South Wales Echo

4^ A MAN UNDER THE I I BED. cc Oh, dear Lena, I feared you were not com- ing exclaimed Mrs Delmar, as she opened too door in answer to a gentle summons and how louely I should have been in my husband's absence I'm sorry to be so late, Blanche," apologised Lena Ashton but I had no escort until brother Charlie came home, though I guessed you would send the servants to bed early." Yes, for we've been busy all day with our preparations for this wedding. But come up to my room, for baby is alone in his cot, and we can finish our chat there. I will go first and laise the gaslight." What object was it that met Blanche Delmar's eyes, rendering her almost powerless with terror ? The coarse, clumsy boot of a man beneath her bed Horror-stricken, she watched it move, as if he was in the act of drawing up his foot. Their imminent peril flashed through her mind —her friend, her child, and herself alone with that midnight burglar; the two servants asleep in the storey above: flight, impossible; to acquaint Lena with that discovery, equally so-for she would probably utter a loud scream, and the man murder them to secure his own safety Only one course remained, and the brave little woman resolved to adopt that, desperate as it appeared. I will not raise the light, Lena,' she said. The sudden glare may awaken baby;' and to her own ears her voice sounded like one unknown. But sit down, for I have a request to make." She put her visitor into a chair beside the in- fant's cot, and seated herself upon the bed near them. It was under the other side where the vil- lain lay lurking. "Lena," she continued, "will you come again to-morrow night, and assist me in the care of some valuable property ?" "I assist? And you know what a cowardi am!"? "Oh, there'll be no danger. But John has bought such magnificent presents for his sister-a complete silver tea-service, also dinner forks and spoons. I have added a few choice articles, which cost so much more than I anticipated that my purse is actually empty, and must be re- plenished at the bank to-morrow." And are all these treasures to be actually in this room ?" No, dear but in that company bed-chamber." I wouldn't consider that a suitable place, Blanche. The room has a door opening right on to the porch. Any one might climb up from the garden by the vine." But the porch door is always locked the goods will be packed in a box, and no one suspects its value." The bed seemed to move, as if the wretch be- neath had coiled himself up to listen more intently. However, don't name this to anyone," added Mrs Delmar. I shall not even tell the two girL; upstairs." But, Blanche, why run such a risk ? Why not allow these precious articles to remain at the silversmith's until your husband's return?" It might have been more prudent; but the order has been given—there would not be time now to couutermand it—and 'tis only for one night, for he will be here on the following morn- ing with his sister. Ab, so many months have elapsed since he visited his old home that I could not refuse the two evenings he requested But, Lena, 1 wonder what time it is?—for John bor- rowed my watch, the spring of his own being broken." And that portion ot Mrs Delmar's narrative was substantially correct. "And mamma suggested that I should leave mine at home." I was merely going to propose that, if not too sleepy, you should see the lovely dress I have bad made for my stster-in law's wedding. It lie upon the bed in that identical room." "And, as a matter of course, Lena gladly assented. For one moment Blanche stood irresolute. "I dare not take the child from the room," she murmured. "It might excite suspicion. But he will not harm it; he is too intent upon that expected booty." There was a long passage to traverse, for Mrs Delmar's room was at the front, and this at the rear of that large rambling dwelling, and as it had been stated, overlooking the garden. She listened earnestly, but not louder than the beating of her own heart was the faint sound of the miscreant's icotsteps, stealthily descending those stairs. He had taken off his boots aad carried thent And doubtless, believing that neither montjy nor watches were to be obtained that night, would wait for the richer spoil a few hours' delay might secure. Oil, pray, dear,' urged the poor little woman, return to our room and look to the baby, for I dare not "Dare itot I" laughed Lena. "Who is the coward now?" But the next instant Blanche heard the gentle movevent of the rockers and a hushed cradle-song. Thank God she cried. Then securing the hall-door, she crept upstairs, cold and trembling. Saved-saved!" was all she could utter, as she fell upon her knees at the bedside. Good heavens how I should have screamed exclaimed Lena, when Mrs Delmar, upon recover- ing some degree of composure, described all that had occurred. Yes, and that villain's hands upon your throat would have effectually silenced you while with a pistol to our heads lie would have deman- ded every key." And to your admirable presence of mind we owe our safety. But the silver and jewellery? And to-morrow night's guardianship? And my valiant self?" There was a mingling of fact and fiction in my recital." Oh, you dear impostor! And I believed every word most implicitly I" S" So it appears did that man. But to your first question. John hai desired the box to be de- livered here, though on his way to the depdt this morning would countermand that order. Early to-morrow I shall telegraph for him to return, when, of course, he will arrange about the man's reception. As for yourself, Lena—" "Oh, I must remain till all's over. and only wish I could have been of some service." So you were, child, for else how could I have told my story?" The two friends slept until the baby, satisfied with its prolonged slumbers, awoke them. Immediately after breakfast he was pent out with his nurse to Mrs Ashton's, to obtain leave for her daughter to remain at the Delmars, and also to the telegraph office. John Delmar arrived about noon; the few words in which he was desired to return immedia- tely being so alarming that he was prepared for a more terrible catastrophe. At length came night, starless and moonless— the very night for villany to stalk abroad. Silence and obscurity reigned cler that household. Mrs Delmar and her friend, sittting listening on the stairs, the former anxiously, for her husband was within that room where the coils were tight- ening and closing around the midnight plunderer while others were in the garden, watching, lest he should become scared and abandon his design. The man found an easy foothold in that inter- lacing vine, and quickly reached the porch, then, turning the light of his lantern upon the lock, with little difficulty fitted one of the many keys suspended from a belt worn beneath his coat. He glanced around the room upon the bed lay several light packages, beneath his notice. But on the floor stood a large and apparently heavy box. He drew a deep breath of satisfaction as setting down the lantern, he commenced to force open the lid. Suddenly the door of a large wardrobe flew open, and John Delmar, with a burly police officer, appeared on the.scene. The next mo- ment, the miscreant was flung upon the floor, and, instead of that expected and glittering booty, his bewildered gaze rested upon a pair of handcuffs. But the silence and darkness quickly changed, tor lights flashed in, and quite a little crowd gathered, while congratulations passed all around. "I should recognise those 'boota anywhere," whispered Blanche, timidly-for the man's dark, threatening scowl menaced vengeance. "He'll not trouble you again, ma'am," said the police officer. He's wanted for other matters, and will go up for a considerable time." Ah, but I don't feel half so courageous as I did last night Pray John, let us leavs this great, lonely house, and go to board somewhere ?" My dear wife, you know that upon the event of my sister's marriage our little property was to be divided. It was this business which detained me from home. With my portion, I have pur- chased you a snug cottage, the very perfection of security and comfort, and which 1 am sure you richly deserve." And all present, with one exception, thereupon agreed that even a royal palace would not be be- yond the desserts of Brave Blanche Deloiace.

