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STRPBRSTITIOX AnOUT CATS. In the Monferrato it is believed that all the cats I -who wander about upon the roofs during the month of February are really witches, whom it is lawful and even necessary to shoot. A German super- stition has it that if a black cat sits upon the bed of a sick man it is a presage of his death while if. after his decease, it is seen upon his grave, it I is enough to arouse doubts as to the locality to -which his soul has departed. In Hungary it is thought that cats generally become witches between the ages 01 seven and twelve years. A French belief concerning the cat is that if the animal be carried in a cart and the wind blow from it to the horses they immediately fall tired. If any part of the horseman's clothing be made of cats' skin the horse will feel as though it carried a double burden. In other countries, however, superstition is favour- able rather than adverse to the cat. A variant of the famous story of the Kilkenny cats is found in Piedmont, the cats being, however, replaced by wolves. Several weather forecasts iisay be drawn by the observant from the actions of a cat. Whea she is seen to clean herself behind the ears with her wet paw you may expect rain. Sailors, too, tell us the frolics of a cat on board ship portend a storm. A LONDON 'BUSMAN'S DRIVES. More than 20,000 miles, or nearly the circum- ference of the earth at the Equator, is the distance the average London 'busman drives in the course of a year! This, at all events, is the annual journey of the driver who chatted of his work to a corre- spondent the other day. His route from Putney to Liverpool-street out and home covers sixteen miles, and he does five journeys, or eighty miles a day. Every second day, however, the driver has what he calls "a short day"—that is to say, he does only three journeys; and, starting at 8 a.m., is off duty between half-past five and six. On the average, therefore, the 'busman drives sixty-four miles a day, working sixteen hours one day and ten hours the next. This particular man has been driving London 'buses for over twenty years, and therefore has driven more than 400,000 miles in the streets of London, or sixteen times round the earth at the Equator.

I SUPERSTITIONS FOB MOTHERS. I There is a world-wide prevalence of superstitions concerning babies that mothers are most careful to observe. For instance, a German child is carried upstairs after it is horn before it is ever taken downstairs. Should the child chance to come into the world in a room on the top floor the situation is maintained by the nurse mounting a chair or table, with the infant in her arms. Scotch babies are considered lucky if they handle their spoons with their left hands, and they will be -very happy and successful in later years if they have a great number of falls before they are one > year old. Manxmen believe that if anyone walks round a baby, or steps over it, the little thing will be dwarfed or wizened. A new-born Yorkshire child is placed in a maiden's arms before being touched by anyone else, in order to ensure good luck whilst in other parts of England people bind an infant's right hand, so that it may have wealth when it grows up. ♦

THE ASS AND TIIK HORSE COMPARED. In one respect the ass is more delicate than the borse-it cannot thrive or multiply in regions where the snow covers the ground for several months of the year. A horse will bear a severe degree of dry cold under which the ass would die. Asses are not known in Northern Russia and an eccentric traveller who made a tour in Norway with three gipsies and a donkey found the latter as much an object of curiosity as a tame bear in England. Even at the present day native Egyptians prefer the quiet ass—which neither rears, plunges, nor shies, and keeps a steady pace, quite fast enough under a tropical sun—to the more high- eouraged horse, except on occasions of parade. In fact, in the East the horse is chiefly valued as a ty charger for war purposes; the ass is the hack for daily use where the much-enduring camel is not employed. A wealthy Copt will give as much as £200 for a white ass of good stature and easy paces. .0

THE WOES OF AN EDITOR. Human nature and newspaper readers are pretty much the same all the world ov; and the follow- ing, written by a foreign editor, may be taken as representing some of the woes of his brethren in other climes "Editing a newspaper," he says, "is a pleasant business-if you can stand it. If it contains many advertisements a subscriber com- I plains that it takes up too much space. If there is a lack of advertising it is unpopular, and the poeple won't have it. If we attend church regularly they say we go for effect. If we stay away from church they say we are monstrously heathenish, If we accept an invitation to a wedding they say we are only invited to write it up.' If 'We go to the opera-house they sav W* "'1\ tickets. If WO nnhli-1- ■' j, » -.ou me news ot a man who has ought disgrace upon his family, the friends of the family never forgive us. If we, out of goodness of heart, decline to say anything on the subject, the man's enemies are disappointed, and we are branded as white-livered cowards." 0

