Evening Express

Passing Pleasantries I Books that have helped me to rise to my opportunities," chuckled Tommy, as he piled enough volumes on a chair to enable him to reach the shelf where his mother kept the Christmas pudding. QUITE INDIFFERENT. A few years ago while walking round sight- seeing in London, Joe Smith, of the Marines, suddenly found himself standing outside "Whitehall, admiring the tall LiÎeguardIDan on sentry-go. The sentry, who had an idea there was no one in this wideworld as smart and clever as himself, thought he would have a. pull at Joe's leg. Drawing himself up and cocking his chest," he approached Joe with "Well, s; r, and how would you like to be a. tall, amart, straight, young fellow like me?" "Well, I don't know." remarks Jbe, with an air of indifference, "but I tell yer what, mate, I'd sooner be yer horse." Sooner be my horse?" remarked the Life- guardsman, with surprise. Whatever makes you wish such a thing? Well," replies Joe, with a sarcastic smile on his face, to have such a tall, smart, straight, young fellow like you to clean my stable for me! Collapse of Lifeguardsman.

INDiGESTION AD SLEEPLESSNESS I "Indigestion reduced me from a s-rong. healthy man, almost to a shadow," says Mr. H Alfred Clapham, of Windmill Lane, Cheshuat. H DlspeSSati by 1 "There w?s ??w&ys a feehng of oppremio-i ft at my stom?? ch and 1 11 ff1 ??? much from J£K ead ic,, want of appetite, and sleeplessness. From ttiis wretched condition Mother Seigel's Syrup rescued me, after numerous other medi- M i-cmes had failed. tg MOTHER I SEIGEL'S SYRUP. I Price 111i-aDd 2/6 per Bottle. fi

STORY FOR TO-DAY A Singular I nheritance.1 In colonial time-, the family Bibio was often the most important articie in the household. The Archards, an aristocratic family of Maryland. possessed a very large Bible that had been brought from England in 1660, and had since descended from father to son. When the Revolution came. Colonel Robert Archard adhered to the cause of the kinj, influencing two of his sons to do the same. His youngest son, Carrol Archard. joined the "rebels" and was banished by his father. Carrol married Martha Curtis. the sister of a, brother officer in the Revolu- tionary army. Carrol was killed at the battle of Monmouth, leaving his wife to struggle for the support of their infua: son. Not long after the colonies had achieved their independence Cohnel Archard died. He was a strange man, and ft was expected that his will would contain some singular provisions. The expectation was fulfilled. He divided his property into two parts of about equal value, giving his oldest s'm. Robert. first choice; his nert son. James. second choice. A third bequest was the family Bible, which was left to the widow and little son of Carrol Archard. in case neither of his sons preferred to take the book relinquishing his share to Martha and little Carrol. When the will was read, E-obert Archard. after thorcughly investigating the value of the two portions, selected that which he considered moit desirable. Robert Archard," said the family lawyer, who had drawn the will. your father charged me to ask you if you would relin- quished ycur share to Martha Archard and her son, taking the family Bible instead." "I will not," said Robert. The lawyer then told James Archard that it WM optional with him to take the remaining portion of the estate or the Bible. James showed no more disposition to give up hi3 inheritance than his brother had shown, and as flatly declined. Before handing over the two portions of the estate to the brothers the attorney addressed them: "I was in your father's confidence when he made this will. He told me of the existence of Mrs. Archard and her son, and was undecid-ed what to do for them in be- queathing his property. He determined to leave all to hi3 two sons, with a request- that they should find Mrs. Achard and little Carrol and provide for them. I told my client that in my long experience in such matters I had never known a legatee to part with any por- tion of his inheritance through an instruc- tion which was not obligatory by the will. I advised him that if he wished to provide for his son Carrol's family to do so by leaving a portion of his property directly to ihem. Colonel Archard declared that he had perfect confidence in the generosity of his son?, and that they wouid carry out any request he might make of them. Nevertheless, he took the matter under advisement. A few days later he g-cnt for me and instructed me to draw this will, enjoining upon me the duty of making his intentions perfectly plain to his heirs. He desired to leave either or both of his sons free to accept his inheritance or surrender it to his brother's widow and son. "Our brother," said Robert, "w:s a rebel a-id a traitor, and I see no rsason why I should give my property to his widow and so n. "I concur with Robert in this matter," eaid J a nape. "Then sign the papers, receipting for your portions." said the lawyer. TvV he-n the signatures were affixed, the lawyer handed the brothers the deeds to their por- tions and locked the receipts in his box. Then. turning to the widow, he handed her the Bible. "I am a.t least pleased," she said, "that my hasband's father and my son's grandfather has shown a, kindly interest in U3. The family Bible, the most sacred treasure of the household, will descend through my boy, and I am sure it will have its influence upon him and those who follow him. Take it, Carrol, and abide by its precepts." She handed the Bible to her boy, who looked at it. wondering what he was to do with it, then opened it. Turn the leaves," said the lawyer. The boy turned the leaves, presently com- ing to a, bank bill. It was for 1.000do:s. All except the lawyer looked at it in astonish- ment. Take it." said the lawyer. It belongs to you and your mother. Now turn more leaves." One hundred thousand dollars in bills were taken from the Bible. The two brothers, whose portions combined were less valuable, stood watching the child withdraw the legacy, and when the last bill had been with- drawn Robert said fiercely: This is not simply a Bible; it is a por- tion of our father's fortune and belongs to me and my brother. We will contest the will." That would be inadvisable," said the attorney," "since you have receipted for your portions, and if the will is declared void the widow's and her son's portion under the law would be a third of th-3 whole, or very nearly what they have received." The brothers retired discomfited, and after taking ths advice of "attorneys acquiesced in their father's will. Mrs. Archard and her eon lived comfort- ably on the income of their portion, which in those days was a handsome fortune. Car- rol Archard's education was well cared for, and he was graduated from college with honour. During the early part of the nine- teenth century he represented his State in Congress. His uncles both eventually lost all their property, and in their old age were well provided for by their nephew Carrol.

I HOW NATURE ACTS. "When Natur goes lookin' round to find out what mankind's in want of, she can on'y guess in one way; she naterally reckons that what a man wants is what he's bin gettin' most of for hisself." said I Sergeant Gandy. So she comes to your place an' says: 'Hello, M'Co,h don't want any money, then, beeos he ain't got none,' she says. 'It's children M'C03h wants, anybody can see that,' says she, 'for he's got more o' them than anythin' An', thinkin' to please ye an' do ye a good turn, she sends ye another one. "On the other hand. she isees the laird ain't so well orf for children, but he's saved hisself up a pot o' money an' figgerin' out that it's money he wants, she puts yer old Auntie up to leavin' him all she's got. "It's all done out o' kindness, an', knowin' what the laws o' Nature is. we ain't got no right to complain. Everybody's served the same all round. Whatever it is you want- git it, an' as soon as you've got enough one way an' another, plenty more'11 be given to you. Thet's what it comes to. "Thet explains why curits an' pore clurks, an' chaps like yerself, M'Cosh, alwis has the bigge3t families-i.t's all beccs ye got no money. "To him that hath shall be given, an' all ye can hope for is fust to git what ye want. an' then look out for Providence to keep on givin' ye more an' more o' the same kind. "If it wasn't like that, think what a crool, hard time of it the poor millionaires would hev! They could never be millionaires, for, o' coarse, no mortal man in one lifetime can do enough work to really earn a single million pounds for hisself. But as it is, if he just slogs away an' earns enough to greaae the wheels, as it might be, an' starts the laws o' Natur workin', then he can sit down an' leave Providence to do the rest; all he's got to do then is to keep addin' it up an' puttin' it away in a safe place. "Same with our drapery shop here: they had to advertise an' push behind wi' both hands afore they could fairly start it. but once it was well on the move, once people knowed where to find it, they advertised it by tellin' other people, the boss engaged a manager. an' a house in the country, an' the business has been doin' itself ever since. "But there's a little drapery shop round in the back street here, that's only been doin' a little business all the while, an' keeps doin' less every year. Becos why ? Why, becos the man at, thet shop get's more debts than money, an' so. naturally, Natur ke-ps ka-givin' him more o' what he's got most of."