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I YANKEE YARNS. I DAVID'S WIVES. David had survived the loss of three loving wives and was about to take unto himself a fourth. A few weeks before the wedding his brother Ste- phen met him and apologised because he couldn't be present at the ceremony. I've got to go out of town, David," said lie, "and I'm sorry to say I can't come to your wed- ding. But, never mind, old man, I'll be sure to come around next time without fail," COURTING AND MARRIAGE. John Henry was just starting out the other evening to see his girl wheu a married acquaint- ance stopped him at the front gate. Hello," he said, "where are you going." "To see my girl," was the cheerful answer. "Ali, courting is a great thing, my boy, a great thing." "Yes, I've found it so." But a man has to be mighty careful.' "Oh, I don't know; I never had any trouble-" "Is this the first one you ever courted?" "Yes, the only one." "My fix exactly," he said reflectively. What do you wean?" Why, I made the great mistake of my life in my first courting." "What did you do let her go for a richer one?' No." Let some other fellow beat your time?" "Not much." "Backed out bscause you was afraid to ask hei:" No siree." "Then how in thunder did you make such a dreadful mistake?" Married her, my boy, married her!" he said disconsolately, and hurried along with his market basket. I A COLD WATER DOT. Last winter-how pleasant it is to think of a time when it was cold enough for overcoats—as we sailed down the J. M. and I. Railway, known among the native Hoosiors as the "Jeff" road, there were several things to luok at. There were two dramatic troupes on board and a boy from Indianapolis who had designs on the water tank. He began drinking before we fairly got out of Indianapolis. He would drink as long ashe could hold his breath, and then put down the cup and sigh, and go back to his seat. When he felt a little rested he would march down to the tank again, and lookitigover the. rim of the cup with an injured expression as he drank, gaze at the passengers as reproachfully as though it was our fault that he couldn't hold a tubíul of water. Then lie would sigh and go back to rest. Then he'd come up again. a little eroggy, but still in the ring, drink till the water stood in his eyes, and go back to recuperate. Once or twice the brakeman drove him away from the tank. "Somebody else might want a drink before we get to Madison," he said, and anyhow, there was no coroner on the train if the boy should succeed in drowning himself." Still, the boy, eluding the vigilance of the careful brakeman, kept on drinking great quantities of aqua pura, with brief intervalsfor rest. Presently the brakemau came in, after fighting with a man who didn't want his two dogs banished to the baggage car, and wrestling with an old lady who had got it into her head, just because he told her that she couldn't go in there, that the smoking car was just the very Alabnzan car of all Alabazan cars, and fought to get into it. He wa pretty hot, because he hadn't half whipped the man and couldn't rip out the old lady, and he was just hungry for a chance to blow off" somebody. The first thing his eyes fell upon was the boy at the water tauk. He swept down upon him, grabbed him by the shoulders, shook the hat off and the breath out of him before the boy could yell, lifted him up in the air, slammed him down on the seat with a Langtry bang that shook open the ventilators. "There!" he roared; "you dropsical squab! D'you want to make a mill-pond of yourself and be The boy's face was purple with rage and lie broke out into a torrent of profanity, abuse, defiance, threatening and slaughter in one awful breath. He danced out into the aisle, shed his coat, beat his fists together and pulled a revolver. Everybody yelled and hullere.d and laughed and stood up on the seats and applauded the boy, and encouraged the poor, dumbfounded brakeman. Poor Ixion, in his blind wrath lie had swooped down upon an irascible, cross-grained little wretch of a dwarf, forty-one inches high and fifty-two years old, belonging to oue of the dramatic companies. It was too funny for anything, for the rest of us. And while the row was absorbinggeneral attention, if that miser- able boy with the hydrophobia didn't sneak up to the water tank and drink it se dry that it warped.

