South Wales Echo

SECOND SERIES. FIFTY SHORT STORIES BY WELL-KNOWN AITTHORS. k \JVl a d. By PROFESSOR WILLIAMS. h The dog is as mad as a hatter, you may depend upon it," said. Squire Primrose to his bailiff, Tom Lester, ;*5 a small creature, of the lady's lapog kimi and therefore not to be classified, came pan ting down the road with its tongueolling o ut of the mouth and flecks of foam dropping it. "A gun A gun We shall have half the sheep and chfldren down withuhydrophobia, if we don't look sharp." All right, sir," cried tHe bailiff, as hi3 long lanky figure disappeared, at a run inside his house which stood just v by the ipk gates, on which the squire carelessly leaniDg while he smoked his first cigar an d fancied he enjoyed the fresh morning aÏJ h All right, sir," he repeated, in a voice muffied and mellowed by disfcanice, soon tackle the varmint." And the voice dimly died awv\y*in hoal se expletives as he.found the gun a mspicuoujsly absent from its rack. It was a beautiful day in August, about nine o'clock, with a cloudles; sky and scarcely a breath of wind stirri ng.. And where the leaf fell, there it rests d and lay. Mr Primrose always breakfasted at erighfc, and was out with unfailing regularity an hoar after this important event. He believed in a good, substantial b; isis for the day's work, and he had the cou of his opinions—he acted upon his beli< f. "A fine morning, .sir," said 1 vIrs- Lester, in deprecating tones, to extenua te her hus- band's delay, as he struggled • with strong language and the sense of 01 erpowering loss, "ain't it, now T "Come along, Lester, be qvr ick, the gun —be hanged," roared the squire impervious to Mrs Lester's interruption ani 1 well-mean- ing words, we shall lose the, brute—he is nearly out of sight." "Oh, the gun," echoed < the woman, feebly is it that there you 1 yant ? Dick Lawrence borrowed it for birc i-skeering the t'other night—they growd owdacious, purely." f- "Be quick, Lester," again shouted the squire, as .he set off at a sma; rt canter down the road, iollowed at la; ,t 70y his faithful henchman. The squire wa, siiort and stout, the bailiff W; tall and thin,, and they formed an effective contrast and a greeable picture as they gave -«chase to the tiny dog, calling down the most awful maledi- "tions upon him. "That's riglrt, Steptoe," p 'uffetl Mr Prim- rose addressing the constable, as he paused for a moment 'to adjust his' feelings and recover his breath. you're just the very man we want, there's a mad dog ahead, a perfect fiend, foaiti ing and snap} ring at every- one he meets. had a na rrow escape of our lives, have not, Lester But we'll eateh the beggar yet. Fire awaY;i(cœ1stable, that's a man." Steptoe possessed a considerable,^accumu- lation of adipose tissue, And he ha dTecently buried his third wife, and so he could not pretend :o be in good condition, md was a trifle out of training. Bat he dared not refuse the squire, who was a magis trate into the bargain, and he joined in the r; vce. "He took that turning—to tl Ie right, Lester, gasped Mr Primrose, co ntending with his ruffled dignity aud the lust for slaughter innate in every Englishma n. Ay, ay, sir, to the right. Arsd the little beast seems failing a bit, and go it: rayther dull and permiscuous-like. We'll catch him up afore he gits to Dead Man's. lane, and soon settle the small cuss." Small, indeed 1" snorted th e squire, indignantly, between his big sobs c f laboured breath. "Small, indeed! It'sjithelargest dog of the kind I ever set eyes; on A monstrous little animal I call And I ought to know a dog by this time,4.eh ? Hi's ideas had grown grander the chase, and he magnified the fugitive, through the distorting mit of excitement and fear, so that to his perturbed imagination and clouded with-heat and exertion, a mia- now at this er.isis would have appeared a whale. e're gain¡n ¡fast," observed Steptoe, toiling wisely and ^respectfully in the rear, as he vainly endeavoured to tighten his belt, and subsided into his«customary fat decorum, and jogged along. "Why, bless my, soul." spluttered the squire, thankful for a rood excuse to pause again, here's our good clergyman. It's a mad dog, rector, don.1t you see ? He's pretty well beaten nov, though-played out. Such a ferocious bnute—bitten two or three children and a scorw or so-of sheep— tore my trousers, too, and got bit off Lester's jacket, and gave- Steptoe a close shave. Hurry up, rector* and Send us the sanction of religion and your muscular Christianity, or the brute will be lost." Mr Primrose's notions