Evening Express

TEKFERITUKE. RAINFALL DATE, Max. Min Mean. 9 a.m. 9 p.m. Total Thursday ,J|23 39 30 34*5 *00 *00 -On Friday 24 50 35 42*5 "00 *00 "nO Saturday. 25 50 32 41'0 -00 '00 *00 Sunday 26 53 40 46'5 "00 *00 *00 Monday 27 51 43 47'0 '00 *00 *C0 Tuesday 28 62 35 43*5 MO *10 "20 Wednesday. 22 *21

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

A BAD BEGINNING, Whilst good resolutions for the New Year are in earnest process of manufacture, it is a pity to see the St. Asaph clergy bent on begin- ning badly. It is said that a new year ill begun is a year of trouble. Let us hope that in the case of St. Asaph this prognostication will be uniultilled. It is quite a new feature of our religious education to be given an object lesson in brotherly love of this kind by the clergy. We may profit from it—but the Church, in the eyes of the people, will hardly gain, however much tho utlimate settlement of the tangle may strengthen the working of the diocese of St. Asaph, and afford a useful moral lesson to the bishops of other dioceses who are looking on. It is a sound maxim that no agitation of any magnitude is given birth unless some evil seed has been sown in soil ready for its reception. We have grown accustomed to dissensions from these causes in the ranks of Nonconformity, and treat them lightly as the natural and inevitable outcome of petty sectarianism. But the strange revelations of discomfort and ill-feeling ana strategy and counter-strategy in a portion ot the Church of England to which we have been treated for a month or so past come as a gieate rblow, because they are novel and unex- pected. That pastors and clergy, of all men, cannot settle their matters as between man and man in a spirit of brotherhood and equity must strike us as a terrible example of the inefficiency of modernised religion to overcome the passions and prejudices of humanity. Where does the weakness He? The war of sect against sect and creed against creed has, long given the scoffer fullest food for sarcasm; it has strengthened, if not created, the tendency, to unbelief, by showing religion as a profession to be of little higher class than professionalism in Rugby. But the war of sects is just a trifle more natural than internal strife in religious bodies, which, whilst teach- ing the saintliness of human conduct as ordained by Him whose nativity we have just cele- ^-d,i,ed, and professing to uphold that saintliness to the world in their own conduct, only show us that their assimilation of the teaching of the Maste.- is not sufficient to make them His disciples. It is certain that the tangle in St. Asaph must have a basis; it was surely the privilege of the head of that diocese to have avoided any cause for agitation, and to nave so governed the diocese after the teaching and example of his Master, that with all humanity's natural weakness these exhibitions could have no foundation, and could not arise.

CHRISTMAS AT CKAIG-T-NOS A HAPPY EVENING AT MADAME PATTI'S CASTLE. Madame Patti has been entertaining a small house party over the holidays, and on Christmas Eve she invited nearly all the inhabitants of the Penwvllt district to nveet her, and to bring their children, at the theatre of the castle. The unique little Thespian temple (says the 'Cambria Daily Leader") was beautifully dccoratecl, the floor had, by the automatic arrange- ment with which it is fitted, been raised to the level of the stage, and in the centre was a great Christmas tree. brilliantly studded with electric lights, and laden with an immense profusion of toys and many really valuable gifts. For these the children were invited to raffle, and it WAS really delightful to see how the -iind mis- tress of the castle participated in the children's joy, and was made happy by their happiness, as they carried off a pri/.e to be long treasured as the gift of a lady whose generosity is unequalled. Every- body was given something—the quests an artistic souvenir, the servants presents of a substantial character, the cottagers gifts rendered more valuable by the qroodwll of the giver, and such as were needy presents of clothes. The delightful informaiuy of the proceedings heightened the ,)i?.-isnr<3 of the occasion, and Madame Pattt.Nico- lini, rendered more cheerful, perhaps, by the intelligence from Pau that Signor Nicolini's condition was much improved, seemed to enjoy herself greatly. Aivougsfc Madame Patti's guests on the or-casior were Miss Nadine Baird, Miss Dorothy Haird, Miss Marianne Eissler, Miss Clara Eissler, Miss Karoline Bauermister Mr. and Mrs. Branfil, Miss Branfil, Master Bran, fit. Mr. Percy Harrison, Mr. Herman Klein. Captain EIgood, Mr. Dawson Milward Herr Heck, Mr. W. F. jtiulley, .ilr. Campi bell Thomas, and Mr. S. J. Powell.

NAltROW KSCAPK OF FOX- HOUNDS. AN EXPRESS TRAIN STOPPED. The Cottesmore Hounds, which met at Brooke Hall on Tuesday, had a very nar- row escape during the run. The fox got. on the Midland Railway near Whissen- dine, and ran along the line for a consider- able* distance. As the hounds were fol- lowing the trail an express train from Nottingham to London approached, but, fortunately the driver saw the dogs, and pulled up before any damage was done, but The ira-n was delayed ten minuter in cons^qTianc'? Later on, Mrs. S. N. Banki-rt, of Hade- ton Hall, met with an accident in takine a fence. Her horse fell and rolled on top of her in a ditch. When extricated it was found that she was badly «;ruahod.

