Evening Express

THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. GEO, FISHER. On Wednesday afternoon the remains of the la, e Mr, George Fisher, of Tv-Mynydd, Radvr, managing director of the Taff Vale Railway, We-f" interred in the New Cemetery, Cardiff, and, al- tiougli the funerxl was of a prival e naturo, •• hrge gathering of the leading inhabitants of thf town and neighbourhood assembled at the grave- side to pay a last tribute of respect to the deceased. The cortege left Ty-Mynydd shortly aftt-r two o'clock, and reached the New Cemetery at three p.m. The mournful inocession WAS headed by a coach in which vre the Rev. C. J. Thompson, vicar of St. John r,hp, Baptist, Cardiff; the Rev. H. J. Williams, Mr. U. Heard, and Mr. R. Page. Immediately follow- ing came an open funeial car bearing the coffin, which was of polished British oak, artisticnliv panelled, with massive brass furniture and shield. Upon the latter was engraved the followin;, inscription George Fisher, died May 3,1891. The coffin and hearse were literally covered with wreaths, crosses, and other floral devices sent by relatives and friends. The hearse was followed by five mourning coaches, containing the followiug relatives and friends:—Mr. H. O. Fisher. Mr. George Fisher (sons), and Miss Fisher and Miss Fanny Fisher (daughters of the deceased), Mr. and Mrs. Lorange, and Messrs. Alexander Ware, — Ware, H. B. Fisher. H. G. Fi«her, Arthur Lorange, Eric Lorange, H. Fisher, William Bruges, and Jatnes Ware. Then came Mr. G. Fisher's pri- vate carriage, which was followed by several private carriages and other vehicles. At. th^ graveside and in the cemetery church the I!uriHl Service of the Church of England was impressive);. read by the Rev. C. J. Thompson. The funer il arrangements, which were most efficiently carri^i out, were under the personal superintendence of Mr. Peter Davies, draper, Duke-sticf, Cardiff. A large number of handsome wreaths had been sent, 118 foUows :—Mra. George Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. 8. O. Fisher, Mr. George Fisher, Mr. and Mrs. A. Ware. Mr. and Mrs. Lornnge, Mr. H. O. Fisher's children, Mr. Lorange's children, servants at fy-Mynydd. Taff Vale drivers and firemen, work- men at, Cathays Yard, workmen at Penarth Junc- ion, statiornnaster and stllff atLlandaff, inspectors of masonry and permanent way, teachers and scholars of Radyr Board School, tile staff of the ^oids manager's office, the staff of the secretary's Jffice. the staff of the traffic manager's office, tin- "taff of the engineer's office, the staff of the draw- ing office, Mr. E. Edwards and staff of the audit office, Mr. J. E. Bird, Mr. A. Hood. Mr. and Mi s. J. Jones (secretary), Mr. J. E. Billups, Mr. J. W. Brewer, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Thomas, Dr. and Mrs. K. W. Evans, Mr. and Mrs. H. Heard, Mrs. John Williams (Hendrcscythan), Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Riche-, Mr. and Mr". R. D. Page, Mr. Sidney Cole- lIan. Mr. Frank James (Meithyr), Mr. and Mi Alexander, Mr. and Mrs. Bowring, Mr. and Mrs IV. H. Mathias, Mr. John Davies (inspector), and Messrs. Wiibams and Rees (contractors).

Truth says:—" A speech delivered by the R unan Catholic Bishop of Salford at a temperance meeting at Ashton-under-Lym was so sensible and moderate that, i: deserves notice. The Bisholl suggested that, whilst strong beers should be taxed, the sale O. light heers not above a certain minimum strength should he encouraged by being freed from dutv. This is a doctrine that 1 have always preached. It s, indeed, a pity that more temperance reformers are not as reasonable and as practical as the Bishop of Salford." A large measure of the success "f the Golden Suniight Ale may be attributed to I he fact ti.at. it is brewed on these lines, and will compare favourably with the ordinary high- coloured, strong, heady ales. It is brawed from nalt prepared from the finest Herefordshire bar- er, and most delicately flavoured with hops, called Wor'sters," but really grown iu the rich, fertile valleys of Herefordshire. Messrs. Watkins and Sun, of the Hereford Brewery, are the only brewers f this famous Ale, and it is sold by over 200 Agent" in the North, South, East, and West of the British Isles. Sourh Wales Office 94, St. Mary-strper, Stores: Wfstgate-street-, Cardiff. 79795 THE LITTLE ENGLISH LIVER PII.T,.—Kernel ks Vesetatle Pins. £ <).. 13iit..anrt i's. Pei. R..xe,. Y.;175

MR. GEE'S RELIGIOUS CENSUS. CANON BEVAN'S REPLY TO MR. GEE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVFNING FXPRESS." SIB,—In a letter which appeared in your issue of the 28th ult. Mr. Gee states that, though it was his intention in 1887 to have another census taken," he relinquished this project because he found that it would be absolutely impossible to secure, even by a surprise census," such returns as would be accepted by all. And with this explanation of the discrepancy between his announce- ments in 1887 and 1891 he issues his decree —" Be it known to <M r. Bevan that the figures given in my reply to the Dean of St. Asaph are strictly correct." in what sense "strictly correct"? As an enumeration of all the attendances at church in South Wales on January 9, 1887 ? Mr. Gee himself would not assert this, for he acknowledges that he has had no returns of the attendance in no fewer than 113 churches, 69 of which are situated in the most thickly populated county of all Wales, namely, Ula- morgan. What was the capacity of these 113 and what proportion they bear to the number and capacity of those enume- rated we have no means of judging, for Mr. Gee has omitted to state the number for which returns were obtained. Nor, again, can we judge whether there are not further omissions than Mr. Gee has reported, parti- cularly in respect to such buildings as mission- rooms and school-churches. But, even assuming that he is correct in this matter, the omission of so large a number as 113 vitiates the whole return. Yet no notice has been taken, or will be taken, of tbis. Mr. Pritchard Morgan informed the House of Commons that on January 9, 1887, the attendances at ohurch in South Wales were 89,047, thus conveying the impression that there were no more than this and Mr. Gee himself, insti- tuting a comparison between the Church returns of 1851 and 1887 with a view to ascer- tain the increase in church attendance, overlooks the fact that in 1851 the omissions amounted only to 28, as against 113 in 1887. By this simple oversight Mr. Gee reduces the increase, even according to his own figures, by some 40 per cent. And what Mr. Pritchard Morgan has said in the House of Commons will be said by others for