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

SOUTH AFRICA. I BOTHA IN SWAZILAND.—SCHEEPERS AND SMUTS. A telegram from Dundee states that it is re- ported that Botha has left the Pongola Bosch and is moving northwards through Swaziland. Several hundred Boers are once more above Babanango, but they are practically in a starving condition and disinclined for fighting. Scheepers is said to be recovering from his illness. Smuts is being vigorously hunted in the Swartzberg. The majority of his men are wearing khaki and British regi- mental badges. BOERS ON THE SEA COAST. I SHELLED BY A GUNBOAT. I A few days ago (according to a telegram from Cape Town through the Central News Agency) a small Boer commando was reported to have arrived within two hours of Saldanha Bay, 65 miles from here, on the West Coast. Passing steamers were signalled to come close in, and upon them many of the frightened inhabitants took refuge. The steamers then put to sea, and just as they were rounding the point a number of Boers galloped up, and opened fire upon them. The steamers thereupon signalled to a gunboat which was in the vicinity. The gunboat immedi- ately put on full steam, quickly got the range of the enemy, and opened fire. As soon as the first shell fell near them the Boers scattered and bolted from the scene. REPORTED DEATH OF DE WET. I A COMMANDANT CAPTURED. J In military circles (says a Reuter's Special Ser- vice message from Durban) the recent inactivity of De Wet has produced an impression that he is incapacitated through illness or wounds. Indeed, in many quarters there exists a belief that the famous guerilla leader is dead. Although this is quite unconfirmed, yet, owing to the persistence of reports to that effect, it is impossible entirely to ignore the following facts. In a letter written from Pretoria to a resident at Durban some two months ago the writer refers to the fact that a prominent Boer-a mutual acquaintance of the writer and the person to whom the letter was addressed had recently sur- rendered, alleging as his reason, not the hardships of the campaign, but the terrible suffering which the Boers when wounded had to endure in conse- quence of the absence of doctors. De Wet, for example," he said, suffered most terrible agony before he died. He was wounded in the shoulder by a splinter from a shell, and the wound became gangrened, owing to its being dressed with dirty rags." Other evidence confirming this was received re- cently from the Komati Valley, where five Boers, who were captured at different places and at dif- ferent times, when questioned, all declared that De Wet was dead, though it is only fair to add that they nearly all differed as to the manner in which his death had come about, some declaring that it was from enteric fever, and others from wounds; while no two of them gave the same version. Another prisoner captured in the Orange River Colony declared that De Wet had left the country. On the other hand, the following facts tend to prove that De Wet is alive and well. The Revs. Messrs. Botha and Murray, in the course of their recent mission, interviewed both Steyn and De Wet, and on their return stated that they spoke to De Wet in person, and found him in good health. Field-Cornet Piet De Villiers, who was recently captured in the north-east of the Orange River Colony through driving his Cape cart into our lines, in ignorance of the fact that we had occupied the place, when interrogated, stated that he had breakfasted the same morning with De Wet. The above statements are entirely contradictory, but, seeing that the Boers would most likely hide the fact of De Wet's death, and in view of his recent strange inactivity, it seems worth while to place on record the evidence for and against his death. SAVING A COMRADE. I OFFICER'S HEROIC DEED. I On Friday, September 13 last, Menne's Scouts (says Reuter's Standerton correspondent) sent out their usual pickets from Platrand to their various positions. One picket, having arrived at the appointed post on De Wet's farm, early discerned a number of Boers lying in wait for another picket due at Observation Hill (local name). Word was immediately sent back to camp, and 35 of the scouts turned out. The Boers were soon cleared out of their position, and were followed up. When the scouts were some five miles from camp, however, the tables were turned, and the small British force found itself within the horns of a half-moon of some 300 Boers. The scouts now endeavoured to retire, fighting the while, while the Boers did their utmost to cut them off. The scouts' only gun jammed after two shots, but they kept their assailants off on both sides, thoug h far outnumbered. At last, however, they had to make a bolt for it, the fire of the enemy becoming ex- ceedingly hot, and at very short range. In the sauve qui peut" occurred one of those instances of pluck and devotion that have con- tinually brightened the history of this long war. Trooper Farrell's horse was shot under him, and Lieutenant Bradford, turning in his saddle for a parting shot at the enemy, noticed him go down, then saw him struggle to his feet, shaken and white. The officer promptly pulled round to pick him up, the nearest Boers being less than 200 yards off. The few seconds lost in mounting brought the enemy close up, and though the little horse struggled gamely under the double weight, it was too late. The two men could not be missed at a range so short. A bullet cut through the tunic of Trooper Farrell and pur- sued its course through Lieutenant Bradford's thigh. A swerve, and down, and before either man could rise the Boers were round them, and in a state of great excitement. "Verdomde Engelsman, you thought to catch us, but we've caught you." The Boers can shoot, can't they ?" What shall we do to them ?" These were a few of the remarks shouted by the Boers. One swung his revolver round, and said, Oh You are an officer, eh ?" and then helped himself to rings, watch, gaiters, cigarette-case, and field- glasses. Tunics were also taken, and boots, but the latter were afterwards returned. Inquiries were then made as to Lieutenant Bradford's hurts. The last mentioned