The Cambrian

SWANSEA, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1886. POLITICAL PROSPECTS. THESE are stirring and momentous times for active politicians, and they are disquieting times for philosophical politicians. There never was a period when partizanship was pushed further, and never were the evil consequences of govern- ment by party more apparent than now. The fact of the matter is that patriotism has to a large extent been allowed to give place to the narrow ,and cramping spirit of party interests and per- sonal predilections. The old complaint which used to be levelled at our Roman Catholic fellow- citizens in the troublous "No Popery" agitations was that Romanists owed their first and supreme loyalty to the Pope and that they only acknowledged their subjection to the Monarch of those realms in a secondary and limited degree. Much the same may now unfortunately be said of the party men of the present day. They seem to think more of their own little personal fads, and agita- tional cries, and party tactics, than they do of the unity and glory and safety of the wonderful r, ul Empire which we as Englishmen have inherited. Differences of opinion there always will be- differences of opinion there ought to be—but the politicians of to-day seem to have forgotten the old phraze which wisely tells us that we may agree to differ." What is especially noticeable just now is the unscrupulousness of partizans- even of the greatest and most prominent Leaders Of political influence. Statesmanship has almost disappeared from the councils of the nation giving place to the less dignified and more dangerous e ement of orators and demagogues and wire-pullers. From the point of view of the working classes, who believe they have suffered greatly in the past from class legislation, there may be an advantage in introducing the working man element into Parliament but nothing can really compensate for the lowering in tone which is now taking place in the membership of the House which controls the destinies of the Emnire England has been built up by the work of all under the leadership of great and glorious names It may be well to set aside the unfair privileges which have grown up round the ownerahin of land and in some other directions but it will be a. sad day for England, and an onimous day for the world, when our rulers forget the great traditions of the past. Unity, consistency, and strength have marked the onward stride of the British lion, but now he seems to be halting between conflicting theories, undecided whether he will try to maintain the position and prestige bequeathed to him or yield to the selfishnesses and weaknesses of partizanship and faction. The results of the unseemly scrambles through which we have been passing during the last few years, are the weakening of England's influence abroad, and the lessening of our prosperity and content ^?me' What is wanted now is a few years of stable, strong, and consistent government, which will win the respect of the foreigner, and compel the obedience of all subject race~s. Ireland must have ber national wrongs righted, but not at the expense of the whole Empire. The demand for Home Rule has been answered for a time by the voice of the countrv-a voice which declares authoritatively that "it is better that the Union should be saved by the most stationary or even reactionary of ministries, than lost by the most Progressive." Even Mr. Parnell has come to recognise the inevitable for awhile. He dots not W let!e.to "Produce a Home Rule Bill, but he TTAH ° |llne(^ the consent of the Leader of the H?use, Lord Randolph Churchill, to introduce an hiVP '-This jermission he seems to usual fii.aain^ °n- t^le understanding that the ODDositinn1111^ e.st*mates shall be passed without tl,edra!t which h«* rial- i 1 the lines of the speech tln-ee chief laat Week- "«<* that the leaseholders may'5 f™ <L> that IHsh judicial rent (2) that tJn tht c1ourt1t(^ fix a fixed prior to a year a*o m who,had thfr rents for a re-valuation of the haZ T Y-t0 tbe that the court may, pending ? Prices and (3) suspend proceedings for eje^tmnt appl*catl0n9' such prop„rtio» rents as it (the court) might decide upon. This Bill is to be introduced to-day, and probably the second reading will take place on Thursday the 16th inst. There will obviously be an advantage in our knowing what the Chief of the Irish Party demands in the shape of land reform. There have been so many vague and apparently unauthorised stories current as to what the Irish faction want that it will be quite refreshing to hear what we hope will be a straightforward statement of their claims with reference to the land. Whether the government and the country will be able to con- cede what they ask, remains to be seen. The truth cannot be too often repeated that no solu- tion of Irish difficulties will be .successful until they are approached by men of all parties and predilections in a more magnanimous and patriotic spirit than at present seems to obtain in Parlia- ment and the constituencies.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. SWANSEA RACE MEETING. THE lovers of sport, and especially of horse-flesh, in the Swansea district will be glad to hear that there is to be a revival here of the long-lapsed pastime of horse racing. The older inhabitants remember and speak with enthusiasm of the good old days of something like forty years ago, when races were held on the Crymlyn Burrows. Those were the days before the toll bridges were erected across the Tawe, and the local gentry had to send their carriages over the ford when the tide was out, they themselves crossing in the ferry boat in time to drive over to see the races. The renewal of the sport is to take place not on Crumlyn Burrows, but in Clyne Valley, where there are some flat meadows which will suit the purpose capitally. By the expenditure of a moderate sum of money a splendid course could be made, of an oval shape, the long sides of which would be about three quarters of a mile in length. Pending the incurring of that outlay, which would make one of the most beautiful little courses in the Kingdom, initiatory races may possibly be held on one of the largest of the Clyne meadows. There is some little difference of opinion between the members of the committee of promoters-who are all men of position and character which would be a guarantee of the thorough straightforwardness and respecta- bility of the arrangements—as to whether the first contest should be held this autumn or next spring. It now appears likely, we believe, that there will be held a Clyne Valley Meet next month, and that the Swansea Race Meeting will be held early in the new year on the new and well laid out course.

THE KILVEY HILL DISASTER. NEVER perhaps has the old familiar exaggeration of "thousands of cats" been more thoroughly exemplified than in the reports which have appeared all over the country about the disaster which occurred to the cottages on the side of Kilvey Hill on Saturday last. One Swansea, gentle- man staying in Manchester was surprised to read that an enormous waterspout had burst over Swan- sea, destroying a great deal of house property, and that hundreds of people were leaving the town in consequence, while the greatest consternation on all hands prevailed. The facts, revealed by a visit to Foxhole, are certainly serious enough without the intervention of any of this penny-a-lining bombast and untruth. There was in effect no waterspout. But there was a very remarkable deluge of rain, which, acting under somewhat peculiar circum- stances, and in a very peculiar district, caused a great deal of damage to property, but happily no loss of life. Kilvey Hill was once, we believe, covered with verdure, but the thousand and one deleterious smokes from the works in the valley have long since killed every blade of grass which grew there, and thoroughly denuded the ground of its natural fertility. The slope of the bill at the place where the accident occurred is something like an angle of 45 degrees. This would be steep enough in all conscience if the surface were bound together by close and strong herbage. But inas- much as all the herbage has disappeared, the hill side is nothing but one great mass of soft, loose, brown earth and stones and boulders. The gases which kill the verdure seems to have had an action upon the ground itself, softening, and honey- combing it to such an extent that it is disturbed by every wind and every shower however light. That cottages should have been built in the first i place at the base of such a fearful slope is a matter of surprise; that they should have been allowed to continue in such a place, is surely a subject for wonder.

