Evening Express

TEMRJCRATUAE. RAINFALL. |m:IV. Min. Mean. 9 a.ni 9 p.m.'Total Tuesday 11 49 37 i.t'O -00 *02 -02 Wednesday 2' 49 30 39*5 "09 "00 *00 Thursday. 3 49 33 41'0 "00 -00 *00 Friday 4 44 31 37*5 TO *02 *02 Saturday 6: 4i .*4 39*0 "00 "CO *00 Sunday 7' 41 ,32 36*5 "07 -07 -14 Monday 81 "50 ——————— I II TAJUU

Telephone: National, 502; Poet-"ffice, 95. Telegrams: Express," Cardiff.

DIGNITY AND IMPI DEXCE. A pretty picture! We can fancy ourvjeives back in the old school days again. Some of the Cardiff teachers are ch as tis Jig us. even as we used to be chastised, in common with the rest of our race, in those long-distant days. There is a something in the pedagogue manne;* that inspires awe, unci even those of us who have grown to maturity successfully must find that awe renewed when we consider the mighty and noble attitude assumed at this juncture hy the present pedagogue generation. This morning's post brings us fresh evidence that quite a number of Cardiff teacherb do not want a bicycle, and do not aim. to be popular, and aim at nothing, ;.n fact, but to see the world duly impressed by their magnificent dignity, their terrible importance, and their wondrous devo- tion to the sacred cause of duty. The Teachers' Association-the officials of it, rather—would paint a new picture on the famous subject, "Dignity and Impudence." Their modern ver- sion, deduced from vivid word-pictures that have rolled into our letter-box, would represent the teacher, statuesque, and stern of face, elevated on a mighty pedestal of granite and of marble —(no. not marble, now we th/nk of it that is I too reminiscent of the juvenile "tor'' and "blood- alley"). On his massive brow there rests the laurel wreath; in h's hand he poises gracefully the sceptre which shall sway the destiny of nations; in his calm, but haughiy. glance we iiee the power of a m'ghty purpose, tempered by a regret that such a purpose is not better paid. Beneath his feet he crushes the "Express"—a mare newspaper, echoing nothing but the senti- ments of the multitude, an impudent little thing, common of the masses, that ha* dared to speak up to the figure on the pedestal and to 1ft its head and ask, "Would you not like a bicycle?" In the back ground 'we can ilè-e the scurrying figure of the editor. ^Hc has been kicked right off the earth, and his offending bicycles hurled rffter him, whilst the world looks tremM ng on. It is an awful picture, though one which nobody but the inspired teacher will appreciate. We have still breath enough to ask, "Where can the supreme dignity of the teacher be offended by our plebiscite?" Every teacher, thank heaven, i, not affected by this suffocating sense of dignity—and we incline on excellent grounds to the belief that these are the teachers whose in- fluence lias been most broad and kindly, and who are, therefore, not afraid of anything which touches them outside their sphere. We are reminded by a correspondent ihis morning that our idea is not a new one, and that it has already been worked out in America. Verily, thefe is nothing new under the sun—the Ameri- cans are In front of us in everything. Judged by the result of the Amcriclln plebiscite (in K ew York, our correspondent says) the American teachers are a good many years ahead. A plebiscite was taken there in the same manner as we suggest, and the city went wild over it. There was no ordinary interest manifested. The lady who headed the list, Miss Daisy Miller, became a heroine of the day to the Americans, and nc one could say, or has said, that the profession lost an ounce of dignity or influence or standing. On the contrary, the plebiscite was the means of showing the friendly interest taken by the public in its children's mentors. We may at least expect that in "pite of the peculiarities of'some Cardiff teachers the same will happen here.

Welsh Tin-plate Trade. NOTICE TO TERMINATE CON- TRACTS AT MOKEWOOD'S. SIR JOHN JONES JENKINS VISITS THE WORKS. Twenty-eight days' notice was given on Monday to the men in all the departments of Morewood's Tin-plate Works atLlanelly to terminate contracts at the end of that period. The labourers were given a week's notice. It is probable that by the end of the month some arrangement will be arrived at by which the works will be carried on, but whether this will be by a day-to-day arrangement remains to be seen. Sir John Jones Jenkins visited the works on Mon- day morning, and was closeted with the manager for a considerable time. What the purport of the conference was we have been unable to ascertain, and. in any case, no arrangement can be arrived at before a meeting of shareholders is held.

