Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register

O-U-M LAD IE S' COLUMN J "AY ONE OF THEMSELVES ■ — PA-M TMAIFTS OF FEBRUARY."—LONDON SPAR- EUIVS.—" SNOWDROPS AT HOME."—" SNOW- DROP" AS A FAIRY.—A PRETTY LITTLE FAIRY PLAY.—A BIRTHDAY FETE.—THE BOY ViorrN- CELLIST.—JEAN GERAEDY.—THE PANTOMIME AT DRTTRY LANE.—LADY DUNLO.—DOMESTIC DRAMAS.—COARSENESS NOT "VI IT.—A DODGE IN COOICERY.—SOME NICE RECIPES AND QUO- TATIONS. Snowdrops, the fair maids of ifibruary, plucked by loving hands from their mossy bed in the far-off wilds of Cumberland, packed in a box lined with soft green moss, and covered over with twigs of pretty brownish green ivy, make me almost forget the dull, dark winter days through which we poor Londoners have passed, uncheered by any glimpse of the sun's rays, which must indeed have tempted these little white flowers, like "pendant flakes of vegetating snow," to push their heads out of their under- ground bed to greet the welcome light and the lirsfc breath of spring in their pure and fogless home. Oh, how different are their surroundings now since they entered my London abode. The very dingy little sparrows, as they perch on the window sill and chirp and chatter away on the black and leafless branches of the old plane tree, which overshadows us, seem to look with wonder at the hapless blossoms all pure and white on my table in a large flower glass, to pity them, and to wonder how they got there. They do not seem to understand that even such a martyrdom as theirs, when it gives happiness and joy to others, may be blessed, and is worth enduring. Was it not Wordsworth who addressed a sonnet to this little flower, in which lie calls it- Chaste snowdrop, venturous naroinger or spring, And pensive monitor of fleeting years." I think Prior, who also writes of the crocus, says of the snowdrop— Soft, voiceless bell, whose spire I Rocks in the grassy leaves like wire. In solitude." We shall now soon be welcoming the crocse, I find I am longitig to see whether the floral car- pets in the Regent's Park will be as beautiful as usual this spring. I dare scarcely think of the daffodils and the primroses, which make even the sharp east winds of March endurable, and we who have to stay in the close atmosphere of a city almost envy the rosy cheeks and cold red fingers of the dear young folks who will soon gather them as they blossom in their native p,,tstiireo,to pack, and to send to the smoke- dried aunties and cousins in London, who gladly welcome every whiff of pure country air. Whilst revelling in the delicious snowdrops which arrived from the North in the morning, we were bidden in the evening to another "anow- drop" entertainment—for in the old house at Golder's Hill, which I have before described as belonging to my friend, Sir Spencer Wells, Bart., was enacted a charming little fairy play called Snowdrop." It was written by Mrs. Oscar Beringer expressly for this entertainment, whieh was really the birthday fete of our genial host, who looked as well, and as- much pleased with his guests, both young and old, as though the two figures which indicate his age had been reversed. It was n delightful version of the old fairy tale of "Prince Charming," and there he was. the charming Prince himself, and Tremo- laiido, the terrible-looking Prime Minister of Nowhere. The Princess Snowdrop, "a model of old-fashioned virtue," was personated by Miss Esme Beringer, and Queen Tempestarata (an awful Tartar) was acted by Miss Vera Beringer, the "real, original, only little Lord Fauntleroy," whose genius for the stage is already very remarkable. She is intelligent, bright, and takes up all the points in her assumed character very cleverly, though she is still quite young. We shall hear more of her. The six little dwarfs who lived in a wood, and found Snowdrop in her magic sleep, were most delightful, all dear little girls and boys, neighbours of our host, all of very tender age, dressed in little brown suits with pretty green c-lonks, and green cloth pointed caps on their six pretty little heads. Their capers and antics and their baby fun created great amusement in the audience, and when the play was over and dancing began they were, I saw, the favourite partners of all the best dancers. The scenery for this very pretty play was the work of the artistic daughter of the house, and the costumes were for the most part home made, and due to the ingenuity of the respective nurses of the six little dwarfs whose names appeared on the dainty programmes as costumiers for the occasion. A well-arranged refection gave the grown-up quests an opportu- nity for the expression of good wishes and con- gratulations to our kind and distinguished host, whose own career has for many years been of such infinite value to our own sex in the sur- gical treatment of disease, that I felt as if all women owed him a debt of gratitude, and might well wish him a long life and join in his birthday felicitations. My objection to youthful prodigies is pretty well known, but though they do exist I cannot apply them to the violoncello recital of Master Jean Gerardy, at which I was present in St. James's Hall but lately. He is a well- grown boy, who is said to be but twelve years of age he declares, however, that he desires his performance t oe judged quite irrespective of his age, arii certainly it as marvellous. He plays with great skill and i-).ucli feeling, and if one could listen with one's jyes shut, the age of the performer certainly never would be guessed. His selection of music was excellent and varied, and the tones he brought out from his instrument peculiarly sweet and yet powerful. Of course, this youthful violincellist was the prominent feature of the concert, though we had some charming violin solos from M. Johannes Wolff, and some songs by Mr. Plunket Greene. I observed the veteran violincellist Piatti in the stalls listening to the youthful performer with interest and evident approval, especially when he played pieces from the music of Schumann