The Cambrian

LOCAL FIXTURES FOR THE FORTHCOMING WEEK. TO-DAY (FRIDAY), FEBRUARY 29. Mr. Charles Collette and Comedy Company, at the New Theatre, Wind-street. Florentine Venus, with Lectures, at the Albert Hall. MONDAY, MARCH 3. "Taken from Life," at the New Theatre, Wind-street, and during the week. TUESDAY, MARCH 4. A Public Lecture. illustrated with diagrams and geological specimens, by Dr. Samuel Kics, F.R.A.S., &c., at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, at 8 p.m. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6. Free Lecture at the Royal Institution by Mr. Wm. Terrill, F.C.S., on" Explosive Agents," with experiments. THURSDAY, MARCH 6. Dr. Parry's Oratorio of "Emmanuel," at the Albert Hall. Full band and Chorus of 300 performers. FUTURE FIXTURES. WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, April 23 & 24.—Bazaar in aid of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Chapel New Schoolroom Building Fund, at the Albert Hall. For particulars of the above see our Advertising Columns.)

JCocal Intelligence. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT.—ALPHA, YSTALY- FERA.—Lord Beaconsfield, then Benjamin Disraeli, with recommendatory letters from Joseph Hume and Daniel O'Connell, contested the borough of High Wy- combe, in the Radical interest, in 1832, but was defeated by Col. Grey, a Whig. In 1833 he repeated his effort for the same seat, but was again defeated by the same opponent. OYSTERMOUTH SCHOOL BOARD.—A meeting of this Board was called for Wednesday afternoon last, at 3.30 p.m., but three members not having put in an appearance, the number required to constitute the quorum, the chairman, the Rev. J. Davies, the only member present, declared the meeting adjourned, and an extraordinary meeting will, it is understood be called for Wednesday next, at half-past three in the afternoon. TH8 GABNANT COLLIERY FUND.—The Rev. Daniel Griffiths, the Vicar of Cwmamman, and chairman of the fund now being raised for the relief of the sufferers by the distressing accident at the Garnant Colliery, writes drawing our attention to the fact that in our last issue we gave his address as Cwmavon" instead of Cwmamman." We understand subscriptions are still urgently required to carry out the full intentions of the committee, and we commend the case to the attention of the benevolent. CARDIFF AND COUNTY AND SWANSEA CHESS CLUBS. —The return match between these clubs was played at the Mackworth Hotel, Swansea, on Tuesday last, when the home team were succesful by the large score of eight games to two. Much interest was manifested in the contest, and the result was hailed with keen satisfaction. vif there was a dinner, at the Mackworth, at which the players and many local gentlemen were Wnnri o W* £ °T PresidinK- Score -.—Swansea.—J. C. Woods 2 :W F. Richards, 2; C. Price, 1; J. Banfield, Bl/h. ofp'r SdViotT"?' P°'n' 8- chaarnion°of the a-d Geol°gy." and the latest scieSs win ?'b %agalnst the *«*. of so-called scientists will visit Swansea on Mondav next and fenVTnathee aUfrrttheI0U-ng MeD'8 Christin Assoda ion, in the afternoon 3 o clock, on "The marvellous scientific accuracy of the Bible," illustrated with diaSams evening, „ r i o clock in the evening, under the presidency il ^he S^AndrpS'1-' S'T 7iU deHver a Public lecture Road Tt i l l 8 Prelbyte,rla,n Church< St. Helen's Road. It will be remembered that Dr. Kinns and his views have recently been the subject of much controversy Itl the London press, and, therefore, it is only fair to say that the committee of the "Mission in defence of the scientific snd historical accuracy of the Bible," have expressed their unabated confidence in him, and their hearty good wishes for the success of his efforts in the cuse of truth. ROYAL INSTITUTION LECTURE.—The gratuitous lecture delivered at the above Institution, on Monday evening, by Mr. J. Squire, was on "Violins aRd Violinists," and it was illustrated by selections from compositions of Correlli Vivaldi, Tartini, Viotti, Maysider, De Beriot, &c., the lecturer performing on the violin, and Mrs. Squire pre- siding at the pianoforte. The interest in the subject itself, and, still more, perhaps, the high-class executant ability of Mr. and Mrs. Squire on the violin and piano- forte, attracted an unusually large crowd. The theatre was soon filled in every part, and some overflowing hundreds of persons were disappointed of a. bearing. Mr. J. Vye Parminter, J.P., one of the vice-presidents, occupied the chair, and the lecture and illustrations throughout were instructive and interesting. At the close a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. and Mrs Squire, who have kindly promised to give a repetition a fortnight hence. Having that repetition in view we do not publish this week any of the lecture. ALL SAINTS' CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL, KILVEY.—On Friday evening last the annual concert in aid of these schools was held at the Music-hall, Kilvey. A very attractive programme had been prepared, and as a conse- a large audience assembled. The chair was occu- pled by the Mayor (R. D. Burnie, Esq.) The programme was as follows Pianoforte selo, Mr. Wm. Jones part t^ng'» T5ere^de'" Kilvey Glee party song, "The golden grey, Mrs^Morris; duet, "Flow gentle Deva," Messrs. Jones and Thomas song, "The way of the world." Mr. George Evans (Llew Llyfny); song, "Auntie," Miss George Evans (Llew Llyfny); song, "Auntie," Miss Polly Jenkins, 1\1. U. W. song, "Noble boy of truth," M J Fowe11; song, Dream faces," Miss Morris, "TII S°Dg' WhfcD other lips'" Mr* L»mpard duet, Xeil me, gentle stranger," Miss Owens and Mr. D. J. "Msu7 of Argyle," Mr. P. Jones song, uaddy, Miss Jenkins song, Arfin y don," Mr. Geo. "TT8' ."Llwybr yr Wyddfa," Mrs. Morrissong, •« n j brigade," Mr. George Thomas part song, comrades in arms," Kilvey Glee party. Several of the rec?iye(l well merited encores, Miss Jenkins and Miss Morris acquitting themselves in an especially creditable manner, and the concert was altogether a gratifying success. PARLIAMENTARY DEBATING SOCIETY'S BALL.— Whatever measure of good or evil influence in a dialectical or a political sense may be fairly laid to the credit of the Swansea Parliamentary Debating Society, and some timorous Liberals have expressed the fear that it has brought about one evil, in the shape of encourag- ing well dressed young men to coquette with Conser- vatism) it is certain that the town owes to that organi- sation several most enjoyable and not at all unprofit- able social gatherings. And perhaps the most successful of the whole five dances which have been held under the auspices of the society was the ball which was held at the Albert Hall on Monday evening, for the benefit of the Swansea General Hospital. Having decided upon promoting the reunion, the Society did very wisely in appointing Mr. R. H. Morgan as hon sec and in entrusting the whole of the arrangements to his now practised and successful experience. No one who has not gone through the ordeal can form an adequate notion of the labour and persistence which h!ii^e £ eSl8^y ? getting up of a successful public v- I. ,e secret of all such social success is a com- fi,and persuasion. The new features in the tiomu* the Parliamentary Society's soirees was of the (t>'stiU low) charge, and the devotion rnteriorPTth^nefitof th« Hospital. The too