The Aberystwith Observer

AN INFIRMARY MEETING. An adjourned meeting of the subscribers of -the Infirmary was held at the Town Hall on Saturday, Mr J. G. W. Bonsall presiding, the following also being present; Mr H. C. Fryer, Mr Peter Jones, Mr C. M. Williams., Mr D. C. Roberts, Mr John jEvans Mr J. J. Griffiths, Mr J. G. Enghes-Bonsall, Mr David Samuel, Mr O. L. Roberts, Mr John Morgan, Mr Griffith Williams, mayor, and Dr Rowland, house surgeon. The Chairman said the business of that meeting was to confirm the. minutes of their last meeting. 0 The minutes having been read, Mr Peter Jones said that he understood that the business of that meeting was to confirm what they did at the previom meeting, which was required to be done at a subsequent meeting to be held within a fortnight. At the last meeting they granted a sum of £ 25 as a bonus to Mr Rowlands, as he intended severing his con- nection with the institution, and therefore it was advisable that it should be confirmed at that meeting. As he mev^d it at the;previou3 meeting he bego-ed to propose its confirmation. He should like to mention one thing because there seemed to be some doubt as to their legal power to increase the salary without the approval of the trustees under the scheme for the -application of the Charitable funds under the will of the late Mr Downie. The following appeared in rule 9 of the scheme The trustees shall out of tho income for the time being pay the rent, rates, and taxes which may be or -shall become due in respect of any land, house, or premises which may, in accordance with the scheme, be hired, purchased, or built for the purposes of the infirmary, and the expenses of insuring the same against fire and they shall also pay thereout fihe-salary, not exceding « £ 120 a year, or such larger ,aum as the Charity Com- missioners shall approve, to the resident house surgeon for the infirmary, and the salary, not exceeding £ 50 a year, of the secretary, and not exceeding < £ 30 a year of the dispenser, if not appointed by the Governors." Referring to the proposal to increase the salary of tne house surgeon,, he said that he thought the proper course to have taken, and he believed that it was mentioned at the annual meeting 12 months ago, would have been to recommend it to the trustees of the charity, who were also members of the management committee of the infirmary. Then, if the trustee,? approved of it, they would make an application to the Charity Commissioners so as to enable thesi to grant a larger sum, with the approbation of the trustees. He found that nothing of the kind had been dostir, anditseeined to him that the only way to vote that sum was in the form that he had suggested at t.hf? la-;t meeting. Mr C. M. Williams briefly seconded the proposition. Mr H. C. Prver said that he was present at the meeting last year, when the vote'wis <u-cV?ud r»com- mending an increase of salary, and he fchenisn ionsd + r»af if-, wrm n hava f.% .L' T -r a x A 1 correct to jrasiees. it was referred to them, but they caraa to the conclu- sion lhat they did not see their way clear to grautin-' an increase. ■" The Chairman c -asidered that Mr Jones was right, and after a few further remark! the arose. 1" n

THROAT IRRITATION AND COCGIT.—S'ORSNOSS and dryness, tickling and irritation, inducing oouo-}. and aftectinjf the voice. For these symptoms iiae" &»«' Glycerine Jujubes lu conflict with tue giau-.u at "the moment they are excited Lv the act- of suoidir- Glycerine in these agreeable confections !>e_-nu;« r,-Vw heal in;. Sold only in boxes "&•! Is. I. d.. Kl-r-u.^ "JAMES EPFS & Co., Homcelwifcio Cuewwis, -a" I Dr. George Moore, iu his work .on (os,2 and Thro-it I Diseases," says The Gheerta« J.jjubes "r^nr^d or James Epp3 and Co., are of uiMJo«btvd service as a curative or palliative agent," while- Dr. Gordon Hulnifs, ¡ Senior Physician to the Muuief.v'l T:, 1'(.:0.1' tl1¡'.l E¡¡r Infirmary writes •« After »n extended h'IT, jL-xv- iVvjd 1 four Glycerine Jujubes of considerable alnio*t «U form* of throat di$ea§e. i

THE SAD CASE OF ACCIDENTAL POISONING. DEATH OF MRS ROBERTS. INQUEST. Last Week we stated that Mrs Robeits, wife of Mr Griffith Roberts, painter, Corporation-street, had been accidently poisoned by her husband, who had given her a dose from the wrong medicine bottle. Mrs Roberts had recovered consciousness, to some extent, on Friday, but expired about three o'clock on Saturday morning. An inquest was held on the body of the deceased on Saturday evening, before Mr J. Hughes-Jones, deputy coroner, and the following jurymen: Mr II Robert Doughton, Great Darkgate-street (foreman), Mr Daniel Thomas, draper, Little Darkgate-street, Mr John Griffiths, Market-street, Mr Isaae Lloyd, I Alfred-place, Air William Edwards, mason, Cambrian- place. Mr T. Griffiths, Queen's-road, Mr William Davies, Marine-terrace, Mr E. Morcom, Queen's- ] road, Mr William Phillips, Unicorn Inn, Mr Thomas | Evans, Chalybeate-terrace, John Edwards, Terrace- road, and Capt. Lloyd, Baker-street. I The first witness called was Mr Griffith Roberts, who said that he was the husband of the deceased, I and lived at 13, Corporation-street, and was a painter by tn. de. That day week his wife complained of a I pain in her left side. He wanted her to get a doctor, hut she was against having one. as a doctor had not been with her before. On Wednesday after he went home from his work she told him that she thought it best to have a doctor. Witness told her that it wo«dd be best, and so he went for Dr. Harries, who came there on Wednesday night. He examined her, and gave him a raper to take to a druggist's J shop. He took the prescription to Mr Wynne, Pier- street. It was made up by Mr Wynne himself. She took one dose out of the mixture bottle, as near as he could say between seven and eight o'clock that night. He took the medicine from Mr Wynne's shop himself. It consisted of three bottles. The first dose was given her out of the largest bottle. He was to give her the mixture, contained in the larger bottle every four hours. He was to put the liniment on a piece of warm flannel and apply it to her left hip, which he did that night. He was to give the draft the first thing in the morning, but instead of taking it out of the draft bottle he took it out of the bottle containing the liniment. He did not use the smaller bottle, which contained the draft, at all. It was about six o'clock in the morning