Weekly Mail

TIDE TABLE. FOR THE WEEK ENDING AUGUST 29, 1884. „ i! fc-= S -=IIt:: ;:? S fc-= S ~-rS *5 d So fc -e UAYa OtTTHK MTUKK. «C C o S S q "5 £ =2 5 O A rm a Pi w £ r < O w a Pi w £ O w i Morning 8 42 8 32 7 35 j 8 29 9 39 SATCRDY ■< Evening 8 56 8 50 7 52 I 8 46 9 57 ( Height 33 10 36 3 32 10 36 9 29 1 i Mcirninir 9 2 9 9 8 10 9 4 10 16 SUNDAY .< Evening 9 34 9 t7 S 23 9 22 10 34 I Height 32 9 35 6 31 11 35 7 28 3 i~1 j rmiia;T 9 54 9 42T""8 45 |^9 -.9 10^9 MO.VDAY. < Evening 10 6 9 56 9 1 9 55 11 3 ( Height 31 5 34 4 30 8 34 0 26 10 returning 10 26 10 11 9 16 10 10 11 i_8 TUMDAI < Evening 10 39 10 26 9 34 10 L-8 11 33 Height 29 4 32 7 39 3 32 1 24 10 TMorning 10 57 10 41 I 9 52 I 10 46 11 48 WIMDY.< Evening 11 12 10 58 10 10 11 4 — ( Height.. 26 11 30 7 27 7 29 8 22 6 l Morning 11 33 11 16 I 10 30 j 11 24 12 5 THURSDY < Evening 11 b}. 11 3B 10 52 11 46 12 23 j Height 24 3 28 3 95 7 27 6 19 9 I Morning — — 11 19 — 12 42 FRIDAY. -? Evening 12 20 12 0 11 50 12 13 1 7 Height 22 1 26 1 23 10 25 9 17 1

t SATURDAY, A UG UST 23, 1884. NOTES OF THE WEEK. BY OUR LONDON AND PROVINCIAL CORRESPONDENTS.) A modest request comes from Walters-road, Swansea. As you are aware, Madame Patti has added to her reputation as a woman, if not a singer, by giving two gratuitous con- certs, in which she herself filled a big gap in the programme, on behalf of the Hospital, which is doing a humane work in the metal- lurgical metropolis of the world." I have been requested to suggest that the diva should be induced to add an- other to her very valuable and well-timed generous acts by giving a similar entertain- ment in aid of the helpless widows and orphans who trusted implicitly in the late Glamorgan- shire Bank." I have put this down in print. Whether the charming Adelina will ever see it, or, if she does see it, whether she will fall in with the suggestion, are matters which I shall not pretend to forecast. If "a similar enterta'Liialetit" is given, I should not be surprised if the prima donna is asked to sing for the benefit of the unfortu- nate creditors of John Jones, the butterman,, who has had the misfortune to liquidate in consequence of his inability to make both ends meet. If Patti sets the example it may hereafter be found that there is a great tax on the time of other distinguished artistes for similar causes, and that Irving, and Barrett, and Toole have had to forego some of their professional engagements in the sacred cause of charity. A correspondent at Porthcawl asks me to call attention to a question of interest at the present time, when bathing in the open is a luxury not lightly to be esteemed in this sub-tropical weather. He suggests that printed directions of a simple and explicit character should be prominently exhibited, pointing out the dangers to be avoided in taking a sea bath. The idea is a good one, and might be adopted with advantage at all seaside resorts as well as at Porthcawl. The safest places should be indicated, and treacherous spots pointed out. A caution might be added as to the condition of the body before entering the water, what should be done on leaving it, and general information given so as to minimise the dangers of a delightful, a sanitary, and a useful exercise. Your readers will hardly be surprised to hear that Londoners look with a large degree of jealousy upon the favours which Madame Patti showers upon the Welsh people; and it is hardly to be wondered at. She has been appealed to, times without number, for help at concerts in aid of Metropolitan charities, but in vain. Only to the land in which her beautiful home is situated does the fair prima donna give this great privilege. I was asked in company this week, where I was the only Welshman, why this was so. I replied by asking another question, in true Celtic fashion, Were you ever in Wales ? No," was the answer. "Ah, then," I continued, you will never be able to imagine how irre- sistible the Cymry are. You must see them at home, and then you'll understand why Madame Patti makes an exception." 1 need not say that my modesty was the theme of general admiration. I am credibly informed that the Midlothian campaign will not be anything like so violent as some folks expect. The Premier has had a series of very broad hints from noble lords associated with his party that a wholesale condemnation of the House of Lords will not serve his purpose, whatever Messrs. Bright and Chamberlain may think. The peers who stood by the Franchise Bill, against their pri- vate convictions in many cases, have no notion of being sacrificed to the Moloch of Birmingham, and they have told Mr. Glad- stone as much so that the People's William will repair to Midlothian with clipped wings and broken spirit. Circumstances have placed the Prime Minister in the uncomfort- able attitude of the man who tries to sit upon two stools. We know what happens in those cases. The catastrophe is not very far off in the experience of Mr. Gladstone. Meanwhile this agitation is having the best effect upon the Conservatives that it could have, in drawing them together and welding their individual opinions into a determination to stand by their leaders and the Constitution at all hazards. Large acqui- sitions to the district Conservative Associa- tions are the order of the day in London, and I am informed by one of the officials of the Central Association that similar results are of daily occurrence in the provinces. The apathy which in past days has been the one drawback to the success of the Tory party has given place to a briskness and an unanimity which augur well for the result of the next appeal to the constituencies. Thanks to the labours of the Central Association, the register is being looked after in the remotest parishes, a branch of party organisation which has hitherto been sadly neglected. Another significant sign of the times is the great increase that has taken place in the circulation of Conservative newspapers during the past year or two. In some instances the readers have nearly doubled in number, and mostly in the country. The manager of a leading daily mentioned this fact in my presence one day last week, and further assured me that the increase was amongst a class who were used to be thought inaccessible to Conservative journalism. The fact of it is, the British working-man has been so over- dosed with blind adulation of Mr. Gladstone and all his works in the Radical papers that he is getting rather sick of it, and suspects that things are not what they seem." Just about thirty-two years ago the great Duke of Wellington died, and a sculptor of note, named Mr. George G. Adams, was in- structed to cast the features of the hero at W aimer Castle. On Friday last that same sculptor was permitted to take a cast from I the face of the Duke whose ft.1u1dan rlp/viaae took place at Brighton. Mr. Adams has been equally successful in both cases. His works in St. Paul's Cathedral are universally ad- mired, as well as his numerous busts in marble of the first Duke of Wellington. I was present on Monday in the picturesque Woodfield Park, at Blackwood, the seat of Mr. Moggridge. The occasion was a demonstra- tion by the Radicals of that part of the kingdom against the Peers of the realm. The surroundings were really charming, but I cannot say as much for the speeches. A good deal of abuse of the House of Lords, and espe- cially the Marquess of Salisbury,was indulged in, and I am bound to record that the full flavour with which it was seasoned appeared to be generally acceptable to the 700 or 800 holiday makers who gathered round a cart which had been placed in the hollow adjoining the house, and from which the harangues were made. I was surprised to hear several of the speakers denounce Lord Salisbury for the expression he used: -1 legislatioii by pic-nic." They seemed to think that politics and pic-nics combined were the exclusive prerogative of the Con- servatives, and scorned the idea that the Liberals resorted to any such flimsy dodges to attract the multitude. I have participated in a few pic-nics-I mean the non-political pic-nic-in my time, but I never saw anything more like the genuine article in my life than that at Blackwood. There were men, women, and children in their holiday attire grouped upon the rising ground which formed the auditorium. The men and some of the boys enjoyed their bacey," while the ladies regaled themselves with the cakes and fruit which were abun- dantly hawked in their vicinity. It was an allegation against