Weekly Mail

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD ASSOCIATION. The meeting of the executive committee stands adjourned to the 14th inst., when it will be held at 18, St. James's-square, Sir Watkin Wynrfs town residence.

ELECTRIC LIGHT fOR LIGHT- HOUSES. i L LI.J. United States advices received on Tuesday from New York state that 1J¡,: United States Lighthouse Board 3v«c.:r.i,i('i.ded an appropriation of J 50.000 -r tN u! j of placing electric lighting apparatus In ti.»- ?.'<sink Lighthouse.

STRIKE OF SEAHAM COLLIERS. The miners of the Sea ham Colliery on Monday balloted to decide whether thsy should continue the strike or return to work. The majority were in favour of going to work, but another complica- tion has arisen. A section of men intend asking for an advance of wages and shorter hours. It 'n-; granted work will be further suspended.

THE NEW KNIGHTS. The Gazette announces that the Queen has con- ferred the honour of knighthood on Mr. Rupert Alfred Kettle, of Merndale, Wolverhampton Mr. Louis Stuart Jackson, C.I.E., late Judge in the High Court of Judicature at Fort William, Bengal; Mr. Watkin Williams, one of the judges of her Majesty's Supreme Court of Judicature and Lieut.-Colonel Gu>tavus Hume. Lieutenant of her Majesty's Body Guard, of the Honourable Corps of Gentlomen-at- Arms.

THE FATAL SEVERS BAEGE ACCIDENT. On Monday Mr. Carter, coroner, held an inquiry t the Hed Hurt Inn, Awre, relative to the death of H.-tijainin Butt, 20. who was drowned by the ..p izing of the Lewis, a Severn barge belonging to Messrs. E. Stephens and Warren, under circum- stances which have been already reported in the fVestem Mail. The jury found that The deceased wss drowned by the capsizing of a barge in the river Severn."

THE PENINSULAR AND ORIENTAL S.S. COMPANY. The annual meeting of the Peninsular and Oriental Cbmpany was held in London on Tues- day, Mr. de Salis presiding. The year's report showed the net profits, including £4,308 brought forward, of jE149,862, admitting of a dividend of 3 per cent.^in addition to the interim dividend 01 2 per cent. A balance of £4,862 is carried to the next year. The company's fleet numbered 46 ships, and eight building. The report was adopted.

BOARD SCHOOL TRUANTS. On Monday, sitting as a Wolverhampton magis- trate, Mr. H. H. Fowler, M.i' said that in great numbers of school board cases it appeared that the parents thought their children were at when they were playing truant. Proseoi'; under such circumstances were great hards! and the bench felt much reluctance in adii)ii,is:cr- ing the law. The board should treat truant-play ing as an offence against school law, and have the boys thrashed. According to the ruling of the late Lord Chief Justice, schoolmasters had the clearest possible right to inflict reasonable corporal punishment for offences against school law.

A MUNIFICENT GIFT. At the last meeting of the council of the Owen's College a communication was received from the Bishop of Manchester, stating that a. sum of .£1,000 bad been presented to him, being a portion of a fund raised by public subscription on the occasion of his marriage, with liberty to him to decide for what purpose it should be employed and that, with the consent of the committee of subscribers, Mrs. Fraser and he had added another sum of £1,000, and invested the capital sum of £2,000 ift Wigan Corporation bonds, which he offered to the college for the foundation of two scholarships at the Owen's College to encourage proficiency in classical studies. Thecouncil accepted the gift v. ith peculiar pleasure, and adopted certain regulations for the scholarships, which are each of the yearly value of jE40, and to be tenable for two years.

SUFFERINGS OF SHIPWRECKED SAILORS. On Tuesday a portion of the crew of the ship Cynosure, of South Shields, abandoned at sea on a voyage from Quebec for Bristol, arrived at South Shields. giving a painful account of their sufferings. A terrific hurricane was experienced, with high seas, which made a complete brcaeh over the ship, sweeping the decks, and causing her to make water. Tfie crew worked at tho pumps until com- pelled to take to the rigging, whc:v ¡ IIPY remained five days and nights, suffering greatly from cold and hunger, having ohIy a few applt s to eat and no water. Signals of distress wnv exhibited, and the crew were rescued by the steamer Australia, of (Glasgow, and landed at London.

A REFRACTORY CREW. The large four-masted ship, County of Selkirk, I,864 tons register, Captain John Drysdale, which left Cardiff with a cargo of coal for Bombay on the 20th ult., lias returned to Penarth Roads with the crew refusing duty. It appears that five days after leaving port she encountered terrific weather, which continued for about four successive dayg, during which she lost several sails, 1:,1 neither ship nor cargo suffered any damage. T) <• crew, however, refused duty, alleging that she w us too deep. The position of the ship then was 1110 W. The captain was taken sick, and was unable to keep the deck. The ship was not kept away until Captain Drysdale was forced to do so on account of the crew refusing to work the ship. He then decided to make for either Falmouth or Cork, but as she could not fetch either of those ports lie made for Penarth R<*ias, where he arrived at three o'clock on Sujkuv.' inoi";ing.

SKRT0US FIRE IN LONDON. TWO CHILDREN BURNT TO DFA'iTI. E.;riy on Monday morningr a. serious i'.ro broke out at 94 and 96, Bridge-street, M-ie-cnd-road, London, in the occupation of Mr. A. vVaipole, oil and colour dealer. Owing to thr- inflammable nar.uiv of the stock the flames spre,.d 'idly, and the building- was completely gutted before tlie fire could be subdued. Mr. and .Mrs. Walpole, with their children and a servant, slept on the premises but they all managpd t o escape with the exception of two children, limited Minnie and Francis, aged respectively four arid three years, who occupied a room just over t he place wm-e the benzoline, paraffin, &c., was kt-pt. This POI"- tion of the buildin* was instantly in flames, which burned so fiercely as to render rascue impossible. After the fire was got under the bodies of the two children were found under the ruins so shockingly burned to be past aU recognition.

A CARDIFF SHIPPING CASE. THE OWNERS OF THE DUNROBIN V. NOURSE. At the Cardiff county court on Tuesday a case was heard in which the plaintiffs were the owners of the Cardiff tug Dunrobin, and if defendant was a. London shipowner. The point h»v >•. the case 13 a very important one. 'lii. vessel, the Syria, being bound to ( ii.ii. ;).' with the tug Dunrobin, and the master oi' l Le ll" made a contract to tow the Syria into the Cardiff Docks and out from the Cardiff Docks, wh. n the vessel had been loaded there, for j21 Os. lOd. The vessel was towed into Cardiff, but it seemed the owner had made other arrangements for the towage of this vessel from Cardiff by a Liver- pool tug. The plaintiff sued for the JE21 Os. 10d., and the defendant paid into court the inwards towage, namely, half this amount, and disputed his liability as to the remainder. It was contended I n- the plaintiff that the contract was in the form invariably used at Cardiff, and was a reasonable one for the captain to make, and that the owner was bound by it. For the defendant it was con- tended that. a captain has only authority to make binding contracts relating to the voyage then being prosecute- and could not bind his owners as to the oi'.t'.vi towage, which was towage for a voy.tpo which might never have been enteredupon. His Honour held that the defendant had paid into court sufficient, and condemned the plaintiffs in the costs of the action, saying that it was quite clear th? captain of the Syria had exceeded his authority, and, therefore, the owner was not bound, for the defendant might have sold his vessel at Cardiff, and then the outward towage would not have been required. Mr. Downing ap- peared for the plaintifis, and Mr. Vachcll for the defendant..

