The Cardiff Times

HE LEGISLATIVE MACHINE. BY MABON, M.P. 0(1 th 'II e 23rd inst. Parliament reassenthled to IIIltittlllln Session—a legislative expedient— ^theft that it was considered essential V of the existence of this Liberal ^hi °len^* Henry Campbell-Bannerman ^ociates soon became conscious that Iot, "e-re to carry out the'r mandate of the People at the General Election at the Of the year, there was nothing else I"-t Ceo 4eir ardent enemies cannot deny but legislative Acts of the late Govern- Parliament are to be reversed, if the some important sections of the com ■ *0 Were to be met. especially with regard Education question Moreover, the of the day received a definite *i^ e that no interference with the 6s and practices ot Free Trade and Vefy positive one, in the sense that t.n,,T requred more efficient administra- tis under the late Government, and ttolOst Particularly also in the matter and the defensive forces of the country, reform wis settled at the polling ''ton it is too soon to pass judgment Nipy Government with regard to its Army 'he Mr Haidane has made many excellent i S, but he has not yet had sufficient time full effect to his sentiments in the I i**ea" ^Ur'n* the Autumn Session he will i st>W 0pport"nity °* Propounding his scheme ■Bp1 A the Volunteers an integral part of .^y, and lor associating the local 168 with the auxiliary forces. And 's yet to come up for judgment TO^rits. I A a^ra'f^ that all the measures left over Session will not be carried, but **t ^°ubtless. that are on the legislative Pass into law. The Education Bill, b^'th^es ^'sPutes Bill, the Merchant Shipping I ■ tH* Land Bill.the Plural Voting la Workmen's Compensation Act, and Tenure Bill are most likely to be ed itl "'Ii, 'n more or less amended form, if t)» Qt can be kept together till the middle D>*b*r. 8s during the Session, interest will 111 the House of Lords rather than in the .of Commons, a spectac'e which is not whfn A Liberal Government is in Ijj' ^ost probably it will be the action ^eers upon the Education Bill and '^M*63 D'sputcs Bill that Is to be looked to as of greatest interest and Hi|„ 11 • With regard to the Education Bill can think it eapable of a little im- ent in a little more generous treatment k\| that believe m denomma- But there can be no justifies- ever for the rejection of the broad e of taxation and contiol going Jo 18 matter the Peers cannot even find the Jl'V*al ,*iereany disagreement among )%ster9' nora serious disagreement nor opinion among the overwhelming to!* ^^tary majority. The Bouse of Lords p,enty of Ifc baa been %>*d on the one hand and cajoled on the Whether it wiH yield to the threats, or tylt to the cajolery remains to be seen. t't otJld not view with dismay a conflict the Houses, or rather between ^itary Chamber and the people. ^st come sooner or later, and NX. as well come now as later. time by the forelock, Mr Balfour bis defence of the Upper House .It but he has no new lines to proceed on. | Ij 1>t,e enough that it is the function of ij 4Of Lords to prevent hasty legisla- Nf0. no one heard of that argument by Mr '< Q8r nor his friends when the House of e J>as!led the Tory Education Act, the 1'8' Licensing Act, and the other import one-aided and hastily passed Acta I *Slt. Mandate or authority by a Parlia- at was elected to see that cruel and through in South Africa. 0v>btless it will do all it can this Session ^tyj whatever legislation is demanded J?1>iAl^PeoP'e ^bich is not in the interest of ^t|w, *tivism in all its parts. When dealing Trades Di sputes Bill it is notimprob- ;the House of Lords will refuse to *ej,j to Trades Unions their ante-Taff Vale 11 Position, and while I have not very Si»/esPect for the House of Lords as a legis- ^setnbly, and while the opposition of House ia not to be tolerated for an I Would not be surprised if they were 0 t>e more tolerant with this measure ,'1;Iy of the others that wiH go before rI' One cannot believe that the Lords are Vfc Ish as to commit political suicide on Measure. They cannot fail to see that V|| Fesult of their handiwork they would Senate the Trade Union vote and the \st^t>ourin those cities which were once ro,1ghold of Tory Democracy. Moreover, Ii sOber citizens are coming to the con- that tbe fixing of the law as all men 't as fixed for 20 years and more can- 'tself be of the nature of a revolution. bkat are ,Iraid of the future, and not of the as the years befoie the Taff Vale %I510tl caused no prostration of helpless el"S before Labour triumphant and qkl tl've. the Lords may be trusted to find less likely of bringing about the r|1Pture between them and the people ^c.^at the latter contend to be one of their Ipal Labour charters. Workmen's Compensation Act jHtt 0 considerably strengthened m Com- and now come3 practically on- the l-. ft°Ssible without compulsorily demanding ¡lIi assurance. The Plural Voting Biil has Jourse 1 hrough Committee in the House of If 110i on" already caused great consternation, Solute fear, among the Government ^^ters, both young and old. It appears to H t nothing less than a vision of lost power .c°lrse ot running away from them would 0l>ce 1 them to descend to the use of such ungentle manly, and almost black- language and threats as many are °ll>g III enforcing their opposition to this llll'e In Committee. 4 Measure, more important than a good ^ottiers, if 1 may saj so, which has been ,%l by a SeKct Committee, and has I S a most unanimous report is the Bill JliU Feeding of Necessitous School It was introduced some time in V Ml receiye<^ the unanimous sympathy Parlies, and was sympathetically bv the Minister of Educa- promisel that, if practicable, ill 'ea shoulu be given lor its passing. This t Some sense represents the solitary ^Q^t lo better the condition of the most ij c'ass in the community, and if ^te time could be spared lor its discus- 1 cOUll cas ly beN knocked into shape, ^^Id make a liv>ng influence in the ^Ssical efficiency of the very poor children—the coming generation. 4 tljere could scarcely be found any °iore worthy ot immediate attention t'l1et 1;1e;s;t Session, faiiing time given in the MW this most pressing social reform. Ci M D L Q^chine Works so Exceedingly Slow. is expected and necessary to be done. Political mill grinds on, perhaps better t IS pellei by our Tory frieads to grind I) y. Yea, there is indeed so much to arrears and neglect of the past COent crowd around us with their t t*h^Vs voice, and shameless, wilful lt>n dene in so archaic and cumbrous O!?N «hat many of the m^re vigorous Workmen's representatives are bewildered to decideupon which ) ay their vigorous and unconrentional I demand that the tomfoolery should come to an end and the work allowed to proceed. It it not enough for tbelle shamefu I time-wasters to indulge in their obstructive tactics themselves without ultimately blaming others for not aiding them in the attempt to break and prevent all useful and necess ary reforms^ Thev even allow the Irish Solicitor-General Carson, to insult the Ministry by asserting that the Plural Voting Bill was the Bill of a sneak. The complaint was that the Ministers do not answer the Opposition at equivalent length, and the vexation is, of course, that they refuse to drop into the pit that is so often laid for them. And their testimony avoids the error—the Minister in charge answers every substantial point the Opposition makes. But Mr Lulu Harcourt. that chip of the old block has proved more than a match for all the minor lights of the Opposition put together, and he need no. trouble about them while Mr Balfour pays him the respect he does.

