Evening Express

RICHES & POVERTY. '———— How Wealth is Divided.1 BATHS FOR COLLIERS. BY WILLIAM BRACE [V ice-president, of the South Wales Miners' Federation]. It is not always easy for the most expert mathematician to present figures in an interesting form to the student or reader, but no one who has read Mr. L. G. Ohiozza Money's book, entitled Riches and Poverty," could fail to be interested. Whether one agrees with Mr. Money's conclusions, is, of course, another matter, but, be that as it may, the study of this work will, I venture to think, leave ono much better informed upon social questions than before. I will take the cartoon on page 1 only as an example, and at a glance one is brought face to face with the groat inequality in the distribution of the earning result of the nation. "In 1904 the aggregate income of the 43,000,000 who reside in the iUnited Kingdom was approximately £ 1,710,000,000," which is distributed as follows: One million and a quarter persons take as their share out of the national income no less a sum than £ 585,000,000; three million and three- quarter persons draw the satisfactory proportion of £ 245,000,000, whereas the remaining thirty-eight million of persons have only £ 8h;0,000,000 to share between them. If one accepts the total earnings of the nation one is compelled to admit that the Old Country is by no means played out, and that, on the whole, t'he wation can well shake hands with itself, because of its success in securing so lare a share of the world's earnings. But when the process of allocating the pro- portionate share of the total increase is brought under review, it will, I think be oonoeded by all other than those who may be prejudiced in their own particular favour that there is something radically wrong in the distributing basis that gives the few so much and the many so little. Such a result has not been the work of a day; rather, indeed, has it been the work of many generations, the favoured few evidently having lost no opportunity for buttressing up a preferential position for themsfelTc* by the creation of vested interests amd privileged legislation, which would never have been possible were it not for the indifference of the mass of the people to their own welfare. It is said that "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." It could also, with equal power, he said that the lack of eternal vigilance by the mass of the people is the cause- of the inequalities they have to complain about and lament. Nations are not enslaved by kings or aristocracies; nations are enslaved by their own lethargy and indifference." To the end of arousing tilo nation to its rights and responsibilities Air. Money's tale of income and distribu- tion is in-valuable. Happily for this country, there is no necessity to adopt the imode of procedure -whidh has thrown Russia inlto a revolution of blood to correct what is wrong. Imperfect as are the political liberties of the mass of the people of Britain, they possess in the present faulty political machinery a great deal of power to secure reforms— that is, if they use that power unitedly and intelligently. It may demand from them a present sacrifice, but if given it would, I verily believe, ens-ure a bett-er future. I am not unmindful of the differences of opinion that prevail as to tho best way of dealing with this problem, but I am not so anxious to discuss that phase of the question at this juncture as to emphasise the need of something being done to minimise the extremes of poverty and wealth which have grown up in this country. According to the national balance-sheet, it is patent there is room for the distributive basis to be amended in favour of the poor without injustice to the rich. I have often written in these columns upon the question of better housing for the working classes, for I am persuaded it is a question of national importance. As an instlance of what good housing does to the protecting of life one has only to take two concrete -examples. In Bourn- ville Mr. Cadbury's model village near Birmingliam--t,he rate of infantile mortality in 1903 did not exceed 65 per 1,000 inhabitants, whereas in the St. (Mary's district of Birmingham the rate was no less than 331 per 1,000. These figures are surely sufficiently startling to move one to the conclusion that this housing agitation is something more than a sentimental one, and demands the keen attention of all those who have the future of their country at heart. How can the physical deterioration of the race be prevented. if nothing is done to create healthier residential surroundings? For the purpose of improving the miners' cottages in the county of Durham, a request has been sent to the coalowners' association by the miners' association that a convenient bath-room be attached to houses that may be erected in mining villages. A gentleman speaking at a con- ference in the North upon this question declared that, with the exception of 40 houses at a new mining village, not a bathroom in an ordinary miners' dwelling could be found in any of the colliery villages in Northumberland or Durham, and they number about 250 villages. I am not sure that this is special to the Northern colliery villages; as a matter of fact, the same can be said for the larger proportion of the mining villages of South Wales and Monmouthshire. It is, doubtless, correct that in several miners' homes, when the ocoupiers own their own oottages, a bath has been put in, but I have yet to learn that in any one mining village in Wales a systematic scheme is in operation under which baths are placed in the ordinary cottages rented by the miners. They ought to be, if the question is considered only from the standpoint of a higher morality, and how much more refreshing and convenient it would be if the miner could have a full- sized bath to go into after a day of arduous toil. The extra cost would be comparatively small if the bath was put in during the erection of a b(yuse, and the additional rent required to cover the extra cost should be infinitesimal. The tin-plate industry gives promise of having as a result of the twelve months' business in 1905 a record year. Although the trouble in Russia will, undoubtedly, affect the volume of trade done with that country, the loss in that market will be substantially covered by increased trade with the Far East. It is also interesting to learn that this industry's trade with Germany for tea months of 1905 gave an increased money value of over 9100,000. Probably, some of the tin-plates sent to Germany were made from German steel, but, inasmuch as they had the raw material imported here by way of blooms and returned to them in the finished art icle (tin-plates), it cannot be looked upon as an unprofit- able deal when Welsh tin-plate manu- facturers are able to secure from the Germans a sufficient payment to meet what they had to pay in the first instance to Germany for a proportion of the ra.w material required in the manufacture of tin-plates, and also what they have had to pay to Welsh workmen for making the plates, with the profit upon their invested capital. Although the improved trade in the oal industry we have been waiting for so long does not appear as quickly as one could wish, I think there can be no doubt that once the general election is over things will move upward. The Belgian coal trade is not only increasing in volume, but there has been an advance in price of nearly 2s. per ton. In some parts the workmen have ei-ther been given or are promised a 5 per cent. advance in wages, so that the prospect is certainly hopeful. With the increased tonnage to South Wales ports the collieries have had more regular time, and prices have hardened accordingly, rates ruling higher by at least 3d. per ton. The holidays may have had some influence in this, but the primary factor was, I venture to think, the increase of 78,594 tons in the export trade over the previous week.

