Evening Express

From All Quarters Oaibie rates to and from -Norway are to be Tedqited next January to 2Jd. a. word. Charles -beal -was resaamAed. at Thames pofice.murt yv. eapday on a of brwak. ing 500 eggs by l "getting a haa-ro-w. A. largo orowd whJoli assembled in & pxibLio at Turin to look for the new comet grow so impatient when Íit did not apoear tihat they beg«tr> to hiss. ftwIeMor Fowim. who is 73 years odd, aang "TOm Englishman" laM. night at the annual dinner of til* Incorporated Guild of Church IfTadmana.

STOP PRESS — t — Latest Telegrams. SA'irrn.Li E.C:U:I:. fur tier he arms adjrnrmd. ■3-m<mvw fyjjjji g rj.-J infl'T 1 lis fi L ft ai .? Leicester hu ?u p?='p?n?.d U:l:. t T f L,, C. -c i7 1*i a 7- 1 iat> abandoned. I j 0

i OVERWORKED JUDGES Mr. Justice Grantham at the Berks Assizes yesterday delivered a strong criticism of the plan which .L.li been suggested as a means of enabling the judges to cope with their heavy arrears of work-that the 4oounty aoeizes should be grouped together. "My opinion," he said, "is that the country expqpts that casen shall be tried in the counties, a custom which has been carried out for cen- turies. The expenees of the judges should not bear with us. as they would be nothing in comparison with the expenses to which suitors would be put if they had to go to -ome common centre under the scheme which has been bro-ught before the Committee of the Houses of Parliament."

STRUGGLE FOR A STATUE ROME. Tuesday. A remarkable contest has arisen between Rome and Milan, for the possession of a Greek statue cf Niobe, which was discovered during excavations in Stocne. The Commer- cial Bank caused the statue to be conveyed to Milan, and yesterday Signor Nathan, the Mayor of Rome. visited Milan in order to d-anaand its restitution. The people of that city gave Signor Nathan an extremely hostile peoeption, whistling- and throwing snowballs at him. During the attack the Mayor fell, covered with snow. Incidents which saowed the intense feeling which exists on the sub- ject iu Milan continaied thror?hout the day. --Centml News. I

SAVING 50,000 MEALS I Adjutant Beer. of the Chatham Salvation Army Barracks, has obtained permission to collect daily from the warships in the port the large amount of euperfluou-H food which, owing to the number of men on leave, would otherwise be wasted. It is distributed among the poor of the neighbourhood, 600 persons being catered for some nights, and it is estimated that 50,000 meals will have been provided by the end of the winter. Among the ahipe from which food haa been collected I are the Inflexible, Lord Nelson, and Dido, and numerous destroyers.

I POET'S CRITICAL CONDITION I PARIS, Tuesday. M. Bjocrnstjerne Bjornson, who has been staying a.t the Hotel Wagxam for the paest two months, is again seriously ill. "Fae Nor- wegian poet and dramatist takes little food, and is. extremely weak. One of his sons was re-called from Vienna. yesterday, and his second SOT arrived from Ohristiania on ouadiay.—Centrai News.

DEEPENING THE HARBOUR. 1 The work of deepening the water beside the Ocean Quay at Fishguard to a depth of forty feet, so that the rargest Gel ard lsnft-s wiU lie able to bea-th close to the Quay Station, will be commenced at once. The Liverpool Port Authority has lent Uie Great '.T^stera Railway one of the most powerful of its staom ihopqpere for the purgwee.

I CAAPXTS REATrlx-L Umar-ataet. Cattoy*.

The Man in the Street. T. A theory has 00em advanced tbat the North and South Poles are really ho!e?. and that, instead of Cook and Peary nail- ing the Stars and Stripes to a mythical veirtoiation shaft, they ought to have voyaged right through the earth. At the worst, they might have found warmer regions than those which necessitated the wearing of skins and discouraged the morning's cold tub. We might also have got a few samples in the way of the bones of giants who inhabited the globe before cookmg and degeneration brought the general type of man down to its present disappointing limits. The British Museum might also have been stocked with a few more dummies and mummies of forgotten eras, a?d the fossilised remains of former civilisations would have given defeated candidates at the polls something to talk and think about. Mr. E. T. Reed, of "Pouoh," might have found fresh models for the strange beasts with which he has reminded us so pleasantly of prehistoric times. There are also infinite possibilities in the matter of the discovery of virgin coalfields, though occasional earthquakes and active volcanoes may point to a perpetual con- sumption of black diamonds sufficiently convincing to encourage the South Wales coalmasters to remain at home. Another phase of this matter is suggested by the reflection, If the Poles are holes the polls may be the same. To substantiate this one has only to approach an unsuccessful candidate. He is pretty plentiful by this time, and, as a rule-if you can get him to talk—he will tell you that he is not only in a hole, but at the very bottom of it. The important ques- tion may arise in the near future, What can be done with the defeated ones? Safe seats cannot be found for them all. Why not send some of them out with Sir Ernest Shackleton, and when the South Pole (or Hole) is discovered they might be shoved right down and well corked up? If they can get back it will be a splendid gain to science and geology; while if we never hear of them again—well, It will be all the better for peace on earth and goodwill among the tyrannised electors. It is a principle that might be adopted with great success at future elections. If it is understood that those who fail to get elected will be sent to one of the Poles there will not be so many contests, and where there are fights it will be taken for granted that the candidates will do their best to get elected. At the least it will spread a sporting glamour over the contest. At the top of the poll or at the bottom of the pole—or hole. Nothing is more interesting than the life stories of brilliant writers, but it would be difficult to find anything more romantic than that of Sweden's famous woman novelist. The most popular story ever written in that country, per- haps, is "Gosta Berling's Saga," by Miss Selma Lagerlaf, who has just been awarded the Nobel prize for literature. Since 1891, when it first appeared, some sixty thousand copies have been sold. This means much in a land of only five million inhabitants. Even adding Norway and Denmark, the only foreign countries in which there is a market for Swedish books, this output corresponds to 200.000 copies in this country. "Gosta Berling" was Miss Lagerlof's first book. She was an unknown school teacher when it appeared. Now she is the most famous woman in Scandinavia. Miss Lagerlof is 51 years of age, and one of her first recol- lections was a longing to be an authoress. In her early years she tried verse and prose, plays and romances, but with no success. At 22 it became necessary for her to earn a living, and she went to Stockholm to study to be a teacher. Qjie day at a lecture she heard how the greatest authors had succeeded best in describing how they lived and what they had seen in their own homes. On her way through the streets it suddenly occurred to her, Why not write about your own Vermland?" She went at once to her lodgings and began to write. But it was ten years yet before her book appeared in print. When she sent a por- tion of it to a magazine it was returned. "It's all out of key with the times," said an editor. We want realism, and this is romantic nonsense." However, like others of the tribe, this editor made a great mistake. In 1890 a Swedish magazine offered a prize for a story of 100 pages. She determined to compete, and sent off her story. After weeks of waiting she abandoned all hope. But early one morning a telegram came from Stockholm, signed by three school teachers, and containing the two words "Heartiest congratulations." She waited anxiously until the noon mail arrived with the Stockholm papers, when she learned that she had won the prize. The magazine asked her to make the 100 pages into a novel. A wealthy baroness sent for Miss Lagerlof, and asked how long it -would take her to write the book. 'Three or four years," she replied, "together with my teaching." The baroness made a financial arrangement whereby a sub- stitute was provided for her in the school and Miss Lagerlof could give her whole time to writing. In tbe following year, 1891, appeared the first volume of "Gœt6, Berling's Saga," and its popularity was immediate and great. Miss Lagerlof found herself suddenly the most con- spicuous figure in Sweden. Certainly, the story is encouraging to other ambitious writers, though it will be well for the ducks to remember that they cannot become swans. A very iarge proportion of the public will watch from to-day the working of the Labour Exchanges which are being opened throughout the country. Most of us are either employed or employers—left us hope so, at any rate, though the u.n- employed cannot be overlooked. At Cardiff it is a matter for local bongra-tu- lation that the manager is Sir William Grossman, who is known and appreciated alike by masters and men. So far as he is concerned, there can be .no doubt of the success of the new bureau under his care in Bridgeroot. For some days at least the Labour knight will be kept busily employed registering the unem- ployed—a task which has been rendered comparatively easy by his previous expe- rience as chairman of the Distress Com- mittee. Then, it will have to be dis- covered how far employers can a.nd will make use of the exchanges. The primary object of the bureau is to supply the person wanting assistance with the type of man he requires, and the latter with the nearest ideal possible of a master. Only the trial of the experiment can prove how it will work. In any case, all people hope it will be equal to the task it essays, and thaut the mailt will be a con- [ siderable reductaaa in the number of tile aneoipfoyed. i

