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

OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. The "arm-chair politician" who loves his club, and to whom party strife is as the very breath of his nostrils, has latterly been like the war-horse in sniffing the battle, though only from afar. For various among the party leaders have once more ascended the platform, apparently invigorated by the temporary cessa- tion of the fight caused by the holidays, and enthusiastic meeting has'answered unto enthusi- astic meeting to prove that politics are no longer dormant among us. Those who are constitu- tionally inclined to quiet, and who would call a plague on both your houses," may deprecate these demonstrations; but, as long as this country is governed by Parliament, so long must such manifestations of the various currents of public feeling take ".place. if we are to be well ruled. It will not be, however, until the Prime Minister speaks at Guildhall at the Lord Mayor's banquet on the Ninth that the full autumnal feast of political oratory will be felt to be spread, for tradition has associated that occa- sion with something unusually striking. Lord Beaconsfield once declared that it was then that the voice of sense and truth was accustomed to be heard; and, although partisans naturally Z, take varying views of such a position, the ex- pression is one that it is always interesting at this season of the year to recall. The coming Ninth of November will be the more noteworthy because it will furnish the first occasion on which the birthday of the reign- ing Sovereign and Lord Mayor's Day will coin- cide. Owing to the continuance of the Court mourning, however, no formal celebrations of the King's birthday are this year to take place but it may fairly be assumed that the West-end clubs will be bright with illuminations on the occasion. In connection with that point, it is being noted that up to now the Belgian glass- makers have not come forward with any novel devices in preparation for the Coronation. They are even now, however, making ready to cater for the British million by offering to sup- ply at a very low rate the old-fashioned bucket- lamps, which have been accustomed so exten- sively to be used for illuminations and at pre- sent it looks very much as if cheapness rather than artistic excellence is the note of all such preparations. With the turn of the year may come a change, for it is evident that, if the Z, capital gets the chance, there will be such a dis- play of loyal enthusiasm next June as shall be almost, if not quite, beyond precedent. Londoners are gloomily resigning themselves to the prospect of a foggy winter. When this particular kind of nuisance commences to exhibit itself in September, it is apt to cause apprehension and when it produces an especi- ally gruesome specimen before October is closed, that apprehension becomes conviction. Last Saturday's fog furnished that especially grue- some specimen, and happy were those who had stayed at home that evening and not gone any distance to enjoy themselves. In certain of the suburbs the fog had been dense all day, but the sun had been shining in the City, and nobody seemed to imagine that the night would find all London re- sembling the pit of Acheron. But that was the resemblance discovered by the many thou- sands who towards midnight streamed forth from the various crowded places of amusement. Nearly every omnibus had ceased to run because of the black fog; cabs, for the same reason, were extremely scarce and the rare spectacle of link-boys flitting to and fro in the darkness with torches guiding belated wayfarers was once more seen in the London streets. Those who were forced to find their way home through the streets almost void of vehicles were impressed by the marked superiority of gas over electricity as an illuminant in time of fog. Even the most powerful of electric lamps threw only an ineffectual beam, while the newest developments in gas-burners gave a penetrating and excellent light. This difference in favour of the older illuminant when there is fog in the air has been noted at sea as well as on land. An electrically lit lighthouse, for instance, carries its rays far further in a clear atmosphere than one where oil is used; but when there is a fog, which is the very time its services are needed most, the oil lamp asserts itself to advantage. Our local authorities, of course, have to provide for the normal rather than the abnormal; but this difference between the illuminants is one not to be lost sight of. Tho end this week of the volunteer year was marked, as far as the Metropolis was concerned, by several church parades, these having been placed in Sunday's orders for various corps. More interest than usual will be felt in the figures for the year when they become available, as it is of national concern to discover how the war has affected the Volunteer movement. Those who wish to develop the system of citizen sol- diering to the full entertain a hope—perhaps scarcely a lively hope—that the authorities at the War Office will so far profit by the lessons of the campaign as to do all that in them lies to encourage the Volunteers to higher and more organised exertions. At present they furnish the raw material for an admirable de- fensive force, capable even, in cases of national emergency, to assist in the offensive; but they need to be re-ordinated with the regular army in a closer fashion than merely on paper, and it is at this point that the War Office needs to be stirred. The much-talked-of "view from Richmond- hill," which, by this time, is almost as famous as the song-celebrated "Lass of Richmond Hill" of the century before last, is now apparently saved for all time from that destruction which seemed at one period to threaten it. The an- nouncement is made that Lord Dysart, who is the owner of certain manorial rights affecting "the view," intends to have introduced in the next Session of Parliament a bill which will give up all his remaining manorial rights over Ham and Petersham-commons and Ham-fields, as well as yielding to the public Petersham Meadow, immediately below Richmond-hill, and a strip of land, at least 200ft. wide, extend- ing for two miles along the bank of the Thames, from Twickenham Ferry to the One Tree, near Kingston, in return for which all common rights over the remainder of his estates in that district would be extinguished. The very names given in the scheme are redolent of poetry and romance; and those who do not know the Thames at Richmond-and they are to be sym- pathised with-can be assured that what is now to be done will be prized by Londoners for all time. R.

