The Cardiff Times

THE WELSH LIQUOR VETO BILL. At a public meeting held in connection with the annual conference of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Temperance Association at Llan. dilo last week, Mr Wu. BINGHAM, London (deputation from the United Kingdom Alliance), said, that the object of the Association he represented was the entire suppression of the liquor traffic. Dwelling upon the division on Mr Bowen Rowlands's Direct Veto Bill, tba speaker said it was very gratifying to find that 24 Welsh members voted in its favour, and not one against. The Liberals, too. "had gallantly assisted them, whilst, to their everlasting credit be it said, the Liberal Unionists had recorded their votes in its favour. (Cheers.) Only one English Liberal voted against it, and he was a brewer. (Laughter.) He should not be at all sorry to see him leaving the Liberal party altogether. (Cheers.) One hundred and sixty Conservatives had voted against it. (Shame.) Having dwelt upon the ravages which were being made in the country by the drink traffic, Mr Bingham ex- pressed a belief that the Temperance party had little to hops for from the magistrates, but they should trust to their own power to get deliverance from the appaling curse. (Hear, hear.) It would, however, not be an easy task—the struggle would demand all their power, firmness, and decision. (Cheers.) Resolutions had been passed at that day's conferences which clearly indicated the existence of deep dissatisfaction on the part of tho Temperance party because of the action of some of the Welsh members in connection with temperance measures for Wales-members who had expressed themselves in favour of local option, and yet availed themselves of their pro- fession to appeal to magistrates to grant new licences, which would do so much harm in their beloved country. {" Shame," and applause.) Ho trusted the day of deliverance would soon come to Wales, and the success of her sons and daughters would mean the abridgment of the time over which the struggle would be carried on in England, for he really believed that when the Welsh people would get the much-needed measure they were struggling for. the English people would also have it soon after. (Hear, hear.)

ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES AT ORICKHOWELL. At the CrickhoweU Police-court, yesterday- before Messrs R. T. Woodman and E. B. Evans I-Thomas Hunter (senr.), alias John Webb and J. Carpenter, was charged on remand with obtaining flannel, value £ 15 15s, by false pre- tences, from John Powell, woollen manufacturer, Llangattock, in November, 1889. Prisoner had only been arrested about a week ago by P.C. Jarrett on his release fro!n Knutsford prison.- Prosecutor stated that in October, 1889, he executed an order for flannel for prisoner, who remitted a cheque for its value. He sub- sequently had another order from him, which he exec: ted, '3U'! 'he goods were never paid for.. wade application for payment several times, but his last letter was returned by the post-office authorities endorsed House linocou d Alfred Leach, inspector, Pie 7- (^Division, Metroi>olitan Police, gave evidence to having seen prisoner on tne 16th November, 1889, when he was detained on another charge at King's-cross Police-station. Witness searched his house, and there found three pieces of flannel, which prosecutor identified as part of that which he despatched. Prisoner at that time made a statement to the effect that his name was John Webb, and that up to date of apprehension he had been trading under the name of Thomas Hunter, senr., woollen merchant, at 64, Hanover- street, Portsea. He brought the goods seized by witness to London to realize money to pay out- standing acoounts.PrisonBr was committed for trial to the next Quarter Sessions at Brecon in October.

PLUCKY CAPTURE OF A BURGLAR. At Lambeth police-court, Arthur Taylor (24) was charged with burglary at the King's Arms Tavern, Lower Kennington-lane.—Between two and three o'clock on Saturday morning, Mr Edward Henry Lewis, the landlord, was aroused by a strange noise at the back of the premises, followed by the breaking of glass. He went downstairs, and found a fanlight at the back of the saloon bar had been forced open, and the glass broken. He kept watch for a few moments, and then called in Police-owgeant Mobsby (12 L) and Constable Barnes (152 L). They made an examination, and ultimately Barnes with the aid of the sergeant mounted a side building. Barnes there found the prisoner crouched down in the gutter. Upon seeing the constable prisoner j umped up and ran along the roof some twenty yards, and then jumped upon an outhouse, and from there to the garden. Barnes followed, and a chase took place, some dozen garden walls being crossed. In getting over one wall upon which there was glass Barnes cut his right wrist severley. He, however, continued the pursuit, and ultimately got hold of the prisoner. He struggled violently and de- clared that he would not be taken. The officer, owing to the injury to his right hand, finding he was unable to hold the prisoner, drew his staff with his left and struck the prisoner, who still continued to resist. Ultimately, with the assia- .tance of Sergeant Mobsby, the prisoner was secured and taken to the station. When charged he made no reply.—The prisoner, who now de- clined anything in defence, was committed. to take bis trial at the Central Criminal Court.

