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MISCELLANEOUS.
MISCELLANEOUS. THE ACTOR'S REVENGE. One of our best known actors was one travelling in Switzerland. In the same compartment were a couple of pretty young ladies, who not only stared him out of countenance bat made him the topic of a running fire of whispered conversation very flattering, no doubt, to the great comedian, but in the long run this marked attention began to pall upon him, and he set himself to devise some method of creating a diversion. Just before Lausanne the train passed through a tunnel, and, under cover of the darkness, our actor imprinted a couple of audible kisses on the back of his left hand. When the train emerged into day- light the actor sat quietly and gravely as if nothing had happened, whilst the ladies first looked at each other and then, in whispered accents began to reproach one another with taking too great liberties with their travelling companion. Each, of course, blamed the other, and the pretty quarrel lasted until the train arrived in Lausanne. Before leaving the carriage the actor, hat in hand, turned to his fellow travellers and said- "Ladies, the extraordinary attention you paid to me during our journey makes me naturally anxious to know which of you it was that gave me such an ardent proof of her attachment as we passed through the tunnel." He did not wait for a reply, but left his fair admirers to settle the point between them sel ves.- Garten la ube. A NOVEL "SIGNALMAN." In the neighbourhood of Port Elizabeth one of the best known characters is a baboon. The history attaching to him is a curious and probably unique one. The signalman, his owner, was, through no fault of his own, run over by a passing train, and had to have both legs amputated, which would naturally have incapacitated him from work, but the idea struck him to secure a baboon and train it to do his work. This he has successfully accomplished, and for many years the one in question has regularly looked after the levers, and done the hard work of his afflicted master. The animal is possessed of extraordinary intelligence, and has never made a mistake. Of course the human servant works the tele- graphs, and the baboon the levers, according to instruction and, taking into consideration the fact that at the station in question, Nitenhage Junction, about twenty miles from Port Elizabeth, there is a large volume of traffic, the sagacity of the creature is really wonderful. At first passengers raised a strong protest against the employment of the animal, on the score of risk of accident, but the baboon has never failed during his many years of work, and on more than one occasion has acted in a manner simply astounding to those who never had personal experience of the intelligence of these brutes. One of his notewortoy performances was the correct switching of an announced special train on to its correct line in the absence of the signalman. The latter lives about a mile up the line, and the baboon pushes him out and home, morning and night, and is the sole companion of the legless master. THE SINGING VOICE. That the voice is affected by tobacco is proved by the testimony of singers on the one hand and by the experience of physicians on the other. A very large acquaintance with vocalists of all grades, extending now over a longer period of years than I care to think of, enables me to say that, while a few consider their voice as improved, the vast majority think it is more or less injured by smoking, says Dr Morrell Mackenzie. I attach far more importance to the testimony of the latter than to that of the former, as singers have frequently the most eccentric notions of what is good for the voice." As stout, mustard, and melted tallow candles have each been vaunted by distinguished artists as vocal elixirs of sovereign efficacy, it is not surprising that tobaeco should also have its ad- herents. The example of Mario, who smoked incessantly, is often cited as a proof of the utility-or, at any rate, the harmlessness-of the practice. It is obvious, however, that an exceptional singer is so by virtue of possessing an exceptional throat, and no rule for general use can be safely founded on such an instance. Balzac used to say of great men who were victims of the temper passion that there was not knowing how much greater they might have been if they had been free from what weakness. In the same way we may say of Mario. How much finer might even his voice have been withont his eternal cigar? It might at least have lasted longer than it did. DIPLOMATIC ETIQUETTE. Sir John Pender's ignorance of diplomatic etiquette caused the Ambassadors whom he invited to meet Mr Stanley at an evening party to absent themselves from his entertainment, which was a severe blow to him. An Ambassador, beinop the personal representative of his Sovereign, cannot be invited to meet anybody except a Royal personage, and he takes precedence of everybody, while, according to a ukase issued by the Queen about half-a-century ago, Ministers come behind Dukes and before Marquises. Early in the present reign there was a terrific fuss about the precedence of the Diplomatic Corps, as the late Duke of Sutherland foolishly protested against his havin" been made to walk into dinner at Buckingham Palace behind several Ambassadors, and the result was that, after conferences between Lords Palmers- ton, Conyngham, and Melbourne, and the Duchesses of Bedford and Sutherland and Lady Normanby, the present arrangement was made. Asking Ambassadors "to meet Mr Stanley" was even a worse blunder than the announcement made about twenty-five years ago by the Lord Chamberlain that on a certain day the Queen would hold a Court at Buckingham Palace, at which she would receive the Diplomatic Corps male and female." KINGS OF THE JUNGLE. Only about twenty miles north of Cape Comorin, the most southern point of India, live a very carious people known as the Kanikaras, or Kings of the Jungle." Hidden as they are among the fastnesses of the Southern Ghauts, very little is known of them, for they seldom venture down to the coast towns, and explorers have neglected them. They are one of the tribe of savages who live in a few parts of India, and who are nearly as wild as though they wandered in the jungles of Africa instead of dwelling in one of the most populous parts of the world. Mr George Cadell, while engaged in surveys for the Forest Department of India, recently had occasion to visit the Kings of the Jungle. They are a bumble sort of Kings and are compelled to be very carefal not to offend against the laws of caste, for they are regarded as the lowest of the low, and it is a part of their duty to keep at a very respect- ful distance from all the other people