when he administered to the deceased what he thought to be the draft. She was in bed at the time, and he did not notice any difference in the deceased after he had adminstered it. He afterwards went out to his work, leaving- his daughter at home. When be went home for breakfast, about eight o'clock, his daughter told him that her mother was sleeping.. He went up-stairs and found her fast asleep, There was nothing unusual in her appearance then and he thought as she had lost so much sleep the pre- vious nights that that was the reason for her sleep- ing. Shortly after he left for his work, and went home for dinner at one o'clock, when his daughter told him that she was still sleeping, and that she had been for Mrs Mary Doughton, who lived opposite, and asked her to come over to see her mother, Mrs Doughton had done so, and she thought that she was sleeping so long in consequence of the effect of the draft, meaning the draft supplied by Mr Wynne. She said that she did not think that it would be any harm for her, but that it would do her good. She also told his daughter of a man named Thomas Doughton, who after taking a draft had slept for several hours, which satisfied his daughter that there was no harm. Mrs Doughton saw the bottles. Witness began to get rather anxious, and went to see Dr Harries, but he was not at home, but they expected him in half-an-hour. He called a, second time, but he had not arrived, and he begged of the servant to tell him that his wife had been sleeping ever since six o'clock that morning, and to ask him to call at the house. He could not say what time the doctor arrived, because he was not in at the time. He went to Mr Wynne, the chemist, about two o'clock, and told him that she was sleeping, and he said that he did not think that there was anything to make her sleep in the medicine, and he told him to try and wake her up, or something to that effect. Mr Wynne did not go home with him at that time. He was somewhat satisfied after he had heard whatMrs Doughton had said. He did not discover his mis- take until his daughter came to him and told him about it, which was, as near as he could say, about half-past two. He then went home with his daughter. He could not deny that she did not take the poison. He could not say how much she took. It was given I her in a wine glass, but he could not say how much, as he put a good deal of it on the flannel. He believed that she took about half a wine glass full. Dr Harries came to him, and said that he had done very wrong, and also said that he wanted another doctor. He had not slept for two nights, and that night he had to get up at half-past one to give her another dose of the mixture. He got up again in the morn ing about six o'clock, rather sleepy, to go to his work, and according to instructions he gave the deceased what he thought to be the draft. His wife died about a quarter to three that (Saturday) morn- ing. She was nncollscious on Thursday, but he could not exactly say up to when. She knew him on Fri- day, and she said that the medicine was very strong »nd he gave her a piece of orange, which she sucked! She was conscious on Friday morning, and conversed with him. By the Jury: Milk was administered to the deceased yesterday morning. Dr Harries had seen her before he knew that he had given the medicine out of the wrong bottle. By the Coroner It was not quite light at six o'clock in the morning. He had a little lamp, but it did not give much light. Dr Harries said he was a medical practitioner and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, and practiced in the town. He was called to see the deceased on Wednesday evening, and found that she was suffering from acute pain in the left hip joint. He prescribed for her a liniment of chloroform and a liniment of belladonna, which was to be sprinkled on hot flannel and applied to the joint. He gave full instructions how to apply it. He ordered an aperient to be taken first thing in the morning in the form of a draft. He also ordered a mixture. He heard nothing more of the case until he came home on the following day, when he received a message from the servant to the effect that Mrs Eoberts had been sleeping since the morning. He was highly pleased with that message, as she had the previous night, informed him that she had lost her sleep for some nights owing to the pain. In going bis,round he went to see Mrs Roberts, which was perhaps about half-past two. In going up stairs he detected a strong smell of chloroform liniment and the belladonna liniment. He looked at the deceased and found that she was comatose. He opened her mouth and placed his nose to the mouth, when he detected a strong smell of the liniment from the breath. The lower lip of the left side he noticed to be quite white and scalded, which he attributed to the liniment. He enquired at once who had given the medicine, and they told him that it was Roberts He looked round, and on the chimney-piece he found the three bottles, being placed with the liniment bottle is the middle. He saw that the morning draft had not been given, and the liniment bottle he found io be empty. There was no doubt in his mind as to what had taken place. He immediately gave orders to fetch other medical men and also to fetch Roberts. He also wrote a paper to Mr Wynne, with an order for him to come down at once with 10 grains of stdphurate of copper, and also to bring some laudanum with him. Roberts came into the house, and he ssked him if he had given the medicine and he said he had. Witness asked if he had given the draft and he said Yes this morning." Witness asked which draft and taking hold of H.e bottle Roberts said "this one" which was the right bottle. Witness said My good fellow that drasght has not been touched it is in the bottle." Roberts then got ternoiy alarmed, 2.J¡d was evidently aware of the mistake he had By that time Mr Wynne h.i^. arrived, and he %sked him to mix the sulphurate of copper at once m a wine glass of water, which witness poured down the throat of the deceased and -i 13 a few seconds violent sickness came on' Abont three ounces of a mixture of gastic juice ana heiineut was vomited. Dr Bonsall and Dr Morna Jones then arrived. Witness then filled her stonncu with tenia water, ami «nn>r.a^ — r"'«^uiuuuuaLWl, repeating tue process until the water returned clear. Gilbcrtson then arrived. They then tried iiiii'iuc of amy J which created