Weekly Mail

TIDE TABLE. FOB THE WEEK EN-DINO JAN PAST 22, 1886. .Z .Z « .5 Jri Q O-B «3 S§ I" | "^2 SfiQ i 2 03 « DATIOFTHXWSBX. C S O *2 >2 ^2 0 1 I I 5 ::I ¡ -I l Morning 2 36 2 16 1 26 | 2 22 3l3 Satuhdt Evening 3 15 2 55 2 1 2 57 4 2 t Height ■ 23 6 j 26 9 25 9 27 2 17 10 i Morning 3 53 I 3 34 2 35 3 31 4 41 SRWDAY .< Bvening 4 29 4 12 3 9 4 5 5 19 I Height 25 9 I 285 27 7289 20 0 (Morning 5 2 4 4»5 3 41 1 37 5 53 Mojtdat.V Bvening 5 3l>5 20 4 15 all 627 (Height. 28 S 30 11 29 9 32 4 22 7 4 Morning 6 3 5 49 | 4 44 J 5 40 6 56 Tuwdat < Evening 6 27 6 18 5 16 6 12 7 25 } Height | 31 4 32 4 31 7 34 5 24 5 i Morning I 6 b8 6 46 5 45 6 41 7 53 WKDSST.^ Evening I 7 20 7 13 6 12 7 8 8 20 I Height I 33 9 34 10 33 1 35 9 27 2 (Morning 7 51 7 40 6 40 7 36 8 47 THVRSDT •< Evening 89 84 75 81 9 11 I Height 35 6 36 10 33 9 37 8 29 6 « Morning 8 39 8 28 7 29 8 25 9 35 PTUDAT. < Evening 8 56 8 51 7 5? 8 48 9 58 I Heipht 36 ?. 37 10 P4 4 I 38 8 33 10

