Evening Express

THEATRE ROYAL, CARDIFF. "A Runaway GJrl" paid a return visit to the Theatre Royal, Cardiff, on Monday night, and, judging ty the reception, accorded to her, she id as attractive as ever. As is probably well known, this charming musical comedy ba3 had a phenomenal success at the Gaiety Theatve, and even now is being played to crowded houses. Messrs. H. H. Morell and Frederick Monillot's company includes many prominent artistes, and their representation of the various characters is as fresh and lively as when the comedy was first produced. The plot is a simple one; in fact. its simplicity is its >-iiarm. An orphan girl, "Winifred Gray." who had spent all her life in a convent school, is sud- denly informed by her guardian by letter that she is to leave school and marry "Guy Stanley." her guardian's nephew. whom she has ttever seen. Rather than submit she joins a band of strolling musicians. It would be diffi- cut to imagine a more charming young lady in the title role than Miss Ethei Neth-erton. Her acting is graceful, natural, unassuming, and finished. Moreover, she is a capital singer, and on several occasions received an encore for the selections entrusted to her. Mr. Charles S. Brown, as "Guy Stanl-ey," is an ideal lover, with sufficient sprightliness about him to raise the part above the common- place. The humorists vi-re numerous. The foremost place must undoubtedly be given to Mr. W. Stephens, whose eccentricities as the courier, "Flipper," provoked the greatest hilarity. Mr. Alfred Upperton had a difficult jart to play in 'Brother Tamarind," but he did it admirably, his flirtation with "Carminata." the street musician, being as ludicrous as it was enjoyable. Miss Loftus Leyton is a clever dancer and singer, and the several numbers rendered by her were heartily applauded. Mention should also be made of the contribu- tions to the humour of the comed^by Messrs. Dallas, Welford, J. Hartt. and R. Kavaiiogh! The scenic effects were elaborate, a represen- tation of Venice being particularly effective. The performance on Monday evening was wit- nessed by a large audience, and it will be sur- prising if the house is not crowded throughout the week. GRAND THEATRE, CARDIFF. The Grip of Iron has long been recognised as possessing the essential qualities of an attractive drama, and, despite the number of years it has been before the public, it is as much a favourite with the theatre-going public now as when it was first produced. On Mon- day evening it was performed by Mr. John A. Atkinss' company at the Grand Theatre in the presence of a large house." The drama. which is full of exciting incidents, deals with a great robbery and murder perpetrated by "Jagon," alias "Simmonet" (Mr. Frank Powell), an over-zealous father, whose whole life is spent in obtaining money by means of his many atrocious deeds as head of the stranglers of Paris. so as to bring up his daugh- ter in the "best society." In his plot he is assisted by a Spanish adventurer (Mr. Stanley Bedwell). who proves to be an unfaithful lover of "Jason's" daughter. "Paul Blanchard" is the gardener, who is wrongly accused for the mur- der of his employer, and Mr. Petley gave a most excellent portrayal of that particular part of the drama. Miss Marie Lyons we must con- gratulate for her acting as "Marie Gurin," the daughter of the murdered captain, and also Miss Gertrude Price for her impersonation of Sophie Blanchard." Plenty of fun -v-as provided by Mr. Harry Lyons and Mr. John Brittain as the detectives of the new school and old school respectively in their searches for the murderer. A word of praise must also be given Mr. Andrew Liston, who gave a very good representation of a "foolish convict." The remaining characters were well portrayed. THE EMPIRES. CARDIFF. Although there is no bright particular star high in the firmament of Leicester-square or I Oxford-street at the Cardiff Empire this week, the entertainment is one of the best which Mr. Stoll has provided. The M'Naughtons are diffi- cult to describe. They don't seem quite to understand each other, and in this comes the fan. They can sing and dance well, but it is their smart patter brought them the applause on Monday night. It is crisp and fairly new, and what has been heard before is appreciated better for the repetition. It would be impos- sible to pay a better compliment to comedians of this class. Miss Alice Lloyd, although she has not attained the prominence of her clever faster Marie, might. perhaps, be mistaken for her if there were no programmes. She is quite 1 ) as vivacious, or chic. as Marie, and this week I she sings two or three cleverly-constructed songs. Her advice to the girls to marry a man as a, warming-pan. even if ha is forty, fat. and carrctty." put some of the old stagers in bachelorship in hopes of a honeymoon. She had a vociferous re- call and obliged with a dance which was, perhaps, more attractive than her songs, although it was brief. Mr. J. W. Rowley is one of the best representatives of coster life, and his song descriptive of his ride to the Derby would take some beating. He was yelled back. and, although another number was put up. the audience would not be satis- fled until he gave them a. dance. Miss Rose Hamilton is a pretty little thing in a pink dress I who has had a dream, or something of that sort, that she 's a lady of high aegree. As a matter of tact. she is. in character, a barmaid of Btthnai Green, who when off duty appears as ether barmaids do when they have an eligible cicerone, take excursions, Ac. Miss Hamilton becomes pathetic at the end. and sings about her mother—"Woman, lovely woman." The hcuees on Monday night were delighted with both sides of the womanly character. The Three Donas give a le3son to local gymnasts in muscular development. Their performance n not the old-fashioned bar business, but an exhibition of what may be done by exercise in another department. Miss Ella D-aan touched a chord which is always attractive; she made a fortune in Klon- dyke. This is rather an old story, and some-' times not true, but the prosperous appearance of Ella. seemed to lend truth to the statement. Her Tyrolean song was, however, the best, and in this case, again, the audience would not b2 satisfied, and Hiss Dea.n had to tell a senti- n,ental story which brought tears to the eyes of some people. She has a. fine contralto voice, and knows how to use it with effect. Ray and Ransford do some good knockabout business, Joe Humphreys sings a song, and some amus- ing pictures are shown by the An slo-American Biograph process. NEWPORT. There is a very diversified and interesting bill a- the New Empire this week. which is still a cool rendezvous—a luxury of no mean kind this hot weather. Harry Tate. the great imper- sonator of the celebrities of the stage, makes the audience feel that they have all the stars before them in one turn. Albert Christian, the brilliant baritone, who was the original singer of "Soldiers of the Queen, is again at Newport, singing in great style. This artiste is one of the refined per- formers who stamp the variety house as a imis!c-hall. Penje'3 lion is another great draw The king of beasts on horseback and capering with a big, handsome dog. is a won- derful novelty. Signor and Madame Bcrelli, in their humorous musical absurdity, "The Aunt, tns Niece, and the Professor," show inimitable I fun and rare musical ability. The other turns are ail good, comprising Amy Allnutt. a new comedy artiste; Labakan and Omar, eccentric acrobats; Miss Kate Cohen, vocalist- The O'Malleys, comedians, singers, and dancers; and Emmie Ame. comedienne, burlesque artiste, serio, and dancer. SWANSEA. Verno and Voyce, a pair of splendid come- dians. and a grand reception at Svran-pa Empire on Monday evening, and shared a good deal of the honours of the first performance with the Home Troupe, who appeared in a new and clever comical sket-ch entitled The Biter Bit." Athas and Collins are another jolly couple of artistes who fetched the houses, and Booker and Narbis were not found wanting either in music or fun. THE LYCEUM, NEWPORT. "At Duty's Call," which was mounted in superb style on Monday night, is a drama of the very highest order, and full of stirring scenes and picturesque situations. The perils of th Soudan are glowingly portrayed, and all those who watched from a distance the progress of Kitchener's army last year up the Nile will be gratified with this moving panorama of events culminating in the grand coup-the fall of Khartoum.