and Bach, which are familiar to all concert goers in the repertoire of our great violincellist himself. The talented Brousil family were also amongst the audience, and the performance was heartily ap- plauded by these competent judges as well as by many critical musicians whom I saw there, so that I think young Gerardy may count his recital an eminent success. He is an intelligent, good looking boy, with no airs or graces what- ever, but with evident earnestness in his work, and pleasure in his chosen profession. Genius he undoubtedly possesses, but it is not of the sickly, excitable kind neither is he dressed at all remarkably, but just like other boys of his age, in a dark cloth suit and knickerbockers, his hair cut like a schoolboy's, and no attempt is evident to make him look younger than lie i. lie made his bow in a manly, oroper fashion, though his eyes brightened and his cheeks flushed when the applause w.is very marked, and he was recalled to the platform over and over again by the delighted audience. At last I have seen the pantomime. I mean the pantomime produced at Drury-lane Theatre of Beauty and the Beast, written partly or adapted by Mr. Sheriff Augustus Harris. Every- thing undertaken by this remarkable man is sure to be done as well as it can be done. He possesses the wonderful gifts and power of his race, which from the time of their escape from Egyptian bondage has helped them to overcome difficulties, and the same love of glitter and show, spectacle and novelty, which in its results takes us all by surprise. In pageants of all kinds and in the scenery, dresses and tableaux of I a pantomime Mr. Harris is unrivalled. Doubt- less this year's pantomime is a great tinancial success. Lady Dunlo, with her unenviable notoriety, is thereas "Beauty," and apretty good- looking girl she is, in spite of her theatrical get. up. One could wish her a better fate than her own. The Beast we saw but little of, and he was not the beast of my imagination at all, and as for the merchant's elderly daughters, personated by Mr. Harry Nicholl and Mr. Herbert Campbell, they are amusing and funny enough, if only they would not think it necessary also to be vulgar I cannot see the fun of being obliged to look at the disgusting spectacle of a drunken may-. perpetually. I see nothing amusing in whim- perings and ravings due to overdoses of a'cchol- and yet these interludes produced shouts of laughter from the gallery and pit. Of course, I the little children in the boxes and stalls, for whom pantomimes are supposed to be intended 'I and written, understood nothing of this unseemly mirth, but looked in vain for various incidents of the old fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast" with which they were quite familiar. The tale itself is so sunk in a mass of events which bear no relation whatever to our nursery legend, that I fear most of the little heads got terribly confused, and it was a great relief to recognise the beautful Rose Garden, where the Beast lay in wait for the too confiding merchant, when he tried to pluck a white moss rose for his favourite daughter. The Ballet of the Roses it graceful and pretty, but the little children were certainly not as numerous and as attractive as in former pantomimes. I sometimes wish it were possible to produce a real child's pantomime, without any of the stupid topical allusions and I songs which the lowest class of spectators always cheer so loudly. I should much like to realise I the dreams and imaginings of my own child- hood, when I used taney at one day I mighi, really see a living Little Red Riding Hood, a sweet sad Beauty, and her kind old Beast, but when I venture to suggest the possibility of such a thing I am told "It would be too slow, it would not pay, and no one would come to see it." Well, perhaps so, and I must be content to see the realisation of my wishes on the impro- vised stage of the drawing room, where my young folks have many a time acted with pleasure to themselves and delight to their audience, any one of Miss Corner's pretty adaptations of well known fairy stories for a company of amateur actors. There w\ Beauty and the Beast," in never to be forgotten costumes, which occupied us all for weeks beforehand in preparation, and I I am quite sure that our Beast," with his coat l of fur and his moveable fierce looking head, both of which were instantly removeable behind a, rose bush when he wished to appear in the full radiance of his knightly armour and richly com- parisoned cape and hose, would have compared! favourably with the Beast at present to be seen in Drury Lane, to say nothing of our own charming Beauty" and the chorus of sweet voices which lulled her to sleep. But a pantomime is different from a parlour fairy tale, and the story is but a peg to hang all sorts of extraneous and wonderful matters upon. Last of all came the transformation scene,! which introduces the noise and riot, and broad I coarse jokes, which are perhaps remnants of the old days, when the stage was not what I am glad to say it is now. The procession of viands ¡ for Beauty's wedding breakfastculminating in I her enormous bridecake;, introduced the elowns i and pantaloon, with 4LI1 their time-hononred jI nonsense.and tomfoolery. < I have latel-y heard of a little dodge in cooking which can do no one any harm, and which I know produces an excellent effect in sauces of various kinds. A friend of mine has written a little cookery book called "Soups, savouries and sweets," with a quotation from well-known writers ou each page, appertaining to the recipes I she gives. In many of her very tasty nice sauces, she advises the addition of a pinch or a salt-spoonful of bicarbonate of potash, which gives a light frothy appearance to her sauce and renders it more digestible. Our very late dinner I hours make dinner now almost like supper, and I one has scarcely the appetite to attacks joints I and substantial sweets just before bedtime—so little dishes-savouries, entree, and