The Cardiff Times

LOCAL TAXATION. AMOM; the subjects at present calling for legislation and engrossing public attention,. local taxation is by no means the least. It is becoming generally felt it is a gross in- justice to owners and occupiers of houses and land and that the incidence of local taxation ahould fall almost entirely upon them, to the exemption of owners of real property. Boards of Guardians, Local Boards, Town Councils, and other local authorities all over the country, have had the subject before them, and judging by the letter of MrGLAD- stone. published this week, we may ere long hope for some reform of the law in this respect. Mr GLADSTONE states that the sub- ject of local taxation is now receiving the careful consideration of Her MAJESTY'S Government; that they are desirous of giving to that con- sideration a practical character, and that the views expressed in a memoral which had been sent to him, complaining of the injustice of the present law, would not fail to receive due attention. And speaking to the farmers on his estate at Hawarden, on Thursday, the PREMIER said that Government most desired that local ratepayers should have the means of con- trolling local expenditure quite independently of the sources from which the local taxes are raised, and that the law should be ar- ranged so as to give no temptation to waste, but that every inducement to economise should be gi/en. The assessment of owners of personal property for the payment of local rates, by greatly enlarging the rateable value of a parish, would reduce the rate in the £ and there is no doubt that everybody, save the owners of personal property who were newly rated, would benefit by the change in the law. A far larger and wider scheme than this has been mooted, viz., that all local taxation shall be merged into im- perial taxation; that the State shall take into its fatherly care the administration of the Poor law, and the Education Acts the control of the police, the roads, and all other public charges which are paid for by local taxes. There seems some little hope of such a measure of reform, for Mr GLADSTONE, on Thursday, said it was a very important question whether and in what form local taxpayers are to receive fur- ther assistance from imperial taxes. He said we received a good deal of assistance now, but in a bad form. The grants from the Exchequer in aid of the lice and poor-rate expenditure were given in a form as in gene- ral did not contribute to economy. And in considering these remarks we must not for- get that ten years ago no one could have imagined that Government would ever under- take the control of the prisons of the country- It is too much to hope that such a sweeping measure of reform as the payment of all local rates by the Exchequer can be at- tained at present, and we must there- fore be content if we can accomplish a more moderate and limited scheme, and procure such an alteration in the law as will reduce the burdens of local taxation, which is now felt to be so heavy. The great injustice of the law at present in force is strikingly shown in the case of the lessors of mineral property. At the Merthyr Board of Guardians on Saturday last, Mr. D. E. WIL- LIAMS drew attention to this subject in a speech so replete with fact and argument that it ought to have been sufficient to convince every member present. He expressed his desire that the names of the lessors of mine- rals should appear on the rate book, in order that they might contribute their quota to- wards the local burdens. He showed that the total amount of royalties paid to the lessors of minerals in the Mer- thyr Union in 1880 was nearly j3150,000, and that in return for this, nothing was done by the lessors for the benefit of the community living in the district whence this money was derived. Mr WILLIAMS argued that the receivers of this large amount ought to be rated therefor, the same as another man for his house. He instanced the case of a poor but thrifty collier, who saved JS50 or £60, and in order to build himself a house, had to borrow an equal amount. When the house had been erected, the owner was called upon to pay all the rates to the utmost farthing; whilst those who took the B150,000 from the union paid nothing at all. They had done nothing for the neighbourhood wherein they had received that large amount. There had been no institution- hospital, asylum, orphanage, or ragged school, built by them, either individually or collectively. As, an even stronger argu- ment in favour of the motion he intended to make—that a petition be forwarded to Par- liament for a more equal distribution of taxation, especially in respect to minerals— Mr WILLIAMS remarked that they were living in the midst of tfce coal district, and depended principally upon coal. When the upper veins become exhausted, and the quantity of coal raised is thereby largely reduced, whence will the rates be derived necessary to carry on the local government of such a union as Mer- thyr ? The rate in the £ will then, if the law remains in its present state, spring up to an amount that would mean absolute ruin to many people, especially the trades- men. For this reason Mr WILLIAMS argued that the law ought to be so altered now as to make the lessor liable for a portion of the rates, whilst the royalties are great. If we understand Mr WILLIAMS' intention aright, he would have the royalties liable to assess- ment for local rates in the same way and to the same extent as the owner or occupier of a house is assessed. But, with that obtuse- ness which usually characterises him, the Chairman of the Merthyr Guardians could not, or would not, see the drift of Mr WILLIAMS' argument. He declared that he really did not see why they should wish to divide the rating between the owner and the tenant, as the latter would no doubt protect himself before he took his lease. Before they could do this the lease must be annulled, because it said that the lessee must pay all rates and; taxes, Parliamentary or otherwise and an Act of Parliament must be obtained before they could deprive a landlord of his lease." Mr RHYS further showed his inability. to understand the premisses put forward by Mr WILLIAMS by talking of taking money out of Lord BUTE'S pocket and putting it into the pockets of the Dowlais and other companies the desire of Mr WILLIAMS being not that the rates at present paid by the owners of the collieries should be equally divided between the lessors and lessees of such collieries, but to relieve the ratepayers generally by obtaining the passing of an Act of Parliament to compel the lessors to contribute additionally towards the local rates. A majority of the Merthyr Board of Guardians showed what is their idea of guarding the interests of the ratepayers by throwing out the motion of Mr WILLIAMS. But the opinion of those gentle- men will not stop the agitation in favour of an alteration in the law regulating local tax- ation. It is one of the reforms that will shortly be dealt with by the Government of Mr GLADSTONE, and there are more Boards of Guardians besides that at Merthyr, Boards whose members agree with Mr D. E. WILLIAMS in thinking that gentlemen who de- rive handsome incomes from mineral royalties should bear their share of the burden of local rates. The decision arrived at by the Merthyr Board will not stop nor delay the remedy of the evil we have shown to exist but it will sorve to show that many members of the Board—those who voted against the motion—are not animated by a true desire to serve the interests of those who elected them.

THE NEW RULES FOR PAR- LIAMENTARY PROCEDURE. The Press Association" is iufornied that con- siderable time was devoted at the receut Cabinet Council to th9 consideration of the proposed new rules for Parliamentary procedure, aud that they formed the subject of a lengthy discussion. The m:cs submitted have been finally adopted by the Cabinet, and are now being drafted for presenta- tion to the House. We understand that the rules, if adopted, will greatly increase the power vested in the Speaker, will curtail the length of debates by limiting the number of speakers, and will enable the Government to have a greater and better defined co-omand over the time of the HOUäC1..

On Thursday night a labourer, named Carter, threw himself out of his badro.om window at Old- ham, because he had tie mousy wherewith to pay bis iodgi died a few minutes later.