MISCELLANEOUS. i ENTERTAINING AND CURIOUS CONDENSATIONS. Every fifth boy in India Is at school, and only every fiftieth girl. Fully 4.CCC student duels are fought every year in the German Empire. The teaching of English is obligatory in Russian commercial schools. Prince Henry of Prussia is said to be insured for £ 160,cc0 against assassination. A man with a wooden leg belonging to Tottenham has saved five lives from drowning. A chicken with two paiLO; of wings pointing different ways has been hatched at Bramley, Leeds. The emigrants to Canada. during the past twelve months number 130,000; 50,000 went from Grea.t Britain. An apparently drowned man at Lahinch was restored after forty-five minutes' work by two constables. An acre of good fishing ground will yield more food in a week than an acre of the beb-t land will in a year. When a Russian dies he is buried with a pa-por in his hands. On this is written his Christian name, as well a prayer for his soui. Edinburgh proposes holding an inter- national exhibition in 1507 to celebrate the bi-ccjitcnary of the union cf Scotland and En-gland. SaIted Babies. The remarkable custom of salting new-born babies is still practised in certain parts of Europe and Asia. The method varies with the different nationalities of the people using it. Th-o Armenians of Russia. cover the entire skin of the baby with a, very fine salt. This is left on the baby for three hours or more, and then washed off with warm water. A mountain tribe of ABia. Minor is even more merciless than the Armenians. They keep their new- born habies covered with salt for twenty-four hours. The modern Greeks sprinkle their babies with salt; and even in some parts of Germany salt is still used on a child at birth. The mothers imagine that this will give children health and strength and keep J evil spirits away from them. Great Canals of the World. The artificial waterways which may properly be termed ship canals are nine in number:- I 1. The Suez Canal, begun in 1E59 and com- pleted in 1359. 2. The Kronstadt and St. Petersburg Canal, begun in 1S77 and completed in 1890. 3. The Corinth Canal. begun in 1844 and completed in 1893. 4. The Manchester Ship Canal, completed in 1S94. 5. The aiser Wilhelm Canal, connecting the Baltic and North Seas, completed in 1895. 6. The Elbe and Trave Canal, connecting the North Sea and Baltic, opened in 1900. 7. The Welland Canal, connecting Lake Erie with Lake Ontario. 8 and 9. The two canals, United States and Canadian, respectively, connecting Lake Superior with Lake Huron.

ARMY OFFICER'S DOWNFALL I Charges of Immorality and Fraud A representative of one of the oldest and mest famous families of the Bavarian aris- tocracy, Baron Maximilian von Horn. has come to a pitiable end. A court-martial in Munich haa sentenced him to six years' penal servitude, dismissal from the army, and ten years' "loss of honour," on charges of frauu, desertion from the army, and offences against morality. Baron Maximilian von Horn, who is 40 years of age, was a captain in the Mounted Jaegers, one of the crack cavalry regiments of Bavaria. By means of false representations he secured largo earns or money from his friends, among them being several of his military comrades. It was proved tihat he had forged bills in eleven different cases. When things became too hot for him in Munich, Baron von Horn askect for leave of absence, and, forsaking his wife and children, fled to London. He tried to enter the British Arm; but failed. Then he turned his steps to South-West Africa. hoping to get a commission to fight the Hereros. Misfortune, however, dogged his steps, and be returned to Berlin, where he lived uuder a false name. At length he was I driven to apply to his former regimental com- mander for assistance. This officer communi- cated with the police, when the baron was at once arrested. The charges of immorality were heard in camera.

LAZIEST MAN ON EARTH I Story of a Vagabond's Life I Although a. strong, .Iblo-bodied. healthy man, Ralph Shackle, aged 33, prefers to lead a- life of tdle vagabondage, spending his time between the prison and the workhouse. This was the description eriven by Mr. W. H. Leycester, who prosecuted for the St. Pan- eras Guardians, a.t the Oounty of London Sessions, COerkenwell, yesterday, when Shackle was sentenced to twelve months' hard labour as an incorrigible rogue and vagabond. Sha-ckle's record, as given by counsel, showed that some years ago he was dis- charged from the Army on account of lazi- ness. Salvationists, clergymen, and guar- dians had found him work, but he left all the situations. Sent to a training colony in Sussex, he became a farm labourer for a few hours. Entrusted with a horse and cart, he set the animal at liberty, and overturned the cart into a ditch. Then he returned to the work- house, refused to do his task, and was sent to gaol. On his release he appealed to be sent to sea. The guardians provided him with a berth and an outfit of clothes. He disposed of these, got drunk and missed the boat; was arrested and 'imprisoned. After another long sojourn in gaol for rcfractory conduct in the -workhouse the guardians placed him on another ship. He lost this position through getting drunk ashore when the boat put in at Hull. He then returned to the workhouse in a desti- tute condition, and refused to grind corn when directed to do so.

BROTHER AS DOUBLE I A man named Gunton was charged with loitering for an unlawful purpose at Leices- ter yesterday, but two witnesses swore that- he was at home at the time of the alleged offence. A fellow prisoner said the man with him was Gunton's brother. It was stated that they were so much alike that it was difficult to te-ll thorn, c.part. The Magistrates discharged Gunton.

