Barry Herald

[COPYRIGHT.] ANIDO. OF CLAY By HERBERT RVSSELL, Author of "The Longshoreman," "True Blue,' The Mystery of the Miranda," Elmira," &c CHAPTER XIU. DISCOVBRY. Mr. Marlow had left his lodgings at half-past leven with the intention of calling at Amberly Lodge. He had walked leisurely down the High Street, taken the sweep round Moor Hill, and was within about three minutes' walk of the house when he had met Matthews, the man- Servant. The man touched his hat to him as he passed, and Mr. Marlow exclaimed Can you tell me if Mr. Stanley is at home ? Yes, sir, he is. He's in the garden, I think." "And NfiE;s Marlow ? She's gone out, sir; I just saw he p.w "Thank you." Matthews resumed his way and Mr. Marlow continued his; but instead of stopping and ringing at the gate he passed on, merely glanc- ing at the house as he walked leisurely by. The truth is, on hearing that his daughter was out he had made up his mind not to call until later. He was anxious to see Miss Marlow in order to have a talk with her. He felt the necessity of constantly impressing upon her mind the many advantages likely to ensue from the successful execution of his scheme. There was no weak- mindedness about her, he knew. At the same time, he was well aware of the value of con- stantly presenting the spectacle of a charm- ing realisation of your best hopes to the person whom you wish should regard things from your point of view. He had no reason to be dissatisfied with the conversation he had held with his daughter on the preceding even- ing. She had seemed willing enough to ac- quiesce in his opinions, had expressed no re- luctance to assume the impersonation he had proposed to her, and, above all, had shewn her- self a very attentive listener to all he had to say. Yet he was dissatisfied with the conversation, though he could not at all determine the reason. There was aje ne sais quoi even in her con- sent to do as he asked her, which, though he did not much notice it at the time, he recalled afterwards, and it somewhat perplexed him. He had continued his way, proposing to take the tour of the place, returning to Amberley Lodge by the way of Moor Hill; a walk that he reckoned would take him some three-quarters of an hour or so. He did not go down so far as the river, but had struck off to the left through a lane that after a little winding had brought him into a good road. This road led to the town of Clatherham, and of a Sunday you might see many a vehicle and pedestrian jogging along it, for Clatherham was a market town. All along to the left ran the hilly range, which, commencing with Moor Hill, could be seen irregularly pursuing its sepentine way for some miles. After walking for about twenty minutes or so he had directed his footsteps towards these hills and commenced their ascent. He had climbed them by a zig-zag path that conducted him beyond the wood in which at that time our young lovers were holding the conversation I have before detailed. Though absorbed in thought, and though in possession of a mind not particularly susceptible of the beauties of natural scenery, he yet on his arrival at the summit paused a few moments to glance at the lovely panorama which the height he had attained unfolded before him. I have no wish to paint Mr. Marlow a worse man than he was, and I do not suppose that I could possibly make his character more unenviable than by telling you that he had not for a brief moment experienced something like the calm and beautifying influence of the scene he had paused to contemplate. Over the many colours of the land, glorified by the reflected crimson of the departed sun; over the river, shining like a line of burnished glass over the tinted roof of many a cot and farmhouse dwarfed by the distance, brooded a silence, a peace, that was ineffable. Mr. Marlow did not stand looking on this scene for long, however. He turned abruptly on his heel with the air of a man who thinks that until he has achieved all that he proposes to do he has no business to indulge even for a moment in the luxury of enjoyment, and walked somewhat leisurely along in the direction of the wood. The evening was deepening as he advanced, but there was still light enough for him to dis- cern objects some distance on in front. It grew darker, however, as he proceeded, for the trees thickened round him and their interlacing foliage darkened the earth and air with a sweet, cool, mysterious kind of dimness. Suddenly, on emerging from beneath a group of several noble trees through which the grass- covered narrow path led, he perceived at some hundred paces or so in advance of him a broard patch of white which a moment's inspection told him was a woman's dress. Whether from the fact of his being naturally a suspicious man, or whether he knew his daughter wore a white dress, or whether the idea of this actually being Bell herself flashed across him-whatever might have been the cause it is certain that instead of advancing he suddenly halted, then slided off into the trees. and took up a nearer position to the figure, himself being invisible. He now observed that there were two persons together seated at the foot of a tree—a young man and a young girl. The young man's head reposed upon the shoulder of the girl, and her hand was entwined in his hair, with which she was playing. Had he arrived ten minutes later it is certain he would not have been able to distinguish the features of the girl. Now, from his proximity to them, coupled with the light so rapidly growing dusk, he perceived her to be no less a person than his own daughter. An instant thought thrilled him that the man might be Mr. Stanley. It was just probable that his daughter had feigned the sang froid manner with which she had received his communication only to surprise him when he should discover that Mr. Stanley and she were lovers. But at that moment the man raised his hoad somewhat languidly from the fair shoulder, and an emotion of intense rage caused Mr. Marlow to bite his under lip till the blood came, as he discovered the face to be completely strange to him. Who was this man ? Mr. Marlow had not met him before—had not even encountered him in the streets of the town, to his knowledge. Whoever he was. might not his intentions to- wards Miss Marlow be dishonourable ? The place—the time -the concealment. He grew almost black in the face with rage at the thought. He clenched his teeth, and with an effort that filled the veins about his fore- head as if they would burst, he restrained him- self from rushing forward and seizing the young man by the throat If his child >h<mld be dishonoured, farewell to his hopes uf Mr. Stanley. But he knew nothing yet; he must wait. If she loved till s.trLilger -if! Look at his head again upon her shoulder and her hands clasped about his neck Is there any if there, man ? She would never acquiesce to his views —never attempt to win the love of Mr. Stanley. He stamped his foot upon the yielding grass with a malediction upotr. her that would have paled her cheeks had she heard it. The murmur of their voices was audible to him. but he could not hear their language. What would he have given to have been but two yards noarer! But this was impossible. Had he moved from his present position he Would inevitably have revealed himself. The thoughts that crowded his mind as he stood watching the two lovers were devilish. Devilish because they grew out of a defeated hope—defeated in a manner so purely unex- pected. It was maddening; it mattered not 1 whom this stranger might be. It was sufficient I for him that he was not Mr. Stanley. He had 1 set his heart upon having Mr. Stanley as a son- in-law upon getting his daughter to woo < him for a husband. The hope was broken ere the plan was well devised. Not > broken, though. The fuu.