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

NEWS NOTES. I k I OUlt KING has been privileged to see the beautiful city of Lisbon at its best; and the showering of his Majesty with rose-leaves in the hall of the museum of the Geographical Society proved to be not the least pretty of the func- tions of a pleasant visit. Lisbon's ancient Phoenician name H Alig Ubbo means literally delicious bay." The Portuguese capital is built upon a range of high hills occupying the north bank of the Tagus. Lisbon was conquered by the Moors in the twelfth cen- tury, and was almost entirely destroyed by a great earthquake in 1755. The old parts of the city that still remain are round the castle and the cathedral. Amongst these old buildings are several conventual ones, noted for the richness of their decorative carvings, which in the fine atmosphere remain almost as fresh as when they were done centuries ago. The city possesses engineering, naval, military, agricul- tural, industrial, and medical colleges, which are among the most famous educational centres of the world; but some of these institutions are not nowadays as well off in the way of endow- ment as those concerned would like them to be AN APRIL EASTERTIDE follows upon the promise of fine spring weather this season, and if the hopes of the lieges are fulfilled we ought to get enjoyable surroundings for the first out- door holiday of the year. So mote it be! The railway and other passenger-carrying concerns have laid their extensive plans for profiting from and facilitating the pleasure of the million. We trust the sequel will be satisfactory. A seasonable writer is reminded of Leigh Hunt's dictum that April is truly the spring and youthfnlness of the year. March was like an honest, blustering servant, bringing home buds and flowers for his young mistress. April is she herself, issuing forth adorned with them." Many of the vernal sights and sylvan sounds of April are with us. The "brushwood sheath" of the elm tree bole is even now in tiny leaf. The ash, oak, and elm are coming into flower; the sticky brown buds of the chestnut that look as if they had been dipped in treacle are expanding and bursting. In orchards and gardens cherry and pear and plum are making a brave show of blossom, and the pinky-white apple-blossoms will soon be out, if the weather continues genial. The living green of the hedgerows and copses grows daily prettier and more pronounced, and isolated trees that looked black and bare but yesterday, are showing flecks of colour. Numerous varieties of the primrose tribe, wild and cultivated, are in bloom. Blue- bells, violets, and anemones, are to be seen in sheltered copses, and daffodils are still flowering. Already daisies and buttercups adorn the" gay mead," and soon it will be gayer still with lady smocks all silver white," and cowslips, marsh marigolds, and meadow orchids. Gardens are grov glorious with hyacinths and tulips, wallflow auriculas, and the variant narcissus. Eastertide, meteorologic- ally auspicious, is the sweet of all the year." As TO OUTDOOR APRIL WEATHER, it is note- worthy that with the rapidly-increasing length of the day and the swelling potentiality of the sun's rays the temperature in the month fre- quently approximates in these isles to summer readings. On April 27, 1865, it was 82deg. (record highest), and on April 17, 1847, it was 23deg. (record lowest). The average mean is 48deg., and in 1902 this was just reached. The mean is 6deg. warmer in the south of England than in Scotland. With a clear sky the ther- mometer in the shade often touches 70deg., the average day reading being then 51deg., whilst with a cloudy sky it is only 46deg. We are not likely to be allowed to forget the April showers that are proverbially expected to make way for an unending abundance of May flowers. Rainfall at this period of the year-as the British Almanac warns us to bear always ki mind—is usually fitful, the average is l'58in. which falls on 13 days. In 1902 it was 0'48 in 9 days, or much below the average. Yet the sun only shone in the corresponding month of last year