The Cardiff Times

DINNER TO MR HENRY IRVING. Mr Henry Irving was entertained at a. banquet on Wednesday night in St. James's-hall, pre- vious to his deimrtnre on an extended pro- fessional truir in tha United States. Lord Cole- ridge presided, and there "Viag a large and dis- tinguished company, including Mr Ruesell Lowell and many peers, judges, and members of Parliament. Miss Eilen Terry was among the ladies in the g-allery. Lord Coleridge read letters of apolog-y, including one from Mr Gladstone, who said he was under strict orders to avoid every public dinner th4t was at all optional. He 1j- rv*no would not think that he shirked ti.ts! dinner. In-proposing the toast of "Henry Irving', Lorn Coleridge a said the names of great actors lived almost as long as the names of great dramatists, and tlipi ,nil's lifted them into abso- lnte eouaiij y with the first parsonages of their time. His lordship enumerated many of the triumphs achieved by Mr Irving, assisted by Miss Ellen Terry, on the stssre, and credited him with having cone ranch to purify the sta^re. In sending Irvin? to AuiericR, England cent her best. ° Mr fr.vixa met with a splendid reception in responding. He was proud to say that it was as any.ctnr 118 won commendation. A.s a manager h:s experience was short, but no actor or manager ever received more generous and nngrudgiMg encouragement and support. He said he r' this occasion rather as a tribute to art than a personal compliment. The memory >1 that night would be sacred to him, and lyoirfd stimulate hnn to furt'ier effort and loftier ajrn*. fr Si in? i|eevps, Mr Sintley, aa<j Aafcgi»#slfrd at iy^rvals, ]

jgOUQUET. JgLCOil FOR BEAUTIFYING THE COM- PLEXION, DEDICATED TO MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS, WITH THANKS FOR LIBERAL PATRONAGE BESTOWED." The perfection of Beauty is a beauti- ful, smooth complexion. It indicates health as well as exc-ites the admiration of all. Faco Powders are injurious to the skin, and fail in effect compared with Bridal Bouquet Bloom-a. vege- table liquid, which causes the cheek to low with health, and the Neck, Arms, and Hands to rival the Lilly in white- ness. Loveliness of the complexion, the bloom of Nature restored and pre- served whether the skin be "hite or of olive line, it is alwrys lovely if kept free from blemishes, pimples, freckles, sun-burn, tan, ic., by the use of Bridal Bouquet Bloom, a most refreshing and agreeable balm fur the skin, softening redness and preventing all roughness. BRIDAL BOUQUET BLOOM im. parts exquisite Beauty to the Face, Neck, Ari-n-, and Hands. In a moment of time it imparts a delicate softne-s and purity, with the tint and fragranca of the Lily and the Rose. BRIDAL BOUQUET BLOOM is with. out arrival in the World. It is utterly impossible to detect in the Beauty ii confers any artificial character. One trial of it will convince any lady of its great superiority over any other liquid and the numerous powders. It is per- fumed with a combination of the rarest and choicest tiowers, each beneficial and useful, and at the same time im- parting to the Skin a most delightful fragrance. BRIDAL BOUQUET BLOOM is in special favour with travellers. By its use you escape all injury to the Com- plexion by change of climate and the use of Hard Wakr. It neutralises the > irritating properties of Soaps. By its use all redness, roughness, and chapping is prevented. Patronised by all the European Courts and the elite of America. SOLD BY CHEMISTS, PERFUMERS, AND T DEALERS IN TOILET ARTICLES. EACH BOTTLE IS ENCLOSKD IN AN ELE- GANT TOILET CASE, Manufactories and Salerooms: 114 and 116, Southampton-row, London, Ensland. 2?, Boulevard Sebastopol, Paris, France. 56, Barclay-street, and QO, Park-place, New Yoik, U.S. 10964

A LITERARY CENSOR AT SWANSEA. We have heard of a literary adviser-it is said that some of the London theatres keep that kind of authority upon the premises-but Swansea has produced a literary censor. Mr John Williams, of that town, has kindly undertaken te analyse the intellectual food of his less discriminating neighbours, and commences with a tilt at the Free Library Committee. His first experiment is in the direction of pointing out where orthodox ends and heterodox begins; and upon the basis of his own conclusions calls upon the library committee to suppress a certain work with the tenets of which he fails to agree. So far Mr Williams confines himself to theology, but there is no telling how far he may go. The boundless realms of fiction are open to him, and young ladies may find their supply of yellow-backed novels suddenly arrested. Ouida," we knew, has been objected to in some libraries, although Byron may be found on nearly every drawing- room table. It will be for Mr Williams, of Swansea, to draw the nice line of distinction for the future, though it is to be feared that he will have to go elsewhere than to the Swansea Library Committee for an audience. To deface a bor- rowed book, and then offer advice upon its useful- ness or otherwise, looks somewhat like the insult which occasionally forms the sequel of an injury. The Swansea Library Committee are apparently of this opinion, for they have rejected the counsel of Mr Williams, and ordered him to pay com- pensation.

SWANSEA WATCH COM- MITTEE. THE PROTECTION OF YOUNG GIRLS. The monthly meeting of the Swansea Watch Committee was held at the Guildhall, on Tuesday, Mr Daniel Jones presiding. There were also pre- sent Messrs John Lewis, H. A. Chapman, T. Vreeman, Thomas Jones, D. Thomas, James Jones, I\ Rocke, and L. Tuiloch. YOUTHFUL HAWKEHS. The Town Clerk, who had been requested to report as to the power of the council to make by- laws forbidding the hawking of articles by chil- dren of tender years, said that by resolution 23 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882, the council might from time to time make such by-laws as to them seemed proper for the good rule and govern- ment of the borough, and for the prevention and suppression of all nuisances not already punishable in a. summary manner by virtue of any act in force throughout the borough, and might thereby ap- point such fines, not exceeding in any case 25, as they migut deem necessary for the prevention and suppression of offonces against the same. The Town Clerk therefore recommended the fol- lowing bye Jaws for approval :—1. No child under the age or eight years shall sell or offer f^r sale any article whatsoever in any of the streets, market places, or other public placos in the borough of Swansea. 2. No child under the age of thirteen years shall sell or offer for sale any article in any of the streets during the following times betw ecn nine o'clock in the evening and sunrise of the following morning from the 31st March to the 30th September between eight o'clock in the evening and sunrise the following morning, from the 30th September to the 31st March. (3) No child of the respective ages men- tioned in the two preceding bye laws and under the age of 17 shall sell or offer for sale any article in manner aforesaid, unless he or she shall have been duly licensed for the purpose by the watch committee, and subject to such reasonable terms as may be specified in such licence, for which licence no charge shall be made. (4) Any person offending against any of the foregoing byelaws shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten shillings. Mr FiiEEMAN thought it was gon,- too far to require children to procure a licence. Scores of children and widows in the town were getting their livelihood by means of hawking, and this requirement would hamper them. The CHAIRMAN I suppose Mr Chapman wants to get hold of children who hawk matches about the public-houses, their real object being to beg. The question is whether we would be prepared to deal with the matter this morning. Mr CHAPMAN thought that the proposed byc- laws were based upon merciful considerations, and moved that they be accepted. The Town Clerk These by-laws will have to be confirmed by the Secretary of State. Mr CHAPMAN said he knew some m-i who earned J62 103 a week, and yet allowed their children to hawk articles in the streets late at night. Upon the suggestion of the CHAIRMAN, it was decided to defer the consideration of the report for a month. THE PROTECTION OF YOUNG GIRLS, The Town Cierk read a ietter received from the Rev. S. G. Gauntlett, the vicar of Trinity, saying that immorality was rife in the town, particularly at the docks, and calling attention to the very many girls of tender age living an improper life on the streets. Mr Gauntlett sug- gested that the watch committee should issue instructions to the police as to the laws for the protection of young girls, and cause the same to lie more actively enforced. The CHAIRMAN The Bill for the Better Protec- l tion of Y oun Girls has not yet received the royal assent. As scon as that is given, I think it would be well to issue such instructions to the police. Mr FREEMAX Have we no power under the existing laws ? I The Town Clerk: In cases where girls solicit prostitution you have. The Head Constable said he would exercise such powers as he held. Mr CHAPMAN said that his attention had been cailea to a public-house on the Strand, and to a house next door, which were houses of ill-fame, much to the annoyance of the more respectable inhabitants of the neighbourhood. The matter then dropped. POLICE SUPERANNUATION BILL. The Town Clerk alluded to the above as a most objectionable measure, and thousrht it the duty of every corporation to petition against it. Amongst what were considered the objectionable features of it, he mentioned that the bill proposed that the superannuation of a constable, instead of being granted by the watch committee, according to scale, should become a matter of absolute right, and in the event of a difference between the police authorities and the constables, the latter should have appeal in the county-court. It was staged in a protest against the bill, which he read, that it tended to destroy the good feeling now 'n existing between the police authorities and the members of the force. On the motion of Mr FREEMAN, seconded by Mr JOHN LEWIS, it was decidei to petition against the bill. It was mentioned in the course of the meeting that the annual inspection, by Capt, Elgoe, will take place next Saturday. There was no other business of interest.

A Board of Trade enquiry into the supposed loss of the Mangerton, 1,217 tons net, which left the Mersey, coal laden, with a crew of 27 hands, was held in Newcastle on Monday, by Mr Rothery, wre-jk commissioner. The conrt fotmd that her minimum free board was below that allowed by the Board of Trade or Lloyd's, and tiiafc she was overladen, and that her manacing owner, Mr Johu Davison Milfcuni, of Newcastle, { w to blii.nie.