At Merthyr Policc-court cn Monday Mr. W. W, Meredith applied cn behalf of Mrs. Grif- ilths, of the Bruce Hotel, Dowlais, for the con- sent of the bench to the making of a side ap- proach to the honse, certain property adjoin- ing having been acquired to allow of this being done. Mr. Thomas Jenkins, J.P.. who has an interest in the premises, objected, and objec- tion was also raised by Superintendent Thorney with the result that the application was refused.

WISE AND OTHERWISE. A scientific journal says:—"Crows undoub- tedly have a language, and to some extent exer- cise the reasoning process." We are a little sceptical about the language of crows, hut tll certainly never pull up corn without good caws. The most disgusted wanderer in the Elyz;,tn fields at this moment must be the man who started to commit suicide in the river, repented of his rashness, but died of exposure after he of his rashness, but died of exposure after he had crawled out of the water. I Elder Sister (patronisingly): Going to bed. I suppose? hat a shame! Never mind. In a few years you will be invited out. too. Younger Sister (independently): Yes. and in a few years you will not be invited out. "Hurry to the door, Mary, and let Mr. Smith in. He ha, rung twice." That isn't Mr. Smith; it is the other young gentleman." "Well, wait a minute, then. I must change these photographs on the mantelpiece. Selfish of Her.—"What's the trouble over there?" said Mabel to Amy. "She just stands under the mistletoe all tho -et time, and won't give any other girl a chance." His Reason.—"What do you mean?" inquired the Spanish official's friend, "by trying to make I mere assertions take the place cf fact?" "I am, sir," was the reply, "a firm believer in the superiority of mind over matter." I Patient: I wish to consult you wrh ree-ard to my utter loss of memory. Doctor: Ah- Yez why-er-;n cases of this clas3 I always require my fee in advance. Artist: I painted this picture, sir, to keep the wolf from the door. Dealer (after inspect- ing it): Well, hang it-on the knob where the wolf can see it. "Is Buukins as good as his word?" asked one business man. "I guess he is," replied the other. "His word isn't good for anything." "-No. Victor," said Atalanta, pensively, "how can I be yours when our cycle club, 'The Bloomer.' has just taken for its motto, 'Divided we stand, united we fall'?" "And I suppose, like a brave soldier, you followed your colours?" "Yes; whenever there was a battle I noticed that the colours were flying, so I lfed, too." First Dog Catcher (to second ditto): Wot are yer frightened of, anyhow? All yer got to do is ter slip it over his head! Wife (in indignant surprise): Are you drunk, Joseph? Joseph: (Hie) If I ain't (hie) it's the best imitation of one I ever experienced. Papa: Young man, you want to marry my daughter, and yet will not give me a list of your friends for reference. Dunstan: Not much. They were all after the same girl. r Mrs. Chatterbox: Did you ever make any errors in speech? Mrs. Wordsworth: Yes; I made one a few years ago. Mrs. Chatterbox: What was it? Mrs. Wordsworth: I said "Yes." Little Boy: Isn't fathers queer? Auntie: In what way? Little Boy: When a little boy does anything for his papa he doesn't get anything; but if another man's boy does it he gets a penny. It. must be just lovely to be the two-headed girl,' said Ethel. "Just think of being able to look straight ahead of oneself, and look back to see what the other wonan has on at the same instant!" The average person speaks about 120 words a minute. This estimate is considerably short of that required when the lid of the tin box falls on a speaker's head while he is hunting for a sleeve button. Teacher: When the wise men came to the king, what did they say? Boy: They sruid, "0 king, live for ever!" Teacher: Quite right; and what then? Boy: And immediately the king lived for ever. Dusty Dales (the tramp): Look yere, Rogers, do you believe :n that there old sayin' wot says, It's a poor rule that yon't work both ways"? Restful Rogers (decisively): No. It's a poor rule to work at all.

