The Cambrian

MY LOVE AND I. 'Neath the starry light of the summer sk.v, We stood together, my love and I, Renewing our early vows; The quivering moonbeams swept the sky, The stars shone out in the vaults so high, Aud lit up the dark pine bows. We spoke of all undying faith, Which would not leave us until death, A faith that was our life; Which cheered us onward day by day, Helping us on through life's rough wav, Giving us strength in strife." But sad days for us were in store, And by the billow's hollow roar We said our last farewell; But even then our love was strong, And never (.'hanged though partsd long, But in our hearts did dwell. We never more shall meet on earth, Though love is on one side, and truth— But in the fuming years ^Ve shall meet in the land above, That sweet eternity of love, Where there'be no more tears."—L..T.C.

Varieties, &c. -Motto for the married Never dis-pair. Every machinist is expected to have at least one vice. Some men who claim to be self-made men are not very wel- done. "Let us drink .to the dying year!" sings out a poet. We're with you That excuse is as good as any. The poet who wrote Man wants but little here below" should try again. Man wants all he can get. Be jabers," exclaimed all Irishman, I've slept sixteen hour>: i went to bed at eigilt aud got up at eight." De man wiur marries a woman 'case slie's got Inore sense than he has, is neber allowed ter lose sight o' dat hick. "Women seldom atop to think." True enough. But you might have added, But they selloin fail to stop and talk." When four women are talking abreast on the pavement they will break rank for nothing hilt a man with a paint pot. "It is really very odd, my dear," said an old lady, one verv hot day to a friend". I can't hear the heat in summer, and in winter I love it." When gals is very young it is their mother's anxiety ter keep mat-jhes out ov their way, but when they gets bigger the motherly anxiety is all the other way. Mountain Guide-" This, gentlemen, is the finest prospect for miles around. Standing here you can see no fewer than thirtv- two public-houses." A waiter spilt some gravy over a lady's dress. The lady was terribly put out. Never mind." said the waiter, there's plenty more gravy where that came from." Aunt Jane," said an exasperated wife, I wish it was the custom for women to trade husbands as it is for men to trade horses. "Why, my dear?" "Because, if it was, I'd cheat some woman before sundown." A fashionable lady, in boasting of her new "palatial resi- dence," said that the windows were all of stained gl:tss. "That's too bad," cried her mother; "but won't soap and turpentine take the stains out 0". We would'nt have believed it had we not seen it in a reputable print, but they do say that the women of Corea adorn their heads with bands of false hair But, then, what better could you expect of benighted Pagans ? A young miss of sixteen asks what is the proper thing for her to do when she is serenaded by a party ot gentlemen at a late hour. We are glad to be able to answer the question. Steal softly downstairs, and untie the dog. A gentleman from the South of England boasted that the papers of his viliage pay so much attention to societv matters that a leading citizen cannot go home sober late" at night without having the fact published as an interesting item." A clergyman, in a lecture on How to get married," said Every man wants a wife, and every woman wants a husband." But the great difficulty is that the woman the man wants won't have him, and the man the woman wants wants some other woman. What do you want to set such a tough chicken before me for ?" indignantly exclaimed a fair damsel in a restaurant the other day. Age before beauty,' always, yon know, ma'am," replied the polite attendant, who well knew how to serve his employer and a tough chicken at the same time. Why do you mutter that way when you read?'' asked a man of an old negro who sat mumbling over a newspaper. How ought I to read, sah ?" Why, read without moving your lips." "What good would that sorter readin' do me, for I couldn't heah it ? When I reads I wanster read so I can heah what I'se readin' "bout."—Arkansaw Traveller. I Pray, my good man," said a judge to an Irishman who was a witness on a trial, what did pass between you and the prisoner ?" Oh, then, plase your lordship," said Pat, "sure I sees Phelim atop of the wall. Paddy says he. 'What ? says 1.. Here says lie. Where ? says 1. Whist says he. Hush says I, And that's all, pfase your lordship." Together they were looking over the paper. Oh my, how funny I said she. "What is it?" he asked. Why, here's an advertisement that says, 'No reasonable offer refused. "What's so odd about that?" "Nothing, nothing," she replied, trying to blush, "only those are exactly my own sentiments." If that young man hadn't taken the hint and proposed there and then she would have hated him. Smith's wife was not a very bright woman, but she some- times said things which were worthy of a wit. One day, after doing or saying something particularly silly, her husband snapped out Well, you are a little the worst I ever saw." Why, what's the matter now ? Have I done anything wrong?" I should say so. You don't know the difference between a horse and a donkey, I don't believe." I didn't say you were a horse, did I ?" she replied, meekly, and Smith said no more. BAD MEDICINK. — A young physician who had long wor- shipped at a distance was one day suddenly called to attend her. He found her suffering from no particularly dangerous malady, but she wanted him to prescribe for her nevertheless so he took her hand and said impressively: Well, I should — prescribe -I should prescribe t hat—you—get—married." Oh, goodness!" said the interesting invalid, "who would marry me, I wonder?'' "I would," snapped the doctor, with all the voracity of a six-foot pickerel. You," exclaimed the maiden. Yes." Well, doctor, if that is the fearful alternative, you can go a way and let me die in peace." I notice in the paper that it is no longer fashionable for the minister to kiss the bride at the wedding ceremony," said a wife to her husband, who was a clergyman. Yes," sadly responded the good man, with a long-drawn sigh, "many of the pleasant features connected with the old-fashioned wedding ceremony have been discarded, and—" "What's that?" de- manded his wife, ominously. I-I mean," he stammered, that the senseless custom of kissing the bride should have been abolished long ago." Oh replied the mollified lady, resuming her paper. There is a story of a schoolmaster who on every available occasion eloquently denounced cruelty to animals. One day, when out with his class botanising, he saw at a distance one of his scholars catch a bird and immediately let it go. Radiant with pride and delight at his proof of successful moral teach- in he pointed out the noble lad's goodness to his school- fellows, and hurrying up to him, patted his head and said, I So you restored the poor little captive to his native freedom, my dear child." Yes, and so would you, too, if you'd been returned the boy. "Look here, where the little beggar struck his beak into me One Sunday, as a certain Scottish minister was returning homewards, he was accosted by an old wo:nan, who said, "Oh sir, well do I like the day when you preach! The minister was aware that he was not very popular, and he answered, "My good woman, I a.m gtad to hear it'. There are too few like you. And why do you like when I preach ?" Oh, sir," she replied, when you preach I always get a good seat The following advertisement was issued at San Francisco during last summer — Ice, ice, ice. If you want it pure and n } And at a reasonable pr ( Follow no new dev f But send to me in a tr ) At my office, for I have the largest and best stock ever put up in this city. A ratepayer, in great excitement, arrived almost breathless at a school board polling station.