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r:-THE BROKEN FETTER,
r:- THE BROKEN FETTER, By JOHN K. LEY8, Anthos of "In bite Toils," "The Lindsays," •v. Ac., &c. [COPYRIGHT.] CHAPTER XVII. Alaxis' Letter. There were half-sheets of common, oo&rse paper, such I' Ursula remembered seeing in the village when she was a girl. Tenderly she nnfold bheiu, and pressed them to her hps and then her bosom. As she spread them out to 7e them a warm tear-drop fell on the open e. Every inch of space was covered with fine writing. The six pages must have taken hours to write, so small and clear was the caligraphy. With glowing eyes and fast-beating heart Ursala began to read. Urania, best and dearest of sisters How I Jong to see thee I do not say I would give two years of my life, for life is now to me something worse than valueless—but I think I would consent to suffer two years longer for one poor half-hour of your company. How is it with you, my sister 1 Are you still hving in the Castle ? Or have you gone abroad ? Are you an exile, like so many of our countrymen ? Are you rich or poor, well or ill, happy or miserable ? Do you think sometimes of your unhappy brother ? I ask these questions, but I know well I shall never receive an answer. Seldom, very seldom, does a message from the great hvin? world outside penetrate this lepulcbre-a letter never. But I must tell you how it is that I am able to communicate with you, and what my life has been since we parted at the drawbridge of the Castle. I was sentenced to imprisonment for life but as my offence was purely political it was under- stood that I would be sent to Siberia. BUbwhether through some official blunder I was confounded with some other prisoner, or whether I uncon- sciously made an enemy of some personage in Authority, it matters little. I was sent here instead, and my existence has been one long gainful martyrdom since I arrived at Birtova. I will not shock you with an account of my suffer- ings they are not so great as those of some other unfortunate creatures who are confined here. I fcave sense enough not to court punishment by Tesenbing the insults I receive. But my heart has "led to see how some wretched prisoners are first baited into being refractory and then punished with the utmost cruelty. Captain Ivanieff, the vernor, is a monster ot wickedness. lie seems to blind his superiors with ease no law is known in this prison but his will. Some weeks smce Ivanieff was superseded, fle disappeared, no ona knew whither. Everybody toped that his malpractices had been discovered, And that he had fallen under the displeasure of the Government. There was a rumour that he jsad received a threatening letter from the Mibittsts, and that may have had something too do with his sudden removal, though I confess I do eat think him the sort of man to be frightened in ihab way. At any rate, he was gone, and we anjoyed some weeks of quiet, I might almost say "f comparative happiness. But ten days ago the Hews spread through the prison that Ivanieff had returned, and I venture to say that no man heard report without a curse, or at least a groan of despair, escaping his lips. Some time ago I seut you a message—whether It ever reached you or not of courSH I cannot tell. of the wardere, whose name I must not anention, undertook to deliver it to some friend of bis, who, he seemed to think, might bo able to iiave it forwarded to you. I had great hopes that t might be able to open some way of communica- tion with the outside world by means of this unan but it was not long before he was removed to another part of the prison, aud then to another town. In bis place there has been assigned to IDe a soldier named Sindorff, through whose kindness I am enabled to write this letter. And now for my secret—the great news which Snakes my baud tremble as I write. Ursula, there is a chance for me to escape from this place of horror. After some persuasion, Sindorff has pro. mised to aid me so far as to leave the door of my cell unlocked one night. More than that he says he dare not do but I think I may be able to persuade him to leave an old coat in the corridor to enable me to bide the prison dress to some extent. Once outside my cell, and with a whole night to work iu, it will go hard with me if I Cannot break out of the prison. But, of course, you will see that when I do get outside the walls my task wiU be only half done. I shall be re-captured to a certainty unless I have some one at hand to :ud me—to provide me with clothes, money, and the means of leaving the country. And I have no one to look to but you, my sister for I could not expect any of myoid friends, unless it were our cousin Borovitchi, to undertake the frightful risk of helping a prisoner to esoape. But Borovitchl will advise you how to angage trustworthy agents, and assist yon to do All that is necessary. I shall not have time probably, to make any preparations and it may be that you may have no opportunity of replying to this better. So I Will tell you now what yo must do. I shall make no attempt to escape before the end of May, for you will need some time to make the necessary arrangements. Engage a thoroughly trustworthy agenb-Borovitcbi will do this for you—and provide him with money enough to buy a pair of good horses. You must also entrust him with a sum of five hundred roubles, which I have promised to give to Sindorff, the warder. No" far from this prison IIhere is a chureh with 1\ peal of bells. I hear them ring on Sundays it is the only thing I have to remind me of the free, happy world outside these walls; Tell your agent to find a house as near this ohurch as possible, a house provided with a stable. Every night after the thirty-first of May he must saddle the horses an hour after sundown, and keep them saddled till dawn, so that they may be ready at any moment during the night that they are wanted. It may be im- possible for him to find a bouse with the necessary accommodation in the town if eo, he nrasb take a small farmhouse, as near to the town as he can. But in any case—and this is the im- portant point— he must be waiting for me near the church at intervals through the night, every night from the first of June till the end of the month. If I could I would fix a day, but that I cannot do. Sindorff will naturally choose a day when he thinks he may be able to act with the least likelihood ot suspicion falling upon him. But you may rely on it, I will urge him to let the day ohosen be as early in the month as possible. As your agent cannot be expected to spend every uight in the open air, his best plan will be to secure a bedroom in one of the houses which overlook the church, and in that case he could wateh for me from his window. Bat entreat him not to rely entirely upon that, but to visit the church, at least occasionally during each night, for you must understand that if be and I fail to meet I am a lost man. To make sure of our recognising each other, I will say to him when we meet, Do you think it will rain to-morrow ? And tell him to reply, 1 There has been snow in June before now.' If your agent should find it impracticable to carry out my suggestions about horses, he must find a lodging for me within a few miles of the town, to which we can go at once. The best way would be to rent a cottage in a lonely neighbour- hood. If he cannot do that, be mast tell the people of the house tbat he expects a brother to visit him from Moscow, or some other town. In any case tell the man to bring an overcoat or oloak with him to the church for every minute I remain out of doors in the hateful prison dress I offer myself, as it were, to be apprehended. And now, dear sister, I have oome to an end of my paper, without saying anything of the love that is burning m my heart for you. If I was fond of you during those happy months we spent together at Beritza, you are a thousand times dearer to me now. You are continually in my thoughts and at night I often dream of you. I dream sometimes that I am riding with you over the wide, treeless plains, the fresh wind of heaven on my cheek. I see you as plainly, may be, as ever I saw you in my life; you even seem to speak to me. And I awake to find my- self within these stone walls, kept like a wild beast in a cage. But I am no longer a prisoner withouc hope. Oan it be possible, Ursula, that in a few weeks I I shall see you ? I cannot realise it. I know the enterprise is more than doubtful, but it is well worth risking. I am not sure—I cannot make up my mind—whether it would be safer to make a bolt for the frontier at once, or try to find a I hiding-place in some quiet neighbourhood in this country, and lie still until the search fdr me is relaxed. Consult with Borovitohi about this I will do whatever you and he think best. And now, dearest sister, good-bye. God bless you, and give you wisdom and strength to aid me. The issue is in His hands. Pray for IDe, that I may be set free,—Your brother, ALEXIS." No words could tell the emotious that filled Ursula's heart as she read this letter, One moment surprise and joy almost overpowered her the bext she was tremblIng with apprehension. Ae toon as she had finished the letter she read it through a second t ime, then a third time, to make 8Qte that she thoroughly understood all that hev brother meant to convey to her. As she replaced the letter in its envelope sbe examined the cover to see whether it had been forwarded by her friend at Beritxa. But it bad Doll been posted in Russia. The only post-mark Jfas London—W.C. and she concluded that it «ad been enclosed in a letter sent to Goloffski, Who, Dimitrieff had told her, had relations living at Birtova. A sad smile crossed the girl's face as she re- membered her brother's repeated allusions to Borovitchi as being the only man who could be betted on to help her in this emergency—Boro- Vitohi, whose treachery had been the indirect eause of all Alexis' sufferings. Bub to whom, could she go for assistance ? Who would help her to find an agent as once bold, shrewd, Jfctient, and trustworthy ? Dimitrieff ? She Iled from the idea of placing confidence in him. His face, his bearing, voice had inspired r with distrust. Besides, she knew nothing of his capability to find ber a suitable agent. There was another difficulty. She had already "Pent & large part of her two hundred pounds, "early a hundred must be set aside for the reward *hich Alexia had promised to the gaoler, Sindorff. *We was barely enough left for railway fares and hiring of lodgings—certainly not enough for e purchase of horses. There was only one who might help, both with •Ovice and money—Eli Lobieski. He might have home. As the thought crossed her mind rose instinctively to her feet. There was pot a moment to be lost, for already the month advanced. By the 1st of June everything ke in readiness. The thought of Alexis •otUally free| wandering about that church he th j of throughout the summer night, dreading «»« dawn which would proclaim him an esoaped by the clothes he wore, seeking with Ver,sh haste, sick with anxiety, for the succour • ncoeoted »*»d finding ••w — this though*) I haunted her as the fear of the gallows haunts a I murderer. The first thing, she