The knowledge that large sums of money are lying unclaimed in the hands of the Government has for many years been used by unscrupulous persons as a means of extorting "fees" from credulous victims, who were led to form great expectations of untold riches about to become theirs. We have interviewed the authorities at the Bank of England and elsewhere, with a view to ascertain if it was possible to publish in the BRITISHI ALMANAC a reliable list of such unclaimed money, but for reasons given above, the publication of such a list is regarded as undesirable. Besides these unclaimed dividends at the Bank, large sums have accumulated in the Suprem Court of Chancery belonging to unknown persons, whilst further accumulations result from unclaimed sailors' and soldiers' wages and effects, prize money, &c., &c.

Unfortunately, no list is obtainable of persons who are entitled to any of these, and the following list is simply a summary of the advertisements for next-of-kin and persons wanted which have appeared in the Times and other London papers during the past year. The name and address of the advertiser will be furnished to any subscriber to the BRITISH ALMANAC on receipt of stamped and addressed envelope, or a copy of the entire advertisement and date of insertion will be supplied on receipt of Is, in stamps in addition to stamped and addressed envelope.

OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

With Portraits, National Arms, Flag, name of Heir presumptive, British Minister resident at each Court, and Ambassador resident in England.

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

Empire. Founded, December 21, 1867. Empire of Austria, Kingdom of Hungary, united under one hereditary Sovereign. Common Army, Navy, and Diplomacy, controlled by the Delegations, of 120 members, half representing the legislature of Austria, half that of Hungary. Population (1901)-47,000,000. Religion-Roman Catholic.

FRANCIS JOSEPH I.

Born August 18, 1830; succeeded December 2,1848; married, April 24, 1854, to Elizabeth (assassinated September 10, 1898), daughter of Maximilian Joseph, Duke of Bavaria.

Ambassador in England -Count Franz de Paula Deym.

OTTO I.

Born April 27, 1848; succeeded June 10, 1886.

Minister

There is no resident in England.

FRANCIS JOSEPH I.

LEOPOLD II.

Born April 9, 1835; succeeded December 10, 1865; married, August 22, 1853, Marie Henriette, daughter of late Archduke Joseph, of Austria.

Minister in EnglandBaron Whettnall.

BAVARIA.

Kingdom. Confederated with Germany, 1870. Legislature vested
in the Crown and a Parliament of two Chambers; (1) The Upper
Chamber of Princes and others nominated by the Crown. (2) The Lower
Chamber of 159 Deputies. Population-5,594,982. Religion-Roman
Catholic.

OTTO I.

Empress Elizabeth
was assassinated
at Geneva,
Sept. 10, 1898.

LEOPOLD II.

LEOPOLD (REGENT).

ATAT

Flag-Yellow, black, red and white margin.

QUEEN MARIE.

HOUSE OF HABSBOURG-LORRAINE.

Heir Pres.-Archduke Franz Ferdinand d'Este, born December 18, 1863.

British AmbassadorThe Right Hon. Sir Francis R. Plunkett, G.C.M.G.

BELGIUM.

Constitutional and Hereditary Monarchy. Legislature in the
(1) The Senate. (2) The Chamber of
King and two Chambers.
Representatives elected by universal suffrage and plural voting.
Population (1899)--6,669,732. Religion-Roman Catholi

Flag-Blue and white.

HOUSE OF WITTELSBACH.

—

Regent Prince Leopold, appointed June 14, 1886.

British Minister
V. A. W. Drummond, C. B.

BULGARIA.

Constitutional and Hereditary Monarchy, under the Suzerainty of Turkey. Legislature in the Assembly of the People, one Deputy to each 20,000 inhabitants. Population 1895)-3,376,467. Religion-Orthodox Greek Church.

REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISS

FERDINAND I.

CHINA.

Empire. The civil and religious laws are administered by
a Cabinet of four members, under which are seven "Boards of
Government. Population (est.)-405,000,000. Religion--
Buddhism.

