Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser

DOVER LIGHTSHIP IN COLLISION. During Friday night a steamer, bound from London to Cardiff, ran foul of the lightship off Dover. The steamer's pilot got on board the light- ship, which, luckily, was only slightly damaged. The lightship is in the fairway of vessels running bet ween Dungeness and the Forelands, and had been ninny times collided with. On two occasions the lightship has been sunk.

A PAUPER LEAVES £ 20,000. Eli Hyman, a Jew, who used to gather rags and sell newspapers on the streets, died at the general hospital, Toronto, a few days ago, and over 100,000dol. worth of scrip was found upon him, representing securities in various corporations. Ihinan was setenty years of êJn, and had been living in 'ioronto for thirty-two years. For twenty- five \ears, until last spring, he lived on the chariry uf tlie Hebrew Benevolent Society. The members received some intimation at that time from a stock- broker as to the 'man's wealth, and they instituted an investigation, and as a result the charity ceased, it being proved that he was very wealthy. He slept in a shed, and occupied his time gathering irgs in the morning, and in the afternoon sold newspapers.

THE BETTTVG INQUIRY REPORT OF HE COMMITTEE. The report of the Select Committee of the House of Lords on betting has been issued. The committee express the op;M'i>a that the practice of betting has increased considerably of late, especially amongst the working classes, w-hilst on the other hand tho habit of tn tk iig large bets which used at one time to be tip, fas'ran amdngst owners and. breeders of horses h is greatly diminished. Although the committ e do not look, upon betting as a crime in lg;- f, th 'y yet d»p!o.*e the spread of a practice wVic!when c irri,>d to excess, t}¡,y consider opposed to tJl" 11")" ;I.t" nt the sport, injurious to the general community, a rt apt to degenerate into one of the wortt and nrist mischievous forms of gambling. The committee consider that the in- creased prevalence 01 beltiflsj throughout the country is largely due to the great facilities afforded by the Press and to the inducements to bet offered by nieam of bookmakers' circulars and tipsters' ] advertisements. There can be kttlo doubt,, says the report, that the almost universal practice of ] publisliing starting-price odds in newspapers very greatly facilitates betting upon horse-races, and seven witnesses have urged that the practice should be forbidden by law. Others, however, have expressed their conviction that the chief results of such prohibition would he to facilitate and encourage dishonesty among bookmakers. The committee, having given careful attention to both of these divergent views, are not prepared to recommend th' prohibition. The committee, continues the report, cannot condemn too strongly the advertisements of sporting tipsters and others which appear in the columns of liia-jy newspapers. The committee consider that such advertisements are a direct inducement to bet, and that much of the news which they profess to give could only have been obtained by inciting persons- employed in racing stables to divulge secrets. The committee are of opinion that all such advertisements, as also betting circulars and notices, should be made illegal. The committee are convinced that it is impossible altogether to suppress betting1, but they believe that the best method of reducing the practice is to localise it as far as possible on racecourses and other places where sport is carried on. The plan of giving licenses to bookmakers has. it is stated, been adopted in some of the Australian Colonies, and if it were introduced into this country it might possibly diminish street betting and also do much to cheek fraud and dishonesty both on the part of the bookmaker and of the backer. But the establishment of such a system in this country is ol-t-ii to serious objections, and after mature con- siderai.ion the committer do not think it would be de>i\ib!e to legalise betting in this manner. It would, they consider, rattier increase than lessen the amount of betting prevalent at the present day. ihe commmittee recommend that in view of the acknowledged evils of street betting there sh'jii'id be further legislation enabling magistrates to send bookmakers to prison without the option of a fine ior the first offence who have been convicted 0: betting in the streets with boys or girls, or other- wise inducing them to bet. The committee further recommend that bookmakers convicted ot betting in the streets should be liable to a fine of Z10 for e first offence, iZ20 for the second offence, and that for any subsequent offence it should be within the discretion ot the ma,gistrate either to impose a f,. of not more than £ 50, or to send the book- maker to vriscn without the option of a fine. The c"mmit t"e also recommend that the police should be g, -eii the same power of summary arrests which they possess in cases of ubsti-uctioii of the highway.

NEWMARKET ELECTION. The result of the Newmarket election was announced on Saturday to a. large crowd of persons who had assembled in front of the Shire Hall at Cambridge. The election was for the purpose of appointing a member to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Colonel H. McCalmont (Unionist). The result was as follows Mr. C. I). Rose (Liberal) 4,414 Mr. Leonard liiassey (Unionist) 3,907 Liberal maioritv u- 507 Previous chorions resulted as follows: 1885: Mr. G. Nevvnes (L.), 3,S3L; ^lr. K. Hicks (C.), 2,960; Liberal majority, 971. IK86: Mr. G. Newnes (G.L.), 3.405; Marquess of Carmarthen (C.), 3,105; Mr. W. H. Hall (L.U.), 298; tdadstonian majority, 300. 1892: Sir G. Newnes (G.L.), 4,3S1; Mr. H. A. Giffard (C.), 3,168; (il.-(Ititoiiiaii majority, 1.223. 18S5: Colonel II. L. 15. McCalmont (C.), 4,210; Sir 1 G. Newnes (L.), 3,867; Conservative majority, 343. 1900: Colonel H. L. ll. McCalmont (C.), 4,295; Mr. C. D. Koso (L.), 3,218; Conservative majority, 1,077.

A MISERABLE ENDING. James and Henrietta Grove, an aged couple living at Spring Hill, Halesowen, have died under remarkable circumstances. Hearing they were ill a medical man paid a visit, to the house. He found no fire, and the woman pleaded that coal was too dear to burn and provisions too dear to purchase. At the time, it now appears, there was nearly £100 in the house. The old people, it is stated, possessed considerable property, but have left no children and no will.

AN EXTRAORDINARY DISASTER. Part of the town of Olyphant (Pennsylvania) fell Y, fifty feet through its foundations into mine work- ings on Friday night, says a New York message. Five business houses were swallowed up, and two of them subsequently burnt in the mines. Other buildings are still subsiding. The destruction is due to the insufficiency of the supports, part of the town lying over mining excavations. Miners at work when the "crowning in took place had narrow ( escapes. The stoppage is extensive.

IRISH LAND CONFERENCE. Lord Dunraven's land conference has issued a report which sets forth that the only satisfactory settlement of the land question is to he effected by the substitution of an occupying- proprietary for the presei t system of dual ownership; that, except in cases where at least half the occupiers or the owner desire State interference, the settlement should be mane between owner and occupier; that induce- ments should be afforded to selling owners to con- tinue to reside in Ireland, and that with this view an equitable price oueht to bd paid to the owners, which should be based upon their present income* to be guaranteed by the State. After entering into further details with regard to the conditions of sale as affecting owners, the report proceeds to recommend that the amount of the purchase money pa cable by the tenants should be extended over a series of years, and be at such a rate as will at once sece e a reduction of not less than 15 per cent., or more than 25 per cent. on second-term rents, or their fair equivalent. It adds that areas under the Congested Districts Board will require P"l arate and exceptional treatment. The report further advocafes the settlement of the evicted tenants question on a reasonable basis, and sets forth certain considerations which, in the view of the signatories, justify the acceptance of a certain amrunt of loss to the Imperial Treasury in the carrying out of the scheme of land purchase.

