South Wales Daily News

ENERGY IN THE UNIVERSE. Gradually it was discovered that heat always did some sort of work. Then it was found that wi Mnever motion was stopped, or apparently stopped, heat was produced as when a black. smith makes a rod of cold iron red hot by the suddenly arrested blows of a hammer, or a leaden bullet is melted by its blow upon an iron target. Then it was found that whenever mechanical work was done. heat was absorbed, or disappeared, or became latent, or was used up in some way as when heat is absorbed by a mass of melting ice, without raising the temperature at all till aU the ice is melted. And finally, Joule proved by the most rigid experiments that a given measure of heat produced an exact and invariable amount of work-neither more nor less. Thus there gradually grew up the clear idea that heat and mechanical work were correla- tives, and that either of them could be transformed into the other on certain invariable terms. Both were, therefore, found to be different forms of a subtle and mysterious energy, or power of doing work. Rapidly it was discovered that the same was true of all the rest of Nature's mysterious forces. The light falling on a body, if at all absorbed, warmed it, or was converted into heat; the current of a galvanic battery could produce motion in an engine, or heat and light, or chemical action in the electro- plater's trough. Any one form of energy could be transformed into any other form by proper means. And finally it was seen that all the work going on in the universe, all the changes and phenomena around us. were simply due to constant transformation of one or the other form of energy into some other form. Ages ago the energy of the sun separated carbon from the carbonic acid of the atmosphere, and stored it up in beds of coal. The energy of chemical action between this carbon and atmospheric air, under the gas-retort, produced heat, and this beat again did work in separating gas and other products from other coal in the retort. Chemical union of this gas with air once more transforms the energy into beab again, which is once more transformed into mechanical motion, m » steam or gas engine. That motion is transformed into electric current and that may be converted into motion again; or mav perforin chemical work in electro-plating; or be utilised once more as intense heat and light. This is a mere specimen of what is going on everywhere around us; and our very life itself, in its physical aspect, is an example of the same transformation of energy. There is much in our lives that is not physical: we know no physical equivalents for consciousness or geuius. But as regards the objective phenomena of life, we are true machines For us also the sun stored up foc\d in plants, and through them in animals and the food is by vital processes converted into heat, and muscular work, and mental energy or effort. -The Wo?-Id of Wonders.

SIR F. LOCKWOOD'S NEW YEAR CARD. That eminent caricaturist," as the Prime Minister calla Sir Frank Lockwood, has (writes the Scotsman's London correspondent) just oro- duced another masterpiece, It has long been his genial custom at this time of the year to design a special card to be sent with kind messages to his personal friends-an exceptionally large circle. This year the clever cartoon repre. sents old Father Time coming back from a shooting excursion. He has a gun on his shoulder, and in his lean right hand carries a dead bird, bearing the legend 1895." On the milestone he approaches is perched a fearless little chick, labelled 1896." I'll have a shot at you next, my little man," says the relentless irresistible sportsman. The expressions on the two faces of Father Time and the bantling are full of force and humour—furrowed Father Time- eager, greedily certain of his prey the chicken knowing nothing, and therefore fearing nothing. The milestone is inscribed Cober Hill, Cloughton, six miles to Scarboro' "—Sir Frank's country address.

A CHANNEL PILOT'S FAILURE' At the office of the Official Receiver (Mr T. B. Stephens), Queen-street, on Tuesday the first meeting of the oreditors of John Howard Hancock, Channel pilot, Neville-street, was held. The statement ot affairs produced showed unsecured creditors expected to rank £ 677 5s 5d. and the assets nil. Debtor attributed his fadure to depression in trade and loss of his outter through collision. No offer was made to the meeting, and consecfuently no resolutions were passed, the matter being left to the Official Receiver to wind up in bank. ruptcy.—The adjourned meeting re Edmund Williams was also held. It appeared that bankrupt, not being able to come to any arrange- ment with the creditors for whom he was building under a contraot, offered a composition of 7a 6d, but this was not accepted, and the matter ultimately went into bankruptcy.

ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT BY A CORPORATION OFFICIAL. Adam Pettipher, an elderly man, lately employed as collector under the Longton Corporation, was remanded on Tuesday charged with embezzling money belonging to his employers. Some months ago Pettipher absconded and nothing was heard of him until yesterday, when he was apprehended at Crewe. When Pettipher disappeared he left a note behind sayine he had gone in seach of another absconding official, who is still at large, and since then Pettipher's son, who was a clerk in Longton Post Office, has been convicted of embezzling Post Office money. The latter's chief defence at the Assizes was that the defalcations had occurred through endeavouring to assist his father out of his difficulty.

ARMSTRONG, MITCHELL AND CO. The Press Association's Newcastle correspondent telegraphs A special meeting of Armstrong, Mitchell, and Co. was held on Tuesday tooonsider a proposal to morease the nominal capital of the company, recent valuations having shown the value of the company s properties to be greatly in excess of that shown in the books. It was decided to reconstruct the company and increase the, ordinary share capital from £ 2,000,000 to £ 3,000,000, increasing each holding of £ 100 ordinary stock to £ 150. The new capit115 200,000 preference aharea of jB5 each and 3,000,000 Li shares,

AN ACTOR'S FAILURE. At the London Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday » meeting of the creditors of Richard Barker Cobb, better known as Richard Temple, an actor, was held. Debtor, who presented the petition, returned his gross debts at £1,320 and assets nil. He attributed his failure to losses incurred on the production of the "Mock Doctor" and heavy interest on borrowed money. He made no offer, and the case was left in the bands of the Official Receiver to wind up.

Munday's Liver Pills act direct upon the Liver they contain no mercury, are suitable fori.11 ages and chmate. amI witt-out doubt lire the host pill for biliousness,jliver complaints, and indiafcstinii. JS'I'-l in boxes Is. 2s 6d, and 4s 6d, post tre. by the proprietor, J-MiwOiyvCbwawti, 1 Jiigh-street, Qarditf. im