who inhabit the little native province where they live. They are not allowed, for instance, to approach within twenty paces of any of the shop-keeping or trading classes. When they wish to make a purchase they must deposit their money on a stump or a stone, and then retire until the money has been replaced by the article they have bargained for. Their abject position makes them very timid. They ran away into the jungle whenever they saw Mr Cadell coming, though he did not put on any airs like the Brahmins, who despise them. He found, however, an easy way to win their friendship. All he had to do was to hang a small tin of gun- powder at their door post, and as soon as the native saw it they were always certain that any one who made them so tine a present was their good friend. They would then invite him to the beilt entertain- ment they could provide and would build him a hat among branches of the trees; for these curious natives sleep ou platforms built in the fork of trees and over the platforms they rear grass roofs. They are thus out of reach of wild elephants, who are apt to be uncomfortably inquisitive in the night time. I The Kanikaras are great hunters, and their weapons are commonly bows and arrows, though some of them have very poor matchlocks. All elephants are the property of the Maharajah of the Travancore province, where they live, and the Kings of the Jungle are required to help to hunt the elephant when bis Highness want3 a little ivory. They are alto required to furnish wax for some of the temples, but render no other sorvice to the State. They wear nothing but a narrow loin cloth and a few ornaments, and bead necklaces and leaden earings are the most conspicuous articles of women's dress. A very curious fact about them is that they have the decimal system of enumeration, though they can count only to ten. They have pebbles each of which represents ten units, and if the articles they wish to count are represented, for instance, by three pebbles, it means that the articles number three tend, or thirty units. Living within a few miles of civilization and big towns, these primitive savages still make a fire by revolving a stick of hard wood in the hollow of a dry bamboo. The bamboo, by the way, serves to indicate the age of a kanikara. Any man who has seen a bamboo blossom three times is regarded as a very venerable person. AN ADVENTURE WITH WOLVES IN CANADA. It was in the winter of '73 that I had an experience which left an impression upon me that stayed with me for a long time. I was engaged in lumbering operations in what is known as the Madawasku country, the Madawasku being one of the large tributaries of the Ottawa. We had a large chantier, as it is called by the French Canadian lumbermen, or shanty, as the English- speaking men call it. In this chantier we had about sixty men, who were engaged in the different operations of felling the pine trees and making them into square timber, cutting roads and hauling the timber to the bank of the river, whence it would be floated down to the Ottawa on top of the spring freshets when the snow is melting in the woods. After their hard days work in the woods, the men used to return to the chantier, have a supper which would astonish some of the dwellers in cities, grind their axes, and do other odd jobs, and then turn in. They slept in bunks, of which there were two tiers ranged aronnd the sides of the chantier, the place being kept warm and lighted by a huge fire of logs which blazed in the centre, and the smoke from which was supposed to escape through the great square hole in the roof; but it didn't always do so. My work was principally that of exploration. I had to find were the best timber stood, and to blaze roads by which to get it out. I would often be away in the woods for two or three days at a time, walking all day, and sleeping alongside a fire wherever night overtook me, my food being pork and bread, and my only beverage tea, which I made in a small tin pail that I carried. I some- times had a man with me, but often went alone. The country was full of wolves, but as there were a good many deer for them to prey upon, they were never very hungry, and we did not bother about them much, but I have seen a man come into the chantier pale as death, and panting for breath, and swearing, as soon as he found enough to speak with, that he had been chased by a pack; but I used to think he might have heard a few of the devils who were running a deer giving tongue, and fancied they were after him, and, as I said before, we did not bother about them very much. Still, I have lain awake on my bed of fir boughs alongside my fire, and listened to their howling, which is most hideous, and experienced sensations which were far from being pleasant. My faithful dog Carlos, who always accompanied me except when thejsnow was too deep for him to.travel, and when I had to go on snow shoes, used, when he heard them, to moan bitterly and cuddle up close to me as though he thought I could help him out of the difficulty if he should be attacked. I do not seem to remember where we bad been, Carlos and I, on the day of our adventure, but we seem to have been returning after nightfall to the chantier. It was one of those wonderful moonlight nights which we get in Canada in winter, when the moon, because of the mantle of snow with which the ground is covered, appears to shine more brightly than anywhere else; and when the air is s) calm and still that you can hear the slightest s )und a long way off, when the temperature is so low that the trees are splitting with frost, and you can hear them ciacking in all directions. The lakes and some of the streams were frozen over, but the snow was not deep. We were crossing a large open space called a muskeg, when I suddenly found that we were pursued. The howling, shrieking devils were after us in enormous numbers. The muskeg was about a mile across, a dead level, with no trees; nothingibehind, which to fight, and nothing up which I could climb in order to escape. There was nothing for it but to make as good a running fight as possible. To my excited imagination there seemed to be millions of the brutes. They appeared to fly. Poor old Carlos seemed to know the danger, and stuck so close to me that he nearly tripped me up. I ran as I bad never run before. Oh, if I could only reach the trees on the opposite side. If I could only keep the cowardly brutes at bay until then, 1 could easily swing myself into a tree and take Carlos with me; but, fast as I ran, they were closing upon us. Then, when I knew I must stop running and fight, I wheeled about, and for an instant faced the snapping, snarling multitude. It was only then that I fully realised the awful position I was in. In an