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

CURRENT SPORT. I SII SATURDAY'S CRICKET. Worcestershire, on Saturday, wound up a most successful first-class season with a brilliant victory over Gloucestershire by ten wickets. The brothers W. L. and H. K. Foster, Wilson, and Arnold did best for the winners, who were undoubtedly the best team. R. W. Rice played a sound game for the losers, as did G. L. Jessop until receiving a blow on the instep. At Scarborough, the M.C.C. team had to get 231 to save being beaten in an innings by Yorkshire. Despite good batting by Thompson, Relf, and Whitehead, they failed to avert defeat, the .-Ounty winning within half an hour of time by ttn innings and 16 runs. Carpenter was unable to bat in the visitors' second innings. As was generally anticipated, Essex beat Leicestershire very easily by ten wickets, Mead, who captured 15 wickets at a cost of 115 runs, proving altogether too much for the Leicestershire bats- men. MIDDLESEX CHAMPIONS. Middlesex, on the reckoning, have managed to secure the county-cricket championship of the season. All-round efficiency was the secret of their success. They were strong at every point, and not dependent on the efforts of two or three men. If Warner failed to made a big score G. W. Beldam or Bosanquet, or on occasions L. J. Moon, stepped into the breach. In bowling, J. T. Hearne—almost his old. self again—might reasonably have expected more help from Trott, but he received good support from Beldam, Bosanquet, and, lately, C. M. Wells. As a whole, the bowling was decidedly stronger than the average table would suggest. For one thing, it had plenty of variety, the styles of the. different men being in the strongest contrast. Trott as a bowler is something of a puzzle. One can hardly understand why a man who can be so great should so often sink below the most ordinary level. Last week-end at Kennington Oval—full of device, and varying his pace with wonderful skill-he seemed capable- of anything, but some days he neglects his fast ball and feeds the batsmen to an extent that exceeds all reasonable limits. As champion county Middle- lex will play England at the Oval on September 14, 15, and 16, the profits of the match being divided between the Cricketers' Fund and the London Playing Fields Committee. The date is a little too late for a match of such importance, but perhaps by that time the weather will have become more decently settled. The struggle for the championship has been the most interesting for many years past. At the commencement of the season, it was generally anticipated that Yorkshire would have little difficulty in retaining the title. However, the failure of the Northmen in their earlier matches put quite a different com- plexion on the state of affairs, and the com- Eetition for premier honours has been of the eenest character almost up to the last, while the splendid struggle of Yorkshire to regain their lost ground excited the admiration of all lovers of the game. IJADY CYCLIST'S LONG RIDE. In spite of bad weather, Miss Rosa Symons has succeeded in her task of riding from London to John o' Groats, from John o' Groats to Land's End, and from Land's End back to London-a total distance of 1,860 miles-in less than eighteen days. On the last day she covered 156 miles, and a. large crowd awaited her at the Marble Arch, which she reached exactly 17 days 23 hours 10i. minutes after the start. Her previous record 2 for the journey was 18 days 23 hours 0 minutes. 29 seconds. :it,EN HURST'S NEW RECORD. Since March, 1881, the record of 2hrs. 35min. 34sec. has stood as the best accomplished by a professional. On Thursday of last week, how- ever, Len Hurst was timed to have run the dis- tance in 21irs. 33min. 42sec., which not only now stands as the best professional record, but is 2sec. better than the magnificent one made by the amateur G. A. Dunning, at Stamford Bridge on the 1881 Boxing Day. Hurst's fine perform- ance was accomplished on the track at Preston Park, Brighton, and it may be taken as proof of the lessened interest in professional pedestrianism that not more than 500 people were present. Many are now probably regretting that they stayed away; but then, few probably expected the improvement of a twenty-two-year old re- cord, good as Len Hurst has frequently proved himself. CROQUET CUP. The competition for the croquet championship cup was concluded at the Roehampton Club on Saturday, Woolston beating Beaton (plus 4, minus 14, plus 4), and retaining possession of the cup. The final placings are :—G. H. Wools- ton, 1; R. C. J. Beaton, 2; C. D. Locock, 3; C. E. Willis, 4; A. G. Boumphrey, 5; F. W. Croft, 6; M. Barry and C. H. Du Cane tie for seventh place J. E. Austin, 9; F. R. D. Onslow, 10. In last year's competition Woolston and Beaton held similar positions W. W. Bruce was third, while Croft and Locack tied for fourth place, and Willis and O. H. Birley for sixth place. TANDEM RECORD BEATING. On Saturday at the Crystal Palace a 100 miles race for members of the Anerley B.C. was de- cided. J. Daymond scored his fourth succes- sive victory. At the half-distance it seemed as though G. and O. Hopkins on a tandem would win, for at that point they had gained a sub- stantial lead, and were going so well that they succeeded in beating Yeoman and Cooke's tan- dem records from 51 to 61 miles. Daymond's time was 3hrs. 52mins. 25 2-5secs. INTERNATIONAL WATER POLO. The first international water polo match of the present season was decided on Saturday at Weston-super-Mare, England easily beating Wales by 10 goals to 1. The start was delayed ow:ng to the non-arrival of Wallace, and it was past nine when the game commenced, Thomas, of Penarth, filling the vacancy. The English- men proved much the stronger team. Immedi- ately after the start Forsyth scored with a splen- did shot from a.pass by Marshall. Some grand work by Wildgoose next threatened danger, but the player named was robbed of the ball in the mouth of goal by Herbert, who fouled the Eng- lishman, and was in consequence ordered out of the water. Next Forsyth scored a second goal with a smart shot. Keeping up the pres- sure, England added three more goals before half- time, Wildgoose putting on the third and Wilkin- son the next two. The second half proved equally one-sided, and Wilkinson, Ingersol (2), and Wild- goose (2) added goals before Radmilovic beat Robertson, and gave the Welsh their solitary goal. ENGLISH GOLFERS' SUCCESS. .IU ii Garden City (Long Island) last Saturday, the team representing the Oxford and Cambridge Golfing Society was again victorious by twelve matches to three. The opposing team was one of the .stongest. the Englishmen have yet met, and this is considered to be the greatest victorv fchev have won during the present tour. PLYMOUTH REGATTA. At the regatta at Plymouth on Monday, under the flag of the Royal Western of England Yacht Club, the two principal races were won by Bona and Lucida respectively. CYCLING RECORDS BEATEN. On Monday two successful attacks were made on unpaeed cycling records from London to Dover and back, the start and finish taking place at Blackheath, with London Bridge and Dover as the turning points. The first to start were F. Wells and A. Hardstone, Brookdale C. and A.C., who attempted to beat the tandem record of 8h. 59min. 8sec., held by Eteson and Miller, Royal Victoria C.C. Half an hour late? J. Reed, Brookdale C.C., started to beat the single record of lOh. 40min. 12sec., held by J. F. Bliss, Royal Victoria C.C. The roads were good, but a strong westerly wind prevailed. The Blackheath to London and back part of the journey was done by the tandem in 34min. 18sec., and by Reed in 37min. Wells and Hard- stone accomplished *the full distance in 8h. 15miu. 12sec., beating record by 43min. 5Gsec., and Reed did lOh. 16min. 52sec., beating record by 23min. 20sec. The times were taken by Mr. W. L. Woolveridge, S.R.R.A. MONDAY'S CRICKET. Leicestershire kept Surrey in the field throughout Monday at Kennington Oval, scor- ing 303 for the loss of eight wickets. Knight played a fine but very slow not-out innings of 143 for the visitors. At Scarborough, on a slow pitch, the Gentlemen amassed a first in- nings of 200, mainly noticeable for a capital display of 72 by P. F. Warner. The Players responded with 96 for two wickets. But for a brilliant 138 by C. B. Fry, Sussex would have made but a poor show against Kent at Brighton. As it was, the home side was batting all way on Monday and could only compile 280 for the loss of nine wickets. Scoring ruled low on Monday in the match between Hampshire and Somerset at Bournemouth, over an innings each being completed, Somerset at the close of the day being 28 runs behind with nine wickets in hand. Only two batsmen exceeded 19 runs each, Braund being responsible for 34, and Captain Wynyard 68. TUESDAY'S PLAY. At Kennington Oval, on Tuesday, Leicester- shire's first innings against Surrey closed for 312, of which Knight made 144. Surrey re- sponded with 188, and Leicestershire lost three wickets for 58 in their second innings. At Brighton, Sussex only added three to their nine- wickets' score of the previous day against Kent,' and were all out for 283. Kent succeeded in making precisely the same total, with a wicket in hand. The match at Bournemouth between Hampshire and Somerset came to an unexpected conclusion. Somerset, who were 67 behind on the first innings, hit up 283 in their second, including 132 by Braund, and then disposed of the home team for 107, winning by 109. At Scarborough, the Players completed on Tuesday their first innings against the Gentlemen for 444-244 ahead. The Gentlemen lost three wic- kets for 68 in their second innings. FOOTBALL OPENED. The Association Football season opened on Tuesday. In the first division of the League matches were won by Derby County against Small Heath, Everton against Blackburn Rovers, Stoke against Bury, and Sunderland against Notts County.

