Rhyl Record and Advertiser

-& St. Asaph Board of Guardians ISOLATION" HOSPITAL DISCUSSED. THE SUGGESTED SITE. The fortnightly meeting of the St Asaph Guardians was held on Friday, Mr Edwin Mor- gan presiding. There were also present Mrs De Ranee, Rev Lodwick Ellis, Messrs Thomas Evans, John Roberts, Ellis Jones, Wm Williams, Wm Jones, Hugh Hughes, David Roberts, Robt Jones, Pennant Williams, Wm Morris, LI B Evans, I Batho, J Lothian, S Perks R E Gri- ffiths, W S Roberts, Hugh Edwards, and J Roberts Jones. GIFTS. The Master acknowledged the receipt of fifteen pairs of rabbits from Mr W C Jones, Llannerch, books and toys from Mrs Herbert Roberts, •Bryngwenallt; a sack of turnips from Mr Will- iams, Cae Drain, and magazines from Mrs Roberts, Golden Lion, Denbigh. A vote of thanks was passed 'to the donors. INCREASE. OF VAGRANTS. The Master reported that there were 165 in- trua-tes in the House as compared 158 last year. The vagrants shewed Jfc»ser:ous increase, -namely, 182 as against 127 Last year, the in- crease being 55. DEARTH OF CHEAP HOUSES IN ABERGELE. A married couple appeared before the Board and were asked why they did not take their discharge from the house. They asserted that they did not leave on account of their inability to get a house in Abergele. Mr Thomas Evans confirmed this statement, saying that it was impossible at the present time to get a working man's house in Abergele. The Chairman There is no reason why they cannot go elsewhere for a house. Mrs Williams, the Relieving Officer, asked the Guardians to send the children to a home, its they were about the streets at night time, .and were not properly looked after. When they were given decent clothes they were taken off by the mother and pawned for drink. The Board asked them to leave the House. THE PROPOSED ISOLATION. HOSPITAL. The Chairman announced that the St Asaph .(Flint) Rural District Council had written ask- ing them if they would jo;n with them in building) an Isolation Hospital. District Council proposed that they should erf.ct an iron structure in a field adjacent to the Workhouse, where the hospital could ba well supplied with water and drained. He was entirely in favour of the scheme. Recently there had been many cases of infectious illness in the district which had put the authorities to considerable expense, much of which would have been saved had there been an isolation hospital. Only recently two boys at the Workhouse were suffering from scarlet fever, and had to be put in the women's lying-in ward, hardly a favourable place. The hospital, he was assured, would be perfectly isolated, and there would be no danger to the inmates of the Workhouse. The District Coun- cil would have great difficulty in obtaining an- other site, as people objected to let them have land for that purpose. Some time ago they obtained a house for that purpose, but the own- ers objected when they learned what the object was, and the matter fell through. He thought an isolation hospital would be of great benefit to the district and the Guardians as well. Mr S Perks said he was not going to contest the question whether it was desirable or not for an isolation hospital to be established, but hoped that the sanguine expectations as to the cost of the establishment would be realised Jjetter than they were at Rhyl. Then it was said the cost of maintenance would be about £100, but he thought the actual cost worked out at something between four and five hundred annually. Of course, it was a very excellent establishment. He hoped that the Guardians would not listen to the proposal. There was also a sentimental objection in the hospital being near the Workhouse, and people would object to go into it on that account, although they would enjoy better sanitary conditions and better feeding and attention. He moved that the proposal be not entertained. Mr Ellis Jones seconded. Mr Thomas Evans thought that there was more harm done in going out of district than having the site where it was proposed near the Workhouse. Abergele would be very glad if Rhyl would take its isolation hospital into its own county (Laughter). TI12 Work- house would enable the place to be well drained and supplied with water. No harm could be done to anyone. Mr Roberts Jones said he was prepared to move an amendment that they appoint a com- mittee to meet the District Council 10 consider the matter, and to allow the Guardians to form a better judgment. He iwaj in favour of an isolation hospital. He did not feel inclined to refuse the proposal point blank, nd if they appointed a committee it would be treating the District Council with fairness and courtesy. Mr Perks said he had no objection to the amendment. Mr Ellis Jones neither had any objection to the amendment. With regard to his objection to the District Council's proposal, there were certain developments likely to take place in the future, and the field they now owned might be wanted for the training and teaching of young people in agricultural pursuits which would enable them to get a living in after life. The land could be put to better use thiu an isola- tion hospital. Mr J Lothian pointed out the structure would only be of iron and could be removed after- wards. Mr Robert Jones (Prestatyn) agreed that they were hardly in a position to decide J12 question off hand that day, and it was not a matter to b rushed through. He would be very pleased to leave the matter in the committee s hand. Mr John Roberts suggested that they should consult the Denbigh Rural .District 'Council and the Abergele Urban District Council with a to seeing whether they could not come to an arrangement regarding the isolation hospital these authorities