-I want to vote for a woman he called out. A.h," said a friendly voice, "I suppose you mean Miss ?" — No," replied the ratepayer; "that's not her name. Let me sit down and think. I saw it on a placard as T came along." Thinks aloud, "I have it. Poll Early- her." Little Charlie was having a wordy war with his nurse. His father sang out, Now, Charlie, are you going to be quiet, or shall I come with a rod?" "Never mind the rod, papa," responded the youngster; "I can set her right without irh; iping her." Hot long ago a Scotch board school inspector asked the members of a class that was under examination, What is the cause of the saltness of the oeean?" Flushed with the dis- covery that had flashed upon her mind, one little girl raised her hand. "You may tell, said the inspector. Salt fish, sir!" exclaimed the pupil, triumphantly. A temperance man orating at a soldier s banquet out west had occasion to repeat the couplet Their bones are mouldering in tiie dust, Their spirits are in heaven, we trust," but instead of the word "spirits" he used the word "stimulants" as being less offensive to some good church members whom he saw present. It w is raini11#' man not u. commonplace, ong-horse fat man but a fully developed, 300-poumls avoirdupois, Ivrrmhatie specimen—boarded a cross-town car. The heavy gentleman/after paying his fare, seated himself with much difficulty and profuse perspiration. The car rolled along a block, and a woman carrying a baby got on. She passed her five cents, to the fat man, who, after three unsuccessful attempts, put it in the box. At the corner of North Second-street an old lady entered the car, and passed her fare to the fat man. He got up by bracing himself against the side of the vehicle, dropped the nickel in the box, and sat down again. Tn going from North Second-street to Broadway, four women entered the car at different streets, and each in turn hamled her fare to the corpulent gentleman. He managed to get the several fares safely in the box, but it proved disastrous to his comfort and he pulled the bell. As he squeeeed through the narrow door, mopping his ¡leaJ with an enormous spread of handkerchief, he remarked to the IPa'l.n the platform—" I'm only going as far as the City H;dl, l' triP extended all round the town I'd leave the car rather than work my passage." THE ANI> THE CRITIC. 3insers Iove newSpaper critics very dearly, j tojepeat in their presence what they say be,d„ ^'1 ^Tk0st; famous "artists" were standing oil a Bro. mr""ning, tearing out their hair over a critici* d appeared in one of the daily papers, in which they had been likened to a pair of "braying jackasses.' ? °uted the tenor, the ho- hairs of whose moustache stood "P like so many pikestaffs do you efer read somesmg like a zatr Dot loafer vas so trunk lest nide," growled the baritone, carving the hair in his fury, "zat he don' was apl to saw ze stage. He don't know no more aboud ze moosic of ze gr-rand mastaire zan ze horse car "I •'Ef I efer see zat t'e'l," exclaimed the baritone, I will smash ze nose in face!" Just then the critic came along, and the wort' v melody murderers hastened toward him with out- stretched arms. "Mio! mio!" exclaimed the tenor, "how veil you lookin' zis mornin', meestair. Ve vas yoost talkin' aboud ze mos' peautiful a noteece in ze papair. You vas so kind. Grazia, grazia, mio caro!" "Ef I could write a like-a zat I vould no more sing-a," said the baritone. They then hurried away, and pledged each other in Apollinaris water.— QKroit Ftm Prii>!>.

portfolio. To work our own contentment we should not labour so much to increase our substance as to moderate our desires. —Bishop Sanderson. It is only in schoolboy themes that we are still inclined to talk about the devouriug love of fame. Grown-up men look rightly with some contempt upon such aspirations.—Leslie. Stephen. l'olove that which is great is the best security for hating that whica is little the best cure for envy, the safest anti- dote for revenge, the surest pledge for the abhorrence of malice, the noblest incitement to love truth, and manly independence, and honourable labour, to glory in spotless innocence aud builu up the system of life upon the rock of integriiy.—Sydney Smith. The first steps in the breach of a man's integrity are much more important than men are aware of. The man who scruples not breaking his word in little things would not suffer in his own conscience so great a pain for failures of consequent", as he who thinks every liitie offence against truth and justice a disparagement. We should uot make anything we ourselves disapprove habitual to us if we would be sure of our integrity.—Steele. OLD AGE. I here is something beautiful and respectful in old age. See this man, who has borne long years whose forehead is covered with wrinkles, whose hairs are white with age. He reckons 75 or 80 years. He was already old when you were born into the world He has seen you born he has seen your fathers born He is like an old oak in the forest in the midst of voun" trees and shrubs. In old times he was active, he was strong he walked with his head upnght and his forehead raised he has n Stre,D^h; hls ellf BY, is enfeebled by age. bu £ he has preserved wisdom and good advice. Go to him, and speak to him of the time passed and of the experience acquired in the long labours of his life. Go to the vir- tHOUS old man be is like an ancient vase," preserving the taste of the precious liquor it formerly contained. And the virtuous woman, who has grown so old that I venerata her in the peace of her last years. She has no more agitations,—the trouble of household affairs and of children. Her children are at their full growth,—they are heads of families but she goes now and then still in the midst of them, instructing her daughters-in-law and her daughters then she retires into her abode, for God nas given to her before the term of her days an interval of repose and of reflection. Rise, then, rise before those L "I 'I woo nave uorne such long years, ana nonour 01G age. Where old people are, let the young be timid and re- served, and let them keep silence for to hear their novels. And let them not charge old people with feebleness and want of judgment; for youth is senseless, and wisdom is in the mouth of the old. Wisdom is in the mouth of the old, like the honey is in the trunk of an old tree. Every successive Sunday ought to find us more and more disengaged from earth, and more near to heaven, livery succeeding Lord's day ought to find us better pre- pared for the day of the Lord. Our Sundays ought to be like quiet havens, to which we may retire from the storms of the world, and in whose still waters we may equip ourselves for our last voyage-the voyage of eternity. Our Sundays ought to be like fair gardens, fenced off from the world, and planted with flowers of Paradise, tiiat may breathe a spiritual fragrance over the rest of our lives. Our Sundays ought, to be like cool and clear fountains springing up in the parched desert of this world, from which we may drink living waters, refresh- ing our weary souls in our pilgrimage to heaven. Our Sundays ought to be like the calm heights of an evan- gelical Pisgah, from which we may have a clear view of our promised land. Our Sundays ought to be to us like the steps of a spiritual ladder—a ladder of angels, such as Jacob saw, on which we ought to be ever and ever ascending higher and higher to heaven. They ought to lie like the Songs of Degrees," in the Book of Psalms I (the 12Dth to the 124th), which David sang au his way with the ark of Jerusalem; so they ought to bring us nearer to our heavenly Ziori. Let us ask ourselves there- fore this question—Can I give myself 011 the Lord's day to anything that has a tendency to make my soul more earthly, and not heavenly that trails it in the dust, or sullies it in the mire, instead of wafting it on the wings of faith to the pure air and light of the blessed place where the angels dwell now, and where I hope to dwell with them for evermore ?—Dr. Wordsworth.

