Sheffield and Rotherham Independent from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England • 5

THE SHEFFIELD AND BOTHEBHAM INDEPENDENT, SATTJBDAY, SEPTEMBEB 28. 1895. jgaac attt Son SPECTATOR IN A AM II IRE. ABROAD. The farewell order from General Low to the Chitral relief force is an index of British prestige and patriotism which ntW THE TORIES AND THE HOUSE OF LORDS.

OUR LONDON LETTER. FROM OTO OWN CORBESPOKDENT.l LONDON, Friday Evening. There is a widespread refusal to take too seriously the kite sent up this morning suggestive of starting a Tory scheme for reforming the House of Lords. The general disposition Independent so much better, and are so pleased with the way it is written, and its arguments, that they now take it regularlv in shops where nothing but the Telegraph'' was to be seen previously, and the Telegraph is now as little to be seen as the Independent used to be. They say that the Independent is written for the people, and they like to read it.

They are satisfied with it and mean to stick to it, and he continued, not only the men at onr place, but all my Conservative friends are disgusted with the way the Telegraph have tried to suppress the Football It's a good paper. The Football World is tbe best football paper published, and they mean to support An article which appears in the new number of "Blackwood," entitled "The English Officer as He Was, and as He Is," from the pen of Colonel Henry Knollys, will be read with much attention by all interested in tha army for the picture it presents of life in tho higher branches of the service as it was 30 or 40 years ago and as it is now. In the gallant colonel's opinion it cannot be said that the last state of the British officer is worse ihan tho first, for to-day his mental calibre and his surroundings are greater and better than in the old times. His leisure may be les3, but, at least, it is spent in a society in which "philandering with barmaids or loafing in tavern billiard rooms do not constitute the principal feature. "The mess-dinner, no longer a gorge sometimes accompanied with intemperance, has been curtailed into a well-cooked, gracefully-served meal, at the conclusion of which the wine is passed round once or twice, and then five out of six of the diners betake themselves to smoking which the intemperate advocates of temperance denounce as a provocative to drink, but which, without a shadow of doubt, has cut down the subaltern's average wine bill to one-third its former figure.

Neither is the evening canped with the rowdyism of practical joking, the wit of which consisted in stupid outrage, and tho results in quarrels which many a time cost those concerned their commissions. A bumptious young officer is snubbed and wheeled into line until fce has been reduced to a duo diffidence of self, and this remedy has been found far preferable either to deluging an offender's bedclothes with slops or to thrusting his dress uniform up tho chimnay." an escaped murderer and administers a just retribution for his offences. The law of England adniinisters just retribution to murderers. Why should not Ballarat Bill Let us now turn to Kit Bandy's Brigade." Kit Bandy is not a brigand, but a "mountain detective," the terror of evil-doers in the West, with a curious knack of turning up when he is least expected. We cannot go into details of his marvellous experiences and hair-breadth escapes, but the book winds up as usual with tho destruction of the villains and tho rescue of the innocent ueroiue.

These books may taken as pretty fair specimens of their class. They are poor stuff very poor stuff but where is the harm in them? That there is plenty of bloodshed we admit buo every boy worth his salt likes his stories pretty strongly seasoned, as writers of a far higher class of boys' books readily recognise. For unmitigated battle, murder, and sudden death, there are no books to equal "Treasure Island" and wm" Solomon's Mines." Why should the youthful reader of "Ballarat Bill" be tempted to follow the example of the ruffianly enemies of that hero any more than he should strive to follow in the footsteps of the departed Captain Flint, whose spirit broods so darkly over Stevenson's grim romance Ix, is the rule, with penny dreadfuls, as with five shilling boys' books in gorgeous binding, that virtue triumphs over vice, and that ail ends well. There are exceptions, and these exceptions need watching. Some of this literature is not only rubbish, but vile and demoralising rubbish.

But it may fairly be said that the average story of this kind, however trashy and slaughterous, has a general tendency to the side of morality. The penny dreadful, moreover, besides being in most cases comparatively harmless, may even have an ultimately beneficial effect. The difficulty with a great many boys is not so much to make them read good literature, as to get them to read at all; The penny dreadful, rubbish though it mav be, freouentlv acts as the door leading to realms of literature within. The young sinner who smuggles Ballarat Bill under Ins desk to read during the arithmetic lesson proves even by this abandoned action that he is not wholly a barbarian that the printed page can make some appeal to his feelings, if not yet to his intellect. It is essential for a boy to get into the habit of reading, and such a habit even the penny shocker can in culcate.

This step once mounted, he can gradually and steadily ascend. The bov who wor ships Kit Bandy and Yellowstone Jack may learn in time to submit to the glamour of Stevenson, and revel in the chivalry of Scott. A good many hoys have been terribly bored by the attempt to read "Ivanhoe" at a too early stage. To turn loose a youngster fresh from his A upon a literary classic is a mistake which verv few caii recognise. If he were only given time and freedom, he would presently learn to appreciate "Ivanhoe" of his own accord.

None the less, everything should be done to bring the best books within easy reach of the penny dreadful consumer. Notable efforts have been made in this direction during tho past few years, and such a course, if persevered in, must result jiot only in the elevation of bovish taste, but in tho improvement of the penny dreadfuls themselves it would be wise at the same tiii, to strive to eradicate the vicious element which, it is to be feared, exists in a few of these publications, and whioh has i -o often caused boys of bad disposition to show their teeth earlier than thev would other wise have done. But we need not be overmuch alarmed about the nennv dreadful. The voincr- ster who delights to-day in the Boy's First-rate is not unlikely on the way to higher sphere a SDhere where his heroes wili no longer be Montebello the Magnificent and Alligator ise, but Alan Ureck Stewart and Amyas Leigh. FROM NEAR AND FAR.

There is a good deal of activity among the political organisations just now, in preparing for the Norember municipal elections. That a number of contests will take place is certain, but it is also a fact that in several wards where the representation is divided, both sides show a disposition to let matters remain in statu quo." The arrangements of the Liberal party are not yet in a sufficiently forward state to enable one to form a final opinion as to what will be done. Two Liberal councillors have, liGwever, intimated that they do not intend to offer themselves for re-election. One of these is Mr. Jcthro Chambers, who was returned for Atter-cliffe in place of Aid.

W. E. Clcgg when he received hi6 elevation nearly three years ago Mr. J. C.

Whiteley has been put forward by the Liberal Association to succeed him. Th; other retiring member is George Woodcock, who now sits for Brightside. He was returned three years ago with Mr. W. Grafton, and received substantial support from the butchers, irrespective of politics.

Mr. S. Cheevers is spoken of as a probable Conservative candidate to run with Mr. Grafton. The Independent Labour party already have two candidates in the field in the persons of Mr.

Moorhouse and Mr. Padley, the latter of whom is a prominent official of the Carbrook Co-operative Society. One Liberal and one Conservative go cut of office in St. Peter's Ward, Mr. Robert Styring and Mr.

Henry Pawson, respect ivi ly. Nether Hallam is in a similar position, the Mayor and Mr. A. Muir Wilson being the retiring members. Compromise is talked of in both place, and such an arrangement is regarded as settled in the Park Ward, where both sides recognise that it would be practically impossible to move such popular men as Mr.

George Senior (Conservative) and Mr. John Smith Mr. W. Llewellyn (Liberal) and Mr. J.

R. Lockwood (Conservative) will Beek re-election in Ut. George's Ward. The only wards from which two candidates of the same colour are retiring, are St. Philip's and Ecclesall, all of whom are Conservatives Mr.

J. M. Eurness and Mr. W. IT.

Lancashire go out in St. Philip's. There has not been a contest in tho ward since they were returned three years ago, on which occasion Mr. John Davison made a gallant attack on the ward in the interest of Labour, and came within 17 votes of Mr. Lancashire.

