The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

CRICKET FIXTURES. (All matches played on the ground of the jirst-nanied Club.) AUGUST. l-Welsbpool v. Guilsfield 4-Guilstield v. Oswestrv 7—Guilsfield v. Montgomerv 8-Guilsfield v. R. W. W. 13-0swestry v. Guilsfield 15-Guilstield v. Xewtown 20-Gnilsfield v. Welslipool 21^—Montgomery v. Guilsfield 22—Gobovven v. Llanymynech 28—Newtown v. Guilsfield 29-R. W. W. v. Guilsfield 29—Montgomery v. Llanymynech SEPTEMBER. 5-Llanymynech v. Montgomery 12—Llanymynech v. Welshpool 19 —Oswestry A Team v. Llanymynech

COUNTY CRICKET. The Australian batsmen played such a careful game at Lord's on Saturday that they were able to make a draw of the match with M.C.C. Their second innings, in which 113 were scored for two wickets on Friday, lasted until nearly five o'clock on Saturday afternoon, and realised 331. This left the M.C.C. 167 to make to win-an impossible task with only eighty minutes' play left. The English- men in that time, however, made 99 for three wickets, Stoddart scoring 59, so that when the match was drawn the M.C.C. wanted only 68 and had seven wickets in hand. The Essex and Derby- shire match also ended in a draw. Lancashire met Somersetshire and Old Trafford on Monday in the return match, and fared badly. The visitors batted well, rld were also favoured by some loose fielding. They scored 367 runs, and got lid of the two amateur members of the Lanca- shire Eleven for 36 runs. Leicestershire, playing against Hampshire, scored 156, and the visitors made 101 for four wickets. The bowlers had the upper hand at Sheffield where Yorkshire met Gloucestershire, and during the day 24 wickets fell for 286. Yorkshire played a first innings of 141, and then dismissed Gloucestershire for 79. In the second innings the home eleven had made 66 for four when stumps were pulled up. Surrey re- turned to their old form at the Oval on the opening day of the match with the Australians. Going in on a difficult wicket, they were batting nearly all day and scored 283. Abel played a fine innings ef 116. The Australians had a few minutes at the wicket, and scored three without loss. At Brighton Middlesex, playing against Sussex, were at the wickets all day, the innings closing at 335. Playing against Warwickshire at Maidstone, Kent scored 243, and the visitors made eight without loss in the last few minutes. There was some very good play on the part of Lancashire in the Somersetshire match on Tuesday, The home eleven scored 338 ruus against their. opponents' 367, and then got five of the visitors' best wickets at the small cost of 40 runs. The Australians played a fine game at the Oval against Surrey, and left off with a very decided advantage. Against Surrey's 283 they complied a total of 367, Hill making 118 not out. In the second innings Surrey lost two wickets for only 12, so that they are still 72 behind. Some remarkable bowling by J. T. Hearne and Rawlin was seen at Brighton. The Sussex team were all dismissed for 101 in less than two hours. Following on, they made 236 for six. They are now only two on with but four wickets in hand. At Sheffield Yorkshire defeated Gloucestershire by 266 runs. For the winning eleven Jackson played a fine innings of 91. Kent gained an easy victory over Warwickshire, at Maidstone, by an innings and 34 runs. At Leicester, Hampshire carried their first innings to 117, and Leicestershire, going in a second time 31 runs behind, made 239, The Lancashire and Somersetshire match at Old Trafford on. Wednesday ended in a draw, greatly in favour of the home eleven, who required only 59 runs to win and nine wickets standing. It was impossible for Lancashire to make the required runs in the time, and there was some curious bowling. Surrey were beaten by the Australians by seven wieket3. Middlesex gained a victory over Sussex nine wickets to spare. Leicestershire won their match .against Hampshire by 21 runs. The annual match between Rugby and Marlborough took place at Lord's. Rugby quite outplayed their opponents, and won by an innings and 35 runs. A match between Lancashire and Gloucestershire was begun at Old frafford on 'Ihursday. The home eleven batted first, and scored 313 riins. Gloucester- shire went in late, and in a very bad light lost three wickets for 14 runs. The weather was rainy during the night, and the chances of Gloucestershire making even a moderate score were very meagre. Great interest centered in the match commenced at the Oval between Yorkshire and Surrey. Surrey won the tcss, and were batting all day, their score when stumps were drawn being 350 for four wickets. The feature of the day's erickct was the fine stand by Hay ward and Baldwin, who remained together for three hours and put en 221. Sussex met Notts for the first time this season. Notts won the toss, and were batting all day, making 286 for eight wickets. Warwickshire in a match against Hampshire at Eugbaston won the toss, and batted ail dav, making 294 for five wickets. The Aus- tralians met, at Bcxhill, an eleven got together by Earl Do La Warr. There was some sensational cricket. The Colonials were all out for 80, the English team made 102, and then the visitors put together 31 for one wicket.