LOCAL BILLS IN PARLIAMENT 1\ BARRY DOCK AND RAILWAY BILL. Our special correspondent writesHouse of Lords, Wednesday afternoon.—When the House of I Lords committee, with Lord Foxford (the Earl of Limerick), as cbairlmll; met this morning, the question Wall ajked as to what hour the Barry Dock and Railway Bill might be expected to be taken. Their lordships Were engaged in hearing the evidence in the Rhondda. and Swansea Bay Railway, and the clauses of the Taff Vale Railway Bill had still to come before them. As the Rhondda. and Swansea Bay Bill would certainly occupy some hours, and as the Tau Vale Company and the Rhymney Railway had not suc- ceeded in arriving at a final arrangement in regard to the bill the Taff are now promotin.;—some minor points remaining to be settled in clauses, their lordships did not seem inclined to under- take consideration of the Barry Dock and Railway scheme today. Besides, it occurred to the Earl of Limerick that Lord Greville was absent from the committee, and this settled the matter. He decided to de- finitely adjourn the Barry Dock and Railway Bill until to-morrow—Thursday. The delay thus caused is somewhat vexatious to the promoters and the opponents of the measure. But of course there is no remedy. They must wait. I noticed amongst those who were in the committee-room in the course of the forenoon :—Mr Lewis Davis, Mr D. Davies, M.P., Mr Edward Davies, Mr Crawshay Bailey, Mr R. Forrest, Mr John Boyle, Mr F. Pitman, Mr Nixon, Mr T. R. Thompson, Mr T. Webb, Mr Ll. Wood, Mr O. H. Riches, Mr George Fisher, Mr Loaac Smedley, Mr Hurman, Mr C. Lundie, Mr E. David, Mr G. F. Hill, Mr Downing (solicitor), Mr J. W. Barry, Mr L. V. Shirley, Mr Ingle- dew, Mr R. W. Williams, Mr James Szlumper, and Mr J. O. Nicholl. The Earl of Jersey has been in the room, and Lord Windsor, one of the pro- moters of the Barry Dock scheme, would have been there also bad it not been for the fact that he was engaged on another committee. The same reason kept Lord Romilly away, he being the chairman of the committee who have this morning passed the bill for a line from Bridgwater to Watchet. A consultation amongst the promoters took place this afternoon, and at this the line to be taken in the coming struggle was definitely arranged. No overtures have been made by the opponents of the measure. None will, I need hardly say, come from the side of the pro- moters, who are determined to have both the dock and the railway—thus freeing the coal and shipping trade at Cardiff from a thraldom which has been too long permitted to continue. I hear that the Bute Dock agents, who are now engaged in marshalling their forces, intend to get counsel and witnesses to make sympathetic appeals to their lordships, on the ground that the Marquis of Bute has already invested so much money in the Cardiff Docks that it would be wronging him to take away any portion of the monopoly he has enjoyed. If a feature is made of this, as I am told will be the case, it only shews how slight is the ground of opposition. Counsel for the Bute trustees, when the bill was in committee of the House of Commons, described the Bute dock office as a "public" one, and documents issued from there as "public. He could not have been very carefully instructed else he would have avoided such a dangerous pitfall. The Bute Docks are managed as any other private under- taking, and it is difficult to ascertain what the profits derived therefrom amount to. But if the direct profits arc to be reckoned by comparison with other docks, they must be very large and indirectly the profits accruing from the docks in the development of mineral property and the im- provement of the value of land must be enormous. It is to be hoped that the appeal to their lordship's House for protection will be as unsuccessful as was the remonstrance addressed to the Commoas. The proceedings will commence to-morrow (Thursday) andias I learn that the Bute trustees do not intend to call many witnesses, there is every chance of the hearing being very much shortened. THE TAFF VALE BILL. HOUSE OF LORDS, Wednesday afternoon.—Our special correspondent writes: The Taff Vale Railway Company's Bill, in regard to which refer- ence has been made in the committee-room of the House of Lords, in which Lord Foxford pre- aides, is promoted with a view to the construction of a spur lino just beyond Quaker's Yard Junc- tion acros3 the river Taff to the Rhymney line. It is only about a quarter of a mile long, but it will enable the Taff Vale Railway Company to have direct access to the Cyfarthfa Works, to which it shortens the distance by three miles to Cardiff. The Taff Vale Railway already possess, by running powers, a mode of access to the Cyfarthfa Works, but the proposed spare line will give them an independent means of communication. The negotiations which have been taking place between the Rhymney Railway Company and the Taff Vale Railway Company, have been solely in reference to this bill, and the other day a draft agreement was drawn up between the two. I learn, however, that though the chairmen of the two companies— Mr James Inskip for the Taff Vale, and Mr John Boyle for the Rhymney—thought a basis of agreement had been arrived at, officials high in authority discovered a clause, the provisions of which must have been—so it is asserted—over- looked by the chairman of one of the companies. Herein lies the secret of the bill being postpone from time to time. The clause which is objected to will come before the House of Lords' committee to-morrow (Thursday), but the proceedings in connection with the Taff Vale bill will be other- wise, it is expected, purely formal, and will only last half-an-hour, THE BARRY DOCK AND TAFF VALE RAILWAY BILLS. HOUSE OF LORDS, Wednesday.—This morning, on the assembling of the members of the House of Lords' Committee having charge of the group of bills in which these two appear, Mr Crip-.s risked that the parties, agents, and witnesses v .cerned in the Barry Dock Bill should be relieved from attendance till to-morrow. The Earl of Limerick (the chairman) asked what time the Taff Vale Bill was likely to occupy. Mr Saunders said the parties were still en- deavouring to settle their differences. No final agreement had been come to, but undouutedly the result of the adjournment of the bill would be found to result in a great saving of time. Any points with which they would require to trouble their lonbhips would he very small. The Chairman asked if it would be convenient to take the Taff Vale at the end of the Rhondda case, now being considered. Mr Saunders replied in the affirmative. The Chairman said he did not think it would be possible to enter on the Barry Dock Bill to- day, as one noble lord appointed to be on the committee on this bill Would not be present till to-morrow (Thursday). The parties and their witnesses would, therefore, not be required to attend till then. RHONDDA AND SWANSEA BAY RAILWAY BILL. THE PREAMBLE PROVED. HOUSE OF LORDS, Monday.—This bill came again to-day before a select committee of the House of Lords, the Earl of Limerick presiding. Mr William Hunter, C.E., "examined by Mr Chandos Leigh, Q.C., said he was Lord Jersey's agent and mining engineer. He was also a mem- ber of the Neath Harbour Commission, and the Briton Ferry Local Board, the latter of which bodies had petitioned in favour of this bill. He was well acquainted with the district through which the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway would pass, and in his judgment the proposed ex- tension was esseutial to its development. The land to be taken for the line was solely that of Lord Jersey, and he believed the estimate I in respect to this land was sufficient. Lord Jersey was a promoter of the railway, although it would bring other coal into competition with his own. He believed the line would be of great service to the district. Many of his tenants desired access to the Rhondda aud Afan coal. There was a clause in many of his leases, giving him a royalty, in some cases of fed, and in others of 4d a ton on ail coal except his own used by his tenants. But he considered it of such importance that his lessees should have an opportunity of going to the cheapest market that he did not enforce this clause. Counsel then intimated that Lord Jersey was sitting to-day as chairman of quarter sessions, and could not attend to be examined at present, but if be did not appear before the case for the pro- moters drew to a conclusion, his agent might,with their lordships' permission, be recailed, and sup- ply the most important facts regarding which Lord Jersey could speak. Mr Sidney W. Yockney, C.E., examined by Mr Ledgard, said he was a member of the firm who were engineers of this bill, and he bad personally taken charge of this work. Railway No I, which commenced at Briton Ferry by a junction with the already authorised railway, and terminated by a junction with the Swansea Harbour Trustees' line at the Prince of Waies Dock, was 4 miles 25 chains in length, and would cost Railway No. 2, which was a short line oonnecting Railway No. 1 with the Briton Ferry dock sidings would cost £9,217. Railway No. 3, which was a, junction with the Great Western Railway, to enable the latter to pass traffic directly on to the new line, would cost £4,316. No. 3 was a double line, but the others were single, with sidings and passing places. The total cost of the railways would be £ 146.1&4, and the total length 54 miles. Railway No.1, was practically a level line, with the exception of a descending gradient of 1 in 50 for half-a-mile in length, on the Briton Ferry side of Neath towards the river, and an ascending gradient of 1 in 60 for three-quarters of a miie from the river on the side towards Swansea. This de.:3cent and asce:1t were necessary in order to cross below the river. Beneath the lowest part of the channel there was a level of 250 feet in length after the descent and before the assent. The gradient of 1 in 50 would be with the load of coal, and that of 1 in 60 against it. The mini- mum pressure of the water on the deepest part of the channel would be '83 of a ton per square foot, and the maximum 1'68. The lowest pressure in the case of the Severn tunnel was 2'55 and the extreme 4'66. Thp, subway and tunnel across the Neath would be 1,490 yards, or little mors than three quarters of a mile. Of thi? there would be 764 yards constructed by the pneumatic caisson ?»ud the reoiaind.es by ordinary driving pvoresp, a slipper ef iron being used to prevent disturbance ot the channel bottom at the navigable part. There would be no interference whatever with the navigation. The parts where the caissons were to be sunk,were not in the navigable channel. Mr Michael, Q.C., remarksd that it was a. mis- take to say there no navigation over these parts. Mr Ledgard replied that he did not mean to assert that no small boats went over them at certain states of the tide. The witness explained that they would burrow beneath the real navigable channel. The depth of the crown of the tunnel below the lowest part of the bed of the river was 13 feet, or 5 feet lower than was originally intended. The width of the deep water channel wa, at low water, 63 yards, and at high springs, 350 yards. The mode of construction had been adopted after numerous borings, and after consultations with the well- known engineer, Mr Law. The witness was then questioned respecting the results of his borings. Mr Michael remarked that there was no con- test as to the results of the bearings, except immediately under the navigable channel. Witness, in the course of further examination, stated that in their boring operations in the bed or navigable part of the river they found 14ft 6in of pure sand, and then 3ft 6in of sand and clay mixed, then one foot of gravel in clay, followed by 5ft of brown or solid clay, which brought them to a point a little below the crown of the proposed tunnel. Afterwards they found blue clay of a very hard kind. Their next boring operations wee just where the caisson work commenced on the Swansea side of the tunnel, and there they found 18ft of sand, 12 inches of stones in clay, 18 inches of clay, and 5ft of gravel. The general result of the numerous trials they had made were that after they got through the sand they got to a continuous bed of clay throughout the whole length of the proposed work. Wherever they had bored, or sunk a trial shaft, they had found a cer- tain depth of