MUSuTliTWALES. By D. EMLYN EVANS. LIBRETTO COMPETITION AT THE CAR- NARVON NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD. One; of the difficulties which always confront the Welsh composer, in the present as it did in the past, is the paucity of words suitable for musical treatment. especially in regard to works OL an extended compass, such as the cantata, oratorio, and opera; and with the view of correcting the deficiency in a measure. if it may be possible, the National Eisteddfod Association offered a prize of C10 and the Association medal value £5 at this year's Eisteddfod, for the best libretto adapted for opera, written m Welsh, and on a Welsh subject The immediate result has not been encouraging,only three com- positions having been received, and those not of any great merit. Rhoslwyn" has not taken the trouble either to stitch his loose sheets or to paeinate them. making it therefore difficult to be quite sure as to their correct sequence. Not that it matters much, perhaps, for here we have undoubtedly one of the queerest productions ever submitted to an adjudicator. In some parts the writing-sometimes in pencil, and sometimes in ink of various tints-is such as to make it practically illegible the diction, grammar and sense being in character with the cacography. The supposed subject is Llewelyn, the Last Prince. In addition to various characters" in flesh and blood "—someindicated on the list of dramatis sonæ, and others introduced promiscuously here and there as if at random—there are also the spirits or ghosts of Arthur and Eleanor, and the guardian avgel of Llewelyn. The first.. scene consists of a few lines of dialogue between a peasant and his wife-not amongst the dramatic characters indicated at the beginning. School children" are intro duced at the end. sirging Glan medd'dod mwvn." as a marching tune, i.e., they are made to march in three-four time-an impossibility. People following singing Welsh airs, which are not specified, nor are any words given. Scene II again, does not extend to more than a few lines; but a band is to j lay. children are sing- ine and people with the chieftains following "with Owen (another fresh character) and Llewelyn to the Coronation." The remaining words are some dozen short lines, the more legible being the first Hw're, hwre, hwre," and last Tra, la, la, etc." What the et cetra may represent no one can divine. Scene Til. us forthwith to the Eisteddfod. Here another chance character, a Sir Bcjmd "(sic), one of the chieftains, is pre- sented. And Such Anachronisms perpetrated as singing" 0 fy hen Gymraeg as a chairing song, brought in quite discon- nectedly. with no reference to any competi- tion, etc.—and Ar D'wysog Gwlad y Bryniau" (" God bless the Prince of Wales"). In Scene I V. we are taken to Bangor Cathedral, and are relegated to the old tune Babel "as a "sacred march," followed by an extraordinary para- phrRBe of the Lord's Prayer. But it is alike unprofitable and unnecessary to particularise further, as the above will suffice to show what a hopeless jumble we have here, where there is neither grammar, plot, poetry, nor coherency. Y Bardd a'r Cerddor" has Buddug (Boadicea) for his subject; the additional characters being Brasydog (her affianced). Decianus (a Roman), Neli Daiog (a Welsh country wench), Roman and British soldiers. Christians, huntsmen, bards, etc. He some- what labours to show that the libretto is not too long, and that it may be reduced as indi- cated if desired and rather begs the question by referring to grand opera,-for no mention of erand opera is made in the programme and again in regard to Boadicea-no one contends that ber whole life-hi^ry should be treated in a book of words. What is of importance is the nature and quality of the book -so long as it is within reasonable limits, and that the epoch described is complete within itself. The author is an able writer, but he seems to forget that what is required is not a play, a drama to be recited, but a lyric work that has to be sung. He cannot Sink theard in the Musical Poet; the Welsh bard in particular, who will go up hill and down dale in order to secure a line stiong in alliteration will even stretch a po.nt in regard to sense, such as Betglwyd yn ngwlad Hud hunts out obsolete words such a« Broch Broch neu bel, neu bando tangc Ai tangc. ai tranc, yw'mtynged." in order to play on a word or an initial con- sonant. Gutturals, sibilants, etc., have no terrors for h,m but rather, he seeks them out. For instance Heb allu, ni elli. Os felly, myn ellyll cei brawf o fy D £ a bullaf i'm cynilun ddywalgwa d.ddychwyn, Carnfradwyr creulonaf a gwaethat eu rbyw," etc., etc. But these are precisely the things that the mus cian aad the singer cannot do with. Powerful diction is of course desirable and necessary when the situation em>in s it but even then the laws of euphony and facile enunciation must bo respected. (To be Continued.)