EISTEDDFOD AT P E N A KT K. Major Wyndhim-Qnin, M.P. on Monday opened a most successful eisteddfod at Andrews' large hall. Penirth. The rrfovement for the holding of the gathering originated with Mr. T. Erulyn Jonc-s in September last, and, with the assistance of Messrs. W. E. Singer, M. Nicholas, T. Jones, J. Davies. Paul Draper, T. H. Jones. H. Morgan, D. T. Morris. n. Parker, and J. F. Pickford, who formed themselves into a cum- in it. tee, the arrangements were carried through without delav. Major Wyndham-Quin s remarks were commendably brief, and the eisteddfod song was then rendered by Mr. T. Williams ( Llew Ebbw"). Following came bardic addresses by the Revs. W. G. Williams and D. C. Jones. The Conductor of the Eisteddfod (Mr. T. John), referring to the bardic chair occupied by the president, said it had been won by the father of the treasurer of the eisteddfod (Mr. T. Kmlyn Jone:», "loan Emlyn." in 1836. "loan Kmlyn" was a bard of no mean order, and was responsible for the introduction of the eis- teddfod into South Wales. The results were as followCompetition for juven'le choirs (two entries), "The Fisherman" (Watson): inner, S'. Augustine's Sunday S' ho.J Choir, Penarth (conductor, Mr. J. H. Quintrell). Contraltj solo, "The Lord is Risen" tSiiilivan s "Light ot the AVorld"), iscwn entries): Winner, Miss Annie Glossop, Cardiff; invested by Major Wyndham-Quin. Violin solo, Andante Eeligioso, Op. 70 (Francis Thome), (three entries): Winner, Miss Marion Draper, Penarth. Clarionet solo (four entries): Winner. Mr Arthur Jiewis, Cogan. Duet. "Sunset." soprano and con- tralto (three entriesl: Divided between the Misses Harnett, of Barry, and Miss Gertrude Jenkins and Miss Partridge, Cardiff'. Piano- forte solo, for jnniors under sixteen, "The Har- monious Blacksmith" (six entries): Winner, Miss Marion Draper. Recitation, for juniors under sixteen, "Polcnius to his son Laertes" (three entries): Winner, Amy Watts, (!>'angetown. Soprano solo, "The Little Beggar Cirl" (throe entries): Winner, Miss Ethal Thomas. Cardiff. Short tale: Second prize awarded to Mr. Sydney Goffin, Penarth (only one entry). "Englyn" (fourteen entries): ist, "lTn heb y fanig"; 2nd, "Tremydd." Tenor solo, "Ymson y Curid" (twelve enM ies)- Winner, Mr. W. T. Willi;; ow CGwylim Taf"), Maesteg. Wind quintette '.flute, oboe, clarionet, horn, and bassoon). "Taffivael" (one entry); A herd a re Wind Cjuintette Party. Baritolv solo "Lend. Kindly Light": Mr. W. C. Edwards. Groeswen, near Pontypridd. Cornet solo. "The Better Land" (six entries): Mr. Angus Gear, Penarth. Bass solo. "Arm. Arm. ye Brave" (twelve entries): W. C. Edwards. Groes- uen. Duet, tenor and bass, "Martial Snint": Messrs. W. E. Caraton, Cardiff, and W. C. Edwards, Groesw-m. Vocal quartette, "God is a. Spirit" (eleven entries): Carston and Party. Cardiff. Sight singing (six entries): Mr. E. David, Penarth, and Mr. John Thomas, Pen- tyrch. Glee. "Sleeo, Gentle Lady" (three entrtes): Whitchurch Choir. At the close of this competition the President announced his regret, at bavins to leave for London, and said he had heard with amazement th" t there had been no eisteddfod in Penarth for eighteen years. He hoped other gather- ings of the same kind would be held in the futuro A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the gallant major for presiding. The competition for choirs from one congre- gation followed. The pieces were: (a) Hymn tune. "Abcrystv.ith" (Dr. Parry), ".Tesu, Lover cf my Soul"; (b) anthem, "Arise, shine. for thy light is come." The Free Methodist Choir t conductor, Mr. P. A. Lewis) was success- ful. The closing competition was that for male voice choirs (forty to '"ifty voices), the prize being ..510. Five choirs sang, in the fot- lowing order:Penarth Male Voice Choir, Karrv District Glee Society, '["reforest Malo Voice Society. Canliff Juniors, and Barry Male Voice. The pr!7.e was awarded T-'eforest (con- ductor, Mr. David DayiesL The adndicators were:—Music, Mr. T. E. Aylward, Cardiff, and Mr. W. Thomas, Royal Treorky Male Voice Choir; tale. Professor T. Powel. M.A., University College, Cardiff; read- ing and recitation, Mr. Tom John, Llwynypia. Accompanists, Mrs. Dr. Frost and Professor S. C. Howell, I.S.M —The afternoon proceedings onened with the singing of "Hert Wlad ty Nhadau" by Mr. Wm. Thomas ("LIew Ehbw"), the audience enthusiastically joining in the chon1s.

LOUD TBEDEGAR AND THE ttORSEDD. INSCRIPTION FOR THE rRE- SENTATION HORN. The following ;s the inscription to be placed on the great silver horn which is being prepared by Mr. Goscombe John. to the order of Lord Tredegar, for presentation to the Gorsedd: — Y CORN HIRLAS. Rhodd Arglwydd Tredegar ("Ifor Hael yr Ail") I Orsedd Beirdd Ynys Prydain yn Eistcduled Genediaethol Frenin'l, Castell Newydd ar Wysg, 1897. Corn gwleddoedd, corn gloew addas—corn da, Ifor; Corn detion ein hen farddas; Com Ha wen rodd; corn llawn 0 ras C/wrain yw arlun Corn Hirlas. "HVVFA MON" (yr Archdderwydd).

