South Wales Echo

The Man About Town. I I The Police Court Testament, in which deadly disease germs are supposed to lurk, is not the only class of book which the public suspect. There are thousands who would use the Free Libraries, but for the repugnance they share of handling a dirty and greasy volume. A hardly-used book, dog-eared, loose in the covers, one cannot fairly object to but when it is sticky, and every page bears evidence of the remains of a previous borrower's supper or breakfast, then the volume becomes objectionable and should a particular reader be supplied with one or two such books, he or she withdraws from borrowing with a shudder. There is always the danger present that a Library book has been used in a sick room or by a convalescent patient, and the strictest oversight cannot detect disease germs invisible to the naked eye. To disinfect a book is no easy task, a bright fire being the best possible agency, but that of course destroys the volume, though it does the work effectually The Director of the New York Library has discovered a disinfectant which, whilst it destroys all germs in a book, leaves it free from damage. In carrying out the experiments a number of books were innoculated or infected with a miscellaneous assortment of disease, and filled with the germs of measles, small-pox, and scarlet fever. The disinfectant is the gas formal- dehyde. A volume to be disinfected is placed in a casket with a bowl containing a solution of formaline, and at the end of a couple of hours it is completely and eafely disinfected. The vapour which arises from the solution penetrates every portion of the book and destroys every living germ. There is hope for the particular borrower yet, but some of the popular works would need to be boiled ere they became present- able. Councillor Good is again tilting at the resolution of the Council of Cardiff to seek the title and dignity of a Lord for the Mayor and a City for the borough. While the dignity fever rages in the Cardiff Council it is useless for the valiant repre- sentative of Cathays to strike against such folly. Men of true grit and real dignity win their spurs before wearing them, but in the case of Cardiff a small Committee rushes off to London town to beg and pray for them, and fuss about at home, whilst the genuine business of the City looks after itself. But there are other Councils capable of doing ridiculous things. Leeds, for instance, has had a great cocked hat" question. Cardiff Councillors nar. rowly escaped wearingcocked hats andgowns, whilst Leeds, having the gowns already, has concluded to wear cocked hats in the Jubilee procession. It has been suggested that caps and bells would come cheaper than gold-laced cocked hats. In Cardiff there will be no official procession, so the dignity will not be missed, nor the loss of gowns and cocked bats and other theatrical paraphernalia felt. Councillor Good should move a resolution that mem- bers wear kilts when the Mayor becomes Lord Mayor, and the town is called a City. It is exceedingly undignified for any town to go begging for titles and distinction. Cardiff is earning its own reward and titles to distinction without its representatives ¡ going about fussing, cap in hand, to ask them as a favour. In uniby there is strength in disunion disaster. One of the notable features of the Record Reign must be set down as the rise of associations and organisations for the protection of class interests. In every trade, profession, and calling, combination seems to be regarded as the first law of self- preservation. The doctors, lawyers, coaltrimmers, hobblers, and dock labourers combine for defence and not offence. So the report runs. I have a suggestion to hand that the Brewers' Travellers of South Wales should form an Association "for mutual benefit and to enlighten one another upon questions of the day, and to render assistance in cases where it is necessary and deserving. For instance, there is, and has been, a great monopoly by large Companies buying up small breweries where tied houses are connected with them, in consequence of which the travellers are in most cases dispensed with. One large firm in Cardiff has recently bought up several breweries, and discharged nearly all the office staffs, in some cases without giving due notice." It is difficult to see how an Association could successfully combat the tendency of the times, but it is for the Brewers' Traveller and office staffs to suggest a way and to form an Association for the legitimate purposes named in the letter. One hesitates to use those familiar words, Jubilee," 44 Record Reign," and to keep on tracing the pen over the familiar com- binations of letters. There is no hope for it until the close of the present month, when Jubilee literature will be laid aside and magnificent proposals forgotten. Cardiff's principal and only scheme for celebrating the year is the erection of a Hospital for Seamen, but elsewhere one hears or reads of very little being done for Jack. An old sailor, writing to a north country paper, regrets this fact, and calls the shipowner to account. He says the sailors work while they can and make big piles for the shipowners, who conveniently forget them. I That is why nothing is being done during the Jubilee for seamen. He supports the idea of a Sailors' Jubilee Pension Fund, for granting pensions to old seamen, who would pay to a fund, the shipowners contributing a portion. Something might be done to keep the old sailors from becoming paupers, but these old age pension schemes are knotty problems,as theFriendly Societies and Statesmen are finding out. Still, difficulties were sent to be overcomeand problems to be solved. Another lady writes to say that after reading the note referring to the cruelty to donkeys on the Penarth Promenade during the holidays, she saw one of the boys in charge of a pony there deliberately kick the animal in the stomach. She cried shame on the young brute, who became insolent. It seems to ma that a little moral suasion" is necessary ou the Penarth Promenade with occasional oversight and a police warning. The citizen is not permitted to take the law into his own hands or many an act of cruelty to animals would be followed by swift chastisement. It is unpleasant to interfere when a word of reproach brings down upon one's head a volume of curses accompanied by other acts of cruelty to the poor beast on whose behalf the protest was made. With the Police and the Inspector of the S.P.C.A. it is different. Their attention is needed on the Penarth Promenade. The deadly paraffin lamp is again rasoon- sible for an accident at Dowlaisto a woman and child. The number of lamp accidents of a fatal and serious character which occur during a single year is simply appalling. It is more than time that the Bo:u'd of Trade issued an order, or the Government passed a short Act, prohibiting under pains and penalties the sale of dangerous lamps, or lamps of any kind with glass or earthenware containers for the oil. Accidents invariably occur through the overturning of a lamp, which smashes the glass vessel and allows the oil to run over the tablecloth or carpet, thus causing a conflagration difficult to extinguish. Some time ago the Lancet made a number of trials with cheap lamps purchased in London, and out of a severe test only two or three at most were found to be mode- rately safe.whilst most were dangerous to use under any circumstances. No paraffin lamp is safe unless the oil is contained in a metal holder. Ironmongers are not per. mitted to sell dynamite cartridges or gun- powder indiscriminately, nor should the trade in dangerous paraffin lamps be per- mitted unchecked. Some day, in the dim and distant future perhaps, when the worst elements have been eliminated from party Government, atten- tion will be paid to the enfranchisement of all classes. Proper provision will be made for the voting, and men who are entitled to be on the lists of voters will be placed there, the machinery of the law being used to ensure that result, and not the opposite one, which now obtains. At the last Urban District elections many ratepayers were disenfranchised by the poll opening after they had left for work in the morning and closing be- fore they returned in the evening. To a citizen who values his citizenship and his vote this is galling indeed, but what can he do 1 His bread is of greater importance than his citizenship and keeping his employ- ment than exercising his privilege to vote at a District Election. At previous elections in the Rhondda the poll has been opened at 10 in the morning. The Local Govern. ment Committee of the Glamorganshire County Council yesterday decided that it shall in future open at 8—a democratic move I What heartburning and strife has been caused by the proposal to Incor- porate Merthyr. The big Colliery Companies are opposing might and main, because of the rate bogey, and they demand the instant laying down of arms by the promoters of Incor- poration, 60 that parties oppos- ing be not put to any inconvenience or expense by » public inquiry That is the position of affairs, but if Mer- thyr is ever to rise from the con- dition of neglect and oversight into which the old town stems to be slipping, she will pursue her application for Incor- poration and finally obtain it. The County Council also proposes to oppose Merthyr's scheme, but all these objections are usual in every case of development, inde- pendence,and extension of powers andareaby the large towns of the country. The towns are hemmed in by opposing interests, and opposition is always encountered. The objections should only act to stiffen the backs of the promoters of Incorporation for Merthyr. Merthyr ought to have been a Borough a quarter of a century ago and j more. I