MRS. DORER'S STORY AMAZING RECORD OF CRUEL I TREATMENT. Yesterday, in her brother's home at Reigate, Mrs. Eva Dorer told the tragic story of the terrible sufferings inflicted on her ny her husband, whose brutal ill-treatment of her and long imprisonment was exposed before the Bromley magistrates on Monday. The poor woman's drawn face and nervoas manner were eloquent testimony of the terrors of her years of imprisonment and suffering. I was married," said Mrs. Dorer, "at St. Mary Magdalene, Croydon, in 1893. I was introduced to my husband by his mother, a nurse who was attending one of my relatives. None of my friends knew of the marriage. It was quite secret. "At the time I had £ 1,000 in the London and County Bank, and soon after marriage he made me write cheques, our furniture being bought with my money. Sent to the Workhouse "For seven years he' spent money freely, and, as it now turns out, ran two homes. While the money was plentiful he frequently absented himself, and then, when the money was spent, he put me into the workhouse, saying I was insane. It was on February 17, 1900, he put me into Croydon Infirmary, and my mother took me out when she heard of it on April 21. When I left the union I was confronted with the woman Grist, who passed as Mrs. Dorer. My husband took my rings off my fingers, and told me to say I was his sister. Once he threatened me with a knife. I was forced to sleep alone in a back room, with scanty clothing, and had to submit to the indignity of knowing my place was occupied by himself and the so-called widow woman. When we moved from Croydon t-o Beckenham the neighbours did not know of my exist a nee." Showing a mark on her head where there was a bare white patch of skin, ehe remarked, This is where the woman Grist pulled my hair out. I dared not try to escaps; my husband bad warned me that he would murder me and hang himself if I tried to run away, and I thought he was keeping me in Beckenham to die." Dressed in Rags I A bundle of malodorous rags were shown to I a press representative. They comprised the scanty clothing worn by the wife during the years of imprisonment. The shoe. under- clothing. and skirt were the cast-off clothes of the woman Grist. Three square tabs of an old apron were sewn on a garment for handkerchiefs. I was terribly hungry at times, and had to call that cruel woman Ma'am.' 1 had no stockings to wear, and a neighbour ga,ve me a pair last November when she saw me in the garden. The neighbours fed me through the back window." A sum of over L7J]1J came to Mrs. Dorer in July. 1903, and the husband endeavoured to get possession of it. But the solicitors in the wife's family prevented this by throwing it into Chancery. Mr. Wickman, the unhappy woman's brother, vainly tried for a long time to secure her release. At one time so secluded was she by her husband and the woman Grist that her relatives thought her dead. It was only by ta.king advantage of her gaoler's momentary inattention that Mrs. Dorer was able to get away from the house and fly to the police for protection.

BABY ON THE BEACH I An Abandoned Infant Saved I The police are searching for the parents of a pretty baby boy, who was nearly drowned on Hunstanton beach a. few days ago. A nursemaid staying at Hunstanton with a family of visitors was enjoying a stroll alone along an unfrequented portion of the boach when 6he noticed the child. The tide was creeping in, and already the little one was playfully splashing the' water with its hands. The nursemaid could see no one in charge of the child, and as the tide had almost encircled it she rushed to save the infant from the certain death it would have found in a few moments. The girl took the baby to her mistress, who cared for it pending inquiries. These showed that the child had been left with its mother, whose home had been broken up, and whose husband had gone to Cambridge. The mother Is believed to be in London. The baby is now in the charge of the inspector of the Society for the Pre- vention of Cruelty to Children at Lynn.

A TRAGIC WOOING I The little village of Ombret, on the banks of the Meuse, has been the scene of a terrible love drama. Francois, a farm band, originally from Brussels, paid court to a girl, named Louise, who did not encourage his advances. Francois desired to be revenged. He called at the girl's house, and found her preparing coffee. Entering into conversation with her, be asked her for a match. As Louise handed one to him he drew a revolver from his pocket and fired at her thrice, each shot taking effect. The girl's mother, hearing the sound of firearms and her daughter's cries, appeared on the scene. The man discharged his weapon at her, the bullet entering her leg. He then re-loaded his revolver, and seeing a younger sister in the corner of the room fired at her, but she climbed through the window and escaped the bullet. The enraged lover next barricaded the door, sat down, and lodged three bullets in hia head. When doctors arrived -he was found dead on the floor. The girl Louise died from her wounds a few hours later.

TOO MUCH "MOTHER* I "I am willing to allow her 3s. 6d. a week," said a man who was summoned by his wife at West London yesterday for deserting her five months after marriage. Mr. Rose: A man can't marry a wife in Ma.rch and then get rid of her in August by paying 3s. 6d. a week. That would be taking a wife on trial indeed. The Defendant: Her mother told me she wouldn't come back. Mr. Rose: Mother, mother, mother! I hear too much about mothers in these cases. You young people must make it up.

LYNCHING IN THE STATES I Atalanta, Tuesday.—Governor Terrell has to-night issued instructions for a court of I inquiry upon the Militia who declined to fire upon a riotou3 mob last week, and thus per- mitted them to burn two negroes who had been taken from gaol. The Governor declares that he will do his utmost to punish the offenders.

FIGHT FOR A GIRLI SINGULAR INFATUATION OF A COUNT. Some details of the extraordinary domestic iife of Count de Hamel de Alarftn, of Xen- sington, were told in Marylebone Police-court. London, yesterday. He appeared there to answer a summons for assaulting Mrs. Ada, Clayton. The count, said the prosecuting sohcitor. lived apart from his wife, who allowed him ICSOO a year in order that she might keep the title of countess. Seven years ago he took into hia service a girl between sixteen and seventeen, namea Rosie Spillane. Under specious promises, said the solicitor, which were never fulfilled, he took advantage c-f her, and she lived with him for some years. She is now 23. He treated her abominably, a-dded the solicitor, and once, in the presence of Mr. Clayton, he Knocked Her Down I Soon after she fled to the Claytons' house for protection. The count did all in his power to get her back. He bought her brother out of the Army so that he might use his influence with the girl. Through the Claytons Miss Spillane secured another situation. This infuriated. the count. He pressed the girl's mother into his service, and she went to the Claytons' house and demanded to .know where her daughter was. Next day the count himself came to the house, and made such a scene that he was arrested and bound over to keep the peace. On that occasion the mother had said that the count was going mad because he had lost the girl. Later the count himself wrote, referring to Miss Spillane as the only girl he had ever loved. On the 10th ins-t. he again went to the Claytons' house and pushed Mrs. Clayton against the banisters, while he took off his C03,t and "offered to fight the lot." Miss Spillane was brought into court, and said she did not wish to return to the count. Ultimately, with the consent of all parties, the count was bound over to keep the peace.

PICKINGS FROM "PUNCH." I MISTRESS OF THE SEA. I Father Neptune (ocean carrier): You're not sending any of your goods out to the Far I East just now, ma'am. How's that?" Britannia (.meekly): I'm not allowed to. I Father Neptune: Not allowed! Why, I thought you had a navy!! CHARIVARIA. i Times change. Once the Irish did all they ould to annoy us. Now a scheme is on foot to pledge every member elected for an Irish constituency at the next general election to stay away from Westminster. We understand that the alleged spy who was arrested at Milford Haven was released because he had not the word "Spy" written in characters on the ribbon of his hat. Some excitement was caused last week by a soldier confessing that he was guilty of the Poasenhall murder, but, on investigation, it turned out that he was only bragging. A band of 500 agricultural labourers, armed with guns and scythes, invaded the estate of the millionaire. Count Georg Almasay, noar Debrezcin, Hungary, the other day, and demanded the equal division of all his property among themselves. As a share has not been reserved for himself, the count not unreasonably refused. A reformed public-house has been opened in New York by Bishop- potter. It will, we understand, be known in future as Bishop Potter's Bar. When the two Monarchs dined together at Maricnbad champagne was forbidden by the rules of the "cure," but its place seems to have been supplied by any amount of "hoch." Old refrain re-set for philosophers at the meeting of the British Association—" Oh, dear, what can the matter be?" The Scottish Church Problem-Are Wee Free or are U Free? SWEETS TO THE SWEET. Visitor: I've brought you a few chocolates. But I suppose you always have quantities of sweets? Ethel: No, I don't. I eat 'em all. AT ST. DROWSEE'S WITHIN. Visitor (who has been present at the sermon, to one of the regular congregation): Your clergyman's sermon was rather sophorific. Parishioner: They're always like that. But he is leaving us. Visitor: I congratulate you. Has he got a good appointment? Parishioner: Yes, and most suitable. That is if it be true that he has been offered the living of Great Snoring.