-ies that the fracture I gave rise to bore the iiupress of an infuriate devil. They declared that the hope so cherished Should yet be realiserl at all hazards. The lurid < glow in his eyes. the quivering of the muscles 1 about his mouth, the short quick, desperate ( breathing that dilated the sharply-defined nos- trils too plainly proved the nature of his t aazards; and the man confirmed his devilish 11 fancies with an oath. 1 They kept him watching there ruiiy twenty j minutes after his arrival; then they rose, and with arms encircling each other's waists, walked away. He followed them at a distance. There j was no difficulty in this, for the white dress was a clear guide. He had to lag more behind when they left the wood, for it was possible that his Sgure might be rendered visible against the deep background of bestarred blue. They descended the hill by the narrow pathway, and he followed them, always guided by the white dress. When halfway down the hill, however, he sud- denly paused; for he ohserved that the two whom he followed had stopped, and were bidding adieu to each other. The girl went to the left; the young man took the road to the right. Mr. Marlow followed the young man. They walked rapidly, for the young man seemed now to be in a hurry. He led the way up High Street, turned off to the right, entered a lane, and, pushing open the gate of the first house in a row, knocked at the door. Mr. Marlow watched him pass in; then turning upon his heel, he slowly retraced his steps. At the corner of the street he saw a policeman standing-one of those rustic, bulky beings in blue, and plated buttons, who are only possible in such a town as Dovecote. Mr. Marlow ap- proached him. What's the name of this lane ?" Field-lane, sir." Oh! And can you tell me what that clump of cottages there is called ? "Field-lane Cottages, sir." He was going to ask another question, but, with a quick glance at the policeman, he re- strained himself and saying thanks, he strode away. On turning into High Street, he saw a grocer's boy with an apron on, putting up the shutters against a small shop. He crossed over to him. Can you tell me who lives at No. 1, Field Lane Cottages, my man ? The boy looked at him and scratched his head. "Field Lane Cottages?" he said; then running into the shop he shouted Father! Hullo said a voice from behind a glass door, with a curtain to prevent the interior of the room it closed on from being visible from the shop. Here's a gent wants to know who lives at No. 1, Field-lane Cottages." There was a pause, and then the voice from behind the glass door answered Mrs. Web- ster." Has Mrs. Webster a son, can you tell me ? asked Mr. Marlow. "Has Mrs. Webster a son, the gentleman wants to know, father ? There was another pause, and then the voice from behind the glass door called out: Yes Mr. Charles Webster, solicitor livin* away up here, is her son, tell the gentleman." Thanking the boy, Mr. Marlow left the shop, and moodily betook himself to his lodgings in Peck-street. He was not in a state of mind to persist in his intention of visiting Amberly Lodge that night. CHAPTER XIV. FENCING. On the following night after dinner the draw- ing-room door was thrown open, and Mr. Mar- low was shewn in. He stepped forward with his quick, warm manner, and shook hands with Mr. Stanley. Very glad to see you, Mr. Marlow," said that gentleman. Bv the wav. I don't think you have met Mr. Webster before. Allow me to introduce you." They bowed to each other with much polite- noss, and then Charlie strolled over to where Mary was seated and commenced a conversa- tion with her. Miss Marlow had left the piano and was turning over the leaves of a photo- graphic album upon the table. She had heard the ring at the hall-door bell, and had guessed it to be her father. When he entered-she had grown just a shade pale. She would have given something for her father not to have called that evening. Separately, she did not much mind Mr. Stanley and Mr. Marlow, but together they formed a pair of observers very difficult indeed to deal with. She, who was a quick and close observer herself, had, in watching the manner in which Charlie and her father saluted each other, re- marked that there was a slight expression of annoyance on the face of the former and, in glancing at Mr. Stanley, she also perceived that his face wore a look that had not been there when he had last left the room. It was obvious, therefore, that something had been said by the two gentlemen during the smoking of their cigars on the lawn not wholly agree- able to either of them and, in spite of her mastery over herself, a feeling of nervousness came upon her. How could she tell what had been discussed ? Perhaps the great conventional cement of society-the one evil without which life would be unendurable—humbug!—never found a better illustration than in this small assembly of per- sons. I do not suppose that its employment could not have been justified by each personage of the little drama by the plea of the most excel- lent reason of interest. Mary alone formed the exception. She had no one to deceive. I leave it to my readers to determine who was the greatest humbug in that party. For my own part, I confess that I hesitate to decide between Mr. Marlow, his daughter, and Mr. Webster. This was the second time that Mr. Marlow. had been present with Mr. Stanley and his daughter since his conversation with her in his lodgings at Peck Street. He had watched her very narrowly the first time, and watched her in a manner that left her in no doubt as to the nature of the surveillance that he meant for the future to put her under. Mr. Stanley never addressed her. She never re- plied to him without her being made to feel conscious of her father's eyes being upon her, closely scrutinising, not only her language, but the expression of her face. Secretly in his own mind Mr. Marlow was certain that Mr. Stanley was amorously inclined towards Miss Marlow. It was, after all, but natural for him to flatter his hopes by fancying that he discerned, in a courteous and defer- ential address, the signs of a warmer motive than that of politeness. You may object that this was no great proof of the penetration which I have elsewhere insisted upon. Possibly not. But I should be violating the truth were I to make out that it is in the nature of any human judgment to be insensible to the bias of strong desires, and it would be quite false of Mr. Marlow were I to add that his was not a mind prone to anticipate the realisation of his hopes, the fulfilment of his desires, by leaping to conclusions of which truth was rather the desire than the grounds. And it is this consideration that makes me believe the ancient fable of Pygmalion, all hackneyed as it is, to be fraught with a very noble moral. I do not hesitate to believe that in this life of ours a very great deal of success is achieved by the enthusiastic longing for it, not more by ceaseless diligence than by the enthusiasm that vitalises the future with hope, and achieves its end by faith in the expectation with which it inspires its present. Mr. Marlow's surveillance would have been laughed at by Miss Marlow had Charlie not been present. It is not difficult for a clever woman to appear warm before others to a man without letting the man himself think her so. There is the wooing attitude and there is the repellant voice. It is like the kissing of men and women on the stage. Lips do not meet, and hearts do not throb. Yet the gallery cheers the pathetic embrace, and the pit sheds tears over the emotional attitude. Miss Marlow knew herself to be actress enough to be able to deceive her father up to a certain period. Then she would be prepared for the results of the disclosure, for Charlie would be in a posi- tion to marry her. But without having the faintest idea that her father knew anything of her feelings towards Charlie, for he had not breathed a word to her apon the subject of his having seen them to- gether in Box Wood, she feared the keenness of his glance when Charlie might be the object of his scrutiny. It might happen that a word or an action would fire the ever-laid train of suspicion in his mind, and she guessed that Charlie, not believing Mr. Marlow to be possessed of such sagacity as he really had, might cast aside be- fore him something of the reserve towards her that was now habitual to him when in the pres- ence of Mr. Stanley. She noticed, however, that Mr. Marlow was lot at all so studious of watching her this night is lie had appeared before. It is true that she lometimes met his gaze, hut that minute atten- -ion which, though visible to hPl" alone, she had liscovered on the previous evening, was now wanting. Nevertheless, when their eyes met she >bserved a certain expression in his which she lad been taught to fear. It was the ominous {low of eyes that express deep and inward rage vhen the face is calm and the voice oold, It (To be Continued.)