IT DROVE THE MAN FRANTIC to hear his wife, but if he had only given her a tin of KEATING'S LOZENGES, one single Lozenge would at once have stopped her cough, and the result would have been a peaceful night's sleep-a tin Of RE' ATIN G'S LOZENGES can be obtained from any chemist for IBid. AT the end of the rainy season an expedition is to be sent to Cross Rivers, South Nigeria. ALL members of the Spanish Cortes and Press representatives in the House are to wear top hats. MAJOR E. F. J. BLAKENEY, Army Service Corps, lately on special service with the Rhode- sian Field Force, has taken up the command of the Army Service Corps in the Home District, in place of Colonel T. B. Stewart. THE Directors of Princes' Restaurant have been wise in meeting the depression due to the War. and their half-guinea iinner, served as only such restaurateurs understand how, has been the sue-, cess of the Season. The soft atmosphere, Boeehi's dreamy music, and a highly-bred throng of the best dressed people in the world, make a dinner fcere a treasured memory.-Court Oircular

I SOUTH AFRICA. I BOTHA'S ESCAPE. I A telegram from Newcastle states tltac General Botha appears to have effected his escape by travelling with a small escort, and thus avoiding notice. On the night of the 11th inst. he was located at Derby, north of Piet Retief. Thence he moved to Spitzkop, where he left his personal following, numbering about 100. Taking only six men he then marched to Amsterdam, whence he moved north, to join Mr. Schalk-Burger, who had for a short time established the head- quarters of the Boer Government at a point a little to the West of Amsterdam. This movable Government possessed an escort of 100 men and a few vehicles. 250 BOERS CAUGHT IN HIDING. I A British force which has been scouring the country to the South-west of Rusteil)urg for some weeks arrived at Klerksdorp on the 17th inst., bringing in 250 Boers who were found in various hiding-places. Colonel CajnpbtiVs Column has secured a large number of cattle and sheep. LORD MILNER PLEADS FOR PATIENCE. I Lord Milner, in his reply to the address of the Pietermaritzburg Corporation, said it was satis- factory to see that Natal, which was the first to bear the brunt of the war, was the first to begin to recover. What he wanted was a peaceful, prosperous, progressive South Africa, one great community under the British flag. But they must not reckon on it coming in a hurry, and they must not dispense with the great virtue of patience. His visit to Natal might lead to a few steps being taken, if only small and tentative, in the right direction. THE TRANSVAAL REFUGEES. I The Lord Mayor of London has received from the Central Committee at Cape Town of the Man- sion House Refugees' Fund a statement of their relief work to the end of August. The amount collected locally had been £ 25,201, and the grants from the Central Fund amounted to £ 242,298. The expenditure to date was £ 252,957. The number of people under relief was 2058, being an increase of 39 during the month. Of those there were at Pietermaritzburg 171, Durban 121, East London 607, Port Elizabeth 591, Cape Town 156, Grahamstown 207, King Williamstown 131, Queenstown 9, Port Alfred 25, Outdshoorn 34, and Aliwal North 6. Relief was now closed at Kokstad Hopetown, Somerset East, Adelaide, Beaufort West, Miadelburgh, Uitenhage, B erschell, British iieehuanaland, Mafeking, Beira, Cape Town (Ladies' Committee), Graaf Reinet, Cradock, Fort Beaufort, and Basutoland. The number of people relieved to date had been 48,704. COLONIAL RECRUITS FOR THE YEOMANRY. The War Office has sent out for publication the following: Many ex-members of colonial corps who have served in South Africa having applied to re-enlist in the Imperial Yeomanry, it has been decided to allow such re-enlistments on and after October 29. The following are the qualifications for service. Further and fuller particulars can be obtained from recruiting officers: (a) The term of enlistment will be for one year, or, if the war lasts longer, for the war. In the event of the war being over in less than one year men may be discharged at once. (b) Candidates must not have been discharged for any unsatisfactory cause. (c) Candidates must be medically fit for active service. (d) Married men and widowers with children may be accepted provided that they state they are aware that no separation allowance will be issued, and that they signify on their form of attestation their willingness to allot, from the date of embarka- tion for South Africa, two-fifths of their pay to their wives or children. Men who were dis- charged as medically unfit will be allowed to re- enlist provided they are now fit, but disability pensions cannot be drawn concurrently with pay as a soldier. Ke-enlisted men will resume the ranK neia on I discharge provided vacancies exist. In the absence of vacancies in those ranks, non-commissioned ofScers above the rank of corporal will be allowed the rank of corporal. Men not over the rank of corporal desirous of re-enlisting should apply to the nearest recruiting officer or at the headquarters of the Imperial Yeomanry, 16, Great George-street, Westminster, and should produce their discharge certificate. Non-eommissioned officers above the rank of cor- poral should apply to the officer commanding 1st Provisional Battalion, Shorncliffe. After attestation the yeomen will be sent to Shorncliffe, but should any man prefer to remain at his home until the preparation of the draft which he is to accompany he will be allowed to do so, and to draw a special lodging allowance of Is. 3d. per diem, in addition to ration and messing allowance. The condition of pay, &c., will be as follows 1. Up to and including the pay prior to embar- cation for South Africa ordinary cavalry rates of pay and allowances will be drawn, excepting sepa- ration allowance. 