CARDIFF SCHOOL BOARD RETURNS I For the month of February the Cardiff School Board has issued its returns, which show that during the period covered the average attendance in the board schools of the borough was 16,984 (out of 21.494 on the registers). This is an increase on the average attendance of 354 compared with February of 1897. but, on account of the increase in the ntimber on the registers (20,100 in February last j-?ar), the per- centage is 78.5, compared with 81.5. In the voluntary schools the average atten- dance is 6,163 (compared with 6,498), whilst the numbsr on the registers is 8,291 (compared with 8,430), and the percentage 74.3, as against 77. The figures returned for the Higher Grade School show that, with an accommodation of 1,124, there are 989 names on the register, with an average attendance of 880 and a percentage of 88.9. ■

Mr. W. S. Crossman presided at a nieecing of the unemployed committee of the Cardiff Corporation on Monday, when it was decided to keep the stone-breaking yard open for r.notlier fortnight.

Men We Meet in Cardiff WILLIAM. MEDWAY DAVIES, SOLICITOR. Interview with the Hayes Orator.—A Man Who Goes to G-oal For a Principle It was at a table in the large newsroom of the central' library that I first discerned the shaggy features ot him. "You are the very gentleman I require," I said. Like a lamb he followed me out. Did he mind telling me a little of his life—a few of the most striking incidents in what had, probably been a chequered career? Not in the least. That was what he was for. Would I think it beneath me to accompany him to his house in Byrar-street ? It was not furnished. "Sir," I said, "nothing is beneath me, and nothing above I am the friend of man!" So, both happily idle in a too-busy world, we sauntered in the wintry gloom down Queen-street, Newport and Castle Roads- William Medway Davies, sclicitor, known to local journalists as "The Hayes Orator," who goes to gaol now and then for his principles, for obstructing the thoroughfare or "assault and battery," and I the perennially hopaful gleaner of gems from the rubbish heap of commercialdom. It is good to have the oratorical bump large. On the way the "remains of a Welsh gentle- man." as William Medway Davies too modestly styles himself, regaled me with narratives of adventure in South Australia, Cape Colony, on the high seas. in the West Indies, and New York. In New Yor t he "tested the workhouse system of America." Alone and friendless, chilled to the bone. and drenched with rain. William Medway Davies, who, although a "harmless eccentric," has feelings like any other man. and perhaps more than most, lost heart of grace and appealed, with what, he calls the "eloquence of desperation," to a magistrate for relief. The impression created on that functionary was slight. He could do nothing for him, he said; therj were "so many Americans wanting workhouses they had no room for foreigners." Sadly Davies turned away, to be overtaken by a burly policeman. The New York police, Iny friend interjects. are physically about the finest in the world. He knows! "Hi! guv'ner!" tlie officer blubbered, near weeing for sMupathy. "I reckon a few days' seclusion would be good for you, guv'ner. Now. if you don't mind comin' to jail, I'll see that the (,0,)1, does his duty by jna!" And llr-it was how the drenched Bohemian c?me to sample the jail accommodation of "The State, "I lived," said Davids, "for a fortnight on the fat oÎ the jail-:1nd jails Hre fat in America, not like they sre Here." All the apartments, br.tli fo" 1'idv and ganliemm prisoners, were neatly upholstered, and fitted with all those liltle nick-nacks tlv't go to make life easy and endurable. Davies had no nesire to change his quarters, but at the end of the fortnight a, friendly oflice'- volunteered to show hint round the historic Toombs Prison. Her? lie was in troduced to murderers and malefactors of various degrees of criminality as a famous solicitor from the old country." An article appeared in a New York journal, comparing Yankee with English lawyers—of course, to the disadvantage of the latter, in which the subject of 0ur investigations proudly state* he was referred to as "a tynical reoresentative of the English lawyer." But,, then, Davies nas no s»lf-RstePiv>. From this defect soring twc- thirds of his disabilitie.f3. Rut. I anticipate, as the novelist says. It was in that New York jail William Medway Davies bad last been ''ntor- viewed by the press. My innocent request for nartIculars of hIs life had set the reminiscence ball a-rolling. By this lime Byron-street was reached, half way long which thoroughfare we pulled up short at a window, with blinds closely dra^n. "Read that!" my voluble companion demanded There were two cards in the win- dow, and this Í" hal" they ran :Caution, Only address until further notice of William Medway Davies, orator, enrolled 1868. as Win. Davies, solicitor, ddest son of the late Dr. Davies. late president of Haverfordwest Bap-I tist College. Further Di1rticníal"s from my penny pamphlets*" And the other, "Notice to professional collectors. Except when atterd- ing to sneak. I hnve been driven to sever all connection with e"ery religious, temperance, philanthropic, and other cause and Caution. No alius.