instant I seemed to realise what it must be to feel those fangs, which I then saw so plainly, tearing my flesh while I still lived. What should I do ? Should I empty four barrels of my revolver amongst them, and use the last on myself. Better to die instantly than suffer the awful agony of been torn to pieces, but the first bullet from my revolver stretched his assailant in the snow another sprang at me, and met the same fate. This created a diversion; their companions, tasting blood, lost no time in attacking and devouring the two who had fallen. Once more I was flying for the timber. I knew there was a creak between me and it that was not jet frozen over. If I could get across it I might yet be saved; but it was a good long way off, and the brutes were after me again. Having tasted blood they were more dangerous than ever. When they got too close I wheeled again and killed two more. Once more I seemed to fly, and once more they came on, apparently in greater numbers than ever. It was as though all the tribe for miles around, hearing the chase and scenting blood, had gathered for the feast. Alas! I had only one shot left. I could not reload. What should I do with it? Should I suffer the merciless brutes to tear me to pieces while I still lived? Should I? No! I would fight it oat to the bitter end, and die fighting. One large brute was in advance of the others. I gave him my last shot, and while the formost of his companions were fighting over his carcase, I was again flying. The creek was in sight. If I could only reach it and make .one grand jump, flying as I was then, the width of the creek would be nothing to me; I could take it at a bound but my pursuers were closing on me. I remembered to have heard somewhere that these creatures were afraid of the sound of the human voice. If I could only keep them off until I jumped the creek. Suddenly stopping I gave one awful yell. The like of it never was heard before. They stop, and, most extraordinary thing, I hear peals of laughter. Where does it come from ? However, I mlist not stop to think. This is my only chance. Now for the jump. One grand spring and I shall be safe with the water between me and my pursuers. I make the spring and land, where do you think ? In the middle of the floor of the chantier, and find all the men in a state of the wildest excitement. My shouts had aroused them from their slumbers, and when I jumped out of bed in that manner they thought I must be possessed. I suppose a too hearty supper, aided by some tales the men had been telling, had given me my bad dream. A FACE-DOCTOR. NOBODY can travel long in America without noticing the sign-plates of many curious ocou- pations. Artificial ear-makers, nose-restorers, leg- stretchers, sermon-writers, prayer-makers, child- adopters, salad-mixers, lamp attendants, are among the various businesses brought to notice, during a walk, by burnished brass signs on door posts or bold lettering across the fronts of houses. The artificial ear, nose, and cheek restorers came into existence shortly after the close of the Civil War. The disfiguring wounds cf many soldiers taxed the ingenuity of the medical profession, and it was not long before advertisements in the public papers announced that Doctor So-and-So was able to repair all ravages by sword and shot of a reasonable nature. Many an old soldier with his nose shot away by a bullet, or cleft in half by a sword, willingly welcome these announcements, and it is said that in the first few years after the war the spectacle of a man with a wax nose attached to a pair of green eye-glasses was so common that it was hardly noticed. In the present day, however, so great has been the advance in the art of restoring mishaps to nature that a man's nose can be duplicated with- out the artificial attachment to his faoe being detected except on the closest scrutiny. Soldiers are not the only people who go to the feature restorers for help when disfigured. Thin women succeed in having made cunningly-contrived pads for their cheeks, and persons with hare lips some- times have the whole of the lip cut away and a false one substituted. Ear-makers confine them- selves to their own speciality Ears are frequently lost in America, sometimes in war or by accidont, and often in personal fisti- cuffs, for there is nothing your American enjoys more than a good chew at the ear of an antagonist, not to speak of the chance to slash it off with a bowie knife or a razor. Ears are also frequently lost through frost bite. The restorer models them cleverly out of plaster of Paris, taking the remain- ing ear as a copy, then makes them from a com- postion of wax, indiarubber, and a peculiar sort of gum, and affixes them by rubber suction to the side of the head. THE TRIAL OF THE PYX. In a few weeks' time Mr Goscben (with others, his colleagues ) will be delivered in custody, and tried by the.jury of his fellow countrymen. As we have no desire to kindle false hopes amongst his opponents, or to cause anxiety to his friends, by the supposition that we are predicting the fall of the Chancellor of the Fxchequer, we hasten to add that it is in his capacity as Master and Worker of the Mint that he becomes liable, in annual course, to the judicial proceeding known as the trial of the pyx. The pyx," which is only the Greek for box," is the term applied in ecclesiastical circles to the sacred casket for the reception of the Conse- crated Host, but in the Mint language it signifies a certain iron safe into which specimen pieces from each batch of gold and silver coinage are placed. On a set day the Lord Chancellor summons a jury of goldsmiths—the pratice for over two centuries being to take them from free men of the Goldsmiths, Company-and charges them with the assay of the pieces in the pyx, the following oath being administered to them :You shall well and truly, after your knowledge and discretion, make the assays of these moneys of gold and silver, and truly report if the said moneys be in weight and fineness according to the standard weights for weighing and testing the coins of the realm, and the standard trial plates of gold and silver used for determining the justness of the gold and silver coinage of the realm in the custody of Board of Trade." Pending the result of the assay all the officers of the Mint are ordered into custody, but it is satisfactory to add that since 1290 no precedent exists for their punisbment-though how the juries of Second James's reign could have passed his debased coinage is passing strange and as some compensation for their tempory deprivaton of liberty, and in acknowledgment of the honour paid the guild in the selection of the jury, the Goldsmiths' Company usually invite all concerned to a banquet in the evening.