ABERDARE LIBERAL CLUB. Two hundred and fifty members of the Aber- dare Liberal Club left on Monday by special train for Llanwera by the invitation of Mr D. A. Thomas, M.P., president of the club. The weather was desightful. A four hours' stay was made at Newport, the party visiting the; doekq, Stow- hUl, ana other places of interest.

EXPERIENCES OF A DETECTIVE. BY JAMES M'GOVAN, Author of "Brought to Bay," "Hunted Down," Strange Clues," "Traced and Tracked," "Solved Mysteries," &0. THE CHANGED DIAMONDS. When the following case was before me it never struck me that it was to prove one of a long chain ?l cr"?e? which were to puzzle, not me alone, but the whole detective force in Scotland. Others may have preceded it, but I give this first, as in this case my suspicion was first roused that there was someone about the city profiting by crime, yet far above the reach of the police. It may seem to some incredible, but it is a solemn fact that there are among us hundreds who consider themselues good and virtuous citizens, yet who, if the danger of detection and punishment were absolutely removed, would become criminals on the instant. Their motto is, get money, honestly or dishonestly, but safely. In their supreme ignorance they look upon the law and the police as the only punisbers, entirely overlooking the inexorable retribution on their own beings, the constant wearing of conscience, and the incessant fear of detection. The lady who had lost the diamonds came to the Central in a cab, on a Thursday evening in December, looking rather annoyed and a little excited, yet not so concerned as people generally are when they have lost about £1,000 worth of jewellery. Her annoyance, indeed, appeared to be more because she could not attend the assem- bly that night than at the mysterious disappear- ance of her diamonds, yet her husband was only a successful Queen-street lawyer. Mrs Raymond was a great beauty, and had brought her husband some £10,000, but I knew her by reputation to be exceedingly extravagant, so from the first I listened to her strange story with suspicion. "I laid out the diamonds on my dressing table —a necklace, earrings, and a bracelet, and then went into the next room for a moment. When I got back the window was open, and the cold air rushing in, and I thought at first the maid had been in, though she was in the room above put- ting some lace on my dress," she began, with wonderful exactness. "I went to the window and closed it with a bang, for I was angry, and then I missed my diamonds. They were all gone, and I screamed out and brought the whole house about me. I sent for my hus- band, but he was not in his office, and the police- man we called in advised me to come here with- out waiting." It was not this strange story, but the lady's manner, which made me sit thinking and study- ing her face. She seemed to be watching me furtively, as if expecting me to ask her some disagreeable questions. I took down a description of the jewels and then said- What is the value of the lot ?" The simple question seemed to startle her slighely, for she flushed a little under my eye, and hurriedly answered- They belonged to Mr Raymond's mother, and they cost above £ 900." I did not like the answer or the tone in which it was uttered, or the falling eye of the speaker, and said rather sharply- Is your room on the ground floor V' No, the flat above." Then how do you suppose the diamonds were taken?" I cannot tell. No one could have gone into that room by the door without me seeing or hear- ing them, for they would have had to pass through the room in which I stood. The thief must have got in by the window." "Howso? climbed up No, I don't think he could have climbed up, for the wall is perfectly smooth. He must have had a ladder." She had been out of the room only for two minutes, so I promptly decided that the ladder theory must go, more especially as the house was a fashionable one out at Coates Cres. cent. Then, according to her own statement, no one could have climbed the wall of smooth dressed stone, so the inevitable conclusion was that the diamonds, if stolen at all, had been taken from inside. The coolness of the lady had a deal to do with this conclusion of mine, which proved to be a mistaken one. A great man has said that a woman will sell her soul for diamonds, yet here was one taking the loss of hers as calmly as if she had just dropped a fourpenny piece. I may be frank—I fully believed that Mrs Raymond had ouietly stolen her own diamonds, otherwise sold fiern topny some pressing debt, and that the whole story of the robbery and the open window was a fabrication. She was a woman of keen in- stincts, and evidently read my thoughts, and hated me heartily for them, but, of course, that did not disturb me. I was convinced that she had concealed part of the history, and quickly determined to lay that mystery bare. Accord- ingly, with the greatest politeness, I got per- mission to accompany her back to her home, and by au hour's searching investigation made it clear that neither Mrs Raymond nor any one in the house could possibly have made away with the missing diamonds. The maid declared most emphatically that she saw the diamonds taken from the safe and laid on her mistress's dressing table before she herself went upstairs to sew lace on the dress which Mrs Raymond was to wear, and as that dress was the one in which the lady had come to the Central, and the whole house bad been searched during her absence, it was pretty clear that the diamonds could not have been concealed by her. The next morning I returned to the house, and carefully examined the wall between the bedroom window and the ground, and then read clearly the acquittal of the lady. A cast-iron pipe ran from the ground up