South Wales Daily News

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES. DEATHS Notices of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, Is each, if net exceeding 20 words, and 6d for each extra 10 words. MARRIAGES. DAVIES—MORGAN.—On the 31st of January, at Llan- debie Church, by the Rev. D. Davies, M.A., vicar of the parish, Henry Ballard Davies, draper, Nanty- moel, to Frances Ann, daughter of Mrs Morgan, Cwmllwchwr Farm, Llandebie. 496 BLAKE—CLODE. On the 1st inst., at Llandough Church, by the Rev. Frank Williams (of Cogan), Thomas Arthur Blake, of Swanbridge Farm, second son of Mr William Blake, of Cogan Hall Farm, Cogan, to Laura Isa Clode, eldest daughter of Mr T. B. Clode, of the Merry Harriets Hotel.Llandough. 514 PAKEN-IIAM—PHILLIPS.-O11 the 1st February, at All Saints' Church, Llanelly, by the Rev. Francis Morgan, vicar of Broadway, assisted by the Rev. Evan Thamas, Llanelly, William Law Pakenham, eldest son of Montagu Pakenham, of Bath, to Ada Mary, eldest daughter of J. Beavan Phillips, J.P., llanelly. 4144 DEATHS. DEATHS. HOPKINs.-On 24th January (suddenly), at 9, Berkeley- place, Wimbledon, Surrey, Surgeon-Major Nathaniel Hopkins, Bombay Army (retired), a«ed 60 years. Much regretted by his sorrowing friends and relatives. MATTHEWS.—At Cowbridge, February 2nd, Mr Thomas Matthews, saddler, in his 89th year. Funeral Monday, at 3 o'clock. Friends please accept this the only intimation. 41110 DIXON.—On 1st February, 1894, at Penrhiw, Maindee, Newport, Clara, the deaily-beloved wife of Edwin Dixon. and second daughter of Mr E. Fennell, aeed 37. Deeply mourned. 4135 NOYES.—On the st inst., at 24, Bridge-street, Ponty- pridd, Mr Joseph Noyes. Funeral Monday next, leaving the house at 2.30 for Glyntaff Cemetery. Friends please accept this intimation. 4141--780a DAVIES.-On the 1st inst., at the New Inn, Treherbert, Mary, the beloved wife of William Davies. Funeral on Tuesday next, starting at 3.30 p.m. for Carmel Chapel, Treherbert. 4143 ia

SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 3. 1894, CRITICISM AND-OTHERWISE. RIDICULE is unquestionably a legitimate and a very effective test of Truth, but it must be ridicule, skilfully and scientifically applied, and not feeble and vaporous banter, for in that case the laugh would be turned against the criticaster—who is not a critic, far from it—and not against his would be victim. It pains one's sense of fitness to see the critic's rod in the hands of a weak- ling and a pretender. ACHILLES' spear can only be poised by ACHILLES' hand. It is contemptible enough when the continuous attacks upon the Welsh Liberal members begin and end in vituperation and reviling, but "it is most tolerable and not to be endured" by gods, men, or columns" when these attacks degenerate into the style of 'ABRY at his worst—an insipid and repulsive admixture of chaff and haggling, street-corner slang and low, idle collo- quialisms. "What harm," inquired Dr. JOHNSON, when rebuking this style of feeble, flippant attack, "can it do to a man to call him HOLOFERNES ?" No harm to the man, certainly, but much harm to the I political critic, or the would-be critic, who descends to this method of mean, spiteful, personal warfare. Major JONES might not be a son of ANAK, but is it neces- sary to possess the limbs and stature of the giant BLUNDERBORE in order to apprehend and solve technical and political problems, or to win credit and fame in military and political warfare ? Of the son of TYDEUS, the smallest of all the Greek warriors before TROY, whose bravery was conspicuous amongst the bravest of his brother chiefs, ¡ HOMER sang, His little body boasts a mighty mind. Major JONES is not in- jured, no harm is done to him by the I coarse ribaldry of certain small beer Tory journalists, who can descend to the costermonger vice of offensively commenting II on the personal appearance of their foes. The injury and harm are to the Tory jour- nalists, whose own political friends—that is the decent and reputable amongst them- repudiate and despise these journalists for resorting to the poisoned weapons of per- sonal comment. To ridicule, as a political weapon, we, as Liberals, can have no objec- tion, and readily recognise and appreciate its force, even when used against our- selves, provided it is ridicule, and not a fusillade of empty paper pellets, discharged with puny arm and with the aimless skill of an amateur out of practice. What harm can it do Mr D. A. THOMAS, for instance, to be told that when he talks politics he is listened to with impatience even by his constituents and that even MARK. TAPLEY of immortal memory would have found it difficult to look cheerful whilst he is going on; and that he has not yet gulped down the Horncastle pill ? Let us have ridicule by all means; but let it be ridicule from the brain and pen of the critic, and not an exchange of street-corner chaff, which debases political controversy to the level of the circus and the mews. Of this style of criticism-but criticism is degraded by the association-STERNE wrote-" Grant us patience, just Heaven i Of all the cants that are canted in this canting world, though the eant of hypocrites may be the worst, the cant of criticism is the most torment- • „ Ji mg.

