The Cambrian

SWANSEA. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1890. WORKING MEN'S INHUMANITY TO WORKING MEN. SOME OF THE PERILS OF POPULAR POWER. H MAN'S inhumanity to man," sang Robert Burns, makes countless thousands mourn." In popular parlance this undoubtedly true dictum is generally taken to mean that great men have oppressed small men, that strong men have tyrannised over weak men, and that rich men have robbed poor men. And that there is some truth in this popular view of the subject no reflective and impartial mind will contradict. But there is another, and perhaps, at present, more important aspect of the case. jit is this: that small men oppress small men, that weak men tyrannise over weak men, and that poor men rob poor men. This straightforward facing of ugly facts is, of course, somewhat repugnant to the popular mind. The theory of the modern plat- form, the boast of some sections of the Press is this that the poorer people, the working classes, the labourers of our industrial land, are all jolly good fellows," as warm of heart as they are hard of hand, always right in their motives, and righteous in their.actions. Alas, that we should have to confess it! The difference between the ideal and I) the real working man is a very considerable and/ very grave one—a difference which is, however/ much less clear to the newspaper-reading public than it is to the employ and raaatem who con& into contact with working men every day, and every hour of the day, and who thus have only too many opportunities of studying their thoughts and their deeds, as well as of hearing their professions. The experience of most of the employers of labour in Swansea district may be put into the form of a parody of an old rhyme, concerning Diabolus When tbe Workman was weak. The Workman a saint wonld be. When the Workman grew strong, The devil a saint was he." When the labourers about the docks and river-sides of our country were underpaid or overworked, when the hands in our great metal works and collieries were insufficiently remunerated for their labour, they excited and carried with them the sincere sympathy of the world at large," as the phrase goes. This sympathy, evoked at a felicitous moment, when a wave of prosperity was sweeping over our fortunate country, was instrumental in bringing about a rise in wages all round. What are the consequences ? (1) That, speaking generally, working men are earning, or can earn, now more wages, and at the same time enjoy more leisure than ever before in the history of our western civilization. (2) That large numbers of the working classes are now giving themselves over to the intoxication of agitation, as well as to :the inebriety of alcohol; that they work less and talk more that they are becoming less and less manage- able as factors in our great and complex industrial system; and, more significant still, that they are now attempting the perilous expedients of tyrannis- ing over their older, weaker, or less favoured fellows. This is a serious charge-one that ought not to be lightly made, nor left uninquired into. On what authority, then, do we make such a start- ling statement ? Some days ago, we chanced to overhear a serious chat between a few of the leading employers of our own district, and this is the gist of it:— "The men are becoming more and more trouble- some in their demands. The fact is, they do not know what to ask for next. Instead of thinking clearly for themselves, they follow the suggestions of some talkative fellow, who, they admit, is no wiser than themselves. In fact, when they come to me to make some fresh demand, they not infrequently say they do not come of their own will but because some other men have said they oughtto-tryiton." "Yes; Unionism, which may be a good thing wisely conceived and. moderately made use of, becomes, when pushed so far as it is now pushed, a anon with two edges, one of which, and that the oiinrnpr edee, must inevitably fall backwards and, wound the hand that uses it." "I soeak for their own good when I say that «nr riverside men get now far more money SeS "S"or Sem. W&e ttey are .pending it • 7,inV trade is hindered, and inconvenience and in drin >.d i have even been driven to £ ? &STK* it would be a blessing to devise L mox! rapid means of spending, m order that #ome mox• V sooner be got back to work » the i? ^find any tendency among your younger £ attempt to weed out the older men ? mentoa^e tosay, a growing disposition. "Itia, I0^ Spread very far among the Welsh It has not y gtin them sufficient good- colliers. inei lead a gtrong young fellow hearted manUne man to work iyith> voluntarily to cno e(J claas of labourers on the among the more young an(j strong riverside and at en* and weaker men." are rising against tne riverside and docks. In "It is not confined to men have been for our works, where the oi where they are still many years m the employ, enare decrying able to do their work, the yoS r inni and them saying they have baa and even ought now to make way l°r. w Q attempting to enforce these vie t<J but some of our men have recenwy r prevent our making and classes products when there is no demand for ot „ of products which happen to pay them bette The same thing has actually been tr1?^ ° lia. tin-plate trade, black plates being tabooed they are not handled so much, and thus are not profitable to the employes. We very soon p™ °"r foot down on that kind of interference with however, and so black plates are still made and sola as the market demands." It is perfectly true, the power which is now in the hands of the hard-working classes i3 being used tn lessen production, to increase cost, to promote idleness and drunken indulgence, to interfere management, and thus to decrease trade." H That is the effect of the sum of their recent action and present temper." A change must come about, and sooner perhaps than is generally expected." I believe it will be upon us in less than a year." I would not predict any exact time, but come it must, and it will be a bitter pill for the hand- must, and it will be a bitter pill for the hand- workers to swallow; because they will know in their hearts that they have hastened it by their conduct, and have made little or no provision in the times of plenty for the times of scarcity." cO They really do not use either their spare time or spare money in any considerable degree for self- improvement or for providing for sickness or old age. How many of our thousands of well paid workers make use of the Public Library ? What proportion of the spare money now earned finds its way into the channels of thrift. ?" And so the conversation went on. Now, without endorsing the whole of the above verdicts as "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," there is still sufficient in them to form the subject of serious considerations Nobody at all regrets the enlarged share which the labourer now gets of the profits of trade. But, when he misuses his good fortune; when the waste" of the present predicts want" in the future; when he attempts to lessen the production of wealth and to interfere with the work of his fellows, it is our duty to utter a word of warning. The workman has a right to jjet, legitimately, the full value of his labour. If he goes farther, he wrongs the public as well as his employer, and in the long run injures himself- »