considered, was to ascertain whether Lobieski had come home, or had sent any letter telling where he might be found. Her hopes were fixed on him: Oh, surely," she thought, he must have come back by this time. or, if not, Rachel may know where he is. If he is in Russia I can go to him there at once." Without waiting even to eat or to change her dress, she drank the cold tea which was still upon the table, and set oat for Lobieski's house. CHAPTER XVIII. A Mysterious Telegram. it was nearly eleven before Ursula reached the I Manor House. The shrubs and trees that sur- rounded the old weather-beaten dwelling were now dressed in their robes of green, but they failed to render the place bright and cheerful. The signs of neglect were more apparent than aver. The grass that bordered the avenue was encroaching upon the gravel the flower-beds had not been attended to everything told of forget- fulness, stagnatior "wnd decay. It seemed to thu birl that all this was a sigu that the master of the house had not returned, and she was prepared for the melancholy shake of the head which Rachel gave in answer to her enquiry. No, ma'am," said the woman, he's not come back and no word from him either, as far as I know." She paused and glanced behind her, as if she feared being overheard. Can I come in f asked Ursula. "I should like to speak with you." Would you mind coming into the kitchen said Rachel, as she closed the outer door behind her visitor. We shall be more comfortable there." As they crossed the hall Ursula happened to look upstairs, and there she saw, looking over the bannisters, the dark visage of Madame Fabrini scowling at her. Arrived in thegreat stone-floored kitchen,Rachel first of all locked the door, and then drew an arm. chair forward upon a large piece of carpet which covered the floor in front of the fireplace, and made her visitor sit down. I see you lock the door," said Ursula, with an amused siiiiie. "Surely you would not pre- sume to keep the housekeeper out if she chose to come in ?" Would I not ?' cried Rachel. She has no business here, and she knows it. I don't own her for my mistress, not while the master is away. Since he left she had the impudence to dismiss me, as she called it. I told her she might dismiss herself, if she liked, but that I meant to stay and watch over the furniture till my master came back." Well r She said she would send for the police, aud have me turned out. I told her to do it if she liked and the police did come, but refused to interfere. So ever since she won't have anything to do with me cooks her own meals, and makes Sarah wait upon her. I am sure the master will turn her out of the house when he comes back." I am sura I hope he may," said Ursula, glad to get back to the one subject that was of importance in her eyes. But if you can even make a guess as to where M. Lobieski can be, I wish you would tell me. I am going away—to Russia, to help my brother to escape from the prison at Birtova Is it possible, ma'am ? God help you I trust He will," said Ursula, calmly. And I must, if possible, see your master first. If there is any town in France or Germany which he is in the habit of visiting, I would go there on my way to Russia. Have you no idea where he may be ? Can you give me no hint that might put me on his track ?" Indeed, ma'm, I cannot; except that I believe he went home." Home ? To Russia ?" Yes. I am very anxious about him." Do you think—?" I think he may have been arrested. And in that case we may never see him again." Oh don't say that," cried Ursula. That would be too horrible." The face of the Polish woman did not soften into an expression of pity. It was hard and stern, butt for a pained look about the eyes, which betrayed her anxiety. I am afraid it must be that," she said in a low tone. He has never been away from home so long before without writiug to me. If he were at libertiy he would surely let me hear from him." But he is so prudent. He would never run into danger," said Ursula. True; but he has enemies, "(returned Rachel, with a quick glance at the door. You mean Madame Fabrini f* She and some others. Last night she went to London-" I know." interrupted Ursnla. I happened to be in the house when the servant mentioned her name." Were you indeed 1 And whose house was it, if I might be so bold as ask the question f She thought she recognised the man. I I know no reason," said Ursula, why I should not tell you. It was to the house of Count Borovitchi that Madame Fabrini went last night." Ah," said Rachel, sagely nodding her head, then no doubt it was he who sent her the telegram in the afternoon." Indeed She got a telegram. then. I wish I knew what that message was," said Ursula, remembering how the Count had in her hearing denied that he so much as knew Madame Fabrini's name. The message would most likely be asking her to go and see him," said Rachel, a little mystified. She bad no knowledge of Ursula's belief that the Italian woman and the Count had been accom- plices in the attack upon her life. Do you think it possible," said Ursula, suddenly lifting her head, and fixing her beautiful eyes on her companion's face, do you think it Essible that a letter may have oome from M. ibieski, and she has told you nothing about it ?" It is possible, though I think the master would have written to me, at least if be were in any kind of trouble. But if she knows where the master is we can't make her speak." No but do you think it possible that he can have written to you, and that Madame Fabrini baa suppressed the letter ? Rachel sprang to her feet,ih6r eyes glowing, her muscles strained with passion. Raising her clenched hand over her head—" If I thought that," she said, solemnly, I would kill her." Don't get so exoibed, please, Rachel. I really know no reason why the housekeeper should keep back any letter or message M. Lobieski may have sent to you, nor any reason why she should try to prevent your knowing where he is. It is all pure conjecture on my part. It only struck me as being possible." I will soon find out," cried Rachel. How r The daughter of our postmistress, who looks after the mails, is a friend of mine. She has a sick child, and I gave it medicine and helped to nurse it. She will tell me whether any letter baa arrived for me lately." While she had been speaking the woman had thrown on a bonnet and shawl. She and Ursula left the house together. You had better wait^outside," said Rachel, when they had reached the post-office. Please go towards the railway station, and I will come on and overtake you when I have found out what I want to know." Rachel was gone a long time, much to Ursula's surprise. The girl was able to go on to the station, and return almost as far as the Post Office, before her companion rf joined her. Just as you thought cried Rachel. "She has stolen my lebiier One oarno for me yesterday morning. It had foreign stamps. It must have been from the master. What are we to do r, rm afraid we can't do anything," said Ursala, gravely and sorrowfully. unless the postman gave the letter to Madame Fabrini." "No," said Rachel, I waited to see him and he declares he put it in the letter-box, and rang as usual. I remember hearing the bell, but that woman was before me. She must have been waiting behind the door, and no doubt took it out of tbe letter-box even before the postman had time to ring. She showed me a newspaper addressed to herself as if that was all that had come. Cannot we punish her ? Can't we force her to give up the letter?" "You might prosecute her, I*rtl&pS but that oan wait till you master oomes home. We oould not force her to tell what was in your letter and by this time she has certainly burned it." I did something for you while I was waiting for the posdman," said Rachel, after a moment's silence. MM Newman went upstairs to see after hur liMle one and I remembered that you had said that you would very much like to see the telegram that came for Madame Fabrini last night. So I just turned over one or two of them, and soon came to it. I took a copy of it. Here it is." Ob, Rachel, you shouldn't have done that; it T\6r^ kind of you, but too dangerous." Danger J Pooh 0 >- must not be too rcrupulous when one ha lo with a brigand. Take it." Ursula took the monel I-I i)er. and read- Let me know, the nioinnut you hear new "f L.-If he returns suddenly, at all costs prevent him and the Oonntesii m-ninu. This is of grtld importance They must for a day or two, cost what it may." Ursula felt bewildered. Why should Count Borovitchi »•. owrwrnr, to nrevent a nnoting between M. Lobieski and herself—for she, of course, must be the Countess of the telegram— at that particular time ? Hin reason, whatever it might be, could not relate to the affair of the writing-desk, for that had happened after the despatch of the telegram. However, there was no time to think about it then. Ursula went into the post-office and bought a sheet of paper, a pencil, a bit of sealing-wax, and a couple of envelopes. In one of the envelopes she placed the three letters which she had taken from Borovitchi's writing-table. On the sheet of paper she hastily scribbled a note for Lobieski. Dear Friend," she wrote, I am going to Russia, to help my brother to escape from prison. If we fail I may be taken. In that case—tbat is to say, if you do not hear from me before the 15'h of July, you may open the euclosed envelope. I, Ursula Beritza, took these three letters from a locked drawer in the writing-table of Count Borovitchi. You will know how to act with regard to them. But in dealing with him. be as merciful as yon can. Remember that he is my near relation. Your continued absence has caused me great anxiety, but I am glad to know that you are still alive. Rachel will explain what became of your letter to her. Farewell.