to the side of the window, and at two different places on the smooth stone I discovered two fresh scratches, such as might be made by the slip of a tacketed boot. The thief had run up that pipe hand over hand, with monkey-like swiftness, and had probably come upon the plant unexpectedly, or he would have removed his boots. By step- ding across the street and standing upon the copestone of the garden railing, I found that I could see any person standing near the window of that bedroom, and my idea waa that the thief, after long prewling, bad so sighted the jewels and swiftly resolved to possess them. When a robbery of this kind is attempted it is generally after every arrangement has been com- pleted for the fencing of the rare prize, so I felt sure that the diamonds would never again be seen in a recognisable form. Even then I pictured them broken up and scattered by the reset, and already speeding by post to different parts of the country, where dealers of easy principles eagerly awaited their arrival; and had the case been an ordinary one I have no doubt but that would have been their fate, but it was not. One or two men likely to have done the work I did shadow most persistently, but I failed to spot the right on", simply because he had got into a dispute with his wife and had been sent to gaol for seven days to cool his temper. On the very day that sentence expired I got by post the following astounding letter:— "The robbery of diamond jewellery from Mrs Raymond's house in Coates-crescent was done by a man named Jim Page, who had stalked it for three weeks and arranged to sell it to me for 9100. It was in my possession half an hour after it was taken, and I foolishly passed on the money to the thief with- out closely looking at the gems. Next morning I was petrified to discover that before sending the stuff to me he had changed every diamond for a false one, and that for what I had given £100 I couldnotgetES. Page had got drnnk and kicked up a row, and been taken to the cells, so I bad no chance of redress from him. You will find the diamonds at the back of the right hand side of the grate in his house in Carrubber's Close. Don't go till after ten o'clock, as I understand he cannot be out of jail till then. His wife has been drinking all the time he has been in jail, so the placing of the false diamonds was easy. They are all you need for a conviotion, and all I need for a revenge. "NEMO." The letter was written in a bold, business hand, and was evidently the work of a man of educa- tion, with brain and energy far above those of the ordinary reset. From the first I believed it genuine; the diction was so clear, the cold- blooded plot so horribly frank, and the confidence in security so amazing that no doubt ever crossed my mind. The moment I read the message I sent M'Sweeny down to watch the stair in Carrubber's Close, while I went over to the Carlton Jail to see Jim Page set free. He saw me at the gate, and gave me a wink of recognition, and was evidently in high spirits, and as far from dreading arrest as I was. He turned along Waterloo-place and up the North Bridge, but with that restlessness peculiar to his class looked round more than once, and noticed with some surprise that I was followinghim. At t'1e High- street he slactamed his pace somewhat, just below the well, to let me go past, but, as I did not, he concluded to go on, and turned down the Close as far as the stair, with me close at his heels. "Want anything with me?" be suddenly asked, as I stepped in after him. Only to have a look through your place," I cheerily answered. Ob, yon're welcome to that," be said, with .the most perfect confidence, I'll stake my liberty ion all you'll find there." His confidence probably arose from the fact that he had left his wife with plenty of money, and, that being so, she was not likely to have got into trouble during his absence. The thought of trouble in connection with tile diamonds never crossed his mind. Inside the den was a drunken woman snoring heavily. Page scowled atjber and remarked, "I might have guessed that-Jfid then wanJi mantelpiece, took down a pipe and a mateh, and sat down to smoke in evident enjoyment. Even the appearance of M'Sweeny in the doorway and another man outside did not bring a shade of concern to his face. The fire was out, and the hearth littered with ashes, so, not hking to dirty myself, I said to him- "I want to see behind this grate-would you lift it out?" He stared, but slowly rose, still smoking to make up for lost time, and obeyed. The grate was not heavy, and as he lifted it out, a small parcel, done up in a piece of newspaper, and lying on the stone behind the right side, caught my eye. I snatched it up and opened the paper, when a mass of glittering gems shone forth in the wintry sun- light. I suppose I gave some kind of exclama- tion of surprise or pleasure, but no one noticed it. Every eye was on Page's petrified face. Astonish- ment would be a mild word with which to describe his expression-he seemed to be stricken speechless, and even rubbed his eves violently, as if not sure that he was not dreaming. "I—I can swear I never put them there," he at last stammered, in a tone which carried conviction with it. I merely snapped the handcuffs on his wrists, and then closely examined the jewels. They were all there, exactly as described to me by Mrs Raymond except that the gems were certainly false stones. Page was evidently waxing furious, for his face grew crimson, and the eye he fixed on me was full of wrath and suspicion. "I see it now," he cried in deadly hatred. I've heard often that you're a devil, but now I know it. You've got hold of them diamonds and planted them there to get me into trouble, and now you'll swear I took them, and send