is typical of the trim little walking hat of the lutumn, suitable for wear with a tailored suit. A large hat of black and gold is trimmed with black velvet and gold-threaded black lac9. There is an open work insertion of golden straw in the brim and palest yellow velvet roses are tucked under the brim in the back. Soft, full black ostrich plumes are gracefully disposed in front. AVOID the obvious in dress," said the woman who thinks as much about what her friends wear as about her own clothes. Never do anything which makes your purpose plain to everybody that sees you, I know a dark-haired, dark-eyed woman who looks especially well in a shade of vivid yellow that not one woman in a thousand could ever put on without being a fright. Well, it suits her pretty well, and occasionally it would be stunning for her to appear in a dress of this colour or with a bit of it some- where about her. But she never takes it off. I never saw her at night, but I'd like to bet that she sleeps in something made of that colour. Everybody's impression of her, after she ball been seen once or twice dressed in this unusual way, is that she is so proud of being able to wear so unusual and unbecoming a colour that she never takes it off. That is another instance of what I call the very obvious in dressing. Blondes who persistently stick to baby blue and brunettes who insist upon tying a red ribbon about their necks at all times are other awful instances of the very obvious in dress. I think a woman ought to think of what is becoming to her above everything else in dress. That is the most important question to be considered. But she ought to do it with dis- cretion. The. populari of yellow for rich evening toilets is verified. Tiji- sumptuous colour appears among the choicest of the models designed by French atel- iers. Yellow is made up in one striking colour, or it is yellow with white-white lace, chiffon, craped satin, or brocade. It is likely to be more fashionable than any single hue or combination of hues during the coming season, and it will prevail in till its varied shades, from orange and garden to the faintest corn colour, canary, primrose, and lovely cream tints. Milliners will ghe special prominence to yellow in velvet wall flowers, nasturtiums, gladioli blossoms, piece velvet choux, gold passementeries, and costly ornaments.

GERMANY heads the Portland cement trade and England no longer holds a monopoly of it. The annual production of Portland cement in England is I now between 7,000.000 and 8,000,000 barrels that of France barely 3,500,000 barrels while Germany's output is from 18,000.000 to 20,000,000 barrels. The United States produced 5,200,000 barrels, and imported 2,300,000 last year.

CA RTAFN DAVID BEATTY, D.S.O., R.N., who was baldly injured in China, but who was promoted to be ■iost-captain for his services, has his left arm, unfor- tu;>t'f'!y. completely disabled at present. He i3 in !,endon giving a trial to electric treatment, but the njurj ia severe. He is a son of Mr. David Beatty, or 11 ugby, an old 4th Hussars officer.

APPLICANT:" Oi'd like a job wid ye, sorr." Fore- man Well, I don't know. There isn't much doing I just at present. I don't think I could keep you busy. Applicant (reassuringly): Indade, sorr, it I lull take very little to kape me busy."

