Evening Express

Mormon Wife's Confession. Most Graphic Story Ever Told of the Conditions Under Which Mormon Wives Still Live in Utah. The following confession of the widow of Orson Pratt, the Mormon prophet, was taken down in New York City from the lips of this venerable woman by Ka.te Field shortly before her death: I was born in Henderson, Jefferson County. N. Y., in 1827. and joined the Presbyterian Church at the age of seventeen. Some months later the twelve apostles of the Mormon Church held a conference in our neighbourhood. I was greatly taken with the preaching of Orson Pratt, then a, young man of twenty-fonr, who wa.s a frequent guest at our house. The apostles claimed that theirs was the only true church, and so finally I decided to join it. Orson Pratt requested the privilege ofba-ptizing jne, and at the age of nineteen I became a. ILatter-Day Saint. I knew Brigliam Young before my marriage. He lived near us at Nauvoo, and his first wife and I were great friends. Married the Mormon Apostle. Though my parents were at first grieved they themselves adopted my faith a year later. Orson Pratt and I were married. After going about with my husband on missions during the Bummer we moved to Kirtland, 0. Several hundred saints had already assembled there, and I was surprised to find the men less inte- rested in their religion than in what they were going to make out of a. bank which Joseph Smith had already established and in which many of the saints were stockholders. By de- grees I descended from my high religious plane. We had only been in Kirtland a year when my first child was born. and the bank broke! There were grave charges of dishonesty against the saiirts, who disappeared from Kirtland, leaving behind them heavy debts. Blind as I was, I thought all was not right, but an excuse was given which I readily accepted, as my husband was implicated in the failure. With many others he was ruined by it. 1fhe next spring I joined my husband in New York City, where in six months he and his brother Parley built up a. church of 200 members. Parley Pratt was very illiterate and too lazy to study, but his "Voice of Warn- ing" is one of the Mormon text books to-day. My husband was a self-made man. He and I at this time studied together astronomy, algebra, chemistry, and Hebrew. In the fall we started for Missouri and passed the winter in St. Loui". where my second child was born. Going to Quincy in the spring, we proceeded later to Nauvoo, where we lived seven or eight years. We were all poor, and when the revelation came from Joseph Smith that the twelve apostles were to start on a mission to Europe it fell very severely upon me, as upon others. I lost my first child and had hard work to keep thy other littl3 one from want. I was very intimate with Joseph and Emma Smith, and we visited each other frequently. In the beginning I thought Joseph Smith wa" a prophet of God. I knew him to be illiterate, bat he inspired confidence. Insulted by Bmith, the "Man of God," During my husband's absence on his "mission" to Europe, which extended over two years, I went to visit my aunt at Quincy, 111. From there I was invited by Joseph Smith, who had been one of the speaker?, to return home in his carriage. Gladly accepting his escort, my little boy and I were driven to Nauvoo by the pro- phet, who held young Or--on on his knee. It occurred to me that Joseph paid me unusual attention during this journey, but once homa I dismissed the idea as unworthy of him and of me. After a. while I took up a piece of land, buying it for a mere trifle. By selling two- thirds of it I WaB enabled to build a. siruill house on the remaining third. Here I awaited my husband's coming, and here Joseph Smith vigited me. "Sister Pratt." said he one day. ''I''fe some- thing to say to you. but I'm afraid you won't receive it in the right spirit. I'm afraild it will be a trial to you. I dare not tell you now." And then he went away. 1. The next time Joseph called he sympathised with me in my solitude. "You are very Icrie- iome without your husband, are you not?" "Yes," I replied. "You remember my mentioning the other day that I had something to say to you:" "Yes." ■"Well, Sister Pratt, in the absence of your husband, there's no need for you to be lone- some. You know that old Abraham and the ancients had more wives than one. You have a right to have more men than one. I'll come in any time." A Horrible Revelation. "Why. Brother Joseph, what do you mean?" "I don't mean anything but what it would be perfectly right to do." "Do you pretend to say that God would approve of such conduct?" "Why, God doesn't care anything about it. We are put here on this earth to enjoy our- selves. If we can enjoy ourselves in this way we've a. perfect right, to do so, if we keep it to ourselves. God doesn't care. The harm will be in letting anybody know it. If you keep quiet and I keep quiet it's all right. If your (husband were to know it, then there would be harm." "Is it possible. Brother Joseph, that you can ma.ke such a suggestion to me? I love my husband as I love my own life. He is the only man I ever wanted or ever expect to want. I grieve that you should have said this to me." "I was afra;id," answered Joseph, "that you would not receive what I had to say in the rroper light. That is why I never told you before. I would like to come and live with you scmetimes myself." "Brother Joseph, stop! My husband is all in all to me. Let there be an end to this." "You are never to mention what I have said J to a soul, remember." "I don't know whether I will or not." "Oh, if you do," threatened Joseph, "it will he the worse for you. If you expose me I'll ruin your character. Mark well my words. rye the power, and I'll do it." I feit that I must confide in some one. as I wanted advice, so I went to a woman who had been th-3 widow of Morgan, the Mason, and was then the wife of another man. My husband had converted both, and we were great friends. When I told Mrs. H. what had passed between Joseph and me, she. to my great sur- prise. laughed and said: "Never mind, do as you please. Do you know I've been Joseph's mistress for four years? It has been a common thing with him for a long time. I shall give you no advice, as I think a great deal of Mr. Pratt." She promised she'd keep my secret. Nothing was said about a revelation then. II. IN THE POWER OF A MONSTER. Alarmed at Joseph's threats, I kept my doors locked aud curtains down lest I should be taken unawares. Joseph called frequently afte- this interview, but I was never at home unless he was accompanied bv others. Then I admitted him. and he treated me as kindly as formerly. Nothing special happened until Mr. Pratt returned, when I told him all. My hus- hand was greatly distressed, lay awake all night, and at daylight the next day went straight to Joseph's house and rapped on his bedroom door. "Who's there?" aaked Joseph. "Orson Pratt. I want to see you." "Sit down and wait. Brother Orson. I'll dress and come out." In a short time Joseph appeared, and. without asking to know the cause of so untimely a. visit, said: "Brother Orson, come with me." Leading the way to his dry-goods store near by. Joseph took my husband to a room above it, and, locking the door. said: N,.)w, Brother Orson, what do you want?" "I want to know why you take liberties with other men's wives and teach them doctrines you would not permit other men to teach your wife?" "I know very wel! what you have come for, Brother Orson. I want to tell you now that if either you refer or your wife refers to what h.ii transpired, I'll ruin your character and hers. I tell vou what I have already told her. It would destroy me. it wouid destroy the Church, and, to save both, I should be forced to blast you and your wife." A terrible quarrel ensued, and my husband returned home more angry than when he; started out. Mr. Pratt did not keep quiet, and shortly: after, at a public meeting held in a. grove, 1 Joseph dmith denounced me as one of the woivt, women in the wotvd, associating my name with that of John C. Bennett. This man 1 had once been one of Joseph's intimate friends, and had been brought to my house by him for the purpose of my securing sewing from him. I was only too glad to ¡:t mcney for my family, as Mormons usually paid in squafhM and other farm products. Mr. Bennett was! better off, and could pay in current coin. He boarded at first with Joseph, and, during the six months I woried for him, often came for his clothes, Joseph at times being his com- panion. He remained long enough to get his bundles, and taen went away. Afraid of Her Life. Mr. Pratt jumped up as soon as Joseph began his attack on me and told the congregation what had really taken place. Of course the people believed Joseph, only a few old friends daring to side with me. The meeting broke up in iire-t excitement, and my husband came home very much depressed. He said he could no longer remain in Nauvoo. He would get work elsewhere and then send for me, as he had not means enough to take us all. That very afternoon he started toward Quincy. where he had friends. My husband had placed such unbounded confidence in Joseph that the thought of his treachery almost drove him wild. As night, came on I feared to be alone. I had heard from Mormons themselvoa how neoole had bs-an "put away" for offending the Prophet, and I sent my little boy across the way for one of Judge Higbec's sons. The family had turneu against the church. Frank Tugbee soon appeared, saying: "It will never answer for you to be alone. If I can't get some one else I'll come myself. It resulted in both the Higbee boys passing the night under my roof. One slept wh:Ie the other kept guard. I did not go to bed. Atter midnight Joseph 'and Hyruin (Smith) rode up to mv door, escorted b" several com- panies of the Nauvoo Legion. There may have been two hundred men. Joseph called for me. and. before the troops, exclaimed:- "Here's the woman that has dishonored her husband, and I shouldn't be surprised if she had taken his life in order to go off with Ben- nett." He then ordered three or four men to search the house for my husband's body. I declared to the troops that it was Joseph who had insulted me. He was the guilty one. Instead of my taking Orson Pratt's life it was far more likely he'd take it "She's a liar," cried Joseph. "This is all done Do cover up her iniquity with Bennett." The men listened and said nothing. All apparently believed Joseph, though I found out later than many did not. Commanding the troops to follow. Joaejiaj wheeled about and galloped off. I think tne

