Evening Express

Mr. Illtyd Thomas mentioned an inte- resting point at yesterday's meeting of the Cardiff Records Committee. He said he had heard that there was a tablet in the town house that once stood in High- street to the memory of Rawlins White, the poor Protestant fisherman who is stated, on the authority of Foxe, to have been martyred in the days of bloody Mary." There is a picture of this event in Foxe, which was reproduced in a former edition of the Cardiff Guide." We believe there is no account of the event extant save that of Foxe, whose veracity was admirably characterised by the remark of Mr. Veall. But we now learn, on the authority of Mr. Ballinger, that there is independent evidence that Rawlins White actually lived, whatever his fate might have been. We hope, as a mere historical curiosity, that the tablet can be recovered; never- theless, it would be a pity if it led to the perpetuation of religious or sectarian inimosities. It must not be forgotten that Rawlins White was not the only Cardiff martyr. There were two Jesuit Fathers hanged in the seventeenth century, and very likely there were others, for the gaol in those times was always full of Baptists, Quakers, and other "poor folk who suffered for the sake of their prin- ciples. In these days we should all of us respect such sturdy folk apart from their views. We live in a kindlier and humaner age, and God forbid that we should ever return to the callous, bloodthirsty manners of our forefathers. Win the motor oust the tramcar ? That is a question now rapidly coming to the front, and it is being discussed in London as well as many provincial towns. A motor advocate points out that its use involves no interference with the roads, no heavy cost of laying rails, no wear and tear of metals. Then, again, tramcars are necessarily limited to certain routes, and if there is a breakdown everything in that part is out of service in a moment, whereas a motor can go anywhere, and the breakdown of one motor does not affect another. Moreover, motors are cheaper than the other system. In pointing oub these facte we are by no means decrying the tram, but Only point- ing out a few of the merits of the case for the other vehicle. With the great spot on the solar disc we are all more or leas astronomical just now, and anybody may become an observer who takes the trouble to smoke a bit of glass. This being the case, it would not seem out of place to allude to the excellent series of star-maps now appearing in the "English Mechanic." They are prepared by Mr. Norman Lattey, of Cardiff, who was one of the founders of the Astronomical Society of Wales. Speaking of star-maps, we may say a word about Sir Robert Ball's latest contribution to the subject, his 'Topular Guide to the Heavens," published by Messrs. Philip and Sons. This is a cai-yi- plete vade mecum, and as handsome as it! is useful. Some of the plates are very fine, though the way in wh:ch text and plates are mixed up is somewhat con- fusing. It is only a few days since the excite- ment died down in Germany caused by the sensational statements of a service paper in London. The paper said that the Teutons and ourselves had been on the very brink of hostilities, and the result of this assertion was that the whole Fatherland was (metaphorically) up in arms. Explanations were made and things smoothed over; but now comes Mr. Arthur Lee, M.P., who, speaking at a dinner, says we have to look with more anxiety, not fear, towards the North Sea," adding: "If war should, unhappily, be declared, under existing conditions the British Navy would get its blow in first before the other side had time to read that war had been declared." We confess we fail to understand the necessity for these observations, which are really more serious than those which so incensed the Germans a few days ago. Everybody knows, of course, that Ger- many is steadily and rapidly increasing her fleet, and people are justified in regarding it as a possible—or even pro- bable—menace to ourselves. This being the case, we aro delighted to know that if war should break out we should get the first blow in before the enemy's public had even read in its papers of the com- mencement of hostilities. Rule, Bri- tannia! But is it wise to say all this at a dinner? Or, if it be wise, is there something serious behind the scenes of which the public is ignorant? We hope not. The Storey Arms seems to be giving the Cardiff Corporation a great deal of trouble. As everyone knows, the pre- sence of this hostel and its curtilage close to Cardiff reservoirs on the Brecon Beacons has been proved to be a possible source of contamination, and accordingly the corporation are anxious to acquire the property in self-defence. Of course, the usual result happens—people see a source of unexpected profit, and take their measures accordingly. The Storey Arms is a necessity for that wild, inhospitable, but marvellously salubrious region, and there may, therefore, be something in the idea that the corporation should acquire it and run it as a kind of health resort. Here is a subtle bit from breezy Breconshire. A scaffold has been erected on the Castle-street side of Hay Castle for the purpose of restoring a defective chimney. A visitor to Hay, who was purchasing picture post-cards at a stationer's shop, bought a view of Hay Castle, which place, the stationer said, was hundreds of years old. On his way to the poet-office the visitor halted for a few moments to look at the castle. When he posted his picture-card this is what was written on it: "This is a view of Hay Castle. The man who sold me this card said the building was hundreds of years old. He's a liar. I saw the work- men finishing it to-day."