Boer helped him to his legs, and he was allowed to hobble away with Trooper Farrell's assistance. A mile or more was covered, and, the coast then being clear, Farrell went on to camp for a horse, further waiting being impossible. Those of the scouts whose horses had been shot hid themselves, and came in after dark with their arms complete, one having lain hidden among some rushes while the Boers watered their horses within a few yards of him. Menne's scouts lost two killed and four wounded, while they reckoned to have accounted for 18 or 19 Boers. THE REINFORCEMENTS. YEOMANRY PAY DIFFICULTY. A Shorncliffe correspondent reports that by the time the two companies of re-enlisted Yeomen were due to parade in the early hours of Saturday morning men who had been absent through disaf- fection as to arrears of pay had rejoined. Some of them complained that they had not intended to desert the corps, but had taken the action they did in order to draw public attention to their grievances. On Friday afternoon of last week an official arrived from the War Office to pay the men. In company with Colonel Warde, of the Imperial Yeomanry, he went into the claims, paying some of the men in full and others a portion of the amount claimed, with the assurance that the re- mainder should be promptly paid. The payment of arrears was carried on throughout the night in order that the men might be satisfied before they were paraded for entraining. It wafl between two and three o'clock on Saturday morning before the last man received his money. The men expressed particular satisfaction with the manner in which they were treated by Major-General Hallam Parr. Before the men left their quarters an officer came round and inquired whether all had received their appears of pay. The muster took place in front of the barrack huts, when Colonel Warde said that it was a great satisfac- tion to him that all the men had returned. Gifts of tobacco and cigarettes were made to the men; I who, at about five o'clock in the morning marched; headed by the band of the Buffs, to Shorncliffe Station. Despite the earliness of the hour, there was a good number present to see the Yeomen off, many of their friends having come down from London and other places the previous night for that purpose. They arrived at Southampton in due colirse-two officers and 232 Yeomen-and embarked in the steamship Orient for South Africa. A Southampton correspondent de- scribes them as a fine body of men, contrasting strongly in point of physique with the new Yeo- manry recently sent out. In addition to the Yeomanry, the Orient, which left on Saturday afternoon, took out three officers and 230 men of the South African Constabulary; colonials, to the number of four officers and 112 men; and 46 shunters, signalmen, and gangers for the Imperial military railways. The transport Fifeshire left the Royal Albert Docks on Saturday afternoon for South Africa with a few details and 400 remounts. She will call at Southampton and Queenstown for 300 additional remounts. The hospital ship. Nubia, with 10 officers, 28 men R.A.M.C., 24 wives and 13 children, also left Southampton on Saturday for South Africa. LOSSES OF THE ENEMY. I THE MILITARY SITUATION. I The following telegram from Lord Kitchener has been received at the War Office: PRETORIA, October 21, 2.15 p.m. Since Oct. 14 columns report 25 Boers killed, 18 wounded, 190 prisoners and 59 surrenders, also 141 rifles, 6125 rounds small-arm ammunition, 106 waggons, 834 horses, and 6504 cattle captured. The commandos brought into Vryheid district by Botha have now been driven back towards Ermelo district after their abortive attempts to raid Natal, and local commandos all dispersed directly our columns got touch with them. Weather there continues unsettled, rendering movements of columns very difficult. "In Eastern Transvaal South African Constabu- lary line of posts between railways have been pushed out to Wilge River and Greylingstad. In Northern districts Beyers's men are very scattered. In the West Lord Methuen and Kekewich are operating in Marico Valley, while Fetherston- haugh's columns have come into Klerksdorp. South African Constabulary posts have been estabhshed through the Losberg and Gatsrand and the line of the Vaal from Scandinavia south of Pot- chefstroom to Kalkspruit, south of Heidelberg. "Elliot's columns, working from Harrismith, have made small capture. South of the Thaba Nchu line General C. Knox and Rochfort's columns have been working their areas and met only slight resistance, but on 19th October a patrol of Pil- cher's was captured near Smithfield by Boers dressed in khaki. In Cape Colony Smuts, having been driven northwards, is being closely hustled north of Graaf Reinet. Midlands and South otherwise clear, with exception of remnants of Scheepers's commando in Oudtshoorn Ladismith districts, to which columns are attending. An attempted southern move by rebels from Calvinia has been checked. In extreme East Fouch6 and Myburgh, having failed to break south, are scattered in mountains." BANISHMENT OF BOER LEADERS. I A further list of 12 Boer leaders captured since September 15 has been published in Pretoria. {Tnder Lord Kitchener's proclamation they are condemned to perpetual banishment from South Africa. The most conspicuous name in the list is that of Commandant Scheepers, the principal leader of the Cape invasion. BOERS SHORT OF AMMUNITION. I The Boer delegates in Brussels profess to have received news of De Wet down to September 13. De Wet is stated to have had several conferences with Botha and Delarey to arrange the summer campaign, and was organising the Boer forces in the Orange Colony. The great difficulty the Boers have to overcome in Cape Colony is said to be the want of arms and ammunition. There are plenty of buried Mausers, but there is no ammunition for them. From Standerton it is stated that Riming- ton's Column on Saturday of last week overtook a party of Boers, eight of whom were captured with quantities of supplies and a thousand cattle. Com- mandant Marais was discovered near Sutherland a few days ago, and some of the rebels with him were captured, but Marais himself escaped.

