The Cardiff Times

ABERDARE MINERS IN CONFERENCE. 4 A meeting of miners was held at Saron-hall, ^■beraman, Aberdare, on Monday night. Mrl). Morgan (agent) presided, and there were present Sjessrs W. Abraham, M.P., Isaac Evans (Neath), "enry Da vies, John Lewis, and a large number nainera. The CHAIRMAN explained that the meeting had heen called for the purpose of hearing addresses from ftlabon and Mr Evans, and to place before he meeting the necessity of federation and Organization. Mr ISAAO EVANS regretted that the miners rere not organised to the extent they ought to be. Was true that they had their association—like Jhe employers and the officials—but theirs (the rjen's) was not sufficiently united and gaining in j'tength. He believed that their position would ^Prove by combination. It would improve ^ancially, socially, and politically. The Shaker criticised the third clause in the J^fPloyers' Liability Act, and expressed the °P>nion that Mr Bradlaugb, and not the Govern- ment, was responsible for it. Had they been f'operly amalgamated, a sufficient number of IJhour representatives might have been sent to Filament to assist Mabon and others in op- CTog the clause. He (the speaker) did not that the employers were antagonistic to nation on the part of the men as long as did not overstep their rights, i»nd agitated in uir way for improvement. The following Solution was then proposed and carried:— tufhfct this meeting approves of the action taken by 'Hn ,0ttr representatives in the House of Commons tiahM- s'ina agaiDst the third clause of the Employers IJenf y as we believe that clause to bu detri- to the independence of the workmen. There- I *e are glad to find that the miners of South and Monmouthshire are determined to hold a tni of meetings for the purpose of organising the in order to protect the interest of labour in the let and to promote their political rights as well. W« ABRAHAM,, M.P., who WAS enthu- •aeticaU, received, said he believed that trade waa valuabTe force in securing for the i>»ri .a better hours and better pay. The i.^stries which workmen bad built up showed^a e^her rate of wages and less fluctuation in 11 Ployment. He dwelt at considerable length VM? ne°essity of joining the federation, for jJ'hout doing so they would certainly fall, and Under the feet of the masters. At the close of 1address the following resolution was proposed carried sffipi ^is meeting, after hearing the vigorous and Oi>i?-ent speeches delivered here to-night, is of tart1*0!11 that every colliery in this valley should sup- lhe federation, and pledges itself to do its utmost W^«ach that end. to fk NAVIES proposed a vote of thanks anjhe speakers, and spoke very highly of Mabou's 3 > Evans' efforts on behalf ot the workmen Mr JOHN REES seconded.

MEETING OF RHONDDA MINERS y^he monthly delegate meeting of the Rhondda *lleya District Steam Coal Miners' Association it k held at the Windsor Hotel, Ton, on Monday, in, in £ been decided that these meetings be held j 'Uture on the last instead of the first Monday l each month, so as not to clash with the monthly >f'"days. With reference to the dispute at the c f^onal Colliery, Wattstown, as to the refusal of d 'hers to do hauliers' work for four shillings per r#?* the agent (Mr W. Abraham, M.P.) wa8 Rested to see the manager with the view of amicable settlement. A resolution •J}? Passed to the effect .that in future every to le*y shall send a notice • to the district of any important matter they wish to iBtVe discussed thereat, but that this should not di ^era with the consideration or local The announcement of the it that "sponging" system at the Blaenrhondda lliery was at an end waa received with ap- J^Use.—The following resolutions were also *«eedto:_ hjSfct the question of retaining the extra turn to the men at Llwynpia Colliery be deputed to the U ^ict agent and the workmen's committee, who are 6eu,Se their best endeavours to get the:matter amicably Ckl?d, and should they fail to retain that turn, that Uto the deputation aurhority to finally deal with fatter, and that the district will support the men fhfteir struggle if necessary- tojhat the Bare dispute be left in abeyance for another iP'h ^j..hat this meeting shall not consider anything that ri: crop up in regard to the Albion ^Arbitration finite, as we think it is time this matter should be jn,sl«ed with. Gf»iTa8 reported that the workmen of the Albion th°>ry had determined upon a list of prices, and ^?t that list would be at once submitted to the i Uiery manager. The workmen were advised tj* the meeting to adhere to the list, and settle j. prices with the master themselves, as far as {w^ble; and if they could not u liberty to call in the aid of Mr W. Abraham, tlt''¡; and that their case be again considered at lext meeting.—A letter was read from the iT^etary of the Great Western Colliery Commit- stating that at a meeting of the workmen on the 22nd inst. their position with regard district was discussed, and the following lotion passed:—"That we withdraw from Rhondda district entirely, and have nothing iirfte to do with it." The cause of the rupture t»~ ?ot transpire, and a committee wa3 appointed K*i8it the oolliery with a view of inquiring into dispute which at present exists thereat.

ACCIDENTS AT CARDIFF. On Saturday an unusual number of acci- dents occurred at Cardiff which necessitated assistance at the infirmary. In some cases the accidents were of a somewhat grave nature, and, in one of these, death unfor- tunately resulted. A shipwright named Frederick Galsworthy, aged 26, living at 58, Marion-street, and employed by Mr Rogers, East Dock, was crossing one of the many lines which meet near the Tyneside Engine Sheds, when a passing engine knocked him down, and passed over both his legs. Assistance was immediately brought to the unfortunate man, and it was found that his limbs bad been nearly severed from his body. He was conveyed to the infirmary, where his legs were amputated, but from the first recovery seemed hopeless, and early on Sunday morning be died.—Fred. Duncan, aged 29, living at 8, Northern William-streetj was also brought to the infirmary suffering trom a fractured leg. He received his injuries by slipping on the pave- ment on Saturday afternoon.—A somewhat similar accident befel Thomas Stephens, a tire- man, aged 19, living at 17, North Luton.place. He was engaged in Mr Joseph Heald's wagon works, when he accidentally got his leg entangled in some chains. The limb was severely injured. — A child named John Morgan Dorrovitch, three years old, whose parents live at 216, Bute-road, was conveyed to the infirmary suffering from severe bodily injuries. He was playing with a hoop on the pavement in Bute-street, when the hoop rolled into the road. He ran after it, and was knocked down by a passing cab, No. 126, driven • by W. Rose, 10, Wood-street. The vehicle passed over the child's foot. The last three patients are progressing as favourably as can be expected.

ACCIDENT. — On Monday eveniflg, as Charles Stidder. in the employ of the Western Counties Telephone Company,was engaged in affixing wires to a telephone pole erected in Nicholas's timber yard. New Dock- street, Newport, he slipped and fell a distance of about twenty feet. He was picked up, and appeared to be very much injured. A cab was procured, and he was removed to his residence, 9, Dean-street, Barnardtown. SEEIQDS ACCIDENTS.—On Friday evening two accidents of a serious nature occurred at Newport. A lad named William -George Anstey, IS years of age, residing at Archibald-street, Maindee, was assisting to unload a cargo of boards at Messrs Nicholas and Co.'s timber yard, Dock-street, when one of the stacks toppled over and buried the lad. He was extricated with all speed and removed to the Newport Infirmary, where it was found necessary to amputate his right arm at the shoulder. The right thigh was also fractured, and he was otherwise severely bruised.—Shortly after 8 p.m. a sailor, named Felix Morgan, was admitted to the ,ame institution suffering from severe injuries to his head, caused by his falling down the hold of the s.s. Speedwell, lying at the Alexandra Dock. The injuries amount to con- cussion of the brain, and are serious. A SAD ACCIDENT happened at Llanelly on Sun- day to a little girl, aged 11, the daughter of Mr George Caul, Pembrey-road. She climbed on the stand before the fire to reach something from the mantelpiece, her clothes caught fire, and she now lies in a very critical state.

SERIOUS COLLISION IN THE PENARTH ROADS. On Weduesday morning the steamship G. N. Wilkinson, of Cardiff, bound for Devonport with a cargo of coals, whilst proceeding to sea through the Bute Channel, collided with the steamship Sjelland just outside the low-water pier, with the result that the former vessel sustained such serious injuries that, as she was found to be sinking, the captain, immediately the two steamers got clear of each other, headed her for the East Mud under full steam, and she slowly settled dowirand sank, ber fore compart- ments being full of water. During the day attempts will be made to temporarily patch up the damage and to float her into Cardiff, so as to be able to discharge the cargo and make necessary repairs. The Sjelland also sustained large damage to her bows, and will have to enter the dry dock for repairs. The G. N. Wilkinson was assisted to the East Mud by one of Messrs Elliot and Jeffrey's tug- boats, whilst the SjeHand at present in the East Dock with her bows severely damaged. The G. ]N. Wilkinson was badly injured on the starboard quarter, where she was struck. She is a Cardiff steamer, owned by Messrs Harrison Brothers and Moore, and was built in West Hartlepool in 1869, her net tonnage being 476, gross 719. The SJELTAND is a Danish steamer, owned at Copenhagen, and 1,041 tons net and 1,423 gross, She was built at Kiel in 1872,