Mainly About People. I I Sir Frederick Treves and Sir Francis Laking are once more, in connection with the Princess Victoria's illness, very prominently before the public, who have come to recognise in them the ideal Court Physicians. Sir Frederick Treves is now quite & personal friend of the King, who admires his outspoken ways and hearty, Crank, manner almost as much as his genius as a. surgeon. Sir Frederick has never been afraid, indeed, of saying exactly II what he thinks. He told the King, when the famous opera.tion of 1902 was decided upon, that he would give £ 10,000 to escape having to perform it. The death of the Countess of Stamford and WJtrringtcm, the widow of the seventh earl, who died in 1883, reminds us of a. curious story which is told as to the rude- new she suffered at the hands of the Earl's ten-ants at Dunham Hall, Bowdon, Cheehire. Lord Stamford intended to live at Dunham after his marriage, and he took his wife there, expecting the usual welcome of wedd- ing bells, flowers, and cheering customary under the circumstances. Instead of this the newly-married couple were greeted with silent stares and sullen faoes. The bells were not sounded, and the whole village more a funereal appearance. Lord Stamford was furious. He made inquiries, and dis- covered that the villagers had chosen this method of expressing disapproval of his! marriage. It was understood that Miss Katherine Cocks (that was the Countess's maiden name) was not Norma,n enough for them. They expected someone of ancient Lineage. The result of their exclusiveness was that Lord and Lady Stamford drove away from Dunham the next day, and never set foot in it again. The place fell, it is said, into the hands of cotton-spinners from Manchester, who must have offended the aristocratic villagers even more than the Countess had done. The Hon. Dorothy Wynn, who was married in Wales this week to Commander Cuthbert j Chapman, is a younger sister of Lord New- j borough, wtho was only married himself • four years ago. Lady N-ewborough is one of our most beautiful American peeresses. She was a Mias Grace Carr, famous for her beauty in Louisville, and the citisena of that place raised such a lamentation over her marriage that it seemed as though America's good fortune would leave .for England with her. Lady Newboroajh first met her husband at Cairo, where they were spending the season in the same hotel. Lord New-borough has had some very interesting ancestors. The wife of the second Baron Newborough, wh about, 1807, had a romantic history. The old baron met her out in Italy, and ahe was alW3Y8 s-alll posed to be the daughter of an Italian gaoler who kept the keys of the prison of a little town called Ifodigliano. This man's name was Chiappini, and when he lay on his death-bed be wrote to his supposed daughter, who was then Lady Newboroa^h, to tell her that she was not his child 11, but had been exchanged for a boy born to him years before by a mysterious French lady and gentleman who had passed through Modi. gliano in 1773. This couple turned out tc be a royal duke and duahees of Prance, and her real father was Philippe EgaLte, father of Louis Philippe, King rf Frpmco! loird and Lady S" .-ad brake whr have just taken Lard Saddebury's villa a* BeaaWrsu. have become great travellers during the past few years. Lady Stradhroke has not been well in England, and she is afraid of facing the terrors of a northern spring. She is one of th3 most beautiful of our peeresses—dark, very pale, and with something delightfully southern, like one of Byron's heroines, about her. Lord and Lady Stradbroke married in 1392. It was long before their happiness was completed by the birth of a son. and heir. Several daughters were born first. At last, a little more than a year ago, came the long- look ed-for eon, and he had Queen Alexandra as liia sponsor at baptism. Now that his successor has been appointed, Sir Hugh Barnes, the Lieutenant-Governor of Burma, will make immediate preparations for coming home to take up his duties as a mem- ber of the Council of India. Lady Barnes will be very warmly welcomed back to Lon- don. She is the most beautiful of the four daughters of the late Prebendary Barnes, of Exeter. The other three are known as Misa Violet Vanbrugh (Mrs. Arthur Bourchier), Miss Irene Vanbrugh (Mrs. Dion Boocicault), and Miss Angela Vanbrugh, who used to be one of our most promising young violinists. When she married Captain Mallaby, she gave up the concert platform, and went with her husband to India, where he acted as aide-de- camp to her brother-in-law. Then, after a Little more than a year's married life, Cap- tain Mallaby died. Since then "Miss Angela Vanbrugh" (to give her the name which is still more familiar) has lived with her sister, Lady Barnes, in iJarma. Now she is coming home, it is possible she may take up her violin once more. It will be a gain to lovers of music if she does. Mr. Marconi, the inventor, who is about to be married to a sister of Lord Inchiquin's, the Honourable Beatrice O'Brien, a descen- dant of the kings of Thomond and Mons- ter, is at least in part a fellow-oountryman of his prospective bride, for Mme. Marconi was Annie, youngest daughter of the late Andrew Jamieson, of Daphne Castle and Fairfield, Ennisoorthy, County Wexford, Ire- land. Miss Jamieson was the owner of a lovely soprano voice, and greatly against the wishes of her family went to Italy to study for the operatic stage. There, how- ever, she met Signor Marconi, a banter at Bologna, and who owned a pretty c/untry house some seven mile-g from that interest- ing town, and she consented for his sake to give up her hopes of becoming a queen of song." They were very well married indeed. For as she was Protestant and he Catholic, and the ceremony took place in France, it meant going before the English and French consuls, and having the knot tied in both the English and Roman ohurohes. Mr. Marconi is the younger of the two sons of this marriage, and with all his talent is absolutely without a scrap of "side" or conceit. It would be a terrible blow to the Kaiser if Prince Eitel Friedrioh. his favourite eon, were not to recover from his present illness. Prince Eitel is not as clever as the Grown Prince, but he is a warm-hearted, impetuous, and aoLdierly young fellow, wtho is exceed- ingly popular with his five brothers. He is in appearance, as well as in character, a contrast to his brother the Crown Prince. He is inclined .to be rather stout, and has a stolid, coIL-tented face.

Princess Victoria. I FURTHER BULLETINS UNNECESSARY I The following bulletin was issued a.t I Buckingham Palace this morning. Her RoyaJ Highness Princess Victoria has passed an excellent night and continues to make most favourable progress. No further bulletins will be issued. (Signed) Francis H. Laking. Frederick Treves.

DEATH OF DR. C, PEGGE I Dr. Charles Pegge, who resided for many years at Vernon House, Briton Ferry, died this morning at his residence, BagLan House. The deceased gentleman, who was about 73 years of age, came to Briton Ferry a. young man in the year 1857. His first wife was a daughter of the late Mr. Leach, of the well- known firm of Leach, Flower and Co. The late Dr. Pegge was a. director of the Briton Ferry Works, and was for many years chair- man and director of the Melyn Tin-plate Works and the old Vernon Tin-plate Works. He was for many years the parish doctor of Briton Ferry and the medical doctor of the local board. He was the devoted doctor of the late Mrs. Llewellyn, Baglan Hall, and father of Mr. E. V. Pegge (Briton Ferry), Mr. Valentine Pegge (Baglan). and Mr. Ernest Pegge (engineer).

CHARGED A PLATE'ULASS WINDOW I Drink plays queer pranks with some people. John Murphy (37) admitted to the Cardiff Bench, thia morning that he was drunk in Bute-street, and had no idea what happened. But witnesses eaid that, clinch- ing both fiats he deliberately ran into a. plate-glass window from the other side of the road. He was pulled out of the broken glass with hands and mouth bleeding. The window was valued at £4. aind was the property of Messrs. J. Crook and Sons. He was fined 5a and costs, and the amount of the damage, or fourteen da.ys.

ROOSEVELF6 FREE PASS I Washington, Saturday.—Mr. Slickney, presi- dent of the Chicago Great Western Bail road, delivered an address last night upon the interaitatte commerce law, which prohibits railway oompanies from giving and travellers from using free passes. ItLr. Slickney sug- gested that President Roosevelt himself should set an example by obeying this law. He should, like Kling Edward of England, refuse to travel fz-ee.Cent,-al News.

ALARMING RAILWAY TRIP I New York, Sa.turd.ay.-The boiler of an engine attached to a. western bound train on the New York Western Railroad exploded at one o'clock this morning aIt. Whites Borony, killing the stoker and injuring the driver. The train was stopped suddenly, and the sleeping passengers were thrown from their berths into the aisles of the carriages. Just as order was restored am eastward bound train ran into the wreckage, the engine and seven Pulmon cars being thrown off the metials. The passengers were rescued through the windows of the cars, and mar- vellous to say none of them were very badly hurt.—Central News.

ANTI-CORSET CRUSADERS I The total membership of the Birmingham Anti-Corset League is now 53, and Dr. Soeooe Badger, who presided at the annual meet- ing, encouraged the members in their crusade by saying: There are few of the iUs to which flerts to heir whioh hav3 not at sometime or other or by ?omeme ;hi:h;;a.:etbm;:d <>[ig-e Th fT,i6tLi,cm is veericg round a bit; tight-lacing 13 not so common. Children should not be bandaged up and afterwards used to oorseta. Let the chiMren have plenty of proper exercise and there will be much less spinal curvature.