BARRY SCHOOL BOARD. THE USE OF EVENING SCHOOLS. GOLD MEDALS AT SO MUCH APIECE The monthly meeting of the School Manage- ment Committee of the Barry School Board was held on Thursday evening in last week at the Holton-road Schools, Mr John Lowdon, J.P., presiding over an attendance consisting of Captain Davies (vice-chairman), Dr J. Living- stone, Dr Lloyd-Edwards, Mr P. Wright, Rev W. Williams, and Rev Father Byrne. YOUNG THIEVES. In the report of the progress of the schools for the last month, the Cierk (Mr Gwyn Morris) stated that there were thieving propensities among the boys' of Cadoxton School. There wore four or five offenders. It was decided to k-wp a strict eye on these, and also to prosecute a boy named King on a charge of smashing windows. PETITION. The Board subscribed to a petition from the Association of School Boards to be presented to Parliament. This petition deals with the case of the Association of School Boards v. Cochrane, and prays for a reversing of judgment in the case which defined the powers of school boards in conducting evening schools. NEW OFFICES. The new offices of the Board are to be furnished by the end of the month, and a Furnishing Committee, consisting of Messrs the Chairman, Dr Livingstone, Lloyd, Rees, and Wright, was appointed. BOARD OF EDUCATION. The Chairman said he bad great pleasure in telling the Board that the Board of Education had given way in the matter of the central hall of Clive-road Schools. A committee will now be appointed to see that the work is well done. IS IT WORTH IT A communication with a deep black border was received from the Paris Exhibition authori- ties, offering to sell the medals which the Board has won at so much a piece, the gold medal to become the property of the Board for 710f. Dr. Edwards proposed that they have a little subscription among themselves and buy it. Captain Davies came forward with a counter proposal that the buying he left with those who went f r a jauut to Paris. (Hear, hear.) No decision was come to. Afterwards a special Finance Committee sat. CLEI K'S MONTHLY REPORT. I The Clerk (Mr Gwyn Morris) made his monthly report as follows :— No. on Increase or Per- il ''jister. Decrease. centage. CADOXTON: Boys 328 dl5 88 Girls 351 d5 81 Iufunts 269 d6 75 HANNAH-STREET Boy 270 i4 91 Girls 296 do 88 Iufaits 215 ell. 77 HOLTOV-ROAD B*s 716 d9 86 Girls 669 d15 85 Infants 585 i5 75 BARRY B?ys 492 d9 85 Infants 213 t2 78 ROMILLY-ROAD Girls 464 d4 82 Infants. 359 i'3 75 CLIVE-ROAD Mixed 175 d8 90 Infants 160 d3 81 PALMK RSTOWN Infants 122 i4 81 Total. 5684 d62 d denotes decrease, and i increase.

