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OUR OUTLOOK. --
OUR OUTLOOK. A Touching Story. 0 Mr T. P. O'Connor, in M.A.P., tells an interesting story of the late Sir George Grey. It is to the effect that when Sir George was going out to the Cape as Governor-Designate he quarrelled with his wife on board ship on account of a letter written to the lady by the captain of the vessel, and picked up on deck by the irate husband. At the latter's request the ship was put into port, and Lady Grey was sent ashore without a word of explanation. It was not till 33 years later, when by some means unknown an eclaircissement was arrived at, that husband and wife were again united. It was then proved that Lady Grey had never known anything about the letter. The aged couple spent about three years together before the death of Lady Grey, which took place only a few days before that of her husband. It was a touching sight, says the writer, to see the old people enjoying a late honeymoon. They often- sat side by side for hours with their hands clasped together, and were sometimes heard to say, To think that we should have wasted 33 years of happiness. If the story is true, the sorely-injured Lady Grey must, indeed, have been a veritable patient Griselda." Working Man v. Working Man. It has often been said that the greatest enemy of the working man is a working man, and people who cling to this assertion have, unfortunately, many pointed illustrations in proof of it. Another instance of this is furnished in the singular strike which has occurred in connection with the building of the electric light station for the St. Mary Newington Vestry, Walworth. It is stated by the contractor that 26 out of the 31 bricklayers engaged upon the work struck, because, as they acknowledged, one of the men was getting up his corner too quickly. The bricklayer referred to was at one end of the wall, and the other men had to level up to the work performed by him. The contractor further says that the men who ceased work demanded the discharge of the workman referred to, and refused to resume work until he was sent away. The places vacated by the bricklayers have not yet been filled up. The man objected to is a fully-qualified member of the Brick- layers' Union. The employer contends that the com- promise between the Master Builders' Association and the Bricklayers' Union arrived at some two years ago has been broken, and he has lodged a complaint with tne men's union. Forging the Speaker's Name. The Speaker's iiame, it appears, has been forged to a cheque for the West Indian Hurricane Fund, which reminds a correspondent of a singular liberty taken with Mr Speaker Peel, which was gravely resented. A gentleman, who had recently entered the House of Commons rose several times to address the House in a full dress debate, but failed to catch the Speaker's eye. The debate lasted for several nights, and a note from the Speaker's House, signed Arthur W. Peel," reached the disappointed member one morning in which the writer apologised for not having called him at an earlier period, and stated that if he would rise that afternoon between five and six he would invite him to take part in the debate. The member rose at the appointed time, but failed to catch the Speaker's eye, and having risen again and again during the evening he approached the Chair, had an explanation with the Speaker, and produced the letter, which was, of course, a hoax-concocted by practical jokers on his own side. The Prelude to Irish Home Rule. Both Mr Dillon and Mr Redmond have just declared that the Irish County Councils are to be used to pro- mote the cause of Home Rule. Mr Dillon wants the Council to promote Home Rule by resolutions; Mr Redmond by business. The former says "the first business of every County Council in Ireland should be to pass a resolution declaring that there could not be peace and prosperity in Ireland until the National Government of Ireland was in the hands of an Irish Parliament. Their next business should be to record their condemnation of the infamous conduct whereby 1,400 evicted families were still starving on the road- side." Mr Redmond also wants" to use all the clauses of the bill as so many weapons to secure Home Rule." But his, we think, is the more excellent way. He wants to make the Local Government Act not so much a platform as an object lesson. First, the electors are to show their fairness and toleration. They are, of course, to secure a Nationalist majority, but they are to give fair representation to the other side. By so doing, they will enable all sections of Irishmen to work together for the good of their country. Next, the Councils are to be businesslike. They are to prove the capacity, steadiness, good sense, and toleration of the Nationalists of Ireland." They are to give a lesson to the English in the capaoity of the Irish people for self-government." This is good advice. Mr Dillon's specific will do very well for the field days Mr Redmond's should be taken for the working days. # The Turk in Crete. The banishment of the Turk from Crete is, happily, at hand. In less than a month the ultimatum of the Powers requires to be unconditionally obeyed, and this indicates that the Powers have arrived at an understanding as to the future government of the Island. There is no doubt that Prince George of Greece will be installed as Governor, under the nominal suzerainty of the Sultan. At the present moment the British force in Crete amounts to two whole brigades, for England is determined, whatever the other Powers may do, to carry out her part of the programme, and not only punish the Turks for the attack on British troops and for the massacre of Christians which took place a short time ago, but to force an issue to the present intolerable state of affairs. It is this firm action of England that has led up to a common agreement by the Powers, which will result in the freeing of the island from Turkish misrule. # The Prince of Wales on Fowl Dubbing. A controversy has been going on for some time in the poultry world as to whether or not game fowls should be dubbed, or, in other words, whether the young male birds should have their combs removed, and those opposed io the practice have been so far successful that at the forthcoming Dairy Show at the Agricultural Hall all dubbed birds are to be dis- qualified. The result of this is that the United Game Club, who maintain that the combs are cut purely and simply for the protection of the birds against each other, and that it will be a matter of great difficulty to bring birds to maturity with combs that are at all presentable, have decided not to exhibit at the Dairy Show. Breeders of game fowl are still hopeful that they will eventually win the day; but strong support was accorded to the anti-dubbing movement at the outset by the publication of an expression of opinion by the Prince of Wales, who stated that he was opposed to the practice of dubbing. A correspondent believing that the Prince might have arrived at this decision somewhat hastily, recently wrote him a letter, in which arguments were used to show that the anti-dubbers were more earnest than practical, at the same time asking his Royal Highness if he saw any reason to alter his opinion. The Prince, replying through Sir Francis Knollys, his private secretary, has written as follows Marlborough House, Pall Mall, S.W., October 8th, 1898. Sir,—I am directed by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 5th inst., and to express his regret that he is unable to alter his opinion as to the practice of dubbing.I am, sir, your obedient servant, FRANCIS KNOLLYS. # A Peep into Prison Life. Mr Brocklehurst, who was convicted of contraven- ing a rule of the Manchester City Council by address- ing a group of persons in a secluded part of Boggart Clough, and went to prison for a month, has written an interesting narrative of his brief sojourn within the walls of Strangeways gaol. Nowhere does red tape appear to flourish more vigorously than in her Majesty's prison-a fact sufficiently exemplified in the following passage of Mr Brocklehorst's book:- One method of refusing a prisoner's demand in those things in which the local authority a ha.ve power of choice is that of reference from offir :o official, At the time of my admission I was in wt-ak health, and was, in consequence, wearing at', t t plaster. On asking the doctor to be allowed to ve an extra one in my cell in case of contingencies, he referred me to the deputy-governor. On seeing the latter, he told me to speak to the doctor. When next I saw the latter gentleman I asked him for it once more, and was a second time referred to the deputy. It proved useless to tell