Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register

OUR LADIES' COLUMN. HEAVY MAILS. LOST IN THE POST. HELP FROM UNEXPECTED QUARTERS.—CORRESPON DENTS. THE DYING YEAR. STREET LIGHTING.—FAMILY GATHERINGS.—A. BRIEF REVIEW. NOTABLE WOMEN. TOPICS OF PUBLIC INTEREST. COSTUMES. HOW TO MAKE FANCY BISCUITS.—A SUPPER DiSH.— A RECEPTACLE FOR NEWSPAPERS.—FOG AND FUR. SEALSKIN. ITS INCREASED COST.— GORGEOUS PANTOMIMES. A DELIGHT FOR GROWN-UP CHILDREN. However delightfu! may be the despatch and receipt of Christmas and New Year's cards and gifts through the post. it is a fact, as many busi ness andprofcssiona! peoptecan testify, that the handling of such enormous quantities of season able greetings very much disarranges the ordin- ary postal service of the country and leads fre quently to much trouble and inconvenience. It is notoften that Penelope" complains of our posta) arrangements, but this week she feels that she has a legitimate cause for grumbling under cir- cumstances that will ensure for her the sympathy of her readers. The Column" for this week was written a little earlier than usual in order to ensure against delay. It was promptly posted, but has never been seen or heard of since This was on!y dis covered when the usual printers' proofs were not forthcoming, and the telegraph was resorted to, to find the missing sheets of manuscript. As they could not be found, in the Dead Letter Omce or elsewhere, nothing remained to be dom but to set to work and write another tetter in order not to disappoint readers. In the emergency the publishers fcl) back upon the kind and cheerfully-tendered help of one or two correspondents, whose joint contribution will they trust prove acceptab!e. During the seventeen years in which "Penelope's" tetter has travelled through thf post this is the nrst occasion that such a mis chance as that now described has occurred. With this brief allusion to theconlrelemps, we pass to our iirst correspondent who commences with a favourite pç.etical quotation :— "Ring out wild beHs to the wild sky. The nying c)oud, the frosty tight: The year is dying in the night; Ring out wild bells and let him die. Ring out the o)d. ring in the new. King, happy bells, across the snow: I'he year is going, )et him go Ring out the false, ring in the true." The foggy Christmas week of 1801 will not be soon forgotten. Dwellers in London and iargc industrial centres, in sedate and select count r\ towns and peaceful hamtets, have alt in greater or less decree experienced this darkness whict: might atmost have been felt. In a northern town the dangers and difficulties o! the fog were added to by a scarcity of gas. In many places street lamp stood—not to Kive light—but to obstruct the path of the benighted traveller, whilst candles- were called into requisition in both houses and shops to lend their puny aid in dispelling the darkness. I had a graphic description from a lady friend, of a good-sized chemist's shop in a busy thoroughfare illuminated with two candles stuck upon a piece of cardboard. But is there not an obverse side to every medal, a silvery lining to every dark cloud' Though the discomforts, difHcuIties, and dangers were so great—and some very sad accident*- have been reported—yet it seems to me a note of! thanksgiving should have mingled with our Tute-tide rejoicings that the catastrophes have not been more numerous. And there was some thing very lovely to be seen even in the fog, when through the darkness we caught a glimpse of frost diamonds sparkling on the ledges of our palisades and upon every stem and withered leaf in our gardens. The cloud did lift for the twenty-Sft.h. a.nd ho\\ many happy family gatherings took place through the length and breadth of Aferrie England As I write there rises before my mind's eye a pile of plates which confronted myself on that day, so tall that I, though not abort of stature, could but just see comfortably over them; and there! sounds in my ears the refrain of a happy, childish voice exclaiming, "Auntie, I have got nearly everything I want and the image of its owner— a fine, manly, seven-year-old—appears before me adorned with a massive pencil Case (which is not silver) attached to a watch and chain (which an not gold). And now, midst many wishes that the coming ¡ time may be crowned with happiness, tile old 'I year has died. Eighteen-hundred-and ninety-one is but a memory. During these last days reviews of the year, in somt form or other, have met our eye in almost every newspaper we have taken up. Retrospec tion has been the order of the day, and we have been made familiar with— Pensive memories as we journey on, Longings for vanished smiles and voices gone.' Many notable people have passed away during the year. Spaces, not easily Blled, are left in the I yanks of Politics, Art, Science and Literature. In looking through the death-roll of peers ] was impressed by the great ages to which the! majority had attained. One, the Earl of Alber marle, reached the ripe age of 91, six lived to be more than 80, and.nine passed the allotted three score-years.andn. Foremost on tbismournfu] list stands the good Duke of Devonshire. Surely it seems a strange coincidence that in one yea! the grave should close upon Mr. Parnell and the father of Lord Frederick Cavendish Amongst notable women appears the name of j the Dowager Viscountess Ga)way. Her death.! like that of the Dowager Lady de Ros later .iri the year, opened out a mine of reminiscences. Born in the year of Waterloo, a sister of Lord Houghton, a whole volume of history wa'- c!osed by her death. Turning from the higher ranks of society, in a long tist of honoured names, appears that of Mrs Charles