The Cardiff Times

LICENSING OFFENCES. •AN INNKEEPEK FINED AT SWANSEA. At the Swansea police-court on Monday Messrs J. C. Fowler and T. C. Davies-David "Ones, landlord of the White Hart Hote^ Ox o street, was summoned for supplying mtoxieating drink to drunken persons on the 31st ult. 1\11' ltobmson Smith defended. „ ■ P.C. Evans said ho visited the house ontne Qate named, having been called-in to ejec whom he found- very drunk in the D*. using to quit. After ejecting them, he saw Jhe landlord, who admitted that the barmai himself had served them half an hour previ y, and that the barmaid had afterwards serve • In defence Mr Smith contended that there was Nothing to show that the men weredrun June of the supply, and he drew attention tome Jact that the landlord himself directed the atteri- tion of the constable to the condition of the men. i -Defendant and his barmaid were calJed, and they both swore that at the time of the supply they considered the men sober. The Stipendiary found against the defendant, and said a landlord was responsible for what his servants did. It was the duty of a seller of 111 toxicants to be very vigilant as to the con of his guests. A tine of £3 and costs was unposed. The two men-Alfred Edwards and John Edwards—were fined £1 each inclusive. A SHEBEEN AT CARDIFF. At Cardiff police-court on Monday be- fore the Stipendiary and Dr Fame-Mark Harrington was charged with unlawfully s g retail certain intoxicating liquors on t e January, contrary to section 3 of the Liicensm0 Act, 1872. Mr Belcher defended.. Acting-Sergeant Tomlinson gave evidence testI- tying that he watched No. 1, Railway-street, Occupied by prisoner, on the date speci • saw a considerable number oi 1 Ions enter the house during the day and leave it, the majority carrying something or other. Witness afterwards, acting under power warrant, entered the house, and found in the ehenawoman named Harrington and a man named Collins, of 2, Severn-road, Canton. In the cup board he found an eighteen-gallon cask abou half full. and in a cupboard in the passage a nme- gallon cask full. He told defendant that he would report him, and defendant, following witness to the door, asked him, What had I better do ? Had j. fitter plead guilty ?" At this stage Mr Berfcher interposed, and said that it would be rid f°c them to argue that nothing in tne n pf a sale took place. The Stipendiary have adopted a very wise course, Mr Belc the one best in the interests of your client "-Mr Belcher, continuing, said that hi*, client nevertheless had some e*P^n,, Eive of the circumstances under whic Was got. It bad been provided for a wedding, and subsequently distributed among the "eighbours.-The Stipendiary said that it defendant had adoped any other course than Jhat now pursued he would Pr°bab]y have been fined the full penalty of £ 50; l' he had not attempted to bolster up a case by evidence and perjury, he would be only mulcted In the sum of 408 and costs. WHAT CONSTITUTES A BONA-FIDE TRAVELLER. On Wednesday, at the Cardjff-pohce-court- before Mr T. W. Lewis (stipendiary) andI J-T I'ame—James J. Strong, keeper of the Hope Inn, Blackweir, was summoned for breacne of his license, by selling intoxicants and keeping his house open on Sunday, February 1st. -t r Belcher appeared for the defence.—The evidence of P.C. King (80 B) was that at 10.35 on the night of the 1st he heard men's voices inside the house, and a few minutes later he heard the bolt oi the hack door being drawn, and the defendant s wire \Vag in the act of letting tWo men out, when be asked why they were in the house. She, however, 'Made no answer, but went to the front bar, and spoke to the defendant. Witness followed, and saw the defendant letting three men out. Witness asked who the men were, and the defen- dant replied, It's all right; those are three men from Caerphilly; and I only supplied them with three glasses of beer." In the smoke-room adjoin- Ing the bar were four men sitting; and when asked Jfhy they were there, the defendant stated that they said they had come from Newport, but he knew they lived about Blackweir. Witness then proceeded to take their names and addresses, and one gave the name of Williams, whereupon the defendant told him to give his I*roj)er name and address, and the man then said that his name wa3 Thomas Stockton, but had no address. The others gave their names as YV m. Nicholls, Maindy; John Crane, Mainly,, adding that he had just come down from Treherbert, ahd thought he was entitled to get a drink and Charles Blake, Maindy the fourth man Meanwhile leaving the room, but promising to return, and in his absence the defendant stating that his name was George Tilley, of Maindy. The two men who were about to be let out by Mrs Strong gave the names of Thomas Brynn, of **faindy, and Charles Blake, of Maindy, the •atter stating that he had gone to the house to see -lodger named Davies. There were glasses about Containing beer. Witness said he would have to Report the matter, and the defendant replied All right; I hope you will make mention of the Statement that they came from Newport." Mr Belcher said that he would admit the sale, but submitted that the men in the house, having eome from Newport, were entitled to be supplied with drink. The Stipendiary replied that he could not agree 'with Mr Belcher upon that point. If a man lived next door to the defendant's house, and having 8lept at Caerphilly or Newport on the Saturday kight and then returned on the Sunday, it would not follow that he was a bona-fide traveller. Mr Belcher went on to say that the men found on the premises went to a football match at j-^wport on the Saturday, stayed at Newport during that night, and returned by road on the Sunday night. They felt that they were entitled *o a drink, and on the strength of their statement defendant admitted them. •1 he Stipendiary remarked that the contention appeared to be that though the landlord knew hat the men lived in the neighbourhood, he was Justified in supplying them with drink. Mr Belcher said that he put that forward as a P°iot of law, and as his defence. 1 he Stipendiary replied that in that case he was against Mr Belcher. A person was not opined to be a bona-fide traveller unless the place wiere he lodged the previous night was three miles |»atant The statute did not constitute a man a traveller because he did not sleep three miles a^av, but that he shall not be deemed unless he Shall have slept three miles distant." Mr Belcher said that there was a case recently in Lancashire in which the magistrates uek to the proposition that even if a man walked *jkozen miles in order to get d.unk he was none >f> less a traveller; although at Swansea the .t'pendiary magistrate held that a man was not a traveller if he walked for the express Purpose of getting drink. th i Stipendiary pointed out that the effect of 'aw was that a man was not necessarily a jr°na fide traveller because on the previous night th' Pfc three miles away. He did not say any- nnig about travelling to get drink. As to a man «ing a traveller who slept three miles away, ? Proposition of the statute was a negative one. Mr Belcher Then what constitutes a traveller ? tovT00 Stipendiary These men were travellers Jfhen at Newport, and were travellers when hree miles from home; but they were not so they got homo. What he wanted to be howii was that when they got to the defendant's they were not merely travellers but bona- cde travellers. Mr Belcher said that apart from that point there *as the fact that the men stated that they had come from Newport, and although it might be 'also the statute held that if the landlord believed f? to bf true it was sufficient to exempt him from hability. fheStipendiary replied that whether the land- lord bona-fide believed the statement was vory j^uch a matter of inference and it was bard to oeliove that he did so believe it seeing that the lien lived in his immediate neighbourhood. The Stipendiary remarked that the object °» the section was to make some sort of provision for the refreshment of travellers but a did not think that it was intended that the J^anta of a person should be supplied who had o^en away from home and had returned home, because his wants could be supplied there. He \Vas clearly of opinion that the imprudence the defendant in believing and supplying men ^fhoni he knew to bo Hying in the neighbourhood showed presumptive knowledge on his part that he was wrong and he was also of the opinion that the six men were not bona fide travellers. Mr Belcher submitted that the circumstances Jf'aro sucli as to justify a mitigated penalty and, farther, that the constable having admitted hear- Itlg the bolt of the door being drawn, there was £ o evidence in support of the charge of keeping •he house open during prohibited hours. The Stipendiary said the summons for keeping open might be withdrawn; for selling during Prohibited hours the defendant would be fined *0s and costs, seeing that the defendant had only *ept the house nine months, and that during his time it had been well conducted. The six nten whose names were taken were then called on summonses charging them with h«ing unlawfully on licensed premises. Thomas £ >ryim, William Nichclls, Georgo Tilley, Charles Blake, and John Crane were fined Is and costs; but Thomas ^toektou, who gave a false name when first asked hy the constable, and denied that he did so and Persisted that the constable's statement was not true, was fined 10s and costs, with the alternative of 11 days' imprisonment. A CARDIFF CASE. On Wednesday, at the Cardiff police-court, JVanois B. Rees, who keeps the Kothesay Castle hoer-'nouse, P/ntf-street, wws rurnmoned for per* Hitting drunkenness on his } atniises ou January Slit. About 10.30 p.m. two constables (Phillips L and Diamond) went into the house, and found a i leaning on the counter with a glass of } Leer in bis hand. They noticed that he was drunk, and called the barman's attention to him; j but the waiter replied that the man was not j l'runk but sleepy. He first stated that his name • J" Edward Connor. then John Prucoll, and. 11. ny, Edward Murphy, of Adelaide-street; and eve anally the barman took the glass from him '1 put him out. He, however, went into another compartment, and, not being satisfied about his name and address, th« constables took him to the police station, but he was not detained or charged with being drunk. Mr Henry White, i aPlx:are<i for the defence, commented upon this, and the fact that the constables were unable to produce the man, whom the landlord knew as a dock loafer, and had earlier in the evening been ordered from the premises. The glass of beer that thp man was holding had been ordered by and » Paid for by an engineer who had since gone to sea; but Murphy seized it while the engineer was 8Peaking to a friend.—It wait stated the engineer N ^as expected home within a week, and the case ^as therefore adjourned until Friday next. MKRTHYK. — At the Merthyr police-court Saturday—befcre Mr North, Mr Thomas J^'Uiams, and Mr Smyth— John Powell, Mountain ^h Inn, summoned for keeping his house open or the sale of beer on Sunday, was fined £ 3 and the liomr* was endosse^. Tbe.cass was proved by P.C. Walters. Mr C. R. James defended. LLANDILO.— On Saturday — before Messrs S. Gulston, J. L. Thomas, and Col. Gwynne Hughes-Sarah Evans, White Horse Inn, was charged with keeping her house open for the sale of intoxicating drinks on Sunday, the iptn December. Mr J. W. Nicholas defended. r.L>. Mitchelmore deposed to finding three young men from the town in the inn on the evening in ques- tion. They attempted to escape. He found three pints of beer m ditierent places, ill one of which was fresh beer.—The Bench imposed a fine of £5.