me up for a couple o' years maybe. Do you expect to thrive after that ? Do you think I won't kill you when I get out ? If I did a trick like that I should deserve to be killed, I quietly observed. "I never saw these diamonds until this moment." The simple statement appeared to carry the usual weight with it, for my "bairns" have learned to rely on my word, but his vehemence did not subside. It's a plant! he cried with extraordinary exoitement. If I stood on the brink of my own grave with only a minute to live I'd swear by all that's holy that these things have been planted there to get me into trouble. "I believe you're right," I said, with a tantaliz- ing coolness. "And you can prove it? you can prove me innocent and get me off ?" ne added with great eagerness. "Oh no; I can't prove you innocent, for you know very well you're not," I added with a grin, Let's see the soles of your boots." He turned one up, and I found, as I had ex, pected, that they were studded with tackets, not very closely set. You see," I coolly continued, as he dropped the foot to the ground, "you scored the wall of that house in Coates-crescent with these tackets in clambering up by the pipe, and I ean fit the scores to the nails as soon as you are locked up as easily as I could fit the neck of a whisky bottle into youi wife's mouth." He sat down with the breath completely knocked out of him, staring at me, with a species of awe, evidently inclined to believe me in league with the devil. The allusion to his wife seemed to puzzle him most, for after a moment he said— She couldn't have blabbed, for I never tell her anything." Cautious man! how wicked of you not to trust your dear wife I gayly returned. "How can you thrive. Now look here, Jim, I have not a grain of sympathy for you and not the least wish to help you, but I'm inclined to make a bargain with you and give you a chance to slip out of this mess, just to serve my own ends, you see ?" Oh, yes; I believe that," he bitterly answered, Well, go ahead." You went to a fence with these gems and got 2100, but first you thought you would play a nice little trick on him, and you turned them over to a skilled hand and changed the diamonds for false ones." "It's a lie an infernal lie!" he shouted, com- pletely thrown off his guard by his own rage and indignation. "I went straight-oh, I forgot— 'I am not such a fool as you think," he abruptly added, pulline himself up. "I never saw these things till tbi3 minute." "very well; stick to that story if you please and suffer for it," I calmly answered, motioning to M'Sweeney to take him away while I turned to wake the drunk woman. He hesitated, and thought, and fidgeted, while I was thus engaged, and finally said- Was it a fence that put. them there for you to find ?" "That's what I want to prove," I answered. I believe it was, and that they were put there in revenge for the trick of changing the stones." He sat and swore in a low gabble to himself for some moments, and evidently longing for some one to tear at, but presently said- And you give me your word that you can get me off ?" I think I can that's all." All right, that's good enough for me. Well, the diamonds was never changed at alL They went to the fence straight from the place where they were took. It was all over in half an hour, that's the trnth. It's the fence has made the mis- take. Look at them yourself and you'll find they're real diamonds." "I'm not a great judge." I said, after a second close scrutiny of the stones, "but it seems to me they're false." Then the fence has changed them since he got them," promptly returned Page. He oould easily do that, for he's had them more than a week." "What good would that do? Why should he want revenge on you ?" I curiously returned. I don't know. I never did him any harm that I knows of, but then how can I tell, for nobody knows who he is. Nobody ever saw him, or ever will see him. He's invisible, and always will be invisible fact, they call him 'The Invisible. "Pob, that's nothing. You tell mo whore he lives, and I'll soon make him visible," I con- fidently returned. "I can't. Nobody knows where he lives," excitedly answered Page, Well, tell me where you left the things." I can't. Only one man knows where they're left, and he says if it got known both he and the man that betrayed him would have a knife stick- ing in their hearts before morning though they were in the strongest jail that man can make. That's all I know or want to know. I'm not to break that oath-I tell you I daren't I daren't," and the big drops of sweat oozing from his temples showed how thoroughly terrorised he was. "Don't be a fool, Page," I angrily returned, taking the reset's letter from my pocket and hold- ing it up for his inspection." Look at that writing and tell me if you know it. Yes I've seen it before," he reluctantly answered with a shudder. "Well, Nemo means 'no name.' The man must have a name. What is it ?" "I don't know! s'elp me, don't know!" he. groaned in reply. Then I'm sorry for you, for you'll be lagged as sure as you sit there," I firmly answered. "You said you'd get me out of the mess," he feverishly answered. You gave me your word." "I said I thought I could now I know I can't, for the price was the discovery of that invisible fence. If you help me to take him you would be taken as witness for the crown." Then I'm done sold to the police for noth- ing he groaned, clenching his hands. "If I could only find out 'The Invisible.' I'd run a knife into him though I was to die the next minute. I'll do it yet! oath or no oath, I'll get at him ?" "That shouldn't be difficult if he treated all his clients asscurvily." I remarked encouragingly. He'll soon have the best of enemies," But he doesn't," he quickly answered; there must have