had established. The Rev Lodwick Ellis thought this a very feasible a.nd practical suggestion. There "had not been a case in that isolation hospital yet. Mr Batho asked if the field where the District Council proposed to build was used for any other purposes, and was told that it was not, the Clerk saying that it is known as the" Drain Field." Mr LI Evans thought the suggestion a good one, and it should be brought before the Dis- trict Council. Mr Roberts Jones' amendment w 3 then car- ried unanimously, and nine representatives were appointed to serve on the committee to meet the District Council (Flint). ASSISTANT RELIEVING OFFICER AT ABERGELE. Inspector Bagshaw, the Assistant Relieving Officer at Abergele, wrote gdving twenty-eight days' notice, stating that in the meantime his successor in charge of the police district ther Inspector Tippet—would undertake his duties. The Clerk did not think there was any necess- ity for an Assistant Relieving Officer at Aber. • gele, seeing that there was no lodging-house there now. On the motion of Mr Ellis Jones, it was deci- ded to appoint no successor to Inspector Bag- shaw, the Clerk saying that should necessity arise Later for an officer to ,be appointed, the Guardians could then deal with the matter. O

Testimonial to Mr. Hugh Edwards (Huwco Penmaen.) THE PRESENTATION. On Friday night, in Carmel Congregational Chapel, Que-en Street, Rhyl, an interesting meeting was held for the purpose of presenting Mr Hugh Edwards (Huwco Penmaen) with a testimonial subscribed to by his friends and well-wishers. The movement was originated by the members of Carmel Congregational Church, of which Mr Edwards is a faithful member and deacon, as an express:on of the appreciation of his long and valuable services in various directions, and also as a tribute of sympathy with him in the indifferent state of his health. It was soon observed, however, that the movement could not be limited to Car- mel Church alone, and the matter was taken up by the town, and even outside districts, with the result that a substantial sum was subscribed. A handsomely-illuminated address was prepared on behalf of the church to present o Mr Ed- wards with a portion of the funds, and the balance it was decided to hand to him in a purse. The active spirit in the matter was the hon. sec., Mr A Rowlands {Clerk to the Coun- cil), who, like Mr Edwards, is also a deacon in Carmel; and the successful issue reflects creditably on Mr Rowlands and his onerous ser. TiCM. The Rev T Ogwen Griffith, the pastor of the church, occupied the chair. After a hymn had been sung, The Chairman, in the course of his opening address, expressed the pleasure it gave him to see such a large number coming together to testify their appreciation of Huwco Penmaen's invaluable services, services which he had given throughout a very wids circle. Repre- sentatives from every denomination were in the meeting, and that was very appropriate. It was not for what his ancestors had done that they were presenting Mr Edwards wjih a testi- monial, but rather for what he had himself done in many circles, by many means, and with all denominations. It would be like" repeat- ing a prayer to a parson for him to spaek to a Rhyl audience of the qualities and character of Mr Edwards as a poet, literateur, novelist, and preacher. Although he (the speaker) had only been in Rhyl but a short time, he had had ample opportunity of knowing Mr Edwards. So many attributes belonged to Mr Edwards that he stood absolutely alone. He had quite an original character, and never attempted a similarity to anybody else. Not only could Mr Edwards fulfil the higher and more import. ant calls of his denomination, he was also faithful with. small meetings—if small too—of his own church. He made special efforts to attend the small, simple meetings at home. He was always present in the meeting of the society, the prayer meeting, and the Sunday School. He was also faithful to ,he ministry and to ministers. Mr Edwards and Mr Row- lands were like Aaron and Hur upholding the arms of the ministry at home and abroad, as Lay preachers. Mr Edwards was a man "after God's heart." That was a strong assertion, but he did not think he was saying too much and the tribulations he had suffered, had drawn him nearer to his Lord. Therefore, he (the 'Chairman) rejoiced in the fact that so many had gathered together to join in the glad work of presenting a testimonial to so worthy a man. Mr Edwards .was a man for everybody, but par- ticularly for his own denomination. He wished Mr Edwards a long life yet to come to' serve his denomination, his country, and his God (applause). Mr T Caledfryn Jones then recced a short poem written by Huwco in memory of the Late lr. R. Llewelyn Jones, and entitled Bedd Llewelyn" {" Llewelyn's Grave.') Mr Arthur Rowlands, hon. sec., of the move. ment, was then called to read letters that had been received from different people, to read the address, and also to present it, together with the purse of gold to Mr Edwards. Mr Rowlands said they had come there that night to praise their brother Huwco Penmaen. There were people to be had that were not fond of praise, but generally they were peopL* who did not deserve any praise. He liked praise good people. The Bible was full of praise to goodness, and to good people, and that was the highest praise. He had several letters to read but he could say nothing further about them than "very good." He (Mr Rowlands) was there to represent the officers of Carmel Church, and in the address he was going to read they would hear what the opinion of tha Church Officers was of Mr Edwards. When the first circular in connection with the