j ART AND LITERATURE. THE library which Anthony Hope (Mr. A. H. Hawkins) opened in St. Bride's Institute in London the other day, although small, is probably the most interesting in the met rop1 is. During the best, part of his life the late Mr. William Blades was engaged collecting works on the art of printing, and sir his death his library was the most complete of its kiad in the country. The threatened dispersal of this fine collection suggested its purchase to the governors of the St. Bride Foundation, and, public subscrip- tion supplying 4:475, the balance of £ 500 was pro- vided by the governing body. Subsequently, with the help of Mr. Passmore Edwards, a technical library of over 2000 volumes was formed, and, still later, this was augmented by the acquisition, again with the aid of Mr. Edwards, of the library of the late Mr. Talbot Baines Reed. This latter collection is rich in old-type specimen books, and in representa- tive works produced at the most famous of the old and modern presses. "TOMMY AND G:JIZEL," by J. M. Barrie, is a note- worthy work. There is no doubt that Mr. Barrie's many admirers will eagerly read and re-read this sequel to "Sentimental Tommy." It need hardly be said that "Tommy and Grizel is a book of extra- ordinary power and beauty, for Mr. Barrie is a poet in his conceptions and an artist in the way he works them out. He never works on a low level, and his immense popularity proves that the vast xeading public can appreciate art of a high order of merit. Whether in the contrivance of effective contrasts, in the construction of dialogue, or the weaving of a plot, Mr. Barrie stands among the foremost novelists of the day, with a charm of style, a plausible method, and a quiet, easy, natural humour all his own. He can be forcible on occasion, and he can be genuinely pathetic, and a kind of bracing atmosphere, pure and healthy, pervades everything he does. Tommy Sandys, amanuensis at 14 and six years later a famous author, is the personage who holds the imagination of the reader from the first moment he enters the garret of O. P. Pym, a literary hack, until he makes his exit as the perfect lover." But Tommie does not stand alone as an example of Mr. Barrie's creative powers. All the characters in the book are live creatures of flesh and blood, with faults and merits equally commingled. When one recalls Grizel, with her crooked smile, lovable little Elspeth, David, Lady Pippinworth, and the rest of them, one does so with a sense of pleasure for the enjoyment they have given, and of admiration for the skill of their common parent. The plot is excel- lent and the narrative is told in that facile way which characterises everything of Mr. Barrie. Every- one who likes a story told in chaste English will cor- dially welcome" Tommy and Grizel," which is un- doubtedly Mr. Barrie's greatest work. BIOGRAPHIES of living men form a prominent feature—too prominent some old-fashioned souls may consider—of the literature of our day. Many ué them with a little management can be stuffed into the pocket of a greatcoat, if anyone wants to carry them about in the winter or at night. Mr. Henry J. Drane, presumably wishing to encourage the habit of making ourselves into small circulating libraries, is bringing out a series to be called "The Bijou Biographies," of which a special attraction it that it will be possible to carry them in the jacket pocket without the smallest inconvenience." The- first four to appear will be: "The Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., the Man of the Hout and the Empire," by Arthur Wallace; Lord Kitchener, the Victor of the Soudan and Lord Robert's Right-hand Man in South Africa," by W. Francis Aitken; Lord Salisbury," by Edward Salmon; and Mr. John Burns, M.P. by G. H. Knott. Other volumes arranged for are: "Lord Roberts," "General Baden-Powell," "Lord Rose- bery," "Mr. Cecil Rhodes," "Mr. Hall Caine/ Mr. Anthony Hope," and Miss Marie Corelli.' Most jackets contain three outside and one inside pocket, with perhaps a ticket pocket in addition. With Mr. Chamberlain's life in our outside breast- pocket, and Mr. John Burns's within, with Mr. Hall Caine's on one side, and Miss Marie Corelli's on the other, we may have (remarks the Morning Post), as varied a provision for a long railway journey as anyone is likely to want. Obviously the Bijou Library," of which the books will be only sixpence each, is intended to be "popular" in character. Certainly the editor intends to throw his net over a wide circle, and every imaginable reader will surely find some biography at least which deals with a favourite subject among living personalities. "OLD FIRES AND PROFITABLE GHOSTS," by "Q," consists of a number of short stories, original in conception, of high average merit, and written with that charm of manner which is so emphatically Q's own. As Mr. Quiller Couch explains in hit preface The stories are of revenants, persons who either in spirit or in body revisit old scenes, return upon old selves and old emotions, or relate a mes- sage from a world beyoJild perception." These stories are full of dramatic power and startling realism, and exhibit masterly constructive skill and great intellectual insight. IT is hoped that a British School" at Rome, aimilar to the British School at Athens, will be established this year. The project, long under con- sideration, has, like many another project, been interfered with by the South African War. Public subscriptions were needed-and are needed-and while the war as war lasted it was not thought advisable to appeal to the public for them. It is surmised that the public may be less preocupied by the war as a guerilla business of sporadic outburts. In any case, the project of a British School at Rome deserves the heartiest support of all who care any- thing for such splendid work as has already been achieved in the exploration of classical, Egyptian, Palestinian, and Assyrian antiquities. We under- stand that Mr. Gordon Rushforth, of Oriel College, Oxford, who has been selected as director of the proposed school, will shortly proceed to Rome. IN an early Christian church in Palestine, several portraits of Popes of the fifth and sixth century have been found. -OF the making of war books there is apparently no end, and Mr. Frederick Treves'very handsome volume, "The Tale of a Field Hospital," is the latest addition to the ranks. There are few books yet pub- lished dealing with the war that afford better read- ing than the work under notice, and Mr. Treves dramatic narrative gives the reader a good idea of what war really is, and the stuff the British soldier is made of. The book, which is superbly produced and bound in leather, has 14 magnificent, full-page illustrations reproduced from photographs, and is published by Cassell and Company, Limited. THERE is much matter for reflection in the reprint issued by Hodder and Stoughton of Messrs. Joseph Rowntree and Arthur Sherweli's conclusions on "State Prohibition and Local Option." Neatly published now in handy separate form, the informa- tion and arguments presented were originally incorporated in the seventh edition of a work bv the same authors on "The Temperance Problem and Social Reform." There what Mr. Rowntre*' and Mr. Sherwell say particularly as to the results of personal investigations made on the subject in the United States and Canada has deservedlv attracted such attention that this un- abridged reprint is called for. It will be very use- ful to all interested in socio-political subjects. THOSE who are acquainted with The Ring and the Book," that is to say almost everyone who can read Browning with pleasure, should turn to the account of "The murder of Pompilia" in the Monthly Review. Professor Hall Griffin, a devoted student of Browning, has provided the translation of an Italian manuscript (discovered in January last by Signor Giorgi, librarian of the Casanteuse Library at Rome) which gives a full account of the trial of Franceschini and his assistant assassins. It is of value to those who care to study the historical bases of tragedy and romance for the variants and supple- ments it offers to the narrative in the square old yellow book" from which Browning obtained his materials, and of which a translation from the pcet's unique copy, now preserved in the Balliol College Library, is in preparation. It is also likely to attract the curious student of criminal cha- racter and achievement. Mr. Hall Griffin, in the many footnotes which he supplies, shows that in several notable features of his poem Browning failed, in spite of his endeavours, to perform the ever- difficult operation of telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth" about the terrible domestic tragedy with which he was concerned. No doubt some of the poet's divergences from history were introduced for artistic reasons. Others were as surely the result of misinformation or mistake. For instance, the chief criminal, Pompilia's husband, was a man of 40 at his death, whereas he is 50 in The Ring and the Book," while from the name of the Augustinian brother, Celestine di S. Anna," Brown- ing constructed a wholly imaginary Hospital of St. Anna for Pompil;- kn die in.