2. From the date of embarcation the rates of pay will be on the following scale, which will be inclusive of good conduct pay: Regimental Sergeant-Major 9s. Od. Quartermaster-Sergeant 88. Gd. Farrier Sergeant. 8s. 6d. Farrier Staff-Sergeant. 88. 6d. Company Sergeant-Major 8s. Od. Company Quartermaster-Sergeant 8s. Od. Sergeant 7s. Od. Corporal appointed paid lance-sergeant 6s. 6d. Corporal and paid lance-corporal 6s. Od. Private 5s. Od. Non-commissioned officers not above the rank of sergeant acting as farrier sergeant or farrier staff- sergeant, and privates acting as buglers, saddlers, or shoeing smiths, will be granted extra duty pay at Is. a day. Men re-enlisting under these conditio-g will not re- ceive a second war gratuity, but >2 they servedatleast nine months (exclusive of furlough) on their pre- vious engagement they fill be entitled on com- pleting their period of service to a gratuity of £ 5. Men discharged in consequence of wounds, in- juries, or disability received or contracted while on service will be entitled to pension in accord- ance with the Royal Warrant for pay, &c., of the Regular Army. On embarcation for South Africa each man will receive an advance of 30 days' pay. Messing allowance will cease to be issuable from date of embarcation, merging in the special rate of pay. No separation allowance will be issued either before or after embarcation. Should a sufficient number of ex-colonials render it possible, efforts will be made to form separate squadrons consist- ing entirely of this class of re-enlisted men. RECENT BRITISH SUCCESSES. I The following telegram from Lord Kitchener has been received at the War Office: PRETORIA, October 27, 7 p.m Six p.m., October 27.—Early on October 22 Colonel Benson surprised Boer laager near Tri- chardsfontein, capturing 37 prisoners. Continu- ing to operate around Bethel, he was engaged near Yzervarkfontein on October 25, after long night march, with commandos under Grobelar and Eras- mus, who heavily attacked his rearguard and flanks, but were easily driven away. Colonel Daw kins, operating to the west of Nylstroom, between October 17 and October 23, captured two Boer laagers, numbering 76 prisoners, amongst whom were three Field- Cornets. "Colonel Henry's column drove Nieuwhoudt from a strong position near Koffyfontein October 25, and is now following him up in conjunction with Colonel Williams." STEYN v. KITCHENER. A correspondent sends to the Manchester Guar- dian a copy of a letter which is stated to have been addressed in August last by ex-President Steyn to Lord Kitchener. It is in reply to the proclamation threatening banishment of leaders. Mr. Steyn's epistle, which is very long, begins with a reference to the Jameson Raid, whi-h the,writer maintains "was not unknown to Her Majesty's Government, at least not to all of them." Mr., Steyn adds; v When the South African Republic decided to guard her borders against the^enemy who lay there in the vicinity, I was obliged to take one of the most painful steps to me viz., to break the ties of friendship which existed between us and the British Govern- ment, and to be true to our treaty and stand by the South African Republic. That we were perfectly justified in our belief that the British Government was firmly resolved to wipe out the two Republics has been proved distinctly since the war broke out. It has not only been proved by documents which have fallen into our hands, from which it is distinctly evident that since 1896 (that is, since the Jameson Raid) the British Governa ent was firmly resolved to invade both Republics; but only lately it was acknow- ledged by Lord Lansdowne that he had, as early as June, 1899, discussed with Lord Wolseley, then Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's forces, as to the best time for invading the two Republics. Your Excellency will thus see that we did not draw the sword, but that we only pushed away the sword that was already laid at our throats. We only acted in self-defence, one of the holiest rights of man, in order to maintain our existence, and for that reason I consider, with all due reverence, that we have the right to trust in a righteous God." Discussing the military situation, the ex-Presi- dent says that in the Free State order and peace are maintained by us and not by your Excellency. In the Transvaal this is also the case. There, too, landdrosts, &c., are appointed by that Government and provision made for the maintenance of order and peace. If your Excellency will permit me, your Excellency's jurisdiction extends only as far as your Excellency's cannon can reach. If your Excellency views the Republics from a military standpoint, then your Excellency must acknowledge that during the last year, in spite of the overwhelming force brought against us, our -3ause has progressed wonderfully, and there can be no talk of hopelessness, so that if your Excellency's proclamation is based on this it has now less right to exist than a year ago." Mr. Steyn goes on to say: Our country is ruined, our homes and goods destroyed, our cattle carried off or killed in thousands, our women and children captured, insulted, and carried into captivity by soldiers and low Kaffirs, and hundreds of them have already sacrificed their lives for the liberty of their father- land. Shall we, can we, now draw back from doing our duty when our persons are threatened with banishment ? Shall we now break our faith with the hundreds of dead and prisoners who, relying on our fidelity, willingly gave their lives and their liberty for the fatherland ? Or shall we become untrue to our trust in a righteous God, who has hitherto preserved us in such a wonderful manner ? No peace will be acceptable to us in which the independence