a little movement of the eyeballs mil eyelids. That however did not bring her ro^nd in the least That was all that could I e dons at that time. Later on in the day, in company with Dr Gilbortson, he injected pilol carpine, which took no effect. Her breathing at that time was between three and four respirations per minute. They thought as far as they could judge that she could not live for a couple of hours. He saw her lato that night with Dr Gilbertson, but there was no sign of recovering consciousness. To his great astonishment, in the morning he was told tii.t sho wns still alive. He ran up to see her, and cahed out loudly to her, and shook her. She then opened her eyes, and he then ordered them to bring up milk immediately, some few tea spoonfuls of which he administered. When he left he gave orders that a ,c little tnuk should be given her every hour. I eceased evi dently recognised him at that time. The effects of the belladonna part of the liniment was evidently P'Vi: r-S eff; the damper then being of the chloroform, from the effects of which she evidently died. He saw her during- the day again, and also asked the other medical men to call in whenever they passed by to have a look at her. The last he saw of her was on the previous night, when he met Dr Gilbertson there abr-it five pact ten. They remained there a quarter of 1,1. hour or more. At this time he found a piece of ilannel in the room upon which the liniment had been sprinkled, which smelt strong with the liniment. he deceased was a very weak, frail little woman, and had a very weak body. By the Jury She spoke to him during the day, and she evidently recognised him. She said ''Harries" plain enough. He asked her who he was, and she said" doctor." He again asked what doctor, and she said "Harries." The draft was to be given in one dose. By the Coroner: The label on the bottle was according to the Act of Parliament and had been most carefully done. It was marked poison, and had the orthodox blue grooved bottle. There was nothing in the draft for the purpose of making her sleep. Belladonna was very frequently given, and was a very common drug. There was none of it in his mixture. He attributed death to the effects of the poison. Half a grain was the usual dose of belladonna, and from one to five drops of chloroform. They, had hoped, against reason, of her recovery by seeing her freshing up a little. Mr E. P. Wynne said he was a chemist, residing in Pier-street. He dispensed the prescription brought by Mr Griffith Roberts, and which had been written by Dr Harries, which he then produced. A copy of the prescription had also been registered in the prescription book. They consisted of a bottle of a mixture, a eighth part of which was to be taken every four hours an aperient draft to be taken in the morning and a two-ounce liniment containing equal proportions of belladonna and chloroform, which was to be applied externally. There were no directions on the bottle. The prescription was brought to his shop between half-past seven and eight o'clock. On Thursday, about one o'clock, Mr Griffith Roberts came to his shop and told him that he had been to see for Dr Harries, and that he was out. He also told him that his wife had been sleeping since 6 o'clock. Witness asked him if the draught had taken no effect, and he said no." Witness told him that the best thing he could do was to try and wake her and give her a little warm gruel or tea, that it might stir up the medicine. A little after three o'clock Mr Griffith Roberts came running into the shop and handed him a paper from Dr Harries, and began crying saying be had made a mistake. He told Roberts to go back at once, and that he would come down at once. He corroborated what Dr Harries had said, as to what occurred afterwards. Eleanor Ann Roberts said she was a daughter of the deceased. On coming down on Wednesday morning she went into her mother's room to see how she was. Her father had gone to his work at that time. She found her mother as she thought sleeping. She did not see her father until breakfast time. She told him that her mother was sleeping, and that she did not wake her to give her breakfast. She did not know what medicine her father had given to her. There was no apparent differtnee in the appearance of her mother to what there usually was. She went up stairs about nine o'clock, and she then thought that her mother looked strange, and she asked Miss Jones, who came to the house with milk, to come up and see her. She went up, and said that her mother was sleeping nicely, and told me not to disturb her. Later on she went up again, and found her just the same. Witness then became rather frightened and asked Mrs Mary Doughton, who lived opposite, to come over to see her mother. Mrs Doughton saw her, and she told witness that she was sleeping, and for her not to awake her. She was in the room about ten minutes, and her mother was sleeping all the time. She did not at that time think that anything wrong had been given her mother, but thought that she looked strange in her face to what she appeared in the morning. Her father came in at dinner time, and she told him that her mother was still sleeping. She corroborated what her father had further said, and added that on Thursday her mother appeared to be much better. She was down part of Friday night, until half-past twelve, in company with her father and Mrs Bowen. Her mother bad conversed on Fri- day night, and appeared to be more conscious. Her father called her about 25 minutes to three that morning, and told her that he thought her mother was dying. She went to her bedside and she took hold of her hand and died. Sarah Bowen said she livei at 10, Custom House- street, and was a nurse. She corroborated what the last witness had said, and had nothing further to say. P.S. Evans said that on Thursday afternoon, about three o'clock, he received a message from Dr Harries, who requested him to go up at once to No 13, Corporation-street. He went there and saw the deceased in the state that she had been described, and on the mantle-piece in tfce room be found three bottles (which he produced), and took possession of them. The one containing the liniment was empty and the one containing the draft was quite full, and the other, which contained a mixture, had been partly used. He bad known the deceased and her husband for some years. They lived very happily together. This