South Wales Daily News

THE PROPOSED REFORMS IN EGYPT. THREATENED RESISTANCE OF THE KHEDIVE. PARIS, Saturday.—A telegram from Cairo received here announces that the Khedive will return there from Alexandria on the 25th inst. It is said that his High- ness will decline to allow the appointment of an English official as Councillor in the Ministry of the Interior, and a Ministerial crisis is conse- quently feared. -Beuter. CAIRO, Saturday.—The discussion regarding the proposed changes in the Ministry of the Interior is proceeding smoothly, and will probably lead to a satisfactory result in a few days. All reports to the contrary are unfounded, notwithstanding the statements of the local Press.-Peuter.

ATTEMPTED BANK ROBBERY BY A LUNATIC. NEW YORK, Sunday.—An attempt was made yesterday to extort money at a bank in Astor- place, in this city, by a man named Charles Freeman, who presented himself at the counter, and handed the cashier a paper, in which he demanded a sum of l,000dols., and, drawing a revolver, threatened to shoot that official in the event of non-compliance. FreemUn is un- doubtedly a lunatic. On being examined at the police-station, he stated that he wanted the money for God.-Reuter.

-THE BELGIAN ELECTIONS. A DIMINISHING LIBERAL MINORITY. BRUSSELS, Monday, 1.15 a.m.—The Clerical party has captured the seats at Tournai, held in the last Parliament by the Liberals. The result of this success is to give the Clerical an even larger majority in the House than hitherto; in fact, present indications are that the Opposition will only number 14 Liberals and 33 Socialists.— Central News.

YELLOW FEVER AT SAN SAL- VADOR. NEW YORK, Saturday.—A despatch from San Salvador to the World states that 110 deaths from yellow fever occurred in that city yesterday.- Reuter.

THE KAFFIR RISING. BRITISH MEN-O'-WAR FORDELAGOA BAY. CAPE TOWN, Sunday.—Her Majesty's cruiser Philomel will sail on Monday for Delagoa Bay, and will be followed thither shortly by the gun- boat Magpie.-Reuter.

HEALTH OF THE AMEER IMPROVING. SIMLA, Sunday.—The latest news from Cabul, dated October 16th, reports a continued improve- ment in the Ameer's condition.-Beuter.

TO-DAY'S WEATHER. 4.30 A.M. North-easterly breezes cold fair; uncertain later. GENFJLAL-The depression in the east is now passing off, but another beginning to effect our northerly stations, and in the south-west the condition is not at all settled.

THE SCOTTISH COAL STRIKE. FINISHED. The miners' strike in Fifeshire, after lasting seventeen wepks, is now at an end. The Execu- tive Miners' Board resolved on Saturday to advise the men at the various collieries to make arrange- Ive ments with their respective managers to have work resumed on Monday or Tuesday next. The employers are requested to allow each man to have his old place so far as this can be reasonably carried out.

LIFEBOAT SERVICES. HEAVY SALVAGE CLAIM. The Porth Griffith (Holyhead) lifeboat crew have put in a claim of B500 salvage against the owners of the Norwegian barque Eugenie, which went ashore during a dense fog near Holyhead on Friday week. The crew state that it was entirely due to their knowledge and assistance that the Eugenie got off the rocks. No vessel had ever before been known to come from Penrhosfedw Rocks.

A RECENTLY PUBLISHED REPOIIT ot the Histori- cal Manuscripts Commission contains a most interesting digest of the ancient records of the Corporation of Hereford, and some references to the making and selling of beer, are worth notico. Alle," Beere," and Metbeglen" (a beer made from honey) are frequently mentioned from 1513 to the end of that century. At various times, from 1513 to 1550, persons were indicted for putting hops in ale, there being a law in force against the practice. Little did the magistrates of that time think that in the nineteenth century one of the most paying industries in the county of Hereford would be the growing of this so-called "pernicious drug," and that the city itself should become famed for the brewing of a special beer, the" Golden Sunlight 11 Ale, whose excellence and flavour should greatly depend upon the very nick of Herefordshire hops being used in its brew- mg. Brewed only by Charles Watkms and Son the Hereford Brewery, and sold by Agent throughout the kingdom. 15401—118

