Flintshire Observer Mining Journal and General Advertiser for the Counties of Flint Denbigh

HOW IT FEELS TO DROWN. Through the skidding of his motor-car Mr. H. P. Hunter, assistant superintendent of Chandu Ipoh, in tiie State of Perak, was thrown into the River Sungai. The car fell on his right Teg. Mr. Hunter struggled un- til exhausted to free himself, and when a friend, Mr. Scrivener, of Kampur, who had been motoring with him, and a Chinaman rescued him lie was unconscious, which is not wonderful considering that the car was in 10ft. of water. Describing his experi- ence in the "Times of Malaya" Mr. Hunter says: At first I struggled furiously to release myself, but realising that it was no good I tried to stun myself by banging my head against the car. Even that mercy was denied me. The feeling of suffocation was terrible, and I began to gulp in large quantities of water. Then a feeling that all was finished came over me. I did not feel very upset about it. I seemed to be floating away into space quite gently and pleasantly, and when I felt the touch of a hand I was too far gone to realise what it meant or to derive any comfort from the fact. The next I remember is lying on my back on the bank with Scrivener bending over me. --+¡.

THE ART OF ADVERTISING. Sir William Lever presided over the in- augural dinner of a new Manchester insti- tution, called the Column Club, which is composed of men engaged in the business of publicity and advertising. Sir William observed :— They were wise in taking tHe column as an emblem. What was better than a column, standing four-square to every wind that blew? It defied competition from anybody, and pointed to increasing trade, higher and higher. It was beauti- ful in design, and it had to be straight. It was suggestive of various orders of architecture, each beautiful, each com- plete, each capable of being the basis of a fine building, each correct in its way, and just as various as the flowers of the field. And there were all orders of advertising. So much for the column, but, as one of the speakers wittily observed, "What is the matter with the double column?" To a publicity club the latter should appeal with more than double force. ¥

FATAL 10ft. FALL. A fall of 10ft. 6in. proved fatal to Henry Cottier (41), concerning whose death a ver- dict of "Accidental death" was returned at Liverpool on Friday. Deceased, who was a joiner, lived at 3, Birch Tree road, Aigburth" and was in the employ of Messrs. W. Cubitt and Co., who- are the contractors for the construction of the new Citnard offices at the Pierhead. He was working on the intermediate floor between the basement and the lower ground floor, when he slipped and fell to the floor below, a distance of about 10ft. 6in. He was removed to the Northern Hospital suf- fering from injuries to the head, and died on Thursday morning. I — •

PORTER AND MR. ASQUITIF. There are folk in East Fife who think they can claim some credit for Mr. Asquith's success. "I suppose you are proud of your member, the' Prime Minister," said a traveller some time ago to a porter on a railway station in fhe constituency. "Aye," was the complacent answer, "he's got on since we sent him to Parliament. We've done weel -for Mr. Asquith." — -+'

"S.P." ON THE FILM, New uses—or abuses—of the cinemato- graph are foreshadowed by the announce- ment that in a. certain "topical budget" ex- hibited recently in a New Zealand moving picture house the odds at which a certain horse started were shown on the screen. I

_n_n_ I UNION & Eas* Mma ROYAL MAIL ROUTE. CAS TLE From London and Southampton, imi* WEE.KLY SOUTH AFRICA, via Madeira and Canaries. MONTHLY for EAST AFRICA, via the Suez Canal. TIFo/ £ ther information apply to the Company's Head Offices, 3, Fenchuroh Street, London; or to local agents. 9

-+: BRYNFORD. PARISH MEETING AND COUNCIL. Last week the annual parish meeting was held, Mr. R. Bagshaw presiding. There was a very small attendance. The charity accounts as presented by the trustees were read and received. This was the only busi- ness before the meeting.—A ParisTi Council meeting was afterwards held, when atten- tion was called to the state of roads in the Calcot district, and it was decided that Mr. R. Bagshaw see Mr. J. M. Williams, sur- veyor, on the matter.—The Clerk (Mr. J. Marsden) reported that Mr. Clement Jones had communicated with the Board of Agri- culture in regard to the rights of common- ers, and an official of the Board had visited the district, but no reply had otherwise been received.