Church and State. The Vat ican announces the publication of a White Book consisting of 300 pages relating to the separation. of Churoh a-nd State in France. The first part of the book contains nine chapters, with an appendix, and gives an account of the discussion on the question of the separation, while the second part comprises forty-seven documents, a large number of which have not hitherto been published. A preface to this portion of the book sets forth the precise object of its publication, through which the Holy See hopes to -how that the responsibility for the rupture rests with the French Govern- ment. France, the preface continues, did not desire the separation, which, now that it is to be put into foroe, will partake clearly of the na.ture of a persecution, and will bring in its wake grave consequences for the country itself, as well as for the Church. That, it declares explains why those who have promoted separation Reek to make the Holy See responsible. Allusion is made to the anti-religious policy of different French Cabinets, and accusations levelled against the Holy See are dwenssed. It is finally pointed i out tha.t the White Book is not intended to be a reply to insults, and that there is no idea of offending anybody. The only object of the publication, it is asserted, is to prevent a misconstruction of historical facts in suoh an important question. The appendix treats of t'he protection by France of Ccutholics in the Near and Far EAst.- Renter. •

The Dutch Cate 18 open for Lunobeona and Afterccon Teao.—•Stevens, Ocnfecttonen, L4, 136p.. CarCIr. ONLY THREE MORE DAYS. I "Evening Express." One Coupon-One Chance. NATIONAL ART UNION COUPON. Graat Art Prize Drawing for Pictures of the value of £100, X30, and X20, and 1,000 or more other Pictures- I desire to participate in the above Drawing on the 24th January. 1906, OlD the conditions stated in your advertisements. Name I ""00'- « Two halfpenny stamps must be sent with each coupon, or, with a number of eoupons, a postal order.

Aerial Warships I TO BE USED AGAINST REVOLTED TRIBES I The statement that the Portuguese I Government have decided to employ airships, capable of being steered, in the expedition which is now being prepared against the revolted tribes in West Afrioa has been received with some astonishment in this country. The airships, it is said, are to be used for reconnoitring purposes, and, in order that the maobines best suited to this object may be selected, competent engineers II are to be sent to I.ondon, Paris, and America to make investigations. The Portuguese Government, however, seem to be somewhat ahead of the times so far as this country is concerned. An official of the large engineering firm of Sir Hiram Maxim, who have spent much time and money in the attempt to solve the problem of aerial navigation, declared that, as far as they were concerned, th-ey bad nothing to offer in the way of an airship capable of being properly steered. Sir Hiram Maxim's so-called flyings-machine," such as can. be seen in the grounds of the Crystal Palace, is not an a.irship at all, but an aeroplane, which, by means of motion derived from an upright revolving pillar, to which it is attached, rises in the air in the same way as a kite, with this difference, that a kite is dependent upon the motion of the air past it, while the aeroplane is dependent upon its rapid motion by mechanical propulsion through the air. A machine such as this would obviously be useless for warfare. What is wa,nted is an airship which pro- vides its own means of rising, propulsion, and steering. Such a machine does not exist in this country, though Dr. Barton's airship, tried several times without real success at the Alexandra. Palace last sum- mer, was intended to fulfil these require- ments. The Santos Dumont airships were the nearest approach to practical aerial navigation yet constructed, and it would seem that the Portuguese engineers will be most likely to find what they want by a visit to -Paris. It is easy to see how useful an aerial vessel of this kind would be for warlike pur- poses if it could be depended upon to do what was required of it at any moment. For reconnoitring it would be invaluable, and, if capable of being provided with light weapons, might do much damage. The aeroplane would, by reason of its immo- bility, be useless, as well as providing a, good mark for the guns of an enemy. It is impos- sible to tell whether Sir Hiram Maxim has evolved any design of air-vessel which might correctly be called an airship, but nothing is known of any such invention, and it appears that the Portuguese engineers will have to leave this country no wiser on the question of airships than, when they entered Of if, indeed, they do not find out previously that their object is impracticable.

The Cause of Cancer I r AMERICAN SURGEONS ON SMOKING Several famous Chicago surgeons have j issued a terrible warning to smoking man- kind. They see cancer lurking iu the bowl of that extra. pipe; they see it stamped on the band of th-at fat cigar; they see it in the slender shape of the insidious cigarette. But the world of medicine is far from agreed on the subject of smoking causing cancer. It is very difficult to give an opinion on the subject," said a famous London surgeon to a press representative yesterday. A man may ccme to me with maligant disease of the throat and mouth. He has never been seen without a. pipe, and his friends say: I told you so.' But people forget that many non-smokers develop can- cer. I saw a patient this morning, who is forty years old, and has carefully avoided tobacco all his life, believing that in con- sequence he would escape this universal curse. He had cancer of the tongue, and I could only give him a few months to live. j "There is no doubt," 'he added, "that those whose families show a long record of disease should live by rule, and smoke very Tittle. A small wound in the mouth may have malignant etndencies, which, if the pipe or cigarette had been forsworn for a couple of weeks, might have healed normally, limatead of developing into a cancerous growth." On the other band, a clever dentist, who dis a)t the top of his profession, considers that smoking is often a safeguard against disease, and believes that tihe spread of cancer is due to unhealthy conditions of the moutib. Some people oome to me," be said, who have evidently never expended a minute on the care of their teeth. I believe the supposed injurious effect of tobacco is grcatty exaggerated. A case oa.me under my notice a. day or two ago of a lady whose teeth were in a terribly septic con- dition, and who suffered from ulceration of the -ums. She informed me, when I wondered at her immunity from internal disease, that 8be owed it to smoking twenty cigarettes a day, and thus purified and disinfected her I system."

I Pembroke Boroughs. I I I SIR R, POLE-CAREW A CANDIDATE I General Sir Reginald Pole-Oarew, K.C.B., C.V.O., has written to Colonel Roberts. hon. secretary of the Pembroke and Haver- fordwest Boroughs Conservative Council, definitely accepting the invitation to contest the boroughs at the forthcoming election, and the news has been received with unbounded enthusiasm. Sir Reginald will meet the delegates at the Conservative Club, Pembroke Dock, next Tuesday afternoon, and in the meantime all the preliminary arrangements incident to a. contested elec- tion will be made. In connection with t.he general's candidature it is interesting to note that be is descended from the Oarews, of Garew Castle, near TOuby. The property was acquired by his ancestors in the days of Ed-ward the Confessor by marriage with Nu;ta," daughter of a Prince of South Wales. 1.. was mortgaged in the year 1500, and then forfeited, but was re-granted to the third branch of the family by Charles II. in recognition of services rendered the Royalist cause.