JOY CAUSES DEATH. The joy at seeing her husband, who had been absent from home, has been the cause of the death of a younsr wife named Veyre living at Thonon, on the Lake of Geneva. M. Veyre, who is in the employ- ment of the Sultan of Morocco as engineer, recently le.-irnt the news of the birth of a son, and hurried home to see his heir. His wife. who was only twenty years of arp and had been married eighteen menlhs, was waiting with her baby at the station as the train steamed in. The husband ran towards I.is wife, who, pushing the. baby in front, fell into the arms of her husband—dead. The post-mortem proved that Ume. Veyre had died from excess of emotion.

CHASE OF A HOSTILE CHIEF. At Ibekwe, in the eastern division of Southern Nigeria, a successful expedition has just been con- cluded against the head chief Akparanga, who has long been hostile to the whites, and opposed trade and advancement in every way. The expedition, which was composed of seven Europeans and two hundred native troops, left Essene on October 21VI, and the operations, which consisted chieflv of a prolonged hunt after Akparanga through the hu-h, lasted about a month. Evenutally he surrendered, and was deported to Old Calabar, a friendly chief being installed in his placti.

SCIENCE NOT1SS AND GLEANINGS. Sheep's MHk. MM. Trillat and Forestier have studied the com- position of sheep's milk, and find that its weight in extracts exceeds the beat, cow's milk in. 1110 propor- tioti of 200 grams per litre to 1.60 or 16^; also it .surpassed in fat, casein, and mineral matter. The Poison of Moulds. M. Di Pietro, of the Hygienic Institute of Rome, by a series of experiments animals and himself, finds that the poison of the green mould. Pencillium glaucum, has its noxious quality in the green spores, not in its filaments, the mycelium; and that this poison, developed about the third day, persists after boiling many hours; alio that it is soluble in alcohol and petroleum ether, retaining its toxicity. Its effects are vomiting, diarrhoea, prostration, &c. Freaks of Lightning. In Hainault a man's body was cut in two. In eastern Flanders, of three neighbouring poplars, the first was split, the second had its shivered trunk carried away a score of me'eres, the third stripped of its branches. Still another in the vicinity had its bark thrown forty metres. At Merendie, a stroke of lightning, breaking windows, struck a heap of potatoes (more than 1.000 kilos), split and blackened them, so that in two days they became putrid. Magnetic SercibHify. Careful experiments have demonstrated that a normally he:dthy person is quite unaffected by being brought near to even the most powerfully excited magnet. The nerves of an individual suffering from extreme fatigue are, however, said to be markedly excited by the magnet whether either the north or south pole is used. These experiments afford an explanation of the Varying susceptibility to hypnotic suggestion observed in psychic researches. A Power of 1,000 Diameters. Both microscopiits and astronomers are in the habit of speaking and writing in a very offhand manner of a power of 1,000 diameters but very few persons really comprehend the meaning of so great an enlargement. An instance of what such magnification means is furnished by considering its effect upon a house. Take one that is 30ft. square; if magnified 1,000 diameters it would cover thirty- three square miles. Again, an astronomical instance If the sun or moon be magnified 1,000 diameters it would fill the firmament about one and a-halt' times and leave no interspaces. Rail-Making. It has been found by experience that the life of a rail depends very much upon its physical history, and, consequently, the rolling process has been very carefully studied in connection with the wear of the rails. The Engineering Magazine says that the best wearing rails are those which have betn rolled from ingots of the same temperature through- out. Therefore, before rolling, the unevenly cooled ingot is brought to a uniform temperature and one best adapted for making a rail of gtod wearing quality. This is accomplished in re-hearing furnaces called "soaking pits," partly because of their underground construction and partly because of the heat-soaking process to which the ingots are sub- jected. The Lost Atlantis. It is, of course, a very old idea that where the Atlantic rolls to-day there existed in geological ages a continent, to which the name of Atlantis was given. The modern doctrine of the permanence of the great ocean basins indisposed scientists to regard the lost Atlantis idea with any degree of favour. Islands in the Atlantic are to-day regarded as having derived their animal and plant populations from the nearest mainland. Portugal is thus regarded as having supplied the Azores with its birds and plants. Naturalists, relying on the powers of dispersal of seeds, for example, credited the wind and the waves with conveying to distant islands their flora, while the absence of native quadrupeds on oceanic isJalld is regarded to-day as a tacit proof of the non-con- nection of the islands with anv larger land masse.). Dr. R. F. Scharlt, of Dublin, thinks that the lost Atlantis idea is not so unscientific or improbable as it has been regarded. He argues for the existence of former land connection between Europe and North Africa and the Atlantic, land which to-day is represented in this view of things by detached islands. Anticipations of Modern Inventions. Of Rabelais' story concerning the frozen words which startled Pantagruel and his happy crew on the voyage to the oracle of the Holy Bottle the world has iong been familiar. Students of the great humorist maintain that the narrative of the "frozen words" must be takíøIJ to imply that the:) author had something akin to a prophetic vision ot the phonograph. In another direction it now apj cars that Rabelais played the seer and still nearer ap- proached to a recent invention of unique creation. This relates to the "proving platform," a leadiec attraction at the Paris Exhibition of 1900, by which a passenger stepped on to a travelling road, or path, and was carried to his destination without further effort. If some features of this may be traced, by anticipation, to the mind of the old Ra'p who defined rivers as "roads that travel," the t\.U precedent is discoverable in the fifth book ot Rabelais' series of masterpieces. Rabelais, in the exuberance of his imagination concerning the Isle of Odes, where the roads travel of themi-elves. depic's Pantagruel and his pay mariners voyaging to the oracle of the Dive nouteille, on the island of Odes. On this pleasant isle, where the roads travel of themselves, and thus (according to Aristot le's d<finition) must be classed as animals of loct.mo- lion, the traveller had simply to inquire his way of the road which was going to his destination, to get upon it, and so be carried, without further trouble, to the place he desired. The Treasures of the Snow. The molecules and atoms of all substances, when allowed free play, have a tendency to definite forms called crystals, which for the most part are very beautiful. Snow is simply tha vapour of water in a crystallised form. Indeed, the term "crystal," found in most of the European languages, is (icrived from the Greek Icruxtullox, meaning ice or frozen water. The atmosphere is charged with watery vapour to an i inniciiso extent, and when the temperature is sufficiently low to freeze the moisture, snow is fountd. When produced in calm air the icy particles build themselves into beautiful stellar shapes, each star posssesing six rays. More fully described, snow cr\sia!s are six-pointed stars or hexagonal plates, which exhibit the greatest ,aripty cf beautiful forms, one thousand different kinds having been observed, 'li e flakes vary from seven-hundredths of an inch in diameter, the smallest occurring with low temperatures and the largest when the temperature approaches 32deg. If the temperature is a little IIIher. the flakes are partially thawed in passing through, and all ns sleet. One who chooses to experiment for himself may catch the falling flakes upon a cold hand-mirror, slate, cr a bit of window- glass. With an ordinary magnifying lens he can then observe the crystal lorms of the flakes, which will commonly have a similar structure in any one snowlall. 'lhus examined, the water crystals of snow will awaken the utmost admiration for their beauty. These forms have.been frequently used for decorative purposes, being wrought into the figures on wall-paper, prints, laces, and othti objects of domestic use. MR. CHAMBERLAINS TOUR. At a banquet given to Mr. Chamberlain in Lady- smith on Friday night, Sir H. McCalhim, the Governor of Natal, made an important speech, in which he dealt at length with the railway question as it affected Natal and South Africa generally. Mr. Chamberlain, in his speech, urged that there ought to be no more boycotting of individuals, whether British or Dutch. Since ho had been in South Africa he had listened to opinions, received sugges- tions, and hoard complaints. Some of the last were well-founded. and others unreasonable. He appealed to all South Africa to exercise patience and con- sideration. The Mother Country had already taken her full share of the burden of the war. He was ready, however, to consider well-founded grievances, but deprecated the idea that grievances ought to affect, the loyalty of anyone. He recognised the urgency of the vexed question of compensation, and would do everything he could to hasten its settle- ment. He then made the announcement already published about the honouring of receipts given bv British officers, and also stated that medals would be given to natives who had rendered service as scouts and despatch riders during the war. On Saturday morning Mr. Chamberlain left for the Transvaal. He received and acknowledged addresses en route from the municipalities of Dun lee, and Newcastle. At Charlestown he was met by Lord Milner, who joined the train. Brief halts were made at Volksrust, Standerton, and Heidel- bertr, and Pretoria was reached shortly before mid. night. the party being met by a large and enthusiastic crowd.