BARRY TRADES COUNCIL. THE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICES CON- TRACT. PROTEST BY THE CARPENTERS AND JOINERS. The Barry Trades and Labour Council held its fortnightly meeting on Thursday in last week, when Mr Russell presided over a meeting which consisted of twelve out of the fifteen delegates now representing the various societies. FEDERATION OF LABOUR COUNCILS. A letter was read from Mr Curie, secretary of the National Federation of Trade and Labour Councils, asking the Council's opinion whether it was advisable to hold a conference on the question of the housing of the poor, and if so, what place did they suggest. The conference will be held on March 30tb, and it was agreed to recommend that it be held in Cardiff. HONORARIUMS FOREGONE. The Secretary reported, in reference to the finances of the Council, that it was impossible, as had been state! in the HERALD, to pay JE8 10s in honorariums out of only £ 4 in the exchequer, and he stated that the late secretary and assistant-secretary had agreed to forego the amounts, and the tiler, to whom £ l was voted, generously consented to do the same. EARLY CLOSING. Mr Dunn, the secretary, reported upon the course of action intended to be taken by the Shop Assistants' Union in connection with « Hrly closing, and he mentioned one instance in Thompson-street, where a tradesman hao declined to close on Wednesdays. The demon- stration had been fixed for March 27th, and the delegates were asked to report the matter to their branches. SCHOOL BOARD OFFICES. Mr Fred Walls referred to the carpenters' strike, which has now been on since May 1st, and said that be noticed in the Press that there had been complaints at the School Board meetings against the contractor for not finishing the work in time. This delay, he declared ought to have been properly dealt with, for it lay chiefly in the work to be done by the carpenters, in consequence of the contractors being unable to get men, except at the recog- nised rate of pay, viz., 9d per hour. The carpenters hal long since seen the futility of communicating with the Labour member on the Board (Mr John Rees), and he asked that a resolution be passel to ask the Board to see that the contractors observe the Fair Trade Clause in the matter. The work, he declared, was delayed for the work of carpenters, when many of these, who had lived in the district and paid rates for many years, and were, morever, respectable and self-respecting citizens, were walking about the streets in search of employ- ment. Mr Jenkins (Cadoxton) declared that the 9d per hour was recognised by the majority of eaiployees in the town, and why was it that those doing pub!ic work should not be com- peUed to pay the recognised rate of wages in force in the town ?

WE GIVE for A GUINEA 1 Pair SuperfineWitney Blankets, each Blanket bound pink 71b». weight; Pair White T willed Sheets, 2} yds. by 2} yds. hemmed ready for use; 1 Pair White Pillow Cases, full sire, buttoned ends; White Counterpane, 3 yda. long by 2} yds. wide, woven pattern, good design; I Dacbesse Toilet Set. AU sent Carriage Paid on rrceipl of P.O. O BROOKFIELDS, Market Sq., STAFFORD. ESTABLISHED OVER 100 YEARS.

