Evening Express

Telephone, National, 502; Post-office, 95. Telegrams, "Express." Cardiff.

NOTE S. a BY "OBSERVER Is CARDIFF, Wednesday Morning. Wet, eh? Why, wet isn't the word for it. Reports are to hand that several rain-gauges in the neighbourhood have struck work. Worse news still, the office umbrella. has had to go into dry dock for repairs. The damp, however, has not the slightest- effect on. the spirits of our "Santa. Claus" or her staff of lady assistants. Cataclysms wouldn't stop them in their good work. I have strung these little pars together after the manner of my good friend, "Ubiqufe" just to learn exactly how it feels. It is very, very restful to go on just in this fashion, to write a couple of lines and then draw a nice little daeh, and so on and so forths. Wish to good- ness, the editor would let me do it! Well, as I was saying, it is very, very wet, and getting worse, and still steadily worse. A nice Christmas we shall have if this kind of thing goes 0:1. I wonder does a sponge ever keep any kind of Christmas? If so, he (she or it) will have some faint idea of what we are going to feel like if things don't improve before the advent of Yule. Yes, that's about tha right length para- graph. You see, I start in a "Ubiquish" style, and am drifting back into an "Obser- verish" length of paragraph! Sometimes the long note has its advantages, especially when one is in an indolent kind of mood; like the old lady who was always knitting, and who, modestly excusing herself, declared when she started she was too lazy to give over. C The lady correspondent's boudoir looks so gsy, you'd never believe, with all the "Sa,nta. Claus" painting competitions displayed there. I must say 'chey are remarkably good upon the whole: only ona or two fall below the average, and the bulk are far above it. The first piece is a tine study of roses, beautifuuly worked out, and ilie second a delicious display of pansier, thai captivates foa eye at once. The other prizes f!so fall to excellent designs, and on the whole the competition has been through and through a remarkably successful one. Now, this is about the last opportunity I shall have to appeal for "Santa Claus." Readers who have not helped the oause (with something more tangible than good wishes) please do so at once, and help to give our little Cardiff street boys and girls a happy Christmas. A lot of people wouldn't a bit mind making others happy so long as they were not put about themselves. Well, even these easy-going people can be accommodated. Believe me, you will never, no, never, miss what you do for "Santa Claus." Here's a little olippping from a Newport paper:—The Duke of Beaufort is a litterateur :ts well as a sportsman. A good deal has beea heard about the Badminton Library, which con- tains works cn various kinds of sports and Daf-timcs, and the preface to which, written by his Grace, accompanies taoh additional book. I* is now announced that the noble duke is the author of a preface sounding the praises of a brother sportsman, Sir Claude de Cres- cieny, who has joined the host of memoir writers, and as to whom it is claimed there axe few things ixi sport or adventure that he has r.ot done. If there be a rupture between England and the States it will be a serioua thing for many people. Doubtless, the Yanks will cut off their supply of heiresses. That is the reprisal England has most to fear. Then, there is also the likelihood that the solution of the "Defender" mystery may be hindered altogether. Perhaps, by the way, this is why the States are making such a fuss-t They know the Defender was tampered with, and they hope, with a handful or two of Venezuelan dust, to cloud the issue and cover their own igno- mony. A very pretty and clever feat, no doubt; but is the game really worth the candle ? Why, if J. B. took Jonathan seriously he could lay New York in ashes in. twenty-four hours. But, Jonathan, with all the bluster of his press, will take the greatest possible care it never comes to that. Sir,—I am glad to see that, at last, "onte-me has spoken regarding the expulsion from the public libraiy of the veiy class for which pub- lic libraries ought to be kept up, namely stu- dents. This is the very time of year in which the reference library is most wanted. In sum- mer out-door sports take up our evenings. I have beon shy of speaking, not being a resi- dent in the town of Cardiff, but I have greatly missed the reference library this winter, and the Imt time that I inquired when it would be finished I was told "Oh, we've no idea what- ever Yet those who want to go in (and save a half-penny) to consult the betting columns of the "Echo" are most carefully provided for. London, Liverpool, or Birmingham would not work the thing that way. Why should Car- diff?—I am, etc., A STUDENT. CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. All you who would seek. For the Yule of next weel- Nice presents, to you just a word I would speak. I'll tell you all where You may get 'em, for there A collection is waiting will qu" :tke you star?! There are cards of each size. Style, quality, price, Pronounced by fair judges as £ '•' '!y nice, And books, too, galore, Nice and frCto!h from the store. At prices ne'er heard of ia Cai .? before! I've told all I know, Make haste, then. and go And inspect the fine stock of D. Owen and Co! "Justice" ^Wynd'harrv- stiree t) 'has a word to say about the coming scmool board elec- tion :—"When (he says) the Sectarian candi- dates are adopted, it is to be hoped that the name of Mr Carr will be siibmitted, for, if ever there was a. true friend to education, he is the man. What better proof of hw thought- fulness in educational matter* could ihere be than that which appears in Tuesday s papers, under the heading, 'Is Education a Failure?' In season and out of season, whether it be eleir.entaay or higher education, he is con. stantly supporting it both by h.s tongue and his ready pen. I hope and trust that he will ba approached at once, with a view his becoming a candidate at the approaching con- test. W û certa-inly want our ablest and best citizens to come forward to do battle for our voluntary schools, and also to eheok the spend- thrift policy of the prr>t-'nf board. Fancy my,self, a.3 ?. ratepayer, •. ymp'dsorily taxed, an almost equal amount to th* Poor-rate, to support Godless system of education in palatial buildings, to wC>if-h I would not allow one of my children to go, no, not if they had to travel a considerable distance to go to a school where they oould h* tuught the cardinal truths of the Bible! I *>ay, jet those that believe in the scliool board system rtui'iiita.in tt, or else, if I aan taxed to maintain it, let me have a share of that tax to maintain the schools that I approve of."