Lowest Since 1884 I DECREASE IN NEWPORT DRUNKENNESS I The general annual licensing sessions for I the county borough of Newport, opened at the Tow!ti--itaH to-day. Mr. A. J. Stevens, chair- man of the licensing committee, presided. The (report of the head-constable (Mr. A. I. Sinclair) showed that there was a. decrease of 75 in the number of persons proceeded against last, year for drunkenness compared with 1908. being the lowest recorded oince 1884. The boad-consta-bie thought the closing of the publio-lKwises early on election day had had a beneficial effect. # The Chairman expressed .satisfaction at the report, but regret on hearing that since tJie new Act children were seen waiting outside in the cold and wet whilst their pa-rente were inside public-houses. In answer to the Chairman, the Head- constable stated that he knew two or three cases whfre men looked after children outside publio-honses for a penny or twopence, just in the sanie way as some men were employed holding horses. The Chairman said the magistrates had considered the question cf the levy, and they had decided to levy five-eighths of the total amount. Consequently, there would be no objections raised this year to any of the licenses with reference to compensation authority. The sessions were adjonrned till March 1. On the application of the head-constable the magistrates decided to adjourn the renewal of the licenses of the Windsor CasUe In.n, Dock-street, and of the Commercial Inn at the old dock till March 1. All the other licenses were renewed. The only applicant for a. new license was that of Mr. Charles Frederick Weaiherill, manager of the Savoy Hotel (now unlicensed) at the station approach. The licensing com- mittee, however, intimated to Mr. Lyndon Moore who appeared to support the applica- tion, that in their opinion the time had not come for such licence to be granted.

iCAPEL LLANILTERNE ESTATE A special meeting of the general purposes committee of the Cardiff Corporation, which met to-day under the chairmanship of the Lord Mayor, dealt with several matters of urgency submitted by the smad-I holdings and allotments committee. The principal bone of contention was o-ver the Capel Llanil- terne Estate, for which the Cardiff Land- owners' Corporatioll (Limited) have been negotiating for the past couple of years. Mr. Seig, the chairman, and Mr. Jacobs, the secretary of the association, now appeared before the committee, appealing for soone consideration in Tiew of the fact that it was necessary to have a clause Inserted in their rules, end this clause had not yet been sanctioned by the "Registrar of Friendly Societies. Delay on the part of the corporation in acquiring the land immediately would inmlve them 1n further difficu, as it was explained that the tenants would be leaving the farms to- day. After a long and acrimonious discus- sion, it was eventually resolved to seal the lease for the land from the Earl of Ply- mouth immediately, to take immediate possession, and to pay compensation for dis- turbance and tenant rights, agreed at JE500. L250 cf which is to be re-payable by the Cardiff Landowners' Corporation Association. Farther, that the contracts for the erec,tion of cottages and the construction of a road- way and fen-cing be proceeded with at once, and that the Cardiff Landowners' Associa- tion be permitted to take possession on re- payment of the sum of zEZ50, and on their giving an undertaking to execute their lease, and the debenture to be given by them to secure the council aga.inst loss. The rent payable from the association is to date from the completion of the erection of the houses.

I Superstitious Italians I ROME, Tuesday. The Tiber has been rising steadily. for several days, and has now reached an extraordinary height, with the result that all the low-lying country about Rome is under water. The Government and the municipal authorities are taking steps to protect the residents in the most exposed districts. It is feared that if thefloods increase the work of preparation for next year's great exhimition will be so hampered that the fix- ture will have to be postponed for a year. There are thousands of superstitious Italians who attribute this and the disasters wrought by the recent storm to the evil influence of the new comet. Some of the newspapers have published a calculation" to the effect that the "daylight" comet must have been visible from the earth at the time of th deeluge from which the credulous contadini argue that a new world-wide inundation must be impending. In this belief they have, of course, been strengthened by the news from Paris, and by the announcement from Venice that the sea, after temporarily receding, has risen to an unusua lheight, covering several islands in the lagoon, and invading the Pizza San Marco.—Central News.

MARVELLOUS TROUSERS During the hearing of a case at Wands- worth County-court yesterday, in which Wil- liam Taylor, of Balham, a motor engineer, was sued by Arthur Charles Newstead tailor, for the price of a. suit of clothes and an extra. pair of trousers, it was stated by the plaintiff's manager that in twenty years' experience he had never seen such a pair of trousers as he was asked to get madeyfor the defendant. The inetructioris were that the back should be high and the front low. Defendant twice had the front made lower, and then came with his mother, who said that the garment was still too high in front. Witness pointed out that if the trousers were made lower the waistcoat would not reach the top of them. "He is an extraordi- nary man to fit," added the manager. "He can throw his stomach up into his chest, or drop his chest down into his stomach. He is never long alike." Defendant said that the trousers did not fit anywhere. Judgment was given for the plaintiff, with 005t8.