TRIPLE TRAGEDY AT RYDE. I A terrible triple tragedy occurred early on the morning of the 22nd inst. at a house at High-park, Ryde, Isle of Wight, occupied by Mr. George James, a builder. Mr. James'son-in-law, Samuel Hughes. a market gardener, with his young wife and family, were staying at the house, and on Tuesday morning Mr. James heard a thud in the bedroom occupied by them. On going into the room he found his daughter lying on the floor, and his son-in-law stretched across the bed; the child was also in bed. All three had their throats cut, and were dead. Inability to obtain work is supposed to have led Hughes to commit the crime. Later in the day an inquest was held, when the jury returned a verdict that the wife and child were wilfully murdered by Hughes, and that the latter afterwards committed suicide, being at the time of unsound mind.

CZOLGOSZ'S DOOM. I The execution of Czolgosz is fixed for the 29t inst. Thousands of people have asked for per- mission to witness the electrocution, but the Government will allow only 26 persons to be pre- sent. Mr. Collins, Superintendent of Prisons, paid a visit to Czolgosz and endeavoured to per- suade him to turn State's evidence and divulge the accomplices in his crime. Czolgosz, however, ad- hered to his denial that he had accomplices. Czol- gosz stated that he once asked Mr. McKinley for a job, but the late President replied that he could nofrdo anything for him.

AERIAL NAVIGATION. I M. Santos Dumont, on Saturday, succeeded in J navigating his balloon from Saint Cloud round the Eiffel Tower and back but the committee of the Aero Club decided that he had not won the Deutsch Prize, as he had exceeded by 40 seconds the half- hour stipulated for the completion of the journey. M. Dumont claims to have won the prize according to the regulations originally made.

A RECORD CHRISTENING. I The Ormsby quadrupets" were baptised al St. Cecilia's Church, in Chicago, on Sunday, when they were given the names of William, Theodore. John, and Edith. The four children are expected to live. When the Ormaby triplets were christened at the same church two years ago, there was a very large gathering of curious folk; but the cele- bration of Sunday far surpassed the former one. Enough adults were present almost to fill the seats of the church, and, in addition, ap- parently all the children of all the thousands 01 families of the parish had assembled, and they pressed like a torrent down the aisles, all wanting to see the quadruplets. The assistant priest tried to drive back the juvenile crowd, but the young- sters paid no attention to him. Father Kelly then hurried to the scene. Go away back! Sit down!" he shouted as he charged the throng. "Do you think this is a show. I'll put every one out of the church." Father Kelly finally made sufficient space, and then lit the candles on the altar. Mrs. Ormsby, resplendent in a new costume pur- chased for the occasion, took her place, with the four sets of godparents, carrying the four little babies, standing in front of her. The Ormsby children were brought to the church in three carriages drawn by milk-white horses, and wore very nice dresses. After Mrs. Ormsby returned home many visitors were received, at a regulation rate of 25 cents a-head, and the jollification lasted all the evening.