obtrusively,adeCoarttedebvT+7 tively> Brothers, of Castle and Gollesre +^r8' 0<^r tones of the drapery being Prevai^ orchestra was nicely set off w;th o>! kindly lent by Mr. Charles Bathed STT/TT7' The lower room had been fitted up as' n eatables and non-intoxicants on one side the caterers of the supper, Mr. and wi7 Nelson-street, |and with wines and spirit9 "J™8 by Mr. George Clare, of the Cameron Hotel, on the other side. The supper was laid is the caterers' usually good style in the minor hall, and the provisions we™ substantial and varied. The furniture of the great hall was supplied by Mr Heard, of High-street. There was a goodly company present, consisting of about 220 persons, all bent upon dancing, so that the centre of the hall was for the most part well crowded. The programme of music and dances was as follows, and we need hardly say that the band was Mr. W. F. Hulley's County Band. Programme: Polka, TouJours Galant"; valse, Zingara"; lancers, Billee iaylor valse, Sentiers Fleurisvalse, Frauenliebe polka, The Smithy" (E. H. Bath); quadrille, Wel- come Friends"; valse, Sylvesta" (F. Cory Yeo); polka, Queen of Hearts"; valse, Margie "Iolanthe"; valse, "Southern Breeze"; Hignian schottische, "Marie Stuart"; valse, "Tausenduna eine Nacht"; lancers, Manteaux Noirs valse, "Heart of my Heart"; polka, "P. and O.' valse, Only for Theegalop, "Ready, aye Ready"; valse, Fleur d'Amour"; extras—valse, "FleetingMoments polka, Figarovalse, "Amoretten Tanze." the music was all that could be desired, and no really enthusiastic and capable valtzer would listen to the hint that perhaps 12 valses out of a programme of 20 dances was an unfair preponderance, but there were some persons present who would have been thankful for more than the four square dances, which were all the programme allowed. Dr. T. D. Griffiths acted as Master of the Ceremonies, and spared no effort to promote the pleasure of the evening, and he was seconded in his endeavours by most of the following list of stewards The Mayor (R. D. Burnie, Esq.), Mr. F. J. Carlyle, Captain Colquhoun, Dr. D. A. Davies, Messrs. G. Sydney Davies, C. H. Glascodine, J. R. Leaver, E. Leeder, F W. Martin, J. Baskerville Meager, A. G. Moffat, J. C. Vye Parminter, B. J. Rosser, R. A. Wood, and F. Cory Yeo. Dancing com- menced about 9 o'clock, by which time the bulk of the company had arrived, and it was kept up until nearly four o'clock, a.m., with the utmost zest. The Mayor and Mayoress and the representatives of several of the leading local families graced the scene of pleasure with their presence, and did not retire until the small hours were tolerably advanced. The gathering was a very successful one, and we hear that as a result of the hon. sec.'s labours, and the kind co-operation of the M.C. and stewards, the Hospital funds will be benefitted by the receipt of a comfortable little round donation. It should be mentioned that Mr. Bath's polka, and Mr. Cory Yeo's valse were composed specially for the oc- casion, and they were both much admired and en- eyed. CHINA INLAND MISSION.—On Monday evening last, a meeting was held at the Young Men's Christian Association, Dynevor Place, at which Mr. F. S. Bishop presided, for the purpose of hearing from the Revs. J. McCarthy, and C. G. Moore, an account of work in China carried on by this mission. There was a good attendance and the addresses of the two Missionaries were very iateresting. During the week, Messrs Mc Carthy and Moore have addressed meetings in Argyle Chapel school-room, Brunswiok Wesleyan Chapel, the Church Army mission room, the Gospel Hall, Orchard- street, and at the Mumbles. This Friday evening the Rev. J. McCarthy addresses a meeting at the Y.M.C A on "The trials and joys of a Missionary's life." Re- ports of the work of the mission which is evangelical and unsectarian, appear monthly in China's Millions" published by Morgan and Scott, and the depot of the Society is at 6 Pyrland Road, Mildmay, London. THE WEST WARD VACANCY.The election of a member of the Council to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. John Ivor Evans, has been fixed for Friday, March 7th. Up to this time the only candidate in the field is. Mr. Martin, of Morriston, a member of the School Board. This gentleman has not shewn himself any great economist in the management of School Board affairs, although undoubtedly a shrewd man of business. A large number of ratepayers also contend that it is undesirable to have another member of the Council who is connected with the large works of the Lan dore and Morriston district, especially as an effort will shortly be made to enlarge the borough boundary so as to include several of the works within the rating area. Several tradesmen are spoken of as likely to measure swords" with Mr. Martin, but as yet nothing definite has been settled. A ward meeting has also been talked about in order to impress upon the candidates, whoever they may be, the absolute necessity of curtailing ex- penditure during the present depression of trade. GRAND AMATEUR CONCERT.—On Tuesday evening last a Grand Amateur Concert took place in the Albert Hall, Swansea, in aid of the building fund of Holy Trinity Church Sunday School. The concert was preceded by a tea meeting held at the Schools, Alexandra Road, when a large company sat down to an excellent tea. There was a good attendance in the evening, the body of the spacious ball being comfortably filled with a very fashionable audience. The hall was tastefully decorated with plants, &c which gave a cheerful appearance to the in- terior. The concert commenced at 8 p.m., when the following well-selected programme was well-rendered :— Part I.—1. Glee. "Let the hills resound," Brinley Richards, Holy Trinity Choir; 2. Song, "A dream of peace," Odoardo Barri (with Organ Accompaniment). Mr. E. Y. Hcoper; 3. Duett (Pianoforte), .1 II Barbiere di Siviglia," Rossini, Mrs. Cavill and Mrs. George 4. Song, Miss Buck land; 5. Quartett, "Break, break, break." G. A. Macfarren, Mrs. Gauntlett, Miss Thomas, Rev. J. G. Gauntlett and Mr. Still; 6. Song, "The first violet," Mendelssohn, Miss Squire 7. Glee, Wait till the clouds roll by," the Alexandra Christy Minstrels; 8. Fantas;a (O'-gan), "The Storm," Lemmens, Mr. C. M. Bill, A.CO. Part II.-I. Duett (Pianoforte), Overture to Semiramid3," Rossini, Mrp. D. A. Davies and Mrs. Gauntlet; 2. Song. "Nazireth," Gounod (with Organ Accompaniment), Miss Buckland 3. Sestett, "Stay prythee, stay," Sir H. Bishop, Mrs. Gauntlett, Misses Richards and Thomas, Rev. J. G. Gauntlett, Messrs. Hooper and Still; 4. Song, "The Way of the World,' Mollov. Mr. J. Aubrey Vivian; 5. So-ig, "The day is done." Balfe, Miss Thomas; 6. Chorus, "Twinkling Star." The Alexandra Christy Minstrels; 7. Song, "When the heart is young," Dudley Buck, Miss Squire; 8. Grand March in EFlat (Organ). Wely, Mr. C. M. Bill, A.C.O.; "God Save the Queen." The Holy Trinity Choir, in "Let the hills resound." by Brinley Richards, was much appreciated, whilst Miss Buckland was de- servedly encored. "Break, break, break," hy Macfarren, was excellently rendered by Mrs, Gauntlett. Miss Thomas, Rev. J. G. Gauntlett and Mr. Still. Miss Squire, who has a capital voice, was encored in The first violet," bv Mendelssohn. The talented organist of Holy Trinity, Mr. Bill, then performed on the fine organ the celebrated fantasia, "The Storm," by Lemmens, and won the ap- plause of the whole assembly. Mr. Bill, it will be remembered pfrformed "The Storm" by special request on"three successive occasions at Holy Trinity Church in such a manner as to win the well-merited appreciation of all who heard him. The second part of the pro- gramme was rendered equally as well as the first, and Mr. Aubrey Vivian, in "The Way of the World," was induced to sing a second time, and was loudly applauded. The Alexandra Christy Minstrels, who appeared in cha- racter, were well received by the audience, and sang "Twinkling Star" with good effect. Mr. Bill having performed on the organ "a Grand March in E Flat" by Wely, the finale of God Save the Queen" brought a successful concert to a close. FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE LANDORE ALKALI WORKS.