—————— MI^Mij |Hail SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 1886. LONDON LETTER. [FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] There were certainly no signs on the open- ing day of the Session that stormy weather is close at hand. The members. old and new, mastered in large numbers long before two o'clock, and the warmest congratulations were exchanged on all hands, everybody seem- ing, as was only natural, to be in the best of spirits. Mr. Bradlaugh, conspicuous by his presence, seemed, however, friendless and alone, as usual; but this isolation did not disconcert him in the least; indeed, he seemed rather to enjoy it. It must have been a relief to him to take his seat for once in the body of the House without being challenged to prove that he is duly qualified to do so. He anticipates, apparently, that the Tories will let him in without making any further difficulty in the matter but in this expectation he is reckoning without his host. A four-lined whip has been sent out to the supporters of the Government urging them to be in their places to-morrow by two o'clock, as business of importance is likely then to come on. As the only work before the House to-morrow will be the swearing-in of mem- bers, and as no question can arise out of the taking of the oath except in the case of Mr. Bradlaugh, it is obvious that the member for Northampton is not to be allowed to slip in quietly and without a protest being raised on the Conservative side. The Speaker takes the oath first of all by himself, and then the members in batches. It is suggested that Mr. Bradlaugh may come up in the tirst batch, and that the Speaker in that case cannot refuse to administer the oath to him. But it is contended, on the other hand, that the first of the Conservative members sworn may call the Speaker's attention to what is believed to be the disqualification Mr. Brad- laugh labours under, and then the Speaker would be obliged to bring the matter before the House as soon as the swearing-in has been completed. Many members who agree with the Bishop of Peterborough in thinking that the oath might well be done away with altogether will not be coerced into voting for the admission of Mr. Bradlaugh while the oath is still in force. The new members of the House seemed to settle down into their places easily enough, though some of them looked timidly about, like boys just come to a strange school. No formal recognition was given to any of the leading Ministers or ex-Ministers as they came in. By two o'clock every bench was crowded, and a number of members were fain to sit on the steps which are technically known as the gangway. All the Parlia- mentary notabilities were present, with the exception of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, Mr. Parnell, and Mr. Joseph Cowen, whose familiar faces I looked for in vain. Mr. Gladstone leant back in his old attitude, scanning the features of the new members opposite to him, and occasionally turning to ask a question of Lord Hartington or Sir \V. Harcourt, who sat on either hand. The buzz of animated conversation was hushed when Black Rod appeared and in a low tone invited members to attend the House of Lords to hear the Royal Commission read. Led by Sir M. H. Beach and Mr. Chaplin, a large number of members trooped along the corridor to the Bar of the other House, where they stood to listen to the Commission read by the Clerk at the table. The quaintly- attired Commissioners saluted gravely, by taking off their cocked hats and bowing at the mention of their names; and, this brief ceremony being concluded, the Chief Com- missioner requested the Commons to return to their own House and select a Speaker, who should attend in the House of Lords to-morrow for her Majesty's approval. There could be no doubt who would be chosen to fill thfo high office of Speaker. Sir John Mowbray, taking precedence by right of age and service, rose on the Conservative side, and, addressing Sir Erskine May, pro- posed Mr. A. W. Peel for re-election, speak- ing of his proved personal qualifications for I the post with graceful warmth and good feeling. Mr. Bright, who secouded the nomi- nation, showed signs of failing physical strength in the frequent pauses he made in his speech and the effort it cost him every now and then to find the exact word he wanted. He was most impressive in insist- ing upon the need there is in these days for a Speaker whom the House can trust to use his authority with firmness. One or two of the Irish members had snorted defiance when references were made by either Sir J. Mowbray or Mr. Bright to Mr. Peel's impartiality, and Mr. Justin McCarthy now rose, amidst cheers from his party, and protested against the un- measured praise bestowed on Mr. Peel, who had, he maintained, on several occasions in the last Parliament not shown fair play to the Irish members. It was evident, however, that the Irish party did not mean mischief or they would not have pot up so mild mannered a man as Mr. M'Carthy, who is quite unfitted by nature to play the tragic part of a high-souled and uncompromising patriot. He seemed to be content with suggesting that a Speaker ought, like Csesar's wife, to be above suspicion. Mr. Peel was very warmly greeted on rising. Disraeli called Sir Robert Peel a remarkably good-looking man," but the son is of heavy build and not very pre- possessing appearance. He spoke well, though with an effort. It was not till after he had j bpen installed in the chair that he uoti ced what Mr. M'Carthy had said, and he then de- clared emphatically that he would do justice to all members without distinction of party. Sir M. Beach, who was cheered on rising by the Ministerialists, delivered a well-prepared speech of congratulation without much heartiness of manner. When Mr. Glad- stone rose in his turn to compli- ment the new Speaker there could be no mistake as to the significance of the ringing and repeated cheers with which he was saluted. Mr. Chamberlain ought to have heard them. They would have shown him that he is easaying no easy task in trying to oust Mr. Gladstone from the leadership of the Liberal party. Mr. Gladstone's voice has lost something of its old charm, but there is no falling off from the consummate ease with which the great orator has for so many years wielded at will the House of Commons. He propitiated the new members by assuming that t-hey would be worthy successors of those who had gone before them, and with delicate and good-humoured plea- santry, which was highly relished by the Irish members themselves, he re- minded Mr. M'Carthy, who had "performed with evident reluctance a conscientious duty/' that the relations of the Irish party with the Speaker in the last Parliament were so" strained as to make it almost impossible for Mr. Peel to do his duty to their entire satisfaction. He added that, in the changed circumstances of the third party," no doubt they would be able to get on more comfort- ably with the Speaker in the new Parliament. So the first sitting of the Parliament of 1866 ended as happily as it had begun. May this be a good omen for the smooth progress of the Session. The Bradlaugh question has advanced another stage. Members of both sides of the House of Commons do not hide their dis- comfiture in having been prevented by the Speaker from having their first tilt. Mr. Bradlaugh is now, according to the rules of the House of Commons, a member of Parlia- ment, and nothing but the fear of penalties can prevent him from voting. He was early at the House, and, during the time which elapsed before the oaths were taken he flitted in a most nervous manner from one lobby to another, through the corridors, in and out of the library, aud, in tact, he was discovered in hurried conversation in the most unlikely places. The Government kept their counsel well, for Mr. Bradlaugh, up to the last moment, did not know the result of the de- liberations that had taken place yesterday in the Cabinet upon this question. Those whose legal instinct, has led ,them to consider the question are of opinion that the law officers of the Crown can proceed against Mr. Brad- laugh when he goes into the division lobby, and the Government will use this weapon at a later period. The Attorney-General will take steps to penalise him, but this will be a weary business, as before the reading of the law can be weighed Mr. Bradlaugh's appeal to the House of Lords against the decision of the Court of Appeal must be heard; and, judging by the Brad- laugh actions of the last three to four years, many months most elapse before Northamp- ton's junior member knows definitely whether his swearing to-day has not been ultra vires. The ceremonial of escorting the Speaker to the House of Lord, to hear her Majesty's sanction to the selection of the faithful Commons was carried out with all the usual observances. The solemnity of the Speaker and Black Rod advancing together from the Commons to the Lords, headed by the mace-bearer, who held "Cromwell's bauble "as a nursemaid carries a baby, was awe-inspiring if it had not been for the rushing and pushing crowd of mem- bers who followed. A great number of these, quite new to Parliament, profited by yester- day's lesson, when many were unable to get to the bar of the peers' Chamber, and pressed into the front rank, where they seemed sadly out of place alongside Sir M.H. Beach, Mr. John Bright, and other leading Ministers and ex- Ministers. The return to the House of Com- mons when Mr. A. Peel was a fully-fledged Speaker was made with more decorum, the mace upon this occasion 'being carried over the shoulder of the bearer. Lord Salisbury's visit to Osborne on Wednes- day was undertaken in order to lay before her Majesty the rough details of the measures it is proposed by the Government to introduce in the opening Session of the hew Parliament. The modt important of these, undoubtedly, is the Local Government Reform Bill, which will, it is rumoured, place power in the hands of local authorities which some years ago might have been deemed impossible; but the time of Parliament cannot be taken up by legislation upon Bills giving power for the cutting of roads and railways and other such local matters, and for the future these will be left in the hands of local authorities. Ireland will receive the benefit of this Act, and, probably, a further cession on account of the poorness of her districts and their scattered positions. One of the chief men of the Government told me to-day that he did not believe Lord Carnarvon was about to leave Ireland. He had heard nothing of it, and thought Lord Carnarvon was one of the last people to leave his party at such a moment, unless, indeed, he found it impossible to rule without coercion, and that is not the policy of the Government. His Excellency arrived from Ireland to-day, and will be present at next Friday's Cabinet Council, when the whole measure of the Committee of the Cabinet for the better ruling of the Irish people will be discussed. Upon this very question Lord Salisbury will receive several deputations on Tuesday next, when the Irish Defence Union will place before him the opinions of the most educated class in Ireland. Mr. H. W. Lucy has signalised the com- mencement of his editorial regime by pub- lishing in the Daily News a leading article, in which he professes to tell us all that Lord R. Churchill, who, according to Mr. Lucy, is the Government, means to do. Now, this puffing of Lord Randolph at the expense of his colleagues can only do mischief, and, no doubt, it is the duty of a Liberal newspaper to use every exertion in order to sow dissen- sions in a Conservative Cabinet. Conserva- tives generally are under the impression that Lord Salisbury directs the policy of the Government and keeps a pretty firm hand on the helm. As for the statement in the Daily News that the Ministry has made up its mind not to bargain with Mr. Parnell, that is very old news. Whether its refusal to betray the Union will cause its speedy downfall remains to be seen. Sir R. Cross has made a splendid selection of members for his lioyi.1 Commission upon Education for England and W ales. I hear that the educational class in Ireland is to re- ceive special benefit in this Parliament by a Bill to improve the position of the Roman Catholic Universities. In the English Com- mission such names ai the Earl of Harrow by, the Bishop of London, Sir John Lub- bock, and Mr. Mundella should be pro- mising of success, and, added to these Sir Richard Cross has done well in appoint- ing Mr. Hugh Cowie, Q.C., secretary. The labours of the Commission will commence immediately, and meetings will be held at the Home Office, where Sir iiichard Cross will always be able to preside. ———— .\n early Gazette wiil contain the appoint- ment to a chaplaincy in India, value £ 000 a year, of the Rev. Graham Sandberg, M.A., of Trinity College, Dublin. Mr, Sandberg was for two or three years at the Lnglish Bar, but relinquished practice in favour of the more canonical profession. lie was success- ful in obtaining the curacy of a church in the populous distriot of Last Hackney, where his labours were incessant. He is 34, the limited age for which a clergyman is eligible for a chaplaincy in India, and is married. The Princess of "Wales is much better, and is now allowed to go about the rooms of San- dringham House. Her illness has caused great anxiety among the elits of society, and it was feared at one time that the sore throat and cold she suffered from proceeded from weakness, and that her Royal Highness would have to go abroad for the spring months to recruit her health. The dovecots of Mayfair were aghast at this, as it is well known that there are two Drawing-rooms to be held early in April, and her Majesty would have postponed these if the Princess had been ill. It is well known that when her Majesty holds a Draw- ing-room she appears on the throne for ten to fifteen minutes, and all presentations after that are made to the Princess, who assumes regal duties for the day. The Prince of Wales has been up in town the last two days, but to-day, having got rid of his many duties, joined the Princess at Sandringham, where all will remain until the departure to Eaton Hall on the 19th inst. It is feared that the Duchess of Argyll will not recover. She is quite a bride, having open married to the duke only a few years. She is very pretty, and has hosts of friends. The report of her serious illness has caused deep anxiety, and her loss would be a a serious blow to the festivities that are about to commence, of which there is to be a plethora this season on account of her Majesty opening Parliament. The Duke of Edinburgh goes to his com- mand of the Mediterranean oiL the 21st of next month, and he will have something special to do with his squadron should Greece and Turkey come to blows. The Duchess, with one or two of the children, will join the Duke late in the year at Malta, where negotia- tions are now on foot for a suitable residence for them. Samoa seems to be a dead letter. Germany repudiates the action of her Consul, if such action was not exaggerated, and our Foreign and Colonial Offices are not affected by the report of German Consular activity. There is a treaty existent which precludes either England, Germany, or America from gaining influence beyond each other there. The opening of the Mersey Railway, which their Royal Highnesses effect on the 20th at Liverpool, will be a splendid ceremony. The new railway company has left no stone un- turned to make the cutting of the tunnel under the Mersey from Birkenhead to Liverpool an event ever to be remembered. Thousands of people will be present, and what with banquets and the delivery of addresses, bunting, and other decorations, the opening will be most auspicious. The Prince and Princess will have to return the next day, as they will take part in the opening of Parliament by the Queen. The mention of the latter reminds me that the pageant is to be of the most stately grandeur. Life Guards, in all the panoply of steel, gold, and silver, will line the half-mile route from Buckingham Palace to the House of Parliament, bands will play at intervals along the route, and her Majesty will, above all things most satisfactory, be seen by her subjects, the State coach having glass panels upon each side. The Queen will wear her usual mourning, with a miniature Imperial Crown, and will be accompanied by Princess Henry of Battenberg, who still remains the great heartease of her mother.