years to come. As to the explanatory note in small print, and in the Welsh language, it will be unnoticed by many of the readers of Mr. Gee's pamphlet, and will certainly be unknown to the world at large. If the figures require modification to the extent these do, they should not have been published at all. Passing on from the churches that were not enumerated to those which were, is Mr. Gee warranted in asserting that the figures are strictly correct for that which they pro- fess to be—namely, the number of attendances on January 9, 1887 ? If they are, whence the necessity for this long delay of four years before they are produced? The returns might, of course, have reached Mr. Gee's office before the end of the week, and they would, doubtless, have done so if the enumerations had taken place. But on the 29th of that month Mr. Gee alleges, as one of bis reasons for holding a fresh census, that the notices had in numerous cases failed to reach their destination in time to make the enume- ration. Five months later-on June 20, 1887—we find him issuing a circular headed, Confidential," requesting each of his agents to look over a list which accompanied the circular, and ob&*ve whether any chapel or church in their respective parishes had been omitted; and the circular proceeds:—" If there are any left out, will it be too much for you to make a secret oensus of such next Sunday? We have not written to any other person in your parish, because we are anxious to secure this in a perfectly secret manner." Now, it surely is passing strange if this circular produced absolutely no results. The circular furnishes, at all events, conclusive evidence that Mr. Gee had no scruple about supplementing the deficiencies of his open census by means of a secret census, the results of which were to be combined with and to rank as part of his census of January 9. But to what extent this actually happened is known only to Mr. Gee and his con- federates. Lastly, Mr. Gee states on page 203 of his pamphlet that "a considerable time had elapsed before he had succeeded in obtaining the returns as completely as he has now pre- sented them." Is it not a fair conclusion that the collection of these returns ranges over a Ion? period, and that they do not in many cases really record the attendance on January 9, 1887, though Mr. Gee represents them as such ? This sur- mise is confirmed by a comparison of the returns now published with those which saw the light immediately after the census was taken in 1887. Mr. Gee records, for instance, an attendance of only 11,835 for the whole of Cardiganshire, with a population (in 1881) of 70,270. Bat the returns published in 1887 showed that that number of attendances was made by about half the population and in many of the churches enumerated there was only a. Single service, the attendance at which ought to be doubled in order to place it on a level with the general run of the Nonconfor- mist attendances. I do not, of course, pledge myself to the accuracy of the figures given in the newspapers; but I see no reason why, being publicly announced at the time of the oensus, they are not entitled to an equal, or even a larger, amount of credit than Mr. Gee's, which are produced after an interval of four years. Mr. Gee has the materials in his hands for establishing, in some respects, the strict accuracy of his accounts. He can, for instance, give a list of the buildings in- cluded in his enumeration of the South Wales churches, from which one might roughly estimate the loss sustained in respect both to the 113 and others which Mr. Gee may have unwittingly omitted. He can, further, submit the returns he received to a scrutiny, with a view to ascertain the dates at which they came to hand and the dates of the services to which they refer. But he cannot, by any possibility, prove that the enumeration-the most important point of all-is correct. That the figures he has pro- I duced are "strictly correct" as a transoript of the returns in his hands 1 do not for a moment question that they are strictly correct as a record of the whole number of attendances at church on January 9, 1887, I question very much.—-I am, &c., W. L. BEVAN. Hay, May 5.

LAST NIGHT'S PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY- The Speaker took the chair at 12.15 p.m. HALF-TIMERS IN FACTORIES, Mr. J. M. MACLEAN (C., Oldham) gave notice that on Thursday he will ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the assent given by her Majesty's Government in Lord Salisbury's tele- gram of the 26th of March. 1890, to the resolution of the Berlin Lubour Conference, raising the minimum age to twelve years, was absolute and unconditional, or whether it was subject, in the first place, to the general reservation of the right of this country, as stated in the dispatch of the right hon. membsr for Chatham f om Ber,iti on the 22nd of March, 1890, To make such exceptions as special local circum- stance?, the sentiments of particular claeses of the population, and the necessities of special brunches of industry may from time to time require. And, secondly, to the special reservation made by the riaht hon. gentleman in his speech at the "ippting of the conforefc" of the 27th of March, 1890, in favour of the half-time system, which he -aid had been followed by very good results for more than forty years," and which the English people had "no wish to change without due con- sideration." ASCENSION DAY. Mr. W. H. SMITH (First Lord of the Treasury) formally moved that. to-morrow being Ascen- sion Day, the committee should not sit until two o'clock. The resolution was carried by 110 votes to 32. THE IRISH LAND BILL. The House then went into committee on this Biil, and resumed the consideration of Clause 5. The first amendment which j;!aVe risy to a pro- longed deb ite was one by Mr. SEXTON (N., Bel- fast) intending to limit to two years the operation of the Lord Lieutenant's proclamation that advances under the Act in given counties should only be made on the condition tt.at purct.a er-< paid an abnormal rate of annuity for a longer period than the five years stipulated in the Biil. Mr. BALFOUR (Chief Sect Üary fnr Ireland), in oppoping the amendment, urgei that if a limit, were agreed to as suggested, tenants would com- bine nor. to apply for advances while the procla- mation was in torce. The debate was lively at times, Mr. Sexton pro- testing against the obs!in«.cv of the Chief Secre- tary, and Mr. Balfour retorting by pointing out how he had trade many concessions to hon. mem- bers opposite. In the end the amendment was defeated by 119 votes to 58. The patience of the Government was exhausted by the