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

uuK LONDON CORESPONDENT. Probably the question asked most frequently am' Ing members of tha House of Commons when thu new Parliarrent iirst,a,sembled on Monday W:1S as to ho'v long the Session was likely to last. In ordinary circumstances that would -act be the case, but, of course, the circum- stan-ces of the present Session are abnormal. There is no desire on the part of any legislator to spend his Christmas at St. Stephen's, for, althouQ'h that:was done in Cromwellian times, it' was tlwn of set purpose and as a Puritan pro- test. The nearest approach to a Christmas sitting in our own day was exactly twelve years ago, when the prorogation took place on Christmas Eve, while in 1893, when the Session basted thirteen months, there was only a very short adjournment over the festive season. But there is no expectation in any part of the House of a repetition of this now, it being Q.Mnerally anticipated that legislators and all ethers connected with Westminster will be able to get away in time to eat their Christmas dinner in peace and comfort, and that they will not need to reassemble until about the second week in February. It is at this latter date that the real hard work of Parliament will commence, the present short Session simply serving to the new member as a preliminary canter. The older parliamentary hands have not had to notice any particular alterations in the structure of the Palace of Westminster but tha representatives of the Press, as apart from those of the people, have this week been able to enjoy a considerable addition to their accom- modation, and, therefore, to their comfort. Visi- tors to the House, when they see the reporters' gallery full, and note its occupants swiftly and silently passing in and out of the chamber, must sometimes wonder what is going on 41 behind the scenes." They are not aware how extensive are the apartments devoted to the Press. They have a dining-room, a tea-room, a special smoking-room, a library, and various writing-rooms, in certain of which they may smoke while at work. This accommodation has now been increased in various directions, and notably by the provision of a refreshment- room for the many messengers who wait upon the reporters, and this concession is especially valued. When it is remembered that between three and four hundred possess tickets for "The Gallery," it will at once be seen how necessarily extensive are the arrange- ments to be made for them. Parliament will next year have to consider a number of important schemes for construct- ing electric underground railways in the metro- polis; Hnd as these are understood at present to have little or no relation to one another, it is believed that, following a precedent set a few years ago, a Joint Committee of the two Houses will be appointed to consider them as a whole, and to bring them, where possible, into connection with existing systems and with each other. It is obvious that, unless some- thing of this kind is done, our metropolitan travelling system will become merely a confu- sion worse confounded but the suggested Joint Committee will consider something further, and that is the complaint which is now to be heard from various quarters that the existing electric railways damage the neighbouring house property by the vibration they set up. It was imagined, when they were sanctioned by Parliament, that the placing of them at so great a depth—from ninety to a hundred feet beneath the roadway—this would be avoided, but assertions to the contrary are now being made. and they are obviously such as a Joint Committee would have to consider. For a time, very little is being done in regard to finding the North Pote, but preparations for discovering the South Pole, in the shape of the National Antarctic Expedition, are steadily going on. A Joint Committee of the Royal Society and the Royal Geographical Society has been constituted to deal with the Matter; and this body has appointed a number of special Committees to consider the various questions involved in the organisa- tion of the expedition. The construction of the necessary vessel, indeed, has been begun, and it is confidently hoped that it will sail in August of next year, by which time the German Antarctic Expedition is also expected to be ready. It is possible that it will be absent for three years, and, if this be so, an expenditure of JEI20,000 will be incurred, towards which .,91,000 has already been raised, including a grant from the Imperial Treasury of ;C45,000. During the past few years, English folk in eearch of a winter resort have been more and more attracted by places at home, and this- with certain other obvious causes-has aided to diminish that rush to the Riviera which used to set in as December approached. Cornwall and Devon have come forward as Cannes and Nice have somewhat receded and, if only our own health resorts were made a little brighter for the winter evenings, there is no doubt that they would speedily become even better patronised. From a health point of view they are as good as theFrench Riviera, but there are eome who wish to go further afield than either, and for these Khartoum is prophesied as the resort of the future, while there are various English folk who even now regularly visit the Desert of Sahara. Those who were there last winter had a curious experience, for so heavy & snowstorm took place that they were cut off from all touch with the outer world for dayx The Sahara is not quite the place where one would expect to be snowed up in a train but that is exactly what happened to some English visitors to Biskrd. last winter, and they are not at all likely to forget the experience. When, four years ago, the Locomotives on Highways Act allowed motor vehicles the use of our roada, there was much free prophesying that the horse was doomed, and that the time would come, and that at no distant period, when that animal would be seen only in some Zoological Gardens or museum. Very little of that kind of talk is to be heard now, and, therefore, our flesh need not particularly creep when we are told that the steam engine is doomed, and that its place is to be taken by the electric locomotive. Both horses and tteam-engines are certain to be in use for a very long while to come; but that considera- tion need not blind us to the fact that automobiles are becoming more numerous, and that electric locomotives are being improved. What the result will be upon the road and rail travelling of the future it is too early to forecast; but, as far as London is con- cerned, the electric locomotive will be more welcome than the automobile, and for the reason that it will aNect a far greater number of people. The sulphurous fumes of the Underground Railway, and especially on a warm or foggy day, are well nigh unbearable by many folk and the only compensation for them is that, according to certain experts, they are as healthy as they are distinctly uncomfortable. R.