—An inquest was held by Edward Strick, Esq., coroner, on Thursday (yesterday) evening, at the George and Dragon Inn, Landore, on the body of Richard Hurst, aged about 45, who met his death on Wednesday morning, at the above works, about half- past 10 o'clock. The jury having been sworn, and having viewed the body, D. T. Anderton, of Runcorn, deposed: He was a timekeeper and foreman in the employ of Mr. Kirkham, of Runcorn. He knew the deceased since he was a boy. It was his body which the jury had seen. He was from 45 to 48 years of age. He was a ship-carpenter by trade, and was in the employ of Mr. Kirkham as a carpenter. Mr. Kirk- ham had a contract with the Messrs. Vivian and Sons to put up a tower, consisting of wood and lead, at the Landore Alkali Works. Deceased was engaged to put up the woodwork. They had raised two legs of the tower as a brick foundation. They had to move to another part of the foundation. This portion would have been done by means of crow-bars pointed at the end. He took some bars to the smithy to be pointed, leaving the deceased at the tower. He returned in a few minutes taking with him a pointed bar. He observed at once that the tower was down, and he saw the deceased's body about being carried down the ladder to the ground. He had been brought from the brick foundation, which was 17 feet off the ground. The wood-work which fell was about 25 cwt Deceased was dead before the doctor had been sent for. From his own knowledge witness did not know by what means the tower fell. The work was not damaged. The foundation was 17 feet from the ground, and the tower would be 20 feet high.—John Duggan, of Pentrepoth, deposed he was with the deceased at the work. The legs had been put up, and were held by guide ropes at the top, the bed resting on the base. As deceased was "prizing" the legs to the other end of the base, the bar slipped and the legs were knocked back and got over the side of the base. It was the cross bar that caught the deceased as the legs fell and crushed him. Witness was lying down in the tower, and was also knocked down. No one was there at the time but the deceased and himself; but on on his calling out, some men came to them. Deceased appeared to be alive when he was first spoken to, but he could not speak and was unconscious. He died before he was removed. Wit- ness wanted him to wait until Mr. Anderton returned with the pointed bars. He replied, Let's get the legs over before Mr. Anderton comes back In my opinion, the fault was entirely his own. They had proper appli- ances for the work, and had been engaged in'similar work before. He had known the deceased for eight years on and off, and had been working with him for some time.—Mr. John Martin, an assistant to Mr. D. Howell Thomas, surgeon, said he saw the deceased after the accident. He was quite dead, and on examining him he found the chest bone had been broken and the left side seriously injured from the fouiti rib down- wards, which accounted for the cause of death.—The Coroner told the jury that it was clear that the cause of death arose out of a pure accident, and that no one was to blame but the poor man himself. It was a great pity, for if he had waited for the return of the foreman with the proper bar, the chances were the accident would not have occurred.-The jury returned a verdict of Accidental death." SCOTCH PROMENADE CONCERT LAST NIGHT.- The sixth of Mr. J. H. Parry's attractive promenade concerts took place last ni^ht, at the Albert Hall, and was thoroughly Scotch in character, and was well sup- ported by the brither Scots" of Swansea, Neath, and the district. The hall was as before illuminated with about 300 Chinese lanterns, while the well- arranged greenery and the fountain were well shown up by the lime-light passed through glasses of the most varied tints. The effect of some of those lights on the foliage, on the plashing water, and on the mirrcr behind was remarkably pretty. There was a large and appreciative audience, and the programme was a well varied and attractive one. It commenced with the over- ture to Bishop's opera of Guy Mannering." which was capitally rendered by Mr. W. F. Hulley's county band. The performances of the band in Lamotte's Fan- taisie "Less Emigrans d'Amerique," the waltz, Scotch Beauties," and especially the grand selection of Scotch airs, with solos for the principal instruments, very much enjoyed. Miss Polly Jenkins sang bod Nearness and effect Roy's Wife," Gin a rec an<^ s^e was> as usua,l> deservedly well consid i,nIn fact> Jenkins has already won a with r ™easure of popularity, and she is welcomed onee T^i ^on ky every audience that has heard her broke r> h?,McNei1- the Highland Piper, from Pem- broke Dock, awakened the echoes of the hall with f, tSSZ t",°-the .-i ? To see the lusty foil ati t WaS wfu tPPlaU i lip to fill th e"ow labouring with cheek and his martial walk, and^b bag to witness tunes he evoked fr0m hear *he variety of march, song, and imitetior? n na g that was evidently enjoyed the bells~WaSQ \treat a nrrar-v honnio Q A every cannie Scotsman SontKjHZAf!??** present Ever land Session to the peculiar 0rv °V i, would -!ve ,e,x" & and there was a stamping ^fhlfch a«c°mpames the jig-, c*u and, in one or The great attraction^"™™4 "T«;»e8s the son, the new Scotch tenor who.had been^highly recom-* mended and who more than fulfined expectation. Mr Henderson possesses of somewhat peculiar timbre, bnt very sweet withal, and entirely under command. He has acquired an artistic style and has undergone very careful culture, which dencee itself in a very marked manner in his phrazmo- of the Scotch ballads which he &ung. 0n the banks of Allan Water," tho' well sung, was surpassed by "Afton Water," and the effect of Mr. Henderson's singing reached its climax m his rendering of Burns's impassioned "Farewell to Nancy, with the fervent ae fond kiss," and the despairful: Had we never loved sae kindly, Had we never loved sae blindly; Never met, and never parted, We had ne'er been broken hearted. Mr. Henderson made a highly favourable impression, and will be welcomed to Swansea again. Taken as a whole the Scotch night was a success. The next pro- menade concert is fixed for March 27th, VACANCY IN THE SCHOOL BOARD.-It is under- stood that the vacancy in the Swansea and District School Board, caused by the retirement of Mr. J. C. Manning, will be filled up by the members of the board, and Mrs. Higginson's name has been mentioned. It is to be hoped that some competent person will be chosen, who will have some notion of reasonable economy in administration. INCREASED POSTAL FACILITIES.