Weekly Mail

CHIEF CIIOE AL AND OTHER COMPETITIONS. [BY "AWSTIN. "] DUBLIN, Friday Night. To-day was the day of the chief choral com- petition of the Feis Ceoil, and, although the contest was not what we in Wales have been accustomed to, the signs of progress are so many that I may well be pardoned for becom- ing a little enthusiastic. The events of the day have proved that the eisteddfodic spirit which is so prevalent in Wales is catching on in Ireland, for the lists of winners in the various contests include the names of people from Armagh, Ballymena, Coleraine, Newry. and the country districts, as well as from Bel- fast and Dublin. But, more than that, the mill hands of Aewry have been in evidence, show- ing that not only the middle classes of the cities, but the industrial sections of the people, are entering into the spirit of the Feis, and, as one who is now becoming somewhat inte- rested in Dublin, I rejoice with the victors when I find that the mighty singers of the North have at last been equalled by a Dublin choir, led by my friend Mr. Joseph Seymour, Mus. Bac., a gentleman who is becoming a familiar figure at the National Eisteddfod of Wales, which he attends annually. THE DAY'S COMPETITIONS. But to come to details. Let me say that to-day's competitions have been one of male voice singing, church choirs, country, and ladies' choirs. Naturally, the country choirs more nearly approximated the Welsh choirs, so far as the classes from which the members are drawn, than any of the others, and it was a very good competition, Newry, with its mill hands, taking the palm, and Hillshorough second. There were four entries, but only two of the country choirs sang. Mores ths pity Then there was an interesting contest between church choirs, for which there were four entries. The first prize was taken by Hillsbcrougb Roman Catholic Church Choir. Dublin, and the second by Ciontarf Presbyterian Choir, a place in tha outskirts of the city of Dublin. What I felt was that the male voices in these choirs were unequal to those of the fair sex. But when we came to the ladies' choral competition there was the same beauty of voices as I have noticed before. Dr. Koeiier's Belfast choir won the chief prize, while the second was awarded to a Dublin choir, led by Mr. N. J. Buchanan. Dr. Rogers and Dr. Wood adjudicated, and in one instance the good old Welsh custom of withholding the prize was declared necessars-, but the second prize offered was recommended to the committee as an encouragement which they might well give to the singers. It may be as well. perhaps, to mention that Dr. W G Price, of Belfast, was the conductor of a male quartette who took honours not only in sing- ing the set piece, but in reading at sight what was sarcastically described in the programme as "an easy piece." Previous parties had broken down completely, edifying other singers, amusing the adjudicators, and enjoy- ing the fun themselves The test pieces of the chief choral contest were esle.v's "O, sing unto me a roundelay," and "Why wage fiercely the heathen" (Mendels- sohn). The first prize was £30, and the second £10. Three choruses sang, and there was at the time the largest audience of the Feis week. The hall was filled, and, while the evening con- certs fill the exchequer, the increasing interest in the competitions fills the hearts of the pro- moters with delight. Dr. Koeiier's Belfast choir sang first, Mr. Joseph Seymour's Dublin Glee Singers second, and a choir led by Mr. George Fergusson, of Belfast, third. The award in this instance was awaited with much interest, as Belfast has hitherto swept the board in the choral prizes. The singing of Mr. Seymour s choir at once roused the enthusiasm of the audience, as he certainly had some brilliant sopranos in it. When the announce- ment that the tirst prize was divided between the Dublin Glee Singers and Dr. Koeller's Madrigal Society was made and that the second prize went to the Belfast choir, the cheering was loud and long. WELSH DEPUTATION'S MOVEMENTS. Now. before dealing with the evening concert, which may be described as the event of the week, as it is the concert in which all the prize-winners take part, something must be said of the arrangements and the movements of the Cardiff National Eisteddfod deputation. As became patriots of the first water, we visited the "tombs of the martyrs" and other objects of interest in Glasnevin Cemetery. As "Welsh lions" on exhibition in Dublin for the week, we were. very naturally, invited to a garden party at the Zoological Gardens—an invitation which we accepted, our only regret being that Coun- cillor Gerhold was not with us to see the show and Councillor Waring to watch the fish play in the tanks. But the chairman of the Cardiff Free Library Committee and Alderman David Jones could scarcely be expected to refuse another offer, viz.. to visit the National Library in Dublin. We all went accordingly, and when the State librarian welcomed us cordially we certainly had an excellent opportunity of seeing what can be bought and maintained with Government aid. I am not going to give away the case of the alderman and councillor by using the figures which they elicited from the librarian, but you may rest assured that the case for a Welsh National Library and Museum will be considerably strengthened as a direct result of this visit. Mr. Lyster, the State librarian, spoke very highly of Mr. Bal- lingcr, the Cardiff librarian, and beamed with pleasure when he recounted the kindness of the proprietors of the "Western Mail" to the librarians of the country when they visited Car- diff. So we were all quite "at home" when gcing through the Irish National Library, and what we saw and heard impressed us with a stionger desire than ever to do all we can to urge forward the claims of Wales to Govern- ment recognition, as well as national support, in the establishment and maintenance of a Welsh National Library and Museum. EVENING CONCERT. As had been anticipated a prize winners' con. cert of the Feis. held in the spacious assembly- hall of the Iri?h University, was an unquali- fied success. The audience was large, as well as fashionable, and the music was of a high standard of merit, whilst the sight was brilliant and impressive. The feature of the evening was the reading of the list of prize winners, a task delegated to Mr. George Coffey, one of the secretaries, whose occasional sallies tended to make the occasion a merry one. As usual, several protects had been entered against the decisions of the adjudicators. Those protests are becoming standing jokes, for they are not persevered with, and as each successive protest was being made the laughter of the audience increased in volume. Then there came an announcement that where only one choir had sung it had been awarded the prize. Mr. Coffey solemnly added, "No pro- test has been entered against the decision." The list of winners for the week showed that the competitors came not only from the places I have already mentioned in the first part of my report, but that they also hailed .rom County Tyrone. County Down, and distant vil- lages, north and south. Another of the features of the concert was the singing of an Irish song in the Irish language. No encores were allowed, as Mr. Coffey declared that they had to finish the concert some time before Saturday noon, in order to enable them to proceed with the competitions, as Saturday was the day fixed for the performance of "The Music of the People" by ten bands drawn from different parts of Ireland.