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COMICALITIES—ORIGINAL AND OTHERWISE. Dr. Thompson, the famous master of Trinity College, Cambridge, is regarded chiefly as the sayer of sharp, witty, and often bitter epigrams. He said of Ely, where, as professor of Greek, he held a. canonry, The place is so (■amp that even my sermons won't keep dry there." And at a college meeting, where some of the young fellows were treating with very little respect the opinions of their seniors, he said. None of us is quite infallible, not even the youngest." Of an amiab-e and excellent scholar, he said, The time that he spends on the neglect of his duties he wastes on the adornment of his person." And of an eminent professor, whose first lecture he attended, "I little thought that we should so soon have cause to regret his predecessor, Professor "You will agree with me, sir," said the thin passenger with the shiny coat, "that it is wicked to put brandy in mince pies." "Wicked, sir," said the portly passenger with the shining nose, "if it is good brandy, it is positively sa-culegious." "And still my war cry is." exclaimed the temperance orator, "down with alcohol." "I know how to sympathise with you. old man," interrupted a man from the back seats. "I've been down with it myself more than once." Country Parson: Now, Johnson, I really must insist upon you paying more attention to the cleanliness of the pony and trap. Man- of-all-work: Well, sir, you see. what with 'orti- culter and th' cow. I've very little time for 'ossyculter. "This earth, I am informed," said the Anarchistic, boarder, "is but a, mere crust sur- rounding a molten mass." "And you still main- tain," said the Cheerful Idiot, "that the upper crust is a useless institution." Patron of Travelling Show: I see that you are bringing up your children to the profes- sion. What part does this chubby little fellow take? Showman: Well, durin' the daytime he works the drum outside, and at night we feed3 the performin' fleas on 'im. While a droye of bullocks were being driven through an Irish village from a fair one of the animals suddenly stopped, and, notwithstand- ing all the efforts of the driver, would not move on its way. A chemist who happened to see the affair went up to the bullock and injected a. drug down its throat, which made the animal career down the street like gnjased lightning. About five minutes afterwards the drover entered the chemist's shop wiping the sweat off his head, and asked the shopman if he was the party who gave the bullock the medicine. "I am," said the chemist. "Well," said Pat, "I'll take a pennyworth of it, as I have to follow the baste." "Robbing Peter to pay Paul" is stiid to have originated in an act of the church government of England in 1550. At that date, the Cathe- dral of St. Paul in London being out of repair and no funds available, a portion of the income of Westminster, which was consecrated to St. Peter, was diverted to the repair of St. Paul's. "Brooks," said Rivers, "yon ought to do some- thing for that cold of yours. A neglected cold sometimes leads to serious consequences." "This cold of mine isn't neglected," crossly answered Brooks, "five or six hundred of my friends are looking after it." "Johnny." said his father, "can you tell me why the little minute hand of a watch goes faster than the big 'finger'? "Well, papa." replied Johnny, after thinking about it for five minutes, "isn't it just like when I have to run when I go for a walk with you?" Once when a well-known general had been under the caro of a physician for some time he said, "Doctor, I don't sc--m to be getting any better for all your medicine." "Well, general," replied the doctor, jocosely, "perhaps you had better take Shakspeare's advice, and 'throw physic to the dogs.' "So I would, doc- tor," replied the sick man, as he turned his head on the pillow. "So I would, but you see there are a number of really valuable dogs in this neighbourhood."