J THE HOUSEHOLD. not often happenESDO that one is fortunate enough to have win- dows on each side of the fireplace, but if they are so arranged you will find that, as a rule, people will grumble on the ground that the heat of the chimney is wasted because it is not in an inside wall. This is perfectly true. o course, bub see how perfect they look when artistically treated; and when one finds the fireplace between windows, why, peoplehad better make the best possible use of them they can, instead of leaving them, as is usually the case, in all their pristine ugliness of plate glass, wooden moulds, and a patent fastener. Her-, for instance, is a suggestion that is not so very difficult to carry out, and will be certain to give the most complete satisfaction. Most of us love to sit upon low seats beside a fire, even if we do not get as far down as the hearthrug of our childish days one is more prone to meditate when one can rest one's arms upon one's knees, and one's head in one's hands, and a fire has a very meditative effect on most folk. Fancies, plans, and memories seem to hang about it as naturally as its own smoke, and to vanish just as quickly and mysteriously. And so these low, cosy seats, which will be seen in my sketch, are sure to be very popular, all he more so tor the glimpse that is possible into the cold outer world through these decorative little windows, which must not be made to open or shut, as there is no possible way to prevent draughts. The window sill comes about a foot and a half from the ground. Harem screen-work is cut and fibted in half the way up the window, and above this are Moorish-shaped arches, which may be manufactured out of the real thing or even closely simulated by the cheaper substitute of fret-work carving. Above is a little shelf, on which a pretty jar of Moorish pottery stands with immense addition to the decorative colour. The frieze rail above may also be bought by the foot, which curves out over the crescence made by the chimney, further accentuating the niche-like effect of the windows. All the front, sides, and interior of the fire-place is covered with bright green, blue, and yellow Moorish tiles, easily kept clean and forming a very bright, beautiful spot to look at. The nicest thing with which the low settees can be covered is leopard's skin plush, which imitates the ekin quite marvellously. Cushions are, of course, a matter of individual taste. Eastern embroideries are always charming for such purposes, but I would bid people beware of tinsel threads. They catch in the dress and hair terribly, and also are given to scratch one's skin not a little. As regards the walls of such a room, a dull sealing-wax red, yellow, or blue would be found the best. This ought to be thoroughly well varnished; carriage varnish for choice but this, of course, comes expensive, and the other kind wears very well. This kind of effect without the fire-place is not at all bad when carried out in the corner of a hall large enough for the purpose, and, indeed, can be adapted in a variety of ways to the requirements of different interiors. Its always a matrer of difficulty to keep eggs hot at breakfast-time, that most pnpunctual meat even in the best regulated families. Egg cosies are not quite altogether satisfactory, they are apt to be top-heavy, to upset, to get in the way, and nobody knows what to do with them when the eggs are eaten. I recently had a very pretty present sent to me from Paris in the shape of a "paniers h oeufs." It is, as you see, quite an ordinary basket with little wire receptacles for the eggs, set into a bed of soft padding, each egg being surrounded by a ring of chenille. Outside, it is covered with white linen with a pattern embroidered upon it in pale and dark china blue silks, so as to resemble china as closely as possible, and a little border of white lace is rnn round the two lids. These are quite easily manufactured, simply consisting of two pieces of cardboard tucked to the basket with strips of canvas, having been, of course, neatly covered in the first place. I think this would make a charming Christmas present for ajiy householder. THIking of Christmas presents opens up the dreaded question of what to give to each of the expectant recipients, which seem to increase in number year by year, making it more and more difficult each recurring noel to please everyone. In some cases it is lack of idea, in other cases lack of funds, which prevents the donor hitting the nail on the head. However, whatever the cause, let me come to your assistance, firstly with ideas, and secondly with pleasing cadeaux that are at the same time inexpensive. In the first place you will find a sketch of a pretty bonnet pin-cushion. It can" be readily made of a piece of plush or satin, modelled sack fashion, and stuffed with fine silver sand, it; will keep these long pins in proper condition. The corners are made of a brighter tone of liberty silk, and to suspend it is attached a silken cord terminated by imitation flowers.. My second is what the French call un ridicule." Why they should give it this name I am at a loss to understand, as it is far from being ridicule," but I suppose it must b, derived from the French word reticule-however, whatever it's name, it is a very useful and pretty cadeau. Made of green velvet, embroideted with fine gold thread, and finished off with pale blue filoselle silk, the interior being lined with satin. ETHEL.

THE BISHOP AND THE PARSON. In his Life of Bishop Goodwin," published yesterday, Canon Rawnsley recalls the following story of a former Bishop of Carlisle. Previous to Bishop Percy's day the diocese was a sort of no man's land under the Bishop of Chester. Each hill parson did that which was right in his own eyes. Bishop Percy did what he could. He was a good horseman, and rode round to the various hill chapels and parsonages, but the welcome he obtained was not always reassuring or very full of comfort. Good morning," said Bishop Percy to one of his clergy who was hoeing potatoes in his back garden. No answer. Nioe day this." I nivver said it wasn't 1" was the surly reply. I am your Bishop, you know." The devil you are Ntvver clapped eyes on bishop befoor sin' I've been here," was the unceremonious rejoinder.

ECLIPSES AND COMETS OF THE NEW YEAR. The New Year now so near will not be very remarkable for either its eclipses or comets. The eclipse of the sun on February 13th will be invisible at Greenwich. The partial eclipse of the moon, February 28th, is visible at Greenwich. The total eclipse of the sun, August 8th, will be invisible at Greenwich. It will be fairly well seen as a tobal eclipse in Norway, whither parties of English observera are arranging to proceed. There will be a partial eclipse of the moon. Augusta 22nd, partly visible at Greenwich. The only comets will be what are known as Fnye'.i n»vl Brooks's in March ant! October rosneotiv f ly. The former will not be visible, but Brooks's comet is expected to be very, distinctly visible iu she outowu of lasõ.

A. BOWDEN.—Write to Agent-General for Cape Colony, VictoTia-street. London. BUKIAL GROUND (P.C.)-Tne fact which you mention. namely, that the original donor did not intend that there should be any charge for burials, should be enough to make any scrupulous and hlghminded clergyman refuse to make such charges but, as you no doubt recognise yourself, such an intention not being expressed in the deed itself is not of legal effect, and the matter must therefore depend on lie considerations already dealt with. The suggestion that the Parish Council should pass a resolution declaring what the custom has been, and protesting against its infringement, commands our approval The only other courses open to you are (1) to send a petition or memorial on ilie subject to the Ecclesias- tical Commissioners and (2) to fight a test case by refusing to pay the charge in the case of some parishioner, and taking the ground without it. But we can understand that most people shrink from raising disputes andtftllmults over the death of their friends, and unscrupulous clerics are apt to take advantage of this sentiment to make their encroach- ments. COMMONER (Rhyddfrydwr).—Questions concerning commoners merely ought not to be dealt with at a parish meeting at all, but at a meeting of com- moners. We cannot tell you what makes a commoner because that depends on the custom of the manor' and there are different rules on the subject in different districts. It may be that in your case all the parishioners are commoners, but even then they ought to decide the question in a commoners' meet- ing. called for the purpose, and not a parish meeting. You will see the difference when we explain that a man may lose his rights as a parochial elector by bankruptcy, idiocy, pauperism, etc., but still remain a commoner entitled to his commonable rights LANDLORD AND TENANT (Jack).—A notice thrust under the door is not legally served. Your wife appears to have made a legal tender of the rent, and we do not think you can bo disturbed. The landlord must serve a tresh notice before he proceeds. BAND INSTRUMENTS (J.J.).—We do not think there is anything illegal in your selling off instruments towards the purchase of which you received subscrip- tions from the townspeople. Such subscriptions are in the nature of gifts, and, we presume, were not given under any contract by which you agreed to do anything in return. BILL OF SALE (Welshman).—Whers money is lent on furniture the only way in which you can secure yourself is by a bit! of sale drawn up according to the form prescribed by statute and duly registered. This you will only be able to do by the aid of a professional man, and any other document or writing will be valueless. This is the one document which is most jealously regarded by the law. DIRTY DICK.—We have no doubt the police can stop your amusement if it results in drunkenness and disorder. PARENT AND CHILD (Anxious Mother\— It is generally considered to be the law that up to the age of 16 a child is absolutely in its parents' power. But the ideas of even judges are rapidly broadening on questions of this kind, and if your son has any good reason for living apart from you, and can support himself without you, you may not find the law very willing to enforce your authority. DKED OF GIFT (Anxious One).—VVe really are at a loss to comprehend how there can be people who do not think" a nicely furnished home n worth securing at the expense ot a guinea to a solicitor for drawing up a deed of gift. You may be able to effect a goodlind valid conveyance of the house and its contents with. out his aid, but the chance is so slight that we really advise you to pay the uinea. NOTICE TO QUJT (Anxious Ona).—It is a custom which is really as effective as a law that notice to quit must be given on a rent day, or, to be strictly accurate, must be so given as to expire on a rent-day. Thus if you pay your rent monthly on a Monday a notice given on any other day of the week would have to be a notice to quit on rent Monday four weeks. PINF: END (Alpha).—If the pine end was used over 20 years ago it is now too late for you to take action.