LEVEL CROSSING COLLISION. TWO KILLED: FOUR INJURED. A fatal railway accident occurred near Wes- ton-super-Mare on the Cleveden and Weston light railway on Monday afternoon. At Warle, where the railway crosses the main road to Bristol, an engine of a down train came into col- lision with a brake containing an excursion party from Ferndale, Glamorgan. The vehicle was entirely smashed, and the passengers thrown under the engine. The brake contained six persons-four women and two men—and of these two women, believed to be Mrs. Hanham, Dyffryn-street, Ferndale, and Mrs. Biddescombe, Their bodies were shockingly mutilated. All the other passengers were more or less seri- ously hurt. They are Willie Biddescombe, of Ferndale; Miss Morgan, George-street, Fern- dale Jennie Pator, Carlton House-terrace, London; and Frederick Pole, Hertford-street, Mayfair, London. It is said that when near the level crossing the signalman notified the driver of the carriage of the approach of a train from Clevedon by waving his flag. The train at the time was within twenty yards of the crossing, and was proceeding at a rate of eight miles an hour. The horse succeeded in clearing the line, but the engine crashed into the carriage. Of the six occupants—four ladies and two gen- tlemen-some were hurled under the train, while others were carried some distance in front of the engine, the driver of which succeeded in pulling up within a distance of ten yards. Mr. Newton, the general manager of the line, who was on the train, rendered prompt assistance. Miss Paton's injuries were such as to necessitate the immediate amputation of the left leg, whilst the right foot necessitated an operation. Fredericw Pole sustained a com- pound fracture of the skull. Miss Morgan's skull was also fractured, and the young man Biddescombe will, it is feared, lose one of his hands. The driver of the wagonette, Edward Smart, was slightly cut in the face, and was more or less stunned, while the horses escaped practically unhurt.