SWANSEA AND CARDIFF DISSOLVE PARTNERSHIP WITH GLAMORGAN. HOW TO CLEAR UP FINANCIAL COMPLICATIONS. BY the raising of the Boroughs of Swansea and Cardiff into County Boroughs, these two towns have shaken off the old control which used to be exercised over them by the County Magistrates of Glamorganshire. Now the County Councils of Swansea and Cardiff hold the same rank and dig- nity as local administrative bodies as the County Council of Glamorgan does. Under these circum- stances, it has become necessary for the three new County bodies to go into the matter of their finances, and whereas they have been for a very long time in partnership together in most of the County institutions, such as the Lunatic Asylum, &c., they have now to make equitable divisions of the property and equitable assessments of the share of income, which henceforward shall now into the coffers of each from Imperial and other sources. As far as Swansea is concerned, the Town Clerk (Mr. John Thomas) and the Borough Treasurer (Mr. T. W. Islay Young) have just issued an exhaustive report on financial adjust- ment. The adjustment, they say, divides itself under two heads. First, respecting the distribu- tion of the local taxation account, and secondly, re- spectingjthe other financial relations between the County of Glamorgan and the County Boroughs of Cardiff and Swansea. There is a good deal of information in the report, showing that the County Borough of Swansea has contributed to County expenditure under the following heads: (a) County bridges; (b) Clerk of the Peace; (c) Coroners' bills; (d) Contagious Diseases Animals' Act (e) burying corpses found on shore (f) County Roads Board; (g) County rate assessment; (h) lunatic asylums (i) gaol pensions; (j) print- ing, stationery, &c. (k) reformatory and industrial schools (1) salaries of County officers (m) Food and Drugs' Act; (n) Explosives Act (o) law costs (p) interest and repayment of loans. There are alternative suggestions as to methods of adjustment of these financial complications, and these are set forth in the report in a tabulated form. The one which finds most favour at the Townhall is No. 5. It is called The Distribution on the basis of discontinued grants." It shows us that the amount to be dealt with is £83,408. Mr. Islay Young's method of division would give £48.457 to the County of Glamorgan, JE19,509 to Cardiff, and £14,442 to Swansea. This is the largest proportion that can be equitably allotted, it seems, to Swan- sea—the lowest allotment, on the other hand, being £10,801. This round difference of .£4,000 per annum means something like the product of a fourpenny rate on the assessment of the Borough and when we have said this, we have said sufficient to indicate the high importance of the subject which is under discussion at the present moment. It would be well for the whole of our public men in the Corporation, instead of wasting their time upon the smaller matters of administration, to concentrate their energies upon the elucidation of this complex financial problem, and to devote their efforts to securing for the County Borough of Swansea as large a share as she ought to receive.

THE ENORMOUS COST OF SETTING UP TIN-PLATE WORKS IN AMERICA. THERE has been such a lot of talk about the setting up of the Tin-plate Industry in America, and the fierce competition which we are to feel from that quarter, that the following paragraph,, which we quote from Industries of December 19th, will be read with amuse- ment :— TIN-PLATE MILLS.—Messrs. Somers Brothers, of Brooklyn, manufacturers of tinned ware, have made arrangements with the firm of Messrs. Lewis Brothers and Co., of Pittsburgh, for the erection of a plant which is to be capable of producing 2,500 boxes per week, and is to be built immediately. 500,000 dollars will be expended on the work, and the plant will include four mills, with the necessary equipment. This is the third tin-plate plant ordered in Pittsburgh within the last ten days." Considering that a four-mill Tin-plate Works can be erected and equipped in this country for something like -615,000. it is somewhat startling to find that similar works in America are to cost 500,000 dollars, or, in round figures, £100,000. If these figures are correct, or anything like correct, then the difference between the cost of works and plant will be enormously against the Yankee and in favour of the Cymro.

THE FUTURE OF "POCKETT'S STEAMERS," TRADING BETWEEN BRISTOL, SWANSEA, ILFRACOMBE AND PADSTOW. WE have been supplied with a copy of a private circular issued by Mr. H. S. Flinn, Dominion Steam Ship Company's Offices, 70, Queen-square, Bristol, announcing that the syndicate which purchased the late Captain Pockett's business have formed themselves into a new company with a fully paid up capital of j69,200, £1,350 over the purchase money, as a margin for working the concern. The purchasers have subscribed more than half the capital, and are willing to increase their holdings and raise the balance in that way, but it has been decided to offer to the customers of the steamers JE200 in 200 preference shares of £10 each, carrying interest at 6%. and having priority, both as regards capital and dividend, over the ordinary shares, and £2,000 in 200 ordinary shares of JB10 each. In considering proposals preference will be given to those taking an equal number of preference and ordinary shares. The new company appear to be working on the co-operative principle in offering £4,000 worth of stock to their customers out of a capital of £9,200, on such advan. tageous terms. It has been decided that the whole of the staff in the employ of the late Captain Pockett ia to be engaged in the new concern if they so elect. Mr. Thomas Probert (brother of Mr. James Probert, of the London and North-Western Railway Company, Swansea) who has been agent fer the late Captain Pockett for 10 or 11 years at Bristol, has been appointed general manager.