AN "UNFORTUNATE" SHOT. An extraordinary shooting affray took place on Wednesday forms one of those cases in which it is difficult to judge whether design or accident is responsible for what oc- curred. The facts are very simple. The man who is charged with the offence is a seaman namsd Thomas Walsh, and is small in stature, and foreign in appearance. He is 33 years of age. and has been staying at a lodging- house at 173, Bute-street. He has been for some time acquainted with the unfortunate woman, Eliza Bond, who lives in Peel-street. They were drinking together about half past one at the Five Bells Inn, and seemed to be very friendly with one another. No quarrel, so far as can be gathered, took place between them, and nothing transpired which should give rise to any sudden and violent expression of feeling. Walsh had in his pocket a revolver, and, accord- ing to his own statement, be took it out in order to examine it. He pointed it at the woman and the pistol at once went off, the bullet, a conical shaped one, lodging in Bond's, head, just over the nose. The report brought a number of people to the spot, and keen excite- ment prevailed. Walsh did not take measures to escape, and he was very loud in his assurances that the whole affair was an accident. Police- constable 173 (Baker) was brought to the spot, and he convoyed the woman to the infirmary, where sho was examined by the house surgeon. The bullet was without difficulty removed from her head, but it is not possible as yet to form any adequate conclusions with regard to the seriousness of the wound. Mean- while Detective Fowler was despatched from the Central Police Station, and, in company with P.O. Baker, be arrested Walsh. The prisoner was brought in a cab to. the RATION, where he was charged wijth, UNLAWFULLY Shooting Eliza Bond. He was then locked up in the cells.

CARDIFF INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND. The annual meeting of subscribers to the Cardiff Institute for the Blind was held at the committee-room in the building at Glossop-road on Wednesday afternoon.—Mr John Davies presided, and there were also present the Rev A. Tilly, Messrs Robert Bird, J.P., G. F. Webb, Dr Maurice Evans, and Mr F. E. Hallet, the manager.—Letters of apology for enforced absence were read from the Rev C. J. Thompson, Mr J. Moore, and Dr Fiddian.—Some discussion took place based on remarks contained in the letter of the last-named gentleman as to the advisability of the committee engaging the services of an efficient blind teacher for the purpose of instruct- ing the women in such useful arts as knitting and LEAVING. Eventually the matter was referred to the committee.—The Rev Mr Tilly desired it to be known that the institution was not as yet self- supporting, although it would soon be.—In reply to a question as to the sales, the Manager said that the great difficulty they had to contend with was that they had to compete as regarded price and thoroughness of workmanship with firms other than those who only employed the blind.— The balance-sheet for the past year was then pre- sented, and duly approved of,—The accounts showed that the balance in hand at the commence- ment of the year was £368 18S 81 subscriptions and donations amounted to £226 163 Id, the amount of stock, sxtef. &(: being jei,921 lis 10J, making a total of £2,517 63 7d. After all expenses had been met there remained a sum of B380 53 8d in hand. The general report for the year ending 1288 stated that the work of the institution had been well maintained, the sales being larger than during the preceding year by £170. an increase of 11 per cent. The ordinary subscriptions, the committee regretted to say, showed a falling off ot about £13, but fortunately they had received lome special donations. One in particular of JB80 from Mrs Matthias, in memory of her late sister, Miss Meyrick, called for the warmest thanks of the committee. They were grateful for the good work being done by the institute, and hoped for a continued and increased support. During the year the institution had suffered a great loss by the death of the late Rev Nathaniel Thomas.— Mr W ebb alluded with pleasure to the fact that owing to the increase in the sales, they bad of late been able to take on several additional hands. —Mr Marcus Gunn and Dr Maurice Evans were added to the present committee, and Mr F. Graham Bird was elected hon. sec,

SCENE AT SWANSEA COUNTY COURT. At the Swansea County Court on Wednesday, Mr Woodward, who appeared in a case, stood up without being attired in a robe, and his Honour somewhat shortly observed, "Mr Woodward, I oan't see you." Mr Woodward: I don't see why you can't, sir. The Judge: I have told you, Mr Woodward, that I can't see you. Is not that enough Mr Woodward: Certainly not, sir. I appear in this case, and I do not see why I should not proceed with it. The Judge: They coma into the court properly robed; Mr Woodward (to Mr G. L. Morgan): Here, lend me your robe. The Judge: You must go outside and robe yourself, and pay proper respect to the court., Mr Woodward I don't know or any rule that compels me to do so, sir. The Judge: Don't say that, Mr Woodward, Mr Woodward But I do say it, sir. The Judge Then go outside and say it, or I'll commit you. Mr Woodward: Ob, all right, I'll go. Here, doctor, here's your book (throwing a book across the table.) The case was then adjourned for a time at the request of the farty for vrhom Mr Woodward appeared.

GRATITUDE. Gratitude is one of the noblest attributes of the human heart, and we often see it manifested even in the brute creation. All domestic animals have a way—each peculiar to its kind—of showing appreciation of kindness bestowed. The man, therefore, who has no gratitude in his soul, who is indifferent to favours bestowed, and who can wrong the band that has done him a kindness, may be said to be, in this respeot, lower in the scale of being than the brute, and totally unfit for civilised society. It is pleasant to say, however, that such characters, though they have an existence, are very largely in the minority. With the masses of mankind gratitude springs sponta- neously in the heart, and manifests itseif IN such a way as to render its genuineness unmistakeable, Nothing4 perhaps, has NEON M°R? Productive of1 genuine gratitude than the beneficial results that have attended the use use of Swift's Specific, as is fully attested in the thousands of letters received from those who have been rescued from the grave by this wonderful remedy. For any malady arising from impurity of the blood, there is no remedy that bears any comparison to it. 80 far AS its health giving properties are concerned. For sale by all chemists. Price, the liquid, 4S 6d per bottle; the dry, 2S 6d per package. Pamphlets sent free on application. The Qwift Speoifia 00., 3S_ Knnw.hill. T,««fW..TB O i

SWANSEA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The Trade of the fort. The aiibu&l meeting of the members of the Swanaea Chamber of Commercolwas beld at the Town-hall on Friday afternoon. *Mr R. D. Burnie presided. r THE LATE tIB CHARLES BATH. The CHAIRMAN moved a vote ofscondolence with the family of the late Mr Charles Bath in their recent bereavement, and it was decided to place on record the sense of the chamber of the deep loss that the town had sustained. Mr Bath, said the chairman, was president of tfo old chamber, and he bad also been president. of it after its incorporation. Through his death they had lost a kindly gentleman, a generous-hearted man, and a good public worker. Mr JOSEPH HAU, seconded, and the motion was adopted. it The SECRETARY (Me E. P. Jonas) presented the annual report of the council. It showed that the number of members was 134. and that there had been held nine meetings of the chamber and 12 of the council. I" the summary of the work of the year it was shown that a. resolution in favour of the establishment at Swan- sea. of a training: ship for destitute lads from Swansea and neighbourhood was pasted at th%instance of the mayor, but as it was fouud that such an esta- blishment wonld have to be largely supported out of local rates, it had been thought better to defer any practical steps until the new system of local govern- ment had been fairly started. INCREASED RAILWAY FACILITIES. 1 The Great Western Railway authorities having decided against any alteration in the regulation in force for the stemming of vessels to load as their coal drops (the operation of which had given rise to some complaints to shipowners), it was decided, with tbe view of securing increased despatch in the conduct of tne coal trade of the port, to memorialize the company to provide additional facilities for tipping coal at the various docks, and increased siding accommodation for coal awaiting shipment. A memorial, which also dealt with the question of improved passenger accommodation between Swansea and London, was also presented. As the result of an interview, the directors undertook to erect an additional tip at the East Dock, and (in conjunction with the Harljpur Trustees) to provide extensive siding accommodation on the liast Burrows. But the council regretted that, notwithstanding the strongest representations on their part, the directors naa so far absolutely declined to take any steps to improve the condition of affairs at the North Dock. This refusal was as disheartening as it was unlooked tor. It was generally understood chat the railway company was ready and desirous to extend Its shipping facilities at this dock as soon as the difficulties attend- ing the required exchange of land were removed, and now that after years of patient waiting the formalities had been completed, the inaction of the company was discournging in the extreme. As one step of removing the stigma attached to thia dock by reason of constant and irritating incon- venience and delay, the Harbour Trustees had at great outlay provided means for obtaining a permanently. increased depth of water;-but without the desired co-operation of the railway company, these means would be almost, if not altogether, inoperative, as it was manifest that the difficulty now experienced in loading and bunkering large steamers when light would be gseatly increased when the hatchways or bunker holes were 18 inches to two feet nearer the mouth of the shoots. The position in the North Dock bad, therefore, become more serious than ever, and the council sincerely trusted that the railway company would reconsider its determination. The company did not see their way clear to adopt the particular sugges- tions of the chamber with regard to passenger com- munication; with London, but this service bad since been considerably improved. HARBOURS OF REFUGE. Reference was. made to the action taken by the chamber with respect to the construction of national harbours of refuge, and the action taken on the question by the Associated Chambers of Commerce. Reference was also made to the steps taken, with a view of getting unanimity of feeling amongst the in- habitants of the various Bristol Channel ports to get a harbour of refuge constructed in the channel, OTHER QUESTIONS. There was also reference to the proposal to construct a Bristol and English Channel Ship Canal, and direct telegraph lines to the North of England (which the council were glad to understand would probably be laid shortly), to the support given to the scheme of the Naval Volunteer Home Defence Association,to the town dues and bridge toll question, satisfaction being ex- pressed that there now seemed every prospect of the speedy abolition of both harassing imposts; alld a feel- ing tribute paid to the memories of Messrs F. A. Yeo, M.P., and Charles Bath, vice-presidants, who had died since the last meeting, THE TIL ABE OP THE- — JTV/ttX.. INWAROS. 1883. 1887 1878. Vessels entered 4,604 4479 4 839 Registered tonnage 1,258,395 ..1 227 230 720,896 Imports (tons) 6b3,644 586'&01 450,186 OUTWARDS. Vessels cleared 4,463 4618.. 4,689 Registered tonnage 1,233,371 1 201 949 701,783 Exports (tons) 1,953,724 1.907 952 1.051.860 The report concludes.:—A comparison of the figures with previous returns is dtciuedly encouraging. The gross trade, 2.6C5.948 tons, is the highest total yet re- corded. The imports, which for the past two vears had shown a declining tendency, have visiblv improved, being 11 4 per cent. better than in 1887, The expottii of coal, which in 1887 reached the highest record, have still further improved, though only to a small extent. The total shipments of tin plates were also slightly in excess of last year, but there is this interesting feature in this trade, that while the exports coastwise, the bulk of which are destined for re-shipment at another British port, have decreased, the direct shipments from Swansea to foreign pons hate increased. The shipments of tin plates to Batoum, a new trade last year, have increased from»«5,124 to 17,323. Another noteworthy circumstance is the increase in the chemical trade outwards, which is 22'8 per cent. better than in 1887, the total, 35,2^5, being again considerably the highest yet experienced. The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report, said it would be seen from it that though the chamber bad been moving quietly, it ha.d been doing good and useful work. Mr STEMus seconded, Mr J. HALL pointed out the importance of the erection of the high tip in the No.rth Dock, and said were one not constructed soon, many vessels who now visit Swansea would go to Barry. The teport was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFtCEBS. It was rasolved that Mr Dillwyu, M.P., be re-elected president Sir Hussey Vivian, M.P. Sir J. J, Jenkins, Messrs B. D. Burnie, j. R? Francis, G. B, Strick, and A. Mason, vioe- presidents; Mr Gregor, treasurer; Mr C. V. Crabb, auditor and Messrs T. R. W. Mason B. l^vans, C. V. Crabb, O. Fulton, J. Livingston, D. Imrie, and W; Williams were selected to fill vacancies on the council. AN ABSENCE OF POSTAL INFORMATION. Mr J. R. LEAVEn drew atteutitfh to the absence from the pillar-boxes of tablets giving information as to the times of clearance, dcc., and it was decided to call the afctontoa of the postal authorities to the matter. The annual banquet took place on Monday evening, Mr Dillwyn, M.P., presiding.

