The Cardiff Times

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WORKMEN'S TOPICS. ♦ (BY MABON.) ROYAL COMMISSION ON LABOUR The Minority Report. V?e W"" unable to join in the report of the Hie commissi°ners for the reason that ^^Bater part of that report is taken up only summary of the arguments used by ItQi, *?8ea for and against particular proposals, and any statement) Q[ ascertained facts as if between employers and employed, conditions of labour, which we thought Uy- have been the principal object of the com- We have no complaint to make against hi 8<"»mary as such, only we find that comparatively few cases in which conclusion is expressed as to the Joj^'heinselves, these conclusions appear to us *lfcher inaccurate or, at best, to present too a view of the condition of our working while, on the great majority of the brought before the commission, the feport makes no recommendations what- the vague and scanty reforms whieh it Ifrj* to us to be inadequate. is made in the majority report to the K S"°b' the signatories to the minority re- I 'botigb we, in conjunction with our other ^^Otegues, are not called upon to defend 1| UJJ, still we are not without a defence Mon, **ere taken of how some of our sugge3- Vft *tyro treated. The material difference in j tlnj*cter of thetwo reports makes itquiteplain t^M^sement between the parties to these out of the question. j •Hipl-J^&damental cause of disputes between ST? and employed is to be found, we j M,6* 'n the unsatisfactory position occupied 6 ^age-earning class. Notwithstanding » in national wealth, whole of the population, comprising, M believe, at least five millions, 10 to obtain a subsistence compatible SS* or efficiency, Mr Giffen's evidence 1 commission being that 25 per cent, of j adult male workers in the United fall below a line of 20s a week, and that SO be taken as a low subsistence level. It kfiraatad that about two millions are every *° «coept poor relief in one form or In London, the wealthiest and the most 1*n ^e world, it is proved by Mr "0^ j^j^th, that 32 per cent, of the total popula- s below the poverty line," that \» • week of regular earnings kealthvhiloh no family can live in decency and kictg '{"^d when it is found that in certain dis- Metropolis one-half, or even three- Ulin,- °f the entire population fall below that and that this state of things arises ttojf exceptional distress, but represents the N,,r4a of 50 years of steady improvement, we but regard the situation as calling for the consideration of the Government. Jhj118 destitution is not confined to unskilled or t|^j*lly degraded classes of workers. Even in •^Jtrades in which labour is better paid, the the Labour Department show that a V*u»aber 0{ competent, mechanics are at all employment, whilst in periods of • many thousands of men are in £ *0kw Condition. That is one side of the I Ite e. is that whilst many competent l" tj^rious artisans find no work ttiousands of others are kept to '^tly 0r unnecessarily long periods. In branch of mining labour the length „ 0rking day is greater than is compatible At proper discharge of the duties of 1*^ 6^%and citizenship. Even in the well-organ- wV* trades, where the normal working day Only nine hours or less, an excessive be w. overtime is systematically worked. to the commission by the **ted Society of Engineers show that 7i members are in the habit of ° °vertime, averaging nine hours a°week. ^ftk'^eace before us proves that many workers, the railway and tram- ^*1 the shop assistants, the iron and jJ^^J/^slters, and many grades of women habitually labour for at least twelve 4 iyi, whilst many exceed fifteen. ^orse condition of things than the fore- ^'ts. Many thousand workers still toil which make disease and T aQ inevitable accompaniment of their Unitary conditions still prevail in many "tljj °.^» and to a yet greater extent in the iO which the sweated industries are .0l1, Except), perhaps, in coal-mining and other trades regulated by special • no s3rsteina'c attempt has yet been W ^ti'80 fc^le resources of science for the j 0,1 of death or disease in industry. £ tu^'ta no') refer so much to the state of the slums as to the i ea^IQOUn* house accommodation family obtains. Nearly two-and-a- IL^li l0ns persons in England and Wales 6 in tenements which the Registrar- ■Nijjj declares to be overcrowded. Census h ffo* and those of Mr Charles Booth indicate > of 20 to 23 per cent, of the whole popula- I of our largest towns dwell m one- llS^te 0mee* London alone we infer that OOOQ a mdli°N persons, including probably children, must be living under the which are implied by the occupation, °'e family, of a single small room JStoTesti0 purposes, the percentage of ? S ^omes Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and ^°wns is even greater, whilst of q t'1e reports that Newcastle, Sunderland, Plymouth, u Bradford, and Huddersfield all showed i OVercrowding than London I j. ^tv^" ^or *s *i'le ev" confined to the towns, j 'be assistant commissioners on the ^kfiQtatiraI population reveal in nearly all a terrible deficiency of house accommo- eyen for the, at present, diminishing ? countryside. have the fact that of all who sur- t S ,8, t}>e age of 70, one out of every l'eved to be in receipt of poor relief. V °ne death out of every six takes place a- 0tkhouse or the workhouse infirmary. fUral districts it has been said that aged agricultural labourer is a have been unable to ascertain the W PauPer funerals, but we believe be found that throughout the whole >,6(1 bto0,le Person out of every four or five is V,i*ihfe.patish' 'Vst°t4til«08sib'8 to r6fra'n from connecting this ^j. Cot,dition of the working class with the I t4 two thirds of the annual product of the 1 are absorbed by one-fourth of its t^lat l^e annua' tribute of rents, O* "atin1 ^'v'^ends levied upon the industry 11 atnou,1<)3 to nearly £ 500,000,000 !^twe^0ln'0 conditiona like these, the rela- factor err,pl°yers at)d employed cannot be ave^ ou&ht. Though we believe ^*k1 Conc''t'on °f the wage-earners | yearg^w'*t:'Ve and other reforms of the S^^tion 'h 6en sfceadi'y improved, yet that of 18 been only partial. Large 'liw^hioh f0Inn:lunity still live under condi- the eari U' removed from those to W^Ully ,e^. -factory and Mines Acts were f ta'sintr fu 'ed' Hence the necessity of ^l^nini* „i e standard of life of the whole ^reviQaH. assee' and especially of those that U8,y neglected.

^hli toaaffl'ed wo?la? was very much V'C13 bad ju^r00" during a storm. Her A« u^t a cow and put it in the KSJ^hed ^lHiaSflt.l°ini^euCed toJ under V- "Run illd y ° ^ltchen and cried to Niluf th«Sw^ary' ^he c°w-house «our.» hears that thunder it will turn 4 1