THE MILFORD HAVEN MYSTERY. The body of Mr Benjamin Thomas, farmer, South Hook, who mysteriously disappearea on Friday week, has been discovered on the sands within 300 yards of the place where the hand and money were picked up. The discovery was made about 11 o'clock on Saturday morning by Mr J. Williams, of Woodbine Cottage, who was attracted to tho place by a sheep dog he had with him at the time. The body was in a sitting position, and, with the exception of one hand, was completely buried in the sand. The deceased's jacket had disap- peared, and in an inside pocket of the waistcoat were found tw, half-sovereigns and a shilling 111 silver, also several cheques. The features were scarcely changed, and with the exception of two deep cuts on the top of the head the body bore no traces of violence. A post-mortem examination will be held, and the inquest will take place on Monday. How the deceased came by his death cannot even be conjectured until the result of the medical examination is made known. The news that the body had been recovered caused great, excitement in Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, and the neighbouring towns, and gave rise to all kinds of rumours. The Inquest. The inquiry into the circumstances attending1 the death of Mr Benjamin Thomas, farmer, who disappeared from his home on Friday week last, under circumstances already reported, was held at South Hook Farm on Monday before Mr Ivor Evans, of Cardigan, who, in the absence, through illness, of Mr James Price, acted as coroner—Mrs Thomas, the first witness called, identified the body of the deceased, who was, she said, about 44 years of age. Witness said her late husband had on one or two occasions told her that he would not stop long at the fort because he did not like the soldiers. u.he next witness was Sergeant George Hudson, who deposed that he was in charge of the canteen on the night of the 30th ult. when the deceased came to the fort. Witness did not supply the deceased with any beer that night. The regulations pro- hibited him doing so. He might, however, have been supplied with drink by the other men, who, calling for it in their own name, might afterwards have handed it to the deceased. The deceased was slightly intoxicated when he came to the fort at 7.30, but he was worse when he left at 9.30, so witness concluded he had been supplied with some drink. Cross-examined: It. was not true that the deceased owed witness 3s for drink sup- plied him that night. Witness might have be&n told by the other soldiers that deceased would pay for liquor to that amount; but he had not charged him with it.—Gunner John Mead de- posed that the deceased left the fort m company with Gunners Chintzey and White at a quarter to ten on the night of the 30th ult. They returned to the fort at 10 o'clock, and were present when the roll was called, which is done shortly after 10.—Gunner William Chintzoy said he was in the company of the deceased off and on at South Hook Fort from 8 o'clock until he left tor home. Wit- ness and Gunner White led the deceased from the fort, and left him about 20 or 30 yards up the lane leading to the farm. The deceased's hat was on when they left the fort, but witness could not say whether it fell off before he left him in the lane. The deceased was very drunk, and could get along only with difficulty. Witness gave him some drink at the fort that night. Deceased's coat was on when witness left him. It was a dark night, and was blowing very hard at the time. By a Juror The deceased and he did not toss for drinks that night. Witness and White led the deceased, one on each side, until they left him in the lane. After they left the deceased they ran back to the fort in order to escape gettingwet, as it was raining hard at the time.—Gunner White corroborated.—Wm, Powell, a farm servant, employed at South Hook Farm, deposed to picking up the hat on the fol- lowing morning.—By a Juror; Witness saw the deceased at Woodykill Farm about six o'clock on the evening he disappeared. He was then quite sober.—Police-sergeant Evans said from the fort to the lane where the soldiers left the deceased was 385 yards. From the lane to the place where the hat and money were picked up was 137 yards. From the spot were the money was found to the cliff was 210 yards. Witness de- scribed the nature of the ground, and said the cliff was fenced by a slight wooden railing.—Evidence as to the finding of the body was next given by Joseph Williams, of Woodbine Cottage, who said that the body was completely buried in the sand with the exception of one hand, which was in sight up to the elbow. Witness had great difficulty in extricating tho deceased. Dr Griffiths was next examined, and described the nature of the wounds found »n the described the nature of the wounds found Itn the deceased, none of which in his (Dr Griffitlis's) opinion were caused before death. From the presence of sand in the air vessels leading to the lungs, together with other circumstances, he was ef opinion that daath had resulted from drowning. The Coroner briefly summed up, and pointed out that the two men White and Chintzey had given their evidence in an honest straightforward manner, and in a way which must have removed any suspicions that had existed at all concerning themselves. He (the coroner), in the face of the evidence adduced, thought they must return a verdict ef "Found drowned."—The jury, after a short deliberation, returned a verdict in accordance with the suggestion made by the coroner. Several of the jurors also expressed a. desire that the coroner should draw the attention of the military authorities to the conditions under which the sale of drink at the canteen was now conducted.— This concluded the inquiry, which lasted about four hours.