concluded the evidence, and The Coroner, in summing up, said that there was nothing to point out that there had been any illfeel- ing, or want of feeling by the deceased's husband towards his wife, and that the evidence clearly showed that they lived happily together, and that there could be no doubt that death resulted from misadventure. He also pointed out that the law had been carried out to the letter by the chemist. He concluded by remarking that he did not think they could return alverdict other that one by misadventure. The Jury, after a brief consultation, returned a verdict that death resulted by misadventure from the effects of the belladona and chloroform liniment, which was {administered to the deceased by her husband in mistake for the draft. The foreman in announcing the verdict, remarked that the jury greatly sympathised with Mr Roberts and his family in their sad bereavement. THE FUNERAL. The remains of the deceased were interred on Thursday, at the cemetery, when a very large number of people attended. The services were con. ducted by the Rev. W. Morgan and the Rev. T. Wynne-Jones, the Wesleyan ministers. Mr Griffith Roberts desires, through the medium of the Observer, to acknowledge the universal and heartfelt sympathy and condolence with him and his family in their sad bereavement. The number of kind tokens-flowers, wreaths, &c.-is overwhelming, and quite beyond his power to acknowledge individu. ally. They have come from rich and poor alike. He therefore wishes through this medium to thank each „ and everyone for their great kindness towards him in his trouble. He will never forget it.

CILCENIN. A correspondent asks if it is not full time for the deacons of the Independents at Cilcenin to obtain a licence for the solemnisation of msrriages in their chapel.

CEMMAES. LITERARY MEETING.—On February 11 a compe- titive meeting was held in the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, Mr E. Jones, Cwmeidrol, presiding. The adjudicators were. The Rev. W. Williams, Mallwyd the Rev. T. Ff. Roberts, Mr Edwards, and Mr J. T: Rees, Mus. Bac. The successful competitors were— Miss Morgan, Gribin, Miss Lewis, Cwmeidrol, Mr E. Jones Cwmeidrol, Mr R. Jones Cwmeidrol, Mr D. Owen, Llanbrynmair the Cemmaes Choir, Mrs T. Phillips, Messrs. T. Phillips and R. Jones (a trio) Miss Ann Evans, Mr T. Hughes, and Messrs A., Davies and Evan Evans (dnet). The accompanist was Miss Edith Breeze, Fronheulog.

LAMPETER. CALVINISTIC METHODISM.—The monthly meetisg of North Cardigan was held at this place on Wednes- day and Thursday week. All the conference and private meetings were presided over by the Rev. J. T. Evans, Aberayron. At nine o'clock on Thursday morning a meeting for all members was held, the subject for discussion being 1. Peter, 1st chapter. All the public services were well attended, and powerful sermons were delivered bv the Revs. n Morgan, C.C., Penllwyn; E. Philips, Newcastle Emlyn J. Wyndham Lewis, Carmarthen; R. Morgan I DewibreB and W. Jones, Pontsaeson.

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ADDRESS ON TITHES. On Friday evening Mr W. E. Helm delivered an address on tithes, at the Old Assembly rooms, to a good audience. The chair was occupied by the Rev J. H. Protheroe. Ihe Chairman, in introducing Mr Helm to the meeting, said that he knew it was their wish that he should make his remarks as brief as possible, because they had come there for the purpose of hearing what Mr Helm had to say. The subject was a very important one, and he could assure them that whatever subject Mr Helm treated upon that he would do so 10 a fair and candid spirit. He also at all times endeavoured to speak the truth, and always tried not to give any offence to any one. In proof of that he pointed out that the other day Mr Helm addressed a meeting in North Wales, and at the close of the meeting a Nonconformist proposed tl at the best thanks of the meeting should be accorded him for the kindly manner in which he had treated the subject. The subject perhaps did not effect them very much in this neighbourhood because the tithes did not belong to the Church, but to lay people. With those brief remarks he had much pleasure in caliing upon Mr Helm. Mr Helm, in a long address, said that the attack on the Church in Wales at the present time was the refusal to pay tithes, and for that purpose a move- ment had been established which might be described as the anti-tithe campaign, and whose object was to attempt to starve the clergy of the church in detail, and to make the collection of tithes as difficult and as odious as possible. He considered that the most powerful supporter of the tithe agitation was the press, and more especially the vernacular press, and in proof of that statement he read cuttings from various newspapers. He did not think that there was any hostility in the minds of the Welsh people who bad not been tampertd with to the church, and even those that supported the agitation did not do so because of any hostility to the church, nor did they deprecate it. It was often said that the clergy would not bear their share in the agricultural depression by making a reduction in theStithe rent- charg", and that they always wanted their complete pound of flesh. That wrs usually repeated by the agitator, who asked for u. general reduction of from 10 to 15 per cent. Careful examination wouid show that where abatements were made they generally objected to pay at all, and where no abatement had been made the tithes were, as a rule, paid. The tithe agitation had for its first object the alienation of tithes from the Church, for other purpc ses. Another ot jection they had to the payment of tithes was that they ought to be given for national purposes, and another that they were given for diverse purposes, from which they had been diverted. A fourth reason was that tithes were transferred at the Reformation from the Roman Catholic Church, and were given to the Protestant Church. Another was that they should be used for special and distinct purposes for the benefit of the whole of the people, and that it was unjust to comi el Nonconformists to contribute towards the Church. Their opponents also said that tithes were of lejial origin, and had originated in law and not in voluntary benevolence. Referring to the object that tithes were given for diverse pnrposes, from which they had been diverted, tha speaker said that if there had