FARM AND GARDEN.
FARM AND GARDEN. SUPERPHOSPHATE FOR ROOTS. During the next two 01 three months an immense amount of superphosphate willibe used to promote rapid growth in the early stages of various root crops; and call it what we like, "jumping powder," or artificial, or any other more or less depreciatory name, it has now so far justified itself that the proportion of root-growers who are opposed to it is very small, although there are probably some who strongly oppose it because they have purchased inferior stuff, and are only entitled to to give an opinion on an article which shrewder men would not have bought. The growth of the use of manures has of course been rapid, and it is well shown in the following conversation which recently took place between a retired farmer and a young one just beginning:—Said the young one, "I suppose, Mr when you were a young man you had nothing to do with artificials or such things?" "No," was the reply; "if the dung didn't bold out, we sometimes bought a few rags from the rag-collectors, that's all." Ah said the young one, "you were better off than we are now lie can't afford to put the rags on the land, we have to wear them." Well, artificials have not brought prosperity, because the value of the crops they help to produce has fallen so much in the face of foreign competition, but the large quantities of superphosphate used now is evidence that notwith- standing the prejudice of a small minority the bulk of English farmers appreciate it as a valuable aid in root culture. One of the largest and most successful potato growers in Lincolnshire recently remarked to us that he always put on half a ton to the acre, and he would make it a ton if he could afford it." For root growing such large quantities are not required except for special purposes, but if for no other reason 2 or 3 cwt. should always be applied to hasten the germination and early growth of roots. Of course, there are mixtures sold under the name of superphosphate which have really very little claim to the title, and there are special pre- parations—generally with a smell to them, as earnest of the good properties which are not there —with high-soundings names and other induce- ments to tempt the unwary purchaser, which are proved to be of very little value at all and because these do not give the expected increase, they cause many geuuine articles to suffer. There are firms which may be relied upon to supply a sound and genuine article, and, unless business is done with these few firms, it ismost unbusinesslike to purchase without a guarantee, and a guarantee is of small use if the bulk is not tested, which is unfortunately a state of things which is very common. Mineral superphospate is the most common of the phosphatic manures, and should never be bought under 26 to 28 per cent. guaranteed soluble phosphate, and according to recent quotations should cost slightly under 2s. 6d. per unit in London, and still less in Liverpool. It is not suffi- cient that a manure should analyse up to guarantee, for condition is a very important matter in fact, we have seen manures sent out by firms of good repute, which, though the analysis were the same, we would have preference to some to the extent of several shillings on the point of con- dition. When a manure is dry it is so much more easy to distribute, and there is not the danger of the phosphates becoming retrogade or insoluble, for it must have been made some time, and the change will most probably have taken place. Superphosphates from English coprolites are less liable to go back, as they, as a rule, contain less iron than the foreign. CHEESE MAKING. In his annual report, Prof. Jas. W. Robertson, of Ontario, gives a number of conclusions as the result of his latest experiments in cheese-making. These show that the average shrinkage in weight on the cheese in August 30th-(one and two days after the cheese was made)—to October 18th was 5 08 per cent. the shrinkage from October 18th to January 3rd, was 1'70 per cent, The quantity of rennet used in cheese-making does not hasten or retard the curing process except as a larger or less proportion of water (or moisture) is retained in the cheese by its use. For long-keeping cheese, the smallest quantity of rennet that will perfectly coagulate the milk, fit for cutting, in from forty- five to fifty minutes at 8G degrees Fahr. will give the best results. A proportionately larger quality of rennet should be used when the milk is over- ripe or acidy. For "spring" and early summer- made cheese the quantity of salt should not exceed 2 J- pounds per 1,000 pounds of milk for mid- summer and autumn-made cheese the rate should be increased to 2, then to 2-" then to 3 pounds of salt per 1,000 pounds of milk. The tests with matting and lose packing, versus matting, versus loose stirring, indicate that not one of thise treat- ments is essential to the making of the finest cheese the main point is that the whey shall be stirred out of the curd until it becomes dry and firm before the acid is developed, to cause the acid to draw uut" on the hot-iron test as far as half-an-inch. When that is provided for, the matting and packing result in giving to the cheese a more flakey and silky texture. The setting temperature does not seem to exercise any im- portant influence on the quality of the cheese, in ordinary practice 86 deg* is the most serviceable temperature; when the milk is acidy or over-ripe a higher temperature is more conducive to the certain manufacture of cheese of fine texture and body. PINING IN LAMBS. The common disease in lambs known as pining, or antemia, or a bloodless condition, and which causes the akin to be white and thin, showing the blue veins through it, is caused by a disturbance of the breathing by thread worms which gather in masses in the throat and passages of the lungs. These worms cause a copious secretion of frothy mucus, which prevents full breathing, and causes partial suffocation. The lambs cough and do not eat, and become weak and stagger about. The remedy is to give one teaspoonful of turpentine, well shaken up with gum water or linseed gruel, strained. To a pint of the liquid add a quarter pint of turpentine, shake the bottle well, and give a small teaspoonful in the morning an hour before feeding. This is given every day. If half an ounce of sulphate of iron is disolved in the liquid it will be more effective. Lambs should never be pasturod in a field where shoep wore fed the previous autumn.
