The Cambrian

EXPLOSION AT THE HOUNSLOW POWTJER-MILLS.—On Tuesday evening, after .the workmen had left the powder mills of Messrs. Curits and Harvey, at BLounslow, two or three explosions of green charge took place, reports being heard through a radius of nearly half-a-dozen miles. Fortunately no loss of life was the result, and but little personal injury was sustained, only one man, a workman named Randall, being hurt, and it is hoped that the injuries are not serious. FATAL EXPLOSION AT SOUTH SHIELDS:—On Tuesday two men, named Loeke, and Welch, were suddenly killed through an explosion at Bolden Collieries, near Sunderland. T ree others, named Graham, Potter, and fee, was serious y injured. Locke* waa preparing a place for blasting, when by some means an explosion took placb, blowDg Lockey into the air, and killing him instantly. Welch was killed by a flying stone, and the other man were more or less injuyefl in the same way. J,

THE TICHBORNE CASE. WEDNESDAY. (Continued from our Seventh Page.) Ann Welch, was the first witness called on Wednesday. her first husband was Norris, house carpenter at Tich- borne for many years, said she knew Roger Charles Tichborne perfectly well, but never saw him after he entered the army. He used to come to her husband's house for brass-headed nails and screws, and she saw him at Tichborne House. The defendant was Roger Charles Tichborne. Saw him first in Alresford, at Mr. Adams's office, five or six years ago. Her husband and she were sent for. Spoke to the defendant, and then knew him. Had not seen him since until Monday last, and remained of the same opinion. Cross-examined: Norris did not do any carpentering except at Tichborne, and he lived in a cottage in the vil- lage, ten minutes' walk from the house. He was dismissed from his situation. Fancied Roger was about nineteen when she saw him last. Was certain Roger came twice to her cottage, but could not recollect when but it was within two years of her last seeing him. Before the de- fendant came in, Mr. Adams took down what they knew. On the same day she did not sign her name to a paper, or take an oath. What she swore to was that the defendant was Sir RoO"er. Mr. Adams made her kiss the testament, but she was never asked to sign a paper. Had a distiuct recollection of not having signed a paper. The paper pro- duced (an affidavit) seemed to be signed by her, but she had no recollection of it. It was certainly her writing. Had no recollection of signing two papers on the same day. Another affidavit produced she admitted also bore her signature. Both documents were dated on the 1st of July, 1867, and were in the same terms, only they applied to different suits. She had wholly forgotten about the signatures. Mr. Adams, when the defendant came in, asked her if she knew who that gentleman was, and she replied, Sir Roger. Had never clapped her eyes on him since he was nineteen, but recognised him at once as the slim young man she formerly knew. Her memory was not su good now as it was in 1867. It was always good until lately. (Laughter.) Charlotte Holder, a widow, employed as charwoman at Sir Edward Doughty's for seven years, who was examined at the last trial, positively identified the defendant as Roger Tichborne. In cross-examination, she said that all she did at Tich- borne House was to clean the rooms and make the beds. Seldom ever spoke to Roger, and he seldom spoke to her. Saw him go away in a tly from Tichborne after he had left the Carbineers, but could not say when. In reply to Mr. Serjeant Parry, the witness said she saw the defendant several times after his return to Eng- land, but she did not entirely recognise him as Rogwr Tichborne until he spoke to her, as she wanted to hear his voice. Having denied that she had previously seen any photographs of the defendant, attention was called to her statement at the last trial that she had only seen him before in photographs shop windows. She said she had forgotten that, but the photographs which she saw at Winchester were not like Sir Roger. They professed to be likenesses of the defendant. They were something like him, but not so as she would recognise him as Sir Roger. Is the defendant like Sir Roger ?—He is Sir Roger. (Laughter.) Is he like him ?—He is Roger, and I can say nothing more. (Laughter.) Is he like your old acquaintance who went away in a fly from the back door ?-He is Sir Roger. I have proved him in my mind to be Sir Hoger, and I know he is. There is a likeness in his face and appearance to hoger. Is he like him?—He is Roger Tichborne. (Laughter.) Roger spoke gruff. The defendant's voice is gruffer than when he went away. I would say the defendant has a gruff voice. Would you say the defendant's is a husky voice ?—It is not a clear voice. Is that the reason why you recognised him ?—Not in particular. '.I he witness then said she could not recollect whether he had a foreign accent, as she had never heard a foreigner speak. The Lord Chief Justice Did you notice any difference between his manner of speaking and other people's in that district?