THIS WILL KILL OR CURE. Are you given to lisping ? If you are, read aloud the following. Take it easy and do not lose your temper, says the Penny Magazine t "Amidst the mists and coldest frosts, With barest wrists and stoutest boasts, He thrusts his fists against the posts, And still insists he sees the ghosts." You should manage the above any time within a fortnight, and then you may try this one: "Thou wreath'd'st and muzzl'd'st the far-fetched ox, and imprison'd'st him in the volcanic Mexican mountain of Popocatepetl in Cotopaxi." By this time you will have passed the elementary Stage, and may tackle something really hard, such as— ."When a twister, a-twisting, would twist him a twist, For twisting a twist, three twists will he twist; But if one of the twists untwists from the twist, The twist thus untwisting untwisteth the twist." At thi3 point we believe that most lispers are either quite cured or else they indignantly decline to go any further; but it is really advisable that you should master this last and most difficult of all "Theophilus Thistle, the successful thistle-sifter, in sifting a sieveful of unsifted thistles, thrust three thousand thistles through the thick of his thumb. If, then, Theophilus Thistle, the success- ful thistle-sifter, in sifting a sieveful of unsifted thistles, thrust three thousand thistles through the thick of his thumb, see that thou, in sifting a sieveful of unsifted thistles, thrust not three thousand thistles through the thick of thy thumb." If, after this, you are a lisper, we are afraid we Can do nothing more for you. 0

ANIMALS OF THE SAHARA. The domestic animals of the Sahara are camels, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, cattle, and gazelles; antelopes, wolves, hyenas, ostriches, foxes, jackals, wild boars, and leopards are the game. Here, as elsewhere, says the Scottish Geographical Magazine, a harmony exists between the fauna and the soil. The camels, sheep, and reptiles have the yellowish hue of the sand. Again, the necessity of covering long distances in search of pasture has produced great length of limb even the sheep have longer legs than those in this country. Perhaps the most 4istinctive feature is the ability to go a long time without water which all the animals possess-the camel in a marked degree. He can travel six to ten days without water, feeding on the acacia and other thorny bushes, and at the end of this time can drink more than a hundred pints of water. The camel of the Sahara is the dromedary with one hump. To the natives this nnimal is indispensable; it carries them from place to place, and supplies them with meat and milk.