the opposite party by several of the speakers that they had swing-boats, roundabouts, and even Aunt Sally" to help to enliven their al fresco meetings. It was triumphantly asked where such frivolities could be found at Blackwood P I am afraid those who propounded the query had not been down in the village. There I saw—I did not expect to tind such vanities in a gentleman's well ordered grounds—any number of swing- boats, more than one Aunt Sally, and a pro- fusion of those happy contrivances which go to make up a country fair. I do not aver that this exhibition had anything to do with the Radical demonstration, but I do know that those who demonstrated in politics de- monstrated also in the festive amusements which the showmen provided. I do not like the pot calling the kettle black. As to the speeches, a perusal of them will indicate to those who take the trouble that the world would have been none the worse if they had been left unsaid. Mr. G. T. Clark, of Dowlais, has for some time past been engaged in collecting old charters and other interesting records bearing upon the history of the county of Glamorgan. The result of his laborious researches will shortly be put into a tangible form, for I understand a book containing all these curious old documents is about to be issued from Mr. Clark's private printing press at the Dowlais Workmen's Library and Reading-room. 1 have seen the proofs of a couple of pages of this book, which, I believe, is intended for private circulation only. Some two hundred pages have up to the present been put through the press, and it is believed that the book will consist of between four and five hundred pages. The charters, which for the most part relate to estates and other property in the county of Glamorgan, are all written in the Latin language, and, I am informed, some of them date as far back as the ninth and tenth centuries. What a score of important and interesting informa- tion may be hidden in these old relics of bygone days I am, as yet, unable to say, as 1 have only seen the book in fragmentary parts Some of the charters occupy a number of pages, whilst others are so short as to till Jess than a single page of quarto paper. I am glad to state that, if the plenitude of tongues speak correctly, the house thaT Jack built at Swansea will not be allowed to fall into further decay, and the time I fore- shadowed some time since when Jack's Folly will be turned into somebody else's wisdom is, as Mr. Gladstone says, within a measurable distance of us. There is room here for a very ambitious effort at modern seaside hotel- keeping, and I must say the appearance of the place even in its present state, minus paint and plaster, and perhaps without its once-allotted number of social conveniences, is suffi- cient to prove that Jack—let him be who he may—was not such a fool as he looked. I understand that the concern, which has for some time been in the hands of the Glamor- ganshire Banking Company, who held it as security, has now been sold or let, and that the new tenant may be expected to impart such life and vigour to the St. Helen's limb of Swansea as, I trust, may afterwards extend to the trunk itself. Jack did not find the erection of his premises pay let us hope the subsequent business which was intended may be more profitable. Frequenters of the Lyceum Theatre will not, in all probability, have more than one chance of seeing Miss Ellen Terry on the familiar stage before she leaves for America That one occasion will be Saturday, the 30th instant, when she will take a farewell glance at an audience whose sympathy has been with her all tnrough her illness. It is not yet known what piece will be put on for a wind-up, but I have reason to believe that Charles I." will be the one selected. It is a favourite with both actors and audience here, and will be sure to draw in America. One ol the company who went across with Mr. Irving last year tells me that he quite longs to see "Yankeeland" again, his reminiscences are so pleasant. I should be disposed to think that our only actor's recollections are as substantial as they are pleasant. We shall soon, however, have great doing. at the Lyceum again, for our charming favourite, Miss Mary Anderson, takes posses- sion of it on the 6th of September, opening with Pygmalion and Galatea and Comedy and Tragedy," in both of which Mr. William Terriss will play the hero's part. As Lev.cippt and the Reyent d'Orleans, Mr. William Rignold will appear, but Mr. Kemble will retain his old place. In Miss Sophie Larkin we shall have a capital Daphne, and I've no doubt Miss Myra Holme will be Quite as successful as Cynisea. Altogether the cast is about as strong as it could be in distinctive artistes. But the attraction will, of course, be centred in the delightful American whom even Tawhiao admired in spite of her delicate complexion. From Swansea a correspondent writes to complain that Mr. Edward trick, the coroner, has appointed his soc, Air. Tom Strick, as his deputy. A coroner has a right, as I need not point out, to nominate his own officials, and, in this case, the selection may be an admirable one. I should have thought a coroner could find no more capable locum, tenens than his own son, who is, moreover, as my correspondent himself admits," a very steady, deserving young practitioner." The ground of objection to Mr. Strick, jun., is that he is youthful. That is a fault which many of us would like to have alleged against us; but if he is a passed solicitor he is surely old enough to fulfil his father's office when the latter is prevented from pressure of duty or other cause from doing so. Jt is not on all fours with a Prime Minister appointing the members of his family to positions of honour or emolument. Well, that's what I think. The speakers at the Radical "demonstra- tion at Tredegar on Tuesday made copious re- ferences to the Western Mail in the speeches they addressed to the free and independent" electors—and non-electors—of Monmouth- shire. You should be flattered and not sur- prised. It is not every day a newspaper is honoured by the attentive references of plat- form orators. I do not affirm that these re- ferences were altogether flattering, but they gave a pretty clear indication as to where the shoe pinched. The Rev. E. Davies made a pun-I cannot vouch that it is the first he has made in a long life -which his friends may deem worthy of prominent type in a comic paper. He made a desperate lunge at your editorial columns, and then declared that the Western Mail ought to be designated the Western Mule. You should have heard the roars. Little things, you know, please little minds. The worthy divine, if he had ever read of Spain, would have known that the hardy animal plays a more important part in the social economy than the stubborn donkey. Mr. Moggridge twisted some words in your leading article for the purpose of creating a smile, but he may rest assured that, although you did not make the allegation, the country is getting heartily sick of the ignorant and nauseous meanderingsof a parcel of platform spouters whose knowledge of history is on a par with their imprudence—not to mention such a term as impudence. The Cardiff Liberal Club is being floated badly. The ship is taut and spruce enough; the crew, though a bit nondescript, know the rooes nrettv we. 11; but the oasaenyep list is disappointingly small. This is unfortunate- for the Radicals. Those who launched the new adventure have been sadly disappointed in the measure of patronage bestowed upon it. To be plain, the number of enrolled mem- bers is so small that I should not be surprised if the project is abandoned, unless new life is breathed into the dry bones of a decayed cause. Pray do not think I am surprised at this contretemps. With such antagonistic elements at work nothing else could be ex- pected. There are, as you know very well, clubable Liberals, and there are Liberals to whom club-life is vanity and vexation of spirit. You cannot mix oil and water, what- ever may be said about grog. I do not blame a Radical because he thinks it right to wear a blue ribbon and swear by undiluted water. I do blame him, however, for endeavouring to make those who differ from him swallow the beverage of his choice. I know some very good Liberals who are not averse to a game of whist or billiards, and who prefer to take wine or something else instead of water. How can the senti- ments of such individuals as these be toler- ated for a moment by those to whom cards