Cheshire Observer

I RAILWAYS OF THE FUTURE. I The German Committee appointed to study the construction of electric express trains have I just published a. report, from which we take the following: "The permanent way of the Military Railway I between Berlin and Zossem, where the experi- ments will be made, with the assent of the Military authorities, is being carefully inspected and strengthened where necessary. The train ) will be worked by a three-phased current of from 10,000 to 12,000 volts, which will be trans- mitted to it by three overhead copper wires. The firm of Siemens and Halske, has proved, by detailed experiments, the very important fact that it is possible to take a current of great intensity from such wires and transform it in the electric train to one of the lower intensity desired. The motive power will be supplied by the Berlin Electric Works on the Upper Spree. The two motor coaches to be used will be fitted out with the necessary apparatus, and accommodate from 40 to 50 persons. Their construction and electric- armatures will be such as to allow of a variety of experiments, and it will also be possible to run the two coaches as one train. They will be built and fitted up for a maximum velocity of 200 kilometres an hour, each coach being supplied with four motors capable of furnishing from 1,100 to 3,000 horse power, and the other necessary apparatus. Knch coach will be about 22 metres long, weigh about 90 tons, and be equipped with two triple-axle turn-tables. The experiments will probably be made in the course of the summer. The main questions to be settled are whether the motor coaches are capable of the great velocity desired, and how the present permanent way can bear a higher velocity and heavy electrio trains, or in what way it can be adapted to those exigencies. So many still unknown factors will influence the experiments, that at present it is impossible to state the speed attainable on the present permanent way. In any case, it is note- worthy that the above-mentioned firms are co- operating with the Imperial authorities, aa well I as with prominent engineers and financiers."

FREE CHURCHES. Preachers for next Sunday in the various Free Church places of worship:— Congregational, Queen-street: 10.46 and 6.30. Rev. D. Wynne Evans. Congregational, Upper Northgate-etreot: 10.4f, and 6.30, Rev. F. Barnes, B.A. Congregational Welsh Chapel, Albion Park 10.45 and 6.0, Rev. Ivor Jones. Congregational, Great JJonghton 10.45 and 5.30, bupply. Congregational, Handbridge 10.46 and 6.30, Srev. W. Jones. English Presbyterian, City-road 10.30 and 6.30, Rev. D. Treborth Jones. Presbyterian Churchot England, Newgate-strefei: 11.0 and 6.30, Rev. J. Cairns Mitchell, B.D., F.R.A.S. Baptist, Grosvenor Park: 10.45 and 6.30, Supply. Baptist, Milton-street 10.45 and 6.30, Supply. Baptist Mission Hall, Hoole: 10.45 and 6.30. Welsh Baptist, Penri Memorial: LU.30 and 6.0, Rev. J. Nicholas. Baptist, Hamilton-place 10.45 and 6.30. Weaieyan Methodist, St. John-street 10.30 and 6.30, Rev. J. B. Jones. Wesleyan Methodist, City-road: 10.30 and 6.30, Rev. A. W. Ward, B.A. W os ley an Methodist, Garden-lane 11.0 and 6.30, Rev. W. S. Hackett. Welsh Wesleyan, Queen-Btreet: 10.30 and 6.0, Rev. Wesley Hughes. Welsh Calvinistic Methodist, St. John-street: 10.30 and 6.0, Rev. J. P. Davies, M.A. Primitive Methodist, George-street: 10.45 and 6.30, Rev. H. Davenport. Primitive Methodist, Hunter-street: 10.45. Rev. J. A. Cheeseman; 6.30, Rev. J. Stark. Primitive Methodist, Boughton 10.45, Mr. B. Adams 6.30. Mr. J. Nield. Primitive Methodist, Saltney: 10.45 and 6.30, Mr. E. Kennerley. Methodist New Connexion, Pepper-street: 10.45 and 0.30, Rev. L. L. Perry. Church of Christ, Northgate-street: 10.45 and 6.30, Pastor M. A. Collins. Church of Christ, haltney 10.45 and 6.30. Pastor Dobson. Unitarian, Matthew Henry's: 11.0 and 6.30, Rev. H. E. Haycock. Unsectarian Mission Church, Hoole: 6.30. Boatman's Mission Hall, Victoria-place: 6.30, Society of Friends, Frodsham-street: 11.0. Waverton Presbyterian 10.45 and 6.30, v. D Manuel, M.A.

I TIDE TABLE. I HIGH WATER AT CHESTER. KORN JIT | tvKN. MAY. A.M. FT. ;B. 4 Saturday jl2 30 I 17 2 112 27 5 Sunday 12 52 I 17 3 .1 8 o M.omday. liH. ]70 140 7 Tuesday i 57 16 8 2 1S B Wedneselay .?. ?M Ml ?? 9 Thursday. ?7 15 2 J .M ;o Friday 3' 19 H J ? H «.

WEEKLY STATE OF THE CHESTER INFIBMA.Br ENDED SATUBDAY LAST. IN-PATIENTS. In-patients are admitted on Tuesday mornings at Eleven o'clook. IN-MTIMTS DISCHABTTKD.  Cured 14 BoUeved 10 1 M&de Out-?atMuMt u Unrelieved. 2 bead i IN-PATIZNTB. Admitted .n. 20 Kemuin in tiio ii.ou.H6 '2 House Visitoi-s-Mrs. Adair and Mra. Dixon. OUT.PATIENTS. Medical eases are seen on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings at Eleven o'clock. Surgical cases are seen on Thursday mornings at iilevei. o'clock Oplithalmio oaaes are spoik on Friday mornings at Kiev* o'clock.. Deut&l cases ato seen ou Tuetidayand Batimluy at Ten o'oioon. Out-ï>a.I¡intø admitted sinou isniurdav 105