You need not iear the frost and cold weather if you brace your gyttem now by te.kinjf a course of Owilym Evans' Quinine Bitters, the vefiotable Tenie. Sold in Bottles, 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. e4!617 BHEUMATIO OURE.-Phil Fhilhpf" "Rheumatic Cure." Sufferers from Rheumatism, Rheumatic Gout. Sciatica, and Neuralgia may OWam Instant Belisf And Certain Cure by Uting the Patent Appliances.— Seek* from 108. 6d. per Pair. Betto from 10s. 6d. each. Wristleca from 5s. por Pj" ™id measure*, mrata, with remittance, to Phil Phillips, iimQ/rjXi, BL Cardiff.

???- 'Express' 'SANTA C LA US' Fund. A Treat for Waifs and Strays of Cardiff THE PAINTING COMPETITION The painting competition brought in some very pretty paintings, and the task of deciding between them was no light one. Mr. C. J. Jaekson kindly undertook the work of judging, the paintings, and his decisions were as follow :—1st prize, Miss Lizzie Jupp, 3, Bangor-road, Cardiff; 2nd, Miss Katie Mark, 35. P1asturton-avenue, Cardiff; 3rd, Misa Huggins, 13, Plantagenet-stxeet, Cardiff h.c., Miss A. H. Young, 27, Claud-road, Roatih;and Miss Fumival, Castle-road, Car- diff. The paintings will be displayed in the vestibule of the Western Mail Buildings. They form a veritable art gallery. "Santa" begs to acknowledge a gift 10s. 6d. from Mr. Robert Hooper, 24, Park-place, Car- diff. A SCHOOLBOY'S GIFT. A school boy sends a bundle with the follow- ing note:—"Some clothes that may be useful for waifs and strays, from 'Schoolboy' to 'Santa Claus.' With compliments." "December 16, 1895." MORE SUBSCRIPTIONS. Mr. J. W. Courtis sends a. very kind letter, with a subscription of half-a-guinea, for which "Santa. Claus" is much indebted. Miss Lascelles Can- is much obliged to Mrs. S. A, Phillips, 72, Partridge-road', Roath, who sends a kind note, with a donation of 10s. FOR A SICK GIRL. This letter comes to hand:- "5, Sneyd-street (off Cathedral-road). "Dear 'Santa Claus,Will you kindly give this doll to a poor little sick girl, and oblige, yours truly, P. H." APPLES. Mr. Ayres, of Agincourt-square, Monmouth, kindly sends, a hamper of apples for the "Santa Claus" children. Many thanks. SUBSCRIPTIONS. Up to last night the "Santa Claua" Fund reached a total of JB210 12s. 9id. TO-DAY'S SUBSCRIPTIONS. Mrs. S. A Phillips 0 10 0 Mr. J. W. Courtis 0 10 6 Mr. Ri bert. Hooper 0 10 6 Miss Phillips, Biohmond-road, Cardiff.. 5 5 1 Mrs. Morgan's "Santa Claus" Dance 4 2 2 THE BAGS. The number of bags previously acknowledged was 423. Since then the following have been received: — "Amy," 126, Diaaa-stwet, Roafch; 5, Sneyd-street; 5, Clare-road; Mrs, A. K. Hurford, 5, York-place; 66, Wir.dsor-road, Penarth; Mrs. Stowe, 32, Clive- place, Ffrarth; Mrs. Vellacott, 34, Plymouth-read, Penarth 29, Albert-road, Penarth; Mrs. Bover and her children, 22, 01iv>iv/id. Pt ncrth; 42, CHvc-pIace, Penarth; Mrs. Price, 90, Windsor-road, Penarth; no address Mattock and Co Mrs. Bowring. The Heath; "Schoolboy"; Amy Pleydell; Mrs. Orowter, 3, Pen- llvn-road; Mrs. Hoceon, 15, St. John's-square; Mrs. M'Kenzie, 13, Se'ijrhenuyad-road; 144, Richmond- road Miss Hannan, 82, Angus-road: Mrs. Bertie Parker, I.yndhunst, Njnian-road; JIrs. Jennings, 51, Glenroy-street; 10. Niman-road; "Tod," 15, Pembroke-terrace; Mrs. Dobeon, Penarth; 24, Long- oross-street; Mrs. P. Halewood, 10. The Hayes; 61, Hamilton-terrace; Dora Milner, 7, St. Andrew's cree- cent. "SANTA CLAUS" WEEKLY GATHERING. The last of the above weekly gatherings was held on Monday night in Messrs. Walkey, Thomas, and Co.'s buildings, Tudor-road. The room was crowded. The first part of the entertaihment commenced with a comic sketch (by Mr. Harry Pleon), entitled, "North East Lynne," given by the Cardiff Amateur Sketch Company, to whom great praise must be given for the way in whioh thev produced the above. Credit is due to Miss White for the able manner in which she played 'Barbara," and also to Mr. J. Harris, who was exceed- ingly funny as "Willie, Carlisle Junction." Mr. Fred Glossop, as "Captain Levi,;on" and "Archibald Carlisle Junction" played hi;; parts very cleverly. Mr. Frank Hall was exceed- ingly clever in the characters of "Lady Isabel" and "Madam Vine," and caused roars of laughter all through the sketch. Mr. R. H. Rees also acted ably as "Policeman B" and "The Waiter." After the sketch came danc- -ing, which Is-sted till twelve p.m. Mr. R. H. Rees was M.C., and Master Percy Wheeler pianist. "Santa Claus" thanks her friends for the way in which they have helped in these weekly gatherings. THE "SANTA CLAUS" DANCE. Mrs. F. S. Morgan, the lady who so kindly undertook, and successfully carried out, the dance at the Town-hall in aid of the "Samta Claus" movement, has handed over R4 2s. 2d. as the result. The following is a statement, supplied by Mrs. Morgan, of the receipts and expenses: — Tickets and programmes solid 18 11 6 Expenses 14 4 Balance for fund 4 2 The expenses were as follows:- Brnd, including Inre of piano 4 11 6 Ten jruinca decoration fcr B2, 10s., Atlas Fu/rnis<hing Company 2 2 0 Printing 1 18 1 Gas, cleaning, polishing floor, and porter at Town-hall 3 14 9 Sundries 1 15 0 Total 14 9 4

