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.,'""': LONDON DAY BY DAY.
LONDON DAY BY DAY. [FROM. OXJB LONDON CORRESPONDENTS.] LONDON, THURSDAY. THE DIVIDED IRISH PARTY. June 17 next is likely to be a red-letter day, on a sacguinary scale, in the annals of Par- nellism in London. Whatever Mr. Parnell may be doing in Ireland, he is decidedly losing ground among the London Irish, and on the day I have named an attempt will be made to effectually squelch his cause. On June 17 a meeting of Mr. Parnell's supporters is to be held at the Bermondsey Town-hall, and Mr. Parnell will himself be the principal speaker. For the same evening the M'Carthy faction have called a meeting at the Foresters'-hall. It is certain that Mr. Parnell's meeting will be held, but it is I doubtful whether the M'Carthyites' will. There is every expectation that Mr. Parnell's meeting will be a scene of holy ructions. Preparations have been made to break up the meeting or to inflict bodily injury, even to the point of bloodshed, on Mr. Parnell and his fellow-speakers. Knowing what 1 do of Mr. Parnell's followers, this means that there will be some fierce fighting and very many wigs in the green. In justification of my statement that Mr. Parnell is losing ground in London. I may say that only two branches of the Irish organisation remain faithful to him. One of them is the old Fenian headquarters in Lon- don, now known as the Parnell branch of the league in Whitechapel; the other is the Joseph Nolan branch in Camberwell, and it is composed mostly of Fenians. A DEMONSTRATION AGAINST BLACK ROD. The indecorous and unprecedented spectacle of a demonstration of hostility against Black Rod was witnessed in the House of Commons this afternoon. He came in to summon the House to hear the Royal Assent to several Bills. As he walked up the floor to the table a storm of groans and other uncouth noises greeted him. It all proceeded from the Opposition-Tories do not leave the courtesies of life outside the House. Mr. Gladstone, huddled up in his seat, withered and haggard, looked shocked at the rudeness of his colleagues. It appeared that the demonstration was directed, not against Black Rod himself, but against his appearance before questions are finished. A bother was raised about this once before. It was then agreed that Black Rod should not come till four o'clock, so as to avoid interrupting questions. As it was on the stroke of four when he made his appearance this afternoon, the discourtesy was certainly not called for. PROGRESS OF THE LAND BILL. Mr. Smith scored neatly off Mr. Labou- chere this afternoon. Mr. Labouchere, in his exasperatingly-obstructive manner, had uttered an intricate threat about moving the adjournment because Ministers would no further delay the Land Bill by having it printed before the last stage is taken. Air. Smith quietly retorted, "I am quite prepared for that from the hon. member." The House relished this sly hit immensely. There were some hopes of a compromise on the hateful new clause of the Land Bill. Sir William Harcourt was all butter and sugar when he mentioned the subject, but when Mr. Balfour's proposed alteration was read to the House the fractious Mr. Sexton refused his assent, and so the dreary drip was resumed and went on all night. THE PBINCE OF WALES AND THE CARD CASE. The Radicals are only waiting to se,- whether the military authorities take action before they develop a strong attack on the Prince of Wales in connection with the baccarat case. Mr. Summers had handed in a notice of a question which, without giving names, indicated a field-marshal and a general. This was returned to him from the table of the House. The question having since been amended has been accepted. !f the answer to this is not satisfactory to the Radicals they will move the adjournment of the House, and express their opinion in debate. The Front Opposition Bench do not countenance this step, and it is specially repugnant to the feel- ings of Mr. Gladstone. How THE BACCARAT SCANDAL MIGHT HAVE GOT ABROAD. The gossips are sorely puzzled as to how the great baccarat scandal first leaked out, and as to who it was that actually communi- cated the details to the Pall Mall Gazette and to the World. The common report at the clubs is that it was first communicated as a great secret by Royalty itself to a certain far-famed society beauty, whose portrait adorns so many of the Piccadilly and Bond- street shop windows, and that this lady in an unguarded moment" let it out to a friend, who instantly sowed it on the four winds of heaven. So runs the tale here. But is it not more likely that one of the boys," or the young fops," as the St. James's Gazette kindly terms them, blurted it forth to some youthful club friend ? SIR W. GORDON CDMMINO AND A COURT-JIARTIAL Sir William Gordon Cumming is, I believe, being pressed by his friends, both in and out of the service, to appeal immediately for a court-martial. It is alleged that there are many things still to come out," and it is thought that a court-martial might take cognisance of certain matters which did not transpire in the course of the evidence in the Lord Chief Justice's Court. It is aiso pointed out that Sir Gordon Cumming's superior officers will have the power, unless he demands a court-martial at once, of acting upon the verdict of the recently-decided case and of expunging his name from the Army List. THE REPRESENTATION OF CARDIFF. As regards the question of the inadequacy of the present representation in Parliament of Cardiff to which I referred a few days 11 since, it is pointed o it that if your town is to have another member the same ought to be done by South Monmouthshire, the increase of population there being on almost as large a scale. At the present time Wales has rather a larger share of Parliamentary repre- sentation-or, in other words, rather more members-than it is entitled to. This, it has been urged, was permitted at the time of the re-distribution scheme of 1885, owing to the fact that Wales was regarded as a distinct nationality, like Ireland. Now, if the repre- sentation of either Cardiff or South Mon- mouthsbire were to be increased, it could only be done by reducing the representation in other parts of the Principality, and this would scarcely be a popular course. How, for instance, would the good folk of Brecknock aud Uadnor appreciate being coupled together for the rest of their days under one Parlia- mentary representative ? Then, again, if you are to increase the representation of a district with an increasing population, ought you not to decrease the representation of a district with a decreasing population ? If so, we ought to get rid of a few of the Irish Home Rule members. WANTED—CONSERVATIVE ACTIVITY IN WALES. The sluggishness which is evinced by those who ought to be the leaders of Conservatism in Wales is constantly being lamented, and especially at the present time, amongst many prominent men of the party m the Metropolis and at headquarters. It was pointed out to me, for instance, the other day that there are several seats in North Wales which we ought to have a really good chance of winning even at the next general election, if the party would only wake up and bestir themselves a little more within the Principality. At Anglesea we cannot even get a Conservative candidate, whilst in Den- bigh, it is to be feared we are not making all the headway we might if only we were as active as the other side. Surely it is time the whole party roused itself and began to make preparations for the election which is creeping nearer and nearer every day. TEN TO ONE ON THM COMPANIES. If the men of the London General Omnibus Company and the Road Car Company really looked for an easy and speedy victory over their employers-and they certainly affected to do so-they are doomed to a decided dis- appointment. I bad another private conver- sation last Wednesday night with one of the chief directors of the Road Car Company, and he again assured me that neither company had the slightest intention of giving way. He denied that the directors entertained any ill- feeling against the strikers on thereon trarv, they sincerely pity their fatuity and extreme folly in rushing into a battle with the odds so heavily against themselves. Do you want to have a bet?" he inquired smiHngly if so, I shall be very pleased to lay you ten half crowns to one on the companies winning easily all round." SIR R. TEMPLE AND FREE EDUCATION. Sir Richard Temple, M.P. for Evesham, hitherto regarded as one of the chief oppo- nents of the Free Education Bill on the Con- servative side of the House, will not, I gather, take any part in challenging a division on the motion that the Bill be now read a second time. He may entertain a theoretic objec- tion to the principle of the measure, but that is all. The safeguards for the voluntary schools he regards as quite sufficient and as eminently satisfactory, though, with other members of the party, he would wish to see a new clause introduced which would make further changes impossible without fresh ie^islation. Sir Richard's opposition to the Bill may be now regarded as a thing of the past. He has always been one of the most steady and trustworthy sup- porters of the Government's policy all round, and I have no doubt that he desires that the second reading of the Education Bill shall be allowed to pass unchallenged. "MILL GEARING." Mr. Randell, M.P., has just put down an amendment to the factory and Workshops Bill which was orginally introduced by the Government, but discarded owing to certain representations made by large millowners. As the law at present stands dangerous machinery, it is alleged, can be left unfenced in many mills, and inspectors are able to do nothing. To meet this case the member for Gower pro- poses to widen the definition of the term "mill gearing," so as to include shafts-whether oblique, horizontal, or upright—pulleys, &c. THE DISESTABLISHMENT CAMPAIGN. The Parliamentary committee of Welsh Gladstonian members appointed to consider the best method of forwarding the cause of disestablishment in the Principality met this afternoon for the first time. No definite decision or resolution was arrived at, and, after about an hour's discussion, the meeting was adjourned. There were present :—Mr. Stuart Rendel, Mr. A. Williams, Mr. D. A. Thomas, Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. T. E. Ellis, and Mr. Llewellyn Jones (secretary of the General Disestablishment Campaign Com- mittee).
