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

It is calculated that there are 2000 fewer men employed in the docks than at this time last year, while other large industries at West Ham are feeling the pinch of the prevailing depression. The West Ham Council have voted a first instalment of E2000 for relief works. One of the London fish-stuffers is preserving a fine pike caught in Wimbledon Lake. The fish I scaled 191bs. lOoz., and is the heaviest specimen of its kind taken in the suburbs of London for many years. An 181b. pike has been caught this season in the lake at the Welsh Harp, Hendon. 1-

Nutty and Nice. After dinner, with cheese, eat Triscuit, the purest form of Wheat, without any -additions to affect the taste. Sample free. C. E. Ingersoll, 53, St. George's House, Eastcbeap, E.C.

The Penrhyn Ladies' Choir, which has ceased its work now that the strike is over, has during its three years of singing collected £ 31,000. j Deaths from starvation in Great Britain have fallen from eighteen to twelve per million in the last thirty years. .Lbo. ""<;¡'nW8 11.

NO BETTER FOOD." A. Ar, Andrew Wilton, A*. 300 X <r m MEDALS, I 1 17 ¡¡¡.¡ Ac. 1

I THE KING'S BATH CURE. "I The fact that the King gets through so much work and yo: "etains unimpaired his elasticity and vigour 1 been a source of wonder for a long time even to members of the medical pro- fession. The mystery,is explained at last. For months past his Majesty has been taking the now fashion- able electric light baths. These scientific rejuvenators are installed at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. The baths used by the King are of the double- light variety, with a projector of 2,500 candle- power for use on local affections of the body. Inside the bath, in which a sitting posture is adopted, there are fifty-two electric lamps, which radiate any coloured light desired. This light not only permeates every part of the body, but it has a sort of Turkish-bath effect. Lights of the colours which scientists say have curative effects on certain ailments caill be made to pene- trate every portion of the body. The light bath has become popular in the fashionable world, and physicians who have hnd it installed have their establishments practically besieged.

= "A SIMPLE FACT ABOUT" KEATING'S COUGH LOZENGES. Ask throughout the world, in any country that can benamed, you will find them largely sold. There is absolutely no remedy that is so speedy in giving relief, so cer- tain to cure, and yet the most delicate can take them. One Lozenge gives ease. Sold in 13:îd. tins. 2 -4 nzr • j Debility. I When the Digestive powers 1 are feeble and the Nerves are I Weak, when the Liver is 1 Sluggish and the Spirits are 1 Depressed, when the Blood is I Impoverished and the whole i System is thoroughly Run- ji Down," you should take I Guy's Tonic II It will restore Health and i Strength in a wonderfully j| short time. The Appetite j| improves, Food is enjoyed, H and, being thoroughly Digest- I ed and Assimilated, rapidly H builds up the jaded Tissues If throughout the Body. if Guy's Tonic is sold by Chemists and raj Stores Everywhere at i3%d. per Six- g| Ounce Bottle. It is New Life to the SSL Weak and Debilitated.

ELEVEN *1' IVES ABOVE EARTH. A record balfuoi-i ascent has been made at Zurich, where a height of over eleven miles was reached in less than fifty minutes. The balloon, of course, contained only regis- tering instruments, as human beings could not live at that altitude. The instruments marked the temperature as 58 degs. below zero. Human existence seems to be impossible at a greater height than seven miles. That altitude has been reached on more than one occasion, but has not been passed. The difficulty is the cold and the rarefaction of the air.