long discussion on an amendment of Mr. Maurice Healy, and then came a closure motion, which led tc a long series of divisions. In fact, for nearly an hour members were solemnly proineiiiidini; between the BOllse and the lubbi. rhe first closure was carried by 130 vot.es to 77, and the amendment was negatived by 134- votes to 88. Mr. KNOX (N., Cavan, W.) came forward at once with another amendment designed to prevent the proclamation making the advances re-poyable in less than twenty )TO'd'S. Mr. BALFOUR (Cuiet Secretarv) declined to in- sult the House by going over the arguments which had been so often advances. (Hear, hear.) Would he be in order in moving that the sub-section stand p irt of the clause ? The CHAIRMAN: That can only be put after a closure motion. Mr. BALFOUR: Then I move the closure. The CHAIRMAN: The question is that the question be now put: The closure was then carried by 139 votes to 91, nd Mr. Knox's amendment Was defeated by 152 votes to 103. Mt. BALFOUR then moved that the first word of Sub-section 4 stand part. of the clause, the object being to preclude further discussion on Sub-section 3. To this he added a. closure motion, which waS carried by 165 votes to 105. and then hi" suh- stantive resolution was carried by 170 votes to 112. ('he committee, consequently, proceeded to the discussion of Suti-section 4, which provides that the Land Commission may in cases of arrears, if s itisfied that they are due to exceptional circum- stances, treat the purchaser s insurance money as a set off. Mr. SEXTON (AT., Belfast, W), moved an amend- ment to give the holder t'.i-! relief in all cases where his arrearg arc not, dn., to his own fault. Mr. BALFOUR o, p th- >mendment, and it was rejected by 183 votes to 108. A further amendment to the same clause, moved by Mr. SEXTON, providing that the, proprietor shall not be requited to piy interest on the insur- ance money devoted in this manner, was accepted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and agreed to. The first amendment to Sub-section 5 was under discussion when, by the rules of the House, the debate stood adjourned. The House adjourned at 5 45

Epps's COCOA.—GRATEFUL AND COMFOBTINS.— -By a thorough knowledge ot the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well-selected COCOA, Mr. Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a constitution may be gradually built up until strong enough to resist every tendency to disease. Hundreds of subtle maladies are floating around us ready to attack wherever there is a weak point. We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified wltn pure blood and a properly nourished frame. —Civil Service Gazette.-Made simply with boiling water or milk. Sold only in packets, by j Groccvs, labelled—JAMKS Epps and Co., Homoeo- pathic Chemists, London."—Also makers of Epps's Afternoon Chocolate Essence. E1629th WHICH IS THE MOST RELIABLE COUGH MIXTUIIR Cross Vegetable Balsam. It acknowledges no equa in Curing Coughs, Colds, Bronchitis, &c. The effect is wonderful. In bottles 19. and 2s. 3d., bv post ii. 3d. and 2s. 6d. Sold only by J. Mundnv Chemist, Cardiff. MEN OUT OF HEALTH.—Remedy and Advice for regaining Health, Strength, and Vigour; for pimples, Blotches, all Skin and Blood Impuriti's. —Address Messrs. Wilkinson, 4, Fitzalan square, Sheffield. Write or call to-day. Mirror frr-e in Mnvetope. Established 60 years. Letters of advice by return of post.— Advt. E3871d KKRNICK'S VEGETABLK PILLS Cleanse the Blood and Strengthen the Svs'.em -lid., 13^, and 2s. 9d. 13""es. El 786

THE NEWSPAPER SOCIETY. I NEWSPAPER PROPRIETORS AS MAGISTRATES. The fifty-fifth annual meeting of the News- paper Society was held on Wednesday at the Salisbury Hotel, London, the chair being occupied by the vice-president, Mr. J. R. Forman, of the Nottingham Guardian. Dr. Cameron, M.P., of the North British Daily Mail, was elected president, and Mr. A. A. Beckett, of Punch, was elected vice- president, for the ensuing ear. The retiring president, Sir Algernon Borthwick, was elected to the committee in room of Sir Thomas Sowler, and the vacancy caused bv the retirement of Mr. F. Hewitt was filled by the election of Mr. H. G. Reid, of the North Eastern Daily Gazette. The sub-committee appointed at the lait annual meeting to consider the state of the libel laws submitted its report, and presented a draft "f a proposed codifying and amending Libel Bill. A resolution was passed authorising the executive to take steps for the introduction of a Bill into Parliament framed upon the lines sketched out in the draft. The following resolution was also unanimously carried :— That In the opinion of this meeting the action of the Lord Chancellor in refusing to place t,he names of pro- prietors of several influential newspapers on the com- mission of the peace, solely in consequence of their con- nectfion with journalism, is impolitic, unions: itutional, and derogatory to a large number of her Majasty's loyal subjects, and that the executive of the Newspaper Society be requested to tijke such measures «s they may deem r.o be most. expedient with a view t u establishing the rlKht of journalists to serve the Crown in the capacity of magistrates, in common with other classes of her Majesty's subjects. —A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings. THE ANNUAL DINNER. The annual dinner was held at the Holborn Restaurant. a large number of members being present Sir Algernon Borthwick, M.P. (presi ent), was in t'ia c! air, supported bv the vice-president, Mr. J. R. Fnrmtw, Mr. Edward Lawson, Mr. J. Leng, M.P., The Chairman, in responding to t!le toast of The Newspttper Society," referred to Mr. vr. H. Smith as the "late" member for the Sirmd. In explal: ation, the cliiiiiiiitn said Mr. Smith came down to the Hou,e that day and took part in two divisions. One of tne clerks of the House afterwards said to him, I do not know if you are aware of it,, but you are liable to a penalty of £ 1,500, of which I con re- cover Y,750 118 a common informer." Mr. Smith was greaiiy astonished, but the clerk explained that, having ,i ceet ted the Lord VTardenship of the Cinque Ports, he had vacated his seat and was liable to the oenalty men ioned. Whether Mr. Smith would be re-elected by his constituents (the chairman added, amid laughter) was doubtful. — Mr. Leng, M.P., pr <p >seu the t"a!lt of 1, The Press Association," which was responded to by Mr. Form-m, Mr. Robbni. and Mr. Whorlon.-Curing the evening vocal and instrument" 1 music was rendered by Herr Wilhelm Galiz, Mr. Ivor AIKay, and Mr. Barring! on F. ote, guests of the president. -Herr Ganz and Mr. Woodall, M.P., responded for the guests.