+ THE RECENT STORMS. THE calamity (for it was nothing less) which this week so unexpectedly befel many of the families of St. Thomas and Foxhole, whilst it must be deeply regretted by all, should lead to some practical steps being adopted to mititfjite tlxe quences of the heavy storms with which Swansea is often visited. Not that any adequate provision can be made for such a storm as that of Saturday. It was phenomenal. That ubiquitous individual "the oldest inhabitant" cannot remember anything like so severe a visitation, and probably the j youngest resident will not behold such another. But we are occasionally visited with severe storms j and rains, to cope with which adequate drainage provision should be made. Only a few months since the Strand presented a scene which will not soon be forgotten, when some of the residents of the houses had to be ferried in boats to a place of safety. Almost daily, in the times of high tides, some of the houses in Oxford-street have their cellars filled with sewage water, &c., causing con- siderable inconvenience to the residents, much destruction of property, and the source of much danger in a sanitary point of view. All these things point significantly to the fact that our Urban Sanitary Authority should at once direct that the necessary steps should be taken to increase our drainage. On Saturday and Sunday last many of the shops and dwelling-houses in Oxford-street—all of which are very heavily rated —had two feet and two feet and a half of sewage ■water washed back into their cellars and under- ground kitchens, with many articles of furniture swimming about. When the water subsided the stench was simply abominable, highly dangerous to health, and possibly lead to the outbreak of a serious epidemic. Unfortunately these occurr- ences are far from infrequent. Whenever a storm takes place during high tide, the cellars are filled with sewage water. Presumably the drains are too small to carry off the rain water-but whatever the cause surely engineering skill could provide a remedy. The storm of Saturday was of extra- ordinary violence and caused a good deal of destruction of property. His Worship the Mayor promptly provided for the emergency and kindly took every means for the immediate housing of the families rendered temporarily homeless. But the lesser but more frequent storms do much serious injury to the property and endanger the health and even lives of the residents of some of our heaviest-taxed houses, and surely some remedy ought to be provided without further delay.

+ HOSPITAL SUNDAY. ON Sunday next the annual appeal will be simul- r!made in the various churches and chapels HoSft^OWnn°n 1Ei.of the funds of our General formwu!V, flr benevolent institutions were of the LiV' y!iUPP^'iby a comparatively few are rfJ^o L' w ?lddl° classes> but latterly we I « £ £ £ £ £ £ saw? these institutions, and manifesting greate^det SmT nation to enlarge their benevolent action Tf happy suggestion which prompted the simulSn^us collection m the various churches and ch-in l behalf of the funds of the institution, so £ n° £ classes should have the means of contributing It is not everybody who can afford the donation of the half-sovereign or even the half-crown, but almost everyone can afford to place a shilling or sixpence on the collecting plate in the church and chapel. Many of our large works now make weekly eol- lections from their employes on behalf of our hospital and other local charities, and very con- siderable sums are thereby realised. These institution exist for the most part for the benefit of the working classes, and it is a healthy sign of the times to find them beginning to realise their duty to contribute more largely and to take more interest in the Institu- tions than they have hitherto done. Hundreds of the working classes wll, on Sunday next, be enabled to give their contributions (however small) towards the funds of one of the principal charities. Every working man should feel it a pleasure as well as a duty to do so, and the consciousness that he is helping forward a truly beneficent work will be his ample reward. In these times of commercial depression many merchants and tradesmen are reluctantly compelled to curtail their former donations, and the funds of local institutions suffer severely. The aggregate of the collections of the working and industrial classes then come in most opportunely, enabling the committee to carry on their work and labour of love with more zeal and success than they otherwise would. The funds of our Hospital sadly need replenishing, and we hope that the collections which are to be made in the various churches and chapels on Sunday next will testify in a practical way that there is no diminu- tion of interest in the welfare of this Christian and benevolent Institution.

