Evening Express

To-day's Weather. Toe forecast of the weatliei thronshont the West of Knsrland and South Wales for to-day (Monday) is as follows:—N.W. to N, winds, moderate; some showers at first, then fair.

Temperature. RArjrriLL DATE. i- Min. Monday .27 65 48 56'5 "14 *00 *27 Tuesday 128, 63 48 f8'0 *05 |. "13 '05 Wednesday. ,9: 70 57 63'5 i 'CO 'r,O: "CO Thursday .j;0 63 50 56-5 '03 '00; -0' Fridav 1' 68 55 61*5 "00 '00 *C0 hatui'day 2. 69 49 59'0 "30 "00 "30 SUlldllV 3 "00

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

WHAT WE THINK. • Readers who saw our important special war edition on Sunday will have noticed (in advance of this morning's papers) that the humorous stage of the Spanish-American war is nearly over. Joke-makers have for many weeks past found th^ war the most prolific subject in their repertoire, hut the stage now reached by the combatants proves that the Americans, whatever their failings. are in dead earnest, and possess the courage and stamina to pursue a war in the face of deadly difficulties in Cnha. "Yanko-Spanko" jokes are now in bad taste. When we get a glimpse of the death- roll after two days' fighting we cannot fail at last to be impressed with the fact that the war is a reality. The Americans are not likely either to find their path to victory so easy. There has been a general tendency to under- estimate the forces, the resources, and the pluck of Spain. Aided as the Spanish are by the natural advantages of their position in Cuba, the last news has already proven that they 'are a foe so formidable that Americans themselves feel grave anxiety as to the issue. If the Americans are determined upon the capture of Santiago by assault, an ocean of blood will yet be shed. The battle can be scarcely said to have begun—and on either side the lives lost are to be numbered by the thousand, though neither side has yet been able to illustrate the full effect of the modern appliances of war. In spite of the vagaries of 1 the news service we can make sure that modern war, in deadly form, has now begun on sea [ and land. A remarkable feature of the fighting round Santiago has been the gallant behaviour of raw American volunteers, who, whatever their fighting qualifications may be. certainly lack neither courage nor dash. It is a pity that the inflated chatter of stay-at-home Yankees should draw a cloud of derision over the better qualities which the Americans are showing us they possess.

I Powder and Shot. The eclipse of the moon last night was an omen of bad luck to Cervera. m The Gorsedd procession to-day was the most imposing yet chronicled in Wales. It was an excellent omen for the big event. *«« Anybody in Cardiff this afternoon would have reckoned the whole city was out of work. But folk were only waiting for the bards. The two bards who filled their robes best at the Gorsedd were "Morien" (in a white main- sail) and Professor Barbier (all in green). When a man is unable to sleep in the morn- ing when he should get up. he has insomnia in its worst form. The strike is worrying him. • Can the American Minister of Marine have it in his mind to purchase a consignment of Taff River ooze from Cardiff? He is talking about a deadly product with a, beastly smell for filling bombs. ¥r The office meteorologist is receiving high con- gratulations over his eclipse. He says he never brought one off so successfully as he did last night. II • The number of people able to afford time for the Gorsedd in Cardiff this afternoon was something prodigious. A bicyclist who tried to ride through Queen-street computed the crowd to be nine million. » :J: The Swansea masons' strike is quite forgotten sinco the coalowners' came out, and the seaip- tcrs ir. white feel rather jealous of those .n black. The masons are. therefore, enlivening their case with a little correspondence over the question of 8id. or 9d. an hour. There will be plenty of employment at Santiago if to- day's news be true. » » » » Even yesterday's eclipse can have a bright side. This was overheard in the Royal Arcade: Gwladyg: 011, dear! I suppose I'm in for another month of bad luck for July. Rlodwen: Why, what makes you think so ? Gwlad.los; I saw the eclipse of the moon over my left shoulder last night. Blodwen: That's too bad. Now, I had the good luck to see it over Dai's right shoulder. and, say. isn't my engagement ring a beauty! This is the condition of things in the American Army, related in a letter from Mr. Morgan Jones, of West Point:—A first lieutenant in the regular army was bidding gocd-bye to some friends at West Point on his departure for Tampa, to join his regiment, and was to stop off in Washington. But you are not in uniform," said a friend. ''Not much," replied the West Pointer. Do you suppose I'm going to show my grey head for a lot of boy colonels in Washington to laugh at-with only a lieutenant's patch on my shoulders?" Jonah is in more trouble. Incidentally he has involved the deacons and pastor of a Mont- gomeryshire chapel in a war. The question at issue is whether or not Jonah was adfeliowed by the whale. The deacons think he was. The pastor thinks he wasn't. He says the tale is a fish story. Therefore, the deacons refuse to acknowledge their pastor, and have appointed a committee to defend Jonah and the whale, and to lead the erring minister to see that the prophet did actually have the alleged sub- marine experience. By the autumn the com- mittee hope to have brought the pastor into the light. » A Swansea man attending the Gorsedd in Car- diff to-day has got so terribly disgusted with the city that he swears even the Eisteddfod will not draw him up again. "Only think," he said, as be met one of our men and invited him to a summer soda, only think! I came up here to give you folk a taste of Swansea mettle. I've spent five pounds in dfinks and things, and checked a policeman, and laid a C2 bet in St. Mary-street with a bookie—and nobody knows I'm in the town! I should be run for the council or the school board down in Abertawe by this time!" ♦ # The bar-ladies in our bicycle competiton are good sportswomen. Something with a spice of excitement and uncertainty appeals to them. Several have written to ask us whether we will let the runners-tip draw lots for the two ,con- solation bikes which the "Express" proprietors have decided to give. Certainly dears; do with them what you like. Not half a bad idea. It is worth any lady's while to collect 2,J )j ccnpons during the month, to have a shot ai the consolation draw, even if she doesn't scoio a win in the • coupon-reckoning for high scorers. **»*■»» Sir,—Some of your readers moving their house for midsummer may be glad of my experience, if you have space to spare. I engaged a van to move my goods from the Park Ward to Canton. The man told me the expense would be 30s. I was satisfied with his own bargain. L'pon arriving at my new home. before this man Un- loaded he told me there was a bill for Y,2 instead. Of course, I protested. He then told me that he would cart the things back to the Park if I did not pay thq. £2. I should have let him take them, fcr I hate to be bested in business, but I should have had to pay the landlord of the old house CB 14s. rent, and that was too much to waste over revenge against a carman. I was at his mercy. and paid the money. So beware of men of that kind, and get a written agreement when you move. A VICTIM. Here is the germ of a sweet romance:—Sir. -Will you allow me just a line or two? I hope that it may meet the eye of the young gentle- man who so bravely defended my brother, and, perhaps. saved his life when two ruffians attacked him on Saturday night in Tudor-road. We wish to thank him. A man who can give two ruffians such an awful heating, single- handed. and then qmetly walk up the very road which they took to get away. without being afraid and without having anything but his fists to defend him. would make a good friend. I don't know what my brother was doing in Tndor-road at that time of night for we live out at Roath. Mother and I thank the strange gentleman just the same though—ar.d more.—- Yours. &c.. SISTER. We hone this wiil meet that young man's eye. Maybe tBat he is single, and living in cold lodgings. We do no* want to discourage him, but really many a pretty event, with a long list of presents and showers of rice, his arisen from less than that..