MARKE-T-S. I SALFORD CATTLE, TUESDAY.—At market Cattle 1,854, better demand. Sheep and lambs 8,576, fair trade. Calves 267, trade worse. QuotELtion: -CAttte, 5d. to 61d. sheep, 6d. to 82<1. lambs, Is. to Is. Id.; calves, jd. to 8. per lb. LIVERPOOL CATTLE, MONDAY.—The supply of cattle was considerably less than on Monday last. Trade fliucr prime quality making higher rates; middling also better to sell. Sheep supply smaller; demand rather better at prices in favour of sellers. Lambs owing to cold weather lower. Prices :— Beef, 6àd. to 5d. mutton, 81d. to Sid.; lamb, Is. to lOd. per lb. At market :-587 caitle and ki,944 sheep. LONDON CATTLR, MONDAY. Smaller supply in the beast market, though fat cattle are quite as btrong in number, the falling off being among fat cows and bulls, and rough cattle, the two latter being difficult to cash, the former being fully 2d. per 81b. dearer. The trade for fat beasts is very slow, no alteration in value being noticeable. I The supply in the sheep market is chieily Downs aud half-brcds. The trade for wethers is slow, with a slight downward tendency, while ewes are firmer in price. Lambs met a ready sale at an advance of iully 4d. per 81b. on last Thursday's advanced rates. Pig trade nominal. Prices ;Heasts, 2s. 4d. to 4s. 5d.; sheep, 3s. 2d. to 5s. 8d. lambs, 6s. 6d. to 8s. per 81b. BRADFORD WOOL, MONDAY.—The tone is very dull; people concerned in colonials are all waiting to see what the sales in London will bring forth, and all sorts have a tendency towards weakness. Except the very fiuest of English wools, it is im- possiole to say anything encouraging they are depressed, and tend to be cheaper. In yarns a little more business is being done, but prices are no better. Piece trade unchanged. BIUKENHKAD AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE, TUES- DA.Y.-Hay, old, X3 15s. to X4 5a. per ton ditto, clover, E4 5s. to X4 17a. 6d. per ton. Straw, wheat, 43 5s. per ton; ditto, oat, 93 per ton. Manure, 2s. to 4s. per ton. JIILANCHTTSTBR CHEESK, TUESDAY.—The arrivals of Cheshire have not been quite so large as last week, aud the quality and condition of the cheese being good stocks clear readily at reduced rates. Quotations are-Finest, white and coloured, 66a. to 72s.; fine, white and coloured, 60s. to 64s.; medium (old), 40s. to 45s. per 1201b. Real Stiltons move slowly at lid. to Is. and Cheshire Stiltons 7d. to 8d. per lb. For American and Canadian ciieese there has been quite a good demand for both white and coloured at the lower range of prices now ruling old white is now well cleared up, and as no new is being made there is a prob- ability of this quality getting dearer. A fair quantity of new States cheese has been on offer to-day, and met with a ready sale. Quotations — Finest September white, 49s. to 50s.; finest September coloured, 46s. to 432.; finest new white, 46s. to 43s. per 1121b. CHKtjuiHh. BUTTER ANF) EGG, FRIDAT. Excellent delivery of home dairy produce, and oftered at better rates for the buyer. Latest quotatiolls ;itockport (LPriday): Butter, is. 2d. and Is.3d. per lb.; eggs, 14 for la. Altrinchaui ktiiefsday) butter, Is. 3d. per lb.; eggb, 14 for is. Macclesfield (Tuesday): Butter, Is. Id. and Is. 2d. per lb.; egga, 16 for la. Crewe (Friday;; Butter, Is. Id. and Is. 2d. per lb.: eggB, 17 for 1: Sandbach (fhui-sdoy): Butter, Is. 2d. per 10.; I eggs, 16 aud 17 for is. Congleton (Thursday) Butter, Is. 2d. and Is. 3d. per lb.; eggs, 16 tor 1". Northwieu (ihur.s.iay): fjutter. Is. 2d. and Is. 3d. per lb. eggs, 16 and 17 for Is. Anntwicd (Thursday): Mutter, Is. 2d. and Is. 3d. per lb.; eggs, 16 to 18 for is. Knuv.feoru (Thursday) Butter, Is. 3d. per lb.; eggs, 14 and 15 tor iz. Runcorn (Thursday): Butter, Is. 3d. per iu, eg?«. 14 for In. Ciiestei (Thursday) Lutt"r, la. 2d. and Is. 3d. per lb.; egg*, 16 for At. CHESTER. EGG AND POULTRY, SATURDAY.— Butter, Is. ld. and Is. 2d. per li),. 16 for Is. spring chickens. 2s. 6d. to 2s. yd. each; autumn chickens, 2s 9d. to 3s. each (chickens ve y scarce); ducklings, 3s. 6d. each; rabbits, Is. to Is. 2d. each; pigeons, 9d. each; fouls, 2s. 3d. to 2s. 6d. oach. CHESTER CORN. SATURI),&Y.-Faraiers have delivered wheat to local millers to a fair extent this week, and Nalue ot ^ram i welt ma.ihtmned in the moderate busnies? pacing. All j other grain hr«u aud uuaifcertd generally, j ?Jtterica?u maize has risen 18. 3,1. per ùltJ. 1 Ii I vaiue owing to exhaustion of ?up??y. i''o?e'?'f wheat fnvoar? B?herd on lecut cun'euci<;?. Quotations:— mw. otv. 18. :BW. 11.\ 8. DLlJ. I, Wheat, white. per 7bib 0 0 to 4 l? 0 (1 to o Wheat, red 7311). J 11 — 4 0 0 0 — 0 0 MAlting 13&rlay. Wit). j 0 0 — 0 0 J ? — ) Orinding: do oili>.i 0 0—0 •! 0 C — ft Oats „ 4610.! 2 3 — 2 6; 3 6 3 'Je¡Ut6 ")1<"1:" Ô t :.I) a (1 Beans, Egyptian „ 2401b I 0 II -'0 0 ■ Ht ia'Djt?n?utu. ,?'iu.t 0 0 —1? 9, U 0 0 u