I CHRISTMAS- DAY QUARREL At Waterford on Tuesday a young man of the labouring class, named Tobias Fitzpat- rick, was charged with the murder of his father at Ferrybank. It appeared that father and son had an altercation on the afternoon of Christmas Day, and in the course of a scuffle it was alleged the older man wae knocked down and died almost immediately. ^Aooueod»-wa^J*imaJKLe)d.

Bad Bridge Players. I A FEW HINTS THAT MAY 6E OF USE I The declaration always bothers the "dtiffer." I He will find his path smoother by remember- ing these two simple rales:- (1) Always assume that your partner has aji average hand. (2) Remember that no hand is too good for spades. When your partner leaves it to you and you are playing against the dealer, bear in mind:- (1) That playing against a trump call differs from playing against no trumps. In the former case the main thing is to play through the strength and up to the weak- ness exposed in dummy. (2) In a trump declaration there is no obli- gation to return your partner's lead. Against no trumps always return your part- ner's lead unless you have a very strong euit that you are certain to bring in. (3) Always try to save the game before attempting anything else. (4) Do not finesse against your partner. Finally, it may interest the beginner to hear that a lunatic asylum has been built in New York for people who double spades with- out five trumps or a very strong all-round hand, and that many a man is sweeping a crossing or selling matches who used to declare hearts or diamonds on five trumps with one honour and no other trick in his hand.

A Sermon Stopped. SCENE IN ALLESLEY CHURCH I Particulars are forthcoming of an unpleasant. iuc-ident that occurred at Allesley Churoh, near Coventry, the vicar of which is the Ven. Archdeacon Bree, at the service on Christmas Day. Morning prayer had been said, and the Holy Communion office had been pr>ceedcd with as far as the sermon. Archdeacon Bree was about to give out his text, when two men, occupying seats in the west end of the church, rose, and one of them commenced to deliver a number of Scriptural quotations in a loud voice, to the great asfoni £ >;rment of the large congregation. Very speedily the churchwardens and other members of the congregation went to the pew, and endeavoured to quieten the man, who refused to hold 'his peace, and had, therefore, to be ejected. When tihis had been done the second man commenced to interrupt the service, and he, too. had to be taken in hand and ejected. He went out quietly, but in the churchyard and down the roadway the two men continued to make a further disturbance, and all the explanation that they offered in regard to their behaviour was the utterance of Scriptural quotations such as The Lord will come to His own." At the desire of the congregation Archdeacon Bree did now jioceed with his sermon, but when quiet ha-d been restored the service was proceeded with. It is understood police-court proceedings will be taken against the, offenders. j

Parcels and Letters. GROWTH OF CARDIFF POSTAL WORK Cardiff people have been noticing for the last fortnight a new postmark on their local letters. That post-mark, with its six long lines, is an indication of another improve- ment in post-office machinery. It is the work •of a new sitarnping-maohine, which has much facilitated the rapid despatch of the heavy mails that have been dealt with this Christ- mas. Like most useful inventions, it is a very simple thing.. The letters are placed upon a. metal platform, and are drawn by the draught, of an electric fan between two metal discs, which, as they rapidly revolve, imprint the post-mark on the envelopes. Between these the letters rush at a pace which baffles the eye. At top-speed 600 can be stamped in a minute, and with two men, one putting down unstamped letters and the other taking away those that have been stamped, the machine will do the work which in former years has occupied a staff of ten or so. The peculiarity of post-office work this Christmae has been that people posted a. day earlier than usual—no doubt, fearing that the intervention of Sunday, with its smaller facilities in railway transit, would interfere with the Christmas delivery unless letters were posted in plenty of time, so that Sunday's work was that of an ordinary Christmas Day a.nd Christmas itself only "half a Christmas," in post-office vernacu- lar. This, of course, meant that Friday and Saturday were exceptionally heavy. Parcels tralbe, which increases every year, made a jump this Christmas of 3,160 parcels over the Yuletide parcels of 1904. Last year's total was 102.876; this year's was 106,036. These figures, as well as the others which follow, cover the period from December 19 to the 25th- inclu- sive. Illustrating the earlineess of posting, the figures for Friday last show a heavier parcel traffic by 3,000 parcels than any pre- vious day at this office. The record made on December 23, 1904, is thus beaten. This large increase is certainly remarkable, although for several years the growing popularity of the parcels servioe has resulted in a. proportionately growing amount of work. Statistics regarding letters are not obtain- able, but in this department again the work was very heavy. Particularly does this apply to the foreign mail, of which the South African bags form the most important part. These have become so heavy that during the last twelve months orders were given that they should be sorted in Cardiff instead of going on to London for sorting, as letters to other destinations oversea do. The South African mail for Christmas delivery, which, of course, left Cardiff three weeks ago weighed half a ton, while the ordinary mail runs into a matter of a mere couple of hundredweight. Again, the incoming mail filled nineteen bags instead of the usual eight, and filled them, too, much more tightly than ordi- narily. At a rough estimate the letters numbered live times as many as in the usual rule. How thoroughly the authorities try to increase the public convenience in every way is shown by the fact that during Christ- mastide the whole staff is provided with meals gratis, so that no time is wasted in dinner and tea hours. And, again, ae show- ing the increase of work in Cardiff is this fact: though when the offices were built eight years ago they were expected to meet all the requirements of the staff for years to come, the increased staff of postmen, numbering about 110, have to leave the Quarters where generally they arrange the contents of their post-bags, and temporary accommodation is found for this large number in the base- ment.

A compositor, named William Thomas (or Brown), aged 54, believed to be a native of Preston, but lately working at Cardiff and Ba.rry, died on Saturday at Hill's Workmen's Hotel, Travifiretreet, Barry Dock, from the effects of injuries which he received a few days prevknwly by falling downstairs and breaking his neck. Dr. King, who had been in attendance on the deceased, deolined to certify to the cause of death, and the coroner toae directed a poet-mart em examination to be made on the body Dmdimc the holding of kan inauest.