— Ursula Beritza." This letter, with the others, Ursula put into the second envelope, which she sealed, addressed to M. Lobieski,and handed to Rachel, charging her t,, give it to her master when he returned. Then she bade Rachel farewell and returned to London. Ursula's next visit was to Dollis HIll, By good luck Maud was at home; and she ran at once into the drawing-room to welcome her friend. Ursula took her caress almost without knowing it was given, so great was her anxiety. Maud, can you help me she said, devouring the girl's face with her eyes. Can you lend me a large sum of money—fifty pounds ? My brother, you know, is in a Russian prison. He has written to me; and he says he has a chance of escaping. But money is needed. I have not enough by at least fifty pounds. Is it possibly, do you think V She stopped, quite unable 110 go on. I am sure papa will give you a oheque if I ask him," said Maud, passing her arm round the other's waist, and forcing her to sib down. But he is not here. He will not be home till five o'clock!" II No." And every momeut is precious to me. I had hoped to be able to leave London to-night You, Ursula Are you going yourself to Russia ?" Yes, I must." Why, you are a heroine I almost envy you —bub wait." She ran out of the room, and came back in a few minutes, carrying a little drawer in her hands. In it there lay a cheque for five and twenty pounds, a five pound note, and three sovereigns, and a small antique watch set with brilliants and pearls. "Mr Lewis, the jeweller, inBond-sfreet, offered me J350 for this watch once," said Maud. He will be willing, I am sure, to lend yon twenty on the security of it; or at least tell you bow to get the money, I will write him a note that you can take with you. But how weak and ill you look, poor darling Ob, no Bub how good you are, Maud Oh, how good And she seized the large white, shapely hands, and kissed them passionately. Maud's eyes glistened. Don't, dear. It is'nt worth it. You see, I thought papa might ask questions, and make objections but he refuse to give me some more money. He can't help himself. Now, you must, and shall eat some lunch while I write the note to Mr Lewis." On reaching her lodgings with the money safe in her pocket, Ursula told her landlady that sbe was obliged to leave for the Continent at a moment's notice, and that in consequence she would give up her rooms. Her reason for this was that she wished to make it impossible for Borovitchi to trace her on her return to London. Her belongings she paoked in a trunk, which sbe deposited at the lefHuggage office at the railway station as she left London by the evening mail. I Determined not to spend a penny which she could save, Ursula travelled by third-class. As she was sitting onithe deck of the steamer she noticed a tall, ill-dressed man, something like a mechanic out of work, loaning over the bulwarks. Something in his shape and carriage made her think that she had seen him before, and that not long since. She rose, and went nearer to him. Then she knew him. It was the man who had coma to her lodgings with the Secretary on the night when she joiued the Society of bhe Nihilists. A moment later she remembered his name-Goloffski.1 Stepping up close to him Ursula laid her hand on his arm and spoke to him. He started, looked round, and stared at her. When he saw who it was he stared yet harder. You have not forgotten me, I see," said Ursula, in her low sweet voice nor have I for- gotten you. I am glad to meet you, for I am quite alone, and I can trust myself with one of our own people. But first let me thank you for forwarding me that letter. It was from him— from my brother." What letter ? I know of no letter." But it was certainly from my brother, Count Beritza." Then she remembered that the warder in charge of her brobber had been changed aud that the new warder might have found some other way of communicating with her. It did not occur to her to ask how he had discovered her address in London. Where are you going ?" she asked her com- panion. I ? To Russia." Is it not dangerous for you ?" asked Ursula, dropping her" tloe to a whispar, II too dan- gerous t" "Idy not care. I must go." I, too, am going to Russia," said Ursula, after a pause. Shall we go together V Together, Countess ? You nnd Yes. I need your help." Tbe rough peasant bent down, and in the friendly darkness reverently kissed her dress. Then he said, simply, I am ready." (T. be continued. )
ALLEGED CRIMINAL ASSAULT AT…
ALLEGED CRIMINAL ASSAULT AT SWANSEA. Defendant Committed for Trial. At the Swansea Police Court on Monday a respectably dressed young man named John Henry Gard was summoned for criminally assaulting Gertrude Haines, a young woman, of Paxton-plaoe. The case came on last week, when Mr Vintsr Leeder, who appeared for the parents of the girl, asked permission to withdraw the oharge, as the girl was imbeoile; that any attempt that might' have been made was unsuc- eeSeful and that Gard was drunk at the time. The Bench then decided to hear the evidence on Monday. On the case now being called Mr Leeder again asked that the charge should be withdrawn. The Stipendiary said the question was whether Gertrude Haines was ready to give-evidence. Mr Leeder said the parties were not ready to give evidence. For some reason or other witnesses had been fmbpoeuaed by the police, although the mother had made It distinctly known sbe did not wish to proceed. Captain Colquhoun said the reason the witnesses had been summoned was that the benoh decided last week to hear the evidence. The young man, although on bail, was still praotically in the custody of the police. He had received a letter from Mr Leeder, and it was in consequence of that that witness had summoned the witnesses. Mr Leeder objected to the interference of the police, and he on behalf of the parents of the girl repeated that they were not prepared to give evidence, and did not wish to Kive evideuce an all. The prosecutrix was then called, and before she gave her evidence Mr Leeder reminded the benoh that she was imbeoile, and not capable of judging. She said defendant invited her to go for a walk, and when he got her to the sands behaved improperly to her. Afberwards defendant went to her house with her, Mrs Haines said on the following day her daughter made a complaint to her, and shortly after defendant went to the bouse but she turned him out. She gave information to the police, but she now informed the bench she did not wish to press the charge, and she asked the benoh to deal leniently with defendant on account of his youth. Other witnesses having been called defendant was charged, and be said in reply be bad no recollection of the incident for he was under the influence of drink. Indeed, he was perfectly innocent. Mr Leeder reminded the benoh there was no corroboration of the statement of the girl, and as she was imbecile her evidence was not sufficient on which to send the case before a jury. Defendant's father was called and said, on the night in question his son returned home drunk. He had now signed the pledge. The Benoh decided to commit defendant for trial, but released him on bail.
DEATH UNDER CHLOROFORM AT…
DEATH UNDER CHLOROFORM AT NEWPORT. At the Newport Town Hall on Monday, Mr Lyndon Moore, borough coroner, held an inquest on the body of Catherine Wilson, 49, married woman, who died at the Infirmary on Saturday morning. Dr. Beddoe, house-surgeon at the Newport Infirmary, stated that the deceased, who had been transferred from the Newport Union Infirmary, In order to undergo an operation for an affection of the eyes, was operated upon a fortnight ago. On Saturday last another operation being deemed necessary, the deceased was being put under chloroform when sbe stopped breathing, and all efforts to restore animation failed. The post mortem examination showed that deceased was suffering from fatty degeneration of the heart, and that death was due to failure of the heart's action. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with he medical testimony.
KilLED ON THE RAILWAY AT GORSEINON.
KilLED ON THE RAILWAY AT GORSEINON. News has been received at Swansea that on Saturday night the body of a man named Walter Williams was found on the London and North- western Railway near Gorsefawr Farm. The deceased was last seen alive at Swansea on Satur- day afternoon, and at night, as he was missing, a searoh was made, and the body was found with injuries whioh indicated that he must have been knooked down by an engine. A strange oo- Ihodenoe is that the little daughter of deceased whtle walking the same evening on the line stumbled over something, whioh must have been her father's dead body.
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MY MiDNIGHT : ADVENTURE.
MY MiDNIGHT ADVENTURE. By LAWRENCE IRWELL. [COPYRIGHT.] When I got into bed after reading How Sherlock Holmes got left," my feet were very cold and my he?d was uncomfortably hot. I turned and tossed, and could not sleep on account of extreme nervousness, I heard the clock strike twelve, and I wa3 wondering why my wife was so late in returning from the Johnsons' party,, when a sound of mewing and scratching on the door reached my ears. I ought not to have been any more afraid of ghosts when out of bed than when in it, and I am not usually regarded as a nervous man, but I did dislike going down the dark stairs into the dark hall to let Broncho in. My wife is a very eeonomicai woman, and she is getting rich by turning out the 'gas in the hall at nine o'clock every evening, and by feeding me upon eorntd beef and cabbage. I do nob think that any of the criminals of whom I had read during the evening had poked long bony hands through the bannisters to seize the ankles of such victims as might be going up or down- stairs nevertheless, I bugged tbe wall closely as I went down, and I experienced an uncomfort- able, creepy feeling when, through the glass in the front door, I saw Broncho's shining eyes reflecting a faint gleam of light. I believe I said some very unpleasant thing to our favourite black cat as I opened the door for him, and, instead of coming iu, he turned and ran ronnd the corner of the house. Had I been less annoyed I should probably have remembered. before allowing the door to slam behind me,that I had no pockets in my nightshirt or dressing-gown —and consequently no latchkey. However, there was no getting over the faot that just as I reached the bottom of the steps in my search for Broncho the door banged to, and there I was—shut out of my own house at 12 o'clock at night, my sleeping garment covered by nothing but, a dres.-ing-gowu, and my feet orotecterl from the cold by only a pair of slippers A nice position for a minister of the Methodist Church, residing upon Franklin-sbreeb, in the city of Buffalo, N. Y. Ot course, I could only blame the cat, the wind, myself, and espe- cially my wife for having gone out visiting, and having left me alone in the house. With a dog at his heels. j After walking back to the door, and turning the I handle to make sure that the latoh had oanght, I looked up and down the street in the hope of seeing a policeman, from whom I might, perhaps, obtain some assistance bub no policeman was in sight—when one wants one the entire force is always invisible to the naked eye. As two useless, card-playing citizens were approaching, I hastily withdrew round the comer of my house, feeling that the disclosure of my appearance and situation at such an hour might prejudice my position as a minister of the Gospel. I thought of the back door; bub how was I to get to the back door ? My residence is at the end of a row of six brick houses, with no rear entrance, except through a gate at the opposite end of the row, which is brilhanily illuminated by two electric lights. I think I never quite appreciated the remarkable penetrating power of the arc light until that occasion. On this frosty, starlight night the brilliancy of the two lamps was almost beyond description. Dare I venture into their range ? After a few moments I realised that I must not stay where I was, for I was almost nnmb with cold and besides, the gossiping milkman would find ice there in the morning. Then what could I do bub leave the city at once. The news- papers would, as usual, get hold of the incident, and would treat it with IJbeir customary levity. I imagined that I could see the large headlines in the evening papers, and I could distinctly bear the newsboys shouting All about the minister and his cat." Where could I get a congregation after that ? Everywhere I should be known as the minister who