A COG AND 200 MEN. I After being oat of work for a week in conse- j queues uf the breakage of a cog of the drift engine at the Beacons-road district) of the Fiym i-.th Collieries, Merthyr, about* 200 men were enabled to re torn to their employment to-day, the damage having now been repaired.

MABON Maelgwyn, Cadrawd, Dafydd Mrr- T»nwg, Mynyddwr, all write for the Cardifi Tints and South Wale* Weekly Kewt, which is a magazine and a n DI OIM. The beet and brightest pennyworth of action, gossip, raws, and special articles dealing with Welsh subjects published. Order a copy t'*ay In all diseases consulfc Dr. Bridgwater, M.D. U.S.A., Custom Bo«s*«treet 190e J

I hear that in Carmarthen the town clerk, borough surveyor, and the chief constable are all ardent cyclists. The popular Mayor shows his weakness in the same direction by being president of the local cycling club -0-- Wales will be represented in the 24 hours' race at the Crystal Palace at the end of this week by Alf. Lewis, of Aberaman, who has performed very creditably in several long distance events here and on the Continent. o Treorky has arrived. Certain enthusiastic j wheelers of that ilk have just banded themselves together and formed the Upper Rhondda Cycling Club. The opening run took place on Monday last to Caerphilly. Perhaps the secretary will kindly forward me a list of club runs. -c- Sixteen members of the Cardiff Borough C.C., headed by the captain (Mr J. Hoyle), have been on a Whitsuntide tour to Oakhampton. Mr Sam Moore, the popular secretary of the club, was prevented accompanying his club members by the calls of business. -0 The Linton Memorial Fund Committee have deoided to organise a Cycling Carnival to promote their funds. The date is not yet fixed, but all cyclists wishful to join should send a note to Mr Morgan Parr, Victoria-place, Aberainan, Aber- dare, who is making aU the arrangements. -0-- Ha, ha Swansea Corporation regaled on sandwiches and aerated waters by Councillor Spring, and Messrs Lee and Griff Davies doing the mile in record time ronnd the new cycle track at Swansea That sounds like business, doesn't it ? The fact of the matter is the Open Spaces Committee of the Swansea Corporation have at length awakened and have laid out a cycling track round the recreation end at St. Helen's. Never, never again, say that old Abertawe is slow and sleepy. The treasurership of the Aberamao Victoria Ladies' Cyoling Club has been changed, Miss Loe, of Paris Home, succeeding Mrs jimmy Michael (resigned). The card of club runs include trips to Cardiff, Penarth, Neath, Cowbridga, Porthcaw), etc., and membership increases we sidy, --0-- Look oub shortly (sttys Cycling) for some eye- opsninff times on that patent. High-gear machine from Wales, of which we Lave heard so much lately. In »bout a week's time the mile-a- niinute instrument, having gone through its Patent Offico ordeal, and the rjhtr. having been secured therefore nil over the world, it will be given a trial at Heme lItll, when we shall see what wo shall see. Meantime, WeMi cyclists who have been waiting to Si!O the machine perform are somewhat disappointed that its trial is to take piaoe outside the Principality, instead of at Cardiff ur Newport, as promised. --o The Carmarthen Cycling ^Club was formd in January, 1891, and since January, 1892, the hon. secretary hag been MR A. J. JONRS. Mr A. J. Jones. Last Angus!, on the occasion of his mar- riage. he was present- ed L'y his clubmates, iiiusb succe"ful stnoliing concert, with a valuable silvpr urn and hot water jtig as a token of their esteem and respect for him. Mr Jones is on tho Centro Committee of the National Cyclists' Union, and is also one of the official I judges of that body. The club has done a great deal for local charittcs by tho holding of carnivals, &c\, having handed a large sum to different causes in the towil-lu this way tlie'Carmarthenshirn Infirmary has received over" £ 31. For lirse ot these carnivals Mr Jones', who, by tht; way, is a Pressican, acted as secretary. --0 The captaill of the Carmarthen C.C., Mr W. L. Lawrence—whose photo I -i;As been a votary of the UR W. L LAWRENCE. wheel for a great many years, although he is now only in his 26th year. He was one of the first in carmart,hen to ride the now popular safety, having started riding in 1388, His favourite race ■ is a hf Jf-nule sprint," although he will hold his cwn at races of greater I distance. He is con- sidered the prettiest padailer