LUCKILY AT WORK. At the Newport police-court on Wednesday Alfred Meese, a young man of respectable ap- pearance, who resides at Cemetery-lane, was charged an a warrant with assaulting Anno Evans. Complainant, a young girl aged 17, stated that on the 3rd instant she was going to her work, and when proceeding down Cemetery- lane about half-past seven o'clock in the morning she stated she was stopped by the prisoner, who took hold cf her wrists and behaved improperly towards ht-r. She cried out, Here's my father coming," and he let her go, and afterwards followed her to the bottom of Vicarage-lane, where he turned back on seeing her talking to a milkboy. Thomas Freeman, milkboy, stated that the girl told him a man had frightened her, and pointed out a man at the bottom of the lane, who turned round and went up the lane again- He could not identify the prisoner.—P.S. Dukelow, who arrested the prisoner, stated he seemed very much surprised on hearing the warrant read, and said that he did not know the girl. Meese now protested his innocence, and denied having ever seen the girl before. On the morning in question he was at work at 7 o'clock at Messrs Nicolas' timber yard, Alexandra Dock, and he called James Harris, his foreman, and two fellow- workmen, who bore out the statement of the accused, the foreman addingr that prisoner had been m the employ of the company for two or three years a.nd bore a. good character.—The Bench, in dismissing the case, told the complainant that they believed her story as to the assault, but were of opinion that she was mistaken as to the identity of the man. Meese complained that ho had been locked up and lost two days' wcrk, and asked if he could take out a summons against the com- plainant for defamation of character. The Bench said that It was a very hard case, but they could not grant the summons.

DEVELOPMENT OF NEWPORT CORPORATION ESTATE. At the monthly meeting of the Newport own Council on Tuesday, the Mayor presiding, Mr H. J. Parnall complained of the supine- ness irf the Corporation in not develop- ing tho marshes. They appeared to be devo.lopin £ » everything in and out of the borough and spending thousands of pounds, except their own estate, yet this development was absolutely necessary tc. the prepress of the town. He asked that the Public Works Committee should take the question in hand, and see if something could not be d.ne. He pointed out that a small engineer- inc matter in regard to the Ma.lp.ns brook, which flows through a portion jf the estate, might bo carried out greatly to its benefit.—Subsequently Mr T. Canning asked whether the committee i.cfuld do anything in regard to the erection of artizan's dwellings on tb-i Marshes. As soon as tho t riders was widened there would bo r„n accession of population, and the effect would be the putting up of the rents of working men's houses. — Mr Vaughan said houses were to be obtained at Maindee at 4s6d to 5s per week, and that it was im- possible for the Corporati n to compete with such rents. Besides, any action of that sort would interfere with private enterprise.—Ultimately, however, the matter was left as an informal reference to the committee.

THE WEEK'S HEALTH BILL. The return of the Registrar-General for the week ending Saturday I. u, 7th February, shows that the rates of mortality in the several towns arranged in order from the lowest, were as fol- lows :— Derby 12-6 'I Bolton 20-0 Leice. ter 13-5 Nottingham 20'3 5 L" 14-7 Salforf 20'4 ? ufleld 16-5 Cardiff 206 Wolverhampton 16-7 Halifax 21*4 Norwich 16'8 Birmingham 217 j Manchester 21*9 Bradford 18-2 Bristol. 22-8 London 19*0 Oldham 228 Liverpool 19'1 Newcastte-on-Tyne.. 23*1 Birkenhead 194 Portsmouth. 24 5 Sunderland 195 Blackburn 26-9 Leeds 19-6 Plymouth 30*2 Sheffield 20*0 Preston 37*8,

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GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY. Superintendent Matthews's Successor. We have good reason for believing that the superintendentship of police at Pontypridd, rendered vacant by the retirement of Mr Deputy- Chief Constable Matthews, will be offered to Inspector Evan Jones, now located at Porth, Rhondda Valley. Mr Jones joined the Glamorganshire force in June, 1867. Here ho served two years as constable, and was then removed to Pontypridd, having been selected as police clerk for that district. In 1873, he was promoted sergeant in charge of the Pontypridd office, and, in 1884, when a new inspector's district was created for the lower portion of the Rbondda, Mr Jones was appointed to the new office. He was a candidate for the chief-constableship of Cardiff on the death of the late Mr Hemingway, and was one of the six selected from about 60 candidates to appear before the watch committee. The news of his present promotion will be received throughout the county with pleasure. Inspector Jones, by his affable demeanour and courteous conduct, having made himself extremely popular with the public as well as the force. The important post of police superintendent for Pontypridd Division-the most populous county division in the whole county—has, we learn, been conferred by tho new chief constable on that most admirable of disciplinarians Inspec- tor Evan Jones, of Porth. A more acceptable appointment could m t have been made—accept- able to the public and also to the constabulary, for the new superintendent is as much esteemed for his unsW erving personal integrity asfor his capacity. SUPERINTENDENT EVAN JONES. j Mr Jones is a native of Llancrwys, Carmarthen- shire, and he joined the Glamorganshire force in 1867, at the age cf twenty. Three years later, while stationed at Roath, Cardiff, he was selected as a clerk to the Pontypridd Division by the late Deputy Chi if Ccnstable, James Thomas. He was soon after promoted sergeant and placed in charge of Pontypridd police-station, and also acted as secretary to the division under the present Deputy Chief Constable Matthews for many years. In 1884 he was promoted inspector and placed in charge of Porth Sub-division, contain- ing about 40,000 inhabitants. Mr Jones was also one of the selected for the Chief Con- sta.bleship of Cardiff, in the summer of 1889. He is thoroughly acquainted with the clerical work of the constabulary, an exceptional disciplin- arian (as already stated), and, without exception, has had more experience in criminal cases than any officer in the Glamorgan constabulary. He has aU the necessary qualifications for the office of-superintendent, and will undoubtedly fill it with that perfect fidelity to duty which has long since secured for him the regard of all his colleagues. Mr Jones is well versed in the English and Welsh languages, and acts as Welsh interpreter in the several courts of the division. lie received his training in this respect under the tuition of the eminent Welsh scholar, His Honour Judge Gwilym Williams, who for years acted as stipendiary magistrate for the Pontypridd district. He is to take charge of Pontypridd division on the 14th instant, being by far the most important district in the County of Glamorgan, and has under his command a force of ninety constables. It should be added that Mr Inspector—now Mr Superintendent-Jones rendered invaluable public service during the great colliery explosions which have taken place in the Rhondda. His self- possession and tact and also his self-sacrifice on these lamentable occasions were then notably conspicuous. Again during the Rhondda election disturbances, his admirable temper, firmness, and kindly personal associations came out in strong relief, and contributed in no slight degree to sub- due the frictions and irritations of those anxious days. It remains to be seen whether Mr Jones will receive the additional honour of the Deputy Chief Constableship. It is a known fact that had lie made application for the Glamorganshire Chief Con- stableship recently vacated, he would have stood a foremast chance of appointment, and it would be a spacefill and gracious tribute to his worth if he were now accorded the well-deserved distinc- tion of Deputy-Chief. Mr Jones has always stood aloof from political factions, owing to his official connections, and his careful neutrality of attitude on all political issues has com- mended itself to his official superiors. But it is nevertheless understood that he is by political conviction a the rough Liberal, and he has for many ears been a member of the Welsh Baptist connection. So that for cnce we have a police superintendent in Glamorganshire who is a Welshman, a Liberal, and a Nonconformist. Mr Jcnes is to be congratulated on his elevation, and the county may also with equal reason be felicitated on so marked a recognition of worth. The new Chief Constable deserves no less praise for the judgment he has shewn in this his first appointment since his accession to the responsible office which he holds. We understand that InspectorThomas, of Aber- dare, will be appointed police superintendent at Neath, and that Superintendent Thorney, of Neath, will be appointed superintendent at Mer- thyr, in succession of the new chief constable, Captain Lionel Lindsay.

SIGNOR CRISPI. Signor Crispi on Saturday took leave of the heads of the departments in the Ministry of the Interior and the Foreign Office, with whom his relations havo always been most cordial. Signor Francesco Crispi, the late Premier is a native of Ribera, Sicily, where he was born in 1819. His early aspirations for the realisation of Italian unity prompted him to take an active part in the revolutionary movement of 1848, when the king- dom of the two Sicilies was overthrown. After distinguishing himself with Garibaldi and in other ways he was, in 1861, elected to the first Italian Parliament as member for Palermo. He rapidly rose to a position of great influence, and was recognised as the leader of the Constitutional party. On the death of Depretis, in 1887, Signor Crispi, who had been Minister of the Interior, became Resident 'jf the Council and Minister for Foreigrn Affairs. In his domestic policy be has always evinced his determination, while respecting the spiritual independence of the Church, to guard against its encroachments on the national rights.