Kingsley — the true help-meet of her gifted husband, — and Miss Jessie Fothergilt, the novelist. How fresh to my mind is the pleasure with which I read her story of "Kith and Kin the only one of her books which has come to my hand. The year just gone has not been devoid ol thrilling topics of public interest; and—if last- not least, the "Great Peart Mystery." What will be the future of the few months' wife, for whose apprehension a warrant has been issued! It is vain to moralise; we can but wondar that tn English gentlewoman has sunk ao low. To turn from grave to gay. we are now in the midat of the festive season, and the interesting subjects ot creasing, entertaininer and bein entertained are receiving their full meed o) attention. Fashion magazines and dressmakers' show rooms will furnish all needful information re specting elaborate costumes far better than J can. But I was much pleased the other day with a very simple arrangement for enlivening a heavy Mack serge gown to be worn at a family party in the country. The bodice was plain and made to button over the left aide. At the throat its wearer had fastened a yard o) heliotrope ribbon three inches wide; this she arranged in puns down the side of the bodice by fastening the ribbon in at equal distances as she buttoned her dress.' A word to the wise is sumcienc. This simple! and pretty idea may be varied in many ways—by chiffon, tulle, or piece lace being substituted for the ribbon—always remembering that the material of the gown accords with the trimming. What a multitude of pretty things we have had in the shops during this Christmas-tide Really one might write an interesting article entitled A tour amongst the shops and Christ mas lounges 1" Amongst so many attractions it is not easy, with the limited space allotted me, to enter into a detailed description. I have said, and thought too, that we had nearly got to the end of novel newspaper recep- tacles, but I have seen yet another t A strong! piece of cardboard, eighteen inches by covered with a pretty patterned Cretonne. Across the lower edge of this was fastened one width of Pongee silk, nfteen inchesdeep. This wa$ gathered at the top, with amargin allowed to form a frill and fastened nrmly on the cardboard,' care having been taken to draw the silk tightly ? together and place it in the centre. Two small pockets for letters were added, and the whole. finished with silk cord and pompoms, the cord, loops being arranged to suspend the pocket from a nail on the wall in a convenient situation fo slipping the newspapers into it. I trust I have made my directions plain tu ttll who mmywiah tc try this novelty. So much for food for the eye, which may now give place to something gratifying to the palate 1 have just come across two recipes—one fo! fancy biscuits, the other for a cream which. I ann assured, will be appreciated for evening parties. as they have the double advantage of being boll) wholesome and inexpensive. To make Fairy Biscuits" add to four tab)e-spoonfu)s of Sou) and the same quantity of cornflour, five o! powdered sugar, a pinch of salt, one teaspoon ful of baking powder, and a piece of volatile salts, the size of a small nut (finely powdered). Into this mixture rub a piece of butter the size of a walnut. Flavour to taste, add two eggs, and sumcieat milk to form it into a very stiH paste. Mix all well together, and drop neat lumps the size of a large thimble on a thickly floured baking sheet. Place in a hot oven, and seven minutes wiil bake them. They must be baked principaUy on the upper shetf to raise them; and great care be taken that they do not scorch. Fairy Cream." A very nice supper dish may be made from the above biscuits as follows :— Cover the bottom of a large glass dish with "Fairy Biscuits;" make warm halfa-pmt o! sweetened cream in which the rind of a lemon has been allowed to macerate an hour; mix smoothly together one dessert-spoonful of nou< and the lemon juice; add this to the cream and stir gently until it thickens, then pour over the biscuits. As they rise to the surface it is well to keep out a small portion of the cream with which to cover them when soaked. I wonder if anyone who has not had a per- sonal acquaintance with it can form the remotest idea of what a London fog is like. To hear that in Paris, where the use of coal as fuel is not nearly so general as with us, a fog is an almost unknown quantity, is to make one wish most devoutly that some other fuel could be found for the benefit of we poor smoke-dried and fog-bound Londoners. By the young and vigorous, of course, the frost of the past week has been heartily welcomed, for it has brought with it the opportunity of in- dulgence in that most exhilarating of exercises —skating, and the Serpentine has been daily thronged with gaily-dressed crowds bent on getting a full modicum of pleasure out of King Frost's reign. From frost to fur, that article of apparel so dearly beloved by women, is a natural step, and I may ady that never hae it been more worn that I this seMon. The fortunate posaeaaors of Mt< of sable or other costly furs arc th's envy of their teas favoured sisters, though to be fashion. able it is not imperative that such costly luxuries should be indulged in. for furs to suit all tastes and purses are to be seen. Sealskin, in my opinion the most beautifu! of furs, will soon have the additional recommenda- tion (at least to some pcopte) of beiug the most) expensive, for it increases in value year by year. and bids fair to be shortly out of the reach of a!t excepting the fortunate poaseMors of purses of exceeding depth. This is owing, so we are told, to the prevailing practice of kitting the