A LLANELLY EJECTMENT CASE. ACTION UNDER A WILL. In the Court of Appeal, Westminster, on Satur- day (before the Lord Chancellor and Lords Justices liaggallay and Brett), tha appeal case of Lewis against Rees was heard. The action was one of ejectment, and arose out of the following circumstances: Thomas Lewis, at the time of his decease, in 1874, held under a lease to himself, H Iv.'ir and as.<>.igns, the Swansea Castle Inn, near the Sw asGO.-road, Llanelly, and a piece of ground attached to the inn. The lessor of the property v; vs Colonel John Stepney, the period for which the lease was to run being three lives, or 89 vcars. liy his will, executed in 1870, Thomas Lewis devised this property to his daughter, Mary Jane Lewis, who subsequently married Fjdwurd Roes. The plaintiff, Benjamin Lewis, alleged that Mary Jane Lewis, dying a minor and witliout issue, he as her uncle and heir-at-law became entitled to this property. The defendant, Martha Jane Rees, who was the second wife of Edward Rees, held possession of the projierty under a testamentary bequest made by him, he having taken out letters of administration of the estate of Mary Jane Lewis, his first wife. The arguments turned principally on the construction of the will of Thomas Lewis, the question being wliether the property went to the iioirs or the executors of Mary Jane Lewis. Mr. Justice Lindley gave judgment in favour of the defen- dants, from which decision the plaintiffs now appealed. Mr. Joshua Williams and Mr. G. B. Hughes (instructed by Mr. T. B. Snead, LteneJly), were for the plaintiffs; Mr. B. T. Williams. Mr. Everitt. and Mr. Jeffreys (instructed I by Mr. W. Howell, Jjlanelly), represented the defendants. Without calling on the counsel for the defendants, the Lord Chancellor, in giv- ing judgment, said that the question was whether b7t> le word heirs," as used by this testator in his will, expressed an intention that the terms under which he held this inn, at Swansea, should under which he held this inn, at Swansea, should he altered—that the course of succession should be y It'-r-d, and be not, held for a term of lives, but for a term of years. Mr. Justice Lindley had decided this in favour of the defendants, with which judg- ment he agreed entirely. The appeal would, there- fore, be dismissed with costs. Lords Justices Baggallay and Brett concuned.

ABANDONING OF A SWANSEA VESSEL. The Fanny (brig), of Swansea, from Prince Ed- ward's Island to Liverpool with a cargo of oats, was abandonod on the 29th ult. in a sinking con- dition. The crew were saved by the Imbros (steamer), from Galveston, and landed at Liverpool.

A WEDDING PARTY POISONED IN AMERICA. The American papers state that at a reception given recently by Mr. Joel Hembree and his wife, at the house of the bride's father, Colonel Dail, near Kingston, Roane County, arsenic was used by mistake for soda in the preparation for the supper, and five persons died from the tweets of eating it. About 30 others are dangerously ill.

MYSTERIOUS CASE OF'DROWNING AT CARDIFF. Police-constable Rose, 06 Sunday, reported that the body of a woman had been found at 11.30 a.m. floating in the canal near the North-road. A Mr. Williams, an engraver, residing in the North- road, was the first to observe it, and he reported the matter to the police. ,1Jie body was sub- sequent ly conveyed to the mortuary, where it awaits an inquest. 3,t has not yet been identified. The deceased is about 40 years of age. She, had a pair of ear-rings and two finger rings, 4 hat also was found on the canal bank.

J NAPHTHA DISCOVERIES IN THE CASPIAN. The fiaicu Isvestie says that within the last few weeks discoveries of almost, incredible quantities of nahptha have been rnado ir. the Baku districts. In many places the reservoirs are overflowing, and the material is running to waste from the wells. In consequence of the enormous quantity waiting purchasers, the price of naphtha has fallen to 1 £ copecks the pood (Is. lOd. the ton), in spite of a telegram from Kazan announcing that, owing to the recent break up of the ice, twelve large barges withoaphtha on board have foundered in the Volga.

EXPLOSION AT WOOLWICH ARSENAL. On Tuesday morning a. loud report was heard from ¡ L. isolated part of the Royal Arsenal, Wool- « in which stand the rocket and cartridge fac- i..i i'-s. It was found that a 24-pounder rocket had exploded while the charge was under pressure, to the serious injury of two men named Knott and Wood, and the lesser injury of another named Pomfret. The men were removed to the medical establishment. The shed, which whs wrecked, is the one in which an explosion of a like character took place some short time ago under similar cir- cumstances.

A CHILD ACCIDENTALLY DROWNED. A singular and fatal accident occurred at Nuneaton on Tuesday morning. A lad named Marston, fifteen years old, was wheeling his infant brother in a perambulator, when he was suddenly scized with a fit, and during the paroxysm which ensued the perambulator was overturned. The child fell face downwards into a ditch, containing five inehes lof water, and was suffocated before assistance could arrive. The Illd is weak minded, and upon his revival, instead of attempting to stive 1 he child, walked away, leaving its body in the wale;

WHOLESALE ROBBERIES AT RAILWAY STATIONS. At Plymouth, on Monday, James Gale was charged with stealing, with others, portmanteaus from Plymouth and other railway stations. One of his accomplices has already been sentenced to seven years' penal servitude, and, on his arrest, Gale took to flight, leaving at his lodgings sixteen portmanteaus, among others being two belonging to Major Champion and M:ij>-r Studdy, and one, belongingto a lady, had contained several thousand pounds worth of bonds. Gale, when arrested in London on Friday, stoutly dtnied his identity, but, finding it useless, made a confesskm, saving he had been dragged into it. The man was re- manded.

,,„f ,„.Tr — KNIGHTHOOD OF MR. EDWARD BAINES. At a meeting in the Albert-ball, Leeds, on Friday evening, to present Mr. Edward Baines, who formerly represented the borough, with a, memorial fund exceeding £3,000, which he has dedicated to educational purposes, Mr. Herbert Gladstone read a telegram from the Premier announcing that the Queen had been graciously pleaSfcd to confer the honour of knightfmod upon Mr. Baines. The Leeds Merrnry says :—ft is not given to every man, as it has tieen given to Mf. Baines, in the eventide of a very busy life, which has not been without its vicissitudes, nor :Utogether un- chequered by the blows of fate, totind himself surrounded by friends who have testified their affectionate regard for him with no stinted mea- sure. Yet even the gratitude which lie must naturally fed at the manner in which he has thus been rewarded for any services he may have ren- dered to those around him, must bØ surpassed by t he riatisiaetkm with which he cannot fail to regard the triumphant issue of so many of those great movements for the promotion of the happiness and welfare of mankind, with whose early days of struggle and obscurity it was his good fortune to be associated. Mr. Edward Baines commenced life as a reporter for his father's journal, the Mercury, and in that capacity Wa present at the massacre of Peterloo in Manchester in the year 1818.

