... A SOFT SNAP. Miss Kissem: I never think of takingr down the nistletoe right after Christmas. I find it is montlhs before it wlithers. Jack Rushitt: Say-er-have you any objection to my calling on you regularly? A COVERT SNUB. Mrs Uppingtcn: I wish I could have lived in tho splendid atmosphere of a court. Mr Uppington : I don't doubt you could have secured a position in one. - Mrs Uppingtcn: Why ...

... [ALL nIGHTS fRESERTVD.] [ Comm1uiieafl0m for the writer should reach our effilce by Tusodery in each 'week it- intended to receive attention in the follow~ing issue.] A LESrSON INPON. Someo incan are born juldges of eiehoc horse or dog, tne majority, i~cotrevor, while they ma-y know which dog, they ,prefer- out of the number are quite unable to explain the reason of their choice. INow every ...

... I I . - -. -0-- ,Mr Chamberlain dined with the Queen at Osborne on Monday evening. Osman Digma whbo was suricunded and captured at Gebel'Warriba, nine tiles from Souakin, is being con- v-e - ThSuizi 5n har-d -th Go bedne stner Behera. It is announced that Sir John Robinson, a former Premier of Natal, has accepted an invitation to stand for the vacancy caused by the death of the Right Hon. ...

... Topits by Tyne and Wear. In view of the lamentable mortality that the influenza epidemic is producing in many parts of the country, it is gratifying to note that the public health by Tyne and Wear, so far as it is reflected in the death-rate, continues very satisfactory. By a singular coincidence, the rate for Newcastle, Sunderland, and Gateshead in the last return is inl each case 22 per ...

... GENERAL NEWS -0 - Gainln,;borc-ugh Urban District Council has dco'derd t4 buy Up tihe local gas cornpany'g ?? Ior ,C- c',C3. A P~rc c~h mana, anamed }ienlr Wa-';ir is mitted succlde by shoo'ng i-nmctltf en hs e-:ite's g: 0. In his poete- ?? an ex aiza-:^ i; T -i:C! wro. e, no faic-ds \VM Ct of Av ., a ' n ?? . th- wvork±ouoe sta-C e1fa i;n th2 -C2. Whi*]c cvycing en Sunday ?? Paaat-:o, c. ...

... I NEWOBTLE HOSPITAL ,LTNDAY I I . - FUND. 7 ?? A SDOCESFTJIL YEAR.. Ai medlog of the comnmibtee of manzgemert andl dis- tribuaionin connection witla the Hospital SundayFurd, was held on Wednesday. at the Bible Depot. Pil- grim Street, Nzwoastle, to receive Dr Hocdgkin's in- terim oalh statem t, relating to the collections in 1999, and ito vota tho amount for free gift distribution. The Miyor ...

... EARL GREY ON ITS WORK. Earl Grey, presiding over a large attendance at the annual mneeting, on. Monday, of the Newastle and Gateahead Poor Children's Holiday Association and Rescue Agenoy, moved the adoption of the re- poot, already pslbiahed'. His iordship said that there was no association in the North of England that was doing a more useful work than that, and he believed there wf&s no ...

... THE PEOv'LP: OF ST-. KILDA. In tbe current number of the 'OGeOgrap'hcai Journ1a, M1r Nornman Heathcote gives an interesting accountn of his experiencs on she leland of St. K7,ilda, obtained durin1g a recent topcgraphical survey. He says- As might be espected from an island so remote, they are a priitmitve people.wvzh simple habits,charming man- ners. and no rices; but I am afraid the mareh of ...

... t A |Th publie iitl'i4 § P.n ;#tioh eee-'-u ; cf th battiefitid tht^ 'ih c p - or -e in danger cf beiu o\-trle-t^d. Is Hayward's isorcrformaitc with tt l 01 c1, 1 few weeks had takeln ptce,, n - stances, the country would hat-c '-oen r::ar n~ fame. The Sue-rev crack ?? AeiC:; sc-c,- tihan five centurie;, an-a on one-, ?? Li9 - _ ?? .~his second -hundred. So ?? e-ocs on eight huncre Ir;un, ...

... LOVEls' QUARREL AND ITS SEQUEL. An inqu-iry was held at Tottenham. London. on ?? relnccring the death of Alice Richards, aged 15. A friend of the deceased's stated that on the 22nd ilst.. they went to the theatre together. On the way tlhey met the deceased's young man, who said he did not want to have any nmore to do with her. Deceased bursz out or'ying, and said, What shall I do if Jim gives ...

... GENERF-AL NEWS. ?? The death is announced of 7Mr Sam Johnson, for man? years chief low comedian in Sir Henry Irnving's Lyceuw company. At Longford Petty Sessions, en Monday, RoSE Reynolds. a publican, was fined £P2 for hoisting a greca flag on January T. The schoolhouse at Iem.iby, near Yarmouth, was on Saturday destroyed by fire. Fortunately no childree wore in the school at the time. Charles ...

... Mr DEAn EAiENS,-Like cider folk;:, v7on will. I know, be deeply interestled in the return of Cur soldi:ersi from South Africa, where they ha-c been heaveN~] fight ing' the nation's battles for twelve mnonths anld ynore.. Th~e first to arrive are the fmoaas-c, C.IV. (C ?? pernal Volunteers), w-hom. L1ondon ?? x; iah aavar-' than ordinary erntsusiasm. It was like jubilee Day again, so gay wore ...