CARDIFF YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. The steady growth of the above useful organi- zation encouraged the friends connected with it to engage in certain renovating and other necessary work during recent months. The extra expendi- ture thus incurred amounted to about £ 50, and in order to liquidate this sum a sale of fancy work, &c., took place on Wednesday, at the Lecturo-hall of the association. The articles exhibited were numerous and useful, and many of them exhibited much deftness and taste. Nirs J. J. f Burt Mrs Hugh Reid, Miss Reid, Mrs T. W. Davidl Mrs Georee Hughes, the Misses Charles Hughes, Miss Cooper, and the other ladies who presided at the stalls, were amongst the chief contributors. Mr Richard Cory, J.P., opened the first day s proceedings in a short address. He warmly commended tha objects of the association, and trusted the sales would be liberally patronised. The hali was decorated with flags lent by Mr Burt. Facing the entrance was the word "Welcome." A refreshment stall had been provided. Selections of vocal and instrumental music were rendered by Miss Joanna Simpson, Mrs and Miss Erskine, 1\1IS3 Mary Aitken, Mr Norman Kendrick, Miss Katie Davies, Miss Reid, etc. The hali was opened on Wednesday from eleven o'clock in the morning till ten at night. There was an encouraging attendance. To-day (Thursday) the sales will commence at three o'clock in the afternoon. They will be introduced by Mr Lewis Williams, J.P. Mr George Hughes, the secretary, deserves to be congratulated on the success of the association, which is in a thoroughly solvent condition. The membership last year increased over 100, and there was decided financial progress,

MILK AND WATER, A Penalty of -620. Frederick William Vickers, farmer and whole- sale milk dealer, Ashbourne, Derby, was on Wednesday mulcted in the penalty of £ 20and costs by the stipendiary magistrate for South Stafford- shire, for selling milk adulterated with 19 per cent. added water. The milk had been consigned to the Midland Dairy Company, Wolverhampton, but was stopped at the railway station by the sanitary inspector.

COLLIERY DISPUTE AT PONTY- PRIDD. dispute having arisen at the Great Western Vk' y, Pontypridd, with refereuce to the price V Ha8hould be pai<j for working the new | of coal, which the men and masters | is identical with that involved in [ recent Cymmer dispute, sixty men have f tK work. The workmen, however, claim that I tkf'at the Great Western iB 0f greater average i thaCt. 8S» and the top weaker, than Cymmer, and I fctJ they should be P»|d higher prices than are F at the latter pit.

I MEETING OF COLLJERY [ OFFICIALS. ^?ha fourth meeting of the Oolliery Officials' V.)?c'ati°n for the Merthyr Aberdare th ieys was held at the Queen's Hotel, Aberdare, 8^turday night. There was a large attendance Vi°ember3. the Merthyr Valley being well ^??entod- Mr D. E. Davies (Dewi Mabon) Wl^ed. After finally adopting the rules and C.% new members, Mr I). E. Davies, the toWi Qt ot the association, delivered bis inau- W:* address. He dwelt at considerable length the object of their coming together in that had been stated that the 1 had been formed for the purpose of everybody—even the employers. Had he l conclusion after giving the matter consideration, be would never hav '• himself with it. Their object in (jj themselves together was for the purpose Jf niatters appertaining to the working er'es generally, to exchange opinions on 'fctee' Sf iects, and to tiy and attain a greater i? 8afety the work in which they were SSS?- of all improvements in con- collieries at present terrible I s f|*i8d fkto°^ P'ace> an(l when colliery officials » vesti» themselves into associations they could d;5 the points bearing on this matter, them thoroughly, and if not able to con terrible disasters, thep might limit tuA very considerably. He hoped association would benefit all classes and the only reward they expected was that the association was labouring for the good of all who came within the scope of its operations and influence. (Cheers.)—Mr Williams (Bedlinog) proposed a vote of thanks to the president for his address, and Mr Phelps (Aberdare) seconded.— Mr Snape (Troedyrhiw) supported the proposition, which was very cordially carried.—A voteof thanks was tendered to Mr Richards, G.W.R., Pontypool, for placing a late train at TTO disposal oi tba Merthyr officials.—The next meeting will be held at the Bush Hotel, Merthyr, on the 30tb of March.

NORTH COUNTRY V. WELSH COAL. The president of the North of England Ship- owners' Association, Lord Ravensworth, speaking at the annual meeting at Newcastle, referred to the relative qualities of Welsh and North-country .coal. He said that twenty years since the Admiralty instituted a series of most important experiments conducted in the Queen's ships at one or more of the dockyards, and the result was that if care were taken in stoking the coal, and if the fire bars, in consideration of the highly-bituminous quality of the coal, were properly fitted, the North-country was certainly equal,. if not superior, in evaporation or steam- producing power < to the Welsh coal. Lord Ravensworth'A advocacy was rather unfor- tunate. There were too many IS ifs" about it. According to him,North-country coal is only equal to Welsh coal when the stokers are picked men, and when the furnaces are made to order. On board a mercantile steamer anybody 13 considered good enough for a fireman, and the fire bars are not always what they should be. In fact, they soon become burnt, and this all to the disadvantage of north, but not of Welsh coal. The latter wants a very free draught, and if the former be put into furnaces designed for the latter, about fourteen or fifteen tons of north coal will be consumed to ten or eleven of Welsh. It is quite true that steam can'perhaps be got up quicker with North country coal than with Welsh coal, but in these days of freights space IS everything, and the bunkers are built as small as possible. Under any circumstances except the very best more North country coal will .be burnt than Welsh, and as the bars become worn the consumption will increase..11oreover, good Welsh steam coal is to a great extent smokeless. I don't mean the stuff with which the charterers fill the bunkers. It is only when tbefires are being stoked during the changa of watches that a cloud of black smoke will emeige from the funne!. But with North country coal it is almost con- tinuous, and those who know how unpleasant are the blacks which settle on everything can well understand the superiority of the Welsh coal.