In Ecclesall, Mr, Bernard Firth, who was returned a few weeks since, and Mr. Herbert Hughes have (o offer themselves to the electors. During the recent contest Mr. A dams declared his intention to fight agsiin in November, but up to the present time no action has been taken in this direction by the Liberal Association. There will, of course, be no contest in Upper Ha Hani, which is a Tory preserve, and where Mr.

Smith is the retiring councillor. Thus ten Conservatives and six Liberals go out of office. It is not at all unlikely that the Sheffield Butchers' Association may make an effort to return one or more representatives to the Council on this occasion. Mr. Woodcock-enjoyed the complete confidence of the trade, and was regarded as a useful representative of it, and at every annual dinner in recent years the question of sending in jre batchers to the local Parliament has been seriously discussed.

The trade can boast of capable men on both sides of politics. We understand that tho proprietors of the Empire Palace of Varieties intend to apply for a licence perform stage plays, which carries with it the privilege of selling drink. Tho magistrates have no control over this class of licence, the power of granting or refusing being vested in the Corporation. The committee to whom the work of dealing with these licences is delegated by the Council, consists of Aldermen Sir Henry Stephenson, B. Langlev.

Hunter, W. H. Brittain, anu Gainsford and Councillors Roberts, G. F. Lockwood, Llewellyn, Holiday, and Howell.

Opposition to the application is likely to be forthdoming from tha proprietors of theatres in the city, if not from other sources. A correspondent writes us the following pleasant note walking down to business this morning, I wasovertaken by one of the managers of one of the eh ctro-platc works of the city, employing over 200 men. This is one of the places where politics have run very for many years, but the balance of fight-ing and voting power has always been largely on the Conservative side. After the usual greetings I said, Well, arc there any Liberals left at your place now? He replied, There are, plenty of them more than ever; in fact, we bave now a distinct majority of Liberals." I expressed my surprise, and asked how it was, suggesting as an explanation that many Tories had left the firm and that they had been replaced by Liberals, but he said, That is not the explanation at alL The men have got converted." How is that said I. Well," he raid, they bave to AIL WAY THE 50 TEE DISTRICT, jfjlti HA? illustrations, BS DWABD BRADBtJBY jKDEPENDENT" QFFICE, FARGATE, 4 OF ALL NEWSAGENTS AND BOOKSELLERS.

PRICE BY POST. ifOW READY. SS RE RT. IU Baser full the brim with ditir factories and tue worts of I The eielit I7ae he vaft l)uilnm? are panoramic v.ews of all l'T'rJac'ioiu; for a liigh-ctafii and general bnsmeM. Ifr Tl read -d and Bespoke Boot and Sioc Ur- ntmo'a Oerekaiment and done in its great- as it embraces tte masses of the I riaeift' oi pan wltliv and workii.e lirf according to spending capaoi- -tr- t0 wtaui ana conatamiv c.paru wVanivtrwil popularity rauat be sterling I.

eboice. iwxiiausUDlc supplies, ana rJ p-edict for Ui l'ublic Benefit Boot C-m-iii-Hio, a remarkable record of trauo ikrscrvod by their eauiusiastic enter- PSrf bv llteir reduf "lergy, assured by their ef" bold of beat producing resources, ff iai.daM:-ul principles of premier successful P'rt small proiits. big business, honest quail-p r. utmost value, full satisfaction, 'sido 'Ape? it ions. We understand they liave bniucnes in the city and district: Blonk Intinnsrr rol, opposite St.

Philip's a KWOria! ChcsterCeid. We ought to fctuic are master If oatchK-ss maniiracturers, and winners o't 2LaBHli and liighr-st diplomas where their quali- -l-T-v TVmriTlTkT A TJTrT SHOW ASES, OFFICE FITMENTS, Ac, JOHNSON and APPLET ABDS. I a Tt7ftiinrv enntiluR lifTn tn tiro of Work and nil kinds of Constructive jrttia" the lowest cost. Inquiries for Estimates in- JOHNSON and APPLETAEDS, jiannf- cturers. Upholsterers.

Decorators, street. J.I.l' v. Telephone, 237. i.I I A I Y. aj Capsules are superior to Coraiba, Cubebs and iiocids.aud will cure tlicEamediseasesiiiforty- fkojB without inconvenience of any kind.

F.aclicnp- ujasthe name "M1DY." Paris 8, rue Yiviennc. all Chemists; or post free from tvixccx pfc29. Oxford street, London. W. 1E3 EIGHTS COAL TAR SOAP FOB 1XFKCTI0VS DISEASES.

IGHT'S COAL TAR SOAP FOB SKIN DISEASES. IGHT'S COAL TAR SOAP FOR DELICATE SKISS. rGHT'S COAL TAR SOAP JOE PIMPLES AND BLOTCHES. GST'S COAL TAR SOAP FOE TEE COXPLEXIOK. IGHT'S COAL TAR SOAP TOILET, AND NVESEUY.

SOLD EVEEYWHEBE. ITIKETS 6d. akd Is. BOXES Is. 6d.

and Is. 93 OWLE'S CHLOEOD YNE. Ask for and t.kc no other. IteSiitely Believes Conclis, Diorrhna, Spasms, Cramp, Artie, lnnuenza, lie. lajo.

per Bottle. Of Chemists only. 131 ETEKTS OP T6-BAY. AC.i.iir.-v.enis.) ladtajj "Kicbard III." 7.30 7.30 7.J0 10 to 9 S. 0 3.30 3.30 The World lilsetra Lilv c.f Killarney 'Hall EaliiMt ion tttsll Concert kne Footbnll Mafph sGiore: i ootball Mtch iViisi' rhurcb Sermon -awl.

inn's r.ir.n""H,...!r.- Sf'no X3fl arrGallerf "...10 to 9 Knum in In at Mean dusk ETEXTS OF TO-MORROW. ptOispe! Services 10.30. Church: Services ...10.30 Pvi Cr.n'rf it bniAu in an NjgWvmChRrcb, HiKhnald B30 fc sti-Mt 5Cvlce3 iU.JU services iv.su BSTTfail in T-i gHaei'sand All Angel.s: Festival 451 Cbapl Services 10.50 10.30 3fl.5 10.3 i. 10.1.1 10.3J siresi aervices street ri.ioii Cliurch i "arvest Festival EP PW i estiva llirvest Festival Harvest Febtival 1 i PjiiaMe! boats Harvest Festival 10 iJO, Si 6.30 6.15 fe.30 6.30 to 5 to 5 li. servjcea 10.33 f'cieiy services SerTiccs 10.15.

2.45. Gallery 2 pFlELD, SATURDAY, Sept. 28, 1895. 8CMMAEY OF NEWS. SctteiPrirAlnfTlooi XVIAOL XUI LU19 F-fmoderutcluir cenerallv.

cooler. and Limited, Sheffield, have "Has infon'n, 'ordinary stock. Doaclii nf t- and a Hoiyuioorside constable" have lae adjourned meeting of the Bram-il -ioprtetors, held last evening, terms 1 SB auLisiacruy removes tae Ibftj uu.ULi wmcii tuesc eenttcmcn 7. ial-'onrcd with respect to the pmtog to their tickets, "toui-cr, named Thomas Fordo, of mk w-' SUlbbcd a fellow-lodger, lls0Uj also five other men who the same house, all being Veh if orJe v-'as arrested, bat no U1S been assigned for the outrage. with tlic great robberv of aiAndon ou Wednesday Henry Bailey in Lcybourne street, Chalk Voenr 'rSc(l vith bein concerned in fair nf ur of tnu niissinsr ingots of ue of abont ii60.

found I session. dfd Railway servant, named Sharp. WTJVH1 two by falling nnder ot a train iw.o MTJii. "out ii euiiijjoro -a. number of miners have been in Ti i at tbe for being con-Nk Pnze fight on the Llanwonno aPPeare be experienced ly? aapeito dto Bradford id to fcTff Barnsley extension and 5 i named Cyril Hewlett named Jose English, who street Sol? maD and wife ut 10' Den' a8'ons in ondon were fonnd ly ng '9odB tC i eir room with shot I man w-JK wuumu iviib uciiu, Ml L.