THE DYING CZAR. NEARINGTHE BORDER. FAMILY GATHERING ROUND THE DEATH BED. RUSSIA GRIEF-STRICKEN, REPORTED SERIOUS ILLNESS OF THE CZARINA. RUMOURED DEATH OF HIS MAJESTY. GREAT EXCITEMENT. LATEST BULLETIN. ST. PETERSBURG, Sunday, 11 p.m.—The follow- ing bulletin was issued by the Czal's physicians at ten minutes to nine this evening. During the past 24 hours the Emperor had rather more sleep. His Majesty rose to-day as usual. The appetite is rather better and the patient is more com. posed, but otherwise there is no change. Signed,—LETDKN, SACHARIN, HIRSCH, POPOFF WELGAMINOFF.—Reuter. ATTACKED WITH SYNCOPE AND DROPSY. ST. PETERSBURG, Sundae-Great: excitement is prevalent in the city owing to the widespread currency of alarming reports to the effect that the Czar is dead, and that the news will be officially suppressed until next week in order that Princess Alix may be able to declare her adherence to the faith of the orthodox Greek Church. It is further alleged that the marriage of the Czarevitch will be celebrated before the statement of the Czar^ decease is allowed to transpire. No confirmation is obtainable of these rumours. It is also confidently stated that the Czarina was seized with an attack of nervous prostration when she learned that no hope was entertained of the Czar's recovery. The St. Petersburg journals have received orders to expunge all bulletins con- cerning the Emperor's illness from copies destined for Livadia, M. Pobedonostzeff, the Procurator- General ot the Holy Synod, has left for Yalta.— Central News. RUMOURED DEATH DENIED. ST. PETERSBURG, Sunday.—Owing to the dearth of news from Llvadla the most extravagant rumours were m circulation here yesterday in regard to the Imperial family. It was declared that the Czarevitch had renounced the succession to the throne, that the Czar was actually dead, but that the fact had been concealed, and that the Grand Duke George had also died. The publication of the official bulletin effectually silenced these rnmours. It is still, however, persistently asserted that the events of the past few days have most seriously affected the mind of the Czarina.—Reuter. LIVING FOR THE CZ ARE WITCH'S MARRIAGE. Moscow, Saturday.—It is generally maintained here that the physicians in attendance on the Czar are doing their utmost to prolong the life of his Majesty until the arrival of Princess Alix of Hesse at Livadia, in order that the marriage of her Highne tJitb the Czarewitch maybe cele- brated before the Czar's death.— Reuter. FLICKERING VITALITY. ST. PETERSBURG, Sunday, 11.20 p.m.—A tele- gram despatched from Livadia this evening announced that the Czar's condition shows -a slight improvement.—Reuter. ST. PETERSBURG, Saturday Evening. — De. spatches continue to arrive from Livadia which indicate unmistakably that the Czar is gradually sinking. He had several attacks of syncope, and towards the afternoon was insensible for several hours. Blood poisoning had set in, and the patient's strength was rapidly failing. This morning dropsy of the legs intervened, and it became necessary to perform an operation to draw off the water. The weakness of the heart's action was then becoming alarming, and it was accompanied by copious effusion of blood from the kidneys. BERLIN, Saturday Evening.—The St. Peters- burg correspondent of the National Zeitung, telegraphing this afternoon, says the Czar was unconscious for several hours yesterday, and that blood poisoning had set in.—Central News. NOT CONFINED TO BED. BERLIN, Sunday.—The state of the Czar is reported to be unchanged this morning. Yester- day at 8.40 the following bulletin was published During the last 24 hours the Czar had some sleep, and left his bed in the daytime. His bodily strength and the action o* the heart are un- changed."— Central News. VIENNA, Saturday.—The following appears is the .rremdcnblatt this evening: "The Cear, although his condition is actually most serfdos, is out of his bed for hours together, and even walks up and down the room." The journal further states that on leaving Paris the day before yesterday the Grand Duke Vladimir received a telegram from the Czarewitoh announcing that the Czar had joined the family circle at breakfast on that day.—Renter. BERLIN, Saturday Evening.—Advices from St. Petersburg, published here this evening, state that on the Stock Exchange to-day the President of the Committee urged upon the brokers to see that the people, whose mind was already greatly moved by recent events, should not be further excited by proceedings on the Bourse. A similar recommendation has been sent to the Moscow s tockbrokers. -Reuter. ROME, Saturday.—No secret is made at the Russian Embassy hereof the Czar's serious con- dition. According to a report received to-day the doctors have forbidden his Majesty to leave his bed.—Renter. COPENHAGEN, Sunday.—According to private despatches of to-day's date from Livadia, there is no perceptible change in the Czar's condition, except that his Majesty's appetite has somewhat mproved.—Reuter. HOPELESS. WARSAW, Saturday.—Private advices received here state that a prominent Russian Court official sent a communication on Thursday to St. Peters. burg announcing that the condition of the Czar was hopeless, and that blood-poisoning had already set in. The necessary arrangements were being made by the officials in the event of a. fatal termination of his Majesty's illness. The prolonged strain has had a serious effect upon the health of the Czarina, who is suffering from general debility and intense nervous depression.- Reuter. ST. PETERSBURG, Saturday Evening.—-The latest reports from Livadia state that the Czar's condi- tion shows no improvement. There is consider- able swelling of the legs, and the blood is be. coming decomposed, producing frequent attacks of syncope. The various organs of the body perform their functions with difficulty. It is stated here that shortly before the Czar's illness entered upon the final and critical stage his Majesty had a serious interview with the Czarewitch, in the course of which he explained to his Imperial Highness the line of policy which he wished to be pursued in the event of his death. The Emperor is also said to expressed an earnest wish that the marriage of the Czarewitch with Princess Alix of Hesse should take place without delay, and to give the Imperial couple his blessing before he died.— Reuter. FAMILY GATHERING AROUND THE THE DEATH-BED. COLOGNE, Saturday.—The Kolnisehe Zeitwng publishes the following telegram from St. Petersburg:—"Princess Alix of Hesse, accom- panied by the Grand Dukn and Duchess Sergius, will to-day resume her journey from Warsaw, and is expecred to reach Livadia on Monday evening. Princess Louise of Battenberg, who accompanied her sister to Warsaw, will return direct to Darmstadt."—Reuter. ATHENS, Saturday.—The Duke and Duchess of Sparta and Prince Andrew, the King's fourth son, arrived here to-day from the Castle of Decele ia. —Reuter. VENICE, Saturday Afternoon.—The Grand Duke Constantine and the Grand Duchess left hereto-day for Livadia on receipt of a telegram stating that the Czar was dying. Central News. The Central News states :—It is considered impossible that the Princess Alix can reach Livadia in time to see the Czar alive. ILLNESS OF OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY. ST. PETERSBURG, Saturday.—The news regard- ing the health of the Grand Duke George con- tinues to be most disquieting, nnd it is even asserted that he is in a. dying condition. The Czarina also is reported to be seriously ill. AU these unfavourable rumours have caused a feeling of great apprehension in St. Petersburg.—Reuter. The Grand Duchess Xenia, the eldest daughter of the Czar, is seriously ill, and it has been reported persistently that the Empress has had a somewhat serious fit.—Central News. The Lokalanzeiger says that the wedding of the Czarewitch and Princess Alix of Hesse will, if imaaible. take place ou Tuesday. It 18. added that the Czarina is suffering from a nervous attack similar to that from which she suffered after the accident at Borki.—Central News. RUSSIAN PEOPLE GRIEF- STRICKEN. MOSCOW, Sunday.—The utmost anxiety and sorrow are felt by the inhabitants of this city at sad tidings received from Liviadia, and public grief is reflected by newspapers. Special services are being held daily in all churches for the recovery of the Czar. The theatres are not closed, but every evening in intervals between the acts the audience calls upon the orchestra to play the National hymn, God protect the Czar," to which they listen standing, and the anthem has often to be repeated several times.-ReutC1". ST. PETERSBURG, Sunday.—Public prayers for the Czar's recovery are being offered to-day in all parts of this city.—Reuter. RUSSIAN EMBASSY PRAYS FOR THE iCZAR. The Press Association says that M. de Staal, and the Embassy officials attended service at 11 on Sunday morning at the Russian Chapel, Welbeck-street, London, and after ordinary service had concluded an extra service was held at which specially ordained prayers for the dying were offered up on behalf of his Imperial Majesty the Czar. Archpriest Eugene Smirnoff, chaplain to the Russian Embassy, officiated. The pastor afterwards informed a Press Association representative that he had heard from a member of the Russian Embassy that a telegram had been received which recorded a slight improvement in the Czar's condition, but no hope was held out that this improvement could prove permanent. He added that the Embassy was anxiously awaiting further news. A later Press Association telegram states that M. de Staal received a telegram on Sunday afternoon from Livadia. It was despatched this and stated that the Czar was much better. This was communicated to all callers at the Embassy. MASS AT THE GREKK CHURCH, BAYS WATER. The Central News says :—M. Athos Romanos, the Greek Charge-d' Affaires, and a number o distinguished Greeks, were present on Sunday morning at high mass in the Greek Church, in Moscow-road, Bayswater, mass being cele- brated by the Archimandrite, Dr. Dionysius Plaisas, the recently-appointed Archbishop of Znte, who wore a chasuble of cloth and old. There was, as is usually the case in the Greek Church, no sermon, but, at the conclusion of the office, the Archimandrite said that the eyes of the whole world were fixed on the bed of the dying Czar, and all his faithful people were praying to the Lord of Husts for his recovery. He desired that the congregation should join their prayers, for their church and people alike were connected with Russia and its august Emperor. The Litany for the Sick was then recited, the mixed choir in a side gallery singing the Kyrie" softly. A prayer alluding to the Emperor of Russia by name was then recited for the recovery of the Czar. The whole service and address were m Greek.—Central News.

THE SUTHERLANDSHIRE ELECTION, The Press Association's Dornochcorrespondenb telegraphs :—A writ for the Sutherlandshire elec- tion was received at Dornoch on Saturday. Friday, the 26th inst., has been fixed for the nomination, and the polling will take place on the following Thursday. The contest will be fought under a new register, which shows a decreased electorate.