THE SAILORS' STRIKE. An Advance Offered, The strike of seamen and firemen employed on the cross channel steamers running from Glasgow extended on Wednesday, 500 men",being out. Owing to the strike among Glasgow seamen the mail steamer Dromedary was unable to leave on Tuesday night for Belfast. No time was lost, however, in sending both mails and passengers to Ardrossan, where they were transferred Jto the company's steamer Seal, and conveyed to the former port. On Wednesday the Clyde shipowners met in private in Messrs Burns'office, Glasgow, and after along discussion theyagreed to give the men 27s.per week, their present pay being 25S. The men had asked for 303, but the owners declared they were determined not to grant any further advance. It is believed that the seamen will accept this advance. Action of Newport Seamen. A meeting of seamen was held at the Trades- man's Hall, Newport, under the auspices of the 1' local branch of the National Amalgamated Seaman's Union. There was a large attendance of sailors. The chair was taken by Mr T. Roberts, and amongst those present were Mr F. W. Evans (late general secretary of the Railway Servants'Union), and Mr J. Gardner (secretary to the Cardiff Trades Council).—Mr Evans explained that the objects of the union were to protect the interests of all classes of seamen. There was a sick benefit fund, help was given to shipwrecked members, homes were to be established. on the co-operative system provision was also made for the superannuation of aged members. Mr Gardner, in addressing the meeting, spoke "of the progress of the union, which now had a member- ship of 11,000. In Cardiff 1,600 men had joined the union, and there were 870 members iu the Newport branch. The meeting was called to consider the position of the cooks, stewards) and firemen on the weekly boats. In Newport and Cardiff cooks and stewards were shipping at lower wages than that fixed by the umon he recom- mended the other members of the crew not to sign on unless the union scale were adhered to. He denounced the action of captains of weekly boats in paying off their firemen on the arrival in port. THE fireman signed runnicig articles for six months, and it was only right that the men should receive their wages whilst in port. He moved a resolution approving the course adopted by the seamen of Liverpool who are on strike, and condemning the action of those men who are shipping below the union rate of WAFFA".—The motion was carried unanimously.

THE FEDERATION OF MINERS' UNIONS. A correspondent writes :—" The Federation of Miners' Unions will be the principal subject of discussion at the conference which the Miners' National Union has convened to meet at Leeds on Tuesday. The recent increase of members which, most of the unions have to record has induced the leaders to think that the time has now come for giving practical shape to their long-cherished idea of fusing the various miners' unions throughout the country into one huge association, similar in character to the Amalga- mated Society of Engineers; and there is undoubtedly a feeling among the mass of the miners in favour of such a fusion, though it can hardly be possible for the many unions which have practically come into existence since the revival of trade commenced to have acquired that cohesion which makes national organi- sation possible. There are, however, two serious difficulties in the path of the federationists. The first is the existence of the present National Union. This union was started by the late Mr Alex. Macdonald and other leading miners for the very purpose which the proposed federation is intended to fulfil. But although the miners were then enjoying a prosperity which even in these days of increasing wages seems fabulous, they were not ripe for schemes of this kind, and the National Union is a failure. It is, moreover, in disfavour with the mass of the miners, because they have acquirod the idea—which is erroneous— that the freedom of the miners who make up the larger organisation is very much limited. The delegates who are associated with this union will certainly urge upon the conference the advisability of the whole of the miners joining the union instead of establishing a new one, which will not differ in any material respect from the old one, and an animated discussion will probably take place on this point. It will take a good deal of logic and many lavish promises on the part of the federationists to induce the members of this union to give up their union. The second difficulty is the feeling of nationality which pervades the Welsh and Scottish miners. In fact, the Scottish miners are already endeavouring to form a federation of the miners of their own country, and a similar movement is now going on, though less con- sciously, among the Welsh miners. There will, therefore, be three federations instead of one, and that will be a great improvement from the miners'point of view upon the present state of affairs. It will, moreover, bring the miners considerably nearer to the goal which the federationists wish them to reach. But even the establishment of a federation IN pach of these countries will be the work of two or three genera- tions,as the very slow progress which characterises similar movements shows. But the conference to be held this week is the beginning of this move- ment, and is consequently AN important event in the history of the miners.

THE COPPER SYNDICATE. It has been rumoured for the last week or two that the SOQI^F^ des Metaux has made arrange- ments to form A Loudon Copper Trust, which should take their present onerous engagements off their hands. We have never believed in the possibility of this scheme; if it were at all feasible to form such a company, Paris would be a much morejikely centre for its successful accomplish- ment, for the French press has generally sided with the Society, and has not served the public as faithfully as our own in this matter. There would be such a manifest absurdity in the idea of imposing on the English public, a broken down attempt to secure a monopoly for France of the copper trade, with every chance of loss and none of GAJNT that we cannot believe that any men of position here can think of imperilling their repu- tation by identifying themselves with it in the slightest degree.—Investors' Guardian.

THREE THOUSAND WOMEN ON STRIKE. Three thousand female operatives in the Lurgan district of the Ulster linen trade are on strike against certain new rules which, it is contended, will so increase work as to be equivatent to A reduction of wages from 15 to 20 per cent. The strike entails in Lurgan town alone a. weekly loss in wages of about £1.000. Efforts are being made to bring about an agreement upon the points in dispute. ——

SUICIDE IN AN EXPRESS TRAIN. A fashioaably-dressed woman committed suicide 'N a first-class compartment in the express train from Paris to Cherbourg on Tuesday. Her only companion in the carriage was an infantry otneer, who did not know her, and was tast asleep when he beard a shot. Starting, UP, NO found the woman BA<I lodged a bullet trom a revolver in her skull. Luckily the train was nearing Cherbourg, and wheni..eached the station the officer jumped out and informed the officials of the tragic occurrence. When a doctor arrived, he pronounced the case to be hopeless, and the dying woman was taken to the hospital, There she pointed to ber pockets, where her name, her address, and a letter written by herself was found. She was a provincial demi-mondains. named lolosa, and in her note she said that she had been disappointed in love, L",1i that aha was tired of the life Wblob she was TATTFIPK*

THE ABERGWYNFI ACCIDENT. Opening of the Inquest. AT Abergwynfi on Friday, Mr Howel Cathbert- son, the coroner, held an inquiry into the circumstances attending the deaths of the two men, Smitheram and Lever, who were the victims of the accident which recently occurred in the tunnel which is being cut into the Rhondda Valley. Samuel Perry, a labourer, said that at six on the morning in question he^svas working about 19 chains from the mouth of the tunnel with the two deceased men and one named Blackmore. The last named had charged one bole with dynamite, and Smitheram had charged another. These were both discharged at ten o'clock, Smitheram tiring one and Blackmore the other. Though both fuses were lit'at the same time, six or seven seconds elapsed between the discharge of the shots. A fall of stone and rubbish took place soon after the shots had been fired, the roof falling in from one end to another for 16 feet, and the deceased men, who had gone back immediately after the explosion, were buried in it. From 40 to 50 tons fell altogether. The tunnel had been walled up to where they bad been working. He did not think the shots caused the fall. He believed there was not sufficient timber for the width of the length, there being four props under the bars, and a temporary one in the centre, which was removed before the shots were fired. He did not know whether the roof bad been tried that morning, but said the miners usually tried it before beginning work. In his opinion the cause of the fall was the breaking of the cross bar. It was not correct, as had been stated outside, that they had been removing props at the time. When they went to work in the morning there were two props under the two bars, and then two more were put up, and the centre one knocked out. The Coroner at this stage said ho thought it desirable to communicate with the Secretary of State, with a view of having the fall examined by an expert, who could state whether the fall was brought about by the disturbance caused by the dynamite or the defective props. Therefore he should adjourn the inquest to the 31st inst, and, in the meantime, the fall must in no way be disturbed.

FATAL ACCIDENT IN .THE RHONDDA. A tramp named Thomas Gallivan, aged about 4-5, hailing from Brecon, was. on Saturday, run over near Pont Rhondda, Llwynpia, by a cart belonging to Mr F. Richards, grocer, and which was in charge of Frank Coal, haulier. Death was almost instantaneous. Gallivan, who was a one- legged man, was seen by Sergeant Hoyle a short time before the accident, and the 'officer states that the man was then under the influence of drink.

A MAN CRUSEO TO DEATH AT ABERCARN. A man named Owen Davies on Monday came at his death whilst following bis usual employment by Celynen Colliery. He was employed at the screens at the top of the pit, and was in the act of shifting some wagons from the screens when he was crushed between the wall and the wagons. Deceased leaves a widow and six children.

SERIOUS FIREATCOLCHESRER. A destructive fire occurred on Saturday night at the wholesale boot factory of Mr John Kavanagb, in Colchester. About 320 hands were employed on the premises, but they bad been paid off at four o'clock, and only about a dozen men and boys remained to clear up work. Engines from the barracks assisted in subduing the fire, which was not effected before the main building was completely gutted. The damage is estimated at £10.000, which is covered by in- surance. Mr Kavanagh owns several shops in London, and bad an extensive stock. A large quantity of grain stored in warehouses beneath the factory, and belonging to Messrs Francis and Co., corn merchants, was destroyed, and another Warehouse, occupied by Messrs Rickwood and Sons, and stored with valuable furniture, was burnt out.