him that the deputy-governor had him- self sent me to the doctor. He refused to act without authority from the governing power, and advised me to see the governor. Needless to say, I lost all patience in the matter, and declined to proceed further. Graver still even is Mr Brocklehurst's indictment of the prison dietary, both on the score of wholesome- ness and quantity. He cites some striking instances of its effects on fellow prisoners as well as on him- self. # # # » Dreyfus. There can now be little doubt that the revision of the Dreyfus case is practically agreed upon, and that one of the most sensational trials, exposing the cor. ruptness of military France is at hand. Meantime the statement that General Picquart is ill in prison necessarily gives rise to some ugly surmisings. It is, of course, difficult to believe that the General Staff are capable of carrying on a campaign of assassination against their opponents. But Picquart's own declara- tion remains on record, and unless General Zurlinden is prepared to find himself in the position at present occupied by the Empress of China, he will do well to open the prison doors without delay and to restore Colonel Picquart to liberty. If the latter should die in prison, then no matter what the facts may be a very large number of persons will maintain that he has been murdered in order to prevent his appearance in a court of justice. The honour of the army in that case will be reduced to a condition in which it will certainly not be worth saving. # # # The China Coup. It is now generally believed that the unfortunate Emperor of China has been put to a violent death in order to secure the triumph of the Dowager Empress who, it seems, was never really an Empress, but merely a favourite concubine, and that Li Hung Chang played a prominent part in the d'etat. The result of the sudden change is distinctly and avowedly un- favourable to English interests, though it is not yet known whether the woman who now controls the Tsung-li-Yamen is as favourable to Russia as many have assumed. But now comes the news of a dip- lomatic outrage, of which an English official has been the subject, in the streets of Pekin itself. Lord Salisbury cannot ignore this ugly fact, and he will have to screw his courage up to the sticking point. Everybody knows what happened when last an accredited agent of the British Government was sub- jected to Chinese violence. We have no wish for a Chinese war at this moment; but unless our influence in the Far East is to be absolutely destroyed prompt steps will have to be taken to re-establish our prestige at Pekin. The Empress and Li Hung Chang between them have forced our hands, and the more promptly we play our strong card the better. A Military Transformation. Mr John Macdonald, the veteran war correspond- ent writes an interesting description of the training of the Egyptians as soldiers since we took command of them in 1892, and his articles contain some inter- esting reminiscences of the early days of Lord Kitchener as the organizer of the victory at Khar- toum. "Lieutenant Kitchener," says Mr Macdonald, came in the earlier rush of alert, versatile, adven- turous men, whom the chance of a career, under the new order of things, attracted Cairo-wards from all over the East. Nor had he long to wait before Sir Evelyn Wood associated him with Colonel Taylor of the 19th Hussars in the interesting task of bringing the new fellah cavalry into the world. In the light of events at Omdurman, this first duty of the future Sirdar acquires an historical interest and attractive- ness. I had the good fortune to be one of the three present at the birth-as I suppose it may be named- of the new cavalry, to the command of which Taylor had just been appointed. Taylor had invited me the night before to accompany him and his friend, and witness the operation which they were both to super- vise. A tall, slim, thin-faced, slightly stooping figure in long boots, cut-away' dark morning coat and Egyptian fez somewhat tilted over his eyes- such, as I remember him, was the young soldier who was destined to fulfil Gordon's task of smashing the Madhi.' 'He's quiet,' Taylor whispered to me, as we were getting ready for the start; that's his way.' And again with the characteristic jerk of the head which all will remember who knew Taylor, 'He's clever.' And so in the raw, greyish, early morning of January 8th, 1883, the three of us drcve in our dingy rattle-trap over the white dusty road Nilewards to meet the fellah cavaliers. Taylor did most of the talking. Kitchener expressed himself in an occasional nod or monosyllable. At the barracks we found some forty men waiting." # # His Longest Speech. I remember," continues Macdonald, Kitchener's gaze at the awkward slipshod group as he took his position in the centre of a circular space round which the riders were to show their paces. We begin with the officers,' said Taylor, turning to me; 'we shall train them first, then put them to drill the troopers. We have no troopers just yet, though we have 440 horses ready for them.' And now began the selection of the fellah officers. They were to be tested in horsemanship. The first batch of them were ordered to mount. Round they went, Indian file, Kitchener, like a circus master, standing in the centre. Had he flourished a long whip, he might have passed for a show- master at rehearsal. Neither audible nor visible sign did he give of any feeling aroused in him by a performance mostly disappointing and sometimes ridiculous. His hands buried in his trouser pockets, he quietly watched the emergence of the least unfit. It was amusing to observe the difference in demeanor between the two men at some critical stage, such as bareback trot; while Kitchener looked on unmoved, Taylor's broad shoulders shook with a suppressed laugh. A good English troop-horse would shake the teeth out of them,' Taylor remarked in one of his asides. In half an hour or so the first native officers of the new fellah cavalry were chosen. It was then that Kitchener made his longest speech 4 We'll have to drive it into those fellows,' he muttered, as if thinking aloud." # Lord Reay on Education. The presidential statement made by Lord Reay at the re-assembly of the London School Board the other day has called forth much appreciative notice. The statement may roughly be divided into two parts —the first dealing with the details of present-day teaching under the Board, the second with the work of the Board and its general policy. Under the first- named head we are heartily glad to see a tendency to revert to the old and wholesome view which is rather apt to be overlooked by the zealous modern educa- tionist-that the business of the teacher is to help his pupils to learn, rather than to fill them with know- ledge partially cooked, like certain baby-foods, to render it easier of assimilation. Home lessons are rehabilitated, therefore, at the same time as fresh provisions are announced for the better training of teachers. Manual training and domestic economy go on succeeding; training in physics if found prefer- able to training in chemistry—we do not quite see why, unless it be that chemistry lessons are more noisome and costly; but the preference shows that bread-studies are, quite rightly, not the chief aim of the Board. English and geography are becoming better taught—the latter, at any rate, needed it badly upper standard schools are developing; even- ing continuation schools (for which so much was done by the present Sir Arthur Dyke-Acland when he was Minister of Education in the last Liberal Govern- ment) are exhibiting unwonted promise. Fashoda. The French press, which has been urging the Government to stand or fall tltFashoda, is beginning to assume a more moderate tone. For instance, the Matin says:- We shall probably not risk a war with Great Britain for the nominal sovereignty of territories which Egypt, who had them within her reach, was never able to retain, and which areat an immense dis- tance from our possessions on the Atlantic. They are colonies inaccessible, so to speak, from our coast- annexations in the mountains of the moon, almost in the moon itself. But we can very well retain our honour without retaining Fashoda. Prudence should tell us not to load ourselves with too much territory. We must be colonial but in moderation. Lord Salisbury, with a firmness worthy of his former (lays, has shown France that we are in earnest upon this matter. He has clearly given her to under- stand that quit Fashoda she must, and in this he is backed by the whole nation. "We have been shed- ding blood and treasure in Egypt for eighteen years or more, and we are not going to allow France to reap the result."