men who searched my house were Danites. The Hig^ees sent two men in search of my husband, whom they found ten or twe've m les down the r.ver. He was returning, having decided to fight it out. in Nauvoo. During my husband's absence an old woman, namel Cleveland, who lived near by, and who was said to keep a house of assignation for Joseph Smith, came to me and asked for a pri- vate interview. As scon as we were alone the old woman said: "Joseph wa.nts me to tell you that if vou and Brother Orson will say nothing mTe il-out is affair, and will pub.ish nothing, h.1l promise you salvation in the kingdom of heaven." "Tel. Brother Joseph," I answered, "that I don't want salvation at his hands. As for pub- lishing. I'U make no promi es." Remember that I wa,3 only twenty-two at the time, and hardly knew what to say. We lived-and that was all. I never left the house without Mr. Pratt. Few dared to speak to us. Those who sympathised with us came at night. We were ignored by the whole church. My husband for a time acted as though he had lost faith in Mormonism. It was a terrible tria. for him to give up what he had bean preaching so many year3. I can't remember the date, but some weeks later Joseph Smith came to our house, and urged Mr. Pratt to drive with him. My husband consented, and during that drive Joseph succeeded in winning him over. The prophet acknowledged he'd sinned, but he had repented. Mr. Pratt beiieved him to be a prophet of God. and clutched readily at the par ages from Scripture which Josepa quoted to show where this and that prophet had sinned, and been- forgiven. My husband accepted Joseph él3 the father accepted the prodigal son, but I was bitteriy opposed to the reconciliation. Again Joseph became friendly. He drove my husband out daily and took him to his hcaze. III. THE HORRORS OF POLYGAMY. By degrees Joseph taught Mr. Pratt tnat many things considered wrong were net opposed to God's law; that men might have plural wivei: that no marriages were lawful out of the Church, and that every married woman had a right to se!ect some ether man for hus- band if she so desired. It was well-known th it I did not believe in Mormonism, but. I held my tongue. Joseph wanted us three to be re-baptized and begin an? v. Joseph and my husband were bap- tized, but I refused, nor would I witness the cereaiony. After this baptism Joseph told my ha&band that God had revealed to him the necessity of the institution of plural wives. A council of apostles was held, at which Joseph 'made known the will of the Lord, and w:'en my husband returned at midnight he said to me:- "I've something to tell you. I suppose, with the rest, I must go into polygamy. Brother Joseph says I must." "My God! Mr. Pratt," I exclaimed, "do you accept that?" "I must." [TO BE CONCLUDED TO-MORROW.]

THINGS WORTH EXOWING. A London plumber is under arrest for steal- ing two houses. He was two months at work tearing them down and taking away the material without any one interfering with him. It was oniy when the owner went to look at his houses himself that he found they were gone. French engineers have something to learn. They undertook to move the great machinery gallery of the 1889 exhibition in sections to a new site in the Champ de Mars for America in 1900, and did move two sections. While riveting these together, however, they col- lapsed, owing to the insecure foundations. Paris in 1897 was visited by 893.000 visitors, Berli-i by 517,000, and Vienna, by 364,003. Thir- teen years ago the figures for the three cities were:—Paris, 684,000; Berlin, 268,000; and Vienna, 184,000. the relatively larger increase in the last prf bably having something to do with its freedom from Dreyfus affairs and lese majeste laws. In thirteen years Paris hotels have entertained 8,500,000 guests, those of Berlin 4,500,000, and those of Vienna 3,000,000. It would be difficult to obtain accurate figures for New York and London, owing to the lack of police supervision of hotel registers. German science announces that everything needed to make a man weigh 150 pounds can be found in the whites and yolks of 1,200 hen's eggs. Reduced to a fluid the average man would yield 98 cubic meters of illuminating gas and hydrogen enough to fill a. balloon Oipable lof lifting 155 pounds. The normal human body has in it the iron needed to make seven Itr_e nails, the fat for fourteen pounds of candles, the carbon for 65 gross of crayons, a, and phosphorus enough for 820,030 matches. Out of it can be obtained, besides, twenty coffee spoons of salt, fifty lumps of sugar, and forty-two litres of water. German physiology is attacking the intelli- gence of ih«s ant. Professor Bethe, of Strass- burg, thinks he has found a purely material reason for their recognising each other. He cleansed ants taken from one hill in a solu- tion of alcohol, dipped them in a decoction made of ants from another hill and p:aced them in the strange hill. They were not attacked as strangers, even when of different colour and conformation. On the other hand, ants treated in this manner when put back in their own hills were not recognised by their tribe, but at once attacked and killed. Pro- fessor Bethe infers from this that ants must give out some liquid whose odour guides them and that each colony must have its own pecu- liar smell. liar smell. Queensland is inaugurating a new departure in the fruit trade. It is found that dried bananas take the place of raisins in puddings very well, and an enterprising firm in Queens- land has sent to the Agent-General's office, in Victoria-street, Westnunscer, a consignment of dried bananas, with the object of opening up a market for them in England. As soon as the public have tasted for themselves the agreeabe flavour which dried bananas give the puddings, there is sure to be a big demand for them.