—We have been informed that (in conformity with the recent conces- sions made to Swansea and the South Wales districts by the Postmaster-General) on and from the 1st prox., the letters from the North and West of England will be delivered at 9.30 a.m., instead of 10.45 a.m., as now and that on and from the same date a new de- livery will be established at 2 15 p.m. from the London day mail arrival. The correspondence now arriving by this mail is not delivered till 5.35 p.m. On the same date, the evening delivery, which now takes place at 5.35 p.m., will be deferred until 7.0 p.m., so as to em- brace in it local letters from the rural district, viz,, Swansea Valley, Gower, Mumbles, &c. Under the new arrangement, there will be four deliveries by letter carriers daily. On the same date, a new Travelling Post-office will be established to run between Gloucester and New Milford. It will leave the former place at 5.15 am., arriving at the latter at 11.40 am. The correspondence for all intermediate places will be dealt with during the journey, lesulting in considerable ad- vantage to the public. This travelling post-office, as well as that of the night mail, will be under the con- trol of our local Postmaster, and be worked by a por- tion of his staff. The north mail correspondence for Gower Road, Gorseinon Station, and Penclawdd will, concurrently with the alteration, be despatched by the 10.0 a.m. train, instead of the 12.30 p.m. train as now. The north mail for Black Pill, West Cross, and Mumbles will be forwarded by the 9.38 train instead of the 2.35 p.m., and the letters can be obtained on application at the respective offices. Any of these letters not applied for will fall into the second delivery at 3 p.m. SWANSEA AS THE PLACE OF EXPORT FOR TINPLATES. —The following comments appeared in the London Iron Trade Exchange of Saturday last, contributed by the Liverpool correspondent of that paper:—"It is quite possible and seems very probable now, that the shipping of Tinplate will be diverted from the Mersey to the Tawe. If this will not be an accomplished faot it will he Swansea's fault. The freight market remains un- altered, the shipments are promising fair for the month so far, and the Bristol Channel ports are sending out the bulk at about equal rates with what is carried via Liver- pool lines. The attention of the authorities and others at Swansea his been called by a letter (Mr. P. W. Flowers) to the European export of tinplates as being worth while cultivating. It is well to encourage trade in all diretions but the export of tinpl tte. to European countries is so chopped up, it is the more difficult to do, and in the case of Swansea doubly so, as the probability of being able to establish direct lilies carrying general cargoes, of which tinplates could only form a part, is very remote—nothing is impossible—but the chances at present at not good There is, however, ample scope now for greater efforts to do all the trade with the United States." As the correspondent referred to showi by his figures th. t the e is, notwithstanding the 45,000 tons exported to America direct from Swansea, and the 46,000 tons that go to Canada and Europe-still the huge quantity of 120.000 tons the great bulk of which goes to America via Liverpool-l.lud this ought not to be, and will not be when Swansea is thoroughly alive to its own interests provided there are facilities for carrying on the trade direct from Swansea and the Harbour Trust have shown so far commendable spirit and readiness to meet the exigencies of the trade in this respect. It is simply a question of time. This enormous dead weight is carried on in the main to one or two ports in America, and it is simply a question either of working the direct route up by a powerful company, or of doing so jointly with one of the many powerful companies here. Circumstances at present point to the latter course being the most feasible. It is an ill wind, &c." and the present hard times which the steamship owners are experiencing, may furce some of them to seek pastures new." Mr. CHARLES COLLETTE AT SWANSEA,—Swansea playgoers are this week gratified by the visit of Mr. Charles Collette to the New Theatre, where he is going through a programme of classical comedy and farce, and delighting large and fashionable houses by his unflagging vivacity and remarkable versatility Recruited to the regular stage from the ranks of the military amateurs, Mr. Collette is a distinct gain to the drama in the special department of comedy He h had the courage to attempt and the happiness to succeed in the impersonation of the favourite nar+a ir, ,„v,' u Vr" (an,onrtnafiU renown, and everywhere Mr. Collette is spSken of as the artistic heir and successor to those denartpd of English comedy. Mr. Collette is oo^to'iwaS with a specially able company, which includes the charming Miss Blanche Wilton, an actress already well known in the provinces, through which Mr Collette rushes like a meteor. The programme for the week began on Monday evening with Our Awful Dad," in which Mr. Collette rendered the part of "Adonis Evergreen" with a vivacity and insonciance which were infectious. His appearance as Mr. Bar- rister Punch in the mock consultation with the charming widow provoked roars of laughter, and the contrast all through of the sober, careful son and the gay young father was highly amusing. Mr. Charles Collette is inimitable, his volubility is marvellous. The force of expression, the electric flashes of verbosity, are perfectly overpowering. His capacity for lying appears to be perfectly natural, while Truth" hides her modest head in tho presence of the accomplished" Liar." Incidentally, we have a mosn delicious little bit of afternoon tea and scandal. The dialogue happens between Miss Rose Murray and Miss E. Roomer, and the traditional gushing gradually subsides into recriminations not loud but deep. The Liar is at last unmasked and Mr. Collette is fairly brought to bay, and the drop scene foils upon promises to mend Miss Blanche Wilton in Paul Pry brings the house down with her racy and piquante repartees and her saucy ways. Mr. Charles Langley, as Colonel Hardy, is quite the martinet, and acts splendidly. Of course, Mr. Collette is the life and soul of the whole affair and drops in," hoping he doesn't intrude at the most inopportune moments, exploding the most intensely effective bits of acting.—Our rhyming cor- respondent, Pierre Claire," has sent us the following sonnet: TO CHARLES COLLETTE, ESQ. Colonel," all hail! Third Charles of Comedy, In fame and favour ever rising higher! Thou art indeed a most consummate Liar One of the Awful Dad's true progeny. As Cool as any Cucumber can be, [know Pert as "Paul Pry," who "wants to know you Thou givest gods, pit, boxes, Blow for Blow And wmnest all with versatility. Behind the dazzling footlights of the stage Nightly to crowds the thesis thou dost prove That actors should be men, not automata And summ st the bounding follies of the age With antics that dyspepsia remove In Cryptochonchoidsyphonostomata." The performance to-night will be for the benefit of Mr Charles Collette, when the programme will include The Marble Arch," the Game of Speculation," and the screen scene from the School for Scandal and on Saturday night the programme will be Blow for Blow," and "Micawber."

