Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register

SMILERS. —'• Short and sweet," remarked the grocer, as he tied up fifteen ounces of sugar and marked it One pouud." -After the concert. Fair soprano (to rival, who was one of the singers): It was so beautiful, dear. I tried so hard to have you encored. NN oman loure the first tramp I've seen about here this summer. Tramp Yes, ma'am I always was noted for my enterprise and push. —Editor-in-Chief: Is that new man good for any- thinc-? Managing Editor: He is evidently an old and experienced journalist. His first editorial began, The political pot has begun to boil." Barber I guarantee this Magic Hair Restorer. It has never been known to fail. Customer But, my dear sir, I tried it, and it had no effect whatever. Barber Then there was something the matter with vour head. -Weary-looking Man: Doctor, can insomnia be cured ? Doctor: Nothing is easier. Anyone can fall into a sound sleep by simply trying to count a thousand. Weary-looking Man: Y-e-s, but baby can't count. -Â traveller, who had been spending a month in Paris, at the house oi one of his friends, says to him on leaving I am delighted with my stay here and, if you ever visit my country, come straight to my house and I will direct you to a good hotel. —Mother: This is a handsome piece of bronze you have selected for Miss Bangup's wedding present; but why do vou leave on the price mark ? Daughter: The bronze is very heavy, and I do not want the dear girl to injure herself carrying it around to the stores to find out what it cost. I shall have to return the dog I bought of you," she said, as she called at the fancier's the other morn- ing. "Anything wrong, ma'am ?" "Why, he's bitten the bahy," Oh, that's nothing. He probably took the child for another dog. He will outgrow that if you will give him time." —A certain clergyman was surprised to find the following note from a. young lady, in his pulpit, a few evenings since: Dear Mr S. -Won't you please deliver your sermon a little slower to-night ? I am studying shorthand, and can't keep up with you. I hope you won't refuse so small a favor." —Small bov: I see you advertised for a boy, sir. Will I ÙO Grocer: Well, we want a. very spry, active vonu'? chap. You look all right. Small boy: What shall I have to do -? Grocer: Well, you see, we aro introducing a new fly-paper, warranted to kill all the Hies in a room. Your work will be to catch flies and stick em on samples of the paper in the window. —Gentleman Is Mrs Matronne at home ? Servant: Xo, sir. Gentleman I am a relative whom she has not seen for many years, and I am very anxious to find her, as I can remain in town but a few hours. I don't know where she's gone, sir." How many children has she?" "Eight, sir." "Ah! I'll soon find her. then. She's in one of the shoe stores." —Great Lawyer: I am tired to death. Sympathetic Wife: You look tired. What is the matter? Lawyer I've been making my speech for the defence for three days now, and, tired or not, I'll have to go on with it to-morrow, and perhaps the next day. Wife: Can't you cut it short? Lawyer: Not until the jury have had time to forget the evidence against lliv client. —First Miss: Where are you going this summer ?" Second Miss: "I haven't the least idea." First Miss But can't you judge from what you've heard your pa and ma say ? Second Miss Well, from the way ma talks I'd think we were going to Paris, Italy, Sw itzerland, and the Rhine. From the way pa talks I'd think we were going to the poor-house." —Head of Department (to smart office boy): Here, take this letter to Mr Sniudger's room, and if he is not in. put it somewhere where it will attract his attention. Boy departs and returns. H. of D.: Well. was Mr Smuager in?" Smart Boy: No, sir. 'e were hout, sir." H. of D.: "Did you put the letter where lie would find it?" S. B. Yessir. Stuck a pin through it, sir, an' put it on 'is chair." —Manufacturer: WTant an anointment in our firm, eh? What experience have you had? Applicant: None I will be frank with you, sir. I wish to marry old Moneybag's daughter, and I want to be able to say that I have a good situation, do you see? Manu- facturer: I see. Now I'll be frank with you. Go to old Moneybags, tell him yon xiaven t a penny, anu don't expect any, yet you want to marry his daughter. Of course, he'll refuse, and kick you out. But if you keep at him. and stick to it until he finally consents, I'll give you a good appointment. -Old lady (to driver of growler): "Now, driver, I want you to go very carefully." Certainly. mum. 9, Aii(f not go racing with other cabs." No, mum. And not go round the cornersqnickly." "No, Dm." Alter the job, old lady, handing him a shilling for himself, said: You have driven me very carefully and well, and here is a shilling for you have you driven a cab all your life ?" No, mum I used to drive a hearse, and blest if I don't go back to it; it's a better game than this. I hope I'll drive yer again, IJJUDl —Pol iue Magistrate (to plisoner): Where were you last June ? Prisoner (impudently); I can't remember to save juy ]ifc. I had a different name last June from the one I have now, so I can't remember whether I was in New York or London. This having so many di-ELrent names and being in so many different places is apt to confuse the best of us. Police Magistrate: I commit you for trial, and I think I can hold out hopes that before you get through ?ith the hw you will learn to stay in one t?'cf. and ?t?M .-)f having three or four names, you not have any ua.me at aU; you will go by a lot I).-ive ,tiy iiailie at all; you will 90 by L ~A j-'entlemaii travelling through the mountainous 1 tiiiniv .sett ltd districts of North Carolina was '*L iken bv a severe storm. As he was on horse- "(f tJ,crefa! quite unprotected, he beheld with *'°-■ -'• t a iog cabin in the distance, and speedily ■ himself thither. The old farmer greeted him ;in(I he soon found Hi; i-e!i seated at the dinner table beside the old ,J'' mm..),• his Lost designated his wife, while one by "lie a Heei.ijngly endless lile of daughters entered the Ti Ili-i it, to ',lie farmer, he mildlv observed, ou have a 1)1;0 family of daughters, sit," Well, z the oid man mournfully, "we've be £ n kinder U!j;'na.t e with our (larters. The chimney fell in I on 'em."