I EGG AND FISH ARGUMENTS There were lively incidents at Sfcibbereen yesterday during the polling for West Cork Parliaontnfery Division. The supporters of Mr. O'Leary, the Nationalist candidate, and Mr. Gilhooly (O'Brienite) came into conflict, Mows were struck, and liberal volleys of rotten eggs and decayed fish were exchanged Mr. Gilhooly's friends had intended to hold a ba.nd parade at the fishing village of Balti- more. but upon arriv-al at the rooms they found the instruments, val-ued at LW, had been thrown into the sea.

SWISS HOTEL TRAGEDY The English visitors at the Pension Minerva, Geneva, one of the leading pensions, were startled by hearing four revolver shots in the establishment. Con- fusion followed, and an English visitor who kept her wits telephoned to the police, who on their arrival found in a bedroom the dead bodies of M. Eugene IIaas, the head of a private detective firm, and a Mme. Dowsell. The victims apparently committed suicide by shooting themselves with a Browning revolver.

I THE LAST STRAW. The "Star" tells the following story:—A Waltoh aim stow correspondent says he was told of the following dialogue by a lady teacher in a local council school. Small Boy: May I take off this blue tie? Teacher: Why? Small Boy: Please, teacher, I am Simon, tha.t is yellow. My mother is a food taxer aud made me have this blue tie, The Teacher: Do as you dike. (The blue oomes off, but soon the small boy's hand goes up again.) Teacher: Well? Small Boy: Please, teacher, my knickers is blue.

I" THERE IS NO SUCH WORD." Judge Bacon at Bloomsbury criticised a generally used legal term. A solicitor said it was necessary to brief counsel. Judge Bacon: What is that? The Solicitor: It is necessary to brief counsel. Judge Bacon: There is no suoh word. I often wish I could brief counsel -in one sense. (Laughter.) Tile Solicitor We want counsel. Judge Eaoon: Why don't you say "instruct" counsel and give him a br-ieg

I THE POLICEMAN'S LOT "I often thank the greatest trial of the policeman is to have to attend court after he has been out all night, and submit to the cross-examination of a smart lawyer who has had the advantage of a good night's rest and a good breakfast," Mr. S. E. Short, one of the Birmingham justices, said yesterday afternoon in moving a resolution in favour of the policeman's weekly day of rest.

A CAUSTIC TONGUE A lady who posed as a cynic, and tried to win fame as the possessor of a caustic tongue, had a great dislike of a City man noted for his meanness. "Do you see that man ?" she said to an acquaintance as the City man passed "You could blow his soul through a huitaming-bird'e beak into a. mosquito's eye, and the mosquito wouldn't wink."

The London County CounoiJ attained its majority .yesterday. A.mon.g the members who a-ttended its first meeting 21 years ago Yrcre lJOIni Roeebery, Lord Avebory, Sir | Augustas Harris, and Mr. John Burns.

Charged with RobberyI MEN COMMITTED, WOMAN DISCHARGED I Albert Ma.rsh (36), George Wri-ghlt (31), Albert Oeomge Brassington (27), and Eva Harris (27) were charged before Messrs. Joseph Howard and J. Moroom at Cardiff Police-court to-day with stealing EZ 5s. with violence from William Beeurce. Mr. Evan Da vies defended all except Bnassington, who was represented by Mi-. Lloyd. Brassingllon has a wooden leg, a.nd works as a signalman on the T-aff Vale Railway. It was stated that prosecutor met the female m St. Mary-street, and went with her to a. house in Somerset- street. The men then came in, and after Wright had started to quarrel with him, prosecutor, so he alleged, was thrown down and robbed. Acting-inspector Herbert Evans said the pockets cf prosecutor's trousers were torn, and he had a blackened eye. In reply to the charge Braesington said, J demand to know on what evidence I am accused of this baseless t.-h-in- The woman said, I nover took anything off him except what he gave me, 12s." Marsh said, "You bav46 got a charge of stealing. I plead an ftmooent man." Dr. Pitt ard said prosecutor had two ribs broken. Witness was convinced also that one of the kidneys had been ruptured. The female prisoner was discharged, but the three men were committed for trial at the assizes on bail. It was stated that Braasington had been fifteen years on the Taff Vale Railway, and was still in the same employment.

JEWESS'S DOWRIES. Prices of husbands in the New York ghetto are advancing to the 'aigiiest levels ever known, being an inddoaition of the prosperity that is prevailing among the Jews, who number about 800,000 of New York's popula- tion There are 5,0lX: scthatohens, Jewish mar- riage brokers, in New York, and they assert that the old scale of dowers no longer attracts the Hebrew young ren into wed- I lock The "New York Times" quotes a schatchen as saying the common, un- eduoated man in business, at a salary o. not more than 15 a week, cam now reason- ably expect to get £100 with his wife. Saloon-keeping ranks about the lowest of all on the schatchen's list, yet, only a week ago, a young- man, "two years out of Russia," an assistant-barkeeper, "refused even to look at a match with £ 200." He expected 1600. The achatohen declared this to be exorbitant, for, she explained, JE600 is the regular price of a medical school graduate. An ordinary college graduate now com- mands 1400 witih his bride. A medioal, legal, or dental beginner, with no practice at all, can obtain RkW in the marriage market, while one with an established business ex- pects to receive anywhere from £1,200 to L5,000 through the sohatctoen. "It is a family affair," explained. the sohatohen. "A father comes to me and says he wants his daughter to marry. She can ha.e LIOD, or £ 2C0, or this or that. Then I ask what kind of a man he wants-business, professional, how old, and so on until I get an idea of c'le man he desires. Next I look over my lists till I find someone who seems to lit. I give his name, those of his family connections, his employer, where he works, what he earns, and what his prospects are. "Then, if the father likeci the description, 'he looks up the man's record from all the names I have given him. If this is satisfac- tory, he can oail on the man. If it is still agreeable, he asks the man to call. Some- times the girl knows what is going on and sometimes she doesn't, but generally she guesses. "But if it is a man who wanits to marry a.nd comes to me, I do the same thing. He tens me what he wants, and I give him the names of the family and relatives, and he can look them up. In this way, you know what you are doing, and it makes a very safe marriage."

KAISER'S PHILOSOPHY The "Outlook" publishes the following translations from a German paper of sen- tences that hang in the workroom of the Kai.ftr, so arranged that his Majesty has them always before him when sitting at his desk:— "Be strong in pain." "To wish for anything that is unattainable is worthless. "Be content with the day as it is; look for the good in everything." "Rejoice in nature and people, and take them as they are." "For a thousand bitter hours console your- self with one that is beautiful." "Give from your heart and mind always the best, even if you do not receive thanks. He who can learn and practise this is indeed a happy, free, and proud one; his life will always be beautiful. He who is mistrusting wrongs others and harms himself." "It is our duty to believe every one to be good as long as we have not the proof to the contrary." "The world is so large and we ourselves sp smaJI that everything cannot revolve around us." "If something damages us. hurts us, who can tell if that is not necessary to the welfare of creation?" "In everything of this world, whether dead or alivf, lives the mighty, wise will of the almighty and all-knowing Creator; we little people only lack the reason to comprehend it." "As everything is. so it has to be in this world, and however it may be, should always seem good to the mind of the creature."