BBESS—PASUIOS—HOSE, A PHILANTHROPIST IN RETIRE- MENT. Lady Henry Somerset, the cwner of splendid and beautiful ancestral homes, had a penchant for rusticating in a simple abode; and although the tiny cottage which she has built for her- self at the Duxhurst Industrial Village Home for inebriate wemen is certanily not a mere nlel3iire resort, a3 when living there Lady Henry is active from morning to night amongst the won cn whom she is seeking to win back to sobriety, ctill life there forms a relaxation from the more complicated routine of existence which she perforce follows at Eastnor Castle a,nd at Reigate Priory. The cc-ttagc was built by Mef-srs. Butler and Paul, of Norwich, in accordance with Lady Henry's ideas. It is one storey high, and is thatched with reeds from the Norfolk Broads, a much prettier and more durable kind of thatch than that of straw. When staying there Lady Henry always wears a, simple nurse's uniform with high French cap, and her time is spent amongst the in- mates of the village, who are being redeemed from evil habits by the wh desome effects cf useful and interesting occupations combined with fresh air, and quietude, and peace. Batches of little children from the London slums are made happy at the Bird's Nest, and serve to re-awaken mcthcrly instincts in th.3 women of the settlement. FOR THE SEASIDE. This year the fashions prspared for the set, side seem to be more elaborate, while yachting frocks and coats are certainly more delicate than any seen f-r several seasons. As a rule, blue serge and white flannel are the two colours and materials which most yachting women affect. This year, however, and foulards, and even muslins, are being prepared for many well-known yachtswomen. A white washing pique, a plain cream-coloured flannel, and the always becoming nlvy-blue serge wear ex- cellently, and look well even under stress of weather. There is, of course, a pretty fashi--n of elaborate revers, and a large upstanding collar faced with the same dainty trimming, which will give a style to even the plainest serge costume, and it is this description of toilet that is recommended to thoie wearers toilet that is recommended to thoie wearers who are contemplating a visit to the seaside, when they have not a, great deal to spend, and when they yet wish to look their best upon all occasions. A coat prepared for a blue serga costumo should be cut fairly short on the hips, and either tabbed or rounded at tho basque. A buttoned-over shape is the men becoming, finished with a single button at this bend of the figure, when the glory of the revers is in no way interfered with. A large cravat twisted once round the throat and tied under the chin in a loose sailor knot will complete this most becoming attire, while its cost need scarcely make anyone hesitate, for what elaboration there is is entirely in the collars and revers, which it is quite easy to alter at will, and free with even a dark-coloured silk or velvet ;ater on in the year. GOSSIP. No woman who respects herself would dream cf wearing a. parasol without a. bow or a. rosette of some sort round the handle, and it is |

'■ !■ — ■ ■' !.■■■■■ WW ■ » ■■■ II f | OUR DAILY CARTOON. I A LIFE-LONG REGRET. OLD WELSH FARMER (to son about to go out in the world): "An' remember, Johnny bachen, one -thI'ng, neffer you marry a gal as is richer nor yourself. When I did marry your mother, look you, I did have thirty bob an' she did 'ave two pun' ten, an' she's neffer stopped throwing it in my face effer since, iss indeet!"

On Monday evening Annie Hayes, aged six years, who-a parents resia-e at 1.50, Bute-street, was accidentally drowned in the Glamorgan- shire Canal at Cardiff. ======

BE WISE TO-DAY; I Sufferers from Gravel, Lumbago. Piles. Pains I in the Back, Dropsy, Wind and Water Com- Points. Diseases of Kidneys. Bladder. Stone, Sciatica, Rheumatism, and Gout. will find a positive Cure in Holroyd's Gravel Pills. Try a Small Box, and if not satisfied your money will be returned. Price Is. Hd.. of all chemists, O! sent free for 12 stamps, from Holroyd's Medicai Hall Cleckheaton. Yorks. Don't be put off It you cannot get them. write the proprietor, and box will be sent next post.

FREE BI RTHS'L COMPETITION. The proprietors (J the "Evening Express" have decided to throw this competition cpen free to readers of this paper, and they will award A Prize of One Pound to the person sending in a coupon bearing thfe conect forecast of tho number of births which will take jjiacs in tho- 3o chiof towns of Great I Britain during the week ending August 12. CONDITIONS. I Competitors must rill tn ttle appended coupon, and send it to Births Competition," Evening Express Office. Cardiff, not Is-.ter than by the first post on Monday, August 14. The announsamenr, or Hie winner or -winners will be made on the Thursday following. Any number of coupons may be sent in the same envelope. In case of any dispute the Editor's decision nili be final. Disregard of these conditions will cause the disqualification of the coupons. I BIRTHS COMPETITION. THE NUMBER IS Name Address The envelope to be marked on the left corner. Births Competition." August 7—12. A MEMORY. A Sabbath School teacher who had been tell- ing the story of David ended with: "And all this happened over three thousand years ago." A little listener, her blue eyes opening wide with wonder, said, after a moment's thought, "Oh, dear! what a memory you have got!"

As a Safe, Permanent, and Warranted Cure for Pimples Scrofula, Scurvy, Bad Legs, Skin and Blood Diseases. Pimples, and Sores of all kindo. we can with confidence recommend Clarke's World-famed Blood Mixture. It is certainly the finest Blood Purifier that science and medical skill have brought to light." Thousands of wonderful cures have been effected by it. Sold everywhere, at 2s. 9d. per bottle. Beware of worthless imitations. e8