are an abomination, and alcohol anathema ina)-anatha ? What common ground can there be between those who take a little refresh- ment for their souls' comfort and others who tell you that anything stronger than tea or gingerbeer is inevitable perdition? What hope can there be for a club which expects to get on—Sanders does try-by enrolling life members who belong to the drinking section of the community, and life subscribers whose only rallying cry is taste not, touch not, handle not the unclean thing?" I should like to have ad-led a few more words, but I know space is limited, and your printer inexorable. L do not say good bye, but an revoir. Blue Books are not always the Dryasdust productions sub-editors would make them out to be. I know very well that hard labour and durance vile might be preferable to a perusal of some of them from beginning to end. Others, however, are light and digestible, and will well repay reading. One of the latter class, just issued, contains the report of Mr. Morgan Owen, her Majesty's Inspector of Schools, upon The History Papers of Training Colleges." In the smilable matter I find the following, which are noted as examples of the answers of students to the questions on their papers :—" The Saxons opposed William's landing, but the standard-bearer of the 10th Legion leaped on shore," &c. Ctesar had 20,000 horse when he invaded Britain in 54 B.C." "Druidism was the religion of the Anglo-Saxons. The chief religious institution of the Anglo-Saxons was the Bards." The heaven of the Saxons was Valhalla, and their ideal of it was to smoke all day long." They drank a peculiar drink called I Woad'; their favourite pastimes were cock-tighting and bull-baiting." "Augus- tine made nearly the whole of Kent Protes- tants." I ought to state that the inspector adds that some of the papers excited his admiration, as they exhibited the real tokens u:' thorough knowledge of the subjects dealt with. Mr. Gladstone is getting it pretty hot all round on account of his Church patronage, which apDears to have made him more enemies than friends among the clergy. Into he delicate question of Highv. Broad Church claims I am not permitted to enter, even if I had the courage; but there is a strong feeling in clerical circles that Mr. Gladstone has been extremely injudicious in giving all the plums to any one sectloil of the National Church. He should remember that in this matter he is hub the custodian of the public will, and not the patron of his own particular views. Lord Beaconsfield ac:ed very differently, and was often reproached with having neglected those with whom his sympathies lay on questions of doctrine and ritual. He was emin ntly im- partial in his appointments—a virtue 'which hose who know Air. Gladstone best would be the last to expe t from him. What a nice, comfortable berth a Prime Minis er's must be What has become of the Merthyr pearl Xot that it matters much now, for the biggest ching in the way of precious gems is reported on its way to England from South Africa. 11 is a diamond whose colour is said to excel that of the finest Indian specimens, and it weighs 4o7 carats, or more than four times as much as the Koh-i-noor. The largesi hitherto has been the Orloff, weighing 105 carats, followed by the Regent of France. which turns the scale at 130 carats; thet. comes the Koh-i-noor, 106 carats. This new brilliant is just 20 carats heavier than the other three together, and would be a nice iittle find for a man of moderate tastes like myself. A thirsty friend of mine is trying to work out how many bottles of fizz thi- would purchase. He has not yet finished tht, calculation, but he can already see his way to about a century and a half of headache if he only lived long enough. I hear that the prospects of the National Eisteddfod at Liverpool get brighter day by day, especially in the musical department. Up to last Monday four choirs had entered for the hief choral competition, six for the second choral competition, and five for the third choral competition. In the competition for parties of male voices a very hot contest it anticipated; ten have already entered and ¡;hree or four more are expected to do so. Fifty-five soloists have already sent in their names, and 42 competitors have entered for .the piano and harmonium playing. The entries of eleven brass bands have been re- ceived by the secretary. The chief choral competition will be in- teresting, as the Penrhyn Quarry Choir, which was victorious at • ardiff last year, will have to meet choirs from < Jswestry and from iver- pool and Manchester. South Wales is repre- sented by Aberdarjand Uowlais in the second choral competition, and against the North Wales choirs which have hitherto entered they ought to give an excellent account, of themselves. In the third choral competition routh WTales is again represented by Dowlais, and, a very well-known tonic sol-fa choir from Staffordshire having entered, an exciting struggle may be expected. If Dowlais is up to its usual standard South Wales should have no cause to fear. There is an unpleasant rumour abroad that the Musical Committee at Liverpool bad meditated casting a slur upon three very popular Welsh vocalists, by leaving two of them out of the Oratorio Concerts, and by not engaging the third at all. If I were to name the vocalist whom the Liverpool Committee, in its folly, had intended to ignore, then fifty thousand Rhondda men would ask the reason why." On these matters it is, how- ever, kinder to be discreet. I am glad, how- ever, to state that on the vigorous protest of aleading member of the Musical Committee, Mr. Jones (" Gwiunys*'), the objectionable re- solution was rescinded, and the committee returned to the paths of wisdom and common sense. The Simeon Trustees have an excellent opportunity of distinguishing themselves. It would seem that the Vicarage of Swansea will shortly be vacant through the resigna- tion of Dr. Morgan, who goes to Leamington. The doctor is a most excellent man, with his heart in his work, but he was not exactly the vicar for the parish of Swansea. The pari- shioners have complained of his long and oft-repeated absence from his parochial work. Then, in recent times he has identified himself very closely with the Church Army, a connection displeasing to many of his friends. He succeeded a very extraordinary man, Mr. Squire, whose ministerial labours were of a sturdy, matter-of-fact, business- like character, but without much spirituality, perhaps, as the word is generally understood. He threw his whole soul into the work of education, and through the excellent National Schools, which he may be said to have created, educated the great majo- rity of the parishioners in the course of his long life among the people. I have often thought that if he had had a spiritual side to his character Dissent in Swansea would have crumbled through his influence. The coming vicar should be all that Mr. Squire was, plus spirituality of character, and it would pro- bably be found that the seed which Vicar Squire sowed within the past 30 years would be reaped within the next 30. Is there, permit me to ask, any remedy for a German band ? I am aware that there are specifics for cholera, diarrhoea, and small pox, but I am at present in doubt as to whether there is any cure for the pain and misery which are the outcome of the efforts of itinerant musicians, who emi- grate from their country with the most villainous instruments of torture as part of their baggage. Two or three mornings this week I have been aroused from my sleep —I reside in one of the suburbs of Cardiff- by the sharp bray of discordant cornets and the screeching of clarionettes which, if they are not woefully out of tune, are tootled by inexperienced blowers. This has been between seven and ia the morning. I know that, in order to gather the worm, I should be out of the sheets by this time; but, then, I do not, by reason of my avocation, get to bed at the same time as my neighbours. To them the strains of a brass band and the efforts of very indif- ferent musicians may be a source of delight as pure as that which comes of the crowing of the chanticleer proclaiming a fine summer's morning. But to sleepy me they are simply madness. I should not feel so poorly if the party which comes down my street had not fortified themselves with a big drum and a big drummer, both noisy, both monotonous. I do not care about expending six and eight- pence, but will anybody offer something for my relief ?