KINGSTOWN LIFEBOAT DISASTER. TO THE EDITOR. SIR,—The news of this dreadful cafcastrophej in which fifteen gallant men perished while making an heroic effort to save the lives of the crew of a shipwrecked barque, has spread consternation on this side nf thf Channel, and has been read with feelings of the deepest grief in the sister country. In order that the wives and families of these brave fellows may not be left wibhout means of support, a. fund has been started in this town, and has already reached considerable proportions. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, the Mayors of Bristol, Southport. and other English cities as well as the members of the London Stock Exchange, have also very kindly promised to co- operate In the movement. I enclose a. list of 8tlbscrlpions already received from generous English friends, and acknowledged. Other subscriptions from your countrymen are in hand, and will be duly acknowledged through the IVess in a day or two. Yet, still, when it is remem- bered that fifteen families, bereft of their bread. winners, have to be provided for, you will readily perceive that we shall need all the funds that we can possibly raise. I take the liberty of asking you to use your influence to enlist the sympathies of your readers in this most meritorious work. Subscriptions may be sent to the committee, or to any branch of the National Bank in England or Ireland.—I am, &0., A. S. FIDLATER, Chairman. Town Hall, Kingstown, Dec. 30th.

NEWPORT DISTRICT OF ODD- FELLOWS. At the half-yearly meeting of the Newport District of Oddfellows, M.U., on Monday, Bro. Payne, Prov. G.M., presiding, the returns showed that the present membership of the district was 3,340, or seven less than last half. year. There had been 23 deaths and 51 expul- sions. The balance-sheet of the recent jubilee celebration in Newport showed that owing to the non-support of the district a less of between jBSO and £90 had been incurred. A number of propositions emanating from the different lodges were afterwards considered. A proposal by the Temple of Peace Lodge for increasing sick benefits and for the insurance of widows of members was deferred. The election of officers resulted in Bro. Morgan, the Prov. D.G.M., being unanimously chosen as Prov. G.M. for the ensuing year. Bro. Wm. John, of the Ivor Hael Lodge, was eleoted out of four candidate* for the position of Prov. D.G.M., and Bro. W. E. Davis was chosen C.S. It was decided to hold the next half-yearly meeting at Rogerstone in June. An annual subscription of five guineas was made to Newport Infirmary, on the proposition of the Pillgwenlly Lodge.

INTERESTING JOURNEY OF A LETTER. The Glasgow Herald states that tho Post Office officials at Vnndee have just had brought under their notice a very interesting journey of a letter in search of the person for whom it was intended. The missive was addressed. The N.G.R. Stationmaster, Dundee." The station agents in the oity refused to have anything to do with it. A postmark bore that it had been posted in Zulu. land, and bad been conveyed a distance of over 5,800 miles. On investigating the probable destiiiation of the letter it was found that there is a town named Dundee on a branch line of the Natal Government Railway, probably 100 miles from the point of starting so that before the envelope and its contents are delivered it will have travelled half round Ihe world. There are three villages named Dundee in the United States and a port of the same name near Quebec.

I A" FAMILY SKELETON. "Consumption in the family" has been a menace to countless hordes of people. It hangs over families like a black, threatening clond. casting gloom all about, and sometimes persuading people they have the disease when they haven't. And yet it is doubtful if Consumption is inherited. Some of our very highest authorities say it is not. Mrs M. B. Irons, 1, Northgate, Huddersfield, hit the nail on the head when she wrote: "my children, three little boys, were all born with a tendency to weak lungs." This weak tendency is what children of Con- sumptive parents inherit. But they are no more unfortunate than the majority of other children, for the great mass of children in the worH inherit a weak tendency of some sort, and unless they get their vitality up to normal, they are as likely to have Consumption as the children of Con- sumptive parents. The truth is, any form of wasting disease is likely to take possession of a weak constitution, whether the victim be baby, child, or adult. Read what Mrs Irons says :— "1, NOETHGATE, HUDDERSFIELD, „ "Sept. 25th, 1895. Messrs SCOTT & BOWKK, Ltd., "47, Farringdon-street, London, E.C. Gentlem,-n, -It has been my misfortune tit have Consumption in my family, and my children —three little boys-were all born with a tendency to weak lungs. I have always used Scott's Emulsion as a family remedy, and have found that it meets the requirements of a family like mine perfectly. The first time that I nsed Scott's EmulsioB was in Port Elizabeth, South Airica. My bus- baud was then suffering from Hemorrhage of tile Lungs, and Scott's Emulsion proved very valuable in his case, easing the cough almost immediately. In case of his taking cold, be took it for months together, and received great benefit from it. My second son was born in Port Elizabeth, and almost immediately after his birth I took the fever. My baby was taken away from me, and althougli he hRd the be-it of nurses and the best of care he never made any progress. At six months old he was a poor, puny baby, and at this time we commenced to give him Scott's Emulsion. We I- found that the first bottle did him a graat deal of good. He was much stronger and healthier and showed more vitality in every way. We u--ed to rub Scott's Emulsion into his chest, and we found that this did him good also. I can say that all of my children have taken Scott's Emulsion, and I think that it has been the means of saving tbei. lives and making them healthy and strong aa they are at present. Scott's Emulsion has been the means of overcoming their natural weakness of lungs. They do not now show any of the wasting tendencies which were manifest when they were babies. t "I have had many opportunibies of observing the effects of Scott's Emulsion, and I can truly say that it is a remarkable curative agent for Throat and Lung complaints. It overcomes the emaciation always present in lung diseases, and cures the local inflammation of the lnngs. For weak chests, coughs or colds, or any weakness or want of vitality, it is invaluable. I take if always when I feel run down," and it has nevet failed me, either in pr-r.%onal use or for m* children. It is a wonderful remedy. 7585b Yourg very kuly. BE B. IRONS,"