SWANSEA AND t-OUTH WALES NURSING INSTITUTE. The first annual general meeting of the subscribers of this valuable institute was held in the committee room of the General Hospital yesterday afternoon-' There was a good attendance of ladies and gentlemen Mr. J. T. D. Llewelyn, the president, took the chair' and there were present Miss Vivian, Mrs. J. 'p p.' Llewelyn, Mrs. John Crow Richardson, Mrs. J* T- Griffiths, Miss tfrenieu, ivirs. n. uaniel, Miss Fowler, Mrs. Ebenezer Davies, Mrs. Griffith Llewelvn Mrs. Wm Fry, Mrs. Rowlands, Mrs. JBishop, ]yfr7 Bishop, Mrs. Morgan Williams (Killay), Mrs/ft, Mrs. Latimer, Mrs. T. P. Richards, Mrs. Bellingjjp Miss Glascodine Mr. J.Coke Fowler (the Stipendiary)' Mr. R. Glascodine, Mr. Thomas Hall, Dr. Ebenzer Davies, Dr. D. Arthur Davies, and Miss Aubrey, the indefatigable hon. secretary.. The notice convening the meeting having been read the chairman read the subjoined REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE PAST The Committee beg to present to the subscribers th first annual report upon the working or the institute. The Home for nurses was opened m the middle of February, 1883, but the operations ot the nurses were not commenced until the middle ot March. accounts which are about to be submitted to thia meeting represent the working receipts and expenses of somewhat more than three-quarters ot a year hut it may be stated that some items ot expense are higher than they are expected to be hencetorth, as they have been incurred to a great extent in the preliminarv charges incidental to the establishment of the institute. h e There are at present eight nurses upon the staff; the full number, however, was not at wor until during the last two or three months of the year, and their earning-g may accordingly be considered prac icaily those of about half a year. During that time the demand for their services was almost continuou;,>; there were many occassions on which the committee was unable to supply all that were applied tor. It is very gratifying to be ,^at they have given very general satisfac ion, an that their services have afforded much comfort and assIstanoe to the sick and their friends, as lom the numer- ous and warm testimonials whic I e committee has from time to time received Besides the nuia3s, one probati P £ esent ju connection with the home upon J .> /losPital, and during the short time she has ,as given reason to expect that she will prove eventually an efficient nurse. i. +1iqj. ,-t v._„ i. The committee is glad to tfme of nn r i,ome months past been able to devote • e °f the nurses regularly to attending c » ess and acciden i .mong the poor, with th *r of one of the other nurses also ^en di&engaged It scarcely yet appears, howevei, Public are sufficiently aware of theadvantages Institu- tion is prepared to bestow in this r np it is hoped that the publication of this report may be the means of informing ministers of religion and rs, who have opportunities of becoming acquainted with cases requiring a nurse, that the committee will be glad if they will be good enough to make them known at the Nursing Home. The skilful help in attention and advice already given has been much appreciated, and has been of great benefit. Up to the end of last year the nurses had been in attendance upon 45 cases of illness in fami- lies, irrespective of those among the poor. To the latter 72 visits had been paid (besides two full days given in one case) between the 20th November and the 31st December. Nursing appliances, inclusive of blankets and under- clothing, with beef tea, milk, &c., have also been pro- vided, as far as the means of the Institution would admit with a due regard to prudence, for use among the necessitous sick. The committee ventures to appeal to the charitable to assist it both with funds which will be indispensable for carrying on this portion of the work, and also with gifts of clothing, old linen, &c., which are often so much needed by the poor in cases of suffering. The committee has to report with regret that it has lost the services of the first Lady Superintendent, Miss Purchase, who has left, having obtained more remu- nerative employment elsewhere, and with whose management, both with regard to efficiency and economy, the committee had much reason to be satisfied. A temporary engagement has been entered into with Miss Bell to fill her place, but as yet no permanent appointment has been made. One of the nurses originally employed is no longer in the .service of the Institution, having been obliged to leave on account of ill-health, which the Committee much regret, as she proved herself a highly efficient attendant. The Com- mittee has to thank Mr. Thos. Hall for his kindness in auditing the accounts, and desires also to place on record its sense of the great obligation it owes to the Hon. Secretaries for their unfailing attention to the business of the Institution, involving no small amount of time a ad trouble. The treasurer's report was next read, which shewed that the subscriptions amounted to JE259 19s. Od. donations, J6233 5s. 7d.; payments for services, £ 191 6s. 6d.; and other small amounts, making a total income of X736 3s. 6d. The expenditure included cost of furniture, J684 Is. 3d.; house keeping, X56 15s. Od.; rent, i25 15s. Od.; taxes, fuel, light, &c., JE16 16s. Od.: deposit account in the Glamorgan Bank, £250, which, with other items, left a balance in hand of about ;E590s.Od. The Chairman said he had very great pleasure in moving the reception and adoption of the report. They were meeting at the first annual general meeting, and he trusted the report which he had just read was the first instalment of the great good which he hoped the Swansea and South Wales Nursing Institute would be able to do in the future. One year's experience was scarcely sufficient to enable them to say how they would succeed, but he might truly say that so far as they had gone it had met the desire and the intentions of the promoters, and the subscribers were entitled to look for more substantial results. The large amount which had been earned during the past year, viz., £ 191, shews the satisfactory prospect that the Institution may become entirely self-supporting, that was to say, when they were enabled to hire more nurses,—they would not be able to do so with the small number of nurses which they now had, but with additional nurses they had every reason to believe that the Institution would become self-supporting, as was the case in many of the principal cities and towns in the country. They were already getting fairly forward in that direction but not only so, but the amount of good nursing which they were able to do amongst the poor of the town was only the earnest of what they hoped and believed they would be able to accomplisn in the future. The chair- man then moved the reception and adoption of the report Mr. J. C. Fowler formally seconded the resolution, which was then ptit to the meeting and carried. The Chairman then proposed the reception and adoption of the treasurer's report, which had been duly audited and signed by Mr. Thos. Hall. Dr. Ebenezer Davies seconded, and the resolution was then carried. I The Chairman then moved a resolution to the effect that Lord Jersey be re-appointed president of the In- stitution for the ensuing year.—Carried. The Chairman said that he thought the meeting ought to express more emphatically than had been done in the report their sense of the value of the great services rendered to the Institution during the past year by the hon. secretaries and also by the auditor. Without such services the Institution would not be in its present prosperous condition. He proposed, there- fore, that the best thanks of the meeting be given to the hon. secretaries and the auditor for their past ser- vices, and that they be requested to continue such services. Mr. J. C. Fowler seconded the resolution, remarking that he could truly say that the services rendered to the Institution by the hon. secretaries and the auditor had been invaluable. After having heard what had taken place during their £ jst year, they could congra- tulate themselves upon one of the most successful attempts to found an institution and carry it on that he had ever met with in his experience. He believed the value of the Institution to the town of Swansea and the district could not be exaggerated; he knew personally one or two cases where it had been of incal- culable advantage ia providing nurses. The resolution having been carried unanimously, Mr. T. Hall returned thanks on behalf of the lady secretaries and himself. The Hon. Secretaries had done their work well, and the Institute were largely indebted to them. The small services which he had been enabled to render he had done with a great deal of pleasure. The Chairman said that he felt they should recognise by a vote of thanks the very efficient services which Dr. Ebenezer Davies had rendered the Institution. There were three doctors in connection with the In- stitution, but Dr. Davies was the doctor par excellence, and to him they were mostly indebted. He proposed a cordial vote of thanks to him. This being carried, and acknowledged, a vote of thanks to the chairman brought the proceedings to a close.

"EMMANUEL" AT SWANSEA NEXT WEEK. It will be seen by advertisement in another column that Dr. Joseph Parry's oratorio of Emmanuel," th libretto of which we reviewed at some length a couple of weeks ago, will be performed at the Albert Hall, Swansea, on Thursday next, March 6th, by a splendid choir and a very strong band, under the baton of the composer himself. Swansea-indeed the whole of the Principality—will thus have an opportunity of hearing fnr the first time in a complete form this grand choral work, which was highly spoken of by the London Press when it was produced at the St. James s Hall, London. No reasonable expense has been spared to make the performance of Thursday next an adequate one. The choir has been m training for some time past at Ebenezer Chapel, and now the prac- tices are held nightly, so determined is the com- Doser to do justice to his work. The worshipful mayor, the stipendiary magistrate, and other gentle- men have recommended this first performance to the notice and support of the musical and the general public. Swansea, at the p esent moment enjoys tbe distinction of being the place of residence of a pro- lific musical composer, who has already won high distinction, and who is destined to achieve still more. Not content with giving Wales its first opera in Blodwen," and its first oratorio in "Emmanuel," he has already given into the hands of Messrs. Novello, the musical publishers, the score of his new dramatic cantata of Nebuchadnezzar," which is to be produced at the National Eisteddfod at Liverpool this year and he is now busily engaged m composing music illustra- tive of Scenes in the life of St. Paul." Having these facts in mind, we feel sure the lovers of music in the Principality will gather round the Doctor on Thursday evening next, and give him and his work an enthusiastic reception.. r n Among the notices ot Emmanuel" which appeared in the London press, we cite the following :— The Times says In the short preface by which Dr. Parry introduces his work to the musicians and lovers of music throughout the Principality," he ex- presses a hope that "they may derive pleasure and profit in perusing and rehearsing it, and that it may serve in some measure to foster and elevate and refine the taste of the rising generation in connection witn sacred music." For such an educational purpose we may say at once the work is well adapted. Dr.arry is a musician who esteems his art. His score is free from vulgarity and triviality, it is earnest in P_ P and well suited for the sacred Possesses a illustrate. In addition to this, Dr. Pa y P more than common degree of iearning, and the choral fugue in the third part, as well as the double chorus which concludes the work, are examples of contra- nuntal skill and genuine part writing not too common ?n modern music. This is more than sufficient for the educational purpose already referred to, d it may safelv be said that any Welsh choir capable of appre- ciating and executing this music must have reached a high state of proficiency As the effort of a serious musician, the work deserves every attention." The London Figaro says: Let me do full jus- pr. Joseph Parry. That as a harmonist and for the voices, he does full justice to his training, can deny. That he is a master of the art of terooint—which M. Gounod declares is a lost art— ?<fUinore than once evidenced in his oratorio, and 4. i,iv in the choral fugue m the last section of the notably f # # So far as the technical knQw_ of his art is concerned, Dr. Joseph Parry has K mislT little to learn. TheV(^cal Standard says Dr. Parry need not be i med when he is told that his oratorio is coloured o+™ncrlv by memories of greater things—it could hardly be otherwise. But this work adds another to the already long list of modern English works which to- gether present a grand total for the contemplation of those who deny that we are a musical nation." The Athencpum says: The musician who sits down to write a lengthy and elaborate oratorio must be essed of an immense amount of earnestness and industry as well as of confidence in his own powers. These qualities demand acknowledgment and respect wherever they may be found, and Dr Joseph Parry's oratorio "Emmanuel" is therefore entitled to careful orm^ideratiou. Of the composer's musicianly acquire- ment there cannot be two opinions. The soloists who have been engaged for Thursday night next are-Soprano, Miss Kate Hardy R.A M.; alto Miss Polly Jenkins, M.C.W., tenor, Mr. Dyfed Lewis, R.A.M.; baritone Mr. James Sauvage.