vegetables, I served as savouries, are very popular. Cauli- flowers, fresh and nicely boiled, are delicious as convs;* served thus. Let them be quite soft and very hot, on a hot dish, then pour over them tins sauce previously prepared. A quarter of a pound of grated Parmesan cheese, one pint of milk, one ounce of butter, two teaspoonfuls of flour, half te.ispoonful of salt, mustard and pepper to taste a teaspoon ful of bicarbonate of potash. Mslt the butter over the fire and mix in the flour, mustard, pepper and salt, add gradually the cold milk, and stir till it boils, to prevent it becoming lumpy. Add the cheese, and immediately before serving put in the potash which makes the sauce light and frothy. Then pour it hot over the hot cauliflower. It is really delicious, and merits the quotation from the poet Crabbe, written as it is above the recipe- He gave his dinners in a handsome style, And met his neighbours with a social smile." Some dainty menus are in this little book, all quite independent of meat or heavy ingredients of any sort, only requiring what every woman can give if she will, care and thought in the preparation. Not chaos like together crushed and bruised, But as the world harmoniously confused Where order in variety we see, And where, though all things differ, all agree." -pope. Here are directions for French pancakes," which are excellent and appropriate at this season of the year :—Take the weight of two eggs in butter, sugar, and flour, with half a pint of milk. Beat the butter to a cream, add the sugar, the eggs one at a time, and the flour; continue to beat for five minutes longer, adding the milk by degrees. The mixture must not be beaten after the milk is added, or it iN ill curdle. Have ready buttered eight little tin plates, such as are sold for a penny each divide the batter equally on them and bake them in a moderate oven for half an hour. When ready to dish up, pass the point of a knife round the edges of the pancakes to loosen them, then spread a layer of plum or apricot jam thinly over each and fold over in the shape of a roll- Arrange them in a pile crossways on a hot dish with a white d'oyley under them. The flour, the sugar, and the fruit, Commingled well, how well they suit!" Thus says the poet Southey. London, Thursday. PENELOPE. I TO CORRESPONDENTS. I I v 1 11, 1 i< 1 ± am always giaa zo oblige any ot my readers with information when I have it, but I cannot j spend time in seeking for it; and when I am asked to recall and repeat what I wrote many months ago, it is impossible for me to do so. SARAH writes to ask me about a little play of Mr. Just,in McCarthy, jun.s, which I saw performed and mentioned as being suitable for amateurs. 1 have no record of it, nor have I of half the things I see and immediately tell mv I readers about. Write to French, theatrical publisher, Strand, Loudon, and he may be able toO give you all the information you desire. I am sorry that I cannot do so. H. F.-I cannot answer letters of enquiry by post. The "Art Designer" is published by John Heywood, Paternoster Buildings, London, and edited by Mrs. Conyevs Mcrrell. It is issued I quarterly, and is a journal worth taking by those who are fond of art work of any kind The January number is particularly good. I

I COMIC PAPER CUTTINGS. I I [From PUNCH."] I INCONVENIENCE OF MODKII:; MALE ATTIRE.—lur«t .Stranger Here—hi I want a kuife and fork, please."—Second stranger "Coji-fouii(i i-6u-.sj do I." "WHEN GREEK MEETS GREZK TI.,ere now, Liss Moss. There's a picture for yer. Why, lie's regular downright built for yer, that little 'orse is. Suit yer to a T—and dirt-cheap at a hundred and twenty guiiieas. Exactly, Mr. Isaacs. Knock off the hundred, and he's mine." HAIR FALLING OFF.—My hair is coining off, Hot slowly, but in one great circular patch at the top of the head. A malicious report has in consequence been spread abroad in the neighbourhood that I have been scalped. What course ought I to adopt to (1) recover damage6 against my traducers. and (2) re- cover my hair! LITTl.E \Y üO" QUEER QUERIES.—DOMESTIC SERVICE.—My general servant has just left me suddenly, on the ridiculous excuse that she was being killed by overwork." She was not required to rise before five a.m., and she was generally in bed by 12. Our house is not large, though rather lofty, and there are only 15 in family. Of course, I shall not pay her any wages, and shall I retain her boxes but how cau I really punish her for her shameful desertion ?—CONSIDERATE. I [From FUN."] THAI SETTLED IT.—" Ah, you arc really beautiful this evening That rosy mouth !-those heavenly eyes !—those h:t:1ds !—those feet !—oh they're all immense SOMETHING IN THAT. -Railway Director Drop- ping the strike and going back to work, eh ? Sensible fellow. I hope this'll he a lesson to you." Railway Employe Yes, sir, I think it will-an' I hopes it'll be the same to you." A SELL.—Facetious Old Gent (showing a false get of teeth to his granddaughter): There, my dear I told you when next you honoured me with a call I'd show you my new set of dining-room furniture." [For shame and at his time of life, too I [From "JUDY."] SAME OLD GAME.—Phew Half-past three Lemme see. Tor, late for lunch, too early for dinner. I'm devlish "ungrv. Lea g) alll !are a drink. NOT RESPONSIBLE.—Good gracious. Sir Hugh, what have you been doing to the ba,k of vour hair t Don't beth ring and arth my valleh. LET 'EI TRY !—(Before Cleopatra's Needle on the ».i?.bankmetit). Ma from the country Brought that tning Pit the way from Egypr. d'ye say? Town daughter Yes, mamma, it cost ten thousand pound. to fetch it over. Ma from the country Well, well, whc'd 'a' thought it. I wonder they didn't put up a noo wira. ONY OF THE OLD SCHOOL.—Sir William: llullo Thi" will never do, John. Spearing salmon is illegal, ycu know; and iti a magistrate. Lady Betty: Hu:-h, Willy, hus-h JU.ôt look there what A monster coming up stream. Sir William Where, Betty, where? For the Lord's ?ake give me the spear and I'll have him myself.