movement was sent out, it was not intended to go to a very extended are-a, but it was impossible to keep to the intention because so many of Mr Edwards' friends were anxious to do something to express their sympathy with him, and endeavour to cheer him in his illness. Mr Rowlands then read the letters he had received from (among others) Messrs J. Herbert Lewis, M.P., Mr J, Herbert Roberts, 'M.P. Penllyn, Colwyn Dr Pan Jones, Mostyn; and Pedrog, Liverpool, who in his letter stated that he had had the pleasure of meeting Mr Edwards when he was a young man in Liverpool, and he always zealous- ly associated with all good work. Letters were also read from the Rev. R. Rowlands (W), Aber- gele, and formerly minister of the Rhyl Welsh Wesleyan Circuit and Mrs Hughes, Vale Street, Denbigh. Mr Rowlands went on to say that the sub- scribers numbered over two hundred, and that the sum subscribed amountd to £54 lis. 9d. (applause;, and then presented the address winch r-vas beautifully finished, and framed, I with a portrait of the recipient insetted in the border. Mr A. Cheetham suppIiedJie address, and Messrs. A. and H. Sandoe, Bodfor Street, framed it. FoUowing- a copy of the address :— ANERCHIAD. II ■MK. H"CK EDWARDS (Huwco PEXMAEN), RHYL. EIX HANWYL FRAWD.— Da genym gael y cyfieustra hwn i'ch an- erch, mwyn cadw mewn cof y parch a deim- lwn tuag atoch, fel nn sydd wedi da.1, perthyn- as a'r Eglwys Annibynol yn Ngharmel, Queen Street, er's dros 24ain o flynyddoedd. Er fod yr achlysur i hyn, sef afiechyd, wedi peri i ni ofid, yr ydym yn llawenfcau am ei fod wedi ein symbylu i wneyd yr hyn oedd yn ddyledswydd amom er's talm. Yn dystiolaeth i'r oes a ddel cydnabyddwn eich gwerth mawr fel aelod gweithgar a diacon ffyddiawn yn yr Eglwys yn ei holl ganghen- au, yn enwedig yr Ysgol Sul, a'i chyfarfod- ydd llenydGol, ac mewn llawer o bethau yn goiyn am .help yr ysgrifenydd parod a chelfydd. Ymfalchiwn wrth gofio'r ffaith mai'r Eg- lwys hon a'ch cododd i bregethu yn y flwy ddyn 1885; ac o'r pryd hwnw hyd heddyw hysbys yw i'r Eglwysi yn ac oddi allan i'n Cyfundeb fod eich giwasanaeth Wedi bod yn hynod o gymeradwy. Gwyddom, hefyd, fod eich gwaith fel lienor a bardd wedi enill i chwi safle uchel, a bod eich defnyddioldeb fel dinesydd n gwladgar- wr, fel dirwestwr pybyr, ac fel aelod o Fwrdd y Gwarcheidwaid dros bliwyf Rhyl, wedi chwanegiu llawer at eich enw da. Gyda'r anerchiad hwn erfyniwn eich der- byniad o bwrs o aur, yn cynwys rhoddion eich lliaws gyfeillion ac edmygwyr. I'th oes y gwnei dy oreu A'th enw'n ddisglaer sydd; Yn fwy-fwy aed dy oleu Hyd radd y canol-dydd A'n gweddi yw i'r Arglwydd .Dy gadw di a'th dy, I'ch dwyn i wlad y palmwydd A'r bythol wynfyd fry. Arwyddwyd dros yr Eglwys, T. OGWEN GRIFFITH, Gweinidog. RICHARD JONES, THOMAS WHITLEY, ROBERT OLDFIELD, OWEN PRYTHERCH, EDWIN JONES, ARTHUR ROWLANDS, Diaconiaid. Mr Hugh Edwards, on rising to acknowledge tht; testimonial, was greeted warmly and en- thusiastically. He said that it would be un- becoming for .him .to say much that night, and they no doubt did not expect much from him. What he had received on this occasion had touched his heart, and he felt that one great duty was to express his thanks. He had never in the course of his life had much occasion to complain of unkind words used towards him, but had had great cause to be thankful for kind- nesses shewn to him, and that night it had flooded over him. He was pleased to think that this movement had originated in the Church 01 which he was a member, and felt thankful to Mr Rowlands for the labour he had undertaken. He observed that the testimonial had two ob- jects. It referred to some service he had ren- dered,, but behind all, sympathy was the prin- cipal reason for it. He felt he had been amply paid for any work he had done in the pleasure of doing it and he felt profoundly thankful for tl e expression of their kindness to him. It had been of great assistance to him in a narrow gap, and helped to uplift his heart. He was pleased to think that all parties and denominations were represented on the subscription list. He woulc* be able to look back with pleasure to that niht, and in the words of Naomi he wished the Lord to do unto them what they had done unto him (Applause). The Rev Ben Williams (Prestatyn) next addressed the meeting. He was pleased to be able to attest everything that would be said about Mr Edwards, who had, as Paul said of Timothy, been well reported at Lystra and Iconium "at home and abroad. He had served his country in the press, on the platform, and in the pulpit. It was seldom they found a layman who had done so much for his owi and other denominations. Mr Edwards was wsll known in the country as a local preacher, and had been of great help to several weak causes, and tnat without remuneration. He (Mr Will- iams) had great pleasure in being present that evening and he wished Mr Edwards complete and quick recovery. The Rev John Roberts (C.M.), Warren Road, spoke in a similar strain. The testi- monial was tribute to a man of good character. He wished him a speedy recovery, and long life to be "of service to his country as a bard, literateur, preacher, man and christian. The Rev Robert Richards (C,M.) was next called. He apologised for the absence of the Rev W 0 Evans, president of the Free Church Council in the town. He testified to Mr Edwards' character as a Christian and as a worker in connection with the Free Church Council. Dr Abel J Parry (B) also expressed his pleasure in being present. Hwco Penmaen had Deen to him an affectionate broth«- indeed, and had often proved a friend in counsel. He thanked the Carmel friends for giving the move- ment a start and for the honour they