Evening Express

TO-DAVS WEATHER. The forecast of the weather throusrhout the West of Eufflnnd and South Wales for to-day (Monday) is as follows :—E. breezes, fresheniifj fair, becoming unsettled.

TEMPERATURE. RILNPALT, DATI:. Wax.! Mm. Mean. 9 a.m.|9p.m. Total, Tuesday jl6 78 59 68*5 "CO *00 -00 Weduesdav.117 75 67 65-0 "00 '00 *00 Thursday.8 67 1 57 62*0 1 "00 j ■— '— Friday |19 72 56 64'0 *41 -00. "41 Saturday 120 75 55 66'0 *00 i '00' GO Sunday |21 80 63 71*5 "00 -— '— 22 -50

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

WHAT WE THINK. The second meeting of Splott working- men interested in the formation of a Sunday-opening club takes place to- morrow. The event is one of con- siderable importance. It goes still further to show, in the first place, that a large proportion of working-men are sorry that they ever put the party which passed the Sunday Closing Act into power. It proves that the working of the Act has created an overwhelming desire-a determination—to avoid it. It teaches us that the new oflences which it has created are so far tyrannically measured that they are to all time likely only to add to the already heavy criminal record of the country, because we must bear in mind that the importance cf the present movement in Splott arises frcm the fact that the Splott example will be immediately followed in other port-lonfi of the town, and Sunday clubs will soon be- come as thick as ever. The victims of the Act have been experimenting with the law, and the recent crusade has proved the experiment unsuccessful. But experimen- tation will go on until a system of Sunday refreshment houses will be established which shall effectually get behind the "great Liberal measure," in which Liberals themselves are seeking holes through which they can conveniently crawl. It does not follow that a club, conducted under rules which keep the managers clear of the police, must be any less a Sunday hell of temptation than the institutions just con- victed as bogus and closed. It can offer even more temptation, through its per- fect safety and its respectable air of law- i abiding innocence. Next time the Liberals rush into legislation thev may think twice before creating new offences to add to the already long and difficult list which the citizen has to avoid or evade. It is certain that we are only on the fringe of the Sun- day question yet, and that the club crusade has merely produced, at great ex- pense, a very temporary lull in the free Sunday movement.