Heaven leaves a touch of the angel in all little children, to reward thn,, about them for their inevitable cares. Mi# tress (finding a man in the kitchen): When I engaged you, Kate, you said that you had no beau." Kate: Yes, mam, that is true but- this young man is not my beau, he only wants to be." First artist I received a magnificent tribute to my skill the other day at the exhibition." Second artist "Indeed! What was it ?" First artist "You know the picture, 'A Storm at Sea '? Well, a man and his wife were viewing it, anI I overheard the fellow say, Come away, my dear lint picture makes me sick.' A German farmer presented to the reigning priroe of his country a turnip of enormous size, grown by himself, with which his Highness was so much pleased that lie recompensed the giver with a hand- some sum of money. Another farmer, hoping for similar reward, offereda fine horse to the prince, who. to his no small dismay, requited this present by giving him the big turnip. Olhvier, the French actor, possessed incredible powers of mimicry. He could assume the voica, gesture, and facial expression of any person he chanced to meet with. One day he called on his tailor to ask hint to give him « little more time for the payment of his bill, which had been running on for three years. At that moment lie saw a customer enter the shop and pay cash down for several articles of clothing which were delivered to him. Then the mimic heaved a deep sigh of pain. What is the matter with you,' inquired the tailor. Alas," re- plied Ollivier, "there is a man I shall never be able to imitate." There are a good many people who prefer old things to new things, sometimes, perhaps; without as good reason for the preference as an old beggar once showed in the matter of shoes. This man called at the house of a lady and begged for a pair of shoes. She gave him a nearly new pan- of her husband's which he had laid aside for some reason. A day or two afterwards the beggar returned. Mum," he said, can't you give me a pair of shoes-some old ragged onep." But," said the lady, I have just given you an entirely new pair you have them on now." Yes'm," he aid, "but there's the trouble. They're Sv new. see, that they :1urt my business." Boswell telI" a very characteristic story of Dr. Johnson and George III. Johnson was allowed the privilege of reading in the Royal library. in one occasion the king, hearing of hi* presence there, entered the room, in order to converse with the great author. After much conversation about books and the universities, the king asked him if he were writing any- thing. He answered that he was not, for he had pretty well told the world what he knew, and must now read to acquire more knowledge. The king replied I do not think you borrow much from anybody. Then Johnson said he thought he had already done his part .To h nson sai as a writer. I should have thought so too, if you had not, written so well," retorted his Majesty. Johnson observed that No man could have paid a handsomer compliment, and it was fitting for a king to pay." When someone asked him if he made any reply to the king's speech, he answered Sir, when the king had said it, it was to be so. It was not fa* me to bandy civilities with my Sovereigu."

TRADE INTELLIGENCE. I COAL AND IRON. I BARROW Monday.—There is a decidedly weaker tone in the hematite pig iron market, inquiries being fewer and of less importance. Holders of pig iron warrants are again underselling makers, their quo- tation yesterday for mixed numbers of Bessemer being 50d 4,1, while makers are still asking 533 6d net f.o.b. An attempt will be made to reduce stocks, and with this view furnaces are being put out in order to lers2n the influence of warrant holders. Not much new buisness is being done, but stocks are not likely to in. crease. There is not much business doing in the steel trade the orders for raiis being few and unimportant. In shipbuilding there is much activity. Iron ore is in less requelat. MIDDLESBROUGH, Tues(lay.-Tone somewhat more cheerful. Prices stiff and more inquiry for pig iron and also for railway materials. It is rumoured that an order for 11.000 tmB of rails has heen given out in the district this week. No. 3 Cleveland pigs not below 42a with merchants, and 423 3d for named brands, makers holding off. Middlesbrough warrants 41s 101d cash. Gray forge 40s G.J. mottled 403 at workf. rrt. WOLVEKHAMPTON, Wednesday.—There was only a quiet change; but satisfaction was expressed that during the week Messrs. John Lysaght, Limited, have restarted the Beaver Works, Wolverhampton, which they have leased from Messrs Isaac Jenks and Son. Four sheet mills and 14 puddling furnaces will thus again be set in motion, producing about 120 tons of c-hects per week. The sheet trade generally, how- ever. continues weak; aud a block has occurred in the negotiations of the Sheetmakers' Association. Marked bars remain at 28, and Kae-tube Etrip is £ 6 I mg. Pigs quieL

COAL DUST IN MINES. I I I Friday night s Gazette contains the tormal notice that Mr Joseph Chamberlain, M.P. (chairman), Lord Rayleiuh, Sir William Thomas Lewis, Mr Harold Baily Dixon (professor of chemistry and metallurgy at the Owens College. Manchester), Mr Emerson Bainbridge, and Mr Charles Fenwick, M.P., have been appointed a Commission to inquire into the effect of coal dust in originating or extending explosions in mines, whether by itself or in conjunction with fire- damp; and also to inquire whether there aro any practical means of preventing or mitigating any I dangers that may arise from the presence of coai dust in mines.

FARMING AND THfcJ COHN TRADE. The Ma', k Lane Express of Monday says:— For the mast part the past week has been seasonable, and some February wheat has been sown. With regard to trade, English wheat in London makes on an average the price of 33s 51 per quatter, and the imperial average for the month of January was 32s 8d against 325 3d in December, and 30 Id in January, 1890. Foreign wheat during the past week has hardened for finer sorts, Fueli es Australian and New Ztaland. Californian is strong, but not quotably dearer on the week, white Azima and Ghiika sorts of Ruesian are decidedly well ht-ld. The spring corn trade has been generally fiim for maize, while oats have been moderately well held. Barley has been a I rather irregular trade. Ireland has been a bin buyer of Indian corn to make up for the deficiency in I potatoes. Liverpool is now rather slack for maiz?, I but Hull and Bristol quote a slight advance, and London is firm with 27s 3J made for the finest old American and 26s quoted for new crop. The London average for English barley is 30, 5d, but there have been but sinail sales. Oats stationary at 18a 5d. Beans and peas better.