—No representative.—No debt." Giving the door a series of sledge-hammer- like raps with his fist, evidently the recog- nised way of opening it. the domicile, appa- rently, being ket.Jess. the hero of my romance entered, and I followed, not into ground floor apartments, but upstairs, and into a room ab- solutely devoid of furniture. There was a 'ire in the grate, a couple of disinherited shovels, a tin pan, and a candlestick figured around it fenderwise. A single artificial flower, in a tinv vase, adorned the centre of the mantel, and an empty, more or less dilanmated photo- frame or two supported it on either side. Add to these a little canvas bag. lying in one corner, and you have an absolutely complete inventory of the furniture. I had the honour of being Mr. Davies's second visits. Dr. C. Fox. the well-known "Friend." having been the first. It was the thoughtful and sympathetic doctor who inquired, ':Why, where dost thou sleep?" and got for reply, "Right here on the floor!" I dUated on the merits of what is known tech- nically as a "donkey's breakfast," and W. M. D. was bound to admit that my arguments had force. At this point my friend was very anxious that I should sit down. I did so-on tiio window sill! "Now, what you want," he said, as he poked up the fire and paced the floor, "is, in as few words as possible, the leading incidents of my life?" I assented, whereunon words rolled from the lips of the furnitureless tenant for 111s! space of four hotv-s without intermission—save once, whe Davies "lent down to bang the front door and drive the boys nway. Even then he had only just begun, as it were, and he premised to give 1111? in writing a few other things I particularly wished to 1,now, Since then he has forwarded me from ten to twenty pages daily, on foolscan folio, ordinary note, and envelope backp assorted, until the Dayies manuscript, has grown to alarming lJ!"onort ions, "1111 become a matter of real concern; only with difficulty can T now squeeze between them into my study, and it is jabsolutelv nece-sarv to work some of it off. Tint is whv I write this article William Medway l) i vi»- was born at Merthyr T^iWil, August ;m, 1845. He oomes of a stock of noefs, and divines. Tho maternal grand- father stood 8ft. high, loved practical joking, and died young. His mother wns a beauty, with raven hair, which reached the ground. A po~f css. too: died at the eirly age of 37. She nnd her s'sters "were fncile princens the be"es of Mertlivr." says Mr. an<l ri'h of 1h?m had refused many more offers of marriage than most young Indies receive. His fsitli»r was for twentv yars min'ster of Higb-Bh-oot 111" leading Baptist Church of Merthvr. and for nearly forty vcars president of Haverfordwest Baptist Col- lege. At H:1Yerfordwpst. W. u, Dnvies attended the firamro-r School, excelled cbiefl" in Gr«t«sk and Latin. Indeed nil his conversation, addresses, and manuscripts are even now plentifully inter-1 Inrrlof] with classicnl ouotptinns. I have no room to tell of the life in Sh're'and TTnP n. school in nirminçrh"ITl for the sons of Baptist, ministers; how W. M. Davies had there for feilr>w-c;tnd«>nts pian" whosp mimes ."re now ",nIl kn"wn: how he favoured the "Larger Hone daoliM "evangelicals" aqra>nsfc the »',»or. and threw them downstairs; how he p«t-oni«hed "vervon" hv comm'ttinp- to lvu'inogv 60 lines in Latin of the "eul. Avhioh bnH been given ;*s a niinis'l-.tifjnt how ¡, iwpntv r~>uwls w;f h a bin- luiilv for the fhioinvonshii pf thø ""l10f11, :¡'1 hy o succession of lilows "each ftnd f'11 well nlnuted." aeai" and a Tain floorefj th" giant, and in the end did not come off second best—how nights v>re made hideous for the nrincioal and his family. ar>d tricks played which were nearly the death of an igno- ramus from Jamaica. ramus from Jamaica. Tn 1J:!1;) W. M. Davies "-He nrtic'^d to the lnte Edward TireMierton. of Birk'?nh"nd. While there tne Fenian riots occurred—the raid on Chester Castle and the attack upon a nri»on van :n Manco^itpr. Davits was admitted a solicitor in 18,;8. his dinloma nf Oxford Univer- jilv rendering mineoessarv the preliminary and critical examination. Under solicitor in Oswestrv Davies nut in some det°ctive work, for "'hich he got l-raise. From '71 to '74 he practised in Cardiff, was well known as "The Canton Lawyer." and cam» near being mi:,»d nn n the brutal murder of Policeman Perry hy •Tones, the pork but<her, which occurred at the Westg.ite Hotel in '73. "Runninsr awav ::£ter an unfortunate ll1arrí;1g'e' with :111 i11it,pr",te servant. Er.vies reached Aus- tralia, w11e,'ø he himse1f a<.¡ a qhellhprrl and made the icqyaintunces of all the curio-1 sities of antipodal "tnr,,1 1111't(:r". } tribe of aborigines a'so occasionally prowled that way, "who were h1' no means iVei-se to catching It lCllP shenherd. onftin*T off his bead, :1""1 placing I it foT" srreat-er safety in n, cam" 0YfIof)"t "Why did yo • go 10 J\I1"t¡'ilTia?" T asked. "Tc, getaway from T-TFU." he said. He in»t wilh a very pritiy widow in Australia, by the wav. who used to kill sheep for him because hI" was too tender-heart^d. W. M. Davies vcrv earlv in life began to write woetrv. 