I ROMANCE OF THE Y.M.C.A. Few men live to see the fruition of their cherished schemes, but to Sir George Williams this singular happiness is vouchsafed. The fifty- soventh anniversary of the Young Men's Christian Association, originated by him, was celebrated at the Mansion House on Monday, at a meeting pre- sided over by the Lord Mayor, who was accom- panied by the Lady Mayoress. Coming to Lon- don in 1844, from Bridgewater, Sir George Williams obtained employment as an assistant in Hitchcock's drapery establishment. He soon saw the necessity of forming some organisation for get- ting young men to use their evenings with a seri- ous purpose of improvement, religious and in- tellectual. His plan of usefulness was helped and brightened by a touch of romance. Like a good apprentice he commended himself to his master, won the hand of his daughter in marriage, and became a partner in the firm, to which he added his name—Messrs. Hitohcock and Williams. To- day the membership of the association is 537,000, representative of every class and every nation. The various centres, in view of their moral and social influence, are not inaptly described as "Cl tiu-s of Refuge" for the rising generation of men, and they must be an important factor for good when it is remembered that they number 7,229, practically forming a broad belt round the world, embracing at once Iceland, where there are twenty-four members, and Capetown, with prob- ably over 2,000. Among the speake/s was the Rev. Prebendary Webb-Peploe, who, referrin g to the recent correspondence on the living- in system, said he thought that young men who came to London, whether they lived in lodgings or on their employers' premises, could not do better than belong to this association, whose object was to make manly citizens of them, in the highest sense of the term. In the evening some 4,000 members and their friends assembled at Exeter Hall, the guests of Sir George and Lady Williams. Referring to the early days of the association, Sir George Williams Faid he paid 2s. 6d. a week for the room in which the first meetings were held. Now they owned, in various parts of the world, property valued at over five millions sterling. (Cheers.) The Bishop of Here- ford remarked that at most meetings called for re- ligious and philanthropic purposes, one was forced to ask where were the men, and that was one reason why he looked with pleasure upon that vast and promising assembly of young men gathered together in the hall.

SHEEP AND SHEEP BREEDING. At the meeting of the Farmers' Club held on Monday, at the Salisbury Hotel, Mr. A. E. Man- sell (Shropshire) read a paper on "Sheep and Sheep Breeding." Mr. John Hempson (Ipswich) was in the chair. The author said the remarks and suggestions he was about to make were in- tended more especially for the young lfockmaster. His endeavour was to help the beginner, by trying to point out and concentrate that which was in- dispensable to success. Putting the essential in a single sentence, he said the man who could select a good sire or a good young animal was master of the art of breeding. If anyone had the insight to detect a sire he was a real judge, and they might trust him to select his females and mate them and everything else that appertained to breeding. His experience had led him to think that the secret of success was to be always searching for sires. If they could select a sire even fairly well every- thing else was comparatively easy. There was no one, however, who appreciated the dam more than he did, and he would urge the beginner, to whom he was speaking, to be most careful in buying his females in the first place. The animals that suited each other best would often surprise them, the only sure thing being that they could not mate bad, and especially badly-bred animals with good results. He would name six things to be kept in view which were essential to a practi- cal and lasting success. They were constitution, form, flesh, wool, oharacter and management. Constitution was the foundation of everything. However perfect in most respects an animal was, all was useless without a robust constitution. All that indicated a good constitution should be sought after. The ideal "form" must always vary to some extent in different breeds, because all had not the same standard of excellence, for this was governed by locality, climate, treatment, and the purpose for which they were principally bred. It was the business ot the sheep breeder to form his judgment when the sheep was alive. It was ex- tremely difficult to say anything about wool in a few words, especially when embracing all British breeds, but he would confine himself to urging the great importance in all breeds of this essen- tial. Character gave the pedigree as it were, and summed up the whole breeding of the animal. A good pedigree was by far the best guarantee of good character, and they could not expect to have a satisfactory character without there had been careful and correct breeding maintained for a long time. With regard to management, the author observed that all arable farmers should give that branch of their business all the care and thought they could, for sheep were the best crop they could produce. In conclusion, he said that the object of his paper was to put the value of all the points and attributes of a. sheep in the true proportion. He had endeavoured to focus the at- tention of the young breeder on the essential points in breeding, and to impress on him the absolute necessity of always keeping those points in view.—A discussion followed, the paper meet- ing with universal approval, and a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the author.

A MALPAS MAN'S STRIKING I TESTIMONY. TO CHAS. FORDE'S BILE BEANS. j CURED OF INDIGESTION, BILIOUSNESS, I AND SICK HEADACHE. I would not be without Bile Beans in my house at any price, for they have made life something like it should be." This genuine gratitude was contained in a letter written to the proprietors of Chae. Forde's Bile Beans for Biliousness, by Mr. Samuel Hewitt, of 6, Walk Cottages, Cholmondeley, Malpas, Cheshire. When you have heard the story of this son of soil,-how he endured the worst pains of indi- gestion, biliousness, and sick headache, and how often he had lost his work and been abandoned by four medical attendants, and how perfect health was restored by Bile Beans, it is quite easy to understand his testimony to their effi- cacy. The full facts of this wonderful cure have been ascertained by a local reporter for the common benefit of other sufferers. They were supplied by Mr. Hewitt himself. "For a long time," said he, I used to suffer terribly from indigestion, biliousness, and headache, and I tried all kinds of so-called remedies without receiving any benefit. Fourteen years ago I had a sharp attack of rheumatic fever, and another one over four years ago. This left me in a very weak state. My digestion was im- paired. for many days I have felt so sick and low-spirited that I have had to give up all th, ught of working. During the five or six years this sort of thing was going on I con- sulted no fewer thai four doctors, who pres- cribed for me, although in the end they said jI they could not do anything more for me. One of them told me that I should have to give up eating meat altogether and become a vege- tarian. I was terribly afraid of eating meat, cheese, or even eggs. Not a week passed with- out my complaint asserting itself. One day an uncle from Manchester told my mother about the wonderful properties of Bile Beans, and I was advised to take a course. Well, I began to improve gradually with each box, and to-day I feel quite a different being. I am, as you can see for yourselves, enjoying the best of health. I am able to eat any food, and always feel ready for my meals, never fearing any of the ill effects I used to have. I wouldn't be without! Bile Beans in my house on any account. I firmly believe that they alone are responsible for the immense alteration in my health. Other medicines did me no good at all. I am all right now; in fact I never felt better in my life. There are many people about this neighbour- hood who have been acquainted with my case, and who will tell you that every word I have said is true. The Beans have also done my mother a power of good." Cures equally as astonishing as Mr. Hewitt's are constantly being performed by Chas. Forde's Bile Beans, which are unequalled for indiges- tion, liver and kidney disorders, constipation, debility, nervousness, female ailments, anaemia, headache, pimples, face sores, and all spring blood impurities. All chemists stock Bile Beans, or you may obtain them direct from the Bile Bean Manufacturing Co., 119 and 120, London Wall, London, E.C., by sending prices I Is. Hd. or 2s. 9d. por box. (2s. 9d. box contains 13 times Is. lid.)