had done themselves in acknowledging their dear brother. Mr Edwards was a man of service to the town and men like him were of great value to litera- ture. He was a brother of versatile talent. He had a great deal of respect for a locu preacher —he was one himself just then -(Laughter) and he IWas acquainted with the faithful services rendered by Huwco Penmaen in that direction. He hoped that evenings proceedings would prove a means of comfort to Mr Edwards. I During the evening songs were rendered and recitations written at different times by Mr Ed- wards, were recited. Mrster T H Jones (accom- panied by his sister, MissS C Jones), sang "Y Wlad Well," a translation of "The better Land," by Mr Edwards, and Miss Myfanwy 1 Owen gave a Welsh version translated by Mr Edwards of "The Star of Bethlehem." Mr D A Davies recited "Y Weddw a'.i Baban," com- posed by Mr Edwards and Mr Gwespyr Jones read a number of complimentary verses of his own composition. At the close of the meeting Mr J E Proffitt sang Ein Hanwyl Wlad," written .by Mr Edwards and .set to music by Mr T Amos Jones. of--

Prestatyn Licensing Sessions. ALL LICENSES RENEWED.. The Prestatyn annual Licensing Sessions were held on Wednesday. Mr W Bulcock presided, and there were also present Messrs Thomas Jones, G A Taverner, T J Scott, J B Linnell, and J Williams. THE POLICE REPORT. Supt R Jones submitted the following report: —There are in the division 27 fully-licensed houses, 3 beer-houses, 3 off beer-house and grocer's licenses, making a total of (-3 licensed houses of every description. The population of the division according to the census of 1901 is 6,012, thus giving one licensed house to every 182 of the inhabitants. Of the 33 houses, 20 possess seven days' licenses and 13 have six. days' licenses. Sixteen houses are tied to brewers, while seventeen are free houses. Dur- ing the year ended 31st December, 1907, the licenses of five ale-houses and one beer-house were transferred. During the same period one occasional license was granted. One license. holder was convicted during the year for an offence against the licensing Acts, namely, Isaac Parry, Farmers' Arms, Ffynnongroew, for selling liquor on Sunday. He was fined 10s and 35s costs. During the same period four persons (males) have been convicted for drun- kenness, being a decrease of three as compared with the previous year. No application for new licenses is made. A SATISFACTORY REPORT. The Chairman considered that the report was a Vlerysatisfactory one. The Quarter Sessions had decided to use all the money they had in hand dor the reduction of licenses, so that the I temperance party would 'see that the magistrates were determined to do their best in the reduce tion of unnecessary licenses. It was also very satisfactory to note that there was decrease in the drunkenness, namely, of three cases. There were no objections to any of the licen- ses, which were all renewed. The Chairman pointed out that the Bench had in the past reduced licenses in the district, but at present had no money to reduce any more, owing to the Mold justices requiring it for the reduction of licenses in their district. IMPROVEMENTS AT THE VICTORIA HOTEL. On the application of Mr Robert Scott (who was unable to be present through illness), the Bench granted permission to make several alter. ations at the Victoria Hotel, which Supt Jones approved of, saying that the alterations would ensure better supervision both for the licensee and the police. Mr Simcock, the architect, ex. plained the nature of the alterations to the Bench. DEFAULTING DEFENDANTS WARNED. Charles Evans, a farmer's son, of Nant-y. Cria, was summoned by P.C. Cheney for riding his bicycle without a light on Feb. 13th. De- fendant did not appear, and the Clerk pointed out that at the last Sessions no fewer than six defendants had not the courtesy to appear before the Bench. The Chairman said that kind of thing must be stopped, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Defendant afterwards appeared, and excused his lateness on account of both of his parents being ill. P.C. Cheney said defendant had no lamp at all. 'Defendant admitted this, and was fined 5s inclusive, the Bench remitting 33 of the costs. O

STRANGE & WONDERFUL THE SMALLEST COIN. The smallest coin in circulation is the Mal- tese grain, a bronze piece the size of an ordi- nary lead pencil top, and worth one-sixth of a cent. NEVER BEEN EXTINGUISHED. In the Chapel of Saints, withii.* the Ursu- Ime Convent of Quebec, there burns a votive lamp, which was lighted in 1717, and has never since been extinguished. EGYPTIAN BOATS DISCOVERED. Some Egyptian boats made of cedar, pro. bably in use 4,500 years ago, have been found buried near the banks of the Nile, and fur- nish an interesting proof of the power of that wood in certain circumstances withstand the ravages of time. THREB WASHES IN HIS LIFE. Three good washes are received by an Abys- sinian during his career—at his birth, on his marriage morn, and at his cfcath. At all other times he shui/s soap and water. A CURIOUS FIND. A curious find was made by a visitor to the Isle of Wight. Pacing over Bombridgc Down his attention was attracted to a large hole in the trunk of a tree, in v, hich he found the body of a dog. under which was that of a fox which had in its mouth a dead rabbit. NOVEL ADVERTISING. In Italy they havç a novel way of adver- tising vacant, apartments. Ii.' place of the card inscribed "Rooms to Let," or "Apart- ments," which one sees in England, a white cloth, about the tiize of a serviette, flutters from the casement, notifying the passer-by that the rooms can be rented. COFFIN IN A BARN. Resting on beams the roof