1ft! was regular noet:c contributor to the "H'?rfordw0;.t Telesranh" and the "Pembickeshiro Herald." till his father, who did not love verse, closured the business. trp served "s for twelve months nn thp "A^jpstprn Morning News," Plvmonth, and contributed to a "funov mèoer" in the q;l1nø city, A series of articles in the "Burra T<u.rra T?ec"vd." Jvnor'nga South Australia, on "Lamentable Condition of the Workhouse Poor" brought fame and— cheques, and an introduction to Mr. Holder, then editor, who has since been several times I'1-emie" of New South Wales. Ten or twelve years ago, Davies was "econd in a literary C-HU- petition open to all the world, in a paper then called "Sunday Gems." In 1868 "Cogitations anù Flirtations jf a Yeung 801l(:ltor" was pub- I'.shed in London, by Meiers. Weyman. j rom: which I might make quotations, showing ] Davies's strength and weakness, did space per- mit. ] It may here lie mentioned that Davies's I] cranium measures 23Jin. in circumference. 1 This is quite unusually large, and. acco-ding j to an article which recently appeared in the j "Evening Express," entitled "How to Know a Goon Man." qualifies W. M. Davies to act on the ccunty cjnncil William Medway Davies has been in Cardiff Gaol on two occasions. The charge brought against him has been that of obstruct- ing the thoroughfare and upsetting the equili- brium of policeman by non-cdmpliance with their polite request to "Clear away!" "Now I want you to note," says Mr. Davies. warming up to hi, subject; "that under the Highways Act and the town and police clau,;e- a man is justified in creating an ohseruction on two grollnds-first. when he is preaching the Grbspel, because of the excellence of the aim; and, secondly, when in peril of his life, he may lawfully appeal to his fellow-subjects. And, then, he went on to say that he had all along beon justified on both accounts—by his addresses he was promoting the righteousness which exalts nations, and, besides, he himself was the victim of a wide spread latter-day conspiracy. For, rightly or wrongly—it may be rightly- stranger things have happened in fietion-V{. M. Davies, from Infonnation received, has con- cluded that a formidable combination of un- principled persons exists, the sole object of which is his annoyance and final suppression. It includes lawyers, police-constables, postmen, proprietors of lodging-houses, coffee taverns, shops, Ac. "Universal caution," he says, "is necessary against Salvationists, police, tempe- rance, the like begging missionaries and evan- gelists. with a mania. for connecting my name with their scheme?." These pestiferous persons are racking their brains the whole of the time to invent some "further abomination to thfirimediate profit" and W.M.D.s Ilis- comfiture. Local journalists, fearing the Hayes orator's "gifted and incUive pen." rigidly boycott the whole of la.) "copy"; unprincipled persons indefatigably point him out as "the silly old fool who is beside himself"! He has struggled against this opposition (he says) in London, Liverpool, and other towns, and been its vidim in our local gaol. Comparing our pr:son with others, he says, "I am free to confess that the palm for humani- tarian treatment of convicts is borne by Cardiff. In respect of medicine, diet, and clean- li8ess, the utmost circumspection is excrcbed by the resn0n"ihle authorities." Yet Cardiff Gaol even is not all honey. There is a "too continual flourishing of kevs and a too incessant vociferation of commands" to suit the prisoners. "Poor B 2.13" is kent steadily at work or exercise, and not allowed to "peak tn his, fellow". Tins he objects to. Rut there is a more serious charge, one wh'cb. one would imarrinp. m'^rht and (l112'ht, to he rectified. "The Carr1;ff Gaol inflrmarv imminentl-" VHze- unOl1 a .iund f) \1 and engine-houses." and Mr. Davies eloquently denicts the torture of tl1" patient awakened ;1 t "1 i<ln¡!!ht, "nv the hideo"" anil incessant sbriokine of whi"tl"" rltn. nine: the O'Çtl111tt of terrific ;nton;<tir)n," "It is he says, "torture that ought not to h", applied tn anv unlost soul. Th«» latest earthlv nr many a h;-on1crnnt, head d^inc at 1a«t in fUe Carditf Gail infirmav is. instead of bone pt-ornal indeliblv imnressed ehipft" thiq that 'man's inhumanit" to man makes count- ies thousands moiirn.' Snrelv. no tfi'eat agination should ho needed to pvoenre a reform of tills abuse, if the fact- arp as so luridlv described. arp as '10 111ri(I¡" (1e"c,-iheù, NOTE -Sinre t.Ilp above was written. Mr. Davies has vacated <14. 'Rvron-street. When I asked for his latest address, he said. "I elect to 1)1' communicated with nersol1;111" and nero sonally alone. And to that end I am a peri- patetic vagabond, orr1:' -'1v re"orting-, when fagged out, to the Cardiff Free Library (news- room)." Sl) there YOlt are.

