A Fixture 160 The conquest of the Soudan seemed to indicate a permanence of the British occupation of Egypt. Under the Mistletoe 161 Sir William Harcourt had written to Mr. John Morley announcing his retirement from the leadership of the Liberal Party. A New Year’s Greeting 162 Thanks to Mr. Henneker Heaton, some of the Colonies had accepted the principle of an International Penny Postage. Diogenes-Morley 163 Mr. Morley was one of the few who remained faithful to the traditions of the old Liberal Party. A Free Hand! 164 Parliament had been prorogued, and the Government would in the interim, it was thought, have a free hand in the South African and other questions. Open at Last! 165 The Russians had made Talien-Wan a free port. There had been some doubt as to Russia’s intentions. Plain English 166 The Transvaal Government had sent an insolent Ultimatum to Great Britain, requiring the withdrawal within forty-eight hours of the British forces from the Boer frontiers. Who said “Dead”? 167 On Feb. 27, 1900, the anniversary of the Majuba Hill disaster, General Cronje surrendered to General Roberts. Full of Resource 168 The Chancellor of the Exchequer had announced in his Budget speech that he hoped to recover a large proportion of the war expenses by taxation of the Transvaal. Good Wishes! 169 “Mr. Punch” here expresses his good wishes for the success of the Paris Exhibition, which was shortly to be opened. The Avenger! 170-171 Thrilling details had been published of the reported massacre of the British and Foreign Ministers in Pekin. Happily this proved to be unfounded. The Imperial Dispensary 172 Great satisfaction was felt in the Colonies at the introduction by Mr. Chamberlain of his Commonwealth of Australia Bill. Shifting his Capital 173 President Kruger had abandoned Pretoria on the near approach of the British forces, taking with him, it was reported, bullion to the value of £2,000,000. In the Movement 174 On the advance of the Allied troops to Pekin the Empress and the Chinese Court had fled to the interior.