LOCAL JOTTINGS. [BY PENDBAGON.] In a weU-halanced, logical, and facetious address, Mr. Councillor Jackson, at the Cardiff Town Council on Monday, went for the Cardiffmud makers, and he endeavoured to fix upon the Health Committee the premier honours of the firm. There was not a single gentleman pre- sent who did not fully and freely admit that the con- dition of the streets from one end of the town to the other was most disgraceful, the only difference of opinion being as to which of the committees was responsible for the discreditable state of things. I have a decided opinion that there is more than one committee to blame but now that the ques- tion has been thoroughly ventilated I shall be dis- appointed-I had almost said disgusted—if some- thing is not done to do away with that which is nothing more nor less than a public scandal and a grave municipal blemish. I am quite aware of the fact that the authorities have to deal with a light subsoil, but that is all the more reason why they should have exhibited earp in the selection of materials for the purpose of road-making, and exercised discretion in their formation. The steam-roller is, I hold, a prolific source of the intolerable nuisance from which we all suffered grievously. Well, perhaps I ought not to blame the machine so much as those who direct its movements. Macadam, that revolutioniser of road-making, considered that stones should be broken to about an inch and a half in diameter, a size which would allow them to fit in together in a homogeneous whole-I thank thee, Councillor Jackson, for that word-and thus a solid surface would be secured. The 11 demon-crusher," how- ever, is put to giind the stones put down into a fine powder, or else it leaves them untouched altogether. Outside tie Western Mail offices this morning I measured some stones which had been put down, and found many of them four, and even five inches, in diameter. You can't expect anything compact and binding to come out of a practice like this. I take the liberty of thinking that if stones were hand-broken to the Macadam pattern and put down with some regard to the road level, we should be able to do without the steam-roller altogether, and we should put our thoroughfares into a condition of which we need not be thoroughly ashamed. I detest anything like 11 burking," especially In a body which is supposed to represent the public. I do not know who is responsible, but there has been a piece of audacious burking in connection with the Cardiff Town Council. When Mr. Alfred Thomas—in that famous Billingsgate harangue of his re the Glamorgan Hunt BaU- accused Mr. Birt St. A. Jenner, the secretary of the Hunt Committee (who had made application for the use of the Assembly-rooms for the purpose of the annual dance), of ungentlemanly behaviour in not replying to a letter which had been sent to him complaining of the damage which had been done to the apartment, Mr. Jenner wrote a letter in which he stated that he never received such a communication, and asking for dates, &c. This letter was handed over to the town-clerk, with the direction of Mr. Thomas to merely reiterate the assertion that he (Mr. Thomas) had sent a letter, but disdaining any further particulars. If, in his official capacity of mayor for the time being, he wrote the document referred to, it is unfor- tunate he did not, as is usual in these cases, keep a copy. of it, because its contents, from their nature, were likely to prove of a controversial character. If he took the responsibility of departing from the official practice of allowing the town- clerk to transact the corporate correspondence be certainly should have complied with the initial duty of keeping a copy of what he wrote. As the hon. member has not a scintilla of proof to show that Mr. Jenner received the letter, I prefer to take the latter's assertion that he never did. I ask the public to read the correspondence in another column and judge for themselves. I ask, too, for some explanation of the reason why, after a public accusation had been made against a county gentle- man, the disclaimer of Mr. Jenner was not also made public. There is "an ancient and fish-like smell" about the transaction which does not accord with my sense of right and justice. The executive of the Cambrian Society of South Wales and Monmouthshire have arranged an ad. mirable series of lectures for the coming year, and I have reason to believe they will not only be in- teresting, but instructive. Considerable darkness prevails in the Principality upon a number of questions on which it is requisite to throw more light, and I have every confidence that the subjects, treated and discussed as they will be by those who have some right to speak on Welsh history, Welsh culture, and Welsh thought, will be the means of shedding around an illumination, which, to use a homely simile, shall give forth the brightness of the electric light as compared with the old-time rush candle. There happened a night or two ago at the Heath Turnpike Gate, not far from Whitchurch, an acci. dent which might have resulted Reriously, but which, I am glad to report, had a droll rather than a tragic termination. Two Cardiff civil engineers were returning in a trap from Pontypridd, full of life and spirits, and when they reached the spot indicated they came into violent contact with a cab, whose driver wae in the act of paying the toll. The trap was knocked into smithereens," while the four-wheeler was doubled up like a gibus, or spring hat. There was a good deal of sprawling in the mud, and there would, I make no doubt, have been a good deal of profanity if I did not know that the parties, after the strictest manner of their sect, live the lives of Pharisees. Following in the wake of the vehicle which con. tained the men of compasses and figures was another driven by a well-known Cardiff architect, who was accompanied by his particular chum, a maker of cement, hailing from the same quarter. They came upon tbg Some in the sick of time, and while the dealer in the article which sticks closer than a brother took charge of the liars de comhat engineers and placed them comfortably in his friend's dog- cart, the architect his "soul in arms and eager for the fray," chased the animal which had been liberated from the shafts in the smash, finally secured it, and, with a heigh-ho-chivy, mounted its back, and rode home in triumph to Cardiff as the leader of the improvised cavalcado. As to the cab and its driver, I am not told what! became of these, but I know that the unfortunate fare had to return to Cardiff on foot and charter another conveyance. All's well that ends well," and I am glad to announce that, although there was much splintered wood and several battered cushions, there were no splintered bones and no battered heads. I do not remember whether there was a moon that night,! or whether a fog prevailed, but I do re- member this, that at banquets and on other festive occasions I have heard the quartette of whom I have written siug 11 For he's a jolly good fellow as cordially and as vociferously as the other guests. Perhaps there had been an arbitra- tion or something of the kind on that day, when matters were brought to an amicable termination in the usual fashion. You know One of the Sufferers," who writes me from Windsor-terrace, Penarth, addresses me thus:— De;tr I Pendragl)n,Wit,/¡ regard to muddy roads, &c., at Penarth, pray do another kindness for poor suffering humanity and call attention to another nuisance the constant dissatisfied liowl- ing, night and day, of, apparently, useless dogs, seriously destroying the rost of those who have the misfortune to reside in the neighbourhood of Windsor-terrace. Perhaps a line from you will cause the owners to have some little compassion on their neighbours.