THE WESTPHALIAN STRIKE i The voting returns of the Notrthd Miners' Assockution en the recommendation of the executive to donate R,500 to the Westphalian strikers and to grant LIOO weekly to the men during the ooaitinuaoce of the strike show to-day thai the miners have umanimouftly endorod the TTeoommendajtion.

i \t the annual meeting last night of the Paisley ErteT-i Unionist Association it was unanimously de that Mr. John Moffat had by uis "jeiiuns forft:<-<>d his olaun to J r"«sit-ion >t unionist canùùite far the I

WIFE & THE LODGERI Sensational Case at Cardiff. SUMMONS AGAINST THE HUSBAND DISMISSEU. A curious tale of a Cardiff ex-policeman's marital troubles was told before the Cardiff Stipendiary this afternoon, when Harcourt Kyte, a coal trimmer, summoned John Maker for assault. The Oomplaiiiairt, who had a. large bandage round his head, said that he was lodging at 17, Corporation-road, the house of defen- dant's wife, who was separated from her husband. About two o'clock Ic.4 Friday morning he had been sitting in the kitchen with the servant, Pauline Stout, who had been doing some ironing. They went upstairs together, and witness went into his bedroom and commenced undressing. Then he called to the servant for a. match. She replied that she had not got one, and he had better ask Mrs. Miaher. So he walked out on to tlie landing, and knocked at Mrs. Maher's door. Then suddenly John Maher appeared, caught him by the collar, and hit him across the head with a water-bottle. Defendant: Did you say to my wife, "Good God, Maggie, there's somebody ooming" ?—No; I never knew you were in the house. The Stipendiary: If you had known he was in the house, would you have knocked at hia wife's door?-Yes. The Defendant: Were you etrippedp-j had all my underclothing on. The Stipendiary: Then you had partially undressed without a, lights What did you want a light for?—I had taken my cigarettes with me. I generally smoke one when I go to bed. Defendant: When I asked you to open the door ddd you rush at me with a knife?—No. Did I say, For God's sake, leave me alone; I am her husband, and I want to see how things are going on here"?—No. j Did my wife say, For God's sake, Har- court, to save me say you come for a. match, to save me and eave the abdldren ?—iNo, I uever heard no one speak. Did you oatcth -hold of the water jbottle to strike me ?-No. I took the wotem-bobde out at yottr baind and it got broken, and I bad to hold you down ?—No. Pauline Stout, the eervamt, oartDbomaited the version of the story given by com- plainant. She said after she told Kyte to go end ask Mrs. Maher for a match dhe hea.rd her call out, "Pauline." When she got to itlhe landing Efue found that Kyte had been rushed into the room, and was on tIhe floor, with Mr. Mafuer on top of him. Then the lat/ter hit Kyte three times on tIbe head with a weter-bottle. The Stipendiary: Where was Mrs. Maher ? -She was in bed. She just got out of bed as I got in there. This concluded the complainant's case. Maher went into the box. He said he had had suspicions of what miglhit be going on in his wife's house, and watched it. Shadow of a Man on the Blind II in his wife's house, and watched it. He eaw a, light in his wise's bedroom. and then the He remained outside a itift.tle longer; then entering the house through the kitchen win- dow, he went upstairs. He remained on the landing for a.bout fifteen minutes, as he wdfithed to make quite certain that a man was in the room. He could hear voices in conversation, and presently recognised Kyte's voice. He then went to the door, and Kyte called, "Who's there?" Kyte called to his wife, "For God's sake, Mag, it's Jack!" and would not open the door. The witness opened it by force, and said to Kyte, What are you doing in this room?" His wife was there in bed, and Kyte reptlied, You are not keeping your wife." I eadd (continued witness) I giving her the allowance she asked for. Don't you interfere be- tween man and wife." Then he let out at me right and left, and I knocked him down. He. came at me again, and I took him by his two hands to keep him off me, and he said, You are a policeman. You are no good. Don't you come interfering here. I keep your wife, not you." Then my wife spoke up, and said, "For God's sake, Her. court, do say you only oaane for a match, for my sake and for the sake of the children-" I replied, I have said northing. I have seen the man in your bedroom. He has no rigoat here." The "missus" got out of bed and cut her knee on the broken water-bottle, and while she was trying to save him Harcourt struck her in the forehead The Stipendiary here re-aalled the com- plainant. "How long have you lived there?" he asked. Complainant: About nine months. Do you Bleep in the bedroom opposite hit. wife's?—No, sir, about eight steps from her bedroom door. How long had you been in your bedroom before you asked for a matah?-About a minute or a minute and a half. You had taken your outer eflafching ,ff?- Yes. And then you went to her bedroom ?—1 asked t-he servant for a iighft first, &nd then went to his wife's bedroom dcor. The Stipendiary: Summons dismissed. The Wife's Story I: A summons by Margaret Maber, who limped painfully, brought against her hus- band for assault, was next heard. She said Kyte came to tihe door and asked for a match, and she told him he would find one in the drawer. The Stipendiary: Then he came into your bedroom when you were in bed?—Yes. Then I heard a scuffle," went on the witness, "and I turned up the gas, and saw my husband rush in. I rushed out of bed, saying, Whatever'e the matter? There's nothing wrong here.' He gave me one blow between the eyes, and then I fell down." The Stipendiary: Have you any witnesses? —No, sir. The Stipendiary: Summons dismissed.

j" MOST COWARDLY ASSAULT" I i Cardiff Fireman Sent to Gaol. I Most cowardly was the description given by Inspector Burke of an assault in Herbert- street with which Jaxaes Fox (35), a fireman, was charged at Cardiff PoiLoe-court this morning. The prosecutor, Axel StaniLey, wore a wide bandage about his had. The inspector said that prisoner struck Stanley in tihe faoe three times and knocked him down. As he rose the prisoner gave him another blow, which knocked his head against the curb, and thus cut it open. A wound three-quarterns of an inch long was inflicted, and Dr. Buist had to be coiled. 11 Prisoner's story was that Stanley was playing about" with a. girl of about fifteen in the shop. She seemed to resent it, and, therefore, he remonstrated with the man. I After a few high words Stanley told him to 11 come out and fight, and took his coat off. Accordingly they went out and fought. He (Fox) struck Stanley onoe and knocked him down, and that was all, as the prosecutor refused to get up again. He was eent to prison for one month.

NORTHERN UNION. Wigan Club and Welsh Players. I Yesterday something like a sensation was caused by a Manchester paper publishing a full account of tha Wigan club and its transactions with Welsh players. From the dietails given it appears thai the following imported men have already this sea n been played by Wigan: Jenkins, Treharne, Wind- sor Jotues, and Harris, three-quarters; Da vies, Ned Jones, Tresize, Johnny Thomas, and Hopkins, half-backs; Osborne, Canter, Watkins, and Thomas, forwards. For to-day's match against Widnes, only Harris, Hopkinp. and Watkins figure in the Wigan teajn. This state of things bea.rs a. signifi- cance of its own.

I LMs tra enjoyment M bat hAlf rnligmd when I OOKNS are avowed to inx the feet.—BobKt Leae, ( [ r-t?apodt?.?Dait?a?CMM, am STOP PRESS Latest Telegrams. "EXPRESSOFFICE. 3.4/5 fun, Fiii a 1 ;ile I I ti, nil, mawr, nil. J-inal Score: Swansea League. 1 try; Cardiff League, nil. Final Score: Rogerston*, 2 goals; Lla-u- bradach, 2 goals.