UNIVERSITY OF WALES. The Rev. J. Austin Jenkins, B.A.. and the Yen. Archdeacon Watkins, M.A., D.D., have been elected as representatives of the Guild of Graduates on the Theolqgical Board of the University of Wales, in place of the two reti- ring representatives IIhe Rev. D. B,A.. and the Rev. R. E. Morris, M.A.). The election was conducted by Mr. D. E. Jones. B.Se., ciwk to the Guild, as returning officer, and Mr. R. H. Pinkerton, M.A., and the Rev. R. J. Rees, M.A., as scrutineers.

THE SPEAKER'S DOG. The Speaker's famous bull-dog "Billy" is now sitting for his portrait in oils, and if stature goes for anything he will make a fine ni'r-turc. for "Billy" is one of the lare-e-t buH-dogs ever seen. He is a favourite with every one, and it is not an uncommon sight to see admiring crowds peering through the railings into Palace Yard in the afternoon, when "Billy" takes a tour round the Yard, accompanied by a man- servant. On these occasions "Billy" is per- mitted by the policeman at the House of Com- mons to roam about without his muzzle, a con- cession which "Billy" seems to appreciate by condescending to allow the policemen to pat his broad back.

The Little English Liver Tonic.—Kemick's Vegetable Pills; dose, one small pill; nd., is. lid., and 2a. 9d. per box.-Of all Stores. >

A Schoolgirl Wife. JIARR [En IN HASTE TO REPENT AT LEISURE Sir Francis Jeune on Saturday heard the petition of Mrs. Grace Sears, living with her mother in Praed-street, Paddington, who asked for a dissolution of her marriage with Edward "ears on the ground of his alleged cruelty and adultery. The allegations were denied. Mr. Bargrave Deane, Q.C., and Mr. G. Elliot appeared for the petitioner, while the respon- dent conducted his case in person. The respondent at the commencement asked for an adjournment to enable him to call his witnesses. He had been given to understand that the case would not be heard before Wednesday, and had returned to Ireland, where he was engaged on some frescoes at Maynooth College. Hi3 Lprdship ag<v a to hear the petitioner's witnesses and then to adjourn the case. Mr. Deane then gave the history of the case. The couple >.&re married at St. Peter's Church. Pimlico, on May 13, 1891. without the qonsent of Mr. Sears's mother, and there were two chil- dren of the marriage. The mother, however. made th- best of the marriage, and had prac- tically assisted her daughter throughout her married life. They went to live at Hounslow, and opened a shop with petitioner's money. In February 1892, Mrs. Sears left her husband, alleging that he attempted to strike her, and struck the child she was carrying. He then struck her in the face, and threatened to kill her. He went to her mother's house and a re- conciliation took place. Subsequently they lived at Kilburn, and there the respondent's cruelty took the form of pinching his wife's arms. She again returned to her mother, remaining with her until 1893, when cohabita- tion was resumed. In December, 1893, he at- tempted to kick her, but again kissed her. and kicked the child. He also went to bed in his boots, and lacerated his wife's legs. She finally left him and returned to her mother. With regard to the adultery, it was alleged with a girl named Humphries, whose acquain- tance respondent appeared to have made at a coffee-house in Lisson-grove. The petitioner was called, and bore out counsel's opening statement. In cross-examination, she denied that she was in the habit of reading novelettes and neglect- ing her home. Isn't it a fact that, when we were courting and I used to play with you, you bruised very easily. (Laughter.) Not that I know of. (Laughter.) You don't remember those happy days?—No. (Laughter.) Haven't you the reputation of having the worst temper in your farajly? His Lordship: You cannot have that, because we don't know the tempers of the other mem- bers; they may be angelic. (Laughter.) The Respondent: But the petitioner is not. (Renewed laughter.) Petitioner also denied that when in a temper she used to break up everything to which her husband attached personal value; nor was it true that her mother persuaded her to leave him. Mrs. Sophie Crane said the respondent was a friend of her late husband when they kept a coffee-house in Earle-street, Lisson-grove. Mr. Sears there made the acquaintance of Polly Humphries, to whom he paid considerable attention. He used often to come in for tea and a bloater. (Laughter.) She had seen him kiss Polly and Polly kiss him. Witness went to Elgin-terrace, and Miss Hum- phries had a room there. Respondent fre- quently visited her, and witness had known him to stay in the sitting-room all night with Miss Humphries. Mr. Sears called her "Polly," and she called him "Ted." Respondent had said that he was saving up his money to get a divorce, and as soon as he got that he was going to marry Polly. Cross-examined: She had not been going round the neighbourhood saying she would "play Harry" with Polly. Mrs. Campbell, who lodged at Eigin-terrace, said she had seen Mr. Sears in the room occupied by Miss Humphries and a Mrs. Watts. She had not seen them alone, nor had she seen any impropriety. Mrs. Clutterbuck, mother of petitioner, also gave evidence. Her daughter had only ju"t come home from shcool when she got married. The further hearing was adjourned until to- day (Monday).

"BEATEN LIKE A DOG. MAJOR ESTEEHAZY AjND M. PICQUART FIGHT WITH CANES, The Paris correspondent of the "Daily Mail" on Sunday says:—The long-expected encounter between Major Esterhazy and «j-Colonel Picquart took place this afternoon in Avenue Biigeaud, in the Passy quarter of Paris. Major Esterhazy. while on a visit in the house of a friend, saw M. Picquart passing, and rushed out. brandishing a cane. M. Picquart moved away towards the opposite side of the street, but his opponet followed him and struck him over the head with the cane, crying. "There, you scoundrel. That is what you have long deserved." M. Picquart attempted to defend himself with his walking stick, and a sort of duel with canes ensued. At length an officer o fpolice arrived, when Major Esterhazy said. "I am Esterhazy, and that i" Picquart, whom I have beaten like a dog." He then called out to M. Picquart, "You can find me whenever you like." M. Picquart was subsequently hooted by a large crowd which had gathered on the spot. A duel is almost certain.