GENERAL NEWS. —ponies were roasted alive through a fire lyliklh occurred at Polton collieries on Saturday. ="-Mr A. Goring Thomas, the composer of "Esmeralda" and other operas, committed suicide on Sunday night by casting himself under a train. —Nearly seven thousand sailors took the total abstinence pledge of the Mission to Seamen Branch of the Church of England Temperance Society last year. —Judge Hughes, adjudicating in a case which was brought before him at Stockport on Friday, attributed the greater part of the distress which prevails in the town to betting. —The Navy Estimates for 1892-3 were issued on Saturday. The total estimated sum required for the year amounts to £ 15,268,811, being an increase over the present year of £ 25,100. Early on Friday morning fire broke out on the premises of Mr Weston, butcher, Fulham, and resulted in the death of five persons, four of whom wers burned almost beyond recognition. -The Queen took a drive on Sunday afternoon over some of the country which she formerly traversed With the Prince Consort and her children in making an excursion twenty miles from Cherbourg. -An Italian named Gatti was executed at Lucerne* on Friday, for the murder of a young woman for the purpose of robbery. It is twenty-four y-ears since the previous death sentence was carried out in Lucerne. —An unruly mob assembled at Eastbourne on Sun- day though the Salvation Army decided to have no street parade. In the afternoon a dispersal was effected with difficulty, several persons being knocked down. -At Liverpool on Saturday a well-dressed woman named Mary Clarke, described by sub-inspector Robbins as an expert thief, was sentenced to a month's hard labour for stealing half-a-crown from a tramcar conductor's bag. -On Friday afternoon the ceiling of a class-room in the Bideford Board School fell, burying about eighty children. Assistance was soon at hand, and although the wreckage weighed several hundredweight, not one child was killed, nor were any limbs broken. —Dr. Vaughan, Bishop of Salford, has been nomi- nated Archbishop of Westminster in place of the late Cardinal Manning. A Reuter's telegram from Koine states that the Bishop has written a long letter to the Pope begging not to be transferred from his present Pope bewg lIc? he is warmly attached. -At Sunderland County Court, a woman named Augusta Jackson sued a fruiterer named Joseph Brown for iE25 damages for injury to health and medical expenses. In December last defendant, as a J practical joke, dropped a live mouse from a trap on to plaintiff's shoulder. Jadgment was given for plaintiff for E15 and costs. -Official telegrams received from several districts of Thessaly state that the fields are infested with mice, and fears are entertained that the crop will be com- pletely destroyed. The Government is taking rigor- ous measures to eradicate the pest. A similar plague occured in 1866, when damage was done to the extent of over five million drachms. -At East Jarrow, near South Shields, on Friday, a collier named Swinbanks, after attempting to murder his wife and mother-in-law, committed suicide by shoot- ing himself through the head. Swinbanks had for some time lived apart from his wife, who lived with her mother, and it was at the house of the latter where the tragedy took place. —A number of miners on Friday engaged to draw a load of beer from Barnsley to Monk Bretton, being j promised 18 gallons for their trouble. Other miners I Erotested against the action of their colleagues as being likely to hrin" discredit upon them, and they upset the dmy and kicked in the ends of the barrels, Some of the beer was carried away in buckets. —A ne'er-do-well named John Dillon, farm laborer, aged thirty-five, died at Aspull, near Wigan, on Sun- day, from excessive drinking. He had lived a wretched life, being alternately in the workhouse and tramp wards. On Saturday night he got intoxicated, and whilst in that condition he purchased a pint of whisky and drank it off. On Sunday he was found dead in his chair. —Samuel Crawford, one of the two boys recently convicted of murdering another boy by holding his head under a cesspool until he was drowned, and both given over to the care of Father Nugent, was on Saturday remanded for a week on a charge of vagrancy. The governor of St. Anne-street Refuge appeared and said this lad was unmanageable, having absconded four times; the other boy behaving admir- ably. —An artilleryman on Saturday committed suicide in Vienna arsenal by shooting himself with a Werndl rifle. The bullet entered his breast and killed him, then passed through the head of a second soldier, who was standing near, and stretched him a corpse on the spot, and finally pierced the arm of a third. The bullet splintered the bone of the arm, and the wound is of a serious character. The cartridge was one of the new small calibre rifle with smokeless powder. —A case under the law of marriage with a deceased wife's sister came before Sir Charles Butt on Friday. The petition was that of a lady who sought a nullity of her marriage with Mr George Hafriner on the ground that she was the sister of his deceased wife. r The question whether she knew at the time that the marriage was illegal, led the Judge to remark that that was no answer to the petition. In the result a decree of nullity was granted, but no order was made as to costs. —The centenary of the Baptist Missionary Society was celebrated at Liverpool on Monday, a large num- ber of Baptists, lay and clerical, taking part in the proceedings. The mayor gave an at home at the I Town Hall, to which nearly 1,000 invitations were issued, in the course of which brief addresses, bearing upon the occasion, were delivered by the Rev. Dr. Glover, recently returned from China, Dr. Angus (principal of Regent's Park College), and Dr. M'Laren, of Manchester. —The case of the strong man," Sampson, who was indicted for stealing jewellery from Mrs Margaret Bernstein, was mentioned at the London Sessions. Mrs Bernstein did not wish to prosecute, on the ground that, in her opinion, Sampson had no felonious intent, and that her husband was seeking a divorce, Sampson being the co-respondent. Sir Peter Edlin directed that the depositions should be laid before the Public Prosecutor, and required the defen- dant to enter into recognisances to appear at the next sessions. —The Criminal Court on Saturday passed sentenance on the men who were arrested during the rioting in the streets of Berlin on February 25th and 26th last. Eight were sentenced, for breaches of the peace, to terms of imprisonment varying from fifteen to thirty- eight months; one who was charged with insulting the Sovereign and vilifying the police was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, and the rest were con- demned to terms of imprisonment varying from two to twelve months for riotous conduct and resistance to authority. —Mr Cornelius Vanderbilt is about to build himself a new house, which is to be the finest residence in New York, and to cost at least £ 400,000. Some time ago he acquired the entire block of buildings between Fifty-seventh and Fifty-eighth streets, and running half-way from Fifth to Sixth Avenues. On this site the new mansion is to be built. It will stand back a hundred feet from the avenue, and the grounds are to be enclosed, not by a wall, but by high iron railings. There will be a private theatre, a monster ball-room, and a supper-room to match. -At Bow-street Police Court, on Friday, the hearing of the charges of conspiracy against Mr Horatio Bottomley, Sir Henry Isaacs, Mr J. M. Isaacs, and Mr Charles Dolman in connection with the Hansard Union, was resumed. Mr Bottomley continued and concluded his cross-examination of Mr Stewart, the Official Receiver, who said that from his examination of the books, he had come to the conclusion that de- fendant had had in the gross a quarter of a million out of the company. Mr George Lewis then com- menced his cross-examination of the witness, and this had not concluded when the case was again adjourned. —The Home Secretary has written to Mr Max Gregor, of Paisley, stating that he will be pleased to consider any petition which may be submitted to him on behalf of Florence Ethel Osborne. Captain Osborne, writing to the same gentleman thanking him for the trouble taken on behalf of his wife, instances a statement of the British Medical Journal as showing that Mrs Osborne was not accountable for her actions when in Torquay. He also points out that his wife did not require money, as at that time he had S600 belonging to her. -V.r William Lucy, stationmaster at Lewisham Road Station, was out for a walk with his wife on Satur- day, when e suddenly ran to a railway bridge and jumped ( vtr the parapet to the line. Mrs Lucy called for assistance, but the body when reached had been fearfully mangled by a passing train. Letters found upon the deceased show that he had applied for a considerable increase of salary, which had been refused. Mr Lucy was brother to the young soldier, Lucy, who last summer attempted to murder his sweetheart in a railway carriage on the Gi eat Eastern Railway, and who afterwards fatally shot himself. -At the instance of Sir Husse- Vivian a return of the quantities and declared value of coals, cinders, and patent fuel exported from the several ports of the United Kingdom to foreign countries and the British Settlements abroad in the year 1891, has been laid on the tables of the House of Commons. The return will show that the quantity of coal exported last year was about 29 millions tons, and their value between 17 and 18 millions sterling. Nearly 900,000 tons of cinders were exported, of the value of three- quarters of a million sterling, and patent fuel of the weight of about 728,000 tons, valued at about half a million sterling, was sent out of the country. Bombay has just seen a striking illustration of the lavish way in which wealthy natives spend money in marriage festivities. On the occasion of the wedding of Mr Mahomed Yusuf, son of a partner in an Eng- lish firm to whom belongs a line of coasting steamers in Bombay, all classes of Mohammedans were enter- tained during the twelve days that the hospitalities lasted. Both sides of the street were illuminated with arcades of gas moons, and overhead were sus- pended numerous crystal chandeliers. On one even- inet a fea-et was given to 15,00Q^Mohammedans. Later a Sail was given to Europeans and East Indians, and next evening invitations to a banquet brought together about 2,000 of the better class of Mohammedans. —The Rev. Henry Powell, of 44, Leinster-square, Bayswater. London, shot himself at the Vicarage, Padburv. near Buckingham, on Sunday night. He h?d been taking Sunday duty for the last few weeks on hch?if of the icar? who is absent abroad, and arrived at Padburv on Saturday night for Sunday's services. He conducted public worship morning and evening in the Parish Church, and retired to rest at Ii 8.30. Just before midnight a report of fireariiis was heard in the bedroom, and when the room was entered, Mr Powell was found lying dead on the bed, shot through the breast and temple. A revolver lay by his side. The deceased was unwell oil the previous Sunday, and another clergyman had to take the services. Mr Powell, who leaves a wife and three children, was about 50 years of a go.