CORNISH LIFE.—To meditative minds there is some- thing very startling in the perpetual contrast between the suiiinit r tourist life, so clieereful and careless, and the winter life of the people here, which must be so full of privations for one half the year there is nothing to do, no market for serpentine, and almost no fishing possible 1 they have to live throughout the dark days upon the hay made while the sun shines. "No, no," said one of the Lizird folk, whom I asked if there was much drunkeness thereabouts, fer I had seen absolutely nOllC; no, us don't drink us can't afford it. Winter's a bad time for we—sometimes for four months a man doesn't earn a halfpenny. He has to save in summer, or he'd have to starve the rest of the year." Which apparently is not altogether bad for him. I have seldom seen, in any part of England or Scotland, such an honest, indepen- dent, respectable race as the working people on this 1 coast, and indeed throughout Corn wal1.-The author of "John Halifax, in the English Illustrated Magazine. GENERAL GORDON.—The following extracts from the biographies of General Gordon, which may serve to illustrate his qualities, opinions, and antecedents, will be read at the present juncture with interest. His grand- father was a loyal Highlander, who fought at Prestonpans, and was there taken prisoner. The third son of this Scotch soldier, and father of General Gordon, married Elizabeth Enderby, of Blackheath, a daughter of Samuel Enderby, descended from a Leicestershire family, and famous for his whaling ventures. Colonel Chesney says:—"Gordon had first seen war in the hard school of the' black winter' of the Crimea. In his hum ble position as an Engineer subaltern he attracted the notice of his superiors, not merely by his energy and activity but by a special aptitude for war, developing itself amid the trench work before Sebastopol in a personal know- ledge of the enemy's movements such as no other officer attained. We used to send him to find out what new move the Russians were making." After this he went on missions to Constantinople, America, and Chatham and next entered upon that service in China, where he led the Ever Victorious Army." The most interesting portion of his career, however, is that which relates to his administration in the Soudan. In the midst of his labours he revolves some of the difficult problems of life It is our own fault we are so discontented. We throw away the best years of our existence in trying for a time which will never come, when we shall have enough to content us. I am sure it is the secret of true happiness to be content with what we actually have. Of course, you may preach this (and it has been preached for ages) and never be listened to. We raise our own goblins and as soon as one is laid we raise another. I confess that I have not patience with the groans of half the world, and declare I think there is more happiness among these miserable blacks, who have not a meal from day to day than among our own middle classes. The blacks are glad of a little handful of maize, and live in the greatest dis- comfort. They have not a strip to cover them; but you do not see them grunting and groaning all day long, as you see scores and scores in England, with their wretched dinner parties and attempts at gaiety, where all is hollow and miserable. I gave you Watson on Contentment it is the true expositor of how happiness is to obtained, i.e., by submission to the will of God, whatever that will may be. He who can sav he realises this has overcome the world and its trials. Everything that happens to-day, good or evil, is settled and fixed, and it is no use fretting over it. The quiet peaceful life of our Lord was solely due to his submission to God's will. There will be times when a strain may come on one, but it is only for a time and as the strain, so will your strength be." He thus moralises:—"I have done all my accounts with the Government, and am now, as far as the things of the world are concerned, ready to depart; but something teila me I shall not do so yet. The intense comfort of having no fear, no uneasiness about being ill, is very great, and more than half the cause of good health. No comfort is equal to that which he has who has God for his stay who believes, not in words but in fact, that all things are or- dained to happen and must happen. He who has this has already died, and ,s free from the annoyances of this I > Say ? attained to this perfect state, but I have it as my gTeat desire. pe0nle or think, Do not break the world's code of honour and it matters little how we break the code of God Ho ignore Him in all things. Never shall I forget what^T got when I scored out the inscription on the gold medal (A medal presented to him on the close of the Taiping rebellion by the Empress of China, which he defaced and sent to the late Canon Miller anonymously, to be sold for the benefit of Lancashire weavers at the time of the Cotton Famine.) How I have been repaid a million- fold There is now not one thing I value in the world" Its honours-thby are false its knick-knacks-they are perishable and useless. Whilst I live I value God's blessing-health, and if you have that, as far as this world goes, you are rich. About hard work he writes:- "I feel much the want of something to do. I have been working at a great many things, but I cannot fully occupy my time. It is very dull work. One cannot tell what a blessing employment is till we lose it. Like cue's health, we do not notice these blessings. I ask God for the following things:—1. Not to be disturbed if the Khedive send me away to-morrow. 2. Not to be dis- turbed if he keeps me. ;). Not to have anything of the world come between Him and me; and not to fear death, or to feel regret if it came before I completed what I maj think my programme. Thank God, He gives me the most comforting assurance that nothing shall disturb me, or come between Him and me." What a climate it is The only thing (except God's keeping, which is all) to keep well is to keep employed at anything; never to be idle, or you will mope and succumb." In the midst of his work Gordon falls into religious meditations :— "Why are people hearses, and look like the pictures of misery? It must be from discontent at the government of God, for all things are directed by him. 'They cannot be happy when so many are suffering' is all nonsense; for they do not love their fellow-creatures to such an extent. If so, they would show their love by doing more for them. Discontent (see Watson on 'Contentment')— that Iswhatttls. But they say I am so weary.' Weary of what i Of idleness, perhaps. No one has anything to make him really weary, if his heart is in tune with God and he has health. The cruet-stand expression of coun- tenance ought to be taxed among us. If by being doleful in appearance it did good, I would say, be very doleful; but it does not do any it only repels people who are disposed to accept things as they come. So and so is dead -who caused or permitted his death ? God.' Then if you are content with His government, and if you believe that the future world is better than this, there is no cause for any melancholy about it, and the same with every event. If we believe, we ought to show it, and to acknowledge openly that we agree to God's government. I think that, taking the two parties as a mass, the worldly minded—so-called, remember, by their religious brethren, -live more pleaBing in the sight of God than the religious -so-called by their worldly brethren. There are the true religious and the true worldly-minded, and my remark does not apply to them; but we cannot sift the two." Speaking of his vast province, he writes:—"The two trials of this country are the climate and the delays. You cannot realise the blessiugs you enjoy in having occupation, and in the celerity with which things are You cannot realise the blessings you enjoy in having occupation, and in the celerity with which things are done in England. These blessings are quite overlooked Each one of you has, when you rise, something to do in f the day; here you have absolutely nothing and this complete stagnation is liked by the black officers and soldiers. That is the true trial of Europeans." "The future world must be much more amusing, more enticing, more to be desired than this world-putting aside its absence of sorrow and sin. The future world has been somehow painted to our mind as a place of continuous praise and though we may not say it, yet one cannot help feeling that, if thus, it would prove monotonous. It cannot be thus. It must be a life of activity, for happiness is dependent on activity death is cessation of movement; life is all movement." "You have no idea how Insballith' (God willing) grows