MONET MARKET, THURSDAY.-The diiectors of the Bank of England met to-day, but made no alteration in the rate of discount, which remains at 31.

REPORTED GREAT BATTLE. DEFEAT OF THE REBELS. LONDON, Thursday Evening.-The Globe this evening says:—" We are informed that telegrams have been received at the War Office and the Admiralty this after- noon announcing that an engagement has taken place to- day between the force under General Graham and the rebels outside Trinkitat, in which the latter were defeated." On inquiry at the War Office, Admiralty and Foreign Office this evening it was stated that no news of the reported engagement between General Graham and the rebels at Trinkitat had been received. SUAKIM, Feb. 27.—Some of the friendly tribes were fighting Osman Digma's people this afternoon at a point some seven miles to the north of this town the result being nnknown. A few of the former, however, have cut their way through the enemy, and say that they are willing to join the English authorities, and fight Osman Digma, but they will not fight for the Egyptian officials. They can bring 5,000 men into the neld and only demand our protection—which, till now, has not been granted. The loss of the rebels in the battle with Baker Pasha's force was 1,300 men. Dissensions exist every- where in the ranks of the enemy. The highest esnmate of the rebel force round Tokar is 7,000 men. The British troops have not yet advanced KHARTOUM, FEB. 27.—If the evacuation of the Soudan by the Cairo officials be accomplished, and no stable government be established, the Mahdi's flag must soon wave over the entire Soudan; and his fame and prestige will greatly influence the peoples of Syria and Arabia. It is evident that the Mahdi's power must be confined within the boundaries of Kordofan. Once established in Khartoum, he would constitute a chronic danger to the Moslem world. CAIRO, FEB. 27.—General Gordon has telegraphed to Sir Evelyn Baring, reporting that Sennaar is quiet and the garrison safe. FIGHT BETWEEN THE ENEMY AND FRIENDLY TRIBES. CAIRO, Feb. 28. — No communication has been received from Major-General Graham, except a tele- gram requesting that seventy-three native drivers should be despatched to him, to replace men who had deserted. Instructions have been sent to General Graham repeating that full discretionary power is left to him as regards marching on Tokar and engaging the enemy, and laying great stress upon the fact that the British Government have no intention of giving further extension to military operations, the object of which remains as before the defence of Souakim. SOTTAKIM Feb. 27 (9.40 p.m.).-Thlra was a fight this afternoon between the rebels and the friendly tribes on the Berber road, nine miles off. Some of the latter cut their way through. Two thousand gathered out of tribes numbering ten thousand wish to come in to-morrow. The rebels are making South. The friendly tribes want to fight if supported. SOAKIM, Wednesday.—On arrival here yesterday of the Egyptian steamer Dam anhour. tier captain refused to obey the order to proceed to Trinkitat. Admiral H;jwett immediately placed him under arrest, and pu' two of his lieutenants in charge of the vessel. Colouel Buller, who was on board, has proceeded to Trinkitat. WEDNESDAY, 9 20 p.m.—The Nubian troops who refused to embark for Trinkitat will be sent back toCNiro and Suez. The enemy's spies closely watch the move- ments of the British. TRINKITAT, Feb. 27-S;x thousand rations are already stored in Fort B iker, and by this evening it is hoped that 12,000 rations of water and food for the men and hones will have been amassed there, sufficient for three days. Yesterday the first line of the rebels, [laced some two mile distant from Fort Baker, and numbering about 2000 men, kept up a continuous fire throu ,hl)ut the the day at our sentries and outposts. S -nie of the bullets fell just outside the fort, and two which dropped inside it were picked up by our men. The tire w is no, returned. During the night all was quiet, hur. the numerous fires of the rebel cimp were plainly visible. We shall prob-thly advance on Friday or Saturday next. We learn that advance on Friday or Saturday next. We learn that the number of the rebels are daily increadn^. But it is doubtful how far we should credit our spies, who are themselves rebels, and are probably serving two masters. In any case, however, we expect to encounter over 8,000 men.

ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP A CHARING-CROSS STATION. AN INFERNAL MACHINE FOUND-TERRIBLE DISASTER AVERTED. About 12 o'clock on Wednesday ri^ht great excite- ment was caused at the South-Eastern Railway Station, Charing Cross, by the discovery of what, up to the present, there is every reason to believe to be a quantity of dynamite. As far as can be ascertained, it appeared that the cloak-room official was overlooking the various parcels deposited during the day, and, according to the usual custom, was checking them with the deposit vouchers. While so engaged his attention was at- tracted to either a box or portmanteau, and for some reason his suspicions were aroused to such an extent that he opened the box or portmanteau The contents appeared to have justified him in reporting the matter to the police, who made an examination of the contents. The result was that the box was removed to Woolwich for examination. It is impossible at present to obtain definitely any further particulars, as the police and officials observe the strictest silence; but, as far as can be gathered, there is very little reason to doubt that the box contains an explosive of the kind which caused such serious destruction at Victoria Station. Another Press Agency says that, in the bag or trunk seized at Charing Cross this morning, was an infernal machine. It was contained in a tin box six inches by eight, in and around which dynamite was fastened. Inside the tin was also found an ordinary clock move- ment and a loaded revolver, the clock being timed to run four hours before exploding. Fortunately, when the hammer of the revolver fell, the cartridge failed to explode, thus averting a terrible disaster.