I WELSH AND BORDER NEWS. —Mr and Mrs Gladstone will spend the Easter recess at Hawarden. —In the House of Commons on Monday, the Mold Water Bill was read a second time, and the Welsh- pool and Llanfair (Abandonment) Bill a third time. —The first meeting of the new Montgomeryshire County Council was held at Newtown on Friday. Mr A. C. Humphreys-Owen was unanimously re-elected chairman. —It is stated that their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Connaught have made a provisional promise to visit the W elsh National Eisteddfod at Rhyl in August next. —At the weekly meeting of the Vyrnwy Works Com- mittee Mr Deacon submitted his report, which is to the effect that the tunnel under the Mersey has been successfuly driven to the shaft on the Cheshire side. —Lord Penrhyn has presented the committee of the North Wales Church Training College—one wing of which was recently destroyed by fire-with a valuable freehold site on a most desirable spot over- hanging Bangor. -At Anglesey Assizes on Saturday the grand jury made a presentment to the judge, strongly protesting against a proposal to remove civil cases to .Liverpool or Chester. His lordship expressed his sympathy with such opinion. —It has been decided by the committee of the Bishop Morgan memorial that the unveiling of the monu- ment erected in the St. Asaph Cathedral Churchyard, in memory of the deceased bishop, shall take place on the 22nd April. —Among the subscriptions given on St. David's Day to the Welsh Girls' School, at Ashford, there were twenty-five guineas from the Lord Mayor, ten guineas from the sheriffs of London, and five guineas from the Mayor of Swansea. —Miss Lewela Davies, a young Welsh lady who is studying at the Royal Academy of Music, seems to be having quite a phenomenal success there. She quite recently won the Macfarren Scholarship, and has now followed up that success by winning the Santley Prize on Saturday, There were eleven candidates. -Mr Matthews, answering Sir E. Reed, on Monday, said he was aware of the position Cardiff occupies in me and industry. The Government, however, were, not prepared to recommend her Majesty to confer the title of Lord Mayor on the head of the Corporation in view of the superior claims of other towns in England. —The probate of the will of the late Sir Love-Jones Parry, the late member for the Carnarvon Boroughs, has been proved by Mr R. Pughe Jones, the person- alty being declared at £ 11,200. The testator leaves his settled estates to his cousin, Mr Corbet Yale, Plas-yn-Yale, Denbighshire, subject to a charge of £ 2,000 to his widow as an annuity, Mrs A. J. Williams having a life inteiest in the estate. —Late on Sunday,at Wellington,a master brickmaker named Corbett made a murderous attack upon his wife with a poker, fracturing her skull so badly that faint hope is entertained of her recovery. Corbett after making the attack left the house, and nothing more was seen of him until Monday, when his dead body was discovered in a pool of water not far from his house. -At a meeting of the executive committee of the Liberal electors of Carmarthen held on Friday night it was resolved to follow the example of the Liberal Association of the sister borough and refer the question of the future representation of the Carmar- then Burghs to an arbitrator, to be named by Mr Gladstone, who will decide whether Mr Lewis Morris or Major Jones shall retire, or whether a third person shall be nominated. —A shocking spectacle was witnessed at Brynmawr, where a large sow was seen rushing through the streets with the body of a. child in its mouth. A crowd followed the animal, and wrested the child from its jaws. Dr. George H. Browne was immediately sum- moned and expressed the opinion that the body, which was that of a male child, was only a few days old, and had been dead probably only a day or two. The pig having been penned for a time was let loose. and rushed off to a disused boiler in the building-yard yard where it is believed the body was deposited. -On Sunday afternoon a gentleman visiting Colwvn Bay went for a walk on the sands, accompanied by his dog. He threw a stone into the sea with the object of inducing the dog to go into the water, and in doing so fell on the soft sand. Finding he could not rise, his wife appealed to Mr Roberts, chemist, of Colwyn Bay, for assistance, and Mr Roberts soon found there was something wrong, and got three men to carry the injured gentleman to the subway, sending another for a cab. The visitor was driven to Dr. Fraser's, who found that his leg was both broken and dislocated, and, having attended to him, sent him to his lodgings. —This week the Crown has taken possession of two estates, which cost Mr Pritchard Morgan, M.P., between XW,000 and X40,000, to enforce the payment of the costs of the late action which he had with the Crown respecting royalties. Mr Pritchard Morgan will allow the properties to be sold as a protest against the Government for the course which they take in insisting on a royalty upon the product, instead of upon the profit, as urged by him for many years past. It is stated in the district that the industry has been much retarded by the persistent action of the Crown. In the locality the allegation i made that probably hundreds of men waiting employ-s ment would have been employed if the Government had acted reasonably. -At Blaenau Festiniog vestry meeting on Saturday, an animated and lengthy discussion followed the pro- posal of Mr Newton Jones, manager of the North and South Wales Bank, to adopt the Free Libraries Act. In the course of the discussion Mr John Williams (Trawsfynydd) strongly objected to the proposal, as he believed they were already undei a sufficient number of Acts," and while the Local Board were under water" to the tune of EI,300, it would be an act of cruelty to impose upon them this extra burden again. The Chairman explained that this extra rate could not exceed one penny in the pound, but Mr Griffith Roberts said the promoters of the School Board stated that the School Board rate would not exceed 3d; they had, however, to pay Is 3d in the JE. They had been adding one board to another, and adopting one act after another until his rates had risen from 7s 6d to 36s 6d. On being put to the meeting the motion in favor of adopting the Act was nice tin g 150 votes to 36, -At Friday's meeting of Bangor and Beaumaris Guardians, Mr H. Clegg asked if the estimated ex- penditure for the ensuing year had been made out. The clerk replied that it had not. On the motion of Mr D. Williams, the Finance Committee retired to consider the matter, and subsequently brought in a report to the effect that the clerk having failed to prepare the estimate the committee were of opinion that they might estimate the expenditure at 9d in the pound, estimated to produce £ 6,529. The clerk was directed to bring that in as his estimate, which was done. Further, the committee recommended that the clerk be directed to ascertain the balances for and against each parish in the union by the next meeting, and in the event of his failing to do so that he be suspended and another officer appointed for the performance of his duties, and that copies of the resolution be sent to the Local Government Board and to Mr Murray Browne, poor law inspector for North Wales. The clerk was understood to say that the board could not suspend him, but the chairman promptly replied that the board could suspend him that moment if they thought fit.

THE OSWESTRY PERJURY CASE. I At Shropshire Assizes, on Monday, Hannah Birch, of Eyton Lane, Baschurch, and Richard Birch, her son, aged eighteen, of the Twmpath, near Oswestry, were indicted for having committed wilful and corrupt perjury before the Oswestry Borough Magistrates on November 26th.—Mr Graham (instructed by Mr R. H. Ellis, of Oswestry) appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Spearman for the defence.—Prisoners pleaded not guilty.—The case against Richard Birch was first heard.—Mr Graham, in opening the case, said the indictment arose out of a visit which the Erisoner made to Liverpool in the month of Septem- Eer, when he met Hannah Maria Kirkham. It was alleged that the prisoner was the father of her child. In his evidence before the magistrates at Oswestry, prisoner stated that he did not stay all night with Kirkham in the kitchen of Edwin Birch, of Minerva- street, Everton.—George Markey, magistrates' clerk, Oswestry, said the prisoner was sworn by him at the preliminary hearing, and that he gave evidence.— Samuel M. Hughes, clerk to the last witness, said he took a shorthand note of the prisoner's statement before the Oswestry magistrates. Witness produced his notes, and gave a lengthy extract, in which the prisoner denied that he stayed with Kirkham all night in the kitchen.-His Lordship (addressing witness): I wonder how the magistrates and you find time to write all the rubbish you have down there. The issue is very simple, whether the prisoner really did sit up with Kirkham all night in Liverpool.—Hannah Maria Kirkham, after detailing the visit of prisoner to Liverpool with his mother, said she stayed with him in the kitchen in Minerva-street, Everton, from one o'clock until eight in the morning, during which time prisoner acted with impropriety.—Emma Birch, wife of Edwin Birch, of Everton, said she knew that prisoner and Kirkham were together in the kitchen during the night.—Edwin Birch cor- roborated.-P.C. Roberts, of Whittington, said that when he arrested the prisoner he said, If the magistrates ask me anything I shall tell them I am guilty. I have told my mother not to open her mouth too much when she goes into the box. This is all I have to say about it."—This was the case for the Crown.—Mr Spearman having addressed the jury, and his lordship having summed up, a verdict of guilty was returned.—The case against Hannah Birch having been opened, Mr Spearman said she wished to alter her plea, from that of not guilty to guilty.— Having accepted the new plea his lordship said he should defer sentence.—Mr Spearman said the only manner in which she could appeal to his lordship in such a serious case as this was by saying that the mother was under the impression that her son was being hardly dealt with in the affiliation case which was brought against him.—His lordship said there was a great deal of mischief and cruelty inflicted upon poor girls who became the mothers of illegitimate children when the man who was charged with being the father, and knew perfectly well that he was the father, deliberately went into the witness box and said that he was not the father. He did not think that the mother was entitled to be judged in a favor- able light; however, the prisoners must stand down for the night. On Tuesday his lordship said that if Kirkham's story had been a deliberate lie she would have deserved the same punishment as he was about to pass. He was very sorry to find that this sort of crime was very much too prevalent in the country, and some young men. happily not a 11. when thev got young women into trouble, tried to shift out of their responsibility, and put the burden off their own backs, but the law did not permit this. Richard Birch would be imprisoned for eight calendar months. With regard to Hannah Birch, she had told a deliberate lie in order to carry out the wicked purpose of her on. He did not believe s he was able to bear, at her :?c. as along a term of imprisonment as her son. She had been found guilty of wilful perjury, and was old enough to know better. J 1Je sentence upon her would be five calendar months.