TRADE REPORT.
TRADE REPORT. The tendency of the iron market shows no material change from last week, few articles main- taining the prices quoted in our last report. We believe that if the purchasing public could only be convinced that prices bad touched the lowest point, they would soon place large orders on the market. This they can hardly be expected to do yet, for we are still at a considerable distance from the level of 1888. We cannot, however, look forward to quite such low figures as then prevailed, for there is no probability of wages being reduced for some time, at all events, to the rates prevailing two years ago. In the heavy work of the iron trade, such as the manufacture of pig iron, rails, plates, and tinplate bars, we cannot at present foresee any improvement or economies which are likely to reduce the cost of productions to sueh an extent as to counter balance the increase in cost caused by the rise in wages-and in this we must include the price of coal-which is directly dependent on the value of labour. It is therefore difficult to antici- pate that under any circumstances the value of Hematite, Scotch, and Middlesbro' pig iron will fall below 45s., 39s., or 35s. respectively. Of course, we do not mean that these figures will fit the exact price to which these qualities of pig iron will fall, or that they are likely to run down to this limit within the next month or two, but we do think it by no means improbable—roughly speaking-that iron will fall another five shillings before it rises five shillings. Manufactured iron and steel will probably follow pig iron to a greater or less extent. The most striking feature in the metal market during the last few days is the rapid advance in the price of copper, which is now approaching .£6ù a ton. The consumption of this metal has been very considerable, and the stocks show a reduction of more than 8,000 tons, or 9 per cent. during the month of May. The low prices ruling since the, collapse of the copper boom have, of course, stimulated consumption, and if the published figures of 82,000 tons represent the total available stocks, the rise in price may be justified. There is, however, a doubt on this point. It is known that when the copper bubble burst large quantities of the metal were held by strong people, and that they abstained from throwing the whole of their holdings on the market when things were at their worst, and that they rather held on in the hopes of better times. If these persons still have an appre- ciable quantity in reserve, we do not know at what moment it may be thrown upon the market, so that those who may may have a desire to specu- late in copper had better proceed cautiously, or they may find themselves in the same unfortunate position as many holders of this metal did in October, 1888. Tin has also gone up. either in sympathy with copper, or on account of the pass- ing of the Silver Bill through the American Par- liament..There have been heavy shipments of tinplati recently, stocks in Swansea standing at under 200,000 boxes, or more 70,000 less than a couple of months ago. Prices have not advanced, and ordinary Bessemer coke plates will not fetch 13s 6d for large quantities, at which price it is hardly possible to make both ends meet, now that tin is 997 in London. We quote to-day:—Pig- iron: Hematite warrants about 50s 3d; Scotch, 43s 9d; Middlesbro', 40s; Bessemer bars (Welsh), f5 10s; Scotch of less known brands, .£5 5s; Siemens' bars, Y.5 ] 7s 6d. Coke is cheaper in the North of England, and to a less extent in the Midland counties. In South Wales prices are about the same as last week. SWANSMA.-Althou.Ia there has been a consider- able failing off in the shipment of coal compared with the previous week, principally owing to the monthly holidays at the colieries, other branches of trade have been active. The shipments of tin-plates have been greater than in any other weeks since the trade has been established here. The imports amounts to 14,802 tons and exports to 34,904 tons total trade 49,706 tons, compared with 59,889 tons in the previous week and 49,055 tons in the corresponding week of last year. The shipments of coal were 18,938 tons. The shipments of tin-plates amount to 86,005 boxes and receipts from works to 61,422 boxes stocks in the dock warehouses and vans this day stand at 195,781 boxes, compared with 221,234 boxes this day week and 138,549 boxes at the corre3ponding date of last year. The tin- plate market is better in tone and holders arc in- clined to ask more money, but the demand is not so brisk as a week ago. Copper remains very strong, and there has been quite a boom in prices, which for Chili bars have been advanced X2 since Thursday. Spelter continues at X22 15s. to|j £ 23, although there is but little buying or selling. CARDIFF.—The trade of the port continues brisk. The coal shipments are small on account of the collier's monthly holiday, but those of the current week are likely to be large, as the quantity of shipping in the port is much above the average. The coal exports of the port for the past week amount to 195,000 tons. Among the imports for the past week may be mentioned 211 live cattle, ex steamer Gaditano, from New York. The trade of the Bute Docks was as follows:-Coal, coke, and patent fuel shipments, 120,798 tons; imports, 19,711 tons exports, other than coal and coke, 4,196 tons. The arrivals were 92 steamers of 70,224 tons register and 72 sailing ships of 13,257 tons register. The vessels in dock are 65 steamers of 91,443 tons register, and 138 sailing ships of 66,150 tons register. The price of pig iron have fallen 2s or 3s a ton during the week, and makers are doing rather more business by reason of the fall in the cost of raw materials, enabling them to com- pete on better terms with the warrant market; steel rails are also lower, and may be obtained at from .£417s 6d to 45 lOd, according to the section. The tin Bar Association maintain their price of steel bars at £ 5 10s for Bessemer and Y.5 17s 6d for Siemens qualities but little or no business is being done at these figures in consequence of north country and some local makers selling at about £ o for the former and X5 5s to X5 17s 6d for the latter, less 2 per cent. discount, delivering at buyers' works. Spelter is also down about 10s a ton. To-day Change was well attended, and considerable animation prevailed in the coal market Steam qualities were in good request at the following prices :—Best coals, 15s to 15s 6d good dry coals 14s to 14s 3d Monmouthshire, 13s 9d to 14s., and small 9s 6d per ton. House coals were in steady request. No 3 Rhondda was selling at 14s to 14s 3d No 2 at 12s to 12s 6d and through lis 6d. Patent fuel prices were unaltered, best brands being still quoted at 14s 3d to 14s 6d. Coke was moderately firm at 22s 6d for foundry and 193 6d for furnace qualities, and there was an average demand for pitwood at 15s Gd. Iron ore was quiet at lis 6d. In the freight market outward steam chartering was active.