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Iruth says:—" A speech delivered by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Saltord at a. temperance meeting nt Asliton-under-Lyne was so sensible and inodeiate that it deserves notice. The Bishop suggested that, whilst strong beers should De taxed, the sale of light beers not above a certain minimum strength should he encouraged by being freed from duty. l'iiis is a doctrine thnt 1 have always preached. It i. 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 in' the Golden Sunlight Ale may be attributed to lie fact that, iI is brewed on these lines, and will compare favourably with the ordinary high- coloured, Sitronir, heady ales. It is brewed from ilia I t prepared from the finest Heiefordshire bar- ley, and most delicately flavoured with hops, called Wor'sters," but really grown in the rich, fer: ile valleys of Herefordshire. Messrs. Watkins and Son, of the Hfrr^f rd Brewery, are the onlv brewer3 of this famous Aie,and it is sold by over 200 Agents in the North, South, East, and West of the British Isles. Souih Wales Office: 94, St. Mary-street, Stores: VYVstgate-street. Cardiff. 79795 TJOVKHCOMK YVKAKNKSS.—Pepper s Quinine and iron Tonic gives New Life, Appetite, Health, Strength, and Energy.-Half-Crown bottles.Every- whsre. Insist (,n having I-'EPPEH'S. LIVER COMPLAINTS.—Dr. King's Dandelion and Quinine Liver Pills, without Mercury, are a potent remedy; remove all Liver and Stomach Com- plaints, Biliousness, Headache, Sickness, Shoulder Pains, Heartburn, Indigestion, Constipation.
LAST NIGHT'S PARLIAMENT.
LAST NIGHT'S PARLIAMENT. 0 HOUSE OF LORDS. lordships met at four o'clock, when the Royal Assent was given by Commission to the Behring's Sea Fishery Bill, the Electoral Acts Amendment Bill, and numerous private and other Bills. The Lords Commissioners were The Lord Chancellor, the Earl. of Limerick, and Lord Windsor. The Lord Chancelior took his seat on the Wool- sack at twenty minutes past four o'clock. LOCAL BILL. The Royal Assent was also given to the Taff Vale Railway Bill. THU ANGLO-PORTUGUESE TREATY. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. The Marquess of SALISBURY said he hai to lay on the table of the House the treaty just approved of by the Cortes of Lisbon, and which, therefore, it was not necessary longer to abstain from laying before both Houses of Parliament. The treaty did not differ sufficiently from the treaty already laid on the titble uf the House, and passed in August last, to necessitate any lengthy observations on his part. The principal diffe- rences, lesides sever >1 matters of smal! detail, were mostly territorial and not of large extent. There had been a good deal of discussion as to whether these changes were, on the whole, for the benefit of Great Britain or Portugal, and it would be difficult for him to pronounce an opinion until the boundary question had been settlei. He wished to correct the impression which had gone abroad in reference to the object of those negotia- tions, that the action of England had been benevo- lent towards Portugal and proceeded from our own goodwill; but her Majesty's Government had only bsen anxious to protect rights where acquired by occupation or by treaty. The important matter was that affecting the territory of a certain chief known as Gungun- hani, but, by a treaty signed in 1817 and cjn- firmed in 1847, the whole of the littoral fr "n the Zimbesi to Delagoa 14 >y (which Gungunhana claimed) was recognised by this country as belonging to the King of Portugal. He hoped that the agreement which had been come to would be recognised as one dictated bv a sense of equity, by an enrnest desire to uph< H the principles ot international law, and by a sincere wish to renew and continue upon those terms of amity which had so long distinguished the relations Between Great Britain and Portugal. (Cheers.) The House adjourned at ten minutes to five.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
HOUSE OF COMMONS. The Speaker took the chair at three o'clock. ALLEGED DETENTION OF BRITISH SAILORS. Sir J. FERGUSSON (Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs), replying to Admiral FHd (C.. Sussex), said a telegram had been received from the Governor- General of Canada stating that, as the result of the inquiries made by the Dominion authorities, there was no foundation for the report of the detention of shipwrecked British sailors by the Argentine authoring in Good Success Bay. The captain of H.M.S. Garnet had left for the Pacific with instructions to make inquiries on the spot. BLACK ROD. Business was interrupted while questions were in progl e.s by the announcement of the arrival of B ack Rod with a summons to the Commons to attend in the Upper House to hear the Royal Assent given to severitl Bills. The interruption elicited loud cries of "Order," and Liter on in the afternoon Mr. LABOUCHERE (G., Northampton) appealed to tl e Speaker as to whether it was not possible to make an arrangement by which these invasions would t ike rlaco at a more opportune moment. The SPEAKER replied thnt when On a previous occasion attention was called to the matter he communicated with the authorities of the other House in regard to it, and he had hoped it would be possible to minimise the inconvenience and interruption. It was nor, however, always possible that the summons should be received before half- past three, the time at which he had hoped it would come that atternoon. COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS. Mr. RITCHIE (President of the Local Govern- ment Beard) brought in a Bill to alter the date ot the holding of county council elections and to remove doubts respecting the holding of such elections. THE IRISH LAND BILL. Some discussion took place relative to the amend- ments to the Bill which, at the close of Tuesday night's sitting, the Chief Secretary said he was willing to accep: Mr. BALFOUR (Chief Secretary for Ireland) replied that he was willing to introduce certain amendment s in order to shorten the debate, but he had not had conveyed to him any assurance that the offer would be accepted, hence he had not put the amendments on the paper. Sir W. HARCOUBT (G., Derby) and Mr. SEXTON (iV., Belfast) both intimated that they were desircus of accepting the amendments, but pre- ferred to have them first on the p,iper. Mr. LABOUCHERE (G, Northampton), comment- ing on a suggestion from the First Lord of the Treasury that it might be possible to get the Land Bill through its remaining stages that evening, asked if the Bill, at the conclusion of the report, would be re-printed, so as to let hon. members see it complete in its amended form. Mr. W. H. SMITH replied in the negative, and remarked that hon. members interested in the Bill had followed the debates so closely as to be well posted in all the changes. Mr. LABOUCHERK If the right hon. gentle- man proposes to take the third reading imme- diately at the close of the report, I warn him I shall move the adjournment. Mr. W. H. SMITH I am quite prepared to expect that from the hon. member. IHE NEW COINAGE. Mr. GOSCHEN (Chancellor of the Exchequer) informed Mr. Sinclair (U, Falkirk) that the choce of the designs for the new coinage had been en- trusted to a committee, which included gentle- men who well understood commercial and bank- ing requirement., and they had left it with the artists to show on the face of a coin in figures its value if t her chose so to design it. He did not Dropose to interfere with the instructions given to the <ir:i-ts. Of couise, upon him alone would rest the resp visibility of finally deciding on the designs to be accepted. IRISH LAND BILL. The House then resumed the consideration of the Purchase of Lmd and Congested Districts (Ire- land) Bill at the report stage, amendments to Mr. Lea's (ULondonderry) clause on the powers of the Land Commissioners being di-cussed. Some amendments were withdrawn, and soon after seven o'clock the clause was added to the Bill. A new clause was introduced by Mr. BRYCE (G., Aberdeen), providing that the Congested Districts Board should once every year after 1891 make a report to the Lord-Lieutenant of their proceedings under the Act, such report to be presented to Parliament. The Government accepted the clause, which was added to the Bill without debate. The House adjourned nt 12.25.