+ HARBOURS OF REFUGE—THE MUMBLES. THE national importance of establishing Harbours of Refuge around the coast has once more been brought prominently under the notice of the im- perial legislature. Whether the National Refuge Harbours Society, knewing the proclivity of the Conservative Government to spend public money, thought the present an opportune moment to test their opinion in reference to the construction of refuge harbours, we know not; but last week an influential deputation of members of Parliament and others waited upon Baron De Worms at the Board of Trade to urge upon him the necessity of constructing more Harbours of Refuge around the coast. If the deputation did not obtain any positive assurance that their prayers would be practically answered by the Government, the reply was most cheering and encouraging—that substan- tial aid would be afforded local representative bodies in carrying out works of such benevolent and useful character. The reply which Mr. F. Johnson, the indefatigable hon. sec. of the National Harbour Refuge Society, received from Lord Randolph Churchill is significant. He says The two questions about which you write are among those which will, without doubt, receive the early and practical attention of the present Government should they remain in office. No part of the conduct of the late Government is more open to censure than the indifference which was mani- fested by it in the question of the better protection of our fishermen; nor can it be doubted that if Mr. Gladstone and his colleagues were restored to office their efforts to carry out an inflammatory pro- Gladstone and his colleagues were restored to office their efforts to carry out an inflammatory pro- gramme would cause the vastly important matters in which you are interested to be again entirely lost sight of." We by no means endorse the con- cluding sentence of the letter of Lord Randolph Churchill; but it cannot be gainsaid that the vitally important question of constructing Har- bours of Refuge around our coasts has been far too long neglected by Liberal and Conservative Governments alike. In the discussion which ensued Baron de Worms said that the present Government was fully alive to the necessity for improving harbour accommodation, and for that purpose would give greater facilities for loans of public money than now existed. These encouraging c3 words from the Government representatives should induce our shipowners, merchants, commercial men and every one interested in our marine industries to buckle on their armour afresh with a view of accepting the Government challenge. Mr F A Yeo, M.P., ably championed the Mumbles'site best calculated to serve the trade of the wl^l f the Bristol Channel, and from the many discusxt,^ which have taken place, the construction Refuge Harbour at that Head would not be a very formidable undertaking, either in constm^iL cost. Competent authorities state that the vist mountains of slag from the collieries and metal works which so disfigure our locality could be utilised in the construction of the Refuo-e Har- bour. It has also been suggested that the Govern. ment might go a step further and promise, on certain conditions, that suostantial aid mio-M u offered in the shape of gratuitous convict labm^f^ local bodies towards such a purpose There large amount of force in the shape of bar, i /S .f and sinew which must be sustained" in rZ °°^ and which might with propriety be utilised' hy the State. At present this force is largely wI the injury erea of the convicts themsT-lvi If" therefore, our Harbour Trustees and Our repre- sentative bodies would energ-eticallv take up this important question of a Harbour of Refuge at the Mumbles, it is not at all improbable, §ter Jhl cheering encouragement of Baron De i f week, that the Government would not only £ a the necessary amount upon terms easv of i but would also grant further substantial aid^T^ shape of gratuitous convict labour At nii i the subject is well forth the earnest and immediate quSS! t6d iU tWs taPMtant

— THE TIN-PLATE TRADE. IN the present chronic depression of this trade it is hoping against hope to expect anything like a permanent revival. Occasionally there is a little "spurt" in this, perhnps the ehicf of the m"„v great manufacturing industries which exist in locality, and the hopes and aspirations of our business men ascend with rapidity in the commer- cial barometer. In a few days the "spurt" has died out and the mercury in the commercial bar- ometer again falls. A few weeks ago a slight improvement was manifested, and all hailed with joy this improvement as the precursor of a perma- nent revival in trade. But these hopes have again been dissipated, at all events for the present ldr. W. Williams, the proprietor of tile larutft works (the and the -v,,i-est) in this district, has jus-t issue -(1 n6t'-e(' to his work gWS.tt.'jEtSSSSt ^irSalet Z8 days from Monday last. Mr. William <« words best describe the reason and the t condition of trade. HeSa,s, "IHainy tL^ is no question of wages or dispute of any kind W us our relations are as friendly as ev^r o /i as should exist between employer and SU°, This makes it more painful to me to make a m upon the close and agreeable connection twf existed between us for so many years TVi of this action is due to circumstanced quft^ouS our own power, for, as many of you are tin-plate trade has been in a depressed ami' satisfactory state for a long period, and, while "wl have been carrying on in the hope of ai improve ment setting m, prices have been constat, ceding until they have now reached a point fW we are unable to continue the manufacture witl + incurring heavy losses and, so far as I am .wf judge there is no prospect of an immediate revival. It is due to these circumstances, therefore tl F I am reluctantly compelled to take this COURFO T shall continue to keep a watch over the l and, when an improvement takes place I prepared to keep the works Lint' a,11 b,8 Earnestly hoping that better times will soo^ for the sake of all concerned, I am yom WM. WILLIAMS." Every one must regret tlJ y' dition of the tin-plate trade, which, as we hav/w°U~ observed, is one of the most important of thp ™ °re metallurgical industries of the district a,H depression and prosperity of which affects o pondingly, the trade of Swansea. The W authorities, however, are agreed upon thp i for its present condition; and Mr. Willi J y taken the practical suggestion of the ehair»>,n f several members of the Tin-Plate Makers A a- tion in this direction. There is a concen ^3°cia- opinionthat production has overtaken r>n^US of tion, leading to the rapid accumulation of and the fall of prices almost beyond urvf i°C^S and which are now far from being remuneraH o long as makers will continue to via-orou*7e' their works, irrespective of large stocks anrl i prices, so long we may wait in vain for A healthy condition of things. Could the ^1,ore makers be induced to follow the exam-nh. °ther Williams and reduce the make, present f would soon be reduced, demand would ho stocks and prices consequently advance. Prosn > ■ not always guaged by outside appearances w 1S assured by competent authorities that curr^nf ai'° for plates do not pay for their make, and sucl v"a the case, common sense dictates that the 1 ,eiU" course for both masters and men is to fomn cease until prices will enable a of work. Doubtless the temporary oa ^?;?on from work, should it indeed take SSaj on will cause a good deal of inconvenienc Ce* possibly distress, to some families, but as S is the nucleus of other large industries other employ will be found. We niav lL° sure that Mr. Williams has only resorted t '^V mode of procedure under the profoundest co tion that it is absolutely necessary f0r fv1a 11V1C" interests of all, and that he will no^ ]-e" W'orks idle a single day longer than is imperativoi1S required. In the meantime we can only hopp fi 'V trade will have so far improved at the expiratin,, the notice as to render cessation of work nrm sai'y; but if not, we must bow to the ir.-vi'^i'i3" and hope that better times will shortly dawn

+ — DEATH OF MR. R. SHEPHERD, MUMBLES 2nd inst, the death of Mr. Richard Shepherd of +>1G Mumbles, occurred after a brief but severe in 1 he deceased, who was forty-three years of a«e .ff, in high respect throughout the whole neighbou'rhnrT J his loss will be felt by many. He was a lead?,?^ and of the Wesleyan body, a memblr of the O^l1^1^" Local Board and the Burial Board an ofci ™°utl1 "Oddfellows" and «Rechabite5' FrLdW « -Vhe and in these and other philanthropic efforts ies' the cause of Liberalism, he always took a 1 as active interest. His funeral which took nd Monday last, was the largest seen in the Muml l ° r°'' many years. The Rev. Edward Smith £ for minister, conducted the funeral service, assistp7i,^n Rov. J C. Davies (Congregational), kSftb? hLtl service ot the Oddfellows was conducted in I !? room and at the grove. This ceremony was perform^? by Mr. J. Woodcock, Prov., G.M., who was ao" d panied by several district officers and about 300 bers of the order. The teachers and scholars nT +h" Wesleyan Sunday School, of which the deceased M for thirteen years the superintendent, also joined in the procession.