RAMSGATE LIFKBOAT MEN. A braver set of men than the Ramsgate lifeboat men it would be hard to find, and the story of their heroic efforts in saving life on the fatal Goodwin Sands has been graphically told by Gilmore, Ballantyne, and others. The names of men employed in lifeboat services are not often recorded. Even in the startling accounts we read from time to time in the newspapers, or in the reports of services chronicled in The Lifeboat Journal, generally nothing more is stated than "The lifeboat So-and-so was instrumental in saving so many lives," and at most the nàm; of the coxswain is mentioned. With the Ramsgate men, however, it is different, and many names are well known to those who take interest m their peculiar work; but as it ia invidious to single out individual names when there are and have been so many gallant fellows connected with this service, we will rather give an instance of the heroic labours of a crew, and it will be seen that they were all men of .daring and determination, skilful, hardy, and fearless, and, to a man, ready to risk their own lives in the hope of saving the lives of others. It ts one o'clock in the morning the moon gleams out through the gulfs in the dark deep clouds which sweep swiftly across her path. The men see a large ship hard and fast on the Sands, and in a perfect boil of waters. The tremendous stias surRe around her, and as they wildly leap against her, shake hor from stem to stern the spray is flying over her in great sheets, and mingles with the dark masses of smoke, which rise in thick clouds from the flaming tar-barrels, while emoke and spray are swept swiftly to leeward by e force of the wind. The vessel is making sill possible signals of distress the fierce gale has driven her, at each lift of the sea, hisrher and higher upon the Sands, until she has reached "the highest part, and there has grounded fast.. As the tide fell the waves could no longer lift the ship, and let her crash down upon the saibd, else long since she would have been utterly broken to pieces. The boat makes in for the ship, the people on board see her, .and cries and cheers of joy greet her approach. The fore- sail is lowered, the anchor thrown overboard, and the boat fast sheers in towards the vessel, which they find to be an emigrant ship crowded with passengers. The cable goes out by the run, and is too soon exhausted, for with a jerk it brings the boat up within sixty feet of the vessel. As the poor emigrants see the boat stop short, their crifs tor help are frantic and sound dismally in tthe boatmen's ears, as slowly and laboriously they haul in the cable, and with much trouble raise their anchor before making another attempt to get alongside the ship. In the meantime they answer the cries of the people with shoutto encourage them, and the moon shining out, the emigrants see that they are not deserted. The sea is so heavy, and the boat's anchor has taken so firm a hold, that it is a long time before they can get is up at last they succeed, and now sail within fifty fathoms of the vessel before they heave the anchor overboard again.—Heroes of Britain in Peace and War.

DISCHARGED PRISONER'S AID SOCIETY. The 35bh annual report of the East Glamorgan Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society shows that dur- ing 1895 £28 8s 7d was spent in special relief out of a total expenditure of £56 4s 2%d. The sub- scriptions for the year amounted to £38 12s, of which five guineas were contributed by Lord Bute, and the same sum by the Mayor of Cardiff. It has been decided that the arrangements come to with the committee of the Cardiff Police Court Mission, whereby their missionary assists in the work of the society, shall be continued for another year, as his services are found of much benefit to the society. In 1895, 4,404 prisoners were discharged from Ordiff Gaol, of whom 3,079 were males and 1,325 females, against 4,640 in a slight deoreMo* 1

TALKS ON NEWPORT TOWN HALL STEPS. GUARDIANS COME TO THE DIVIDING LINE. The Newport Guardians are arrived at the dividing line which has been fore- seen for the last dozen years or 80, and the separation of town from country is only a question of time." Am told two silk hats depend on the report of the special committoe which is trying to dis- cover exactly how much the country parishes pay and the proportion of their poor and bow the towns proportion bears to their poor. 'Tis an academic question, almost; but it will serve its purpuse-bat is. to get a basis for disunion." Board as now constituted is huge, unwieldy, and given too much to quibbles. What a con- trast there is now to the glowing piomises of reform with which they entered upon office 1" The best of them have grown sick at heart with the way in which the Poor Law and its Bumble-like interpreters in the Local Govern- ment Board hinder and hamper them at every turn. Would you believe it possible that the Whitehall people actually decree at what hour the paupers shall go to bed 1 If they only knew that this Christmas time the house' has been so full that the most able-bodied have slept in the corridors, there would have been terrible excite- ment of the official mind." -0-- HOW THE SPLIT WILL BE ENGENDBBED. It is close work to bet new hats when New- port parish—the great all-embracing parish which has been carved out of three or fonr stiiuiler ones —pays about £277,000 out of the £516,000 which is raised altogether for Poor Law purposes." Yes, but the point is the number of paupers does the town supply the greater number, or does the country portion of the Union send the majority of poor folk, either partially ot wholly dependent. The triumph of the country party and the important factor m the split will probably result from this fact being clearly ascertained." "Then the country party, which always hitherto, until lately, has ruled, will be given Caerleon Schools for a headquarters, will shake off the town dust from their walking boots, and the gain will be great—the town will be able to go for the boarding-out of children, cottage homes for the respectable poor, and a host oi other reforms. Why should not another farm. garden be rented ? True, the last one, on the Penllyn estate, did not pay, but look at the old man, after a day's work on the farm, going satisfied back to the lonely evening and the night's sleep." Yes, blessed is labour; it is your true anodyne, and no curse that man's brow should be moist occasionally." -0- CHRISTMAS NIGHT WITH THE BURGLAR. "Your true housebreaker is no respecter of seasons and festivals why, it was only on the evening of Christmas Day that a lady, who keeps house for herself in a semi-detached on the hills around Stow Park, had an astonish. ing experience. She had been out to dine, and returned home unexpectedly with a lady friend. There were to her surprise lights in the front sitting-room and kitchen, but thinking that her servant, who had also been out visiting, had come home earlier than was expected, she felt no curiosity. The lady friend was leaving after a brief stay, when she noticed that the kitchen was now in darkness, and drew attention to it. A gentleman neighbour was called in, and he found the kitchen window open, &c., &c." You mean that the housebreaker had come thereat, lighted up, and was about to commence ransacking the various rooms, when he was alarmed ?" "Yes, 'Burglar Alarmed'—a suggestive pic- ture to the young artists of Wales for the 1897 Eisteddfod, with Professor Herkomer as adjudi. cator." -0- POOR CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL. The General Committee which is organising the Now Year's treat for poor children last even- ing gsive the finishing touches to the arrange- ments and to provide for everything going off smoothly." Yes, it's rather a big order, and needs a small army of workers to carry through successfully. Dinner of old English fare is to be pro. vided for 800 youngsters at the Drill HaH- though whether beef, potatoes, and pium pudding is the most suitable fare tor all the youngsters is a debatable question. Then tea will be served to 1,700 small folk, and entertain- ments will be provided at both the Drill Hall and the Temperance Hall, whilst as a good night' each child is to be presented with a bag containing oranges, apples, sweets, and a bun. The order has gone forth for 4,000 oranges, a like number of apples, 5,000 buns, and 2,000 bags of sweets, so that the plural number is not inaccurate." Any new departures this year ?' One or two. Last night the committee resolved that an effort should be made to find 50 crippled or deformed children, and present each with a toy, a picture book, sweets, and oranges." -0- AN EYE TO THE FTTTCRE { AMPLIFYING THE IDEA. Then as to the future, I think some change mi(fl>t be made with advantage. A meat pie might vary the regulation dinner, which a proportion of the children do not appear to enjoy. Some of the youngsters, too, only seem to mefb with knives and forks on the occasion of treats, and one of the principal qualifications for a waiter at the treat is that he shall be able to cut the meat into pieces minute enough for little mouths. Then the gentlemen who are called together at the latter end of November each year, might be formed into a permanent committee, and could draft their scheme early in the autumn, so that the work shall not come with a rush and a roar at Christ- mas time." "Thank you you are right there; a suitable addition to the bag of eatables would be a toy or a warm garment. But where are the funds coming from to provide 2,000 toys and 2,000 garments With a permanent committee, a ladies' committee should also be called into existence, and one of the happy functions of this committee would be to get their friends to forward discarded children's garments, and deft fingers would speedily make the garments of service to the poor children. The toys could be collected through the agency of the Sunday schools, and most of the children whose parents are better off would readily send along old toys which had ceased to please, but whose advent into the houses of the poor would be greeted with welcome delight." "Amen Santa Claus would come to aU -0-- THE B EVOLUTION IN DOCK AFFAIRS. U Am reassured to see that the Alexandra Dooks have not changed places with the Ebbw river, or sauntered off to Tredegar Park to fet a nearer view of their owner, as a consequence of the revolution foretold in ptiufc with the Christ- mall jokes." They used always to be going when the poor old baronet was alive; it was Burn hum, I think, which was the most dangerous of competitors. Seriously, though, all the revolution is that the figurehead of Lord Tredegar looms larger in dock matters now that the leasing company created by the grandfather, Sir George Elliot, is ignored out of existence and satisfied with debentures." The older Alexandra Dock Company, which leased to the newer company, survives it, and is taking powers to buy up that series of links of railway known as the Newport, Caerphilly, aud Pontypridd Railway, which, designed to tap the Rhondda, has hitherto failed in its mission." Lord Tredegar also becomes the absolute owner of the defunct Tredegar Wharf Company, with ground rents galore—more galore, in fact. The genial cynic of the red-brick mansion— Newport's only lord-might signalise the huge additions to his credit at the back by being a little less tight as to ground rents generally. Some of them are very hard. The farmers had remissions for years when is the boon to be extended to struggling townsfolk, seeing that there is as yet no taxation of ground values ?" --0-- ASSESSMENTS AND REASSESSMENTS. "The incidence of taxation is becoming so heavily felt that the question of the reassessment of all looal property is getting ripe for considera- tion." No t things be I can't afford to pay any anymore.. It is noteafereneral levelling up that I advocate; in^penne cases it would be a levelling down. For example, the newer properties — all the three-stovey new bnildings are rated too high older properties still pay on a very moderate or even small assessment—on dB25 when the rent is perhaps £80 or £90: and then there are certain very large ridiculously ascom- pared with their value. A fair equalisation all the way rouncfis the thing desiderated." Yon are not surely referring to the docks again ?"