1 OUR FREE GIFT OF BOOKS TO EVERY READER OF THB "EVENING EXPRESS." We are presenting gratis to every regular leader of the Evening Express" one of the following, high-class, cloth-bound, and gold- lettered standard works of English literature Shakspeare's Complete Plays and Sonnets; Vanity Fair." by Thackeray; "The Caxtons," by Lord Lytton; Ernest Maltravers." by Lord Lytton; "Alice, or The Mysteries," by Lord Lytton; Ivanhoe," by Sir Walter Scott; The Scarlet Letter" by Hawthorne; Mary Barton," by Mrs. Gaskell; Lays of the Scottish Cava- liers," by Aytoun; and Jane Eyre," by Char- lotte Bronte. The books will be given away at the rate of 24 every day until every reader has received one. Upon the top of the Second Page of the Evening Express'' each day will be found a number, printed in violet ink, which number will be different in every paper that is printed. Keep this number till the following day, and see if it is given in the list printed below. If your number is given, take it to either of our offices at Swansea, Newport, Mer. thyr, or Cardiff, and you will receive either of the above books. If you cannot conveniently call, tear off the purple number and send it to the" Evening Express" Office, Cardiff, with your name and address and twopence towards the cost of postage, and the book chosen by you will be forwarded to your address. No person is entitled to a second b< ok, even though he be the holder of a selected number, until every reader hns received a book. PURCHASERS OF MONDAY'S "Evening Express bearing tne following Numbers Printed in Violet Ink on the Top Left-hand Comer of Pace v: aro entitled to a Book: — 539842 544958 548017 549276 550437 556526 340111 545322 543327 549549 550639 556937 542489 545611 548576 560242 555390 557377 542786 545872 548888 550376 556322 557777

The Barry District Council on Monday appointed a committee to consider the ques- tion of obtaining a suitable site for a generai hospital for the town. The medical officer for Haverfordwest reported on Monday that the infant mortality in the town was at the rate of 300 per 1.000 births, which was higher than the general average throughout the kingdom.

Smoke Lambert and Sutler's Flaked Gold Leaf Honey Dew Tobacco. In Packets and T 'ins. Of all tobacconists & Dealers throughout the kingdom.

OUR JUNIORS. 1 i [Conducted by UNCLE JOB.] .1., The Evening Expri-.ss Boys' and Girls' Club was established March 21, 1898, for the purpose of promoting principles of kindneys amongst young people, and for the mutual interest and instruction of its nembers. Young folks desirous of joining are requested to communicate with Uncle Joe, c/o the Editor. Members only are eligible for prizes. Handsome certificates are issued to now members, who may have them on call- ing at this office, or else sending penny Stamp to cover cost of postage. The Club now numbers 3428 boys and girls. 3429.—Garnon, Lizzie, 13, Hatter-street, Bryn- mawr, Breconshire (proposed by W. Garnon.) 3430.-Pollack, Esther Sosa (12 years), 56, Tylacelyn-road, Penygraig, Rhondda Valley. 34,31--Taylor. Amy (14 years), 110, Court-road (proposed by Elvia Fear.) BORROWED BOOKS. Our boys and girls should write the following lines on the fly-leaf of each of their books, to- gether with their name and address:- If thou art borrowed by a friend, Right welcome shall he be To read, to study, not to lend. But to return to me. Not that imparted knowledge doth Diminish learning's store, But books, I find when once they're lent, Return to me no more. DOLLS AMONGST THE JAPS. A peculiarity of Japanese shops is that only such goods are displayed as are appropriate to the season of approaching festival. Instead of displaying a general stock of goods, as do shopkeepers in this country throughout the year, as soon as the festival season is over they are immediately packed up and care- fully laid away for another year. On the third day of the third month is the "Hina Matsuri," or, as it is generally called, the "Feast of Dolls." It is devoted to the girls, and is considered by them the greatest day of the season, and in years gone by was duly celebrated by all families with great pomp, ceremony, and preparation. Most of the dolls on view arc from three inches to eighteen inches in height, and exquisitely dressed to represent some noted lord or other personage of the feudal times. They are made of wood, clay, or porcelain. Many still keep up the custom, and several of the old families possess a stock of heirlooms in the way of dolls that dates back many years. When a daughter has been born in a house during the previous year, a pair of images are usually bought for her, which she plays with until she grows up. When she marries she takes them with her to her new home and gives them to her children, and each year she adds to the stock as her family increases in number, so that in some families a large quantity are collected.—"Cassell's Saturday Journal."

POLLY'S MIRRORS. Every Saturday Polly has to clean the spoons. That is all that mamma asks her to do, and it deos not take much time, but Polly has always dreaded it so long beforehand, and grumbled so while she rubbed them, that it seemed like very hard work indeed. Every week it was the same old story, and you would think that the little girl was asked to clean the family plate in some old mansion. But last Saturday mamma heard her tough- ing all by herself in the kitchen, and asked what she was doing. "Making mirrors, mamma!" shouted Polly, gleefully. So mamma came to see. Polly was rubbing away on a spoon, and when it grew quite bright and shiny, sure enough, there was a little mirror in the bowl of the spoon, and such a funny Polly reflected there, with very fat cheeks and very small eyes. and no hair. When she moved her head her cheeks grew thin, and her eyes as large and round as an owl's. How 1'oliy did laugh! Then she cleaned another spoon, and soon thore -was another tiny looking-glass, and another queer little Polly, as funny as the first. When she had twelve of these droll little mirrors her work was done, and she was sur- prised to find that it was only play, after all.

FOR SAILORS' FRIENDS. Barry left Rotterdam for Cardiff 12th. Frederick Knight arrived New Orleans from Barry 12th. Bellerby arrived Sourabaya from Colombo 12th. Gloucester City arrived St. Nazaire Roads for I Nantes 14th. Charles T. Jones left Odessa for Hamburg 12th. Cymmrodorian left Malta for Nicolaief 7th. Ccrso left Bilbao for Cardiff or Briton Ferry 12th. J Ca,dmon left Bilbao for Swansea 12th. St. Aubin left Bilbao for Newport 12th. Hasland left Bilbao for Glasgow 12th. Emilie arrived Krioneri 13th. Earl of Rosebery arrived Bilbao from Sables d'Olonne 14th. Saxon Briton arrived Bilbao from La Rochelle 14th. Oswin passed Gibraltar for Rotterdam 13th. Cyfarthfa left Bilbao for Cardiff 12th. Forest arrived Chantenay 12th. Ninian Stuart arrived Bilbao 14th. Portugalete left Pomaron for Roche-fort 12th. Garth arrived Swansea 14th. Gwalia left Swansea for Oran 12th. Argonaut arrived Molde 14th. Leven left Baltimore for Nyborg 11th. Skidby left Alexandria for Gbralta r 11th. Thornaby arrived the Tyne from the Tees 12th. Slingsby passed Aden for Port Said for orders 12th. Silurian arrived Riga 13th.