ACCIDENT WHILST UNLOADING A SHIP. While some men were engaged in discharging iron from the 8S. Assyria in Glasgow Harbour on Saturday, one of the buckets which convey iron from the ship to the quay fell. killing John Dunnachy, of Villiers-street, Glasgow, and severely injuring John Mcllrean, of Helen-street, Glasgow. The latter is confined in the Western Infirmary.

A DISASTROUS FIRE, Late on Monday night, the fire bell at Darlington raog, and the engines were taken to Kinross-street, where a fire bad broken out at the works of the North of England School Fur- nishing Co., Limited. The firemen were unable to find anything but a scanty supply of water, and meanwhile the inflammable contents of the building, consisting mostly of pitch pine furniture, blazed away at a great rate. By half-past ten a large part of the front of the range of buildings was on fire, and part of the roof fell in. Under one gable which the tire bad not reached a considerable number of people were standing. Either an explosion of gas or some of the turpentine and oils kept on the premises occurred, or the force of steam generated in an adjoining portion of the building caused an explosion, and the section of the gable end, about ten feet in height and much more than that in width, was suddenly forced outward and thrown to the ground upon the unfortunate people underneath, knocking many to the ground and killing two on the spot- a man named Hogg. of North-road, and Thomas Boddy, of Moseley-street. A man named Thompson died soon after in all adjoining house, where he had been taken. Another man 'died from his injuries on Tuesday. Many persons were injured.

FIVE PERSONS DROWNED. A Lloyd's telegram from Cape Gris Ney states that the Sir Walter Raleigh has gone ashore at Andresselles. The ship will probably be lost. Five of her crew have been drowned. She is from^Sydney for London, with wool.

A MELANCHOLY FATALITY. At Messrs Sharp's timber yard, Dartford, a shocking discovery was made on Tuesday morning. Two boys, who bad been missing since the previous night, were found underneath A timber-stack crushed to deaths The boys' names are Coomber, aged eleven years, and Simmoas, nice. A third boy of the name of "Pound was found unconscious, with his legs broken. HA was unable to explain the accident, but it is conjectured that the stack toppled over when the lads climbed; on to it.*

A PARISH CHURCH DESTROYED BY FIRE. Intelligence has reached Belfast that at an early hour on Monday Moneymore Parish Church, County Londonderry, was burnt to the ground. It is believed that the fire is the work of an incendiary. The flames, which could be seen for miles around, attracted a large concourse of people, who were powerless owing to the entire absence of water. The damage is estimated at £10.000.

ACCIDENTATi A LABORATORY. On Monday evening an explosion occurred on the premises of Messrs Webb and Bewley, shipbuilders, North Wall, Dublin. Mr Thomas I Bewley, one of the partners, was engaged in a laboratory hpstairs trying some experiments with F,iemical8,when by some unascertained means the explosion occurred, shattering the windows. After the first alarm bad subsided TLK1 body of Mr TbomasBewley was discovered lying on the staircase quite,dead,with most of his clothes burnt away. The occurrence caused much excitement in the city. The body WMAINS y ON the premises., pending the inquest.

SERIOUS COLLIERY EXPLOSION On Monday, shortly before one o'clock, an ex. plosionoccurred at DeanLane CoHierjvBedminster, the property of ihe Bedminster Coal (lomnanv. hw I. which six persons were injured. A messenger was despatched to Bedminster Police Station for the stretcher, and the ambulance was telegraphed for to the central police-station. Eight constables were despatched to the scene of the accident, and the injured were conveyed to the general hospital. The men are severely burnt about the body and hands, and two boys are sufferiflg from after- damp. A Bristol correspondent telegraphs that two of the six men injured in the explosion succumbed to their injuries on Monday evening. One was Benjamin Jacobs, aged 30, and the other Henry Jones, 41, both married. It has not yet been ascertained what caused the explosion.

SWANSEA SCHOOL BOARD. i_- The monthly meeting of the Swansea School Board was held on Wednesday. There were present—Messrs J. Roberts (chairman), J L Owen (vice-chairman), W. Howell, D. Harris, W. Morgan, J. Evans, M. L. Beavan, C. H. Glascodine, J. Howells, and the Revs Canon Richards, J. Evans, W. Evans, and S. Davys.- Canon Richards, in moving the adoption of the minutes of the schools management committee, complained of a practice of rcSiabars arriving late at committee meetings reversing the decisions already arrived at, and suggested that it would be necessary to adopt a standing order preventing the rescinding of a resolution at th0 same meeting as that at which it was original!^ passed.—Much discussion arose on a proposal to pay an ex-pupil teacher at the Brynhyfryd school; full salary for a year, while it had only bean recommended that he should receive half that amount. On the one band it was urged that he was required at the school, and was worth the full salary alldytt the other it was contended that he was not acttwily required, and was only there to suit his <?Wn convenience while waiting for tho time to "arrive to go to college.-The full sum was vdtdd, whereupon Canon Richards and Rev 1 Joseph Evans exclaimed, "That's economy," vraich elicited the retort from Mr Howell, I t's justtce." and from Mr Harris, That's not the quartet-for economy begin at the top of the tree- t., the bottom. On the recommendation of tbeJ sphools building committee, the adoption of vrbosS minutes was moved by Mr W. Howell, it jr4s decided to construct new playgrounds at Da die and peny. graig, the coBt to be £ 81 and respectively, and the contractor Mr Weaver.-rTbe attendance committee expressed its approve 4t the clauses of the Swansea Corporation Bill which dealt with waifs and strays.

JL" ANOTHER FIRE IN LONDON. ,]'1 Narrow,Escape The premises of Mr Aarorfi twholesale,toy dealer, Edgeware-road, London, tIØIe burnt out on Tuesday, and several adjoining tooaes were more or less damaged. The loss will be very heavy. Mr Aaron has a wife and six children, as well as five young women assistants auciv tåree servants, all of whom slepb on the press**When the flames were seen the fire escape Wats summoned and fireman Chandler entered the bedrooms and aroused the inmates, who were faflt asleep. Their escape was cut off below, bat fortunately the top room had a door leading to the next house. and through this all oWpNL The premises were -.1

