The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser

HEALTH. I TANNIN OF TEA, AND DIGESTION. Dr Lauder Brunton has shown that the tannin of tea interferes with the digestion of fresh meat, whilst Dr J. W. Fraser, another dietetic authority, has discovered that it does not interfere with the digestion of ham, tongue, and other forms of cured and dried flesh. KITCHEN SINKS. Two tablespoonfuls of washing soda in a gallon of boiling water makes a good disinfectant for the kitchen sink. Pour it in at night, while it is still at boiling heat. EGGS FOR THE SICK. To prepare an egg for a sick person, beat the egg until very light; add seasoning to taste, and then steam until thoroughly warmed through. This will not take more than two minutes. The most delicate ptomach will be able to digest it. SELF-DOCTORING. Looking at any smart chemist's shop set in the very heart of the City, you are somewhat at a loss to account for the almost constant stream of customers crossing the artistically paved threshold. The hour of ten has just been boomed out by the Itigubliously toned bells of the great Cathedral, and within the last half hour the chemist has been doing a busy trade. For the next hours even there will be no lack of custom, although after that time it gradually begins to fall off. Throughout the whole of the day, too, the "assistants" are never so actively engaged as they are at first early morn- ing work. What, then, was the particular line which at the beginning of the day occupied their sagacious attention ? The answer is, the sale of PICK-ME-UPS. Now if you bad taken note of the first customer who entered the shop you would have found him to be a somewhat delicate tired-looking young fellow, with none of the air of the habitual drunkard about him, still, on the other hand, boasting no satis- factory aspect of robust health. He has been rather hard worked lately; he had been out to the theatre, too, the night before. He is fagged, some- what fatigued, and low, and wants a little "pulling together." His pick-me-up, then, is made up of cardamums, gentian, and sal volatile. And a very harmless concoction indeed is this-rt least, so the chemist would tell you. Cardamums have much about the same effect as a glass or so of port, and gentian is, of course, innocence itself. But how about the sal volatile? Would it not have a tendency to provoke unusual perspiration and, as the pick-me-upper" ia not of an over-strong constitution, render him liable to catch cold as he stands about in the varied draughts surrounding Capel Court. A MAN WITH A HEAD. Again as to another customer, who has been un- doubtedly "having a night of it," but still might have been worse. He is decidedly feverish, and in the pleasing vernacular of the modern youth about town he has a head on him. His dose then possibly contains cardamums, hydrocyanic acid, and tiucture of capsicutii-a capital nerver in its way, provided he does not take anything else to drink. But then, is not the probability rather in favour of a brandy and soda later on ? Futhermore, this is a" regular pick-me-up customer;" and surely a tolerably constant course of prussic acid cannot be particularly advantageous, even if it be taken in the smallest doses. Is "BROMIDE" HARMLESS? As to a thii d customer of decidedly nervous aspect he will be treatel to a morning draught of tincture of capsicum, bromide of potassium, bromide of ammonium, and sal volatile. A very nice neive- restorer and brain tonic indeed," so the chemit says and bromide is really very harmless." (By the way, be it noted here that nowadays when anyone speaks of bromide being taken as a pick-me-up bromide of potassium is always understood, which is an excellent proof of its enormous popularity.) With regard to the sales- man's remark about the harmlessness of bromide," it is permissible to differ very strongly from him. If we could do so, we would rather prefer to forget than to remember the fact that a in in well-known in London literary circles a few years ago, who was everywhere acknowledged as one of the most brillant classics and talented journalists of the agp, helped to destroy himself quite as quickly by bromide as ever he did by careless living. INIINITESIMAL POISONS. Lastly, take as an instance another popular pick- me-up—liquor strychnia, tincture cf orange, and disulphate of quinine. And strychnine, so you are told, must be harmless for certain pick-me-up drinkers can take ten grains at a time. Surely a very harmless habit this with a vengeance. How- ever, as a rule, so you are informed, dangerous poisons in pick-me-ups are only taken in infin- itesimal doses. But does not the homoeopathist hold that infinitesimal doses will attack at once and cure a local disturbance ? And why, then, may not an infinitesimal dose of poison attack and aggravate a local disturbance if wrongly applied ? And the man who is constantly disturbing his digestion with infinitesimal poison can never be the soundest of sleepers. So from not over-sensible medical practitioner he gets a chloral prescription and what, indeed, is to hinder him from having his chloral made up again and again ? Chloral, too is comforting, and you wake up from