COUNTY GOVERNING BODY.
COUNTY GOVERNING BODY. JUSTICE TO LLANFAIR SCHOOL. A meeting of the Montgomery County Govern- ing Body was held at Newtown on Wednesday. Mr Humphreys-Owen, M.P. (chairman), presided, and there were present-Mrs Humphreys-Owen, Mrs Hugh Lewis, Capt. Mytton, Messrs W. F Addie, Richard Jones (Pertheirin), John Jones (Llanfyllin), J. Jehu, Edward Jones (Trewythen), C. R. Jones (Llanfyllin), Richard Lloyd, William Cooke (Newtown), T. Watkin, and Bennett Owen; together with Mr Winnall (deputy-clerk). FINANCE. The Finance Committee reported that a fresh apportionment of the county rate, for the purpose ot the allotment of the Treasury grant, being necessary, owing to the establishment of the school at Llanfyllin, they had resolved to recommend the County Governing Body to submit the following apportionment to the Charity Commissioners:— Welshpool (boys .£113 8s lid, girls .£75 19s 3d), .£189 I8s 2d; Newtown (boys £ 113 8s lid, girls .£75 19s 3d), £ 189 18s 2d; Llanfyllin boys .£56 19s 5d, girls.237 19s 8d), iC94 19s Id Llanidloes (boys .£63 16s 2d, girls .£42 10s lOd), .£106 7s Od. Machynlleth, .£94 19s Id; Llanfair, .£83 118 2d; total, .£759 12s 8d. This suggested apportionment was unanimously agreed to. L, The Committee further reported having con- sidered a letter from the Llanfyllin School Managers, in which they asked the County Governing Body to make an application to the Charity Commissioners to sanction their applying the balance of accumulations of income (amount- ing on 18th May last to £ 200) towards the Llan- fyllin School building fund. The committee recommended the County Governing Body to accede to the application.—Agreed. The committee reported their appointment of a teacher of cookery and laundry work for the County Schools at a salary of X30 and travelling expenses for the term, her services to be exclusive. In regard to the difficulties of travelling, the com- mittee had resolved that the teacher should not go to Llanfair School, but that the Llanfair pupils should be welcomed to attend the classes at Welshpool. Since that resolution had been passed the Committee reported that arrangements had been made for the teacher to attend Llanfair on Thursdays. This part of the report was also unanimously agreed to. COUNTY & STUART RENDEL BURSARIES. Principal Roberts forwarded the following list of candidates for the Stuart Rendel Scholarships and County Exhibitions, with the aggregate marks 1!1 a gained by each at the exams. --Dorothy Beresford Wood, Newtown, 510; M. Winifred Watkin, Llanfair, 492; Margaret Ethel Watkin, Llanfair, 485; Mabel Anwyl Hughes, Newtown, 467 Gladys M. Morgan, Newtown, 446 C. J. Jones, Newtown, 414; Edith Evans, Llanidloes, 411; Margaret Jane Evans, Llanidloes, 408; Frank H. Evans, New- town, 402 Frances Anne Rees, Machynlleth, 368 Joseph Davies, Llanidloes, 363; LI. Hughes, Machynlleth, 347; Ethel Florence Williams, Llanfair, 330; Dilla Griffiths, Llanfair, 270; M. A. Griffiths, Llanfair, 262 Alice Morgan, Machyn- lleth, 215. Some discussion took place as to whether the most successful candidates should hold the Stuart Rendel Scholarships and the County Exhibitions aimnltaneouslv. The CLERK pointed out that the head teachers at their Conference had recommended that they should not, but that that recommendation had not been adopted by the County Governors. The meeting agreed that pupils should hold both bursaries. Miss Wood and Miss Watkin, the first on the list, were each granted a County and Stuart Rendel Exhibition, and Miss Ethel Watkin a County Exhibition. THE LLANFAIR SCHOOL. Mr WATKIN, in terms of notice, moved that the resolutions passed on 20th February, 1897, and 6th June, 1898, giving one-fifth of the Llan- fyllin District Fund to Welshpool School be rescinded, and that the claim of the Llanfair Local Governors to the whole or a part of the said fund be further considered. Mr Watkin spoke at some length in the way of a personal explanation of his conduct as the representative Governor of Llanfair in regard to the previous treatment of this question. There had, he said, been some misunderstanding respecting the matter on the part of himself and the local managers. He never knew that Mr Addie was to bring on the resolu- tion before the County Governing Body until he saw it in the newspapers. When the business agenda came into his hands the first thing he noted was that the meeting had been called on the same day as an important fair was held at Welshpool. He had opposed County Council meetings being held on important market days when members were bound to attend to their own business, and when he observed that this particular meeting of the Governors was called for the Welshpool fair day he rather angrily tossed the agenda on one side without looking at its contents. If he had known that Mr Addie's motion relative to the Llanfyllin District Fund was coming on he would certainly have attended the meeting. That was how the misunderstand- ing came about, and he was sure that the County Governors would not desire to take advantage of any mistake or irregularity, or to do anything that was unfair to the local Governors at Llanfair. He pointed out that the Llanfair School had no rich patrons, and almost everyone who subscribed towards its establishment had made a personal sacrifice in doing so. Mr JEHU seconded. There were present a deputation from the local Governors of Llanfair consisting of Mr Theodore, Mr Humphreys, Mr Story (the clerk), and two Lady Members. Mr THEODORE, at the request of the Chair- man, rose to state the claims of Llanfair. He said that the matter was not of the nature of a dispute between the two schools, but rather the question of properly administering the Scheme. They felt that Llanfair had been rather hardly treated, but that if the Scheme was thoroughly carried out their school would secure the benefits that accrued to it. In their opinion the provisions of Section 38 of the Scheme were as clear as daylight. It stated that the amount of one-fifth of the money should be paid to the school nearest Llanfyllin, and they had no doubt that the Llanfair school was nearer to Llanfyllin than that of Welshpool. It unfortunately appeared in the correspondence that had taken place between the County Govern- ing Body and the Charity Commissioners that the Governors had laid down their own premises as to distance. They had stated that Welshpool and Llanfair were almost equi-distant from Llanfyllin and that it was a matter of some nicety to deter- mine which was the nearest. He believed it was not a matter of nicety at all, and helreferred the Governors to the county map. The distance had been measured, and not only was Llanfair nearer to Llanfyllin than Welshpool but there were various roads to Llanfair from Llanfyllin. When the Charity Commissioners were led to believe that the two places were equi-distant the ques- tion of accessibility arose, but as a matter of fact they were not equi-distant, and therefore under section 38 Llanfair was entitled to the whole of the money. As to the question of accessibility, the position of Llanfair schools was proved by the fact that twelve children came to it from the Llanfyllin district. The local Governors were given to understand that a less number attended the Welshpool school. They unhesitatingly asserted that the money which had been paid to Welshpool school belonged to Llanfair. It amounted altogether to .£2841 17s 8d, and was made up of two sums-X241 3s 8d and .£43 14s. The Llanfyllin accounts for the years 1893-4 and 1894-5 showed an amount of .