Evening Express

SOUTH WALES TIDE TABLE £ «S I § 8:5 § g 1 Z'f 2 § G < 5 J IC A 1 -j *f *I & "S § -j *f *I & "S iL irrtH.T, (Morning. 8 40 7 391 8 33 7 461 7 52 %'•< Evening. 9 » 7 59 | 8 53 S 5 8 11 oep. a j Height 38 6 34 2 [ 39 0 36 3 26 3 Satur- (Morning. ;9 19 8 181 9 12 8 25 8 30 day -{Evening. 9 38 8 3S| 9 32 8 46 8 50 Sep. 10 (Height 37 9 33 7 138 3 35 8 25 8 R,^«„ ( Morning. 9 56 8 57 9 51 9 7 9 9 BIJ? iii Evening. 10 15 1 9 18 10 12 9 28 9 3" Hep. H(Height 36 0 1 32 3 33 6 34 « 24 5 t Morning. 10 34 9 38 10 32 9 S9 a 50 Evening, 10 5* 9 59 10 53 1 10 10 110 11 bep. Height 33 5 30 4 33 11 32 10 22 6 Ti.o.Hctt i Morning. li 14 10 20 .11 14 10 33 10 32 Evening 11 37 110 46 11 40 10 f 9 10 59 P* | Height 30 1 27 9 30 7 51 0 19 6 Wednes Morning. | — II 19 — 11 30 | 11 29 day, -{Evening. j 12 8 11 56 12 13 — Sep. 141 Height 126 11 25 1 27 b 29 1 16 6 Thnrs- k Morning! 12 47 — 12 50 12 9 12 11 dav. < Evening 1 37 12 42 j 1 36 13 56 j 12 51 Sep. 151 Heigh 2T 4 23 9 25 10 23 7 16 0 Roach Basin tlSast t)ocksili. ^Alexandra DOCK. 4Docli Sill.

TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL. TUMPKRATUKB. j Date. Max. Min, Mean. RAINFAIX. Saturday 3 62 49 55'5 0 50 Sunday 4 65 48 *i5"5 O'CO Monday 5 63 '19 5S'o 000 Tuesday 6 63 49 56 0 O'Cu Wednesday. 7 *"3 41 r>2-0 0'07 Thursday 8 50 31 40'5 'i 03 Friday 9 67 33 10 0 0"G0 The Temperature represents extreme readings of the thermometer for 24 hours ended 9 a.ro taken in the shade at Tredslercb. near Cardiff. The Rainfall registered at, Tredelerch, near Cardiff for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m.

Hotels. CARDIFF. WASHINGTON TTOTEL, (TEMPERANCE) JUL QARDIFF, 50 BEDS. BILLIARD ROOM, (Largest in Wales). Six Tables. E. EASTARROOK, TROPRtBTOR. 2386 ales & rorri Eiis IN 44-GALLON CASKS ANn UPWARD 3 Fom 10d. per gallon, BREWKUY, JiHISTOL. CARDIFF STOKES: 9 WORKiNG STREET

