Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser and Cheshire Shropshire and North Wales Register

I RHEUMATISM. SORE THROAT FROM COLD. STIFFNESS. ELLIMAN'S UNIVERSAL EMBROCATION, Is. l-d. & 2s. 9d. 2214

Wrexham were without a fixture on Saturday, and a match was arranged between the Welsh Cup team and a scratch team. From the Welsh Cup team two were missing, Roberts from back, and Lea from half-back. Wilding took Robeiti' placr, and Walton, of the Town Swift?, was at half-back. The scratch team was composed principally of members of the Town Swifts. There were also two men from the Brymbo Institute club, and Lewis and Davies, the Wrexham left wing. The game was fast all through, and some exciting play was witnessed.. The Cup team were distinctly the better lot, and won somewhat easily at the finish by seven goals to two. The back division of the winners was rather un- steady, but the forwards played a capital game, and we would urge upon the Committee the advisability of playing the forwards in the semi-final tie in the same positions as they played on Saturday. For the losers Mummery did :fairly well, and both backs did well. B, Lewis and Davies were, of course, the beat for- wards, but the others all showed promising form. In the Combination on Saturday, Buxton gave Northwich a good game, and were only beaten by one goal to nil. The home team, however, had nearly all the beat of the play, but the defence of the visitors was rather too good for the opposing forwards. Everton ran up what is likely to be the record score in the competition when they beat Denton by fourteen goals to nil. There was a reversal of form at Leek. At Chirk last week Leek suffere-i defeat by five goals to one, but they had anything but a representative eleven, and the fatiguing railway journey must have had a depressing effect upon the team. On Saturday Leek placed their best eleven in the field, and ran out winners by five goals to two. Stoke Swifts were defeated by Macclesfield on Saturday after a good game. The match between Stockport County and Stoke Swifts, at Stoke, a few weeks back, which was thought to have been a friendly, has come under the consideration of the Combination Executive, and been ordered to count as a match. The semi-final tie between Chirk and Wrexham, on February 13th, will not be played at Ruabon. The match will probably take place at Shrewsbury or Oswestry. Wrexham go to Denton to-day (Saturday). A special leaves the Central Station for Manchester.

CONNAH'S QUAY T. DENBIGH.-Played at Denbigh, on Saturday, and resulted in a win for the home team by three goals to nil. LLANDUDNO SWIFTS V. RHYL VICTORIA CROSS.- Played at Rhyl, on Saturday. The Swifts won a fat game by four goals to nil. SBBLWSBURY TOWN V. NEWPORT. Played at Shrewsbury, on Saturday, the home team winning a one-sided game by eight goals to nil. WREXHAM GTMNASIUM V. OSWESTRY OLD BOYS —Played at Oswestry, on Stturday, the visitors winning a good game by three goals to nil. WESTMINSTER ROVERS V SALTNEY.-Played at Stansty Park, on Saturday. At half-iima, the iiovers ltd by one goal to nil. The visitors scored in the second portion of the gain;, and the match ended in a draw of one goal each.

I THE WREXHAM CLUB. On Saturday, the Wrexham Club had no fixture and a scratch match was arranged between the Welsh Cup team and an eleven composed principally of rown Swifts, with two Brymbo Institute men, and R. Davies and B. Lewis, the Wrexham left wing. The ground was in fairly good condition, and there was a small attendance of spectators. From the kick-off, Oswald Davies did some good work. L. Jones re- turned and Evan Williams kicked behind. A corner for the scratch team was got away by W. Turner, and Ellis made some good kicks. Mummery saved after good play by Oswald Davies and J. Turner. Davies ran up well but shot behind, and then the same player put the ball outside from a good cross by Prichard. Soon afterwards a pood shot from W. Turner scored the first goal for Wrexham. Prichard had a good chance, but failed to utilise it. Mummery saved a good shot from J. Turner. Pilchard was conspicuous with a good shot, which just skimmed the bar. Wrexham had up t,) now had nearly all the play. After a run by Parry and Prichard, a shot from the former hit the bar and went over. Lewis, Brown, and Husjhes then came away, Wilding stopping them just in time. Not to be denied, however, another attack was made and from a cros-i by Lt-wfp, Jones missed, and R Davies equalised the score. From the re-start, some nretty play amonyst the Wrexham forwardm, resulted in W. Turner shooting a second COliI. The scratch t-am once more attacked, Tottes kicking out a shot tri,in B. Lewi. Fri'h:ud got away and Tarry gave W. Turner a chance, but he shot over. A free kick against Wr.-xham in mid-field cnine to nothing, Fz c-m a cross by his brother, B. Lewis made the sco:e again fqtial. A good shot from Pilchard was well stopped by Mummery. Acornerfor Wrexham was sent behind by Walton. At the other end, Brown had a good chance, but si ot behind. The sciatch team pressed for some time and nearly scored. Then Wrexham forced ahead, and before half-time, W. Turner and Prichard ha.) scoied for them, and they thus led by four goals to two. On crossing over Wrexliam were piessed, and Jones had to save a shot from Brown. Wrexham then had the beat and pressed nearly ail the time until the finish. Additional goals were added by Hayes and Walton, and the final score was Wrexham, six goals District team two. The follow- ing were the tennis :— WREXHAM :-E. Jones, goal Ellis au J Wilding, backs Wallon, H tyes, and Evan Williams, half-barks Prichard' Parry, W. Turner, J. Turner and Oswald Davies, for- wards. DISTRICT: —Mummery, goal; Mathias and L. J nes, backs Lewis, Brown, J. Huehes, B. Lewis, and K. Davies, forward', Rtfere*, Mr H. Phennah.