I CURRENT TOPICS. I KING EDWARD VISITING IN EUROPE. King Edward's tour in Southern Europe is an example of those international courtesies which not only foster a good understanding between host and guest, but serve in several ways to promote the peace of Europe. It is not in the least likely that Britain, her ancient ally Portugal, and her informal ally Italy, will be found on the side of aggressive war, but much is to be gained from a rapprochement between those Powers whose main purpose in arming is to defend themselves. At Lisbon, King Edward met with a most enthusiastic reception, such as Portugal owed to the Sovereign of a State which has, on more than one occasion, fought to pre- serve the independence of the Portuguese. When his Majesty visits Rome, he i sure to be received with quite equal cordiality, and no doubt his presence in the Italian capital will help to increase the good feel- ing which subsists already between two nations that have many interests in common, and may some day be even more closely allied than they are at present. HELIGOLAND. When Heligoland was ceded to Germany, in 1890, under the Anglo-German agree- ment respecting Africa and Zanzibar, Lord Salisbury was blamed for making a poor bargain, but. so far as Heligoland is con- cerned, it seems we did not give away a very valuable consideration. Eight hundred years ago the island, which is situated in the North Sea, about 35 miles from the mouth of the Elbe, was 5 times its present size, which is not more than 2 miles in circumference, and it is constantly crumb- ling away. As recent falls of land are likely to affect the fortifications, an exam- ination was made with the result that the geologists have come to the conclusion that no human power or skill can avert the complete disappearance of the island. This doubtless will be regarded in Germany as a fresh grievance against perfidious Albion, as the late Prince Bismarck, or his countrymen, did not contemplate that Heligoland was going to fall into the sea. THE DIOCESE OF LINCOLN. The Bishop of Lincoln can scarcely be said to have exaggerated the hardships endured by many of the clergy in his Diocese, and there is some force in his remark that portions of the Diocese are not favourable to a man who is in delicate health, particularly when, at the same time, he is not sufficiently supplied with the necessaries of life. There is a story in the biography of one of the Bishops which illustrates amusingly the difficulties ex- perienced by some of the clergy in the fen district, The vicar of a parish which was in the winter almost insulated, resorted to the very simple remedy of closing his 0 church during the most rainy months of the year. This fact was reported to the Bishop who promptly called upon him for an ex- planation. The Vicar replied that during the the time that the Church was closed it was surrounded by water, and, he added "Even Satan himself could not get at my j parishioners in the winter; but I promise your lordship to be well before him in the spring," I THB TIMES COMPETITION. ) It would be absurd to suppose that The Times in offering valuable prizes for its new competition, is animated by mere philan- $brophy j indeed it is made pretty clear in the pamphlet, which has been distributed liberally, that the object is to sell more copies of some volumes in which that powerful journal is interested. But none I the less some acknowledgment should be I made of the service which The Times is rendering to the public it! introducing a new ana higher class of competition to those who have become tired of the adver- tisements of contests which are by no means free from the element of chance. It would therefore appear that The Times has suc- ceeded in doing that which Caesar once I congratulated himself upon accomplishing when he served an interest of his own in rendering a service to the State. Perhaps on some other occasion The Timen may be able to do something for the King's English, which is treated in these days n with so little respect, An offer of valuable prizes for essays written in the most exact English would afford encouragement to an art which seems to be in danger of being lost. THE FIREARMS' BILL. I The Bill which has been introduced by Mr Helme to regulate the sale of firearms, and read a second time, seems to be to some extent on the lines of the Pistols' Bill, which was before Parliament seven years ago, but was said to have failed of passage because it went too far, and proposed legislation which some people described as "grandmotherly." The principal object of Mr Helme's Bill is to ensure that anybod}' purchasing firearms shall first produce his licence, and that a record may be kept of the transaction which will, if necessary, identify the purchaser of the particular weapon. The reform is such a simple one and would have such useful results that it is difficult to understand why legislation to that end was not enacted many years ago, although one knows that non-party measures, however valuable, have very little chance of being passed, and have to be brought up year after year, before Parlia- ment will consider them seriously. Then, when they are at length enacted, every- body asks why they were not passed long ago, as many people have asked about the Criminal Evidence Act, 1898, which enabled accused persons to give evidence. When Mr Helme's Bill finds its way eventually on to the Statute Book, it is to be hoped the Inland Kevenue department, will look sharply after the purchasers of air guns, and so called toy-pistols, by which quite as much mischief is caused as by ordinary guns and pistols. PEOPLE WHO PAY INCOME TAX TWICE. Mr Boland certainly had justice on his side when he asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to relieve those people who have to pay income tax twice on the same money, firstly in Australia, and secondly at home. This is a grievance of which people who obtain their income from Australian sources complain very bitterly, but they are not alone in suffering this hardship, which is present in the case of people deriving their income from other possessions of the Crown. An income tax of Is 3d in the £ is bad enough, but the case is much worse when still more is deducted from every £ received by a person resident in this country who has property in the Colonies. In many instances the taxpayers are widows, and others with an income which is only sufficient to live upon, and there have been some cases in which the double impost has compelled people to go and live in the Colony. That is ao much the better for the Colonies, but it means less money spent in Britain.