sand then they came to boulders, and then to sand. They took six borings about 100 yards away from the line of rails, and the general results were the same. He had lengthened the tunnel, and had in this way done away with the necessity for the embankments which were originally proposed. The whole of the tunnel would be lined with Portland cement concrete, which would make it entirely water tight. On the Swansea. side there would be a perfect mackintosh of clay, but in the event of any ficsure being met with there was a margin allowed in the estimates. The whole structure was, from end to end, 920 yards, and the price per yard allowed by him was JB73 per yard. He had constructed other tunnels, and the price per yard bad only been £25 per yard. There was an addition to the de- posited estimate of which was rendered necessary by the lengthening of the tunnel in order to avoid the embankment. In round numbers the cost of the whole of the works authorised last year was £404,000, and he had let the contracts for £395,000, so that there was a saving of £9,000 on the estimates of last year. The authorised share capital was The length of line authorised last year from Treherbert to Briton Ferry was 15 miles. If the line now asked for front Briton Ferry to Swansea were made, it would be a very much shorter route compared with the Great Western line authorised last year, going round by way of Neath. By the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway there would be a saving of 23 miles from the highest point in the Rhondda Valley, and a saving of eight miles in the lowest point in the valley. This would be a convenience to passengers, whom the line was intended to serve, in addition to the mineral traffic. Cross-examined by Mr Michael, Q.C. At Swansea the terminus would be near the town. At the junction with the Great Western Railway, near Briton Ferry, it was true the station would be in a field, but accommodation would'be made for passenger traffic. Of their share capital £175,000 had been subscribed. He knew they had not the power to take land compulsorily until the whole of the share capital was subscribed, but they had taken land, and were daily taking land in order to proceed with the authorised works, which had already been commenced. There was, however, no occasien to use the word "compulsion" in connection with the construction of this rail- way, the feeling of the district being so strongly in its favour. The deposited estimate for this year's proposed works was to £132,630, the estim- ated cost was and the proposed new capital was £135,000. He advised the promoters of the bill not to ask for so much capital this year, because of the surplus shewn upon last year's estimates. In boring operations in connection with the tunnel they expected to meet a continuous bed of clay. It was true that the distance between his trial shafts in the bed of the river was 180 yards, but he was led to believe there was a continuous bed of clay because wherever they bored beneath the bed of clay they found a dry stratification, and if the bed of clay was not continuous water would percolate through, and the lower stratification would be found wit. He knew that experiments had been made by other parties by means of a cylinder. If it had been found in the course of operations with that cylinder that beneath the bed of clay wa.ter was found which pulsated with the rise and fall of the tide, his belief was that the cylinder had dis- turbed the clay boulders and permitted the water to pass through. In making their tunnel they would bore not through, but beneath this bed of clay; consequently they would not disturb the clay, and therefore did not expect to meet with water He knew that in the plans origiually deposited in connection with the Severn Tunnel the depth was 32ft., and that afterwards it was found necessary to increase the depth to 46ft. He did not previously mention that to the committee because he was simply speaking upon the deposited plans. Mr Michael, Q.C., said he would leave the committee to judge whether it was a fair way to give evidence. Witness pointed out that although the depth was increased, he could not say it was necessary. The engineers or the Severn Tunnel might have been afraid of disturbing the crust in blasting the rock, and this might have induced them to increase the depth of their level. He knew that a cylinder had been sunk in the bed of the river Neath since the commencement of these proceed- ings, but he did not know what the result had besn. Mr Michael, Q.C.: Supposing you take it from me that this cylinder has been sunk in a most vital part of the river, and between the two shafts sunk by you, at a distance of 180 yards from each other, and supposing that no day has been found for 13ft. below the bed of the river, how would that affect the construction of the crown of your tunnel? Witness If what you say is correct, we should then adopt the iron system of sewers, so as to keep out the water from that small portion of the crown of the tunnel which would thus be partially exposed. But I think if you have got through the sand, you wiil find clay boulders, which will be by no means of so spongy a material as the sand is. The witness, in answer to further questions, said that the iron slipper system would keep out the clay during construction if the clay covering ahove the tunnel failed at any part. He had stated before the House of Commons Committee that there was a continuous bed of clay under the river and over the tunnel. He founded this state- ment on the fact that in all their borings the clay was found above the level of the tunnel, and the sand below the clay was dry. Had there been a break in the clay at any part, the sand below it would have been wet.. Mr Michael informed the witness that since the bill was before the Hou-e of Commons Committee a cylinder had been sunk in the navigable chan- nel, and no clay had been found at a depth of 13 feet below the bed of the river, that is the depth of the crowi^of the arch. The witness said that even though there were a break in the clay, the making of the tunnel with- out the distunbance of the navigation of the river was still perfectly practicable. The slipper of iron process could be pursued, and the presence of boulder stones in the strata would not materi- ally hinder its adoption. Even the borings of the opponents of the bill showed that the clay was met with much above the level of the bottom of the tunnel. This fact showed that the tunnelling could be done with recourse to caissons, which were, practically, diving bells. The slipper pro- cess had been used in the Thames Tunnel. It was now much improved. He had allowed an ample amount for the tunnelling. In answer to the chairman, the witness stated that the cost of the tunnel as they now designed it should be made was £111,29, and of the ap- proaches £7,567, or together £118,861. This was an average of JB75 a yard forward. Cross examined by Mr Richards, Q.C., the wit- ness said he understood there was abundance of room at the Prince of Wales Dock. Re-examined by Mr C. Leigh, witness said be had not bored in the waterway of Neath rher without permission. The Neath Commissioners or the Great Western had been boring in the fairway, and had interfered with the navigation fur more than a fortuight. This was far more interference with the navigation than the use of the slipper system could possibly cause. In all his borings he had found the clay at a depth which led him to conclude that it would continue under the river at a level which would render it an impervious covering to the tunuel. The sec- tion of the opponents containing the result3 of their recent investigations showed a much higher level cf clay than the section which they had ex- hibited to the committee of the Ho us 13 of Com- mons. ¡ Mr Henry Law, M.T.C.E., a pupil of the late Sir 1. Brunei, stated that he was engaged ii1 the construction of the Thames Tunnel. He knew the district affected by this bill, and was engaged in the construction of the original Swansea Docks. He had been consulted with regard to the present He had been consulted with regard to the present scheme, and when it was suggested to carry the line over the river by means of an opening bridge, he strongly advised tho construction of a tunnel. He proposed, in making the tunnel, to "dopt the plan of sinking caissons by what w« lcuown amrmg engineers as the pneumatic method. A model was produced, and the witness explained the operation to their lordships, stating that it was to be adopted in connection wit-h a new line of railway crossing the Thames from Charing- cross, the works in relation to which had been already sanctioned by Parliament. The other portions of the tunnel, where the caissons ceased, would be constructed upon the" siipger" system, in the same manner as the Thames Tun- nel was constructed. If, in the course of the work", soft ground was met with, there would be j no difficulty in dealing with it; the only differ- ence it would make would be in relation to the cost. In constructing the Thames Tunnel they met with the "ame difficulty. As they appronched the centre of the river they round the ground in a very disturbed condition, and the water broke in upon them on five or six occasions, but they dealt with the ditticulty as it arose, and now th8v had appliances to assist them which they did not dream of then. The magnitude of this work and the difficulties to be apprehended were not to be compared with the work of constructing the Thames Tunnel. He had been consulted as to the cost of the proposed tunnel, and the contractor who was engaged in the construction of the railway authorised last year had taken the contract at the estimate of the engineers, £13,000 had been added to the original estimates in consequence of the crown of the tunnel having been lowered from 3ft to 13ft below the level of the bed of the ri -'or. Engineers who were called in the of yofamous by UIQ of tbe bill varied very considerably in their estimate of the cost of the proposed work—the sum men- tioned by them exceeding his estimate by £22,000 to £120,000. Objection was also raised to the proposal of executing part of the work by means of caissons, 0:1 the ground that it was prejudicial to the health of the workmen, but, his experience was to the contrary; He had had the satne men working on caissons for three years without suf- fering any injury. Cross-examined, by Mr Michael, the witness said the Thames Tunnel was constructed on the slipper system, and it would be used here. No other tunnel had ever been constructed on this system. Nor had any tunnel been made by the caisson process, but all engineers admitted its practicability. Mr Michael remarked that an engineer never sdinitted anything to be impracticable if sufficient money was forthcoming. The witness said that engineers did not quite go that length. In his evidence before the committee of the House of Commons, he did not go on the assumption that there was a continuous bed of impervious clay over the whole of the tunnel. He had stated that if, as he hoped, the clay was continuous over the tunnel the boring would be an exceedingly easy process but if the clay was broken there would be no great difficulty in carrying on the work by the slipper process, though it would add a little to the cost. Even the section of the opponents shewed that the clay was only six inches below the top of the tunnel. He positively repeated that there was a continuous bed of clay under the river. It might sink a little lower, just below the lowest part of the river, than he had expected. Cross-examined by Mr Richards, the witness said the caissons would not be used within the margin of the river water at all. Supposing that having got to the end of the caisson work and begun their ordinary tunnelling, the water should break in, they would be able to stop the flow of the water and continue the work by the methods he had described. The safety and success of the tunnel did not depend upon there being a con- tinuous bed of clay above the tunnel. It was only a question of expense. Mr Richards remarked that the estimates of the expense were part of the bill. Re-examined by Mr Charles Leigh, the witness said the pneumatic process was a well understood and successful mode of working under water in the building of piers, and it could be safely ap- plied here. The committee then adjourned. HOUSE OF LORDS, Tuesday.