on one here. Things so generally go crooked, to our frail judgment, that I would defy a man to express himself as in Europe—' I shall go to town to-morrow, and be back on Tuesday.' He would never say so in these countries without the preface, and if he did the hearer would say it for him." Travel. ling between Massowab and Keren, in the Abyssinian mountains, among wild people and dog-faced baboons, when going to meet the General of King Johannes at Seatin, he writes If I succeed there, I go on to Khartoum, and thence, after a short stay, to Darfour, which is, they say, in revolt; but I do not altogether believe it. Nothing could exceed the kindness of all the Khedive's despatches. He has put Zeila, Berberah, and Harrar under n.e. Ask of me, and I will give thee to the half of my kingdom.' And now for the reverse of the medal. It is the sacrifice of a living life. To give your life to be taken at once is one thing to live a life such as is before me is another and more trying ordeal. I have set my face to the work, however, and will give my life to ic. I feel as if I had naught to do with the Government. God must understand the work, and I am for the moment used as His instrument. I am not one jot, or I suppose I must say, only very, very slightly elated by the honours and power given me and this elation arises from a feeling of satisfaction that his Highness has confidence in me. I think how many would be weighed down by this immense charge how they would shrink from accepting it without some other help, for fear of their reputation. But for me, I never gave the question a thought. I feel sure of success for I do not lean on my own understanding, and He directs my path. The even's of the future are all written, and are mapped out in all their detail for each one of us. +

SWANSEA POLICE COURT. SATURDAY. [Before J. T. Jenkin, M. B. Williams, and J. G. Hall, Esqrs.] ASSAULTING HIS WIFE.—Thomas Sinnagor. a foreman platelayer on the Midland Railway, was summoned by his wife, Julia Sinnagor, for .assaulting and unlawfully wounding her. The parties lived at Delhi-street, St Thomas On the 22nd February;, the defendant went home to dinner with a lodger. Some words took place between the defendant and his wife, and he struck her iu the face, and otherwise ill-treated her. Having pre- viously been convicted for a similar offence, he was sent to prison for a month. DISORDEltLIES. -Gwyn James pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly on the road at Pontardulais, on the 2nd February, and was ordered to pay 12s.-D,1. Thomas, charged with a similar offence, at Poutardulais, was ordered to pay 8s. ;3d. costs. ALLOWING ANIMALS TO STRAY.—Saunders Lane, a travelling gipsy, was summoned for allowing his horse and mule to stray near Glyncollen. Fined Is. and costs. AFFILIATION.—Mary Evans, of Gorseinen, a young woman of 22, summoned William Clarke, a young man about the same age, for not contributing towards the maintenance of her child, of which she was delivered six weeks before. The paternity was admitted, and there was a promise of marriage. This was complainant's second child. Defendant was ordered to contribute 3s. a week, and the usual expenses. MONDAY. [Before +he Stipendiary, and Jno. Buse, L. Tulloch, T. Cook Davies, and Tho». Hall, Esqrs.] STEALING FROM A NORWEGIAN SHIP.—-Chas. Begoi, STEALING FROM A NORWEGIAN SHIP.—-Chas. Begoi, steward on board the Norwegian ship "Jungfrau." was in custody charged with stealing a cloth coat, a serge jacket, and other wearing apparel, the property of the carpenter on board the ship. Leonard Olson, the car- penter of the ship, said the prisoner was the cook. Witness identified the clothing produced. They were his property, but he couldj not state their value now. They retired to their berths at the same time on Friday night, and in the morning both the cook and the coats were missing.—P.O. Joues (18) deposed that he arrested the prisoner in Wind-street. He was wearing the clothes at the time.-Prisoner pleaded guilty, but had nothing to state save that the witness had lent him a coat before, and he had taken it as usual. He did not tell the witness he was going to take them, because he was asleep at the time.-The prosecutor said it was true he had been in the habit of lending clothes to the prisoner, and he did not wish to punish him much. He must have been under the influence of drink or he would not have sold them. —Captain Lawrenson said he had shipped the man at Cardiff, and wished to have him back if possible.-The Stipendiary: "I suppose, captain, you think he will be safe enough on ship-hoard. Probably you have in your mind Dr. Johnson's definition of a ship—'a prison with a chance of being drowned.' (Laughter). The Bench thereupon said the prisoner would be let off on payment ofjM, or, in default, one month. A STREET ARAB. —Frederick Rowe, aged about six years, was in custody for begging. Captain Colquhoun said he would withdraw the summons against the child, and would proceed against the mother.—Elizabeth Rowe, of 16, Brook-street, a young woman of very filthy and wretched appearance, who had a baby in her arms, was then charged with having sent out her child to beg. P.C. Harris (26) deposed that, when in Wind-street at night, he saw the boy running up to gentlemen asking for coppers. Witness watched him. Saw him go up the New Theatre passage and beg there also. Saw one "•entleman give him a penny. Upon one gentleman refusing to give him anything, the boy said—" O, you old b—— After watching him for some time, and seeing him begging further, witness took him into custody. Upon going to No. 16, Brook-street, he found the mother was not in, but he saw her coming out of a public-house with a man she was living with. She said the boy was a wicked one, and was at the same game every night.-An elder brother, aged eleven, said he and his three brothers went out every day and night. No- body sent them out; but they gave all the money they got to their mother. They stopped out late at night, but not all night.—The mother said she sent them out to sell fusees and other things, but not to beg. What they did when out of her sight she did not know.—P.C. Harris (26) said the woman lived with a man who was not her husband.—She now said she was not married to the man she lived with. Her husband was drowned at Ferry- side some years ago, and it was a hard thing to have so many children to bring up. Here the wretched woman cried, and those who had the misfortune to be near her were well nigh overcome with the stench arising from so unwashed and filthy a person.-The Stipendiary said he would adjourn the case for a day, the boy to be sent to the Workhouse meanwhile. THEFT THROUGH SATURATION WITH DRINK !-Janet Thomas, widow, aged 44, Pontardawe, was in custody charged with several thefts. In the first place she was charged with stealing twelve table napkins, six pocket- handkerchiefs, one table-cloth, and 7-2 yards of calico, of the value of 19s. 4d., from the shop of Messrs. Benjamin Evans and Co., drapers, Temple-street. A second charge mentioned was that of stealing a pair of boots from Mr. Ackland, of the value of 3s. 6d. Another case entered against her on the sheet was stealing a pair of boots, the property of Henry Thomas, from the Flint Mill Inn, Strand. Mr. Abel Thomas, instructed by Mr. T. B. Richards, said he appeared for prisoner, who would plead guilty. He said she had for many years borne an excellent character, and had, though a widow, brought up a large family most exemplarily. She had wlthln the last few weeks given way to drink, and he felt that had she not been saturated with drink, she would not have committed these thefts. The last stealing charge would be withdrawn, as there might have been a mistake, she having tried several pairs of shoes on, and then walked away with a new pair instead of her own. (Laughter.) She had been in the service of Mr. Turberville, of Neath, who would take her back if she were dealt with leniently. The learned gentleman then read a letter from Mr. Turber- ville, and also from Mr. Gilbertson, of Pontardawe, giving her a very good character.—Mr. G. Griffiths, M.R.C.S., Pontardawe, said he had known the defendant for about 30 years. She had always been respectable and honest. She knew that during the last couple of months she bad been saturated with drink. The Rev. Mr. Jones, vicar of Llauguicke gave similar testimony, saying be had known her upwards of 25 years. Mr. B. Evans also said that since the occurrence he had heard a very good character of the prisoner, and he wonld be very glad if the Bench could see their way to deal leniently with her.