got up to let bis oat in." After much thought 1 decided to go around to the back yard and hide under the basement stairs until my wifecamethome, if nothingbetter suggested itself in the meantime. The lamps and stars seemed to shine brighter and brighter. The moon was now right on the houses, so that every inch of the way along which I must pass was as light as day. Moon or no moon, go I must. or run the risk of losing my life by pneumonia. At that moment quick footsteps came along the sidewalk. They stopped in front of my house. My heart almost ceased beating. Had this man seen me ? I shrank back, turned around, and placed my face close against the wall of the house. Then I heard a voice saying, Poor pussy, do you want to get in ?" Broncho must, I suppose, have climbed the steps, as I beard his would-be benefactor turn the handle of the door, as if be really expected to find a minister's house, or any other house, open at 12.30 at night. Then he descended again, and the cat ran baclt to me and affectionately writhed around my legs. I fully expected the meddler to follow, and, of course, to discover me, but he did not, and I soon heard his footsteps in the distance. I knew who the man was, and if he ever gives me the oppor- tunity of frightening him as be frightened me. although I am a minister, I shall be sorely tempted to do it. Broncho began to parr loudly and to rub himself against me. Perhaps he felt guilty and was anxious 00 apologise to me. Then we walked cautiously on, until my pet cat got tangled between my feet, and threw me headlong on the sidewalk. At that moment I heard a policeman's whistle, but I did not wait for him to appear, for I felt afraid thab he might arrest me before I could explain. I think I must have bof. in the state what boys call rattled." Nevertheless, I realised thab if a guardian of tbe peace discovered me in my night garb on the city street in the early hours of the laorning he would be quite certain to take nie to No. 10 police station and lock me up. So I oneaked along, away from the direction of bhe whistle, and Broncho continued to cherish my ^T'heu I had passed all the houses without being discovered and had reached the end of the row I found the gate locked. Broncho, of course, easily scratched bis way up to the top of the six-foot gate. In following him I soon bad splinters in my legs and in the upper part of my feet. How could I climb carefully when I felt that everybody in the house opposite was looking at me, and that the whole police force of Buffalo, headed by General Bull, must be bearing down upon me in a squad ? Besides, so excited was I at the time, that I did not realise how extremely painful splinters are. Now I was in a back yard with a high fence aU around. I got over the fence nearest to my bouse and into another yard, just as somebody's alarm clock— it must have been my frieud Louis Smith's. I now feel confident, for his often goes off at ohe wrong time-whirred so loudly thab I mistook it for a burglar alarm. Witbont waiting for the gas to be lighted in that house, I got over the next fence before Broncho, who followed. Another fence I was not the least bit cold now. Very little exercise warms one sometimes. I never remembi being more heated, even when attired in black ooat and white tie. than I was without those garments upon the top of the third fence. From that narrow resting-place I fell into an ash-barrel, and off that across a ladder, before I got to the next fence. This partition was quite low, and I cleared it at one bound,- without annexing more splinters. But, unfortunately, I landed upon a dog that I knew very welL Though we were neighbours, be seemed to have forgotten onr acquaintance. I shall always remember the consequences, which are not yet properly healed up. I did not wait to whip the dog, but got over the next fence without any serions mishap; it is true that nightshirt was shortened by half a yard, but that was a trifle. I really do not know how many obstaoles of different kinds I encountered. At last, however, when eveiy dog in the neighbourhood was barking, wheu the pale lights which I knew to be natural gas, were flashing in Wadham's house—it) was his ash-barrel I had upset—I got into my own backyard, aud tripped down my own basement steps. I thought it was my owu back door, beoause I scraped off what little skin then adorned my right ankle on my own lawnmower, which I had been mending in my yard that afternoon. My next step was upon a piece of wire, which made assurance doubly sure. I sat down to think. The stone was very cold, and I remember having heard Dr. Rochester say that he oould think best while standing, so I stood up and meditated for a few moments. Coming to the conclusion that daylight musk be near, and that Egglestone, who is my next-door neighbour, gets up very early to clean his bicycle, I concluded to do something very decided. Detection after so many toils and fears would, indeed, make it seem as though I had struggled in vain. I tried to force in the door, but it would not yield a hair's breadth. I might have known that, for my wife is very particular to lock it at eight o'clock each evening. I picked up the hammer to break it in, and then reflected that Miss Kelly, a lady who lives opposite to me, and who is a very light sleeper, would surely hear me and would come to see if burglars were trying to get into my house t I can honestly say that I felt more like orying J ) at that moment than I have ever felt since I was ten years old. Eventally I did cry; I am not ashamed to admit it. a minister, accustomed to decorum and dignity, sitting iu my own back- yard at midnight, almost without clotbee- tortured by splinters, niy shins barbed, my hair full of ashes, and my legs bitten sore by Mrs Allen's dog Dowdi "-was not all that enough to make anybody cry ? As crying, however, did not improve my position, I soon stopped and tried to grind my teeth, which were again beginning to I 'chatter. At this moment Bjoncho took it into his bead to jump upon the ledge of a window close to the entrance. As I looked wrathfully at him in the dim light, I noticed that th"re was a hole in the glass against which he was rubbing his back. A happy thought struck me, and eeiziug Llle hammer, I almost noiselessly broke a sr.fficier.tiy large hole to put my arm in, and to unlock my own baok door and get into my own kitchen. Thankfully I went upstairs, preceded by Broncho, to whom, had 1:8 not been my wife's favourite black cat, I should have administered severe punishment. Upon reaching my room I washed and got into bed. My wife was sleeping the sleep of the just, as if it was a common thing for me to be out after eleven o'clock. But I could not sleep for splinters, so I rose and practised amateur surgery, without antiseptics. The next mormng, when I told my better half all about my troubles, she said, But Balthazar, dear, why did you not break a window in the hall | door and pull back the latch to let yourself in ?" ThAt is tbe question. Why I! My answer, however, was, Why didn't you stay at home and aake care of your husband and your black cat ?" (TilE END.) --=-
ALLEGED FRAUDS ON A MONEYLENDER.
ALLEGED FRAUDS ON A MONEYLENDER. £ 2,000 per Cent. Herbert Francis (31), of no oooupation, aud Catherine Rowel 1 (38), a w id0 w.both living in Albert road, Hford, were on Friday charged—before Mr Newton—at Marlbocough-strtet with conspiring with Walter Gerard Jones, a solicitor, to obtain, and with obtaining, about £1 400 from Victor Honour, a financial agent, of Jermyn-street. with intent to defraud and Walter Gerard Jones, solioibor, of Broad-street House, Broad-street, appeared to an adjourned summons charging him with being ooncerned in the alleged conspiracy. Mr Arthur Newton, solicitor, prosecuted Mr Overeud, barrister, defended Rowell and Francis and Mr Bernard Abrahams, solicitor, appeared for Jones, who was again brought up in custody, he not having been able to find the required bail. He was, however. allowed to sit at the solicitors' table during the hearing of the case. The pro. ceedings have already to some extent been reported, the allegation being that mouey was obtained from the prosecutor on the security of -two freehold houses belonging to Mrs Rowell's aunt. When inquiries were made it was found that the aunt of Mrs Rowell was not possessed of any freehold property. On the case again coming on for bearing the prosecutor continued his evidence. He said that he advanced several sums, amounting to £1,400, ont of which he Was repaid some former advances he had made. Subsequently he became suspioious, and told Jones he thought the affair was a swindle. Jones replied that he was a solicitor and a gentleman, and that such allega- tions must not be made. Eventually witness swore an information" against the defendants. It was not true that he advanced only j6750. Cross-examined by Mr Barnard Abiahams He called himself Viator Honour because that was the equivalent of his real name Ehrlick. He called himself Honour during the five years he bad been in liugland. He did advertise in other 1 names— Shakespeare, Milton (the name of his clerk), and Dent. He always advertised, when using the name Miltlonas Milton, manager," Mr Bernard Abrahams: Any other names ? j (A laugh.) The Proseontor. I have to remember, I don't think any more. (More laughter.) When did you take the nMne of Honour When I started in business. You thought it the besb name for a money lender 1 (Laughter.) What was the last name you advertised under ?—The prosecutor here said he wanted to go into an explanation. Mr Bernard Abrahams (persuasively): Yes, yes but you know you are Shakespeare now. The Prosecutor (excitedly): No. no; I never professed to be Shakespeare. (Great laughter.) The Magistrate said it appeared to be the custom of money lenders to use several names. He had received letters from them himself offer- ing to advance money, and 110 believed he had received one from" Milton." (More laughter.) Mr Bernard Abrahams (to the prosecutor) How much did yuu ask tor the loan of £205 (the first advance made) for a month ? The Prosecutor (after some deliberation): They offered to pay me £100 for the use of £205 for a month. Mr Bernard Abrahams: Did you not refuse to lend the money unless they paid £100 for itt-No. Do you know that is about 600 per cent., and on a reversion upon whioh the interest is always low ?—It is not 600 per cent. it is 2,000 percent. Mr Bernard Abrahams We now know the sort of gentleman we are dealing with. The Prosecutor; You can't frighten mf. you know. Mr Bernard Abrahams: You have sworn affidavits in court before this ?—Yes. Why have you elected to affirm in this court 1 Why not have been sworn on the Old Testament —have put your hat -on, and sworn like a Jew t The Prosecutor I was told by a solicitor thai I can object to swear if I like. I objeot to swearing. Mr Bernard Abrahams Why ? The prosecutor was again about to enter into an explanation when he was stopped by the magistrate, who asked, For what reason r Tbe Prosecutor I have done so much swearing that I am, tired of it. (Loud laughter.) The further bearing of the case was at this poinb adjourned for a week,
COAL IN KENT.