been any diversion it was what the law at present justified and maintained. They denied that tithes were transferred from the Roman Catholic Church to the Protestant Church. They denied that there was any reformation of the Church, and if it were done it was done by law, and whel' the law said that it should be transferred it was perfectly legal. Referring to the objection that Nonconformists should not be compelled to support the Church, he a, I paid that they bargained when taking their farms to pay their tithes. It was part of the tenancy, ard if the tenant had not agree to it he would not have 'I received the farm. Whether the tithes were given to the Church or the nation, he would have to pay them according to the law. He then at length pointed out to the audience that tithes were endowed upon the I churches during the earlier ce^tories by the people, and referred to several instances where that had been done. There was no state legislation until the reign of Henry, the VIII. Up to the middle ot the 16th century the tithes Wire compelled by ecclesiastical or common Jaw. as was also the case during the reign of E ward, the VI. Tithes were national property, but tl ey were given to the Chul eh and not to the nation. He pointed out that Professor Freeman said that Church property was national property in the same sense that all property was national property. They were often asked when they said that tithes were the property of the Church, where was their title deed, but they should remember that tithes originated long before title deeds came into existence. The tithes were given for three purposes, viz., for the support of the clergy, for the maintenance of the fabric, and partly for the maintenance of the poor. The tithes were not transferred from the Roman Church to the Protestant Church. They declared that there had been no dislocation at the Reforma- tion, and that there was no turning out of an old Church and the adoption of a new one. He could not imagine how they adopted a new Church; the institu. tion was the same afterwards as before. After a man had been reformed it was not the man that had been changed, but it was the manner. After referring at some length to the reduction made in the rents by the lane lords in lien of the payment of tithes, he said that up to about 50 years ago tithes were paid. more or less, in kind, but it was then changed for a money payment. Fifty years ago the tithe commutation act was passed, and the result was that the average price of wheat, &c., for seven years was to be the basis for tithes. The result of that bad been a great gain to the tithe-papers, and on the other hand a great loss to the church. The average price had been diminishing, and the value of tithe at the present moment was only X78 lls 2d, which was 22 per cent beiow the 1 ull value. Complaints were made that the clergy did not bear their share of the depression in agrioultnre, but if they only locked they would find that the clergy lost between 30 and 40 per cent after making abatements ranging from 5 to 15 per cent; to what the tithe amounted in 1870. Although tithes had dropped so much, rents had scarcely dropped. Referring to the amount of tithes in the country, he said that it was only something like one-eigthtieth of the amount that was received by the clergy, and that a great portion of it went into the pockets of laymen, who as a rule did not spend any of the money amongst the people from whom they obtained it. He then compared the saving to the rate-payers made by the church schools, and after submitting a number of statistics showed that the saving was several thousands after subtracting the amount received by the clergy in the form of tithes. The Chairman said he was requested by the speaker to tell them that anyone was at liberty to ask him a question if they so desired, but finding no one wishing to, he said it gave him great pleasure to propose a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Helm for bis able address. Mr A. J. Hughes, in seconding the vote of thanks, said it was a good thing to have such a .gentleman as Mr Helm to deliver an address to them on Buch an important subject. He thought there was more ignorance in the country on that subject than masy of them csnceived. Mr Helm in returning thanks said they had everything, to gain by the most searching enquiry on that matter. Some foul or five years ago the majority seemed to be against it, and would not hear the other side, but that was not the case that evening, the address having been listened to quietly and reasonably. They could not expect men to be won over ID a day. He concluded by proposing a vote of thanks to the chairman for presiding The Chairman having responded, the kudience dispersed.

THE BI-LINGU AL DIFFICULTY. At a meeting of the Joint Police Committee for the county of Montgomeryshire, held on Friday at Welsh < pool. Captain Mytton in the chair, it was proposed by Mr John Jenkins, and seconded by Dr Edwards that as the assizes and quarter sessions were held alternately at Welshpool and Newtown they should engage the services of a gentleman jD each p] t act as interpreter. The Sub-committee on the I subject recommended that a retaining fee should 1 be paid to ensure the attendacce of the interpreter, a Mr B. E. Jones said he did not anifeft see thf1 necessity tor a retaining fee. They might simply pay the interpreter for the work he did.—The Chair- man said the fee allowed by quarter sessions was Cs 8d- foij e^fb, ln ^hich the interpreter was engaged, lhat would not be enough to enable them to get a professional man to attend the court. There had occasionally been a difficulty in getting an inter- preter at the quarter sessions, but it was not very often. They had very often relied upon the services of Superintendent Ellis, and the judge and persons sitting at the quarter sessions, objected to employing police as interpreter.—Mr Humphr vs Owen said the question was whether they should have one inter- preter or more than one for the county. The re- commendation of the committee was that they should have one interpreter, and that a sbanoing fee should be paid so as to ensure his attendance. They sug- gest a guinea for each day he attended at the court and 6s 8d. for each case in which he was engaged. It was decided to have one interpreter at Welsh- pool and one at Newtown, at the remuneration sug- gested by the committee.