ALLEGED INDECENT ASSAULT; AT NEATH. 1 At the Neath county court on Tuesday—before Judge Beresford and a jury-Mr Williams, grocer and draper, of Water-street, Aberavon, was sued by Elizabeth Hanford. the wife of James Han- ford, furnaceman, of Aberavon, to recover £ 50 as damage for an indecent assault, alleged to have been committed on November 13 last-Mr W. Robinson Smith appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr PlewB del ended.—-The plaintiff deposed that she had been married six years, and during part of that time had dealings with the defendant, and had an account with him. On the date in ques- tion defendant wrote to the plaintiff, asking her to call at three o'clock—this being a time when the shop was closed, and the defendant's wife and children would be absent. She went to the shop through the side door, and defendant said he wanted the account made up. He then re- quested her to go into the drapery department, and she accordingly did so, whereupon defendant put his arm around her neck and took other liberties with her. Plaintiff screamed, and he then put a fur boa. around her neck, saying he would give her anything to keep quiet. She ccmplained to her husband and her mother, who called upon the defendant next day.-In; cross-examination plaintiff admitted that after the alleged assault she remained on the premises frr ten minutes.—Several witnesses were called on both sidos, the ease occupying nearly the wholo of the day.-The judge summed-up in favour of the plaintiff. The jury retired, and, after somo deliberation, they brought in a verdict for the defendant. The judge evinced some sur- nri" it the verdict, but entered judgment for the fietendunt according to the finding of the jury, with co^ts. The court was crowded during the hearing, considerable interest being manifested in the case.

DEATH OF A PEMBROKESHIRE CENTENARIAN. The death occurred on Sunday morning at the Dyffryn Cottages, Uoar Fishguard, of Eleanor (Nelly) Phillips at the age of 103. Her age is pretty accurately fixed by a statement she was wont to make, that she was nine years old when the French at Fishguard. She was a spinster, aud had been bedridden for eight years. When a mere Sfiri she was in service at Kilshave, near Fishguard.and was driving oows from a field when the French frigates appeared off the ccast in 1797.

DtsmEtB's O1'0 laisH WmsKX is recommended; by the medical JWHesgjon in preference to French Brandy. IbeyhoMthe largest scfcwk of Whisky in the world. Supplied in casks and casea for home use and exportation. Quotations?D application to-pwxvjut.

Eleven Men Drowned. The steamship Chiswick, belonging to Messrs Watts, Ward and Co., London and Cardiff, struck on the Seven Stones Rocks, between Scilly and the Cornish coast, on Thursday morning last, and sank. The captain, mate, and nine hands were drowned. Eight of the crew clung to a boat for six hours, and were rescued by the light keepers on the Seven Stones Lightship, and were landed at Penzance, on Sunday. One was so injured that he had to be removed to the infirmary. The saved are the second mate, chief engineer, two firemen, and four seamen. The vessel was bound from Cardiff wr St Nazaire, with cnals. The Chiswick left Cardiff for St. Nazaire about midnight on Tuesday. Thrice she brought up on account of a fog, and finally left Burry Inlet, Carmarthen Bay, on Wednesday. Soon after one on Thursday morning she was nine miles off Godrevy, on the Cornish coast. The weather was clear, and lights were visible. At a quarter to five she struck the Seven Stones Rocks, two and a half miles from the Lightship, the light of which was visible. The watch below were the only members of the crew saved, for all on deck were; drowned. The men state that they felt a slight concussion, but no great shock, and rushed on deck. The engines had been reversed, and the steamer was found to be again in deep water and rapidly sinking. The captain (William Hughes) gave orders to get out the two port boats. The gear was cast off and the boat hung in the davits when the steamer gave a roll, and these boats were washed off. There was a heavy ground swell with much surf on the rocks, and the boa.ts upset. Eight men were washed over with one of the boats. She turned over, and they climbed on her keel. They saw the steamer sink within 11 minutes from the time of striking. The men on the lightship saw a ship's light and then noticed its disappearance. The night was cold and the sea rough, and the men clinging to the boat were so benumbed that they could make little effort to attact attention. At last they picked up a. boat- hook, to which they attached a scarf. At a quarter-past ten the men on the Seven Stones lightship saw the shipwrecked sailors and launched their small boat. When they reached the upturned boat of the Chiswick they found the chief engineer, Davies. in the sea, being gallantly held up by ore of the crew, who was too weak to haul the officer up to the keel of the boat. All the shipwrecked men were got safely to the lightship, but it was not until after two hours' rubbing and application of warm baths, that the chief engineer recovered. All the men were treated with much kindness on board the lightship. On Satur- day morning the lightkeepers were able to signal to the Itound Island Lighthouse, the northern- most lighthouse of the Scilly Isles, from which messages were sent to St. Mary's and to Penzance. On Sunday morning Capt. Reading, the superin- tendent under the Trinity Board for the western district, steamed out to the Seven Stones and took off the shipwrecked crew, who were landed at Penzance in the afternoon, and, with the excep- tion of the cook, a man of colour, who was sent to hospital, were despatched to their homes by the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society. In addition to the captain, the mate (named Smith) and nine others were drowned.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT. Our Plymouth correspondent, telegraphing later, says :—News was received at Penzance on Sunday afternoon of a disaster which resulted in the foundering of the steamer Chiswick, 1,261 tons, on a voyage from Cardiff to St. Nazaire, with coals, and ll1 the drowning of eleven of the crew. The Chiswick left Cardiff on Tuesday afternoon, had an ex- cellent passage, and at four on Thursday, when the watch was changed, the weather was clear, and although there was a fresh breeze, and it was dark, there was no heavy seas. An hour later she suddenly struck on one of the Seven Stones, a dangerous cluster of rocks, six miles off Scilly, which is protected by a floating lightship. The captain on coming on deck shouted to the men that the ship was all right, but soon after five and a half feet of water were found in her hold. The captain, however, still thinking she was not seriously damaged, refrained from ordering the boats to be manned, and in a few minutes she suddenly settled down and sank in deep water. As she was sinking one of the crew cut off the falls of the lifeboat. The other boats went down with the ship with everything sn board. Fortunately seme of the crew when the ship struck put &n cork jackets, and eight of those who rose to the surface managed to seize the lifeboat, which, however, had capsized, and they could not right it. They, therefore, climbed on the boat and clung to the keel. The shrieks of their comrades were heard, but those who were clinging to the lifeboat were unable to do anything to save them, and had to watch them go down one after the other. The lightship was three miles away, but there were no means of raising a signal of distress until they managed to secure a broken oar and fastened a scarf upon it. After several hours the lightship keepers observed the signal, and four men put off in a boat to the rescue. The shipwrecked men were rapidly becoming exhaa&ted, and cue. an engineer, fell off, and was with great difficulty dragged up again by the others. About noon they were picked up by the lightship boat and conveyed to the lightship, re- ceiving every attention. Signals of distress from the lightship were hoisted, but the weather being hazy, the signals were not seen until Saturday, when the Trinity authorities at Penzance sent out their steamer, which took off the distressed ten and landed them. Accounts differ as to whether the chief or second officer was actually on duty during tho occurrence. The watch had lately been changed. Those lost include the captain (W. Hughes), of Cork Mr Smith (first officer), — Gilliooy (second officer), of Cardiff; and the steward, whose name is unknown. He belonged to Bristol, the rest being either foreigners or those whose names could not be ascertained. LIST OF THE SAVED. The saved are :— Samuel Strong (second mate), London. Wm. Davies (engineer), London. Thomas Hole (seaman), Exmouth. Frederick Bayers (seaman), Antwerp. Vun Waeslerghi (seaman), Antwerp. Joseph Bogerton (fireman), Antwerp. Alfred Alexander (fireman), Cardiff. The cook, who is detained at the hospital, is named Am Martindale, and is a foreigner.

