South Wales Daily News

BUIlGllARY NEAR COLEFORD. The house of Mr Thomas Launder, at Sling, near Coleford, was broken into on Thursday night, and among other things carried away were a silver watch and chain, together valued at £5, and some 8s in silver (money). The thief or thieves got into the house through the bad: window on the ground floor. The watch and money were in the sitting-room. Four persons were sleeping in the house, but no one heard any noise.

SMOKE Lambert and Butler's Superfine Shag in packets. To be obtained of all Tobacconists and Grocers UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, CARDIFF.—The Evening Technical Classes will re-commence at the College on Monday, September 7th, 1891. Prospectuses may be obtained on application at the College. 4694 THE GREAT CORE FOR COUNS.- Munda.y's Viridine—Still further testimony. A Chemist writes :— Will you send me a bottle of your Viridine ? It is for my own use. I get plenty of corn cures of the name colour, but none of them a-ppear to equal yours. No one ought to say his corns are incurable until he has used Viridine." Thousands have been cured, some of whom had suffered for over 50 years. Beware of imitations. Sold in bottles Is, by post Is 2d, by tha Proprietor, J. ilunday, Chemiat.1, High-atreefc, Cardiif andaJlCWoaias 1079

THE FREE EDUCATION I GRANT. The following regulations as to- the time and I manner of payment of fee grants were passed on Wednesday by tho Committee of Council on Education :— 1. Fee grants in aid of public Elementary Schools in England and Wales shall be calculated at one-twelfth of the rate prescribed by Section 1 (Sub-section 1) of the Act for each month which shall have elapsed since the date, not being earlier than the 1st September, 1891, at which the school began to satisfy the conditions of the Act. 2. Fee grants shall be paid by:-(a) Quarterly instalments for each three months completed dur- ing the school year for which the grant is pay- able (6) a final payment with the annual grant payable to the school. 3. An instalment of fee grant shall not exceed three-twelfths of the rate prescribed by section 1 (sub-section 1) of the Act multiplied by the num- ber of children over three and under 15 years of age in average attendance, as defined by section 10 of the Act during the last preceding school year. Exceptions (a) Until the first final payment of fee grant has been made, the instalments of fee grant shall be calculated upon the total average attendance during the last preceding school year, (b) If no school year has been completed before the 1st September, 1891, the instalments of fee grant, previous to the first final payment shall be calculated upon the average attendance for such period as the Education Department may deter- mine in cach case. I 4. A final paymen"f -fee grant shall be the difference between the total fee grant payable for the year (Section 1, Sub-sections 1 and 2, and Section 4, Sub-section 3), and the total of the in- stalments (if any) previously paid for that year. I 5. Instalments of free grants shall be paid-(a) In tho case of schools not provided by a school Board, to the correspondent (6) In the case of schools provided by a School Board, to the reasurer. 6. In the case of a school which does not satisfy the conditions of the Act from the 1st September, 1891, but which at any subsequent date satisfies such conditions, the instalments of fee grant shall be payable from such last-mentioned date, if the first day of any month, and if not the first day of any month, then from the first day of the month next succeeding that date.

CHARGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT AT CARDIFF. At Cardiff police-court yesterday—before Mr L. M, Browne, Alderman Jacobs, Alderman D. E. Jones, and Dr Payne-David James, aged 31, a coal trimmer, was charged with embezzling various sums of money, the property of Messrs Perkins Bros., ironmongers, and also with forg- ing and uttering a bill of acceptance for B12 8s in January last. Mr Belcher appeared for the prosecution and Mr Frank Williams defended. The former explained that there were three charges of embezzlement against the prisoner and one more serious charge of uttering and forging. Up to February last the prisoner had been employed as traveller by Messrs Perkins Bros., and on September last he received 21 12s 6d from Mr David Davies, builder, of Cadoxton in December he received £ 9 10s, and in January jB2 7s, a total of JE15 19s 6d. When asked for the money he said he bad only received an acceptance for £ 12 8s, saying that certain de ductions had been made on the accounts, and that he had settled them for that sum. The accept- ance he presented was dated January 12th, 1891, on the Bristol and West of England Bank. Tho bill and signature were forgeries. The sum of 22 3s he had received from a man named Jenkins. Mr David Davies, being called, said he paid the sums indicated to the prisoner he did not give him any acceptance, and the one produced was neither written nor signed by him.—Mr Jen- kins, builder, Barry, gave evidence that he paid L2 3s to the prisoner, for which he had the receipt. -Mr Stewart Hull, cashier at Messrs Perkins Bros., said when with the firm the prisoner had a alary of £ 113s 6d and expenses. It was his duty to collect accounts, which he was expected to pay in to the firm daily. When witness re- quested an explanation of his accounts the prisoner told him he had signed the bill of accept- ance himself, and that he hoped to have the money to meet it in due course. —Detective Oxley repeated the evidence he gave at a former hearing, and the prisoner was com- mitted for trial at the Assizes to be held at Cardiff in December next.—Mr Williams, who reserved his defence, asked that bail should be allowed the prisoner, and, despite the fact of there being an officer in court from Gloucester who had come to apprehend the prisoner for non- payment of arrears in connection with a paternity order, bail was allowed in two sureties of £ 20.

AN OLD OFFENDER AT CARDIFF. DANIEL NEVILLE MAKES ANOTHER APPEARANCE. At the Cardiff police-court yesterday —before Mr L. M. Browne (deputy-stipen- diary), Alderman Jacobs, and Alderman D. E. Jones-Daniel Neville, an elderly man, was summoned for being drunk and disorderly, and causing an obstruction in High- strset. It was the prisoner's 114th appear- ance.—Mr Browne: I see, my leniency with you on the last occasion you were here was mis- placed. You told me would keep sober until Christmas.—The Prisoner: I did promise, sir, but I can't help it, it's through drink. I think the best thing would be to knock the duty off drink. If it was sold cheap, or for little or nothing, people wouldn't bother about it.—Mr Browne: In that case I must keep you here for some time, and if you cannot pay 40s and costs you must go to prison for a month.