A WARNING TO REPORTERS. At the Surrey Sessions, on Monday, H.mry Chas. Fowler, aged 30, and Frederick Robert Knight, aged 27, described as reporters, were indicted for obtaining under false pretences various sums of money from tradesmen who had been convicted at the Newington petty sessions for using unjust scales and measures, on the plea that they could prevent their names appearing in a number of newspapers. Mr. Lyon prosecuted; Mr. Grain appeared for Knight; and Mr. Pocock for Fowler. Fanny Fendall said she was an assistant to Mrs. Margaret, Jones, wLnkopt an oil shop in the Lam- beth-walk, and who had been iincd for having in her possession three unjust measures. P II pri- soners called and asked to see Mrs. Jones..Alter explaining their business, witness asked them if thoy could keep the report out of the local newspaper, and on their replying in the affirmative she gave them 2s. 6d. Arthur Charles Gordon deposed to giving the prisoners 10s. on the condition that his ease did not appear in the weekly and daily papers. Frederick Neate, pork butcher, of 158, Southwark- p.:rk-road, said he had been lined for having unjust v. 'i«ht"s and measures. The prisoners said they e.^uld stop the case out of twelve papers, and witness gave them 10s. It was proved that neither of the prisoners was connected with the news- papers which they assumed to represent. Alfred Weatherhead, detective, said wlien lie apprehended Fowler the prisoner said, We have not stolen anything; what we have received we have received as bribes." For the defenee, Mr. Grain contended that both parties attended the petty sessions, took notes of the cases, and had a fair reason to suppose that a transcript of their notes would be accepted by the papers. After a short consultation the jury found both prisoners guilty, and the Chairman sentenced them each to six mouths' hard labour.

PREVENTION OF EXPLOSIONS IN MINES. NEW DISCOVERY BY M. SOMZEE. Tha BvUdinrf World publishes thr. following account of a most ingenious plan for detecting the presence of fire-damp in mines in time to obviate its disastrous effects repently suggested by the celebrated Belgian engineer, M. Somzee, whose eminent name and well-known experienca are sufficient jjuarantees that it is not a mere chimera. It is well known that the safety lamp is at present the jo]j indicator of the approach of mv-danfp actually employed; and it is equally notorious tint, its warnings, in nine cases out of ton, com' too late. The flame of the safety lamp elongates, end gives out a more intense heat whenever the fatal gas is at hand; but before those who are on the look-out for those infallible indications of dan-j- can effect their escape, the proportion of fire-damp, in the air has already become-too strong for them, and the inevitables explosion overwhelms them in an in- st;. nt. M. Somzue proposes to organise a series of indicators capable of giving instantaneous notice of the presence of fire-damp in any part of the mine, so as either to afford th.) miners time to escip. or eaiblethe miningengineersto remove the danger by regulating the ventilation of the mino before the fas has had time to collect in dangerous quantities. For this purpose he utilises the elongation of the flams of the safety lamp, and its increased caloric power (already alluded to) in the air infected by firedamp, in tha following way. A number of safety lampo, each provided with a specially-prepared but very simple apparatus worked by electricity, and undfr the cofttrol of a mining engineer in a central office, are placed at different points of the mine, each lamp being connected with a bell at the central office by means of a metallic wire. The bells and lamps have corre- sponding numbers, and the sounding of one of the bells is the signal of an escape of firodamp in that part of the mine where the lamp corresponding to it is plucod. But this is not all. M. Somzeo has discovered in the tele- phone a still more trustworthy agent for detecting the approach of the insidious firedamp. The flame of the safety lamp, as it begins to dilate in its cylinder, should, if the cylinder be properly dis- posed, commence to sin?, and, if the upper surface of the lamp is provided with a telephonic appara- tus in connection with a receiver at the central office, the receiver will begin to >ing at the same time as thfname. Fanciful as this scheme may appear, it upprnrs to have been re- ceived with great favour in Belgium, 'and no doubts whatever seem to have arisen as to its practicability.

THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENT. The following letter has been sent to the Con- servative members of the House of Commons :— Pynes, Exeter, Nov. 30, 1880. Dear Sir,—Parliament has been summoned to me0t on Thursday, January 6, and there can be no doubt that business of groat importance will at once be brought forward. I trust that you may be able tw attend the House of Commons on that day —I have the honour to be, yours faithfully, STAFFORD H. Nobthcote."

SALMON POACHING AT RHAYADER. Our Builth correspondent writes Considerable excitement prevails in this district because of the doings of Rebecca and her daughters." The police force of the county of Radnor, and several from adjoining counties, are concentrated at Rhayader to assist the water bailiffs in protecting the salmon. Hitherto the poachers have suc- ceeded in eluding the utmost vigilance of the authorities. The rifles of the local volunteers have been called in for the annual inspection, and not on account of the doings of Rebecca and her daughters."

COLLISION OFF THE LIZARD. A collision took place about twenty-three miles off the Lizard, on Saturday night, between two large English iron ships, one being the Corbrv, of Liverpool, bound from London for Sydney, and the other the Star of Bengal, for London from Calcutta. The Corbry lost jibboom and had her cutwater started, and some water in her fore compartment. The only thing that was seen from her of the Star of Bengal was that a boat was lowered from her and then she disappeared in the darkness. The Corbry hove to until daylight, but ithen there was no trace of the other vessel to be seen, and sho bore up for Falmouth,where she arrived on Sunday afternoon.

MUNIFICENT GIFT TO THE NEW PORT INFIRMARY. -k S sum of £500 has been paid to the Governors of the Newport Infirmary, being the amount of a bequest made to them by the late Mr. R. P. Jones, of The Ferns, Clytha-park. It is stipulated, wo understand, th,t t !1,. sum shall be spent in the en- largement of tlis* building, at the discretion of the. Governors, but that the interest of the money may be used for the ordinary purposes of the institution until such tinM as it may be deemed advisable to effect an enlargement. Mr. Jones, by this act, has set an excellent example to those who possess wealth to make a good disposition of it. The late deceased gentleman, who for many years lived a retired life, died worth about £35,000,

MERTHYR AND THE CORPORA- TION MOVEMENT. So satisfied are the movers in the petition for a. corporation that they have not had even ordinary justice meted out to them by the refusal of the Privy Council that they are going to adopt another, more direct, and, they hop." successful effort. They contend that the petition of the anti-corporationists was signed by the great proportion in the faith of a statement that the corporation would increase the rates considerably, and this they are prepared, they state, with overwhelming evidence to refute. The failure to obtain a cor poration has paralysed the tram-car movement, and will effectually deter the starting of ,1' industries, but the sup- porters of local government are singuine of eventual success.