The Old Welsh Judges. By W. R, WILLIAMS, Solicitor, Talybont. ||t—The Carmarthen Cirouit. List of Judges. ( Continued.) 1789.-Jobn Mitford. This was one of the most distinguished of the Carmarthen judges. He was the second son of John Mitford, of Newton House and Exbury, Hants, and bro. to Col. William Mitford, M.P., author of a History of Greece, was born 18th Aug., 1748, and married June, 1803, Lady Frances Perceval, dau. of John, second Earl of Egmont, and sister to Spencer Perceval, Prime Minister of England, who was assassinated in the Lobby of the House of Commons, 1812. He was educ. at Winchester and New College, Oxford; entered himself at the Inner Temple, 1772, and was called to the bar 1777; or. a King's Counsel 17th July, 1789 elected a Bencher of his Inn, 1789; served as 1 Reader, 1795; and as Treasurer of the Inner Temple, 1796 entered Parliament as member for the borough of Beeralston, Devon, Dec., 1788, and was re-el. the following July (as John Mi&ford, of Lincoln's Inn), Rafter appointment as one of the justices of the counties of Carmarthen, Pembroke, and Cardigan, and the towns of Carmarthen and Haverfordwest within the Principality of Wales," June, 1790, Feb 1793 (after being app. Sol-Gen.), and May, 1796, his colleague being his brother, Col. Mit- 'i ford, but accepted the Stewardship of the Manor of East Hendred, co. Berks, and was elected for East Looe (Cornwall) July. 1799, which he represented till called to the Upper House Feb., 1802. Having soon distinguished himself as an able debater in the House on the Ministerial side, he was appointed second justice of the Carm^ then or South Wales Circuit July, 1789 from which he was promoted to the position of Solicitor-General (always a stepping-stone for some of the most elevated positions), and at the same time received the honour of knighthood Feb 1793 He was further appointed Attorney- General June, 1799, and having been elected to the proud position of Speaker of the House of Commons 11th leb., 1801, and at the same time added to the Privy Counci!, he was promoted in Feb., 1802, to the office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland, and created a peer of the United Kingdom by the title of Baron Redesdale. His lordship presided over the Irish Chancery till Feb., 1806, when he resigned on the Whigs coming into office in the Ministry of "All the Talents," and it may be I stated that his judicial decisions were received with the greatest satisfaction, and during bis stay in Ireland he was chosen Vice-Chancellor of Dublin University. Lord Redesdale assumed the additional surname and arms of Freeman by Royal licence 28th Jan., 1809, and died at Batsford Park, co. Glouc., 16th Jan., 1830. His only son was Chairman of Committees of the House of Lords for over 30 years, and was created Earl Redesdale 1877, but both titles became extinct at his death a few years ago. 1793.-William Grant. This was another dis- tinguished Welsh Judge, whose appointment shed bonour on the Great Sassiobs of Wales. Born in 1749, the son of James Grant, of Beldorme, N.B., Collector of Customs of the Isle of Man, he was educ. at the Universities of Aberdeen and Leyden, was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn 1774, and practised for some years in Canada, where he was Attorney-GHneral from 1779 to 178—. Being a man of great powers of mind, and one of the most effective speakers of my time" (Lord Colchester's diary), and being possessed with the genius of commousense," he soon came to the front among the English lawyers on his return from Canada, and having entered Parliament for Shaftesbury in 1790, he became known as an eloquent and powerful de- bater on the Ministerial side oi the House, and in July, 1793, was app. a Welsh judge, or second justice of the counties of Car- marthen, Cardigan, and Pembroke. He was the same year made one of His Majesty's Council, and had the honour of being Solicitor-General to the Queen 1795-9. In August, 1798, he was promoted from the Carmarthen Bench to the more important position of Chief Justice of Chester, whi he held till July, 1799, when he was knighted and appointed Solicitor-General, from which office he was promoted in February, 1801, to the elevated and dignified position of Master of the Rolls, and was sworn a member of the Privy Council the following May. Sir William was M.P. Shaftesbury 1790-3 (the poll in 1790 being declared—Charles Buncombe (T.), 224; W. Grant IT.), 224; Hans Wintrop Mortimer (W.), 67; William Bryant, 67, Windsor Jan., 1794 6 (the poll in 1794 being W. Grant, T., 151 Henry Isherwood, T., 140, and Banff- shire, in Scotland, 1796-1812, when he retired from Parliament. While still holding a seat in the House of Commons, he continued to preside in the Rolls Court till December, 1817, when he retired from the bench, and in the profession was known and held in high esteem as a judge of learning, experience, and great ability. Sir Wm. Grant, who bore H.M.'s Commission as Colonel of the Lincoln's Inn Volunteers, and was elected Lord Rector of Aberdeen University, 1809, died unmarried 25th May, 1832. 1798. —Samuel Compton Cox, born 175-1, graduated B.A. Trin. Coll., Camb., 1778, M.A. 1781, was caUed to the bar at Lincoln's Inn about 1783, married at St. George's, Hanover-square, 23rd June, 1787, the dau. of Percival Pott, edited the fifth edition of Peere Williams's Chancery Reports, and was Puisne Justice of Carmarthen, &c., Aug., 1798, to July, 1804, when he was a.-p. a Master in Ordinary of the High Court of Chancery, which position he enjoyed till March, 1831. (To be continued.)

LAVENDER IN TOWN. Lavender may be grown well enough in town air if its simple requirements are attended to. These are a moderately airy border, good soil, and a little root nourishment. Strong roots of the old English variety are to be had at most seasons, and this we vrew for years in a partially-shaded border iactng south. It is also suited to a position in the full sun. The soil should be deep and well dug, and receive a liberal addition of rich old stable manure, that in which vegetable marrows have been grown the previous season being the very thing. With this treatment we have had better lavender in town air than we were able to grow in clay soil in a situation contiguous to miles of open country, where the plants iliad. no growth, and there- fore never bloomed the whole summer. This ex- perience must, we think, prove that good soil rather than pure air is necessary to their well- being. Town air will sometimes blacken and kill the plants in winter, but the roots are very cheap, and a few plants might be put out annually in spring at a trifling cost. It also succeeds well in 6-inch or 8-inch pots, shifting into this latter when well-established in the first-named. The soil recommended should be used, and a little manure water given once a week during active growth. This will increase the siae and number of the blooms. It is thus useful for balconies, and the leaves alone are desirable for cutting and placing in email vases with lowers. In open suburban situations it is quite hardy, and of easy propagation in summer, and is well worth a place both in town and suburban gardens.

SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO. WiLLiE That was an awfully funny story you told pa the other night in the library. I stood outside the door an' almost split myself laugh- ing." The COLONEL You young rascal I you had no right to listen. You didn't repeat that story, did you!" WILLIE YQU'Il JTTBT find oub when vott see ttotbec,"