JUSTICE IN RURAL DISTRICTS.
JUSTICE IN RURAL DISTRICTS. The editor of the Man of the World is warmly advocating a cheaper and more speedy administra- tion of the law in rural districts. The desire is that in every village there shall be a magistrate who shall be empowered to at once deal with petty offences, and that the infliction of a 6d. fine shall not carry with it costs amounting to £1 or even more. This week the Man of the World. has solicited the opinions of several well-known South Wrilians. Mr. John Coke Fowler, stipendiary magistrate for Swansea, thinks that a village magistracy would not secure the confidence of suitors: it would be too much associated with the local circumstances and the suitors. Besides, he does not see how the necessary knowledge of law, or the assistance of a law clerk, could be secured. Mr. W. M. North, the Merthyr stipendiary, agrees, suggesting that the grievance would be remedied by the more frequent appointment, of occasional COUI t-houses, where trifling offences might be dealt with by one magistrate. The small justice court will not do, with its president elected of the people. He will be elected by a clique, and, fearing to offend that clique, will not have lii« hands fr e." Except in cases of assault, and those where the matt ir is in the nature of a civil injury, and where the costs would naturally follow the event, except for good cause, he would abolish costs as tney now exist. Sir E. J. Reed, K.C.B., M.P., says a" to the grievance that undoubtedly exists by inflicting heavy costs upon poor men as a sequence of a light fine, it is all evil which ought to be done away with. As to the election of magistrates, I am bound to say that. this proposal seems to be very much against all our existing habits and ideas, but, on the other hand, I must say that I fail to see the ground of the Solicitor-General's statement that 'elected magistrates would be an abomination.' To elect a magistrate, or a beuch of magistrates, to try a particular caSH would probably deserve that desig- nation, but I am at a loss to see why elected inagistiates would, from the nature of the case, be a greater abomination than some ether existing at rangements. For instance, that one man—a lord- lieut efl;knl-should appoint all, or most, of, the justices of a county seems to be an arrangement which, if it were now proposed for the first time, might be fairly designated as a pro- bable abomination. The choice of the chief magistrate of a town does not, under existing con- ditions, seem to be materially or largely different, in principle, from an election. At tiie same time, I am not sure that the general feeling of the com- munity, including tha: of working men themselves, will be in favour of directly elected magistrates, although I am absolutely certain thut the general feeling would be most strongly in favour of some great changes in our pre- sent system of appointing magistrates." Mr. W. Bowen Rowlands, Q.C., M.P., while con- fssing that "there are many grave defects in our method of administering justice in our rural districts which need reform," is unable to agree with the suggestion that magistrates should be elected for three years. Bad as the present system is, this would, I think, be worse. Fixity of tenure and irremovability — save for evil behaviour-seem to be conditions of great impor- tance, if not absolutely necessary to the inde- pendent exercise of judicial functions. The whole question of 'Justices' justice merits careful con- sideration.
Death of Mr. James Beal.
Death of Mr. James Beal. We regret to announce that Mr. James Beal, the Nestor of municipal reform, died at Hammersmith on Thursday morning. The deceased was a Londoner by birth, having been born at Chelsea in 1829. He was an auc- tioneer, but devoted much of his t.ime to London questions; in fact, he may ba justly described as the Fat her of London municipal reform, alt hough iiis services in this connection did not always meet with the recognition that was his due. He took an active part as the colleague of James Taylor, the founder of the freehold land movement, in establishing land and building societies. He began the movement which culminated in the Public Worship Regula- iion Act of 1874, and was instruineutal in securing the passing of the Metropolis Gas Act, 1860, anii the City of London Gas Act, 1868. As early as 1852 he was a prominent politician m West- minster. He was an active member of the City Guilds Reform Association, and was the hon. secretary of the Metropolitan Municipal Associa- tion, which was formed to create a municipality foi London. In 1855 he published pamphlets on the Newspaper Sramp Duty and on Direct Taxa- tion. He was active in securing the Royal Commission on City Parochial Charities and secured the Royal Commission on the Livery Companies. He also formulated a demand for the restitution of Christ's Hospital to the poor of Lon- don. Mr. Beal WaS elected to the county council for Fulhain in 1889. The deceased reformer was the guest at a Criterion dinner a short time sincv, and was the centre of a social circle at the National Liberal Club. During the past eighteen months Mr. Beal lias taken active interest in the proposals for the acquisition of the London water supplyjby the municipal authorities, and has been all active supporter of the Bill for that object now before Parliament, pnmotcd by the Metropolitan vestries. Mr. Beal was a prominent member of the St. James's Vtstry.
Foreign Arrivals and Movements…
Foreign Arrivals and Movements of Local Vessels. EmmaLawaon arrived Blytli from Bonfleur 9th. Wilfrid left Blyth for Copenhagen 9th. Sy n left, Honfleur for Blyth 9th. Liora left. Malt* for Antwerp 9th. Mandalav left Gibraltar for Limerick 10th. Matthew Bedlington left Novoroasisk for Genoa 10th. Rosslyn left Hueiva for Drogheda 9th. Kochefort arrived Tilt Cove iOth. Kaglan arrived Briton Ferry 9th. Radnor left, Penartli for Gibral'ar 10th. Huperia passed Porto Rico 10th. Ravenshoe arrived Port Said 10th. Allonby left Sables for Bilbao 9th. Dordogne left Bordeaux for Cardiff 10th. T.tff left Bordeaux for Cardiff 10th. Aberdara arrived Portistie;td 10th. Hart left Hueiva for Glasgow IO:,h. Longueil leit Taganrog for Gibraltar 11th. Portugak-te pitss-d Fruwle Point for Rotterdam 10th. L t Barrouere passed Dover fur Rotterdam 10th. Forest arrived Leith 11th. CoIliv»ud arrived Madeira 11th. Mercedes left Suez for Bussurah 10th. Roval Welsh arrived London 11th. William bvmington left Corfu for Fiume 10th. South Cambria arrived Rotterdam from Carthage"* 11th. Rhodora arrived Seriphos from Genoa 11th. Peter Gr djam left Rotien for the Tyne 10th. Sicilia left Liverpool for Cardiff 10th. K. B. Jones left Boston (Lincolnshire) tor Cardiff 11th. Earl cf Chester left Bilbao for Cardiff 10th. Earl of Dumfries arrived Galatzllth. Sam Lancaster left Rot terdam for Slioreham 10tht James speir left Honfleur for Dielette 10th. E. a. Lancaster left Cherbourg fo Dielette 10th. narl of Chester left Bilbao for Cardiff 10th. Earl of A.umfiies arrived Gdatz 11th.
