Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register

LALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] 1 OUR LADIES' COLUMN. I BY ONE OF THEMSELVES. I CB!HSTMAS.-ITS ASSOCIATIONS.—THE YOUNGER GEXERATtOX.—FAIRY TALES.—AKDREW LAG.- LEGKXDAHY LORE.—TWO LITTLE PILGRIMS rHO- GRKSS.—A CHOtCK OF TOTS.—BICYCHXG LADIES.— ITAHAX VII,I,AGEIZS.-IZEAL GU.N;IlolVI)FIZ.-TIIF IXDUSTmouS HEX.-A ROYAL PURCHASER.—IXEX- PKXStVE TIMEEEEPEHS.-HARMOXIOUS GOXGS.— A MtDt.i:VAL PHOTOGRAPH FRAME.-ITS COX- STRUC'rlO.N. -GIZA N D-Nf#)Tli E It I.Y REHUS.—A IIIXT FOR rRESERVATtOX.—THE LATEST IK BALL GEAR. —A BACHELOR'S BADGE.—FANCY BALL DRESS.—A GREEK COSTUME.THE SORROWS OF SATAX."— j MISS CORELLI.—PERSOXAL PORTRAITURE.—THE REAL AXD IDEAL .UTHORESS.-DlSTIGUISIlED: PATRONAGE.—FLOWER PAINTIXG.—SAXTA RLAUS. The desire to shirk the duties and penalties of Christmas grows upon us with years, but it is surely a tendency to be repressed with conscien- tious endeavour, for we are bound to remember how many of our own early and cherished associa- tions are inter-knit with the time; and to reflect that we ourselves are the makers of history for the next generation. We are told, it is true, that there are no longer any children, but the present issue— and as I understand from more than one of our publishers, the successful issue—of quite an avalanche of fairy talea go far to reassure us on this head. For seldom has a season produced a more aboundant crop of these delightful growths, Mr. Andrew Lang has scored for many years with the Red." "Blue." Green." and "Yellow" Fairy Books, and now he crowns the edifice with My own fairy book," a collection of original tales of thrilling wonderment. Rivals, however, are busy in the Held, and among them there arc few writers who can re-tell old tales with greater charm and spontaniety than Mr. Howard Pyle in his "Twilight Land." The same author reveals enchanting scenery In a garden behind the moon." a handsome book rich in illustrations. Basil field's "Fairy Tales" are full of spirit and adorned with malty humorous pictures. Mrs. Leighton recounts graceful Mediajva! Legends." and the Baroness Genmu?ka gives u.- Old Hun- garian Fairy Tales." English and Cc'ftic lore is to be had in attractive volumes from the reliable publishing nrm of Mr. David Nutt for the modest sum of three shillings and six-pence, each one profusely illustrated hy the clever pencil of Mr. Batten. "Ka.tawampua" is an alluring title, a.nd with the above-named bonks it is among the de- lightful of the ma.ny delightful that have appeared this very prolific season. There are also numerous excellent stories for young people, of a more realistic turn of mind or more advanced tastes. It is an embarras de, richesse. Prominent among these latter a place must be given to Two Little Pilgrims' Progress," by Mrs. Hodgson Burnett. the world-famed authoress of Little Lord Fauntlcroy." I have not yet read the story, but am much looking forward to it. as it is said to be in every way worthy of Mrs. Burnett's popular level. But it is after an excursion into Toyland, that one becomes most deeply impressed with the importance of the approaching festival. The s hows In the great shops are absolutely bewildertng. and much artistic beauty, as well as marvellous in- genuity characterises the new inventions. Mechanical and electric toys are particularly capti- vating. There are dolls and animals ready to per- form every kind of caper, and to utter evfry var'ety of snund. There are. of course, innumerable lady bicyclists, guiding their machine-! with grace and safety, either in a circle, or back and forward, aa the mechanism acts. Among the novelties I was shown a dance of Italian peasants—a group of figures dressed in character, standing on a greensward. When wound up they circulated in various pieture-que evolutions, the maidens with a quaint imitation of cpque-try. the male dolls with lordly assurance. It was very funny. Then there was sn armour-plated battleship, with ram and turrets complete. It rode well on water, being furnished with cloekwork apparatus. and the guns were constructed to fire real gun- powder. Such a treasure is calculated to thrill a boy to his very marrow. I could nil my whole letter with descriptions of these ingenious toys. which I saw during my recent incursion amongst the shops on behalf of my young relatives; but before I pa-tS on I must mention a. marvellous mechanical hen, that lays eggs and cackles In quite a natural manner. I am Informed that this toy so phased Her Majesty the Queen, that she immediately gave an order for one. For presentation to older recipients of this gift- time's goodly thing- there lias been quite an ab- I normal demand for fancy clocks. The proportion of people who can afford to buy diamond bracelets. or jewdled locket- for their friend. is compara- tively small, but there are many see-king to nnd a gift representing a certain value, and likely to be of permanent use. at not too outrageous a cost. To them I should like to recommend these wonderful little timepieces, that are now made -o nstoni-h'ngly cheap as tn actually challenge be!?ef. For instance, a lovely little silvered clock, with a figure s:andi11g on the CMC. was marked 12s. 9d. another in bronze, surmounted bv a mJ.:1-at-arms, bore a simi- lar ticket. Each pretty timekeeper stood about mine inches high. A darling little clock, set in the centre of a pearl oyster shell, was actually priced 13s. What a de- corative and pleasant companion it would make in a. lady's boudoir or .dressing-room Then I can fancy nothinf more suited to