Powder and Shot. œ Sir Edward Fry ought to have been born a journalist. His ability to make a big report up out of nothing but the expenses is pheno- menal. The storm appears to have been helping the Welsh farmers to cut their firewood. Quite a number of nice, handy farm-trees have been struck by lightning and reduced to splinters. 0# The Scottish coalmasters have decided to increase the price of ccal is. per ton. This seems to read a lesson. What earthly influence has the Welsh Masters' Association on the price of coal, according to its own showing? » » • It is rumoured that the Chief managed to take a choice succession of thunder- claps in his new phonograph during the recent storm. Some people on this staff are trembling in case he lett them off. • ■ • Readers of the chunk of serious thought above this column to-day will gather that we don't think much-at least of the ability or* the teetotal party to make a thirst a criminal offence. The London and South Western Railway Com- pany would welcome the gift of a few new carriages from some kind friend as a birthday present this month. Judged by the awful crushes at Ilfracombe Station, they haven't half enough. One of the barmaid winners in our Bank Holiday competition ran her bike into a brewer's dray the other morning. She writes to ask whether we will offer a free hospital cot for tho chief prize in our next barmaid's com- petition. No—we'll offer a nice, fresh, young marriageable doctor. • • « 8 "Rhonddaites alarmed," says a contempo- rary, &3 the title to an item of storm newa. And all that's in the alarm is a yard o' lightning and a pound or two of smokeless thunder. It takes more than that to alarm a Rhonddaite. Nothing short of a suggestion that Llwynypia cannot hold the cup will move him off his chair. e « 0 t The Admiralty is causing great surprise by strongly augmenting the complement of sea- man on the Pembroke port guardship. Why the surprise? Naturally the Admiralty, with an eye to due precaution, expect some retalia- tion after the bombardment of South Wales at the Steep Holm—at least, after the trick served the early steamboat trippers by the Arrogant. J < < Mrs. Harris: You've been drinking, David John, you beast. Look a* your nose! David John (returned from Rumney Sun- day): I've been fishing, my dear, that's all. Sun's caught my nose. Here's two fine fish, my dear; will do for breakfast to-morrow. Mrs. Harris (sniffing the fish): But. John, these are bloaters f David John (clinching the argument); Well, what are bloaters if they ain't fish? D'you think they grow in bunches like bananas? The cry of "Wales for the Welsh has d'ed out, and a man who was in the thick of the debate on the side of Cambria was heard con- fessing last night over a ylass of oar-vr.om bitter that he was glad of it. Who are we, after all? he queried. "Investigation pre. pares us to receive, to some extent at least, the. notion that other races than ours dwelt in Wales. There is little doubt about the Gael there, and none about the d rk Silurian. Who, then, are the Cymry? ,nd why do Welshmen- of the present date so quietly ignore the very existence of others but tne Cymry? No doubt our ancestors came over from somewhere to do the Silurians' washing, and survived because they were able to survive the climate. ".Ie' Our sporting editor (on his holidays this week): This is about the height of the season here at 'Combe, madam? Ilfracombe Landlady: Yes, sir, getting very near the roof. Sarah, show the gentleman to the bed we made up on the attic landing- ou had better not go to Ilfracombe with sifter." said Tommy to his sister's beau this morning. "Why. Tommy?-' Cause I heard her say she intended to throw you c verboard soon." They went there all the same, but the young man will have become thoughtful beyond his years on their return. • » • • When the passenger steamer Brighton reached the quay after nine o'clock on the storm night the passengers and the people awaiting her arrival raised three cheers for Captain Reed. who had brought the ship safely through the roughest passage she has experienced. The full force of the gale, was felt soon after the steamer passed the Mumbles' Head on the journey to 'Combe, and Just before 'Combe was reached the CnanViel was enveloped in darkness. The Lghtning was very severe, and Captain Reed says he has experienced nothing like it in English waters. The Brighton, by the way, weathered a big blow. all the way to Newquay, Cornwall, not many days ago. The boat is gradually growing into an Atlantic liner. » Following pride cometh the fall. And what a fall has been since yesterday. The thunder- bolt man of the "South Wales Daily Post," afte- filling columns with graphic thun- derbolt details on every possible ccca- sion. has actually failed to report a single bo.t since Thursday's terrible storm. If a man can't find a thunderbolt during the biggest storm on record in the Channel, what's he wbrth as a historian in his line? He has even sunk so low as to boil down his thunderbolt to the following"The house of Mrs. Jenkins, situated on the beach at Pen- clawdd, was struck by lightning. The electric fluid came down through the chimney in one room, and went out through the chimney in the other room. A bed in the second room was set on fire, and the paper on the wall was ignited. A chest of drawers was knocked down and everything thereon was destroyed. Mrs. Jenkins, who was sitting by the fireside, escaped unhurt. The house has been damaged a little." An amusing incident was witnessed by the Rcath Park Lake the other evening. It was r,e"rJoy closing time, and the shadows were beginning to fall, when a young gentleman, approaching the official stationed by the gates, inquired if there were another break running that evening to Wellfield-road. Whilst he was asking this question the young lady friend by whom he was accompanied, walked a little ll1 advance to await him. whilst another young lady left he.' male protector and drew up close bedde the first-nahie'd gentleman to hear the official's reply. This was in the negative, and he who had made the inquiry, assuming his sweetheart had not left his side, without look- ing round, encircled the waist of the lady standing there, and said, "Never mind, my dear, we shall have to make the most of it and walk." He drew her along a couple of pacas before he discovered his mistake, but when he did » t THE THEATRE ROYAL. A wondrous transformation Scenc- Such is the Royal" now, I ween. A dream of beauty to the view; Replete with every comfort, too. Delighted visitors agree That 'tis impossible to see A theatre all through the west More worthy of the dictum. "Best!" The Rqyal now, 'neath Redford's care, May it fresh joys and triumphs share;- The past so eloquent be dumb Before the splendour yet to come: — The stage that's known such joyous days, New victories tell, new glories tra ce! The public with one voice declare That Art and Comfort wedded are. While genius sparkles on the boards And luxurv the lymse affords; And Fletcher's shade smiles down to see Bright omens of the days to be! IDRIS. » Necessity is the mother-in-law of invention. It takes a smart, lad in these days to run round during this strike and forage for himself—but he does it. A Wharton-street tradesman knows it to his cost. He exhibited a few delicious Gloucester cheeses in his shop-door on Satur- day, and they happened to project just a little way beyond the window-frame. A hungry urchin diagnosed the proceeding, and his mouth watered so much that he had to have some. Getting round on' the blind side of the win- dow, as though about to walk past, he paused and bit a mouthful big enough for two out of the solid cheese, rind and all, and marched on munching with the joy a well-earned mouthful brings. Another ill-fed urchin, who had watched him. followed, and, with a bigger mouth and even sharper teeth, did still greater damage. Whilst the sound side of the cheese turned towards the shop looked well enough the other "side in a few minutes, by repeated visits, looked as though it had been in a boat- collision. i I

HIS LAST DIVE. Nine youths went bathing in the canal at Spondon, near Derby, on Sunday afternoon, and one of them, Joseph Stone, aged 17, of Church-street, Spondon, complained of cramp. His companions advised him. to retire, hut he said he would have another dive. He plunged in again, and never rose. His dead body was recovered a quarter of an hour later.

ELECTION SCANDAL IN JAPAN. A Reuter's telegram from Yokohama on Saturday says:—An election scandal, involving Mr. Yamada, the Vice-Minister of Justice, has been brought to light. It will probably result in that official's resignation, and may even cause a dissension in the Ministry

Colchester Comedy. LADY THRASHES HER HUS- BAXD IX THE STREETS. At Colchester Mr. Charles P. Gilly, an inde- pendent gentleman, living at Layer Breton, near Colchester, prosecuted his wife, Mrs. Jane Gilly, for publicly beating him in Head-street, Colchester, on Saturday last under circum- stances already reported. The vart;es have been living apart since 1890, under a separation otder. Mr. Gilly was walk- ing through Head-street, in company with Canon Shelford, rector of Stoke Newington, and Mrs. Shelford, who were his guests when the defendant suddenly assailed Mrs Shelford with language of a shocking character, mistaking her for another person. Mr. Gilly implored her to desist, assuring her she had made an error, and she then turned upon him, punching his face, blacking both eyes, beating him about the heati with a sunshade, and cutting his face, causing blood to flow freely. She accompanied this violence with serious charges, couched in foul language. Eventually Mr. Gilly took refuge in a tobacconist's shop, where defendant fol- lowed him and renewed the assault and abuse. Sub-equently she apologised to Mrs. Shelford for her mistake. It was suggested for the defence that the assault had been provoked by the prosecutor's relations with other persons, but this was denied.—The Bench bound the defendant ever in the sum of £20 to keep the peace for six months.