SHlFriXG~CASlTALTIES. A neuter's telegram from Halifax, Nova. Scotia, OIl Monday savs :—TJjg Cuiiard liner Cala- lonia. from Liverpool for Boston, has been towed into this port by the steamer Delaware. The Catalonia had her crank shaft broken and inaciii- i.ory badly strained on Wednesday last, when SG0 miles from Halifax. The passengers are all well, and will proceed to their destinations by rail. [Lloyd's Telegrams.] Motiday. Calcutta i elegraphs: Steamer Knight Templar, which went, ashore Hooghly Point, has floated; proceeded.. Antwerp telegraphs -BriLish steamers Realm, Antwerp, Mack Sea, and Rhone, Ant werp, Black Sea. via, London. were in collision in river yes- terday. Former proceeded; latter put into Flushing, reported seriously damaged. British ship Indore at Tchio. Cable received by owners states:—Ship drove from anchors, touched ground, but did not stop; accident occurred during cyclone. Ship surveyed; has taken no harm. Hamburg telegraphs:—The German steamer America, outward bound, collided with the third lightship. The latter l-a'5t fore mounting; the former proceeded, apparently undamaged. The steamer Hertha, for Caen. grounded on leaving Llanelly on Sunday. She floated, but the da-mage is unknown. Messina telegraphs:—The British steamer Orsino. from Stratoni for Philadelphia, has been totally lost at Grampilien. All aboard were saved. Halifax telegraphs:—The steamer Catalonia. from Liverpool for Boston, entering the harbour innntow 01' Delaware. • Steamer Imperialist, from Liverpool to Man- chester, struck pier a-t Eastham, damaging plates of starboard bow. Fredrikshavn telegraphs:— Danish barque Erna. from Liverpool to Korsoer, ashore at Lasae. Portsmouth telegraphsBrig Ocean Belle, prior to being towed out, was struck starboard by a tugboat, receiving damage to bulwarks, t.c. Algiers telegraphs:—The steamer Massena went ashore in 12ft. of water; bottom sandy; good prospects of salvage. The steamer Diadem broke adrift and collided with steamer Pauline H. The steamer Hesleden arrived with a list. The gale has ceased. Hamburg telegraphs:—The German steamer Dahnatia outward bound, collided with the German stearer Pisa, lying at anchor. The latter has several plates bent or broken; the former proceeded, and is believed to very little damaged. Havre telegraphs:—The French steamer Caro- lina, for the Brazils, put back, machinery out of order. The Danish steamer Arkansas, for England and New Orle<ln". returned to Copenhagen after b ting ashore; must dry dock. Cardiff te:cgmphs :Steamer Count d'¡;l1re- mont, leaving dock, struck entrance, damaging plates on starboard hqw; will dry dock for re- pairs. Steamer Bedford struck entrance Roath Basin; has dry docked for repairs.