WELSH GLEANINGS. By Liwydfryn. Three Great Events. Seldom, as Lord Rosebery has finely said, has the mockery that broods over all human things compressed into such a short period of time three events of such magnitude and stirring import as those which were witnessed at the close of last week. The ruler of France was laid low by an assassin's hand an heir in the direct line was born to the oldest and proudest Throne in the world and a disaster which is almost un- paralleled in the industrial history of Great Britain swept away nearly 300 human lives at Pontypridd. Such a triad of events might well arrest the attention of the most careless and the least impressionable but it is in keeping with the characteristics of the Welsh Press that these events have attracted comparatively little atten- tion. This is not so much due to the blindness of the editors as to the conditions under which the work is done. The Welsh papers, as a rule, are published in small offices, often in inaccessible towns. The editors sometimes live a long distance away from the printing office, and have to send in their contributions, like other correspondents, a few days before publication. Most of the papers are published on Tuesday, the articles are, therefore, mostly in type by Saturday night. It is only in the larger offices that the mechanical difficulties can be so overcome as to admit of late news being not only published, but also commented upon. It is, therefore, only in the Baner and the Llan that the three great events of last Saturday week are commented upon. The other papers content themselves with t short report of each, without editorial comment. Carnot. The Baner does not venture an opinion on the future policy of France towards the Anarchists, but the Llan. the Church organ, makes Carnot's assassination the occasion of a sermon on the evils of popular government. It sees nothing but disaster in store for Wales, and, indeed, for every country that is under Liberal Govern- ment. The tone of the article reminds one of the diatribes which were usual a century ago, when the excesses of the Jacobins had alienated even some of the firmest friends of reform. To.day," says the Church organ, "we have almost forgotten the death of Mr Burke and Lord Cavendish (sic), and we see our foremost Btatesmen co-operating with these people." Possibly this may be an allusion to the Newport speech of Lord Salisbury, the compact of Lord Carnarvon, with Parnell and Mr Chamberlain's overtures to the Nationalists of Ireland. The article, whose pessimism well befits a follower of Lord Salisbury, ends up with the following gloomy reflections. "Already, like the French- men and Irishmen, they use their whole strength against the Church, and intend to rob her of all her goods. They are also, like the others, tlgalDst the landowners, and nothing is too bad to say against them, and the question too often is how to get hold of a farm that is in their possession with more or less force. We hope we are mis- taken, but we must confess that Wales appears to us to be on the dowu-grade, and if we don't take care, faster and faster will be her downfall." Tills well illustrates the hopelessness of Welsh Toryism. It has faith in nothing but property, it distrusts every popular movement, and it fails to understand the self-reliance which animates a nation that has been taught by Nonconformity to value the spiritual consciousness of the individual more than a fifth century creed and a sixteenth century rubric. Our Youngest Prinoe. The Baner publishes a kindly article on the birth of a son to the Duke and Duchess of York, while the Llan has the bad taste to monopolise for the Tory and Church party the virtue of loyalty to the Throne, There is no country under the sun so loyal to those set in authority as gallant little Wales, and there is none that dis- likes change more merely for the sake of change. ,The Welsh blood that ran in the veins of the Tudor sovereigns did more to appease and pacify Wales than all the fine and generous legislation of Henry VIII., or the arms and fury of the Norman knights, or the might and force of the Lords Marchers. In the same way Welsh Nonconformists have always shown them- selves loyal to. the Throne, and Welsh bards have loved to sing of Victoria as the second budding." As long as the Throne gives to the nation a great example of a life of stainless purity and of noble purpose, it is in no danger of losing the respect and devotion of Wales. If Wales ever becomes tired of Royalty, it will be when the name of Royalty will become associated, as it was in the days of the Regency, wish evil living and unholy courses. In no quarter of her empire is our gracious Sovereign Lady held in higher esteem and devotion than in her Principality of Wales. United Wales. The Llan is greatly wroth with the Chester conference for trying to unite Wales on a" sec- tarian footing," and for thus ignoring the Church, the one national institution which Wales has." Now there was nothing said or done at the Chester Conference which need preventa patriotic Welsh Churchman from joining the Cymru Fydd movement. "Was it not the custom, asks the Toty organ, "of the old Welsh factions to ally themselves to strangers to overthrow, to rob, and to destroy their country ?" and then it goes on to argue that the Welsh party are doing the same thing to-day. One would have thought that it was the Church- people who were allying themselves with the strangers now that a duke of the House of Grosvenor and a baron of the House of Stanley are the self-elected leaders of the defenders of the only national institution in Wales." Mr Tom Ellis's description of the nature of the contest is far more true and historically correct. The alien institution which was foisted on an unwilling nation in the early Middle Ages,and which forthe last 700 years has allied itself to Norman baron and Marcher lord and anti-national Welshman, is reverting to her old policy of defending herself against the nation whom she is supposed to minister to by the aid of Saxon gold and bought eloquence. Recognition of Welsh. The storm which was threatened if an English- man was appointed "Master of Method at Bangor University College has burst out in fury now that Mr Green has been unanimously elected by the governing body. The dissatisfaction is not confined to one seetion of the Press, but the Genedl, the Baner, the Celt, and the Oymro unite in condemning the appointment, and the whole policy of the college. The Baner promises to recur to the matter again next week. A writer in the Cymro says: "Not by ignoring and de- grading the dearest and warmest affections of Welshmen has Aberystwyth College attained to the honourable position it holds in the opinion of the country as an educational and national insti- tution, or is Cardiff fast climbing to under the presidency of the genial and warm-hearted Welsh. man Principal Jones."—The Qenedl also com- mends the Anglesey County Council for resolving that the new chief constable should be a Welsh- speaking Welshman who has served in the ranks. Miscellaneous. All the Welsh papers refer in entbusiastio terms to the Leeds Conference relating to the House of Lords The general impression is that though the resolution which was carried at the confer- ence did not go far enough in the enunciation of the Liberal principle, yet it went far enough to satisfy present requirements. The general opinion seems to be that a Second Chamber which possesses a hereditary c arac ~r o way degree .Van anomaly; but for the time being the Welsh papers are contentwiththe airtejugof the LordsHwwer to veto the legislation passed by ine i^oras po a i „f the papers also refer the ^ion of the Church in scathing terms puke of Westminster to people in going to the ^uJe_xhe T st declares defend the Church in Wal«a itself to be very 8at'^ rejoices to find Conference.-The students that among the most ««cc students for at Cardiff University. College are student" for the Nonconformist whjch is being d^ne also refers to the great worK ■M;atT;r.r.„r„ by the Welsh Methodists Home M'amu>nary Society.—The Liverpool corr^pondentof the Baner suggests that branch societies of the Cymru Fydd League should be organ»ed'n «very district in Liverpool.-The IMn Church has done more for than any other denomination, an V i find th'at the bishops have mar and impede the work of tion in Denbigh, Flint, and Merioneth by eilectiug tbe rejection of the schemes At the Jbaada of the House of Lord*.