—No. To Mr. Hawkins I will swear I heard Roger speak. The defendant's voice is the same, except a little gruff. The next witness was another called at the last trial, Ann Noble, wife of Henry Noble, farm bailiff at Tich- borne from 1847 until the death of Sir James. Her hus- band was now in the employ of Mr. Stubbs, the present occupant of Tichborne. She attended to the dairy. Having said that the defendant was Roger Tichborne, she said she recognised him by his features, general ap- pearar ce, and his voice, and also by his walk, which was like Sir J anles 's, ha yillg one knee turned in a little bit. She had no recollection of ever seeing Roger, before he left England, walking to Tichborne with any particular member of the family. First saw the defendant on the 29th of December, ISuG, when he came to the farm with Rouse. Noticed the upper part of his face, and directly thought he must be a member of the Tichborne family and no other. Rouse came, as was his habit, for butter. In February following saw him again, in the street at Alresford, and again in the same month at the Swan. Was perfectly satisfied he was Roger. The witness was then cross-examined as to her first seeing the defendant. Rouse drove up in a gig to the dairy, and the defendant, who did not get out, she saw through the window. He was dressed like a gentleman coming home from sea in cold weather, but be was noli muffled up so as to prevent her seeing the chin, mouth, and face. At the last trial she said the lower part of the face was muffled up. Had heard that Roger was soon expected to arrive iu England, and had grown very stout. Rouse did not say he had got him in the gig. Saw no difference in the defendant's nose. Never heard that Roger's nose was broken before he left England. The defendant's nose might be a little larger. Roger had light-brown hair. The defendant's hair when she saw him at Alresford was precisely the same colour, but it was now darker. Roger's hair was straight, and so was the defendant's at Alresford, but it was a little curly now. Roger had also a long thin face and sallow complexion. Bogle visited her. When the defendant came to Alres- ford the bells were set ringing. When they heard that Lady Tichborne recognised the defendant as her son, they all thought there could be no mistake about the matter. Henry Noble, the husband of the last witness, said the defendant was the Hoger Tichborne he knew. Last saw him in 1853, in Tichborne grounds. Recollected seeing Roger many times grubbing up an ostk tree, with his bare arms, in 1819. There was no mark upon them if there had been he must have seen it. He had dark-brown and very straight hair, and had a twitching of the eyes, or a pinker" in the eyes. (Laughter.) Had seen Roger and Miss Doughty walking about together, without anyone with them in the grounds round the house. Had seen them together alone in the private walk with a wicket at the end, which was kept locked. When he saw the defendant he made him think of old Sir James's walk. Subsequently, at the railway station, the defendant came up and said, Hallo, there's somebody I should know," and he said, Yes, I should think it was." The defend- ant said, "Why, it's Mr. Noble," and he replied, This is Sir Roarer Tichborne, I'll s wear." He said that because he recognised his features and voice. Afterwards, at the Swan, the defendant asked him if he recollected his grub- bing up the roots of an old oak, and he said he did. The defendant also said that he did not finish it, and that it was Lillywhite's brother who did so. Cross-examined I never said I thought there might have been tattoo marks on his arm—that he had the letters R. C. T.—before the defendant arrived in England. I said between October and Christmas, 1866, that I did not see tattoo marks in 1S49. Others said they heard he was tattooed. I don't remember where the conversation took place, and who were present. I never said he was tattoofcd in 1849. I heard it spoken of once or twice before he came home. I am in Mr. Stubbs's employment. He is not a friend of the defendant's. I don't know that old Mr. Stubbs is a friend of the defendant's. At the last trial I said old Mr. Stubbs was his friend. Lilly- white is not now in my employ. Re-examined: The present occupier of Tichborne House is Captain Wiekham, who married Lady Alfred Tichborne since the last trial. Mr. Stubbs rents the farm. I never said that Roger Tichborne had tattoo marks. By the Lord Chief Justice The stump of the tree was a quarter of a mile from Tichborne House. Roger would work at it for three or four hours a day. I had to pass the place in the performance of my dute. Guy was a labourer on the farm at this time. The private walk was close to the house, and the wickets were kept locked to prevent the public and the fami labourers from getting into the private grounds. The Court then adjourned. TICHBORNE WITNESSES. Within the last few days a fresh batch of Australian witnesses to be examined in the Tichborne case has arrived in England. Amongst them is Mr. Walter Cullen, who, it appears held the office of sub-inspector of police in Australia, and who, with some of those who accom- panied him, will it is understood be brought forward to prove the death of Arthur Orton. Mr. Cullen paid a visit to Milton, Sittingbourne, Kent, where his relatives reside, a day or two since. By the next Inman steamer due at Queenstown, some three or four witnesses to be examined on behalf of the Claimant are expected to arrive. In connexion with Mr. Whalley's mission to Canada on behalf of the Tichborne Claimant," it is mentioned that there resides at Springfield, Illinois, an Englishman named John Crowley, a veterinary surgeon, who claims to know the veritable Sir Roger Tichborne. The Chicago Tribune mentions him, and says he is a trustworthy and reliable mam, and that he is quite sure he can prove or disprove the identity of the Claimant, on account of his personal knowledge of the original Sir Roger Tichborne. When Sir Roger was stationed with his regiment in Ire- land Mr. Crowley's mother kept an hotel at Clogher, which was the resort of the officers. Mr. Crowley, then ayoung man, and given to field sports, says he knew Sir +rf\Vnd instructions in horsemanship, and -uri. e5",were much together. Mr. Crowley wants Mr. Whalley to imterview him.