"q SIR JOSEPH DIMSDALE, M.P., Lord Mayor- Elect of London, has promised to preside at a Mansion House meeting, to be held early in January next, in furtherance of the appeal of Guy's Hospital for a renewal of public support. A sum of £ 180,000 is required to meet thecost of many works of renovation and extension rendered neces- sary by the age of the hospital and the constantly increasing demands upon its ministrations. The appeal also asks that the income of the hospital, derived from voluntary sources may be increased to £ 25.000 per annum. HERE is one of the stories told by the late Dr. Whipple, Bishop of Minnesota, whose death took place the other day. Many years ago," said the bishop. I was holding a service near an Indian village camp. My things were scattered about in a lodge, and when I was going out I asked the chief if it was safe to leave them there while I went to the village to hold a service. Yes,' he said,' perfectly safe. There is not a white man within a hundred miles! MANY visitors to Paris are familiar with the sparrow-tamer in the Tuileries Gardens. On most days, at some hour or other, may be seen this devotee of the gamins de Paris, as these pert and much-petted little creatures are called, dozens of them fluttering around him, some perching on the rim of his hat, others on his shoulder, others again on his finger-tips. But the amateur bird-tamer has done more than merely tame his sparrows. He has accorded names to a few of the most in- telligent. Thus you may see "Marie" or "Jeanne" hopping when called towards their friend, and the pretty sight acclaimed by on- lookers; for no sooner does the well-known figure take his stand than a little crowd gathers round him, old and young.