'5 LIGHTIN COUGH curb The purest and most efficient remedy procurable for procurable for COUGHS, COLDS, BRONCHITIS, Sga ASTHMA, CATARRH, WEAK LUNOSb SM and CHILDREN'S COUGHS. J M Am EKE RONC ITIS "AN D ASTHMA Veno's Lightning Cough Cure Produces its most brilliant effect in Chronic BronchMto^ and Asthma. It effects astonishing cures la the vattfr and most persistent cases. BRONCHITIS • AND ASTHMA Veno's Lightning Cough Cure Produces its most brilliant effect in Chronic BronchMto^ and Asthma. It effects astonishing cures la the vattfr and most persistent cases. Rev. W. W. TULLOCH, D.D., Baurn Bridge, Sutherlandshire, writes: "July aand, *03- J have been a martvr to asthma all my life and latefpfe chronic winter bronchitis. I have found Veoflfe: Lightning Cough Cure a valuable Medicine." HILDREN 3 M w' COUGHS Mrs. ADA S. BALLIN, 5, Agar Street London, Editor "Womanhood," and a g:cal authority upon children's diseases, writes "Veno's Lightning'Cough Cure is an exceeding^ successful remedy; it is very pleasant to take aoift the relief it gives is very rapid. The preparation to perfectly safe (or children." CHILDREN'S W. LASCELLES SCOTT, F.R.M.S., In his Certificate of Analysis, among other things says "I have pleasure in certifying t]M0 la any opinionWfiNO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURB is an exceptioxuri^ pare. safe, and effective preparation." LARGE TRIAI. Qi #1 Regular Sizes. BOTTLES. 2 ■ i/ij and 3/9. Ask for VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE at Chemists aal Drug Stores everywhere, or post free from the VgM DRUG CO., Hulme, Manchester, England. WHAT Every person should know. Send Two Stamps for ttri| Valuable Booklet, "How to Cure Yourself with Herbs?* State age and complaint. C. BALDWIN & CO., Chemists and Herbalists, Electrio Parade, HolJoway, London KSEE ,_35 YEARS PROVEN EPF!CACY. AN EVER f-lEADY HOUSEHOLD REMEDY. LOOSENS PHLEGM. ALLAYS COUOH. IVES IMMEDIATC RELIEF. -)0 "LJNUM GATHARHCUM PILLS. •> FOR INDIGESTION & »TS EV^LS. S!CK■HEADACHE BILIOUS DERANGEMENT ■ So, L AN AGREEABLE APESIEN^T. J KAY5 TIC P!LLS"❖ CURE FACEACHE & NtjURAtCtA. V REFUSE SU £ ST/rUTE$. :>aU) BY ALL CHEMIST;, THROUGHOUT GREAT BWITAITI & -=='.E= I DELICIOUS COFFEE. RED WHITE HUE For Breakfast & after Dinner. ) HUE For Breakfast & after Dinner. rk¡ RUBBER APPLIANCES. Illust.r4ted Booklet of 15i«aiic Hosiery, Water Bottlea, Bandages, Belts, Trusses, SSyriages, Enemas and SurgicS appliances of every description, free.—Northern Surgicdi Appliajic-e Co., 161c, Seven Sisters Boitd, fiolloway, London. BIIjLIABlpAND RAGAT-ELLIK TJi.El.ZS. A LARGE STOCK OF; NSW AND 8ECOW- NAND ,'j'A BLE8 always on hand. WRITE FOR PRICB LISW. ::S-It J} :W8. l34. ROAD., LONDON; ]f.B. ViNOLIA Soap is perfection <. for the Complexion.

The boxers of ancient Rome carried heavy lumps of metal in their hands, to make their blows more effective, and fatal encounters were hequen The largest lightning-conductor in the world is on, the Lugspite Weather Station, in Bavaria. It runs down the mountain side for three and a half miles to a lake. Ev.ery fire station in Berlin has now been equipped with an oxygen apparatus to revive persons overcome by smoke or heat. Ordinary citizens may also have the loan of the apparatus in cases of urgent need.