A LEAP IN THE DARK Old Man's Last Farewell. Having been robbed of his scanty means, John Dredrea, an old man, ended his sorrows by jumping into the Thames from the London Embankment. He left the fol- lowing atrange letter:— I have no money, no food, and no place to lay my head to-night. I have been living at Rowton House, King's Cross. Last Monday night when I went to bed I put my purse with £1 9s. in it under my sheet. TJhe next day my purse was missing. I have only had 2s. or 3s. to live on since. Now I ha.ve nothing to pay for a bed or a zoeal, so what have I to do bat to take a leap in the dark? I ajn an old man in my 75th year. JOHN DREDREA. Since last summer Dredrea had been living on LM, compensation for a, motor accident. "Suicide during temporary insanity" was the verdict of a. Westminster coroner's jury yesterday.

SIR W. T. LEWIS'S CASKET. The committee appointed to select a casket to contain the freedom of the borough of Cardiff for presentation to Sir W. T. Lewis iu cammemoraitaon of his fifty years' work in oortnecttioQ with Cardiff and the develop- ment of irts Btapfle .trades of coal, iron, steel, and shipping, met at the Town-(hall, Cardiff, this morning. There were ten designs, and that of Messrs. Elkmgton and Co., Birming- ham, was, subject to certain alterations, ohoeen, at a. ooet of about .£35(). The casket ie to be of 18-carat gold, amd the predominat- ing features are to be the Principality of Wales, tihe county borough of Cardiff, the dooks and mining industries, while the design will include itihe following:—A oenitral figure typifying Cardiff, with a. mural crown upon the head set with rubies and diamonds, and holding eymbole of justice and duty, the whole resting upon the representation of a. block of coal. The oaaket will also bear enamelled pictures of the Cardiff Town-hall and law courts, Cardiff Castle, a view of the docks. &nd Sir W. T. Lewis's colliery.

TRAGEDY AT UPTON-ON-SEVERN The deatfh has been reported to the South Worcestershire coroner of Mr. Charles Travers Gray, of The Firs, Upt.on-on.Severn.. Deceased, who was about 75 years of age, suffered greatly from rheumatic gout, and had to be lifted from his bed to his Chair every day. He complained to his house- keeper Off pains in the head, and asked her to teil the gardener not to make a noise. She left hnrn to do so; but, hearing a shot, hurried back and found him bleeding pro- fusely from the ears ajid mouth, with a revolver, wfhich he habitually kept on the taible, lyting a.t his feet. Dr. Moatford found tlhat a. bullet had gone through the roof of the mourtih, and had shattered the brain.

A BATH OR A MONTH Joseph Donnell, a hairdresser, presented himself at the St. Pancras Workhouse, said he was suffering from "functional paralysis," and asked to be sent into the infirmary. Being told he was well and that he must go into the workhouse, he refused to have a. bath, and so was given in charge for refrac- tory conduct. At Clerkenwell Police-court, London, yester- day, where it was said that "functional pam- lyai&" was a term applied to a person who was shamming paralysis, Mr. D'Eyncourt said, Which would you rather liave- bath 0: a, monfcih? The defendant chose the hath, and so was discharged.

22 PERSONS HOMELESS BY FIRE Two shops and six dwelling-houses were destroyed by a fire in the village of Saw- bridgeworth, East Herts, which has left twenty-two persons absolutely homeless. The fire was discovered by a policeman namied Bavington, who at once roused the sleeping inmates. SeveraJ narrow escapes are recorded, and when all the residents wene believed to be safe, the cry was raised that a boy was missing. Bavington fought his way through the fire, and discovered the boy standing in a stupe- fied condition in a passage. The constable oarried him out, and hardly had they escaped When the roof of the house fell in with a crash.

FIRE AT ROATH Soon after 11 o'clock tMs morning the Cardiff Fire Brigade received a message stating that a fira bad broken out at 156, Castle-road, a refreshment-room, owned by Messrs. James Smith and Co. Superintandent Geen and hie men were soon on the spot, but the fire, which was of a trivial character, had been extinguished by the police-constables.

CLARKE'S BLOOD MIXTUBE. I This (imous Medicine will cleanse the Blood froa ftll impu- rities from whatever cv»«e arising; A eafe remedy for Kczesx. Bad Legs, Scrofula, Blood kO' Sorea of all ktada, Bella, Erup- tiom, Ulcers, alwieultr- Swov- UBgi, ftc. Of all Stores, tc. forty your moom Bowan 4111

