lending has been forcibly illustrated by the evidence tendered before the Committee on War Office Contracts. The firm of Samuel Brothers, Limited, bought boots from Cave and Son, of Rushton, Northampton, at 7s. 3d. per pair, less discount, which brought the price down to 6s. 9 d. They then sold them to the Worcester Regiment of Volunteers for 12s. 6d. per pair, delivering them as the regulation Government ammunition boot. A little more than the regulation price was paid "to insure the boots being good ones." When the boots were delivered the Worcester men wore them for three days at Aldershot before starting for the front. The result was that "you could put your finger through the soles of most of them." So much has been said adversely concerning the Prince of Wales's Derby Winnings, devotion to the turf-not that he is The Prince and his much devoted to anything, the more's the pity that it is only fair to him to quote the following paragraph which has been going the rounds of the press as an extract from the King of Sweden's Diary : The Heir-Apparent to the English Throne is the Prince of Wales by name; the Prince of Society by inclination; and the Prince of "good fellows" by nature. H.R.H. and the Princess of Wales are devotedly attached to each other. When the Prince's horse won the last Derby, his Royal Highness said to me before the race, "I do want to win to-day, because I always give the Princess whatever amount my success happens to bring to me. With the stake money of the last Derby I won the Princess provided 1,700 poor boys with a complete outfit Front of Alexandra Palace, where the Christian Endeavour Convention will be held. -clothes, underlinen, etc.-and stamped on each article was, "From your friend, the Prince." It is a pretty little story-if true-and it would do Lord Rosebery all the good in the world if he could cap it by a similar idyll as to the way in which he disposed of the stakes won by Ladas. Conventions and Philanthropic. The temperance people have been holding conventions in London and in Edinburgh. The only notable thing about them was that they welcomed Lady Henry Somerset back to public life We have all missed her badly, and we rejoice to have her back in our midst again. The Christian Endeavour Convention at Alexandra Palace will be in full swing at the time this number is printed. Four steamers are carrying three thousand pilgrims from the United States to the great rendezvous-which will be the greatest international picnic yet held among the English-speaking folk. The session will last five days. Dr. Clark and Mr. Sheldon, author of "In His Steps," will be the chief American speakers. EVENTS OF THE MONTH. June 1. There is a lively debate in the French Senate on the Amnesty Bill. Lord Rosebery, in a letter to the Western 2. The Amnesty Bill is passed by the French A People's Congress is opened at Graaf Reinet, near Cape Town. 4. The "Boxers" in China burn a railway station on the Pekin-Tientsin Railway. A resolution reported to the Senate from the American Interoceanic Canal Committee declares the Clayton-Bulwer treaty abrogated. 5. Admiral Kempff telegraphs to Washington that he has landed fifty more seamen and a battalion of marines to reinforce those already landed in China. 6. The Reichstag passes the first clause of the German Railway Bill. The Legations at Pekin send their families The Ambassadors address identical notes to the Porte protesting against the Customs Ta iff. 7. Debate in the Reichst.g on the German Navy Bill. Dr. Von Siemens financier) protests against the increase of the Stamp Duties as bearing hardly on the members of the Stock Exchange. The King of Norway and Sweden visits the The American Congress adjourns sine die. 8. Of the twenty-four State Democratic Conventions held, twenty-two, representing delegates to the Kansas City National Democrat Convention, instruct their delegates to support Mr. Bryan. 8. The second reading of the Navy Bill passes the Reichstag. M. Georges Cochery is elected Chairman of the French Budget Committee. At a meeting of the Paris Municipality the conduct of the police at the Communist anniversary at Père La Chaise is discussed, and the annual motion for the abolition of Government control of the Paris Police is carried. A scene of violent obstruction takes place in the Austrian Reichsrath, penny trumpets and whistles being used. 9. The Tsung-li-Yamên protests against the p.esence of a large foreign force at Pekin. The Reichstag concludes the second reading of the increase of Stamp Duties for the German Navy Bill. 11. Changes are made in the Tsung-li-Yamên: one Chinese reti es and four Conservative Manchus are appointed. The trial of the Franco-Belgian Company, in the Selali Railway case, brought by the Transvaal, begins at Brussels. Anti-Semit.c iiots at Konitz, West Prussia. 