NOTES. (By "OBSERVER") CARDIFF, FRIDAY MORNING. While I have every sympathy and admira- tion for the eisteddfod as a national institu- tion, I must say the sooner it is pruned of the numerous humbugs grafted on to it the better. One of the worst and most humbugging of these humbugs is the ohair prize com- petition. In the first place, the sub- ject chosen is always ludicrously easy and commonplace next the conditions are so arranged as practically to limit the competi- tion to the little ring-the mutual-admira- tion-sooiety—of bards. The whole affair is little short of contemptible, and is denounced pretty freely by every Welshman in private, and if the latter only had the courage oF their convictions a drastic measure of reform would ere long be introduced. *&* Why is it the Welsh are such an unprac- tical nation P Poets, any amount of them, good measure, heaped up and running over but scientists, historians, philosophers, few in comparison and scarcely any of the first rank. Has the eisteddfod anything to do with this paucity of talent ? Perhaps so; but the ancient language of the Cymry, combined with national characteris- tics, lies at the root of the matter. To young Welshmen with literary leanings I would say -abandon poetry, and try and bring your minds to scientific or historical investigation. In both these departments Wales is lament- ably backward, though there are signs of better things. » The good people of Ely are between the devil and the deep sea. Their sewage drains into the river, and a dreadful stench is the natural consequence; then comes a flood, and there is a general submergence. The matter formed the subject of a special report to the Glamorgan County Council yesterday, with the result that a sub-committee was formed to assist the surveyor in deciding on a remedy. Other low-lying villages with which I am familiar experience very much the same difficulties. One in particular I know where the water rises so high at flood time that the cottagers have to retreat to their bedrooms, accompanied by the inevitable pig. Yet this is not in Ireland « Llanelly people will read with considerable satisfaction the discussion at the last meeting of their board of guardians. The prominent part alleged to be taken by the senior reliev- ing officer in the management and welfare of a new Radical journal at that place, has long been commented upon, and lately in the other local prints, the climax being reached in a communication on the subject to the Local Government Board. The relieving officer admitted he had an interest in the paper (which is nothing in the shape of news, and added (what the public will be glad to learn) that the reports of his exceeding zeal in the cause of the said paper are nothing but spleen and malice," and utterly de- void of truth. So, let us hope, ends the incident, in the course of which Mr. Jones has been reminded by the Local Government Board that the terms of the appointment of a relieving officer require that he shall devote his whole time to the duties of that office and such other duties con- nected with the union as he may be allowed with the sanction of the board to perform." John Morris, gas stoker, of Merthyr, tramped all the way to London, and, like many another mistaken man before him, found himself no better off when be reached -fche.irreat citv. Beine destitute, he aDDlied at a police-station, and was referred to a neighbouring workhouse, where they gave him an order for a casual ward four or five miles away. About this time John Morris bag-an not unnaturally to lose his temper, being both hungry and foot- sore, and commenced to speak his mind pretty plainly and to distribute certain clouts amongst the good people of the Metropolis. The inevitable result; was his appearance before a magistrate, who characterised the arrangements for the entertainment of casuals as a monstrous system," and showed his sympathy with John Morris in a practical way by reducing his sen- tence from a month to a week's imprison- ment with hard labour.. The death of the venerable Whittier re- moves the last of a great American galaxy of poets. Less known in this country than Longfellow, he did even more than the sweet singer of Hiawatha" and Evan- geline" to place the slave-question in all its terrible proportions before the public. Hence his collected works are full of pieoes hearing on the stirring events of the 'sixties. One of his finest efforts, and, perhaps, the best known in England-" Barbara Freitchie —is referable to the same period. Of a very different stamp is Maud Muller," one of the sweet idylls in the English language. < Let Sullivan and Corbett fight And naaul each other's nobs, And slam each other oftt of sight, To please the Yankee snobs. I'm quite content the stripes and stars Wave o'er these odious bleeders, Since we've the cable flashing pars To elevate our readers. # The complaints of disorder in our streets are many of them well grounded. Cardiffians have not yet learnt to use their pavements properly. They push and jostle against one another in real good old style, and the frantio appeal to Ii keep to the right" is disregarded wholesale. One of the first reforms towards getting better order in the streets is the enforcement of the "rule of the road"; this done, the rest will soon follow. Poor old V, hittier," remarks the South Wales Star, with the easy familiarity of one who had hob-nobbed with the poet all his life, was a man of variegated experience." Heavens! one would think the good old Quaker had been a hothouse plant.

The Lord Mayor at Carnarvon, IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT BY HIS LOiiDSHIP. In the course of bis tour through North Wales Lord Mayor Evans came on Thursday to Carnar-1 von. The Lord Mayor, accompanied by the Lady Mayoress and Sir John Puleston, was received near the railway-station by the mayor (Mr. John Davies) and the corporation, together with the local corps of rifle and artillery volunteers, with the band of the latter. In front of the Royal Hotel Miss Eleanor Williams, a young Liverpool lady, handed a bouquet of flowers to the Lady Mayoress, and his lordship was the recipient of an address of wel- come from the mayor and corporation. His lordship tendered his warmest thanks for the cordial reception accorded him and the Lady Mayoress. There was a great fitness in his being present that day, inasmuch as he was a Welshman, and in visiting the ancient borough of Carnarvon be did so not only in his official capacity, but aiso as one who returned to the land of his birth. The procession which had been formed then moved in the direction of the caatle, at the entrance to which Sir John Puleston, as constable of the castle, welcomed the Lord Mayor to the historic build- ing. In reply, his lordship said that it was indeed an additional pleasure to him to make acquain- tance for the first time of that which was well known historically to all of them. Under the guidance of Sir Llewellyn Turner, the deputy-constable of the castle, the distinguished visitors were shown through the Engle Tower and other portions of the noble pile, and wero after- wards entertained by the mayor, who, in felicitous terms, pioposed "The Health of the Lord Mayor," remarking that they were accustomed to hear in these days from eisteddfod platforms and other places high- sounding words about love of country. With many of these people the love of country began and ended there, but with the Lord Mayor Welsh nationality was a living embodiment F of principle. (Applause.). The toast having been honoured his Lordship responded, and was received with much enthusiasm. He said that, with regard to the castle, it was not improbable that the renowned building might become within a mcasureable distance of time of even more historical interest than it bad hitherto been. (Cheers.) But as to the actual form which this would take he was not at liberty to say. But no endeavour on his part would be wanted to bring Wales and his fellow-countrymen to the front. (Hear, hear.) Sir Llewellyn Turner suitably proposed the health of the Lady Mayoress, which was heartily drunk. The last toast was that of the Mayor and Corporation of Carnarvon, proposed by Sir John Puleston. By the three o'clock train the Lord Mayor and his good lady left for Dolgelly.

MR. GLADSTONE AND THE WELSH LAND QUESTION. Letter to a Correspondent. Mr. Gladstone, writing to the editor of the Montgomeryshire Express, in reply to an invitation to express his views on the agitation now proceed- ing in Montgomeryshire in favour of a reduction in rent and the establishment of a Welsh land court, expresses his regret that in so far as his views on the questions referred to have not already been made known, he must reserve the expression of them until occasions when they come before him ir. connection wiMi public calls and wants.