WALES TO THE FRONT." AN article under the above heading will be found in anqtherpart of our, issue this I morning, directing attention to the position given to Welsh Disestablishment at the annual meetings of the National Liberal Federation, which will be held in Ports- mouth on Monday, the 12th instant—next Monday week-and the two following days. It was in contemplation to hold the annual meetings of the Federation in Cardiff this year, but either Lord BUTE, or those responsible for the manage- ment of the BUTE property, with that narrow, contracted, dog-in-the-manger policy so eminently characteristic of ecclesi- astical and political Tories, refused the use of the Drill-hall for holding the meetings and as there is no other building in Cardiff suit- able for that purpose Cardiff lost the influx of some two or three thousand visitors, which would have given some slight spurt to the languid trade of the town. That the II Welsh Disestablishment question should take precedence in time of all the other impor- tant business of the Federation-it comes 'I to the front on the first day of the meetings—is satisfactory enough, J and must be gratifying to Welsh feeling but, in order to give full satisfaction to Wales, it must be placed in a similar posi- tion in the Government programme for next Session. The question of Disestablishment in Wales has been threshed out so thoroughly, so far as the Principality is concerned, that the only question we care to discuss is the probable result of certain practical methods of action. It is utterly useless to attempt to convince ecclesiastical and political Tories of the justice of the claim of Wales to be ecclesiastically Disestablished, and to have the right of governing itself in its own internal affairs. They will admit, although it may be reluctantly, the justice of Local Self-Government in the abstract, or sectionally so far as each separate district in Wales is concerned but they refuse to be convinced" that it is just and righteous, when the principle is applied to Wales as a homogeneous whole. But it is of the very essence of Local Self-Government, that a separate community or a distinct nationality should have the right to control and administer its own affairs in all that per- I tains to itself internally, whilst oyally obeying the behests of the I Central Power in all that concerns m perial interests and national life. But ecclesiastical and political Tories will not admit the conclusion, however logically drawn, whilst conceding the principle from which it is deduced. This inconsistency, however, is no reason why Liberals should not insist upon developing the principle to its full, legitimate, and equitable conclusion. Hence we contend that, as a matter of right and justice, Wales should be permitted to decide upon its own local and internal uestions in its own way. The majority of the Welsh people demand. s they have a right to demand, that the English State Church in Wales should be Disestablished within the boundaries of Wales and if the Government be not fully pledged to secure this boon for Wales, they will surely fine! it a matter of policy and expediency to concede it. Welsh Dises- tablishment is the second article in the Newcastle programme, and that programme /has been recognised by every individual member of the Government as the Liberal programme the programme which the Government have resolved to perfect to completion before they leave office. The Welsh people, and the Welsh members, have stood patiently aside, whilst other Bills, and other measures have taken precedence of Welsh Disestablishment, because they had no desire to embarrass the Government, but the time for Wales to claim the first and prominent position in the Government pro- gramme for the forthcoming Session has fully come, and the Government will have to meet the honest claims of Wales, or to risk the revolt of the Welsh members. We have no reason whatever to suspect that the Government do not intend to bring in a full, complete, and satisfactory Welsh Disestablishment Bill, at the very commencement of the Session and we trust them fully until we find reason to distrust them. There must 00 no half-heartedness about the Welsh Bill; no compromise no keeping the word of promise to the ear, and breaking it to the hope. It must be true, honest, and thorough. With such a Bill brought in at the commencement of the Session, and pressed without delay vigorously on to the second reading, the first instalment of the Welsh demands will be conceded. Then will come the question of policy, and it is a question for the Welsh Liberal members, as well as for the Government, to consider, and primarily for the Welsh Liberal members. Shall the Bill be forced through all its stages next Session to be in- C, n continently kicked out by the House of Lords or would it be sounder policy, having committed the House of Commons to the principle of Welsh Disestablishment by passing the Bill through second reading, to pass a Registration Bill and a measure to abolish plural voting, and thus to check- mate the Lords in their insolent crusade against the wishes and demands of the people ? It is purely a question of policy and tactics. Which course of action is the most likely to be successful which most likely to secure, in the speediest way, the passing into law of a Welsh Disestablishment Bill ? Of course, arguments, and strong argu- ments, can be advanced, in vindication of either line of action, and neither of them involves the sacrifice of principle. Hence the preponderance of probabilities should decide. If the Welsh Disestablishment Bill passes successfully through the House of Commons next Session it will not be law, for the Lords will assuredly either mangle it and make it worthless, or else throw it out bodily. It will therefore have to be reintroduced in the following Session, and the country will not then be in possession of a new Registration Act and a "one man one vote measure, both of which, together, would materially outflank the Lords, and make them more amenable to reason and argument. Nevertheless, there may be reasons sufficiently cogent, to make the forcing of the Welsh Disestablishment c' measure through the House of Commons next Session, a matter of sound tactics and justifiable expediency. But the question of tactics deserves much consideration, and the deliberate weighing of arguments, for and against the two. policies, by the Welsh Liberal members.

REPRESENTATION OF THE MONMOUTH BOROUGHS. Conservative opinion at Newport is being crystallised in favour of the selection of Mr J. T. Fir bank as the Conservative candidate for the Monmouth Boroughs, in succession to the late Sir George Elliot, Bart. Three or four years ago Mr Firbank was high sheriff of the county of Monmouth, and he and his family have been identified with Newport for a long period. The local leaders have not yet, however, resolved upon anyone, and they are being twitted with what is called their supineness and lethargy. Five or six weeks ago, Mr J. T. Firbank was mentioned in the columns as being the most likely candi- date to be selected..

SERIOUS GAS EXPLOSION, Mr Elwell, of Beverley, the well-known eccle- siastical wood carver, was severely burnt about the head, face, and hands on Thursday night in his house at Beverley by an explosion of gas. The room where the explosion occurred was wrecked.