£350 7s 2fd, the fifth of which was £ 70 Is 5d. He believed that sum which accrued up to 31st March, 1895, had been included in the amount handed over to the Welshpool school, and he would like to know before proceeding further the date of the opening of Welshpool school. (The Chairman: April, 1895). Thus they were shown that this amount which, as he had stated accrued up to the end of March in that year, was paid to a school which was really not in existence. It did not exist until a month later, while the Llanfair school Lad been in existence, and educated some of the Llanfyllin children six months before that time. That £ 70 at least belonged to Llanfair, but it was clearly proved that Llanfair had been passed over and the money given to the school which actually was not in existence. He felt quite sure that the County Governing Body were prepared to deal out justice in this matter, and he trusted they were convinced of the fairness of the claim that had been put forward on behalf of Llanfair school. Their district was a poor one, and the local managers had to contend against more difficulties than were experienced in Welshpool or elsewhere. Were it not for the princely gift of the late Col. Harrison, who gave them their land free, he doubted whether they would have been able to establish an intermediate school at Llanfair. As to the excellence of the school work, that was proved by the position which Llanfair scholars had attained in the scholarship list they had just received from Principal Roberts. Mr HUMPHREYS, Llanfair, said he regretted that the local governors were not strongly repre- sented on the County Body when this question was first discussed. As to the question of dis- tance from Llanfyllin, there was, he said, no doubt that Llanfair was nearer than Welshpool. That was proved by the number of children who came to the Llanfair school from Llanfyllin. Farmers in the Llanfyllin district drove their children to Llanfair on Monday morning and took them home on Friday evening. These facts proved that the Llanfair school was either considered better than that of Welshpool, or that it was nearer Llanfyllin and he might say that the Llanfair managers would rather forego the money altogether than admit that Welshpool school was better than theirs. They asked for the money simply because they considered it belonged to them. The Llan- fair school was a small one it was a type of those smaller schools in Wales which brought education to the doors of the people. Quite two-thirds of the pupils who attended it would be debarred from the advantages of higher education if it did not exist. Such a small school ought to be encouraged. It was the first school opened in the county, and it was started under many difficulties. They had sacrificed a great deal to successfully establish it, and he thought they could venture to ask the Governors as a matter of right that the Llanfyllin money should be allocated to them. Mr FORRESTER ADDIE said he ought to state on behalf of the Welshpool school that the Welshpool Governors did not wish to have posses- sion of money which they were not entitled to. It had been stated that Llanfair school educated twelve children from Llanfyllin, but he imagined that some of them belonged to other districts. If that matter was carefully gone into he thought that that list would require considerable over- hauling. The number of children belong- ing to the Llanfyllin district educated at the Welshpool school was 17, and if, as he believed, some of the 12 mentioned by the Llanfair man- agers were not from Llanfyllin, he contended that Welshpool had a very strong case. He could not accept the decision of the County Governing Body to rescind the resolution and give the money to Llanfair, until the question was laid before the Charity Commissioners with the view to a just decision. He congratulated the Llanfair school upon the success which some of its pupils had attained, but he protested against certain allu- sions which had been made to the Welshpool school. In Welshpool they had also had difficul- ties to face, but like other schools in the county they had overcome them. The Welshpool Govern- ors had a list of the Llanfyllin children educated at their school, and he hoped the County Body would regard their claim to this money as a very strong one. The CHAIRMAN did not think there could be any doubt as to whom the £ 70 odd mentioned by Mr Theodore belonged, but they would leave that out of consideration for the present. In regard to the question of distance he suggested that they should get a statement from the County Surveyor and submit it to the Charity Commissioners, and ask them whether there was ground for rescinding the former resolution and what directions they were prepared to give for dealing with the money. Mr ADDIE thought that question had already been settled by the Charity Commissioners, and he would not submit to any decision by the County Surveyor. He thought they should put their case before the Charity Commissioners in their own way. The CHAIRMAN: There was some doubt as to which was the nearest school to Llanfyllin, and if we had had before us then the evidence we have to day, showing that Llanfair is about a mile nearer, we should have made an order that the one-fifth of the Llanfyllin district fund be paid to Llanfair. If it is shown by measurement on the road or map that Llanfair is nearer Llanfyllin than Welshpool by main road or district road, we might ask the Charity Commissioners whether they will give an order rescinding what has been done. The ques- tion for us is to lay the evidence before the Com- missioners, and ask if they will re-open the mat- ter which we have settled. I do not propose we should eschew any evidence which each school might wish to bring forward; all we should do is to consider whether there is a prima facie case for rescinding the resolution. Mr JOHN JONES said he believed it to be a fact that the distance from Llanfyllin to Welsh- pool was generally taken to be 12 miles, and to Llanfair 11 miles. He thought there was a very strong pri-na facie case in favour of Llanfair he would go further than that and say there was a very strong case altogether to show that Llan- fair was entitled at least to a part of the money. Mr THEODORE: We don't claim a part but the whole of the money. Mr JONES: The resolution proposed reads the whole or part." Mr THEODORE remarked that they were pre- pared to show that the seventeen scholars spoken of by Mr Addie were not all from Llanfyllin district. The CHAIRMAN: The question for us is whether there is prima facie evidence respecting the matter of distance to justify the rescinding of the former resolution. Mr THEODORE: Do you say that we are clearly entitled to that .