"ADVICE TO MOTHERS."—Are you broken in vour rest by a sick child suffering with the pain by cutting teeth? Go at once to a chemist and get. a bottle of Mrs. AVinslow's Soothing Syrun. It will relieve the poor sufferer immediately. It is pleasant to taste; it produces natural, guiet sleep 1:1 re!;eving the child from pain. and the little cherub -'vafce* as bright as a button. Of all chemi". • .1 per bottle. iBusmeste Qlbbrts5t. ARTISTIC JjlURNISHING TRAPNELL& GANE CHOICEST SELECTION OF BEDROOM SUITES, DRAWING ROOM SUITES, DINING-ROOM SOITE3. MANUFACTURERS OF PURE BEDDING. BEDSTEADS in Great Vnrh' One Hundred Patterns to select from. Immense Stock. LINOLEUMS AND FLOOR CLOTHS. Send for Our New Catalogue of MODERN AND ARTISTIC FURNITURE. TRAPNELL & GANE 38 & 41. QUEEN-ST. CARDIFF. Also at NEWPORT and BRISTOL.

THE ETIQUETTE OF INTRO- DUCTIONS. It is often a difficult question to decide when we shall introduce' our friends and acquaint- ances to one another, and when we shall not do so. The truth is there is no exact rule which may be followed blindly in introductions. People who live in small towns would feel very awk- ward if they were to follow the customs which are perfectly well known in larger cities. According to the mcde of to-day, for example, if two or three or more visitors are all calling upon a lady at the same time, she does not introduce them to one another, but endeavours to divide her time equally among them, and it is expected that her visitors will follow her lead and assist her in making conversation. At an afternoon tea, or a lady's regular reception day, it is of course impossible, even if it were desirable, for the hostess to intro- duce her visitors to one another. At a dinner party the hostess only introduces a man to the woman he is to take in to dinner, and usually this form is not observed until just before the announcement that dinner is served. At women's luncheons correct form requires that each guest should be introduced to her neighbour on one side. This, it seems to me, is tedious and embarrassing. Even the old- fashioned way of introducing every one to every one else is more cheery and betokens a better time. Street introductions have to be governed by exact rules. It is never wise to introduce people upon the street ttnless one is quite cer- tain they would be pleased to make each others' acquaintance. This is so, even in the case of women alone. No one ever knows what complications may exist or what one may stumble into in street introductions. No one should ever introduce a man to a woman without receiving permission from the lady to do so. In the case of a young girl, the mother's or the chaperon's permission should be asked. It is the matron's privilege to decline permission to introduce a gentleman to the young lady in her charge, and the man in ques- tion has no right to feel aggrieved at such a decision. A man is always presented to a woman. He is introduced to another man. A younger woman or a girl is presented to an older lady, introduced to girls and women of her own age. The form of introduction and presentation accepted is not very elastic. Where a gentleman is presented to a lady the form is about as follows: The lady's permission having been granted, the intrcducer brings the gentleman to her and says: "Mrs. Brown may I present Mr. Smith," or "Mrs. Brown, Mr. Smith desires the honour of being presented." Where men are introduced the form is: "Mr. Smith, may I introduce you to my friend, Mr. Brown," except in a case where one gentleman is much older than the other or occupies a position of high importance, in which case the younger is presented to the older. As to the custom of shaking hands when intro- duced, in this country, where men and women are more cordial in their greetings, it is cus- timary always for two men to shake hands. Ladies do so, as a rule, when they are intro- duced to other women, although it is not obli- gatory. Married ladies offer their hands to gentlemen who are presented to them if they chooss to do so. Young ladies merely make a bow, or the little curtsey, which at present is fashionable. At a dance, when a young man is presented to a young lady, it is understood that he is to ask her for a dance, to walk with her, or to sit through a dance with her. For him to accept the honour of presentation, without paying the young lady some such attention, is a rude- ness which would cost him the freedom of the house in which it occurred. It is considered very bad form to do more than bow in acknowledgment of an introduc- tion made upon the street.