A Ma xIU SUICIDE. Mr. Bert Lewis, aged, rmrty-cv; M .o.v.rcr well-known Newport (Mon.) family, committed suicide on Saturday by jumping from his bedroom window, a distance of nearly 40ft. Superintendent Brooks had been called in to protect his wife, whom he had threatened to murder, and who had been defendini: herself for some time. For nearly an hour the superintendent was struggling with the man, who then became quieter, and was left in charge cf two constables. While he was dressing to be taken to the infirmary, the attention of the constables was momentarily attracted, and Lewis then jumped through the window, fracturing his skull and breaking his neck. V

NO FOOD — FOR INFANTS EQUALS 9,0 IN POWDER FORM I IN POWDER FORM with milk, upon which it acts as a digestive. Babies Cannot Digest Milk alan e. KEEN, ROBINSON, & Co., Ltd, LONDON, Makeia of KEEN'S MUSTARD, gg—— ,—

Agricultural Co-operation in Wales. WHAT IS BEING DONE? To the Editor of the Welsh Gazette. SIR,-Perhaps it would interest your readers to know what has been already accomplished since the advent of the co-operative movement in South Wales. Of course, the pioneer of the movement— (Mr Brigstocke) is working indefatigably, and now that he has been entrusted with the work of organ- ising Wales throughout, it is very interesting to watch how he nurses the societies in his immediate neighbonrhood-Emlyn and Cardigan. Mr Brig- stocke's motives maybe questioned in some quarters, but those who come in close contact with him find that what he has at heart is the welfare of the farmer. It can truthfully be said that he stands unique, for while all other landlords in the Princi- pality are viewing the movement with curiosity and caution, he is working with might and main to promote it. In a contemporary recently a corres- pondent criticised Mr Brigstocke's work from a commercial standpoint. It is quite natural that commercial men should criticise the movement and take a political view of it, because, undoubtedly, some of them will be compelled to modify their mode of business. Apart from that, the corres- pondent in question seems to be quite unaware of the circumstances and should seek enlightenment before venturing to criticise. The report of the County Council's delegates to Ireland, which has been published in book form, should be read by all such gentlemen. Again, a company called the Western Counties Agricultural Association has taken upon itself the task of pom-poming the movement. Quite natural again. This is an English company, with head- quarters at Plymouth and depots at Carmarthen, St Clears, and Cardigan, and doing a splendid trade under the name of an associated body. This year they held their annual meeting at Carmarthen, a fact which will prove detrimental to their future trading, owing to their proclamation of animosity towards the farmers' movement and, more especi- ally, Mr Brigstocke. Let me infoim them that Mr Brigstocke has already a magnificent army behind him, and that the Celts of Wales will stand by him to the bitter end in fighting an alien combination of traders. I was present at a meeting of the Cardigan Co-operative Society on Saturday, December 6th, when Mr Brigstocke produced a a letter from this Company returning his member- ship fee. The sound of big profits will not induce farmers to stand by the W.C.A. Some time ago, I was a member myself, and had to pay an annual sub- scription of 5s. I cannot see where co-operation comes in here, especially when only 4td or 6d bonus is paid :on purchases. You have to buy iClO worth of stuff before yon secure your membership fee with a bonus of 6d, which is but occasionally given. Farmers are beginning to understand the difference between a Joint Stock Company, and a Co-operative Society. Anyone can hold shares in a Joint Stock Company, and get interest, whether it is a farmers' industry or not, but in a Co-opera- tive Society you must yourself be a trader before yon can participate in the dividends. Whataccounts for the awakening of the W.C.A. people is the fact that a magnificent store has been started by the Cardigan Farmers Society in the latter place. Henceforth, their goods will come in by sea, from the Co-operative Wholesale Society (formerly the Irish Wholesale Society). Some time ago, a cargo of basic slag was bought by the Society, and was guaranteed to contain a certain per centage of phosphate, but was found on analysis to be deficient Consequently, the wholesale people were commun- icated with, with the result that a credit note for £ 55 was sent to the Cardigan Society, being the value of the units of phosphate deficient in the slag. This is an instance of how the co-operative move- ment will watch the interest of the farmers. Again, hundreds of tons of coal have been obtained for there societies at about half the usual price paid to merchants, and what is more, there are collieries in South Wales offering sole agencies to them. A farmer told me—who is a member of the Emlyn Society—that he saved £ 2 6s Od on a truck 'of six tons of coal this year, compared with what he used to pay. After all, these societies are only in their infancy, but already they have been taught what co-operation means. Not only do they buy to- gether, but lately they have commenced selling to- gether. A thousand or more Christmas poultry were Sold to the|Cwmbach Co-operative Society last Christmas. The latter people are in perfect sympathy with the movement, and have promised to support it in any way possible, and financially if needed. The only drawback at present is that farmers in this country cannot supply that huge industrial combination with butter. I was told personally by committee-men and managers of these societies, that it is impossible nowadays to dispose of the old farmhouse butter. They are compelled to get butter of uniform quality, which of course is obtained from Irish creameries, and from countries manufacturing butter on the same principle. This is the great missing link in our programme, but we hope that farmers will not listen to the gossip- mongers who are doing their best to retard the advent of Welsh creameries. Here again the true co- operative principle must, beadopted,and the danger line plainly marked, that is, between that and the Joint Stock Company system. Farmers, and farmers only, must take the initiative. So far, it can be said that the movement is going ahead, despite all criticism and antagonism. It is a hard task to convince farmers that new methods must beadopted, but nevertheless, once convinced they are loyal supporters. The movement has the sympathy of the Board of Agriculture, and the co- operative societies in the populous districts of Glamorganshire. Letters reach Mr Brigstocke every day, asking either for guidance or requesting him to address meetings in different parts of the country.-WALTER WILLIAMS.

