South Wales Echo

SOUTH WALES TIDE TABLE. Oct.| !CARDIFF" | SWANSEA.t I NEWPORT Oct. _?IOr-; Evn. Hg-tJ\Ior:;Ern'ItJ:OLiEVII_!g¡ 23 31 5 20 5 M32 7? 4 24 4 ?29 9 5 33 5 5Ù3 0 24 T 5 59 6 21/ 4 10 5 4 5 26 31 7 6 12 6 34 35 3 25 W 6 41 7 236 5 5 45 6 532 10 6 54 7 1536 10 26 T, 7 23, 7 4337 3 6 G5 6 4633 6 7 36 7 5637 8 27 F 8 2 8 25 37 2 7 5 7 26 33 5 8 15 8 36 37 7 28 S 8 43 9 5 36 0. 7 47 8 1132 8 8 56 9 18 36 5 a9 9 27? 9 5134 2?8 ,z 69 2,30 6 9 4010 434 0 23 c,' 9 27: 9 5134 2: 8 36 9 230 6 9 4010 434 0 30 M 10 14:10 35 31 5?9 24. 9 49 23 110 2710 48 31 10 '•"a'h.'i-lliL?— LlL-Llii-Jl[ Waies Dk. lAlexaudia i).

TO ADVERTISERS. The South Wales Echo is GUARANTEED to have a Larger Circulation than that of ALL the other Evening Papers of South Wales and Monmouthshire added together. As regards Cardiff aJone, it is almost un. necessary for us to add that the circulation of the Smith Wales Echo is IMMENSELY GREATER than that of any other Evening Paper. ROGERS' AK ALES & PORTERS IN 14 GALLON CASKS and VFW ARlk FReM 19D PER GALLON BREWERY, BRISTOL. CARDIFF STORES, 24o 9, WORKING-STREET.

The Man About Town. I A brief reference to the sad monotony of Cardiff houses which I made yesterday has roused a jaded public. lam told to "go on"—though what use that would be I know not no amount of going on will mature the pippin of a "villa" into the respectable size due to a comfortable tene- ment. The fact is we don't live in our houses, but outside them. Let there be a double bay window and a glass door and three bits of Bath stone and we never in- quire what the size of the rooms may be or whether the walls are built of stone or of bladder-blown air Look at the houses in any street you like. What lack of variety, what meagreness of design, what sad monotony, what everlast- ing sameness. There is not one that is not own brother to the other. The only difference is that one is bigger. Take a bay window, a hot and cold bath-room, and a .1 fancy chimney, and you have all that a Cardiff house consists of. You may become wealthy and want a larger house it will be all the same, only that the bay window may be doubled, the bath-room will be swollen, and the fancy chimney will be the mother of a family. A new road is made—every house exactly the counter- part of its neighbour one long, dreary row of ugly tenements cut out by a stamp from raw clay Is not the thing absurd ? Is it to be really supposed that the art of the architect is absolutely dead in our midst, and that nothing is left of it but the memory of some obsolete design wherffby some prehistoric man in the stone age erected a rude hut of boulders for himself 'I We have great cause for complaint. If houses were built with some view to taste and beauty, if the best thought were taken of variety, if there were the slightest varia- tions in character and design, how much more noble and inspiring would our great towns become Just think of Plasturton Gardens, with its noble site and the vast pos- sibility of a fine series of little pretty houses all following a general artistic design, yet each differing without being incongruous It is so elsewhere. Nay, I have mentioned Cardiff because in justice I cannot add Newport. There, in the suburbs, there is far more grace and beauty in Villadom than in Cardiff. There is some thought of eloquence and variety, and the result is that residentially Newport is far ahead of Cardiff in point of attraction, and many be the people who leave business at Cardiff each night to reach their home-in Newport One word Jnote. Do not let it be supposed for a moment that the beauty would make the house more expensive. Not in the least. It would take no more trouble, ij the architect be capable, to devise a pretty design than an ugly one. It would make no difference to the size of the house, only that in shape it would not seem to be one of a set made by the thousand and sold cheap retail But the fact is that architecture seems to be a lost art. There is no attempt at originality or beauty. Every house is designed alike, and when you go to Mr Cornerstone and ask him to build you a good house, the only point you do not know before hand with absolute accuracy is whether the front door will be to the left or right of the window and whether the house will be faced with Portland stone or Radyr stone, and whether the Bath Room will be alongside the Drawing Room or in the rear. These momentous points of difference he will decide with his own huge brain. The other trivial points, such as the aspect, position, character, design, and the rest—for these poor trifles he has no time, I assure you they were all settled for him some centuries ago by the first Jerry Buil- der and it is high treason to vary them by one job There are vague rumours of a visit to be paid by Mr Solomon J. Solomon, one of the iinest living painters of the nude, to Cardiff. This is an opportunity that should not be lost. Gentlemen of the Pencil and the Pallette, what is to be done to greet him 2 With pleasure I spare a few lines to com- mend to public notice a good work which is to be undertaken during the coming winter in Cardiff. Whether the promoters have been inspired by General Booth's Darkest England" scheme, wherein, it will be re- membered, the only General proposed to gather cast-off clothes and other unconsidered trifles of housekeepers, and to convert them into articles of utility, I can't say but the Cardiff philanthropists are calling for gifts of old garments, which they will alter and fit to the needs of the street children. They will hire a room some- where in the centre of the town, where, after having branded the clothes inside, and duly warned pawnbrokers not to receive such articles in pledge, they will distribute them to the necessitous youngsters, who otherwise, would go insufficiently clothed through the bitter weather of the coming winter. I call upon my readers to help in the good work, the appeal for which will be out shortly. Touching upon the street children leads me to ask—How is it that so many .children are running about the public thoroughfares uncared for < Where are the School Board attendance officers ? A story comes to me from Butetown which seems to indicate that something like ecclesiastical pressure is being brought to bear upon youngsters of the poorer classes so that they may come under Church influence, and the suggestion is made that the new Wesleyan Mis- sion down there shall establish, as one of its branches of operations, a day school, which shall be free from features to which some parents object in the teaching of the existing schools of that locality. Without venturing to come beneath tne avalanche always ready to fall upon the head of him who enters into educational, theological; or such controversies, I may content myself with putting the question Why are so many children still outside the operations of the School Board ? If the board's officers did their work more thoroughly there would be more children in the schools, and com- plaints of ecclesiastical pressure would not be forthcoming. Should the inquiry into Cardiff muni ments be carried out, as there now seems some likelihood of its being, not a few very interesting facts will be discovered. For instance, I have learnt incidentally that documents of great interest, and probably also of considerable value, having direct relation to municipal affairs, were disposed of as ordinary waste paper at the sale of the effects of a former town clerk. That is how Councillor Trounce became possessed of the Town Commissioners' minute book, he having purchased it from some one who obtained it at the time of sale. I am told that there is in Cardiff Castle a great store of old documents, whether relating to Cardiff or not cannot be said, but certainly of high historic interest, and lying there valueless because unexamined. The Historical Manu- scripts Commission have done work of inestimable value by their examinations of old deeds and documents in private posses- sion, and if the Commissioners were to deal with the documents at the Castle we should doubtless find, even though Cardiff were not benefited, a great addition of our store of knowledge concerning the past history of the castle and district. My informant in speaking of the docu- ments says there are hundreds of them. But probably we should go further, The Pembroke family, seated at Wilton, near Salisbury, are the direct descendants of the Earl of Pembroke, who held lordship in these regions and who owned Cardiff Castle. Unfortunately, so far as I can learn, these Pembroke manuscripts have not been ex- amined. May we hope that both Cardiff Castle and Wilton House will be the scene of early attention from the learned membeis and officers of the commission.