THE FINAL MEETING. The final meeting of the Feis Ceoil for 1899 was held on Saturday night, when some of the most interesting items provided for the third ol these festivals were gone through. These n eluded exhibitions of skill by the county pipers, whistling Irish airs, playing by the county fiddlers, and the brass bands. These last gain in interest because they are looked upon as inter-provincial contests. The prizes for the best unpublished Irish airs drew many competitors. In most instances there were, of course, no words, so when the air was sung the singer had to extemporise a natural lal, la la. The pipers were in their element in this contest, as they maintain they have a lease of everything traditional in Irish music. The songs selected for investigation were played or sung into a phonograph, and the awards will be published later on. The grand concerts were well attended, and, as an outcome of the Feis this year, it is arranged to hold a Pan- Celtic congress next spring, something after the style of the Welsh Gorsedd. One of the most notable items in this season's festival was the production for the first time in public of Sir Robert Stewart's romantic cantata, "The Eve of St. John." This composer, of whom Dublin is justly proud, died just five years ago. He was knighted by Lord Spencer during his first Viceroyalty. in 1872. and few lovers of music can forget his setting of Professor Savage-Armstrong's Ode for the Tercentenary of Trinity College. Oxford and Cambridge have followed the reformation in the curriculum for musical degrees which Sir Robert Stewart inau- gurated in Trinity College on being appointed professor of music there. He has been the greatest of our latter-day musicians, and the production of his work at the Feis Ceoil was intensely popular. Outside all this, however, this musical revival is instructive beyond mea- sure as one more proof of the intellectual awakening which is so remarkable in Ireland to-day. Every effort is being made to create a new school of Irish music which should have all the ancient characteristics grafted on to modern methods. Mr. Martyn. the author of "The Heatherfield," gave a large sum of money last year to clear the expenses of the public production of Palestrina's Masses, and now he has turned his attention to the revival of the quaint madrigals and motets of the sixteenth century. All those undertakings have, it is claimed, disseminated true culture and intel- lectual refinement throughout the country. The claim is not without reason, for branches of the Feis are springing up and provincial festi- vals pushing on the work of the central organi- sation. This new development claims that it live- by no foreign systems, but by worthy effort to revive the ancient art of Ireland.

IJIPRESSIOXS OF THE FEIS CEOILi, Councillor Edward Thomas ("Cochfarf") is one of the few sensible men we know in Cardiff whose life is regulated by rules fixed and irreversible like those of the Medes and Persians. "Early to bed and early to rise," is a hard and fast habit with Mr. Thomas. Half-past nine 0n Sunday night is early for a pressman, but late for a Sabbatarian coun- cillor. That was the time when one of our men rang Mr. Thomas's dDor-hcll-and rang it again repeatedly without any response. Gene to bed, as usual," was the reporter's inward commentary, when the object of his quest opened the door. He had a studious; and thoughtful cast of countenance, as if awakened out of a recerie. and said. in a far away kind of voice, "Come in." In the study the solemnity of the councillor's mein ,as at once discoverable. He mopped the perspiration from his brow, stroked his whiskers, which the sea water had played with but a few hours previously, and. pointing to a hundredweight of literature, with some writing materials, on the table, said. "I am learning Irish." Our representative expressed his sympathy, and in his be,t brogue asked the polyglot student what he thought of Dublin. "Och." said he. "It is Doblin yure afther pronouncing." The interviewer, nonplussed, receded into his shell again, and. failing back upon his native Scotch, said he had called for information about this Feis Ceoil, or whatever it was called. Mr. Thomas, seated in an armchair, first meditated, and then let himself go thusly: As you know. 1 was one of the deputation. I went up on Wednesday, and returned at midnight en Siturday. The voy- age out was very rough. We started at two in tin mornii". and got there at seven. I was the first on deck—except ths seamen—to hail the dawn and the Irish c0..A. The weird silence was very pressive and novel, and Mind dwelt upon the intercommunication between Wales and Ireland centuries ago. and I felt that, in spite of the roughness of the sea. we had cause to he thankful that we crossed under more favourable conditions than our ancestors iu the twelfth century. There is evidence that natives from the Principality attended the eisteddfod at Glen Arrhlaeh." The business proceedings of the Feis Ceoil have been reported. Mr. Thomas let fall a few of his notes by the way. He said the secretary of the committee. Miss Edith Old- ham, had anticipated their desire to see all that was worth seeing, and the officials of the different institutions afforded them every facility. "You know, of course, that Father Hayde and other Irish enthusiasts in Cardiff have learnt the Welsh language and can speak it fluently. What do you find on the other side?" I found in Ireland a greatly increased inte- rest in the Welsh language and literature, and many people we.l able to converse in Welsh- Mr. E. Fournier. for instance, addressed us fluently in Weish. Of course, what we were most interested in—Alderman I). Jones and myself—was the visit to the Irish National Museum. Mr. Coffey, the secretary, and ladies and gentlemen interested in the institution awaited our arrival. It would take more time than is at my disposal and space than you can afford to describe a tithe of the things we saw and the information we gleaned. We found that when the Govern- ment grant was first given the gentry and others who had collec- tions willingly gave objects of interest to form the nucleus, particularly the Royal Irish Academy, who handed over a large col- lectinn of considerable value. We made many inquiries as to the management of the Museum and the means by which the Government grants are received and utilised, but to form a concise idea of the whole of the conditions involves wading through pages of Blue Books. and it will be wise to defer any expression of cpaiion until those books have been gone through. The National Library, on the other side of the square, is blest, with a most enthu- siastic chief in Mr. Lyster. who was excep- tionally courteons and willing. He conducted us over every nook and corner, and simply overwhelmed us with information how to form similar institutions. The works on Welsh his- tory and other Welsh topics are numerous, and it reminded one more than any- thing elee of the Cardiff Library. What is the great advantage that will follow in the track of the visit? Chiefly this, that this interchange of visits will draw those interested in Irish and Welsh lite- rature and music more closely together. As to music, our Irish friends readily admit that in choral singing they are far behind the Principality; but they, on the other hand, sur- pass us in about the same ratio in orchestral music. One thing that appears rather unaccountable to me is that the Feis Ceoil, or the musical eisteddfod, and the Oreachtas, or the literary eisteddfod, do not draw closer to each other. On the 7th of June next the literary eisteddfod is to be held at the Rotunda, Dublin. Apart from the other branch, judging from the Gaelic organs—a bundle of which you see on the table there is a marvellous awakening of interest in the preservation and cultivation of the Erie language as a living subject, so much BO. in tact, that CarcMnal Logrue, Primate of All Ireland, who has spoken the language from childhood, is taking a great interest in the movement, and the Catholic clergy naturally follow suit. and are becoming as enthusiastic as the reverend and other leaders 01 the institution as it exists in Wales. At the Oreachtas to be held in Dublin on June 7 Cardinal Logue will preside. If I may be excused for making a personal reference. I have been invited to deliver a Welsh address at the Oreachtas. Mrs. Thomas and Miss Bronwen Jones will accom- pany me. Miss Jones will sing a couple of Welsh songs; my wife will act as accompanist." The pressman, noticing that the subject was making for his books again, edged off. but found time to ask whether the Irish people were not hospitable. "Hospitable! Rather. They lick creation. I stayed with Mr Hogg, deputy-governor of the Bank of Ireland, which is situated in the build- ings ones occupied by the Irish Parliament. I received from him and others every kindness. I was warned go;ng out that it was, fortunate I was a teetotaler. Wirsky was everywhere, but I was much struck by the native ingenuity in providing other means of refreshment."