A TURF TRAGEDY. The Vienna correspondent, of the Standard, states that the young Count Adalbert Sternberg, a scion of the Bohemian branch of the old family of that name, attempted suicid e at Vienna on Thurs- day by shooting himself with a fowling-piece in the breast. Though not immediately fatal, the shot wounded him so dangerously that little hope is entertained of his recovery. The count, who was « lieutenant of dragoons, and was only 24, recently lost about £20,000 in betting at the Pesth Races. In consequence of this folly he was about to be placed by his relatives under guardianship, and he had besides been threatened with expulsion from the Jockey Club for not having met his betting ergngements.

A Big Tree for the World's Fair. A section of one of the famous big trees of Cali fortiia is to be made A prominent feature 10 the Government building at the Chicago Fair. The section of the tree will be 23ft. in diameter and 30ft. long. This will be divided into three parts, and these will be placed in their natural position, ont above the other, and so arranged as to form something like a two-storey house.

Accident at Cardiff. At twelve o'clock on Tlan-^iay niaht.Harria Gilburg, a GERMAN pedlar, of 29, Gloueester-strcst, was walking home when ho slipped on the pave- mentjand, falling, fractured his right ankle. He was taken to the infirmary by Police-constable 38 and was detained in tl\1} institution.

It is elaimed that nearjy three-fourths of the confectionery imported into Morocco is of English origin. During a. marriage ut Biyth this week a horse, frightened by some decorative compliments to the bride, bolted AMONG the crowd and severely in- jured several children. Mr. Frank Smith, who seceded from the Salva- tion Army some time ago, and who subsequently was connected with a newspaper venture, is now, it I» stated, private secretary *0 MI. WIXI, SNONDNT?, M,P. for Walworth.

The Alleged Forgery at Cardiff. RESUMED MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY. PRISONER COMMITTED TO THE ASSIZES. BAIL REFUSED. The Cardiff Police-court was crowded this morning when the case of alleged forgery by Mr. George Colquhoun, a well-known Cardiff resident, was gone into for the third time. rhe prisoner had been remanded in custody irom the previous Friday, bail being refused. The charge against him was that he did feloniously jtter and put off, knowing the same to be forged, certain forged acceptance and a certain forged endorsement of a certain bill of exchange for the payment of the sum of £5,321178. 4d, with intent thereby then to defraud." The magistrates on the bench were the mayor [Alderman T. Rees), Dr. H. J. Paine, Alderman T W. Jacobs, Colonel T. Woods, Mr. E. Beavan, and Mr. J. H. Cory. The Rev. Canon Thompson also jeeupiad a seat on the bench. Mr. J. P. Ingledew again conducted the prose- ;utton, but a change had been made in the prisoner's advocate, Mr. Allen Upward, barrister, appearing on his behalf in place of Mr. T. H. Selcher. TEE PRISONER. The prisoner, who was nccommodatod with a seat in the dock, did not appear greatly altered by his week's imprisonment. STATEMENT FOR THE PIlOSECtJTION, Mr. Inglsdew, in opening for the prosecution said that on the last occasion this case was heard a bill was produced bearing date of the 8th day of July, 1892, and evidence was given that the signa- ture of the endorsement was a forgery. He nowj proposed to call witnesses to prove the forgery o the acceptanc e. Mr. Ingledew then called MR. w. MANN CALLED. Mr. William Mann, who said he was a member of the firm of Mann, George, and Company,, of London and Cardiff. He resided at Bixley, K nt, and he and Mr. George were the sole members of the firm. The accused represented them at Cardiff. The acceptance of the bili of exchange produced purported to be in the handwriting of the firm. It was an imitation of witness's signature. The hand- writing. however, was not that of either himsel for his partner and was not authorised by either of them. MR. SYDNEY GEORGE IN THE BOX. Mr. Sydney George said he was a partner in the firm of Mann, George, and Co., and resided at Brackenhani, Berks. The acceptance of the bill produced was not signed by him, neither did he authorise the acceptance of the bill. Dr. Paine: Has your manager any 'power or right to use the name of your firm ? Witness: He had no right to sign bills or accept bills. He bad the power to draw cheques on the bank in the ordinary course of our business. Mr. Ingiedew: That is the evideuce of the prosecution, and I ask that the prisoner be com- mitted for trial. THE DhFiSNCE RESERVED. Mr. Upward We reserve our defence. The depositions in the last case were then read over, and the formal charge was read to the prisoner, who made no reply. Dr. Paine: The prisoner is committed to the next assizes for trial. BAIL REFUSED. Mr. Upward: I am prepared to make the same offer of bail as has already been made. I do not know whether it is any use making the applica- tion in view of what has taken place. Dr. Paino: Under the circumstances of the case, and having regard to what has previously been and having regard to what has previously been done, the bench do not feel inclined to accept I bail. The accused was then removed below.