in Carmarthen. He has been a member of the club since its inau- guration as an amateui body in Jan., 1891, and is very popular with the member". A few years ago he left Carmarthen for some months for London to continue his studies at the Metropolitan School of Shorthand, and on that occasion he was presented by his clubtuntof3 with a valuable gold medal as a mark of their estec-m and goodwill. There is no doubt that if Carmarthen possessed a suitable track, and Mr Lawrence went in seriously for racing, he would make his mark on the cinder path, 0-- The hero of the sports at Pontyptidd on Whit- Monday was young Hopkin Davie*, a member of the Treforest Cycling H. DAVIES. Club, who took the firsG prize in each of the three races. He is 20 years of age; in fact, his 20th birthday wax on Monday, and he celebrated the evenb by bis brilliant achievements in winning the three events, thus taking two prizes of the Value of six guineas each and a. gold medal offered by his club. He lives on the Graig, Pontypridd, and is by trade a paving cutter. He cast in his lot with the Treforest C'ub the year before last, and since then ho Il?-S competed in several races. In the club 25 miles road race last season j he took the second prize, and he has taken two fourths in the 25 miles events on the Cardiff Harlequins' track. Last Easter, at Newport, he won his heat in the half-mile haudicap, and was placed fourth in the fioal. -0- Repeated efforts have been made to form a cyohng club on a sound basis at Barry, and they have each time met with failure. A meeting of the old Barry Club was called on Thursday evening, but only some half a dozen" faithfuJs" turned up. It is now intended to hold a meeting next Monday, and if both clubs that eked out a struggling existence last year do not combine their interests so as to form a strong organisation there will be no peace in the Barry cyclists' camp. 7-0 Tom Lewis, the winner of the 25 mile race on the Cardiff 'Quins' grounds on Tuesday, lives at Efail Isaf, and became a member of the Treforest Cycling Club this season. His occupation is that of a collier, and this was the first prize he haa taken on a cyoling track. He has only once before competed—that was in the 25 mile race on the same ground last year-but be made a very poor show then, and his victory now is, therefore, the more remarkable, espeoially when it is borne in mind that his saddle broke during the race, and that he rode a considerable distance on the seat pillar. He is very fond of cycling and is a hard road rider. BLe has seen about 24 summers, and is likely to shine with otbars of his clubmates in coming races. My Lady Correspondent :—It is a sign of the times that inosli of tho cycling clubs that have been recently started admit lady members. At the meet of the new eyeliner olub all Penarth on Saturday, fully two-thirds of tdose present were ladiet. The run, which was the first of the season, was a short one—about 18 or 20 miles, but was thoroughln enjoyed by all taking part. The road from Penarllh to Canton may be described as one of the worst in the district, bnt past Llandaff the riders bogan to enjoy themselves, the Fairwateor road being in good condition. There was no wind, and the view as seen from the road near St. Fagan's was charming, and it was difficult to realise that we were so near one of the moat important coaling centres in the world. At St. Fagan's a was called, and a welcome cup of tea enjoyed; then home via Wenvoe, St. Andrew's, and Dinas Powi. Notwithstanding the fact that several riders were novices thei o wore no accidents, and the membprs arc looking forward to their n-oxt run on Saturday to C,fn Mably. -.u- Forthcoming Club fiuiis. JUNE 12TH. Cardiff 100 Miles. Raglan Roval Oak „ Jcckey ChoPstOw Ciiiton Hotel „ St Anne's Pontypool Claude Hotel „ Borough Bridgend Grand Hotel YMCA MacUen Association Canton Wheelers Bonvilstone.. Insole Arms Newport Safety Monmouth Queen's Hotel 1 Swansea Mannesman. Murnbles Landore C.T. Llanelly Wheelers Porthcawl —— 'Ireforest. Pontypool Bush Hotel r.iidgend Pontypridd.. —— Penarth CefnNIably —— JOSE 13TH. Cardiff Catford Pontypool Royal Hotel „ Canton Wheelers PBterston Insole Arms JUNK 16TH. Cardiff Catford Cowbridge. Royal Hotel „ 100 Miles LT-k Royal Oak „ Jockey. Llanishen Clifton Hotel Borough St. FagAi)' Grand Hotel „ Canton Wheelers Taff's Well. Insole Arms YMCA LlantwitMajor Association Brecon. Bridgend Capt.'s Walk Bridgend Pencoed ——