CttKMATlOtt is becomingly increasingly f-wimlar in Paris, !\nd the crematorium erected at the cemetery of Pere Lachaise has already been found to be too email. Additions are being made, and a third fur- nace, a large hal], and a columbarium will soon be ready for use. The latter somewhat resembles the Campo Santo of Genoa, and will contain 10,00' receptacles for ashes. These niches are closed with slabs of marble, on which inscriptions may be cut. Tnz Duchess of Westminster has just taken Cr-.iyiheriyiere Abbey, the beautiful seat of Lord Con)- bermere in Cheshire. As the name implies, Comber- mere is situated on the site of an ancient Cistercian monaatary, though very few traces of the original ttructure remain. The bouse contains some nr;e carving, and in the armoury is an interesting co!!ec- tion of armour and weapons brought together by Sir Stapleton Cotton, the nrst Lord Combermere, who, by the way. was the friend and brother-in-arms of the great Duke of Wellington.

SOUTH AFRICA. LORD KITCHENER IN COMMAND. Lord Roberts has left Johannesburg for Durban, and it is expected that he will reach Cap< Town, en route for England, on December 7 The announcement has been made from the Wai Omce that Lord Kitchener has been appointed t( the chief command of the troops in South Africa and has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant- General, with the local rank of General. A Reuter despatch from Luckhoff give details 6) an action fought on Tuesday 15 miles west of that place between G t-neral Settle's force and a body oi fOO Boers under Commandant Herzog, who held a strong position on a precipitous range of kopjes The enemy, after nve hours' lighting, were completel.T beaten and fltd precipitately. Their loss is believec to have been heavy that of the British was very Blight. THE PURSUIT OF DE WET. GENERAL PAGET'S OPERATIONS. The following telegram from Lord Kitchener ha< been received at the War Omce: BLOBMFONTNiN, Nov. 30, 8.50 a.m. On November 27 General Knox reports that he engaged the rearguard of Det Wet's force at Beyers- berg, ontheDewetsdorp-SmithSeId-road. Fighting continued for two hours, when the enemy, out- flanked, retreated south and south-east. We cap- tured two waggons and stampeded 300 led horses. One non-commissioned omcer killed and six men wounded. By latest reports General Enox is in touch with De Wet's force near Tafelberg, 12 miles north of Bethulie. On the 28th General Settle engaged Herzog's commando at Kloof, near Woolvekraal, and after defeating them occupied Luckhon'; one man wounded. Boshof was attacked at nine p.m. on the night of !;be 28th, and the attack was renewed at 11.30 a.m. on the 29th the Boers were repulsed without any loss to our garrison. General Paget was engaged on the 28th and 29th with the joint commando of Vdjoen and Erasmus, Mid drove enemy back on to a position at Riotfon- tein, north-east of Rhenoster Kop. I regret to re- port that Lieutenant-Colonel Lloyd, commanding West Riding Regiment, was dangerously wounded; Bve other o&cers wounded, names not yet received, five men killed, and 50 wounded. General Lyttleton is co-operating with Faget. Further particulars have arrived at BIoemfontein 1)f the fight north-east of Bronkhorst Spruit. General Paget towards evening closed in on the enemy's position with the object of attacking them at dawn. Fhe Boers, however, with reinforcements which 'ncluded three guns, made a determined attack, and tevere ngbting ensued. The enemy were repulsed ?ith heavy loss, and during the night they withdrew .0 the north-east, General Faget occupying their position. In the morning he sent his mounted mfantry in pursuit. The New Zealandera, who dis- played great gaMantry, lost five omcers out of six. TROUBLESOME BOER WOMEN. A Beuter telegram from Heidelberg statea that ;he 4th Brigade, under General Bruce Hamilton, mrprised a Boer laager six miles from Springs on November 25. The enemy ned to a neighbouring 'arm, where they made a atand, but were driven eS and the farmhouse burned. On the 26th the brigade had some lighting between Springe and igel. A number of Boer women from Vlakfontein tnd Greyhngstad have come into Heidelburg, General Bruce Hamilton having turned them off their farms ts they were in constant communication with the ;nemy. LICHTENB-CBG RE-OCCUPIED. From Mafeking it ia reported that the 5th Batta" aon of YoOtHanry, under Colonel Meyrick, bM re- occupied Lichtenburg, having compelled Lemmer's Boer commando to evacuate the place. BIoemfontein IS stated to be quite prepared for any possible attack. RAND RIFLES. Colonel Mackenzie, Military Governor of JohtManew- mrg, speaking at a banquet there on Saturday night, tnnounced the formation of a body to be called the Rand Bi9ea, which ia to be composed of all British ;itizens between certain ages in the district. ROBERTS AT THE GRAVE OF STMONS. Lord Roberts arrived at Dundee on Friday of last freek, and, after visiting the grave of Geaera! Symons, continued his journey to Pietermaritzburg. THE BOND LEADERS. Mr. Merriman and Mr. Sauer, the Bond leaders, replied to an address presented to them by Afrikan- ders at Stellenbosch on Saturday. Mr. Merriman 9aid they appeared to be rapidly drifting towards a !tate of things in which there might be unpleasant occurrences even in Cape Colony. He denounced ihe British methods of conducting the war, but :ounsel!ed the Afrikanders, while speaking out, not :o do anything which could lead to the losa of the [ast shred of liberty in the shape of the Cape Parlia- ment. Mr. Sauer said the Dutch were loyal, but he ;omplained that the Governor had become an ex- treme Dolitical partisan FACET'S CASUALTIES. The following message from Lord Kitchener WM published by the War Office on the 3rd inst.: BLOEMFONTEIN, December 1. 3.15 p.m. Further report from Paget of his action north-east of Bronkhorst Spruit November 29. Towards even- ing his troops closed in on enemy's position. At about 6.30 p.m. 'he Boers were reinforced and brought up three more guns. They then made a determined attack on our line, and after severe Bght- ing were repulsed with heavy loMt The enemy did not await projected attack at dawn, but withdrew during the night. The troops behaved with great gallantry, especi- ally the New Zealand Mounted Rifles, who showed exceptional bravery throughout the day. I regret to say that Lieut.