THE ROYAL AGRICUL- TURAL SHOW. SPECIAL ARTICLE FOR FARMERS STOCK. By Professor James Long. British stock at the Royal Show is always good to the eye of the regular attendant, and varies little in quality from year to year. Indeed the prize-takers of one year often appear again as prize-takers, while others fail to fulfil their promise and are consigned to the breeding pen or to the shambles. It is not a little curious that so many foreigners should attend-the Royal, but it is doubtless because we can show them the best stock, as well as the best made, if not always the most ingenious, implements in the world. Visitors in considerable numbers are invariably present from France, Germany, Belgium, Hol- land, and the Scandinavian countries. The awards of the Royal are made by a large stock of judges, men of reputation and capacity, It might be supposed that the supply of such meu is large, but this is evidently not the case, tor we often recognise the names and faces of judges who have appeared before. At the pro- vincial shows this is common enough, but most men are ambitious to appear at the Royal. Rings are pitched at various centres con- tiguous to the respective breeds of stock, and in these are fixed stands to indi- cate the numbers of the winning animals, gaily decked with the corresponding rosettes, while upon each side of the ring are large cards upon which the winuiug num- bers are written. Each ring is managed by a steward, who has with him an attendant, who carries the rosettes which are handed to the herdsmen when the awards are made. Nine o'clock on Mouday has arrived, and the short- horn ring is filled by the older bulls about to fight for the championship of the class. The judges are in their places, and the big team is walked round. One by one the best animals are selected and ordered to the ceotre of 'the ring, where they stand side by side ready for closer inspection. The rejected animals are sent lower down, and then the critical examination begins-touch as I denoted by a thin, soft, mellow skin and coat, form, quality—all are run over by the judges, and a further selection is made until the picked beasts have been reduced to three. Then comes the tussle. One judge piobably prefers a roan, the other a red and unless there is great willingness to concede on one side or the other, a third man is called in, who, often less skilled, decides the verdict, and the rosettes are handed to the various herdsmen. The shorthorn as it appears at the Royal is a noble beast, the best of its kind, well prepared for a great event. Large, of beautiful colour, red, white, or roan, or red and white—it has a thin, soft hide, silky hair, a small head, and gentle countenance, short horns, often of fine shape and rare formation. The judges look for much meat of the best quality on the best parts of the carcase, but they do not ignore the fore- quarters by any means. To be healthy, and con- sequently thrifty, an animal must have plenty of room in front to give the vital orgaus free piav, hence the necessity of the typical beef animal being built on parallel lines. Her Majesty is almost invariably an exhibitor at the Royal and in the shorthorn classes, she has probably taken more leading prizes than anyone living. This year the best old bull was an old friend—Mr William Graham's (Penrith) Fairy King, a typical shorthorn, which has twice previously won at the same show. He was bred by the Duke of Northumberland, and is a roan of the fashionable colour—thick, deep, broad 10 every point, mellow in quality. The leading winner at the Royal, and an exhibitor who is hard to beat wherever he goes is Mr Dean Willis, whose Count Lavwnder was placed second, just before her Majesty's Fairfax. Success in the prize ring runs in grooves—a few years ago Mr Thompson, of Penrith, was at top; at another time Mr Handley, a deserving working farmer who bred and fed bis own, and, in a humble manner, made it hot for the wealthy exhibitor. We have had the advantage of inspecting the Queen's herd and the herds of Mr Thompson, Mr Graham, and Mr Handley, and these are among the cream of the shorthorn herds of the country. Herefords were, as usual, excellent and numer- ons. The Hereford is quite ns massive as the shorthorn, and his quality and feeding capacity are quite equal. The Hereford Is not a dairy cow, m many cases it cannot rear its own calf, whereas the shorthorn race include3 families whioh are among the first milkers in the world, although others are anything but milkers, and in this par- ticular do not excel the Hereford. The West Country beast is bulkier in appearance than any other race; but its gay colour, red and white, the white predominating in the front, gives it a hand- some appearance. The head is massive. but well set on. the hide soft, the ribs, flanks, brisket, and quarters wonderfully flvshed, and the breed is therefore one of the most potent for crossing pur- poses. There are plenty of breeders of Herefords, but the prize-takers on a large and Royal scale may almost be counted on the fingers of both hands. At Cambridge the wmners for bulls were Messrs Allen Hughes, of Leominster, 1. H. Ark- wright and E. Yeld, of the same place; Mr Tudge, a good old H refard cattle name, vide Sinclair's work; and the Earl of Oov ntry. The noble earl, however, is the greatest winner we have with Hereford cows, with whioh he again scores. For heifers, Miss K Green, of Kington, and Mr A. P. Turner, of Rewbridge, were the fortunate ones. Devons are a handsome race of cattle which aiways have their admirers. They are smaller thiwi the preceding breeds, but equally compact and full in form. Devons are red, with full, delicate skins, small heads, neat characteristic horns, splendid 10m,. and quarters, but those of the show augur not milkers of a high order, although there is a dairy section of tht< race which IS much appreciated in the west. At Smithfield the herdsmen curl the longer coats of the winter cattle to give them a more attractive appearance, although a natural curl is practically unknown. At the Royal these same beasts have the smoothest coats in the world. For a generation the Devon prises have been taken by a few breeders some, alas have passed awav, but the fact still remains. To some extent the same thing occurs in every herd. There are many who try for honours, but few who succeed. Among the few in the Devon breed are Sir Win. Williams, Mr Alfred Skinner, and Mr Stanley, M.P., who, however, is this year a poor thIrd. The Barnstaple baronet scores with the two older bulls and a two-year-old beifer, while Mr Skinner, who deserve* credit for his good work, wins with a bull of J895 and two heifers. We noticed that in this, as in other sections of the beef breeds of cattle, almost every cow is superlatively fat. In the past there have been big discussions on this point, but no conclu- sion for oi against fatness in the case of breeding cattle has been arrived at. It is, however, clear that whatever the opinion of the public, breeders will continue to show excessively fat beasts so long as the condition obtained gives them an appearance of attractiveness in the eyes of the judges. Ou the other hand, if a courageous judge were to disqualify animals placed before him, he would, in all probability, have no further invitation to enter the ring, so averse are societies to appoint a sensational man. Sussex cattle are little known outside Sussex and Kent. They are excellent draught cattle, they produce good beef in large quantities, but much as they have been improved they are still in the second rank, and lacking in fineness of quality and general symmetry. They are taller than the Devons, and neither so massive as the shorthorn nor the Hereford. They carry, in a word, too little flesh of the best quality in propor- tion to their carcases. Time, however, will do a great deal. The visitor to Sussex can even now find plenty of teams upon the Down farms drawing the plough, but at a snail's pace by comparison with the modern farm-horse. I" the Sussex olasses, the bull prizes went to Mr F. Warde, of Mailing, Kent, Lord Winterton, Mr Joseph Godman, of Godalming, and Mr Louis Huth, of Maldou. For cows and heifers, Mr Joster, of Maidstone, Mr Huth, Mr Warde, »»d Mr Lucas, of Horsham, were successful. Welsh cattle are like the Sussex, but larger, and still wanting perfection in form and quality. They are striking beasts, oftentimes turning out good milkers and growing to great size. In days gone by, even more than now, just as Sussex men turned out their four-year-old oxen to finish off, so Welshmen sent their knots of similar age to be completed for the butcher. At the winter show, Welsh cattle of great sise and weight are shown, but in the summer we see fewer of them, and their condition is not so perfect. The hmited classes and small entries doubtless accounted for, in some instates, minority in the exhibits. For bulls, Mr W. E. Oakley and Major Sandbach were successful, and for cows and heifers, Mr Oakley and Mr Greaves, of Tan-y-Bwlcb, and Tremadoo. The red polled classes are always a treat to se." and at Cambridge they were easily ahead of the last section. We have no more characteristic breed* wbiob it oae that baa been much improved f by time *nd a dozen admirers. In Suffolk the red poll is a milk. r. in Norfolk she is chiefly bred for beef. although there are plenty of grand milking cattle in this county also, and be it remembered the home of the variety ia in East Anglia. Eastern county men believe in their own stock, red cattle—" blood reds "they call them—chest- nut punches, black-faced sheep, and blaok pigs, all peculiar to the county and all pure and good but the red poll is the best of all. The colour of the red poll is deep rich chestnut, there are horns, with a fine coat and skin of great delicacy. In form the breed is generally excellent, the meat being plentiful on the best parts, especially on the round loins and ribs. The red poll men have the advantage of the assistance of the Duke of York, who, aa a recruit, exhibited in almost every class although not with great success. but his Royal Highness has to reckon with two or three breeders who it is extremely difficult, if not (sometimes im- possible, to beat. Mr J. J. Colman, M.P., is the most successful exhibitor of the vwrietyt and at Cambridge he maintained his old position, winning the prize with a bull of 1891, together with the blue riband or championship, tirsfc tor a cow, and the first in each of the. three heifer classes, a record which is not often seen. The Hon. Ailwyn Fellowes, M.P., won with a young bull, and Mr Brown, of Masham, Hull, with a calf of 1893. Among the best supporters of the variety are Lord Amherst, of Hackney, and Lord Hastings, both ot whom are usually prize takers. The Duke of York, who could not attend the Royal Show, where, at the public meeting, kind allusion was made, in his father's presence, to the event of the week, won a third prize with a two. year-old heifer, and obtained the reserve card for a three-year-old. The Black Polled or Aberdeen Angus cattle may fairly claim to be the leading Scotch breed, and one of the very best beef-producing varieties in the known world. These animals, Mack in coat and hornless, are essentially mullunn in parvo —the best specimens bemg almost faultier in the lines and points of symmetry They carry less waste than almost any other breed and have of late years repeatedly,taken the champion prizes at the winter fat cattle shows. These animals are not large, but they are niasnve splendidly fleshed throughout, and of very mellow quality. Crossed with fehe shorthorn they produce some of the most economical cattle wn have, and their prepotent character is adapted to the im- provement of almost every variety upon which they are crossed. The oxhibitors at the winter shows do not largely exhibit at the Royal, and vice the prizes, therefore, go to a different lot of people. At Cambridge the blood or Sir G. Macpberson-Grant; came to; tile fore—although the anima-ls were shown by other people. For bulls for example, Mr Crisp won with Gi]d„f()V; on8'0f the Scotch baronet's breedings, while for nows her Majesty won with an animal from the same hw'd- Galloways were few and good' This Scotch breed is very similar to the Angus being polled and black, but it is of a hardier nature and better adapted to the mountains of Galloway. Here Mr L. Pi I king ton was the chief winner. The Ayrshire classes were still smaller, the popular Scotch dairy cow not receiving very liberal treatment, although she ia one of the best rent payers we have. The Jersey classes were as usual very large and superbtlvely good. We believ- however, that the judges pay less regard to nnikt" an tially milking breed than to fancy points Space forbids us referring at length to this famous collection. The chief prizes wen# to Mr Gilbert Greenall and tord Rothschild both of whom show cattle which could scarcely be surpassed in quality. In the Kerry classes Lord de Vesci. Lord Lausdowne, and Mr J. Cadeane, and in the Dexter classes Mr J. Robertson and the Prmce ot Wales were the chief winners These little cows, purchasable for a few pounds in Ireland, are mucf) tmproved on reaching this country and in feeding on good pastures, and thev are essen- tially the poor man s cow. In the sheep classes, far too n.jaierous to mention in detail, for there are nearly sixty at the Royal Show, the Lincoins, Cotswolds, Leicefcieis, Oxford?, and Hampshire's turned out the biggest specimen?, the South Downs and Shropshire^ the handsomer, ai,d the Mountain, Cheviot, Lonk. and Herdw ck classes most characteristic. For general ufciitfc the Oxford and Hampshire Downs, and perhaps we mav add the Border Leicester*, arcs the favourites--large, shaprly, fine in quality as they are, and not excessively fat. They are a sight of themselves, and we are s*wi-h«d that a sh^Jenfc of might expend a whole week on a Roval showyard with great advantage to himself.