BKIDGWATEH, M.D., U.S.A., 18, Cuntom House street, Cardiff. 190e

I Are You Little P" I ELEVATORS AND LIVER PILLS, f AMUSING EVIDENOE. I Me Vaughan sab specially at the Extradition Court at Bow-street Police Courb yesterday for the further bearing of the charges against Arthur Lewis Pointing, otherwise Professor Holti Madame A. E., fee., & the vendor of the "A. D. Invisible Boob and Shoe Elevators (Registered)." The prosecntion was conducted by Mr Colbeck, of the Treasury, and Mr Horaca Avory defended. Four Inches Wanted. The first witness called was Frederick Dry, an india-rubber worker, of Manohestar.who said that he saw an advertisement in June, 1896, and wrote for particulars to the Oriental Toilet Company," 87, Strand. He received the green circular mentioned on the last sccasion, and sent 5 9d forapair of elevators, af king that they should elevate him four inches as per advertisement. He received two pieces of cork about an inch if thick, which elevated him about an etghth of au inch. He wore them for about an hour, and found that they threw the body forward, terribly crampiug tho toes, hurting the feet, and affecting the spine. Then be wrote to the Toilet Company saying that if they did not refund the money he would show them up. He received no reply, though he wrote again on a postcard, threatening to prosecute them. At a Theatrical Performance. Cross-examined Witness sometimes engaged in amateur theatricals in connection with the church, and it was to increase his height on these occasious that he ordered the elevators. He noted the statement in the oircular that the elevator were the most successful invention yet introduced to increase the height without detection, and he know it must either be a good thing or a big swindle. The occasion on which he wore them was during a theatrical performance, but they hurt so he was obliged to take them ofi before the conclusion of the piece. Weak Atikies. i Mrs Sarah Tunnard, of Leeds, was attracted by the statement in the circular that in the case of weakness in the ankles the elevators are simply invaluable," and as she was then interesting herself on behalf of a cripple who was suffering from weak ankles, she ordered a pair, sending 3s 9J, and saying that she wanted them for a crippled girl who bad weak ankles and one leg an inch shorter than the other. A usual she received a letter tipy;tig that the 3s 91 quality was out of stock and suggesting that she should send Is 9J for the superior quality." This she did, and the pieces of cork were sent. Bile placed these in the girl's boots, but she was quite unable to walk in them, and had to be held up. Then witness wrote to the Oriental Toilet Company asking for her money back, but tilts merely got an offer thAt. the e'ewturs should be exchanged for goods from their toilet list She did not reply to this iebter. Pills PfoiuctI in Court. Stephen Gent, a plumber, of B.misley, sent 3g 9(1 for it pair of elevators three inches high, but he added if the company were satisfied that two inches wouid be morn comfortable they were to send the iatter size. He learnt that the 3 91 qnaliiy were out of stock, and wrote bflek that he would wait for them. Then he received them by return of post, but they were neither three inches nor two inches but one inch- He tried them on, bub they hurt so much that he stopped in the atreot to take them off, A second trial producing no better result, he returned the goods, asking for his money back. An exchange was suggested, and he asked for a handglass. Btit handglasses were out of stock also, and so a box ot liver pills was sent. (Laughter.) Witness produced the pilla and, amid laughter, offered them to Mr Colbeck, who declined them, Mr Vauphan Did you try the pills 1—Yes, but a good dose of Epsom salts would have done as well. (Laughter.) Cross-examined How many of these pills did you take ?—What, me Yes, yourself. Never mind the baby at presenb, (Ltughtor.)—Well, I took two. And how many did you give to other people ? WeB, I gave my daughter two twice. Did you writ* to the company again after receiving the pillii ?—No, I thought I would not trouble them any more. I see, you settled down to take the pills. (Laughter.) Footman and Lady Frionci- George Parker, of Ross. Herefordshire, a foot- man, also invested in a pair of elevators. Both he and his" lady frieud," lie said, tried them, but neither could Wlrar them in comfort, and so he sent them back. HP, too, received a box of liver pills iu exchange, but he had not taken any. A Cork Manufacturer's Evidence, Joseph Hips, a cork manufacturer, said that he had supplied the prisoner (aa Cooper, Lloyd and Co.) with elevators at 23 lOd par dozen p-tirs since January, 1896. They were mainly one inoh thick, but lie had supplied them up to 21fa inches thick, never more. Cross-examined, witness said that he had been making these articles for the past seven or eight years, and supplied them to several firms. He supplied a Strand bootmaker with about a gross a month, and a firm of cork sock makers with about six gross per mouth of -inch and %-inch elevators. Ho supplied tho prisoner with two or three gross a mouth. At first they were plain, but afterwards, at the prisoner's suggestion, he stuck a bit of red morocco paper on the top, charging 4s a gross extra. Ever So Much Higher." Miss Charlotte Smith, of Putney, said that she was in the prisoner's employ as clerk, and had occupied that position since 1893. At first the prisoner carried on business at 87. Strand, as the Strand Employment Agency," but that was stopped, and then the Oi iental Toilet Company came into existence, A short time after this busi- ness was started the prisoner moved into the Westininsterbridgoroad, but the Strand address was kept. When an order for the 3i 9d elevators was reoeived a letter requesting a further Is 9d was sent. There was no difference between the elevators supplied at 3 9d and those at 5 6d. When the further Is 9d was not remitted the elevators were sent after a delay of a weak or two. When the green circular was Rent, and no order was received, after an interval of six weeks a special half-price offer was made to the customer, so that one customer might be paying 2-t 9d (half price) for his elevator?, and another 5d 6d at the same time. Three letterp, one announc- ing that the 3s 9.1 elevators were out of stoclr, the second in reply to a customer's complaint, and the third offering to exchange tho elevators for toilet specifics, were always kept in stock ready for use. Witness recognised several letters produced as having been received from cus- tomers, in which the elevators were spoken of as "most comfortable," and as making the wearer look "ever so much higher." Rp-examined Ib was a fact that in one of the published testimonials, in which the writer spoko of the elevators aa very nice and quite comfort- able." he was at the same time returning them, as he could not wear them because hA had a stiff joint. Another letter, which said, "I have worn your elevators for two days, and they make me lmk a greFLi; deal taller," as per advertisement, continued by sayiDg that the writer could not possibly wear ohem for more than thirty minute* 'ata time, because they hurt her feet so. The hearing was again adjourned.

CHILD BURIED IN A GAHDEN. Extraordinary Evidenoe Given at an Inquest. Some extraordinary evidence was given at an iuqueet held at Hackney yesterday on tho body of the newly-born male child of Charles Hutchin- son, a painter, lately residing ab 37, Crozier-ter race. Hackney Wick, which was lound buried in a garden.-Tlie mother stated that a Mrs Delvin, a neighbour, took the body away and buried it in her gar(len.-The Corouer Bub the I doctor says the child breathed. Yon didn't bury the obild in the garden alive suvoly 1—Witness No ill was quite dead when Mrs Dalvin bnried I it.Coubinuing, witness said that she heard nothing more of the child until nine day, after, when Mrs Delvin brought the body back, saying, You had better take this back, the police are going to search my garden. Wibusse took the body, and wheu it was dark she buried ib in her own garden under a pigeon-cote. Coro-.ior Then it was buried twice \Vitneu Yes, air I didn't know what to do with it.—Continuing, witness said that on Saturday the detectives came to her bouse and dug the body up.—Jane Delvin, a married woman, of Croziet-terrace, stated tbab she took the body away, bub she did not bury it,—The Coroner What did you do with it ?—Witness I put it in the garden and threw some dirt over it.rho Coroner That is burying it.—Witness Oh, no there was only a little dirb.—Witness added that after she had had ¡ the body nine days she thought she might get into trouble, so took the body back to tho mother. The Coroners Your conduct is scandalous, and. you run a great risk of beipg sent to prison.- Dr. Turtle deposed that there wif no proof that the child had lived, and the jury returned a verdict in accordance with the doctor's evidence. —The Coroner severely censured the women foe what he termed their abominable conduct. n_T_