COAL IN KENT. Important Mining Operations. The pit which is being sunk by the Kent Coal- fields Syndicate, Limited, near Dover, has exceeded a depth of 300 feet from the base of Shakespeare Cliff, whioh is itself 300 feet high at this point. The pit has been christened the Brady Pit, after Mr Fraucis Brady, C.E.. the engineer to the South-Eastern Railway Company, under whom the experimental ooal-boring was conducted to a depth of 2,500 feet, disclosing six or eight seams of good bituminous coal, varying from two feet to four feet six inches in thickness. It is the opinion of those conducting the work that there are still thicker seams lower down. The present shaft is 17 feet in diameter and is being sunk and bricked with great rapidity. Continuous shifts were employed throughout the 24 hours. The miners are chiefly North of England men. The auJt and lower green sahd have been passed through, and in the coarse of the excavations ammonites and sea shells in- numerable have been met with. It is a some- what curious fact tbat little or no water bearing strata has been passed through since. The miners have bad no difficulty on this account. New and powerful machinery is being laid down, and arrangements are being made for lighting the pit by electricity. A second shaft, which is to be 20 feet m diameter, is 011 the point of being commenced, The depth of the first layer of coal as revealed by the boring experiments is 1.113 feet, so that at the present rate of progress the first coal-bearing strata should be reached by June next year. The debris from the pit is being used for the purpose of reclaiming about 60 acres of foreshore at the base of the cliff", which will give ample siding accommodation tor the output of coal adjacent to the South-Eastern Railway mam line. The rapidity of the sinking promises to beat any previous record in pit-sinking. The managing director ts Mr G. P. Simpson the consulting engineer, Mr N. R. Griffiths, of Wrexham and the certificated manager, Mr Alexander Reid, who resigned the management of the Ffrwd Collieries, Wrexham, to come to Dover,
COLLISION OFF LUNCY.
COLLISION OFF LUNCY. Danish Barquentine Sunk, The Danish barqnentine Tre Sostre, 146 tons burden, left Cardiff on Friday night with a cargo of coal bound for Lisbon. All went well until Lundy was reached, about o'clock on Saturday morning, when she collided with the schooner Emily, of Padsbow, which was in ballast bound for Newport. The Emily hove to and took off Captain Peterson and the other six men forming the crew of the Tre Sostre. Several members of the crew re- turned to their vessel, but were unable to get into the cabins owing to the rush of water. The Emily stood by for about an hour, when the Tre Sostre sank. The schooner thro proceeded to Newport, where she landed the Danish crew on Sunday morning, and they were taken to the Elliob Seamen's Home. The Emily sustained but slight damage. At the time of the oollision there was a thick fog, and the two men who were on the look-out on the Emily did not perceive the lights of the Tre Sostre until too late to avoid the collision. Captain Peterson and two members of hie crew were on deck when the vessels oollided.
POOR-LAW CONFERENCE.
POOR-LAW CONFERENCE. ¡ Tne sittings of the North-Western Poor-law Conference, under the presidency of Sir J. T. Hibbert, oonoluded at Chester on Saturday. Mr Hagger, vestry clerk to the parish of Liverpool, read a paper on The Treatment, of Pauper Children, and their Future Prospects." He was 1n favour of getting boys into the Navy and Mercantile Marine. With regard to girla, be advocated boarding out and supervision by ladies. He thought that it was a pity thatwbi'e the Navy were orying out for men, and the Mercantile Marine Wl\ b.ng );\rfÇaly recruited from foreign countries, no efforts were being made to draw into the services a number of bright and intelligent boys, who wontd gladly enter upon a seam career. (Applause.)—The conference unanimously adopted a resolution in favour of taking steps i" place on the ltfersey a training ship for workhouse hoys, and Sir John Hibbert promised to accom- pany a deputation to the Admiralty with a view I to secure a ship. I
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Ail, Polly, I haven't seen your father lately What's he doing now ?" Six months, please, sir." Why does she wear that disfiguring vetif Disfiguring ? My dear boy, you should see her without it NOMENCLATURE.—The professional cricketer who makes a duek's egg ought surely to be dubbed quack."—Punch. The lato J ijsticn Bowen's definition of a "search for Pquity" was a hlmd man looking in a dark room for a black hat that isn't there." How HK KNJlW She: How did yun know I' WM going to wear my hair cnrled this evening ?— He: I saw it in the papers this morning. I Alice I heard something about you to-day.— Aune YN; this new lining they are using in dresses makes a frightful noise, doesn't it ? WANTED TO Die EXACT.—Judge: Then you plead guilty to robbing the house by daylight ?— Prisoner No, yer honour; by skylight. "And did my predecessor not find a pace in your hearts f asked the new missionary. Well, the next thing to it," answered the savage guardedly. She: Wheu they hear you are goiug to be married, dear, won't they raise your salary?—He; I am afraid not, darling; they have heard it so often before AN ACCOMMODATING SISTRR.- Sis, lend me your sweater," said a Boston boy to his sister. I willlnd you my perspirer, Charles," replied the gentle girl. BLOOD CURDLING-" Do you have cool nights where yon are staymg, Mr Snipout f Cf)Ql Come out some evening and hear the new brass band play." NOTHING TO FKAR.—Lady Little boy, that your mother calling you ?—Little Boy Yes'm-—" Why don't you answer her then Pop's away," IMMATERIAL, —Firsb Summer Boarder; I wonder what the mosquitos do in winter!- Second Summer Boarder What's the difference ? They don't bite. l A FAIR GUESS —First Populist What do I they menu by the laws of gravitation F'— Second Populist: I think they must be some laws that keep people down in the world. Did you go into society in Philadelphia ?" Yes." And how did they kill time there ?" They don't kill it. They just sit down and wait for it to die a natural death." Mistress of the house, taking her servant to task Bridget, I am afraid you have broken your word.—Bridget, absent-mindedly Share, ma'am, it have been the cat. I DOMESTIC MKTHODS.—" Paw, what is your busy day V Well, happy urchin, it is when I stay at home to rest, and your mother gets me to do a little few odd jobs around the house." FIXING THE DAY.—1" Now, Billy, tell us how you know when Sunday comes." I alius knows it is Sunday coz grandpa won'tIpmme sing Henrietter, she's a corker. Editor, to aspiring writer You should write so that the most ignorant can understand what you mean.—Aspirant: Well, what part of my paragraph don't yon understand, sir ? AMBIGUOUS.—" Fine weather this," remarked a neighbour to adairyman. Yes—very fine," was the reply but, if we don't have some rain soon, I don't know what I shall do for milk." SHOT OUT.—Miss Simperly You're just like the rest of the men. You all want to make fools of us women.—Mr Gruffer: But there's no chanoe, you know. Nature got the start of lis, PBKPABKD FOB THK BUST.—Guest Am I the uulucky thirteener ? — Host No; you're the lucky fourteener. We invited you to fill the gap.—Guest All right; I've brought it with me. ALWAYS WITH THBM.—She: I wish we were rich enough to have some of the luxuries onr friends enjoy a yaoht, for instance.- He Oh, never mind We always have the tug-of-war. JIMMY'S IGNORANoE.-8tern Father: Didn't I tell you never to let me see you stoning the ash- man again, Jimmy ?—Jimmy Well, you would n't if I'd a-Wnowed there was a knot hole in tbab fence. Has your wife learned to ride the wheel Nup; but she has been taking cooking lessons, and about every morning she goes into the kitchen and has « scorching competition with the cook." On a recent Sunday in a church in Dublin the choir was startled during the singing of tbe psalm by the appearance of the organ-blower's head, who shouted out, Sing like fmy the bellows is busted!" Isn't it too bad about Charlie Newed ? I understand that since his marriage lie and his wife have been living from hand to moubh." Oh, I guess they're all right. It's her father's hand, you know." Nell: Miss Bjones uses French phrases in tbe most peculiar manner.—Belle Does she 1—Nell Yes, indeed. Why, at breakfast yesterday I asked her how she liked her eggs, and she said they were very chick. Have you got it on you yet f asked liable Petey of his sister's besbest best. "W—w—wbatf' inquired the three night a week beau. Why, a move. Sister said the other night she wished you'd hurry up and get a move on you." Does your husband still call you pet names t" Yes," said the wife of a year yes, he does. But he does so with a little too much ease, I think. It sorb of sounds as if it were more the result of practioe than the expression of undying affection." RULE BY RIGHT —" I'm afraid that when Yappy and that Miss Prettyold are married she will run the whole establishment." And why not ? She will be the senior partner by at least ten years." CONGRATULATIONS IN ORDRS —" I know, Miss Chatly, that Harold was going to ask yon the momentous question tbis afternoon. Am I safe in congratulating you upon the result ?" "Cer. tainly. I refused him." COULD MORTAL MAN Do MORB Clarenoe," she sighed romantically, do something true, something brave, something heroic to prove your love for me!" Wnll," he faltered, I have offered to marry you." AN FLECTION DODGE.—Smythe I don't sue how Bryan with his smooth face oan stand in with the Populists,—Tompkins Oh they've had it explained to them as being merely a trick to catch the Eastern vote. NOT IN THK RIGHT PLACE.—" That," said a bicyclist to his friend, as they bowled away from a road-house where they had spent the night, should be oaUed the Misfit Hotel. There was hair in the food and none in the mattresses." A German newspaper contains the following offer in an advertisement by an enterprising trader :—" Any pereon who can prove that my tapioca contains anything injurious to health will have three boxes of it sent to him free of charge." DKSHRVKD IT.—Mr Hunker I read the other day that a Chicago Judge fined a man fifty dol- lars and sent him to gaol for a week for attempt- ing to kiss a woman.— Miss Ktttisb Wet!, if he merely attempted to kisa her he deserved his punishment. UNABLE TO COMPARE.—He Kitty, I've heard it is said that a kiss without a moustache is like. an egg without salt. Is that so !-8be: Well, really I don't know—I can't tlell-for in my life I never Ho Now, now, Kitty !—She Never ate an egg without salt. Of all queer ohildren-" began the man with tbe V-shaped nose. Then the man with the btcyole accident on hie cbeek interrupted bim. It Of all (jueer children," he said, u the one that asks questions is the querist." Then the molti- tude knew that a celebrated hnmourist was ia their midst A very serious member of the House of Com- mons was speaking in a pessimistic strain about what he felt to be a great falling off in the character and standing of that august body. Since I came into this House four years ago,' he said, the confidence of the pubbo in ib has mnch diminished." A VITAL QOBSTION.—Peggy was twelve, and deeply interested in the study of the first principles of the English language." She turned over a page, then turned back and thoughtfully re-read the entire paragraph. Then she said, Sister, how many square miles are there in the area of a vicinity ?' Teacher William, you were not at school yesterday. Have you any excuse to offer?— William: I was sick, ma'am.—" When you re sick your parents usually send an noose. 1< Parents didn't know it, ma'am."—" How is that Wasn't taken sick until after I left home,"—" And why didn't you return home Was afraid to, ma'am. —" What was the matter with you Y'—" Cigarettes, ma'am." Papa, is Mrs Bigelow very poor!" "No, Cedrio, Mrs Bigelow is well oft; don't yon know what a nice house sbe has ? n But sbe sleeps in the hencoop, papa." "Why, Cedrio J" "She said she did." What do yon mean ?" "Don't you remember when she was here to dinner the night before last she excused herself and said sbe must go home early because sbe went to bed with theohtokaasf"
MISER EATEN BY RATS.