WATER POLO I Penarth Club in London I At the Westminster Baths, London* last night the Penarth Swimming Club met the l famous Ravensborne Club in a polo match. Penarth were defeated by three goalia to one goal.

ADVERTISING ON TOMBSTONES I The Rev. J. P. Wilson, vicar of St. Paul's, Little Hulton, near Bolton, does not approve of tombstone advertisements in his church- yard, and has issued a notice that the name of the maker will not be allowed on stones erected in future. If the paractice is persisted in, an extra charge of ten shillings will be required for any stone brought into the churchyard bear- ing the makers' name. Tombstones, he says, are not the right place for such advertise- ments.

THEFT THAT COST A LIFE I The theft of the cord attached to a life- buoy from a, station on the Bibble, at Walton-le-Dale, prevented the saving of the life of a boy named Robert Carroll yester- day. Seeing the lad struggling in the water, a passer-by threw out the buoy, but Carroll failed to grasp it, and it was impossible, because of the missing cord, to throw it out again. The lad disappeared, and a constable dived into the water several times to re- cover the body, which was eventually I secured by grappling irons.

A MONSTER CARP I Mr. T. E. Jones, of Bedminster, Bristol, while fishing in the Brue at Higlibridge, caught a fine specimen of carp, weighing 131b. 12oz. This, it is believed, ie a record for the Brue. The specimen has been packed off to the taxidermist.

RICHMOND GHOST WHITE FIGURE AND A BLUE 1 LIGHT. To the aristocratic suburb of Richmond belong the doubtful honour of furnishing the latest ghost story. The story is that quite recently a hostelry which had carried on business for over MO years closed its doors, and a modern building was erected next door. In the old house ten months ago some mys- terious knockings were heard in the dead of the night, and strange lights appeared. Naturally, the much-maligned ghost was made the culprit, but keen investigation and nocturnal vigilance failed to solve the mystery. The apparition, it would seem, after gene- rously refraining from disturbing the serenity of suburbia for nearly a,year, has again put in an appearance, and this time, strangely enough, at the new house. The landlord, who regards the affair quite seriously, is at present utterly at a loss to account for this unwarrantable effort to dis- turb his nightly rest. "This house," he said to a journalist yester- day, has three floors. The second is occupied by drawing, sitting, and dining rooms, and the third is for sleeping purposes. "About two o'clock on Monday morning we were all terribly frightened by Hearing Piercing Shrieks proceeding from the second floor, and as I went down to investigate I saw mysterious lights here and there. "I called to my manager, who had hurriedly jumped out of bed, and we went carefully through all the rooms, but failed to find any- thing out of the ordinary. Whilst we were searching there came a loud knocking at the front door, and when I went down I found a, policeman there who had heard the shrieks, and who wanted to know what was the matter. Near here there is a tradesman who employs a number of young ladies who sleep on the premises, and they heard the noise and hurried to their windows, which command a view of this house. They saw a blue light and a white figure moving about in my front room, and their mistress afterwards came to me and complained that her girls had been frightened by a ghost on my premises. "After my previous experience I begin to regard the thing seriously," concluded the landlord, and I have placed the matter in the hands of the police and asked them to make investigations." It was ascertained that some of the young ladies had been frightened very much. There was a general agreement that the mysterious apparition was clothed in white, and appeared to be carrying a lantern. It was only visible for a few minutes. The police, whilst showing their usual reticence, admit that the matter has been brought to their notice, and they are anxious to solve the mystery.

Missing Matron STRANGE STATE OF AFFAIRS AT A WORKHOUSE An extraordinary state of affaire was revealed at a meeting of the Eton Union Board of Guardians yesterday, when it was sta-tcd that the matron left the house on Monday week and had not since been heard of. The master said rather more than a. fort- night a-go he went to London with his children, and as he had a few days' holiday due to him he went on to Deal. He did not return to the workhouse until the fol- lowing Monday night, and then found that his wife had left the same morning. He understood she was going to a friend at Ryde. On sending a telegram to Ryde, ask- ing her to return at once, he had a reply, Not here—in London." He had since been to London, but could hear not-Ling of his wife's movement. Mr. Stevens (Local Government Board inspector): lam a married man myself, and the whole country would have been searched by now if my wife had been away a fort- night. It is an extraordinary condition of things. It was decided that unless the matron returned by Friday she should be suspended from her duties.

ISLAND OF ASCENSION I To be made a Naval 8tation I The Admiralty have decided to make the rugged, red island of Ascension the head- quarters of the South Atlantic Squadron. There are 200 marines and 100 sailors at Ascension, and various officials with their wives, which bring up the number of residents on the volcanic island to nearly 400 persons. The fanner sent out by the Admiralty has made a great success, and enough vegetables are being grown on Green Hill to supply the garrison. Formerly this hill looked like a heap of red ashes from the sea, but now ",he green Tegetation extends nearly two-thirds down to its base. Ascension has one advantage to the Blue- jacket-he earns extra money and has no possible means of spending it. The amusements of the lonely little colony are cricket, tennis, golf, and boating. The steamers call twice a month, and fresh meat is brought in by the Admiralty cattle boats from South America.

25 YEARS IN A TREE William Tough, alias "Na-vry." the eighty- year-old hermit of Windsor Park, has given up the romanoe of 25 years in a hollow tree for the stern realities of Windsor Workhouse. William Tough acted the part of a hermit so thoroughly that his loss will ever be mourned. Born at Nursery Cottage, he has never left the Forest and Park; he has never entered a railway train in his life. His hollow tree near Craniboume Tower has stood in good stead for a home. People took great interest in the strange old ma.n, whose long hair, shaggy beard, and strange atti-re made him a most noticeable figure. Lake all hermits, he hated women. Not for any rom-azitio reason, but on the solid grounds that one onoe stole his rum. But he always showed deep respect to the late Queen, prostrating himself as she passed, and received her recognition—for she knew his st-ory-wi,th great satisfa-ction.

MYSTERIOUS SAFE ROBBERY A robbery of £ 4,000 has been committed in the country mansion of M. d'Abadie, at .Liglet, near Poictiers. The house had been left in charge of several servants since July during the absence of the family. In the safe 70,000 francs in bank notes and 30,000 francs in bonds had been deposited, but M. d'Aba-die, on his return two days ago, found that the contents had been abstracted, though the safe betrayed no marks or violence. The police are making inquiry into this mysterious affair.