THE COMBINATION. I Goals. P. W. L. D. For. Aggt Pta Everton IS .15 1 2 89 11 32 Macclesfield 13 & 4 0 35 20 18 Stoe S",ifts 12 8 3 1 39 14 17 Northwich Victoria. 11 6 4 1 ?0 i7 13 Gorton Villa 12 6 6 0 27 30 12 Chirk 13 4 5 4 31 40 12 Leek 13 .5. 8. It 33 36 Hi Wrexham 9 4 5 e 17 35 8 Buxton. 11 3 6 2 8 21 8 Stockport County 13 3 9 1 12 27 7 Chester. 11 2 7. 2 23 4G 6 Denton. 12 2 9 1 13 65 5 ETEBTON V. D.ENTON.-Played on the Caledonians' Ground, at Liverpool, on Saturday. Denton never had a look in, and were beaton by fourteen goals to nill. STOKE SWIFTS V. MACCLESFIELD.—At Macclesfield, on Saturday, before about 3,000 people. Almost immediately btoke scored, but it was not long before the home team equalised. Stoke led at the interval by two goals to one. Macclesfield got three points in the second half, whilst the visitors failed to more, and the result was-Macdesfield, four goals Stoke Swifts, two gools. NORTHWICH VICTORIA V. BUXTON -At Northwich, the home team pressing severely throughout the first half, but injudicious shooting nullified all efforts to score. The second half was almost a repetition of the first, Result-North wich Victoria, one goal; Buxton, none. CHIRK v. LEEK.—At Leek. The first half was fairly even for a time. Leek then took up the run- ui. g and scored, the game at half-time standing, Leek, one goal, Chiik, none. Leek soon went off agaiii in the eccond half, and ecred another goal. Chirk followed with » goal, but Leek added a third. Chirk (cored ii^ai> and tillti Leek got two more, and the result waa-Lec-k, five goals; Chirk, two goals.

I THE ENGLISH CUP. I By order of the Fo<tball Association Council the seven undecided games of the first round were played on Saturday, when the attendances at the different grounds were larger in some cases than on the Satur- day previous. Everton failed to reverse the verdict, and on their own ground again succumbed to Burnlev. At Anfie!d, the scene of the contest, there were 10,000 people. -Hill scored twice for Burnley early in the game, and this advantage was maintained up to the interval. Subsequently Everton obtained a point, but Burnley reasserted themselveil, and in the end won by three goals to one. The Ironopolie team of Middlesbrough were quite outplayed by Preston I North End on the lattur's ground at Deepdale. Here there were several thousand onlookers. Preston triumphed at all points they obtained four goals before half-time, and the ultimate verdict for them was six to none. Casuals v. Stoke furnished a capital I match at Stoke-on-Trent. Soon after the kick., ff the home eleven attacked with considerable vigour, but the Casuals' defence was sound, and at the interval Stoke had regitered only one goal. Quickly after resuming, Stoke obtained a second goal, and finally victory rested with them by three goals to none. On the Albion Ground at Sunderland the Birmingham St. George's team were rather decisively beaten by the Albion Club. The ia'.ter secured one goal before half-time, and finally won by four goals to none. Crewe Alexand-a and the Wolverhampton Wan- derers replayed their match before a big company at Crewe. Neither side scored before half-time. Sub- sequent'y Crewe obtained the first goal. Then Wolverhampton scored four in succession, and won the match by four goals to one. Twelve thousand was the computed ttrength of the crowd at Sunder. land at the Notts v. Sunderland tie. From the start the play ruled falat and exciting. The defence at both ends was severely taxed. James Hannah registered the firbt goal for Suuderland, while Camp. bell (two1, and Smit"1 added three ethers for the same side before half-time. Thus at the interval Sunder- land led by four points to none. Nothing was scored after change of ends, and Notts were vanquished by four to none. Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Wed- nesday played off their tie at the Olive Ground, Sheffield, in the presence of 18,000 onlookers. Sheffield secured the opening goal about half-an-hour from the kick-off, and by this point the home eleven were leading when ends were changed. Quickly after tha interval Brown credited the Wednesday with a second goal. Bolton strove hard to rett isve these losses, and at length they managed to score. But two others were registered for Sheffield Wed- nesday, who finally won by four goals to one. The draw for the second round was as follows :— BurnKy Y. Stoke, at Burnley. Middlesbrough v. Prtston North End, at Middles- brough. Aston Villa v. Darweu, at Birmingham. Small Heath v. Sheffield Wednesday, at Sheffield. Wolverhampton Wanderers v. Sheffield United, at Wolverhampton. West Bromwich Albion v. Blackburn Rovers, at West Bromwicb. Accrington v. Sunderland, at Accrington. Sunderland Albion v. Notts Furest, at Sunderland.