for 125 hours, instead of 131 hours, the average. There was but little difference of barometrical readings over the country, and the winds were consequently mostly light and vari- able. South winds are, on an average, about 7deg. warmer than north winds. The average "barometer in April is 29-93; in 1902 it was 29-97. The highest recorded reading was 30'72, on April 17, 1887, and lowest 28-88, on April 14, 1899. You can never be quite sure of things -o,ut-Qi doors in I- fielile April." LONDON CIVIC WEDDING is at once a rare and interesting occurrence. That of Lord Mayor Samuel's daughter this week was par- ticularly notable for the number of valuable presents to the bride. Among these were a set of silver entree dishes, the gift of the Alder. men of the City, bearing the inscription Pre- sented to Miss Nellie Samuel by her father's colleagues in the Court of Aldermen on her marriage with Mr. Walter H. Levy, at the Mansion House, on April 7, 1903." Another gift was a charming reduced reproduction in I silver gilt, presented by the high officers of the City of London Corporation, of the famous ] Warwick vase, which was found in 1770 in the lake at Hadrian's villa, near Tivoli, by Sir William Hamilton, from whom it was purchased by the second Earl of Warwick. The original vase, supposed to be the work of the Greek sculptor Lysippus, is of white marble, and stands over five feet in height. It is now in the greenhouse at Warwick castle, and will be particularly remembered by many visitors to the picturesque and stately demesne because of its aged custodian's pathetically solemn assur- ance to all and sundry that it "is the oldest vase in the world." The veteran may not ever have been very learned in many things, but he was always at least confident of the authenticity of the priceless charge he absolutely venerated THE DOYEN OF EUROPEAN Sovereigns de- serves every congratulation upon the fact that when, walking in Copenhagen streets the other day, he saw two children of tender age in immi- nent danger of being run over, his Majesty was able to pluck them almost from under the wheels of a tramcar which was proceeding at high speed. King Christian's presence of mind and quickness to act for one who is eighty-five years old is marvellous. Our Queen, who is visiting the Danish capital, is pardonably proud of her aged father's conspicuous bravery. The little ones saved were girls of four and five re- spectively, and those dear to them are naturally deeply grateful. IN THE NAVAL MANOEUVRES of the coming summer we are going, it is stated, to have a mobilisation of men as well as of ships. We have had experience in calling up the Coast- guard, the Fleet Reserve, and the mercantile Royal Naval Reserve, so far as the last-named force applies to bluejackets; but we have no experimental knowledge as to what reliance is to be placed on the reserve firemen. The great shipping companies have re- cently been approached by the Admir- alty with the view of discovering the I number of men that would be available for a month's course of training in the manoeuvres, and for a six months' or a twelve months' course in the ordinary Fleet evolutions. The Mobilisa- tion Committee, month by month, keeps the Admiralty informed as to the number and class of ships that can be instantly commissioned and manned by active service ratings, but we I are without any reliable information a* to our capacity to increase the number of I ships by a sudden calling up of the Royal Naval Reserve. It is proposed this year to put our speculative knowledge to the test, and to discover, if possible, the measure of the trust we can place in this more or less elastic force. Nobody quite knows whether the Royal Naval Rfserve is a mere paper strength or not, but if the test about to be applied succeeds, it neces- sarily follows that the manoeuvres this year will be on a scale of considerable magnitude, as, owing to the number of men, every available ship will be put in commission. Lord Charles Beresford will be admiral of one fleet in the Manoeuvres, it is understood, and Sir A. K. Wilson of the other.