DEAR PINAFORES, C The last week has not exactly ABTISTIO been one of events, though I have NEEDLEWORK. seen one or two interesting things. One day I looked in at the rooms of the Decorative Needlework Society, in Sloane-streat, and there beheld some wonderful curtains in two shades of terra-cotta plush embroidered with heraldic insigaia id their proper colours; The blazonry looked particularly well in silks, and there was only just enough work to relieve the monotony of the plush, without anything too heavy or overdone. These curtains, of which there were three pairs, were made, I was told, for a large room in an Essex mansion, panelled with light oak and enriched with elaborate carvings I also saw a splendid portiere done in couching and flat embroidery on white satin belonging to Lady Brooke; and the most curious thing of all was an immense piece of ancient tapestry which, to judge by the way in which it was worn into holes, might have been used for a carpet. The owner, however, recognising its value, was determined to renew its youth, and sent it to these clever workers, who fastened the ragged places down on to frames, laid what J should call a kind of crash underneath, and set one or two girls to work to continue and restore the pattern, stitch by stitch. Oi course it did not grow very fast while I stood looking at it, but I was shewn some small pieces of tapestry that had been mended in a similar manner and asked to pick out the new places. I could have done it easily if I had been allowed to look at the back, but from the front I put my finger on every part but the right. How the fade colours bad been got I could hardly imagine-I have heard of washing wools, drying them in cloths, baking them in an oven, and all sorts of dodges; but one does not exactly expect technical workers to reveal the secrets of their trade. So many ballsin these days are FANCY of the fancy dress order that it DRESSES. is very desirable to discover some mode of inventing costumes, for many young ladies are invited to a dance of this kind who are not within reach of the regular costumiers, and could scarcely afford to hire dresses if they were. I once saw a pretty girl who for such an occasion trimmed her black net frock with bands of ivy leaves, and secured some large brightly tinted and carefully cleaned snail shells to various parts of it. She called herself Limajon," and was very much admired. Such costumes as Priscilla, the Puritan maiden," which only require a neat grey dress with white kerchief, apron, and cap, are not expensive, because the cashmere or nun's cloth of the gown can so easily be utilised for a spring dress. "Night "or Star Queen only requires black net or tarlatan, spangled with silver stars and a crescent moon, and these spangles may be bought by the dozen very cheap indeed. A" Fortune Teller" should have either a short red skirt and amber bodice or pice versa, with a pack of cards placed singly around the skirt and alternated with sequins. Any quantity of red and amber streamers may be used with good effect. Dresses for Water Sprites," Undines," and so forth can always be managed with white and green tarlatan, and artificial streamers of grass and water weeds, which are by no means expensive. Girls should, however, be warned that the frosting powder often used to brighten the cos- tume of "Father Christmas," or "Snow," or "Winter," sometimes contains glass in almost invisible powder. At dances dust is sometimes raised, and then the powder is apt to become displaced and to be blown in the air, when people are liable to swallow it. Ignorance is often very dangerous, but unfortunately the unlearned are seldom willing to hear the learned. As regards the frosting deemed so pretty on Christmas cards, I believe the process is subtly deleterious to the health of those engaged in it. The latest dictates of fashion FASHION. are in fa\ our of circular cloaks. It is a good many years since wo had them, so they come with all the charm of novelty to the young generation. I remember having one when a school-girl from a first-rate London shop, and what a stand-by that cloak was Winter after winter it came in, and I know it was only given away because I was tired of it. Unlike a coat that fits, a cloak wears in no special part, and is the most truly economical outer garment that can be devised. The new circulars are not made to fit on the shoulders as the old ones were, but the fulness is drawn up in rows of gathers, between which are placed rows or bands of passementerie. It is of the very essence of these cloaks to be lined with silk or satin, a very favourite pattern for black or grey ones being grey satin with a yellow or scarlet stripe or check. Of course when they come in the reign of muffs will be over, for the circulars have to be held together by the hands, and generally rejoice in neat little quilted inside pockets which take the tips of the fingers for that purpose. Alsatian bow bonnets are coming to the fore, and very becoming they are, for a bright one just gives the one touch required by a cfcrk toilette without a suspicion of anything loud or gaudy. Boots are being less worn this winter out of doors than shoes and gaiters; why, I can hardly imagine, for gaiters make the foot look clumsy. Perpetual layers of mud and a long succession of brushings do not add to the smartness of the gaiters either but then leather or kid-topped boots become distinctly shabby after a few days' friction from the bottom of one's skirts in dirty weather. Tan shoes are to be more worn than ever as the days lengthen, but I cannot think them suitable, except with light dresses on dusty days. With the disappearance of the pad and steel, a new style of tea gown is coming into vogue. and the Watteau pleat-the train en sac-is once more to be seen, but not set in from the neck as formerly. A tea gown made lately for a well-known actress is a model of the latest fashion. It is of soft white silk, and has at the back a square smocked yoke, each little honeycombed cell being filled by a "pallid Parma violet." The Watteau pleat is set in below the yoke. The front of this garment is trimmed with plisses of white mousselinedesoie, increasing in width from the throat to the feet. A bunch of Parma violets is worn at the throat, and a band of the same flowers confines the sleeves at the wrists. You cannot wear too many flowers just now, and the bodices of ball dresses may be composed entirely of small flat blossoms—like the scarlet barvadia or I the violet. Sashes, which should be worn on the left side, should be fringed with hanging blossoms, like the lilies of the valley or the fuchsia. A pretty white silk corsage was trimmed lately en Zouave, the shape of the Zouave being outlined by mauve primulas the sash was of mauve velvet, and the skirt,, which was very simply and severely cut, had for its only trimming a thick border of similar primulas set together in small bunches; One of the smartest weddings A FASHION ABLE London has ever seen was that of WEDDING. Lord Algernon Cecil, the third son of the Marquis of Salisbury, and Lady Eleanor Lambton, the sister of the Earl of Durham, which took place in that time honoured church for weddings—St George's, Hanover-square. The bride wore white satin, embroidered with silver, and her bridesmaids, several of whom were children, were dressed in white Irish poplin frocks and hats, relieved with scarlet. The bride's travelling costume wair a marvel of dexterous manipulation of brown and cardinal. It was of brown cloth and velvet, edged with sable, and the dress bad a panel on one side in which cardinal moire ribbon was laid across and across, while the vest :and the buttons fastening the bodice were of the same. The cloak was tined with cardinal, and there was just a touch of it in muff and toque. The wedding guests displayed the very pink of fashion which, beign good, waanot gay. Lady Salisbury herself, the bridegroom's mother, were a costume of mignonette-coloured velvet with a cream lace vest, and a cream lace bonnet, with a brim of the velvet. The Duchess of Abercorn, true to the kindly instincts that for so lmg have made her patronise everything Irish, wor brown cloak of brown Irish poplin edged with beaver, and a brown velvet bonnet to match with a beaver brim. Lady Claud Hamilton was dressed in two shades of grey, and almost the only specimen of a woollen fabric was Lady Cranborne's dark green serge redingote, hat and muff, which were deftly mingled with black aatrachanand braiding, and enlivened with tiny bunches of pale pink flowers. The Pall MaU Gazette has for PET DOGS. some time bad a fund going for the Home for the Lost and Starving Dogs, and has headed its appeals and statements of accounts by a row of canine heads of all sorts, sizes, and expressions, and has collec- ted a great deal of money from humble as well as from well-known personages. It really is very curious how the fashion for different pet dogs changes. Fifty years ago the delicate Italian greyhound was the only one considered fit for a lady's lap. Then followed the fancy for the Maltese lions, little useless balls of fluff, and afterwards the pug was imported largely from Japan. Master Pug was, in his turn, ousted from favour by the collie, and now-greatest wonder of all-the dachshund reigns supreme. The little scullion of dog-world is admired for his short, crooked legs and singularly long body, which seems to have originated in his daily toil to keep the kitchen spit for ever turning. Those who have seen the donkey in the wheel at Carisbrook Castle, Isle of Wight, drawing water from the WELL; will understand the manner in which the little turn-spit dog worked. His business was to enter the wheel, and when once set in motion he was obliged to continue running, and to this constant pressure of the fore paws is doubtless due the eccentric out-turning so much admired in those of the present day. A genuine turn-sp/T is thus employed in an ancient kitchen at Caetleon, in Monmouthshire. I doubt whether any .mount of good fare could have atoned to these little slaves of the scullion for the dreary drudgery of their dull days, and they must rejoice over the change which has fixed close ranges in our kitchens and installed them in the boudoir. Dorothy Osborne, who became the wife of Sir William Temple, declared that she pre. ferred a mastiff to the "littlest dog" that ever lady petted. Prince Bismarck has always been noted for his love of big dogs, the last of whom was the recently defuncfTyras. The "Lady Guide Associa- THK tion is advancing by leaps and LADT bounds. A committee has been OCIDES. formed, an office taken, the would-be guides are reading tip for their examinations, and little army of them will soon be ready to personally cor duct" parties of sight-seers about town. I hope the scheme will succeed, but it is down- right nonsense to say, as was said by one of the speakers at the meeting on the 21st, that the association will probably be the means of reviving trade generally. Does anyone suppose that strangers will spend more money in the London shops becauAe they happen to be- taken round by a lady guide than if they were left to their own resources? Neither will those ladies who becomes guides earn constantly from twelve to eighteen shillings and up to forty-five shillings a week. I hope they will be in a position to com- mand the larger sum but, I confess I am doubtful. Some political ladies in Paris THE WOMAN'S are very busy just now making CONGRESS. preparaticns for the forthcoming Woman's Congress. Holland, Belgium, Spain, and Germany are, it is said, about to send representatives to this convention England and America, each of which claims to be the cradle of the Women's Rights Movement, will, of course, have their fair delegates present on the occasion. One of the most prominent lady organisers in Paris put the object of the convention in a very clear light before a large and appreciative audience theotherday whensbesaid: Frenchwomen have not benefited by the great Revolution of 1789. They have not been allowed to take any part in legislation, and they are forced to submit to laws forged exclusively by man. A Frenchwoman has no legal voice in family councils she is treated by the code on the same principle as a minor or: an imbecile. Her signature to any official document is null and void. She cannot become Presidentess of the Republic unless she happens to be the wife of a McMahon, a Grety, or a Carnot nor can she become ¡ a senator, a deputy, a magistrate, or a prefect. She is, under certain circumstances, permitted to take out a degree as a doctoress, but she cannott don a wig and gown and plead in a court of justice. She has no vote, either parliamentary or municipal." In a word, she is a pariah-at least so says the lady referred to, Mdlle Aubertine Leclerc. The object of the forthcoming congress, therefore, is to sweep away at one fell stroke all these grievances. Make woman man's equal." There are writers who would have us believe that she is already, and has always been, man's superior." The rights of man were promulgated one hundred years ago," adds this strong-minded lady at the taking of the Bastille in 1789; we purpose promulgating the rights of woman at the coming Universal Exhibition of the year of grace 1889." It is anticipated that the 1 projected convention will be a rather stormy gathering, and who can wonder if it is ? YOURS EVEE, LOTFRLE.

LITTLE OTTO HEGNER. OTTO HEONER. Little Otto Heg- ner is in London again, and gave his first recital on Mon- day at St. James's Hall, which was filled with a big audience. One sel dom sees children at such concerts, but on Monday it was quite remarkable to find scores of little boys and girls, ris- ing eleven and twelve, listening to the child-wonder. Not that Master Otto calls himself by any such catch- woreJ. for the most learned and cultured critics of the metropolis unite in saying that he only needs the mental and physical development which come with maturity to rank among the best pianists of the day. Here is a portrait (re-produced from the Pall Mall Gazette) of the little prodigy as be made bis bow on the platform, in his suit of black velvet, relieved by a. deep white frilled collar, and deep cuffs of the same material. ,Piauo or forte, his execution is marvellous technical difficulties disappear before his magic touch. He plays from memory, without hesitatIOn-prodigious prococity. The programme consisted of Bach's Partita, B major-Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sara- bande, Menuette, I and II., Gisrue Beethoven's Sonata (Op. 53) Schumann's Der Vogel als Prophet Chopin's Nocturne, F minor Chopin's Waltz (Op. 34, No. 1); and Liszt's Khapsodie.