+- CYCLING. [BY "PUMP H A KD E N ] I promised some time ago to describe a run with Newtownas its base, and anyone with two or three days to spare at the end of a week, and who would like to reach a region less tourist ridden than ie northern parts of Wales, will find it a good plan to proceed to Newtown by following the route I (tl,escrlhed in these notes on .July 11. On leaving ia pleasant town go southward along the broad lain s recu broad enough for a newly-planned ^rpp"CaT-Clty^and .kecP to the riKh;; al«n? Park v-c Severn is away to the northward, and a'dver«,° tOT1Ch 7'ith for a while. But the 'it* vill sh»w that we are still ascending ifc were. The Camb°- whilf vn 1-f 003 t'le same, and with this for a 1-tbolled V' ,C °SG C(?TnPanJ"' A through express, b miin, J!m''0n IO T^twyth," goes screaming hour w H 20 miles an nabl, s t ^re? t0 'ustlty but its timely passage and wh to 7 CTSlng t0be Clear for our ^ansit, and A white aproned woman pushes back the heavv gate as she sees us approach. We turn off the main Machynlleth road and cross the rails. A mile or two further on we go over it by a bridge, and so, passing some newly-made park gates that give up- on a drive ascending steeply to the left among the trees, we come upon Llandiuarn, w.here the shallow Severn plashes among a great expanse of pebbles or lingers placidly in salmon pools. At the junc- tion where a narrow bridge goes over to the rail- way station stands a statue of David Davies, bear- ing the dates of his birth and death—1818 and 1890. Thence we keep the river all the war, crossing many a tiny right-bank feeder that comes rushing down through its culvert under the road, and we note that the Severn in these high reaches is more fre- quently forded than bridged. At Llanidloes, thirteen and a half miles from Newtown, is one of the oddest market halls in Britain. It is mounted on legs of oak, and stands many feet clear of the ground, so that the towns- people who have no other immediate occnpation lonuge there to be out of the sun, while, they ex- people who have no other immediate occnpation lounge there to be out of the sun, while they ex- change the gossip of the day. The white glare of t)i" streets left behind, we soon bid farewell to the Severn also, but we still have the music of water as we ascend the valley of the tumbling Afon, and some of its miniature rock scenery is exquisite. The road after this becomes bad for a space, espec- ially where it rises over a disused branch line from which the rails have been removed. Then it falls past artificial trout ponds to Llangurig, with its funny little church and irregular dwellings. Jt is here that we first touch the Wye, and our object being to follow a portion of its upper course, we leave the Aberystwyth road, which we have been following, and double sharply to the left, rising for a milo over tne skirt of Foel-goch, and then de- scending easily, albeit over finely broken flint. Three miles beyond the surroundings become of the most romantic kind. A small tributary joins the Wye on its further, or right hand, bank, after making the passage of a gorge hemmed in by lofty summits. We keep forward upon our solitary way, some- times startling ragged sheep who have strayed into the road, and who at our approach spring nimbly up the rocks to the left, or disappear down the precipitous declivity on the other hand. Far across the valley the mountain sides are dotted with other scattered flocks, and one can see them rapidly i gather in closer company in response to the dreaded commands of the sheep dog, which are the only sounds to break the impressive silence of the place. Then we drop towards the level of the river, and, where a footbridge spans it, leave our machines and venture along the creaking beams to enjoy the mid-stream view. In all directions there is strewn a chaos of water-worn stone, and towards the river bed, with its countless colours, trees whose roors suck their scant nourishment from rocky crevises, bend over as if to drink. It is with reluctance that we turn from this lovely spot and pursue our way to Rhayader. This little town is some 28 miles from the starting point, and enquiry is here for the first time advis- able, in order to emerge upon the right road. The latter is of better surface than for some miles past, but as regards gradients, it is not too well en- gineered. Instead of keeping with the gentle fall I I of Wye, it climbs obstinately to a higher and higher level, and then remains there for a while, the river, of course, seeking a deeper bed all the time. At the fifth and sixth miles we are beautifully shut in with trees, but at first the only bird life about 1t3 is furnished by the rooks and one or two species of the larger fowl. When we begin to descend, and the Wye is once more within earshot, innumerable kinds of smaller birds mingle their song with that of its waters; and how could their ditty fail of sweet- ness, buried as they are iu a world of beauty, walled in securely by majestic purple heights? Flowers, too, abound in these lower levels, and the way is gay with blossom. The views have naturally all been to the right across or down the valley of