CADBUKY S COCOA. A COCOa. possessmg valuable flesh-forming qualities and impartingstrengtn and stavinjc power. Health. 1170 AN ORIGINAL NOVEL—"HIGHLAND COUSINS"— by Mr William Black, is now appearing in the Cardiff Jiwusg ù nth Wtles Weekly Newt. <

HARRY FURNISS'S LONDON LETTER. The annual meeting of the Showmen and Van- dwellers' Association took place last week. The proceedings last year were very animated in consequence of the antagonism shown towards one, Mr George Smith, of Coalville. This year that patriarchal philanthropist did not put in an appearance, so as an entertainment the meeting was a frost. Mr George Smith, of Coalville, is one of the most constant attendants at the House of Commons; day after day you can see him in the Outer Lobby, with his broad, good-natured face, and his slouched hat, his pockets full of literature about his hobby, the Bill for the van- dwellers' benefit, as he thinks, but for their destruction, according to their way of looking at the matter. There he is to be seen, waiting to pounce upon some M.P. to support him, or!ou some member of the Press to advertise his mission. The van-dwellers are a sturdy, pretty well-to-do looking lot of men; the President-elect asked, "Do we 1m 0743RGE SMITH, OF COALVILLE. I look like a, consumptive lot ?" a remark that was I greeted with laughter. Not long ago I was riding down Hendon way, when I came across a brother artist painting a picturesque landscape with some of these van-dwellers in the middle distance. He told me that in his chats with them he had found them highly respectable, even prudish. A storm came on whilst he was paint- ing the day before, and he ran to the van for shelter. After a few minutes he said Ah, I think I'll go home; it's no use trying to work auy longer to-day." The van proprietor replied that weather made no difference to him, for he had a wife and five little 'uns to keep. My friend, who is a bachelor, and maintains his mother and sisters, replied, Well, I have five to keep also, and I am nob married." Then out of this you go, shouced the virtuous van-dweller, "we don't shelter men of your class," and withoutwaiting for any explanation he summarily ejected my mild and benevolent friend. Surely, such men do not want legislation and protection, and I am not surprised that a clergyman took the chair at their meeting last week. 1 SPOOKS OR SPOONS. In Hyde Park TtisT Sarfifey afternoon was held a meeting of a unique character, convened by the Waiters', Waitresses', Barmen's, and Domestic Servants' Protec- tion Union, to secure better food, wages, and sleeping accommodation, and these Roberts and Marys called upon Mr Mun- della and Sir William Harcourt to form a Government Registry Office, pleading that by charging a small fee Sir William could save the Budget by making up any deficit he might find in the Revenue It is well known that the Budget is the critical question with the Government at present-now it is safe If the Chancel* lor of the Exchequer will open that registry office and take the servants' pence, this great country will be able to pass over a most, acute crisis, and the Govern- ment will get out of a very awkward dilemma. I venture to think, though. that had Sir William proposed such a tax there would have been as great a flare-up as thab caused by Chancellor Robert Lowe when he proposed to tax the match-sellers. Shall I ever hear the end of the Thirteen Club j Dinner ? Every post I receive 13 letters, i each enclosing 13 j WILLIAM HARNETT BLANT/H. requests, and A want 13 secretaries, for 13 hours a day, to reply to the correspondence. Allow me in a few lines (limit them to 13, Mr Printer, j please) to say that j I merely presided at the dinner; and j that all communi- cations should be addressed to the prime mover and president of the club, the genial Mr William Harnett Blanch, Anderton's Hotel, Fleet-street. I have had letters from all over the United Kmgdom, Holland, Spain, France, and Germany, from those wishing to start a Thirteen Club. It would seem that about 13,000 were joining the movement, against 13 persons opposing it, the latter includ- iug Mr Andrew Lang, Mr Oscar Wilde, and the editor of an evening contemporary. Notwithstanding the complaints lodged against the House of Lords, it cannot be said that they < exclude the Press. Unlike the Lower Chamber, where the journalist has positively to fight to get into the Gallery, the House of Peers makes pro- vision for an increased attendance. Daring the debate on the Home Rule Bill, a special gallery was given up to the special reporters, and recently has come by post a recent invitation to pass for the extra Press Gallery during the debates on the Bills now before the Lords. The Lower House has a lot to learn from, instead of to complain of, the Upper House, and one thinp the Commons hsve to gather from tha Peers is a little more con- sideration for the gentlemen without whom the political performances in the Commons would be lost to the outside world. I have always thought that one full-dress debate in the Lords is worth six in the Commons the matured oratory in the Upper House contrasts THE PRESS—COMMONS AND LORDS. I strongly with the conversational chatter in the Lower. Take away Mr Gladstone, Mr Balfour, Mr Chamberlain, and Mr Asquith, and in the Commons there is no one worthy of the name of a really reliable orator, Of course Mr Plunkett rises to a great height when he likes, and others may come out occasionally with a fine speech, but amongst the efforts you hear in every important debate the plums are lost in a tremendous amount of coarse suet. The oratorical dish in the Lords is always smaller, richer, and far more palatable, on whatever side the debate is carried on. Compare, for instance, the late Bishop of Peterborough with the present member; com- pare the late Lord Derby, the Rupert of Debate, arith the,ure.-emb member for Derby compare Last week during the performance of Cinderella at a matinee at the Lyceum Theatre, a pretty little incident occurred. Mrs Mary Anne Keeley, our oldest living actress, now in her 89ch year, was MRS KEELET. in the stalls. The manager, Mr Oscar Barrett, spied her, and during the per- formance sat next her and chatted about the long, Ilong ago when Mrs Keeley played in Cinderella in this very theatre. She is the Grand Old Lady of the stage, quick, witty, and as full of vitality as the youngest actress, with the advantage of having a long and interesting lifetime of reminiscences with which to delight you. That very afternoon I called upon a great friend of Mrs Keeley's, and was admiring a very beautiful handwork fire- screen quite recently done by Mrs Keeley, and presented to our mutual friend. Above the screen is framed the note which was sent with it in which, if I recollect rightlv, the actress states My own work, all done without specs, at the age of 85." Stage life in many cases, is not only a happy but a healthy one, and there is no better practical evidence of this than the Cinderella of our fathers' boyish days, Mary Anne Keeley. Whilst struggling through the crowded City the other day m a hansom to catch a train, I found myself "blocked on Holborn Viaduct. Now, with plenty of time at my disposal I do not object to a block in the City, for it is as good as most plays, and much better than some, to listen to the repartees and watch the antics of the 'busmen and cabbies. Just as the crowd was greatest the other morning the asphalters were patching up the roadway, and placing a barrier round' each patch. To drive through these obstacles required the skill of the Horse Artillerymen who annually show their prowess at the Agricultural Hall, and I A HEGG DANCE. I although there are no better drivers than the Lon- don cabbies and 'busmen, in a slippery thoroughfare amidst a crowd of miscellaneous vehicles and cries froei all sides, it is not quite the same as driving on the tan at Islington to the music of the band, so I was not surprised to see some of these obstacles overturned and the wheel of the 'bus go over the new patch of asphalte, hot and soft. Now, then, stoopid, ain't yer got heyes in yer 'ed ?" called out the infuriated Italian superintending the patchwork. 11 Ytis, guv'nor, corse I 'ave, but yer know I can't make 'bus 'o.ises do a blooming hegg dance." Among other interesting letters I have received the following, which is worth quoting as a warning to house- holders During Xmas week a well-dressed man called on a. lady who resides in a fashionable square. She was busy reading the paper about frauds in general, and the man was shown in. He said he was the secre- tary of a psychical society, and had called to ask if the honse was haunted, or if there were any mys. terious noises or any ghosts about it. The lady, who knew her Lon- don well, promptly informed the caller that, he had come Jo the wrong place, and ushered him off I' the premises." He had come ap- parently after" Spooks," but the lady was well up to the tricks of the town, and knew that he would spell Spooks" with an N, and not with a K, and that it was spoons not" Spooks" that the man was after." SERVANTS' RKGISTRT. I Lord Salisbury, the leader of the Lords, with Mr Labouchere, the leader against them, and then sympathise with the Parliamentary penman, who has to fight to hear the Commons, but is invited to hear the Lords. Things move so rapid nowadays that a Wonder, instead of lasting nine days, exhausts itself in one. A few weeks ago the Ardlamont case was the sole topic of conversation from Land's End to John 0 Groat's to-day it is scarcely mentioned. Some have a vague idea that the name of Monson is something to do with a waxwork show, and that Scott is the name of someone that broke the bank at Monte Carlo that the Zieren- bergs have bought Truth or have written some- thing in it against Mr Labouchere. Home Rule has been, dead many years—we seem to have read something about it when we were boys; the Parish Councils Bill, in some minds, was. the question that turned the late Government out of office; people are consulting books of reference I CHILDLIKE AND BLAND. to discover why the German Emperor and Bismarck ever quarrelled, and the earnest reader forgets one day what he read the day before. It is, therefore, like digging up a mummy to bring Jabez Balfour to the fore again, yet here he is once more the sensation of the hour. I see hun sitting "childlike and bland" in his seat in the House of Commons, the Puritanical financier sleeping the sleep of the innocent babe, and under the picture the words, unearthed by a con- temporary, written by his admiring friend, the Rev. Dawson Burns, D.D. I saw thee when a new-born babe, A stranger come to town, And size and form both seemed to say I He's destined for renown.' And now what shall I wish for thee ? All good in heart and mind, A joy to all thy friends and me, A blessing to mankind." These lines were written exactly 30 years ago. Poets were always prophets.