MR KEIR HARDIE'S SEAT. A RADICAL INVITED TO OPPOSE HIM. Mr Keir Hardie's seat in Parliament is to be contested, and by a Radical. On Saturday afternoon a deputation representing voters in South-West Ham, including Trades Unionists, dockers, gas stokers, boilermakers, flint glass mixers, coal heavers, engineers, stevedores, etc., waited upon Mr Hutchinson, partner in the lirin of S. H. Johnson and Company, of Stratford, for the purpose of asking him to stand as Radical candidate for the borough at the next election. Mr Brogden. president of the South West Ham Radical Club, introduced the de- putation. The various speakers said that as the case stood to-day the rsturn of a Tory was a certainty owing to the action of Mr Hardie, who, they said. had broken all his pledges to the working classes. Several questions were put to Mr Hutchinson, and by the applause the deputation evidently considered him sound on the questions of the abolition of the House of Lords, Home Rule, the abolition of contracting out of the Employers' Liability Act, repeal of the Blas- phemy Laws, etc. Mr Hutchinson said he would give a definite answer to the request of the deputation in a few days' time.

DROWNED IN A SEWER. WORKMEN OVERTAKEN BY A FLOOD. GALLANT RESCUE WORK. On Friday night eight employees of the Torquay Corporation went into a mam sewer at Meadfoot to execute some repairs, and about two o'clock in the morning 1\ terrific thunderstorm came on, and within a. few seconds the water in the sewer rose four feet. The men were overtaken by the sudden flood, and John Callicott, aged 60, was carried away and drowned. Three other men named Mugford, Milton, and Elliott held on to the chains at the side of the sewer and remained thus breast high in the water until 10 o'clock on Saturday, when they were drawn up in a critical condition with ropes by a rescue party organised by Mr H. A. Garrett. the borough surveyor. Wm. Raymond, who was the leader of the rescue party, acted most courage- ously, going down the sewer to a depth of 220 feet, and makmg fast the helpless to the rope.

THE ACCIDENT TO MR HERBERT I CORY, Mr Herbert Cory, who sustained a compound fracture of the skull by falling from his horse a few days ago, continues to make satisfactory progress. He is still attended by Drs. Hardy- man and Cooke.

SOUTH WALES COALOWNERS' ASSOCIATION. ANTICIPATING CONTESTS. An influential and numerously-attended meeting of the Monmouthshire and South Wales Coalownere' Association was held at theassociation Offices, Cardiff, on Saturday, under the presi- dency of Mr Fred. L. Davis, chairman of the association, among those present being Sir W. Thomas Lewis, chairmanof the Sliding-scale Joint Committee, and other mninbers among the owners' representatives on the Sliding-scale Committee. The association had under consideration the subject of several disputes which have arisen through the action of different sections of work- men in the associated collieries attempting to obtain an increase in their rates of pay, and obtaining other changes in violation of the sliding scale agreement, and after jully considering the disputes through the various attempts of the workmen to secure variations in wages and privileges, the association came to the unanimous resolution that all attempts of the workmen involving any change in violation of the terms of the sliding-scale agreement should be resisted to the utmost.

ALLEGED WHOLESALE THEFT BY A SWANSEA SERVANT. At the Swansea Police-court, on Saturday before Messrs J. G. Hall, D. Glasbrook, and W Walters—Mabel Stephens, a domestic strvat't" was charged with stealing 23 pairs of stockmgs: a piece of lace, two skirts, a pair of knickers a pair of drawers, a piece of embroid-ry three chemises, a piece of ealico, a piece of lace four vests, .3 poclwthandkerchiefs, live pieces of ribbon, a silk wrap, a wool wrap, two tie* leather belt, 11 pairs of silk gloves, four veil nets and a silver brooch, worth £8. the proper tv of her mistress, Mrs Mary Rees, milliner, of Heath field-street. Prosecutrix s suspicions seemed to have been aroused, whereupon a detective was called in, and prisoners box searched in her presence, with the result that all the thinn mentioned were found there. Mr Slater de- fended and prisoner who denied the offence, was committed for trial, bait being allowed.

No female attendants are employed in the tan- rooms in Gothenburg.

