Evening Express

.7 ? j METEOROLOGICAL NOTES. I SOUTH WALES TIDE TABLE. ♦+ j ■ s fc 5 a a •* *$° g S *$° g S 3 =» t S h ss | 3 s zj cc z S CM Satur- f Alorn' ng >- 16 1 20 2 14 I day, < Evening 3 3 "1 56 2 50 — j — May H (Height 23 2 2n> 6 28 11 Sundav ( Morning 3 36 2 30 3 24 iyr v < Evemnar 4 !1 o 0 .>54 — — y 0 I eiyht 30 '6 23 7 31_3 Mondav (^ornl,' < 3? J j Mav fi1EvemS 5 3 °7 4 51 | — — may o ^Height 32 8 30 6 33 7 | Tuesdr. ( Morni'g ~5 4 25 5 17 J -41 Even ii<? 5 '.5 4 4-i u 42 | — — may ( Height 34 6 31 3 35 4 | VV ednes- fMorui'g j o 17 5 12 6 6 1 day Evjnng ■ 6 4C 5 3o 6 30 t —— | — May. 8 (.Height 35 6 32 3 35 11 | Thurs- (Morning j 7 3 5 59 6 53 6 11 day, } Evening { 7 24 6 22 7 16 — b 33 May 9(,Heigiii I 35 8 32 4 ;6 6 25 7 j, ('Morning 7 47 6 44 7 34 6 5§ ^rldafJ Evening 8 6 7 4 7 58 | 7 l5 May 10 (Height 35 7 32 1 lb 4| 24 12 Koach Bsain East Dock Sill JAlexandra lpeci: iDock Sit

TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL. DATE '» TI:MPKR«.TDEI8. iMax. Min. Mean RaiMraLL Sunday 28 54 46 SO'O 000 Monday 29 56 48 52*0 0"00 Tuesday 30 58 48 53'0 O'OO Wemiesduy, 1 58 ^5 52'5 0*00 Thursdav 2 55 38 46'5 0*00 Fridav. 3 57 45 51"0 O'OO Saturday 4 62 44 53'0 0 09 TheTeraperature veuresents extreme reading of the 11 ermoineter for 24 hours ended 9 a.m., ta)ceft in the shade at Cwrt-v-Vil, Penarth. The Rainfall rejristered lit 0 wrt-y Vil, Penarth, for the 24 hours ended q a.tri.

LLANDAFF CATHED XAL SERVICES. THE THIRD Susrnvr AFTER E,C«TKR NVFNV residence: The Very Rev. the Dean ani the Rev. Canon Roberts. Holy Conmiu H.ILI, iii'i-day Horning: 11 a.m., Chants; hyinus 207, 199. and 274 preacher, Canon Roberts. Afternoon three p.m., Litany; 3.30, Chants; hymns, 265, 273, and 215 preacner, The Rev. Minor Canon Skrimshire. Full Choral Service at five p.m. will be resumed on Wednesday next. Wednesdoy, May 8.—Tours in F anthem, Christ is risen" (Elvey). Thursday, May 9.-Cooke in G; hymn 282. Friday, May 10.—Waliuisley in D minor anthem, If we believe" (Goss). Saturday, May n.-Garrett inD; anthem, Praise His awful Name" (Spohr). _???

I Telephone, National, 502: Foøt-office, 95. Telegrams, "Mail," Cardiff.

nTTET BY "OBSERVER CARDIFF, Saturday Morning. r. Jolin. Dillon speaks at Cardiff this evening. Mr. Dillon is a melancholy man in appearance, in demeanour, and in speech. I have seen him at a public meeting, where a vast mob of Radicals were howling the praises of Home 'Rule. It was just the kind of thing to render an Irishman radiant; but, to the best of my recollection, MT. Dillon never even smilted. Had they beert lowering the Green Isle below sea level at the very moment he could not for the life of him have looked more glum. Lovely place Merthyr must be! They are going to close the cemeteries on Sundays. As visiting graveyards is about the only pleasure they know up there, this will be a blow, indeed. But if the preachers will it, the gates will be shut right bang. Merthyr is steeped in Radicalism, so anything like liberty or free speech is to all intents and purposes unknown, and a young man dare hardly take his laeg for a walk without consulting the Rev. Zedekiah or the gentlemen of the big seat first. It will be in the recollection of many that the provision of drinking bars at Cardiff theatres was strenuously opposed by the teetotal fad- dists of the place. All sorts of evils were pre- dicted by these imaginative gentry, who are never so happy as when interfering with the oomfort and happiness of others. Well, the bar movement Was carried, and whilst it has proved an immense convenience, it has given no trouble whatever, and, furthermore, we have the chief-constable (who ought to know, if anybody does) statintlwrt during the eighteen months the bars have been open not a single case of misoonduot has been re-v ported. This ought to satisfy even thi' hydro- pots; but will it, Dear "Observer,"—^Referring to your notes on the letter from your namesake respecting the number of our fallen sisters in Cardiff streets, and what remedy could be suggested, I think if the White Cross Army was more militant this would militate against the crying evil. I enclose a pamphlet on the sub- ject.—I am, &o., JULIAN GREY. I learn with surprise that the operations of the White Crosii Society are very limited in Cardiff-just the town where the society should be most to the front. This society, in connec- tion with the Church of England, has been established fqr the promotion of purity, more especially amongst the young, and I trust that those who sympathise with the object, and who desire that something should be done in- directly for the wretched women who disgrace our streets, will rally round this movement and bring it to the front in Cardiff in a way that has never been done before. I am obliged to mv correspondent for oalling timely attention to a society which ought to need no stimulating. Fair-minded people will approve and ejm- p.itluse with the dignified letter in which Mr. Brain replies to the wild mutterings of the Rev. John Pugh. Mr. Brain has, in a quiet way, succeeded in