the Wye, save when we have paused to study some admirable retrospect, but at the seventh mile from Rhayader, a pine wood hiding us from the river, a fine view opens to the left up the valley of the Ithon that comes down from Llanbadarn. After passing New- bridge-on-Wye we shall cross this rivulet at Pont ar ILhon, and our day's run, an easy forty-two miles when we have passed another level crossing over the Cambrian line, made the passage of the Wye 11 y into the county of Brecknock, and stabled our steeds at the well appointed Lion, at Builth. A rather interesting case was heard in Paris about ten days ago, when a lady cyclist sued the Eastern Railway Company for damages to her bicycle to the extent of £ 32. (It must have been an expensive She had taken the cycle by train uncased, and it had been injured in the van. The jury awarded her zCl3 damages, and this in spite of the fact that the railway company refuses to carry cycles unless the owner signs a paper exonerating the company from all liability in case of accident. I should like to see a few test cases of the kind tried over here. Ic is nothing short of disgraceful, the apathy with which our railway companies have treated and are treating the important question of cycle carriage. Long ago there should have been cycle vans available at every big station to add on to a train where the number of cycles carried was large. Cycle tickets (return) should have been issued by every line, and cycles should be carried free, as they are in France, as personal luggage. If French railways can make this system pay, so should ours; and if American railways can put on cycle vans fitted with racks cr hooks in the roof, I cannot see why English railways should keep up the careless prac- tice of throwing delicate machinery in among heavy and promiscuous luggage, which shifts about with the movements of the train. The cycling papers have once more raised the cry that finality in cycle records has been reached. Most of us have heard that asseveration several times already. My opinion on the subject is that we shall reach the end of cycle records just as soon as we reach the end of human mechanical ingenuity; and that is a long way off yet. One hears it very often that the modern safety is per- fect. It is not very much more so than the safety of six years ago. Weight has been cut down, stay- ing improved, pneumatic tyres added, but much yet remains to be done. Cycle engineers are all agreed that the chain iiee^8 to be improved away somehow or another; vibration in the frame will also be done away with in time without the loss of rigidity that attends all present efforts in that direction and the puncture-proof, resilient tvre has yet to be discovered. There is also possibility in wind-cutting devices, if well handled. On the whole, the cycle of the future will probably not so much resemble the cycle of to-day as some wise- acres seem to think. I cannot help being amazed at tue want of liking for tandems shown by cyc^'ats w'1 o can easily afford to buy the double machine. Society seems to neglect them almost entircly. 1 was lately talking to a man who had iearned to cycle within the last few months, and asked him how it was that he and and his wife never had tried tandem riding. His answer gave a clue to the mystery. Oh. we do not care r.bout scorching said. We like to go easily." It was evident that the performances of speed men on tandems about the roads had left him with the firm belief that a tandem was merely a racing instrument. He was much astonished when I told him that a low geared tandem with a couple who nicked" together, was decidedly easier going than a single, and that the wind was not felt nearly so much. If a few easy going quiet couples would put aside the pvejudi'^s implanted in their minds by road scorchers and order tandems geared to 60, we should soon see:1 boon in the double machine. We are assured by the Americans that this country will soon be overstocked with bicycles, and the supply being greatly in excess of trie demand, there will be a disastrous time for some of the recently-formed companies. There is no doubt we shall come to this, bub how soon I should not care to prophesy, because it is almost impossible to es- timate the extent of the general demand for cycles in the future, and the facilities for obtaining them. When the supply exceeds the demand there will be some cheap machines in the market. The bicycles will be of a poor quality, and they will have to be offered cheaply, because people are beginning to understand that there is a difference bet ween a good make and a bad one. It is the makers of the poor quality machine who ,il1. think, feel the competition most when the crash comes. The individual who goes in for a very cheap machine, is generally one who cannot afford to sell it directly it gets out of fashion, or to let it go at a sacrifice in case of any important improvement being made in cycles. ()n the other hand, the man who goes in for a first-class machine is either one who can afford to discard it at the end of the season and get a latest pattern for the ensuing year, or a club man, who wants to keep iu the frcnt