TOWN TOPICS. (From, Our London Correspondent.) ( Yule-tide is once more almost upon us, and IDhristmas shopping in the City and suburbs during the past week has been carried on with much briskness, though the actual rush will take place between now and Christmas Eve, so many people leaving all their present-buying until the vety last moment. At this time of the year there is always a certain amount of distress and want of employment in London, but judging by all the indications matters in this respect are better than tw-elve months ago. The customary Christmas appeals are again in evidence, and may be sure, to meet with a liberal response, because the majority of folk in enjoying their own Christmas like to feel they have (iona some little to brighten the time for others less fortunate. The harsh cry of the rival politician is for the moment mercifully hushed, though not for long, as the fiscal cam- paign is expected to be re-opened on both sides early in the New Year. So far as politics are concerned the last threeimonths have been the liveliest since the Home Rule fight in 1886, and the brief respite produced by the festive season will be therefore all the more pleasant. Among the recognised observances that how find a place in the religious calendar are Citizens' Sunday, Temperance Sunday, and Peace Sunday, and the last-named, which always takes place on the Sunday immediately preceding Christmas Day, will therefore fall this year next Sunday. The anniversary was initiated fifteen years ago by the Peace Society here, and year after year that organisation sends out nearly forty thousand invitations to ministers of all denominations throughout the country, the conductors of Pleasant Sunday Afternoon gatherings, and a large number of Sunday-school teachers, asking that Peace sermons or addresses may be given at one or other of the services during the day, the invita- tion being accompanied by an offer of the gratuitous supply of Peace literature. There is, of course, a peculiar significance and appro- priateness in selecting for such an observance the Sunday before the festival of the birth of the Prince of Peace, and trom many a pulpit on Sunday will be pressed home the Christmas message of goodwill and peace. The move- ment, I may note, now embraces the Protestant Churches of France, and having once embarked on an International career, Peace Sunday in course of time may be expected to spread to .-other countries. As regards the progress of the arbitration ,movement, which is so closely allied with the cause of the world's peace, I learn from Dr. Evans Darby, the well-known secretary of the Peace Society, who is an authority on the data of arbitration, concerning which he has written a number of works, that there have been as many as twenty-four cases of pacific reference in international affairs during the past year, making a total of fifty-four since the opening of the twentieth century, as well as nine additional completions of previous refe- rences. I may add that supporters here of the. principle of arbitration for the settlement of disputes between nations are justly proud of the honour done to Mr. W. R. Cremer, M.P., by the Norwegian Parliament, which has awarded him the Nobel Prize of nearly eight thousand pounds sterling for the good work he has done on behalf of inter- national arbitration during the last thirty- seven years and although nothing of an even tentative character has yet been arranged, it may be taken that something will be done to express in a. formal way the satisfaction felt among his confreres, and to congratulate the honourable member on the well-merited dis- tinction which has just come to him. Mr, Cremer says he is of opinion that the late Herr Nobel intended the recipients of his munificent prizes to regard them not so much as a reward, but as a trust for the purpose of continuing their propaganda efforts; and that is the use to which he intends to put the money. The purchase of the two splendid sister battleships Libertad and Constitucion, built in this country to the order of the Chilian Govern- ment, is considered by naval authorities to be an extremely wise step, especially at the price for which we have secured them. Either vessel ought to prove in the matter of speed a match for many foreign cruisers, as the Libertad a few days ago on her sea-going trials accomplished the unrivalled performance—for a battleship- of over twenty knots an hour, corresponding to twenty-three and a quarter miles while in the armament of course it would be overwhelmingly superior. Another special feature islthe large coal capacity, which would permit of a voyage of twelve thousand knots-say from England to the Far East-at a moderate rate of speed with- out any replenishment of the coal bunkers. The decision of the Admiralty to rechristen the -vessels Triumph and Swiftsure will be generally japproved by those interested in the subject of naval nomenclature, for those names have never been long unrepresented in the British "N:ivy. A Swiftsure and a Triumph both figured in the Fleet which saved Elizabethan England from the Spanish Armada, the Triumph, indeed, being the flag- ship of that stout old fighter, Sir Martin Frobisher and in nearly every great naval en- gagement since a warship bearing one or other of those valiant names has played a prominent part. Unlike a regiment, which is a permanent organisation and which can point to former victories graven on its colour, the battleship has only one link of continuity with the historic past, and that is the appellation officially given it, which serves to recall the gallant deeds done in days of old by vessels similarly named. In the-matter of nomenclature the Admiralty has of late made some happy examples, as for example the adoption of the names of several counties at home and of'colonies abroad but an earnest plea may be entered for the speedy revival of the Pelican, a designation recently allowed to lapse in the navy. That name is a constant reminder of Sir Francis Drake, who made his celebrated voyage roun(I the world in a little vessel called the Pelican or Golden Hind, and who was knighted by the 'Virgin Queen on the very decks of his famous craft when she visited it at Deptford on his return home laden with gems and treasure after a series of adventures and hairbreadth escapes, which, as told by the historian Froude, made decidedly more interesting reading than many a work of fiction. The advent of the foggy season draws atten- tion to the excellent work being carried on by the Coal Smoke Abatement Society. A young and by no means too well supported" little organisation which during the last two or three years has done much to check the smoke evil in the metropolis, and which, doubtless, when, funds permit, will extend its operations to the pro- vinces where in many industrial centres it would find a splendid field for its preventive efforts. After the extremely rainy summer the approach of the gloomy winter months was awaited with some fear, as there seemed to be a general impression that the current winter would give Londoners something extremely bad in the way of fogs. Fortunately, however, the evil has as yet not been very pronounced, and November—the month par excellence for murky gloom-passed off with practically no serious visitation. Partly as a result of the stimulating efforts of the Abate. ment Society there is now a much stronger I feeling among the local bodies in the capital against the emission of clouds of black smoke from factories and other works, and the old idea I that the nuisance was an inevitable one appears to have given place to a fixed determination not merely to apply the present law, but to get the powers of local authorities strengthened. The Westminster (jïty Council, for example, has put forward a couple of useful suggestions which are now under the consideration of the London County Council and the various Borough Councils. At present it is only possible for practical purposes to secure the cessation of a smoke nuisance if it can be shown that the smoke emitted is black," this being the term used in the Public Health Act. The Westminster Council therefore asks local authorities to have their hands strengthened to enable them to deal with smoke of any colour which can be shown to be a nuisance by reason of its evil- smelling character or which is black smoke lightened in appearance by the admixture of steam. The second suggestion is one that applies to the private consumer of coal. It is that the County Council should institute an inquiry into all means of cooking with a view to the recommendation of some suitable cooking apparatus which shall be inexpensive and smokeless. These two proposals have, as might be expected, received the cordial approval of the Coal Smoke Abatement Society, and should also obtain the support of the ordinary householder. It is not so Utopian as it once was to look forward to the time when practically all coal smoke will be prevented or consumed. R. I