SOAMES'S" CHARITY CUP. FIRST ROUND. WREXHAM VICTORIA V. VRON BLUE STARS.-This tie was re-played at Chirk, on Saturday. The Victoria were poorly represented, and were beaten by five goals to two. WESTMINSTER ROVERS V. RUABON.—This tie was re-played at Stant-ty Park, on Saturday, the home team winning by eight goals to nil. RH08 v. IRHOBRYLLEN. -Played at Rhostyllen, on Saturday, before a fair number of spectators. The Rhos team only played ten men in the first half. Rhostyllen started, and soon made a good run down the field. and very easily scored. After the kick-off give-and-take play followed, Rhos eventually equalising. The homesters again obtained, and Iroin a beriintrage scored their second goal. From the kick-cff, Reeves obtained, but Edwards robbed him, and the homesters ran down and scored a third point. Rhos now livened up a bit, but their efforts proved fruitless, Roberts tackling well. J. Griffiths obtained and centred, and from a good combined run enabled Rhostyllen to score again. At half-time Rhostyllen led hy four goals to one. On resuming t':e homesters pressed hard, several chances being misied. D. R therts, Roll. obtained and made a good run, passing to Williams, who shot, but Pugh cleared. Ishmael Evans then had a good run and passed to Blew, who thot acrosf, and enabled the homesters to add another h;oil to their score. From the kick-cff Rbos pre ae I, Parry shooting, and Ptith averted danger at the expense of a corner. Walter Evans, for the homesters, then raced away, and scored goal No. 6. Rhos now had a look-in, Pritchard centreing, and from a rush-J. Roberti h aded the ball through his own goal, putting on the second point foi Rhos. From now u..tii t'tnz! the h,uc team pr. s ed hard, and scored three more goals. Final result-Itliostyllen, 9; Rhos, 2. SECOND ROUND. I FLINT V. COLWYN BAY.—Played at Flint on Satur- day, the home team winning by 12 goals to nil.

THE LEAGUE. I Tlia number of ties which had to be re-played in the English Cup rendered it necessary to postpone various League games. At Accrington, the t)wn club and West Bromwich were able to decide their match. Accrington were the winners by four goals to two.

I THE ALLIANCE. I Bootle and Ardwick played at Bootle, the home I I winning by two goals to one.

I THE WELSH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. I At a meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Welsh Football Association, appointed for the purpose of selecting the ground on which to play the Irish match, on the 27th nit., at Wrexham, on Wednea- day, a memorial was presented from the City of Bangor, asking that the match might be played there. The memorial was signed by the Bishop and Dean of Bangor, the Mayor, Ex-Mayor and other residents of the city. The memorialists stated that Lord Penrhyn had offered the use of a suitable ground in his park, about 11 miles from the Railway Station, and the Bangor Club would erect the neces- Bary stands. It was urged in the memorial that it would be a great encouragement to the clubs in Carnarvonshire if the match was played at Bangor, and it was pointed out that the place wonld be con- venient for players and officials, both from Ireland and Wales. It was resolved to accada to the request of the memorialists, on a guarantee being given that the g&ta. would amount to not less than a stated amount.

I FIXTURES FOR SATURDAY. JAN. 30rH. I THE COMBINATION. Wrexham y. Denton, at Denton. Buxton v. Gorton Villa, at Buxton. Chirk v. Stockport County, at Chirk Northwicli Victoria v. Leek, at Northwich. WELSH JUNIOR CUP. SECOND ROUND. Buckley Victoria v. Buckley, on the ground of the former. THIRD ROUND. Oswestry Harriers v. Chirk Reserve, at Oswestry. Mancott and Pentre Unit-id v. Llandudno Swifts', at Queen a Ferry. SOAMES'S CHARITY CUP. SECOND BOIL* D. Westminster Rovers v. Brymbo Institute, at Stansty. Rhostyllen v. Gresforgl, at Rho-tylian. Wrexham Gymnasium v. Wrexhim Victoria.

"THE MOUTH, THE NATURAL TEETH, ABTIFICIAL TEETH, &O."—Pamphlet, post free, from T. H COLEMAN, F, Go S,, &C., Regent-steeet, Wrexham. 713