NEWS IN BRIEF. Mr Gladstone makes it a rule never to trftvoioa Sunday. There are two solid silver tea-tables at Windsor Castle. Australia has two hundred female station- masters. George R. Sims is said to make a year by his plays. The cost of a complete cypher telegram system is about J630. Nearly £250,000 worth of articles are pawned in London weekly. The inhabitants of Vienna pay an income-taj of 38 in the pound. A new monument to Garibaldi is shortly to 1M erected in Rome. A nugget of tin weighing 5,4001b. has beer found in Tasmania. The total income of the Chorch of England is about £200,000 a week. Windsor Castle has been used as a Royal residence for 784 years. The word Parliament first appears in the laws of England in 1272. Over 20,000,000 copies of Hymns Ancient and Modern have been sold since 1872. The Suez Canal strike is at an end, the men having accepted the company's terms. The preparation of human hair for the market gives employment to 7,000 Parisians. A caterpillar in the course of the month will devour six thousand times its own weight in food. A small horse-power engine which makes 42 cigarettes a minute is the invention of a French. man. The physician in charge of the Woman's Hospital in Soo Chow, China, is an American woman. There is not a particle of vegetation in the eastern part of the North Sea. It is one great watery waste. In time of war France puts 370 out of every 1,000 of her population in the field: Germany, 310 Russia, 210. Paris pubhshes a larger number and variety ot periodicals, from dailies to annuals, than any other city in the world. Archbishop Villatte, the head of the new Polish Catholic Church, is about forty years of age, and was for a time a clergyman of the Epis- copal Church. The most curious paper-weight in the world is said to belong to the Prince of Wales. It is-so report goes—the mummified hand of one of the daughters of Pharaoh. Japanese jugglers are deft smokers. Several of them will sit before a curtain, and, from the tobacco which issues from their mouths, will form a succession of readable letters. Mr George Howell, M.P., has been engaged for some time past on a new edition of the labour laws, which will shortly be published. The work will be practically re-written and brought up to date. The qualifications of a successful liar, according to Mr J. E. Nixon, M.A., of King's College, Cambridge, include a lively imagination, a reten- tive memory, quickness of observation, resource, and discretion. One thing is certain (Tht Times says)—namely, that with the disappearance of the present Czar one of the principal guarantees for the mainten- ance of peace amongst the great Powers will be lost to the world. It is stated that the prosecutions of dress. makers under the Factory Act since the appoint. ment of a lady inspector have not been without effect, and that a sensible reduction of working hours has been effected. New England is rejoicing over an historical discovery. While grading an old burying ground the workmen ploughed up the headstone of Nathaniel Woodcock, who was killed in 1665, and was the first white settler buried at Abtle. borough. The Czarewitch, it is stated, is a young man of lightly-formed preferences, with a dominant taste for pleasure. He is said to have no great respect for England, which he looks upon as rather humdrum, a fact also pretty well understood in English Court circles. According to Kemp's Mercantile Gazette the number'of failures in England and Wales gazetted during the week ending October 20th was 92. The number in the corresponding week of last year was 105, showing a decrease of 13, being a net decrease in 1894, to date, of 63. It is stated on the best authority that the Czar's fatal illness is due to causes wholly differing from those stated. We cannot make a definite state. ment under peculiar circumstances but we can say that for some years past deliberate attempts have been made on the Emperor's life by means other than bombs or poniards.—National Observer. A famous walker is the vicar of a parish near\ Stockton-on-Tees. At home his daily average is 30 miles, often walked in perambulating round his large parish. On Sundays he solaces himself with a 16 miles walk. He is 67 yeaes of age, and he ascribes his wonderful health to his extra- ordinary exercise. He has not a grey hair in his head. The British Medical Journal announces that the number of new students who have entered at the medical schools and colleges in London this year is smaller than for many years past. For the last ten years the number has never fallen below 596, and has more often considerably exceeded 600. This year the number is only 552. The number of ladies who have entered at the London School of Medicine for Women is 29. The income of merely the principal charitable institutions having their headquarters in London amounts to over £7,000,000 per annum. That represents a sum equal to half the whole capital invested in the Bank of England. It exceeds the total revenue of alLthe British colonies together in 1884, and it is as much as the present total annual revenues of all the British colonies, excluding New South Wales, Victoria, and Canada. An ex-waiter of the House of Commons who is now employed in an hotel at Pitlochry has just been interviewed respecting his professional ex- periences of our legislators. Most particularly. he bitterly remarked, the working men members had an aversion to give tips. One shilling per night constituted the average takings in that way. "'Ard work an'little pay," was Robert's verdict respecting a waiter's life at St. Stephen's. Sunday was the anniverary of Trafalgar. Eighty nine years ago, on the morning of October 21, 1805, Nelson made to bis fleet that immortal signal which has ever since been the watchword of the British Navy and one of the noblest tradi. tions of the nation; and before the sun set Napoleon's hopes of subduing England had been finally shattered, and the greatest seaman the world has ever known bad breathed his last.—The Times. A lady is good enough to give a solemn warn, ing, and that is never to wear too tight gloves. The Parisian ladies never oommit such an enormity—they know better. They are the best) gloved women in the world, but most of them wear 6% or 6% gloves. These are not the smallest sizes for a pretty hand, but are those worn by many of the fairest of the sex never- theless, for a tight glove is a perfect abomina. tion. It makes the hand look larger instead of smaller, and the attempt to squeeze one's poor paw" into such a minute space results in making it look fat and swollen. Amongst modern songs the following prices have been reported from time to time as being given for their copyrightTa-ra-ra-boom-de- ay," £1,170; Miss Collins realised £6,000 a yeai when singing it; Dream Faces," £ 720 • They £ 64°: "Tw° Lovel'y Black Eyes, £ 570; The Bogie Man," £ 530: "Porter, Porter, c £4.80; "Nancy Lee," £680 Grandfather's Clock," £4.10. Each song com- posed by Signor Paolo Tosti, the composer of For Ever and For Ever," is said to be now worth to him about J3400. Once Jack Russell, the famous old sporting parson of the West of England, was invited to Sandrinrham. He was a simple-minded, frugal old Kentleman, and he took a third-olaes return down to King's Lynn. On the journey back to w°P w fcrave^e<^ by the same train at • ■, of whom he took leave on the platform, and retired to his third-class compartment. But the Prince sent an equerryafter him, who brought nm, protesting he had no ticket, into the first)- class saloon. "Of course you are my guest,* said the Prince, and you will ride with me." Some years ago an anonymous donation of £10,000 was given to the Bristol Bishopric Fund. 1 here was much speculation at the time as to who the donor was, and Lady Frederick Cavendish's name was freely mentioned. On Thursday ths Bishop of Truro, preaching in the cathedral on the anniversary service of the fund, created no little sensation by aaying that it was Archdeacon Norris — whose later lift was devoted to obtaining a bishop 101 Bristol—who had given the munificent sum. Tht endowment of the See is now practically oarn- plete. Mr George Russell tells a good—if a slightly full-bodied—story which ought to encourage the weak-kneed. Mr Russell was lately dining with a gallant admiral destined to take a high oom. mand in the event of a Naval war, who wat lamenting the decay of the British Navy. Shipi would not float, guns would not go off roell could not be found, and a big naval war was < certainty during the next few months. Of ooorsc the guests were anxious to know the fate of the empire under these circumstances. "And I believe," said the gallant admiral, we shall give them the sfi licking they ei .ita!!