MADE IN A RAILWAY CARRIAGE. The Globe lately recommended writing poetry as an agreeable occupation during the daily rail way journey. A correspondent's first attempt at railway rhyming, however, was unfortunately broken by frequent interruptions :— Ah, beauteous maiden I adore thee, My longing thoughts thy heart would greet, I stand to urge my suit before thee, I hear the answer (" Take your seat.") Open thy lattice, darling, hear me, Be mine, be mine, sweet maid I pray Give love to oheer when I am near thee— To comfort me when (" Right away.") Ah. that fair brow sweet heavenly vision, Whose lines of beauty spell my fate, There would I red its dread decision, Lo, there is written (" Aldersgate"). Mine is no fancy fleeting, flitting; Mine is a heart that will not range. Love, at thy feet in rapturo sitting, I listen to thy word (" All change"). Enmeshed, ensnared, thy slave and debtor, Stricken with fear and vexed with doubt, How shall I loose the golden fetter ? Ah, who shall tell me (" This way out").

REV. WILLIAM ROGERS. On Tuesday evening it was announced that the Rev. Wm, Rogers had passed a good day, but his general condition was so critical that no hope could be entertained of his recovery. Lord Rosebery, wh&tt tutor the rev. gentleman was, is kept acquainted with his condition, and Mr Gladstone has wired from Biarritz requesting to be informed of the patient's state.

RICH BBIDAL CAKES, from £1 Is and upwards, always in st4)ck. Two Gold Medals aW't'ded.-1'. Stevens, French Confectioner and Bride Cake Manufac- turer, Tbe "Dorocn?" and Queen-street, Cardiff. 6707

GLAMORGANSHIRE. The Glamorgan Epiphany Sessions opened at Cardiff on Tuesday. The calendar was unusually light, and contained no exceptionally interesting or grave charge. There was a large attendance of magistrates from the Ponty- pridd and Rhondda Valley division, and they were present to support a motion to be presented by Mr Abraham, M.P. (Mabon), which would give to those divisions adequate representation on the Joint Police Committee. GRAND JURY. The following gentlemen were sworn as members of the grand jury:- C. A. Hey wood (foreman). James Gibson. S. A. Brain. T. W. Paul. Thomas David. I George R. Hammond. Jenkin J. Evans. Alfred Hatpur. William Evans. Ed. A. Hart. Charles Fell. I J. L. Herbert. J. B. Ferrier. Samuel Hern. Herbert Field. I William Hyslop. John Francis. I J. P. Hitchings. Sidney Gibson. Thomas Howard. Thomas Gibson. I John Milton Jennincs. Thomas Griffith. THE CHARGE. Addressing the grand jury the Chairman (his Honour Judge Gwilym Williams) said thab their labours would be comparatively light, The number of prisoners was 25, and the cases, with three exceptions, were of such an ordinary character that it was hardly necessary for him to say a word about them. They would have to deal with a large number of assaults upon females—indecent assaults—and one of a more serious nature. They would also have to deal with one case of housebreaking, and with several cases of larceny, simple in their character, and requiring no remark on his part. There were several cases of wounding, some of a serious character, such as the one where a man bad used a knife on board ship. The evidence there was also simple, and he thought they would find no difficulty in deciding whether or not they should return a true bill. There were several cases of false pretences, and there was one case of wilful damage, which was one of the three cases to which he had referred. The case had several peculiar features, to which his Honour referred at length. At first blush it appeared to him that the matter was one which ought to have been decided in a civil court; but it appeared that there were features in the case which rendered it necessary in the opinion of the justices to treat it as a criminal offence. His Honour also referred to the cases of false pre. tences at Aberdare and at Pontypridd.