"ANT Doctor will t3ll you" there is no better I Cough Medicine than Keating's Lozenges. One gives relief if you suffer from cough try them but once they will cure, and they will not injure your health they contain only tha purest and simplest drugs, they will cure, and they will not injure yom health they contain only the purest and simplest drugs, skifluliy combined. Sold everywhere in 13ygd tins.

WALES TO THE FRONT. NATIONAL LIBERAL FEDERATION. DISESTABLISHMENT DEMON- STRATION AT PORTSMOUTH. The Principality is favoured with having the first position on the official programme for the National Liberal Federation meetings at Ports- mouth on the 12th, 13th, and 14th of February. The first public meeting of importance is one arranged for by the North and South Wales Liberal Federations, and will be held on Monday evening in the Portsmouth Town-hall, one of the largest buildings in the South of England, and capable of seating over 2,500 people. At this meeting the case for Welsh Disestablishment will be presented, and among the speakers will be Sir Edward Reed, K.C.B., M.P., Messrs D. A. Thomas, M.P., president of the South Wales LiberalFederation D. Lloyd George, M.P., Wm. Williams, M.P., W. Rees Davies, M.P., Ellis Jones Griffiths, Liberal candidate for Anglesey Clifford Cory, Liberal candidate for South Mon- mouthshire Rev. Thomas Nicholson, of South- ampton, etc. It is also hoped that Mr R. D. Burnie, M.P., will be able to attend. The chair will be taken by Mr D. A. Thomas, M.P., at half- past seven, and there will be an organ recital at seven o'clock. The members of the Portsmouth Liberal Associa- tion are taking a very active part in making this Welsh demonstration a success, and the dock- yards men of Portsmouth will extend a very cordial welcome to their former townsman, Sir Edward Reed, while the Nonconformists of the district will also attend in large numbers to support the Welsh demand. The stewards for the meeting will be furnished by the Portsmouth Liberal Association. Mr R. N, Hall, secretary of the South Wales Liberal Federation, met the Liberal officials at Portsmouth on Tuesday to discuss the arrangements. The platform will bo occupied by the leading delegates from Wales and the committee of the Portsmouth Liberal Association, with the Non- conformist ministers from Portsmouth and the neighbouring towns. There will be a large attendance of delegates from all over the United Kingdom, and this being the first public meeting in connection with the national gathering, it must receive great prominence in the Press of the country, affording to Wales an opportunity of stating the case for Disestablishment which it has not hitherto had. The headquarters of the National Liberal Federation are at the Pier Hotel, Southsea, where Sir Wm. Harcourt and Lord Carrington will stay, while those of the Welsh delegates are at the Grosvenor Hotel, Southsea, accommodation at which should be applied for at once, as tho hotels at Portsmouth are already being engaged for the nights of the meetings. Mr D. A. Thomas, M.P., will entertain the Welsh speakers to dinner at the Grosvenor Hotel on Monday, the 12th.