of a barn adjoining the Old Castle Inn, Stevenage, Herts, is the coftin of a former landlord, Henry Trigg, who died about 1722, and ex- pressed the following curious wish in his will "And as to my body, I commit it to the west end of mv hovel to be decently laid there upon a floõr erected by my executor upon the purloyne." WEDDING RING IN A CARROT. A good many years ago a lady lost her ring while gardening, and the moot careful search failed to discover it. Some months later her cook, while catting up carrots for soup, struck the knife against something' hard, which proved to be the missing ring, deeply em- bedded in the carrot. MEAL OF SOVEREIGNS. While fishing in the Itiver Nore i/ear Graigue, County Carlow, a young man named Finn landed a. large pike which turned the scale at thirty-one pounds. On opening the fish there was found irside it a rosary, part of a pocket-handkerchief, and a rubber tobacco poucli containing twenty sovereigns. It is believed that the pike must have eaten the pocket of some person who had been drowned. AMERICA AGAIN. It is stated that. a Kansas City man has just succeeded in getting a pater:t on a milking machine run by an electric motor fastened on a cow's back, the electricity being generated by a dynamo attached to her tail. It 6trains the miÍlt and hangs up the pail and strainer. A small phonograph accompanies the outfit and yells "So!" when the cow moves. If she kicks, a hinged arm catches the milk stool and hits her over the back. LINE OF OKES. The most curious railway in the kingdom ig, perhaps, the Hampton-in-Ar(lcu to Whitacre branch of the Midland Railway Company, which has only one train a day, one engine, one coach, one season-ticket holder, one sta- tioL-, one route, one set of metals, and one station official. Sometimes there is only one passenger in the train, and hardly evejr more than three. MAN WHO BUILT A CHURCH. At Stiviehall, near Coventry, may be seen a church that, among English churches, at all events, possesses the unique distil.:ction of having been built by the unaided efforts of one man alone. The name of this persistent and assiduous workman war; John Green, a stonemason of Coventry, who laid the first stone in 1810, and completed his self-imposed task seven years later. STRANGE AUCTION CUSTOM. An ancient custom in connection with the letting of a piece of laud at Bourne, Lines, known as the "White Bread Meadow," was recently observed. The land is let by auc- tion, and at each bid a boy is started to run to a certain public house, and the land is let to the person whose bid has not been chal- lenged when the last boy returns. The money is partly spent in a bread and cheese and onion supper at a public-house, and the re- mainder in loaves of bread, which are de- livered to every house within a certain dis- trict of the town. GIANT UMBRELLAS. The umbrella is quite an important item in an African chief's regalia. Apart from its enormous size, its loss in battle more than equals the loes of a standard of a European commander. Some of the umbrellas are of prodigious dimensions, being no less than twenty-five feet in diameter. The ribs are made of lancewood, and the covering is of gorgeously coloured chintz in varied sections of crimson, yellow, and blue. They arc opened by means of pulleys and ropes at- tached to the "runner," the operation re- quiring the services of three or four men. WROTE HIS OWN EPITAPH. Mr. Albert Pell, who recently died at Tor- quay, wrote his own epitaph, which has been inscribed on a tablet in Hazel beech Church since his wife died in 1894. The in- scription is follows, a space being left fur the date of his death: "Also in memory of her husband, Albert Pell, of Wilbur ton Manor, eldest son of Sir Albert Pell, Knight, and of the Hon. Mar- garet Letitia Matilda, daughter and co-heir of the seventeenth Baron St. John of Bletsoe: born March 12, 1820; educated under Dr. Ar- nold, at Rugby, M.A., and LL.I). of Univer- sity Cambridge; M.P. for South Leicester- shire, 1868-18S.5. Of long experience as guar- dian of the poor in Loudon and country, he condemned poor law relief as inconsistent with real benefice and adverse to the best in- terests of the poor. Honest in purpose, fear- ing no man, he served his generation by the will of God, and died CLAY HORSES FOR DEMONS. An Indian missionary tells how the hill tribes of Southern India worehip demons, whom 'they think live up in the trees, and sometimes come into their houses. The people are much afraid of these devils, and are very anxious to be on friendly terms with them, so that their families, hou-se.s, and fields may go scot free. In some places sacri- fices of a goat, a pig, or a cock arc offered to them. They have one very curious way of trying to gain their friendship. Outside a village stands a group cf clay horses painted in various gaudy colours. These are for the demons who may fancy horse exercise! If they came out at night and found nothing to do, they might injure the crops. ANCIENT LAWS. The laws of arcicnt Babylon, some 01 which were recently discovered and trans- lated, were very severe ou inefficient work, especially on the part of physicians and builders. Here, for example, is a law which would make the lives of modern doctors a burden to them: "If a physician operate on a gentleman and cause his death or destroy his eye, they shall cut off the physician's fin- gcrs." And here is another law which, if it were enforced to-day, would speedily put an end to the career of the "jerry-builder." "If a builder builds a house for a man and do not make its construction firm, and the house col- lapse and cause the death of the owner, the builder shall be put to death.