..4 MADAME PATTI AT SWANSEA. ANOTHER CONCERT FOR THE HOSPITAL. ENTHUSIASTIC DEMONSTRATIONS. For the fifth time in about nine years, Madame Adelina Patti-Nicolini, who has been so aptly described as "the Lady Bountiful of the Swansea. Valley," yesterday came to the rescue of that sxcellent institution, the Swansea Hospital, and it is pleasing to say that, nobly supported by the public, she was again the means of adding to the hinds in a royal manner. Her four previous concerts must have meant for the hospital quite f 3,500. and that under notice, though part of the proceeds are to go to the poor of the Swansea Valley, will most likely augment the sum men- tioned to £4,000, the total proceeds being esti- mated at 2800. The day, fortunately, was fine—a fortnight's bad weather clearing up for this laudable occasion —and when the diva with her party arrived in a special train from Craig-y-Nos at the Midland station a greater crowd than ever assembled to bear testimony of their appreciation of her kind- ness. To receive her there were present on the platform as the train steamed in the Mayor (Sir John Llewelyn, Bart.), in his gold chain of office, the High-Sheriff of Glamorganshire (M* E. R. Daniel), Sir John Jones Jenkins, and several members of the Corporation, the Harbour Trust, and magistracy. On alighting from her saloon the diva was cordially welcomed to the town by Sir John Llewelyn, as mayor, who presented to her a handsome bouquet, and then she was introduced to several present. She was accompanied by the following members of her Craig-y-Nos house ty :-Mr E. Nicoiini, Mr Richard Nicolini, Sir Augustus and Lady Harris, Miss Baird, Mr and Mrs Kuhe and Miss Kuhe, Mr and Madame Axditi, Mr and Mrs Klein, Mr and Mrs Haitog and Master Hartog, Mr Spalding, Mr Ganz, Signer Tito Mattei, Signor Bonetti, Mr MacKinley, 31adame Sterling, Misses Eissler, Mrs and Miss Kingston. Amid tumultuous cheering from the crowd, the party were escorted to the carriages which were in waiting, the diva being escorted by the Mayor to her carriage, in which places were also found for Signor Nicolini and the Town Clerk (Mr J. Thomas). Before taking her seat Madame Patti was the receipient of another bouquet, Miss •i essie Rosser, the little daughter of Mr J. H. Rosser, handing it to her. The other members of the party were accommodated in carriages pro- vided by the High Sheriff and others, and all being seated a move was made to Wind-street, the fine band of the police force leading, and an escort of mounted police accompanying the party. The scene through the streets was very striking. A huge crowd packed every square inch of the way, and it was only with difficulty that a passage could be obtained. Flags spanned the thorough- fares at intervals, and from beginning to end of the drive the party was accompanied by one long continued roar of cheers. The church bells, too, rang out merry peals, and, altogether, the town assumed a more joyous aspect than it has for many a year. The Albert-hall reached, the party were conducted to the Minor-hall, where luncheon was provided. All this time the greater hall had been filling up, and long before the hour for the commence- ment of the matinee it was filled with an audience representing' the flit', of the district, an especially large party being brought by Sir Hussey Vivian from Singleton, including Lord Herschell, the distinguished Lord Chancellor in the last Liberal administration. The hall looked its best, with its partly completed improvements, and the stage, which has yet to undergo a process of transformation, was rendered exceedingly pleasing to the eye by means of the magnificent show of plants which Mr Farrant, the florist of I College-street, had transported from his green- houses. The programme was as follows :— PART I. Duet, for violin and harp, Lar»o Lrarztel Miss MARIANNE EISSLER and Miss CLARA EISSLKR. Song. La Serena,ta. Tosti Mr DUltWARD LELY. Song "The Quail." Schubert Madame ANTOINETTE STERLING. Aria "Davitl ehantant devant Saul." -Bordese Signor BONETTI. Harp Obbligato. Miss CLARA EISSLER. Valse. Nella Caluia" (Komeo and Juliette)..Gounod. Madame ADELINA PATTI-NICOLINI. M.*—— {?: (Valse Caprice.) Signor TITO MATTEL 3ong Thoughts and Tears." Hope Temple. Mr DCRWARD JÆLL a.« f a. Nocturne in E flat Cliopin. Solo Violin.. |j, zapateado Saramte. (Spanish Dance). Miss MARIANNE EISSLER. "For all Eternity" Angelo Ilascheroni. Madame ADELINA PATTI-NICOLINI. Violin Obbligato Miss MARIANNE EISSLER. PART IL Ja- Study in F \John Thomas iiarp • j La Patrouille (March) Hasselmans Miss CLARA EISSLER. Scotch song Caller Herrin'" Niels Gow Madame ANTOINETTE STERLING. Tarantella Giii la luna Bossini Signor BONETTI. Song Valse, II Bacio" Arditi Madame ADELINA PAXTI-XICOLINI. C a L'Aimant Morgeau de~l Solo Pianoforte.. • Salon J- Mattel. V b La Sirene J Signor TITO MATTEI. Ballad Sally in our Al!ey Carev. Mr DUEWARD LELY. Duet—for Violin ..MaAnms Patti- and Harp. f i-onlanc0 • Nicolini. Miss MARIANNE EISSLER and Miss CLARA EISSLER. Conductor Mr WILHELM GANZ. Miss MARIANNE EISSLER and Miss CLARA EISSLER. Conductor Mr WILHELM GANZ. Precisely to time the concert began, and it is not too much to say that of all the concerts which Madame Patti has given in tha same hall this was the most enjoyablo. Taking the diva first, we cannot say more than that she simply surpassed herself. She was in grand form, and, throwing her whole heart and soul into her sing- ing, her matchless voice was heard to the highest perfection. Four events had been given before the brilliant vocalist appeared on the platform for the first time. She was escorted by the Mayor and was received with prolonged cheering, the audience rising to their feet to give greater emphasis to their feelings. For Gounod's Nella Calma" she received a rapturous recall, and obligingly gave an encore. It was as she was leaving the stage on completing the encore that a number of young ladies were seen ascending the stage all laden with beautiful bouquets. The.sethey tendered to the diva, who had to requisition the services of the Mayor and several others to re- move her charming trophies from the stage. The affecting song "For all Eternity" was done the fullest justice to by Madame Patti, and again there was an encore demanded and as readily given, the response this time being the fine old ballad, "Within a Mile of Edinbro' Town," which was sung with exquisite taste. The third and last song on the programme for the diva was Arditi's fine song-, "II Bacio." This she sang with electrical effect, and raised the audience to such a pitch of enthusiasm that another encore was determinedly demanded. Then came the lovely melody, "Home, Sweet Home," which was rendered with a pathos that went right to the hearts of the hearers. A second encore was demanded, and with such long-continued en- thusiasm that the diva, having first bowed her acknowledgments, returned again with a manuscript. This, it transpired, was the Welsh National Anthem-" The Land of my Fathers" —and as Mr Ganz, as accompanist, struck the opening notes on the piano the audience demonstrated their hearty appreciation. Madame Patti sang this to the English words with deep feeling, and when the chorus was reached, in- vited the audience to join, which they, of course, did. As she reached the sentiment expressing love of Wales, the cantratrice laid special emphasis on the words. This was especially noticeable with such words as my home, sweet home is Wales," and my yearning, my long- ing for Wales." As she sang the words last quoted and closed the song, she repeatedly kissed her hands towards the audience, and re- tired apparently deeply affected with the remarkable scene presented by the audience, whose enthusiasm now knew no bounds. As to the other artistes, we need only say that all were most heartily received and most warmly encored. An especial treat was the singing of Mr Durward Lely. Signor Mattei was in splendid voice; Madame Sterling sang "Caller Herrin'" with great spirit; Miss Marianne Eissler proved herself an accomplished violinist, and her sister, Miss Clara Eissler, a capable harpist. Signor Bonetti is an old favourite, and showed that he had lost none of his charm and Mr Wilhelm Ganz, as accompanist, left absolutely nothing to be desired. The programme having been completed, the Mayor stepped forward with Madame Patti, and announced that his pleasant duty was to propose aeordial vote of thanks to Madame Patti and the other artistes who assisted her, for the splendid concert. This was the fifth time Madamo Patti had visited the tewn in a like manner on behalf of the hospital. A better cause could not be found, and he felt sure every- one present appreciated her kindness musically, financially, and also socially—for it was very kind and good of her to fill up her house and bring down the artistes who had given them that The audience passed the vote of thanks amid prolonged cheering, and then Mr Augustus Spalding, at the request of Mr Nicoloni, returned thanks, expressing tho pleasure it had given both Madame Patti and her visitors to take part in the entertainment. In concluding, he observed, on behalf of the Chatelaine of Craig-y-Nos, said not adieu to the people of Swansea but simply au revoir; and when she had gone through another series of triumphs, as she would in a short time, in two hemispheres, the day might come again when they would meet in that great hall on behalf of that deserving charity. (Cheers). The Diva then held a reception in the Minor Hail, and afterwards drove off to the station with her party amid more cheering in the streets. The arrangements were efficiently carried out by thtl hon. secretaries—Mr Talfourd Strick and W. Morris. The pianos were a Collard and Collard supplied by Mr John Brader, of Wind- street, and a Ple,yel sent by the makers. The bouquet which was presented to Madame •ratti by tho committee, and which the Diva carried away when she returned to Craig-y-Nos. was made by Mr W. Farrant, of Swansea, an won a prizs at Aberdare. The bouquet the mayor I presented to M 'lame Patti was supplied by Mr J.om Barron, of Ox/crd-street, Swansea.