Gardening Notes. Flower Garden. It will soon be time to bud standard briers, especially those which missed last year. It will be better to ieave three, or even four, ahoots on the strong briers, to scatter the growing force, as it is more difficult to get the buds to take on the briers which are making rampant growth. This is why the briers planted early last autumn and which have made moderate growth only, gener- ally take the best. 1 think every amateur should learn to bun roses. It is necessary t0 propagate roses at home, for the sake of the fine blooms on the maiden plants, which could not be obtained in any other way. Everybody knowt. that maiden plants are those which have made one season's growth from the bud and the blossoms on the first shoots made are usually very fine and bright in colour. The only difficulty about budding roses or fruit trees is in the selection of the time, so as to have the sap in full fluw and the bark in good working order. It is \I) attempt to bud hide-bound shoots, but: a good watering, if rain does not come, will liberate the sap and set it running freely, and thus will loosen the bark and enable the budder to get his work done with a fair prospect of success. In budding standards, place the bud as low down the shoots as possible. Get some gaidening friend to explain how the operation is done. One practical lesson is better than all one can say in writing. But, to put it tersely, budding is per- formed as follows Rub off the thorns from the lowerpartnf the shoot to be budded, and if these will not come off easily delay the budding till they will. Make a cut fimt through the bark, one and a half to two inches long, make a traverse cut half an inch above the termination of the long Cui up the branch, and, with the handle of the buddiug knife, raise the bark and slide the shield of the bud beneath, push it home and tie it in witoh i-iiffin. The shield of the bud need not be large from half to three-quarters of an inch will be ample- and the bud should occupy a central position. In taking out the wood be careful not to tear out the eye or centre of the bud. This does not often happeri when the bark ia in good working condition. Pink cuttings, or pipings, will root now under a uandlight in a shady position. Thin annuals. Some things will transplant; godetias, for instance, will suc. ceed, but, as a rule, annuals flower best where sown. Fruit Garden. In some gardens there are still a good many msects on plums, and currants in some placeø are quite leafless from the attacks of flies. This is owing to neglect in applying the proper remedies when the flies are firel; seen. As goon as a curled leaf is noticed the trees and bushes should be thoroughly washed with an insecticide. If taken in time, soapsuds will answer very well. There are very heavy crops of pearsandplums generally and wise people will go to work with pair of scissors and reduce the numbers very consider- ably, especially young trees which have not acquired the habit of casting off some of the crop. Old trees, when heavily laden, frequently cast off a parllof their load when the pinch comes. Peaches on walls should be thinned to 6 inches apart if good-sized peaches are desired. Apricots are often left much too thick and the trees crippled in consequence; but let me uige all. who wish to have healthy trees, and yet cannot find sUffiCIent resolution to pull any of the fruit off. to at least help the trees with liquid manure, as a mulch over the roots. The mould may be raked off to let in the sunshine after the crop is gathered. When the mulch is left on through the autumn it enoout-ages the trees tJ make late growth and thus interferes with the proper ripening of the wood. There are plenty of good strawberry runners now, and no tune should be lost in layering sufficient both for forcing in pots, and also for planting near beds. Do not leave any blind plants in the beds, then the runners cannot be taken from them. Greenhouse, Marechal Niel and other climbing roses which have been cut back after flowering must be encouraged to make growth, so as to get the wood ripened in good time. This is necessary to secure good blooms. Syringe the roses to keep off insects, and a httla liquid manure wiU be beneficial now to strengthen the general condition of the plants. The Mareclial is a very beautiful rose, but its constitution is not strong. If we could raise a GIoi de Dijon with the flowers of the Marechai we should gain a good deal. Tuberous begonias, fuchaias, hydraft. geas, and most plants in flower or leadtng up to that condition, may have weak liquid taanure. Cold Frames. Work all the winter-blooming stuff, such as cinerarias, primulas, and cyclamens into oold frames now, and shade in the middle of the day. Keep fairly close till the plants have made some progress, then gradually mcrease the ventilation till air may be left va mftbt and ^^QoUagt Gardening. <