CONGREGATIONALISM AT BARRY DOCK. SERMONS BY PROFESSOR THOMAS REES, M.A. WHAT IS SOCIETY? The new chapel f the Barry Dock Congrega- tionalists, built on the site adjoining that of the proposed church, occupies a most prominent position at the junction of Tynewydd-road and Wyndham-street. The principal considerations of the architect (Mr George Thomas, Cardiff), i i the structure of the building have been kept well in view, and, consequently, the congrega- tion have now an airy, commodious, and hand- some little building for their use. The style is eminently attractive, and agreeably different to many of the chapels in the district. Inside, all advantage has been taken of space, and there is room in the building for the accommodation of the congregation, until the funds of the church warrant the building of a church, which will be a feature in the architecture of the town, not too rich in that direction, and worthy of such a commanding site. On Sunday last the Rev Professor T. Rees, M. A., of the Memorial College, Brecon, preached the opening sermon morning and evening, in the absence, through lllues*, of the Rev W. J. Woods, B.A., the secretary of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. The rev gentleman selected for his text the 1st Epistle of St John, 1st chapter, 7th verse: —" But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another." It had been remarked (said the preacher) that the three great Apostles of Christ—Paul, Peter, and John—might be characterised by their writings by the three great Christian graces: Paul was the Apostle of faith, Peter the Apostle of hope, and John the Apostle of love. It was true in the sense that each one emphasised a particular virtue and a particular grace. Paul knew the world as a missionary who found Jew and Gentile in a self-satisfied condition, each trying to effect his own selvation by methods which had been emptied of their divinity and life. Peter wrote to the churches of Asia Minor, which Paul had founded on the basis of faith. Faith was not of this world, and who would live by faith found in the world resistance, hostility, and trial. The churches of Asia Minor found it so. At a later time John wrote to the same people when, out of the social chaos of Asia Minor the Christian Church was beginning to emerge a powerful society, under the shadow of whose branches the homeless individual found rest and protec- tion for his soul. 1 hose three were typ-s of faith, hope, and charity. The Christian Church was by this time supplying the need which the Greeks bad felt keenly and deeply for four centuries. The unsatisfied craving for happiness, and misery and homelessness of the individual were seen reflected in the remedies proposed by Epicurus and the Stoic philosophers who advised complete enjoyment, and never mind the consequences so long as you were happy. They were to regard themselves as members of a universal brotherhjod. The idea in many respects foreshadowed the Christian conception of the brotherhood of humanity, but while the Stoic ideal remained but an ideal, in the air, the doctrine of the brotherhood of man is embodied in the Church of Christ, which is a living reality, where men and women are brought together in mutual sympathy, mutual helpfulness and love, inspired <by loyalty to one Master and the worship of one God. Three things were in- separably bound together in the Christian religion walking in the light, fellowship with God, and fellowship with one another. Let them look at an aspect of the truth-of society based on a moral foundation. What was walking in the light ?" Light had two supreme characteristic -purity and communi- cability. The light of the sun is lure and purifying, said the preacher it can penetrate to the slum and the gutter, and give itself to all that comes in its way, yet without being itself polluted by anything. God is light, and as such is holy, true, and good. lie gives Himself to the needy and the sinner that will receive Him, yet remains Himself for ever holy. God is light, and is in the light. He is the souroe uf light, and, as it were, radiates His own holiness, goodness, and glory, and dwells for ever in it. What is fellowship ? In the Acts we read that the rich shared their goods with the poor in the early days of the Church in Jerusalem. The same idea runs through the Book everywhere, the sharing of life with life, the common possession, the same thoughts and feelings. It is the inner soul of the life of society without it there is no true society. Our Lord was once asked to define a neigh- bour," and He told the parable of the good Samaritan. In this a man of another Church, another nation, a stranger, had compassion on the Jew and succoured him. That, says Jesus, is the meaning of neighbour -that is the essence of society. This word society also has fallen among thieves in our days, and has been murdered and robbed of all its meaning. A people generally understand by it an exhibi- tion of clothes and jewels, and an opportunity for gossip and scandalmongering. Don't complain that you have no neighbours and no society. It is your own fault if you haven't. If you feel lonely, go and help somebody there are plenty of people fallen by the roadside-go and help one of them to rise. Now, we can see why John says that we must walk in the light, if we are to have fellowship one with another. My last word The nation that forgets to make moral integrity its just consideration—that denies the authority of religion over its political conduct, will cease to be a nation in the true sense, and will become a bundle of sticks fit only for the fire-a flock of sheep without fold or shepherd, scattered and torn, the prey of every evil lust and sinful desire. But God forbid Let us walk in the light, that we may have fellowship and be bound together in one love of God and man. In the afternoon and evening Professor Rees also officiated, and collections for the day were towards the new expenses.