S' mce the resistration under the Reform Act of 'f e, aims °f lodgers in the Metropolis to exercise the franchise are more numerous than they have ever been. They still bear but a small proportion, however, to the number of lodgers entitled to vote. EXILED JESUITS IN LANCASHIRE.—Lancashire, as of old, has become a refuge for exiled Jesuits. Those who have been driven from Germany by the recent edicts promulgated at the instance of Prince Bismarck, and who have dispersed themselves through France, England, Belgium, and the United States, have definitely settled their English novitiate at Dillon Hall. about nine miles from Liverpool, the use of which was granted them some months ago by Mrs. btapleton Bretherton, of Rainhill Her* about one hundred prints and students all German, are located, and the course of their studies is being pur- sued by the Jesuit novices as if in their own cpuntry. Others of tlliJ exiled German Jesuits are settled at Stony- hurst College and St. Beunos, near Rhyl, North Waleg, Daily ooufpwnipatloft is kept up with Germany.

THE GRWAT WESTERN RAILWAY. In days gone by when, the Great Western proprietors, in their love for the magnificent, to which they too often sacrificed the useful, would not have anyone under the rank of a marquis, or at least a privy councillor, to pre- side over them, the position of chairman was not a very agreeable one. Those who placed him in the chair solely because of his rank were unreasonable enough to expect from him the fruits of an experience which he did not possess, and were indignant when he appeared before them to tell them of decreasing dividends, vanishing through cipher at last into the region of blank, into which it was impossible for calculation to follow them. It was piti- able to see poor Mr. Walpole and the late Marquis of Lansdowne endeavour to put a good face upon such a disastrous state of things, and the proprietors vexing and tormenting themselves in the vain endeavour to find out its cause. Disappointed in their idea that practical ability is the unvarying concomitant of high rank, they at last thought, and the thought was a happy one, that it would be well to place in the chair of the company an officer of their own, who, from his experience as their locomotive superintendent, knew not only how the line itself was managed, but every outlet of expenditure connected with the company's works and workshops. In Sir Daniel Gooch they found a man who not only had this know- ledge, but who had also the ability to turn it to account —first, in developing the company's tramc and secondly, in stanching every leakage through which the earnings of the undertaking were dribbled away, and in these and other kindred matters he had the advantage of the great practical knowledge and the business-like qualifications of one of the ablest of railway managers, Mr. Grierson. Hence the great change which has taken place in the fortunes of the company. Sir Daniel's pesition, then, on Thursday was a pleasing one pleasing to himself in the consciousness that he had been the principal agent in bringing about the gratifying change, and pleasing inas- much as he had to address an audience content with a good dividend, and not displeased at receiving a bonus in the issue of the new stock. We see that Sir Daniel agrees with Colonel Packe in thinking that tha extension of the third-class accommodation, however much it may have led to the increase of railway travelling, has not in reality benefited the railway companies, at the returns do not compensate the cost of working. The discrepancy which exists between the receipts of the company as shown in the published weekly returns, and those given in the report just issued, is explained by the facts that, for the first time, the receipts, as well as the expenses, of the Llanelly line are included in the re- venue account. The gross increase of receipts from all sources has been £210,269. This increase has been accom- panied by an increase of sixty-eight miles in the mileage worked by the company, of which sixty-one and a-half is included in the leased lines and six and a-half under the head of foreign lines worked over. With the mileage of last year—viz., 1,569 miles, the gross receipts averaged £ 1,515 per mile on the greater mileage of 1,637 miles in the half-year just closed the average mileage receipts wore £1,580. The published receipts of the Llanelly line, now merged into the Great Western, were for the twenty-six weeks £27,469, and the absorption of the line has added forty-one miles to the mileage of the Great Western. As this line contributes only JSC70 per mile during the half- year, it follows that the increase which has taken place has been due rather to the old line than to the additions which have been made to the mileage. Tue expenditure on capital account on lines open during the half-year has amounted to £156,628, bringing up the total expenditure on the railway to £40,808,25. The extension of the block system and the supply 01 locking junctions have cost £23,346, and a funher su n of J320,000 is required tor this purpose during the current halt-year. This expenditure, as well as that for new sidings and works, doubling of portions of the line, improvements at junctions, new stations, alteration of lines, and a host of sucti like matters, are absolutely indespensible for the safe and efficient work- ing of the traffic. They are not, strictly speaking, remu- nerative work", but they invohe an outlay which cannot be avoided, and which must continue to increase as the traffic and business of the company increases. Many persons are disposed to judge of the progress and prosperity of the railway system solely by its large and continually increasing addition to the gross receipts. It should not, however, be 1< st sig-ht of that this increase of business requires for its conduct increased capital expenditure, which, in it" turn, must absorb its share of the net profits. Large additions to the business upon our railways can no more be secured without outlay tllm could the former return be obtained without the capital which had been then already expended on Ih" construction of the railways. No better evidence could be given of the improved position of this property than the proposal of the directors to issue £1,.500,000 of new ordinary stock at 10 premium. It is but a short time since the question was seriously discussed whether the company could issue ordinary stock even at 50 discount, and the directors of that day would probably have gladly done so if there bad been any probability of success. Instead of an issue4 of ordinary stock at 10 premium, as now proposed, such was the low state of the credit of the company that an issue of six percent, preference stock was made at £80. The five per cent. preference of the Great Western is now quoted 117. Considering the comparatively small proportion of ordinary to preference stock of the Great Western the policy of the directors in deciding to raise new capital by the issue of ordinary stock at a premium naturally commends itself to the favourable opinion of the holders of ordinary stock. The premium re- ceived on this issue will help to make up for the loss occasioned by the issue of the six per cent. Preference at a discount.—Railway News.

PEMBROKE DOCK. HER MAJESTY'S SHIP SEAFLOWER.—This ship, only launched from the Dockyard a few months since, put in here on Tuesday afternoon, having sprung her bowsprit in the gale of Monday night. The Lords of the Admiralty last week refused to comply with the request of the officials employed at Pembroke Dockyard for an increase of salary. Their lordships (the Civilian says) took ten months to consider the matter. The 9th Regiment of Foot arrived here from the Autumn manoeuvres by the troop ship Tamer," on Saturday, and a number of the 103rd came by the Pembroke and Tenby line. A large number of persons assembled to see the dis- embarkation, and the band of the 9th played from Hobb's Point to the encampment. ACCIDENT,—A steamer left Hobb's Point for Haverford- west on Saturday afternoon. It returned about nine o'clock, all on board being thoroughly drenched. An accident oc- curred on the return voyage, a small boat being upset, and several persons precipitated into the water. Happily no lives were lost. The excursion itself, so far as numbers were concerned, and the management, wa.s a success.