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MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S VIEWS ON…
MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S VIEWS ON OLD-AGE PENSIONS. The Rural World of to-day (Fridiy), a paper published in Birmingham, contains the following — Mixing amongst the working men in town and country a greit. deal, we have had many valuable opportunities of discussing the above subject. The questions asked have always shown great sympathy, but in many instances, particularly in far-off couritry places, they have been of the most crude and vagu* chaiacter, showing that no liing but a most elementary acquaintance with Mr. Chamberlain's scheme had reached those who will I be so greatly and chiefly affected by it. Accord- ingly, we placed before Mr. Chamberlain a number of points raised, and asked for his reply. This he haq very kindly given, and we are, therefore, enabled to publish it for the information of our readers—especially those in the country places to which we have referred. The letter is as foilaws:- "40, Prince's gardens, S.W. Sir.—I am in receipt of your interesting letter of June 2 upon the above subject, and shall be very happy to answer your questions to the best of my. ability. 11 1 must premise that up to the present time I have not put forward any definite proposals, or committed myself on matters of detail. My object has been tc call attention to the facts of the case, and to the urgent necessity whic'i exists for some legislative action in the matter. I have accordingly pointed out that under present circumstances it appears that one in two of our industrial population who may lvach tiie age of 65 is doomed to end his life in the workhouse, or, at all events, in receipt of pauper relief. To my mind this is a shocking state of things, and it is the duty of all statesmen to endeavour to find a remedy. Hitherto neither the Post Office nor the great Friendly Societies have succeeded in inducing the working clashes to make any provision against. old age. The number of deferred annuities issued by the Post Office is ridiculously small, and they are chiefly taken up -by persons who do not properly belong to the working class. I believe that the Foresters and tho Oddfellows, with their enormous business, have only issued two or three policies for an annuity after the age of 60. It is evident, there- fore, that. if such a provision is to be made on a large scale, either it must be compulsory or some additional temptation must be offered which will have the effect of inducing large numbers of the working classes voluntarily to avail themselves of it. As to compulsion, there are great difficulties in the way, especially in regard to that large portion of the population which is not in regular employ- ment. Besides this, I believe thnt public opinion is not, a' present at any rate, prepared for such an interference as compulsion would involve. ",We are, therefore, thrown back on the second alternative, which is to find a sufficient temptation to induce the working class, particularly in youth, to look forward to, and to provide against, the necessities of advancing years. Of what kind this temptation should be, and in what way it can best be afforded, are the problems which have got to be solve J, and in regard to which I am seeking infor- mation from every quarter. I now proceed to deal with your questions in the order in which you have put them. I may say that my original suggestion was that the annuity should not commence before the age of 65, and that the subscriber should not have any power of withdrawal, but that his subscriptions should be made with the sole purpose of providing for his old age in the event of his surviving to be 65 years old. The desire has been widely express d that these conditions should be altered and made more favourable, but I must point out to you that it is absolutely nccessury that we should cut our coat according to our cloth, and if the annuity com- mences earlier, or if there is allowed any right of withdrawal, the necessaiy effect will be to diminish, in a very marked way, the amount of the annuity that can be given. Thus I find on inquity from an actuary that if the annuity were to com- mence at 60 instead of 65. it would have to be reduced by about 60 to 70 per cent., the reduc- tion being less in the case of women than in that of men. The difference is to considerable that I have come to the conclusion that it would be im- p ssible to make any scheme for annuities at the age of 60 without requiring a larger contribution than the workmen are able or willing to pay. I find on the same authority that, if the mem- ber is to have a power of disposal over his pay- ments in the event of his deith before the age of 65, this privilege will involve a reduction of from 15 to 58 per cent. on the annuity which would otherwise be payable. That is to say, that a subscription ?vliiell would give JE10 a year if there were 1.0 power of disposal would only give from £ 5 10s. to £4 5s. a year if this power of disposal is allowed. Although this is a serious reduction, I have come to the conclusion that, in order to com- mend the scheme to the people for whose benefit it is chiefly devised, it will be necessary to allow this power of disposal, and to permit the amount of the subscriptions which may have been paid to be allocated, without interest, to the surviving relatives in the event of death before the age of 65. "As regards the position of the great. Friendly Societies, I do not think that this will be in the least injured by my proposal, and I should desire most carefully to avoid the possibility of such a result. A-, however, none of the societies at present do the particular business under consideta- tion, it is impossible that the intervention of the Government will injure them, or affect in any way their present business. The work of these societifs is so important, and has had so great an effect in promoting thrift among the working classes, that it would be most undesirable to discourage them in the slightest degree, or to limit their operations. I consider that the approval, and if possible the active assistance, of the Friendly Societies is almost a necessary condition of the successful promotion of any scheme of provision for old age. On this account, as well as for other reasons, 1 should think it most inexpedient to include any provisions for insurance against sickness or accident. These matters are already dealt with by the Friendly Societies, and I do not believe that the Govern- ment could with advantage undertake such busi- ness. I trust that the information I have now given will enable you to answer your numerous corre- spondents and I shall bo very glad if my letter leads to further discussion of the subject, which is, undoubtedly, full of difficulty. I hava already received innumerable sugaestions, many of them deserving careful consideration. I have also placed myself in communication with the officials of the Post Office, and with some of the leading repre- sentatives of the great Friendly Societies, and I hope that, with their assistance and advice, it may be possible before long to suggest a definite scheme which will be practicable from a financial point of view, and, at the same time, will be popular with the working classes generally.—I am, yours faith- fully, "J. CHAMBERLAIN." MOVEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. The Press Association learns that more than 50 members of Parliament have already joined the Parliamentary committee formed in order to pro- mote a national scheme for old-age pensions. A further meeting of the committee is to be held on Friday.
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INFLUENZA. — As a preventative and to relieve Headache. Munday's Anti-Rhumine Smelling Salts is the best remedy. In bottles, is.; by post, Is. 3d. After- wards Munday's Compound Plioiphated Elixir of Quinine should be taken asa tonic to restore the system. In bottles, 2s. 3d. and 4s. each; by post, 2s. 6d. and 4s. 6d.—J. Munday, Chemist, 1, High-street,, Cardiff.
DISTRICT JOTTINGS.