The various Friendly Societies in Oswestry have decided to meet at the Powis Hall, on Sunday, April 24tli, at 2.45 p.m., to proceed to the Parish Church, where a sermon will be preached by the Rev. Dr. Lindsay, vicar of Berrington, near Shrewsbury, and a collection made in aid of tie Cottage Hospital and the Dispensary. Oddfellowship flourishes at Whittington. The Fitzgwarine Lodge has a juvenile branch having a membership of 52, and a capital of zEl29 16s 8d, and it is in a great measure due to this branch that the parent lodge is in so flourishing a state, as a constant supply of young, healthy members is ensured. The total membership of both branches is 310, and the capital X2,694 6s 2jd.

THE OLD AGE PENSIONS COMMITTEE. Mr Chamberlain presided, on Tuesday, over a meeting of the committee of members of both Houses of Parliament on the question of old age pensions, and made a comprehensive statement in explanation of his scheme, the main outlines of which have been already published. A general discussion took place, in which Sir Richard Paget, Col. Howard Vincent, Mr Jesse Collings, Earl Dudley, Mr Hunter, Mr Rankin, and others, took part. The principal features of the scheme were generally approved, and the proceedings were then adjourned, on the under- standing that at the next meeting any definite amendments in contemplation by members were to be proposed.

CEFNYBEDD "ANCIENT BRITONS. On Monday evening, a special meeting of the members of the Ancient Britons' Lodge, G.U.O.O.F., was called at the Holly Bush Inn, for the purpose of hearing the report on the valuation of the liabilities and assets of the Lodge, as at December 31st, 1890, by Mr James Blossom, Friendly Societies' accountant, from Sheffield. The sick and funeral fund amounted to S806 18s 4d- The number of members was 174, wives 89, and 9 widows. (We should add that out of these 174 members, 53 are between the ages of 16 and 25 years.) The average rate of interest received from the investment of the surplus fund during the past five years has been £3 7s per annum. The funeral allowances are re-assured in the district funeral fund, which is supported by levies. The management expenses are provided for by a contri- bution of 4d per member per month, trom which the medical expenses are paid. The valuer finishes up by saying that failure in Friendly Societies ought to be made impossible, and that lodges can secure their own stability by applying the graduated scale to every member. The secretary, Mr Cotterill, who, by the way, has pioneered the club for many years, having read the report, a discussion took place. Several propositions were put forward by those pre- Severa l propositions tvaenre ot e uer special meeting. The sent, to be decided at another special meeting. The report was considered very satisfactory, and the secretary congratulated thereon. The meeting throughout was most harmonious, and the ideas mooted will no doubt take a useful and practical shape.

CO-OPERATOR'S EXHIBITION AT BRYMBO. On Tuesday an exhibition of a novel character was held at the Institute, Brymbo, under the auspices of Brymbo Co-operative Society. The exhibits con- sisted of goods manufactured wholly by Co-operative Productive Society. The large room and library were utilisud as show rooms. The former was well stocked with neatly arranged goods from the Leices- cer Boot and Shoe Works. The boots and shoes were greatly admired, and consisted of both light and lieavy boots. The exhibits were under the care of Mr Jno. Potter. The hardy patent tool, a speciality introduced at the request of several miners, was exhibited and explained by Mr Azariah Andrew, who also manipulated the tool with perfect ease. We understand the Society can also supply them. The goods of the Agricultural and Horticultural Associa- tion, Limited, were prominently shown in a splendid case, and consisted of flower and vegetable seeds, packets of patent manure, &c. The stall was under the superintendence of Mr W. Rogers, joiner, Brymbo. The Coventry Cooper Watch Manufacturing Com- pany, Limited, exhibited some of their splendid articles, under the care of Miss Charles, principally gold and silver watches, albert guards, brooches, and rings, to the value of about £ 200. The Alcester Needle Maker Society was also represented by the same lady. There were several pretty designs of neat and well equipped needle cases, which—needless to say—were highly patronised and admired by the lady members. The Society also exhibited several classes of needles, from the large knitting needle to a very lIIJlall sewing needle. The cases known as the All in all to Co-operators," also received a fair share of attention. The Midland Tinware Society, repre- sented by Mr Meredith Williams, had on view a large and varied assortment of household utensils, consist- ing of a small tin urn of a neat and attractive pattern, surrounded by small articles, stew-pans, potato- mashers, kettles and saucepans, and patent candle- sticks, which gave universal satisfaction. The .exhibits were well patronized. The Hobden Bridge- Co-operative Fustian Manufacturing Society had on their stall several suits of children's fustian clothes, also suits for workingmen, which were eagerly examined and commented on. b The Co-operative Wholesale Society exhibited several classes of goods. The Society was repre- sented by Mr Rankin, of Manchester. The goods consisted of dress pieces, underclothing, bedclothing and the celebrated Eccles quilts," patterns of linen, ticks, prints, calico, &c., stockings, cretonnes, and other articles of drapery, Paisley goods, &c. The Crumpsall Productive Works, represented by Mr Davies, of Manchester, exhibited several cases of biscuits, jams, and jellies, a varied assortment of sweets, cocoas and coffee, &c. The articles were shown to good advantage. In the reading-room the goods of the Droylsden Sundries Manufacturing Society were arranged, and contained several qualities of pickles, sweets, jams, jellies, &c., and a host of other small useful articles for cooking purposes, which were minutely examined by the fair members present. A parcel of working fustian suits and trousers, manufactured by the Hebden Bridge Society, was shown. During the evening light refreshments were served in the billiard-room, which was tastefully dressed. The tables were presided over by Mrs Jones, Store House; Mrs Carrington, Maelor View; Mrs Charles, Old Vicarage; Mrs Samuel Jones, Lodge; Mrs William Rogers, Church View; Miss Fisher, Cerney; Miss V. ynne, Bryn Terrace; and Miss Griffiths, Institute. About five o'clock, Mr T. Charles called upon Mr Moorhouse to open the exhibition.—Mr MOORHOUSE, who was accorded a hearty greeting, apologised on behalf of the Wholesale Society for the non-appear- ance of Mr Mitchell, who was absent through illness. It afforded the speaker great pleasure to be present, and he trusted the members of the Brymbo Co- operative Society would be able to perceive that co- operation meant not only shopkeeping, but manufac- turing. The goods before the members were manu- factured by Co-operative Societies, and made under favorable conditions-that was, the working people were paid good wages for the good work they did; and moreover, the working people had an interest in their work, and therefore it was to their benefit to do their best. He was very pleased to see such a good muster of lady members present, and they must remember that if the ladies put their minds on co-operation it wonld be certain to succeed. He was glad to see that their business was increasing in Brymbo by leaps and bounds. Upon looking at the balance-sheet of their Society, he saw an item which did not please him at all, and he must tell them, for it would be to the members' interest. The item referred to was the share capital, which did not grow enough to keep up with the business of the shop, and in one instance crippled the buying power of the Society. He would like to see the working men treat the store as their bank, and depend upon it. If they believed it was as safe as a bank and gained con- fidence, their money would turn out a profitable Investment. He came from Saddleworth, in York- shire, where every village had its co-operative society or branch. He was a member of the Board of Guardians, and they had received the Government returns, and were glad to state that the parish of Saddleworth had the lowest pauper average of 1 per cent. The fact reminded him that Dr. Rhodes wrote, That where working men's institutions flourish, there poverty is less." The speaker enumerated the goods exhibited, and gave a short resumfe of the history and difficulties and trials encountered in their commencement, and made refer- ence to Batley Mills, Heckmondwike Bootworks, Dunstan-on-Tyne Flour Mills, &c. He hoped the people of Brymbo would continue to keep up the organisation, and assist to keep people who were fighting for a good day's wage, and not as he spoke to a manager of a drapery establishment who said they employed sweaters and gave them 8d per dozen for making new shirts, whereas the Co-operative Society paid 2s 8d per dozen. (Hear, hear.) He declared the exhibition opened. Mr Councillor WHEELHOUSE, representative of the Co-operative Union, gave a most interesting sketch of the various productive societies. The speaker again addressed those present later in the evening, and was listened to with great attention. The goods were on view until a late hour in the night, and much credit is due to the Committee and ?Sitg.?ekeepers and Secretary of the Brymbo Co-opera- tive Society for the manner in which the exhibition was carried on. It is hoped by co-operators that another exhibition on somewhat the same scale will be arranged, in order that members might form an opinion of the magnitude of the Co-operative Societies' undertakings.