DEATH BY MISADVENTURE, I A Stationmaster Killed. I The Result of a Wager. I The coroner for Essex yesterday held an inquiry at Stanford-Ie-Hope into the circumstances attending the death of Mr George Bland, who for 25 years had been stationmaster at Stanford- le-Hope railway station. It seems that on October 19th a bet was entered into between some custo- mers at the Railway Hotel, Stanford, and a man named Linn, that Linn should go to Horndon and return to Stanford with his trap within 25 minutes. The bet was accepted, and he set out for Horndon. When the time had nearly expired some of the party at the hotel went to the station, at which there was a level-crossing, to witness the return of Linn. There they met the stationmaster, and after some conversation concerning the bet, the giktes at the crossing were closed. A minute or two later the trap was heard approaching at a rapid pace. A man who rode in the trap told the jury that when he saw the gates closed Linn did his utmost to pull up his horse, bnt that his efforts were unavailing. The stationmaster was knocked down, and the next day he died. The Coroner said if the stationmaster knew of the bet, and then de- liberately closed the gates to thwart the feat, he was an active agent and contributed to the fatality.—The inquiry lasted upwards of six hours, and after a deliberation of over half an hour the jury returned a verdict of Death by misadventure," and censured Linn and a man named Attridge for the part they had taken in the matter, the foreman adding that the jury considered that the deceased was aware of the bet, and had wilfully closed the gate.

SUICIDE OF A LADY. WASHINGTON, October 27th.—Considerable sensation was caused here this morning by the suicide of Miss Daisy Garland, daughther of the Hon. Augustus Garland, ex-Attorney General of the United States. The deceased shot herself in the head with a revolver. She was 34 years old. It is supposed that she was suffering from some form of dementia.. -Beitter.

CAPTAIN GOSCHEN'S ILLNESS. The Press Association is informed by Mr (.loachen that the reports published re?u'ding the illness of his son, Captain Goschen, are much Iexaggerited. Captain Go.?c?.on has practic?Hy ecovered.

