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

HEARTLESS BIGAMY CASE. AK EX-CONVICT VICTIMISES AN OFFICER-" DAUGHTER. Aubrey Newton, who recently created some stir in the London literary world by passing off "lifted" essays on various editors of note, was on Tuesday charged with bigamy at the Old Bailey, and sentenced to seven years' penal ser- vitude. When twenty-four years old he had married a Miss Smith, who left him after a twelve- month, because he not only pawned the wedding presents, but never paid their rent. Last year, being thirty-nine yea,rs of age, Newton married a daughter of the late Colonel Pope, of the Con- naught Rangers, his first wife being still alive. His meeting with Miss Pope and their sub- sequent engagement read very much like a chapter from a novel. Newton introduced him- self to the lady's notice by saving her mother from a fall at a theatre. He was allowed to call; he professed to be a victim of an incurable illness; and Miss Pope, pitying his desperate condition, agreed to marry him and nurse him through his last dying years. He neglected to inform this poor lady that he was already married, that he was an ex-convict, a thief, and a swindler, who had already been sentenced to nine years and three months' imprisonment.

LEGACIES LOST BY DELAY. Many persons whom the late Mr. Seale- Hayne intended should benefit under his will are not to enjoy the legacies destined for them owing to the testator having delayed carrying into effect a new will which he had drafted in place of one made nearly twenty years ago. One result of this is, the "World" states, that his splendid collection of silver will be sold instead of being divided among a number of his friends. 0

DISAPPOINTED WEDDING PARTY. The guests were all assembled, and the bride and bridegroom had arrived at Buckie parish church, in Aberdeenshire, on Friday, when, to their dismay, it was found that the wedding could not take place that day as the proper for- malities had not been complied with. However, as a wedding breakfast had been prepared, the party adjourned and took what comfort they could from participation in it. On Tuesday the wedding took place in Aber- deen.

DAMAGES FOR UNSKILLED MASSAGE. Massage treatment can be obtained at the Birmingham Corporation Baths, and Mr. Samuel Law availed himself of this provision. But the massage was so unskilful that one of his ribs were fractured under the treatment, and on Tuesday at the Assizes he obtained £ 50 damages from the Corporation on account of this injury.

ENGLAND'S NAVAL GLORIES. I Lord Selborne, First Lord of the Admiralty, in a statement issued on Tuesday night, ex- presses a wish that people who possess pictures of old sea-fights should present them to the cadets' colleges at Osborne and Dartmouth. When the colleges are completed there will be a great deal of vacant wall space in the mess-rooms and sleeping-rooms, and Lord Sel- borne hopes they may be eventually covered with pictures and engravings illustrative of the naval history of the Empire, including engineer- ing triumphs of the Navy. He does not refer to reproductions from the illustrated papers.

MIDNIGHT VISITORS TO A CHURCH. A curious story of sacrilege was told at Chatham Police-court on Tuesday. Three men were seen by a policeman to get over the wall of St. Paul's churchyard, and dis- appear. Help was summoned, and the church- yard was surrounded. The men were found in the stokehole, where there was a large fire. A door of the church had been broken open, the stonework being cut away with a chisel. The communion table had been thrown aside and one of the offertory boxes taken away, its charred remains being found in the stokehole. The prisoners were remanded.

INTERESTING WILLS. I Mr. Frank Jones, who began life by working on a farm, and was one of the most successful business men in New England, has left at least -cioo,ooo in England and America. The Rev. George Wingfield Bourke, son of the fifth Earl of Mayo, at one time Chaplain in Ordinary to Queen Victoria, left estate valued at £ 25,000. Mrs. Eliza Darling, of Kensington, left £ 96,000, of which nearly E30,000 is bequeathed to charitable and religious objects.