STOP PRESS Latest Telegrams. 1.0 Eett;ng-r-6 to 4 en D:dn't Know. 1.30—KEOV lirEHL-n RESULT — 3 10 t Mr (.«■ M £ dv;irds"s Masierpicro I'rivato 4 10 3 Queta II. awl CW.irs. .»- Bllit;\VOCi) HURDLE RESULT Mr UaiiaiHl's Wild A iter 4 llr W H Stop's St Alexis 6 I,l" A ;;2i"fS St Liccrse's Hems I •l!l'GELI-Y STEEI'LECHASF. RESULT AI: 1 "ri.iiicy"- LxLiaxaganci; W 'W'MJiiiaau 4 II 1'. l.rd V"lxr's <uuruy ?. Hallick J u 5 Mr -i Li'Mr: fjawkli. u 11 Si b.lil'LECHASE RESULT: — .\1;- E lb i Mr R Courage'e World's u Mr >v(',n.:v ,)ou.-iiTe's Hu1 MaHiifl./r Sin rwo.id -1 1(\ f. Voivnrtiampton—1.30 Betting—.5 to 1 ;¡" ,ld. A t-r, flni V tu 1 i.'cii agwt St Al -x1? lLl :3t(:rhe' 1.30 J.t!nr;- tn ] at )1 itcbclia.^e. ?.-5"J i* a?.-t- Orange F:»:id. HURDLE RESULT: — I.'vrd DaltyienyV

Mr Joseph Bennett and  the Eisteddfod j WELSH MUSICIANS "STRIVING FOR CHEQUES" Mr. Joseph Bennett has en interesting article in the Daily Telegraph on "Music in 1905." Mr. Bennett records with satisfac- tion the amazing spread of interest in music and the growing fervour with which the art is, in some form or other, cultivated by the masses of the people, and continues:—"Let us look, first < all, to the fields and hedge- rows of music. At present these are doing well—how well anybody may see who follows with attention the progress of the 'competi- tion festivals' borrowed of late years from the Welsh Eisteddfod, and this year more to the fore than ever. There is uncontested evidence to the fact that these meetings, most of which are held in rural districts, have revealed a) previously unsuspected degree of capacity for the accomplishment of elementary musical work. Every part of such evidence is precious, for if we are to be, or do, anything notable in music, the entire 'area. of the land must be plouglhed, and har- rowed, and sown. Then, if we faint not, we may reap. But it is most devoutly to be hoped that the competition festivals will not, like the Eisteddfod, be allowed to foster the mercenary spirit unhappily so prevalent in these times. Let the people be taught that they should contend for the honour of winning, and not for cash. Some years ago I gave that counsel to a gathering of Welsh- men, suggesting that the symbol of victory should be a wreath of laurel, or, mayhap, of parsley. They laughed, and, I doubt not, are still striving for cheques."

TO CURE A COLD IN ONE DAY I Take Laxatine Bromo-Quinine Tablets. All Chemieta nertund the monby U it t&tts. K. W. ogme?g name on eaote box. 1J li. -1407

STAGE-STRUCK GIRL] "BLUE EYES, RED COMPLEXION, AND PLUMP." Amusing Letter Sent to Mr. George Shelton. Someone with a keen sense of humour, who waJnts to identify Mr. George Sheltoin with his peurt in "Peter Pan," has sent him a silk ba,t-omewh,at in want of repair—to the Duke of York's Theatre, London, with his address, and the following letter sewn, on the outside of it:- %Dear Sir,—I hear from a great friend of mine that you take in amateurs to be teached and turned into actors, &c. I wish very much to place myself in your haids at once, as my friends tell me that I sm quite full of talent, and I feel myseif that they are quite right. I can dance, sing, and am a fair whistler. I have good fa.ir hair, with no soda in it; real, good, dancing blue eyes, nioe red complexion, and am rather plump than otherwise. Pa and Ma heard me say that I would go on the stage, so they have locked me up in the top attic. I waxit you dearly to come and rescue me next Sunday, when they go to church in the afternoon. I'm in 13, Palmiera-place. Now, Mr. Shelton, eir, next door to us is empty, so you can easy get the keys. You bring a crowbar and keep on tapping with it until you hear three knooks which I shaJl give with the heel of my boot. That will Mean Right Oh! linen you work away hard your side, and I will do the/same my side. You must please bring me a hrut and some pins to pin it on, with. The cheese-plate pattern will do best, as you can put it inside your coat pocket. And a pocket comb will come in handy, as I have got nothing at all here. Have been washing my face and teeth in the cistern. I shall not want any paint or an,ything of that sort. I hope that you will like me, as I am reailly qui'te out of the common sort of girls. Serio-coanic comes as easy to me as heavy tragedy. I've got no pa,per or envelopes up here, so have been licking the wallpaper until it comes off easy, and then I found a. type- writer, which I learnt to use some years ago. Pia's best bat is up here, and I shall have to stick my letter on it, and then ehy it out of the window, as paper would only blow away. I hope that someone will be kind enough to post it to you. Pa will make a nice row when he finds his best tat gone, but I can't help that. When he finds me p-laying with you, Wyndham, and Tree he will forgive me. I shall count the minutes until I hear you, so until then I am yours, very truly and obliged.—Tiny. Mr. Shelton says he is not acquainted with the sender of the letter, and for the present he is too busily engaged to undertake a.ny mission of knight errantry.