of the dog, its dangerous and destructive character, were increasing rapidly, and bade fair to establish quite a record before they finished.. the pur- suit. The kind rector, though sammoned urgently to the bedside of a sick parishioner, found it impossible to refuse this request, when a raging demon was loose and the lives of his parishioners were in peril. Though no longer young, he had been in his time something of an athlete, and now, in spite of a weak heart that had to be care- folly coddled, he fell in too and joined the chase, discreetly keeping in the rear with Steptoe, and allowing the squire" and his bailiff the precedence arad the post of honour, and going at an easy trosfc. On they went, feeling. uncommonly brave and virtuous, as if they were public bene- factors at least, and prepared to sacrifice themselves on the altar of duty for their country. The run waxed hotter and hotter, and Mr Primrose experienced some satisfac- tion in mopping his red streaming face with his huge red silk handkerchief, which waved like a blood-red banner triumphantly in the front, and imparted a reflex, consolation to those who accompanied him. Lidce et decorum est pro patria mori," murmured the rector, who dearly loved quoting the few tags of Latin that remained in his memory, and reminded him of his classic youth and Oxford studies. "Not a bit of it," grunted the squire, who thanked heaven know lor the good basis of his substantial breakfast, not a of it, while we have Pasteur and Paris. Never say die, with the resources of science." Hear, hear," put in the bailiff, deter- mined to show he was abreast of the most advanced thought. Science is long chalks before doctoring in these here days, and nobody need die." Nonsense, man," puffed Mr Primrose doctoring is science or it's no doctoring at all. Stick to what you understand, and think of poor Steptoe and his third wife." U Thank you kindly/sir," sighed ie con- stable, stamping after him, though he had already a fourth venture in band. Ah, here we have Farmer Bliss and a lot of his labourers Bliss—I say—Bliss, come and help us. There he goes—limping too, the demon A mad dog, farmer and such a devouring pestilence Bitten a dozen children, torn a baby in pieces, and worried two or three score of sheep, to say nothing of horses, and pigs, and poultry, etc., etc. If he is not destroyed scon there is no telling where the mischief will end. I nwer saw a beast to equal it—never! Did you, Lester?" i Not as I knows on, sir," replied the bailiff, prepared to swear and believe de- voutly anything his master wished, like a loyal; honest servant-jurare in verba mayistri. By this time the squire, what with the heat and the unusual motion and his sudori- fic paee, had worked himself up into such a fury of excitement, that his reason with all accuracy and sense of proportion had entirely vanished. He fully persuaded himself that the wretched little pet dog, painfully drag- ging its limbs along to some sanctuary, had really committed all the atrocities enu- merated with mathematical precision. I'm at your service," cried Farmer Bliss, and so are these lazy fellows. Step out, men, and put your best feet for'ard." And immediately he got his bulky frame under weigh, armed with a murderous cudgel and escorted by four men and three hobble- dehoys and five or six boys, equipped with sticks and stones [or brandishing pitchforks —each and all bent on the utter extermina- tion of the unhappy dog. And the odds would have been heavily njainaC tbe „pqqc thing, buMw the fact that the squire was not much of a sprinter, and being well aware of his choleric temper nobody dared to outstrip him in the race. So the dog, in spite of lameness and growing fatigue, had a fair chance of escape, if only he could reach the retreat which he appeared feebly striving for. By Jove:" suddenly exclaimed the doctor, emerging from a pretty cottage smothered in greenery by the roadside, "what on earth is this uproar about ? Can I be of any use, Mr Primrose ? I am sound in wind and limb and fit as a fiddle." Of course you can," gulped the squire, choking with breathlessness and the fever of the chase, we're in full cry after a con- founded mad dog There he goes, the skulking brute His brush is down Tally :h! You'llhave half the parish on your hands presently, doctor. There is no saying whom he has not bitten—eh, Lester '? Yes, sir, certainly. He's got me in a many places, as I can hardly see or stand. God a' mercy on me Really," replied the doctor, the case seems as bad ;is