DEATH OF MRS. J. H. VIVIAN, OF SINGLETON. Our obituary this week contains the announcement of the death of Mrs. Vivian, relict of the late Mr J. H. Vivian, Swansea's first representative in the Reformed Commons House of Parliament. She ex- pired, after a brief illness, at the family mansion, on Wednesday morning last, "full of years," having ar- riMiaVMae»^toEmSiher more than a fort- ni-ht a "o soon after her return from London to Single- ton She suffered from catarrhal symptoms, which later on developed into acute of the left lung. Dr. George Padley, ^ho has been the medical attendant of the Singleton y than twenty years, was at once called • toms from the first were serious, and especially so co sidering the advanced age of t e • • Vivian had always enjoyed fairly goo there basis of a good constitution well preser .> was, therefore, hope at one tune that might outlive the attack. On Tuesday evening, however, there were symptoms of failure, which continued to increase until her death took place on Wednesday forenoon bet ween 10 and 11 o'clock, all the members of the familvI exGei t Mr. Glya Vivian who is abroad), being present, as well as Dr. Padiey in attendance. ,i r Af The late Mrs. J. H. Vivian was tae da i^utcr of Arthur Jones, Esq., of Caerfallach, FlmWure inheriting-" The Priory, Reigate, left ISiorth VV ales for the latter, where he resided until ^(e "Hill House," and subsequently to Bryn f Swansea. The late Mrs. Vivian October, 1798, and was married on the 30th of October 1816, at St. Mary's, Swansea. Her G^dien are Lady Gibson Craig, Sir H. Hussey Vivian, MP-, Mr. W. GrahamVivian Mrs. W. Jones-Loyd, Mr. A. Pendarves Vivian, Mr. R. Glyn man, Mrs. of its erection. It was here that the Prince ana Princess of Wales were entertained right royally during their memorable visit to this town she dispensed her hospitality to all around. it was here, too, during a more than usually pro- longed life, the "'simple annals of the poor aUay.^ found a responsive chord when charity was really needed. Indeed, it may justly be said of this estimable lady that "she did good by stealth, and blushed to find it fame." Nor were her '"J. good deeds confined to her own immediate wcauiy. In the Swansea Hospital, in the Workhouse, in the Homes and kindred institutions her benevolence was active and well-known, though always mo,t uno tra- sive and unostentatious. On the news of her demise reaching Swansea, it was received *ith pro- found regret, and every mark of respect has since been shewn to her memo y. church bells of Swansea and Sketty were at once I tolled, the public buildings hoisted their Hag. half- mast; whilst the shipping in the harbour display the usual signs of mourning In the Swansea Town Council the Mayor spoke of the event m feeling terms, and a vote of condolence was passed. A similar vote was unanimously agreed to at the Swansea Boaid of Guardians on Thursday. In the death of Mrs. Vivian the district has lost a warm friend, Society a distinguished ornament and example, and the poor and indigent a real but discriminating and judicious fdend. The funeral, which will be strictly private, will take place on Monday morning, at Sketty Church, the cortege leaving Singleton at 11, and thus the remains of the venerable lady will be laid at rest with her amiable and well-remembered husband, whose name and kindly deeds are household words among the older inhabitants of the borough and district.

LOCAL FIXTURES OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10. Mrs Welilon at the New Theatre Wind-street. SATURDAY, SEPT. 11, Excursion to London, per Great Western Railw ay Excursion from Cardigan to London per Great Western Excursion to the North of England, per London and N'orth- Western Kail way. ,T. MONDAY, SEPT. 13. Excursion to London, per London and Xortli-Western R ol- W Excursion to Carnarvon per Lor don and North-Western Railway. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15 Excursion to Barnstaple, per steamer "A, e:mdra and South- western Railway also on Thursday and Fuday, Sept. 16 & li. THURSDAY. SEKT 16. Anr.ual Swimming Festival In connection with the Swansea V. M. C. A., at the Swansea Baths. FRIDAY, S KPT. If. Public Meeting at the A.ncuUm-al the Home for Waifs aud Strays, .VJount Mumbles^ Chair to l.e taken at 4 p.m., by Mr. J. C. l'owler.-Sermon Excursion to^ubiin, per L ndon and North-Western Rail- WA>" SU.VDAY, S KPT. 10. Sermons at Oystennouth a .d Sketty churches, on behalt of the Home for Wa:fs and tia\s, Mumbles. MONDAY, SF.PT. 2\ Excursion to Cardigan, per Great Western Railway. THURSDAY. SFPT. 23. Miss Hannah M. Jones's Grand Evening Concert at the Albert Hall. „ r WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, SKPT. 22ud & 2ol'd. Cardiff a .d South Wales Horse Show. WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, JANUARY 12 & 13, 1887. Cardiff a:.d South Wales Horse Show. WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, JANUARY 12 & 13, 1887. Bazaar in aid of the Y.M.C.A. Building Fund.