LONDON LETTER. [VROM OUi LONDON CORRESPONDENT.] lSPECIALLY WIRED.] LONDON, Sunday Night. RP, UNDEFINED OBLIGATIONS. th ere i a stronS feeling in certain circles the time has come when the obligations 'Members of commissions should be more yearly defined. The example of Sir John ewelyn 'n forecasting the report of the elsh Land Commission has been bettered by Dr. Wormell, a member of the Secondary Education Commission, who has distinctly anticipated the conclusions of his colleagues. It is interesting to learn that the commissioners will report in favour of the appointment of a Minister of Education of Cabinet rank, but the ques- tion which many people are asking is whether or not Dr. WormeJl was at liberty, without breach of etiquette, to furnish such information. The adoption of this method of anticipating decisions has one advantage —it saves journalists a great deal of trouble, and puts those who are in the habit of getting unauthorised copies of reposts on a level with others. It is clearly better that a commissioner should make his disclosures publicly than sell them to one favoured newspaper. DISCRIMINATION DESIRED. r °f the Anti-Gambling Ln C veXCT;ng a1g°°d deal of attention Sis kind £ showV °f b°dieS °f TJIAT.O u i want of discrimination. "0^ery bad, sl,ec,n«„s of the i 1' liur. some of the brokers WHO are not members of the Stock Exchange .i as honest and as respectable as the tners who have the entree to the House." Moreover, it is a notorious fact that the outside brokers" employ inside brokers to do their business. A VICAR'S DIFFICULTIES. The dedication festival at the well-lcnown Church of All Saints, Margaret-street, will not be observed under the most encouraging circumstances. The Rev. Allen Wlntworth, vicar finds that the funds at his disposal will not permit him to maintain both the Choir School and the National Schools. Oddly enough he proposes to sacrifice the latter. To add to the vicar's difficulties the recent death of Miss Olive Talbot, a munificent benefactor of the Church of England, de- prives him of the income for carrying on the mission work in Pentonville. THE UNEMPLOYED. It would be pleasant to be able to think that the so-called mass meeting in Trafalaar- aquare this afternoon was typical of "the extent of the want of employment in London, for if the few hundreds attending that gathering were in any way indicative of the absence of work, the prospects of the coming winter would be very cheering. This deduction, unfortunately, cannot be drawn from the indisposition of the un- employed to tramp to the square and listen to orators whose speeches Beemed more interesting to themselves than to the sprinkling of people who listened, many of the small gathering being mere passers-by, who hovered about for a few moments, not as part of the demonstra- tion, but to see what was going on. Other meetings have been held to-night at the Prince of Wales Theatre and in South London, convened in the interest of those whose employment is im- perilled by the Empire Theatre decision of the licensing committee of the county council. There was to have been a meet- ing in the Prince's-liall yesterday, but at the last moment the directors refused the use of the room, and the intending demonstration arrived only to find a pro- hibitory notice on the door. The Strand tradesmen are preparing a protesting move- ment on their own account. On the other hand, petitions to the county council back- ing up the recommendations of the licensing jommiltee have been extensively signed at many places of worship. LORD DRUMLANRIG. The Tories are prematurely congratulating themselves that the Government will have a difficulty in finding a successor to the late Viscount Drumlanrig. They persist in the theory that the heir to the Marquis of Quaenisberry was made a peer in order to be created a lord-in-waiting, whereas his frbiljt-ies and tact had marked him out for a position in the Royal household. I am assured that as soon as it is seemly the vacancy caused by his death will be filled up without making any addition to the House of Lords. CRICKET CHAMPIONSHIP. It was not expected that the scheme pre- pared by the committee of the M.C.C. for regulating the county championship would give entire satisfaction, and there are cricketers who maintain that the mere con- iition of each county playing eight out and eight home matches will not suffice. They urge that it should have been insisted that every county should play once at any rate against each of the others. Probably this will be arranged, and it would puzzle the critics of the M.C.C. to adopt a more excellent course. The inclusion of Hampshire has given great satisfaction. Devonshire may be added to the list another year. ANNIVERSARY OF TRAFALGAR. The pulpit of Westminster Abbey this morning was occupied by that most handsome of suffragans, the Bishop of Southwark, who with his whitening hair and dark Vandyck beard, looks as if he had stepped out of a picture frame. Leaflets distributed among the congregation suggested an appeal in the interests of the missions to seamen, but Dr. Yeatman, before commencing his sermon, declared that there was no need on the anniversary of Trafalgar to plead for an institution for the benefit of sailors. He proceeded to enter into a remarkable and clever defence of definite religious education. It is fair to say that he kept clear of party Controversy and made no attack on anyone, but, as a bishop of the poor, appointed to minister in the slums of South London," he insisted that we must retain Christianity as a great educational factor in the schools Df this realm." CONGREGATIONALISM AT KENTISH TOWN. The Rev. A. Holborn, late of Bradford, occupied the pulpit at the Congregational Church at Kentish Town this morning. It was announced that on Sunday week the Rev. W. D. Vaughan, of Manchester, who has recently accepted the pastor- ate, will commence his ministry. Mr Vaughan, who has already preached at the shurcb, it is believed will speedily make his mark in Kentish Town and North London. The^present position of affairs is not satisfactory, but there is scope for the abilities and energy which the new minister is understood to possess. NOVELTY FOR PLAYGOERS. There is plenty of novelty for playgoers just now. The production of "Robbery Under Arms at. the Princess's Theatre is postponed until next week, when the audience will be regaled with realistic representations of life in the Australian bush and on the western wilds of America to the accompaniment of real noises and a liberal supply of gunpowder. On Saturday night the German players at the Opera Comique attracted a full audience, not by any means completely Teutonic, to see the originals of the farce that has had such a profitable run in England as The Private Secretary." Saturday light was also marked by the re-openin<r of two West End Theatres, the with-Mr Burnand's Gay Widow'' fcfree translation of La Belle Maman ), the Avenue with Mr Wm. Greets managerial venture, "Ihe Lady Mavey,» fi°t Seen at Nottingham over a a&°» ^d now submitted in the smartest to a London audience, with Miss Yohe in the same part. Tew,0t^ Performances considerable demands Patieh^a<ie» in the earlier acts, on the °f the audience, and at the Court p there were si^ns that it was not *° the strain put upon it. But W<>6 as the play proceeded, thanks andleasure to the excellence of the %im music.' at the Avenue, of the dancing

NOnVvT CYCLISTS AND conformists. In deference n fif several NoucJ^Iaiably to the strong protests °k° 'fj3 ^ave P°stpoT|0rin'st bodies, the Llanelly on d have off 6 t^le °hurch parade, which

— °n Sunday RTOTORK.-J. A ;T _j •—•A* sjk 's.vas, a D26

TRAINS HELD UP." SUCCESS OF THE BRIGANDS. NEW YORK, Saturday.—Another train robbery, remarkable for the audacity with which it was perpetrated, is reported from Gordon, Texas. At noon yesterday four unmasked men held up a Texas Pacific train near that place, and forced a gang of platelayers to take up the rails and signal the train to stop. The robbers then compelled the engineer and fireman to get the express messenger to ppen the door of the express car, and ordered the foreman of the platelayers to enter with a sledge hammer and break the lock combination. The larger one, containing over 30,000 dollars, could not be opened, but the smaller one was broken into, and valuables worth 20,000 dollars were abstracted. The robbers then walked off whistling after firing a few shots to intimidate the passengers. Tiiis train robbery is the most daring that has been committed for years past. A posse of 500 sheriffs's deputies is out in pursuit. PARSONS, KANSAS, Sunday.—A passenger train on the Kansas and Arkansas branch of the Missouri Pacific Railway was held up by five masked men on Saturday night near Wagoner in the Indian territory. A car had been laid across the main track, and the train, which was travelling slowly at the time, was brought to a standstill. The rsbbers opened fire on all the carriages except the sleeping cars. There was not a window which was not broken, and the woodwork was riddled with bullets. One passenger received a shot in the head. The robbers lifled the safe, but the amount abstracted has not transpired. The outrage was perpetrated by a lawless band known as the Cook gang, who have terrorised the surrounding country for a long time past.-Reuter.

GENERAL FORECASTS. GENERAL FORECASTS. The following forecasts were prepared last night at the Meteorological Office at eight o'clock :— DISTRICTS— G. Scotland, N.l North-westerly and north- 1. Scotland, E. I- erly winds; colder, with 2. England, N.E. J cold showers, unsettled. England, E.IVarying northerly breezes; 4. Mid. Counties. I cold, and perhapg very 3 Eng. b. (Lon. f0ggy. and Channel..J 6, Scotland, W.I yaryjng northerly and east- 7. Engl. f erly airs fair, cold. ANorthWales-J J o Ireland N. 1 North-easterly breezes, cold Ireland, S.J and fair uncertain later.