The Charges Against Indian "Oculists." SINGULAR- EViDENOEFGRTHE DEFENCE Further Extraordinary Disclosures. The trial of the four Indian oculists, Heere Shah, 26, Khair Deen, 26, Shahah Bedeen, 28, and Kream Bocesh, 36, was continued yesterday at the Central Criminal Court-before the Com- mon Serjeant, Sir Forrest Fulton, Q. C. The prisoners are indicted for unlawfully conspiring together to defraud divers persons who went to them for the purpose of being treated for diseases of the eye. There are other counts charging them with con- spiring to defraud divers persons-Mr Charles Mathews and Mr Bodkin prosecuted on behalf of the London and County Medical Protection Society Mr Jarvis and Bovill Smith appeared for Heere Shah and Mr Ball and Mr Warbur- ton for the other prisoners.—Dr. Hugh Wood was called for the prosecution, and gave the result of an analysis he had made of the cones, pills, &c., found in possession of or used by the prisoners, whose names, he added, did not appear in the Medical Register. The cones contained a considerable amount of zinc oxide, the effect of which., on the eye. would be to make it blood- shot and set up irritation. The pills consisted of A Sugar Confectionery, I the rind of some fruit, which he could not deter- mine, and something which resembled ipecacu- anha, and was the only active principle. He took one of the pills, but it affected him in no way. (Laughter.) The snuff was merely ground tobacco. IN cross-examination he admitted that he was one of the secretaries of the London and County Medical Protection Society, and that his brother was the prosecuting solicitor. The society Jome timtt ago prosecuted the Indians for having falsely described themselves as doctors, but Mr Cooke, at Marlborough-street Police-court, dismissed the proceedings on the ground that the Indians, being foreigners, were not acquainted with the law.—The Common Serjeant said he was quite sure so experienced a magistrate as Mr Cooke did not dismiss the case on any such ground. Ignorance, of the law was not held to be a sufficient excuse in this countrv. Witness said the offence had to be wilfully done according to the section, and the magistrate did not consider the offence was wilful.—Mr Bodkin said he was instructed by the solicitor in the case that Mr Cooke did say that, as foreigners in this country, the prisoners could not be held to know the terms of the section, and, therefore, dismissed the case.—Detective-Sergeant Hawkins and Detective Stephens having given evidence of the arrest of the prisoners, the case for the prose- cution closed. THE DEFENCE. I Mr Jarvis then argued that as far as Kream Bocesh was concerned there was no evidence that he had been guiity of false pretences. He was only concerned in one case-that of Elizabeth Parsons, who admitted that she was benefited.— The Common Serjeant said he could not hold there was no evidence.—Mr Warburton, on be- half of the other prisoners, argued that it had not been shown that there was any fraudulent object. -The Common Serjeant said it was clearly no offence in law to be an unqualified medical practitioner. He should tell the jury, in the case, that it was entirely a question of the prisoners' bona tides. If the prisoners honestly believed, although they might be mistaken, that they were doing what was proper and legitimate, then the prosecution could not establish their case. He did not think it could be said that there was no evi- dence for the consideration of the jury.—Mr Bodkin agreed that the question for the jury was as to the bona-fides of the prisoners.—Evidence was then called by Mr Jarvis on behalf of the prisoners.—Rushton Stephens, coal merchant, of Northampton, deposed that when he was a. child he had brain fever, which affected his eyes, and left him with pains in the head. He consulted various ophthalmic surgeons in London from time to time, but they afforded him no relief. In 1893 he consulted Hsere Shall and other Indians in Wellinborough. They Lanced his Tempies and Blistered him. and placed dressmg in his eyes. He had con- tinued under their treatment since, and had been benefited. He had lost the pains in his head, and his sight was stronger, clearer, and a little longer than it was before he went to the prisoners.— Wm. Randle, 63 years of age, of Wellingborough, said that previous to March, 1893, he was blind in his right eye for seven years. In June, 1888, and August, 1892, he WAS treated at Moorfields Hospital. He was told on his first visit that his right eye was blind and his left ulcerated. His was treated, but between his first and second visit his sight got worse. After his second visit to London he heard of and visited some Indian oculists at Bedford, and subsequently in March last he saw Heere Shah at Kettering. At that time he could nob see his way about. Heere Shah told him he was suffering from catarsct of the right eye, and he removed it. Witness added that it was just like A Transformation Scene I to him. He had not seen daylight for seven y< ars, and after the operation he could see all over the room.—The Common Serjeant: Can you see now? —Witness Yes, I can see you plainly, and my sight grows stronger every day. The glassEs he wore he got from Moorfields after the operation. —Cross-examined He was ignorant of the manner in which the cataract was removed. He only knew that he was suddenly able to see.