C Z6q A lx 1AL I$/LEAD

v)tm LONDON CORRESPONDENT. The re-opening of the Law Courts this week, tfter the Long Vacation, has been attended ith more interest than usual, because of the important changes that have taken place on the judicial bench. The appointment of a new Master of the Rolls and a fresh Lord Justice of Appeal, with the consequent necessity of choos- ing another puisine judge in addition to the one who has to take the place of Mr. Justice Day, has caused an unusually rapid flow of legal pro- motion and the Bar has been concerned accordingly. It is a striking fact that all the occupants of the Queen's Bench Division except two have been selected by the present Lord Chan- cellor (Lord Halsbury) as well as the whole of the Chancery and Probate Divisions; and no Lord Chancellor since the days of Lord Eldon has had such a run of patronage. One point about certain of the recent appointments has struck others than lawyers, and that is how the age of effective service seems to be rising. The new Master of the Rolls (Sir Richard Henn Collins), for instance, has been congratulated by an influential journal upon being a young man for the post"; and yet he is fifty- nine, the age at which one of the most illustrious of his modern predecessors, Sir George Jessel, died. In these times it is with lawyers, indeed, as with statesmen-experience is counted to them as a virtue, and youth is not so much sought for as it was. Preparations for giving a fitting welcome to the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York on their return from their tour round the world are rapidly proceeding, and it is already evi- dent that they will have not merely a warm but an imposing reception when they reach Spit- head. The King, with Queen Alexandra and Princess Victoria, will travel from London to Portsmouth specially to meet the distinguished voyagers, and will go on board the new Royal yacht as far as the Nab Lightship, in order to do so. Salutations will be exchanged from vessel to vessel, but their Majesties will not then proceed on board the Ophir, which will come right into Portsmouth, at which place their Majesties will personally welcome their son. It can safely be forecasted that a very en- thusiastic greeting awaits the Duke and Duchess when they reach London, for not only have they always been popular in the capital, but there is a widespread feeling that there tour has done much to strengthen the silken cords which serve to hold this vast Empire together as one united band. The average citizen of London is by no means an obstreperous personage, but he is just now proving once more the truth of the idea that even the worm will turn. The cause for this demonstration is one that might fairly have pro- voked him long ago, for it is the frequent interruption to traffic, caused by the pulling-up of City streets. An influential meet- ing of merchants and shopkeepers has resolved to emphatically protest against the disgraceful condition of the streets by the continued up- heaval, without regard to the business men of the City, whose trade is seriously threatened, and to support the Corporation in any appeal they may make to Parliament, under which they will get full control of the City streets. It is, indeed, in the direction of securing to the City Corporation and the London County Council parliamentary powers to prevent the present nuisance from being perpetual, that the citizens generally look for relief. At present gas companies, water companies, electric light- ing companies, and telephone companies pull up the streets at their own sweet will without con- sulting each other or the general convenience -and the public is getting heartily tired of the unregulated process. It should be somewhat gratifying to the Londoner's pride that four Berlin police officers have this week been sent to our capital to study the methods employed by the Metropolitan and City Police with a view to adopting the system in Berlin. This is particularly in regard to the regulation of the street traffic, a point which every foreign observer has noted with special interest as being unequalled elsewhere. Only a few years have passed since the then United States Ambassador (Mr. Bayard) spoke in picturesquely eloquent terms of the effect of the policeman's unplifted arm at a crowded crossing. Paris has since adopted some of our methods, and now the Berlin authorities are evidently in a mood to follow. This is gratifying to our national pride, for it is a practical testimony which is thoroughly deserved. The traffic of London is so enormous, indeed, that it would be impos- sible for it to be carried on without some such admirable ariangement as is now adopted. Interest is naturally developing in the new coinage which will soon be forthcoming, and a practical suggestion has been made to the responsible authorities by the Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom to the effect that their re- spected values should be plainly marked upon all British coins in future issues. The Chan- cellor of the Exchequer it would seem, has ex- pressed the opinion that it is not advisable to alter the design of the gold coins, but has stated the suggestion will be considered as to the rest of the new coinage. This, however, car- ries the matter but a very little way, for the only coin not of gold which is now struck without having its value on its face is the crown-piece, the reverse of which has Pistrucci's famous design of St. George and the dragon and as the crown is not at all likely to be mistaken, even in the darkest night, for any other coin, it may seem hardly worth while making an alteration for the sake of that one piece. All lovers of flowers will be interested in the announcement that preliminary arrangements are being made by the Royal Horticultural Society for the holding of a conference on roses and rose-growing which is to take place here next summer, on the invitation of the Earl of Ilchester, Holland House, Kensington. It is under- stood that that veteran lover and cultivator of roses, Dean Hole, of Rochester, has been in- vited to act as president of the intended gathering and that a large number of eminent rose-growers, British, American, and Conti- nental, are expected to take part in the pro- ceedings, which will extend over two days, pro- bably at the end of next June. The rose has so indentified itself with our English life as the national flower that there is some- thing specially appropriate about the selection of the Coronation period for this conference, from which good results should flow. Even those who do not grow roses regard them with an affection not shown to any other flower; and the suburban householder is proud of his rose trees in a fashion that can well be under- stood. The use of self-propelled vehicles "or what are more usually called motor-cars—for military purposes is so obviously destined to increase that the action of the War Office is generally approved in having offered prizes to the value of £ 850 for the three such that may be found most suited. The trials are intended to be very exhaustive, and they will take place in the neighbourhood of Aldershot, the com- peting lurries being tested under conditions of a varrying character. They are to be capable of being used with heavy loads over rough roads and across country, the lurry and trailer having a load of five tons, exclusive of fuel and water, while the machinery is to be of efficient power to propel them at an hourly speed of eight miles on fairJy level roads, and a mean speed of five mile on an average road, up and down hill, and to take a rail loaa witnoul assistance up a slope of one in eight. The trials will take place early in December; and some of the hills chosen for tfcem will test to the utmost the climbing and brake qualities of the machines, the whole com- petition promising still further to strengthen the automobile movement. R. I