TERRIFIED PASSENGERS. I PANIC AMONG EMIGRANTS LOCKED IN THE j UMBRIA'S HOLD. U1\ŒRIA'S HOLD. The Umbria reached New York on Tuesday two days late after a stormy passage, during which, our correspondent cables, a panic oc- curred among the steerage passengers, whom it had been found necessary to lock in the hold owing to the severity of the gale. In the greatest consternation they begged to be allowed on deck, and their groans and cries of distress made the anxiety of the saloon passengers all the worse. But the fears of the emigrants in the hold were, after a while, allayed in a marvellous manner by the action of an aged, white-haired German minister, who came to them and, stand- ing on a box and stretching out his long arms over the frightened throng, prayed long and earnestly. The wailing women and shouting men be- came calm under the influence of his impas- sioned invocation, and by the time he l ad finished there was audible only the low sobbing of a few peasant women and the fretful wailing of children. The panic occurred on Wednesday night, and was the climax of one of the roughest storms the Umbria has ever experienced. One of the passengers was Ben Viljoen, who is to reproduce notable battles of the Boer war at the St. Louis Exposition. The Hamburg-American liner Blucher, bound for New York, arrived at Cherbourg on Tuesday twenty-four hours late. She reports having col- lided in the North Sea with a steam-ship, sup- posed to be English, with the result that her bows were damaged. The other vessel disappeared into the night and was not again seen.

Mr. Richard Frederick Crawshay, of Brecon, South Wales, joint partner in the celebrated Cyfarthfa Ironworks, which were recently acquired by the firm of Messrs. Guest, Keen, and Co., left £53û, 437.