£70 ? The CHAIRMAN Yes, I think you are. Mr RICHARD LLOYD: Did the Charity Commissioners give the money to Welshpool under section 38 because it was the nearest school to Llanfyllin ? If the County Governing Body are of opinion that one school is nearer than another is it not for them to say where the money shall go to ? If we are satisfied regarding the nearest school there is no question for the Charity Commissioners. The CHAIRMAN said he took it that Mr Addie would appeal against their rescinding of the reso- lution, therefore, it would be best for the County Governing Body to do what he had suggested. Mr ADDIE stated that he had no objection to rescinding the resolution and let both parties put their case before the Commissioners. Mr LLOYD: If we had had the information when the resolution was passed that we have to- day, we should never have passed it. That reso- lution was passed on a decided misunderstanding apparently, and in all fairness we should lay the question open. Capt. MYTTON said that the County Governing Body were in difficulty in exactly determining which was the nearest school, and he blamed the Llanfair Managers for not replying to their request for information. If they had replied they would not have got into the present difficulty. It was stated that both Llanfair and Welshpool were twelve miles distant from Llanfyllin, and then the question of accessibility came in. The mistake had arisen in consequence of the Llanfair Governors not doing what they ought to have done. Mr Watkin's motion was then agreed to. Mr LLOYD moved that the Clerk be instructed to communicate their decision to the Charity Commissioners, and gave notice that he would move at next meeting of the County Governors that they consider the question de novo. This was agreed to. Mr Humphreys-Owen left the meeting at this stage, and the chair was taken by Capt. Mytton. NEWTOWN AND THE BERRIEW SCHOOL GRANT. A communication was read from the Local Governors of Newtown claiming a proportion of the Berriew School grant on the ground that the Berriew district was nearest to the Newtown School, at which a number of the Berriew children were educated. The CHAIRMAN said he did not consider that the Berriew School was in the same category as that of Llanfyllin.. Mr LLOYD remarked that it had been decided to put the Berriew money to the general fund because the Berriew Scheme had collapsed. The money would thus be apportioned over all the schools in the county. Newtown, however, claimed, he supposed, a greater share for the reason that it educated more of the children from the Berriew and Montgomery districts than any other school did. He, therefore, felt bound to support the application of his Governors, as he thought they had a claim to a larger share. At the same time he did not see that they could deal with the question that day, because it had been decided to allocate the money to the general fund. He moved that consideration of the subject be deferred until next meeting, when he would move that the former resolution be rescinded. This was agreed to. REPRESENTATIVE ON BANGOR COLLEGE. The meeting appointed Mr Watkin as the representative Governor of the University College, Bangor. JlAOHi JNLL-feiTH SCHOOL. I A letter was read from the Local Governors at Machynlleth asking for approval to their proposed exchange of land.—Approved. A NEW LLANIDLOES GOVERNOR. Mr J. Davies was unanimously appointed to the seat on the Local Governing Body of Llanidloes vacated by the death of Mr J. D. Davies. SCHOLARSHIPS. On the motion of Mrs HUMPHREYS-OWEN it was agreed, That the opinion of the Charity Commissioners be asked whether, having regard to Sections 5 and 81 of the Scheme, scholarships can be awarded out of district funds to children whose parents reside outside the district, or in counties with which there is no compensating arrangement under Section 43."
fCAERSWS BOARD OF GUARDIANS.
CAERSWS BOARD OF GUARDIANS. SUGGESTED COUNTY ASYLUM. THE BOARD AND THE DISTRICT NURSE. The fortnightly meeting of the above Board was held on Wednesday. Mr R. Benuett (chair- man) presided, and there were also present- Messrs E. Powell, D. Higgs, T. E. Kinsey, M. H. Davies, Thos. Jones, E. C. Morgan, E. Jones, D. T. Francis, and R. Pryce, with Mr Williams (clerk). THE POOR LAW CONFERENCE. The CLERK read the report of the Chairman and the Rev T. Hughes, who attended the Poor Law Conference at Bangor in September on be- half of the Board. The delegates stated that an able paper was read by Mr Chance, hon. sec. of the Central Poor Law Conferences, upon indoor and outdoor relief, pointing out that the propor- tion of pauperism to the population was still con- siderably higher in North Wales than in England and Wales taken as a whole. A discussion fol- lowed, but no resolution was submitted to the Con- ference on the subject. One of the Board's delegates described to the Conference the plan adopted in this Union in regard to out-door paupers, a plan which, thanks to the ladies who took a kindly interest in them, answered satis- factorily. Dr Rhodes of Chorlton, read an exhaustive paper on the treatment of imbeciles, and proposed a resolution in favour of the appoint ment of a Royal Commission to enquire into the present state of the mentally diseased in England and Wales, and to report as to the best method of treatment both as regards the patients and the cost to the ratepayers. The resolution was carried unanimously. Another subject discussed was that of nursing in the Workhouses, and among the outdoor," upon which an excellent paper was read by Miss Evans, late guardian of St. Asaph Union. In the course of the discussion Mr Bircham observed that there was a time when people in Wales had a feeling that they would rather be killed by a person who could speak Welsh than be cured by an English one, their impression evidently being that the first qualifi- cation of a nurse was not that she could nurse, but that she could speak Welsh (laughter). The Board's representatives had every confidence that the papers read, together with the discussions thereon would be productive of much good. Mr C. MORGAN said he would like to know how Miss Evans' remarks respecting nursing applied to their Union. The CHAIRMAN, in reply, stated that the Board had passed a resolution to grant a sub- scription of X5 towards the nurse in Newtown, but that unfortunately this was rescinded by a committee subsequently. He was very sorry for this because the Board were relieved of consider- able expense through the services of the district nurse. He knew of one case in which they saved 7s per week, the district nurse having done the work which the Board would otherwise have been obliged to employ a nurse to attend to. Mr Powell knew more than he did about the matter, as his wife had taken an active part in it from the very commencement. Mr E. POWELL said he thought they should propose a vote of thanks to the delegates for their excellent report of the proceedings of the Poor Law Conference. It seemed to him that every one of the papers which had been read applied to their Union. He entirely agreed with Mr Bennett's remarks respecting the district nurse. He thought the Board sometimes rushed to a, conclusion without due consideration. As a Board they had to maintain the poor throughout the Union, and he thought they ought to do every- thing in their power to alleviate the sufferings of the poor, and to save the rates (hear, hear). And there could be not the least doubt that the dis- trict nurse at Newtown saved the Union a much larger sum than the Board were asked to contribute (hear, hear). Mr C. MORGAN, in seconding, said the Board had been held up as a laughing stock on account of their extravagance in out door relief, and after reading Miss Evans' paper he did not think it was difficult to find the cause of it. She had pointed out the unsatisfactory treatment which was in vogue in our Workhouses, and he was bound to confess that her remarks applied to their own Workhouse. A short time ago a gentle- man told him that there was comfort for the poor in the Forden Workhouse, and that the inmates were extremely reluctant to leave the house. It was not so at Caersws. He felt sure that the gentlemen who visited the House were convinced that the poor were not properly treated. Mr EVAN JONES said it had been suggested that the Visiting Committee should meet in a body and visit the House, but the suggestion had not been carried out. The resolution of thanks was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr E. POWELL seconded by Mr T. E. KINSEY it was decided to give notice to terminate the Board's tenancy of the existing vaccination stations in the Union. THE ACCOMMODATION QUESTION.