The Conservative Con- ference. MEETING OF DELEGATES AT I NEWPORT. Severe Reflections on the Tory press. [FROM OUR SPECIAL RKPORTKE. I I The business of the 18th annual conference of the National Union of Conservative Associations was transacted at Newport; on Tuesday. Lord Claud Hamilton presided over the meeting (which was conducted with the strictest privacy), and the delegates present numbered about 200, this attendance being an average one. Amongst those present were the Duke of Nor- folk, Lord Tredegar, Mr Asbmead-Bartlett,M.P.» Mr Staveley-Hill, Q.O., M.V., Sir William Charley, Lieut.-Colonel Howard Vincent, Mr Dixon Hartland, M.P. Count Metaxa, Mr J. B. Stone, Mr It. W. E. Middleton (agent of the party), Mr Barton (Birmingham), &c. The report which was read stated that the associations and clubs which had affiliated them- selves to the Union this year amounted to more than double the number that had joined in any previous year of it,. existence. The passing into law of the Redistribution Bill, and the consequent abolition of many of the old constituencies, and the creation of new ones, had naturally caused considerable changes to be made in the organisa- tions of the party throughout the country. Many of the old associations had been either dissolved or merged into the new bodies which had been formed, but a very large number of the new associations had already joined the National Union. In view of the coming general election, the application for lecturers which had been com- plied with since the last meeting of the conference had reached the extraordinary total of 1,550, being three times as many as the highest number in any previous year. The lecture committee of the council, by whom such applications were dealt with, bad, in spite of the enormous demand for lecturers, been able to render the required assistance. The reports received of the lectures held had in all cases been eminently gratifying. The dissemination of leaflets upon the many and various political topics had during the past year been extensively increased, and the council pointed out that, whereas the largest number of copies of its publications over issued in one year by the National Union amounted to 480,000 in 1884, the quantity issued staoe the last meeting of the conference had attained the enormous number of 7,000,000. During the past year the council appointed several gentlemen as commis- sioners to visit the affiliated associations through- out the country for the purpose of enquiring into their efficiency. The investigation showed that whilst in many cases the condition of the associa- tions was healthy, there were many instances in which the organisation was sadly deficient. The accession ot the Conservative Government to power had been marked by an establishment of peace and security abroad and contentment at home in marked contrast to the disordered state of affairs which prevailed during the Gladstone administration. The council earnestly urged upon the Conservative party the paramount necessity of using every effort to secure the return of Conservative candidates. The financial state- ment showed a credit balance of JB852 4s 8d. The noble CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, alluded to the in- crease in the number of associations which had joined the union during the past year, and re- ferred in detail to 'the work performed by the council, which included, amongst other things, the distribution of no less than 7,000,000 political pamphlets and leaflets. He remarked that the advent of the Conservative party to power had necessitated the loss of several leaders of the party from the council of the National Union. He urged upon the party to do ail they could in the interests of the Conservative cause at the next election. Mr DIXON HARTLAND seconded the resolution, and it was carried. The CHAIKMAN then moved a variation of the 11th rule in respect to the election of a council for 1885-6, as follows That in lieu of 24 members being elected at the annual conference, and 12 elected by the council under the third part of the said rule, 36 members be elected by this conference. Mr Drxox-HARTLAND seconded, and the resolu- tion was agreed to. Lord Tredegar was elected president of the union in place of the Duke of Norfolk,whose term of office expired. THE CONDITION OF THE CONSERVATIVE PRESS. The subjects down for discussion were then proceeded with. Mr H. BYRON REED, delegate from the South- east Durham Conservative Registration Associa- tion, moved— That this conference, having regard to the supreme importance of the newspaper press as a means of forminj; and influencing public opinion, and being impressed by the alleged insufficiency and inefficiency of the Conservative party organs, as compared with their opponents, dQ now proceed to appoint a com- mittee to enquire into the existing condition of affairs relating to the Consei Press, and into the means necessary to be adopt- ..y way of remedy of such faults as may be founl to exist and that the said committee be instructed to lay a report before the recognised heads and officials of the party as soon as possible, and beiore this conference at its next meeting.. Mr Reed paid that there was no property so re- munerative as newspaper property, nevertheless there were many instances of money being thrown away through the mismanagement of Conservative jouruals. A case had come under his notice in which a Conservative newspaper was started to counteract the influence of a Radical journal, but the property was so badly managed that £ 20,000 were frittered away—(laughter)—and the prospects of a Conservative organ in the district were utterly destroyed for many years to come. Mr HAKBEN, Conservative candidate for Cardiff, expressed his willingness to second the resolution if the mover would expunge the ex- pression which described the Conservative press as insufficient and inefficient. Mr REED declined to fall in with this sugges- tion. After some discussion, it was agreed to leave the matter in statu quo for the council to decide on the whole question. It was also decided to fucgest to the council the expediency of stimu- lating the Conservative press throughout the kingdom in every possible way. The following resolution, which stood in the name of Mr J. Barber, delegate from the Leeds and County Conservative Club, was thereupon withdrawn from the agenda:— That taking into consideration the tone and expres- sion of recent leading articles in the Standard news- paper, it is expedient that an expression of opinion should no forth from this meeting stating whether the Standard shall be considered a faithful, representative, public exponent of Conservative policy. THK FUTURE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND. Mr JAMKS DOBSON, J.P., delegate from the Dublin City and County Conservative Club, w' brought forward the following resolution :— That the question of the future government of Ireland will probably occupy a prominent place in the deliberations of the next Parliament, too much impor- tance cannot be attached to the necessity of bringing the matter fully before the electors throughout the country during the approaching elections. He pointed out that there were at least a million and a half of loyalists" in Ireland, but they were so hard pressed by the opposing forces of separa- tiouists that it was of the utmost importance that sympathy, and whatever measures of support was possible, should bo extended to them from the other portions of the United Kingdom. He was of opinion, from