—Thomas Whitehouse, of Loughborough, said that prior to March last he was suffering from very defective sight, due to cataract. HS had consulted various ophthalmic authorities, and had been told that no doctor in the world could restore his sight. He entered the Nottingham Infirmary, where he was operated upon, but he afterwards became totally blind. Subsequently he consulted the Indians. He saw Kream Bocesh, who treated him, but an operation was subse- quently performed by another Indian who was not then present. On that operation being per- formed he could see immediately. His eye was then bandaged, and he was told to go home and Rub it Twe or Three Times a Day I with a Brick. (Laughter.) He was told to warm the brick and wrap it in a cloth prior to the rubbing. (Laughter.) He could not say what effect rubbing the eye with a brick had. (Laughter.) He was told to do IT when he was,in pain. (Renewed laughter.)-Mr Mathews applied that these witnesses should be directed to remain in attendance until their eyes had been examiued by Dr. Critchett.—The Com- mon Serjeant assented to that being done pro- vided the prosecution paid the expenses of their detention.— Mr Mathews said that shouldbe done. George Martin, a painter, of South Tottenham, said his son suffered from defective sight, and during the last nine or ten years he had had him treated at St. Bar- holomew's, Guy's, and Moorfields, and Tottenham Hospitals, but the treatment did him no good. About nine months ago he took him toanlndian oculist, but he did not recognise either of the ptisoners as the Indian he saw. The Indian treated the boy, but performed no opera- tion. The boy's sight was now quite restored.— Mrs Becker, of Merton-road, Wandsworth, was next called. Asked whether she recognised the prisoners, she created much merriment, in which the prisoners joined, by exclaiming, I should think I did," and waving her handkerchief to them. The Indians, she said, with the exception of Bocesb, lodged with her. 8he deposed to hav. ing seen various operations performed, and to having subsequently written testimonials for the patients.-The Common Serjeant Was this per- son herself operated upon ?-Mr Matthews No, bub marvellously well treated. (Laughter.)— Witness said she had 11 Floatitigs Before the Eyes," I and the Indians gave her medicine, which cured her.—Maria Allan, of Loughborough, said that for 12 years prior to October, 1892, she was blind in her right eye, and she then went to the Indians. She saw an Indian who was not present, and another, whom she called Dr. Sixfoot," and pointed out as Kream Bocesb. (Laughter.) The Indian, who was not present, performed an operation, and she had been able to see since.— Cross-examined by Mr Bodkin She never was blind in her eye, but she could not raise her eyelid. Since the operation she had been able to do so.-Henry Ralph, watchmaker, Norwich, said that eleven or twelve years ago his sight began to fail and he ultimately be- came blind m the right eye. A doctor told him he Wu\l\¡ nut recover the sight of it. Subse- quently his left eye began to get dim, and in August, 1893, he consulted the Indian oculists in Norwich. He was operated upon and had since been able to see much better in his left eye. The Indian told him he could not give him back the sight of the right eye but would stop the pain, and he had done so.—Hannah Elizabeth Reede, of Higham, who said she had been totally blind, deposed that the treatment of the Indian oculists had enabled her to see objects near her and had eased the pain she formerly suffered. She was unable to identify any of the prisoners.—J atnes Palmer, of Norwich, gave similar evidence. Ho was asked by the Common Serjeant where he got the scar on bis right temple, and he said it was he mark left by the "warm plastej." A red hot iron was placed by the Indian on the spot and that was called I A Warm Plaster. I iaiigtiter.)-A juror said the witness was marked for life.-Tiio Common Serjeant: This is the first we have heard of the hot iron treatment, (Laugh- ter.)— Witr,gs. said he assented to the use of the iron. Some other cvidenceof successful treatment having been adduced, Dr. Mahomed M. Khan, of the Punjaub, who said he had been under Gen, Roberts, at Candahar, deposed that there was a special caste in India who acted as oculists. The passports produced, in which the prisoners were described as "proceeding to Europe to cure eye diseases, were usually used when natives were leaving India.—Cross-examined The men would be described in India as students of physicians and they belonged to a class of men who travelled the country.—In cross-examination by Mr Bodkin lie denied that he had suggested that Mr Wood, the solicitor for the prosecution, should give him employment under the Medical Protection Society. Mr Wood did not show him out of his office because he asked for £10 expenses.—Mr Bodkin Did you tell Mr Wood that these people were of the costermonger class in India ?- Witness Certainly not.—Mr Bodkin And that they would be soon stopped if they attempted to practise in Indiu ?-Witness Certainly not.— By the Common Serjeant: This class of persons continued in India to use the old method of couching for the removal of cataract. It was very successfully practised there. He continued to use this method himself, though he should endeavour to remove the crystalline lens of the eye. Asked to describe what was a cataract, witness said, I can't explain exactly in English. It is a sort of disease forming in front or the pupil of the eye." (Laughter.)—The Common Ser- jeant Very well, you can stand down. The further hearing of the case was adjourned.

