... CREAM OF CURR1ENT LITERATURE. THlE WBLSI DOUBLE L. A teacher who has just died in Wales distinguished himself by helping a bishop to make good a boast that he would be able to preach a sermon in Welsh within three months of his consecration. 'The pronunciation of the 11. was a serious hin. drance, end the teacher gave counsel which proved effective: Place the top of your right reverend ...

... interesting Facts . a . Y e.Ol; There is a tradition that whrn the fruit of tbc thorn is plotitifuI a hard w It er wvill followv the berries bein a special provision of providence for the birds dnrinm the rigorous season. The coming wa inter should, accordingly, be cxceptionally severe, for the hawthorn hushes-in thoe 'Midlands at lcast-are very heavily laden with. their ruddy crop. But ...

... A GENTLE, PLODDLNG CHOIMAN. A TRUE STORY. One day in November, 1860, a small Sydney trad. f ing schooner called off the island of Mokil, one of the Caroline Group in the North-West Pacifib. The E one white trader living on the island earbe off in his fi whaleboat. He -was an American, a man of abodit E fifty years of age, bronze-faced, stout and muscular, f and quiet and unassuming in his ...

... I | COXNDU D BY I Two little birds wer e sitting on the brancs of a free overlooking a beautiful garden-a garden where chil- dren were playing, Oinging, and making merry. The birds were.busy dressing their feathers and claws to attend an afternoon party, for most birds are particu- lar about the niceties of the toilet. They were also enjoying watching the happy children at play, and listening ...

... [COPYRyIGHT. 1 l TIHE GODDESS: A DEMON. BY RICHARD MARSI. ( In Ful y The Beetle: A ykstery, The Crime and tho Criminal, rie t i- ]Da'.c:leDiamondls` 'The Dull-e and the DamsclL etc., etc. BEGAN JANi'JA1JY 12. CHAPTER XfII.-SHE AND I. .AE girB l Ivais -lzuig'ed. I poreiresd it as soon as I was in rs. IPeddar's io',ni. t9ho stood behind tlde table, and, as I en- £Q teretds ti-nold her ...

... [COPYRIOHT.1 THE MAKING oF PRIVATE FLATT. By J. S. FLETCHER, Author of rrauk Cariabroke' Stratagem, Pist of tho Prudent, The Death that Lurlis - 4 At nineteen a mnan is not usually supposed to cherish very gloomy views of life, but by the time ho had arrived at that advanced age Na- thauiel Watt through sheer force of circumstances had become a confirmed pessimist. Although he never ...

... b TH - lTAPE X' VI ; The Scarlet Sip, which is at the Royal this week, is somewhat like the proverbial fly in amber-neither rare nor beautiful, but oio wonders how on earth it I - - - ?? got there. It is a melo- drama of the most, con- veutional type, and the characters and situations are such as have been the stoclc.in-trade of the purveyor of this degorip tion. of highly seasoned fare ...

... MEgg SAC) . . ?? (QC . A comedy of airy delicacy and stace rather than: of overwhelming force is A Royal Family, whieb Mr. Been Greet's Cotmpany present. so charmingly this week at the Royal. It is from the pea of Mr. R. Marshall, whose sparking little' work, His .E- oellency the Governor, has been so much enjoyed by Manchester playgoema. The scene of A Royal Family is laid in Arcsoia, ...

... THE STAGE'. A large audience assembled at tdle Theatre Pqal. on MIound ...

... [COPYRIGHT.) HOW DICK STANMORE KEPT SILENCE, BY ADA M. STEAD. The hot burning rays of an Australian sun beat fiercelv into the little log hut where Jack En- derby lay dying. The aungry flush of fever had been succeeded by a deathly pallor, and the laboured breath came in quick panting sobs from his breast. By his side, holding his emaciated hand in his strong, firm clasp, sat Dick Stanmore, ...

... _ .ZJ . m|-- MANCHESTERD CYCLE AND MOTOR EXHIBITION. North country cyclists will bo greatly interestod in thle cycle and motor exhibition opened at tile Botanical GardeDs, Old Trafford, on Friday. This is the feurth annuadl exhibition of thlo kind held at this placo of resort, and it is satisfactory from the paint of view of tho promotors that the adivance maule last vear is contillued on the ...

... MIS OELLAN EOUS READINGS FROM C-UR-RENT LITE-RATU R-E. T0PSY-TURVY CHINA. When a Chinanman dines he begins with the dessert ?? winds up with the rice. Titles, instead of being hereditary, are conferred on tho parents of distinguished persons. Before taking a seat he makes a bow to the empty ehair. It is accounted a most heinous offence to speak to anyone, even a servant or a common labourer, ...