CONVERSAZIONE.

The Society's Conversazione will take place at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Regent's-park, on Monday evening, June 27th, from 9 to 12 p.m. The Gardens will be illuminated with coloured lamps, and also by the Kitson Incandescent Oil Light.

An Exhibition of Growing and Cut Roses and other Flowers will be arranged in a marquee in the grounds by Messrs. W. Paul and Sons.

A Selection of Music will be performed by the String Band of the Royal Artillery in the Conservatory, and by the Band of H.M. Irish Guards in the Gardens, commencing at 9 o'clock.

A Vocal and Instrumental Entertainment, under the direction of Mr. H. Tipper, will be given at intervals in the Club House.

The reception by Sir William Abney, K.C.B., D.C.L., F.R.S., Chairman, and other Members of the Council, will be held at the entrance of the Conservatory, near the Broad Walk, from 9 to 10 o'clock.

Each member is entitled to a card for himself (which will not be transferable), and a card for a lady. The cards are now issued. In addition to this, a limited number of tickets will be sold to members of the Society, or to persons introduced by a member, at the price of 5s. each, if purchased before the date of the Conversazione. On that day the price will be raised to 7s. 6d.

Members can purchase these additional tickets by personal application, or by letter addressed to the Secretary. In all cases of application by letter a remittance must be enclosed. Each ticket will admit one person, either lady or gentleman.

Tickets will only be supplied to non-members on presentation of a letter of introduction from a member.

Light refreshments (tea, coffee, ices, claret cup, &c.) will be supplied.

Proceedings of the Society.

ADDITIONAL MEETING. Wednesday afternoon, June 22nd, 1904; The LORD CHIEF JUSTICE, G.C.M.G., VicePresident, in the chair.

THE NORTHERN GAMES IN STOCKHOLM AND SWEDEN, AND ITS PEOPLE.

BY COL. VIKTOR BALCK.

In connection with the London meeting of the International Olympic Games Committee, a lecture on the "Northern Games of Stockholm," illustrated by a series of lantern slides, was delivered by Colonel Viktor Balck, President of the Northern Games Committee.

Colonel Balck said he had the honour, before commencing his lecture, of presenting to Lord Alverstone, on behalf of the Central Union of Sweden for Promoting Sports, a token of their esteem, and thanks for his kindness in presiding at the meeting. The token consisted of the silver badge of Northern Games.

The lecturer said he proposed to take the company on an imaginary visit to Sweden, and to call their attention to the winter sports of that country. The Swedes prided themselves on those sports, just as the English prided themselves on the numerous games and pastimes which were carried on in the British Isles. The Swedes, like the people of other countries, looked upon the English as the most sport-loving people in the world, and he hoped to interest the audience in the sports of Scandinavia which the Scandinavians valued as especially their own. He proposed to show the audience with the help of the lantern how the great winter contest called the Northern Games were

carried on. These games were instituted by Swedish sportsmen with the object of bringing together at regular intervals those persons who practised winter sports and took part in matches requiring strength and skill. The games in question took place in Stockholm every four years, and there was an intention to repeat them in Norway in the intervals between the four year period. They would thus be always taking place during the winter in the Scandinavian cities which were most suitable for such proceedings. Many persons who excelled in the games were to be found

in Sweden and Norway. The Scandinavian countries and the Scandinavian climate afforded numerous opportunities of sports of great interest during the winter. Nature was exceedingly beautiful during that period, and these countries possessed excellent means of communications and all the advantages of civilisation. The Northern Games began in Stockholm in February, 1901. The idea was a daring one, and the difficulties were many, but the success was complete. The games met with the most cordial reception. All these sports were of a genuinely national character, and the weather favoured

the games. They were presented in the midst of unique surroundings. Cold snowstorms on one or two occasions only served to heighten the effect of the feats of strength and endurance. There was not a single instance of anyone absenting himself, though once or twice the cold reached from twenty to thirty degrees Centigrade below the freezing point. The games would be repeated in February, 1905.