HEADACHES CUBED.—Bishop's Granular Effer Tesceut Citrate of Caffeine is now recognised by the medical profession .as the safest and surest reuiedv for sick and other headaches. For the hot weather take Bishop 3 Citrate oi Magnesia. For old and young it is the best punner of the blood ever known. Be sure you get Bishop's," the original discoverer. Of all che- mists.—.Alfred Bishop and Sons, iW, Spelia&n-atraet London, E. Z599

THE CHANNEL TUBULAR RAILWAY. TO THE EDITOR. SIR,— Kindly allow me space for A-few words of explanation, by way of addition to the report of the paper read at Cardiff and the discussion thereon. First, let me say that, as the president ex. plained, the paper was not offered by me, but was written at the repeated request of the local committee, and somewhat reluctantly, for the reason that the discussions on such occasions are usually as perfunctory as they are brief, and can hardly do justice to a great engineering pro- posal, which is the result of years of study, calcu- lation, and development. The result in the case of the discussion at Cardiff on Friday last was no exception to this rule. My project dispenses alike with harbours, tunnels, and bridges, and was im- mediately pronounced inferior to other schemes involving the construction of harbours, tunnels, and bridges by the three great engineers who con- struct harbours, tunnels, and bridges respectively. Mr Abernethy, who avowed his association with Sir John Fowler's scheme for making special har- bour accommodation for big train-carrying steamers, opened the ball by declaring that the safest and best thing was to build such steamers with suitable harbour-works to receive them. Mr Greatheau, Tvho has tunnelled very cleverly and successfully under the Thames, through mud and slush, most naturally would prefer to see the Channel tunnelled, and told us so. And Sir B. Baker (who has lent his deservedly-respected name to the Channel bridge project, which requires the construction of 120 big piers or islands in the narrowest part of the Channel), while ad- mitting the practicability of my plan. and saying nothing against its essential principles, hazarded the opinion that my estimate of cost was too low, and intimated that it would probably cost nearly double what I had stated. Latar on I will trouble you with a fuller state- ment on this question of cost than I can find time for at present, especially as I am away from all my papers and estimates but I shall be glad to be allowed at once to state—as I did at Cardiff on Friday, when my reply was not reported—that Sir Benjamin Baker's rough idea of cost was based upon a totally mistaken assumption, due, perhaps, to my paper not being sufficiently full and explicit on the point. Sir Benjanffin based his figures upon the ground that subaqueous works are always excessively costly, and that I had a great deal of subaqueous work to provide for in my project. But the truth is that I have none at all, in the sense of performing work upon the sea-bed; for all my tubes and piers are constructed in port, and all the work of connexion to be performed below water is performed within the water-tight tubes themselves, by workmen who come by train from the shore through the completed portion of the tubes. I do not mean that absolutely no work whatever will, or may, require to be done sub- aqueomly; but such as there may be is so small that it sinks into insignificance by comparison with that which the Channel Bridge project makes absolutely necessary, and I am entitled to say that it is the very irony of fate which has selected one of the consulting engineers of the Channel Bridge scheme as the medium of predict- ing (however momentarily or perfunctorily) that my tubular railway would prove expensive on the ground of subaqueous work, seeing that the Chan- nel Bridge scheme involves laying upon the bed of the sea the foundations of a very large number of piers or islands, many of them no less than 180ft. long and 104ft. broad (if I remember rightly) in the deepest water of the Channel-sub- aqueous works so unprecedented, so stupendous, and so uncertain as, with other things, to induce Sir Benjamin Baker himself to state, as he did on Friday, that he does not believe the bridge will ever be built. If this colossal work, with its vast submarine foundations and immense aerial bridges, high over the masts of all ships at high water, and containing more steel materials than my tubular railway requires, is to cost little over 30 millions-and that is the engineers' estimate for it—it is absurd to say that my modest scheme of a couple of railway tubes constructed in port and deposited automatically, can require anything like such an outlay. Sir Benjamin Baker is a fair-minded man, and when all my facts and estimates come fully before him, as I hope they will ere long, I believe he will be as ready to admit, as I am to assert, that my rough estimate of cost—stated at from 12 to 15 millions —takes all the anticipated outlay liberally into account. —I am, &c., E. J. REED. Porthkerry, Barry, Glamorganshire, Aug. 24.

APPEAL TO WELSH MAGISTRATES. Copies of the following circular have been issued to justices of the peace in South Wales by direction of tho South Wales and Monmouthshire Temperance Association:— Dear Sir,—The whole country looks forward with unusual interest to the forthcoming brewster sessions. There is a concurrence of opinion on one most important matter, viz., that houses licensed for the common sale of drink are far in excess of any real or supposed public want, and magistrates are responsible for this to a great extent, especially in the past. Public opinion makes rapid progress, not only in the direction of the diminution of public houses, but also in favour of entire prohibition, as witness the second reading of the Welsh Local Veto Bill and the plebiscites recently taken in populous places. Our Association has obtained most reliable returns from such districts as the following:—Aberyst- wyth, Whitland and district, Brynamman, Ystalyfera, Morriston, Resolven, Hirwain, Blaen- garw, Pontycymmer, Cymavon, and Clydach Vale (Rhondda); and the householders' returns show 85 per cent. for Local Option, and 75 per cent. in favour of entire prohibition. "Now that the Lords' decision in Sliarpev. Wakefield has made it clear that magisterial dlêcretion is unr08tra.ined, it is devoutly hoped that the public weal shall have its due weight in every licensing court. I am instructed to forward you & copy, of the following resolutions :— (Copy). Resolution adopted at the last annual conference. The Rev W. I. Morris proposed, and Rev John Pugh seconded :— That this conference, while rejoicing to observe that the licensing authorities are becoming more alive to the fact that in granting licences they act in the name and for the benefit ni the public, as witness the fact that one large bench in South Wales refusel all new applications at Brewster Sessions another gave notice to the holders of licence3 for tied houses that the question of renewal in their caes would be seriously considered next year while a third import- ant bench offered six instead of seven days' licences to all offenders against the Welsh Sunday Closing Act and others have suppressed a large number øf existing public houses, nevertheless the conference strongly condemns the action of those licensing authorities in South Wales who have granted licences for the sale of intoxicating liquors in localities where such accom- modation was not required, and wholly in opposition to the wishes of the }leople. That a copy of thIs resolu- tion be sent to the justices of the peace in South Wales and Monmouthshire. The resolution, after being supported by the Revs William Jones (Treharris), Alderman Aaron Davies, D. G. Evans, and Thomas Morgan (hon. sec.), was unanimously adopted. Resolution adopted at last Council meeting. Rev. John Pugh proposed, Rev D. Young seconded, and it was resolved— That the council observes with pleasure the indig- nation so generally expressed in view of the recent enormous development of the liquor by means of the iniquitous system of tied houses," and calls upon the authorities to deal with this evil as it deserves, especially in view of the recent decision re magisterial discretion. Your humble servant, MORRIS MORGAN, Sec. South Wales and Monmouthshire Temperance Association. Irvonia, Swansea, Aug 3rd, 189L" The following reply has been received, from an influential magistrate:— (COPF.) Milford House, Tenby, Aug. 25,1891. Dear Sir,—I have to thank you for your circular about licensing public-houses. I am sorry that I can- not be of direct assistance to you at the licensing meeting of mar;istrates] in consequence of my residence being out of the counties for which I am a magistrate, viz., Glamorgan and Pembrokeshire, otherwise I would take an active part on your side. As long as tied houses get licensed not much good, I fear, can be done but, of course, every attempt should be made. Nothing can be worse than the condition of towns in Glamorgan, but a good example set by the magis- trates m that county would probably be followed by the other counties in South Wales. I am very faithfully yours, THOMAS ALLEN.