Still nlifr I 2 Bun he woman was dead, I81; beinc, double suicide. attbe to bave leen dis-nWeen fnSeent which had taken fclgian ainfploslon of blasting powder Leadville. oAinnfjn aw AntioM 1 toVmr the El? ArmS, by- sPring the report SSns tCff Projected a massacre of 5 bean a wholesale fcPSSS The Armenians 7 erpHn i Ught tbe intruders. Ten SS5011 Placed nntr00pS fel Chitral fiS rfS rec-0rd Low's EttaST 4068 the field during tJt their achievement! tetWePUtatlaof the British Army, Kitho 3 to 81811,1 i the places of 1 nj one hefore them. feClf Navy League' ft, veji.

to aavarice NEXT. AT 32. BEIDGE STEEET. RSf WLS AXLES PLATES -tiSPSS CIUTES, PULLEYS, 4c. feS Is will SELL ay AUCTION There can be no question as to the topic of the week.

It is the heat. Bad enough here, rt has apparently been much worse in London, where it has reduced one of the most influential daily papers to writing it3 one leading article under the headin'r Phow Tho country is grilling under a lowering haze, and some of the most beautiful rural parts look every bit as black as Sheffield. I was over the Dore and Chinley route to Liverpool this week, and found the upper reaches of. Edale as grim as Erebus, in the queer heat shades. I am sorry to hear that the health of the town is suffering, and that typhoid is unusually prevalent.

The ac-' commodation at the Winter street Hospital is taxed to its utmost. Hallamshire is undoubtedly mnaical. The mural literature proclaims the fact. Were it not the case the Albert Hall would not be secured by concert promoters who bave the management of vocal aud instrumental celebrities who are on tour in the provinces. Patti and Paderewski, Slivinski and De Greef, Kichter and Lloyd, Ben Davtes and Belle Cole, Dawson and Medora Henson all these are names to conjure with in tho musical world.

Yet in the brief period of one week these luminaries will do something more than dart across the musical firmament. There can be little doubt of the success of each of the con certs which crowd so closely upon each other at the opening of tbe season. What should most closely concern us 13 tbe approaching Musical Festival, the date of which is Thursday, October 10. I find the Iris of nearly a century ago contained reports of a Musical Festival which was held in the Parish Church and the Theatre. On that occasion 839.

9s. lid. went to principal performers and incidental expenses. But even then the Infirmary benefited to the extent of 306. 7s.

2d. Is it too much to suggest that tne sons or Hallamshire to-day are more charitable than their ereat-erandfathers Tho first musical festival of which the present generation lias had any knowledge will, if the 6elf-sacrificine efforts of Dr. Coward and his 300 collaborators are appraised at their real vaiue, prove to be only the initial venture of many successful forcgatheringa ot musicians. Sheffield honours one of her own sons who hyhiB woik at the Crystal Palace, with choir and orchestra of thousands, established his right to consideration as director of a massed musical force. That this is so just at the time when Lieeds and Glasgow arc both coins across the silver streak for conductors i3 a fact which to my mind redounds very greatly to the credit of the city, and speaks" volumes for the wisdom of the executive.

I am pleased to be able to add that the aggregate rchearsal3 leave it altogether beyond doubt that those who are now securing tickets will hear such a dramatic rendering of Mendelssohn mas terpiece as can scarcely be surpassed at a tieeas Festival. The part which women are now taking in public affairs, and especially in public matters, is one of the features of the times. We shall have an object lesson next week in Sheffield. Tha Women's Total Abstinence Union is to hold its Autumnal general meetings this year in Sheffield. The delegates come from all parts of England.

Among them aro women known in every department of philanthropic work, and belonging to all tho parlies in the State. Conservatives, and Radicals, Home Rulers, and Unionists, they meet and work on the common ground of ardent desire to rid their country of the evils of intemperance. The Union, whose headquarters are at 57, Ludgate Hill, London, i3 a national organisation of affiliated societies and individual members. The Hon. Mrs.

Eliot Yorko, a Parish Coun cillor for Netley, Southampton, is to speak on ruesuay evening, bhe and her sister, Lady Uat-tersea, are both earnest temperance workers. Mrs. W. S. Caine is a daughter of the late Hujrh Stowell Brown, and is scarcely less known in the temperance world than her husband, lato member for Bradford.

Mrs. Finlav has for some years been an active member of the Hampstcad isoara or tiuardians. Our townswoman, Mrs. H. J.

Wilson, is this year the President of the Union. Miss M. E. Docwra, of Kelvedon, Essex, is described to as as a most capable Chairman of the Executive; while the devoted Honorary Secretary is Mrs. E.

W. Brooks, of Grays. Tho local arrangements are being made by Mrs. Doucaster, and Mrs. Edwin Barber, with the assistance of Mrs.

Rowntree, at the Rutland Institute. Faraate. I believe that many of our townsfolk who ivaf not ha themselves teetotalers, will be interested in hearing how tho arguments are put by the various spokeswomen of the causa. A correspondent sends ns the following notes on former funeral customs in Sheffield Before the Parish churchyard was closed for ouriais, custom naa arranged that funerals should, enter the churchyard through the gate looking down High street, the other entranc being reserved for weddings. The crooked narrow old street had its suggestions of state obsequies when the lords of the manor, who naci erected stately tombs for their honour in the side chapel of the Parish Church, were carried to rest with all tho dicnitv befitting their station.

When the alterations are com pleted we shall require a greater effort of imagination to fill the scene with the fancy of the past pageantry. By a survey made of the town in January, loj-o, iu appeared tnat there were then in Sheffield 2207 people, of whom 725 wore not able to live without thecharitvof their neili. hours. There were 100 householders able to relieve others, but poore artificers." and not above ten who had trrounds of their own on which to keep a cow aud 100 householders whom a fortnight's sickness would drive to beggary. The feasting then attending a state luneral would naturally draw together a "reat concourse of hungry people, and the presence oi poverty was honoured not only by the gifts offered on the altar during the religious ceremonial, hut also by the poor walking two by two in gowns in the procession.

At the inneral ot the sixth Earl of Shrewsbury, th unhappy husband of Bess of Haidwiek. and gaoler ot Mary Stuart, it is told that there were 20.000 people present, and 8000 poor re ceived doles, and as many more could not come forward because of the press. When the Lord of Hallamshire was buried from the Castle, the director of his obsequies suggested that the nearness to the place of sepulture presented adequate show of mounted grief. It was different if tho mourners started from the country house, having the overlook of such a wide area of country known as the manour, Young people of a certain age are much indebted to the local antiquarians who, at the time of the Prince aud Princess of Wales's visit to open Firth Park, devoted their abilities to constructing a painted shadow of the old Castle near the Lady Bridge. Until 1722 funerals were allowed to take place in the parish graveyard at any hour of tne day, and the inconvenience attending this arrangement grew so urgent that early in that year the Vicar, the assistant ministers, the churchwardens, and 73 parishioners petitioned the Archbiuhop of York to fix four o'clock in the afternoon as the latest time for burial at ordinary fees.

Twenty shillings was to be charged for any interment after that honr. On tbe 16th of February the Archbishop acceded to their wish, and ordered that the petition and his reply should be made public. Mr. Hunter tells us in his History of Hallamshire that the friendly societies of his day allowed a sum cf for members' burial expenses and that among the poorer class each person invited to a funeral contributed Is. towards the expenses, and received in return a cake specially prtpared for the occasion.

In an old local song, once popular among Sheffield workmen, Round legs by name," tbe hero of the ditty, Round Legs, is sent to Wadsley with burying cakes," and signalises himself on his arrival by asking if any dead folk live there The inky cloaks of monrners are within our own memory. It was the gruesome custom for undertakers to led black silken hoods and ample black covering cloaks for women, as well as long hat bands and shoulder scarves for men. There was a quaint picturesqueness in the garb the women wore. We can scarcely say as much for that assumed by the men. Indeed, wc think one of the most grotesque objects we remember to have seen was the driver of a country hearse who wore a streaming band on a soft low-crowned felt hat.