young seats. The example set by the Duchess of Portland and other tadies of rank. in not wearing birds as article*! of personal adornment, has provad of some avail in stemming the tide of fiAshi,.)n with regard to this use of the poor leathered innocents" who are even yet slaughtered in larger quantities than tender. hearted persons like to couteruptate. wonder )f some of our leaders of faahion would be bold nough to set a like example as to the wearing "f sealskin, and thus stay for a time the hreatoned extinction of the anima) who*e fur is so mcch coveted by lovers of what is cosy and becoming. The Pantomimes seem to increase in magnin- reuc!ycnr by year. until one wonders when the timit ot splendour will be reached. In the panto- mime at Drurylane. which this year deals with 'he fortunes of our old friend of the nursery— Humpty Dumpty "—Sir Augustus Harris has excelled <en himsctf (and that is saying much}, for never ha ''a the dresses and stae accessories been of so H0!'geou<; a character, 'ihe gaud and niitter of the wondrous toilets. a.nd all the brit- liant pageants which go to make up one of these children's delights" (and which seem, to judge by the audiences, equally attractive to children of targer growth) are really dazzling to the eye and tiring to the brain. The festive season seldom passes without a heavy cloud to mur its pteasure for some homes, and t an* sure the hearts of all must ache at the thought of the terribte catamity at Cateshead. by which on Christmas Eve near a dozen poor children lost their lives owing to a panic in the theatre during the performance of the Christmas i'antomimc. A sad New Year indeed this wit! be for the poor bereaved parents and relatives whose dear ones have been taken from them in so ruthless a

Called Onl".Jr.-The wetter. A Good Fit.—A 6t of taughter. SomethinK to be studded.- A .shirt front. A Slow Mntc!).—Four yeari of courtship. Goes Down with Flying Colours.—The rainbow. N<:ver dodge a tiiiEcutty go at it :n'd conquer it. Time is money. but It doesn't go into circulation again &fter it has once 1:.iL..ised. Why is ..he .tiMessor of taxes the best tUM) in the world ?--Be(.aU':fl he never underrates aiiybcmiy. There is nothing for which a ma.n hsLS to paLy so dear as he does for the priVIlege of being stingy. Stranger (brightly): Fine dny!" —Chronic Grumbler Ye cr.—lec&Hy—prubabiy nuniug some- WitMC." Have you :t {;)'J cook 1" She's very good- goes to church four t:m<s a week. She can't cook though." One of the sureat -.7.tys to make a smal) boy's trouper-- fit to his sa!.i..faci.iull i-s to have the pockets d-ep enoURh. Mrs Mauty Very few fMea )ouk best in .'epost' —Mr. Curry True, su many pcopte tieep with their m.'ut.hs opau." Thp. ('ilferel1l: hctwee:\ Cupid &nd a. coquette i* that the former keeps his arrows aud the latter her be&u in a quiver. The growth of invention ix cue of the marvets of the age. Wli, eveu the leaves are turning by autuumatic .t<;ti"n. Orator AnJ now, my friend: jut a few more words." Reporter (to boy): Bring me a few more quhea of }'<tpHt, quick. He Do you think hnn euMKetUfnts are the beat!"—She: "Oh. I don't know. Several short ones are lots nicer, to my mind." Are the Chickweeu wirls in soeiet.y ?" Um—yes, they're in society, but they 're not reahy fasliiouable. They're too rud --Lti(I he-t!thy." Which one do you wt-ih bt) naa.rry ?" The younger slater." "\Vh:c)t one is she ?" "I don't know. They both etaim to he." Teacher What i.s the island of Java noted for nrigilt boy (eon of a sr'cer) It's noted for the coffe that used to come from there." Robby How did the Sphinx get the credit for being so wise, papa ?" Ar. Norris By keeping its mouth shut for three thousand years." What our artist has to put up with—"This is your mother's portrait my tittle man. Do you think it tike her ?" Yes--very-all but the face." Butcher: How woutd a saddle of mutton suit you, ma'am Misi B.: Very wet! but let it be a tide saddle, because its for my siatwr and myself. She: It's a bull, and he'. coming right at us. What shalt we do ?" Me We!), don't .stand there doing uothiug Cume and help me to climb thia tree ?" She What a wonderfu) thing )s nature How grand How comprehensive'" He' Ya&<, even the smallest plant or the smallest inject haa got a Latin name." That's it!" exclaimed Mrs. Dodgeson at the concert as the singers c.nuf out agai't iu response to An encore. Make 'em do it uver again until they get the thing right Abreast of the Times,A' an old curiosity shop in the Rue de t'Odeon, Paris. there is on sale an ancient timepiece abetted Socialist clock, going enty eight hour* per day." When a thing is beyond repair. wa-<tc no useless regrets over it and do idle fretting. Strive for that serenity "f spirit that will enable you to make the best of all things. Wife Am 1, then, never to have my own way Husband Certainty, my dovey whea we are both agreed you can have your way, and, when we diQer, 1'H have miue." Close up, boys close up." said a colonel to his regiment. If the enemy were to fire on you when you are straggliiig along tike that they wouldn't kill a single mac of you close up." Daughter (reading from love letter): Yours till death, and always after." Mother Why. what a queer idea." Daughter: "We! you see, he's to be cremateo, anrt t m 'Lo nave lllt; u. u." Judge "What have you brought that thick stick into court for?" Defendant: "We! everybody told me that I must come provided with a means of defence, and I fancy I've brought it." Political candidate (addressing meeting) "I can- not help remarking, my friends, how mean and un' scrupulous my opponent is but I wish to warn him that two can play at that game." Domestic bondage What. going home now ? It'* only five o'clock." We have dinner at six sharp. you know." You must be terribly afraid of your wife." Wife's all right. It's my cook." Ay, friends, that was a narrow escape I had Thirteen of my companions were capsized in a boat and found a watery grave. And how is it you were not drowned ?" 