REMINISCENCES OF JOHN BRIGHT. Mr. Charles M'Laren gives in the North American Reviiw some interesting biographical details of his illustrious kinsman, Mr. John Bright. He loved Scotland, we are told, and, in a sort of way, the Scotch. He had a little family of Scotch terriers, of whom he was very found, and a dog rarely came near him that he did not caress. I don't always like Scotch theology," he would say, it is too full of the gridiron." His own religion was found in the Sermon on the Mount. Creeds and formu- laiies were not to his liking. At a certain dinner lie turned from a Highland minister of opposite political opinions and assertive tongue with the remark,' I It's odd that a man who knows so little about this world can tell us so much about the next." In matters political he never, says Mr. M'Laren, indulged in toleration. The least agreeable part of his nature was a John- sonian brusqueness which the presence of any opposition, aud, above all, of Toryism, in the com- pany usually brought to the front. He usually re- served his serious displeasure, however, for the Whigs, "who ought to know better." Tories were merely fools," and could be summarily disposed of. U Djzzy did not dislike me." hi said, with a twinkle in his eyo, "for I never stood in his way." PalmerstoD," that old sinner," as becalled him, was in his view a far more heinous offender. Mr. Bright always wrote his own private letters. They were often penned on half-sheets of paper, torn from the notes of his too numerous corre- spondents; but even in this scrappy guise they were models of neatness, written in a small and delicate hand. He even recognised the needs of autograph-hunters, and he used to send a few favourite hints of Whit tier's with his own signature below. The Queen was in Mr. Bright's eyes "the most absolutely truthful and straightforward person he had over met." There is nothing to tell in my life," he used to say to those who talked to him of a biography; *« my speeches are my life." In a copy of these speeches which lie gave to his sister, ho wrote the words, 5. My political sermons." "Gladstone," he once said, "goescoasting.along, turning up every creek and exploring it to its source boforo he can proceed on his way; but I have no talent for detail. I hoid my course from headland to headland through the great seas."

Sir A. Sullivan and the Chicago Exhibition. Sir Arthur Suliivan has been invited (the London correspondent of the Leeds Express says) to accept the British Commissi-n for Music at the Chicago Exhibition. Whether he will be able to accept the nffes depends entirely on the state of his health. Sir Arthur discharged a. similar function at the Paris Exhibition of 1873, when he was rac-de a ""i""1!\1iOl' of the Legion of Honour

The Morning Papers. ITALY AND THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE. nJ the domain of foreign policy (says the Standard), though some dissentient voices will be board at thee.,elections, the great body-of Italian public opinion ia as firmly as,ever ON:thesidaof the triple alliance. That fact bas. become' so. thoroughly a part of the international arrange- ments of the Continental states, V that ifrcalls! less attention to itself,- without leading t-he L world to doubt of its potency nor do we?| imagine" that the disapprobation which Mr. Glad- 3TOOQ expressed of it, in a letter since published, when be was in a position of greater-freedom and; less responsibility, will either affect ItaHaoopmioti) or hamper his own statecraft. So far, happily, we have no reason to suppose that the balance of European Powers has been alteredin any degree since our own general election; ENGLAND AND M'KINLEYISM. Whether the United States are the better or the worse for the M'Kinley Tariff (remarks the Morning Post) is a matter which the enlightened elector ought to be able to settle for him- self between this and November. The curious thing to the European looking on is that the whole controversy hinges on the helplessness of the chief European customer—namely, England* I The whole scheme of M'Kinleyism is founded on the axiom that England imperatively requires the products of the American Republic, and is precluded by great Cobdenite principles from im- posing on the productions of the States any appre- ciable duty. It is on the subjection of this country to the abstract formulas of the Cobdenite school that the whole fabric of the M'Kinley party is built.. — MB. GLADSTONE. Assuredly (comments the Telegraph) it is no enviable task to which the Prime Minister has com- mitted his party, though we do not deny that his position has a certain gloomy grandeur of its own. At an age when most men are repeating to them- selves the words of the Psalmist on those who bave passed the limit of three score years and ten, this most indomitable of statesmen is pre- paring to take up arms against "a sea of troubles," to rule an undisciplined throng of con- flicting interests, to carry the most impracticable of schemes for a union of Irish and English hearts, and to maintain the honour of his country in the face of envious sneers and open aggression. It is certainly a. magnificent spectacle. The only thing we doubt is whether it makes sufficient allowance for the conditions of successful political war. THE INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISTS. The Bristol Times and Mvrror saysThe insti- tution, for so young a body, is now in a flourish- ing condition, and wields very great influence. The members at their meeting will discuss many topics—such, for instance, as the condition of the law of libel, the facilities required by journalists in furtherance of the active work which brings them in contact with the public and with the law, and the desirability of establishing examinations for persons wishing to qpter the profession under official auspices. This last is the most important point, perhaps, which has to be considered; and a scheme has already been prepared. The object of the proposed test would simply be to give value to the membership of the institute, by attaching to it such educational or other tests as would give proof of fitness for the work to be undertaken. Newspaper work, like all other work, requires special training, and is all the better for the addition of culture: and journalism is the most watchful profession in the world, with the widest responsibilities of any. ENGLISH VERSUS FOBEIGH SAILOBS. The report that a mutiny has occurred aboard a Swansea barge called Windermere, whilst on a voyage from Glasgow to Fremantle, will cause no surprise when we read the last paragraph, which states that several foreigners were among the crew. As long as shipmasters will ship foreigners they must expect this kind of thing tiny ship them for economy, and they as a rule treat them with it. This causes discontent, as they have been accustomed to look for better things in British ships. What causes English sailors who are amongst the crew to join the mutineers is that they are treated as foreigners, hence bad blood is bred, which either ends in the captain and officers keeping the men down with a cruel hand, or the crew rebelling and getting tne mastery, in which case deeds of violence and bloodshed ensue. If Englishmen manned English vessels there would be very few mutinies. Growl you may, but go you must, is the motto of the Brittish sailor, but when foreigners get amongst a crew this ventilation gets stopped, consequently the knife or revolver is brought into play and a master or mate loses bis life and the country is put to the expense of hanging or imprisoning a seaman or two. If no one but British seamen were allowed to man British ships we should seldom, if ever, hear of mutinies in our Mercantile Marine.—Morning. THE GREAT FIGHT. The Chronicle says '•—The revival of pugilism in certain American States, where there is little of either public law or private taste, under the thin mask of the glove-fight, shows bow right we bave been to put a stop to it. Beyond the brute courage of the combatants it has not a single decent feature. The fight is purely for gain. Sullivan's boast before he entered the ring was, I mean to win the money the companions and friends of the fighters are the scum of society; the scene at one of these "glove fights" is one of bloodthirty savagery and blasphemy and obscene profanity and the social demoralisation they cause is simply inestimable. But California and Louisiana have comparatively little claim to the title of civilised communities. Sullivan fares badly at the hands of the Bristol Mercury. This prince of bullies, it says, who hailed strangely enough from that centre of cul- ture, Boston, must have had a marvellous physique] for (he has come off victorious-from so many fights that he was the idol of all the ,toughs and other queer people who are devotees toFthe prize ring. So far was he puffed up by hero worship, that he had actually the insolent arro- gance to present himself upon the stage as -an actor, and to bave plays written round him. When things did not go to please him, he used his fists, and created A state of terror among those who had to come near him. His foolish admirers thought all this fine fun, and tolerated bis innumerable drinking bouts as the weakness of a truly great man. But at last a constant indulgence in Gargantuan doses of vile rye whisky has had its inevitable effect, and a Californian has baen found wbobasknocked Sullivan out of the prize ring for ever. Upon the sickening details of the twenty-one rounds we will not dwell; but we may rejoice that the dis- appearance of this notable personality will materially diminish the-interest in prize fighting in America, and bis vicious courses will no longer present themselves toS ignorant and ill-balanced minds as an example worthy of all imitation. -Tis true 'tis pity, and pity 'tis 'tis true." that the downfall of a blackguard should have such far*reacbing consequcenes.