He'd Better Wait. A well-known preacher, one of three clerical brothers, paid a visit to his mother. *• Do you not think, mother," said he, tnat you mled with too rigid a rod in our boyhood ? It would have been better, I think, had you used gentler methods The old lady straightened up and said Well, William, when you have reared three as good preachers as 1 have, then you can talk 1" Be Cheerful. The cheerful man is pre-eminently a useful man The ,cheerful.man sees that everywhere the good outbalances the bad.. and that every evil has its compensating balm The habit of cheerfulness enables one to transmute a, parent misfortunes into real blessings. The cheerful man's thoughts sculptures his face into beauty, and touches his manner with grace It we are cheerful and contented all Nature smiles with us the air is softer, the sky clearer, the eath has a brighter s^Jeen. the trees have a licher foliage, the flowers are more fragrant, the birds sing more sweetly, and the sunsh ne is more beautiiul. All good thoughts and good actions claim a natura. alliance with good iheer Grief, anxiety, and fear are the great enemies of human hfe. Cheerfulness is their antidote. Good Business. A writer who spends his summerfil at the seashore tells the following story :— An ignorant countryman who saw the sea for the first time was much impress, d with the effect of the blue water, and asked a fisherman if he te 1 him the owner, as he would like to buy a gallon to take home to his wife. The fisherman replied proudly :— Uh, me man—we own iu" Land s sakes." exclaimed the rustic Could you sell me a gallon for 50 cents V Pure," aId. the fisherman, and he dis- appeared. returning in a few moments jar of water, for which he received the country- man's 50 cents. The latter deparled with his purchase Re- turning later in llie day, nfter the tide had gone out. he gazed in silent wonder at the water which had I eceded far irom the beacii. Lummie," he exclaimed, don't they do a trade r"

Welsh Tit-Bits. Neu Wreichion Oddiar yr Eingion By CADRA WD. Carmarthenshire Worthies. Everybody acquainted with the history of what. is going on in this part of the world at present, naturally turns his face and glances towards Carmarthenshire. For the last few weeks, the county has been on its trial. and we have every faith in the wisdom of the "Shir Gar's 1 that they will keep up the reputation the county has always sustained in regard to its moral, intellectual, and rehgious character. If the thirteen count:es of Wales were made to compete as to which of them has turned out the greatest number of distinguished men in all shades of usefulness I have little doubt but what Carmarthenshire would head the list. Take, for instance, the little spot south of the Taff river, and bordering on the South, the Carmarthen Bay, how many eminent men that district has yielded. We shaH mention only one for the present who is perhaps the most forgotten, though not the least worthy, to be remembered. The eminent Dr Josiah Tucker, Dean of Gloucesl er was born at Laughame distin- guished for his political sagacity, as well as for the temper with which be Handled controver sial subjects, and a little of his wisdom would have been, to my mind. helpful at this moment in connection with the inquiry which is now being held in regard to the everlasting crues- tion among the Welsh people of the connection of Church and State. Dr Tucker was born of English parents in the year 1712. His father was a larmer, and being in comfortable cir cumstances he gave his son classical education By his proficiency at Ruthin. Josiah won an exhibition in Jesus College, Oxford, and his biographer tells us that soon after his success he set forward for the seat of the muses with a bundle at the end of his stick. He entered into Holy Orders in 1735 and obtained a curacy in Gloucestershire, where he remained for two years, when we find him in Bristol serving a church, and he was made one of the minor canons in the cathedral. It seems that his situation in this large and important city greatly favoured his political and commercial studies, while his clerical qualifications recom- mended him to the notice of the Bishop, who appointed him chaplain and subsequently he was elevated to a prebendal stall. Shortly after he had his stall at the cathedral, be was appointed to the living of which he had been curate, in Bristol and before he had pro- cured the liring he had married an elderly lady —who made the first advance by an avowal of her affection. The marriage was not a happy one, for they were separated, and never after the separation lived together. What introduced Dr Tucker to general fame was a Bill for naturalising the Jews, of which he became the public advocate by his trench ant and celebrated letters. It seems that this ereat measure raised the bigots of all denomi- nations to arms, and the Bristolians expressed their ind-gnation at the supposed aposiacy of their divine by burning his letters and his effigy in full canonicals. In 1753 the Rev Mr Tucker pubisbed a pamphlet on the Turkey trade, in which he argues strongly against the system of chartered companies. He lived to regain bis popularity with the people of Bristol, and in 1758 Lord Clare owed his election in a great, degree to Mr Tucker's exertions in his own parish. This obtained for him the deanery of Gloucester, and on that occasion took the degree of a Doctor of Divinity. About this time he drew up a treatise on commerce for Dr Hayter. Lhen tutor to King George the Third. Bishop Warburton, who had been his col- league in the Chapter of Bristol, became Dr Tucker's Bishop at Gloucester, was jealous uf his popularity, and was disposed to depreciate his ability, and once said of him that his dean's trade was religion, and religion his trade. In 1772 he published an apologv for the Church of England, and up till his death in 1799 he pub, lished several important and popular works, theological, political, and miscellaneous. He was a liberal man, and about nine years before his death he applied to the Chancellor lor leave to resign his rectory in favour ot bis curate The resignation would be accepted, but the privilege of appointing his successor was refused, so he decided to keep the living till be could attain his object. He communicated his design to his Darishioners. and procured from them a petition signed by the whole body, Dissenters as well as Church people The Chancellor at this unanimous appeal listened to the voice of the people, and we are told tLat the application was successful. Had this wisdom been observed and acted upon by the patrons of Welsh livings for the last hundred years, there would have been no Church Commission in 1906 but unfortunately, the voice of the people is ignored—perhaps more to.day than in the days of the Georges, but those who by chance have had the authority to wield the iron rod. A like petition like that signed over a hundred years ago by the Bristol parishioners, which was successful, ha? failed in 1906 in a certain parish in the diocese of Llandaff, wheh proves that the ecclesiastical clock is retarding. Digon o Grwth a Thelyn." Another important work is being published by the industrious curate of Garth, the Rev W Meredith Morris, B.A.. F. R.H.S., in the form of a biography of Mr Walter A. Mayson, the celebrated lutbier" of Manchester. The book will contain numerous illustrations, and a complete list ol instruments made by this distinguished British maker. The art of violin making was never more alive in Britain than it is to-day, and an account of the life and wotk of one of its greatest expon- ents cannot fail to be of interest to those who dwell within the mystic circle of the violin world. Walter Mayson was an artiste in the h;ghest and best sense of the word. He lived the life of a recluse in thesilent iriendship of his fiddles. He made nearly a thousand instru- ments, including violins, violas, and violon- cellos, and his better class work reaches a stan- dard of excellence never before attained in this country. For many years he resided in the Lake country,where he made a number of carved back violins of superb workmanship. These are gems of art. and some of them realized as much as S60 straight from the atelier. Such eminent connoisseurs as Sir William Ingram, Canon Rownsley. and Heron-Allen regard the work of Mayson as being in no way inferior to that of the Italian masters. The tone of Mayson's instrments is as remark. able as his workmanship, and when time has wrought its beneficent influence thereon, it will no doubt command the homage of virtuosi tn like manner as the Strad tone does today. The great artiste passed away on thelast day of December, 1904. at the age of 70, and we are glad that no time has been lost in gathering together, and putting' into shape the material of the biography, which will be ready by Janu- ary next. The book is printed at the Caxton Press, Maesteg, and the number of copies is very imited. Bravo, yr Hen BIwyf.