An American-some ladies may care to learn- has conco3ted a contrivance winch, by forcing an with a .0-cM Faradic current. » turns the lips a beautiful red coral colour bottles. Sold by all Chemis ts, or sentg Manufactured only by Morgan W. Jame LlaneUy,

REPORTED SEVERE BATTLE. I THE JAPANESE REPULSED, THE MOVEMENTS OF THE CHINESE FLEET. THE SINKING OF THE KOW SHING. ARRIVAL OF THE CAPTAIN IN ENGLAND. SHANGHAI, Saturday, 4 p.m.-Telegrame from Chinese sources received here to-day report that a severe battle has been fought on the Lower Yalu. The Japanese are said to have crossed the river and attacked the Chinese posi- tion, but in the fierce fighting they were re- pulsed, the losses being heavy on both sides. The Chinese make no claim to having secured a conclusive victory, but declare that they still hold their batteries and earthworks. No confirmation is obtainable from independent sources, but that fighting has occurred is considered highly probable. -Central News. SHANGHAI, Sunday Afternoon. Nothing further has been received respecting the allegpd battle on the Yalu. An impression is gaining ground that the fighting would probably have been from a Japanese reconnaisance in force pre- liminary to the main attack. ARMS AND AMMUNITION FOR THE CHINESE. The Chinese have succeeded in landing another cargo of arms, ammunition, and warlike stores at Tientsin. These have been supplied through German tirms. They have been re- shipped for Newchwang and Port Arthur, where the need of good rifles is more pressingly felt than at Tientsin. Newchwang is being made a base for Chinese operations should the Japanese attempt to advance from the Yalu upon Pekin, The garrison has been strongly rein. forced during the past fortnight. The Viceroy has been so satisfied with the last two consignments of arms delivered that he signed a large contract for rifles and ammunition on Friday for delivery within two months. This order was also given to a German house. The Japanese have intimated that an effective blockade of the Gulf of Pechih will be declared during the coming week.- Central News. THE CHINESE FLEET. SHANGHAI, Saturday, 9.40 p.m.—Four vessels of the Chinese Southern Squadron have arrived at Wei-hai-wei. The steamer Tungchow reports that two Chinese ironolads and one cruiser, which completed their repairs at Port Arthur, are now at Wei-hai-wei, but the other men- of-war damaged in the battle of the Yalu will not be released from the dockyards for some time yet, the repairs required being very exten- sive. The Japanese fleet is stated to be still patrolling the Gulf of Pechili. A rumour is current that the Chinese cruisers Ting Yuen and Chen Yuen, which are now at Wei-hai-wei, fired upon the Southern Squadron on its approach, mistaking the vessels for Japanese war ships. The Chinese transports, conveying troops from Taku and other points to Port Arthur, have hitherto met with no opposition. It is reported that the Kiang-Nan arsenal is only working half time for lack of funds.-Reuter. JAPANESE PARLIAMENT BENT ON FIGHTING. HIROSHIMA, Saturday.—In the House of Peers yesterday Count Ito, the Premier, made an elaborate speech in support of Government measures for meeting war expenses, aad defended Japan against the charge of having precipitated hostilities. He narrated in detail the circum- stances which led up to the war, and read the correspondence which passed between the Mikado's Government and the authorities at Pekin before the rupture of diplomatic relations. The Premier'sstatement made a great impression, and intensified the keenly patriotic feeling mani- fested by members of the .Diet, not a dissentient voice being raised against thQ sacrifices entailed by Ministerial Bills. The Diet is unanimously in favour of the continuance of the war, and is prepared to grant everything asked for by Government to ensure the success of the Japanese arms. To-day the D,et unanimously passed a Bill authorising an extraordinary wur expen- penditure of 150 million yen, of which a sum not exceeding a hundred thousand is to be raised by loan.-Reuter. JAPANESE LOSSES ON THE YALU RIVER. SAN FBANOISCO, Sunday.—The steamer China, which has just arrived from the Far East, brings news from Yokohama, in which the Japanese losses in the Yalu are set down as follows :-10 officers and 69 men killed 1613 officers and men wounded. The despatch also gives particulars of the sinking of the Chinese transport Che-an early in September. The vessel was carrying a thou- sand troops from Ching Keang to Formosa, and 200 men were drowned. The surviving soldiers murdered the captain and crew in revenge for the alleged mismanagement of the ship.-Reuter. RESTLESSNESS IN COREA. YOKOHAMA, Friday.—News has been re- ceived here that in spite of the steps taken by the Japanese to pacify the Coreans and to establish a firm rule in the peninsula, the natives are very restless. Several hundreds have risen in the Province of Chollado, in the south-west, and a combined force of Japanese and Corean troops have been despatched to the district to quell the outbreak. A Japanese army, the strength of which is officially computed at 40,000 men, under the command of Field- Marshal Oyama, has left Hiroshima in 35 chartered transports. Its destination is unknown. -Beuter. THE MISSIONARIES. The Central News says :—The Rev. William Park, of the Irish Presbyterian Church Missions, has received the following telegram from Newchwang respecting the missionaries in China: Carsons remain Moukdeu Hunter, Bran- der. Chin Chow ladies and others come port." From this it is gathered that Mr Carson, Mr Hunter, and Dr. Brander remain at their posts, but that the ladies and other Europeans have arrived at Newchwang, where a British gunboat is stationed.

THE SINKING OF THE KOW SHING. ARRIVAL OF THE CAPTAIN IN ENGLAND. A Liverpool Central News telegram states that Captain Galsworthy, of the Kow Shing, which was sunk by the Japanese, arrived in Liverpool by the Cunard steamer Etruria on Saturday night. The captain refused to be interviewed, he being on his way to London to report to the owners. Captain Galsworthy, who it will be remembered, when his vessel was sunk by the Japanese last July saved his own life by jumping overboard, is a smart-looking fellow, apparently under 40 years of age, and 6ft. high. He seems to possess all the qualifications of a commander.

THE DEATH OF LORD DRUM- LANRIG. INQUEST AND VERDICT. The inquest on the body of Lord Drumlanrig, eldest son of the Marquis of Queensbury, was held on Saturday afternoon at Quantock Lodge, near Bridgwater, and resulted in a verdict of Accidental death."

CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER. DARING ESCAPE IN IRELAND. The man Lynchaun, suspected of the recent attempted murder and arson in Achill Island, escaped from custody on Saturday evening. He bad attended at the maxing of the deposition by the injured lady, Mrs McDonnell, and was re- turning to prison guarded by two constables, when he suddenly darted away from his cus- todians and made off. The officers gave chase, bvt were unable to effect a recapture.

THE CRUSADE AGAINST LON- DON MUSIC HALLS. EMPLOYEES ON THE DEFENSIVE. A meeting convened by the Theatrical and MusiG-tiall Operatives' U niob engaged at the Metropolitan "places of amusement was held t, on Sunday night at the Prince of Wales's theatre to protest against the enforcement by the licensing committee of the London County Council of measures which it was stated would reduce the number of places of amusement. Mr W O. Thoroagbgood, president of the Opera- tives Union, presided. Mr W. Eldridge, secre. tary of the Union, stated that the working classes were on their side, and moved a resolution protesting against the committee's action. Mr George Shipton, secretary of the Trades Council, seconded, and the resolution was carried unani- mously.

MURDEROUS ATTACK ON A WIFE. ASSAILANT KILLED WITH A BROOM. Charles Graves, who on Monday last made a murderous attack on his wife at the Town Hospital, Guernsey, and who, whilst ..endeavouring to escape, knife in hand, was, knocked down with a broom by an official, acting in self-defence, died on Friday niglrt from the effects of the blow. The wife, whose throat was cut, is progressing favour. ably.

FOUR CHILDREN AT A BIRTH. The wife of Thomas James, a collier, living in Rainnie's-row, Maesycwmmer, this week gave birth to four children, all boys, and they lived about half-an-hour.