chloral fresher than from opium. Always providing (for chloral is an accumulative poison, be it remembered) that one fine morning you perhaps do not wake up at all. As to self-doctoring with chloroform, the recent death of Mr Ralston certainly saves the trouble of any unnecessary lectuiing on the subject. CHLORODYNE. With reference to chlorodyne, of course, the chemist is only too ready to insist upon its evils being absurdly exaggerated. But-especially if you be a woman with nerves and neuralgia-you may quietly work your way up from your few drops on a lump of sugar to the acme of bliss of your three- and-sixpenny bottle daily; to become eventually, perchance, like an overworked and worried gover- ness we know of who flow for comfort to the sticky, dark bottle "-a hopeless imbecile. However, if you happen to have any old-world pre- judices against chlorodyne, of course red lavender is always at your service to produce, by constant dosing, that interesting state of nervous sensibility which causes a scream to be raised at the sight of a grey moth and possible convulsions when a cat jumps into your lap. Then as to the really "barm- less" draughts you can always prescribe for your- self. Is there not the soluble bicarbonate of potash to successfully lower any over exuberance of tone, and the insoluble plain carbonate; by the frequent indulgence in which you produce a low and feverish condition as well as an overstrain on the kidneys ? In conclusion, what, too, is to prevent you (having had a medical authority) from having your colchicum and iodide of potassium prescriptions made up whenever you have a fancy for them, especially if you have laudable ambition to so thoroughly enervate yourself as to take away all the will and pluck which are needful if you are to attempt to exercise the self-restraint necessary to throw off their deleterious effects ? THE BITER BIT. Mcis-ionier bad a gardener who was a good botanist and a great wag. He knew the seeds of all sorts of plants, and Meissonier was always trying and always failing to puzzle him. "I have got him now," said Meissonier to some friends at a dinner p:Lrty, and he showed them a package of the roe of dried herrings. Then he sent for the gardener. All the guests smiled. The gardener arrived. "Do you know these seeds ?" Meissonier asked. The gardener examined them with great attention. "Oh, yes," he said, at last; that is the seed of the polpus flaximas, a very rare tropical plant." A suiile of triumph lighted the face of Meissonier. How long will it take the seed to come up?" he asked. "Fifteen days," said the gardener. At the end of fifteen days the guests were once more at the table. After dinner the gardener was announced. Monsieur Meis- sonier," he said, the plants are above the ground." Oh, this is a little too much! "said the great painter; and all went out into the garden to behold the botanical wonder. The gardener lifted up a glass bell, under which was a little bed, care- fully made, and in which three rows of red herrings were stickings up their heads. The laugh was against Meissonier. He discharged the gardener, but took him back the next day.

MISCELLANEOUS. TWO BRAVE POLICEMEN. A GALLANT RESCUE FROM THE RIVER. Marian Cole, a waitress, was charged last week before Mr Bridge at Bow-street, with attempting to commit suicide from the Thames Embankment. Police-constable Sly, 289 E, said that he was on duty on the Victoria Embankment, when close by the Temple steps he saw something moving in the water and heard a scream. He ran down the steps and saw the prisoner struggling in the river. He blew his whistle, and at once jumped into the water and caught hold of the prisoner and then tried to regain the steps. He then found that the current had carried him and the woman some dis- tance away. He continued while swimming t) blow his whistle until he sank and became p:rrtly unconscious. Upon recovering he found a civilian had plunged into the river after the prisoner and him (the witness), and between the two cf them they managed to get the prisoner up to the life chain of the Temple pier, from which they were ultimately rescued by the Thames Police.—Wm. Cartwright, of 2, Jobn's-place, Clerkenwell, the man referred to by the constable, corroborated the latter's evidence, and was complimented by Mr uriage, wno saia ne deserved every possible credit for his brave conduct, and promised to see that it was properly reported to the Royal Humane Society.