The Courier and Argus from Dundee, Tayside, Scotland • 5

nn AVIVIN 'iwgae7- ffiha mmtU amsmintaaw Mr Nelson GENERAL ASKED TO PERTHSHIRE WOMAN'S DREDGER SUNK OFF QUEENSTOWN. TWELVE MEN DROWNED. TERRIBLE EXPERIENCES ATLANTIC LIGHTHOUSE DISASTER KEEPERS SWEPT AWAY. iB JET TfilES TO GET SOUTH. HELD BY GENERAL KNOX.

BATTLE IN PROGRESS. IN PURSUIT OF INVADERS. in 189 or 1897 through a fieture transaction. On his third visit she asked turn what was the object ef his visits, that she had her children to protect, and she, could not visit them unless under some distinct understanding. He said that hie intent km was to act honourably towards her.

These visits ma tinned. On one occasion he attempted te take liberties with her. He asked her to forgive him, and ahe did so. On the next visit she knocked him down, and told him not to visit her again. On one 000a si on her maid found her oncon-acioua.

She made the statement in her action against Nelson thai he overcame her by tha use of drugs. She adhered te that smtemenc She waa aware that aha waa under the influ ence of seme drew ar something that happened several tones. She accused him ot it, and he cried like a child, and said they were man and wife. She then accepted him in the heUef that she was his wife. She destroyed a treat many of defenders letters to bar when the house wae being cleaned Did you think that none of his letters were worth preserving? Witness said he did not write much.

He called himself. He seemed very much at teched to her. The case wae adjourned. A SPATE OF LETTERS. MUSIC HALL PBX)PBXETOB IN COTJBT.

HAS TO PAT JBSeO DAMAGES. Lord Klnnaar and a iurv. in Court of Bee aion yesterday tried an action by which Boaa- una lts dux ling, 19 rars ooaa, uuuiyw, sued Thomas James Colquhoun, joint pro pnetor of the Tivou Variety Theatre and tne Queen's Variety Theatre, Glasgow, and re-aiding at Newark House, Pollokshields, for .3000 damages for alleged breach of promise of marriage. Mr John wiieon, appeared xor pursuer, and Mr J. Watt for defender.

Dr Robert Brown. Dursusr's family doctor. said he had frequently attended Miss Stirl ing, and found nothing constitutionally wrong with her. and that there was nothing to prevent her marrying. Mr Watt said he would admit health.

Rosalind Eva Stirling, a smaruy-dressed young lady of 25. said her father earned on the business of piano- tuner in Glasgow and Bothesay. She was trained as a milliner, and was now paying her mother at home. In 1895 she met defender at Rothesay for tha first time. Soon after that they became an- gaged.

Mr Watt said he would save his Lordship trouble by admitting that parties wars an gaged to marry. At the time when they became acquainted defender had no occupation, but his grandmother was well off. When thav became engaged, he said he could not marry just now. tt would depend on his grandmother. Wit- promised to wait.

On 1st July, 15 he wrote to her at Bothesav. and sent his photograph, and from that date till January mat he continually wrote to her in affection ate terms. She got nearly 400 LETTESS AND 300 TELEGRAMS. She wrote him repeatedly, but not nearly so often as he did. In the beginning of 1896 she wrote bfm that he had sent her 51 letters and 31 tele grams.

He visited her two or-three times a week in Glasgow, especially on Sundays when he spent the afternoon with her. Ha also visited her at Port rash. North Berwick, end the Isle of Man. His grandmother. Mrs Baylies, died about the beginninsr of tha year, and she left a pretty large estate.

In a letter on 9Bth September she wrote him from Rothesay I am awfully glad yon gave ma your ring to wear. I like to look at it, and then I think it is a bit of yourself, He had asked her to wear it as an engage ment ring. In August following he wrote to her that he had had a splendid week's business, and if it only continued wet for the next two dava he WOULD BaVKAX BJKXHLD. The company was the beet he had had. In December, 1889, he arranged that they were to get married in the following summer.

On the 18th January he wrote her from the Tivoii. saying he had something moet serious to communicate to her. He could not i to see her any more, as he had some one else whom he cared for, and he must certainly stand by her. He had placed her in a position that compelled him as an honourable man to marry her. He was perfectly aware this would be a HARD BLOW TO HSB.

but she would understand his position. He had not a word to say for himself, ezcent to ask her forgiveness. Be finished with "Good- oye, rtnsannn. ever sincerely yours. Witness said she was quite unprepared for that, as he had never given her the least hint of it It waa a cruel blow.

She had practically devoted herself to defender, and given up all her other friends. She had heard since then that he had been married. Cross-examined She never at any time urged the state ef her health aa a reason for net fixing the date of the marriage. He never proposed that she should see a doctor. He was anxious to get married as soon as possible, and aha wss of the same mind.

She fixed the date on the first occasion when he asked her to do so. She never had any suspicion that his affao-tione were wandering until December, 1899. In April, 1898, she wrote "Are you quite sure you love me as much as you would love anyone, because if you do not. dearest, it would be bettor to go to tha one yon love He had been telling her the night before ABOUT A BALLET GTBX. That was the only thing to which the letter referred She wrote further I am suns I love you aa muoh as it would be possible for a woman to love a man, only I would rather not have you if you would love someone alee bettor' That letter expressed her feelings at the time.

He told her he was earning between 1000 and 2000 a year. THE DEFENCE. Thomas James Colquhoun, the defender, then gave his evidence. It wee all along understood they were engaged, and he frequently asked pursuer to fix the date of the marriage, but she put it off, saying that bar mother said she was not strong enough. Ia crass-examination he said he did not think that the relations contracted with another woman were inconsistent with his promise to pursuer until the middle of January, when ha ceived certain information.