SIR ROLAND L. VAUGHAN WILLIAMS'S OPINION OF SWANSEA ON SUNDAYS. THE LEARNED JUDGE ON THE SUNDAY CLOSING ACT. THE recent visit to Swansea of Sir Roland L. Yaughan Williams, Knight, as Judge of Assize, leaves pleasant memories in the town- Unfortunately, the Worshipful Mayor, Sir J. T. D. Llewelyn, Bart., was away from home during the Assize. The ex-Mayor (Alderman Freeman) called upon the learned Judge, and the High Sheriff did all that possibly could be done for the com- fort of the distinguished visitor, who enjoyed his stay at Brooklands very much. Lady Vaughan Williams accompanied her husband to Swansea, and spent some time in visiting her old friend, Mrs. Thomas Jones, of 33, Bryn-road, widow of the late Rev. Thomas Jones, the poet preacher, whom Sir Roland held in the highest esteem. As a proof of the true interest taken by the learned Judge in Swansea and its welfare, it will be interesting to our readers to peruse the following letter, which Mrs. Jones has just received:- DEAR MRS, JONBS.—Knowing tbe interest which your husband took, and which you take, in tbe welfare of Swansea, I cannot refrain from writing a line to tell you again how pleasantly struck I was with the appearance of the streets on Sunday evening. The streets were crowded with people full of Welsh life and enthusiasm, but there was no drunkenness, and consequently no quarrela and brawls, and none of those scenes which so frequently dis- figure large towns on Sunday evenings, and especially a town like Swansea, which is not only a seaport, but also has a mixed population from the factories and mines. For my own part I never have been in favour of the Sunday closing of public-bouses, but I must say that my walk through Swansea last Sunday evening has gone far to change my opinion.—Yours very sincerely, ROLAND L; YAUOHAN WILLIAMS. Swansea, 23rd December, 1890." It will be of much interest to a large circle of the community to read this favourable criticism of our town, and this candid expression of opinion touching the much-debated Welsh Sunday Closing I Act.

LOCAL FIXTURES OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY, DFC. 26. Poole's Myriorama, at the Drill Hall, aingleton-street, Christinas Tree, at St. Jnde's Schoolroom, Terrace-road. Christmas Pantomime; Sinbad the Sailor," at the- New Theatre, and until further notice. SATURDAY, DEC. 27. Excursion to Cardiff, per Great Western Railway. SUNDAY, DIEc. 28. Special train from Swansea to London, per Great Westarti Railway. THURSDAY JAN, 1. Excursion to Cardiff, per Great Western Railway. TUESDAY, JAW. 6. 23rd Annual Ball in aid of the Swansea Hospital. THURSDAY, JAN. 8, Re-opening of the Organ at the Albert Hall. Grand per- formance. MONDAY, FEB; 9,. l Lecture by L>r. Dallinger, J.R.S .-at the Albert Hall, in aid of the'Teachers' Orphanages. THURSDAY. FEB. 19. Grand Concert at the Albert Hall, in aid of the Swansea and South Wales Institution for the Blind.

NEW Vi^AK. [By ALFRED CHAS.> JONA?,] gUfid new year to atie an a* cm9- motty witxyjyt* -iw during a the ye&r$to comev o happy jyiay ve beS9 For centuries the quoting A Happy New-Year "V.* ou, has been heard in the four quarters of the earth.. The world has not tirei of the salutation, and in the midst of all it goes on its way, maimin^. a<iid. killing the body, hurting and crushino- the' hearts of men- and women. ° A Happy New Year" was wished each other by the heathen, yes 1 and from them-it may be con- sidered the custom originated. It is, .perhaps, not' to-be wondered at, that a certain amount of super- stitioii has come down with the custom to our days. We aU know the idea that the old year should be" ended and the new year begun welL Amono- the" Saxons of the northern nations, the New Year was observed with considerable joy, festivity, and the- making,of presents. These practices were followed by the Christians, but at one time called forth the ire of some of the fathers. As at Christm M, so it .was at. the New Year, in so tar as the Mummers were concerned, the mummering was carriei out by men dressing as women and vice verse, going from house to house partaking of certain Cheer." Stow has handed down to us a Mummery (1377), made hy the citizens for the amusement of Richard, son ot the Black Prince. Dumbar, the Scottish poet, who began, life as a Friar, and while still a young JBan he made a New Year's gift to King James IV., m the shape of a poem, the first verse of which was Aiy Prince in G )d gif theeguid g.r.AlCe, gladness, comfoit, itud aoLw;e,. Piay, .plea8ur. mirth, merrie etieer, "Iu lidnsel of chisguidNew year. 'In Ramsay's Evergreen, there appears "A New Yeir Gift" in the. shape of 23 verses^—to Queen Mary-to. the curious the first verse inaynot be un- ■ interesting, especially as a specimen of Stitch ortho- graphy in 1562. Welcum, all ust rat Lady, and our Queen, Weleum our Lyoue w.tu the Flcare drLyce: Welcum our Taistle with the Lurau, (i^u. i, "CQ<110Ur lUbeut liose u&jou the K><sc, W elcum our Jem and joyful Geutryce Welcum our Beil of Aioion to bi. r || Welcum our p esaut PnnCe" rnaist of PVvc-, God give you GraCI:: agaias this gude ncw Lcir." The custom mummers, as already indicated, has left to us, principally the wishing f ,-E A Happy New Year, and the custom still existing in. at least pacts of Scotland, of going from house tc house and partaking of certain "Cheer." It is still the custom, in many parts of Scotland, for men to gather at the Cross or Market-place* each provided with a bottle containing a spirit of some sort—and at. the stroke of 12 a shout is raised