—Sub-inspector Stubbs of the Thames police deposed to having been in a police galley and helping the three persons in question out of the water, which was there fifteen feet deep with a strong tide running. Both the prisoner and the constable were semi-unconscious and in great danger of being drowned. The prisoner had made a similar attempt on her life some time ago, and been rescued by a police-constable. Mr Bridge, in remanding the prisoner, told her that by her wicked act she had placed the lives of two brave men in great danger. Addressing the constable, Mr Bridge said-It is impossible to speak in too strong language of the bravery which you showed, and I must write to the Royal Humane Society and mention my opinion of it. I am afraid that is all I can do for you." Mr Bridge also marked the charge sheet as follows The constable in this case saved the prisoner at the imminent risk of his own life. The constable deserves the highest praise, and to be rewarded." A POLICEMAN'S BRAVE ACT IN REGENT STREET. An exciting scene was witnessed in Regent- street lately. When near New Burlington-street a horse drawing a van took fright, and before the driver could check him the van collided with a three-horse omnibus, with the result that the van driver was unseated and pitched into the roadway. He received such injuries to his face and body that it was deemed expedient to take him to the Middle- sex Hospital. The shock of the collision in no way lessened the animal's fear, and it proceeded up Regent-street towards Oxford-street at a full gal- lop. Police-constable Jones, 19 C R, however, who was on traffic duty at the circus, amid the shouts and screams of the terrified foot-passengers, sprang nt the animal's head, and, taking a firm grip of a part of the harness, brought the heavy horse and van to a standstill in twenty yards. In an instant the screams of terror changed to shouts and cheers for the constable's bravery. Several gentlemen went across to him, and, handing him their cards, complimented him on his act; while Mrs Lowe, of The Hill, Bromley, Kent, gave him half a sovereign, and warmly thanked him for having averted what might have been a serious accident. A FAITHFUL CAT. We often bear of the fidelity of dogs; let me tell a tale of a cat which has come under my own per- sonal observation. It is devoted to my friend's only child, a little girl of ten. Little Elsie departed a few days ago for her holidays, and a young lady who divides with her the cat's affection, and bids fair to rival the celebrated Countess in her devotion to cats, was also absent. The cat was offered milk to drink, and lamb to eat, but would not touch either. Pussy sat on the stairs all day and night, and howltd dismally, refusing to be comforted until every one in the house feared she was very ill. The day following the young lady fortunately returned. Directly the cat saw her, and bad given expression to its joy, it flew upstairs into the studio, drank up the milk and devoured the lamb, having fasted for twenty-fcur hours rather than eat in the absence of both her beloved friends. THE NEWSPAPERS OF THE WORLD. It has been calculated that 37,000 newspapers are periodically issued at the present time through- out the world, and that of this large number at least one-half are printed in the English language. Germany has more newspapers than any other country in Europe; it publishes 5500. France is second with 4092, and Britain third with 4000. Italy issues 1400 newspapers, Austria-Hungary 1200, Spain 850, Russia 800, Greece 6u0, Switzer- land 450, Holland 300, and Belgium also 300. Australia has 700 newspapers. The United States, however, publishes more news periodicals than any other country in the world. THE AMUSING ADVENTURES OF AN ESCAPED BABOON FAMILY. The unique collection of monkeys that has lately been on exhibition at the Alexandra Palace was transferred last week to the People's Palace iD the Mile-end road. In the collection is a cage contain- ing three fine specimens of the African baboon-a male, a female, and a youngster. They are singular in the possession of ideas somewhat original and altogether in advance of the usual cut of the monkey tribe, and they have just signalized their arrival in Mile-end by an escapade which has excited the liveliest consternation in the minds of the denizens of the neighbourhood. It all happened in this way. In the early hours the other morning, Mr and Mrs Baboon, together with Master Baboon,' took it into their heads that continual confinement in the cage didn't at all tend either to their happi. ness or their comfort, so, as has since been found, they calmly proceeded to open the doors of their prison and to make tracks. How long they had been out, nobody knows j but the night watchman attached to the Palace, on making his rounds at about three o'clock in the morning, was consider- ably startled to see the three huge animals play- fully disporting themselves in the Palace grounds, and evidently not at all inclined to regret the step they had taken. There's a floral fete going on at the Palace just now which has necessitated the erection of a band-stand and Venetian poles, and up and down these erections the Baboon family scampered, varying their gyrations by occasional explorations of the Palace buildings. IN CHASE OF THE MISSING LINK. The watchman immediately went in search of assistance, and ultimately obtained it in the shape of a number of the Palace officials, and several people who were passing by at the time. And then the fun commenced. Up and down, and high and low, did they chase the escaped Africans, who shrieked and gibbered as if they entered heartily into the spirit of the thing. But the monkeys had a decided advantage over their pursuers, and for a considerable time they eluded all attempts at their capture. The youngster was caught first, and, not at all pleased with his position, he struggled and shrieked until all the