-AN IMPORTANT PROPOSAL. Mr EDWARD POWELL read the following report of the Committee appointed to consider the accommodation of harmless lunatics: — After carefully considering the accommodation available we are of opinion that at least one hundred in- mates can be provided for after reserving amply sufficient room for the ordinary paupers, and the Clerk has been instructed to acquaint the Visiting Committee of the Asylum with this opinion. We recommend that ground plans of the different floors of the house should be at once prepared to assist the Board in deciding on the necessary alterations, and that an architect be engaged for this purpose. We consider it a favourable mo- ment for taking into consideration the question of lessening the number of workhouses in the county. The four houses were built to accommodate 960 inmates, being at least four or five times the num- ber of paupers at present occupying them, and one of them could with advantage be spared for use as an asylum for lunatics. There were on the 21st December last 835 inmates at Bicton Asylum, of whom 151 were from Montgomeryshire. Towards the cost of the asylum Montgomeryshire contribu- ted X3023, being 7s 8id per head per week, in ad- dition to its share of the sums required to meet the principal and interest of the building debt. Caersws Workhouse could, in our opinion, at com- paratively small expense, be made very suitable for occupation as an asylum, and would be large enough in all probability to take the whole of the lunatics of the county in the future. At the present rate of increase in pauper lunatics it would appear that further accommodation will have to be provided at Bicton Heath for about 200 more lunatics within the next ten years. Instead of doing this your Committee suggest that it would be to the interest of both Shropshire and Montgomeryshire that the former county should take the whole of Bicton Heath Asylum for its own lunatics, paying Montgomeryshire its proportion of the present value of the buildings etc., and that the latter county should use one of its present four workhouses for the accommoda- tion of-its lunatics. If the Board is of opinion that this proposal is of value we recommend that each of the other Unions of the county be asked to appoint two representatives to meet two of the Board's representatives and the Visiting Justices to discuss the question, and if possible prepare a scheme for carrying it out. (Signed) Edward Powell, chairman, John Lewis, T. E. Kinsey, and C. Morgan. Mr POWELL, continuing, said it might appear that the Committee had gone a little beyond their province in submitting such a report, as they were simply appointed to investigate what accom- modation was available for chronic lunatics. But it seemed to them from the correspondence which was placed before them that the opportunity should not be lost to make the suggestion which was appended to the report. If they glanced over the report from the asylum they would find that according to the present rate of increase in the number of lunatics there could be little doubt that within the next ten years there would be at least 200 more lunatics to be provided for than at present. It was pretty clear that the opinion of the Visiting Justices was in favour of scattering the harmless lunatics throughout the workhouses of the county rather than increase their accom- modation at Bicton Heath. He agreed with the opinion expressed in the paper read before the Poor Law Conference to the effect that it was not altogether desirable that lunatics, even harmless lunatics, should be housed near to other paupers, and at all events not near to children. It was true that if they were to have a number of im- beciles at Caersws the Board intended shutting them off from the remainder of the inmates, and thus meet any danger in that direction. But it would surely be better to utilize one of the four big buildings they had in the county, and accom- modate the whole of the lunatics from the county rather than allow the Bicton authorities to scatter a number of imbeciles throughout the county (hear, hear). In the four Workhouses there was accomodation for 960 inmates, and at Caersws they were able to accommodate from 400 to 450. The number of lunatics for the whole county was 151, so that there was ample accom- modation for them at Caersws. And to look at the matter from the point of view of convenience or expense it would be to the advantage of every- body concerned to have the lunatics there. The cost of maintaining the inmates at Caersws was at present something under 4s per head per week. At Bicton the cost was nearly double, being 7/9 per head per week. Towards the cost of the asylum the county contributed < £ 3,023 in addition to its share of the principal and interest of the building debt. He could not help thinking they would be able to look after the patients quite as well at Caersws as at Shrewsbury, and it would Ite very much more convenient for the relatives ot the poor imbeciles. Furthermore, he understood that the friends of private patients had received notice to remove the latter, and what were they to with them ? They might have to send them hundreds of miles away. The authorities at Bicton Heath must come to a decision at an early date. and if the Board allowed this opportunity to slip they might make arrangements to increase their accommoda- tion and the Board would thus lose an opportunity of using one of their workhouses. Sometime ago Mr Morgan had suggested the amalgamation ot the county Workhouses. It was an excellent suggestion, but practical men felt that it could not be carried out inasmuch as it involved the amal- gamation, more or less, of the Unions. What was now suggested was entirely different. If the Board made arrangements for taking over the lunatics of the county they would send their poor to Forden or Machynlleth at a fixed sum. If they found they bad more accommodation than was required for the 150 patients they might take in private patients. He knew it was a difficult matter which would require a great deal of trouble, but he thought the time had come when some effort should be made in this direction. He felt sure it wou!d benefit the county, and con- cluded with prop ping the adoption ot the report Mr EVAN JONES seconded, remarking that the report contained some very valuable sugges- tions which it would be well for the Board to consider. He hoped the other Unions would agree to discuss the question, and that there would be no such misunderstanding as had characterised Mr Morgan's scheme (hear, hear). Mr D. HIGGS supported the resolution, and it ,was carried unanimously. It was subsequently agree that the committee should carry out the suggestions contained in the report. Mr E. POWELL said that if the committee adopted plans for accommodating only a certain number of lunatics it would necessitate a re- arrangement of the House for their own ordinary paupers. And in doing so they might think it desirable to make better arrangements for the comfort of the inmates. The meeting shortly afterwards terminated.