PENCADER. EISTEDDFOD. Eisteddfod ragorol ym mhob ystyr ydoedd eisteddfod y Nadolig yn Mhencader eleni. Cynhaliwyd hi yn Nghapel yr Annibynwyr, ac yr oedd yr adeilad eang hwnw yn orlawn. 0 dan lywyddiaeth ddebelsig y Parch D Gwynne Lewis, Pantycrugiau, cafwyd cyfarfod na cheir ei gyffelyb yn amI. Yr oedd y gystadleuaeth o natur nchel, a chafodd y llnaws cystadleuwyr bob man- tais i fyned drwy eu gwaith ar eu goreu. Ni chafodd y swn a'r anrhefn sydd mor ami yn dinystrio gwir werth cyfarfodydd cystadleuol Cymru groesi troth- hwy yr eisteddfod hon, a dymunwn longyfarch y Ily pwyllgor ar eu gwaith yn parotoi i raddau mor foddhaol er sicrhau ymddygiad gweddiadd. Llan- wyd y gadair gan Mr T Barrett, C.S., Cross Vale, a beirniadwyd y gerddoriaeth gan, Mr Timothy Bichards.Llanbedr, tray clorianwyd yr amrywiaeth gan y Parch D Gwynne Lewis. Fel y canlyn y gwobrwywyd:—Parti meibion, y goreu allan o dri, oedd parti Pencader, dan arweiniad, Mr Tom Thomas, Troedrhiwfer; wythawd. Mr P Thomas, Idanpumsaint, a'i gyfeillion; pedwarawd, Mr T Thomas, Llanpumsaint, a'i gyfeillion deuawd, rhanwyd rhwng Mr Tom Thomas, Pencader, a'i gyfaill, a Mr David Davies, Pencader, a'i gyfaill; unawcl baritone, Mr James Davies, Pencader; un. awd tenor, rhanwyd rhwng, Mr Tom Thomas, Pen- cader, a Mr Wm Lewis, Llanpumsaint; unawd soprano, Miss Sarah Davies, Stag Mill, Caerfyr- ddin; her unawd, Miss Rachel Evans, Llanpum- seint unawd i blant, rhanwyd rhwng Tom a Dd Lewis, Llanpumsaint; sain wrth v glust, rhanwyd rhwng Mr Tom Thomas, Pencader, Miss Rachel rhwng Mr Tom Thomas, Pencader, Miss Rachel Evans a Mr Wm Lewis, Llanpumsaint; traethawd, Nodweddion y Cymeriad Crefyddol," Mr David Jones, Pencader ystori Gymroig, Mr Rhys Rees, Pencader; 60 llinell, Ac yr oed-I hi yn nos," Mr Evan Davies, o Goleg Bala Bangor; can, gyfaddas i gerddoriaeth, Mr Rhys Rees, Pencader; englyn, 1 Y torwr oeryg," Mr Tom Thomas, Llandyssul; llythr. oddiwrth dad at fab meddw, Mr B H Davies, Pencader; adroddiad, i rai mewnoed, Miss Hannah Ann Jones, Pencader, ail-oreu, Miss Mary Davies, Crossing Cottage. Pencader; adroddiad i blant, rbanwyd rhwng Dinah a Lizzie Ann Jones, Pen- cader.

Meirion Chair Eisteddfod. The annual Meirion Eisteddfod was held on New Year's Day at the Public Rooms, Dolgelley. There was a very large attendance. Special efforts had been made to make the meetings as attractive as possible, and amongst the competitions was one for brass bands for a prize of £ 20. Mr Joseph Bennett, London, was musical adjudicator, assisted by Messrs V V Akeroyd, W L Barrett, and David Hughes, The other adjudicators were :-Poetry, Rev Elvet Lewis, London; literature, Professor J Morris Jones (Bangor), Mr T Marchant Williams (Recorder, Merthyr), the Rev R Morris, See. The proceedings were conducted by Llew Meirion. At the morning meeting, over which the Rev M E Welby presided. the proceedings commenced with the singing of the eisteddfod song by Llew Meirion. Three competed for the prize offered for the best solo on any wood wind instrument. The prize was awarded to R H Mills, Dolgelley. The Rev Rhystyd Davies, Bryn- amman, secured the prize for the best epigrams, The Helm." In the violin solo contest (barcarolle in G, Spohr) there were two competitors, and the performance of MrFinnigan, Woolwich, was highly commended, and he was awarded the prize. Mr Finnigan informed the conductor that he did not wish to take the prize as he only competed for the honour. The male voice contest proved the most attractive item of the day. Four choirs had entered, and they sang in the following order:— Moelwyn Glee Party, Barmouth, Llanegryn, Llanid- loes. The test piece was The Blacksmith." Mr Bennett, in delivering his adjudication, said that to him Welsh male voice singing was a delight, and the strength of Welsh singing lay in the male voice choirs. They were always up to the mark, they sang with immense energy, a little too much some- time, but always with feeling and uniformity. In awarding the prize of £ 20and a silver-mounted baton to the Barmouth choir (conductor Mr G Griffiths), Mr Bennett said that he had the greatest difficulty in distinguishing between the first two choirs Out of a maximum of 20 marks the Barmouth choir gained 17* and Moelwyn 17. The author of the best hir a thoddaid" to the late Mr W R Davies, county coroner, who declared to be Mr R G Wil- liams, Criccieth. Brass instrument competition (" All Through the Night "), Mr J Reginald Wil- liams, Glyndyfrdwy. Translation into English, Mr J B Jones, Talsarnau. Bass solo (" The Lord Worketh Wonders "), Mr Lemuel Roberts, Bangor. Brass band competition (" Euryanth," Weber), Llan Festiniog. At the afternoon meeting Mr T H W Idris pre- sided. The following awards were made :—Brass Band quartette (" Scotia"), Oakeley Silver Band Quartette. Translation into French (" Coron Prydain Fawr"), Mr Glyn Edwards, Dolgelley. Soprano solo (" The Lord is my Shepherd"), Miss Lewis, Festiniog. Peem on "Myfyrdod," Eifion Wyn, Portmadoc. Mr Williams Williams (Nant- glais), Amanford, was the successful bard in a poetry competition prize £7 and an oak chair. Tenor solo (" Then shall the righteous "), Mr E M Evans, Barmouth. The chief choral competition attracted two choirs, namely Blaenau Festiniog and Llanidloes. The prize of £40 was awarded to the first-named choir. Test piece, "Come, let us sing (Mendelssohn). For the best essay on the History of the courts of law in Wales the prize of £5 was divided between Mr J Roberts, Dolgelley, and Aneurin. At the evening concert Mr J Leigh Taylor, Pen- maen, presided- The Creation "was performed by the Idris Choral Society, under the conductorship of Mr 0 0 Roberts, and an orchestra under Mr V V Akeroyd, Liverpool. The principals were Miss Katie Smith (London), Mr Maldwyn Humphreys, and Mr David Hughes.