of the two Republics and the interests of our Cape Colony brothers who have joined us are not maintained." KHAKI-CLAD BOERS SHOT. Writing from Middelburg, Cape Colony, under date of October 1, Reuter's correspondent makes the following statement in connection with the pursuit of the Boer force under Commandant Smuts which inflicted such severe losses on the 17th Lancers near Tarkstad: "Among Smuts's commando are several who originally belonged to Kritzinger. Colonel Gor- ringe, having captured some of these men in khaki uniforms, tried them by summary court-martial, and had them shot on the spot." COMPENSATION CLAIMS SETTLED. The South African Compensation Commission sat again at Westminster. Sir John Ardagh, on behalf of the Government, said that during the recess there had been an interchange of views be- tween the Government and the friendly Powers concerned as to the possibility of arriving at an amicable settlement of the claims preferred by their nationals through the methods of diplomacy, instead of investigating each particular case upon its merits. Negotiations were entered into with a view to the settlement of the several groups of claims by the award of a lump sum to be dis- tributed among the claimants at the discretion of their respective Governments, and a satisfactory solution had been attained with nearly all the Governments concerned. He was unable to state the whole of the sams which it had been agreed to give to the respective Govern- ments, but enumerated the following: Germany, £ 30,000; Austria Hungary, E15,000; Italy, £ 12,000; United States, £ 6000; Russia, £ 4100; Sweden and Norway, £ 1000; Belgium, £ 800; Switzerland, £ 250; Denmark, £ 250; and Spain, .t,150-in all £ 69,550. The countries not included in the settlement were France and the Nether- lands. The chairman reviewed the work of the Commission, justified the measures of deportation adopted by the military authorities in South Africa, and pointed out that the settlement arrived at was an act of grace, not a matter of legal right. The Commission acquitted the military authorities of the charges of harshness and hard treatment on board the transports. The claims of the Netherlands and France, which still remained to be settled, amounted to £ 727,000 out of a total of £ 1,277,000. Several ef the foreign delegates expressed their satisfaction with the settlement and their appreciation of the attitude of the Commission and of Sir John Ardagh in the conduct of the inquiry and the negotiations. SEVERE FIGHT WITH DELAREY. 83 BRITISH KILLED AND WOUNDED. The following telegram from Lord Kitchener has been received at the War Office: PRETORIA, October 28,4.5 p.m. "Since October 21, columns report 74 Boers killed, 16 wounded, 352 prisoners, and 45 sur- renders 471 rifles, 75,950 small arms ammunition, 216 waggons, 530 horses, and 8000 cattle. These captures include all separately reported below and during past week, also some exclusive of Itala and Prospect not reported previously by columns operating from Natal frontier. These columns are now coming into line, except three, which will deal with scattered bodies of enemy still in Vryheid, Utrecho, and Piet Retief districts. Rimington, in conjunction with Rawlinson, made long night march on Schemmelhoek to the east of Ermelo, where Louis Botha was reported with 300 men, but one hour before his arrival early on October 24 Boers fled north. Rimington cap- tured documents, including some of Louis Botha's. "T ljoen attacked blockhouse line in course of construction near Badfontein on October 24 and was easily driven off. "Colonel Williams's and Colonel Fortescue's columns have been engaged near Dewagen Drift, and drove the enemy north-east with a loss of six killed and 17 prisoners, including some Staats Artillery under one Captain Koorn with dynamite for train wrecking. "Colonel Dawkins, from Nylstroom, reports further capture on October 26 of three wounded and 18 unwounded prisoners, including Field- Cornet Hans Botha and Captain Coetzee. Lord Methuen reports that Von Don op's column, moving on Zeerust from east, was attacked October 24 near Great Marico River by com- mandos under Delarey and Kemp, who came through thick bush with great determmation and were repulsed after severe fighting, leaving 40 dead on ground, including Commandant Ouister- huysen. "2nd L^utenant H. N. Hill, 4th By. R.F.A., Lieutenant C. D. Caird, 5th Bn. Imperial Yeo manry, and 26 men were killed; five officers and 50 men were wounded, and enemy captured eight waggons. All ranks behaved with great gallantry of the drivers and gunners of section of the 4th By. R.F.A. and 20 men 1st Northumberland Fusiliers forming escort 37 were killed or wounded. Columns south of Thaba Nchu line have made good progress towards completely clearing that district. In Cape Colony, General French reports enemy in north-east continue to avoid all contact with our columns. Iu midland area, between the main and East London lines of railway, there are now only two formed bodies—one, under Vanderventer, which has been pursued by Scobell and Lukin from Aberdeen up towards Victoria West, where he was headed and turned south; the other, under Bouwers and Pypers, with Smuts, including the remnants of his own and Scheepers's men, is near Oudtshoorn. In the extreme west the raiders who came down towards Piquetberg under Maritz ::¡:; :;) )i,' .J' have been driven back by columns now approach- ing Van Rhyns Dorp and Calvinia. "All casualties being sent separately." General Louis Botha (according to a Reuter despatch) had a narrow escape from being cap- tured by Major Rimington. The British force surprised the laager, and the Boer General only got away a few hundred yards in advance, leaving his hat and revolver behind him. Ten prisoners were secured.