CHRISTLETON. I A NIGHTINGALE IN THE VILLAGE.—The sweet melodious voice of a nightingale has been heard in this village for the last two or three nights—so it is stated. It starts to sing between ) eleven and twelve o'clock at night in the park adjoining the Rectory, and small crowds of villagers have listened to the wonderful bird for over an hour together. The park seems to be the favourite resort of this nightingale. j do

When you put him in his FIRST SUIT, %ADLI&TQ car* find you one as smart and reasonable aa ftKy one in the eountry.—Foregate-street oornor ot I Seller-street).

I NEWS OF THE WORLD. A first edition of "The N awcomes (Thacke- ray's own copy) sold at Sotheby's on Tuesday for 253. The South Africa medal is to be given to all Militia battalions embodied for Colonial garrison duty during the war. An important Papal Encyclical is expected to be published shortly. 1-, is aimed against recent anti-monastic outbreaks. The rumour is peristent that Sir A. Milner may not return to the Cape. So far, however, there are no definite facts to support the idea. Mme. Nielson, a retired American circus star," with. Indian blood in her veins, pur- poses to cross the Atlantic alone in an open boat. A London jury has awarded S490 as compen- sation to a Miss Wilson for injuries sustained through a 'bus in which she was riding bein,, upset. The chair factory of Mr. A. Mealing, at High W ycombe, was destroyed by a fire on Tuesday morning. The damage is estimated at several thousand pounds. Germany aspires to a coaling station off Venezuela, and, after taking surveys, is trying to purchase Margarita Island, which possesses a fine harbour. j Third-class railway fares and their relation to second and first-class "season" rates are to be energetically taken in hand by the Travellers' Protection League. With the phenomenal boom in American stocks, New York stands on the crest of a wave of unparalled prosperity. Warnings of disastrous reaction begin to be heard. Mr. McKinley is represented as a convert to Free Trade, which America's commercial supremacy renders now desirable. This is the theme of his speeches on tour. Two French students have committed suicide under melancholy circumstances. With good connections and prospects, they found life un- bearable at twenty, and shot themselves. The following despatch has been received in Berlin from Tokyo, dated the 29tb ult. The Crown Princess of Japan was safely delivered of a son last nieht." The Rev. W. B. Doherty, vicar for twenty-one years of St. Matthew's, Kingsdown, Bristol, fell dead on Tuesday night while addressing a parochial gathering called to welcome a new curate. Before the English Presbyterian Synod in London, on Wednesday, "Ian Maclaren" delivered a strong plea for definite teaching in the pulpit. In the prevalence of mere negation he sees danger .from Rome. Mr. Brodrick struck an Imperial note in his speech at Guildford on Wednesday night. The flag must be upheld wherever assailed. To this end the Cabinet will stand or fall by its Army reform scheme. The British Government has renewed the negotiations for a parcel post with the United States Convention. There is considerable opposition, however, in the United States, chiefly from private carriers. Dr. Ingram was on Tuesday enthroned as the Bishop of London in St. Paul's Cathedral. The Archbishop of Canterbury officiated, and a large number of clergy attended. The Lord Mayor was present in state. The Pennsylvania Steel Company has been incorporated at Trenton, New Jersey, with a capital of fifty million dollars. A combination of manufacturers of stationary engines has been effected with a capital of thirty-two and a half million dollars. The wholesale mineral water manufacturers of Liverpool and district have increased the price of their beverages by threepence per dozen owing to the increased cost of sugar. The retailers have put on one halfpenny per bottle to the con- sumer, thus securing a profit of cent. per cent. The Belgian Army Reforms Committee, which has concluded its labours, has adopted resolutions favouring the encouragement of the voluntary system, suppressing the system of substitution, and reducing the term of service. The strength of the Army on a war footing will be 180,000. The summonses against Mr. Joseph Stoddart, proprietor of "Sporting Luck," for various in- fringements of the Betting Acts, were further heard at the Mansion-house on Tuesday. The Alderman convicted the defendant, and sentenced him to six months' imprisonment without bard labour, and to pay 50 guineas costs. Notice of appeal was given. Dr. John Perkins, of Downing College, Cam- bridge, was on Tuesday morning found just outside his residence at Hatley with the top of his head blown away. Near by was a gun. Deceased graduated at Christ's College in 1859, and subsequently became Fellow, tutor, and bursar of Downing College. In well-informed quarters in Berlin it is stated that a Bill will be shortly brought before the Reichstag to impose a tax on all males in Ger- many who are exempted from military service. About 205,000 young men are annually exempted, and should such a tax be imposed it will enrich the treasury by many millions of marks yearly. The defence of Charles Cohen, traveller, and Helen Reave, widow, who were fined on Wed- nesday for travelling on the London and South- western Railway from Wimbledon Park to Putney Bridge without paying their fares, was that they were engaged to be married, and were so en- grossed in conversation respecting house-hunting, that they overshot their proper destination. The Hon. Armine Wodehouse, M.P., younger son of the invalided Earl of Kimberley, died at five o'clock on Wednesday morning. Unsuccessful in a contest with the Lord Chief Justice for the Isle of Wight Division in 1895, Mr. Wodehouse made his first entry into Parliament at the last General Election, when he was returned as Liberal member for Saffron Walden by a majority of 110. The late Marquis of Bute's will shews that the nett value of the movable estate in the United Kingdom after deduction of debts and incum- brances, which amount to E175,362, is £ 956,884. The nett value of the other movables on which estate duty is not at present paid is £ 1,162,066. The gross value of the heritages is given at £ 897,425, after deducting debts and incumbrances. Besides this two millions accrues from his father's estate, making a total of £ 5,026,375. The Rev. H. L. James, vicar of Surfleet, near Spalding, is adopting a novel method for gather- ing a congregation for his Sunday afternoon service at the parish church. He has com- menced running a small steamer on the river Glen in order to bring up children and adults who reside some distance from the church to attend divine service. It is understood that ¡ the steamer will be run on Sunday afternoons during the summer months. Mr. Charles Charrington lectured on Tuesday afternoon at St. Paul's Chapter House, on the "Religious Bank." There were, he said, 400,000,000 pawns made in England every year, and the average amount was 4s. 6d.; and be thought that something should be done at I once to protect the unthrifty against usury. Either the municipality or the Church must do I it. While the rate of interest on a monthly loan of 4s. 6d. in Madrid was six per cent., in London it was 193 par cent., and yet legislation had always aided the pawnbroker. The Bishop of Wakefield, in his charge at Halifax on Wednesday, said he deeply distrusted, even among churchwardens or members of societies, some kinds of recreation as a recognised part of their fellowship. Some of the most thoughtful and earnest of the clergy, for instance, deprecated the introduction of dancing at meet- ings of church workers, and with that he entirely agreed. Church workers would and did meet for prayer without other attractions. No one could object to a Sunday school teacher enjoying a dance, but why should he dance as a Sundav school teacher? The ridiculous spectacle of castigated scholars appearing in the witness-box to charge their master with assault was seen on Wednesday at Marylebone Police Court. Mr. J. J. Murphv, principal of the Holmes-road Board School, Kentish Town, was the defendant, and his accusers were two boys of about ten years of age. The magistrate was not disposed to treat the complaints with gravity, and dismissed the case with the recommendation that the native birch twig should be substituted for the exotic cane. He had, he declared, the fullest experience of both. The scarcity of farm servants, caused by the prosperous industrial conditions of the past five years, and the higher wages which brought them to the towns, seems to be on the decline with the recent turn in the tide. On Wednesday. at the principal hirings in North Yorkshire and South Durham, held at Stockton, farm labourers, though not equal to the demand, were much more numerous than the previous year, and the rate of wages did not run so high. Probably for the sama reason that the poorer paid artisans cannot now afford to keep their daughters at home, there was a very large attendance of servant girls, and wages were much lower. Addressing a mass meeting held at Newport on Monday night, in support of the candidature of Mr. Lawrence, Lord Hugh CeciJ, M.P., em- phasised the importance of the contest, and remarked that the choice was to be made between two parties-he would not say two great parties-but one party that was great and another party which was various. (Laughter ) The war had gone on with continued prosperity, in such a way that they might feel sure that j the end was not far off, that the resistance of the Boers was so far brohn down that it no longer imperilled in any degree the ultimate issue. A party which comprised three Oppositions—the Orthodox, the Reformed Imperialists, and the Primitive Morlpyites—w«s quite incapable of undertaking the governmefit | of the country.