AN ECCENTRIC WILL. The litigation which arose over the will of M. de Saint Ouen de Pierrecourt, has just. been settled. It will be remembered that this eccentric millionaire left the greater part of his fortune to his native city of Rouen, stipulating that the Municipality was to found an annual prize of four thousand pounds as a dowry for a giant and giantess, in order to regenerate the human race. An amicable arrangement has now been made between the heirs and the city of Rouen. The family propounded the will on the ground that the "giant clause" was impossible of execution and immoral into tl,s bargain. By the arrangement now made, the city of Rouen will pay the heirs a sum of three millions of francs, while out of the residue it undertakes to found an undertaking, "inspired by the idea of protecting, preserving, Vn" and improving the human race; but which shall shall not cost more than eight hundred thousand francs." The details of this undertaking have not yet been divulged, —

By the use of the anti-toxin treatment in diph- theria cases, of which there were 6,500 last year in the London hospitals the death-rate from the malady has been reduced in a few years from over 30 to 11 per cent. The French Government employs 1,550 work- men and 15,000 women in the State tobacco manu- factories, and makes a yearly profit of k- 16,000,000 a year. The Grand Duke Alexis is the most tattooed Royalty in Europe, there being no fewer than seven distinct designs upon him which he has caused to be added at different times. King Oscar of Sweden is almost as elaborately adorned.