A Powerful Remedy. There was recently a banquet of humorists at which one man refused so much as to smile at the best jokes which were oitered. Why don't you laugh, man tOO one of the par y remonstrated. How can I laugh when I remember that every time I breathe someone passes into the great beyond t" The humorist looked at the gloomy one a moment, then remarked Did you ever try cloves 1" His Recommendation. The old gentleman showed a good deal of dis- pleasure. It seems to me." be said, rat her presump- tuous lor a youth in your position to ask lor my dauhter's hand. Can you advance any goud reason why I shouid give my consent ? Yes, sir," replied the young man, promptly. What 7" I am comparatively modest and economi- caJ; in my personal expenditures, and I think you will find me less costly to maintain than almost any other son-in law you could select." Quarrelsome.—" You Americans," said the Scotsman, suffer from an itch for notoriety." An itch for notoriety," responded the Ameri- can with spirit, "is better tbarl" notoriety for But. at that point the Scotsman hit him with a soup ladle, and they clinched.

Illustrated Humour. 11 If He Had Only Known It. Mrs Naggg: When you proposed to me you said you were well off. Mr Naggs And I told you the truth. Then how do you account for the fact that you haven't any money now?" Neither bad I any money then. but I waa single." A Moving Event. Smith Minor: My sister sometimes cries when she reads a book. I never thought I should, but I know a volume that I bet would bring tears to your eyes Jones Major I bet it wouldn't. What is it?" Smith Minor: A volume of smoke. I » Not Without Ambition* I A tramp applied to a gentleman for few pence to buy some bread. # Can't you go into any business that is more profitable than this?" he was asked. I'd like to open a bank, if could only get the tools.' anwered the tramp. Not Worth Troubling About. Master: James, I wish you would be more careful. 1 am sorry to hear that your mistress has to scold you so often." James Ob. don't you mind me, gir. I don't take any notice of it. Strangers Yet. Grace (during thunderstorm) s I am awfully afraid of lightning. Mabel: I don't see why you should be. be- cause even lightning requires something at tractive » I A Near Thing. He liked her fairly well, but never dreamed of proposing until he first saw her in evening dress. Won by a neck, I suppose?" A Burning Question. Fred I say, have you heard the joke about the red-hot cinder? Tom: No. Tell me. Fred: Weil—Oh, no, it's no good. teUiDg you, you couldn't grasp it. Of No AvaiL Kind Old Lady Why, little boy, W'bat's the use of crying like that? Street Urchin: T'aint no use. X've been cryin'like this all mornin', an1 nobody ain't given me a penny yet. Peculiar. Mrs Potts They say that poets have to be born Potts That's what they say, but I never could understand why. In Large Doses. Fortieth Friend (since breakfast) Hello, old fellow, you've got a fearful cold. Wht are you taking for it? Sufferer (hoarsely) Advice. I A Paradox. What is a paradox?" A girl telling her young tnan tbatsbe really mu-ft't stay another minute, and all the time holding him so fast that he could not get away if he tried," i ■ Foretold Squalls- The thermometer has fallen, mother." Has ill dear, Much?" About five feet. It's broken, too." No Cause For Alarm. Wood I say, when your vicar was leaving the pulpit last Sunday, he came down head over heels. Forest: No Was he much hurt?" Wood Not a bit. Why should he ha. s been hurt? He would have been, though, if he'd came down heels over head. Inspector Can anyone tell me what a lie is ? —Smart Boy: Pi ease, sir, I car'Inspector Well, my little man ?—Smart Boy: A tie is an abominatton unto everyone, but a very plea- sant help in time of trouble You astonish me Your engagement with Miss Welloph is broken, is it Are the rela- tions between you still friendly ? I should say not. The relations between us are her relations, and thoy are my bitter enemies."