—This bill came before a select committee of the House of Lords, the Earl of Limerick presiding. Sir Joseph Bazalgette, C.E., examined by Mr Charles Leigh, Q.C., said he was the engineer of the Thames Embankment, and had carried out almost 30 miles of main drainage tunnelling through all descriptions of strata. The experience of tunnelling was now very much greater than it was in former years, and it could be undertaken with very much more certainty of success. He had examined the line of the Rhondda and Swan- sea Bay Railway extension, and more especially the direction of the proposed tunnel. In his opinion there would be no difficulty or danger in carrying out the work described by Mr Yockney and Mr Law. Mr Chandos Leigh asked at this point what really was in dispute with reference to the strata under the Neath. Mr Michael, Q.C., said that since the bill was in the other House the Neath Harbour Commis- sioners had gone to great expense in sinking a cylinder to find out what was the exact nature of the ground below the bed of the river under its navigable channel, and they should prove dis- tinctly that there was no clay above the level of the top of the tunnel at that-part. Lord Greville complained that he had been misled by the counsel of the opponents with refer- ence to the sections of the bed of the river. Mr Michael repudiated any intention to mis- lead the committee. The witness, proceeding with his evidence, said that assuming a depression was found in the covering of clay they expected to have above the line of the tunnel, this would make no material difference in carrying on the work. It was repre- sented by the opponents that one foot depth of sand came below the line of the top of the tunnel. If this were found to be the case, the mode of proceeding would be to construct the tunnel through the clay, leaving some portion or the clay to cover the tunnel, and, when they had got the tunnel made, to break through the roof of of clay and remove a foot of sand, so as to raise the roof of the tunnel to the required height. There would be no difficulty in doing this safely by a. slipper or shield of iron. He could not imagine any engineer saying it was impracticable. Ho had made many tunnels in face of much greater difficulties. With reference to the caisson work, he said that though this particular description of it was not familiar to him, its principle was well known, and had been applied in many cases. He in no way withdrew his statement made in the House of Commons that he would stake his professional reputation in his ability to carry out such a work. He regarded the estimate as sufficient. Cross-examined by Mr Michael The witness said he gave his evidence in the House of Com- mons in the belief that there was a bed of clay rising to above the level of the top of the tunnel. But as they were not perfectly sure of it an extra al- lowance was made in the estimates. If the clay did not reach to the level of the top of the tunnel, nevertheless the tunnel could be easily made, though, no doubt, at a. somewhat increased ex- pense, by the use of the slipper process. If boul- ders were met with, they would be cut away to allow of the advance of the slipper shield. Very little of the sand above the clay would be exposed at a time. There would, therefore, be no danger of the river water rushing in upon them in un- manageable quantities. As represented by the section of the opponents, the top of the tunnel under the bed of the navigable chaunel was above the clay. Lord Greville: Is that supposed to be accurate ? Mr Michael: Supposed to be ? Lord Greville: Yes. Mr Michael: I shall prove that it is accurate. The section was handed up to the committee and closely examined. Re-examined by Mr Chandos Leigh: Insinking the shaft in the bed of the river the opponents of the bill only went two feet below the level of the crown of the proposed tunnel. Mr Michael: And they are still at work, Witness, in answer to further questions, Raid he attached considerable importance to the loam which had been found in the course of boring operations, as it would prevent the percolation of the water. He saw nothing in the result of the boring operations conducted by the opponents of the bill which would lead him to alter his opinion, and he was still prepared to stake his reputation on the practicability of the proposed works. Mr Wm. S. Marsh, C.E., engaged on~ Mr! Yockney's staff, stated that he was the resident engineer of the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Rail- way works, and in April last took charge of the boring operations in the Neath. He described the result of those operations, and said, after passing through the clay the ground was found to be perfectly dry, showing that the clay was impervious to the action of the water. He saw the men at work sinking tho cylinder in the bed of the river. Two barges were used, and those barges remained moored in the waterway for about a fortnight. The witness produced the auger and tube by means of which the clay was penetrated, and explained to the committee the method by which they were used. Mr Thomas Ward, C.E., assistant to Mr Yockney, stated that he superintended the sink- ing of two of the shafts in the Neath. At the bottom of one of the shafts he came upon a solid bed of clay 5ft. 4ia. in thickness. In putting down the second shaft he came upon some boul- ders of stone. A diver was sent down, and the stones were removed, and subsequently ha came upon a bed of clay 1ft. 6in. in thickness. The clay was dry. and impervious to water. This closed the case for the promoters of the bill. Evidence on behalf of the Neath Harbour Com- missioners was then called. Mr Moore, colliery proprietor and owner of a siding at Neath, examined by Mr Michael, Q.C., stated that in 1852 he shipped 206,000 tons of coal from Neath, and 87,000 tons from Swan- sea. He also imported about 4;000tonsof goods during 1882. He employed steamers of from 800 to 900 tons burthen, and these were loaded at Neath or Swansea as circumstances required. He found that the facilities at Neath for shipping purposes were equal to those at Cardiff, and ce rsa. They had been expending large sums of money in the improvement of the harbour of Neath, and with the new dock now in oourse of construction at Neath they had expended some- thing like £350,000 in this direction. It was therefore undesirable that anything should be done to interfere with the navigation of the river. Mr Chandos Leigh objected to this evidence. A good deal of capital was sought to be made out of the alleged interference with the bed of the river, when the bill was before the House of Commons, but that point had been dropped since the bill had been before the House of Lords, and a new line of argument had been set up. It was, there- fore, unfair to resuscitate the objection, after all the witnesses for the promoters of the bill had been called, without being asked a single question on the point. Mr Michael pointed out that the House of Commons passed the bill only on the condition and the distinct understanding that there should be no interference with the bed el the river, or with the navigation of the river. The Chairman thought the question was a fair one to raise. Witness stated that he viewed with apprehen- sion any works undertaken underneath the bed of the river. Cross-examined by Mr Chandos Leigh: Wit- ness said he should object to any superstructure in the river, and lie was also afraid that the tun- nel would tend to divert the preseut course of the river. Captain Lewis, harbour-master at Neath, stated that he entertained strong objection to the con- struction of tho proposed tunnel. Since the bill had passed the committee ot the House of Com- mons a cylinder had been sunk in the deepest part of the river, and the result of their explora- tions was that not a single bod of clay or of dry ground was to be found. He believed the making of the embankment and the caisson work on either side of the river would tend to damage the water way. The construction of these embankments and caissons would be sure to cause a lot of loose stuff, and this would be carried by the tide into the stream, and would have a prejudicial effect on the waterway. They were every day improving the approaches to Neath, and he viewed with apprehension anything which was calculated to interfere with the efficiency of those approaches. He was present during the boring operations with the cylinder, and was certain that no clay existed under the bed of the river. Nothing was found but sand and earth gravel, with stone boulders, j There were only two classes of soil, and thero I certainly was 110 watertight strata. | Cross-examined by Mr Ch indos Leigh, witness stated that his boring operations were carried to a depth of 1 foot 9 inchr-fbelow the crown of the pro- posed tunnel. He believed that if the wituesses for the pronv>tors of the bill had not distinctly t assured the House of Commons that there was I a macintosh d clay owr the proposed tutl!1eI, the bill would not iiav'3 passed by the of the Hoiise of Commons. He believed Mr Law and the other engineers for the bill never contem- plated meeting with the difficulties which the cylinder led him to conclude would be met with. Re-examined by Mr Michael: Witness said the ground through which it was proposed to drive the tunnel was, in his opinion, full of water. He believed that if the promoters of the bill were permitted to construct the tunnel, they would have to agaiti come to Parliament for powers to erect a continuous caisson; and that it would lead to endless litigation. If he could only feel stive that the bed of the river would not be disturbed by these works, he should have no ob- jection to the tunnel. Mr William L°an, of Glasgow, engineer and contractor, stated that he had assisted in the boring operations, and his opinion as to the nature of the ground under the waterway entirely cor- roborated that of Captain Lewis, If, in making the tunnel by the slipper system, they came across a boulder, such as those met with by the cylinder, they would have to get at it by means of caissons, and this would disturb the bed of the river. Mr Giles, M.P. for Southampton, C.E., and member of the council of the Institute of Civil Engineers, examined by Mr Pope, Q.C., stated that he had surveyed Neath harbour. He had not known of any tunnelling under a nnvigable river so near the surface of the bed of the river as this. So far as any present experience went there was no tunnelling within 45 feet of the bed of a river. He had had some experience in driving caisson work, and he knew the difficulties to be contended with, and he considered a crust of 13 feet was insufficient to meet the pressure from above, which, at high water, would be very great. He visited Neath last Saturday, and saw the cylinder at work. It brought up loamy sand and boulders, but no clay, and he believed there was no clay to be met with in the bed of the river. With regard to the construc- tion of the tunnel by tha slipper system, he believed it could not be done. The slipper would only be iron half-an-inch thick, and that he believed would be insufficient to bear the pressure of 1 ton to the foot which would be met with. The slipper would bend and fracture, and would let in the water. More than that, thes3 boulders would be met with, and would be a great difficulty to be overcome. Mr Stileman, C.E., stated that he had seen the cylinder at work. Sand and other loose stuff, together with boulders of stone were brought up, but no clay was met with. He had had no ex- perience of tunnelling by means of tho slipper system, but he believed if one of the boulders which they had met with in boring with the cylinder happened to get behind the slipper, the work would be entirely suspended until by some means or other the boulder was removed. If the tunnelling failed owing to the water break- ing into it and the works were abandoned, the result would be in all probability very serious to the navigation of the channel, the waterway of the Neath being of a. shifting character. There was no provision made in the estimates for an irruption of water, which ought to be contem- plated in carrying out tunnelling works, and in his opinion the estimated expenditure was £85,000 lower than it ought to be. Mr Robert Brereton, C.E., of Westminster, consulting engineer to the Neath Harbour Com- missioners, stated that in his opinion the