landing a very nasty blow, and one that should tell on the rev. gentleman, if he is not utterly dead to reason and common- sense. There is not the slightest need for Christians to endeavour to be more particular than their great Master was, and I feel sure that He would have alluded to Mr. Brain in very different terms from those used by Mr. Pugh. Any way, that is the impressio.. the Gospel narrative leaves upon the mind. The "Draper's Record" has some pertulent remarks on a postal anomaly. "When," it asks, "is a postcard not a postcard? A corres- pondent puts this question to us, not as a conundrum, but with the serious purpose of eliciting information. The Post-Office autho- rities .v.iswer the query in their own particular way; which k ir.at of mulcting the recipient of a postcard thaL is not f postcard of the sum of twopence. As is generally known, a private aDd unofficial card, it it c-cnforms to the regula- tions b'jried in the 'Posta* Guide,' and obher si/riilar vo-umes, can be -cut with a halfpenny stamp on it. B't should the sender omit. to affix that stamp—a piece of inadvertency likely to happen to the best of vs—tne postcard ceases to be a postcard, and become a letter, th(. un- fortunate recipient being obliged ptiy two- pence before receiving it- What conceivable excuse can there be for this excessive surcharge ? Why would not a fine of a penny be enough? If an unstamped postcard is a leHcr, why isn't an unstamped letter a telegram: _#L- "And there is another consideration. Most people would refuse to pay 2d. for a postcard, despite the undoubted fact that a postcard is a favourite medium with some people of send- ing private and important information. When an unstamped card is refused by the intended recipient, it is not returned to the sender unless a request that it should be so returned is printed on it, and a further d. paid. The consequence is that the sender does not know whether his communication has been received or not. This must often give rise to all sorte of m i t un df ir standi n gs and coin (plications, as unnecessary as they are vexatious. No doubt it is practically obligatory on the postal authorities to penalise the omission to stamp letters and cards, but some uniformity in the process should be preserved. Reasoning from the standpoint of both analogy and com- mon-sense, it surely would be a sufficient penalty to mulct the recipient one penny in- stead of fcwooence. And the return of cards to j?' _Li.. "'B th" senders in oase- WIIT* th4" are not accepted could not be a very serious task for the Post Office. As matters are ait present, we can only suggest that business commuincations should never be sent on private postcards. Only un- important mesøages-an invitation to dinner, or a proposal of marriage—Should be sent in that way." At a corporation committee yesterday it was ironically suggested that, not merely uniforms, but complete sets of clothing haberdashery, and other requisites should be supplied to the officials. LOOK LOOK To public officials and all whom it may concern. THE CARDIFF CORPORATION (Strictly limited—in capacity', Beg to announce that they have just opened in an extensive way as Public Outfitters and General Upholsterers and Furnishers, and that they are prepared to execute all orders at the promptest notice, and at strictly London prices. In order to bring 'their goods before an admiring world they beg to draw special attention to the following unrivalled lines: — THE CAREY SUIT, Specially adapted for water engineers and mspectorg, 31s. 6d. THE MORGAN TILE, An unexceptionable article, splendid wear, and given away at a guinea. Try our WARING COLLARS AND CUFFS— You will find them real haberdashery, and un- rivalled for display. To housekeepers in general: THE REES STARCH May be confidently recommended as the best :u the market, and once used will supersede all others. In stiffness and rigidity it is 'm- excelled. Is. per box: beware of nefarious imitations! TOURISTS TOURISTS Our Mr. Trounce will supply you with all requisites from his department, and guaran- tees complete satisfaction. Do you want a warm firoside? If so, consult the BROTHERS BlfAVAN. Special dis- count to Teetotalers. Working wfJn-tllis is for you! THE JENKINS MOLESKINS Are real beauties, and don't you forget it. BRAIN'S SUITS For draymen a specialty—some &ic things in this line. MUSIC IN THE HOUSE Is the invariable accompaniment of securing a Shackell Piano on any terms. Lessons in playing and theory also given if desired. ALDERMAN LEWIS Will show his capital stock of Oiled Goods. SPLENDID VALU'E! By special arrangement with Mr. Ramsdale many of these lines carry insurance coupons, and all you have t9 do is to die in order to insure the happiness of your families Delay is dangerous. Many other lines could be mentioned, includ- ing tho celebrated JOHNSON Riding and Driving Requisites. We prefer, however, to let each article speak for itself. Come in your thousands to tho TOWN-HALL, W And inspect the stock. No credit given, as the funds of the company will not admit of it.

THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. AFFAIRS IN THE SWANSEA DISTRICT. Another batch of tin-platers left Morriston on Friday for America to try their fortunes in the Sta.tes. in spite of advices as to the poor condition of the new industry over there. These departures ha.ve become very frequent of late, and comprise some of the steadiest and best workmen in the trade. With regard to our paragraph as to Landore Works, the real position appears to be this. Operations will oommenoe, according to agreement, on May 8, a.t a reduction of 12i per cent, (not 25 per cent. as stated), and a month's notice to be given by either party to alter the terms of >vork.

HIS HAIR GREEN. AFFLICTION OF THE PATIENT OF A BALTIMORE DOCTOR. Dr. Arthur Oppenheimer, resident physician at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, in Baltimore, has a. fcpecimen of green hair coming from the head of a humui beintf. At a meeting of the medical society he exhibited the hair, which wa., fiorn a patient who came to the medical dispensary in 1891. Betause of the rarity of th3 case knowledge of it is of great value to the medical fraternity. The patient was a cop- persmith. 58 years old, and seemed to care little for cleanliness. The coloration was caused by fine copper oxide dust lodging on the man's head, and not being promptly removed a't the end of each day's work. At the time he was suffering with a rather distressing cough, which increased in severity, and finally resulted in death. Dr. Oppenheimer. in speaking about the case, sr.id: "Since half a year or so he had had vague stomach symptoms, nausea, occasional vomiting, some distie&s, but no actual pain after eating; no colic. No pulmonary syrnp- tenia were complained of, and the examination j of the chest and abdomen was negative. There was no lime on the gums. The chief point of interest was the hair. Like the specimen pre- set ted, it was a pale but quite distinct green This was more true of the hair on the head and of the moustache. Boiling in water did not remove the colour, but ammonia did so at once. Greenish hair with men in copper works and in copper mines is not unknown. As far back as 1654 Bartholin noted its occurrence. Sevt ral observers since then have remarked on it. Kobert in his 'Intoxications Krankheiten,' and Hirt, in his "Krankheiten der Arbeiter,' both mentioned it. Peri in 1381 reported a case in which the roofes of the hair were free and crystals were to be seen. On questioning at the copper works, it was found tha't the patient was an exception, the majority of the men being fiiee. They state, however, that it is only by scrjpulous cleanliness that thev avoid 'the colouration. They must wash their hair daily in :t solution oc soda, as ordinary water is ineffectual. The part first apt to be affected is the moustache, and the next the head; though, if the latter is* protected bv a thick cap, it will be free. The colour appears a few days after starting work, aHc\ is more apt to tome in the summer time, when tli-rv ■sweat freely. Then the underwear has a greenish tinge whenever l't has been thoroughly wet w.tli sweat. They seldom have anv gastro- intestinal disturbance, but a severe, distressing couffh is not uncommon, and occasionally ends fatally." ¡.f?

GOLD IN THE SEA. ABOUT TEN MILLIONS IN THE WORLD'S OCEAN. Some time it was mentioned in these columns (says the "Daily Telegraph) that a chemist had discovered a certain quantity of <*old in each too of water in the ocean. There is none in fresh water, but the salt waves com- monly called "the briny." are full of it. A patient analyst has since been making further invesltiaratious into the subject and finds that there are about ten million tons of gold in the various oceans scattered about the glob- with- out counting what is contained in the icebergs around the North and South Poles. The enor- mous auriferous qualities of salt water may bi iransped by the fact that the annual output of fold from the various mines on dry land is p-timated at a little over (since the discovery of the Londonderry) 200 tons ner annum. It will thus lie seen that the oceans contain a vast amount of wealth, a.nd any mines that mav hf start^xl in them will not suffer from the pre- vailing: disadvantage of terrestrial undertakings —want of water.

A VILLAGE DESTROYED. SIXTY-FIVE DWELLING-HOUSES BUTRNED. A Reuter's telegram from Berlin on Fri- day saY8 —The greater portion of Pommer- zig, the largest village in the district of Crossen, near Frankfort-cm-Oder. was destroyed by fire yesterday. Sixty-five dwelling-houses a.nd 150 ba.rns and stables were burned down and a large number of oatrtle perished. Most of the inhabitants were engaged in the fields at the time and lost all their belongings. The fire is stated to ha.ve been caused by some children who were playing with matches.