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HOW A MOTHER SAVED HER BOY. Our readers will remember that we printed some time ago a most interesting narrative of the mode resorted to by a Welsh mother to assist her son when in great trouble. It was copied into every news- paper in the country, yet so much out of the common run of things were the circumstances, that many pro- fessed to doubt their truth, and some scoffed, and said the tale sounded more like a romance than honest, everyday fact. Recently a person, in our hearing, ventured to deride the story openly in a public place where allusion had been made to it, and as some present had not read it, we are sure they will be glad to do so. We wish it understood that there is abundant proof that the events occurred pre- cisfly as set forth. James Francis Thomas, of Pontnewynydd, near Pontypool, Wales, began working in a coal pit when a mere lad of eleven. His mother was a widow, and very poor, and the boy bravely went to work to help her find the necessaries of life for the family. For some years he toiled in the pit and gave all his earn- ings to his mother, but he was not strong enough to endure such hardship. His health began to give way, and when the anxious mother spoke to him about it he smiled patiently, and said, Oh, don't worry over me mother; I shall soon be well again." But he grew worse rather than better, his breath was short, ( and it was only through the courage love gives that he could go down in the pit day by day. He was suffering from asthma, and it was at this period of his life be showed himself a true hero. Ill as he was and becoming more feeble, he toiled without a word of complaint. At night he got what rest he could, propped up in an armchair, for when he lay down he could scarcely draw his breath. To make matters worse, rheumatism set in one after another his joints became so swollen and painful that he could hardly use them, and suffered great agony. The reader must understand that poor James was in this pitable plight for years, during the time he was growing into young manhood but the end new seemed to have come, so that one night, on returning from work, he said, Mother dear, I'm afraid I shall have to give up. It breaks my heart to think I shall now be a burden to you instead of a help." As the brave fellow said this the tears shone in his eyes, and his mother's heart went out to him more than ever. Don't cry, Jamie," she said; God will take care of us." The doctors who were called were able to give him temporary relief, but it was plain that he was fading away like the leaves on the trees. After a time the doctors consulted, and decided that James had organic disease of the heart, and could live but a little while. Deprived of his earnings, and burdened with the large expenses of his illness, the. family sank into the depths of poverty, and soon had no money to buy bread or to pay rent; but a mother's love never despairs, and presently she saw a ray of light shining j through the darkness. She had heard of a remedy which was said to have cured case's quite as bad as her boy's. Ah If she could only get it for him. But how ? Medicine costs money, and on tho day she which was said to have cured case's quite as bad as her boy's. Ah If she could only get it for him. But how ? Medicine costs money, and on the day she got the news she had scarcely a penny left in the house. Providence never forsakes those who trust it. She thought of a way, yet the tears gathered in her eyes as she concluded to adopt it. Before James was taken so bad he had bought a new pair of trousers for Sundays and holidays, and had never worn them. She reasoned, What are my boy's clothes compared to his life?" She took them secretly to the pawnshop, and with a part of the money she bought a bottle of the coveted medicine. To her suprise and delight she saw, in a few days, it was doing him good. He was now able to take a bit of nourishing food, and relished it. He now improved rapidly from the ailments the doctors had pronounced incurable, and after a brief period he was strong enough to go back to work. What joy this mar- vellous recovery made in the hearts of the faithful household no words of ours can describe. In order to understand the restoration wrought in the case of James Francis Thomas by Mother Seigel's Curative Syrup (for that was the remedy used), we must remember that the asthma, rheumatism, and disturbance of the heart, from which he suffered, were no more or less than symptoms of the real dis- ease—namely indigestion, constipation, and dys- pepsi; and for thus almost universal affliction this wonderful preparation is a certain cure. The chemist of whom Mrs Thomas bought the medicine, and who would have freely given it to her had he known their circumstances, writes a. letter, giving his own version of the facts. We append a single paragraph Jnnies F. Thomas, of Pontnewynydd, near Pont- ypool, aged twenty-three, collier, was ill for nine years, unable to do any work for three years, never lay down in bed for nine years, had to sleep in a stooping posture, was treated by nearly all the doctors for miles round, who generally stated his complaint to be rheumatism and heart disease of a chronic nature, and beyond all power to cure. When hope had nearly died out, he was persuaded to try Seigel's Syrup, and to the delight of relatives and the aston- ishment of his neighbours, after taking half a bottle he could lie down in bed. After taking one bottle lie went to work. Has now taken two bottles and on the third, and is quite well and strong. His mother is in rapture, and can talk of nothing else but this marvellous cure, and wishes to make it known."