a.n unpretentious writing table than a miniature grandfather's clock, standing about a foot high, and only costing lls. od. An eccentric—but not to my mind pretty—model typines tennis. Two bats placed upright on a base support a clock between them, and a ball lies on the top. I confers tha.t until tn-day. with the well-adver- tised exception of the Watcrbury, I had supposed, in a. general way. that watches and clocks nuc- tuatrd in cost between an average of ;65 and :E1CO. seldom going below the one sum, but often exceeding the other. Hence my amazement. Another scries of seductive offerings were dinner goags in endless varie-ty. Some were adapted to ring melodious chimes othe-rs. more simple, boomed only a single note, and were marked as low as 8s. and 9s. each. In photograph frames there is less imagination apparent than before the CMM to hold loose cartes had become so acceptable. The most elegant are the rococo, made with cuttings from tapestry, or bits of old fashioned brocade. Any lady possessed of deft fingers can cover frames for herself, provided the tapestry be forthcoming. A square of light wood or strong cardboard is best. with the centre care-fully removed; or the mount may be phield- shaped to hold several photographs. Pad the frame a.ll round with evenly distribute cotton wool. Fix this in place with a, few thre'ads drawn across, or a. strip of light muslin sewn over; cut out the middle from the material very carefully. leaving good lap, to turn in. Stitch these evenly and nrmly at the a.nd face the reverse side with a. piece of buckram-lined satin, to allow of the easy insertion or withdrawal of a photograph. You must be care- ful in the management of your facing: gum is a dangerou. medium. I have seen the dimculty obvi- ated by a row of button-hole stiches worked in silk. round the three clo-ed sides. From these rococo frames I have derived an idea for mounting artistically a photograph that is very precious to me. It is the likeness of a dear and much beloved child, an only daughter, recently taken from the most truly devoted parents I have ever known. It so happens that I have preserved in close keeping' a fragment of the wedding :r.wn of my great-great-gTandmother. It was once white, but is yellow now, and is thickly embroidered In strange Bowers with stems. I have always thought it too precious for exposure; I shall use it now as described above, glazing both photograph and mount into an outer frame, which will preserve both. From a young friend who was present at the dance given for the benefit of the Belgrave Hospital for Children, at the Westminster Town Hall. I have had quite a glowing account of the grandeur of costumes worn by the matrons. We girls in our diaphanous skirts looked nowhere." she said rather mournfully, and I smiled to think of the readinexa many of the chaperones would have shown had they been able to lay down their diamond s in ex- change for the nimble feet of the dancers. Satin appcttred to be the chosen material, although some broches were seen, but the heaviness of the fabrics was mostly relieved by abundance of Sowers, now so much in vogue for evening toilette. Trails of Rowers wandered all over trains and skirts, or wreathed them. and the new tloral shoulder strap seemed universally employed. Not. happily, aa the mere pretext for a sleeve. The objectionable craze for fastening bodices upon the shoulders with noth ing more than a band of ribbon, lace, or jewels, has quite gone out. ajid there Is now, in attendance on the ilora.1 straps a puffed sleeve in chiffon or such- like—generally very much puned indeed. A hand- some dress described to me was in vert-de-mer." hand-painted with roses, and trimmed with rich Chantilly lace. which Boated diagonally from the waist, and wa." caught up at intervals, with roses made to match the painting. Green in every shade seemed the favourite colour, and newer decked robes more frequent than hand-painted, though of these latter there were many, in addition to that which I have chronicled, notably a. very startling combination of ivory white, and orange tiger lilies. Flower painting is a very gracious art, and ap- plicable to so many modes of decoration that I won- der it is not more studied by young people of leisure. A very gifted young artist. Miss Marie. Low. has just held a. second annual exhibition of Rower pictures, at her studio in Oxford-st.. turning into summer for all beholders the gloomy December days. Miss Low, I understand, takes pupils; she has studied under Rivoire, and her work has met with appreciation from no less a judge than Her Majesty the Queen. Anyone puzzled to nx upon a spurious per- sonality for a fancy ball at a private house cannot do better than take hints from the accounts of Sir Augustus Harris's grand fancy balls at Covent Garden Theatre. Given the main idea of a cos- tume. it is easy to simplify and to work out & conception with inexpensive materials. I have seen as pretty a Greek dress aa need be wished made from art muslin at ld. a yard, and held In place by a few stripes of gold braid. Apropos of dar.cing. I am reminded of the badge chosen by the Wimble-don Bachelors for their ball at Ken- sington Town Hall. The design waa a silver latch- key. It was a witty but rather suggestive emblem, and perchance calculated to prove discouraging in the of a partner. When I wrote a couple of weeks ago of the bril- liant entertainment that took place at the Lyceum in honour of Mrs. Kee ley's birthday. I mentioned Miss Marie Corelli among the distinguished au- dience. I had not then had the pleasure o