"Doctor, how can I ever repay you for your kindness to me?" "Doesn't matter, old man. Check, money order, or cash."

AMERICAN SMILES. Barber: "Hair's getting thin on top, sir. Have you tried our hair restorer?" Cuatomer (facetiously): "No, no, it's not that. worry." "Bigget says Brightly is a 'skeptic.' What does he mean?" "'He means that JJrighuy denies something that Bigget believes is true, that's all." Tom: "Mamma, Ie f., move." Mamma: "What for, dear?" Tom: I've licked every kid in the block, an' there'? lID more fun here." Judge: "Prisoner, have you anything to say to the court before sentence is pro- nounced?" Prisoner: "I beg the court to consider the youth of my attorney." "My mistress isn't ma'am." "Please tell Iter when I saw her peeping from the front window as I came up, I felt so afraid she was." Dyer: "What did your wife say when you told her you wouldn't bo home till late?" Rownder: "I don't know. I him" up the receiver as soon as I was through talking." "Come in here, I wbh to tell you a piece of gossip Mrs. Smith told me." "Is it good?" "Is it? I had to promise not to tell a soul before she would tell me." Teacher: "What is that kiter 7" Pupil: "I don't know." Teacher: "What is it that makes honey?" Small lioy (sen of a manu- facturer) Glucose." Hicks: "I dropped around to see the Fitz Klcses in their flat last night, but I couldn't get in." Wicks: "Not at home, eh?" Hick; "Ye5, they were all at home; that was the trouble." A Kansas man asserts that he recently saw a rat with horns. As the authorities insist that the prohibition law ia being enforced in Kansas, there must be something wrong with the soda water in that State. "Sold your automobile, exclaimed Wyss. "Vhat was the trouble." "Couldn't control it," explained Acher. "When I ran fast it took me to the police court and when I ran slowly it didn't take me anywhere." # Mrs. Newife: "I acknowledge that I have my faults, and am sometimes cross, Jack, dear; but if I had the last two years of my life to live over again I should marry you just the game." Mr. Newife: "I doubt it." Rambling Waggles: "I was robbed last night, and I reckon that about fifty-three ar- ticles were stolen from me. Everything I had in the world." Policeman: "Fifty-three articles?" Rambling Waggles: "Yes; a pack of cards and a eori:.jcrew." # The attendant in the dentist's office ap- proached the man with the swollen jaw who had just entered. "Do vou want to have a tooth extracted?" she inquired. "Want to!" he snorted. "Want to! What do you think I am, a lunatic? I've got to." Dog-fancier: "Yes, madamc, I have all kinds of dogs 2-erc. Is there any particular breed you wish?" Old Lady (who reads the papers): "Oh, anything that's fashionable. Lemme see an ocean greyhound." Miss Dc Laine: "You seem to be very fond of your friend Miss Hair. You never "tire of kissing her." Miss De Silk: "Well, I do noh care much for her personally; but did you notice what a sweet little moustache sha has?" Maiden: "What can a woman do when a man that has won her affection refuses lf marry her?" Lawyer: "Is he rich?" hasn't a cent." "She can appoint a day of general thanksgiving and invite both families to participate." Tired Tatters: "Weary, if vou wuz com pelled to work, an' wuz given yore pick 1117 jobs, wot kind would you take?" Weary Walker: "At the present writin' I dunno uv enny softer thing than bcin' a understudy for a pug dorg." # # Lenders: "By the way, that five dollar bill I loaned YOU- i, Borroughs:" I havea't for- gotten, oid ma. Don't worry; I still have it in mind." Lenders: "Yes, but don't you think it's about time you relieved your mind?" Peter Finley Dunne, the author of "Mr. Dooley," was once staying in the country with a well-known banker, who, being im- pressed by the beautiful surrounding scenery, suggested that they take a walk the next morning' at six o'clock. "Thank you," replied Mr. Dunne, "but I never walk in my sleep." "Dad," inquired Freddy, "what is a figure of speech?" "Where's your mother?" asked "Dad," cautiously. "She's downstairs," an- sweered the boy. "Well, then," began "Dad," "a figure of speech, my son, is a woman." # "Why have you taken your son out of school without permission?" Father (a grocer): "but they were ruining him, I wish to bring him up to carry 011 my business, and they were teaching him that there are sixteen eunoes in a pound." Mrs. Greathead: "Why is it that since you were nominated for an office you have been drinking so heavily?" Mr. Greathead: "Can't be helped, m' dear; I musht spend m' time 'mong the boys, m' dear, an' try t' prove /to them I'm worthy of the suffrages o' the people, m' dear." Mrs. Hayfork (who had summer boarders) "Yes, Mrs. Hayseed, the ig'rauce of city folks about country life is just amusin'. Ye know I had two families from New York last season." Mro. Hayseed: "Yes. I seed 'em gala'vantin' around." it's an actual fact, them people brought tooth-brushes with 'em, jest as if we were f-uch savages out here as not to have sich a simple thing as a tooth- brush in the house." Mr. Simpkins (wildly): "You must be