Bo-examined by Mr Watt, he admitted he had had great affection for the pursuer, and but for the condition of the lady he eventually married he thought he would have kept his engagement with the pursuer. The jury returned a verdict for the pun suer, and assessed the damages at J8309- A DUNDEE MAN'S ADVENTURE. WHAT A DISPLAY OP BICHES T.Tin TO. At the North London Police Court yesterday, Annie Herbert (30), said to be the wife of a Scottish Fusilier, was charged with stoat ing a purse, 13, and a silver watch belonging to Stewart Piggott Prosecutor, a young Scotsman, said he was a joiner, and a native of Dundee. He had been erecting soldiers huts on Salisbury Plains.

On the 20th inst. he took a holiday to spend Christmas with bis friends in Scotland. He broke hie journey in London, and on the afternoon of that day he fell in with the prisoner near the Angel, at Islington, Finding that she had come from Edinburgh, he treated her to several drinks, and she took him home to tea. Subsequently he fell asleep, and when he awoke his friend was gone, and so had his purse and watch. He wss left with 8d.

He gave information to the police, and the prisoner was arrested She denied the robbery, but was remanded, and in the meantime the police ascertained that the prisoner had given the purse and jB6 in gold to one of her boys (aged 11) to take out of the house. The police also found that the prisoner on November drew ever 9 of her husband's Ky, and with it brought her two boys to. adon and took rooms at PentoavJle. She said the prosecutor gave her a sovereign, but he became very communicative about showed his pocket-book and his purse, and ahe was tempted to. take the gold in order to get back to Edinburgh and away from tha tow class ef people fat which ahe found herealf.

Mr Eyncourt said thie wae a very bad i no doubt a deliberately-planned robbery and sent prisoner to gaol for six months' hard labour. THE MAIDEN FROM PEBTH. The maiden from Perth, Helen M'Eenxie Nicholls, who in despair through act obtaining employment threw herself into the Welsh Harp Lake, Hendon, and was afterwards eeued, wee, at WUlesden Police Const yee-terday? dtooenrged, the Magistrate accepting a surety in 10 for her good behaviour. OAOBZrSTaW THE NEWS FROM APBIOA. I0BD KITCHKNEE'S PBOOLAMATIOM, XHK LATE LORD ARMSTROBTG.

WM. BERESFORETS ILLNESS. RTNT TO EDUOATIOKAL AUTHORITIES. By OotjRixK Special Wag, 109 Fleet Stbxxx, E.G., Thursday Evening, news from South Africa to-day is -Iculivted to allay a great deal of the nppre-Ljnsioo manifested lately, particularly with to the situation in Cape Colony. JJe pro-Boer proas the Cape is much moderate in tone, and the proclamation pjtnarual law, together with the rapid con-Ptraun of troops, are stated to have had due effect on the Colonial Dutchmen, j-jje despatches from Lord Kitchener to-day that the incursion into Ompe Colony is jjng satisfactorily dealt with.

General Juries Knox, whose rapidity of movement riewed with admiration in military here, is holding fast to the flank pe VVev, and has again brought the Boer leader to 4 stand at the centre of the mountainous dis-(rjd beyond the Orange River capital, and (Vbanchu, towards Winburg and Senekal. fhe issue of tne engagement ia awaited with yjxiety, as the capture of De Wet is re--rded as the crux of the war. In the ritnsvaai Lord Kitchener speaks of re-jdiged Boer attack on Boksbnrg, near jobanDesburg. in the course of which the Ure aamaged some mining machinery, jther exploit reported in the Transvaal are holding up of a train on the Eastern je near Pan Station, an attack on the oemy in both cases being repulsed with jjght loss on the British side. Tbc text of Lord Kitchener's proclamation tsoed to-day should silence those critics who isve done their beat to represent him as one rbo rewrw to harsh and severe measures Uanv calumnies have been uttered against ae t-omiuander-m-tniet in South Africa, ice there have been insinuations that fearful jeeds were being done behind the veil in south Africa.

The leniency being exercised Dy Lord Kitchener is abundantly evidenced tr hit first proclamation, in which he pro-mlsee all Boers who surrender that they shall only be kept with their families inside forti-id laagers until the lighting is over, and that full compensation for commandeering lhall be made afterwards. The death of Lord Armstrong, one of the Dost renowned and successful Englishmen of the nineteenth century, was learned in London to-day with the deepest regret. His career has been contemporaneous with the marvellous advance of science, wl.lch he did so much to promote. No man, it may well be said, ever did more to deserve hie wide popularity and fame He was the grand old nan of science. The famous guns which bear his name are kuowo throughout the world, and they will ever keep his memory ilive.

Lord Armstrong was a man of many honours. Only once did he seek election to House of Commons, and on that oooa-uoD. unfortunately, he was without honour in his own country. It was in 1886, and Mr Hurley' bold upon Newcastle bad not then Ken shaken. The following year he a seat in the House of Lords, and ecame Baron Armstrong of Tyneside.

Ujrd Armstrong leaves no heir, and there-are the title becomes extinct. Lord William Beresford, who is lying so ill at Dorking, is quite as popular in the Army as his brother Lord Carles is in the Navy. He won his V.C. iu Zululsud on the eve of UlundL His party Dad ueet fired on by Zulus in ambush, and two men had fallen. Another Sergeant Fitzmaurice was stunned and must have been killed by the onrusbing Zulus had not.

Lunl Wii.ia.rn Beresford wheeled round his charger and told the man to mount. It teemed an ct of madness, and the sergeant refused, urging his comrade to save his own life rather than sacrifice them both. 44 If you don't mount I'll punch your head," roared Beresford, and the next moment he had lifted the reeling man into the saddle, and was flying with him to the camp, followed bv storm of bullets and assegais. Another hero Sergeant OToole came to the rescue, and when Lord William was offered the V.C. he refused to take it unless O'Toole received it too.