Xoral liitcitigtiicc. LOCAL RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS.—According to the returns of the Great Western Railway for the past week, the receipts show an increase of £ 1 650 whilst those of the Taff Vale Railway shew a decrease of £ 729, as compared with the corresponding period of last year. Those of the Brecon and Merthyr Railway shew an increase of X139 13s. 7d. EXCURSION TO CARNARVON AND LIVERPOOL.— i The London and North-Western Railway Company advertise a cheap excursion trip to Charnarvon, Rhyl, Liverpool, and other places in North Wales, for Mon- day next The trip is for three days, and the fare is only 7s. there and back. The Shipperies" exhibiting in Liverpool is well worth a visit and is attracting thousands of visitors. This trip is a most convenient one and will doubtless be largely patronised -See Adrt A TRIP TO IRELAND —On Friday next the 17th inst., the London and North Western Railway will run ChSte^amfHolyheadJand other parts of Ireland, the train leav^ng the Victoria Station at 12 30 p » Our .ister Isle presents many most interesting features and has most charming and picturesque scenery well torthkTMion of tourists. The fares, too are remarkably low, a point of considerable moment in -cial these days of commercIal depression, but when these health-giving trips must be taken at almost any cost v —A grand mass meeting will be held in n CY MAMMAN AS h11 J p Cwmamman. 'tie 18th inst. wh n no less than five members of Parliament w111 be present to address the meotino- viz Mr Abraham (Mabon). M P I. t. Idlis, M f D Pu'gh M-P-; Cyril Flower, MP.; and F. A. Yeo M P The meeting is convened under the auspices of the Anthracite Coal Workmon's A.sociation, whose interest will be advocated by several influential gen- tlemen. Undoubted the political aspect ot the proceedings will draw many thousands of people to- n^^roxr^The London and North-Western Railway Company advertise, m our columns of to-day another cheap excursion trip over their system to London. The trip is of either two, three, four, or eight clays', duration, the fares being 8s. 6d. 10s., and 16* fid ro-nectively. !ns .W1'ia special express excursion leaving the Victoria fetation on Monday next. The Colonies Exhibition and the many Metropolitan attact°Zlender a few day, visit to London most enjoyable during the present autumnal weather, and the trip will suit all classes both as to price and dni-iKnn nf visit For those who cannot remain all the foir Ws trip (returning on Thursday, the 16th »t Q dS n m ) is most convenient. A better oppor- timitv will not present itseP, and all, therefore, who can, Jhorild avaiHhemselves thereof. Advt. \RAGONAL EISTEDDFOD AT CARNARVON.- The London and North-Western Railway Company annnnnfpa a special excursion m connection with this interesting ^event. To morrow (Saturday), the 11th, n-i D,„,Jnn train will leave the V ictoria station for Carnarvon Liverpool, Isle of Man, Windermere, and adjacent districts, excurslOmsb returning in eight .^r-^Aose who have not taken their holidays, a trio than a run through the districts more eojoya a^Tertisement in another column can mentioned ni tlie afK^ Xjtional Eigteddfod SSSJXSSKThe fares are within O. P. DANIEL, OF THE PRINCE person's creditors, held at the w&irmT ^vftpl Gloucester, on Monday, i+ was W ellington Ho su|jject to the sanction of the unanimously re»oiye j shillings and eight- court, that a nf^Tbe accepted in discharge of hislia- f?.7?06 111 thepou t jje payable ir. four mstal- months, and that Mr. Edward T. within ty Bristol, be appointed trustee of the State.00 Mr. Herbert Monger appeared for the debtor. E PARTITION SUIT.—EDWARDS t ARMARTHE^HIR. heard at the Llandilo r. Huahes.This ^sw a. Ju Beresford. on TnZy Cr? The Plaintiff, of Ohio, United States of I uesday last. J- hiding at Cwmamman, demanded America, and no anti lands called Pantyffynon, partition of the and situate in the parish of containing about 18 a. Carmai.tbeU) and which he mvnetl conjointly with the defendant, alleged that he o"»ed co j Qf Denvcni North He S »Ic a„d distribution of the I naies. Heafeoi jvir. David Lewis bar- pi oceeds of the Mr. Walter Brodie, of nster-at iaw (^struct^ plaintiff, and Mr. Herbert Llandilo), ,vasq° a represented the defendant. Monger, of Swansea^ rep^ proceo(lh.ff3j Mr Lcnvi, Tern aids the cla-e a'ftel. consultation with Mr. stated to the ju „ views with cach other and Monner an«l exchange^or ^v they the plaintiff » arrangement of the dispute in arrived at an am nff._The plaintiff to renounce his the terms folio » • cept onP-f0urth as his share ofTj1™ which M^ asreed to '» sold jointly by tliS's of Sth parties. Fort, pound, to be ter»" &T& jadgmeit according to the terms of the above settle- ment. The death is announced of John Henry Harding, at Minnie-street, Cardiff, formerly in the 13th Light Dragoons, who was one of the Six Hundred" who rode in the charge at Balaclava. He had the Crimean medal, with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkermann, and Sebastopol. Five young ladies who were holiday-makino- at Llan- stephan, Carmarthenshire, went out to bathe under a cliff, and remaining too long were surrounded by the advancing tide. But for a gallant old fisherman they would have been drowned. He rescued them, and amid the cheers of a large crowd rowed them safely ashore. THE WELSH SUNDAY CLOSING ACT.-A meeting of the Swansea licensed victuallers was held at the -Bird in Hand, onTuesday, Mr. J. H Jenkins presiding R>U N,I I WTT■ ^e°ided to co-operate with the trade in the lonondda Valley in holding a conference at Aberdare, witn tne object of considering the advisabilitv of Closmg Aet10n rePea^ Welsh Sunday T?3r°^? ChAPKL.—On Thursday evening| the n Wo ^fe0ree,v.(?f Bristol, gave a lecture at the TT worship, his subject being "ASummer's ;r wa erica- J ,Thero was a large attendance. The chair was occupied by Councillor H A- Chapman- listened to with rapt attention all throuBh. and was very much enjoyed by the audience, le0t"e e° liquidation of the building fund. LANDORE LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY.- On Tuesday evening last, a successful meetimr of th* above Society was held at the Landore clffee T^n Mr. Morgans, of Caersalem, opened an interestino- disl cussion upon Tobacco Smoking," strongly con- demning its use. Mr. D. E. Williams, Mr. B Mr. D. W. Davis, Mr. P. Charles, &e., also took part and a vote condemning Tobacco Smoking was ultimately passed. On Saturday night, as a train from Penarth to Cardiff was passing over Ely viaduct, a man was seen to jump from one of the carriages. Information was given to the officials at the next station, and on their going to the spot they found the man lying on the line terribly injured. He was removed to the infirmary, but died shortly afterwards. His name was John Home, and he resided in Cardiff. He had a ticket for Cardiff, so that his fatal freak is inexplicable. THE TITHE WAR IN WALES.