POST EARLY. AND AVOID DELAY TO LETTERS AND PARCELS. The postal authorities announce thai during the coming Christmas season the regular trans- mission and prompt delivery of letters, par- cels, and Christmas and New Year's cards will be facilitated if the public will post their letters, parcels, &c., as early as possible on the 20th, 21st, 23rd, 24th. and 31st inst, but esDecially on Monday and Tuesday, the 23rd a,nd 24th inst. Christmas cards and parcels should, as far as practicable, be posted not later tha.n Monda.y, the 23rd inst. All express letters should be handed over the counter of a Post-office on the 20th, 21st. 23rd, and 24th inst., in order to avoid the delay which might occur if they were posted in the ordinary boxes. In order to prevent amy risk of delay to letters and parcels, the prompt delivery of which is of importance', in consequence of their becoming mixed with Christmas cards and parcels, the oublic are advised to mark and prepay such letters, &e., for "express delivery," and hand them over the counter of a post-offioe to be forwarded and delivered as express letters and uarcels. In addition to the full ordinary pos- tage, the fee for the express delivery of a letter I or parcel is 3d. for every mile or part of a mile from the office of delivery, whk'i must be pre- uaid in postage stamps on the letter or parcel. I

I TELL THE GENTLEMAN 'YES.' HOW A DESPERATE LOVER PRO- POSED. He was not to be beaten. He had made up hi" mind to propose to her, and for two whole weeka he had been staying in that country house in which was the girl he loved, watching for his opportunity in vain. The last evening came without his having had one chance of beiug alono with her during the whole time. As he sat at dinner (of course, he was at the opposite end of the table xo where she was), he felt the time was fast passing away, and in a few horrs he would no longer be in the same house with her. Whou the ladies went to the drawing-room he would have to sit in the dining-room. His host might allow him to look in at the drawing-room for a few n.inutes that evening, but after that his pre- sence would be required in thA billiard-room. In utter desperation he took up the menu card and on it wrote, "Will you marry me?" He doubled it up, telling the butler to give it to the la,dy in question. He did so. She read it, and, with perfect sang froid, born only of the nineteenth century, said, "Tell the trenlleman, 'Yes.' _0 ?-

THE CAMBRIDGE EXAM. A Cambridge locaJ examination was con- ducted at the Town-hall, Cardiff, on Tues- day. when twenty girls and forty boys from Ioonl w>hools presented themselves. All the boys were examined in the junior division, and thirteen giirli? were in the senior M)d seven in the junior section. The examination was conducted by Mr. W. Thompson, M.A., assisted by Minor Canon Shiimshire. ?b. r ?