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TERRIFIC STORM. WRECKS ROUND THE COAST. HEROISM OF THE COASTGUARD. A Newhaveu telegram to the Press Association says that a ale of unusual severity raged in the Channel throughout Saturday night, and its distressing effects were very much in evidence on Sunday inthe bay between Newhaven and Seafora, where three vessels were driven ashore at almost the same time. The gale increased in severity aftsr two o'clock, and at about 4.30 on Sunday morning the lightship Warner, which was being towed from Spithead by the Trinity steamer Irene, broke away from the latter vessel when about two miles off Newhaven, and drove in the direction of the shore. Boats were promptly launched from the lightship and the steamer, and an unsuccessful attempt was made to get out a fresh tow-line. In the course of this operation the boat capsized, and four seamen, Gardner and Fuzze of the Irene, and Stone and Webb of the Lightship, were drowned. The vessel and both boats were then driven ashore at Seaford, where the chief officer, Knigh t, of Blatch ingtcn coastguard steamer, and his crew were awaitiug the catastrophe. With the aid of the rocket:apparatus they executed an exceed- ingly smart rescue, saving the remainder of the lightship's crew, 13 in number. The vessel Alice Little, Rochester for Southampton, with casks of petroleum, was also driven ashore near New- haven. The Newhaven coastguard, under Chief Officer Woolley, were on the scene, and two coastguardsmen, Honey and McCarthy, successfully performed the daring feat of swimming out through the heavy sea to the assistance of the vessel. The entire crew was rescued, but Captain Thomas Gurr had a narrow escape of being drowned. The vessel has gone to pieces. A vessel be- longing to Shoreham also went ashore with her mast broken. Her crew managed to save them- selves. A Sandgate telegram also records a severe gale in the channel on Sunday morning, and says three fishing boats were destroyed there and another boat sustained serious damage. East Bay. Dungeness, was crowded on Sunday morning with vessels which had put in for shelter. Telegrams on Sunday night state that the storm had been severe on the north and north. east coast. A Norwegian barque, the Jernas, from Falmouth to Shields, went ashore near Sunderland in the afternoon. The crew, eight in number, were saved by the rocket apparatus, but a Life Brigade man named Lewis was Jdrowned. At Berwick on- Tweed the gale has prevailed with exceptional violence for three days. On Sunday the Nor- wegian brig Mei, of Christiania, from London for Blyth, was totally wrecked on Bamborough Sand?. The crew was saved. The vessel is already entirely broken up. On the Tyne a severe south-east gale prevailed. The barquentine Fame, belonging to Dundalk, from Llanelly to Hartlepool, was driven ashore on the rocks at Tynemouth. Capt. McCallanaham and the crew of six were saved by the rocket apparatus in a very exhausted condition.

LORD TREDEGAR'S WEALTH. Lord Tredegar, says the Star, who durinc next week will entertain a large party for the Newport Military Bazaar, including Lord and Lady Roberts, who are to open it, is one of the survivors of the Charge at Balaclava, where he rode with the 17th Lancers. The late Sir John Astley in his Recollec- tions" mentions "young Morgan" as one of his companions on the voyage out to the Crimea. He owns about fifty thousand acres of land in Monmouthshire, Glamorganshire, and Brecknockshire, much of which is in the richest coal county in England. It is calculated that his Monmouthshire property alone must bring him in about one hundred thousand a year. He also owns some fifty acres of land in and about Bow, in the East-end of London, which brings in some ten thousand a year, and is continually increasing in value. Lord Tredegar has, more- over, considerable personal attractions, and is altogether one of the most eligible bachelors in England. He is a lavish host.

MADAME PATTI'S TOUR. THE ROYAL VISIT POSTPONED. Madame Patti, who during the past week has been giving a, series of private performances at Craig-y-nos Castle, commences her provincial tour at Birmingham Town-hall to-morrow, when the diva's selections will include "The Jewel Song" from Gounod's "Faust," "Elizabeth's Prayer" (.. Tanuhauser," Wagner), and "The Last Rose of Summer." Some disappointment is felt at the fact that their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York will not visit Craig-y-nos until the spring of another year. The Royal couple were expected at Clyne Castle this autumn, but it is now stated on the best authority that Mr Graham Vivian, although he has received a definite promise that their Royal Highnesses will pay him a visit to Clyne at an early date, be does not think they are likely to mature their promise before the spring of next year. It seems to be only in case of the Duke and Duchess of York visiting Clyne Castle, the mansion of Mr Graham Vivian, that the Royal pair are likely to proceed to Craig-y-nos,for which occasion Madame Patti has organised extensive arrangements. Madame Patti is said to be in excellent health and voice.

CARDIFF MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. On Sunday evening a meeting was held in the St. David's Schoolroom in support of the candi- dature of Dr. Buist. Father Hayde presided.— Dr. Buist, whose address laid particular emphasis on the sanitation of the town, said there was only one on the Cardiff Corpora- tion, and that there was room for another with a professional knowledge of sanitation. He also said that the streets of the working men's wards were neglected.—A resolution of confidence was carried.

CARDIFF SEAMEN'S AGITATION. Everything around the docks proceeded quietly on Saturday in connection with the wages agitation among the 'sailors and firemen. Mr J. H. Wilson, M.P., returned to Cardiff in the morning, and during the earlier part of the day addressed a meeting of seafarers in the Union offices on organisation work.

STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF A CAPTAIN. f SHIP SAILS FROM BARRY WITHOUT HIM. The local agent, Mr White, Cardiff, as well as the owners, Messrs W. Dickinson and Co., Newcastle-on.Tyne, are at a loss to understand the unaccountable disappearance of Captain Ed. Allason, of the Sir William Armstrong, at Barry on Friday. Captain Allason, who belongs to Sunderland, was sent by the owners to Barry to take charge of the s.s SIr William Armstrong. The captain arrived on Mon- day, and was seen at 5.30 on Thursday morning on the deck of the steamer. Since then he has not been seen or heard of. The steamer, which was laden with coal, sailed on Friday morning in charge of the chief officer, who holds a captain's certificate. The second officer was promoted to first and a new second mate shipped. The agent, Mr White, has made fruitless enquiries, and at present nothing has been discovered tending to solve the mystery. The dock at Barry will be dragged in the fear that the captain may have fallen in.

TIN-PLATE TRADE. GOOD NEWS FOR LLANGENNECH. We are able to state on the highest authority that the Llangennech Tin-plate Workve has been purchased by private contract last Saturday by Councillor John Thomas, Plasisa, nephew of the late owner, Mr W. Thomas, J.P., Llanelly. Affeer the good news was conveyed to the people by Mr Thomas last Saturday evening, the little village was overwhelmed with joy. In all proba- bility the works will be re-started in the course of three weeks, after being idle two years. The Morlais Tin-plate Company have also decided to erect a new mill, which will be pro- ceeded with at once. It is intended to have this extension completed by next January.

MERTHYR CONTRIBUTION TO CILFYNYDD SUFFERERS. Mr Thomas Jenkins, J.P., high constable of Merthyr, has on Saturday forwarded cheques to the permanent relief fund for :£383 13t 5d, and Messrs Crawshay's cheque for :£100; also to theCilfynydd local fund, :£7 15s. The total of the Merthyr and Dowlais contributions to the high-constable's fund, therefore, nearly reaches :£500.