The Machen Affray 1 MAN SURRENDERS AT NEATH I In October la-st the Glamorgan county Police authorities issued notices to the various police forces throughout the country to the effect that one David Evans was. wanted on a charge of attempted murder, it being alleged that he attempted to kill Evan Bowen and Sarah Jane Evans, said to be his sister, by cutting them with a razor. The sequel was provided at Neath on Tues- day afternoon, when a man, representing himself to be the" wanted" person, gave himself up to Police-constable Morgan, of the Neath Borough Police Force. Prisoner was taken to the station, where, after being cautioned by Inspector Jones, he ,-aid:- I am the man that absconded from Machen. I am wanted there on a serious charge, and also for absconding from the Welsh Regiment. I saw in the paper that I was wanted, and I know I am the man myself. I have been working at a brick- works. He was detained in custody and the Mon- mouthshire police communicated with. The alleged offence, it is stated, was com- mit.too at Maindee Cottage, Machen. btory of the Atrray, The affair took place on October 4. In Upper Maindee House, situated on the eastern hiFuside of Ijowar Machen, there lived an elderly main named Evan Bowen, a sort of handy mrun in hedge trimma,ing and general farm work, employed by the head woodman of Lord Tredegar's estate, Mr. John Morgan. With him in the house lived Miss Sarah Evans and her brother, David Evans, a quarryman of about 25. On October 4. David Evans returned from work about six o'clock in the afternoon. In the house at the time were Bowen and Miss Evans, and- a man named John Edmunds, who is nearly 70 years of age. It is said that Miss Evaine asked her brother for his frail, a.nd for answer he walked towards a drawer, snatched up a razor, and rushed at her. She threw her hands up to her face for protection, and Bowen at the same time went to her help, but was in turn savagely attacked. The tough old man, however, warded off a lunge at hie throat, and actually forced his oppo- nemit to tho ground, bei,ng pluckily assisted by Edmunds and Miss Evans. The assailant disappeared, and all efforts to trace him were unavailing.

A Christmas Frolic. A good deal of diversion was occasioned on Tuesday at Bristol Police-court by a little Christmas frolic. A married woman, named Knight, was charged with being drunk and disorderly. It appeared that Knight and her husband had been keeping up Christmas at a. friend's house, and during the frolic agreed to change their clothes. Attired in each other's garments, the jovial couple wended their way home- wards, but got separated in the crowded streets. Mrs. Knight, forgetting the charac- ter she waa impersonating, began to bewail the loss of her partner, and shouted out that she had lost her husband. The crowd began to devote, if anything, too close an attention. The woman managed to escape to the passage leading to her house, but, unfortunately, she again forgot her role. Her husband usually carried the latchkey, and, thinking he must have got home fir-it, she called on him to drop the key out of the window. By this time a constable arrived, and took the masquerader into custody. At the police-station the latchkey for which defendant had been calling was found In the pocket of the trousers. If she had remem- bered this she would have gained the refuge of her house, but as it was she was fined 10s. and costs

CONVICTED HIMSELF At Kingston yesterday Isaac Taylor, 51, & labourer, who was charged with stealing fowls from a farm, unconsciously convicted himself in the course of the following little dialogue: Prisoner: You say you saw me therte? Prosecutor: Yes, I did. Then who was with me?—I only saw you. Did you see a dog with me?—No, I can't say I saw a dcg. Well, then," aaid the prisoner, triumphantly, I had a. dog with me." The magistrates convicted at once, sen- tencing the prisoner to a month's imprison- ment,. The evidence of the prosecutor, Mj. Wat- ford, of Tipper Farm, West Molesey, was to t.he effect that, hearing a noise on Christ- mas Eve, he got up, «nd wont on to the farm with his gun. lie sa.w the prisoner, whom lIe knew, with several fowls in his hand, .and Taylor struck prosecutor in the face with one of the birdw and made his escape. Mr. Watford added that he would have shot Taylor had he not known him.

The armoured cruiser Tsukuba vas success- fully launched on Tuesday at Kure, in the presence of the Crown Prince. The ocea-sion was one of much public rejoicing, this being the first armoured cruiser buiit entirely in Jaipen without aid from abroad. In speeches delivered at the ceremony sincere recogni- tion was made of the debt Japan owed to British tuition, iu ghtpbwading.-Boutor.

FACE AND FIGURE. BEAUTY SHOW FOR LADIES The chief Boeing Day attraction at the Southend-on-Sea. Kursra.al was a beauty ahow for ladies. The offer of a handsome prize for the best- looking girl induced a bevy of maidens to place their charms of face and figure under the critical inspection of men judges and the' admiring gaze of some thousands of pairs of eyes. The large hall was crowded when the first girl stepped timidly from behind the curtain on the stage. A strong chorus of long-drawn Ob-I! promptly drove her to shelter again, and she did not reappear to the public view until reinforced by the remainder of the competitors. The maidens, seated in a row on the stage, were subjected to a running fire of good- natured comment from the male portion of the audience. They bore the ordea.l wen, how- ever, and, smiling encouragement at each other, they awaited the fateful verdict with confidence. There were an equal number of Blondes and Brunettes The judges were two local residents*, and they appeared to be much more embarrassed than the subjects of their attention. Their task was begun amid a storm of cheers and laughter, which rather disconcerted them. Suddenly, turning to the spectators, one of the judges announced that they had decided to judge by the applaoise of the audience which was the prize-winner, as each of the girls was led forward. "Just as I have judged, at honse shows," and concluded his announcement amid a shout of indignation from the Ladies. One by one the girls, now grown suddenly bauhful, and blushing becomingly, were brought to the front of the stage, and each time there was hearty applause. The cheers were deafening when Miss Jessie Coate, a charming girl with bright blue eyes, dimpled cheeks, and long hair flowing over her shoulders, whose age was about sixteen, was presented. She was declared the winner, and received a.s the prize a set of silver toilet trinkets, on receipt of which she bowed her acknowledgments. The unsuccessful girls, who were older, did not appear disappointed at their failure, but tripped laughingly from the stage.

Congress of Capitals SIR EDWIN CORNWALL'S SCHEME Sir Edwin Cornwall, chairman of the London County Council, has sent to the press a, statement, which he has already for- warded to a German paper, revealing his scheme for an international congress of capitals suggested to him by the "entente municipaJc" between London and Paris, Evidenoe is already to hand, he says, that the visit of the Paris councillors to London has not been without definite results in help- ing them to grapple with problems common to both cities. In the same way Londoners hope to profit in February next by a close inspection of municipal problems in Paris. It has occurred to him that still better results would follow if the example set by the two cities were to be extended and developed. One way of accomplishing this end would be to institute a congress of the capitals of the civilised world, to be held at regular intervals, and meeting on each occa- sion in a different capital. This given favour- able consideration, he further suggests that, the congress should be confined to capitals possessing populations over half a million, for at a less figure the problems are not parallel. The primary object of the con- ferences would be to study problems common to all large centres of population, such as education, housing of the working classes, street improvements, and tramway develop- meUlt. In the latter connection he mentions that the idea of shallow tramways in Lon- don below the street level WQ6 copied from Budapest. London's main drainage scheme might with advantage, he says, be studied by our Continent-al friends. But." he con- tinues, while London has these and other services in actual administration, it has not attained the limit of its usefulness, and, possibly, the representatives of other capitals are similarly convinced. But, above all, such a congress would speedily arrive at a feasible plan for an exchange of municipal scholars among the several capitals, which would yield immense benefit, whilst the influence of the congress on international relationship would be of the best possible character."