WANTED, A WIFE. A few days ago the Nottingham postmaster, Mr Platt, received a letter asking him to hand an enclosed sealed envelope to the most prominent man of middle age iu the town. The mayor of the town (Alderman Renals) seemed to him to most nearly answer that description, and having communicated the proposed delivery of the letter to the authorities at St Martin's-le-Grand, he received a formal sanction for the purpose, together with the suggestion that under the peculiar circumstances it should be delivered by special messenger. This was done, and the mayor -On opening it discovered a second sealed but uOaddressed envelope, together with the following explanatory communication, and the name and address of the sender:- Daar Sir.- Will you kindly band the enclosed enve- lope to the most intelligent Christian girl, not over twenty-five years old, good-looking, and of good family ? The envelope contains a suggestion that a correspon- dence &Cross the water" might be pleasant and beneficial mutually. The writer can famish any information as to his character and tamily, and asks that you consider this request confidential. Needless to say, that in a town like Nottingham, which abounds with so many good-looking, intelligent, Christian girls under twenty-five, the mayor bas'found considerable difficulty in com- plying with the request of his strange correspon- dent, especially as be himself is a bachelor,

LADDERS. —Ladders for builders, painters, plas- terers, fanners, private use, <fcc., all sizes, at Cottrell's old-established Manufactory, Barr's-st., Bristol. i*2so THE BLOOD PURIFIEB.-Old Doctor Jacob Townsend's American Sarsaparilla cures all blood and akin diseases; cures sores of all kinds on any part of the body, no matter the cause; cures pimples or pustules on the face. boils, glandular swellings, scrofula, scurry, &C- -Best spring and autumn medicine. Dr C. 12. 1887:That it is a valu. aWe pnritter of the Wood I am assured Prices, 2a 6d, Wi Mi of all chemists, or se&t direct cini&ffe' paid, same prices. Dean, Steel A Co., 39, Theobaiirk. road, Holborn, London (late 131, Fleet-street).

COLUMN FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. t By Maggie Symington. Between the dark and the daylight, When the night is beginning to lower, Comes a pause in the day's occupations That is known as the Children's Hour. Longfeiiote. The grown-up people of the present day do not believe in fairies, and a great many of them would like to laugh all the little nursery folk out of their fairy fancies. Now I like fairies, in the nursery, and enjoy a good fairy story with the best of you, my chicks. What will be the outcome of High Schools, and high pressure education? Whether the new systems will effectually be the death of fairies, and fairy lore, who can say! but judging from the amount of new tairy tales published this Christmas, I bave my own opinion that even High School girls have a secret fondness for them still. We look upon this as a very practical, ccmmon-sensical age, but there are sundry superstitions still existing, even amongst common- sensical folks, that quite justify us in our dealings with the fairies. Let us just look at a few of the Superstitions about Eggs, for instance. I bear that in some parts of North- amptonshire people firmly believe that when the farmer is going to die all his poultry go to rcost at noonday, instead of the usual time. Up in the north the Scotch fisher folk are persuaded that if eggs are taken on board ship, contrary winds and other disasters will follow. In Aberdeen, so I am told, there exists a belief that if it thunders a short time before the chickens are hatched, they will die in the shell. If a baby is born to the farmer's wife, there is sure to be a bad year for .the poultry, because bairns and chickens dinna thrive in one year." Some 'of my little north- country readers could tell me more of these beliefs, I feel sure, and I hope they will write me about any they know. Hens must always be set on all odd number of eggs, that everybody knows, or bad luck will attend the batch also the eggs must be placed under the mother-bird after sunset, or the chicks will all be blind. They should be set in March, for March cocks is aye crowin' but May chuckens is aye cheepin' If a hen takes to crowing, that foretells bad luck in the house, and she must be killed at once in order that it may be avoided. Now, if any of you can add to this catalogue of fancies, please do, because we may as well prop up our belief in fairies with them. Wooden Shoes. In a great many countries the peasants wear wooden shoes, not ordiuary shoes with soles of wood, but regular little canoes to hold each foot. In Germany, Holland, but perhaps France especially may be called the home of the wooden shoe, which is there called a sabot. Some of these French sabots are very cleverly and beautifully I made by hand, and decorated with quaint and delicate carvings. In the province of Auvergne, in Central France, a pair of wooden shoes carved by their own hands is a favourite gift of young men to maidens whom they admire, or of lovers to their affianced brides, and this custom has given rise to a proverb, said of some poor, unattractive girl who bad no sweetheart, Her sabots are unornamented." Sometimes the decorations on the shoes are of garlauds of narcissus or forget-me- nots, or a pair of doves, or even with a skilful likeness of the person to whom they are given. Very often wooden shoes are given as a wedding present, and then they are carved with the names of bride and bridegroom, the date of the marriage, and anything else that there is room for. I have heard of a very pretty legendary song sung in mere than one country where wooden shoes are worn which tells bow a country maiden, who was scorned for her peasant birth and wooden shoes, won the admiration of the king himself by her beauty and modesty; and he astonished his courtiers by making her bis queen. The song erads something in this way— II So I was not quite so plain, With my wooden shoes, But the king from his throne Came to take me for bis own, With my wooden shoes." Some of my littla readers can, I have no doubt, tell me more about Lancashire Clogs than I know myself. They are not like the French sabots, I believe, nor like the ordinary wooden shoes that the Dutch Boers wear, and which I know familiarly enough, but have upper leathers and stout wooden soles. There has been an attempt made this winter to introduce these serviceable foot protectors to the London children. Long before the cold weather approached, an order was given for one thousand pairs of boots with high leather uppers, and wooden soles about three-quarters of an inch in thickness, these soles to be covered with ;gutt& percha, in which iron plates or bands were to be embedded. These boots, when distributed, bave proved to be a grand success, the fortunate possessors being looked upon as the aristocracy of the playground in that large board school in north London. Here are a few words from the headmaster's report:—" THE neighbourhood has been like a slip cut off Lancashire, alive with the clang oJ the wooden shoon. From a schoolmaster's point of view I think these clogs the finest thing ever invented, for, apart from the primary object of keeping little feet literally high and dry, they act like a muffin bell, advertising the wearer wherever he goes, or rather, perhaps, like the bells on the toes of the tine lady of Banbury Cross." No little clog-wearer can play truant, or even come late into school, without being beard and discovered at once, SO that you see schoolmasters are bound to approve of them. But how about the children themselves? Well, they seem to be just as popular with them and one little boy gave as his reason for liking them, that We can make more noise in 'em." So the verdict all round is success, and I hope that many other schools in sloppy, muddy districts will get the children shod in similar fashion another winter, instead of letting them sit through lesson time in sodden soles made of brown paper, or in badiy-worn boots, that have served in turn other members of the family. This Charade was asked of me the other ùay. Can you guess it? A messenger my whole, who carries grief and joy. My whole is second, too, but not a gladsome boy. Of stone or wood my first; and yet it spans the globe With messages untold for palace and abode. I think you must sometime have read about or been told something of The Little Green Tree-Frog who has an especial gift for climbing trees. I am glad to find that they are plentiful in some districts about London, and that a gentleman living in one of these districts once adopted two as pets. They are shy in disposition, aad in many little ways show themselves to be more intelligent than most frogs. The two little individuals in question were placed in a glass vase with some water at the bottom, so as to give tbem no foothold from which to spring or climb out, and as a further precaution the top was covered with paper. In the morning the vase was deserted. The frogs had made two neat round boles in the paper cover, each being independent enough to bore a pMsage for himself, and they were nowhere to be seen. The room was shnt up, and so it was impossible that they had escaped altogether. They were searched for, but search was in vain. There was no way of escape except up the chimney, or through a few inches of space which had been left over each of the windows, and it did not seem likely that such tiny creatures could have travelled all that distance in so short a time. Nevertheless, it was found that the frogs had climbed up the curtains to reach the space above tbe windows, and bad actually escaped in that way. One of the two must have got out oftbe window over the area space, and not springing wide enough to clear the passage, was found lying on the flags below, not a. bit the worse for bieleap from the two-storey window. Was it not very clever of the two little creatures to find that way out of the room for themselves without being told ? Here is .A Funny Little Stoiy that will just fill one corner of YOllr JJIND. A naturalist saw a fly settle in a sunshiny spot. It bad hardly closed its wings when a hunting spider pounced down upon it, and began to .k its blood. While it was so engaged, a sand wasp swooped awn on it, and began to fly away with it. Being heavily laden, it could not readily take to the air, and while it was struggling with its psey a tiger beetle came flying by and seized the sand wasp. The naturalist captured all the four createres, and mountes them 4p a glass case with a description of the scene. Here is a nice little letter from a boy I want to tell yon About a Dog and a Turkey we used to have. We had a pointer dog named Hector, and also a cat, and they played together > hour aft. hour; and th^tsat, as she was dainty and nice, was allowed to come into the house, but the dog was 8b large and rough be could not come in. So the dog would chase tbe cat until she was in close quarters, when she would ijost run over the doorstep and ait down, about three feet away; and doggie would sit down on the other aide and look at her wistfully, and whine and turn his bead, but never think of disobeying orders and W crossing the door step. Sometimes he would pretend to run away, but would creep back and bide at one side of the door, and wait patiently until Kitty came out, when he would jump up and catch her. Sometimes she would run up the door and Bit on top of it, and he would try his best to shake her down by shaking the door with bill forepaws; but Kitty would hold on and seem to wink at him. They were great friends—slept together, ate together, and never quarrelled. Wa bad also an old turkey -gobbler and a bantam hen and the ben had a brood of chickens, and one of them fell in a bucket of dirty water and .&8 eternally disgraced in the eyes of its mother, who would have nothing whatever to do with it afW that. So Mr Turkey adopted tbe chicken and took care of it. He scratched food for it, and picked seeds for it, and carried it on his back throagh the tall grass, and at night new np on the fence to roost with the little chicken on hit back. Was not that good of the turkey ?" Some of my little readers were late in me answers to the Hidden Thought, and so I was not able to notice theif letters in the award of last week. Their names are Charlie Hemingway, Marie Warriss, Arthur Warries, Alice Orion, E. Foster, and Trot. The following have answered the Yuletide acrostic :—Eva Wilson, Bertie Wilson, Mandie Smith, Harry J. Hartley, Daniel Loveday, Mary J. Rennie, Madge Carcwright, and A. R. Good- acre. The Old Year acrostic by Muriel. Atkinson* Evelyn S. Bell, Beatrice D. Ellis. Willie Moss, Rosie Federer, Winnie and Florence, Eliza. Elston, and James W. Muntus. Other puzzles have been answered by D. Vergette, Beatrice E. Ellis, Noah Edmunds, Little Robbie, Annie L. Richmond, Qoeenie, and Alice Goodacre. The Letter Box. Trot says in a pleasant little letter, We are very much amused at your cat's name, and we have called a pretty little kitten after it, but the name is so big and the kitten so small that we just call it Titty." My cat seldom gets the beu. of his full name, which is capable of many abbre- viations. He is by turns Turns, Tittums, Stumps, Tootles, etc. Which of those will suit your kitten, Trot? Our little people write, "We have two darling little puppies they are only one month old. Bismarck has a beautiful coat; the colour of it is brown, and he has such a beautiful face that everybody loves him. Nappa is the name of the other; she has a beautiful coat of black and tan paws and breast tan, and a loving face. We all of us love them so much, and they love us. Your fondest little friends, "FBEDEKICA, DAISY, ALICE, and JACKIE.* Puzzles by Young People. RIDDLK-ME-RBE. My first is in ice, but not in snow My second is in sail, but not in row My third is in wake, but not in sleep; My fourth is in lake, but not very deep; My fifth is in furze, and also in yew; My sixth is in many, but not in a few, On the edge of a moor with a northern face, My whole is an inland watering-place. OLIVE: BAKKEZL MISSING WORD PUZZLE. This is not original, but it is very good. Fill the blank with words that are all pronounced alike:— As .ee was ing a tree, a man dressed in clothes of a dark came up to and said "88, will help me to find my .s?" Then said es, "If will wait till I this I will go with anywhere 1n .rope to look for .r .s." MAEI EXTT. Address all communications to— AUKT MAGGIE (Symington), Hunstanton, St. Edmunds.