STORIES FROM AFRICA. A native girl, daughter of a chief of the Mafwe, who has arrived at Freetown, gives a, terrible narrative of the fiendish cruelty com- mitted by the Mendis. Amongst many killed were, she said, two of the leading people of Mafwe, whose arms, legs, and heads were cut off, after which the legs, arms, and the head of one corpus were put to the trunk of another corpse, and vice versa. Other victims she saw chopped up in the most horrible manner, and the remains all mixed up together.

MISSING LAMBETH GIRL. A„t Lambeth on Saturday Mrs. Walker, of 54. Peacock-strest, Newington, askjd Mr. Hopkins to assist her in obtaining publicity to the fact that her daughter Amy had been mifsing since Sunday last. Her daughter, a well-developed girl. who would readily pass for fifteen or sixteen yc:us of age. starteo work at a laundry. The previous Saturday night she returned home in a somewhat excited state, but gave no explana- tion of her agitation. On Sunday afternoon the girl went out for the purpose of attending the Sunday school with her sister, but turned back. and since then all trace of her has been lest. Mrs. Walker has since heard that the girl a day or two runor to her c.i«appearanc3 had been seen spewing to a dark gentleman ot foreiçm apnea rance, Miss Walker is a nice- locking girl of dark complexion, wth dark eyes and dark hair.

MARVELLOUS ESCAPE. At an early hour on Saturday morning a market carman, in charge of a van and pair, fully laden with baskets of fruit and vegetables, had an extraordinary escape in London. The man, who name is Sinclair, had heen at work for eighteen hours 'on Friday, and was only able to get into bed at nine o'clock at night, to rise again at midnight. He then had to journey to and from Covent Garden Market, and it was while the horses were trotting down Chancery-lane that he became drowsy and fell Mleep, Near Holborn the van aiduenly gave a jerk, with the result that the driver was pitched right in front of the horses Sinclair had driven the animals for the past eight years, and they, with a marvellous instinct, at once pulled up, and brought one cf the front wheels of the heavily-ladened von to a dead stop against the breast of the driver, who, v/ith the exception of a severe shock, was injured.

POOR MAN S WINDFALL. A pleasant surprise in the shape of a wind- fall has just befallen Thomas M'Guinness. an old man living at Shotton Colliery, Durham, who for the la;t two years has been in receipt of relief from the Easington Board of Guar- dians. He was a coal miner until a few years ago, when he met with an accident to his arm. Some days since he received a letter from a firm of Sunderland solicitors, enclosing a copy of a letter with documents, received from their Xew York agents by"whicll it appeared that there was a sum of about £ 1,000 to be divided between M'Guinness and his brother. It ap- pears that WiLiam MGuinne-s, who left the money, was another brother, who migrated to New York, where he died twetaty years ago. He left his property to his wife, and on her death it was to be divided equally among his brothers. Nothing was heard of the matter until a few months ago, when Thomas M Gufnness ex- plained the matter to Mr. J. J. Candlish, -J.P., of Shotton Hall, who promised to do his best for the old man and placed the easy in the hands of his solicitors, with the result stated" Edward M'Guinness, who shares the money, is a mason's labourer.

IXDIAX TREACHERY. An Indian paper tells the following remark- able story of an event which has actually hap- pened recently at the village ,of Katatbanad, in the Madras Presidency. Two benighted Xam- budri travellers sought shelter under the roof of a village official, and confidingly entrusted a purse containing 1,300 rupees to the village officer's safe keeping. They slept outside, but the Adhikari engaged some ruffians to murder his guests and bury them for a reward of 200 rupees. The deed was done and the money paid. But at dawn, to the murderer's horror, the Nambudris issued out from the back of his house and demanded their treasure. Their suspicions had been aroused by a lizard screach- ing in the stillness of the night, and the evil omen, which they clearly read to indicate two coming murders, had induced them to conceal themselves. Later the official's only son and his only nephew returned home. and having knocked at the door in vain, dropped therrv selves into the Nambudris's vacant beds. The hired ruffians obeyed the instructions to the letter, but had slain the two members of their employer's own family. The father swooned at the sight of the travellers. He soon re- covered, however, and returned their money. But they reported to the police, and the man is under arrest.