I IN all diseases consult Dr Bridgwater, M.D U.S.A., Custom Hoase-street. 190«

The Ghost Story. I AMUSING CRITICISM. I In a. leading avticle headed Nonproven the Morning Leader thus discourses on the latest ghost story :-If that gentleman who attempted to crush the Ballechin ghost by two columns and a third of solid type in the Times flattered himself he had succeeded he is probably undeceived by this time. Already other correspondents are letting him know that there are more things in Heaven and earth than are dreamt of in his philosophy. For instance, yesterday Tenez-le- Droit rebukes him for crass Philistinism," his commonplace disapproval of bis not very inbelli- gent form of abuse. Tenez-le-Dioit" remarks No one is bound, indeed, to care for such subjects at all." 'This is undoubtedly correct, but nearly everyone is a furious partisan concern- ing ghosts. The man who believes in "ghosbs and the man who does not,are Separated By a Great Gulf, I Not politics, nob views about the currency, nob even the odium theologicum, can inspire such deadly and lasting hatred. For you may vote against a man, and be his friend you may grin when he explains the silver question, and retain his regard you may dissent from his creed, and grasp his hand. All these are something, nothing; but if you filch from him his favourite snook you rob him of that which not enriches you and loaves him poor indeed. Nay, you may seriously inter- fere with liotiis rent as well. Now, it is one of the fundamental principles in seeing ghosts that you must first of all believe in them. They will not appear to the ribald sceptic. The eye of faith must be bright and ready as well as the mere physical eye. In the case of Ballechin the investigator started oub in the wrong spirit, for he says I tossed with another man for the possession of the most haunted of the rooms and won." Quito aparb from the question as to I whether Ballechin is a place within the meaning of the Acb, and whether tossing there is legal, what I A Revelation of Depravity r there is in this one incident Did tiii. abandoned man suppose that any ghost would show itself after that- and espeoially a high-class ghosb accustomed to the society of the nobility and gentry, whose rent was being paid by a marquis Why. the commonest spook that walks would resent such a proceeding Charles Lamb observed that the man who would stab at a ghost- would stick at nothing and tho man who will indulge in chuck-farthing in order to get the best place for a sort of spook peep-show is not likely to see auything. The case therefore resolves itself into something like this; Those who believe the ghost is there see it; those who treat it like a disembodied Mrs Harris don't seo it because they won't. Indeed, what can a I poor fhosb do in such circumstances ? If it drags bodies about, howls and wails, flings thiugs downstair?, the persistent sceptio talks about drain-pipes, ratl", servants. Thus ib is useless for Teiic-z-lt-Dcoit to talk of a" non. substantial figure" and of "causeless sounds." The crass-Philistine says that a non-substantial figure is no figure at all (unless it be a mere figure of speech), and ail for causeless sounds he accounts for them readily enough. I Argument is Useless, I Tho opponents are the two women who were con- ducting a heated debate aoross a road from tha doors of their reepectivo cottages, of whom isydney bmith said, They will never agree as they are arguing from different premisses." So the Ballechin business, like many another interesting question in Scotland, must be held to be "not proven." Whether Mr Stead could induce Julia, the most gifted of spooks, to arbitrate we cannot say and perhaps thoootild scarcely be expected to be impartial. It would be a case of two of a trade.

I AN IMAGINARY ESTATE." I I STRANGE STORY BY A DEBTOR. I Debts, 1567 Assets, X53,7331 I Charles John Melnlyre, an elderly man with a flowing grey beard, described as an engineer, of 8, E'tlou-road, Cardiff, was publioly examined at ilia Cardiff Bankruptcy Courb to-day. The Official Receiver informed the Court that the case was unique, the debtor returning his liabilities as £ 567 and bis assets at no less a sum than £ 53,733. The Registrar: Do you think the asaots are realisable, Mr Stephens ? The Officii' Receiver I QD1 doubt- ftil very ditibtftil, (Laughter.) What does the estate consist of 1 Well, it is an imaginary estate, sir, of properties and claims against persons. The Debtor: My estate is worth L20,000 more than I have stated to you. I bought it in the Courb of Chancery in 1874. Debtor then waxed eloquent on his estate, and, speaking in a loud voice, said that he owned 10,800 tqnare yards of freehold land, which had of lute vastly increased in value. He admitted that ho had gone into liquidation in Newcastle- on-Tyne; and when asked where and what this estate was he replied that it was a barren was to when he saw it last, but that the jNorth • Eastern Railway Company had sought powers to acquire it, and so increased its value immensely. "Indeed to my God," said ho, the value is now over £ 1,600 a year." For this lie was broughb to task by the Registrar, who warned him against repeating his impropriety in calling on the Almighty-he was already on his oath. Continuing, debtor said he bought three closes of land, now worth £27,000, part of the Be-dinghall estate. The deeds were in the hands of the trustee of his late solicitor, but the abstract of title could be obtained from the Duke of Norfolk's solicitor. He had not procured his discharge at the Newcastle Court, as he thought application unnecessary, he having liquidated only. On debtor promising to put his statement briefly into writing for the Official Receiver, the case was adjourned until July 16th. :IV

LORD SEFTON'S ILLNESS. The oouclitiou of Lord Sefton, who yesterday was reported to be worse, to-day shows an improvement; improvement.