1—I stayed at home." Johnny." said a doting mother to her somewhat in!a.tiab!e son, "can you eat that pudding with im- punity ?" i don't know, ma." quoth the y*uag hopeful, but I guess I can with a spoon. Mrs. Minks (reading): "The Rothschild family ;!ett)e all deputed points by family counset. andncTer employ a ):nvyer." Mr. Minks (who bM just lost a suit) WeH, wet), no wonder they are r)ch." Hotes: Dear me. the conversation is nagging What can we do to auiu.-ic our guests ?" Host: I don't know. unless \ve kaTe the drawmg-roooifora few minutes, and give them a chance to criticise us." Theatre Manager In my new play I'm going to have a tank of rea) w?ter. a rca! nre-engine, and  reat house on nre. Can you suggest anything else ?"? Simkins Yes you mixh'' try a real actor or two.' Oh, ehi)dren you are so noisy to-day. Can'tyoM beatittlestiHerand betttr?" "Now. grandma, you mustbRatitHc considerate, and not scold us. You sec if it wasn't for us you wouldn't be a grandma at ttL" And you rejected him t" I did." He has the reputation of being a large hearted man." That's t'tc t.r<.ub)K with him ho i, too largtl- hcarted. He can love half a dozen women at the samt time. It is estimated that there are two thousand four hundred disordets to which the human frame is liabte When a man is laid up with rheumatism he is apt to think that the entire number has struck him ih concert. A Scotch Judge once addressed a jury thus: Gentlemen, having shown to you that the case made for the phuntifi is ab.sotutety impossible, I shalt now proceed to prove to you that it is in the highest de- cree improbitbte." Over the shop door 'jf a pork butcher in a village in the ea.st.eru c(iuiities may be seen a signboard representing a man in a btack coat brandishing a hatchet, with the inscription:—"Johu Smith kills pigs like his fattier." "Whf\t did papa say ?" He showed me the door." ".And what did you say ?" I said it was certainly a very handsome door. but not what I had come to talk about. That made him laugh, and in a minute iater you were mine." A letter of young pupil to his uncle was encourag- ing for the tatter. It ran as foHows :—"Dear Uncle,— You have often said you eoutd die happity if I passed my final examination for the bar successfully. You ean die happy.—Your dutiful nephew." A little Irish girl, in her catechism class, confounded the answer about purgatory with the question about marriage, and to the interrogatory. What is matri- mony ?" naivety responded, A place where souls auSer for a time on account of their sins." A birthday gift by the father and three daughter* of the family to the mother was thus naively announced recently to that tady by the youngest, a girl of ten Dear mamma, this is presented to you by yout three children and your one husband Goodness, child, don't eat *w many sweets "But, ma, you said I coutd have some sweets for taking that medicine." Of course, but so much will make you ill again." Well, ma, then I can take some more medicine and have some more sweets, c&n't I ?" A gay bachelor has a curious decoration over his titting-room mante). It is a large frame -filled with photographs of girls and women, most of them pretty. At the bottom of each picture is pasted a newspaper clipping. Why, Mr. Brown, what do they mean he was asked recently. They are pictures of thw only girls I ever loved," he replied, "and th«w clippings are the marriage notices."

COAL AND IRON. BABEOW, Monday.—Business in hematite qualities of pig iron is very quiet, and the holiday season is checking safes very c )nsiderab!y makers, however, are mainttining the rate of output and deliveries are steady. Ofdera for forward delivery are, however. very timited, and very little spirit is shown in the future. Prices are nrmer at 48j for warrant iron and 49a for parcels of mixed Be"semer numbers net f.o.b. Steel makers are stopped for the holida.ys, and have only a good hope for the future in the Siemen's- Martin'f.andthe tinpiate bar trade. Heavy rails are quiet at £4 2t 6d. The shipbuilding and engineering trades, although the worka are stopped for the holidays, have good new year prospects. Iron ore quiet at 9-i per ten net at minef. MIDDLESBROUGH. Tuooday.—Thin attendance, boli. day feetuft:, and Bcarcety a transaction reported, but prices maintained all round, M the consutn)t:on is heftier this week than anticipated. Scarcely any 6n!ahe<I iron and steel worka closinf! for the h"HdA;'a. but wot kinx four dayf. OwinloC to this it ii ehtirnated that the increase in stocks will not this month exceed 5.000 tona. makers and Merchants quoting 38s for prompt and forward deliveries of No. 3 Clevetan-1. and nothing teas taken, white Midd)eshroui{h warrants were at 38:) 1-i caah. Nc. 4 foundry 37a 6 i. and grey fort{e36a3J. Btaet furnace coke delivered here next half year at 13-1 6j, hut several brands cannot be bought under 14s. East co aRt hematite not under 48 6d for !n!xed cumherf. Ltcal stee) plate and angle mitia rtquiring more than in the earty autumn. Finished uon prices unchanged. WOLYERH,\MPTON, Wednesday.—The demand for 6nit!htd4ronisweH maintained both on home and export account. Marked barf, merchant and common iron, at late rater, have a fair sale. Sheets for galvanising have an active sate. Angles and Tt*ep, roundc, Qt tf, and equares in moderate request. Pig hon has a steady ea)e prices firm.