rank on the runs, and cannot discard t«sy improvement in bicyTcles which will assist in keeping him there. The couseq lence is, that the low-priced machines will be worn to such an extent by their original purchasers that they will scarcely find a customer when done with, and if they do, very little, will be obtained by the sale on either side. But a first- class bicycle will aimost always find a purchaser at th9 end of a season's wear, and the men who buy the best machines second-hand are the men who, fading to obtain them, would invest in new second- grade machines. Men who know anything about cycles know that it is generally better to buy a second-hand firs;-grade bicycle than a common new one, and there is not often a great deal of difference in the price. The expenses in connection with a common machine are endless. This cone works loose, the chain breaks, the pedals get out of order, the wheels do not run true—for even if nothing 9 serious happens, there are a hundred little things to go wrong in a bicycle, and unless the make is a good one they have a happy knack of doing it. A badly made machine is enough to force a man to give up cycling far ever, and those who contemplate buying bicycles had much better get a second-hand machine of good make than a new bad; v-made one. Of course care ought to be exercised in buying second-hand bicycles, and those who do not under- stand them would do well to seek the services of a friend who does. The latest from the Antipodes is a steeple- chasing bicycle, which works on the same principle as a watch, the action of turning the pedals v.ind- ing up a strong spring until sufficient power is ac- cumulated. The rider continues on his journey without any more exertion than on an ordinary machine until he reaches the obstacle he wishes to clear. A short sprint of 20 ysirds is Y, tl;eii, -,vheri a feet off, tho toncijinof a knob releases two stromr I)i t, light steel bars f,I" >f.r: like the runners of a sleigh, an'i proj.ctiu: on either side of the front wheel. These "11 ;r.mouse force, striking the eartn just below the pedals. The machine rises at once to a height of nearly 5ft., and, clearing the fence, fillis upon the steel runners, nearly 25ft. from its rise. The inventor, a. Mel- bourne journalist, claims to have proved the value of his jigger in acual practice, and believes that in 18 mouths he will take the place of Baron ilirsch among m u i ti-inil lionaires. Colonial joi.'rnnlists, like their American brethren, are fearful and won- derful folk. The devices for tho prevention of punctures or minimising their effect are innumerable, and the advent of a new pneumatic tyre is a matter of almost daily occurrence. One of the latest, coming from Reading, is the a patent cellular arrangement, which divides the largest portion of the inside of the tyre into a large number of air cells, which are small segments of flexible tubes with closed ends, so that in the event of a puncture the damage is localised to very small space, and even a large number of punctures will make hut very little difference to the resiliency of the tyre or its speed qualities, as the pressure of the inflated inner tube and the unpunctured cells closes the damaged cell, which on a subsequent occasion can be removed and replaced. These are some of the advantages claimed by the patentee, and they are certainly worth consideration, especially as they can be fitted to nearly all pneumatic tyres already in use. It is well-known, I believe, that crueUy is more often the result of want of thought than want of heart, anl I heartily endorse the sentiments of the following letter, which I commend to the notice of my readers Sir, I am glad to see that public attention is at length being called to the cruelty involved in matching the speed of a dog against hat of a horse or a bicycle. I confess that it makes my blocd boil when I see, as I often do, a man a al a woman seated in a dog cart and driving at what is called a smart pace, while some distance; behind, striving vainly to keep up with the horse, rims a poor little dog. But when it is proposed to "prosecute" all eyelist-s seen out accompanied by dogs, I beg, as au old labourer in the cause 01 Kind- ness to animals, to utter an emphatic pi Cyclists arc good fellows, and I feel sure it nly necessary to call their attention to this evil get it abo.ished without any police interfere!■. of which in this so-called free country we have more than enough already.- Y onrs, &c., F. S. Ross, B.A., Cantab. 12th July, 1896." So-called double-purpose oils are decoctions which the cyclist should avoid. Long experience has proved beyond a doubt that a good lubricating oil is not a good burning oil, and vice versa. Attempts have been made over and over again to foist double-purposes on the cycling world, but they have always ended in failure, and so will that which is being made just now. There are several good lubricating oils in the market and these can always be had at any respectable agents. The same is true of oils for lighting purposes. If you try to make one oil fulfil the two functions you will admit sooner or later that you have been making a mistake.