NEWS NOTES.. I Happily the slight fire at Sandringham last week wrought no heavy damage, and caused no more than temporary inconvenience to the Queen, who was sleeping unpleasantly near to the scene of the outbreak. It is a matter for deep thankfulness that Miss Knollys was provi- dentially aroused by the smoke, and, acting with commendable promptitude, was able to save herself and her Royal mistress. Quite con- ceivably the nation might have been at this moment mourning a terrible loss but for this fortuitous awakening of her Majesty's faithful companion. Mr. Warner's cricketing Eleven out atthe Anti- podes pleased their compatriots immensely by putting up at Sydney a bigger score than was ever before attained by England in a test match, here or down under and the hero of the occasion was Mr. Tip Foster, the old Oxonian and Worcestershire crack, whose mag- nificent record of 287 far and away surpasses all that has foregone of individual batting achieve- ment in the tests." Mr. R. E. Foster at his best is one of the most magnificent wielders 6f the willow on a true pitch who ever walked to the wickets. This brilliant son of the Head" at Malvern is the most accom- plished of a family of athletic brethren, and at cricket holds the record already for a double century in the Gentlemen v. Players match closely following a similar feat for his 'Varsity. To get solus more runs than a strong Austra- lian batting eleven in a great 11 test" game is a feat scarcely likely to suffer eclipse as long as cricket annals continue, and all < England will long be proud of Tip Foster. The Law Times has been pointing to the somewhat considerable rise in the number of prisoners committed for debt this year. There were 16,312 as compared with 14,039 last year. The tendency to increase of numbers in this class of prisoners has been observed in all parts of the conntry. Under the Prison Act of 1898, debtors are treated a good deal more rigorously than they were, let us say, when Charles Dickens was writing Little Dorrit and it was gene- rally supposed that, after that Act, fewer of them would be seen in prison. The anticipation has not been realised. On the other hand, the debtor in prison is apparently not willing to stay there longer than he can help. The very important new regulations govern- ing the promotion and retirement of naval officers effect some important reforms. Officers will henceforth retire at a much earlier date than at present if they are not employed on active service, and promotion for their juniors will be correspondingly accelerated, with the result that our admirals will be younger. The rate of retired pay for captains is raised. No officer is to be allowed to hold a shore appointment for more than five years except in the case of Lords of the Admiralty, who may hold it for seven years. The number of flag officers on the active list is also greatly increased. The number on the captains and commanders lists is also to be in- creased up to 253 and 373 respectively. It is hoped that these changes will tend to greatly improve the standing efficiency of the navy. It is notable that when a young man in the Hebrides begins to think of matrimony he begins building a home to receive his future bride. Most of the houses there are built by their occupiers, being entirely of wood, only a few having stone walls. The roof is wooden, and covered with thick turf. Over this is a layer of bracken, and the whole is kept in place by ropes made of heather. At the ends of the ropes large stones are tied, and these (balanced and hanging over the edges of the roof) make the houses strong enough to withstand the fierce winds that blow straight in from the icy regions of the Atlantic. This is the day of record breaking. At Halesowen a gigantic screw, 85ft. in length and weighing 18 tons, has been forged from one ingot of steel weighing 100 tons. The screw is intended for one of the dockyards, in connec- tion with an appliance for raising very heavy weights, and is the biggest piece of "forgery" on record, and that of a kind in no way repre- hensible. The dark places of the earth are still full of the habitations of cruelty. A message from Sheikh says the reports of deserters which have reached the Intelligence Department at Obbia, Galadi, Bohotle, and Burao, to the effect that cannibalism exists among the Mullah's camp followers, are evidently well founded. Accord- ing to these accounts, a native named Hugli, who was executed by the Mullah, was eaten by the camp followers. The Mullah then ordered the execution of some women who had taken a leading part in the orgie, and these were in turn cooked and eaten by their com- rades. The Mullah is supposed to be reserving his regular commissariat supplies for the use of the fighting men. It is high time that such terrible doings were put an end to for ever. In the report of the last Coal Commission (says the "Engineering Magazine ") the conclu- sion is arrived at that at a depth of 3000ft. the. temperature of the earth would amount to 98deg. F., but it was considered that a depth of at least 4000ft. might ultimately be reached in coal-mining. The rate of increase, the commissioners thought, might for ordinary cases be assumed to be one degree Fahr. for every 60ft., but it is in reality impossible to give any fixed rate of increase. The report of the British Association Committee on Under- ground Temperatures during the last thirty years tends to nliovv, not only that the tempera- ture gradient varies considerably in different localities, but that it is not easy to deduce a fixed law of increase applicable to all cases. In some parts of Western A merica the heat at 3000ft. is almost unbearable, while in North Michigan there is a rise of only 4deg. F. in a depth of 4400ft., although no artificial ventilation is resorted to. Tho temperature of the coal .on discovery at the Rosebridge Colliery in Lancashire was stated by the management to be 98deg. F., but it afterwards fell to 63deg. F. This is very interesting.