I REVIVAL ETHICS. LAST WORDS IN A GREAT CONTROVERSY. This is the final batch of letters on the I Rev. Peter Price's article for which we can find space. Many hundreds of contribu- tions which have been received on this sub- ject must remain unpublished, as it would require a large volume to provide room for them all. By this time every aspect of the question raised by Mr. Price has been dealt with by a large number of writers, and the subject can now very well be allowed to rest. The Rev. F. B. Meyer. I Sir,—I have read with some anxiety the letter of the Rev. Peter Price on Mr. Evan Roberts, not that I share in- the fears to which he gives expression, but because one is extremely anxious that this mighty move- ment should remain within the fostering caire of the Churches. lû is not improbable that expressions may bo dropped hero and there by one whose every word is now subjected to the fiercest iight of publicity that are open to kindly criticism. But if we catch a.t every phrase that might be improved, is there not a grave peril of hindering and hurting, of sowing suspicion and discord? I write with profound respect for the opinions of my brother. minister. Those on the spot have the first right to speak. But the longer I think of it the more sanctified is the common-sense which inspired the words of Gamaliel. As to the expressions about the Holy Spirit which are specially mentioned, may not Mr. Evan Roberts have meant He works on cer- I taÍ)l.],l{jitions-" the law of the Spirit of li?lk)*d that when these are fulfilled we may count with absolute certainty on His co- operation?—I am, Ac., F. B. METER. Christ Church, Westminster-road, London. Questions for Mr. Price. I Sir,—I should like to say a word re the attack on Mr. Evan Roberts by the Rev. Peter Price, B.A. What I have to say will be entirely unprejudiced, because I am not a believer in the theology of Mr. Evan Roberts or Mr. Peter Price, eo I have nothing to gain or lose. Put, like Mr. Price, I should like to ask a few questions, knowing it is one thing to ask questions a.nd another to answer them:— 1. Will Mr. Peter Price tell us the difference between one of his converts and any of Mr. Evan Roberts's? Arc the better Christians manufactured under the influence of a B.A.? If not, why question Mr. Evam Roberts's power or integrity? Is God's will effected better through an uncharitable B.A. than through an honest, ignorant medium such as Mr. Hva/n Roberts is said to be? If not, again I ask what is to be gained? 2. If Mr. Evan Roberts cannot speak English, and Mr. Peter Price claims that the Spirit has the same power now as on the Day of Pentecost, I wish to know if Mr. Peter Price can talk any other language besides the languages he has learnt at school or college? If not, why did Paul say that God gave the gift of tongues? It is evident that God did not tell the truth through Paul, or there is no Church in existence to-day. Where are all the signs of primitive Christianity gone? 3. I- not Mr. Evan Roberts as much justi- fied in damning unbelievers as was Christ, Who ?.d: "He that believeth and is baptised ahall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned." 4. Would it not be more to the glory of God and the success of Christianity if men like Mr. Peter Price acted more in accord v ith the Man Who said: If thy brother is overtaken in a fault go and tell him, between him and thee alone." Why did Mr. Price not obey this Scriptural command? Why does Mr. Price condemn Mr. Roberts when he is not without similar failings? After Mr. Price has answered these few questions, then let him question others. As I stated. I am entirely a disinterested observer, but I love charity and truth devoutly. 5. What spirit made Mr. Price write such a useless, ignorant letter? Was it the Holy Ghost or God, or was it the spirit of jealousy? What does it matter who is the means as long as the object is attained, namely, con- version. I should advise the members of Mr. Price's chapel to ask him to resign or apologise for making such an unwarrantable attack on I Mr. Roberts.-I am, Ac., H. ESSERY. 21, Wood-road, Pontypridd. The Financial Question. Sir,—Many of your readers welcomed the Rev. Peter Price's article, but one would fancy by to-day's columns that he stood alone. Such is far from being the case, even I among ministers. It is felt by many who have attended Mr. Evan Roberts's meetings (or those of his co- workers) that the essential is missing at those meetings, and that the services held by the different congregations art. their own churches do infinitely more good, and are a much greater source of inspiration than those of the mainspring of the revival." At Pontlofctyn last week the monetary aspect of the revivalist's work was inquired into, ajud caused great pain, according; to reports. It is a fact that the missioners receive handsome sums at every place they go to. It is true they make no charge, but the fact remains that they accept sums of money for their services. To say that those sums will be handed over to a mis- sionary society does not alter their position one particle. Onoe the money has been I handed over (and it is not given by the Churches with the object of propagating the Gospel in Africa) it is theirs to do as they like with. Therefore, they have accepted pay- ment (or shall we ea.y honorarium ?). I Let us do away with idle repetition of plati- tudes, such as we find in the correspondence. Let us face the questions honestly and truly. To him who says the Rev. Peter Price will become the object of pity, not martyrdom, I will say, read Emerson's "Eissay on Compen- sation." I How easy it is to follow the crowd, or to lie low like Brer Raibbit. The "Western Mail" has aJwayB given both sides fair play. Could not some portion of I your valuable paper be set a-part in order that the subject may be thrashed out by both 1 stides fairly and squarely? Let the soldiers of the revival (Evan Roberts's) meet the attacks of the enemy in the face. We would like to have straight- forward answers to our questions. Oome, let us reason together.—I am, Ac., Feb. 1. TYBIE. Offences Must Come." Sir,—I have long since wished to witness the wonderful meetings conducted by Evan Roberts. His visit to Dowlais was a favour- able opportunity to do so. I have now attended eleven services which he has con- ducted—or, rather, I should say taken part in, because there is no human conductor, and I publicly testify that I have not witnessed this mock revival, this exhibition, this froth, this vain trumpery," mentioned in the Rev. Peter Price's letter, at any of the meetings attended by Evan Roberts. With the excep- tion of the meeting held in Hermon last Sunday night week, the meetings I have had. the privilege to attend bore clear manifesta- tions of the Divine presence. The scenes witnessed were indescribable, and the "effects can never ba put on paper." No, they w&re not and cannot be reported." I observed soon after my arrival last Satur- day week a strong undercurrent against Mr. Evan Roberts. It was reported to me that officers of the Church had said, "Evan Roberts is not wanted at Bethania." After some days' absence I returned to Dowlaie last Saturday, and I noticed a marked change towards Evan Roberts and the revival. But did his visit to Dowlais do any good? Here is briefly the testimony of a leading trades- man, which was volunteered to me last Satur- day night:- Since last Sunday (January 22) my house, shop. and everything connected with my establishment has changed. The revival did not appeal to me at all before, but since Mr. Evan Roberts's first meeting I everything has changed. I cannot describe it to you—but all is changed. Prayer meet- ings are held every night, and we heure arranged to have a special revival meeting for ourselves once a week. This has reference to one of the largest business establishments in Dowlais, wnere A large number of young people are engaged and live on the premises. I was present at the meeting held at Bethania last Monday night week, and the service can never be effaced from my memory. At first it was hard and indifferent, so much eo that Mr. Evan Roberts was on his kneaa for a long time behind the front of the plat- form, and out of sight of the congregation, hia hands clasping the Bible. During this I time he stopped the congregation from sing- ing and urged us all to pray. With his rising the power came, and, oh! what a change. From this time to the close the meeting was indescribable There were numerous conversions. Can Mr. Price say that there were no conversions in the lobby? I know of conversions at Dowlais which were not made known at any meeting. If Mr. Roberts does not know English, then I have witnessed a Pentecost wonder, for I have heard him speak in English with much effect. The revival connected with Mr. Roberts a. s"b.un! What about I/oughor, Abercynon, Pontycymmer, Bnd-end, Pyle, &o.? The fire" was oarried from Pontycymmer to the Ogmore and Llynvi Valleys. With what results. Chapels* filled, Church rolls added i to by tha thoasaairfs, tho zoonua at AM to 25,000 people improved. Proof! The Bridgend Police-court record on Saturday. January 28- there were only four police cases. The average before the revival was about 50. Mr. Price prof eases to have written his letter in the interest of the religion of Jesus Christ. If he had witnessed what I did yes- terday on my way from Merthyr to Cardiff he would have repented in eackoloth and ashes. The sooffers on the train revelled in his letter; the guard of the train—evidently a. revivalist —was the object of much ridicule. Mr. Price will not be made to suffer martyr- dom. All I have spoken to pity him, for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence oomethl"- I am, Ac., G. SIBBERING JONES. Porthcawl, Feb. 1. A Pastor's Rejoinder. Sir,-May I offer a few comments on the remarkable letter of the Rev. Peter Price, B.A. (Hiotns.), and his needless and bitter attack on Mr. Evan Roberts? With my knowledge of Mr. Price's character,, I was, like the rest of the world, thunderstruck at his effusion. He has committed the grossest indiscretion that I have ever known a man :n his position to commit. Mr. Price contends that there are two revivals going on in South Wales. He draws a distinction between the real and the sham revival, but it is a distinction without a differ- ence. The theory of the two revivals is the product of Mr. Price's imagination. The Preti-ent awakening is without a doubt a season of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. I may state that my own Church had expe- rienoed a great awakening: we had held nightly prayer meetings for two months before Mr. Evan Roberts commenced his work, and had an ever-increasing roll of con- verts. When the reports of Mr. Roberts's meetings appeared in the daily press it stimu- lated our people to much greater activity, and in seven days added 81 to our number of converts. The movement which Mr. Price oalls the "sham revival" proved a great blessing to us, and inspired many a weary worker with intense enthusiasm for the salva- tion of souls. It is really wonderful that a sham revival should prove such an inspira- tion to others. Let us wish God-speed to this sham revival, since such results accrue from it. We venture to assert that Mr. Price's theory of the two revivals is untrue. la it not true that the awakening in Mr. Price's Church, as well as all the Dowlais Churches, except Hebron, has had its origin indirectly through .the Evan Roberts movement? Were it not for that movement, humanly speaking, the Bethania Church would not have had a revival, excepting, perhaps, the little flutter that generally attends the settlement of a new pastor. They would have been quite satisfied to go on at the same old pace. It is, undoubtedly, true that the present revival at Bethia is the outcome of what its pastor calls the sham revival." This contradicts natural philosophy. The real, as a rule, pre- cedes the sham, and the sham exists because of the real. I unhesitatingly assert that there is but one revival, and it is real, Divine, intense, in its nature, and has taken the form God meant it to take. But when we say that it is Divine in its source we do not forget that it flows through human channels. Every great religious movement has both its frivine and human side. The human side of the present revival is open to criticism, and might derive much good from criticism, if it were wise and kind. The meetings of Mr. Roberts naturally differ in many ways from our ordinary night after night revival meetings. The composite character of his audiences naturally accounts for this. Things happen in Mr. Roberts's meetings which I personally could not approve of, nor is Mr. Roberts responsible for them. I have felt that Mr. Roberts has in some of his meetings shown a want of tact, and with some of his methods I do not agree; but I am absolutely convinced that he is a. spiritual man or a Spirit-filled man, a.nd I feel that any work is perfectly safe in the hands of such a man. The one indispensable qualification for the work to which Mr. Roberts is called is spirituality, for the absence of which philosophy honours is not an equivalent. I am persuaded that Mr. Roberts has learnt far more of the meaning of Christianity than his oritic. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance." Some things about Mr. Roberts are a perfect mystery to me, but I dare not brand them as shams, mockery, and sacrilege because I do not understaind them. There aire many things in heaven and earth that are not explained by Mr. Price's philosophy. I disagree with him when he says that Mr. Roberts's language is' incon- sistent with the character of anyone except that of a person endowed with the attributes of a Divine Being. God has conferred super- human powers upon men. Is there not a &arse--and I say it with all reverence—in which the Holy Spirit is at our service just as all the great powers of the universe, such as electricity, steam, Ac., are. When you obey the lawe of these powers, these powers obey you. The Holy Spirit is the greatest of all powers of the universe, and He obeys the laws of His own power, and if you obey those laws He will serve you. May it not be pos- sible that Mr. Roberts has discovered some conditions of power, and, having fulfilled them, he has powers of which Mr. Price knows nothing? When Mr. Price asks, "Are there four persons in the Godhead, and is Mr. Evan Roberts the fourth," Ac., he displays the flippancy and irreverence of a wordling, Whereas I had always been impressed with his devout spirit. Mr. Price's denunciation of some of Mr. Roberts's imitators is, in my opinion, quite justified. There are such-more's the pity- and we all admit that it is utter folly to ape the mannerisms and gesticulations of Mr. Roberts, and parrot-like to repeat his phrases where the reality that is in him is lacking. Yes, there are many, many collie-re with whom Evan Roberts is not to be compared in intellectual capacity, but the Lord chose the young oollier from Loughor for His work and whom He calls He clothes with spiritual power, and let man keep his heunda off him whom God clothes with power, for in touch- ing him you put your hands on live wires. I thinik that Mr. Price's anxiety concern- ing the visiltors is quite unnecessary: the majority of them may safely be trusted to their own spiritual instincts: they will not be deceived by any vain trumpery. It does not require an expert to detect the difference between the heavenly fire and the ign-is f-almis. Such men as Mr. Stead, the Rev. Hugh Black, "Gipsy" Smitlh, and the Rev. Thomas Spurgeon may be credited with having powers of discrimination equal to those of Mr. Price. Their testimony to the reality of Evan Roberts's movements is overwhelmingly favourable. Mr. Roberts's mission at Penydorren. the next neighbour to Dowlais, was an unquali- fied success. We had the holy fire at white heat the whole day. His visit will never be forgotten, and its effiects will remain for all eternity. Those Churches that are not in sympathy with this movement have not yet I experienced the real "diwygiad"—it is yet in store for them. May the Lord permit them I to see it. I have no doubt that the article written by Mr. Price was honestly meant to serve the interests of the religion of Jesus, but little did he think that in reality he was lending a. hamd and his influence to further the, interests of the kingdom of darkness, for such has been the case, and the mischief, unfortunately, can never be undone. Extremely painful instances of mischief wrought by that article have come under my observation already. "God's in His heaven." All is right with the revival.- I am. &c., ORWDN M. OWEN, Penydarren. Pastor of Elim Church. Uproar in Christian Wales. Sir,-I notice several letters in reply to that learned messenger of Christ—the Rev. Peter Price, B.AL.-and I cannot help expressing my sorrow that a man of his position should make such an uproar in Christian Wales at a time when we are beginning to realise the great work that our Almighty God is doing. It is, to my mind, nothing more or less than jealousy on his part. If he wishes to become prominent, God forbid that he should use these absurd means of doing so. Mr. Evan Roberts is doing a grand thing for the Master, and we must assist him with all our might. I think this Dowlais minister I might have had a little sympathy had he kept his peace until the revival was over, as some of his points are. undoubtedly, per- fectly true; but now he can expect nothing but prayers for his soul, and unkind criticism. He admits his expectations of persecution, and I say he ought to be ashamed of himself to attempt to hinder God's wonderful work. Mr. Evan Roberts distinctly states that he will not have his name mentioned in the meetings, but hoped that all who used God's name, that they would use its reverently. Hoping to see a letter shortly from this prominent Dowlais criticiser apologising for the harm he is trying to dol am, .II: HERBERT DAVIES. 37, Salop Villas, Penarth. Speing Visions." Sir,—I am sorry that Mr. Price has got nothing else to do but to stand by and do a little mocking. What Mr. Price calls Mr. Roberts's stock sayings are not his own words. Are they not words which he himself is bcund to accept as gospel? I should like to ask Mr. Price: "Is it not possible for Mr. Roberts and anyone else to see visions, since we are told in Holy Writ, Young men shall see visions and old men shall dream dreams'?" Another stock saying is as to being at peace one with the other. The reason why the Spirit of God is not felt more powerfully in I our Churches is there is too much ill-feeling. I should like to ask Mr. Price if he went on his knees to ask God's blessing upon the article which he sent to the paper? I ask him to ask himself the question, "Would Jesm do whaA he hm done?" If we, M beUewat? Me t?m ? be at:twlocks. it were better for us if a millstone were put around our necks and we were cast into the sea. Mr. Price ought to be so busy and anxious about other men's souls that he would have no time to mock the other ser- va.nt of God. I hope that Mr. Price is in a better temper by now.—I am, Ac-, A MERTHYR VALE COLLIER. Collier's Trenchant Reply. Sir,—I am a Dowlais collier, and form one of the units of that body of workmen who make Mr. Price's position in Dowlais so com- fortable. The general feeling amongst those workmen with whom I have come in con- tact is one of horror that a. man of Mr. Price's religious status should utter such un- Christianlike statements. Mr. Prioe states at the outset that he is writing in the interest of the religion of Jesue Christ, and winds up by saying, "Cerdd yn ol gmawdol dan," thereby pronouncing a terrible judgment upon the work of Mr. Roberts in connection with the present revival. He indelicately chaffs Mr. Roberts with having Divine attri- butes, and in the same breath takes God's prerogative and condemns the work of the miBsioner as a blasphemous travesty of the real thing. Will he also presume to call the thousands of converts who have been turned at Mr. Roberts's meetings blasphemous tra- vesties of reclaimed sinners? Mr. Price insinuates that Mr. Evan Roberts has a number of stock sayings. If he were to read his Bible more he would soon find out that they were also the stock sayings of the Ser- mon on the Mount. We, as working men, know nothing of sub-conscious incuba- tion," but we do know that when a man like Mr. Peter Price insinuates that a brother in Christ considers that he is a fourth person in the Godhead, it is about time for us all to go down on our knees and pray with the convert from Twynjrrodyn—"Bring him down to his kneee; bring him to his knees in humiliation and prayer and agony of soul in the presence of God." We all know who have attended any of these meetings that self-effacement is one of the chief factors in Evan Roberts's life. Only last Sunday he said in Merthyr that he could not bear to hear his name mentioned even in chapel. There may be many young colliers in Dow- lais who could favourably compare with Mr. Evan Roberts in intellectual capability; but most of them would exchange it all for his honest convictions and love of the Gos- pel. Jesms Christ did not seek intelleot when he sought His disciples.—I am. Ac., JOSEPH PRITCHARD, Collier. Fochriw. Wait and See. Sir,—There are numerous sayings in the Scriptures to prove that what appears foolery to men may often be wisdom to God. Therefore, the wisest attitude at present is to wait and see, and show that we have as much faith, if not more, than Gamaliel had when he said, If this council or this work be of men it will come to nought; but if of God ye cannot overthrow it." I believe that those who are revivalists can take upon them- selves the same advice, for the boot policy for them is to show the same faith, and not attack Mr. Price in so un-Cbristianlike a temper. To my idea the revi.aliste should meort to their Bibles. Still, I wish the revival (if of God) Cod-opeed, and I should advise Mr. Price to modify his views a little.— I am, Ac., WM. WILLIAMS. Trecynon, Aberdare. Gadarene Pig Merchants'Attitude Sir,-The antagonistic article on "Double Revival in Wales," from the pen of the Rev. Peter Price, B.A., has descended like a bolt from the blue upon the religious world. His tirade against Mr. Evan Roberts is cruelly sarcastic and brimful of spleen. The minister who could formulate such charges against a man of God, who is doing such a marvellously successful work, is either constitutionally pugnacious, officially jealous, or suffering from a stinging rebuff. What a cifferenae there is between the appreciative spirit and words of the Rector of Dowlais regarding the revival there and the depreciative spirit and words of the minister of Bethania! Why has Mr. Price rushed so fieroely at Mr. Roberts? Probably, the reason may be dis- covered in these words of Mr. Price, "I should say that Evan Roberts must have seen and felt that he was a failure at Dowlais, but to cover the circumstances of failure there appeared in the paper, after he had proved himself so, a prophecy concerning certain 'misgivings' of his as to whether he ought to have undertaken a mission to Dowlais!" Pro- bably, the sting of the story is in this sarcas- tic sentence. Those who have followed the revival meet- ings of Mr. Evan Roberts, either in per- eoiu or through reading the Western Mail" and Evening Express," must have been greatly struck by the revivalist's rebukes. They are frequent, fearless, and forcible. He is keen to detect faults, and brave to correct them. There appears to have been a rather plentiful supply of reproving remarks by the revivalist at Dowlais, for Mr. Price has treasured them, and tabulated them under this heading, "These are the stock sayingg of Evan Roberts." Here are aome of them:— "There's something wrong here," "The Spirit is not here," "You must bear no hatred one against another," "There must be peace," "You must have faith," "lou must forgive one another," "There must be love," &c. Theso and others may be included in the package labelled "misgiving" by Mr. Price. Some of the rebukes of Mr. Roberts have been very strong and severe, and, without a doubt, sincere. Mr. Price is guilty of bad taste and cruel conduot in blaming Mr. Roberta for saying, with urgency and enthusiasm regard- ing the Holy Ghost, "He must come." John Knox prayed, "0 Lord, give me Scotland, or I die!" Luther would sometimes pray with such humble boldness as to lead him to lay down a promise before God, and eay, "Now, Lord, there is Thy word; if Thou dost not keep it, I will never believe Thee again!" Men who pray with such holy heroism are the agents of the Almighty, who are borne onward on the wings of the wind, willing to be a laughing-stock to men; willing to hear an outcry from the world, while they are turning the world upside down. Mr. Price said, "The best thing that could happen to the cause of the true religious revival amongst us would be for Evan Roberts a.nd his girl companions to withdraw into their respective homes, and there to examine them- selves," &c. This is exactly what the Gadarene pig merchants did with the Master.—I am, &c., B. D. JOHNS ("PERIANDER.") What Constitutes Religion. Sir,—If it is not too big a problem for the Rev. Peter Price, B.A., Dowlais, I should like to ask him what, in his opinion, constitutes religion? I have always understood that a minister of the Gospel, at any rate, should be charitable in judgment, forbearing in temper, and lenient in oondomn-ation-quali- ties entirely lacking in the rev. gentleman, who appears to have discovered a totally new form, the essential qualifications of which seem to be envy, hatred, malice, and all un- charitgubl,enew.-I am, &c., Elmfield, Toff's Well. 0. F. RICHARDS. A Word to the Wise, &c. Sir,—Is there not a spice of ill-feeling towards the Rev. Peter Price in some of the letters which have appeared in your paper? Let me beg of all who feel they must write to do eo in a spirit of love and Christian charity lest they be found committing the sin they would condemn in the reverend gentleman named. Better still, let them refrain from writing any more on the matter, but take their Bible, read Act v. 34-42. then ask God for help to believe His word and trust Him implicitly.—I am. Ac., R. J. J ARM AN. Bryngoleu, Llanbradaoh. Wales in Need of More Critics Sir,—Kindly allow me the privilege of add- ing my tribute of praise through the medium of your columns to the Rev. Peter Price for his courage and outspoken utterances on the revival and the methods of conducting it. If any justification for the Rev Peter Price's statements was necessary, euch justification can be found in the doggerel penned by J. R. Hughes. This writer has the audacity to put, by implication, Evan Roberts on a par with the Master, and also to rank the Rev. Peter Price's criticisms as an offence of equal heinousness to the Apoatlo Peter's denial of his Master. Such ridiculously absurd ideas are simply appalling. No sane man, however enthu- siastic he may be with regard to the revival, would dream of putting Evan Roberts on the same level as the Master, or to associate the views of the Rev. Peter Price with the conduct of the Apostle Peter. If such senti- ir-ents as expressed by J. R. Hughes prevail largely amongst the revivalists, then Walet. is in need of other ministers of the Rev. Peter Price's calibre—men who dare to express their opinions fearlessly, wholly regardless of the studied misrepresentations ■and abuse which courageous conduct entails —I am, &c., R. WILLIAMS. 58, Maiisel-terroce, Swansea. Sympathy with Rev. Peter Price. Sir,—If your correspondents, the Rev J. T. Rhys and others, imagine that the Rev. Peter Price lacks sympathy, let me assure them that they are much mistaken. The great majority of educated people with whom I have discussed this subject hold practically the same views as the Rev. Peter Price, and amongst the number there are, to my own knowledge, a.t least three Non- conformist ministers in full sympathy with him. but who for reasons not difficult to understand are afraid to express their views in the same public manner. There are thousands of sa.ne people who decline to associate religion with those pan- tomimic, contortionist performances, and bogus confessions under the stress of hysterical emotion, which are reported with such 6ickenjing detail day by day by your correspondent, "Awstin." If in the future you would give a little leas of "Awatin's" twaddle and a little more oommocploce news, you would oblige thou- sands of your regular readers, as well as— Yours, Ac., R. LL. BOWEN. PDOfeOMUMk Mssildsl.