♦ THE FAILURE OF A SHROPSHIRE FARMER. DISCHARGE SUSPENDED FOR THREE YEARS. At the sitting of the West Kent (Rochester) Bankruptcy Court on Thursday in last week an application was made to his Honour Judge W. L. Selfe for the discharge from bankruptcy of Mr Henry Jones, farmer, Satton, Montgomery, and who is at present residing at Welshpool. Debtor was also until recentlv proprietor of the Albion Port- land cement works at Greenhithe, Kent. Mr Jones < was represented by Mr A. E. Watts, solicitor. Mr I R. T. Tatham, the Official Receiver, in his report submitted that debtor's assets were not of equal value to 10s in the pound on the amount of the unsecured liabilities and that debtor had failed to keep such books of account as were usual and necessary to show the state of affairs also that he bad taken over the cement works without a proper investigation as to wlier.her they were likely to be successful. Since the failure debtor's conduct had been very satisfactory, he having rendered the Court every practicable assistance in the realization of his estate. The receiving order was made on a creditor's petition on March 16th. The liabilities to rank for dividend weie scheduled at zE2,727 7s 3d, the proofs actually ad- mitted at this date were X2,489 3 9d, and there were probable claims not then admitted of £ 499 lls lOd, making a total of £ 2,938 15s 7d. The assets, so far as not assigned to creditors, wholly or partly secured, were estimated to pro- duce £ 2.129 19" 6d, but they bad actually realised 9645 2s. 4d. The cement works had not been able to be realised, inasmuch as they were already taken possession of under terms of an agreement entered into between him and the then vendors at the time of purchase. The debtor gave as cause of failure that the cement works were not as represented to him, and that he had to make a laige outlay to pnt I thorn in order for working. He estimated his loss in carrying on the works at £ 2,000 per annum. Debtor also stated that he became insolvent through Messrs. F. llosher and Co., Limited, failing to carr, out an agreement to purchase the cement works for £ 7,003. Continuing his statement the Official Receiver stated that debtorcommeucedbusi- ness as a farmer at Knox farm, Shropshire in 1870, with a capital cf zC.300, He subsequently took larger farms in Shropshire find Montgomeryshire and eventually purch:1Hed the Albion Cement Works with the object of finding a business for his sou. The balance available on the estate for division amongst the creditors would give a and final dividend of 4d. in the In the farming business Mr. Jones kept no books and ill re- gard to the cement trading, certain books, but not safucient had been kept. Mr, Jones was examined and stated that he was non- living at Welshpool, and he wished to have an opportunity of going on with his Inn-, in ess as a cattle dealer and farmer.—The Official Receiver stated that many of the creditors were in favour of the discharge being granted, and one creditor, a solicitor, had written to him stating that debtor was held in high respect in Montgomery as a hard working, industrious man. ->lr W nt's contended that it was no fault of debtor that: stood in that position, inasmuch as he had spent all his capital in the cement enterprise, and had sacrificed his farming interest in doing so.-—Tho application was opposed by Mr H. E. Miller oil behalf of a creditor, and his Honour, in suspending the discharge for three years, said there was no doubt that tho bankruptcy was entirely due to the debtor entering upon a business or which ho knew absolutely nothing, and from which ho was sopanit^l by hundreds of miles. + --——

CHLTROHSTOKK. Cliol" Rev. Prebendary White arid Mrs White the members of bhe Church Choir had a. most enjoyable trip to Blackpool on Saturday last. The organisers of the Welsh. Warehouse excursion kindly placed a saloon at their disposal for the journey by rail, and the afternoon and evening were agreeably passed in patronising the various amusements.. The party was taken r.o and from Montgomery Station in conveyances supplied by Mr G. J. Clipston, Dragon Hotel, Montgomory. o CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS.—Approximate return of traffic receipts, for the week ending July 2Ctii, 1896. Mi)eaoptu), 250. Passengers, parcels, horses, carriages, dogs, and mails, £ 4,917; mer- chandise, minerals, aud livo stock, £ 2,115; total for tho week, £7,032; aggregate from commence- ment of h.i.lf-year, Actual traffic receipts for the corresponding week last year: Miles open, 237. Passengers, parcels, &o., £ 4,230; merchandise', minerals, &c.. £ 1,855; total for the week. £ 6,085 agggrogate from commencement of half-vear,; Increase for the \80! passengers, parcels, &c, £ 687; increase, merchandise, minerals, &c., X260 total increase for the week, £ 947; aggregate increase, passengers, parcels, &c.. EI,241 aggre- gate increase, merchandise, minerals, &c., £ 1,021; aggrpgate increase from the commencement of half. year, £ 2,262,