POLITICAL ITEMS. It is understood, SflYS the Standard. tha i thn Free Education Bill does not mako any ntteu.p' a bind the action of future Parliaments it will met t with no serious opposition from the Liberal. They do not anticipate that its treatment of voluntary schools will be in their view satisfac- tory but they will not on that account endanger the pa-sing of the Bill. Its provisions will, it is believed, be comparatively simple, and the machinery for yiving effect to tne remission of fees will consist largely of orders of the Committee of Council on Education. The Scotch Libiral members are divided in opinion as to the applica- tion of the money to which Scotland will become entitled by the establishment of free education. They are agreed that part of it should be used to free all the standards of education, but, that object having been accomplished, Sir George Trevelyan and others are of opinion that the rest of the money should be given to the local authori- ties in relief of rates. Another section of the Scotch members is in favour of applying the money for thp purposes of university and secondary education. A meeting nf Scotch Liberal members has bi-en called for Friday to consider tl>o subject. It is reported, says the Itwies, that the Assisted Education Bill will be a measura of unusual brevity, and will simply provide for an increased capitation grunt in the case of elementary school* where children are educated free of charge. An extra lOs. per head is spoken of aq the sum likely to be given ax compensation for the loss of fees and according to the rumour the managers of the various schools will have the option of abolishing lees and accepting the increased grant as an equivalent, or of adhering to the present system if they prefer to do so. Thu Central News says :-Mr. Akers Douglas, the chief Ministerial Whip, was prevented from attending to his duties at the House of Commons on Wednesday through a severe a't!»ck of In- fluenza. Tile divisions which took place on the Land Bill in the afternoon were the first on bohtlf of the Government which Mr. Douglas lias been prevented from attending as chief teller sinco his appointment six years IIUO. A point of constitutional procedure has arisen in connection wri) Mr. Smith's appointment as Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, which has led t" an examination of precedents 'IS to whether this is a place of emolument under the Crown requiring the right hon. gentleman to seek re- election. Pending the decision upon the point, Mr. Smith refrained from taking part in the divisions on the Land Bill. Nothing has yet been decided with regard to the vacating of Captain Verney's seat in the House of Commons. His conviction does not in itself free the constituency, as the hon. and gallant member has not been found guilty of a felony, but of a misdemeanour only. When the House rose on Wednesday it was understood that a motion for Cilptain Verney's explusion may have to be resorted to. As the Government have pro- visionally committed themselves privately to a similar course in another case, it was believed the two motions will run together.

THE GREAT CUBB FOR CORNS. — Munday's Viridine.—Still further testimony. A Chemist writes:—"Will you send me a bottle of your Viridine? It is for my own use. 1 get, plenty of corn cures of the same colour, but none of them appear to equal yours." No one ought to say his corns are incurable until he has used "Viridine." Thousands have been cured, some of whom had suffered for over 50 years. Beware of imitations. Sold in bottles, Ie. by post. by the Proprietor, J. Munday, Chemist, 1, High-street, and all Chemists E2623 "ADVICE TO MOTHERS."—Are you broken in your rest by a sick child suffering with the pain of cutting teeth ? Go at once to a chemist, and get a botfctor>f MRS. WINSLOW'S SOOTHING SYRUP. It will relieve the poor suifcrer immediately. It is per- fectly harmless; it produces natural, quiet sleep, by relievÎlw t,hp child from pain, and the little ciii-ruVi awakes "as bright as a button." Of all chemistf.

THE SPLIT IN THE WELSH FOOTBALL UNION. FURTHER EXPRESSIONS OF OPINION. [By "GOAI. POST."] The diversity of opinion, to use the mildest phrase I can think of, in reference to the consti- tution of the Welsh Union continues to attrxct the attention of lovers of the game throughout South Wales. That the question is being thoroughly thrashed out. now is fortunate, for the simple reason that by the time the next yeneral meeting is held ail the angularities are likely to be worn off. The following contributions to the discussion have been r(-ce vcd:— INTERVIEW WITH MR. A. J. DAVIES. As the name of Mr. Davies, the secretary of the Cardiff Harlequins, has been mentioned rather freely in connection with the threatened disrup- tion of the Welsh Rugby Union, it is only fair that he should be allowed an opportunity of ex- plaining his position. In answer to questions put to him by a representative of the Western Mail, Mr. Davies said :— In my opinion, a mountain is being made out of a mole-hill. For six or eight years I have tried to alter the constitution of the Welsh Football Union Committee, but have failed to get the necessary two-thirds majority, though my propo- sition was carried on one or two occasions. At the last meeting the needful alteration wns carried unanimously, and why, I ask, all this outcry li ">W ?'" "You remembsr," said our reporter, "that the greatest bitterness was on the question of the auditors having votes." As to that," reptier) Mr. D ivies, it is Hlmost generally agreed that this privilege should be abolished, it, is most unbusinesslike, and allows the ex-officios to swamp legi iniate votes." "Some reierences have been made to yourself "nti the act ion you have taken." Yes, Mr. Lyne referred to a gentleman at Cartliff as having designs on the secretaryship. I fmicy I could guess who is referred to. But Mr Lyne is wrong or misinformed, as the gi ncieraan has uo such de>-it;ns. Had the gentleman referred to been nominated ut last ye r's August meeting, he could have been elected. Mr. Lyne also com- pared the malcontents here to certain York- shire clubs, but the cases are not parallel by any means. I compliment Mr. Mullock up H, the stand "e has taken on behalf f the old regime. It was, perhaps, to be expacted; but one would have t hoUijtit that his position us secretary t > the Union would have deterred him from 4 taking sides in this trumpery fizzle. He also referrèd to whipping up clubs tor the purpose of swamp- ing the malconteuts. It will be readily grmt<id that Mr. Mullock is an authority in these matters of detail.' You are accused of having called a hole-and- corner meeting, and it woulo be as well that you should explain how that meeting was brought about, and why Cardiff and Newport were not invited." As representatives were oresent from a good majority of the clubs in the Union, I cannot see how the meeting could be called a hole-and-corner meeting. It was certsinlv a private gathering— quite ii,foi,m:tl--and was held by request. I shall be pleased to see my print ed and di-tri- buted if this is not done 1 shall publish it myself. Then,[again, it is puerile to talk f unsportsmanlike, conduct. I am indea i surprised at the Cariiiff com- mittee sceakn,, in such a strain, for they should have been the l-.st in the world to have b, e Ifhed the word •unsportsmanlike.' My action has bean prompted by suggestions male by gentlemen— some closeh associated wi t h the C"rdiff club-of all classes in the county. I may SUA' at ouce that I have not, courted, anu never hop:d to obtain, the apppnval of s& august, and iufalltb e a body of RpOl't!