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THE MAGAZINES.
THE MAGAZINES. The Century opens with an able paper on London Polytechnics and People's Palaces," detailing the system of education and amusement provided for the youth of both sexes provided in Buch institutions, and praising the English people for their endeavours to fiud out and to give the best technical education possible to those who want it. There are numerous illustrations throughout this paper, and the frontispiece of the magazine is an engraving from a portrait of Mr Walter Besant, whose novel, All sorts and conditions of Men," had much to do with the founding of the People's Palace in the Mile End- road, or at any rate with the attention which the general public gave to the scheme. In An Artist's Letters from Japan," Mr John La Farge continues his picturesque illustrated account of his doings and seeings. To all lovers of sport and athletes, the article on Track Athletics in America" will prove interesting. The late articles on Abraham Lincoln have produced a series of papers bearing on the subject, both of the life and death of the great President. The serial papers on The Women of French Salons," of which this is the second instalment, is beauti- fully illustrated by portraits of the great Made- moiselle Anne of France, Madame de Sablt;, Madame de Motteoille, and others. Mrs Barr's story, "Friend Olivia," runs its course, and cannot fail to interest the reader. A new serial tale ia begun in this number with good promise. It is called "The A nglomaniacs," and begins with an account of a voyage across the Atlantic, and the friendships that are made on board ship. There is much more than we can find time to mention in this always first-class and able magazine. t, The Comhill Magazine brings Mr James Payn's story, "The Burnt Million," to a conclusion. By the tragic deaths of Edward Roscoe and his brother, all complications and difficulties are removed and peace is attained at last, with the orthodox finish to a novel, the marriage of the hero and heroine. Iristiane" is a curious tale of a set of strolling players, and the hope brought to a poor, wretched man's heart by the heroine, whose name gives the story its title, giving him pity and protecting care. "The Great Valdez Sappliere is an amusing story of a wonderful atone, of which an imitation had been made, so good, that there was great difficulty in being sure of the genuine one. Concerning Thomas" deals with this favourite English name, its dimunitives, and the names formed from it, and traces its popularity in this land to Thomas a Becket. Papers on "The Farmer's Feathered Friends" and "Life in Damascus" deserve notice. In The English Illustrated Magazine the most popular acticle will be that on Cricket," by W. G. Grace, whose portrait forms the frontispiece of the number. Mr Grace writes as vigorously as he plays, and added interest is given to his paper by portraits of several of the best English cricketers of the day. Mr Alan S. Cole, of the Science and Art Department, contributes a paper on "Lace-making in Ireland," illustrated by many fine specimens of lace made at Convents and by other workers. Lady Blennerhassett gives an account of a German Girlhood," and while dwelling chiefly on the work of every kind that is done by German girls, winds up by shortly enumerating the pastimes in which they delight 9 1!1 and excel, dancing, skating, riding &c., adding that Girls in Germany are simple in their tastes and habits, hardworking, rather serious. Frivolity among them is still quite an exception, but, of course, it exists. Attractiveness is not their prevailing characteristic, partly because they are shy, partly, also, because habits of self-control and renunciation, early acquired and steadily followed, do not always make it easy to sacrifice to the graces, particularly in a country where the art of conversation is not cultivated." We have also the first few chapters of a new story by Mr William Morris, written in the quainc language of other days. Lord Tennyson's poem, "Crossing the Bar," is set to music by Professor C. Villiers Sandford and Hamilton Aide's paper, A Castle on Mount Etna," illustrated by his own sketches, will be found readable and entertaining. Good Words for June contains the usual variety of reading, all of a high class, as becomes a magazine of its repute. Mr Gladstone's article on The Office and Work of the Old Testament in Outline is an able testimony to the inspira- tion of Holy wit. He says that the narrative of the Fall is in accordance with the laws of a grand and comprehensive philosophy, and the objections taken to it are the product of narrower and shallower modes of thought." Madame Belloc contributes a paper on "St. Germains," as French palace of special interest to us, as the residence for so long of the exiled Stuarts, and quotes a book published in our own time, Recollections of Society in France and Eng- land," and written by Lady Clementina Davies, a daughter of Lord Maurice Drummond, who with his aged mother and family lived many years in St. Germains, where his own daughter was born. The life of Alison Hay Dunlop," an Edinburgh lady of learning, and great in antiquarian research, is briefly sketched by Dr. James Brown. The two serial tales are continued with ever increasing complications and interests, and the illustrations throughout are of a beautiful and graceful character.
