... E I - Now that ?? European rulers have opened the winter political season with speeches from the Throne, President Harrson reviews the policy of the UNITED STATES in his Message to Congress. The President reports most favourably on the general situation, both international and domestic. Ile lays particular stress on the satisfactory relations with Great Britain, all Anglo-American iffi- ...

... THE traveller bound east for the capital of Greece begin- -i- Oriental experiences agreeably enough in the bright city of ' tu. The Lloyds' steamer from Brindisi to Corinth tarries here on it way just long enough to enable him to set foot on the shores iu1- lowed by Ulysses, to eat a dinner of Greek cuisine, drive to lie One Gun fort, return to the city and see the famous mumrnr O S. ...

... RU ~RAL J\JOTES ?ci I.. - .. . , , , , ! ?! 1. I . I I I -11 - 1. -- ?? THE SEASON THE hopes of farmers are at a low ebb so far as the growers of grain are concerned. Crop prospects have deteriorated, while foreign competition has checkel advance in prices, which at some places have even gone back. The wheat crop is not yet fully secured south of the Thames, while throughout that four- ...

... kes F aster of tte Ncur nlmbs ONE of the mild subsidiary excitements of the past few months has been the question of the abolition or retention of the pack known as Her Majesty's Buckhounds, a pack which is a very favourite one in the home counties, and with a large number of sportsmen who are kept in London by pressure of work, but who 'seize every opportunity of getting away into the country ...

... Nollit BOD5 THE BUDGET THIS year the Budget proposals of the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer are not open to the reproach of tameness which was levelled at last year's statement,.and yet they seem to have surprised all parties by their moderation, and evident desire to make great changes without undue disturbance or sensationalism. In spite of the bad times which have been going on for the last ...

... imign 'sews ANOTHEn FRESl CABINET FOR EGYPT TIrE land of the Pharaohs threatens o rival France in frequent Ministerial changes. Riaz Pasha's fall-long prophesied-has come at last, and that tried old statesman, Nubhr Pasha, once more guides the helm. Ever since the frontier difficulty with England, the Khedive has owed the Riaz Cabinet a grudge for encouraging him in independence and then ...

... 9,4f 4fturn Df ?? X?Vrfum (LDMVJjj? I BY W. MOY THOMAS OF the enthusiastic reception which awaited M\r. Irving, Eli Ellen Terry, and the LYCEUm company in general on their retNrT from their long wanderings on the American continent-of t; patient first-nighters who began to take up their positions at the i and gallery doors on Saturday almost before breakfast time, rhei, while away the long ...

... 014=11ral 7T Ots THE SEASON EVEN the present year has its apologists. Pessimism certainly is still far from having it all its own way. But for ourselves we do not con. sider that it is possible to say that 1894 has been thus far either sunny, or warm, or grateful, or comforting in any way. We believe that I893 handed over to 1894 a wonderful legacy. The heat of 1893 for I5o consecutive days ...

... 9?t faltlibling Fospital IN the square in front of the Foundling Hospital the boys and girls are playing, their playgrounds separated only by the broad gravel pathway and by the rule which, I believe, restricts them each to their own square of turf. The girls seem to have no game of higher aspirations than touch ; but some of the boys are kick- ing a football about, and a few are prolonging ...

... 9fe ?? doultrib ',ia in ffointittrr BY HENRY W. LUCY MR. CHAMBERLAIN is back from the Bahamas, arriving at Westminster on Monday. - It-is -curious to note-the universal ex- pectation that his return will mark a revivification of debate in the House of Commons. Perhaps it may; hitherto opportunity has neither presented itself nor has it been made. It is true that on Tuesday Mr. Chamberlain ...

... . Shr 26eta ?? Stand by-, 0CAPAIN CUTTLS BY J. ASIIBY.STERRY IT is said several new theatres are projected. If the rumours be correct it is to be hoped that they may edibrace some startling novelty. One novelty could scarcely fail to be popular, and that would be a reduction in prices, for a cheap theatre, properly managed, would not only be a great boon but ah enormous success. The ...

... ??te ??iuce ?enr? of ?tttenbet? HARDLY had the news been received of the successful termination of the Ashanti Expedition than it was followed by the sad announce- ment of Prince Henry's sudden death. St will be remembered that when the Expedition was being fitted out Prince Henry volunteered for service, and was appointed Military Secretary to Sir Francis Scott. He left this country on ...