—Thanking you in anticipation. Aqua," at Penarth, growls as follows Dear Pendragon,'—I am glad to hear that a correspon- dent has gone to the trouble to send you a sample of our Penarth water.' Water, indeed! It is more like drawing milk from a tap than pure 'aqua.' Some time ago it was stated in your paper that boilers were coated to such an extent by the sediment in them that it entirely spoiled them. This is true, and to have a I bath I in this liquid is not pleasant, as the smell is offensive. I drew a glass of water yesterday, and it contained a large amount of floating animalcula- You should dilute it, my boy. The annual statement of accounts of the Swan- sea Savings' Bank gives a remarkable indication that the people of the town are, at any rate, not less thrifty than they have hitherto been. It would be interesting to know precisely what class of people deposit their savings in such banks as these. The labouring class, especially those who have families, can scarcely be supposed to have a margin to leave at such an institution. Even the better-paid class of artisans have to experience such vicissitudes in the matter of wages, or else are so fond of the luxuries which their little overplus will afford, that they could hardly be expected to furnish numerous examples of this form of thrift. Yet, considerable saving is done for all that. During 1885 the Swansea Savings' Bank opened 902 new accounts and closed 485, gaining on the working of the yeaa no less than 4.17 depositors, the total number of depositors being now 10,553. The balance at the bank has increased by over £ 10,000 during the past year. Sir Hussey Vivian deduces the conclu- sion from these facts that working people are not suffering from the depression as greatly as their masters. Let us hope that they point also to in. creased thrift, which, with the return of good times, may be still more fully developed. The meeting of the Swansea Town Council to- day was short—the business being disposed of in time for luncheon-but in briefness it did nofcom- pare with last month's sitting. On this occasion the members were, in fact, preserved from ennui during the two hours they, sat in solemn conclave by two things. The first was the visit of a deputation from the Trades Council to point out how desirable it would be if local tradesmen got the preference in any contract work let by the corporation. The deputation, however, did not make out a very good case, the leaders being, apparently, unaccustomed to public speaking," and the mayor had ultimately to tell them that their grievance with regard to the Free Library and the letting of sub-contracts was irremediable by the corporation. I have no doubt there is a good :?)J to be said in favour of making our money circulate locally as far as possible, and if Swansea tradesmen prove them- selves worthy to compete with those from a dis- tance, let them by all means have a chance. The fact would certainly seem to be that the Swansea tradesmen have not competed successfully in the past in regard to quality or prices or surely the Swansea Corporation would have been nothing loath to bestow their custom upon them. It should be remembered, however, that the Corpora- tion of Swansea cannot make presents to individual tradesmen from the general funds of the rate- payers. If their charges are higher or their goods of worse quality than those of other tenderers the whole town suffers, and only the contractor benefits. The other matter to which I referred was the report of the borough analyst, which afforded food for some comments. Dr. Morgan's report spoke highly of the improvement in the quality of goods submitted to him since the practice of sample- taking had been carried out, but declared that a great deal of adulterated coffee, lard. &c„ was being sold in the town. Mr. James Jones took it upon himself, as a wholesale grocer in business in Swansea, to condemn the action of Dr. Morgan in making these insinuations, and to ask why prose- cutions were not instituted against the offenders. A considerable amount of discussion ensued, but the corporation did not agree to take the course recommended by Dr. W. Morgan—that of ordering the maximum number of samples to be analysed in future. They considered that, as the present rej/ime was producing such a very wholesome effect, the necessity for increasing the samples did not arise. I quite agree with them. To my mind, the members of the Town Council at Pembroke Dock have exercised a wise discre- tion in appointing a committee to report upon the best way of raising a police force for the town. Hitherto the hearths and homes of the inhabi- tants of Pembroke Dock and Pembroke have been guarded by the county constabulary, who, as far as I know, have performed their duty well and efficiently. I think, however, it is more in accor- dance with the eternal fitness of things that the iocal authorities should have control in this matter and do the Watch Committee work them- selves. It is a very old-time sort of arrangement to have a municipal borough guardiaued by the county, and the sooner a change is effected the better. I am of opinion—it may not be worth much—that a borough might just as well be with- out a corporation as an institution of "Roborts" directly under municipal control. I am always dead nuts on those who work horses when they ought to be in the veterinary infirmary. If they are discovered I enjoy myself in the reflection that they have to submit to an adequate penalty. On Tuesday an individual at the Newport Police Court was charged,amongst others, with using an aged animal whilst suffering from general debility and a bone enlargement. Defendant pleaded that his beast was afflicted with corns which elicited the jovial remark from the clerk to the magistrates: What! a corn! How would you like to be worked with a corn." I don't know what the man's sentiments were, but there are a good many of us who have to work and walk with corns. As I say, I have no sympathy with those who use horses in an unfit condition, and I am equally averse to levity in a public official. There I never heard of such reckless men as some of our colliers are. I was sorely exercised on reading of that jackass of a fellow at Aberdare who, being for some time suspected of smoking in a fiery mine, was watched and eventually detected coolly striking a match to light his pipe in the most fiery part of the colliery. Such gross perversity seem* to outsiders like myself to merit the most severe punishment, because the perpetrator is not only endangering his own life—which may not be of much consequence if he has no more thought for his fellows than this man had-but lie is jeopardising the existence of hundreds of human beings who have the misfortune to be engaged in the same employment. We are continually engaged 111 inquiring into the causes of colliery explosions. and we know how difficult it isto come to a satis- factory conclusion. The incident just mentioned suggests the probability that many a calamity in which a large sacrifice of life is involved is due to the crass stupidity of such men as Joseph Jones, of the Cwmpennar Upper Pit, who was yesterday sent to prison for a month, without the option of a fine, for his recklessness. Colliers, as we arA. aware, carry their lives, like their lamps, in their hands; but when they persist in carrying lucifers in their pockets, unmitigated bread and water for a long period should be their portion. Those who do me the honour to read this column will remember that I some days ago suggested a series of football matches throughout Glamorgan- shire and Monmouthshire, the gate-money to be devoted to the fund now being raised for the relief of the sufferers from the Mardy explosion. I have to-day had sent me, by some person or persons unknown, a copy of the Liverpool Mercury, in which the following letter, from a Liverpool Welshman resident in Cardiff, appears:—" I am an old Liverpudlian, and with much pleasure I witnessed the match recently played at Cardiff between Liverpool and Cardiff. Although the Welshmen won the game, Liverpool has no occa- sion to be ashamed of their representatives, as a finer, more manly, or better-behaved lot of young fellows never visited Cardiff, and I can assure you they have left behind them the very best impression. My object in writing you is to ascertain if it is not possible for a good strong Lancashire team to be got together to play at Cardiff a friendly match for the benefit of the sufferers from the Mardy explosion. Of course, the expenses of Liverpool would be defrayed, and a good round sum col- lected for the sufferers (or, perhaps, the match may be played at Liverpool); if at Cardiff, I am certain that at least 10.000 persons would witness it. Cardiff has played Gloucester, Birmingham, Cirencester, Oxford, and many other clubs this season, and have never lost a single match. If any team from Lancashire, Yorkshire, Stafford- shire, or any other northern county would honour Cardiff with a visit, they would receive a grand reception." Some weeks ago a question-some would con sider it an impertinent one-was asked in your columns in reference to a civic dignitary whose sphere of action is not so very far from Swansea. An inquisitive individual was anxious to know if this light and leading member of the community at whose head he is now placed had changed his political views, and, in the twinkling of a gatepost," had leaped from the heights of Toryism to the depths of the Radical abyss. I am given to understand that the answer is an athrmative one, and that this is how the metamorphosis came about: During the recent election campaign his worship was waited upon by a number of Dissenting ministers, who, after a palaver, held out to him the bait of a J.P.-ship if he would turn his coat. They assured him that their influence with the Lord-Lieutenant of the county was so great that they had no manner of doubt as to their being able to fulfil their promise. There was naturally some hesita- tion and trepidation. At length the bait was seized, and, heigh, presto! here you have a real live Tory transmogrified into a Radical of the approved three-acres-and-a-cow pattern. The sequel. The venerable gentleman who has the gift of J.P. at his disposal had his list full, and was very sorry he could not oblige" the reverend suppliants. I was going to point a moral, but it is obvious.