BCKGLAKY AT BRECON. I, A burglary at the residence of Mr. C. E. Davies, cashier Lloyds Bank, in Cam- den-road, Brecon, has just come to light. The burglary occurred while the occupants of the house were away spending their Christmas holidays. The house was entered into through the back kitchen window, and money and jewellery of the value of about JE80 stolen, the house being quickly ransacked. The burglar or bur- glars left after helping themselves to port wino aud whisky. The circumstances point to a professional job. The police are busily investigating the affair, but so far no clue is forthcoming.

DESTRUCTIVE STORM IN VICTORIA. The "Melbourne Argus" of November 22 says —Second only to the city fire in magnitude as a national calamity was the storm of Friday even- ing (November 19). The reports. which have reached us for this morning s issue convey a story of widespread devastation in the country, particularly in the north-western districts, where so terrifying was the tumultuous havoc wrought by the wind and so dreadful its accom- paniments of darkness, thunder, and blinding liglhtning that many persons were forced to the conviction that the end of all tilings had arrived. The town of Nhill has suffered in the greatest degree. There the damage is esti- mated at no less a sum than £50,000, and the inhabitants are in despair. From Maryborough two fatal accidents are announced, and severe injuries are reported in many cases. To add to the seriousness of the disaster, the crops in many districts are considered to be irretrievably ruined. The reports form a most pathetic recital of a visitation which is unexampled in the history of the Colony.

A NARROW ESCAPE. The "Daily Chronicle," giving the news that a horse and van had been driven in the Thames at Richmond and the driver and horse drowned, mentioned that Sir Henry Irving once nearly lost his life at the same spot. Few people know, however (adds the "Chronicle" on Wednesday), how narrow an escape two of our most famous actors and one of our most famous actresses had on that occasion. Sir Henry Irving, Miss Ellen Terry, and Mr. Toole were being driven in a closed carriage one night from Richmond, when the driver took a wrong turn at Asgill- road. He lAd nearly reached the river when a cyclist dashed after him and shouted for him to stop. A minute later all three would probably *^vc been drowned.