close observation that the Laud League, apparently so formidable, was made up of elements which would eventually, and perhaps not distantly, dissolve it. He saw beneath the surface much discontent prevailing, which was only prevented from breaking out into revolt by the perfection of its organisation. He apprehended that once some more than usually serious division arose, the moderate members of the party would secede, as their loyalty was cer- tainly more apparent than real. It was not surpris- ing to those who knew well what terrorism meant in Ireland, that many from purely self-defensive and prudential motives, hastened to ally them- selves with the Land League, rather than risk incurring its ban. A firm policy on behalf of the Government by weakening this terrorism, and giving thereby more security to loyal subjects, would enable the loyalist party to gain ground rapidly. But if it was essential that Englishmen should understand Ireland, it was still more es- sential that the loyal, or would-be loyal, subjects in Ireland should be made aware in the clearest manner of the sympathy which existed for their position and for themselves on this side of the channel. The emancipation of numbers of Irish citizens from the thraldom of the League would be materially hastened by the open and active co- operation of the great towns in the sister king- dom, where every Conservative candidate should liy Mm self out to address specifically the Irish electors, and so make the union visibly and pal. pably powerful to the loyalists of Ireland. To this end Conservatives shoun go to Ireland to enlighten the people there on the interest which existed, and was being exerted here, on their behalf. Other representatives from Ireland also spoke, hut mainly on the lines of the mover of the reso- lution. It was stated that the majority of the Irish electors were particularly anxious to know what policy the Conservatives favoured, and pointed out that this was a vital matter, as it would influence greatly the attitude taken up hereafter all over Ireland. One thing must be clearly understood Irishmen were deeply in earnest, and any shilly-shallying, or even the appearance of it, would certainly prove disastrous to the party that attempted it, in so far as the objects affecting Ireland were con- cerned. While .not asking that a policy should be at once announced, it was desirable that the principles of such policy, or so much indication of it as was requisite, should be given at the earliest moment. The speakers wore unanimous on the necessity of a closer tie being cemented between the loyalists in Ireland and those in other parts of the United Kingdom, alleging that a vast deal of misrepresentation was abroad, which was being still further stimulated and pro- pagated by the league. The discussion of the question was not much taken up by the members of the conference. No suggestion was practically made in regard to the proposal of a proclaimed Conservative policy; but it was intimated— and the statement was received with applause- that it was incumbent upon the Conservative party to give every assistance possible to Irish loyalists. It was regarded as only fair and rea- sonable that the subject should receive adequate attention at the hands of the leaders in connec- tion with the electoral campaign. But beyond this the feeling of the conference was against committing itself. The resolution was eventually put and carried unanimously. REGISTRATION. I Mr R. MARTIN, delegate from the West Har- tlepool Working Men's Club, moved:- That the council of the National Union of Conserva- tive Associations consider at an early date the desir- ability of controlling the registration throughout the country. After a brief discussion the subject was ad- journed, it being thought that on a matter of such importance it was advisable to have (the prior opinion of the council. WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE. I Count MKTAXA, delegate from the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth Conservative Associa- tions, introduced the following resolution which stood on the agenda That the parliamentary franchise be extended to women householders who possess the same qualifica- tions which entitle men to vote. Some little difficulty was created at the outset by the fact that this subject was embodied in a resolution, when it was not understood that it should come forward as such, but merely as a sug- gestion for consideration. Count Metaxa hastened to disclaim any intention of moving it; he merely wished to urge it upon the council for its con- sideration. He then proceeded to advance argu- ments on behalf of the proposal. In the discus- sion which followed, the opinion of the confer- ence was generally favourable to extending the franchise to women when the latter were house- holders. MISCELLANEOUS. I Mr E. OWEN, of the Builth District Conserva- tive Club, moved- That in summoning future conferences the word "representative" should be substituted for the Radical word delegate." The conference did not think it necessary to alter the word. seeing that the rules expressed the proper sense, and there could be no misapprehen- sion. The following resolutions were on the agenda paper, but were, by consent, withdrawn:— The Builth District Conservative Club beg to suggest that the Council of the National Union should urge all Conservatives in every district to hold frequent meet- ings for the purpose of disseminating Conservative views to the new electors. It having been brought to the notice of the Bmlth District Conservative Club that it is the practice in many counties in the principality to employ one arent only to attend to the registration, they consider the work much too arduous for one man to attend to; and having regard to the great import- ance of registration being properly attended to, strongly recommend that in addition to the head agent of each county oneor moredistrict agents should be appointed to act in each polling district. Mr E. TATLOK, Birkenhead Conservative As- sociation, proposed- That the present state of the ltiv as regards lodger claims is unsatisfactory and liable to serious abuse, and therefore it is desirable a change should be made, whereby the declarations should be taken before some official person, and on the first occasion tha lodger should be compelled to attend the revision court, the revision court to prove that he is entitle,, to have hi; name placed on the register of voters. This matter was referred to the council. I ELECTION OF THE COUNCIL. The following were elected the council :-Mr H. Byron Reed, Major W. Millican, Mr Rowland Tinker, Mr F. Seager Hunt, Mr Charles C. E. Howard Vincent', Mr A. Akers Douglas, M.P., Rt. Hon. A. J. Bnlfour, M.P., Mr Ashmead Bartlett, M.P., Right Hon. Henry Chaplin, M.P., LordR. Churchill,M.P.,Hon. G. A. Curzon, 15aron Henry de Worms, M.P., Mr F. D. Dixon- Hartland, M.P., Mr A. B. Ford, Sir J. E. Gorst, Q.C., M.P.. Lord Claud J. Hamilton, M.P., the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach. M.P., Mr O. Staveley Hill, Q.C., M.P.. Mr J. S. Hopkins, Mr W. H. Houldsworth. M.P., Mr T. S. Hudson, George Irwin, Col. \V. R. King-Harman, M.P., J. M. McLean, M.P., the Right Hon. Earl Percv, M.P., Mr C. Sewell Reed, M.P., Mr O. K. Rollit, LL.D., Mr J. O. S. Stone, Sir H. Drum- mond-Wolff, G.C.M.G., M.P., Mr C. B. Stuart- Wortley, M.P., Sir W. T. Charley, Q.C., LL.D., Mr A. G. Southall, Lord Emlyn, M.P., the Hon. Colonel Morgan, M.P., Mr Howel Gwyn, and the Right Hon. W. T. Marriott, Q.C., M.P.