Liberator Victims. I An Appeal te the Women of Engiand. The Duchess of Crratton and the Marchioness I of DI'fferin issue an earnest, appeal to the women of England for assistance in aid of the sufferers from the failure of the Liberator and its allied companies. It seems only natural that women should be anxious to help those who are suffering through the dishonesty and scandalous neglect of the management. An unusually large proportion of the shareholders and depositors are women, whose all, however little it might have been, had been invested in one or other of the group of companies that have collapsed. In the fullest sense of the word the shareholders are victims. They belong in many cases to classes very ignorant on the subject of investments, and having no knowledge themselves of business matters, they trusted implicity to the integrity of the men whose names they saw upon the hst of directors. Ladies who, while young, had worked hard as teachers, and had been success- ful in saving a sum that yielded an iiicotnc- very sitiall perhaps, but which satisfied them— suddenly realise that they are penniless, that no more dividends will come. Old servants, too feeble now to work, but who were serenely happy living "on their own savings," as they delighted to tell their intimate friends, find that they have been ruthlessly robbed. All have been be. trayed. Over 2,000 sufferers have applied to the fund for relief, of whom 1.385 are women (1,227 being widows or lone women) 427 of the victims are over seventy, and 57 are over eighty years of age. Twenty-four of the applicants for relief have passed away during the last few months through the shock of their loss, whilst five are now in the lunatic asylum. Donations, large or small, should be sent to the honorary secretary, the Rev. J. Stockwell Watts, 16, Farringdon- street.