I I HAVE DONE IT, BOSS" I /aura. Woolley (19). a domestic servant, of Blaenavon, was charged at the local court to-day with attempting to commit suicide by t-aking poison. Benjamin Harris, colliery labourer, stated that defendant was employed by him, and on January 8 she did not arrive home until after eleven p.m. He asked her where she had been until that time, and she then ran out of the house and returned a few minutes later, saying, "I have done it this time, boss. I have taken salts of lemon." Witness administered an emetic and sent for a doctor, and the girl recovered a few days later and expressed sorrow for what she had done. Witness Expressed willingness to take the girl back into his service, and she was discharged with a caution. I

I TERRITORIAL BADGES I Reports were due at the War Office yester. day from the various county associations for the Territorial Force on the proposed issue of a badge to be worn with civilian drees by all the members of the force. The proposal has not been received with great favour by country corps. So far as can be ascertained from the associations, we learn that only a very small majority is in f-avour of the badge. This badge is not the same as that with which ft. is suggested that men who volunteer to serve a'oroad in case of war shall be distinguished. That is intended as an Imperial Service badge, and would only be i worn wheu in uniform. I

I A ROW AND AFTER Alexander Ross, timberman, Bedwas, was summoned at the Caerphilly court to-day for assaulting a fellow-workman, Samuel Short, of Bedwas, on the 15th of January. The defendant admitted the assault. but said it was under great provocation. After the row they shook hands, and he apologised to the complainant, who accepted his apology. The Bench imposed a fine of £ 1 and costs, or fourteen days.

STONED HURLED AT M.P. As a sequel to the attack made on Mr. Arthur James Sherwell, M.P., during the recent election campaign in Oolne Valley, when a stone weighing about lib. was hurled a.t his motor-car, smashing tfhe glass of one of the windows, ilatold Brown, mill hand, of Mielthaim, was, at Huddersfield to-day, fined Li and JE1 66. costs. 'lle occupants of the car, who included MrS. Sherwell and another lady, escaped injury.

ADJUDGED THE FATHER At Blaenavon to-day Jaanes Roberts, a. haulier, who did not MJq. was adjudged to be the father of the child of Lily Belcher, a, single woman, of Blaenawcm, a.nd he was ordered to contribute 3s. 6d. per week towards its miaintenance for fourteen yealv. and one guinea costs.

AVIATOR'S INJURIES I OiLutt), Tlueeda7. Mr. Mortimer Singer, one of the aviators who intended to compete in the Heliopolis meeting, which begins on the 6th inst., while practising there to-day fell, and had both legs and one arm broken, besides sustaining injuries in the cheA.-R-lut-. A

BABY BOY SCALDED. A fifteen months old child, named Joseph Butcher, whose parents live at 12, Bute- terrace, Cardiff, pulled a teapot full of hot tea over himself to-day ajjd was severely- scalded, being taken to the infirmary and detained.

An e,dTent m a Norfolk newspaper ?rTLn,s:"Wen,ted, a good stmng ?eneraJ, age 220.—Apply, &C." B?try box of ENGLAND'S GLORY MATCHES uæd raeaM moim WORK for British wmkpevu.-N. land. Gloucester. oeaa I DBT

Judge Hill-Kelly I TAKES HIS SEAT AT BARRY I When the new judge (His Honour Judge Hill-Kelly) took his seat for the first time at Barry County-court to-day, he was cordially welcomed by the legal practitioners present. Mr. Lincoln Reed, B.L. as senior member of the Bar present, congratulated the judg-e upon his appointment. In these days the duties and responsibilities thrown on county- court judges were extremely oerous and exacting, and called for the very first quali- ties of heart and intellect which they knew his Honour possessed. He boyed that his Honour's career in the circuit would be a, long. useful, and happy one. His Honour could rely upon receiving the fullest measure of assistance from the advocates w ho prac- tised before him. It would not he a grace- ful thing for any of them who had the plea sure of knowing the gentleman who acted as judge in the interim (Mr. Amplest) not tosay how attached they had become to him, and how thei: valued his high qualities of patience and kindness. They regretted that his genial presence bad been taken from them, but at the same time welcom-ed his Honour as the permanent successor. (Applause.) Mr. J. A. Hughe?, as senior solicitor, asso- ciated himself with the remarks of learned counsel. They congratulated the new judge. and hoped he would find the solicitors who practised a.t the court, while safeguarding the intorrests of their clients, at the same time anxious to assist his Honour in the adminis- tration of justice. Mr. F. P. Jones-Ijloyd a.nd Mr. A. Jackson also expressed congratulation and good will His Honour, speaking with some feeling, said he was much obliged for the kind wel- come. Although taking his seat for the first time as judge, he was not altogether a. stra.n- ger, and to him it was a pleasure to see some of his oLd friends present. Barry was liablo to be dwarfed in the imagination of her great neighbour Cardiff, but Barry was an impor- tant court, because of the prosperity and ex- pansion of the port. With the assistance) of the legal profession, and the officers, he had no fear but that the court would always he thoroughly efficient. He had not the pleasure of knowing the gentleman who had j ust vacated the seat, but from what he had heard Mr. Amphlett fully justified the references Mr. Reed had made to him. He (the judge) trusted he would fully justify the hopes which had been expressed

IDOLISED BY LYNCHERS A remarkable scene was witnessed yester- d-ay at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Sheriff J. F. Sbipp failed some months ago to oppose the local whites sufficiently when they were bent on "a lynching bee." and for his atti- tude towards the court he was sent to prison for three monthe. Yesterday morning he was released, and on returning to his home he was met at the .station by a crowd of 10,COO enthusiastic demonstrators, headed by brasc3 bands. Amid a perfect pandemonium he was escorted home as a hero, and fiery speeches were made in declaration that the whites had a right to lynch offending negroes when they chose. It was made clear, also, that the demonstrators intended to rebuke the Government for what they regarded ae the high-handed prosecution of the sheriff.

"YOUNG MAN OF 50" The modern maxim "Too old at 40" is not included in the proverbial philosophy of Mr. Pritchard. genernJ. relieving officer to the Cardiff Guardians. Before the local magis- trates to-day George Evans (51) was charged with neglecting to maintain his wife and three children now chargeable to the guar- dians. Mr. Pritchard said the family became chargeable in August last, and had since been chargeable. A warrant was issued, which prisoner evaded until Monday. He was an able-bodied mason, only a young man of 50, and yet he had not given his wife a penny. Committed for one month. On another case instituted by the guar- dians George Plant (59) was sent for 21 days for refusing to perform his task of work as an inmate of January29. W. Prichard des- cribed wordlchopping as child's play to a man of the prisoner's stamp.