COWARDLY ASSAULT ON A NEW- PORT WOMAN. A cowardly attack was detailed to the New- port Borough magistrates on Friday by Eliza- beth iV,Ltkill". a woman who lived in Rudry- street in the same house as Thomas Allen and his wife. Arrears of rent formed the origin of the quarrel, and after several bickerings earlier in the day the climax was reached on Saturday night. Mrs. Watkins said that then the two Aliens set upon he". the woman striking her with a poker and the man with a spike. Her eye was badly blackened, and her whole face and head bruised. During this cowardly onset, the man remarked, 'Let's do for >ier; know." Then they set a dog on her. whose bites caused such injuries that, according to a medical certificate, the woman was still suffering from the indentations in 1 er lower limbs. On Sun- day afternoon, during a recurrence of the dis- turbance. Mrs. Watkins had to escape through the window.—Mrs. Allen, the only defendant who appeared, gave a vigorous denial to the accusations, but she was fined 10s. or seven days, and her husband 21s. or a month.

SWANSEA TECHNICAL SCHOOLS. At last the report of the Charily Commis- sioners has been rec-ei7t d to 8, remand 'roni a town's meeting lor an inquiry into the circum- stances attending the muddle with respect to the intended extension of the intermediate and technical schools. The Commissioners say the complaints relate in a large degree to the acticn of the governors as a technical instruc. tion committee, and are. therefore, not such as can properly become the subject of investiga- tion by the Commissioners. If an3- consider- able section of the ratepayers are of opinion that the proceedings of the governors under the Swansea scheme have been such as call for further inquiry, the Commissioners arc pre- pared to consider any statement specifying the acts to which exception is taken and the grounds on which such acts are taken to be inconsistent with the proper administra.tion of the fund.

BARRY DOCK RAILWAY ACCIDENT The case of White v. the Barry Railway Com- paily, which waiS heard last week by Mr. Justice Grantham and a special jury, in which the plaintiff obtained a verdict for £1,750 for have ingboth feet cut off on the Barry Dock line. was mentioned on Friday before his lordship by Mr. Ames, who applied for a stay of execu- tion, with a view to an appeal.—Mr. Justice Grantham said he would grant the application on the usual terms, viz., that the money be paid over to the plaintiff's solicitor on the understanding that it should be returned if the case on appeal went the other way.