COUNTY BUSINESS. THE JOINT POLICE COMMITTEE. CLAIMS OF THE PONTYPRIDD AND BHONDDA DIVISIONS. Having dismissed the grand jury to their task, the Chairman opened the county magis. terial business. On his motion, the County Licensing Committee and the committees acting as visitors at the Cardiff and Swansea prisons were re-elected. The CHAIRMAN then proposed the reappoint- ment en bloc of the justices on the Joint Police Committee. Major-General LEII: seconded. Mr W. ABRAHAM, M.P. (Mabon). asked per- mission, before the motion was put to the vote, to make an appeal to the Court to set aside on this occasion the usual mode of re-electing the comirittee en bloc, and to allow the members to be elected individually, or as representatives of divisions. It was well known, be observed, that the division of Pontypridd represented a popula- tion of one-third of the whole county the basis of the county rate also formed about one third-and that the Pontypridd division also represented at least one third of the commercial importance and value of the county of Glamorgan. Hitherto, however, from no desire on the part ot anyone, he felt sure, the Ponty- pridd division had had very little representation on the Joint Police Committee. Of course they had been represented by the chairman of that Court, but they knew that his numerous duties called him away so often that he could not very regularly attend. What they asked was that the number they represented should be taken into account, and also the money that they found. Although they were not there to specially press this as a claim, they still strongly Appealed to the sympathy and the sense of fairness of the Court to allow them to be fairly represented on the committee. In order to carry out that object, they would like to propose the names of four gentlemen The CHAIRMAN You are not in order in pro- posing anything until you get the opinion of the Court as to whether the ordinary course be departed from. I understand that your motion was that that should be done on this occasion. Mr ABRAHAM Very well, sir. I shall close my remarks with this appeal to the Court, and move that the ordinary method of electing this committee should be set aside, and that the elec- tions should be taken either by divisions or individuals. I move that. Mr W. JENKINS (Treorky), seconded, and this was carried. The CHAIRMAN ruled that as there were no vacancies on the committee. the only course would be to move the election of the gentlemen nominated by Pontypridd one by one by way of amendinentto the je-eiection of existing members. The CHAIRMAN proposed, and Major-General LEE seconded, the re-election of Mr Charles Evan Thomas, Neath. Mr W. ABRAHAM moved as an amendment, and Mr W. JENKINS seconded, the election of Mr J. P. Jenkins, Tonjpaudy. Mr O. H. JONES rose to support the re-election of Mr C. E. Thomas, who, he said, was a gentleman of great experience in magisterial work and in general county work, a gentleman who had done valuable service ca this committee, and he could not conceive of the smallest reason for eliminating his name. Mr Thomas held also the responsible position ot chairman of the Breconshire County Council, and really to strike off his name oft this com- mittee would be a most extraordinary and a very unwarrantable proceeding. He hoped that the magistrates would not be influenced by the endeavour of one petty sessional division to get larger representation on that committee and strike off the names of persons who had done good and valuable service to the Court. The arguirents brought forward for upsetting the present constitution of the committee, as to the population and rateable value of the petty sessional division of Miskin Lower, that was to say, in common parlance, Pontypridd should have no weight, for in hit. opinion the population of a petty sessional division had nothing to do with the matter so far as the magistrates on the committee were concerned. It had a great deal to do with the representatives elected by the County Council, and they would see that on the County Council side of the committee the Pontypridd division was fully represented. All petty sessional divisions in the county should as far as possible be represented on the committee, but as a matter of fact there were only 13 repre- sented out of the 15 divisions in the county. Three petty sessional divisions, viz., Gower, Caerphilly Lower, and Aberavon, had no repre- sentatives at all, and therefore if they ought to make alterations at all in the committee the fair course would be to put somebody on from those divisions, and not from a division which was already represented. The vote was then taken, with the result that Mr Thomas was elected, the figures being— Mr C. &. lhomas ol I Mr T. P. Jenkins 23 I Lieutenant-Colonel Franklen was elected unop- posed, but as against Mr O. H. Jones, Mr T. P. Jenkins moved Mr E. H. Davies, but this was not seconded, and Mr O. H. Jones was elected. The CHAIRMAN asked Mr T. P. Jenkins to stand up when moving or seconding, and this shortly afterwards drew from Mr T. P. Jenkins the retort that some ocher magistrates were not asked to rise. The CHAIRMAN I shall insist upon them getting up in future, Mr Jenkins. When the nam" of Mr H. Lewis, Greenmeadow, was put up, Mr W. Abraham moved the name of Mr T. P. Jenkms as an amendment, and Mr D. W. Davies seconded. The voting resulted in the election of Mr Lewis-Mc H. Lewis, 31; Mr T. P. Jenkins, 20. Major-General Lee, Mr James Lewis. Mr Robert Llewellyn, Sir J. T. D. Llewelyn, Bark., ALP., and Mr E. P. Martin were elected unop- posed. To the name of Mr H, Lloyd, Cil-y-bebyll, Mr Thomas Jones, Maindy, moved the name of Mr Gordon Lenox, Pontypridd, as an amend- ment, and Mr D. W. Davies, Tonypandy, seconded. The figures were— Mr Gordon Lenox 28 Mr Herbert Lloyd 27 Mr .Gordon .Lenox was elected. Mr Kichard Lewis, Tonypandy, moved, and Mabon, M.P., seconded, that Mr T. P. Jenkins be elected Mr .Gordon .Lenox was elected. Mr Kichard Lewis, Tonypandy, moved, and Mabon, M.P., seconded, that Mr T. P. Jenkins be eleoted instead of Sir Robert Armin Morris, and the amendment was carried. The ficures were— Mr T. P. Jenkins 27 Sir Robert A. Morris 26 Mr W. M. North, Mr R. H. Rhys, Mr J. H. Rowlands, Col. Picton Turberville, and Lieut.- Col. J. H. Tyler were elected unopposed. Mr T. P. JENKINS moved, and Mr W. MORGAN (Treherbert) seconded, that Mr E. H. Davies (Pentre) lie elected instead of Mr Morgan Bransby Williams, and General Lee intimated that he would propose as a second amendment that Mr Herbert Lloyd be elected. In the first division the name of Mr E, H. Davies was carried. General LEE moved that Mr Herbert Lloyd be elected instead of Mr E. H. Davies, and Mr O. H. JONES seconded, and pointed out that if Mr Lloyd was defeated Pontard-twe would be added to the divisions that were without a representa- tive. The division was- Mr Herbert Lloyd 31 Mr E. H. Davies 20 Mr Herbert Lloyd was thus elected. His Honour Judge Gwilym Williams was next elected unopposed, and the next business was proceeded with. REARRANGEMENT OF DISTRICTS. The following motions were unanimously approved on the propositior. of Mr WALTER M. NORTH, stipendiary magistrate for the Mertbyr Tydfil district That the whole of the parish of Llanwcmno, all at present constituted, in the county of Glamorgan, be included in the division of Miskin Higher, so that the division of Miskin Higher shall consist of the parishes of Aberdare and Llauwonno, and the hamlet of Rhigos." That the portion of the parish of Llanfabon now added to and forming part of the parish of Merthyr Tydfil be added to and form part of the division of Caerphilly Higher." It was explained by the proposer, Mr IOKATItrs j WlbUAJKS (stipendiary magistrate, toutypcidd) I and the CHAIRMAN that the object of the resolu- tion was desirable inasmuch as at present the petty sessional divisions are not coterminous with those of the stipendiary districts. STEALING BOOTS AT MERTHTR, Joseph Jones, a collier, aged 28, pleaded Not cruilty o ta charge of stealing a pair of boots on the 9th December from the lodgings of David Jones, a steel worker. Mr Francis St. John Williams prosecuted. Prisoner was sean to have carried away the boots from a bedroom, found to have pawned them, and had admitted that he had destroyed the ticket." Much amusement was created by prisoner's assertion that the pawnbroker and all the others mixed up in the case were doing a sinful thing and perjuring themselves." Though advised by the Chairman not to speak of his past, he insisted upon telling the jury that he had suffered six months imprisonment for the same thing—perjury, gentlemen." At Swansea last year he was sent to do six months, but when he was doing his penance another man had gone and told his mother he was innocent. (Laughter.) The jury agreed on prisoner's guilt, and four previous convictions for felony being (alleged against him he-was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. UNSUSTAINED WOUNDING CHARGE. Antonio Gamoli, a Greek sailor, was indicted for maliciously wounding William McDonald, a Barry Dock butcher, on the 12th November, at Cadoxton. Mr Ivor Bowen prosecuted. McDonald said that he had beeu with a fnend having a drink at the Victoria Hotel, and on leaving Gamoli, who had been with another foreigner in a different compartment, rushed out, and without any provocation stabbed him in the face and hip. A local boilermaker, who ran out from the hotel to McDonald's assistance, said that he saw a knife in the scuffle, but could not tell whether it was used by Gamoli or Swenz, who was with the prisoner. Sweiiz ran away and witness pursued, and P.C. Gill took the man into custody. At the magisterial bearing Swenz was discharged,—John Fascolo, a boarding-house keeper in Gueret-street, swore that prisoner bad lodged at his house. On the night in question be returned to the house, without a hat, with blood on his face, and in an excited state. He said, "I am very sorry for the Greek. He's locked up. I had a row by the Victoria and I think I stabbed a man."—Dr. Livingstone having detailed the nature of the wcunds, P.C. Gill deposed to finding at Fosoolo's a large knife, which had been identified as Gamoli's in the absence of another claimant. Through his interpreter prisoner admitted be had been in a row with another man, but denied the ownership of the knife or that he had ever seen McDonald before his arrest. At the request of the jury Foscolo was recalled and closely ques- tioned as to why the knife had been regarded as Gamoli's. He said be had not seen Gamoli's knife, though he knew prisoner carried one. The constable said no knife had been found in prisoner's possession when he was searched, and that the knife discovered in the boirding-house bore no perceptible blood stains.—Under these circumstances the jury returned a Not guilty" verdict, and prisoner was discharged. CHARGE OF FRAUD AGAINST A HINING ENGINEER. Simeon Oaks Holmes, a mining engineer, was charged with obtaining lodgings, food, etc.. by false pretences, of Mr Thomas Williams, landlord of the Black Lion Hotel, Aberdare; Mr S. T. Evans, M.P., prosecuted, and Mr Benson defended.—Prosecutor said that on the 16th Sept. be received a telegram from prisoner Mking that a bedroom be reserved for him and his wife. The pair arrived and were accommodated. The next morning prisoner asked the distance to Glyn Neath, as be desired to go to see about the purchase of Abermellty Hoase. On the 21st of September witness caused a bill to be presented to prisoner for £7 odd, and subsequently after prisoner had intermittently stayed at his house a bill for £ 18 was presented, and a day or two before October 4th, when prisoner disappeared, a third bill was sent in. Prisoner had run up a total account which amounted to;227 Ih6d. A !arge proportion of this amount was for wines. Amusement was created by the reading of items by the prosecuting counsel, the wines appearing to have been ordered on a lavish scale. In reply to Mr Evans, prosecu- tor stated that he had given credit by reason of the stetement made by prisoner that he was visiting the Aberdare district with the intention of purchasing a mansion. Prisoner told him that he would pay him after he had received a cheque which he was going to fetch from Mr C. E Dovey, accountant, Cardiff. who bad completed the purchase of AbermeHty House. In cross-examination prosecutor said that prisoner told him on the 17th in Mrs Holmes's presence that he was going to purchase Aber- mellty House. A message was sent to him telling him there was a fraud in his bou", and it was not till then that he asked Holmes if be had purchased Abermellty House. Holmes left next day. Prosecutor was not clear as to feme of the- dates, and after an argument between counsel, the following letter, addressed to Mr or Mrs Holmes, was put in by the chair- man at the request of Mr Benson Black Lion Hotel, Aberdare, October 12th, 1895 —Sir,—I am rather surprised of neither of you both not return- ing to above address, to see about a settlement with me. I paid a visit to Cadoxton on Wednes- day last, October 9th, 1895. and found Mrs Holmes at 3, Rectory-road, Cadoxton. She told me Mr Holmes was in London, and for certain he would be with me on Thursday or Friday night. I beg to informyoulthat neither of you has been here to see me or any of my employees. Unless some arrangement is come to by Tuesday morning at 10.30 a.m. I shall set the law in motion, and if I start I shall not withdraw. The amount of my claim is j627 93 6d.—Yours truly, THOMAS WILLIAMS.—Mr and Mrs Simeon Holmes." After he had read out the letter, prosecutor said frankly that he wonld not have prosecuted if that letter bad brought him the money. The keeper of the Black Lion Mews spoke to driving prisoner to Abermellty House, and of a conversation on the way back, in which Holmes told him he was going to purchase the house for a residence. Mr C. E. Dovey, accountant, Cardiff, said that he had bad a visit from prisoner early in October, he thought. They had had a conversation about works in the Forest of Dean, but there was no talk of a cheque between them. Prisoner had no claim for a cheque from him. Witness had nothing to do with Abermellty House. In answer to Mr Benson, witness said he knew prisoner's father to have been extensively interested in collieries. Mr Collins, late manager of the National Bank of Wales, said he was living at Abermellty House. He knew prisoner, who had been a fellow-partner in a colliery company with him. He knew that prisoner had visited Abermellty House on the two occasions stated. Witness had seen prisoner on only one of these visits. Prisoner had stopped about half an hour, and though witness said he could not remember any talk about prisoner enquiring about purchasing the house, he recollected prisoner asking him whether the house was his own, and he replied No." He had said No," because tie did not then know that it was his. Inspector Thorney deposed to examining a trunk left behind by prisoner, and particulars of the arrest having been given, the case for the prosecution was closed. Mr Benson said he would call no evidence, but submitted that the prosecution had presented no evidence of falsa pretence. What Mr Williams said had induced him to give prisoner and his wife was a voluntary statement which did not amount to a false pretence of an existing fact. He asked the chairman to take a note of these points, and in his address to the jury pointed out discrepancies in the statements mide by prosecutor at the police court and on the present occasion, and asked the jury should from these assume that Mr Williams's evidence as to the conversations with Holmes, to which there was no legal corroboration, was inaccurate Through him prisoner desired to explain that he had left suddenly because he had no money in hand, and went to London about an appointment, hoping soon to be able to pay his account with Mr Williams. The jury, after a brief retirement, found prisoner Not guilty," and he was at once discharged. HOUSEBREAKING AT LLANDAFF. Cornelius O'Brien (23), a mason, and Albert Kingdom (21), labourer, pleaded guilty to the charge of breaking into the dwelling-house of Henry Cypher, at Llandaff.on the 14th December, and stealing several articles of the male occupant's clothing. O'Brien bad a bad record, and com, menced early on a. career of crime, and though Kingdom's name has not previously figured on the police books, he was spoken of as an associate of people with undesirable characters. Prisoners said that hunger had made them do the deed," and expressed their sorrow. O'Brien was sentenced to six and Kingdom to two calendar months' imprisonment. NO TRUE BILLS. The grand jury threw out the bills against Joseph Henley and Thomas Logan, charged with wounding each other at Llantwit Fardre Aalibony Davies, charged with obtaining two shillings by false pretences at Gelligaer Thomas White, charged with attempting suicide in the river Rhondda at Pontypridd in Deoember; and Charles Parsons, charged *with wilfully and maliciously damaging a house, belonging to David Powell, at Aberdare on the 14th October. A REGULAR THIEF." Win. Jones (35), a Mertbyr haulier, charged with stealing various articles of wearing apparel and J32 3s, pleaded guilty, and after being characterised by the Chairman as a regular thief," was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. The Court then adjourned until 10.30 this (Wedne&day) morning.