been some mistake, or he never would have turned on me-for he's always sure and honest and safe. They say he's in a good position. and that his nearest friends don't know he's on this line." I wanted to know more, but if Pagereally knew more he chose to keep it for his own use, and relapsed into dogged silence. The woman seemed to understand nothing, and looked so stupid with drink that the planting of the jewels must have been an easy task. About £ 60 was found by us in different parts of the house, but it was all in gold, and so offered no clue to any bank. We took the pair up to the Central, where they were examined and locked up, and then I put the changed diamonds into my pocket and went over to Queen- street to the chambers of Mr Raymond, and electrified him with the agreeable news that the jewels were traced. He was a fine-looking man of 55, with one of the sharpest pair of eyes I ever saw in a human head, and the moment I had spoken, he said— "But there is something more? What is wrong ?" "You're quick enough for a detective," I answered a little enviously. "Yes, there is a slight hitch. Would you know your own dia- monds again ?" Would I know my own watch ?-of course I'll know them." Well, are these the diamonds 1" I asked, with a face of cast iron. He took them in his hands, smiled out in recognition, then started slightly, looked closer into the stones, changing their posi- tion in the light, and then turned to me in doubt. Yes, I could almost swear they're mine; but are the diamonds the same ? Are they real ?" That is exactly what I wish to know. Are you not a judge ?" "I used to think I was, but frankly I am puzzled. I have seen these diamonds for the best part of my life, yet I never before thought they looked so like paste. You have an opinion of your own, I see-what is it ? I'd rather not say just now. Is there no way of testing the matter ? My wife ought to know, for she is very sharp at detecting false diamonds when they are worn by others. Can you spare time to go West with me in a cab ? I suggested that a Princes street jeweller's would be better and nearer, but Mr Raymond evaded the proposal, and we drove to Ooates- crescent together. Mrs Raymond was not visible for a full half hour, but when she did appear, and I held up the diamonds, she gave a childish cry of delight, and eagerly clasped the gems in her hand and kissed them. She was only about half the age of her husband, and very pretty, but so thickly painted that I wondered the crust did nob scale off. "The diamonds, I suppose,-are all right? I inquiringly remarked. "Oh, yes, there can be no doubt about that," "she hurriedly returned. How very skilful of you to get them so soon. Really, you must be one of the most wonderful men in existence," and In with this palpable flattery she was turning away to drop them into a jewel case when I quietly but firmly interposed. Excuse ms, but they must remain in the hands of the authorities till the thief is tried," I said, as I restored them to my pooket. And, besides. I am not quite aatjmad that the stones are real, and we shall probably call in an expert to decide." "Oh, don't do that, I pray," cried Mrs Ray. mond, in ill-concerned alarm. I am quite satisfied." But I am not," sternly observed her husband, who had been keenly watching the shifting expres- sions of her face for some moments, and I shall go direct with Mr M'Govan to the best dealer in Princes-street to make sure." The lady begged and entreated, and even shed tears, but her husband answered her roughly and sternly, and finally left her in her passion, and re-entered the cab with me. "I'm afraid the diamonds have been changed," he significantly remarked to me. His face had grown stern and ashy in hue, and I saw that he was powerfully moved, and mercifully made no reply. We got out at one of the largest jewellers's shops in the city, and were attended by the principal, who knew me well. The first glance at the stones was enough. He smiled out, and I saw the word paste in his face before it rose to his lips, "Only one man in the city, and indeed in Scot- land, supplies these stones," he remarked as he handed them back, and getting the address we drove to the place, where we not only found abundant evidence that the stones had been changed there, but the actual note sent with them by Mrs Raymond, when they were changed, and her receipt for 2500 in payment for the real stones. Her plea was that she needed the money to settle some bills which she did not care to show to her husband, but it was her last deception towards him. He told me after they had agreed to a separation that she had squandered 215,000 in seven years, and nearly ruined him and that the happiest day of his life was when he was freed from her. A few weeks later Page and his wife were tried for the robbery, when she was acquitted, and he, pleading guilty, received a sentence of two years' imprisonment. I had solemnly promised Mr Raymond to keep the secret of the changing of the diamonds during his life, so Page went to prison in ignorance of the facts, and burning for revenge; and, in that connection, I shall have to notice him again. NEXT W T C C v M'SWEENY AND THE FALSE b TELEGRAM. TEMPERANCE PROGRESS IN SOUTH WALES. The following is the report presented at the annual meetings of the South Wales and Mon- mouthshire Temperance Association at Llandilo last week In presenting an exhaustive but interesting review of the work of the past year, the Secre- tary said that the importance of recent develop- ments on the side of temperance was not to be measured so much by the immediate benefits realised as by the greater advantages rendered possible and even probable in the near future. Some of the most stubborn obstructions had already been removed