—No fresh writs were issued on Monday on farmers in any of the parishes i near Ruthin which have refused to pay tithes. The sale of the farming stock of the three farmers at Llanarmon, who were served with distraint notices last week, will take place at the latter end of this week. The losses suffered by the farmers from the enforced sales of their stock and the legal expenses incurred therefrom have been more than met by the subscrip- tions which have flowed in from all parts. THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD -The Cymmrodorion Society of Wales have decided to hold the National Eisteddfod of 1887 in the Royal Albert Hall, and arrangements have been made to give £ 800 in musical prizes. The first prize of P,200 will be for the best performance by choirs of Bach's "I Wrestle and Pray," and Beethoven's "Come with Torches." A prize of JE100 will be given for Welsh choirs only, and JE50 for male voices only, open to the world, for the best rendering of Sullivan's "Beleaguers" and Beethoven's Engedi." SHOTFIRING IN MINES. — The Pontardawe magis- trates on Saturday concluded the hearing of an impor- tant mining prosecution, in wtiich a charge was made by Mr. Martin, Her Majesty's Inspector of Mines for South Wales, against John Phillips and John James, firemen at the Gwencaegurwen Collieries, with firing a shot in the mine when there was an accumulation of gas. He also charged Mr. Cleaves, agent, and Mr. Meredith, manager, of the collieries, with knowingly allowing the said irregularities. The Bench, after a protracted hearing, fined the agent and manager zE5 each, and the firomen 1:1 each and costs. WELSH GENTLEMEN ARRESTED AS SPIES. — Mr. George Earren, J.P., of Canarvon, late Unionist Liberal Candidate for the Southern Division of Car- narvonshire, has been cruising in his steam yacht Lady Bessie along the French coast, and on Sunday morning he was off Perrosgiurec, Brittany, when the vessel was boarded by gendarmes, and all on board placed under arrest. The owner and. some of his friends were taken under guard to Lannion, and Mr. Farren was subjected to an examination lasting some hours. Refusing to enter the prison van, they were allowed to hire con- veyances and, although every courtesy was used, the prisoners were for some time refused permission to communicate with their friends. After examination, and upon the urgent representation of Baron de Cosson, with whom Mr. Farren has been staying, the prisoners were set at liberty on parole, but they are still at Lannion, and their vessel under arrest, the local authorities awaiting instructions from Paris Suspicion was excited that Mr. Farren and his com- panions were spies—German or Russian —and probably the suspicion was supported by the fact that the crew spsak Welsh instead of English. The yacht is a large vessel of about 300 tons burden. The paity consists of Mr. Farren, Dr. Taylor Morgan, and two sons Mr. Lionel Clark, and Dr. Hartlett; and the commander of the vessel is Captain Roberts, who, with the engineer and sailors, are under guard. THE STORII ON SATURDAY LAST.—MIRACULOUS ESCAPE AT MORRISTON.—During the heavy rain of Saturday last, many of the inhabitants of Morriston had their quietude disturbed by the watery element making its appearance in their homes, in some casja several feet deep, which left large deposits of stones, gravel, mud, &c., doing great damage to furniture, carpets, &o. The roads for some hours remained under water, and one adventurous man not loth to make use of the opportunity of turning an honest penny, charged a penny to cross in his car from the Cross to tne Sway. But in no place was the effect of the Hood more felt than at the Bath, where at one place the brook runs at the bottom of a gully alongside of which many houses have been built. The water came down with terriiho force carrying large boulders before it and tilling the houses When the rain had somewhat subsided, a man named William Davies having in his hand his little boy about four years old, had to cross the brook which for many yards had been arched over. Unfortunately when they were on the centre of it the arch gave way and both were plunged into the water which was rushing down at a tremendous rate The father lost his child, and waded about helpless up to the chin in water, and having as much as he could do to prevent himself being carried away through the culvert. Fortunately a man named Richard Williams saw them falling in and had the presence of mind to watch at the mouth of the culvert, about fit teen yards distant, and there saw the child being carried away by the current. He plunged in, got hold of the child, but so strong was the water that both would have been carried away but for assistance being at hand. Another man whilst assisting the father was himself plunged in, the earth giving way under his feet. Both were afterwards got out with the assistance of ropes, the escape of the child being marvellous. WEEKLY BLUE RIBBON MEETING.-The usual Gospel Temperance meeting at the Albert Hall, on Saturday, was exceedingly well attended. The chair was occupied by the Rev. J. Bailey, of Pdl-street, and was supported on the platform by tne Revs. P. Griffith*, R. Bancroft and A. E. Johnston, and Messrs. Councillor Rocke and T. LI. Davies. After a few words from the Chairman and a song byMisa Eliott,the Rev. S. Giilhths said some people thought the temperance question was a dry one. He thought the drunkard s question was a drier question nothing seeming to quench his thirst; but the temperance question was not so very dry after all, otherwise it would hot have spread it.i branches as it had had done during the last fifty years. It seemed to him as if temperance was destined to become as universal as water. With regard to the present state of their country, they looked forward with hope to the children who were brought up and trained in their Bands of Hope. He had not much faita in legis- lation, for after the passing of our Sunday Closing Act he found hundreds of bogus clubs established He wan pleased to find the doctors coming on their side, and with the church on their side, they could hope that tne cause would be truly successful. (AppIaa--e.) Mr. Stratton sang "Do I refuse Messrs. Daniel and David Matthews gave a dialogue, the points eliciting g' eat applause. The Rev. R, Bancroft, of Saunderstoot, said he was pleased to observe that in their meetings they combined pleasure witn proht. In the town ot Swansea thirty-two years;ago he had signed the pledge. (Cheers.) During his lite there were many thmga that he regretted, but he nevei^ legietted having become total abstainer. It had undoubtedly saved him from many a temptation, and wherever he was he