ART AND LITERATURE. The songs of Robert Burns, first printed with p the melodies for which they were written, are to be issued this autumn by Mr. Henry Frowde. Mr. James C. Dick will supply bibliography, his- torical notes and glossary to this very interesting study in tone-poetry. An effort is being made, but so far without any result, to fill the gaps in the wonderful collection of "mazarinades" in the Mazari-a Library m Paris by obtaining some desiderata from the much' smaller collection in possession of the city of Paris. The Mazarin collection extends to about 5,000 items, whilst the rival series only numbers about 1,800 the request of M. Dartois, the keeper of the former, for an exchange of duplicates in the two collections has not been favourably entertained by the city fathers. Perhaps a little pressure from higher quarters may have the desired effect. "The Greater Exodus" is the title of a new work on the origin of the settlement of the peoples of Europe and Asia, by Dr. J. Fitzgerald- Lee. In its pages the author contends that America was the cradle of the human race, and that the stream of life has flowed thence east- ward! Particular interest attaches at the present moment, in view of the recent lamented death of the artist, to the handsome album published by "The Graphic" of sketches by the late 1 Jau May. The volume contains forty-eight pages of sketches, many of which i:Ke printed in colours in exact reproduction of tn", artist's water-colour drawings, and the whole forms a most interesting and valuable souvenir, showing as it does Phil May's great versatility. A series of drawings on wood made by George Cruikshank nearly fifty years ago, to illustrate "The Pilgrim's Progress," that have never yet been published, will form the chief feature of an edition de luxe of Bunyan's masterpiece which will be issued from the Oxford University Press in the autumn. Some of the drawings were cut on wood under the artist's own direction, and the others have now been similarly prepared, and each is to be printed as a separate plate on Japanese paper. Mr. James Orrock has figured in the world of art for long as both a painter and a collector. A volume is to be issued by Messrs. Chatto and Windus containing an account of his life, and including elaborate reproductions from his col- lection of pictures in photogravure. The book,' which Mr. Byron Webber writes, will cost ten guineas. The same publishers will also issue a new volume of Mr. Justin McCarthy's "History of Our Own Times," from the Diamond Jubilee to the accession of King Edward, a new volume by Sir Walter Besant, "Essays and Historiettes," and a new volume of poems by Mr. Swinburne. Mark Twain's book on "Christian Science" will also be issued shortly. Mr. Tom Browne, R.I., had a career in youth very similar to that of the late Phil May. The latter found himself in a timekeeper's office at Leeds at a tender age Tom Browne was an errand-boy in the lace market at Nottingham before he found his way to an apprentice's posi- tion in a lithographic establishment. Both men came to London when still quite boys, and hung up their signs, so to speak. They never looked back. Mr. Browne does not find portraiture his forte, but he may be said to possess a speaking pencil. When on a tour in Spain, unable to speak the language, he pictured his wants until, desiring soup, they mistook his tureen drawing and brought a very undesirable bucket. Some highly important and interesting dis- coveries in the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre at Metz include a statue of the goddess Epona, the protector of horses. Of two other monu- ments unearthed, one, of quadrangular form, represents two kneeling women holding fruit in their hands the other, which is smaller, shows two Greek warriors and the goddess of war. The inscriptions on these monuments, as_ well as those on others recently discovered, will be shortly published. Boston wishes to be first in the field with an international exhibition of the late Mr. Whistler's works, and perhaps this is only fair, seeing that America gives birth to this greatest artist of modern times, cosmopolitan though he was. The Copley Society, which is organis- ing it, appeals to the owners of Whistler's pic- tures in London and Paris (the "East Anglian Daily Times" declares) to lend their treasures for the occasion, promising, in return, to sup- port likewise forthcoming exhibitions in both cities. As far as London is concerned, the ap- peal applies solely to private collectors; the Glasgow Corporation is the proud possessor of a fine example, but otherwise not a solitary can- vas of Whistler's has been purchased for any of the public picture galleries. This same Cop- ley Society had recently a magnificent exhibi- tion of Sargent's pictures. The statement that Madame Cosima Wagner is planning now to proceed to America with all the scenery, costumes, orchestra, etc., from Bayreuth to produce "Parsifal" before Mr. Conried can do so at the Metropolitan Opera House is interesting, if it does not sound par- ticularly probable. If it should prove true, however, it would be the best possible indica- tion that Madame Wagner has relinquished the hope of enforcing her rights, or alleged rights, by legal means. Meanwhile Mr. Conried has definitely announced December 21 as the date on which he will produce the work with or without the consent of Madame Wagner, while it has been stated further in the American Press that such distinguished artists as Ternina, Burg- staller, and Van Rooy, among others, have signed contracts to take part in the production. Madame Ternina has further appended her name to a caustic letter which has appeared in the "Frankfurter Nachrichten" in reply to Madame Wagner's protests on the subject. A contributor, residing apparently in Lon- don, has (says "The Athenaeum") been pursuing with varied success a dubious method of literary industry, his letters dating from one of the most respectable London clubs. His method of pro- cedure has been to select articles from various American and British periodicals, and by aid of the services of a typist these have been scat- tered broadcast amongst editors as his own com- positions. In one case an article was accepted and paid for, although, fortunately, the dis- covery was made before its appearance that it had been lifted from an American iragazine. The title had not even been changed. There have been some indications lately that his career is not quite over, although the editors who have already been bitten are well on their guard. Such dishonesty is, however, rare, although there does not seem to be any ultimate safe- guard where material ia accepted from outside contributors not personally known to the editor. Count Leo Tolstoy, who has just passed his seventy-fifth birthday, is said to be engaged at present on his autobiography. It should make a singuarly interesting volume. No man of our time has sacrificed more on the altar of his convictions than Tolstoy, who has preferred the life of a peasant to that of a prince, chop- ping his own wood, making his own fires, dig- ging his own potatoes, and generally giving up all that most in his station hold pleasant for the faith which is in him. But while Tolstoy has in an eminent degree the courage of his convictions, none recognises more readily the rights of others to like freedom of thought foul action. It has often been said, indeed, t-iat none differ more acutely from him in many respects than some of his own household. Tol- stoy's family consists now of nine—the Count and his wife, three daughters and four sons; And of these only two, both daughters, are said to have any special sympathy with their father's views. Tolstoy married before he had formed his later opinions, which his wife re- gards with the toleration of a conventional woman for the eccentricities of genius. Figur- ing prominently in Moscow society, she lives her own life on conventional lines as freely as her husband in a different way lives his. But Tol- stoy is not pedantic. When all are at home he sits down at table with his wife an-i allows him- self to be waited on by the servants, though at other times he makes a point of doing every- thing for himself.

MISHAP TO THE INDIAN MAIL, The Postmaster-General has been informed by the French Pest Office that the fire whicii destroyed a portion of the Indian mail despatched from London on August 23, occurred between Amiens and Creil, not on the special mail train, but in a van containing Vags of printed matter which was attached to the overland passenger express in accordance with the usual practice when the mail is too large to be accommodated in one train. It is understood that 35 bags of news- papers were consumed and some 35 others injured. j The whole Eastern mail sent on that occasion con- sisted of 2340 bags. A telegram from Paris gives an account of the mishap supplied by the French Postal Depart- ment. It is explained that the sacks containing the British mails from India and Australia are carried through French territory by a special train which leaves the Calais Harbour station at 25 minutes past three every Saturday morning. When, however, the number of mail waggons is such as to prevent their being all included in this train some of them are attached to the P. and O. Company's special which precedes the mail. This was the case on Saturday. The mail on that day consisted of 2340 bags, and it was found necessary to attach two mail waggons to the P. and O. train. The first compartment of one of these latter vehicles, in which the postal official in charge of the mail was travelling, caught fire between Amiens and Creil, and when the train stopped at the latter station it was found that of the 69 sacks in the compartment 35 had been partly burned. These sacks only contained printed matter, which, from the charred remains, appeared to have been destined for Bombay. The cause of the fire is not known.