Ball at Card iff. A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING, There was a sound of revelry at the Park-hall, Cardiff, cn Wednesday evening, when the local tradesmen held their fifth annual fancy dress ball, this time on behalf of the seamen's hospi- tal fund. Compared with last year, the ball was an enormous advance, and even compared with that of 1895 (when such a large sum was netted on behalf of *he Deaf and Dumb School) there was plenty of room for satisfaction and congratula- tion. The ball was in the hands of a very capable committee, consisting of Messrs. W. James (chairman), B. Jenkins (vice-chairman), W. B. Dunford, R. J. T. Ilillier, A. J. Beer, L. Foreman, C. H. Thomas, G. H. Bedford, Coun- cillor Lewis Morgan, Mrs. James, Mrs. Dunford, Mrs. Standen, with Mrs. Hillier as hon. trea- surer and Mr. F. H. Standen as hon. secretary (assisted by Me. E. P. Standen). The hall was not decorated for the occasion, and this was hardly necessary, as so many people took advan- tage of the opportunity to view the scene on the weli-polislied floor. The dancers totalled up to about 240, and amongst them were i early all manner of forms and fashions. True, no pale young curate came in to run the risk of being forsaken in favour of the military men, but the military were there in readiness. Amongst them were noticed Lieutenant J. S. Harris, 2nd Welsh Regiment, who attended in evening dress of his regiment. One of the most prominent figures amongst the ladies was Mrs. Hillier, who appeared in a magnificent costume as Mary Queen of Scots. The chief part of the skirt was of black velvet, with a handsome quilting "f white satin, pleated, vi+h a 'nrge rubber "f large and valuable pearls; the bodice was of me same materials, snm.arly Liiiuine'J me sleeves were of white satin, with puffed sleeves; the ornaments included a fine jet rosary anu breviary with an ebon and silver crucifix, whilst the head dress (of beautiful Brussels net) was surmounted by a handsome star of diamonds, and around her neck was thrown a gold chain with cross. Mrs. Davidson (of Bridgend) was present in a copy of the costume that took first. prize recently at Covent Garden on account or its originality. The subject was "Klondike. The skirt was af cream satin, with a bapd of hand painting along the front, three scenes (Lyun Canal, miners washing gold, and the Coola river) being very prettily shown. The skirt was of cambric, the costume was studded with imitation gold coins, and upon the shoulders were large gold nuggets, whilst the hat was made in the shape of a snow-covered log-hut. Mrs. WTilliams, of the George Hotel, Newport, wore a very beautiful costume of brocaded eau de Nil silk, trimmed with amethysts and other jewels and violets. Mrs. Williams wore a "c°!1- ventional evening dress," in wn>h scarlet •»»Hn was the prevailing tone. Mrs. Mitton, a visitor from Plymouth, was conspicuous in a line dress of black brocaded silk, trimmed with poppies. Mrs. Alford (Newport) wore a pretty cloudlike costume of white silk with silver stars, to repre- sent the character of "The Evening Star." Another character from Newport was a Scotch lass, represented by Mrs. Pritchard, whilst Miss B. Williams (also of Newport) came as "Winter," in a very appropriate costume. Councillor Hughes and Mrs. Hughes were in evening dress, Mrs. Hughes's costume being of white moire silk trimmed with violets. A pretty little figure was Miss Ada Hillier, who, as "Lilies of the "Valley," appeared in a charming blue silk dress with a cape to match and a wreath of lilies of the valley. A fine figure amongst the men was Mr. F. H. Standen, who came out as "Thomas a'Becket," a garb about which one had a diffi- culty whether it was best suited to Bishop Brown- low or Father Ignatius—for he had the r""ple cape, the golden chain, and the "daisy crest," coiffure arrangement all complete. Mrs. Stan- den looked charming as "Red, white, and blue," whilst Miss Ethel Standen was one of the origuial mer- maids. Mr. W. E. Dunford made a capital "George I. whilst Mrs. Dunford was a most piquant "Study in Scarlet," with a neat dress of scarlet satin, trimmed with scarlet jewels and sequins, and a little cocked hat to match. Mr. W. James copied "Sammy Moses" (in "The Geisha"), and Mrs. James came as "Rouge et Noir"—a fine black dress trimmed with vari- coloured clubs and hearts, with a scarlet velvet train. Mr. L. Foreman essayed the role of "Robinson Crusoe," and. came with costume and accoutrements complete, but the heat of the room induced him to throw aside the more warlike portions of his rigging. Mrs. Foreman made a very pretty "Dorothy J in an extremely neat costume, of which two shades of grey were the predominant colours. Miss Minnie Price was noticeable in a charming ordinary evening dress of pink satin. Miss Edith Russell was very pretty as "Minnie Palmer," whilst Miss Margrett, as the "Pink 'Un,' carried with her some good impressions of the "Evening Ex- press," her attractive costume being a blaze of cartoons and portraits, and various other illustrations from our evening contemporary. Miss Bella Atkinson came as a fortune- telling gipsy, and Miss Seebright was splen- didly got up as an Egyptian girl, her dark hair and eyes suiting the dress exactly. Miss Kitty Kenway's was certainly one of the best costumes in the room. She came as a jockey—black velvet skirt and sleeves, pale blue bodice, and the