TALKS ON HEALTH. By DR. ANDREW WILSON. Jaundice. It might be more correct to speak of jaundice as a symptom of disease rather than as consti- tuting an ailment in itself. It appi ars as a result of some primary trouble or other affect- ing the liver, and as the nature of the piimary Lrouble may vary very greatly, it is obvious that jaundice is rather to be considered a sign and indication of an affection than of ftself constituting a definite and well-defined disease. The word jaundice has come to us from the French word "jaune," meaning yellow, and has naturally been applied to the ailment in question on account of the yellow tint or tinge which the skin assumes. We must bear in mind first of all in considering jaundice that the making of bile by the liver is rather to be considered as a result of the work of that im- portant, organ than a definite function per- formed by ib. Although the bile is used in the digestion of food, and although it exercises in this jense a special action upon the fats we eat, it. is none the less in itself a waste product. B Ie represents, in other words, waste matei ial which the wonderfirl little living cells of which the liver is composed have separated from the blood. If, therefore, the and kidneys are regarded as org ins which, separating bodily waste from the blood, pnrifv the vital fluid, no less is the liver to be considered as also partici pating in this important work It may be men- tioned that in addition to this work of excreting or separating waste material from the bloo.i. the liver has the important duty of dealing Wtth those foods we term nitrogenous in cha- racter, such food, beIng represented by the juice of meat. white of egg, ana substances allied in composition to them. Some Causes. In addition, we know that the liver has the power of storing up the sugary matters we consume as food in the form of starch, and in all probability it pays out these starchy mat- ters, transformed into sugar, to the blood, so that they may be conveyed throughout the body and supply the tissues with this parti- cular item. The causes of janndice are of a varied nature We can readily understand that if any obstruction exists in the flow of bile from the liver into its natural channel, namely the intestine or bowel, u j j then naturally be ab- sorbed and pass sooner or later into the blood. Camed by this fluid into all parts of the body, it will leave distinct marks of its presence in the jaundiced condition of the skin, whilst even the whites of the eyes may become yellow, and the urine or secretion of the kid- neys also develop a darkish colour. The bile secreted by the liver either passes directly into the bowel if it is needed for digestion, or may be stored in the gall bladder, which is a receptacle lying on the liver's under surface. If, in the gall bladder; stones are formed, and if such concretions block the channel leading from the gall bladder, or if the bile duct lead- ing from the liver itself be from this or any other cause obstructed, the flow of bile is pi e. vented from reaching the intestine, and jaun- dice will result. So also the presence of any growth or tumour pressing on any bile duct wiil ive rie to similar results. Other caust s of jaundice not dependent upon any obstruc- tion are. of course, known. In certain fevers, in blood poisoning, in certain kinds of liver disea-e, and in ooisoning by phosphorus, jaundice is apt to occur. Here the cause of the jaundice must be regarded as constituting rather a chemical than a mechanical one In other words if we suppose that bile used in digestion is absorbed into the system and destroyed or alteied in the healthy state, such bile in an unhealthy state would be left in the blood and so cause the symptoms of jaundice. About Treatment. Even in siight liver disturbance connected with digestion, the skin is liable m certain per- sons to assume a yellowish tint, and we nay, therefore, in such simple cases, assume that a very mild degree of jaundice may be said to exist. Probably the most successful treatment of jaundice is that which relies upon two chief points- These are, firstly, wise regulation of the food and, secondly, the cautious use of .medicines intended not so much to affect the liver directly as to favouring natura! action of the bow ls. The diet of a jaundiced person should be of very light character. Soda and milk; soups of clear nature, invalid Bovril, and the like will be found to fully satisfy the appetite which, naturally in an ailment of this kind, is not of a very decided charart er. The mos t useful drug in connection with jaundice arising from some alteration in the liver's action, is sali cylste of soda. Five grains of this sub-tance may be taken three times a day, and it is recommended by some authorities that the Ave grains should be taken in a tabiespooniul of liquorice and water. Another remtdy which has long had a high reputation for the relief of simple jaundice is composed of an ounce and a half of bi-carbonate of soda. two drachms of powdered rhubarb root, four drachms of powdered ginger, six drachms of powdered calumba, and one drachm of compound ipecac- uanha powder. These ingredients are to be mixed and a teaspoonful taken every four or six hours in asmall tumblerful of potash water. It will bet however, noted that these remedies can only be expected to affect canes of jaundice depending as I have said on some upset of. the liver itself Where gall stones are present such remedies ar" of no avail, and the effect of gall stones being present would, of course, be indi- cated by the intense pain which is caused by their attempting to pass do wn the bile duct. In the case of a tumour being the cause of jaundice, other symptoms will he experienced by the patient, clearly pointing to the neces- sity of an accurate examination being made by a surgeon. Preservatives in Food. I have been asked several questions of late regarding the influence upon the health of preservatives which are added to food. One of these questions at least was suggpgfed by the writer reading the report of a prosecution in which meats sold by the defendants were proved to contain a verv large amount of boracic acid I may say. in rep'y to these in- quiries, that medical opinion appears to be very much divided concerning the effects on the body of such a preservative as boracic acid which is that most commonly used. I believe an examination of the evidence offered to show that in sm.a.11 quantities this substance exercises no deleterious effects on the adult body. On the other hand, if added to the milk on which infanta are fed, it mav produce a certain amount of irritation, the seat of which i specially referred to the kidneys. When, how- ever boracic acid is used as a nreservative for any kind of food. and is present in lurge quanti- ties the case is altered That the consumption of this substance in large Quantities will in turn give rise to untoward symptoms is not. I think, to be d'mbted. There are other preservatives used for foods which are not so harmless, rela tively speaking, as boracic acid. The whole subject, however, is one most difficult of dis- cussion, and until some law be passed (such a law as noted or suggested by a Commission on Foods) nroviding for the clear labelling of foods which have been preferred, and indi- cating the nature of the preservative, no pro- gress cn be made in ensuring that our food supplies are of a harmless ^character Pub- lic opinion, however, it is satisfactory to know, is gradually veering round to a point from which our protection arainst an injurious addi- tion of any preservative to foods will be made a subject of legal care. As things are. our sanitary authorities are by no means blind to the fact of the danger which may arise from foods containing large quantities of any sub- stance intended to preserve them from de- composition. Tomatoes and Cancer. Another inqurrv which has reached me par- takes of the nature of a constantlv recurring question. It is that which asks if there is any truth in the assertion that the eating of tomatoes is the cause of cancer. Unhesitat- ingly f reply that there is no foundation what- ever for such a behef. The tomato ts, for those with whom it agrees, a very healthy vegetable indeed. How the idea arose of any connection between the eating of tomatoes and the production of cancer is. of course, impos- sible to determine. But one thing is certain, the notion has held ground for many years, and f daresay will continue to be expressed loudly by persons who are utterly unacquainted either with the nature of cancer itself or with the composition of the tomato. One might as reasonably say that the drinking of tea or the eating of bread causes the terrible disease in question.