for the departure of the old and a general cry of "Å Guid New Year," then off each man goes to—-what is termed "First Foot"—that is, to be the first to enter Jus friend s house- In Russia. there, is usually a. masked ball on the last night of the old year, and as, 12 striker champagne is handed round, and everyone wishes everyone & Happy New Year. A remnant of superstition.exists in the custom of the Russians, who on- New Year's Eve, go out of their houses, wd wdLths .first person they meet, his or her name. The anssrer gives the name of the person they will marry. In olden times, the New Year began in Russia,.with. March. Tiie .year 1343 sa.w it changed»to. September, and it was only in 170Q-. that January, was allowed the honour. Of course it must be remembered, that January begins in Knaeia twelve, days later than in the West of .Europe. It is curious .to compare the prices of .articles so much muse at this .time with what they were six hundred years, ago. Take a few illustrations:— Oxen, J3s. 1J<L best.sheep" Is. laicL;, fat pigs, 2s. H|d-; fowls, 3 £ d.pe* pair; butter, 4!p.. per lb. egga, 4i4.foJ: a 120. Were these the- good old days.? ■In .Lapland^it.zoay be noted that New. Year's day is not „a holiday,, but is observed as an ordinary Sunday. The pleasing eustom of wishing each other a Happy New. Year, is one we caru well retain, doubtless, in many instances, it has-beeome only a part of conventionalism—we do feel there is something of Heart in. it. *The last day of the old year is called Husmanay.

BREAKFAST AT THEPAXES OR,. A SWANSEA LADY'S REVENGE, "The Cambriany Susan?" 'Not come this morning,.mem." How very pravating. What is Friday's, breakfast without Tha Cambrian ? Coffee and eggs.aae well enougb" bmt they don't tell a body. how: the Queen is,, or whether "breadstuJEs' haro fallen, as every housekeeper blows-they ought; or whether- tie 'Unguent, warranted.to raise; a moustache and. whiskers in six weeks,' has been. ia greater demand during the last month.or whether the amiable young man, who advertised; the other day; fojr board in a ramily where there are no babies," has found his leserts; or whether the philanthropic firm of McMush anjiCo. are still persisting in that < ruinoua sacrifice for the- benefit of a credulous public in general*, and. themselves in particular or whether bhe Regular Male Line vie (nobody knows, where) is an heir line- ? or whether there is anytime* to- wght or next week worth foregoing a cosy firesi^ md freezing uhe tap of one's Ttose for. How am I going, to finaottt aU this,1 should like to know, without The Cambrian. ? L^ngHfe to the Editor i k-ere comes MK Pax with one good soul!. he has been out in slippers, a&d bought one. Now I shall find cut all about everything, and—^who did what. Sea what a th:»g it is to halite a husband No, I shan't, either may I be kissed if Pax has not sat tiawn to read.; that paper. himself, instead of givinf^it to me Now, I like that. But perhaps he is going to read it aloud to me—I'll sip my coffee and wait a bi £ Good Pay how I have maligned him; what. an impatient wretch I am I think impatience is-at fault of mine. I wonder is it a fault ? I wonder ij I can help-it, if it is ? I wonder if people were cheated that way the year I was born ?- Yes; Pax m,ust be going to read me the paper; that's it. Good Pax—he w,weII he looks in that Turkish breakfast jacket; he has really a nice profile and pretty hand. I cap,'t say that he has a very saintly uncier lip, but I have known more saintly looking ones do naughtier things! Yes; I'll sip my coffoe—he is undjpubtedly going to read t^e paper to me. No, he isja't either; he means to devour the whole of it solus. I won't stand it—" hem 1"—no rejiy—" hem! "—none so, deaf as those who won't hear. "Pax!" "Well dear" (without raising his. eyes). "Pax I what is there interesting in that paper p., Pax (still read- ing intently), Nothing, my darling, absolutely nothing. Humph! wonder if it takes a man a whole hour to read "nothing." Now do suppose I whined about that?-coed till mv J™ looked as though they were bound- with t>ink tace » > a lUSt T* d°Tn and wrote this article about h* i8 P"bllshed—published it will be-I shall be disinterested enough to hand Pax the paper to read first. Therv-when he i*ads the article, and looking up reproachfully, says, Mrs. Paf 1 :lt ^lU my turn not to hear, you know an when he gets up, and iayin j- his connubial paw on my shoulder, says, Mrs. Pax, do you know any. thing about this article ?" I shall reply, with lamb. like innocence, "Nothinc, my dear, absolutely nothing Won't that stagger him ?

CONTENTS OF OUR INSIDE PAGES. PAGE 2. -Glamorgan Assizes—London Gizitte— Commercial Failures — Agricultural Intelligence — Swansea Exchange—Calendar for 1891 — Swansen Tide Table- -Railway Tirna Tables -Paragraphs- Advertisements. PAGE 3.—Football Not .s-Christmaq Ordinations— Deaf and Dumb Institution—Correspondence—Sunset Board of Guardians—A Christmas Exhortarion-A Sure Cure for Eanui -Swansea Police Cùurt- Local Paten ts- Neath and District News—Paragraph', PAvE 6.—Poetry —Facetise—Portfolio— Christmas Carols—Baulked—A South Wales Pilgrim at the Pas-iou Plav-First Impressions of Swerien-ParagIapbs. PAGE 7.—Celebration of a Silver Wedding at Swansea -Liie and Adventures in Gowerland —" Tbe Devil Take it;" or Getting up the Wrong Way—St. Patrick's Gtave Desecrated—Some of the Pith of Pagan Teaching —How Vicky DonneU Got Off-Local Intelligence- National Musical Association for Wales—Frances Ridley Havergal—Gas and Electric Lighting—Paragraphs.