The Late MrW. Simons. FUNERAL TO-DAY. I The mortal remains of the late Mr W. Simons I were interred this morning at the New Cemetery, Cardiff, the funeral being of a strictly private nature. The cortege left the late gentleman's residence, Fernleigh, Newport-road, shortly after eleven o'clock. The corpse was encased in an elm shell and this was placed in a panelled coffin of polished oak with brass handles and plate. The inscription on the latter was as follows:— William Vazie Longdnle Simons, Died 25th October, 1893, Aged 81 Years. There were five mourning coaches following the hearse, and also a number of private carriages. The chief mourners were the four sons of the de- ceased gentleman-namely, Messrs Charles, Syd- ney, Vazie, and Herbert Simons. Among the friends who attended in token of respect were Mr Archibald Hood, Dr. Sheen, Mr T. H. Stephens, Mr Rees Jones, Mr Robert Bird, Mr E. P. Martin Mr John Deffett Francis, Swansea Dr. Dyke, Merthyr Mr Biggs, Penylan Mr T. H. Thomas, and others, Captain R. Pomeroy, the dock master of Cardiff, represented Sir Wm. Thomas Lewis, who was unable to attend in consequence of his having engagements which necessitated his absence from Cardiff. Upon arriving at the cemetery, the remains were conveyed direct to the grave, and the entire service was conducted thereat by the Rev. G. W. Hanford, vicar of St. Andrew's. A number of beautiful wreaths were sent by sorrowing relatives and friends.

A Cattle Salesman's Divorce Suit. "A Tall, Muscular, Violent Woman." I In the Divorce Division to-day, a burly cattle salesman from Newcastle, named Bruce, sought a judicial separation from his wife, who was described as a tall, muscular, violent woman, on the ground of her cruelty. According to the evidence, the plaintiff had to call in a man to protect him, and on one occasion his wife threw a large lustre at his head, and he remained nine days in bed. The Judge, in grantinx Bruce's application, ordered him to contribute 91 weekly towards his wife's maintenance.

Horse v. Bicycle. I Buffalo Bill and M. Meyer. I PARIS, Saturday.—The twelve hours' race between Colonel Cody (Buffalo Bill) and M. Meyer, the French cyclist, in which the former competes on horseback against the latter who rides a bicycle, opened yesterday. The American changed horses four times, and covered a distance of 124 kilometres 375 metres (77-36 miles) in four hours, against his rival's 112 kilometres 220 metres (69'8 miles). The second four hours of the race will be run to-day, and the final section to- morrow. It tis now believed the cyclist will be beaten, although at the outset opinions on the eubjecb were about evenly divided. -Beute),.

A BOQUS INSPECTOR. I Every advance of civilisation enlarges the bump of felonious acquisitiveness. When gas was in- Tented thieves gained admission to houses by pre. ending to be gasmen; the telegraph system brought forth a race of petty larceners who wished to examine the wires on the roof; and now the electric light has made them assume the part of scientific electricians anxious to ascertain that the measuring apparatus is not going against the consumer. But those who assume this high- class style of thievery should always find out beforehand whether the house which they intend to pilfer has any electric light in it. A young Artful Dodger," who said his name was Jones and that he did not live any- where, made a mistake of this kind, and was favoured in consequence with the acquaintance of the magistrate at Westminster. He entered a house in Dean's-yard, and with a jaunty air re- marked to a servant that he was the electric-light inspector, and just wished to examine the fittings. "Hadn't he made a mistake ?" "Oh, no," he replied, "a West-end firm had given him the address." As there was no electric-lighting in the house the man was given into custody, and he was soon found out to be a thorough im- postor. It was stated to the magistrate that in the district a large number of robberies had been committed on the electric-light pretext, and in March last a bogus inspector got away from Ashley Gardens with £ 1,200 worth of diamonds belonging to a lady. The youug man of the name of Jones pleaded guilty, and Mr Hopkins sen- tenced him to three mouths' hard labour.