■ X252 FOR AN EGG. I At his London auction-room, King-street. Covent-garden, among many other objects con- nected with bird life Mr. Stevens offered for sale on October 29 an egg of the Great Auk. The thing is not rich, but 'tis rare, for Alca impennis was exterminated by man nearly a century ago. Human domination on this planet meant zoological impoverishment. The Great Auk was our northern representative of the penguin family. He lived in Newfoundland and on the ad- joining American shore in the Hebrides, and in Norway and Sweden. His wings were useless for flight, but with his web-feet he was a marvellous diver and swimmer beneath the water. And because tho bird is no more its eggs fetch won- drous prices. They resemble those of the guille- mot, but twice as large, being about 4-Jin. long. 2 Seventy-three of them are extant, 29 in museums, and therefore withdrawn from the market, and 44 in private collections. Where they are is known with as much certainty as are the masterpieces of the most famous painters. Biddipg began at 50 guineas, and thence it mounted to 100, 150, 175. 200. 205, 220, 230, 240 guineas. At that figure it was knocked down to Mr. Massey, wlo about a year ago paid 315 guineas for an extremely fine specimen—that being the record price. £ 252, however, though it seemed rather to disappoint Mr. Stevens, is a fair price for an egg. The one now sold was the last and best of four that had belonged to the late Baron d'Hamonville. Thus man, the destroyer, does honour to his victims, after lie has extinguished them.