In another social grade children's grief at the death of distant relatives and friends, supposing it to have existed, was much soothed by the gift of delicious spongy rice cakes which accompanied the funeral cards. These biscuits were oblong, and usually measured about nine inches by five or six, and were about two inches in thickness. What fashion had ordained their size or shape we cannot say, but it is to be supposed that some motive caused the form chosen for these relics of the funeral "baked meats" of the past. SKRIOUS F1RKS IN LONDON. CHILDREN SUFFOCATED.

Several rather serious fires occurred in London during Thursday night and yesterday morning. By an outbreak at a private rcaideacs in Hackcey two ohildrea named Francis anl Alice Maoa wero suffocated, whilst a man named Aahton, who endeavoured to extinguish the flamrS, was burned on tho ants. In Allred place, Bedford square, au explosion of iraa occurred, injuring rur persons, Ann tiann, 43 Paroy Hann, 11 Emma Spicaeruell, 39 and Ethel Spiekrn.eila 4(1 tfta injured, wex roomed tn lnnpirl. may reasonably envy. Without a shot beinsr, fired, the difficult and delicate operation avnn men from the line to Chitral has been most suceessfrillTr and, ut taking leave of the force, Sir Robert BPeaKB stinted and generous terms of praise of the fine services of the troops.

The storming of the difficult and sternly-held Mala-kand Pass, the victorious engagement at che "erne, bnlliant passage of the Swat river, the gallant fiehta on Po.it the final overthrow of Umra Khan and the relief tne beleaguered garrison of Chitral, which these operations made nossibla. ments which have added to the reputation of me nncsn army, ana ot which every man who took part in them may well be croud. unH praising the strictly martial part of the cam paign, tne lareneral goes on to remark that the men have been exposed with little fihpltar cold and wet and to long-continued and ex cessive heat, while they have had constant and heavy duties by dav and nierht, and a4 ia uniformly evinced the highest discipline and devotion to duty." In estimating the significance of this experience, we must give every prominence to the fact that the great majority of luioit are nox unions, but nnr.iira jects of the Empress of India. FioVrHnr, working side by side with their fellow-subjects of the same Empire, they have nobly upheld the honour of IL army of which they now form 6 part. Can any nation show a parallel We think not.

The bond which unites England to her dependencies is perhaps the one subject on which the mildest Briton may justly feel Jingoistic. In the case under notice we have men of a different race, officered by our own countrymen, loyally fighting our battles and maki common cause with us against people almost of their own race. The foes of the Empress of India are the foes of her Indian subjects, and the confidence which exists between the Government and the native soldiery is such that we have not the slightest suspicious doubt in sending to a wild and isolated district an army in which the native element is in the majority. Such a happy sense of security does not exist between any other European Government und its alien subjects, and in the wise and humane system of Government which has produced this unprecedented bond of sympathy is our greatest assurance of the solidity of the British Empire. The more the Hindoo becomes educated and enlightened the more will he know and appreciate the value of English rule above that of any other of the stronger Powers, to one of which on account or the heterogenous character of his race he must be subject.

One instance of this difference of treatment is to be found in the contrast between the Madagascar and Chitral campaigns. The alien forces which the French are impressing into their service are fighting because they are forced to fight. But more marked still is the contrast between the treatment of those helpless beings the hewers of wood and drawers of water. While the camn- followers of the French expedition are being wcKea ana ill-treated, left to wrestle wita the ravages of disease with no provision for medical assistance, and generally treated as little better than animals, we read the following testimony in General Low's report of the Chitral cam paign "These remarks wouid be incomplete if a word were not said in nraise of that useful and much-enduring class, the followers, to whom the fighting men of the army of India owe so much. These men have worked and conducted themselves in the most admirable manner throughout the campaign, and it is most satisfactory to know that they have been well-cared for and that there have been rela tively few casualties among them." That feeling of sympathy and fair play which is the key note of the best 6ide of the English character, and which ensures justice for the coolie and the ivaiiir, as well as for the white man, for the humble camp-follower as well as for the soldier, is the greatest influence in our success abroad.

We often mnet Britishers who affect to regard this impartial consideration for natives as chicken-hearted sentiment, but at heart these very people are proud of the national character which England holds for fairness and humanity, and the occasional growl is only an outcome of the Englishman's inalienable right to grumble. 1 urning to another part of our vast Empire, we find the Government face to face with a question which vitally affects the future of that great continent upon which such high hopes ire now being centred. Africa and the liquor trade is a far more knotty problem than the liquor question at home. There are wide differences of opinion as to the extent of danger to English lifo which strong drink presents, but there is no divided opinion as to the utter ruination which tho introduction of strong drink into an African tribe represents. The raw or the semi-civilised native is utterlv incapable of taking "fire water in moderation.

The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, lookiner at the matter from a business point of view, have taken the matter up and, in the course of discussing the difficulties, they have coasiuered the practi cal side of the question. The greatest difficulty lies in the fact that other countries have power and influence in Africa, and it has been suggested that something in the nature of an international agreement with France, Germany, Portugal, and the Congo Free State might he attempted. Looked at from a purely economic point of view, the liquor trade with natives is highly reprehensible. The exhilarating practice of conquering savage tribes may be glorious, but the establishment of trade and commerce i3 more practical. The native Africans liftea into such a level of industry and civilisation as me people under Khama's rule are profitable customers for our legitimate traders, and Jae more civilised they become the greater theii requirements and the more extensive our trade.

But the savage in his raw state, while he maj bo more picturesque, is not a profitable person, wmle cue African who has become depraved by "fire water" is utterlv hopeless. It is hieblv important for many reasons that trade in Africa should be fostered. The gold and diamond hunt may represent a more fascinating attraction for the individual adventurer, but we sadly fear that, as was the case in California, there are hundreds doomed to bitter disappointment. Plodding industrv rather than spas- odic adventure is the secret of success in colonisint as much as in other work. We sincerely hope another South Sea epidemic is not about to seize the lintish investor, and that this rush to speculate on precious products, which as vet are only visionarv.

will not lead men and women on to despair and financial ruin ns other rushes have done. Africa possesses the means of wealth for England, but that wealth will be attained from genuine markets created by husbandry rather than from speculation on the chances of the yellow ore or the glittering stons. THE PENY DREADFUL. Everybody seems to be agreed in denouncing the penny dreadful. Now and then some worthy magistrate, sentencing an unfortunate young scamp to the birch rod or the reformatory, solemnly lectures the court on the iquitous effect of these publications on the youthful mind.

The newspapers are prompt to take up the cry indignant correspondents join in the protest and sometimes even a Parliamentary candidate gets heckled on this weighty question. It may, however, be reasonably asked, are these strongly stigmatised works in reality so desperately wicked Is it quite fair to insinuate that because some very naughty boyoccasionally endeavours to imitate the achieve ments of the Buccaneer King or the Terrible Brothers of Tabasco, every reader of these gory volumes is likewise affected A sweeping con demnation of these books, like most other sweeping condemnations, is emphatically unjust. Something, we beJieve, can be said even for the much-abused "penny blood." We have before us a volume containing some incidents in the career of a person known as "Ballarat Bill." Now Ballarat Bill," does not seem to have been altogether a bad sort of man. In the first chapter of the work relating his ad ventures among the Patagonian giants, we find him rescuing a virtuous female in distress. No body, we tliink, can find any fault with this.