I MOLD AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION. j On the 12th inst., Professor Dobbie, of the Univer- sity college, Bangor, came over to inspect tie plots of ground suggested by the Mold Local Committee, as suitable places for the carrying on of expetiments in the applicst;on cf manures and the growing of grasses. In his visit he was accompanied by Mr G. Howell, Celyn, chairman of the local agricultural committee, and by Mr J. E. Davies, auctionter. After a minute inspection of all the places, a field in the occupation of Alr Griffilhz, Plaii i)Iajor farm was selected, the professor regretting that the want of funds prevented him from fixing on a place at Cilcain as well as Plas Major. We understand that the experiments will commence very shortly, and that agricultural lectures will be commenced at the same time, which are likely to be attended by a large number of farmers and sons in the district. We are glad to state that the other classes are progressing most satisfactorily, the cookery classes being crowded every Friday evening, the physiography classes also being very largely attended

I A CLERGYMAN ON THE "TECHNICAL I EDUCATION CRAZE." The members of the Shropshire County Council I met at the Guildhall, Shrewsbury, on Saturday, under the chairmanship of Mr A. Salwey. Tho committee, in their report on intermediate technical and agricultural education, pointed out that the two travelling instructors appointed by the council—Mr Armytage for agriculture, and Dr. Callaway for science and ait—had been busily en- gaged in holding meetings about the county with the view of ascertaining the needs of the various localities. The committee had held meetings of the represent- atives of schools of science and art, and the different agricultural bodies of the county. They had likewise had an interview with a deputation from Bangor College with reference to a scheme for the provision of a travelling dairy in Oswestry and other localities on the borders of WaleF, and arrangements were also being made for a series of dairying demonstrat"onp, The furn of £150 bad already been granted to the Shrewsbury School of Science and Art, and £100 to a similar school at Oswestry for purchasing apparatus. With regard to the wants of women and girls, the committee had invited ladies and all those es. pecially interested in female technical instruction to meet them and discuss that important branch of their labor. The meeting was held on the 7t!i inst., and the committee lecomrnendtd that four teachers be appointed to give lespons in convenient centres, under the supervision of a "female instruction committee," who would report to the Technical Instruction Com- mittee quaiterly. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the re- port, said the committee proposed that instructors should be obtained from the Liverpool School of Cookery, at the rate of £ 80 each per year, and ex- penses. The Rev. C. H. Bowman moved an amendment, to the effect that the recommendations of the committee with regard to cookery should not be adopted, as it would confer no benefit on the laboring clashes. He said the people of England were mostly influenced, and often carried away, by some fad or craze," and the craze at the present time was General Booth's scheme and technical education. Their fore- fathers possessed wisdom and knowledge before County Councils were established, and they recog- nised the importance of technical education just as much as the present generation. But they appren- ticf-d tlie-ir sons to learn a trade from someone who knew how to teach them, and the girls were taught to knit, sew, and spin. By the way they were going on now there might come a time when society would he in a most perfect state and all grades and professions would be open to anybody, and they would have a future Miss Ramsey as Archbishop of Canterbury, and a Miss Fawcett as Lord Chancellor of England. (Laughter.) The committee's report was adopted by a large majority.