THE CORONATION. Preparations for the Coronation of the King and Queen are again being actively taken in hand. A meeting of the executive of the Coronation Com- mittee was held at the Privy Council offices on October 29. The Cinque Ports are energetically contending for their ancient rights and privileges at the coming Coronation of the King. It was announced on Tuesday afternoon at a meeting of the Dover Municipality that a petition, signed by the Lord Warden, the Marquis of Salisbury, has just been forwarded to the Court of Claims, on behalf of the barons and combarons, accepting the position assigned by the recent proclamation, and asking that, inasmuch as the barons of the Cinque Ports always accompanied the Kings and Queens up the nave of Westminster Abbey, these ancient rights should be preserved, and the barons given positions so that they might be in attendance on their Majesties on Coronation Day.

HONOURING THE BRAVE. THE KING HOLDS A MEMORABLE INVESTITURE. The King drove in regal state on October 29 from Marlborough House to St. James's Palace to hold his investiture. Shortly before noon a body of Life Guards with drawn swords, glittering armour, and nodding plumes, cantered out from the grounds of Marlborough House into Pall Mall and swung round into Marl- borough-gate. Then came a resplendent state carriage with prancing horses, gaily capari- soned. bringing Captain Fortescue and Colonel Davidson. Royal equerries. Then another State coach with more Royal officers. Then the greatest of all, with a cloud of plumes and a roll of cheer- ing to keep it company. In it sat the King, in his uniform as an admiral of the fleet, and beside him was Prince Charles of Denmark, another naval officer. The King smiled and bowed graciously as the huge crowds cheered him loyally and loudly, from Pall Mall, from Marlborough gate, and from the Mall. Then the brilliant cavalcade opened out, the King and his equerries drove in at the garden entrance of the mellow old palace, the National Anthem floated up from the grounds, the officers of the Household did their solemn homage, and his Majesty was conducted into the Throne Room, where he was to decorate 250 men who had wrought well for King and Empire. Prince Edward and his brother, both in sailor suits, had crossed to the palace just before. In the Throne Room the White Staves and the Yeomen of the Guard and the various richly-garbed officers of state were in attendance, and the King with his own hands bestowed the insignia of the several Orders. Some of those honoured marched up, straight and tall and soldierly, to receive the Orders from their Sovereign. Others in their limping walk, their palid cheeks, their stooping shoulders, told eloquently that they had been in the thick of the fight, where shot and shell were flying. Here and there an officer in splendid uniform would come with a straightened leg that probably will never bend properly again. But it was a brilliant and memorable scene. Scarcely ever is such a wide range and variety of uniform seen in one place. There were quaint uniforms centuries old, such as bring back to memory rich old pictures of days long dead, and there were smart new uniforms, the huge plumes, kilts, and dirks of the Highlanders, big busbies, smart lancer dress, scarlet coats, blue tunics, black suits, bonnets, caps, khaki, slouch hats, khaki helmets, pith helmets, puggarees, tartans, tufts, and cuirasses. Lord Roberts, as Commander-in-Chief of the Army, was present in Field Marshal's uniform; the Hon. Sidney Greville, Private Secretary to the Queen, was present among the State officers; and among those taking part iu the stately ceremonial were Earl Clarendon (Loy,c f-fwarcl), the Earl of Pembroke (Lord C¡1?_r:1:"rl;1.j¡). and Earl Walde- grave (Captain of the Body Guard). Out of the large nvmbp.r of recipients of OrderS may be mentioned T^ajor-General Hildyard, who was made a Knight Commander of the Bath; Brigadier-General Reid, who received the same distinction General Sir A. Gaselee, of China expe- dition fame, who was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Indian Empire and several Knight Com- manders of St. Michael and St. George, these including Major-General Pretyman, Sir C. B. Elliott, and Sir J. D. Pender. The Earl of Albermarle, Viscount Valentia, and Lord Cranborne each received the distinction of the C.B. The Distinguished Service Order and the Con- spicuous Service Order were also distributed, among the latter being the cross awarded to brave Midshipman Huddart, who was killed at Enslin in the opening stages of the war. His brother, Mr. Lindon Huddart, )--ts handed the decoration. The ceremony lasted nearly an hour and a-half, and thousands of people waited outside to see the King return to Marlborough House.

THE publication of Living London," edited by Mr. G. R. Sims, has met with the success which was anticipated. Already three large editions of Part 1. have been sold, and a further large edition has been prepared by the publishers, Messrs. Cassell and Company. LORD GOUGH, who has just been appointed his Majesty's Minister at the Court of Saxony, is the third holder of his title, and, according to the terms of a grant, the pension of E2000 a year which was to be enjoyed by three Lords Gough expires at his death. This pension was granted in I memory of the services rendered to his country by the famous Lord Gough, the hero of Sobraon and Goojerat.

NAVAL WORKS DEPARTMENT. I INCREASE OF STAFF. I Important changes have just been made in the head office staff of the Admiralty Works Depart- ment, which is responsible .for the design and con struction of all engineerIng and architectural works in the naval establishments at home and abroad, as well as for their care and maintenence. The increase of the fleet in recent years has necessitated a corresponding growth in the shore establishments, and this has involved a large aug- mentation of the staff of this branch of the naval administration. With the changes lately made the authorised permanent staff of the department under the Director of Works comprises 2 assist- ant-directors of works, with salaries of from £ 850 to E1000 a year (with an addition of E200 a year to the senior), and an engineering staff which in- cludes 11 superintending civil engineers, with pay sf from E600 to E700 a year; 12 civil engineers, 43 assistant civil engineers, of the first and second grade, with the salaries ranging between E180 and £ 400.' The surveying staff includes 1 chief surveyor, drawing £800 to £ 1000 6 surveyers, with from IP400 to £ 500; 19 assistant-surveyors, first and second grade, receiving £ 125 to £ 350; 1 surveyor of lands, who is paid £ 600 to E800 1 surveyor of coastguard buildings, getting E500 to £ 700; and a clerk of works, with £215 to e300 a year, Many of these appointments carry in addition a house, London or Colonial allowance. The staff is filled by promotion from the lowest grades, which is entered by examinations held by the Civil Service Commissioners. There are likely to be examinations for entry in both branches very shortly.