MARRIED I WRONG UN. A man applied at North London for advice concerning his wife. He had been married only four months, he said. and she had turned out a wrong 'un.—Mr. D'Eyncourt: In what way ?-Avplicant: When we was courting we agreed that she was to get up and boil the kettle and I was to fry the bacon. (Laughter.) But she won't do either. She lies in bed whilst I get my own breakfast, and when I ask her to get up she threatens to do all sorts of things. The other night she started breaking up the home, and threatened to knife me. On Tues- day night she went out and came home at 25 minutes past one on Wednesday morning, and when I spoke to her she went out for another hour. The other night she went to Sadler's Wells with a wnman. and came home at half- past tweh'e. I was in bed and asleep, and she and the woman came home and pushed their fists in my face, and swore they would chuck me out. How old is she?—Applicant: Nine- teen.—Mr. D'Eyncourt: And how old are you? —Applicant: Twenty-one.—Mr. D'Eyncourt ad- vised the man to go to another house and take rooms, invite his wife to join him there, and if she would not come within a reasonable time

HOW CHINESE OFFICIALS RISE. A correspondent suppiic3 us with the bio- graphy of a high Chinese official, who is now one of the leading authorities on foreign affairs. This man, it seems, was born at Fat- shan. and received a good education. He in- herited some money, which he squandered, and, being regarded by his family as a bad character, he was turned out. He then c"-me to Hong Kong, and set up as a fortune-teller in Taipinshan, where anyone cou:d have his destiny told by him for a few cents. Finding he could not ma;,e rr.rch in tll's line he ic- turned to Fitshan, where he started an opium divan. When his friends discovered this they again tried to get rid cf him, a n! he agreed to go away for good is he was paid Tls.lOO. The money was found, and the ex-fortune-teLer started for Shanghai. When a clansman with whom he had ingratiated himself was pro- moted to the grade of Futai he received an order from the throne to behead a certain eunuch, who was in disgrace, but as the eunuch was a favourite of the Empress Downgsr no one dare undertake the execution of .the order until the subject of this biography undertook the task. He afterwards met Li Hung Chang, and his promotion was then rapid.—" Hong Kong Press."

EPPS'S COCOA.— GRATEFCL AND COM- FOETIT'iG.—" By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful appli- cation of the fine properties of well-selected COCOA. Mr. Epps has provided for our break- fast and supper a deiicately flavoured beverage which may save us. many hdavy doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a constitution may be gradually built up until strong enough to resIst every tendency to disease. We ,may escape manv a fatal shaft bv keeping ourselves well fortified with pure blood and a properly nourished frame."—" Civil Service Gazette."—Made simply with boiling water or milk.—Sold only in packets and pound tins, bv Grocers, labelled—" JAMES EPPS AND CO. (Ltd >. Homoeopathic Chemists, London."— AI30 makers of Epps's Cocoaine. or Cocoa-Nib Extract: Tea-like: A thin beverage of full flavour, now with many beneficially taking the Extract: Tea-like: A thin beverage of full flavour, now with many beneficially taking the place of tea. Its active principle being a gentle nerve stimnlant, sunpl'es the needed energy, without unduly exciting tha system. e6396—m.w. without unduly exciting tha system. e6396—m.w.

Our Racing Competition. A POUTII SPORTSMAN WINS THE CONSOLATION FRIZE. (Although the races selected for our racing competition last week looked fairly easy from a tipster's point of view, they proved to*those who went ill for our racing competition suffi- ciently puzzling to prevent anyone giving the names of the five winners OIl one coupon. At first it looked as if those who had succeeded in predicting three winners would share the consolation prize, hut among the last coupons scrutinised was one from a gentleman at Porth, who gave four winning horse?. The curious point was that he had been successful where most of the others had failed, and had neglected to tip LTgly, which was given by the majority of the other competitors. Had he done so the JE50 would have been won. He. however, take3 the whole of the consolation prizeof.Elo. His name is— Mr. A. SrCK. Dinas-road, Porth. The entries for this week's competition may be found on Page 4. and it will be seen that the races selected afford our competitors an excellent chance of securing the £ 50.

LESSONS OF THE WAR. The "Chronicle" had an article on Sunday mcrning from its special commissioner on the "Awakening" of America. "Unless," he says, "all signs fail. the old America, the America obedient to the traditions of the founders of the Republic, is passing away, and a new America—an America standing armed, aleh, and exigent in the arena of the world-stmgg'.e —is taking its place. The change is thre2fold:- "1. The United States is about to take its place among the great armed Powers of the world. "2. By the seizure and retention of territory, not only not contiguous to the borders of the Republic, but remote from them. the United States becomes a colonising nation, and enters the field of international rivalries. "3. Th!? growth of goodwill and mutual under- standing between Great Britain and the United States, and the settlement of all pending dis- putes between Canada and America, now vir- tually assured, constitute a working union of the English-speakiflg people against the rest of the world, for common ends, whether any formal agreament is reached or not."

SCENJS AT A FUNERAL. On Satiwday afternoon an extraordinary scene was vitnessed at the funeral of a work- ing man at Langlcy. It appaars that the man died at his parents' residence, and that his friends decided for some reason that it was inexpedient for his widow to be included amongst the mourners. When the time for the funeral cortege to leave arrived a large crowd had collectelt in the street, and the widow. attired in deep mourning, presented herself and expressed her Intention of following the remains of her late husband to the grave. The other relatives of the deceased deolined to allow her to do so. The widow, however, insisted upon carrying out her purpose, and as soon as the coffin had been placed III the hearse, and the mouMleN were about to enter the coach she darted in front, and succeeded in getting into the vehicle first, and all efforts to induce her to leave it were of no avail for some time. Eventually sh& got out. but upon being urged by the crowd to get in again she did so. Those responsible for conducting the funeral insisted upun her leaving the coach, and she was ulti- mately prevailed upon to do so. In the mean- time there were hostile demonstrations hy the crowd against the attempt to prevent the woman from going in the funeral procession. At length the mourners took their places, but the difficulty with the excited widow was not over, for when the coach provided for the bearers was drawn up she jumped into this. and defied all efforts to remove her by the undertaker and others. This coach was then turned round, and driven in the direction of Oldbury, whence it had come, the widow still remaining seated therein. In the mean- time. the bearers followed the hearse on foot. Before the coach had proceeded far the widow alighted from the vehicle again, and the latter followed and overtook tha funeral procession about half a mile away. and then the bearers entered and ro(1e to the Oldbury Cemetery, where the interment took place. The widow, however, determined not to be frustrated, walked behind the cars to the cemetery. 'I