FIRE IN A TUNNEL. I A fire broke out in the tunnel adjacent to the Central Station, Liverpool, on Sunday afternoon. It was found that a number of barrels containing naphtha, which were stored in the tunnel, had caught fire, and the smoke and fumes were so dense that the city fire brigade experienced diffi- culty in coping with the outbreak. A long length of hose was run out from St. James's station, and eventually the flames were subdued. Traffic was temporarily suspended, and a platelayer named Wynne was removed to the hospital half suffocated. The damage was not great.

STRANGE PULPIT ADDRESS. Preaching in Huesca Cathedral, a monk, a Lenten preacher, caused a lively sensation by his last sermon. He declared that the majority of the Spanish newspapers were preparing a state of things similar to that which obtained in France at the present time. He invited the faithful to per- form an act of faith. "There are," he concluded, cases where a regicide is worth more than 20 sermons let them be never so admirable."

PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES. The Prince of Wales was present at a meeting of a standing committee of the trustees of the British Museum on Saturday. In the afternoon the Prince and Princess of Wales left Bucking- ham Palace, and have now taken up their residence at Marlborough House. Lady Eva Dugdale has succeeded Lady Mary Lygon as Lady-in-Waiting to her Royal Highness.

CYCLISTS AND RAILWAYS. New Scale of Charges and Concessions. I The Railway Association, after conferring with representatives of the National Cyclists' Union, the Cyclists' Touring Club, and the Scottish Cyclists' Union has made certain concessions as regards carrying c/cles as passengers' luggage when accompanied by the owner. The allied associations went into conference with the companies asking: 1. That the railway companies should accept responsibility for loss of or damage to cycles, and that the practice of contracting out of their re- sponsibility should cease. In reply, the companies agree to quote a limited risk rate, with a condition that they (the com- panies) will accept liability for all claims in respect of loss or damage exceeding 10s. Such losses or damage under 10s. will be covered by a previous payment of a uniform insurance fee of Id., irre- spective of distance. The future rates to be as follows: Not exceeding 25 miles 6d. Between 25 miles and 50 miles Is. Od. „ 50 „ 75 Is. Cd. 75 „ 100 „ 2s.0s. 100 „ 150 „ 2s. 6d. For every additional 50 miles or portion thereof 6J. 2. The allied associations next asked for better and more secure accommodation for cycles. The companies in reply agree to provide such accommodation and, moreover, to issue instruc- tions to their staffs as to the most suitable methods in handling and stowing bicycles in order to reduce damage to a minimum. 3. The allied associations asked that the rates be reduced, and the companies agree to take a bicycle twice as far for sixpence as it formerly did, and the new rates above will be of great interest to cyclists.

THE NATION'S GUESTS. I An Injustice to India Removed. Last year there was a good deal of indignation felt when it became known that India was to be charged with the expense of the Coronation re- ception at the India Office. Eventually the Government decided that the British Treasury should pay for the entertainment of the Indian princes delegates, and troops who came here to honour the King. The correspondence which passed on the sub- ject between the India Office and the Treasury has now been issued as a Parliamentary paper. It appears that the sum of £ 86,700 was pro- vided in the Indian Estimates for the Coronation expenses, and only £2,000 was allotted by the Treasury towards the cost of the reception and other ceremonies. This Lord George Hamilton declared to be "wholly inadequate," and he urged the Treasury to do what would be "fair and poli- tic," and to pay all or at least a reasonable part of the whole sum expended. The Treasury re- ceived this request "with some surprise," but, under instructions from the Government, agreed to pay the whole sum. The India Office, in acknowledging this deci- sion, suggested that a committee should be ap- pointed by the Treasury and itself to consider the fixed principles that should govern the cost of the future visits of Indian guests invited to this "ountry by the Government. A Sensible Decision. This suggestion was adopted, and in December the committee, which consisted of Sir Arthur Godley and Sir E. W. Hamilton, with Sir W. A. Baillie-Hamilton added to represent the Colonial Office, signed their report. It recommended that Great Britain should pay the expenses of all its guests, Indian as well as Colonial, excluding, of course, the cost of their journeys to and from this country—that, in fact, the nation should behave as a private person does when he invites friends to visit him. The committee suggested that the reason for the payment by India of the expenses of Indian guests, which has prevailed hitherto, lay in this that when India was governed by "John Com- pany," the cost of entertaining Indian guests in England naturally fell upon the revenues of the company, of which the directors lived here in London and acted as hosts. When,India was taken over by the Crown the revenues of the company became the revenue of India, but the old arrangement continued in force. The Treasury do not object to the recommenda- tion of the committee. They only claim that they shall be informed in advance how many guests are to be invited, and what the cost of their entertainment will be.

North-Eastern Railway guards are^gitating far a redress of grievances. The newengines have brought about a diminution in the number of guards' vans, and consequently, fewer guards have been needed. The work, however, has been divided among the men, who have been on short time, often four days a week. The guards ask that a section should be employed in other depart- ments, and that all of them should be able to earn "a living wage."

TRANSVAAL TRADE. 111 Lord Milner, in opening the new Stock Exchange at Johannesburg on Monday, said that nothing could prevent a gigantic development of the re- sources of the Transvaal. In regard to the labour problem, he said that one thing was certain, that if the Transvaal could not get labour in Africa, it would certainly get it elsewhere.

A RACE OF BATTLESHIPS. I A race of battleships took place last week, when the British fleet was returning from Corfu, with the interesting result that H.M.S. London proved to be the fastest battleship in the Mediterranean. The ships left Corfu at nine a.m. on Thursday of last week with orders to carry out a passage trial to Malta. The London was the first to arrive, entering the Grand Harbour at eight a.m. on the following day, having steamed over 18 knots an hour. She beat the Bulwark, with the Commander- in-Chief on board, by an hour. The other ships wandered in at intervals during the morning.