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OUR DAILY CARTOON. -111t.J8 THE TABLE OF THE GOAT AND THE LION. The lion. seeing a goat upon a steep and craggy rock. where he was safe and comfortable, asked him what delight he could take in skipping from rock to rock, where he ran the risk of falling at any moment. I wonder," said he, you will not come down and feed on the plain here. where there is such plenty of good grass aud fine, sweet herbs." "Wby," replied the goat. I cannot say but your opinion is right, but you look so very hungry and designing that, to tell you the truth, I do not care to venture my person near you."

FOOTBALL PRIZE COMPETITION. l i £ 100 FOR THE WINNER. IN Tint ABMXCK OF CORRECT SOLUTION, £ 10 FOR BEST COUPON. SUPPLEMENTAL PRIZES. i.-ÂD ORIGINAL CARTOON from the "Even- ing Express," by Mr. J. M. STANIFORTH, Framed and Mounted by Mr. A. FREKE, Photographer, Ac., 12, Duke-stroet, Cardiff. :lb. Tin of AilCHER'S GOLDEN RETURNS, by the well-known Arm, HENRY ARCHER and CO., 170, 172, and 174, Borough, Lon. don. S.B. 3.—TWO TICKETS for the Orchestra Stalls or Dress Circle at the THEATRE ROYAL. Cardiff. 4.—TWO TICKETS for the Baloony at the GRAND THEATRE, Cardiff. 5 5 At the Option of t'ie Winners:— p THE WESTKUN MAIL" MUSIC FOLIO o OF 88 SONGS, DUETS, AND SACRED 10 I &OLOS. Or either of the following well-bound, cloth- 12 covered Stan ard Work-t:— 13 SHAKSPEARE'S COMPLETE PLAYS AND 14 SONNETS. 15 VANITY FAIR, by Thackeray. 16 THE CAXTxNS, by Lord Lytton. 17 f ERNEST MALTRAVERS, by Lord Lytton. 10 ALICE, or THE MY-TERIKS, by Lord Lytton 19 IVAN'HOE, by Sir Walter Scott. 20 THE SCARLET LETTER, by Hawthorne, yi MARY BARTON, by Mrs. Gaskel!. ii2 LAYS OF THE SCOTTISH CAVALIERS, by 23 Ay to an. 24 JANE hYRE, by Charlotte Bronte. 2b 26J Monday .j COUPON. MATCHUS PLAYED JAKCABT 23,1893. Coupon muut reach this office by one p-in cn thfa <lay ol play. Hirectioiia for marking Coupeu -Strike out name of losing cluo and give point. of iriaaer and For a draw strike out nsifchtr, bu; civ* point* if any bi.Xu TWOPENCE IN POSTAGE STAMPS WITH EACH COUfON. IT i <rnvi f ointa scored Point* Scored ilAim. by Wlnner. by Loser. SCOTLAND V. WALES. LLV\ i JN YPIA r. ABEKAVON. TREHERBEKT V. MORR1STON. MOUNTAIN A.^B V. N KAIU N KAIU NAMI: ALILIRESS —————————————— CONDITIONS. The prize of £100 will be given to the com- petitor predicts the actual scores in each of the matches 111 the appended coupon. If no competitor succeeds m giving the actual scores, £ 10 will be given to the competitor whoso predictions axe the nearest to the actual results, or, in the event of a tie, the money will be divided. If any of the selected matches are postponed or abandoned the ElPJ prise will not be awarded, but under any circumstances the £ 10 will be given to the beat coupon. The Supplemental Prizes will be awarded in the order given above. Competitors may send in as many coupons as they like, but every coupon must be accom- panied by 2d. in stamps. The winners will be announced on the Tues- day of each week. Envelope-) containing Coupons must be markod outaide. Football Competition." No person in the employ of the Western Mail Limited is allowed to oomnete.

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OUR FREE GIFT OF BOOKS TO EVERY READER OF THE "EVENING EXPRESS." We are presenting gratis to overy regular lerder of the 'Evening Express" one of the following high-class, cloth-bound, and gold- lettered standard works of English literature: Shabtipeare's Complete Plays and Sonnets; "Vanity Fair." by Thackeray; "The Caxtons," by Lord Lytton; Ernest Maltraver3," by Lord Lytton; "Alice, or The Mysteries," by Lord Lytton, "Iva-nhoc." by Sir Walter Scott; "The Scarlet Letter," by Hawthorne; Mary Bar- ton," by Mrs. Gaskell; Wavs of the Scottish Cavalierw," by Aytoun; "Jane Eyre." by Char- lotte Bronte. The books will be given away at the rate of 24 every day until every reader has received one. Upon the top of the Second Page of the Evening Express eheh day will be found a number, printed in violet ink, which number will be different in every paper that is printed. Keep this number till the folloTrinsr day, and see if it is ffiven in th» list printed below. If your number is givee. take it to either of our offices at Swansea, Newport, Mcr- thyr, or Cardiff, and you will receive either of the above books. If yon cannot conveniently call, tear off the purple number and send it to the "Evening Express" Office, Cardiff, with your name and address and twopence towards the cost of postage, and the book chosen by you will be forwarded to vour address. No person is entitled to a second book. even though he be the holder of a selected number, until every reader has received a book. PURCHASERS of SATURDAY'S Evening Express" bearing the Following Numbers Printed in Violet Ink on the Top Left-hand Corner of Pace 2 are Entitled to a. Book:- 106999 107253 109532 109854 112937 153333 113754 114308 114763 114995 115479 120273 120536 120875 121111 124444 125111 125865 126666 127777 131278 132276 133864 134752 135558 140937 141589 142763 143376 144544 145758