BREACH OF PROMISE CASE. In the Queen's Bench on Friday Miss Minnie Westmore, of Tottenham, was awarded £ 125 for breach of promise a.nd seduction against David Pa.isley. employed a.t some electric light works a.t Ponder's End. At the close of counsel's address for the plaintiff there was loud applause, and Justice Wills, in an a.ngry tone, saia he had a gooo'^aind to send the applauderg to gaol for a night It wa.s an outrageohs impropriety an 1 m1181 ite stopped.

"? t.UUii!i.).J.i,jLt! Pictures in the Academy THE WORKS OF LOCAL ARTISTS. Criticism of the Chief Oil-Paintings, Specially Written for the "Evening Express." ARTICLE I. [BY PARKER HAGARTY.J The opinion of art critics, artists, and the public generally will be widely divided as to the superiority of the present exhibition at Burlington House over its predecessors, but to my mind the general level of the work is about the same—many excellent, but nothing very startling, and, of course, some very bad. These latter, however, with a few exceptions, do not obtrude themselves upon the casual observer, and, after a general sur- vey of the galleries, I think the nioft critical of critics must acknowledge that for infinite variety of subjects, treated by the best ex- ponents of the many schools, from the pre- Kaphaelite the most impressionalistic, the Royal Academy of 1895 is free from the charge that has so often been brought against them-viz., narrowness of Art vision. This is as it should be, and is, perhaps, due some- what to the younger and more progressive, fiery blood that has been introduced during th.e last few years, and although the new Associates have nothing to do with either selecting or hanging, yet it is a fact that their presence in the Royal ranks of Art has been strong,'y felt, and is serving to sweep away the prejudices that have so long barred the way to those works that were not con- sidered Academical. There is still room for reform in other respects—such as the elec- tion to Assoeiatesliip of at least one or two of our finest artists in black and white. Surely, such a man as Sir F. Seymour Haden, the president of the Royal Society of Painter Etchers, is quite worthy of a place among his brother artists, and it would be but a grace- ful act on the part of the Royal Academy if they soon saw their way to honour Art by honouring black and white men. This year promises to be a good one for modern artists, for it seems to be the general opinion that the corner has been turned, and that bad tr.;de and depression are things of the past. Besides this, there has been a most exceptional boom in the works of the early English masters, and buyers and collec- tors have been devoting their time and money to the purchase .f pictures by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Gainsborough, Constable, David Cox, Copley Fielding, Peter de Wint, W. Muller, J. B. Pyne, &c. But this has at length shown signs of coming to a stop, not because these works are any less sought after or that they have depreciated in value, but simply because there is not an endless supply of these masters' works, and the market is really nearly empty of genuine first-class examples. It is now to be hoped, and, indeed, is a certainty, that buyers. unable to obtain the coveted works by these men will turn their attention to those by living artists, to the mutual benefit of both buyer and seller. It will be impossible in this article to give any but a most slight critique of the pictures in Burlington House, but I propose to run through the galleries and pick out those that are by the first men of the day, some few by prominent outsiders, and any that are of local interest, either because the artist or the work is connected with Wales—and South Wales more particularly. For general purposes wie cannot begin any lugher up the scale than with thet president himself, and I certainly think he has this year done himself full justice. Of course, they are characteristic of Sir Frederick from first to last, but there is such a subtle beauty and delicacy of design, of treatment, and of colour that I very much fear the public would be greatly disappointed if he should ever try to make a new departure. A man cannot do his best work out of character with himself, and so Sir Frederick, who is always refined and poetical in himself, produces works that bear his strong personal individuality. His most important work occupies the centre in the large Gallery No. 3. "Flaming June" is its title, and represents a sleeping female figure, clothed with the light ambei-pink drapery so dear to Sir Frederick's heart. I say clothed because the figure is not nude, but this does not prevent the charming form being but little lost or disguised by its covering, and throughout can be seen the delicate lines of the body and limbs. The attitude is a reclining one, the foreshortening being beau- tifully rendered. Another on the same wall, No. 182—"Lachrymie"—is totally different in ita colour scheme, being very subdued, with the one exception of the brilliance behind the head. This classical figure is standing beside a pillar, with arm and head fallen, in