The Ashby and Nuneaton Railway was opened for pas- senger traffic on Monday. This new line has occupied nearly four years in construction, and is the joint pro- perty of the Midland and London and North-Western Railway Companies. SERIOUS EXPLOSION ON BOARD A STEAMER.—On Tues- day afternoon a fearful gunpowder explosion occurred on the mail steamer King Orry, plying between Liver- pool and Douglas, as she was approaching the latter port. A seaman, named Mylchrast, was taking a charge of powder out of a canister in the bulkheads. A pas- senger threw a lighted fusee down a ventilator, which fell into the powder, and a terrible explosion resulted. The bulkheads wera blown to splinters, which flew in all directions among the passengers crowded in the forcastle. Mylchrast was terribly burned, and several of the passengers were seriously injured. There was great alarm among the passengers. TREMENDOUS FALL OF EARTH AT LIMA.—A despatch from Havana, dated August 19, states that late advices from Lima and Peru report a serious accident had oc- curred sixty mil 's from the city. A body of earth, estimated at 10,000,000 cubic yards, fell from a mountain side into a valley, severely injuring a number of persons, and damming up a river, the water of which had risen 109 feet above its usual height. Engineers were of opinion that the water would soon burst its barriers, when it would rush towards Lima, sweeping everything before it, and submerging the lower portion of the city. Several towns in Chili had been greatly damaged by earthquakes. ADULTERATION OF COCOA.—Mr. D'Eyncourt has dis- missed the summons against a grocer named Kirby, who was charged, under the third section of the Adulteration of Food Act, with selling cocoa adulterated with cane sugar, arrowroot, and starch, stating that there was no fraud at all III selling that which ha.d been recognised by the trade for fifty years as cocoa, and that he felt it would be impossible to convict in the case. This decision causes us as much surprise as it does regret, for the statements of manufacturers that cocoa cannot be powdered without the addition of another substance is as contrary to fact as that the presencel of starch assists the solubility of ctcoa, |whereas starch can only render it more miscibla in water. The Act renders the sale of mixetJ-food without notification penal, whereupon the manufacturers defend the grocers so selling the mixed article, and Messrs. Dunn & Hewett advertise that they will not admit the term adulteration." We fail to see why cocoa that ha.s for fifty years been sold adulterated with starch should not come into the same category with milk which from time immemorial has been diluted with "Simpson" both are mixtures, and as such cannot legally be sold without the notification required by the above-named Act.-The Lancet. DARING ROBBERY OF £ 5,000.—The watering-place of Weston-super-Mare has just been the scene of a mi st daring and impudent robbery. The Rev. T. P. Thirkill, of Cheltenham, has of late been residing at 10, Claremont- crescent in that town, and in his b,»droom, on the ground-floor, kept his despatch box, containing Turkish Six per Cent. Bonds, Egyptian Government Seven per Cent. Bonds, Canada Government Six per Cent. Bonds, Certificates of North British, Great Eastern, Bris'ol and Exeter, and Sheffieid Railways stock, notes of hand, bank notes, and other valuables, representing about £ '5,000 sterling. Last week this box was missirg from its place in the wardrobe, and on inquiry being made •uspicion fell on a fashionably-dressed young ma'1 who had been seen to leave the house by one of the domestics, but, at the time, the latter was disarmed of all suspicion by the intruder's respectable appearance. The suspicion is considerably strengthened by the fact that a young man answering the same description bad surreptitiously entered the residences of several other of the gentry of the town, stealing in one instance an aluminium watch, the property of Major Nutt, and in another a gold chain, with seal and key attached, the property of Mr. J. Etwell. The thief was seen to leave the premises of both the last-named gentlemen, but his apparent re- spectability allayed all suspicion. On Saturday evening a reward of £100 was offered for the apprehension of the thief, and the robbery has been communicated to the Stock Exchange and the principal Continental pa arts.

LLANELLY. MR. HALLIDAY AT LLANKLLY.—On Saturday after- noon last a mass meeting was held at the field called the Mount or Pencastell. Mr. Abraham, the agent for the Amalgamation Association of Miners, was voted to the chair, after which he gave a short address. The first resolution that was carried was—" That the meeting expresses its gratification at the good feeling now exrt- ing between the employers and employed of this district and hopes that the present relations will be maintained and that in future all difficulties that may arise will be arranged by a Board of Conciliation. That to attain that end it is desirable that the miners of this district should have their wants represented in the House of Commons, and the meeting promises to use all its en- deavours, together with the miners of Merthyr district, to return Mr. Halliday at the next general election." The second resolution was—"That this meeting is of opinion that the time has arrived that the weighing, clauses of the Miners' Act should come into operation, and pledges itself by all legitimate means in its power to get the imperial ton established throughout the district." Mr. Halliday spoke regarding the work connected with the association, and advocated the weekly wages bill, and getting a Trade Unions' Act. He also reviewed the history of the association in a long address. Mr. DavId, Morgan, Mountain Ash, also addressed the meeting. It is we are informed intended to hold such meetings annually. After votes of thanks were proposed to the speakers and to Sir John Stepney, M.P., for his kindness in lending the ground the meeting was brought to a close.