\llwn as the committee of the Cardiff Club in the matter which is at present, apparently, giving them a slight flutter. The Cardiff Cricket Club could, perhaps, give a few instances ot their 'sportsman- like' conductijin the past. The performances of the club with which I have the honour to be con- nected and my own small efforts to promote sport, in the town will bear favourable comparison (I think I may say this withoutegotism) with iiiiylftirlg the Cardiff committee have done, particularly when it is borne in mind thAt we have had a big struggle against many difficulties." Now, what about the threatened withdrawal of Cardiff and Newport from the union?" As to that ridiculous threat-well, it will never be carried into effect. The younger clubs have now been recognised, and will take their proper position in the management of affairs. It may be taken for granted that the Union, which, rightly or wroriely, has been looked upon asa *onp- hoss' affair, will be Stronger than ever. I did not in end to say anything on this question, but having been attacked«in so open a manner, I have no option in the matter. One good thing-I cltn b-ai it all, but when mud is thrown some is bound to stick hence my willingness to give expression to my opinions." Letters to the Editor. SIB.—1 have been instructed by the committee of the Penarth Football Club to contradict, t.he statement made in Tuesday's issue of the Western Mail about the constitution of the committee of thi- Welsh Football Union for next season, so far as it relates to the Penarth Club. It was said that Lewis or somebody else from Penarth" would be one of the repre entalives for the Eastern divi- sion. The question of trying to eject any one from, or of trying to elect anyone on the Welsh Committee has not been discussed by the Penarth Committee. As it could not seriously be proposed to elect a Penarth man on the Welsh (ommi.ttee without- the consent of the Penarth Club, it will at once be seen that your informant was mistaken in his assertion about a Penarth representative for next season's Welsh Committee.—I am, &c.. J. S. DEWAR, Hon. Secretary Penarth Football Club. Fenartb, May 6. SIn,-I noticed an article in your yesterday's edition by your excellent correspondent (;0,,1 Post,"re "The Split in the Welsh Football Union." As my name was mentioned in the said article,will you kindly allow me a short space for a few remarks bearing upon the subject ? According to the friendly member of the Cardiff committee" I am to be given a seat on the Welsh committee. Now, sir, nithough I must confess that I have been asked to stand, I have not consented, neither should I accept, a place on the committee to the exclusion of representatives of either Cardiff or Newport,. Both these clubs must, in my opinion, be represented, as they are, without doubt, the two teams in the east" who have done far more for the game than either Penarth or any of the other rising teams. Should Newport and Cardiff be represented, then I would accept a seat if elected, but under no other condition. I would not pledge myself to vote for representa- tivea of the rising teams for international honours; I would conscientiously vote for the best fifteen, come from which clubs they may. It may not be out of place for me to express my regret, that any misunderstanding should have cropped up. No club is more genuine in its desire to pro- mote the welfare of football in the Principulity than is Penarth; and no one hAS a greater desire to see petty jealousies, rash talk, and spiteful or under-handed actions subdued and banished than have I,—I am, &c, R. A. LEWIS, (late Hon. Secretary Penarth Football Club). Cogan Board Schools, Penarth, May 0. I

Business Addresses. SYMINGTON'S COFFEES .jL.J k..J Have maintained their reputation for more than Fifty Tears. SOLD BY ALL GKOCEKS. MANUFACTOHKKS I S I'KAM MILL3, MANUFACTUBhKS J MABKET H AUB OROUGrH E1166

THE LIBERATION SOCIETY. ANNUAL MEETING. SPEECH BY SIR G. TREVELYAN. [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.] LONDON, WKI)V>5D\Y NIGHT. The annual public meeting of the supporters of the Society for the Libe>->ttion oc Kdi^ion from State Patronage and Control was iield this evening at the St. J.n es's-b'l', under the presidency of Sir G. O. Trevelyan, M.P. Tilel e was a very large meeting, among those on the platform being Mr. Stevens, M.P.. Mr. Iiiingwor'h, M.P., Sir Wilfrid Lawson, M.P., and Mr. Mansfield, M.P. Lady Trevelyan was also pr- sent. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said he would like to sav a word to those who held aloof from the movement because, having been, as they said, a religious movement, it had now become a political one. If the movement was not a politic"! one he did not know what it was, and he would say to those who cippenred to think that in our generation religious equality was to come down like manna from Heaven that now, aa ever, the question WHS one for human eftort. human courage, and human self saci lfiee. Now, as eviT, the motive power of their cause was religious, but their weapons wen human, and, as Ions; tho e weapon* wer.i honour-iblv and. valiantly uxed, they were not ashamed to look in, th< fnc.i anyone who told them they ought not to bring their cau'e into the arena. of politics. (Cheers.) In a ire., country no cause was ever successful until it became political. It was said tnat if tney only left the Cnurch in Wales alone for another generation they would kill oufc Distant in the Princip ility. (" Never.") The Non- conformist ministers of Wales were political wairiors. And why should they not be such when tiiey were fighting f',r the life of tha Chinches, which was as dear to them as their own ? All the religious endowments of the country and the preMige of State connection, not: in wages on!y, were conferred on one religious body in order that it might be able to extinguish all the others, and as iong as that was the case, then not in iVules only political action on the parr of th" Churci-et" that were threatened became, rot only a nere^ity and an obligation, but an absolutely religions duty. (Cheers.) Referring to ihe question of frea education, he said, whether they liked it or not, they would soon have to be up ana doing. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had announced that he was going to provide tunds for free education. (Cheers.) Never did lie hear a statement from the Government bench with more profound satisfaction. (Cheers.) Free education was just, and risjht in i. self, and he did not shrink from the cootrover i s which that quas. tion must necessarily raise. But those controversies were veiy vitti, and they must be prepared to fight it out. In the first place, they must, insist, that every farthing that was given should go into the pockets of the pirents them- seivrf<», and that not one fat thing should goto bolster up tho e schools which usuiped the name of National, though there was nothing national about them except the national money by which they were snppuried. (Gueer-.) In the next place, they must avoid the melanc:,o!y mistake which had spoilt t.he extension of free education to Scot- land. There the lower standards alone were set free; but when a child got to the highest standards, those standards in which alone edu- cation worth the name was given, the parents had to pay the fees. Just at the moment when the labour of the child became im- portant to them he had to begin to P"¥ the fees. And under the double temptation so many children were, and more aa time went on would be, tiiken prematurely from the school, and the present arrangement of what was called free education in Scotland was nothing le^s than an educational calamity. (Hear, hear.) They must insist that wherever additional money might be received should be used to make all the standards ftee for every child. (Cheers.) They must make a stout nod a determined fighr. that the elementary school* in our villages, ax well as in the graat cities, should be placed under a real and not a nominal popular control, and in the last, re-oit, if they could not carry the day, they must place on record a resolution, voted for by aii the strength of the Liberal party, which would irrevocably bind the next Liberal Government, whenever it cauie into power, to take measures that the great and unnecessary and niO?t fur-reaching legislative mistake of Mr. Forster's B ll of 1870 should be undone, and that in country and town alike the pubiic schools of the district should be under the onarge of the chosen represematives of the people who provided nil the pupils and, within a very small percentage, now paid all the cost. (Cheers ) Other speeches fo lowed.

WELCOME HOME TO A RHONDDA BRIDE. The Rev. J. Thomas, B.A., of Huddersfield, and his bride (formerly Miss Riehardf, of Mnesyffrwd, Tonypandy), whose marriage rejoicings were rep rted at the time in the Western Mail, have just returned from their honeymoon, and the Church and congregation have given them a cordial welcome home.At a congratulatory meeting held a day or two ago a large audience assembled, and a strong choir of Yorkshire singers took part.—Mr. Joseph Smith, on behalf of the young women's Bible ciass and the Mutual Improvement Society, presented a magnificent lamp and a chiming clock for the study.—Coun- cillor Benjamin Hirst, on behalf of the Church and congregation, presented a beautifully-illuminated address to MtJ Thomas—Mr. W. D. Stiaw presented io Mr.. Thomas, on bel alE ut the ladies' sewing class, a magnificent cylinoer-pattern writing-desk, a revolving armchair, and other items for the study; and, on behalf of the Church, congrega- tion, and friendfi, a present to the bride and bride- groom of a cheque for £ 103.—The presentations were suitably acknowledged.

On inquiry at the Cardiff Infirmary on Wednesday night one of our reporters was informed that M.. Williams was progressing favourably, and that his ultimate recovery was now almost certain. Miss Annette Matilda Benson, M.B., B.Sc., has been appointed by the Paddington Guardians clinical assistant in the Paddington Infirmary, this being the first appointment of a woman to such a P0Ht. Printed and Published for the Proprietors by WALTBK ALFRKD PKARCE, at the Offices at tire Western Mail," St. Mary-strp.et. Cardiff, in tI, Cmmtv o. <Ttl\mnrgatJ. LTHTTHSDAY, APRIL. 7. 1891.

HOW THE COUNTESS WAS CONVERTED. "I don't think I ever saw a finer comedy lady!" Haw there's nothing better on the regular stage Such charming- naivete Such chic, you know were some of the expressions of an enthusiastic and distin- guished audience when the Countess Hosalvi I had spoken the concluding lines of the brii- j liant comedy of hi^a life, and the curtain fell on the successful efforts of the accom- plished amateurs, who had drawn together tI,) large and fashionable an attendance in support of their laudable desire to augment tne funds for the Itefugs of the Fallen Sister- hood of the West End. There conld be no two opinions that the Countess had made the success of the evening. Her bright and piquant style of beauty, her apparently intuitive knowledge of stagecraft, and her irrepressible high spirits, had secured an easy triumph over the rest of the corps dramatique, and the delightful audience did not hesitate to express their approval loudly. Lady Tenterden, however (she was still a young and attractive widow), who occasionally had appeared at the St. Michael's-hall, with the Children of Thespis," turning to her companion, a military-looking gentleman, reir.crked: You see, the Counters has the advantage of being favourably handicapped; it is not difficult to make the running when the rest are either overweighted or are merely platers. By the way," she added, with some significance of manner, u where ;s Count Rosalvi? ] do not remember to have met him in society ? I really know nothing of her more than yourself," the gentleman replied: "this is the firat time I have seen the Countess. But let me assist you with yoar cloak—ah, f see your party seem to be looking for us; shall we join tt m ? So, giving his arm to the lady, he con- ducted her to the hall door, where her friends had assembled and appeared to be waiting her arrival. You are coming with us, Reggie ?" said one of the gentlemen who had just taken his place in the carriage. No thanks, I'll follow-must see -an old friend I caught side of just now," the other replied; and then, with far more haste than seemed quite natural to one of his phlegmatic temperament, he made the best of his way to the stage door, through which he was about to pass, when the hall porter stopped him. Beg pardon, sir; no one to pass behind— them's my orders." Nonsense, man," the gentleman called I ,s Reggie" replied, I must see the Coun- tess." Very sorry, sir, the lady wont see no one," said the hall-keeper. Deuced nonsense, reaUy Well—" he con- tinued, taking out a handful of loose coin from his pocket—"yon can take my card, can't you ?" Certainty, sir," replied the man, or a note. I've got an envelope handy." From the prompt way with which the ball- keeper produced from a little cupboard a r.eat envelope and sheet of small-sized note t a 3sr, one might be led to infer he was in the nabit of supplying those materials, and anti- cipated the probability in this case. Captain Reginald Grafton, of the 10th wrote a hurried line, and, enclosing it in the envelope, gave it, with a half-crown, to the man in charge. That intelligent person, feeling the newly moistened fold between his finger and thumb, had no difficulty in withdrawing the not. as he paused in an angle of the passage, where the gas light on the wall afforded him the opportunity of mastering the contents. The words he read were these :— Dear Polly, wonders will never cease You of all the world Well done Must see you for a minute !