EPPS'S COCOA.—GRATEFUL AND COMFORTING.— "By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which govern the operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a careful application of the fine properties of well- selected Cocoa, Mr, Eppa has provided oar breakfast tables with a delicately flavoured beverage which may save us many heavy doctors' bills. It is by the judicious use of such articles of diet that a constitu- tion may be gradually built up until strong enough to resist every tendency to disease. Hundreds of subtle maladies are floating faround us ready to attack wher. ever there is a weak point. We may escape many a fatal shaft by keeping ourselves well fortified with pure blood and a properly nourished frame." Civil Service Gawtte.-Made simply with boiling water or milk. Sold only in Packets, by Grocers, labelled— "JAMES Epps & Co., Homoeopathic Chemists, Lon- don." Also makers of Epps's Afternoon Chocolate Essence. # 2011 MAZAWATTEE TEAS are a household word in Wales they recall the delicious Teas of 30 years ago.-Agenta for Wrexham, H. and T. Jones. 264 In answer to inquiries, we wish to state that the "PEKOE BLEND" advertised by PHILLIPS AND Co. is an Indian Pekoe Tea. It is superior to the old-fashioned Orange Pekoe of China in being stronger and richer in flavour, besides being absolutely pure. It is sold in wrapper printed in red ink at Is 8d a pound, for net cash only. 99 THE MOUTH, THE NATURAL TEETH, ARTIFICIAL TEETH, &C.PaMphlet, post free, from T. H. COLEMAK, F, C. S„ &c., Regent-ateeet, Wrexham. j 713

NORTH WALES LIBFr77 f FEDERATION MEETING AT CHESTER. A malinrr nf flin TJ*. f? mumn? ?t M"u xjActuine ?UUlOU"?? t  ?  Federation was held at the Qnpen Hn?) «-L li;rr» Friday, Mr A. C. Humphreys-Owen 7 p p; r¡ There were also present the Rev? 'T \f r, Griffith Ellis (Bootle). Meafrs J L IfnUTR" 'UT !VU J. Herb?t Robert*, J,P, (Aher.e!? T *&<i J. Herbert Robertg, J.P. (Alier.eli?) T i, fyllin), W. WUHa?s (Rhyl), Th?mM d9 T  A. Jones (Liverpoo1), W. r% Jone4, W. Hawkins Ti!ston, (secretarY' PROPOSED DISESTABLISHMENT C V.IP.T„   A letter was read fro*n tlle pre,i,I'l't, Render su?pat!ng that tLe time ha.l r Liberals of Walea to organise tUro^v Ltberalsof Wales to or?an?e the?ive,?.f the forthcoming e l echonM d to adopt, ISw •( for the samp, and "jesting that 3' rneetil,r:J.r.¡rz:. We?h Nation.! Council s-hou'd he held t ,tll«  "1 the inatter.-It waL; iiiiar,,iin(.,us'v W tn the holding of the prouoaa J,  "?t to the hol mg 0 the proposed nie-t'n'f National Council, audit was thought •> if ^<1 held at Shrewsbury in the E?t?? r??? m Jot' l,, !> be fixed by the pre81'len and s £ c^tanV/^ rtnn with the Wdah rar:iament?y Whin* .p, Wales Federation had suggested thu th 'ito- Welsh f Welsh disestabiiehmentnnly shouMhe ?"'?.Tt the proposed meeting of the Wg)<h \'tt) ')? '??"' but the committee, eeani; th.lt :he ).?r" ?? education was so closely allied wrh ft Z 'N'7 IF, affected a large pn.;? rt.:cn of tLe ?'i'?- ?  h I -"r!!t Wales, that they c?u;d not coc?m to th  '?"? h  t f th Sh revv.?4 b  1(,4 the subject from the OJ rpw;; ury m-em On the proposition of Mr Thom? (?-? v 1 d "'h t .t' h'. t 1 t ??- solved— Th?ItIs h?r.'y desir' able "■* Xai*r?- h' I .v ,r "EI approac h .ns genera l e!.ct;-n. that p" 6 m?dtately taken by th:? Federation njUn«ion with the ?outh Wales F.de?tion f. r ?/, ??? f.. L th' (C,.t!¡,Q ofavt?orou?c?mpa;n hcth ;n '-n.!?:' ""?' "-? on the Wel.h di8..t?li.h,n.nt  J "I h .tt d 1. t' h '? uetal S su IUI e ny lie '1U. :¡,!e. F'i"ra[; .d d t tl er m-eti f.  '"n'?  con1 ere a af¡L 1t:r ¡n..emg" OI:; '-XcCl1'ir" The Genera Pur,?. and ?n???''? .d 1 f ro apked to consider the details nf th? j,?"? campaign submitted hy the S.?? \V?p-?'?. to confer with the Wel?h L'berd ,n*mi 1- hament on tho sublet, and report t S'?',??me?a? of the executive. At the last meeting of the ex.?.MKiw .?M Dec. llth from the;S.,uth Waie?. ?F??'? ? ?- -?- m!tt?. Thev .u???.l .h.. >ho '?' political inatterp, rendered itnec rrt I poHtica! matter, rendered :Cnec ??0   a  of the Wel.h N?ti-.nal C?nc!' eu';vitc- out deh?-.tn colder the pre?C ? -?-"? ?- • Welsh disestablishment question 1P^r an active camua; Fearingti.Vr In time might he gcno. ..iFe?Ti-? ? i.? ?'  d.B.re to profit bY}he ?c-?..  ""? ?''? ? desire to profit by the difficult j the ?"' nli ts, the North Wales Federation resolution -"T .?, in the .?1. uf?,?'?' it is not advisable to m 've ia the matr-"V in the communication from the Sv^th mthecommuntcatiun from the S-nth \V ?c erat.?n (the proposal to hoM ? Ji.?.,b!h? n???' ference) pendtn? the turther ?'nm- situation." The S(?uth Wales Federation1"* \)s exception to the .Yordl?ofther?,?' !lsideri!! g that it seemed tc ?p!y t'ey desired to tak..?"'? vantage of the In?h di:Iku!ty. T'? -e,-rtra~ ¡ instructed to Ftat that the Exeeuti? P turnkt? Z referred to the res.'Iut?.r, hut c, uid n"t Te 3cy ground for p'aon? upon ;t the ei)rai i ucti?,n I MR. PRITCHARD MORGAN'S I-T.1BLISI;I £ V- RtSOHTIOX. The Chairman pro,.s?, Mr R. A..r.??cor'? and it was decided—"That ? Liberal Whin-, formed that the anxiety in W.i!? ?tn ?f?'