• r ♦ CADBURY's COCOA. on the testimony of fbO Lancet, represents the standard of highest purity.' It is entirely free from all foreimi such as kola, malt, hops, &c., nor is alkali used to darken the colour (aDd so deceive the eye). Dr. Andrew Wilson, in a recent article in the Illustrated' London News, writes Cocoa is in itself H. perfect food, and requires no addition of drug's whatever. CADBURY'S COCOA is absolutely pnrn. and should be taken by old i) yi(i voiip g. !\t all times and in all seasons; for Children it is an ideal beverage. promoting healthy growth and development in a remarkable degree. Insist on having CADBURY's, as other Cocoas are often substituted for the sake of extra profit. Sold only in Packets and Tins. 3

A ROMANCE OF CHEMISTRY. I MOND GAS AT 2D. PER 1,000 FEET. Chemists are the magicians of the modern world, and one of the greatest is Dr. Ludwig Mond. He has wrought many marvels, chiefly in the improvement of industrial processes, and his latest achievement promises to be not his least. He has discovered a gas which can be used for manufacturing purposes, and sold with profit at twopence per 1,000 cubic feet. How did he make this wonderful discovery? A representative of the "Daily Chronicle," who waited upon Dr. Mond, learnt that the inven- tion of the new gas repeats the history of many other chemical improvements. Twenty-two years ago Dr. Mond was in America, and visited Niagara Falls. Like every other thoughtful man, he was impressed with the sight, for he looked upon it from his own peculiar point of view. Here was a natural forco repre- senting 7,000,000 horse power that could be utilised for the supply 01 electric energy at the cost of almost next to nothing. Dr. Mond set about devising, a substitute for Niagara; that was in 1879, and since then he has been working, experimenting, analysing, and testing. He has been successful almost beyond his expectations, and with Mond gas has practically repeated the story of the discovery of aniline dyes. The Mond gas itseif is a coal gas, produced by forcing black coal gas obtained in the retorts through the coal in an incandescent condition, and the only residual obtained from this process is sulphate of ammonia, which can be collected. One of the many advantages of the gas, which has not been made public, is its suitability for the production of open- hearth steel, and in this direction also a revolu- tion seems imminent. The steel produced is of excellent quality, with a breaking strain of 26 tons per square inch. The immediate effect to be looked for by the use of Mond gas, if Parliament grant the powers necessary for its wisio distribution, is an increase in tho sale of electric pcwer. At present the sale of electricity in Great Britain is over one hundred million Board of Trade units per annum; electric traction on railways and tramways is growing in popularity. With cheaper means of generating and distributing electric energy its use will in- crease. That cheaper means is supplied by new gas. The average total cost of a unit of elec- tricity generated by electric supply undertakings in this country for 1898 was about 3d., to be precise 2-81d., of which the cost of generation amounted to about 2d. It can be done for a penny per unit, but even that price i3 too high for manufacturers who require large currents. With the Mond gas as a source of generation the full cost per unit of electricity generated-in- cluding all cost of labour, repairs, etc.—is less than one-twentieth of a penny per unit at the switch board, and even that does not allow full credit for the sulphate recovered. The Mond Gas Bill, seeing powers to incor- porate a company for the supply of a new gas for heating and power, invented by Dr. Ludwig Mond, and said to be capable of production at a cost of less than 2d. per 1,000 cubic feet, was on Tuesday further considered by a House of Commons Select Committee.