ENGLAND y. AUSTRALIA AT CRICKET. FIRST TEST MATCH. On Friday, at Sydney, commenced the first test match of the tour of the M.C.C. team captained by Mr. Pelham Warner, which had previously done so well in the preliminary games with the separate Colonies and in matches against odds. Mr. M. A. Noble won the toas for the All Aus- tralian side and naturally went in to bat on a per- fect pitch. The first day's play produced 259 runs for the loss of seven wickets, a very unpropitious start having been made by the Cornstalks, who lost Victor Trumper, Duff, and Clem Hill with only a dozen runs on the score board. Noble and Armstrong played with skill and steadiness, how- ever, and stopped the rot, and then Hopkin's stayed with his captain. Noble at the close of the first day's play had 132 to his credit, and was stii\ undefeated, having batted with admirable patience and skill. Heavy rain sucoeeded the drawing of stumps for the night, and next morning the wioket was slow and slightly difficult to start with. The three outstanding wickets soon fell, Noble only adding a single to his overnight score. Of the English bowlers in the Australian innings, Arnold came out with the analysis of four wickets for 76 runs. Rhodes took two for 41, Hirst two for 47, and Bosanquet two for 52. From Relf 27, and from Braund 39 runs were scored without either of them taking a wicket. AUSTRALIA. FIRST INNINGS. R. A. Duff, c Lilley, b Arnold 8 V. Trumper, c Foster, b Arnold 1 C. Hill, c Lilley. b Hirst 5 M. A. Noble, c Foster, b Arnold 133 W. W. Armstrong, b Bosanquet 48 Hopkins, b Hirst 39 Howell, c Relf, b Arnold 5 Gregory, b Bosttnquet 28 Laver, c Lilley, b Rhodes 4 Kelly, c Braund, b Rhodes 10 Saunders, not out 11 Extras. 3 Total 285 On England going to the wicket after the inter- val on Saturday, the pitch played a little better, and gradually improved. Mr. Warner fell for a duck, and Hayward only made 15 by the most watchful play before he was beaten and bowled; but then Tyldesley batted with brilliancy and judgment combined, and Arnold seconded his efforts. The latter made 27, and the Lancastrian M. Then R. E. Foster and Braund got together, and gradually wore the bowling down, the amateur being 73 and the professional 67 at the close of play on Saturday night, the English score then standing at 243 for four wickets, or only 42 runs behind with six wickets in hand. On Monday Mr. Foster and Braund continued to play grand cricket, and the fifth wicket did not fall until 309 was on the board, Braund then being bowled by Howell with 102 runs to his credit. Mr. Tip Foster continued to bat magnificently after he had passed his century, and was not caught until he had made the record test match score of 2S7, being last man out, the full English total being 577, or 292 runs on; rather more than double the Australian score. Mr. Foster was helped towards the close of his splendid innings by Relf and Rhodes, but neither George Hirst. Lilley, or Mr. Bosanquet came off." ENGLAND. FIRST INNINGS. P. F. Warner, c Kelly, b Laver. 0 Hayward, b Howell 15 Tyldesley, b Noble 53 Arnold, c Laver, b Armstrong 27 Foster, c Noble, b Armstrong 287 Braund, b HoweHl 102 Hirst, b Howell 0 Bosanquet, c Howell, b Noble 2 Lilley, c Hill, b Noble 4 Relf, c Armstrong, b Saunders 01 Rhodes, not out 39 Extras. 17 Total 577 At the close of play on Monday, Australia were 16 for no wicket. AUSTRALIA PLAY UP PLUCKILY. On Tuesday morning of the overnight Aus- tralian pair Kelly was the first to go in the second innings, clean bowled by Arnold for 13, with the score at 36. Duff came in and played finely with Sid. Gregory, who ultimately fell to a clever catch at the wicket by Lilley off Rhodes, with 43 to his credit, 108 being then the total. Then Clem Hill came to the crease, and more admirable batsmanship was seen, until Reginald Duff was out to an easy catch at short leg off Rhodes by Relf, having subscribed 84. Trumper succeeded, and at tea time the Anti- podean score was 207 for three. Later, Clem Hill was run out with 51 to his name, and at five o'clock, 262 was on the board, Victor Trumper being then 49 and Noble 2. At close of play the score was 367 for five wickets down, the Australians being thus 75 runs on with five wickets still in hand, a very creditable position for thfm, considering the big first innings lead of the M.C.C. team. Noble was stumped by Lilley off the bowling of Bosanquet when he had made 22, but Trumper passed the century and was 119 not out at close of play on Tuesday night, Armstrong having at the same time 14 to his credit. An incident occurred towards the end of Tues- day's play which created a great sensation. Hill, who had tried to make a run from an overthrow, was given run out on an appeal to Crockett, the Melbourne umpire. The crowd, displeased at the decision, indulged in an out- burst of barracking, and hooted the umpire. Play was temporarily stopped, and Warner ap- proached the grand stand and attempted to ad- dress the spectators, but was unable to get a hearing. After some parleying between the two captains play was resumed, the hooting still going on intermittently. Mr. Warner stated that he intended, when he set out for the grand stand, to intimate that the Englishmen would withdraw from the field unless the booing ceased. Mr. Noble, however, spoke to him ex- pressing his regret for the demonstration, and the English captain said that appreciation of Mr. Noble's attitude led him to continue the game. Crockett, the umpire, was escorted from the ground by two detectives. No attempt was made, however, to molest him. On Wednesday morning, when the game was resumed, Victor Trumper continued to play capital cricket, but Armstrong, Hopkins, and Laver fell in quick succession to the bowling of Rhodes for 27, 20, and 6 respectively, while Arnold captured Howell for 4, and Saunders was run out with 2 runs to his credit. The Australian second innings thus closed for 485, Trumper being still undefeated, having made the magnificent score in the circumstances of 185, as hereunder set forth:- AUSTRALIANS.—Second Innings. S. E. Gregory, c Lilley, b Rhodes 43 J. J. Kelly, b Arnold 13 R. A. Duff, c Relf, b Rhodes 84 V. Trumper, not out 185 C. Hill, run out 51 M. A. Noble, st Lilley, b Bosanquet 22 W. W. Armstrong, c Bosanquet, b Rhodes 27 A. J. Hopkins, c Arnold, b Rhodes 20 F. Laver, c Relf, b Rhodes 6 W. P. Howell, c Lilley, b Arnold 4 J. V. Saunders, run out 2 Extras 28 Total 485 Rhodes captured five Australian wickets for 94 runs Arnold, two for 93; Bosanquet, one for 100; Relf, none for 35; Braund, none for 56; Hirst, none for 79. England commenced on their task of getting 194 runs to win the match at a little after three o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, and Howell and Saunders bowled finely. Warner was soon clean bowled by the former for 8, but Hayward showed admirable form. Tyldesley, who went in first wicket, had strained his leg during the day, and opened under difficulties. When he had made 9 Noble caught him off Saunders, and Foster came in, the score at five o'clock being 74 for the loss of two wickets. At the close of play the Englishmen had put on 122 with four men out, and wanted consequently 72 runs to achieve victory, with six wickets still in hand. At the close of the fifth day's play, Hayward (60) and Hirst (21) were the not outs. Foster was stumped off Armstrong when he had reach ud 19, and Braund fell for a duck.