MISER EATEN BY RATS. Strange Story from Lewisham. A singular story is told in the Sunday Times of the circumstances surrounding the death of an old lady at Lewisbam-Facbs which are a month old, bub had been hushed up somehow until Saturday. The lady was unmarried, and lived in a quiet bye-road off Lewisham high- road, occupying a small house by herself. She was missed by her neighbours about a month ago. The police were informed, with the result that a constable was despatched to the house to investigate. Finding the lady's dwelling closed, the constable went to the back and forced an entrance through a window in tbe kitchen. In the front room he found the old lady lying on the floor, with 0110. side of her face entirely eaten away. The constable's sudden entrance had frightened a number ofAxceptionillly large rats, who left IIheir viotim and flew in all directions, 81:1veral disappearing HMWH It hole in the coruet nearest the wmdow, Further ifearch revealed the fact that there was no food in the house, and but little furniture. Inquiries were set on foot to ascertain the names of the unfortunate lady's relatives, and with libtle difficulty these were forthcoming. Meanwhile the police kept to themselves the nature of their discovery, and ) the neighbours were only told that the old lady I had been found dead. Inquiry of a next-door neighbour, however, elicited the information that she had led the life of a recluse, and was generally thought to be in needy circumstances. Further, it was stated that the old lady was some- what eccentric, and among other things kept a number of blue Persian cats, which she trained not to attack a number of wild rats, which she attracted to the house by means of food. The unfortunate lady's relatives turned out to be very well-to-do, and it is stated that they used every means in their power to prevent the affair becoming publr; and an inquest being held, and eVf-ntually they were stlccessful. The victim, whope name is stated to be Bonsor or Bonfield. was very quietly buned in Lewisham Cemetery, Rnd there the matter ",eemAd likely \.0 <>nr1. SALlE OF THK LADY'S EFFKCTS. Last week, however, the lady's belongings were sold by aucbion, by order of a nephew, who became eutitled to them under a will found during the search, and a most extraordinary sequel is the result. Among tble property werti an old piano and beautifully carved music-stool, and an old-fashioned foor.post" bedstead, on which che old lady usually slept. The piano was fold to a London dealer the music-stool for a comparatively small sum became the property of a local doctor, and the bed was knocked down to a carpenter and joiner for 25s. On getting the stool home the doctor found it required repair ing, and accordingingly sunt to the carpenter with instructions to get it re-covered with leather. In removing the old covering the carpenter found 10 sovereign* embedded iu the horsehair stuffing, aud. taking them to the doctor, was given one for his honesty. His discovery led the man to pull his four-poster to pieces, in tbe hope that he might make a similar find. This he did, and in tbe course of removing tbe legs or posts be found seorebed in the hollow cavities of three of them no Jess than JB900 in gold and bank notes. Overjoyed at his good fortune, the man went to a public-house on Friday evening, and let out his secret, with the result that he has been dropped upon by the police and the nephew, who intimates that it is his intention to bring an acciou against the carpenter to recover his property. Further developments may therefore shortly be expected.
NEWPORT GUARDIANS,
NEWPORT GUARDIANS, The weekly meeting of the Newport Board of Guardians was held at the Town Hall on Saturday, the chairman (Col. Lyne) presiding. At the outset the Chairman stated that no communication I had been received sanctioning the division of the Union, as stated in the news- papers.—One of the Members It's premature.— The Clerk reported that he had received a com- munication from the doctor asking for a temporary nurse owing to being a case of puerperal fever in the Workhouse Infirmary, and tbat he had consulted the vice-chairman and had obtained a nurse from the Newport and County Infirmary. Rev. Charles Ayliffe, chairman of the Visiting Committee, said he had not been consulted with regard to the matter. Mr W. Evans pointed out tbat the doctor had not reported the matter to the House Committee. Rev. W. E. Robinson complained that one of the officials had insulted the chairman of the Visibing Committee. Mr J. Broad pointed out that when the doctor's report book was last submitted to the VisibingCommibtee it was found that about two years bad elapsed since any report was entered in it. The whole secret of the friction between the committee and the doctor was that the doctor was under the impression that he was the II boss of the show"- (langhter)- whilst the committee thought that they were the masters. In answer to a question the Chairman said that the last entry in bhe book was dated September, 1895. Mr W. H. Brown said that he was sorry DO find there was so much friction between the doctor and the committee. Dr. Macormack remarked that he had frequently reported to the board, but he wished the board to understand that he was an officer of the Local Government Board. (Cries of No, no.") Mr W. P. Nicholas said that tbe doctor was appointed by that board, and was an officer of the board. (Hear, hear.) Ultimately, on the motion of Mr Brown, the doctor was requested to present his reports in the book provided, and that the book be submitted to the Visiting Committee, according to the regulations of the Local Government Board.—The Lords of the Treasury wrote stating that they bad fixed the superannuation allowance of Mr H. Rees, formerly assistant overseer for St. Woolos, at £1791334d per annum. The guardians fixed the amount at JB153 8s 9d, and the Treasury award was made as the result of an appeal by Mr Rees.
SOUTH WALES MISSION.
SOUTH WALES MISSION. The third annual meeting of the South Wales Mission, which is being so vigorously conducted by the Rev. Jobn Evans (Eglwysbaoh), whose headquarters are at Pontypridd, was held on Monday night at the New Town Hall, Ponty- pridd. There was a large attendance, and the chair was occupied by Mr T. Owen, MP. for North-east Cornwall, who was supported on the platform by the John Evans and Mrs Evans; the Rev. J. H. Hector, Mrs Hector, and Miss Washington (daughter of the Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Canada); Sisters Margaret and Lily Reys. Rice Owen, Aberdare J. Rowlands. Cilfynydd Thomas Rowlands, Htrwain Thomas Manuel, Mountain Ash John Jones, Penygraig; G. 0; Roberts, Tonypandy J. M. Owen, Ferndale; A. C. Pearce, Porth; J. Rees and H. P. Morgan, Pontypridd; T. J. Pribchard, Barry Dock Mr Adams, Bristol Mr Percy Thomas, Cardiff; Mr C. F. Bowden, Cardiff (tbe lay secretary); and Mr and Mrs J. P. Powell, Cardiff. Mr Bowden submitted the financial report for tbe year, from which it appeared that the total receipts were J6663. The expenditure amounted to £694, which showed a balance on the adverse side of about £30. Several inberesbing addresses were given on the work of the mission.
ARE LlANDAFF FIELDS A HIGHWAY…
ARE LlANDAFF FIELDS A HIGHWAY P Mr Lloyd Meyrick, of Cardiff, appeared at the Llandaff Police Court on Monday to defend half a dozen lads for obstructing the highway by playing football in Llandaff Fields on tbe 23rd inst. Before proceeding with the case, Mr Meyrick raised a question of jurisdiction and asked whether the passage through the Llandaff Fields was a highway within the meaning of the. Act. Tbe Clerk (Mr Evans) said he thought it was. He bad been through the fields for the past 26 years.—Dr. Taylor: It is not a high- way.—Mr Meyrick: Then these lads were trespassers and cannot be proceeded against for obstruction of the highway.—The Clerk said it was undoubtedly a highway.—Dr. Taylor: Ib is a public footpath, but it is not repairable by the county authority.—The Clerk I think all the footpaths are repairable by the County Council. We have had many oases of a similar kind under the Highway Act.—The boys. whose names were John Johnson, Samuel Bag- shaw, Wm. Adams. Fred Chown, Henry Parnell, and John Purnell, were fined Is each.
SHIPPING CASE AT ABERAVON.
SHIPPING CASE AT ABERAVON. At the Aberavon County Petty Sessions on Monday—before Mr Cbarles Jones (in the chair), and Messrs H. W. Vivian, and Captain Morris— John Elswortb, a boatswain, sued Mr O. S. S. Piper, shipowner, etc., Port Talbot, for £10 odd wages, etc., alleged to be due on the voyage of tbe 88. Spain, of which be defendant was managing direotor, from Cardiff to Genoa in April last. Mr Downs, barrister (instructed by Mr J. H. Jones, solicitor, Cardiff), appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Vachell, solicitor, also of Cardiff, represented Mr Piper. The plaintiff's case was that he signed articles at Cardiff for the trip to Genoa at the rate of £5 per month. Tbe voyage occupied 10 days. He received bis jB8, but the captain refused to pay him any money to take him back to the United Kingdom as he was directed by statute, and, after a brief consultation, the Bench gave judg- ment for the plaintiff for £3 and costs.