A NEW LIBERAL CLUB FOR SWANSEA. At last Swansea Liberals have a habitation worthy of their party and their town. To-day Lord Herschell, the Lord High Chancellor under Mr Gladstone's last administration, will declare it formally opened, and henceforward it will become the centre of political activity for the town and district. For many years the leading Liberals of the town have been agitating the necessity for erecting such a building, and about eight years ago some steps were taken by a number of gentlemen in this direction, but all they were able to do at the time was to establish a club in temporary premises in Wind- street, which have done service ever since. This club was the centre of much political work, and the Rouree of much energy in directions where too little had been displayed in the past, and the fact that out of its establishment has sprung the handsome premises on the opposite side of the road, which the above sketch pourtrays, is in itself a tribute to the original movers in the matter and to the value of their work. Very soon after the establish- ment of the club in the temporary premises alluded to, the members formed a building committee, whos e duty it was to take all the necessa ry steps to secure a site for a permanent building, and to formulate a sche me acceptable to the members. Th e first chairman of this com mittee was Mr Morgan Tutton, and the first honorary secretary, Mr Percy Shuttlewood, of the South Wales Daily Nev:s. The committee worked hard, numbers of sites were inspected and nego- tiated about, and two were in turn on almost the very point of being acquired, when others pre- sented themselves to notice. Plans had been prepared for a club on a tr iangular piece of ground in Goat-street, when it was found possible to get the more suitable site in Wind- street. A company was formed, of which Mr A. W. Halden was first secretary, to raise a capital of £ 5,000 and carry out the admirable design prepared by Messrs Bucknell and Jennings, of Swansea and London. To obtain the capital required was no easy matter (and even now the directors will be pleased to receive applications from Liberals willing to support the cause), but the work went on, the contract was given to Messrs Thomas, Watkins, and Jenkins, of Swansea, the amount being £ 3,750, and the club is a reality a credit to the Liberal party, an ornament to the town, and a living tribute to the conscientious and thorough fulfilment of a contract by the builders. The Liberals having given the work of erecting the building to a local firm did not go afield for the internal adornments. All the work that could possibly be done in Swansea has been done, the furniture being pro- vided by the well-known firm of B. Evans and Co. The site covers 46 ft. 6 in. frontage, and about 104 ft. depth, and it contains on the ground floor premises for the London and Provincial Bank, consisting of a bank and rooms for manager and clerks. Behind this is a fine three-table billiard- room. This is approached by a separate door from the bank premises, and by a wide vestibule and entrance lined with Mosaic adamite. Light is obtained by means of a lantern-light in the ceiling. Besides the billiard-room, there are lavatories and other necessary offices. The whole of the basement is utilised for cellars and two skittle alleys, the latter obtaining side lights from a lane running on the lower side. The approach to the upper floors is by a wide and easy staircase. On the first floor is the reading-room, a spacious and handsomely furnished apartment, which extends alon^ the whole front. It is 43ft. by 25ft. 6in., and is well lighted by windows along the front. There is a balcony opening from the centre, whence addresses can be delivered to mass meetings, etc. Behind is a bar and dining-room, and another lavatory. On the second floor is a large room intended for public meetings, banquets, etc. This can be divided by a move- able partition of shutters into two rooms for committees, etc. Behind is a secretary's room, kitchen, scullery, etc. On the third floor are the steward's and servants' rooms, besides two bath- rooms for members. The front is a handsome facade in the French renaissance, divided into bays by plasters with carved capitals, and finished at t6. top by a balustrade with stone banisters. The lower portion of the front to the first floor is of Forest of Dean stone, and the remainder is in Bath stone. The foundation stone was laid last August by Lady Vivian, wife of the hon. member for the Swansea district, and Mr Dillwyn, the veteran member for the town. The chairman on that occasion was Mr David Randell, M.P. The shareholders and the party are much in. debted to the directors for the energy they have thrown into the work, and especially to Mr William V. Blewett, the indefatigable secretary to the company.

ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT CARDIFF. At Cardiff police-court yesterday—before Mr L. M. Browne, Alderman Jacobs, and Alderman D. E. Jones—Mary Hill, aged 27, was charged with attempting to commit suicide by taking a quantity of phosphorous paste. The prisoner, a married woman, expressed her sorrow for what had occurred, saying she hardly knew what she was doing at the time as she had been drinking from the previous Saturday. She promised that nothing of the kind should occur again, and her husband, who was in court, promised to look well after her. On this understanding the Bench allowed her to go free.

DR. DB JONGH'S LIGHT-BROWN COD LIVER I OIL.—IN CASES OF CHRONIC COUGH ITS EFFICACY IS UNEQUALLED.—Dr Hunter Semple, Physician to the Hospital for Diseases of the Throat and Chest, writes I have long been aware of the ^reat reputation enjoyed by the Light-Brown Cod Liver Oil introduced to medical practice by Br de Jongli.and have recommended it with the utmost confidence. I have found Dr de Jongh's Oil very useful in cases of Chronic Couffh, and especially in Laryngeal Disease complicated with Con- •sumption. Sold only in capsuled Imperial Half-pints, 2s 6d Pints, 4s 3d Quails, 9s, by all chemists. Sole Consignees, Ansar, Hart Qui, ajid Co.. &Q, High Hoi- born, Loudop- j

THE SAD DEATH OF A CARDIFF TRAVELLER. At the Cardiff Town Hall, yesterday, Mr Grover, deputy-coroner, held an inquiry into the the circumstances attending the death of Charles Frederick Woodman (24), late of 33, Charles-street whose body was found near the Pier- head. Maud Mayman, barmaid at the Mount Stuart Hotel, said that deceased called at the hotel on Wednesday evening. He was not served with anything to drink. It was ten minutes to 10 when he left. He did not tell her that he was going to meet the steamer from Ilfracombe. Charles Gregory, of the borough police, deposed that on Thursday morning he was called to the landing-stage near the Pierhead, where he saw a man lying in the water face downwards. A boat was obtained, and the body was recovered and conveyed to the mortuary. The deceased's watch had stopped at 10 o'clock. There were no marks of injury on the body. It was lying about 15 yards from where the pas- sengers land. The night was dark, and heavy rain was falling. The pontoon was lit up by gas. He knew that in wet weather the boards become quite slippery. The place could not be said to be well lighted. William Rawle, Penarth, who holds a similar position to the deceased with Messrs Hancock, was called. He found the accounts of the deceased in perfect order. He last saw him alive shortly after six o'clock on Wednesday afternoon. He was then very cheerful, and nothing unusual was noticed in him. Mr David Jones, a juror. said that he saw tho deceased about half-past nin, on Wednesday night. He was quite sober. He told him that he was going to the docks to meet Mr Davies, of the Mount Stuart Hotel, and who had gone to Ilfricoinbe.-The Coroner having briefly summed up, the jury found that the deceased was accidentally drowned, and added, as a rider, that in their opinion the pontoon should be better lighted.