LONDON CORRESPONDENCE. THE CABINET COUSCILS-TUE STRENGTH OF UNITY —EGYPT—THE CLOTCEE—FAKCr MAJORITIES— AN AMENDMENT FROM THE FRONT BENCH- THE LESSONS OF EXPRRIENCE—MINORITY Oil MAJORITY ?—THE CONDITION OF IRELAND- LANDLORDS, TENANTS, AND JURORS—THE ALIIAMBRA — THE NEW LORD JUSTICE OF APPEAL "MY TAME HIPPOPOTAMUS !"—AT MINTON's—THE QUEEN'S PLATES—TIIE PRINCE OF WALES'S CUPS—THE PRINCESS'S CAT-£300 FOR A DINNER PLATE. LONDON, FRIDAY MORNING. The critical Cabinet Councils of the recess are now over, and Ministers have again returned to such leisure as they find in their homes. The meetings were not very frequent, nor were they protracted, signs which indicate to the anxious outsiders that things are going on smoothly. On this point I believe there is no doubt. There have been times since the Duke of Argyll left the Cabinet when difference of opinion on the ques- tion of coercion have threatened a split. But these have been overcome, and just now the Cabinet is not only agreed in approving the conduct of the executive in Ireland, but is at one in the opinion that it is doing the best thing to be dona—much better than either of the two extreme courses which, at the earlier stage, found advocates in the council. Gradually, but perceptibly, law is getting the upper hand of disorder in Ireland. The Land Courts are busy at work, and their decisions are meeting with the full measure of approbation it is reasonable to effect in the circumstances. There will be no fresh creation of coercive powers; but what measure has already been authorised will be applied with increasing firmness till the struggle shall be over. Another matter which occupied the attention of the Cabinet was, of course, Egypt. The Porte has recently made significant indications of a desire to meddle more directly in1 the affairs of what is only nominally ft suzerainty. The mere audacity of the endeavour is sufficient to create in some quarters a suspicion that there is more in this than meets the eye, and that 1 gome one of the chronic mischief makers of Europe sre plaving their game through the unconscious Sultan. However this may be, it has been thought desirable to drop a gentle hint in the shape of a. joint note, signed by England and France, that such things are not to be permitted. We are yet so near the Jingo epoch, that this diplomatic movement has raised an alarm of joint occupation, and it has even been settled in some quarters that our old friends the Indian troops are to be brought over to settle this matter. That is, however, the merest moonshine. The Joint Note is not nearly so truculent an affair as it has been represented, yet it will do the work without the aid of military force. One other thinsr, perhaps the principle one, that occupied the attention of the Cabinet Council, was the question of Parliamentary procedure. A scheme for the reform of business procedure in the House has beep. practically agreed to. I am glad to know this includes not only the adoption of the cl6ture, but its introduction on the only basis by which it can be of practical use, that is, vesting the power of declaring it m the bare majority of the House. Writing on this subject last week, and believing that at the then forthcoming Cabinet Council the principle would be adopted, I did not dare to hope for more than that some exceptional majority—such as three- fourths—would be adopted. That would have been better than nothing; but it is not nearly so good as the form pure and simple which I believe Par- liament will be asked to approve. There is a great deal of nonsense talked on this subject which finds support in the exceptional circumstance that the thing comes to us under a foreign name. Mr. Gladstone is fond of finding new names for old things upon which he proposes to legislate. Thus last year, when he came to deal with the succession duties,heinsisted upon calling them "death duties. That was not a brilliant success. But it would be well worth his while tc devote some considera- tion to the suggestion of an English word of two syllables if possible, that will stand in the place of cloture. It would remove an astonishing amount of prejudice. It is already understood that when the proposal of the cloture is moved it will be met by an amendment by Sir Stafford Northcote proposing to handicap it by its necessity of a fancy major- ity. This will be resisted, and beyond doubt successfully. The Government had enough last session of fancy majorities. Whilst still feeling their way towards grappling with obstruction they proposed that urgency might be declared on the vote of the majority of two-thirds in a Housa of not less than three hundred. The result was to deliver themselves over bound hand and foot to the minority. When Supply was deliberately obstructed, and they desired to declare urgency, the Conservatives de- clined to approve the proposal, and without their consent of course nothing could be done. Somebody must rule in a legislative assembly, either the majority or the minority. In this case it was the minority who controlled events, and I suppose no one will say that they have more right to that privilege than the majority. As knowing something of the affairs in Parliament, and having witnessed all the" scsnes "since obstruction1 first raised its head, I have no hesitation in declaring my opinion that the establishment of the cloture will be the death of obstruction, whilst it will not place at the slightest disadvantage the legitimate and bona fide expression of the views of the minority, however small or however unpopular. Obstruction will be beateu without making the cldture a familiar portion of parliamentary procedure. The mere knowledge that it exists and can at any time be invoked to stop obstruction will do the work. I have had a conversation with a gentloman just returned from Ireland, where he has had many opportunities of noting the progress of events. He tells me that the state of the country is much better that it would appear from the daily column or half-column in the newspapers which report outrages. These are bad enough but they are not a fair representation of the general state of the country. There is more than a shrewd suspicion that a great many of the outrages have their birth in other than agrarian discontent. Mr Forster's dissolute ruffians" have not been slow to find in the condition of affairs an opportunity for plying their trade. What is reported as a Afresh agrarian outrage" is not unfrequently flat bur- glary, the thieves sheltering themselves under the sufficiently broad banner of the League. Another fact, of which no note is taken by the newspapers, is that a very large number of landowners are 1 settling with their tenants out of court. This, in addition to partially relieving the courts from the press of work, is desirable as precluding that state of feeling between landlord and tenant which cannot fail to follow upon litigation. Lastly, but not least, is the fact previously noted, which is daily growing in prominence, juries are doing their duty, and that L'3J perhaps, the best sign of all. I went last night to the Alhambra, and found the place so changed that I scarcely knew where I wa3. They have pushed the stage for- ward, which is certainly an immense improvement, so that you not only see better, but hear better. The Black Crook is an old favourite on these boards, and I think it was in his pathetic search after his little brother," that Mr Harry Poul- ton first showed himself to be the excellent low comedian which he is now admitted to be. I am talking of years ago. Kate Santley then sang "Nobody knows as I knows." Lizzie Coote sings it better now, and certainly manages to look more arch and seductive. But the ballets are simply magnificent. They always were on a grand scale at the Alhambra, but what is now notice- able is not merely the brilliancy, but the beauty of the dressos. They really are artistic '!• I do not know whether Mr Oscar Wilde lias seen them. • Everyone will be glad of the appointment of Sir John Holker to the vacancy in the Court of Appeal. There is a general proposition that judicial appointments ought to be made irrespec- tive of party feeling: but as a rule each party, when it gets into power, likes to reward its own followers. It often happens that a Tory Chancel- lor has given a judgeship to a Whig Q.C., and the reverse has also happened. But I cannot recall an instance of a Lord-Chancellor giving a high judicial appointment to an ex-Attorney-General. There is something quite heroic about it. Sir John was not a neutral or pale-coloured politician. He always stood by his party and by his chief. My tame hippopota- mus," said Lord Beaconsfield of him, when the Prime Minister was still in the Commons—" My tame hippopotamus! whenever I like round, I hear his friendly grunt Sir John Holker had the rare good fortune of being able to fill the post to w hich he was called. He was well known as a patient lawyer before he became one of the law officers of the Crown, and his appointment led to some surprise. He owed his post—it was said- not to his own strength, but to the weakness of his competitors. But tho moment he became Attorney-General, his great legal ability was con- fessed. The public did -cot think much of liirn, but the judges did, and juries did. One judge, promoted to the common law bench from the equity bar, said, after going his first circuit, that Holker': success with juries was quite uncanny— he got what verdicts he liked. Being at the Potteries the other day, I was glad to accept an opportunity of going ovor Minton's famous works. They are busier than ever, and are doing ilomeexceptionally fine work just j now. Among other things of note is the making up of the Queen's dinner service. This is always of one pattern, gorgeous rather than good, I thought, with a great V.R. sprawling in a tur- .quoisesea. As soon as the stock in the Royal pantry gets low, an order comes to Minton's, and so many plates and dishes are turned out. There were some cups and saucers in hand for the Prince of Wales, plain white, of curiously roomy shape, and displaying to great advantage the princely feathers. The Princess was represented by her white cat, to which she is tenderly attached. When her likeness was taken recently, the white cat was introduced; Minton's got a copy of the picture, and have reproduced the cat in pottery, with great success. I saw a dinner service being made for America which exceeds in costliness and beauty those off which our guests at Windsor Castle eat their food. The plates were invoiced at £3 10s each. They were in various patterns for successive courses, the soup having its patterns and colours, the fish its own, the entrees theirs, and so 011 to the end. Of course,.the dessert were of a different kind, and even exceeded these in splendour. The set was prepared for 12 persons. If we reckon six courses we shall get an idea. of what this set would cost. It is fortunate that in these days dishes are not forth on thi table, and a service begins and ends with the plate, otherwise a man might ruin himself in crockery. I was told the Americans are the most lavish customers, sparing no money to obtain plates more gorgeous than their neighbours. £3 10s for a simple dinner plate is, however, not the maximum price. I saw one single plate valued at £300 This is one of a set belonging to the Empress Catherine of Russia, and has been secured by Minton's as a pattern which they reproduced to the slightest shade of colour.