the attitude of hopeless grief. A fadied laurel wreath lies at the bottom with dead leaves— thoroughly In character with the pale face, the black drapery, and the dark green background. "The Girl with the Golden Hair" is, truly, almost perfect in its magic beauty. So also is No. 159—" 'Twixt Hope and Fear." Ta.king the room in order. I was at once struck with T. C. Gotch's "Death the Bride," No. 4, ta figune in black veil, among red pop- pies then Sir John Millais' "St. Stephen," with the simple quotation, "He fell asleep"— the young saint lies dead in a wild, dark, and rocky wood, with figures dimly seen in the gloom. E. W. Waite and T. B. Kennington, both members of the South Wales Art Society, have works well hung here, the portrait by the latter being very fine. John S. Sargent has painted some of the finest portraits in London this year, and his late election to Assooiateship has been a marked gain to the Royal Academy. No. 31, Mr. Ernest Hill's, is simply lifelike, so easy, without the slightest apparent effort, the lady seems to be flesh and blood rather than made of paint. Here, also, is a. B. W. Leader, but the same can hardly said of it. Frank Dicksee, R.A., has accom- plished a. wonderful work in his picture, No. 46—"A Revexiie"—a lady seafifcl singing at a grand piano by fire and laruptlight; her hus- band, with hand shading his eyes, loofts beyond her, and sees the vision of his former love rise like a misty vapour—the head is turned, and the eyes gaze upon him with a yearning look that re-calls to his memory things at once bitter and sweet. George Clausen, the very latest Associate, has here a portrait, simple and direct in colour and treatment. No. 91 is also his—"Harvest." In this there is some- thing more than mere rough men and boys at work in a cornfield in the strong light of the setting sun; there is much of that charm and poetry that Jean Francois Millet uS'3.i to throw over his pictures, the best of which were always taken from the peasants of his own country. No. 97, "St. Cecilia," by J. W. Whterhouse, is his only important work, the other being a portrait, but this picture has been much talked of and looked forward to, and now that it is on the Avails it is worth most careful study. There is no man who can render this cla^-s of subjects so well. A curious miixture of the ideal with the real, and at the same time so decorative, "St. Cecilia" will be one of the pictures of the year. "The Thorn," No. 87. by Alfred Larsons, is bril- liantly fresh in colour the greens are treated with great daring, and the white blossom forms a splendid contrast. A landscape much to be enjoyed hy the public is No. l'^O, "Sunshine and Shadow,' by Ernest Parton. G. F. Watts's "Jonah." No. 147, will not be consi- dered pleasant, but it has many of this great artist's characteristics. No. 160, "Phrebus Apollo." by Briton Riviere, R.A., is full of action and life. The young god is being borne swiftly on by a group of magnificent lions, rearing a.nd plunging, while he is evidently urging them to even greater speed. The con- summate knowledge required to have painted such a work is, perhaps, only possessed by this artist. E. A. Waterlow has a sirrinle land- scape in "Golden Autumn," No. 167, which fairly palpitates with air and light. Frank D'.cksee's most importa.nt work is hung in Gallery No. 3, on the end wall—"Paolo and Francesca"—a circular picture, showing the guilty lovers in one of their stolen interviews he with his arm around her. pressing her hand to his lips, while she. with eyes half shut, rests her head on his shoulder. The green of her robe contrasts strongly and well with his brown garb. The intent expression an both fao?s is very masterlv. Her figure, which can be followed beneath her dress, is full and lovelv, while his represents great strength, for this lover of another man's wife is a sturdy warrior. I next notice Marcus Stone. R.A., "A Sailor's Sweetheart." No. 1P3. His many admirers will be charmed with this sweet work. An unusually pretty girl, leaning over the wall of a garden bv a seaport village, looks wist- fully out across the water, where her lover has gone. Her father and mother watch her with anxious looks, grieved that so fflir a flower should have anything but sunshine in her life. Peter Graham. R V. shows a cha- rjict^ristic sea p-'ece in No. 3^9. with groups of children on the roc\s. This is hung on one side of Sir Frederick Leiajiton's "Flaming Tune." and on the other is placed "Glen Atfarie, N.B. by J. MacWhirter, R.A., a. gloomy subject, with a. rushing river in flood. Above is placed Rupert W. Bunny's large "Forerunners," Tritons on white foam horses ill a deep blue sea, so the president's picture is surrounded by pictures that form a perfect foil to it, and set it off to the best advantage. Henry Moore, R.A., gives us a landscape of Glen Oichy in No. 201, but, although very strong and true in colour, it is not up to his sea pieces, in which branch of the painter's art he has no rival. A charming scheme of colour is No. 2i:1¿, "A Fairy Tale," by Arthur Wardle. There is a noticeable absence of the nude this year, and