PROGRESSIVE WOMEN m I.—Mrs Eva McLaren anj the British Women's Temperance Association. For God and Home aud Evary Land is the motto of the British Women's Temperance Association, and Mrs Eva McLaren, the vice- president. is a very typical representative of the group of leading women who work for this ideal. She is one of the earnest-sanded women of the present day, marking a new generation, who work with pen and voice for the improvement of women's social position, and tbe uplifting of the •ox generally. A better representative of the new movement among women could not be found than Mrs Eva McLaren. the gifted wi e of Mr Walter McLaren, M. P. She is not cramped and warped in her sympathies like some of tbe older workers in the field of temperance, who were people of one idea, and whose lives and thought were bound np in a small circle. Mrs McLaren at once increases her power for usefulness by regarding the temperance question from a lofty standpoint, from which a wide outlook can be taken. But this is charac- teristic, now, of the leaders of the British Women's Temperance Association, with its extended programme. Mrs McLaren recognises that the temperance question cannot be deait with by itself, and she regards the work of pre- vention as of far more importance than that of attempted curing. She believes in getting at the root of the matter and seeing what the conditions are which make people intemperate. But more of this anon. The gifted wife of the member for Crewe has bad an excellent training for the social and temperance work which she has undertaken. When quite a girl, barely beyond the stage of the schoolgirl, she came under the influence of that noble woman, in whom Ruskin placed so much confidence, Miss Ocitavia Hill, and for severa yuars she worked under Miss Hill's direction in I the homes of the poor. Then followed a period of trainiug in sick-nursmg at the Brownlow Hill Workhouse Infirmary, Liverpon). We next find her as a poor-law guardian in Lambeth, and in this capacity she has had exparieuce in Bradford as well as in the Metropolis. What better train- ing and experieDC? could a social reformer have than this? Yet this is not all the experience chat M)8 Eva McLaren has bad. She is essen- tially a woman of comprehensive mind and broad sympathies, and she subsequently worked as ener- getically and as cheerfully with Mrs Josephine Butler against the C.D. Acts as she had laboured previously under Miss Hill in the homes of the poor. Her marriage with Mr Walter McLaren olllyextended rather than crippled her opportunities and powers of usefulness, for they are thoroughly united in heart and aim, and the lalxiurs of the wife are ccutplieDientary to tho3a of the husband, for they both labour in the same vineyard. Mis McLaren has spent her whole life in what might be oalled a healthy atmosphere of reform. As a girl ahe was bruught under the influence of Miss Octavia Hill, as already pointed out her mother, Mis Mutler, directed hel. thoughts to refortn her sister, Miss Henrietta Mulier, was for some years a member of the London School Board, and founded the Woman's Herald. She married a social reformer; by murrmge the is the niece of Mrs Margaret Brifht Lucas, the founder of the British Woamu's Temperance Association, and since her marriage she has be- come a poor law guardian, and the vice-president of tbe British Women's Temperanco Association. She is aim on the executive com- mittee of the Women's Suffrage Society, and treasurer of the Women'* Liberal Federation. She is a bU!4Y and a steaiom worker in a number of different fields, but aU her work has one objec. in view, and that is the uplifting of women and th" advancement of social reforms generally. So long M tbe Women's Temperance Associa- tion is guided by llooh mindti as that of the vice- president, there is not much fear of its .going wrong, or of its usefulness being crippled by unwMw action. Mrs Eva McLaren: has-been well educated ID a liberal school, and bl,r outlook, in consequence, is broad and sympathetic. She is quick to seize on tendencies and reason out for heraelf » line of conduct by examining effects, and going back to their causes. The old form of ranting against evils which are not understood has gone. for ever, and Mrs McLaren represents the new and better school of enlightened reformers, educated in the school of experience and by personal contact with the con- ditions which they seek to improve. A member of the Society of Friends, she knows what sacrifice of self for others mean?, and is con. stoutly quoting Bosanquet, "that it it through such p'Xiple as ourselves that the mind of posterity is chiefly determined. That we who are now living are the channels through which alone tbe inheritance ol humanity can descend to the b..irs of aU the ages." Mrs McLaren is very hopeful of the results of the extended platform of the British Temperance Women, because she believes that uany who are more concerned with other phases of reform will now join the B.W.T.A. on account of the wider interests of the society. She hopes that it will be the rallying point of all women who are interested in the sooial question, whatever their particular work may b-f, or in which partiaular direction their sympathies lie. She and her co-workers aro temperance reformers, but they are something more, as they consider that the temperance plat- form ought to be wide enough to bold all workers for social reform; This seems to be indicated pretty plainly in the motto of the association, "For Gud and home and every land," and wo believe that Atra McLaren and her friends are right, for instead of each woman, or group of women, gi ving their aid to one phase of philan- thropic endeavour, and keeping aloof lrom all other societies and reform movements, earnest women will be able to band themselves into one broad, sympathetic Union, whiph will be more powerful not merely because of increased numbers, but mainly on account of the enlarged and multiplicity of interests which it represents. Inttompttrance is only an effect of many and various caui-es, and to go on attempting to cure tbe ill effects without going to the root cause of the evil is sheer folly. Mre McLaren's past ex. perience and work prevent her falling into this error. She endeavours to cure alldalso to prevent intemperance, and, therefore, sets great value upon providing good physical conditions for the people. She sees that right living can only be promoted by pure air, light, wholesome tood, and recreation, and works accordingly to re- form any and all bad conditions under which the people hve. If all temperance reformers were a8 enlightened as Mrs Eva McLaren, the progress towards temperance would be greatly accelerated. Closing a gin palace in a slum district is all very we!), but it marks no progress towards temperance so long as tbe craving and the depraved instincts of th" people living there remain. The low gin palace is the eruptive sore, as it were, of the diseased lib of the dwellers in the slum, and so long as the slum remains there will, be sooial trouble, de- pravity, and disease, with the consequent intem- peranoe. And if those people cannot get the drink at the licensed gin palace, they will find other means of getting what they crave for. Vice and poverty and low colldaions of life produce intemperance, and these act and react upon each other. But it has also to be admitted that intemperance exists amongst the well-to-do and in houres that are healthy and beautiful, and where poverty and want is a complete stranger. Mrs McLaren thinks that austom is 110 blame for this, and she points out that in the past it was a fashionable thing for gentlemen to drink beavity, but now social usage and custom have changed, and a man who drinks to excess loses caste and influence. She will quote to you a passage from Samuel Laingas giving herviewa on this point. The identification of moral-and physical evil is fast becoming a leading feature in civilisation. Our most earnest, philanthropists and unselfish workers in the fields of sin and misery in crowded cities are ooming mor* and more every day to the conviction that an improvement in the physical conditions of life is the first indispensable con- dition of moral and religious progress. More air, more light, better lodging, better food, more innocent and healthy recreation are what are wanted to make any real impression on the masses who have either been born and bred in an evil environment, or have fallen out of the ranks, and are the waifs and stragglers left behind in the rapid progress of intense competition of madera Mrs McLaren thoroughly recognises the need for Joyousness and reoreatioo which **i»K NBWMI the "Ii," oeoole. and ahe would wean the people of their vices by giving them recreative opportunities, more People's Palaces, parks, and open spaces, better dwellings. It is unnatural and wrong," sha says, that any of God's creatures should be without happiness: yet how many pass their lives without knowing what happiness is Though Mra McLaren has said some sharp things about men, we learn from herself that she has no an- tagonism to men, and no doubt Mr Walter McLaren has changed her opinion somewhat on that question. A clever speaker, wibh a calm and well-balanced mind, broad sympathies, and in. domitable courage and perseverance, Mrs Eva McLaren is an ideal vice-president of the British Women's Temperance Association. NEXT WKtK MRS HUMPHREY WARD, NOVELIST AND SOCIAL RKFOBMKK.