the way for reforms of a most thorough character was opening up steadily, whilst activity in opposition to the liquor traffic increased daily, extended into fresh areas, assumed novel forms, and promised to become truly national at no distant date. On all hands there were many indications of preparations being made for the coming battle; licensed victuallers and brewers on tne one hand, and temperance reformers on the other, assumed the attitude of contending armies bent on fighting to the bitter end. The magistrates for the present acted as middle-men and played the part of buffers, but the result of the battle must depend upon the attitude of the public generally. In recent encounters the public had fraternized with the temperance party rather than with the publicans, hence the success of modern legislation curtailing the dimensions of the liquor traffic, and the thorough rout of two ignominious compen- sation schemes. (Applause.) The greatest event of the year was, beyond doubt, the second reading on the 18th March of the Liquor Traffic Local Veto Bill (Wales). For 40 years leading temperance reformers had advocated the prohibition of the common sale of drink by the popular vote in each localitY1 and it was for this purpose, indeed, that the United Kingdom Alliance was instituted in 1883, the Permissive Bill introduced by Sir (then Mr) Wilfrid Lawson being put forward as a machinery to promote such end. The Welsh Veto Bill, introduced by Mr Bowen Rowlands, was partly identical with the Permissive Bill. The carrying of the Welsh Veto Bill last March was the greatest movement forward ever made by the prohibition party, and although Wales deserved to take the lead, yet she could never have marched on to the citadel of the enemy had not England,Scotland, and Ireland followed bravely in the rear. The division list showed 187 in its favour (including 24 Welsh members, not one recording a vote against it), and 180 against. The report then described the action of the association in promoting the Local Veto Bill, and, anticipating discussion in Parliament, a letter was published by the secretary in the South Wales Daily News and the Alliance News setting forth the objects of the bill. The report then proceeded to dwell with the Irish Saturday Evening and Sun- day Closing Bill introduced by Mr Lea, providing that Sunday closing should be made permanent, and not dependent on a vote of the House year after yoar, which was carried in the House by a majority of 154. The granting of occasional licences in some places of public amusement seemed to be a source of considerable annoyance und mischief, in connootion with which Dr Morgan, J.P., of Pontypridd, had rendered him- self notorious. Tho Rev W. J. Morris, becoming aware of the conduct of the doctor, hurried alone before the Pontypridd bench, his Honour Judge Gwilym Williams and the Stipendiary regratting the course adopted by him, and declared it to be contrary to the custom and intention of the Legislature, though not contrary to the letter of the statute. Dr Morgan repeated the act, against which the temperance friends protested before the bench, whilst the Newport Conference on July 2nd strongly condemned his action, Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P., also very properly calling the attention of the Home Sectretary to the matter. Off wine and spirit licences, commonly called grocer's licences, was universally severely condemned constant com- plaints were received against these licences, whilst urgent appeals for action had recently been received from tne temperance friends at Tredegar, and from Mr Councillor William Williams, J.P., Worcester Works, Morriston. The formation of four temperance unions in four different counties in one year was a great advance, and promised well for the future :—The Mid-Rhondda and the Towy Vale (Whitland) Unions were doing good work, whilst the Rhondda Valleys Anti-Licence League had rendered yeoman service in checking the liquor flood which threatened the Rhonddas with an alcoholic deluge. (Applause.) The decision of the Lords on magisterial discretion in the case of Sharpe v. Wakefield was then dwelt upon. Already this decision, which was to the euecb that the justices at the annual general licensing sessions "had the same absolute right to f[rant or refuse renewals as they had to grant new iccnces," told an interesting tale in licensing sessions, magistrates in many instances being bold enough to apply the pruning knife to not a few of the rotten branches. (Hear, hear.) RETURNS OF PLEBISCITES. The report concluded by giving a return of plebiscites which had been taken in South Wales from January to September, which showed a considerable majority in favour of the following questions:—(1) Are you in favour of giving rate- payers the power of deciding by direct veto the number of licences to be granted within their district ? (2) Are you in favour of the prohibition of all licences for the common sale of intoxica- ting liquors? Plebiscites were taken in 34 places, and the percentage of the voting was as follows Question 1 Yes. No. Neutral. 81-7 9.7 5-5 Questions. 707 19-0 10"2 The result was received with applause. The CHAIRMAN said that this was the most encouraging report which had ever been pre- sented to the Association, and that it promised well for the future. (Hear, hear.) Mr H. PHILLIPS, J.P., Newport, in moving the adoption of the report, referred to the wonderful and satisfactory work which had been done in Wales during the year just closed. Their agent (Rev Morris Morgan) had laboured indefatigably during the year, having addressed no less than 254 public meetings (at which 883 pledges were taken) and also 52 plebiscite committees. (Hear, hear.) Rev JOHN PUGH, Cardiff, seconded.