AN INF ANTS DEBTS. j J Mr. Justice Phillimore, in the King's Bench J Division of the High Court, has heard a case in which Wilton and Co., a firm of money-lenders, sought to recover Y,140, a balance of Y.200, from Ian Montagu Michael Phillips, a Lieutenant in the Scots G?-eys, now serving with his regiment abroad. The defence set up was one of infancy, and this was estab- lished by the certificate of defendant's birth, which was produced by his brother, an Oxford undergraduate. Judgment was entered for the defendant, without costs. His counsel stated that the money was borrowed in order to be used with other sums to purchase g. motor car. He had made the offer that the plaintiffs should, in satisfaction of their debt, take the car, which was worth more than the amount unpaid.

THE KAISER'S PALM WREATH. A concert, under the patronage of Queen Alexandra and the Dowager Empress of Russia, was given on Saturday night by the Students' Choral Society, of Copenhagen, in aid of the fund for the creation of a monument to the late P. P. E. Hartmann, the Danish composer. The German Emperor, the King of Denmark, and other members of the Danish Royal family were present, and received an ovation from the audience. The German Emperor, who had intended to sail at nine o'clock the same evening, postponed his departure for twenty-four hours. His Majesty, at noon on Saturday, paid a visit by special train to Roskilde, where he laid a magnificent palm wreath on the tomb of the late Queen Louisa. The Emperor left Copen- hagen on Sunday evening on the yacht Hohen- zoliern for Germany.

I HOW OLD EGGS ARE SOLD. I The renovation of unmarketable eggs is a curious process which is only too often resorted to. When eggs have remained so long unsold that they have become too dirty to command respect and tempt purchasers, the vendors have a method of applying a composition of diluted vitriol to the shell, which almost in an instant removes all impurity, and gives the egg the appearance of one that haa just been laid.

CRIMINAL'S FIERCE BEHAVIOUR. I A couple of young Anarchists named Toulourge and Fouilloux have just been condemned at Indre- et-Loire Assizes for theft and assault, the first to 10 years' imprisonment and the second to 10 years' penal servitude. Toulourge is a very commonplace criminal, but his companion Fouilloux is an extra- ordinary individual. Physically he is inexpressibly ugly, and his temper is just as unattractive as his looks. While in prison he kept a diary, extracts from which were read at the trial. Almost every sentence contains a savage threat against the presiding judge, the Public Prosecutor, or the magistrate who examined Fouilloux, and among the reflections of the Anarchist was this: Bad actions glance off my conscience like rain off a zinc roof." Some of his correspondence was written with his blood, and before he was brought up he informed his counsel that if he did not tell society some plain truths before he was condemned he would smash his skull with the chain of his handcuffs.

I === I BRISK EMIGRATION. I 22,411 Increase this Year. j Not for many years past has emigration from the United Kingdom been so brisk. In the past month 20,179 British-born persons left these islands. The tide has set towards British possessions over-seas, and particularly towards Canada. 8927 persons sailed for Canada, as against 2261 in March, 1902, and only 3411 to South Africa, an increase of 337, while Australia proved less attractive, receiving only 656. The figures for the past quarter in com- parison with the same period of 1902 reveal the tendencies of this remarkable movement. Last year 15,198 British-born went to British posses- sions, 12,814 to the United States, and 1404 to other foreign countries. This year the result of the three months' emigration has been that 78,697 persons went abroad, as compared with 56,286 in the first three months of last year, an increase of 22;411. The figures for this year are: British born. Foreigners. British possessions 28,143 12,041 United States 13,986 22,171 Other foreign countries 1,403 953 Total of emigrants 43,532 35,165 In this calculation emigrants of doubtful naticn- ality have been classed as foreigners. This state- ment shows that though the Mother Country is losing many sons and daughters, the vast majority still remain citizens of the Empire. Of the 43,532 British emigrants 33,948 were English, 5398 Scotch, and 4186 Irish. Of those who went to distant parts of the King's Dominions 11,880 British-born sailed for Canada, as against 3459 last year, 11,616 for South Africa, and 25-13 for Australasia, compared with 3050 in the first quarter of 1902.