read- ing the ravishing account this lady gives of herself &s the heroine of her new book, The Sorrows of Satan." But to look at her would have been to read it all over again. "Petite, mignonne." with animated features and fair. Suffy hair—it tvas all &R she tells us. and just as I saw her. Respect- ing the added charms and graces where- with she endows herself—" tha joyous yet dreamy eyes, the sensitive mouth, and radiant Yook of happiness," doubtless they- would tL OM. close themselves on & further acquaintance. T_hert is something certainly unique, for originality, in the. artless self-complacency of Miss Corelli pre- senting herself to her readers as the only worthy and virtuous individual left in a debased world. She stands revealed a captivating woman, and a great authoress, persecuted by venal reviewers, but adored by a discerning public. Even Satan, the Enemy of Mankind, cannot deny a tribute to one so perfect. Mavis Clare "—the Initials are deli cately suggestive—lives in the garden of lilies, and her harshest revenge upon her detractors, is to identify them with her flock of tame paeons, these answer respectively to the names of "Spectator, "Saturday Review." "Pali Mall;" &c., while the Athenmum is represented by a great white owl All this spit< and bitterness is very silly and child- ish, but there is fortunately another side to the novel, so fine at moments as to force recognition of the authoress of the Romance of Two Worlds. The conception of Satan is quite Miltonic. Miss CoreIIi may be hopeless of humanity and especially merciless to women, but she has a tender spot n her heart for the poor weary Devil. Her theory t:.at the fallen angel's rehabilitation Is to be iceom- plished through man's agency, and only 'V man 3 resistance to him Is really great, whether original or not. The story is founded on the deceitfulness of riches, for with the .trrival of a fortune of five millions to the hero. the Tempter also enters upon the scene. Sybil who 1.- Miss Corelli's type of modem wifetiood, nO\1"ished on neurotic novels, pursues the handsome L.uc:o with a daring realism remarkably surprising f--)m the pen of a writer who expends so much Tr'm in condemning the outspoken attitude of h<T sister noveH.sts. Whether or no the eagt' ——d will maintain its worshipping allegiance to Mavis Clire remains to be proved, but I am told that the nn-t copy of The Sorrows of Satan" was ujtv ;,ound in white vellum and forwarded to Wind-Dr. as. it is said. are all CoreIIi' books in.inej-atciv on pubiicat'on. How few among the young people who are anti- cipating a visit from Santa Claus know anything of th-ir benefactor. The name is a contraction, or probably a Flemish equivalent, for Saint Nicholas, a holy bishop whn lived In the second century. There was a great famine in the land at that time, and i wicked restaurateur of the period wa. in the habit of stealing little children and serving them up in his ragouts. One such dish was. placed before the bishop, who at once detected the horror, and de-irin"- to he led to where the littii- victims had perished he found a tub of their remains ready malted in brine. St. Nicholas breathed a prayer and made the sign of the Cross over the tub. whereupon H'e children were restored to life and ran away rejoicing. A picture of this miracle may be seen in an ancient MS. preserved in the Bodleian at Oxford. St. Nicholas wa.s evidently an energetic saint. Readers will remember an incident of him in the Ingold'by Legends, when St. Nicholas raided his holy toe." The origin of the stocking superstition was on thi. wise The worthy bishop. Santa Claus. was œlp')!'ating- his birthday, which occurs in the month of December, when news wa.s brought to him that a poor family of whom he knew much good. were on the brink of taking up lives of dishonesty in I th-r dire straits. St. Nicholas went secretly to t .eir house three nights in succession and threw in before the window a purse of ?old. The rescued p -plo supposed the miraculous aid to have reached i thorn by the chimney; hence the legend. London, Thursday. PENELOPE. TO CORRESPONDENTS. A cook who triers four recipes. —I have apain rffcrrpd to my cook about the cheese fritters. She pa.vi; the recipe is perfectly correct as I fa\-e it. She never uses more than the white of one Pgg, but it mmt be beaten to a stiif froth and cooked' immediately.

COMIC PAPER CUTTINGS. I [" PUXCH." j ["PUNCH. ") A TRUE SPORTSMAN'S TIP. At anti-gambling spoil-sports," loudly The "sportsmen" they" aulù spoil are fretting. Good friend. though you protect so proudly, ) 'ihe true spoil-sport is—Betting! Although it suits the baser sport, What's sport to them is d!:ath to Sport! I ORL.ER! ORDER! I I i [" Colonel Noith bases his appeal tor support on tho pica. that he will see to it that Wp.jt Leeds gets its tuli share of whatever work may be going. Leeds Mf;cury.j 0 dark and true an d tender is the Notth And wondrous s.'ivice to West Leeds he'll render, He'll see, when Govt-inment work is going forth, \Ve.-t Leeds snail have its chance—at least to tender. Ci ders ar. heaven's nrst law." That is the kernel Of the dear Colonel's" creed; and it contents Those who to Governments raise the cry eternal Ot Give your orders. Gents I" Election Paradoxes.—Standing for a seat, and running against a siting Member. The General Election Cry.—" Take your seats, Gentlemen I" "Ttie Colonel's" Paradoxica.1 Purpose.—To con- vert West Leeds into "North Leads." I say, old man, what' that awful row going on next door?" Oh, that's the Omphale Club. The ladies are having their nrst whist party of the season. A Labour of Love.