BRYN LLITHRIG STUD, SEASON 1892.1 The undermentioned stallions will be available this season, the number of mares to each stallion being limited. Gentlemen desirous of obtaining nom- inations will please communicate with C. Wright, agent, Bryn Llithrig Hall, St. Asaph, who will furnish all particulars as to fees, etc. :—" E, glti-nore," thorough-bred chestnut, 16 hands, foaled in 1884. Winner Queen's premium zE200, 1891 and 1892, by Tltnrio out of Blair Brae," by "Blair Athol." out of Molly Carew," by Wild Dayrell." IT-treiigo." hackney stallion, 3.789, bay, foaled 1888, sire Fimber Fiieaway," 1,482, dam Wildfire" of Fimber" 1,596, winner 4th prize 8th annual horse show, London, 1892, 15, 1st and 2nd prizes, best blood in England. riot's Pride of the Vale." shire stallion, three years old. foaled in 1887, highly commended Shire Horse Show, London, 1891 and 1892. Winner of many first prizes, 17 hand.; high, about a ton weight, nine inches width across hoof. sive •• Decoy." 4.992, dam "Bounce," by "Champion." 450 Lake Commoner." 11.744. shire stallion, black, three years old, sire WTaiplode Wonder." 8.584. Wronderful bone 12 inches below knee. Higlily commended London Shire Horse Show. 1892, out of a class of 102. Terms for mares sent for foaling and keep. Foaling mares 20s a week barren mares 12s week. Night watchman on duty to look to mares every half-hour. Over 80 loose-boxes.

While a manager of mines named Will. Shepherd was preparing to descend a shaft of the Newmarket Colliery, at Tong, near Bradford, on Monday, a plank of the cage into which he had entered gave way, and he fell to the bottom of the pit, a depth of 80 feet, his dead body being afterwards recovered in a frightfully mangled condition.

THE MINERS' CONFERENCE. The three days' Conference at the Westminster Palace Hotel, London, was brought to a conclusion on Friday. In dealing with the question of output the delegates passed resolutions pledging the men to work only five days a week, and fixing Monday as the general play-day," the scheme to come into opera- tion on the 11th April. It was decided to support the Durham miners financially during their strike-to make a sixpenny levy upon Federationists, thus securing a sum of X4,000 per week. The question of bringing the coal porters within the Federation was referred to the various districts.

I THE COLLIERS RESUME WORK. I Generally speaking, throughout Lancashire, York- shire, Leicestershire, Notts, Derbyshire, Stafford, and North Wales members of the Miners' Federation resumed work on Monday, but instances are given in which difficulties arose between employers and men. In these cases work was postponed. With regard to Durham, where a. strike has been entered upon, at a mass meeting at Houghton-Ie-Spring a policy of no surrender was emphatically endorsed. References were made to the question of royalties and way-leaves, and a case was cited of an establish- ment in Cumberland, now closed, in which the weekly royalty amounted to £ 202 as compared with 197 paid in wages. The miners pledged themselves to vote in the coming election only for candidates who would support measures for the reduction of royalties. The men at the Coed Talon and Cefnycoed Collieries resumed work on Monday, after participat- ing in the general "play of last week. Men had to be employed during the" week to attend to the roads and roofs in both collieries. At the New North Lees- wood and the Coedycelyn Collieries the men did not stop work at alL The colliers working at Ffrwdd went in on Monday, but those engaged at Llay Hall Colliery have not resumed work. Several meetings have been held by the men on the subject.

A CHECKWEIGHMAN DISMISSED. I On Friday, the colliers engaged at the Wynnstay Colliery held a meeting to consider the charges brought against Mr Charles Roberts, one of the checkweighmen. Several members having spoken, it was decided to dismiss Mr Roberts, who was elected at the top of the poll about two years ago. A meet- ing for the electing of his successor will beheld, when one of the present aspirants will be elected.

TRYDDYN ANNUAL PLOUGHING MATCH. The Tryddyn district annual ploughing meeting which was advertised in our columns to take place on Friday, the 4th of March, and which was prevented in consequence of the weather was held on Friday, and like its predecessors was a decided scccess. The match took place in a field in the occupation of Mr John Williams, Plasymhowys, Tryddyn, and within easy distance of the Coed-Talon Railway station. A large measure of the success of the match is no doubt due to the exertions displayed by the able secretary, Mr Richard George Williams, The Stores, Tryddyn. The Judges, whose decisions gave every satisfaction, were Mr John Duckworth, Hawarden, and Mr Nathaniel Bateman, Northop, for ploughing, and Messrs. J. Fryer, Black Brook, John Cawley, Shord- ley Hall, and Thomas Lewis, Brynyorkin, for turn- outs and hedging and ditching. Refreshments were provided on the field by Mr Robert Edwards, Colliers Arms. Apended is the result of the various competi- tions. CLASS 1.—Ploughing. 1, C3 10s—Edward Morgan, Carrey Llech 2, f2 10s—Edward Griffiths, Caegheinalt 3, El lOs-John Davies, Brynffynow 4, ;El-ltichard Jones, Friesland CLASS 2.—Ploughing (open to farmers and their sons or servants who have never won a first prize.) 1, £ 3— T. F. Williams, l'lasymhowys 2, £ 2—Samuel Price, Pwll Bydir 3, JE1 10s—William Williams, Frank Farm 4, £ 1—Joseph Whitley, Ty losa 5, 15s—J. H. Youde, Vron, Hope 6, lOs-George Ingman, Hendre luelia CLASS 3.-Ploughiiig (confined to youths under 20 years of age.) 1, E3-NVilliani Griffiths, Llan Farm 2, iE2-Johii Williams, Rhos Issa 3, Xl-John Roberts, Tryddyn Lodge 4, 15s—John Williams, Frank Farm 5, lOs-Evan E. Youde, Vron Hope CLASS 4.-Neates and cleanest turnout (presented by His Grace the Duke of Westminster, K.G.) 1, £ 1—Edward Jones, Friesland 2, 15s—John Davies, Brynffynon 3, 10s—Mr Dawson, Llewelyn Farm 4, 5s—Thomas Price, Pwll Bydir 5, 2s 6d—John Williams, Plasymhowys Highly commended—Mr Richard Darbyshire, Lodge Tryddyn. Commended—Edward Morgan, Carreg Llech. CLASS 5.—Hedging and Ditching. 1, lOs-George Jones, Friesland 2, 5s—John Jones, Cae Ddu 3, 2s 6d—Maurice Roberts, Tymawr 4, 2s 6d-Lewis Edwards, Plasymhowys CLASS 6.—Hedging and Ditching (confined to youths under 25 years.) 1, lOs-George Hughes, Plas Ucha, Nerquis The Llan-y-Pwll ploughs took 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th prizes in the first class, and also 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th second class.