WHAT 13 GWILnI EVAN: OUININK BITTERS I recommended for? I.-IndigesLion its differant forms, such as sick head-ache, heart-burn, cramv, flatulency, sense of fulness and oppression jfter eating, dro-vsiness, and paius in the region of the lie irt. 2.— itnout exception toe best remedy for depression of spirits^and melancholy. Being a vegetable "pick- me-up, is strongly recommended for nervous O.iseases, such as undue anxiety, despondency, faintin;; tits, neuralgia, and nerve j ain generally. 3.—Has sue- I ce-isitil y treated (after all other known j,repa- rations had failed), severe cases of aft'ectius <<i the chest, such a* common colds, bronchitis, asthmatic colds, shortness of breath, spitting of blood, &'c 1.—Are invaluable to nursiiw mothers they en- rich the blood and impart a healthy and scf,3 tonic tju.r.luK the period of lactation. Should be taken by all delicate females, as they strengthen the system, there- by promoting good health. They are invaluable to those who suffer from Hysterics, Fainting Fits, Giddi- by promoting good health. They are invaluable to those who suffer from Hysterics, Fainting Fits, Giddi- ness, Pains in the Side, Headaciies, or Sickness. 5.—Tc children growing, and to people L sreat weak- ness, either after an illness or through long confine- I ment in ill-ventilated rooms or other cause, they are invaluable. GWILnl EVANS' QUINIJTE BITTERS are recom- mended by Doctors. Analysts, Chemists. Sold ia 3* M and 4.3 6d Bottles, and Case* ciint&ininy three 4- 4W f Bottles at 12s 6d per case, by all ChtmiiU, or th* Proprietor, carriage free, parcels pwt (under cooer). I no wiuh'ut trying G'.vijytu Quinine Bitters."—Mr Qwiiyoi Kvans, F.e> Proprietor, Laboratory Uanelly, South \Yat<is. Anieri can Manufactory and Depot, Pivmouth, Penna: p. in- cipal Agent, It. D. Williams", Plymouth. Western America, J. f,, Miclc and Co., San Franci-,fo. Culuni il f Agents: Adelaide, Faulding andC" i.lnio ,un.e. ico-.v- I lauds and Co.; Sydney, Klliott and ,\u diet, I N.Z., Graves Aicken Montreal and i- .1 Sous, and Mason, lamitsd. i "J(1" —; I Printed and Publinheu by t; i'i-S>r.etor<j I DAVID DUNCAN t SONS, at their Vr.titin* Works, 7o and 7o St. Mary-streafc -tit I ¡,e&u in tille town oiO.uaui, in tfrs o Cit n >iia.

BIRTHS & DEATHS AT CARDIFF. The return of the Kegistrar-General for the week ending Saturday last (3rd Oct.) shows that in twenty-eight of the largest towns in England and Wales, each containing 70,000 persons or more, and of which Cardilf is one of them, there were registered 5,545 births and 3,007 deaths. The deaths corrssponded to an annual rate of 17'6. The rates of mortality in the several towns, arranged in order from the lowest, were as follows Bolton 12 3 Birkenhead 12'tf Halifax 13-5 Nottingham 136 Norwich 13'7 Hull 14-0 Hudderstield 14 9 Brighton 15'9 London 16'0 Sunderland 16 2 Bradford 16'3 Blackburn 17*2 Derby 17 -6 Birmingham 17'o Bristol 17-7 I Preston 18'2 Leeds. 18-J •salforcl 18*9 Leicester 19'9 I Sheffield 20 0 Wolverhampton 21'7 Manchester. 22 4 Portsmouth 22'9 Liverpool 23'3 Newca,stle. oil. I Tyne 238 Plymouth 21'0 I Cardiff 25'3 Oldham 26*0 iTo the principal zymotic diseases 366 deaths were referred in the towns, equal to a rate of 2'1, the towns with the highest being Sn'ford, 5'1; Liver- pool, 4'3; Prest-in, 4-2; Cardiff, 3'2 and those with the lowest :-Huùderstidd, 0'0; Halifax, O'O; Birkenhead, l'l. The highest death-rate per 1,000 from scarlet fever, were—Leices- ter, 1*5; Saltord, 0'8; from measles—Salford, 0'3 Nottingham, 0'7; from diarrhoea—Preston, 3*1 Sunderland, 2"1. In the borough of Cardiff the number of births registered last week was 84, as compared with 92, 84, and 73 in the three preceding. These 84 births corresponded to an annual rate of 45'0 per 1,000 of the population, estimated to have been in the middle of this year, 97,034. The deaths in the same week were 47, and in the three previous had been 41, 44, and 46. These 47 deaths yielded a rate of 25'3 per 1,000, and was as much as 7'7 more than that of the 28 great towns. Again its death-rate was very excessive, and Oldham, with a rate of 26'0, was the only one of them with a greater oue. In the last nine weeks thR mortality was unusually large and when it did not produce the highest death rate, it was equal to a rate which ranked among the first six. In Bristol the rate last week was 17.7, being 7.5 less than that of Cardiff. The 47 deaths in the latter included as many as 32 iliales and only 15 females; and of the total, 15 were those of infants under one year, and 5 referred to adults who had attained 60 years and upwards. There were 6 deaths due to the principal zymotics, and they included 2 each of whooping cough and diarrhoea, and one each of scarlet fever and fever. There were 3 deaths due to violence, and 8 persons died in the public institutions.

CARDIFF PARLIAMENTARY DE- I I BATING SOCIETY. The first meeting of the new session of this society was held on Tuesday evening at the Town-hall. Contrary to expectation, the Conser- vative Government did not introduce the Queen's speech, and no debate, therefore, took place. After the report of the committee bad been read and adopted, the election of officers was pro- ceeded with. Mr Alfred Thomas, Dr. Treharne, and Mr David were re-elected president, treasurer, clerk of the house respectively, and Mr Peter Price was elected Speaker in the place of Mr Gibbons, who has left the town.— The following gentlemen were elected to serve on the committee: Messrs E. J. Newell, J. Newell, J. Andrews, F. J. Veall, S. Evans, R. L. Price, H. J. Thatcher, W. H. Harris, G. B. Hughes, J. Myles, W. N. Gronow, and W. H. Green.—A vote of condolence with the widow and family of the late Mr Simpson was passed, and the House adjourned till next week, when the discussion on the Queen's Speech will be taken, and the real work of the session will commence.