I TOURING IN THE EAST. A MONTH ON THE NILE. THE NATIVES AND THE MUD VILLAGES. [FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.] I LUXOR, DEC. 28TH. The Nile has been truly described as a river of life," spreading fertility and plenty east and west throughout its course, for no plot of land on the green earth yields such magnificent crops, and has such an abundance of life and beauty as the Nile banks, hence this sacred river was worshipped by the Ancients as a god. Three thousand years ago Herodotus called Egypt "an acquired country, and the gift of God," and this is equally true to-day. When we were in Cairo two months ago the Nile overflow was at its height, and millions of acres of rich soil were under the fertilising influences of these great waters. The annual phenomenon is attributable to the tropical rains and the melting of the snows in equatorial Africa. The Nile begins to rise at mid-summer and reaches its height in October. There are few impressions I have ever received upon the remembrance of which I dwell with more pleasure than that of seeing the first burst of the Nile into one of the channels of its annual overflow. All Nature shouts for joy. The men, the children, the buffaloes gambol in its re- freshing waters, the broad waves sparkle with shoals of fish, and fowls of every wing flutter over ] them in clouds. Nor is this jubilee of Nature con- fined to the higher order of creation. The moment the sand becomes moistened by the ap- proach of the fertilising waters it is literally alive with insects innumerable. The Nile at this season had gone down considerably, though it was more than a mile wide in many parts, and the fall will continue till the summer solstice again comes round. Now the wide valleys are one mass of matchless green, dazzling in its brightness. It was very interesting to watch the process of irriga- tion which is carried on daily by means of very primitive machinery. The steamer stops at all places of interest on the Nile, where donkeys with big red saddles, in charge of bare-footed boys, are always in waiting. As soon as we reach the shore we are surrounded by dark men, women, and children, many of them half-naked, all clamouring for backsheesh. These donkey-rides are very exhilarating, and provide endless fun, for with a party of sixty there is al waye a belt loose, or a strap broken the saddle topples over, or a minor accident happens. Besides, thete fine-looking animals are wonderfully intel- ligent, and they seem to put their heads together to provide amusement for both the visitors and themselves. After the donkey carries the rider for half-an-honr and he thinks there has been no incident, he instantly provides one, so sending out his hind legs and rearing himself nearly on end, he slides his burden over his head. Another time, without the least warning, he will fall on his knees, and the rider makes one or two somersaults across the hot sands whereupon the ass pricks his ears and looks down upon you as if to say, Hulloo, are you there ? If you get your feet fast in the stirrups so much the better. The donkey will take good care you are not hurt, but he will move on quietly, so that you do not get released until all eyes are fixed upon you, and visitors and donkey boys are all holding their sides and roaring with delight, while the asses chime in with a merry bray. As we sailed up the river from Cairo we passed palaces and mosquep, houses and gardens, and groves of palm, sycamore, and acacia trees. Then Cairo with its citadel and slender minarets, and the faint outline of the Mokattam Hills appeared on the horizon, whilst far away from the western shore of the river rose the mighty pyramids of Gizeh. Our first stop was at Bedresheyn, where we mounted donkeys, and skirting the village we rode along a winding embankment we reached a large palm 1 grove, round which are the mounds of Mitrahenny, so called from the village which lies a little way beyond. These mounds mark a point of the site of ancient Memphis, the chief city of Egypt, and the residence of the Pharaohs. The splendour of the ancient capital, with its great temples, palaces, and monuments had all departed. Nothing is left but these crumbling mounds and the mutilated statues of Rameses II., the conqueror of many lands, the master-builder of Egypt, and the oppressor of the children of Israel. Thus the prophecy of Jeremiah has been literally fulfilled. "0 thou daughter, dwelling in Egypt, furnish thy- self to go into captivity, for Noph (Memphis) shall be waste and desolate without an inhabitant." The greater of these two colossal statues of Rameses the Greek, which has for centuries laid face downwards in the mud, has now been turned over, and is surrounded by a wall. It stood fifty feet high, but, unfortunately, the feet have been broken off, The expression of the face, which is perfectly preserved, is very beautiful the features being sharply cut, and most delicately finished. The statue has been presented to the English nation, and it is probable that it will shortly be brought to London. Returning to the steamer, we continued our course up the river, and pass the limestone escarp- ment of Gebel-el-Tayr, on the summit of which is a large Coptic convent. At one time the monks used to leap from the precipice, and swim to the steamers and dahabeahs to solicit alms from 1 travellers on the ground of common Christianity and humanity." The Coptic patriarch has, how- ever, wisely put a stop to this practice. Passing Minieh. where the Khedive has a fine place, and where there are extensive sugar manufactories, we arrived at Beni-Hassan. After a ride of twenty minutes across the hot sands we reached a wild gorge, and there visited the grotto of Speos Artemedos. Speos means a rock-hewn tomb, but in addition to the tomb there is a temple, with portico, columns, and architraves, cut in the face of the rock. We afterwards rode over the plain in a northerly direc- tion to the old deserted village of Beni-Hassan, which was destroyed a few years ago by order of Mahomet Ali, owing to the incorrigible rascality and thieving propensities of the inhabitants," who, we are told, are not much better at the present day. Beyond this desolation we climbed the cliffs to fifteen other rock-tombs, in which are temples containing massive Doric columns, from which it would appear that the Greeks received some of their architectural designs. On the walls of the various chambers are frescoes, setting forth in glowing colors (still fresh) scenes from the life of this ancient people. From Beni-Hassan the steamer proceeded as far as Rodah, where we anchored in mid-stream for the night. The next morning we passed the massive limestone cliffs of G?bel-aooo-faydah, which rises almost sheer from the water's edge. We are told by Mariette Bey that high up in these mountains are the famous grottos of Maabdeb, which are accessible through a natural fissure in the rock, and which are literally filled with mummies of crocodiles intermingled with some human mummies, the richest of which are gilded from head to foot. In the evening we arrived at Aesiout. The next morning was s pent in the baztars, on the hills, and in the catacombs of this interesting place. This was the most delightful excursion we had hitherto made in Egypt. AsMout is the capital ot Upper Egypt, and the residence of the Governor. Here we met with the Copts, who are the direct descendants from the ancient Egyptians. It is estimated that the number of Copts in Egypt to-day exceed 350,000, and the greater number of them are engaged in the work of goldsmiths, silversmiths, clothworkers, earthenware manu- facture, and opium picking, 1;0. Well, a party of sixty galloped off on donkeys- very fine animals, far ahead of those we had ridden two days before-along the beautiful curving road which leads through palm groves from the Nile to the city, a mile away. What fun we had, some galloping, some trotting, some waiting, but all in perfect good humor, chattering and bhouting out for a day's enjoyment. We passed through several narrow streets of mud houses, where we were hustled by crowds of men, women, children, donkeys and camels, the latter being loaded with bricks and huge pieces of limestone, carried from the hills beyond. It is amazing what ponderous burdens these ships of the desert" bear. Outside the city we crossed a branch of the Nile-for Assiout is practically located on an island-and arrived at the foot of the limerocks, where the famous catacombs and tombs are hewn out of the hard rock. Here we dismounted from our steeds, and climbed several hundred feet to the tombs, which date back as far as the XIIIth dynasty- 4000 years ago. We entered several of the grottoes, some of which are very large. The tombs are arranged in successive tiers, at different heights on the mountain side. Some of the small pits in the grottoes are very narrow, and slope gradually as if to allow the coiffns to slide down into them. In the larger chamber there are the usual mummy pits, and also small niches or repositories for the dead. On the sides of one of these tombs were frescoes of soldiers, carrying shields of enormous size. Climbing nearly to the top of the mountain, we gained the finest view which is to he obtained in Egypt. At our feet was the quaint city of Assiout, with its fifteen slender minerets, nestling amongst the groves of palm and acacia and looking north and south we gazed upon one hundred miles of the lovely Nile valley, bounded by the Arabian and Syrian chains of hills, while the banks of the broad silver river are clothed in richest green, such a tint which probably no other valley on the earth doth show, and which, as Dean Stanley so graphically wrote, is "unbroken save by the mud villages whieh here and there lie in the midst of the verdure, like the marks of a soiled foot on a rich carpet." It was fair day in Assiout. On our way down the mountain we had a good view of the in- numerable mounds and tombs of the modern cemetery, which lies at its foot, and here an Arab xhowed us a large ingenious trap by which they caught the byanas which still prowl about the mountains. It was market day in the city, so again mounting our donkeys we trotted off to the baziar. I rode side by side with a young German prince, who was travelling in- cognito, and was as keen of sport and as full of fun as any of us. Come along," he said, let us see the sghts to- gether," and what sights they were. The large Market Square was one mass of life. Here were hundreds of dark faces of men with colored turbans and blue gowns, women with a single indigo skirt to cover them from head to toe, and half-dressed aud naked children, all carrying out their different wares-pottery of every shape-for here is the finest pottery place in the East-ebony sticks and knicknacks, anklets, bracelets, necklaces of beads, spears in brass sheaths, and stuffs of the brightest hues. Here, too, is a group of donkeys, camels, kneeling and waiting for the master who shall make the highest bid. The Prince purchases a few scaribs, and some colored stuffs, and I secured for my museum a spear brought from the Soudan campaign, and a huge pipe measuring five feet in length, and capable of taking balf-a-pouud of tobacco. Arriving in an open square the Prince unstrapped a gun from his shoulder and brought down a hawk, while I took a "shot" with my camera at the dirty, gaping, half-naked, fly- pestered natives, who sat, looking on, in the dust outside their mud dwellings. Assiout, where the railway from Cairo ends, was practically the starting point of the English expedi- tion to the Soudan in 1884. All the stores for the army were brought here by rail from Alexandria, and the 800 hundred rowing boats, in which the English troops went over the different parts of the Nile south of Wady Haifa, were also brought by railway and placed on the river at Assiout.