tribe in the adjacent build- ing took up the chorus, with such alarming results as to bring the people in the adjoining houses in alarm to their doors and windows. Then the party went in pursuit of the elder couple. At first they were disposed to show fight, and snarled a bit at all who came near them. Ultimately, however, baboon senior was brought to bay, and a judicious applica- tion of heavy cloths effectually silenced him. MRS. BABOON ELOPES. Mrs Daboon only remained to be captured now. But she wasn't to be caught so easily as the other members of her family. Forsaking the palace, she bounded across the wall separating it from the workhouse, and so into the grounds of the Mile-end Union. A large number of the officials there had been interested spectators of the exciting chase, but as soon as the temale baboon came in their direction they cleared out of sight at first with remarkable rapidity. Most of them returned, however, armed with various weapons, and, rein- forced by the Palace party, they set out through the extensive grounds in pursuit of her. The whole of the inmates and officials of the union establishments were aroused at the unwonted uproai, and, from doors and windows, were inter- ested spectators of the chase. Whenever, however, Madame made for any one of the windows or doors —as she did more than once-there was shrieking and banging and clashing of windows enough to frighten an animal out of its senses. At last she was chased from the grounds, and, leaping over another wall, she entered the Jewish cemetery that lies immediately adjacent to the workhouse. Over the wall the pursuers clambered too in hot haste, I and ran after the fleeting baboon as she sped terrified across the flat tombstones. At the other end of the cemetery she cleared another wall, and, running along the backs of the houses, got into the tow-path leading along the canal. She had very considerably distanced her pursuers by this time, and, taking advantage of her position, she sped along until she was lost to sight. HOME, SWEET HOME. For a long time the search party hunted about for her, but she was nowhere to be found. Mr Hamblin, the keeper of the monkeys, bad been summoned by this time, and on ariiving at the Palace and learning of the fruitless chase after the female, he suggested that a reward should be offered for her capture. The reward was not required, however; for, going into the showroom an hour or two later, he found the missing lady peering through one of the windows, from whence she was induced, after a little trouble, to get into her cage again. "A HERO IN HUMBLE LIFE." Some three months ago, under the above head- ing, the Pall Mall Gazette gave an account of an act of great braver3 at Sheffield, performed by one John Smith. The circumstances will be readily remembered. A man named Benjamin Stanley accidentally fell into a casting pit beside a red-hot ingot of steel, and Smith, with the greatest promptitude and bravery, at once descended into the pit, fifteen feet deep, to get his comrade out. He managed to carry the poor fellow, whose cloth- ing was burning, into an adjoining pit, being himself severely burned in the operation. Stanley died three days afterwards, Smith himself having recovered from his injuries. The circumstances were brought under the notice of the Home Secre- tary, and the result was that, to the general satisfaction, the brave fellow was awarded the Albert Medal of the second class. Last week several hundreds of t he workmen of Messrs Thomas Firth and Sons (Limited) assembled in a large iron warehouse at the works to witness the pre- sentation of the medal by the mayor, in the name of the Queen. The Mayor, who was wearing his official chain, made a suitable speech, and amid warm cheers, Smith stood forward to receive the medal, the mayor explaining that he had asked the mayoress to pin it upon Smith's coat, which she did. Smith said a few words to the mayor in reply, and his worship stated that they were to the effect that he was no speaker, but he thanked the Mayor for making the presentation, and bis masters and fellow-workmen forattend ng. Other speakers having expressed their approval of Smith's heroism, the Mayor said Smith wished to thank his fellow- workmen and the firm for the present which had been made to him. He concluded by asking them to give three cheers for Smith, which were°lustily given. The medal is of bronze, handsomely worked. The monogram, A V. is enclosed in a band or ribbon, inscribed, If For gallantry in savins life on land." On the back is inscribed, Pre" sented, in the name of her Maj -sty, to John Smith, for gallantry in endeavouring to save the life of Benjamin Stanley, at the Norfolk Works, Sheffield on the 10th May, 18S9." The medal is enclosed in a scarlet morocco case, the outside of which is let- tered in gilt, "Presented, in the name of her Majesty, to John Smith, for gallantry in saving life on land." REMARKABLE ESCAPE OF A NURSE. While one of the nurses employed at the Bel- videre Hospital, Glasgow, was walking along a pathway leading to one of the wards the ground suddenly gave way under her feet, and she sank up to the armpits, being completely wpdged in by the