THE HEAVIEST MAN IN J LANCASHIRE. Carrying his enormous weight with ease and rather proud of his unusual proportions, Mr. Samuel Brooks, 4, Punch-street, Deane-road, Bolton, is quite a conspicuous person in his own town. He was apprenticed, over thirty years ago, to the trade of a House-Painter, and when he had "served his time" like a good man and true, he went into his father's business. His weight is NO LESS THAN 355 POUNDS- I twenty-five stone and five pounds-yet he re- gards it as no incumbrance, and so far from causing him discomfort it appears to be rather a source of satisfaction to him. He is a thoroughly healthy man-none more so in the County Palatine-and Dr. Williams' pink pills for pale people are, he says, the cause of his recovery from the only illness which has seri- ously affected him. Of course the pills had no- thing to do with his great weight. That is natural to him. Nor is it health alone that he owes to this medicine. His worldly prosperity, threatened by illness, has also been indirectly saved by Dr. Williams. "It was three years ago," said he is explanation, "when I had the Mr. Samuel Brooks. Weight 25 stom, 5 lb. (From a photograph.) first attack of rheumatism. Considering the rough conditions under which I had been work- ing for so many years it is perhaps a wonder that I had not been laid up before. I remember quite well coming home and complaining one night about a pain at the bottom of my back. At first I took but little notice of it, thinking it would go as it came; but instead of that if became worse and at last I could scarcely get about to give orders. "The business in consequence commenced to go down, and finally disheartened and feeling downright ill I had to give up. I crawled round to a druggist's and he said it was rheumatism I was suffering from, at the same time making me up a prescription. I tried it and dozens of other things afterwards, including several so- called sure-cures but nothing seemed to allay the pain, which increased until I could no longer sleep at nights. The pain extended to across my shoulders until every limb and all my body seemed to be aching. My appetite went com- pletely. "While in this low state of health I remem- bered having once read of Dr. Williams' pink pills and the cures they had effected. I sent for a box as a last resource, and thankful 1 am that I did. By the time I had finished the first box I felt a little better. I determined to iry another box. After that I noticed a distinct difference for the better, and at the end of the third box the pains were almost entirely gone and I was mending nicely. My appetite had re- turned and things looked hopeful once more. Instead of having to walk round the room, catching at the table or chairs for support, I could get about quite briskly. The fourth box completed the cure, and back I went to business, a rw man and just in time to pull things to- gether again." "Four boxes put you right, Mr. Brooks?" "Yes, quite so. I did take another half-box, just to make sure of the cure, but there the other half remains. I have taken none since, nor have any of the old symptoms returned; and to-day, as you can see, I am as well as any man of 45 years, and a good deal better than most. I have since heard of other men, too, who have received pretty well as much benefit as I have." "You think others ought to know of this?" 'Y es; if I did not I am just the man to tell you so. I have no objection whatever to the interview being published." THE GENIAL Giant was quite right in wishing to let others know the secret of his recovery. But indeed the high reputation which Dr. Williams' pink pills ei.joy in all classes of life makes those who hi.ve benefited by them in cases of anasmia, bilious- ness, consumption, gout, rheumatism, sciatica, paralysis, and other disorders ready to publish their experiences. Even ladies, whose modesty would keep them silent but for their kind anxiety to benefit their suffering sisters, do not hesitate to make known the extraordinary relief which the genuine pills-Dr. Williams'—are capable of affording in the recurrent miseries to which so many are subject. Dr. Williams' Medicine Company, Holborn-viaduct, London, send a box post free for two shillings and nine- pence (or six boxes for thirteen and nine) if there is any difficulty in obtaining the genuine pills at shops. Substitutes, which do not bear Dr. Williams' name are worthless. It is thanks to the genuine pills that, Mr. Brooks is one of the' most active and cheerful men in the County of Lancashire, as well as being the heaviest, which he owes to his splendid constitution.