I HYA.RCHER8, GOLDEHRETURHS I | & £ RECISTEHEP ge^ |lip fac-simile of One-Ounce Packet. Afchef's Golden Returns The Perfection of Pipe Tobacco. COOL, SWEET, AND FRAGRANT. -— DALEfftfljl GOLD/MEDAL VBUK. DUBBINH Waterproofs, softens, and pre- BBrwBg serves the life of BOOTS and wM HR I HARNESS. Allows polish. H Pleasant aroma. 22 Exhibition H IB VA highest awards. Tins, 2d.,6d., iHjL El I 1/- & 2/6 of Bootmakers, Sadd-Mj^AjBLwl lers, Ironmongers, &c. Manu-y~g»|jB. /iilj! Jactcry, East Dulwich, S.E. j J ) ———-

-I- USK. PEr rY SESSIONS, THURSDAY. Before R. RICKAUOS, Esq (in tha ohair), II. HUMPHUKYS, Esq, and S. A. HILEY, Esq. THE ONLY CAME.-William Firkins was sum. moned for an offence under Bye-Law No. 5 (Mon- mouthshire County Council), in Bridge-street, Usk, at 11.5 p.m. on Murch 28th.-P.S. Shaddick gave the facts. -D,fandant was ordered to pay 5s, the Chairman remarking that it was un unpardonable offence.

Blow-moving eyes are aiways round in the heads of persons of prudence and ability. Grey is said to be the colour of talent and shrewdness. Great thinkers have grey eyes. In women they indicate a better head than heart. lirey eyes, however, are of many varieties. There are the sharp, the shrewish, the spiteful, the cold, the penetrating,the meditating,and the intellectual, but the fact remains that the grey represents the head. Round-eyed persons live much in the senses, but think less. Deep-seated eyes receive impres- sions more accurately, definitely, and deeply. Narrow-eyed persons see less, but think more and feel more intensely.

County Licensing Committee. The only business before the County Confirming Licensing Committee, who sat at the Sessions House, Usk, on Monday, under the presidency of Sir Henry Iather Jackson, Bart., was an applica- tion by Mr William Charles Follett, secretary of the Tredegar Iron and Coal Company, Limited, for the confirmation of a provisional grant of a license for the sale of intoxicating liquors on premises about to b constructed at Abertyaswg, in the Rhymney Valley, to be known as the McLaren Hotel. The license had been granted by the Tredegar justices, and the application was of a formal character. Mr Corner, instructed by Mr J. Alex. Shepard, Tredegar, appeared for the company, and Mr Horace Lyne wa'ched the proceedings on behalf of the Chief Constable. Mr Corner explained that the application was made in the interests of the employes of the company, who had obtained from Lord Tredegar the lease of a coiiai(lerable quantity of land at Abertyssw--a place which was practically isolated, the nearest public-house being about a mile and a quarter distant. Abertysswg was a growing district, and wirhiii the last three years 132 houses had been erected, 65 were in course of erection, and 50 or 60 had been given out to contractors. The company's McLaren Collieries were about 20 ) yards distant, and at present about 1,000 men were engaged there, which number, however, would soon be increased to 1,600 Refreshments of a non-intoxicating kind would be served at the new hitel, which would be supervised by the company's own manager. The lowest estimate for the building was 23,500. The company were prepared to make a provision that no intoxicants should be sold before woikiug houra in the morning, but only tea and coffee. After hearing several witnesses, the Committee confirmed the provisional grant for a license on the understanding that the company would keep the premises in their own hands, and that they would, further, give an undertaking that a board should be fixed in a conspicuous position, notifying that no intoxicating liquors would be sold, either on or off the premises, before eight o'clock in the morning, except in the case of illness or serious accident. The necessary undertaking was given.

The Machinery Trust. IREFFREN-CF, TO MR. HAYES-FISHER. The annual meeting of the shareholders of the M !chinery Trust was held on Wednesday after- noon, at the (Jannon-street Hotel, London, Sir Joseph Lawrence, M.P., presiding. In moving the adoption of the report, it was shown that the trading profits were £70,122, and it was recommended that a dividend of 15 per cent for the year be paid. The Chairman said they had passed through a year of depression, and had also had to meet an exceptional amount of competition. He threw out a suggestion for the amalgamation of the Linotype C,mpany, the Machinery Trust, and the Printing Machinery Company. The motion having been secouded by Mr E. Halser, Mr F. W. Reynolds congratulated the directors upon the extremely satisfactory report presented, and begged to be allowed to refer to the magnificent speech delivered in the House of Commons by Mr Hayes Fisher the previous day. This was the first opportunity they had had in the City of Londou of expressing an opinion on the subject, and he could not help thinking that their Chairman, in supporting Mr Hayes-Fisher, had, financially and morally, acted very nobly. The Chairman thanked Mr Reynolds, and said he had only done his duty in standing by an honourable man, whose standard of honour, high feeling, and right dealing stood as an example to future statesmen. (Cheers.) Mr Roberts strongly approved the proposed amalgamation. The motion was unanimously adopted, and I the dividend recommended in the report declared.