The death is announced of Carl Wilhem, the composer of the Wacht am Rhein." The Daily News has reason to believe that it is in contemplation to raise Sir John Coleridge to the Bench, probably with a peerage, and that the offices of Attorney-General and Solicitor-General will be filled by Mr. Watkin Williams, Q.C., and Mr. Henry James, Q.C, The Sunderland publicans are in a state of alarm at the action taken by the licensing magistrates this week. At the annual Brewster Sessions for the Borough, on Tuesday, the Mayor said the magaistrates had decided upon giving the necessary notices for shortening the hours on Sundays by closing at nine o'clock, and they would also give notice that puplic-houses should not open until seven o'clock in the morning. Mr, Brights first public act as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is one which will be received with satisfaction. He has removed from the commission of the peace Mr. Robinson, of Oldham, one of the gentlemen publicly convicted and fined for taking part in the recent sport of cock fighting at Wea- verham. A gentleman with such proclivities is not a fit and proper person to occupy the position of justice of the peace. ETON COLLEGE.—A correspondent of the Tiroes, who signs himself A Victim,' has brought some serious charges against the tutors of Eton College. It appears that a letter has 0 been received by some 600 gentlemen containing a proposal to add £12 a year to the payments made by parents for the boarding of each boy. In protesting against this increased charge, the writer accuses the Eton tutors of making an excellent profit out of the sums now paid for the boys' board and lodging, with living themselves in a style far in advance of what is suited to them, with denouncing the conduct of boys to their parents on the most trivial pretext., and fina'lylwith neglecting, a 1\ body, to perform their duty to the boys. On the question 01 expen- diture for board the writer goes into an elaborate calculation at the cost of keeping house at a tutor's or dame's, and makes out that the total annual expense for a house containing thirty boys would be about £1887 eut of a sum of P31,50 now received from the parents for board alone. This leaves to the tutor a profit of £1,26:3,on board, in addition to the £630 10s. in tuition, making a total income from his house of £1893. The letter of A Victim "will doubtless lead to a thorough ventilation of this subject, for many parents suspect that not only at Eton, but at many minor schools a rich harvest is reaped out of the money paid as fees for boarding. A STRANGE PRESENTIMENT.—A London Correspondent men- tions the following instance of a very remarkable presenti- ment -A young clergyman had lately been presented to a valuable living in the neighbourhood of Norwich, and, on the strength of his good fortune, was about to be married. Shortly before his marriage lie walked to his future home, and, being rather weary with his walk, he threw himself upon a sofa and fell asleep. While he slept he dreamt, and this was his dream —He thought that he was married, and had gone for his wed- ding trip to Switzerland; he stayed at Interlaken, and (so his dream went) while he was there he was seized with typhoid fever, died, and his body was brought to England and buried in his own churchyard. So vivid was the dream that when he awoke he told it to his friends. So much impressed were they with it that it became a topic of convereation, and when the young clergyman married they strongly advised him to spend his honeymoon in some other part of the world than that which in imagination had proved so disastrous. But, as if driven by fate, the bridegroom chose, of all countries in the world, Switzerland, and, of all towns in Switzerland, Interlaken and while he was there caught typhoid fever, died, and his body was brought to England and huried in his own churchyard. BAD WEATHER IN THE ATLANTIC.—A Plymouth cor- respondent telegraphs to the Pall Mall Gazette:—"We must expect to hear before long of terrible disasters having occurred in the Atlantic. The American mail steamer Hanmionia reports having, on the 24th of August, encountered in latitude 42'30 North, longitude 56 West, a hurricane so tremendous that a less well-appointed and well-managed ship could not have survived it. The storm began on Sunday afternoon, and that night a succession of mountainous waves broke over her, threatening immediate destruction. The main skylight, hatchway, and companion heads were torn away, .,nd down the openings thus left, as with the ill-fated London, heavy seas poured, swamping the cabins, wrenching away tables and fittings, and drenching in their berths the 160 passengers. With great energy the openings thus left were temporarily battened over, the water pumped out, and the Hammonia lay to for a day and two nights, during which the gale lasted. Three of her boats were carried away and the engines received damage. The Russian Admiral, Governor of Cronstadt, was on board, and testified to the excellent way in which the ship was handled during and after the storm. Many groups of wreckage were passed, testifying to the destruction wrought upon unknown ships. BABY SHOW.—A gala was given at the Great Eastern Hotel, Liverpool. There were various amusements pro- vided but what seemed to be the greatest attraction was that not very common exhibition called a Baby Show." Prizes were offered for the heaviest and finest baby under 12 months old for the heaviest and finest baby under two years for the handsomest baby for the handsomest twins for the neatest dressed baby and for the smallest and lightest baby. Altogether there were about 30 babies entered for competition, but for the prize for twins there were n. competitors. Six ladies were chosen from the audience to act as judges, but their decisions were not, as a rule, well received by the ladies whose children were entered for competition, each mother fondly thinking her own darling most worthy of the prize. The following was the result of the adjudication-.—Hannah Kelly, weight 2st. 121b., 15 months old, took the first prize for the finest baby under two years old Sarah Ann Jones, 61b. weight and eight weeks old, was the smallest and light- est baby; the heaviest and finest under twelve months old was Violet Kerrush, weight 1st. 1341b., ten months old; neatest and best dressed, Hannah Phillip, eight months old Alice Ann Weil, 1st. 131b., took the prize for the handsomest child. THE WORKING OF THE LICENSING ACT.—At the annual licensing session at Lawford's-gate on Saturday, the Right Hon. Stephen Cave, M.P. (the chairman), congratulated the justices upon the satisfactory reports they had heard of the working of the new Act during the last year, and of the very improved reports they had received of the character and conduct of licensed houses and those who frequented them. This had been so much the case, that out of 73 ale-houses and 160 beerhouses, only six had been fined. He thought it was the experience of everyone that the reduction of hours had worked extremely well, whatever cases of drunkenness there might have been— and he had occasionally seen statements 0 that there had been more cases of drunkenness under the new Act than before, and that there had been drinking illegally in un- licensed houses. That might, or might not be the case; but what was of more importance was that the streets of the villages and the roadways had been very much more quiet, and therefore there had been a great increase of comfort to well-conducted and respectable people who were obliged to be out late in the evening. If there had been infractions of the law they would be punished but it was of great consequence to the community that the public peace had been better kept than in former times; therefore, the magistrates ha.d decided to retain the hours as now. The imes holds that a year's experience shows that the Licensing Act has been working bene- ficially for its direct and. immediate purpose. At the brewster sessions in various towns the concurrence of opinion to this effect was almost universal. It was not, for the most part, alleged that drunkenness had been actually on the decrease—indeed, the returns often pointed in the opposite direction but it was almost everywhere stated that public order had been better pre- served.

We do not hold out selves »expansible for the opinions and sentiments expressed by our Correspondents.

THE REPRESENTATION OF CARMARTHEN- SHIRE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,—Having read in The Cambrian and Standard that I had been requested to stand for the county of Carmar- then, I desire to say that I could not presume to do so, when I know so many in the county more eligible thail myself; neither could Icomein on Conservative principles. I am, Sir, your obedient Servant, COURTENAY MANSEL. Lingfield House, Wimbledon, Sept. 3, 1873. [The information was forwarded us through post from a respectable house in London with an assurance on the part of the writer that he could guarantee its truth.]

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,—I am about to take a journey on the Great Wes- tern Railway let me see, shall I go- First-class express, or First-class ordinar y ? Second-class express, or Second-class ordinary ? Third-class expo ess, Third-class ordinary, or Third-class Parliamentary ? Only fancy how accommodating the Great Western Rail- way Company is The choice of seven classes Miners travel first-class now-a-days, so here goes for tbinl-ckfs Parliamentary so early in the morning"—and succcss to the Great Western Railway Company. Yours, &c., A LOVER OF Choice,