DANCING AT THE AGE OF 114. Centenarians seem to be becoming as com- monas blackberries. The list is increasing every year, and there seems to be no doubt that the present generation will be a much longer-lived one than the last. All kinds of reasons are given for longevity; but in the case of nearly all these reasons instances can be quoted per contra. Heredity, doubtless, has much to do with it, for without doubt longevity runs in families. An extraordinary case sup- porting this view is reported from Sefton Park, near Liverpool, where reside an old couple whose united ages reach 191 years. The husband, a Scotchman, is quite a youngster beside his wife. He is 84, and his wife has reached the patriarchal age of 107 years. The fact is apparently well vouched for, and there are some remarkable records of longevity in the family. Her father died when he waa 100 years of age, and her yomixeit sister is now over 80. More remarkable still, her uncle lived until he waa 115 years of age. He was quite a centenarian when he crosi-cd the Atlantic to see some relatives in Quebec; be returned to Ireland to die.- A year before his death. when he wa,s 114, this uticle, who was always healthy and lively, would dance the Liverpool horn- pipe with considerable grace and ease. He was a sailor, and a .jolly fellow; he had travelled all over the world, suid was always in the fresh air. The old lady is naturally very feeble, and feels that she wants a stronger pair of spec- tacles tha n she did, but she is wonderfully clear in her mind. She was an Imh girl, and, no doubt. a pretty one, for she was selected out of a hew of beauties :0 have, the honour of opening the pute of the Moran Estate for "General Needham on his home-coming after Waterloo. She was not married until she had turned forty by some years, and last year the old couple celebrated the sixtieth "nniversary of their wedding. They have lived happily to- gether, and now her husband watches over her. helps her up and down stairs, and is said to have still something of the air of a. lover. The old couple live very economically, a,nd have some assistance from the local guardians. The old lady says that all her family have had good constitutions, and she has had very little sickness during her loaig career. She haa always been exceedingly temperate; indeed, she declares that she has never known the taste of strong drink. She has been a great reader of the Bible, and can repeat many pas- sages accurately, and without faltering. In fact, her memorv is surprisingly strong. Mrs. Sophia Gray, of Ordnance-place, Chat- ham. has just celebrated the 105th anniversa-ry of her birthday, she having been born on January 10, 1794.

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f THE SECRET OF EGYPT. INCLINED PLANES USED TO RAISE THE PYRAMIDS. A- French scientist has solved, to his own satisfaction, the mystery of the obelisks and the pyramids of Egypt; has shown how, with their crude methods, the Egyptians were able to such elLcrmotB blocks of stone. The mechanical appliances of the Egyptians were so crude that it has been a mystery how they could handle these huge monoliths. Their method is commonly called one of the lost arts. It i; certain that. whatever their method, the anc,ent architects made up in patience and perseverance what they lacked in mechanical skill. The contractors of those days employed thousands of slaves on a single job, and spent years in erecting a single obelisk. The great stones were brought from the Syene ouarries by rafting down the Nile, and were tnen transported for miles by being move'j a few inches a day, and many lives were sacrificed in the work. Some think that canals were dug so that the stones could be floated near their arranged location; in any case, the labour was enormous. The obelisks were quarried many miles from where they were to be erected. The work of hewir^ them out of the rock progressed slowly, because each great obelisk mn:t consist of a sirrrle. comparatively fragile, stone. The Egyptians first cut deep holes and furrows in the rock, which they filled with dry wood. Water was then poured in these cracks until the wood expanded with sufficient force to split the rock. When, at last, the obelisk had been carved, it was floated by water to the nearest landing, placed on rollers, and slowly pushed to the point where it was to be erected. If there chanced to be any hills along the way, the obelisk wa 3 rolled around them, or an opening was cut through them. The stones were so heavy that they could not be propped up in any way with appliances then known, but the Egyptians overcame the difficulty by building a long incline leading up to the spot where the obelisk was to stand. ending abruptly just in front of it. This incline or miniature hill was about as high at its highest point as the length of the obelisk. It consisted of a complicated crib work. built in massive fashion, and covered with sand. The skeleton of this immense incline was something like the scaffolding or trestle work of modern railroad construction, except that it was much heavier. Sand was then hauled on the incline and dumped over it until the trestle work was completely hidden. A road or pavement of smooth stones was laid u,) this incline from the bottom. The incline was a huge affair, since the rise muc,t bo gradual. The obelisk was moved up this toboggan chute construction with infinite labour. An immense amount of time was required, according to our modern standards, t,) raise the stone to the top of the incline. It often happened that the slaves employed would he crushed under the rollers, but the wcrk continued steadily. The obelisk was pushed clear over the edge of the incline until it balanced, and was thus converted into a monster see-saw. The top of the obelisk was then faster! with great cables, and, while thousands of men pulled on the ropes, the great stone was pushed a little further, and allowed to plunge over the end of the incline. A moment later the obelisk. which had been pushed along for years with such patienoe, would be leaning against the incline, probably at an angle of about sixty degree". The height of the incline was calculated with nicety, so tha.t the angle at which the obelisk leaned should not be either too steep nor too flat. The rest of the work was comparatively simple. The ropes which were fastened about the top of the stone were secured to the incline, and the workmen dug away the sand between the base of the obelisk and the foot of the incline. As the sand was moved the stone would gradually settle agaL.ot, the wall of the incline. The cope which held its top prevented it from slipping down to a horizontal position. The obelisk was thus slowly swung ( until it stood erect. The space about the base was thnn filled in, and the obelisk was plajited for centuries. By similar methods the smaller stones u-ed in building the pyramids-smaller. but not small—were probably pushed up to the tops of inclines or runways, and dropped into position in the surrounding sand. Absurdly awkward and slow the?e methods seem to us to-day; our steam derricks raising themselves or structures of their own crea- tion. But this primitive work was so well done that these curious monuments seem able to stand for all time, when not disturbed by man, a lasting testimony to the ingenuity of man.