To rescue virtue in distress is a deed which every English boy should be taught to perform. "Ballarat Bill," after fearful encounters with EE PORTED BIG SCHEME OP REFORM. ELECTIVE TO BE SUBSTITUTE! FOR HEREDITARY PRINCIPLE. HauS Chronicle." makes a somewhat ft- to the House of Lords qm uon not only declares that. t.h TV ohir only declares that tho Torv con.

template a change iu tho constitution, the Upper House, but it considers itself ia a position to affirm that tho chango will bo of a most drastic character. Our conto.iiporary says Wo have reason to think that many laadins members of tho Unionist party are contemplating a reform of tho Iiouso of Lords. What shape that reform may tako it would, of coarse, be impossible to say and would be equally impossible to say when it would bo undertaken. The Cabinet will obviously not begin with a great organio change especially as there aro other mutters to be dealtwitk of an urgent nature. But it would bo quite easy for an unofficial but leading member ot" tho party to staifc a ballon d'essai for tho sako of testing public sentime it and getting the benefit of criticism.

Wo believe thai some sueb scheme is already being prepared by a promt cut Conservative, himself a member oi'tbo Souse of Lords, and that he is not acting without the knowledge, or perhaps without tho inspiration, of certain mem? bers of tho It shows at wliat a rapid pace our political evolution has proceeded," the "Chronicle'' continues, "whoa wo say that a foremost element in this tentative schema' is tho elimiuation of the purely hereditary element ia tho lioiise of Lords. The idea is to make the Housa of Lords an elective or, if tho term be preferred as bciuij mora strictly accurate, a selective body. The i process of selection win doubtless be guarded and, i hedged in by restrictions, but it will constitute a maia fact the proposal. John Stuart Mill suggested, ia his Representative Government that tho principle which aircady exists in relation to the Scotch peers should be extended to peers generally. Were this done, we should have a much smaller House of Lords than at present, constituted out of the general peerage, and i-hoscn by the peers' snllrage.

Another, method would be to elect a certain proportion of peera by the Housa of Commons and both these plans, wa believe, aro under consideration. The rights of tha Crowu as to the creation of peerages would not, it will bo observed, be touched in any way; but the mere fact of a peerago would constitute no claim to sit the House of Lords. Tho distinction between a titled noble and a peer of Parliament would become a solid fact for tho peer of Parliament would have to be elected ad hoc; and it is estimated that about half the House wouid be constituted in this way. fit conjunction with this scheme there would probably, be introduced the option of permitting a peer to forego-, bis Honse of Lords prerogatives, and to offer himself as a candidate for popular suffrage to the House of Commins. With half the Mouse of Lords filled in tbia manner, it would not bo difficult to associate that House, in regard to its second moiety, with the locai administration and magistracy of the country, everyA year rising to larger proportions and greater importance.

The chairmen of County Councils or other persons delegated by such bodies, together with Mia chairmen of quarter sessions, would put tho House of Lords in touvh with the local life of the kingdom, ancl-ccntrihute greatly to its substantial, as distinguishedl from its merely rormal, Tho "Chronid'd" concludes: "We believe that this project has been and will continue to be under dehbera- tion by those; who direct the fortunes of the Unionist party. More than this we cannot say at present, buti that" somo such scheme is beins considered in the iimee circles of the party in power may be taken as fairly'; certain." Inquiry as tho author of litis revolutionary suggests that he may be found in the person of tk modern peer who held a post in tho last Conservative Cabinet, but is without office in tog existing Administration. POACHING AFERAY K0WSLEY. KEAR TWO CONSTABLES INJURED. Th Comity Tclico authorities at Chesterfield re cched information yesterday of a poaching affray which took place during tho previous night near Rows-ley.

Police-constablo Edwards, of Holymoorside, and Police-constable Sadler, of Ashover, surprised a gang while engaged in their unlawful pursuits at Gladwyn Mark. There were five poachers together, and when tho constables confronted them they offered resis-tonco, and freely used heavy sticks, ultimately mak-ing a dash for liberty. The constables though suffer in? from serious i'ljiiries, went in pursuit of the party, and succeeded in two, who were later in the day escorted to the Chesterfield lock-up, and will hs dealt with by tho magistrates this morning. Edwards seems to have been the most badly served, and has a nasty cut on the jaw, and other injuries about tap arms. PAINFUL LOVE TRAGEDY.

ATTEMPTED DOUBLE SUICIDIj! DEATH OP THE GIRL. A painful tragedy, which is the culmination of a very romantic love affair, took place yesterday at 10; Denmark street, Soho, Loudon. A medical student named Cyril Hewlett Dntta, aged 19, and a girl named Rcse English, aged 21, who had been living at tha above address for the past fortnight as man and wifei wero found shortly after midday lying upon a bed a half naked state, tho woman being dead, and Dutta unconscious. Tho woman had a bullet wound in the left breast and another in the left side, and her com parjion had two shot wounds in the chest. Blood which had poured from their bodies saturated tha mattress, and was lying in pools upon the floor, and a box of cartridges and a miniature revolver were found upon tho bed.

It was at first supposed that Dutta had murdered the girl and theU committed suicide, but there is reason zo believe that this assumption is ennsasons, and it is assarted that Dutta, who regained consciousness after the arrival of tho doctor and police, mauo a statement to the effect thao English commuted suicide, aud that ho then shot himself also. Deceased who had lived at( Denmark strot for about 14 months was, it is said, supported by a rich grandmother, who sent her 10 weekly, while Dutta was the son of a wealthy West Indian merchant, who had disowned max in consequence of his connection with tho girl. Aboafc a month ago tho pair wcat to Ipswich, and tho dq ceased told tho landlady the house that they were going to bo married, bufc that tho marriage was to ba. kept secret owiag to Dutuv's father. "When they had been away somo days the landlady received a telegram frcm Dutta, Buying, Rose is mine." This she understood to mean that the marriage had taken place.

They returned a fortnight since, aud seemed to live on tha happiest terras. The landlady believes Dutta loved, tho girl madly, and could not do her injury. Sha thinks the girl was distressed at being tho cause of tho. estrangement between her lover and his father, ami' tiiis may have induced her to take her life. Dutta was immediately taken to the Middlesex Hospital, where one of the bullets was extracted, and it is reported thafc he is doiug well.

He has occasionally' dropped the name of Dutta, and at tho hospital gava) the name of Cyril Hewlett. Ho is a student at Guy's Hospital, and was to tako the B.A. degree to-day af Oxford. ANOTHER ACCOUNT. The Central 'o3 eayB A mysterious tragedy took place yesterday ia Donmark street, Charicjr Cross, road, whoa a-yanc; West Indian medical student, of day's Hospital, wa3 found to revolver shot wounds ia his breisfc, lying bosida the dead body of Ibis paramour, i'bo ican, who was 21 yc3r3 old, is named Cyril Hewitt Boula.

He is a half caste. The girl't case was Ruse English. She was in receipt of ait guineas week, winch sho sail she received from her raadmotlor. She is described as in actress, bat is quite anknown. The pair met a year aero, and' aacreod ta live together.

Tho girl, who was 24 years old, had beeu undor a doctor for neuralgia, and be dis covered the couple yesterday. Deal revived snffi ciently to walk to a cab, and was taken to the hospital. He stattnl that Eughsh awoke ytstcrdiy morning at 11, aad alter talking awbilo sho irot up and, baking a revolver from the riresainer I able, shot horaelf ia tha left breast nud neck. Fincinc she was dead, be did nrt wish to live, ami shot himself twice iu tha breast. He will probably recover.

He cannot account for the acti.v. BATHING m) ITS COST IN GREAT CITIES. An eminent French aiuiiority on matters municipal, Dr. Paul Bronssc, recently contributed to a Paris coo temporary (says au interesting article tho cost of bathing in various European cities. Ha contends that Paris is amongst the worst served of greafr cities in this respect.

Thero are in Paris, he says, only 200 bathing places for a population of 2,400,000 souls, or one bath for every 12,000 persons Paris con- fdaU for an-l Publio purposes abontf 550,000 metres cube of water. Ancient Rome had 856 public liatlis, and used in them 750,000 metres per day. Tho principal German towns Munich, N.irei burg, Altona, Osnabruck, Frankfort, Cassel, Wurx burg, Braunschweig, Leipzig have all established go.4 bathing places in their public schools, and many of English municipalities have municipal baths. M. Lonhf Masson, tne of tho Paris health inspectors, recentM reported that at Vienna a public bathing service had been organised in the working rlass quarter of Mon4 scheingasse.