COURT DRESS AND COLDS- What the Dressmakers Say. One of the Pall Mall Gazette representatives bas interviewed several dressmakers concerning the Queen's reported relaxation of the rules in favour cf high-necked dresses for the February Drawing-room. WHAT MESSES RUSSELL AND ALLEN SAX. Mr Joyce, at Russell and Allen's, is an artist in dress, but be admitted that it would be a blessing if ladies were allowed to wear high-necked dresses in the bleak of February. I know numer- ous ladies who have been laid up for weeks through attending these early Drawing rooms," he said. He conld not mention names. But no one goes in February unless they are obliged. Some of my customers come to me in a painfully unsettled frame of mind about their daughters going to the Drawing-room. Of course these desollette dresses are very un- becoming by the cold light of day. In spite of clever making up the wearers are bound to be more or less pinched a.nd red with cold." WHAT WILL THE THIN-NECKED SAT Well, these higb-necked dresses will be welcomed by the thin-necked Yes. but we could do a good deal fur them if a little string of ribbon could be drawn thiough the drees to pull over the shoulders. But it is wonderful what; remarkably fine skins some of the elderly ladies have preserved iu spite of continual exposure. But we are able in any C.IØ8 to improve the figure by a little judicious pad- ding. The young married women do us the most credit. They are generally at an age when the figure looks most beautiful. I have a great many lovely women to provide dresses for, but I really can't gite names without seeming invidious, for there are about a dozen as handsome as each other." TWENTY COURT DRESSES FOE F$BECABT. "How many Court dresses do you make?"— "About 20 for the early Drawing-room and 108 for the May reception. We have a good many Americans. The average price of a Conrt dress is thirty guineas. 1 make a simple dress fcr a girl of twenty. The train is always three and a half yards long, or four from the shoulder, and, as you probably know, an unmarried lady must have two and a married lady three ostrich feathers in her hair. I have seen dresses worn with only a demi train, but they are severely unorthodox." A CHAT AT WORTH'S. Mdme. Worth had not heard that there was to be any relaxation, and supposed that only those who could get a doctor's certificate would be permitted to wear a high-necked dress. It is rather hard on the ladies to have to stand about on a cold winter's day. They are usually blue with cold." WHAT ANOTHER FASHIONABLE DRESSMAKER BATa. If there is any truth in rumour," said Mrs Francis, of Great Portland-street, a fashionable dressmaker, "ladieø will bave a great load lifted off their minds. Not to at we dressmakers should h.II the change. It will destroy a profitable branch of our business. At present Court dresses are generally discarded after they have served their purpose. Now they will be utilised for balls." Mrs Francis's experience of American customers has been peculiar. "One came in the other day," she said, and asked if I couldn't remake an old ball dress to take her to Court in. Several American ladies,' added Mrs Francis, with a freezing accent on the pronoun, "have cheated me. Tliey paid me for a first dress to inspire, confidence, then would come another large order, and their husband would sign a cheque that morning.' Nor did be any other morning, as far as I know, for tbe next 1 beard of them was that they had left."

RAILWAYS IN CHINA. The correspondent of the Standard, telegraph- ing under date Shanghai, Tuesday nicrht, says:— Tue extension of the Tien-Tsin Railway to Tung-Chow, about which I telegraphed to you some days ago, has encountered an unexpected obstacle, which, it is to be feared, will prove fatal to its progress, for the present at least. The great fire, which destroyed part of the Imperial Palace in Peking on the 17ch of this month, caused much disturbance in tue minds of the old-fashioned aud superstitious, who are still strong in the capital. In consequence, the Emperor and his mother consulted the Imperial astrologers, who, after much deliberation, declared that the fire was an evil omen, and was intended as a warning against permitting the approach of the Western invention to the sacred city. The further extension of the railway has, I understand, been prohibited by Imperial Decree.

A PROMISING YOUTH. The lad Prythercb, of Dowlais, leaves 08 Friday for the Art University College, Gower- street, London, where he will receive 12 months' training at the expense of Mr Pritchard Morgan, M.P.

CORROBORATIVE EVIDENCE. It is easy to make assertions, but often difiicalt to prove them. People nowadays demand » verification cf any statement tbat may be made, and it is right that they should. For months tha columns of this paper have contained the moat extraordinary statements made by the proprietors of a much-advertised article as to the merits of their remedy. To-day they present the testimony of our neighbours and friends in verification what they have asserted iu me past. Such testi- mony must be accepted and reapected beoaU8e it comes from people living right here m Wales* where the truth of their statements can be easily verified. The following are published with tbe hope that the fullest investigation will be made by the public:— Mr Robert Williams, Llanbadarn road, Aberystwyth :—" My wife has greatly improved as regards her Maltb since taking Warner's Sara Cure.. Brother William, Llanthony Abbey, Aberga- venny :—" Our Reverend Father bids me say that Warner's SAFE Cure' has done great good for a dear neighbour of ours." Mr James Price, 22, Harriet-street, Cathays. Cardiff" Before taking Warner'a SAlE Cure 4 I could not walk upstairs without loss of breath. Since taking it I can walk ten miles without fatigue." Mr J. G. Miles, Cardiff,—A friend of mipe suffering from kidoey disease was entirely re- stored to health by tbe use of Warner's SAM Cure." StatomentaJike the above ought to be con- vincing but, if you still doubt, write to any of the above, or all of them, enclosing stamp for reply, when full particulars will be sent you. If you an feeling unwell and are ignorant of the cause, write Warner and Co. for Treatment Blank and have your case diagnosed free ot expense. Warner's SUB Cure can be had of all chemists and medicine vendors in the United Kingdom, at 4s 6d per bottle; or of H. H. Warner and C0., 5&, Cierkenwell-road, London,