RUM-DRINKING BY A GIRL. A SHOCKING CASE. At Colne, on Monday, Richard Smith, the landlord of the Jovial Hatters Inn, was sum- moned for supplying rum to a girl under 16 years of age, and further for permitting drunkenness on his licensed premises.—A girl of 15, named Margaret Ann Clegg, said she was going home from the mill on Friday, the 12th inst., and after calling at a tripe shop and eat- ing some tripe, fish, chip potatoes, and black pudding, she went to the Jovial Hatters and drank two small ports and a small rum hot. The landlord served her. After she had had the drink she went out and fell against the gate of a foundry. Superintendent Brassington: What was the matter with you ?-I was drunk. Had you any drink in any house but the Jovial Hatters ?-No. Mr. Procter (for the defence) This is not the only time you have drunk rum ?-No. When did you start ?-I don't remember. It would be about two years ago. What is the largest quantity you have bad at once ?-Sixpennyworth in a bottle, but I have not drunk it all myself. I have sent boys for it. Was it down Buck Croft you used to drink it? —Yes; out of the bottle neck itself.—Mr. Procter went on to ask the girl if she had been led away by a woman whom he named, but she replied, No; it was my father that first led me to drink." Mr. Procter Well, he is dead we will throw a sheet over him. Have you drunk rum in Cissie Wilson's ? Yes.—How long is it since ? A week last Thursday night.—How much had you then ? Just two tots.—Was it raw ? No. —How much did it cost ? One and twopence. —And you spent one and twooence in rum. Yes. Another witness said he found the girl Clegg prostrate on the fiag8. She was unable to stand, and witness thought she was in a fit, but found her to be drunk. Police Constable Stafford said be was called to the house by Clegg'a mother, and found the girl lying on the floor in a helpless state of drunkenness. He administered an emetic, and afterwards told Smith that he would be re- ported. Mr. Procter, for the defence, submitted that it was impossible for a girl who had been saturated with drink to have been made drunk by what she had had at defendant's house. The girl had had no rum on defendant's premises. The Bench retired, and after twenty minutes the Mayor announced that for supplying rum to a girl under 16 years of age a fine of 20s. and costs would be imposed. For permitting drunkenness a fine of £5 and costs would be inflicted and the licence endorsed. —

II E A R T L E S S BREACH OF PROMISE. At Welshpool on Friday evening the Under Sheriff (Mr. G. D. Harrison) and a jury sat to assess damages in an action for breach of promise of marriage brought by Miss Ellen Jane Ellis, of Fclingach, Llanrhaiadr-yn-Mochnant, against William Williams, son of a well-to-do farmer, who resides at Wilmslow-road, Walton, Liverpool. Mr. A. Graham (instructed by Mr. M. Woosnam) appeared for the plaintiff, and the defendant was unrepresented. The Under Sheriff instructed the jury that judgment had gone by default, and they only had to assess damages.—Mr. Graham ex- plained that the parties first met at Corwen in August, and letters began to pass twelve months later. On August 21, 1898, at which time there was no engagement, the defendant wrote: "I shall be happy to see you to-morrow night. With best love and a donkey-load of kisses, yours ever truly, Willie." Probably he meant, counsel remarked, that he sent a load of kisses from a donkey. Similarly ardent letters were received up to January, 1899, and in that month he definitely promised marriage. In 1900 the plain- tiff gave birth to a child. On October 3 she told the defendant of her condition, and in a letter dated October 4 he wrote: I have been thinking all the time about you. I think the sooner we are united the better. Write and let me know where you would like the ceremony performed. I have heard of a farm near Pentrefoelas, and I shall look over it to-morrow. You will have to give notice, to the registrar at Llanrhaiadr or Llanfyllin. So hurry home, dear girl." Later, however, came a change. At the end of the month he met the plaintiff at Corwen fair, and he told her there was an English girl somewhere in the neighbourhood who could get a breach of promise action against him, and she, too, was in trouble. Still he said he was not going to marry the other girl, but the plaintiff, and he suggested that he should go away for a year in order to avoid legal proceedings. Subsequently, however, it was found that the defendant had married another lady at Aintree, and proceedings were then taken. Thomas Cornes, bookkeeper for Mr. Garlick, team owner, Liverpool, said the defendant was employed as a. carter at a wage of 30s. a week and overtime. The plaintiff bore out counsel's statement. The size of the farm defendant proposed to take, she said, was 246 acres, and the arrangement was that his father should set them up, except with sheep. When he met her at Corwen fair and told her he had got a girl into trouble ho said he should go to America or South Africa, and when he left her he pushed four £ 5 notes into her jacket. The defendant's father had a large farm near Bala and was in a good position. The defendant admitted that he loved the young woman once, but he pleaded that he be- came estranged frcrn her because she became friendly with a young London butcher who had been staying with her aunt. He saw a letter from tho butcher asking the plaintiff to spend a hohda W1*Q him at Rhyl. On learning the state of af!am. his father went against him, and he had to give up the idea of taking the farm and clear out- He explained his position to the plaintiff, and told her he would share what he had with her, and he gave her the L20 to break off the engagement. Cross-examined by Mr. Graham: The butcher did not make any difference in your feelings?— Yes, he did. If that was so why did you write on July 24: "Dearest Nell Well, old girl, I hope you will enjoy your holidays, and I will allow you to flirt as much as will do you good and no more. I must dry up with sincerest love and lots of kisses.- Your dearest Willie." Did you ever write u. Bingle word in which ycu mentioned the butcher?—No; I spoke to her about it. You also wrote on October 4:—" I have been thinking about you all the time; the sooner we are united the better" ?-I did write that. Further cross-examined, the defendant stated that the furniture in his house belonged to his wife, but he denied that she had cottages from which she received an income. The jury assessed the damages at £100, and an | order with costs was made for that amount.

BRADT.EY'N EEN All-fue ELASTIC FKT.T HATS, at 4 I) crood-i r lyrt-ii<»♦<>- street (corner < < TiaUor "treet,

I ROSSETT. I A UNIQUE RECORD.—On Thursday Capt. I Griffith-Boscawen was re-elected chairman of I the Boaid of Guardians of the Wrexham Union for the 31st time, he having been originally appointed chairman in 1871, and having been elected unanimously at every annual meeting since that date.