A PAINFUL CASE AT CARDIFF At the Cardiff police-court yesterday—before the Deputy-Stipendiary (Mr L. M. Browne)— Ernest H. Horstman, aged 20, was charged on remand with stealing one dozen silver teaspoons, one silver butter knife, 18 knives, a gold chain and pendant, one gold wedding ring, a. gold bracelet, two silver spoons, altogether valued at £ 23 15s 3d, the property of Mr Joseph Spiridion, within the last two months. Mr Williams defended, and ascertained from Mr Spiridion that previous to entering his employ the prisoner had always borne a very good character. He could not say whether the young man was of an cxciteable temperament. He had been well supplied with pocket money by his relatives, and had also a legacy of £ 90 left him a short time ago. —Detective Oxley said when he arrested and charged the prisoner he replied, "I am guilty." He afterwards walked home with the detective, and opening a box returned all the articles stolen except two rings he had sent away to a general dealer in London. Before his arrest, however, he had telegraphed for these to be re- turned, a request which had since been complied with. Mr Williams said the prisoner was well connected, his father being a very respectable resident of Weston-super-Mare. He had also excellent testimonials from the lad's school- master. The thefts had been committed in a moment of impulse, but he had re- pented, and had he not been arrested he would have returned the goods to his employer. Mr Spiridion said he had no feel- ing against the prisoner. Mr Williams also stated that at times the prisoner was of such a temperament as to be scarcely responsible for his actions. Mr Browne reserved his judgment until after lunch. On the resumption of the sitting, Mr Browne said he had read most carefully the testimonials. He was bound to to say the case was a most serious one. The prisoner had been placed in a position of some trust, and had taken advantage of that to steal his employer's goods. He did not like the idea of sending him to gaol, considering the character he had pre- viously borne, but he had decided to bind him over on his own recognizances of 250 and one surety of J650 to be on his good behaviour for twelve months. He hoped tho course he had taken would not lead people to think that he looked lightly upon such cases. It was the opinion of one of her Majesty's judges that it was better to turn a man into a respectable citizen than to make a gaol-bird of him.

LABOUR ORGANISATION AT CARDIFF. Of late, it is stated, the tippers employed at the docks at Cardiff and Barry have manifested a willingness to be associated for trades union pur- poses with the Cardiff, Penarth, and Barry Coal Trimmers' Protection and Benefit Association, a large number of them being at the present time not members of any organisation. In order to ascertain the extent of tnis feeling, the secretary of the above-named Association had a number of foolscap sheets placed in the sheds at the tips round the docks with the request printed at the head of each that those wishful to join the society would affix their names. Nearly all the papers have now been collected, and the number of signatures appended represents a decided majority of the men employed, while a number of those who have not affixed their names have expressed directly their readiness to become members of the Association. Already, we under. stand, the executive of the society has passed a resolution in favour of their enrolment, provided the men themselves are agreeable. At an early date a meeting of the entire body of the Associa- tion will be convened to consider the question generally, and should such gathering confirm the resolution oi the committeoj steps will then be taken to hold a similar meeting of the tippers, at which resolutions favourable to the project will be presented for consideration.

POISONED BY LUCIFER MATCHES An inquest ha3 been held before Mr Jennings, coroner, Manchester, respecting the death of Annie Hill, aged 24, who died on the previous day at Etton.—From the evidence of George Hill, the father, who is a master joiner in the village, the deceased was taken very ill a week ago, and told him she had been sucking lucifer matches. She had been in the habit of sucking matches when a girl, and could not resist the habit, although he had hoped she had broken it off. She had told him she had no intention of injuring herself. She had no trouble on the contrary, she was engaged to be married, and was on the best possible terms with her intended husband. The girl told the doctor who was called in that she was unable to resist; an old habit made her suck the phosphorous.— The jury returned a verdict that the cause of death was poison incautiously taken and without any intention of taking life.

CADSUBT'S COCOA. — "A Cocoa POSSESSING valuable flesh-forming qualities and imparting strength aad staying .power,—Xtffo

MYTUDDIN. The previous occasion on which the National Eisteddvod was held at Swansea was in 1330. H. W.—"Iago Ceredigion signifies James of Cardigan. The bestowal of this appellation on Alderman James Jones is explained by the circumstance that that gentleman IS a native of what is sometimes described as the finest county in Wales. POLITICAL INQUIREII.—Sir Mount Stuart Grant DuS, we believe, now classes himself as a Liberal Unionist. RADICAL.—Mr W. A. Williams, Gwilym Gwent, who died recently in Pittsburg, was a working miner. He was a native of Blaina, in Monmouthshire.

DRUIDISM. "GURNOS" EXAMINES ITS PRETENSIONS. w TO THE EDITOR. SIB,—When proof is dumb we ought to be deaf. Must we deny all history ? The classic writers, it is true, except Tacitus, wrote of the Druids of France, and not of those of Britain. But Druidism in both lands is considered to have been the same. Young men were sent from the Con- tinent to Britain to be taught, But Ctesar refers now and then to the Druids of Britain. Tacitus says that religion and superstition were the same here and in France. Caasar says that Druidism commenced in Britain and was brought over to France, In the time ef Caesar young men were sent here to school. If we accept Caesar's testimony on this and other favourable matters, why not on unfavourable things, as human sacrifices 1 Nearly a. century before the time of Agricola, Julius Caesar states that the inhabitants of France were in the habit of sending their children to Britain to be educated by the ancestors of the Welsh people." Morien, if we receive this from Caesar, why not as well on human sacrifices ? Farmer and Lawyer:— Farmer: "One bull killed another bull." Lawyer Owner of the conquering bull must pay the value of the one that was killed to its owner." Farmer: "It was your bull that killed my bull." Lawyer: "Oh, that alters the case." Caesar says :—" Druids believe if they sacrifice not the life of man for the life of man, the immor- tal gods will be angry. They have sacrifices of this nature for national purposes. They sacrifice the innocent." [See C&sar De Bell. Gall. l.vi. v. 16.] Cicero, in his oration on Fonteius, refers to the same cruel practice as a well-known truth. Athenseus (in the year 190) says that the Galls sacrificed their slaves to their gods. Tacitus states that the Druids in our land--the Isle of Briton— killed human beings as offerings to the gods. Druids tried to keep the world in darkness. Caesar sayr, (see l. vi. cc. 14) They oppose the art of writing in not allowing the young men to write their verses. And they, in every other transaction, use the Greek letters one reason for that is that they wish not for the people to under- stand their creed. They believe that the soul at death goes to another body." Their chief god is Mercunus, of whom they have many their leader in arts .tence5, and in their rambling*- They believe that he can give them success m trade. Next to Mercurius, they wor- ship Apollo, Mars, Jupiter, and Minerva. Their creed concerning these gods is the same as that of other nations. They give all the spoils of war to Mars." (See Caesar De Bell. Gall. l., vi., c. 17.) The same writer says that The Gauls boast that they descend from Dis, (not Disraeli but) the god, and they say that the Druids told them so. Thus they keep the account of time by the number of nights not days." (De Bell. Gall. hi., c. 18.) This Dis, the god from whom the Druids descended, is or was the same as Pluto, the god of hell. Now, my fellow- Welshmen, will you go to that god ? I hear a voice from Snowdon thundering "No!" And the Frenin Fawr in Pembrokeshire will echo No J" Caesar wrote about 55 years before Christ. Diodorus Siculus wrote about 45 years before Christ, "They keep the people under perfect subjection. They used some kind of sorcery, selling themselves to the devil to enable them to do mischief." The same author goes on :— By their witchcraft they foretell future things. In order to tell what shall happen in future they kill a man. They strike him with a sword on his back, and by the way or mode of his falling, and signs of pains in his limbs and the running of his blood they tell future things. They do this according to an old custom which has been amongst them for ages. When a man is thus killed as an offering to the gods a Druid is always prescnt. He alone can understand the signs of the blood, pains and fall of the poor victim. He understands the divine nature of the gods, and can speak their language. The soul at death enters another body, but not of the same kind.—Diodorus Sieulus. How many believe in metempsychosis to-day in England or Wales ? Strabo, before Christ 44 years, gives the same account of the Druids and Druidism They believe the world to be im- mortal, but that fire and water will conquer in the end. These soothsayers are shallow-minded, characters bad, selfish, proud, oppressive, and fond of ornaments. They wear gold chains around their necks, gold bands around arms a.nd waists." Strabo is the same as Diodorus Siculus on killing, the human sacrifice, and signs of divination. But he adds—" They kill some with arrows, and some are crucified. They make a large image of straw; and pile dry wood upon it [the god of straw] then they burn upon it oxen, all sorts of wild beasts, and men together." —(See Strabo t. iv.) Who is willing now to come forward first to be killed ? Who ? No answer. If a man is not willing to die for his religion, there must be something wrong either in the man or his re- ligion. Is there peace ? No, not at any price. No no Druidism taught the people to leap on the funeral pile of the departed friends to be burnt to death in order to be with the friends in the other world Who in Wales is willing to give up Christianity for such trash -called Druidism ? A man at Aberdare went to the Society of Christians who met in a, chapel some 20 years ago:—Deacon: John bach, you have come to us at last, we are glad to see." John: Yes. You are nearer to my house than any other place. I thought once of joining the Oddfellows; but the lodge is too far." Better join any society than Druidism.—I am, &c., Aug. 27th. E. GUliNOS JONES.