NEWS NOTES. I NEXT week the Duke and Duchess of Corn- wall and York are due back home from their long Colonial tour, and the King and Queen are expected to meet them on their return in the Ophir. The Canadian portion of the Royal itinerary was in every way as pronounced a success as the Australasian visitation, or, indeed, any part of the interesting world-trip of the Heir Apparent and his Consort. Almost the last utterance of the Duke at Halifax, Nova Scotia, before going on shipboard, was the remark that nothing was no essential to the advancement of a people as ade- quate provision for the training which will keep the coming generation abreast of the march of in- tellectual progress and scientific knowledge. His Royal Highness was joyfully impressed with the importance that go-ahead Canada is every- where attaching to this. M. SANTOS DUMONT has achieved a sort of partial success in the way of aerial navigation in the vicinage of the Eiffel Tower; but it is more than questionable whether any practical good will come of the daring and ingenious Brazilian's efforts. Man has a poor chance with the birds in the sphere between earth and sky, though science has certainly done wonders in compelling the elements to minister to the will of the lords of creation. ONE hopes almost without trusting that the newly-constituted War Office Council may be able to compass something in the way of redeeming our Army management from un- enviable repute for muddling into which it has fallen. There is doubtless plenty of talent and zeal at the disposal of the military authorities, but it is permitted to overlap or to run to waste by want of system. If the War Office Council can change all that, and for ineptitude gives us harmonious action and prescient resourcefulness, it will indeed deserve well of the nation. EARL ROBERTS is great upon the paramount importance of marksmanship in modern war- fare, and the Commander-in-Chief lets no opportunity- escape him of insisting upon the citizen soldier becoming a good shot. Lord Roberts, and all others who have been actually engaged in the South African campaign, have learned lessons they will never forget in the direction of proving that superiority at long- range fighting is more than half the battle nowadays. It seems, indmed, imperative that we should "teach the young idea how to shoot" thoroughly. IT was satisfactory to find the War Office making a sort of eleventh hour attempt to atone for its sins of omission as regards the back pay of certain of the returned Imperial Yeomen. Steps, we are told, will be taken to avoid a repetition of the arrears, scandal, but why were not the difficulties which have arisen anticipated and prevented P A dissatisfied soldier, regular or auxiliary, is the worst possible advertisement for any army. OF the making of much whisky there would appear to be no end, for we are told that there are at this moment close upon a hundred and fifteen million gallons at this moment of the spirit bonded in Scottish warehouses, a circum- stance which one is not surprised to see cited as accounting for a depression, temporary or otherwise, in the trade. The access in the con- sumption of Scotch in recent years through- out the kingdom has been very noticeable, but such huge accumulations as competition amongst distillery interests have brought into being can be of no conceivable benefit to anyone. THERE is an ugly look about the disquiet in the French culhery industry, and our neigh- bours over-channel will be fortunate if they avoid a disastrous industrial war. France cannot get along for any time without an engrossing sensation of some sort, social, poli- tical, or military. THE mineral output of the United Kingdom has assumed enormous proportions. We gather from a Parliamentary return just issued that last year the aggregate value of our mineral output was as much as £ 135,957,676, and this exclusive of the produce of what are scheduled as shallow quarries. The huge total here given exceeded that represented by the output of the twelvemonths preceeding by just upon thirty-eight and a half millions sterling. The staggering increase indicated as due partly to the larger quantity of coal produced, but mainly to the higher average price per ton. The total output of coal for 1900 was 225,181,800 tons, valued at £ 121,652,596.. We are still getting and selling a lot of coal, but the price obtained for it all round runs very considerably less than the inflated figures which ruled during last year, and this win affect the money portion of next year's return materially. AN old firm of silk-spinners in the West Riding of Yorkshire has fallen upon evil days and failed financially. There was a working staff of some five hundred hands, between whom and the employers the happiest relations had long existed. The mill-folk met and resolved to offer to work in a body for a month without wages if such a sacrifice could save the crash. It was too late to save the firm; but the incident is one which should have pleasant record in the romance of Capital and Labour. The fellow feeling between masters and men is very strong in a good many industrial communities, especially in the north; but one cannot refrain from regretting to find it gradually dying away before the sentiment-killing advance of the public company spirit, which takes no note of personalia or faithful service other than that comprehended within latter-day com- mercial lines, the idea of which is to obtain labour of every class in the cheapest market, exploit it for all it may be worth, and discard it at will like deteriorated plant or unneeded machinery. WHEN shall we cease to strive to out-leviathan Leviathan ? Instructions have, it is stated, been received by the Devonport Dockyard authorities to prepare for building a battleship larger than any now existing. Its displacement will be 16,500 tons, and its length 425ft. The previous largest battleships designed for the British navy are of the Queen class, with a displace- ment of 15,000 tons and a length of 400ft. The American navy has the largest ships afloat, the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, each of which has a displacement of 15,320 tons. The new ship will be the first of a King Edward VIL class

LORD ROSEBERY ON "HARRIS." t Lord Rosebery, in opening an exhibition of Scot- tish home industries at Glasgow on the 22nd inst., made a humorous reference to a recent correspon- dence in a contemporary concerning the insanitary condition of Harris tweed and the risks of bacilli. We were encompassed with dangers, he said, every minute of our lives and in everything we did. The general conclusions he had drawn from the con- troversy were that while in the abstract it was wicked and foolish and impossible to wear Harris tweed in the concrete it was about the best thing they could do. J