AN M.P. DEAD. The death is anounoed of Dr. Ambrose, M.P. for South Lowth, w-hk-h took place at Upper Tooting, at 7.30 on Tuesday night, from heart disease.

A fa^l ionao'0 audience in Paris recently lis- tened to :t lecture on chemistry by a celebrated ehesaist. Wntn the ladies reached the open air, their escorfes stared at a number of them in amazement. A most remarkable change had taken plc.ce. Those of them who had worn rouge found on their return home that the rouge had been converted into various colours by the chemical decomposition from the gases which had been generated during the lecture. As tho women marched from the hall, there mre eean among them complexions of ail aorta j m «olour3—blue, yellow, violet, and blank. i

Lady Mansel at Cardiff A CHAT WITH THE TITLED ACTRESS* An Impressionable Reporter Tells of a Pleasant Hour Behind Scenes. The pressman, with genial Mr. Lee, the act- ing manager, as guide, made his way along the passage leading to the Empire stage on Mon- day night, and, after narrowly escaping col- lision with a motley group of artistes who, dotted aboiyt the t\re;-jurign*>om entrances, were awaiting their turn, eventually pulled up in front of a door labelled "Lady Mansel." Rat-tat-tat! And in a second the door was somewhat cautiously opened, and a woman's pretty face, studded with a pair of sparkling eyes, and wearing a broad smile wh]ch revealed a row of perfect teeth, appeared in the open- ing. "Lady Mansel?" was the query. Yes, she was Lady Mansel, but er-er--would it be convenient to come round a little later? Say just after her turn. A brief moment of embarrassment—very biief. She still wore the smile. Apparently that was all. She said so, in fact, with her eyes. It was not the time for receiving visi- tors. The pressman fled. That was his first impression of Lady Mansel. The second was an hour later. Her lady- ship had just finished her skipping-rope dance. She and a pleasant young lady, her secretary, led the way into the dressing-room. Lady Mansel hung her rope on a peg, took down from a shelf a diminutive pet dog, and then they all settled down to a cosy, interesting little chat. How long had she been performing? Why, as soon as she could throw her arms about she commenced burlesquing, when she could lisp half-a-dozen words she tried to shape them into a comic song, and as soon as she could "loco- mote" herself without the aid of a chair óllC toddled right off to the stage, and had been on it ever ednce- Leastways, she started when she was three, and intends leaving it when she has made a gigantic fortune—not before. Then she modestly, with many prompting-, told what she had done. She had been princi- pal boy at the Theatre Royal, Bradford; at Portsmouth, Br'glbton;, Plymouth; principal girl at the Surrey and art Newcastle; had played "Randolph" and took the whole com- pany out; had run a four months' engagement in New York." woi'k do I like best?" she said. Why, burlesque, and I like the theatre better than the music-halls. In a short time I hope to go on my own with a company asrain. Having got thus far, she grew still more communicative, and told the pressman her maiden name was Ernest—Lillie Ernest—and that she was bringing out her younger sister and another pretty girl as the Sisters Ernest-- coth decidedly clever-who could do a very smart turn with the banjo, mandolin, and guitar. Everyone knows how this charming variety "-•tress captivated the heart of the late Sir Richard Mansel—so well known locally on account of his estates near Swansea—and how he wan her and carried her off in the early months of 1891. "We had only been married fourteen months ^en he died," she said. "That was in June, lo92. Then came all the legal bother about the will, m which I was successful." llhere Ss something still, however, with wihidh isjhe is not satisfied in reference to the estates .near Swansea, and by-and-bye we may hear more of Lady Manuel in reference to oer- taan local legall matters. Bat who for long could study law with so pleasant a couple of conversrutlionaliskB as the aotress and her secretary ? So the three drifted into other thinigs. They cihaxted about the times when Lillie knew not the glocy of a title, wthen simply as Lillie Ernest she visited Car- diff four years ago, and stormed the Empire boys. They discussed the merits of her favourite song, "I might—might not," and gosripped about her two years off the stage. She com- munipated tlhe fact -that the had only been badk seven weeks, and that this Cardiff en- gagement was one of her earliest re-appear- ances. But sthe wasn't in forim yet. "Two years off the stage makes you lazy, and—^—slightly inclined to embonpoint," she said, and the pressman modestly acknowledged that IShe was plumip—as would everyone else who saw her in the skipping-rope dance—but not too much so, whilst he had failed to notice the laziness. He advised her to fgo in for foot- ball training. 1 81he laughed, and told him about the voyage from Dublin, wb ace she sailed on Sunday morning to keep her engagement in Cardiff. "I am a shocking- sailor," she said, "and by the time I got to Chester I had almost decided on wiring to say I could not possibly come to- night. But here I aan, though. I'm so worn cu< I ? Hardly do my turns." Then they diverted into recollections of theatres and artistes, and all the while the little toy terrier nestled in his mistress's arms, and pricked up his ears and blinked his eyes, as much as to say, "I know all about ii; why don't you ask me something?" TJhiis pleasarit iWfctle four-ooTmered confe- rence could not last too long, however, for the second performance was rapidly progres- sing, and the mysteries of feminine "make up" had to be once more dealt with. The jour- nalist picked up his hat. "Good-bye," said the fair inlterviiewee; "I haven't a photo with me, but if you'd. like one 111 send it. Come down agæin before the weck's over. Glac! to see you any time." And the pressman left this snug little sanctwim, with its charming, chatty occupants, and drifted out onoe more into the cold, cold world.