MACHYNLLETH. SUDDEN DEATH.—On Thursday of last week, Mrs Jane Roberts, wife of John Roberts, shoemaker, was seized with a fit, and died three hours afterwards. No inquest has been held, BOARD OF GUARDIANS, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19TH, jresent Mr Richard Gillart, chairman, Mr Edward Hughes, Llanwrin, vice-chairman Messrs II. L. Smith, Llanbrynmair, David Evans, Pennal, William Frai cis, Cemmes, Lewis Rees, Penegoea, Lewis Pngh Davies. Darowen, Riohard Rowlands, Towyn, Thomas Jocea David Evans, clerk, and David Morgan, assistant clerk. ASSISTANCE FOR THB MATRON. The Master in bis report begged to draw the atten- tion of the guardians to the fact that his wife. who acted as matron inthe house, wasquiteunablewithoutassist- ance to discharge her duties as matron. She had been laid up from overwork for some time, and was still under medical treatment. He pointed out that when Mr and Mrs Thomas were the master and matron, the guardians employed a woman named Jane Ashton as assistant matron, who received Is a week for her services. There were also a number of other women who gave valuable assistance to them, whereas there was no one at present.—The matter was referred to the visiting committee. ABERAYRON. SPECIAL PETTY SESSIONS. — On Wednesday Thomas Davies, labourer, Cefnbwysbach, J lanfi- hangel Ystrad. was brought up in custody before Mr Thomas H. Maddy and Mr Morgan Evans charged, on warrant, by Eliza Davies, single woman, Ffwrneithin, Uan&rth, with disobeying an order of affiliation. Amount of arrears J61 13s.—rhe case was compromised. A PAYING CONCERN. A Tradesman writes— The halt-yearly meeting of the s.s. "lanthe" was held on Monday, when a dividend ef 10 per cent. was declared for the half-year ending December 31st, and a bill of £ 500 was paid for repairs. This, with the dividend declared last June, makes up nearly 25 per cent. And in years gone by it has reached a little ever 30 per cent, and an amount equal to the first valne of the steamer has been spent from its earnings in repairs since it was bought. This money is drawn from the tradespeople of Solva, Fishguard, New Quay and Aberayron, by fieights-whilst there is not a single shareholder in the first named three places, and only three tradespeople at Aberayron who pay anything towards building up this little "gold mine." Hence the reason that all attempts to reduce the list of freights has proved abortive. The last meeting was characterised with a good deal of brotherly feeling, which was in great contrast to others held during the year. People are aakin" 'what is up?" LLANLHYSTYD. La Grippe continues to have many victims in ts grip. It-still preserves its impartial character by .ttacking all sections and classes. It has now xto-nded its patronage to a few horses in the t istrict. r BRYN HERBERT BOARD SCHOOL.-By the kindness of Mrs Hughes, AUtIwyd, and Major Hughes, chair- man of the School Board, very handsome and appropriate prizes were recently distributed to those pcholars who had made the largest number of attendances covering a specified period of the year. These prizes were eagerly looked forward to according to promise, and it need hardly be said that each prize, was gladly welcomed, and highly appreciated when distributed by the gallant Major, in appropriate terms. This is by no means the first distribution, nor the first mark of kindly interest in the school, shown by the kind donors and, if further proof were needed, additional prizes have again been promised for a certain period, this being a greater inducement than if offered fur the whole of the year. It need scarotly be said that the warmest thanks were most heartily given by the master and scholars. FAIR WHITE HANDS. BRIGHT CLEAR COMPLEXION. SOFT HEALTHFUL SKIS. PEARS' SOAP, for Toilet and Nursery, specie for the delicate skin of ladies and ckildre sensitive to the weather, winter or surr JT prepared redness, roughness, and chapping. aDd others Large Scented Tablets Is, Smaller (U- „i»er. Prevents Sold everywhere. /iKeuted) 6d.

iSisucsUttm. MR A. W. PARSONS, F.C.O., ORGANIST, &c., of S. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, RECEIVES Pupils in Singing, Piano, Organ and J-v Harmonium, Harmony, Counterpoint, &c. Pupils prepared for any examinations. For terms, &c., apply 29, Bridge-stieet, Aber- ystwytn. visits Lampeter every .Friday. ABERYSTWYTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL. HEADMASTER MR. EDWARD JONES, Intermediate B.A., London, (Honorary Science Teacher.) Assisted by Mr J. P. Martin, Queen's College, Oxford. French and German are taught by Dr Scholle, U.C.W., Aberystwyth. ° Classes have been opened for Drawing, Painting, and Shorthand. For list of successes, reports of Examiners, including those of the present Lord Bishop of St. Asaph, Professors Abrahall, Grimley. app'y to the Master, 7, Laura-place. School re-opens on Jan. 21st. when three Exhib. itions will be competed for, open to all beys (who have psssed the 7th standard in Elementary Schools.) THE OLD BANK SCHOOL ABERYSTWYTH MASTER: D. SAMUEL, M.A., LATE FOUNDATION SCHOLAR AND PRIZEMAN OF CLARE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, AND WRANGLER, 1879. RECEIVES BOARDERS. School re-opens Monday, January 27th, 1890. TERMS ON APPLICATION. CAERLEON HOUSE. PRINCIPAL.