Medical men and others are continually telling us of the dangers arising from the preseuce of bacteria in many articles in every day use. Of these dangers most people are usually unconscious, 'and, as a matter of fact, unwilling to acknowledge them at all. The "man in the 6treet" if told that a slate, such as used by school children, was capable of spreading harm would scout the idea as preposterous, but even this harmless-looking article has been put upon the list. Mr Hooper, one of Her Majesty's Inarectora. buks forward to the time when they will have ceased to exist.

Writing concerning the Southampton district, he notes with pleasure that paper is superseding slates even with the younger children, and adds, "When some one has leisure to make some bacteriological investigations into the surface of a well-used slate, I think the results will prove unpleasant. A little book entitled 'The Flora of a will be published one day, which will show the details of the bacteria, whether harmless or malignant, that manifest, themselves under suitable oon- mtions on school slates." Mr Hooper's meory is one of which educational Mthurities will desire to hear more. COURT CIRCULAR. Qehonm. A service was held thie moraine in the Chat I st Oitiorne, where the remain of tlie Dowager Churchill are resting till their remol The members of the Royal family.

Church' the ladies and geutbtnen, and tbf servant che household were present. The Rev- Clement Smith officiated. The Queen drive yesterday afternoon, accompanied by Her goysi HiKhuesw Princes unntiac of bcbleswtg-Holsiein and Her Highness Princess Victoria of uwueewic-nolstein. STARTLING RUMOUR. Famous pianist reported killed.

1 una. a rrnnonr is in circnlatian. founded aDnarentlv hat purports to be a telegram published here wool New York, that M. Paderewski. the famous wS na oeen snot in a aneu naupjb The baths and waehbooses under the charge of the Corporation are to be dosed on New Year's 11 At a meetdnc- of the Finance Committee of Sendee Town Council held last night, tt Was "tto.ved to grant a donation of 10 to the 3d (Dundee Highlanders') towards the 'anas of the regiment, aud 20 to the Shipwrecked --merr KoruAp.

ThA an pphcation from the Secretary of the Lflohee Day refused68 8ling tor ubaoriptioQ. This was It is stated in Dublin that Colonel Besse, uecuec wicn a prominent insto uateoue tfily. has been appointed to the position of -um jommissioaer of Dublin folice- txi boase belongs to the wall-known family of of Bladeneburg. ifle Wo'neae and Carriden Brass Band en fflmunieatrng with other bands with the forming a new Brass Band League in ootiAnd. The DroDossi is to have this agu6 formed and hold contesta in five dif-Jfront centres throughout the country.

At re several bands at present eiaimsng ebampioaahip of Scotland this would he effective way of finding out the real fcam- RESIGN, REPORTED REFUSAL. SEQUEL TO WAR MISHAP. Renter's Agency herns that Sir Evelyn Wood, Acting Commander-in-Chief, has requested Major-Gene rai Sir Henry E. Col vile. C.B., commanding the Infantry Brigade at Gibraltar, to resign his command.

After Sir H. Colvfle'e return from South Africa the question of his connection with the loss of the Imperial Yeomanry at lindley in May last was investigated, and he was reinstated in September in his command at Gibraltar, which he is now ordered to relinquish. General ColvOe has refused to resign, and is about to return to England. GHASTLY CHRISTMAS EVE TRAGEDY. CONFESSIONOF MURDER.

AWFUL END TOA DRINKING BOUT. Sensational evidence was given yesterday at an inquest at Stokeaby, near Yarmouth, upon Thiraa Kelly, the woman 'who was murderously attacked in bar bedroom on Christmas Eve, and died a few boors later from ghastly stabs in the abdomen. Deceased's mother said she found her daughter on the bed, which was soaked with blood Deceased told her she thought it was John Cosaey who attacked her, and a similar statement was made to a female neighbour. James Gowen, labourer, who lived next door to deceased, said he heard screams for ten minutes, and also the noise of a man leaving deceased's bonne, but be did not go to see if she required assistance. Cesser, a yuang farm labourer, who was present in custody, fleeting to make a statement, said, after drinking with Pome companions, be entered deceased' bouse by breaking the back window, and walked ap to her bedroom.

Deceased remonstrated with thn' nd aoreamed He then struck her with his knife for screaming. He did not know how many times. He gave the potioe hie knife when arrested. Medical evidence showed that the deceased had been subbed seven tJtDf- Tbo Jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Cossev, and censured Gowen for bis indifference to deceased's screaming. CHINA OBJECTS TO POWERS' DEMANDS.

The following to-day, has been received here: la Hung Chang and Prince Ching have heard from the himpjaror, and Prince Ching today ceiled on Li Hung Chang and had a consultation with him lasting over sat hour. The Chinese Court strenuous objects to the rednotion of the forts, and also to allowing permanent Legation guards, which, it seems to think, could be made sufficiently largo at any time desired in order to menace the Court itself. After the conference it was decided to hold further communication with the Court Mutators. Better. NEW DUNDEE FACTORY INSPECTOR Mr Thomas C.

Butler, factory inspector for the West London District, was recently appointed successor to Mr Harry Wilson, factory inspector, Dundee. Mr Butler began life in a London ship broker's office, but very soon found himself unsuited for it. A few months after found in the Royal Gun Factory Department at Woolwich Arsenal, starting again for a practical career. He remained there tall the time he entered the Home Office. In the Arsenal he was enabled to obtain a good engineering education.

ana served in many capacities. Mr Butler was elerfc, arangntsman lithographic and mechanical and gun designer. He spent three years in the workshops, which enabled mm to oecome a wnicworcn scnoiar. Mr Butler's later work there was experiments in practical mathematics as applied to gunnery. He was also chosen to represent the trustees on the first council of the Woolwich Poly-technic Over nine years ago he entered the Factory Department, and since then Mr Butler life has been one of hard but con genial work.