DRUIDISM AND MODERN THOUGHT. TO THE EDITOR. SlRj —I take it that "Morien" sees in Druidism that identity with natural religion which dis- tinguishes the latter wherever (and it is universal) it has been found. It is a fact that there is an identity between all the earlier forms of religious thought—the Egyptian, the Hindoo, the Parsee, the Jewish, and the Druidic, that point to their common and universal origin, and that the Christianity of to-day is but a concretion, or an abstraction of all these forms, and not an original or unique creation. The cromleshau and pyramids, towers and obelisks, groves and pillar'd temples all the world over point to a religion identical with Druidism, though perhaps possessing characteristics diversa as the nations to which they belonged. "Morien" doesnot,Itake it,claim that these were, in every detail, the Druidism of Siluria; but that there existed universally a form or forms of religion resembling, if not identical, with Druid- ism. Gurnos' sentences, so profusely garnished with points of interrogation and exclamation, are utterly uncalled for, for who asks that God Him- self should bow to man 1 We have as much evi- dence that the Book of the Dead of Egypt— the Vedas, the Shand-Vesta, the Talmud, nay, the Book of Mormon itself, emanated from the Almighty as we have that the Bible did. What is Christianity if not against progress ? Did she not treat all pioneers of progress as she did Galileo? Is it to Christianity we owe our modem progress ? No, a thousand times, no but to the ever extended range of knowledge that comes within the realm of man's mental horizon, and form of thoughts culled from ancient sources, that has so much modified Christianity that she is not readily recognisable to men who would judge her by the standards of Calvin, Knox, Luther and Wesley. In this age of Colleges, Universities, etc., it is yet true that men of education dare not, for mercen- ary or caste considerations, allow their lips to pro- nounce, or pen to write, the legitimate conclu- sions of their researches, and I for one hail Morien as a pioneer of progress. It might interest "Morien" knowthatthe bee or wasp in the hieroglyphics of Egypt was called kJicb, cheb, and sckhet, meaning royal treasurer, or holder of gifts, and it is also used to represent the immortal part of man, a.nd in a. drawing representing the Egyptian tree of knowledge, there is depicted a goddess in the branches of the tree dispensing gifts to a man and his souJ," the ma.n kneeling, and the soul, with a bee's body, but a human head, is poised at his side. Chap. 2, pp. 64; Egypt of the Past,—I am &e., CHRONOS. August 28, 1891. We have eliminated portions of our correspon- dent's letter for the reason that they were need- lessly offensive to the cherished convictions of most Christian men.-—ED. S. W.D.N.

SECESSIONS TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—My excited Ritualistic opponent,a.s I con- fidently anticipated from my long experience of the species, feels excessively raw" after his well- deserved drubbing. I pass over with a pitying smile his doleful vapourings respecting myself, a.nd make him a clear and fair challenge. For every poor Irishman or Irishwoman whom he can prove to have willingly left the Catholic Church within the last five years, I will bring forward, with names and addresses, 20 men or women who have, in tbe same period, abandoned Anglicanism as "abad dream for the church in communion with St. Peter's successor. Further, for every 50 communicants at the various Ritualistic churches in Cardiff I will guarantee to produce 250 commu- nicants at the altars of the Catholic churches there. My opponent, more suo, has deliberately refused to accept the weighty and au- thoritative judgment of his Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, to the effect that the Church in England is advancing all along the line, despite a. certain amount of "leak- age," not more marked with us than elsewhere; but this cocksure censor surely .will not shirk the offer of the above comparison. *1 will leave him to accept or reject it, and trust your readers will mark the result. The Rev Mr Headley, as. is natural, comes to the rescue of his benighted co-religionist (though I believe they are as wide as the poles asunder on doctrinal and ritual questions !) but I cannot con- gratulate him upon his intervention. A man who, after enjoying the munificent hospitality of the Marquis of Bute, calmly sits down to pen an epistle in which, whilst insolently rebuking me, forsooth, for lack of charity and politeness, calls his noble host and myself Papists"—a most offensive term of opprobrium as everyone knows —and lightly consigns ma to the bottomless pit, might safely be treated with silent contempt. But as he seems honestly surprised that Catholics should protest against the wholesale imitation of their rites, ceremonies, &c., instead of welcoming this form Qf, suwese^, fishery, IwiU relieve hi» mind. It is quite true that in hundreds of parishes of I the Establishment certain Catholic doctrines and practices are being introduced, but the movement is in diametrical contradiction of that body's legal formularies of religion. The ritual bor- I rowed from us has been condemned over and over again by the Anglican bishops and the chief courts of the "Church and realm." It was not for nothing that such a man as the Earl of Selborne (another High Churchman) says:— The first principles of morality are affected by this state of things." It was not for nothing that another man of the same party, Dean Burgon, warned his countrymen that "every step in the success of these men is the deterioration of the national character." It was not for nothing that the learned Dean Alford said: Their whole defence is a mass of quibble, equivocation, and subterfuge, disgraceful to English gentlemen." Catholics object, then, to countenance or to welcome this scandalous dishonesty. It is quite true that many thousands of souls are being yearly received into the Catholic Church but for their previous instruction by these so- called Catholic priests" in the Protestant Church, would, humanly speaking, have never been attracted towards the One Fold. There is scarcely a family that is not touched by con- version in some near or more distant member of it. It is because the Ritualists are so near to us in some respects that we strive most earnestly to induce them to submit to the Catholic Church, which alone authoritatively teaches and practises now, as always, the doctrines and ritual of which they are so fond. It is inexpressibly sad— especially to those of us who have long since fled from the City of Confusion in order to save our souls—to see them wasting their lives in various delusions, pursuing shadows as if they were realities, and running the risk of being surprised by death before they have effected their reconciliation with Holy Mother Church.— I am, &c., W. VANCE PACKMAN. Arbourthorne, Thornbury-road, Clapham Park, S.W., Aug. 27, 1891.

A TIME-GUN FOR CARDIFF. TO THE EDITOR. SlR,—In your leader of to-day, bidding good- bye to the British Association, yo u make re- ference to the important necessity of Cardiff possessing a time-gun, which I fully endorse. It is doubtless true that we havesome two, or perhaps three, time-balls about the town, but what on earth are they good for to the general public carrying watches about their person, or to the housewife who has the clock standing on the man- telshelf, unless they make a special journey from time to time te see the falling of the time-ball ? The other morning I had to catch a train, and was sorely perplexed. I myself was not certain (to ten minutes) as to my watch or clock being correct, and found some two or three neighbours similarly situated. Hence, I lost the train. If, however, your hint for a. time gun were accepted, it would be a great boon to tho inhabitants, say, if it was fired every morning at 10 o'clock every housewife would have a chance to see to her time- piece. Similarly, every other person carrying a l watch-no matter what parf ccrwT1116 may f be would bave "ne opportunity of knowing daily the correct time.—I am, &c., Aug. 27th. TIME-GUN.