-Colonel Lloyd, com- manding West Riding Regiment, was kilied, and the following omcera were wounded Lieutenant Towns- end and Cakes, severely; Captain Ackworth and Lieutenant Harman, alightly, all of West Riding Regiment. Also Lieutenant Challis, R.A.M. Corps, severely, being hit in three places while gal]ant)y attending wounded men under a heavy Sre; and Captain Craw- shaw, and Lieutenants Montgomerio, SomerviIIe, and Tucker, and Surgeon-Captain Gcdfray, all of the New Zealand Mounted RiSea, who had five oolcers hit out of a total of six. Thirteen were killed and 59 non-commissioned omcera and men wounded. Faget was in occupation of enemy's position yea- terday morning, having sent his mounted troops in pursuit of the Boers, who retired north-eaat. [Rhenoater Eop ia north of Balmoral, on the line between Pretoria and Middelburg. There is a Rhenoster Kop in the north of the Orange River Colony, which played a'partinLord Roberts's march from Bloemfontein to the Vaal, and was also sub- sequently the scene of one of De Wet's smart captures. The repetition of place namea in the Boer territories ia very confusing. It will be noticed that De ??t'e force is stated to have retreated south tnd aouth-east, and not, as Router reported, west; eo that General Enox was not successful in cutting him off from the south, where it is said De Wet intends to make an attempt to raid into Cape Colony.] DE WET OUTMARCHED. A Beuter message from near Bethulie states that three columns under the chief command of General Enox have succeeded, after some very hard march- ing. in getting to the south of Da Wet, who is said to be not far off. LORD ROBERTS AT LADYSMITH. THE WAR NOW OTBR." Lord Roberta arrived at Ladysmith on Friday of last week, and had a most enthusiastic welcome. Replying to an address from the townspeople, he referred to the defence of the place as a glorious memorial of British pluck and endurance, the war was now over, though bodies of guerillas still gave trouble. He trusted that the day was very near when peace would reign supreme. LORD ROBERTS'8 FAREWELL TO HIS TROOPS. A SPLEtrolJ) 'naaTTt. The fotlowing is the text of Lord Roberta's fttrewet army order to the troops: Bping about to give up the command af the arm3 in South Afr4ca into the hands of Lord Kitchener,.) fpel that I cannot part with my comrades, with whon I have been associated for nearly a year (often unde) V?ry trving circumstances), without giving expression to my profound appreciation of the noble work whict they have performed for their Queen and country. and for me personally, and to my pride in the result) which they have achieved by their pluck, endurance. discipline, and devotion to duty. "I greatly regret that the ties which have bounc as together are so soon to be severed, for I shoutc like to remain with the army until it is completel) broken up; but I have come to the conclusion that as Lord Kitchener has consented to take over thE command, my presence is no longer required in South Africa, and that duty calls me in anothet direction. I shall never forget the officers and men of this force, be they of the Royal Navy, the Colo- nials, the Regulars, the Militia, the Yeomanry, ov the Volunteers. Their interests will always be verj dear to me, and I shall continue to work for the armj as long as I can work at all. The service which the South African force ba: performed is, I venture to think, nnioue in the annals of war, inasmuch as it has been absolutely almost incessant for a whole year, in some cases fot more than a year. There has been no rest (no day<< off to recruit), no going into winter quarters, as in othpr campaigns which have extended over a long period. For months together innerce heat, in biting cold, in pouring rain, you, my comrades, have marched and fought without halt and bivouacked without shelter from the elements. You frequently have had to continue marching with your clothes in rags and your boots without soles (time being of such conse- quence that it was impossible for you to remain long enough in one place to rent) When not en- gaged in actual battle, you have been continually shot at from behind kopjes by invisible enemies, to whom every inch of the country was familiar, and who, from the peculiar nature of the country, were able to inflict severe punishment, while perfectly safe themselves. "You have forced your way through dense jungles, over precipitous mountains, through and over which, with infinite manual labour, you have had to drag heavy guns and ox-waggons. You have covered with almost incredible speed enormous dis- tances, and that often on very short supplies of food. You have endured the sufferings inevitable in war to sick and wounded men far from the base without a murmur, and even with cheerfulness. "You have, in fact, acted up to the highest stan- dard of patriotism, and by your conspicuous kind- ness and humanity towards your enemies, your for- bearance and good behaviour in the towns occupied, you have caused the army of Great Britain to be highly respected as it must henceforth be greatly feared in South Africa. Is it any wonder that I am intensely proud of the Army I have commanded, or that I regard you, my gallant and devoted comrades, with affection as well as with admiration, and that I feel deeply the parting from you ? Many of you—Colonials as well M British—I hope to meet again, but those I may never see more will live in my memory, and will be held in high regard to my life's end. I have learned much during the war, and the experience I have gained will greatly help me in the work that lies before me—which is, I conceive, to make the army of the United Kingdom as perfect as it is possible for any army to be. "This I ahall strive to do with all my might. And now, farewell. May God bless every member of the South African Army. and that you may all be spared to return to your homes and find those dear to you well and happy is the earnest hope of your commander.-(Signed} ROBERTS." I FURTHER FIGHTING. I Lord Kitchener reports that General Enox headed off a force of Boers which was advancing south with a large convoy towards the Odendal Drift., on the Orange River. The Boers retired in a north- easterly direction, leaving seven prisoners in the hands of the British. General Settle, who has arrived at Jagersfontoin, has had several skirmishes, and captured 30 prisoners and much stock. General Paget drove back a Boer force from Leeuwfontein on the 2nd inst. without suffering any casualties. I THE PLOT AGAINST LORD ROBERTS. I The 11 men who wore arreated in Johannesburg on suspicion of being concerned in a ph)t to aasassi- n&te Lord Roberta will merely be deported, the evi- dence betng inau&c?nt to w&rr&nt & trial. No bomba have been diacovered. The Buspecta tre I mottly Italians.