—" Printed by the Proprietors, Western Mail Limited, and publishetf- by them at their offices, St. Mary-street. Ca cdiff; at their officea. Castle Bailey-street. Uwansea, at the shop of Mr. Wesley Williams Bridgend-all in the County of Glamorgan at the Western Mail Office, Newport; At the shop of Mr. J. P. Caffrey. Monmouth, both in the County of Monmouth; and at the shop of Mr. Wm. Davies. Llanelly. ix the County of Car- marthen. TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 1899. -A i-ib It ri tt o ii c- BOOKS -?OR THE J^ILLIOS TO BE OBTAINED AT THE WESTERN jyjAIL OFFICE ST. MARY-STREET, CARDIFF. prtICE ONE gHILLING, POST FREE, Is. 3d. CLOTH-BOUND, GOLD-LETTERED. PUBLISHED AT 2s. 6d. EACH. Actress's Daughter—M. A. Fleming. Alice—Bulwer Lytfcon. Anna Lee-T. S. Arthur. At the Mercy of Tiberias. Advice to Young Men, Ac.—W. Cobbett. Arabian Nights. Arthur, T. S.—Anna Lee. Aiciitt, Miss—Little Women and Good Wives. Amsworth—Miser's Daughter. Alden, Mrs. Interrupted. » -New Graft on the Family Trei Barnaby Rndge—Dickens. Barriers Burned Away—E. P. Roe. Basket of Flowers and Lena Rivers—M. J, Holmes. Bride's Fate-Mrs. E. Southworth. Ilunyan, J.—Pilgrim's Progress. Bronte, E.—Wuthermg Heights. ■Bennett, Mrs.-Jane Shore. „ -Cottage Girl. —Gipsy's Bride. '1 VJronte, C.-Jane Eyre. '<iJ „ Shirley. •. Tenant of the Windfell HalL Carried by Storm—M. A. Fleming. Changed Brides—Mrs. Southworth. Cottage Girl—Mrs. Bennett. Cottage on the Clüf-Mrs. C. Mason. Cobbett, W.—Advice to Young Men. Cockton—Sylvester Sonnd. r -Valentine Vox. Cervantes—Don Quixote. Cummins—The Lamplighter. David Copperfield-Dickens. Dombey and Son-Dickens. Don Quixote—Cervantes. Disowned—Lytton. De Foe—Robinson Crusoe. Daisy—E. Wetherell. Dickens, C.-Bamaby Rudge. „ —David Copperfield. „ —Dombey and Son. „ —Martin Chnzzlewit. „ —Nicholas Nickleby. „ —Oliver Twist. „ —Old Curiosity Shop. —Pickwick Papers. „ —Sketches by Boz. Edith Lyle. Edna Browning. In Ernest Maltravers—Lytton. Eugeno Aram—Lytton. Eve of St. Agnes—Mrs. 0. Mason. Endless Chain. Evans, A. J.—Vashti. Fair Rosamond-Miller. From Jest to Earnest-Roe. Farmer of Inglewood Forest—E. Holme. Forest Girl. Forest House. Fleming, M. A.—Actress's Daughter. „ —Carried by Storm. „ -Queen of the Isle. j 1 Gentleman's Book of Manners. Gipsy's Bride-Mrs. Bennett. Gaskell Mrs.—Mary Barton. Gretchen—M. J. Holmes. Gideon Giles—The Roper. Handy Andy-Lover. Harry Lorrequer-Lever. Heart Histories and Life Pictures. Her Shield. Heart of Midlothian—Scott. Holme. E.-Farmer of Inglewood Forest. Holmes, M. J.—Basket of Flowers, Ao. „ —Gretchen. •. -Mildred. tngraham—Prince of the House of David. „ —Throne of David. —Pillar of Fire. Inez—A. J. E. Wilson. Infelice-A. J. E. Wilson. Interrupted—Mrs. Alden. Ivaiiho"cott. Jack's Cousin Kate—E. C. Kenyon. Jacob Faithful-Marryat. Jane Eyre-C. Bronte. Jane Shore-Mrs. Bennett. Jessamine. Jew's Daughter. King's Own—Marryat. Kenyon, E. C.—Jack's Cousin Kate. Knight of the Nineteenth Century-Roe. King's Daughter. PUBL13HED EVERY "SUCCESS"sZ Besides a Grand Serial, RTT^^TPcjca contains each week Tlir?* r Stories Numberless Novel 'Socles bhoals ol Fanny Tales, Plea a CDiu, MtUIenIlUorfflat!on WO^ AX,^ w bUPPLEMENT 1 A V. ORD& AND MCSIC) 1nd a. hOH or o tIle.. :"nze IJÍ IS D9und to suit YO(L The most novel ieaetit. e. however is tlt. "SUCCESS" CLUB, THL MOST M AR V Ei LO US INSTIx U1IO* ItIS AiyS. vu Ai ONCfl. -Fill tn Application for,n ic. Mark application jor -Meuibersiiin ClulJ" oil envelope, and address 0 W iutefriars-street, London. E.C. SUCCJi&S U .h -ti-UoxilP. I, tU undersigned, hacinj CIL e uuenhofi oj ta,ci,,g "oucc.jSo uetluy du lure, apply to oj elected a member J) "jttc"- Llub, and request thj,t you W;¿¿ jQ,U\U..L ilL; a. card ol iiumocrsmp tviieu L am <;UvCj joi i tiiicltQiii jotir sCiAhl tiyned Add l't26$j 'ihis Ciub, tiie xnembcraiup tet: of wlTcu 4 t^*cpt-ncw, ul.ui us 1 lie iiiciuocis 'the lullowins iu- a lew:— mee uiaurauue against daath from ÅLL Acci- dents 1 or Hu 6 in or <1; ikuu,Luli to uoJ insurance ujfanioi lanway ana ouier tr,ut;u' "U",IU, • xree .vavice on almost every subject. Members can obtun i^ieiiuid ..Lc,e5. fitted with A.ti. lyres, at cost jnact, viz.. dol. 'Ule machines may also be ooutined on tue tiruduai payment system. Special Cheap Tours are arranged to all parts for members and cricket anu ouier outlits are supplied at Jry moderate rates. Among tne articles supplied to members. at Biionnou^ly reuueed—practically nominal-Prices are foreign tamps, V..siting Cards. Photo- graphs. btamp-size Portraits, Photo Enlarge- ments, Organs, Sporting Outlits, Watches, ltuuber Stamps, Stationery, Knives, Ac., &c. Perhaps the most important benefit accruing to members is the iTee Gilt ot Two Books a Y ear. All these benefits can be derived by subscribing to "Success and joining the Ciub. "Success" is an excellcnt weekly paper, cr-i;inti. enter- » tanning, and up-to-date. Remember th-n," Success" costs only one penny, and is on sale every Weduesdai-. e7372