NEWS GLEANINGS. The Pembroke Dock Regatta took place on Sa*urdcy. The funeral of the Rev. Jenkin Jenkins, of Gilfach Goch. who died on Tuesday last at the age of 70. took place on Saturday, amid many manifestations of regret and esteem. Spring Cleaning.—No More Delays.—Carpets effectually Beaten; new patent; up-to-date machinery just put in.—Send post-card, the Original Company. Minny-street, Cathays, Car- diff. Telephone, 741. 5 Police-constables Harries, R. H. Thomas, Lavies, and Welsby visited No. 22. Holton- rcad, Barry Dock, on Sunday morning, and, having examined the premises, where the Windsor Working Men's Club and Institute was carried on. a seizure of a cartload of beer casks, &c.. was affected. Spring Cleaning.—Windows Cleaned practi- cally. expeditiously, and economically.—Send Host-card the Original Firm. Minny-street, Cathays. Cardiff. Telephone, 741. 1 The death is reported from Nassau, in the Bahamas, of Lieutenant W. A. S. Dodds, of her Majesty's ship JPiarl. The deceased was a son of Captain and Mrs. Dodds, of Pembroke Dock, and was 26 years of age. Dyeing and Cleaning Up-to-date—Every Description of Clothing, Household Furnishing, Ac., satisfactorily treated.—Send post-oard (Company well known), Minny-street. Cathavg. Cardiff. 2 Another cycle accident happened on Beach- road hill, Penarth, on Sunday. Two young men were proceeding down the hill. when the man who was in front apparently lost all con- trol of his machine, and just as he got to the fiist bend in the road he dashed into the wood fencing with such force that the machine was broken in half The second man dismounted. Spring Cleaning.— Carpets taken up and re- laid or re-arranged by practical men. on the shortest notice.—Send nost-card Minny-street, Cathays. Cardiff. Telephone. 741. 6 A man named James Stevens. 14. Rock-street. Swarsea, is lying in Swansea Hospital suffering seriously from the effects of an assault alleged to have been committed upon him in Rock- street a night or two ago. Spring Cleaning.—Lace, Ac.. Curtains Cleaned and Finished in our well-known style.—The Oritrinal Company. Minny-street. Cathays, Car- diff. 3 A new east window was dedicated on Satur- day morning at St. Saviour's Church. Roath. Cardiff, in memory of Elizabeth Ismay Nichol- son, mother of the Rev. H. S. Nicholson, Society of St. John the Evangeiist, Cowley, who has been a curate in St. Saviour's Church from 1885 to 1895. Dyeing and Cleaning by Post. Carriage paid one way. Price sent by return of pest; best workmanship moderate charges: company well-known.—Minny-street, Cathays Cardiff 7 The formal olerlication of the steortle and belfry of St. Marr's C'tiltor.) Chuvch. Bridgend, took place on Sunday, when the Ven Arch- deacon Eilmondes preached to a large congre- gation. Spring Cleaning.—Carpets Chemically Cleaned. -0 fading or shrinking. :\fot]1" effectuallv removed: wonderful results. Company well known.—Minny-street. Cath :vs Cardiff 4 At Bridgend Police-cocrt on Saturday several dressmakers from Bridgend and Pontycymmer were lined for breaches of the Factory Acts.

HOBSON S CHOICE Lieutenant Hobson. the hero of Santiago, had, it appears, a remarkable career at Anna- polis, for during his first year he was sent to Coventry by his class mat^s, and in Coventry he remained. The reason for this action was that while in chuge of a squ;:d," he reported a cadet v ho ^poke in the ranks, and, according to au unwritten law at the academy, no cadet must report anothe" r,ne man alone stood by him. At the end of two years his class mates called on him and offered to take him out of Coventry, an offer which he did not accept, remarking, "I have got along alone for two years. I think I can finish." He did finish alone, and at the head of his class.

A DARWINIAN BISHOP. Under the title of "Let Us Follow Reason," Monsignor Bonomelli. the Roman Catholic Bishop of Cremona, has published a book in vhich the attempt is made to harmonise Church dogma with the Darwinian theory. The Vati- can is scandalised, and would condemn the bishop, but that it fears his lordship would revolt.

A FAIR. BEAUTIFUL SKI\SuIpholine Soap gives the natural tint and peach-like bloom of a perfect complexion, makes the skin smooth, supple, healthy, comfortable. Tablets everywhere. e—1 There is no such Strength Reviver as Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters, the Vegetable Tonic. Bottles 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. Beware of imitations. See the name Gwilym Evans" on Label, Stamp, and Bottle. e49l9—4

A Practical doke. PLAYED WITH SUCCESS lTPOX FRENCH DEPUTIES. Until now .says a Paris correspondent) the secret had heen carefully kept. but it appears tha: when the crisis, which has been closed by the accession of M. Henri Brisson and his col- leagues to office, began, a profane jester of an uncomfortably practical turn of mind succeeded in creating a certain amount of confusion m political circles and in exciting a vast amount of annoyance as well. He beguiled his leisure by turning over a post-office register and by te.erhcning to different Deputies whose names fignrec1 on the list of subscribers. These gentle men wpre much flattered to learn that they were being addressed by no less a personage tfian the President cf the Republic, who was most anxious to consult them on the situation. As this, moreover, opened out a vista of de- Lghtful possibilities of a portfolio at least, if no', of a downright offer to form a Cabinet they repaired with the utmost despatch to tha Elysee, to ascertain, with the greatest disap- pointment and disgust, that they had been the victims of a cruei hoax. As the cry was' ',3tiU mey cornel and as no little inconvenience, to say the least, was caused by this host of unexpected visits, a formal investigation, which is alleged to have resulted in suspicion falling on an individual who was already not alto- gether unknown to fame, was set on foot. It is now rumoured that the inquiry has been carried so far that the person in question has, after examination, been informed that he is to be prosecuted "for usurping a public function." We shall soon see whether there is any serious confirmation of this report, but there have been some very queer cases of late, as when a practical joker after he had obtained admission to a hospital calmly announced as he lay in his bed to the bewildered surgeons that he was the Minister of the Interior, and. as the yossips have it, induced them to believe his wonderful tale until it was conclusively demonstrated that the statesman whom he had chosen to personate in jest was safe and sound at his office. He did not get into trouble for this, but to telephone as if one was the Chief of the State is no laughing matter, as the culprit, if he is really detected, may learn to his cost.

A MEMORABLE FLAG. Vicissitudes of regimental colours form an interesting chapter in military history, and at the present moment the officers of the 1st Battalion of the Essex Regiment are endeavour- ing to recover the splendid fragments which bore so. notable a part in the last stand at Gu.ndurmuk, in the retreat from Kabul in 1842, and are now hanging in the church at Alver- stoke. A descendant of one of the officers engaged tells how Captain Souter. of the 44th (as the regiment was then known), tore them from the standard in the hopes of saving them. and wrapped them about his body as a last means of protecting them. The Afghan enemy, when he was taken, imagined that an officer who wore such rich clothing must be a very important personage, and so spared his life. in hopes of obtaining a large ransom; and thus he was the only survivor of that disastrous episode, with the exception of Dr. Brydon, the "solitary figure," who managed to join Sale at Jellalabad. Naturally enough, the regiment wishes to have the memorable re'.cs in its own keeping.

STEREOTYPERS STRIKE. The New York correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle" on Saturday says:—One of the most remarkable strikes on record has begun at Chicago. The Stereotypers' Union has long been dissatisfied with the wages paid by the Chicago papers, viz.3 dollars 25 cents, per day of eight hours. Last night they demanded an increase of 4 dollars for a day of seven hours, and 75 cents, overtime. The pub- lishers refusing to make concessions, the Union called a meeting, and ordered all the men to stop work. As a, result, no morning papers printed in English appeared to-day. The strike will probably affect the evening papers also.