DISTRICT JOTTINGS. Mr. Lascelles Carr and Mr. Emsley Carr were last night elected members of the Savage Club. The students of the University College of Wales are taking steps to make a parting presentation to the Rev. Principal Edwards, D.D. Mr. 8. T. Evans, M.P., was called to the Bar on Wednesday, on the nomination of Sir C. Russell, Q.C., seconded by Sir H. James, Q.C. Sir John Puleston, M.P., who has returned to London, is still unable to attend the House of Commons. The hon. member's progress is slow. Sir Watkin and Lady Williams-Wynn have arrived in town for the season from Wynnstay, Denbighshire. The North of England Cyclists' Meet will again be held at Harrogate on August Bank Holiday, with Mr. Stanley Heard, of Swansea, aq president. An address on Welsh Nationalism," delivered at a recent eisteddfod at Barmouth, has been pub- lished in the Haiastan, an Armenian journal printed in the French and Armenian languages. The rule of • St. Mabon extends over only one day in the month, but its effects are continuous for a week." So said his Honour Judge Gwilym Williams at Merthyr County-court on Thursday. The Earl of Dunraven's party for Ascot at Oakley Court, near Windsor, includes the Duchess of Manchester and her sisters, Lady Lister Kaye and Miss Yznaga, Viscount Curzon, M.P., and Viscountess Curzon, and Mr. Montague Guest. Mr. Vnughan Davies, of Tanybwlch, who six years ago was the Conservative candidate for Cardiganshire, in opposition to the late Mr. D. Davies, has been elected treasurer of the Cardigan- shire Liberal Association. It is expected that Lady Bute and her daughter Lady Margaret, the Earl of Dumfries, and several distinguished visitors at the Castle will attend the presentation to the Marquess at Cardiff on the 24th inst. Wesleyan Methodism is the strongest Noncon- formist Church of Cardiff, with a population of 130,000 inhabitants. Yet the Rev. David Young, Wesleyan superintendent minister at Canton, has failed to find a, single Wesleyan in the workhouse, and only one in the gaol. The official returns of the Wesleyan Methodists of North Wales show that in March the total number of members was 13,469. During the year there was an increase in several Churches to the number of 198; but there was a decrease in others of 211. The Glamorgan County Council have authorised the expenditure of JE850 to widen and improve the road between Ewenny and Southerndown. During the summer especially, owing to increased vehicular traffic, narrow pscapes to life and limb are being constantly recorded. Thirty years ago this summer the late eloquent Archbishop of York, Dr. Magee, with his family, was a visitor at Southerndown for three months. He was passionately fond of fly fishing, and when on his daily fishing excursions became well-known by his familiarity with the peasantry whom he used to ireet. He preached several times to large congregations at the Parish Church of St. Bride's Major. Inasmuch as Mr. F. C. Philips, the popular novelist, is also a practising barrister-a member of the South Wales circuit-it is a little surprising to c itch him tripping over a point of law in his last novel, My Face is my Fortune," written in collaboration with Mr. Percy Fendall. In defiance of the tolerab y familiar rule of law, that a wife is only entitled to part of her husband's estate should he die intestate, the authors cause the heroine whose husbind dies without a will to inherit the whole of his fortune. Morriston, near Swansea, is placarded with a poster giving the result of the most recent liquor traffic plebiscite taken by i he South Wales and Mon- mouthshire Temperance Association. The two questions submitted and the answers are as fol- low :—(1) Are you in favour of giving ratepayers the power of deciding by direct vote the number of licences to be granted within their district ?— Yes, 1,129; No, 194; neutral, 131. (2) Are you in favour of the prohibition of all licences for the common sale of intoxicating liquors ?-Yes. 942; No, 297; neutral, 215. A Swansea correspondent writei:-Tlie South Wales Daily News in its reports on the stop- month movement on Wednesday attempts to continue the idea conveyed bj calling Llanelly the "tin-pinto town." It says Llanellv is "the most important centre in the industry," and that its works have a greater productive capacity than the works of any other town and district of South Wales. The manner in which it shows this is by making Morriston out to be one town, Landore another, and so on. But taking Landore and Morriston-both of which are part and parcel of the town of Swansea—the capacity of the works mentioned give; nearly one-third more mills and employes to Swansea than to Llanelly. Mr. Hwfa Williams is the foremost man in the English syndicate who some time ago bought the old Vienna Kaiser-garten from the German Emperor and his brothers for half a million florins, and have since converted it into a pleasure resort which, under the name of the English Garden,' was thrown open to the Viennese public on Wed- nesday. Mr. Williams belongs to a well-known Welsh family, the head of which is General Owen Williams, who has played so conspicuous II part. in the baccarat trial. Mr. Hwfa Williams is a man of great administrative ability. He it was who created the Sandown Park Club and orga- nised the great races which has made Sandown f-imous. Though he is as fond of racing as his brother, the geneial, he never bets. His London house is in Great Cumberland-place. Some five or six years ago he was shot by a madman and sf-riously wounded.
THE MUNICIPAL VACANCY AT CARDIFF.
THE MUNICIPAL VACANCY AT CARDIFF. MEETING OF MR. EVAN OWEN'S SUPPORTERS. On Thursday evening a meeting was held at the Crwye-road Board Schools, Cardiff, in support of the candidature of Mr. Evau Owen, the Liberal candidate for the vacancy in the Cathays Ward. Mr. W. Jenkins presided, and among those present were Mr. Peter Price, Mr. Isaac Evans, Neath Mr. B. G. Evans, Mr. R. Davies, Mr. D. Shepherd, Mr. D. Rees Edmunds, Mr. E. Rowlands, Dr. E. T. Davies, and the Revs. J. A. Jenkins, O. L. Roberts, and J. Griffiths. The CHAIRMAN said he was glad they had not been disheartened by the elaborate manifesto which had been issued by Mr. Good. He had been trying to find out Mr. Good's profession and nationality. He was represented in that manifesto as a bona fide Welshman and as a thorough workman. The next moment Mr. Good assailed the Welshman with all the vehemence he could possibly command. In his (the chairman's) opinion the manifesto was not worth the ir.k and paper with which it was pro- duced. (Hear, hear.) He believed it would be a reflection on the working men of the ward to send such a man as Mr. Good to represent them. (Ap- plause.) Mr. K. DAVIES proposed a vote of confidence in Mr. Owen. He did so because he was a Liberal and because he was the selected candidate of the Ward Liberal Association. Mr. Owen was also entitled to support because he was a resident of the ward. Ünilays had been neglected in the past, but he thought that p, rhaps they would get a little more when Mr. Owen joined Mr. Price and Mr. Richards. He also recommended Mr. Owen as a candidate because he was in favour of Mr. Bowen Rowlands' Direct Veto Bill. (Hear, hear.) Mr. ROWLANDS seconded the proposition. He said he had read Mr. Good's manifesto, and he would liko to ask several questions about it. One was whether the production was written by more than one man, whether it was written after daik, and whether it was written aft r closing time ? (Laughter.) He thought that for any man who was compos mentis to send out such a thing to the ratepayers was an insult. (Hear, hear.) Mr. ISAAC EVANS said he had known Mr. Evan Owen for a considerable time, and he spoke from an intimate knowledge of him. (Hear, hear.) He btlieved a working man had the greatest claim to the vacant seat in the Cathays Ward, because there were many things that, required redressing. Sometimes they could not muster up sufficient courage to go to the nobility-the lords and dukes and ask them to redress their grievances, but if they were represented by a man from their own ranks they could venture to draw near and discuss matters with him. (Hear, hear.) It was said that Mr. Owen was a tool in the hands of Sir W. T. Lewis. He (Mr. Evans) did not, believe there was a single word of truth in that direction. (Hear, hear.) If he thought Mr. Owen would be a tool either of Sir W. T. Lewis, Lord Bute, or anybody else, he would not have come one ."top to support his candidature. (Applause.) Mr. Owen was a man standing on his own footing and attend- ing