IT was announced in the Edinburgh Cpur4 ot Session on the 22nd inst. that it had been decided to abandon the suit for divorce commenced in January last by Earl Rosslyn. THE marriage arranged between Maurice Charles Stubbs, eldest son of the Dean of Ely, and Olivia Joan, daughter of Mr. W. J. Evans, of St. Mary's, Ely, will take place at Cairo towards the end of November. MAJOR FRANCIS CHARLES MINSHULL FORD, D.S.Q., of the South African Constabulary, who was killed in an action fought at Moolmeisjes- fontein, near Bronkhorst Spruit, in the Transvaal, had only lately completed his 31st year. He joined the Highland Light Infantry as a second lieu- tenant on February 20,1892. He had served as a captain with Bethune's Mounted Infantry, and had only lately been appointed to the South African Constabulary. THE marriage took place on Saturday, at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Cadogan-street, Cheksea, of Mr. Frank Ashton Bellville, third son of the late Mr. W.J. Bellville, of Berkeley-square, and Stoughton Grange, Leicestershire, and Miss Gladys Hermione Chester-Master, only &iild of the late Dr. A. Chester-Master, of Eaton-terrace.

DEATH OF THE LATE MASTER OF THE ROLLS. We announce with regret that the Right Hon. I Sir Archibald Levin Smith, who for just a year had filled the distinguished post of Master of the Rolls and President of the Court of Appeal, died; on Sunday night at the residence of his son-in-law, Wester Elchies House, Aberlour, Morayshire. The deceased had been seriously ill for some time, and his illness became more pronounced since the tragic death of his wife, whose body was recently found in the Spey. Last week he resigned his judicial position, recognising the fact that he ) would never again be able to fulfil its duties, and < the announcement of Lord Justice Henn Collins to succeed him in the Mastership of the Rolls was j' only made on Saturday. The Right Honourable Sir Archibald Levin Smith was born in 1836, and was educated at Eton and at Trinity, Cambridge. While at the university lie, like Lord Esher before him, pulled a good oar in the Cambridge Eight, but did not otherwise very greatly distinguish himself, and when he was called to the bar in I860 he had made no record from which those who did not know him would have been inclined to perdict the extraordinarily successful career before him. Money-making was not a matter of necessity with him, but professionally-speaking his fortune was made when he was singled out for devil's devil" by the late Lord Bowen, then Mr. Charles Bowen, junior counsel for the Treasury, or "Attorney-General's devil," as the phrase runs at the bar. That was as good a cer- tificate of ability as a man could have, and no one at the bar doubted that "A. L. as he had come to be generally called, thoroughly deserved it. His advancement from that moment was only a ques- tion of time. In due time Mr. Bowen, being still a "junior counsel," and having never taken silk, was made a judge, to go on presently and find his way into the House of Lords, and Mr. Smith suc- ceeded to the very important office which he vacated. In 1883 A. L.'s turn came. He was still Attorney-General's devil, the Attorney- General being the present Lord James of Here- ford, with the late Lord Herschell for Solicitor- General, and his value was so well appreciated that, like his predecessor, he was appointed straight to the Bench without ever having taken silk. He very quickly proved himself a thoroughly good judge. He knew and understood the common law as well as any man, and his power of master- ing the most obscure and cumbersome of Acts of Parliament was phenomenal. But that was not enough to make a good judge of him. His clear and quick perception, his perfect embodiment of common sense, and the downright frankness of his straightforward good nature were the qualities that earned for him the confidence of every litigant as well as of every member of his own profession. He was never a politician, and was never given to any sort of self-advertisement. He was not, in fact, an eloquent speaker, but he had the gift which is, perhaps, more esteemed in this country, of being able to make what he had to say short, clear, and to the point. Nothing was further from him than affectation. He never played to the gallery and never wasted time never made jokes, and was never rude never shirked a difficulty, and was never afraid of saying what he thought. In 1888, when a Royal Commission was appointed to inquire into the charges made against Mr. Parnell and his party, he was chosen as one of the three Commissioners, and no one doubted the wisdom of the selection. Four years later, in 1892, Mr. Justice Smith was promoted to the Court of Appeal, with the title of Lord Jus- tice. and for nearly 10 years he remained one of the soundest and steadiest of the members of that distinguished Court. Almost exactly a year ago, on October 23, 1900, he was appointed Master of the Rolls, succeeding Lord Alverstone, who, having held the office for a few months only, had been made Lord Chief Justice of England, in succession to the late Lord Russell of Killowen. He was regarded with the deepest respect and affection by the whole of his profession, and there was no more learned or wiser judge, and no better man on the Bench.