I PONTLOTTYN COAL MINI.NG Mr. Justice Parker to-day delivered his reserved judgment in the action of Brewer v. the Rhymney Iron Company, by which tae plaintiff sought to restrain'an alleged breach of the working covenants in the defendants' lease of the upper and lower Raslae seams of coal under the Pontlottyn estates. His lordship eaid tha* on the true construction of the covenants the- defendants had a right to work the coal so as to let down the sur- face on paying compensation, and so long as they did not let down-or endanger houses and bliildings. He held that the defendants were working the coal under the 42 acres under the village of Pontlottyn in a fair, proper, and workmanlike manner. The action was dismissed, with costs.

I IN GERMAN DOCKYARDS Striking figures indicative of the accelera- tion in the construction of the German Fleet are officially published. The number of work- men employed in the Imperial dockyards has risen from 19,869 in 1902 to 23,908. The Kiel yards lead with 8,5CO men. At Wilhelmshaven 8,134 are employed, and at Danzig 3,593. The torpedo works at Friedrichsort employ 1,555 men, and there are 2,126 at the artillery ammunition and stores depots. The wages disbursed in these various establishments have increased from JEl.150,000 in 1902 to £ 1,650,000. These figures, of course, do not include the staffs of the enorqaous private dockyards which, are co-operating with the Imperial yards in the creation of Germany's new fleet.

I VETERAN'S WARNING A. veteran of t)he Crimea sounded a note of alarm which disturbed the equanimity of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers at their dinner art. De Keyser's Hotel last night. Colonel Sir L. George Dundas, K.C.B., in replying to the toast of the Army, Baid: "I am sorry that the Army is passing through a critical stage. The outlook is far from ■bright. The Army is diminished in numbers; it is short of officers, and it has very few horses. If the Territorials do not come to .the front in larger numbers we have only one resource, and that is-oonecri-ption." Colonel -Drundaa joined the Army in 1855, and retired in 1873. He fough t in the treaiches before Sebasitopol, and formed one of the stormers in the immortal attack on the Redan.

A DISINFECTING STATION At a meeting of the Cardiff Health Com- mittee to-lay. Dr. Robinson presiding, plans were submitted by Yr. Harpur, city engineer, for the erection of a new disinfecting sta- tion, rendered necessary b^ the CleuAsin g of Persons Act, at Trade-stret, to eeplace the old station at Sloper-road. The egti-m:ite was L2,000, and the plans were referred back for provision to be made for the caretaker's quarters. Mr. Herbert Samuel, solicitor, al,peared before the committee to support the appliontioii of Hassan Ali, for a seamen's lodgingihouse at 15, Tredegar-street- The application was refused pending the premises being put in suitable condition.

DEATH OF AN EX-M.P. The Right Hon. J. G. Talbot, who was one of the Conservative mem-bere for Oxford University from 1878 down to the close of the last T*arliament, died this morning, at his home, Faloonhurst, Edenbridge, Kent. Mr. Talbot, who was nearly 75 years of age, attended a performance by the Hildenborough Amateur Actors on Tuesday last, and on the following morning Ihe was attacked with innuenza?, from which pneumonia supervened, j He would have oelebrated hi6 golden weddiu? in JWy nexl

"SHOOTING AMENITIES j A gentleman, out partridge shooting fired while one of his party was in the line of fire, fottun-ately without doing any harm. "Excuse me," he said apologetically, "but I got quite muddled as to where you were." Soon afterwaaxis the careless one's hat was shot off, and the gentleman who had so really been his victim came up smilingly and said:— "I hope that's cleared your head."

WHOLE FAMILY MURDERED ST. PETERSBURG, Saturday. A terrible family tragedy is announced by telegratph from Tsartzyn. A local nobleman naoned Tschuky (64 years of age), his wife (47), and their five children, between eleven and four years, were all murdered last night by M. Ttechuiky's son by his first marriage. Details have not yet been received.Reuter.

SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS I At the High Court of Justiciary in Edin- burgh to-day the Lord Jnstice Clerk passed sentence of. fifteen years' penal servitude upon a man named James Ritchie Young, who on Christmas Day in a lodging-house in Cumnock. Ayrshire, assaulted a woman by stabbing or cutting her with a razor, <tn the throat, face, hands, and arum with intent to murder her. •

Luxury on Liners I SWIMMING BATHS AND SKATINC RINKS I Great, progress is being made a.t Harland and Wolff's shipyards, Belfast, in the con- struction of the two great liners the Olympic and the Titanic, which are being built for the White Star Line. Both in tonnage and size the Olympic and Titanic will surpass the Mauritania, and Lvisitania, of the Cunard line, although they are not expected to do 80 in speed. The Olympic, which is in a more forward state than her sister ship, will be ready for launch- ing in August next, and the Titanic will take the water about the er.d of the yea.r. The fol- lowing a.re the dimensions of each ft3el compared with the largest liners afloalt:- Olympic—Tonnage, 60,000; length in feet, 840. Titanic—Tonnage, 60.000; length in feet. 840. MauTetania—Tonnage, 31,938; length Ï61 feet. 762. l,usjt,a-ni a-Toll na.ge, 31,550; length in feet. 762. In slmost every respect the ships will be floating hotels. Dancing room- smoking rooms, cafes, a library, and even gardens are to occup prominent positions in these won- derful vessels. There will be a cool a venue of Oriental palfiis, beds of roses and carnations. and arbours skilfully contrived by expert gar- deners. In the winter months all these are to be protected by glass roofs. Among other interesting innovations will be a, swimming bath, sufficiently deep for diving, and a skat- ing rink. Each vessel will accommodate 5.000 persons, and the crew of each will number 600. The suites of cabins are to be in their design and fittings equal to the rooms of the finest hotels in Europe, and families will be able to cross the Atlantic in almost the same privacy as in their own homes.. There are to be many dining rooms, the principal one of which will be elaborately decorated, and will seat no fewer than 600 Those who wish to take their meals on their deck can do so at a "vera'nda cafe," situated on one of the upper decks fifty feet above the level of the water. All the cafes will be decorated in a remark- able manner. They will be fa?Moned to re- pivasent those of the Rivira. Exposed rafters will be twiend with vines, and, to comaV'o the illusion, the attendants will be similar to those in outhern Europe.

JUDGE SAYS RUBBISH! I A claim for f-50 for the loss of a. Pome- ranian dog occupied Bloomsbury County- court yesterday afternoon. Mrs. Blew of Gordon Mansions, Gower-street, was the plaintiff, and she sued James Shoolbred and Co., of Tottenham Court-road, for the loss of her dog. the death of which she attri- buted to the negligence of the driver of one of their motor-vans. The lady was so affected while giving her evidence that she burst into tears, whereupon Judge Bacon ex- claimed "Rubbish! This is done to secure my pity." Mr. Gover, counsel for the plain- tiff, reminded his honour of the great affec- tion entertained by so many ladies for their pet dogs, but Judge Bacon merely replied, amid laughter, that he had committed him- self to the expression "Rubbish," and must abide by it. Later his honour, without hear- ing witnesses for the defence, said motor drivers only sound the hooter to warn human beings, dogs being supposed to look after themselves. There must be judgment for the defendants.