CAERGWRLE. TEMPERANCE MEETING. The local branch, of the North Wales Temperance Society had a public tea at the Wesleyan Schoolroom on Monday week. A public meeting was held in the evening. The chair was taken by Mr. Allen, and Mr. Owens, St. Asaph, delivered an appropri- ate address, dealing with the enormous waste connected with strong drink. PRESBYTERIANISM. The Presbytery meeting of Lancashire and Cheshire was held in the Presbyterian Church on Wednesday week, under the pre- sidency of the Rev. R. E. Jones, Saughall. There was a'very large gathering of repre- sentatives. A satisfactory report was given of the work of the church, and of the suc- cessful efforts of the church to liquidate the debt of the church. The delegates were entertained to a splendid luncheon by the ladies of the church, for which they were heartily thanked.—Miss Ethel Parry, of the Presbyterian Sunday School, has won the seventh prize in the annual Scriptural ex- amination of the. Presbytery. Several other scholars have won certificates.

GWERNAFFIELD, PRESENTATION TO REV. G. WHITE- FIELD JONES. On Thursday, March 28th, a farewell meeting was held at the Bethesda C.M, Chapel to wish the pastor of the church, the Rev. G. Whitefield Jones, Godspeed on the occasion of his departure to enter upon a new sphere of labour at Abermule, Mont- gomeryshire. In the afternoon a good num- ber were present at an enjoyable tea. At the evening meeting the chair was taken by Mr. R. Lloyd, Rhydonen. During the evening the following programme was gone throughSong, "Rwy'n myn'd," Miss E. A. Jones (Llinos Ial); song, "Asthore," Mr. T. H. Jones; song, "Y Bugail," Mr. Ben Williams; Hen Alawon Cymru, Miss Nest Davies; piccolo solo, Mr. Tom Thomas; song, "Can, Wenol, Can," Llincs Ial; song, Mr. T. H. Jones; duet, "The Keys of Hea- ven," Llinos lal ai-id Mr. B. Williams; song "Pwy fel fy Mamf Mr. Ben Williams. The accompanists were Miss Cissie Arthur and Mr. Edgar Thomas. The Rev. G. White- field Jones was presented by Mrs. Ebenezer Philips, on behalf of the church, with a dressing case and brushes in case, and also ■ a number of volumes. On behalf -of the children of the Band of Hope, Mr. Jones was presented with a handsome copy of Browning's poems. Tribute was paid to Mr Jones as one who had laboured incessantly for the good of the cause, and the speakers expressed regret that they were cafled upon to say good-bye to him. Appropriate re- marks were made by the Revs 1. C. Roberts (Gwernymynyd, Evan Davies (Cilcain), and J. R. Hughes (Bwlch). The Revs. G. Parry Williams, J. H. Williams, and Tud- wal Davies wrote expressing regret that they were unable to attend. The Rev. G. Whitefield Jones stated that he was leaving the church in the bond of peace, and thank- ed them for their kind words, good wishes, and generosity. Englynion had been com- posed by the Rev. 1. C. Roberts and Mr. Price Morris, one of the deacons of the' church, and were read at the meeting.