LOCAL LAW CASE. HEAVY DAMAGES AGAINST LIVERPOOL SHIPOWNERS. The case of the Knight Steamship Company (Limited) Y. Thomas Wilson, Sons, and Co. (Limited) came on in the Admiralty Division of the High Court on Monday, when Mr. Justice Barnes disposed of the application made on I' behalf of the plaintiff company to have their liability limited to £36.389 12s., under the pro- visions of the Merchant Shipping Act, in respect II of damages arising out of a collision between the steamship Knight of St. George, of Liver- pool, and the Wilson liner Lepanto, of Hull, which occurred in the English Channel, off Hast- ings. on January 6 last. The Knight of St. George, when the collision occurred, was bound from Hull to Cardiff, in water ballast. A cross-action for damages was instituted, and at I the trIal. which came on hefore the President, siting with Trinity Masters, on January 25, the Knight of St. George was found alone to blame, and her owners liable for damages. The plain- tiffs now had reason to believe that other claims in respect of loss or damage occasioned by the collision might be brought against them, and they, therefore, asked for a decree for limitation of their liability to £36,38912" which they offered to pay into court, with interest at the rate of 4 per cent.. in satisfaction of all claims,—The decree asked for was granted on the terms proposed.

JERSEY AND GUERNSEY. It is a marvellous record that, numerous as have been the nOmber of applications received by Mr. Phil Phillips. 24, St. Mary-street, Cardiff, from persons suffering from rheumatism, resi- dents of Jersey and guernsey, not a single failure has Occurred in these islands, where the prevalence of a damp atmosphere is so conducive to attacks of rheumatism, and where in very many cases ths sufferers experience regular periodical intervals of suffering which gradually become permanent. Mr. Phil Philiips has now replies from every perspn to whom his appliances have been sent, and all are cured. Here is the copy of a letter he received last week:—"Rose Cottage, T>t. Clement's. Jersey. To Mr. Phil Phillips, March 5, 1898. Dear Sir,—I have enclosed a postal order ior 10s. 6d. for a pair of your socks. The friend that spoke lo me about your cure of rheumaiism is a gentleman from Guernsey, living at St. Samson. He has a neighbour who wal¡ at one time a perfect cripple, and until he had your socks he could scarcely walk even with a stick. He now rides a bicycle. I shall let you know as soon as possible how I am getting on.—Yours respectfully, GEOHGE AHIER." This simply illustrates the wonderful eflects of these marvellous remedies. Socks and belts lOs. 6d each, wristlets 5s.