CARDIFF AND THE ROYAL tfHOWi, LLANDAFF FIELDS A SUGGESTED SITE. The only matter of importance which came before tho Cardiff Town;hall Committee at their meeting on Friday had reference to the invitation to the Royal Agricultural Society to hold their show for 1901 at Cardiff. It appeared that Mr. Crutchley and Mr. Sanday, two repre-1 sentatives of the society, visited the town on Monday and inspected the proposed site. It was first intended to utilise the Sophia Gardens Park and some land beyond for a show-yard, but, as a considerable portion of the ground is under arable cultivation, it was felt that it could not be laid down in pasture effectually before the date of the show. There would also be a question of compensation to the tenant. Attention was then turned to Llandaff Fields, and four fields adjoining, belonging to the Mar- quess of Bute. In order to prepare this land, it will be necessary to grub up the hedges and level the ground in several parts, to fill up a pond near the Court Farm, to pull down cer- tain farm buildings, alter the telephone wires, and temporarily close the footpath through the fields. The Town-clerk suggested that the committee should pass a resolution recommending the county council to grant such part of the Llan- daff Fields as may be needful, and to take such steps as many be necessary to meet the re- quirements of the society. In reply to a question, Mr. Harrur stated that practically the whole of Llandaff Fields would be required. Mr. Veal I objected to the hedges being taken down. as that, in his opinion, would ruin Llan- daff Fields. The Town-clerk: The hedges will soon dis- appear. They are going very fast now. Mr. Veall: Then what is the use of a care- taker? Mr. Robinson: There is no doubt the hedges will "'0 Mr. eall: But they ought to be taken care of. The Town-clerk: It is one of the requirements of the society that the hedges shall he re- moved. If you say they shall not there is an end of It. Mr. Grossman asked if it was intended that the hedges should be removed. The Town-c'erk replied that some must come. down when a portion of the land was let for bnildiug. Eventually, it was decided that the commit- tee hold a meeting at Llandaff Fields on Thurs- day next. and that. in the meantime, the borough engineer prepare an estimate of the cost of meeting the requirements of the society. The Town-clerk read a long letter which Mr. Robert Forrest had written to Sir Ernest Clarke. In that communication Mr. Forrest stated that the four fields belonging to Lord Bute, adjoin- ing Llanaaff Fields, were 40 acres in extent, and under pasture. There would be no difficulty in removing the wire fencing, which now divided them. With regard to the footpath he sug- gested that, when the corporation promoted a Bill in Parliament next year (as he understood they intended doing) they could put in a clause giving them power to temporarily close the foot- path between Pontcanna and Llandaff. The L'aiidafF Sewage Farm. which comprised five acres of the proposed site, would not be required in 1901. and might bo turfed. AN ENCOURAGING LETTER. The Town-clerk also read a letter from Sir Ernest Clarke, secretary to the Royal Agricultural Society, dated the 16th of May, in which that gentleman stated: -1 had li call to-day from Mr. Percy Crutchley for the purpose of explain- ing the outcome of the very satisfactory inter- view which he and Mr. G. H. Sandly had vester- day with yourself and other officials of the borough of Cardiff as to the invitation to the socifty to hold its cot.ntry meeting of All in your town. You are aware. I think, of the improvements and alterations which Mr. Crutchley and Mr. Sanday judge necessary to make a satisfactory showyatd of the Llandaff Fields and adjoining property. My present object is to write formally to request the favour of the attendance of a representative dept tation from the borough of Card:ff and district at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, the 31st inst., for the purpose of formally tendering the invitation to the council of the society, who will hold a meeting on that day. The committee adopted hsts of country gen- tlemen, prominent agriculturists, and represen- tatives of the four railway companies to join the corporation .n a deputation to the council of the society on the 51st inst.

A PENG AM LAW SUIT. On Friday, in the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice, the case of Nancy Jones v. William and Naomi Recs. relating to some property at Pengam. including the Smiths' Arms, was mentioned to Mr. Justice Cozens- Hardy, sitting for Mr. Justice Kekewich. Mr. Warrington, Q.C.. who appeared for the plaintiff, said in this matter he had a motion for an injunction to restrain the defendant Rees from dealing with certain licensed premises at Pengam, near Cardiff. His lordship could not hear the motion. but it was necessary that one point 111 regard to it should be mentioned. There had been a lot of evidence on the part of the defen- dant which the plaintiff got on Thursday, and there was evidence in reply, but he (Mr. War- rington) had not seen either set. The object of the action was to set aside an assignment made two or three years ago by the plaintiff in favour of the defendant, and the motion was to restrain the defendant, pending the trial of the action, from dealing with the property, and also for the appointment of a receiver, and it was upon this last point that he wished to mention the matter. There was a great conflict of evidence and, therefore, it was quite plain, even if the matter were right, it could not be threshed out on the motion, and they would have to arrange for a speedy trial. But the house was a. licensed house, and he had evidence that the property was being depreciated owing to the present state of things, and what he wanted for the present was to do something that would prevent any danger of the licence being forfeited, and he proposed the appoint- ment of an interim receiver and manager for a fortnight, with any direction that might be arranged or convenient, so as to avoid turning out the defendant. Mr. Justice Cozens-Hardy: Is the defendant the licensed holder? Mr. Warrington Yes. Mr. Renshaw, Q.C., for the defendant, said there was no evidence of any misconduct on the defendant's part, or any danger to the licence. Mr. Justice Cozens-Hardy pointed out that the appointment of a receiver really involved the turning out of the defendant. Mr. Renshaw said he thought if his learned friend had read the evidence for the defence he would not think he had much evidence himself. Mr. Warrington asked if the defendant would undertake not to do anything to endanger the licence in the meantime. Mr. Renshaw said he would do that, as it would be against his interest to do anything to endanger the licence. He had gold the house, and a8 his friend's client considered the price waa insufficient he was hampering the sale. On the undertaking not to endanger the licence in the meantime, the motion was directed to stand over until the first motion day in next sittings before Mr. Justice Kekewich.

A QUARRYMAN'^ EYE, At Bridgend County-court on Friday (beforo his Honour Judge Gwilym Williams), George Thomas, 8, Maddocks-street, Bridgend. a quarryman, sought to recover from the Vale of Glamorgan Railway Company compensation in respect of the loss of an eye whilst in respondents' employ. Mr. Sankey (instructed by Mr. T. J. Hughes. Bridgend) appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. S. T. Evans defended. The evidence went to show that whilst Thomas was following his employment at the quarry about December 23 a spark struck him in the right eye. He, however, continued to follow his employment for nearly a month, and was ultimately taken to the Cardiff In- firmary, where the eye was extracted. He was idle for two months, and at the expiration of that time he was o^ered by the railway company some slight employment, which he refused. For the defence, it was advanced that Thomas was now in employ, and earning the same rate of wages as that which defendants were giving him when the accident occurred, and that they had also offered him employment. It was also held that the loss of one eye did not cause partial or permanent disablement, and. consequently, he was not entitled to compensation. A man with one eye could do as much work as another with two, and in support of this Mr. S. T. Evans cited a case decided in the High Courts on Saturday last in respect to the loss of one finger. His Honour, however, held that there was much more importance to be attached to the loss of an eye. and gave judgment for the plaintiff for the wages he lost. and said that he would affix later on the amount of compen- sation for partial disablement.