Friends of Mr. Adolphus Drucker, a former British member of Parliament, who died in the Bellevue Hospital, New York, believe that he was drugged and robbed, and at their instigation an investigation has; been started. Several English life insurance companies are interested in the in- vestigation, because Mr. Drucker carried policies on his life to the amount of £ 200,000. An anonymous donation of E1000 has been sent to the Anti-Vivisection Society. Raeburn's Portrait of Mrs. Murehison n realised 950 guineas at a sale on Saturday in London. Captain C. Cradock, R.N., was thrown while hunting with the Cottesmore Hounds on Saturday, and broke his leg. The North-German Lloyd Steamship Company has established a new line between Singapore and Celebes and the Moluccas. Speaking at Leicester on Saturday, General Buller said he hoped they would never have an Army raised by conscription. Good-bye, dear wife and children. Forgive me if you can. A Christmas nuisance." This was the last message of a Poplar suicide. It is proposed to perpetuate the memory of the 127 Jewish soldiers who fell in South Africa by a monument in London, and by a Jewish trophy to be shot for at the N.R.A. prize meeting. Tu-glarson Saturday night broke into Orms- kirk Post Office, dragged a 2|-cwt. safe through the sorting room on a mailbag into the garden, these broke it open with crowbars, and stole £ 15. Mr. John D. Rockefeller, the Standard Oil magnate, is reported to be preparing a new series of endowments for the University of Chicago, which will extend over several years, and which will amount to E6,000,000 Lieutenant F; W. Trigg; who recently returned from the China station, and was appointed to his Majesty's ship Anson, was found shot dead in a first-class carriage at Sheemess Dockyard Station, on Friday night of last week, with a revolver at his feet. Detective-sergeant ColUqa, thfei finger-print ex- pert of Scotland-yard, was on Saturday promoted to the rank of inspector, as was Detective-sergeant Earnshaw, who recently received the R.V.O., and was in charge of the police arrangements for the King's visit to Portugal.