OUR NAVAL DEFENCES. THE STABILITY OF OUR SHIPS. SIR EDWARD REED'S APPEAL. Whether Sir Edward Reed, M.P., is right or wrong in his condemnation of ten or twelve of our battleships, the question is so vital, says the Western Morning Ifcics, to the safety of the country that tho hon. member for Cardiff deserves the support of the Press in his appeal for a thorough and impartial inquiry into the stability of these vessels. It cannot have been forgotten that Sir Edward Reed strongly condemned the construction of the ill-fated Captain, designed by Captain Cowper-Coles,and warned the Admiralty in the plainest terms that the laws of stability had been disregarded in the designing of that ship. That warning was unheeded, and We know what followed. Sir E. Reed also took upon himself to condemn the construction of battleships with un- aimoured ends, and again the warning has been ignored, with the result that we have now in com- mision ten or twelve battleships which, in the opinion of Sir Edward, would certainly capsize, or sink, if badly injured at the extremities either by ram or by shell. Sir E. Reed regards the capsizing of the Victoria as a full confirmation of his theory, and although the Admiralty officials have met this charge by the publication of a technical defence, it is imperative, in ouropinion, that this defence should be reported upon by a board of impartial and qualified experts in marine architecture. It will be the very height of folly to shrink from meeting the charges brought forward by an expert of such high repute as Sir E. Reed, nor will it be fair to the officers and men of the Navy who are required to serve in these vessels and take them into action. The question at issue is far too technical to be discussed with advan- tage in the public Press but it must not on that account be lost sight of or ignored at the bidding of the Admiralty.

SIR CHARLES DILKE ON PRESENT POLITICS, Under the auspices of the Men's and Women's Liberal associations belonging to the Lydney polling district, a dance was given in the Town- hall at Lydney.—Sir Charles Dilke, in replying to a vote of thanks, congratulated them upon the continued and increasing predominance of Liberal principles in the Forest of Dean. The Tory party seemed to have given up the battle, except in Lydney and district, where there was a spasmodic show of activity. Referring to the Local Government Bill, he said they might look upon it as being now in the position of having its teeth drawn. (Laughter.) For himself, whilst he took a most grave view of the action of the Lords over the Employers' Liability Bill, he did not think the Local Government Bill stood in any serious danger. (Hear, hear.) Whatever fight there might be over the Bill, he believed it would be a mere sham fight. He did not think the Lords would face the feeling which must follow any serious interference with the im- portant clauses of the Bill. His impression was that in a very few days after the 12th February, the Bill would have received the Royal assent, virtually unchanged from its character on leaving the House of Commons. (Hear, hear.) He also pointed out the improved position of women on the electorate for the Parish and District Councils.

POSITION OF THE VOLUN- TEER FORCE. DEPUTATIONS TO THE WAR SECRETARY. A deputation from the East of Scotland Tactical Society waited upon Mr Campbell- Bannermanin Edinburgh yesterday and urged the desirableness of the appointment of a committee to deal with the consolidation and codification of Acts of Parliament relating to the Volunteers. It was also submitted the brigades should be put on a better footing, and that musketry practice should be assimilated to that of the regulars. Mr Bannerman, in reply, said it had been already agreed to appoint a committee to deal with the legal question, but the brigade question and musketry practice were matters for the executive authorities to deal with.

POSTAL FACILITIES AT I TYLORSTOWN, For some weeks past the residents of the popu- lous district of Tylorstown and Pontygwaith, in the Rhondda Vach Valley, have been sorely com- plaining of the scanty treatment accorded them by the postal authorities. The first morning delivery, for instance, does not take place until 10 a.m. or 10.30 a.m., owing to the mail bags being taken past Tylorstown to Ferndale, some miles higher up the valley, there to be sorted and sent out for delivery. Similar inconveniences arise in connection with the dispatch of letters. Yesterday an influential deputation, elected by tho inhabitants, submitted the grievances com- plained of to Mr Edwin Castle, the Pontypridd postmaster, who promised to lay the complaints before the higher authorities.

DISASTROUS FIRE. Messrs Brindley and Sons' glue works at Smethwick were completely destroyed by fire yesterday. The flames raged for four hours and eight brigades attended, but were powerless to check the fire. The factory was gutted and only the brickwork and ironwork remain. The damage is estimated ab £ 10,000, covered by insurance. Sixty workmen are thrown out of em- ployment.

THE NAVAL PROGRAMME, A Portsmouth correspondent states that the laying of the keel of a first-class battleship will commence on Monday. Effurts are also to be made to launch the cruiser Eclipse in June instead of August in order that No.4 battleship, which forms part of the new naval programme, may bo laid down immediately afterwards. The building of the Majestic will be hastened that she may be floated out of dock in 12 months' time in order that No. 8 battleship may also be laid down within the financial year.