OUR PARIS LETTER. PARIS, AUGUST 2Q. In trying a fn 11 with England Bismarck is con- sidered to have made a blunder, whiph in politics is worse than a crime. He has invited the fierce light of universal criticism to take stock of his position and of the limits of his means. Bearing in mind that no man is indispensable, according to Napoleon I., who illustrated that it is not evident where Germany could mortally wound England, while the latter could find many openings in the Teuton armour. Plans of diplomatic strategy and the most able groupings of forces generally are smashed up at the first shock of events. In a general war no man outside Bedlam believes Bis- marck could direct or control the hurricane. People are getting fatigued of Bismarck's fit-, of ill- humour, of his ambition to handle all the great Powers like so many pawns for the benefit of Ger- many, and of States being reduced to the position of Goldsmith's village schoolboys, who read the day's disasters in the master's face. The French have quickly perceived, as was to be expected, that the lovo making to them on the part of Ger- many would not pay. The courtship has not had even the life of the rose—the space of a morning. A rift has been discovered in the serenading lute. The Alsatian Patriotic Leagues here that keep the mourning wreaths on the Strasbourg statue fresh have vehemently put their foot down on the flirta- tion. The souvenirs of Alsace do not permit of any serio-comic treatment. The match, then, be- tween Germany and France may hence be con- sidered "off." Bismarck will not be thus able To sport an hour with beauty's chain, then throw it idly by." The French now recognise that at the Conference Bismarck was more a hindrance than a help to them. The obstinate and irritable opposition of France has formally alienated the English Govern- ment and stirred up the Britannic old lion. It is not concluded that John Bull will remain idle while Bismarck weaves combinations to handcuff him. He is recognised as belonging to that wicked race of animals which, when struck, defend them- selves. He, too, can dig pit-falls and lay trains of gunpowder. So far as Egypt is concerned, the French now commence to accept it as Engiish. The Mahdi is on the wane, and Gordon is occupied to prepare the Eastern Soudan to the Red Sea as an English possession, that which virtually gives the com- aiand to Central Africa. There is a big Bonanza in the immediate future in this occupation. Being political director ot Egypt, the French feel it is useless attempting to thwart England, who could but too well give back sigh for sigh. The finances will in due time be squared, when the cankers round them are surgically removed. Then the in- lemnity claims will be paid. France is also the cham- pion for this settlement, only she ought to remem- oer she herself has not settled yet the indemnities to foreigners for her cannonadings in Tunisia. The ieltty perhaps is due to the Kroumirs, as in Egypt t otheSliylocks. Tonquin and China are very serious questions for France. Respecting the former country, the Republic, like Warwick, makes kings-wbile in Europe he bowls them over. An affair of latitude apparently. The Emperor Joseph [L of Austria boasted that his trade was to be Koyalist." The Third Republic might lay claim to he same. General Millot wires from Hue, Orders executed, king crowned." That in brevity smacks ,)f Caesar's famous dispatch, And the new king, whose title is unknown, is consecrated like a Twelfth Night monarch, with a In the name of the French Republic, you are king 1" His Majesty, Knowing the fate in store for him, replies Morituri Ie salutaut." Not an insurance office in France would accept a policy oil the king's life for any risk premium. France may very well hesitate before declaring war against China. The unknown is big with the sate of Cato and of Rome. Of course she will succeed, if she does not mind a lavish expenditure if blood and money. That is the uncertainty at oomo. To declare war M. Ferry would have to summon the Chambers, and, judging by the signifi- cant abstention of the deputies on the recent Ton- quin vote. they might still more dwindle down, tearing the certain re-action and a settling day with their constituents. It is the opinion here that France in hesitating to strike boldly is in- juring herself; that she will never compel the Chinese to knuckle down by the Kelung bombard- ments. She must go in for the trading ports, but then she must also take the risks and consequences with the European Powers and America. She must compensate every foreigner she injures in his business-getting the indemnity out of China if she can; if not, RogerBonteinps must cash up. The islands of Formosa and Hainan would be pearls ia the prospective Asiatic empire of France, which with Tonquin might draw off French passion to "protect" Alsace—the only thing Bismarck desires. By throwing Black Flags into Tonquin, China could keep that country in a perpetual camp, and no colony can develop itself unless tranquillity reigns. The French nation, perhaps, is disinclined for a venture which might prove for them a second Mexico. Clearly, that way danger lies. As for Madagascar, the English and American Protestants are accused of backing the Hovas. France has some rough work before her here also; and the bills of indemnity against her are augment- ing every day. One fact is certain up to the present, these adventures increase the deficit in the Budget, and the revenue keeps declining. The Parliamentary Session has been closed, after having accomplished no practical work, for no one maintains the Con- gress to be a gain. And the Budget has not even yet been commenced to be examined. Deputies seem afraid to go into the accounts. The indif- ference of the people—every party has a people of its own"—that is, the nation, about the Congress, was significant. Not a paper brought out an extra edition, not one sold an extra number. Men's minds were occupied about stagnant business, the cholera, and Tonquin. The Republic not being seriously menaced, exacted no anxiety. All the country demands to be left in peace; that the finances be not dissipated; that taxes be not made more crushing, and that no foreign wars be under- taken. For the thousandth time the problem of aerial navigation is claimed to have been solved. Two officers from the balloon depot at Mendon ascended to the height of 100 feet in a machine resembling a swimming fish on a travelling trunk. It was worked by an electric motor, and the ease her," stop her," &c.,movements were executed as easily as a river steamer's. No scientific commission or independent authority was allowed to witness the experiment. This and the fact that no company has been formed demanding cash to work the pro- ject suggests caution. A number of such aerial ships would render Metz an inutility, and the Channel Tunnel unnecessary. After all they might be less dangerous than the Flying Squadron of Catherine de Medicis, which was composed of three hundred of the prettiest young ladies of France. The cholera is as tenacious to get rid of as a dun. It is not more intense, but it does break out like a dynamite explosion when and where we least expect it. It is not a bad plan, when a case is declared in a new neighbourhood, for all the lead- ing officials to arrive on the spot and deal with it. This gives courage to the white-livered who can- not seek safety in flight in and around Mount Blanc. There is about Cairo a Nilemeter to mark the rising of the river, as the fortune of the country depends on a few inches, more or less, of melted snow. I have found out a cholerameter in the selling of disinfectants and cures. Two months ago these were quoted as high as house lamb at Christmas, or green peas and young ducks in March. The tariff has now descended fully sixty per cent. below original quotations. In Paris the only drawback is the continued drought, which daily reduces the supply of potable water, Moral: Boil all water before drinking, and then filter; that puts an end to the microbes and their wriggles. Were it not for Sedan one might say the Second Empire has left not a wreck behind. The chief actors in that accident of history" have all but disappeared. Some relics of the regime of Charles X. exist, as a few cabmen still call, when angry, their screws Polignac 1" The Second Empire has been brought to mind, not by a prospectus from Prince Napoleon, or a protest from Prince Victor against.. my awful dad," but by a coup de casino at Deauville. where a conspiracy, planned by the Due de Morny's son, aided and abetted by the deputy-mayor, was organised to replace the statue of the late due on the pedestal from which it had been knocked over by the Republicans in 1870. Deauville was one of the many speculations or jobs in which the Due de Morny was steeped to the lips. He wanted to make that sandy desert a kind of Biarritz-Brighton. He was joined by Sir Joseph Olliffe, married to the daughter of Alder- man Cubitt, of London, who put nearly all his wife's fortune in the spec. It failed. Deauville is a fashionable rendezvous for a week or two in August-the present moment, for example—of the prominent world; it is ennui itself the remainder of the season; its sumptuous and triste villas give one the bluts. To honour the due as founder be had his statue in bronze. A few nights ago his son and a score of his fast companions arranged to remove the statue from the official lumber cellar and,with a windlass, hoist it on to its pedestal. They were in the act of doing so when the commissary of police and six of his men with drawn swords surprised the party. The statue was taken to the place froT) whence it came. The present duke is a young man distinguished for imitating ballet girls he dances admirably in jupons. A Russian actress shot herself beside him while he was in his bath because he deserted her, and this gave him notoriety. He has neither the elegant impertinence, dash, nor cleverness of his father, who was the adulterous brother of Napo- leon Ill. by their mother, Queen Hortense—hence the coat of arms of the duke was the flower Hor- tensia. The late Duke of Morny accepted the coup d'etat, like St. Arnaud and the Emperor himself, to pay his debts. Morny had not a sous, yet he left his son an income of a million a year. He had a stud of 145 horses at Chantilly which cost him half a million francs a year. Then he aimed to be a thinker like Merimee, but had not his philosophy and a dandy like Beau Brummel, but without his passionate elegance. He died from his debaucheries, and his funeral, that all official splendour could organise, was greeted with jeers by Parisians. His tomb in Pere La Chaise Cemetery was, pending the last days of the Commune, converted into a drinking bar. The Socialists held a meeting this week, but the lecturer said he would not make known his per- fecture cure till his party were in office. Another speaker proposed that all property be equally divided. He was ready to do so, only he had none but the coat on his back. Another denounced Gambetta as a one-eyed humbug, an acrobat, a worn-out rake, and an old rattlesnake. A third speaker said the workmen were being ruined be- cause their ranks were being invaded by members of the learned professions out of work. This is new. iNI. Claretie, a discursive writer, lays down that the English are incapable of judging George Sand because they do not belong to the Latin race; and the Italians say the French do not belong to this race. There are five centimes in a sous, but these Queen Mab coins are only current with bakers. When a claim amounts to three or four centimes you give a sous, so lose one or two centimes. In this way the entrance dues to Paris make a profit of 10,000f. a year. M. Breillat estimates that the small householders of Paris lose annually thus 14,000,000f., and so calls for the coinage of a half- sous piece, as was common under the First Repub- lic and the Empire. A prisoner has escaped from the gaol infirmary. He was considered sleeping, but on going to wake him up some firewood did duty for his body, and his head was represented by his nightcap drawn over a certain bedroom utensil. Occulist, to a patient on whom he is about operating for cataract: Have you confidence in me ?" Yes, and the blindest."