proposed works were objectionable, inasmuch as they were calculated to interfere with the water-way of the river Neath, and that the esti- mated cost was very much less than the actual expenditure would be found to be if the works were carried out. He had had considerable ex- perience in engineering works of this kind, and he felt certain that the construction of the pro- posed embankments and caissons would disturb a. large tract of ground, and that the tide would carry the debris into the navigable parts of the river, and very much damage it. f Mr William Wilson, C.E., one of the engineers enaged on the docks at Neath, gave evidence as to the impracticability of the scheme promoted by this bill. He also corroborated the evidence of the preceding engineers with regard to the results of boring opsrations with the cylinder in the bed of the stream. Mr Pope, Q.C., then addressed their lordships on behalf of the Neath Harbour Commissioners. He pointed out that when the committee of the House of Commons passed the preamble of this bill it was on the distinct understanding that the bed of the river should not be interfered with. He urged that no Lords' committee should sanction a bill which had passed the Lower House upon conditions which could not be fulfilled, and he appealed to their lordships, under the altered circumstances, not to pass the bill. Mr Vaughan Richards, Q.C., briefly addressed their lordships on behalf of the Neath Corpora- tion, urging that the railway was intended only to sorve the mineral traffic of the Rhondda Valley. It was a little pottering line, which, if con- structed, would be forced upon the Great Wes- tern Railway to purchase and to reconstruct as a passenger line. Tho opposition of the Great Western Railway Company was then proceeded with, and Mr Lloyd, surveyor, gave evidence as to the result of borings he had jnade, both in the bed of the river and on the sides of the river. The result of his operations at one of the borings was, that nothing but sand and gravel were met with down to 25 feet 6 inches, where he came upon clay. This would leave 8 feet of the lower portion of the tunnel in clay, and the remainder, or upper portion, in sand or gravel. The other borings, which were taken beyond the site of the proposed tunnel, showed practically the same results. The Great Western Railway Company had a large amount of dock accommoda- tion at Swansea—large enough to accommodate all the traffic that could come from the Rhondda Valley. The evidence of this witness had not con- cluded when the committee adjourned. HOUSE or LOBDS, Wednesday.—This bill came ajaiu to day before a select committee of the House of Lords, the Earl of Limerick presiding. Mr Lloyd, surveyor to the Great Western Rail- way Company, continued his evidence. He pointed out the objections to the level-crossing, which he anticipated would have to be made near the junction south of Briton Ferry. Cross-examined by Mr Chandos Leigh, he said vessels ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 tons burden frequented Briton Ferry. It was a mistake to say that the average burden of the vessels entering Briton Ferry Dock was only 200 tons. Mr Owen, assistant engineer of the Great Wes- tern Railway, examined by Mr Saunders, said he had given instructions to Mr Lloyd to make borings over the course of the proposed tunnel. These had been made, and he had every confidence in the reliability of the results. The general conclu- sion to which he bad come was that, with the ex- ception of a very small portion of the covered way, the whole of the tunnel would be in sand, sandy gravel, or other pervious strata full of water. The construction would be attended with great diffi- culty, expense, probably loss of life, and serious accidents. Eventually, he had no doubt, if un- limited means and unlimited time were allowed, the tunnel would be constructed. The object to be served here was very small, and would not justify the expense and risk. The motive was to save half-a dozen miles in the length of the jour- ney of a coal train. The shorter route would be a single line, and in other respects less convenient. The witness went through the estimates of Mr Yockney, and stated that they were far below the cost that might be anticipated in carrying cut any works of the kind. 1, :;J Mr Benjamin Baker, member of the council of the I.C.E., and one of the consulting engineers to the Great Western Railway, stated that he had had large experience in the construction of tun- nels, but he knew of no instance of the construc- tion of a tunnel through a stratification like that stated to have been found under the bed of the Neath river. He did not believe the slipper sys- tem, which was proposed to be used in construct- ing the tunnel under the Neath river, would prove successful. It was used in the construction of the Thames Tunnel, but the water broke in upon them several time, and the work could only be completed at greatly increased cost., Mr John Fowler, C.E., the consulting engi- neer with the Great Western Railway, expressed his decided conviction that the work by the pneumatic system might be possible if cost were no consideration, but that the construction of the proposed tunnel by the slipper" system, was an absolute impossibility, The Chairman: Supposing it was found necessary in the construction of the tunnel to adopt the pneumatic system, could it be done under the powers contained in the present Mr Michael, Q.C.: Yes, claose 8 was put in far the express ptfrpose, my lord. Mr Grierson, general manager of the Great Western Railway Company, was then called to give evidence upon the railway and dock accom- modation afforded by the company at Swansea and Neath, At Briton Ferry, also, they had acquired the whole of the dock accommodation at an expenditure of something like £300,000. The trade at Swansea was only now opening up, and the existing dock accommodation at that port was very much greater than the present traffic. If the Great Western Railway and the proposed new line were equal gradients there would be a consi- derable saving to the Rhondda Valley traffic coming over the proposed new line, which would be six miles shorter, but the new line would have a gradient of one in 50 or 60 and would be costly and difficult to work. It could not possibly be seriously contemplated that the proposed new line was intended for passenger traffic, because the line would have to cross two swing bridges. Those bridges would be sure to be open at in- tervals during the day, and delays would thus arise which would be altogether fatal to passenger traffic. Cross-examined by Mr Ledgard,rwitness stated 'I that the Great Westem Railway Company had themselves this year promoted a bill for shorten- ing their route between Briton Ferry and Swan- sea. He did not claim for the Great Western Railway Company a monopoly of the trade at Swansea and Neath, but he did maintain that, having provided dock and railway accommodation for the neighbourhood, they should not be inter- fered with until it could be shown they were in- capable of dealing with the traffic of the district. Mr Michael, having addressed the com- mittee on behalf of the Great Western Railway Company, .>. The Hon. Chandos Leigh, Q.C., replied upon the whole case. The committee-room was then cleared, and upon the re-admittance of the public after the lapse of a very short time,' The Chairman announced that the committee had decided to proceed with the consideration of the clauses of the bill.4 • The preamble of the bill having bectqsS0d, the consideration of the clauses of the bill was de- ferred until to-morrow (Thursday), after which the clauses of the Taff Vale .Railway -Bill will be taken. GREAT REJOICINGS AT BRITON FERRY. When the telegram arrived hero announcing the passing of the preamble of tho Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway Bill, tho town was posted with largo bills, general satisfaction being there- by engendered., MTLFORD DOCKS. Lord Rede3dale also had this bill before him on Monday, the. Examiner having reported its non- coinpliunce with the standing orders. As proof had MO £ been givsa of hoiking of meetings of several railway companies interested in the pro- visions contained in the bill, Mr Rees attended to give the necessary explanations, and Lord Redes- dare asked if the meetings had since been called. A reply was given in the negative, but the stand- ing orders were allowed to be dispensed with also, on the understanding that the proofs which should have been given before the examiners shall be given when the bill reaches the committee stage. The decision will in due course be reported to the House of Lords. NEWPORT DOCK. This bill came before the standing orders com- mittee of the House of Lords this afternoon; Lord Redesdale presiding. The examiners reported that the standing orders had not been complied with, inasmuch as sufficient. notice had not been given of the intention to ask for certain powers now contained in the bill. Mr Reesi hientary agent, assured Lord Redesdale that the necessary proofs would be forthcoming when the bill came before a committee of the House. Upon this understanding his lordship allowed the stand- ing orders to be dispensed with, and the same will he reported to the House of Lords in due course.

REPORTS OF THE INSPEC- TORS OF MIKES, The Parliamentary Blue Book containing the reports of the inspectors of mines for 1882 was issued on Wednesday, and from its volumiuous pages we gather some valuable statistics respect- ing the South Wales and Monmouthshire coal- field. During the year 1882 the aggregate number of persons employed in and about the whole of the ii) Ltiei in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland amounted to 559,493 persons. Of these 503,987 were employed under the Coal Mines Regulation Act, and 55,506 under the Metallifer- ous Mines Regulation Acts. The total number of fatal accidents was 959, and the total number of deaths occasioned thereby 1,218 showing an increase, compared with the totals for 1881, of 30 in the number of fatal accidents, and an in- crease of 165 in the number of lives lost. On an average, during the year 1882, there was one fatal accident to amongst every 533 persons employed, and one death by accident amongst every 459 persons employed. The average for the nine years, 1874 to 1882, is one fatal accident for every 595 persons employed, and 03e death by accident amongst every 454 persons employed. The proportion of fatal accidents in 1882 to the num- ber of persons employed i, therefore, a little higher than the average of the last eight years but the death-rate is very nearly the same. The following summary shows the number of persons employed in and about the whole of the mines in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the number of fatal accidents and deaths, and the death-rate from accidents since the passing of the Coal Mines Regulation Act, 1872, and the Metalliferous Mines Regulation Act, 1872 I Deaths K°.nds Death- v.,n Persons caused y J rate per Employed by acci-'p ,if 1,000 dents, jost e'ploy'd 1873 576,832 1,173 1874 595,190 1,159 513 1*947 1875 593,918 1,463 435 2*295 1876 572,029 1,003 570 1-753 1877 551,786 1,305 422 2*365 1878 526,787 1,490 353 2-828 1879 523,870 1,037 505 1-979 1880 53 ,841 1,402 303 2-606 1831 550,419 1,053 522 1*913 1882 539,4^3 1,218. 4&9 2*176 Total for the 9) years, 1874 to V 5,011,333 11,030 — — 1882 j Averages for the "i 9 years, 1374 to V 556,814 1,225 454 2*201 1882 ) In the district of Mr Thomas Cadman, so far as South Wales and Monmouthshire are concerned, there were last year 20,831 persons employed underground, including 18,081 above 16 years of age, and 2,750 under 16. Above ground there were employed 4,126 persons, of whom 3,895, 465 being females, were over 16, the ietuairider, of whom 12 were females, being under 16. In Mr Wales's district there was a total of 46,268 persons employed, of whom 41,011 were over 16 years of age, 4,503 between'13 and 16, and 754 under 13. Above ground there were 8,390 persons employed, of whom 7,394 were males over 16, 499 females over 16, 11 females under 16, 470 males under 16, and 16 males uuder 13. The following is an epitome of Mr Wales' re- port:— The tokl\I number of collieries at work was 374, em- ploying 54,658 persons, viz., 46,268 underground and 8,390 on the surface. The total output or quantity of minerals raised was 16,492,027 tons, and the number of fatal accidents was 136, with a loss of 144 lives. These figures show an increase both in the number of persons emnloyed and minerals raised, and also an increaso of 8 accidents and 11 lives lost as compared with 1881, which, however, was an exceptionally good year. The annexed tabular form shows the number of per- sons employed, and the number of tons of minerals rai:ed per fatal accident, and per life lost:— 1881. 