—Reggie." In a few minutes he, returned to the Cap- tain, and said: c; Please to walk this way, sir." Following his guide, the Captain passed through a rather long and winding passage, till his companion stopped at the door of the dressing-room. He was about to knock, but pausing for a moment, said in a tone of much gravity: "I bear pardon. sir; but if the proprietor knowed I had introduced a stranger behind, it would mean-well-there -a kick out." All right my good fellow, I shan't be long and you can have a drink if you likf." So with another coin in his hand the hall porter prudently withdrew. The room was the picture of neatuoes and propriety, and thot meeting of the two friends was very cordial. Take some fizz, dear boy," the Countess said, pointing to a bottle of Moet that stood on the toilet table. It's not so bad." Of course the Captain complimented the lady on her brilliant success, and-equally, of course-the lady was severe on the efforts of her companions. The fat person who played the Duchess," Stid she, u was a caution and they laughed neartily at the histrionic efforts of the fat erson," who was at that moment returning omewards in her brougham, happy in the lief that she had been the success of the < en ing. Well, Polly," the Captain said, as he took the cigarette the Countess offered him. 1 see you mean to be as good as your word- get into society, eh ?" Yes, chappie, it will be done," the lady replied, as she gracefully removed hbr ciga- rette from her lips and allowed the smoke to curl prettily away. I am not there quite, you know I'm only on the fringe at pre- sent." The captain smiled, as he rejoined Always a good pluck'd one, Polly! By the bye," he added, after a pause, I don't think I've met the Count. Is he with you ?" No, dear hoy," she replied, he's gone to our estates in Italy he will return later in the season." They blew-each of them—a small cloud of tobacco from their respective i-ostriis, and I looked at one another for a few seconds with- out speaking. I. Ah," said the gentleman, presently, 1 Quite so." After a little more friendly chat Captain .Grafton rose to take his leave. Delighted to have seen you, dear boy said the Countess. At home on Thursdays; here's the address; don't forget, Halcyon Villa. Adieu." When the Captain was left to himself, as the hansnna he had called was conveviue him i — to Lady Tenterden's house in i'ark-lone, he plunged his hands deep in his pockets and was lost in thought. However, when the cab stopped niojl he was recalled to himself, he appear: d t I find relief in the exclamation 0; By Jove who would have thought it of Polly ?" It seems from statements made, or opinions submitted, that the Countess Uosalvi was a young American lady of much wealth, who had married an Italian Count whom she had met during a recent sojourn in Paris (or 11 wasn't it Monte Carlo P" Lady Tenterden inquired simply). Her husband would join her shortly on his return from abroad, and in the meanwhile she was residing in a charming bijou residence in the N.W. district, that, furnished with exquisite tasle, and regardless of expense, had already obtained a celebrity from the delightful reunions, and the jovial, almost Bohemian, character of the gatherings within its walls, ° The self-repressed captain of the 10th stroked the drooping moustache, as he was conscious the corners of his mouth might betray the furtive smile he was anxious to conceal. He had been many and many a time a guest at houses of this kind-those assemblages of mysterious persons, each of whom in all probability has had a'-past" which they would be reluctant to admit, but which is perfectly well-known to all the rest. He was aroused by the observation of Lady Tenterden. "I do not think the Countess can be American, there in not the slightest trace of the accent." A h, but remember," a guest remarked, "she has resided abroad a long time, don't you know, and—" It occurred to Captain Reginald Grafton he could enlighten them on the subject, but he elected to remain silent. He made a point of calling at Halcyon Villa as promised, and this led to an er.gagement for an evening in the following week. You must come, dear boy," the Coantess said in a lowered voice as she bade him good day. "There will be a few of the right sort, and I must introduce you to -my uncle." The Captain looked fixedly a5 her for I:i- Mr |P— moment, and pulled the ends of his mont- tache, that mannerism he had contracted under certain conditions of mind, and took his leave. In the meantime the Countess was very much in evidence, she was interviewed by an enterprising journalist, and her reminiscences, as she vouchsafed them, were most interesting, and, in fact, touching. She candidly admitted that the rumour which had somehow became general, that she hailed from America, was quite inaccurate. Her dear husband, the Count, had certainly met her in society in Washington; and from that casual meet- ing might be dated "the happiest chapter in her life's history-for why," she ingeniously added, "should she hesitate to admit that undeserved reverses had compel led her revered father (a olergyman in the North of England) to move to that distant shore?" This was uttered in so tender and touching a manner that the sympathetic interviewer confessed in his description of the meeting he had himself felt the tears of emotion rise to his eye as he contemplated so charming a picture of uncom- plaining endurance. In addition to thia, her portrait as one of the season's beauties had already found its way into the photograpers' windows, and a lithographed copy, enlarged, had adorned a small weekly society paper. At the Fanoy Fair, established with a philanthropic view to the inadequate funds for the restoration of St. Barn abag- in- th e-Fi Ids, the stall over which the charming Countess presided was assuredly the most popular, at least among the gentle- men visitors. it was a refreshment counter, and embraced all liinda of attractions from strawberries to