THE RAILWAY COAL CONTRACTS FOR 1892. GREAT F&LL IN PRICES. One of the most important transactions of the year, as it affects the South Yorkshire coat trade, has taken place during the week. The attention which has been given to the question of the railway contracts for hard coat has not been nearfy ao f:reat this year as it usually i?, but the matter has proved a moat interesting one for oalowners and miners alike. jt is now stated that some six or eight weeks ago A private meeting of the members of the South Yorkshire Steam Coalownera* Association was held to consider the action which should be taken with reference to the contracts for hard coat to the railway companies. The meeting was fairty representative, ard the matter was gone into very fully, with the result that it wna agreed that suppHes be tendered at 9:1 6d per ton of 21 cwt.; this being a reduction of 6d on the contract; ratfa of the current ye.,ir, and of Is on tho rate that obtained in 1890-101 6) per ton. It does not appear that there was any dimension at the meeting on the score of the price agreed Uf'ot), but it is stated that when the tenders were taid before the raitway companies requiring applies thefobjcted to them and demanded a reduction of 6J per ton. Curiously enough, this was the action adopted by the railway companion !ast year, and the union of the coatownera was broken inti at the last moment by a wire from N.'rth eaa'ern Company, which offered 10< per ton—6 i less than the agreed price—&nd securing the acc"'phnce of thia was able to 6x th:tt iL4 thebtandai d ptice for all the contrMte. There hard!y seems t' have be2u the same ditBeuIty on the pre6e«t occasit-n. The cnalownera had another '!teet!r),: and further diseased the queattftn. What thetr decision was exactly duea not appear, but the Nt'rttt-faatern Company have been able this week to ptace their contracta at 8< 9 ) per ton of 20 cwt.; and the other companies—there were spvera) in the market—have been abte to settle on that basis, and to ptace their contracts most advantageousty M com- pared with the present year and fast. This is practically a reduction of Is a ton. and as it will g'tvern every contract for hard coat made in the district—that is to say, att the most important con- tr<tft" of the yeftr—its "lIi6oùncc In the present state of affairs may be teah-ed by everyone.

I AGRICULTURE. f THE DIAMOND-BACK MOTH CATERPILLAR.—Oar readefs are aware of the ravages committed by this insect on swedes and turnips. The Board of ARri. cutt.ure has through Mr Charles Wh:tehead made a very thorough examination of the attack, and his re- )<'tt to the Board is now published. It can be had for 3d, and fat toera will be wiae to secure a copy. be- cause t')e catt-rp'Uar may come agate, and to be fore. warned is to he fore'armed. AGRICULTURAL SEED TBADB. LONDON. Wednesday. -INIes-ra John Shaw and Sone, seed merchanta, of Great Maze Pond, London, S.E., report to- day's ma' ket as thinly attended. Quotations in the absence of transactions ahow no change. Meanwhile a Sttu ft;e!int{ prevails all round. Spot American red is now eheaner than c i.t. seed. Rapeseed movea upwafde. Hmttard unchanged. Bird eeeda reatiae hrmer terms. Blue peas come forward slowty. Haricnta are stronger. New spring tares offer at tempting tate".

FARMING AND THE CORN TRADE. I The ilras k Zone Expi-eas of Monday Bays:— Thf frost. wh!fh fama without introduction, hni marif nn equally unannounced departure, and the effect of the thaw upon the markets will probabiy be of a weakening character. English wheat was a good ?how at Hull on Tuesday, and holders accepted 6J leea money than formerty. At Lynn. on the other hand, eupptiea were ha<dty adequate for inquiries, and 6d advance waa accordingly obtained. At Spaldiue and Rochester the value was stationary on Wednesday. Bridgewater and Hereford were steady. At Bury St. Edmunds 6d advance was made, SuSutk thus connrm- ing Norfotk advicea of the previous day. London, the la.,t market before Christmas was without busi- ness, the fog rendering inspection of samples next to impossible. The Scotch markets reported a fair salp, at full prices for home-crown wheat. On the day before Christmas very little business waa done any- where. but Leicester reduced prices 63 per quarter, and Lincoln asked, if anything. rather heavier terms. Bristol was without change. The markets of Saturday were few in number, most centres of importance be=ng either etosed or having a small retail market on Thurs day. Foreign wheat and Sour have sold e!ow!y. and trade in spring corn has been in buyers' favor.