Bishop of London's Will. The late Bishop of London's estate has been valued at £30,571 grosj, and E29,145 net. He be. queathed to his wife (daughter of Mr Robert Von Glenn, of Sydenham) 9200, such of his plate, pictures, furniture, and household effects as she may select, and the income during her life of his residuary estate, which, suhject to her life interest, is to be in trust fur such one or more of his children or remoter issue as Mrs Creighton may appoint, or, in default of appointment, for all of his children in equal shares, and the executors may keep up his establishment for three months, and they may in their discretion, within one year after his death, advance to Mra Creighton, either by way of loan or absolute gift, such sum not exceeding one-sixth part of the computed value of his estate as Mrs Creighton, with their concurrences, may think fit tor the purpose of setting up an establishment for her.

RUPTURE.-The College Truss has been unani- mously declared by the Medical Profession and Press to be the most efficient article yet put upon the market for the relief of Rupture. Letters of thanks are being received daily from grateful patients who have derived the greatest benefit since wearing the College Truss. The College Truss, being made of soft pliable material, is easy and comfortable to the weaver, giving with every movement of the body. The pressure is entirely produced by a self-regulating contrivance. Satis- faction is guaranteed if not approved money returned. Price list and particulars poat free.— Manager, College Truss Co, 342, Fulham-road (opposite St. Mark's College), South Kensington, London, S.W.

RE-OPENING OF BARRY LOW- WATER LOCK. The Barry deep-water lock, which had only been opened in 1898, had got into good working order, when, on the morning of Sunday, Feb. 3rd, 1900, the ground between the lock and the dock basin subsided in an alarming manner, causing the « all on the eastern side to crack. In a couple of days the whole length of wall on that side collapsed, but owing to the neces- sity of keeping the water in the lock to prevent damage to the gates at each end the work of restoration was necessarily slow. The contract was entrusted to Mr John Price (of the firm of Messrs Price and Wills), who constsucted the No. 2 dock. Mr Price constructed a huge wood on dam to protect the gates at the outer end, and bix months ago, these preliminaries havii g been carried out, the lock was pumped out, and after the huge block of fallen masonry had been removed the task of re-construction was actually commenced. An improvement was introduced in the lock by obviating the necessity of the weep-boles in the lock wall, which, it was believed, bad been the cause of the mischief, and the water which percolated from the basin and dock into the land behind the wall is now being drained into the entrance channel. The land all round has been strength- ened with concrete and placed into deep trenches. The masonry of the wall its,-If has also been strengthened at the base, where it is about 15ft feet and tapers towards the summit instead of being narrow at the base as hitherto. Contrary to anticipations, the lock was opened on Monday, when the s.s. Lord Erne, one of the celebrated "Lord" liners, was permitted to pass through from the Channel. The steamer arrived about an hour after the gates had been closed, and the utility of the lock was immediately demonstrated, for bad it not been for the lock the steamer would have been obliged to remain until after midnight, and several hours' valuable time lost. As it was, the steamer was enabled to pass through into the No. 2 dock, and take its place beneath the tip about eight hours prior to the time it would have taken if the steamer bad been forced to wait until the tide time.

Barry Nursing Association. CONSIDERATION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT. A special meeting of this Association was held on Tuesday evening, under the presidency of Dr Neale, the following members of the Executive being present:—Mrs F. P. Jones- Lloyd, Mrs Pointon Newman, Messrs J. A. Hughes (hon. sec.), J. H. Jose, W. J. Blainey, W. Harper, J. H. Brougb, Evan Jones, Tom Williams, T. Pitt, Dr Powell, and Dr Kelly. A discussion took place on the method in use of notifying cases to the Home, which power is wholly in the hands of the medical men of the district. -Councillor Jose thought that in many cases the superintendent (Miss C. Aldis) should be a sufficient authority for enabling poor people to receive the benefit of a skilled nurse.—The Chairman said it was a most difficult matter to decide, It was doubt- less a fact that some members of the medical profession in the district did not regard the institution with favour. They must conduct the Home on broad lines, and, for his own part, he would treat all, and let those pay who could.—Mr Jose did not think that the privi- leges of medical men should be curtailed, but that the power of the nurse should be extended. -Mr W. J. Blainey said the question was being discussed by his society, who were gathering in various opinions on the subject.— Mr J. H. Jose asked whether the Free Churches had been approached with the object of raising contributions.—The Secretary said that they had several times been asked, but objected on certain grounds.—Mr Jo^e thought if the objects of the As-ociation were laid before the various churches the response would be gener- ous.—It was decided to do this.—The annual report was adopted as v<ry satisfactory. -The Secretary said they had reduced their expendi- ture during the year by £144 5s lid.—On the suggestion of the Secretary and proposition of Councillor Jose, it was decided to place a brass plate on the Home bearing an inscription to the effect that the Home was erected by public subscription by the inhabitants of the town and district in commemoration of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria.