FOOD PROSPECTS AND PRICES. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." The report of the Veterinary Department of the Privy Council for 1872 contains tables showing the num- ber of animals in Great Britain the fluctuations in the price of meat; the number of imported animals foreign statistics, &c. The average price of live stock was about one farthing per lb. more than in 1^71. There is nothing in the report which gives any hope of a reduc' tion in price on the contrary, statistics show that not only in Great Britain, but in most European countries, there has been, during the last fifty years, a steady rise." — Food Journal. SIR,—I have placed this striking extract at the head of my letter because it states, in a most explicit way, what is before us In respect of at least one description of food —butcher's meat. The Privy Council reports are well worth the attention of both food consumers and food | producers, and the Food Journal, a respectable and well- informed publication, has shortly summarised the effect of the latest of these reports in the lines which I have extracted. Of course, this result is perfectly natural, and need surprise nobody. With a population steadily increasing, with wages generally rising, with a limited surface of land for the production of grain, cattle, &c., it is obvious that there will be an increased demand for butcher's meat; that this demand cannot be supplied to any con- siderable extent, and that prices must rise. Foreign im- ports may in some measure modify this result, and it is possible that by the cultivation of our waste lands, and by improved methods of agriculture, the home supply may be increased. Homesteads and cottages may be destroyed, as they have been by hundreds, more particu- larly in Ireland and Scotland, small holdings may be con- verted into large farms, stock may be bred instead of men, and a larger rent may be obtained by the landowner. But the economies of the matter are plain and inevitable, and even these measures can have but trifling effect in reducing the price of flesh, while they will necessarily diminish the aggregate supply of food produced. In one direction only can we look with confidence for any real relief—to better knowledge of the chemistry of food, and better, more skilful, and more economical methods of cooking. There can be no question that English soil is able to produce food ample for the supply of even double our present population, and if these im- portant subjects were more studied, and the knowledge gained intelligently acted on if our land were cultivated to the best result, and we ceased to waste our resources and to <1efile our rivers by throwing away our best fer- tilising products, our difficulties would quickly disappear. Indeed, to a very large extent these difficulties lie— in ti e kitchens. It is time that the thrifty, or would-be thrifty housewife learnt that peas and beans, for instance, costing bulk for bulk, not one-third the price of butcher's meat, afford very much more nutrition; that brown bread is vastly more wholesome, as well as more econo. mical than the pale white article sold by the bakers, or made at home from "super" flour that oatmeal porridge is excellent food for growing children, though it may not be quite the fashion for young ladies that a pood basin of soup, if people would only learn how to make soup, is worth a dozen cups of tea; and that fruit in its season eaten ripe or stewed, would prove more agreeable medi- cine than pills, as well as save a good many doctor's fees. But perhaps this kind of knowledge is much too homely for modern ideas, so the British householder must go on as befure, eating dinners which are not always either sub- stantial or enjoyable, but always costly, and occasionally varied with a little indigestion. Let ns hope, however, that the International School of Cookery may teach us all a lesson, and that improved and economical cookery will become more general than it is. There is one set of people whom this matter does not touch at all and who seem perfectly unconcernlild about it—the Vegetarians. Flesh may rise or it may fall, and they remain equally indifferent. Certainly they seem none the worse for their novel kind of total abstinence, and perhaps we may learn something even from them. It may not be generally known that they have a Society devoted to the propagation of their views, with an office in Manchester (91, Oxford-street), where their publica- tions are kept. They have for president no less dis- tinguished a man than Professor F. W. Newman. They publish a monthly magazine, the Dietetic Reformer, and their Penny Cookery, of which many thousands have been sold, is a useful and suggestive little manual for any cook or housewife. I mention this as information for your lady readers, and I beg to remain, Sir, faithfully yours, AN OLD-FASHIONED HOUSEKEEPER. +

A NUISANCE. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,—Will you kindly allow me through the medium of your valuable paper to direct the attention of our esteemed (but alas apparently dormant) sanitary autho- rities to the disgraceful and unbearable nuisance which is being continually committed in Goat-street—not a hundred miles from the ruins of what once was our Police station. The worthy authorities above referred to must indeed be very defective in their visual organs not to observe this nuisance and even if their optics fail they are still unjustifiably wrong, for a man stone blind and at a distance of twenty yards, would be able, from his sense of smelling, to form a pretty accurate idea of the state of things carried on and tolerated there. Unfortunately for several large business houses in Temple-street (some of whom employ their scores of hands, I a great number being females) they have nG private front entrances to their premises, so the only mode of egress to r the street is by way of the back, through a dark, dirty and every way a most uninviting passage. This passage at dusk is the scene of such disgusting and indecent pro- ceedings, that respectable people, more especially females, abhor the idea, much more so the act, of passing through it; and on many occasions ladies have been known to wait for twenty minutes befor they could obtain a clear way through. How long this state of things will be permitted to last, heaven only knows, I do not; but this I do know that if not remedied very soon, those ladies (and you can take my word for the men as well) who are unavoidably obliged to pass daily through through this spot will form a revolutionary band and fight for at least an abatement of this crying nuisance, and more than this our town may yet have to pay dearly in the shape of lives exposed to and smitten by pestilence arising out of this nuisance, and all being the result of the reckless carelessness of our sanitary authorities. I am, yours faithfully, A SUFFERER. [We readily insert the letter in the hope that the nuisance complained of may be abated—for we know from our own observation that the nuisance is very great in- deed hut it strikes us that the passage complained of is private property and the sanitary authority cannot there- fore interfere as requested. Would not a gate at the entrance with a lamp over it prevent much of the nuisance ? Each person who has a right of ingress and egress could be provided with a small key. The expense of the whole work would be better as compared with the present evil. —ED.J