LAST NIGHTS PARLIAMENT THE NEW REFORM BILL. In a full House last night, Mr. Gladstone moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the law relating to the representation of the people in the United King- dom. In the course of a very long and able speech the Premier explained the leading provisions of the Bill, and, after glancing at the progress of the country and the representative system, referred to the present borough franchise in England. It consists, in the first place, of enfranchised occupiers of buildings of £ 10 clear annual value, with or without land. Tnat was the franchise established by the Act of 1832. It consists, in the second place, of inhabiting occupiers of rated dwelling-houses; that was the franchise established and extended by the Acts of 1667, 1868, and 1869. The third branch of the borough franchise is the lodger franchise, Now I come to tho future borough franchise which we propose. First, we leave the ancient right franchises exactly as they are, and touch them in no way. We leave the household franchise proposed and established by the Act of 1867 exactly as it is now. But we do two things, notwithstanding. First of all, we extend the Xio clear yearly value franchise to cases where-the occupation is of land without houses or buildings at present—it may be for houses or buildings alone, or houses and buildings with land We extend it to land alone, with houses or buildings. We propose to 3 establish a new franchise, which I shall call until a better phrase is discovered a service franchise." It will be given to persons who are inhabitants, and, in tne sense ot inhabitancy, who are occupiers. Our object is to provide a franchise for those inhabi- tants who are neither owners nor tenants. (Cheers.) But they must also be householders in this sense: Either, in the fir»t place, that they are actual inhabi- tants, or, in tho second place, that there is no other inhabitant in them superseding them, or standing in the same position with them. In the third place, they must be either inhabitants of an integral house, or that separate part of a house, which at any rate so far as voting is concerned has already been declared to be a house for electoral purposed Hon. gentlemen would doubtless ask how do you pro- pose to deal with the new County Franchise. We propose to proceed as follows:—I name the minor changes first. By the first of these changes we pro- pose to abolish the S50 franchise, which I shall call for convenience sake the JE50 rental franchise. The second change is this we propose to reduce the figure of the rated franchise of 1867 from £ 12 rateable value to £ 10 clear annual value. Those who hear me are aware that that will be a reduction greater in amount than the mere difference between X12 and £ 10—(hear, hear). These are the minor changes, but I now come to ti e main changes of the Bill. I said there were four occupation franchises -one JE10 clear annual value, and the other three are the household, the lodger, an.1 the service franchise. Those three-the household, the lodger, and the service franchise—we propose to import into the counties precisely as they are now Well, with regard to the property franchise, I will not dwell upon that beyond saying that we mention the property franchise in principle, but we propose pro- vis'ons which are brought forward in order to secure them against the abuses which are known in many parts of the country, and which in some portions 0^r(, country are grievous and menacing. (Cheers.) However, sir, I will say that the cause of this bill, and I may say the fundamental spirit and the structure of this bill, is in the direction and with the intention of bringing about a union of the three kingdoms in one 0 nation — (Ministerial cheers) and essentially, so far as we can without undue complexity achieves it, not only in one measure, but in one and the same measure. (Hear, hear.) Referring to registration, the right hon. gentlemen said this was the second of the three great divisions. I will say this, that our bill is framed with the animus of preparing a state of things in which the wholt occupation franchise, which, 1 believe, will be hye- sixths of the whole, shall be a self-acting franchise -(hear, hear)—and the labour, anxiety, and ex- pense connected with proof of title, which, after all, is the affair of the public and of the State rather than of the individual, we trust we have got rid of. (Cheers.) But, at the same time, we will bring in another bill which we have prepared for the purpose of registration immediately the House has supplied us with the basis on which to proceed. Then comes the third of these great proolems redistribution—and I think the House will not be surprised when I say that if we found ourselves competent, consistently with the aims we have in view, and with the public i interest, to deal with the franchise in an exhaustive manner, the House will not be surprised when I say that in our opinion we should be to blame if we attempted to bring into the same measure what is termed redistribution. (Ministerial cheers.) The right hon. gentleman then gave a sketch of his own views upon redistribution, without binding his col- leagues however to them. Personally I am not at all favourable to what is called the system of electoral districts. As to the adoption of any pure popula- tion scale, I cannot pretend to the fears and hor- rors of electoral districts which many have with regard to the consequences. My objection is a very simple practical one. It would be twofold. In the first place, electorial districts would involve a great deal of displacement and disturbance of tradition. My second objection, and I regard it as a very important one, is that I do not believe that public opinion at all requires it, and I doubt whether it would at all warrant it. Next I should say that in a sound measure of redistribution the distinction between town and country known to electoral law as borough and shire, ought to be maintained, although our franchise is nearly identical. Summarising the effect of the bill if passed, the Hon. gentleman said it will add to the English Constitution over 1,300000 persons. It will add to the Scottish constituency over 200,000 and to the Irish con- stituency 400,000, or if you take the present con- stituency of the United Kingdom at 3.000,000 it will add 2 000,000, nearly twice as much as was ad'led since 1867, and more than twice as much as in 1832. (Hear, hear.) I say this is worth some sacrifice of political principle. This is a measure with results such as I have ventured to sketch t.iem. that ought to bring home to the mind:, of evrry man favourable to the extension of popular liberty the solemn question what course he means to pursue with regard to it ? I hope the House will look at it as the Liberal party in 1831 looked at the Reform Bill of that day, and determine that they will waive criticism of minute details, and leave particular preferences and predilections, and look at the broad scope and general effect of the measure. (Hear, hear.) The hon. gentle- man resumed his seat amid loud cheers, having spoken an hour and three quarters.