—Benevolent lady (who has with inhiutc trouble organised a country excursion for some over-worked London dressmakers): Then mind you're at the station at nine to-morrow, Eliza. I do hope it won't m.iu." "Rine, miss' I 'owp not, to be sure! The country's bad enough when i),'s tonn-, yn't it, lIli" Aggravating Flippancy.—The Professor (who has just come back from the North Pole): —— and tin) fa.una. of these inhospitable region is as poor as the .Flora.! You couldn't name a dozen ammals who manage to live there." Mrs. Malapert: Oh, I daresay I could!" The Professor: Really; what arc they' Mrs. Malapert: "Well, now—me Polar bears, let us say. and-and seven seals!" Ready and Willing (in the Cornell-Leander Sa.-co).—One crew wasn't ready," but the starter was Willan "—like Barkis. The Cornell crew- was ready and willin'. So they had the starter wit.h them at all events: and, they started. Angry partisans de-scribed the proceeding as Willanous." So it wa.s—from one point of view. Slow Training.—The Cork County National Teachers' Association has passed a resolution that for the sixth ela-ss the geography of the British Isles is enough, and tha.t the British Colonies be held over till tho examination in the second year." But how will the British Colonies like being held over? And is not Ireland itself going to he a f elf-governing British Colony—some dayl" But that idea,, too, seems "held over for the present. The National Teacher- however, are true Nationalists, because they also resolved that Professors of Irish should be appointed in all the Training CoHegps." If femalfs. they will bo expected to wear the Celtic fringe, of course. [" MOOXSHJNE."] I Men of Mark.—Illiterate voters. A Summer Treat.—A violent cold. The Eve of the Election.—A Primrose Da,me-. In what style should a cricketer write?—In a bowi'd round-hn.nd. At Kew Gardens.—First Visitor: "Can you direct me to the Temple House?" Second Visitor (thirsty sou!) Lor bless yer, yer can't make no misra.ke. Yer couldn't get a glarse o* beer a.t any of 'em to save yer life!" Lord Rosebery. I'm a peer Fond of mending." Thev kicked me out- That's my ending." No Cross for Him.—Agent: Pray be careful, &n<l simp]y put a cross to your ba.IIot paper." Voter: Not this child. The chap a-s I votes for will find his name written in a clear, bold hand." Agent: Gracious, man, you mustn't do that." Voter: "Why?" Agent: "hy? Because the paper will be spoilt and the vote lost." Voter: "That won't be my fault." Agent: Ves. it will. The law only allows a cross." Voter: "And you expect me to put one! Who are you getting a.t? Think I went to Board School and never learnt how to write?" [" JUDY."1 A Golden Wedding.—One to a bride worth JB500.000. Sound Advice.—" Now, Moses, as you're going into business for yourself, whatever you do don't go bankrupt." No, fath&r." Or if you do, see that vou make a good pront out of it." Yes, futher. Hi;; turn now.—" Here have I been to a special oculist for two months and I can see no better." I think if you would allow me to treat you for your nose. which is scarcely the shape to fit glasses on, you might see better." Economical.—He: It's raining cats and dogs. Aren't you going to put on your new mackintosh?" She: No, dear, this is hardly the day to put on a new dress of any description." A Good Business \Ia.n.—" I really consider fua.t I have been swindled over this trasaction." It's no use coming to me about the matter. I must refer you to my partner, who is the business man of the nrm. His Way of Putting it.—Violet: "I've just had a letter from George, and he says he's going to be married." V ivienne: Going to be married Why, I thought——. Well, you seem very cool about it. Who's he going to marry?" Violet: "Me." Accounted For—" BIesa my soul' Take to far- ming! You. a man about town, who knows aa little about a plough as I do about the differential calculus. It is absurd. How can agriculture interest you?" A good deal. I am going to marry the only child of the largest landed proprietor in Kent." A Division.—" You really mean to tell me that you have never had a bottle of beer in vour house?" Never." "But you are not a teetotaller?" No." "Then what do you have with your dinner?" Oh, my wife and 1 have claret and water." But claret hardly stands any watering." We do not water our claret." But you said you had claret and water at dinner." "So we have. My wife has the claret, and I have the water."

Little Ethel: "I wish I had a new doH." Mamma: Your old doll ia as rood as ever." Little Ethel: Well, I am ju.st as good as ever, ton. but the angels gave you a new baby." B:tnks (from his berth, feebly): "I say, steward, do you think it's all lp with me ?" Steward (cheerfully): "Heverythink, for the present, sir; but your appetite will be a-ccmin* by an' by." Johnny: "My atory-book says the wild hog is one of the most pugnacious animals in the world." Tommy: I don't care what yo'u- book says. The royal Bengal tiger is more'n ten times pugnastier!" A minister having walked through a village churchyard, F.nd observed the indiscriminate praise* bpstowpd upon the dead, wrot: upon the gate-post the following: Here lie the dead, and here the living lie." Domestic <t'rvant: Well, mum, the wages i< lIab.factory. Now what day is it in the week that yez \va. me in the most ?" Mistress: ThurB- daya.' Servant: "Well, then, that't the dty I want oat."