NEWCASTLE EMLYN. TEMPERANCE.—The last meeting in the old year of the local branch of Undeb Dirwestol Mercbed y De proved a most enjoyable one. There was a good attendance at Bethel Vestry. The new Licensing Act, which is the all-absorbing topic in temperance circles at present, was under discussion, extracts from it being read by the President. Tem- perance workers have a great deal to do in seeing that the Act is properly carried out. Miss Blodwen Rees having given a recitation, Achubwch fy mhlen tyn, "a paper on the danger of keeping intoxicat- ingjbeverages in the house was read by Miss SarahAnn Griffiths. The members afterwards sat down to an excellent tea, provided by Mrs Lloyd, the Band, for which she was heartily thanked. TOWN CHAT. By 11 TREFOR." Electric light is progressing favourably, thank you, and hopes to be convalescent and in working order by next winter. The Trinity Church bell has gone on its holi- days. Let us hope it will soon return, spliced to a new rope. The gully holes in Adpar are a credit to the Car- diganshire County Council as showing how they study and preserve the antique. Mr T T Elias's testimonial is said to be getting on swimmingly. A letter received from one of the lettering rams of Nonconformity is a pen picture of pathos. Darkness reigns supreme in Emlyn and Lloyd's- terrace. The oil belonging to Emlyn is said to have gone to be used on the troubled waters of Venezuela while the lamp in Lloyd's-terrace has signed the pledge-refusing on any consideration to retain liquid. Priodas Ceffylau is said to be again about com- ing into vogue—a view which does not lack local evidence,—judging by the number of ladies now practising riding on horseback. The Urban Council are cementing themselves into the good opinion of the inhabitants. Their new sidewalk is like. The Pickwick, the Owl, and the Waverley pen. It comes as a boon and a blessing to men. The inhabitants of Drefach are said to be wait- ing to see whether the Emlyn electric light will prove a success before going in for a scheme. Cardigan and Llandyssul will be lighted by reflec- tion. Spitting in places of worship should be prohibited Any person guilty of this filthy habit ought to be mulcted in a fine, the proceeds of such could be giving to the poor and needy. The Christmas pantomime at the Marble Arch Theatre of Varieties was creditable in the extreme to the lessee and manager, Mr Picton Jones His power and ability in teaching children is marvel- lous, but he lacks a little in the power of organisa- tion There should be a "roll of fame" for members and ex-members of the School Board to commemo- rate the many tussles and trials of endurance they underwent whilst serving on the battle field of Zducation.

18S Pajes, Illustrated. HORSES, DOGS, BIRDS, CATTLE. 140,000 OWNERS OF ANIMALS Haye sej-ired a copy of the EllllA FIRST AID BOOK Extract from a lottar received from ,"ila,,or-Cienaral Baden-Powell referring to The ELLIMAN FIRST AID BOOK. "It will, I am convinced, be of the greatest valii3 to the Troop Officer* of the Constabulary v, thromrhout the New Tc-rltorles, and I am suppiyinz each of them with a copy." Sent post free for is. in stamps, or upon receipt of the label affixed for the purpose to the outside of the back of the wrapper of as., as. 6d., and 3s. 6d. bottles of ELLLWS ROYAL EMBROCATION. THE ELLIMAN FIRST AID BOOK Published by EUlunan* Sons & Co., Slough, Eng.

LLANAFAN. WATCHXIGHT SERVICE.—On Wednesday even- ing, the 31st December the usual Watchnight Service was held in the above Church. The service comfaeaced at 11 o'clock. Despite the very un- favourable weather a good congregation bad assembled. Appropriate Psalms and lessons were voead and hymns sung. The Rev W J Williams, vicar, delivered an impressive and appropriate address founded on the words of Moses when leaving the presence of Pharoah of old-" Ni Welaf dy wyneb mwy." At 12 o'clock—after the last five minutes of the old year had been spent in silent prayer-the bells were rung and the New Year ushered in by singing the Te Deum." The Benediction closed a most solemn and impressive service. SUNDAY SCHOOL FESTIVAL.—On Thursday last (New Year's Day) the annual Festival of the Llanafan and Gwnnws Church Sunday Schools was held in the School at Llanafan. The school rooms had been prettily decorated with evergreens, &c, for the occasion and everything presented a gala appear- ance when the company assembled at 4 o'clock. The tea tables were kindly given by the following ladies:—The Countess of Lisburne, Mrs Gardiner, Mrs Williams, Tynybedw; Mii-s Williams, Bron- caradog Mrs Pugh, Llwynmalys and Miss Parry Penlan. After tea theorizes, kindly given as usual by the Countess of Lisburne were distributed by Mrs Gardiner to those who bad attended most regularly during the year in the two Sunday schools. The prizes consisted of band. some and useful books in Welsh and English. Before giving out the books a telegram just received from the Countess of Lisburne was read by the Vicar-tbe Rev W J Williams -as follows:—"Many happy New Year's to all members of Llanafan and Gwnnws Sunday Schools from Lady Lisburne," the reading of which was re- ceived with loud applause. After the distribution, the Vicar proposed a vote of thanks, couched in eulogistic language to the Countess for her great kindness in giving the books, and also for her Ladyship's thoughtful act in sending the telegram. Mr Williams also wished a most happy and pros- perous New Year to the Countess, ihe Earl of Lisburne, and Lady Enid Vaughan and hoped that they would return to Crosswood invigorated and strengthened by their sojourn in Kent. This was most heartily received by the audience. The Vicar also proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs Gardiner for presiding at the distribution to the ladies who had so kindly the tables and to Mr Gardiner for superintending the arrangements at the school, all of which were received with loud cheers. The evening's entertainment was then proceeded with. The programme was a somewhat lengthy one and consisted of recitations, glees, songs, etc., all of which were rendered in admirable style. Miss Annie Morgan especially delighted the audience with her recitations. Mr John Jones and Mr Morgan Parry deserve great praise for the care- ful way in which they bad prepared the musicai portion of the programme and trained the various parties. Mr William Parry had also been most successful in preparing the recitations of the children, The entertainment was brought to a close by singing Hen Wlad fy Nhadau," Mr Tom Parry taking the solo. Before separating, Mr Wil- liams proposed a vote of thanks to those who had so kindly taken part in the entertainment and pre- pared the children to sing and recite, and Mr W Parry proposed a vote of thanks to the Vicar for presiding. Though the weather was so wet and stormy a very happy day was spent by all