—The Stipendiary said he fully appreciated the plea for lenienay which had been put forward by the learned Counsel. But the Bench were not preparad to accede to the suggestion that the case should be dealt with by a fine. Intoxication was no excuse for crime, save some- times in cases where it was shown that drink had made the person temporarily lunatic or idiotic. In this case the woman had pilferred things from the counters of two shops, and there was a third charge, which was not pro- ceeded with, against her. The Bench felt they were bound to protect the public and shopkeepers from con. duct of this kind, and they could not let her off with a fine, which would no doubt be paid by her friends, and so she would escape without any penalty. At the same time they saw good reasons for passing a light sentence upon her, and they hoped Mr. Turberville would still take her back into his service. For each of the two offences proved against her she would be sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment, the two periods to run concurrently. UNJUST SCALES.—James Davies, Fabian-street, St. Thomas, grocer, was summoned for this offence. Mr. Lawrence defended.—Superintendent George Holland deposed that on the 6th inst. be visited the defendant's shop at St. Thomas. Found the larger scale ljozs. against the purchaser, and underneath was a lump of fat or dirty butter. The second scale was also more than half an ounce against the purchaser. The fat had been put on each scale so as to defraud customers. The defen- dant said it gotonlthescales accidentally.—For the defence, Mr. Lawrence jocularly cited the case of Ali Baba in the Arabian Nights, as a thing in point, where designedly some fat had been left on scales. (Laughter.) In this case he was instructed that it was accidental, and he could not go beyond his instructions. The assistant had been dismissed from the shop since this affair, and it should not occur again.—The Stipendiary said it was im- possible, after seeing the scales, not to come to the conclu- sion that it bad been adopted as a means of petty fraud against the industrious population of St. Thomas. It was a most contemptible thing, and must be stopped. I After every explanation had been given, he and his col- leagues on the Bench felt that it would be a strong offence if only one scale had been found to have had such a thing attached to it; but when they found the coincidence of two cases, the conclusion was irresistible. Defendant would be fined 50s. in each case, or L5 and costs, in all zC5 8s. 6d.—Inspector Holland asked the Bench to declare both pairs of scales forfeited, inasmuch as they were both against the purchaser, irrespective of the lumps of fat on them.—The defendant declared that the scales were correct if only cleaned.—The Bench ordered that, if correct, the scales should be returned to the defendant; if incorrect, should be forfeited. DRUNKENNESS.—Thomas Foley, cab driver, was fined 10s. James Roberts, 8, Tontine-street, 5s. and costs; James Mullin, labourer, 5s. and costs; Samuel Norman, do., 10s. Dennis Ross, 12, Ann-street, 10s. and costs Ellen Rees, Tontine-street, 10s. and costs for drunken- ness and Elizabeth Jones was sent to goal for a month for indecency. THE BUSSES VERSUS THE TRAMS AGAIN.—It will be remembered that some weeks ago the Swansea Improve- ments and Tramways Company brought an action against two conductors of the Swansea and Mumbles Railway Company's new omnibuses for obstructing traffic by halting the busses in front of the trams on the lines. Only one case was heard at that time by way of test, and the Bench inflicted upon the 'bus conductors a fine of 40s. To-day, Mr. Abel Thomas, appearing for the omnibus proprietors, admitted the offence which had been charged in the second summons against one of the con- ductors, and he withdrew a cross summons which had been taken out against the Tramways Company. Mr. Thomas asked the Stipendiary if his previous decision might be regarded as a test case, and the Stipendiary Magistrate replied in the affirmative. Mr. Thomas there- upon asked that this case should be dealt with leniently uuder the circumstances. Mr. Glascodine, who appeared for the Tramways Company, assented to the course pro- posed, subject to the payment of the expense of the witnesses, other than the Company's servants, who had been subpoenaed. The costs amounted to £ 4 12s., and upon payment of this amount the case was concluded. CRUELTY.—James Fitzgerald, haulier, 28, Charles- street, was fined 2s. 6d. and costs; and James Walker, of 25, Lion-street, a similar amount for cruelly ill-treat- ing a donkev by working it while in an unfit state. TUESDAY. [Before J. Coke Fowler, Esq. (Stipendiary), Thomas Phillips, and David Jones, Esqrs.] YOUTHFUL VAGRANTs.-Two young boys, one only six years old, and the other eleven, children of a Mrs. Row, were charged with begging. The case was a very pitiable one, and the Stipendiary, addressing the mother, said there was every reason to believe that she sent the boys out to solicit money, and he believed she beat her boys if they did not bring in money. Mr. Cook Davies bad told hiin that he believed the younger child had begged of him at least fifty times. Such could not be permitted, and he should now send the younger child to an Indus- trial School for several years. This was the only hope for the boy, for the mother was evidently unfit to have the care of children. He warned her also as to the other boy he, too. would be sent away if caught begging again. The elder boy was then dismissed on the express understanding he should be sent to school. TippHNG.—M.try Ann Gwynn was charged with being drunk in Oxford-street, on the 16th inst. Mr. Inspector Flynn proved the case. r1 med 5s. OBSTRUCTION.—John Danter and Henry Osberne were summoned for causing an obstruction by playing at football, in Alexandra-road, on Saturday afternoon. They were ordered to pay (is. each as costs. THE DRINK AGAIN.—Elizabeth James, a prostitute, was charged with being drunk and making use of obscene language, in St. Mary-street. Committed for 21 days, with hnrd labour. A DESERTER.—Thomas Lee, of Green-row, was charged with being a deserter from the Welsh Regiment at Cardiff. Detained to await an escort. YOUNG MARRIED LIFE.—Sarah Ann Evans, otherwise Carr, a respectably dressed young woman, was charged with' attempting to commit suicide. P.C. 62 deposed that about eight o'clock that morning he saw the de- fendant near the North Dock; he saw her take off her jacket and throw it on the ground. He hurried towards her, and she, seeing him coming, picked up her jacket and went away. He followed her and overtook her, and found she was under the influence of drink. He asked her what she had been doing, when see said—" Oh it is merely a quarrel between me and my young man. I had no intention of jumping into the dock." He then took her to the police station, and there she admitted that she had been married at Ebbw Vale that morning. She had had a few words with her husband, and she had gone away from him, hut she bad no intention of jumping into the dock. He (officer) could not find the husband last night, but he was now in court.—A young man named Carr deposed that he had married the defendant at Ebbw Vale yesterday morning, and he brought her down to Swansea the same day, intending to leave her with her parents for a few weeks. He intended to go back to Ehhw Vale. He supposed she must have had a few words with her parents, but she would not tell him what the words were about. He would now take the de- fendant back with him to Ebbw Vale if permitted so to do.—The Stipendiary, in dismissing the case, said it was a strange and unusual story. They were now man and ivife, and they must make the best of their married life. There was an old maxim—" The wrath of lovers was but the beginning of love," and he would advise them to begin their felicitous days again. AFFILIATION.—John Mills, a lamp-lighter, was sum- moned at the instance of Charlotte Morris to shew cause, &c. Mr. Woodward appeared for the defence.-The Bench, after hearing the confirmatory evidence made an order for the payment of 2s. 6d. a week and costs. ASSAULT.—Rachael Beard, alias Brewer, of Greenhill- street, was charged with assaulting Sarah Davies. The case was a very trivial one. The defendant was fined 2s. 6d. and costs. WEDNESDAY. [Before J. Trev. Jenkin, James Hall, and F. S. Bishop, Esqrs.] THE DISORDERLIES.—Martha Beynon, a married woman, of John-street, was charged with being drunk and incapable in Goat-street, and not appearing to a summons. She was discharged. -Ann Jenkins, a married woman, of Lion-strest, was fined 10s including costs, or seven days imprisonment, for drunken and disorderly conduct in High-street.—Samuel Roberti and Mary Roberti, husband and wife, were charged with drunken and disorderly conduct in High-street, and were each fined 5s and costs. FELONY.