TO- DA Y'fS WE AT H RK, 4.30 P.M. TO-DARS FORK CAST P.R ENOLANH, S.W., AND SOUTH WALKS, Southerly winds, modprate or fresh fair generally. OBNRRAIJ.—FAIR AND warmer weather is probable over the greater pM-to of our islands to-day, but some showers are likely t" occur on our extreme west and noi th-west coasts. "1f"

I To-day's Gossip. DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE. A good story is told apropos of the interference by certain fanatics on the occasion of the remarriage of any person of note who has been so unfortunate as to have to pass, in whatsoever capacity, through the Divorce Court. Such a marriage took place a few days ago at one of the fashionable churches. In this case, fearing the unpleasantness of a scene, the vicar of the parish and the two contracting parties entered into a conspiracy, and by publicly announcing in the papers that a recepbion after the wedding would be held on a certain day, and by being quietly married on the previous day, they successfully avoided the dreaded scene, On the supposed day of the marriage a band of weird women, flanked by a sprinkling of badly-groomed men, arrived, bent on obstruction, and being disappointed at the absence of red carpet and other preparations, attacked the verger about the marriage. Marriage," said fie I know nothing about a wedding to-day only if it's one ot you ladies, rm sorry for the man, that's all," and thereupon walked away. -u- LADIES' HATS AT THE THEATRE. The question of ladies' hats at the theatre raised (a correspondent writes) a bit of a storm yesterday afternoon at the Criterion Theatre, where an immense fashionable audience, mostly composed of ladies. attended the performance of David Garrick," given in aid of the Prince of Wales's Hospital Fund. A more beautifu display of hats and bonnets could not have been seen in the milliners' windows of Bond-streeb and Regent-street, but such things, as any playgoer who knows what ib is to dodga between two ladies, whose hats resemble nothing so much as a flower garden are, if we may say so, matter oub of place on the heads of the spectators at a play. Before the curtain was raised yesterday afternoon a chorus of Hats off was raised in the back seats of the theatre, and the treble voice of one exasperated lady mingled with the rougher voices of the men. The demand persistently and peremptorily repeated, was amiably acceded to by more ladies than one. Ib is the custom of some of our leading actresses who go to the play occasionally of an afternoon to remove their hats when they take their seats, and their example in showing so much consideration for those imme- diately behind them is one that might graciously be followed. -0- MORE SABEATARIANISM AT DDNOON. Dunoon, where the S,tbbatari,,Aiis come from, has achieved a new title to distinction. A swallow was observed to swoop down ou a butterfly. Tho butteifiy disappeared, bub the swallow foil to the ground; The bird was found to be dead, with tho butterfly stuck fast in its throat, This happened last Sunday, and may be regarded as a judgment J on the swalloiv for Sabbath desecration. 0-- SALT, PLEASE. As the Globe says, the Dunoon swallow yarn is Bin-passed by an anecdote from the Punjaub. During a game of badminton the other evening a player smote the shuttlecock high in the air, and was astonished to P09 it swiftly travelling in the wrong direction. Presently jib fell to the ground, when it was found that a bat was wearing it as a hat, f"I v tHE GtiTTA-PKECHA PIT. Iou> Keliy suffers from a now kind ol fit. It must be of the gutta-percha variety. As he was going quietly along Newington Butts on Wednesday night, so ha assured the Lambeth magistrate, a fit seized him in tha ann." all so suddenly that the arm launched out and hi closed fist struck a Mrs Sarah Ward full in the stomach. Mrs Sarah, however, was equal to the occasion, and using her umbrella, therapeutically thrashed him with it, and then ohased him until he fell-or perhaps was precipitated by another fit-into the arms of a policemau.-Tlio Chief Clerk: Did he say anything when arrested about fits ?-Constable :He said he suffered from fit-a at bimfs.- Banks (assistant goaler) said he thought the man had been drinking. He had been orying in the calls like a baby.-Mc Hopkins could not pass over such conduct, in the streets. One mouth's hard labour. --0-- THE MIKADO'S HABITS. Tha daily movements of the Mikado of Japan are very regtiltr. He always goes to his study at 9 a.m., and remains at his work there until 4 p.m. He reads and signs all Parliamentary laws and decrees. When a Cabinet Minister addresses his Majesty aboub any public inatter he inquires about the subject, the purpose and condition, and decides ib. He is firm and nob changeable. When he decides a matter once he cannob after that be moved. His Majesty understands the condition of the lower classes, and familiarises himself with the private cooducb of the Cabinet Ministers. When be reads newspaper articles relating to the private misconduct of any Cabinet Minister and attacking him, he sometimes smiles. He is fond of reading books and newspapers, and is especially fond of German books. He likes to compoao Japanese poems which he can do readily. 0- COURTSHIP AND GIFTS. A young woman applied to Me Rose at WV? London Police Court yesterday for his assistance to obtain a. watch, which was detained by a young man who had promised her marriage. She said she was engaged to bkn for three years, but her lover had not oarried out his promise. He also said she could have the watch if she returned the ring he bad given her. She had said he could have tho ring, but he refused to return the watch. Mr Pose: Why don't you bring an action for breach of promise? The Applicant I don't wish to. I want my watch. Mr Rose You can have a summons it you did not give him the watch. The Applicant I did not give it to him he took it off my wrist. A summons was granted. -¡; MISS ELLRN TlCRRY's HIDKOCB H&T." A correspondent of Woman wi,1) :\w Misa Ellen Teny at Canterbury on the i.ccaa^on of the reading of Beckeb by Sir Henry Irving, says She wore a bideous hilt of shaded mauvee. Hut its ugliness mattered very little when her face was beneath it. THE BICYCLE AND THE CROCODILE, Cycling yarns sepm to be taking the place of fishing yarns. Here is a story from El gypt A party of oyclists were touring along the bank of the Nile when one of them camo to grief over what looked like a Jog of wood. The obstacle, however, was really a crocodile, which at once snapped ab the assailant, narrowly miss- ing the cyclist and getting a good hold on the pneumatic tyre. As a crocodile's teeth are as sharp as needles the tyre punctured in several places, the air rushed oub with a whizz and nearly blew the crocodile's tongue down his throab and the top of his j-Aw off. He was so scared by the uriusunl sensation that he made straight for h. river without delay. Next, please I --0-- A LADY AT THE BAR. The first lady practising barrister in the Colonial Courts is a Jewess. The Jtwith Chronicle says Miss Ethel Rebecca Benjamin, LL.B., Having passed her finnl examination about six months ago, has been admitted by Mr Justice Williams as a barrisber and solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. The two branches of the legal profession are there amalgamated hence the wording of the fore- going announcement. Miss Benjamin has the distinction of being the first lady admitted to practioa in the Colonial Courbs She ig & daughter of Mr Henry Benjamin, of Dunedin, and is a young lady of abo jt 25 years of age, snd the eldest of a family of 11 or 12 children. -u- The Old Piano. -1" I, How many hands have twinkled o'er thy keys Ere time with sluggard touch had turned th:-m yellow ? How many hearts have voiced their ecaUsici Upon thy chords when they were fnll aud mellow ? How many sorrows know thy minor strains Thall unto human ears could not be spoken ? Row oft have thy soÍb notes sobbed out the pains, In sweet relief to maiden hearts near broken ? Ali, keep thy secrets of the faded paab Be faithful unto memories now fleeting Bub of thy race know thou art not the liat- For maids to-day are history repeating ju Jin mi mm i