The first six months were spent in Glasgow, and he was then transferred to the booth London District, where he re mained five years as junior to Mr Jasper Red grave. It was in this district be gained the best of his experience. The last twelve months he has been working in the West Lon don District. NEW VARIETY THEATRE FOR DUNDEE Dundee has been somewhat Lackine in mint of entertainments to the public, especially to those inhabiting the northern portion of the city. This has been recognised from time to tune by some prominent local gentlemen, and a year or two ago it was current topic teat Moss Thornton, toe great music hall proprietors, intended opening a theatre of varieties in the city.

This, however, proved erroneous, but tne matter has not been allowed to drop, for Mr J. Oreighton is about to open the Empire Theatre of varieties. The uridine, which is situated in Boeebank Street, near the junction of Stirling Street, is commodious and comfortable, capable of seating over 1600 people. It is over 100 feet long, 47 feet broad, ana above ou ieet in height. The stage is to be 24 feet wide, and from 20 to 26 feet deep, thus giving ample mom to stace anv lartre scenic sketch.

The accommodation for the artistes include five comfortable dressing-rooms. As to the seating accommodation of the public, everything has been done to ensure one comiort ana con venience of the patrons of the hall. The whole stage can be easily seen from every nort of the house, even the twopenny section bein carefully attended to. There are also to be four boxes close to the stage, two on each side of the auditorium, and these are to k. df run lit rMl nmith Sanitation has received Mr Creigh ben's attention, and he has so arranged with the architect Mr Harris, Reform Street that the ventilation of the "Empire" promises Via rnu rvf fVioi hewf.

in hh eitv. Tf i nmv some six weeks ago that the first stone of the structure was laid, but so energetically hiave the various tradesmen worked that by Monday everything is expected to be ready far ti entertainment of the public, 80 good was the all-round progress made that the balcony was up before the roof was on. How ever, there is no perry wors scout tne building, and everything is sound and Th entertainment is to be worked on the two-house principle. That is to say, the programme ib co oe aeiiverea twice every rmas. This principle has found arrest favour with the leading music hall syndicates in England and elsewhere.

An excellent programme has been prepared for the opening pie-tit. Mr Creia-hton has secured Mr Fred Travers, of the People's Palace, as stage manager, while Mr y. is so con duct the orchestra. THE SKIPPER OF THE DEFENDER. New York, Thursday-.

Tt is reported that Hank Haff will sail Mr Lawson Unp leienaer. neuter. At the annual meeting of Bast Stirlingeh Agricultural Association yesterday tt was i-V, of flu, halanra at the credit of the Society was 188 clearance of 14 over the previous year. Mr Charles Brown, Karse, was elected preaiaent, sit ooraenaB usnnuura vice-president. Mr Wm.

Wright secretary. and Captain Ferguson treasurer. We are officially informed that Mr B. fn mM a nvivana aaaretarv fn Sir David Barbour during his commission of inquiry into me bbwcwi iwbjw i uk ih Omiiu Wjvar CsIahv. Sir David sailed for Cape Town on Saturday last rn the uiuon-uasue emsar xvornam LOVE AFFAIRS.

30,000 for breach of promise; a remarkable story. The Lord Justice-Clark and a Jury, in the Second Division of the Court of Session en Thursday, began the trial of an action by Mrs Catherine M'Ewan or Brodie, of Glasgow, against Mr D. M'Gregor, contractor and money-lender, of Strathbungo, Glasgow, in which the pursuer sues for .30,000 damages for breach of premise of marriage. The defender denies that he promised marriage, and states that in April. 1808, the pursuer gave birth to a stillborn child, and raised an action for breach of promise and seduction for 25,000 against a certain gentleman.

The case was settled in July, 1898, by a payment sf 10 000. Defender says he believes the action has been brought solely for the purpose of extorting money. The pursuer says she believed herself to be the lawful wife of the gentleman referred to in the action. EVIDENCE. The pursuer, Mrs Brodie, said she was 43 years of age.

tier latner waa a tanner in PariJuhira and aha waa brought uo there. She was married in March. 1879, to Mr 0. S. Ttmdl.

who had been a coffee-nlantar in Ceylon, but had retired. Mr Brodie went to New Zealand and started sheep farming. She followed him there. She was married to him for about ten years. He was unfaithful to her, and in 1889 she obtained decree of divorce against haam.

Mr orodie is marriea again. After the divorce she returned to this country There ware three children of the marriage alive. She lived with her mother in Edinburgh. When she was a child at school she knew toe defender as the keener of the Toll Bar. next to her father's term.

Before her marriage to Brodie she bad studied art in JUdinburgn, and in 1881 aha exhibited in the Royal Scot tish Academy and in the Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arte. After her divorce, having no means, she took up art again. She wss introduced to Mr Sham, a property agent in Glasgow, in 1894. She removed to Glasgow. as she thousrht she would jrst a betier market for her pictures there.

She had introduced to the defender, and after aha want to GLaamw aba mat him several times. He promised to do what he could for her. and er cau occasionally, ou. so. ue said that if anyone was snaueu to make money it wae her, and he spoke of leav ing money to her children.

GLASU0W ESGAUEMBHT. She was engaged to be married to a gentle man in Ulassow. The defender knew au about it That gentleman's conduct towards her was a bitter wrong to her. After he had forsaken her she was obliged te bring an action against him, which resulted in her getting JlOjOOO. In this action the defender said she was that gentleman's mistress.