possible. Hydrophobia's no joke, though Pasteur has knocked the edge off it. I am with you, Mr Primrose. In for a penny, in for a pound. Here goes." And away he went with the pack of avengers, his long face perceptibly broaden- ing at the prospect of unlimited patients and fees. The fun was fast and furious. "Don't you see him now ? panted the squire, whose cheeks had turned from rosy red to imperial purple, "making for that patch of wood and that cottage where the young widow has just set up ? He's a whopper, isn't he-as big as a mastiff, and raging like twenty devils." I'd rather meet a tiger any day," stam- mered Lester, as the distance began to tell on his wisp of a body, looking faithfully through his master's spectacles. Here you are, lads," groaned Mr Prim- rose, blowing like a whale, as they turned a corner and came full tilt on a gang of har- vesters in search of work, "here's some rare sport for you. A mad dog, as fierce as fifty homicidal lunatics Fall in and follow, and beer all round afterwards." At the magic sound of beer," the one word that always goes straight home at once to the honest English labourer's heart- which is only reached through his stomach— the sturdy fellows tightened their belts and hitched up their trousers and went for the dog, with murder in their looks. On they swept in a roaring, cursing stream, gathering into their net every man and woman and child they met, high and low, old and young, and dogs too, till the stream at last became a rushing river and the river swelled into a tossing tempestuous sea of angry faces and threatening hands and execrating tongues. Then in a moment the scene of Bedlam and Babel combined changed, as a sweet voice from the cottage gate cried, 0, Tiny, darling, so there you are. But what is the matter?' And a lovely little girl, with rippling sunny hair, snatched up the poor wee hunted wretch, no la rger than a large rat, and began to caress him and cover him with kisses. "0, Tiny, Tiny, what have those horrid cowardly brutes done to you ?" And she began to weep bitter tears. Meanwhile the whole mob of pursuers drew up short at the gates silent, bewil- dered, and abashed,staring at the squire,who vainly endeavoured to conceal his confusion behind his ample red silk handkerchief, staring at the dog which was a matter of ounces rather than of pounds, and staring at each other in the most helpless and foolish way conceivable, and wondering what would happen next. This is the wrong animal," eventually cried Mr Primrose sternly, confronting the innocent and unsuspicious bailiff, as if he had played an abominable trick on him. "He' s got changed somehow, eh Yes, sir, certainly. I'm rather mixed myself. We must have taken the turning to the left when we oughter gone to the right. Doan't 'e think so, constable 1" Noa," was the unexpected answer. I kep' my eye fixed on that there dawg, and that be the mad dawg, as I'm a living sinner and buried three wives." Steptoe," interrupted the squire, trying to silence his indiscreet assistant, hold your tongue." I knows my dooty, said the constable, unconvinced. And please, miss, that dawg o' yourn be mad and I mun destroy it. And he slowly extended his' pon- derous secular arm to arrest the scared and helpless thing. Before the child could stop him Tiny had inflicted a vicious bite on the man's great pudgy hand. "Doctor," ejaculated the constable, dancing back with surprising agility you be my witness. I tried to do my dooty, and the varmint couldn't be arrested. And if I dies, I dies as a man should, at his posty." Steptoe was taken into the house, and the doctor carefully washed his hand and dressed it with caustic, to satisfy his patient, though he felt perfectly sure that the dog was not mad. The squire, loudly protesting that it was the wrong animal and they had strayed on a false scent, treated all who wece thirsty with as much beer as they liked, while he explained and ex- plained his explanation till he remembered an important engagement at home. And not long after he required change of air and went abroad. SteDtoe was none the worse for his sharp experience, and fancied himself a hero, and stood every day on a pedestal for the next month, that folks might admire his courage. And some did, especially the lady who became his fourth wife. But-and this is the sad part of the story —within a few hours of his return, Tiny had a series of fits, and finally expired in the weeping Una's arms. Which proved plainly that if anyone was mad, it must have been the man and not the dog. THE END.