OUR PARIS LETTER, PARIS, JANUARY 13. The collective demand of the great Powers on the collective little Powers to mutually disarm is ranked no higher than a step of the Platonic order to amuse the gallery till spring arrives, with all its advantages for campaigning. The Powers failed to rein in the unscrupulous conduct of Servia, because the latter was only a pawn of Austria. The good luck and pluck of the Bulgars, morally backed by England, will not put up with the pre- sumption of King Milan, who, meritoriously defeated, speaks still like a Bob Acres. Roumelia and Bulgaria will be united as firmly as the faggots composing the German Empire, and more solidly than that geographical patch-work, Austro- Hungary. Turkey may be safely left to look after the Greeks, if they persist in their Oliver demand for more," because the Bulgars irresistibly gravitated to homogeneity. The latter have many advan- tages over their rival for the possession of the Balkans. They are more sober in thought, word, and deed live on very little. chiefly haricots, are as prolific as Germans, and have no expensive tastes to gratify. Unlike the Greeks, they have no sea board, so require no navy or mercantile marine, and thus escape an extraneous demand for men. Vanity will lose the Greeks, who believe they can accomplish everything by intelligence and ruse; their politics are framed on these lines. Greece is wearing herself out by playing at bloated armaments and swollen Budgets. Her people are ever hoping, and getting, save prudent counsels, nothing. Single-handed, they have no chance against the Turks; in native swords and native ranks their only hope for squaring one's farm from one's neighbour's acres dwells. The Phil-Hellenists of to-day are antiquaries and Dryasdusts the Byrons, Hamiltons, and Hastings are as legendary as the Trojan horse or the Seven Gates of Thebes. The Greeks are clever and learn rapidly, while having no taste for physical sciences, and this confounds their well-wishers, in seeing them degenerating into land-grabbers, or impossibleists by going in for Constantinople. Many of the volunteers who have flocked to her standards are Turkish subjects, who are certain to receive no quarter if taken by the Ottomans in the event of hostilities. All this waste of strength and money could be better employed developing the resources of the country. It is not bv trading on the relics of a bygone society that the golden vale of the Eurotas and the rich plains of Mes- sina can bo farmed. The kingdom lacks roads and harbours; there are fewer mosques, storks, and convents, but the ploughs of the epoch of Pythagoras still flourish, and wine making is as primitive as when Bacchus presided over the press and the vat. Athens is the most tranquil of cities, and, except for the scholar, is full of ennui. Any life is limited to the cafes and their reading rooms, which appear to be branches of the Parliament. The turbulent Greeks are outside of Greece, in the Colonies. It is there also the visitor must seek the prettiest ladies, who dwoll in Alexandria, Asia Minor, and the Cyclades. The ladies of Athens are too Westernised their toilettes are quite Parisian—a most dissolving element for Hellenism. M. About, not an impartial authority, since he studied the Greeks more in Smyrna than in the mother country, asserts that the servant girls are the fairest of their sex, because coming from Naxos and Milo; and these Maids of Athens" would rival the elcyantes of Paris did they receive a preliminary steep of six months in a running stream. It would be impossible for any young man to imitate the practical jokes and fast life of Alci- biades to-day. The austerity of the capital is due to the Queen, who is quiet, grave, and homa-attached. She exercises a moral surveillance over the theatres and concerts. Georgettes, Theodoras, and Sapphos, and all the Dame aux Camelia tribe, are as extinct as Aspasia and Phryne. Greek ladies, it seems, have as great a weakness for foreign bachelors as a BeJgravian mother for a strawberry-leaves son-in-law, or a Little Bethel for a straight-haired curate, good for book-markers and slippers. The first question askbd of a new arrival is, is he unmarried if so, he is welcomed with open arms. If otherwise ho is appreciated as a Turk or an outside banker who would not inyest drachmas in Greek patriotism. The Greek Parliament might give a few wrinkles to those of England and France now just opened. It is omnipotent, and has neither a House of Lords to abolish nor a Senate to revise out of existence- It has neither Obstructionists, Intransigeants, Opportunists, Parnells, nor Bradlaughs. There is no cloture a member once in the possession of the floor may reel away as long as an eight-day clock, He may pitch into an opponent with all the vindictive richness of the language of Demosthenes and will never be called to order. But, then, his diatribes are only accepted al stage thunder. The Speakership is a sinecure. No tickets are required to obtain admission-the doors of the Parliament once opened, citizens who first come are first served. It is the public, not the depu- ties, who applaud the orators. It is only during a revolution, when the insurgents invade the tribunes, that the French have an opportunity of expressing a Tres Bien!" or a Bravo in their Legislature. In the Greek Parliament the deputies and the public keep their hats on, like Quakers in their meeting houses and Jews in their synagogues. In one case as in the other it would be an im- politeness or a sacrilege to uncover the head. The deputies look like artistes in a green room waiting for the call-boy to beckon them on the stage. They loll and incline on their seats their costumes are pretty and varied-positively operatic-red cap, jacket embroidered with gold, white petti- coat, and gaiters ornamented with fancy braiding to the knees. It is thus not an assembly of kings, I like the Roman Senate, but rather a Chamber of Commerce for talking over business. During the sitting the members are not occupied with Blue, Green, Yellow, or White Books, but with sipping lemonade. The seance is periodically I suspended to allow the Solons to enjoy an enti,lacte smoke. The one aim of politicians is to keep in office and keep rivals out. livery question debated involves, as a rule, the existence of the Ministry; and how to raise the wind and how to realise the Sick Man's succession are the Standing Orders of the day. As in France, so in Greece, there is nothing left to tax. Place a duty on tobacco and currants, and home trade is destroyed. Egypt, before the Dual Control, made money by exporting mummies and stone tablets. Greece, following one orator, has a mine of wealth in her monuments. The Temple of Theseus is worth 25,000,000f.; the Acropolis would form a magnificent yros lot for a monster classical lottery. Dr. Schliemann alone would take half the tickets' and all juveniles the rest, as a vow-effering to escape the mattyrdom of indieativi, optativi, and participiorum. The third brand-new De Freycinet Cabinet starts under fair auspices. It may live longer than the average duration of Ministries—that is, 12 months —because the public has not SJ many illusions and is afflicted with lassitude. Neither Presidential messages nor Premiers' speeches—the latter by Jules Ferry and Brisson still decorate some walls alongside those of the moment—will mend mat- ters if action does not re-place words. Franco de- sires neither men capable of nothing nor men capable of everything. She wants Ministers who will take up one or two pressing measures and bring them to a practical ending. Some medicine men urge De Freycinet to bear in mind that his strength consists in sitting still- like the ancient Egyptians. Others warn him that immobility will be his ruin. Now, as neither Royalty nor Empire can be restored, nor the Re- public transformed, it is time for all to think and do something for the material interests of the country. Business laws and useful projects might well re-place the political cookery of late years. The equilibrium of the Budget demands immediate attention, as well as generating confidence in the nation as to the stability of the governing powers. The most imprudent of programmes at the present time would be that of negation and inertia; the first is the end of confidence, and the second is the commencement of death. It is dangerous in a country where universal suffrage rules for the belief to gain ground that the more things change the more they remain the same. The Ministers of War and Marine are clearing out I their Departments of those high officials hostile to tbeRepublic or hopelessly incapacitated by routine. M. Lockroy, the Minister of Commerce and Indus- try, will also wield the cleansing broom vigorously, He has decided that the Exhibition shall be held in 1889, and the site the Champ de Mars. He will sweep away the existing commission of grand- mothers and guinea-pigs,nominate capabilities.and be himself the Head Commissioner. If Germany would propose a reduction of armaments all round, France would not give an adder's ear to the proposal. It is by commerce, not war, that France and all other nations must extricate themselves from the persistent bad times. Money is rusting in France, but the pluck and enterprise are lacking to make it go about doing good. She wants consuls who will keep her people and Government posted on trading opportunities; who will remind manu- facturers to study, not what suits them, but what customers and climates want and exact. British merchants succeed in foreign countries because they are trained for their work, are also backed up by the home firms, and are represented in business circles. There are plenty of Schools of Commorce in France, but they do not turn out men for foreign work. Mozart said, "The French are, and always will be, downright donkeys." If they do not take a new commercial departure, one will be forced to agree with the great musician. The Miners' Congress has just been held at Saint Etienne. It was, happily, remarkable for the good order which characterised the proceedings. The President opened the sSances by begging the spec- tators to keep on their hats, as the best and cheapest remedy against a cold. The debates were shop," and practical. But the offending Adam broke out in the resolution calling upon the State to make no contracts for foreign coal. France requires China to open her ports, but she closes her own. They are not the" Heathen Chinee" alone who are 11 peculiar for ways that are dark and tricks that are vain." Barbier is a greengrocer in difficulties, and in October last was in such straits that he could not pay his rent, and had a seizure on his premises. Suddenly he became rich, paid all liabilities, and led a Dives' life. He lived in the Rue de Rumbu- teau, the most populous part of the city, and on a fifth storey. On the third storey resided a rich bachelor, in the Civil Service, named Maton. Barbier, by means of a telescope, was able to look into Maton's rooms and note his manners and customs. On the 16th of October last Maton was found dead; it was accepted that he committed suicide by hanging himself with the cords of a picture. So his remains were buried in his native town in the North of France. But only nine francs were found of his property, and he was known to be rich. His heirs were dis- appointed. Time rolled on. One day, in selling the deceased's clothing, an old piece of well-worn paper was found in a pocket; it was a list of all the deceased's scrip, in various companies, written down by himself. Murder will ever out! The shares represented 100,000f. they were in the name of the deceased. The heirs were at once struck with suspicion-that which led to the discovery— that some had been negotiated by Maton's mistress, aided by forgers. The mistress made a clean breast of it. Barbier, by a false key, entered Maton's rooms and hid behind the curtains of the bed. When Maton entered to breakfast Barbier threw a napkin over his head, strangled him, cut down picture cords, and strung up the deceased to sug- gest suicide. It was only when the crime was detected that the authorities discovered the suicide to be impossible. The facility with which one neighbour can enter another's apartment has pro- duced such a scare that there is quite a run to secure your castle with a patent safety lock. The landlord takes care that all locks and keys arc alike -that being clieai)est. M. Lancet, under the Commune, was editor of the Moniteur. He kept late hours, had not always time to make his toilet, and was negligent in dress. Once he appeared at the Committee in a shirt which he had just purchased; the ticket, with the price, three francs, was attached to the shirt, and both peeped through an overlooked rent in his pantaloon. He denies the soft impeachment, and demands justice from the Courts. In the rich quarters of Paris the births are 11 per 1,000; in the poor quarters, 465. This explains why the population of France only doubles itself in 165 years, while in England the increase of one hundredfold occurs every 57 years. One consequence of the war with the Celestials Sparrow fights in Paris are said to be extending. This Chinese entertainment is asserted to be more "amusing" than cock fighting or rat-and-terrier time encounters. A lamentable confession: A lady statos that during the last twenty years she has attended 722 balls, caught bronchitis fourteen times, pleurisy thrice, and 120 colds in the head and all these wounds and campaigns to catch a husband proved a failure.