That was absolutely falsa. She believed that she was his wife. The gentleman never staved in her house nor gave her money, dresses, or jewellery. When she told the defender ef her engagement he said, I had hoped to marry vou myself." The break-off with the other gentleman occurred early in 1898. She went to the delenderJs house and told him of what had occurred, and how she had been iimL Ha said Mr Nelson most be BcoundreL She also told Sharp of what had hannanad.

one save birth to a child to the man who had betrayed her In April. 1898, she ceiled upon the defender, and spoke to him about raising an action against the man. She got an offer of .5000, and consulted the defender about it. He advised her not to settle for that sum, thai the gentleman had plenty ci money, and should pay 10.000. Me saia that if she got the money he might marry her nimssix.

Due saia uuk ae ootua not marry hex except for money he would not marry her at all. She sot the She went and showed the defender the telegram offering her the money. She consulted the defender about all this because he was known to be clever in money matters. He advised her as to the investment of her money. He said he would put her on to something good.

AGRKKS TO MARRIAGE. In the autumn of 1898 she told the fender that was going to Edinburgh to arrange about getting her boy into Jo Watson's Institution. The defender objected to the bov being sent to a charity school He said he would go with her. They met at Uneen street station on zvth September. The defender up pec tne guard, and got a first-class compaitment to themselves.

They had not been very long on the journey when he began to speak about them getting married, tie asked her, if she had made up her mind, spoce 01 their living very happy together, and that he wae not of such good family sa ahe was, but that he had large means. She said 'very weld, 1 will agiee to it." The defender kissed her. He then spoke to her about where they were to live anu a do ax tne mariiage casing piace November. She asked, and the defender consented, to her telling Mr Brown of what had taken place. Brown congratulated them on their approaching marriage.

On the defender's advice she withdrew her application for the admission of her boy to Mr Watson lnsutu- ttion. and sent him to Merchistoo Castle School, and afterwards to Glenalmond. where he stul is. In the autumn of 1898 she staying in the Cockbum Hotel Glasgow. Defender visited her regularly He consulted Mr crown as to the dis posal of the estate by will or marriage settlement.

He did not look upon the matter as a joke, fie talked of leaving her 90.900 and to each of the children .210,000. He had informed her that he had a large fortune. and she did not think those sums were larae. She could not gee the defender to ox the date of their marriage. He said he could not rise to the occasion.

It was arranged they were to be married in August, 1888, in the Windsor Hotel, Glasgow. She had from time to time been getting her uvomwu (uiu lonuiure. xn rfvuv bob oruereo her marriage bonnet, which cost three guineas. HAS HSB SUSPICIONS. By January, 1900, she began to get very suspicious aoout tne ae enaer.

un sa February she wrote a lettei to him stating it was most unpleasant for her to vist at his house as the housekeeper had shut the door in her face. It was after that he spoke of the housekeeper ss a bar to the marriage, she began to feel that she being made a mockery of. In that tetter she said: You may sometime think about the woman who loves and trusts you, and whose heart you have bioken. she concluded I am. as always, ever yours affectionately," as she had concluded others which had been lost.

The pursuer wept at this passage. In March ha wrote to her that her state ments were almost entirely pure inventions. ana without lounaaaon. mat astonished her. It was absolutely false.

At an interview sub sequently in Mr Sharp's office' tha defender saia oe coma not marry ner on account 01 letter he had received from Mr Brown. She said she had spent targe sums of money, and the defender said he was willing to make that good, sharp sat dawn to write ant an agreement, in which it was said that the de fender was to pay 200; ahe wrote down below that .25,000. (Laughter.) The defender said that was exorbitant They did not come to an agreement, and separated to meat 00 Saturday. On Saturday defender said he would do nothing in the matter, and she said she would require to consult Mr Brown, her agent. Did von ever admit that there had been impropriety between you and Gibson in New Zealand What! Admit itl No, never! Her doctor in New Zealand was Dr Connolly.

Her husband never accused her of intimacy with Dr uonnouy. Was it the case that yon were unfortun ately confined in an asylum Witness Am I obliged to answer that? The Lord Justice Clerk If the defender chooses to take that line I shall not inter fere. A NEW ZEALAND INCIDENT. Pursuer (weeping) said that her husband committed rape upon their daughter, fou years old, and she took a fever. When she recovered she was put into an asylum.

The Lord Justice Clerk asked if it necessary to so into this. Mr Salvessn said it might throw light on some 01 we romances ox this lady. the rursner Romancer It was not romance, it was the solemn truth. She thought it waa the infirmary aha ana min to, hot found it was the Wellington Asylum. The Northern Lighthouse Commissioners have received a telegram stating that a dreadful accident has taken place en one of their lighthouses, that on the Flannan Islands, is about forty-four miles west of the Butt of Lewis, and forty miles north of St Kflda It is one of the Commission's rock stations, where the lightknepers are relieved every fortnight.

There are four light-keepers attached to the station, three of whom are always on the rook attending to the light. These remain six weeks at a stretch, and each has a fortnight on shore. The Commissioners' steamer left Oban on Thursday to make the ordinary relief at the station, taking with them the keeper who was to relieve one of the others. On arrival it was discovered that the three keepers had disappeared from the island. There were no signs of life to be seen.

A rocket was fired, and there was no response. The men managed to land a Ughtkeeper named Moore, who went up to the station, and found no keepers there. The clocks were stopped, and other signs indicated that the accident must have happened a week ago, presumably daring the great storm of last Thursday. As the regulations enforce that one man must remain in the lighthouse at night, this would seem to point to the disaster having taken place during the day. The unfortunate fellows must have been blown over the cliffs or drowned trying to secure the crane on the island.

It is also possible that they might have gone to the relief of some fishing boat in distress. The steamer left to return yesterday, and Moore remained to keep the light burning. The men's names are James Ducat, principal keeper, who is married and has four chil- uiomaa axarenaii, unmarried, and an occasional keeper, Donald Arthur, who is married, and a native of the nearest inhabited TiHage in Lewis to the island Breaselete. The Flannan Islands which are uninhabited, are seven in number, sometimes called tiie Seven Hunters, and very precipitous. The group of islands cover an area of about three miles by two, near the track of vessels coming from the west.