LLANASA. THE INVESTITURE CELEBRATION. When the Prince of Yales was invested at Carnarvon a number of local gentlemen or- ganised a celebration in the village, with parade and sports. The event proved so successful that the event was repeated, and a movement is on foot to continue it this year. Last week a meeting was held at the Parochial Schools, and was attended by most of the committee. The accounts were presented and adopted, and gratification was expressed that there was a "Balance in hand of 15 odd. Mr. Matthew H. Jones was elected chairman; Mr. John Jones, Tan yr Ysgol, vice-chairman; Mr. Wm. Mortimer, Golden Grove, and Mr. T. Leo- nard Roberts, treasurers Mr. P. D. Vickers, The Stores, and Mr. George Lines, secre- taries. Mr. W. Mortimer, referring to the constitution of the committee, remarked he would like to see it generally representa- tive, as the movement was in no wise sec- tarian or political, and he trusted that all shades of opinion in the village would loyal- ly support the festival. He suggested that at the next meeting every Churchman who was a member of the committee bring with him a Nonconformist friend, and as a mem- ber of the committee. The suggestion was unanimously adopted. The Rev. W. Loyd Protheroe proposed, and Mr. P. D. Vickers seconded, a hearty vote of thanks to Messrs. Mortimer, of Golden Grove, anct Messrs. Bate, of Gyrn Castle, for their kindness in arranging and providing for the sports last year, and for their offer of support at the 6pcrts, which it was decided to hold this summer. The committee made various ar- rangements for the coming festival, and a vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings.

NORTHOP. FUNERAL. The funeral took place on Monday at Northop Parish Churchyard of the Rev. Llewellyn Lloyd, vicar of Childswycham, Broadway, Worcestershire. He was seven- ty-two years of age, and had been curate of Northop for seven years. In 1880 he was appointed chaplain at the Chester Ceme- tery. He officiated there until 1891, when he became the vicar of Childswycham. +:

PENYFFORDD. EXAMINATION SUCCESSES. Miss M. Bell has won the fourth prize in the Lancashire Presbytery Examination on a portion of the Epistles to the Hebrews; also Mr. J. Bell has won the second prize in the history of Joshua. Several other candidates from this school have won 1st and 2nd class certificates. Very successful Bible Classes have been held during the winter months to study the lessons.

— ST. ASAPH. THE CHANCELLORSHIP. The Bishop of St. Asaph has appointed the Rev. G. C. Joyce, D.D., to the vacant Chancellorship in the Cathedral of St. Asaph. Canon Joyce, who is warden at St. Deiniol's, Hawarden, was educated at Hair- row and Brasenose College, Oxford, of which he was scholar, graduating in 1888, when he was placed in the first class in Lit. Hum. To the canonry of alfridi Ruthin, vacated by Canon Joyce, the Bishop has appointed the Rev. J. S. Lewisr vicar of Ruabon. Mr. Lewis, who was educated at Shrewsbury School, was a junior student of Christ Church, Oxford.

AN APPLE TO CLEAN THE MOUTH. Dr. Sims Wallace, late dental surgeon to the London Hospital, states his belief that there are in this country some 21,000,000 teeth in a state of ruin through eating sweets, and goes on to urge the adoption of a diet containing farinaceous food in a form which will stimulate mastication—e.g., brown bread, and the eating of fresh fruit at the conclusion of a meal. By means of the fruit the teeth are cleansed. The best fruit for this purpose is probably the apple, which, if eaten £ ffi"the end of a meal, leaves the mouth delightfully fresh and physiologi- cally clean.

DEE FISHERY BOARD. It was reported at a meeting of the Con- servators of the River Dee Fishery district on Saturday that the hatchery extension scheme had been virtually completed. The chairman (Mr. W. Y. Hargreaves) stated that he had not yet received an answer from the Board of Agriculture with regard C, to the provisional order. He, however, un- derstood that the order would be carried out. -+--

At a special meeting of the Law Society it was announced that the council would op- pose the bill before Parliament for allowing wojnen to-become solicitor^

AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF NORTH WALES. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of this club was held at the Royal Oak Hotel, Bettwsycoed, on Saturday, Colonel Sandbach, J.P., presid- ing. The following officials were appointed f r the ensuing year:—President, Sir R. V. I- liams-Bulkeley, Bart.; vice-presidents, Mar- quis of Anglesey, Lord Penrhyn, Sir Wil- liam Wynn, Bart., Sir G. Assheton- Smith, Colonel H. Platt, Mr. R. M. Greaves, Mr. J. E. Greaves, and the Lord- Lieutenants of the counties, who are mem- bers of the club; chairman, Colonel Sand- bach; hon. secretary, Dr. Fox; Executive Committee, Major A. E. Priddle, J.P., Colonel Hughes, Mr. F. Swabe, Mr. G. H. Healey, Sir, T. Roberts, and Mr. E. W. Tate. Colonel Sandbach, Major A. E. Priddle, and the hon. secretary were appoin- ted official examiners for the club for the international travelling pass and the R.A.C. driving certificate.

.x- FROM BEHIND THE GRATING. My experiences of the Ladies' Gallery in the House (writes a woman correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian"), which is now getting so much Committee attention, is that the chief interest there is the "little ways" of the members. The sight of Cabi- net Ministers with their knees higher than their chins, for instance, usually produces a mild shock in the uninitiated. "Good heavens Look at Mr. So-and-So," a young girl remarked not long ago on her first glimpse of our legislators. "He's got his feet upon the table Mr. Lloyd George's idiosyneracies excite much comment-his habit, for instance, of turning his back not only on the Speaker, but on the Opposition, and favouring his friends. He is consider- ed by the impartial to have a "lovely voice" —"so soft and musical." Mr. Bonar Law, on the other hand, is voted rather dull when the Ladies' Gallery note his limp at- titudes and he receives but little notice. But Mr. Balfour never fails to draw the Gallery. When he rises, throw- ing a sheaf of foolscap envelopes on to the box before tim, there is invariably a for- ward movement upstairs, and ladies lean over each other's shoulders to get a glimpse of the ex-leader, the man with "a way with him," and a notorious bachelor.

+! THE LAST ROUND. At the Stadium the other night a group of boxing enthusiasts were discussing King George's interest in boxing, and the con- versation was punctuated by one or two boxing yarns. One man said he remembered a match that was arranged some years ago out in America between Joe Jeannette and an- other boxer, named Black Bill. It was to be an eight-round contest, and as Joe had to be in another town some distance off next day his manager arranged that they would try to catch a train that left just after the fight might be expected to finish. The boxers were late in starting, however, and after the fifth round the manager whis- pered to Joe: "Look here, Joe, you'll have to hustle a bit, or we'll miss that train, and we can't afford to do that." Joe nodded; and when the two men stood up again he said to Black Bill: "This'll be the last round." Bill looked surprised. "It's an eight- round match," he said, Han' we've only had five. It suttinly ain't the last roupd." "It suttinly is," said Joe "for you And it was!

CURIOUS STREET NAMES. Now that the London County Council has sanctioned the transformation of Periwinkle street into Ratcliffe Cross-street the inhabi- tants of some other oddly-named thorough- fares in the metropolis—such as Beer-lane, Pickle Herring-street, Shoulder of Mutton alley, Hot Water-court, and Tiger-bay-may be encouraged to agitate for a new name. There was a time (says the "Pall Mall Gaz- ette') when London possessed a far wider collection of cacophonous thoroughfares than is now the case. King Edward-street, the site of the new General Post Office, was for centuries known as Stinking-lane. Crackbrain-court and Cut-throat lane were in Whltechapel, and Degdman's place ad- joined Dirty lane in Southwark. Hangman's gains stood near the Tower, and, there was a Bandyleg alley off Fleet street. Breakneck court, opposite the Old Bailey, where Gold- smith lived when he first settled in London, has also disappeared. -47.4

AMERICA'S SECOND RICHEST MAN. The death is announced of Mr. Frederick Weyerhaeuser, the multi-millionaire, of St. Paul, Minnesota, at thê- age of seventy-nine. Mr. Weyerhaeuser was extensively inte- rested in the lumber trade, which he domi- nated prior to the adoption of the national conservation policy. He was president of the Weyerhaeuser Lumber Company and several other lumber companies, and head of the so-called "Weyerhaeuser Syndicate." He was also engaged in several other enter- prises, and was commonly known as the "Lumber King." His fortune is estimated to be second only to that of Mr. Rockefeller.