I SUICIDE AT SEVENTEEN. I COUNT FOUi-fD SHOT IN A WNDON HOTEL. Count Balint Nemes, aged seventeen, a Hun- garian undergraduate at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, called at the Carlton Hotel in London where he was known, and asked for a room. At six o'clock the following evening, as he had not been seen in the meantime, and knocking at his door brought no response, entrance was etTected by the manager with a master-key, and the young count was found dead on the floor in a pool of blood. His right hand still gffpped a revolver, from which one shot had been discharged, and in his pocket were two sealed letters and a gun licence issued on December 7. The discovery was made on Thursday of lust week, and at the inquest on Monday the sealed letters were read. One was to an undergraduate friend at Cambridge, Mr. George Ambrose, and was dated December 12. In this he said I have been forced to do it, and it is greatly to be regretted. I cannot forget that in my case there does not exist any hope, which I can recog- nise after a very considerable time. I intended to try for the last time, but have not succeeded." The second letter began, Dear Mother," and in this the count wrote: I sincerely regret I have to give you much sorrow. It is not my own or your fault, but it is no longer possible for me to exist in this way. The experience of last year ripened this resolution. I came to England last year to live well, but have run into debt be the amount of £ 3000." Evidence was given, however, that his debts did not exceed £ 300. He never seemed to be in trouble of any kind, and was not excitable. A verdict of "Suicide" was recorded, the jury adding that there was not sufficient evidence to I show the state of the young man's mind.

FATAL HEROISM. While a, foreman named Rawlings was attending to fittings beneath a gas purifier at Penrhiweeiber on Sunday he was overcome by the gas fumes. A stoker who attempted to rescue him was also rendered unconscious. Then a third man went to their assistance, but he shared a like fate. Further aid arrived, and the men were taken out. One soon revived, but the first man who attempted the rescue, an Irishman named Taney, died on Monday. Rawlings is slowly recovering.

I DEATH REVEALS SECRET. MAN IN WOMAN'S DRESS WORKS AS A LAUNDRESS. The death of Elizabeth Batty while under remand on a charge of drunkenness at Deptford has led to the strange discovery that the supposed woman was a man. Batty was found lying in a semi-conscious state in the roadway on Wednesday night of last week. His clothing was that of a woman of the working class in poor circumstances. He had a slight stubby beard and moustache, and seemed about 30 years old. On the following morning, when "Elizabeth" Batty should have appeared before the magistrate, he was too ill to be placed in the dock. During the day Batty was removed to the infirma,ry, where he died from bronchitis and alcoholism. The post-mortem examination established the surprising fact that he was a man. A brother stated at the inquest on Monday that Batty was christened Elizabeth." The family believed him to be a woman. "Elizabeth had been employed as a laundress and a bottle-washer, earning about 30s. a week, and neighbours spoke of him on Monday as a hard-working woman."

I SIX FISHERMEN DROWNED. As three Milford trawlers were off Corunna on Thursday night of last week the rough weather made fishing impossible, and the- men begged for shore leave. Five men of the Weymouth and five of the Manorbier Castle were returning from the Spanish coast at eleven o'clock at night when a heavy surf washed seven of them out of the small boat. Six were drowned. One swam ashore, and was found next morning on the rocks. Three others were rescued by a boat from the trawler Wey- mouth. News of the disaster was brought to Milford Haven on Monday night.