CRICKET.
CRICKET. LLANDOVERY SCHOOL v. BUILTH.-This match was played on the ground of the former on Saturday, and resulted in a victory for the visitors. Appended is the score :— LLANDOVERY. I Jenkin, c G. Evans, b M. G. Howell 0 R. S. Jenkins, c Shaw, b M. G. Howell 38 J. C. Rees, c Shaw 12 C. B. Nicholl, c E. T. Owen, b Howell 23 Ferguson, b M. G. Howell 8 D. W. Nicholl, b Shaw 0 A. B. Jones, c S. H. Price, b Shaw 28 T. Davies, c Bayliss, b M. G. Howell. 10 Haynes, c F. Evans, b Shaw 1 T. W. Nicholl, c W. Evans, b Howell. 5 Gower, not out 9 Extras 4 Total 144 BUILTH. T. Jones, b A. B. Jones 1 C. Bayliss, c R. S. Jenkin, b A. Jones 3 W. G. Evans, c Gower, b S. B. Haynes 41 E. T. Owen, st Jenkins, c J. C. Rees 17 G. Evans, c C. B. Nicholl, b J. C. Rees 70 Shaw, c A. M. Jenkin, b J. C. Rees 6 Pbillpot, b Gower 3 M. G. Howell, b A. B. Jones 16 A. G. Vaughan, run out 1 F. Evans, b Ferguson 10 S. H. Price, not out 0 Extras 10 Total 178 CARMARTHEN TRAINING COLLEGE v. ST. DAVID'S COLLEGE.—Played at La.mpeter on Wednesday, June 4th, and ended in a "draw." Beneath is the score :— ST. JLMviu's COLLEGE. A. Jones, run out 0 G. S. Carver, c Boon, b Simmons 0 D. Jenkins, b Simmons 9 H. T. Millett, c Foon, b Conolly 5 D. H. Williams, c Adshead, b Mogridge 20 D. T. Alban, c Lewis, b Boon 0 J. Lt. Davies, 1 b w, b Boon 16 H. Evans, not out 10 D. W. Thomas, c Adshead, b Mogridge 4 Wynne Davies, c Simmons, b Mogridge 0 J. W. Jones, b Simmons 2 Extras (j Total 72 CARMARTHEN TRAINING COLLEGE. Mogridge, b J. W. Jones 0 Folbies, b J. W. Jones 3 Conolly, c Jenkins, b J. W. Jones 7 Stachan, b J. W. Jones 8 Lewis, net out 13 Boon, c Alban, b Millett 0 Extras 5 Total 36 Time being called, the game ended in a draw.
CENTRAL NOTES.
CENTRAL NOTES. BY TRAVELLER. Circumstances call and allow me occasionally to sojourn through the pleasant vicinities of this blessed old country—" Gwlad Myrddin." Oh what a treat it is to drive or perambulate these hills and dales so wonderfully gifted with all kinds of sceneries. Would I could describe Mother Nature in her present vernal robes. The first place I stopped at on my present route was Hen Dref- goch y Debexibarth "-that quiet, clean village which stands at the foot of Mount Mallan, and which is able to claim so much valuable ancient history-Caio. Here I noticed very little change, with the exception of many a homely and pleasant face disappeared to meet no more this side. On the other hand, how natural to an old acquaintance was to observe, at first glance, Dr. Morgan as plump and as young as ever, puffing his pipe at the door of the surgery, and whom, on approach, we found as merry, receptive, and jovial as in the days of yore. We regret having no time to call upon the mayor, Mr Henry Jones, of the Belle Vue, and others; we wish them all God speed. Also we see that the Rev Charles Chidlow, the vicar, has taken a goodish load upon his shouUeril-the restoration of Caio Church we are told the cost is estimated at £ 2,000. Albeit, we have no doubt but what Mr Chidlow, with his remarkably determined energy and perseverance, backed up by his wealthy sup- porters, will carry out the ordeal successfully and creditably. Having well satisfied the inner man at Dr. Morgan's hospitable table, I turned my face and wended my way towards LLANSAWEL. On the way thither whom did I fortunately meet, on his way to Bridgend to refresh himself, but the old friend, Mr George Davies, C.M. (Si*r Glan Rannell), the illustrious pedagogue of Crugybar. Glad to meet him; looks as jolly and musYcal as ever; was in a very good mood too, having just gone through his exam and believing that the Rev. Mr Sbadrach Pryse would not fail to give him his full due, as hitherto. To our inestimable loss, we found on coming to Maesllanwrthwl that the round little man was from home—at Lampeter exercising his well-known capacity in judging some entire horses, &c. Proceeded past Glanranell Park, in which we observed game of every description and colour. On the opposite side of the drive were the sheep and lambs of Mr W. Harris, Brondeilo, up to haunches in green fodder, and rivalling with those of the father, which grazed a few fields further on. Having reached Llansawel, called to see the noted bard, H Mclinddwr Davies," his pleasant better-half readily announced his absence, and said she believed he had made for his Parnassus (Cae Fron Maeslan), as he was wont to do, to consult Apollo and the Nine. Being Saturday, the whereabouts of Mr Evans, the schoolmaster, was not known; and Mr D. Davies, of the Red Lion, had gone to Cardiff to visit some of his children, hence there was nobody to stand sentinel except Mr Rumbold and Gladstone Bach. We would have had the misfortune of seeing none of the good old friends