CARDIFF RECORDS. The members of the Cardiff Corporation Records Committee met at the Town-hall on Monday, when the duties of Mr. Hobson Matthews, borough archivist, and the remune- ration he receives, were specially considered. .00". Edward Thomas (chairman) presided.—Mr. Mettbews, who is still pursuing his investiga- tions at the Record Office in London and at thj British Museum, applied for an increase of salary. He is now in receipt of £4 a week from the corporation while in Cardiff, in addi- tion to seven guineas a week paid to him since he has been located in London.—Mr. Veall proposed that the chairman (Mr. E. Thomas) 5) to London and report the progress Mr. Matthews is making.—The Mayor: And bring hila back with a chain round his neck. (Laugh- ter.)—Dr. Buist seconded Mr. Veall's motion. and it was resolved that the chairman visit London with the sanction of the committee, and for the object indicated.

CARDIFF TOWN HALL. A special meeting of the Cardiff Town-hall Committee was held on Monday afternoon' at the Town-hall. Alderman P. W. Carey was in the chair. The meeting had been called to settle the terms of agreement of exchange between the Welsh intermediate education governors (Cardiff scheme) and the corporation in regard to the which the governors have pur- chased in New-port-road on the spot formerly known as Ellis's Gargens, and the site the cor- poration require in Cathays Park. for the pur- poses of a boys' school in connection with the Cardiff scheme. The committee settled the details, and also resolved to meet the architect of the new town-hall and law-courts at an early date with a view of considering the posi- tion of the corporation, so that the. building may be proceeded with without any unneces- sary delay.

THE COST OF A DAY'S DELAY. The British steamers, Highfield and Hur- north arrived at Havre on Friday from 'New York with wheat. The fact of their arriving on July 1 instead of June 30 will, in come- quence of the re-imposition of the wheat duties, entail a less on the shipowners of £ 14,000. J

SUICIDE IN DELIRIUM, An inquest was held at Wimbledon on Satur- day morning on Reginald K>kett, a City hide and skin broker.—It was ,(pd that the de- ceased was delirious from diphtheria on Thurs- day. and wrrlo being helped into bed he sud- denly leapt through the window, falling a dis- j tance of 20ft.. and smashing his skull. He died in a few moment".—A verdict was returned that he "Committed suicide while delirious."

THE LOGIC OF GALICIA. A curious incident is stated to have occurred in a West Galician village. A band of peasants from neighbouring places made their way into the village for the purpose of plundering the Jewish inn there. The villagers drove out the intruders, and as soon as this was accom- plished unanimously came to the conclusion that if the inn was to be pillaged they had. without doubt, the prior right. No sooner had the Jewish innkeeper rejoiced at his. rescue from the outsiders than his own neighbours fell upon him, and carried off or destroyed every- thing they couldlay hands on.

TREASURE TROVE. A curious report is current in Tunis that the famous hidden-treasure of Eschmoun, god of 'he Phoenicians, ha-i at lensrth been discovered. It is said to consist of numerous bars of pure gold. gold cains, and all sorts of vessels, from a drinliing-cup to fl chariut in gold. According to the story, the treasure was found by a native, who communicated the secret to a French settler. The latter assured himse'f of the truth of the information, and then went off to the Palace, where he has entered into a contract with the French Resident to guide the authorities to the spot in consideration of receiving half of the treasure recovered.

A DRUNKEN PRIEST,' James Gullyfoyie was charged at West Ham with being drunk. He is a Roman Catholic priest, and appeared in clerical garb, with the exception that he was not wearing either collar or tie. He was before the court on Friday, but was unfit to plead, and was remanded in custody till Saturday morning—A police-con- stable was called to a confectioner's shop in the Grove, Stratford, where the prisoner was asleep in a chair. He was asked to get up and leave the shop. and he did so. but was then found to be incapably drunk, and was arrested. At five o'clock next morning he was allowed out on bail, but before he appeared before the court at eleven o'clock he was again under the influence of drink, and this led to his removal in custody till Saturday morning.—The accused, who now pleaded guilty and expressed his deep sorrow, was fined 5s. and 5s. costs, *ie default being sever ,1<1,