Don't Delay. If you suffer from Indigestion I or Dyspepsia, take Gwilym E"»in' Quinine Bit.te s It is the best remedy of '.he !i:e. Bot t-<. 2s. 9d. and 4a. 6d. Refuse substi- Btrntt. e4919—2 A SPOTLESS Lotion eiwxrs off all imperfections in a few days PUumles, Roughness, Tan, Umcomfortablo Skin DisflffUrements entirely fade away, leaving a beautiful skin. Shilling Bottles of Sulpholins everywhere. e-4

The "Evening Express" Boys' and Girls' Club (established March 21, 1898), is formed lor the purpose of promoting principles of kindness among young people, and for the mutual interest and instruction of its mem- bers. Buys and Girls, wherever resident, are eligible for membership, provided their age be not less than air or more than sixteen years. The Club now numbers 3.320. Intending members must fill up the Coupon published every Saturday, and for- ward it to Uncle Joe, 'Evening Express." Cardiff. Their names and addresses will be published. and each new Member in entitled to a beautifully-designed certificate. Only Club Members are eligible to eom. pete for the Priree given in this column. The winners must apply to Uncle Joe per- sonally or by letter. Competitors must in every case append fnU name. address, age, and Olnb number, otherwise they will be disqualified. Uncle Joe is always pleased to hear from his Club Members on any matter of interest. FOR THE BEST LETTER. My Dear Nephews and Nieces,-For tho present Uncle Joe will discontinue his prizes for puzzles and the like, but instead he will award books for the best and most interesting letters which reach him each week from his boys and girls. Uncle wants letters on any and every subject. Those which are of inte- rest wil". be published, and books awarded to the writers of the best. FUN FOR THE CHILDREN. John has five oranges, James gave him eleven, and he gives Peter seven, how many has he left?" Before this problem the class recoiled. Please, sir," said a young lad, we always does our sums in apples." Vicar's Wife: Tommy Crowther, you haven't washed your face to-day." Tommy Crowther: 'Taint Sunday." Proud Mother: "Oh, John, the baby can walk." Cruel Father: Good. He can walk the floor with himself at night, then." School Board Member (to teacher): "We was thinkin' of puttin' up a motto over your desk to encourage the children. How would 'Knowledge is wealth' do?" Teacher: "That wouldn't do at. all. The children know how small my salary is." Young Jeweller: Bobby, come here and tell me. like a good little boy. if you ever ] rd your sister Gwendoline saying anything about me. Bobby: Yesterday she said to mamma that it would be a good thing for you if you married her, as then the wedding ring would cost ym nothing, and all her friends would buy the presents at your shop, and perhapb you might sell them afterwards. Scene: A Board School in London.—School Examiner to class: What part of speech is the word "am"? Smart Cockney Youth: What, the 'am" what you eat, sir, or the "am" what you is? Little six year-old Willie accompanied his father to the circus, and among the many strange things that he saw there wa- one elephajit standing on the back of another. "Look, papa," the boy exclaimed, "there's a two-storey elephant!" Anxious Mother: I am afraid Johnny is un- well. Father: My goodness! What does lie com- plain of? Anxious Mother: He hasn't began to com- plain yet, but I forgot to lock the jam cup- board to-day, and there isn't a bit missing." Jack: Halloa, Billy; what did you get for your birthday? Bill: Whole lots of things. Got up late for breakfast, and ma gave me a scolding; got my finger caught in the door crack; and lost my pocket money for a month for breaking a window. Grandma gave me a letter to put in the post-office, and she treated me to a, good talking to for forgetting it. I had to fetch some mutton chops for dinner, but I fell down, and a dog came and ran away with them, so I had to go without any dinner. Joe Brown pricked me with a pin, and I got kept in for shouting in school, and got a hundred lines to write out before I went home. Tumbled down on my way home, and got a grazed nose, and ma sent me to bed for being late." YO #A V (, !Ct 't a Joe,

"WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO TURN UP." Poor Micawber," he was what we should to-day call a cure." We condemn him, and yet we laugh over his follies. What Micawber waited for he hardly knew. Something." he said. Micawber's is not an isolated case. Many people when a good thing does turn up. in fact just the thing they need, don't grasp it. For instance, nearly 50 years ago Page Woodcock, of Lincoln, discovered a wonderful remedy for Indigestion, Biliousness. Wind on the Stomach, Sick Headache, Ac. He has sjient thousands of pounds telling the peop'e all about it, and even now there are those who hesitate. Every hard-driven business man, every tired, weary house-wife, every working man and woman often prevented by their working con- ditions from taking sufficient exercise, should take Page Woodcock's Wind Pills. Mr. J. Welllnghara, Stow Beddon Hall, Attle- boro'. writesSir.—I think it due to say your Pills have done me an immense deal of good, and in my opinion no other Pills can a thousandth part equal them. in fact I cannot speak highly enough of them. You can use this in any way you think fit." • Page Woodcock's Wind Pills being purel.; Vegetable, Tasteless, and Mild and Tonic in their action, may be taken with perfect safety by the most delicate of either ;ex. Page Woodcock's Wind Pills are sold by all Medicine Vendors at Is. lid. and 2s. 9d., Or are sent free for price by Page Woodcock, Lin- coln. E7153—22