The islands lie seventeen miles off Gallon Heed In Lewis. The iathouse was established on 1st December, 1888, and the three missing men have been 'JSHrt ver since, rises to height of 280 feet above the sea level. The cliffs are practically vertical, and there are two landing places. No damage has yet been reported to the place itself. As the atmosphere was not clear, and had not been for some time, the signMaaan at Breaselete apprehended nothing wrong, although he did not see the light Thisii an unprecedented calamity in the history of the Northern Lighthouse Commission.

The last disaster was nearly 50 years ago, when an attending boat running between Kirkcudbright and the Little Boss Lighthouse was lost with all hands. Inquiry at the offices of the Northern Light-bouse Board in the course of yesterday afternoon elicited the information that the Commissioners' steamer reached the islands yesterday, and that the observations of the officials on the scene of the disaster oonfirmed the view that the unfortunate men met their fate while, exposed to the full force of the hurioane, they were endeavouring to make fast the crane on the island. THE LI BE HAL WOMEN OF A CUTE HARDER. SPEECH BY MB HALDANE, MI'. A social meeting under the ausnioss of the Auchterardar Women's Libs al Association was held in the Good Templar Hall, Auchterardar, last night, at whicit there was a fair attendance At eight o'clock the meeting was opened to the ublio.

when Mi u. h. Hildsne, Q.C, M.P., gave an address. Mrs Haitians, Cloanden, presidaot of the Association, occupied the chair, and was suppoited on the platform by Mis Hally. uuthven Tower; Miss Haldane, Mrs Mai Lib, Caetle- biae; Mua Henderson, Hill view: nd the id-lowing gentlemen Messrs William Maxus, CasUebrae; K.

Miltman, K. Gray, retired teacher, Ac. A letter ot apology was read from Mr C. 6. Parker reg stting his in ability to be present Mrs ttaidane, in her rem arts, spoke ot the importance of women work in regard to temperance and social reforms, ana noped that her eon would address to them some stirring words of counsel and advice.

Mr Hal said his first difficulty was one of form, as to how he should sddiess himself to the chair, but he got over the difficulty of speaking of the occupant of the chair as his noble relative, as bv refer ence to methods of addresses i.mong mem be of the newly-constituted Cabinet. en dorsed all that she had said as to the im portance of women's work in politics, and ex pressed his sympathy with them in not hv ins that full measure of power which was accorded to women in municipal and other bodies. Wonuns help in relation to such Questions as temperance 01 and the hous ing 01 cne poor oe in lnuneius oauuic uu if high standard or public me was to oe maintained, uieir wnoeuce wsa uaoeasary. bVeferring to the leault ot the recent election, Mr Haldane said he would not seek to find and reason for the defeat of the Liberal party. He did not, like me people, blame the leaders altogether.

Wirever he went, fonnd that theie was elactnes am ant? tne people, not only in regard to Impeiial politics, but also in their municipal 11 e. ue would aav let the dead past bury its dead. and let the election pass into oblivion. The Liberal Pa- tv had to look to the futuie. There were those who said that the work of the Liberal Party was dons that it waa ac complished, and there wae no mote reforms ml -l 1 il 1.

The noeition of liberalism was to him most inr it r.n case uu, iuuukul nuc. hopefuL There had been too muoh contrn- verev about the past. They were asked why they did not oppose the war in South Africa out and out. 10 uo bo wouiu very iicery have landed the country into a more ter rible war three years hence. What the Op position had now to do in regard to it, was to see that the Government did not shirk its reenoneibxlities for establishing in tbee State a sound and stable Govei oment, under which life and property would be secure.

Mr Haldane indicated that the futu work of the Liberal Party lay in the direction ot finance and social reforms. He had men turned the Conservative Party ana he was convinced they were quite incapable of deal ins tnor with these reforms. He would counsel them to be moderate, to know their own minds, and to act unitedly. 11 they AiA victory was secure. He had noi lost faith in the Liberal Part? and time wss rnn t.boir nde.

(Applaose). Votes of chants to mrs uaiuane ana nr Hnlfamt terminated the proceedings. HANDLING A RECORD MAIL LANDING OF THE MAJESTIC Owing to rough weather the White Star liner Majestic wae unable to tend her mails Onensfcown. and went on to Liverpool yes terday direct from New York. She brings 2600 bags mails and specie valued at 1,450,000 dollars, which was at once sent on to Liverpool, along with her pdseengers.

Not so her maim, The Atlantic Express only provided one mail van, and as the postal omciala, when wired to, refused, the expanse of a special mail train from Liverpool, a portion at tii. Malayan's record mail waa carried te Lime Street Station from the landing stage and despatched later. An Aldershot correspondent states there is to be an innovation in the armament of the 1st and 8d Dragoon Guards, who are under orders for South Africa. The lance and oar-bine ere to be discarded, and the latest pattern Lee-Enfield rifle will be issued for use in the field. The sword will also be taken.

This change necessitates the adoption the Colo nial saddle, wita rme oucxex oy tne ngni stirrup. The Agent-General for New Zealand, interviewed by the Centra News yesterday on the Colony's decision to include 100 Maoris in the. next oonianxent to be sent shortly to South Africa, pointed out that the Maoris must not be placed on a level with subject races. They were free citizens, ably assisting in the Government of the Colony, as kindly, homely, end humane as any white people, and he undertook to say that nothing would be found to object to in their conduct on the battlenefel. They would be both courageous ud huniasft The Press Association's Qusenstown correspondent telegraphs that the Japanese dredger Bento, from Renfrew for Formosa, Japan, with a crew of 17 hands, foundered in a gale on Wednesday night sis miles off that harbour.