LONDON UNDER WATER Though London is now in no danger of floods, history records many instances of the Thames overflowing its banks and causing great damage. Stow, in his "Survey of Lon- don" (1598), relates many woeful tales. We read also (Stow writes) that in the year 1236 the River Thames, overflowing the banks, caused the marshes about Woolwich to be all on a sea, wherein boats and other vessels were carried with the stream; so that besides cattle, the greater number of men, women, and children, inhabitants there, were drowned, and in the great Palace of West- minster men did row with wherries in the midst of the hall. being forced to ride to their chambers. Moreover (he continues), in the year 1242 the Thames overflowing the banks about Lambithe (Lambeth) drowned houses and fields by the space of six miles, so that in the great hall at Westminster men took their horses because the water ran over all.

DEALINGS IN EGGS At Wigan County Police-court yesterday four charges of obtaining money by false pre- tences were preferred against Alice Mary j Naylor (23). of Pemberton. Superintendent Kelly stated that defendant bought a quan- t-ity of Canadian eggs at the rate of seven for 4d., and sold them as new laid eggs to people c,t seven for Is. A woman who bought ls. wo.-th went to a grocer's shop, and discovered that the egg's had been purchased there. She followed the defendant, who admitted that the eggs were not new laid, and gave her her money back. The defendant had purchased 180 Canadian eggs, all ieave eighteen of which she had sold. She had made about 10s. profit in one day. Defendant was fined 10s. and costs on the first charge, and was bound over on the others on the condition that she went to a home.

WIFE'S ABUSE WORTH JE100 A man who was summoned at Tower Bridge Police-court yesterday by his wife, who sought a judicial separation and mainten- ance order, was asked by the magistrate (Mr. Cecil Chapman): "Do you want her back?" The Defendant: No, I wouldn't have her back for C5 a week. (Laughter.) Mr. Cecil Chap- man How much are you willing to pay her to keep away? "Nothing. I earn Is. 6d. or 2s. a day, and she earns from 25s. to 30s. a week." "What do you save by getting rid of her?" "Her abuse." "What value do you put upon the loss of abuse?" "It's worth Lloo to get rid of it." A separation order was granted, with an allowance of 4s. per week.

DEATH AT 105 In her 106th year, Mrs. Moore ha.s just died at Glasgow. She was born in Ireland on January 10, 1804, and against the wish of her father, who was a farmer, she married his ploughma-n and settled in Glasgow 50 years ago. Her husband and three children had died, and for many years she lived alone in a single room, maintaining herself by sewing, supplemented by parish relief. About six years ago some ladies took an interest in her and saw that her life had a peaceful close.

DEATH IN WORKMEN'S HOTEL A labourer, named James dancy, aged about 43, died suddenly at the Workmen's Hotel, Mill-lane, Cardiff, this morning. Deceased, who was unmarried, came to the hotel on Saturday, and on Sunday com- plained of feeling unwell. He appeared much better yesterday, and went out during the afternoon. In the early hours of this morn- ing Mr. Bennett. the maner, was called to see the man, and, noticing that his 43ond t.io was bad, sent for Dr. Buist, but before medical aid arrived Clancy had expired.

HADN'T REACHED IT Lord Dudley was out shooting one day over a hilly and marshy bit of ground near Llan- drillo, accompanied by a local innkeeper, named Robert, whom he sometimes took with him as a guide. Coming to a suspicious- looking bit of turf, he said to bjs retainer, "Robert, has this bog any bottom to it?" Oh, yes, your lordship, it has." Whereupon the Earl jumped on it, and was at onoe up to his waist and still sinking. "You rascal," he cried, "didn't you say this bog had a bottom?" "And so it has, my lord; but you haven't reached it yet!"

CARDIFF SHOP FIRE The Cardiff Fire Brigade, under Superinten- dent Geen, was this morning called to an outbreak at a general dealer's shop, occupied by Mr. Joseph Resolski, at 35, Oairn-street, Oathays. On arriml the brigade iound that the fire had been extinguished by the neigh- bours. It had been caused by a little child applying a light to a leakage of gas near the meter.

BEELZEBUB I BLUE" When Walker Jackson was committed for trial yesterday on a charge of breaking into the house of a Teddington artist and attempt- ing to murder him, prisoner was asked if he wished to question a police-inspector who had given evidence. I might as well ask Beelze- bub a, question as that fellow," was prisoner's reply.

RIFFS ATTACK SPANISH PARTY MADRID, Tuesday. A dispajtoh received to-day from Melilla states that a corporal and tf.iree private soldier?, who had gons out in search of water, were attacked by a body of Riff tribes- men near Hidum yesterday. The corporal and one man were killed, but the others escaped.—Central News.

ENTERTAINER'S DEATH The death occurred at his residence at Brighton to-day of Mr. Thomas Barrasford, who was widely known as one of the great organisers in the entertainment world. He was pToprietor of a number of hippodromes aU over the country, and several on the Continent.