THE EDALJI CASE ANOTHER INDICTMENT OF AUTHORITIES. Lawyers' Strong Protest. Sir George Lewis, Bart., the eminent lawyer, stated a few days ago in conversation on the Beck case, that another innocent man is at the present moment languishing in gaol. To a reporter Sir George Eai4:- I believe that there is another innocent man undergoing punishment at the present moment. lie, too, appealed to the Home Secretary without success. I refer to Mr. Edalji, the solicitor, who was convicted some time ago of cattle maiming. I will not allow myself to speak of the way in which his trial was conducted. I have it on undoubted authority that every member of Parliament connected with the legal profession believes, as I do, that that man is innocent: and I havo no doubt that if a Court of Criminal Appeal had existed, and his case had been re-heard before it, he would have been a free man at this moment. A long communication on this subject his been received from Mr. R. D. Yelverton, of Pump Court, Temple. From it we take the following extracts:- The charge against George Edr.lji was of having Maimed a Pony belonging to the Great Wyrley Colliery Com- pany on the morning of August 18, 1903. Mr. Edalji was a young solicitor practising at Wyrley and in Birmingham, and in his legal studies he had taken, in each successive year, the highest prizes of the Birmingham and London Law Societies. "He was, unfortunately, by birth a Parsee, and I have at the present moment in my pos- session, and can produce for your inspection, a letter to his father from a prominent member of the Staffordshire police force, stating that such individual hoped to procure for young Edalji a dose of penal servitude.' I make no comments; I only ptate facts. "The evidence produced at the trial, which took place before the second court of Stafford- shire Sessions, presided over by a country justice who had no pretence of legal training, was entirely police evidence of the worst description. The police produced sundry anonymous letters in which Edalji was accused of cattle maiming, adultery, and other things—letters addressed to the police and to Edalji himself, and in the latter case by him handed to the police to discover the writer. "These letters the police said were in the handwriting of Edalji-a most monstrous statement and Utterly Untrue Since his conviction and sentence to seven years' penal servitude I several times demanded of the Home Office that I should be allowed to submit these letters to an expert, together with the undoubted writing of Mr. Edalji, but this request, following the habitual method of the official mind, has been completely ignorcd-a piece of gross and manifest injustice. "We have it as an incontrovertible fact that since Mr. Edalji has been a prisoner other outrages have been committed in the same neighbourhood—one only about eight days ago. "One word as to the mode of trial. Here was a man charged with one of the most serious of felonies. He should have been com- mitted for trial (if at all) to the assizes, but he was sent to quarter sessions. Even there he wa.s denied the right of being tried in the first court. "o wonder 10,000 persons, including at least ten King's counsel, Sir George lewis, Bart., also Mr. Gray Hill, president of the Incorporated Law Society, and some hun- dreds of trained lawyers all over the port of the country where Mr. Edalji practised, have signed the memorials protesting against such a travesty of justice a-s this case presents. It calls aloud to Heaven for justice to be done to this much-wronged man."

I Worry and Whisky A STHANGE MIXTURE TO TAKE While suffering from a delusion that he had heard his employer say that he was being cheated of £ 10 a week, Charles Newton May, a manager, of London, hanged himself in cellar. He left the following extraordinary letter:— To all whom it may conoem-I, C. May, am alone guilty of offences committed. My wife (may God bless and keep her!) is as innocent as an unborn child. I hope the law of England will not allow her to suffer for my misdoings. I know I have spent my master's money, and returned every penny. But that is only verbal, and not recognised in the pre- sent law of England. I know very well I should not have donle what I have, but worry and whisky mixed is a mixture to take. At the inquest yesterday the proprietor of the coffee-shop stated that he never had the slightest trouble with the deceased, and never found him a farthing out in his accounts. A verdict of "Suicide during temporary insanity was returned.

I DEADLOCK AT MARSEILLES In con-sequence of the strike of officers of the merchant marine at Marseilles, the Mcssageries Maritimes have been obliged to lay up their ships as they arrive in port. Th^ Compagnie Transatlantique have nine big steamers without crews, and all the other lines are in the same predicament. The Prefect of the Bouches du Rhone has telegraphed to the Minister of Commerce to send transports to convey the mails and passengers to Algiers and Tunis, while postal communication with Reunion, Mauritius, and the east coast of Africa is temporarily assured by the boats of the Peninsular Company of Havre, touching at Marseilles. Meanwhile the commerce of the great port is at a standstill. Telegrams have been received at Cardiff to-day that the strike has extended, and trade and commerse have been practically paralysed. The strike will effect Cardiff considerably.

I PALMISTS AND POLICEMEN I -liada-me Ida Ellis, one of the best-known palmists in the North, was fined £25 and costs at Blackpool yesterday for imposing on John Loav-er and Thomas Luke, members of the borough police force, by palmistry. Constable Leaver stated that the defendant told him he would make a good crystal gazer and clairaudiant, that he had had a love affair at the age of 25, which would lead to marriage at 28, and that there would be two children. There were also signs of a separar tion. In cross-examination, the constable ad- mitted that he was married at 25, and that he had two children; but he was not sepa- rated from his wife, although he acknow- ledged that they had had a case in that court. Madame Bianca Unorna was fined a similar amount for imposing on a constable by pre- tending to hold communication with spirits. I The defendant told him his mother's spirit was present; but as a matter of fact his mother was alive.