THE GAS QUESTION. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,—It is quite refreshing to see the unanimity pre- vailing on this question, The press, the public, and all gas consumers are agreed that either we must have a new Gas Company in Swansea, or the management of the present one must undergo a radical change, or be passed oyer to new hands. It seems to me that it would be hoping against hope to expect better things of the present Gas Company. For a long time they have had it all their own way—everything the executive has done has been done with a high hand at the expense of the exorbitant charges levied upon the numerous gas consumers of Swansea. With what gusto the privileged few, sitting in the sumptuous board-room at the Gas Works, have rubbed their hands, and exclaimed, "Well done!" "Capital!" Excellent accompanied with many other exclamatory cheers as the Chairman has annually declared the ap- propriation of 10 per cent to the shareholders. Capital fun, no doubt, and quite congenial to human nature. Who would'nt like to invest their money at ten per cent. certain ? Who would'nt join in the chorus, and cry out, Bravo, Messieurs Bravo the management! l'en per cent. Ten per cent. It is very nice On reflection, however, I find that all this fun amI exultation is at the expense of the town, and that the extraordinary charges levied on the poor gas consumers explain all this exultation. What I say, therefore, is this,—Let-the present Gas Company alone and start a new one, especially as the town is growing so rapidly in every direction and if the Corporation choose to become their own gas-makers, so much the better. It is pretty clear that in that case the gas consumers would get a better gas for nearly half the price, and then the interests of the public will be consulted, instead of giving all the consideration and enrichment to the shareholders of the present Swansea Gas Company. The gravity of this question to the public cannot be stated in words, and it is almost folly to attempt to write letters about the subject. It is, however, fortunate that the instincts of the gas consumers are becoming audible, and that the burden and the heavy penalty they have the instincts of the gas consumers are becoming audible, and that the burden and the heavy penalty they have been subjected to so long will he shortly removed. There is another question connected with the Swansea Gas Company which I cannot help reviewing. It will be remembered that Lord Russell's Act expressly provided that no member of the Town Council should trade with a Corporation in any way. How has it come to pass, then, that such a contravention of the Act—such a wholesome provision—has been so abused ? Can it be possible that a clause was smuggled into the new Swansea Gas Company (by those who dominated at the Board at that moment) practically quashing the whole spirit of Lord Russell's Act? In whose favour was this local Act of Parliament passed ? What was the composition of the Town Council at the time the new Swansea Gas Com- pany received its powers? How many members of the then Town Council held shares, and what was the aggre- gate amount of the said shares ? The public lias just now awakened to curiosity and awaits the answer. Ihe Town Council board must be the arena where the highest principles of integrity prevail, and the members com- posing it must be the guardians of the public honour as well as the public purse. The formation of a new Gas Company is a foregone conclusion. There is really no necessity for argument when the price of gas averages a third moie than in other places. And I appeal to the business capacity of the present Mayor to give this ques- tion its initial force, and aided by Mr. Alderman Jenkins, and guided by the unerring legal acumen of our Town Clerk the success of a new Gas Company will be secured. I am, Sir, yours truly, ANOTHEB CONSUMER.

TOWN IMPROVEMENTS. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." Sir,-Permit me space to correct an error in my letter of last week on the above subject. I estimated the amount required for the improvements suggested at £ 50,000, which would involve the annual outlay, in interest and repay- ment, of £2,500, and not B-5,000, as stated in my letter, supposing the money could be borrow j(l at, the rate of four per cent., allowing one per cent. per annum for the repayment of the principal. I have to apologize for the mistake, And am, Sir, Your most obedient Servant, JAMES ROGERS. P. S.—The present and past rate of interest paid on the debt on the Corporation estate is 5 per cent Surely this ought not to be, considering the value of the pro- perty, which is now estimated of the value of £ 200,000.

THE LIBRARY OF THE SOUTH WALES ROYAL INSTITUTION. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,-By a circular that was handed to me the other day, I learn that the yearly subscription to the library of the above Institution is one guinea, which must be paid at certain dates. Why should the dates be fixed? That which is useful should be convenient. Then, why cannot a member commence his yearly subscription at any date? 1 have a mind to become a member a few months hence, but I don't relish the idea of paying fifty per cent. more for a short period to complete the yearof the Institution, when I have the guinea by me to pay for twelve months. The circulating library with which I am now connected has no fixed dates one may begin whenever he pleases. Why should the rules of the library of the Royal Insti- tution be different from others ? I am, Sir, respectfully yours, ERUDITION. August 28th, 1873.

THE ISLAND HOUSE. — A SUGGESTION TO THE WEALTHY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,-I yesterday read in my London paper the follow. ing paragraph: MUNIFICENT GIFT—A handsome park was presented to the people of Birmingham yesterday, in the name of Miss Ryland, a benevolent lady to whom the town is indebted for many previous benefactions. The estimated value of the gift is £ 30,000. It was an express stipu- lation of the donor that there should be no public demon- stration on the occasion of the opening, and the ceremony yesterday consisted only of the presentation of the key of the gates to the Mayor, by Mr. Alderman Ryland, in the name of his sister, and the distribution of a short printed message from the lady among the 10,000 or 12,000 per- sons present." ft Upon reading of this noble presentation to Birmingham I could not help thinking that a splendid opportunity presents itself to some of Swansea's wealthy merchants or millionaires to do something after the same fashion, and hand their names down to posterity as the greatest promoters of public improvements which ever existed amongst us. Ten thousand pounds, or one-third of the Birmingham gift, given by one of ouv wealthy men, would buy up and raze to the ground that abominable, ugly nuisance—the Island House. The other improvements— widening Castle-street, &c.-would follow subsequently. Let one of our millionaires carry out the suggestion, and I guarantee that on the present site of the Island House would be erected a splendid Monumental Drinking Foun- tain and Pedestal to his honour, in token of the gratitude which the whole town would feel towards him! Yours, &c., PROGRESS. Swansea, September 3rd, 1873.