No Risk. A married lady owned a pet dog of a particu- larly vicious temper. It harl even bitten her husband on more than one occasion. At las*, however, the dog disappeared. The husband offered a roward of £25 for the dog's return. His friends were amazed "I I haught., "s"lid a friend to him. "that you h&ted that dog ?' ldo." the man admitted. Why, then. do you offer such a large re- ward for his return ?" To pleas',e my wife." But your re foolish," said the other. "Such a lsrge reward will be sure to hring it hack No," said the man wIth a knowing smile. You see, I happen to have learned that it's dead." Bricks are capable of absorbing about a pint of water each. Owing to tlus circumstance the captain of a ship that carries a load of bricks has to he very careful that a serious leakage 1 does not go on undetected, the water that enters being sucked up aa fast as it gets in. »

Fashion and Things Feminine. By MISS IDA MELLER. A Cloth Pelisse. The coat and skirt costume long ago estab- lished itself as the backbone of a woman's ward- robe, and though primarily intended for rough wear, has gone through evolutions of smartness that reader it fit company even for aainty wed- ding-guest toilettes. Rarely, indeed, does a smart weddin now, ake place at which the tailor-made coat and skirt costume is not more or less in evidence. In settling the question of a winter walking outfit, the choice of costumes lor everyday wear rests largely between the skirt and short coat of material to match, worn with a blouse of different ..tuff. and the skirt and blouse-bodice inhaimony worn with a long overcoat 0' pelisse of different cloth. A sug- gestion for an independent pelisse is given in the accompanying sketch. The origi-Aai is built 01 dark-b,uc- cloth, with pleated trouts pressed veY fla aud stitched to a fitied beit of similar cloth, covered with stitching The skirt to the pelisses slightly gathered at the waist and sewn to the beit^and touches of dark-blue velvet sewn to tile beitancl touches of dark-blue velvet occur on the step-collar and cuffs. A long, cosy wrap such as this is particularly useful to the woman out and about :n all weathers. If made of rainproof cloth it would, cf course, take the place of a rainproof, while being, at the same time, far smarter in appearance than the usual wet weatner coat. A a mple style for a cloth costume, to be worn beneath a lone loose outer coat or pel sse is the umbrella skirt and sailor- blouse, the latter cut w.thout any fulness on the upper part, and oniy sufficient at the waist- to give a siight pouch to the bodice. At the neck the blouse should be cut low and turned back with a collar ot its own material, inlet above the hem with a band of lace insertion or trimmed in some other way with lace or braid, and tied wth a bow of ribbon in front— or, instead of the ribbon bow, a scarf of soft silk or crepe de chine proceeding froin unde- the codar might be knotted sai or-fash.on. A tucked vesi fids in the neck, and if trimming were needed on the siirt. this might consist of a twin row cf Velvet buttons up the front, in which case ihe buttons sbouid be repeated up the bodice. An alternative to hesailor blouse is the well known cross over bodice, and th-s misrht be decked with buttons fallowing the line of the cross over front. A Draped Silk Bolero. The ways of the bolero are varied, and on out-of-door and indoor toilettes the bolero, draped or plain continues to flourish. A fa, onrite fashion favoured by tailors is to mount a gathered bolero to a stiff band of its own material, of braid, or some other stuff, which forms, as it were. a frame, and, holds 1 he tittle garment taut. Sometimea the bolero is of pleated or drawn taffetas and the mount of cloth, harmonising with the skirt on other models silk and velvet f rm the bolero. The draped bodice simulating a bolero is also affected, this beine united to a deep p inted beit The high fitted ceiature below a su rt draped b dice is a mude particu'arly becoming to average figures, giving a pretty fall to the waist and fulness ah. ve. The draped bodice sketched is carried out in a pale cafe au lait taffetas with hr. wn velvet buttons and a t mm. over collar and cuffs, faced with brown velvet, overlaid with lace Below tbedrapery is a fited belt of silk, and at the neck is a filling-in of tucked net. Similar bolero-bodices made offine cashmere are also very pretty, a model in pale bine cashmere with black velvet buttons and facicgs, and another oi reseda-green, with buttons. etc., of