TOM COSTELLO FIXED. At Rugby Tom Costello, music-hall artist, who was described as of Frederick-crescent, Brixton, was charged by Charles Robert Storer, chemist, Coventry, with assault. There was a further summons for using obscene lan- guage on the railway company's premises.— Mr. Storer stated that on July 1 he was stand- ing in Rugby Station talking to a ticket- examiner. Defendant, his wife, and child, who had come by train from Birmingham, were near, and complainant, hearing a bottle drop, and thinking it was the baby's milk bottle, re- marked sympathetically, as he thought the child would have to go on without a further supply of milk. It's a poor look out now for the baby." With a torrent of filthy language defendant attacked him, knocking him down several time- blacking his eyes, and reducing one side of his face almost to a pulp. —Several railway servants gave corrobo- rative evidence, and Mr. Masser, oft behalf of defendant, expressed regret, and said the case had been exaggerated. Someone knocked a bo^t'e out of Mrs. Costello's hand, and defen- dant, thinking it was Mr. Storer. lost his temper and struck him.—The bench considered the assault unprovoked and brutal, and the language used disgusting, and fined defendant £6 35., including cost. ■J I

COMICAL COXTROVERSY. At a vestry meeting in connection with Holy Trinity Church, Guildford, it has just been dis- closed that certain cleaning and renovating work had been taken in hand by a committee specially appointed, who consulted with a local architect. The suggestions made by the profes- sional man were readily approved by the com- mittee. who gave him instructions to invite tenders for the work, and select the tender he considered most suitable. This was done, and the work was put in the hands of the con- tractor without further interference from the committee. Then, to the surprise of the parishioners generally, and the committee and churchwardens in particular, it began to be rumoured that a large portion of the church was going to be "papered" instead of painted. The matter was the chief subject of discussion at the vestry meeting, and there was not un- naturally a great deal of indignation at the unusual proposal. It was emphatically stated that the papering had never been sanctioned either by the rector, the churchwardens, or the committee. One of the churchwardens, who was away on his holidays, was telegraphed to on the matter, and wirted in reply, "Never heard of papering a church." In the specifica- tion it was ordered that the upper part of the church should be papered with a pale green engrained pap?r, and the lower part with "carpet brown" paper. A prominent local lady, who was present, vigorously expressed hqr dis- approval of the architect "putting a cheap kind of grocer's paper on the walls." Another inte- rested lady wrote sarcastically that though the nave was not beautiful it was not at present ridiculous." The indignation of the gentlemen present found expression in words scarcely less sarcastic, and finally a resolution was passed protesting against paper of any nature being used in the church, and stating that the architect had no right to depart from painting I

[ Blackheath Murder. -NO ARRESTS, BUT SOME STRANGE RUMOURS. Several more or lesi sensational stories were in circulation during Saturday and Sunday as to developments in regard to the murder of Mrs. Tyler, at her house in Kidbrook Park-road, Blackheath. One statement was to the effect that an individual whose name has not been made public had a long consultation on Satur- day with oils of the Scotland Yard authorities, who, at its conclusion, set off accompanied by another detective to a part of the City where important investigations were set on foot. The information the individual is credited with possessing was until Saturday only in the posses- sion of three individuals, one being a lady. whose name, it is stated, may at a later date become prominently associated with the story. Despite rumours to the contrary no arrests had boen made up to Sunday night; the several ticket-of-leave men who had been detained and questioned during the week having satisfac- torily accounted for their movements on the night of the murder. Meanwhile the police are inquiring into the whereabouts of a mys- terious stranger, who was seen in Kidbrook Church' at the Sunday evening service preced- ing the murder, and whose description his been given to the police by Mr. Coates, the verger.

Our Competitions. RACING. The entrance fees in our Saturday's racing competition amounted to £1 8s. 7d. The results of the rae?s were very unexpected, and, although one of the three races selected was a walk-over for Miss Tailor, which nearly all the competitors gave, there were only five coupons bearing the names of two winners. Of these three gave Phcebus Apollo with Miss Tailor, and the other twq gave Terezol and Miss Tailor. The prize, therefore, is divided between these five, each securing the sum of 5s. 8 £ d. each. The names of the winners are:— Mr. C. COTRILL, 6, John-street (off Bute- street, Cardiff; Mr. F. J. KEMPSON, 2, Monmouth-street, Car- Mr. F. J. KEMP80X, 2, Monmouth-street, Car. diff; Mr. E. WILLS. 19, David-street, Cardiff; Mr. C. A\ILLIAi»iS, 45, Tudor-road, Cardiff; Mr. H. GUY, 15, Havelock-street, Cardiff. The coupon for to-morrow's competition will be found on Page 4. CRICKET. For last week's cricket competition there were 24 competitors, making the prize 4s. Two only of the coupons received gave the correct results of five of the six matches, and the senders- Mr. D. B. WILLIAMS. Lynton House, Aber- tillery; and Mr. A. E. CURTIS, 4, Pearl-crescent, Cardiff; Receive 2s. each. This week's competition will be the last this season, is, after Saturday next, the first-class fixture list is practically over.

SOCIETY REYELATIOXS PROMISED IN AN INTERESTING SUIT SHORTLY EXPECTED. If rumour for once be correct, a writ has e 'I recently been issued in the High Courts which is likely to cause a flutter in the dovecots of high society. The "Sun" is informed that an action to recover -,ome hundreds of pounds h^ been commenced against a certain Prince with a great title and an sxigious rent-roll, who not long ago found an English wit's and an English domicile mainly, it is alleged, through all introduction which the plaintiff was enabled to secure him. The claim is in respect of a fee which the said Prince is rumoured to have promised his benefactor. Our correspondent adds that some startling disclosures are expected as to the sums received by people of high standing from persons desirous to be introduced into first-class social circles. It is stated that the Prince was pre- sented to Royalty, and that his wife was simi- larly honoured at a Drawing Room, a well- known duchess being responsible for the pre- sentation.