I THE KING. I VISIT TO VIENNA. The King arrived in Vienna at five o'clock on Monday afternoon, and had a splendid reception. The Emperor warmly greeted his Majesty on alighting, and the monarchs kissed each others. The King saluted the Archdukes and high digni- taries, and, with the Emperor, entered a carriage and drove to the Hofburg, being heartily cheered by crowds on the route. The enthusiasm was especially noticeable along the Ringstrasse, and at spots where the wealthier classes had as- sembled on stands. At the Palace the King was received by the Archduchesses, and the presen- tation of Court dignitaries followed. A State banquet was given in honour of his Majesty in the evening, at which speeches of a most cordial nature were made by both the King and Emperor. I EMBASSY DINNER. I The King, on Tuesday morning, visited the Imperial vault in the Capuchin Church in Vienna, and laid wreaths on the tombs of the late Empress and the Crown Prince Rudolph. A lunch was given at the British Embassy, at which the King, in proposing the health of the Emperor, reiterated his thanks for the hearty welcome he had received in the Austrian capi- tal. In reply, the Emperor thanked his Majesty for the high distinction conferred upon him, which brought still closer his relations with the British Army. After luncheon the King received the foreign Ambassadors and Ministers, and next a deputation from the British colony, who presented a loyal address in a casket. His Majesty, in reply, assured the members of the British colony that it was a source of the greatest pleasure to their King to find that in Vienna, as in other great cities of Europe, the British residents did so much to Ii strengthen the bonds of friendship so happily existing between Great Britain and the country of their residence. On Tuesday evening a family dinner was given by the Archduchess Maria josefe, on whose right sat the King. His Majesty has conferred honours on the Archdukes and Court dignitaries. L.

INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISTS. I, The Institute of Journalists on Monday began their annual Conference at Bristol, the members receiving a cordial welcome from the Lord Mayor and officials of the city. A meeting of the Council having been held, the Conference was opened in the afternoon, Mr. A. W. Still, of Birmingham, occupying the chair and de- li-ering his presidential address.

I A GRANDFATHER'S WOOING. A jury sat at Leeds on Monday to assess damages in an action for breach of marriage. The p'sintiff wTas Miss Lily Smith, who resides with uer parents at Boscombe, near Bourne- mouth, and the defendant was Arthur W. Fret- well, jeweller, of Doncaster. The plaintiff was thirty-five, and the defendant, a grandfather, sixty. The engagement was broken off in con- sequence of defendant's illness. In cross-ex- amination, plaintiff stated that she had some expectations, and when asked what she had lost by the breach of contract, replied, "I have lost Mr. Fretwell." (Laughter.) Plaintiff was awarded £ 25.

I A HORRIBLE MURDER, A horrible tragedy is reported by a. "Standard" correspondent from Tashkend. Madame Ivanoff, the wire of a Russian colonel at present serving on the Afghan frontier, her daughter, aged fourteen, and a son, six years old, were found in their lodgings at Tashkend, in a populous and much-frequented part of the town, murdered and horribly mutilated. The lady was staying in Tashkend for her health. Her house was guarded by a soldier-servant, and she had several savage dogs loose in the yard. When found, Madame Ivanoff's body lay across her bed, with the throat cut, nose cut off, and other parts of the body shockingly mutilated. In another room was found the body of the daughter, mutilated in a similar way. In the girl's tightly clenched fist were several strands of a woman's hair, which, it is hoped, will lead to a discovery of the author of this crime.

THE RESULT OF A FALSE STEP. Another Alpine disaster is reported from Innsbruck. It appears that two young men from Milan, an engine-fitter named Roselli and a compositor named Tradatti, were ascending the the Piz del Diavolo in the Valtellina Mountains. They tried to reach the summit from the difficult south-eastern side. Tradatti was hurrying on in front, when he made a false step, slipped, and fell. He managed, however, as he fell to catch hold of a projecting piece of rock. Roselli went to get help, but in the meantime Tradetti's strength gave out, his arms let go their hold of the rock, and with a shrill cry he fell into the abyss. His lifeless body was found on a small mound by guides, who brought the 'body in. A despatch from Lausanne also says that a German named Berger, 18 years of age, a shoemaker of Freiburg, has been killed by a fall while climbing the Dent Brenlaire in the canton of Gruyere.

A SOLDIER'S SAD END. After a career of much active service, extending from the South African war of 1879-1881 to the recent campaign, during which he had risen from the ranks, Lieutenant and Quartermaster John Davies, of the Army Service Corps, has met his death by his own hand. At the inquest on Mon- day, at Chester, it was stated that he returned home after four years' service in South Africa two months ago. A week after his return he suffered from a recurrence of an old nervous malady. On Thursday of last week he went to Chester to take over headquarters duty there, and on the Saturday morning was found dead in his bedroom at the Hop Pole Elotel. In the bedroom was found the following letter addressed to his wife t: My dear May,—Forgive me all the pain and trouble I have caused you. I cannot stand this frightful sensation any longer. I seem powerless to do or think. What is it I wonder—does it mean paralysis ? That would be worse than all.—Your loving JACK." Dr. Harrisc n, the police surgeon, said he had examined the LLdy of the deceased, who was the finest specimen of a man he had ever seen. Death was due to poison, and it was evidently a case of suicide. The jury's verdict was to this effect, an expression of sympathy with the widow and family being added.