NEW QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL. I Lieut.-General Sir Ian Hanilton has been selected for appointment as Quartermaster- General. He at present" holds the position of Military Secretary at Army headquarters. I

F O.Q- XcoUGffS&COLDst USE- V TRA MA OF KAYS (ammesaaK^^ UNSEED AMiSSSP 0 1 INSEED COMPOUND" I B A i3 a reliable old English home » remedy. It softer,* hard phlegm. I permitting it to be expectorated H without strain. soothing the membranes and 1 allaying the irritation so commonly ex- § perienced. There is nothing to equal it. Of H all Chemists at home and abroad. Refitsetu n many substitutes offered. Price, !)}d., 1/1$, 2,9. fit -4 The Best POWDER in the WOWDER World.

THE IRISH MOTOR RACE. The Chevalier Hcné de Knyff, who will drive the blue-coloured Panhard-Levassor racer No. 7 in the Motor Derby, has just returned to London from Ireland, whether he went to survey the amended Gordon-Bennett course. "I found the population," said the Chevalier to the editor of the Car," full of enthusiasm for the magnificent struggle which this race will provide. The inhabi- tants of the country recognise therein a source of considerable benefit, and Pat is congratu- lating himself in advance." The famous French chauffeur, who has taken part in almost every Continental race of importance, remarked that though the roads were very good, the corners are too sharp. "At the speed at which we must drive," he says, coolness and a keen eye will be neces- sary to prevent one's making acquaintance with the trees which border the road." Another expe- rienced motor driver who has inspected the course takes an even more depressing view. The road," he says, has so many bends that I do not see how cars going at top speed can get through without some accidents. Top speed is the only speed at which Continental drivers will race, and, unless I am mistaken in my estimate of them and of the road, someone is cer- tain to come to grief." It would be most unfortu- nate if this prophecy were to be justified. Surely, the competitors most have the sense to see that motoring will be recommended to the public at large much more by reasonable care on their part than if they show that it makes the people who indulge in it reckless and foolhardy. It would be a poor return for our suspension of the law in favour of automobilism if some Continental chauf- feur were to spoil the race by getting himself killed after the manner of poor Count Zborowski.

Thinking to take advantage of the presence of a tailor in the workhouse, the Small burgh (Norfolk) guardians decided to provide the porter with awiew uniform. But when the cloth ai rived the tailor fled. "This is terrible," said the Earl of Kimberley, who presided at the next meeting of the guardians. "If we wait until another tailor comes in it will keep all tailors out. The job should have been kept dark." Two years ago a wealthy Greek merchant married a beautiful young widow at Smyrna. A little while ago the lady fell in love with a young clerk in her husband's employ. She confessed her love to her husband, who, after vainly endeavouring to separate the young couple, deter- mined to be magnanimous. He forthwith divorced his wife, gave her a dowry of zC2,000, and acted as best man at her subsequent marriage.

NO BETTER FOOD." A. Dr. Andrtse Wtlnn, F.R.S.E., & VP o° 0 W 300 X 4* COLD MEDALS, &c. I- .-I

A FISHY DINNER. AzLost folk are acquainted with the annual white- bait dinner given at Greenwich, but the details published in "Vanity Fair" of a fish dinner to be given by a Transatlantic hostess are quite new. It seems that the dresses of the lady guests will be trimmed with iridescent scales. The waitresses will be attired as fish-wives. The table decoration will be fishing-boats laden with coloured sea-weeds. On the sails of tiny ships are printed the menus, nets dvape the ceilings of the reception-rooms, and the clou is a miniature artificial lake in which live fish are swimming about. Of course the dinner will begin with turtle soup, and go on through a most interesting and varied fish menu. 1 r

The world now consumes 6,3UU,UUU,UOUlbs. ot tobacco yearly, or 2,182,500 tons. This is worth £ 52,000,000 sterling. In other words, the world's smoke bill is just CI,000,000 a week. Sir Christopher Furness is about to purchase the Tyne Steam Shipping Company. It is re- ported that Sir C. Furness is completing nego- tiations for a dockyard on the Thames. In proportion to population, Spain, Norway. and Ireland have more blind people than any other European countries. Spain has 216 per 100,000; Norway, 208; and Ireland, 111. Very Irritating.—A man may without reproach refer to the excellence of his own work, but at the same time it is never well to call attention to one's own skill by casting aspersions upon the ability of others. A piano-tuner had nearly finished his work on the piano when he looked up and said to the lady of the house—"Your instrument was in an awful condition. You ought to have sent for me sooner." "It was tuned only three months ago." ''Then the man who did it was ignorant of his business." "Do you think so?" "I'm sure of it, ma'am. He ought to be sawing wood or cleaning the streets instead of tuning pianos. A delicate instrument like a piano needs fingers equally delicate to handle it, and it needs an accurate ear, too. The person who attempted to tune this instrument fast evidently had neither." Here the tuner regarded his own hands complacently, and then con- tinued—"In fact, I am free to say," he added, "that he did more harm than good." "I can hardly think it is so bad as that." "Well, he certainly didn't do it any good. May I ask who the man was?" "Certainly. It was yourself." "Madam, you are mistaken. I never tuned a, Eiano in this house before." "Probably not; ut you tuned that instrument nevertheless, or attempted to. It belonged to Mrs. Jones, of whom I bought it. She told me you had always tuned it and to send to you when it needed tuning again." On his way home the man reflected solemnly on the irritating way some womeii have of presenting facts.