SECOND COURT. MS (Before Mr O. H. JONES (deputy-chairman) and Mr LEIGH.) ALLEGED INDECENT ASSAULT. Edmund Lewis was charged with unlawfully and indecently assaulting Frances Gales, a married woman, in a lavatory at the back of Brewerv-buildings, Merthyr Tydfil, on November 13tb.-The prosecution was in the hands of Mr Plews, and prisoner was defended by Mr Allen Upward, instructed by Mr Wm. Beddoe.-The defence set up was that Lewis, who lives next door to Mrs Gales, had entered without knowing it was occupied. The real defendant in the case, Mr Upward argued, should be the local sanitary authority, who allowed the whole of the 15 houses, called Brewery-buildings, to be supplied with but three lavatories, two of which it was proved were unfit for use.—The jury, after an hour and a half's retirement, returned and stated that there was no possibility of their coming to an agreement.— They were accordingly dismissed, and prisoner was bound over in the same bail to appear at the next Quarter Sessions. A COMMON ASSAULT. John Martin Sims, aged 28, a labourer, was charged with unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm to one E^om YVilcox, at Aberdare, 011 November 2nd.—The evidence called fey Mr Walter Williams (iostructod by Mr J. W. Evans, Aberdare), who appeared to prose- cute, went to show that Wilcox, who is a farrier, employed by the Aberdare and Merthyr Colliery Company, had prior to the 2nd of November quarrelled with S:m(, who was also employed at the colliery. vja the 2nd the two men met near the colliery, and Sim." went up to Wilcox and took from him a stick he was carrying. The latter asked for the return of the stick, but Sims, instead of complying with the request, hit Wilcox a blow in the chest, and in a scuffle which followed kicked him and caused him to fall to the ground and break his leg. l'his was the assault complained of.—Prisoner called evidence to show that Wilcox himself began the assault, and that his leg was broken not as the direct effect of a kick but as the result of a falI.-The Jury found Sims guilty of a common assault, and he was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment.