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL INTERESTING PARS. ABOUT Ilf- TERESTING PEOPLE. Danish papers say that the Princess Maud of Wales objects to marrying her cousin, Prince Christian of Denmark, because of the near relationship. Lord Beaconsfield's brother still survives— a. kindly old gentleman, who was for many years a clerk in the House of Lords. After retiring from his clerkship, Ralph Disraeli was for a time in constant attendance in the lobby of the House of Commons. He bears no re- semblance to his more eminent brother. At Barn Hall, Beaconsfield, Bucks, where the Prince was not peppered in the eye the other day, Sir Edward Lawsor. carefuny col- lects all possible memorials of Edmund Burke, such as the dagger which he once threw on the floor of the House in the midst of a burning anti-French Revolution peroration. The finest collection of plate in the world is probaiblv that of the Duke of Westminster. His grace's household is conducted oa«the same principle as her Majesty's; the supervisor of it han a salary of something like JB800 a year. and a number of servants are told off whose duty it is to look after the plate. To the R-ev. J. W. Adams belongs the splendid disitination of being the only clergy- man who possesses the Victoria Cross. He is an old Trinity College. Dublin, man, and has just been presented with a Norfolk living. The jccouchement of the Duchess of Y'V.k was not expected to take place until the be- ginning of next month, and if the <;V3Ut had been anticipated sooner of course the IWuss of Teck v-ould have been at York Cottage with her daughter, and the Princes of Wales won.d not have left Sandringham. As it happened, not a single member of the Royal Fauv.iy was within reach of the Duke and Duchess of Y ork, and the Cabinet Minister who had been warned that his attendance would Ot. required did not arrive until thirteen hours attjr the young Prince was born. "It was partly my sifter Marion's fault that I inflicted the stage with my presence," says Mr. Fred. Terry. "I went with her one morn- ing during my school vacation to the Hay- market, and it so happened that Mr. Bancroft, ing during my school vacation to the Hay- market, and it so happened that Mr. Bancroft, met us. A' few good-humoured remarks passed as to whalt I was to become, and then Mr. Ban- croft asked, me how I should like to be an actor. Th^ upshot of it was I did not return to schoo', and walked on in the next Haymarket play at what was to me the magnificent salary of one pound sterling per week. That was :n the y< ar 1880, and from that time to this I have bten pretty constantly engaged in one way ('1" another." -?? --?

OVERDUE SWANSEA VESSEL. The premium paid in the overdue market on the Swansea CMtle, on a. voyage from Port Nolloth to Swansea, has now risen from seven to ten guineas per oent.

LOCAL NEWS ITEMS. LOCAL NEWS ITEMS. ChrUtiuas Presents.—A Choice Assortment of Ladies' and Children's Miii'iie"?, Stylish, and afc moderate Bows. Ties, Gloves, Silk HAndkercMeh. Also Lfcdies' and Children's Millinery (Stylish), and at moderate price*; Coat* and PellflMM in ail the newest shapes and colour*; Cossets, Underclctrliltig, &c., &c. An dnnpectlon solicit^.—Mrs. Williams, 25, Royal Ii Arcade, Csrdiff. e4943 LINEN LAUNDERED, Curtains Cleaned, Carpets j Beaten, Windows Cleaned. Red Cross Vans and Ladder. Trucks to all parts daily.—Cardiff Steam I«nndry, Garnet and Window Cleaning Company (Ijunitii), Mianj.-streei, Cathays, Cardiff. Send Post' card, e39609