nattiest of top boots and black velvet jockey cap. Her charmingly piquante face and fair hair set off her pretty dress to perfection. Other noteworthy fancy dresses were —Mr. and Mrs. Hensch, "Tony and Tina"; Mr. Pond, "Porriston"; Mrs. Pond, "My Pretty Maid"; Mr. Alford, "Evening Up-to-date"; Mr. R. J. T. Hillier, Court dress; Mr. R. Lambert, "Red Zouave" Mrs. Lambert, "Red Riding Hood" Mr. F. Farmer (Gloucester), Spanish courtier; Mrs. Farmer, nurse; Miss Bennet, "Union Jack"; Miss Morgan, "Magpie" Mr. Lambert, "Clown"; Mrs. Lambert, "Red, White, and Blue" Mr. Chabrel, "Raleigh"; Miss Hamilton, "Winter"; Mrs. Luen, "Lady Peace with Honour"; Mrs. Rowe, Spanish lady; Mr. New- ton, Indian chieftain; Mrs. Newton, "Lawn Tennis"; Mrs. S. Johnson, "Lawn Tennis"; Mr. Ballard, Australian peasant; Mrs. Ballard, Swiss peasant; Mr. C. H. Thomas, jester: Miss Trew, a. lady slavey; Mrs. S. Jones, "Duchess of Devonshire"; Miss Jones, "Columbia"; Miss Lobb, "Echo"; Miss Leila Jacobs, "Lady Foot- bailer"; Miss Andrews, "Doctor of Music"; Miss NelUe Moore, "Sea Maiden"; Mr. W. A. Moore. "Manxman"; Mr. T. Morgan, "Down South"; Mrs. Israel, "Violets"; Mr. Ivor Charles, "Navvy"; Miss E. Jenkins, "Dancing Girl"; Miss Tilly Thomas, Norwegian peasant girl; Miss M. Rowe, "0 Mimosa San" (from "The Geisha"): Mr. Rigby, "David Garrick"; Mrs. Miles, English princess; Mr. G. Margrett, An Eminent Scholar" Mrs. Hutching, "Folly" Miss Flo Bedford. "Ca-men Up-to-Date": Miss B. Oakey, "Toy"; Mrs. Smith, "Scraps"; Mr. F. R. Arkell, "Midshipman"; Miss Gilbert, "Society Lady"; Mr. Aubrey Fish. "Pierrot"; Mrs. Ballasario, "Queen of Klondike"; and Mr. Bellnsario, "Pierrot." Amongst those in ordinary evenine dress were: —Mr. Risley, Miss Kayder, Mrs. Williams, Mr. E. B. P. Stephenson, Mr. Gough, Miss Dora Mayne, Mr. T. Evan, Miss Redford, Miss Bryant. Mr. Dan Kadcliffe, Mr. A. P. Price, Mr Powell Thomas, Mr. John Miller, Mr. D. Morgan. Mr. Davidson (Bridgend), Mr. and Mrs. Pile, Mr. and Mrs. Margrett, Mr. H. J. Joseph, Mr. Doug-las, Mr. and Mrc. Bedford, Mr. A. H. Widenback, Miss Findlater, Mr. Luen, Mr. B. D. Jenkins (Dinas Powis), Mr. W. H. James (Givncorrwg), Mr. Binden, Mr. A. H. Parker, Miss Rees, Mr. Elliot, Mrs. C. H. Thomas, Miss E. MoTis. Mr. Child, Miss Marwon, Mi«s Green, Mr. Steffano, Mr. Jtiutton (Plymouth), Mrs. Moore, Mr. K. A. John. Miss Price, Mr. Howard, and Miss Howard. SCENE FROM THE BALCONY. It is from the balcony of a splendid place like ihe Park-hall that a ^cod idea of the kaleido- scopic character of a ball-room may be obtained. First comes one dance, which is rattled through as merri) as niarritgc hells until the sands of the conductor's time run out, the fairy spall is endetl, and the dancers depart. And sucn a descent is the departure! Couples that only two seconds ago were tripping the light fantas- tic as lightly and fantastically as ethereal beings making one regret that it is impassible to pro- duce a tangible, living creature half phantom and half india-rubber—suddenly cease to float giacefully around the floor, and waddle off limp, lazy, and almost lifeless. However, the con- ductor's baton is lifted once more presently, and in the dancers troop. But the kaleidoscope has turned. On Wednesday eveniu. wf «»# the portly old gentleman with a Lord Dundreary set of whiskers, who went out. with someone fin-is^a like Queen Elizabeth, come back with a sylph- like maiden clothed in white silk clouds and silver evening stars; the jolly "Jack Tar." who gave No. 4 to a. pretty English slavey dressed in the neatest of pink dresses, change his affec- tions for No. 5 in favour of a buxom Dutch dairymaid. "Mary Queen of Scots" had left behind a handsome gentleman in f'ql1"-Uy hand- some court dress, and had taken pity on a countryman dancing under a common billycock hat and in a sober jacket of light buff ducking, but no waist- coat! The comical combinations were ex- tremely amusing. Here is the "cast" of one set of lancers:—An elderly barrister, a quaint little girl of, say. just about (seventeen, a clown with shaven head, a prim little countrv- maid, a light-weight Spanish courtier (not in full feathor), a heavy-weight dairymaid, a bushy-headed clown, and a dashing slavey dressed in pink with white stripes and a most bewitching little cap. One short gentleman took out a tall lady, and seemed proud of it; whilst upon one occasion Mr. Powell Thomas (who reached up to fiH. 6in.) mr-de off w:ih a dainty little lady, and "she only four foot two." The colour combinations were pretty enough, and the ball-room was retuarkabty in a j '\P' ilUy. tiling > hnt wm ai'aifsi "ood >n ii rlijnn contrast, the worst noticeable being the mating 0;' a gelltlelllalI dressed ill It ."11,de of light iiiuo with a lady in an old ;old evening die.ss. The dances were well selected, and the floor was fully occup.ed for nearly every number, the only thin^ that did not seem to go as well as the rest being a cotillon valse. Lancers took up five numbers, qiwlnllp.! two, vaises seven, Dolkas only one, and then were one each of schottische, Highland schottische, barn dance, with two valse cotillons. Johnson's band occupied the orchestra, and Messrs. George carried out the catsring. The nasLcrs of the ceremonies were Messrs. B. Jenkins, n. B. Dunford, L. Foreman, R. J- T. H,lher. W. James, C. H. Thomas, and F. H. Standen, with (as a matter of course) the able assistance of th3 hon. treasurer.