Agriculture. I Really, says the Daily C'AtonteJc, these Tory mem- bers are very indiscreet. It is too bad, for instance, for Mr Victor Milward. M.P., to ask Mr Powcll William' who is the Financial Secretary to the War Omce, about the potatoes and carrots and turnipa which have been imported from Germany for the Ashanti Expedition. Mr Milward has several constituents who are large growers of vegetables, and who are blocked up with these very products. Mr Powcll Williams replies that dried turnips. carrota, and potatoes have been imported, but for the reason that they can only be procured i" Germany. Still, it is very annoying for Me :\li!w",i to make a fuss when this great GoverH.t <,f tim friends of the farmer is doing what the Hj.dtca!a did when they were in power, and which was so useful against them in the counties (before the election.) A statement has been issued by the Board of Agri- culture of the estimated total produce and yield per acre of wheat, barley, and oats in Great Britain in the year 1895, with comparative statements for the year 1894, and for the average of the ten years 1885-94. The return from Wales, as regards wheat, shows the total produce to be 951,505 bushels in 1895 against 1,420,082 in 1894, the acreage 44,036 against 56,470, the yield per acre 21 61 bushels against 25-15. the average for the previous ten years being 23 54 bushels per acre. The total produce of barley in Wates is estimated at 2,996,676 bushels in 1895 against 3,347,992 in 1894, the acreage 111,886 against 111.572. the yield per acre 26-78 against 30 01 in 1894, and 28 03 for the preceding ten years. The tota.1 produce of oats in Wales is estimated at 7,654.066 Eusbels against 9,012,652 in 1894, the acreage 242,198 against 250,866. the yield per acre 31-60 bushels against 35 93 in 1894. and 32-58 in the preceding ten years. It will be seen that, comparing 1895 with 184, the total yield from Wales shows a decrease of 488,577 bushels of wheat, 351,316 bushels of barley, and 1,358,586 bushels of oata. In such fruit seasons as we had this year, when the markets were glutted, is there an alternative to waste The Journal of the Board of Agriculture recommends evaporation. In foreign countries large quantities of fruit are dried and preserved either by solar or artincial heat. Plums and prunes are dried on the Continent by the sun and by artificial heat. In the United States, vast quantities are dried, or dessicated. by means of stoves, and in sunny Canfornia by the sun, and by evaporating mactnnes, not only in seasons of abundant crops, but as a regular part of the fruit-growers' business. Apples, also, are dried in various forms upon stoves and evaporators in many other parts of America.. Hitherto, nothing has been done in this direction in Great Britain. There is a. growing importation ot dried fruit from other countries. An effort shou'd be made by .British fruit-growers, says the Board of Agriculture, to obtain part of this trade for them- selves. Fruit evaporation is explained in the Journal of the Board of Agriculture, which is issued by the Queen's printers (Eyre and Spottiswoode). The process, it seems, does not reqnire much capital. knowledge, or labour. The pront, it is admitted, may not be large, but a decided pront can be obtained. This evaporated fruit retains all the Savour and quality of fresh fruit, and may be kept for a long period. Housekeepers generally do not realise that they can have an admirable and inexpensive apple tart. by putting some of the rings into crust, without any paring and slicing. Jam manufacturers like I evaporated fruit better than pulp as a base for jams and jellies. Producers could evaporate fruit for this purpose in seasons of abundance, and keep it, as cu!p as kept, until it is wanted. It may be used for cider and for marmalade, as in France, and the evaporated refuse can also be employed for cider, as the base of othev beverages, or for vinegar. If it pa.ya fruit pro- dncers in America, to treat fruit in this maunci for export, it may be assumed that it would equally, or better, pa.y the fruitgrowers in Great Britain if they brought the same energy, industry, and intelligence to bear upon the various processes connected with the evaporation of fruit. It is the decided opinion of members of the leading 6r:9 of grleers in this country that frnit evaporation would pay British Unit-growers, and should be systema.ticaMy adopted ) by them. )

A neglected cold-a persistent cough—slight spiiiit! of blood-wasting-death. This is the letter history of too many in our climate. Wear achest protector. We have a. large stock of these at reasonable prices. Take Cod Liver Oil. Our oil is noted for its absolute purity. It can be digested by anyone. If a cough is troubling you, take Rowlands's Ma.rshma.llovrs." It heaJs the lungs, and contains no poisonous drug.- L. ROWLAND & Co., Chemists. High-street, WMx- ha.m (a.nd Rna.bon.) Oldest established chemists in Wrexha.m. 794e