cigarettes. The latter, of the same quality as those procurable from the automatic machine by dropping a penny into the slot. Even the rector of the impecunious Bar- nabas-in the-Fields, though he was known to disapprove of anything approaching to frivolity, could not deny the commercial suc- cess of the methods employed. The returns that the Countess banded to the treasury were in excess of any other stall. The actual takings were probably not ascertained. When Captain Reginald arrived at Halcyon Villa on the appointed date, everything pro- i"A & most «h"«v>vI3Ah eveniner. Even Ladv Tenterden, whose bright and sharp dark eyes and well-defined mouth indicated the posses- sion of a temper, was exceptionally charming and hilarious. The Captain had dropped in rather late, and the oompany assembled were in the fulness of social enjoyment. He was acquainted, more or less, with all but one, a gentleman he had never seen before; a man well on 10 middle life, short and portly, with a quiet and self-contained manner. Scrupu- lously well, though showily dressed, he had a bland smile and courteous bow for all, but was remarkably reticent, uttering only the shortest and merest colloquialisms. "Oh, Captain Grafton," the Countess said in her best manner, seeing them standing side by side, allow me to introduce you to my uncle." Soon afterwards a move was made to the adjoining apartment, where the green-covered tables and the packs of new cards at once indicated the proposed diversion. The Captain remarked, though the Coun- tess and her uncle prepared to participate in the game, that he was not invited to join. He didn't even care to inquire what the game was, though he smiled furtively as he noticed the anxiety of some of the players. Lady Tenterden was evidently an enthusiast. Her ladyship's dark eyes seemed everywhere, and he concluded fortune was not on her side, when he noticed her colourless lips and com- pressed mouth. This was more observable from the contrast afforded by the Countess and her uncle; the careless vivacity of the OlIP, and the unruffled serenity of the other, being somewhat remarkable. But after a while this became monotonous and tedious to the Captain, and, feeling bored and weaned, he was about to take his leave, when an unex- pected uproar from the inner room startled him. I Countess Rosalvi!" he heard the lend and I st'ident voice of Lady Tenterden fsolaim. J You are cheating You have an ace under I your hand." I She had risen from her seat, and, leaniui; forward, had firmly gripped the Countess's hand as it rested on the table. "How dare you, Lady Tenterden!' the Countess indignantly exclaimed. lleiease I my hand this moment!" But the other, a larger and stronger pereoo, I retained her firm grasp, and retorted in a voice choked by passion, and with a fiery and ferocious glare- "I dare! and I will! Open your hand! No f Then I shall! and with that she sud- denly twisted the hand of the Countess's palm uppermost, and there lay the ace of spades! Of course there arose on the moment of dis- covery the Babel of tongues in all the varieties of speech—reproval, indignation, entreaty, advice, protestation, and even denial-but, there it was, and there was no getting over the damnatory evidence of that unlucky ace of spades. In the pause of amazement and consterna- tion that succeeded to the passionate outburst, Captain Reginald heard Lady Tentt-rdt-n say, in a low voice of concentrated rage and malignity- Now, you impostor! cheat! adventurer! I give you your choice, but it must be within one minute's time, to submit either to a blow from my hand here in your own house or to have your name branded as you deserve, and your fraud exposed in every paper in London. Choose Whatever was the reply made it did not reach the Captain's ears but he heard instead the sharp smaok of the flat-handed blow on the face, that. delivered with a swinging round hit, stretched the unfortunate Countess in the arms of her uncle, who bore her, disfigured and insensible, from the room. t The Countess Rosalva did not re-appear in society that season. It was understood she had been unexpectedly summoned to the sick bed of her husband in Italy. About two years afterwards a strong re- ligious movement, which had originated among the colliers and miners in the Black I Country some time previously, had extended to the poorer parts of the Metropolis, and was engaging the attention of the public. The promoters of the movement had found a strong attraction in the addresses delivered by reformed thieves and reclaimed scoundrels of all kinds. This sort of reareation was not much to the taste of Captain Reginald Graf- ton, as may be readily believed, but when passiqg through outs of the narrowe.- streets of 1M Marytebone, andjthem hanso in which he was riding having been brought to a standstill for a faw minutes owing to the congested state of the traffic, he noticed on a flaming poster on a hoarding this announcement: "Mission Hall this evening. Addresses by a reclaimed pugilist and a reformed burglar! and revelations of high life by a converted countess!" So nnusala combination struck him as being tomewbat droll, and it being then close on the hour of commencement, he dismissed bit cab and proceeded leisurely to the place. A closely-shaven man, of middle age and a portly'figure, stood at the door taking the money—coppers generaUy—from those who desired to pass in. He found the opening por- tion of th« service,or the entertainment (accord- ing to the views taken of the proceeding) dull and commonplace enough, and the admissions of both the Burglar and the Fighting Man so uninteresting, vulgar, and probably fabrica- tions from beginning to end, that he was about to retire, when a lady who bad sat on a front seat, and had had her back to wards him, rose and mounted the platform, Neatly attired in black silk, with a graceful deportment, and a. perfectly seif-possessad manner, she ad- vanced from the side to the fr ont of the plaN f01m. xnd the Captain, seeing her faoe for the first time, exclaimed in spite of himself It's Polly, by Jove!" She was thankful, she said in her address, she had been brought to grace, and bad seen the error of her ways, &c., &c., and, in this strain, continued speaking for nearly an hour, A t the conclusion of her address she re- sumed her chair, and the proceedings termi- nated with a prayer by the portly gentleman and a general hymn. Captain Reginald waited till the congrega- tion had i-etii,t,d, and then gravely advanced to the Converted < 'ne to thank her for the edification he had been privileged to hear. There was a peculiar twinkle in the son- vert's expressive eyes as she took the hand extendt,d towards her, and, dropping her voice, she said in the tones he remembered so well, Right you art., dear bov • It's a bette? game!—no risk, aud—« pay* "—License<i Victualia'ti Mirror,