MIL FORI) DOCKS COMPANY. PROPOSED CREATION OF NEW STOCKS, A Bill to confer further powers upon the Milford Docks Company has been deposited for next session in the Private Bill Office of the House of Commons. By this Bill the company seek power to raise money by the creation of "special charge debenture stock" or "special mortgages" to the amount of £100,000. Of this sum £70,000 was authorised to be created under the powers of their Act of 1892 upon the security of the undertaking of the Milford Haven Dock and Railway Company, which it was at that time intended to purchase. This purchase never having been carried out, the Bill now pro- poses to enable the company to issue the stock prior to the acquisition of any interests in that undertaking, and "only upon the security of the existing undertaking of the company." As regards the "A" Debenture Stock, the Bill provides that "the proportion of profits" to which that stock is entitled and which remains unpaid shall be ascertained and paid up to tha 30th of June, 1898, "by the issue of Debenture Stock 'A' at par in lieu of cash to the respective holders entitled thereto." As regards the balance of the arreirs of interest on Debenture Stock "A," and the whole of the arrears of interest of Debenture Etock "B," it is provided that thesfi arrears shall be paid next August up to the 30th of June, 1898, "by the issue at par to the respective holders of h per cent. pre-preference stock," which a further clause in the Bill empowers the com- pany to raise to an amount not exceeding £30U,ooO. After June 30, 1398, the interest on the "A" Debenture Stock is to be reduced from 6 per cent. to 4 per cent, and until June, 1904, the interest is "not to be a charge on the under- taking of the company," but shall be payable only out of the profits of the company after the payment of the interest on the special charge Debenture Stock and special mortgages. From the same date the interest on the "B" Deben- ture Stock is to be reduced from 5 per Cent, to 4 per cent., which is to be payable only out of profits after payment of all interest on the "A" Debenture Stock, "and shall not be a charge on the undertaking of the company." In view of the contemplated establishment, via Milford, of a Trans-Atlantic line of steamers, the Bill pro- poses to empower the company to make agree- ments for subsidising any such steamship com- pany.