0 DENBIGH BOROUGH MAGISTRATES' COURT. I FRIDAY.—Before Col. Lloyd Williams, Dr. Lloyd Roberts, the Mayor (Capt. Wynne Edwards), Ald. E. T. Jones. I PULLING A MAN DOWN STAIRS BY THE EAR. Diana Roberts, Abram's Lane, summoned T. John- son, fowl dealer, for assault. Mr Alun Lloyd was for the prosecution, and Mr Evans for the defence. The case was adjourned from the last court, for the pro- duction of Edward Hughes, a lodger of the complain- ant's. The complainant detailed the case, saying she tried to prevent the defendant ascending to her lodger's bedroom, when he threw her over a wash-tub, and hurt her. He was much excited, and struck a match, and going into the room brought him down stairs. Edward Hughes, cattle dealer, said he went to bed on the night in question, and the defendant came up and used bad language, struck him and pulled him down stairs by the ear. He heard his landlady screaming, and heard the candlestick fall from her hand.—Mr Evans objected to the proceedings, as the former summons was for assault and battery.—Mr Lloyd said defendant's solicitor complained that he was too lenient with him. (Laughter.) Mr Evans But you can't do it.—Mr Lloyd The subject is too elementary to discuss.—Defendant was bound over, himself in X20, and two sureties in S20 each to keep the peace. THE BROOKHOUSE WIXDOW SMASHING CASE. I This case was adjourned at a previous court, that the police might visit the hamlet, and inspect the cottage of Miss Anne Williams, who alleged that a neighbour named Williams had smashed her window at midnight. Sergt. Jarvis visited the house, etc., and found nothing wrong with the windows.—Case dismissed. EXPOSING DISEASED MUTTON FOR SALE. I A FISHMONGER IN TROOBLE. I In this case the Corporation of Denbigh summoned John Edgar, for exposing for sale, and having in his possession a hind and fore quarters of mutton, which were unfit for human food. Mr Alun Lloyd appeared for the prosecution, and said the mutton complained of had been dressed by a Llansannan farmer outside the town, the butchers refusing to have anything to do with it. The man Edgar, who was a fishdealer, had purchased it for a sovereign, and he would prove it was not a legitimate price to pay for a carcase of mutton that size. It was a serious charge against the tradesman, and he was liable to a penalty of JE20 for each piece of the diseased flesh exposed for sale. Mr William Jones, the deputy town clerk, proved Mr Robert Roberts's appointment as nuisance inspe- tor for the borough, and also produced the Council minute, authorising the inspector to take legal pro- ceedings. Mr Roberts said on the 5th of March at 2.30 he went in the market and found there a hind and fore quarter of mutton on a stall, and Wm. Jones was in charge. He could see from the color it was diseased, and con- sidered it unfit for human food. He obtained the medical officer's opinion, and that of two magistrates, and the gave him an order to destroy the flesh.- Edgar: How did you find it out to be mine ?—Wm. Jones: I put it on your stall.—Edgar: I never buy mutton. I only lent the money. Mr Lloyd had no objection to any theatricals the defendant might like to introduce into the case, but he must simply ask questions of the witness. Wm. Jones, Plough Yard, knew the mutton came from Llansannan, Samuel Jones, a farmer, brought it to town, and asked him if he could get a customer for it. He told John Edgar, and they went together to the Talbot Yard, and Edgar made a bargain of 20s for it, the farmer wanted 30s. Witness took it to the market in a cloth, and put it on Edgar's stall opposite the fish stall. Witness sold the skin for 3s, and gave the money to Edgar. He sold some of it. Ferguson Jones asked for a shoulder, but did not go for it.—By Edgar: Witness acted as interpreter for him, that was all he had to do with the buying. The farmer said it suffered from colic, and he had slaughtered it. The farmer gave him 6d to find a customer for him. (Laughter.)—Edgar: Haven't I lent you money previously before to buy ? (Laugliter.)-Witness: Yes; but you bought and paid for it. Dr. Griffith Roberts deposed to inspecting the mutton, and thought it had never been slaughtered, but died, and had been dead three or four days when he saw it. He could not tell what the sheep died of, because he had not the internal organs to examine. The kidney and the fat seemed all right. He kept dogs, and had a good number of carcases, and knew that sheep had not been slaughtered. John Edgar, junr., said the mutton weighed 601bs., and was a wether. Wm. Jones was summoned for a similar offence. The court was cleared, and the magistrates said they found them both guilty, and fined them 10s 6d and costs each, X2 i4s 3d for Edgar, iiid X2 11s 3d for Wm. Jones. The latter, being unable to pay, went to prison for 30 days. The conrt was crowded, and great interest was manifested in the case.

— ■■ During cold weather fanciers should use SPIIATTS PATENT POULTRY MKAL as the first feed, giving grain at night and add a little of their Granulated Prairie Meat Crissel they will lind results well re-p:ty then.. They are not condiments, but actual foods, and are eaten revenously by all birds, from the twenty-four- hour old chick to the laying hen. Your tradesman will supply you. or write for post-free sample to Spratts Patent. Limited, Bermondsev, London. 559

I LITERARY NOTICES & REVIEWS. One of the happiest possible combinations of artist and author will be forthcoming shortly in a. select volume of Mr Austin Dobson's Poems," with iilus- trations by Mr Hugh Thomson. Schopenhauer seems creeping year by year into a higher place in literature. A volume of selected essays, translated by Ernest Belfort Bax, forms a very representative collection of the writings of this grotesque, but often singularly profound solitary, and are well worth studying, if only for their original suggestions. As will be seen from Lady Lytton's touching pre- face to" Marah," published by Messrs Longmans and Co., the late Lord Lytton died almost literally pen in hand and it was the pen not of the statesman but of the poet whose early pseudonym, Owen Meredith," appears once more on the title-page of this pretty volume. The poems written in leisure hours during the past few years were, we learn, already in proof when the writer died. The last few weeks of his life had been occupied in revising them. There was (adds Lady Lytton) a poem originally included in the first part which he did not think good enough, and had made up his mind to omit. The last days of his life were spent, as if in haste, in the composition of another to take its place. This was never finished, but Lady Lytton gives a. fragment at the end of the volume, as she found it by his bedside with the ink hardly dry upon the paper. A longer and more elaborate poetical work is, we learn, also ready for publication, but these shorter poems are published first, in pursuance of the author's known intention. Mr Edward Augustus Freeman, who has just died in Spain, was, with one possible exception, the most learned historian of his age and country. He was born in 1823, and at eighteen years of age he was elected scholar of Trinity College, Oxford, and be- came a, Fellow four years later. When Dr. Stubbs was made a bishop, in 1884, he was succeeded as Hegius Professor of Modern History by Mr Freeman. Mr Freeman's early writings were archaeological rather than purely historical, and lie published, in 1850, a volume of legendary and historical poems. His industry as a periodical writer was marvellous, and the list of his published works is formidable. The History of the Norman Conquest" is the solid work on which his fame rests but his shorter works, auch as The growth of the English Constitution," The general sketch of European History," appealing more to the general reader than to the historical student, have probably attained more popularity. His last published work, so far as we are aware, is the fourth series of his "Historical Essays," issued quite recently by Messrs Macmillan. The third volume of his History of Sicily" has been announced as ready by the Clarendon Press.

