25 YEARS AGO

THE annual rate of inflation is still running at a record level, with prices up 13.2p in the pound over the past year. Food prices have shot up by almost 20p in the pound in the last year, almost twice as fast as average earnings.

50 YEARS AGO

PEOPLE who wish to own dogs will have to learn how to look after their pets and take an examination on their knowledge before a licence is issued, if a suggestion by an MP becomes a fact. The MP, Mr R.T. Paget, hints that the examination might be conducted by one of the animal care societies. If such an 'ideal state' came about, it would mean that millions would have to pass their 'dog matric'. It is estimated that there are nearly four million owners of dogs in Britain, and that dog owning is becoming more popular than ever.

125 YEARS AGO

THE Treaty between the Queen and the Emperor of Russia for the marriage of the Duke of Edinburgh and the Grand Duchess has just been published. Religion has precedence of all other matters in the document. As the Duke is Protestant and the Grand Duchess belonged to the Greek Orthodox Church, it became a question with them as it often is in humbler walks of life, as to which church they should go to, seeing that however well matched they may be in other respects, their respective faiths will not admit of amalgamation. A happy way seems to have been found. The Grand Duchess will not become a Protestant, nor the Duke a Greek Orthodox Churchman. The Duchess is to have full, free and unrestrained exercise of her own religion, and for this purpose she may have a private chapel at any of their residences. But will the august couple never worship together? This question is answered by a clause which gives to the Grand Duchess the liberty, if she thinks proper to exercise it of her own free will, to attend the Churches established by law in England and Scotland; but this liberty is restricted to 'all times when it shall be fitting that she should assist at ceremonies and other public acts which may take place therein.'

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