what few there are are not very important, with two or three excep- tions. Perhaps the most beautiful of its class is "Daphne," by Arthur Hacker, A.R.A., No. 315. This is somewhat similar to his well-known "Syrenx" of two or three years ago. which was purchased by the Man- chester Corporation. The delicate grace and drawing of the figure, shrinking from the light of day, the charm of the flesh against the green background, the simplicity of the painting will all tend to make it a much- talked of picture. As to Arthur Hacker and the purchase of his works by the various corporations, such as Liverpool and Man- chester, and also his recognition by the nation in hiving his picture, "The Annun- ciation, bought under the terms of the Chantrey bequest—one cannot but regret that the Cardiff Corporation did not complete the purchase of the "Children's Prayer," which I hear was offered to them at such a ridicu- lously low price last autumn. The picture was returned to the artist, and now it is possibly too late to get it back, even if the arts committee desired to rectify their mis- take in not seizing a chance that may never occur again in their history. Another work in which the nude is the charm of the picture is Ernest Norman's "Bondage," Ko. 834, in Room No. 11. An Egyptian noble or monarch lies under an awning, attended by slaves, while captives from other countries are brought before him, so that he may choose from among the fair and dark. Mr. Norman is particularly fond of depicting the effect of subdued light under awnings, and does it remarkably well. No. 243 is by William Bouguereau, the great French painter of nudes—Baigneuse "—a very fleshy young womr.n, half draped, putting on her sandal after bathing. No. 244 is charming in colou and style, "A Flower," by W. Q. Orchardson, R.A., a small canvas, and, I regret, the only one of his in the exhibition. Fresh and open. with sea breezes blowing, is Mr. J. C. Hook, R.A.'s "Hey ho, seely sheep A man comes immediately in the foreground carrying a stray sheep on his shoulders, and followed by his collie dog. In the centre of this wall hangs Sir John Millais' work. No. 251, "Speak Speak The man awakes a.t night, and by the dim candle-light discovers the stately form of a woman standing at the foot of his bed between the parted curtains. He starts up and exclaims, but she only regards him with a fixed and earnest gaze and utters no sound. The tone and treatment are sub- dued ard rich, and impress me with the idea that I am looking at an old master. No. 260 is by Yeend King—"Sleeping Waiters"—but, hung as it is at the top, it looks much too cold and green, and not to be compared with this landscape painter's usual works. In fact, the Royal Academy have been most severe with the landscapes by promi- nent outsiders this year, very few. indeed, of their works being hung. Looking about the galleries one is struck by the absence of the landscape element, which is to be much regretted. T I now come to one of the pictures that will create something of a sensation. I refer to "Spring," by L. Alma-Tadema, R.A., No. 262-a. procession of Tadema figures coming down marble steps between marble palaces; all are bearing flowers in honour of the festival. Every inch of the long, upright canvas is finished as only this won- derful artist can finish. How beautiful the figures, how harmonious the scheme, and yet how full of colour—and the way the marble is painted leaves nothing to be desired. H. W. B. Davies, R.A., who is about the only Royal Academican resident in Wales, and who regularly sends to the South Wales Art Society's annual exhibition, exhibits three works—Nos. 76, 263. and 308. The first, "April Forenoon in the Condette Dunes"—a light, fair day, with group of cattle, is beautifully drawn and minted. No. 77. by Seymour Lucas, is full of rich colour—three assassins waiting for the Due de Guise behind a crimson curtain. No. 263. "The Close of Day," another hy H. W. B. Davies. R.A.. quiet and sober in tone, with a beautifully-painted pky. No. 204.J\ie Jolly Huntsman," by Frank Calderon; horses and dogs excellent. No. 295, "Toilers of the Shore," by R. W. Allan; the figures, water, and rocky sand very fine, but the sky does not quite suit the rest of the work. Claud Hayes is one of the coming men, and No. 307, "Change of Pasture," is one of his. W. F. Yearns, R.A.'s "Defendant and Counsel," No. 309, is strong and direct; the intense look on the barrister's face, the look of fear and perplexity on the fair defen- dant's, is most striking, but if there is the slightest chance of her winning her case this young barrister will do it for her. No. 313, by Arthur Meade, "O'er HiH and Dale"; very rich and strong in colour; fir trees not quite massed enough. Mr. Meade's works are well known at the local exhibition. In the corner of Room 4 is No. 321, "Polar Bears at Play," by Arthur Wardle; a small work, being cleverly painted in two tones of colour. No. 344, "Sunrise after Sharp Frost,' by G. H. Boughton, A.R.A. not very pleasant in colour, but doubtless true; the line of the pond and distance rather cuts the picture up into parts.