CLAIM TO THE TOWNLEY ESTATES. The Charge against Colonel Jacques. At Bow-street on Tuesday—before Sir John Bridge—Colonel James Frazier Jacquesg, Jate U.S. Army, and Howell Thomas, late a solicitor, and now a convict, were charged on remand wich conspiracy and fraud in obtaining large sums of money subscribed by an American syndicate to support the claim of a Mr Lawrence to the Townley estates.—Mr Guy Stephenson prosecuted for the Treasury; Mr Rolland defended.—The official shorthand writer at the Old Bailey pro- duced his notes of the evidence of Colonel Jacquess, which were pub in, after objection had been taken.-Sergeant Nolan produced letters found at Colonel Jacquess's lodgings, but was not allowed to read them until the handwriting was proved by persons from America.—Mr Stephen- son said the case was completed on the charge of conspiracy,but he should not now close thecase, as he was in correspondence with the parsons defrauded in America as to their giving evidence here.- The prisoners were remanded for a fortnight.

SHOCKING LAMP ACCIDENT I IN WALES, About eight o'clock on Tuesday morning Mrs Phillips, of Vron Isa, Upper Bangor, 25 years of age, blew down the chimney of a paraffin lamp to estinguish it. The lamp exploded, and in an instant the poor woman, who was only partially dressed, was in flames. Her screams were not heard for some tiire, but eventually some men working on a new building near by rushed in and extinguished the flames. Mrs Phillips was dread- fully burnt about the body, arms, and face, the latter being quite unrecognisable. The eyes, however, escaped, and neither of the children were touched. The husband is a brakesman employed by the London and North-Western Railway Company, and was away at the time of the accident, but returned at noon, and was, of course, much affected. Mrs Phillips, who was attended first by Dr. Lloyd, and afterwards by Dr. Thomas, is in a critical condition. |

I TEMPERANCE IN THE ARMY. I The Marchioness of Salisbury on Tuesday opened at Hendon a Church-house, intended to provide in the parish a reading and reception- rooms. Lord Roberts, speaking at a subsequent meeting, said in the old days the soldiers had no refuge save the canteen. In India regimenta institutes were established, and had no parallel in respect to benefits conferred on the Army. When he first inspected them reading-rooms were empty and the canteen crowded, but before leav- ing India he found canteens empty and reading. rooms overcrowded.

mote ARCHER'S GOLDEN RETURNS tor quality Smoke ARCHER'S GOLDEN RETURNS for flavour. Smoke ARCHER S GOLDEN RETURNS cool and sweet MAGIC LAWN MOWEBS, inches, 22a; 10inches, 24s 12 inches, 32s 14 inches, 36s.—Perkins Bros. and Co., Cardiff. zwo