CHESS. All communications for this department should be addressed to the Chess Editor, who will be glad to hear from Secretaries of Chess Clubs as to tournaments, matches, &o. All letters to reach this office by Wednesday morning. Local intelligence will be given the preference to other news. '\1«* Solution to Problem No. 34 Kt—Q6. Correctly solved by Maurice Whittingham, F. Carter, S. Jones, T. Maxwell, H. Stanley and W. A. Doodv. PROBLEM No. 35.Solutions invited By T G. L. F.. Lymington. (Third priro in tho Schoolmaster). BLACK 7 Pieccs. WmTE-12 Pieces. White to play and mate in two moves. Position White—K at QB6, Q at Q6, R at QR6, Bs at K2 and QB7, Kts at KKt3 and QR3, Ps at QR4, QKt2. QKt6, Q2 and Q5. Bhwk-K at Q5, Q at QR4, Kts at K8 and KR5, Ps at K5, KB3 and KKt2. V; We hope next week to give a full report of the great tournament now in progress at Nuremberg, together with some of the noteworthy games played there. At the time of going to press Steintz and Walbrodt are leading. The recent match for the championship of the United States between Mr Showalter and Mr Barry has been won by the former, who thus retains his position. We give the final games in the match with notes from the Hereford Titnex. GAME No. 52. PETROFF. DEFENCE. '{..? IY 11 ITE. BLACK. Mr Barry. Mr Showalter. 1 P—K4 P-K4 2 Kt—KB3 Kt-KB3 3 P—Q4 Kt x P (a) 4 P-Q4 5 Kt x P Kt—02 (b) 6Q K2 Q-K2 7 B x Kt P x B 8 K—QB3 (c) Kt x Kt 9 Kt—Q5 ? (d) Q-Q3 10 Q x P K-QJ 11 Kt-B3 Kt-Q2 (e) 12 Q-KTP R—QKtsq 13 Q x RP Q-B3! (f) 14 Castles R-Rsq 15 PuQ5 (g) B x P 16 Q-K3 ch B-K3 17 Q-Kt3 P-Kt3 18 P-B4 P-B4 19 P-Kt3 Kt-B3 20 B—Kt2 B-B4 ch 21 K—Rsq Castles 22 QR—Ksq B-Q5 23 B 3 Kt-K5 24 Q-K3 (b) Kt-B7 eh 25 R x Kt B x R 26 Kt-Q5 (i) B x Kt 27 R-K7 R-B2 28 R x R B x P ch (f) 29 Q x B Q x Q eh 30 K x Q K x R 31 K x B R x P 32 B—K5 R x P ch 33 K-Kt,3 P-B4 34 p- H3 K-K3 35 K—R4 K-KKt7 36 B-Kt7 K-Q4 37 B-B8 R-QKt7 And White resigned the game and the match (k). NOTES. (a.) PxP 5s more usual, but the text. move is, perhaps, eunailv .</ood. (b) B Q3 seems the natural move in this posi- tion. (c) of course, 8 Q x P would be met by P-KB3, winning a pieee. (d) A very faulty combination, which ultimately loses a piee, and practically the game; the simple course 9 P x Kt, Q x P; 10 Q x P, would have left niitter8 perfectly even. (c White had evidently failed to take this strong reply into account, for if now 12 P Q5 Black simply plays Kt—B3, and gets off with a cleur piece. (f) This excellent move wins the important Quaen's Pawn by lorce. (g) He had obviously nothing better. (h) If 24 Kt x Kt, P x Kt; wins also the exchange at feast. (i) Mere desperation/but one-move is now as good as another the game could not be saved. (j) A simple and effective device of getting rid of all attack, and making victory an easy certainty. (k) The unal score is Showalter, 7; Barrv 3- drawn, 4. 7(- The Athemeum of last week has the follow- ing. Among the many curious writings made accessible by the pnbheations of the Master of the Rolls v.ithin recent years is Neekam's work" DA Katari" Hdrnm." This writer, who was born in US/, was at one time professor at the University m Pans, eventual,y became Abbot of Cirencester, and being a tnendof the Bishop of Worcester, was] on his death in 1217, buried in the cathedral at TJVVV • 'S IR*T'se ranges over poetry, ji nt,i tri 11.1am, astronomy, popular myths, birds, hHT' compa»ses, fountains, animals, U in fact, quite a "'tln -'i ,U ^uowledge. Uis statements are a""1 — dories, and enforced bv morals diawn from them, the whole body of information Aepj..r-enting, m all probability, considerably more '-1 observation. Among other ,°lvt account ot the game of chess, C" t- c'4' •it-Sft account of the game written _f' *perhaps by a European. Dac- ciesnK who wrote the earliest treatise on chess M0-")' ° V10".1'' }'1K^ whose book Libe-ltns do Oii.i,^ iii.minnm is said to have formed the orieiaul ot caxton's Game and Plavo of Chess. WIG, I. MUI, t,;e same time, and it is probable that hoth .j¡en1 drovv their information from the same soul. 001 -N'wkam's account the conclusion ia\ « OI.IV, N that NE himself was not a chess- FfZ" 'S'Jof chess as a fact in h'irnan a at i joni wineii ;i, merit' might bo deduced. Its im]D,)i .u.ce |i(e,v consists in the sidelights which it mv,y,s on rhe (•<i-.rmn of iho game in his time. mcKe valuable pieces wore placed in the front ran ie m row behind, though he states that ii the original game this order was reversed. A btit, square, even at starting, but when it has reached the other side of tin- board it assumes the functions of a qmnm. Tho queen, by -lf a'Wil.Vf: uiiuded ».» ns ''regii.a," showing tia„ t-ne