BLILTH-RATE DECREASES. INTERESTING STATISTICS. Figures just published show that the tendency of the rate of natural increase of the British popu- lation to decrease has been more marked in 1900 than in any of the preceding five years. The natural increase last year amounted to a little over a third of a million, falling some 8,000 short of that of 1899, and no less than 30,000 short of the average during 1895 9. This result was due entirely to the decline of the birth-rate, the death-rate having been stationary. The birth-rate depends to a large extent on two things-the number of persons married and the age at which they marry. With the birth-rate showing a aontinuous decline, either the marriage- rate should show a similar tendency or the mean age of marriage should tend to go up. It is this latter inclination which is found on examination to have been exerting its influence in recent years in England and Waks. The mean recorded age of spinsters who married was greater in 1897 than it had been in 1896, and it agai* show 3 an increase in 1898. tito turn to the number of marriages. The Eng- lish marriage-rate for the last fifty years has exhibited a geriep of falls and rises like the motion of a wave. The highest rate throughout these years was recorded in 1853, when it was 17 9 per 1,000 of the estimated population. After this it fell for some seven or eight years, and then it rose for a similar period. About 1866 another "crest" was reached, the mean from 1864-8 being 17.0. A steady decrease now set in which lasted for twenty years, until the minimum of 14*2 was reached in 1886. Tnis was followed by a rise just as steady, and this rife has continued right up to the piesent time, the rates for 1896. 1897, 1898, and 1899 being 15'8. 16 0, 16 3, and 16-5 per 1,000, and this last is higher than the rate in any year since 1876. The natual tendency of this increased number of marri- ages to effect an increased biith-rate has been counteracted by the rise in the aveiage age of persons marrying.

One of the Seven Welsh Wonders." Ooe of the seven wonders of Wales is in need of reparation. The Parish Church of Wrex- ham, which runs back to tne fourteenth century, judging from an appeal made by Canon Fletcher, requires immediate attention. Apart from its interest as ''a seventh Welsh wonder," it pos- sesses in its massive tower one of the finest examples of perpendicular architecture in the Uuited Kingdom. Nearly 910,000 is required in order to place it in a propi-r state of repair. Up to the present about a third of the amount has been contributed, including a donation of 91,000 by the late Duke of Westminster.

BARRY RIFLE CLUB. President, Major-General H. H. Lee, R.E. Orders fof the week ending Wednesday, March 6th, 1901 Saturday, March 2.-Practice from 2.30 to 5.30, and 6.30 to 10 p.m.. On duty, Mr H. J. Thomas and Mr E. E Green. Monday, March 4.-Practice from 6.30 to 10 p.m. On duty, Mr McCoy. Wednesday, March 6.-Practice from 2.30 tc 5.30, and 6.30 to 10 p.m. On duty, Mr Rees Howells and Mr Dailey.

CARDIFF INFIRMARY FUND. MR JOHN CORY'S JEoOO. The Mayor of Cardiff has received a cheque for JE500 towards the Infirmary Fund from Mr John Cory, J.P D.L., which he promised to contribute on condition that a certain sum was raised within a specified period.

BARRY DOCK TIDE TABLE FOR NEXT WEEK. The following is the tide table for Barry Dock for the week commencing to-morrow (Saturday) Day. Morn. Aft m. ft. in. h. m. ft. in. Saturday, Mar. 2.- 4.55 31. 4 5.26 32. 4 Saiiday 3. 5.54 33. 9 6.17 34. 5 Monday. 4. 6.38 35.9 6.58 36.0 Tuesday 5. 7.16 37. 0 7.33 36.11 Wednesday 6. 7.49 37.10 8. 5 37. 5 Thurfiday 7. 8.21 38. 0 8.36 37. 2 Friday, Mar. 8.60 37. 6 9. 5 36. 3