CYCLIXG SPORTS AT BRISTOL LOCAL WINNERS. At the annual cycling sports held at Bristol on Saturday the following locai competitors were successful: — One Mile Amateur Bicycle Handicap.—Second heat: 2nd. W. Raymond, Cardiff, Central Wheelers (51yds.); time. 41 4-5sec. Third heat: 3nd, T. R.' Lewis, Newport A.C. (51>ds.i; time, 41 2-5sec. Fourth heat: 1st, R. C. Thomas, Pen- north F. and C.C. (53yds.); time, '-Isec. Fifth heat: 1st. F H. V. Hooper, Catford C.C. '51yds.); 2nd. C. Parker, Cardiff, Hundred Miles C.C. (58yds.); time, 41 l-5sec. Seventh heat: 1st. W. G. Grains, Catford C.C. (36yds.); time. 41sec. Tenth heat: F. J. Gillem, Catford C.C. (32yds.); time, 43sec. Final heat: 1st, Thomas; 2nd, Hooper; time, 40 4-5sec. Won by two lengths. One Mi e Amateur Bicycle Handicap.—First heat: 1st, R. C. Thomas, Penarth F. and C.C. (175yds.); time, 2min. 7 l-5sec. Second heat: 2nd, T. R. Lewis, Newport A.C. (170yds.); time, 2min. 6 2-S3ec. Third heat: 1st, J. F. H. V. Hooper, Cardiff Catford C.C. (170yds.); time, 2min. 7-ec. Fifth heal: 1st, W. Raymond, Car- diff Wheelers (170yds.); time, 2min. 6 l-5sec. Final heat: 1st, Raymond; 2nd, Thomas; time, 2min. 5 3-5sec. Won by thre3 lengths, a. big fight ensuing for second prize.

"3IARIXE YISIOXS." At Liverpool a well-dressed young man named Ivan Charles Broadbridge, alias J. B. Bosanquet, was remanded for having obtained money by false pretences. Arnold Glendenning, a youth, a footman out of employment, said that about the middle of June he saw an advertisement in a theatrical no per to the following eftect: -"Wanted, amateurs, noyices, and beginners for J. B. G mnstock's 'Marine Visions' tour. Small parts, wardrobe-i found, railway expenses paid. Fo* brginners small premium only required.- Address with stamp for reply, J. B., 6. Gill- streo Liverpool." Witness wrote to prisoner, forwarding three guineas as a premium, which prisoner acknowledged. Witness afterwards handed over C2 10s., but had not had any engagement. Leters were handed in, written by prisoner, promising to help witness. They each bore thj printed Announcement—"J. B. Gumstock's sensational drama 'Marine Visions' !a story of Uncle Joseph's Dream). Sesational comedy dratna in four acts, introducing sensational and startling scenes. Wonders of the marine deep, specialities, Ac., a cast of fourteen abilited artists, supported by minor characters, chorus &c.; total in all over 50 artists; 1893, 1899, and 1900 booked.—J. B. Bosanquet, business and acting manager." It was pointed cut that there was no such .p 1.y licensed by the Lord Chamberlain as Marine Visions."

TOWX IX DARKNESS. Since Monday last the town of Downham Market, in Norfolk, has been without any light in its street lamps after dark. The Urban Council is engaged in a controversy with the local gas company, which, on the occasion of the renewa. of the annual contract, sought to obtain an increased price, it being a.leged that this was necessitated by increased freights. The council declined to pay the extra charge demanded, and the contract was not renewed. Hence the town has been in darkness. At pre- sent negotiations are going on, the gas com- pany seeking to obtain modifications of its former contract, but the council is resolutely bent on getting its gas at the old rate or it will have none. Meanwhile shareholders in the gas undertaking arc getting restive at the prospec- tive loss of a large revenue, and it is probable that the company and not the council will u-ti- mately back down.

A WOXDERFUL CLOCK. Herr F. L. Lobner, of Berlin, has invented an apparatus for measuring and recording the 1,000th part of a second. The machine consists of a clock with two concentric rings on the dial-plate, the outer one marked with 360 degrees, and the inner one divided into 200 parts. The clockwork moves the single hand at such a, rate that it ca.n make five complete turns in a second, thus enabling the 1,000th part of a second to be read en the inner ring.

DIED IX A THUXDERSTORM. Caillard. the murderer of a whole family at Nassandres, was guillotined on Friday. The condemned man was awakened by the noise of a terrible thunderstorm. This is a fine sort of morning to call a man up at this hour," he remarked, when he was told to prepare for death. 'He beguiled the tedium of a drive to the guillotine, which was erected fully a mile from the prison, by smoking cigarettes.

THE LONGEST TUNNEL. It is calculated that the work of boring the Simplon Tunnel, which has just been begun, wiil take five years and a half, and will cost I nearly £ 3,000.000. The entire length will be 19.231 metres, making it the longest tunnel in the world, the St. Gotbard being only 14,934 metres in length.