TREDSGAB DIVORCE CASEI, In the Divorce Division on Friday (before the President, Sir F. Jeune) a case was heard in which Mr. William Price, a carpenter, living in Walter-street, Tredegar, formerly of Argoed, sued for a divorce from his wife on the ground of her adultery with Mr. Arthur John Meredith, who had lodged at his house. There was no defence. The petitioner, for whom Mr. Lloyd Morgan appeared, stated that he was married to the respondent on the 12th of December, 1893. and afterwards lived with her at Argoed, Monmouthshire. The co-respondent had lodged at his house, and on the 1st of January this year he was sleeping in the same room with him when he saw his wife come into the room and tickle the co-respondent under the chin. Subsequent to that his wife made a confession of adultery, and left him, in company with the co-respon- dent. A witness was called to prov<e that the respondent and oo-respondent had since been living together at Caerphilly.—A decree nisi, with costs, was gratited.

ANOTHER EFFECT OF THE COAL STRIKE, JWELSH COAL DRIVEN OUT OF INDIA. Prior to the disastrous strike of last year an extensive trade in Cardiff coal was done in Calcutta, and most of the Indian Government railways were using the Welsh mineral. When the stoppage took place, however, a great impetus was given to the native production, and although the quality of the coal is much inferior to the best Welsh, it is cheaper, and, being on the spot, commands a ready market. The Indian railways were compelled to rely on the native product, and, as a matter of fact, the South Wales coal has been prac- tically driven out by local competition. Not only this, but a growing export trade is being done in the Indian article, and the shipments from Calcutta last year amounted to over a million tons. The members of the Calcutta Chamber of Com- merce have not been slow to take advan- tage of the opportunity thus afforded them to establish a lucrative and increasing in- dustry, and they deputed their president —Mr. Applin—to visit England and ascer- tain the best methods of shipping coa.l. Mr. Applin has made a tour of the' principal ports in the kingdom, but we understand that nowhere has he been more impressed tllan ■ at Cardiff. He was escorted round the Bute Docks by Mr. Hunter, the chief engineer to the Cardiff Railway Company, and the merits and working of the Lewis- Hunter cranes, which are peculiarly adaptable for the Indian coal, were fully explained to him. Mr. Applin left Cardiff on Monday morning for Pembroke Dock, after which he will proceed direct to Cal- cutta, and lay before the chamber of com- merce the results of his investigations.

FORTHCOMING VISIT OF BARNUM AND BAILEY, FIRST VISIT OF THE BIG SHOW TO CARDIFF. Next autumn Karnum and Bailey's great show will visit the Continent, and will be absent from this country for several years, tlcrefore its forthcoming vj^it to Cardiff and vifinity on June 21, while it wtl) be the first appearance here, will also be the List for some time. Most of the people of England are familiar with the magnitude and gigantic cha- racter cf the great institution, with its three eqt estrian rings, two Olympian stages, racing track, and aerial enclave, but few are aware that a chief characteristic of the man- agement has illvariahly been to change the performances and attractions every year, thus constantly presenting a new show. In accordance with that idea, the show which will he "een in Sophia Gardens Recreation Grounds will he different from the one exhibited last season in other parts of Great Britain. There will be new acts in the circus department, Hew animals in the meragtrics, 'nany new freaks in the ethno- logical tent. and Hew features and fresh attrac- tions of many kinds exhibited in lavish prodi- gality under the dozen new canvas pavilions, and will, in its entirety, be one of the greatest marvels of organisation ever seen in this country. The forthcoming visit will be restricted to four days, at Xewport, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bath, Taunton, Torquay, Ply- mouth. Exeter, Weymouth. and other cities near by are to be favoured with a visit also. The show will come here from Swansea. Besides other attractions, the show contains three full and complete circus companies, whose various performances (in three rings) on the backs of horses, on the ground, and in mid- air, are a perfect revelation. The show com- prises every difficult equestrian act, aerial feat, arenic display, athletic and acrobatic trial, hippodrome race, animal trick, and mad-cap caper of clown and actor, with tumbling and leaping—in fact. nearly everything of a remark- able kind in the way of meritorious feature or attraction. To all of which are added two menageries, a museum, horse fair, three herds of elephants. a drove of camels, ponies, led animals, and other wonders. The horses alone are worth a fortune. Then there are strange animal freaks, giants and pigmy creatures, odd and curious beasts and birds, and a giantess gorilla, the only one in captivity in the world. Johanna, as the gorilla is named, is a great wonder. The circus department contains only champions in their various lines and speciali- ties. Every act is new; every feat is wonder- ful. The largest salaries are paid in order to secure the greatest performers in all lines. All countries are represented by the greatest and best artistes. The entertainment in the mena- gerie is of itself a most picturesque exhibition, comprising as it does so many strange human beings in the famous collection of prodigies. The moral part of the show is as great as its instructive features, while the general excel- lence prevailing everywhere is of such a magni- ficent kind as to compel the admiration of young and old. It is a veritable world's fair brought to your very doors, and within its immense waterproof tents are thousands of the most interesting and wonderful features, all selected with the express object of amusing, instructing, causing mirth, innocent and harm- less recreation, and withal leaving a good and lasting impression on the minds of all visitors. And it is even greatly enlarged and improved over what it was last year by the introduction of scores of new features, acts, races, and attractions. The new street parade will take place on Wednesday, June 21, weather permitting, when all can see the team of 40 horses, the herds of elephants, and the pageant of "Columbus's Return to Barcelona."