99

Minister in EnglandF. E. de Bille.

KWANG HSÜ.

CHRISTIAN IX.

DOWAGER EMPRESS.

EMILE LOUBET.

Born December 31, 1838; elected, February 18, 1899, for seven years. Re-eligible.

Ambassador in England. Pierre 'Paul Cambon.

DENMARK.

Constitutional and Hereditary Monarchy. Legislature in the Sovereign and Rigsdag, which consists of (1) The Landsthing. (2) The Folkething. Population-2,447,441. Religion-Lutheran.

Queen Louise

died Sept. 20, 1898.

Flag-White,

green and red. HOUSE OF SAXE.

Heir Apparent- Prince Boris, bern January 30, 1894.

EMILE LOUBET.

British Agent and Consul General-F. E. Elliot.

H.

Flag-Yellow, blue and red dragon.

The reins of power have recently been practically in the hands of the Empress Dowager, aunt of the present Emperor.

British Minister Sir Ernest Satow, K.C.M.G.

FRANCE.

Republic. Legislature in (1) Chamber of Deputies elected by universal suffrage. 2 The Senate. Population (1901-38,641,333. Religion-Roman Catholic.

+

Flag-Red with white cross.

HOUSE OF

HOLSTEIN

GLUCKSBOURG. Heir Apparent--Prince Frederick, born June 3, 1843; married, July 28, 1869, Louise, Crown Princess of Sweden ard Norway.

British Minister - Sir W. E. Goschen, K.C.M.G.

GERMANY.

Empire. Composed of an aggregation of 26 States, represented by 58 members in the Bundesrath or Federal Council, and 397 in the Reichstag or Chamber of Deputies. Population-52,246,589. Religionpartly Protestant and partly Roman Catholic.

GEORGE I.

Born December 24, 1845: elected March 18, 1863; married, October 27, 1867, O'g, daughter of the Grand Duke Constantine, of Russia.

Minister in EnglandM. D. Metaxas.

British Minister - Sir Edwin H. Egerton, K.C.B.

WILLIAM II.

GREECE.

Constitutional and Hereditary Monarchy.-Legislature in a single Chamber known as The Boulé, elected for four years by manhood suffrage. Population-2,433,806. Religion-Greek Church.

VICTOR EMANUEL III.

Born November 11, 1869; succeeded July 29, 1900; married, October, 1896, Princess Heléne of Montenegro.

Ambassador in England -Signor Alberto Pansa.

GEORGE I.

EMPRESS AUGUSTA.

VICTOR EMANUEL III.

QUEEN OLGA.

MUTSU HITO.

Born November 3, 1852; succeeded February 13, 1867; married Haruko, February 9, 1869.

Minister in England 1 Baron Hayashi.

ITALY.

Constitutional and Hereditary Monarchy. Founded March 17, 1861. Legislature in the Sovereign and two Chambers, (1) The Senate. (2) The Chamber of Deputies. Population (1901)32,449,754. Religion-Roman Catholic.

THE QUEEN.

HOUSE OF HOHENZOLLERN,

Heir Apparent-Crown Prince William, born May 6, 1882.

Flag-Yellow, black cross.

British AmbassadorRight Hon. Sir F. C. Lascelles, G. C. B., G.C.M.G.

Flag-Blue, white cross.

HOUSE OF

GLUCKSBOURG,

Heir Apparent-Prince Constantinos, Duke of Sparta, born August 2, 1858; married, October 27, 1839, Princess. Sophia, sister of the German Emperor, born June 14, 1870.

HOLSTEIN

JAPAN.

Empire. Legislature in an Assembly of two Houses, both nominated by the Mikado or Emperor, 1) of Peers, (2) of Commons. Population-43,760,815. Religion-Buddhism.

Flag-Green, white and red.

British AmbassadorRight Hon. Lord Currie, G.C.B