FIFTY YEARS IN SHANGHAI. I A prominent English merchant just returned from Shanghai after a residence there of half a century has given to the Daily Mail some in- teresting notes and opinions on the progress of the English settlement at Shanghai since he went out there in the early fifties. Life in Shanghai," he says, is very different from what it was fifty years ago. Then young men went out on large salaries, confidently expecting to make their fortunes and return to England in a few years. Nowadays they go out on small salaries with the idea of remaining there, if not for good, at least for a number of years, I- This fact has brought about a striking altera- tion in the mode of life among the English out there. For instance, where formerly young men lived together in a jolly, Bohemian way, they now marry young and settle down. Where, many years ago, they lived in large houses with grounds and gardens, they now occupy, each with his wife and family, small houses in a terrace very much as they might do in a suburb of London. But fortunately the houses, though small, have not yet reached the minimum of smallness and discomfort achieved by the jerry builder of the London suburbs. The rooms of the houses in Shanghai are still large and lofty, though not so fine as they used to be. More- over, rents are much higher. Shanghai has be- come modern and Europeanised, which has brought with an increase of comfort and orderliness a cor- responding decrease in the freedom and lack of restraint once enjoyed by the English residents." Though he does not share the pessimism which forecasts the collapse of British trade in China, our informant admits that the British merchants are no longer paramount, as they once were. This he attributes in a large measure to the fact that our consuls at Chinese ports are not able to act on their own initiative in support of the English mer- chants, while the consuls of other countries can and do so act. Years ago, he says, before the tele- graph connected China with Europe, the English authorities on the spot, whenever any trouble arose, took prompt measures and asserted their rights nowadays they have to cable to London for in- structions and are invariably advised to be care- ful, to cause no friction and so forth, with the re- sult that the wily Chinese nearly always gets his own way. With regard to the Chinese and their attitude towards Europeans onr informant is hopeful. He declares they are being more and more Euro- peanised and amenable to Western ways every day.

WHY FISH ARE SCARCE. I The increasing scarcity of fish in the North Sea is attributed by Mr. H. Donnison, the Eastern Sea Fisheries Inspector, to the sufferance of the natural enemies of fish. In the Wash, which is a great fish nursery, there are. he says in his half-yearly report, hundreds of seals, tens, if not hundreds,5 of thousands of gi-ills, besides cormorants, all living on fish, of which a cormorant alone can eat seven pounds daily. As these destroyers prey chiefly on small fish, enor- mous havoc is caused among fish which otherwise would find theirway into the fishermen's nets. Of shell fish, for example, Mr. Donnison states that the gulls consume far more in an infant state than are taken by fishermen in an adult state. He concludes that valuable and wholesome fish would do much more good in the stomachs of human beings than if allowed to go down the throats of useless birds and animals."

A ONE-MAN COMPANY. 1 A recent winding-up case before the Official Receiver shows (says the Law Journal) how easily a company fraud may be engineered by a person who knows how to use our company machinery and has no scruples as to his methods. The pro- moter of this fiasco was, from beginning to end, the company, assisted by half a dozen aliases. He kept things going by collecting capital from E5000 to V,30,000 and paying a £ 10 per cent. dividend out of it. Then, when necessity required it, he raised it to £ 50,000. He issued false balance-sheets with imaginary reserves and non-existent properties. So the company lived on for 10 years. But where v/ere the shareholders all this time ? it may be asked. They were mostly abroad-at a safedis- tance. No doubt they were chosen for their resi. dence.

I'M going to kiss you when I go," he said. Do it now while I'm still young," she replied. THE story of Edison's courtship is eminently charactei-isbic of the great inventor. The first Mrs. Edison was, previous to her marriage, a tele- graph operator in his employ. One day while standing behind her chair, watching her dexterous hands despatch the swift messages, Edison, who had long admired the young lady afar off, was not a little suprised when she suddenly turned round and said, Mr. Edison, I can always tell when you are behind me or near me." How do you account for that ?" returned Edison. I don't know, I am for that ?" returned Edison. I don't know, I am sure," responded the young lady; "but I always know when you are near me." With his well-known bluntness and arduor Edison confronted the young lady, and, looking her full in the face, said, I've j;een thinking considerably about you of late, and, if you are willing to marry me, I would like to marry you." A month later they were married, the union proving a very happy one.