"EDNA LYALL'S" WILL. I The will of Miss A. E. Bayley, "Edna Lyall," Who died on February 8, at Eastbourne, is proved by her brother-in-law, the Rev. H. J. Jameson, of Eastbourne, and Mr. S. G. Slowan, surgeon, Farnham. The testatrix leaves the copyright of her works for the benefit of the children of her sister, Mrs. Jameson. The estate is sworn at £ 25,966 10s. 2d.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. I The Lighting of Our Shores. I In the House of Commons on the 3rd inst., Mr. Charles McArthur moved the second reading of the Merchant Shipping (Lighthouses) Bill, which proposes to reform the administration of hght- houses, and make their maintenance a national charge. It was contended by several members that this was the general practice of other nations, and that British shipowners were handicapped in their business by having to pay a heavy special tax. Mr. Ritchie refused to accept the bill, declar- ing it to be unfair to the general taxpayer that he should be asked to take over the burden of the entire cost of lighting our shores. It was, on the contrary, his hope and desire to diminish the burdens of the taxpayer. The bill was rejected by 114 to 103 Temperance. I The Drunkenness and Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Bill (second reading moved by Mr. T. W. Russell) after brief discussion, in which Colonel Kenyon-Slaney described it as temperance gone mad," was rejected bv 102 to 79. Penrhyn Dispute. I In the House of Commons, on the 6th inst., Mr. Balfour suggested that Mr. Asquith's vote of t, censure with regard to the Penrhyn quarry dis- pute should be taken on the Monday following the holidays. Trinidad. I The Colonial Secretary, in reply to Mr. E. Cecil, named the three Commissioners who will leave on the 15th for Trinidad to investigate the recent riots on that island. recent riots on that island. Railway Rates. I Mr. Hanbury, answering questions, promised early communications with the railway com- panies respecting the rates on agricultural pro- duce, and stated that no case of trichinosis had been observed in this country for at least six- teen years. Port of London Bill. I Mr. G. Balfour introduced the bill establish- ing a board for the administration of the Port of London. He said the measure followed the main lines of the Royal Commission's recom- mendations, but there were important exceptions. The Trinity House would not be transferred to the river authority. It had been decided to leave it open to the new body either to dispose of or retain under their own management the warehouses of the dock companies. The guaran- tee of the Port stock would be given by the County Council alone. The Commission would consist of 40 members, of whom 14 would be nominated by the following bodies in the propor- tions given: London County Council, 8; City Corporation, 2; Admiralty, 1; Board of Trade, 1; Trinity House, 1; Railway Association, 1. Of the 26 others, the payers of dues on ships and goods would elect 20, equally divided between the two classes, the wharfingers 4, and the owners of river craft, 2. The bill, which was introduced under the ten-minute rule, was read a first time. Licensing in Scotland. I On the motion for the second reading of the Licensing (Scotland) Acts Amendment Bill, Mr. Ure proposed an amendment in favour of direct popular control. He withdrew it, however, after discussion, and the measure was read a second time.

I TAMPERED WITH A SHELL. I Four young Maltese shepherds were the other day clambering over the rocks near Fort Delimara when they came upon some obsolete shells which had been placed close to the water's edge prepara- tory to being taken out into the deep sea and thrown away. The lads unfortunately endeavoured to remove the plug of one of the shells, with the result that it exploded, and killed all four of them. Another lad who was with them had a very narrow escape, as he walked away just before the. explosion took place.