HOW TO STUDY AMERICA. A REMARKABLE LETTER. Mr. J. E. Ballaine, Adjutant-General of the State of Washington, writes to the "Daily Chronicle" —If any Englishman is honestly desirous of studying the people and govern- ment of the United States, let him go into the trwns and the villages of every Sta ,e, and into the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Let him visit the truly American cities of Cleveland, Pittsburg, St. Louis, Omaha, Min- neapolis, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Spokane, Denver, and hundreds like them. There he will find the American character in all its strength and vigour. If he wishes to see American institutions in reality, let him avoid the European cesspools of New York and the European Whitechapels of Chicago, and go cut upon the prairies to tea the lactones, the railroads and canals, the magnificent buildings of brick and stone where the youth are edu- cated and, when he rides through the country, let him take notice of the nicely-painted houses and barns on every farm, not emitting to note the commodious schoolhouse in every township. Then let him drop into a farm home for a stay of several days, where he will find fruit and giain and stock in plenty. Best of all, he will discover in his farmer host a iian of education and morality, who keeps wall abreast of the im- portant happenings of the world, and whose highest ambition is to equip his sons and daughters with a good education, and develop them into the noblest type of manhood and womanhood. The Englishman who does that will see America. A word in closing, for the benefit of English- men who may care to profit by the candid truth. The visitor who studies America as I have indicated will find in the breast of every genuine American an undying hatred of Eng- land, particularly of the ruling classes in that mother land. He will be surprised to learn, perhaps, that the hatred grows out of just the same kind of malicious libels on the American name as the one lately published by Mr. Stead— libels imputing to American institutions faults of character due to the oppressions of the libellers themselves in their own land. In order that the English readers of this com- ment may not suspect the author of being an hereditary enemy of England, I will mention that my parents were born under the English Hag in the island of Jersey. My ancestors were ptncrg the Norman soldiers who helped William the Conqueror to found the British Empire, and they were for more than 800 years the loyal sub- jects of the British Crown. I am related by blood to every one of the old Norman families of the island ol Jersey, as my name will sufficiently attest to all the inhabitants of that island. But I am an American, born in the State of Iowa, and pruud of it. I have yet two-thirds of my lite before me. If, in the course of events during that period, Great Britain and the United States should be involved in war—which many of us fervently pray may not be long delayed—my British lineage will have no strings on me so far as concerns my duty as a citizen of a republic libelled and insulted and stabbed by the Mother Country on every occasion.

SWANSEA PANTOMIM, SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTION OF "ROBINSON CRUSOE." The pantomime produced by Messrs. Morrell and Mouillot at the Grand Theatre, Swansea, "Robinson Crusoe"—their first effort in this line at Swansea—has now been produced four times, and some idea of its prospects can be gained. The piece ran very smoothly even from the first time of its production, but on Wed- nesday night things went absolutely without a hitch, and the company are beginning to settle down to the introduction of some of their gags, jokes, and local allusions, which are always wanting when the lines are too fresh to the actors. Judging by the reception given the pantomime by the audiences so far, it is cer- tain of success. The bright particular attribute of this pantomime, in our opinion, is its music. Unquestionably, Mr. Ainsley Fox had put some exceptionally good work into his effort for Swansea. There is a sustained sweetness and coherency about the whole of the numbers which might be well copied by some of the writers of recent light operas. Then, again, a great point in favour of the Swansea panto- mime is the engagement of such really attractive and piquant ladies for the principal parts of "Robinson" and "Polly" in the persons of Miss Alice Perceval and Miss Maud Bowden. They are both personally engaging, not merely in appearance, but manner, and they interpret their parts in a method which suggests the splendid experience they have gained as prin- cipal ladies in "The Geisha." They sing their various songs with great taste. Perhaps the greatest successes of Miss Perceval are a touch- ing ballad, "1.ove1 could I only tell you," and the coon song, come and let me t.ook." Then Miss Bowden, in a tasteful and subdued, but exquisitely harmonious, way, gives, amongst her best efforts, the "Little Safety Pin"—a song with a moral; whilst she is heard to great advantage in "Lindy, does yer love me?" These two central female figures are surrounded by a number of ether attractive ones. The fun of the pantomime is entrusted chiefly to Mr. Fancourt, who, as "Will Atkins," is already irresistably funny. His phrase, "Did you notice anything?" is likely to become "familiar in our mouths as household words" ere long. Another quaint character is that of. "Dame Crusoe," as impersonated by Mr. Alec Durwent, who is likely to make even more of the part as time goes on, for he has evident natural humour. A lady is entrusted with another funny part, that of "Liza" (Miss Jennie Ruby), and does it splendidly. We have already dealt with the scenery of the piece, which is adequate. The transformation, perhaps, is slightly disappointing, but it is cer- tainly pretty. The scenes in which visions of "Crusoe" and the shipwreck occur and the elec- trical effects in another scene provoke the loudest applause at each representation. The speciality artistes—the Sisters Emerald and the Gaiety Quartette—are most capable in their respective lines. As we have already stated, there is no reason why Messrs. Morrell and Mouillot should not reap the harvest they expect from their first pantomime—a harvest which would, doubtless, encourage them to even greater enterprise in future years.