(COPYRIGHTS THE CHAIN OF OUR SINS. BY MISS M. E. BRADDON. Author of "Lady Audly's Secret." "The Fatal Thre" "The Day Will Come." "Lost for Love," "The Doctor's Wife," "Whose Wad the Hand?" "On-e Life, One Love," "Thou Art the Man," "Sens of Fire," ,ie. CHAPTER I. "HOW SHOULD I GREET THEE?" "19 it really, really you?" "Really, and very really. But what in the name of all that's wonderful can have brought my little Mary to South Africa?' They had come suddenly face to face in one of the corridors of the Craigmillar Castle; face to face amidst all the hubbub and confusion of a great steamer homeward bound, and heaving with the shiver of departure. They stood there in the narrow corridor, cabin doors on either side of them. spellbound in the glad surprise of meeting, and unconscious that they were an obstruction to the passage of other eager spirits. tramping to and fro, look- ing for lost packages, all more or less frantic, disputing about cabins and berths, in an atmosphere vibrating with farewells. These two forgot everything in the wonder of meeting after an interval that to young minds seemed a great gap in life. To age it would have been only a parenthesis. He was tall, dark with the sun and weather, but originally of the fair Saxon type, as wit- nessed by large, bold blue eyes and crisp, light- brown hair; age about thirty, powerful frame. and easy movements-a. man who had lived mostly in the open, and had looked the sun in the face. like the eagles. She whom he called little Mary was at least five feet six, straight and slim as a reed, not by any means a beauty, but full of charm in her fresh youthfnlnesi, with a smile of bewitching gaiety, and clear, dark grey eyes; Irish eyes, this old friend of hers had called them, in the days when she was little Mary. "You had better ask me what takes me home to England," she said, when he had repeated ks question—eager, impatient, with both her hands clasped in his. The people pushing past them took them for brother and sister, or husband and wife, and thought them in the act of parting, and 90 were more tolerant than they might have been of this obstruction. "We are awfully in the way here," \J.id Mary Freeland. "Shall we go outside for a few minutes? You are not going on shore im- mediately, I hope?" "I am going on shore at Southampton—not before." "What! are we to be fellow-passengers? How nice!" "Isn't it!" Looking into her fresh, frank young face, it flashed upon him that it would be still nicer if they could be fellow-passengers over the wide seas of life-a, passing fancy only, which .i,any.- man might have about any woman a$ young and gay as Mary Freeland. Arnold Wildover and his newly-found friend went out upon the upper-deck, and stood watching the people thronging the narrow gangway, crowding into the tender, excited to 11 fever-point in the final parting. Soma might be only friends, 'some mere acquaintances; but all were moved to some touch of tragic feeling while the bell c-umoured, and the clustered faces looked down upon them from the bul- I warks; waving hands, waving handkerchiefs, above and below. At last the bell ceazed its insi-tent warning, the tender moved swiftly shorewards, and Wildover and Mary were able to look at each other and talk to each other [ calmly, standing side by side in a quiet corner.-I away from the traffic of ship's officers and passengers, the latter mostly on the war-path, Table Bay lay around them, and Cape Town gleamed whitely in the clear afternoon light, i sheltered in the vast amphitheatre of rock, cur- tained and protected by those grey cliffs, and dark with the dense growth of pine forests that fill the valley. In the golden light of an African summer it seemed too fair a scene to :eave willingly, to exchange summer for winter, the large pioturesqueness of South Africa for I the fogs and the monotonous streets of London and the coinmonolace of English' rusticity. Arnold Wildover looked at those jutting head- lands and Titanic peaks with something of regret in his gaze. "I am getting quite accustomed to you again." said Mary presently; "but it was a tremendous shock to meet you?. "Why?" The monosyllable startled her. She blushed rosy red, and answered confusedly: "Well, you see, you left Mervynhall so sud- denly-and one didn't know—and people said I things-" ( "Said I had gone to the bad, no doubt." "So shameful of them-just because you chose to leave a humdrum little town where you were not properly appreciated!" "Where I was confoundedly miserable. But it's a true bill, Polly, my dear. There is always a scamp in the family, and I suppose it was my mission to fill the part. I have been to the dogs, Polly, but I contrived to come alive out of the kennel; and—for the last two years—I've been doing very well." I "In the diamond-fields?" "No. I turned up the diamond diggings. I have been among the gold-miners at Heidel- berg. I tried my luck at Kimberley for. a bit, but it was no go. And I drifted back to Cape Town worse off than when I landed there. for the clothes I had come in were worn to rags; and then a chap I knew at the 'Varsity, who had also had canine experience, turned up with a little bit of capital, and trucked his cash against my knowledge of the mines and capacity for rough work; and thf partner- ship answered better than such onesided alliances generally do." "At Heidelberg?" cried Mary. "And I have been at Jcliannesberg, only thirty miles away. Did you never go to Johannesberg?" "Not very often." "And did you go to the theatre when you were there?" "Is there a theatre at Johannesberg?" "Is there one theatre? Why, there are three!" cried Mary, with a mortified air. "How little you care for the drama!" I "Not much. I've beei leading rather too rosgli a life to care for stage-plays." "I'm glad you and yottr frieifd prospered, 1 at any rata." I t :0<0;: 'f -.r6<-

To Our Readers. THIS THRILLING STORY BY MISS BRADDON. ENTITLED "THE CHAIN t OF OUR SINS," A PORTION OF THE FIRST CHAPTER OF WHICH WE GIVE TO-DAY, WILL START IN THE "EVENING EXPRESS" NEXT MONDAY; < f" • ft 1

rather in handles than on any other point in these protections from rain and sun that Fashion asserts herself. The parcusols of to-day are so large that they have affected the sale of en-tous-cas, but a few still remain, and they and the umbrellas often display handles of exactly the same colour as the silk, handsomely mounted. Malachite. lapis-lazuli, and amethyst are in great demand for green, blue, and violet sunshades. The more useful handles are of gun-metal. No photograph of the Queen does her the least approach to justice, it is said. The mingled serene sweetness and intellect of her countenance cannot be fixed by the stolid camera, and nobody who ha?"not Seen her in such a scene as that, where her expression is animated and affectionate, has any idea -of her real appearance. M. Carolus Duran, the eminent French paintetv is painting her Majesty's portrait. The question is, will this eightieth-year portrait be in Royal robes—such as those the Queen wore at this season's Draw- ing Room: a, dress of black silk embroidered richly in chenille and jet, and brightened with many diamonds and Orders and a regal diadem? TO-DAY'S RECIPE. Bacon and Egg Blancmange.—Make a de:r blajicmangc, put into a quart of water 2oz. of isinglass, let it boil, then put in the whites of four egg3, with two tablespoonfuls of rice water, sweeten to taste, run it through a clean calico bag, put to it 2oz. of sweet almonds, £ c".ld them in the jelly, and run it through a hair sieve into an oiled mould; turn out next day. Melt 2oz. of chocolate, and v. hen nearly cold take a paste brush and paint the blanc- mange all over with the chocolate. Make a clear blancmange and pour it an inch tiaick upon a white dish, slightly oiled.