Continuous Policy required for South Africa. Mr Chamberlain, in acknowledging a resolution of c mfidence from the Sparkhill Liberal Unionist Association, has written to Dr Chavasse, president of the association, as follows: We have at last a favourable prospect of a complete settlement of our difficulties in South Africa, but the realisation of all our hopes depends on the p issibility of maintaining a continuous policy on the lines that we have laid down. If we should ever again, in consequence of pa, ty or other influences, lepeat our last po'icy of weakness and vacillation our work will be undone and our last state will be worse than the first. "I trust, however, that ihere is no fear that the British people will be induced to adopt so fatal a course."

RED FOR MOURNING. I There can be no doubt but that in the Dark and I part of the Middle Ages red and not black was the favourite mourning colour throughout Europe. Even down to the end of the fifteenth century the change I from blood-red to black was not complete, though I black cloaks were worn over red clothing. In Abyssinia the mourning colour is a reddish-brown. In Turkey it is violet, a colour closely allied to red. It is a curious fact tha.t among the Maoris of New Zealand red is the hue of sorrow. In earlier times, mourners daubed their bodies with red juices when they followed a chief to his grave, and even the resting-places of the bodies were also coloured red.

THE longest span of telegraph wire in the worlc is in India, over the River Kistna. It is ovei 6,000ft. in length. THE LAST GnEAT ALCHEMIST. I The old inn in the Adeergasse, Vienna, where Paracelsus drank his wine, and where he is said tr have converted a copper or brass penny into a piece of gold, was pulled down some years ago. But the ancient Badham outside the gates of the city, where the last great alchemist, Seefeld, carried on liia experiments, is still standing, much as it did when the sanguine alchemist was seized at his labour? and hurried off to prison in the fortress atTemesour, where he died as a prisoner of the State.

DROLL PROMOTIONS. I Men do not always succeed by merit. "Why did the general take you on his staff ? a young Hussar was asked recently. "Oh, because I could carve a turkey so well." Another was promoted because he could sing so well; another because he was good at concocting strange drinks. The Due de Luynes got his dukedom because he pleased Louis XIII. by his cunning in training "shrikes to take sparrows." AN OLD SOCIETY OF RINGERS. The oldest society of ringers in the country is the Bellringers' Society of Saffron Walden. Its history dates back to 1623, when one Thomas Turner, a mercer of that town, died and left a benefaction to the ringers, to be paid to them on the anniversary of his death, on which day "they shall be required to meet in the parish church and have a sermon preached to them." The benefactor also left a suitable amount to be paid to the preacher of the sermon, and to the parish clerk for opening the church. This bequest was made by Turner in recognition of his gratitude to the ringers, for when lost in the dense woods around Audley End he heard the sound of the bells, and was thus able to find his way home. From that date the day (June 28th) has been observed as a ringers' festival.

BRIDGES BUILT OF KETTLES. Perhaps the most remarkable bridges in the I world are the kettle bridges in Russia and Siberia, of which Cossack soldiers are expert builders. They are built up of the soldiers' lances and cook- ing kettles. Seven or eight lances are placed under the handles of a number of kettles and fastened by means of ropes to form a raft. Each of these raft3 will bear the weight of half a ton.

The King at Gibraltar I King El ward arrived at Gibraltar on Wednesday, and was received by the Governor (Sir George White.) His Majesty was .welcomed in loyal and enthusiastic fashion by the populace. At a diuuer party in the evening the King announced the promotion of Sir George White to the rank of Field Marshal,

SUN lXSlItWCE OFFICE. Ofo A. Sum insured exceeds £460,000,000. For all particulars apply to Mu. THOMAS REES, JUNR., AGENT AT USE.