FATALITY AT PLYMOUTH COLLIERIES. Inquest at Merthyr. I This morning, at Mardy Hotel, Merthyr, an inquest was held beforw Mr Rhys;, coroner, and a I jury, of whom Mr Evanf, Ship and Bell, was foreman, upon the body of Samuel Thomas, contractor, of No. 1 Level, Plymouth Collieries, who was run over by trams on Wednesday and killed, as already repotted. The i-iry found a verdict of Accidental death,"

CARDIFF BANKRUPTCY COURT, An Impertinent Bebler. Unfounded Charge Against an Official, The public examination of Harold Ditvies lately in business as a grocer in Portmanmoor. j road, East Moors, Cardiff, took place before Me | Registrar L'ingley, ab the Towu Hall to-day. At he outset Mr T. H., Stephens, official receiver, informed the Court that for the firss time in hi experience indifference had been shown towardt his instructions by a debtor. He had written thret times to Davies requiriug him definitely tC furnish particulars as to his trading temunts. aad to supply a list of the creditiors to whem he had recently paid a composition, but no reply whab- ever had been received. In answer to the Registrar, debtor said that he had given full particulars to Mr Oir, the Deputy-receivar, and alleged that he had been brow-beaten by that official. Mr Orr denied that he had been given the particulars now sought, said that what had been elicited from debtor by him dated before the letters referred to were sent out. and explained that what Davies called brow beating consisted only in the asking of certaic personal questions absolutely necessary in the interests of the creditors, especially in the absenes of proper accounts. The Registrar expressed himself parfectly satisfied with the explanation, and soon afterwards, when debtor made au impertinent answer to Mr Cook, solicitor for the petitioning creditor, said that Davies's demeanour in the witness box proved him to have IDIS- conducted himself before the Deputy-receiver, Atter a long eximination as to the, value of shares which had been held by him in the Cardiff Candle Company, of which he was manager, debtor was asked if he could now produce his accoun ts of the Portmn moor -roadgrocery business, and the hat of creditors required by the Official Receiver. HH replied that he had handed all hie documents to Mr Morgan R(es, the solicitor who had arranged the composition, and as he sbili owed that gentleman for professional services he feared he could not secure them. The examina* tion was adjourned so that the Official Receiver might apply to Mr Reas for any papers throwing light upon the caee, and he ordered debtor to fil particulars of his trading accounts within a .I"

-+ CALIFORNIA SYRUP OF FIGS. This preparation has found favour with tht public and the medioal profession because it il pleasant to take, as well as remarkably benefioial, a combination rather rare in medicinal prepara. tions. When it is further added that its actioif is perfectly paitiless-it acts, in fact, just at healthy nature should act-thbre can be nc doubt that Its success is due entirely to ita exceptional merits as a household laxative remedy. Habitiual constipation, the cause of mosb ordinary complaints, such as headaches, indigestion, biliousness, depression, fevprish-am-, etc., is speedily overcome by the use of Californa Syrup of Fig. which cleanses the system thoroughly without the slightest inconvenience, and promotes that regularity of habit without which good health is out of the question. Best of all its acknowledged merits, in does permanent good, iitrengtitening the organs, instead of having the weakening and lowering effect of ordinary pills aud purgatives, and keeping bhe liver, kidneys, and bowels in a condition of healthful activity, California Syrup of Figs (ask for it iff full simply asking for Sycup of Figa won't do) may be had of all chemists, price Is ld and 2s 9d per bottle, or by post from the eol,5 inanu- facturers, The California Fig Syrup Co., 3? Snow Hit!, Dondon, E.C. .vr.r.v.

I I HC- 11 FIRST GEtiMAN CASINO." I t Heavy Club Fine. I Gualav KrugBr and Adolpli Rail weresummoned at the Mai'lLorough-street Police Court yesterday for selling wine, beer, spirits, and tobacco without having a licence, Mr A.lpe, barrister, prosecuted on behalf of tho Commissioners of Inland Revenue Mr Arthur Newton, solicitor, appeared for tho defence; and Mr Hut ton, barrister, watched the proceedings on behalf of a person interested in the case. The defendants occupied No. 41. Brewev-atreet, Golden-quart,a house that was kuown as The Fust Gorman Casino." 011 the 25th March last and at other dates two Excise officers visited the premises with an informer, who succeeded in getting them admitted. There was a barin the house, which wasvlsited hy fsma-Iesas wen as males, and dancing and music went on in the place. The Excise officers called for beer, wine, whisky, and cigars, and, although not members, were supplied with and paid for those articles. For the defence it was urged that every effort was made to conduct the house respectably, that a genuine club had its quarters there, and than admission had been obtained to the premises by means of a trick. Mr Plowden, in giving his decision, said that over a month had elapsed since the alleged onfonoes had been committed and tho issuing of the summonses, That was rather a hardship on the defendanw, and in such cases it would be well to institute procaedinge as soon as possible after the offences had been committed, Kruger would have to pay fines amounting in thrt aggregate to L90, and Rail would have t ) pay L4. Tlis learned Magistrate allowed Krngi c a fortnight to pvy the money. M ■