BARRY PUBLIC LIBRARIES. PETTY THEFTS AT CENTRAL READING- ROOM. Mr D. W. Roberts presided at the monthly meeting of the Barry Public Libraries' Committee on Friday evening, when there were present- Messrs John Lowdon, J.P., D. Morgan, J. A. Manaton, and J. O. Davies. LIBRARIAN'S REPORT. The Secretary and Librarian (Mr J. Rich) re- ported that during the month 3,848 books had been issued, classifiei as f(,Ilo vs:-R-ligi)u and philosophy 41, biography 74, history 74, typ sgraphy 73, law and commerce 21, mathematics, science md art 154, poetiy and drama 23, miscellaneous literature 97, juvenile literature 801, fiction 2,355, magazines 229, and works of reference 6. There are on the books 3,383 borrowers and 481 juvenile borrowers. A SERIES OF THEFTS. The Librarian reported that during the past mouth there had men stolen from Holton reading- rooms the Carpenter and Builder, Musical Herald, Westminster Gazette, and the People. These thefts are frequent, though a strict watch is being kppt. —It was decided to put up notices asking the assistance of the public in the detection of the thieves, who, when caught, will be prosecuted with the utmost rigour of the law. BORROWER'S GUARANTORS. Mr John Lowdon proposed a resolution to the effect that, in accordance with the improved practice in other libraries, the time had come for the altering of their system of guaranteeing. Other libraries had adopted the system of lending a book on the signature of the borrower alone, providing he was a ratepayer, and, if not a ratepayer, requiring only one guarantor. He proposed that resolution.—Mr Manaton seconded this, and it was carried. LIST OF NEW BOOKS, 7507 Tartann of Tarascon, Datdet 7508 Yellow Man, Dawe 7509 Green Flag, Doyle 7510 Mesmerists, Farjeon 7511 Kiddy, Gallon 7512 Rogue in Love, Gallon 7513 In Male Attire, Hatton 7514 Caged, Hill 7515 Tongues of Conscience, Hichens 7516 Madness of David Baring, J. Hocking 7517 The Purple Robe, J. Hocking 7518 To Pay the Price, S. Htcking 7519 When Life is Young, S. Hocking 7520 Quisante, Hope 7521 Shylock on the River, Hume 7522 Master of Craft, Jacob 7523 Soft Side, James 7524 Three Men on the Bummel, Jerome 7525 Debts of Honour, Jokai 7526 Charming Renfee, Kenealy 7527 For Britain's Soldiers, Kipling, Hyne, &c. 7528 Of Royal Blood, Le Queux 7529 Wiles of the Wicked, Le Queux 7530 Fate the Fiddler, Mcllwaine 7532 Gateles8 Barrier, Malet 7533 Aristrocratic Detective, Marsh 7534 Seen and the Unseen, Marsh 7535 Parson Kelly, Mason aud Lang 7536 Wages, Meade 7537 From one Generation to Another, Merriman 7538 Isle of Unrest, Merriman 7539 Autobiography of a Quack, Mitchell 7540 Conscience of Coralie, Moore 7541 Nell Gwyn-Comedian, Moore 7542 They Call It Love, Moore 7543 Cunning Murrell, Morrison 7544 Bishop's Bible, Murray and Herman 7545 His Grace, Morris 7546 An Octave, Morris 7547 Lane That Has No Turning, Parker 7548 Footsteps of a Throne, Pemberton 7549 Sons of the Morning, Phillpotts 7550 Whistling Maid, Rhys 7551 With Fire and Sword, Sienkiewiez 7552 Hosts of the Lord, Steel 7553 Potter's Thumb, Steel 7554 Voices in the Night, Steel 7556 Man that Corrupted Hadleyburg, Twain 7557 Eleanor, Mrs Humphrey Ward 7558 Love and the Lewisham Wells 7559 As Luck Would Have It, Westall 7560 David Harum, Westcott 7561 Sophia, Weyman 7562 Boyar of the Terrible, Wishaw 7563 The Island, Whiting 7564 Heart's Highway, Wilkins !91 7565 Madelon, Wilkins 7566 Married Miss Binks, Winter 7567 Mantle of Elijah, Zangwill

Travelling Auctioneer Convicted at Barry. ILLEGAL INDUCEMENTS TO, TRADE. At Barry Dock Police Court on Thursday in last week (before Mr John Lowdon and Councillor W. Paterson), a travelling auctioneer named James Henry Howarth, hailing from Newport, was sum- moned for conducting a lottery by mesoti of a contrivance. Mr Alfred Jackson appeared for the police, and Mr Thompson, Swansea, represented defendant. Defendant was holding a sale of goods at 85A, Holton-road. He was seen by Police- sergeant R. H. Thomas and Police-constable Clynch wrap a coin in a piece of paper in order, as he declared, to see if there was any speculation in Barry. He took the coin from a handful of sovereigns, wrapped it in paper, and said the coin would be given to the purchaser of one of the lots. He failed to get a bid in one case, and then shouted that two sovereigns were in the paper. A man named Smith purchased a lot for 30s, and found a shilling wrapped in paper.—John Smith, the pur- chaser who received the shilling, said his wife wanted the goods, and she was pleised with them now. When he bought he had hoped to get a sovereign, and be didn't think he would have bought were it not for the inducement. Mr Thompson urged that the system adopted was the offer of an attractive discount to accelerate busi. ness, and that no person was injured by receiving goods of less value thsn the amount paid.—Defen- dant said he threw the coin down, and invited the purchaser to have a drink with him, and he gave the people distinctly to understand that he was selling the goods, and not the money. He indi- cated what was wrapped up in paper when he declared it was the price of a drink." He never gave a sovereign to anyone with the gooris.—The Beuch imposed a fine of 40s and costs, or in default 21 days' imprisonment with hard labour.

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