The lecturer exhibited on the screen representations of the various events of the successive days on which the sports were held. These included ordinary skating, figure skating, riding races on horseback, cross country riding, tobogganing, sleighing, curling, ski-running, ice-boat sailing, and sailing on skates. As to the last-mentioned exercises, the speed, said the lecturer, was limitless if only the skater could keep on his feet. Some of the sail-skaters maintained that under certain circumstances they could travel a little faster than the wind. Several pictures were given representing the sport of ski-ing down the declivities of hills, and some photographs of the competitors making those startling and enormous leaps which had drawn so much attention to this specially Swedish sport. It was difficult to believe, but it was nevertheless a fact, that a skilful ski-runner could, after sufficient impetus had been gained by the descent of a slope, cover a distance of 80 or 90 feet, with a drop of 50 or 60. matches took place all over Sweden.

Ski

A series of views illustrating the picturesque inland scenery of Norway and Sweden was also exhibited. Here and there were to be seen examples of the sporting huts built by the Swedish Tourists' Association as night shelters for travellers. The lecturer drew attention to the resemblance of some of the sports of Sweden to those of Scotland. Diving and swimming were assiduously prac

tised by the Swedes. The most celebrated physical exercises in Sweden consisted of gymnastics. The practice of gymnastics was compulsory in every school.

In several of the scenes depicting the Northern Games the King of Sweden and members of the Royal Family appeared as interested and appreciative spectators.

The Lord Chief Justice said that he was sure that the meeting would wish him to express their hearty thanks to Colonel Viktor Balck for his most charming lecture and for the delightful and graphic way in which he had described these most interesting games and the beautiful scenery of Sweden and Norway. He (Lord Alverstone) regretted that he was himself not young enough to go to Sweden and take part in the games, and he wished that he had sufficient leisure from his duties to go to witness them, even though he could not take part in them.

Baron P. de Coubertin was then asked by the Chairman to make a statement with regard to the revival of the Olympic Games. He stated that their organisation was started ten years ago, and held its first meeting in Paris. About seventeen different countries were represented at the gathering, and over one hundred societies sent delegates. On that occasion it was decided unanimously that the Olympic Games should be revived, and that the first performances should be held in Athens in 1896. This decision was carried out, and over seventy thousand people attended. The second meeting was held during the Paris Exhibition of 1900, and the third was taking place this year at St. Louis, in America. The next games were to take place in 1908. A meeting of the International Committee had been held in London under the patronage, he was glad to say, of His Majesty the King, and it had been decided unanimously that the games of 1908 should be held in Rome. He might be allowed to quote a few Latin words with regard to the moral side of the international revival of the Olympic Games. The words which he was thinking of were si vis pacem, para bellum. He wished to turn that saying round the other way, any say, si vis bellum, para pacem. By this he meant that, if the different countries wanted to join in the contests and have good sport, they must begin by making friends with one another. There could not be good sport without a strong feeling of international friendship, and the promotion of that sentiment was the work which the International Committee

were doing. They were workers for international good will and nothing more and nothing less. The Baron concluded by proposing a vote of thanks to the Lord Chief Justice who had done them the honour of occupying the chair.

Sir Howard Vincent, in seconding the motion, said that the Lord Chief Justice was one of the best sportsmen which the country had ever had, and they only wished that, as he had said, he was young enough to take part in the Northern sports, the representation of which by Colonel Balck had given the meeting such great pleasure.

The vote of thanks having been agreed to, The Chairman said it was interesting to see the connection which Colonel Balck had suggested between some of the Scandinavian games and certain sports practised in the British Isles. He could not imagine anything which required more nerve and courage and coolness than the sport of ski-ing, involving the magnificent jumps which were made by the ski-runners. Such sports as ice-boat sailing and ski-running were impossible in England, but he believed that they greatly tended to promote nerve and judgment. He wished to thank Baron De Coubertin for bringing before the meeting the subject of the revival of the Olympian Games. He was sure that the meeting had spent a most pleasant hour and a half.

Miscellaneous.

COTTON INDUSTRY.