to his own business independently of anybody. (Hear, hear.) Mr. Owen would be a true labour representative, and he (Mr. Evans) believed tuat by representing labour lie would be representing the interests of the whole com- munity. (Applause.) Mr. REES EDMUNDS next supported the resolu- tion. He bo>ist.ed that nothing in Radicalism was too strong for him, and said he held the proud position of being the first man in the kingdom who proposed that nothing should be done to cele- brate the Jubilee of the Queen. (Applause.) Mr. DAVID SHKPHKRD also spoke in favour of Mr. Owen's candidature, and characterised Mr. Good's manifesto as cool cheek and consummate non- sense." The resolution was put and carried unani- mously. Mr. EvAN OWEN then addressed the meeting. He referred to the statement of Mr. Good that he (Mr. Owen) was a merchant, whereas he was a humble servant of the working men of South Wales. (Applause.) He noticed a paragraph in the Western Mail headed A Candid Admission," in which somebody emphasised what lie had said in stating that he knew very little about muni- cipal work. He (Mr. Owen) was not ashamed to repeat that admission, and he did not think he need be ashamed of being candid. (Applause.) Whatever little knowledge he did possess on municipal matter-, he was quite pre- pared to prove, at any rate, that, he knew as much, if not more, than Mr. Good himself. (Applause.) He did not think it was possible for any man to thoroughly understand all the detail and intricacies of municipal work outside the council, and he referred to the enormous undertaking in pioviding the town with water. He would not try to per- suade them tuat he knew nore than he did, but he would devote his whole attention to the work and watch their interests to the best of his ability. (Applause.) The meeting shortly afterwards terminated. MR. GOOD'S CANDIDATURE. A meeting in support of the candidature of Mr. Alfred Good, independent labour candidate for the Cathays Ward, (;ardift, was held in the Wood- ville-road National Schools on Thursday evening. Mr. Hilborne presided over a fairly good atten- dance. The CHAIRMAN said they were met to support Mr. Good, who was about to contest the C ithay* Ward, and he did not think they could get a better man in their interests. They wanted someone in the council to look after what concerned working men. It had been stated that t.he grocers in the ward had said they would not, vote for Mr. Good because he was at the head of the Co-operative Stores. If that were so, it would be no crime but he could assure the grocers that Mr. Good had nothing whatever to do with the stores. (Hear, hear.) Mr. THOMAS said they had heard a great deal about Mr. Owen being a labour candidate, but the fact was he was a merchant. It was urged that he would be a representative of the miners, but he (the speaker) thought he would pe a represen- tative of the cO:11 "ring," The railway men needed a representative quite as much as the colliers. (Hear, hear.) A matter for labour repre- sentatives to take up was the appointment of working men as magistrates, as also was that of the composition of juries in case of trade disputes. The split in the Liberal Association, lie thought, was the rt suit of its not being representative enough. The disorganisation was caused through the exclusiveness of the executive, and the working rank and file must now look out for themselves. In Mr. Good they had one who was in full sympathy with them, and should he be elected, he would go to the council as the delegate of the working men, to whom he would render an account of his stewardship. (Applause.) Mr. FLRMING, who was well received, said he considered the reasons given by Mr. Evan Owen that he should be returned for Cathays Ward were not sufficient. He said he was a Liberal and supported by the Liberal party. The working men, however, wanted him to say what he intended with regarded to them. He had understood that Mr. Owen was the set rotary of the Miners' Provident Astociation, but he had since learned that he was connected with two or three coal companies. Two of the men who interfered with Mr. Good's meetings worked for Mr. Owen, I and, therefore, it was a bread and butter ques-
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tionto create a disturbance. They were not going to have the Liberal candidate pushed down their throat. They had the best re is ms for supporting Mr. Good, and they ought to be ashamed if they did not secure his election. (Hear, hear.) Mr. MILLER said that there had been of late some very severe struggles between capital and labour in Cardiff, but none of them had ever seen Mr. Owen trying to bring about an amicabis settlement. On the contrary, Mr. Good did all he could in that respect, and ought to receive their henrty support. (Hear, hear.) Mr. SMITH moved that the meeting pledge itself to support the candidature of Mt-. Good. Mr. LOXTON seconded the resolution, which was canied unanimously. Mr. GOOD then addressed the meeting, and said the association of which he was the nominee made itself felt the representative body of labour at the November election, whatever might be said to the contrary by the Liberal Association. The morrow's election would see it emphasised in a way the Liberals would hardly like. The Liberal Associa- tion had sought to dominate their intelligence and judgment in the same way that a teacher dictated to a child. He appeared before them in the interests of labour, and not of politics. They had been termed hypocritical, but he threw that lie back in the teeth of those who uttered it. The Liberal party was hypo- critical, and had acted in a most reprehensible manner for failing to fulfil promises made with regard to labour representation. He believed in a labour representative coming before his con- stituents at frequent intervals, and, if elected, he should do that and seek their advice on matters under consideration. With regard to it being alleged that he was at the head of the co- operation movement in Cathays, he could assure them there was no foundation for the state- ment. If they were unsuccessful at the ensuing election, they would not be next November. Labour wielded a great power, and would give the lie to the Liberal Asso- ciation and to the South Wales Daily News, which waS unworthy of the support of the working cLis-es. That paper had been false to its pro- fessions, like the Libei al Association. It had been at the beck and call of the association. It was a mere preacher of capital, and was ruled exclusively by £ a. d. It had not a spark of public honour, and had been false to the great interest of labour. He thanked them heartily for the resolution. (Applause.) The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.
LOCAL BILLS IN PARLIAMENT.
LOCAL BILLS IN PARLIAMENT. GOLDEN VALLEY RAILWAY BILL. This Bill came bifore the Committee on Unop- posed Bills on Thursday, presided over by the Earl of Morley, in order that the consents of the stock- holders should be given in writing to a clause authorising the issue of debentures for £6,000 and to release the directors from liability for the issue. —Mr. Tryon said the line was in great want of this additional capital, which would go a long way towards finding what they needed, viz, sufficient plant and rolling stock. There could be nothing but total loss to the share- holders if they did not get the £ 6,000.— Lord Morley said it was the first he had heard about £ 6,000.—Mr. Tryon said that was true, but they could riot have put in this clause before getting the consent of the stockholders, and of those gentlemen representing JE130,000 out of a total of £ 150,000 gave their con- sent.-Lord Morley said it was rather an advance on private Bill legislation, and he would neej to take a few days to think over it, suggesting, however, that in the meantime Mr. Cripps.tbe agent, should produce a different form of words for the safety of the directors and share- holders.—The consideration was, therefore, adjourned. GARW AND OGMORE GAS BILL. On Thursday afternoon the above Bill came before Lord Morley's Committee of the House of Peers on Unopposed Bills. The preamble was proved by Mr. James, folicitor to the Bill, and the Bill was ordered without comment to be reported for third reading. NEATH HARBOUR BILL. This Bill, which has already passed the House of Lords, came on Thursdav afternoon before the Examiner of the House < f Commons for proof of compliance with the Further Standing Orders. There was no opposition, and the Bill was ordered to be reported to the House for secoud reading.