Tho price charged is a penny farthing per person, a farthing extra for soap, but nothing extra tot towels, Tho samo authority reported that th Berlin Municipal Council granted 108,000 marks to charitable concern, which gave excellent bathing facuV ties for sums ranging from a penny farthing (soap am? towel included) to about threepence, according to tn nature of the bath. In London, says Dr. Brousse, cold bath can bo got for a petjny.and a mm one foi about twopence. In Paris, wbero bathing is eatereir fr by thprivate speculator alone one cannot, even in a working class quarter, get a bath for less than fourpenee, whilst even a Seme bath costs threepence, besides a penny tip to the attendant. ToBACCOirarrs Coimbscis Hid, Guide igfOmgt T-Ni, 13 6, is to regaru una as a mt or astute recess journal ism something on a higher plane than discussions on The Age of Love," or Our Dauh ters," but still a dull season boom.

The enter- prisine nowspaper which starts it must not be offended if neonlfl hav.i. hv nasfc waniimra. hn. 1 come a little suspicious of its hysterics; and 1 lurtber, it is not exactly to the Uhronicle that either Tory chiefs or Tory hangers-ou are likely to confido their designs. Nor will tho experienced fail to subject the statements tc analysis.

It doc3 not require this to bo very searching to reveal that a large superstructure is erected on a very small basis. There is none of the indiscretion of specificneos which recently, in the case of a reverend journalist, enabled a scare about conscription to be speedily run to ground. On the contrary, everything is vagua and general. Inasmuch as all thinking politicians must at one time or another, havo reflec ted on or discussed the problem of the House of Lords, the only possible directions in which their thoughts would go cm easily be imagined. Anu it would be strange if among all the mem hers of tho Houso of Lords, no one had been found to indulge in tho fascinating amusement of constitution tinkering, and had been sufficiently pleased with his work to submit it to thoso who "direct the fortunes of the Unionist nartv." But hnvrinil fckafc thora ia hnU i i a.i prudence in declining definitely to indicate what shape the reform may take, or to say when it will bo undertaken probably tho Greek Kalends.

This admission of the inability of precision is regarded, in the clubs and wherever this ballon d'essai has been discussed, as conclusively indicating its gassy nature. I find that one unrehearsed result of the Grin-delwald palavers, and their journalistic echoe3, has beeu to emphasise the inrooted suspicion which dwells in the lay mind as to the levelheadedness of clerical politicians. No one, except tho remnants of old-fashioned Methodism, tho most Conservative of all bodies, would be inclined to deny tho great service Mr. Hugh Price Hughes has done in awakening his denomination as well as in social efforts, and to some extent in general politics. But his discretion has not always run hand in hand with his zeal, and even amid his personal friends and admirers thero is to bo detected somo feelings of apprehension as to whither ho is going, and as to bis facility for shedding old beliefs or perhaps ono should say w'aterinr down orinciblo in searches after opportunism.

His lino on compen- sahon in regard to tho liquor traffic disturbed sonie of bis followers; it is doubted whether he may prove to be quite resolute to keep Homo Rule free from the weakening of Tory devices and his concessions on religious instruction in elementary schools are looked upon as still more ominous. Is he, people aro asking, gradually drifting into a position not very distinguishable from what, through want of a better term, wo call Liberal Unionism? Liberals do not want to seo r.ny augmentation of the army of political "rats." Amid all the fatuities of the silly season, wi do sometimes hit upon topics that it is really useful to ventilate. The citizen who writes to the newspapers if he has found the descent from the curbstcne to tho roadway too deep is, of course, always with us. The ducks pursued by a reckless hawk, even within the habitations of men, is as infallible a harbinger of the autumnal dearth as in old days was the great sea serpent. With these and other venerable visitants, we must put up.

But just when half the world is, or has been in country districts, there is a certain appropriateness in urging more systematic attention to such minor points of public comfort as a duo supply of sign po3ts at the bifurcations of rural roads. In some parts of the country this is admirably done. In others thero is not the slightest attention paid to tho r.eeds of tho pedestrian, the cyclist, or tho horseman a rotten post, with dceropit arms, illegible inscription being too often the only indication that wayfarers mr.y possibly go wrong. They cany this matter to the other extreme in Germany. It is not necessary that tho State should put up notices insisting that all cyclists shall dismount at certain hills, or affix coloured arrows on every tree.

But thero is a meant between the two extremes that every wanderer in rustic haunts would gladly welcome. The visit of the Trince of Wales to Copenhagen, during tho sojourn there of the Princess, was not included in bis original plans, but it has been noted with satisfaction by many who heir verv widclv apart. It is, indeed, asserted that among those to wheni this incident, has given pleasure, has been the Queen herself. At tho cud or next mouth Earl Spencer and tho Couutos3 propose to tako tho relaxation of a somewhat extensive foreign tour. His lordship's long devotion to ofiicial work has certainly earned for him tho right to a good holiday, and ho proposes to visit Cairo and take a trip up the Nile.

Tho countess will, it is expected, lengthen her jouruey bv going as far as Bom-oay. India, indeed, is becoming quite a ravourite bouruo for societv and politicians Among thoso who are credited with projects for journeying thither in the cool sesison it is presumed wo shall havo one, somo time aro ir. Courtney, Mr. and Mrs. Asquith, and Six John Poyndcr.

Mr. Caine has long been drawn to Incua. Sir Edwin Arnold is also off enst- vrar.ds. mm, p-haps, of another "Li-It of Asia." Tho hint that Lord Sriisbury mav shortly resign tho Foreign Secretaryship and be succeeded by Lord Dulferin, has caused a flutter in Tory circles. Lord Dufferin is popular enough among tho Tories, but somo of them strenuously aver that tho post of Forei-n Secretary should not be added to tha long list already occupied by Liberal Unionists.

Some would much prefer that Lord Salisbury, if ho wishes to be relioved of auv of his duties, should relmquish tho position of Premier in favour of Mr. Balfour and retain tho control of our Foreign Affairs. Nothing further has been heard of the report that Sir W. Hart-Dyke is to succeed Sir West Kidgoway as Governor of tho Islo of Man, hut iti 1 'iemls of the Vice-President of tho Council declare themselves confident that tie would rot caro to accopt what they describe as a minor poii. In his own nci'abourhood' tnoro is a strong feeling that the genial baronet and popular ex-Whip ought to have been ottered a moro important appointment.

Tho linotype system of substituting for "setting up type, an mgenious method of casting lineT advances with rapid strides, and constantly being introduced into fresh offices. Increased business has told its talo in the prosperity of tho company which wtrks tho patents. The opinion of speculator. that this company has finally surmounted its initial difficulties, and that it is "a good thing," is indicated by constant efforts mado by stock brokers to discover polders of shares who are willinir tn Bf.ll Pro prietors in the company aro persistently invited vw uut.o mo ierms on wmcn tney will do business. Last week holders of founders' shares of 20 each rcceivec.

offers of 85 per share. This week the bid has risen to 100. The company is wisely ensaeed in n.ivlntr nflF ct, i I flwuio Ul lilt? IJU- ligations it contracted when in tho uncertninitv or its future, and ia tho costliness of laym-foundations, it had to offer tempting rates of interest. Thero is a curious rumour current at some of tho Tor-r clubs. It is said that the retirement of Mr.

Middleton will coincide with the presentation of tha trati Conservative party are on the evo of suffering as groat a loss as tho Liberals suffered when Mr. Scunadhorst resigned the position of party manager. But it is possible that tho vacancy understaod to be impending at St. Stephen's Chambers will not be that of the chief, and that instead of Mr. Middleton, one of his lieutenants is leaving.

aS Mr. Middleton is eniovino- rrnnA health, and as he ha3 not oven complained of over-worn, in seems uniuscly that he should, on tho morrow of his triumnh, run away from nis post. OUR LETTER BAG. Messrs. Haw ley Brothers, Rawmarsh, state that the estimate of damage caused by tho fire on their pottery premises was very wide of the mark.