"POETRY TO ORDER;" Remarkable County Court Action. On Monday, at theBurslem county court, Judge Jordan heard a remarkable case, in which an old man named Bridge" sued Mr Smith Shirley, the proprietor of Westport Lake, for poetry made to order and duly delivered." The plaintiff, who conducted his own case, said he had been engaged by the defendant, a farmer, at the rate of four shillings a day, to make poetry in praise cf his flooded fields as a boating and angling resort in summer, and a fine place for skating in winter. The defendant accepted the poetry, and had it printed en handbills and extensively dis- tributed, but now he refused payment. One of the poems in praise of Westport Lake was read in court amid convulsions of laughter, in which the judge, who said it was "very sublime," heartily; joined. After some preliminary flourishes the summer attractions of the lake were thus- described: Live fish will come at any cost, 1 And in the lake they will be tossed. < The angler then with rod and line May fish away when the weathers fine. The poet had been specially instructed to notice that refreshments would be provided at a mode- rate expense, and he thus fulfilled this part of his contract:— There soon will be upon this spot Refreshments cold as well as hot, So if the chest with hanger craves, It shall be refilled close by the waves. There were a good many more lines like this, and the poem wound up as follows with a. reassuring and practical application This lake is so safe, as all should be knowing, You can get out and walk ü yoU are tired of rowmg It's the best place in the Potteries for recreation. And only five minutes' walk from Longport Station. In reply to the judge, the plaintiff said he was a member of the Central College, Cambridge," and he could take his solemn oath that the poetry was all out of his own brain, no one had helped him with a syllable, "and that he had done scores of poems before."—Judge Jordan said he had to decide the worth of this poetry, and he confessed it was a difficult task. He felt some diffidence in making the attempt, bat "as a rude guess," he put it down at ten shillings, and gave a vsrdict accordingly.

THE FIRE AT THE DRILL-HfttL Letter from Lord Bute. At a meeting of the Cardiff CountyConncil on Monday Alderman D. Lewis (deputy- i mayor) presIdmg-the Town Clerk read the follow- ing lfitter from the Marquis of Bute, in aclcnow- edgmont of the resolution of sympa.thv adopted by the Council on Thursday last •— FebA 1891 Dear Mr Town Clerk,—I beg that vou will be so good as to convey to the Council my warm thanks for the very kind resolution of which, by their direction, you have sent me a copy. Provoking as the accident was, I cannot but teei very thankful to Providence tbat tho consequences were no mort, serious than they were; and I am very conscious that this was largely owing, humanly spiking, to the great coolness displayed by every f-ne who was present. A nd I ha ve, t an y rate, tlie s&tisfacti on of having offered the usual "Ciaa Hospitality to the members of the Council and others, and of having received the honour of their presence m response to my invitation. Had I had an opportunity of speaking at the dinner, it was mv Intension to have specially thanked the members of the Council for tne honourof their presence, a.nd as- sured them of tue great pleasure which it afforded me. I intended to have tnanked them particularly for taking pa.rt with roe in presiding, by sharing the different tables. A wished to have said that I could picture no relations more friendly than those, owing to their courtesy and consideration, have subsisted between us for the three months of ™^1™fyo^lty already parsed; that I trust most warmly tnat while I feel sore there will be nothing on their part to interrupt them, so I hope that there will be nones on my own. As I had not the oppor- tunity of saying this men, I hope they will allow me to say it now. Pray accept my *°r your kind expressions, acd beHeve me, dear Mr Town Clerk, smcetely yoms, BtJØ.

MA £ AVA3TJEB TEAS are a Household Ward in ,.WaIe8; they recaJl the delicloQ8:r-s of 30 yeazs ago. MOTHKBS.—Croup, Whooping Cough. The only