MARKETS. WUEXHAM. I CATTLE. Monday.—This being the n.nnaa.t Christmas I f.18 of pigs, th&re were a very ta.rRe ntnnber on oEfer, and prices were good. Best be&f itiade 6M per lb, whiie muttnH was dearer and fetched from 71d to 8iù. per lb. Pigs realised from 6s 6d to 8s per score Ibs. THCKSUAr j 3. d. s. d White wheat o!d per measure 3 0 to 0 0 White wheat (uew), per measure. 3 6 to 310 Ked „ (old), 3 6 t) 3 8 Hed „ (uew) 3 4 to 3 6 Onts(old). 2 4 to 2 9 „ (new), 2 0 to 2 4 Ba.rley(ma.!tin{;) 0 Q to 0 0 „ (grindmp;)(Ens!ish)S S. 2 6 to 3 0 Potatoes per hamper 2 9 to 00 Hutter, per Ib. of 16oz. 1 2 to 1 3 Heef. perlb. 5 to 7 Muttou, per Ib. 6 to 7 Pf'rk, „ 7 to 9 Veal. „ 7 to 0 Liunb. per tb. 10 to 0 i''o\v]s, per coup!e. 2 6 to 4 Ducks 4 6 to 5 3 TurkeyCochs,a.ndhcns(perlb). 09 to 010 Geese (per lb). 0 9 to 0 0 .0 Eggs, CHESTER. I Conx. Saturday.—Farmers cram was in small qur)plv with the detiveries of wheat during the past week. limited to an occasional lot. Prices Y:L'r-e unaltered for all articles. American maize had receded slightly in vatue since last market, while foreign wheat was firm and the turn dearer. Quotations :—White wheat 3s 6d per 751bs red wheat3s 5d to 5s 6d per 751b, ditto old Os Od to Os Od per 751hs. matting barley, 5s 4d to 5s 8d per 60 Ibs prinding barley Os Od to Os Od per 64!b oats, new Is lOd to 2s 2d ditto old 3s Od per 46lbs beans, new Os Od to Os Odper SOIbs ditto old 5s Od per 801b, Egyptian beans new Os' Od to Os per 4801bs, ditto old Os Od to Os Od, and Indian corn 9s 3d per 2401bs. CREWE CATTLK, Monday.—SrnaU supply of fat and store Ktoek and good attendance of havers. Prices Beef 5M to 6Mper tb mutton 7d to 8d per )b Jamb Od per Ib veal Od to Od per Ib porket pigs 7s 6d to 7s 6d per score bacon pigs 6s 6d to 6s 6d per score new milch a.nd calving cf s c.nd heifers £15 Os to P,20 Os each h!irrcns .E7 to .Elo each stirka JE4 to .E7 Os each Store sheep Os to Os each. ELLESMERB. when.t 0:s Od to Os Od. red 0-; Od to Os Od per 751b usw red 0. (M barlev Os OJ to Os Od oats Os Od toOs Od eggs, 10 to 12 fnr Is butter Is 2.1 to Is 3,1 16 oz.; fowls, 3.? 6d to 4s per couple; Jnck-. 5.? O.I t.? 6? per coup)e geese Os 8t: to 8? -ipcr Ib turkeys 8<J to QJ per !b puinen. fow;s,0s to Os Od perc<)::p!e' pi.'eo's 0,; OJ toOs per c"up)e rabbits, 2s 6d to 4s Odpcr c'H)')c potatoes, 2s Cd to 3s per ewt 2s Od to 2s SJ pf'r e?t OHIO!)H, O.t to CJ per Ib rhubarb, Od per I'm ?)t. t- parasus O.f to 0.) ?cr bundle ?oost..I;Mrie-? O.. t O.t per quart. Od to Od per <jn:'r.. )):;n'k CJ toOd per quart; e,wrrÍL's Od oo O.i: red currants Od t.. Od pcr]b, jnushro.ontsOd per Ib. apples 3s 6J to 4s pcrc-At petu-). Oft to 03 Od per cwt, WHITCHURCH. l"'Friday.-V.hcat 5s 8dto4sOdper75)b;ba.rlGy3s6d to 3s 9d per 70 Ibs; oats 2s 6d to 3, 9d per 751b-; eggs 8 to 10 for Is butter Is to Is 3d per 16 02 fowls 3s 6d to 4s OJ per coupte dncks 4s to 4s 6d ner couple potatoes per measure Os new 6dto0dpcr score; beef 6d to Sdpertb .nmt?. 7d to9d per Ib:ta.mh9dto0d;vea! 6d to 8d. p?L'K bd t..7d rabbits Is JOd to 2s Od per couple; apples ?d per io. mushrooms Od to Od per Ib. SHHEWSBSRY. Conx Saturday .-Messrs W. Ij. Browne & Co. report heat nas experienced a dull trade at bare]y previous quotations. Hartey has been pressed for sale, but the buikof the supply has consisted of secondary quality. Prices generally have been in buyers' favour O,tt! peas. and beans have been hrm. Flour has been inactive at unchanged rates. Offals have moved freely into consumption, and former quotations have been supported. Quotations.— White wheat 3s 10d ??? ? Mw ditto 0. Od to Os Od. red ?? heat. 5?b 8d ? to 3s 10d new ditto Os Od to Os Od per 751bs barley 3s M to 4s 3d per 701bs. old oats 13s to 14s 6d new uitto 9s 6d iolls6d; peas 11s 6d to 12s 6dpcr2251b?. new beans 12s to 13s. old ditto, 15s to 16s per 24Mbs OSWESTRY. <. ??esda.y.—White wheat per measure. old 4s Od to ?sM dit.o.new.OsMto Os Od. red wheat old, 3s 8d to5.10d,dittouew.0s0dto0s OJ, oa.tsotd.l0.0d to 11s M. ditto new, Os M to Os Od, malting bar!ey 13s Od to 16s Oti, griildii;g barley Os Od to Os OJ, potatoes per cwt., 2s 6d to 3s Od, butter Is OJ to Is 2d per Ib beef 7d to 8d ?nuttou 7.d to 8M, veal 7d to 7M. ?mb 6d. pork ? ? 7-).fow]spcrcouple4s6dto6s0d, ducks 58 Od to 78 M Turkey 9s to 15s. seese 6s to 7s each. eggs 7 to 7 for Is KHHM CATTLE FAIR. \Vednesday.-This f?'w?a held in the SmithHeId. and proved to be well ?tended ? ????? ???? ? "?? ?<' ?"?? cousiderinsitwM Uiehrst fair held aftertue?unua.1 Christmaa stock ? r??.? ar?-'? ?ad?ro? ?t?- ruli,-g about as follo,Beef made from 6d to 6" a, 7?'per? to ?b ? ? ? ? ?- I?nd' ?? 7?- 78 6d per score lbs. LIVERPOOL. CA'IlLjt Monday.— The supply of cattle WM mtIch I smaUerthan last week, and also much ?ssth?'t?? correspondinR market last vear. The demand ?? '? prime Chri.tn?s cattle at- a.h?rp advance of se?ver? ?hdiings per cwt. In the sheep market anything ?° espec??- best Scotch, made extM ?ic? "0?r?? ?? lowM-. Beef 1st class 6?d, 2ud 6d, 3rd 5dDer Ih ?°? mutton 9d to 6M per Ib Irish mutton 8d ?5?' per lb. ? Live weight c?tte 1st cl?SH 36a. 2nd 32s. SrdMs ? ???L???s. At market: 1,879 cattle and 9.559 Conx.Tuesda.y.—Thedeciino m America had n? ,< bceu discounted here, a.nd values at the conunen?? of business disp?yed a. hardening tendency h?? ? ??°' action ensued on speculators showing a?sD? o to quit their holdings before the holidays r? ? ? a moderate decline, part of which, however ?? before the end of session, afternoon ?a? ?"?''?? steaJymgeSeeton prices. Holders ?of ?? P??rce!)? s o?f wheat oSered a? t Ad per centa?d Friday, but a fair busine resu?? a? the ?owe?r ?? ??' fornmn options met an improved inq???? ?"? was done for January delivery at M?? ?? ???''f Monday night's values, bu?t the? ??n? ??'?' stiSeMd, and was onl? y wid erl?ow?r n.tah? ??.??e?rwa?rdsi Red American future were firmer at the opening. and b? ? ???? ? ?=-. ? bnyers then withdrew ? becoming ?? ??cen?hTd?????? until id to d per cental had been registered, when offerings were peen?l ? the market closing steady, and only fd per cental e on t day. East Indian future!; agan c?c?P?—————.? ??e?o? chage took place.

-=?E???? a t ondensed and increased form all the nourishing pre-  of the Cocoa B-,an, the proportion of flesh ?s? being 21-as compared with 13- n natural Cocoa (Cocoa-nibs) and !he meagre pre- prepMed ? '?????????? ? with added Starch and 8nga.r. Ca?dbury's ?: ???'? ? ?-? ? quality -The -4ialest. 1546 MEDICATED WINES. ?' ???'??y' M.P.S.. 3r Hish-street, Wrexhnm. rLoc ?me @ 2s 6d per bottle; Extract of Me?t. nnd ?l.a.M ? tue. Is, 6d ?r boi.He. 2507