I DETERMINED SELF-SLAUGHTER. After having tried to kill himself with a knife, Joseph Fackerel, who lodged at 45, Rook-street, Poplar, drank half a bottle of liniment, dying a few minutes afterwards. A seaman who slept in the same room as Fackerel told the coroner that, awaking in the early hours of the morning, he saw the deceased kneeling on the floor and stabbing himself with a fork in the breast. Nine punctured wounds were found in Fackerel's breast, who. how- ever died from the effects of the liniment. A verdict of -Si-iicide while temporarily insane" was returned by the jury.

BRITAIN'S DECLINING WHEAT AVERAGE. There is a falling off this yoar by 144,886 acrei in the amount of land in Great Britain devoted to the cultivation of wheat, the acreage, accord- ing to a return of the Board of Agriculture now being 1,581,587 acres, against 1,726,473 acres in 1902. In barley there was a reduction by 50,889 acres, from 1,909,383 acres to 1,858,484 acres but in oats an increase of 83,039 acres, from 3,057,203 acres to 3,140,242 acres. The acreage of land under clover and rotation grasses de- creased by 24,072 to 4,807,826 acres, and that under permanent grass increased by 127,888 to 16,806,508 acres. There was a decrease of 93 acres to 47,938 acres under hops. The number of horses used for agricultural purposes rose from 1,504,789 to 1,537,154, an increase of 32,365 the number of cattle increased by 148,634 to 6,704,610, but sheep decreased by 125,909 to 25.639,797. Pigs increased by 386,972 to 2 -«6,539.

LORD SALISBURY'S FUNERAL. INTERMENT AT HATFIELD. The remains of the late Lord Salisbury were quietly interred at Hatfield on Monday in the presence of members of the family, close friends, and old retainers and simultaneously a memorial service was held at Westminster Abbey. The former ceremony was remarkable for its simple dignity, the latter for the evidence it gave of the world-wide respect in which the deceased states- man was held. A village funeral, the beautiful sunshine falling upon the flowers and foliage, and the parish folk clustering reverently round such was tlje bury- ing of the Marquis of Salisbury at Hatfield, where Cecils have been buried for centuries. The plain oak coffin, made from timber hewn from the same tree that had furnished oak for the coffin of Lady Salisbury, was taken slowly down from the house, along the gravel path past the wealth of hollyhocks and dahlias, under the grace- ful ash trees that spread their branches over the open grave, and into the church of St. Ethelreda. The choir, passing down the aisle, sang" Abide with me." The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of Rochester, and the local clergy went to their places, and the mourners sat in the front pews near the place where eight retainers of the dead marquis had set the coffin. The following were among the mourners: Lord and Lady Cranborne, Lord and Lady Sel- borne, the Rev. Lord Williaiii and Lady Florence Cecil, Lord and Lady Robert Cecil, Lord and Lady Edward Cecil, Lord Hugh Cecil, Lady Gwendolen Cecil, Lord and Lady Eustace Cecil, Lord and Lady Arthur Cecil, Mr. A. J. Balfour. Mr. Gerald and Lady Betty Balfour, Miss Balfour, and Lady Londonderry. The first portion of the service ended, all present joined in the hymn "Praise the Lord," and then to the strains of the Dead March in Saul" the coffin was carried out by the eight retainers to the private portion of the churchyard. The Bishop of Rochester took the principal part in the grave- side service, and Lord William Cecil was in his clerical robes as rector of Hatfield. The vicar of Hendon, the Rev. Newton Mant, who attended as a relative, was also among the clergy. as was the service at Hatfield, there were still a few signs of Lord Salisbury's official lite. Sir SchombergM-Donnell, Sir Eric Barring- ton, and Mr. Sidney Grcville, three of Lord Salis- bury's late secretaries at the Foreign Office, and Mr. R. T. Gunton, who had served him long as his personal secretary at Hatfield, were present. The last hymn sung was Oh, God, our help in ages past." The relatives then took their last look into the open grave and slowly walked up to the house, and a muffled peal rang from the church tower. The villagers then came silently along and looked upon the coffin of their dead master. I THE KING'S WREATH. The King's wreath was of lilies of the valley, orchids, stephanotis, and other flowers, and the inscription was "As a mark of deepest regret, greatest respect, and sincerest friendship." Very beautiful was the tender, thoughtful inscrip- tion on the cross of roses, lilies, and orchids sent by the Queen. It was in her Majesty's own hand- writing, and stands out prominently from the riin of merely complimentary wreath-messages. It ran To the memory of Lord Salisbury, universally loved and mourned as one of England's best and greatest statesmen.—ALEXANDRA." Under this her Majesty had written a quotation "We think at first that Home is Heaven; we learn at last that Heaven is Home." MEMORIAL SERVICE AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY. The memorial service at Westminster Abbey, which was held simultaneously with the interment at Hatfield, was largely attended. The form of service was specially compiled by the Dean. Before it commenced Sir F. Bridge played Beethoven's March on the Death of a Hero and Tschaikowsky's Funeral March. Then from the far-off end of the nave the choir ap- proached in proccssioc chanting the 51st Psalm. In the procession was the Mayor of Westmiustt r in his purple and gold robes, preceded by the mace- bearer and followed by the corporation, two minor canons chanting alternate verses of the psalm, the choir of St. Paul's, the Abbey choir, the Chapter of Westminster, and the Dean. The psalm ended, there followed the Lord's Prayer, some versicles and responses. Psalms 23 and 121, the familiar lesson from the Burial Ser- vice (read by the Dean), and Staincr's anthem Lead, Kindly Light." After a short pause for private devotion, Mendelssohn's anthem 0 Hest in the Lord was sung. The final prayers from the Burial Office, the hymn "Abide with Me" and the Benediction concluded the service, after which Sir F. Bridge played Chopin's Funeral March and Schubert's Marche Solennelle." The King was represented by the Lord Chamberlain, the Queen by Earl de Grey, and the Prince of Wales by Lord Wenlock. The Duke of Connaught. Prince and Princess Christian, Princess Henry of Bottenberg, Princess Louise (Duchess of Argyll), the Duchcss of Albany, the Duke of Cambridge, Princess Frederica of Hanover, the German Emperor, and the King of the Belgians also sent representatives. Prince Francis of l'eck, whose mother, the Princess Mary, was Lord and Lady Salisbury's intimate friend, occupied a stall in the choir. Among the hundreds of notables present woy the Ambassadors of France, the United States, Russia, and Turkey; the Portuguese, Chilian, Argentine, Japanese, Roumanian, Chinese, Greek, Siamese, Swiss, Swedish, and Haytian Ministers the Charges d'Affaires of Guatemala, Korea, Brazil, Denmark, Italy, Austria-Hungary, Nether- lands, and Spain; and the Secretary of the Prussian Legation. Nearly all the Cabinet Ministers and many of the principal numbers of the Opposition attended the service. The Abbey was thronged, and a large crowd also gathered near its approaches outside. Special services were also held in the Church of St. Lawrence Jewry, in the Parish Church of St. Alphege, Greenwich, and in the Collegiate Church of St. Saviour, Southwark.