DEVIL'S BRIDGE TEA PARTY AND CONCERT.—New Year's Day proved most welcome and enjoyable for the children of this neighbourhood. The scholars of St Iago's Sunday School as well as all the scholars of the Mynach day school were treated to a substantial tea kindly given by the Rev D Davies, B.A., and Mrs Davies, The Parsonage. The generous donors had spared neither expense nor trouble to make the feast a real one. What with three sorts of cake— all of the best, several rounds of oranges, and every attention and encouragement to the youngest and most timid, all were thoroughly satisfied. For ons afternoon at least the children were made quite happy not to mention the happy anticipation of the event for weeks past. The local members of the Board had also been invited, while many parents and adults wete entertained besides, Mrs Wadding- bam, Hafod, made a most distinguished guest, whom all were highly honoured and delighted to see, and all were sincerely glad to know that the genial and respected squire is recovering from his recent illness. Other welcome guests were the Rev T Noah Jones, vicar of Eglwysnewydd, with Mrs Jones and family. Mrs Davies bad secured the services of the following ladies to preside at the tables:—Mrs Morgan, Tynrhyd, Mrs Richards, Ysgoldy, Miss Kate Morgan, Tynllwyn, and Miss Thomas, Penpompren. Able and willing assistance was also rendered by Miss Bray, Ffynonlas, Mrs Davies, Pantwn, Miss Jenkins, Glanrhyd and Mrs Hopkins, Bodcoll. The schoolroom bad been very prettily decorated by the older scholars and teachers. In the meeting which followed the tea, a most cordial vote of thanks was carried to Mr and Mrs Davies for their thoughtful and bountiful treat to the children. Though they have only been in the nlace since last July, their good work in the church, amongst the poor and with the children and young people of the place is already much appreciated. They bid fair to play a most promi- nent and salutary role in the future of the district, and all gladly unite in wishing them God speed and many happy and prosperous years at St lago. Mr Davies also very ably filled the chair in the concert which followed the tea, and in his opening address be gave some very valuable and timely advice to both children and parents. The following is the programme of the concert, which was rendered entirely by the school children most of the items had been either composed or specially arranged for th occasion :-National anthem in English and Welsh, school children address by the Chairman, Rev D Davies, B.A.; solo and chorus, Hen Gymru Fy Ngwlad," Master and scholars; recit, Y Brithyll Ffol," Thomas Evans, Dolcoion recit, Na, na i," Mary Jones, Ty Capel; song, "Little Travellers," in English and Welsh, school children; recit, Gwyr y Fro," Elizabeth H Richards, Ysgoldy solo, Beibl Mawr Fy Mam," half by Myfanwy E Evans, Tynclawdd, and half by Elizabeth M Evans, Felinwynt; dialogue, "Arithmetic," excellently rendered by Eunice J. Mason, Smeltiag Cottage, and Priscilla Jones, Rhostyddynfach; song, -1 Bedd y Morwr," school childrenj;jrecit, ",Y Stori Oreu," Margaret A Lewis, Gellydywyll; song, Y Gwynt," school children, took well; dialogue, "Y Llitbro," Arthur Davies, Gwarrbos; Jobn LI W Davies, Pantwn; Ardwyn Lewis, Mount Pleasant, and David John Lewis, Gelly- dywyll; trio, Y tri Cardotyn," sung in character by Emrys Lewis, Mount Pleasant, Thomas John Williams, Tanyfawnog, and Evan Davies, Min- ffordd, greatly enjoyed recitation, Y Meddwyn," Ruth Lloyd, Prignantisaf; dialogue, "TynuNythod Adar,'James Davies,Minffordd; John AMason, Glan- fedw; and Emrys Lewis, Mount Pleasant, very effectively acted; song. Merch y Melinydd; Miss Katie Morgan, Tynllwyn, highly appreciated recitation, "Yr Afonig," standards II and II recitation, "This is East," Infants, very well rendered tableaux, Y Tabyrddwr Bach," three girls and three boys followed by a song from school children recitation, Y Dyn Meddw," very humourously and effectively rendered by Wm. John Davies, Dolau; song, "The Bells," very pretty, school children dramatic sketch, "Y Brenhin ar Dyn Hapus," Evan Davies, Minffordd, represented the King; Wm John Davies, Dolau, the Duke; Joseph Morgan, Tynllwyn, the Doctor; and Thomas John Williams, Tanyfawnog, Pat the happy man others took the part of guards. All the actors did well and the piece was loudly applauded. Song, "Y Mwnior," school children; Irecitation, "Y Tren," very ably delivered by Evan Davies, Minffordd finale, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau." This brought a very pleasant day to a close.