1882. Total number of persons employed 53,452 51,658 Ions of minerals raised. 16,2ol,28116,492,027 Number of collieries 358 374 Number of fatal accidents 128 136 Number of lives lost 133 144 Number of persons employed per fatal accident 418 402 Number of persons employed per Molest. 402 379 Number of tons of minerals raised per fatal accident 127,041 121,264 Number of tons of minerals raised per life lost 122,265 114,528 EXPLOSIONS OF GAS. The first and most serious explosion occurred at the Lewis Merthyr Colliery, on the 16th of February, causing the loss of four lives. This is an extensive colliery, and is situated in the tRhondda Valley, a few miles from the town of Pontypridd; it is connected with the Hafod Colliery, each colliery, however, having a separate upcast and downcast shaft, with a powerful ventilating fan placed at the top of each upcast shaft. The fan at the top of the Lewis Merthyr pit is worked by duplicate engines, and about 6.15 on the evening in question it was stopped to change the engines. About 6.48 p.m. the pitman and another man descended the downcast shaft for the purpose of cleaning out a garland (curb ,or collecting the water falling down the sides of the shaft) at a point about 40 yards from the surface. Their lights consisted of three large open lamps (known as comet' lamps) which were filled with paraffin oil. The fan,was restarted at about 7.30 p.m., and had been working some little time when the banksman on the surface discovered flames issuing from the shaft. He immediately signalled to the engineman to raise the cage, and as it was being raised it came in contact with the wooden guide rods, at a point about 9 or 10 yards from the surface. Two men then descended to the cage, and found the pitman and his companion dead, the two bodies being severely burnt. The supposition is that one of the lamps had been accidentally upset, and the paraffin which it contained, being of a highly explosive nature, had fired the cage on which the men were standing. After the two bodies were removed from the cage, it was found that some wood was also on fire in the shaft where the two de- ceased had been engaged cleaning out the "garland." Two men then descended to extinguish this tire, but whilst so engaged a fearful explosion occurred, killing them and two others on the surface. The coal worked at this colliery is of a very fiery nature, and it was known that, during the comparatively short time (only 76 minutes) the ventilating fan was stopped, a large quantity of gas would probably accumulate in the working's, but as all the men had been removed from the mine, it was considered that such a condition of things would not be attended with any danger. There can be no doubt that the explosion in this case' was caused by the current of air produced by the restarting of the ventilating fan carrying some sparks or other burning substance from where the fire was burning in the shaft to a point in the colliery where the gas had accumulated, and so exploded it. I consider the deceased pitman, who descended the shaft whilst the ventilating fan was stopped, was guilty of great carelessness had ho waited until the fan had been working for a few hours the mine would doubtless have been completely cleared of gas. Still I think the firing of the wood in the shaft, and the sub. sequent explosion and loss of life, were directly attri- butable to tho accidental upsetting of one of the paraffin lamps which the two deceased men were using. This is by far the most serious accident from the use ot paraffin that has ever come under my notice, and I would strongly urge upon all colliery managers the im- portance of prohibiting its use in future in all similar cas.es, I The second explosion occurred in the River Level Colliery, Aberdare, the property of the Aberdare Coal and Iron Company, and resulted in the loss of one life. The; third occurred in the Yniswen Colliery, Rbondda Valley, on the 9th of May, which also caused the loss of one life. In this case the deceased was himself the owner of the colliery, which for some time had only been partially worked. On the day in question the owner and his manager were making an inspection of the disused parts of the colliery with a view to restart- ing them. Unfortunately the inspection was being made with an open light, which exploded some gas which had accumulated. Both were severely burnt; the owner, in the course of a few days, succumbed to the injuries he had received, but the manager ulti- mately recovered. In my opinion, the inspection of disused parts of a colliery (whether of a fiery or non- fiery nature), ought always to be made with a locked safety lamp, and not with an open light. The fourth explosion occurred on the 2nd of October, in the Llwynpia No. 3 Coal Colliery, also situated in the Rhon ida Valley, and belonging to the Glamorgan Coal Company. This explosion was also attended with the los.s of one life. The fifth aud last explosion took place In the'Seven Sisters Colliery, which is situated in the Crynant Valley, about 8 or 10 miles from Neath, and is the pro- perty of Messrs Evans and Bevaw. In this case also one life was lost.

DEATHS FROM FALLS OF STONE AND FALLS OF OAL. The numbef of lives lost under this head was 66, be- ing a slight improvement upon the precediug year, when it was 72. It will be observed that the death rate under this head is nearly 50 per cent. of the whole of the accidents. This is a startling fact, and demands the serious attention of all interested in the working of the coal mines in this district. In former report I have pointed out that for the most part the timbering of the roofs at the faces, where most of the falls occur, is done by the colliers themselves, and that therefore their safety is, in a great measure, dependent upon their own (,-arc and skill. Of course, it is a duty in- cumbent upon the officials to see, as far as they can do so, that the timbering of the roofs is properly done; but when it is recollected that probably their inspec- tions of each working place do not occupy more than a few minutes during each working sh;ft of eight or nine hours, it will, I think, be admitted that practically tue securing of the rovfs depends upon the colliers them- selves. I DFATHS rrtom AMDB.NTS IX SFTArrs. 22 deaths have occurred as against 16 in 1881. On the 21-t February four oersons were killed by a fall of rubbish from the sides of a sinking shaft m connection with the Cwm Park Coiliovy, which is one of a group known as the Ocean Collieries, belonging to Messrs David Davies and Co. The shaft bad ouly been sunk 36 yards below the surface. The whole distance had been timbered in the usual way, but on the evening in question a large stone quite unexpectedly became loose, and, breaking the timbers in front of it, fell with a large quantity of rubbish upon the sinkers working at the bottom, with the sad result already mentioned. As soon as possible after the accident oc. curred a careful inspection was made of the shaft, and it was found that the broken timi.,er was of great strength and had been properly fixed. On the 16th of November two persons were killed by the breaking of a wire rope whilst descending the upcast shaft of the Tynybedw Coiliery, which is situated in the Itiiond ia Valley, and is tho property of Messrs Thomas and Griffiths. One of the deceased was the mechanical engineer, and bad charge of all the engines, machinery, ropes, &c., used at the colliery. It was also his duty to examine all the ropes carefully every morning. Un the day in question be, with another young man, was descending the said upcast shaft to do certain work, and when they had descended oniy a few yards the rope broke, and both fell to the bottom and were killed. From my examination of the rope, a day or two after it broke. I was clearly of opiuion that it was iu a dangerous utate at the time it was used and quite unlit for persons to descend by had the rope boeii properly examined by the mechanical engineer, as it ought to have bean, before the descent was made, its dangerous condition would doubtless have been discovered. I consider this accident and loss of life are afctrihutaMe to tho k-nor. ance or carelessness of the deceased mechanical en- I erineer. The responsibilities which attach to the' i ijositiou of iL mechanical engineer at the large collieries !li¡>içt theof baaOretU pi.tttjsw daily dependent upon the efficiency of the appIJans-s and machinery employed, are nor, I think, always sufficiently appreciated by the owners and manager* and, consequently, men to ally unfit for the discharge of such duties are occasionally app(\;rJ, as, I believe, was so in the case uniler consideration. This matter, in a large district like this, is ot the greatest import- ance, and one to which I most earnestly ask both owners and managers to give their serious attention, so as to prevent, a a far as possible, the appointment of incompetent or eareless men to such positions in future. Of the remaining 16 deaths in shafts, one was killed by falling down a staple pit; one by endeavouring to leave the cage before it was stopped; two by the upsetting of a par ffin lamp (already referred to); one by falling from part way down siiaft five by pieces of coal and stone falling down shafts three by falling down shafes; two by being crushed bv cages at bottom of shafts; one by fall in sinking shafc. With the exception, however, of snch cases as occurred at the bottom of shafts, from descending cages, or from things falling down shafts, these accidents are such as gener- ally occur, and do n ;t require any further explanation. With a view, however, to reduce as much as possible the number of accidents which occur at the bottom of shafts, the following matters ought to be sirietiy carried out 1. A proper road ought to be made at one side of every shaft, so as to enable the hitchers and others to pass from one side to the other without having to pass through the shaft. 2. IViien any person wishes to ascend the shaft a. pro- per and distinct signal ought to be sent to the suriace, and no person ouaht to attempt to get into the cage un- til a return signal has been received c.)-how that tiie tram just raised has been safely removed from the cage there. In this district it is almost the universal prac- tice to build the coal considerably above the sides of the trams, and it is not by any means an uucnnnon occurrence for pieces of coal, varving from one to several pounds in weight, to fall down the shaft, when the tram reaches the surface; hence the srreat import- ance of not attempting to enter the cave at the bottom until the tram has been safely landed at the surface. DEATHS FROM MKCELl^NEOUS CAUSES. Thirty-nine deaths occurred under this head, as against thirty-four last year. Twenty-four persons were killed by trams on horse road. (Out (,f these one was 12, three were 13, and three were 14 years of age the rest varied from 16 to 50 years of age.) Eight were killed by trains on engine and self-acting planes. Two by explosions of gunpowder and five by mis. cellaneous causes. None of these accidents are such a..s to require further explanation than is given in the list of accidents accompanying this report. DEATHS FROM ACCIDENTS ON SURFACE. Nine deaths occurred under this head, as against eight in the preceding year. Two persons were silled by trucks. Three by trams. One person was killed by a piece of timber. One by failing from screens. Another by a fall of earth which was being excavated ex, for engine foundation, and one by falling from a bridge at colliery. NON-FATAL EXPLOSIONS. It is a fact worthy of spccial notice that all the ex- plosions of gas, both fatal and non-fatal, were attri- butable to the use of naked lights. This, in itself, is a strong reason why, not only all our fiery, but also our comparatively nou-fiery, mines ought to be worked with locked safety lamps instead of open lights. I am strongly of opinion that if this were done a con- siderable saving of life would be etfected.