transition o: thcmmio from prime minister °MniL'?e,S complete at this time. The bishop is alficns" or "alphicus," the variation occurr- ing^ in two different manuscripts. This is the fot-in of ulit, i); tile elepnant, stilljised in. Spanish to denote a chess fh-! Pi^ee was evidently made in the same form in winch it: is blazoned by the heralds on tn.cient coats of arms, that is to a cleft lop,' the two sides of tno cleavage being brought to a rouuded edge and curved outwards iu a way to suggest the wings of a bird. Neckam says that the chess rook was compared by the ancients to the figure of the two headed Janus. Two stories are told to illus- ti.n j ohe account of the game; one of Louis leGros, who. when fleeing from Henry I of England, killed a soM.or w ho nad caught his horse by the reins, saving that the King could never be taken, even in chess. The other, upon which some doubt as to the facts has been i.hrown, is how Reginald Fitz Aymon, by slaying a. nooleman in Charlemagne's palace with a, ciiesst.uaii, was the cause, from the sangui- nary tends which followed it, of the loss of many lives. Tho description of the eagerness with which the game is played is very graphic. The winner is as ela.ted as if ho had deserved the crown of bay le ives, and the lover is terribly downcast; they cannot leave ic off, and set to again, as soon as one game is finished, with renewed energy, as if success in life were to bs measured by success in the game. The players' faces grow alternately pale and fl shed, quarrels are frequent, and arise suddenly, and the game often degenerates into a brawl. It is worth noting that Neckam treats the game entirely as a military diversion. The actions of the several pieces are compared to the military deeds of the heroes of old or to strategical devices in war. Perhaps the presence of tho chess rook in the coat of arms of 26 Junglisli families would support the view that it was played in Europe ordinarily or chiefly by soldiers. It was, in fact, about Neekam's time discouraged by ecclesiastics as a vanitv and source of quarrels, even by one Counci! to the extent of excommunication of clerks who indulged in it. John Huss also is said to have greatlv de- plored that he had ever played it for the same reasons. The modern chess-player, who enjoys the game as a wholesome occnpation and an intel- lectual exercise, would most likely say that the game^ has eha'r_red much for the better in 700years, both in method and in successes. AXSWEILS TO CORRESPONDENTS. The Chess Editor will be pleased to answer correspondents in this column if their questiousare received at the COUNTY TIMES Onice not 1atCt. than Wednesday.

MONTGOMERYSHIRE AGRICULTURAL j SOCIETY. To the Editor of the COUNTY TIMES AND posT. Sir,I am requested by the Committee of above Society to call public attention through Y^F columns to an error in the schedule of prizes, AO» to point out that we are not entitled to the medal offered by the Shire Horse Society for TO0 best mare or filly, but a silver medal will be in lieu of the same.—I am, &c. ROBERT RICHARDS. see; -+- LLANKRFYL WATER SUPPLY. To the Editor of the COUNTY TIMES and ^IR> Will you allow me space for a few for the purpose of drawing the attention of Llanfyllin District Council to the dilapidated FIT# of Llanerfyl public we! Ffynnon C^e'rshop' which consists of a natural spring of clear SPARLIL'0^ water jetting out near the bottom part of seems to be an old semi-circular gravel pit. Parish Council has drawn the attention of District Council to the condition of the well than once, and the sanitary officer having down examining the well," has reported o» same. Plans and specifications were also DR3_. and handed to the District Council, but NOTHUJJJ further has been heard of the matter. But what I understood, and from what I the sanitary inspector the other day, the DISTTJR^R. Council BUS been woefully misinformed AS TO JSJT OF THI8JR», but by w'nom cost F'MW- TFAAFEL. cost of ns construction according to tions, was too high, and that the siderea the request unreasonable. OO 1V of cost we as ratepayers appreciate Council's decision; but on the otber point differ. The pla„ ARID the materials proposed too expansive, and the whole or was actually too elaborate. WHILE I was on &■> route the other day T happened co come ACROSS couple of labourers excavating- a well, which made for the purpose of supplying a large house with water. The materials used were R0!