MR, CHAMBERLAIN ON THE COM- PENSATION ACT. Colonel Pryce Jones, M.P., having written to Mr. Joseph Chamberlain as to the probability of a further extension of the Workmen's Com- pensation Act, with special reference to the Newtown case, has received the following letter, dated the 19th inst."Cannot venture an opinion on the legal point, but on the general question I may make some observa- tions. In the first place, th« variety and com- plexity of our manufacturing industries make it absolutely impossible before hand to provide by legislation for every conceivable case, and hence it was certain that in this new Act, as in all previous Acts dealing with the sub- ject, there would he a certain number of excep- tional accidents, in regard to which liability can only be determined by a judge. What, however, we endeavoured to do was to make these cases as few as possible, and make necessary litigation as cheap as possible. In both respects we have fully succeeded, as the last returns show that, although tens of thou- sands cf accidents have been compensated, only a little more than 160 cases have been disputed in any court. The average cost of deciding these cases has been less than half those which are still annually litigated under the old Act, and this although that Act did not deal with more than a fraction of the cases which are now satisfactorily settled by the new. It was never pretended by the authors of the Act that amendments might not be necessary after a full experience had been had; but in the mean- time you may honestly claim that this legisla- tion is the most beneficial to the working elasses which has ever been proposed or car- ried since the grant of free education.—J CHAMBERLAIN."

VOLUNTEERS ON ABERDARE MOUNTAIN. On Monday there were some very interesting Volunteer manoeuvres on Aberdare mountain which attracted a large number of spectators. The weather when the citizen soldiers started for the scene of operations was rather unpro- pitious. which accounted for a somewhat dis- appointing muster, but it soon cleared up and the rest of the day was beautifully Qne. The general idea of the manoeuvres may be thus explained. The Dowlais, Merthyr, and Merthyr Vale detachments of the 3rd Volunteer Batta- lion Welsh Regiment, with the Cefn detachment of the 1st Volunteer Battalion South Wales Bor- derers, commanded by Major and Hon. Lieu- tenant-colonel J. Craig, formed the right of a line of outposts oovering an army at Merthyr, the outpost line, which consisted of two pickets, with a support, extending along the hill-top for about a mile from the finger-post on the Swansea road. The Aberdare and Mountain Ash detachments of the 3rd Batta- lion Welsh Regiment, under the command of Captain and Hon. Major M. Morgan, advanced from Llwydcoed with the intention of attacking the outpost line or outflanking them in order to ascertain what lay behind. The attacking force pushed forward in two bodies, one trying to outflank, whilst the other made a direct assault, but the positions held by the outpost line were too strong to be conquered, and both attacks failed, the line remaining intact. At the conclusion of the fight the men were formed into column and had dinner, and afterwards marched home. Colonel D. Rees Lewis, Captain and Adjutant Bannerman Phillips, and Captain and Adju- tant Roger were the umpires.

TOWYN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL. A meeting of the local managers of the Towyn Intermediate School was held on Saturday evening, Mr. Haydn Jones, J.P., presiding. Mr. J. Maethlon James announced that Mr. John Corbett, Ynysymaengwyn and Impney, Droitwich, had generously subscribed a sum of JB100 per annum for three years towards enabling the managers to secure the services of an additional teacher and to increase the number of "John Corbett's Scholarships." The Chairman remarked that Mr. Corbett had already given over £2,000 in cash, towards the school. An offer made by Miss Griffitlj, Glan- pielynllyn, to decorate the school walls with original coloured designs was accepted with thanks.

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THE HOPE BLUE! DIAMOND. The recent application to the Court of Chan- cery by Lord Francis Hope for permission to sell the famous heirloom, the big blue diamond, arouses renewed interest in a gem almost unique, and which has at the same time a romantic history attached to it such as few gems can boast. First, a word or two con- cerning the stone itself, which has not, as some might imagine, a mere bluish tinge, but is of a sapphire hue, while at the same time it pos- sesses all the "fire" of it true diamond. Its colour is its principal claim to dis- tinction, for next to a red diamond a blue one is the rarest gem known. Its weight is 44l carats. This will not. perhaps, convey any very definite meaning to common folk who are not accustomed to measure their belongings by the carat, but the weight of the stone will be appreciated when we say that two new slullings would just balance it in a pair of scales. As to its size, it is rather larger in diameter than one of those coins, while it can- not boast of having such a perfectly circular form. It cost the late Mr. Hops £ 18.000, and would probably now fetch half as much again. Nay, it might fetch double as much. for no pre- cise value can be attached to a thing so rare. There arc very feN such diamonds known, and all there are seefti to have come from the oid Indian mines. Although the output at Kim- berley now figures up to many tons of brilliant stones, no such thing as a blue diamond has yet been yielded by the famous African mine. The first blue diamond of which any record can be found was brought from India by Tavernier, the well-known traveller and dealer in precious stones, who sold it with many other gems to Louis XIV. in 1663. We shall presently see that this stone bNlrs a curious and very close relationship to the Hope heirloom. It would appear that the gem when sold to the French King was in the rough, and that it weighed 112 carats. After- wards it was cut down to 67 carats, at which weight it figures later on in the inventory of the French regalia, the reduction being what I we might reasonably expect after the stone had passed throngh the lapidary's manipula- tions. During the French Revolution, when Paris was in a state of anarchy, the regalia was seized, and the jewels were deposited in the Garde Meuble. Among them was Tavernier's blue diamond. But very shortly afterwards it disappeared in a mysterious manner, and France never saw it again. That blue stone was about as useless to the man who stole it as was one of the ElOO notes to the thief who made free with the property of Parr's Bank the other day. Dispose of it he could not with- out instant detection, so easy was it of identifi- cation. The only thing he could do was to I cut it into pieces, so that no one could recog- nise it. and to re-cut those pieces as separate and, of course, smaller gems. I It is supposed by experts that the Hope I diamond is the largest of these re-cut pieces I of the original Tavernier. Mr. Streeter, who 1 advanced this theory some years ago, asserts | that a blue diamond came into the market in I 1874, and that competent judges who examined it, and had the opportunity of comparing it with the Hope diamond, found that both in colour and quality it closely corresponded with that gem. This stone was purchased in Geneva at the 6ale of the Duke of Brunswick's jewels, I and it weighed about 10 carats: A third blue diamond, weighing only one carat (that is, four grains), was bought by Mr. Streeter himself in Paris for £ 300; and this little stone also matched the Hope diamond in tint and quality. Hence it is believed by those best qualified to know that these three stones were originally one, and that that one was the famous Taver- nier blue diamond which disappeared from the French regalia so mysteriously at the time of the Revolution.