GERMAN MENACE. Our Fleet to Get In First Blow. SEQUEL TO THE RECENT WAR SCARE. Speaking at a railway dinner at Eastledgh, Hants, Mr. Arthur Lee (Civil Lord of the Admiralty) said that the Admiralty had learned to take advantage of the lessons afforded by the redistribution of naval power in Europe, and of the war in the Far East. There had been a complete redistribution of the British Fleet in order to be prepared for possible enemies. They had not so much to keep their eyes upon France and the Mediter- ranean as to look with more anxiety, though not fear, towards the North Sea. It was for this reason that the fleet had been distributed, to enable them to deal with any danger in tha.t direction should it, unfortunately, occur, instead of devoting their attention to the Mediterranean. A second great reform had been the placing of the whole of the effective reserve shipe in commission and ready for sea at a few hours' notice. These ships had been organised in squadrons, and would be taken into action if war were declared suddenly. Under existing conditions the British Navy would get its blow in first before the other side had even time to read in the papers that war had been declared. During the past few weeks all the ineffective snipe had been brought home from the squadrons abroad, and put on the scrap heap. The crews had thus been freed for service in the effec- tive ships and reserves. The harbours and docks had also been cleared of a, number of ships which blocked them up, and which tha present war proved to be useless. The Admiralty had further decided to spend no more money on repairing old ehips, but would build instead ships for the future of the biggest, fastest, most heavily armed aad armoured type. They would be fewer in number, but more potent for the destruction of the enemy's vessels. The reforms would result in great economy, yet our fighting strength as a naval Power had been practi- cally doubled during the last few weeks. The Defence Committee Although the Committee of Imperial Defence hag not yet resumed its regular ses- sions, certain meetings of a oommittee of that Committee have been hold of late, and the Prime Minister on Friday presided over one 6uch meeting held at the offices of the Imperial Defence Committee in Whitehall- gardens. Viscount Esher, who does not attend the ordinary meetings of the Defence Committee, was present. An Army Order received at Cha-thaim on Friday directs that, under the re-organisa- tion of the Army commands scheme, the general officer commanding the Thames Di& trict is from the 15th inst. to be known as the general officer commanding the Thames and Medwa.y. There will be, apparently, no change for the present in the personnel, while the headquarter offices will remain at, Chatham. The Recent War Scare. 0.. Simultaneously with Air, Lee's significant speech, there appears in tie current number of the "National Review" a remarkable article on the attitude of Germany towards this country, called the "German Emperor's War Scare." The writer, who hides his identity under the nom-de-plume of "Custos," states that last Christmas Eve official Germany actually anti- cipated and prepared for war! "The German Emperor thought he saw looming through the fog-bound Channel Lord Charles Beres- ford's "bulldogs" with their noses pointed towards Germany. The German Navy, always mobolised, expectantly waited orders to sail. In the dockyards feverish haste was displayed day and night, the men's Christmas leave was swpped, and inquiring journalists in Germany began to scent trouble. Fortunately, though a severe strain was placed upon it, the wire between London and Berlin did not break down, and after the German Ambassador in London had hastened to Berlin and assured the German Emperor that the British Admiralty was absolutely innocent of any fell design upon the German fleet, the crisis subsided, and Germany breathed freely again. The scare was over on Chr-istmias Eve, 1904." The Kaiser's war scare was unknown to the outside world, and unknown till quite recently- to the Germans themselves. The German Government bad been the victim, wittingly or unwittingly, of a veritable war panic, such as had not been witnessed in that country since Prince Bismarck nearly succeeded in administering a second death-blow to the recuperative genius of France. It may be reoorded with absolute truth," continues the writer, "that nobody, from Lord Lansdowne downwards, had, or has; the re- motest idea of attacking Germany, with whom our relations are nominal and friendly. According to all practical standpoints our- official relations with Germany are excellent. Indeed, so little were we in England pre- pared for war at the time of the crisis that had the German Navy precipitately descended upon us the possibilities are that half of our ships would have been holed' in much tho same way that the Russians were one night last February, and the long-talked-of Germau invasion of Engkund would have been given a practical trial. The German navy is taught to attack first. Had it, under the influence of feeur or panic done so in the week before Christmas, it might have gone hard with England, and a new oha.pter in the world's history would have been opened." The writer refers to the fact that for tho last ten yeara all German writers on poaitac&-ead they are mglny-have tiaught sthait England is CTemeny's foe 'amd latterly that an imvaadon of EngLamd is a practical derbaJriJlg. It is paadonable, he concludes, if Germans thought England was about to depart from her own insular traditions by means of the re-distribution scheme.