THE LEYTOlf MYSTERY. MR. GARLAND'S STORY. Lyin? in a ward of the West Ham Hospital, his hoad swathed in a mass of bandages, is John Garland, the victim of the alleged murderous assault in Edwards's house at Leyton. Thanks to his splendid constitution he is recovering rapidly- more rapidly, indeed, than the doctors had at all expected. But he is still unable to leave his bed, and he will probably not he outside the hospital for some time-a week at least. He is, however, strong enough to see visitors, and an Eveniny Nnrs reprt.sentati vo obtained permission from Dr. Samii- lands to hear tho story of the assault from tho victim. "I first heard of Edwards," he said, "from one of the regular trade agents. We had been wanting to dispose of our grocery business, and Edwards, who said that he wished to buy slcii a business, was put into communication with us. He came down one day-I don't remember what day exactly—to see my shop. He looked over it and over the house, and he seemed to be pleased with it all. Of course I knew nothing about him, and he did not tell me much about himself. He said that ho had got property at Clapton. He referred to that more than once. And he said that he had plenty of money at a London bank-over £200, so he said. This bank, he told me, would not take accounts that went under £200. From talking to him I was led to believe that, he was married. When he was looking at the bedroom he spoke of we,' and I am not quite ure, but I think he mentioned his wife. THE VISIT TO LXYTON. "Afterwards I got a letter asking me to meet him at the agent's office. But that letter didn't reach me until after the time of the appointment, and then he asked me to meet him at 89, Church-road, Leyton. I went there on the Tuesday (December 23rd). At first I didn't know that there was any furniture in the house at all. It seemed empty. He let me in, and told me that he wanted to see a man who was to make some alterations in his house —something about the fitting of the doors, I think. I understood that this man was coining from Edwards's Clapton property. We were to go on together to the agents in Hishopsgate-street, but the man, he said, was late. I stayed there for nearly an hour chatting with him. Then I went out to get something to eat. While I was out I found that there was a train soon after two o'clock. When I went back I found that the man had not come yet. We sat and chatted for some time longer. I sat on an empty box, and he kept walking about and looking through the Venetian blinds to see if the man was coining. The blinds were all down. I noticed that Edwards had A ROLL OF PAPER IN HIS HAND. but I don't know when I noticed it first, and I don't know whether lie had it when I first went there. It seemed to be just a bit of rough newspaper, but I didn't think much about it. You ste, I wasn't at all suspicious. At last I told him that we should miss the train—in fact, we had missed it already — and that if we were going to the agents we had better go. So we started to the front door. As we went he suddenly asked me whether my wife and I lived alone. When 1 answered yes, he asked again whether we did not keep a servant in our house. Then, just as I lifted my hand to the latch—I was in front, and had my back to him—I received A TERRIBLE BLOW OS THE HEAD. Of course I was never expecting such a thing, and I went down. But I was not quite unconscious, and as I rolled over I saw him standing over me showering down blows on my head with the paper roll that I knew now had a heavy weight inside it. I was shouting out and struggling to protect myself, and he tried to force a cloth into my mouth. I made a great effort-a dying effort, I thought at the time-and I got on my feet. Then I caught hold of him, and we had a fearful fight in the hall. It must have been quite two minutes that we were fighting. It doesn't sound much now, but it was a terrible time. Then I felt my strength going. The blood was streaming down my face. I held him away with one hand, and with my left hand I smashed the glass pane in the door to pieces. Then some men came in, and I don't remember anything more. I don't know how I got out of the house, though I remember being brought to a doctor. But I don't know much more of what happened till I came here. The police found my hat somewhere and shewed it to me. It was a bowler hat, and it was torn all to pieces. Of course, I wasn't suspecting anything. It was a terrible fight, but it I had seen that first blow coming—I don't know what would have happened, but I think it would have been different." And Mr. John Garland clenched his fist. He is a mall of forty-seven, still vigorous, and of very powerful physique. "At the timp," he said, "I thought his motive was only robbery. We had been perfectly friendly, and were chatting together like brothers. lie was an extremely pleasant spoken man." INQUEST ON THE VICTIMS. At Leyton Town Hall, on Friday, the coroner, Dr. .Ambrose, opened the inquiry into the circum- stances surrounding the deaths of tho man, woman, and child whose mutilated bodies were found by the police buried in the garden of 89, Church-road, Leyton. The mysterious discovery caused the most intense excitement in the Lcyton district, and, although it was understood that the day's proceed- ings would be purely formal, admission to the hall was eagerly sought by a crowd of curious observers. Admittance was strictly limited to those having some official connection with the inquiry. The police were represented by Superintendent Pryke, Detective-inspector Collins, and Divisional-inspector Jenkins. The names of the victims were given by the relatives of the deceased as William John Darby, aged twenty-six, grocer, lately residing at 22, Wyndham-road, Camberwell, Beatrice Darby, twenty-eight, his wife, and Eleanor Beatrice Darby, their child, aged three months. The coroner, on taking his seat, said he proposed to take only evidence of identification, and then adjourn in order that further investigations into tho matter might be made. The jury then retired to view the bodies. Edwards, the man who has been charged with the murder of the three persons, was not present. Alice Elizabeth Baldwin identified the body of William John Darby as that of her brother-in-law. He was twenty-six years of age, and was a grocer at 22. Wyndham-road, Camberwell. She identified the body of the woman as that of her sister, who was the wife of William John Darby. She was twenty-eight years of age. The baby, Eleaner Beatrice, she also identified. The coroner said that was as far as the inquiry i could proceed that day, as certain articles had to he examined before the jury could meet again. Addressing the Press, the coroner appealed to them to refrain from publishing gruesome details, He said he made that appeal on behalf of the community. The inquiry was then adjourned.

NEW AMBASSADOR TO ROME. Sir Francis Bertie, Assistant Under-Secretary to the Foreign Offcce, has been appointed British Ambassador to the Court of Rome. Lady Feodora. Bertie is daughter of the late Earl Cowley, formerly Ambassador to Napoleon III. Sir Francis Bertie's appointment has been received with much gratifi- cation in Home, where, in view of his high abilities, he will be extremely welcome. The Hon. Sir Francis Leveson Bertie has been at the Foreign Office since 1863, with short intervals, wi.en he has been attached to special Embassies. At the Congress at Berlin he acted as Second Secretary to the British delegates. He was appointed Assistant Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in 1S94, and is chairman of the Uganda Railway Commission. Sir Francis Bertie is a biotber of the Earl of Abingdon. ======

ELECTRIC TKAINS TO BRIGHTON. The Private Bill Oftice has issued the text of the bill wlrich will be promoted next session for the purpose of obtaining Parliamentary authority to construct an electric railway between London and Brighton. The capital of the company will be £4,500,000. Six years is allowed for the completion of the railway, which will be made and worked in accordance with the system known as the mono rail.