I « tINCLE JOE" RECOVERS £ 1500. The £ 1500 damages, recovered against Mr. Joseph Worsley, who was cited as co-respondent in a case which recently uocupied the Divorce Court, were on Monday ordered by Mr. Justice Bucknill to be repaid to him. During the trial Mr. Worsley was referred to as Uncle Joe." Subsequently, as the resulb of a perjury charge, a private detective named George, who gave evi- dence at the trial, was sentenced to five years' penal servitude. It was upon his evidence that the case for the petitioner (Mr. John Stapleton Worsley) chiefly relied.

I POISON KING DEAD. The death has taken place at Kansas City of Harry Beno, know as the poison king," from his immunity from poison of any kind. He discovered his remarkable gift six years ago, when, in Richmond (Indiana), he ate by mistake a piece of bread which had been thoroughly saturated with strychnine for the purpose of poisoning rats. Beno remained unharmed, and since that time he gave public exhibitions of his powers by swallow- ing doses of the most deadly poisons, such as strychnine, bella donna, henbane, and ratsbane. To these he added in later years another equally astounding feat. He had nails driven into his skull without appearing any the worse for the operation. His last performance, however, led to a fatal result. A shoemaker's awl was driven into his head and brought about paralysis of the brain, from which he died.

THE THIBET EXPEDITION. I The latest developments in regard to the expedi- tion which is being organised and sent from India to Thibet for the purpose of enforcing attention to British demands concerning trade relations are explained in a communication from Reuter's agency. Colonel Younghusband, the British Commis- sioner, and Colonel J. R. Macdonald, the com- mander of the military expedition, have gone from Darjiling to the Chumbi Valley, and the troops of the expedition are on their way to Chumbi from their various stations. The concentration will probably take place at Khamba Jong, where the original political mission is still encamped. Whether Colonel Younghusband will go direct with the troops to Gyangtse (which is on the road to Lhassa), or will first rejoin the mission at Khamba Jong, is not yet certain. The letters addressed to the Viceroy to the Dalai Lama at Lhassa have been returned. As the result of the latest information the view is held that the majority of the people of Thibet are in favour of Indian-Thibetan trade, but that the monks at Lhassa exert a dominating influence in the present situation.

All hope for the safety of the French sailing ship Alexandre, of Bordeaux, whicK "broke away from its tug in the North Sea, is now aban- doned, and the underwriters at Lloyd's have closed their books to her. Lady Maud Warrender, who is a grand-daugh- tcr of the Earl ef Shaftesbury, of Ragged School fame, is by many considered to be the finest amateur singer to-day possessing a title. Irish songs are said to be her favourites.

I BYE-ELECTION I TARIFF REFORM CANDIDATES RETURNED AT DTJXWICH AND LEWISHAM. Polling to place on Tuesday in the two London suburban cons-tituencies-Dulwich and Lewisham —and the results were announced on Tuesday night. The victory of Major Coates (the Cham- berlainite) in Lewisham was the first made known; and it was followed soon afterwards by the announcement that in Dulwich also the Cham- berlainite candidate had been successful. I LEWISHAM RESULT. Major Coates (U. and Tariff Reform). 7709 Mr. J. W. Cleland (Liberal Free Trader) 5697 Chamberlainite majority 2012 The Conservative majorities at the last two elections were: 1891. I 1802. Perm (C) 4585 Penn (C) 5309 Warinington (L) 2892 Harvey (L) 2895 COR. maj 1693 Con. maj 2414 (There were no contests in 1895 and 1900.) DULWICH RESULT. Dr. Harris (Tariff Reform League) 5819 Mr. Masterman (Liberal Free Trader) 4382 Chainberlainite majoirity 1437 The Conservative majorities at the last two elections were 1892. 1895. Maple (C) 5318 Maple (C) 5218 Clay den (L) 3138 Clarke (L) 2176 Con. maj 2180 I Con. n-inj 3042 The results of the elections were telegraphed to I Highbury, and the message received in reply was: Mr. Chamberlain is delighted with the results." In both constituences voters were early astir, many City men recording their votes before pro- ceeding to their places of business. During the day there was a lull, broken only by the workmen, who besieged the polling-booths during their breakfast and luncheon intervals. At five p.m. the polling began in earnest, motor-cars meeting every train from town and conveying the free and enlightened electors post haste to the stations. During the day all four candidates several times expressed themselves as confident of victory. They toured their constituencies in all manner of vehicles, varying from the buzzing motor to the lordly four-in-hand. At Dulwich, the more fiercely contested of the two constituencies, an orator speaking from a van was pelted with mud, fruit, paper pellets, and the remains of a defunct cat. In both Dulwich and Lewisham the Premier's best motor-car was to be seen parading the inscrip- tion, Mr. Balfour's car brings his best wishes for the Conservative candidate." It was not used for the conveyance of voters, however. At the Lewisham stations the voters were met with the reminiscent inquiry, Good morning, have you voted for Coates ?* Mr. Cleland expressed his hopes in the optimistic legend, Our turn now. Vote the muddlers out!" Miss Coates worked energetically for her father. Dr. Frederic Rutherfoord Harris is the well- known South African financier and surgeon. He was elected M.P. for Monmouth district in 1900 and unseated on petition. Major Coates belongs to a Yorkshire family, and is a stockbroker by business. His title comes from service in the West York Militia. I