ILLNESS OF MIS,> JEXXER. We regret to learn that Miss Gertrude Jenner is invalided at The Ty-pica sines last Monday. She is suffering from influenza, with great pros- tration of strength. The ftev. George Jenner called to see her on Wednesday, and she ulti- mately allowed him to send a telegram to Dr. Roach, of Dinas Powis, who was over in a vety short time to see her, and he has ordered her to take a rest from business for a time. It may be a week or ten days before she is fit to leave the house, and she is, therefore, obliged to relinquish various engagements she had in hand for the New Year amongst the poor.

Bute-street Tragedy. PRISONER BEFORE THE STIPENDIARY. ADDITIONAL, IXETArLS. EXAMINATION OF THE WITNESSES. Before the Stipendiary (Mr. T. W. Lewis) at Cardiff Police-court on Wednesday afternoon. Francis Ludwig Hultstrom, 33, was charged on remand "for that he, on the 15th of December, at 190, Bute-street, did feloniously, and of malice aforethought, kill and murder one Mary Ann Hultstrom, by shooting her with a revolver loaded with ball cartridges." Prisoner has already been found guilty of murder on the coroner's warrant, so that the public are in possession of the facts, which were again elicited at length. Mr. D. W. Evans (Messrs. George David and Evans) appeared for the prosecution; Mr. Morgan Rees defended. The interest in the case would seem to have fallen off considerably, for when it was called on there were only a few people in court. Mr. Evans put in a plan of the house, 190, Bute-street, and then stated the facts of the tragedy and the part taken by the prisoner, who had been married seven years, and for four years had conducted the Bute-street house as a boarding-master. Elizabeth Jane Anderson was the first wit- ness. She said she lived at 42, Corporation- road, and was the wife of Erneet David Ander- son, a. sailor. On the evening in question she went to prisoner's house to see her sister, the deceased. The latter was in her bedroom dressed, and shi went out, witness consenting to await her return. She stayed in the boarders day-room until her sister returned, some time after ten, in a hansom cab. Prisoner came to the door, and assisted his wife out of the cab, and into the house. She was drunk, and went into the men's room, and from there into the kitchen. Then she was put into a chair, and there they left her. Witness afterwards met the prisoner in the yard, and while she was in the house, and just as she was about to start for home, she heard a report of firearms. She rushed into the kitchen, followed by Ivor Andersen, and saw deceased falling- down between the fire- place and the stair door. She laid on her right side, and had nothing in her hands. There were then in the room only Ivor Andersen and wit- ness. The gas was full on. She spoke to de- ceased, who made no answer. A man named Bateman came in, and deceased was carried up- stairs. The revolver (produced) she picked up on the floor by the outer door leading into the back yard. Sh* saw the revolver six months before in prisoner's possession. Witness fol- lowed upstairs with a candle, prisoner remaining in the kitchen. He was crying, and said, "It ;s too late;, it's done now." Deceased was placed on a bed. Witness saw blood on deceased's wearing apparel, all of which was produced. Seeing the blood she rushed into the kitchen, and told prisoner she had seen blood. He re- plied, "I don't belinve it," and went upstairs, witness following. Prisoner walked to the cut- side of the be'" and c-aid to deceased, "God bless you." At his request witness went for a doc- tor, and on her return she found prisoner still crying. Had heard prisoner threaten her sister on various occasions. He complained of her drinking, and said "that would be the end of her." Have you ever seen him strike her?—Yes, I have. In examination by Mr. Morgan Rees, witness admitted saying before the coroner that she didn't see prisoner from the time he helped her sister into the kitchen until after she had been carried upstairs. In explanation of the dis- crepancy, witness said she was excited at the time, and had since remembered things which did not occur to her at the inquest. Before the coroner she also admitted saying she had never seen the revolver before, but that was not a fact. Are you sure he said, "nis too late; it's done now ?"—Yes. You said nothing about that before the coroner.—I don't remember what I said. I was so excited. Have you heard your sister say that "shooting would be the end of her" ?—Yes. Frequently ?—"Yes. Did you ask her what she meant?—No, I did not. By the Stipendiary: I don't know where prisoner went after he assisted deceased out of the cab. She faced the same way before and after she heard the report. Prisoner came into the kitchen immediately after myself and Ivor Andersen. Ivor Andersen, fireman, of Christina-street, gave corroborative evidence, and spoke to help ing to get deceased into the house. Witness told the court that prisoner, who was crying in the kitchen, exclaimed, "I'm done." Witness caught hold of him by the arms in a friendly way, and told him t £ "take it more coolly." In the ooai-ders* day-room witness found on the table a ievolver, which he put under his coat. He was going out when prisoner called to him, and, saying he believed he had the revolver, asked him for it. Witness said he would give it him if he would not do him any harm, and then handed him the weapon. Charles Bateman, another boarder at the Ilultstroms', deposed that on the night of the occurrence, he helped the last witness to carry deceased upstairs. On coming down he found prisoner walking up and down in the kitchen, and grinding his teeth; Ellen Rndford. wife of a boarding-house keeper, at 192, Bute-street (next door to the Hultstroms'), said the back premises adjoined On the evening of December 15 the was at home, and heard the report of a revolver. With Minnie Johnson witness went to the back, and on looking over the wall saw Mrs. Ander- son rushing from the men's room into the kitchen. She also hes>rd Hultstrom say, "Its too late now; I have done it." The voice came from the kitchen. By Mr. Rees: I did not see prisoner go into the kitchen. I still adhere to my statement that the words prisoner used were, "It's too lat^e now; I have done it." There has been ill-feeling between prisoner and my husband, and proceedings followed in the police-court, in which my husband- summoned Hultstrom for assault. Minnie Johnson, a domestic servant, in tile employ of the last witness, was next called, and confirmed her evidence. Looking over the wall witness saw prisoner in his shirt sleeves in the yard near the window. She heard him say, "I'll do for myself now." There were holding him two men, one of whom told him "not to be so foolish." Earlier in the evening, about nine o'clock, she saw prisoner in the shop, with Mrs. Hultstrom. In consequence of what she heard she went to the window, and saw prisoner breaking a corner cupboard behind the counter. Mrs. Hultstrom was there, and said, "Go on, Frank." He replied, "Yes, and J. il do for you before this night is through." Police-constable Dimery, called by the last witness, who raised the alarm, went to 190, Bute- stieet. Prisoner was in the boarders' room cry- ing and wringing hit hands, ¡,nd pacing up and down. With the doctor lie went upstairs, and witness, after seeiug the wound in the woman's heart, followed prisoner downstairs. He searched for the revolver, but failing to find it left the ho.ise, and returned soon afterwards with Police- ccnstable Hinge. The latter asked prisoner where the revolver was, and he replied, "I have thrown it over the wall at the back." Mr. Reea Didn't prisoner say he had thrown the revolver into the sink"?—No. Police-constable Hinge frreated prisoner, and then returned to the house, with Sergeant Reed. After searching' they found the revolver in the sink at the back. It was in two separate parts. The revolver was in an upright position. In the chamber he found an empty cartridge. The bullet (produced), handed him by the doctor, fitted the cartridge, and the spindle fitted the revolver. He found in the sink four ball cart- ridges,' and these also fitted. On the morning of the 16th witness charged prisoner ab the Central Police-station. He nnsweretl, "I don't know what to say. All I can say is I am very sorry." Mr. Rees: I think he told you where the revolver was when you asked him?—No. Dr, Girvan, the medical man who was hastily summoned, deposed that the woman when he saw her was quite dead. He pave evidence, first" as to the bullet wound on. the 1eft breast, and then as to the post-mortem. The bullet penetrated the second and third rib and the left lung, entered the large blood-vessels at the top of the heart, passed through the right lung, impigned against the lower part of the second rib on the right side, part of which it broke off, and then got deeply embedded in the left arm-pit. He extracted the' bullet (produced), and handed it to Hinge. The Stipendiary: Having regard to the direc- tion of the wound, might it have been self- intticted ?—I should say it would be improbable. Possible?—Possible, yes. Do you wish to add anything by way of explanation?—Well, I could scarcely imagine a woman in a drunken state who would hold a revolver in that position in her left hand, hut, at the same time, thaL day I got the revolver and used it against a piece of cloth, similar to that of which deceased's jacket was made, and at the distance of a foot there was no smell of singeing or burning. Did you examine the jacket where the bullet penptrated?—I did. Did you find any singeing?—No. None whatever?—No; none whatever. Had the wound been self-inflicted would you have expected singeing?—Not in this case. Mrs. Anderson, re-called by the stipendiary, said, j. flmWf>r to 1\ question, t-hat she thought Mrs. Hultstrom's jacket was buttoned when she left her sittinof in the kitc}Jen. COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. This completed the case—after a three hours' hearing—and prisoner, who in a loud, firm voice pleaded "Not guilty," was formally committed for trial to the next assizes. Hultstrom, who was in charge of Inspector Durston, followed the evidence closely, but at no time did he show any signs of emotion, pre- serving throughout the stoical calmness he has maintained all along, and a composure that nothing, apparently, could disturb.