BY A LADY JOURNALIST. IT DOES NOT SEEM QUITE CLEAR To some of my various kind correspondents what is the difference between the Rational dress of the society ot that name, the "Sensible" dress of Mrs Hancock, and the costume I adapted many years ago from that used by French ladies when shooting, and advocated in a former letter I have therefore thought it advisable to occupy the space I usually devote to fashions to an account and sketch of each of the three. The mainstay of the Rational Dress Si-ciety is undoubtedly their divided, or dual skirc, of which you see an example in No. 1 diagram, which is taken _ØA from a dfltwing by a member of that association. This. it will be noticed, is attached to a straight kind of bodice which fastens up the back, the top of the skirts buttoning at each side of the waist. Corsets are entirely taoooed by the society, and they deprecate any kind of band round the waisi, everything, if possible, to be suspended from the shoulders, hence this very sloppy kind of bodice. Over the divided skirt is worn a draped tablier, caught up and arranged at the back, as such things were worn some eight or ten years ago, when the skirts of the period were tightly tied back in the region of the knees; this is supposed to msdestly "dissemble" the masculine division in front, the back being left to take care of itself—as to appearance. A loose blouse shirt is worn underneath an open fronted jacket, which is also loose and short, and thus with an occasional trifling modification you behold the so-called Rational Dress. With the idea of still further disguising the division of the dual gar- ment of which the R.D.S. members are at once so prsud and so shy, these skirts are invariably bordered by a deep and heavy frill or kilting. Never, that I am aware of, are they made quite plain, nor amongst the large numbers of such costumes that I have seen at the exhibitions of the society have I ever found them so. My objection to the divided skirt, besides its entire want of grace, is, that ilt walking, the super- fluous loose material that flaps about between the lower part of the limbs is so extremely uncomfortable and inconvenient. Take an ordinary plain skirt or petticoat cut up. it the middle, join each side round its respective leg, and then walk about in it, and you will see what I mean. As a Society, they compel one's atdmiration for the loyal way in which they adhere to their theories in spite of their repeated refutation. For example, Cilrsets must be entirely forbidden, because all stays selon eux must pinch or press the bQdy. Therefore they wear none, and their clothes may be seen in fat wrinkles round their pillowy waists, which they profess to find delightfully comfortable. Ordinary skirts are bad because all petticoats hamper the free movement of the legs in a good long stride, and so on, and so on. A properly cut skirt need never obstruct the reaaohable liberty uf the lower limbs, and those of the greatly tied back crder were an exaggeration of the past, and are no more seen, any mere than the crinolines and improvers tho R.D.S. still continue to rail at. THE SENSIBLE DRESS of Mrs Hancock is as follows, the description of which I partly quote The skirt, which reaches within five inches of the ground, is worn over 'knickers' of tweed to match the fown, lined with red flannel. The skirt is lined insida with mackintosh to a depth cf six or seveii inches, and worn ovtr gaiters of tweed made tc reach to the knee. The bodice is of habit cloth with zouaves of tweed worn with an out-door jacket of tweed lined with box-cloth." I give you a sketch of the latter in my second illustra- tion.. in the figure with a bonnet. Rjjg Hancock says she wears the dress in the London streets without finding it particularly remarked. Fortunately, of late years, it has become a-more usual thing for ladies to wear gaiters than it was formerly, and in any case Mrs Hancock is a small personage who might with impunity wear a short style of dress without its attracting the attention that it certainly would excite on a woman of higher stature and larger development. MY SHOOTING COSTUME Is shown in the second figure 9f the last illustration, and though designed expressly for the purposes of mountain walking, is quite "as available for the requirements of any ordinary country promenade. It consists ef a plain tailor-made skirt of strong Scotch, Irish, or Welsh homespun, with a removable lining of mackintosh to the depth of twelve inches buttoning on the inside. Knickerbockers of the same material reach to the knee, but they are not very full, and are set into a wide band that extends nearly to the calf cf the leg, batton- ing with three small buttons. These knicker- bockers should be fixed to a shaped band round the waist, so as to lie perfectly flat. Instead of gaiters, I prefer high, strong leather boots with a cork sole let in between the sole proper and the foot, and soft, though straight, leather leggings that, beginning at the ankle, reach to the knee and fasten over the wide band of the knickerbockers. If cloth leggings are preferred, they could be made of the material of the dress, but I think woollen fabrics are apt to wrinkle, and look more clumsy than leather. The bodice may be left to the taste of the wearer, and can be either a plain habit corsage, or, as l first designed it. a neat little j:<cket and waistcoat of the same, or any material preferred, with the simple white linen caux and cuffs. The double-breasted ooat worn over it isithe*3ut-of-. I prefer a strong, rather coarse homespun, because it should be sufficiently warm of itself, and thus do away with the necessity of a flannel lining as in Mrs Hancock's dress, which I think an objection. The overcoat for this reason should be lined with silk or satin, with a thin wadded lining between it and the outside stuff, thus securing the lightness and warmth that I claim for the whole costume. DRESS AT THE ENGLISH OPERA Deserves special mention while I am on the subject of costume, for it has been most carefully thought out and realised. The opening of the English Opera is a great venture; and quite an epoch in the history of the stage. I only hope it may meet with all the support and encourage- ment it so richly deserves. What a marked difference there is nowadays in the way such pieces as Ivanhoe and the great Wagner operas are put upon the stage, and what pains are taken to have every detail of costume and surroundings correct. I hear that Mr Percy Anderson, who is responsible for the dresses, submitted over a thousand designs, every one of them derived from strictly historical sources. Everything has been arranged with an eye to the effect of colour, and, as an instance, I may quote the tournament sosne, where the gold and black of the heralds' dresses is a rich set-off to the children attendants of the Queen of Beauty in their Chartreuse green dresses, with pink girdles, and sleeves lined with rose-colour. Rowena herself, in her sheeny glittering costume of pink, shot with silver over the white under-dress, stands out beautifully from such an entourage. Her dress in the first part is very rich, and consists of a rich brocade of rose and gold with a white wimple. Rebecca's dresses are naturally very gorgeous, as those of an Oriental Jewess might be expected to be. The most beauti- ful, I think, is that of a pale yellow and white, thickly worked with gold under an over-g'own of rich aubergine velvet similarly embroidered round the hem to a great depth, and showing above the sumptuous vest, flashing with sparkling gold embroideries. The long transparent sleeves, which are the real shape, known as d la jutvc, hang nearly to the ground, and over her shoulders waves in profusion Rebecca's ruddy chestnut hair. A NEW ORDER OF TMNGS Is now beginning to obtain at this year's balls, particularly in the matter of supper, and where these entertainments are given in the country er suburbs. The regular supper is held at midnight, and then at the hour of departure, which is usually about two in the morning, a little refection of grilled chicken is served as a strengthensr for the journey home, and has hitherto been found most acceptable. People so seldom get a satisfying or comfortable supper after hours of hard dancing, when the meal is taken standing at a buffet, that a little piece de resistance like this is the more welcome. The plan of having small round tables is always a good one, but there are seldom enough of them where the guests are numerous. As I indicated in a former letter, there are decided changes in the arrangements of both dinner and supper-tRblei. The decorations nD longer rise in monuments of colossal "r umbrageous dimensions, for the view of your opposite neighbour is not to be interrupted, and everything is to be subordinated to this in- tention. Simplicity is the rule, and even the elaborate menu cards, to which we have long been accustomed as part of the- furniture of a dinner or supper-table, are things of the past and nothing more ornamental will now be seen than those conveniently shaped like little easels, either quite plain or with a decorated border. This simplicity has extended even to the service of the table, and in the best houses white porcelain is preferred, the monogram and narrow-line border being in gold only. Small champagne tumblers continue to be the chief verrerie for suppers, but only the larger varieties of glasses are reserved for the dinner table. In either case the material is of the thinnest and purest description, without ornament or chasing of any kind, save the initials or monogram finely drawn by the hand of the glass graver. It will only be at immense banquets and civic feasts that the enormous plats formerly seen at ball suppers will appear, for they have quite passed out of fashion, and are entirely superseded by smaller viands of a far more refined order, such as galantines, poitlcts farcies, turkeys truffled, &c., whilst the savouries are small and tasty to a degree, and include, besides soups of the most delicate descrip- tions, salads of various nationalities, aspics, and a host of chaud-frois. Artistic and pretty every- thing must, be, so as to invite the eye as well as tempt the palate. BUSY BEE. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Corespondents will please address Busy Bee," care of Editor, enclosing stamped envelope if a private reply is required. NELIA.—Your letter interested me very much, and I quite follow and understand your diffi- culties with your allowance. Take my advice and get a black dress of either a. light made cloth, u thin serge. Have it made plainly and if ysu like, edg-e the bodice, and the top of the hem of the skirt with a coloured silk cord, just as a finish. Yeu will find it a thorough service- able garment, and useful at all times. Let me know how yju like this idea, as I will tell you of something else, if you do not approve. R. E. SMITH.—I should only put a frill of white chiffon round the neck of your white silk even- ing dress; but it must be full, as a skimpy one looks worse than nothing. A palace of 128 rooms, contained in three storeys only, must cover a considerable area. This is the size—exc usive of accommodation for servants —of the Empress of Austria's new villa on the Island of Corfu. It is a very fairy-land—not only lighted, of course, with electricity, but a gigantic lighthouse flings its rays far over the sea, so that the lively view from the marble terraces will be, one imagines, visible night and day. j6120,000 will not cover the expenses of building, in addition to what has been-spent upon the sur- rounding park and pleasure-grounds. Mrs Willie Vanderbilt has been setting New York society a wholesome example of good taste and moderation in entertainment-giving. At her last kettledrum the refreshments consisted of bouilbn, sandwiches, and champagne, and the arrangements of her rooms were remarkable tor the absence of what is known across the Atlantic as the" birdcage business "—that is to say, that screens, curtains, and plants were not, as is usual in smart American houses, placed with a view to forming cosy nooks for sentimental couples. Recently I have soon (says Woman) ill an Aus- tralian journal some hints on tho usages of society which deserve the most earnest considera- tion. To put sugar in one's cup at afternoon tea is now regarded by the best judges as a social solecism. However, you may place a lump in the saucer, which seems rather an aimless thing to do when one comes to think of it. In polite circles, also, a special pair of tongs is reserved for holding cake, and on no account should anyone accept a second cup of tea. On the other hand, in the Girls' Mutual Improvement Association, women enjoy a liberty which has been hitherto unknown. There they have unlimited sugar and quantities of buttered currant-cake It is stated on excellent authority that English- women intend to wear shorter dresses next season than any that have been in fashion for some time. Hitherto reproaches have been hurled by continental sisters at the heads and feet of femi- nine England. The emancipation of the former having been satisfactorily accomplished, our ladies intend that the latter shall also be given a fair chance of holding their own conse- quently much attention is to be devoted to their dainty and becoming encasement. Pointed toes will not go out, though square toes will come in, a sensible compromise by which two separate styles of feet can be suitably fitted. Boots will be built higher than heretofore, and will be laced inside the but- toning to secure neatness and fit round the ankle. Shoes, however, will be much more worn than boots. Our climate is fatal in a short time ti the appearance of what are technically known as fancy shoes for outdoor wear. The newest are made with a high tongue over the instep. A buckle, which may be as antique, handsome, and as costly as possible, is placed on a strap which buttons across below the instep. Other shoes are cut quito low at the toe, and are secured to the foot by a. single strap. With all these, it is almost needless to add, the prettiest and most delicate silk stockings will be warn, to match the costume.