A Squadron of Samples. .$ OUTLIVE OF REFORM FOR THE FRENCH XA YY. A Renter's telegram from Paris on Monday says: The" Eclair" to-day publishes according to information received from a high naval officer, an outline of the reforms laid down by M. Lockroy for the composition of the different squadrons. The Northern squadron will be completely re-cast. The bulk of the squadron consists of one 18-knot vessel Massena, with powerful armament, and four small iron- clad:—the Valmy, Bonvines, Jemmapes. and Trehonart—only steaming from thirteen to fourteen knots, and of manifestly inadequate armament. Moreover, these ships roll very much, and in the frequently choppy seas of the north their guns are ineffective. They are accompanied by two extremely fast cruisers, the Duruy de Lome being one of them. The squadron is what Admiral Lami, and after him Admiral Fournier, used to call a squadron of s:ll11pleó, and h. therefore, not a homogeneous one. such as France wants in the North. We think we are right in saying that M. Lockroy will send these four small ironclads to the Mediterranean, where they will be held in reserve, and will no longer form part of the active squadron, but will be ready to be fitted out in a few days ill case of war. These vessels will be re-placed in the Northern squadron by an equal number of ships taken frcm the Mediterranean, and capable of keeping the sea and using their guns in all weathers. The Mediterranean squadron, although more homogeneous than the Northern, is yet not sufficiently so. It, will lie formed of divisions of .arge new ironclads of equal speed and suit- able. therefore, to all tactical operations. The-'e will be reinforced by the cruiser division, which has for so long been asked for by the admirals who have commanded in those waters, notably Admiral De CurverviJe. M. Lockroy intends to re-place the wooden ships of our Indo-Chinese and Atlantic divisions by modern unes. hut in order to carry out this last scheme it will be necessary to wait tid some new vessels have left the dockyards. It is also possible that our special schools of gunnery and torpedo practice, which are now on old ships, will be transferred to large reserve ironclads, as is done in Ita.y. The schools will thus have more modern material to work upon..

SHEBEENING. Margaret Martin, alias Elizabeth M'Coy, 26. was charged on a warrant with selling beerby retail w'thout a licence at 15, Victoria-street, on the 10th of July. Po-ice-constable Kingdom proved the case. A previous conviction was put in. and pri-.oner was fined £10 and costs, or six weeks.

THE ALLEGED BOXD ROBBERY. A .Central News telegram from New York on Monday says:—Mr. Rynaston, the officer of the White Star liner Brittanic, who was arrested on a charge of stealing bonds, will sail for Europe on Tuesday next in the North German Lloyd steamer Trave.

BISMARCK S LAST COXYERSA TIOX. Piquant accounts are published in Germany of Prince Bismarck's conversation with Count Herbert, on the morning of his death. These wer2 among his last sentences:—"When we were in distress England took the part of our enemies, and tried to do business on both side". When, therefore, Ellglnnd gets wedged between the French horse and the Russian elephant, let us not ru-h in with a pitchfork. Let us rather seriously watch the stiff-shirted lord being scrunched until he cries aloud unto God!"

TRAMCAR ASSAULT. Before Messrs. Edward Thomas and F. H. Jotham at Cardiff Police-court on Monday, George German, tramcar conductor appeared with a black eye and other marks for which he alleged Charges Thomas Morgan, 22. charged on hail. was responsible. Complainant is the conductor of a Roath tramcar from the Docks. Prisoner stated that he had been to an outing and imbibed too much beer. to which he was not accustomed. Complainant, in stating the particulars, said he was at the Docks on Satur- day night in charge of the quarter to ten tram, when he had occasion to ask prisoner to close up to make room for other passengers. Pri- soner resented this fancied interference with his liberty, and later got off the tram, and, running after it, struck the conductor severa times in the face.—Constable Young and Cab- inspector Rees having given evidence, prisoner was fined 10s. and costs, or fourteen days.

JEALOUSY AND MURDER. David Henek. a skilled workman in a Vienna foundry, married four years ago one of the prettiest girls in his neighbourhood. Though hard working she was fond of dancing and enjoying herself after work was done. In this she did not change after marriage, and the man grew furiously jealsus of her. threatening her daily. On Friday last the young woman's sister came to see her. Not being able to gain admit- tance to the lodging she finally had the door forced open. An appalling sight met the eyes of those who entered. In the bed were lying the corpses of man and wife, and between them sat their little girl. who had been patting her mother's bloody face, and had smeared the blood on all parts of her own little features and body. When the door burst open she recognised her visitor, and cried. "Oh. Aunt MHly; come and see mother." The man must have shot his wife in her sleep through the temple, and then fired the revolver into his own brain and fallen back on the bed.