MIDLAND RAILWAY DIVIDEND. The directors of the Midland Railway Com- pany will recommend a dividend on the Ordinary Stock for the past half-year at the rate of 3 per cent. per annum, carrying forward £ 34,000.

NEW SHORT STORY E, vrry WKKK.— On Satur- day next will be published in the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News a new short story (complete) entitled. "An Anxious Time." by G. A. Henty. • x

POSSIBILITIES OF A STRIKE. ADVICE FROM OUTSIDERS. The Financial Times says :-The Welsh tin- plate workers will be extremely ill-advised if they go out on strike at the present time, a measure which they are now contemplating. A more unfortunate juncture to select for such a purpose could scarcely be imagined. The state of the trade is about as bad as it can be. Prices- are so low as to be in many cases unremunerative, and certain makers would probably find a strike rather advantageous than otherwise. The un- certainty as to the course of tariff legislation in the States has naturally limited the chief market for tin plates to the smallest possible dimensions, and as the change in the tariff, if there be any change as regards tin plates, can'hardly take effect before October next, there is the certain prospect of months of dull trade ahead.

THE VICTORIA DISPUTE. A meeting of tinplaters (Victoria Works) was held last evening at the Cross Keys, Briton Ferry. Mr Thomas Phillips (general secretary) and Mr Solomon Sanders (executive member) were present. The object of the meeting was to receive the report of the deputation from the men who had waited upon the manager of the Victoria Works. They reported that they had been courteously received, and the manager had said that fit- would lay the matter before the directors of the company, and a reply would be given at noon on Saturday (to-day). It is understood that the men have adopted a conciliatory attitude, and it is anticipated that a settlement on a fair and reasonable basis will be effected. Amongst the probabilities is the one that work will be completed each week by nine or ten o'clock on Saturday' morning, so as to obviate the necessity of expensive Sunday repairs.

CARDIFF RECORDS. LIST PREPARED. A VERY LENGTHY DOCUMENT. A meeting of the sub-committee took place yesterday, when a report was submitted as to the examination of the documents in possession of the corporation, and a list covering several pages of foolscap was laid before the members attending. It will be remembered that when the question as to the Cardiff Corporation property was discussed in these columns last year, it was shown that no member or official of the corporation bad know- ledge concerning recent town history, and that whilst a mass of documents (including charters and other valuable MSS.) were known to be in possession, no one knew their nature or how far they had reference to corporation property. A committee was appointed to investigate the matter, and a sub-committee was charged with the duty of getting a list of the documents pre- pared. This has taken just three months to accomplish, and on Monday the full committee will meet to discuss the next step—namely, the selection of an expert to examine and report upon the character of the documents.

FORTHCOMING BANQUET TO MR LEWELLEN WOOD. In recognition of his valuable services to the port of Cardiff during his year of office as presi- dent of the Cardiff Chamber of Commerce, and also as a tribute of respect from his numerous friends, it has been decided to give a compli. mentary banquet to Mr Lewellen Wood, at the Royal Hotel, on Saturday evening next. The matter has been taken up with great energy by the friends of the retiring president, and au influential committee has been appointed for the purpose of carrying out the necessary arrange- ments, amongst those whose names appear on the list being Count de Lucovich, Mr C. A. Hey- wood, Mr J. B. Ferrier, Mr H. J. Simpson, Mr Herbert Cory, and others. Mr Wood is about to leave Cardiff for a trip, extending over some three months, up the Mediterranean, and the banquet this day week will therefore serve as a fitting recognition of his able direction of the affairs of the Chamber of Commerce while president, and also as a favourable occasion on which to wish him "God-speed" and an enjoyable and beneficial voyage.

NEWPORT RIVER WHARVES. AN IMPORTANT DEPARTURE IMMINENT. It is probable that at no distant date the river wharves of Newport, which have for so long been in an unsatisfactory condition, and unworthy of the business enterprise of a great port, will be placed upon a better basis. This improved condi- tion will be brought about by the transference of the Tredegar Wharf Company's property to Lord Tredegar. The company is a private one. Lord Tredegar, who is the principal member of the company now remaining, is anxious, in order to develop the capabilities of the Newport river, to get these wharves into his own hands, and steps are being taken with this object in view. The obsolete and disused wharves of the river have long been a sore point with patriotic Usksiders, and as long ago as 21st October, 1891, the clerk to the Newport Harbour Oommissioners reported on four wharves as being disused, the interest in which be had sought to obtain. This action was in connection with their endeitvour to get the lease of a wharf or wharves which might be converted into a public wharf. It is to the infinite discredit of Newport that there exists no public wharf at which ships in stress can lie they must either rock in the roads outside 'P jlvei or £ ° irlto dock and pay dues. If Lord iredegar, by acquiring the remainder of the lredegar Wharf Company's interest, will change the Usk from an inhospitable river into an hospit- able one, he will be acting in harmony with his own genial, hospitable character, and at the same time will enhance the indebtedness of the com- munity. And then-noblesse oblige.