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THE SILVER COINAGE. The Sheffield banks have received a notification from the Bank of England that the stock of silver coin is large enough to meet any demand that may have to be met between now and the New Year. For this reason, and in view of the distribution, in the new year, of coin bearing the King's effigy, there is no need for the further issue of coin bearing Queen Victoria's effigy. There will not, therefore, be any special issue of new coin at Christmas next, a course to which the Mint authorities see no ob- jection. A Christmas issue has become usual of late years, but in future must not be expected as a matter of course. The real requirements of the circulation," the Bank of England authorities add, will govern future issues, and not any desire on the part of the public to possess no silver coins other than new at Christmas time."

A CEMETERY FOR HORSES. California now has a cemetery for famous race horses. In the centre of the ring where the trotters of the Paid Alto stock farm. near San Francisco, are walked after exercise and before stabling is a small strip of land where lie interred several of the record-breaking horses of the farm, and which is doubtless the most curious cemetery in the world. The founding of the cemetery came about in 1888, when several of the horses met their deaths by fire. Among the number was the ill- fated champion yearling filly Norlaine. As Nor- laine was a champion, and much thought of at Palo Alto, the most beautiful spot on the farm was selected for burial place. As time rolled on her resting plot created for all time the memorial burying ground for the famous horses that die at the Palo Alto farm. One by one new graves ap- peared, and tablets were placed on these graves, showing the names, dates of birth, death, and records.

MR. HARD UP "Look here! you've made a mistake with my washing. You sent home four or five old handkerchiefs that don't belong to me, and nothing else." Washerwoman: "They ain't handkerchiefs; that's your last shirt, sor." DELIGHTED CLIENT: "I understand you have won damages for me." Attorney: "Yes, sir; ten dollars." Delighted Client: Good! What are your charges ? Attorney: In view of the small damages awarded, I will reduce my fee to fifty dollars." u,.

TALL HAT DEFENDERS. Discussion continues on Lord Ronald Suther- land-Gower's proposal to tax the tall hat. It is an integral part of our modern costume (observes "Major-General"), "as the cavalier hat har- monised with the jerkin and doublet and the three- cornered hat with the embroidered coats of the Eighteenth Century, so this much-abused head- dress is the only one that matches with our present frock or cutaway coat. No man who respects himself could possibly wear a soft felt or billycock hat with either of these. He would look a thorough 'bounder' if he did. On the other hand a tall hat would look equally incongruous with a tweed suit or an ulster." Are we not as a nation," says F. G., in consequence of long years of peace and prosperity prone to drift too much into slack habits, wearing bowler hats, straw hats, knickerbockers, &c., on occasions when, and in places where, in my younger days a frock coat and tall hat was the custom ? Until a more dignified headdress is invented let us encourage the rising generation to continue the tall hat and live up to it rather than get into slovenly habits."

LORD ABERDARE has joined the Liberal Imperialist League. THE waterworks at Darlington are to be extended at a cost of £ 50.000. NEW Y.M.C.A. buildings at Burton-on-Trent have been built at a cost of £ 12,000. GERMANY has only 58 people with incomes of over ° 50.000 a year. Great Britain has 300. THE Crown Prince and Princess of Sweden have left Stockholm for the Riviera, where the Crown Princess will reside during the winter. TIFLIS has just celebrated the first centenary of its incorporation with the Russian Empire. AT Rcokwood, Australia, is the largest cemetery in the world. It covers 2000 acres. Only a plot of 200 acres has beon used thus far, in which 100 000 persons of all nationalities have been buried.

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MR. ARMSTRONG, Mr. Orhng's fellow-worker in the wireless electrical experiments which lately aroused so much interest, is one of those wise people who puts comfort before size in the choice of a home. His house, in the most lovely part of Buckinghamshire, where building ground is not expensive, is only a cottage, but every room In it has been arranged with unflagging care. There is a Luther room, a Wedgwood or Flaxman room, and so on, and the contents of each room are rigorously limited to associations of its name. THE four sons of Charles Darwin have all made their mark as scientists. Professor George Darwin is a famous mathematician, Horace Dar- win is an authority on physics, Major Leonard Darwin is honarary secretary of the Royal Geo- graphical Society and Francis Darwin is a distin- guished botanist.

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