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FACTS AND FANCIES. Full Moon.-The honeymoon. A Dangerous Collision.—Running into debt. Rule Osculatory.—A kiss may he printed, but should not be published. "Goes without saying."—The friend who does not stop to bid you "good-bye." Amenities of Literature.—" When I am played out as a novelist," said Balzac one day to Dumas the elder, I intend to write for the stage. "Begin at once then," replied Dumas. Complimentary.—A youngster steps up to a gentleman iu .the park. "Sir, won't you please go after my boat?" But do you wish *me to throw myself into the water, child?" Oh, yes! Mamma said Ask that gentleman; he looks fool- ish enough to do it. A Wrinkle For Hooked Ones.—After an en- thusiastic lover had spent two hours' bard labour over a letter to his sweetheart, and then marred its beauty by spilling a drop of ink on it, he first anathematised it for a few minutes, and then drew a circle around the blot and told her it was a kiss; and she—poor thing !-believed it. Queer Queries.—The following queries have been propounded by the Concord school of philosophy—" Why do not cows sit down to rest the same as dogs? Why .does a dog turn round a few times before he lies down? Why does a cow get up from the ground hind-end tirst, and a horse fore-end tirst ? Why does a squirrel come down head first, and a cat tail first ?" Proving His Seamanship.—A little French stuamboat was coasting between Nice and Mar- seilles. One of tha passengers said anxiously to his neighbour, The captain keeps too close in. I don't believe he knows the reefs." At the same instant came a bump. Tne boat struck with a violent shock. The captain turned with a trium- phant air to his passenger. You think I don't know the reefs, eh? Weli, this is the Mariner's Terror'! What have you to say now ?" Si Non E Vero, &c.—A tory is going the rounds of the Bohemian Clubs, says the Cuckoo, to the eSect that, a couple of nights prior to the re-appearance in public of Mrs Kendal, that lady purciiased a box at the St. James's Theatre for the sum of four guineas, and accomd by Mrs Hare, went, both of them disguised, wit- ness the performance at the play-houjfi over which their husbands preside. While sibtiojr in the aforesaid box, they made pantomimipfofce, to their own husbands, who, sad to relate, ret'tttned their salutes. Thus caugut in the act, the gw^tle- men are said to have explained the necessity of appearing courteous. to patrons of the theatre who seemed to take such personal interest in the performers. American ExcliLnge.-If e; ';I have resolved that I'll ne'er smoke again." She: "And I that oil my ùresses shall bj plain." He I mean to get along without my beer." She: "I will not buy a bangle all this year." Ho: "From lodge and club 1 mean this year to fly." She: One bonuet in each month is all I'll buy." He: I'll not lose cash at poker now each night." She: "All dry goods shops I'll banish from my sight." He: "Billiards and pool and cards I'll throw aside." She: I'll wear old frocks, and get my kid gloves dyed." Ho I'll parties shun, and only dance with you" She: "I'll buy no jewels, save a ring or two." He: I'll find some place where I can buy cheap clothes." She: And I'll stop buying costly broidered hose," He: "Of resolutions, dear, there's auite a stock." She; "Enough, when broke, to pave below a block." A Matter-of-Fact Man.—A tourist wandering alone upon the edge of a bog at the foot of Ben Nevis had the misfortune to miss the proper path and stumbled into the bog, where, ere lontr, his struggling served to sink him to his armpits in the tenacious mire. In this terrible plight he espied a stout Highlander not far away, to whom he cried out at the top of his voice, 14 Elo-wliat ho, Donald Here-cojn.,2 here "My name is not Donald," the Highlander said, approaching the spot. Never mind what your name is Do you see the plight I am in? I can never get out of this alone." "I udeed mon, I dinna think you can." And with that he turned away. "Good Heaven, are you going to leave me here to die?" the tourist cried. E!t-O'yoti want me to help you?" "Do I want you to help? What can I do. eiao r' "Sure, I dinna kno^yt" "Will you., help me?" "Aye—-if you want me." Oh, help, help, help me, in Heaven's name!" "Indeed, mon, why didn't you ask that in the first place?" and the Highlander quickly lifted him out and set him on hard ground.