After Many Years. .Thirteen aged lifeboat men, the survivors of the old Lowestoft lifeboat Lwtitia, and the widows of sixteen others, were on Thursday night presented by the Austrian Government with a recognition of their gallantry in saving the crew of the Austrian brig Osip 26 years ago. Robert Hook, the cox- swain, received a binocular glass Mtt £3, and the crew received JE;1 each for each journey they made.

Daring Thieves. A curious scene was recently witnessed at Stam- ford, a Connecticut town. In tho absence of the reserve man on duty, somo daring thieves stole the whole of the helmets from a local police- station. When the men were paraded for duty they had to assumed impromptu headgear, in which ] they patrolled the streets until the. regulation helmet3 could be nrovidod

KNOCKING OUT THE GREAT J. L.

•■■■■nnannBnMHHMKBnaBMMMHaHii A TRAVELLER'S TALF The Snake Tree. The Horticultural Times is indebted to a cor- respondent for the following account of the so- called snake-tree, which is said to exert such a terdfying influence upon the natives of the Mexican Wilds :-A late traveller was in Mexico on a botanical expedition, One day he saw a dark object on one of the outlying spurs of the Sierra Madre Mountains, which so excited his curiosity that be examined it carefully through his field-glass. He saw it was a tree of such an unusual appearance that he decided to visit the spot. He rode on borseback to within a few rods of the summit, when he came to an abrupt rise he could Dot climb. On the top stood the tree. He saw it had long slender limbs, drooping like a weeping willow. They had a slimy, snaky appearance, and at times the whole tree seemed to writhe. This curiosity led him again and again to visit the spot to learn more, if possible, about this horrible tree. One day he saw a bird circle about it for some time, and then alight on tho top. Then the branches began to move and curl upward. They turned around the bird, which began to cry, and drew it down until he lost sight of it. The botanist tried, as he had several times before, to climb the steep. The rock on which he stepped loosened and fell, himself with it. He was not injured, aud he found that the rock had left quite a cavity. He looked in and saw quite a cavern, and felt a curreent of freih air blowinn on his face. With his trowel he enlarged the hole so as to admit of his ascent. He saw the flattened body of the bird fall to the ground, which was covered with bones and feathers. He approached the tree as closely as he dared. It was not above 20ft. in height, bnt covered a great area.J Its trunk was of prodigious thick- ness, knotted and scaly. From the top of this trunk, a few feet from the ground, its slimy branches curved upward and downward, nearly touching the ground with their tips. On his venturing to touch lightly one of the limbs it closed upon his hand with such force that it tore the skin when he wrenched it away. The next day he visited the tree. carrying several chickens with which to feed it. The moment he tossed the fowls into the branches the latter began to sway to and fro with a snaky motion. After thep had;become gorged they were perfectly quiet, and he ven- tured to approach and examine them closely. They were covered with suckers similar to those of the octopus. The blood of the fowls had been absorbed, leaving crimson stains on their surface. There was no foliage on the tree.