Usk Post Office. I Postmistress, Mrs. Creese. Letter Box cleared for despatch at the P.O. Bridge Street: vVeek Days, 9.40 a m., 12.58, o.l& (North Mail), aDd 7.50 p.m.; Sundays, 7.50 p.m. At Castle Parade Pillar Box, 9.30 a.m., 12.45 and 5.5 p.m., week days only. Deliveries commence.-Town, 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., I weekdays, and 7.30a.m. Sundays. Country, 6.10 a.m., week days only. Telegraph business transacted from a.m. to 8 p.m., week days, and 8 to 10 a.m. Sundays.

Monk Slloofs kiner. Paris, Thursday. The Petit Parisien says that Mr Francis O'Shaughnessy, of the- English Benedictine fathers, yester- day shot a miner trespassing on the- monastery grounds near Dcuai, ancl. was arrested.

A Shipping Disaster. New York, Thursday. The Liner Alleghany which' collided with a steamer during; Tuesday night in the Bay, was; yesterday run into by the barge, sent to remove her cargo. The- barge sank, and four workmen 1 were drowned.

Strikers [Arrested Rome, Thursday. Four hundred strikers have been; arrested. Camborne Election Result. Sir Wilfrid Lawson (R).3,558. Mr Arthur Strauss (U) .2,869 Majority 689

The King. Thursday. The King slept on the royal", yacht last night. This morning- he granted audiences to the Spanish. Governor of Algeciras.

The America Cup Trials. The two Shamrocks started this, morning on fifteen miles broad beach, and beat back. The old" Shamrock led at the start.

The Veronica Mutiny and Murder. At Liverpool to-day the seamen of the barque Veronica, charged' with mutiny and murder, were- committed for trial at the- Assizes.

Captured by the Afghans. Simla, Thursday Afternoon. Colonel Yat, captured by Afghans yesterday, for crossing- t> frontier, has not yet been released.

Death of the Hon Mrs Arthur Brand, The dead body of the Hon Mrs Arthur Brand, wife of the M.P. for Wisbeach Division, was found near their residence, at Crawley, Surrey, last night. She was missed in the- afternoon. The cause of death is not yet known.

The Money Market. Bank rate unaltered. Stocks quiet, firm. Printed and Published by "THE COUNTY OBSERVER." NEWSPAPER and PRINTING COMPANY, Limited, by JAMES HENRY CLARK, at their Offices, Bridge Street, Usk, in the County of Monmouth. Saturday April 11 th, 1908.

MAY SAVE YOUR CHILD'S LIFE. An vggspoonful of viroi in the feeding bottle strengthens tbe bone*, makes tbe lleah firmer, and tbe blood richer. Virol Is used In over aoo Hospitals. An Ideal Food for Wasting Diseasos. V, t to Is sold fa Jars, i/8, 3/- & 416.

The Most Nutritious. E P w'eq" S'S Grateful-Comforting. COCOA Breakfast—Supper.

FACTS AND FANCIES. I THERE are said to be 10,000,000 nerve fibres in the human body. CARDINAL MAZZOFANTI, th j linguist, who is said to have known a hundred languages, declared that he never forgot a word he had once learnt. f IN the Arctis region a man who wants a divorce leaves home in angor and does not return for several days. The wife takes the hint and departs. THE last infliction of the barbarous punishment of hanging, drawing, and quartering was upon the Cato-street conspirators, May 1st, 1820. Hanging in chains was abolished in 1834. CATACOMBS are subterranean cavities for the burial of the dead. The word is Greek, and means "cause to sleep." The most celebrated catacombs are those under the cities of Rome and Paris, the former extending for miles underground.

THE CARAT. I The carat is a standard used by the jewellers to I express both weight and fineness. When it is used as a weight it is equal to four grains, or the one hundred and twentieth part of an ounce troy. In determining the fineness of precious metals, 24 carats is considered the highest standard of purity. According to this standard an 18-carat gold ring contains three parts of gold and one of some base mntal.

THE GREAT REMEDY. Iowa, "GOUT PILLS GOUT, RHEUMATISM, SCIATICA LUMBAGO. Is quickly relieved and cured without restraint from diet, by these celebrated Pills. All Chemists, tud Stores, at Is. lid. and 2s. 9d. per box.