THE LOSS OF THE MAVIS. TESTIMONY OF THE CREW. Ws. have been requested to publish the follow- ing :—" We, the undersigned, survivors of the s.s. Mavis, of London, which was wrecked on the Isle d'Oleron, in the Bay of Biscay,on the 24th November last, beg to return our greatest thanks to Captain Marke, of the s.s. Kepier, and also the crew, during the passage from Bordeaux to London, for the greatest kindness possible shown during the passage; also the kindness shown us by Captnin Marke after our arrival at London.—Riehd. Warne, Jno. Davis, Thos. Rees, Dd. Hextron, Thos. Owen, Jas. Parkman, Jno. Chingg."

DR. BUCHANAN AND SHAM DIPLOMAS. On the 12th ult. Dr. Buchanan was placed on his trial at the quarter sessions, Philadelphia, for fraudulently selling sham diplomas. He pleaded guilty. Sentence was deferred. It is now stated that the defendant had, as the lit-ad of the Char- tered Eclectic Uafvinftft};, V»' ^J;i>»lad«lphi»,, fulh authority, afte>r proper- award diplomas, and that his uilence was selling" diplomas. The Jh-ych and the Wasy, each time Dr. Buchanan's name appears, mention with idiotic glee "This is the person from whom Myfyr Morganwg, Pontypridd, received his diploma of D.C.L." Would the scribes of the two above- named journals be surprised to learn that the diplurna Myfyr Morganwg reeelvedwus a genuine document ? At any rate, we are led to understand that such was the case. One thing is certain, Dr. Buchanan did not ''sell" one to the venerable Oltie. scholar of Pontypridd. It is well-known that certain Welsh ministers have "bought" dip- lomas, yet not a word is said about their humbug by the Jhyt-h and H'asy. Why is this? Is it be- cause'the said two journals are in the hands of a class "who for years have strutted proudly in purchased or borrowed plumes?

VANITY FAIR. SALE OF A DUCHESS'S WARDROBE. 'o". 1 ') The sale of tho whole of the wardrobe and a portion of the jewellery, formerly the property of the late Dowager Duchess of Somerset, was commenced on Tuesday by Messrs. Davis and Sous, at Bonham's Galleries, London, and w ill last over the ensuing three days. All round the apartment are locked glass cases in wuich are stowed the most heterogeneous collection of articles, the Jarger portion of which are perfectly new. Among these may be men- tioned 600 pairs of silk hose, 2.000 pairs of gloves, 500 pockethandkerchiei's, many of them of the most costly character, a large quantity of lace and embroidery, some scores of satchels of Indian and other workmanship, splendid painted and embroidered fans, collette and pearl necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and a vast quantity of paste ornaments. At pne end of the room are displayed the most gaudy of the peculiar articles offered for sale. Here are the robes and the coronets worn by the Duke and Duchess of Somerset on the Queen's Coronation, with the robes of the Garter belonging to the late duke, and his uniform of deputy lieutenant onope side, and on the other an imposing array of Court dresses, resplendent in jewels and lace. The walls are covered with shawls of every hue, pattern, and material, from massive gold thread to gauzy film like a spider's web.

ACCIDENT AT PENYGRAIG COLLI K ft Y. MIRACULOUS ESCAPES. On Wedne. 'y morning a startling accident occurred at ti:u ep new steam coal pit at Peny- graig, the property of Messrs. Rowland and Morgan. The pit is 450 yards deep. Nine men, including Mr. Moses Rowland, son of Mr. Rowland Rowland, chief manager of the colliery, had just descended the shaft, when, through some unexplained cause, the ascending cage shot with terrible violence into the framework above. The result was that the rope snapped, and the whole of the gear fell back into the pit at a ter- rible rate. Mr. Moses Rowland, guessing what had taken place at the top of the shaft, cried out to his companions, who had just got out of the cage, "Run for your lives," and all escaped from the cage before the descending frag- ments of iron struck the bottom, which they did a few seconds later with the violence of balls shot from a cannon. it was stated at the works that the owners of the colliery, acting upon the sugges- tion of Mr. Wales, her Majesty's Inspector of Mines for South Wales, have purchased the new patented grasping hook, which was recently tested at the Navigation Colliery, Hafod, and which proved an effectual preventative of such accidents, and that they were preparing to proceed to fit one up at each of their collieries when the accident took place.

WELLS' CHARITY, CARDIFF. LITIGATION PROSPECTS. THE HIGHER EDUCATION SCHEME. A special meeting of the governors of Wells' Charity was held at the Town-hall, Cardiff, on Monday morning under the presidency of the mayor (Mr. Rees Jones). There were also present Aldermen Lewis, Evans, and Dr. Edwards Messrs. J. Batelielor, Duncan, W. Sanders, and Lewis Williams. On reading the minutes of the sub- committee appointad with reference to the antici- pated litigation between the governors and the (.treat Western Railway, Mr. D. Duncan asked if it was necessary to engage a Queen's counsel for the new valuation of the land ? The Mayor said he thought so. Mr. Wheatley's account of the abilities oi tho gentleman named in the re- port, and the fact that ho had been engaged in similar case: led them to decide upon him. The Chairman said that the Great Western Railway Company would do their beet to depreciate the value of the property, and the governors' object would, of course, be to produce in the minds of the jury a favourable impression as to their estimate of the value of the land. The minutes were then passed A letter was read from Mr. Sturge, Bristol, who liad been communicated witli in reference to tli-3 forthcoming case. He was required as an expert to give evidence as to the value of the land which the company sought to obtain. His terms were twenty guineas for retainer, five guineas pRr day during the case, and expenses. The engagement of Mr. Sturge had been decided upon by the sub- committee, and he added that it was intended to call Alderman Jonea ^nd Mr. Japjes as experts on behalf of the charity. Mr. John Batchelor, as chairman of tht school board, said there was one -I matter which he desired to call the attention of the governors to before they separated. The Departmental Committee would sit in Cardiff on the 17th and 18th inst., and the Wells' Charity would come within their province, lie, for one, would say that the charity might be beneficially utilised in connection with a general scheme of education in Wales. The vice-chairman of the school board took the same view of the matter. It was his intention to speak of the present value of the charity, and the way in which it might be utilised to further the objects for which it was established. Ho should be glad if the governors would appoint the mayor to repre- sent them. They might discuss the matter now, or adjourn the meeting for a fortnight. After some further discussion, Dr. Edwards pro- posed that a special meeting should be called to consider the subject. This proposition was agreed to, and the proceedings terminated.

CANON IIARRIES'S MEMORIAL. We understand that, after several meetings o the committee, they have now been enabled to send definite orders to Messrs. Hardman and Co. to proceed with tlie brass which is to be placed in Uelrgaer Church. The likeness produced by Messrs. Hardman of the late Canon Harries was not deemed satisfactory in every particular to the committee. The difficulty in the way of securing a good likeness has been considerable, as Messrs. Hardman have had only some indifferently good photographs, and the photograph of a bust of the late canon, executed in early years, to guide them. iiut. in deference to some suggestions sent them by the Rev. W. Conybeare Bruce, secretary to the committee, they have re-drawn the face, and have now produced a most satisfactory likeness. The late canon 18 represented as holding in his hands a model of Pontlottyn Church, which was among the first built by his efforts.

