rked with a tablet to indicate that they were under the
protection of the Emperor.

China would also furnish the money necessary for the erection of seven
residences for the Catholic prefecture of Tsao-Chou-Fu.

The Chinese Government finally agreed to issue a special Imperial edict
to insure the future protection of the German missions.

* * * * *

Major Williams, who was sent to London by the Treasury Department to
inquire into the means for enforcing the new sealskin exclusion act, has
acknowledged that his inquiries have discouraged him. He believes it
will be impossible for the Government to enforce the law in its present
form. Comparatively few of the sealskins can be identified after they
have passed through the hands of the wholesale and the retail dealers.

So it looks as if the Government would have to find some other way to
protect the seals from threatened extinction.

* * * * *

The observations of the eclipse of the sun on the 22d of January, taken
at Talni, India, are said to have been completely successful.

The astronomers who had gone to Talni from Great Britain to represent
the British Astronomical Association, and from the Lick Observatory at
San Francisco, succeeded in taking some excellent photographs.

While the eclipse was complete, the light is said to have equalled that
of the full moon.

Wherever observations were made, the results are reported to have been
satisfactory.

During the eclipse, Venus, Mars, and Mercury were clearly seen.

* * * * *

The report that Mr. Gladstone is in very feeble health has been
confirmed.

It looks now as if one of the greatest careers in the whole history of
England would soon be ended.

Mr. Gladstone, however, has always had such remarkable vitality that his
admirers all over the world hope that he will be spared a few years
longer.

Still, there can be no doubt that his work is over. And what wonderful
work it has been!

As Mr. Gladstone was born in Liverpool on the 29th of December, 1809, he
is now in his eighty-ninth year.

Since 1894, when his failing eyesight forced him to leave public life,
he has lived very quietly at his home in Hawarden.

But he has continued to take an active interest in public affairs, and
he has devoted himself to the studies in which he has had a life-long
interest. On several occasions, too, he has spoken out on su