AMERICAN WILL ROMANCE. Mrs. Saraih Flower, wife of a Pittsburg physician, and daughter of the late Mr. Charles Lockhort, the Sta.nda.rd Oil mag- nate, will receive 26,000,000 as her share of her father's estate, instead of the £ 60,000 where- with her father cut her off by his will. Her brothers and sisters do not approve of the will, and they have now agreed to oontri. bute Mrs. Flower's proportionate share ot the property. Mr. Lockhart left £ 30,000,000. His daughter incurred her father's displeasure because she married without his consent, and failed to consult him respecting the naming of her first child. The other members of the family thought that the quarral had long since been reconciled, and were extremely sur- prised when they found that Mrs. Flower was only left a beggarly £ 60,000.

SCHOONER ASHORE A schooner, name at present unknown, ran during the night upon a long amd dangerous reef of rocks at Thornton Lock, on the Had- dingtonshire coast. The vessel was badly diamiaged and remained fast. but the Dunba- lifeboat, the William Arthur Mill ward, went to the wreck and succeeded in saving the crew of eleven men.

FOX-HUNT IN THE STREETS A meet of the North Cheshire Hounds took place at Nantwicih yesterday, and soon after the start a fox was discovered near the main road to Crewe. At racing speed Reynard dashed towards the railway town, the huntsman in full pursuit. The chase con. tinued right through the principal thorough- fares, and it was in the presence of a large crowd of townspeople t.ba.1. the fox waa at last run to earth.

"QUALITY" Is the Direct Trading Ca's Grest Staiy, and QTJAXJTT 11 th* mala feature of everythlJig ttey all. 013318 OAKPKT8 flbaxnpooad—Ifor, pwftot, d-ulng pro-w. pMtevd to JCaay-stnot, OAhoKm lgtmb. 1881..