never felt ashamed to confess himself an abstainer. Many in Swansea had found that a drop of strong drink was to them like a spark of fire to a powder barrel. He asked them to abstain from drink for the sake of others. For sixty long years the pulpit which he now occupied had been filled with total abstainers (applause), and he only regretted that the people of fcaundersfoot had not followed the example of their ministers—then none of them would have filled a drunkard's grave. (Applause.) The benediction brought the meeting to a close. BOGUS CLUBS. -The deputy stipendiary magistrate at Cardiff, Mr. Valpy, on Monday lined another batch of bogus club keepers. Frank Dunning, of the Imperial Club, was ordered to pay 1:25 W. C. Carthy of tne Greyhound Club, £ lb; and Storey, of the Cambrian Club, £ 25. Mr. Valpy, previous to giving his decision, said lie wanted to make a few observations with regard to an opinion prevailing outside that the object of these prosecutions was to aim a blow at all clubs. That was not the object of these prosecution The object was to put down a very great evil which had existed in Cardiff ever since the Sunday CI i Act was passed. That Act was regarded' bv persons as an liimugemeut of the liboitv of rim but with that he had nothing to do. It, wa. i&U ^e^t' clear that an enormous number of ni„>' 3'. low^ver» started, and, juugmg from the eaiCs him at various times, the majority if +' before dens of iniquity and were on no SOMV H F In many cases he had knowi JorlomwWn H wl!il^ver' places and there robbed of all thev possessed FighW o'hifot of t ifesrW"! all this, and not to lut^ i^ w^ PUt a StTt<J r,;s clubs. He JS&S ould be to induce the philanthropic people of Cardiff to btai. some genuine working mens club., there, because the workman had as much right to his club as anyone. Many such clubs existed in London and for a long time he had had the honour of being connected with one of them. They were ail under proper manage- ment, and under such management as insured their bonú. jide character. It was not necessary tor him to lay down there what was or what was not necessary for the bona Jidet of a club. Information of that kind could easily be obtained in the right quarter. The I clubs that lie had become acqaiuted with in Cardiff were not buna fide institutions. At Cardiff, on Friday, the keepers of two drinking clubs were fined respectively X50 and £ 25. The de- puty stipendiary ruled that the onus of proving that a club was a bona jide institution rested with the de- fendant. EXCURSION TO LONDON.- -The inhabitants of Car- digan. Kilgerran, Boueath, and other places in that neighbourhood are given an excellent opportunity of visiting London by the Great Western Railways excursion thither, which runs on Saturday night next. The return takes place on September 13th and on September 14th or 15th at option. SATURDAYS' POPULAR ENTERTAINMENTS —The public will be glall to learn that the honarary secretaries of Saturday Popular Entertainments are already beginning to make arrangements for the coming season. A circular has been issued calling a committee meeting, for to-night, when it is proposed to enter upon the necessary details requisite to the success of the concerts. We sincerely trust that the public will have cause to appreciate this winter's populars" as much as on the first occasion of their establishment. EXCURSION TO CARDIGAN. A cheap excursion train for Cardigan by the Great Western Railway is to take place on September 20th. Starting shortly after six o'clock in the morning from the various stations near Swansea, and pissing rapidly through Carmarthell and Su. Clears, the train does not v- -j. art un^ a quarter to six in the evening, and enjoyment"8 of timo for sight seeing INDEPENDENT ORDER OF GOOD TEMPLARS.-An open Session of the Love and Unity Lodge of the above order was held on Thursday last, at the Wesleyan Chapel, Brynhyfryd. Mr. J. H. John presided, and the chapel was crowded, The following programme was well gone through, giving great satisfaction -Duett violin and harp, Mr. E Davies and Friend; solo, Mr*' Buse address. Mr. P. Williams Welsh air, harp Mr E. Davies recitation, "Found Dead," Miss Jones solo," Mr Rowe; dialogue, "Keeping the Blue Hell" Miss r™'ia»d Friend picolo solo, Mr R Jones solo, bro,,tv,^llamr;al;5a t:1° on harp, violin, and picolo t O interesting meeting to a close. Miss S. ones ot Swansea, accompanied on the harmonium knoTONf^RP^ FAIR.-UH the occasion of the well- and vviuc.h takes place on Soptember 15th, 16th, be ttado' i^X+;n'I10n" for tu*0' tllree> or four days will London and I P^*senger Steamship Velindra and ti e to Barnstaple %hWvrrn5 Railway from Swansea Wharf, Swansea *«*fdra will leave Pockett's of Wednesday 1W ,1^ "i £ -5VeU 0n.the mon'in" Barnstaple To*n s+.t ?, turning irom Saturday. Those S °" °l! J hursd^> Friday, and day at one of the tf to spend a pleasurable cannot do better than 116 ,kl^dom' tunity now offered ci?dvan a?e of tlle °PP°r- also be made on Thursday^nd^Frid/^P'Wiil will proceed from Ilfracombe toBartl.u train after the arrival of the steamer J th° far"st KILVEY RELIEF FUND.-—The committee which was almost immediately struck to reli°vP tho caused by the recent floods at Kilvey,"make an appeal in our advertising commns of to-day for further sub scriptions. His Worship the Mayor heads the list of subscription with ten guineas, followed by Sir Hussey Vivian, Bart., M.P, and Sons of £ 25 James Jones Esq,, J.P., £ 21: and other gentlemen and firms. No bona fide appeal in case of distress was ever made in Swansea in vain, and we are glad to see that a substan- tial amount has already been raised towards relieving tie piivations and meeting the necessities of the suffer- ers from this visitation. The Rev. T. Williams, the Vicarage, Kilvey the secretary, Mr. Howell Gvyiiiie, Kilvey: and the managers of the vai ious local banks will gladly receive further subscriptions.—See Advt. DISESTABLISHMENT AND DISE'NDOWMENT.—Truth says ;— The Welsh farmers are carrying on their tithe- war with good sense, good tamper, and vigour, and they are already beginning to perceive that if they want to win a victory in the enJ, they must go for the Disestablishment an Disendowmeut of the English Church in Wales. The area of war is spreading rapidly, and the.e can be little doubt that it will force the question of Disestablishment to the front next session. Colonel CornwaJlis West and other separatist Liberals will then have to make their final election between the party they profess to belong to an 1 the Tories. It would be an in: cresting sight to see John ,7 and Joseph and Jesse put to the choice of either stand- ing forward as champions of Church and State, or turning out their present cherished leader, Lord Randolph Churchill." DREDGING EXCURSION.