^I„ buildiv.g stone, snob as are found in the imn>E neighbourhood, and the well is about two feet or so in extent paved ou the bottom, WITH perpendicular walls to prevent the sid.S F ]]S slipping in—the, back wall and the two side are built higher by about two feet than the F wall, which does not rise above the level OF ground—-so as to admit a covering which C°NFSIAN, of a number of rough flat stones laid across side to side, in such a manner as to protect well from all nauseous matter; the well IS puddled round with clay to prevent the water escaping. The whole cost, including labour, be about 20s. or 25s. A well of this kind answer the several purposes of the candid villagilat of Llanerfyl admirably. I should recommend/ 0 the Llanerfyl Parish Council appoint a CENITN1 J, to examine the above mentioned, well, and -O Fynnon CaeVshop on the same prineip'e. \OJI are 16 houses in the village, with a total POPO'3" 0f of 47, depending mainly for their daily rati°NS.GS tea and coffee <Tixir from the aquatical propER J,G) of this public spring. There are two other but as they are private property the illhaùJ ol15 might experience unpleasantness ftom °R,E,^J|0 occupiers at some future period, exactly Tynrhos Terrace inhabitants experience A_( present time, and I sincerely hope that the Council and tho Parish Council of Llanerfyl consider the advisability of providing an supply of pure sparkling water for the INHABIT* of the Llanerfyl village. 11 Again, with yor ,t. mission. I will make one other observation* 0 request was made by the occupier of the land VV this well is sit anted for a cattle tank. In tis opinion this request should not b accepted, nS 1 to neither fair nor reasonable for one ratop:1Yer; benefit by the public rates more than AN0' also, it would be much better for bis ^E^RE- strength, and spirits to take his cattle to F'ETL bach brook for watering.—Yours, &C AQ1''

— qS TEH EXAMINATIONS OF THE COL PR I'XEPTORS. To the Editor of the COUNTY TIMES AND POST. f tbf Sir,—In your note.- in LN>t week's issue 0 J^. Montpomenj Timer, after kindly PRAISING work done IN THE Intermediate School, WEI^'D^ as evidenced by lire recent results of the COLLT'K PRECEPTORS. \W. proceed to state that you Ion'X tiir.i. TIE' *'••;•>.>! WD show good results IN BIG' ( VMUIN: I.M the Cambridge Locals. suc.ii A VRIIR,N.,|U. IS calculated to give » -NRE- false imptcssion of the value of the College (,F ceprors' examinations. Tho English ASSOC'.AT'0^ Headmasters has fortunately settled ONCE (1f the relative merit- of the Locals and the COH^^JJ- Preceptors. In a, resolution passed AT *RIY Leicester meeting a few ■weeks ago they C JN INDICATE that !:H"v r-gard as of equal JLGE each individual subject (1) The 1st class CO R of Preceptors, the Oxford and Cambridge » Locals, and London Matriculation and (2)c d npd class College of Preceptors, and the Cambridge Junior Locals.. tb¡¡.t I; therefore follows that the EXAMINATION requires THE largest number of subjects i», to of tho above groups is the most difficult, pass—(1; .London .Matriculation, you NUTS'' the examiners in eight, subjects 1st Class AIJD of IVECT'PIER; in seven .subjects; the Oxb'1 Cambridge Senior Locals in five subjects after the manner of the London and CO- Preceptors Authorities). (2) For College of Preceptors you require six subjee' Junior Locals live subjects. It is evident t._v rill] in order of merit, the above EXAMINATION8 themselves thus:— (1) London Matriculation. (2) 1st Class College of Preceptors.. (3) Oxford and Cambridge Senior Locsls. (4) 2nd Class College of Preceptors- ,IJ 15. J (5) Oxford and Cambridge Junior Lo^'iig, AH ju-itic.) to me, my colleagues ana S trust you will insert this letter in your next i- I am, etc., vrA^' Salop House, SAMUEL J- r Aberystwyth, Head M»ste

co a nuspo .v'/>• Cb. L E T T E n S TO T if E E D T O R To — C(¡jnÎIlI: n:{, I ¡Jn. column xi.mtJil be ad,drt'.<ed, 10 the Editor, any miDd be written upon one aide mper oW# Thc!! .,hrJ71J, all Ca.*e.< be ccom yce i3d by -norati and. a<<drc<s render. ,u:i vcetitarih/ f°r ■puniicatiim bni on ijwimntee uf j/w.i faith. TIN: LAST RHSTtXd PLACE. To the Editor of the COIWTY TtriHs AND PoST, SIR,—1 believe it is the sainted poet, George Herbert, who wrote the famous lines that all are equal within the Church's gate," but. judging by the state of a portion of the graveyard of Christ Church in your town I come to the conclusion that such is not the case. On a recent Saturday I p»'^ a visit to the rear of the above graveyard to see the graves of my kith and kin, when I missed to find them oiving tu the jungle condition of the place. Long grass, monster docks, and rubbish shot from somewhere else made the place look very unlike the "God's acre that we have been taug]1* to call it. Bnt on going the front (wI ere the elite are interred) < found the grass'cropped like a lawa> and altogether different to the place 1 had left. know that it has been in the same state for year,, but that is no reason it shouid continue fot ever, and surely, sir. we working men ought to have ollr" portion of the burying srround decent and in ordor, Hoping you will pardon me for trespassing 011' your time aud space, I remain, sir, yours. Ac., AN OLD RESIDENT- -u-