THE CAMBRIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING AT BALA. [BY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT. J The association above named inaugurated its 39th session at Bala on Monday. The report of the year's work was submitted for settlement by the Rev. R. Trevor Owen, M.A., Llangedwyn, Oswestry, one of the general secretaries, at a preliminary gathering of the committee, held at the County- hall shortly after eight o'clock p.m. A few minor amendments having been made, its adoption was unanimously agreed upon. The document pointed out the use and value of re-exploring previous fields of labour, and particularised the crises in the fortunes and the changes in the personnel of the association which had taken place since its visit to Dolgelly in 1850. With a view of discovering how much and in what volumes the in- formation required was to be found, it was proposed as a very practical problem for the present meeting to solve in what form it would be best to supply an index to the whole 38 volumes already issued. Besides the members removed by death—prominent among whom was Mr. W. W. E. Wynne, of Peniarth—a combination of circumstances had this year deprived the association of the presence and the guidance of veteran authorities, such as Professor Babington, Mr. Banks, Mr. Barnwell, Mr. Bloxam, Professoi- Rhys, and Professor Westwood. Mr. E. Lewis, Tenby, had consented to take the place of Mr. Robinson as general secretary, and it was recommended that Mr. R. H. Wood, F S.A., F.R.G.S.; Rev. E. L. Barnwell, F.S.A. (Scot), and the Rev. E. Lewis, M.A., Dean Designate of Bangor, be added to the list of vice-presidents of the association. Among the new members elected for South Wales were Messrs. J. Harris (Western Mail, Cardiff), C. Russel James, Gwilym James, and John James (Merthyr), J. J. Jones (Wellfield, Car- marthen), W. Thomas (Builth), and the Rev Herbert Williams, M.A. (the Vicarage, Brecon). The new members for North Wales and the Borders included the librarian of the Calvinistic Methodist College, Bala, the Rev. M. D. Jones (Bala), Mr. 0 Richards (Bala), Mr. J. Vaughan (Dolgelly). Captain Wilkinson, R.E. (Chester), and others. A couple of French gentlemen were proposed as honorary members. Among the works issued from the press, or in an advanced state of preparation. were enumerated the History of Powys Fadog," by Dr. Lloyd Mr. Clark's volumes on 11 Medigeval Military Architecture another book promised from the same pen on "The Genealogies of Gla- morgan the Rev. Elias Owen's Old Stone Crosses of the Clwyd and Mr. Charles Wilkins's History of the Literature of Wales," intended as a continuation of Stephens's Literature of the Kymry." The public meeting subsequently held was very well attended, among those on the platform being Sir Watkin Williams- Wynn, Bart., M.P., and Miss Williams-Wynn. On the motion of Canon Thomas, and in the un- avoidable absence of Mr. C. E. G. Phillips, Picton Castle (the president), Mr. Fred. Lloyd Phillips was unanimously voted to the chair. A letter of apology was read from the president, to whom very complimentary references were made for the manner in which he had discharged the duties of his office during the two years he had held it- The Chairman next called upon the presi dent-elect, Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, to deliver his inaugural address. The hon. baronet. whose appearance was the signal for much applaust apologised for his physical inability to address then, upstanding. He expressed himself as very glao to meet them. He had not very many curiositie to show them, but, for all that, be did not thinl they would go away from the place empty-handed. After briefly sketching the chief features of the pro gramme, and making particular reference to Caerga > partially restored after its burning by Cromwell, but not completed even yet, the spot where gol,4 was once found, the sources of the Dee (thi speaker giving it as his opinion that the real sourct was the Dduallt), the President-elect said he would be very happy to give the association any assis- tance in his power during their stay in those part, (Applause.) The Chairman moved a vote of thanks to the hon. baronet for his excellent address This wassecondedbyMr. Davies Cooke, who trusted that one result of the visit of the Archaeologist- to those parts would be the publication of a really good history of the antiquities of North Wales. Since Pennant, no one appeared to havo done any- thing for those parts. What the writer would like to see would be some such work as Dugdale's Warwickshire." It was a pity the Welsh coun- ties could not have their standard histories in the same way that a great many English counties had had theirs. The speaker added a word of hearty congratulation to their hon. president upon the forthcoming marriage of his daughter, a sentiment which was very warmly received. Messrs. R. J. Ll. Price, chair- man, and D. Richards, vice-chairman of the local committee, having each given a word of welcome to the association, the secretary was called upon to read the annual report, the adoption of which was moved by Dr. R. B. Wood, F.S.A., Rugby, and seconded in an address of considerable length, which was characterised also by a local knowledge at once extensive and minute, by Mr. Howel Lloyd. This proposition having been carried, an able address on local antiquities, particularly with reference to church architecture, was delivered by the Rev. D. Jones, vicar of Bala, wfao took exception to Pennant's etymology in several instances. The speaker fixed Llanuwchllyn as the spot where Christianity was preached in North Wales. A paper on the churches in the neighbourhood of Llanuwchllyn was next read by the vicar, the Rev. W. Hughes; an important point made by the reader being that the survival of so many Llans'' with saintly affixes (Llandaf, Llandudno, &c.) showed the separate existence of a British Church with saints of its own long before Augustine came over while the affix" Fair to so many church names (Llanfair, &c.), showed the hold which Roman Catholicism subsequently obtained over the population. The meeting shortly afterwards terminated. SECOND DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. The Cambrian Archaeological Association enjoyed most magnificent weather on Tuesday, spite of the threatening aspect of the sky in the morning. The proceedings commenced almost punctually at nine o'clock by a visit to the Museum of the Calvinistic Methodist College, an admirably- planned, substantially-erected structure, com- manding an outlook difficult to match anywhere else in the Principality. The Museum has a fair collection of casts of coins and antiquities, but the contents were principally noted for choice and rare editions of Welsh books, most of them of a religious character, and a great many of them having a direct bearing upon the tenets or the ritual—if we may so express it—of the denomina- tion. The visitors were received by the principal, Dr. Edwards, and his son, after taking farewell of whom they made a start for Tomen y Mala, a mound of considerable height on the immediate outskirts of the town. This is believed to be of British origin, and is looked upon as a very im- portant relic of a byegone time. The stay at this place was very brief, the members and their friends leaving by break shortly after- wards for Llanycil Church, noted for its fine yew trees and old tombs, among the latter being a very beautifully carved extra-mural structure, with the shields and devices of a noted local family. Close to this was a slab in the wall, with devices setting all the canons of heraldry at defiance, but with a very intelligible Welsh motto, Hwy Pery clod na Hoedl," the date being 1671. The interior of this church is modern, having been only recently restored. Driving thence along the shores of Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid) the party visited Caergai, an old house burnt by Cromwell's men, once a Roman station, where several samples of Roman brick, encaustic tiling, and even amphorse have been found. The house is a peculiarly-gabled, large- kitchened affair, partly in ruin, and with several incribed stones, among- others the words" RH- surgam," Cerydd Duw cariad Yw (" God's chastisement is love"), "Nawerth y Nef er ben- thyg byd" ("Sell net heaven for a loan of the world ") being plainly discernible. Here the party were for a short time joined by Sir W. Williams- Wynn and General Cotnbermere. Passing by some old almshouses founded by Dr. Morris Vaughan in 1721 for the sustenance of three old men and three old women, the party arrived at Cam Dochau, a castle crowning a high and precipitous hill, of which the history appears wrapped in con- siderable obscurity. According to Canon Thomas the first direct reference to the building is found in the Gwiliedydd of 1828, and that going no further back than its destruction, which