THE WREClT lN STr BRIDE S BAY. There has lately been picked up at or near Freshwater Day, in the parish of Angle, near Pembroke, several casks of oil, which have been duly handed to the deputy-receiver of wrecks (Mr George Young, Hubberston) and on Thurs- day a cigar case, containing a captain's certificate, bearing the namo Frederick Wallbridge," three photographs, and an envelope with an address partially visible, the legible words being "Thomas Vaughan." It is supposed that the articles be- longed to the steamer lately sunk in the Jack's Sound." The case has also been duly delivered to the receiver of wrecks.

A CARDIFF DIVORCE CASE. In the Probate and Divorce Division of the High Court of Justice, on Thursday, the Right Hon. the president (Sir James Hannen) had before him the local suit of Cranston v. Cranston, which was the petition of Catherine Crauston for a dissolu- tion of her marriage by reason of the respondent's adultery and cruelty. The case was undefended. Mr Jeffrey appeared in support of the petitioilv Mrs Catherine Cranston, sworn, said I was married to Thomas William Cranston on the 23rd September, 1875, at St. Mary's Church, Cardiff. After the marriage I lived with my husband in Bertram-street, Cardiff, for about two months. We next went to live at the Moira Hotel, and since then we have lived together at different places in Cardiff. At the end of three months after the marriage the respondent began to ill-use me. This was at the Moira Hotel. On one occa- sion he came home very late, and knocked me downstairs. I was so injured by the fall that I was compelled to keep my bed for about tliree weeks afterwards. At the Broadway Villa he once endeavoured to choke me; and he has kept me without food. On another occasion he turned me out of the house; and on another he threatened to shoot, me with a gun he held in his hand. I immediately ran out of my house and took refuge in the house of my father, who was living next door. I asked my father to allow his servant to sleep with me the same night for protection. The name of the servant was Martha Harris, and she slept with me that night. We barricaded the door, which prevented the respondent coming into the room that night. I shortly afterwards heard that my husband had been unfaithful to me, and I then left him, and instituted the present pro- t codings. Evidence as to the respondent's adultery having been called, Daniel Lewis, the father of the petitioner, gave corroborative evidence as to his daughter seeking refuge in his house in consequence of the re- spondent's threat to shoot her. He went into the respondent's house on that occasion and saw the gun. The next morning he went again into the house, and after removing the gun, discharged the barrels. That night his servant Martha slept ✓with his daughter for protection. Martha Harris, servant to last witness, having given corroborative evidence as to sleeping with the petitioner. Sir James Hannen pronounced a decree nisi, with costs, directing the petitioner to have the custody of the child, the issue of the union.

ANNUAL DINNER TO THE CARDIFF POLICE. The annual dinner given by the Mayor to the Cardiff police took place on Thursday evening, at the Philharmonic Restaurant. The head con- stable presided, and was supported by the Mayor (Mr A. Thomas) and the Town Clerk (Mr Wheatley), Inspectors Wallbridge, Lewis, James, and Harris. The whole of the members of the fire brigade, with the engineers, Mr Davies and ? Mr Geeu, and one half of the police force were present. The remainder of the police force will have their dinner at the same place this evening. The dinner, was a remarkably good- one, and all present thoroughly enjoyed It. The loyal toasts having been dis- posed of, the chairman gave the Health of the mayor," and referred to his liberality in spon- taneously inviting them to a dinner, a liberality which has been manifested in other way6 in providing a Christmas dinner to the poor, and in offering tl) contribute so liberally towards the erection of a University College for Wales. The Mayor, who was loudly applauded in responding to the toast, remarked that he did not know of any body of men whose services deserved more sympathy and respect than those of the police force. The skilful and careful performance of the duties which they were frequently called upon to discharge brought into play qualities which were not often found in com- bination In referring to the head constable, of whom he spoke very highly, he remarked that he believed there had only been two thoroughly efficient men in Cardiff filling that position—one was the late Mr Superintendent Stockdale, and ,the other the present head constable, Mr Hem- ingway. (Loud applause.) The Chairman then asked the mayor to present to Inspeotor Williams a silver lever watch, which had been subscribed for by the men in the force, on his retiring from the service. He (the head constable) had previously had the pleasure of presenting Mr Williams with an illuminated address, and a purse containing J340, contributed by the inhabitants of Roath, as an expression of their appreciation of the manner in which he had discharged the duties falling upon him as the inspector of the Roath division. The mayor, in making the presentation, said that he had known Mr Williams for over 20 years, and always con- sidered him most deserving of the respect and esteem in which he was universally held. The watch committee, in granting him his superannua- tion allowance, had awarded him all that the law allowed1 them to do. Mr Williams thanked the mayor, and also thanked the head constable for the interest he had taken in his (Mr Williams's) welfare. As an old police officer lie called upon them to discharge their duty faithfully, and he was quite sure that the head constable would prove their best friend. The Chairman gave the health of the town clerk, and spoke of the great assistance he had given to the police on questions of law, and opinions ex- pressed by Mr Wheatley on difficult legal points had been, he found, subsequently endorsed by Her Majesty's judges. (Three cheers were given for Mr Wheatley.) Mr Wheatley, in replying, said that he knew of no town in the country where the police were so thorougly eili- cient in the discharge of their duties as at Cardiff. The evidence given by them in the police-court showed that great care had been taken m training them, and he had always the utmost confidence in the evidence given by the polico. He also referred to the fire brigade as the most efficient and 8martest body of meu he had known. The health of the Head Constable was proposed by the Mayor, and received with loud cheers. Other toasts were given and responded to. A string band played a selection of music at intervals during the evening, which was in every respect a very pleasant one. All the men were highly delighted with the evening's entertainment.

PUBLIC-HOUSE CENSUS AT BRISTOL. The temperance party at Bristol have taken a census of those who have entered public-houses on Saturday nights between the hours of seven and eleven. An enumerator was stationed outside each public-house, and for the purposes of enu- meration the city was divided into 50 districts. The result has been as follows .-—Total number of visitors, 104,557—54,074 being men, 36,803 women, and 13,415 children.

BRINKWORTH AND SON'S TRADE LIST.—The trade list of this eminent Reading firm of potato growers and importers, for the next season has been issued. It is a very handsomely printed and nicely got up pamphlet, of 32 quarto pages, with many woodcuts of their specialities in seed potatoes. In their preface to the pamphlet Messrs Brinkworth and Sons remark that the reports which have reached us from all quarters, both at home and abroad as to the result of the crops obtained from our selected seed have been most gratifying and encouraging. Potato crowing is now fully recognised as being one of the most profitable crops (when properly managed) the English fanner can grow, but to secure heavy crops, free from disease, it is ot the greatest im- portance not only to -change the seed every year, but to give the seed a change of soil; aud to meet this waut, we beg to draw particularatteution to the advantage we offer the grower iu this respect, inasmuch as we provide the very best selected tubers grown expressly from seed, not only in our own grounds, but in various parts of England, Scotland, France and Germany, uuder the super- vision of men who devote their whole time and energies to potato culture, whereby we are pre- pared to supply a thorough change of seeds to suit all soils, aud at prices that will compare most favourably with any other seedsmen in the king- dom." The list gives the prices of all the best seed potatoes, not only the specialities of Messrs Brinkworth, but of other emiueut growers. Farmers aud gardeners will do well to study this list before giving their orders for the ensuing' season, j