-Ann Jenkins, of Lion-street, was charged with stealing a canvas apron and a pillow slip from the back of the Bunch of Grapes public-house. Mariner- street, of the value of Is 6d, the property of John Price. -When the defendant was being conveyed to the police station on the charge of drunkenness, the apron and pillow case dropped from under her apron, and suspicion being aroused, enquiries were made, and it was aster- tained that they belonged to the landlord of the Bunch of Grapes, and had only recently been hanging before a fire drying. The defendant had been in that house only a few minutes previously. The defendant now pleaded guilty, and was ordered to pay a fine of 21s, or 14 days' imprisonment. SCHOOL BOARD CASES.—Several parents were sum- moned for neglecting to send their children to school. The usual orders to compel their attendance were made, together with costs. COUNTY BUSINESS. [Before the same Magistrates.] CRUELTY TO A PONy.-Edward Morgan, a greengrocer, of the Cross, Morriston, was summoned at the instance of Inspector Tangye, of the Royal Society for the protection of animals, with working a pony in an unfit condition. Mrs. Mary Harding deposed that on the 9th inst. she saw the pony belonging to the defendant drawing an empty cart, going towards Clydach. The pony was so weak that it was swinging to and fro in the road, and looked half starved. The inspector deposed that in con- sequence of the information he received from the last witness, he went to the defendant's house and saw the pony—a little black horse pony. It was in a very low condition—only a living skeleton-nothing but bones and skin. It was weak and emaciated, and scarcely able to stand. He examined the pony and found several wounds on it, one of which was bleeding. The pony was in a shed, and the rain was dripping on to the back of the pony. which was very cold and shivering, and without covering. The pony afterwards died. The defendant, in answer to the charge, said he had been deceived when he bought the pony; he had simply seat it out with a hundredweight of potatoes as exercise. The magistrates said the defendant had been guilty of great cruelty in working a horse in the condition described. He would be fined R3, including costs, or a month's imprisonment. A "COUNTRY PiE.7"Iary Williams, a countrywoman, was summoned for selling beer without a licencse.-P. C. Davies of the County constabulary, deposed that about five minutes to eleven o clock on the 16th inst. he went to the defendant's house in the Ystrad-road, Llangafe- lach, and found three men in the back kitchen, sitting down. Two of them had a pint beer before them, and the other a bottle of ginger-ale. In the front room he found an 18-gallon cask of beer on tap; the cask being nearly full. He asked the defendant what she had been doing when she said, 1 have got a drop of beer here to- night. worse luck for me.^ My son has recently got mar- ried and we had a vaupper) here, and people told me I was very foolish I did not get a drop of beer." The officer added that he believed from enquiries made the son had got married, aQd this was therefore an usual thing he had never had ,any previous complaints. The defendant was fined 20s. including costs. OBSTRUCTION.—John Allen was fined 15s., including costs, for leaving his horse and cart on the Mumbles-road and thus causing an obstructien to passers-by. THURSDAY. [Before the Stipendiary, the Mayor and Mr. J. C. L Vye Parminter]. BEGGING.—James Stosel and Morris Hughes, strangers, were charged with begging, in the Oxford Inn,| on Wednesday night. heard the defendants asking for relief from the landlord. On being refused Morris Hughes used bad language towards the landlord. He was sent to prison for 14 days, and his partner was ordered to be imprisoned tor seven days. DISORDERLIES.—Thos. Huljand Robt. Roberts, of Mor- riston, pleaded guily to being drunk in Cross-street and High-street. Ordered to pay 5S. an(j COsts. — Mary Williams, a married woman, for being helplessly drunk in Jersey-street, was cautioned and discharged.—-James Robinson, who called himself an assistant schoolmaster, was charged with being drunk and disorderly in the Fabian's Inn on the 16th. Defendant said he was in- sulted, but admitted he was the worse for drink, and refused to quit the house. Fined 10s. and costs.-Thos. John, of Brynhyfryd, pleaded guilty to being drunk on the 17th. Ordered to pay 10s. and costs. SELLINO ADULTERATED WHISKEY.—The case of Wm. Lewis, of the Fountain Inn, who was summoned for sel- ling adulterated whiskey, was brought up for disposal. The Stipendiary said he had fully considered the evidence, and had come to the conclusion that the charge against the defendant must be dismissed as be was only the manager, and not the licensed. The licensed, in his opinion, was the person who should have been summoned. The usual labels or notices as to the quality of the liquor supplied, were not seen by the off- cers. They were not put up in a conspicuous place as they ought to be. SERIOUS ASSAULT. HEAVY FINE. Thomas Cook George, of 36, Western-street, described as a tidal clerk, was summoned by his wife, Hannah George, for having committed an aggravated assault on her, on the 12th of February. Mr. Evans, from the office of Mr. Aeron Thomas, was for the complainant, and Mr. Woodward for the defendant. Mrs. George, sworn, said she lived at 36, Western-street. She remembered the 12th of Feb- ruary. Her husband came home between six and half-past six O'clock. On giving him his tea he began to grumble, and continued grumbling all the time. When she rose to go to another room he followed her. He afterwards left the house and returned in ten minutes. He then began to grumble again, and she told him if he would keep on grumbling she would rather go home. He told her to go. When she was going out of the room, defendant took hold of her by the wrist and pulled her over a mangle in a violent manner. A struggle ensued, during which he threw her over a sewing- machine and held her there for some time, saying, Whoa, Emma." She almost fainted, as he held her head back over the machine. She was on the ground for some time, and after he pulled her up, she asked for her boots, and she went to Mrs. Jones's house, taking her child with her. She shewed her arms and wrist 0 to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, which were black and blue, and much swollen. On the following day she went home to her parents at Darlington, and was attended by a medical man. Her wrists were so much injured that she could not raise her hand.—Cross-examined by Mr. Wood- ward I think I am of an amiable temper. I did not issue proceedings until the 26ch because I thought my husband would think better of matters, and come for me. My parents advised me to take proceedings. I did not kick him. I raised my foot to keep him from me, as he had held my hands tight. He threatened to put a knife through me. Mrs. Packer, Mrs. Moi'ice, Mary Jones, a servant girl, and Mr. Jones, to whose house the complainant fled, gave corroborative evidence, the latter especially proving the state of the injuries received. In answer to the Stipendiary, Mrs. George said the only thing she did wrong was in not coming home from Sketty until an hour later than she promised, but he suffered no inconvenience, as the ser- vant was home. She asked him to let her go to her friends. She did not ask him often to go out, as he was not willing. If she went to church on a Sunday, he said she had enough to do at home. He was seldom home on Sundays. She was really afraid of him. On her oath she was, as he bad threatened to put a knife through her, —he bad been drinking rather heavily of late. Mr. Wood- ward addressed the bench for defendant, urging negligence at home and not attending to his comfort, as he was obliged to be out night and day.—In mitigation be read a letter from Messrs. Poingdestere and Mesnier, his em- ployers, who gave him an excellent character. Captain Rosser Rosser and Mr. Evans, of H. M. Customs, also spoke as to his good character. Mr. Fowler said they considered he bad been guilty of an aggravated assault, when he recollected that there was but little blame attached to Mrs. George, and the language which defen- daut had used towards her, and likewise his threats, and that she had to take refuge in a neighbour's house. Although the injuries inflicted were not very serious, still, what took place amounted to an aggravated assault, and be would be fined E5 and cost. Mr. Evans then ap- plied tor a judicial separation, which was granted, the Bench ordering the defendant to contribute 12s. per week, and to have care of her little boy.