Powers and the Far East MOVEMENTS OF THE BRITISH FLEET. PROPOSED CHINESE* LOAN IN PARIS. The Admiralty, naturally, withhold information as to the movements in the Chinese seas of the British squadron under Sir Alexander Buller, but it is known that our ships are not idle (says the London correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian"). The Commander-in-Chief was to have had a series of manoeuvres during the winter. These have not been carried out. Sir A. Buller left Hong Kong in his flagship with certain other vessels on the 16th inst. There remained behind him at Hong Kong the Un- daunted, Linnet, Archer, Humber, Handy, and Hart. The movement, made in answer to the orders of the Admiralty, took place at a date coinciding with the return of the Daphne from Port Arthur, where the cruiser had found the Russian men-of-war. Then we have to-day !t telegraphic dispatch from Hong Kong as fol- lows —"Rear-Admiral China in Grafton arrived 27th December." The telegram does not say wliat ships the Grafton, which is the flagship of the second in command, has with her, but she is sure to have from three to four. Tha second in command in the Chinese seas is Rear- Admiral L. Oxley. Only a few days ago it was announced by the Admiralty that he, and his division of the fleet had gone to Penang to stay. His re-call to Hong Kong must, there- fore, be considered to indicate a certain activity in the Far East. His ship will create a base; for Sir A. Buller in the North China waters. HOW THE GERMANS LANDED. The Berlin correspondent of the "Standard" sends details of the German occupation of Kiao- Chau, taken from the "Kolnische Zeitung." According to this account, the ships Kaiser, Princess Wilhelm, aud Cormoran received orders to start from Shanghai on November 9, and the writer proceeds: — "Nobody knew our destination. On Wednes- day, after some shiftings about, intended, pro- bably, to deceive the British, who were observ- ing lis, we took an unmistakable course north- wards. During the voyage feverish activity prevailed. Early on Saturday, the 13th, how- ever, the commander called the whole of the crew to the quarter-deck, and read us a Divi- sion Order, which ran nearly as follows: — "'I am commanded by his Majesty the Emperor to convey to the ships of the cruiser division under my command the order to extort satisfaction from China for the recent shameful murder of German missionaries. For this pur- pose you are to occupy Kiao-Chau Bay. and to execute the order by every means in your power." "Our commander drew attention to tfce importance of the order, and it was a solemn moment when the loud hurrah from hundreds of throats—a vow of fidelity to the death to the Emperor and the Empire—sounded over the sea. Since then the affair has taken a somewhat comical course. When our combined landing detachments, with their band playing before them, marched in sections from the landing-place to-day—Sunday, November 14—the inhabitants, evidently delighted with the pretty novelty, marched merrily along beside thorn, keeping step to the music. The Chinese garrison, numbering from two to three thousand men, who happened to be busy at drill at the moment, submissively left the parade-ground, believing we only wanted to drill a little. Before the Chinese had the slightest idea of our intentions, the most impor- tant points were occupied. "The Officer Commanding-in-Cliief was brought, and the Imperial Order read to him vwith the help of an interpreter. The poor fellow turned deadly pale. We offered him the alternative ot marching off with his men and leaving the forts to us or fighting our landing party and our iron- clads, the heavy guns of which, ready for action, frowned over the water. Well, he chose the only wise course, from the standpoint of reason and humanity, though not from that of our military sense of honour. He hauled down his flag, ordered his officers and men to retire, and trod the thorny path which ought, strictly speak- ing, to lead him to justification in his Emperor's eyes, but which generally conducts to execu- tion. One cannot help feeling sorry for the poor fellow. "At three p.m., amid the strains of the German Anthem and the thunder of the guns, with the colour section presenting arms, the German ensign was run up the self-same stall down which the White Dragon on a blue ground had been hauled. Our troops had occupied the forts, in which a great quantity of unguardea and ill-cared for shells and powder was found, and we on board are prepared to fire our guns at any moment if necessary." PROPOSED CHINESE LOAN IN PARIS. The Paris correspondent of the "Morning Post" states that for some time past negotia- tions have been proceeding between Russia and France with the view of raising a loan of about £6,000,000 to pay off the indemnity to Japan in order to secure the evacuation of Wei-Hai-Wei. Unlike the former loan, which was a Russo- Chinese loan, this was a purely Chinese one, Russia acting as broker and raising the loan in France. One point (says the correspondent) has given rise to considerable difficulty—namely, the determination of France that a French bank should head the loan, as against the Russian demand that the Russo-Chinese Bank should take the lead. Negotiations have for the present been broken off, and a certain coolness has sprung up between the parties concerned. The object of this loan was to allow of Russia occupy- ing Wei-Hai-Wei, the terms of the treaty being that Japan should evacuate that port dn the pay- ment of the indemnity. ATTITUDE OF THE POPE. A Central News telegram from Rome on Wed- nesday says: — Several newspapers have announced that the Pope has written a message upon the situation in the Far East. The Vati- can journals to-day, however, declare that his Holiness will await further developments before making any pronouncement. The "Cittadino" to-day says -that everything depends upon the result of the mission of Signor Auzer, chief ot the Catholic missions in China, to the Emperor William. ITALIAN CRUISERS TO SAIL FOR CHINA. A Central News telegram from Rome on Wednesday evening says':—A semi-official Note issued this evening, states that Ministers to-day discussed certain measures which it is proposed to take for the purpose of developing the relations between Italy and China. At the Ministry of Marine it is stated that the first- class cruiser Bansan will sail from Venice for China on January 5. The cruiser Cristoforo Colombo will shortly be detached from the Indian Ocean squadron, and sent to Chinese waters. ATTITUDE OF THE UNITED STATES. A Renter's telegram from Washington on Wednesday says:—An eminent authority on international affairs to-day declared in the course of an interview that, if the scramble for Chinese territory went to the extent of the extinction of China, and the absorption of that country by foreign nations, the United States would be called upon to go much farth;r than to protect American interests in the treaty ports. Until this happened, however, it was plain that the United States was not interested in the matter. JAPAN'S NAVAL STRENGTH. The following is a detailed list of Japanese vessels actually in construction —Three war- ships of 14,800 tons each, in England; one war- ship of 10,000 tons, in England; four armoured cruisers of 9,600 tons, and calculated for twenty knots an hour, two of each in England, one in Germany, and one in France; two protected cruisers of 5,000 tons and twenty-three knots, one in San Francisco and one in Philadelphia; ► one protected cruiser of 4,300 tons and twenty- three knots, in England; eight torpedo destroyers of thirty knots, in England; twelve torpedo boats of 90 tons, eight in Germany ana four in France; one cruiser of 9,600 tons and twenty knots, three cruisers of 3,000 tons ana twenty knots, three torpedo catchers, and a despatch boat, in Japan; also two cruisers of 9,000 toils l:ud twenty-one knots, built in Eng- land for Chili, bought recently by Japan. No less than 65 vessels, not counting 126 torpedo boats, are now in course of construction, and three of these are war ships of the first clasa.