The Compensation Act. MINERS CONFERENCE AT CARDIFF. THE QUESTION OF CON- TRACTING OUT. RECOME N D ATION TO THE WORKMEN. BALLOT TO HE TAKEN. THE PROYIDEI T FUND. A general conference of representatives of the whole of the South Wales coalfield on the subject of the new Workmen's Compensation Act was held at the Cory Memorial-hall, Cardiff, on Monday. "Mabon," M.P., presided, and was supported by Alderman David Morgan, Mr. Lewis Miles, Mr. Alfred Onions. Mr. D. Beyron, Mr. D. Morgan (Anthracite), Mr. J. WilMams (Neath), and Mr. T. Richards. The tellers were Mr. W. Morgan, Fernhill, and Mr. MacNeil, Abertillery. The credential committee appointed were:—Mr. John Powell. Mountain Ash; Mr. E. Morrell, Merthyr Vale; Mr. Thomas Evans, Penygraig; Mr. Charles Butt Stanton, Aberaman; and Mr. Lewis Miles, secretary. The object and reasons of the conference were put to the meeting by the reading of a letter by the secretary (Mr. Lewis Miles), as follows:- "Miners' Office, Bedwas, December 4. 1897. "To the Registrar of Friendly Societies, London. "Workmen's (Compensation for Accidents) Bill, 1897. "Sir.—I have been instructed by my committee to forward you resolutions passed at general conferences of the South W'aies and Monmouth- shire colliery workmen on the following dates: —May 5, June 12, August 16. September 7. and November 15, 1897, by which you will see that representatives were appointed directly by the workmen to watch the progress of the Bill through Parliament. Moreover, yon will also find that upon no consideration are these work- men to contract out of the Act before a general conference of the same will have been con- vened to consider the 111atter,-I am, &c.. "LEWIS MILES (Secretary)." The Chairman said they were in the difficulty of finding out the best means of finally dealing with the question they had come there to con- sider. It was a question that affected men at work, and men who were not at work were in a difficult position. Now they had a body of men at, work and that necessitated their meet- ing together in order to agree on what was,to he their general policy and how that policy was best to be carried out. The important question to consider was. Were they going to .contract our of the benefits of the Compensation Act. or were they going to depend upon the Act itself for the benefits that they were entitled to3 Now, at a conference like this it would he well to have-an exchange of views as to the value of the one and of the other policy. A good deal had been said upon it already, and if what they had read in the press was suffi- cient for them to judge, well and good. If they liked, for the sake of argument and for the sake of doing away with the necessity of argument on other phases of the question, he W8,'j prepared to admit that the benefits proffered and provided for by the scheme which had been presented by the board of management of the provident fund were equal t) the benefits under the Act. But his financial friends, the chancellors of the exchequer of the workmen present, who had been able to give time and ability to this question, told him that th i scheme did not in any way give commensu- rate value to the benefits of the Act. They were respo! sible for that statement. and he had sufficient confidence in their integrity and ability to accept 'vhafc they said. The .nam object of the Act was the prevention of acci- dents. Monetary value was a secondary matte*—something to make up for that which was irreparable—loss of limb or loss of life. They now had the views of the chairman and the vice-chairman as to what should be their atti- tude towasds this most valuable Treasure. He did not quite understand those who were try- ing to deprecate the vn'.ue of the Act. and he certainly could rot understand the attitude of any collier ;u depreciating its value. Their old friend Mr. M. Roberts-Jones had offered his sendees to attend the conference. He (the speaker did not wish to say anything belittling the efforts of that gentleman and others more than he had said. He did not know what Mr. Jones would have said if he had heen present, but he knew one thing that he would not say. He was certain he would not say at that meet- ing. in his (the chairman's) presence, what he had said outside. Mr. Jones was reported over and over again to have said that he (the speaker), in one of his speeches in the Hou^e of Commons, made the statement that the clause known as the serious and wilful mis- conduct clause, would have reduced the value of the Bill by 50 per cent. Now, he did maka a statement of that sort, but it was not with regard to this clause. Mr. Jones had had ha1f- a-dozen opportunities of explaining what he did say. and the present was^his (the Speaker's! opportunity 01" asking Mr. Jones to he careful about what he said with referent to his friends 011 future occasions. Hansard's report reported whnt he (the speaker) said. and he found that Mr. Jones carried Hansard's re]10rt; with him oeca- sionally. Now, when he (the speaker) made that statement it was on a clause that Mr. Cham- berlain and others had accepted, viz.. that the wilful breach of any rule, whether general rule or special rule, would lie a barrier to compen- sation. Well. they said at once that if that was accepted and passed into law it would reduce the value of the Bill by 50 per cent. By newspaper reports Mr. Jones was reported to have said that he excused himself for his statement by referring to the present clause as worse than the clause excised. But the breach of a rule was not to be compared to wilful and serious misconduct. Take the ca^e of a haulier who, for the purpose of facili- tating his work, would jump upon a tram whilst in motion. Now, there was very small risk in that to an experienced haulier. But jthat was a breach of rule. and if that clause, which he (the speaker) condemned, reihained in the Act, that haulier would lose his com- pensation if he met with an accident whilst breaking the rule. But if that haulier neg- lected to close a door which he knew that the ventilation of a certain part of the colliery depended upon. that would be serious neglect, but it would not be serious and wilful miscon- duct. But if he put a short piece of rail wil- fully to keep that door open. so that the gas cculd accumulate, it would be serious and wilful misconduct. But the owners would have to prove that. and not the man. and the onus was upon the employer to show that the man's action was wilful, and that his intention was evil. So that it was not compensation to that man and not the others. There were other views to be taken also with regard to the practical part of their work. He believed, and he hoped, that the operation of the Act would bring sub-contracting to an end; but it there were no other object in refusing to contract out of the Act, then the getting rid of that great anil ruinous evi1 of sub-contract- ing was in itself Sufficient. (Hear, hear.) He held very strong views about it himself, and he was anxious to see it put an end to. It-was the nursery, and the chief nursery, of bad pay and bad work—of unskllied labour and of bad w tisres. It was the cause of a great number of men being in their mines and going by the name of colliers who had no business there at all. (Hear, hear.) There ware present, no doubt, a number of men who belonged to the permanent relief fund. and those who were j against the doctrine ofcontrncting-out were supposed to he the enemies of the relief fund. But he nsited tVm to believe him whop he said that ♦hev were not. He bored that those who were membe's of the fund vould continue mem- hers, and that, they woukl pay the 31d. per week, and not the3c1.. receiving every benefit they could get from the fund, and also keepirt-r the benefits under the new Act. it Was pos- sible that they might work together arnicablv without, loss to either side. Th-t was his view and as one of their leaders, he ventured to recommend that that cours" be tnken. Alderman D. Morgan thought. jf Afr. )f. Roberts-Jones wished to attend the conference he should be allowed to do so. Voices; "No. no; it is n waste of tim" AMerman Morgan said he advocated that course because if the conference did not allow him to attend it would be said that they had refused to hear him. Mr. John Williams quoted from Mr. Jones's book 011 the Act as to the clause relating to serious and wilful misconduct"Wilful mis- conduct," said Mr, A=quith, "was totally different from negligence." Mr. W. Brace said he did not think the time of tbe conference shor'd be taken up in hear- ina: Mr. Jones. It had be«n said that the "mone- tarv position was as nothing to the loss of life or limb. With that he quite agreed. The ques- tion seer Hi to him to arise whether they w-re likely to be able to prevent accidents better by contracting-out than by remaining under the Act. He thought they would be bettcV able to prevent them by not contracting ont. He th op giit that the permanent relief fund was right in principle, but that it was'not governed well. In his judgment the breach of rules in a colliery would not be sufficient to take a man out of the Act. and,, practically speak- ing, it was only suicide which would deprive a man of the compensation— (hear. heari— and even then the onus was upon the employer. If the Act gave the men no real benefit he would say at once, Contract out of it. But it would be very little encourage- ment to a Government to do anything lor work- ing men if. as soon as a.n Act was passed which gave them benefit, they contracted out of it. (Hear, hear.) This Act was very diffe- rent from the old Employers' Liability Act. The speaker then went on to suggest the forma- tion of a fund for trad& union and for liti- gation and relief purposes on the lines of his speech at Abertillery last week, viz., by the payment of sixpence per week by each man in the coalfield to a great labour organisation. Mr. Alfred Onions thought their motto should he. "No coatracting-out," though before they made any arrangements there may be a case where a widow and family may be left desti- tute as the result of an accident, and the per- manent relief people would say that was the fault of those who advised no contracting-out. But there was, he thought, no need for that to happen at all. They could continue the fund and make considerable provision for a case of that kind. The ruJ.es of the permanent fund needed revision to meet the new condi- tions created by the Act. Thus the fund should provide for the first fortnight after the acci- dent not covered by the Act. He strongly advised deferring the question of contracting- out till they were all at work again. The Chairman asked whether anyone desired to advocate the desirability of contracting-out. Mr. J. Morris (Cwmpennar) asked what posi- tion the men would occupy with regard to the fund when they started work. The colliery companies were stating thàt they would not continue to hold contributions from the men's wages. Mr. Onions read the resolution of the per- manent