I THE KAISER HIMSELF AGAIN. The German Emperor has" completely re- covered his former vigour, and his voice is again clear and full." This interesting statement was made officially, according to Reuter, at Monday's sitting of the Reichstag. The Emperor had received the Presi- dent and Vice-Presidents in the morning, had greeted them most graciously, and had spoken for three-quarters of an hour about his illness and other subjects. His Majesty was in good spirits. Only those who viewed the case with a certain prejudice might, perhaps, said the President, still perceive a thin veil" over the voice. ■

I BEDROOM RENT IN TWAIN. Two young ladies whose home is at Cromwell House, Kingston Hill, had an extraordinary experience on Sunday morning. About daybreak they were awakened by a terrific explosion, and as they opened their eyes in alarm, their bedroom appeared to be filled with flames and suddenly to part in two. One side of the room fell outwards into the gardens, carrying with it the dressing-table and a chest of drawers. On the lawn below bricks, stonework, and window sashes were piled in a great heap. An escape of gas had been responsible for the explosion. No one was injured, not even a kitten, which was subsequently found among the wreckage, still alive.

SELLING THE MURDERED KING'S GOODS. The horses of the late King Alexander of Servia were publicly sold at Belgrade on Monday. Two mares were bought by King Peter's representative for £ 64, but the administrator of the murdered King's property refused delivery on the ground of low price. The library of the late King, consisting of 6700 books, is valued at only £ 80, which works out at less than threepence a volume I

EXAMPLE FOR DEBTORS. I I The Lincoln County Court Judge on Monday had one duty to perform which he acknowledged gave him much pleasure. He annulled the bankruptcy order in the case of two sisters named Kilham, whose dressmaking business became a failure in 1892, chiefly owing to one of them being ill. Recently the sisters came into a legacy, and at once ascertained from the Official Receiver how large a sum would be re- quired in order that they might pay their creditors ill full.

STOLEN FROM THE KING. I For stealing the property of Our lord the King in whose service you were "-as the terms of the indictment ran-Frank Lanham, lately a clerk in the office of the Paymaster of the Household at St. James's Palace, was sent to twelve months' hard labour on Monday by the Old Bailey Re- corder. He liad taken cheques, made out of sums amounting to nearly £.100, and had cashed them, appropriating the money to his own use.

An offer has been made to the Argentine Government by an English firm for the purchase of the two cruisers now being built for the Argentine Government at Genoa. It is not known, says Lloyd's Weekly News," on behalf of what country the present offer has been made, but it is generally believed to be for our own Admiralty. Miss Ada Alderton, of Clifton-street, Brighton, thought she heard her pet dog whining early on Saturday morning, and she rose from her bed and went downstairs. On entering the room where the dog was kept she struck a match, and a puff of wind from a draught blew the flame on to her flannelette nightdress, and she was burned to death.