LITERARY NOTICES & REVIEWS. In the new editions of the Aldine Poets, Professor Dowden will edit Wordsworth and Mr George Saintsbury, Herrick. The title of Mr George Meredith's new volume of poems is Modern Love" (a reprint), to which is added "The Sage .Enamoured and "The Honest Lady (Macmillan). « II HEsTEn. The last volume published of the cheap re-issue of Mrs Oliphant's novels is Hesler" —a capital story. The publishers are Messrs Mac- millan and Co., London, and the price is 31 6). » Mr Rudyard Kipling's reputation has been upheld in Oxford. At the last meeting of the Union, it was decided by a majority of 62 to 53 that the popularity of his novels was not a sign of the worthlessness of popular taste. The publication of the Anti-J acobin, which during its short career has contained some of the most readable and interesting articles we have ever read, has ceased. Its editor, Mr Greenwood, was suddenly and severely attacked by influenza, when, however, he had already made up his mind to discontinue an undertaking that extorted a vast deal of labor and a certain expenditure of means, with reward at a distance that made neither worth while. His incapacitating illness only brings the paper to a more abrupt and unprepared conclusion than was intended. The Athenceum, states that Cardinal Manning has left no autobiography, but that thereare a great num- ber of letters from men famous in Church and State, arranged in a row of red boxes, at Archbishop's House, many of them dating back to his Anglican years. It also states that the letters, which the Cardinal wrote to Mr Gladstone during the earlier years of their intimacy, Mr Gladstone, when he was making a general arrangement of his papers some two years ago, returned to the Cardinal, remarking I do not forget old days." These will be arranged for publication in due course, but probably not without delay. A NEW ASSOCIATION. — The Artistic aud Literary Association, Limited," whose registered offices are at 158, Strand, W.C.. is the designation of a new publishing company, whose chief object is to afford t,) those of its members who are artists or authors the unique advantage of sharing, as pnb- lishers as well as originatoro, in the profits accruing from their own works," Mr Franciti George Heath has consented to accept the position of managing director and editor in chief, and amongst the first un- dertakings of the Company will be the acquisition of Mr Heath's well-known books on ferns, trees, wild flowers and sylvan scenery, and of the Monthly Magazine," Illustrations," and the establishment of a novel weekly pai-pr. The regiftered capital of the Association is 225,000, divided into 5,000 ehares of C5 each. The accuracy of Tennyson in dealing with physical phenomena has, says the Daily Chronicle, often been noted, in striking contrast, it may be alded, to the amazing statements touching clouds and the like which occasionally find a place in Ruskin's poetical prose. Now it has been left to M. Gremaud to dis- cover that Virgil wa", if not the necromancer of I he rredimval legends, an admirable meteorologist. The description of the tempest in the first book of the E,ieid contains, so Aoimir al Vienes, President of the French Geographical Society affirms, the laws of cyclones only recognised by sailors in modern times. Finally, the process of resusciation has established Coleridge not only as a fair naturalist, but even as an astronomer. For it is pointed out that the star in the dark inside of the rim ot the crescent moon, which has so often puzzled readers of the Ancient Mariner," is an actual phenomenon. On clear even- ings, when the moon is in her first quarter, a bright star-like spot may sometimes be seen on the shadowed disc, at some distance from the bright crescent. This blight spot is, however, not a star, but, it is believed, the light of the sun reflcted f. om some lofty lunar peak. ♦ THE TaIAL AND DEATH OF SOCBATIS.—The ninth vo'mne of the re-issue of the Golden Treasury Series (Messrs Macmillan and Co., London) is The Trial and Death of Socrates," being the Euthyphron, Apology, Orito and Pi-m-lo of Plato, translated into English by F. J. Church, M.A. The book is intended principally for the large and increasing class of readers who wish to learn something of the master- pieces of Greek literature, and who cannot easily read them in Greek. This is the translator's aim, and he has succeeded, for the book is unquestionably the best translation of these four dialogues of Plato, describ- ing the trial, the imprisonment, and the death of Socrates, that we have. The introduction is not intended to be a general essay on Socrates, but only an attempt to explain and illustrate such point in his li!e and teaching as are referred to in these dialogues." It is most interesting and instructive, and from it we give the following short outii ie of the life of Socrates. Socrates was born shortly before 469 B.C. Nothing definite is known of his moral and intellectual development, and there is no specific record of him at all until he served at the siege of Potidaea (432 B c.—429 B.C.), when he was nparly forty years old. All that we can say is that his youth and manhood were passed in the uiost splendid period of Athenian or Greek history. It was the time of that wonderful outburst of genius in art, and literature, and thought, and statesmanship, which was so sudden and yet so unique. In 431 B.O. the Peloponnesian War broke out, and in 424 B.C. the Athenians were di4ELptrously defeated by the Thebans at the battle of Delium. Socrates and Laches were among the few who did not yield to panic, and the resolute bearing of Socrates was con- spicuous to friend and foe alike. Socrates fought hravely a third time at the battle of Amphipolis, 422 B.C., against the Peloponnesian forces. For sixteen years after this battle we hear nothing of Sjcrates. The next events in his life of which there is a specific record are those narrated by himself in the 20th chapter of the Apology. They illustrate, as he meant them to illustrate, hia invinciblo moral courage. They show that there was no power on eartl<, whether it were an angry popular assembly or a murdering oligarchy, which could force him to do wrong. There are two events in the life of Socrates to which no date can