Ktoal fnitUigtna. HASP HOLIDAY EXCURSION TO CARDIFF.—On Saturday, December 27th, and Thursday, January 1st, the Greit Western Railway Company will run cheap half-holidaly excursions to Cardiff.' This is a rare opportunity for those desirous of seeing- the Cardiff Pantomimes. THB ROTAI. NAVAL ARTILLERY VOLTOSTESRS.— The officer commanding the Swansea Detachment of the R.N.A.V., has fixed the evening of Friday, January 7th, for the award of the annual prizes; Lady Llewelyn, the Lady Mayoress, has kindly consented to distribute the various awards on the occasion. DEATH OF AN OLD INHABITANT.—We regret to announce the death of Mr. W. Griffiths, who for many years carried on a grocery business in College-street, earning for himself the respect and esteem of the community.. Mr. Griffiths died at Ffyocne-terr-ace on Monday afternoon, after a painful and lingering ILLNESS at the age of 59 years. He was the father of Mr. Frederic Griffiths,A.R.A.M., the distinguished flautist. GiRLS' BONDING AND DAY SCHOOL, CziAiremtootte, GROVE-PLACE;—A soiree musicale and distribution of prizes took place at the above school on Thursday evening, the 18th inat., and vocal and instrumental music was rendered by the pupils. Each one also gave a recitation with very good effect. The pupils' work bears ample testimony to the thoroughness of the course of instruction they are subject to. Twelve or thirteen prizes were presented to the successful students by Miss Hepworth, the principal. SHOPS IN CABISTMAS GUISE.-In our notice -of the stops last,week we omitted to mention Messrs. Taylor and Company's establishment at Oxford-street. Thisi shop has been exceedingly well-dressed over the giy and festive season, anl the artistic way in which tbe WINDOW was arranged has attracted much attention. The I courteous manager is to be congratulated upon the splendid assortment of crackers, dessert fruits, and [ other Christmas goods which he secured to meet the de- F mands of Christmastide. F DB. DALLINGEB, F. R. S., AGAIN COMING TO SWANSEA— Our readers will be very pleased to learn that the eminent Dr. Dallinger, F. R. S., will again favour Swansea with a visit, and will give one of bis popular and scientific lectures,, in aid of the Teachers' Orphanages, at the I, Albert Hall on February 9th. 1891. The Worshipful Mayor, Sir Jfohn T. D. Llewelyn, will preside. TICKET should be secured AS early as possible, for no doubt there will be a great demand for them. THE QUESTION.—Mr. Dillvryar M.P., writing on the Welsh Disestablishment question; remarks to a correspondent that he is inclined to think: that all the funds to be derived from the measure should rather be devoted to elementary than to inter- mediate and advanced or scientific education. Mc. Abel Thomas, M.P., commenting on the same subject,, urges that any scheme for Welsh disestablishment must be subject to many modifications. A settlement on a fair basis can only be arrived at by a policy of give and* take. SWANSBA HOSPITAL BALL-—The 23rd annual ball in aid of that very deserving and excellent charitable institu- tion, the Swausea Hospital, will take place at the Albert Hall on Tuesday, January 6th. Tickets, (including refreshments,, supper and wine) ladies, half-A-guinea, gentlemen,, on* guinea each, may be had from thd Secretary of the Hospital,, or from the metmbers of the Ball COMMITTEE—Mr. L^LFOUTD BTRTCTT^ "Harbour Offices Mr. H. A. Ltttmsr, Betvoir Place; and Mr. F. E. Williams, Wind-streets Tbe secretary is the indefatig- able Mr. Jno. W. Morris. There will probably be an exceptionally strong gathering of tbe UiU of Swansea and neighbourhood. Tickets should be secured as soon as possible. I STTDOBN DEATH or MIX. E. C. BAGGATT.-It is with extreme regret that we have to record the sudden death of Mr. E. C. Raggatt, Worcester-house, St. George's-terrace, who has been for the last 20 years in the employ of Messrs. Forester and Co., Swansea. It appears that deceased has been visited lately by his- father, who resides is Cheltenham, and was staying in> Swansea for the benefit of his health. On Wednesday morning deceased took his father a cup of tea, and then returned to bed, where he shortly afterwards ex- pired. Mr. Raggatt was highly and deservedly respected, by a large circle of friends, who deeply deplore hia de&t h, and sincerely sympathize with his sorrowing wife and family. ATHLETIC. — Argoa writes: — The Swausea. Harriers are doing well They have certainly supplied a long-felt want, and I believe that, if properly managed, the club will be the means of bringing out the running talent which has hitherto lain dormant in Swansea. Capital runs are arranged every week, and they are thoroughly enjoyed. On Thursday in last week the Harriers started from the Baths at 3.30 p.m., and ran to Blackpill, through Clyne Valley, across the fields to- Killay, through Sketty, and then back to the Baths The hon. sec. is the energetic Mr. George Penm.29, Mansel-street, who will be pleased to hear of any young man wishing to join the club. There- is no entranoe fee, and the subscription is only 2s, 6d. per annum. The benefits derived from becoming an. active member of such a club are too well known to need any advocacy on my part. I should be glad if any member of the club would send me any items ot interest weekly, as I am desirous of rendering it all. the assistance possible. THE SWANSKA CHRISTMAS MARKET.