I ART AND LITERATURE. It is told of the late Mr. Stowell Scott, who in the world of fiction was Mr. Henry Seton Merri- man, that his father repressed his literary ambi- tions, and the young man had to publish his earlier efforts under the pseudonym which subsequently became so well known. One day the old man picked up one of these books and said, If you could write as well as this Seton Merriman, it might be worth while going on with it." The father never knew his sen's secret. The forthcoming Winter Exhibition at the Royal Academy in London seems likely (says the Globe ") to be reasonably interesting. The chief feature, it :s announced, will be a series of por- traits by Sir Thomas Lawrence, an artist who, if he cannot be placed quite in the front rank of British masters, can certainly be accounted worthy of attention as a brilliant executant. He lacked the power of Reynolds and the grace of Gains- borough, but in his somewhat artificial style he was a painter of capacity, and within his limits he was decidedly successful. Apparently, nothing has come of the suggestion that the Academy should make a display of Mr. Whistler s works. This is to be regretted, for the contrast between his pic- tures and those of Lawrence would have been quite amusing. Aino.-ig the other features of the show there are to be examples of the accomplishment of two recently deceased sculptors, Harry Bates and Onslow Ford, both of whom deserve the fullest recognition on account of their services in helping on the development of our modern school of sculpture. Besides, there will be, it is said, memorial displays of the produc- tions of two Academicians who have died this year, H. T. Wells and J. C. Horslej, both of whom were popular artists in their time. How far their pictures will add to the interest of the exhibition remains to be seen. It is possible that some of their earlier canvases will correct the im- pressions formed during recent years; but, any- how, they will give some idea of the standard of artistic taste which was generally recognised a couple of generations ago. Literary records are always interesting. The largest circulation of any work in copyright has been acquired by Enquire Within Upon Every- thing," of which a million and a quarter copies have been sold. The largest circulation of any English novel in copyright is that of East Lynne," of which the public have bought nearly half a million. The largest amount ever given for serial rights in England is £ 7000, paid by Oornhilln for George Eliot's Romola." The largest cheque ever given to an English author is £ 20,000, received by Lord Macaulay for his History of England." Europe is flooded with spurious objets d'art, but the manufacture of these antiques is no modern industry. Paintings were counterfeited long before the present century. Mignard, the painter, caused Louis XIV. to buy an alleged painting by Guido, which was in reality a counterfeit of it by Bologn. Two portraits of Leo X. are admired at Florence. One is at the Uffizi, the other at the Tribuna. No one knows which is the original. Mr. M. H. Spielmann's latest exposure of the ways of art forgers in the current number of the Magazine of Art" is likely (the Globe remarks) to alarm picture buyers who wait till after an artist's death to begin to collect his works. The article points out the fact that there is, or has been, in London a factory for the produc- tion of works professing to be by well-known modern masters, and that from it has come a number of imitations well calculated to deceive the unwary. Even a painter so individual as Burne- Jones is imitated with some success, and forgeries of his pictures are to be found in more than one collection. In some cases these forgeries are genuine paintings by followers of Burne-Jones, which have been palmed off as original works of the master by unscrupulous dealers. Such a picture, with a forged signature, was found not long ago in a private collection, and had not the proofs of its unanthenticity been available it might easily have got on the market as an important example of Burne-JoDes's earlier production. Among the books which the close of the year will bring a novelty is announced by the editor of Dod's Peerage." He proposes to issne an edition limited to 500 copies, which is to be illustrated by over 500 portraits, a large proportion of which are portraits of peers and peeresses in their Corona- tion robes and coronets. No work of this kind has been previously attempted, and the favour with which the idea has been received is shown by the fact that very nearly 1000 photographs were placed at the editor's disposal for reproduction. Any unpublished manuscripts of Herbert, Spencer