SAUGHALL. PARISH COUNCIL.-A special meeting was I held in the school, on Monday evening. Mr. John Ball presided, and there were also present, Messrs. James Ball, Crump, Mawby, Nicholas, Hughes, Speed, Maddock, Foulkes, and A. Warrington (clerk).-Alr. Jas. Ball introduced the special business for which the meeting had been called. He said it was desirable to have a clerk and assistant overseer who resided in the neighbourhood, and as their present clerk did not fulfil this condition }JB (Mr. Ball) moved that he be given a month's notice, and a new clerk advertised for. Mr. Maddock, in second- ing, said that the clerk bad been appointed by a former council subject to a six months' notice. That council, however, bad no authority to bind its successors, and while he did not con- sider it legally necessary to give any notice at all according to the Act of Parliament, yet, as a matter of courtesy they were willing to give the month's notice.—As an amendment, Mr. Speed proposed, and Mr. S. Hughes seconded, that the full six months' notice be given. On being put to the meeting the amendment was- lost, and the resolution to give a month's notice was carried. The clerk, thereupon, said he would not accept the month's notice, but would decline altogether to act any longer as clerk or assIstant overseer.—Mr. H. O. Maddock was appointed clerk pro. tem., and it was resolved to post notices in the village inviting applica- tions for the post of clerk and assistant over- eear.-Mr. Crump brought forward a motion concerning the postal delivery. He pointed out that the postman from Chester delivered letters in the evening in a part of the village only, but that the houses in that portion extending from the Bridge to Sea Hill were ignored in the delivery. A number of important residents lived in that part of the village, and he himself had been inconvenienced by not receiv- ing letters untit the following morning, which he would have received the previous night bad he lived in another part of the village. This had on several occasions caused him to be unable to keep appointments. He, therefore, moved that a letter be sent from the Council to the Postmaster at Chester asking if it could be arranged to have an evening delivery through- out the whole village, instead of merely part of it as as present. Mr. Foulkes seconded, and it was carried unanimously.—Mr. Crump gave notice that at the next meeting he would move a resolution concerning the lighting of the village during the winter months. It was also resolved, on the motion of Messrs. Crump and Hughes, that a letter of condolence be sent to Mr. John Jones (Chester) on the recent death of his wife, as Mr. Jones had at one time been con- nected with the village, and had been chairman of its first Parish Council.

I HELSBY. BUWLING CLUB.-The annual general meeting of the boating section of the Athletic Club was held at Dr. A. J. Briant's house en Monday evening, Mr. James White presiding over a moderate attendance. Mr. James White was re-elected captain. Mr. J. Potts, through pressure of business, was unable to again accept the secretaryship, and Mr. H. Cooper was elected to that position. The following were appointed as a committee: -Messrs. F. Whiteley, F. Stott, W. Dugdale, A. Whalley and J. Brotherton. Among other matters afterwards discussed was the question of playing matches, and finally it was decided not to play any matches this year, but to promote more handicaps among the members. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman. PAROCHIAL COMMITTEE.-A meeting of the Parochial Committee was held in the National Schoolroom on Monday evening, the following members being present. Messrs. J. T. Collier (chairman), J. Jeffs, J. Taylor, T. Guest, S. Ball, W. Fowles, S. Davies, W. B. Barlow, J. Noden, W. E. Davies, W. Hough (deputy clerk), J. Farrington (nuisance inspector), and W. Diggle (surveyor).—The Surveyor presented plans of stables, etc., to be built by Mr. James Taylor, and these being in accordance with the bye-laws, were duly passed.—The Nuisance Inspector pro- duced an account amounting to L2 17s. 8d. for repairs to drains in Chester-road, adjoining the house owned by Mrs. A. White and occupied by Mr. James Brandreth, and as art of the work done was actually on Mrs. White's property it was decided that the account be passed for pay- ment, subject to the owner paying one-third of the amount. The inspector also reported that the drainage on Mrs. Mark Smith's property had not been attended to, and it was decided to instruct Mr. Farrington to proceed with the work. The inspector further reported that he had received a complaint of a nuisance in connection with houses belonging to Mr. Musgrove, and it was decided that the owner (Mr. Musgrove) be ordered to abate the same. PARISH COUNCIL.—A Parish Council was afterwards held, the same being present, with Mr. G. Britland (clerk).—Mr. J. Jeffs reported that the burial ground sub-committee had inter- viewed the tenant of the field, Mr. Jas. Fletcher, and had decided to pay him the £ 20 compensa- tion subject to the Council taking that portion of the field they required for immediate use. On the proposition of Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Barlow, it was resolved to pay Mr. Fletcher the amount named and that the field be re-let to him at the present rental on condition that the Parish Council take such portion of the field as thought desirable for immediate use, allowing Mr. Fletcher a proportionate rent, and that Mr. Ashton be authorised to draw up an agreement to that effect; also that the committee be in- structed to invite tenders for the drainage of the portion of the field they required.—The question of remuneration to be paid to the clerk for tho I collection of the special rate was then considered, and during his absence from the room Mr. I Taylor proposed and Mr. Barlow seconded that he be paid the sum of j67. Mr. Ball moved as I an amendment that his remuneration be fixed at J35. This was seconded by Mr. Fowles, and on being put to the meeting the amendment was carried by five vctes to 4. The Clerk protested that the sum was insufficient for the work, and thought the Council had not taken into considera- tion the extra amount of labour the collection of the special rate involved. The Chairman said if he was not satisfied he could refuse to collect the special rate, and the overseers would be com- pelled to appoint someone else to do it. The clerk, however, decided to accept the sum voted. —The question of the poor service of trains was again brought forward, and it was unanimously decided, after discussion, to again write to the L. and N.-W. Railway Company to reconsider the matter, especially in connection with the after- noon train service to Liverpool.