mirror velvet in a deeper shade, having no little charm. They are worn, of coure. with zkirts to correspond The velvet bolero, made in a similar way, is very rich look. ing. and specially becoming to a slim figure The belt and skirt in this case might be of cashmere or silk. Tbe new velvet are exqui- sitely soft and lustrous, and drape as easiiy as a thin silk or cashmere Nothing is more becoming than good velvet, and the dyes this season are so beautiful in colour and the pro- cesses employed in the manufacture of velvets so successful, that it seems these lovely fabrics have never before been seen to such advantage as at the present time. The softness and mirror like vlo-a of the new and more exnen sive velvets are charms of no little importance. Velveteens, too. are much improved in manu- facture, and. when of really eood quality, wll wash as well and easiiy as flannel or cotton goods. A ieature. indeed, is made of investing silks and other materials, not usually submitted to the ordinary laundry, with qualities enabling them to emerge success; uls, from the process of IIoap and water. Washing taffetas and washing kif. gloves come under thhctaas. and are eco- nomical in the long run, owing to the saving of the professional cleaner's hili. Neck Ruffles. Fashions in stoles and neck-ruffles concern every wom-n, more or less, with pretensions to smartness, and the topic is specially interesting just now since we have arrived at i be season when a neck-wrap is not only required for or- namental purposes, but also for the sake of the warmth imparted. In addition to fur neck- ties, boas, and stoles, the rume of leathers and marabout mixed is very fashionable, and is seen in all the new season's cclours In a French house, whence emanate modes of unim. peachable smartness, may be seen examples of these feather neck ruffles in delicate shades of mauve and pink. They are finished with loops and ends of ribbon-velvet, which fall almost. to the waist, the ruffle terminating just below the shoulders Ostrich feather boas in white, black, and colours are other luxu- ries for the neck Almond Meal and Other Substitutes For Soap. It is a custom with certain French women to ahjure soap in connection with facial ablutions and use, instead, bread, bmn.o, someotbersub stance One of the simplest substitutes for soap is stale bread soaked in miik, vinegar, or distilled water. Bran and oatmeal are also in- nocent substitutes, and, with lemon, are found on many a Parisienne's washstacd The bran or oatmeal may be used in its natural state or boiled, the wa er being used for ablutional pur- poses, and the meal itself t aki ng the place of soap Wnen not boiled previous to asiniz, a good spoonful should be taken ido the hands and rubbed on them like soap, after which they must be soaked in warm water to reduce the 1 bran or oatmeal to a paste. Lemon for toilet porpoaos is very useful for the hands and nails helping to keep the eletr ot en1 skin, which is apt to adhere to them and sub- merge the tun ars. Almond meal is a charming preparation tor the toilet that 18" used in- stead of soap, and iris and orns root powder are used in the same way in France. A more expensive preparation is pistachio nut meal. Almond meal may be prepared in the following way Blanch a poisE-i of almonds and grind them into a powder, and add a pound of flour (fine), and a quarter of a pound 01 orris root powder. Scent the meal, if ¡lred with half an ounce of otto of aimonds. These little luxu- ries may, however, be dispensed with without interfering with the value of the preparation. The quantities allowed can.of course, be halved or quartered. Pistachio nut meal may be made it om the above recipe, substituting pistachio nut meal for almond meal. Breakfast Cakes. Nice cakes for breakfast can be made from the following recipe .—Take nib. of flour, two teaspoonfuls of taking powder, 2oz. of white Sii^ar, and a littie salt, loz. of butter, and one egg Dissolve the butter in a cupful of warm millt, and beat into it the egg. Add this to tue flour, in which the powoer snould nave mixed, work all into a light dough, end bake in patty pans for about a quarter of an hour, serving the cakes hot. Lace Cleaning. An easy way to ciaan white iace is to spread it out on a sheet of white paper, and cover it with ground magnesia then place another raper o er the magnesia, and press the lace, etc.. between (he pages o! a heavy book for a day or two- Shake out the powder and tne lace should be beautiiul I v white.