I ERUGER IN EUROPE. I I VISIT TO BERLIN ABANDONED. ) Mr. Kruger left Paris on Saturday afternoon, Maid the usual demonstrations from crowds in the streets and at the Northern Railway Station, Ml route for Cologne. After the train had crossed the Belgian frontier there were manifes- tations of welcome to the ex-President at Erquelinnes, Cbar!eroi, Namar, and Liege. On hie arrival at Cologne there were more demon- ttrations. Subsequently the German Minister in Luxemburg waited on Mr. Kruger on behalf of the Emperor William, and informed the ex-President that, in consequence of other arrangements, his Majesty could not receive him in Berlin at present. After receiving this intimation, it is stated, Mr. Kruger decided to abandon his proposed journey to Berlin, itnd to proceed direct to Holland. I ATCOLOa!TB. I Mr. Kruger remained at Cologne on Monday, and m the course of the afternoon received various private visitors. The refusal of the German Emperor to receive him has been the subject of general comment in the Continental Press. The German journals for the most part endorse the Emperor's action, the wisdom of which is recognised by the more responsible Paris newspapers, though the Nationalist orsans are very angry. I NOT WANTED ANYWmMB. I In Tranevaat circlea in Brussels it it attted that Mr. Kruger intends to carry out his project of visit- ing the Czar <?t Livadia. From Rome it is reported that the Triple AUiance Cabinete bave agreed that Mr. Eruger tthall not be received either in Berlin, Vienna, or Rome.

I THE NEW PACIFIC CABLE. I The Facinc Cable Comnuttee have accepted, on behalf of her Majesty's Government and of the Governments of New South Wales, Victoria, Queens- land, and New Zealand, the tender of the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company for the manufacture and laying of the new Pacific cable. The amount of the tender is JE1,795.000, and the work is to be completed by the end of 1902.