Rev E. R- Ward, Chaplain HOSPITAL NURSES TELL MORE TALES OF HIM. He Wanted to Take One to the Theatre and to See Others Across the Fields. At the Northern Fever Hospital, Winchmore Hill, on Tuesday, Dr. Downes (an inspector of the Local Government Board) resumed his in- quiry into the charges brought against the Rev. E. R. Ward (the chaplain of the institu- tion) 'by the managers of the Metropolitan Asylums Beard, and into the charges preferred by the reverend gentleman against Dr. F. R. Hume, the medical superintendent.. Mr. Dun- combe Mann appeared for the Metropolitan Asylums Board; Mr. E. H. Pickersgill, M.P., represented the Rev. E. R. Ward; and Mr. Walkley, chairman of the hospital committee, appeared for that body. Dr. Hums was not represented by counsel. The Inspector said he would now proceed -;ith the case against the Rev. E. R. Ward. Priscilla Purvis, a barmaid, or Patience- road, Battersea, said that two years ago she ■was a patient in the hospital. While there sha made a complaint that she objected to Mr. Ward coming into the ward when she was in bed. but she had no particular cause of compisint. One day she was making a cer- tain garment, and' Mr. Ward asked aer what she was doing. That was not very nice. One night she saw Mr. Ward kiss the (patients in th3 room. He kissed them all round, and she thought that rather unusual. The chaplain did not attempt to kiss witness. She would not have allowed him to do so. Mr. Pickersgill (to witness): Now tell ms who were in the ward when Mr. Ward kissed them?—They were mostly children, but there were some.girit. But can you say that he kissed any but children?—I cannot remember that he kissed any but children, I was nineteen, and I was the oldest in the ward. Daisy Martin, aged 23, stated that she was a former assistant nurse at the hospital. She waa in Hut lB. Shortly after Mr. Ward came to the hospital he had a conversation with wit- ness, and asked her if she ever went to the theatre*. She said she did' not. He then said, "If I get two tickets for Drury Lane will you go?" She said she would with pleasure, and it was arranged she should apply for a late pass. The chaplain asked her to meet him in th3 first-class waiting-room on the departure platform. King's Cross, and requested her to go early, so that they could got some tea before going. Witness was very much surprised at the suggestion that she should go with h;m> as she thought he simply meant tha.t he would give her tickets. She, therefore, replied, "Go with you. Mr. Ward," and further said she would think over it. Mr. Ward said he wished to meet her at King'3 Cross, as he did not want anyone* to see them from the hospital. When che said she would think about it, Mr. Ward said, "Don't tell anyone about it; it will make people talk." Witness promised not to tall anyone; but she did tell Miss Bartlett, because she was her chum, She also told her mother, who advised her not to go. Whffe she told the chaplain that she would not go to the theatre with him, he seemed very disappointed. Mr. Ward did not give her the* ticket, so she was disappointed. Lizzie Bartlett, an assistant nurse, said that some two yesrs ago her friend, Daisy Martin, told her that Mr. Ward, the chaplain, had asked her to go to a theatre with him, and to get a late pass to enable her to do so. Nurse Martin, also told witness that the chaplain asked her to meet him at King's Cross at six o'clock in the evening. Mary Johnson, housemaid to the steward, stated that some few months ago she had a fellow-servant at the steward's named Ellea Maryan. One Sunday in tha summer they both went to London, and returned by the 9.13 p.m. train from King's Cross. On tlie platform they saw Mr. Ward, who came up and spoke to them. He them gave them some sweets, observing that he wac giving sweets to the sweet. The train then came in. She and Ellen got into a third-class carriage1, the chap- lain following. There were several other gen- tlemen in the apartment, but two or three stations down the* gentlemen got out, and they were alone with Mr. Ward. He had previously asked how it was they were both out together, and they told him that their mistress (Mrs. Jay) was cuts eo that they were able to both get out together. He then asked them if he could come home with them to supper, but they said they had nothing to eat in the house. Mr. Mann What did. the chaplain fray?—He said a. piece of bread and love would do. What else?—He asked us to go on to En- field with him, and he would see us home across the field. If we both would not go, he said ona would do but we both refused. Did anything happen a, you gat out of the train a'i Winchmore Hill?—Yes; he put his arm round my wa:st and said, "I am young and in love." I told him to take hig arm away, and he did so. I Rilldi Maryan then went home. We did not .see what became of Mr. Ward1. By Mr. Mann: Witness was well a.ware of the rulea of the 'hospital, and, therefore, she knew i> would be impossible tto pa^s strangers through t'he gates to have supper. EXen Maryan, formerly a domestic servant in the employ of Mr. Jay, the steward, gava corroborative evidence with regard to Mr. Ward's proposals on the occasion when witness and Mary Johnson returned from Lomdon. When the chaplain aflked them tc go on to Enfield and walk back with him across the fields, ishe answered that she would not trust him. It was not *true that she and her friend got into the train at Finsbury Park into a compartment in which Mr. Ward was sitting. They saw him on the platform at King's Cross. Ebenezer Geonge, formerly engineer to the hospital, deposed that he played the piano in the hall where the services were held. On Sun- day, October 26, and Monday, October 27. the chaplain arranged to hold the harvest festival. It was posted* up that on the Sunday there would be Holy Communion at eight a.m., and a harvest service, with' evensong, at three p.m. At the first- service, however, Mr. Ward failed to appear. The afternoon service was an extra- ordinary affair. Trie chaplain got on the plat- form., anal explained that he lost t'he last train from King's Cross on. the previous evening, and, therefore, could not be there to hold the service. Mr. Ward then walked up and down the platform with a bcx con- taining the Communion things, but witness tl-ought he had lost the key. He then went through the Communion Service, but made no reference to the Harvest Festival, although the hall was decorated. At the conclusion he announced that he would orly take a collec- tion from the communicants, but no ona stepped f orward. The chaplain* got off the platform and proceeded to take the collection in his hat. Mr. Ward (interposing): It was my college cap- Continuing, witness said an extraordinary scene followed. There was quite an uproar. The congregation roared with laughter, chaffed the chaplain as he passed round, and threw buttons and other things into his cap. Wit- ness then played through two verses of the hymn, and sang one verse bv himself. Ho then closed the piano, and said he would never play again. The plxce was in an uproar. Albert E. Skinner, the gate porter, said that on one occasion a telegram from the Rev. Mr. Ward was opened by another man named Ward. Witness hat ded the open telegram t.) the chaplain, who at once said, fool." On the occasion of the harvest festival a tele- gram was handed to the chaplain, who said, if I didn't think so." The inquiry WM thsn adjourned. -?-?-