SCIENTIFIC MARRIAGE. SCHEME FOR IMPROVING HUMAN RACE Mr vYillett Hayes, the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture m the United Stales, is per!ect- ing a system for imorovine the human race by scientific breeding, anu the consequent elimina- tion of vice, disease, and crime. Mr Hayes be- i evet that greater care should be taken in the selection of husbands and WIVes. According to Mr Hayes's theory, the mar- riage of two persons who are highty developed mentally results in children who are weak- lings. The offspring of two artists would be irresponsible Bohemians." He declares that combinations -of the breezy Western type of." daredevils" with the more conventional type of American found in the Eastern States result in beauti- tul women. In the same way the people ot the Nor them and Southern Slates should inter< marry in order to give the Houth more ener- getic bus ness men and the North more grace- ful women. Mr Hayes is trying to devise a means of recording the blood value of various races in order ;,0 secure the best possible reo sults in breeding He is preparing a pamphlet for distribution among working class Amercans which explains the importance of seeking superior blood, and avoiding inferior or worn out blood. Mr Hayes was for maav years in charge ol the Minnesota sec'ion of the experimental branch attached to the Department of Agriculture, where he conducted many interesting experi- ments with animals and plan's. His success resulted in hiS promotion to Washington. The Government has authorised Mr Hayes to ao- po:nt a committee of scientists and educator* to investigate his theory. —

RIVAL PHONOGRAPH PEOPLE. Judge on The Nonsense." Before Mr Justice Joyce in tbe Chancery Divi- sion Monday the National Phonograph Com- pany (Limited) v. Edison-Bell Consolidated Phonograph Company (Limited) waa an action wrought by the plaintiffs to recover damages for los» ot trade alleged to be due to tbe con- duct of the ileferdant company. It appeared that the defendants had been placed on the plaintiffs' "black list." but not- ■^hsianaing f his they had obtained 700 of p'aintiSs' machine? through the plaintiffs' s :eats, who acted either in ignorance or in deliberate breach ot their agreements with the plaintiff company not to supply anyone on the black cr suspended list. The deiendant company paid ful) trade puce for the machines and it was not alleged that they had soid undet wricu toO the pabhc. The real grievance of tb. plaintiffs was that the defendants sold their own records with the machine, with tiie result that the plaintiffs lost the profit they would t otherwise have made It was stated that tb. sale of the records was the most profitable part of the business, and that the loss connected with the 700 machines amounted to £660. It was also claimed that the action of the deíen, dents had been detrimental to the general salt of the plaintiffs' machines, as persons thinking they could get them from the defendants, would go there, acd probably buy on* of the defendant company's mach moos inste His Lordship said that tbe fa!Iing-off it business might be accounted for by the fact. that thousands of people might be getting tire*?. of sucn nonsense. The defendants denied that they had done anything illegal. The Court reserved judgment

GIANT IN SEARCH OF A WIFE. A young giant is advertising in Hackney for a wife. He is quite young-only 22, in fact— and although he is 8ft- 7in. tall and weih. 3901b, he is still growing both ways. His name is Henri Got. and he was born in one of the provinces of France Fancy-free ladies whe were takincr their walks abroad In Mare-street yesterday received iittle handbills courteously offered to them. Th as — GIANT WANTS TO WED Prepossessing Hackney Girl, who would not object to tour the world. Henri Got is tired of a lonely life, and has resolved to marry any lady who will propose t" bins during his engagement at the Eackney Empire. Heari has had already one affair of the heart. A beautiful French lady, 6ft. 3in. tall, tell is love with him last year, and they became en- gaged. But there was a quarrel, and the iady threatened to punch Henri's head, and he reo tired gracefully out of the unequal contest. Hackney ladies now have the chance ot their lifetime It began last night at the Empire, and several fair braves said they wouldn't min i. Henri is thinking it over. and would likf more samples before he chooses finally.

BLARNEY AND BLUFF. Constable O'Reilly convulsed the Commission Court in Dublin on Monday by his account ol how he arrested a prisoner named Hennessy, who had previously knocked uim down and kicked him whilst making an arrest and then bolted. I arrested the accused," said the constable, at Bridge toot-street. I saw him sitting on the steps of the brewery. Good morning, Hennessy says I. Goud morning, O'Reilly.' says he.. I sup pose you are going to arrest me.' [ says, Yes.' and Hernsssy says he knew nothing about the fi/ht." Sergeant Dodds Did he say anything else T —Yes. he says, O'Reilly, you are really the only maD in the force I would go with." (Laughter.) Is it your custom before arresting a prisoner to bid him" Good morning ?—Not always, but 1 sometimes do Coutisel Then you are the most courteous man in the force, (laughter.)

SEARCHED IN THE STREET. I Harrison Freedman.a Russian subject, living in Spitalfields, was charged at Old-street OB Monday with being in possession of a revolvei and not satisfactorily accounting for the same. P C 151 H said that on Saturday night he saw the prisoner Ln Flower and Dean street showing a revolver to a woman. He walked off, and witness followed him taking another con»tabU with him. He caught up to the prisoner in Weat worth-street and told him he was- going to search him Mr Ciuer Bot you told him what Constable: No, sir. Mr Cluer Sureiy you told him why you were going to search him. Constable No Mr i-luer You must not go up to people in that way, and without arrest, and in the street search them. What did he say? Constable Nothing. Mr Cluer Well, I should. Constable. Oh, I said that I knew he had a tl earm. Mr Cluer Really you have denied twice that you said anything. It is very difficult to accept that statement now after what yoa have beard me say. The Magistrate ordered a remand for in. quiries.

FORTUNES FOR CHARITY. Miss Isabella Ann Hayirv. of Manchester, who left gross estate ul £ 4.1L000, bequeathed the residue of tbp property, amounting to between £22.000 and £24.000, to be applied for pro- motion of sucb religious and charitable pur- I poses as uer trustees may ttunk fit. She also leaves £8,5I)J to various charities. By his will Mr Jotin Dagli^h, of Rothley Crag, Northumberland consulting mining engi- ¡ neer, who died in London last AuS?u>t has left over £ i3,COO fOr charities. Tbe Armstrong Col- I lege bencQLs very .argely. and the Church Missionary Society receivee j*