SWANSEA SCHOOL BOARD. A monthly meeting of this Board was held at the Guildhall on Wednesday morning, whereat there were present the Rev. A. J. Parry (in the chair), Mr. E. Roberts, Dr. Morgan, Rev. W. P. Williams, Mr. R. T. Reed, Mr. A. Francis, Rev. Canon Richards, Mr. R. Martin, Mr. G. G. Sutherland, and the Rev. M. Morgan. SCHOOLS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. The report of this committee recommended the ap- pointment of several assistant teachers at various schools, the sealing the articles of several pupil teachers, also that Standards II. and III. be retained at the Town Hill Board School. Mr. Edward Roberts, chairman of the committee, moved the adoption. He said there was nothing de- manding remark, save that the number of infants and young children at the Town Hill School demanded that Standards II. and III. should be retained there. Dr. Morgan seconded. Mf. Reed took exception to the constant changes which were going on now, by allowing pupil and assistant teachers to remove as they liked from school to school. He was understood to say that he would move a pro- position against the continuance of such a practice. Canon Richards, referring to the Higher Grade School, said that of course it was patent to all that 9<3. per head per week did not at all represent the commercial value of the education given there, but surely there were many of the well-to-do parents of children now attending that school who were both able and willing to pay the full value of the education their offspring received. He inferred from the remarks made by the gentlemen who waited upon the Board to ask for the establishment of a Higher Grade School, that they would be willing to pay for the education they received. What they said they wanted was a school that was kept up to the mark by Government grant and examination. He was quite willing to defer the matter for full discussion at a not remote date, but he thought some application ought to be made so as to give those parents who were able to do so an opportunity of paying for it fully. Mr. E. Roberts, in reply, said it was often an advantage to remove teachers from one school to another, because, for instance, if the head teacher did not know music and a pupil teacher did, the Board could arrange accordingly. Therefore, it was well to have the power to make these changes when it was seen to be desirable. As to Canon Richards's remarks, he might say that several of the gen- tlemen who sent their children to the Higher Grade School now contributed two guineas, and some of them four guineas, per annum towards scholarships. It was believed that others would do the same, if asked, and so it was hoped the school would become self-supporting and free from the rates. (Hear.) Applications had not yet been made to all with that view. The report was then adopted. SCHOOLS BUILDING COMMITTEE. The report of the Schools Building Committee recom- mended the Board to accept the terms of the Town Council for settling the dispute as to Goat-street Board School, and to authorize the Clerk to agree with the Town Clerk on a joint case and upon a counsel to whom it shall be submitted, and to anthorize him meantime to proceed with the sale. To resolve on the purchase from Lord Jersey of the additional land required adjoining Dany- graig Board School on the terms recommended, and to authorize the Clerk to enter into a contract for that pur- pose. To resolve on the purchase from the Corporation of sites at Townhill and St. Helen's Field on the terms recommended, and to authorize the Clerk to enter into contracts for that purpose and, to arrange for paving the playground of Trinity Place Higher Grade Board School. It was stated that Lord Jersey would not accept less than £1,500 per acre for the additional land which the Board needed adjoining the Danygraig Board School. Mr. R. Martin moved the adoption of the report. He said there were only two tenders sent in for paving the yard of the Higher IGrade School, and therefore it would no Joubt be the feeling of the Board that the matter should be referred back to committee. In explanation of the condition of the Goat-street school question, he said that if the Corporation had raised the question of the ownership sooner, no such difficulty would have arisen. Before thejTown Council raised the matter, the School Board had actually sold the school to the Wesleyan body. Now the Town Council were prepared to accept the sale, and to refer the question as to whom the purchase-money should go to to a learned counsel, to be agreed upon be- tween the parties. He thought the proposal was a veiy fair one. As to the ground which the Board needed for the erection of a school at St. Helen's, the Corporation offered to let it at a perpetual rent-charge rather than sell it, and that suggestion was a good one, inasmuch as it would obviate the payment of a large sum as purchase money. The Rev. M. Morgan seconded. Canon Richards was glad to know the question of paving the Higher Grade School-yard was deferred, and hoped it would be abandoned altogether, because he did not see why one school-yard should be paved and not another. Mr. Reed asked who was to pay for the counsel's opinions taken in the matter of the Goat-street school. He supposed there would be a long bill for legal expenses which the ratepayers would have to pay, and which ought to have been avoided. Mr. Roberts thought it was a good thing the Town Council and the Board had come to an arrangement in this matter. It ought to be remembered that so far back as two years ago the Board advertised the Goat-street school-rooms for sale, but the Council put in no claim to the reversion of it then. He supposed that matter depended upon the wording of the deed Clerk No; upon an Act of Parliament, sir. Mr. Roberts said he thought both the Council and the Board had done wisely in submitting a joint case to counsel for decision. He hoped the whole matter would soon be settled withoutincurring very much expense. Mr. Reed was understood to say he did not agree with that way of dealing with the question. Dr. Morgan What would you do ? Mr. Reed: I should have given it back at once to the Corporation. What is the use of fighting them. It is putting money into the same pocket as we draw out of. If we had done that, it would have saved an expenditure of £300. Mr. Roberts It never occurred to us that the Corpo- tion would claim it until after we had sold it. Mr Martin: We could not give it back. We had parted with the property to the Wesleyans, and it was therefore nonsense to ask us to give it up. It was not until after we had committed ourselves to the sale that the Corporation put in a claim to it. The report was then adopted. TRUANT SCHOOL. The report of this school committee stated that during the month five boys had been admitted, and 12 licensed out. One boy who had been sent there was not admitted because he was found by the medical officer to be suffer- ing from incipient pthisis. The Chairman moved the adoption of the report, and said there was nothing that called for remark. The Rev. M. Morgan seconded. Mr. Reed said if he did not get to-day a statement of the gain and loss which they had incurred in connection with the Truant school he should feel disappointed. Canon Richards said he had not undertaken to write a report on the subject; but he would now state what would be in the nature of a report on the working of the Truant school.. The school cost in erection JM.647, 2 ivt" i ■ ? annual amount paid for interest verage cost of each child in the •' £ 13° 12s- 9d- had been received from the Treasury m contributions; and the annual cost of the school to the Board had been £ 468 lis 7d The average cost for maintenance was £ 14 10s. which hi found on comparison to be about two-thirds of tha average cost of the Truant Schools in olher large towns Then it was satisfactory to state that the average number of re-admissions to the school was considerably below that of other towns, while since the school had been in operation the increase in attendances at the ordinary schools had been about a thousand (hear, hear) He then proceeded to read a number of letters he had received from the school teachers of the town from which it appeared that there was a general concensus of opinion that great good had been done by the school though the teachers differed in opinion as to the effect the school had had on the average attendance, some thinking there had been considerable increase, and others not. Mr. Reed was much obliged to the Canon for such an exhaustive report, bat it did not answer the question which he had asked for, namely, what bad the Truant School cost the School Board ? The Clerk (looking at the official statement) said the annual cost to the Swansea School Board was .