A HAUXTED HOFSE" SCARE. On Sunday large numbers assembled on the Forest Hill-road, near Honour Oak Railway- station, to view the unoccupied house, St. Austins, in the grounds of which, it is alleged, "ghost?" have appeared during the past week. Mr. G. Bell. senior partner of Messrs. Bell and Willatts, the agents for the property, stated to a reporter that th:> present scare was merely a revival of what had frequently occurred during the ten years the place had been un- occupied. and in consequence of which it has long been locally known as "the haunted house." He could ascribe no reason for the origination of the report—the building was only 43 years old, and, so far as he knew, tiiere never had been a murder, suicide, nor mys- terious disappearance in it or near it. For one reason or another, including, of course, tho unenviable reputation it had obtained, ail efforts to let or Tell had failed, although the house was most charmingly situated upon one acre of ground and commanded some of the finest views south of the Thames. The care- taker of the place was also seen. He has lived in the house with his family for years and seems ,"err comfortable. He scoffs at the idea. of ghosts, and puts the reports down to women's talk.

A TALE OF TWO PIGEOXS. An indignant woman, who held up a dead pigeon in front of the astonished magistrate at the South-western Court, complained that a neighbour of hers had trapped, her pigeon in his garden, wrung its neck, and then flung it back into her garden, where for a few minutes i t kicked. Mr. Francis: Why did he do this? Aoplicant: All forspite. It is my husband's 1, • Hl and it won a prize, while the neighbour's pigeon didn't. Mr. Francis: But you should keep your birds on vour own premises. I don't see what vou -•■.n do unless you goet hold of his pigeon and wring its neck. (Laughter.) Applicant: Isn't it cruelty to animals? Mr. Francis: What about killing sheep for mutton—is that cruelty? Applicant: I shouldthink so. Mr. Francis: Well, ypu couldn't do without them. You had better go to the county- c-urt.

FIGHT UNDERGROUND. A brutai fight took place on Saturday night 0.1 the Loidon Underground ltai way. The combat was between a couple of gentlemen who occupied a second- csass compartment, and occurred after the train had left South Kensington. On reach- ing Sloane-square the combatants alighted. Their [aces bore ample evidence of the severity of the encounter, the features of one being reduced almost to a puip. and rendering him unrecognisable. The brutality of the fight may be further indicated by the fact that the force with which the pugi ists fell against the di\i- sions of the compartments disturbed and alarmed the occupants in the adjoining com- partment. On the carriage being examined at Sloane-square the place presented a sicken- ing sight, b.ood being scattered over the floor and upholstery. It is supposed by those who heard the disturbance that one of the com- 'oatants threw the other against the division until he was pretty well exhausted, and then having got him on the floor, pummelled him until he was helpless. The police took the matter in hand at Sloane-square, the parties to the fight giving each other in custody.

SERVANT S LITTLE SCHEME. A Parisian living in a private hotel in the Rue Ballu, has had a quaint holiday expe- rience, writes a Paris correspondent. About a month ago he departed for Switzerland with his wife and child, the latter having been ordered a change of air. They arranged to stay away for six months, and left'the hotel 11l the charge of «n trusted servant. The child died. and the bereaved parents shortly after- wards started back for Paris. What was their surprise on reaching the hotel to find the first floor snugly occupied by a strange family, who had made themselves thoroughly at home. It was a family party from the provinces to whom the sagacious servant had rented the apart- ments, much to her own profit. Explanations were given, and the visitors reluctantly evacuated the rooms, which had suited them admirably. The rent they had paid to the servant was refunded, and so cordial was the parting that they invited the occupier and his wife, by way of a return visit, to spend a month with them at their property near Sainte- Adresse. In fact, every one concerned is highly satisfied except the trusted servant, who is looking for another situation.

MISER S HOARD IN A SAFE. On Saturday a very curious story came to light in connection with one ofthesafesas the Chancery-lane Deposit Company, which was opened by the officials on a police order. The circumstances of the case relate to the doings of a lady, who must have been a miser, living at Greenwich, and who ended her life iast week by suicide, It transnlres tnat for some time a woman passing c'.Li Mary Louisa. AtKins has been occupying a back ground floor room at 8, Telegraph-place, East Greenwich, and, although not apparently starving, she appeared to be in poor circumstances. She. however, was very eccentric, and at times was slu-t in her room for days, and even got in a. passion if spoken to. She never had a visitor, and the landlady concluded she was without relatives. Last Tuesday Mrs. Hemming decided to call in the police, fearing Atkins was dead, as she had not been seen for four days. and it was then found that the old lady was lying dead in bed. She at once called Dr. George Hughes vjable, of G.oucester-plaoe, Green- wich, who subsequently, made a post- mortem examination, and found that tne deceased committed suicide by taking arsenic. Dr, Cable considered she had been deadt quite three days, and the police took charge of the room. A search was mad? and Police-sergeant George Crooks discovered hidden about tile room small sums of money, and under the table was 19s. 4d. wrapped in a rag. In the bed under where the deceased had been lying was a sovereign and a bunch of keys, one of which had the number of a Chancery-lane safe. Searching the deeea3ed> clothes. Sergeant Crooks found sewn up in the deceased's corsets papers referring to a safe hired at the Chancery-lane Safe Deposit Company in the name of Mary Hosier. The safe.onl)eingopened. was found to contain 125 sovereigns in a bag, and also a Post-office Savings book with a balance of £93, and show- ing that £ 2 had been drawn out recently, line oflicials at Chancery-lane knew nothing of tlio deceased's address at Greenwich. The disco-eiy that the woman was IJOSSessed of mouv J1¡,JI caused considerable surprise.