Twelve of the crew were drowned, including tine captain and the chief engineer. Five of the crew were rescued by the Cork pilot cutter Maid of Erin, and landed at Queens-town. After leaving Glasgow on Saturday the Santo encountered bad weather. Her bunker got full of water on Christmas night, and on Wednesday morning the captain fearing the dredger would founder, ordered out the boats. Nine man got into the lifeboat, and five into a smaller one, while the captain, mate, and chief engineer remained on hoard They were then south of Ireland, and proposed making for Queenstown.

The five men towing in the smaller boat, and who were saved, are Tom Kay, second engineer i William Elder, third engineer; Alex. Macdoneld. carpenter; and two Japanese, who acted as steward and assistant steward. They had only time to cut the tow rope of the boat with a hatchet, and had a very narrow escape from being capsized. The pilot boat soon after picked them up.

A man named Hopper, of Port-Glasgow, was among those lost The saved included the second and third engineers, named respectively Elder, and Key, of Renfrew, where the sunken dredger was built. The carpenter, who also was saved, belongs to Glasgow. His name is M'Donald. The majority of the crew, however, were foreigners. SURVIVOR'S STORY.

a THE LAST SCENE. Second Engineer Key, one of the surf Ivors of the crew of the ill-fated vessel, in an inter view said they left Renfrew on Saturday- for Formosa, Japan. -When forty miles west of Cork Harbour on Wednesdav mornms the weather was awfully bad. and Captain Jame son deemed it wise, es they had shinned a lot I of water, that the two lifeboats should be launched Oernenter M'TWW. ThirA Engineer Elder the cook and the steward (foreigners), and htmenilf get into the small lueooan ana nine nanus, in onargo of Second Officer Bell, got into the large boat.

The captain. Chief Officer Fairbank ami OhUf Engineer Hopper remained on the dredger, and they towed the two boats until 1 p.m. toe earns day. when land was sighted. By this time the Sen to had a heavy list to port, and Captain Jameson ordered the two boats crews aboard again.

The crew of thaw tared Accordingly they kept towing astern, their line being about forty yards long. Severed times they came near being swamped. au uwy ounerea muon xrom oeio Bam ex posure. About six miles south of Queenstown Harbour the wind blew a furious gale, and the ram foil is torrents, and the Sento was Labouring frightfully in the seas. Quite suddenly, about L30 ojn struck by a bhr sea.

and rivfcf nr Third Engineer Elder, who was in the bow of our boat, fortunately rut the painter, and ihk a mmune too soon, as the dredger almost immediately caneised. Tne vn. a frightful one. The vessel sank at once, and as all lights were extinguished, therefore they could do nothing but listen to the harrowing cries of their drowning shipmates, whom they were powerless to aid. My God, I shall wDTTrr tvijyrjt nacse mas.

Xivem now cney are ringing in my ears." Fortunately a pilot cutter from Queenstown came noon the scene, tut rvtVwvrwi titan '4htv vnrt should have been swamped. The pilots acted with snlendid bravwrv puMed us aboard their craft. We were worn out, having been nearly twelve hours in an open coax, and could not move. Of the twelve men drowned, the following were Scottish: Captain Jameson, Glasgow; umei Hopper of Port-Glasgow; First Oflicer Fairban-k, of Edinburgh; Second Officer Bell, of Glasgow, The other eight men lost wore either Japanese or IrUttCBe. POVERTY NO DISGRACE.

BAYS SEE THOMAS THOENTON. A DISMISSED SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER. My annual tea party," said Lord Provost Hunter with a kLncUv smile, aa passed along the lobby at the Einnaird Hall last night, The occasion was the annual treat given by the Lard Provost to the deserving poor of the city, and in the building had assembled 700 people. The Lord Provost presided, and there were also on the platform Bailies Urquhart, Barrio, Stevenson, Melville, and Crionton, Treasurer Ritchie, Sir Thomas Thornton, LL.D., Town Councillors Langiands, Henderson, Mathers, J. H.

Martin, E. Quirk, and Robertson, the Bev. John Martin, and the Bev. L. A.

airhead. Tea was served by a large number of helpers, under the guidance of Mr James Combe, who bad had the arranging of the entertainment. Thereafter Lord Pro vat Hunter extended to those present a hearty welcome. He regarded these meetings as what might be teimed the Provost's parte. These entertainments were started about 12 or 14 years ago, and they had continued without interruption ever since.

They were among the pleasantest of all the entertainments he went to during the year. (Applause.) The present was a most interesting meeting, inasmuch as it was the last time they would anther together in tha olH nun. tury. Concluding, he wished his guests a very merry Christmas and a bright, prosperous New Year. (Applause.) The Bev.

L. A. Muirhead having delivered an address, Sir Thomas Thornton said there were two classes of people he liked very much to address. The first were children, and the second old people. (Applause.) He had heard the Lord Provost state these meetings began fourteen years ago.

but he was not very good in arithmetic (Laughter.) They began twenty years ago, having been originated by ex-Provost Moneur. When that gentleman was Provost he introduced a dinner of a peculiar character, which he was sorry had not continued. He invited the Councillors and their wives to a teetotal affair. (Laughter.) It was a sumptuous banquet, and he brought down the best violinist in Great Britain and also fine singers. They had had a succession of remarkable Lord Provosts, and the present, he was sure, was one of the best.

Lord Provost Hunter was for many years a Sabbath school teacher. He did not know why he had given it up. Probably he was dismissed (great laughter) but he did a great deal of good work, aided no doubt by Mrs Hunter, who wis his better half in every sense. (Laughter.) Proceeding, Sir Thomas said he did not know how old people felt, but bis happiest days were when he rose at four o'clock in the morning, made his own "brose," and took the cows out to pasture, and herded them til school-time. It was the poor, he continued, who had produced the greatest men on the face of the earth, the poor whose sons and daughters had in bygone days revolutionised the world.