Mil. GLADSTONE WITH THE FARMERS SPEECH AT HAWARDEN. AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION THE RELATION BETWEEN LANDLORD & TENANT. THE TRANSFER OF LAND. LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE COUNTIES. LOCAL TAXATION. Mr Gladstone's rent audit was held at the Giyimc Arms Hotel, Hawarden, on Tuesday afternoon. The Premier had arranged to be pre- k sent, but in consequence of his detention in Lon- don over Tuesday, he requested that the usual dinner should be postponed until Thursday, when he intimatod that he would attend and address the tenantry on agricultural affairs. l The Premier, accompanied by Mr W. H. Glad- stone, entered the room at half-past two, and was cordially received. After dinner, Mr Glad- stone, who presided, responding to the toast of his health, proposed by Mr H. E. Taylor, said The Rector and Mr Taylor, my friends and gentlemen, I am particularly glad that the pres- sure of business has not rendered it impossible for me to meet you at a critical period-a period of the vrcatest anxiety to us all, for it has been well said that we have to a considerable extent joint interests, and we all of us have very im- portaut interests in the prosperty of the call- mg to which you are devoted. There is only one sentiment that has been de- livered by Mr Taylor in his most friendly speech from which I am compelled to dissent, aud from it I dissent very strongly indeed. But as it is entirely personal to myself, you will agree, I hope, that I am entitled to a considerable amount of liberty with regard to it, and that is the wish that he was so good as to express that I might continue for many years the post I now have the honour to hold. In that wish, gentle- men, I cannot join. It is a wish which, if I did entertain it, I feel convinced could not be grati- fied. It would be contrary to nature that a man who has been at work in public life for 50 years, and who has done as much hard work in public life as I have done, should be in a condition to expect the prolongation of the labour for any considerable time. But it is not a. subject on which it is becoming or necessary for me at present to dilate. I wish to look closely and exclusively at the immediate matters which must press now upon your minds as they press upon mine, and I will only postpone for one moment the little I have to say upon these matters by expressing my deep regret that my eldest son has not been able to preside over your meeting to-day" But you will agree with me that the cause of his absence is one which may do something to mitigate the regret which, I believe, we all feel for the fact itself. (Applause.) I hope, gentlemen, that the friendly,kindly connection which has subsisted for so many generations between yourselves and the body you represent on the one side and my wife's family on the other, may through the medium of my son and his descendants be prolonged formany generations more. (Applause.) I am quite sure you give us credit for entertaining such feelings in our relations to you, or in any of the other rela- tions of life where our power or capacity may be too limited to enable us to do what we wish to do. So far as will and invention, so far as sincere sympathy for you in your difficulties go, and the desire to fulfil our own duties to the best of our capacity, I believe your are as well persuaded of our enter- taining that desire as I am persuaded of it myself. (Applause.) Now, gentlemen, you have passed through a period of very severe trial; I may, aud perhaps ought to say, you are still passing through it. But even the past maybe described—if it were to be changed at once into the greatest prosperity as a period of very severe trial. It is now about 40 years since I first hegan to attend these dinners, and cer- tainly I have seen many changes in that time. The nrst of these years were years of very con- siderable trial and pressure, and they followed or accompanied the introduction of the legislation known as free trade legislation. All those years, which were marked by some severity in the sea- son, and by some other trying circumstances, were followed by a quarter of a century which, as far as I know, was a period of greater and more general prosperity to agriculture than was known in this country for a long time before. The test of the prosperity was to be found in this — that almost every article of agricultural produce went up greatly in prices. Of that there is no doubt whatever. Wheat, of course, being of great importance here, is an ex- ception, but still there has been no very great fall in the price of wheat. Other produce—barley and oats, meat, wool, butter, and almost every- thing else that the farmer is interested in—went up ill price, and went up in price in a manner which showed that it would not go down again to former levels. And even in this period of distress, if we take that as an example, a period during which a great deal of pressure has been felt. The prices for which stock has been sold, and the prioea which the butcher has obtained for his meat, have been, I believe, very much higher than they used to be 40, 50, or 60 years ago. I hope, gentlemen, that these facts are quite suffi- cient to arm you against a delusion that is attempted to be pressed upon the agriculturists of this country by some persons who ought to know better, when they have endeavoured to teach you that you ought to look for the improvement in your condition to the restoration of what is called protection. Now, gentlemen, I have placed in your view this fact that, as I have said, wheat in the average fetched a very few shillings per quarter more in the time of protection than in the time of free trade, and every article which is of the smallest consequence to agricultural production has fetched much better prices--8teadily, solidly higher prices —since freedom of trade was introduced than under the old system, when prices were kept up by refusing admission into this country of the food upon which the people have to depend. Now, by a system of perfectly equal justice we are under no impediment as offered to the introduction of provisions from all parts of the world, with this result—that the trade of the country has been increased five-fold, that the population of the country hu increased with great rapidity, and that it is not only a larger population,but a much richer populatioll,and that being a much richer population it has had a great deal more to spend in agricultural products, and in consequence of there being more buvers for every article, it has been possible to sell more of the articles, and to get a great deal more for them. (Hear, hear.) Do not therefore suppose, gentlemen, that it is to that quarter you are to look for any improvement in your condition. But I may sav that I think and believe most of the farmers of this country are a great deal too rational, too sensible—as they have proved themselves during the trying period through which we have passed—to be likely or liable to share any of the gross delusions—I might say impostures, except that I don't wish to use a word which to some people may seem harsh—which soma political charlatans wish to make appear M if they were remedies for the really very serious evils from which you have suffered. Gentlemen, the evils from which vou have suffered are due to bad seasons and bad trade. The bad seasons with which it has pleased the Almighty to visit us have caused you great loss. For while the demand has been much the same] the quality of your crops has been depreciated] and you have had less produce to dis- pose of, while the bad trade of the country has taken away, to a considerable extent, the means of those who ought to have purchased vour produce, and therefore you have at once taken a diminished quantity to market, and have had to accept a diminished price. (Hear, hear.) That is the fact which we have all had before us, and which we so much lament. Now it has been well ."aid that we have no reason to suppose that the climate of the country or the soil of the country are likely to be in a worse con- dition than they have been. Ifca may be the prosperity of the country required the chastening hand of Providence to bo inflicted, and that we should be taught to suffer and struggle, so that we may not be too proud of that great power and wealth to which this country has attained. How- ever that may be, I am very glad to hear Mr Taylor say that he is disposed to look cheerfully forward to the future so far as those two great and main elements are concerned, the external elements affecting the farmer—the seasons which Providence may send us, and the condition of trade in the country, which makes your buyers wealthy, and enables them to purchase freely the produce which you offer. But it is also quite true that after a period of this kind.great benefit arises from the pressure that it puts upon you, and the causes it gives you to examine the ground and condition in which you stand. There is, in the first place, the question of rents. Well, gentlemen, I am aware that there has been no considerable increase of rent in this part of the country excepting in re- lation to the positive outlay upon tho soil or the buildings upon the farms. But that is a question which will probably find its own level, for it is evident that not only hero but all over the country, in the state of things which prevails now, that there are a number of vacant farms, and very few farmers offer to take them. It will be the farmer's own fault if lie offers an extravagant rent. (Laughter and applause.) It is not a very unfavourable position ui which he is placed as far as rent is concerned; but I am bound to bay, on the other hand, that I should thiuk that landlord an uucommonly clover fellow, who, under the circumstances that now exist, can contrive to get an excessive rent for his lands. For if there are such people, I don't kuow where they are to be found. Mr Taylor, and I agree with him in that, says that he hopes this matter will bo settled by the natural operation of supply and demand. (Hear, hear.) He has referred to the important Act of Parliament that has been passed for Ire- land, under which, as you know, it is in the power of the landlord or the tenant (except so far as he may be bound by the leases, and then it is not ill certain cases but, speaking generally) it is in the power of the holder—the landlord I or the agent—to refer the question of rent to the court. Well, that is a very remarkable and exceptional remedy for a very remarkable and exceptional state of things. I do I not at all believe that it is desired by the farmers any more than it is desired by the landlords of this country that any such course should deter- mine how much