Hoit.v. SABBATrCX.-The two conveniently-sized volumes which Messrs Macmillan and Co. have pub- lished consist of essays by Sir James Fitzjames Stephen, Bart., reprinted from The Saturday Jtcviciv. The volumes deal with the following subjects :— J'oinville and St. Louis, Froissart's Chronicles, Philippe de Comines, Montaigne's Essays, Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity, Archbishop Laud, Chilling- worth, The Liberty of Prophesying, Jeremy Taylor as a Moralist, Racket's Life of Archbishop Williams, Clarendon's History of the Rebellion, Lord Clarendon's I Life, Hobbes on Government, Hobbes's Leviathan," Hobbes's Minor Works, Sovereignty, Bossuct'sEduca- II tion of the Dauphin, Bossuet and the Protestants, Locke's Essay on the Human Dndershmding, Locke as a Moralist, Locke on Government, Locke on I Toleration, The Scepticism of Bayle, Mandeville: Voltaire as a Theologian, Moralist, and Metaphysician; Bishop Butler, Warburtou's "Divine Legation," Warburton's Minor Works, The Miscellaneous Works ¡ of Conyers Middleton, Hume's Essays, Gibbon, and Gibbon's Memoirs. It will be seen that the subjects vary, but philosophical and metaphysical subjects predominate. Sir James Stephen, who is known and admired as one of our most able judges, writes in the calm and judicial style, which mignt naturally be expected from him. He displays little sentiment, and the reader cannot help, while admiring the judicial tone, noting the absence of that life-giving principle which makes other writers so cordial and attractive. The learned author of these Essays reminds one of a brilliant demonstrator of anatomy who cuts with keen instrument the tissue of the sub- ject and exposes with cold scientific exactness the secrets of the frame. Of course such a treatment has its advantages, and possibly in many cases truth is discovered, but the chilly glitter repels at times. Sir James Stephen is at his best in the essays upon Joinville and St. Louis, Froissart's Chronicles, and Philippe de Comines, because in these he is less of the judge and more of the jury. All the essays are written in a masculine style by a writer well equipped by wide study and possessing a firm grip of most of the subjects with which he deals. We have no doubt they will be widely read, and no one can fail to be benefited by an attentive study of what are, after all, brilliant productions.

MOLD PETTY SESSIONS. I MOXDAV. Before P. T. Davies Cooke and E. H. Wain, Esqrs. DRUNKENNESS. John "William Smith, a respectable-looking lad, was charged by Sergt. Thomas Jones with being drunk and disorderly, at Buckley, on the 12th March.—Fined 2s 6d and 7s 6d. I WHO It TO BI.AME? John Brannan, High-street, was charged by Randle Maddox, hairdresser, also of High-street, with having threatened him with violence on the 27th February, owing to which he was Lafrttid of him. Mr Marston appeared for the defendant. Complainant said defendant came into the shop and asked for him, and when he came, the defendant said he would smash the complainant's head. Complainant sent for the police, who dragged the defendant out, and as he went he smashed the windows. In about a quarter of an hour, the defendant came in again wanting to have a fight, either for the defendant to smash complainant's head, or complainant to smash the defendant's.—In answer to Mr Marston, complainant said defendant had not threatened him subsequently, but he was afraid of him.—J ohn Hughes said he was in the shop on the night in question about 11.15, when the defend- ant came in and Maddox said if you do not go out I'll split your head," at the same time taking hold of a razor strop. Brannan said he need not think him- self as strong as all that. There were some words outside, defendant telling the complainant not to speak of him, but to look after himself.—Thomas Williams, of Wrexham-street, repeated the story of Hughes.—P.C. Barker said he went to the shop at 11.5, when he saw a pane of glass, and that was all he saw.—Mr Marston having addressed their worships, called Elias Williams, of Halkyn, who was in on the first occasion Brannan went into the shop, when the barber took hold of a brush and threatened to split Brannan's head with it, where- upon someone dragged him out.—Their worships dis- missed the case. A BEGINNER. I Patrick Rooney, junior, was charged by P.C. Daniel Jones with being drunk and disorderly, in I High-street, on Saturday night. Refusing to go I home he was taken to the lockup and kept there till r that morning. Ordered to pay 7s 8d, or go to gaol for seven days.

DENBIGH SHOP ASSISTANTS' I HOLIDAY. I THE MAYOR INTERCEDES. I On Thursday evening, in response to a circular issued by Mr J. Harrison Jones, chemist, there was a goodly assembly of shop-keepers at the Magistrates' Room to discuss the proposal for closing the business establishments of the borough at two o'clock on Thursdays. The petition from the shop assistants had been signed by the whole of the tradesmen, with the exception of Mr J. H. Jones, and he wished the question discussed. The meeting chose Mr James Green as chairman, and he proceeded to read a letter from Ald. T. J. Williams, who said he had signed the I petition for the assistants conditionally, and he was more in favor of four o'clock, as there wa.s a great danger in giving youths of expensive and injurious habits too much time. The Chairman then asked whether he should read a. requisition on behalf of the assistants from the Mayor, Capt. Wynn Edwards. Mr MELLARD proposed that it be not read, as it would have no effect either way. Mr ROBERT OWEN seconded, considering it almost an insult. It was resolved that the Mayor's letter and the requisition be read. The MAYOR said the matter had been discussed by townspeople, and he thought it would be an advantage to the meeting to know how the customers viewed the proposed closing. It was signed by up- wards of sixty persons, including a representative number of each class of society. He could have obtained more signatures, but time forbade him as he had an appointment at a distant town. The sixty were in favor of closing the shops on Thursdays at two o'clock. Mr HARRISON JONES complained that it was unfair to seek signatures of the shopkeepers in the manner the assistants had done. He did not refuse to close, but refused to sign the agreement, but he would fali in with the majority. He wanted the matter discussed. The assistants had very properly formed an associa- tion, and why should not the shopkeepers for their protection? He had his doubts whether the holiday would be of benefit to the young people. He had found it was not safe to give too much time, the work in the town was not hard. It was not like a large town, and if it were not for market day, they could be relieved of some of their assistants. jlVitli regard to the Mayor's petition, it would be quite as reasonable for the shopkeepers to sign a petition to those gentle- men to give their domestic servants a half-day holiday. (Applause.) Mr WILLIAMS Yes, why not ? (Applause.) Mr HUGHES The servants get a half-day holiday already. (Hear, hear.) Mr DAVIES (Dicks) said it seemed, by the remarks, that the holiday was only for boys. There were married assistants who desired to spend some leisure with their wives. (Applause.) Mr JOYCE and Mr JONES, watchmakers, said they much desired the holiday. Mr RUTTEU asked if no one would speak a word for the assistants. (Hear, hear.) Mr LLOYD, saddler, said he hoped that the grocers would not send their shops in vans about the country on that day. (Applause.) Mr EVANS, Chirk Shop, thought that out of the question, and he had no right to make such a remark. It was resolved to close the shops at two o'clock each Thursday from the first Thursday in May, until the last in September, and that the shops close the whole of the rest of the year at seven o'clock each night excepting Wednesdays and Saturdays.