HOW EDNA LYALL WORKS. Characters in her Books. Edna Lyall has been giving a contributor to the Novel Review some particulars of her work as a novelist. Her first published etory, Won by Waiting," was written shortly after she left school. I wrote a good deal of fiction in an amateurish way," she said, while at school in Brighton, and when I was ten years old I had a vague intention of becoming a novelist. But 4 Won by Waiting was my first published work* Then came 'Donovan' and its sequel, We Two,' both of which I wrote while I was living in Lincoln." Her aim in Donovan" was to describe an almost isolated man, who, though all worldly things appeared against him. should, by sheer nobility of character and steadiness of purpose, struggle from the darkness of Atheism to the light of Christianity." We Two" bears a strong resemblance to Donovan," and was suggested to the author by her reading that Mr. Bradlaugh when imprisoned in the clock-tower had tele- graphed to his daughter, Before writing the book Edna Lyall corresponded with Mr. Bjadlaugh on the subject of." Donovan," and ultimately she met him in London-to discuss the Secularist movement. From the interview she derived much of the knowledge that enabled her to describe Luke Raeburn, the Secularist leader, whose daughter Erica is led from theranks of the Secularists to the Christian camp, In reply to a question as to what books had influenced her, she said:—" Personallv I owe most to a book called 'The Spiritual Order,' by Thomas Erskine, of Linlathen. I was also much influenced by the Life of Frederick Robertson,' and the' Life of Charles Kingsley,' and also by Morris's Theo- logical Essays.' I am very fond of poetry—Tenny- son, Lowell, Mrs. Browning, and Whittier espe- cially—and I have read a great deal of fiction." .1 Edna Lyall described to her visitor her method in novel writing. "The conception of the prin- cipal character comes first," she says," and then I plan the circumstances in which the character is to be developed. Afterwards I work in the secon- dary characters, the events, and surroundings, so as best to evolve and sustain the central figure." Miss Bayley does not exhaust herself by long ho 1 < of work," neither rising with the lark nor burning the midnight oil"; but she generally writes for ] two or three hours during the morning, and gets rapidly through her labours with the aid of a type- writer. Her best work is done (she says) when she feels least inclined for it.

A SWIMMING FEAT. A swim which created some interest in the neighbourhood of Folkestone and Dover was per- formed in the Channel on Thursday, by an amateur named George E. Harding, a member of the Folkestone Swimming Club. Accompanied by a boatman and a small party of friends, Harding put off from Sandgate Beach at half-past ten, and entered the water abreast of the Benvenue a quarter of an hour later. There was a strong south-westerly wind, and a somewhat heavy sea was running, but within half an hour Harding got the benefit of the flood- tide, and excellent progress was made. At 25 minutes past eleven the Vietoria Pier, Folke- stone, was passed, where the swimmer was loudly cheered by his friends ashore. He then proceeded on to Dover, and, having reached the Admiralty Pier, went ashore at 43 minutes past one, opposite the Lord Warden Hotel, where a large number of spectators had assembled. The distance covered was about elevsn miles, the time occupied being two hours 58 minutss. Harding was somewhat R fatigued when he landed, soon recovered.