BEDS &E^ MATTRESSES RENOVATBD.-I. Iftay. J ttrtet. C&th"IL

Burnt Love Letters I —— 0. ——. CIRL ACQUITTED OF MURDER I Ft-att Fa-nitia Barowska. a girl student of medicine and the wife of a public official at Cracow, wa.s yesterday acquitted of the murder of Dr. Jewicki, a lawyer with whom she was in love. Last year Frau Ba,rowska wais accused by a. Polish journalist of acting as a spy for Russia, and Dr. Lewicki, who took up her case, won her action for libel. Daring the course of the action the lawyer fell pas- sionately in love with Frau Barowska-, and the intrigue continued for months until the doctor became engaged to a Polish countess. But Frau Barowska refused to break off her intimacy with the lawyer, and there were ma.ny violent scenes between them. In particular, they quarrelled about -r love letters and the papers concerning the libel action, which the lawyer refused to give up. On July 5 last year Frau Ba,rowskia tele- phoned from DT. Lewicki's chambers to two doctors and to the Ambulance Society in Cracow to say that the lawyer had shot him- self. and asking for help. When the ambu- lance and the doctors arrived they found the lawyer lying on the floor unconscious from the effects of a fatal bullet wound in the right temple, and he shortly afterwards succumbed without recovering consciousness. Frau Barowska explained that Dr. Lewicki had suddenly shot himself because he was worried about a charge which had been brought against him also of being a Russian. spy, and that he was afraid of the result of an impending trial. There were many circumstances, however, which suggested that she had herself fired the fatal shot. The wound appeared to have been inflicted some hours before the doctors were called. The room was in great disorder, the drawers of the writing-table were open, and ashes in the stove showed that a number of papers had been burnt. Frau Barowska was arrested and charged with murder, the theory of the Public 'Prose- cutor being that she had shot her lover part ly out of jealousy and partly in order to get possession of the letters which she had imme- diately sought for and burnt before she tele- phoned for help. The trial, which lasted for more than a fortnight, and excited the greatest interest throughout the monarchy, was remarkable for the skill and the passion with which the accused defended herself. Her health had suffered much from the preceding six months' imprisonment and the strain of the pre- liminary examination, and she was so weak that frequently a sofa had to be provided for her in the dock and injections of cocaine administered to prevent her from collapsing. Shots at a Dummy The doctor's fiancee, Countess Tyszkiewicz, d eel a fed in the witness-box that Dr.. Lewicki had complained to her of Frau Barowska's persecution and of the difficulty he had in getting rid of her. Another interesting witness wa-s Frau Barowska's husband, who stated she had confessed the liaison to him, but he believed had broken it off herself, and emphatically declared his belief in his wife's innocence. During the trial the court adjourned to Dr. Lewicki's chambers, where an attempt was made to re-construot the scene in order to test Frau Barowska's story. Shots were fired by experts at a dummy in various posi- tions, and experiments were even made with Dr. Lewicki's little dog to see if it would be likely to 'have carried the empty cartridge case that w-as found across the room. These experiments, however, like the opinion of the doctors as to the question whether the wound in the temple was a self-inflicted one, were inconclusive, m it appeared that either suicide or murder would ex-plain the circum- stances equally well.

"FOR BETTER OR WORSE" The story of a double life was unfolded at the Devon Asizes yesterday in a case in which Percival Samuel M' I.ea-n, aged 30. a ship's cook, pleaded guilty to biga-mously marrying Bessie Benorthan at Devonport Oil December 29 last. M'Loan, who, it was stated, was a member of the Salvation Army. was first married in 1907. His wife went to live in Lostwithiel, and M'Lean was in the ha.bit of staying week-ends with her both before and after he became acquainted with Be nor than, who was unaware that he was a married man when she went through the marriage ceremony with him. Two days after the bigamous marriage M'Le.an went to stay with his first wife for a week, and then returned to the other woman. He pleaded his wife's bad temper in mitigation of punishment. Mr. Justice Bray: But you marry a wife "for better or worse." It was stated that M'Lean had been in the navy ten years, and that he had a very good character. In order that he might even- tually return to the service his lordship reduced a sentence of eight months' hard labour, which he intended to pass, to one of five and a half months.

DANGER IN THE MINE At Wigan yesterday a colliery fireman, named Edwin Redfern, of 49, Queen-street, Highfield, wa,3 oh-axged with a breach of the regulations in force at the Pemberton Col- liery- The prosecuting solicitor said it was part of Redfern's duty to inspect the work- ing places prior to the miners going in. After he had gone round, the under-manager paid a visit to the workings and found gas, whicTT had accumulated in several places. Redfern was asked if he had made his inspection, and he replied that everything was all right. The under-manager then took him baok to the places where gas was present and pointed out that he had pad the places as being safe. He was unable to make any explana- tion. It was a most serious offence, as any- thing might have happened in the mine. Defendant was fined 20s. and costs.

COUPLE TWICE MARRIED The Blackpool mag,is.trates were yesterday called upon to deal with an unusual matri- monial circumstance, the defendant in a case in which he was summoned for neglect- ing his wife and family stating that he had been twice married to the same woman, and in the same church, but did not know whether he was legally married or not. The complainant, Sara-h Ann Holt, who sum- moned her husband, Benjamin Holt, for neglect, stated that he had left her and gone to live with another woman at Pendleton. Defendant said that after he first married his wife &he discovered that. her first husband was not dead, and three years ago they again went through the form of marriage at Bolton Parish Church, but he did not know whether he was mai-ried or not, a6 his wife did not know whether her first husband was alive. Alderman Mather said there was no doubt as to defenda.nt being married. Holt was ordered to contribute 5s. a week to the maintenance of his wife.

TERRITORIAL DISCIPLINE Private Augustus G. Pemberton, of the 7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, was accused at Highgate Police-court yesterday, under the Territorial Forces Act, of striking Colour- sergeant Ashworth, of the same regiment. The case was the first of the kind. It was stated that Ashworth was responsible for getting Pemberton put on punishment drill during the annual training, and that Pem- berton struck him at a. regimental d-a-nce. The punishment for such an offence is 112 days' imprisonment, but the magistrate said there was -a. conflict of evidence, and dismissed the case.

POSTMAN'S CONFESSION I A Birmingham postman, Arthur Yarwood, was committed to the assizes yesterday on a oharge of stealing two postal ordere of the combined value of 86. 6d., and a number of postage stamps. According to the evidence given a trap was set in accordance with official instructions, and prisoner feU into it. There had been a number of complaints of letters being loslt. and when Yarwood was arrested he told the Post Office officials that he bad stolen fifteen other postal packets. The marked letter, which could not be found after prisoner had dealt with it. was pro- duced by Yarwood at the Post Office. The prisoner served with credit in the Army for I a nuimiber of years.

SOCIETY'S MISSING FUNDS I William Young, aged 59, a member of Kingston Corporation, was yesterday com- mitted for trial on a charge of fraudulently converting to his own use money of the Kingston Workmen's Club Building Society, of which he was secretary for eighteen yeairs. Mr. Williamson, for the Treasury, said that the to,tal defalcations were nearly £ 7,000. Detective-sergeant Gougb. said that the pri- soner on being conveyed to the police station remarked. "This is a bad job. I am sorry for the poor working men. I &hould think I have had £ -5,000."

THE AMATEUR FARMER I "How you must enjoy getting out to yonr little farm and casting dull care to the winds after your hard day's toil in the City! "Casting dull care to the winds! You wouldn't call it amusing to chase a runaway cow three miles after dark, would yon?"

CLARKES BLOOD MIX TUBE Tina famous medicine will clftanae the blood from all i mU. Tltlerf from whatever cause aris- ing. A sale remedy for Edema, Piooon, Sores of all kinda, Bolla, Bad Legs, Scrofula, Blood EruWons, TJIoars, ::t: aw<mBtt, Of ?i tter?. & forty yaair* suoom* r of ImltXton.