lONTARIOl^l S u 2 A W S grin soil l nV the land of j gSr opportunities—a week from Liverpool. i W DavI?nr^d 'r.eehold for what British farmers J ■ ,P.?i cattle ™>sine, fruit trrowine- M I ^hou^nS ynllmit«d market. Crand climate. Ml 1 m peaches- ldea! social and JBA ft farm S c°nd>tions. Government guarantees jGH ■l domestics situations. Good wages natural resources Write: R, REID; ntario .63, Str-d, Lonaon.

WELSH CHURCH BILL. I THE LESSON OF EXPERIENCE. I A valuable and interesting course of four addresses in connection with the Welsh Disestablishment Bill has just taken place in the West End, more particularly for the information of ladies resident in London. Lady Goschen, Lady Aberdare, Lady Gort, and Lady Halifax placed their drawing- rooms for four successive weeks at the dis- posal of the ladies' branch of the Central Church Committee for Defence and Instruc- tion for this purpose, and the lecturers were invited owing to their special qualifications to deal with the particular subject commit- ted to them. Thus, on Wednesday, March 4th, the Countess de Franqueville—more generally known in England as Lady Sophia Palmer—showed the "Effect of Disestablish- ment and Disendowment in France," at Lady Goschen's house, the Earl of Crawford being in the chair. On the following Wed- nesday the Bishop of Ossory described the "Experience of Forty Years of Disestablish- ment and Disendowment in Ireland." At Lady Aberdare's house in Eaton Square, when in Lord Aberdare's absence, Lord Salisbury presided. On March 18th, the Bishop of St. Asaph gave "The History of the Liberationist Idea in Wales," at 15, Grosvenor Gardens,—the house of Vis- countess Gort-witli Colonel Benson as chairman. The final address of this inter- esting series was delivered at the house of Lady Halifax in Eaton Square by the Bis- hop of St. David's, and was entitled "The Effect of the Disestablishment and Disen- dowment Bill upon Wales." Lord Halifax presided on this occasion. At all four meet- ings, the rooms were crowded with an at- tentive audience, and it is in contemplation to publish these addresses in pamphlet form The thanks of Churchpeople are due to the Hon. Mrs. Gell and her committee of ladies for arranging this most instructive series of addresses on subjects as to which mis-information is very common. --+;+-

HIS FIRST LESSON. "Where's Tommy?" asked the father on his return from business one evening. "Gone to bed," was his wife's reply. "I hope he's not ill." "No, I sent him to bed as a punishment for swearing." "Swearing I'll teach him to swear." Without waiting for a light the angry father rushed upstairs to interview the cul- prit, only to fall over a loose stair-rod and bump his chin. At once he became exceed- ingly fluent. Then he heard his wife call out:— "Better come down, dear; I'm sure Tommy has heard enough for his first les- son." -+:+-

DISCOVERY OF ROMAN COINS. A find of some thousands of bronze coins is reported from Llangarron. A boy noticed coins being scattered by a harrow in a ploughed field, excavations were made, and coins found buried beneath some stones about 2ft. below the surface of the soil. With the coins were fragments of several Roman jars and a considerable quantity of partly smelted iron ore. The coins are in good preservation, and from a cursory ex- amination of a few of them date from the end of the third to the middle of the fourth century. ¡