I GREENWICH EPIDEMIC. I Another Death. Elsie Taylor, another inmate of the Greenwich Union Infirmary, died last night from the pro- vailing epidemic. No fresh cases have occurred I p-ce Stuid«*y, and OTHER PATIENTS are doing well :"r

FOOTBALL NOTES. -1 [By Old Stager."] I The one subject uppermost in the minds of the Cardiff football fraternity just now, the one topic that absorbs conversation to the exclusion of all others, is the appearance of the Cardiff captain, Norman Biggs, in the ranks of the Richmond team last Saturday what time Cardiff were fight- ing one of their hardest fihts. We had been led to believe that Biggs was so badly hurt in the Neath match that it would be impossible for him to play for weeks to come, if indeed he ever played again. The announcement that he had gone to London to undergo an operation elicited our warmest sympathies, and naturally so. There is something ominous and awe-inspiring in the very word operation. It simply reeks of anaes- thetics, and surgeons' knives, and cutting and probing of flesh, and intense suffering. Speaking for myself, I may say that I read the announcement of the forthcoming operation with considerable pain. You see I have been through the mill myself, and I know I was not alone in my sympathy. Norman Biggs is such a favourite with the Cardiff football public that this is not to be wondered at. His breezy, genial manner, his undoubted merits on the field, have endeared him to everbody. And lo and behold while we were still hoping the doctors would let him off easily, along came the news that on Saturday, the last as ever was, of all days he way to play for Rich. mond. We talked the thing over on the field at New- port, and have been talking about it ever since. Honestly, although shown his name among the published list of selected Richmond players, I refused steadfastly to believe he would play. But when on Monday it was known for certain that he did actually play what were we to think ? Straightway the stories that have been going round of disagreement between Biggs and the committee were revived and repeated with added detail. Now I have heard every different version of the subject flying about but have studiously refrained, although specially requested to act contrariwise by over hasty correspondents, from saying anything about the matter. I kept out of the fray and managed to stall off some of our young bloods in the office, firstly because Norman Biggs has always been an especial favourite of mine among football men—have I not been roundly abused by other scribes for my allegiance ? —secondly, because I thought if even all that was said were true it was a little storm in a teacup that would certainly subside thirdly, because I did not want to publish anything that might possibly widen the breach—supposing any to exist—between Biggs and his committee, and fourthly and lastly, but not leastly, because I felt firmly convinced the chivalrous Norman" didn't stand out of the Newport match on account of any disagreement and least of all through funk. I am constrained to admit, however, that the circumstances, unexplained, were very suspicious. Biggs'S absence from Newport and presence in the Richmond team, did certainly lend colour and apparent corroboration to much that had been said, and a good many hard and bitter things have been said. All's well that ends well. Biggs has made his explanation, and a very convincing one too, and it only remains to express a hope that he will soon befit to take part in a rallive match and worthily uphold as of yore the reputa- tion of tho town. The Cardiff Committee, as a body, have come out of what might have proved an unpleasant difficulty with credit. Had they regarded out- side clamour Biggs last Monday night would have been asked to resign the captaincy. Instead of acting hastily they kept their beads, and better than all, held their tongues, resolved to say or do nothing until Biggs had been given an oppor- tunity of making a personal explanation. Duty called me to the Angel last Monday nisrht when the committee met, and I can personally testify to the discreetness that characterised' every member when their deliberations, prolonged till a late hour, concluded. It is true we of the Press were told something of what had transpired, but that was on the distinct understanding that nothing was to be published. As I had no desire in the best interests of Cardiff football to print anything that might lead to a split in the club, need I say how willingly I have kepb faith ? I trust those of my readers who have written meon this subject will gather from what has gone before good and sufficient reasons for the non- appearance of their letters. To have published some of these communications would only have tended to embitter the situation. And, over and above all, remember what I have kept steadfastly in mind We none of us had a right to judge a man unheard so, too, thought the committee, the members of which have gone up 50 per cent. in my estimation for the tact and godd sense they have displayed in handling this very delicate question. One word more. It has been said, with what truth I know not, that Biggs objected to Fitz- gerald as a centre on the ground that he (Biggs) was continually over-running him (Fitzgerald) through the latter (Fitzgerald) being too slow for him (Biggs). What price English composi- tion after that Now if Biggs said or main- tained anything of the kind before the com- mittee I venture to think as a free-born Eng- lishman that he or him (Biggs) talked the thing which is not to be supported by what we have seen hitherto. I imagine Fitzgerald is as fast as as Hancock was, and I presume A. J. Stewart, who used to play on Hancock's wing, was quite as fast, if not more so, than Biggs. • Stewart was given to "chawing the rag" (Anglice grumb- ling, growling or grousing), but never in bis wildest indulgences of the Britisher's proverbial privilege did I hear Stewart complain that he was too fast to hang in waiting on the ever- remembered chief of the celebrated team. When first I saw Fitzgerald this season against Moseley I unburdened my mind about his kick- ing when he should not have kicked, all in the way of fair criticism, according to my lights, and with no ill-feeling intended. I liked him much better at Newport, and count him a really good centre if only he will be content to play the Cardiff game, as he did at Newport. Let our Norman disabuse his mind—always supposing what is said to be true—on that point. Unless I am hugely mistaken he will find Fitz fully competent to send him a pass at the right time. As for the rumour that Biggs wants to play in the centre there may be something in that. Low comedians have admitted times out of mind that their real forte is tragedy, and I am firmly per- suaded myself that my proper mission is to write leading articles and not this kind of "muck." Unfortunately, I can't (induce any firm of news- paper proprietors to think with me. Let us put chaff on one side Biggs would do well in any position at three-quarters. He knows the game, and is a real good plucked 'un, with a heart always longing for the fray. Personally, I should like to see him in the centre if we could find a wing man and another centre fast enough to play up to him. As it is he can do far better service on the wing. Newport's visit to Bradford to-day will be watched with peculiar interest. Somehow we in in the South have got it intoour heads that Brad- ford is the Blackheath of the North. Why this should be thus, it is difficult to explain, seeing that other Yorbshire teams we have made mince- meat of take on Bradford and beat them easily enough. I suppose the explanation lies in the successes Bradford have achieved on their jour- neys down South when they have met Blackheath and Oxford and Cambridge Universities. On those trips they have done well and impressed Messrs Rowland Hill and Co. to such an extent that Bradford men havefigured largely in English International teams. The fact that Bradford have at length con- descended to take on a Welsh club, says volumes for the improved position of Wales in the Rugby football world. They might have been played so far back as Hancock's year by Cardiff, but the gate-sharing terms they offered were so absurd that Cardiff, who had sought the match, very properly stood on their dignity and refrained from going North. Would that Newport to-day had out their team of last .season I have no fear of our lads forward, but I don't count them nearly so good behind aa we have seen them. Bradford, like many English clubs I notice, are paying us the compliment of playing four three-quarters, one of whom is Cooper, the ex-Newportonian and recently transferred. Cooper, I believe, was fairly entitled to his transfer, but I don't like his playing to-day against the club that brought him into notice. My views on this sort of thing, I have reason to believe, are antiquated, but nevertheless I stick to them, and utterly decline to be "up to date." I hold and maintain that in football and other games, as in war, patriotism ought to be para- mount. Somewhere or other, in the fofcrcc, if I remem- ber aright, my ideas wera well expressed on th., occasion of a Surrey v. Nottingham cricket MATC^ which was won by the former mainly through the bowling of Lockwood, t native of Notts and a Surrey importation Said the writer, complaining of Lockwood's helpF- ng to defeat his own county, If an Englishman were to join the French army and help them figwl, the Germans we could not find fault with him", If, on the other hand, he chose to fight in tt4 French army aerainst England and we captur him we should shoot him." Which is my senlif; ments to a T." Cooper would have done well, in my hiirnbir. estimation, to have stood out of to-day's matcfe Anyhow, I expect Newport to win, if inly be; cause of Cooper's standing up against them. should be more sorry than I can express to fini the result otherwise. Cardiff have a full team—bar Norman Biggs <. out to meet Morris ton, and may be counted on tf win. Penarth should beat Pontypridd, Neath bea. Aberavon, United Hospitals beat Swansea, Peny graig do ditto with Bridgend, and Cardii; Harlequins beat Llaneliy, provided in the latter match the 'Quins have their full strength out. With regard to the Crimean nnt, Mutiny Veterans' match things are going swim- mingly. The Cardiff committee have granted thr loan of the Park, and Mr C. S. Arthur, the secretary, has kindly offered to arrange a RugbJ match of an interesting character between tW4 strong teams to precede the Association match originally fixed upon. We shall thus have a fait and square opportunity of contrasting the two games. A programme of this kind is unique in its way and ougiit to draw a gate that will help to materially assist the veterans' dinner club com- mittee. The latter, I understand, intend seeking the aid of the Newport, Swansea, Neath, and Llaneliy clubs, who it is hoped will not be behind the Cardiff Rugby and Association clubs in furthering a project that must commend itself to every Britisher who loves his country.