THE LOSS OF A NEWPORT STEAMER. The steamship Came], Captain Mitchell, whi^h foundered ull Land's En l, on Monday, was a vessel was of 182 tons net register, and earned a crew of eleven hanuo all told. The owners are Messrs Ponsonby and Co., ship- brokers, of Dock-street, Newport. She was built at Newport by Messrs Mnrdey, Carney, and Ck., and the engines were supplied by Plonty and "Sons, Newbury. For the past three years the vessel had been chartered by the late Mr T. A. Walker a.nd his executors, in (connection with his contracts at Buenos Ayres and Barry, and latterly in connection with the contract for thu Manchester ship canaL In hor last voyage she was carrying a carge of coals from Garston to Plymouth, and left Liverpool oa Saturday. All went well until just after rt-unding Land's End, at noon on Monday. She was pro- ceeding up channel at full speed wbui she ran into the Lee Rock. The crew took to the boats, and part was landed at Pemberth Cove, whilst the other portion was towed to Penzance by the ketch Mary Ann. All the shipwrecked nion were sent to their homes by ths Ship- wrecked Mariners' Society. The Camel settled down in de^p water a few minutes after striking the rook. Captain Mitchell, in his telegram to the owners, states that the vessel Htr&ok upon a rockenotmarked on the chart.

4 WMMRSTI, KBBPEB, AND ENGAGEMENT RmGS CacdiflT

COLUMN FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. 1 By Maggie Symington. Between the dark and the daylight, When the night is beginning to lower. Conies a pause in the day's occupations, That is knovT) as the Children's Hour. -Longfellow. My mind is full of heroes and heroines to-day —heroes ancient and heroes modern, heroes whose character is well-established, and others from the bye-paths of anecdote and story whose refutation has not been so fully confirmed. Grace Darling and T/Opl Nelson, Joan oi Arc and Bishop Hannington, Jittle people who save trains from being wrecked, who encounter wolves, and refuse to stain their lips with rum—these are the favourites. Fresh, bright, original stories are not so plentiful, but my selection for the prizes rests with some dozen or so of these. I am always glad when little people will take some pains tc win the prize set before them, and I think the story chosen by the little lad up in the far, far North OJ: Scotland shows that he has spared no trouble. He has set his story in rhyme, and I am sure you will agree with me that the type of hero chosen is a very high one, a man who conquered his own heart, and then rie-ked his own life to save that cof his enemy, thus proving himself to be morally and physically brave. Here is the story for which I award the first prize :— The Story of a Hero. The tramp of horse and clang of steel" ring through a lofty peak, And. hurling back the sound again, the echoes beem tc speak, As through a pass in Solstein the Emperor doth ride, 'Tis the Kaiser Maximilian, with his nobles by his side. And flying on before him is the outlaw Zyps of Zirl, A reckless, daring mountaineer, yet brave and kindly still. And now, like mist before the sun, that scene doth fade and die. But forth, as leaps the lightning flash, another view doth lie. Again life's rolling panorama brings another wondrous change, And still the outlaw Zyps of Zirl doth o'er the Solstem range: But half-way down the precipice hangs the German nation's hope, Clinging, with grim despair's vast might, full length along the slope. Now, Maximilian, what avail thy vassals and thy land ? For half-way down the Solstein can be reached by no mortal hand. By nc mortal hand but that of one whose sinews are of steel, Who can tread the highest pinnacle where the brain doth turn and reel. Yea, German Kaiser, it is he whom late with sword and fire Thou huntedst down the mountain pass with unquenched, ruthless ire 'Tis he who down the precipice with cautious step and slow, Oft hovering 'twixt life and death, to his falling king dcth go. And ('twas maintained by peasants long, an angel came to guide) They climb in safety to the top of Solstein's lofty side. JAMES A. MURRAY, aged 14, Dairsie. Fife] (Certified as original by L. 1. Murray, parent.) The second prize story is by a little girl, Mary Gregson, and this will appear in the column next week, together with others highly com- mended. I shall send a Medal of the Order of the Round Table to all those competitors whose stories appear in print. The Linden Tree of Friburg. There is a square in Friburg (Switzerland) in which is an old tree, its branches supported by stone pillars. The old tree has a pood story. It runs as follows When the memorable battle ol Morat was fought a crowd of anxious townspeople stood in the square at Friburg, starving, because they iwere afraid every moment the Austnans would come, so they dare not go out of the city to get food. There was one young fellow in the battle who knew the state of things in Friburg; be knew also that his mother and friends were starving he made up his mind that c.s soon as the battle was over, he weuld convey the news to the anxious people of Friburg, the news that the Swiss had been vic- torious, and that they might safely ao out of the city and get food. He ran from the battle field, wounded and spent though he was. Away he sped over hill and valley, and, sliding dewn a steep rock, he caught at a shrub to save himself from falling, The shrub was not strong enough to bear his weight, and came up by the roots. He, however, still ran on, holding the plant in his hand. When he reached the square of Friburg he had only strength to gasp out one word, "Victory and fell dead on the spot where now stands the linden tree. The twig which he still clutched in his hand was planted, and became the beautiful linden tree in the square of Friburg. WILLIAM HABT GREGSON, age 11. Dolly and Jim. Jim was one of a number of men who had a mining camp in America. Dolly, a child of four years, was the daughter of Judge Remis, the master of the camp. Jim was generally disliked, but Dolly was very fond of him. One night, while they were resting, the men saw Jim bring- ing Dolly towards them on Mustang, his horse. When they reached the camp the men accused Jim of theft, for which he was to be hansrei. The Judge sent Dolly away, she locking piti 'ully at Jim. The men, moved by Dolly's pitifil look, pardoned Jim, but ordered him to lea/e their camp. So he built a cabin for himself. One night some Indians attacked the camp they fought, and most of the Indians were killed, but Dolly was stolen. The men rode off to find the trail. "Here it is," shouted rne, but Jim said, That is too plain for Indians to leave." They would not trust him, but followed their own triaL Jim did not like to face the Indians alone, but Dolly must be saved even at the risk of his own life So he rode away, and soon found the right trail. Stopping to let Musran%* rest, Jim saw Dolly lying asleep. Lifting her quietly, he remounted and rode back, the Indians following. He soon realised that Mustang could not reach home with his present burden, so, waking Dolly, he said, "Will you go alone, Dolly dear, for Jim ?" After a moment's pause, Dolly answered, Iss, Dim and rode off. safely fastened to the horse. Then Jim, taking out his knife, turned to meet the Indians. The next day he was found scalped, having given his life for a little child, for Dolly was saved. BERTETA M. HEWITT, age 15. My Idea of a Hero is shown in the following story, which I re- member reading some time age. A little bov and his sister were playing together in the street when they hf-axa some men shouting. On turning round th-y saw a mad dog rushine towards them, followed by a crowd of men armed with sticks. Ths brave boy quickly pulled on his coat, wrapped it round his arm, and stood in front of his sister As soon as the dog came up to him it flew at his covered arm, and began to worry it. When the men came up to the dog they beat it with their sticks until it dead. The men then said to the little boy, Why did you not run away?" He replied, "I could have got away, but my little sister cannot run so fast as I can, and if I ha] left her she would have been bitten." On uncovering his arm it was found to be uninjured, because the folds of his coat were too thick for dop-'s teeth to penetrate." NELLIE CLARKE, age 12 (London). The Cripple Boy. There was a lonely cottage on a mountain side. The village lay in the valley below, the mountain rose high above it. In the cottage lived a poor widow with her enly boy, who was a cripple. The lad often despaired of being any use in the world, and would sometimes say to his mother, Wiiy has God miide me so ?" His mother would answer, God has a plan for every man, and He has one for you." Soon war came to the peaceful country, but the men swore no foemen should remain in it. On each summit of the mountains a sentry was stationed, and a beacon fire laid ready to be lit if the enemy should surprise them. One night tho cripple boy awoke about midnight, and could not go to slyep again. A secret impulse seemed to lead him frrtb into the starry night. It led him on up the menfctain, and presently he was standing by the unkin.-led beaocn. The sentinel was not at his post, and the crippled boy was alone on the mountain-top. Suddenly, far bel sw, he saw men creeping quietly up the mil-side. He might have hidden himself in safety, and left the village to be taken by the enomy, but the brave boy had no thought of self as he seized a match, and, with eager hand, set the signal pile on fire. The flame burst forth, the village was soon aroused, and tho baffled foes had to retreat. One shot was fired, and that laid the poor cripple boy low. When he was dying, he said t* his mother, "I am quite happy to die in this way. God has a plan for every man, and 'this was His for me." EDITH MAy MABUN.AGED M (Devon). Mr Cleere's Prize Offer. -rDlPy rin I nro unrnr j few entered for my Patience-^Prudenceprize that I am compelled to withhold the sa.me. Possibly the printer's error may have had some- thinv to do with this result. However, neither of the papers received are strictly accurate in the lights, so I have sent you another acrostic, and beg to repeat my offer of a handsome Prize Volume, value 5s (choice to rest with the winner), for best solution sent to you within a fortnight. Copy cf the spnsr Our Watchword (value 4s) to second on the list. I hope this time there will be a good competition, and that I shall have great difficulty in deciding the winner. H. LEONARD CLEERE, Hon. Kt. PRIZE DOUBLE ACROSTIC. FOUNDATION WORDS. The spring is here, and in the dell Is opened up a vista, 'Tis there the meek-eyefl primals dwell With finals for a sister. Sweet contrasts How this earth ye fill With evidence of God's sweet will! LIGHTS. 1. This means to shake, or agitate, a sort of agitation. 2. This is applied to those who state they're rulers of a nation. 3. With this in hand you have a claim on those who wish to borrojv. | 4. A goddess of some mystic fame connected with a sorrow. 5. This is a most impertant part of physical construction. 6. And this from Palestine's old mart affords us much instruction. 7. This grows in many a flowery mead, a proof of nature's power. 8. And this ranks very high indeed, a sort of natural tower! H. L. C. The Letter Box. My dear Aunt Maggie,—I have got a very bad cold and have to stay in the house, and cannot do lessons or anything but make dolls' dresses and dress them in them. I have about 13 dolls, and so have enough tz do. I have 11 ■ brothers or sisters te help me I am the only little girl and my papa is curate of Kirkley, Lowestoft, where I live. I meant to send you a Christmas card, but when we were sending them away I forgot about you. I hope yuu did net mind. Both my father and mother are Hon. Mems. of the R.T., and we received the medals and cards, and think them very pretty. EDITH E. HALL, Dl. One Ribbon. Dear Aunt Maggie, —I am thirteen years old i I hope you do not think that too old to write to you, but London children have such a different life to country children we cannot run out into nice fields and gather wild flowers, or make daisy chains, as I've read of your Thimbiemaids doing in summer months. t think there could not be a greater treat than to see them making hay, or gathering in the harvest and beautiful flower. E. PRIDMORE. ELSA PICKERING knows of a gentleman who would like to become an hunorary member of the Round Table, but he does not wish his name to appear in the paper. It is not absolutely neces- sary for names to be published, although I must have them to enter in my Big Book, and whenever I am requested not to give them for publication, I will not do so. ADA RKNSHAW is very anxious to have the "Book of the Round Takle," containing the names of members, and my portrait. It is not quite ready yet, but I hope very soon now to be able to tell you that it is published. In the meantime all erders received are entered in a book, and the very earliest copies are sent off to these little people. The price of a single copy, post free, will be lV^d., and of a dozen copies, post free. Is. My Big Book is always open, and a hearty welcome awaits everv little new member of the Round Table. They have only need to write and tell me that they wish to join, enclosing a penny stamp loose for postage cf certificate, with which will be sent a oo-y ef the Rules, a Rose- leaf Prayer, and and Name List for enrolling new members. The Rules and Regulations of the Order can always be had from me oa application, if stamped and addressed envelope be enclosed. To save knights and damsels the trouble of copying out the prayer for the members, it is supplied sn Rjse-le&f slips, Id per dozen. Several damsels have asked for old gold ribbon for their ten. I have not this shade in stock at present, but when ordering a fresh supply cf ribbons I will try to procure it as it seems to be a 'I favourite. The colours I have are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, pink. turquoise, mauve, coral, peacock, bronze, and rose. I I have to thank Honorary Members 2, 4, and 6 for their kind renewal of subscripticns. Full particulars of Hero Story Competition next week. Address all communications to ACNT MAGGIE SYMINGTON, Hunstanten,