SPARTAN SIMPLICITY. WHERE YOU TAKE A BATH TTNDER TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES. Captain A. F. Mockler-Ferryman, whe has written an entertaining description of his pil- trrimape to Nikko, the most sacred shrine in Japan, thufi describes, in the "Gentleman's Magazine." his bathing experiences — "Down the centre of the narrow street stand a dozen or more baths, some covered in, others ciuite open, the water being contained in a sort of square tank. lined throughout with wood. Towels in hand, we sallied forth to bathe, and, arriving a*, the firi-.k bath, looked in. It was a strange sight that met our eyes; the place was crowded with women, children, and men, all in nature's garb, and, oblivious of any im- propriety, chattiug and laughing most com- placently. The bath was Hot inviting: the water was thick and muddy, and the air ia leu with hot sulphur vapour. We parsed on to the next one it was hotter and dirtier than the first, so that M and I gave up the idea of a public bath; the Frenchman, however (who always prided himself on conforming to the habits of the people), divested himself j of his clothes! and plunged, feet foremost, into the pea-soupy element, sending the water flvmg in all directions and causing the naked little moozmies to shout with delight at the extraor- dinary sight. We left him to his doubtful enjoyment and returned to our tea-house, to trv and get a wash down in cleaner water. After some difficulty, we made our host under- stand wluvt we wanted, and soon all hands' were busy bringing wooden pails of water into the vard. We noticed that with each pad arrived haflf-a-dwen i'.iqvii-Uiire-looking natives, who had evidently scented some novelty in the air. At last the water was readv. and we were told that we coulfi have our baith. 'But what IIhüut all tli'.se people?' we asked. pointing to the crowd of women and children assembled in the yard. 'Oh. they've come to see.' was the reply. Now, Englishmen, as a. rule, are modest beings, and I fancy that most men would feel a certain amount of bashfulness if called uipon to stand up and bathe in the presence of 50 women and children, so M whispered to me, 'I'm going to bed dirty to- night. unless these people clear oivt.' I told him that lie must nc«H think of such base con- duct, and I reminded him of the story in the 'Pink Wedding,' of the gentleman who refused his bath in the presence of the moozmi atten- dant; how she went out and told her friends 'hat the poor ma.n was no^se-sed of a caudal appendage and how he had to flee the village to prevent maltreatment as an agent of the devil. My friend was persuaded, and we 'stripped to the buff.' As each garment came off the crowd closed in. and the women strove amongst themselves for the Treasure of pouring water down our1 backs." This was by no means the most 'trying part of t'he ordeal, for, ap- parently, these strange little people had never seen white flesh before, and our skin watS subjected to an examination as minute as that made of a piece of material by a lady choosing a new frock. As the natives gained confidence, they politely asked permission to touch the strange stuff of which we were made, and our bodies underwent a succession of pokes, amidst peals of laughter. The Frenchman put an end to the entertainment by rudely ehouting to us through the paper windows of our room we did not mind affording amusement to the simple natives, hut. our prirle would not "ermit UFl to stand the jeers of a European, so we hastily gathered up our clothes and fled up the stairs 'to our quarters. I have often wondered what our sober-minded friends at home would have thought oould they have WN OUT naked forms racing up those steps

Principality Parlets. GOSSIP AND CHATTER OF PERSONS AND PLACES. A Column of Notes of Wales and Welshmen of Interest and In- t-> struction to All. Sir John Llewelyn arrived at Penllergaer on Thursday very much improved in health. This is how Peter Jackson, the pugilist, gives ■ • the Welsh toast:—"Ieohyd da. i eh wi baboon." The Bishop of Llandaff will open St. Mar- garet's Children's Home in Roath this after- noon at three. A last century magazine bells us that Swansea (or, as it spells it. Swansev) was called at first by the English Swinsey, from porpoises or set. hogs. One who heard of the story of the Haver- fordwest man who had a nest of live wasps in his stomach does not know whether to be. sorry for the man or the wasps. Although T.ord EcUnond Fit/maurice won't bring his carpet-bag to Cardiff, he takes kindly to Welsh Disestablishment, and in Weetburr on Thursday night he boasted he had voted for the Bill many years ago. A parrot in the shop of Mr. Maggs, Wind- street, Swansea, can rehearse nursery rhymes. His favourite is "Mary, Mary, quite contrary. Our junior reporter says he has a cockatoo whioh c:n work out a problem in Euclid. Tiurdore has a special taunt of its own. if the "Swansea Post" is a witness of truth:- "Don't you say nuthin' 'bout my character," shouted an aged collier to his companion is 110 black in my nails or any of my relations I" The late Ki hop Thirlwall may be said to have been a born linguist. When he was three years old lie could read Latin like a. master, and in six noiit.'is' time he mastered tho intricacies if Welsh orthography, etymology, and syntax, One of the pathetic thoughts that strike one in discussing Disestablishment is what in the world would liecome of the Rev. John Matthew*, of Swansea, if the Establishment ceased to be. He would then, probably, be driven to look after his Church to while away time. -1 Enthusiasm for Disestablishment is rising in the country. A second petition in favour has been received by Parliament. It haa one signature, bringing up the favourable petitioners to 462. The number of petitions against the Bill is only 2,801, and the signa- tories 665,327. One of the South Wales recorders was reading his paper the other day, and in another corner of the room a little niece was reading some "lessons