had occurred within a period then quite recent. By a provision of Edward III. Madoc ap Iorwerth, a local mag- nate, was allowed a regular stipend for guarding the roads hereabouts while the judges were on their way to the county town of Harlech to hold the assizes, and it was conjec- tured that Cam Dochau was his stronghold. At Llanuwchllyn Church, which was the next place visited, the objects of interest were a curious brass almsplate, an old oak-covered baptistery, shaped like a hip-bath, and a full-length effigy of a knight in armour with a hound at his feet, and the inscription, Hie Iacet Iohannes ap Gruffyt ap Madoc ap lor worth cuius an. me. P. itur Deus Amen. Anno Dni. mccclxx." The records of this church appeared to be in a very sad state of neglect from damp and mutilation, those previous to 1675, so it is said, having been presented by a rector of the parish about the beginning of this century to some shoemaking friends of his who found the vellum useful for trade purposes. A move was made from this place for LIangower.a small church beoween the road and the lake, where a dilapidated old timber structure was pointed out as a fairly representative horse-bier upon which the coffin used to be borne palanquin fashion, the bearers being horses placed between shafts 5ft. 8in. long by 2ft. 3in. across. The coffin rested on eight elm thwarts," some of which in the present instance appeared to have been recently replaced. Another drive past some very lovely scenery of field and lake and upland, with a high mountain ridge of background, varied in conformation almost as much as in colour, brought the Archaeologists to Plas lihiwaedog, an old mansion believed to have been once occupied by Llywarch Hen, the poet-prince of those parts, early in the seventh century. In this neighbour- hood was fought the battle which deprived this particular grand old man of his last son. The name means Bloody brow," and the district no doubt well deserved it, for it must have been more than once a scene of frightful carnage. In this very house lived a couple of other turbulent chieftains—Rhyddid Flaidd and Owain Glyndwr. The house has been within recent years put into perfectly inhabitable order, without the destruction of very much of its more prominent Elizabethian, or at any rate Jaco- bean, features. Colonel Evans-Lloyd read a brief but highly interesting paper on the place and its history while the guests were sitting down to an excellent tea provided by the owner, Mr. R. J. LI. Price, who subsequently passed round a crystal ball, with reference to which the family annals told a curious tradition to the effect that whenever any member of the ¡louse was about to die a crack in the glass was seen to have widened. Mr. R. H. Wood, Penrhos House, having returned thanks to the host the company's entertainment, the first and most im- portant part of the day's proceedings came to a t-lose. The usual evening meeting took place at half-past eight o'clock in the County-hall, at which Canon Thomas gave a succinct summary of the work of the day, and some papers on local anti- quities were read, particularly one with reference- to Plas Rhiwaedog, which had taken an Eisteddfod prize given by Mr. Price. THIRD DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. A strong party of archaeologists and their friends, several ladies being of the number, left Bala on Wednesday morning by an early train for Maentwrog Road Station, a ride of fifteen miles or so through a. particularly fine country. Leaving rhe terminus, a journey on foot was performed towards a remarkable mound, called "Tomen y Mur," some particulars with reference to which were read on the spot by the Rev. Trevor Owen. M.A., the materials being found in a couple of volumes of the "Archseologia Cambrensis," of which well-known publication the rev. gentleman has for some time been the editor. It would appear that in the neighbourhood of this mound was at me time an important Roman Station, con- nected with the Mons Eryri. It was the 'entre of four great communications in full view of Cardigan Bay as far as Bardsey Island. Up to the time of the withdrawal of the Roman Legion its use was very considerable. Pennant alludes to frequent finds of Roman coins here. In 1850 part of the western side of the old camp was laid open, when some Roman masonry was found. It is pretty generally admitted that the mound is more like a military than a sepulchral one. Canon Thomas afterwards pointed out the well-known ■»irn Helen, the road to Carnarvon from Caergai, *nd the reservoir, together with the valium of romen y Mur. The mound, he asserted, was pro- bably of a later date than the camp, because of the ierivation of its name from the Roman work inside which it was placed. Its situation rendered it almost unapproachable as a b acon-point for the conveyance of intelligence to different parts of the country. Under the guidance of one of the mem- bers the party paid a visit of inspection to an inscribed stone close by, of which the characters were supposed to be Ogham, ome maintaining that they were plough marks, while others, and seemingly with greater reason, held them to be strise, or ice-pro- duced. Considerable amusement resulted from the explanation of a native farmer, who declared that local tradition associated the amphitheatre below the Tomen" with cock-fighting; the amphitheatre itself—through which, by the way, a tramroad had been run by a gang of non-anti- quarian navvies within recent years-looking sus- piciously like the bed and the walls of an old reservoir. After a somewhat pro- longed stay at this spot a movement was made in the direction of the high road, where carriages were in waiting to convey the party to Trawsfynydd, at the National Schoolroom of which place an excellent luncheon had been prepared by Mr. R. H. Wood, F.S.A., of Pantglas, a number of whose tenants and other guests eat down to partake of it in company with the archaeo- logists. Ample justice having been done to the good things provided, Captain Lloyd-Phillips pro- posed the health of Mr. and Mrs. Wood in very flattering terms, which were repeated in Welsh by Mr. William Pugh, one of Mr. Wood's principal tenants in these parts. Mr. Wood, in responding, remarked that he had for 20 years, the whole period of his membership, looked forward to the pleasure of a visit from the Archaeological Associa- tion. The Rev. Sylvanus Williams, vicar of Traws- fynydd, in a much applauded speech, offered his and his parishioners' gratulations upon the visit of the association to those parts, and Canon Thomas afterwards explained in Hithrig" Welsh the ob- jects and work of the association. Mr. Wood sub- sequently proposed the health of Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, coupling with the toast the name of Miss Wynn, to whom he wished much happiness on her approaching marriage. Mr. Owen Wynn, Sir Watkin's agent, having responded, the guests rose, and proceeded in car- riages to Rhiwgoch. Leaving the high road a journey on foot brought them to an old farmhouse built by one R. Lloyd, in 1610. Over the doorway of the outer court had been placed the words, "Seqvrelvstisiametin venias Vitam," with, be- side them, a coat of arms not very easily dis- tinguishable. The interior contained some very fine panelling, in two of the first landing rooms especially the name R. Lloyd, a lion rampant, and the letters H. P." (supposed to be the initials of Henry, Prince of Wales), placed between a rose and a thistle, with the Prince of Wales's feathers above, with three shields beneath the whole, being amongst the most conspicuously preserved of the mouldings. A walk of con- siderable length and some difficulty hence brought those of the party who were hardy enough to undertake it to a really remarkable piece of antiquity known to the inhabitants as Bedd Porus. It was situated in the middle of a field, far from any dwelling, and consisted of upright stone slabs, arranged in a circle, with a flat one lying prone in the middle, containing an inscription of which at least half a dozen different readings have been given by Llwyd, Vaughan, Pennant, and others. Rubbings of this stone were taken by Canon Thomas and some other members of the party, of which a close copy would read:— PORIUS Hrc IN TUMULUS IACIT HOMO PLANUS FUlT I. 245 E. So protracted were the investigations at this in- teresting spot that the party were not able to visit the other places down on the programme. These included Llanelltyd Church, Cymmer Abbey, Tomen y Pentre, and Dolgelly Church. A drive through lovely scenery, the river-skirted road winding in and out splendid avenues of oak and fir, and glimpses being obtained of Moel Hebog and Moel Siabod, Cader Idris, and Snowdon, brought the party to Dolgelly, whence they took train for Bala, where they arrived shortly after nine o'clock, having spent a day of which the fatigue gave only zest to the enjoyment.