WELSH OR ENGLISH P At the annual meetings of the South Wales Temperance Association, held at Llandilo last week, the greater portion of the pro- ceedings had been conduoted in the vernacular, and the Chairman asked one speaker to make his remarks In English. This, however, was not done, the rev. gentleman saying that he would curtail his remarks so that even the English friends could understand him.—The Rev D. B. Jones, Llandilo, rose and warmly said that it was very unfair to those unacquainted with Welsh that the speakers should go on in Welsh. Only one gentleman had been asked by the chairman to speak in Welsh, but even he had refused. That, he thought, was ungentlemanly. (Cries of --Sliame.")-The Chairman promptly observed that the last gentleman had not spoken for him (the speaker). He did not call a man ungentlemanly for a man to speak in his ow n language. (Cheers.) As he had said many times before, it would be to the interests of young Welshmen to speak in and cultivate the English language-(hear, hear)—but they should also try to please others as well as themselves. (Hear.)—Amongthe speakers who followed was Mr BINGHAM, London, who advised Welshmen to cling to their grand language; it was no 'trivial thing to try and get a nation with a history like theirs to give up their language, because in doing so they would bo giving up all the associations connected with it. If they gave up their language and started the English, they would be giving up half of the noblest traditions of their national life. (Hear, hear.)

SHOT BY HIS FATHER, William Garrett, an old man. shot his son during a quarrel, at Holloway on Saturday. The bullet entered the lungs. The old man, when taken to the Caledonian- road Station, said they quarrelled, and his son Knockod him down. For a number of years, lie said, he had had a great deal to put up with, and the provocation and violence used towards him in tho present instanoe were more than he could bear, and he rushed upstairs, seized a revol- ver, and fired m a rage.

■■ == WltDDFNO KKBPEB, AJIP ENGAGEMENT RINGS Great Variety atTainsh Brps., 5, High-street, Cardiff.

FACT AND FANCY. -——'—— ( in Unequal Proportions. A western politician bears the name of CJ0*? mire. He likes to have people pitch into hUll. "Make yourself at home," said the Thanks; I will," he replied, fcuruicg 0 the gas. AN iNsut/r.—Waiter (deferentially): sir ? Fuddled Actor (ferociously): No, ing man First Hod Carrier: What did the WjSrf diligate fine ye for, Mike ? Seoond ditto comin' down th' ladder two rounds at a time. A SURE SIGN.—"Is Von Sohleira a gro writer ?" He must be. His publishers getting out an expurgated edition of his wotf* I fear that I am taking cold," said Fan°^ man as he picked up a cake of ice, and looked to see if the crowd saw the point to w remark. AT RETAIL.—" Ink is cheap." I don't about that. I left a pen full on the back of once that cost me two thousand five huad1^ dollars." FOR INSTANCE.—Editor The only way to ø; ceed in the newspaper business is to give people what they want. Friend Have yutt « a ten-dollar bill you can let me have? THE FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT.— Author Can you tell me how to become a poet ? Editor Ob, yes. The very first thing fat you to do is to die. All the good ones are 40;1 THK WORK WAS PERFORMED.—Mr WildvvcJll You surely do not mean to say you're Why, you don't drop your h's !—Mr Tewksw1* Podd No; me valet attends to that for me* THE ONLY WAY TO GILT THzm.-Gothamit* Why do you take your lasso into the resta with you! Westerner I want to C/IoptUJ'O waiter. A NATURAL CoNszquENoz. -Tremurer of 10 road The reoeipts are growing to be wx&zL President: Yes we must have a receives^ pointed. OPPOSING OPINIONS.—Mrs Scripture The Jt'i Mr Glimmer hides his light under a bushed » think. Miss Vinny Garrish How wasteful' pint would "more than hide it. WILLING To Do His BKST.—" Johnny," the pretty teacher, what is a kiss ?" I exactly put it in words," returned the boy j if yer really wanter to know, I can show yer.' Larinks: Why, you used to singa little whjjj you were a young fellow, Tom. Have you 1°^ your voioe ?-Far.inlcs: No, but I'ye found aø1 senses. I've got an immense attraction for next et son." said a theatrical manager. "Name it' Ten Nights in a Bar-Room,' to be played bY real Knights of Labour." She: Now I want to wear the engagement at the next hop. Please be sure to get it on —He: Oh, they have already told me they wow* let me have it on time. A CURE FOR VANITY.—"It is an odd thillf; Jones is such a modest man that I never saw look in the glass; and yet he wears tho loud1?, kind of neckties." He doesn't dare to loot,1 the glass, my boy. His wife buys his neckties. Never pronounce brooch brooch"; IØ broach." Never say "breaches when you 111" breeches. When you mean breaches, "breeches," and when you mean breeches, "britchez." 