ATTACK ON A PUGILIST AT LEEDS In broad daylight, and in the presence of a crowd of people, seven inen made a dastardly attack upon Sam Parker, the well-known pugi- list, at the Great Northern Railway-station, Leeds. It appears that Parker and Harry Hemingway, better known amongst the sport- ing fraternity as "Specs," intended to travel to Doncaster by the 11.20 train. Pas- sengers by these trains book at the ticket-office in the yard, and while Parker was waiting at the entrance to the station, his friend having gone for the tickets, he was suddenly sur- rounded by several men, all armed with heavy sticks. Before he had time to protect himself he was felled to the ground and severely mauled by his assailants. The whole episode occupied but a few moments. Having done their work, the gang of hooligans made their way to the station and left Leeds by the Doncaster train. No attempt, apparently, was made to detain them. In the meantime Parker wag found lying un- conscious on the ground, and bleeding freely from the head. One hand was also badly in- jured. He was at once removed to the infir- mary, where his injuries were found to be of a less serious character than was at first believed to be the case. It was feared that the bones of his right hand were broken, but at present the doctors cannot decide the point. There can be no question that the attack was pre- arranged, as on Thursday there was some trouble with the same gang at Doncaster, and the row, for such it was, finally resulted, it is alleged, in Parker giving one of them a black eye. "Sammy," as he is generally called, is the 9st. 81b. champion of the North of England, and has just been matched to box J. Johnson, of Sunderland. He was on Friday removed from the infirmary to his Leeds quarters.

SAVED HIS BROTHER. A five-year-old boy, named Deane, who lives at Lane-end, near Marlow, has been the hero of an adventure worthy to be enrolled in a. new edition of the Book of Golden Deeds. He and a little brother, only three years of age. were playing teside a pool, when the younger one slipped and fell into the water. The bank was uneven and slippery, and the tiny child could not re-gain his footing on it. The five-year- old, with admirable presence of mind, leant over into the water and seized his drowning brother's hand, but had not stBength to pull him out of the water. So there they remained—one in the pool clinging to the hand of the other, who kept shouting for help as loudly as his little lungs permitted. It was a scene worthy to rank with the famous episode of the boy at Haarlem, who saved the town from deluge by stopping with his fingers a crevice in the dyke, which kept back the sea. The pool where the adventure of the two Deanes took place is some distance from the village, and a considerable time elapsed before the lad's cries brought assistance. But lie held bravely to his brother all the time, although, when help at last arrived, both the little fellows were well-nigh exhausted. The lad who thus saved his brother's life was himself nearly drowned about a year ago by falling into a water-butt, from which he was rescued in time. Those who saved him performed a good action, conclu- sively proved by Deane's admirable conduct on the banks of the pool.

HIS BLOOD. Henry Bayliss, a general dealer, of High-road, Tottenham, was charged on Thursday with drunkenness. A policeman gave evidence. Prisoner: Look at me; there's my blood. Didn't you hit me in the ear? Witness: No. Prisoner: I haven't washed it off; now look at it. Isn't that my blood? (Laughter.) I'm not guilty, your worship. I deserve the benefit of the doubt. (Laughter.) Remand me for a week. I will appear, really, your worship, I will. (Laughter.) There's my blood. I haven't washed since Saturday. Mr. Pedley: Why haven't you washed? Prisoner: Because I have something to show. I'll promise to come again, really. (Laughter.) Mr. Pedley: I hope you won't. Ten shillings and costs, or fourteen days.

Mr. Joseph Arch, M.P., confirms the announcement that he intends to retire from the representation of North-west Norfolk at the end of the present Parliament.

PAMI'S XOTES AGAl>' ,sF TWO MORE STRANGELY CAp IN LONDON. — Two more of the £ 100 notes stolen fTor\:ce Bank have been cached, snd the P0\ue^ searching for the man who obtained them. He handed one of them to a KeUIJ road publican, who, believing him perfectly honourable person." passed the Wcstmirstcr-bridge-road branch of 1 ^rjtr don and Westminister Bank, with il .Qji<^ request for change in the shape of five *w. and the balance in £ 5 notes. Not provided writh an official list of the of the missing notes, and not suspect1 this was one of them, the bank prornP^ plied with their customer's demand. A afterwards the publican received a coin tion from Messrs. Mullens and Bps' # solicitors to the Bankers' Aisociati011'^# fita-ted that the note was one of | had been stolen l'rom Parr's Bank. nately, he was unable to indicate j$ abouts of the man for whom he had J1 note changed. He had seen him once 0 f betwoen the cashing of the note and ceipt of Messrs. Mullens and Bosanquet 9 but he has not seen him since. The jglF have inquired for this man both in t and Portsmouth, but without finding The eame man is believed to have the second note, which was passed thro^ Q^Sf hand3 of a butcher in whose house ham or Brixton he is said to have 1°"" some weeks. tJOI. It is stated that the missing man is ma-k, It is possible, of course, that "innocent holder." but the police are ¡l ;íI to give him an opportunity of satisfy'0* upon this point.