DEATH OF MAJ. HENRY WYNNE RACE MEETING ACCIDENT. Major Henry Williams Wynn, who was thrown from his horse at Wynnstay Point- to-Point Steeplechases on Wednesday, died at Hanmer, on Monday, from his injuries. He was fifty years of age, and a keen huntsman. He was the second surviving son of Mr. Charles Williams Wynn, of Coedymaen, Meifod, Montgomeryshire, late Recorder of Oswestry, and a grandson of the Right Hon. C. Williams Wynn, Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster, Presi- dent of the Board of Control, and Secretary for War. Lately in the Royal Field Artil- lery, he was deputy-assistant director of remounts since 1911. Major Wynn's father and grandfather re- presented Montgomeryshire without a break from 1796 till 1880, when Mr. Stuart Ren- del, afterwards""Lord Rendel, secured the seat for the Liberals. Major Wynn's elder brother, Mr. A. W. Williams Wynn, of Coedymaen, contested Montgomeryshire against Mr. David Davies in the Conserva- tive interest in 1910; while his younger brother, Mr. Frederick Rowland Williams Wynn, is a clerk in the House of Commons. -+-

THE REASON. A Liverpool man, arm in arm with an old friend, revisiting the city after an absence of many years, was discussing old times, when the returned one began a series of questions as to the friends of other days. "Tell me," said he, "about your aunt. She must be rather feeble now." "We buried her last year." "Buried her? Dear me, is the old lady dead?" "Yes; that's why we buried her."

CHINESE FEMALE DETECTIVES. Recently the Chinese Minister of the In- terior has ordered the police office to en- gage sixty women detectives to be distribu- ted to the different palces to watch the un- lawful ar:i: ns of women (says the "Peking Gazette' }. The qualifications of such de- tectives ai ■ as follow: The woman must be of good character and clever, and she must be over twenty years of age.

1131stiviet News. BAGILLT. STUDENTS' SUCCESS. I The evening classes at the Council Schools, Bagillt, in shorthand and typewrit- ing, during the past session have been a pronounced success, both in attendance and progress. The session was brought to a close on Friday last, when Mr. Rhydderch, Inspector of Schools, inspected the pupils. Seven of the students attending the classes sat for examination for the preliminary and third class certificate of Pitman Institute, and as the result of the examination the following pupils were awarded certificates from the Pitman Institute, Bath :—Janet Jones, 4, The Grove, Holywell; Bonnie Sal- ter, Brynford street, Holywell; Oswald Leigh, The Rest, Bagillt; Lizzie Roberts, Brighton terrace, Walwen, Bagillt; Cecil Evans, Sea View Villas, New Brighton, Bagillt. The certificates were presented to the successful students on Friday last by Mr Rliydderch, in the presence of Mr. Morris, the headmaster, and the shorthand teacher, Mr. A. J. Mothersole. In the course of his remarks Mr. Rliydderch impressed on thme who had failed in the examination not to be discouraged, but to say to themselves that they would succeed and gain a certifi- cate next time. The certificates were grant- ed to those who had done really well and given satisfaction in their work. Those who held these certificates had a good chance of obtaining appointments. He hoped that they would continue to attend the classes next year and go in for a speed certificate. He quoted Buckley, where seve- ral of the students had gained quite nice ap- pointments. To those who had not been successful he would again say that they must not think that their time had been wasted, but continue their studies until they gained one of those certificates The certificates were a great credit to their teacher, Mr. Mothersole, who, he was proud to say, from observations he had made that night, was a practical teacher, and the very greatest credit was due to him. The students suit- ably acknowledged the certificates, and a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Rhydd- erch for kindly presenting the same.

THE BUZZING MELODY. Sir Frederick Bridge, the organist of Westminster Abbey, telLs some excellent stories. "Two ladies," he once said, "were in Westminster Abbey, when one of them sud- denly raised her hand, 'Hush! Listen she said, 'There's the organ. Isn't it splendid? I always love to hear Sir Frederick play "Beautiful, dear,' replied the other; 'for a moment I thought it was Sir Walter Par- ratt, but, of course, he can't play like that One can usually distinguish them by their touch.' "As a matter of fact," says Sir Frederick, "it was the vacuum cleaner buzzing away in preparation for the Coronation

MORE PROTECTION FOR THAMES FISH. Again the Thames Conservancy have raised the standard of sizes of several coarse fish, and for the first time bleak are protected by law. They must not now be taken under 4in. Takable sizes now are: Perch, 9in. roach, 8in. dace, 7in. (in these cases the increase is one inch). In the case of chub, carp, and bream (12in.) and rudd (8in.) the increase is two inehee.