? ''? the debate and division f.:? [r ?L.r? ta\, -? ti  an indication of the treatment ?hi.?t :e ,?,: I We] sh disestablishment ?:H rectiv- ?n tne ?ult coming Liberal rarHameut? deep ar,,d 'Lud that they be teref( re u?ed '.o ?ke tbe -ame -6.?, secure the suppoit (if the leaders of the Liberal party in the debate, and the at'er.dance "f the prtv it -he division, as are adopted in oth;rc-i.s, f" paitv imDortance." .'T' THE TITHFS Bfi L. On the motion of tht Itev (iiitir h Ivlis 'n, by the Rev J, M. Jones, it v.aa r>-o;wl—-T;, h committee desires to ,ec<>n] it< appreciation t JIB services rendered by the Welsh Liberal member » Parliament, and for the etr- rts nsade hy ttiea -3 improve the provisions oi the Tithe-' Bill." CAPTAIN VIRXET. )!.?. A resolution of M.P., in his illness, a: d w,ii. v hl-iug ttat .:e might be speedily restored to health, w:t-i n-stj._ Captain Verney iR a member of the »X'-ontive. THE NORTHAMPTON ELECTION. The secretary was instructed tel- ZJt Manfield, the newly-e'ected member f, tOil, congratulating him and the I.ib-ru.s f -sat town on the victory of the I revi. n- ,1: v. INTERVIEW WITH JIESSR-?. O'BKIKS AND I IL^ >\ During the sittinc of the committee, iiifurinaiLa was received that Messrs O'Brien a> 1 Dillon were is Chester Station, on their way fo prison :~nr.:&. tion consisting of the K-v Grifiuh E.ii-. Rev J. jL Jones, Mr Thomas Gep. Mr J. I Musoratt. Mr J. Jones, Mr J. Herbert Eoher :■>, Mr W. Wii ian. ir>l the secretary (Mr Tilston), at once proceeded v, :uc- vey to them them the sympathy of the Federation. Mr Thomas Gee, in the absence of the chairman, who had not then arrived), expressed "n b. hnif -f committee, the sincere sympathy of the F~dera:ion with them personally in their position, and AUIO expressed the hope that the Ciffrrenue* at preten. existing in the Irish patty would scnn be healed, md that the Irish nation wcu'.d obtain the ,r 'heir ambition through the return if the i it ma; party 'n office. Mr O'Briec thanked the deputation am heartily for their kind expression which be -.aid was very precious under such circumstance*. A* '0 the differences to which Mr Gee had teferrnl, nil he coo;d say was that whatever their own (nStrer cf- -sere, nothing would come between Irishmen ar.J V.'ei-r.- men to prevent their mutual support uf their refptcuie aspirations.

—————— Markets. I WKKXBAJI.—THURSDAY. Red wheat old 75]be <;• hi 60 n« -m Ditto new. ,0- vo Zi ,1 Ditto n ew.5 .u j ;I Oats old (per bushel; of .la :0; !d Ditto n«w i- itt so -1 Seed do II. U.1 Malting barley per 701hs) .q.y & Grinding do. (per fõ41brs). ■ » Potatoes (per 901bs.).H' 3s j.i ;<j Butter (lior lb.) ol It: oz.) 1-0 ,1 Beef (per ib.). Ua 7. to Mutton(per D. Os 5d i.n • Pork(perIb.) U1 7i to Veal (per lb.) UF Lamb (per lb.) « <• 1 Fovrl (per couplci 2* IJ to i. » Ducks .h!J to 5 i Turkeys, Cocks (per couple) Itfs to Pi Ditto, Hens 1. 5s 1*1 to Geese (per lb.) o-i Jd ti* ICKRI 11 to 15 lor. Shilliaa. MOLD. WEDN FSDAY. -Wheat, new lis UJ to lis H 9K fid to 10s Ud barley, grinding Us to Ih iJÜ: to 63 till; oats, new Os Ud to Us Ud Pot;itoei, i-,)-i per hamper. Fresh butter, la 4 v to Is 4il p-r c, 12 to 14 for la. RUTHIN. MmmAY .-There wils an ordinary market hfl L rf number of visitors being about the average. BuLter, 71 4g to Is 5d per lb. Eggs, 16 for Is. Fowl, 3s to Is per cuupis. DENBIGH. WEDNESDAY.—Dairy produce was scarce,hu:ters>-iliBC 1 6dper lb. Eggs steady at 15 and It; for Is. Fowii,u: *hic2 there was a large supply. 3a to la tid per coupie. market was a prosperous ene. Cii ijiiSTEVi. CHEESE.—This monthly fair was helil on 'Yeiioesuij- when there was a good pi ch for the time uf :t:,r. tons being on offer. There WdJ a kf-n demnnil for ioe dairies, and prices cansiderably advanced, as icuca ,1iŠ "II ptr. cwt. being taken for the best dairies ui (.-mured- White was not in such great demand. C 12^ ° cheese fetchad 50s to tjOs., medium 61s to Os., IE" to 76i and 78s. CORN, Saturday.-A better supply of wheat uÍáy:bJ:1 for tome weeks past. The lots offering met a v 'i -euweu. selling at the full prices of last Saturday, viz-. -1 tü tr 751bs. All other grain firm, wi:hout chani4« :n v.ur. Indian corn is uucbenged in price on the week'j ipaiiiS-M- Wheat. white net ik:IiD!s 51 3't co, ii, S Ditto, Ted 5i 4l to s- ? Barley. malting, per 60ibs. 4. Uti 's i Barley, grinding, per 641b. 3s 1M Oats, per 461b¡r. £ ? M c- Beans, per 881b 4i 9.1 t" Ditto, Egyptian, per 4Ki>lh» UO? Od tc J. CREWE. CATTLE, Monday.—Large supply of fat ?a? -c '?  