, 1900-12-31

weather. settled over the country, The
coasts were strewn with wrecks, com.
MERGE was out of joint and the public
was bitterly dlgestlng the criticism of
the British army. The demand for Ma,
jor General Sir Henry E. Colville's
resignation, thrown as a sop. only serv-
eu to whet the appetltes of
those who are bowling for the respon-
sibility Of the reverses in South Africa
being brought home to individuals.
More heads are demanded. Where so
many must be blameable, it is felt that
the selection of General Colville is woe
fully inadequate if not unfair. Indeed
it is already said that had not the yeo-
many force at Lindley, which Colville
failed to relieve, included some Of the
nobility and other influential persons.
Colville would never have been recall
ed. The bitterness felt by these yeo-
many at being compelled to surrender
because, as they allege, Colville, refus-
ea to render the aid within it's power,
has never died out. and it will probably
result in one of the most interesting
court-martials in the annals of the Brit
isl army. upon the result of which will
depend the fate of several other high
officers who have proved unequal to
the occasion.
Contingent of Maoris.
The Liberal papers comment severe
" upon the acceptance by the war Of
flee for a contingent of Marois from
New Zealand. The Star says:
THE effect of this stupid blunder on
the Dutch will be terri-.e. After de-
clining to employ Indian troops, we
are taking a paltry hundred Maoris.
This will not only infuriate the Dutch,
but will insult the Indian troops. who
will regard it as a declaration of their
inferiority to an inferior colored race.
Go on, government OF muddlers. Even
the gods could not save you from your
~invincible folly"
However, there are signs of the dawn
OF that common sense, the lack of
which the English critics so deplore in
the military system for the cavalry
now going out to South Africa is dis
carding the lance and carbine and
substituting for these weapons rifles
and sabres. After over a years lght-
ing the authorities have woke W TO
the utter uselessness of lances and car
bines, considering that thousands of
British soldiers have never seen a Boer
during the many engagements.
While Great Britain is tied hand and
foot to South Africa. the navy, which is
not escaping the a Of criticism, is
quietly increasing its strength and
morale. For months both men and
state of readiness and there
are now building in British yards no
fewer than eleven battleships. nine
teen cruisers and fourteen smaller yes.
sells, totally nearly 400, 900 tons. These
exclude vessels which have been tried,
but are unfinished.
Social Barriers Removed.
The gradual removal of the social
barriers which formerly restricted
English political educational life was
never better instanced than by the ap-
pointment this week of Mr.. Joseph Ow-
ell to a fellowship at Oxford. Six years
ago Mr.. Owen was a mill hand at Old
ham. helping to support his poor par
ents. He attended at night the uni
versity extension lectures and so much
ability did he show that the lecturers
got up a fund and sent him to the great
university, where, with his wife, he set
tied down in a humble cottage. He
knew no Greek and little Latin. His
first success came when he won the
Brackenburg history scholarship, to
the surprise of many learned, aristo-
SohhPStikoAo Aoui ySaio Va uS
termined, uphill work passed and the
final examinations drew near. A few
weeks before the ordeal his young wife
died suddenly. Mr.. Owens friends
thought 1t impossible for him to &C.
complish anything; but the mill hands
grit stood the ordeal and MI. Owen
gained the coveted first class with the
degree. His appointment as extension
lecturer quickly followed and Mr.. Ow-
en- lectured where, six years previous,
he had learned. The climax in his car.
eer came this week when Pembroke
college elected Mr.. Owen, III Of all of
the Oxonians, to the lucrative and hon
ored post of fellowship.
Miniature Of Washington.
There are few original pictures Of
General Washington in England, hence
the discovery OF another miniature is
interesting. 1t is by Samuel Folwell
and is dated 1891. Another by the
same artist Is now in the possession Of
the Historical society of Philadelphia,
dated 1896. The new find is supposed
to be an excellent likeness. 1t repre-
sents Washington wearing a pigtail.
Glasgow, which the Christmas and
New Year season has made notorious
for the drunkenness exhibited in its