fund board passed at the last meeting altering the results and re-instating the members who had lapsed through the cessation of work. As to the collection of contributions it was for the board of management to arrange for that. and the responsibility of maintaining membership would rest with the individual member. (Hear. hear.) Probably a change in that direction would do the men good all round. (Applause.) Alderman D. Morgan said that the refusal of the owners to deduct the men's contributions at the colliery offices showed what was their object in previously making the deductions. Without their contributions the employers could not claim the lion's share in manage- ment. With proper arrangement that fund cou'd be made to give the same allowances as formerly without the employers' 25 per cent. contributions. In reference to Mr. M. Roberts-Jones's appli- cation for admission to explain to the confe- rence. "Mabon" said he hoped Mr. Roberts-Jones would make his explanation through the press, or would come to the Rhondda and address meetings there, and have the press in atten- dance. (He ("Mabon") would be glad to meet hnll on any occasion, and discuss the whole matter. He had heard, however, that the supporters of the permanent fund were not fond of the press, and did not send notice of their meet- ings. Mr. Daronwy Isaac said he regretted to find that the Davises, Ferndale. and the Nixons were refusing to deduct contributions after their very loud claims that they regarded the case of the widows and orphans. However, they were not exempt from the provi- sions of the Truck Act, and if thej' would not help the men in regard to the per- manent fund they would have to take the risk of their rents. &c., which they were now deducting at the offices. (Hear. hear.) In reply to further questions, Mr. J. Williams said individual members Could send their subscriptions direct to the fund secretary at Cardiff, or could form local branches for the collection of subscriptions independently of the colliery offices. Those branches could be made means for inculcating Trades Union principles and* bringing the .men together. He hope that the employers would refuse to make the deductions all round. He strongly urged that the men should maintain their freedom to use one or other of the three strings they had in thei rhands—common law liability. Compensation Act. and permanent fund. They must perpetuate their membership in the permanent fund to prevent, amongst other things, the invested funds, amounting to £2QO.000. falling into the hands of the trustees and the employers. (Applause.) Mr. Woodward said the conference could only recommend a course to the members of the fund. Alderman D. Morgan maintained that they had a. right to come to a definite conclusion that day, and introduce it at next Friday's meeting, which would be composed chiefly of colliery officials. Mr. Woodward warmly asserted that he never allowed a colliery official to represent him on the fund. Alderman D. Morgan: But, my dear Mr. Woodward, you are not everybody, Mr. Woodward: Nor you. Alderman D. Morgan agreed, but maintained that many collieries were represented by officials, and in days past even Efaca was not as independent as it was at present. Mr. Woodward said he would carry out the resolutions of the conference whatever they were. but he maintained they had no right to dictate to non-members. Mr. Alfred Onions said it was proposed to submit the following resolution- "That this conference considers the present an inopportune time to test the opinions of the workmen of this coalfield upon the question of contracting-out of the Workmen's Compensation Act. and. therefore, resolves to defer the ques- tion until a general resumption of work, when a vote by ballot shall be taken; and, further- more, that a deputation be appointed to wait upon the Permanent relief fund special general meeting on Friday next. and request compliance with this resolution." There wa- 'said Mr Omons.i 1.0 diet a Hon about that. It was a reonest which they had a rjght to put forward. That day's conference had more right to decide a policy than any meeting of the perman?"' f.->>• officii* (Applause.) IT* did not -av the officials would impose their opinions, but where they did inter- fere in the selection of delegates it was an imposition. Generally the cashier of the colliery was secretary, and the manager: presi- dent of the local committee of the fund. (Hear. hear.) That was not the case at Abercarn. and probably not at Risca. but it might be at other places. (Hear, hear.) Alderman D. Mofgan It is. Mr. Onions added that according to rule the honorary members of the fund, owners, min" lessors, and officials had the right to attend next Fridav's meeting and vote that the work- men should contract out of the Act. ("Shame.") He did not say that they would use that rig-lit: thev did not, use it at the last meeting nf the fund, but they may do so next Friday. If the I former resolution was passed he would suggest the following as a second resolution: — "That, provided the special general meeting of the permanent fund Oil Fridav next decides upon asking the Registrar of Friendly Societies I to certify the fund scheme, the provisional committee be requested to appoint a deputation to lay before the Registrar the resolution of this conference, and prove to him that the said scheme does not offer sufficient value under the Act." "Mabon" expressed the hope that the confe- rence would not adopt a dictatorial attitude, and also that the "people on the other side of the road" would act in a manner that would not be dictatorial. He also hoped that both sides on Friday would consider the good :\t both sides impartially, and find some amicable mode of settling the question. Mr. Thomas (Merthyr) thought that the reso- lution proposed was not strong enough. He had been told that some of the old men at tlie iron and steel works had been sent off. l'hat was because the companies had insured w:th insurance societies that would not accept the risk of old men. If the permanent fund was m such a strong position the fund and the Act could go side by side. at least for a t; me. He proposed a resolution in favour of .10 con- tracting-out. that they should give the Act and the permanent fund a trial, and that a sub- committee should be selected to draft a scheme for the future benefit of the society. "Mabon" ruled that this would be out of order. For one thing, it would be dictating. The conference would do well to remember that no great principle in this world had been won without, sacrifice. The; might find that good would nme out of the difficulty that Mr. Thomas had referred to. It Mr. Joseph Cham- berlain was the man that they believed he was, he would not rest until he had obtained old- age pensions. (Applause.) Mr. Brace was afraid that there was a, danger of letting things drift to the extent that the permanent fund people would go forward with a scheme to such an extent that the men would not be able to catch them up. He believed jn taking a ballot, but the conference should not wait until the me ) had gone hack to work. Tlley should recommend the l^en not to contract out, at the same time pointing out the advantages of the alternative po1icy. A desultory conversation then took place, a number of delegates stating the line of policy that they had been advised to adopt by the men that they represented. Mr. Onions eventually read his resolution in an altered form, which w is to the effect that the workmen should be recommended strongly not to contract out. that the conference sug- gested that a ballot should be taken after 1a resumption of work. that the provident fund society should be requested to take no ueticn to test the opinion of the members for the time being, and that the men should be recom- mended strongly to continue their membership of the provident fund. Several delegates were afraid that the resolu- tion. if passed, would be the cause of some coercion being brought to bear upon the men to make them vote for contracting on,t. but others held that there would be no such danger. "Mabon" then put the altered resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Onions then proposed a resolution to the effect that if the meeting of the permanent fund on Friday decided upon a policy of con- tracting out. the provisional committee f-hould send a deputation to the registrar to show to him that the scheme proposed by the Perma- nent Fund Society was not of sufficient value. This was carried unanimously. Mr. Tom Richards proposed a resolution in favour of setting aside a percentage of the an>cunt contributed to the strike fund for the purpose of dealing with any cases that arose before the general resumption of work. When they came to the truth they would find that the judges would, after all, set the seal upon the Act. There were many interpretations of th2 Act beforo the country at present, and when cases were brought into the law courts some of the rulings r would be startling. They ought to lose ne time in gettiug together a fund. Jor the Imrpose of 0 btaining tile services of counsel of ability when any cases arose. The men working were at present contributing to the-trikc relief fund. and the mell that were out should recog- ni-e that fact as generously as they could. A discussion as to the percentage followed. Mabon caused a sen"atio11 ill the confe- rence by reading a telegram annoullcing that a man sent to the Onllwyn Colliery had been suffocated by gas, and asking the conferencR to wire instructions as to the Compensation Act. The resolution was agreed to unanimously, and the percentage was agreed upon as the rate tobepaidonths levies The Vice-Chairman said that the conference knew that his name was down Oil the calendar to appear at the ne:1. assizes upon a certain charge. There were two others with him. They wanted £150 to pay counsel to defend them. He asked theconferenceif they could cia anything towards finding the amount. If they could not he must do the best he could, and hope for the best if he had to go to prison. It was agreed that a genera! appeal should be made. The incidence of the distrihutinn of relief was next discussed. Several delegates complained that. whilst the distribution in one di-trict came to Is. 8d. per head, in others it was only Hid. per head. "Mabon" and Mr. Onions said that the pro- visional committee had taken the Government's returns, and sent out to the various districts somuchperheaduponthosereturns. Several delegates said that the Government returns were wrong. Mr. John Williams said that in his district they had 73 men more than the Government returns gave them credit for. The question was referred back to the provi- sional committee. A resolution asking the provisional committee to select a deputation to wait upon the Per- manent Provident Fund conference Oil Friday was passed tinanimously. Votes of thanks to the chairman and vice- chairman were unanimously passed, and the conferenceterminated.