ANOTHER NEW JUDGE. I The King has been pleased to approve of the appointment of Mr. Joseph Walton, K.C., to be a Judge of the King's Bench Division in the place of Mr. Justice Mathew, made on Saturday a Lord Justice of Appeal, vice Sir Richard Henn Collins, who takes the late Sir A. L. Smith's post as Master of the Rolls. Mr. Joseph Walton, K.C., whose appointment to a Judgeship of the King's Bench Division in suc- cession to Mr. Justice Mathew, raised to the Court of Appeal, is now officially announced, was born in 1845, and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in November, 1868. He shortly afterwards joined the Northern Cir- cuit, whereon and in London he obtained a large practice. He was created a Queen's Counsel in 1892, and was appointed Recorder of Wigan in 1895 in succession to the present Speaker, Mr. Gully. Mr. Walton has been engaged in all the leading commercial cases of the day, and has had an extensive practice in House of Lords appeal cases. He had retainers from all the large marine insurance companies in London, and was standing counsel to the Jockey Club. He went on circuit as a Commissioner of Assize on three separate occasions, and was chairman of the General I Council of the Bar.

VALUES ON THE COINAGE. I Lord Avebury has received from the Chancellor of the Exchequer a letter with reference to a representation made by the Association of I Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom, that in future issues all British coins should have their value plainly marked upon them. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach expresses the opinion that it is not advisable to alter the design of the gold coins, but with regard to the rest of the new coinage con- sideration is being given to the association's sug- gestion.

THE Queen has become patroness of a bazaar to be held at the Royal Albert Institute, Windsor, on November 12 and the three following days, in aid of the parochial funds of Holy Trinity, the Windsor garrison church.

COAGULINEIt The Transparent Cement, j-DON'-r THROW AWAY' x a arti<3le simpiy because it in in pieces. Keep the parts and' send for a bottle of Coagulixie. with which you can, in a few minutes, make a joint as —1 strong as the original ma- terial, and one which only the closest scrutiny will detect. MENDS ALL BROKEN ARTICLES. Refuse all Substitutes. In Bottles, 6d. and Of all Chemists & Storea* ILL I Alt D AND BAGATELLB TABLES. A LARGE STOCK OF NEW AND SECOND- HAND TABLES always on hand. WRITE FOR PRICE LISTIL -G. EDWARDS, 134, KINGSLAND ROAD, LONDON, N.B. VINOLIA SHAVING SOAP is not the same as soap prepared for ordinary toilet use, and is made specially and solely for shaving delicate, sensitive, irrit- able skins. STICKS, 6d. and 1/ CAKES, 1/- and 2/ BORWICK s The Best BAKINC POWDER IfrPOWDER World.

COMBATING FOOT AND MOUTH I DISEASE. ■ Professor Baccelli, Minister of Agriculture and ■ Commerce, set forth his method for the cure of ■ foot and mouth disease at a congress in Novaro. ■ He said he had made experiments with injections ■ of corrosive sublimate on oxen affected with the H disease, and had obtained wonderful results. His, ■ studies of human disease led him to recognise the H efficacy of introducing vigorous remedies into the I body by making them pass directly into the blood" I and not into the stomach or skin. H

CORONATION CURRENCY." I The dies for the Coronation coinage having been, approved by the King, are now in preparation by the authorities of the Mint (says the Pall Maffl Gazette). One side of the coins will bear a minia- ture of his Majesty, devoid of elaboration, with inscription; the details of the reverse are still under consideration for the approval by the King. Hundreds of tons of gold and silver will be required for the new currency. It is probable that the threepenny piece will be retained, but whether any new coin will be issued to commemorate the CarOl nation cannot now be stated. -1

T, .W- A QUAINT idea has occurred to M. Coqnel, an employé of the French National Library. During the period of the Commune (savs the Paris Figaro) he passed his time on the top of the buildings of the Bibliothdque Rationale piching up, at the peril of his life, the balls and shells which rained on the roots, and so helping to pre- serve the buildings from destruction by fire. As a souvenir of the event, he has had the missilea, cast into a commemorative form for preservation, among other relics of that stormy time. THE town of Aversa, in Italy, numbering over 30,000 inhabitants, has recently been in a ciirioual predicament. For three days (says the lndepen- dance Belge) it was impossible to procure a postage stamp. The stocks kept by the tobacco- shops had been exhausted; at the central post- office and i branches the supply had equally given out; and as the result numbers of non-stamped letters were sent in all directions, to earn in sur- taxes for the Italian Treasury as much again as the stamps would have cost. ACCORDING to statistics published in France it appears that the annual consumption of salt in England is 401b. per head. France consumes 301))., Hussht 181b., Austria 161b., France 141b. Spain 121b., and Switzerland 81b. It was once- said by some learned man, whose name we forget for the moment, that the man who takes largely of salt is addicted to secret vices. Let us hope that. he was mistaken.

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