HOME RULE FOR WALES. TO THE EDITOR, SIR,—The successful representative conference at Llandrindod clearly indicates that Welsh Nationalists are at last beginning to arouse them- selves to the work of emancipating the Welsh people and elevating Wales to its proper level amongst the nations of the earth. As a Welsh- man I am at a loss to understand the reason why Welshmen should halt at anything less than that asked for by our Irish friends. That is, why should Wales not go in for a subordinate Parlia- ment to manage her own domestic affairs ? It seems to me to be absurd that Welshmen should continually be asking the English Parliament for a Secretary of State. Suppose we get one of the Balfourian type, would we be anything better off than at present ? No for a Welsh State official, .controlled by an English Parliament, would mean nothing less than creating a rich berth for some great legal functionary at the expense of the already overburdened taxpayer without any real benefit to the thirteen counties of Wales. What I venture to say is that we, as Nationalists, should go to the root of the evil and boldly ask for local autonomy. We hear a. good deal in those days about putting Wales on the same footing as Ireland and Scotland, but, in my opinion, we should not rest until our dear old oountry is placed on the same footing as Eng- land. Kindly allow me to suggest the formation of Welsh Home Leagues throughout the country, and that the chief plank in their programme should be a Parliament in Wales.—I am, &c., DAVID THOMAS. Penygraig, August 27th.

THE DISPUTE AT THE OLD LODGE WORKS. TO THE EDITOR, SIR,—In your issue to-day, in referring to the above, it is stated that it was decided to adopt the agreement, with slight modifications, which was signed by the general secretary last week. This is not correct, inasmuch as no modification whatever has been agreed upon, and the works will start on the basis of the agreement referred to, which it may be as well to quote, viz. :— August 18th, 1891. It is this day agreed between Mr Aaron Stene, chairman of the directors of the Old Lodge Tinplate Works, and Mr Thomas Phillips. Secretary of the Tinplate Workers' Union, that the Old Lodge Tinplate Works Company will re-starc llalDe on Monday next, August 24th, 1391, on the understanding that they will have a right, if they so desire, to dispense with the surplus labour employed at their works at the end of three months from the time of the re-starting of the works. are &c., OLD LODGE TINPLATE CO., LD., Per Jeremiah Williams, Secretary. Llanelly, Aug. 28.

THE CRYMMYCH ASSAULT CASES. TO THE EDITOR. SIR.—Kindly allow me through your columns to acknowledge the receipt of 10s from X. Y., on behalf of the defendants in the Crymmych tithe prosecutions.—I am, &c., JOHN EVANS. Penygroes, Aug. 28. T r_-

THE RUDRY ^LICENSING QUESTION. TO THE EDITOR. SIR,—Tlie Rev D. Johns reminds me strongly of the "Three Tailors of Toolev-street" with his grandiloquent use of the pronoun we," and to judge by the lordly manner in which he speaks of the parish he appears to keep it in his pocket, and to regulate the wishes of the entire inhabit- ants. I am glad to notice that his requirements are met by the existing houses. It is certainly novel information to learn that publicans, brewers, architects, and potato merchants form "the classes." I am sure the representatives of these trades will be highly honoured. I must decline to accept Mr Johns' measure- ments until they are verified by qualified surveyors. It would be certainly absu-d to accept his figures as authoritative, arrived ac as they are by blind partisans. Mr Johns is hope- lessly wrong in stating that the existing public- houses are nearer the colliery than the intended hotel, and this statement may be taken as a fair example of the value of his judgment. He appears to have based his calculations on "short cuts," through fields where it would be impossible to take carriages, See. For instance, the high road from Rudry Colliery to Green Meadow would be nearly four miles, as against the imaginary 865 yards, "shortcut," quoted by Mr Johns. It would also be interesting to examine the much talked-of petition in view of theinterest- ing manner in which petitions of this kind are got up. It is quite true that Cardiff is not perfect or happy, but it would doubtless be considerably improve if we could persuade Mr Johns to come among us, and act the autocratic Pope. In view of the fact that three-fourths of the workmen at tho Rudry Colliery live at Machen, Bedwas, and Caerphilly, they would certainly require accommodation nearer than either of the existing houses. It is surprising to find that Mr Johns' preaching duties and building operations leave him sufficient time to govern the parish. The key-note of Mr Johns' position may be formed in one of his con- cluding sentences, in which he asserts his inten- tion to oppose the licence to extremes." His motto should really read our own narrow views and interests, and never mind anybody else."— I am, &c., R. T. Cardiff, August 28tb.

COAL MINES REGULATION ACT, 1887. TO THK EDITOR. SIR,—I beg to enclose you a copy of a circular letter which I have sent to the members of this association.—I am, &c., MASKELL WM. PEACE. 18, King-street, Wigan, 27th August, 1891. I beg to call your attention to tha following facts :— A new abstract of this Act has been furnished by the inspectors thereunder to every colliery owner. The Act requires (sec. 57) that the abstract supplied on the application of the owner, agent, or manager of the mine by the inspector shall be published as follows :— The owner, agent, or manager of the mine shall cause the abstract and copy of the rules, with the name of the mine, and the name and address of the inspector of the district, and the name of the owner or agent, and of the manager appended thereto, to be posted up in legible characters, in some conspicuous place at or near the mine, where they may be conveniently read by the persons employed, and so often as the same become defaced, obliterated, or destroyed, shall cause them to be renewed with all reasonable despatch." The new abstract has not been furnished on the ap- plication of an owner, &0" but has been sent without any such application by the inspectors. I therefore wrote to the Home Office to ask if it. was desired that the new Abstract should be substituted for the old one, and I am informed in reply "that such is the Home Secretary's intention. Inasmuch as tho pub- lication of the Abstract for the time being is one of the protections provided by the Act, for coal owners, I think it essential that the new Abstract should bo published at once as directed by the Act, and I re- spectfully advise you to do so. Copies of the new Abstract, in sheet and pamphlet form, can be obtained from Mr Andrew Keid, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Messrs Ben Johnson and Co., York; The West Yorkshire Printing Company, Limited, Bread-street, Wakefield Messrs Steen and Son, Queen-square, Wolverhamp- Messrs Duncan and Sons, Cardiff; and Mr Charles Sever, Long Mfllgate, Manchester.—I am, dear sir, yours truly, MASKELL WM. PEACE, Secretary.

WAGES OF CARDIFF CORPORATION LABOURERS. TO THE EDITOR. SlR,—I see by a report of the meeting of the Health Committee to-day that the question of increasing the wages of the men engaged in the Scavenging Department came up for discussion. I was not aware until I read that report that a real live Rip Van Winkle is in our midst. If Alderman Thomas Rees is not that hoary-headed I individual himself, he has at least shown us that he can, when it suits him, act the part to a nicety. He has always in the Council been ready to champion the refusal, at all risks, of any I increase in the salaries of the different depart- ments. But this wa3 in his capacity as councillor, and when his actions were open not only to the criticism of the ratepayers, but also to the adverse verdict of their votes. The scene is now changed, «nd the erstwhile Councillor Rees finds himself -v- no longer the crear.ure of circumstances:, but a solid member of the upper hci-se in our local parliament. Your readers camsit but help con- trasting yesterday's meeting at which Mr Ress considered thesum of eighteen shillings per week as amplo for the 1)001' scAvaagei to keep !;ody and soul together, and upon which to live a lif's of decency and comfort, with another meeting of thlt same Council held a short time ago, when ths sum of JB5 per week was added to the salary of a gentleman who was already in receipt of £75Q per annum drawn from the rates and police- court fines. This addition was furtherinoie made though the official referred to no open request or demand for the increase, and MI Rees was oneof tbe first to justify the proposal and to record his vote in its favour. But yesterday, when it was desired to a-kl a few shillings pel week to the big salaries drawn by the scaven- gers, Mr Rees had the hardihood to raise the petty and trifling objection that the motion had been sprung upon the Council, and must, there. fore, be rejected. There is but one conclusion I can come to, and that is that in the stipendiary's case there was a perfect understanding, honestly and unanimously I have no doubt arrived at, by such members of the Council as go in for awarding and augmenting the big plums of the town as they please; whereas in the case of the scavengers there was that diversity of opinion which is fatal to any proposal made without formal notica and with humble cringing, or, in the words of Mr Rees, "sprung upon the committee." Can the worthy Alderman by any logical methods known to him reconcile to his conscience his action on these two occasionsIf he can, I may assure him on my own part and that of the public that an insight into these peculiar mental methods of his would be duly appreciated now that the British Associa- tion has whetted our argumentative weapons.— 1 am, &c., JOHN GARDNER. 20, Beauchamp-street, Riverside. August 28, 1S91.