I To-morrow's Meeting. YORK PROGRAMME. —The STAND SELLING HANDICAP STAKES of 5 sovs each, with 100 sovs added; winners extra; winner to be sold for 100 sovs. Six furlongs, straight. —The Sixty-second Year of the GREAT YORKSHIRE STAKES of 1,000 oova, for three year olds; colts get 121b, fillies and geldings 8st 91b; winners ex- tra. One mile and a half. st 10 Sir J Miller's Cinquefoil Blackwell 9 6 Duko of Westminster's Rydal Head Porter 9 6 Mr J H Houldsworth's Loohryan Ryan 9 6 Mr L Brassey's Galapae Brewer 9 6 .)ir A Stall's Marsdea Sadler, jun. 9 3 Lord Stanley's Fbmma Mr G Lambton 9 0 Mr Doug-las Baird's foulIeton .Enoch 9 0 Mr E C Clayton's Blue Vinny .Cole 8 12 Duke of Devonshire's Burg-undy Goodwin 8 12 Mr F Gretton's Auk Porter 8 12 Mr T Jenninirs's Jiaya.li .Owner 8]2 Mr C Perkins's Bedlington I'Anson 12 Major J D Edwards's Chroncs .0wner S 8, Mr A Heath's Kate Angelo. Tyler B II Mr J Lewis's Glenamoy Darling 8 3 Mr J Gubbhis's Dividend S Darling 8 7 Lord Harewood's Landing Net G Chalmer87 Mr C ¥ Hildyard's Howorth -.Black 8 7 Mr J H Houldsworth's Castello .Jarvis 8 7 Mr T Jeniings's Merry Owier87? Mr J Lewis's Boss Roy S Darling 8 7 Mr J Lowther's Lara Golding 8 7 Mr C Perkins's Inverkeithing- I'Anson 8 7 Mr C Perkins's Barcadaile I'Anson87, Duko of Portland'? Count Hannibal Porter 17 Duke of ?)r" l,nd's Porter 8 7 Mr J Rutherford'? Danovard Wild.87? Sir E Vinceit's Tracae .WHde 8 7 Mr Beid Walker's Landsman .Ha.s&:ill 8 7 air ,T Rutherford's Lone Star, by Gencally- Inaian Star Wilde 8 4 Lord Derby's Alcar .Mr G Lambton 8 4 .dr G L,mbtail 84 Lord Hamilton of Da-lzell's Topiary ..Robinson 8 4 Mr D J Jardine's Fairy Scene Peacock 8 4 Mr D J ardine's c by Avingrton—Grenadicre 8 4 Mr F W Lambton's Merry wing .Mr G Lambton 8 4 Mr J W Larnirh'j f by Jeddah—1,'Ete Marsh 8 4 Mr R A Oswald's Sabina Jarvis 8 4 —The GItfCRACK STAKES of 5 sovs each, with 1030 sovs added, for two year olds; colts 8st 121b, fillies 86t 91b; win- ners extra. Six furlongs, straight. c-t lb Mr L Neumann's I.lang-ibbv Gilpin 9 7 Mr do Wend-F^nton's Vedas. Robinson 9 I Mr K S Sievier's Brother Bill Robinson 9 7 Lord Crewe's Polvmelus Porter 9 4 Dutae of Devonshire's Full Cry .Goodwin 9 4 Mr E Dresden's Galantine Archer94 Mr P 1' Gilpi.i's Ecsiiee .Mr Gilpin 9 4 Sir J Thursb.v's Standen .G Edwards 9 4 Mr E Dresden's Ga!ang-il Archer 9 1 Mr George Faber's Queen of the Earth S Darling- 9 1 Sir J Miller'3 An\itie Blaekwoll 9 1 Sir J Thursby's Barcroft G Edwards 9 1 Mr C Perkins's Tanjuinius Superbus ..I'Anson 9 i Mr F Alexander's Mowgli Bmime812 Mr F Alexander's Chuckaway Braime812 Mr W Taylor Sbarpe's Markwood .Els-ey 8 12 Dake of Westminster's Polydore .Porter 812 Mr G G Tod's Santonica McCall 8 9 Mr J L Dugdale's Lowland Lady G Edwards 8 S His Majesty's Carstone .R Marsh 8 Y Mr H Allison's c by Sempronius-Rapid Stream Marriner 8 7 Mr Djuglas Eaird's Fusilier Enoch 8 7 Mr E Barlow's Vocali9t Wrig-ht 3 7 Mr Anqtis Bell's l'ocr Joe "Owner 7 Lord Bradford's Sir Hector, Golding 8 7 Mr Charlton's Ulysses T Leader 8 7 Lord Carnarvon's St. Wulfrum Greusil 8 7 Lord Carnarvon's Water Jack Sir E Cassel's Prudent King Mr F Lambton 8 7 Mr Ned Clark's Klngwater "{'Ca!l 8 7 Mr A E Clark's Chessington MeKie 8 Y Mr R W Cox's Choirmaster East 8 7 Mr R Dalfrliesh's The Laird II J Dawson 8 7 Mr S Darling's Finga'.lian Owner 8 7 Lord Derby's c by Persimmon-Guernsey Lily Mr G Lambton 8 7 Lord Derby's St. Faumino .Mr G L&mbton 8 7 ldr G Lamhton87 Duke o'tD?-vo,'?,bire's Nlcn Roy Go-??d,?i-i n87 keF¡rivo:I:IO..R: :f; 1 Mr C B L Fernandes's c by Minting—Lady R Sherwood 8 7 Sir R Waldie Griffith's Marjoram R Sherwood 8 7 Mr J Gubtins's Don't Look .8 Darling 8 ,,[ r i .s Darling 8 7 Mr R Ileiniing's Rougre Croix .Brewer 8 7 Mr C F Hildyard's Historical Year Black 8 7 Mr C Hodjes's Royal Saint PuIIen 7 Nlr Cflodge's Pope I'Anson 8 7 Lbrd Howard de Walden's Isle of Ely Be-Ltty 8 7 Mr W I'Anson's c by Perig-ord—VMtaU& ..Owner 8 7 Sir W Ingrain's Togo Stevens 8 1 Mr D J ardine's c by Jaque-mart—Highland Chant Peacock 8 7 Mr T Simpson Jay's Ormazd Sadler, jun. 8 7 Mr T SimpFAa-A Jay's Hiberniaa Sadler, jun. 8 7 Mr J B Joel's Pure Crystal Morton 8 7 Mr J B Joel's Little Willie Morton. E 7 Major Joicey's Ca.utious .1' Leader87 Mr Jam- Joicey's Empire T Leader87 Mr James Joicey's Grand Medal T Leader 8 7 Mr O H Jones's Trias T Leader 8 7 Sir J Kelk's Bay Lad .Jennings 8 7 Mr H J King's Tortillion I,-ach87 Roar-Admiral Larabton's Telopidas Mr G Lambton 8 7 Mr F Lambton's Ppeater G Lambton 8 7 Mr L Koumann's Baeldi Mr Gilpin 8 7 Mr L Neumann's Gaspard Mr Gilpin 7 Mr P P Gilpin's Sikirian .Mr Gilpin 8 7 Mr W E Oakley's St. Twrog J Cannon 8 7 Sfr Km est Paget's Sing-away J Chandler 8 7 sir fern est Paget a«Lo»d Cork J Chandler 8 7 Mr C Perkins's Jack in the Box I'Anson 8 7 Mr C Perkins's Stillingfl-eet I'Anson 8 7 Mr C Perkins's Elrington Mr J Porter's Kehailan .0wner 8 7 Mr H E Randall's Isleham Sadler, jun. 8 7 Mr L- W RajTier's Feather Bed ,EMt 8 7 Lord Rosebery's c by Ladas—Flordiana Blackwe.ll 8 7 Mr L de Rothschild's Dion IL-tvh6e87 Mr Russel's c by VVhittier—Tiresomo ..J Waugh 8 7 Mr R 8 Sievier's King Duncan .A Taylor 8 7 Mr R S Sievier's Elston A Taylor 8 7 Mr B S Sievier's Cherry Ripe Private 8 7 Mr R S Sievirr's Potash Private 8 7 Mr B Sievier's Australasia Mr Peebles 6 7 Mr R S Sievier's Kag Mag- .Prlvate 8 7 Mr F Stroud's c by El Diablo-Sanctiss7 a Private 8 7 Sir Jnurbv's Stand Off G Edwards 7 Sir E Vincent's Shah Jehan B Day 8 7 Sir E Vincent's Reggio .R Day 8 7 Mr Vyner's Mint 'l'>wer .Matthews 8 7 Mr Vyner's Synesius .a.tthews 8 7 Mr Vyner's Pallium Matthews 8 T Mr T H Walker's Lord Gasooignc W Elsey 8 7 Mr T d Walker's Great Tom W Elesy 8 7 Mr J Wallace's Galega Jarvis8 7 Mr F Alexa.ndH'S Right Bitter Braime 8 4i Mr EB:u-!ow'e Exquisite. Wright 8 4 Mr H &rlow's Maiden's M?tch Wright 8 4 Mr li E Beddington's Donna Cnstina C Waugh 8 4 Mr P Buchanan's Ea!twood Hill I'An.%n 8 4 Lord Carnarvon's Jongleuse Greusil 8 4, Mr R W Cox's Fair Stranger East 8 4 Mr R W Cox's Ignatia East 8 4 Lord Derby's f by Persimmon—Canterbury Pil- grim.Mr G Lambton 8 4 Lord Downes's Queen of the Fells Enoch 8 4 Mr J L Dugdale's Maimio G Edwards 8 4 Mr George Faber's Ether .S Dnrlirg84 Mr Fairie's Beatty 41 Mr C J F Fawcett's La Provencalo ..T Leader S 4 Mr C B L Femandra's Linda, by Galloping Lad -Tavii-a R Sherwood 8 4 Sir R Waldie Griffith's Charts R Sherwood 8 4 Mr J G Baird Hay's Dhulochan Peacock 8 4 Mr John Hill's Ailsie Goarlay Armstrong 8 4 Mr CHodges's Royal Lass .A Taylor84 Mr C Hodges's Premiero Marche Jennings 8 4 Mr C Hodges's Princess May C Peck 8 4 Lord Howard de Walden's Spnnglass Beatty 8 4 Mr D J Jardine's f by Sainfoin—Sea down Peacock 8 4 Mr R W B Jardine's f by Queen's Birthdiv —Sweet Briar i Waugh 8 4 Mr T B Joel's Cherry Royal Morton 8 4 Mr 1ae:fco:rÓra¡aka.rin"T .= Mr T P King's Rapid Flier .G Edwards 8 4 Bear-Admiral Lambton's Eurotas Mr G Lambton 8 4 Mr S M Lowenstein's Busy Lizzie ..H Chandler 8 4 Mr C Perkins's Lady Hawker I'Anson84 Mr T W P Rivis's f by Prisoner—The Empress ,-M.ud I'Anson 8 4 MTUV P Bivis's f by Kendal—Lady bn 8 41 I'Anson 8 4 Mr J Robinson's Zirie? S Darl'ng84 Mr L Robinson's Costly Lady .9 Darling 4 Mr L de Rothschild's Mrs Quickly H?yhoe 8 4 Mr Buseei's t by OrmVirgina. Shore J Waugh 84 J Waugh 8 4 Jlr F Stroud's f by Donovan—Golden Fleece Private 8 4 Mr Beid Walker's Kilblair ..Ha.sa.II a 4 Mr Vv Hall Walker's Honeysweet Bobinson j —The FAIRFIELD PLA.TE of 300 sovs, for three year olds; colts Set 121b, fillies and geldings 8st 91b; winners extra. One mile. fit lb Mr L Robinson's ChallengCT .OWner 9 10 Mr F Alexander's Bitters Braime 9 7 Mr H ERandall's Harry Melton Sadler. jun 9 3 Mr R W Burrows's Palace Yard F Pratt 9 3 Mr L Brassey's Tom Thumb H Sadler 8 12 Mr S Darling's Crepuscule 8 12 Duke of Devonshire's Burgundy Goodwin 8 12 Mr G Edwardes's AspendaJe ,Major Edwards 8 12 Mr F Hardy's Fiobisher Bates 8 12 Mr C Hodge's Comet Walters, jun 8 12 Sir J Miller's Santa Claus Blackwell 8 12 Mr W G Stevens's Neyland Owner 8 12 Mr C Hodges's Divorce Court C Peck 8 9 Mr Athol Thorpe's Bearuilement Cort 8 9 Mr G G Tod's Miss Flite M'Call 8 9 Mr Reid Walker's Drumnigh Hassall89 Lord Farquhar's Princess Florifcel Mr G Lambton 8 9 Mr J Joifeey's Lady of the Vale. T Leader 8 9 Mr W Chatterton's Reno .T Leader 8 5 Mr C Perkins's Barcadaile I'Anijeon85 Mr C Perk?n,?'s Inverkeitliing I'Anson 8 5 Dnke ot Portland's Bolst>v«r Porter 8 5 C9.LE. Baird'9F&iry' MArtin Enoch 8 2 Lord EDerhYro;; tir;i-Brid:" .Enoc,h 8 2 Mr G La.mMcn 8 2 Mr C Hod?es's Bea-ulieu F Hunt 8 2 i g :sc,e;'iu sii' Pc-Mock 8 2 Mr J A Miner's Pressed Hay .Gurry 8 2 i cfe Rothschild's Lancet Watson 8 2 —The LOWTHER SELLING HANDI- CAP PLATE of 200 sovs; winners extra; winner to be sold for 100 eovs. One mile and a quarter. ys st lb Mr Fems's Balsarroch .aFrra.n 6 9 0 Mr de Wend-Fenton's Eu3karo Robinson a 8 8 Mr J Shepherd's King's Idler Menzies a 8 3 Mr W Goodchild's Sherry Cobbler ..Sherrard 4 8ft Mr P Gleeson's Breakaway .Kelly 5 7 1.) Mr B Gottschalk's Beamish J Cannon 5 7 13 Mr W Sanderson's Trenchant Owner 4 7 10 Mr Fred Le Bay's Fancy Free II. Capt ajekson 5 7 10 Mr J A Miller's Higher Up Gurry 3 7 10 Mr C Hibbcrt'a Golden Touch Nightingall 3 7 9 Mr C Perkins's Causey Park Lund 3 7 9 Mr T Jennings's Induction 0,?-n?-r574 Mr W E Elsey's Kendal King .Owner 3 7 2 Lord Westbury's Fantasy Jennings 3 7 0 —The HAREWOOD HANDICAP PLATE of 500 sovs; winners extra. Five furlongs, straight. )-a st lb Mr George Faber's Duke of Westminster Darling 5 9 3 Mr H J King's Orchid Leach 6 9 3. Mr Horatio Bottom!ey's Le Blizon P Hunt a 8 12 Mr Ned Clark's Rising Falcon Menzies 4 8 8 Mr C Perkins's Be Very W iae I'Anson 487 Mr M L Hearn's Bushey Belie.In Ireland 4 8 4 Lord Derby's Mr G Lambton 4 8 3 Mr Crelet's Killeevan .Pickering 3 8 Z Mr H Howard-Vyse's Gua Club Thorp 4 8 1 Mr AIle>rton's Kearsage 5 8 0 Mr F Alexander's Part Malt .Bra.ime 4 8 () Mr J Muskcr's Lord Toddington Gilbert 3 7 5 Mr James F Jsckson's Scarem Armstrong 6 7 3 Sir E Gorst'a Pansy Masters F Day 4 8 2 Co!. H T Fell wick's Cherry Agnes ..Sherrard 3 612 Mr C Perkins's The Foreman I'An.-icn 6 6 12 Mr H E Bar.dall's Imola .Sadle.r, jun 3 611 Mr G W Smith's Electric Current .dams a 611 Mr C H Hannam'? Guijnie Sherrard 4 6 9 Mr g if f!1cdeli it 'si;rt." ..c"fs 6 8 Mr C PNkins's Norham .Coutth??ita 4 6 7 Mr W Sanderson's Coster Owner 6 7