The two celebrated divines and scholars, Drs. South and Sherlock, were once disputing on some religious subject, when the latter accused his opponent of using his wit in the controversy. "Well," said South, "suppose it had pleased God to give you wit, what would you have done?"

COST OF THE BOARD SCHOOLS. THIRTY-THREE MILLIONS IN LOANS. I From a return issued by the Board of Educs- tion, it appears that the grants paid to School Boards in England and Wales dur/pg the year ending March 31, 1G03, a-mbunted to Y-4,101,283 10s. 2d. In addition to that amount there was paid under the Technical Instruction Act, 1899, L- 19,086 17s. 5d. for school fees and books sold to children £101,000 5s. 9d. and under the Agricultural Rates Act E106,875 14s. There was paid to the treasurers by the rating authorities £6,713,680 Is., and the income arising from other sources was Y-160,669 19s. 3d. The amount of the loans advanced to the School Boards during the year was C2,283,704 lis. lid., bringing the total receipts up to £ 13,495,300 19s. 6d. On the other hand, the total expenditure wt..s R13,396,792 15s. 8d. Of that anieuni £ 11,364 3s. lid. went in election expenses; salaries of officers of the Board absorbed E370,422 8s. 8d. legal and other expenses amounted to E148,592 14s. 3d. the maintenance of public elementary schools cost £ 8,194,789 Os. 4d. and the contributions paid by the School Boards towards industrial school expenses amounted to £ 179,428 19s. 9d. As regards capital charges, the purchase of land and the erection and enlargement or alteration of school buildings cost £ 2,312,811 2s. 3d., and for ul furnishing buildings there was paid £ 73,479 6s. lid. Loans to the amount of 9919,341 15s. 4d. were repaid, while the interest paid on loans was £1,102,964 18s. Other expenses amounted to E83,598 6s. 3d. In respect of loans the School Boards were, on September 29 last, liable for the respectable sum of £ 33,564,133 13s. 2d., and their other liabilities on the same date amounted to £ 672,257. The total expenditure of the School Board for London during the year amounted to C,3,778,811 5s. 6d., of which amount P.2,310,829 16s. 9d., or nearly two-thirds, was for the maintenance of public elementary schools. The London School Board was liable for loans amounting to EIO,800,287 on I September 29 last, and it borrowed within the twelve months E534,202 10s. j