DEBTOR'S RHYME. A member of the Ashton-under-Lyne guardians urging delay in payment of an account, quoted the motto, "Fear God, hon- our the King, and pay money the last thing."

In support of the movement to raise a fund for the preservation of the battlefield of Waterloo from the builder, the London Corporation has voted £105. '.vV.V'v.vVl<.J\LN VNV-W-Y-Õ.l..L\.Õ.l..L'<Y..L+

Artistic Designs m in Wallpaper. .J,W/¿'.J"A"J'J.ø The ARIONIC, Limited, have a splendid selection of Wallpaper, in choice designs, which they offer to the public at remarkably low prices. w v"¿,r.øI'¿" The Armonic, Ltd. Printers and Stationers, 15, High St., MOLD. • i

Correspondence. ENTERTAINMENTS FOR THE BLIND. How Country Residents May tlelp. (To the Editor of "The Flintshire Observer and News.") Dear Sir, As the result of a recent letter to the Pre8S, I have received a large number of communications from people who write to that they wish to help our campaign for cheapening and amplifying the supply of Braille literature for Blind readers, but adding that as they live in country districts they are rather at a loss as to the method in which to do so. I have replied to these kindly folk telling them that a simple way in which to assist in the giving of books to the Blind is to get up concerts and other forms of indoor en- tertainment or, as the summer advances, out-door entertainments of one kind or another, sending the proceeds to swell our fund. I am glad to say that numbers of people have written expressing their willingness to do this, and I am writing to ask if you will permit me, through your widely circulated journal to invite similar co-operation from those of your readers who think well of our efforts. Few who have not lest the aT:>i7?ty to read with their eyes—as I have—can realise what it means to blind people-and particu- larly to poor blind people-to be without an adequate supply of books and periodicals which mean so much to them both from the educative and recreative points of view. Braille books, owing to their great bulk and necessarily costly method of produc- tion, are so expensive as to be out of reach of any but the rich. A copy of "Ivanlioe," for example, which sighted people can buy for sixpence, costs 19s. Gel. to produce in Braille. Our endeavour is so to equip our new premises, which the King and Queen opened on March 19th, with the most ingeniously devised machinery that the cost will be reduced. But it must always re- gain prohibitive, and can only be brought Z, within reasonable limits if people who can flee will help to pay for books and periodi- ,Ials to be read by those who cannot. As the King said in his reply to our Chairman's address :— There is no sadder affliction than that which closes to the Blind the great chan- nel of common experience and common intercourse and cuts off the sufferers from the chief fields of enjoyment and activity. We wish you all success in your efforts to bring increased advantages to a yet greater number of our blind subjects. It is commonplace that men do not realise the value of that which they have never lost, and I am confident that your appeal for funds to extend and develop your undertaking will stir the imagination of many who unreflectingly enjoy the bless- ing of sight. I cannot too strongly urge upon all, the duty of showing practical sympathy with your devoted efforts to bring down as far as may be the barriers which shut out the blind from a full share of the com- mon interest and pleasures of life. We hope that you will speedily be relieved of all anxiety on the score of funds, and we wish God speed to the work of the Nation- al Institute for the Blind. I cannot plead the cause of the blind reader in more eloquent words than these, and I trust that they will touch the Hearts of some of your readers, and that we may receive froiri them help in some such man- ner as I have ventured to indicate above. Your very truly, C. ARTHUR PEARSON. ,rhe2^tioria1 Institute for the Blind, Great Portland Street, London, W.