A Destructive Fira PITTSBURG, Saturday. Three seven-storej buildings in this city, belonging to the Pittsburg Storage Co. and the Chautauqua Lake Ice CON have been destroyed by fire, together with thei. contents. The loss is estimated at 250,000dols.- Beuler.

Spain and Morocco. Fighting at Port Guariach. MADRID, Saturday. -Lpst night it was state in military and political circles that fighting ha4 taken place at Fort Guariach, but no definite information was forthcoming. The substance 0' an official telegram, which has been communicated to the press, is, however, to the effect that at fout o'clock yesterday afternoon the Moors opened fire from the trenches upon the Spanish forces. The latter found themselves surrounded, and were compelled to retire. Up to the present no prest telegrams have been received concerning th* encounter, and this fact has excited some com- inent.-Central News.

Ardlamont Mystery. Who, and Where, is Scott ? ine identification of Scott, which tht authorities have made, amounts to this (writes a special correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette). A certain man answering the description of Scott," suddenly left his home immediatelj' after the Ardlamont tragedy. His occupation was that of a bookmaker, and his partner in his business has admitted his connection with THTF Monson clique before the tragedy. When THY public hear at Monson's trial the extraordinary number of persons in London who are suspiciously mixed up in the Scotch shooting case, they will be better able to realise the curious nature ot Scott's prolonged absence. The suspected man is known to be very ill and destitute of any means ot his own. His friends" have throughout the inquiry been coquetting for a safe opportunity to betray him, and he will do well to anticipate their treachery by throwing them all up while. the chance is in his hands. If Scott" treasures the hope of reward, I can tell him emphatically none will be offered. If he thinks he will be rewarded by anyone having an interest directly or indirectly in the £ 20,000 policies of insurance, he is leaning on a broken reed, because from in. formation I possess, I should say that no one will benefit by these policies in any form whatever.

CARDIFF ELECTIONS. The Cause of Labour. The following resolution was passed at the dis- trict meeting of the N.A.L. U., held at tbt Wyndham Arcade Hotel, on Friday evening:- That this meeting expresses its highest appre ciation of the splendid services rendered to the cause of labour by Councillor John Jenkint during his term of office in the Cardiff County Council, and hereby calls on the whole of the members of this Union to rally round him ou Wednesday next, and return him with a trium. phant majority, thereby showing his opponentt that Trades' Unionism must be represented." Mr Johnston and Mr Jenkins. Councillor,Johnstone has received the followinf letter Dear Sir,—I a.m much astonished to hear, upon m return. that it has been scattered abroad amongst W Grangeton electors that I am supporting the caudida. ture of Mr John Jenkins. I most emphatically deny this, and on the contrary wish Mr Box everXy BRAIN, success — Yours truly, J. A. BRAI", Mr R. Johnston, Grangetown.

A HUGE HEART. The Bradford borough coroner (Mr J. S., Hutchinson) held an inquiry at the town-hali yesterday morning into the death of Frederick Holdsworth (66), weaver, of Portland-street, whose dead body was found on Wednesday it Hammerton-street. Dr. Lodge said the post- mortem examination showed that deceased hat the largest heart he had ever seen. It was greatly degenerated, and weighed 17oz. The norma! weight should be about 10 or 11 ounces. There were injuries on the face which suggested a fall, but would not be enough to cause death. TH* jury returned an open verdict.

A BIBLE IN MATABELE. Among the many versions of the Bible, now numbering more than 60, in whole or part, sup plied by the Bible Society for Africa alone, thert is one, the society reminds us, which is in use among the Matabele. More than 60 years age Dr. Moffat began his Bechuana Bible, and thtf book—which is intended for the use of tht Bechuana and the Matabele people—has beet subjected since then to frequent and most careful, revision. So lately as 1892 an edition of the Neve Testament, in pocket size, was carried through the press, and an edition of the Bible, to be re produced by the photo process, was authorised.

A FALSE STATEMENT. Board of Trade Prosecution. Andrew Anderson, a seafaring man, wa< charged at the instance of the Board of Trade- before Mr Gooch and the mayor (Councillor W, E. Vaughan), sitting in the Cardiff Police-court this morning—with malting a false statement at to the name of his last ship, when engaged 01 the s.s. Gelert on the 26th inst. Mr Dashpel appeared on behalf of the Board of Trade. De- fendant admitted the offence, and was fined fØ and costs, or 14 days' hard labour.

SMUGGLING TOBACCO. Attempted Bribery. At Liverpool to-day, Samuel Birtlee, draper Altrincham, was ordered to pay B5 for smuggling tobacco, and also fined £ 10 and costs for attempt- ing to bribe a Customs officer. The accused camc from America by the Lucania, and the tobace< was found among his baggage after he half dechred he had nothing dutiable. During th search he slipped DG into the cfficer's hand which was refused.

PHELAN AS AN INVENTOR [SPECIAL TEr,EGRA1 TO THE "ECHO."] lw Chester Chronicle of to-day states that t few diys before the sentence of six months' iin prisonment was passed upon him, Daniel Francir Phelan, of Upton Park, Chester, patented t curious invention for applying artificial atmos pheric pressure to sailing vessels. The inventor cla nis that he ha. d claims that he has discovered a method of sailinj vessels in a dead calm, and in any direction, b", means of artificial atmospheric pressure.

1 HE VERY BUST BAKGAIN for a penny is a cop; ofthe Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News It is a large 72 column paper crowded futt of net stories by popular novelists, special articles, and new of the we t,