MAR EETS. WREXHAM. ILf-,Iar —The market wore quite a holiday aspect. 1here 1\U only a sm3il supply ot eu\ t..d. waq stow. Beel reatised from 6d to 7d per Ib., and mutton from 7!d to 8d. Pigs made from 9j to 9i 6d per ba. and best dairy cowa up to about ;E2U each. THURSDAY. e. d. s d. Red wheat (new), per 751ba. 5 0 tt 56 thts (otd), per bushet of 45 bs. 3 2 to 3 Mating barley, per 70tbs. 4 8 to 5 Grinding per 64!bs. 4 0 to 4 3 Potatoes, new, per 12'JIba. 3 0 to J 6 Butter, per lb. of IHoz. i 4 to i 5 Beef, per !b. 7 to S Mutton, per !b. 5 to 9 Pork, 7 to 9 Veal „ 7 to 9 Lamb „ to 0 Fowls per couple 3 to U Duchs, „ 4 0 to 5 0 Turke)S 18 U teSj U Geese (per Ib.) U 8 to Olu Egga 8 to 10 for a shiUing. MOLD. WEDNESDAY.—Wheat (new) 11s 6d to 12a bartay, sped. 9s 6d to 10s oats (old), 6s t'd to 7s potatoes. 8s to 8s 6d per hamper butter. Is 5!d to Is 6d per !b eggf, 9 to 10 for a ahitling. RUTHIN. MONDAY.-There w?a a small attendance of visitors. Butter, ts 5Id per lb. Poultry unchanged, smaU supply. Fgs, 7 for a shil) og. DENBIGN. WEDNESDAY.—Visitors were numerous, and the supply of firm produce plentiful. Butter. Is 6d per lb. Eggs, 7 for a thilUng. Fowls. Ss to 4t per coupte. CREWE. CATTLE, Monday.—SmaU supply of fat and store stuck fair attendance of buyers. Prices: Beef, Did to 7d; mutton. 7d to Stt; pnrb pigs, 8s M per ecore; bacon pigs, 9s pt;r score. New m'tch and casing cow< and heifera. jEH to A:21 barrens, J69 to .eit; stirks, .60 to jK8 yeailingi, JE4 to JE6; atote pigs, tSa to 43e. OSWE&TRY. White wheat (per 75'bs.), 5s 4d to 5s 8d; red wheat (new), 5s Od to 5:' 4d oats (o!d). per measure, Os to Os oftts (new). 15s to 17s malting barley (per measure), 18s to S0< potatoes, (per measure). 3'< to 3" 6d butter. Is 3d to Is 6d per Ib beef, 7tt to 9tl; muttou, 8d to M veat, 7(t to 9d pork, 6d to Sd fowt«, 4s to 5a per couple ducha, 5-3 to 6s turkey?, 8% to 9j each geese. 6s to 10s each egg<, 8 to 9 for a shitting. CATTLE, Weduesday.-This fair was held in the Smith- Setd, when there was a rather smal'tr show of stock than usual, and the attendance atso was much afFected by the bad weather prevailing and other causes. Toe qu stations for ttock were about as fottows I—Beef made from 6d to 7d per Ib., mutton, 7!d to 8}d. real 7d. and pork, 5d to 5id. The sates were as follows :—Messrs. Whitfield and ?on sold 24 eatt!e and calves and 2SO sheep and pigs; Messrs. Dawson and Co. had their usual auction Mr J. C. McKie sold SO cattle and catves and 74 sheep and Messrs. BaYley and Groves sold a number of cattle and c 'Ivea and aheep and pigs. ELLKSMERE. TUESDAY.—0!d wheat, 6s 6d to 6s 8:1 new, 5s 4d to 5s 6d per 75:bs. barley, 41 to 5s eggs, 6 to 7 for la butter, Is 3d to Is 4d per 16oz.; fawts, 3a 6d to 4s 6d ducks, Es to 6a per coupte. THE FAIR.—At the fair on Tuesday prices were the same as last fair. Beef was a little higher, and mutton was in fair demand. Messr?. Parry and Bathoso!d 63 catt!'), 18 c.tves, 41 sheep and lamba, 13 pit: l\I.sørs. Cooke Mn't Sons sold 25 cattle, 14 catvea, IS sheep and tambj, and 32 piga. WHITCHURCH. FRIDAY.—Wheat, 5s to 5s 6d p&r 75!bs. barley. 4< 3d to 5« per 701b9. oats. 3:101 to 3s M per SOtba. eggs, 8 to 9 for a shiUing butter. Is 5d to Is 6d per 16oz. fowls, 4s 6d to 5a per coup)e; duckf, 6s to 7s per cLu.Jle; potatoes, 3s 6d per measure beef, 6d to 8d per ib: mutton, 6d to 8d veal. 7d to od pork, 5d to 6d; rabMta, 2s to2a 8d per couple. BIRKENHEAD TUESDAY.—Hay. X3 to jM; clover. jEt to .E4 15s straw, wheat, JE2 to jt:2 15s straw, oat, JE1 15s to .62 turnips, jEl 2a to dEl 5t; manure. 3s to 5s per ton. LIVERPOOL. TUESDAY.—Cheese, per UZIba.; Finest States and Canadian, 54s to 56s. E<gs, per 12U—Irish Hen, Ils to !2j Canadian Quebec, 8s to 9s 6d Ontario, 9j 6d to 10s 6d. ———— —-

"WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT ?"—Messrs. EItiman, of Sloxigb, give this tit!e to a unique !itt!e pubtieation brought out for the purpose of advertising Ellimin's Embrocation, but made gcm-ra.Uy attractive by its reatty exceptionally good i))ustrations. Mr John Sturp;ess ha? drawn a number of striking picturet of hunting coaching, polo, &c., and Mr Sturgees, jun., has supplied episodes of athletica. &c., the whote covering a wide range of poit. The illustrations (]d of them) in a larger size are to be obtained separately from the tormer. They have the advantage that in this form their present commericat associations disappear, and they stand out as realty capital pictures upon their own merits. 'WHAT'S IT ALL ABOTTT ?' would be sent free for Twopence in stamps, and the 19 Sporting Prints for P.O. 2a 6d or stamps 2s 6d. Sent abroad for P.O. 3t 6d Address—EUiman, sons and Co., Sicugh. 26i3

I SEION ANNUAL EISTEDDFOD AT COEDPOETH. Boxing Day waa th!s year celebrated !:n Coedpoeth on Monday instead of Saturday, M a tribute of respect to the Eisteddfod. l!'a thopa throughout the dUs. trict had been kindtycloae.t hroughout the day. which was unfortunately a very unpleasant one owing to a thaw. The result to the Eisteddfod was that by 2 0 p.m the Tabor Hifl School was crowded uncomfort. abty. At the atternoon meeting the president waa the Rev. W. Hopkin Rees (missionary), .Chin*, who has recently returned from that country to recruit his health. He was supported by Mr Richard Jonea (Penrhynfardd.aa conductor, both of whom performed their duties very ably. The adjudicators were:— Music. Mr WDfrid Jonef, R.A.M. Translation" the Rev. T. E. Thomas. Adwy, and Mr Edward Anwy! B.A., Mana6etd Cottege, Oxford. Poetry, Penrhyn- fardd. Trans!ations, Mr G J. Jones. Board Schools. Art, Messrs Joseph Jones, Ed. GriBBtha Samuel Taylor. and Mr E. D. Jonep, Coedpoeth' The