rent should be paid by one ti the other. (Applause.) We hope, gentlemen, that we may be able to manage these matters for ourselves, and we are perfectly aware that if we have to apply for aid wc must we have to apply for aid we must avail ourselves of a necessary profession for the purpose. The legal' profession must be paid for its trouble, and a ocrt-dn proportion of that which was to be the share of thereat received hy the landlord must nece.ssa.rily stick to the fingers of the profession in conducting operations. For the profession must live like any other, and a very honourable profession it is. But still, I do think we had rather not give them any trouble upon that score so long as we can avoid it. We shall, however, have to look to some questions of law, without doubt. I myself have spoken pretty freely upon these matters in other places, and need not dwell upon them longer here. Other changes will have to be made in the laws with regard to the position--I mean in matters that do not directly affect tenancy. The transfer of land ought to be a great deal more free Mid easy, and cheap and rapid than it is. (Applause.) Then land ought like- wise to be relieved from many restraints that affect it. But these are steps in which I believe the tenants have a very considerable interest. But still it is an interest less direct than the interest they feel in many matters which no,1.' prc.js upon their efforts. (Applaaso.) The relation of landlord and tenant is not sum- ciently provided for by law. (Applause.) An attempt was made—and I have no doubt it was very well meant—some j-ears ago, which resulted in what was called the Agricultural Holdings Act. That act excited no interest whatever in this part of the country. It was not found available for dealing in any satisfactory manner with the relations of landl>rd and tenant. I do not think it will be possible for me to enter into the details of this subject, but I ex press confidently this belief. that you will find no indisposition whatever on the part of the pre- sent Parliament to adopt the best, fullest, and most elective measures for securing the legiti- mate interests of the cultivators of the land. You know very well in this company that, so fitr as regards the reasonable permanency of tenure, there never has been any want, at least so far as my recollection goes back on these properties in giving leases to the tenants but there has been no general disposition to take them, and at pre- sent I do not suppose, under the existing state of agricultural relations, anyone is greatly looking for them. But whether it be by lease.?, or whether it be by security for the unexhausted improvompfnts of the tenant, or whether it be by any other means, I give a confident opinion that you wilt have nothing to complain of on the part of the existing parliament as to its willingness to do what is just and reasonable. (Applause.) There is a subject which must come before parliament in the session about to commence in which j-ou have a great interest, and that is local government laws have been made for local government upon representa- tive principles in towns and cities of the country, but they have not yet been made in the counties. (Hear, hear.) The desire of the present adminis- tration is to propose a thoroughly efficient measure of local government, which shall gi veto the in- habitants of the counties an effective power of controlling the county expenditure with the same principles of freedom and the representative gove.nment which belongs to our central legis- lature, and these principles shall be carried into effect nuder the local government of sanitary districts just as much as it is now in the cities of the country. (Applause.) There is another subject upon which you will no doubt wish to hear what I have to say. What is to be done for you with respect to assisting local taxation from imperial sources? We are most de- sirous that you should have, in the first place, the means of controlling local expenditure, and authority over the sources from which local taxes are raised; and that the rneaus should be so arranged as to give no tempta- tion to waste, but that you should have every inducement to economise the outlay of money. But it is a very important question, in what measure and what degree you may receive further assistance from the imperial exchequer. You receive a great deal of assistance now, but, in my opinion, in a bad form. The police of the country, the gaols of the country—these expendi- tures are borne either entirely, or in part, and some of the poor-law charges are borne either entirely, or in part, by the exchequer of the country but they are borne in such a way as in general not to contribute to economy, and to induce a great deal, and, as I think, probably too much, of central interfer- ence, or what is called centralisation in local government, and rather to draw us away from that old principle of English institutions which lies at the very root of them, namely, the urill- ciple that the local populations should have the management and control of local affairs. But apart from that, the demand for assistance from the public exchequer might not be an un- reasonable demand. It is based upon several conditions. It is based upon several considera- tions. One of them is, that at the time when the present charges were fixed upon real property, the personal property of the country was com- paratively small, and it was felt that it should bear a larger share of the charges. That may be so. Another consideration is that changes are introduced by Parliament in the relati ve liability of the different districts of the country. For example, there are some parts of this parish of which the liability to rates has been very considerably altered by the Legislature during the past few years. And again, the law which places upon the shoulders of the occupier imme- diate charge of all the rates is a law which ope- rates severely upon him at the time when new rates are introduced as when old rates are increased, (Applause.) Now these are all matters, gentle- men, which in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government deserve and call for great attention. The mode of meeting the public exigencies in these matters is a business much too complicated for me to enter upon at the present moment. We are devoting our attention to it with all our energy, and we hope to bring it to the early atten- tion of Parliament. I say the early attention of Parliament, because we are obliged now, if we speak of introducing anything into Parliament, to speak with great reserve, inasmuch as you know that the forms of Parliament have of late been used for purposes the very reverse to those for which they were intendea. They were intended for the purpose of promoting and effecting such legislation they are used very much for the purpose of prevent- ing any legislation at all—(hear, hear)— e "I and the matter is, I may say, of such magnitude that Her Majesty's Government will have to deal with it in the coming session. (Cheers.) Before bringing on great legislative measures of reform it will be necessary to put the House of Commons in a condition satisfactorily to per- form those duties, and, in order that we may do that, I earnestly hope that in the efforts wo may make towards that end we shall receive the energetic support of public opinion. When that matter is disposed of, I don't know anything that will stand between us and the endeavour we intend to make to deal with these questions—local governmentaud the expenditure of local taxes,and that in such a way as, I hope, will b& found to meet reasonable expectations. (Cheers.) Now, with respect, gentlemen, to measures, I am not aware of anything else that I ought? to say, unless I ought to make a confession and administer a castration. (Laughter and cheers.) It is all very well, it may be all very right, perhaps to provide that the in- cidence of the rating should not be borne exclu- sively as it now is by the farmer; and when we speak of prospective arrangements, it may be very right to provide them assistance in bearing the charge of these rates, such as I have already glanced at. But, gentlemen, if we are to look at the permanent interests of the occupier of the land; it must be borne in mind that the rates in rural, districts will ulti- mately come back to the landlord. (Hear, hear.) You may get a great deal of benefit from it in the meantime, but you know perfectly well that if the rates upon the farm are £ 50 in the year, and these rates are reduced by public measures to JS25 that eventually the farmer and his family disappear altogether, and a new, tenant comes in. The new tenant will give JB25 more rent for the farm than he would otherwise have done, because every tenant who puts to himself the question as to what amount of rent he can afford to pay, will put against himself any rates lie will have to pay, and will reckon in his favour any reduction in those rates. And in the case of new tenancies, the reduction of those rates will tell for the benefit of the landlord. Therefore I must say that a reduction of the rates alone would be that which would sufficiently provide for the benefit of the tenant farmer through all time. For the benefit of the existing fanner I hope it will provide, but as to the benefit of the suc- cessor on the farm—as to tho new tenant who comes to the farm, the reduction of the rates will be a reduction which will probably be found to be only felt by the landlord. Do not suppose me to say tliat this is a reason why the thing should not be done. But it is certainly a reason for considering whether if the landlord is ultimately to receive a great benefit at the expense of the general body of taxpayers, or from a charge upon any of the taxes of the country—whether that would not be a reason for taking away some of the advantages which the bondholder now enjoys in respect to the taxes, because, as you are probably aware, whereas personal property, which includes farming stock, is taxed very heavily upon the death of the owner, or when it passes to a successor. Landed property is, 011 the contrary, taxed very lightly, and I give it as my opinion, my j^ersonal opinion, that if the landlord in to be a receiver of great ultimate benefit by the reduc- tion of rates at the cost of the general public, it would be right that snme account should be taken of that by the landlord when he comes into his property I on the death of the previous possessor. The right lion, gentleman then referred to the skill required to malce farming profitable, and to the labour-saving machinery of late years introduced into the practice of agriculture, and resumed his seat amid loud and prolonged cheering.