On September 30 it will be exactly 100 years since the first white man settled where now Chicago stands. The event will be celebrated by a great fet- The largest stock-yards in the world are in Chicago. The combined plants represent an in- vestment of over £ 3,000,000. The yards con- tain twenty miles of -streets, twenty miles of water troughs, fifty miles of feeding troughs, and seventy-five miles of water and drainage troughs. The yards are capable of receiving and accommodating daily 20,000 cattle, 20,00u sheep, and 120j000 hogs. James Holmes, a packer aged sixty-one, poisoned himself because he had been dismissed by the London and India Docks Company after thirty years' service. Mr. Joseph Chamberlain has contributed £ 25 to the West India Committee Jamaica Relief Fund, which now amounts to £ 4,600. A third sum of £ 1,000 has been cabled to the Governor of Jamaica. Sir Edward Clarke was predestined in youth neither for law nor politics, but for the less ambitious career of a commercial traveller. His father was a goldsmith and jeweller in London, and Edward spent his time from thirteen seventeen years old in "learning the business." But his heart was evidently not there for be tells how, even at school, the first book'he eve- bought with his own pocket-monev w- "Broughams Lives of Statesmen," iJ thre- volumes. The consumption of such fare by a twelve-year-old boy is proof enough of an earh hankering after politics. Sir i a ■nost likliy have^tingulahel uZlu career for his old friend, Sir Henry IrringfTs fond of declaring with emphasis that he would have done bnlhantly nat the Lyceum."

I SUDDEN DEATH OF AN M.P. The death occurred on Monday in Switzer- land, where he went a week earlier for a brief holiday, of Mr. J. L. Carew, M.P. for South Meath. Death was due to apoplexy, and was quite sudden. Mr. Carew was first returned for North Kildase at the general election of 1885. He continued to represent that division till the time of the split in the Irish party, when, as a Parnellite, he was defeated on two occa- sions. In 1896 he was elected for the College- green Division of Dublin, and sat for that con- stituency until the election in 1900, when he was returned for South Meath. Mr. Carew was born in 1853. He was educated at Trinity Col- lege, Dublin, and took his degree of B.A. in 1873, and in 1878 was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple. For a number of years he took an active part in journalism, and was pro- prietor of the "Leinster Leader," Naas.

CONSTABLE IN THE DOCK. Police-constable George Martin, aged 42, who has been for many years in the Liverpool City force, was charged on Monday at Liverpool with breaking and entering two dwelling-houses, and stealing property valued at P,35 in all. Sus- picion was first aroused through the attendance of the prisoner's wife at a pawnshop in Ken- sii/rton, where she went to pledge articles of various kinds. On Martin's house being searched there was found in a drawer some silver plate, beside" a quantity of shawls, sheets, tablecloths, etc. A small tin trunk was forced open. Inside it w: a smaller box, containing 132 keys of variou:: kinds, such as are used for shops and houses. When the time came for leaving the house the prisoner said: "I'll give in. My wife has nothing to do with it. What she has done I sent her to do." Martin was remanded, making no reply when the charge was read to him in the dock.

IMPRISONED IN A MINE. Over a thousand workmen were imprisoned in the Albion Colliery, Calfynydd, for six hours on Monday night, owing to a winding accident, which occurred just as the day shift was about to cease work. Fortunately coal was still being raised, and no one was injured by the precipi- tation of a laden cage down the shaft, which ensued on the slipping of the middle guide- rope from the cap attached to the frame at the pit-top. The shaft was completely blocked and so badly damaged that coal winding will prob- ably be suspended for a week. The men were brought out of the mine safely through the sinking shaft.

SUICIDE WITH A SAW, A very remarkable case of suicide was on Mon- day investigated in the local Coroner's Court, that of George Luff, of Canterbury, who was stated to have taken his own life by sawing through his skull until the teeth of the saw cut into the brain. after having previously injured the side of his neck with the same implement. It was stated that last April Luff had attempted suicide by cutting his throat, and on hearing this the coroner remarked that the magistrates had done wrong in handing the man over to the care of his wife after such an attempt, as he must have been insane to do such a thing. The jury returned a verdict of Suicide while temporarily insane."

Lord Roberts is much better. His Majesty's cruiser Minerva arrived at Gibraltar on Monday, towing the Antarctic relief ship Terro Nova. In a collision on the Nikolai Railway, near St. Petersburg, an engine-driver has been killed and eight persons injured. The revenue of New South Wales for August was £ 855.378, as compared with 9787,158 for the same month last year. M. von Weekherlin, the Netherlands Minister at Constantinople, will represent Holland in the Venezuelan arbitration. The spirit of revolution is reported to be gaining force on the Isthmus of Panama on account of the rejection of the Canal Treaty. A violent gale in Newcastle and Tyneside did much damage early on Monday morning to fruit and grain crops. Shop and house windows were blown in and slates torn off. For hours the wind was a perfect cyclone. As a result of his recent trip over a portion of the Gordon Bannett course Dr. Walsh, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, recommends the motor-car for pastoral visitation. Isham Strong of Henderson, Texas, who had been seized by a mob from the sheriffs officers for the purpose of lynching him, was surrendered to them again, and was recently sentenced to ninety- nine years' imprisonment. Sir Howard Vincent has left England for a short holiday in Switzerland. Dr. Ruth Wilson, daughter of the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, is going out to China as a Salvation ilrmy medical missionary.