12. The New South Wales Parliament opens after a recess lasting six months. Mr. Holder, Premier of South Australia, says he considers the compromise on the Federation Bill extremely unsatisfactory, and desires the Bill be passed un..mended. The German Reichstag adjourns for the summer; the Navy Bill having been read a third time and passed by a majority of 201 to 103. The Bureau of the French Chamber meets to nominate the Committee on the Amnesty Bill. Kumassi still surrounde". 13. Mr. Schreiner and his Ministry res gn. Mr. McLean, Premier of Victoria, telegraphs to the Australian Premiers, suggesting that Sir W. Lyne, Premier of New South Wales, should telegraph to Mr. Barton, strongly objecting to the proposed compromise on Clause 74, and urging its restoration to the original form. The Porte informs the Ambassadors that it the postpones new Customs Tariff for a month. 14. Railway communication is cut between Tientsin and the foreign expedition under the command of Admiral Seymour at Lang-fang. The French Chamber agrees unanimously to the credit of 61,000,000 fr. for the defence of the Colonies. The French Senate agrees to the Colonial Army Bill. Sir W. Lyne, Premier of New South Wales, and Mr. Lewis, Premier of Tasmania, concur in Mr. McLean's proposal to send a telegram to Mr. Barton, strongly opposing the compromise on Clause 74 of the Commonwealth Bill. 15. 350 of the Hong Kong regiment and Asiatics leave for Ka-Ku. Gneral Tung's Shan-haiKwang troops are moving cn Pekin. Sir J. Gordon Sprigg expaiences difficulty in The Congress of the Afrikander Bond opens at Sir William Lyne telegraphs to Mr. Barton The number of delegates to the National Democra ic Convention al eady elected and instructed to vote for Mr. Bryan exceeds 76, the necessary number required to nominate him to the Presidency. M. Waldeck-Rousseau confers with the Committee of the French Chamber on the Amnesty Bill. 16. Commissioners Sitwell and F. E. Silva with six police constables are killed on the ba: ks of the Gambia River, West Af.ici. At the Bond Congress, the Secretary, Mr. De The German Emperor opens the canal con- The Italian (newly elected) Parliament is opened by the king in person. Bad railway accident at Slough station; five persons killed, and about seventy injured. 17. The Taku forts open fire on the combined fleet, which returns the fire, with the result that, after a fight which lasts seven hours, two of the forts are blown up, and the other two carried by assault. 18. The British sloop Daphne leaves Hong Kong for Taku. The German Minister reported to be murdered Sir Gordon Sprigg forms a Cabinet at Cape The Acting Premier of Queensland approves 19. The Bond Congress, at Paarl, passes a resolution insisting on the maintenance of the Republics. Reinforcements are sent to China by Russia, The Irish National Convention meets in Funeral of Mrs. Gladstone in Westminster 20. The German Emperor, at Kiel, supervises the measures for the mobilisation of Marines for China. The Republican National Convention, at Philadelphia, declares its platform for this year's election. 21. The American Republican Convention nominates Colonel Roosevelt as Vice-President. A royal decree is published in Madrid suspending the constitutional guarantees in the case of shopkeepers who refuse to pay taxes. 22. The Chinese bombard Tientsin. In the New South Wales Legislative Assembly the compromise on Clause 74 of the Commonwealth Bill is carried without a division. 23. The German consul at Chifu telegraphs that the bombardment of Tientsin continues. The Russo-American force, five hundred strong, fails to relieve Tientsin. 23 The United States Chargé d'Affaires at Constantinople again demands the indemnity for losses to American subjects during the Armenian massacres. 24 A new Italian Cabinet is completed. A new Portuguese Ministry is also announced. The city of Mayence celebrates the 50oth anniversary of the birth of Johann Gutenberg, the inventor of printing. 25. Dr. Jameson is returned unopposed as member for Kimberley, South Africa. The Admiralty receives a telegram from Rear- The funeral of Count Mouravieff takes place at The French Chamber discusses the Bill for the 25. Admi al Kempff telegraphs to Washington that Tientsin was relieved on Saturday. Admiral Seymour re urns to Tientsin, having been unable to reach Pekin by rail. Troops embark at Calcutta for China on board the Nerbudda. 27 Message arrives at the Foreign Office from Sir R. Hart, Pekin, dated June 19th, which states that the foreign Legations had been requested to leave Pekin on June 24th. Mr. Burdett-Coutts' letter on Military Hos pitals in South Africa is published in t. Times. 28. After a debate in the French Chamber on Army discipline the Nationalists are defeated on a resolution by M. Sembat by 328 vote. to 129. A telegram from British Cons il at Chifu states Signor Villa is elected President of the Italian A large and important deputation waits on Sir 2) The Foreign Office receives a telegram f on British Consul, dated Tientsin, June 29th, stating casualties to British troops. The American battleship Oregon goes ashor? in a fog off Hu-ki Island, 35 miles north of Chifu. The French Chamber continues the discussion on the increase of the Navy. The Miners' International Congress in Paris closes. A Convention is signed between the French and Spanish Governments fixing the limits of the irrespective possessions in North-West Africa. 