WREXHAM COUNTY SCHOOL GOVERNORS. At & meeting of tha Wrexha.m County ? ?°" Governora. he!d at the Conaty Buildings Wrexha.1 oa Tuesday, there were present :—Mr J E p (in the chair) Sir R. E. Egerton, Mra Darbv '?? J. PoweII, Messrs F. A. Starve, Simon JoneM aa? ??- Ellis, Mr W..1. RusseH. headmaster and the Cl?rk Mr W. R. Erana. A letter of apology f??' a.ttfnda.nce w?s received from Captain GrifH? Boscawen.—F unr tenders were received for th renairin? of the boys and girls' scho-? The t ?? of Measra Da.vie? Brothers for JE6? 17a 9d w accepted, on the motion of Sir Robert Efr??h°' .-econdedbyMr Witti.Lm E)H<. The hoy?' scho i account wiH be charged to the revenue, find tue ?i?' account to the building fund.—Before the m?t" was put, Mr Simon Jones wnuted to know if t?. expense contd be reduced. The amount wa.9 n??? than he a.nticipa.ted.—T he Cha.irma.n thought it Wa too liite to alter the specinc.itions. The pi?ce nee?? repa.iring very ba-dly. The matter would come nnf'' farther discussion at the County Governing ?'? The subject then dropped.-The Clerk rea.o? ]?' from the Clerk of the Coun!.y Governing ?r? ? stating that the 17th and 18th of J?iua.ry wa??' da-teuxedfortheusu:).! sehota.rship e-?tmn-itirnf the district.—The Ch:urmn.u. Sir RoberMt rE?-?? Mrs R. J. Powell, Mr G. Heyw?rd. -Nlr \V. ,g' Samuel, and the Rev. E. K. Joned were appoi?pj?" accordance with the order of the: Countv Govern''? Board to attend the school during the exa.miu.iti on the motion of Mr Stur?e, seonj?d h,, i?' Darby—Mr W. R. Evans, the clerk, ..a?d in con.' quence of seeing a. report of the \Vr?b.im To. Council in reference to the refusal of the Counciit" pass the plans of the corrugated irofi t?fun, c l assrooms, lie had written to Mr 'i'hotua.s p ?? classrooms, he had  to 2,lr Tlio, asking under \vha.t bye-law it. was refu-idd. H? said he had received a letter from ;\Ir Th Bury stating that the building proposed w? not n. tetnporarily one. a.nd th.(.t It 'vo?id ??yg ? buittwith brick.—Sir Robert Egf].-tons:ud it couldnt be a temporarily buIidmg.becausc he C:Htrlty CÛlJ1mi". sioners would not allow it.—Mr Sinjou Joues sud he wa.sveryptea.sed that the iron building wu.s refn ? He thought thay were very unsmiatactory. U? buildings cou!d be erected with very ijtUe e' vt? expense.—Sir Robert Egerton mo-Jd ?? the Council be informed that the baiidiu;? ?.g. temporary.—Mrs R. J. Powell sec?djd.?tid if ? agreed to.—A letter was read from Mr WjIit.ebo; offering furnitare a.nd school appiinnces. viz fjf. and btack boards, &c.On the DllJtiJn of lIr Ellis tha matter was referred to the ?-ner.ti ourn???? committee.—In Mr RusseM's annuat report j?g stated that there was an increase of thirty Sve p? ? ? the nuiuber of boys m the school fjr the tv.e-lv? montha. A library had been fortucd iu eonnecUrn with the school, and he [bought it pr.jvcd very <a.tis factory. The hooka in it were of td\t kind which would do for every boy. He begged to thtui!:Mr Mr Philip Yorke for hid kindness m gi..in a prize, and a-tso to the Co-opera.tive Society for gmng a. scholarship. He further wisheJ to the winner of the Cba.irmp.n's s:;ft of a b.n for t::e bov who got the highest batting tlvcrge \va.s Mr F.(:. Fi-Lch. who was the Lea.d boy in the school. He wished to thfujk the Governors for the courtesy that had been extended to him and the tea'her" in the school- Sir Robert moved tha.t their bet th.uika be gi%-vii to Mr Russell a.nd the teachers.—Mr:, Durby seconded and it was agreed to.-It wu.s proposed, a.!)d ?" recd that the school vacation commence on i''nda.v 2Q'h December, and school re-commence Oti -J a.nUi.i.y 20:h, 1896. ———— & —————

RUTRIN UNITED CHORAL SOCIETY. On Friday evening the annual p&iforma'!ce oi this society took place in the Town Hati, HurLin. in the presence of a. !a.rge and representative audieace The proceeds will be devoted to reducing the r<rr° the buitding fund of the Tabern.tcle- ?. dht Chapet. A choir and OLlestla of 110 !krLriller. aided by the f011o,ing princ;al:i JL-r,!iie Roberts, R.A soprano; Miss A.netm .JcilltS. K.C.M., contra.Ito :Slr A. F. Thornborouqh (Ch&='er Ca-thedral). tenor, c.nd Mr H. V.tugha.n Davies Ruthin, bass, rendered Cl.ntlta, fhe Hoi" City," in a very pnuBe-jrthy maiutcr. the C,jnauctr being Mr R. Harris Jones. Mr H.'ra.c2 Husetden wa.b the leader of the orchestra. \i:h him beio? bracketed Me Fred Wcdmsley, aa first violins. Miss Jenny Pa.rry, of -Liverpool (Tetynore-. (Heifaid), was the harpist, and the pi&nc' and h.irinoruum were respectively played by Miss Watkin Ltiiiiley and 2diss L. M. Owens. The second part comprised h.rp sola by Misa Pa.rry, and soloa by the prmcipa.b, with M opening overture by the band, and a coneliiling ehorns, Fixed in Hia ever]a.sting seat." by Handel. with orchestral a.ccojnpa.niment. This t.it:er wa.5 sung by desire, and was greatly appreciated. The concert was a.n unqna.Udcd tuccea-i. i'he Ma.or of Rnthin (Mr Alderman Ezra. Haberts), :hankeJ the audience and the psrformera for their support and services. He said the choir and orchestra were com- posed of all sections of poti:ica) and religious hfe. and they had worked together in an a.tinc.iMe manner, which had been pleading to him. and which he hoped would always continue to chara.cterije the society. The choir mid orchestra haJ promised to give another perforujaLice for the bencdt: of the poor in the town.