""THE WEEK'S MAUKETS, CORN. CARDIFF, Saturday.—English wheat, in small supply, sells at last week's prices. Foreign wheat dull, and where sales are pressed a trifle lower is accepted. Flour in good demand, and unchanged in value. Weather fine. GLOUCESTER, Saturday. — Though the supply of English wheat was small, last week s rates were barely supported. Foreign wheat dull, and the turn lower. Grinding barley 3d and maize fully 6d per qr lower. Oats slow. Weather fine. NEWPORT, Wednesday.—An average supply of samples, but the tone of the market was drooping, and to effect sales 6s to Is was accepted on wheat, and 6d on maize and barley. Other articles unchanged. »: LONDON, Wednesday.—Trade very slow for wheat, owing to the fine weather foreign still tending down- wards. Flour dull, at about former values. Barley steady. Oats an,! maize slow sale. Beans, peas, and lentils unaltered. Quotations as follows ;British arrivals Wheat, 150 Foreign arrivals Wheat, 49,520 qrs; barley, 9,450 qrs; oats, 21,650 qrs maize, 2,080 qrs flour, 3.640 sacks and 1,820 barrels. GLASGOW, Wednesday. -Wheat a';d flour met a sloiv sale, at 6d per qr and sack reduction. Barley ne- glected. Oats the turn cheaper. BeLiti and peas un. altered. Maize 21 lower 15s per 280 lbs asked for mixed American. Weather dull. CATTLE. SWANSEA, Monday.—The annual cattle and wool fair was opened on Monday. Cattle and horses realised fair prices, and wool was sold at lid, Is, and Is Oid. There was a good attendance. COWBRIDGE, Tuesday.—The quotations were a fol. lows :—Best fat cattle, ddto 3d second do, 8d bet fat sheep, 10-1 second ùo, 9d per lb lambs, 25s to 40s calves, lOd per lb cows and calves, £18 to £ 22 fat- lambs, lOd per lb. NEWPORT, Wednesday.—There was a better supply of cattle and other stock at the market to-day, but buyers were not plentiful, and only a limited business was done at the following quotations Beef, best quality, 92d secondary sorts, eid mutton, wether, tle' 9d ewe ditto, 9d per 10. Business in pigs was dull. A market for live stock was also held at Maindee, which is in the county, in order to avoid the vexatious resales of the cordon which the county executive com- mittee, under the Contagious Diseases (Auimals) Act, have seen tit to draw around the borough. CARMARTHEN, ■ Wednesday.—At this market busi- ness was not so brisk as usual, and the supply was short. Fat beasts were scarce, and were selling at a reduction. Cows and calves were pretty numerous, and sold at prices ranging from £ 1? to £ 22. There was little demand for store beasts, and very few on offer. Mr J. Howell Thomas conducted a sale of sheep, the prices of which may be quoted at—ewes, £ 2 10s each rams, from 34s to 40s. Butcher's prices for mutton, 19d to lOd per lb lamb, 10d per Iè). There were not many pigs m the market. Prices ruled at 10s 6d per score. SOUTIIALL, Wednesday.—There was a fair trade, the supply being rather shorter, and last week's prices were fairly maintained. Best oxen, 5s lOd to 6s second qualities, 5s 4d to 5s 8d prime wethers, from 6s bd to 6s 10d second qualities, from 5i1 8d to 6s 4d, with a good clearance. f PROVISIONS. MONMOUTH, Saturday. The market to-day was fairly attended with sellers and buyers. The quota- tions were as follows:—Fresh butter, retail, from Is ld to Is 2d per lb; to hucksters, from Is to Is Id. Eggs, 14 a shilling; duck eggs lid each. Dressed poultry Ducks varied with size from 6s bs to 8s per couple, about lO^d per lb chicken from 53 6d to 6s 6d per couple. Live poultry ducks, from 4s 6d to 6s per couple chicken, from 4s to 6s, according to quality. Fruit Strawberries, 8d to lOd per quart cherries, 6d to 10;.1 per lb rhubarb. Id per bundle gooseberries, 2,!d to3d per quart. Vegetables Home-grown potatoes, 2d per lb; foreign, 2 i peas, Is per qr cucumbers varied with size from 4d to 8d each cabbages, from Id to 2d each old potatoes, 8d per qr raddishes, Id per buiieu lettuces, Id per dozen plants, savoys, from lOd to Is per 100 brocoli. Is 6d per 100 Enfield cabbages. 10d to Is turnips, 2d per bunch. Butchers' meat (prime joints only quoted) Lamb, lOd to lid wether mutton, 9d to lOd ewe do, 8d to 3d beef, 9d to lOd veal, 9d to lOd pork, 7d to 8id. COWBRIDGE, Tuesday.—Butter, Is to Is Id eggs, 8d per dozen fowls, 4s to 5s per couple. LONDON, Weduesday. Butter—moderate business doing in foreign descriptions. Friesland quoted dearer, 104s to 110s Kiel and Danish, 100s to 112s Normandy, 100s to 116s; Jersey lower, at S8s to 98s American merely nominal. Bacon—quiet market, at about previous quotations. Hams unaltered. Lard— slow sale. Cheese-finest new American quoted at 57s to 59s Edam, 5ÕJ> to 62s Gonda, 50s to 56s. BUTTER. CARMARTHEN, Saturday.—(From J. W. Morgan's Circular.)—A large supply of butter changed hands to- day at prices quoted last week, viz., 11M to b per lb. Cott ii, Wednesday.—Ordinary—tirsts, 98^ seconds, 89s; thirds, 81s; fourths, 63s; fifths, 55s. Mildcured nrkins- Superiine, III-, fine mild, 101s mild, 983 Salt kegs — firsts, 100s seconds, 89s thirds, 80s fourths, ti',t',is, -i. Mild-cured kegs-Superfine, — fine, —s; fine mild, 101s mild, —s. Firkins in market, 2,931; kegs, 9.; mild, 107. PRODUCE. LONDON, NVecliiesday. -Sugar market very dull, and but little business doing in raw kinds, without ma- terial alteration in prices refined generally steady. Coffee—small quantity of plantation and East Indian offered at auction, which sold at about previous rates. Tea-new seasons in the morning sold at Is 0^1 to Is lid Indian unaltered. Rice—a cargo of Rangoon sold at 7s 10id Bassein, 7s 7id off coast. Cotton market remains dull. Jute qiuet. Tallow without change. LIVERPOOL,1 Wednesday. SV.gar quiet, but steady Port Rico, 20s 9d, landing besides a sale aiready reported. Coffee quiet; 100 bags of Rio sold at 41s. Rice-notbing further since the morning. J,insecI- no sales. Petroleum very quiet, at 6Jd. Spirits of turpentine quiet, 29s. Rosin, 4s 9d to 4s LO.^d. Tallow— limited demand, at late prices. Lavd, 50s 6d on the spot, and remains dull. Nitrate of soda unchanged, at lis on the spot. WOOL. COWBRIDGE,' Tuesday.-liusiuoas was dull. Best ong wool, 8id liuilb, bd per It). SUGAR. GLASGOW, Wednesday.—(Messrs Hogg's Report.) — Market quiet and steady, with a moderate business doing. The official report statesModerate business done at steady prices. POTATOES LONDON, Wednesday.—There is a moderate anronnt of business doing in now potatoes, at about previous rates. The following are the quotations :-Kidneys, 160s to 130s Lisbon and Cherbourg, 150a to 160s Jersey, 140s to 160s per ton. StlF.PS, LONDON,Wednesday.—(Messrs John Rhaw'and Sons' report.)-Tlie atceudauoe on to-day's mavkot was most meagre, and the amount of business doing altogether insignificant. New French trifoliura, although offered at low rates, meets at present with hardly any atten- tion. For mustard and rapesced there is a moderate sale. The bird seed trade continues exceedingly quiet. Of blue peas the available supplies are getting into narrow compass. In linseed the tendency is do wawards. COALS. LONDON, Wednesday.—House coals condnued in steady demand at last prices. Iletton, South Hetton and Toes, 17s; Hawthorn and, Lyons, 15s per ton. Sliips at market, 14; sold, 6 for sale, —; gas, 7 left, 1* ships at sea, 0. METALS. LONDON, Wednesday.Copper rather elier; Chili sold at 1:1, to 63 J.23 fxl, sharp cash 8611ers at three months, Sj3 10s Chili charters coniirmed as 1,700 tons. Tin weaker; fine foreign £ 94 to £ 94 5s cash nearest price three months, prompt, £ 95. Iinglisii ingovs £ 97 to £ 93. bpolter, £ ].&. Lead, soft Spanish, X,U 14s Ou. Sootch pig iroa 47s 4.<t C^. NG IRON. GLASGOW, Wednesday.—The market was firm, and a good business was transacted at 47s 7d, 47s 7id, and 47s 62d, cash a.so at 4?s &i<t aw! ^7S y(] one month. Closing—setters at 47s 6^1 cash, and at 47s 0d one month buyers. Id less.