BURNING FATALITY IN DEAN FOREST. A REMARKABLE STORY. Mr M. F. Carter, one of the Gloucestershire coroners, held an inquest at the Reading-room at Aylburton on Thursday evening, touching the death, on the 29th ult., of Caroline McGoogin, 64 years of age, wife of Thomas McGoogin, an Irish gentleman, of Woolstone Common.—Thomas McGoogin, 88 years of age, deposed that on Saturday evening, at 10 o'clock, he went to bed. His wife, who was fond of drinking and smoking, and was a little on said she would follow directly. One hour and a half later, hearing a noise, he went to deceased who he found asleep, lying on the kitchen floor' and near the fire. He could not wake her so having put out the fire he returned to bed. Again he heard a noise, and this time he found deceased almost in the same place, and still un- WJ "P- He again went to bed, and at three o CIOCJC deceased came to him all ablaze. He got a bucket ot water from downstairs and threw it over her. She did not speak, and he got into bed and went to sleep. Deceased also got into bed. Witness slept till 10 o'clock on Sunday morning. The first person he saw that morniug he told of the oc. currence, and directly afterwards a woman came in and deceased was taken away. Witness was unable to explain why he made no effort to obtain earlier assistance, except that he was too old, and didnoteve thinkto knock at the partition wall so as to gain the assistance of his next door neighbour.—The jury found that deceased died from shock, the result of the burns, and added that the husband was greatly to be blamed for his conduct.

GLAMORGAN ASSIZES. The cause list for the Glamorganshire Winter Assizes—before Mr Justice W. Rann Kennedy- is as appended, by which it will be seen to be ex- ceptionally heavy BEFORE A JURY. *Flower v. London and North-Western Railway Co. Jones v. Cule. Kyte v. Chamberlain, the younger. r" Kyte v. Chamberlain, the elder. Case v. Williams. Wonnleighton v. Royal Hotel Co., Cardiff. "Owen v. De Wintons. Ho wells v. Howells. „ David Kvans and Sons v. Alfred oodhousa, '.iYlordecai v. Spencer. Thackeray and Co. v. Walter E. May. Jenkins v. John Bacon, Limited. *Davies v. Rees. "Special juries. WITHOUT A JURY. TafE Vale Railway Co. v. Barry Railway Co. Agins v. Green, Holland, and Sons. Roberts and Co. v. Roderick. Barnett v. Charles. Luseombe v. Parsons. Brett v. The Barry Dock Steam Laundry Co. Cardiff and Glamorgan VaHeys Land and Buildin" Investment Company, Limited, v. Morgan. t> Spickett v. Ball. ° Glamorganshire Banking Co. v. Lewis and another. Morris v. Collins. National Baiik of Wales v. Collins and another National Bank of Wales v. Collins and wife. National Bank of Wales Y. Collins. National Bank of Wales v. Lord Thurlow National Bank of Wales v. Roberts. Jones and others v. Burnyeat, Brown, and Co Gordon v. Pyman, Watson, and Co. Fairer, Groves, and Co. v. Agins. Moon v. Stoates and Sons. Llewellin v. Gilchrist and Co. Dewdney v. Lee. Hutciiins v. Bolitho and others. Hutchins v. Morton and others. Carr and Co. v. Bellamy and Co. John v. Lewis. Gaen v. Abertillery Land and Investment Co..Limited.

NEW SHORT STORY EVERY WEEK.—On Satur- day next will bo published in the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly Neivs a new stort story (conaplete) entitled. An Anxious Time 1 by G A. Hente