DISPUTE AT GELLY COLLIERY. On Monday, at Pentre police-court, an applica- tion was made on behalf of Mr. Walter Morgan, to have a case that day down for hearing preferred by four men, till lately employed at Gelly Coliu-i y. Rhondda Valley, against Messrs. Thomas and Griffith^ the owners of the said colliery, adjourned. It was explained by Mr. Coe that the application for adjournment was made at the instigation of Mr. J. Edwards Price (Messrs. Spickott and Price), because lie (Mr. Price) was unable to attend that day on behalf of the defendants. It appeared that the dispute between the parties in- volved a point of great importance to employers and employed at collieries—viz., whether or not had the employers a right under the Mines Regula- tion Act to employ three men to work together in each shift. It seemed that the four complainants worked in the same heading, two at night and two in the day turn. The defendants, with a view to drive the heading more rapidly, sent a third man for each turn. This the complainants declined to agree to, and it was alleged that they were dis- missed by the defendants in consequence of their disobedience. They then waited upon Mr. Abraham, the miners' agent, and the result was proceedings instituted by each complainant for the recovery of a month's wages in lieu'of notice. It was stated that the complainants have been since employed at the local collieries. The case was adjourned till that day week.

SUPPOSED JIURDER OF A YOUNG WELSHMAN IN AMERICA. The Drych for the 18th ult. contains the follow- ing :—" The body of a man has been found float- ing in the Ohio River near Hanging Rock, about three miles from Ironton, Ohio. He measured 'Sft. 6in. in height. His hair and moustachois wen: light. Tatooed on one of his arms were a miner's lamp and a mandrill. Over 40 dollars were found in his pocket, but there was nothing about the body indicating whose it was. At the inquest over the remains it was, however, ascertained that it was the body of Wm. Williams, Welsh miner, 30 years of age. He had been working in the neigh- bourhood of Hanging Rock. The jury returned a verdict of I Accidentally drowned.' The Coroner suggested that inasn tieli as that he had a sum of money about him he had probably fallen off one of the river steamers, and that the money proved that be had not fallen among thieves. Since the inquest facts have come to light which have produced a doubt as to the cause of death; It appears that Billy Williams, as the deceased was commonly known, came to the locality from Kenawha, and that he worked for some time on the railway, boarding with a Mr. Joice. Soon after be came to the place he received from somewhere t ho sum of S240, and he after this went to drink, and, while under the influence of drink, he osten- tatiously exhibited his money. Soon after he liad done so, he took up his valise and left. He was seen after this, on Sunday night, intoxicated, in the society of doubtful characters, in Peter Wild's saloon, with a pocket-book containing a large sum of money in his possession visible to all. This was the last time he was seen alive. When the body was found the pocket-book was missing; that, and the fact that there were terrible cuts on his face and head, have led people to believe that his death was not accidental. It is likely that further investigation as to the cause of death will be .instituted. ——j

PRINCE BISMARCK'S AID TO A • FRIEND. About 35 years ago, when the German Chancel- lor was only plain Otto von Bismarck, a Pomera- nian squire and Inspector of Dykes, he went out one day snipe-shooting with a friend on some marshy land, into which his companion, a stout, heavy man, suddenly sank up to his armpits. Vainly struggling to extricate himself, the gentle- man shouted for help, and, seeing Herr Bismarck approach him very slowly and cautiously, appa- rently looking out for the rising of some stray snipe, piteuusly appealed to him to 1, leave the confounded .snipe alone and pull him out of the abominable swamp into which he had sunk so deeply that its slime was all but in his mouth My dear friend," replied Bismarck with the utmost calmness, "you willcertainlyn ever get out of that hole. It would, however, pain me very much tliat you should suffer unnecessarily by slowly 81 ifling in this vile swamp. I'll save you the agony of suffocation by putting a charge of shot into your head. Thus will you die at once more swiftly and more respectably." "Are you mad?" shrieked the other, struggling ues- peritely to free himself. "I don't Wattt either to be drowned or shot; so help me out, in the name of three devils!" Deliberately levelling his fowling pieco at his friend's head, Herr Bismarck rejoined, in a sorrowful tone, Keep steady for a moment; it will soon be over. Farewell, dear friend I will faithfully tell your poor v. iff ail about it." Stimulated to superhuman effort, by the imminent peril menacing him, the ui'i.ickv sportsman contrived to wriggle out of the inuci'on all-fours, and broke out into a storm of vehement reproach. Herr Bismarck listened to him with a sardonic smile, merely observing, (mi see how right I was, after all ? Every himself." and, turning his back on his I. • eompanion, coolly walked away in senrch OI H. I, ¡;.t idt"