They add that they bave not yet ascertained the amount of damage. Messrs. A and G. Taylor, photographers, of Nottingham and Sheffield, wish it to be known that tho trothcrs Taylor, who wero before the Rotherham bench recently, have no connection with their firm. AN EXPRESS IN COLLISION.

On Thursday evening, as the Severn Tunnel express frornManchester and Liverpool to Bristol was standin in Jrewo fetation, it was run into by a portion of another tram that was being shunted. A number of passengers were shaken and much alarmed, but no serious injurv was reported. The driver of the engine was thrown among the coals on the tender. Tkboit Amorous ahd Baowa's Baox. crial TB0CHK3 are most benetlcial for the cure or a'leWa-tion of Coughs, Colda, Bronchitis, Asthma, or Catarrh.

In the form of a loz may ba carried on the person. Con-tain no opiate, Verfectly safe. Of all Chemists, lid, Tho continuance of phenomenally hot weather almost to the end of September is seriously interfering with tho arrangements of the retail drapers. This is the month in which the demand for winter goods usually commences, but what is use of displaying furs, ulsters, blankets and other garments which enable those fortunate enough to be able to possess them to defy the attacks of frost and 6now with tha thermometer in its present position? The consequence is a delay of the drapers' and tailors winter season. Here is a story of the Serve-Turkish wars from the book just published bv Mr.

Archibald Forbes. iaj Andreas mentioned was Mr. Forbes's servant: In the early part of the day there was a good deal of scat tered woodland fighting in front of the entrenched line which was abandoned when iie Turks came on in earnest. Andreas and I were among the trees trying to find a position from which something was to be seen, when all of a sudden who was in advance, plumped right into the centre of a small scouting party of xurks They tore me out of the saddle, and I had given myself up for lost for the Turks took no prisoners, their cheerful practice being to slaughter first and then abominably to mutilate when suddenly ndreas dashed in among my captori, suuiiLuig uuuu in language wmcn tOOK to ue Turkish, since he bellowed "Effendi" as he pointed to me. He had thrown away his billv-ccck and substituted a fez, which he afterwards told me he always carried in case of accidents, and in one hand he waved a dingy piece of parchment with a seal dangling from it, whica I assumed was some obsolete firman.

The result was truly amazing, and the scene had some real humour in it. With profound salaams tho Turks unhanded me, helped me to mount, and as I rode off at a tangent with Andreas at my horse's head, cauea alter me what sounded like friendl farewells. When we were back among the Rus sians 1 don remember seeing much of the Ser vians later on that day Andreas explained that he had passed himself off for the Turkish dragoman of a British correspondent whom the Padishah delighted to honcur, and that, after expressing a burning desire to defile the graves of their collective female ancestry, he had assured my captors that they might count themselves dead men if they did not immediately release me. The way in which fashions ore set alwavs." says the Lady," affords food for amusing and instructive researcn. some charming woman, upon whom the eyes of the multitude happen, for the time, to be fixed, adopts a certain style which enhances her beauty, when straightway all the members of her sex who happen to be most unlike her proceed ioyfully to follow suit, and flatter themselves that they are equally attractive.

This is especially the case with regard to hairdressing. The low coil iu the nape of the neck 'camo in' years ago, with Mrs. Langtry; tho Greek knot which subsequently adorned so many unclassical heads was brought into favour by the admirers of Mary Anderson, and has since enjoyed a renewal in compliment to Miss Julia Neilson's beauty. A year or so ago every second woman wore her hair parted in the midde, and falling in two waves on her brow. just because that extremely trying mode hap pened to suit the uncommon style of tho newest idol, Mrs.

Patrick Campbell. Of course, thre have always been a ceitain number mostly members of the Court circle who have adhered to the closely-curled aud pointed fringe worn by the Princesses of Wales and the Duchess of York. Put very shortly if one may judgo by yat experience we shall witness a revival of the straight, or 'baby' fringe, and this will be the result of our introduction to 'Trilby' and Mis9 Dorothea Baird." Sir W. H. Wills, M.P., writes to the "Daily News from Blagdon, Somerset This morning my gardener gathered a dish of fully-ripened strawberries (out-door) of excellent flavour.

The garden lies nearly 400 feet above the sea, and on the north slope of the Mendips. No one here ui the village can remember such a season, either aur beat or for apples." Popular interest in Princess Alexandra's marriage will be an additional factor, for it will be remembered that tha Duchess of Coburg's daughters have always worn their hair plainly cut and hardly curled at all, as have also thp younger sisters of the Duchess d'Aosta. One therefore ventures to offer a word of warning to the pretty enthusiasts who think more of being in the fashion than of suiting their own charms. Straight as our American cousins call them, are becoming enough to those who, like Miss Baird, have straight features, fair hair, and a roguish expression, which carries out the some what childish coiffure but woe betide the person past her first youth, or the owner of irregular features, who ventures to adopt it! In dark hair, too, this particular fringe makes a heavy line across the face, which is anything but ira proving. Englishwomen should consult their mirrors more respectfully than they do before making changes in their hairdressing.

If we were all as much alike as the sheep in a flock, the same fashion would suit us all, but even civilisation has not yet succeeded in effecting that result. Frenchwomen realise this; hence the individuality and piquancy that we so often envy without divining its source. A Parisienne asks first, not Is it smart or Is it the fashion but Does it suit There is a story told in the New York papers about Mr. Marion Crawford and Miss Wilkins Sir. CravIord was told by his hostess in New York that sho desired to present him to Miss Wilkins.

Ah I should bo delighted," said Crawford, but first tell me who Miss Wilkins is." You don't mean to tell me that you haven't heard of Mary Wilkins?" "But it is true; I have not." Then I'll te'l you something about her that may interest you. Mr. Dana says that she has written the most powerful of recent American novels. If that is so she has beaten ou." Present me, then, by all means," said Mr. Crawford.

Bicycles have been put to many purposes besides that for which they were originally invented but, says the Girl's Own Paper," it was reserved for the late Sultan of Morocco to use them as a means of punishment. A number of bicycles were presented to him by an official of the French Government, and his Shereefian Majesty immediately used them as instruments of torture for any of the ladies of his harem who had had the misfortune to offend him. The unfortunate women were placed on the achines and compelled to ride round a marked in tho palace gardens. Naturally they repeatedly to tho ground, their sudden descent causing the Sultan the greatest amusement. When they had rolled in the dust a c'ozen times the punishment was complete, and tlpy were allowed to return to the palace to i.eal their bruises as best they might.

Lard Methuen has yet to be convinced of the safety of tho kite for purposes of ascent. He went to the home of kites, where their creator, Mr. Badan-Powcll, resides, at Pit-bright. He told me," says his lordship, that he had persuaded an officer let me remark that it was the youngest, the lightest, and junior officer of the regiment to essay an ascent in the kite. Mr.

Baden-Powell was there; it was perfectly within his power to satisfy me as to its safety by at once ascending. There was a feeling of satisfaction amongst some of those officers junior to him, and it seemed to me that the feeling of promotion perhaps for the moment superseded the great feeling of friendship that they had towards their brother officer. They looked to him as much as to say, It is now your duty to go and, so far, I thought perhaps Mr. Haden-Powell was alone to blame for his satisfying my very legitimate curiosity. His commanding officer, however, said to me with a good deal of sense, Baden-Powell don't go up in the kite till he has finished his instruction in my reconnaissance class.

Now Mr. Baden-Powell has, I belive, finished his instruction in my reconnaissance class, and if he will satisfy me by ascending to a height in the air, where he tells me the wind is more rapid than it is nearer the earth, I shall be only too glad to go down to see the venture, and then I shall be sat isfied that there is more safety in the kite than I believe at present exists." "The Russian women of the nobility," says Anna Kapriste in the "Humanitarian," "will compare favourably with those of any country in the civilised world. They are well-bred and well-educated, highly intellectual, and with brilliant social qualities. They are always good linguists and generally born diplomats. Hence the influence of women in political matters is great, albeit that influence is behind the scenes.