—The principal market was held on Saturday. There was a grand display, all round, and a very large attendance. There was an immense show of geese, turkeys, and other- poultry. The butchers' stalls were well and admirably stocked, and the butchers are to be congratulated upon- the exhibition they made. The meat was not so fat as. on some previous years, bat was rare alld fine in. quality. The Market was again open on Monday,, Tuesday, and Wednesday. On the first two of those days, scarcely any business was done most people making Saturday their market day Wednesday was* a very busy day; but not quite so husv as Saturday. There was again a large -supply of poultry; but ^ery few vegetables, owing to the heavy rai° previous. The prioes for poultry averaged lid. those for fruit, &c., were about the average. The attendance on Wednesday, especially in the evening, was very numerous, the seasonable weather bringing very many on Wednesday, especially in the evening, was very numerous, the seasonable weather bringing very many from a distanoe. PREPARATORY SCHOOL, 10, YFEB SWANSEA.—The annual prize distribution took place on the 19th inst., at Gordon Hopse, Walter-road. There was a good attendance of parents and friends of the pupils, tie gathering being presided over by Mrs. J. Allan Smith- A very enjoyable and interesting pro- gramme was given by the pupils- The recitations by Miss Vera Davies and Master Ronald Goss, and a read- ing by Master Hubert Goss, were exceptionally good the songs, by the pupils collectively, were nicely rendered, and reflected great credit on the teacher Mr- A. Hey, while the pianoforte solos by the Misses Ida FiiSh and Nellie Smyth, the violin solos by Miss Cavill and Master Bertie Nash, and pianoforte duet by the Misses Gaydon and Cavill, ^ave much pleasure- The ball drill by the junior pupils waa very pretWy done. Mrs. J. Allan Smith said the parents and friends had greatly enjoyed the entertainment so ably give:n by the pupils, and which^ reflected great credit on the Principal, Mrs. W. Nichols, and her governess*es..The 4, Gertrude Simpson' 5 Olive M.. Gayden; 6, Muriel eavill. Music prize—Ida Fish. Map drawing pn«s- Grosvenor H. Monro Hubert Goss. Good conduct prize—Marjorie Simpson. „ DEATH OF MR. JOHN THOMAS, OF THE CASTLE HOTEL, SWANSEA.—Oar obituary of this week announces the death of Mr. John Thomas, tbe respected landlord of the above hostelry, who expired on Monday painful illness, of some three years' dor,'ion Mr. Thomas was at one time in business atLlandiloand Llan wrtyd. He afterwards keptthe Three Lamps, Temple- street, Swansea, for some years, and then emigrated to Colorado, where, unfortunately, be was one night burnt out of house and home, and sustained HCA^Y LOSS. ON hi return to SWANSEA, he leased the Castle Hotel, which IS still carried on by Mrs Thomas, the widow. The deceased also leased the fashionable Goat Hotel.BeDdgelertNorth Wales, whieh was afterwards managed by his son, Mr. SHYS Thomas, who pre-deceased his father only A fe weeks ago. Mr. WAS KNOWN to a large circle of frieods, and universally respected for his kindness of heart, geniality, and rare bonhomie- His remains were interred in the family VAult at Bethesda Chapel, on Wednesday afternoon. He was a consistent member ot the Baptist denomination and he was buried by the Rev. John Lewis, of Belle Vue Chapel, who was assis'ed by several other ministers. Greatsy mpathy is felt for Mr*. Thomas and the family IN thejr sad two-fold affliction. ILLNESS OF Mg. THORNTON ANDREWS.—We regret to state that \lr. Andrews, the rpspectpd manager of the Swansea Gasworks, has rnptlHed a small b'ood vessel ill the throat, aud is now lying somewhat setioas y ill at his residence. Cefneithin. EISTEDDFOD AT NEATH.—Christm-is Day passed off very quietly at Neath. The Mayor pL. W. B. Tric:-) caused beef and coal to be rlistributed to the necessitous poor. The principal attraction was the annual musical eisteddfod, which was held at theGwvn Hall. There wan a large attendance, and the eisteddfod was a :.(reat success in every resp?ct. THE LATE MB. T. J. JOWETT.—Mr. Frederick Jowett, 6, Grove-terraca, Clydac'h-road. Morriston, writes to say that he is the eldest son of the late Mr. Wm. Jowett. Ajjne^ House, Morriston, by the first marriage, and not Mr. T. J. Jowett, as stated in our columns recently. PROMOTION.—We are plea:ed to see that Mr. W. H. Jewell, late Surveyor of Taxes at Swansea, has been recently promoted to a first-class district at Manchester. We can but wish him every success in his new sphere of work, as he was always most courteous to all who came in contact with him in his official capacity at Swansea. THE RHONDDA AND SWANSEA BAT RAILWAY Bnol- AND THE PROPOSKD TOWN'S MEBTCW-—Our readers will re- member that the Swansea Chamber of Commerce at its hst meeting took the energetic action of calling upon the Mayor to convene a town's meeting to he held on Monday next, the 29th inst. In consequence of the date fixed beiug so* in conveniently near the Christmas holidays, tfie Mayor has decided to postpone the meeting to a more convenient date, the wisest and beat step, his Worship coald tsite trader tbe circumstances. Mr. Gladstone, writing to the Vicar of Rhyl to express his inability to attend the Church Congress nest' year, says —" At my years I thinlt it necessary to eschew new undertakings. On this account I have neve?' taken any part in Church Congresses;, and on account of' this inability I have also withheld,, and must still withhold, my name. But I have observed from the first,. with much pleasure, their decisive success, which, in my opinion,, has met at real need, and has been due to the open and^tlruthlovihg^spirit alike of the country and the Church." DAATH OF" MR. w: EMTOND.