I THE BANQUET. I Speech by Mr. Ash mead-Bartlett. In the evening, a banquet was given in the Albert-hall in honour of the Council of the National Union of Conservative Associations. The decorations, which gave to the interior of the building such a brilliant appearance on the occasion of the reception on the previous night, romained, whilst the room was made additionally gay by the presence of a number of ladies in even- ing dres" who occupied the galleries. A band, under the direction of Mr Sidney Horner, played a selection of popular airs at intervals during the repast. Mr Thomas Cordes, the Conservative candidate for the Monmouth Boroughs, presided over a company which numbered about 250. Amongst those at the cross table were the Duke of Norfolk, Lord Tredegar, Lord Emlyn, M.P., Lord Claude Hamilton, Col. the Hon. F. C. Morgan, M.P., Mr J. A. Rolls, M.P.. Mr Staveley Hill, Q.C., M.P., Mr E. Ashmead-Bartlett. M.P., Mr B. St. John Ackers, M.P., Mr Dixon Hartland, M.P., the Hon. A. Morgan, Sir A. Mackworth, R.E., Sir W. T. Charley, Q.C., the Hon. G. Curzon, Col. Lindsay, Mr C. E. Howard Vincent, Mr J. T. D. Llewelyn, Mr W. S. Meredyth, Mr B. F. Williams, &c. The toast list was not commenced till five minutes to ten. The loyal toasts given from the chair having been duly honoured, Lord EMLYN proposed "The Bishops and Clergy and Ministers of all Denominations." The Rev. T. L. LISTER, Newport, who re- sponded, claimed that the Conservative party was one which did not stand in the way of reform —(applause)—and that it was no enemy to pro- gress. Mr DIXON HARTLAND, M.P., gave the "Army, Navy, and Reserve Forces." He said the toast should be peculiarly acceptable at the present time, for the only ray of comfort during the shame and infamy of the past five years came from the achievements of the army. He condemned the policy of the late Government in respect to recent wars, and said that at the next election the Liberals would have have to pay for Gordon's blood. He thought it was a crying shame that our army should have to wash out by prodigies of valour the mistakes made by a Government. Lieut.-Col. Sir A. MACKWORTH first replied, after which Mr ASHUEAD-BARTLETT, M.P., replied for the navy. He said it was a great privilege to be called upon to respond for the navy, which was at once the bulwark and the pride of this country. (Applause.) He would make no invi- dious comparisons with the other great services which shared with the navy the proud duty of maintaining the honour and greatness and security of the empire, but he would say this—the navy had never fallen short of its duty; the navy had always been adequate to the demands made upon it. From the earliest ages it had surrounded these islands with im- penetrable defences, and he believed that if the necessity arose in the future it would guard our liberties and our greatness, as nobly and as successfully as in the past. (Applause.) Now, he held a very honourable position in Her Majesty's Government with regard to the navy, and though his experience had been slight, this ho could say with the utmost conlidence-there never had been a time when the personnel, the officers and men of tba navy had been in a position more adequate to the needs of the Empire but he was sorry to say that the time had gone by when men's courage and skill alone could hope to win the day. In these days of marvellous military and naval science, when all the resources of discovery and researches were applied to warfare, it was too much to expect either our soldiers or sailors to perform the same great functions which they performed in the past unless they wer;: furnished with all the resources which civilisation and wealth and science could put at their disposal—(applause)— and this was particularly true of the navy. He supposed that there was no more wonderful development of modern science than one of our first class fighting ships. He confessed to having been perfectly astonished when he went over one of these ships for the first time to see how from stem to stern, from mast to keel, there was hardly an inch vvliciliwasnot utilised, and in themostremark- able scientific and intricate way for the purpose of warfare. Well, this could not he done without considerable expense, and, lIe hoped, that if this country was economical, or he should say parsimonious, with respect to the other services, it would not be so with regard to the navy. Think for one moment what it was to guard this great empire anct the commerce of these reahns. What would be our fate if for a single year we lost command of the seas ? We were dependent upon foreign countries for our supply of food, and if we were to lose the command of the seas it would not mean an ordinary defeat, but absolutely impotence and destruction. This proud country would be beaten to her knees. The utmost courage, determination, and skill cannot resist the terrible argument of starvation, and we might be compelled to submit to any terms—the loss of honour, the loss of empire, perhaps the loss of liberty-if we were to lose the command of the sea. He saw the other day in some paper—not a Tory paper, he was proud to say—but a paper representing the extreme section of their opponents—a sneer at the new Government, because it was supposed that they were going to spend more money on the navy. The new Government had not said they were going to do it. It was an attempt to forestall what might be necessary to be done. Well, if the new Government did'spend it he thought they might promise the public this: they should know what was going to be spent. (Applause.) He felt as- sured that the Government would tell the country what they were going to spend and what they had spent, and that they would have something to show for the expenditure. (Applause.) It was this panic expenditure that neglected to provide for the defence and main- tenance of the honour of the country in time of peace and tranquility, and then when danger approached it was the curse of the land. (Hear, hear.) One million of money spent in times of peace would go further than three millions spent in way in which the late Government spent their £ 11,000,000. How much had the country got for those £ 11,000,000? (Cries of "Nothing.'5) In a remote corner of one of the Royal dockyards he lately saw a melancholy spectacle: it was the remains of the Suakim-Berber Railway, which had been taken out to Egypt only to be brought back again,without having been of the least good to aiiybody. (Hear, hear.) He should like to refer to another and different topic he meant Mr Chamberlain and his programme. He was not going to attempt to analyse that programme, but he did feel curious to know why it was that the country had heard nothing of this programme before. Its originator had held a prominent place in politics for some time; he had been a member of a powerful Ministry for six sessions, and yet until now nothing had been heard of a graduated income- tax, free education, and small allotment. of land. It was, in his opinion, a remarkable conversion that on the eve of a general election this powerful Minister of the crown who has dictated to the Cabinet, should have made these proposals, and yet previously that he should never havo breathed a word on the subject. It suggested to the speaker that there was a little unreality and a little hypocrisy on the part of the lion, gentlemen. (Hear, hear.) Mr Bartlett also referred to the boast which Mr Chamberlain made at the recent dinner at Greenwich, that his hands were now free, and his voice, with that of Sir z-, r I eq Dilke,might now be raised on behalf of freedom and justice. What a confession was that for a Cabinet Minister to make It was as much as to say that to keep place he allowed his hands to be tied, and his voice strangled. (Applause.) Mr Chamberlain was too busy