of Lent" from a. periodical. By-and. liye she said, "Uncle, what is the best thing for a man in his time of trial?" "Acquittal," was the absent-minded reply. A gathering of Landore puddlers a.nd hauliers the other day sat for half an hour before any member had the courage to speak. At last a prev-hsured old veteran rose and said:—"Well, Mr. Cadeirvdd, I am thinking tha.t the hauliers and puddlers are the most dullest nation in the world." A correspondent of the "Llan" says that Tabor Independent Chapel, near Llanwrda, was built and endowed by a clergyman, the Rev. Thomas Jones, vicar of Whitefield, Herefordshire, in 1792. Mr. Jones was a landowner in that district. The endowment is a charge upon a farm called Cefnybedd. This is a red-letter day for Irish Nationalists in Cardiff. Mr. John Dillon. M.P., who addresses a meeting at the Park-hall to-night, will be met at the Great Western Railway Station by Dr. James Mullin and other leading Nationalists, and will probably take a canter through the town, with a brass band a.nd a larire contingent cf followers. Are the Cardiff Liberals without honour? They have obtained ,he oo oT>eration of Con- servatives in stcuring a lmaidnous oft>-r o* the freedom of the borough ;1 S'r Edward Reed on his retirement, and now the selection coin- mi'tee HlI talking about running him again. Let Sir Edward stand, by all means, but in that case the presentation of the freedom must stop. The old feeling in Wales against Popery dies hard. This week's "Seren" savagely says:—"Strange how some people oontaMi to like the old rotten hag of Rome. Wky do our daily papers take so much notice of the Pope? It is painful to see the 'Daily Chronicle' paying more attention to the Pope and his priests than to the meetings of the Baptist Union." What is the reason for the jealousy exist- l ing between the Independents and the Metho- dists? The "Goleuad" recently boasted that two or three Methodist deacons had been pre- sented to her Majesty, and the "Celt" says that "it was a great honour to the old lady." Eight Methodise stood for the school board a.t Llanrug, says the "Celt," but they pro- tested against fighting on sectarian lines. There was a. sum of "unclaimed money" among the items in the borough fund esti- mate submitted to the special finance com- mittee of the Cardiff Corporation on Friday evening. The mayor presumed that they would pass this item. Mr. Henry White asked to whom. a.nd Alderman David Jonee made the practical suggestion that the money, j should be divided among members of the com- mittee. "Morien" has to do an archdruidical wriggle to get out of the corner into which his cele- brated metaphor pushed him. This is how the Archdruid braves it oUlt: "In Wednesday'« issue 'Veritas' seems to suppose he has caught the Druid napping, and he seems inclined to attempt to shave his eyebrows. He states tha.t I wrote, "rhe secular arm stepped forward and said, in Britannio tonee,' &o. Now, 'Veritas' is too blind Ito see that I alluded to the secular arm turning a barrel orsran in Wales in dealing with Church matters and a barrel organ is often heard discoursing 'Ride, Britannia.' We are afraid a. spirit of levity has laid hold of the special estimates committee of the Cardiff Corporation. Mr. Geo. David mentioned that there was likely to be a. substantial revenue from the Corporation baths when the alterations were completed, which, he understood, would be in June. The Mayor did not expect that the baths would be ready by that time. Mr. Henry White, however, mentioned that at the last meeting of the property and markets com- mittee it was decided to get four dozen bathing- dresses for ladies, to be selected by the chair- man of the committee. The Mayor heartlessly exclaimed, "Can't we cut down the bathing- dresses A wri^r in 1774 gives the following account; of St. Winifred's Well:—"Holywell, a small town taking its nani.e from a spring which the credulous Papists pretend sprung up miracu- lously in the place where St. Winifred, a Chris- tian virgin, waR ravished ami biTt afterwards restored to life by St. Beuno. These waters are impregnated with some kind of mineral, and often cure disorders. There is a great resort of devotees and sick people to the well, which is a spring of fine water, flowing in such quantities tha.t at the distance of twenty yards it keeps a water-mill continually going. The place where it rises is enclosed in the form of a bath, about twelve feet long by six or seven wide, over which has been built by the monks of former ages a most curious and venerable Gothic structure in honour of the saint who first bestowed her benediction on the spring. It is an excellent cold bath." Cardiganshire men are never beaten. On reading the thrilling story related in the "Western Mail" to-day of "A Human Wasp's Nest" at Haverfordwest, a Cardi in this office narrated the following tale to the easily-gulled junior reporter:—Years ago there lived a man in the neighbourhood of Tregaron who suffered from a. very mysterious complaint, of which the doctors had no know- ledge. The only food he could take was bread and milk. At length a. wise man was consulted in regard (to tttie patients The seer instantly diagonised the case without as much as seeing the patient, and said there wail a colony of snakes in his s1:omaeh. He also suggested the remedy—which was to place a cup of fresh milk close to the sick man's mouth whilst in his sleep. This was done. No sootier it was done than, miracle of miracles, out popped the head of a. big snake, which began "lapping" the milk. The monster was seized by the neck, and, though it screwed hard to the rear, out it was dragged. The cup wwa again held to the man's mouth, with a similar result. The experi- ment was repeated no less than six times, and no less than six snakes of various sizes were thus dislodged from thoir stomach home. The man got better every day, and he lived many years to relate his miraculous cure. How the enak-" inside of him remains 8 mystery. 1