subsiding soil. On assistance being obtained the woman was with some difficulty extricated, when it was found that the soil continued to subside. Further examination brought out the fact that the woman had actually been suspended by the arms over the mouth of an old pit over 160 feet deep. Twenty years ago, when the hospital was in course of erection, the pit was searched for, but in vain. It seems that the orifice bad been merely covered over with wood, which in course of time had become rotten, with the result described. A GHOST STORY. A remarkable ghost" story comes from Green- wich. It appears that Mr Peter Bothwick, in the employ of the South Metropolitan Gas Company had resided for three years with his family at 14, Horseferry Road, Greenwich, a four-roomed house' Mrs Bothwick had been troubled by hearing in- explicable noises, which her husband tried to explain away. The previous tenant, who occupied the house for 29 years, states that he never heard any noises, but his wife often complained to him that she had heard sounds like children falling out of bed. About two years ago the Bothwicks were away from home, and a neighbour states that during their absence he heard loud rapping in the house. Twelve mouths after, in July, 1888 Mr Bothwick was in the country for a holiday, and on the 25th there were in the house Mrs Bothwick, Mrs Stedmau, and Mrs Lloyd. At ten minutes to eleven these three were in the back sitting-room. which is divided from the passage by a wooden partition running to the top of the house, when they heard three hard blows as of a man's fist on the cellar door. Much alarmed, they rushed off to bed, and heard no more that night. On Mr Both- wick's return he put a new floor to the cellar making it even with the passage. All went well until July 25th of the present year, the anniversary of the former manifestation. MYSTERIOUS RAPPINGS. At twenty minutes to ten at night there were in the house Mrs Bothwick, and Mr and Mrs Llovd, while a Mrs Parkinson was in the next house, adjoining the passage. The three persons first named heard loud raps on the partition, and Mr Lloyd went out, but saw no one, and searched the cellar with similar result. The rapping continued, sometimes appearing to be on the partition and sometimes under the stairs. It turned out that Mrs Parkinson was not the person rapping, and on Mr Lloyd giving a rap on the wall, he was startled by bearing at the cellar door, close to his elbow, three knocks which shook the partition, and were almost sufficient to knock the cellar door down. He opened the door on the instant, and searched the cellar, but found nothing. He knocked again, and in reply there came three terrific knocks on the cellar door, which Mr Lloyd had just closed. He immediately opened it again, and nothing could be seen, although a lamp in the passage shone into the cellar. Shortly afterwards Mr Bothwick and Mr Parkinson, who had been out together, returned home. The knocking con- tinuing, they made a careful inspection of both houses, but found nothing unusual. POLICE EVIDENCE. Half an hour later two police officers arrived and stayed some time. The knockings continued as before, at one time on the cellar door, at another on the stairs, or at different parts of the partition. rhe people who were in the house also state that Lhey distinctly heard footsteps on the floor above the passage, but on going up could see no one. rbe police considered the matter a practical joke, but could not suggest how it was done. Mean- while the knocking, whieh could be plainly heard )n the other side of the road, had attracted a large rowd, and one of the men volunteered to commun- icate with the spirit." A CONVERSATION WITH THE SPIRIT. A conversation somewhat to the following effect ensued:-Are you a man ? No answer. Are you English ? Three raps supposed to mean yes. Are you a woman ? Three raps. Are you in great trouble? Three raps. Have the people in this house harmed you ? No answer. You are troubling this house a deal? Three raps. Did your friends harm you ? Three raps. Did they kill you P Three tremendous raps. Mrs Bothwick here exclaimed, "For gracious sake, let the man go away He remained, however, at Mr Both wick's wish, and continued the questioning, with the result that the interrogator pronounced that a woman was troubling the house on account of some crime committed many years ago. About midnight the knocking began to subside, and the crowd dis- persed, but the Bothwick family would not go to bed. Mrs Bothwick lay on the bed for an hour or so with her clothes on, and Mr Bothwick sat on a couch till he went to work at six next morning, and two young men stayed with him. The rap- ping gradually died away, and ceased altogether about one o'clock. The Bothwicks determined not to remain in the house, and on the following Tuesday removed to Haddo-street, sitting up on nearly all the intervening days until midnight. Two ladies, who appeared to be interested in the subject of spiritualism, called before they removed, and said they should have like to hear the rappings. One of them said she did not suppose the "spirit" would trouble anyone till next year, but it might, as it had been spoken to.