be assigned. The first of them is his marriage with Xanthippe. No trustworthy details of his married life have been preserved but there is a consensus of testimony of late authors that it was not happy. Indeed the strong probability is that he had no home life at all. Again, no date can be assigned to the answer of the Delphic oracle. hpoken of in the 5th chapter of the Apology. There it ia said that C aerephon went to Delphi, and asked if there was any man who was wiser than Socrates, and the priestess answered that there was no man. We now come to the events record ed in the dialogues, which are translated in the volume under notice. In 399 B.C.. Socrates was put on his trial for corrupting yotuitr men. and for not believing in the gods of Athens; and on these charges he was found guilty by 281 votes to 220, and condemned to death. His death was delayed by a Stats religious cpremonial, and he lay in prison for thirty days. His friends implored him to escapp, which he might easily have done, but he refused to listen to them and when the time came he cheerfully drank the poison and died. Such a man waR Socrates in his life and in his death. He was just and feared not. He might easily have saved himself from death, if only he would have consented to cease from forcing his countrymen to gise an account of their livep. But he believed that G"d had sent him to be a preacher of righteousness to the Athenians, and he refused to be silent on any terms. 'I cannot hold my peace,' he says. 'for that would be to (IiEol)ey God.' Knowing nothing certainly of what comes after death, and having no sure h"pe of a reward in the next world, he resolutely chose to die sooner than desert the post at which God had placed him, or do what he believed to be wrong. ♦ » JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL.—Messrs. MaCTniU?n and Co, haTe just issued, in one volume, the poetical works of James RufseU L?weU, the American poet. critic, and diplomatist. Coming from "uch a well-known publishing house, it need hardly be said that it nns- sesses all the merits of good and accurate printing. The paper is of good quality and the binding stronc. The volume is embellished with a fine portrait of Mr Lowell. which alone is worth the money, but in ad- dition Judge Tom Hughes writes an introduction, which is not only charming in style but sound in its critical estimate of this truly human Doefc. In his in- ¡ troduction, Mr Hughes says :—" For more than thirty years Lowell has been my most intimate book- fiiend amongst our poets. I know of no more precious possession—none for which the young should strive more earnestly, or he more thankful for when gained- than a hearty book-friendship, It is well to have as large an acquaintance as possible with all good books, but fpw nf us have time for this in th<se days, and I think I have observed that the at- tempt to know more or lees every new book of which we hear is apt to dull the higher literary aiptite, and to make us almost incapable of a true friendship. Of these you cannot have more than a few. A small shelf will hold for most of us all the book-friends of I which we now tire-to which we can go back again in any leisure hour and be certain of finding strength and enjoyment and sympathy whatever our mood may be, Let me try then to put those who are still strangirs, or mere acquaintances, in the way to make a book friend. If I succeed I know that they will feel grate- ful to me o the end of their days." The reader will indeed feel a deep gratitude to His Honor for an introduction to a poet whose liberal views are so helpful. The breadth of Lowell's religion is known far and wide. These poems are his expression of his belief that the highest form of faith is to help one's fellowman. No one can read the graceful lines without being inspired hy their splendid teaching. We therefore very cordially commend this collection of fine poems to our readers. It forms a most acceptable memorial to the man who did so much to cement the friendship of England and America. Not the least charmng feature ot Mr Lowell's character was his luve of chUdren. and of this Mr Hughes gives the following When he was in England in 1873, onrsmalI daughter named May, who was then not old enough to speak quite plain, a-ked him to write in her birthday book. This was his answer Copy of verses addressed to a young laiy by the late Mr Pope, A.D., 169S, aet 10, when it is well known he lisped in numbers." May ith the month that poeth love, Her apron full of leaveth and flowerth, Her thkieth thoft bre.ith^.i ath a dove, Her momenth loitering into hourtb. The prcth ige of a name like yourth Mav nothing tver croth or thtain, And if a cloud your thky obsur-,h Be it more full of thune thin rain. Whether ath maiden or ath wife May the thoul's thpringtime light your way, And may May Hughtheth happy life Be ever tt teeped i8 hueth of May. It is conj?ctured by the celebrated Dr. Bent!ey that there was an obscure allusion in the last stanza to a lady named Hughes.—2nd June, 1873. J. R. Lowell." In his introduction, Mr Huglie-i refers to the wonderful sweetness of Mr Lowell's tyes, and says this struck him the first time he saw him. Lowell once called at a house, and the parlour-maid speaking to her mistre-s said "He didn't 'eave no card, madam, but he had 'he co.ixingest eyes ever yru see." A description, which Mr Hughes says, it would be difficult to improve. Having said so much of the charming personality of the wiiter, it is not very difficult to conjecture what his poelDS would be like. We must not forget, too, that in the volume, are the celebrated Biglow Papers and the Fable fur Critics. They are all now in a convenient form, and we hope his. prose writings may be put in as convenient and moderately priced volumeo6 Lowell was a great force, and his influence we hope will never die, although the gifted writer fell on slep" in Au,ust last. Of liiir. we may well quote his own ectimate of Aga3si_ z— His magic was not far to seek,- He was so human whether strong or weak, Far from his kind he neither aank nor soared, But sate an equal guest at every board No beggar ever felt him condescend, No prince presume but still himself he bare At manhood's simple level, and where'er He met a stranger, there he left a friend."