Andrew Fletcher, ot Saltoun, m a letter to ths Marquis of Montrose* wrete :—" I know a very wise man that believed that if a man were permitted te naajce all the ballads he need not care who should make the laws of the nation."

HEROES OF THE PAST. Now Jet grateful praises ring To the heroes of the past; With our heart and voioe we sing, As the visions gather fast Of the men who thought and wrought, And the women who. 'mid strife, Hope and inspiration brought To the work of daily life. They are gone; their names unknown No fair marble shrines display But the seed that they have sown Be-irs the harvest of to-day. Evr rising from the grave. Fruits of long forgotten deeds Of the loving and the brave Minister unto our needs. Let us then our lives employ In the worki of righteousness. Wt may no rewards onjoy, No fair words our work may I Tho' tue world may crucify. And our hopes he cmsh'd and slain, Howsoever deep they lie, Our good deeds will rise again. F. W. BOCKETT.

LIFE'S MYSTERIES. There '1'e things we cannot know. In life's silent mystery, Why the tears of sorrow now, Why the heart's long agouy, Why so oft the noblest lives, Strong to help the great world's needs. Are removed aye yet the seeds Ot their life-work can ex; and While the meauer soul survives, Aud the cum'brer lives and thrives Ah 'tis hard to comprehend There is here some higher end And we cannot now descry, Whence the wherefore and the why. Weare everywhere beset With thick darkness meanwhile. Breaking in upon the scene. There will be revealed at length, Wisdom lyiug dose between All our seeming loss and paiu, Till, until our added strength, All that's dark shall be made plain, When the light behind the screen Shall no longer shine in vain. BKRNARI) GRORGK HOARK.

The Household. The Way to Sit. When our grandmothers were girls, and straight-backed chairs instead of cushioned divans were the usual resting-places, the young women held themselves with a straightnesa that was almost stiffness. Then when they grew old they still held themselves hke duchesses. For it is the way one sits rather than the exercise one takes that determines the erectness of the figure. A prominent physioian says that the proper sitting position requires that the spine shall be kept straight, and that the support needed for the upper part shall be felt in the right place. Therelore, it is necessary to flit as far back in the chair as possible, so that the lower end of the spine shall be braced against the back of the seat. If this back is straight the shoulders will &1"" ) fat against it; but even if the shoulders found no point of support, it will be found that they do not need it when the base of the spine is supported properly. This position makes no strain upon the ligaments of the spine. Every organ of the body is properly 6xed by this attitude. The feet should rest squarely on the fl.xir the hands should rest lightly upon the lap, and thus perfect equilibrium aud rest are secured. The arms should never be crossed, for that position causes a strain upon the spine, places i great weight upon the stomach and diaphragm, and thus increases the labour of digestion and respira- tion. Once in a while it is a good thing to place the arms behind the back, giving, as it does, the fullest expansion to the upper part of the body. Meat in Summer. Considering the excessive meat-eating habit of our people, diarri>OE.a will doubtless be, as usnal, prevalent during the present summer. Meat spoils very quickly in hot weather, and poisons are then developed in it which cause vonrttng and pmging. Those who cannot afford to keep an ice-chest well filled should buy fresh meats only in small quantities, to be eaten at once. A more economical and safer plan is to forego meat to a great extent during the hot weather, and depend more upon fruits and vegetables. Sunstroke and Drink. The late Surgeon Parke, who nocompanied Stanley in his "Darkest Africa" explorations, noted tbe extraordinary immunity of their party from sunstroke, and he ascribed it partially to the carriers having their head-, covered by the loads they carried, but also to their absence from alcoholic liquors, and he makes the striking state- ment :—" As a matter of fact, I have seen more cases of sunstroke in one day at Aldershot than I have ever met with in the whole ooume of my seven years' African experience, including the Egyptian war of 1882 and the Nile campaign of 1884 5, although in the latter I went as far south as Meiammeh, within sixty miles or so of Khar- toum. Drink is certainly the most powerful pre- disposing cause of the development of the symp- toms of sunstroke." Hints- TOMATO SALAD.—Twelve smooth-skinned, round tomatoes, cut in slices, two eggs hard. boiled (rub the yolks to a smooth jiaste, cut the white into strips), one small onion finely chopped, a raw egg well beaten, two tablespoonfuls of olive oil, one tablespounful of vinegar, one tablespoon- ful of mustard, half a teaspoonful of pepper, same of salt. Lay the to-ratoes in a bowl or glass di»h, the onion and whites of the t'gg over them also a few bits of ice mix the pounded volks and AI'V e £ B' lnustard seasoning together first, add the oil by degrees, the vinegar last of all. Pour over the salad, and set on the ice for a few minutes before bringing to table. This is delicious with cold botM satmon, boiled poultry, or with meat. Fresh crisp celery cut into inch lengths may be dressed in the same way, but should be eaten at once, as the dressing is apt to destroy the crMipnflSSo J DRKNSKD PorAT01fS,-Time to roast, one hour. Some of the largest potatoes, one tablespoonful of cheese, pepper and salt., a little flour, 2oa. of fresh putter, lake some of the largest potatoes, roast them well, out off the tops, and scoop out the inside completely. Rub this quite fine through a sieve, and add a tablespoonful of grated cheese, pepper and salt. M'>lt the butter in a stew pan, put in the potato flour, and make it hot, fillthe sltins of the potatoes with it, put them into the oven, and serve them up quite hot. RHUBARB CAKE PODDING.—Peel six stalks of rnuuarb, cut it in inch lengths, put it in a basin with the juice and grated rind of a lemon, two eapea tablespoonfuls of sugar, a large breakfast- cupful of bread-crumbs, a little suet, two table- spoonfuls of flour, and one whole egg. Mix this well together, butter a pudding-basin, put in the over the basin, boil one hour ana a half; turn it out of the basin on n hot dish, and serve with a little cream or custard poured Qver. LITTLE CUP PUDDINGS.—Make as much bread. crumb as will til 1 a break<ast-cup to overflowing, pour over thesv, in a large basin, half-a-pint of quite boiling milk, with a heaped tablespoonful of moist sugar, the grated rind of a lemon, and a quarter of a nutmeg, grated. Cover the basin, and let the bread soak for quite 10 minutes. Break in two whole eggs and a teaspoonful of flour. Mix all thoroughly together, butter some cups, and half fill each one with the mixture; put a piece of butter the size of a filbert on top of each little pudding; bake in a quick oven from <20 minutes to half-an-hour, turn them out on a hot dish; serve with a little melted red currant lelly or jam poured round then.