LICENSING DIFFICULTIES. I When the renewal of a licence is refused without misconduct on the part of the licencee, should he or his landlord or both receive compensation for the loss ? This is a question, the Justice of the Peace" observes, rather 'within the scope of politics than that of law, and does not, therefore, concern us here. On the law as it stands to-day, while the renewal of a licence may be refused without proof of misconduct, the persons suffering any loss by such refusal are not entitled to any compensation. It would give justices a freer hand if they knew that a refusal would not work a pecuniary hardship.

THE MONROE DOCTRINE. I President Roosevelt's Creed. I President Roosevelt, in the course of a speech delivered at Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Saturday, said I am sorry to see reflections, in the Press or elsewhere, from America on any foreign nation. I do not beiieve that the United States should ever suffer wrong, and I should be the first to resent a wrong from the start, just as I should be the first to insist that we do not wrong the weak. I believe in the Monroe Doctrine, and as long as I am President it will be lived up to. I do not intend to make that an excuse or a justification for being unpleasant to other Powers. We want the friendship of mankind. We want peace, and we wish well to the nations of mankind."

Of European nations the Norwegians and Swedish are the longest lived, the Spaniards the shortest. According to a foreign statistical return recently issued, the average duration of life is as follows: Sweden and Norway fifty years; England, forty-five years and three months; Belgium, forty-four years and eleven months; Switzerland, forty-four years and four months; France, forty-three years and six months; Austria, thirty-nine years and eight months; Prussia and Italy, thirty-nine years Bavaria, thirty-six years; and Spain, thirty- two years and four months It is interesting, in view of the prospect of licensing legislation, to remember that between 300 and 400 public-houses are owned by mem- bers of the House of Lords. Lord Derby is by far the largest owner, with seventy-two licensed houses. The Duke of Bedford has exactly half a hundred houses. One member of the Cabinet —the Duke of Devonshire-has forty-seven, so that between them these three have 169 licensed houses-more than half the total number held by peers. The Duke of Rutland has thirty-seven and the Duke of Northumberland thirty-six; Lord Dudley has thirty-three and Lord Cowper twenty-two; and Lord Dunraven and Lord Salis- bury have each eleve*.

THE VENTRILOQUIST'S SECRET. I Revealed by a Professfonal. I One of the most amusing of stage ventrilo- quists, Mr. Leo Vincent, whose well-known per- forming and talking dolls," of course, neither perform nor talk, the whole being supplied by the talented VOICE VANQUISHER, says that the word ven- triloquism" is a mis- nomer, the old idea that the ventriloquist's words were formed in the stomach being an entire er.'or. Practice of the ordinary voice and con- trol of the lips are all that are necessary. But ventriloquism causes a very severe strain upon the vocal organs, and the applause of the audience is often won at the cost of much pain and risk to the entertainer. Mr. Vincent told A GOOD STORY of a dilemma in which he once found himself, and which seemed at one time to threaten an end to his Ventriloquial Entertainment. Dr. William's pink pills for pale people are what saved him from this, lie assured a Representative of the Press, who saw him a 18, Back Nayn-street, Deane-road, Bolton. About eighteen months ago," said Mr. Vincent, U1 contracted a severe cold, which settled on my chest. I tried many remedies, none of which did me the least good. My throat got so bad that my voice went hoarse in the middle of a performance. Besides the cold, a sharp pain settled in my back. The doctors told me I was suffering from lumbago. The tearing pain in my loins was most severe r hen I made any movement, but even in response it Was almost unbearable. It seemed impossible to find a position in which I could get rest. A DRAMATIC COLLAPSE. At last my chest'and throat became so raw that I lost my voice completely, and I was so weak that in the final performance in which I appeared I collapsed just as the Curtain was run down, and had to be assisted off the Stage. I was laid up here at Bolton. A friend recommended me to try Dr. Williams' pink pills. I did so, and the first box seemed to relieve me. It did not, of course, cure me, but it removed the hoarseness,' and that was surprising enough to me. After I had taken five boxes I was quite able to resume my profes- sion as Ventriloquist, and have followed it with my old success ever since." Their effect as a tonic no doubt had much to do with Mr. Leo Vincent's remarkable cure by these pills. They are noted, however, for their effect on all chest complaints and colds. No one can afford to neglect a cold. Bleak airs and exposure do not cause influenza or rheumatism; but if the system is not strong they lay it open to attack. Dr. Williams' pink pills for pale people (to avoid substitutes see that all these seven words are on wrapper) fortify the system against colds, bronchitis, influenza, rheumatism. All who are exposed should take them. By giving new blool, these pills (which may be:had post free for two and ninepence from Dr. Williams' medicine company, Holborn-viaduct, London, if local shopkeepers offer substitutes) directly cure ansemia, eczema, kidney e isease, con- sumption and the ailments which wome-ii endure in silence, pains in the back, weakness, and recurrent misery. They are not purgative, but on the con- trary strengthening. Their effect in the case of Mr. Leo Vincent, whom they have restored to the scene of his Ventriloquial Triumphs, is typical of what they accomplish in other instances.