I Wandered to Death WANTED TO DIE ON MOTHER'S GRAVE At the inquest on the body of Miss Telfair, held at Richmond yesterday, it was stated in evidenoe that insanity had existed in deceased's family, her father having died when out of his mind. Deceased, who resided at Ohepstow-villas, Bayrwater, left the house on the 14th inst., and was found drowned in the Thames at Richmond on Friday. According to tihe evidence of Miss Lesa Hollam, a. portrait painter, of Brondesbury- villas, Kilburn, deceased was always rather morbid and depressed and feeble in mind and body. Witness had never heard her threaten 'her life. Another portrait painter, Mrs. Annabella Eliza Scott, of Chepstow-villas, said her sister, Miss Telfair, had practically always lived with her, but until quite lately she had I-,een lodging out with witnes,. daughter Doris in Kensington-park-road, going to the witness's house for her meals. Miss Telfair lost her money seven years ago, and that was her chief trouble. It was a great shock to her when she lest her income, and from that time she had been dependent upon the witness She would describe the deceased as being physically and mentally feeble, but not suffi- ciently so to be put under restraint. Strartge Hallucinations She bad no idea that her sister was of suicidal tendency, but she was given to magnifying trouble. When she was quite a girl her mind was unhinged for a few weeks. Miss Doris Scott, who lived with deoeased, said that on one occasion she told her that she was depressed, and that she thought she had injured witness's brain and sent her mad. On another occasion the deceased said, I don't like letting you go out at ?11, Doris; you have said such funny things," and she also sa.id, I feel that I ha,ve injured your brain. and am your murderer." Witness was of opinion that her aunt would wander about, as ehe had said she would like to walk and walk till she dropped dead. On another occasion she said she would like to throw herself on her mother's grave and starve to death there. Her aiiat had certainly never threa,ten-ed suiaide, for she had the greatest horror of suoh. a. thing. It was stated by Cecilia Maud a. hou&ema'id, that Miss Telfair was all-ways looking into the fire, and was constantly stirring it with the poker. Medical evidence having been given to the effect that deceased's bra.in was healthy, the .jury returned a verdict of suicide during temporary insanity.

I Moroccan Conference In reply to a communication from the Spanish Minister, the Sultan has declined to accept Madrid as the meeting place of the mternu.tion:' 1 conference on the affairs of Morocco. He will, he says, accept only Tangier or Aigeciras.—Central News. The "Eclair" publishes an account of & conversation which a member of its staff had at Berlin with Prince Von Arenberg, a friend of the Emperor and of the Imperial Chancellor. The Prince is represented to have declared that the .journey of the Emperor to Tangier was only undertaken because Germany wished to. acquire a basis for her lleet. He said that Germany would go to the Conference with the best feelings towards France, Great Britain, and all nations interested in Moroccan affairs. Ger- many and the Emperor, Piinoe Von Arextbexg added, deeired- pea*e.-Router.

I DIET AND DREAMS. DIET AND DREAMS. CdMMUNICATION WITH SPlRITl WORLD. I A new and interesting point in the-study of the occult has been brought to lagbit. It is the effect of diet on dreams and commu- nication with the spirit world. It is suggested that to obtain clear dreams -tifrea,ms which are free f-rom anything of a fantastic, horrible, or distorted nature- it is not only neoess.ary to retire to rest with the mind cairn and contented, but the body aJao must have been nourished with light and easily digestible food. Most people have experienced nigh'taaire, due in the great majority of cases to a heavy meal before going to bed; but, apart from this, no person can attain t,he perfect dream "Without a. special course of diet. Mr. B. A. Cochrane, of Manchester-square, London, who is an authority on the subject of dreams, which he has studied for ten years, said to a. press representative yester- day:— "I have discovered that no clear dream is possible on the ordinary diet. No meat, or similarly heavy food, or anything containing alcohol must be taken if the right kind of dream is to come. I am a fruitarian myself, and fruit is the best kind of food for The Perfect Dreamer, a-Ltliou^h. anything very easily digestible will ¡serve the purpose. Such a, diet will enable I people to get into real touch with the spirit world, and they will be a/ble to recollect 'their dreams on awakening. Every night I put under my bolster a plain card and a pencil, and the instant I awake I write down a summary of what I dreamt. After breakfast I write it out fully. Thus I have a record of my dreams for the past ten years. "I have never had what may be termed prophetic dreams, but. I believe the night time of the body is the day time of the soul. It is then that the poul leaves the body and has experiences in the spirit world which are very interesting sometimes. You may meet with dead friends, and see their condition. I have seen old friends, once very wealthy, who are in queer con- ditions now on the other side. I have also had spirjts come to me in my dreams. They have not been able to speak, but by signs 'and portents they b-a-ve conveyed their desires. Such visions and spiritual communica- tions are possible to any one who is moderate in his diet, abstains from alcoholic drinks, and is temperate in all things. Clear dreams are the result of a healthy mind in a well-conditioned body."