THE ALLEGED POISONING AT SHEFFIELD. DR. BOOTH S EVIDENCE. On Saturday at the Sheffield policc-court, Mary Anne -11 ihiiot. nurse, was charged on remand with having .ministered, or having caused to be ad- minisieivcl, to Ali-s. Booth, wife of Mr. W. H. Booth, surgeon, (jell-street, a quantity of morphia with intent to kill her. The cpurt was crowded long before 1 j H' t nr.c- fixed for the hearing. The magis- trates w. iv Mr. T. W. Hodgers and Mr. Bardwell. Mr. Law ivi.ee. (Jane, instructed by Messrs. Clegg and Sons, ppeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Barker, instntcted by Messrs. Binney, Sons, and Wilson, defended. Mr. Crane, in opening the case for tho prosecution, said that Mr. Booth, owing to the long illness of his late son, had had several nurses from the Sheffield Nurses' Home. On the 8th of 'August last the accused went, to Mr. Booth's to nurse ftis son, Mr. W. H. Booth, jun., who died on the 3th of October. After his death his sister suddenly became ill and died, after convulsive tits, on the 16th of October. A few hours after her daughter's death Mrs. Booth became very unwell, and Mr. R. J. l'ye-Smith, surgeon, who visited her, found her suffering from sickness, twitching, and convulsion. She grew alternately better and worse. On the fifth night of her illneso the accused gave Mrs. Booth a little whisky and water, which Mrs. Booth noticed had a muddy appearance, and conjectured that the kitchen girl had taken the water from the boiler. Mrs. Booth refused to take more than a table- spoonful of the diluted whisky, ¡u;¡d was seized with vomiting. The next day Mr. Pye-Smith noticed that Mrs. Booth's speech was rather thick, and that the pupils of her eyes were contracted. He asked her in the nurse's presence if she had given her any opium, or. morphia, and the accused replied, "No." Later that day Mrs. Booth p>.o;;ed into a state of coma, and presented all the indications of active and sievere narcotic poisoning. The stomacli pump was applied, and analysis had shown strong traces of morphia. He should call evidence to show that the accused had sent an under servant to a chemist's for morphia, saying that it was being bought at Mr. Booth's request. She had also obtained morphia from Mr. Booth's own surgeiy. Mrs. Eliza Booth was th i first witness called, and gave evidence in support, of the,, opening statement. Cross examined, she stated that sho had had morphia, subscribed to her by her husband, when she once suffered from tic, but on that occasion she went to sleep, awoke quite well, and never had the tic afterwards. Martha Bardwick, housekeeper to Mr. R. J. Smith, surgeon, Sheffield, said she Was at Mr. Booth's house on Sunday morning, October 17. Whilst there the prisoner came into the kitchen, having in her hand a glass-stoppered bottle, and a glass for measuring medicines. She poured a little. of a white liquid into the measuring glass. By white liquid" she meant clear like water. Mary Price, housekeeper to Mrs. Booth, testified to pur- chasing, at the request, of the prisoner, at. Mr. Goucher's, opii, and some morphia and chalk mixed. At the conclusion of the evidence of this witness the court rose, and the case was adjourned till Tuesday. An application was made for bail, and the magistrates expressed their willingness to release the prisoner in two sureties of £500 each. At Sheffield, on Tuesday, Mary Ann Wilmot- was again charged with attempting to poison Mrs. Booth. Dr. Booth narrated the circumstances under which, after the death of his son and daugh- ter, he was alarmed by a sudden summons to his wife. He kept at his residence in Gell-street a quantity of strychnine in a. bottle filled to the stopper. Part was taken, and not by himself. On being asked whether his attention was specially directed to this bottle, Dr. Booth became much excited, holding up his hand toward the prisoner. He made up one bottle of medicine for; his wife from Dr. Pye Smith's prescription, but never pre- sented or never prescribed or made up any medi cine containing strychnine. Dr. Pye Smith said ht was called in to Mrs. Booth, who was suffering ircu I' palpitation and cramp. His prescription did not contain opium, morphia, crstrychnme. The day after Miss Bo ,th was buried Mrs. Booth's speech was tiiick, and the pupils of her eyes were unna- turally small. She said there was morphia in the medicine. He replied, "No, I have prescribed none, but it seems as if you had had some." Dr. Pye Smith's evidence will be resumed on Monday.

THE FABMERS' ALLIANCE. The annual meeting of the'farmers' alliance was held at Islington on Wednesday. The report was adopted, and resolutions carried providing for the formation of distinct, though allied, branches of the Alliance in the counties or divisions of counties, and calling upon the Premier not to let the urgency of Irish matters prevent the Government dealing with other matters of the programme of the Alli- ance next session. Motions were also adopted adding to the programme of the Alliance tha ob- taining of the abolition of extraordinary tithe charges and the re-adjustment of ordinary tithes, and watching over the interests of farmers in con- nection with railway charges and the maintenance of regulations respecting cattle disease.

ESCAPE OF A RUSSIAN PRISONER. A Russian political prisoner was being taken by rail from Kieff to Odessa, escorted by two gen- darmes. In the adjoining carriage two women were travelling, who expressed their desire to travel in the same carriage with the prisoner and the gendarmes. This request, was complied with, and an animated conversation took place, the women sparing neither trouble nor expense to make the time pass agreeably. All ate, drank, and smoked together, and at one of the stations tea was procured and partaken of. Night came on, and when approaching the station of Vinnitz, the conductor came to collect the tickets. On the seat which should have been occupied by the prisoner, was found a heap of clothes arranged to resemble the figure of a man, but the prisoner was gone. The gendarmes were aroused with great difficulty. At length one of them awoke and explained that after drinking the tea he was seized with an irre- sistible desire to sleep. His comrade, who, when pushed, fell on the floor, explained that he had ex- perienced the same symptoms. The women and the prisoner, of. course, had made off.

SOCIALISM IN VIENNA. Within the List few days the Vienna police have had to contend with some very determined attempts at Socialistic propaganda. Last week two men belonging to the suburban working classes were arrested flagrante delicto, distributing Communistic publications. On Monday a bundle of them was left oif the table in a wine shop in one of the populous quarters of the town, and during the night domiciliary perquisitions were made by the police at the houses of several well-known Socialist agitators. A number of revolutionary prints were seized, and three arrests made. The police have also confiscated 2,000 copies of a publication en- titled The Austrian Workman's Calendar for 1881," of which a large quantity had been sold. The chief of the Criminal Department has suc- ceeded in capturing an individual who had placarded an incendiary proclamation on some houses close, to the Opera, in the very centre of the town, about six weeks ago. A secret printing press has been discovered in the garret of a small house in the Judengasse, a quarter of Vienna re- sembling in many respects Seven Dials. This led to sixteen arrests. None of them appear to he chiefs of the party. They are mere instrument s, obeying influences that come from abroad, more particularly from London and Geneva.

A SWANSEA LAW CASE. Before the Divisional Court, London, on Monday, Justices Stephen and Pollock, the case of Marks v. Bowen was heard. Mr. Brynmor Jones (in- structed by Mr. Jollicoe, of Swansea) was for the plaintiff, and Mr. Finlay (instructed by Messrs. Strick and Bellingham) was for the defendant The facts were these On the 2lst. of May last one John Edwards, who is now undergoing a term of imprisonment, assigned to Mr. tlsher, of Swansea;, a money lender, a valuable hprse as security for an advance made by Usher. The bill of sale was not registered w attested by a solicitor, but on tbq IRt.b;oi -Juno.! last Usher transferred his security to the plaintiff. In June Edwards was working for the defendant, who is a manufacturer at Morriston, and the latter advanced lum certain moneys upon the horse, which was then in his pos- session. Edwards afterwards disappeared, and the defendant, finding that he had absconded, sent to his stable and took the horse and refused to give it up to the plaintiff. The action was consequently brought to recover the horse or its value, but afterwards the defen- dant pleaded that he was willing to give it up to the plaintiff, but J that Edwards's son claimed it from him, and he applied to be discharged from the action. One of the Masters thereupon made an order, substituting the claimant as defendant, and directed the horse to be given up to him. On ap- peal, Mr. Justice Hawkins confirmed the order of the Master, excepting that he directed the horse to be given to the plaintiff, and it was from these two orders that the appeal was brought. The plaintiff alleged collusion between the defendant and the claimant., and, after hearing the arguments of counsel, the court allowed the appeaJ. and varied .the.Ottdetm (&*he court below. p.