SWANSEAT HOSPITAL^ An Abstract of the Resident Medical Officer's Report to the Weekly Board, from Aug. 28 to September 4, 1873. IN-DOOR PATIENTS. Remained by lastreport 44 Admitted since 6 -50 Disciiarged, cured, and relieved 7 Died. 0- 7 Remaining. -43 OUT-DOOR PATIENTS. Remained by last report 300 Admitted since 55 -355 Discharged, cured, and relieved 60 Died 1-61 Remaining 294 Visited at home—10 new 37 old. MEDICAL OFFICERS FOR THE WEEK. Physician. Dr. Paddon. Surgeon Mr. A. Davies. JOHN LLOYD, L.R.C.P., &c., Resident Medical Officer. Committee who attended Mr. David Williams, in the Chair; Messrs. J. W. Clark, F. J. C. Scott, Col. Morgan, William Stone, H. W. Crowhurst, John Jones, John Lewis, James Goodall, Joseph Hall, B. R. Harvey, Thos. Hall, M. B. Williams, R. H. Hancorne, A. Davies- Sunday religious services performed by the Rev. S. Higman and Mr. Parnell. -Wednesday, Mr. David Griffiths, L.A., S. Mary's. N.15.- Parcels of old linen, and other useful articles, will be thankfully received by the Matron. J anN W. MORRIS, Secretary.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. Receipts for week ending Aug. 31, 1873 £ 112,835 0 0 Corresponding week 1872 £107,794 0 0 SWANSEA VALE RAILWAY. Receipts for week ending Aug. 30, 1873 £1004 0 0 Corresponding week last vear £ 903 0 0 TAFF VALE RAILWAY. Receipts for week ending Aug. 30, 1873 £ 7481 0 0 Corresponding week, 1872. £ 7319 0 0 E1380 0 0 Corresponding week last year f1521 0 0 BRECON AND MERTHYR RAILWAY. Receipts for week ending Aug. 31, 1873 £ 1586 11 4 Corresponding week last year, 1872 £ 1479 12 10 HIGH WATER IN SWANSEA HARBOUR FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. HIGH WATER. I HEIGHTS. Week Day3. Morn. Even. £ °",ery "af?.d Chan. Bridge. Works SEPT. H. M. H. M. F. I. P. I. F. I. Saturday 6 5 37 6 3 23 23 19 3 15 9 Sunday 7 6 24 6 46 2-1 9 20 9 17 3 Monday 8 17 9 7 30 25 7 21 7 IS 1 Tuesday 9 7 51 8 11 25 5 21 5 17 11 Wednesday. 10 8 31 8 50 24 6 I 20 6 17 0 Thursday 11 9 11 9 29 22 8 IS 8 15 2 Friday 12 9 43 10 8 20 5 10 5 12 11 MOON'S AGE Full Moon, 6th, 211. 9m. p.m.

SWANSEA. GOVERNMENT SAVINGS' BANK, HEATHFIELD-STREET, SWANSEA. (ESTABLISHED IN THE YEAR 1S27.) Open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from Eleven until Two o'Clock. Open on Saturday evenings from Six until Eight o'Clock. EDWARD J. MORRIS, Actuary.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. WWe cannot insert notices of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, unless the persons who send them attach their names and places of abode. BIRTHS. On the 29th ult., at Devon Terrace, Swansea, the wife of Mr. James Banfield, of a son. On the 1st inst., at Xo. 8, Edward-street, Swansea, the wife of Capt. George Woolley, of the barque "Tocapilia," of a daughter. On the 26th ult., at London Road, Hafod, the wife of Mr. G M. Cleese, of a daughter. On the 29th ult., at 40, Balaclava-street, St. Thomas, Swansea, the wife of Mr. Griffith Abraham, of a daughter. On the 23rd ult., at Cwmffrwd, Carmarthenshire, the wife of Owen Wilson, Esq., prematurely, of a son—still-born. MARRIAGES. On the 4th inst., at St. James's Church, Swansea, by the Rev. E. B. Squire, vicar, Colin William Mackenzie (formerly of Latlieron, Ctiithnesssliire), to -Margaret Anne, eldest daughter of the late William Glassbrook, Esq. On the 31st ult., at the Wesleyan Chapel, Swansea, by the Rev. W. Nicholson, Eli Sladen, shoemaker, Dillwyn-street, to Mary Ann, second daughter of the late W. Ridd, flour merchant, Waterloo-street, Swansea. On the 28th ult., at Bethany Chapel, by the Rev. W. Williams, Mr. Thomas Morgan, of London, to Elizabeth H. Tamplin, niece of Alr. D. H. Rees, 21, Bellevue-street, Swansea. On the 30th ult., at Llansamlet Church, by the Rev. E. Lloyd Davies, Mr, Robert J Price, of Kilvey, tn Miss Mary A. Phillips, second daughter of Mrs. James Hume, Spring Bank Cottage, Lonlas, near Neath. On the 28th ult.. at Saint Thomas's Church, Neath, by the Rev. John Griffiths, rector, Tom Skelton Xash. to Ellen Gwenllian, youngest daughter of the late O. C. Edmond, Esq., Peninsular and Oriental Company. Oil the 28th ult., at Easton Grey, Wilts, by the Rev. Canon Jackson, rector of Leigii Delamere, and the Rev. Canon Frampton, vicar of Tetbury, Robert Francis Lascelles Jenner, eldest son of the late Robert Francis Jenner, Esq., of Wenvoe Castle, in this county, to Laura Frances, youngest daughter of the Rev. William S. Birch, rector of the parish. On the 24th of July last, at Du Toit's Pan. Diamond Fields, Drummond Miles, only surviving son of the Rev. Sir William Dunbar, Bart., rector of Walwyn's Castle, Pembrokeshire, to Maria Louisa Hancorn, fourth daughter of the late John Hancorn Smith, of Melville Park, Lower Albany. DEATHS. On this (Friday) morning, Sept. 5th, of diptheria, after 7 days' illness, aged 2 years and six months, Jessie, the youngest and beloved daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vaughan Wright, Sketty. On the 3rd inst., at Fabian's Terrace, St. Thomas, Swansea, Annie, eldest daughter of Capt. George Rosser, aged 24 years. On the 27th ult., at York-street, Swansea, aged 75 years, deservedly respected by all who knew him, Mr. Thomas Bidder, for many years rigger at this port. On the 2nd inst., at his residence, Griffin," Strand, Swansea, deeply regretted, Mr. William Jones, an old and highly res- pected inhabitant of the town, aged 59. On the 27th ult., at his residence, Pell-street, Swansea, after a short illness, Peter Frederick, youngest son of Mr. Richard Beynon, aged 18 years and 8 months, deeply regretted by a large circle of friends. On the 23rd ult., at his resid nee, Danygraig, Pembrey, Mr. Thomas Roderick, in the 82nd year of his age. Oil the 23rd ult., Mr. William Gower, for 20 years clerk at the Pembrey Church, aged 61 years. On the 22nd ult., at Penybank, Llangathen, Carmarthenshire Benjamin Morgan, Esq., aged 63 years. On the 21st ult., at his residence, Pembroke Dock, Thomas Lewis, Esq., of Norchard, aged 68 years. Printed by Steam Power, and Published by ROWEL WALTERS WILLIAMS, at the CAMBRIAN OFFICE, No. 58, Wind-street, Swansea, in the County of Glamorgan.—FRIBAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1373.