HOLYWELL. A -\ESTOX FlsHKI!MA\ AND HIS CHILDREX.—At Holyw'e'1. on Tnursday week, two men. Lemuel Evans, about forty-Mve years of age, a dsherilian of Neston, now residing at 13agillt, and Llewelyn Hushes, a young niaa, of Ihg-ill:, \nl;¡ charged with stc:i,!ing a qua.u<.i:y of coal from the Hettis&eld CoHiery, on the 6:h inst. The prioD.'icr pleaded guiltv to having t.a.ken the coa.1 from off the coliiery premises, and E "L1b :id, I wm coming from the tishins boat and picked up the coal from the new tip. I had five little children H.t home and not a bit of fire in the home. I would njt h<ive t.dMi it only the little chiidrea were starving. It is the nrst time I ever stole anything in my life. a.ud it shaH be the last." Prisoners were e.tch nned. THE GUARDIANS AXD CHRISTMAS BEBR.-At the Board of Guardians 0:1 Friday, Mr S. Wilkmson, Flint, croposed that the inmates of the workhouse have their annual Christmas dinner of roaat beef and plum pudding, with beer and tobacco. He sii,,)uld be glad to give the beer himscif, as the ratepayers might be dissatished if they had to pay for it.—Mr Isaac Hughes seconded.—Mr Hushes, NVhitford. proposed as an amendment that no beer be given, but tea and coffee. One man in the nouse told him that he had spent thousands m drink, and had only come to his senses since he had been there. No doubt drink wa.s the en/use of manv of the inmates being there.—Mr Wiikinson Tha.t. is a very old cry, bnt it has never been substantiated.—Mr W. H. Hoyd, Connah's Quay, said he shouid be h.ipl)i- to pive the inmates a box of orancea for Chnstma.s.— The proposition was carried, the amendment, failing to find a seconder. TuE RrnAL CouxciL.—At the iiiee,iiilr- of the Ho)ywe!l Rural Council, on Friday—Mr Isuc nughes, chairman—severat matters came before the C(-,uncil connected wth the Xorthop pan-h n.nd Ffynnongrocw. in resnect of \):ch upplicauous were reccndy ;uaac fer tir"Oltn p(j\\cr". Mr Uatters 4aid he h,td been giyen to Mr Eh'.y W:iam- o.ne of tbe County C,urlci:l.n, Iud been mak')!p accusations it;'l"i¡lSt :uc It¡r i Cjancil of n<?;e<;t of auty. -ilr Prince accm.J the eom- tr:it:?c f inq'tiry of being prejudiced against the The cict!; lemai-kej th.H thcaecn-;ai:o!natL'didnot :q::irj any action, as in one iii,a,,ice of.dipgGd ne-rlcct of dutv m' ren.u'd to sanitation in Mold, it waa showfi that 90-100,,15 of the pollution of a brook was from the urban and not the rural district. Mr Ratters brought fonvard the condition of pirti of FfY!llongrJè\ aui said that the hou-es s&id to have been perfect from .1 sanitary point of view were not so. and mentioned that the Rev. Dr. Pan Jone.-=. chairm.i of the Whitford Parish Council, had erected a chanci and cottage, the privy accommodation of which was three feet from one and four trom the other. Mr WiUiam Thomas said it was stated at the Countv Council that Ffvnnoncroew was a d¡c:r:tce to any authority, and the Rural District Council did nothing but issue precepts for rates and 1J.Icct their JuLy, The inspector was ordered to take proceeding against property owners in Ffynuongroew. The question was brought up of allowing compensation to persons whose bedding and cfothing had been destroyed, by order of the medical officer of health. Two claims were received one for .E10. and another for 111. but the clerk stated that the council had paid over E300 in respect of siiell ciaims. It WM resolved to allow one-haif of the claims.

PONTBLYDDYN AND LEESWOOD. r UXERAL SERVICE.—A fnnera! sermon was preached in the parish church on Sandav morning, by the Rev. E. M. Roderick. M.A..Vic.ir of Moid. in memory of the late Mr Francis itus,-riive, of Moid. The Vicar (the Rev. W. L!ovd Protheroe) and the Rev. R. Ll. Parry (curitel a!so present. The funeral party comprised Mrs Musgrave. the M.sses Mus- grave.theRev.A. G. 1us!!rave, 111techapel Dr. and :ltrs Parrv Cheater Dr. and Mrs Borthwick, Colwyn Bav and .%fr.- Protheroe, .caraee. CAt.vixisTicMET:t.rC!tArLL. .ta meetmg of the cotiiniittee who had chaise of tL. late concert, it was announced that .€20 17s was i.ie b.ita.nce re- maining after paying all expenses. The money will be devoted towards repairing the chapel, which has been much impaired by the mining operations carried on in the a.djoininp coiltery. Gru-it credit is due to the committee for their exertions. The members are Mr John Hopwood. chairman of the committee Mr Thomas George, treasurer; Mr Thomas Peters. secretary and Mr William Rogers and Mr Thomas Hushes. DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE.—The members of the Leeswood Phoenix Amateur Dramatic Society gave a performance in the Leeswood National Schools on Friday, in aid of the School funds, before a good audience. The performance opened with Brougham's Drama, entitled Temptation, or the Irish Emigrant." which was capitalty staged, and reflecteel great credit upon Mr McLennan Jones, the manager, who is a scenic artist of no mean ability. The caste was as follows :—Mr Granite (a cit'y mer- chant), Mr W. T. Phillips Mr Sterling (his clerk). Mr J. McLennan Jones Tom Bobatink (a city coster). Mr J. C. Chandler; Henry Travers (the defrandcd heir). Mr Tom Tay!or 0 Brien (the Irish emigrant), Mr Sam Thomas WiUiama (a messenger), Mr J. A. Garston Polly Bobalink (Tom's wife). Miss Thompson Mrs Grumgriskin (boardins-honse keeper). Miss Kimberley: Mary Travers (Henry s wife), Miss Miriam Jones. The performance was very creditably done. Mr Chandler was inimitable in his representation of a coster, and was much applauded for his efforts. Mr McLennan Jonea' getnp as an old man was excellent whilst Mr Mr Phillips made a capital villain. Rounda of applause were given to Mr Thomas, who performed his part in a highly creditable manner. Mr Tom Taylor has vastly improved, and so has Misa Thompaon. who is to be complimented on her per- formance. Miss Kimberley made her first appear- ance, and ably performed her part. The entertain- ance, and abl L s er f oruie d I ment concluded with an amusing farce, entitled "The raw recruit." the characters in which were Messrs Fred Lea, -T. A. Gnrstoa, Ephraim Hopwood. Oliver Drary, and William Taylor. Mr George Davies presided at the piano, and added mcch to tho pleasure of tha evening.