-& OUR CHESS COLUMN. Secretaries ofgclubs will oblige by forwarding scores of matches and any games of interest. Local news;and games will at all times bave pre- cedence in publication. All communications for this department to be addressed W. Heitzman, 57, Taff-street, Ponty- pridd. No. lIS.-Problem by S. C. DUNHAM, Washington, Awarded First Prize in the Washington Star. BLACK (5 pieces). ?k,Jjh It WHITE (7 pieces). White to play and make in two moves. No. 116,—Problem by G. HEINTZ, Anapolis, U.S A. (Second Prize Washington Star Tourney). BLACK (5 pieces). ,fa. //a F/I VIA WHITE (5 pieces). White to play and mate in two moves, IRELAND V. WEST OF ENGLAND. The conductors of this match have decided not to commence play until each team is represented by 100 players. So far, the Irish team is nearly complete, and comprises lady and gentlemen players of all classses of strength. We would impress on English and South Wales players to join the home team, which is waiting for entries. Applications to be made to Conductors, Ireland v. West of England and South Wales Match, Mercury Office, Bristol. SOUTH WALES CHESS ASSOCIATION. The annual meeting of the above association will be held at Llanelly on October 8. Any pro- posed alteration of rules should be sent before that date to Mr. W. H. Jones, 47, Dean-street, Aberdare. Game played between Mr. S. Tinsley and an Amateur:— CENTRE GAMBIT. White. Black. Amateur. Mr. Tinsley. 1 P to K 4 1 P to Q 4 2 P t O K S 2 P to Q 5 3 B to U 4 3PtoK3 4 P to Q 3 4 P to Q B 3 5 N to K B 3 5 N to Q 2 6 B to K N 5 6 Q to N 3 7 B to B 1 7 N x P Re-capturing the pk;>e by the check at R 4, if INxN. 8 B to N 3 8 N x N ch 9 QxN 9 N to K B 3 10 B to Q 2 10 P to Q R 4 11 P to Q R 4 11 P to K 4 1200 12 B to K 3 13 B x B 13 P x B 14 B to N 5 14 B to K 2 15 N to R3 15 0 0 (K R) 16 N to B 4 16 Q to B 2 17 Q to R3 I', A very strong and awkward attack on the weak point. There is no good reply. 17 P to K R 3 18 B to Q 2 Better than Q takes P (cb). which would leave the attack in Black's hands afterwards. 18 K to B 2 19 P to K B 4 19 B toQ 3 20 P x P 20 B x P 21 Q R to K 1 21 B x P (cb) As Black must lose a piece anvhsw, this is best if he can exchange Queens and get rid of the ATTA 22 K to R 1 22 K R to K 1 23 R to K B 3 23 B to Q 3 24 Q R to K B 1 24 B to K 2 25 Q to R 5 (eh) 25 K to N 1 26 Q to N 6 26 B to Q 1 27 R x N 27 B x R 28 R x B 28 R to K B 1 29 R x R (cb) 29 R x R 30 K to N 1 30 Q to K B 2 31 Q x Q (ch) 31 R x Q 32 N x R P 32 K to R 2 33 N to B 4 33 P to K N 4 34 P to R 5 34 R to Q 2 35 P to Q N 4 35 R to Q 4 36 B to K 1 36 K to N 3 37 B to N 3 37 R to N 4 38 B to Q 6 And White, who has play the middle and ending very weli, eventually won.—Illustrated London News.

Expert Typewriting. At a lecture on typewriting reeentty ijeliveieil in London, Mr. M'G urrin gavs a series of interest- ing examples of his powers with the machine, writing 160 memorised and monosyllabic words in a minute while blindfolded, and giving some Axperfc performanr.es from dictation

Random Thoughts on Men and Things. -0 [By "idris."] (I)-ORGAN-GIUNDERS. )NG before I came to sojourn in the busY town of Cardiff I never heard a street organ without thinking of the metropolis cf Wales. Tin's was an instance of the asso- ciation of ideas,because the very first visit I paid our western capi- tal the organ grinder happened to be there in great form. He burned himself, as it were, into my braiD. ftnd for a long time be and Cardiff invariably presented themselves together to my imagination -never the organ-grinder without Cardiff, never. Cardiff without the organ-grinder, never either without both, and (perhaps to be legally accural* I should add) never both without either. The organ-grinder is a foreign limportation, of supposed to be. He has one unfailing mark ot Continental origin, viz., dirt. To him a bath is profanity, and the allurements of Messrs. Pear& and the rest of them appeal to him in vain. He is a true creature of the soil. He sticks to it, and it to bim-the latter at any rate. Your organ* grinder wears a slouch hat, an olive skin, and a dark moustache sometimes he is tied up with rags about the legs a la buccaneer. At other times he condescends to corduroy, a VAnglais; but he t dons nothing till it is sufficiently diriy to call up tender recollections. The organ-grinder baa another distinguishing feature he can gritu There is a proverb which says delicately, "Grin and bear it." In the case of his organ-grindership, however, he does the grinning the bearing is done by the audience, until the halfpenny is tortured forth, and with an extra grin of triumph he with- draws to torture another vicinity. The organ-grinderess is very superior to her he. A finely-built woman, with a sweet dark face sometimes, and such a curtsey and winsome smile. that (although you've never been there) seems tc speak to you of the sunny south. Her dress is picturesque, though I've often wondered how siield look in an old-fashioned feminine Welsh-costum* « hat like that in Mr. Storrie's omnium-yatherum. As I rule her lord and master makes her wheel AS w. U IS grind the organ. I'd like to kick him—the beasb! The organ itsolf is what a suffering public dreads most. They don't mind the organ-grinderess at all; they can even tolerate the grinder, if he only Yi keep outside smelling distance. Bnt the organ | Ah, and as the strains of "Annie Rooney" or T. b.d.y come jerking forth, a big, big D frames itself on many a lip, and the recording angel, remembering the cause, fumbles behind hh wing somewhere for the ink-eraser. There are many species of hurdy-gurdy. There is the great brazen organ of 100 horse-powec J associated with our most flourishing merl y.go.. j rounds, worth a vasfcdeal of money and warranted to roar down any opposition whatsoever. Then is the hurdy-gurdy with harmonium arrange, j meets, of which the cabinetto is the drawing.rooin form (a child can plav it—rvide testimonials), and there is the piano hurdy-gurdy, in which the music is banged forth instead of droned. The kind, though, is immaterial. When you hear one you long for the other- invariably. Sometimes you notice, perched on the organ, a little martyr with a tail and a chain to keep him from making off —If be has a musical ear. Pnot little creature, in your tiny coat and cap and that hundred-year-old expression of wisdom-you hava nice times of it with the organ-grinder without A doubt, though I have an idea that her ladyahig the grinderess is a trifle kinder. Anyway YOIL work hard enough for your living, and you and your fellow-moukeys might club together AND strike with advantage in favour of better pay AND the eight hours movement. Lastly. finally, and in conclusion, I don't K»O* what good organ-grinding serves save to thi grinders themselves. But I do know that, iJ pleases poor little children and others in (lisin4 courts and alleys who get no other iilea of hat mony, and bearing this in mind, and what Haweif and Lewis Morris have written on the swbjeci,! strive hard to feel resigned when the grind# trikes up before my wigwam, though it would.. L IMIT, be easier to bear if the grinderess we" there instead.