OUR FISCAL POLICY. I SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT'S FREE TRADE FAITH. Sir William Harcourt, speaking at Tredegar, said he was an out-and-out free-trader because he has seen protection at work and had been spared long enough to see what free trade had done for the English people. He proceeded to criticise Mr. Chamberlain's scheme, complain- ing of the use of the same facts for precisely opposite purposes. It would, he aaid, be waste of time to discuss Mr. Balfour's policy, for the Government was only a derelict wreck of fortui- tous atoms which had lost its best officers and was being washed about by waves over which it had no control. What were they to get in consideration of the proposed taxaticm of the food of the people? They had asked this ques- tion, but had r&ceived no reply. They had a right to know what would be the return for such taxation. After denying that there was any evidence that preferential tariffs would create a material bond with the Colonies, Sir William contended that wages were better in this country than in the protected countries of the Continent, and said he was confident that dumping could not be cured by the taxation of food. Mr. Chamberlain said his scheme was to secure employment for every industrious man, No man had a right to hold out such a promise, for no man could make it good. WHAT MR. CHAMBERLAIN WANTS. I Mr. Chamberlain, writing to wish Dr. Rutlier- foord Harris success at Dulwich, said that while he appreciates the loyal sentiment at present existing in the Colonies, he feels that the in- evitable separation of interests, if nothing is done, will weaken, if it does not entirely destroy, the bond with the mother country. lie wants to see this country part of a great Empire, united, strong, and prosperous, and does not want the British race to be broken up into separate kingdoms, none of which alone could face the competition with which we are threatened. THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE'S ADVICE. I The Duke of Devonshire, in reply to a cor- respondent, has expressed the opinion that any elector who sympathises with the objects of the Free Food League would be well advised to decline to give his support at any election to a Unionist candidate who expresses his sympathy with the policy of Mr. Chamberlain. MR. BRYCE AT HALIFAX. I The Right Hon. J. Bryce, speaking at Hali- fax, said he seemed to feel already the breath of the general election playing around them. He could not conceive that the country would permit the Government to trifle with it and to protract the period within which a decision on this momentous fiscal issue might be given. The Government had during the past eight years committed as many mistakes and inflicted as many evils on the country as any Government since the Government that lost us the American Colonies. Their only hope at this moment was that their administrative failures and legislative blunders might escape notice under the cloud of darkness which, after the fashion of the cuttlefish, the protectionists had cast by their schemes over the country. Mr. Chamberlain's policy would be followed by dear food, dear goods, hardship to the poor, disquiet in business, tariff tinkering, corrupt influence attempted in tariff tinkering, corrupt influence attempted in Parliament by manufacturers and their agents, friction in the Colonies, diminished foreign trade, one motive less for peace between nations, and less security for Britain receiving her sup- plies in time of war. LORD ROSEBERY IN EDINBURGH. Lord Rosebery on Saturday afternoon ad- dressed a great Free Trade demonstration in Edinburgh. He dealt in the first place with the recent speech of Mr. Balfour at the United Club, in which, he said, the Prime Minister replied to the grave charges on which he and his Govern- ment were arraigned by the impartial tribunal of the War Commission by throwing all the re- sponsibility for the alleged delinquincies on'him (Lord Rosebery), Sir H. Fowler, and Sir H. CampheJl-Bannerman. He quoted testimonies by Mr. Stanhope and Mr. Balfour himself to the efficiency of the Army under the Liberal Govern- ment of 1892-95, and contended that the Jameson Raid opened a new chapter in our policy in South Africa, involving the largest military pre- parations but the Government pursued a policy of "brag and bounce" which, accompanied by insufficient preparation, resulted in the disasters with which the war opened. Turning to the fiscal question, Lord Rosebery said the declared policy of the Government was retaliation under certain circumstances, but their real policy was to send out Mr. Chamberlain with their benedic- tion t try to capture the electorate with his pro- gramme of protection and Colonial preference. If Mr. Chamberlain were successful, Mr. Bal- four hoped to bag the game; if not, he would have to adopt some other course of policy. After commenting on the "zig-zag" tactics of the Minis- terial party, his lordship proceeded to argue that the scheme of stimulating wheat culture in the Colonies by a 2s. duty could not possibly benefit British agriculturists, and that their support of Mr. Chamberlain must be based on the hope that a much higher duty would eventually be imposed. He maintained that the 2s. duty could do nothing to arrest rural depopulation, and that as re- garded food supply in time of war our surest policy was to have the whole world