They are treated with great deference by the men, and their opinion is often consulted on affairs. There is none of that half-contemptuous, half-tolerant manner which your Englishman so often affects towards women. But then I am inclined to think that the Russian woman of this class is socially and intellectually superior to her English sister. It is these qualities which make Russian society so brilliant, and tne Court circle of Petersburg is more exclusive and more cultured than that of any Court in Europe." During the last half-century, says a writer in The Theatre," the remuneration earned by tlioso who work for tho stage has increased by leaps and bounds. Forty years ago the regulation honorarium for a piece was from 50 or 100 an act out-and out." In the 'fifties 300 was quite a handsome sum for a three-act comedy.

Nowadays a dramatist of repute woula be disappointed if he did nnf i uxouj U1UU- sands a year out of its London run alone. And njia wrewmea too or iiuu an act was accepted by such well known men as Tom Taylor, Shirlev Brooks, and Planche. Of course, the salaries of players are larger now than they used to be. Roughly speaking, they have been trebled during the last 20 years. A man who used to get five guineas a week now roroiima Ttut it must be remembered that at the present time the average actor is by no means sure of continuous employment.

In the days of the stock companies the actor remained at his theatre, it might be for years, it might be for ever. His salary was not large, but sure. But now that a cu6 "i me run or tne piece his engagement denends duction. Mr. Samtsbury, whoso appointment to the Professorship of Rhetoric and English Literature at Edinburgh University is announced, is no doubt less eminent as a man of letters than nis competitor Mr.

Henley, but on the whole more suited to ha a Pmfnccn, that the two chief candidates for this post should uavw urea prominently connected with Lon don weekly journalism Mr. Henley as editor of the "National Observer" (old style), and Mr. Samtsbury as assistant editor of the Saturday Review" (also old style). Mr. Saintsbury was largely responsible for organising the literary work of the Saturday Review until its recent change of editorship.

Boyond his anonymous work for the Saturday Review," Mr. Saintsbury has written much under Ins own name, and he has earned himself a reputation as an able, scholarly, and suggestive critic. He is in his 50th year, having been born in Southampton on Octo bor 23, 1845. He was educated at King's College School, London, and in 1868 took a B.A. degree at Merton College.

Oxford PT kaVi a mastership in the Manchester Grammar School. aa uaa puonsnea among other works, French Lyrics," Specimens of French Literature, "Specimens of English Prose Style." Mr. Saintsbury is said to have a more extensive knowledge of French literature than any livin" Englishman. Some of the shade trees in American cities are being killed by electricity. American electricians are far from being as tidy and scientific in their operations as British or Continental ones, and it is common enough for them to run wires through the trees.

The result is that in wet weather the electricity escapes from the wire an- destroys the tree. On other hand, weeds are now killed on American railway tracks ly watering them and giving them a powerful shock of electricity. A correction was made by a writer in tho Daily s.u.j, traverses the state-ma it that Mr. Mundella owned himself indebted to -he advantages derived from educa-tiou In a Church School. In 1868 he heard Mr.

IWundella expressly "declare that what progress he had made in the world was mainly due to the benefits he had Tor-m-a-aA fmm iiviiiuuauwj at the evening school connected with Gallowtree gate congregational Uhapel, Leicester." The St. James's Gaznr.fcrt lino 1 gwvu-uuuncvi fling at out weatherologists. It says -His learn rag and personal excellences notwithstanding, Mr. R. H.

Scott, raeteorologist-in-chier to tho British Islands, is a very disappointing official. He has confessed that the great heat is as in-penetrablo a mystery to him as to anybody. Ho has a large staff of gentlemen on intimate dailr relations with sun, clouds, and sea; ho has a fine set of offices in Victoria street, the walls of which are lined with weatherwise volumes and the roof of which is covered with instruments; he is in daily, nightly, md hourly communication by telegraph with scores of persons who spend their time in gazing skywards yet is he unable to tell us why it should be so hot, and, what is more to tho nnint, vuhp.n t.Vio lio-it. subside. The atmosphere ought to be growing uuuiei, uo xoia tho UDiquitous interviewer yesterday but it isn't and of explanation he has none to offer.

He was in the same helpless plight last winter, when for eight or nine weeks no man dared to light his kitchen fire. Then was Mr. Scott besieged with inquirers who implored him to tell them how long tho frost would prevail. Nor. hti'mcr a nrnoflioi.

nnnnlr iWl more idea than a parched rain-gauge. He could v.uj auvibu me people io snivcr with patience and cultivate an attitude of philosophic toleration towards the water companies. Nor is he of any greater service now. The heat, said he, speaking through his deputy, "may be attributable to the anti-cyclone which has been in existence a long time in Europe but if you ask mo why an anti-cyclone should produce heat, I can't tell you." Nor can he see any prospect of change. He can only bid us wait.

At last it has. been found out that Mr. Gladstone aoea not know everything. His weak subiect js music. Average individuals, says me Globe," ought to feel much obliged to th? editor of the "New Age for setting limits to the omniscience of Mr.

Gladstone. In the present instance, Mr. Gladstone appears to have given himself away in conversation with a lady on the subject of music. For not only did he commit himself to the exceedingly disputable maxim that the best mu'ic was that which appealed to the largest number of average people, out he went on to volunteer the confession the his own favourite opera was the Puritani," a work which has not been heard at Covent Garden for at least ten vears. More, however, was still to come, for when his fair interlocutor made bold to hint that tho evolution of opera had advanced considerablv sinco the days of Bellini, principally owing to tho genius of Wagner, Mr.

Gladstone is reported to have made tho remarkable comment, "Wagner? Is the man dead?" In view of the immense numbers of Wagnero-laters in this country, and the intensity of their adoration, it is just as well that Mr. Gladstone removed from the turmoil of controversy. THE LIQUOR TRADE IN RUSSIA. PROPOSED STATE REGULATION. It is reported that the Russian Government is about assume control of the manufacture and sale of all alcoholic liquors within tbe empire.

The executiou of the law making the trade an absolute Government monopoly will be begun nest year, when it will be applied in eight provinces. In the following year the system will embrace seven additional provinces, and on January 1, 1898, the whole eountrv wUl be brought unoer its previsions. It is expected that this system will do away with most of the abuses of the liquor traffic, which have been peculiarly flagrant in Russia, and to which many of tho disorders, social, industrial, sanitary, and economic, may in some degree be ascribed, lb is thought tliat) while the injurious consequences of the traffic will be minimised by Government control, the revenues from it wiU be greatly increased. The old liquor dealer in Russia is described as a lawbreaker, a usurer, and a promoter of drunkenness, and his influence upon society at large as of an extremely pernicious and demoralising character. There is probably no doubt of the accuracy of this characterisation, taking the class an average, nor that the business will be much more satisfactorily and profitably conducted by tho Government than it has been by them.

No regulation of the traffic on so wide a scale has ever before been attempted, and its results will be watched with interest all over the world. CHINA AND THE MISSIONARIES. A BRITISH DEMONSTRATION. A Shanghai telegram in the Pall Mll Gaaottn Appearances favour the idea that the British Government is at length in eannst. Five British Rara'-ips are now on the Yftngtse-Kianfr, and it is stated that four more are ti join them.

MR. J. WILLIAMSON'S PEERAGE. Lord Ashton, who, as Mr. J.

Williamson, was fot nine years representative of the Lancaster liivisicn, has been presented with an illuminated address of congratulation on his elevation to the Peerage. The au" was suDscnoea to oy an departments ox nis works, which employ several thousand hands. His Lordship, replying, refuted the calumnies uttered on his accepting the dignity. The peerage, he said, was offered him years ago by Mr. Gladstone, but he persistently declined it untilf it came to a question whether he should accept it or efface boself from politics, site- I of the TologrfiTili.

They liire te.