CIGARETTE IN LONDON { Further Press Comment. j| The Daily Telegraph speaks of the muaU: "Cigarette as uniformly pretty.. MI, J H. Parry, the composer of the music, has a h-tpj-y vein of reminiscent mi'loiy, and a pleasant hiest rf- workmanlike orchestration. The worA f are severely criticised, and our eon1,t::llIpür,Lry v, (t tures to hope that Mr. St. Leger is not to be heU responsible for the dull j^mtoitume jokes and I.:dr' raising anachronisms with widen the oppressively bristles. The success of the composer (remarks tit' London Echo) stands assured. He comes at, happy moment; and. w (I1.,y he cf># fident of hearing much more of Mi. i'.a. j, and seeing his name associated with good and delight. ful work. From overture to finaly he hnid hit audience charmed with a pleasant, essy flaw 01 unhackneyed numbers, with here antl there ( really delicious melody,. He seems to b" t-nriten' to give pleasure, and never ov- rtaxes ius powej by aiming at the too ambitious; but again and again gives us passages of great sweetness, and wins the praise of the musical connoisseur by ilil ever musicianly style and adroit orchestration He has yet to show that he can grasp the cotiiii n in music, but touches on the romantic and s!mti' mental with fascination and freshness. The St. James's Gazette says "CignreUs" f i really a very admirable opera, provided you don'' expect trom it anything particularly operatic Of story it contains but the meres' thread, nor is this set forth by the authors witt any great skill or wit. Qualities, however, tio piece possesses sufficiently bright and entertaining to render its enthusiastic reception on Tiiuradot evening quite comprehensible. TtIi lyrics, which in some instances betray a happi knack for versification on the part of the writeft Mr. St. Leger, have boen set by Mr. J. Hayl11 Parry, whose music, although not strikingly original, is always bright and graceful. The fin^ K to each of the actr. shows moreover, tha.t toft. R Parry possesses considerable variety of expressi"* S and no small skill in orchestration. ff Mr. Parry's opera (says the Morning) is adistiotf* 'K success. It is throughout full of molody, and tf* H orchestration is artistic A plensi"jj Ej number is Cigarette's song, "'Twas bete I saw af" Ml Loved Thee First," and Claude's song, Hons* K| Still Unchanged and Fair," was also a f»icce& K Madame Albu's singing in the character of Violettll Ti met with much approval, l\liss Hankho\rdt aci e,l till I1 part of Cigarette wnh grclt vivacity, Mr. O .MarfJ I as Claude, sang with sweetntss, Miss Lanria. I < Babette was very bright, and Messrs. Evelyn aild Collette, bv their droll ncHng contrihuied not iittie to the success of t>.<- piece. The chor'1* throughout sang well, but. <he dancing of ti^ gq.,)tte WItS IJoLg()od,IlJld this .,lIo\lld be ill'I'vøt' upon. Mr. Warham St. Legei's book is spii^htl/' and his love lyrics are gia eful in the exiren.^ Both cowpos(,r and aultioi- rceeiv.,d;:il c,,t li,i call at the fall of the curtain, nod the vyuiict, to to the success of the opera appe-ireo to lie nt'.an'iKIk mous. 'US The Globe pronounces the opera a moru ¡limo tant work than any previously constructed í €*1 Mr. Haydn Pittry,aul we may sa.y at once n.-tt 1*1 warrants favourable anticipations of Ids hit or wf career. Mr. Parry shines most co&ta| spicuously in his orchestration, wliich is »<iv. "J «KS artistic and often masterly. Hi- preludes 1. 4X I. and II. are admirable, and so also are ids 91 paniments to the vocal music. His vocal solosi' £ ..BI chide three charming songs: "Love is a {Countess), My heart breaks no' (Violate,, n"e {fjj; "AH through the silent r.ight" (Cigarette)-, hut. 3M >. are greatly surpassed by his e •ncert.ed pieces, beautiful "Vcuppr By rll n .una by the un.-e^B convent girls the Good night, chore* for iiia I voices the admirable finale of Act If., and t Gavotte ciiorus. He was well aid. d hv '"j|H artists above-named, who won hearty and 'l! jiHfc. merited applause, and also by Mo^iv. (Nicotine^ and Evelyn (Beuz-line), whose ('Oti'jBJji calites elicited much laughter. ')»• op.-r.! loudly applauded tjy a large audience, arid v J Parry, who was thrice cdLid before the cm: .» I may be congrat»<at«'1 on a eenuine success. » I