Mistaken Identity SWANSEA GIRL'S UNPLEASANT EXPERI ENCE. At Bristol Police-court on Tuesday a well- dressed young woman was charged on a war- rant with leaving her infant child charge- able to the common fund of the Bristol Union. By her side in the dock was the warrant-officer of the Bristol Board of Guar- dians. The Clerk (addressing the defendant): I understand that you dispute that you are Edith Jones? Defendant: I do most certainly. My name is Edith Haselhoof and not Jones, and I have never had a child. The Clerk: I understand that the nurse from the lying-in ward of the Bristol Work- house is in court, and she says that the young woman in the dock is not Edith Jones, the mother of the deserted child. Padfield, the warrant-officer of the Bristol Guardians, said that was so, but, unfortu- nately, the settlement-clerk, who had made the usual inquiries, was not at the office that day. The Clerk remarked that if he were he nr/vnl/1 tia+ Kn o V»1a +/\ n»/v r* n>«-» i -n4- +V»/v A "VUiU «vu U-UIV o.-g £ V 1AJ £ 3 U LUC; C of the nurse amd the woman's statement. I suppose," he added, that the girl is desirous of returning to Swansea as soon as pos- sible?" Basel hoof said that she should like to go back to her situation at the earliest possible moment. She informed the magistrates that when she first went to her place at Swansea there was a girl there named Edith Jones, and her name being also Edith, to avoid confusion she was called Fanny. After Edith Jones left, for some reason or other she was gene- rally called by that name, and in that way she supposed that the mistake had arisen. Her mistress told her that the Swansea deteo- tives had been to the house saying that there was a warrant against her at Bristol. She thought it would be better to come to Bristol than be arrested, and with her young man ehe came on. At the polioe-station she was detained, but on telling the facts to the inspector on duty that officer permitted her to wait in the charge-room by the fire. When the deputy-chief-constable arrived and heard her story and the statement of her young man that he had been engaged to her for eighteen months, and that she was not Edith Jones, she was liberat.ed on her own recognisances. The Clerk said the magistrates would pay her fare back to Swansea either by steamer or rail. Miss Haselhoof preferred to return by rail, and on stepping out of the dock the first to shake ba.11.ds with her was her lover.

One of Ned Kelly's Gangi CONFESSION AT A SALVATION ARMY MEETING At a Salvation Army meeting at Sydney one of the fa.mous Kelly gang of desperadoes, who haunted "Victoria a quarter of a cen- tury ago, gave the audience some of his experiences. The man, whose name was James Skillion, said that in his capacity as telegiraph for the gang, he had used many disguises, some- times dressing as a woman. Altogether, his share of the gang's robberies had come to some L3,000, most of which he spent in travel. Skillion is now an active member of the local bra,neb of the Salvation Army, and seems to have no objection to discussing his j past connection with the Kelly gang. I

Anarchist's Suicide I Details have now reached Madrid of the attempt to murder Cardinal Casana,«_at Bar- celona. It was made whilst the cardinal was in the cathedral surrounded by his clergy. The would-be murderer. who has been iden- tified as a prominent Anarchist named Sala, advanced up the floor of the building with a revolver in one hand and a dagger iu the other, shouting "Now is the time." The municipal guard immediately seized and dis- armed him, the crowd in the cathedral rush- ing forward to render asenstanoe. In the struggle. Sala was seen to carry a bottle to j his lips, which the guard smashed before tie had time to swa.llow its contents. Then tho prisoner shouted, "I am not even allowed to poison myself. It was believed at the time that his attempt at suicide was frustrated, but twenty hours lateir he died in his cell, either from the poison -which he had then swallowed or from another dose which 1 e had concealed upon his pereon. On a search being made a letter was found in his pockets addressed to the whole world pro- testing against the tyranny shown by cleri I cals and capitalists -enerally.-Central News.

RECENT RIOTS AT SHANGHAI All was quiet at Shanghai on Tuesday. The bluejacket guards are still maintained at their posts, and 250 men have been landed from his Majesty's cruiser Andromeda. Mr. Twyman resumed his functions as British assessor in the Mixed Court to-day. Warrants have at Last been issued for the arrest of the instigators of the recent riots. As the result of the delay they have had time to make good their eampe.-Feuter.

A COINING STORY I DETECTIVES ARREST MEN AT WORK, A graphic story concerning the arrest of alleged ooiners was told at the Thames court yesterday, when Henry Clark, Albert Jones, William Griffiths, Mary Piper, and; Aileen Griffiths were charged with manu- facturing base coin. Detective-sergeant Eustace, K Division, stated that early on Saturday morning, in company with other officers, he went to Wellington-street, E., and saw Clark enter at house. In company with Police-sergeant Lee he went to the back of the premises and saw the prisoners in the ground floor back room. in which there was a light and a large fire. A chair was in the centre of the room, with some plaster of paris, a knife, and spoon on it. Each of the male prisoners handled the plaster, and four pieces were passed into the oven once or twice by Jones. Having communicated with other officers, witneea went to the front of the houee, and afterwards forced the front door. He found two constables in the passage struggling with Jones and Clark. The prisoner Piper was going upstairs. After Clark and Jones had been taken- into the back room witness said, "We are Police Officers, and believe you are making üounterfeit; coin." He then went upstairs, where he saw Griffiths and Piper, to whom he said, "Con- sider yourselves in custody, coiloerned witlu two men downstairs in making counterfeit* coin." In the back room was a mould, bearing the impression of a, half-crown and a shil- ling; a half-mould, bearing the impression of a. shilling; several pieces of mould, a bag containing plaster of paris, a bottlo containing acid, and another containing a liquid, and various other articles, including a purse in which was a. counterfeit half- crown, a packet containing twenty oounter. feit shillings, wrapped separately in paper, i three counterfeit shillings, and a good shil- ling. In the ground floor front room were two wet moulds, each containing a coin. Mr. Mead committed prisoners for trial.

Free Fight for a Pulpit WEE FREE" MINISTER LOCKED IN: I HIS OWN KIRK A prolonged free fight, during which th-e- minister was roughly handled and injuries; were received, has taken place in tha; Latheron Free Kirk in Caithness. The ohurch is in the possession of the Wee Frees," and recently a dispute arose regarding the minister, the Rev. Mr., Strath earn. The leaders of the Church desired to dis- pose of the minister's services, and on Sun- day the kirK was closed, parties of the .1, .1' .1- ..J <J011Ulctli3 ^UcUUlUg vue ULR/lrf. By means of a little manoeuvring Mr. j Strath-earn sucoeeded in entering the edifice, and went towards the pulpit. He was, how- ever, caught by two members of the congre- gation, who forcibly endeavoured to keep- him back. The sympathisers of the rev. g-entleman thereupon began to protest vigorously, and a melee ensued. Lamps were extinguished, and the Strathearn party were ultimately ejected. During the scuffle women fainted, and a I number of combatants were wounded. Mr. Strathearn at length succeeded in gaining the pulpit, where he read over a. Psalm. But when he began singing the oppo- sition left the ohurch, locking the door, and leaving their minister inside. Mr. Strathearn, however, escaped from the, building, amd there was another engagement during the day, the onslaught being made with fists, sticks, and umbrellas of the bulky pattern oarried by the elder. A renewal of the disturbance is expected.