FRENCH SMOKERS. During 1902, the cigars and cigarettes smoked in France represented the respectable total of 4,050 tons. It is noticed that the smoking habits of the French people have undergone a great change during the past 20 years. Cigars have steadily declined in popular favour, and cigarettes have as steadily advanced. This is explained as another illustra- tion of the rush and worry of the age. Even a smoke must be enjoyed by snippets.

COMING CRICKETERS. Progress is being made in India with regard to the visit to England in 1904 of a team of Parsee, Mahomedan, and Hindu cricketers. The last mail in brings news that the committee of man- agement have received affirmative replies from six or seven of the team they had selected as the best possible. Among these are Dr. M. E. Pavri and Ahsan-ul-hak, both of whom have played for Middlesex, K. Shesha Chari, a Madras Brahmin whom Mr. Cecil Headlam has described as the best wicketkeeper the Authent-ics met, and who only needs practice to be quite first-class P. K. Telang, a Bombay crack; and A. H. Mehta, the best Parsee bowler. Everything points, there- I t, p fore, to the tour coming off, those in the best position to know anticipating no financial diffi- culty.

POLAR SLEDGING Mr. Peary has been giving a vivid description ot ihe terrible hardships and discomforts involved in long sledge expeditions over the Polar ice-fields. He describes the start with a cavalcade of 18 sledges, each having its own team of dogs, eight dogs to a sledge, and a gross load of about 5001b. each. The driver has to be constantly on the alert. Even then, in some pocket of deep snow between the ice masses the sledge may bury itself com- pletely, and have to be dislodged with spade and axe. Every hour or two the tangled traces have to be loosened and untangled, and it will be strange if two or three of the sledges do not have to stop for repairs of some kind.

NEWSPAPER PRESS FUND. I Presiding at the annual dinner of the News- paper Press Fund, in London, Mr. Leopold de Rothschild told how it was that his house obtained the first hint of the battle of Waterloo. The news was contained in a small Dutch news- paper, which was brought to this country by the captain of a ship owned by his grandfather. It was published in three big-letter lines, and ran as follows: "Great victory of the English at Amsterdam."

MR. HANBURY ON AGRICULTURE. I In the course of a speech at the annual dinner of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce at Middlesbrough, Mr. Hanbury, Minister of Agri- culture, referred to the question of rural depopulation, and urged the adoption of a system of education whereby the youth of the country would be brought to interest themselves in agri- culture instead of being educated to be fitted only for clerkships. An agricultural education for the children of rural districts would stop much of the exodus to the towns. He urged also the appointment of advisory district committees to the Board of Agriculture, by which the needs of each district would become known.

Old men often fail to find any attraction in "resting" from work. Busy septuagenarians are plentiful, and many men of over eighty are still almost as active as ever. "Men and Women" points out that Baron Brampton is as devoted to the law as ever, and travels much Sir William Howard Russell keeps a watchful eye cn his J paper the "Army and Navy Gazette" while Lord Strathcona has at his command a. perfectly inexhaustible reserve of strength. Sir Henry Thompson still paints a little, while Mr. Watts paints a very great deal. Nor is Mr. Frith's brush idle. Statistics of suicide in the Austro-Hangarian army tell a dark story. Even among the civilian population of that empire the percentage of suicides is high-1.63 per 10,000 inhabitants, as against 0.76 in England, though still lower than Germany, whose percentage is 2.71. Austrian army suicides, however, are equal to those of any three other European armies put together. England's army of free men does not weary of its own existence. The percentage is 2.06 per 10,000, while in the Austrian army it rises to 12.53, even double that of the German army, which may be described as a bad second with a rate of 6.33..