ALLEGED RUFFIANISM AT CARDIFF DOCKS. Mr. G. Kloz, master of the German ship Hein- rich, calls our attention to the following disgrace- ful conduct. He says:— Having been wind-bound with my ship for several days in Penarth Roads, 1 came ashore with three of my crew on Satur- day to make some purchases. This done, 1 went to look for the boat, which I had left at the steps outside the pier, accompanied by another captain, a countryman of mine, whose ship was lying in the East Bute Dock, wishing to see me off. When we arrived at the Pier Head 1 called out to my crew to bring the boat alongside the steps, and, while doing so, I was surrounded by a num- ber of roughs, who called me anything but agree- able names, evidently objecting to my using my own boat to go on board, instead of employing one of the bubbler's. I remonstrated with them,? but>yj^iBO.,f<vail. Some of tho roughs at collared my friend and threatened to give him, as they expressed it, a "turn .round in the mud." They threw flour at us, and otherwise insulted us in a most shameful manner. Of course, it was out of the question to defend ourselves against such odds and even the police, when called, evidently feared to arrest the ringleaders, as they would assuredly have been set upon by the rough ele- ment. As it was dark, I feared to put off iq my own boat, thinking they might lay in wait for the down the drain. J, therefore, preferred to stay the night with my crew ashore. It is certainly a deplorable state of things that a captain, after paying his way and despatching his ship here, should be exposed to such scandalous treatment."

THE RATING QUESTION IN DEAN FOREST, In nccordn nee with a determination arrived at by a conference, jointly held between representa- tives- of Monmouth and West bury-on-Severn Boards of Guardians, the latter authority have ap- pointed the chairman, Major Probyn, vice-chair- man, M' Cadie, Mr. Arnold Thomas, and Mr. Carter, their clerk, to confer with the Monmouth gentlemen prior to their united deputation to the office of Woods and Forests on the subject of the Crown immunity from taxation. The facts are shortly these. The Crown are the proprietors of Dean Forest, with its 20,000 acres of woodlands, having also a royalty, approximately one-fifth upon the value of minerals-coal and iron ore— but in respect to neither are tliev chargeable to the local rates. Were the Forest the property of a private owner, both the entire surface and royalties upon the minerals would become matters of assessment. At present the Crown give a. donation of one-twenty-filth of the entire rating, but this is considered to be unreasonably inadequate, and, therefore, th'.) other rateable pro- perties are made to bear heavy and inequitable burdens. The operation of the present system in bad times like the present, acts simply oppressive upon both the industries and the district popula- tions. Amelioration is sought in the shape of the Crown assenting to the enlargement of the propor- tion now paid to the rating authorities, making their quota one-tenth. This is not an unreasonable moiety having i regard to the fact that large revenues have and still are being derived by the Crown from Deafi Forest. It is anticipated that a much larger question relating to the Forest and the Crown will have to occupy, befure long, the considerat ion of Parliament.

THE CHAMBERS OF AGRI- CULTURE. The monthly meeting of the Associated Chambers of Agriculture was held on Wednesday in London. Colonel Brise, M.P., presiding. Thwe" was a good f ttendance, among the members present being; General Burnaby, M.P., Mr. W. ,B. Beach, M.P., Mr. T. Duckham, M.P., and Mr. Hicks, M.P. Tho special committee appointed to consider the subject Jbf local taxation concluded their report as follows:—"Believing that the time lias now come when the initial work of spreading information on local taxation and of proving the existence of a substantial grievance on the part of the ratepayer mcy be said to have been in a great measure accomplished, they antici- pate the introduction of important legislation con- nected with tlie rating question during tha next session of Parliament. They, therefore, again in- vite their supporters to strengthen thoir hands and place them in a position to' deal effectively with any proposals that may be submitted with reference to this important question." On the motion of Mr. Caldeeott, seconded by Mr. Lang, the report, after some conversation, was unani- mously approved of. The Council of the Chamber, in their annual report, which was presented to the meeting, stated that 49 local chambers of agriculture and farmers' clubs in England and Wales are now in association with the central chamber. Fifty separate bodies are new, therefore, represented in the central council by deputed members, and contribute to the funds at its disposal. In referring to the work of the Royal Commis- sion On Agriculture appointed last year, the Council-stated that, they had been in repeated com- munication with the commission, and tint the various locat chambers have'not responded with alacrity to the invitation addressed to them to further the inquiry by aiding the local investigations conducted by the assis- tant commissioners throughout England. The mission to Arrtei ica, confided by the Royal Commission to Mr. Clare Read and Mr. A. Pell, had resulted in a report of the greatest interest and importance on the agricultural position of the united States, and the prospects of the increasing competition to which the farmers of this coontrji arc like:y Ik b« .cjbjr.-cU'vl. c-Ata.rH tu» propriety ot a:i eariv publication of the evidence already taken in this country, and any special re- ports iroul the assistant commissi.jtiJrs in Great Britain and on the Continent.

SUPPOSED POISONING OF A SHIP'S CREW. The barque Fortuna, of London, from Newport to Pernambuco, with coals, put into Miiford Haven, on Wednesday afternoon, with one of the A. B.'s ivin lying dead. It is surmised from th? svmpforus that, the deceased must have- tnk-m prison, sup- posed to have got. mixed with -i ships provi- sions. Other members of the crew were taken unwell, but nothing nf a serious nature has occurred. I i the port sanitary medical officr i 11 Oup.

MR, OSBO;;NI-: .UOROAN ON THF BURIALS LAWS. At a meeting in London of gentlemen inte- rested in the reform of the burial laws a letter was read from Mr. Osborne Morgan, M.P., in which he said that since the Burials Act was passed he had endeavoured to acquaint himself with its working, both in England and Wales. He gathered that cases in which any hitch or difficulty had occurred in carrying it into operation had been exceedingly rare. Referring to questions to which attention had been drawn by the Liberation Society, he re- marked that Sir Alexander Gordon had given notice of a Bill dealing with the burial feelf generally.

THE REBECCAITES AT RADNOR. MURDEROUS ASSAULT ON A POLICEMAN On Tuesday a policeman, named Cairns, was attacked at Llanbadaruffynydd, a village in Rhad- norshire, about twelve miles from Newtown, by a large party of Rebeccaites, who, disguised, were proceeding along the road with the object of pur. suing their unlawful practices in the river Ithom. The constable met tbem, and turned his lantern upon them. He was immediately struck down with a salmon spear and brutally beaten. The Rebeccaites afterwards fired at his house. One of the constable's arms was broken, and he is other* wise seriously injured.

A MUMBLES LIFEBOAT IN ACTION GALLANT CONDUCT OF THE CREW. Mr. David Evans, of the Mumbles, contributes the following particulars concerning a recent ser- vice performed by the Mumbles life-boat. He says:— I was at Port Talbot Bar on the 1st inst., when I saw a schooner making for that bar about half- flood, long before there was water over it. The sea was very high at the time, and lining the shore with its feather-white foam; but still the doomed .vessel came on to certain destruction, while those on the shore were unable to give the poor fellows the least warning of their danger Surely, sir, this ought not to be that a port like Port. Talbot should have no flag to hoist, not rocket, nor lifeboat, nor even a gun to fire, which sailors would generally take as a warning of dan- ger. On she came, while dozens of men would have been glad to render any assistance, but they had nothing to do it with. The sea running over her with great force, she soon became filled with water, and, as the tide flowed, the poor fellows on board had to take to the rigging. This was about 3 p.m., and there they had to remain in their wet clothes, and in the face of a cold December wind, until the gallant. lifeboat, and crew came from the Mumbles to deliver t hem from their perilous posi- tion. Surely if such wants were made known to the Lord-Licut Mr. Talbot, and other gentle- iiiqu "Illtio are largely interested in the port, they wofild gladly do something for the safety of the seamen who come there. Though a sailor myself, with strong sympathies for sailors, I only express .tfce-fe'lings of those who witnessed that deplorable dgfit on the 1st instant, and hope, with them and others, that something will be done that they may not. always have to depend on the Mumbles life- boat (being distant rbout nine miles by water and sixteen by land) to save precious life. If you will kindly insert this in your widely-circulated papey I feel sure all seamen will be ever grateful."