GLAMORGANSHIRE CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION. The second annual meeting of the above associa- tion is announced to take place on Saturday, the 23rd inst., at the Conservative Club, Cardiff. Members are earnestly requested to attend, as business of an important nature will be transacted

THE MERTHYR STIPENDIARYSHIP. The Home Secretary has offered to confer the vacant post of stipendiary magistrate at Merthyr upon Mr. Arthur Lewis, of the South Wales Circuit, barrister-at-law. We understand, how- ever, that Mr. Lewis has declined the appoint- ment.

THE COMPLIMENTARY BALL TO SIR WILLIAM AND LADY LEWIS. We are pleasad to find that the above event, fixed for the 26th inst., is likely to be a complete success, the applications for tickets being already so numerous that the committee are compelled to announce that the list must be closed on the 18th inst. Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, and the Rhondda Valley will be well represented, and the capacious rooms of Abernant House will be thronged to their utmost extent. Mr. F. D. George, of Cheltenham —a well-trained chef-bas been entrusted with the catering, and this fact, added to the attractions of Hulley's County Band, is sufficient guarantee of a pleasant evening's enjoymt'J'J

THE REPORTED RETIREMENT OF LORD CARNARVON, Lord Carnarvon left Dublin for London on Wednesday to arrange, it is stated, for his retire- ment from office. The" Press Association" Dublin correspondent states that Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar (Com- mander of the Forces), the Right Hon. J. Ball, and the Vice-Chancellor were on Wednesday afternoon sworn in as Lords Justices for the Government of Ireland during the absence of the Lord-Lieutenant, who left Dublin on Wednesday morning for London. It is stated with confidence in well- informed circles in Dublin that his Excellency has either resigned or contemplates immediate resig- nation, and that he has gone to England with this object. But it is denied that it is the intention of the Government to place the office of the Viceroy in Commission. The resignation by Lord Carnarvon of the office of Viceroy is, says the Pall Mall Gazette, believed to be the result of strong representations by one section in the Cabinet, whose views now find their way into the leading columns of the Times. That journal argued, it will be remembered, against a Boycotting Bill, which other members of the Cabinet are believed to favour, but advocated the retirement of Lord Carnarvon as being not stern" enough for the present work of the Viceroyalty. The member or members of the Cabinet who took this view were entirely against coercion in the sense of extraordinary legislation, and this view, it is understood, prevailed. The majority of the Cabinet were at the same time equally opposed to any substantial concession to Mr. Parnell; and under such circumstances the conciliatory Vice- royalty of Lord Carnarvon would, it was felt, be out of date. FURTHER CHANGES. It is expected that the resignation by Lord Carnarvon of the office of Viceroy will be accom- panied by the retirement of Sir W. Hart-Dyke from that of Chief Secretary. The new Chief Secretary would in all probability be Mr. Edward Stanhope. With regard to the Viceroyalty, the idea of the authors of the scheme is believed to be to leave the office in Commission-the Lord Chan- cellor and Lords Justices being permanently sworn in just as they are temporarily during a Viceroy's absence in England. It is this idea which may be traced in the lyntes's hints on Tues- day about the difficulty of finding any one Viceroy of the required stern stuff." The presiding spirit at the Castle, if the above idea be carried out, would of course be Lord Ashbourne (Mr. Gibson), but the idea of putting "Cromwell into Commission hardly seems a happy one. THE IRISH POLICY. With regard to the Irish policy of the Govern- ment in Parliament, a Bill for extending local government in Ireland will be announced, and the conciliatory assurances usual on both sides at the beginning of a session will be forthcoming. But it will be stated that, just as in the case of the Redistribution and other Bills, the Irish Bill will not be taken until the English is disposed of. This latter will necessarily be a very big and complex business, and the Irish Bill is not likely, therefore, to be heard of for a long time to come. We need hardly say, therefore, that all the forecasts of the Government's Irish Bill which have appeared in certain journals are purely speculative. Consider- ing the inevitable risks to which the Government are exposed, it may well be doubted whether they will ever reach the unpleasant necessity of defining their Irish policy at all.