I I SCHOOL REFORM IN PRUSSIA. An edict of the German Emperor is published giving his Majesty's consent to further reforms in the higher schools of Prussia. In view of the great importance of a knowledge of English his Majesty lays stress on the necessity of giving more attention to that subject in the Gymnasia. English is to be taught as an alternative subject to Greek in all the classes of those schools except the three highest; and wherethe local conditions are favourable to the alteration English ia to take the place of French as a compulsory subject in the three highest classes.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. OPENING CEREMONIALS. The 15th Parliament of her Majesty ?6 Queen was opened at two o'clock on Monday afternoon in the House of Lords with the traditional formalities. The Royal Commissioners requested the attend- ance of the Commons in the Upper House, and accordingly a large number of hon. members, headed by Mr. Milman, Clerk of the House, came to their lordships' Bar. The Lord Chan- cellor then stated that the Royal Commissioners had it in command from the Queen to announce that after the members of both Houses had been sworn the causea of calling the Parliament would be declared but it was her Majesty's pleasure that the Commons should first repair to their own Chamber in order to choose a Speaker and that they should again appear at noon to-day at the Bar of their lordship's House in order to receive her Majesty's Royal approbation of their choice. The Commons having retired, tbt' Lord Chan- cellor, the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, the Duke of Buccleuch, Lord Knutsford, Lord Llandaff, Lord Glensk. and many other peers took the oath and subscribed the roll. SPEAKER GULLY RE-ELECTED. I In the House of Commons at two o'clock on the afternoon of Monday there was a very large attend- ance of members awaiting Black Rod's summons to the House of Lords to hear the commission opening Parliament read. Mr. Balfour and Mr. Chamberlain (who were both cheered), Mr. Ritchie, and other Ministers had taken their soata on tbt Treasury beach, and among the occupants of the bench opposite were Sir W. Harcourt, Mr. J. Morley, and Sir E. Grey. When the ceremony in the Uppet House was over, and the Commons, headed by the Clerk of the House (.Mr. Milman), had returned, Sir J. Fergusson proposed the re-election of Mr. Gully aa Speaker. Gracefully eulogising the past services rendered by the right bon. member fof Carlisle in the chair, he spoke of him as one who bad proved himself to be fully capable of discharging the high functions of the Speaker's omce. The right hon. gentleman's rulings had always commanded approval, and his invaluable advice had never been withheld from members who had sought it. In exercising his controlling powers in debate he had always been firm but forbearing, and in connection with the private business of the House his great legal experience had been a factor of the utmost value. Addressing ing the new members, Sir J. Fergusson exhorted them to defer without question to the rulings of the Chair and to observe the traditions of the House. He recalled the fact that some years ago, when those cherished traditions were threatened, the danger of their being disregarded was averted by the action of the Speaker. Should any such dimculties as then presented themselves occur again the right. hon. member for Carlisle would cope with them success- fully, and the House, he felt confident, would sup- port the right hon. member in the exercise of his authority. Dr. Farquharson, who seconded the motion, affirmed that Mr. G«!Iy, by his past conduct in the chair, bad upheld the honour and dignity of the House in a manner worthy of his great predecessors. He had shown thatjho'possessed afwell-balanced mind, the tact and sagacity of a man of the world, and the qualifications of a Erst-class politician. Mr. Gully, rising from the seat which he occupied on the third bench above the gangway on the Oppo- sition side of the House, then thanked the Assembly for the honour which it proposed to confer upon him. He had nlled the omce of Speaker for some years, and therefore was not inexperienced; but he washed to say that he was fully conscious of hie shortcomings and of the great debt of gratitude that he owed to the House for its indulgence and con- tinuous and generous support. There being no opposition, the mover and seconder of the motion conducted the Speaker-Elect to the chair, where, standing on the steps, be again thanked the House and promised faithfully and im- partially to discharge his dutiea. The mace having been placed upon the table, Mr. Balfour congratulated the right hon. gentleman on his election in the name of the whole House. He claimed that there was no greater honour to which an inhabitant of this island could aspire than that of presiding over the debates of the House of Commons and discharging the duties of Speaker. Those duties did not consist merely in the impartial apphcation of the rules and orders of the House. There were the traditions ef the House of Commons which supplemented its rules —traditions that had survived, unchanged and an- t.arnisbed, through the shock of factions and through s;reat constitutional changes. Of those traditions Mr. Gully had proved himself to be the worthy guardian, and therefore it was that the House re- joiced at his re-election. Sir S. CampbelI-Bannerman in a few words ex- pressed on behalf of those for whom he was specially entided to speak their complete concurrence with the sentiments uttered by the leader of the House. Mr. Gully, he said, was ever ready to assert in due fashion the rights of the House of Commons and to give practical effect to the principle of freedom of debate. On the motion of Mr. Balfour the House ad- journed shortly before a quarter to three o'clock. HOUSE OF LORDS—DECEMBER 4. A large number of peers took the oath and sub- gcribpd the rol), among them being Lord Roaebery, Lord Rothschild, Lord James of Hereford, Lord Bat four. and Lord Ashbourne. The sitting was then suspended. At noon the sitting was resumed and the Queen's approval of the choice of Mr. Gully as Speaker in the new Ilo,ise of Commons was signified by Royal ( omm "aton im he usual manner. j he Lord Chancellor, having taken his seat on the wcotsttcK, announced that he had received certificates of the adjudication in bankruptcy of Lord Sudeley and the Duke of Manchester. The Royal Commissioners again assembled, and took their places in front of the Throne. Black Rod was despatched to the House of Commons to summon the Speaker and member* to hear another Royal Commission read. The Lord Chancellor then announced that the Royal Commiesionera had it further in command from her Majesty to acquaint hon. members that certain vacancies had occurred in the House of Commons, owing to acceptance of omce from the Crown by members of that House. It was, there- fore, her Majesty's pleasure that opportunity should be given to issue writs to supply the vacancies noN occasioned and subsequently that the Commons should proceed to the consideration of auch matters M might be laid before them. During the remainder of the sitting the ceremony of swearing-in was continued. Among the peers who took the oath and subscribed the roll were the Duk& of Devonshire, Lord Tweedmouth, Lord Salisbury, Lord Selborne, the Duke of Fife, and the Duke of Norfolk. HOUSE OF COMMONS. The Speaker-Elect took the chair at twelve o'clock on the 4th inst., and shortly afterwards Black Rod appeared at the bar and summoned the Commons to the Upper House, to hear the Royal Commissioners announce the Queen's approval of the election of Mr. Gully to the chair. The Commons baring returned, The Speaker put on his full facial robes, and then informed the House that his election had been confirmed by her Majesty and that he had, accord- ing to custom, claimed for the Commons the recog- nition of all their ancient rights and privileges. He also briefly thanked the House once more for the honour which had been conferred upon him. The ceremony of administering the oath to mem- bers was then begun, the Speaker himself being the nrst to be sworn. Mr. Balfour, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Chamberlain, Sir H. CampbeII- Bannerman, and Sir W. Harcourt next presented themselves at the table to subscribe the roll. They were followed by other Ministers, ex-Ministers, and Privy Councillors, and subsequently a large number of members were sworn, a few making amrmatioa instead. Early in the afternoon the House was again called upon to proceed to the House of Lords, where the Queen's pleasure was notified that new writs should be issued for the election of members to ill the vacancies due to the recent acceptance of omce under the Crown by Mr. Brodriek, Mr. Hanbury, Mr. Wyndham, and some other members of the Govern- ment.