Music and Madness REMARKABLE EFFECT OF CRAMAPHOWE Medical men are watching with great interest a series of experiments which are being made at the State asylum for the insane at Mass ill on, Ohio, with a view to determining the possibilities of music as a cure for insanity. The first experiment was made recently by means of a. piano, and its beneficial effoots exceeded all expectations. One of the patients, a. girl of seventeen, who was con- sidered hopelessly insane, has made extra- ordina-ry progress towards sanity since the experiments on her began. She is now believed to be well on the road to recovery. Eeligbted with his success, Dr. Eyman, the superintendent of the asylum, decided to extend the system, and try other musical instruments on the patients. Finding that -one of his assistants had a gramophone, Dr. Eyman said, "Let us try it in the demended room." When the doctors entered the room, in which 60 women were confined, all regarded as hopeless oases, the patients set up chat- tering, screaming, and hysterical laughter. Without taking any notice of them, Dr. Eyman and his colleagues-, placing the gramo- phone on a table, started up a stirring mili- tarry march. The effect was magical. Silence fell upon the room almost instantly, and for the first t.ime since their admission to the a<sylum looks of intelligent interest and natural smiles spread over the faces of the insaile. The doctor is persevering with the gramo- phone, and has already succeeded in quite changing the atmosphere of the room where the wildest patients were kept. He is appeal- ing for funds to continue the experiment in other ways, and a prominent local philan- thropist has contributed £500 for the pur- chaw of pianos and musical instruments. The pianos will be used for the milder cases, while it is purposed to ute violins and brass instruments for the other patients.

LARGEST RESTAURANT The largest restaurant in the world. Capable of accommodating 6.COO people, is to be erected in New York, on Broadway, between Forty- seventh and Forty-eighth Streets. The capitalists behind the venture are the same group that constructed the newly-opened Cafe de l'Opera on Bitadivay, of which M. Henri Pruger, formerly of the Savoy Hotel. London, is manager. The new resta,urant will provide first-class fare at prices lower than are now charged at the best New York dining places, and customers will be served in the family style of the German cities. There will be ten kitchens, each with its sepa-ra-te staff, and each equipped to serve 600 people. There will be also ten serving bars. In the centre of the restaurant, there will be a glass dome 60ft. high, with an area of about 10,000 square feet. A glass-covered ice skating rink will be provided on the roof, which may be trans- formed into a roof garden theatre in the summer,

RETALIATION PLEA Henry Lloyd, a haulier. of Blaenavon, waa summoned at the local court to-day for assaulting Edward William Edwards, the sur- veyor to the Blaenavon District Council, on January 29. Mr. T. P. R. Watkins, Ponty- pool, prosecuted, and Mr. H. Parry, Blaen- avon, defended. Prosecuted stated that defen- dant was engaged as a haulier by the council, but on Saturday last, in consequence of the enow, he was unable to take his horse out, and was put on to another job. Instead of doing the work defendant went off drinking, and did not return until about one o'clock, when he was under the influence of drink. Witness then gave him a week's notice, and defendant became very violent and threaten- ing, and finally struck him on the right side of the face. Defendant denied the offence, and stated that, proaeci-itoi- pushed him, and he pushed back. The Bench imposed a fine of 10s.

PLUCKED HUSBAND'S EYES OUT An extraordinary baee of collective madnees happened at Grosseto, in Tuscany, where a. 'peasant woman, in a fit of madness, during the night awakened her husband and told him that &he had been ordered by the Madonna. to destroy the furniture. The husband obeyed willingly, and helped his wife to throw their household goods through the window. Then he submitted to his wife plucking out his eyes with a table-fork, and as this was not very effective she substituted a knife. The four children watched the operation horror-stricken, and their cries finally awakened the neighbours. The police burst open the door and overpowered the woman, who, armed with a hatchet, threatened to kill them.' They conveyed her to the asylum. The husband is in hospital in a dying con- dition.

SWEARING A WITNESS James Coohlin, haulier, Penygraig, was charged at the Oaerphilly Court to-day with stealing a pair of boots and a shirt, valued at 15s., the property of Eliza Bridges, Aber. The complainant caused a deal of amuse- ment when repeating the oath a-fter the clerk. The complainant then told the bench that defendant had lodged with him, and when he left he toko the articles away with him. Questioned by the defendant, the oomplainant said his wife had bought the articles for the defendant, and that the com- plainant owed the defendant some money. The bench dismissed the case, advising the complainant to find a remedy in the County* court.

"GROUND OF POVERTY." Edward Lancey, licensee of the Rolling Mil:1 Alehouse, Blaenavon, wa,s sumuloned a.t the local conrt to-day for retailing whisky with- out a licence a.t Blaenavon. The Inland R-evenue officer, who prosecuted, stated that defendant should have taken out his licence in October last, but he neglected to do so, witness believed, on the jjfcound of poverty, in spite of being written to several times. The amount of the licence was £ 40 5s. 3d., and he asked for a fine which would include the amount of the licence. Defendant pleaded guilty, and was fined £ 45, which included the licence, and gists.

A MOUTH IN HIS SIDE A remarkable surgical operation was described at an inquest held at Birmingham. It was performed by Dr. Morrison, at Queen's Hospital. Birmingham, on a man named Charles Endall, who had been suffering from a strioture of the bullet, caused by his taking sulphuric acid in mistake for whisky. The nian's throat having been closed, a new per- manent mouth was opened in his side, through which he was fed by means of a tube. He gained weight, and was able to leave the hospital, but had given way to '-lrj.uk, and died from exhaustion.

TEETH MARKS ON ARM Charles Chaplin, a Caerphilly labourer, appeared before the local magistrates to-day and was charged with being drunk and dis- orderly, and also with assaulting Police- eoustable James Wa.tkins on the 30th of January. Police-constable Watkins showed the magistrates the marks of the man's teeth on his arm, and after Police-constable Evans had given evidence, the Bench fined defen- dant log. for being drunk and il and oosts for the assault.

KAISER AND THE BARBER Walking in the Tiergarten one morning this week, the Kaiser noticed a man lying in the snow near the footpath. The man proved to be an out-of-work barber who had fallen from exhaustion. The Kaiser com- manded that the man ehould be conveyed to a. hospital and cared for at his Majesty's ex- pense, a-nd cau-ed him to be informed that the Emperor would personally interest him- self in his future as soon as he wag able to return to work.

COAL TRIMMERS INJURED William Thomas, a coaltrimmer, while at work on the steamer Ribston, lying at No. 31 Tip, Barry Dock, to-day, fell through the liat-chway to the lower bunker hold, and sus- tained severe bruises to the body and a naety out over the right eye. First-aid having been Tendered by John Jones and William Thomas, members of the Barry Branch of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, the injured man was conveyed to his home at Penarth.

BURGLARY OF REVENGE ? Jewellery and other articles, to the vaJue of £300, are missing from the residence of the Mayor of Wycombe. The police have been in-formed that the robbery took place during Saturday night. It is believed that the burglary has some connection with the elec- tion disturbances, which necessitated the reading of the Riot Act by the mayor.

THE CZARINA'S CRUISE The Imperial yacht Sia-ndart is shortly ex- pected at St. Petersburg, and will be pre- pared for a new cruise. It is rumoured tha.t t,he <?ziu-ina is going to the south of Europe -perhaps to Italy-but no official confirma- tion is obtaina-ble-

1>RY CLiENING.—1 Minar-attett, CtaHS,