MORE DEFECTIVE BAYONETS. THOSE OF A WHOLE REGIMENT CONDEMNED. During the testing of the bayonets of the 2nd Duke of Wellington's Regiment'on Friday at Alder- shot upwards of 50 yielded and broke to the test; over ouu were touna sort, ana all the remainder, about 750, were bad. Similar results were obtained on Friday from an examination of the bayonets in possession of the 1st Lancashire Regiment. The testing of the arms of the 1st Leicestershire Regiment resulted in three-eighths of the bayonets yielding to the test; 166 bayonets of the 1st Sea- forth Highlanders and some sergeants' swords also yielded to the test. The number of bayonets in the possession of each infantry regiment is about 750, and the swords number 50. A CHALLENGE. Lieut.-Colonel Hope, writing to the St. James's Gazette, says:Tiiis time it is once more the bayonets; but it is always the Ordnance Depart- ment. On the bayonets of the 2nd West Riding Regiment being tested at Aldershot the other day, out of about 700 bayonets 55 broke while being tested, and 180 were found to be soft and otherwise defective.' (See Times of Saturday morning) Well, sir, how long is this to last? I answer, So long as the present corrupt Ordnance Department is not overhauled. This is the department which supplies 'cartridges that jam, bayonets that bend, and swords that won't cut.' I thoroughly exposed its preposterous organisation in your columns in July last. I now denounce it as utterly corrupt; and I call for a public inquiry-not a departmental inquiry with closed doors, but a public inquiry of some sort, either before a Royal Commission or a Select Com- mittee of one of the Houses of Parliament. And if I am allowed to act as accuser, the public will at last know why their guns burst, why their car- trides jam, why their bayonets break and bend, and why their swords won't cut. They will also know why steel is purchased in Germany and not in Sheffield. I am proud to say, air, that I have been at war with the Ordnance Department ever since the month of December, 1856; and I hope at last to see it broken up as a gigantic nest of jobbery and robbery of the taxpayers. These are strong words but I am ready to justify them. Will the department face an inquiry ?

A. WORTHY TRIBUTE TO WELSH PEASANTRY. Writing under the heading of Welsh Notes in the last issue of the Country Gentleman, a correspon- dent, signing himself "St. David," gives a summary account of the numerous sporting events in con- nection with the Tivyside Foxhounds, &c., hunting the Cardigan district during the present season and, in the course of his introduction, pays the following just tribute to the loyalty and contented- ness of Welsh farmers and peasantry:— In looking back at the past year of 1885 we in Wales have a great deal to be thankful for. Nothing has interfered with an amusement which not only brings health and happiness to all, whether peasant or peer (for all indulge in it), but is the means of circulating a very large amount of money and of employing a great num- ber of men who would otherwise be out of work. Unlike a certain section of the Irish, who, if they can help it, "toil not, neither do they spin," the Welsh, a loyal and contented people, both toil and spin. Like brave, honest meh, they are ready and willing to pay their rents, and to live and let live." The Welsh farmer is as good a speciipen of his class as any in the kingdom—a capital pre- server of foxes, and always ready with a welcome and offers of hospitality to all hunting men, whilst, as to our fair countrywomen, the sight of a red coat passing through a village is quite sufficient to bring them all to their doors to greet the "Cot goch with a cheery Bore da chwi." Bless their happy faces and warm, winning ways No loyal Welshman can fail to feel proud of such a well-earned tribute to the fidelity and cheerful- ness of this important section of the Welsh people

MIL MACLEAN'S RETURN FOR OLDHAM. COMPLIMENTARY DINNER. A Conservative meeting was held at Oldham on Saturday to celebrate the return of Mr. Maclean as member of Parliament for the borough.—Mr. Addison, M.P., said the Liberals lost at the elections through the advanced programme of the Radicals. He hoped moderate men would support the Government.—Mr. J. M. Maclean, M.P., said that within the limits of the Union lie should be willing to give the Irish people larger administrative powers. The rights of the loyal minority in Ireland must, be protected, and it would be mad- ness to give the control of the police to a Parlia- ment sitting in Dublin so long as the present feel- ing continueu of condoning agrarian offences. The land question must be finally disposed of as a first step towards the settlement of the Irish difference and if the landlords could be bought out by the State on fair terms it was possible the agricultural classes might be favourably disposed towards the maintenance of order. Mr. Morley's idea of giving Ireland a new constitution, if carried out, would be an act of destructiveness.

SIR JOHN LUBBUCK ON THE KNOWLEDGE OF FRENCH. Sir John Lubbock, presiding at the annual con- gress of French professors at the Society of Arts on Saturday, enlarged upon the importance of teaching French and other modern languages to children at an early age. He expressed gratifica- tion that French now found a higher place in schools than formerly. It was ruinous, commer- cially speaking, that clerks and others employed in corresponding in commercial houses could not speak and write French and that foreigners had to take their places.

EAST GLAMORGAN WELSH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION. The half-yearly meeting of the above association was held at Aberaman on Wednesday, the Rev. D. Griffiths, of Dowlais, presiding. A vote was passed congratulating Mr. Alfred Thomas, ex-president of the association, on his return to Parliament for East Glamorgan. The Rev. W. Williams, Mountain Ash. drew attention to the fact that the Baptist mission to Brittany had been abandoned. The Rev. Nathaniel Thomas, Cardiff, explained that the mission would be carried on bv others. Several matters connected with the denomination were discussed and disposed of.

EVENING LECTURE8 AND CLASSES AT THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, CARDIFF. We draw the attention of our readers to the fact that the evening lectures at the University College have again commenced. The first of the courses of lectures was delivered on Tuesday night. The lectures this term are in the following subjects :— Greek, Latin, English History, Graphic Statics, Astronomy, Geometrical Optics, Hydrostatics, Hydraulics, Elementary Chemistry, Anatomy, Welsh, French, and Music.

MR. WM. ABRAHAM, M.P. (H MABON"). On Monday, when on his way down the Rhondda Valley en mit for London, w Mabon," M.P., was presented in the train with a gold pencil case and a beautiful ivory-handled penknife. Mabon returned from the House of Commons on Wednes- day for the purpose of attending the inquest on the men killed at Mardy Colliery, which is now being held at Ferndale

I LATE ST IN E W S, THE CRfSIS IX EASTERN EUROPE. ALLIANCE BETWEEN GREECE AND SERVIA. [" KEUTER'S TELEGRAM. 1 BELGRADE, THURSDAY. Negotiations are now proceeding between Greect and Servia for the conclusion of an alhance for the protection of their common interests in view o< the attempt to creite a greater Bulgaria.

TIIE AMNESTY IN FRANCE. [" IŒUTF.B'S" TELEGRAM.] PARIS, THURSDAY. President Gr6vy to-day signed decrees granting a free pardon to all persons now undergoing punishment for political offences committed sinci 1870.