bringing Russian friends on the road to India, too busy in causing carnage in the Soudan, in stirring up anarchy in Ireland, in alienating the Irish, and making them- selves ridiculous in the eyes of Europe, to I give heed to home questions such as free education, graduated Income-tax, and small hold- ings. Their Radical friends were also boasting that all the work of Lord Beaconsfield and Lord Salisbury at Berlin had been destroyed because some 2,400 wretched Bulgarians had united them- selves to 800 other wretched Bulgarians. These gentlemen forgot that Lord B';acm>field succeeded in the face of their faction and unpatriotism in keeping the peace of this country. He (the speakei) confessed that he- had little sympathy with the Bulgarians, because he remem- bered their treatment of a million or so of peaceful and industrious Mahonmiedau people, but ha joined issue with his Liberal friends in regard to the supposed destruction of all the fruits of the Berlin Treaty, because he remembered that the forces of a great power were encamped outside the walls of the greatest city of the world, and that the key of two continents was practically in the grasp of the Czar. England was also threatened with a great European War, and the very existence of our empire in the East was trembling in the scale. Bv the exercise of statesmanship almost unparalleled in the history of this country, Lord Beaconsfield and Lord Salisbury rescued that city from the grasp of Russia, preserved our interests—aye, and increased them—and maintained the p-jace of Europe without the sacrifice of a single life These and other results of the Berlin Treaty had been wiped out. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, the speaker believed there was a triumphant future before the Conservative party. Although no one could forecast the future, it was easy to see that the signs of the times were good. There was no union, no principle, and but little honour on the part of their opponents, and he believed that in the hearts and minds of the majority of Englishmen there was still respect left for those principles of honour which Conservatives held dear. (Hear, hear.) He rejoiced to hear of the wave of Conservatism which had rolled over France. He liked what Mr Dixon Hartland said about the present conference being a meeting of political warriors. Conservatives could do a great deal if they all did their duty during the six weeks before the general election, and he trusted that one of the results of the gathering of 'delegates would be that the electorate of Newport would return Mr Cordes as their member by a very large and emphatic majority. Col. JUSTICE having replied, Mr HOWARD VISCKNT proposed the "Lords and Commons." The Duke of NORFOLK, who first replied, devoted his remarks principally to a defence of the House of Lords, and at the same time con- demned those who went about the country letting loose chimeras calculated to upheave all that was sacred amongst us, Mr STAVELEY HTLL, Q.C., M.P., in replying to the toast, reviewed some of the conditions which would affect the return of the one party of the other to power, and observed that if it hap- pened to be their party it would be that of pro- ^ressive Conservatism. (Cheers.) Neither party could forecast the future but in any event Con- servatives must be prepared. (Hear, hear.) It was the part of a statesmanlike politician to look to the end. If they were not returned it would be their duty not to fold their bands and go to sleep, not to take part in obstruction, but by canvassing every measure, by a strict and close and careful examination, and by bringing before the people all the merits of everything which they brought forward to try to bring back the people of England to their old sense of right. (Loud cheers.) They had given to the people their 1 power. He believed the people wculd go with them. They would bold their (the Conservatives) views with regard to the establishment of the Church—(loud cheers)—and to making everybody pay a certain proportion to the education given. Lord EMLYN, who followed, was afraid that there was an idea in some minds that the Conser- vative cause was weak in Wales. He believed that was untrue. He believed that there was a vast amount of Conservatism in the Principality. He looked upon the Welsh as a people strongly endowed with common sense, and be had but little doubt that the next election would produce a very dif- ferent result from the last. Whichever Govern- ment should get into power, their duty would be not to foster one class against the interest ot another, but to regard equally all the claims of thai- people, and all their interest and rights. The CHAIRMAN gave The Council of the Na- tional Union of Conservative Associations." Lord CLAUD HAMILTON, M,P., who replied, drew a contrast between Conservatives and Liberals, in favour of the former, saying that the Liberals were like a flock lost in the wilderness until they received the manifesto of their aged shepherd. (Laughter.) When they saw Lord Salisbury on the morrow they were not likely to ofall dawn and worship him, as was the case amongst the sucking politicians-(Iaughter)-on the other side when confronted by their leader. He went on to deny that there had ever existed, or was likely to exist an alliance between the Conservative Government and the Nationalists of Ireland. Mr G. B. HOLLAND proposed the County Members;" responded to by Col. F. C. MORGAN, M.P., and Mr J. A. ROLLS, M.P. Lord COL- CHESTER next gave "The Conservative Candi- dates;" which was replied to by Mr B. Jr. WILLIAMS. Other toasts followed.

ARRIVAL OF LORD SALISBURY, The Premier arrived at Newport from Padding- ton by the 9.50 p.m. train. A large crowd had been admitted to the platform, and outside there was a still greater assemblage, while the streets in the vicinity were also largely filled. The noble lord travelled alone by saloon carriage, and immediately the train drew up there was an outbnrst of cheering, which was maintained till his lordship had passed out. He was received by Lord Tredegar, whose guest he will be. The carriage drove direct to Tredegar House. It was remarked by those who stood near that Lord Salisbnry looked unusually pale, and even careworn. Lord George Hamilton was expected by the same train, but did not arrive.

Lord Salisbury's Manifesto. The World says:—Whether or not Lord Salis- r bury issues any manifesto to his followers, his speech at Newport will be an authoritative expo- sition of the principles and policy of the Tory party. I believe that the declarations of the Prime Minister will give fresh evidence of the rapid and startling progress of the education of the Tory party. Lord Salisbury intends not only to adopt# but to trump, Mr Gladstone's scheme of land reforms. The Government are prepared to abolish primogeniture to limit, if not to do away with, entails to establish a system of registra- tion of titles and to reduce to a minimum the I cost of conveyance of real property. These are the reforms that Mr Gladstone proposes but Lord Salisbury will go considerably beyond them. The Tory candidates for the county divisions have found that the labourer is deeply interested in the allotment question, and I hear that the Conservatives have made up their minds to propose a large extension of the allotment system. They intend to act on Lord Tollemache's suggestion, and they are con- fident that if they do this they will be able to win a largo amount of support from the agricultural labourers. The Government will, however, have I nothing to do with Mr Chamberlain's proposal for giving the local authorities power to buy land, and sell or let it out to small occupiers but it is said that they have under consideration the I establishment in England of something analogous to the Encumbered Estates CitUrt in Ireland.