JUDGE AXD JURY. CHARGE AGAINST A GERMAN CORRESPONDENT. The Berlin correspondent of the "Times" says: Her.- Eugen Wolff. the celebrated traveller, who has only recently returned from a pro- longed stay in China, where he acted as special correspondent for a Berlin newspaper, has been indicted and summoned to take his trial on the somewhat- original charge of having liberated some thirteen Chinese murderers of German missionaries and of having assumed va charac- ter and position which he was in no way autho- rised to hold. According to a statement of Bishop Anzer. on whose testimony the present prosecution is being instituted, Herr Wolff, hearing that thirteen Chinese arrested on a charge of wilful murder of some German mis- sionaries were awaiting trial, declared that he was at 011ce competent and willftlg to preside as judge over the court of law. The actual scene in court i., described as follows: "Wolff appeared in the Court of Justice, where the mandarin was anxiously awaiting his arrival. "His favourite dog* Schuster (cobbler), whom he always addressed as Herr von Schuster, accompanied him. "Four chairs stood vacant in the hall. Eugen Wolff, seating himself on the most imposing- looking of these, said: 'On the highest chair I will sit.' "Then, turning to his dog, he called out. 'Herr van Schuster, be you seated on the second highest at my right.' He then addressed the clerk, and said, 'Your place is at my left.' "Lastly, with a gesture, he bade the man- darin be seated on the fourth and lowest chair. "The mandarin, who seems to have had some qualms of conscience, asked Herr Wolff what alJthority he Iwd to sit on the bench, Herr Wolff was equal to the occasion. Drawing a piece of rolled up paper from his breast pocket lie tapped it. and with a smile declared that it contained the proper authority by which he could sit as judge in a court of law, "He then ordered the prisoners to he brought in. Some thirteen in all appeared, each of whom declared his innocence. Herr Wolff there- upon pronOtmced tliem not. guilty, and solemnly announced that the order of the day was at an end. He then saddled hiIJ horse and rode off."

The Hobson Kis& CAUSES ANXIETY OX THE SCORE OF PROPRIETY. There are many questions just now agitating American public opinion, from the annexation of the Philippines to the assessment of RDche- fe_ler's property, but the most interesting ques- tion of all is—Should Miss Arnold have kissed Hobson? It is being discussed to the extent ot a column daily in Letters to the Editor." The young lady's exploit has now developed several new features. The lieutenant's mother and sister were with him when the" operation" took place, The elder lady looked on in amaze- ment, whilst the young one mere.y smiled. It appears, however, concerning that touch of the hero lips, that Miss Arno.d is only seized of the fee simple as to the extent of one-twelfth. It was no sooner over than she was surrounded by a dozen pretty girls, who begged her to dis- tribute the kiss amongst them, as one said: "We don't dare ask the lieutenant, but we want to share the kiss with you." Miss Arnold there- upon proceeded to kiss her companions in turn, and the lieutenant's gift became to this. extent a joint property rather than a several. But her brother has expressed his disapproval. Meanwhile the lionising of the hero proceeds amain. His daily letters would furnish worn for two private secretaries, the photographs sent to him would stook a ga.lery, and he is the recipient of a thousand and one litt-e gifts, both pretty and tender. A thousand requests are also addressed to the lieutenant. He has already written his name 1,000 times and the cry is still for more. Queer thing, the lieu- tenant's correspondence. The writers, all women, range from -ixteen to 40. They send photographs in stacks, urge requests for a1; maner of things, from a portrait to a uniform button, and address him indifferently as lieu- tenant, captain, commander, commodore, and adlllira 1. A lady relative of his sums up the case in this wise: "It's the most remarkable thing what correspondence Rich' gets. "Why. he geis .etters from ah parts of the country, and the majority of them are from giris-girls who want his autograph, girls whfl want to open correspondence with him, and girls who write of everything; well, yes, in- cluding love,"

SENSATIONAL HEADLINES." Tha school board in Westham, Sussex, lately closed its doors to the local press, but the ratepayers naturally objected, as such action deprived them of knowledge of the board's pro- ceedings. TIm board has now notified the journals that reporters may attend the meet- ings if they "abstain from using sensational headlines."

DEATH IX A GOOSEBERRY. An extraordinary death was reported at Leicester on Monday. A man named Charles Harrison, aged 63. a labourer: went into his garden atKirby Muxloe on Sunday night, anu picked a gooseberry, which he proceeded to eat. The berry "eeïis to have had a wasp inside it, for Harrison's tongue was stung Lo seriously that inflammation set in and caustd death in a few hours.

OUR MANLY DEFENDERS. A Reading corespondent writes:—On August 12 I missed my boy (154). and on the police searching for him he waJ found at Oxford Bar- racks. 4th Light Infantry, enlisted. On his father going to claim him he was rudely re- fused at first, the officer saying distinctly he had no boys there. Proof of the boy's age was given, but the officer refused to give him had no boys there. Proof of the boy's age was given, but the officer refused to give him up unless a warrant was produced. Our corre- spondent continues: -"Surely our War Office is not so pressed for men thai they need trap little children to fight for England. It is time indeed for England and America to unite when England is dependent upon lads 15i yeans of asre.