I YANKEE YARNS. I The Hoodoo Business. When I was libbin' in ole Virginny dar was an ole cullud woman what hoodooed folks," said Uncle Mose to a group of coloured listeners on Austin-avenue. What did she do to them ?" She prayed dat dey all should die, an' shore enuff, lots of 'em died." When did she hoodoo 'em ?" Ler-.me sej. She made dem ar'predictions fif or six years ago. and ter day dere's hardly one ob dem niggers she hoodooed on top of de green earf." I A Daughter's Devotion. No, George, our engagement must be broken.' Father has failed, you know." When did your father fail ? I hadn't heard of it," said he, turning pale. "He faile 1 yesterday, and is very much- prostrated in consequence. My whole time must be given to him now. He needs my undivided care and attention and though it may break your heart, George, we must part foe ever." Noble girl thought George, as he hastily grabbed his ha.t, and with his broken heart went out into the night. I Best Kind of Proof. A certain prominent and excellent lawyer, of Chicago, but one of the quietest and most unob- trusive of men, steals around N., with his hands meekly clasped on his breast and a seraphic and perpetual smile. A bon mot at his expense is told of the late Emery Storrs, of Chicago, a brilliant advocate and an exquisite wit. He went to the lawyer's office and inquired for him, but was informed that he was out. Oh, no, he isn't," he replied, I know he is in." But I assure you, Mr Storrs, he is not in." Now," responded Mr Storrs, "I know better; he must be in, it is so still in there I Better Lawyer than Judge, If a story told of Richard Prendergast is trne he must be a better lawyer than he is judge. He took a case on one occasion, so the tale runs, that promised well except for one thing. There was a precedent that was directly against him, That other case will surely be brought up," said the client. Never mind," replied the ex-judge. I can get around that. It's a fool's decision. Who rendered it You did." I did r "Yes when you were on the bench." Well, that doesn't make any difference," re- turned the lawyer, calmly. ",I can beat it any- way." And he did. He went into the county-conrt and showed that the previous decision was not according to law and could not be held to estab- lish a precedent. He was successful in practically overruling his own decision and won the case. I Amenities of Flat Life. The lady in the fHb overhead was making her first call on the lady who had moved in a few weeks before. They chatted about the weather and the merits of the apartment, and the conversation gradually drifted around to bard wood floors. They're lovely to look at," ventured the visitor, but unless they're well covered wich ru^s they're a nuisance. The folks who live on the floor above me have a carpet-sweeper and a piano. When they are both performing at once it's rather hard on my nerves." The newcomer saw her opportunity. She thought it might never come her way again, so she said sweetly, By the way, I wish you'd teU the gentleman who has the front bedroom that when ho throws his shoes on the floor, just before retiring, it sounds to us as if he were playing ninepins." The visiting lady straightened up, and the new- comer noticed that her fingers tv/itched ner- vously. The k)j'3' rooms," she said coldly, are all on the east side of the house. The front room is my diessing-room." The hostess suddenly decided that it was time to t little tea.

WILLS IN WELSH. I In the House or Commons on Tuesday, Mr BRTN ROBERTS asked the Attorney General whether he was aware that the officials of the Probate Registry, in the cases of wills written in Welsh, declined to furnish office copies of such original wills when duly applied for upon a question arising as to the correctness of the translation filed at the registry whether, on such a question arising, it was permissible in construing a will written in Welsh to refer to the original and whether he would take steps to secure an alteration of the practice in the probate registry, so as to enable parties interested to ob- tain copies of original Welsh wills. The ATTORNKY-GENEU.\L said the original will in Welsh could always be seen at the registry in which a translation bad been proved. If a copy of a Welsh will, a translation of which had been proved in the principal registry, were required, .the party requiring it would be permitted to copy it himself, or to send a competent person to take a copy. The office copy under the seal of the court of anoriginal will in Welshcouldnotbegiven, because probate was not granted of such original will, but of the translation which was attached to the original. No difficulty had been occasioned in practice. Applications of the sort were extremely rare. With reference to the question whether it was permissible, in construing a will written in Welsh, to refer to the original, he thought there was some little doubt on the matter; but the better course would be to bring the question of translation before jthe Probate Court, and, if necessary, have it corrected there. He bad no jurisdiction whatsoever to secure any alteration of the practice in the Probate Registry upon any point, and he could not undertake, therefore, to take any steps such as were sug- gested in the question.

ALLE8ED ATTEMPTED JSUICIDE NEAR GLOUCESTER. At the police-station at Newnham on Tuesday evening Wiliiam Bullock was brought up before Mr Arnold Thomas and charged with attempting to commit suicide by hanging on the 28th July.- Prisoner, who is 32 years of age, is an agricultural labourer in the employ of Mr Worthington,farmer, of Grange Court. He is a married man, with a family livingab W almore-hill, W estbury-on-Severn, It appeared that he gob up very early on Saturday morning and went downstairs, there being- apparently, so far as his wife could discover, nothing amiss. Some time afterwards, hearing a peculiar noise, she made her way downstairs, and after searching about found her husband in a wood-house suspended by a rope, which was tied to a gate hook. His feet were about 24 inches from the floor, and he was struggling violently. Seizing a reaping-hook, she immediately cut the rope and let the man down, he being then insensible, and it was nob without difficulty that he was brought round. Prisoner, who had nothing to say, was remanded in custody to Littledean Petty-sessions on Friday.