THE GERMAN PARLIAMENT. SPEECH BY THE EMPEROR. [" CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAM.] BERLIN, THURSDAY. This afternoon, in his speech from the throne at the opening of the Reichstag, the Emperor William, who stood and addressed the members, expressed his thanks for the congratulations which had reached him from all sides on the occa- sion of his recent jubilee the best relations con- tinued to exist between Germany and all foreign' Powers.

SPANISH AMBASSADORIAL APPOINTMENTS. ["CENTRAL NEWS" TELEGRAM.] MADRID, THURSDAY MORNING. It is officially announced to-day that Count Rascon has been appointed Spanish Ambassador in London in the place of the Marquis Casa Laiglessa, who has been transferred to Washington as Minister to the United States. The present Spanish Ambassador at Washington has been transferred to Brussels.

E- i- MANSLAUGHTER OF A SISTER. At the Central Criminal Court on Thursday James Williams, 18, who was tried on Wednesday for the murder of his sister, but convicted of man. slaughter, was sentenced to fifteen years' pena1 servitude.

CASUALTIES TO THE TYNE TRAWLERS. TWO VESSELS SUNK. The crew of the trawler Little John, of Nortf Shields, has been landed at North Shields by thi trawler Selania, and report the foundering of theii vessel, which occurred off the Tyne. The Little John left the Tyne on Thursday morning for the fishing ground, and while fishing a severe gale came on, compelling the tug to make for the Tyne as quickly as possible, during which she was struck by tremendous seas, causing her to founder. Th. crew were rescued by the trawler Selania.

THE SHIPBUILDERS' STRIKE. The Wear shipbuilders held a meeting at San. derland on Thursday to receive the reply of the men to the notices of reductions of 12i and 10 per cent. The men refused to accept any reduction, and appealed to their employers to withdraw their notices. This, however, they declined to do. Four firms, having a vessel nearly completed, requested that ten men might be allowed to finish it at the old prices, but the society refused. The strike if likely to be prolonged.

THE FRAUDULENT SALE OF A PICTURE. Joseph Salmon surrendered on Thursday, at the Old Bailey, London, to take his trial for obtaining the sum of £100 by false pretences. The prose- cutor, Mr. Panmure Gordon, is a member of the Stock Exchange, and bought a picture from the defendant, which had the name of Mr. Leader on it, for £100, its value being about f6. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced t9 fifteen months' imprisonment.

SAD SUICIDE OF A CLERGYMAN. An inquest has been held at Camberwell upon the body of the Rev. John Anthony Leathes Sutton, aged 24 years, a clerk in holy orders, and lately residing at 29, Foxley-road, Brixton. The de- ceased, who had recently held an appointment in connection with the Church of St. John the Divine, was found in his bedroom on Saturday morning lying in a pool of blood. and with his throat cut. He was quite dead, and an open razor lay by his side. His brother deposed that the deceased had for some time been under the impression that hie heart was affected, and that he would not long be fit for the discharge of his duties. Althougt. physically strong, he gave way to fits of despon- dency. In his opinion the deceased had taken his own life while in a momentary state of madness. The coroner's officer produced a letter found in deceased's bedroom addressed to the Vicar of West Wickham, Kent, in which he said: I treated you very badly indeed, and am likely to suffer for it pretty severely. I do hope most sincerely you will get a far more worthy successor to my miserable self." The verdict of the jury was that the De- ceased committed suicide while in a state of temporary insanity."

EXTRAORDINARY CONDUCT OF A GENTLEMAN. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE 10 A PRIVATE HOUSE. At Marlborough-street Police Court on Wednes- day Mr. Charles S. L. Guthrie, 24, of St. Alban's- place, was chargeu with being drunk and disor- derly and with committing damage to the amount of 9200 at 21, Sackville-street, the residence of Mrs. Alice Brown.—A policeman deposed that some- where about eight o'clock on the previous night he was sent for to 21, Sackville-street. Piccadilly, where the prisoner was standing on the doorstep. In one hand he held a knocker, and with the other was ringing the bell. He was drunk, and was taken to the station with the assistance of another constable. The policeman bad previously been called to the house and taken into some upstairs rooms, in which the ornaments were broken, the hands of the clock torn off, all the mirrors smashed, the fire-irons placed on the fire, and the linen and clothing from the drawers strewn about the room.-Mrs. Alice Brown said that she was the landlady of the house. The prisoner came to her house about six o'clock on Tuesday night. He entered the dining-room and demanded money. She agreed to lend him some in order to get him to leave quietly. He declined to take it and went away. In about a quarter of an hour he returned and persisted in entering the house. She sent for the police, and meanwhile the prisoner rushed up- stairs, locked himself in her boudoir, whence he obtained access to her bed and bath rooms. As the constable said he could do nothing, she fled into Sackville-street, and on returning to the house shortly afterwards found the rooms mentioned completely wrecked, damage being done in all to about JE200. He asked for her little boy, and if lie had found him she believed the child would not have been alive now.—Mr. Newton committed him for trial, intimating that lie would accept bail in two sureties of X100 each together, or the prisoner's own recognisances in £ 200.

COMMITTAL OF THE "INFANT" STOCKBROKER. Sidney Herbert Cronmire, better known as Herbert Harrison, the infant stockbroker, was brought up on remand at the Guildhall, London, on Thursday (before Alderman Savory) on an extradition warrant from Spain charged with obtaining by fraud dE21 from Robert Henry Ward, independent gentleman, of Knowle Hall, Somerset, and Cromwell-road. South Kensington. The pri- soner had advertised largely in the London and provincial newspapers offering facilities for specu- lation upon the Stock Exchange. In reply to one of these the prosecutor communicated with the prisoner, receiving a pamphlet in reply stating, I buy and sell all stocks and shares at price, with in- clusive commission of l-18th, and open any stock, no matter how speculative, at 1 per cent. cover." The prosecutor thereupon sent prisoner two cheques of JE85 each to purchase two lots of L8,000 each Brighton A's. and subsequently a cheque for £ 21 5s. for £ 2,000 North British stock. Prosecutor gave evidence to this effect; and the evidence showed that prosecutor's cheques had been paid through the bankers; that there were JE281 due to him on the Brighton transaction, and that he had received no note regarding the North British stock. The solicitor for the receiver in bankruptcy could find no entry in the prisoner's books relating to the transaction. The prisoner reserved his de- fonce and was committed for trial, bail beinj refused.

IMPORTANT TRADE MARK APPEAL In the Supreme Court of Justice, Sydney, N.S.W (before their Honours the Chief Justice, Mr. Justici Fawcett, and Mr. Justice Innes), an appeal cast has recently been heard against a decree of Sir W Manning, P.J., perpetually restraining a persou named Hogg from selling a fraudulent imitatioc of Eno's Fruit Salt, and giving heavy damages tc the plaintiff. After a most exhaustive trial of twc days' duration, the Chief Justice delivered judg- ment. He said: I am of opinion that the decree of his Honour the Primary Judge should be up- held." Justices Fawcett and Innes concurred, and the appeal was dismissed with costs.

GOUNOD'S MASTERPIECE. A ROMANTIC INCIDENT. The Paris correspondent of the Dnily Telegraph announces that M. Gounod is about to begin work- ing on his Joan of Arc," and that he intends it to be his masterpiece. It is highly characteristic of M. Gounod that lie has applied to the Arch- bishop of Rheims for leave to set up hit table at the foot of the high altar, on the very spot in the cathedral on which the Maid of Orleans stood at the coronation of the King. The composer says that he hopes and believes the place will inspire him; in his own words, "Doubtless something of the sublime heroine will communicate itself to me."