ptincipal artistes were :—Mra GlanSrwd Thomaa (Uinoayde), Mr Wilfrid JOlle (medali!lt) R.AM Dr. J, Watkin Edwards. Hoft Wen, aaoieted by the successfut competitors. The accompanist, Mis Lizzie Davies, Adwy, was. owing to indisposition, unabieto attend, and her duties were ab)y fulfilled by Mr T. Roberta (HarmilnyJd,. The bards were first asked f"r their addresses, and three came forward—An Tegla. Cadwatadr. and Penrhynfardd. Than the President rose amidst much applause, and said aa tt happened to be Christmas tide, it cou!d nut but fail to interest them to hear of a Chinese Chriatm.t". Theit feast waa celebrated on the 4:.h. 8th, 10th. and 12th moonc. The god a cended to heaven for 15 daya to give an account of their deed?. They never saw them ascend or deaccnj, but.they watched for them at niid't. The frost commenced as suon as the stipulated 15 days were complete. and at each home a large dish was brought upon the tabte. from which they ata for four hours, and the foUowing three days were spent in sleeping away the effects. Consequent upon this very few hu'mn beings wore to be Men in tha 'treets for days after the feast. He had travelled much, and he cou!d safely venture to say that few people spent their Christmas better than the Welsh dtd in thu< developing the tlenti of their young so aa to increase both knowledge and the moral tune of jife. ihe Chinese were the mot unmusical people he knew. They had no idea whatever of muic. He had patiently labored for twelve months—anxioua months —)n trying to torch them one Weteh tune. The onty recnUection of W&tea he waa ab)e to enjoy there waa the singing in company of a Bristol lady missionary aome We)sh hymna he had taught her, and they could weH imax'ne what pleasure it was to him to pr-'eideat a Weieh Eisteddfod asain in the land of his fathers. (Applause.) The nrat item of the programme was tt reciting competition "Y Wialen Fedw," ("rhe birch rod "), open to thofe under eighteen yeara of age. The prize waa awarded to J. Lloyd, Then the soprano solo "Arytraeth" (W. Daviea) tuuk p)acp, and Misa E'niiy bright waathe succeaaful competitor. This p<iz3 was presented by Mr loan PoweD. Citepenty. The pr<z3 for anengtyuon 'Y ;;an wy 11 frwyn ("The ruh-!ight ") was adjudged to Mr J. Morris (Meuri¡{ CyiEn), Brymbo. Unfyone patty anawered to their names for the competition on Duli," duet for tnor and bass, by D. Ernlyn Jon"?, and the pr'za waa meritoriou<!y awarded them— Messrs. Hy. and Hew. Evana. Cefn. Mr G. J. Jonea adjudged the priz for a set piece from Welah to EngHah to Andronioug." who did not appear. Aft«r a searching criticism upon an inkstand in wood by Mr E. Jonea. the only candidate did not appear. In the t;aritone c Jmptiti"n "Yr orneat," ("The T' urnament") (W. Davies), Mr T. A. Uavies, Cefn. was the beat. In the freehand drawing compe- tition there were (.htrt;-nve candidates, mostty pre- sented from the Penygeiti Schoofs. The best work waa that of Mont," Wm. Arthur Richards No chnir presented themaelvta tor competition for "GfanauAfonDdyfrdwy," ('The Banks of Allaa Water,") for which a prize of jEl 10i and a Waterbury watch to the conductor was offered. A ve<y poor competition in reciting Catfaria," byeix ynung men, next took p)ace. The adjudicator gave them their deserts, but deemed Mr Aaron R 'berta worthy of tha prize. Mr Joseph Jones adjudicated rather exten- etvety upun the mason's hammers submitted ta him. Mr John Jehu took the honors. A moat beautifu! tendering of the set piece "0 ddydd i ddydd," ("From day to day,") waa given by a quartet party tn charge of Mr Hy. Daviea, Cefn, to whom the priza was adjudged by Mr W. Jones with compliment?. The essay by Mr Jones. Berse cottage, on "The duty of professing Christiana to rightly use their talents, wM hi!i;hly euloj,!iud. Mr Jones wa< represented by hta daughter. In the tenor so!o Y Bugaii (The Shepherd) there were Bfteen competitor'. Owing to equal merit the prize was divided between Messrs. Meredyth Jones, Rhos. and Richard Jone; Llanar- mon, white a third was given to Mr Wilfred Jonea. The best translator from English to Welsh waa "Abeinego,"buthewaa not preaent. Mr Samuet Roberts' table buck-stand was the only one sent in. He was worthy of the priz-. The late Mr J. T. Pnchard eiieitad a weH deserved eulogy from the adjudicator for hie Sue production, "Jesu, lover of my sou)," and it was a)ao said it ctlUld not have been better eung than by Mies Emi)y Wright, Cefn, who was one out of two competitora. The priz-} waa tha gift of Mr loan Powel'. Penrhynfardd adjudged Mr J. Morrip, Brymbo. the winner of the priza for a poem ut;on The Idiera, and Mr Wijfred Jones deemed Mr Thomaa Roberts to be the one who had answered questions upox muaic most creditab!y. Then came the chief choral competition for mate voice' The title of the music WM "Wyr Philistia" (Valiant "arrlOrS} lV. útO. Mua.cac). open to a party nmntjering not less than 20 nor more than 30. for which a prize of t4 and a baton for the conductor was cSered. Two names were read by the secretary— "The Bwlchgwyn male voice choir and the C'efn Mawr male voice choir," but only