NEWS IN BRIEF. Mr Ruskin is in very good health. Miss Bass ordered her carriages from Paris. The Tsar's condition is now very reissuringt, M. Zola is crossing to London in the summed There are about 60 women journalists London. Cardinal Vaughan laments the growth cA rationalism. Hubert Herkomer is paintinga fine portrait of Letty Lind. Sarah .Bernhardt's new play bears the sweetlj simple name of Izeyl. Foreign tools are said to be now used if Government departments. The only person affected by the Local VeW Bill is the working man. The King of Portugal has recently insured h- life for two million francs. The ladies of the United States have tW smallest hands in the world. The Corinthian Canal is now open for vessel drawing as much as 24-tt. The Princess of Wales has not seen the Queet for nearly six months. Dr. Perowne, Bishop of Worcester, is about tk take a month's holiday tour in the Holy Land. No fewer than 1,760 ancient manuscript copie( of the New Testament in whole or in part exist. Mrs Anna Austin has been elected mayor of Pleasanton, Kan. Hence the pleasant tone of thC place. Last year no fewer than 2,378 children vver< taken up drunk in Liverpool, 113 being under te^ years of age. The little fan sent by the Duchess of York Miss Bass bears a legend of good wishes Victoria Mary." Last year no fewer than 2,378 children vver< taken up drunk in Liverpool, 113 being under te^ years of age. The little fan sent by the Duchess of York Miss Bass bears a legend of good wishes Victoria Mary." A new invention is an attachment for a horse4 bridle, by means of which the animal may carrj a lamp on it.. head. Letters of administration have been granted at Fort Salisbury to the estates of the members Of Major Wilson's patrol. There is at present living in Sheffield probably the oldest printer in England. His name is JoM Wheat. He is in his 94th year. The Prince of Wales's movements for the noll throe weeks are somewhat uncertain. He wi probably take a fortnight abroad. Parisians have lost a noted actress by tW death of Mdme. Leonide Leblanc, who for 3^ years played at various Paris theatres. Mr Jerome K. Jerome holds that teetotalistf goes to the making of jelly-fish, and is distinctly detrimental to the aims of the Creator. Thirteen clergymen of the Church of England arc under the patronage of Lord Dudley. And seven prelates supported his amendment. Better late than never Something is to 1:111 done at last towards making Gibraltar a harbout of refuge for our fleet and mercantile marine. A Hindoo gentleman who recently visited England writes of us: "I should not be sut" prised if they wanted a heaven to themselvus." George Bartlett Prescott, the well-known eleø- trician and author of works on the telegraph and telephone, died in New York from heart failure. There is a laundry-man in London who has < baby girl with 26 Christian names. Thab i* each name begins with a different letter in tbd alphabet. Oscar Wilde has just submitted a new play to John Hare, who has accepted it for the Garricfc Theatre, where it will be produced with ag possible despatch. The Marquis of Salisbury goes so little into society thab it is said he was actually unaC' quainted with some of the subordinate member of his late Cabinet. Mr Rudyard Kipling is by no means depended upon the fruits of his pen for an income. He bat estates in Vancouver which bring him in a hand' some amount yearly. Intelligence has been received at Merthyr thol Mr Horatio Beynon, son of Mr D. BeynoJII Cyfarthfa, has passed the first public examination in theology lately held at Durham University. Mr J. R. Dix, manager of the Corris Railwals has patented an apparatus for preventing trai( overrunning danger signals. The apparatus P exceedingly simple and apparently effectual. The Herald of Peace says that so crushing' the Italian taxation, caused mainly by folly, that the landowners and peasant farnie,4 have to pay in taxes about 45 per cent. of tboo income. There is a project to connect Odessa and Vienna by telephone, but it is feared that son1' time will have to pass before it is realist Vienna is not as yet connected by telephone witJl any foreign city. In a Scotch asyluifi-there is a woman, one I of whose insanity, before she was ld consisted in having her horses' shoes of solid go with gold nails, each setiyof shoes and nails cost" ing five hundred pounds. On Wednesday Mr G. G. Leveson-Goweft M.I., was initiated a member of the Ro Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, in the Princeot Wales'Lodge at the Bridge Hotel, Heathcotlt road, Longton.' Principal H. R. ReicheL, M.A., of the Unifet" sity College of North Wales, Bangor, was 00 Thursday married to Miss Pilkington, an In lady. Included in the wedding presents was silver salver, the gift of the-icollege staff. Dr. Adolf Diisterhoff, recently deceased, bØ left to Berlin University a capital suiu 0 100,000 marks. The interest of this moneys is to be applied for the benefit of the most diligeO student of medicine. The award is to be twice a year. The Hon. C. R. Spencer, the Vice- Ch aniberlaio of the Household, has taken Boscombe Tower. one of the villas of the new Hotel Burlingto^' at Bournemouth, the proprietors of which ø already contemplating the addition of anotbo hundred rooms. One of the recently-appointed justices ff Huntingdonshire stoutly declines to pay qualifying fee of 10 guineais, on the grou^ that it is excessive and the Home Secretary b8* been called upon to settle the novel disp between the J.P. and the Huntingdonshit6 County Council., At a quarterly meeting of -the Flint Totf* Council, the practice of allowing-.tSunday conceto to be held in the town-hall was discussed WIt some warmth, and eventually ar resolution WO passed prohibiting entertainments, being held oi Sundays in the building. The Rev. Canon Jacob, vicar offPortsea, who visiting Llandaff for the purpose.of conducting "quiet day for the lay readers ofcthe diocese 0-' Monday, and of giving addresses; to the LenteØ instructors on Tuesday, will also preach at tbl cathedral service on Sunday afternoon. Mr Douglas Harbottle, a pupil of the Whir church Boys' Board School, has successfully passed the pharmaceutical examination. It pleasing to note that a boy direct from the 76" Standard is able to pass this examination, wiliop is considered difficult, in Latin especially. In the face of the absolutely stupendo11' number of pictures which represent Qu Victoria on any and every domestic occasion svito her crown on, it is rather curious to learn th she has not, as a matter of fact, worn it wet" than twenty times during her whole reign. Mr R. Williams, F.R.H.S., of Newtown, jI preparing for publication at an early date a 1'1 and enlarged edition of -.Vlontgomerysbio Worthies *a collection of biographical notic'" of natives of that county, who have attained root' or less distinction in different walks of life. Lord Battersea, who has not yet entirel1 recovered from the effects of his recent huntio" accident, leaves town on Monday for Algieth where he will join his yacht, and with LOl Battersea will make a cruise in to be followed by a visit to Greece and Const-41" tmople. bir Charles Dilke telegraphs with reference tD the report of his observations ac Blakeney one man one vote, that his suggestion was 1,0 so much that owners should claim every year that in the owner's first claim there should bej declaration that the owner was not registe elsewhere. Merthyr has made some distinct mu!tjC advances of late, and desires to acquire 2130if J laurels. In other words, a local choir, which I to be conducted by Mr Rees Abraham, and t } I secretary of which is Mr J. C. Thomas, prop I to compete at Easter for the L50 choral prize I Abergavenny. I With the object of training women for II f various public appointments that are now thro^ I open to them, it is proposed to establish i, Women's Municipal Guild, in connection t which there will be a college. A well-kn° J public man in Kensington is taking active to further this object, which has obtained approval of Mr Asquith. j' Longfellow always wrote his manuscript gf4 pencil on coarse white paper, such as nevvep3^ t 1 are printed on. His manuscripts, bound number of neat volumes, are kept in a 8 [fi bookcase opposite his study table, exactly aS left them; in fact, everything occup'eS original place in his study, though articles freely moved to show visitors. ^e The Rev. D. Oliver Edwards is to recognition for his work in connection 'tIt It Wales, and it is intended to present him With -i testimonial. He is an able preacher, a r jC popular lecturer, and his articles which apPe the Seren Cymru and the Saner on the f0t political subjects of the day are eagerly 1°°-. 0V?iS« from time to time. The Rev. Dr. Gomer too e ■ Swansea, and the Rev. B. Thomas, Lett^ Q] are the secretaries, and Mr James Rowlau Bridge. Haverferdweefc is the treasurer. j