SYMPATHETIC. DRNNJø (to Mike, who has "tllen from the I fourth floor): "Hev yez landed yet, Moike f Mws (faintly) Yis." Den job Tb' saints be pr.^afid t"

I GOSSIPS' CORNLR. A Gatling gun fires 5,000 shots in a minute. Lunacy has inoreased in Ireland to a serious extent. Twice as many women as men are aflicfcetf with neuralgia. The notes of the Bank of England cost exactly one halfpenny each. Nearly all the worst assassins of recent yearo have been very young men. The Italian peasant is taxed fully 50 per cent, of his labour and products. The Queen became a grandmother at 40, and the Princess of Wales at 45, It is stated that the Channel Tunnel coat borings are to be suspended. Austria spends every year 15,000,000 florins OK the army. Twelve florins equal dBI. Fruit cannot stand freezing, because it rupturei the cells of the fruit and decay takes place. Strange as it may seem, the sea is actually at warm at the end ot October as it is in the middlt of June. In America just now all the smartest women affect to be studious it is the latest fashionable craze. Over a shop-front in Jersey City, U.S.A.. there used to be the announcement, Tompkins and Father." A watch is said to tick 157.680,000 times is a year, and the wheels travel 3,558% miles pet annum. The Archduke of Austria is 31 years of age, and by far the oldest unmatried heir of a great Throne. An anonymous donor has given 56,000 marl* for the erection of a statue of Robert Schumann at Leipsic. With the exception of Max O'Rell's last book, every one of his works was rendered into English by his wife. Bathing is more dangerous on the warm dayr of early summer than on chilly days in the latf autumn. A well-dressed window should not be without a mirror of some kind, so that the passers-by may be induced to look in. Dr. Turnbull advises that the ears, especially if they are at all tender or diseased, should always be protected in bathing. A new notion is to address and stamp envetopet on the back, so that any tampering with the con. tents may be easily detected. Dew has a preference for some colours. While a yellow board attracts dew, a red or blaok on( beside it will be perfectly dry. Miss Lillian Russell has had an offer from Mr D'Uyly Carte of a London engagement for thirty weeks next season at 1:200 a week. Upon the arri val of one of the Midland expresses at Kettering a day or two ago, a cat was dis- covered sitting on the axle of a carriage. The Cesarevitch is really in love with his futurs bride, who is not only beautiful but accomplished and clever. So says the National Observer. The largest oil-painting in the world is said to be one by Tintoretto, entitled "Paradise." It is 33% feet in height, and 84 feet in width. The Duchess of Teok is the only living member of the Royal Family who attained the dignity ot a grandmother on the wrong side of three score. It is stated that there are now in the United States more than 300 mining companies making use of electricity in their operations for light and power. Fishermen who haunt Welsh rivers would do well to see that the partridge orange is included in their stock of flies. As an angler would say, it is a sweetly deadly fly. The latest fashionable freak among women who are blessed with pretty hands is to wear an immense ring, like a Roman Catholic bishop's, OB the first fingers of the right hand. A Country Parson writes to the Standard to say that after 30 years' experience he believw a heavy tax upon adulterated bear would be a blessing that would prove simply incalculable. Ellen Terry, writing through her secretary to a representative of the South Wales Daily Newt, says that Oliver Wendell Holmes ia a personai friend of hers, and she adores hiin." A London contemporary observes that it it a fact very little remarked upon that one meett very few healthy-looking cyclists—either men ot women. They are mostly pallid and tired. looking, A prisoner in a Scottish gaol once greeted a new chaplain thus: I heard the last twa kirke ye were in ye preached them baith empty, but ye i no' find it sic' an easy matter ta. dlle the same wi' thisane." The latest industry which has been imported iiito Japan is that of watch-making, if report speaks truly, not only w 11 the native wants bt met, but watches will figure among the exports 01 this rapidly-developing country. Madame barah Bernhardt has brought ove, with her a little page named Abdul, who was sent to her by the Sultan of Turkey as a Christ. mas present. He is a lively little fellow of dusky complexion, and wears Oriental costume. A mixture ot coffee and chocolate is one of the odd drinks that are occasionally ordered at hotelf in Boston, U.S. The combination is supposed to preserve the virtues of both ingredients, and to be less injurious to persons of nervous temperament than coffee alone. freckles may be cured by using a couple of drachms of sal ammoniac with an ounce of Ger. man cologne; the solution mixed with a pint Of distilled water. Applied two or three times a dR, this liquid is said to remove the wort-t cases. Dr. Von Blarcoui, a distinguished physician of Berlin, expresses the opinion, after careful investigation, that con.-e long boiled produces more indigestion than any other substance taken into the human stomach, and that a simplf infusion facilitates digestion. Lady Margaret Stuart, daughter of the Marquit of Bute, who made her d^hUt in London societ] this season, attended the Royal Caledonian Society s ball at the Hotel Metropole, and danced in Lady Maxwell's quadrille party. A feature ot the evening was an eightsome reel arranged bj Viscountess Emlyn, daughter-in-law of the ]&,til, of Cawdor. The dancers in both were composed almost exclusively of the younger members 01 Scottish families of high degree. C. B writes On reading the aocount ol Louise Michel's exultation over the assassination of M. Carnot, it immediately occurred to me that a few p.imphlets inciting to the destruotiou 01 Mme. Michel might not be out of place at this juncture. J t seems that I can do so with absolute impunity. The misguided wretch—provided ont appeared who took my incitement to heart, and butchered that inestimable lady, would, donbt. less, pay forfeit with his life, just as Santo will í but I should go on my way unchallenged, able to 'sit pseans in Mme. Michel's key, and rejoicing to ,.ild myself so apt a pupil."

A SATURDAY SERMON. Nature, in all her moods, is the priestess ot the most high. She ever ministers in that templt whose walls are the blue, unbounded ether, and whose ever-burning lamps are the eternal stars I there through the vale of her eloquent beauty she admits the soul of man to look into that holy of holies of which the shrine is immensity. Her incense, ever ascending before the throne of the Invisible, is wrung from the fragrance of the thousand fores s her hymn of praise* which ceaeeth not day or night it is chanted by the groat voice of all in. animate creation now in the music of that deep rolling thunder, which sounds as though it were a Hi.rge sung in the heavens over some perishing world whose race is run now in the monotonous roaring of the ocean billows now in the sweet, wild melody of the unearthly winds. Her altaI steps are the lofty mountains, whence she offers up the spiritual sacrifice of man's instinotive adoration, Her admonitions are written in the various changes of her outward aspect she tells of 81D in the dark clouds which blot out the light of heaven, of mercy in the healing dews that fall like repentant tears upon her brmet, of divia* love ia her own loveliness.