THREE FISHERMEN DROWNED. Three fisherman, Win. Spragg, Win. Bridges, and Wm. Coates, were drowned at Sakburn-bv- Sea 011 Thursday through heavy sen washing thorn out of the boat, within 150 yards of the shore, aud in sight of relatives.

THE ACCIDENT TO MR AUBREY VIVIAN. We arc asked to make a slight correction in a paragraph which we published yesterdav, relating to an accident which happened to Air Aubrey Vivian, at Swansea, on Monday evening. It appears Mr Vivian was ridii: not dri ving, at a very dark part of the road lending from WalterV road to the new Alexandra road, and at u hpot where a tree had been uprooted a heap of nibbinh had been left, without auy light to .show the danger to passing carriages or horsemen. Mr "Vivian's horse stumbled, and the shock, coining suddenly, he was unseated, but apoeflily r>f vered himself without being much injured. I

At Birmingham, on Thursday, a boy, aged 13, was committed for trial, charged with attempting to murder a girl, aged three, by drowning her. Dr. Lamson was again brought up at Bow street on Thursday morning, on remand, charged with the murder of Percy Malcolm John. Sir James Ingham further remanded tho prisoner for a week, without assisuiog any rc&iou.

THE CHILDREN'S HOUR COLUMN FOR GIRLS AND BOYS. BY MAGGIE SYMINGTON. Between the dark and the daylight, When the night is beginning to lower, Comes a pause in the clay's occupation, That is known as the Children's Hour. Longfellow. THE ENKMY OF THE DJRDS-A i'RKNCIIMAN'S FETS —UADAMK THROPHILE—THE CAT AND THE PAR- ROT—THE TUZZLKL) OAT—POX PIKRItOT AND SKKAPHITA—HOW THK WHITS MICK WERK KILLlm —THK MOUNTAINS OF PIEDMONT — A BOY't, DREAMS—AN'SKLlt AND HIS FATKKK — BEYOND THE MOUNTAINS—HEULUIN'S SCHOOL-THK UKD- HATRHD KING—" NIGH USTO DEATH — THK ABBOT APPOINTED — ITONKKYS ABOARD — WHO wror.E THE GRAPES ?—THK THIEVES CAUGHT — PUZZLE CHRISTMAS DIXNER — SOME ORIGINAL CHARADES. I have otten chatted to you about birds, and only last week I tried to excite your sympathies in their behalf in view of Jack Frost's coming. Now my pen gives a very visible shudder as it writes the name of their enemies—cats. But cat stories and cat anecdotes arc always popular with little folks, and I feel constrained to tall you a few of the things I heard the other day about SOME FRENCH CATS. They are, or rather were. the pets of a French gentleman named Mons. Theophile Gautier. He has written a delightful book about his pets gene- rally, which consist of cab;, dogs, chameleons, lizards, and magpies. To-day I can only find time to tell about the cats another time, per- haps, I shii.Il be able to tell you of the other pets. First comes a large sandy cat, with a white chest, pink nose, and blue eyes, named Madame Theo- phile. This cat, we are told, Jived in constant and affectionate compauionsbip with M. Gautier, and its life seems to have been a perfectly happy and untroubled one, until one day a friend who was going abroad sent his green parrot to M. Gautier to take care of for him until he came back. Now Madame Theophile had never seen a green parrot, and, naturally enough, she was very much surprised when she first saw the bird. She could not make up her mind for a long time what to think of him. She sat and looked at him with a meditative expression in her eyes, and tried to recall all she had ever seen or heard of other animals in her nightly wanderings over the house: roofs, amongst the chimney-pots, and in the garden. But nothing of all she could remember helped her to settle in her own wise head what, or who, this strange creature could be. Finally she seemed to decide, "This is certainly a green chicken." If this surmise were correct, she had certainly a good chance of a delicate feast. So she slunk away into a corner the better to make an effective spring. By this time the parrot knew the wicked thought which the cat had conceived he perceived the danger that threatened him. When Madame Theophile leapt from the floor to his perch, he screamed out, Have you had your breakfast ?" The cat fell back as if struck by lightning, and the parrot, seeing how frightened she was, fol- lowed up his advantage and exclaimed, And what did you have for breakfast ? Some of the King's rosst meat ?" Ho is not a fowl," thought Madame Thecphile, he must be a man, for he can speak Then the parrot began to sing, and Madame, the cat, hid herself uuder the bed to think the matter over. By the next day her cour- age had returned to her she made another attack and was again frightened off. Aftes this she gave it up, and seemed quite to decide that the parrot was a human being, and not to be interfered with. M. Gautier, when he tells this story, says that people may perhaps think that he lias ima- gined the thoughts of the cat and the parrot, but for his part he believes that he has only put their notions into man's language. After Madame Theophile, came a beautiful white cat called DonFierrot de Navarre. He had a companion whiter than himself if possible, called Seraphita, She was very much given to dreaming, and used to sit upon acushion for hours without moving, as though she saw things that human eyes could not see. She was fond of being caressed, but did not often condescend to return the caresses bestowed upon her. She was very fond of luxury and delighted in perfumery. At the same time that he had the.,8 white cats as I pets, M. Gautier had some white rats. Don Pierrot would sit by the cag,) for hours together and watch them. If by chance he found the door of the room in which they were kept shut, he would scratch a raieowuntil it was opened. Seraphita was much too dainty to share his love for the rats, but the tolerated them for his sake, and never attempted to do them harm. The rats came to a sad end. One very hot day their cage was set in a tunuel in the garden to keep them cool. A thunder- storm tame on. The wires of the cage attracted the lightning, and the first stroke of the electric fluid killed them all. Don Pierrot had a bad habit of staying out late at night, and this brought 011 a kind of consumption, of which he died after a sickness which he bore with great patience. A doctor visited him, listened to his breathing, and said he thought asses' milk might do him good. But it was too late, Don Pierrot never got any better. Seraphita lived for several years after- wards, and then she, too, died, but she left behind her a small family of three black kittens, strange to say. Of these I have no room to tell you. It is M. Gauticr's opinion that the difference between cats and dogs lies especially in this fact, that although cats wiil willingly become your friend, if you deserve their friendship, they will never be your slaves. THE ABBOT OF BEC. Did J'ou ever hear of the famous Abbot of Bee ? Now listen, while I tell you his story. About eight hundred years ago, in the city of Aosta, in Piedmont, there lived a nobleman called Gunduff, and his wife Ermeuberga. They had two children, a boy and a girl named Ansehii and Richera. Their home was in the midst of jovelv scenery which was very dear to Atiselm it lay under the shade of the mighty Alps, with their lofty peaks and deep ravines. Their sum- mits are, as you kuow, covered with perpetual snows, which grow crimson in the beautiful sun- set lights, and shine wliitelv against the purple skies of the morning. To Anseliu it seemed as though their rugged peaks touched the verv doors of heaven. He longed to know what lay beyond theui, and was never tired of dreaming and musing u;on all that his mother taught him concerning heaven and the way to got there. His father was proud, harsh, and tyrannical, but his mother was one of those sweet, good women, whose bright example oi a religious life is better than many pre- cepts. litit Anselm did something- more* tliun uieiun. hen sent to the public schools he applied himself so diligently to study that he distinguished himself. His great desire was to be a monk, that he might spend his whole lile in study and con- te.niplation. His mother rejoiced at his choice; j it was au answer to her but his father I was angry, and forbade him ever to think of such a thing. At this time Ermenberga fell sick and died. Ansohn mas 1>0 grieved for her loss that for a time after, his religious impressions seemed to fade altogether. His young sister grieved deeply when she saw him trying to find consola- tion in worldly pleasure. Guudulf. had nCver been a good father, and now that the gentle in- tiueiioc of his wife was removed, he boeame more bruual than ever. Anselin thought well to. loave home for a LuM, and in company with a choseu [ riend, he crossed the mountains into Normandy. lueiity years before a. simple old soldier, named lloinun, had founded a small monaslevv in » I.lai^ '!t -V l"ien' JL U';v5 L:ut a vorv J»»uble or bi.'f !)' V- nh>t!,e1- the cookinjr ior lum and Jus poor monks. After a, W8re by a nobleman by his teaching -aiiied suCii renown t.iat Heriuhis humble school be- ca ne one of the most celebrated monasteries of Europe, and was called the Abbey of Bee. Auselm entered it as a pupd, and in a little while ali bis boyisn dreams and aspirations came brck to inin. He resoived to .stay there, and so be- canie a monk. Three years after, Lanfrane was c.viled to ^ogiand to be Archbishop of Canter- buiy, and t.ien Anselm became Prior iu h<s place. Later diU, when Herluin died at an oavancea age, Auselm became Abbot of Bee. i01 33 years he studied, toiled, taught, ami pra;, ea to those in health he was a tauber, to the ays all old historian. Thca something happened. Lanfranc died, and the See of Canterbury l-eame ,vAcaut\\i)bam Mufu.. was then King of Eng- iand He hated religion, and liked to nuke use of the church's revenues, so refused to llfUU3 a successor to Lanfranc, until compelled by the peopla to 00 so. They wanted him to choose the famous Abbot of Bee. Some Kn-b.