The Dean of St. David's gave a very interest- ing lecture on Friday night on We.sli hym"o- logy at the South,place Institute, under the auspices of the London Welsh Mutual Improve- ment Societies' Union, of which Mr. Lloyd- George, M.P., is president. Sir John Puleston was in the chair. "LINSEED COMPOUND" for Coughs and Colds, allays irtitation. Gives immediate relief. 67198-4 LIVER COMPLAINTS.—Dr. King's Dandelion and Quinine Liver Pills, without Mercury, are a patent remedy, remove all Liver and Stomach Complaints, Biliousness, Headaches, Sickneea Shoulder Pains, Heartburn. Indigestion. Con. stipation. e-3 Don't Delay if you feel "out of sorts." Take Gwilym Evans's Quinine Bitters, the Vegetable Tonic. It is the best remedy of the age for various ailments. Bottles. 2a. 9d. and 4a. 6d. Avoid imitations. e4919--1 LINUM CATHARTICUM PILLS, digestive, corrective, and agreeably aperient, 9Jd., 134d. Of all Chemists. e7198—7 A Triumph of the Tea Blending Art— PHILLIPS'S ls. 6d. Tea. Have you tried it? It is distinctly superior to the so-called finest teas." ^2180—3 NIMBLE DICK.—Fire Cigarettes for Id. Best now obtainable. e7291 ( —— — =====—=53 w w

"Had a Severe Attack of 0 Tonsilitis." "I think your valuable Preparation cannot be too highly recommended," t I JAMES W. C. JATER* There are many reasons why Scott's Emulsion is so effectual in coughs, colds, and all affec- tions ot the throat and lungs. After inserting a letter from a. gentleman who was very weak from an acute attack of tonsilitis, we will tell you why Scott's Emulsion has so many uses. Mr. Jater's letter is as follows: — "Montrcse Lodge, "Trnro-road, Wood Green, X., "June 8th, 1898. "Gentlemen,—I had a severe attack of ton- silitis, and was just on the verge of diphtheria. I could not walk for days, owing To the loss of strength. Being advised to take Scott's Emul- sion, I did so, and after three bottles I found I had gained my lost strength and energy, and now I am pleased to say I am quite well again. I was very pleased with the taste of Scott's Emulsion, and think it very palatable. I think your valuable preparation cannot be too highly recommended.—Yours very truly, "(Signed) JAMES W. C. JATER." Scott's Emulsion contains cod-liver oil, glyca* rine, and the hypophosphites of lime and soda.. blended into a perfect and palatable emulsion that does not tax dilation. Cod-liver oil and glycerine are both specifics for affections of the throat and lungs, and the glycerine is also of great advantage because it assists in a quick absorption of the oil into the blood; hence, by making this combination, we not only soothe the inflamed membranes, but we also enrich the blood with properties which give strength and vitality to the whole system. The hypophos- phites aid digestion, feed the nerves, and assist in the general building up of the body. Scott's Emulsion is approved of highly by the medical profession, physicians declaring that it is the best form of cod-liver oil in the world. All chemists sell Scott's Emulsion. You may obtain a sample of Scott's Emulsion by sending threepence to cover postage to Scott and Bowne (Limited), Manufacturing Chemists, 95. Great Saffron-hill, London. E.C.. and mentioning this paper. e7120—1

CHIEF-CONSTABLE OF RAMSGATE, Mr. W. B. Jones, who has recently been appointed chief-constable of Ramsgate. is a native of Monmouthshire, and at one time was engaged in journalistic work on behalf of the "Wesic.'ii Mail." Born in 1867, he was educated, primarily, at a well-known public school at his birthplace, and at the age of ten was fortunate enough to come under the tutelage of the Rev. D. Thomas, the principal master in classics and mathematics at the Baptist College. Originally, intended for the legal profession, he entered the office of a firm of solicitors who had an extensive practice in that county, and for eight years he continued in their employment, acquiring valuable experience in the magisterial department and in the work of the under- sheriff, the coroner, and the county-court. Developing a strong liking for police work, and a shorthand clerk being required in the chief- constable's office in the city of York, Mr. Jones was selected to fill the vacancy. During his career in the ancient city he occasionally assisted in the work of the detective depart- ment, and in October, 1897, he had the gratifica- tion of being one of the selected candidates for the office of chief-constable of the city. After twelve months at York he was appointed sergeant and chief clerk in the Gravesend borough police force, and was quickly pro- moted to the rank of inspector. Upon leaving Gravesend to become the chief-constable of Grantham he was the recipient of some valuable presents. Mr. Jones remained at Grantham for four years, effecting many valuable changes in the force. Amongst other things, he started a now flourishing Shorthand Writers' Association. Mr. Jones, by the bye, is an expert shorthand writer, and is a man of many parts. He became a member of the Scientific Association at Grantham, taking up the study of geology and cognate sciences. A capable musician and an amateur actor of unusual ability, Mr. Jones was also a moving spirit in the formation of an operatic society. While at Grantham he was in the running for the chief-constable ') of several large towns, including Oldham, "hdalo. and Chester. In October, 1898. he 't, unanimously selected from amongst 80 applicants for the position of chief-constable of the borough of liamssate, an appointment which g;ive gsneral satisfaction to public and police alike. Air. J ones has-been' enabled to effect several reforms to the advan- tage of the force and the increased efficiency of the service.