The Wrong Label POISONING FOLLOWS PRESCRIPTION Whilst on a visit to Sheffield, Annie Robin. son, of Ilarrogtite, had a prescription made up by a chemist. Oming to a mistake in the label on the bottle a eolmtion of nitrate of mercury, a. deadly poison, was given to her, and after taking one dose the lady died. It could not be explained how the wrong label got on the bottle, but it was suggested. at the inquest yesterday thlait during the removtal of the (business on a wet day the label rubbed off, and that someone put the wrong label on the bottle. The jury returned a verdict of "Death from misadventure," and recommended that all stocks of medicines should be overhauled at least once a year to prevent such mis- takes.

Lost in an Avalanche. A telegram from Calcutta, dated Tuesday, aays that on the 14th inst., a gang of raiders, whose identity is not known, attacked the levy post at Gudwane. They killed five and wounded three of the garrison, which num- bered sixteen. As a party of 22 men were returning to Chitral on the 19th inst., with a number of ponies belonging to the Mehtai of Chitral, they were lost in an avalanche. Eleven ponies were killed. On the following day Captain Knollys, assistant political agent in Chitral, and his party were also buried in an avalanche, but were extricated by a rescue party ait terrible risks. Several men were completely buried before the rescue was effected.-Reutcr.

"A CHRISTMAS GATHERING." Story of a Family Quarrel. t The WestminBtor magistrate heard an ex- traordiLnary story yesterday, when. WiHiajn Noble. a fisihmo Dger, was charged with J assaulting Harry Chester, of Lambeth. Just before twelve on Christmas Eve prose- outor went to his father and mother's reei- dienoe m Leopold-street, Lambeth, hearing that there was "a bit of a squabble" among the family. He found things quite as lively as anticipated, for there was a general fight in the passage, and the prisoner, as a rela- tive, had just arrived with a poker up his sleeve. After blackening a man named Lawler's eye, prisoner struck Chaster over the head with the iron poker. temporarily rendering him unconscious. Mr. Sydney (cross-examining) put a list of seven or eight relatives to the witness aa among those The witness said they were ail there, and [ it was asserted by prisoneT that he came to look after his daughter, who was being kept jj out of her room. Mr. Horace Smith: A nice Christmas {| gathering! (Laughter.) Mr. Sydney: Did one of the party have what is willed "3, cobbler's foot," another a gout-stick, and a thind one a crutch? Witness: My father bad to use his gont- stick in self-defence.. i Prisoner was discharged on satisfying oom- I plainant with 50g. compensation.

OLD CONVICT'S PARDON. King Edward has performed a gracious act in intimating through the War Office to the Governor-General that James Keily, impri- soned in Swan River establishment, Australia, should be released. Keily's history recalls the Irish troubles of i 40 years ago. He was in the 53rd Foot, and was sentenced to death by court-martial at Dublin in 1366. The deitli penalty was com- muted to penal servitude, and Keily went out to Western Australia with mauy others. i Of these several have made ren».>ional escapes to America, and some have he r. par- dond, but Keily, who is in his 70th year, with two others, was preeuma-bly forgotten for a long time. Efforts have at last been made on his behalf, with the fortunate results already ( stated. It should be added, however, that | eince 1m KaHy has been Ollot on lioenoe.

Fall into a Canal. About two o'clock on Tuesday afternoon Miss Musk, of Penygwyne, Ystradgynlaie, was crossing the lock-gates, near Ynyscedwyn House, when she slipped and fell into the water, which is rather deep at this spot. Fortunately she was able to grasp a pro- jection from the side of the canal and keep her head above water until her screams gained the attention of some railwaymen, who immediately ran to her rescue. Assisted by Mr. G. Jeffreys, relieving officer, who was passing at the time on his bicycle, they succeeded in getting the young lady to land.

Harvest of the Sea. Some interesting figures have been issued which show what a valuable harvest the sea yields these islands. For the past eleven months of this year the quantity of fish landed in England and Wales was 10,556,655cwto., valued at X6,869,472, including shell fish, as compared with 10,087,878cwts. and £ 5,852,784 value in the corresponding period of 1904. The quantity of fish landed in Scotland was 7,652,863cwis., of a total value of P2,594,M, or about .1.?,000 more than in 1904. The Irish statistics are also satisfactory, Showiaig an improvement of about E7,000 in value, though the yield was nearly 53,000cwts. less.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR, The fact that Sir Robert Reid has been sworn in as Lord Chancellor while still a commoner may be somewhat puzzling to many people who think that a peerage is a necessary appendage of his office. The student of constitutional law, however, the "Law Journal" reminds us, does not require to be told that the Chancellor need not be a m-ember of the House of Lords. Formerly, indeed, it often happened that the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper (whose authority was by 5 Eliz., c. 18, declaretl to be the same) remained a oommoner. Yet even when he is not a peer the Lord Chancellor is by prescription Speaker of the House of Lords, and as such he sits during its deliberations on the Woolsack, which is technically out- side the limits of the House. The reason for conferring a peerage on the Chancellor, as is now invariably the usage, is that when not a peer he had neither a vote nor a deliberative voice in the House. So late, how- ever, as the middle of the eighteenth century we find that Sir Robert Henley presided over tVie House of Lords, as Lord Keeper, for nearly three years before he was raised to the peerage as Ixird Northing-tcm; and, as Lord Campbell tells us in the "Lives of the Chancellor?," he used to complain bitterly of his being obliged to put the question for the reversal of his own decrees, without being permitted to say a word in 5-upport of them. The Lord Chancellor is, under a provision of the Judicature Act, 1S37, 6. 1 empowered, as a llOrd of Appeal, to take his seat at a sitting of the House of Lords for hearing and determining appeils during the prorogation of Parliament.