the latter responded to the caU. A voice from the body of the room ob- jected to the number of the choir, but when c 'unted only 28 comprised it. The adjudicator in giving hia verdict aaid if the prize had been Eve times more than it was be wou)d not have had the aiighteat hesitation in saying thtY richly deserved it. The only error he could point out was they had subjected themselves too rigidly to the expression and a titt)e more freedom would have been better. As Mrs GIanSrwd Thomaa had not arrived the last Hem on the programme was not performed and the pro' ceedings were brought to a c'oso at 5-45. The evening concert was held in the Welsh Wes. leyan Chape) (kindly thrown open to them by the trustees) at 6.30, under the presidency of the Rev. T. Jones-Humphreys. The proceedings were opened by the Weleh air, Codiad yr Ehedydd," rendered—as were atl their piecfs—very powerfully and correctly, by the Mate Voice Party, Coedpoeth. An intro. ductory in We)ah, was abiy detivered by the Chairman. The fotlowing waa the order of the pro- gramme :—Quartett. The Alphabet." Messrs Henry Dfviea, Cetn. and friends, when encored they responded with "Drdd ar ol dydd;" aong, J ean, lover of my ecu)." Miss Emily Wright. Cefn; song. (rw!adyr).)yn." Mrs CH.oaFrwd Thomas; aong, _X jjugat). Mr Richard Jones, Hanarmon; aong. "I fyny fo'r nod" (Excelsior). Mr Wilfrid Jones, R.A.M..son?, Ar y traeth." Miss Emity Wright; song. Yr Ornest," Mr T. A. Daviei-. Cefn Mawr, for w!nch he was encored. During an interval of a few minutef, Mr E. Anwy), B A., Oxford, gave a short and learned address, in which he aaid he came there to enjoy himsetf. and he thought he cou)d not have come at a more opportune time. The Engtiah were inclined to think very littte good could be got from these meetings, but he thought they had done more to elevate and purify the tone of the nation than anything else, because by such popular means they had been taught to appreciate knowledge. Bormeriy nothing but retigious knowledge was advo. cated, now it was diSerent. No doubt regions knowledge waa the most important, but there were other things highly necessary and important, which were rpqutred to bo learnt. Literary meetings were means to purify the tone of religion. He quot"d one or two improperly rendered idaaa in Wetsh. He urged -them not to depreciate knowledge, but to support and advance it by ho)d:ng euch meetings, by the Sunday Schoo). and every other means in their power. (Ap. plause.) Mr Henry Davief, Cefn, the conductor of the successful choir, was invested with the prize by Mrs GIanSrwd Thomas. The programme was continued thus :—Song, Come to the G.eenwood." Mrs Gianurwd Thomas; to an encore she responded with The Belts of Aber- dovey"; song, "Har.y B:uS," Dr. Edwards song, "Y nutwr Uewr," Mr Wilfrid Jone", R.A.M. Welah air. ''The Missing Boat," Voice Party; duet, Smning Lesson." Mrs ClanSrwd ThomM and and Mr Wilfrid Jouea Mng. Y mynydd i mi. "Dr. Edwards Welsh air. "T.'riad y Dydd." Mate Voice Party song. Fy Mam." MrWitfrid Jones. RA.M.; song, 'Sad Philomel." Mr. GJanffrwd Thomas; anate, II God save the Queen,"—In propoeine a vote of thanks to the trustees of the chape!, the Rev. T. E. Thomas ea!d some boisterously objected to putting sacred edinces to euch Ue8, but he contended that what was unworthy of wood and stone was unworthy of man, and therefore what waa worthy tf man was worthy of w.od and stone. Votes of thanks were passed to the chairman and all whn had assisted. ihestngtngwaa of anexceptionaUy high character. that of the Cefn Quartet and Mr T. A. Davies being much appreciated. The Coedpoeth Ma'e Voice ?hotr a renderings were very creditably performed. Tbe perforrnam:ea.of Mra GlanSrwd Thomas and Mr WUtrtd Jones were highly pleasing. Dr. Eiwarda possesses a rich and powerful voice, but it was not dtaplayed with suScient energy. Mias Lizzie Daviea d'd good service at the piano. The committee are to be highly congratulated for presenting such a varied programme of subjects for competition. The pre- dominance of the artistic element no doubt secured for the undertaking much of its success. The treasurer waa Mr Richard GriSiths, Talwrn and the secretary, Mr Joseph Witcoxon, Poat-omce. both of whom deserve much praise for their application and aeatduity in promoting and organieing such an exceilent Etsteddfod.

4. THE MOUTH. THZ NATURAL TEETH. ABTINOIA TEETH, &o.Pamphlet, post free, from T. H. CoLEMAN, F, C. S., &e., Regent-ateeet, Wroxham. 713 AS GOOD AS GOLD. DRANDRETH'S TRILLS. BRANDRETHIS pILLS. DRANDRETH'S nILLS. I SCG&R COATED. HEALTH, STRENGTH, FRESHNESS OF COMPLEXION. AND CLEARNESS OF VISION, ALL RESULT FROM THE USE OF BRANDRETH'S PILLS THEY PURIFY THE BLOOD. CLEANSE THE LIVER. AND INVIGORATE THE WHOLE SYSTEM THERE IS NO REMEDY OF TO-OAY TU"-T CAS APPROACH THEM FOR TRUE EXCELLENCE OF QUALITY. ASK FOR BRANDRETHS SUGAR-COATED PILLS. 40 IN EACH BOX. AGENTS FRANCIS <b Co., FMnHy and Dispensmg Chemists, Hope- street. Wtexham C. K. BENSON <& Co., North Wale. and alop Snpply Stores. 14, High-street, and 35 Hope-street, Wrexham Messra HENRY ROBERTS <& SON, H. High- tttMt, Mdd. S561M