CHIPS OF NEWS. gome 3,000,000 persons visit the Crystal Palaco £ ■-j JCM. Last year 5,480 emngrants sailed from Londonderry for thd United States. Eigiir,y-tltr(w commercial failures were recorded lapt week in England and Wales. Ni. deaths from infectio-us diseases have occurred In the Dufverton (Somerset) Union for two years. Yarmouth exported over 272.000 barrels of cured herrings to the Continent during the past year. Twelve hundred pounds has just been sent as a New Year's gift to the Bishop of London's Fund. Eighty good-sized apph's were gathered last week from a you-ig tree near Frodsham, Cheshire. Mr. G. Whiting, amatrerattheChristChurch Schools, Ealing, has been missing since December ?.2nd. Damage estimated at £ 10,000 was done on Saturday by a five wliich gutted a patent cattle food works at Burton. At Drutnkeen, co. Donegal, lightning struck the Reman Catholic church and parochial house, practi- cally demolishing- the latter building. Alexander Smith, who admitted that he had done no work for nine years, has been sentenced to a month's imprisonment at Dewsburv for begging. It luis been decided by the Admiralty to substi- tute a total allowance of F-9 lor the presort clothing gratuity of P-2 10s. made to stokers on joining the navy. ° About eighty naval and military veterans were entertained at a New Year's dinner at Bristol on Saturday. Between them the old men wore some two hundred and sixty medals. Many workmen employed at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Liifield Lock, have been suspended en the ground that no more work is required from them at present. Some hundreds of colliers employed on the Welsh coalfields have, it is stated, saved sufficient money during the lagt four years to keep themselves and their families for a year at least without doing any work. Licensed victuallers at Tredegar, Monmouthshire, have dt-cided for the future to abandon the custom of giving Christmas beer. They will hand the equivalent in as a gift to the local cottage hospital funds instead. General Sir John French visited Greenwich on Saturday. At the Borough Hall he was received by the mayor, aldermen, and councillors and presented with an address of welcome engrossed 011 vdlum and enclosed in a silver casket. The total tonnage dealt with at Bristol Docks during 1S92 amount* d to 1,7.^3.397 tons—a record. The tonnage in 1891 was 1,667.114 tons. The increase comes exclusively from -asl,.wise traffic. Charles George Doughty committed suicide at Yarmcuth bv cutting his throat after partaking of dinner following his return from work on Satuiday. He leaves a wife and seven children. L'he Canterbury licensing justices have directed opposition to twenty-five public-house licenses on. the ground that they are unnecessary, and that the premises are in many cases dilapidated and unsuit- able. Mr. John Read Weston, forty-five, f.irmer, of Wacton, near Yarmouth, missed his bearings at night and fell into a pond. Being preventuu from extricating himself by mud, lie was drowued in 3it. of water. The bone" of another of the famous Abbots of the ancient Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds have just been discovered on the site of the old chapter house, thus completing the list, of six Abbots recorded to have been interred there. Kenneth Batten and George Reason, attending the Farnham Royal, Bucks, School, have never missed an attendance in the la.st nine and seven years r'Rpectiveiy. One has been awarded a silver medal and the other a framed certificate. At the Dome and Corn Exchange, Brighton, on Saturday, 3,500 poor children were entertained at dinner. It was estimated that one in every five of them was lattieriess, and that the father of one in every three was out of work. Alfred Philip Knight, a driver in the R.A.M.C. vohintcers, Woolwich, has been committed 'or trial, bail bfing accepted in one surety of £ 20. Tho charge r,< amst him is that of embezzlement in connection with the sergeants' mess. Mrs. Hugh Thursby, wile of a well-known estate agent at Much Weiilock, was driving home on Saturday night when the horse bolti d, and the trap colliding with a fence, she was thrown out and killed. Whilst laughing over his supper at Preston Thomas Loxham. sixty-three, firelight worker, swallowed a z-iiiall bone and was cho ed. The i-ial of prisoners at Limerick Quarter Sessions had to be adjourned on Saturday evening owing to a number of the jurors getting drunk. Three jurors were arrested. The British cruiser Shearwater has left Honolulu for Pitcairn and other South Sea islands to search for the three mutineers belonging to the Liverpool ship Leicester Castle. A blind woman, named Elizabeth Atkins, thirty- four, of Holford-street, W.C., who was knocked down and run over by a railway van,has died in the Royal Free Hospital. It is stated on good authority that Sir Ernest Cassel, whose munificent gift of Z200,000 to the King for consumption sanatoria will be remembered. has oflvied to give Z40, 000 towards the study and investigation of ophthalmia in Egypt. I At Altuna, i.ear Hamburg, the body of a woman, aged forty-two, has been found horribly mutilated, in a iiiMincr recalling tho crimes of "Jack the llipper." The body of a well-dressed lady was on Saturday found floating in the Long Pond at Clapham Common. It has been identified as that of Mrs. SUiian Hester, who had been missing since Decem- ber 31st. Ripe wild strawberries were picked during the week-end near Dartmouth. Selling crushed stone coated with tar as coal is the latest swindle in Connecticut, U.S.A. It is proposed at Yarmouth to revive the Green- land whale fishery formerly carried on from that port. Alcoholic poisoning has caused the death of a child aged two. who drank some whisky left on a table, at Linlithgow. At Branxholme Castle, Roxburghshire, a tame fox and a foxhound live peacefully together in the same kmnel. Sir Thomas Lipton's challenger for the America Cup may be ready for launching before the beginning1 of April. The death is announced in Paris of M. Pierre Laffitte, leader of the French Positivists and protessor in the College of France. Swarms of locusts which swept over Krugersdorp, Transvaal, recently destroyed all the vegetaules planted by the troops stationed there. Viscount Castlerosse has been appointed Master of the Horse in the Irish Viceregal Household, in succession to Colonel F. R. Foster, resigned. Heavier snows have fallen this winter on the inner ranges of the Himalayas bordering on the Pamirs than have been known for twenty-five years. Not being able to cut his throat with a ] iece of a broken beer-glass, a man in Vienna took up> a hammer and, striking himself on tile head,iiactured his skull. Mr. G. T.Walker. Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, who was Senior Wrangler in 18C9, has been appointed head of the Indian Government Meteorological Department. Only twenty-five days have been taken by a letter in travelling from Moukden, Manchuria, to Norwich t-id tile Trans-Siberian Railway. By the old sea route the time would have been seven weeks. With the object of diverting the stream of emigrants that now travels to America vid Germany, the Hungarian Government proposes to establish a line of steamers running between Fiume and the United States. In a case of gtime trespass heard at Coventry, the defendant's solicitor urged that his client, who was a good shot, needed practice, and in view of the lessons of the late war ought to be encouraged. A fine of 10s. and costs was imposed. Considerable alarm and uneasinpss is being occasioned amongst barmaids in Manchester in con- sequence of the announcement that they are to be abolished, as has been done in Glasgow. Between three and four hundred young women will be thrown out of employment in Manchester if the local women's temperance societies prevail upon the authorities to carry out their wishes. Among the passengers from Liverpool by the West African steamer Sobo was Mr. J. P. Prince, of Grenville, Mississippi, a cotton-growing expert, who is going out in connection with experiments now being made to cultivate cotton in West African territories. Mr. Prince said he would arrive in time to see the present crop gathered, and could thereby judge of the capabilities of the country for the purpose. WIDOW AND SOLDIER. At the instance of Catherine Reech, a widow whose acquaintance he made in South Africa. Harry Claydon, aged thir&y-five, was charged at the South- western Police-court, London, on Saturday, with stealing five mining share certificates i-altied at EIOO and an Indian tablecloth worth E2. Claydon was arrested in Yorkshire as the result of a complaint recently laid at the court by Mrs. Reech, who said t) tt in consequence of his promising to marry her she bought him out of the Scottish Borderers and lent him sums amounting to £ t00. They returned to England, and all arrangements had been made for the marriage, when fit- suddenly deserted her at Harrogate, leaving her almost penniless. At the time of his arrest the man denied all knowledge of the certificates, and said that if Mrs. Reech had given him another week he would have sent for her and married her. He was remanded for inquiries to hissing certificateg-. A double gipsy wedding has just taken place at Bolton. The bridegrooms are brothers. The guests, who arrived in eighty vans, assembled in an open space, and looked most picturesque in Romany attire. The brides were dressed in white satin, and had fourteen bridesmaids. They drove to the ehurch in broughams drawn by four greys, and the ?uests followed to the church also in broughams, he father of the bridegrooms presented his sons with waggons, horses, and stock to the value of 0, 000 each.