Mr. Charles Watkin Williams Wynn was on Tuesday selpcted the Conservative candid ite ior Mont-otn^rj^hire at t ie general election. WRECK AT THE MUMBLES. L,st Tuesday ri ht a French lugger, the name of which is unknown, was driven^ ashore at the Mumbles, just inside the lleid- bu it is expected she will be got off in the coursa of a • v ti les the only damage she sus-ained being a hole in her b >ttom. Ship orpentfr. were immediately set at work in order to rectify the irj ny done. SALE OF A LARGE SCOTCH ESTATE.—The magnificent estate of Dunatastair. with the exception of several hundred acres on Loch Rinnoch, which General iM-vcdonall has excluded from the sale, has been sold to Mr. Tennaut, of Wellpark and Sf. Germans. I. A, -o-calle(i Cr ullmer' writes:—"A young man neiry 17 years of age. of ordinary intelligence, who had been three years and a haf at Ef-on, came to me the other day to be 'crammed for the army. In testing him I had to employ such expressions as the following Pioduct, power, decimal, aud found him wholly ignorant of their meaning. Moreover, he had net the faintest conception of the length of a foot or a yard. Is it fair to dignify by the title of education the system pursued at Eton, while we poor army tutors who undertake to teach, by first unteaching, sucli specimens as I have indicated are bedubbed 'crammers." ALARMING EXPLOSION AT A GLASGOW FORGE.- A disastrous explosion occurred on Tuesday night in a Glasgow forge, by which eight persons were injured hilst a steel shaft, weighing twenty-four tons' was being cast m Parkhead Forge, the molten metal ex« ploded. As many persons were witnessing perhaps the largest casting in Scotland, no fewer than eight were injured. John Downe, foreman boilermaker was severely burned, and while trying to save himself jumped in a pit, sustaining internal injuries. He was removed to the infirmary, and is not expected to survive The others were bruised or burned by the flying metal; inn were less seriously hurt. ° LONGFELLOW IN POET'S CORNER.-The bust of Longfellow, which has been sculptured by Mr. Thos. Brock, A.R.A., for its destined place in Westminster Abbey, was shown this week at the artist's studio in Osnaburg-street. As a portrait, the work is grandly true to the American poet's massive and leonine features. Seldom has a modern subject lent itself so happily to the sculptor's art. "The front of Jove himself seems to be that of the. am ple- hrowed man of creative imagination, whereto learning was the Hebe. Adorned with its Hyperion curls, the keen yet gentle face seems to look forth from under shading brows with a living intelligence and penetration. Among the visitors who have inspected this portrait-bust of Longfellow, in his Oxford robe, have been members of his family, who were greatly moved by the likeness. The place which Mr. Brock's successful work is to occupy in Poets' Corner is one of fortunate prominence -the very corner of the corner, so to speak looking both into transept and nave. It will be in proximity to Chaucer and Dryden, having Cowley's monument beneath. The inscription in front will be as follows "This Bust was placed among the Memorials of f lie P >eis of Kn^Und by the English Adn.iers of an American Po<-t. On one atd" will appear the rtcorj: "Horn at p.ntlm'}, U.S.A., Feb. 27'h, 1807 i" and on the "iher, "Died at Cambridge, U.S.A., March 24th, 1882." Henceforth nU Americans who visit London and the most historical church of England, will see inotiu* mentally honoured one of tbem-elv. as one of us. PLOUGHING MATCH. — The VeliLdre Llaugafelach sixth annual ploughing match took place on the 13th inst on fields kindly placed at the disposal of the committee by Mr. Jeffreys, of Penywaun farm. The rules in previois years precluded others than those resident in the district from competing for the chief prizes, but this year it was decided to throw the competition open to all comers. A large number of competitors attended, but in coa-.equence of the heavy downpour of rain, which continued through- out the day. twen'v only competed. The chief prizes were awarded to Walter Williams, Sciach T iomas Mathias, Gellywern Fawr; and John Jeffreys, Peny- waun tbe "judges were Mr. Howell Jones. Swanssa, Mr. Kirby, of Peullergare, and Mr. John Clement, who ex- pressed themselves highly pleased with the meritorious results of the chief competitors, and who it mav be addt'd, a few days later, obtained the highest priz a when opposed to their Penllergare brethren. The committee, the competitors, and a goodly number of the spectators afterwards sat down to a capital dinner provided by Mr. Rarri., the Sliephe ds' Arms, Velindre and during the course oi the evenins; various toasts were drunk, and the judges were heartily thanked for their impartial and kindly services. SWANSEA VALLEY AND COEDFBANX AMALGAMATID SWANSEA VALLEY AND COEDFBANX AMALGAMATID PLOUGHING MATCH.—The ninth annual meeting of this society was held on Tuesday. The ploughing took place in a field (lent for the occasion) on the farm of Mr. William Lewis, Cwrtybettws Farm, near Neath, and was witnessed by a number of farmers and other residents, who pronounced it to have been a first class match. The judges had a very difficult task to dis- criminate between the relative merits in each class especially in the champion class, between Charles Vaughan, one of the champions of England and Wales, and John Griffiths of Llansamlet The following is a list of the prizes :-Champion Class 1st prize JE3, Chas. Yaughan, who has won the greatest number of 1st and 2nd prizes in the local societies; 2nd prize, R,2, John Griffiths, Coedsaeson; 3rd (very highly commended), John Vaughan of Brecon. 1st Class, 1st prize, £ 2, Elias Jones, jun., Gellydeg Llansamlet; 2nd prize, £ 1 10s., Wiiliam Thomas* ploughman to Mr. W. S. Powell, Eglwsnynyd, Margam; 3rd prize, SI, John Harry, Court Mawr, Llangyfelach. 2nd Class.—1st £ 1 10s., David Wiliiams, Pentwyn, Coed- .yn, Coed- frank 1st, £1 5s., W. Lewis, Cwrtybettws, Co'edfrank 3d. prize £ 1, David Williams, Llangyfelach 3rd class' open to boys unaer zv years oi age, 1st prize £1, Evan Lewis, Cwrtybettws; 2nd prize 15s., W Williams Heoldu, Llansamlet; 3rd Prize, 10s., Richd. Perkins Ma seglwys. Out of the eleven prizes given, six were by Messrs. Ransoms, two by Messrs. Hornsby, one by Messrs Howard, and the other swing ploughs by local makers. The judges were Mr. G. Kirby of Penllergare; Mr. Powell, Grove Farm, Margam and Mr. Walter Thomas, Bynea, Loughor, who discharged their duties to the satisfaction of all. Treasurer Mr. Esaiah Lewis, Cwrt-y-Bettws, Coedfrank; secretary, Mr J. D. Jenkins, Gwernllan, Llansamlet; who did the duties allotted to them in a most praiseworthy manner. LLANDILO-TALYBONT AND LLANGYFELACH AN- NUAL PLOUGHING MATCH.—This annual competition took place last week on Penllergare farm, kindly lent for the occasion, by J. T. D. Llewelyn. Esq. There were hundreds of spectators present, including Mr. Llewelyn and the ladies from Penllerg-are. The space allotted to each competitor was about a quarter of an acre, and the time allowed was four and a half hours. Thirty-four teams entered the fields, and were divided into four classes, viz Twelve in the Champion class; six in the first class; eleven in the second class: five in the third class The following, are the names of the winners, and the amount of prizes given: Champion class, open to all comers. The first and second prizes were^giVen bv j T. D. i'ewelyn, Esq. Fir^t prize; £ 1 c Vautrhan Dinas Powis Cardiff second^.htt, £ 0 D WlS) llwynracca, Llanon Y-A'' prize £ 2 J Williams Cefnforesfc^second d!t 0, £ l j Tho^as; Dorglwyd: f/' ^1C1.enment! Coedbrydwen. Second ^^VSto £ 1 "R T J- Harry, Cwrt- mawr; second ditto, £ 1,B. Jones, Gorsgoed; third ditto lo* Tybrcooh; fourth ditto, 10s., W. l fifth ditto, 5s., W. Thomas, ^wyngwenoe Third C in* First prixe, £ 1, W. J08. Pantyfallen; 2nd do 15s. J. James, Pantyffa; 3rd Jcurys. GellywrenIsaf; President, Mr. J. Williams, Gwenlais Fawr, vice-president, Mr. \Y T Bevan, Alltygraban treasurer, T. John. Tillw'vd • secretary, Thos. Williams, Cwrtycarne. The in,W-' were; For the champion class, Messrs. Davr„,S Esrlwysbrowis, Cowbridare Stephens, Llanstenlmn3' Williams, Brecon. Forthe other classes, Messrs. BoVrinp' Iroserch; Davies, Llandilo Thomas, Bynea. The indo-p4 gitve their decision, and prizes were handed over tn'nll the successful competitors by J T. Llewelyn y 'a The ploughing was excellent, especially that of the champions, who had come from all parts of the country In the evening the committee judges, subscribers and others, partook of an excellent dinner, provided by Mr J. Joseph, Castle Inn. On the removal of the èloth, the chairman was voted to the chair, supported on his ri,ht by Mr. Llewelyn, when various appropriate Wts were given and duly responded to. Mr. Llewelvn rfbi,* ™l,u,r;Me g «^s J. H. Williams, Gwenlais Fawr, sang s^eral interesUng songs during the meeting. »

between the different public bodies and the work they have to perform, we too often find our aspirants to public functions going in for the whole thing," that is to say, endeavouring and succeeding, to become members of more than one of these bodies at the same time, wholly irrespective of any such consideration as whether they can afford the leisure and attention which the proper discharge of so much public work demands. The consequence is that while the pride of the man is gratified the public functions are scamped or neglected.