LOCAL FAIRS FOR JULY. Drysllwyn 2] Narbertll U Swansea 2 Boncath .11 Abery.U-.th 2 Iloss 12 iiythei' 2 Ncwcadtic-ijmlvn. t12 3 Knighton .15 St Clears 3 Llansawil! 15 lregarvm 3 IVnybont (Radnor), 17 Carmarthen$^ 10 Abergavenny 17 Gloucester 5 Llandyssul 17 Maenclochog 5 Conwill ill vet 19 Pontypool 5 Caerphilly 19 Llandgadock 9 Caerleon 20 Pembroke 8 Canton 22 Kington 10 Kettle 24 Lampeter (Cardigan) 10 Neath 26 Littlo Newcastle 10 Chepstow: 39 Talgarth- 10 Crymmych Arms 51 Haverfordwest 10 Haverfordwest 10

In the Upper House of Convocation on Wednes- day afternoon, a resolution of the Lower House,on the subject ot Marriage with a Deceased W ife's Sister, was brought up. The Bishop of Oxford said it was a matter of urgent necessity that the reasons which animated the bishops in their con- duct regarding this matter should be clearly stated, consequent upon widely prevalent mis- representations, and tile committee was appointed to draw up a report on the subject. U W MOTHERS AND NCBSES.—For children cutting taetb nothing equals Mrs Johnson's Soothing byrap. Contains 110 narcotic, and gives speedy relief. eP. Barclay and Sons' name on stamp. Of all chemists, 2s 9d per bottle. 19 TUh To IVUES PENNYROYAL AND STEEL PILLS FOR FBM.VU'IS quickly correct all irregularities, aud relieve the distressing symptoms so prevalent with the sex. Boxes Is lid and 2s uJ, ut all Chemists. Sent anywhere on receipt of 15 or 34 stamps by the maker, E. 'f TOWLE, Chemist, Nottingham. 11018 J]PUKKA 1 ECIJKKA EUREKA The eheapoet house in the West of England and South Wales for Mouldings, Glass, Backboards, Oleographs, Prints, Ac., is at Epstein's, 33, Broad-street, Bristol, j Wholesale and Retail Picture and Show-card Frame Manufacturer. Trade price lit sent free on a,pplie-a.. i tion, Country orders punctually attended to. N.B.— Show pictures, framed oa the shortest 49tio I KNOW There is not the slightest doubt that there is It poi. sibility of restoring and beauti". ying the hair. The greatest chemists tell us so. ani modarrt proof has been offered in man; preparations. That there should be one of superior excellence among these may 'also be admitted, and the besl; test of tliat surpassing excel. lence would be the lasting patronage received and fame allowed Mrs S. A. Aliell' World's Hair Restorer. MRS S. A. ALLEN WORLD'S HAIR RESTORER is acknowledged by all to be most efficacious for restoring invigorating, beautifying, and dressing the Ilair, rendering it soft, silky, and glossy, and disposing it to remain in any dosired position quickly cleansing the sealp, removing Dandruff, arresting the falf, and imparting a healthy and natural color to the hair. It never fails to restore -ray hair to its original youthful color. It acts directly upon the roots of the hair, giving them the natural nourishment required, "ONE BOTTLE DID IT. That is the expression of many who have had their grey hair restored to its natural color, and their bald spots covered with bair, after using one bot- tie of Mrs. S. A. ALLEN'S WORLD'S HAIR RESTORER. It is not a dye, it can do no harm. Every one who has nsed this preparation speaks loud in its praise. If you wish to restore your hair as in youth, and reo tain it through life, witti f out delay procure a bottle] 1C807 — 4

GREAT STRIKE IN THE MIDLAND IHON TRADE., 11,000 MEN IDLE. J A strike affecting the whole of t,iie Staffordshire £ Midland iron trade is threatened to be commenced J day or two. Ironworkers on Monday, to the nuW^ between 6,000 and 7,000, ceased work. At a meeting of the operatives representing the M iron trade district, held on Wednesday, ic was resJ-jl to follow their example. The number of J are already idle is about 11,000. Por many montiis jjl the relations between masters and men have strained, and the. dissatisfaction which has been ing amongst the men with regard to the wages 1^1 tion and the conditions enforced upon them jl present sliding-scale has culminated in the which has been declared this week. A large se^jjf of the workmen have been loud in their complain^ a long time past concerning the basis of the sli^JJ scale, which they contend operates unfairly to*sf the men. There is no question but that the real trU ance rests with the basis by which the wages qe of the men are governed, and as this gr jwing faction has been well known to those concerned' 1/ seems a pity that 60mtlsteps were not taken earlier J. rectify matters amicably, and so prevent the Vyt'' unhappy strike. At this morning's mass meeWn?j» was estimated that there were upwards of 5,000 present. ci. Mr r. PENNINGTON presided, and expressed the "JjJ that now they had commenced the struggle they not give up until they obtained what they j maaded. He pohited out that some of the n,il*'JtJ were at work and some were out, and he wish8, know the opinion of tho meeting as to whatshonj^jl done with regard to these men. He also hoped tWj* any men were picked out for taking part in that the body of the men would not resume work until were reinstated in their places. A workman proposed that the men be not all0*^)1 return to work if the masters offered them the$ of wages, nor until the advance is conceded l>y to' ployers. The resolution was carried with enthusiasm. JI It was reported that, with one or two exeepLioH-^jl' the forges in the West Bromwich, Smethwick..Ji bury, Great Bridge, Wednesbur.v, and Tipton disy were standing, the men refusing to work at the re tion. The CHAIRMAN said the men would understand ,1) this broke the sliding-scale altogether. (A voice' J is best broken.") And if the iron was raised in in 14 days, the men would be at liberty to give u" for an advance. ^j) A long discussion took place as to whether the men who are at work should be requested to It was suggested that they should continue to until Saturday. J A resolution was passed unanimously calling "jj the millmen to c.ease work at once, and it was agreed to play on imtii the masters conceded the vance asked for.

PAWNING A PAIR OF TROUS^ FOR MEDICINE. James Francis Thomas lives in Pontnewynyld, Pontypool, Monmouthshire. He is now 23 yea. age, living with Ilia mother, a widow. Some 11 ago, then a mere hoy, ha went to work in the coal y as a miner, iu crder to assist his mother in rearing. J family of little children. Soon, however, tiie fit fellow broke down in health, but the necessities 01 .jt family seemed to require it, and lis continued to toy the mines, suffering all the time from the effects of gestion, an agonising symptom being asthma, in troublesome form that the boy was unable to lie in J Working through the day, and resting as best he c°^ in an armchair during the night, naturally mined his constitution. Year by year his health r,j( worse and worse, util at last rheumatism canie all its dreadful agony. Oue joint after another be<^ swollen and inflamed, so that he was obliged to work. In this sad plight the now young man was i fined to the house for two long years, sufloring a« mortal could endure. One physician after anoiher e6 called upon to treat his complaint, but with 110 belle, for the poor fellow continued to grow worse and woii Hoping to find some means of relief, a J doctors was held, wiien it was decided that an disease of the heart existed in an incurable that medical aid could not afford relief. He was up to die, These years of expensive medical treaty; had exhausted the little savings of the mother, an" >1 had no money to buy even the necessaries of life, fond mother never gives up in desjflftv. There wa*$ spark of hope left. Some one had told her of a re»U that had cured so many cases- even when as as this one seemed to be—aud the mother's lnve out for her dear boy. But how to get the rne,iciflat the question. Their money was entirely gone. jl boy had a new pair of trousers that had been to wear, and the mother reasoned within herself, ^ejj boy is to die he will not need them, sa I may 15.too pledge them for medicine with an effort to save his Ipt" Strange as it may appeal*, the bottles of fy" cored at the chenwst'g shop in P.mtypoo!, "*vlt money obtained from the pawnbroker, effected in this hopeless case, which had been p incurable. But it is w»ly just to say that if the jji' had known of the wants of the family the me" could have been obtained without a Tisit to the Ploe broker. It is now nearly two years since place, and the young James Francis Thomas has riJ working in the coal-pit underground ever si;ice, ing extra pey for overwork, which he is able to Pe\.e^ Of course he never had any organic disease of the n g))i as was supposed. The palpitation, rheumatisnb. jj) asthma were mere symptoms of the real disease, ,r \( was dyspepsis or indigestioa, for which the renie" especially adapted, liiose who wish to commu"<1 with this young man can write to him at the m address, and he will vouch for the curative of iSeigel's Syrup, the article that effected this ai miraculous cure. The following letter is chemist, who thought the facts should be made —"James F. Thomas, of Poutnewynydd, mar 1•• A pool, age twenty-three, collier, was ill for nine y,gtf unable to do any work for three years, never lay in bed for niue years, had to sleep in a stooping pOtlJI was treated by nearly ail the doctors for mile* r -A who generally stated bis complaint to be rlieuiD^jl and heart disease of a chronic nature, and beyoi power to cure. When hope had nearly died out B A < persuaded to try Siegel's Syrup, and to the delig,ft relatives and astonishment of his neigbours-, w taking half a bottle he could lie down in bed. taking one bottle he went to work. He has no# 1 ^0 two bottles aad 011 with the third, and is and strong. His mother is in raptures, and can l*e$t' nothing else but this marvellous cure, and s. make it known." siiK' The following are extracts from letters received January 1st, 18S2, from well-known chemists 'ftp country, testifying to the merits of our nied> These gentlemen would not risk their own vepu'* by recommending worthless articles, nor woU.,i<f6 mako these statements unless they had knowieup the facts. "ft THOMAS DALE, Upperbridge, Holmfirtb eye Curative Syrup eells wonderfully well, and gives e satisfaction. W. WILKPNSON, Rushden, Hi sham Ferrers '«I find increased demand for large sizes, which sllQ finds favour with the people." l J. M. CLEN>ELL, 52, Darby-street, Newcastle *yef! know of instances where it has not merely re \,tVi but actually cured after using it two or three iD''p)" but testimonials are, I beheve, often withheld false delicacy of allowing the names to be nia eu a GEORGE Drury, Southwell" Though I ba.1e et { a patent medicine seller now over thirty years, Y J never knew such a run on any medicine » have had on yours, and many "persons have toW: f the benefit they have derived from it. My brou1* Liuoeln says the same. The sale is wonderful- THOMAS Mll-lJWt, Wednesft«ld \our 0 have given great satisfaction in this district, and » J' of my customers speak highly of Mother be" Syrup." .? W*L FLOWER, Beccles It is not myb»D^ reowmend any p&t*nt medicine to my customs individual cases, but always have a good word 1 for Mother Seigel when my opinion is asked." jj)v P. S. BALLARD, Wootton Bassett:—"I have, W with some really astonishing cures perfor e cli Seigel's Syrnp, and I recommend it to all of JlJY tomers." O. H. WHITE, 59, Commercial-street, M°V yir; Art: I can personally testify to tho merits 01 medicinea." AtPj JAMES FISHER ED-ISBURY, M.P.S., 3, igb Wrexham ;—"I have recommended Seigei's ray personal and relative experiences of its i»ei a iudisputable." „ øø W. H. HEWITT, West Cowes, I.W. our t A cine I have a large sale for—a sale which tainly does not clecrea-se now that the novelty is oft', which speaks well for its real merits." <r\ W. S. GLASS, Friockheim "It is a,bout M u' genuine patent medicine in the market." II, EDWAKD TAMPLIN, Kiugston-upon-Tiiames sale of your Syrup is sustained by its own aj J. H. EVANS, Market Cross, Lymm I « ceived several very flattering reports of th° ,up m I' dorived from the use of 'Mother Seigel's -ifiJ1, Pills.' which are at all times to me a source g) y* greaier pleasure than any pecuniary ad van. a* can conceive of r.o greater pleasure in that of being instrumental in relieving the suffering humanity. Printed and Pnblishari nv }the DAVID DUNCAN <fc SON*.4?, at their Stoaa>/ I Works,75ad 76, St. Mary-sweet, and 1 la tUewwii Qi C&idiS, ia the CWB5? Of. :II. :1j1-" 'V- 'JiS. -< :,¡-=;-i: "r' •'