» LUMBAGO AGO I J is Rheumatism of the back. The cause is Uric Acid in the bl Jk If the Kidneys did their work £ t there would be no Uric Acid and t £ > t* no Lumbago. Make the Kidneys do their work. The sure, positive ? and only cure for Lumbago is ♦ i???f?f? j! S Kidney j Pills i! I ,lIs \i Of all Chemists, 2s. 9d. per box, six t £ > A box,, for 13s. 9d.; or sent post free on t £ < qi rçdpt of price by The DODD'S MEDI- CINE Co.. 23, F&rringdon-avenue,,?) London, E.C. ? Seeth?\on?'-tD-o-J-d-'s. ? ??????????<'t«' ¡ an ¡ .íI>.i/¡  C ?? The <e<?ma of Swift I ?r Cycl??dMtJtoet.Tbehr superiority is immediajely recognisable. Tbefccratr N ?? of their design ?? MBt- I ? ??? xncy of Rtm? <i «)B< dirtinyuafa them tro* tfa ???MaBgW' <)<d?n.My<Tnde,7et M 6^ I, 'F'df eva.æ  øW ?a be W at varlem i **P Pekn hvm S TEN GUINEAS. SEE THE NEW X FRAME. SOLE AGENTS: I CYCLE & MOTOR Co. LTD., I 100A, FOREGATE-ST., CHESTER. I CYCLES 50/. Warranted Illustrigtion sbow,g the A Seven Years. WATCH   ■l ,"S''graybs' I .Supply as J,  Ss.  E ? EXPRESS" «*•>' EngHsh Lever, A2 tOs. 1 ??? ? Guaranteed Br?.h Manufacture, is ent to you, and if you  with it y,?it complete the purchase in nine more monthly payments of the same amount. If you are not satisfici, r,!tirn I BlU aa.™.«.d British is instantlv C.?ucFre?n?- g Watcbe-?, Jewell?r?-, Clocks, Cutle-v and 13late, \Vorkmen's Tools. &c. Catalogue Free on a;1p1i-    J J. G. GHA V"ES, æ4 Ði:viøi.on. st¡reeio, SHEFFIELD  SEE THE NEW ARIEL X FRAME. /?????.??j? ARIEL TV CYCLES. WITH ALL THE LATZST IMPBOVB- Illustrated Catalogues Free at THE CYCLE & MOTOR CO. REG:  STREET, ???/<\?? ????'??"'???? FOREGATE STREET, ??'???'? VERNON'S CYCLE S'f OR E S., OFFICIAL REPAIRS REPAIRER REPAIRS A c TO 0 SPECIALITY. C. T. C. SOLE AGENT FOR JAMES, BRADBURY, BOWNS LOLUS, CONQUEROR, SPARKBROOK, AND OTHER BEST MAKES, FITTED WITH FREE WHEEL & RIM BRAKES, FROM -C., 11 11 0 34, EASTGATE STREET, CHESTER. Hil     < D E-M ?\JE??? ALL "???eax g aszEsxass?s?" TOWNS. STANDARDS. SPECIALS. I 10 Guineas Cash OR 1 Guinea per Month IN 11 IHSTAUKEKTS. 15 Guineas Cash I OR I Y2 Guineas per Month 18 u nRiuum (Catalogue and full information post free on &pp!ication to- j ) RUDGE-WHITWORTH, LIMITED. Head Office, COVENTRY. 1 I.oCAL AGENCIES: C W. MAHER, BRIDGE-STREET, CHESTER. IOCAE AGENCIES ? RUDGE-WHITWORTH, LTD., 101, BOLD-STMBT, LIVERPOOL. j SPRING CLEANING. 7 T CARPE TS BEATEN BY MACHINERY. THE ONLY PERFECT MEANS. OWING TO THE GREAT PRESSURE OF ORDERS DURING THE NEXT TWO MONTHS WE ADVISE OUR CUSTOMERS TO SEVD va RT.Y i« ■ PRICE LISTS AND ORDER FORS ON APPLICATION. RICHARD JONES, CARPET WAREHOUSEMAN, 50, 52, 54 & 56, BRIDGE STREET. AND 11 & 13, EASTGATE STREET, CHESTER. I BOXES FOE 2S. 9D. ?s?s??? s ? ? ??????  t I ??SH?eERt??M????*??? o =ALL RHELKADCAMECTIONS 2 ? KIDNEY& LIVER DISORDERS /?/ w STIFF& ENLARC E D 10 1 N TS E- GOUT. LUMBACO. SCIATICA  Y?CMNDULARSWE?<NCS/ gK ?a VrX SKIN COMPLAINTS ?% *3 VASCURVY. BOILS 2 ? ????  PIMPLES ? (REGISTERED. ) J A MKDICINE THAT IJOKS .NOT I j ACCUMULATE IN THE STSTICM. H Foit SPRING AND AUTUMN. von 8 GENKRAb FAMILY | II'ftOllOTKS ? THK ACTION OF LtVKK. <| A?n PRK??'f'? COMTIPATK.N. Q Fox -li 4?rw RHKITMATIC AFFFCTIPNS I itETIC, ]?FPU, KATIVK. IS || I I NOT Dl?CTLy APKHIENT. THOROUGHLY EFFICACIOUS & SAFK. |§ J F?FPAttKHOxMfT FRAKK WILLIAMS, j j ? O?Pha3rnxL?bon<.tory,36,Lrook-Bt.,Chester § OVKR 60 YEARS IN TnJl: TRADE. JOHN COLLINS, LICENSED HORSE SLAUGHTERER, 48, BOUGHTON, CHESTER' manufacturer 01" Blood" Bone a Animal Manure TToo Psui; t all Crops. priees zs follows, viz. E3 Per ton, or per wt., dpiivered in baps free rif expenae in or within 20 miles from Chester. All orders promptly attended to. -Air. Collins classes the Manure one of tbp, best that is UlanD- ta-ctured, and eon,ideri! it, worth f5 per ton Best prices given for all Dead and Worn-ont liorizps. Cattle, &c.. which will be reiroved at the shortest notice. Ail telegraras paid for. A reduction of 21 per oent for prompt oash. UMR!CLUS }tE.'TJ!1-adRJl:F;NJS;;r'  to new. Ivies' or Gpr?'s. ? ;tb the B?tad B ? M Silk, 3.6 each, ana at all prices from lill to 12t6. Bratilky's Foregute»8.troBi, Chester.