A Newtown Man charged with…
A Newtown Man charged with Embezzlement at Shrewsbury. At the Shrewsbury Borough Police Court on Tuesday, Evan Davies, living in Castlefields, recently engaged by Messrs T. Southam and Sons, wine merchants, of Shrewsbury, as traveller, and formerly by Mr Thomas Swift, Newtown, was brought up on remand charged with embezzling several sums of money, the property of his em- ployers. Mr Morris (of Messrs Sprott and Morris) was for the prosecution, and Mr J. C. H. Bowdler defended.—John D. Southam, Abbey Foregate, a partner in the firm of Thomas Southam and Sons, said defendant had been in their employ from the end of July, 1896, to September 10th last, when he was dismissed. Defendant began as clerk, and afterwards was put on to travel in addition to his work as clerk. His salary began at 25s, and after five weeks he was given 27s 6d a week, with all travelling expenses. Defendant was also allowed £ 1 a quarter towards the repair of his bicycle, which he used in the service of his employers, and it was agreed at the end of 1898 he was to have X5 for extra work. When defendant could not use his bicycle he was allowed to hire a horse or a horse and trap. When defendant received money he should have given a receipt from the firm's counterfoil receipt book. The monies received he had to hand, with the book, to the cashier on the return from his journeys.—Cross-examined: Defendant had opened a few new accounts; he was not, however, allowed commission of any kind. There was no definite arrangement as to the amount to be allowed for travelling expenses; what was reasonable and right was allowed. He was present at the office on September 10, when defendant was sent for; he was asked to account for some deficiences, and he replied that the firm owed him some money. No one asked him what was coming to him for commission, and no pro- mise was made to pay him any commission. De- fendant in reply to further questions at that in- terview, said he would come down and explain the accounts on the Monday, and when told that a circular must be sent round to the customers asked that it might not be done, as it would do him harm.—Re-examined: The three discrepan- cies were discovered after the circulars had been sent round to the customers in defendant's dis- trict.—George Passant, of the Powis Arms Inn, Pool Quay, said defendant called on him on January 5, and he paid him for Messrs Southam X6 lis. Defendant gave him the receipt pro- duced.—Susannah Elizabeth Ellis. Llanfair Caer- einion, daughter of the landlady of the Prince of Wales Inn at that place, said some few months ago defendant called, and was paid some money for Messrs Southam, and the receipt produced was the one given by defendant —George Evans, of the Buck Inn, Welshpool, said on June 8th de- fendant called on behalf of Messrs Southam, and he paid him .£U16s, for which he was given the receipt produced.—John Roberts, Abbey Fore- gate, Shrewsbury, cashier and book-keeper to pro- secutors, said defendant's cash was entered up from his counterfoils, which he (witness) initialled. Defendant had not accounted for the X6 11s re- ceived from George Passant on January 3, nor for other sums of £ 25 10s received from Mrs Mary Ann Ellis, of Llanfair, en May 17, and £ 11 16s from Mr G. Evans. The counterfoils for the re- ceipts on those accounts did not appear in defen- dant's receipt book that covered the period in which the payments were made.—By Mr Oliver The receipt books were kept in a cupboard, but defendant would have access to it.—Mr Bowdler said he did not propose to cross-examine the wit- ness as they intended to reserve their defence.— Samuel Clement Southam, a member of the firm of Messrs Southam, said the letter produced, which was in defendant's handwriting, was left at his house on Tuesday evening last. He made no reply.—Cross-examined: He wrote to defen- dant before he was dismissed asking him to come to the office and make an explanation, also to bring with him hs receipt book. After defendant was dismissed he said there was commission due bfft he (witness) took no notice of it, because he thought it was an absurdity. No promise had ever been made to him that he was to have com- mission. He remembered defendant at the inter- view on September 10th saying that whatever dis- crepancies there were the firm owed him some- thing.—P.S. Binnall said he arrested defendant on Tuesday night on Mardol. In reply to the charge, and on his saying he had a warrant for his arrest, defendant replied, A warrant! He said Yes," and defendant replied, Oh, no, who- ever could have taken that out." He told him Mr John Southam. Defendant said, Let me go home and see my wife; it will break her heart." He told defendant that could not be, and he then asked that he might go and see Mr Clement Southam, saying he knew that he (defendant) had a set off against the firm. He refused to allow him to go, and told him that whatever he wanted doing must be done through the police office. Defendant was then taken to the police station. On his reading over the warrant defendant made no reply, and later he wrote to Mr Clement Southam.—Defendant now pleaded not guilty, and reserved his defence. He was committed to the Borough Quarter Sessions, and admitted to bail, himself in A20 and two sureties in .£20 each.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCES AT NEWTOWN.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCES AT NEWTOWN. The following is the report of the Attendance Officer to the Newtown School Board for the past year:— Gentlemen,—I beg to report that the number of children on the register is 1276-a decrease of 27 as compared with the previous year. The average attendance for the year ended September 29th, 1898, was 1086-9, or 83-2 per cent., an increase on the previous year of 15. 215 children have at- tended school the whole year, whose names I ap- pend. 323 children have attended school over 400 times. I also append a list of the names of children who have attended school very irregu- larly during the past year.—I beg to remain your obedient servant, September 29th, 1898, JOHN ANDREW. Names of children that have attended school the whole year NEW CHURCH-STREET—BOYS'. Albert Parry, Kerry-road; Osborne Morgan, Wesley- street; Edward M. Davies, Park-street; Edward Gwilt, Pool-road; Pryce Jarman, Pool-road; Fred Evans, Crown-street; Lawton Lewis, Sheaf-street; John Ford, Broad-street; George Morgan, Wesley- street; C. E. Stephens, Lot Park-street; David W. Davies, Park-street; Pryce Davies, Ladywell-street; Rowley Jones, Ladywell-street; Wynne Morris, Stone street: Seymour Williams, High-street Matthew Ford, Broad-street; Wm. Marston, Bear Hotel; R. E. Jarvis, Dolfor-road, and Harry Morris, Sportsman. NEW CHURCH-STREET—GIRLS.' Mary v;vards, Black Hall Agnes Wallace, Milforri-roai!: Eva Edwards, Broad-street; Nora Edwards. ikwl- treet; Daisy Jones, Llanidloes- road: G'rtie Mars ton, Bear Hotel; Mary Morgan, Pool-road: Myfnmvy Ashton. Old Church-street. Florence Bryant, Gertie Davies, New Church-street; May Mar.sf.oi. Soar Hotel; Madge Roberts, Pool-road; idrews, Ladywell- street; Nellie D.ivies, Par! .jfc; Gladys Evans, Plantation; Florence kwn, lanie Morgan, Pool- road; Nancy Owen, Poi>l-road; Cissie Richard, Park-street; Harriet Stephens, The Lot; Ethel Bryers, Llanidloes-road: Beatrice Davies, Park- street; Bessie Evan*. Frul;c; Evelyn Ford, Broad- street; Hilda. Lewis. L I.,lywell-street M. E. Matthews. Frolic; Lilly Owen, M. A. Pugh, and Annie Rees. Park-street. NEW CHUECTT-STIJL'ET—INFANTS.' Cyril Smith, Pool-rllad; Louisa Morris, Skinner- street; Annie Lewis, Turner's Lane Maud Morgan,. Pool-road Nellie Evans. New Church-street. NEWTOWN NATIONAL SCHOOL. Llewelyn Smith and Albert Smith, Ivy Cottage May Hineholiffe, and Gvon -.4, Pool-road; Charles Pa,rry. Stone-street: Th,), 'Yilliams, Bumford's- court; Archie Wii iiitin-A and OM-H. Williams, Wesley- court Wiiliam Delves, Lot t.; ¡g-ar Powell, Kerry- road Herbert Hinoheiift'e. P o!oad; Ll. Jones, Eazies-li.