BRITAIN'S CROWN. A STARTLING STATEMENT MADE IN GERMANY. The following is a translation of an article which appeared in the "Frankfurter Zeitung" recently:—"Many people will be astonished to hear of an English Succession question, yet it exists. The Prince of Wales was bom in 1841; his sister, the Empress Frederick, was born in 1840. As ft rule, it is thought that sons have precedence of daughters"!n the Mr- ship of thrones. But in England toi" is not the case. The laws of succession in the Rewal Family, as far as there are any. make no difference between sons and daughters, but »«peak of children only. Curiously enough, however, the Princess Royal is likely to de- cline the honour, probably because, after her death, the crown would go to her eldest son, Emperor William II., and becauss she thinks it impossible to unite the two gigantic Em- pires. She has. therefore, declared that the crown shnuld go to her younger fion. Prince Henry of Prussia. Emperor William II.. how- ever, will insist upon getting his rights as eldest child of the eldest child, and as such he is the legitimate heir. and no one else, JIe is convinced that a union of the two Em- pires would be of advantage, not only to Great Britain and Germany, but to the whole world. Emperor William is certainly not the kind of man that will allow his rights to be infringed, but he has tact enough not to men- tion the matter during the life of hi-s grand- mother. Perhaps it will now be understood what he meant when he said that the German Army and the German Navy will one day oross e ocean. When Queen Victoria I. dies —which may God prevent for many years— England will .experience great surprises."