THE LIVERPOOL EISTEDDFOD. DETAILS OF THE ARRANGEMENTS. [FROM OUR SPECIAL COITRESPONDENT.] I am now in a position to place before your readers some important particulars concerning the great gathering which is to take place four weeks hence at Liverpool. Before giving the number of entries which have been received for the various competitions, I will give a few details of the general arrangements so far as they have at pre- sent been decided on. In order to give the general public an opportunity of attending the Eisteddfod, every railway company whose lines run into Liver- pool has consented to run special trains during the week, and, in addition, an extra special Great Wes* tern train will leave Cardiff, calling at intervening stations, on the day when the competition for the Eisteddfod Chair (valued at J615, and supple- mented with a money prize of £30) takes place. The subject of the competition is Gwilym Hiraethog, a poem upon whom is to be written not more than 800 lines in length. Thirteen com- petitors have entered the lists, and I am assured that every one of them has attained a very high order of excellence. The Eisteddfod, as is well known, will last during the whole of the week, from the 15th to the 20th of September, in a specially-erected pavilion in the North Haymarket. The pavilion, which will accommodate at least 10,000 persons, is an unusually fine structure, having one great advantage over the majority of pavilions, that of being under a. permanent slate ruof. Messrs. Parry and Rocke,of Swansea, will erect a magnificent arch of wool at the entrance to the pavilion. Arrangements for the supply of refresh- ments will be concluded in the course of a day or two. On each and every day of the Eisteddfod there will be one attraction that will stand out prominently in front of all others, so that the in- terest will not flag during any period. The prin- cipal attraction at the Eisteddfod on Monday will be a grand brass band contest, and a similar feature will mark the gathering on Saturday. Many of the most renowned Yorkshire and Lanca- shire bands have entered these competitions, for which prizes to the total value of JB150 will be given. On Tuesday the great event of the week in the musical department will take place, namely, the choral competition for a prize of two hundred guineas and a gold medal. This day will be observed as a general holiday throughout Carnar- vonshire and Shropshire, as choirs from these counties are in the competition. As at Cardiff. Sir George Macfarren will be the principal adjudicator, and he will receive the assistance of Dr. Parry, Mr. John Thomas (" Pencerdd Gwalia"), and Mr. David Jenkins, Mus. Bac., Cantab, of Aberystwith. On Wednesday the competition for the prize of £50 for choirs from all parts of the country will take place, and it is sure to evoke a great deal of interest amongst the popu- lace in the Midlands, as I understand that one or t.wo choirs from Birmingham and surrounding dis- trict have entered. The only choir from South Wales taking part in this competition will be the Morlais Choral Society, from Dowlais. On Thurs- day the great competition for the prize of eighty guineas will take place, and the occasion is the inly one during which the battle of North v, South can be fought out, and the encounter is sure to be a severe one. Friday will decide which choir of male voices is entitled to be regarded as the" champion." The contest will be an exceedingly interesting one, as up to Monday last no fewer than eleven choirs had entered, and there were two or three others expected to follow their example. In the above short sketch I have altogether omitted to mention the literary and other competi- tions. The secretary informs me that he expects five choirs in the principal competition, but up to Monday four only had entered. The second choral competition will be made interesting by the presence of, I believe, ten choirs, though up to the same date six only had entered. The other entries in the musical competitions are as follow :—Third choral competition (to be decided on Wednesday), 5; male voice competition (on as above stated), 11; duet for tenor and bass, 6; soprano solo, 17 contralto solo, 6; tenor solo, 12; bass solo, 15 pianoforte solo for seniors, 14 ditto for juniors, 12; ditto for children under twelve years, 6 (of whom two are from Dowlais). These figures do not, however, constitute the total number of com- petitors on the subjects named, as the entries did not close for two days after the information was iriven to me. Of the number of entries received in connection with the literary section I can speak more definitely. As before stated, thirteen com- positions on Gwilym Hiraethog (the chair com- petition) have been received, whereas the usual number is about six. For the prize of £20 for the best pryddest on Aipht" (Egypt) seven entries have been sent in; seven for the Rhinnget dd; eleven Mono- logues (Myfvrdaith) sixteen for the cywydd on the Storm ten for the best desgrifgan (de- scriptive song) on the "Bell ten for Cadwen o ddeuddeg o englynion; 272 englynion; eleven translations of King Lear" into Welsh, the prize being ten guineas; 40 translations of Dr. Rees's penillion into English; tour translations of 40 Latin hymns (prize given by the Rev. Arthur Jones, Cardiff) thirteen translations of the" Al- cestis" of Euripides into Welsh, for which the Marquess of Bute has offered a prize of £50; eleven entries hive been received for the essay on "The Influence of the Welsh on the formation of the British Constitution" six for the Essay on the Philosophy of Hegel"; 23 on the "Collection of Welsh Proverbs" (these form a gross weight, of upwards of a hundredweight); 28 for the Essay on Commercial Integrity"; and six for the Handbook of Welsh History for use in Day Schools." In addition to the above, the secre- tary has received a number of compositions on every suhject given for competition with the ex- ception of one. This gratifying result speaks well for the ability and thorough knowledge possessed by the committee, who have received considerably more than 500 compositions in the literary section alone. In the art section, also, there are a goodly num- ber of competitors, and lam informed that an exhibition will be held in a central part of the to n at which all the contributions will be on view. It is as yet impossible to give the real number of entries received in this department, as contributions will be received up to Monday next. Among those sent in are a number of paintings in oil and water colours, sculpture, drawings, carvings, art needlework, cloth weaving, &c., every specimen of which is reported to be ex- cellent. This, then, is a brief stretch of the Eis- teddfod pure and simple, and it will be as well for me before closing to write a short summary of what attractions the committee have provided for the entertainment of the people during the even- ¡ ings of the week. Although the inhabitants of Liverpool have seen and taken part in many im- portant gatherings, still I think the Welsh National Eisteddfod of 1884 wiil be the greatest, the best, and the most magnificent-a. gathering not held merely tor amusement, but for amusement commingled with instruction. There will be a musical entertainment of a very high order every evening during the week, consisting of three mis- cellaneous concerts, on Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday respectively. On Wednesday Men- delssohn's Elijah" will bo performed, and Handel's "Israel in Egypt" on Friday. The choruses will be rendered by the Liverpool Phil- harmonic Chora) Society, whose services have been engaged at a cost of £100 per evening, while tha solos will be divided among Madame Edith Wynne, Miss Mary Davies, Miss Eleanor Rees, Messrs. Edward Lloyd, Hirwen Jones, Ben Davies, Dyfed Lewis, — Ludwig, James Sauvage, and Lucas Williams. The orchestral work will be ren- dered by a picked band of 63 performers, taken from Halle's, De Jong's. the Italian Opera, and other equally efficient sources, the whole being under the conductorship of Signor Randegger. On Thurs- day evening Dr. Parry's sacred cantata entitled Nebuchadnezzar" will be performed for the first time. This composition ill very highly spoken of by those who have been so fortunate as to see it. The choruses will be entrusted to the members of the Liverpool Cambrian Choral Society, while the soios and the orchestral passages will be executed by the same artistes as will take part in the two ora- torios, the whole being under the baton of the composer himself.