BRECONSHIRE. These Sessions were held at 'the Shire BatI, Brecon, on Tuesday. Sir Joseph Russell Bailey, Bart., chairman, presided, and there were present the Rav. Prebendary Garnons Williams, Rev. Rees Price, Brecon Mr Morgan Thomas, Abersenny Dr. Hincks, Hay Dr. James Williams. Brecon Colonel W. Jones Thomas, A.D.C., L'tanthomas Mr John Williams, mayor of Brecon Mr Ernest Benthal, Ystradgynlais Mr A. H. Hears, Mr J. Morgan Thomas, Glyn- garth Mr R. D. Cleasby, &c. GRAND JURY. The following were sworn on the Grand Jury —Messrs Thomas Butcher (foreman), Gearge Wilcockson, Brecon Frederick Phillips, Castle- street, Hay John Watkins, Manchester Ware- house, Brynmawr Frederick Phillips, Watton, Brecon; John Powell, High-street, Brecon; John Jones, High-street, Crickhowell John Pugh, Ship-street, Brecon Henry Richard Grant, Hay; Rees John Brvchan JeffreM Trecastle; W. Price, Watton, Brecon; Jamea Thomas, Brecon; Samuel Williams, Talybonts Alexander Gibson. Talybont David Price, Bulwark, Brecon John Daniel Fryer, Brecon; Henry Yorath, Msesmawr G. C. Nott. High- street, Brecon T. E Morgan, builder, Brecon T. Price. Hay F. W. Goldswortbv, Hay; J. Price, Broad-street, Hay R. H. Maskell Gwillim, Hay. The Chairman, in his charge, alluded to the legislation of the past year. NEW MAGISTRATES. Mr Thomas Llewelyn Morgan. Opkfield, Hay, and Mr J )hn Williams (Mayor of Brecon), qualified as county justices.

CIVIL BUSINESS. The ten justices on the Joint Standing Com- mittee were re-elected for the year, as were also the visitors to H.M. Prison at Brecon. STEALING BOOTS. Wm. Clarke, a navvy, pleaded guilty to steal- ing a pair of boots, the property of Thomas Meyrick, and was sentenced to one calendar month's imprisonment with hard labour.—The Grand Jury found no true bill against the same prisoner on the charge of stealing a silver watch and chain, the property of Robert Baker. Mr W. A. M. Phillips, Merthyr, was the solicitor for the prosecution in these cases, THE RAY FOWL STEALING CASE. The Grand Jury threw out the billagainat Mary Price, who was indicted for aiding and abetting Thomas Lloyd, in feloniously stealing three fowls, the property of James Williams, at Hay, on December 21st. Mr D. T. Jeffreys appeared to prosecute, and Mr Daniel Evans to defend in this case. ALLEGED INDECENT ASSAULT ON AN OLD WOTOAK AT HAY. Thomas Harris, labourer, was indicted for indecently assaulting Mary Pugh, residing in one of the Harley Almshouses, Hay, on the 18th of November last.—Prisoner pleaded not Ruilty. The jury found prisoner guilty, and he was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. THE CHARGE OF WOUNDING AT CRICKHOWELL. Lewis Owens was indicted for feloniously causing certain grevious bodily harm to Walter Parry Rumsey, at Crickhowell, on the 26th October. Mr R. H. A. Davies was for the prosecution, and Mr Daniel Evans for the defendant. A number of witnesses were examined on both sides. The case lasted over three hours in hearing. The facts were of a simple nature. Prosecutor, who is a rate collector, went to the Queen's Head Hotel, Crickhowell, between seven and eight on the evening in question. He there met prisoner and others. Words ensued which culminated in a fight out in the street, m which the prosecutor's leg was broken. The jury found the prisoner not guilty, and he was discharged. This concluded the business of the Sessions.

PEMBROKESHIRE. The Epiphany Quarter Sessions for the county of Pembroke were held in the Shire Hall, HaYer- fordwest, on Tuesday, the Chairman (Judge Owen) presiding. The other magistrates present were-Lard Kensington, St. Bride's; Sir Charlea Philipps, Bart., Pioton Castle: Mr Isaac Smedley, Pembroke Dock Mr W. P. Ormond. Haverfordwest Mr Charles Mathias, Lamphey Court Mr Joseph Thomas, Haverfordwest; Mr J. Llewellyn Davies, Hakm; Cupt. Higgon, Scolton and Mr Benjamin Harries, mayor of Ten by. NO PRISONERS. The Grand Jury having been called, the Chairman congratulated them on the absence of any prisoners for trial, and said it was a circum- stance highly creditable to the county. He regreited, however, that it was necessary to trouble them to attend the Court when there were no prisoners for trial, bnt this was the fault of the law, which he hoped would soon be abolished. He added to his remarks an expression of his good wishes for their happiness and general p prosperity during the coming year. Mr F. Ll. Philipps, of Pentyparc, having been reappointed a representative governor on the Haverfordwest Grammar School, the Court rose, there being no other business to be transacted.

A FARMER AND THE LAW. John Loudoun, farmer and milkseller, whfc had land in the neighbourhood of Coventry, was further examined as a bankrupt at the Coventry Bankruptcy Court on Monday. There were agaii, questions about £35, which he alleged be lost ic publio-howes. Asked if at the time of hit failure he did not get someone else to take the land he said Yes."—Mr Masser (solicitor foe a creditor): Have you any stock fchwe?—Debtor There's a cat. (L--iTzhter.) -Mr Masser What ? —Debtor It's a Persian one. (More laughter.) There is no other stock unless they are neigh- bours. They do trespaas sometimes. I have no stock, only the cat. Look here, I was brought up to the spade and shove!, and don't understand the law. Every poor tenant farmer ought to be brought up to the law before he gets to the spade.—The Registrar adjourned the case into the Court before the Judge, unless a satisfactory deficiency account was filed within 10 days.—Mr Masser I shall prosecute this n-Ftii.-Dt-btor I wish it. People have robbed me in (leativ as well as in life. — The Registrar (Mr Kirby): Be quiet. — Debtor I thank you. There are people who rob me, and I want to expose them. Can I speak tc you, Mr Kirby ? The Registrar No. you cannot.—Debtor I thank you. Then I will put it in the Press. (Laughter.)

The aged geldings. Horizon, by Ocean Wave out of Hesperia, and Royal Buck, by Edward the Confessor out of Antelope, have left Stockbridge for Escott's trainine quarters at Lewes.