A CELEBRATED SIGNBOARD. PT INTERESTING BANKRUPTCY APPEAL In the London Bankruptcy Court on Monday (before Sir James Bacon) the case „• va.-u Sheen and Owen re Thomas was heard. This was an appeal from the decision of the judge of the Bangor County Court, who had decided that the signboard of the Oak Tree Hotel, Bettws-y-Coed; painted by David Cox, R.A., was the property of the Baroness Willoughby d'Eresby, and not of the trustees in the liquidation. The debtor, Mary Anne Thomas, • was the proprietress of the Royal Oak Hotel, ^W^vs-y-f3o«d, and failed in October, 1879, with iiacujiKj ami unsecured. £ 20,000 ydd„ ""4 Sfeets £ 2,5o5 8s., and Messra. Sheen aiid OweB, accountants, Liverpool, the present appellants, were appointed trustees of the estate. Mr. Wiuslow, Q.C., and Mr. Bighaw ap- peared on behalf of the trustees; Mr. J. Link- later (instructed by Messrs. Travers, Smith, and Braithwalte) appeared for the baroness. The signboard, which represents an oak tree, was pro- duced in court, and occasioned considerable curiosity. From the opening statement of counsel it appeared that the signboard was painted by David t,o-x in 1347, and was phtced over the door of the hotel. It hung there from that time down to 1866, when it was taken down, framed, and hung in the hall. In 1854 Mrs. Richards was the owner of the hotel in question, which used to be visited by David Cox every year, but she after- wards sold the hotel to Miss Thomas, there being an arrangement that it should stay there for two years. Numerous affidavits were read, setting out the fact that it was a well-knoM.ii attraction in the neighbourhood, and also the opinion of the various deponents as to the ownership of it. Mr. Winsiow submitted that this 'tWt.it landlord's fixture, inasmuch as it waa merely fixed to the wall iu the usual way by means ofcjis or. screw. If it was a chattel, then what was there to distinguish it from any other chattel \vhielv was in the order arid-disposition of the (terbtor at the 1 i mrwf the failure, and would, conse- quently,.pans to the trustees under the liquidation. But t,lie property of her grace the baroness, it ;was in the reputed ownership of the debtor, and he mentioned the fact that in some of tlw- Imtf,IR in the neighbourhood it was customary for artists to leave a sketch-book, which became the property of the proprietors, lie submitted that there was nothing to prove that the baroness wastlie-ownerofthcpicture. The. case wa3 not concluded when the court, rose.

EMM" ON TOUR." Mr. Emm's friends in South Wales—and their name is legion—will be glad to learn that the recent provincial tour of that versatile comediau has been. it series 'of brilliant successes. On the ■last night of his engagement, at Bradford, arc audience of nearly four thousand persons nssem- bled to say "good-bye to this popular favourite. Mr. Emm this week is playing a re-engagement at the Queen's -Theatre, Manchester, and his present visit, promises to equal in popularity, if it does not echpse, his former successful engagements. The Manchester Eceraity A'ews says tliat He has been accepted as one of the favourites of the theatre, and he thoroughly deserves the popularity he has achieved." The Manchester L'ou,-iei- saya thatMr. EUlln met. with a most hearty welcome, as might have been expected from the success which at- tended his former v jsit while the MancheMer Chtar- 'diatt obs.tvcr that Mr. Kami played iast night with his usual vigour, and wurked the audience to a pitch of intense* enthusiasm." The Manchester press, includes in its ranks, perhaps, the most influential organs of opinion in tha provinces, and it will be very gratifying to Mr. Emm to find it unanimous in its praise. One of the Bradford papers (the Bradford Times of Satur- day fast) went so far a.:5 to express its belief that Mr: Emin eoukl play "anything," from M^cheth to A. sprite in a pantomine. Those who haye the personal acquaintance of our friend will agree with us that that would be a very portly sprite^ indeed, which was represented by the great Swansea favourite.

TIIE NAT I or >r, TEMPERANCE LEAG 6 J. ANJS UAL. The annual of the National rrcmperance League for leal has just been published, price in paper cover Is., in cloth limp boards Is. 6d. The volume is edited by Air. Robert. Rae, the secretary of tha League, and contains a mass of information which will be of value to those who are interested in the temperance cause. The series of articles includes — -1 Literature of the Temperance Movement, 1830-1880," by the Rev. S. Couliag Fifty Years' Consumption of Intoxicating Liquors, 1830-1879," by the Rev. Dawson Burns, M.A. -'Fifty Years of Drinking," by Mr. William Hoyle The Medical Temperance Movement," by Dr. Norman S. Kerr Temperance in the Christian Church," by Mr. Michael Young Education and Temperance," by Mr. T. M. Williams, B.A.; "Bands of Hope and their Results," by Mr. Isaac PhiiMps Temperanbe Legislation—Past and Prospective," by Mr. W. it. Sehvay, M.B.W., &c. The contribu- tions of the Kev. Dawson Burns and Mr. William Iloyle are of exceptional interest, owing to the statistics which they contain. The following is a. summary of Mr. Burns' figures, showing the consumption of in- toxicating liquors in the United Kingdom during fifty years, from the 1st of January, 1830, to the 31st of Decembiy, 1879, viz. Malt liquors, barrels, 1,058,355,867; cost, £ 2.4-34,702,191; British spirits, gallons, 1,181-303.382 cost, £ 1,008,025,984-. Foreign and Colonial spirits, gallons, 303.789,435; cost, £ 347,338.12.9. Wine, gallons, 476,875,473; cost, £ 415,195.130; other liquors, gallons, 625,000,000; cost,, £ 41,250 000. Total cost, £ 4,246,511,484, which gives an annual average of £ 84,930,229 3-5. There has been an increase in the amount of alcohol consumed during the period undei review of one pint per head of the population, and in the cost of 9s. 6d. per head of the popula- tion. A comparative statement shoWs that, at the present time, the English pay per head about 18& a-year more for liquor than the Scotch, and :£2 more than the Irish. Mr. Hoyle, in his paper, arrives at the extraordinary conclusion that the amount lost to the nation in material wealth tn its drinking habits, during the past, fifty years, it no less than £13,461,562,086. This is an miiest fallacy, because the writer that the, racoiDHf* spent upon alcoholic liquors has all been wawftffli and even adds 5 per cent. as the mfeerest it wouiii have realised if invested.