LATEST NEWS. THE CHOLERA. t" CENTRAL NEWS" TELEGRAM.] MARSEILLES, AUG. 21.—Only one death from cholera was registered here last night, and it is hoped that, so far as Marseilles is concerned, the days of the scourge are numbered. It has been flickering spasmodically for some weeks now, but it would be rash to prophesy its immediate ex- tinction. Be that as it may, public confidence is being gradually restored, and the Cauaebiere is assuming its habitual gaiety of aspect.

FRANCE AND CHINA. ["CENTRAL NEWS" TELEGRAM.] PARTS, AUG. 21.—I learn that there is no pros- pect of the Chinese Government paying any- thing whatever in the nature of an indemnity for the expenses of the French forces involved in the Langson incident, China holding that she was in no way responsible for what occurred. The Chinese Legation in Paris is on the point of leav- ing, and as this must be followed by the recall of the French representative in Pekin, matters will soon be beyond the power of diplomacy unless, indeed, M. Ferry should at the last moment accept the proffered mediation of the United States.

MR. GLADSTONE IN MIDLOTHIAN. At a meeting of the executive of the Midlothian Liberal Committee at Edinburgh on Thursday it was decided that the first of Mr. Gladstone's meet- ings should be held in the Corn Exchange on the 30th inst. at five o'clock, and that the second meeting should be held on September 1 at six o'clock, Lord Stair, chairman of the Scottish Liberal Association, presiding at the latter. It was stated at a Liberal meeting in Glasgow on Thursday that upwards of 50,000 men would attend the Franchise demonstra- tion there on September 6, and that the procession would be six miles long, being headed by several hundred carters on horseback.

THE LOSS OF LIFE AT SEA. OFFICIAL REFUTATION OF MR. CHAMBER- LAIN'S STATEMENTS. In commenting upon the return of loss of life from British ships which has just been issued by Sir Thomas Farrer, the St. James's Gazettt say a to those who can see behind the scenes these figures offer an interesting study. Mr. Chamber- lain declared with pert precision that the loss of life would certainly increase in the future. The figures published prove, in spite of the despairing explanations of Sir T. Farrer, that Mr. Chamber- lain's statement was reckless and unfounded. Take a few illustrations. In 1883 the number of steam and sailing vessels that foundered or were re- ported missing was 197; in 1874 the number was 224. In 1882 the total number of lives lost was 2,885; in 1874 the number was 4,171 in 1873 the number was 4,279; in 1872 it was 3,533; in 1876 it was 3,163; in 1880 it was 3,071. Everyone can see that, instead of a serious increase of loss, there has been a marked decrease. Let it be remembered that in 1882 there was a tremendous gale in February, and another in March; the North Sea fishing smacks, which are the finest sea-boats in the world, were simply smothered" by the weight of the sea; yet, in spite of this exceptional severity of the weather, the casualties for the year were less in number by 1,094 than for the year 1881. Again in 1882 the proportion of lives lost by drowning or accident was one in 75 in 1881 it was one in 56 in 1874 it was one in 61; in 1873 it was one in 71; in 1872 it was one in 64. Where does the startling increase come in ? We are only taking the figures put down for us by Mr. Chamberlain's advisers, and we quite fail to see what possible grounds the President of the Board of Trade had for asserting to the whole country that the evi- dence in his possession led him to expect an in- crease in the loss of life. The House cf Commons and the Birmingham audience were asked to accept a most grave statement, and they were told that Mr. Chamberlain could prove his words. After all the loud talk, and all the bad blood, and all th0 waste of time, we are presented with the facts, and we find that a more inconsiderate and culpable statement was never made by a responsible Mini- ster. Mr. Chamberlain's assertion really meant. The shipowners are growing more and more callous. You must assist me in putting a check on them, or they will go from bad to worse." The claptrap appeal was believed to be genuine by the ignorant classes, and there is nO knowing what mischief has been done among people who will never see the dry little return which has been extracted from the Board of Trade by the persistent energy of Norwood. Of course there are shipowners who buy ramshackle iron tubs and run risks by sending them to sea with such cargoes as ore, iron ral); and patent fuel; there are builders, too, who Put in rivets that jump out like starting buttons when the ship strains herself across a sea; but no in England can name ten of such owners ana builders. The special correspondent of the dard, who lately investigated the matter, declare** that after twenty years spent among sailors he not heard of six men who could be suspected o wilfully endangering the lives of seamen for gal°* In the face of such evidence, and in the face of 'l'9 own returns, it will be hard for Mr. to renew his attack on the character of the body of shipowners.

EXTRAORDINARY ACCIDENT TO A WELSH TOURIST IN IRELAND. On Wednesday afternoon, while on the outward journey from Portrush to Giant's Causeway, one o the trams forming the electric train left the rø. A gentleman from Wales, in the act of jump,t'o from the car, stepped on the electric conductor and was thrown to the ground with muc force, and was for some time rendered insensIble.

DETERMINED SUICIDE OF AN OLD LADY AT LYDNEY. A determined act of suicide was committed °: Wednesday hy an old widow lady 65 ycars of ag named Buckingham, who lived with her sister Mrs. J. Long, at AllastMi Farm, near Lydney. had her luncheon as usual in the morning, shortly afterwards left the house ostensibly to t* a short walk, as she was accustomed to do. As8'^ did not return just before dinner time, Mrs. 1j0° sent the servant girl in search of her, but she r- turned stating that the old lady could not be see Shortly afterwards Mr. Long had occasion to out into an orchard adjoining the house to 1° after some sheep, when he found the c'ecea'S<|,er cap and apron on the banks of a pool in the c0^j>a of the orchard, and then discovered the body in the water. He immediately got life was extinct, and round the neck of the un j0 tunate woman was tied a piece of iron, whilst of the pocket of her dress were found two pie6 tlf brick and pebble stones. Deceased was hb ed depressed at times, but no motive can be assIgn for the rash act.

THE DALSTON MURDER. At Bow-street Police Court, London, on Th day, Thomas Henry Or rock was brought up _IJ" 0) a writ of habeas corpus from Coldbath Fields Pl and charged with the murder of George constable, on the 1st of December, 1882. charged prisoner described himself as a r maker, aged 21. He has been undergoing ,jDI} months' imprisonment for burglary. Mr. £ prosecuted, and said he was insrructed by Public Prosecutor to prefer the charge against the prisoner. The deceased man jDg on duty in Ashwin-street, Dalston, on the eoUripg of the date named,and there saw a man endeaJ'aeeCb' to enter the Baptist Chapel at the corner or street and Ashwin-street. The constable him, and a struggle occurred, in which^ f°u were fired, two striking the adjoining housj the constable's truncheon, and the fourth behind the constable's ear. The officer 'WaerØØI1 in the gutter, and afterwards died at the Hospital. A chisel found on the spot had Rock scratched on the blade, further exam showing the letter O had been also marke colP' tool, but had been partially erased. oge panions of the prisoner would nig1^ being in the prisoner's company that t and two women would swear to ^ol^j shots fired, while the purchase of nf°v0-n and lamp used by the prisoner would ^l10'. Witnesses were then examined, several >yt)0pr heard shots and saw a man running awa^'a,e soner's sister, Mrs. Beer, said the priso ner<^ torP' on the night in question with his clothe pris°pt0 explained that he had been fighting. g was a frequenter of chapel, and a oel. T named married a girl of the same c parch associates of the prisoner deposed to tn be of the lamp and revolver, and said the^eanC0 bound to secrecy through fear of eyid^ from the other. Other cireumstant from the other. Other cireumstant having been given, the prisoner was re