30. A great fire breaks out at the North German Lloyd's dock at Hoboken, New York, 400 persons said to be injured, and £2,000,000 of damage done. The frontage of the North German Lloyd pier, a quarter of a mil: in extent, and three liners entirely destroyed. The marriage of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand de Est to Countess Sophia Chotek takes place in Bohemia. The Prussian Diet passes a Bill imposing a tax upon the turn-over of retail firms dealing with more than one class of goods. A French Boer Independence Committee is formed in Paris. The War in South Africa. June 1. Pretoria surrenders; Lord Roberts occupies the city. 5. The Union Jack is hoisted over the Government buildings. 6. Bitish prisoners are removed to Watervaal Boven. 8. General Buller's force outflanks the Boers at Botha's Pass. 9. The telegraph line is cut at Kroonstad by a body of Boers. 11. General Buller forces Almond's Nek. One thousand five hundred Boers are said to have surrendered in the Ficksburg District to General Brabant. House of Commons. June 14. The House reassembles after the Whitsuntide Recess. China: statement by Mr. Brodrick. Education Estimate: concluding Vote to complete the sum of £3,585,099 for salaries and expenses of the Board of Education. 15. Lord G. Hamiltonstates that the total number of persons on relief works in India is 5,800,000. Civil Service Estimates resumed in Committee of Supply, and the vote for the Board of Education; votes agreed to. 18. Mr. Balfour makes a statement regarding China. The Australian Commonwealth Bill is proceeded with: speech by Mr. Chamberlain. Progress is reported. 1). Committee of Supply: votes agreed to. 2. Third reading Workmen's Compensation Act (1897) Extension Bill. 21. The Committee stage of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Bill is resumed; speech by Mr. Chamberlain. The Bill is passed through Committee and is reported to the House. Second reading Elementary Education Bill. 22. The Birmingham (King Edward's School) Bill is discussed. Vote on Committee of Supply; progress reported. 25. Third reading of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Bill. Discussion on the Housing of the Working Classes Act (180) Amendment Bill, which is reported to the House as having passed through the Committee stage. 26 27 Second reading Companies Bill; speech by Third reading Workmen's Compensation Act 18 Sick and wounded in South Africa; statement by Mr. Balfour. S cond reading Tithe Rent Charge (Ireland) Bill. 2). Debate on Mr. Burdett-Coutts' charges with regard to the sick and wounded in South Africa; statement by Mr. Wyndham. Speeches by Mr. Bu dett-Coutts, Mr. Balfour, Sir H. Campbell - Bannerman, and others. SPEECHES. June 1. Mr. Courtney, at Bristol, on the Settlement in South Africa. 4 Mr. W. H. Brown, President of the Co-operative Union, at Cardiff, on the reforms co-operators should work for. Mr. Bryce, at Aberdeen, on Liberal Imperialism. 7. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, at Glasgow, on the Settlement after the War in South Africa. 9. Mr. Morley, at Oxford, on Liberal and Unionist Imperialism being one and the same thing. 16. The German Emperor, at Lübeck, on the need of a strong German Navy. 19. Mr. Chamberlain, in London, on the Settlement of South Africa. Lord Salisbury, in London, on the position of Missionaries. 24. The French Minister of Education, M. Leygues, at Versailles, on the Army and the Republic. 25. Mrs. Humphry Ward, in London, on Mary Kingsley. Mr. Burt, in Paris, on international good feeling among the workers of Europe. 28. Gen ril And-é in the Fr.nch Chamber on Discipline in the Army, both as regards officers and men. London, on Public 2). Mr. Chamberlain, in Affairs. OBITUARY. June 5. Miss Mary Kingsley (at Cape Town). Mr. Stephen Crane (American novelist), 23. 8. The Duke of Wellington, 54. 13. The Grand Duk: of Oldenburg, 73. 14. Mrs. Gladstone, 88. 16. The Prince de Joinville, 81. 18. Sebastian Lang (Burgomaster of Ober-Ammergiu). 23. Lord Loch, 74: 21. Count Mouravieff, Russian Minister of Foreign 25. Affairs. Admiral Maxse, 66. I. TSZE HSI, EMPRESS OF CHINA. ORTY years ago a young woman fled with her child and its father in hot haste from the avenging fury of a European army. Hardly had they escaped from the city than the storm of destruction burst over their doomed home. The place was gutted to the walls, and then, to make the work of devastation complete, the plundered ruin was given to the flames. HER FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE FOREIGNER. General Gordon-afterwards illustrious as Gordon of Khartoum was present on the occasion as a subaltern, and in his correspondence he thus described the scene : Owing to the ill-treatment the prisoners experienced at the Summer Palace, the General ordered it to be destroyed. We accordingly went out, and after pillaging it