of the place had we not accidentally met Mr Davies, Penbeili, and Mr Baker, Inland Revenue officer, driving home from business, and also Dr. Evans, whom we overtook before reaching ABERGORLECH. Surprising are the changes and improvements executed in this quaint village since our first visit to the neighbourhood some seven years ago, and at present we find the place full of life. At the east- end of the village a row of workmen's dwelling are now building, and, we are informed, have been already christened "New Bridge Terrace." The proprietor is Mr Wm. Jones, Ffcsgotta, who has proved a general boon to the place since he came thither to live. At the west-end we saw that a new board schoolroom will very soon be completed. We understand that this building is brought about by the concerted action of the parishes of Llany- byther, Llansawel, and Llanfynydd. A few yards further west we noticed, that Mr Davies, of Ffrwd- vale prepares a grand edifice for some party or other out of the ruins of the old Disgwylfa. cottage. On enquiring, we find that the spacious room for spinning and weaving newly plastered at Tany- pound was erected at the cost of Mr David Thomas Gibach-glas, for the use of his brother John and, moreover, the cozy tucking mill and store-house newly finished by Mr M. L. W. Lloyd Pryse, of Bryncothi, for the use of his tenant. Remaining here over Sunday, we had the pleasure of listening to the Rev D. Gurlech Jones, of Nazareth, Ponr. yate?, a native of the place, in the morning and in the evening. It is evident that some prophets aro honoured even at home—at their own birth-place. The crowded gatherings on this occasion testified to the truthfulness of this. The rev. gentleman delivered a very appropriate and effective sermon in the morning, and ministered the Holy Com- munion to a large congregation. In the evening the oration was very impressive, and the house crowded to uneasiness. We wish the rev. gentle- man every success in his future important sphere. The same day also we had the honour of listening to the Rev. D. Morris Jones officiating, and to Mrs Morris Jones playing the instrument in Abergodech new Church. We were glad to see this rev. gentle- man, though somewhat weak, recovering from his illness—may he continue to do so until he is strong enough again to work hard for his Master is our prayer. The following day (Monday) we proceeded on our way to BRECUFA. The only object which drew our special attention between these two places was a strange and rather ugly-looking edifice, built or rather thrown together in a field between the ro*d and Bryncothi, on a site where, we were told, once stood Yr Hen Bedw Bach." No sooner were we informed by a stranger that the odd construction was Mr Price's new kennel than the yell of the imprisoned pack had reached our ears. We reached Brechfa (which was the terminus of our circuit this time) safely by 3 p.m. We found the place all astir—females in waiting attire darting to and fro in all directians. We were not long fishing out that Mrs Price, the hospitable lady of Bryncothi, bad invited the Church people of Brechfa, Abergorlech, and Llan- fibangel-Rhosycorn to a tea party that afternoon, kindly given by her in the Brechfa Board School- room. Hundreds of all ages sat at the tables, which were so amply and beautifully laid. Amongst them was the Traveller," who partook of three good cups, cake, and other eatables with a relish after his long journey. Among the assistant lady witnesses of Mrs Price we noticed the familiar faces of Mrs and Misses Jones, of Foel Mrs Davies of Glun Capel Mair; Mrs Davies, of the Plough Inn, Felingwm; Mrs Jones, the Rectory, &c. In the evening a grand concert came off in the same place; admission free. We regret not to be able to give a full programme. At the commencement the President (Mr Price, of Bryncothi), observed that the programme was long, and gave notice that no encores should be given. Among those who took part in the proceedings were parties from Abergorlech, Rhosycorn, and Brechfa. Mr W. Phillips, of Whitemill, was in his wonted style, and Mr Harry, Ystradwrallt, in his full comical element. The duet by Mr Phillips and Miss Jones. Foel, tcok remarkably well. Short addresses were given by the Rev Mr Hughes, Rhosycorn Mr J. Jones, schoolmaster, Abergorlech, and Mr Jones, sen., Brechfa Rectory. Three cheers were given over and over again to the Bryncothi family, and, at the request of the Chairman, to those strangers who had so readily and voluntarily rendered their assistance that evening, followed by Hen Wlad fy Nhadau" and "God Save the Queen," which brought an enjoyable meeting to a close. Thus ended the journey.
Advertising
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