RECENT CARMARTHEN MURDER Claim by the Borough Sheriff. The Carmarthen Town Council had uhder con- sideration on Tuesday a claim by the high sheriff of the borough for the sum of 213, the expenses incurred in the execution of George Thomas. Alderman ROGERS hoped the Pressmen would take no note of the discussion. The Mayor, however, pointed out that the meeting was an open one. The Town Clerk said he had looked up the sub- ject, and failed to find any authority whatever bearing thereon. Such disbursements by county sheriffs were refunded by the Treasury, but he could find no provision for dealing with the claim of a borough official appointed by the town council. Mr COLBY EVANS thought as the town council appomted the official they ought to bear his expenses.—The bill was passed.

THE TINPLATE TRADE. Serious Crisis. PROPOSED STRIKE AT 63 WORKS. A proposal is being seriously considered by the executive of the Tin-plate Workers' Union for convening a meeting of the general council forth- with for the purpose of sanctioning, if necessary, the calling out of the employees at all the 63 works owned by the members of the Tin-plate Manufacturers' Association. There are, in all, 90 works in the trade.

BEAUTY AND PURITY go hand in hand. They are the foundation of health and happiness; health, because of pure blood, happiness, because of clear skin. Thousands of useful lives have been embittered by distressing humours. CCTICUBA REMEDIES are the greatest of skin purifiers as well as blood purifiers. Because of their peculiar action on the pores they are successful in preventing and curing all forms of skin, scalp, and blood humours, when the best physicians fail. Safe, innocent, and effective, they especially appeal to mothers and children, because they act so gently yet effectively upon the skin and blood, as well as the liver, kidneys, and buwels. Their use at all seasons insures a clear skin and pure blood, as well as sound bodily health. ATHLETIC SPORTS AND PONY RAOES, August 6th, Bank Holi(lay.-Peny(larren Park, Merthyr. Open Foot and Bicycle Handicaps, Pony Race, Pony Trotting Handicap. Entries close August 4th.-For forms, &c., apply Dau Ihomas, Plymouth Arms Inn, Inn, Merthyr. bile MAGIC LAWN MOWERS, 8 mches, 2&; 10 inches 24s 12 inches, 32s 14 inches, 36s.—Perkins Bros. and Co., Caxdift. 435e