mine. Say 1 yes.' or I will drown myself." Mis3 Prettie "You will at least wait until I have had time to think it over. I am sure." Mr. Simpkins How long? It is now Sep- tember. Will you give me mv answer in October?" Miss Prettie: "I will if I can. If not, you will have to wait longer." Miss Prettie (the following December): "What! Still in the land of tlu living? It is a month. nearly, since I refused vou, and you know yon were to drown yotirself if I said Mr. Simpkins (despondently): but you waited so long that the—the water got too cold." A Vermont lawyer writes that a Congress- man who formerly practiced law went, soon after he was admitted to the bar, into the office of an older attorney, and said: "Mr. may'I borrow one of your law books?" The older attorney looked over his glasses, a.nd said "Why, certainly. Does it make any difference which one?" "Here:" shouted the railway official, "what do you mean by throwing those trlUlk about like that?" The porter 0 gasped in as- tonishment, and several travellers pinched themselves to make sure that it was real. Then the official spoke again to the porter. Don't you see that you're making big dents in this concrete platform?" Broker's Wife "How happy you look, my dear. What is the cause?" Broker: "A clear conscience. I have not taken any inno- cent and confiding man's money for twentv- four hours." "I am «lad to hear it." "Yes, you see my partner died last night and our office was closed to-dav." Indignant Father: "Hadn't you done any- thing but laugh?" Boy: "No, nothing ii Jl." "And the master caned you for that? The •counrJr«l! I'll teach him "Yes, awd he thrashed he hard, too! He's a great, big man." Father (not quite so inthgntgit): "H'm, is he? You mustn't, laugh in o, Johnny. It's wrong to break the ruW "What are you grumbling about?" in- quired the pedestrian. "Why," snapped the disgusted motorist, "this machine's broke down, and I can't get it to go." "Oh! you're in luck. The last feller like you I seen 'round here got all broke up he couldn't get hi. to stop." BOOKS AND MAGAZINES; AN EARTHQUAKE EXPERIENCE. It was appalling. It was not only appalling. but to thousands it was overwhelmingly ter- rible. So says Mr. Peter Maguire, who gives a personal account of the Jamaica disaster in. the "Pall Mall Magazine." One moment I was wallowing in earth's para- dise, the next plunged into earth's hell. It waá worse than the most hideous nightmare-it. was a realistic and only too-prolonged experi- ence. England, ever dear to me, scorned dearer. With an awe-inspiring suddenness I was plunged from the very heights of ecstatic de- light into the uninterpretable depths of dismay and horror—from a scenic heaven to a mundane hell. The transition from the higher plane to the lower was as severe as it was rapid. Nature's- blackest side became realised far beyond the wildest nightmares, far beyond the ugliest im- pressions conveyed by the most masterful or pencil pictures I have ever ssen or read. TENNYSON'S NONSENSE YETISES. No one would ever think of Tennyson as a. writer of nonsense verses, but he once, at any rate, made some up. Mrs. William Young Cel- lar has a little story of him in "Recollections- and Impressions" (Blackwood). In 1*3 ue paid a visit to Mull, and one day ihey heid a picnic,, which Tennyson attended. All the way going home he was making the most absurd nonsense-ballad verses, generally in Scotch, but so rapidly uttered wid so incon- secutive were they that it was impossible to re- member much of them, even at the time, audi now only two verses remaii; in my memory: They found her b;iri :d in the moor, Shut out from every hope And her bonny little noting Was as brown as Windsor There came a cobbler to the r, And he was ane o' the clippers And he took the skin of her brown bedie, And made it into slippers. ATTACKED BY DEVIL-FISH. The most terrifying (light peer fishermen had ever witnessed is described in the Wide World Magazine." A devil-fish which had hoisted it- self into the boat was wounded with a hatchet. As though acting on a signal from the wounded devil-fish, scores and scores of fierce- eyed monsters rose from the 3;2, iheir arms writhing in the air, some of tLm six feet m length. For a distance of twenty yards the surface of the water was alive with them. Throwing out jets of water from froui of their bodies, tin- octopuses daaiicd and thither with incredible .swiftness, seeking all the time, by means of their sudmr.3, to attach themselves either to the net-pole or vo the side of the vessel. Some succeeded, end tnese we- beat off best we could, in a ezy of excite- ment, with anything that catnc nearest to our hands. But as soon as we had rid ourselves of them others took their places, and soon the fight became general. It evident tÜd we had captured an entire family or eehool of devil-fish, and that these, finding they were partly imprisoned in the drag-net, were making a concerted attack upon us. • VEXING- THE SEAH. An authentic account, the lirec ever pub, lished, of the romantic career of Madame Pierre Curie, the discoverer of radium, is given