for our granary, as at present. Finally, he urged that the Empire, as a great defensive league of com- munities under the headship of the British Crown, could only flourish if each of its principal units developed their own countries under their own conditions and in their own way. Speaking at an overflow meeting, Lord Rosebery humor- ously referred to the way in which a large part of the Press danced to Mr. Chamberlain's piping, and said that if the British working man gave up his hold on the world as the source of his food supply, in pursuit of the golden future of a gain of half a farthing a week offered by Mr. Chamberlain, he was a much greater fool than be (Lord Rosebery) thought him. MR. CHAPLIN AND THE DUKE. Mr. Henry Chaplin, M.P., speaking at Ware on the 14th inst., discussed the recent speeches of Lord Rosebery and Sir William Harcourt; but the brunt of his attack was reserved for the Duke of Devonshire. The Duke, he said, had first agreed on a joint resignation then he had apparently left Mr. Ritchie and Lord George Hamilton out in the cold; and then, after sharing the Prime Minister's Councils and the secrets and policy of the Government, he had again joined his Free Trade friends to lead the attack on the Unionist Government. CANADA AND TARIFFS. I SPEECH BY LORD BBASSEY. I Mr. Chamberlain's fiscal proposals and their relation to Canada formed the subject of debate at a special general meeting of the members of the London Chamber of Commerce, held in the Council Room of the Chamber on Monday after- noon, chiefly for the purpose of hearing an address by the President, Lord Brassey. Lord Brassey said that in delivering an ad- y 0 dress on the great commercial congress of the Empire, held under the auspices of the London Chamber of Commerce at Montreal, he need hardly say they were all devoted to the cause of Imperial unity. It was scarcely necessary for him to add that personally he was a follower of Mr. Gladstone, the Duke of Devonshire, and Lord Rosebery. Proceeding to deal with the speeches of those holding the most responsible positions, delivered, at the banquet given in connection with the Congress, his lordship said that Lord Minto and his Ministers were pre- sent, and the Governor-General made a stirring and brilliant speech,, in the course of which he spoke strongly in favour of preferential tariffs. The Ministers were, perhaps, a little more cautious, but they made their views per- fectly clear to those who heard what they had to say. Sir Wilfrid Laurier said, "So far as Canada is concerned I am bound to say to our friends in the Mother Country that we are in- tensely desirous of having a preferential market for our goods. But we do not want to force matters. If we want Great Britain to make concessions to us we must make concessions to them." No proposal (said Lord Brassey) was submitted to the congress showing how the equal bargains which the Canadian Ministers desired to make could be practically arranged. Sir Wilfrid Laurier did not make the venture he said it would take them too far into politics. It was of the highest importance that we in the Mother Country should be acquainted with the views of the Canadian manufacturers and travellers, and they, through their representa- tive, Mr. Ellis, had declared that they were strongly opposed to any interference with the existing duties. Referring to pianos, his lord- ship remarked that he agreed entirely with the views expressed by Mr. Ellis, that it was re- grettable to see this branch of trade abandoned almost entirely to foreign manufacturers. A strong effort should be made to improve our position. We should do all we possibly could to remove the present difficulties, and he could conceive nothing more practical than an inter- change of views. Proceeding, his lordship said he was bound to say that he held strongly to the opinion that any financial discussion with our self-governing Colonies should be avoided. The best way to strengthen the defences of the Em- pire was to urge the local Governments to see that their local forces were efficient. If Canada, provided the men (continued Lord Brassey" let the Mother Country provide the drill sheds. It was very paltry on the part of the Home Government to wrangle with Newfoundland over the cost of a drill shed. Mr. Parkes, M.P., Mr. R. S. Fraser, Mr. Br. okes, Mr. Nathaniel L. Cohen, Sir Frederick Young, Sir Albert Rollit, M.P., and others took part in the subsequent discussion.

HUMAN CLEARING HOUSE WANTED. jyiajor W. E. Evans-Gordon, M.P., who has taken a prominent part in bringing the alien immigration question before the public, says he has been consulted by the Government on the subject. "The need for legislation," he declares, is ] getting more and more acute every day. There are 100,000 aliens in the East End of London at the present time. Twelve shiploads of foreign immigrants are dumped on the East-end every week. Some of these people, it is true, are merely passing through the country, but a large percentage remains here. Those who remain are the people America will not have. What will j be the condition of affairs in the East-end ten years from now at the present rate of increase? Whole districts in the East-end are being mono- polised by the aliens. "What is wanted is, first, a human clearing house, or, in other words, compulsory examina- tion of all immigrants, and two or three years' supervision after arrival."