The following article on the Cotton Industry in the West Indies is taken from the Agricultural News (Barbados)::

In spite of many adverse circumstances the cotton crop now being reaped, though small in quantity, is proving of excellent quality everywhere in the West Indies. In this connection it may be interesting to mention that the Secretary of the British Cotton Growing Association reports that a consignment of cotton just received from Barbados is valued at from 16d. to 17d. per lb., and is considered the best Sea Island cotton which has yet been imported from the West Indies.

The cotton ginneries at Barbados, Montserrat, Antigua and Nevis, are in full working, and it is expected that regular shipments of cotton, on a commercial scale, will take place during the next few weeks. The yield, as already stated, is not so large as was anticipated, owing to the unfavourable season and the attacks of the cotton worm. It is felt, however, that with the experience now gained, the

cotton worm and other difficulties should be successfully dealt with during the coming season.

The question of low freight for cotton is occupying a good deal of attention. It is probable that the present rates (65s. per ton weight) will have to be reduced, as there are indications that through shipment, vid New York to Liverpool or Manchester, may be possible at about 45s. per ton weight.

The great point in establishing the cotton industry is to obtain careful and intelligent action in cultivating the crop of 1905, and ensure that the utmost effort is made to obtain not only cotton of good quality, but in such quantity as to make the industry remunerative. The experience so far gained should prove of great service in this direction. The heavy rains and strong winds, experienced during the past season, cannot be provided against; but as regards better cultivation and the treatment of the cotton worm, there should be great improvement in all directions.

The first important matter to arrange for is the destruction of all old cotton plants at the end of the present crop so as to leave nothing for insects and other pests to feed upon to carry them over until the next crop. There should be no attempt to ratoon any areas in cotton this year. Those who do so will only have themselves to thank, if their plants are affected with disease and the crop is injured. Nothing can justify any attempt at carrying over a ratoon crop this year. It is hoped that no one will attempt anything of the kind. The risk is too great, and, besides, the yield of a ratoon crop from the present plants is likely to be so small as to be hardly worth the trouble.

The next point is carefully to select new land for the next planting. The soil should be good and deep, of a light loamy character, and in a sheltered and accessible situation. The land should be ploughed or forked and well broken up so as to form a mould. The locality should not be a wet one. A rainfall exceeding 80 inches per annum may be regarded as probably too heavy for profitable cotton growing.

The selection of good seed has been urged so often that it is hardly necessary to repeat recommendations under this head. None of the seed grown this year in the West Indies should be used for planting purposes. The Imperial Department of Agriculture is prepared to supply the best seed direct from the Sea Islands at cost price. Further, this seed will be disinfected beforehand.

Perhaps the most important point of all is to prepare for the attacks of the cotton worm. This attacks cotton everywhere. It is proved, however, that the treatment with Paris green and lime is absolutely trustworthy, if applied in time. For every acre planted in cotton there should be kept at hand, ready for use for the cotton worm, at a moment's notice, at least 3 lbs. of Paris green and 18 lbs. of slaked lime; also bags of coarse osnaburg for distributing the mixture, consisting of one part of Paris green to six parts of lime. Those who are prepared to

carry out fully these suggestions and give close attention to the cultivation and care of their cotton fields, need have little or no anxiety as to the future of the cotton industry in these colonies.

SWINEY PRIZE CUP.

The accompanying figure shows the modification of Maclise's design for the Prize Cup, which has been adapted to meet the circumstances of the presentation for this year, when two cups were prepared for the two recipients. As already announced in the Journal the Swiney Prize for the present year was awarded in January last to Sir Frederick Pollock, Bart., and Professor F. W. Maitland for their book on "The History of English Law before Edward the First," The design for the original cup was prepared by Maclise, and for the present occasion this has been slightly modified by Messrs. R. and S. Garrard and Co., to whom the preparation of the cup has always been entrusted. It is in the style of 16th century Renaissance, ornamented with decoration in low relief. The body of the cup is a finely chased panel representing the "First Trial by Jury." The figure on the cover of the cup represents Justice.

This illustration has been kindly lent by the proprietors of the Graphic.