-h nobles sent to Ansehn beggin;? him to come to England. He leiused. He had no desire for worldly honour, and loved his quiet seclusion. Then he 'was told that the English I.nrl of Chester by dying, and longed greatly to receive spiritual'aid from him. So tne Abbot came over at one», and tlie peo;.l« of Canterbury received him so enthusiastically tnat he burned away to meet the King at Wind- sor. ° When he entered tlie great hall of the castle a-i imposing scene met Ins eye. On the throne sat tne olun and boisterous king he was short and stout in figure, fiorid in complexion, with coarse tenures and red hair. Around him j-to.»d his barons 111 the fantastical dresses of the time robes with long, wide sleeves in which the hands seemed lost, and shoes with pointed toes, stuffed with horse-hair, fastened to the knees with gold aim silver chains. Very funny they would look to us now-a-days. Ansehn was a great coutrasi to them all, especially to the King. He was sniali and delicate, with dark piercing eyes that beamef with intelligence, and a lady peace which nothini outward could disturb. Rufus received him graciously, and placed him 011 a se." t dosc by his own. After a little, the King and tht Abbot retired to ta.ik privately. But, to the great disappointment of everybodv, callit j1'0 »>terview. For a little logger the Kb* defied Cnurch aud people,and then came a change. He was sore smitten with sickness voices are hushed, footsteps fall softly, attendants glide to and fro. The King lies 011 couch, wasted and feeble he believes he is going to die, <,net bids them dec are, from the high altar in Gloucester Cathedral, that if he recover he will Jead a new and better life. "But the Archbishop of Can- terbury, your Majesty Who is he to be?" "The Abbot of Bee," says the King in a whisper. Theu a joyful inultituue. headed by the bishops, hasten to bring Anselm into the royal presence. In place of a haughty monarch, he finds a" feeble, panting invalid, who stretches out his hand to hiin, and at the same time bids the vassals of his court to go down on their hands aud knees and add their entreaties to his that he will 110 longer refuse to be made Archbishop. In vain does Anselm plead his old age, his desire to return to his monasterv, &c., the King calls peremptorily for the crozier, the emblem of the Archbishop's office, to be brought, and he himself thrush it with some difficulty into Anselm's obstinately closed hand. Seeing thai «vil his entreaties to be sjiared this honour are of no avail, and overcome by agitation and excite- & ment, the grand old man bursts into a passion of tears. Then they bear him away to the cathedral that the election may be at once confirmed. rlaidlj is the service over when the new Arch- i bishop falls fainting into the arms of those who 1 had forcibly carried him to the triumph he had so little desired. Thus ended one of the strangest scenes recorded in history. I meant to have given you another of tlx Arthurian legends this week, but waut of spact compels me to keep it until next. I thiuk rot will like the following anecdote about THE MONKEYS AND THE GRAPES. In one of his voyages from the Mediterranean to his home in America, Captain Veruon hM four monkeys on board his ship. Thev were in- tended for Mr Barnum, the great showman. They were such clever, well-behaved IItonkey. that they were allowed to run all over the ship. L-aptam ernon had some nice grapes hung on stungs about the cabin walls, for he was very fond of them. One day he noticed that several bunches had disappeared. He called the cabin boy, and said, Bob, when you want grapes come and ask me. I am willing that you should have some, but you must not take them without leave. I have taken no grapes, sir," replied Bob. I should not think of taking a single grape v. ithout asking your permission." \V ell, Bob, I believe you, for you have always told me the truth," snid Captain Vernon. "But who could have taken my grapes ? Was it the steward, or cook, do you think ?" I think they would not meddle with them, sir, said Bob. Leave me in the cabin alone fop halt-an-hour or so, and I may find out who the thief is." Well, Bob, if you will do that, you shall have the best bunch I can find for your reward." Say- ing this, Captain Vernon went 011 deck; and Bob, with a cat-o'-niue-tafl«> in his hand, lay down in one of the berths, and made bciievc he was asleep. Soon he heard the monkeys enter the cabin. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw them stop, as if checked by the sight of him. They chatted low amongst themselves, and at last one of them jumped upon a table, and, putting out his lnw gently, felt softly over Bob's eyes, as if to malce sure that the lad was a'deep. Bob kept still, theugh he could hardly help bursting into a bugh. iiien the monaey on the tabic reached up slyly and took a bunch of grapes from the string along the wall. Giving it to one of his fellow-thieves, the same monkey was preparing to get another bunch wheu Captain Vernon looked in and saw what was going on. Bob jumped up, and with his cat o' nine tails chased the monkeys out of the cabin. They dropped the grapes and scampered up on deck. ".So, Bob, you have found the thieves, I see t Well, here is your reward," said Captain Vernon, laughing. Bob laughed too, and then t'nl down and ate his grapes. SOLUTION TO PCZZLE—CHIUSTMAS DINNKSI. 1, Mock turtle 2, hare (hair) 3, soles and eels (soles and heels); 4, turkey 5, round of beef 6, geese, with sago and onions 7, pork (York) and apple sauce; 8, part-ridges 9, tongue 10, ham; 11, (e)sau sages; 12, pot-a-toes; 13, cab-b-age H, cellar-y (celery); 15, beat (beet) 16; 'ape. ?a;wp, d?;ck, ;x/mps, muf/.yie, n/k, <yood. Puzzle PuddingTake flour) suet, raisins, currants, lemonpeel, eggs, milk, nutmegy'spice, yeast mix and boil till done. A lady who "takes great interest in the Ohil. dreu's Hour ..h;u> sent me some original puxzlt charades, which I hope you will lie able to Ruess. CH.VUA.HE I. My first is the ruler and hope of my second. And in Nature's dominion most precious is rucKou'd Ah! were net my whole with iia promise of peace' To sliine on us all, then true comfort would cease. CIIAKADE ?. Across myfirit with tears and partiucs o'er • Mv second lands on some far distant shore; My <(/<()/<- doth ten the rapid flight of hours, liut bright aud fail- are many of her flowers. C'UAUAIU: 3. Tell me, in all creation's wondrous plan, Is not my jint subservient to man? A well-known little letter is niv sreotid, Useful to all it surely must be reekonad. Some ladies fair my third will surely say Adorns their persons, if iu fashion's day. <io to Kgyptia's shores, and there my whole Will iill with wonder every thinking soul; And, as they from the traveller dvaw a sigh, liid him muse sadly o'er centuries gone by. AUNT MA<!(i[e.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE TIN-PLATE T R ADE. The annual meeting of the Tin-plate Manufac- turers. Association was held on Thursday, at the Queen's Hotel, Birmingham. There were repre- sentatives present from 4-0 works in South Wales, Staffordshire, and Stourporfc, the attendance being larger than at (IllY meeting since 1873. Mr P. W. Elower, Melyn Works, Neath, was unanimously elected chairman of the association for the ensuing year, iu place of the late Mr Saunders, of the Cookley Inmworks,Stourbridge. On taking the chair, Mr Elower eulogised the character of his predecessor, who, he said, would be very much missed by the trade, and whose advice was always valuable et' a and worthy of respect. The meeting then dis- cussed the general condition of tlie tin-plate trade and its future prospect as affecting the combina- tion for restricting production and niaiuttittitig prices. It was stated that work was more plenti- ful than for a long time past, and that large American and Continental orders were now in the market. It was ultimately decided tofix prices at 193 per box for coke plates, aud 23s for charcoal plates, delivered in Loudon. These prices are 3s per box higher than turee months ago, but have been ren- dered necessary by the continuous jidvance iu tin and pig iron. At the present time tin is worth £ 1(1 per ton, being fully £ 11 dearer than three months ago, and £ 18 as compared with .January, 1881. Pig iron is from 10s to 15s a ton dearer, hematites now costing 75s a ton. At the market subsequently the price of tinplates fixed by the association was obtained without difficulty, and the market was buoyant ill all branches. It was stated that a firm of South Staffordshire tinplatt manufacturers have decided to erect new mills foi the manufacture of tinplates, owing to the in- creasing demand.