I SMOKING CONCERT. The second of a series of smoking concerts, in connection with the Wrexham Football Club, was held on Friday evening, at the Feathers Hotel, Mr J. F. Edisbury occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance, amongst those present being the Mayor lMr F. W. Soaines) aud Mr Councillor Murless. The Chairman said: Gentlemen,—Before proceed- ing with the musical part of this evening's entertain- ment. I should like, with your kiud approval, to read a few lines as to football history, which I believe will be interesting to all who love the good old game. My facts have been gathered in small lots from various sources, and, although not long, have taken a good deal of time to search out. Well, football had its origin in the days of chivalry. An Italian came over to Scotland early in the 12th century, and at Scone, near Perth (where Charles II. was crowned by the Scots), he (the Italian) challenged all the parishes (under a certain penalty in case of their declining his challenge). Scone alone accepted, and beat the foreigner, aud in com- memoration the annual game was instituted. So every vear, Shrove Tuesday sees a standing match between the married and unmarried women of Scone, in which the former are always victorious. The bachelors, too, meet the married men at the Old Cross, and the ball being thrown up in the air at 2 o'clock they play till sunset. In those days he who got the ball in his own hands ran with it till overtaken by the opposite party, the jbject of the married men being to put the ball three times into a email hole on the moor, the dool or limit on their own side," the bachelors to dip tho ball three times in the river, the limit on the other side." The party who could effect either of these objects of course won the game. Scenes of violence often occurred, and gave rise to the Scotch proverb, All was fair at the ball of Scone." In Edinboro' and Stirling we find that in the reign of King James II. of Scotland, 1457, football was prohibited being played in the streets, and the ball of those days was made of stout leather stuff.-d hard with feathers." At Alnwick. Northumberland, the mayor or constable made Shrove Tuesday a great day by throwing the ball from the Castle w alls to the populace, who at once took sides in a street. game. In Normandy, as early as the 13th century, it was the custom for-the newly-made bride (on coming out of church) to throw a football over the church porch, when the scramble for it would result in a match between the single and the married men, the bridegroom having to stand the victors a supper (this latter practice would no doubt meet the ap- proval of the Wrexham team. Intending bride- grooms please note.) We fiud the London apprentices enjoyed their game in Finsbury tields (now known as Finsbury Square and Circus), aud also at Teddington, where it was conducted with such animation through the streets that the householders had to protect their windows with hunlies and bushes. In both London and Scotland in case of a tie between the parties, the ball was cut in two. and kept as a memento of the match. Coming nearer home we fiud good old Chester cornea well to the front in the keeping up of old games and customs. In the fourteenth century (at the Easter Festival) might be seen the Mayor and Corporation, with the twenty Trade Guilds of Chester, with their wardens at their heads, setting forth in all their pageantry to the Roodeye "to play at football." The Mayor, with his sword, mace, and cap, stood before the Cross, whilst the Guild of Shoemakers—to whom the right had belonged from time immemorial-preaenti-d him with the ball of the value of three shillings and fourpence or above, and then all set to kick right merrily But (as too often falls out in this game) great strife did arise among the young persona of the cittie", and hence in the time of Hecry the Eighth (1533) the gift of a ball was chaHged to a present from the Shoemakers' Guild to the Drapers' Guild of six hand darts of silver, to be given for the best fout race whilst the Saddlers' Guild went in procession on horseback, each carrying a spear with a wooden ball decorated with flowers, exchanged their offering for a silver bell. which should be a reward "for the horee which with speedy running should run before all others." Hence, I presume, the beginning of the celebrated Chester races. There is an old saying, That history repeats itself." In the case of Wrexham it certainly has for if the Mayors of Chester 400 years ago showed their sympathy with football, so has our own worthy Mayor (Mr Soamee) offered for competition a cup for that best of all virtues di charity," the proceeds (as I understand), after paying expenses to be handed over in aid of benevolent local institutions. A few lines of rhyme I have written to-night, And what 1 now say, I hope you'll find right Well! first, you have PUGH to watch the goal, Who throws into his work both body and saul. Then ROBERTS and ELLIS are rare good backs. Who do their best to repel all attacks; Whilst for half-backs, WILLIAMS, HAVES, and LEE Are about as good as half-backs can he. Then other names forward I now must bring. So will mention DAVIES and LEWIS on the left-wing, WIL! IG centre, right wing. TURNER and PAKIIT, Who xgainst other teams will play" Old Harry." There's one remark, I feel vnu'll all endorse, That-is, the good play of THE OLD HonSE" Elsewhere, LLWIS and DAVIES. good uarae have earn'd, And we are glad to find they have home returned. So, if you stick together, through the season. To shout. well done we!ll have GOOn REASON. In conclusion, my friends, I'd just rem-ik, Keep up your g-lod name, whether in pUy or lark, When elsewhere you go, by rough play dou't vex 'em, Then, we'll all be proud of Our team from Wrexham." The Mayor said Mr Edisbury had alluiei to the healthy exercise of football, which was so thoroughly taken up in that district. (Henr, hear.} He fouud at the end of the season, football flagged somewhat, and the idea occurred to him that a charity cup, which could be played for later on in the season, and for which the Ecnior and junior clubs could enter without losing their respective ranks would both assist the charities of the district and also serve to keep the teams together. (Hear, hear.) He was glad to inform them that a Wrex- ham tradesman had obtained the contract to supply the charity cup. (Hear, hear.) He always preferred dealing at home when he possibly could. (Ap- plause.) He noticed that the Wrexham club had not been so successful lately, but tie trusted they would—if they did not absolutely win-be very close competitors for the charity cup. (Hear, hear ) The capital programme was takpn part in bv Mr D. Samuel, Mr John Robeita, V.S., Hr F. T. Evans, Mr W. Hughes, Mr W. Holland, Mr G. J. Wcstoii, Mr F. Harrif, Mr H. E. Eaboni, Mr Burrs, and Mr R. Macauley. At the close, Mr Robertshaw proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, and announced that Mr Martin, jeweller, had promised to present a silver,, gold centred, medal to any of the Wrexham team, who might be selected as international players., (Applause.) Mr W. T. Profitt seconded the resolution, which was passed with acclamation. On the motion of Mr J. Taylor, seconded by Mr J. H. Robinson, a vote of thanks was passed to the performers, and the proceedings termiuatot with the singing of Auld Lang Syne1' aud the National Anthem, We understand that the Foothail Ciuh intend to ¡ hold a smoking concert every fortnight, The above appe .rjd in a portion of our last issue.