PRIMROSE LEAGUE FETE AT AMMANFORD. The annual fete of the Ammanford Habita- tion took place at Wernoleu, by the kind invitation of the Rev. T. Davidson, on I Thursday, August 15th, and was a most com- plete success in every way. Owing to the uncertainty of the weather, it was left to the morning of the fete to decide whether to hold it in the open-air or at the Ivorites Hall. I ith fear and trembling it was finally decided to trust to the weather, and arrangements | were hastily made to hold the tea in the Colour Works Office. A band of willing helpers set to work, and before tea time the room was quite changed in appearance. Water was boiled at an improvised tireplace outside, and all the arrangements seemed perfect. The catering was done by Mrs Fox, of Ammanford, and gave every satisfaction; the quality being excellent and the quantity unlimited. The Misses Davidson, the Misses Prothero, and Miss Jane Jones presided at the tea tables, and dispensed the invigorating fluid with a grace that was a pleasure to behold. After tea a stroll in the grounds, varied by an inspection of the various con- tents of the greenhouses, and a chat with one or other of the family, who seemed glad to have the opportunity of explaining the flowers and plants, was cut short all too soon by the hideous notes of a bugle, which announced the commencement of the speeches. All the guests speedily seated themselves opposite a platform just outside the front door; and the secretary, after alluding in terms of deep regret to the absence of Captain Jones-Parry and the loss which the League had sustained in his resignation, called upon the Rev. D. Griffiths and the Rev. J. Williams to address the meeting, the former in English and the latter in Welsh. Seldom have meetings of the Primrose League in this or any other Habitation had the privilege of listening to such capital speeches. Each alike in their respective languages were models on which political addresses might be framed. Solid argument, forcible fact, stirring oratory, all used with regard to moderation in all things, which is the true aim of the honest politician, were blended into a most harmonious whole, with the result that the speaking, which generally is so tedious to the younger portion of the audience, was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and the whole audience were sorry when the speeches were ever. Some englynion followed. We managed to secure a copy of some interesting verses by Mr Hicks, a working man, which will appear in the Welsh sheet next week. The visitors again dis- persed around the grounds, until they were recalled by the wretched bugle to witness Professor Clarence's marvellous entertainment. This was given on an open platform, in full view of the audience, to its smallest detail. The professor announced that he was there to thoroughly deceive us, and we can give him a certificate for truth in that respect, for he certainly did so. He has appeared by com- mand ten times before the Royal Family and twelve times before the Lord Mayor of London, and after witnessing his performance no one can wonder at the successful engage- ments which must pour upon him. The first illusion or trick consisted of multiplying handkerchiefs he showed us one slight red handkerchief, and, regretting it was so small, he began to rub it, with the result that he produced six more out of it-two red, two white, two blue. These, he explained, com- posed the national flag, but only by combina- tion, so he rubbed them together and produced a large Union Jack, about eight feet by five, to the delight of the audience. His next trick was to borrow a tall hat—that of the Rev. J. Williams-and after some patter he produced from this wonderful hat a coat, waistcoat, trousers, a pair of baby's socks, and a bib but more wonderful still he produced a couple of dozen fresh genuine eggs from the same hat one after another. These he handed round for inspection, and, to convince all of their reality, he offered to forfeit one guinea for every eg found not to be a genuine fresh egg. Where they all came from is a mystery known only to himself. He then borrowed a lady's handkerchief, and proceeded to cut a hole in it