FOOTBALL I. The Cardiff Club's Annual Meeting Next Friday evening the annual meeting of the Cardiff Football Club will be held, and there is likely to be a. record attendance. The names of those nominated for the cap- taincy of the club have already been pub- lished, and it only need be added that tho following alterations of bye-laws will be pro- posed: To be proposed by Mr. W. M. Tunley, seconded by Mr. H. J. Edwards, "That play- ins members of the first team shall, at the discretion of the committee, be annually elected members of the club without payment, and be entitled to the full privileges of mem- bership." To be proposed by Mr. W. D. Cullimore, seconded by Mr. G. Prichard, That the selec- tion of the second team shall be left to a match committee, consisting of the captain, vice-captain (who shall be the nominee of th-e captain), and four other members to be elected annually by ballot at the general meeting of the club and two members ap- pointed by the committee of the club out of their body. Three to form a quorum. And that Bye-law 12 be amended accordingly." To be proposed by Mr. W. A. Morgan, seconded by Mr. E. II. Gunn, That from henceforward all those gentlemen who have occupied the position of president of the Car- diff Football Club to be ex-olticio members of the general committee, with full voting power at the meetings of that committee, and that all future presidents, at the expiration of their term of office, shall also become ex- officio members of the general committee, with the same voting power." The following are the nominations for officers and committee: -President, *W. D. Phillins; vice-presidents, *A. Duncan, J.P., and *H. J. Simpson, J.P.; hon. treasurer, *A. F. Hill; secretary, *C. S. Arthur; committee, A. F. Bland, R. J. Brind, W. A. Brown, C. Collier, W. D. Cullimore, *John Davies, Llew. *W. M. Douglas, J. D. Evans, J. H. Davies, *John Gibson, C. H. Kestell, W T. Gibby, .John Gibson, C. H, Kesten, *W. T. Morgran, E. G. Nicholls, *W. Phillips, T., Sandey, *W. Staniforth, and H. J. Taylor; captain (Reserves). *D. L. Evans; committee (Reserves), *J. E. Merrett and *W. M. Tunley; Asterisk denotes a member of last season's committee. Port Talbot Association Club. The annual meeting of the Port Talbota Association Football Club was held on Tuesday night.—The Secretary (Mr. C. Evans) presented the balance-sheet, which showed a deficit of Z12 17s. lOd. over last season's working.—The Chair- man (Mr. J. James) suggested that for the ensuing season all league engagements should be abandoned, and that casual fixtures be arranged, with guarantees. Also, that all members, including players, pay a subscrip- tion of 5s., and that players pay for their own kit and expenses away.—After some discussion these suggestions were unanimously agreed. to.-It was resolved to limit all fixtures to a twelve miles radius.—Mr. Andrew Fletcher, of Saltoun was re-elected president of the club. —The election of officials was deferred.— Hearty votes of thanks were accorded the secretary and Mr. J. James, and also a vot& of thanks to Mr. R. B. Harris ("Evening Express") for the services rendered to the club during last season. Cardiff and District Rugby Union. The Cardiff and District Rugby Union held their adjourned meeting at Maskell's Temper- ance Hotel, Queen-street, on Tuesday night. —The officers for the coming season were re- elected ae follow: -President, Mr. W. ML. Douglas; hon. treasurer, Mr. A. H. Williams;, and hon. secretary, Mr. R. W. John.—It was decided to change the colours to red, yellow. and black. I Merthyr Thursday Club. I The annual meeting of the Merthyr Thurs- day Football Club was held on Tuesday even- ing at the Anchor Inn. The balance-sheet showed a small sum in hand.—Mr. W. W. Meredith, high-constable, was appointed presi- dent for the ensuing season.—Mr. Hunter was re-elected captain, and Mr. Fry was again chosen to act as secretary. Mr. Eddio Thomaa was elected vice-captain.