-ne Jack Tudor, Qr.ei'iiHead-yard Geo. Williams. Ladywell-street; WiUia.a Morris, Stone- street; Sidney Jon^s. Pool-vo i. Annie Williams, Stone-street; Hilda Ponlton, P<> road. NEWTOWN NAT TONAL INFANTS. Tom Gwilt, Norman Gen'-le, and Edward Jones, Pool-road; Harold Powell, Clifton-terrace; John H. Morgan, Ladywell-street; Elsie Vaughan, Park- street; Harold Birch, Skinner-street; Emily Jones and Fred Poulton, Pool-road. PENYGLODDFA BOARD-MIXED. Sam Meredith, Crescent-street; Ethel Jones, Bryn- tirion; Elsie Roberts, Crescent-street; Annie Jones, Bryn-street; Jenny Rock, Canal; Harry Gentle, Commercial-street; Johu E. Humphreys, Union-st. Lewis Roberts, Crescent-street; Thomas Jones, Bryn-street; Florence Hamer, Wesley-street; Bessie Davies, Crescent-street; Ethel Williams, School-lane; Jessie Morris, Commercial-street; Morley Hudson, Canal; Hannah Griffiths, Chapel-street; Cora Wil- liams, Bryn-street; Mabel Williams, School-lane; Ina Bridgewater, Bryn-street; Mabel Davies, Chapel- street Irene Griffiths, Bridge-street; Alice Hudson, Canal; Willie Jarman, Frankwell; Cecil Lloyd, Crescent-street; Tom Hudson, Canal; John Evans and Cyril Davies, Crescent-street; Emily Astley, Gas-street. PENYGLODDFA BOARD-INFANTS. Albert Evans, Bryn-street; CharlevAstley, Ann- street; Griffith Jones and C. A. Allen, Bryn-street; Louie Gentle, Commercial-street; Millie Evans, Percy Owen, and Ethel Evans, Bryn-street; Elaie Parry, Commercial-street. LLANLLWCHAIARN NATIONAL. Martha Davies, Llanfair-road; John Morris, Canal-road; Cecil Dearnley and Richard Jones, Dysart-terrace; Harry Owen, Ann-street; Ethel Roberts, Llanfair-road; Caroline Rees, Ann-street; Margaret Humphreys, Union-street; John Weaver, Crown-street.
THE PUBLIC HEALTH.
THE PUBLIC HEALTH. Discussing plans to prevent the introduction of contageous diseases into a country by way of its seaports, an influential American newspaper says: To maintain the public health is one of the chief duties of every Government. This is quite true, yet as a principle of political ethics it is of comparatively recent origin. Not long ago the state of a man's health was regarded as a matter which concerned him only, like the price of his hat or the cut of his coat. Now we are inclined more and more to make a public affair of it, even in respect to diseases and ailments not contagious or infectious. And if ever there is an excuse for "paternalism" in Government it is along this line, for in the last analysis everything depends on the health of the people. If this work. were well done in every country we should be spared much of the bother and loss of time and money incident to absurd and oppressive quaran- tine regulations in time of panic from apprehended epidemics. It follows that the nature of remedies, the cir- cumstances under which they are employed, and the facts which demonstrate their value or worth- lessness, as the case may be, come properly under review as affecting the general interest and well- being. It is on this basis that we are glad to print incidents like the subjoined; always, how- ever, stipulating for satisfactory proof and authentication. The history of the case we have in mind is sub- stantially this:—Mrs Ann Barley, now residing at 44, Milton-road, Hearne Hill, London, S.E., was taken rather mysteriously ill in the Spring of 1890. In the language she used to our repre- sentative, she began to ieel very queer' and could not imagine what ailed her. There was no pain or acute distress of any kind at first. She simply experienced a feeling of fatigue and. langour, a prevading sense of depression, as one does after great bodily or mental exertion. Yet this was not the cause in Mrs Barley's case; so she assured our informant. Her appetite, naturally excellent, failed, and she took her meals perfunc- torily, rather from habit than from desire. Little as she ate she was immediately punished for it with a feeling of weight and pain of the chest, with a swelling or expansion of the stomach and abdomen, compelling her to loosen her dress. This state of things continued for some time, defying all attempts to relieve it, and was followed, or rather intensified, by a condition of great nervous weakness and excitation. She could scarcely sleep. Even the ticking of the clock disturbed, and at times exasperated her;, whilst the sound of voices in conversation was unbearable. Symptoms which had a decidedly consumptive look appeared; among them cold, clammy, night sweats. Superadded to this came alarming irregu- larity in the action of the heart, leading the attending doctor to think that important member of the system to be organically diseased. So con- fident was the medical man of this that he privately informed Mrs Barley's son that she was liable to die suddenly at any time. Still, she- lived, if that sort of existence may be called living, from year to year, medicines having little or no effect. In January, 1895, her friends fancied that a change of air and scene might be beneficial, and, persuant to their advice, she made the journey to Aynsford. While there she had a very bad attack, and it was doubted whether sho could return home alive, and perforce she remained at Aynsford. At this crisis it was concluded that further efforts to help her were useless; all that seemed possible was to smooth her way to the grave. When doctorA differ, who shall decide ?" Sometimes other doctors, sometimes laymen, some- times Providence; or, if you please, always Providence. It happened that Mrs Barley's son had read of wonderful cures having been wrought by a popular medicine called Mother Seigel's Syrup- largely advertised for indigestion, dyspepsia, and resulting complaints. In fact, he had himself used it, and now urged it upon his mother. She- took it listlessly at first, but soon began to- improve. Appetite revived, and eating was attended with no ill effects. The heart and con- sumptive symptoms abated, and presently vanished In a few weeks she returned home perfectly well, and has since enjoyed the best of health. You may depend upon it," said Mrs Barley to- our reporter, that, with God's blessing, Mother Seigel's Syrup saved my life; and you may publish the facts if you like." We submit that a case like this is of a nature to throw some light at least on the problem of the public health.