THE 1891 CENSUS.
THE 1891 CENSUS. LIVERPOOL CHALLENGES THE RETURNS. At the meeting of the health committes of the Livel pool City Council on Thursday it was decided to take steps to challenge the figures of the Registrar-General in the census returns for Liveipool showing the enormous decrease of 102,000 people, especially in he face of the in- creased tmraefs list and nearly 5,000 houses having been erected during the ten years. If the Registrar-Gene) ai's returns were correct, the death-rate showed no diminution, despite the large sums spent onsanitury works.
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Blood Will Teil.|
Blood Will Teil. | Miss Grace Maybrooke was what is called a society actress, and was. as the phrase goes, all the rage." Society journals delighted their readers with stories of the luxurious life she led, how she was, petted, feted, courted, and made much of by dukes, and earls, and marquesses, snd such like wild fowl. Her photograph was in every shop-window, her name in every paper. She set the fashions. "The -Itaybrook-c Hat," ''The Maybrooke Collar," "The Maybrooke Fan," were to be met with everywhere. A representative of an interesting soap firm waited-upon her for a testimonial. Half the illustrated almanacs of the year represented her ill some favourite histrionic character. flays were written for and songs to her. Waltzes, svveetmeatsjface-powder.carriages, books, and goodness knows what, were christened after her. From the number of things that bore her name one would suppose there was no other word in the Knglish lan- guage than Maybrooke, wherewith tradesmen could label their goods, poets their songs, or painters their pictures. Of course there was, pe contra, a set who saw in Grace Maybrooke none of the beanty, talent, or grace with which the others en- dowed her. Thpy might tie called the anti- Maybrookes, and were loud in their denuncia- tion of the reigning beauty. They asserted that she was horn somewhere in the Seven Dials, and that in private her handling of her Knife and fork, and of the Queen's English (when not sneaking the words set down for her in the play), betrayed her gutter-bred ovtgin. Of course, as usual, the truth lay somewhere midway between the two ex- tremes. Grace Maybrookes father was a country gentleman of the old school. At first he objected to her g-O>lg on the stage, but, find- ing she was determined, he took her ap to London and put her under the very best teachers, with the result that the native talent she undoubtedly possessed was brought out to the best advantage, and when once she appeared she never looked back in her adopted profession. For the first few years of ber
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success Grace had for her cavalier her father, and very touching it was to see the old gen- tleman hand her into her carriage with a high-bred old-time courtesy, blended with fatherly pride, or to watch his face beam with delight when the plaudits rang loud and long through the theatre in his daughter's praise. But Squire Maybrooke (he was always called the Squire," though it was only a courtesy title) overtaxed his strength. For two consecutive London seasons he danced attendance upon his daughter through all the whirl of pleasure, the dazzling round of I feverish excitement; he went, and paid the penalty of his rashness. Paralysis, that had long threatened him, laid him low one night I as they were returning from a ball, and such a grip did it fix upon him that he was many months before he left his bed, and then was only able to sit up for an hour or two at most. Grace would have given up her engagements, but her father would not hear of it. Send for Aunt Tab," he'said, she's got a constitution like an ox, and no amount of balls or parties '11 take it out of her. Give up your I engagements, indeed, because your poor old father's knocked on the head for a little while? Not a bit of it, my dear." And so it was arranged and carried out, and with Aunt Tabitha Jessop as chaperon Grace saw all the pleasure she desired. iNow, having explained matters so far, let me introduce you to another character in my story. Peter Pelgrim's Patent People s Pill cures every jJ1 that flesh is heir to, and a great many others that the flesh has come byother- wise than by descent. Peter Pelgrim's Patent People's Pills are only Is. 1-id. the box, and are guaranteed to cure every disease ever heard of, and a great many more never heard of at all." Of course, you have seen the advertisements of Peter Pelgrim's Patent People's Pill. They're in every paper, on every wall, and stare at you from every point of the compass. j Mr. Peter -the proprietor of this wonder:ul pill, was a millionaire. A plain enough ;ui himself, he had no desire to force himself beyond his own circle, but he bad a wife who was ambitious. They had a son-I an onlx child—born to them in their <ros- peritv, and Mrs. Pelgrim had set her heart on making this boy "a gentleman." The truth must be told. At the time when I introduce this personage to you he was one of the most thorough-paced young snobs to be met with in all London. Nor was snobbery his only offence, for a man may be a snob, and, by judicious kickings, may eventually become almost presentable; but Marmaduke Pelgrim was an unmitigated scamp of the very worst type. He held a commission in the-tb Regiment of Foot. His rank was captain. His cloth and his wealth, which was enormous, took him anywhere. He was in the best clubs, mixed with the best sets, was run after and made much of by people who should have known better, but who only tolerated him because of his money, of which they contrived to get hold of a pretty good share, for, to give him his due, Captain Pel- grim was no niggard, and spent and lent with a lavish hand. Amongst a certain set it is the fashion, as you know, to sneer at virtue and to impute to any woman who bears a spotless name a motive based wholly upon policy for so living. To laugh at modesty and call it a trick," assumed to draw others on, to assert that no charms are so sacred but that they are pur- chasable, and that a woman's yes or no depends upon the length of the gallant's purse who asks the question. To a set of this description belonged Marmaduke Pel- grim, and was reckoned amongst them a shin- ing light. When the beautiful Grace Maybrooke burst upon a startled world Captain Pelgrim immediately paid her assiduous court. His attentions being repulsed in a most marked manner, he became very bitter, and was at once a strong anti-Maybrooke, joining in eagerly with any scandal, and giving tongue to any story evil minds could invent against her. Matters reached a climax when he openly offered to bet with anyone then standing by in the foyer of the theatre one hundred pounds to a sovereign that she could not resist him, and would, on that night week, did he but care to make the effort, drive him home with her in her carriage. Several took his bet, but few thought he had any chance of winning, for they had most of them seen the gallant cap- tsin 4nabbed by the haughty beauty. On the appointed night Pelgrim was there sur- rounded by a large number of choice spirits who had come to see the fun. The perfor- mance over, Grace's carriage drew up, as usual, at the stage-door. The box-keeper assisted the captain with his overcoat, and being comfortably settled therein, he sauntered round to the back of the theatre. followed at a short distance by his friends. They were not near enough to hear what was said, but they saw Miss Maybrooke come out, followed by her maid. Pelgrim advanced, bowed, said something in an undertone, opened the carriage door, assisted her in, and followed himself. The maid closed the door, took her place beside the coachman, and the vehicle was driven rapidly away. To say that the 01. lookers were surprised at what took place would be a very mild expression to apply to their wonderment, but had they been able to overhear what occurred within the carriage their feelings would have undergone a consi- derable change. My father ill—dying, and has sent you to fetch me home at once!" says Grace to Pel- grim, who has buried his face in his handker- chief. Where is my aunt ? Why did she not come ? I cannot understand it at all "-a pause-" and I believe, from your silence, Captain Pelgrim, you are playing me some trick. I must stop this carriage, and request you to alight." For answer Pelgrim threw himself 'back amongst the cushions, and gave vent to a coarse peal of laughter. A trick, my beauty Why, of course it