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Cricket in Cardiff "WELSH ATHLETE" MAEESt A SUGGESTION. What the Welshmen must do ak, Blackheath to Defeat England^ The committee of the Cardiff Cricket Clufe only went through routine business on Tues. day, nothing special coming up for considers tiop. It was decided, I see, to make the usual fixtures with the South Wales Clubs, but it was not hinted that any fresh engagements would be entered upon. Might I suggest that a fix. ture with a representative League eleven would be both interesting and instructive ? We look to our juniors to build up the cricket of toe future, yet the representative team of the town do not trouble to see what our junior talent really is. It occurs to me that, with such players all Pullen, J. G. Clarke, Selwyn Biggs, &c., un- available for the present season, the club ought to bestir themselves, and look around for rising talent. One bowler, for example, that I could name is considered good enough to have a big offer from Gloucester County, yet Cardiff don't think he is worth looting after, but let him run around loose. That is not the way to put cricket on a level with foot- ball. "Freelance," of the "South Wales Daily Post," weighs up the chances of the Welsh; team against England as follocs:—"Our ohanoes at Blaokheath depend upon our for- wards being able, notwithstanding the disad- vantage. to hold up the scrimmages and give. the backs the ball. This is the crux of the whole thing. The issue is on the knees of the gods, and until the rival packs have been tried one against the other it is the idlest conjecture to decide between them by weight, paper form, or any other process. Our forwards require to be better than the Englishmen to secure scope for the backs. If they are merely equal, or even inferior, then down goes our house. Exactly the same opinion, by the way, that I advanced a few days back. My Western friend, however, does not give us his opinion as to which pack is the stronger, and therein lies t'he crux of the whole affair. The winter edition of that indispensable book of reference, "Ruff's Guide to the Turf," haa iust been issued from the "Sportsman" office, Loudon. The guide contains a complete return of past racing in all branches of the sport, from the end of November, 1894, to the end of the flat racing season of 1895. It is, of course, impossible to enumerate the whole of the valuable information the volume contains; it can be better understood when I say that everything in the way of information that can be of any possible use to a racing man is in" eluded in the work. It is indispensable to a srortsman, and, as usual, will be sure to find its way into the hands of every racing man throughout the kingdom. Handsomely bound in calf, the price is 7s. 6d. By post, 8s. The "Lunar Month" for 1895, also issued from the "Sportsman" office, is now on sale, and can be obtained at any bookstall, price Is. It gives a complete return of the season's racing. The Jones family are to be strengthened in South Africa by another recruit from Wales. Mr. T. A. Jones, late head assistant master at the Splott Board School, Cardiff, has been ordeied to the Cape by his doctors for the sake of his health. Mr. Jones is suffering from chest complaints, but physicians regard his recovery as certain in the salubrious climate of South Africa. Mr. Jones is a well-known, athlete, and has taken active part in cycling" and football in Cardiff and at Culham College, near Oxford. He has luckily secured a lucra- tive appointment at East London. Local teachers are busily engaged in making a shilling collection, so as to present "T.A.J." with a suitable presentation. Tom Bright, of Newport, accepts the chal. lenge of Evan Davies, of Glyn Neath, to run him any distance from 120 to 600 yards., both off the same mark in sprint, and will give ten yards in a 600 yards' contest. Business is meant. Forward money at once to "Sporting Life." Any stake from JE25 to B50 aside. J. Donoghue, of Cardiff, has been matched to fight Jim Hooligam, of Swansea, the best of ten rounds, at list. 41b., for a substantial side bet and a purse. The match is to take place at Swansea on Christmas Eve. Sir,—T notice that a Bangor arithmetician has been stating to your corespondent that it is an extraordinary coincidence for the points scored "for'' and "against" in the first and set-end League competitions to be the same. But, if he had considered for a moment, he would have found that it cannot possibly be otherwise, as any ordinary schoolboy would have been able to tell him. The scores in any match in a League competition are placed in both the "for" and "against" columns, as, for instance, if, say, Bolton beat West Bromwioh Albion by two goals to one, the result in the list would read as follows :— Pts. for. Pts. apsfc. West Bromwich Albion .„ 1 2 Bolton. 2 1 The total being 3 3 And so on for any number of games and any number of clubs. So much for the "coinci- dence"!—I am, &c., VIGILANT. The Mountain Ash team are evidently bent on making no mistake as to the destination of the Glamorgan County League Challenge Cup and medals this season. On Saturday last they got half-way through the competition by a meritorious win over Llywnypia on the ground of the present champions. The following is the result of the first seven matches played :— For. Against. G. T. P. G. T. P. OeL IZ.-Treorky.-Homp 0 3 9 000 Oct. 19.—Pontypridd.— Away 2 1 12 118 Nov. 2.—Merthyr.—Away 2 730 0 0 0 Nov. 4.—Ferndaie.—Home. 0 2 6 0 0 or Nov. 23.—Treherbert.— Away 0 4 12 0 0 0 Pec. 7.—Trecrky.—Away 2 0 10 0 0 0 Dec. 14.—Llwyaypia.—Away. 0 1 3 000 Total points for ..82 Agat- 8 Irrespective of the above, their record for this season is a grand one. They have played sixteen matches and won fifteen and drawn one, scoring 185 points Against 17. On Thursday the team will be entertained to a complimentary ban- quet at the Drill-hall, when the players will be presented "vith the silver medals won as runners up in the Glamorgan League competition. Mr. Frank Mills, their old captain and vete- ran Welrh international, will also be presented with a beautiful photo of himself, re-produced from "Famous Footballers," by the Mountain: Ash team to appreciate the high esteem in. which he is held amongst them and his services towards gallant little Wales. WELSH ATHLETE.

TO AID THE INFIRMARY. BAZAAR HELD AT CARDIFF ART GALLERY. A very successful bazaar in aid of the Chil- dren's Ward of the Cardiff Infirmary wu opened at the Fine Art GaJlery. Qupen-street, Cardiff, on Tuesday by the Rev. Canon Thomp- son. The bazaar is got up by the pupila of Purcell House School, Clare-gardens, whom Canon Thompson commended upon their charitable work. The stalls, which were laden with fancy and other articles, the handiwork of the children, were gratuitously erected by Mr. Sleep, and the decorations were carried oufc by Miss Pincott, Mrs. Phalpe, Mias Wneatley, and Miss Huxtable. The stall- holders were the pupils of the school. In the afternoon, and evening concerts were held, and a magic lantern entertainment was given by Mr. R. M. Richards. The bazaar will remain open over to-day (Wednesday), and concerts will be given as on the previous day, and a dance will take place in the evening from ten '0 o'clock until 11.30.