—MISS TRU BS HAW, Asisted by Masters, and Resident Foreign and English Governesses. Pupils prepared for the Oxford and Cambridge Local examinations. For Terms, &c., apply to the Principal. The School year consists of three terms, beginning respectively January 15, April 30, September 17; but pupils can be received at any time during the terms. THE ABERYSTWYTH COMMERCIAL & GRAMMAR SCHOOL. HEAD MASTER MR THOMAS OWEN, C.M. In Honours of the London University, and late Senior Scholar of the.University College of Wales.) PUPILS are prepared for Commercial pursuits, the Civil Service, the Learned Professions, the Universities,and for the various Training and Theo- logical Colleges. A R D W Y N S C H 0 0 L, ABERYSTWYTH. LONDON University Matriculation Examinations. Success June, 1888. One Honours, Five First Division, One Second Division. Over 25 boys have passed the Matriculation from this school. For particulars and terms, apply Rev. LLEWELYN EDWARDS, M.A BORTH HYDROPATHIC BATHS ARE OPEN DAILY, From 8 to 8. Booms kept at Summer Heat Last few Months of the Reduced terms. Sufferers should at once Arrest all Disease, and purify the system, by a Week's treatment at the above Baths. Medical Gentlemen can rely upon their instructions; being carried out to their patientH by the personal administration of all Baths by MR & MRS. LAIRD. DAY, SON & HEWITT'S "ORIGINAL" AND CELEBRATED LAMBING AND CALVING REMEDIES, The Stock-breeder's Anchor of Safety. THE GASEOUS FLUID. Cures Paining in Bad Calving and Lambing Cures Low Condition, Debility and Hoven. Cures Colic, Scour, Spasms and Diarrhcea. Cures Coughs, Colds and Loss of Appetite. Price, Is 9d per bottle, 20s per dozen box. THE RED DRENCH, For Cleansing after Lambing and Calving", For Hide Bound, Red Water and Yellows. For Chills, Fevers and Stomach Cleansing. For Preventing Milk Fever and Diopping. Price, 3s 6d per doz. (Ewes), 13s per doz. (Cows). THE CHEMICAL EXTRACT. For Anointing in Critical Calving and Lambing. For Killing all Pain and Preventing Heaving. For all Sores, Wounds and Swollen Udders. For Sore Throats, Strains, Cuts and Bruise Price, 2s 6d, 3s 6d, and 7s per bottle The GASEODYNE," for Extreme Pain in Cattle and Sheep, Blown Cattle, Violent Scour and Colic of the worst type, also Excessive Pain in Cows anil. Ewes during parturition. Price, 38 6d per bottle, The above and many others, with Key to Farriery," from the world renowned STOCK* BREEDER'S MEDICINE CHEST. Price, com. plete, X2 16s 6d. ROYAL ANIMAL MEDICINE MANU- FACTORY, 22, DORSET STREET, LONDON, W. Established nearly 60 Years. A WONDERFUL MEDICINE. BEECHAaiFs PILLS ARE universally admitted to be worth a Guin«* m- Box for Bilious and Nervous Disorders such as Wind and Pain in the Stomach, Sick Headache 'fiidrtl ness, Fulness and Swelling after Mealf Dkzin^ss S Drowsiness, Cold Chilla, Flushings of'« Appetite, Shortness of Breath. Co^Lene^ Sonrvv B ?itCn<,50n the Skin' Disturbfid Sleep, tfri^htM Dream. and all Nervous and Trembling Sensations, Ac. The earnestly mvfted J tw6niy miButes- Every sufferer i* be actoowfedged to be °* °f th680 and tkeT For f.™ WORTH A GUINEA A BOX. few +1° all ages these Pills are invaluable, as a .11 fw* of th.em,carrT off all humours, and brine- abort all that is required. No female should be without tham There is no medicine to be found equal to Beecham's PiSl removing any obstruction or irregularity of the svstem If taken according to the directions given with each box" SMUT r^ore females of alf ages to so'und hftv« <t;»ri A s been proved by thousands who by tlieir use foun<l the benefits which are insured Jifor a Weak Stomach, Impaired Digestion, and all Di«_ wmerh«°f i lTer' ^ey act like magic, and a few doaoa will be found to work wonders on the most imuorta-n* organs in the human machine. They strengthen tha nuscular system, restore the long lost complexion >rmg back the keen edge of appetite, and arouse into »ith the rosebud of health the whole physical ^5 ;he human frame. These are FACTS testified contoX £ memoers or an classes or society, and one of th* t £ guarantees to the Nervous and Debilitated is HPPrSr i tena"" b BEECHAM'S MAGIC COUGH PTTre- As a remedy for Coughs in general ATII, a Affections, Hoarseness, Shortness nf i>' c* vi.n-* Oppression of the Chest, unrivalled. Thoy are the Prepare only, and Sold wU11x1 a *"• ^opnetor Thomtia Be" Wholesale and Retail, by "S.-W1 <?• ^ts^d'patent Dealers iTQjk — as* gives with iteh box. TP' ———————————— ^VALE'S PENNYROYAL & STEEL*PILLS FOB FEMALES, quickly eorrect all irrPL':iI?.rilio«, romovn all obstruction.-), »n<i relieve the distregsiiii; a-, §o vlththoaex. Boxes. Is l.ci. «n<i 2a. 9d. of all' di' ,-i • 'at any- where on recfipt of 15 or 84 rtUfciiipa by the :1:(, c' X. TOWLÈ. Chemist, Nottingham- Printed by Water Power and Published by JOHN Morgan, at the "Observer" Office, 1, North- Parade, Aberystwyth. SATURDAY. FEB. 22, 1890.