Exactly two years have now elapsed since hostilities commenced in South Africa and even now it seems doubtful if we are even within measurable distance of the end. Mr. Winston Churchill, who certainly knows what he is talking about, when addressing a Primrose League meeting at Saddleworth near Oldham a tew days ago, said, in speaking of the present condition of affairs, "It is—I believe, no exaggeration to say very little better, and in some respects even worse than it was a year ago. It is not afe for a British subject to walk five miles evend the picket lines excepting close to the sea-ports. Trade and industries of all lands are paralysed throughout the entire colony and weariness and discontent are growing apace even among the most loyal of our subjects." Mr. Churchill's whole speech was devoted to a most unsparing criticism of the action of the Government with regard to the continuation of the war war ho afirmed might be described as being and the present mode of procedure. The
divided into two distinct phases—the driv-
Alfred Millinery which was so much adver fixed everywhere! King Alfred's memenwes are even to be seen in London in the form of jewels, plaques, ete.; in fact, the celebration taken place at any other time it might have attracted quite a great deal of attention, but Fast week our one thought was for Ameria's dead President. Stillone cannot help reflecting how fe; men have ever had a statue erected to their memory a thousand years after their death.
Mr. Pinero's New Play "Tris drew a large and distinguished audience to the Garrick Theatre last. Monday evening, and judging by the applause which greeted th fall of the entrain it is certain that the popular author of The Second Mrs, Tanqueray" and "The Gay Lord Quex" has scured yet another triumph. Tt is a queer piece and bears a lot of thinking over. A study in character more than "an original drama." The id: story of a tragedy brought about through Jove of luxury and dread of po heroine is a rich young widow, who, he ever, only enjoys her wealth so Jong as she Temains unmarried. Should she ta second husband her fortune passes from her. She has two favoured admiters, one a Spanish Jew millionaire, the other 4 boyish open-hearted young Englishman, nearly penniless, who, however, promises that if the lady will have a little patience ing of the Boer armies out of our torritorjes and taking their capitals, and the conquering of the Boer people (which means I imagine winning them over as our willing subjects). The first problem is com lly easy if only a sufficient number of efficient men are placed in the field but the extraordinary thing is that our men seem to jharo come homo before their work is half finished and now large reinforcements are Required and will have to be sent before a decisive blow can be struck. The second problem might, I fancy, easily be accom-{plished if only' sufficient. tact were exercised, as from private letters I have rece' ed [learn that the better class of Boers are many of them quite as tired of the war as are and would only too thankfully lay down their arms wera it possible. That some fresh tactics must shortly be adopted seams evident from the general tone of the Press as during the past few days I think every ily paper, quite regardless of its political opinion, has devoted a premier leader to the subject all with the same sentiment—this state of apathy must end." Mr. Churchill says we seem to regard the war as chronic and it almost seems as though ho were near the truth, We cer tainly do not want the one and four penny income tax to become chronic too, so it is to be hoped that the recent agitation may rouse the Government to action and that some good may result ere long.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.