A SCOTCHMAN'S ADVENTURE.
A SCOTCHMAN'S ADVENTURE. At the Marlborough-street Police Court on Monday Matilda Christianson (36), a Dane, residing in Soho, and Paul Schmidt, a German decorator, of the same address, were charged with stealing £23 10s from the pocket of John Lumsden, an engineer, of Queen's square, Glas- gow. The prosecut r deposed that late on Saturday night he met the female prisoner in Piccadilly, and went home with her, remaiuing all night. He was awakened at about 4 o'clock ID tbe mornmg by the male prisoner, who said, You are in the wrong house; there is some mistake." The woman was gone. He got up and went to an hotel. On the way he felt in his pocket, I and found his puise still there, but in place of three j35 notes and tllD gold it contained a piece of crumpled paper and eight penniM. The prisoners were committed for trial.
[No title]
All Alfreton on Sanday night the depositions of Robert Evison, furnaceman, employed at Alfreton Iron Works, were taken. Evison and a fellow workman named John P ,rker quarrelled, and fivison says Parker struck bim on the head and kicked him.
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE.
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE. The Gift of £10,000 by Lord Bute. A meeting of the Council of the College of South Wales and Monmouthshire was held at the College, Cardiff, on Friday. The Rev. A. Tilly 1 presided, and there were also present Principal Edwards, the Revs. J. Morgan Jones and J.D. Wabtere, Dr. William Prife, Dr. A. Sbeen, Messrs John Duncan, H. M., Thompson, and J. A. Jenkins (registrar). The' following letter was received from Mr Louis Tylor, treasurer:— Dear Sir,—I am very sorry I am unable to attend the meeting, as I have been confined to my room by illness, from which, however, I am happily recovering. I have much pleasure in making you acqunntfsd with the tact that I have received Lord fot £10,000, and also a cheqiw i £ 150 —I am, ltc, (Signed), Louis TTLOU. The Registrar also read a letter from Sir Wm. T. Lewis, wbo had written to the treasurer in these terms :— "Cardiff, September 28th, 1896. My Dear Sir,—In compliance with your request, of the 29th August last, I hfve now the pleasure of enclosing a cheque fur £10,000 in fulfilmenb of Lord Bute's promised donation towards the University College of South Wales and also a cheque for interest.-—I am, &c., (signed) WK. THOMAS LEWIS." The Oouucil resolved to offer Lord Bute its most profound and grateful tbanks for hIS noble and generous contribution. The report) of the Senate on the results of the entrance scholarships aud exhibition examination was adopted. There are 84 candidates for this examination, and the list will bo published next week. The following latter from Mr F, T. Howard, M.A., F.R.G.S., lecturer in geology and geography, was read :— My Lords and Gentlemen,—I beg to tender my resignation of the post of lecturer in geology upon my appointment to an inspectorship under the Education Department. It is now five years since you did me the honour of electing me to the post 01 first lecturer in geology in connection with the mining school of tbe University College. The period during which I have been connected with this work hasibeen one of great interest to me. it is with many regrets that I leave the college. I have devoted much time to the work of oollecbing specimens necessary for the proper teaching of bhe subjeot, and through the kindness of many friends, I have secured a fairly good series of rocks and fossils which. J hope, will prove useful as soon as the college is able to provide accommodation sor their proper arrange- ment and classification. I thank you for the kindly interest you have always taken in the work entrusted to me, and for the mauner in which you have considered the suggestions I have brought before you from time to time.—I am, tea. (Signed) F. 1. HOWARD." The Council passed a resolution regretfully aooepting the resignation, congratulating Mr Howard on his distinguished appointment, offer- ing him every good wish for his future success, and expressing its high appreciation of the valuable services he had rendered to the college, more espeoially in connection with his arduous labours in collecting geological spicimens for the museum. The Registrar next read a letter from Mr Wilson, MSC., assistant lr-cturer and demon- strator in engineering, who resigned on beincr appointed senior demonstrator in engineering at Owens College, Manchester, and tutor in engineering at Hulme Hall, in connection with the same institution. The resignation was ac- cepted. The other business was of a formal character.
CARMARTHEN TECHNICAL\ COMMITTEE.…
CARMARTHEN TECHNICAL COMMITTEE. A ineetiug of the Tuohnical Instruction Committee of tbe Carmarthenshire County Council was held at Carmarthen on Saturday, Council was held at Carmarthen on Saturday, Sir James Hills-Johnes, G.C.B., V.C., presiding, Before proceeding with the agenda the Chairman proposed a vote of oondolenoe with tbe clerk (Mr T. Jones) in his bereavement at the death of his wife, the Mayoress of Llandovery. Mr Gwilym Evans, Llanelly, seconded, and it was carried unanimously.—Mr D. Long Price, county treasurer, stated the financial position of the committee. The special halfpenny rate levied for technical instruction purposes brought in £1,067 a year, but with the new assessment to be adopted next year it would bring in abont £1,500. The following special grants had been made, namely, JB500 for agricultural instruction at Aberystwyth College, JB120 for Carmarthen School of Art, £100 for ambulance classes, £100 for tbe travelling shoe ng van, B200 for lectures on mining and geology, and J3100 towards the Cardiff College building fund. There was £7tXJ in hand, and this sum, together with the next rate, which would be levied in March, would be the amount at bbeir disposal to cover the expenses of the past and present financial year.—Mr Gwilym Evans said he intended at a future meeting calling attention to the fact that Llanelly district only benefited by about £200, although it paid a third of the amount of rates received from the whole county. The injustice would be still greater when the Agricultural Rating Act came into operation.— Professor D. E. Jones, Carmarthen, and other gentlemen said It was clear that they had not sufficient funds to do all they should like, and the quesbion must be raised later on whether they would ask the County Council to increase the rate from a halfpenny to the full penny allowed by the Act.—Mr John Lloyd, Penybank, pro- tested against tbis on tbe ground tbat the farmers were already too heavily burdened by this and other rates.—The Chairman also said he would not favour an increase of the rate.—An estimate of the probable receipts baving been mace. it was decided to renew the special granbs already mentioned, and to allocate tbe remaining £700 amongst the respective districts as follows:- £298 to Carmarthen district; £190 to Llandilo and Llandovery and £212 to Llanelly. It was understood that IIhese latter amounts were not to be used as subsidies to the existing schools, but to institute special instruction classes in remote districts. It was agreed tJoaak the County Conncil to levy the beobnioal instruction rate in December next at the same time as the county rate. Upon the recommendation ot the authorities of Aber- ysbwybh College an agriculbural scholarship of £25 was awarded to Mr D. Rees, Dolgwm-issaf, Llanybyther.
MARQUIS OF BUTE AND FALKLAND…
MARQUIS OF BUTE AND FALKLAND PALACE. The Sootsman says Under the hands of its present owner, the Marquis of Bute, extensive and interesting works of restoration—or rather of repair, preservation, and illustration of what remains of the old building—are going forward at Falkland Palace. More than has been the case since it ceased to be a residence of kings, the palaee bids fair to become a place of pilgrimage for tbe student of Soobtish history and Scottish architecture and decorative art. It has the good fortune, not only to have as its possessor a scholar so deeply read and reverent as Lord Bute, but to be under the immediate, as resident factor, of Major Wood, who has given heart and time to the investigation of the annals of Falkland and its builders and keepers, aucienb and modern. The fruit of his labours is already visible in a series of pamphlets which he has prepared with reference bo the antiquities and history of the place as manor and as palace, and to the plan, features, and meanings of the existing buildings. They should he found of value and interest to the archaeologist and historian as well as to the ordinary visitor. One of the last of these, JL Short Account of the Earls of Fife, has been compded from documents relating to Scotland preserved in the Record Offices in London and Edinburgh, and from other authentic sources, and brings to light a great deal of material with regard to the old line of possessors or custodians of the manor and palace before yet the place had become a king's residence. The date, 1472, given as that of the death of Isabella, the last Countess of Fife of the line of Maoduff, is a manifest error for a year a century earlier. It was in what may be called the transitional period of its history, when in the keeping of the Dukes of Albany, that the most famous incident in the annals of Falkland— the death of David, Duke of Rothesay—took place; and upon this mysterious event tbe researches of Lord Bute have shed curious information. ==================
DANGER OF SHIFTING CARGOES.I
DANGER OF SHIFTING CARGOES. Tbe case of the Clan Mackenzie, a coal vessel from Cardiff, bound for Shanghai, which had to put into Cape Town a few days ago with her cargo shifted and three of her crew drowned, calls attention to efforcs made in this country and in Australia to have the loading of coal vessels properly supervised. Acoordiug to a table of statistics, recently compiled, 65 vessels, repre- senting a carrying power of 102,000 tons, have within a surprisingly short period either been lost at sea, or are missing, or have put into porb in distress. A Daily Mail reporter, who called on Captain Frond, the secretary of the Shipmasters' Society, was informed that a cargo of coal will not shift when property stowed. Captain Froud said further that the interest taken by his society in the stability of vessels and the proper trimmine of coal cargoes is unabated. He believes that as the Board of Trade has interfered in the coal carrying business with respect to coal- laden ships having proper ventilating facilities, it is the duty of the Board to see to it that coal is property trimmed either by appointing a super- visor, or insisting that coat boats shall not put to sea until a certificate that bbeir cargoes are properly trimmed has been obtained from the master of ohe vessel, countersigned by one of the officers. In suppoit of bis views the secretary of the Shipmasters Society said that already at least one large London company insists on such a certificate. It was also learned that the Government of New Sooth Wales has lately arranged for a Royal Commission to inquire into the question of stowing coal on board ship. It is a matter of common knowledge that on many a coal-laden vessel that has managed to arrive at its destination officers and crew have had a life and death struggle for days, trimming at sea a cargo that had begun to shift with the first lurching of we boat in heavy weather. Captain A. G. Froud, the secretary of the Shipmasters' Society, is in receipt of a letter from Captain Harrison, whose long and active sea career lends weight to his utterance. Captain Harrison writes:—"The carelessness in trimming cml cargoes is responsible for a great proportion of the loss of life and property at
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CARDIFF ART SOCIETV.