BOYHOOD OF THE PRINCE OF WALES. The English Illustrated Magazine for September contains an article by Mr L. R. Wheeler on tb. Queen's gardens at Osborne. These gardens, it seems, are zealously watched, and kept strictly guarded from prying eyes. They contain a number of relics of the gardening practices of the present Royal family when they were small children, and a number of curiosities collected by these same children when they had grown up from all parts of the world. We make a few extracts:—On the right of the entrance gate stands the children's tool-house, built (as a strip of wood in the Queen's hand- writing reports) by the hands of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh in 1857. It is still in splendid preservation, for the late Prince Consort always taught his children to do things well. Judging' from large tool- house, tb Princfi.of Wftles and the Duke of Edin- burgh were no mean adepts at carpentering, the boarding of the sides bejnK substantially put together, and the gables of the roof morticed in true form frequently when the Prince of Wales visits the gardens he looks critically round this shed to see that the joinings are secure. It is kept exactly as it was when the Princes and Princesses were young, the barrows and garden tools being in an excellent state of preservation. Each child had a perfect set of tools with a barrow and a waggon, and the Queen had a special waggon for herself, in which the children often drew her about. The initials of each of the Royal children are painted on the back of the instruments, with the exception of those of Princess Beatrice and the Duke of Albany, who were then very yeung, and had to put up with a toy horse and cart and a very small barrow. The Dukes of Edinburgh and Connaught were very fond of building stone and brickwork, and their handiwork can be seen in another part of the gardens in the shape of a miniature fortreei called the Albert Barracks," which was finished on the 2nd of October, I860. It was under the eye of the Prince Consort these fortifications were commenced, and splendid sham battles were fought there by the children the Duke of Con- naught and the Duke of Edinburgh defending their works against the combined attack of their brothers and sisters. It is an oft-repeated story that sometimes the attack, led by the Prince of Wales, was too much for Prince Alfred and Prince Arthur, who were driven off battle- ments into the underground chamber; which was proof against capture, and in which they had a separate store of arms. The fortress is kept in exactly the same order as it was then.

LANDLORD TYRANNY IN WALES. Sir Edward Watkin, M.P., remarks the London Daily News, as a Welsh landlord, is seeking t* undo mischief which his predecessors wrought. Publicity was given a few years ago to a painful case near Beddgelert, where a small company of Welsh Methodists found that the lease on their little chapel and chapel house had expired, and that they could only retain the buildings by surrendering a part of the site and paying the sum of £400 sterling. After leaving the chapel for awhile they paid the sum and regained possession. Sir Edward Watkin, who has a chalet near Beddgelert, has now become the land- lord, and he has restored the portion of the site that was lost, and given substantial aid. Writing to the Rev T. Gwynedd Roberts to acknowledge a resolution of thanks, Sir Edward expresses himself in the following emphatic terms :—" My little contributions to the Betbania Chapel, espe cially the land, were not merely the proper donations of a landlord to good religious work, but were to some extent influenced by my in- disrnation at the harsh and excessive terms inflicted upon the congregation by my predecessor in the possession of the land. If the Church of England in Wales is to be disestablished, such cases as that of Bethania may be well quoted as showing the tyranny of a dominant sect—land- owners all the same.

ANOTHER PLAGUE FOR THE FARMER. Reports from Crowland,in the Fens of Lincoln- shire, and the village of Deeping Saint Nicholas, near Spalding, state that the pest known as the mustard-bug is exhibiting itself in an extra- ordinary manner in those localities, and the farmers are suffering very seriously thereby. At Deeping a field of mustard ivas cut which was badly infested, and as soon as the crop was down the mustard-bugs were to be seen crossing the roads in millions. They devoured everything in the people's gardens, and made their way into the houses, and had to be swept out with brushes. At Crowland, some ten miles distant from Spalding, the mustard-bug is becoming a dreaded plague. It has greatly injured the crop, and now that it has been cut and carried the bug is migrating to fresh crops, such as turnips, cole- seed, and everything of a similar nature, all of which are subject to its attacks. As at the village of Deeping, it has been seen crossing the roads in myriads in its journey from field to field.

MR GLADSTONE AND THE AGRICULTURAL LABOURER. A Brixton correspondent recently wrote to Mr Gladstone calling his attention to the Wisbech election, as, in his opinion, an evidence that the agricultural labourer still relied upon the Liberal party to work out Hodge's political salvation." The correspondent also urged Mr Gladstone to express a word of hope to the labourer. Ml Gladstone replied:— "You may rest assured that the Liberal partyi who in the teeth of the House of Lords procured the franchise for the agricultural labourer, did not thus arm him for nothing, and hope to do bun full justice in the first place by bringing local government to his door and securing for him mora free access to the use of the land."

SIR C. DILKE ON THE LABOUR COMMISSION. Sir Charles Dilke, Bart., addressing a meeting of Somersetshire miners at Retook yesterdaft said the Government seemed inclined to COlllEI¡Ud that the Royal Commission on Labour was boy* cotted by miners and by the supporters of restriction of the hours of adult labour. Commissions appointed just before general elee- tions were often and rightly looked upon as appointed for electoral purposes, and it was nO new thing to boycott them. The ground take" by the Liberals in 1885 in refusing to have any- thing to do with the Fair Trade Commission wa9 the same ground which he took with regard to the present commission, namely, that it was appoints with the idea of tiding over the general election.

WILL OF MR LEWIS LOYÐ. The gross value has been sworn at £596, 16s 9d, and the net value at £593,359 7s 4d, 0 tha personal estate of the late Mr Lewis Loyd« of Ilyde Park-gardens and Monk's Orchard# Addington, who died on July 19 last. By hi* will, dated November 5, 1885, with a codicil 0 the same date, Mr Loyd appointed as executor* his brother Mr Edward Loyd of Lillesden, Ken* (who died on December 21 last), his wife, Frances Harriet Loyd, his nephew, Lewis Viviafl Loyd, of Rutland Gate, and his nephew, Archtf Kirkman Loyd, of 60A, Cadogan-square,

THE BRICKLAYERS' DISPUTE AF NEWPORT. t The two arbitrators appointed to decide w, tlier or not tho bricklayers of Newport shol11_1 be paid the extra halfpenny, have held severa< meetings. It will be remembered that after six weeks' strike the bricklayers resumed work 7%d per hour, on the understanding that th* halfpenny in dispute should be referred to gentlemen. Major C. r. Wall is was 110mmate on behalf the employers, and Alderman Vaugha" by the men. The latter is understood to favou' an increase of a farthing per hour, making whilst the foiuier prefers that the rate shall be in the summer and 8d in the winter. Probably settlement will be arrived at after the n.rbitrato: have consulted the respective parties who invoked their aid.

COLMAK'S MUSTAIUI OIL.—Those who from rheumatism may obtain apeedy relief by usl^j | Colinan's Mustard Oil. Outwardly "applied, it i* I] marvellous efficacy, as thousands of sufferers can Jgj who have found relief from its application, Sold J" all Chemists and Grocers, at Is per bottle. A MAUD Where do you get the beautiful CUP1? coffee you speak of ? Flora Oh, at 14, and it is tho most charming I ever tasted in or on the Continent