No bell can ring so loudly as a good advertisement. People will believe what they can see rather thall what they hear.

I WELSH JUNIOR CHALLENGE CUP. I RESULT OF THE SECOND ROUND. Oswestry Harriers beat Kuabon Reserve, eight goals to nil. Cardiff Reserve scratched to Oswestry St. Oswald's Llandudno Swifts beat C mnnh's Quay, 4 to 0. Mancott and Pentre United beat Bagillt, 6 to 4. Buckley Victoria beat Buckley 4 to 1. Llay Hall Blue Stars beat Wescminater Rovers' Reserve, 3 to 2. Wrexham Gymna-ium beat Wrexham Town Swifts. 2 to 0. Gresford Reserve beat Rhostyllen Reserve, 3 to 2. Chiik Reserve and Wrexham Victoria Reserve had byes. Buckley lodged a protest on account of the state of the ground und at a meeting of the Junior Cup Committee on Tuesday night, the jmatch was ordered t. be re-played on the Victoria ground, on Jan. 36th. In the tie between Rhostyllen Reserve and Gresford Reserves the Rhostyllen club lodged a protest, on the ground that the referee (Mr P. Griffiths, Chirk), was not only incompetent, but gave wrong decisions wilfully, with the view of cheating Rhostyllen. A sub-committee, consisting of Mr James Davies, pre- sident of the Association; Mr E. Phennah, Wrexham; Mr D. Smith, Broughton, and Mr J. Taylor, secre- tary, was appointed to investigate these charge", and report. THE DRAW FOR THE THIRD ROUND now stands as follows Otwestry Harriers v. Chirk Reserve, at Oswestry. Re- feree, Mr D. Smith, Broushton. Manco.t and Pentre United T. Llandudno Swifts, at <4ueon> Ferr). Referee, Mr Berrie, Khyl. Llay Hall Blue Stars v. Buckley or Buckley Victoria, at Llay Hall. Referee, Mr W. J. Hughes, Wrexlum. Wrexham Victoria Reserve, v. Gresford Reserve, or Rhostyllen lieserv, at Wrexham. Referee, Mr J. Taylor, Wrexham. Wrexham Gymn-isium and Oswestry St. Oswald's, byes.