The Durham miners have decided to ask for an immediate advance of 15 per cent. in wages. General Chesney, of the British Army, has received permission to accompany the Chinese Army in the field. FOR RAILING ANIFGATRS and any kind of wrought-iron work-Perkins Bros. & Co., Iron Mer- chants, 3t. Mary street, Cardifi, 4656

DEATH OF MR J. A. FROUDE. I It is with deep regret that we have to announce the decease of Mr J. A. Froude, which took place on Saturday morning at half-past six o'clock at Salcombe, Devon. He passed away peacefully, having been unconscious for 24 hours. Mr Froude's illness dates back to June last, when the fatigue caused by the delivery of a series of lectures on Erasmus proved too severe a strain upon his constitution. Liver trouble supervened, and for some time before his death no hope was entertained of his recovery. Mr Froude was one of the most prominent of our prose writers in the present century. To recall almost at random the names of Macanlay, of Charles Kingsley, Motley, F. D. Maurice, Arnold, and Carlyle is sufficient to suggest how great a man he was, His writings rival the best that have come from the great authors we have named; and in particular passages he approaches the utmost beauty of which English prose is capable. The excellence of much ot Mr Froude's writing lies not so much in the matter as in the manner of it. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. [FROM "MEN OF THE TIME."] Froude, James Anthony, youngest son of the late Venerable R. H. 1 roude, archdeacon of Tot- nes, born at Dartington, Devonshire, April 23 1818, was educated at Westminster and at Orii-i College, Oxford, where he graduated in 1840, taking.a. second class in classics, and he proceeded M.A. in due course. In 1842 he carried off the Chancellor's Prize for an English essay on "The Influence of the Science of Political Economy on the Moral and Social Welfare of the Nation •" and in the same year he became a Fellow of Exeter College. He was ordained a deacon in the Established Church in 1844. For some time he was connected with the High Church party under the Rev. J. H. Newman, and wrote in The Lives of the English Saints." Under the pseudonym of "Zfta." he published, in 1847, a volum., entitled "Shadows of the Clouds," which comprised two storIes- "The Spirit's Trials" and "The Lieutenant's Daughter." His "Nemesis of Faith" appeared in 1848, and reached a second edition in the fol- lowing year. It marked his defection from the teaching of the Church of England, against whose reverence for what he called the Hebrew Mythology," it is, inter alia, a protest. Both these works were severely condemned by the University authorities. About this time Mr Froude resigned his Fellowship, and he was obliged to give up an appointment which he had received to a teachership in Tasmania. For two or three years he wrote almost constantly for Fraser's Magazine and the Westminster Review. One of his articles in the latter on the Book of Job has been reprinted in a separate form (1854). In 1856 he published the first two volumes of his "History of England from the Fall of Wolsey to the Defeat of the Spanish Armada," which has been continued from time to time, vo!s. 11 and 12 having been published in 1870, concluding the work. The materials for this history are mainly derived from the public documents of the time, and the boldness and originality of the author's views have attracted much attention. One of the most marked features of the work is an elaborate attempt to vindicate the reputation of Henry VIII. His "Short Studies on Great Subjects" appeared in 1867, being reprints of essays which had appeared in various periodicals. Mr Froude was installed Rector of the University of St. Andrew's March 23rd, 1869, on which occasion the degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him. For a short time he was editor of Frazer's Magazine, but he resigned that position in August, 1871. On September 21, 1872, taking advantage of the Clerical Disabilities Act, he executed a deed of relinquishment of the office of deacon. In the autumn of 1872 Mr Froude went to the United States, where he delivered a series of lectures on the relations between England and Ireland. The burden of his addoesses was that Irishmen had themselves, to a large extent, caused their country's prostration by their own intestine jealousies and want of patriotism. An animated controversy ensued between him and Father Thomas Burke, the Dominican orator. At the close of the year 1874 Mr Froude was sent by the Earl of Carnarvon, Secretary of State for the Colonies, to the Cape of Good Hope, to make inquiries respecting the late Caffre insur- rection, and be returned to London in March, 1875. His latest works are The English in Ireland in the Eighteenth Century," 3 vols., 1871-74 Caesar a sketch," 1879 and Re- miniscences of the High Church Revival," a series ot papers in Good Words (1881). Having been appointed executor to Thomas flfarlyle. he published his" Reminiscences," 2 vols.. 1881, and the first part of his biography, Thomas Carlyle a History of the first forty years of his life," 1882; and Reminiscences of his Irish Journal in 1849," London, 1882.

INCENDIARISM NEAR NEW- PORT. DESPERATE ACT OF A DESPERATE MAN. At Newport County Police-court on Saturday George Mansell (53), labourer, described as an old soldier, of no fixed residence, was charged on remand with wilfully setting on fire a rick of barley, value £70, the property of Lord Tredegar. The prisoner's offence was revealed by himself to P.C. Weare, of the Newport Borough police, who was on duty at the Commercial-street end of the Cardiff-road at 11.30 on Friday se'nnight. Prisoner, accosting him, told him that he had set fire to the middle rick of three ricks on the Cardiff-road in the hope that it would burn, and someone might earn a slnllinK or two. He left the Newport Rsfuge in the morning, and had no food afterwards during the day. He went to Bassaleg to look for work, and enquired whether Lord Tredegar farmed his own land. As Lord Tredegar had more money than he had he set fire to the rick, and because he could find no work and had no place to sleep he went from the Temperance-hall out to the spot on the road (near the third milestone) on purpose to do it. H. ascertained which way the wind was blowing, and pulled a corner of the rick out and lighted some paper with a match on his pipe. He walked away and looked back to see that it was burning. George Morris, shepherd, con" firmed the prisoner's statement as to the conversa- tion in the afternoon and Thomas Reece, groo m said he first saw the rick on fire from his bedroom at about 11 o'clock. The engjne was no use, as there was no water, and he gave the alarm. Rick covers were obtained to pro- tect the other two ricks, and they were saved. JamesGreenaway, farm bailiff, said there was no possibility of saving the rick, which con- sisted of the produce of five acres of oats and a little loose barley in the straw. There was no wind, or it would have been impossible to save the two adjacent ricks.—The prisoner told the court, in answer to the usual caution, that the reason he set the ricks on fire was to let the lords of the land know that there are hundreds of poor men walking about with nothing to do and nothing to eat.—Inspector Capper said the pri- soner stopped at Chepstow the previous day, and told the official there that he belonged to Wey- mouth. Hehad written to the Weymouth police, but nothing was known of him there.—Prisoner was then committed to take his trial at the Monmouth Assizes, which arc fixed for the end of next month.

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD. On Friday last a general meeting of snbscribers and guarantors of the Llanelly National Eistedd. fod was held at the Town-hall, Llanelly, Mr Tom Hughes in the chair. Attention was called to the sudden death of Mr T. H. Rogers, and a unanimous vote of sympathy with Mrs Rogers in her sad bereavement was passed. The question of electing presidents came up for consideration, and over 40 nominations were received, and a lare Humber of nommatlOns were also sent III for the office of conductors. It was decided to leave the matter open for another week. and in the mean- time further nominations can be sent in to the secretary.

THE SWANSEA SCANDAL. DEATH OF THE CHILD. The child who was the subject of what has been known as the Swansea scandal, the prolonged hearing of which has has caused so much com- ment, died on Saturday.