SIR JORX LUBBOCKS REST HUNDRED BOOKS were selected out of a great many thousands and hundreds of thousand*. it, was a very good choice, hut it might not please every one. because there we it? so many othT favourites in the field. It is quite different w;th Horlick's Afaltod Milk. X,) olin who knows its merits would think of selecting any other artificial food for their children, because it is the best of all. All other, require added milk; Horlick's has only to be diluted with hot water. It is also the most nourishing of all. and is so easily digested that no stomach, however delicate. will reject it. It is also an excellent diet for all invalids and dvspeptics Your chemist w;U supply :t. Price Is. 6d.. 2s. 6d., and lis. A free sample will be sent, on application, bv Horlic-k and Co., 34, Farring- don-road, London. E.C. Send for "Freddv's Diary," post free. L15225 A Triumph of the Tea Blending Art— PHILLIPS'S 1.. 6d. Tea. Have you tried it? It is distinctly superior to the so-called "ftnMrt I teas e2160-3 Mrs. Llewellyn, who for many years had kept the Pelican Inn, Ogmore, near Bridgend, died on Sunday morning after a short illness. The annual ball in commemoration of the heroic struggle at Rorke's Drift was held at the Barracks, Brecon, on Friday, the members of the sergeants' mess entertaining a company which numbered close upon 150. Mr. Richard Clarke, one of the oldest inhabi- tants of Gower, died from the effects of a para- lytic stroke at Ileynoldstone on Friday. Mr. W. Watts Williams, J.P., of St. David's, is seriously ill. A woman named Mary Ann Lee is lying at Swansea Hospital suffering severely from burns IMPORTANT TO MARRIED LADIES.—Send Stamped Addressed Envelop* for mogt Valuable Particulars and Testimonials (which are guaranteed genuine under a penalty ot £ 1,000).—Beware of imitators.—A. DASMAIL, Box 387, Langdale. Walthamstow. London. Established half a century. *7104

BUSINESS OF A PROPHETESS Some highly amusing litigation has been occupying the attention of the Paris courts. The defendant in the action in question is Mdlle. Couesdon, a young person who achieved no little notoriety by claiming to be in con- stant communication with the Archangel Gabriel. Unhappily the voyante, after bring- ing off one or two prophecies that seemed to make her a serious rival of Zadkiel. neglected to predict the fall of the Meline Cabinet. Thenceforth her credit was ruined, and it now appears that she has fallen upon evil days. A former associate of Mdlle. Couesdon is suing her for .&100, the pum. it is alleged, being money lent to establish the prophetess in business. The capitalist who promoted this curious concern is a masseuse who attended on Mdlle. Couesdon, and noted she was subject to trances. The masseuse, who doubtless had professional reasons for knowing something of the gullibility of humanity, suggested that her client's physical infirmity might be turned to account, and advanced £100 to instal her in an apartment worthy of the representative on earth of the Archangel Gabriel. A little later a domestic servant was engaged by the firm. She has now sued for her wages, and been awarded some £ 40 and a small sum in damages. Mdlle. Couesdon's defence in this action was instruc- tive. She pleaded that the bonne had not been taken on as a servant at all, but had consented to open the door to visitors and to peel the family potatoes in return for a com- plete initiation into the mysteries of prophecy. In fact, she wag a. sort of apprentice prophetess. —This contention was over-ruled by the Conrt in the regrettable absence from the witness- box of the angel Gabriel.

FOR SAILORS' FRIENDS. FOREIGN ARRIVALS AND MOVBt MENTS OF LOCAL STEAMERS. Gena left Portland for Cardiff 19th. Shilitto left Elba for Marynort 21st. Dawlish passed Dover for Rotterdam 21st. Mary Anning left Cork for Barry 20th. Beignon arrived Newport from Castro 19th. Tredegar arrived Almeria 19th. Gwcntland arrived Bordeaux 19th. Collivaud arrived Bilbao 19th. Merthyr arrived Charente 19th. Treherbert left Glasgow for Bordeaux 20th. Lyndhurst left Bordeaux 20th. Westergate left Bilbao for'Cardiff 20th. Fore-t leit Bilbao for Cardiff 20th. Pomaron left Bilbao for St. Naxaire 21st. Raloo arrived Ronen 2bt. Preston parsed Constantinople for Sulina 20 th. Itaisby left B;Utiinore for Bristol 13th. Newby Ipit, Newport for Marseilles 19th. Selby left (Iraiicrsmnuth for the River Plate. Llanthorry Abbey left Cardiff for Monte Video 20th. Enroka arrived Lisbon 19th. Saltwick arrived Madeira 19th. Watlington left Messina for Bilbao 19th. Slingsby arrived Colombo from Cardiff 19th. Dordogne left Bordeaux for Cardiff 20th.

An inquest was held at Pontypridd on Satar day with reference to the suicide of Mr. Tltoina Williams in an outhouse at Uelli Haf House Graigwen. From the evidence it appeared thai deceased had not been well for some time, but Mrs. Williams, the widow, could not assign any reason for the rash act. A verdict of Suicidt whilst temporarily insane was returned. PHILLIPÉrS Is. 6d. TEA is a Triumph of th, Tea Blending Art. It is distinctly xaperior to tilt to-called finest, teas. Hav. you tried it? el Mr. B. S. Davies, Abergwili, a student oi Oswestry Grammar School and Trinity College Dublin, has been appointed to a mastership at the former institution, where he has acted as organist and choirmaster for a length of time. "LINSEED COMPOUND" (Trade Mark) givet Expectoration without strain, 9jd-. Bid. Sold by Chemists only. e7198—3 A seaman, named Albert Edwards, was on Saturday remanded by the Swansea magistrates on a charge of stealing and receiving a silver watch anid gold chain from the person of Thos. Eaton on Boxing Day last, in conjunction v ith Rose Pengelly. Prisoner was arrested at Jar. diff, and ia alleged to be one of the ma*, queraders in women's attire. The Little English Liver Tonic.—Kernick's Vegetable Pills; dose, one small pill; 7Jd.p Is. lid., and 2s. 9d. per box.—Of all stores. Printed by the Proprietors. Western Mail Limited, and published by them at thoir offioea. St. Mary-street. Cardiff; at their offices. Castle Bailey-street. Swansea; at the shop of Mr. Wesley Williams, Bridgend—all in ths i County of Glamorgan; at the ''Western Mail Office, Newport; at the shop of Mr. J. P. Caffroy, Monmouth, both in the County o. Monmouth; and at the shop dt Mr. Wm Davies, Llanelly. in the County of Car marthen MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 1899. I