CARDIFF ART SOCIETV. Banquet to Lord Windser. A large and representative company assembled on Friday at the galleries in Queen-street, Cardiff, on the occasion of a banquet given by the member of the South Wales Art Society in honour of Lard Windsor, who has been president of the society from its inception mm years ago. Mr T. H. Thomas, R.C.A., one or the vioe-presidents, occupied the chair, bftin, supported at the cross table by the guest of the evening, Lord Windsor (Mayor 01 Cardiff), Mr Ivor Vachell, Mr R. Forrest, Mr John Duncan, Dr. Taylor, Aldermae D. Lewis, and Mr Wm. Riley. The companj numbered close upon 60, and included most of tht society's prominent members. Mr T. Stevens, who was entrusted with the catering, served 1 most recherche repast.—In proposing the loyal toast, the Chairman spoke of the patronage bet Majesty and other members of the Royal Family had always extended to the lions. and especially tbt art of painting. The toast was drank with musical honours.—Mr R. Format, in a felicitous speeoh, proposed The Military Forces," and m course of his remarks r^retted the absence from the list of the clerical toast, an omission whict would, he feared, deprive the company of tht eloquence of the Rev. Daniel Lewill-C humorous allusion, which was much enjoyed, to the ministerial function performed M, few minutes before by the genial alderman of thai name.—Colonel Fry and Major Bruce Vaughan, whose names were coupled with the toast, briefly responded. The CHAIRMAN then Rave the toast of Out President, Lord Windsor," and spoke of the valuable and constant assistance which hia Lordship had always extended to tbe sooiety. They had seen many ups and downs, but they bad always the knowledge that behind thera was a force which oould exert itself at any moment Nineiyears of such assistance as that which Lord Windsor had given them merited from the society its deepest thanks and appreciation. He was sure the thanks were always given, and the appreciation was always present. (Cheers. 1 Lotd Windsor bad done all that was in his power to do for the society, not only from the point of noblesse oblige, but because of the distinct interest which he took in the art that they as a society pursued—(cheers)— and they recognised in their president not oniy a nobleman, but an artist who worked witb them year by year, and brought his own work and the graceful work of his graceful consort to add to the beauty of their yearly exhibition. In this raepeot they bad a perfect president; aud were all the qualities that went to make up a perfect art president enumerated, he did not think Lord Windsor would be found deficient in either of tbem: (Cheers.) The toast was received with much enthusiasm. Lord WINDSOB, who was loudly applauded, acknowledged the very high compliment which the society had paid him. He assured then truthfully and candidly that no position be had held had given him greater pleasure and satisfaction than that of being the president to that society for all these yean, Tbe small assistance that it had been in hit power to give had, be assured them, been most readily and most heartily given, aud it was with pride and pleasure that he accepted tbeir kind congratulations and their good wishes, and to find from the collecoions of works of art exhibited on their walls year after year, that the artistic spirit was not dead in Wales as some people imagined. (Cheers.) Now he had heard some bard things said of Welsh art. He did not stand up to protest that they were all altogether untrue. They must accept unpalatable truths when they were uttered by those who were able to judge and in a position to give an opinion, but at the same time others who had followed on that track ot criticism of Welsh art, he ventured to think, had gone too far. (Hear, bear.) It was hardly possible to imagine tbat an artist born and bred in Wales could be able to take up his position as a Welsh artist under tb. conditions in which they had to exist). It was not so much the fault of aitists as it was the fault of the public, to which they must necessarily appeal. In the great centres of "England, such as Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham, and excluding Loudon, which was one of the greatest artistic centres of the world, there was an appreciative public who knew how to honour an artist produced in their midst or who lived among them, and who knew how to show tbeir appreciation by the ordinary method of purchasing their works. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) North Wales had the advantage of them in this matter, for there they had a society which had taken the lead, but they were determined not to be left behind in South Wales. (Cheers.) Could they imagme a young artist establishing himself, say, in the village of St. Fagan's, and expeotina by the attractions of his studio — even it he bad a studio in Cardiff — to make < name ,for himself or to get on in bit Erofession ? No, such an artist would go ttf ondon, or one of the other great oentres of artL where he had the possibility of making himself known, and to secure his rightful appreciation* (Hear, hear.) That had been the great dlfficultJ in Wales. The great musical talents of Walev even had been obliged year after year 11(. go away from them for the same reaso but fortunately they all came back and brought their Welsh names with them. and gloried in the fact that they came from Wales, and they were welcomed with pride. (Cheers.) But apart from the particular national form of music, be feared that they must still, consider that however much they in Walec endeavoured to rectify mabbers, it was not in Wales itself that these musical geniuses could! obtain that position to which their talentr entitled tbem. The enoouragement of art in Wales was, he conceived, one of thf great objects for which that society was eøtabo blished. The difficulties were great; they had been greater but tbey had to fight their way into a position that would be recognised not only by Welsh artists, but by artists from far distab. plaees—(cheers)—and he was happy to think that, to a certain extent, their gallery had been recognised by eminent artists as au honourahl, place in which to show their works. The, had been supported most generously by good artists but they aimed at more than that—thex wanted them to feel, and especially young artiste that there was a field in Cardiff for their talentc and tbeir powers. (Cheers.) They bad started on the right principles. That society had sprang from very small beginnings, and although it bad made no very great splash it had worked con- tinuously, and, as their president, he desired tc say that he most heartily recognised the work that was being done. Cardiff itself had a great interest in the success of that society. (Cheers.) They were an ambitious people. They had, he thoroughly believed, a bright future before them, and tbey were determined to show that in Cardiff they deserved to be recognised af the great Metropolis of Wales and ensure thafi assistance which he believed the Government would ere long extend to them. Success to the South Wales Art Sooiety war proposed by Alderman Daniel Lewis, couplet with the name of Mr Shewbrooks while Mr Ivor Vachell proposed and Mr G. J. Beetlestont responded to the toast of The Contributing Artists." Mr C. H. Sames, of Mertbyr, gave "The Press," to which Mr John DUUQM. responded. During the evening an admirable selection of music was given by Mr and Mrt Arthnr Angle. Exhibition Opened by Lord Windsor. i As he has done upon every previous similai occasion in the history of the sooiety, Lord Windsor, Mayor of Cardiff, opened on Saturday afternoon the ninth exhibition of piotures of th< Cardiff Art Society. There was a gratifying attendance, including Mr Henry W. Martin, president of the South Wales lustitute of Engineers Mr Ivor Vachell, Mr John Duncan, Dr. Franklen Evans. Mr T. H. Thomas, Mr F. P. Hacquoil, Mr R. Drane, Dr. Sheen, Prof. Haycraft, Senor T. Avendan, Mr F. H. Jotbam, Dr. Mullin, Councillor Veall, Mr C. A. Ward, Mr Edwin Harris, Mr C. T. Whitmell, Me Parker Hagarty, R.C.A.. Mr W. H. Renwick, Mr J. M. Staniforth. Mr T. E. Heath, Mr G. A. Woods, &c. Lord WINDSOR, who met with a cordial recep- tion, said he discharged the duty which bad beea once more allotted to him with greater pleasure tban he had ever experienced before, because be felt that the position of the society was now assured, that it had struggled through tbe worst years, and had now arrived at a moment when the future could be contemplated without many misgivings so long as they did not attempt too much, but also so long as they went on essaying a little more each time. (Hear, hear.) The main object in starting tbat society was to ge9 together collections in which the efforts of Welsh artiste might be profitably compared with the very beet work that was sent down by distinguished honorary members, who had rendered the sooiety such valuable aid. He would not admit that Wales was so far behind the rest of Great Britain and other parts of Europe that she could not produce really good art. The fact was, the artistic sense is Wales bad found it necessary to go to other centres where were an audience and < buying public. The buying public in that neighbourhood need no longer go to London 01 Pans, but if they would bum a critical and kindlf eye upon those walls they would find many workr which were really worthy of attention and purchase. It remained for local patrons of art tc help the sooiety to continue ili efforts in tbe laudable direction indicated, and to achieve an even still greater measure of suooesa. He believed that a.t the first exhibition of the society pictures were disposed of to tbe value of about £200; last year the sales realised J3900. (Applause.) That was an unmistakable evidence of the society'* progress and of public appreciation of the efforts of its members. (Hear, hear.) On the proposition of Mr T. H. THOMAS, R.C.A., seconded by Mr IVOR VAOHBLL, bit Lordship was cordially thanked for his continued deep interest in the society aud tor bis service* at this occasion.
REPRESENTATION OF SWANSEA.
REPRESENTATION OF SWANSEA. At a meeting of the Liberals of the Bryor melyn Ward a discussion a- ose on the course thr executive of the Liberal Association is adopting in securing candidates for the next Parliamentary election. The extraordinary delay was com- plained of, and it was also thought Mr Burnit bad not been approaohed in a proper manner. Finally a resolution was passed instructing the secretary of the Liberal Association to write to Mr Burnie asking him if he will again contest the seat providing he has the unanimous support of the associatlion
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