Why, therefore, should they not hold up their heads with the best of them? (Applause.) Concluding. Sir Thomas advised the young people that they ought never to be downcast, always to fas buoyant and energetic, and whan they came to man's estate they would soon show their influence on the world. They ought not to run the streets like young barbarians, but let tnem oe at cue school, and at their lessens at night, and he made bold to say they wo-'Id be a crown of. rejoicing to their fathers and mothers. (Applause.) The Bev.

John Martin also spoke, and in the course of the evening song were rendered by Hiss Monro, Mr J. G. Cooper, Mr J. B. Torrance, and a recitation by Miss Law.

An excellent cinematograph entertainment wa also given. sax v. pmbjos presmea as ins niano. News from the front is of a mixed character, consisting of reports of sharp fighting, the offer of terms to the Boers, and rumours that Da Wet and Stejn are willing to surrender on certain terms. Lord Kitchener has returned to Pretoria after his visit to Cape Colony to make arrangements for crushing the invasion.

A week ago he issued as important proclamation, the terms of which should not only nmmjHsts the enemy, but also safeguard British interests. The offer he makes is that those Been who surrender will be allowed to live with their families in Government laagers until a termination of the guerilla war renders it safe for them to return to their homes, and that stock belonging to them and requisitioned by the authorities will be paid for. These terms, in one respect, differ very materially from those offered by Lord Roberts. According to the letter's proclamation. Boat took the oath of neutrality were permitted vq iwub co weir terms.

And we knew how frequently those Boers broke their rufh again took up arms, and how those who kept aj ineir pieoge were maltreated by their fit lows in the field. Lord Kitchener's pin will prevent both these things ooenrring, and burghers who surrender will be under British surveillance, and will "be protected. De Wet is again endeavouring to get to the south of Orange River Colony, end has come into conflict with the British. The Boers are holding a position in the naie-hhnnrfcrwvt of Lenwkop. In the maps there are one or vwo pieces marked with this name, but it is believed that the hills referred to in the despatch are situated ten or futeen miles south of Senekal, where De Wet was last reported to be.

The British force opposing the return of the raider to the south are under the command of General Knox. rha ducted the exciting chase of De Wet from Dewetsdorp to the Orange River, and has followed to the north-east of the Colony. Operations against the invadars of Ccm Colony are being carried out with great energy. The eastern column has been headed on at rtiet Foortepruit, to the east of Naauw-poort, and was bains driven, north to the direction of Venterstad a town several Miles south of the Orange River, and which the first place occupied by the Been after they crossed the frontier. The western column has broken into two oortioas.

which are making north, and which are being closely followed up. In the Transvaal the condition of affairs is very unsettled, and numerous skirmishes with the Boers are re ported. BATTLB WITH DE WET. AFTER THF LNVADERS. FIGHTS IN TRANSVAAL.

The following messages from Lord Kit chener were received by the War Office yes terday; Pretoria, December 26. Charles Knox, with Barker, Pilchex, and White is engaged with De Wet's force, which is holding a position in the neighbour hood of Leuwkop. De Wet hopes to break through to go south again. In Cape Colony the Boers' eastern column is apparently headed by our troops about Biet Poortspruit. The Boers' western column is reported to have gone north in two portions the one on Prieska and the otuer through try dec-berg.

They are being followed by our troops. Pretoria, December 27. Yesterday about 200 Loan attacked a small police force near Bocksburg. The police behaved very gallantly, and drove the Boers off before reinforcements sent from Johannes burg arrived. Sergeant Waiter, late Lumsden's Horse, killed.

There was no other casualty. The Boers did some damage to mining machinery in the neighbourhood. The Boers attacked Utrecht at 2 a. in but were driven off. Two men and four horses were killed.

Our casualties were one man slightly wounded The Boers held up a train three miles west of Pan Station. Reinforcements from Pan, and drove off the enemy, with a loss of one killed and seven wounded. We had one man killed and four wounded The Eastern force of the Boers in Cape Colony were headed yesterday and driven in the direction of Venterstad. The Western force are still being driven north through Strydenberg. KITCHENER'S OFFER TO THE ENEMY, WISE AND CAUTIOUS PROCLAMATION, Lord Kitchener has issued the following proclamation, dated Pretoria 20: It is hereby notified to all burghers that if, atter this date, they voluntauij surrender, they will be allowed to live with their families in Government Laagers until such time as the guerilla warlare now being carried on will admit of their returning safely to their homes.

All stock and property brought in at the time of the surrender of such burgh e. will be respected and paid for. if requisitioned by the military authorities. (Signed) KircHBKin." BOER INVADE Rg ACTIVE BUBGHEBSDOKP ATTACKED. HEAVY FIGHTING.

Cape Town, Thursday. A small party of Boers attacked Burghers-dorp on the 24th, but were repulsed. The fighting was heavy. The enemy are very active, and skirmishes are reported from several places. Benter.

PURSUING THE BOERS LOBD DUPFEBIN6 SON WOUNDED. Rnnrhrw)oni. Wednesdav. Colonel Grenfell is pursuing Kruitzix ger'e Commanao, wnien is oeueveu to 09 ktob hundred strong, and is keeping in touch with the enemy, who refuse to stand. rV i on Mondav.

the 9th Lancers had eight casualties including Lieutenant uora rrecencs Dmcnruwi, sou mt rmfuriii. wounded. No Colonial Dutch are joining the Boers. Benter. DE WET WILLING TO SURRENDER Bloemfontein, Wednesday.

There art renewed reports that De Wet, St. nd Haaabruck are willing to sur render on condition that the Colonial rebels among their followers are not punished, and that they themselves and their leading officers ejfc not deported jReuts 1.