is. I made a bet about you to a few fellows, and, by Jove I've won it." Briefly, and with brutal frankness, he owned to his paltry lie. She was about to pull the check-string to stop the carriage, when a con- fused hum of voices struck upon her ear, there was much shooting, a sudden jerk, a crash, lights danced round her for a moment, then all was dark, and she remembered no more. A runaway horse had dashed into the car- riage at the bottom on the Haymarket. She was lifted out, placed in a cab, and driven home- where, after a careful examination, the doctor pronounced her unhurt, but much un- nerved by the shock. Meanwhile, Captain Pelgrim, who was quite unharmed by the accident, became amongst his own particular set the hero of the hour. Of the hour only, though, for it was rumoured, as Grace grew stronger, that she meditated having her revenge; but as his offence was not one punishable by law, and she bad no brother to take the matter up, the gessips were busy wondering what form her vengeance would take. The first sign of hostilities was a letter from the squire, asking for an apology. This Pelgrim read aloud in his olub, and then tossed it into the fire. Here the matter rested, and it really seemed as though it was going to die a natural death. May has come and gone, and the first few days of June show us London at its best. The streets are thronged with gaily-dressed crowds. The weather is warm and genial, and Nature seems doing her utmost to invite follis out of doors. Trotting along gently beneath the shadow of the trees in the hollow of Piccadilly is a particularly smart mare, drawing a particu- smart hansom, driven by a particularly smart driver. The mare has a gay ribbon on either side of her head, and a highly-polished "gingle'' hangs on her harness, for the cab is a rubber-tyred one. The coachman is resplendent in a white hat, a fawn-coloured dust-coat, a natty pair of driving-gloves, and a huge flower in his button-hole. He is the very type of a smart London cabby. As he nears one of the exits from the Green Park a young lady bails him. Quick as lightning he pulls up, leans forward, lifts the reins clear of his fare's head, and asks- Where to, miss ? Drive a little way up Park-lane. Then stop and get down, for I want to speak to you." "Hight you are, miss--quite at your ser- vice. What's up, I wonder ? this last to himself. In a few moments he is stand- ing beside his cab listening atteniiuely to something his fare has to say. The recital moves him greatly. First his face assumes a broad grin, then he is fear- fully serious. Next he takes off his hat. blows very hard, and makes sundry passes in the air of a decidedly pugiiistic character. Then he replaces his hat, and, touching the brim respectfully, listens once more to his fare, and hears her out. Whatever is the subject of her communication, cabby seems delighted, and with many a- Depend on me, miss. I'll give him the postman's knock if he comes any hanky- panky. You can trust in Bob Brettle (that's my name, miss), and you won't be mistook." So saving he climbs up into his seat, and drives slowly into Hyde Park. • • • • r There is a grand military function on to- day, and a large number of soldiers are drawn up inside Hyde Park. Someone is to be pre- sencrd with something, and everybody who is anybody is bound to assist at the ceremony. Up to the present nothing particular has taken place. The soldiers and officers stand at ease and wait for the big bugs to arrive. Standing about in knots of half a dozen or so, the officers stretch their well-strapped legs. You know the uniform ? Long-tailed, heavily-frogged frock coats, little boyish caps with the peaks tipped well over the eyes. One particular group is standing near the line of people being kept back by the police. Foremost amongst them is Captain Pel- grim, who is holding forth on some weighty matter in a very loud voice, as is his wont. For the last half-hour there has been a very troublesome hansom cab dodging about up and down the line, and getting into hot water with the police in consequence. Now cabby stops altogether, and getting down finds some- one to hold the mare's head. Then he pushes his way through the mob, closely followed by his fare, a young lady. Arriving at a very burly bobby he administers a vigorous dig in the ribs and exclaims- Now then, Porpus, didn't you never see a cabby in a white 'at afore ?" This causes the constable to turn sharply upon him, and a quick interchange of civili- ties follows what time the young lady slips through the opening made by the policeman, and she rapidly advances towards the knot of officers. Now, for the first time, we catch siaht of her. Sutelv that neat little figure- that upright, self-reliant air, is unmistakable I —it is Miss Maybrooke. With a quick step she walks towards the officers, who turn and form a semi-circle, and gaze at the unusual sight. Pelgrim is in the centra. Grace advances steadily towards him, and, fixing her flashing eyes upon him, says, You publicly insulted me, and thus 1 publicly repay you!" And she draws from the folds of her skirt a riding-whip—no toy, mind you-and, holding it firmly in her ungloved right band, she administers a number of heavy cuts right across the captain's face, everyone of which leaves behind it a quivering wheal, into which the blood starts as soon as the blow is struck. Mad with pain and rage, Pelgrim raises his arm as though about to strike his assailant; but a dozen hands were laid upon him, and he is flung on one side. "Allow me to escort you back through the lines. You have had your revenge," says Tom Forrester, a young sub., who is greatly struck by Grace's pluck. She takes his arm and returns to her cab, the driver of which is about to bA marched off by the irate bobby. But a word from Forrester and the policeman I is dumb. Grace jumps nimbly into the cab. Bob is as quickly up in his seat. and in less time than it takes to write the words they are bowling away out of the park. Plucky little devil," says Tom, when he rejoins the others. What'll Pelgrim do now-sell out?" Not he; he'll stick it out," says Major Horton. These low fellows have no feel- mg. Blood will tell, you see. The pills came out m him—he would have struck her. You're right there, major. Grace May- brooke is her father's daughter every bit--a chip of the old block, and, as you say, blood I will tell."—Illustrated Bits.
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c: I can't understand it, Reily," said the post II office superintendent. "These green hands get through the beats quicker than you do. 1 know that," said the postman. But you ought to remember they aren't acquainted with the door ladies, 1. have social responsi- bilities, sir."
VARIETIES.
VARIETIES. A 'cute farmer in Minnesota has fenced hit farm with the railing of his wife. I, eury Judd, a scissors grinder of Goschen, Ind., has died leaving nearly £ 50,000..Shear grinding industry did it. An American lady residing in Paris is said to be able to converse in ten different lan- guages. Fortunately she is not married. Jaysmith Look here, M 'Corkle, your dog bit me just now. M'Corkie I'm glad you told me. I'll give the poor fellow an antidote right away. Lady of the House You say you haven't had anything to eat to-day ? Tramp: Lady, if you believe me, the only thing I've swallowed to-day is insults. Mrs. Pettit Are all here, Phillips ? Phillips Yis, mum. Mrs. Pettit Very well, Phillips; where can we drive to-day that the dear creaturea have not already been ? Phillips To the pond, mum. Dr. Pilles (to suffering patient): There, take a teaspoonfnl of this mixture every half hour. It will help the pain. Patient: Great guns, man I don't want it helped 1 want it stopped. Phipps: The Shakers never marry, do they? Phlipps: I believe not. Why? Phipps: Nothing much, only my girl has given me the shake, and I'll bet she'll end up just like the rest of 'em. Teacher: JohnriV, why is George Brovro absent? Johnny Why, George Btow.i says his sister's gotaeo'd; but dat aii* nolhin'; one 0' mv sisters is got the smallpox and tother one de measles, but L come all the sair.a. "I suppo-'V sale sbo, glancing at the clock, "that like other boys you fought many battles tt -iohool, and that when you were once in a right you stayed in it tiil you won." "No," said lie, I used io get out of fights as quickly >i>; possible." Well, now," she observed, anotb T glance at the clock, "I sbonla th:t>k you wou d have been a stayer." ".No, t wasn't." And to show that be wasn't a stayer he took his hat and went.