burnt the whole place, destroying in a Vandal-like manner most valuable property which could not be replaced for four millions. The people are civil, but I think the grandees hate us, as they must after what we did to the Palace. You can scarcely imagine the beauty and magnificence of the place we burnt. It made one's heart sore to burn them. Everybody was wild for plunder. You would hardly conceive the magnificence of this residence or the tremendous devastation the French have committed. There was as much splendour and civilisation as you would see at Windsor. The French have smashed everything in the most wanton way. It was a scene of utter destruction which passes my description. The young woman who fled with her child and its father on the eve of the destruction of the Summer Palace, was none other than Tsze Hsi, the Empress of China, now the most famous old lady in the world-with the exception of our own Queen. IS IT NEMESIS ? The grandees must hate us after what we did to the Palace," wrote General Gordon. If the grandees, then how much more the Empress, to whom the Palace had been a home, who quitted it a despairing fugitive, and who returned to it only to find a charred ruin where formerly had stood the treasure house of the Empire. Possibly in the flaring smoke-clouds which this month are said to have risen from the burning Legations at Pekin as the foreign quarter was given to the flames, the Empress Hsi-whose name I shall henceforth write as it is pronounced, She-saw the handwriting of Nemesis. Whatever reflections crossed that brooding brain, there is little doubt that never once during the whole of the past forty years did the Imperial She forget the dark and terrible day when she fled with her boy and the Emperor from the vengeance of the Foreign D.vils from beyond the sea. PUT YOURSELF IN HER SKIN. In these Character Sketches I always try to paint the subjects as they appear to themselves at their best moments, not as they seem to their enemies at their worst. When General Gordon explained the way in which he wrote a famous memorandum, he said, "I wrote as a Chinaman. My object has been always to put myself into the skin of those I may be with, and I like these people as much, well, say nearly as much as I like my own countrymen." The same principle must be adopted if we are to make any attempt to understand the central figure in the great World Drama that is being enacted in the Farther East. I. THE SLAVE GIRL OF CANTON. The Imperial She was not born in the purple. She is a Manchu, a member of the Imperial race which for two hundred and fifty years has governed the Chinese ; but, like many other members of Imperial races, she was acquainted with adversity in her youth. Her story is a romance. Her career is one of the most glaring paradoxes of history. The Jews fondly cherish the tale of Esther, and every Sunday-scholar is familiar with the romance of Joseph, who was sold a captive into the country which he subsequently ruled Grand Vizier of Pharaoh. But the story of Esther will not compare with the adventures of the Empress She, and although Joseph became prime minister via the pit and the dungeon, he was always the servant of Pharaoh. FROM SLAVERY TO EMPIRE. as But the woman who for the last month has defied the allied fleets and armies of Western civilisation, and has reigned as Empress over 400,000,000 persons for nearly thirty years, was sold into slavery in her childhood by her own father. To leap from slavery to a throne is an almost miraculous achievement in any country. But in China, where the slave is a woman, the transition seemed absolutely impossible. Yet She accomplished this impossible thing, and confronts the world to-day an unmistakable concrete fact, with which all the world has to take account. THE CHINESE ESTIMATE OF WOMEN. In There is indeed something grotesquely absurd in the spectacle of the Chinese Empire, of all places in the world, being ruled by a woman. It is true that we can exhibit something of the same paradox nearer home. Britain no woman can vote for a member of Parliament. No woman can sit in Town or County Council. But the Sovereign, without whose consent nothing can be done, who must be consulted before any important despatch is sent off or any great officer appointed, is a woman. In China the insolent assumption by the male of a monopoly of all political wisdom is carried to lengths from which even Mr. Chamberlain or Mr. Labouchere would recoil. Says Dr. A. H. Smith in his book on "Village Life in China" :-- The essence of the Chinese classical teaching on this subject is that woman is as inferior to man as the earth is inferior to heaven, and that she can never attain to full equality with man. According to Chinese philosophy, death and evil have their origin Yin, or female principle of Chinese dualism, while life and prosperity come from the subjection of it to the Yang, or male principle; hence it is regarded as a law of nature to keep woman completely under the power of man, and to allow her no will of her own.-P. 305. |