'g New York people are claiming that their city it so dirty that it is not fit to live in. And r: most of them would applaud the man who said. would rather be a lamp-post in New York to" mayor of Chicago. When a man makes a large fortune, what do people say ?" asked the teacher. That h« fortunate," replied the bright boy. "That'srifjj*^ Now, when a man fails in business, what do t" say?" "That he didn't advertise." Auctioneer (at sale of household goods): G men, it's a shame to start a portable bath-tub this at half-a-dollar.. It's just as good as &01 Prospective Purchaser Looks as if it had in use a long time. Owner (righteously iP"1*, nant): I give you my word, sir, it has never used at all. Mother (writing to her son whais with regiment in India): "You will be glad to Ic^JJ that I have insured my life.' Son (who lately been converted by the Salvation Arw'J replying: It may be all very well, mother insure your life, but I should recommend yoO at once insure your soul." i' Useful things to know about Steam is the title of a book just published. One of jj most useful things to know about a steam boils^ » the exact minute it is going to burst, so tb^ person may get out of the way a few before the explosion takes place; but thia iti'cr mation doesn t appear in the book. A German composer was conducting one of overtures. As the horns played too loud he them to play more softly; and more softly played each time. At the fourth repetition, a knowing wink to each other, they put thjS instruments to their lips, but did not blow a The conductor nodded approvingly, Very indeed. Now, one shade softer and you'll havei1, A young lover up in Northern Wisconsin against his sweetheart's big dog one evening week when he went to call on her. Ha tore from the dog and ran into a reporter who was ing. The reporter thought he was a sand-baSS^ and knocked him down. A policeman saw fighting and took them both to jail. The coU* of true love never did run smooth. A Brooklyn woman who had a man brought i to court for stealing some of her rings was < £ > fronted by the arrested man boldly and asked him if she did not give him the rings. He she did and then the woman quiokly grabbed J1' by the hair and before anybody could 6top pulled it till the man yelled for help. The iu £ ^j dismissed the case on the belief that the wdDa^, was revenged, the three rings being valued at 11 A Florence man who was afraid of crawled into a hollow log as a place of during a thunderstorm the other day. thundei rolled and the rain poured dowutia torrents, and the old log began co swell up the poor fellow was wedged in so tight tha^- could not get out. All his past sins passing before him. Suddenly he remembered hadn't paid his subscription to the Mining and he felt so small that he was able to right out. Old Hutch is crazy," said people to another sorrowfully a few weeks ago when he acting in an eccentric manner. The old man ø not take the trouble to answer the qu^^M orally, but he commenced to scheme, and chief results were one of the most turbulent j known in the history of the Chicago 11 Trade, wheat at a dollar a bushel and "'J~ « Hutch on top with a profit of 3600,000. Benjamin Peters Hutchinson goes crazy a#*1> the bears that inhabit the woods of the market will crawl into their holes and pul' £ holes in after them. The question now What will the old man do next t" A freshman in a college in the city waa an* to mail a letter. Having been told to drop the red box at the corner, he hurried out 0 Vj building and ran down the street. He saw a dJi box, but could find no opening in which to l:'tJ his letter. He searched for any possible direct' on the box, and notioed, in large letters, twice." He rang twice and waited to see would happen, expecting a door to fly open w „ which he could drop the letter. Suddenly j, open buggy dashed up, and a man in blue form jumped out. •* Where is it ?' he Here it is, thank you," said the freshn* "please mail it at once.' The fire-cap^r^ looked al^fhe letter and then at the retreat' g student's figure. Then he dropped the letter j the box across the street, reported the alarm and went back to the station. .-Jj, If all mankind, minus one, were of ene op^r^ and only one person were of the contrary opfc'flfl mankind would be no more justified in silenc^ that one person than he, if he had the would be justified in silencing mankind. an opinion a personal possession, of no .9 except to the owner if to be obstructed enjoyment of it were simply a private injury^ would make some difference whether the in^^ were inflicted on a few or on many. Bat peculiar evil of silencing the expression opinion is that it is robbing the human posterity as well as the existing generation, th^ who dissent from the opinion still more than who held it. If the opinion is right they deprived of the opportunity of exchanging e for truth if wrong, they lose, what is alniost. great a benefit, the clearer perception and live tl» impression of truth, produoed by collision error. —-——— -jj THE PRINCE OF WALES AS A CARPENTER- the right of the entrance to the Queen's grounds at Osborne House stands the tool-house, built (as a slip of wood in the handwriting records) by the Prince of Wales the Duke of Edinburgh in 1857. It is still in sPl vn did preservation, for the late Prince Co""<), always taught his children to do things tve ( Judging from the large tool-house, the Prince.# Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh mean adepts at carpentering, the boarding of sides being Aibstantially put together, »nd »g. gables of the roof mortised in true form > .i,* quently when the Prince of Wales visits gardens, he looks critically round this shtd to that the joinings are secure. It is kept exactly g it was when the Princes and tho princesses young, the barrows and garden tools being in i f excellent state of preservation. Eah cbild J,t ø perfect set of tools, with a barrow and and the Queen had a special waggon for in which the children often drew her about.. initials of oacli of the Royal children .ire p»'n'gfi on the back of the implements with the exci^ of those of Princess Beatrico and the Duke Albany, who were then very young, and hwi gl I put up with a toy horse aud cart loud. very barrow.