-A meeting of the commit- tee of the Swansea Scientific Society was held on Wednesday evening to make final arrangements for the dredging excursion into Swansea Bav and Bristol Channel, in the steamer "Privateer," on Saturday afternoon next at 2.30. The steamer will accommodate about 150 persons A portion of the deck will be set apart for tha dredging operations of several members of the Society who are interested in marine zoology and the specimens brought to the surface will be handed round for the inspection of the general body of excursionists. Comparatively few, t-ave those who have read Gosse's book on Tenby, and inspected the beautifulplates it contains, are aware what a "¡kG field of interesting investigation is opened up beioro marine zoologi-t, or what lovely and delicate forms of life are brought before his notice. No public dredging excursion has ever bofore been attempted in Swansea Bay, and therefore the trip on Saturday afternoon will prove highly attractive. It is understood that, should the weather prove unpropitious, the ex 'n: sien will take place oil the following Saturday. CASTLE-STREET CHANEL.—On Wednesday evening-, at the close of the weekly prayer meeting in the .school- room of the above place of worship, Mr. William Jones, leader of the choir, was presented with a purse containing about JEM. There was a very fair attend- ance. Mr. H. Gorvin, one of the senior deacons and superintendent of the Sunday School, in the course of a few brief but pertinent remarks, said that Mr Jones had been blessed with a good voice. They would not have had such an admirable choir or such a Sunday School to-day had not such been the ca"e, and he earnestly hoped God would still bless him. Mr. Gorvin then formally presented Mr. Jones with the purse, and ren t kei that it was with very great pleasure he did so, as a flight recognition of his very faithful and unwearied services as leader -of the choir (Applause.) Mr. William Jores, after ha vine received the purse, thanked them all very much for their kindness in presenting him with the purse of gold. It was thirty-five years ago when he commenced to take an intereat in the Sunday School and three years afterwards, on September 10th, 1854, the teachers and scholars presented him with a very handsome Bible, and five other valuable books. He was much obliged to the people of Castle-street Chapel for all their kindness. When they thought he was not able to do his duty, it was only for them to tell him of it in a friendly manner, and he would willingly give it up, but he would always remain as long as he could in the Sunday School. (Hear, hear.) He thought they would have better singing in the future than thev had in the past He tendered his warmest thanks to Miss Louisa VVatkins, organist, and also to all the members of the choir for their help all through. (Applause.) Mr. William Lloyd, Mr. Hounsell, Mr. Thomas Jones, AJr. Rosser, and Mr F. Watkins having briefly spoken of the faithfulness of Mr Jones, and of his valuable services, the meeting was brought to a close by prayer. MRS. WELDON AT SWANSEA THIS WEEK.—The now- celebrated Mrs. Weldon, who has doubled up the lunacy doctors, and bothered the judges in our law courts, and got unto herself a great name among the self-protecting ladies of the land, is now in Swansea performing at the New Theatre, in a drama of her own construction entitled All Alone," in which she'i* supported by an excellent all round company The play sets forth in a very realistic fashion, thinly dis- guised m names and events, the history of thP which Mrs. Weldon has herself suffered under, thron'°h the looseness of the existing lunacy law. We find that a loving and virtuous, but simple-minded and perhans frn i pall^Vpon,.he taste Of her husband! whot fan y has turned to a disreputable and cunnin^ woman" Sv %L7?NYKR+JNTZ c&rityS w/X'nV *"•^ i husbancl-s sm and a designing w o.naa s wickedness is that the wife is sent to a lunatic asjlum, into which an easy ingress is got for her through the incupidity and unscrupulousness of a couple of so called mad doctors." But the good wife escapes, and brings all her enemies to confession. She lives to sing in the person of Mrs Weldon a nice selection of very pleasing songs. The audience applaud the piece theson** 'noretnan r.ie piece. 1 ne I heatre has been well filled nio-htlv WlU repeat her Performance to-nio-ht (tnday) aad to-morrow (Saturday ) evening — See SWANSEA Chohal SOCIETY. — The iiwo is n,™- .1V* proaching when arrangements should be made for tl e~ musical entertainment of Swansea and its district dur- ing tne forthcoming winter months T\ .1 organisation of the district f *l° Cil musical years past the Swansea Choral VbtJ ^eat «ia»y existed during a lo;.<-er-ii,7n vious jmu°ber of years than any pre- "rea't deaf of n of °i i' f Wllich has done a verv tbeil;, ^mmtro iucing the works of Soo £ tv W eFS l aT1-a audiences. The Choral or^t.HnV' "Cr >C-CT1 a^°^tely perfect,-no human t'nt Swm aU. lln to be so, — but it is indisputable i 1;~eaj owes a great deal to those who for so many S- .f .aJe Vv 0r' £ eti hard in the name of the Chora advancement of musical art in our midst To the Choral Society, either directly cr ir- Uirectly, is due very much of tne improvement wi i ;h has taken^ place in the choirs of local churches and chapels, since most of the members are drafted from time to time from the society into the choirs. This work of choral training has been more effi- ciently done than ever recently, under the baton of the able conductor, Eos Morlais. It will be remembered that, at the beginning of the present T, ear, we stated that there was a financial deficit in the exchequer of this society, and Mr- Henry Chalk, Mr. B. Thomas, and their colleagues invited subscriptions towards liquidating the debt. We regret to hear that the response has not been very substantia', and that, therefore, the prospects of the society for the forthcoming- season do not at the present moment seem to be very promising A further effort, however, is now being made to induce the lovers of music in our midst to help the society out of its difficulties, and. to place it upon a good working- basis for the appWiachino- season. All those w, 0 have the interest of hitrh-elass music at heart are earnestly desired to add their mite to the fund for the liquidation of the existing debts. The regular subscribers, too will be asked to allow the society to make a radical change in this year's pro- gramme, and the outcome will probably be '-if the re- sponse of the subscribers and the public be favourable Jiat instead of tw o oratorio concerts this year, the society-w-ill give one grand ballad concert, with glees, &R t,0^, lK,l;ed that notwithstanding the depressed ^11 /l f V li'f)., ^xr'ellent organisation will not be allowed to fall through for the want of a little money.