.ft' A MERCHANT'S STRANGE S* i An inquest was held at Liverpool otl^ day on the body of Peter M'Arte. aged 73, whose body was found in hi9 ^f in Adelaide-road, under peculiar j,# Deceased lived with his daughter, Lnii" Deceased lived with his daughter, Lnii" berton M'Arte, aged 37, who for sotof jk has been afflicted mentally. On TuesUf the police were called to the house, an(* the deceased lying rlead in the lobby, foj* wards, and bleeding from a wound in tj| »j|r head. The daughter told the police neighbours had hypnotised him and use from his legs. The police had the removed to the lunatic ward of the w°r^ w —Ann Roberta stated at the inquest daughter occasionally had fits of Witness saw the deceased enter the Tuesday afternoon, and shortly afterW^ 55 daughter began to throw things into 1Y1 u,».r:; yard and to smash windows. The then went to the front of the house the front parlour windows, upon which sent for the police.—Mr. Howard, ft officer, stated that on Tuesday ld&L/r deceased applied for the admission daughter to the lunatic ward. He VT° rff. medical certificate, and said she had beei^ d or less insane for eight years, but he want to part with her. He was at timeS of her violence. An order for her was proffered, but he declined to take 1 f ing that he would get her into the conn ry four or five weeks before sending her iyp Witness warned him of the danger of her into the country in, face of the cert^^ The deceased then said he would think 1 until the next morning, and went post-mortem examination of the body that death was due to disease, but tha tjtf mark on the forehead was caused at of death or immediately afterwards. It r t* in the latter case signs of blood woultørlJt been expected on the poker.-The jury re <• a verdict of "Death from natural causes,

A FELINE MARVEL. ,«' An old sea captain, named Richards, ft* mate of the Trinity Almshouses, who v 1^ quently made applications respecting of his cat, again waited on Mr. DicklJJ" the Thames Court. Once more, he said, he had come cat. He now told his worship thi3 nw1?^ animal could easily jump over St. the Great Wheel, besides being a 8plell jl former on the piano. His pet, wbic!f jo"1, painted "all colours," had made sever3^ neys to and from America. It was a & ifi shire cat, and was brought to him whelJ ten. Some time since the cat was by a gang of men, who thought thef make money by exhibiting it. On he saw his cat in a basket, being carried tfj a beerhouse, but before he could get 40 spot it had disappeared, and he now 1 the magistrate's assistance. Mr. Dickinson observes he well reti10 the cat as a great jumper, but he had its accomplishments were so varied. ^\& he would have to help applicant to ree° ^0^ marvellous animal, Police-sergeant Kifl"» see him on the matter. The old gentleman, pleased at the a shown him, then quickly trotted out of c

SAD SEQUEL TO A MOTHEB'S •> An inquiry was held at Tottenham day respecting the death of Henry* jy'y Edwards, aged 39, an optician, whose found cut to pieces on the Midland near Harringay Park Station. The ° j ru who was formerly in the 60th Rifles, in India, where he suffered from 3lV.er Mary Edwards, the mother, said that who was unmarried, lived with her. OP > day night last he was reading the accoii# death of the Earl of Strafford, and o^y> that it was just the death he would l1 sudden and painless. He said he would try it. Witness told him to Pu^. under twenty trains, never thinking tako it to heart, but he appeared to ""Lipf straight away next morning and suicide. A note in the deceased's was produced. It ran as follows wards to Mrs. Edwards. You said bi° 4 mother, that I was to put myself und* >ct) trains. I have tried one to go on vrl {l can put me under the other nineteen have time to do so."

SAVAGE CLUB DINNE*" On Saturday night the Savage 01 i'fil dinner was held in London, and oC^ of the Queen's eightieth birthday sion was taken to invite of all the self-governing Colonies 0 Britain, including Lord e Mount Royal, Sir Julius Salomans a ji David Tennant. The following tele^ qiJ y Press Association says, was sent to t by Mr. J. Y. W. Macalister, the nx- "To her Majesty the Queen, Winds Savage Club, assembled at their hou'^j with their guests, Lord Strathcona 3,11 ..er111^ ,OV jov, s-entatives of all her Majesty's self-? .j( Colonies, desire with heartfelt loyalty a tV j tion to offer to their beloved Sovereis most sincere congratulations and wishes for the prolongation of her lig ro reign." Within an hour the folloWl }Ís,ý was received :—"Windsor Castle, \.yyd 1899.—The Queen thanks you for the K loyal message received.-BIGGE."

jftf- DEATH FROM TEA POISO** .$ 1 P On Friday Mr. Baxter (coroner) o- inquiry in London on the bodY'ler.P'eel Holmes, aged 38 years, a furniture dea jj0t Holmes, his widow, stated that he had• li^ in good health for some months Pa0fltUs jjii been under a doctor for some e*e "excessive tea drinking." On Tuesda^0 they were in a 'bus tgether on their dje"ji when deceased was taken with a fit Dr. Meadows deposed to having at^ ssi«; deceased for dyspepsia, due to eX it drinking. In fact, witness regards gv'S case of tea poisoning," the nerVhe having been nearly destroyed from t» 0f 0$ of tea the deceased drank. The r-,L"S" df* d was heart disease, aggravated by t«< Witness understood that the ta 3, brother of the deceased both died 1 manner.—A verdict in accordance jof*' medical evidence was returned by