A MOTOR-OAK race from raris T* Begna, orgunlsed by the Automobile Club de France in conjunction with the German Automobile Club, is to be run early next; year. The German Emperor has promised to "tTeDrizeatothevatueofnearJy.E2.100

TRH CRISIS IN CHINA. COURT ANXIOUS TO RETURN TO PEEIN. The Tirna correspondent in PeJrjn says that, in tursoance of the regrettable policy of approbation, the French and German Generals, with the approval tf Count von Waldersee, have removed from the wall )f Pekin the superb astronomical instruments erected "here more than two centuries ago by the Jeauit Fathers. Half of them gotoBerlinand half to Pans. The !Xp!anation for tMs act of vaodalism is that, ainco :he return of the Court to Pekin is mowt tmprobable, tuch beautiful instruments should net be exposed to the possibilities of injury when Pekin is no longer the capital. The Times Shanghai correspondent says ;hat it is believed in well-informed circles that, the Court is showing anxiety to return to Fekin, but this e not agreeable to Li Eung Chang, who hopes to ;ain some advantage from dissen&ion among the Powers. ANTI-FOREIGN OUTBREAKS IMMINENT. The special correspondent of the Standard at Hen-tain, in a despatch forwarded on Sunday, states that placards are once more being posted up notify- ing that a renewal of the anti-foreign outbreaks is imminent. A Chinese ex-omcial has stated that the foreign Powers make a great mistake if they imagine that, the resources of the Chinese for evil are ex- hausted. There are indications, he aaya, that point to the belief that an Order from the Throne has really been addressed to the Viceroys and Governors instructing them to make preparations to oppose the Allies. The Standard's Berlin correspondent tele- graphs that h)4 is informed that the complete agree- ment of the Powers in regard to the Note embodying the demands to be made on China has now been arrived at, and that the Note will be handed by the Foreign Ministers at Pekin to the Chinese peac<t delegates within a short time. TUAN TO BE BEHEADED. The Fekm correspondent of the Tifws say* tbtt the German Eatgan expedition is retarnmg, U&ving met with no opposition and inflicted only very few and inadequate puniehmenta. The Shanghai corre- spondent of the Tim-es says rumours are growing stronger regardiog the intention of the Court to re- turn to Pekin. Native papers report that the Court has decided to issae an edict ordering the decapita- tion of Tuan and Tung-fuh-siang.

THE ILLNESS OF THE CZAR. SATISFACTORY PROGMiBS. Sunday's bulletin, issued at Livadia, taid: The Emperor passed a very good day yesterday, and &lept very well last night. This morning his Majesty's condition is very satisfactory. The Czar's appetite is returning, and his strength is gradually increasing. Yesterday evening his Majesty's tem- perature was 97'9, and pulse 64. Thia morning the temperature was 97 and the pulse 72." The lectest news received at St. Petersburg regard- ing the Czar's illness is of a most reassuring cha- racter, and showa that the weakness which was the ado remaining cause for anxiety is now passing away. The Czar ia tended by a nurse and his Physician in Ordinary, who are constantly with him, but the Czarina has not ceased to keep watchful care over her Consort, attending personally to his wants, and, notwithstanding the strain which this involves, shows no signs of fatigue. Her Ala.i.-sty enjoys good health, and looks remarkably well. Besides giving devoted attention to her hus- band, the Empress has submitted to her urgent affairs of state-thus any communication for the Czt.r passes direct through her hands. Nobody seM the invalid but the Czarina, the physician)) in attendance, and the nurse. The newspaper statement that Queen Victoria had sent her private physician to report on the Czar'a illness is unfounded. Her Majesty ia, however, daily kept informed of the course of the malady, and receives newa of the Imperial family.