£468 lis. 7d. This included the maintenance of the boys and the officers, and included all expenses save the interest on and repayment of capital for building. The cost per boy per week was 7s. 5^d. Mi. Reed supposed the interest on and repayment of Zl ,pha„7u n £ 200 a year mov*>so that prac- tically this school cost the town £ 700 a vear It was a great leak, which they ought to try to stop. It was too much to call upon the ratepayers to pay £ 700 a year fot the care of o0 boys, besides what was received from the Government grant. He felt that this had become a serious public burden, and that there ought at once to be some curtailment. Mr. Roberts said that though only about 30 boys were in the Truant school at once, yet that in the course of 12 months the total number was very much larger. It was clear from what Canon Richards had said that the estab- lishment of the school had had the effect of increasing the average school attendance of the district by about a thousand children. Then it must be remembered that though the Truant school at Swansea was expensive, it was much less so than similar institutions in other places. The school here had already done incalculable good. He did not think there was any machinery in ex- istence that effected so much good at such a cost. If half the number of boys who were now sent to the truant school were sent to prison, the cost to the community would be very much more, besides the loss of the l ^ys' characters for life. Now, after they had passed through the Truant school, they were likely to make good citizens. If, by keeping boys in the Truant school for six or seven weeks, they could be saved from crime and turned into good citizens, the cost could not be considered excejsive. At the same time he agreed with the remark that they must keep down the cost as low as was consistent with efficiency. Mi. Sutherland said this school cost a great deal of money, and it was full time to take in sail. He had differed from the first with Canon Richards as to the need of such a school. He had listened to the letters which had been read to day as to the effect of the school and he thought when the whole body of opinion was analysed it was as much against, as for, the Usefulness of the school. If any one would move for a committee to look into the cost, he would second it, as the expenditure was too heavy. Mr. Francis thought this matter could have been better dealt with in committee, as it here entailed a loss of time. He quite felt that the school effected a great deal of good, but at the time he thought they were now paying too heavily for the good it yielded. As to the increased school attendance ID tbe district, that was not due to the Truant school, but rather to the opening of the new Dyvatty school. He trusted some steps would be taken to reduce the cost. It was not fair that Swansea should pay for the establishment of, such a school, and give other places the benefit of it without full payment. Dr. Morgan said a special scale of cost bad been pre- pared, and was acted upon in the case of boys sent to the school from all other places. Mr. Reed made several attempts to speak, notwith- standing the ruling of the Chairman that he could not speak twice on the same question, and after some show of rebellious feeling against the chair, Canon Richards said he did not think he could sit at the Board with persons who behaved in this way. If members had no personal dignity, they ought to consider that they represented a respectable town and ought to assume on that account a respectability which otherwise they might not posses". The Rev. M. Morgan said he would move that Mr. Reed be requested to leave the room If he did not obey the chair: Mr. Reed I shall not do it. If a gentleman wishes to speak he ought to be allowed to do so in the public interest. The Rev. P. Williams said the Truant School, coupled witb the cost of the attendance officers, amounted to about £1,500 per annum, and that was too much. It was high time they did something to keep down the expenditure. It having been ruled that Mr. Reed, after having spoken once could not move an amendment, and that Canon Richards had no right to reply, The Chairman said he did not regret the discussion which had taken place, because it had been an edifying one. Canon Richards bad adduced a lot of interesting facts, and he had not coloured too highly the statement of the good effected by the Truant School. The moral influence of the school had been most excellent. The School Board bad to carry out the provisions of a certain Act of Parliament, and if to do so it was necessary to spend £ I ,500, then the Board were perfectly jastified in going to that cost. If they did not do so they would not be fulfilling their duties to the burgesses. He thought the Truant School might be rendered still more efficacious for good if more attention were only paid to the boys who were out on licences, and if their licences were revoked as soon as they made their first relapse into truancy. The introduction of the new School Board policeman would help in the same direction. The report of the Truant School was then adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Clerk read the report of this committee, which recommended the Board to authorise the signature of cheques for the usual periodical papments-J enkin Jones Educational Newspaper Company Limited, Grant and Company, Thomas, Watkins, and Jenkins Walters and Johns, W. Davies, D. Evans, D. Morgan, P. Roger F. Bonnett and Son. To authorise the affixing of the Common Seal to a Mortgage Deed to the Public Works Loan Commissioners to secure an advance of £2,050 and interest and to the authority accompanying the same. To authorise the sealing and issue of precepts upon the Rating Authorities for such sums to cover the expenses of the Board for such a period as may be decided on. To consider the supply of School Materials, and to pass reso- lutions thereon. The Rev. W. P. Williams moved the adoption of the Finance Committee's report. The amount recommended to be raised by precept in anticipation of the needs of th* next six months was £ 6,000. As to the supply of school material, the committee had considered the matter and bad instructed the School Inspector to report on the subject, and the Clerk to ascertain what was done in other places. Mr. Morgan seconded. Mr. Reed said he would move that the precent be fnr £5,000 instead of £6,000. He saw there was a lot of money in the Treasurer's hands, and the Board ought to have interest on it. They would not want the jE6 000 all at once, and besides in the half-year they would' be re- ceiving £1,100, or £1,200 for the Goat-street School The times were now very bad in town, and it would be well to lessen the School Board rate as much as posaible Mr. E. Roberts asked what was the period allowed the SCTh Pi°al f°r,rePayment of borrowed money ? The Clerk Thirty years Mr. Roberts thought it ought to be extended to at vfnvria^ S° Plenty might bear some of th* buiden which we were now incurring on its account. einaps the time could be extended. As to the precept I it would not do to run short of money, as so many per- sons were dependent upon regular payments. Mr. Sutherland said that as the estimated expenditure for the year was £12000 it would be unwise now to ask for less than half that amount, as they would in the second half of the year have to ask for £7,000. (Hear.) Mr. Francis said the matter had been fully gone into in committee. It was thought they ought to ask for £6JOO now, so that. after they had received the Govern- ment grants, they might ask for something less than JE6000 in the last half of the year. He was sorry there had been so few members present at the Committee meet. ting, when they went into the question of the supply of school materials. The amount paid by the Board in twelve months was no less than £1,093 18s. 8d., and al. though he had been a member of the Finance Committee for some time he had never seen a single bill for school materials supplied. He could not understand how cheques should be signed by the managers of schools; and the money should be spent without coming before the Finance Committee at all He was thunderstruck when he found out that such a system had been pursued. JE1000 a year was spent by the Board for materials supplied, and not a penny of those accounts came before the Finance Committee. He had no personal motive in bringing this matter forward, but he trusted that the matter would have full attention in Committee before the next meeting. The Clerk, in reply to Mr. Roberts, said the Act fixed 50 years as the extreme limit for the repayment of bor- rowed money, hut in this case 30 years had been fixed upon as most advantageous to the burgesses as by repay- ing in 30 years the amount repayable was smallest. Mr. Roberts What is the rate of interest ? Clerk 3.^ per cent., which, with repayment instal- ments, comes to £ 5 12s. 2d. per cent, per annum. The report was then adopted. The formal business of the School Attendance Com- mittee, including the appointment of a special policeman for the purposes of the School Board, concluded the meeting.

In usually well-informed circles (writes a Vienna correg. pondent) the opinion is prevalent that Prince Bismark's understanding with Russia, which completes the Con- tinental Monarchical Alliance, has for its ultimate object the bringing about of a general disarmament which the German Chancellor has so often declared impossible, or at any rate, premature, but which nevertheless he is believed to look forward to as the last great service he owes the German people. Some time must of course, elapse before the first intimation of this grave proposition will be given, and in all probability not Germany, but another of the allied Powers will propose the calling of a Disarmament Congress. Prinoe Bismark has never lost sight of this great project" with which he will one day startle the world and crown his labours.