in ther "Girls' Realm." During one of his visits to Paris the late Shah wished to be SIIOWD the wonderful radium, and, 'much against their wishes, M. and Mme. Curie acceded to his de-sires. The Shah, to show that he was quite an capable as any European sovereign of reward- ing genius, proceeded to take from his breast one of hid richly bejewciled orders to present it. to Pierre Curie. The latter, however, declined it, saying that, as he had refused the Legion of Honour, it was quite impossible for him to accept a foreign order. The Shah next drew a. rich diamond ring from his linger, but thi« also Pierre Curie declined, adding that he would accept nothing for himself or his wife but that if his Majesty pleased, he could give something towards the expenses of the Labora- tory. By this time the Oriental potentate was vexed that his magnificent gifts had been so coldly rejected, and he only gave the paltry sum of two hundred francs for the Laboratory. THE WORKING •— Is the working woman as a rule stronger,, hardier, and healthier than the well-to-do? Lady Bell (Mrs. Hugh Bell), who has written "At the ,V(ll":3" (Edward Arnold), in which she gives a study of the town of Middlesbrough,, says it is an entire delusion to believe it. There are a great many women among the- latter, probably the majority of them, who are not particularly strong, nor the reverse, and who keep themselves in health by what is called taking care," a process easy enough to the leisured, but not 30 easy to the workers, even if these know how to do it, which in most, cases they do not. They are, on the contrary, as a general rule quite extraordinarily igno- rant about their health. They have learnt more- in late years, those of them who have had tho opportunities of going to ambulance classes, lectures en health, and nursing. But thuse- who are likely to attend such lectures are nearly always the more respectable among them, therefore those who are likely to be more enlightened already. The miserably poor, the badly clad. these whose aspect shows that they are the people above all others who ought to learn how to take care of their health when it is possible to them. will probably be the last to attend any assemblage where they will un- likely to receive instruction. MRS. EDDY. "Who was Mrs. Eddy" is a question which has often been asked. Those curious to know will find in the "Woman at Home" the first chapter of the story of her life and the history of Christian Science. Mary A. Morse Baker, the future leader or the Christian Science Church, was the youngest child of Mark Baker and Abigail Barnard. Ambrose. She was born at Bow. on the Merri- mac River, New Hampshire, July 16, 1821. With her origin and early surroundings tradi- tion ha-3 already busied itself. Beside the Eddv fact has developed the Eddy fable. One enthu- siastic admirer has traced her ancestry to the prophet David, and Mrs. Eddy herself has claimed immediate relationship with a dis- tinguished family of Scotland. No mystery,, however, enshrouds her birth. Her ancestors, for more than a hundred years, had lived oik the New Hampshire hills where she herself born. Her father and grandfather had both cultivated that same upland farm which has since become a Christian Science shrine. A LADY'S POCKET. Ladies nowadays do not wear pecket3 in'. their dresses. How the fashion has changed^ since 1834, when Harriet Martineau was 0 at Washington. She went to pay a visit to Mrs. Bayard Smith—whose letters, under the title Forty Years of Washington Society (Fisher Unwiii). have just been published—and was shown upstairs. Mrs. Smith at once went to pay the attentions of hostess I offered her combs, brushes, etc. But, show- ing me the enormous pockets in her French dress, said they were provided with all that was. necessary, and pulled out nice little silk shoes, silk stockings, a scarf for her neck, little laeo mits, a gold chain, and some other jewellery, and soon, without changing her dress, was- prettily equipped for dinner or evening com- pany. We were all as perfectly at our ease as if old friends. Miss M.'s toilette was soonest, completed, and. sitting down by me on the sophtv and handing me the tube, we had a nice social chat before we went downstairs. THE DUKE'S BREECHES. There are so many good stories in Mr. G. W. E. Russell's "Seeing and Hearing" that ona could go on quoting them for a long time. Mrs. Jane London, a writer on horticulture, wrote asking permission of the great Duke of Well- ington to insert in one of her books a sketch. of the Waterloo beeches at Stratfieldsaye. The Duke read the letter quickly, and mistak- ing the signature" J. London" wrote the fol- lowing F.M. the Duke of Wellington presents his, compliments to the Bishop of London. The bishop is quite liberty to make a sketch of the breeches which the duke wore at Waterloo, if they can be found. But the duke is not that they differed in any way from the breeches, which he generally wears.

The Anglo-Saion race, so far a3 its sleeping, arrangements and means of rest are concerned, is the most luxurious in the world.