COI.MAN'S SINAPISM.—The improved patent Mustard Plaster.—Wholly of pure liour of Mustard. Cieanly in use; safe for young children and delicate women. Does Dot scorch or blister, and ready at a moment's notice.—Sold by all Chemists and Grocers, or Post, seven penny stamps for packet of three, to COI.UAN'S 108, Cannon-street. London. 1608

I HOUSE OF LORDS.—FRIDAY. The House sat for twenty-five minutes, advancing several minor Bills a stage. I HOUSE OF COMMONS.—FRIDAY. At the morning sitting, Considerable discussion arose on the proposal of the Government to take the time of private members at the evening sitting, if necessary, in order to complete certain financial busi- ness. Debate on the Vote on Account followed in Committee of Supply. At the evening sitting the debate on this vote was resumed. Shortly after ten o'clock Mr Balfour moved the closure, but the Chair- man declined to put it then. Subsequently the closure was applied, the vote being then carried by 188 votes to C6, a majority of 122. A vote of £ 110,000 in aid of local rates in Scotland was also agreed to.

HOUSE OF LORDS—MONDAY. 1 1 I Lord Knutsford, in reply to the Larl ot iiiniteriev, gave details of the British repulse at T'ambia. It was, he said, still hoped that a successful attack on this sironghold wou:d be made, and authority had been given to the AcLing-Governor for the use of the est Indian troops at Sierra Leone to support the attack if necessary. In the course of a conversation initiated by Lord Herschell, the Lord Chancellor said that the Home Secretary was about to appoint a Departnitntal Committee to inquire into the best way of dealing with habitual drunkards. The question of different sentences on criminals was now under the considera- tion of the Council of Judges. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY. The peaker read a letter from Mr Hastings, who declared that he had no intention of appropriating trust money or of wilfully defrauding any one, and expressed a hope that the House would take his humble services in Parliament into its generous consideration. Mr Sexton submitted that Mr Hastings should not be expelled till the motion for expulsion had been placed on the paper. Mr Balfour's motion to expel Mr Hastings was, however, agreed to. Debate on the motion for the second reading of the Small Holdings Bill was then proceeded with. It was interrupted shortly after eight o'clock, when the Report of Supply was taken, and, after discussion, agreed to.

HOUSE OF LORD S.-T UF, SDAY. The Bill to assimilate the law in Ireland to that in England on the subject of allotments, by enabling Irish local authorities to giant allotments to the extent of an acre instead of half-an-acre, as at present, was read a second time, on the motion of the Earl of Aberdeen. I HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY. The Postmaster-General opposed the second read- ing of the New Telephone Company Bill, and described the Government scheme with regard to telephone business. In a few days lie would move for leave to bring in a Bill on the subject. Ultimately the debate was adjourned. Questions were- raised in reference to the punishment of a soldier at Aldershos for refusing to remove a shamrock from his cap on St. Patrick's Day, and notice of further action on the matter was given. After statements by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mr Pritchard Morgan as to royalties on gold mining in Wales, the debate on the motion for leave to bring in the National Education (Ireland) Bill was resumed, the Bill being in the end read a first time. Mr E. Robertson moved his resolu- tion calling for an amendment of the common law doctrine of criminal conspiracy, by which persons aie made liable for combining to do iltets which in them- selves are not criminal. He was supported by Mr Lockwood, Sir W. Harcourt, and Sir Charles Russell, and opposed by the Home Secretary. On a division, an amendment moved by Mr Gainsford Bruce declining to pledge the House till it saw a Bill on the subject, was carried by 226 votes to 180, a majority of 46.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY. THE EIGHT HOURS' BILL. Mr Leake moved the second reading of the Miners' (Eight Hours) Bill, remarking that its effective clause was the one to restrict the hours of the pit- man's work underground to eight. With the excep- tion of Northumberland and Durham, the miners were practically unanimous in demanding legislation on the subject, and, considering the danger and hard- ship of their toil, he thought the demand was reason- able. Trade union action to enforce the eight-hour day would mean war all along the line, and it would be the best for parliament to deal with the question. Mr Burt moved the rejection of the bill, contend- ing that the most judicious way of shortening the hours of labor was by mutual agreement between employers and workmen. The measure would im- pose an arbitrary rule on all underground workers irrespective of their wishes and interests, would compel the dismissal of many pit boys. or necessitate more night-shift working, and after all there would be a decreased output. He urged that the miners should try to accomplish their object by voluntary effort. Mr Howorth seconded the amendment, asserting that the question was one affecting not the miners alone but workers in other trades, and that if the eight-hour day were enforced it woul^ have an important influence upon the rate of wages and the price of coal. Mr Chamberlain did not think a, decrease of hours would result in the employ- ment of additional miners, nor did he believe that the eight-hour day would mean a smaller output. In the interests of humanity he considered that the miners' working day should be shortened, and the State, which had interfered in the cases of Sunday labor and the bank holidays, might well step in for the pitman's benefit. He expressed his intention of voting for the second reading, reserving to himself the right of criticising the details. The debate was continued by Sir F. Milner, Mr Fenwick, Mr Matthews, and Mr Mundella. The House then divided on Mr Burt'e amendment. There were for the amendment, 272 against, 160; majority against the Bill, 112. The Bill was thrown out.

HOPE WHISPERS. Caergwrle is growing apace—there are signs of the building of more cottage property. We have a secret society in our midst—with a "root and branch policy. Their spirit-stirring cry is away with the present wardens, overseers, and guardians." Big cry, little wool." We may expect to read some interesting corres- pondence on a phase of the burial question. Is it not a pity that some energetic capitalists would not rouse up the old paper mill Of course, the strike would be a. grand excuse for the no fire game in our waiting rooms. The news of the selection of a Conservative candi- date to contest the county, is received with an in- credulous stare. Our Councillor, Mr H. Goodman Roberts, is placed on the General Purposes Committee. We may be certain that whatever he says, will be very much to the purpose. Would the Small Holdings' Bill be beneficial to this district or not ? On all sides one hears expressions of pleasure that Mr Bellis has gained his gallant fight for the County Council seat at Penyffordd. Political matters are not running very smoothly at present in our midst. The ubiquitous safety rider, like an annual, is again amongst us. 10 By the way, he is not assertive enough we should like him better if we could hear him coming. Everything now-a-days seems to be -1 made in Germany," even to measles. Thank goodness-in this case—they are of inferior quality. The election of Guardians will soon be on us. Will every ratepayer have the chance of exercising his right as a voter ? The previous occupier of the house in which the Rainhill tragedy was committed is now living in this district. A public reading room in the neighbourhood of the New Inn and Llay Hall Cottages would be an advan- tage to the young men. How few of them take an interest in current affairs or the topics of the day. Mr William Davies, The Celyn, is again appointed an Alderman in the County Council. His professional qualifications, no doubt, render him an acquisition. Once more the liooter buzzes loud, ;t welcome sound to many a home. The loss of mineral traffic on our locclllinc must be a large item.

WHAT S IT ALL ABOUT? "-Nlessrs. Elliman, of Slough, give this title to a unique little publication brought out for the purpose of advertising Elliman's Embrocation, but made generally attractive by its really exceptionally good illustrations. Mr John Sturgess has drawn a number of striking pictures of hunting, coaching, polo, etc., and Mr Sturgess, jun., has supplied episodes of athletics, &c.. the whole covering a wide range of sport. The illustrations (19 of them) in a larger size are to be obtained separately from the former. They have the ad- vantage that in this form their present commercial associations disappear, and they stand out as really capital pictures upon their own merits. WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT ?" would be sent free for Twopence in stamps, and the 19 Sporting Prints for P.O. 2s 6d. Sent abroad for P.O. 3s 6d.—Address—Elliman, Sons and Co., Slough. 2673 Two men Jllmel Lee Mifflin and Joseph Dye. w. o were found guilty of murdering a whole family, to have been hanged at Warrington, Vngini: on Iridiiv, but the authorities, fearing violence en ti e part of the people, obtained a stay of proceeding, and sent.tlie men the previous night to the neighb.tiiing town of Alexandria. A number 01 persons, liovcverj immediately started in pursuit, and succeed.-d in overtaking the van in which the men were being conveyed. After overpowering the guard, the mob dragged the criminals from the van and hanged them I on the nearest tree. afterwards riddlina the bodies with bullets.