A POLICEMAN MURDERED. Shortly after one o'clock on Saturday morning, Police-constable Ernest William Thompson, 240H. stationed at Teman-street Police-station, was stabbed to death whHat on duty in the Eaat-end of London. It is stated that Thompson saw a knot of men and \t.Jrnen standing near a coSee-etaIl at the junction of Union-street and Commercial-road. They were quarrelling, and after some trouble he succeeded in moving them on. After going some short distance they stopped again and renewed the dispute, and Thompson made another effort to get them away. What happened then is not at present clear, but a police whistle was blown and there were shouts for assistance. Several omcers went in the direction whence the sound came, and found Thompson lying on the ground struggling with a man. Thompson said Hold him," and then fell exhausted and unconscious from loss of Mood. He was conveyed to the London Hospital, but on arrival there he was found to be dead. The doctors discovered that the main artery in the neck had been severed. At the Thames Police-court, on Saturday, Barnet Abrahams, 41, cigar maker, an English Jew, re- siding in Newark-street, Whitechapel, was charged with feloniously kijiing and claying Police-constable Ernest Thompson, 240 H, by stabbing him in the neck with a knife while in the execution of his dutv. Mr. Deakin, instructed by Mr. Ben Cooper, of the Cigar Makers' Union, of which body the accused is a member, defended. The prisoner bad two black eyes and injuries to his nose and an ear, and told his solicitor that there were bruises all over his body. Mr. Deakin said it was impossible to go adequately into -.be matter that day, and therefore suggested that un!y short evidence be taken. Constable 100 H stated that at twenty minutes past one that morning, while he was on, duty in Commercial-road he heard the blowing of police whistles. He ran in the direction of the sound, and at the corner of Union- atreethe saw Constable Thompson holding the prisoner on the ground. The omcer was bleeding terribly from a wound in the neck. With the assistance of other constables Thompson was put into a cab and taken to the London Hospital. On the way he breathed frequently, but on arriving at that institution he was examined by Dr. Hilyard, who pronounced life extinct. Detective-Inspector T. Divally, H. Division, said that when he charged the prisoner he Brst said, Do you understand English P" and the accused replied, "Well." Witness then said, "I am an inspector of police and am going to charge you with feloniously killing and slaying Con- stable Thompson by stabbing him in the neck with this knife," at the same time pointing to along pocket- knife covered with blood. The prisoner then said, "Then I am charged with maliciously killing?" Witness answered, You are charged with feloniously killing." Abrahams said, "It is quite possible, I do not remember anything about it. I had no cause to do an injury to anyone. Mr. Frayling, from the Treasury, who was present, said that on the next occasion the Treasury would take charge of the case. Mr. Dickinson remanded the prisoner. THBntQUMT. I The inquest on Police-constable Ernest Thomp- son, who WM stabbed daring a acaNe with a maD named Bamett Abrahama m the ear? hours of Satarday morning, was reeumed at the Limehouae Coroner's Court on Taeaday. Evidence was given by a witness who oaw the deceased and Abrahams scuNing together, and by constables who were drawn to the scene by the blowing of the whistte. The inquiry was again adjourned.

I "RUINED BY GOOD FORTUNE." j Sydney Bearia, 21, giving an address in Beacons- aeld-road, Tottenham, was charged, at the North London Police-court, with obtaining various sums of money by false pretences. He pleaded guilty. It was urged on his behalf that his case was a lamentable example of a young ama being mined by good fortune. The prisoner belonged to very respectable people, and under his father's will be was entitled to a considerable sum of money. He had, however, got into the hands of money-lenders, from whom he had received .66000 during the present year at ruinous rates of interest, which, coupled with heavy life insurance premiums, had eaten up the whole of the money to which he waa entitled. He was now penniless. He was sentenced to aix months' imprisonment in the second division.

THERE is no end to the resourceful Kaiser'* achemea for raising the German in the commercial world. News from Berlin shows that he has now suggested the creation of several new profesaorahips at the variouauniTeraitiea, giving especial attention to the Chinese language and history, and the commercial worth of the Asiatics. His Majesty propoeea to endow these professorships with a Government Grant.