and burn it, and reproduced it whole. This trick he explained to the audience, so as to show how the small piece of linen was substituted for the piece of the handkerchief before cutting and burning, but in doing this he dropped the substituted piece, and, to the delight of the young people, who thought the trick was going to fail and the conjuror going to be cozened, he cut and burned the real handkerchief, but to every one s surprise he produced the haudkerchief eventually quite whole. The next trick was not so good a one as those preceding it, but it gave the professor the opportunity of still further plaguing the young folks. He had three coloured balls, quite solid, which he placed in a glass box. He had also an empty wooden box. He covered the two boxes over with handkerchiefs, and said he would change the balls from one to the other. The young folks thought two or three times that they had discovered the moving, but to their chagrin the professor produced the balls every time just where they did not expect them. Finally, he changed them, and brought them back again without being detected. The next trick was also not quite so good as the rest. It consisted in covering a glass of milk and a bottle of beer with two cardboard cylinders, and changing the one for the other. The last trick was perhaps the cleverest of all. He took a solid block of wood, and covered it with a cone of paper. He then took the block of wood and wrapped it up in a parcel in full view of the audience. After wrapping it up, hearing some murmurs that he had already changed it, he unwrapped the whole parcel, and sure enough the block of wood was safely there. He then wrapped it up once more, and made 'his parcel secure. After a bit of patter he opened his parcel, which he had previously well thumped, to show the solidity of the wood, and lo and behold! a glass brimming full of water, and on raising the paper cone on the table, which he had left empty, the piece of wood was discovered there. This concluded the most interesting perfor- mance of sleight of hand ever seen in this part of the country, and we must class Pro- fessor Clarence as one of the most marvellous illusionists of our times. His performance is neat and pleasing even to old stagers who know how it is done," while to those who don't it is absolutely miraculous. We have no doubt that engagements from various parts of Wales will reward Professor Clarence, and we can confidently recommend him to our brother Leaguers. We had nearly omitted to mention that the table used was an ordinary table borrowed from the house, and Professor Clarence disdained to use the services of any confederate. The second part of his perfor- mance consisted of a display in a miniature stage of most life-like marionettes, of which the head was the head of Professor Clarence attached to diminutive bodies of an old gentle- man, a negro, a soldier, and a doleful wifYht yclept, "Dismal Jemmy." Each character sang an appropriate song, and danced in a el i most life-like manner. After this dusk drew on apace, and dancing began to the sound of the piano, the brass band, which was engaged, not being able to come, and after a C, Z3 most pleasurable evening all united in sing- 0 Z5 ing God Save the Queen" in a most hearty manner. Cheers were given for Lord Salis- bury, Mr Davidson, Mrs Davidson, the ladies, and the secretary, to whom the success of the various arrangements was mostly due, and the party broke up, having, to all appear- ances, thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Th-» thanks of all are due to Mr Davidson for his kindness in inviting the Habitation to his lovely grounds to the Council, wardens, and sub-wardens for their excellent arrangements and careful attendance to the wants of the visitors, and last, but not least, to the ladies and gentlemen who so generously contributed to the funds, and enabled the fete to be one of the most successful and pleasant ever held in this part of the world. Nor must the Misses Davidson be omitted to be especially singled out for particular thanks, for on them devolved a great deal of the hard work in the artistic department, which, it is needless to say, was done perfectly.