FIXTURES. London Welsh First XV. law Sept. 17—Practice Match Heidoa "2<—PnM-tice Match. Eendon I Oct. 1—Catford Bridge a™? „ S-Stre&th?.?-??  AUeynlans "?"'?'? U.C.S. <Hd Boys Isleworth Nov. ?-Un.tcd Services Portsmouth 12 London Irish Club „ lS-North&mpton Queen's Club: 26 West Hartlepool Club Dec. 5—Kevonport Albion Away 17-Harlequins .Queen's Club 4ard!ff  Aw?w ?H^°ucester .? 31-Newport "Q?en's Clu? 1905 u e e n s C!ub Jan. 7 Gloucester Queen's Club 14-London ?cottish Richmond ?"????'? Honor Oak 28- West Hartlepool ?way Feb. 4-DevonpoTt Albion Queen's Club „ 8—Oxford Univers.ity.  „ 11—Bedford W-UHtted Services Queen-, Club 22-Cambridga UnLversity AA,w.,a.,y 2&-Northampton Mar. 4-Brstol .Ou?n'?? f s?; "?? 25-P?omlyn Park Richmond T tSS?. '"?' .??  B-Bristol ,Away '?.? '? London Welsh Second XV. 1904. Sept. 17-Practice Match Hendon, Oct. 8-Catford A Away „ 15—Twickenham "\?? 22-U.C.S. Old "Aw?y. „ 29—Maze Hill ..29-M?e Hilt Nov. 5-Streath3m .?;?; Home „ 12—Hammersmith Away It.: St. Alaiy's ..?.??"?""t? 26-Streatham ??y Dec. 2ô;: ¿Ú. Hospital \wav „ lIl!ard Wanderers „ 17—Cniverstty College Hospital ??????"HHoommee 1905. Home; Jan. 14-Saracens Away „ 21-IIford Wanderers .?""Awav 28—Borough Road CoUpge Home Feb. 4-Richmond St. Mary'5 "Home „ 11 U.C.S. Old Boys aww „ 18—Maze Hill ? iË:!ll ::Q£;;  Mar. 4-Catford A .H?: „ 18-Bcrongh Rood College '\w?v „ 2&-Old Dunstonians .H? Treherbert HliJ Sept. 17—Din3s Pow s ''vrn^mo „ 24—Cilfynydd (L) ..Ay Oct. &-Hwynypia (L) ..?Away ^reorky ?.? 22—Xe?th  Away Nov. 5-Penygraig (L) A?wx.c. <L) ..Home 12-CitfyBy<M(L). Home l?-Br?end :?y 26 Mountain Ash (L ).Home Dec. 3-Exef.er Away lAbcrdare (L) .Home „ 17-Pontypr.dd (L) kw&Y 1905 Jan. 7-Llwynypia. (1.) HOms J, 14-England v. Wales .CardilT „ 21-Bridgend .Home 28Aheravon (L) .Away Feb. 4—Maesteg (L) ,Home „ ll-Aberdare „ 18—Neath Home 25-Treorky (L) Away Mar. 4—Ponypridd (L) Home » 11—Ireland v. Wales Swansea „ 25—Maesteg (L) Away Apr. l-Aberavon (L) Rome B-MollntaJn Ash Away, „ 15-Penygraig (L) Home „ 21—Cork Constitution .Cork „ 22—Garryo?fn Limerick „ 24-Cork County Cork

Printed by the Proprietors. Western Mail Limited. and published by them at their offices, St. Mary-street' Cardiff; Castle Bailey-street, Swansea; Victoria-street MerthyT Tydfil—all in the County of Glarilorgmm. at their offices, 22, High-street, Newport-In the County of Monmouth; and at their omcea, The Bulwark. Brecon, in the County of Brecknock. WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 24, 1904. A SEVERE TEST OF FELS-NAPTHA. Take the most soiled article you can find; rub it back and front with Fels-Naptha soap; soak it in any water- soft or hard—for a half-hour; rub it a little; rinse it. If you are not delighted your grocer will give you back your money, Go by the book.