A SINGULAR CONFESSION. At the Central Criminal Court on Wednes- day, Walter Hassel (36), described as a clerk, was indicted for the murder of James Downes by cutting his throat and inflicting other injuries on him at Umballah, in India. Mr C. Williams and Mr C. F. Gill prosecuted for the Public Prosecutor. The prisoner was defended by Mr Hutton. The circumstances under which the charge was preferred against the prisoner were of a somewhat extraordinary character, the case against him being mainly founded upon a confession made by him that he was guilty of the alleged crime. From the opening statement of the learned counsel for the prosecution it appeared that the prisoner was a private in the 4th battalion of a regiment of rifles. In 1887 be was with his regiment in India, w and in the autumn of that year the regiment was on a march through the country. In February, 1888, it was stationed at Umballah, and one night, when the prisoner was on duty, the de- ceased, who was a private in the regiment, was found with a severe wound on his head and his throat cut. No suspicion appeared at the time to have been entertained that the prisoner hnd committed any offence, and he subsequently re- turned to England with his regiment, and was dis- charged in the course of the year 1890. He seemed to have become a man of disorderly character, and he was charged with assaults and similar offences and on the last occasion when he was in custody he made a statement to the effect that he was guilty of the murder of his comrade Downes, stating at the same time, however, that he was not the man he intended to kilL He mistook him for a man named Bacon, who was a police patrol for a man named Bacon, who was a police patrol attached to the regiment. Enquiries were at once instituted, which led to the discovery that the man Downes really had been killed in the way suggested, and evidence was obtained that the prisoner had been frequently heard to threaten Bacon, and that he entertained strong feelings of animosity towards him. But it appeared that while the enquiries were going on in India the prisoner had withdrawn the confession he had made, and asserted that he was not guilty of the offence, and when called upon he formally pleaded not guilty. George Bacon, the military policeman in ques- tion, stated that he had no recollection of having reported the prisoner for any misconduct. Until after the murder, so far as he knew he was on friendly terms with the prisoner. Alfred Berners, a private in the regiment, stated that the deceased was in uniform on the night of the murder, and that he was about the same stature as Bacon. C. J. Godfrey, chiif warder at Millbank prison last year, deposed that in September the prisoner was undergoing a sentence of 21 days' imprisonment as George Harris. On the 21st of September he was supplied with writing materials, and he wrote a statement, which he signed, con- fessing to the murder. Mr Hutton pointed cut that the prisoner now denied that there was-any truth in the confession, and that thero was an entire absence of evidence to show that on the night of the murder the prisoner had any blood upon his clothes. He submitted tc the jury that there really was no material corroboration of the statement, and that the jury would not be justified in convicting the prisoner of the crime of wilful murder merely upon a statement of this discription. The jury brought in a verdict of "Not guilty," and the prisoner was dischared.

¡ JUVENILE DEPRAVITY AT NEWPORT. At "the Newport police-oourt on Wednesday, Reginald Fairfax Joseph White, and Jacob Hutin, three youngsters whose heads were just level with the dock rail, were charged with stealing three rabbits, the property of Bertram Campbell, and one belonging to George Briffett. The youngsters were sent to school on Wednes- day week, and had hot turned up at home since, but had been wandering about the town, and on Sunday night were found sleeping in a furniture van, and were taken to the police offioe, where complaints had been received as to the loss of rabbits, and the lads afterwards admitted stealing them, and selling them at the bird shops in Cross- street and Charles-street. Fairfax has been before the Court on six previous occasions, and White twice, and the Bench hesitated as to whether they should send them to a reformatory school, but decided.to give them another chance, and sen- tenced them to four days in the cells. Butin tvias £ E&xsdittJre49Qafia@dior two d&vs.

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