goolattendnce of buyer". Pr!c<M:—3?f. '? ? mutton, 7d to S-lId veal, Sd porkec bacon pig. 8-1 3d per "core new milch m t ,11!! and heifers X15 to e22 barrens, from £ 10 to Z, from .£6 to X9 yearlings, ili to 1-7 store pj; I.; osw I-;sik\ White wheat (per 751bs.), :55 0: to 31 4. new. 4* 10,t to 5i 2d oats, new per OJ. Malting Dailey (per measure),17- 6.1 to i(i- 'Jd: -|- ditto, 08 Ud potatoes, (per measure 3; J butter (per lb.). h 4': t" I. ;:)!: II; f mutton 81,1 tc9Jl veal, Sl toy .j: pork. till to 8d; fowl" fper couple; 4s Od t- 0 i L < Ud tc 6s Od eggs 16 to 17 for a 7 to Os Od each: turkeys each 5. 0d to 5. Ijd. aHitKWfiHifivV CORN, Saturday.—This market w:Ls fairly atteaiie' business was restricted. Vheat met with a (JULI -r-we easier rates. Ba ley was unsaleable at Ud per buaaf duction. Oats were firm. Quotations \\bite Wbeat. per 7511:1. 5" (j.! Now ditto lis lJ.i :< lted ditto 4. 11) 1 ti) New ditto Os U.1 to Barley, (malting) per 7UILb -J I Barley (grinding) ditto 4a fJd d Ú Oats, (old) peT 225'ba 0o- 'J'1 ''T* ,j Oafs (new) 13s 61 to PeRB ?' ? to ? Be?'a.p? 2101t)v 10. '?-' t'? ? BeADS (new) II Ms lid ELLESMKKK. TUESDAY.—White wheat 5s 2ot<> 5s 4.1; rell }- t. 7S11>»: barley 4s (511 to 41 81; oat»,3t ':H to 10 i. to 16 for a shilling: butter, 1< to 1" 4 1 P'■r fowls, 3s 0d to 4t Oil per couple ducks 41 IJ. pr couple. WHITCHURCH. FRIDAY.—Whe?, 49 10i to 5- 2 Ib3 '„ 3d to 4a 9.1 per 701b3: oats. 2j 10' t" 31. ii P? ?-h? J 14 to 16 for ?shming; bntter. Is 3d to ? ? '?L 16o&fow!t.?M to 4s. 6d per eo"me  to Os Od per couple geese, Od to Od per lb tur»«^_a •a Od per Ib; D.,Lltto¿'. ? 4t o 3s M Ptr heel, 5?t n 8,1. pet lb.; mutton. 7 1. '?' Ell. ItLeLib, Od to 0d pork 61 t" 7d ner II-,

CORN AVERAGES. -I. The following is an official statement ?howtDC tities sold and the average price of British cor » ¡f¡.rl measure, as receded from the inspectors anu ^.9 eaUte. as recei,¡:d from the iDspt:ct!?rs ;iDu 'i.L. Excise, conformably to the Act ef the 45th .imi??  cap. 37. in the week ended Feb. 14, 1^1: Quantities Sold. Average Qrs. Bus. j Wheat t'2.56J 0 Barley. 89,0iS 5 Oats 14,553 2 I' Comparative statement for the corresponding each year from 1S87 to 189U s Wheat. Average Barley Averag O^3- "?,?. Qrs. B. s. d. Qrs. B. s. d Qr 1881.40.427 3 32 11 67,?2 0 26 12 :'c 1887.4670,.44210 7 3 30 1 45718 0 Z ? ,? ?-? f?-  1888 ISS9 ..50,341 2 29 6 9'Mi 4 2b i ? 3  1890 62?,670 6 29 8 69? 5 J1 8 L? ,?*? ? -?

I AGRICULTURE. I MOVING IN TRE IhGHT DIRECTION.—At a meeting held in the Town Hall, Chippenham, on Saturday, it was decided to establish a school for giving instruction in cheese making. It was stated that the quality of Wiltshire cheese had for some years been deteriora- tiiipy, and unless an improvement was made there would soon be no demand for it. AGEICULTUKAL SEED TRADE. LONDON, Wednesday. —Messrs John Shaw and Sons. seed merchants, write that this morning's fog greatly impeded buisness for all kinds of clover seeds. There is a fair, steady demand at unaltered quotations. Increased activity is, however, expect:d next month. Spring tares are dearer. Mustard and rapesfed unchanged. Peas firm at the recent advance. Haricot haidening. Bird seeds without change. FARMING EXPERIMEis.-A well-attended meeting of landowners and farmers was held at Weiahpool on Monday afternoon, to recei ve reports of an elaborate and important series of field experiments in the use of artificial manures conducted in connection with the University College of Nottii Wales, Baneor, by Pro. fessors Dobbio and Phillips and Mr Douglas Gilclll i. t. Captain Mytton presided. Experiments were carried out on plots of land on the estates of the Earl of Powis and Mr Humphreys-Owen, of Glan- severn, and the general result of them was reported to be decidedly in favor (if the use of basic slag, especially for pasture and grass land generally. I CHFSHHiE LANDOWNERS AND TECHNICAL EDUCA- TION.—A private meeting of landowners, under the presidency of the Duke of Westminster, was held at the Groevenor Hotel, Cheater, on Saturday, to con- sider the best means of assisting the advancement of technical agncultural education in Cheshire. No definite conclusion was arrived at, hut the general feeling of the meeting was in favor of extending the system of dairy instiuclion now given at the Worles- ton Institute, and either starting a school for giving a sound practical and scientific education, somewhat on the lines of the college at Aspatiia, or utilising the existing facilities offered by the School of Science and Art at Chester.