—Another prominent townsman has passed away in the death, on Christmas D&y, of Mr. W. Edaondi, Windsor Lodge, who had reasched an advanced age. He was a. Justice of the Peace for the County of Siamorgan; also an ex-officer of Volunteers, having served with the lrote J. D. Llewelyn, Esq.. in the Pfenllergare Corps, attached to theThird G.R.V^ He was'a rigid Churchman, and was for some time churchwarden of &1. Alary's. Although a very influential and intelligent townsman, Mr. Edmond never took any considerable-part in local affairs. His death will be regretted by large circle of friends We uaderstand he is to be buried a.t Brighton with his late wife. Tbe funeral arrangements are in the "hands of Mr. D. C. Jones, Castle-square. THE<RB-OPENINU OF THFI-ATEEBT HALL OFEFJAJT. —This event, following on the- extensive repairs and improvements just completed,, which Occupied the staff of workmen engaged no less than, three weeks, wilt take place on the 8th of January, 1391. Mr. Leisure, of Sheffield, one of the most talented organists of the day, and who is rapidly rising/to the foremost rank, will preside at the instrumant, an.i; giye an attractive selection of solos. Organ recitMe are a regular periodioat occurrence in all large provincial towns, as ¡ no town-hall or public building ie now erected without due provision being made for the addition of a lar^o f organ, combining within itSelf the •general effect of a full orchestra of instrumentalists. The re opening cif f the great organ at the Albert RhH. Swansea, will;. however, be supplemented by the additional attraction, of selected orchestras and chorus for the performance' of Gounod's Messe Solonnelle, so tha& a rich treat wi.t be afforded to all lovers of.high-clas3 miusic, as will be" I seen by referring to our advertisement* columns while • the popular prices announced will place- it within the reach of all. SEASONABEB BENSVOBBNCE.—Mr. amd Mrs. Alder- man Chapman have for the last twenty-two yeara given away to the very poorest of Swansea's needy ones, a most seasonable gift in the shape of piece of beef. Again this Christmas Eve some two hundred and fifty were the glad recipients of the worthy Alderman's. charity, many of whom, but for this kindness, would have had but a- ftsure table through the festive time, Mrs. Snelling, Mrs. Nicholas, and Misses-Richards and Lewis, lent willing and kindly hands in ti»distribution of the gifts, and their kind and sympathetic words sent home the poor people with lighter hearts, though with heavier burdens than they had arrived with. The distribution was made at the Gospel Hall, in Orchard- street, a place that will be known in Swansea's history for many a long year through the spiritual aod temporal ministrations of its respected pastor, Mr. O. T. Snelling. MB. CHAS. W. POOLE'S MTIEIORAMA AT SWANSEA. —There was a thoroughly crowded house at the Drill Hall last night to welcome to Swansea the new enter- tainment of Mr. Chaa. W. Po'ole,. which has been always appreciated in our town, as it "well deserves to be. The remarkable family of' Poole and YöuJtg-for by intermarriage, we believe, they are one fa.mily-have visited Swansea and most of the other large towns of the United Kingdorofor many years in succession, each time bringing a new eeries of pictures, and new forms of entertainment- The panoramic and dioramic pictures which were shown yesterday, and will continue to be shown daily, at three and eight o'clock, until farihegyMfciee. are afeonfethe best we have m*t teen. Very ill size, very brilliant' in colouring, very cleverly arranged for the production of different effects, the pictures themselves embrace the most remarkable range of variety, including a larga number of ca.pita.l cities in the United Kingdom > and on the Continents of Europe,A.sia.. and Africa. Amongst the most memorable of the scenes presented were Lucerne "117 moonlight, the newly. re-discovered Mountains of the Moon, Niagara Falls and S&pids, the interior of Notre Dame Cathedral, the comioChristmas Ghost Story, and the really wonderfully realietio and startling hurricane at sea with the Phantom Ship. The variety entertainments with which the panoramic pictures are illustrated include new and amusing ventriloquial ttocomplistments. exceedingly adroit feata of sleight of hand, funny fooling by a duet of clowns, hair-raising athletic demonstrations, by &< male and female artist, and 8., shadow entertainment of a character that awakens the enthusiasm of' the younger sections of the audience. The musical band is, as usual, powerful and highly eSjient, while the cicerone, or guide to the various parts of the earth which the audience is supposed to visit, is full of information pleasantly conveyed. We strongly recommend an early visit to the Drill Hall to see what we have no hesitation in saying is the best entertainment evar given in Swansea by Messrs. Pool&and Young—which ifrsaying a great deal.