NUMBERS PRESENT. There were 121 delegates present, representim 93,713 workmen.

Seizure of Arms. THE ACTION AGAINST AN INSURANCE COMPANY. Justice Bigham on Monday delivered judg- ment in the Queen's Bencli. action brought by Messrs. Francis, Times, and Co., of London, against the Lea, Insurance Company, for the value of arms and ammunition seized on the Steamer Baluchistan by the British gunboafy Lapwing, near Muscat. Defendants pleaded that by the Persian law the importation of arms was prohibited, that the voyage of the Baluchistan was, therefore, illegal, and that the insurance policy was void. His Lordship held that the prohibition of the Persian Government was a nominal one. which* had not before been acted upon. and that the seizure in question was at the instance of the British Government owing- to troubles on the Afghan Frontier. He gave judgment for the plaintiffs for the valae of the arms and ammu- nition confiscated, with costs. The other cases arising out of the same in- cident are pending.

IX PRAISE OF FIREMEN "TWO O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING COURAGE." Lord Rosebery attended a review of tha Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Victoria Park on Saturday, and his daughter, Lady Peggy Prim- rose. distributed a number of certificates and medals to men who had distinguished them- selves. Lord Rosebery said he regarded it as a great- honour for his young" daughter that her first public ,1PlH"¡rance should be to come to that, ceremony. There Wove two forms of reward that his daughter had just distributed—one of which was the certificate for courage. The cer tifeates rolled up appeared too like a pedigree 00' family paper; they should be hung on the walls of the men's dwellings, so that they might remind their owners when they had come there to receive the congratulations of the public. If they would allow him, he would be delighted to provide the frames. (Cheers.) The fire brigade was a. pet service of the London County Council, which, from the days of its beginning, had always taken a great interest in the brigade's welfare. T'ley. were a 1s0 a pet service of the people of London firstly, because they stood between the people and the conflagrations: and, secondly, because for the most part they had most of them belonged to the most popular service of England, the Xuvy. They had a great advantage in the service- to which they belonged, in that whereas in the Navy eourag; was a necessity employed ill the destruction o* lif their courage was brought out in the pre servation of human life. Napoleon had saic that the rarest kind of courage was what hs described as two-o'clock-in-the-morning courage," when the blood was cold. That was the courage that every fireman required, and he was proud to feel that' all those before him pOfsessed it. (Cheers. I He honoured them as brave men of a brave nation, conspicuous among those who boast themselves to be the cream of the world. (Loud cheers.)

A STRANGE MISTAKE. The.Mile End Board of Guardians have con- sidered a letter addressed to them by the Local Government Board asking fcr an explanation of statements contained in a communication sent by a Mr. Williams. These statements were l to the effect that a friend of his had beei brought to the infirmary, that he was lookec on as suffering from delirium tremens, althoDgI a most abstemious man. was placed in a padde< I room. and detained some hours before ho wai taken before the medical officers. Death en. sued a day or two later.—Mr. Brown thought the whole matter was extremely unsatisfactory and that there should be a thorough inquiry. —The Rev. Clark Hallam said that the pity of it was that many of the statements contained in the letter were true.—The Chairman (Dr. Reilly) added that the man for a few day? before his death was a patient of his and had been suffering from influenza. His brain was certainly wrong, for on one occasion he tried tc jump f1"om a window,—The Board looked on the matter as so serious that they decided to hold a thorough inquiry into, the whole cir- CUIllst¡tnces.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING. At a meeting of thc c01'])QJ'a+il)!\ electric lighting committee held ou Monday at the Cardiff Town-hall (Alderman Carey in the chair) Mr. Applebce, electrical engineer, submitted tenders for two new boilers and one 50Q-hor.se power alternator for the electric lighting station.-The com- mittee, after opening the tenders, handed then to Mr. Applebee to summarise and report t, the next meeting.

CAR 1)1 F F IMPROVEMENTS At a meeting of the Cardiff Housing of th Working Classes Committee, at the Town-haii Cardiff, on Monday, Mr. E. Thomas pre siding, letters and inquiries from ihe Local Government Board were considered. The com- mittee has deroided to aVlily for power to bor. row £3.000 lor the purchase of certain houses in Mary Ann-street, as part, of the proposed scheme for providing common lodging-houses. The Local Government Board wanted an out- line of the scheme, and the committee decided that the town-clerk should prepare a statement t ) he sent to the board above. The committee also passed a resolution expressing the opinion that Mary Ann-street should be widened if the proposed common j'1d:;in;hou'e v,-ero erected, and decided to ask the public work committee what extra width1 would be re- quired. and if any other street improvements cculd be ca !Tied out a t the same time.

CREDITORS' MEETINGS.. On Monday morning a meeting of creditor, oi Charles i-tock. 97. Oxford-street. Pontycymme- collier, and until recently carrying ou busine-s as fruiterer, wa« held at the ofifces of the Officia l Receiver, Cardiff. The liabilities are £2290,. 5' and the assets £ 195 15s. 5tl. The debtor attribute;! his failure to loss on perishable goods sent by merchants without order and to sickness. There were 00 creditor p-ewent, and the Official Receiver remains trustee. A meeting of creditors of Abraham LIoyc Evans, of Bryncethm. was also held. Debtoi was described as a political agent. The gro~. liabilities are £197 18s. 7.1.. and the assets £176 18s. 7d. The causes of failure, it was stated, were ilness and expenses insurred beyond what his salary could afford. No creditors wero present, and the Official Receiver remains trustee.

AN INDELICATE COSTUME. The "Daily Chronicle" is shocked at rh. costume in which the Cornell eight, whict recently beat Yale and Harvard, have bcei photographed for the New York "Journal." "Why," it says, "they should be photographe in a costume—or, rather, the absence of < costume—that is not even veiled indelicacy passes our comprehension. 'Shorts' art accepted as necessary, in rowing'and running; but anything so assertive as these 'shorts,' and the apology for singlets that tops them, we have never seen, and trust we never shall see, on English waters."