At the Old Bailey on Monday the case of the directors of Thomas Edwards Brinsmead and Sons (Limited), pianoforte uUlIlufact.urers, was further postponed until next sessions, when it is expected that Jordan, who absconded, but who has since bejn arrested at the Gape, will be in attendance.

Local Amusements. THEATRE ROYAL. CARDIFF. .1\. strong pi iy ill spite of lh disadvantages, is "Under the Red Robs," now being performed at the Theatre Royal, Cardiff. Let us tir^t lo.ok at the disadvantages—a hero who vacillates bwtween the deepest yillainy and the purest licnour; then a character and a period which have been treated under two of the greatest pens of England and of France; and a span in history known throughout scliooldom until it has run the risk of becoming threadbare. And yet Mr. Stanley Weyman treated it in a novel that becanu famous in quick time, treat- ing an old subject in a new light, as Kingsley had treated the theme of King Arthur afresh in "Hereward the Wake," followed wIn by Mr. Rose, who took from the book just so much as would make a powerful play. It is thus that \I e see it behind the footlights: situations that thrill or impress deeply; scenery that com- mands admiration, and a company of actors who play up to every mood demanded. All these things go to lift the drama above its disadvantages, smashing down time-honoured theories upon certain unities, and making its way straight to the favour of the audience. and. although some of the London critics tried to cry it down. it succeeded in spite of them, and will, no doubt, continue on the boards for several years to come. For this tour Mr. Abud has provided his company with special scenery and accessories, devised with a special desire to present the spirit of the novel. The company, as we have hinted, comprises some artistes of exceptional merit. M'ss Muriel Wylfard, for instance, gives us a "Renee de Cochefort who at once commands admiration, whether in thelJäthetic momqjits 01' wilen she hoil" over with the rage of injured dignity as the believes that jihe has been betrayed, whilst Miss Mabel Hardinge's imper- sonation makes "Madame de Cochefort"' a really lovable, winsome little creature. Mr. Henry Raaouf is specially engaged to take the part of the peculiar hero, "Gil de Berault," and he brings ont of the role everything worth see- ing—a manlj' rascal who cares'less for his own neck than for the safety of the woman who trusts and loves him. The scenes in which he appeared with Miss Wylford were something1 worth <;eeing. and more than once the audience listened to the twain with bated breath, only to break fodh in enthusiastic applau8e, A9 "}{jchelieu," the keen. hard schemer, Mr. Riddell Robinson g-ave an extremely clever ÎlR- persona tión, showing studied care in every phase of his contribution to the drama. Of the others, Mr. Alfred Holies, as the ridiculously scft-sawder piere of goods labelled "Captain Larolle," was really splendid, and lie threw away not a single chance to raise a laugh, Mr. Guy Carew. as. "Clou." gave a fine piece of character-acting. The play is full of action, Surprises are plentifully and cleverly brought 011. the impressive scenes are of a good stan11), there is enough of comedy to afford a sum- cient quota, of relief, and. bad as the hero- villain is, the audience has the relief and satis* faction of seeing a really happy ending. Com- bined with some capital acting was a pretty programme of music, beautifully played by the orchestra, under Mr. Ambrose H. Mabbett. GRAND THEATRE, CARDIFF. After a langth.v absence that celebrated tragedienne, Mrs. Bandniann-Palmer, pays a return visit to the Grand Theatre. Cardiff, and, supported by rI strong company, will appear during thelveek in a number of historical plays. On Monday evening, when there was a large company present, Schiller's tragedy, "Mary Queen of Scots," was presented, and the audience were treated to a fine display of his- trionic ability. Mrs. Bandmann-Palmer took the title role, and gave an impressive imper- sonation of the character. Her acting all thrcugh was of an intensely dramatic nature. and at times she exhibited a power which is not often witnessed upon the Grand or any other stage. As "Elizabeth Queen of England," Miss Fate Walleran proved yery capable, exhibiting histrionic ability of no mean order. Mr. F. Skein was good as "the Earl of Leicester." and piaise must be given to Mr. G. Price for his "Sir Edward Mortimer," to Mr. M. Mallalieu for his "Earl of Shrewsbury," and to Mr. H. Crocker for his "Lord Burleigh." The dresses and scenery were of an elaborate character, and the incidental music of Mr. Percy Reeves was very pretty. To-night (Tuesday) "Hamlet" will be presented, and the opportunity should not be missed of seeing Mrs. Eandmann-Palmer take the part of the "Prince of Denmark." On Wednesday and Saturday "East Lynne" will cccnpf the boards; on Thursday "Leah," and on Friday, the fashionable night, "The School for Scandal" will be the attraction. On the last-named occasion the performance will be under the patronage of Lord Tredegar and other prominent members of the local public. THE EMPIRES. CARDIFF. There is any amount of variety at the Cardiff Empire this week. To start with, Herr G. Grais introduces twp interesting admals-t baboon and a donkey.' The former is a prodigy of correct behaviour. He never makes a mistake, and if he does fall occasional! there is a slight suspicion that he is pulled down by Herr Grais himself, who has him, as it were, in leading-strings. It is a good turn, and caused immense amusement. Hector and Lauraine are difficult to describe. Tlicy ,are aciobats undoubtedly, but they have a rare capacity for combining the grotesque with their marvellous agility and nimbteness that wonder gives way to laughter, but only to turn back to wonder again. For a change Lilian Lea came on and sang "Daddy." She did nst quite do justice to herself, but in an Italian solo which followed she exercised a beautiful soprano voice 'to perfection. Marionettes seem to be coming on again, and. of course, there is every effort made to improve the effects. Powell's electrical figures are not only worked in the ordinary way, but electricity is brought to bear to make the dummies more lifelike, and a transformation scene might he copied by some theatrical managers in the smaller provincial towns. The Three Welsh Girls—they are appa- rently tot bashful to givj their names-sang "Good Company," "Scotch Melodies," and "Queen of the Earth." Their voices blended beautifully, and the last song was given as an encore, hut why. in the name of reason, should Welsh girls on St. Mabon's Day, when the house was crowded with people from the Hills, have to go to England and Scotland for their songs? Yet one could listen to their Scotch melodies for more time than the Empire management would allow. Archie Richards, in spite of her name, is a very charming songstress, and Nancy Lill did well. Mr. James Capelli's electrical musical exhibition ^s a novelty, the performance being unique and picturesque. NEWi'OKT. Premier position on the programme this week is awarded to ibc Tcrne Troupe of aerial gymnasts, antl tlmr performance at onc.c wins heartiest applause. A cunlÍc sketch, entitled "My Wife's Baby," is given by the Brown-Kelly Company in which the artistes, individually and ill combination, immediately take the house by storm. M ss Ada Csrito, a charming songstress, also dances. A somewhat unusual feature is that introduced by Dudley Causton, who performs prodigies on the 'mere piano." Booker and Narbis. in "The Insurants Agent," have ample opportunity fur good quips and songs, and Mr. Fred Pf-plnr possesses a talent exclu shely his own, whils Kitty Wagner, a pretty songstress and dancer, also delights all parts of the auditorium. A strio-come licime of merit, Blanche Harcourt, closes a company that would be difficult to surpass for all-round ex- rellEe-rlce.. SWANSEA. Lyd'.a Ycamans is a name to conjure with all the world over, and the audiences at the Swansea Empire are not proof against the magic. But the actual appearance of the celebrated soprano vocalist and mimic—the heroine of "Saily in Our Alley"—on Monday night appeared to leave the audiences nothing to desire. She was in good form. and,^accom- panied as she is by a celebrated pianist. Mr. J. T. Titus, is certainly making a h'.t at Swansea. Lieutenant Cole, the celebrated ventriloquist, was another specially attractive turn, and the intervening spaces were ably fil^d by Sable Fern, YVattie Allen, the Musical Avolos, the Three Castles, and Blanche Holt- all very pleasing in their way. THE LYCEUM, NEWPORT. The four-act play by Mr. Charles Darrell entitled, "When London Sleeps," is the piece selected for the delectation of Newport play- gocr" this week, aud was coidiad.v welcomed (11 Monday. The atmosphere ,,1' th2 dreu", is very apparent all through, mid the incident that gives its mine to the work, and which occurs at the close of the second act. is effectively clone. Mr. Lester Collingwood, as an unattached captain: Mr. Charles Whillock, an athlete, yclept "The Star of the Air"; and Miss Kate Price, as "The White Queen of the Slack "ire," are remarkably good in their respective parts, while the whole company play with con- siderable merit: GRAND THEATRE, SWANSEA. Swansea play-goers reaped the advantage this week of having a first-class firm as their caterers at the Grand Thaatre. The Arthur Ronsbey Opera Company, stronger numerically and artis- tically even than usual, appeared there on Mon- day night for the fu'st of six nights. There is a fine an;1 cOlllpenllions repertoire Jor the week, and on Monday night the company opened with Gounod's "Faust," which wa" presented amid the best of circumstances, and showed a strong cOlUpany off to great advantage. 111'. W. H. Stephens, as "Faust," Mr. Arthur Ronsbey as "Mephistopheles," and Mrs. liousbey as Mar- guerite. formed a trio of singers rarely brought together in provincial opera.

At West Ham Police-court on Monday Napoleon Catt-meo was remanded on a charge of murdering his wife on Saturday. The police stated that on being called to the house Mrs. Cattaneo accused her husband of sprinkling oil over her and setting fire to her clothing. The man. however, denied the llegatiol1 The woman succumbed to her injuries on Sunday morning