How TO GET STUSFID.—A bride, some mouths married, finding herself one evening alone with her husband, was attacked by a fit of yawning.. "You are tired ef being with me, I presume, said he, aomewtmt pettishly. Not at all, my dearl" she replied, but you and I now are one, and, to tell the truth, I frequently, feel stupid when I am atone." SHOCKING MUBO.BE OR AN ESSEX FARMER.—A 1 desperate murder has been committed a.t Salcot, Essex, a village between the estuarieB of the Black- water and the Colne. The victim is a farmer named] Joseph Leatherdale, who for many years has lived in a 1 lonely homestead with his nephew, Arthur Leatherdale, 1 aged 17, who is accused of-the crime. The inquest was ] subsequently held before Mr. James Harrison, coroner for East Eesex. After the inquest the prisoner was j conveyed in a closed carriage to Colchester, and brought before Mr. Gurney Hoare, J.P: The hearing was adjourned, and the prisoner, who.said nothing, was; removed in custody. An American lady journalist has been seeking popularity. with her countrymen and countrywomen by writing an 1 article entitled "Why we Scream," containing a i scathing analysis of the American voice or vocalisa- ] tion." The writer tells some home truths—such, for instance, as that the English village maid who has known no better training than the village school, from which she has graduated into "service," has a more pleasing voice thsn the average college girl in the States. The faults of American speakers in private and public, according to this very candid critic^ are that they talk shrilly and through their noses. The latter habit, she thinks, may be hereditary, coming from Roundhead Puritan, or Covenanter ancestors^ who "drove prayers and exhortations through the covered bridges of their noses but this does not seem a very reasonable idea, for Englishmen had the same Roundhead and Puritan ancestors, and do not talk in the American fashion. There is some trenchant satire also (about the similarity between Americans and their national emblem, the bird that flaunts and soars and screams," and altogether it may be doubted whether the article will gratify all its readers. We need toning down all along the line, and in nothing more than in our language and voices. The one is florid; the others are loud and untrained," is the summary of the whole state of affairs. Whether all this is true, it is not for an Englishman to say; but the American lady says it very plainly. WOBX AND FOOD.—The distaste and dislike which is growing up around us with regard to work is a aost grievous and terrible mistake, for the highest life that any manor womau can reach in this world is associated with the fullest work. If those who know tbe value of life were to be asked which are the most worthy—those who work much too much or those who work much too little, they would at puce answer that those who work much too much are worth twenty times those who work much too little. Let mothers who have daughters whom they do not know what to do with, aud who are becoming plagues to themselves and ti you, fill their lives with work, and they will then have no need to complain of them. There is growing up in the nursing wotldahtbitof having far too frequent meals in the day. and far too much variety at them. Meals should not be multiplied in the way they now are. The plan of having tea before breakfast, lunch at eleven o'clock, then dianer, tea again in the afternoon, and supper at night, is about the wo'st plan that can be adopted. Nurses should have four meals a day, four good, sensible meals of fresh, tiaople, nourishing food. Women have but one notion about food, and that is that the oftener they eat and the more varied the food is the better they will be. This is a mistake. Four simple meals, meals of plain, nourishing food, and nothing between them, is the best way of sustaining the health and of supporting the body. Above all tinned meat should be avoided, as they forma most dangerous kind of food. The diet of twenty- five years ago, when nurses had plain bread and butter for breakfast at half-past six, a dinner consisting of a I joint at one, and a cold meat supper, was much more fitting for tbe maintenance of health and the support of the working powers than the diet o! the present day.— The Hospital.

LATEST NE\YS. The Bank rate remains at 5 Der cent. TIBGIC DEATH OF PKOFBSSOK LANT CARPENTER.— Pro'es^or Lant Carpenter was found on Wednesday morning shot dead in his bedroom, at 36. Craven Park, YY iLesden, A discharged revolver lay bv his He was the son of Dr. Carpenter, and was a married man and about 60 years of age. Telegrams from various parts of Scotland point to the probable continuance of the: great siiike oil the Nvrth Brnsh and other Hues. Ic is estimated tint something like 3,000 men are m>nr out, and in many district* n>ch of tl.e passenger, as well the whole of t ,e goo-.is, traffic h .d to be simpended.. Olfeis of arbitration tiare been m lie and rejected, O .vingtj l,ck of mrans to ci;iive*r coal tioui the pithead*, it is feared that the output of the mi!)^ will have to he reduced, with the ultimate result that the miinr* will be thiowu out of e.nploy aud mills an.-i othrr Works closed. DEATH OI THE. ARCHBI&KOF OF YORK —The Aiuubishop of York died at seven o'clock on Caristmas moimng, at Bishopsthorpe, after an attack of paralysis. He passed swaypescefalya-nd painlessly in the presence of all the members of nts fami y. The right rev. prelate had been insensible- since Sunday last, and for months previsusly had been i.n a. state of scattered health. Ia the autumn he w-ts u-nable to fill his engagement to preside at tiie Church Congre-a at His. Dr. Thomson was neariy 72,yean, 9f a.ge. In his eariior years he was rector ot All Souls', Marylebone and 30 years 30;;0, at the instance of ta8 late Prince Consort, he was appointed Bishop of Gloacester and Bristdl- His translation to York occurred two sears later. J

A yViDK-AwAKB IRISHMAN.—AN Irishman called at a printing-office the otbtr day, with an adverusenjeut, I1l1d bke a prudent man, inquired what would be Ib" oift, lie was informed that tor one insertion the price would be sevtnty.Jivecents-, and twosuUi queuti. sertions would be twenty-five ceuts each. "And, faith," i-aid hf. "J will only jure the two aabsequeot insertions,"