TAFF VALE RAILWAY COMPANY. THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE COM PAN V. At the monthly meeting of the directors of this company, held at the offices of the company, Crookherbtov. n, Cardiff, under the presidency of Mr W. 1>. Bushell, the question of appointing a successor to the late Mr Samuel Brittan was dis- cussed, The proceedings were, as usual, private, but Mr bobert.xm, the eccrctary, informed us at the close of tne meeting that no decision had been arrived at. Various rumours are afloat, and it it saul that some gentleman largely connected witt the South Wales district is to be invited.

BOAnD OF TRADE INQUIRY AT LIVERPOOL. J'iie Board of Trade inquiry into the coiliwioli between the Cunard steamer Catalonia and tha Dundee barque Ifelenslea was concluded at Liver- pool 011 Thursday. The court found that the col- lision occurred through an error of judgment in altering the course of the I £ e}eusltfak%ud acquitted tla uia»tci's of both ,c,¿olli of any culpability.

t ■enthusiastic, ever held in the borough. There was no conflict of opinions, no moving ot amendments, no alterations even of the most trivial character in the resolu- tions offered for approval, no exception token to the remarks made >y of the speakers—all ran on smoothly to the close, without a moment's interuption, save in the form of vociferous cheers awarded to noble sentiments uttered or equally noble subscript ions promised. The MAYOR had good reason for applying to Wales a saying attributed to DANIEL O'CONXEIX, for it was impossible to take part in the pro- I ceedings without being impressed with a conviction that it was a great day for Wales. There was one remarkable feature which pervaded the speeches, and, to a large extent, elevated their tone- the national character of the proceedings. There could be no doubt that all the speakers were strongly in favour of Cardiff foa the best possible site for the new college, ,1>ut there was an equally unmistak- able ring of nationality. Nobody wants the new college to be a Cardiff institution. |Jt must have a location somewjiere, and [therefore a site must be selected but those who spoke and those who listened were alike animated by the wish to see a South Wales 1 College worthy of the Principality, and lequal in the soundness and thoroughness of -the instruction given in any similar institu- tion in any other part of the three kingdoms. Those who wish to see what the claims of Cardiff are will find the most prominent or them set forth in the speech delivered by Mr LEWIM WILLIAMS. That speech, intended to support the claim of Cardiff to be. selected as the site for the new college, may said to bristle with statistical information. We need not repeat the facts here, as they are reported in another column, but it is impossible to deny that they make out a very strong case. That they cannot be controverted may be said with equal propriety. They are a sample of what will be embodied in the memorial which is to be presented to Lord SPENCER and Mr MITNDELLA, and it is only fair to add, that whatever Swansea may have to plead in its own behalf—and we do not yet know how strong its case may be—these testimonials in favour of the Car- diff site will not be easily set aside. The Dean of LLANDAFF, who, at considerable personal inconvenience, attended the meet- ing, threw himself most heartily into the scheme. The observations which accom- panied his moving of the first resolution were not only most appropriate to the occasion, but were also well calculated to stimulate the efforts of those who are pushing forward the enterprise. He made some noble appeals to the merchants and others who are engaged in the pursuit of wealth. He had himself resolved to attend, because the meeting might once for all settle whether Cardiff was to be the Athena or the Oorinth of Wales, and, following out this fine idea, he pointed out that the meeting itself showed that the people were deter- mined that Cardiff should not be a place of mere money-getting, but that their sons and their daughters should have in it a place where they might be led into the higher walks of literature and science. These obser- vations told with evident effect upon the meeting, and we believe that, not only in I Cardiff, but in the surrounding neighbour- hood, the spirit which animated the dean's speech will animate the people. No one now entertains any doubt about the money coming in. Without commencing a canvass for subscriptions, a sum of between seven and eight thousand pounds has already been promised, and yet some of the wealthy men who have expressed their thorough sympathy with the enterprise have not yet intimated how much they are prepared to pay down. A few days ought to make a great difference in the subscription list, but there is little reason to fear that, now that the ball has been set in motion, it will not go on rolling, and greatly in- crease in size. The determination on the part of the Welsh people to have the best possible education provided for their children is no mere fancy. The people are in terrible earnest in this matter. Their donations alone prove this. When we find shrewd men of business, who know well the value of money, coming down with large sums to secure what is so much desired, we may be sure they are in earnest. The meet- ing was electrified when announcement fol- lowed announcement reporting £1,000 from the Mayor, and an equal sum from Mr J. H. INSOLE Mr DAVID DAVIS, of Blaengwawr his brother, Mr LEWIS DAVIS Mr JOHN CORY, Mr RICHARD CORY, jun.— £ 6,000, so to speak, down upon them like a gun-shot. Dr. EDWARDS followed up with JB500, Mr LEwIS WILLIAMS and Mr CHARLES THOMP- SON with J3250 each, and others, mentioned in our report, including the dean, with most handsome sums. The suggestion thrown out by Mr RICHARD CORY is one which our Government ought seriously to take to heart. He referred to the policy adopted by the Irish when they are. or think they are neglected, that of demand- ing in unmistakeable terms the removal of their grievances and the restitution of their rights." Neither Mr CORY nor anyone else would like to see Wales following the ex- ample of Ireland, but it is really too bad that Governments, whether Liberal or Conserva- tive, are exceedingly reluctant to do any- thing for the benefit of Wales. When one considers how readily millions of money are poured out upon a fruitless military dis- play, from which we reap no advantage whatever, and how difficult it is to wring from the close fisted hand of the publite exchequer a few thousand pounds for the benefit of the people it is more than disgusting. Well may Car- diff go to the Government and ask boldly. This is not an occasion for bashful modesty. Those who will ask for a grant towards this college will not go to beg for themselves, but for the country. They have a claim, and our only fear is that they will make too little of their claim. As Mr CORY put it, the arrears are heavy. Wales has been neglected, and jt is high time for her people to go up boldly and tell the Government that, while they nrc. willing to help themselves, they are en- titled to a heavy grant from the public funds. $Yheu Scotland, England, and Ireland have been lavishly aided, there can be no excuse for putting Wales off with a paltry thousand or two. The timidity which has hitherto held back the promoters of this grand national undertaking is, we trust, giving way. They must have had their eyes opened yesterday to the fact that they are not pui suing the mist. Wales, they must see, la really awake and alive to its educational deficiencies, and the sons of \\aes daughters too, we hope—are coming orvaic to redeem themselves from a position w vie l they have too long occupied. The more ie inhabitants do for themselves, the larger a £ r;utt will they feel entitled to claim "from the Government. • We hope that the success which has already crowned their efforts will encourage them to go to the Government and ask for something like an adequate acknowledgment of the debt which has long been due.