"Well, you see, we bought a block in the! Nigel Reef-only a very small block; the large ones are owned by companies—and we had only a small capital to work with but For- tune wag kind and we did well. My clium had fever more than once, and I helped him to pull through, which he called saving his life. And here I am, homeward bound on a flying visit to see the dear old mother, who never thought me quite the villain I appeared before the paternal high court of justice. And now for your story, little Mary. What brought you to the Cape, and, aboveall, to Johanncsubrg ? "I came with a company." "A company?" "A theatrical company. I'm an actress, you know." "Indeed, I know nothing of the kind. You were a kid when we last met; a solitary orphan kid, but as bright and happy as if you had been the centre of a jovial family. I should have thought your highly respectable aunt would have made a deliberate fight against your turning actress." "So she would; but she was too unkind, and I couldn't stand her any longer. You would never believe it"—and Mary blushed redder than before—"but aunt wanted me to marry Dr. Betts." "What! Why the man must be sixty, and he has worn a wig ever since I can remember him!" "And it's a wig that one can't help seeing. There's hardly any make-believe about it." "And you plucked up a spirit and refused Betts? Did he make his offer in person?" "Not at first. He only hinted at marriage- said he wanted a nice little Wife to cheer him of an evening after a long day's round among his patients. He told me that a doctor appreciated a cheerful home more than any other professional man, and he asked me one day if I thought any nice young lady would accept him. I told him that he ought to look for some amiable person of his own age, if he wanted to be happy with his wife, since in all the novels I had ever read the young women who married old men always eloped in the second volume, and came back to die miserably in the third. No sensible man would want to begin a story of that kind, I told him. He laughed, and said that the only merit in a novel was not to resemble life, and that he should not despair of win- ning some nice girl's heart." "The presumptuous old idiot!" "I thought he was only talking for talking's sake-just to fill the time between the porch and the garden gate, for aunt had sent me to see him to his carriage but a week afterwards she told me he had proposed for me and was willing to take me without a penny, and allow me a hundred a year, paid quarterly, to buy clothes. She told me it was a particularly generous offer-for a girl who was almost plain." "Plain! That's an outrageous lie." "I'm so glad you think so. Of course, I know I'm not pretty; but people have generally i liked me, and one doesn't want to think one:elf repulsive." "You were pretty enough to attract Dr. Betts. -at any rate." Oh, aunit said it ".a.s only his benevolence that i"de him propose for me. knew that I was entirely dependent upon heii-, and it was oat of pure kindness of heart 11 b offered fea "l r make me Mrs. Betts and the mistress of his beautiful house." "What rot-what. confounded ret!" "You know his beautiful house-L round table in the middle of his drawing-room, and a walnut suite covered with magenta repp. I think I should, go mad if I had to live in the midst of a walnut suite—wouldn't you. Well, I sa.d no, and no. and no-in spite of all aunt could urge about the house, and the silver tea- pots, and things, and the use of Dr. Betts's carriages when he didn't want them. I went on saying no, though aunt got more and more cantankerous, and would hardly help me to pudding. I believe she'd have locked me up in an attic and kept me on bread and water if she hadn't* been afraid of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. I was only seventeen, so I suppose I should have ranked as an infant. And, to make a long story short, she worried me so that at last I plucked up a spirit, and did just what you did." "Eh?" I ran away. Don't look shocked. No doubt it was all through 3iour bad example." "But where did you run to, child? Good God! Seventeen and friendless "Not quite. I have no more aunts, and, in- deed, if I had six I doubt if I should have tried another. But I happen to have an uncle—my father's youngest brother—who married an actress while he was at Oxford, and went on the stage, and offended everybody belonging to him. I had just seen in the paper that he was acting at Cambridge, so I just took a third-class ticket by the. first morning train, and was in time for breakfast with my uncle and his wife j' in Market Hitt, Cambridge. It was a very early trair, you see, ajid a very late breakfast." > J'I," "Poor little waif! Didn't your uncle look rather blue at such an unexpected ap- pearance.?" "Not a. bit of it. Uncle and his wife were both as kind as ever they could be, and I told them everything. Uncle Joe said I had my father's eyes, and he would have known me as a Freeland anywhere—his stage name is Faver- sliam-.tnd they took a room for me at the top of the house-a weeny room with a sloping coil- ing--ind I walked on that very night. "Walked on?" "On the Cambridge stage-as a gnest in a bill- room scene. Aunt lent me one of her frocks. I had only to stand and sit about and say nothing. It was to accustom me to the lights. Uncle Joe said I was just the right age, and I had— a—a—good appearance"—blushing at the recJl- lection of having been called a. pretty girl for the first time in her life—"and that I ought to ■make a actress. He was manager of a touring company, you see, and was taking round his own melodrama, 'Holding up the Mail'—a tre- mendous success everywhere. People liked it better than Shakspere." "Then my poor little Mary fell on her feet?" "Immeiiiely. They were ever so gocd. Aunt is a leading lady. and a really fine actress, though she has been shamefully ignored by the London managers. I went about touring with them for nearly three years in England, Scot- land, and Ireland; and fifteen months ago we all came to Africa, and we have been acting at Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Johannes- burg, off and on, ever since. My uncle brought me on board the boat. He had not gone ten minutes when I saw you. I was awfully sorry to leave them." "But why leave them? Have you anothel good-natured uncle up your sleeve?" u (To be Continued Next .ill J