A BOGUS WAR CORRESPONDENT. Ernest Norton Rolfe, a gentleman who has become quite famous in Wales, was brought up at the Blackpool Police-court on Monday last, charged with obtaining by false pretences the sum of P,21 from Mr J. Harling, a director of the Winter Gardens Company, and was committed for trial at the Manchester Assizes. The prisoner had been identified as the individual who some months ago, under the name of Ritchie, succeeded in swindling Mr Austin Chamberlain by the representation that he was a friend of Governor Endicott, and had met Mr Chamberlain during his visit to America; and who is also accused of various similar frauds in several towns. From Highbury he went to St. Alban's, and by representing himself as Mr Austin Chamberlain he defrauded Mr Sanders a famous orchid-grower, of a considerable sum of money. In the Blackpool case the accused assumed the character of Mr Bennett Burleigh, the well- known war correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. He presented a card with Mr Burleigh's name to Mr Harling, director of the Winter Gardens Company, to whom he also presented a letter purporting to be a communication from Mr George Augustus Sala. To several people he represented that he was the agent of influential journals, and succeeded in getting about Eloo for advertisements, among the persons from whom he obtained orders and cash bdinO" Mr Harling. After leaving Blackpool the prisoner appears to have visited Douglas, and there made representations by means of which he succeeded in getting a sum of money from Air Buckland, of the Central Hotel. Subsequently he went to Boston, in Lincolnshire, and called on Mr G. F. Young, the local agent for the Illustrated London News. He assumed the name of Mr Melton Prior, and endeavoured to obtain an advance of money. He, however, was unsuccessful, and Mr Young, communicated with the police of Boston, who found him endeavouring to cash a fictitious draft for 221, drawn in favour of" Ernest Neville Rolfe, R.N., C.B. on Sir Gerald Fitzgerald London. He was arrested, and on the" third inst. brought before the Boston magistrates on a charge of attempting to obtain money by false representations. Ths Blackpool police had been communicated with, and the chief-constable of that town attended the police-court at Boston and applied for the prisoner to be handed into his custody. This was done, and on the 12th inst. prisoner was remanded at Blackpool for a week. In the meantime inquiries were made in various parts of the country, with the result that he has been connected with several frauds carried out on a most audacious plan. At Bristol he called on an established bookseller, and represented himself as Fergus Hume, the Austra- lian author. He said he was writing a new work, which would be published shortly, and offered good terms to the bookseller. He spoke in a well-informed manner about books in General and gave his dupe the impression that he was what he professed to be. Finally, he brought the interview to an end by intimating that he desired to make a small purchase of books, in payment of which he tendered a cheque for £ 20. The cheque was cashed, but was afterwards found to be worthless. ♦ p" lA-% fiw k W nk,in.uIy hJ paid a visit to Cardiff. He called at the ofhees of the Western Mail, and representing that he was accredited to the Government of the Argentine Republic, tendered on their behalf an invitation to one of the representatives to accompany the war-sloop Prudentia-which he said was shortly expected in Cardiff Docks-on a cruise round the Irish Coast. He stated that the vessel had a new dynamite gun on board, with which it was their intention to make a few experiments. Pulling out his card, on which was the address of an officer purporting to be in the service of the Argentine Republic, he said that any communication sent to the Legation in London would reach him. Hemade anxious inquiries after Mr Lascelles Carr, whose absence at that time he extremely regretted and intimated that as he had to dine that evening with Lord--(mentioning the name of a very popular nobleman), he should have to forego the pleasure of his company. The arrival of the Prudentia was very keenly anticipated, particularly by "Morien," to whom had been allotted the pleasurable task of describing the cruise of the war-sloop but, alas though the docks were daily visited, no signs of the vessel could be discerned. In the meantime a letter addressed to the gentleman whose name was on the card left by our visitor had been returned from the Argentine Legation with the ominous words "Not known," and then it suddenly dawned on our minds that we had been very cleverly hoaxed. However, none of our staff had been fleeced, and that was some consolation. The audacious rogue then went to Aberystwith. At this place he put up at the Queen's Hotel introducing himself as Mr Bennett Burleigh, the ramous war correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. He stated that he had been sent to Aberystwith to join a torpedo fleet that was expected in the bay shortly for the purpose of practice. Having duly installed himself in the good graces of the landlord, the specail commissioner looked up Mr John Morgan, of the Aberystwith Observer. and Mr John Gibson, of the Cambrian News made similar representations to them, chatted merrily of his experiences in the Soudan, and claimed acquaintance with Mr Lascelles Carr, one of the proprietors of the Western Mail (to whom he said he was indebted for many kindnesses while on a visit to Cardiff). From Mr Gibson he endeavoured to obtain the loan of a small sum of money pending the arrival of a cheque from London, but failed and he then tried the same game on with Mr Morgan. This gentleman, unfortunately, fell beneath the wiles of the plausible commissioner." Parting first with a sovereign, he was afterwards indnced to endorse a banker's draft for 212 odd, of which, however, it subsequently transpired that only 27 was taken up. The draft was eventually returned to Mr Morgan, with the endorsement, No such firm (as named) in existence." In the meantime the commissioner had made himself scarce. Mr Daniel oweni of Ash Hall, Cowbridge was at the time staying at Aberystwith, and hearing of the doings of the gay gentleman, forwarded a description of him to the Western Mail. This was published and so alarmed him that he disappeared entirely from this part of the world, NNRFHD ^R° .REAPPEAR in the same role further u 11 18,1i?w meditating on his doings in the cold cell of Blackpool nrison.

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