??.??.e???BE-S?EEB.tQ.?.S?)! D OOOUN 0 eco "35 YEARS VEN EFFICACY. ? AN EVCR ttEAD?*HOUS€WOLD ReMEDY. tOOS 'MS PHLEGM. ALLAYS COLOGM. GIVF-3 IMMEDIATE RELIEF. "UNUM CATHARTtCUM"PtLLSt ? ? FOR )b)D!CEST]ON & ITS StOfttEAOAmE BILIOUS DERANGEMENT <AM AGREEABLL.APEFZIENT_ KAYSTtC PtLLS' CURE FACEACHE &'NEURALC)A.; NEFVSE SUBSTITUTES- ? ?. BRITAIZI &THE I.I I I I I. 11 4 'MMULME' T&e Transparmt C<Mne<t<. DON'T THROW AWM an axtiolo aiNtpty beoMttetMo tn pieces. Keap?bepa.tttt?i aend for a. boM& ?f CottoNa? with which yMt ctm, iB x, f<w mtnutee, ma!M t j<<at «K jttroBg M th< -tated- <)Mt. tedod. and one wh<d* oaty the <deee«t xemtmar MM ..teet. MEMM At-L BMtKEM AitT$CLR& Refuse <tM 8utl"tltU't880 In Bottles, Sri and ?/ Of arl ChOmiSt& A ftsfft DILLIARD AND BAGATELLm i? TABt-ES. A LARGE STOCK OF NBW AND tBOOm?- BAND T'BLES )ttway< on h&nd. WRITB FOR PRICZ MMX. -0. EDWARDS. 134. &INGS1.AND ROAD. LONDON. tf.B. ? TT?OUNDATION TRUTHS OF THE _r CHRISTIAN RELIGION. THE SWEDENBORG SOCIETY in celebration of the opening of the Twentieth Century, offers gratis alWt Students for the Ministry, Missionaries, Lay Preachers, Bible Readers, and Sunday-School teachera, a set of 12 booklets of 32 pp. each, on "FopNDATMK 'J.'RU't'HS or TttX CBRisTiAN REMGMN." They will consist of extracts ffom the theological writings of EMANUHL SWEDENBORG, end wm be issued monthly during 1901. The subjects will be:— 1. God 2. The Incarnation 3. Redemption 4. The Sacred Scripture; 5. The)>ivine Providence; 6. Charity, or Love to the Neighbour; 7. Faith and Life; 8. Death and Resurrec- tion 9. The Intermediate State, and Judgment; 10. Heaven 11. Hell; 12. The Second Coming of the Lord. Early application to be made on the following To the AGENT of the SwEDMtBOM SocixTT, 1, Bloomsbury Street, London, W.C. 1 Please send to me, gratis and post free, the 12 booklets (ot Part 1) Foundation Truths of the Christian Religion." Signature Address (W.) Qualification To purchasers the set of 12 ?klets will !x supplied, post htk. lit the. nominal pnce of mw shilling, To aH 'w/to apply a copy of No.1 will be <<?< gratis. F. SMITH & cops ? tron Churches, Chapels, MhM!oM ?? H&!ta, Hospitals, ?NL?'??aJL Bune&towa, Stable*, &46 'mSM{T?????\ ??-<y??????'?,7:&<. Jm????CAmiERS' R8AO. SIMIFOM Lodo. L V!MOUAC8/S HOUSEH8L8 SOAP IS WHAT SOAP SHOULD BE. Twin Bar, Scented, 21d. t

QCBBN DOWAQM &tARQH'BEITA Ot ITALY htH JUtt completed the distribution of her personal effect*, and has finally retired from the Court,. Her 300 auperb costumes have been apportioned among her friends. Immediately after King Humbert's funerat she sent to the museum at Florence the exquisttt embroideries which made so nne an exhibit at the Chicago Exposition, and all her jewellery has been given to relative*.

CBheM te BecarItylB CARTER'S wmiE tgtVER ??"? Eamtt.? tmtUDMt. g P!LL8 '-?M.< ?et-t?y MM a<t)[ HeiMtM?. BtHoMtMms. Torpid Hvef. Indt- F""«t T.B?)M.??b*y T<?eh? Uver. tM MJttM'a. A <Hf <Mp* Ot tht <tt<M<? *veT WMMttt? SOZODONT wm swMt« th< BM*<h tn ?y. Md Mtt* )? <t< tMTeMne* ?. Neod Tnt" ad a" T" WMte Teeth M< TtNtw T. Pretty 1' -.d C<!y Te4, Complete t< TeCtt C.s% wft T- *<w<)mr, )t/<.

ONE of the most exclusive laboratories under the Admiralty ,¡s situated at Haalar, near Portsmouth, says the c/MiWM-. No strangc-r can enter the gatee without signing the viaitora' book and giving a dear ttatement as to his object. Even the Prime Minister would not be allowed to enter unles* armed with an order signed by the Firat Lord of the Admiralty. A casual visitor, lucky enough to be admitted, muet leave his camera at the gates, and on the Crat attempt to take notes ht is conducted beyond the pale. Thi< laboratory was Srst established at Torquay by Mr. Froude, brother of the bietonan, and WM extended by the son of the founder.

"WITHOUT AN EQUAL !n respect of Its ???? PURITY, and f«?r ???S' all round EXCEL- LEMCE. It is my ? IDEALQFPERFEO- ?H? TtON. Thereto no '.???????. BETTER FOOO." ???????????? Df. ?n<?rem W'?on, /?.S.f., Ac. Lavishlll endowed 81th aN those ???????S?? properties M essential to the Sttp. port, Bu-IIding Up, and $t,øøl1th. of the Sio-t-m. PURE FRY,SCONMTRATEDCOCCA A-UST THREE V ll'RnS are nBcellllary in order to get the right Cocoa, viz., FRY'S PUTMB CONCENTRATJlD.

Tsz United Servwe (ia-,clie draws attention to a writer in Ze Yacht, who deala with the immense im- portance which will attach to the art of cutting ocean cables in the next great naval war. It is pointed out haw particularly vulnerable it England in this reBpect, and the writer eihortt hit country- men not to neglect the atudy of the beat means of severing cables in the open ocean. "The MMMM of the operation," he eaya, "require* an ameant of practice which it will be too late to acquire on tb< very day it beeomee necessary to take action. The iepth of water, the oonnguration of the bottom, the nature of the eoil, whether as being more or leMMft it permita the cable to bury itaelf; these and other pointa remain to be examined practically. Ocean- ography is destined to play a leading part m taiw ttudY."