DR. BRTOGWATBS, M.D U.S.A., 18, Custom J House-street Cardiff. 190e

_0_- RITAS n«w Serial Story, 'The Grin dins Mills of the Gods," ia now appearing in the Cardiff Mills of the Gods," ia now appearing in the" Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly New:?." The Synopsis of the first chapters enflhlcJs IW;V readers to c-oiiunencfl the story at the beginning. Two Serial* and complete Stories weekly, DR. BRIDGWATWR, M.P., U.S.A., 18, Custom House-street, Cardiff. 190e

I ROPING A WEDDING PARTY. A Cheshire Custom. I CURIOUS CASE. Of the many marriage customs which stift survive in many pn.rts of rural England, the one peculiar to the county of Cheshire, of roping a wedding party, is certainly interesting, though it was the subject ofmagisterial investigation at Sandbach Petty Sessions yesterday. Three men named Dodd, Duckworth, and Burrows were summoned for obstructing the highway aO Batch ton, a village two miles from Sandbach, Last Stturday a rustic beauty was united to hetf faithful swain at that village, which possesses about 1,000 inhabitants, and the happy couple were driving away from the church, dowtr, Betchton Hill, where the observance of the marriage custom peculiar to the neighbourhood BROUGHT THE CARRIAGE TO A SUDDEN STOP. At the horse's head stood Duckworth and Burrows holding the ends of a rope across the road. Another a.nd rather prosaic feature of the custom marked the noxb stage of the proceedings. Whilst the liberal display of rice and old shoes enables the friends of brides and bridegrooms elsewhere to speed the newly-wedded couple, in Cheshire it seems to be the custom to delay their departure till they pay their "footing." A driver named Leonard Cooke, who was engaged to drive the vehicle in which the wedding party were seated, was at no loss when this occurred, for, according to his evidence at Sandbach yesterday, ib was parb of the custom that it should not proceed till those inside had given the rope- bearers a shilling each. Another villager named Dodd saw no reason for his exclusion from the benefits of the custom, since, after Duckworth and Burrows had received the democratic coin, he promptly I FIXED DP ANOTHER WEDDING ROPE, which was stretched across the highway. Once more had the wedding carriage to stop, and the funds of the couple to defray the expenses of the honeymoon were the poorer by another shilling. Unfortunately for the trio, however, a police officer, in the person of Superintendent Large, of Chester, happened to be driving in the neighbour. hood at the time, and had reached Betchton Hill when the first observance of the marriage began, b3ing, in fact, a highly interested spectator of the proceedings. He caused Duckworth, Burrows, and Dodd to be summoned, and they were fined, the two first-named 2s 6d each, and Dodd 53.

"CRIMINAL CONVERSATION. I A Farthing Damages. The hearing of au extraordinary suit broughb b, the Rev. Samuel Vanstoti ivainsb Dr. L. A. Whitecrofb to recover damages for alleged criminal conversation with plaintiffs wife ter. minated yesterday in Dublin, the jury giving to the plaintiff one farthing damages. From the evidence it appeared that plaintiff was married to Miss Henrietta Maria O'Sullivan, who was then 17 years of age, in September, 1882, that disputes afterwards occurred between the two, and that in August, 1883, as the result, as Mrs Vanston declared, of her husband's cruelty in preventing her having more than one meal a day and in occasionally assaulting her, she lefb him and returned to her mother's house. Plaintiff denied that he bad ever threatened or assaulted her, but admitted that as the result of a quarrel his wife had on one occasion Jefb his house aud gone to the rector's drefised only in her nightdress. Afterwards a deed of separation was executed under which Mrs Vanston obtained » yearly allowance for a son boru of the marriage* In 1894 there was some correspondence between the two, and a suggestion by Mrs Vanstou that they should obtain a divorce: This idea the plaintiff refused in any way to accede to, and in the year mentioned Mrs Vanston went to Dakota, U S.A., where, after serving notice on thb plaintiff, she obtained a decree of divorc, She was then advised that that decree would be good all the world over. At that time, though accompanied to America by Dr Whitecrofb, she had no iutention of marrying him in facb, her itiind was at large upon that subject. The divorce was granted on the 10th November, and she married Dr. Whitecroft, the defendant, on the 211d December, 1894, afberwards returning to Dublin with him, and living with him ever since as Mrs Whitecroft. She and Dr. Whitecroft implicitly believed this marriage was a lawful and. valid ceremony. The defendant, in addition to pleading that he was lawfully married to Mrs Vanston, lodged 25 in court, and the jury,) having given only one farthing damages, consequently found in his favour.

I DISI-IOP OF BANGOR. Improved Health. In consequence of the reports which bav< recently been going the rounds of the Press. wi are requested to publish the following- A bout month ago the Bishop of BaDgor, acting undo: the advice of his local medical attendant, Dr., Rowland Jones, consulted an eminent Londor physician, who found it necessary to recommend him to take at least three months' absolute rest from that moment. The Bishop decided to spend the earlier portion of that period at Eastbourne, where he is now staying. His condition has beet steadily improving since he has been undet Inc.riioal treatment, and there has not been flbf slightest foundation for any of the alarminf reports which have recently been published eon corning the state of his Lordship's health.

Plofessor Crookes, during his c.ure to diamonds at the Royal Institution this evening; will, with the aid of the electric furnace, make < diamond in thfi presence of the imdiene". DR. BRIDGWATER, M.D., U.S.A., 18, Castonr Honse-street, Cardiff. 19*