form part of his estate, and the copy- right in any book printed from them will, by the 3rd section of the Act of 1842, endure for the term of 42 years from the first publication thereof and be the property of the proprietor of the author's manuscript from which such book shall be first published, and his assigns." The exhibition of oil paintings and water colours which has just opened at the Holland Fine art Gallery in London presents an attractive mixture of works by British and foreign artists. The modern Dutch school is most in evidence, but there have also been included some paintings by Mr. Geoffrey Straham and Mr. James Kay, both of whom can be praised for the power and individuality of their accomplish- inent. Among the Dutch artists represented the most notable are Th. de Bock, whose land- scapes, "The Dunes near the Hague," and The Marshes," are altogether admirable; J. Maris, whose "Dordrecht Tower—Evening" is quite masterly in the management of low-toned colour J. Rosboom. whose certainty of touch and breadth of style are perfectly displayed in two little interiors, "The Syna- gogue" and "A Cathedral"; and H. W. Mesdag, by whom there is a small sea-piece with much charm of colour. Good things come also from G. Poggenbeek, A. Van Anrooy, Stortenbeek, and Zilken and there is a clever sketch, A Wet Day," by C. F. L. de Wild. The strength and variety of the show make it very acceptable. A delightful book to give by way of Christmas present or school-reward to a boy would be Through Strange Paths," by Ursula Temple, published by Gall and Inglis in a handsome bind- ing, and attractively illustrated. The story is well written, full of stirring adventure, with a fascinating love interest which will appeal to "children of a larger growth as well as to the juvenile mind," and it is plentifully spiced with "dramatic surprises, the whole conveying a sound and healthy moral in a cleverly pleasant way. Conveniently contiguous to Christmastide come out the annually volumes of the favourite maga- zines designed to suit the tastes of both sexes of every age, and amongst these the publications of Cassell and Compauy have long ago worthily won a high place in popularity. The latest volume of The Quiver" contains a big budget of varied literary matter of the first order of excellence specially designed for Sunday reading; while Casseil's Magazine," under the able editorship of Mr. Max Pemberton, is brimful of capital stories and admirably illustrated articles, from the pens of the most brilliant writers on themes of absorbing interest. For younger readers there is the bulky Chums volume, that brings such abiding delight to the high-spirited school- lad, with its wealth of pictures, a dozen of them in colours. Then there is "Little Folks" first favourite with girls and their younger brothers-- containing many beautiful plates and Bo-Peep," a treasury for the bairns. For the nursery, too, there is Tiny Tots," a delight to the wee ones of all: so that no member of the family is left nncatered for by these altogether ideal publica- tions for the household from the La Belle Sauvage press. Poetry of the right sort, expressing the voice of Nature and the emotions of the human heart in rhythmical numbers, is not too common nowadays, and we, therefore, gladly welcome a volume of Poems, Sonnets, and Translations," by Abraham Stansfield (Sherratt and Hughes, London and Manchester). Mr. Stansfield has long since made his name as a sonneteer, and the present volume contains many daintily-turned tributary and de- scriptive sonnets, full of beautiful imagery and quaint conceits. He is no less at home in his translations from classical lore and from the lead- ing poets of Germany and France. There is a true ring about all Mr. Stansfield's poems he strikes a high keynote, and maintains it throughout. His book will be treasured and studied by every lover of true poetry, and will enhance his already high reputation.

HERBERT SPENCER CREMATED. f The body of Mr. Herbert Spencer was on Mon- day cremated at Golder's-green, and the interment of the ashes took place subsequently at Highgate Cemetery. Among those present at the funeral were several relatives of the great philosopher, and a large gathering of distinguished scientists, including Sir Henry Thompson, Sir Michael Foster, M.P., Sir W. Thiselton-Dyer, Professor Dewar, Mr. Francis Galton, F.R.S., Mr. Leonard Huxley, and Mr. Leonard Courtney. At the crematorium Mr. Courtney paid an eloquent tribute to the great qualities and gifts of Mr. Herbert Spencer. Mr. Shyamaji Krishnavarma, an Indian gentle- man afterwards said he was prepared to offer E1060 to Oxford University to establish a Spencer lectureship.