FACTS AND FANCIES. There is only one immortal. Hi3 name-is Death. Marriage increases the papa-lation of the country. Lawyers may be poets; they write lots of versus." It often happens that fear is merely dread of. being afraid. In order to get the wild oats out of a boy he must be thrashed. Can electricians explain why a decided negative is always a positive ? Only stupid people complain of hard work. Smart people never overwork themselves. When a man's wife comes in and sees him razor in hand and his face all lather, and aiks him, Are you shaving" it's a provoking thing in him to answer, No, I'm blacking the stove." My dear," said a fond wife, "when we were engaged I always slept with your last letter under my pillow." "And I," murmured her husband, I often went to sleep over your letters." A Kentucky editor says that "all the assaults of that blatant infidel who edits the seathetic sheet across the way cannot bring discredit upon the Bible, or tarnish the fair fame of its illustrious author, Thomas Jefferson." » Two tramps were trundling along the dusty road on a hot afternoon, because the harvest hands wouldn't let them stop in the shade to rest, and they had had nothing to eat or drink since the night before. "Hungry?" asked one. "Yes, but I'm drier," was the gloomy response. "What would you give for a nice cold glass of beer ?" "Willie," responded the other earnestly, "I'd almost work for it." REPORTING PROGREss.-She is one of those very matter-of-fact girls. "How are you getting on with your jnusic ?" asked the young man who was calling on her. "Well," she answered, "of course it wouldn't be proper for me to compliment myself, but some of the neighbours have told me that they have stayed awake at night for hours listening to my playing." And she smiled in a self-approving way that was sweet to behold. 7 They were having some private theatricals, and Mr and Mrs Bingley gave the scene from The School for Scand/il, in which Sir Peter reproaches Lady Teazle for her extravagance and other shortcomings. Edith Bingley, aged eight, was in the audience, and when asked at the close of the entertainment how she had enjoyed her parents' acting, she electrified her hearers by saying, in a tone of disappointment, "Acting! They were not acting—that's the way they do all the time at home THE TWINs.-The mother of two sons, twins, met one of the brothers in a field one morning. Which of you two boys am I speaking to asked the mother. Is it you or vour brother ?" Why do you ask ?" enquiied the'lad prudently. "Because, if it is your brother, I will box his ears." It is not my brother it is I." "Then your brother is Nv tring. your coat, for yours had a hole in it." No, mother, Iain wearing my own coat." Good heavens," cried the mother, looking at him intently, you are your brother after all THE BRTER PIT.-AN examiner at the Edin- burgh University had made himself obnoxious by warning students against putting their hats on his desk. The university in the Scottish capital is remarkable for a scarcity of cloak-rooms, and in the excitement of examination hats are flung anywhere. This examiner announced one day that if he found another hat on his desk he would rip it up. The next day no hats were laid on the desk when the students met. After a while, how- ever, the examiner was called out of the room. Then some naughty undergraduate slipped from his seat, got the examiner's hat, and placed it on the desk. When the examiner re-entered the ball every eye was fixed on him. He observed the hat, and a gleam of triumph shot across his face. Gentlemen," he said, "I told you what would happen if this occurred again." Then he took a penknife from his pocket, opened it, and blandly cut the hab in pieces amid prolonged applause. He has a cool head and nerves of steel who, when a big highwayman flashes a knife before his eyes, knows what to do and does it. As Fechter, the actor, was going home one night, wearing a large paste diamoncll a great powerful fellow stopped him and asked the time. "I don't know," answered Fecater, trying to walk on. The rough seized him, but Fecbter, being a trained wrestler, grappled and threw the man, who how- ever! held on to him, and drew a clasp-knife. Listen to me, my man," said Fechter; "what is the good of your shedding blood and getting a hemp cravat? I have no money and no valuables what do you want ? Your pin and I'll have it, if I swing for it?" roughly replied the foot. pad. You shall," said Fechter only I don'b care to go home with my scarf open. If you will let fme^havejany other pin you may have mine." Agreed." replied the robber, taking out a tur. qnoise cameo pin, and putting Fechter's paste diamond in. What must have been the thief's feelings when, the next day, he offered his diamond to some receiver," to find that the pin he had bartered for it was worth ten times the value of the paste pin.

VENTILATION OF SOUTH WALES MINES. In the House of Commons on Tuesday, Mr WOODS asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he was aware that the workmen employed at the Wyndbam Pit, North's Navigation, Ogmore Valley, to the number of 1,200, had had to play four days during the last three weeks in consequence of the accumulation of gas in the mine owing to the lack of adequate ventilation whether her Majesty's Sub-Inspector Lewis made a visit to this mine on the 16th and 17th July; whether he visited the following headings:—"David Samuel's," "Pope's," and Samuel Jones's," and what was the state of the return airway in this district; whether this return airway was in a safe condition, and of adequate area whether he was aware that the downcast ehaft was 16 feet diameter; and the upcast shaft only 12 feet diameter; whether her Majesty's inspector considered this sufficient to ventilate the three extensive mines worked at this pit and whether the inspector's report of his visit on the 16th and 17th could be read to the House ? Mr ASQUITH said he was informed by the sub. inspector that the number of workmen employed in the Wyndbam Pit was 660 and not 1,200 as stated by his hon. friend, and this information was confirmed by the workmen themselves. Of the 660, 470 were employed by day and 190 by night. The answer to the second paragraph was in the affirmative. The return air. way was found not to be so satisfactory as was desirable, but it had been put in repair, and, he understood, was now in a satisfactory state. The downcast shaft was 15 and not 16 feet in dia. meter, and, in the opinion of the inspector, there was no reason to believe the shaft wasinsufficient for the proper ventilation of the mine. He had seen a copy of a letter in which the workmen repudiated ,the statement that the colliery was not properly ventilated, and they added that in their opinion it was in an almost perfect state of ventilation. Uuder these circumstances there seemed no cause to read the inspector's report to the House.

THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF I AN ACTOR AT SWANSEA. On Tuesday afternoon Mr Talfourd Strick, deputy-coroner, held an inquiry into the circum- stances attending the death of Walter Fernand Green, known as Walter Parnall and Walter Fernand, an actor, whose body was on Saturday night found on Swansea Sands under circum- stances reported on Tuesday. Mrs Fernand Green, of 19, Azenby-street, Lyndburst-road, Peckham, identified the body as that of her husband, who had been out of employ for the last four years trough ill-health, and who for the last two years bad been to and fro between Birmingham, London, and other places trying to get an appointment on the stage. He left home a week ago, Her father was an ex-mayor of Newport Mr: Faulkner), and it was the money which he had left her upon which they had lived. Her husband's father was a London solicitor, and as deceased had no trade he took to the theatrical profession. After that, his mother (his only relative) would not acknowledge him in any shape or form. Five years ago deceased had typhoid fever, two years ago he had pleurisy, and last summer;he broke his arm. When he left London he had a watch, a gold ring, and gold solitaire, but he had none of those things before the fatality. Deceased could swim, but he once had the cramp while bathing at Blackpill some years ago, and after that he was afraid'of the water. Deceased had felt acutely his position of having four children and no money.— A verdict of Found drowned was returned.

LAST NIGHrSJ* GAZETTE," I Receiving Orders. Thomas Price, Old London House, Garnant, Carmar- thenshire, butcher, grocer, and farmer. Harry Pabley, High-street, Builth, Brecknockshire, jeweller. r y ■» ■ '1 -1 Henry SiTnons, Liangyfeiach-road, formerly Hawarden Buildings, Landore, both Swansea, grocer.

Professor Gussfeldt, a great African ancfflouth American traveller, is at present the (German Emperor's tutor in geology and natural history. A silver farthing, intended to represent a six. penny piece, is the latest device for the accom- plishment ot fraud.

CHINA AND JAPAN. I Another Naval Battle, I SINKING OF A CHINESE IRONCLAD. SHANGHAI, Tuesday .Private despatches re- ceived here from Tientsin announce that another naval engagement between the Chinese and Jananese squadons took place yesterday. The ironclad Chen Yuen, the largest and most modern vessel in the Chinese navy, was sunk by the Japanese after a hotly- contested fight. It is further reported that two large Chinese cruisers, supposed to bo two of the three protected cruisers constructed by Messrs Armstrong at Elswick, have been captured or destroyed. -Reuter. The Chen Yuen, the ironclad stated above to have been sunk, was a steel vessel of 7,280 tons, built at Stettin in 1832. She car- ried six guns four 38 ton and two 4-ton breech-loaders, and had a speed of 14'5, knots per hour, with indicated horse power of 6,200. She had two torpedo boats and two torpedo tubes. The cruisers alluded to above were twin-screw deck-protected vessels of the first-class, two of 2,300 and one of 2,500 tons. The two smaller, named Chih Yuen and Ching Yuen carried three 12-ton guns,two4-ton, and six quick- firing six-pounders. The third vessel, the Foo Tshing, which was only launched in 1890, carried two 12-ton guns.and seven 4%-inch breech-loading 14 gun.Peuter. EXPLANATORY STATEMENT. I YOKOHAMA, Monday.—The following explana- tory statement has been communicated to Reuter's agency in reference to the action between the Japanese and Chinese (fleets, in which the Kow Shing was sunk. The negotiations, which were conducted at Pekin through the good offices of the friendly great Powers, were on the point of a satisfactory conclusion when China suddenly informed the Japanese Government through the mediating Powers that Japan must forthwith withdraw her ships from Chinese ports, and that if Japan did not formally express her compliance with all the Chinese propositions by July 20th the Chinese naval and military forces would advance. This was regarded as an ultimatum in optimae forma. The Japanese Government, however, acting upon the advice of mediating powers, accepted the Chinese proposals in principle, making some amendments. These Japan submitted, with the declaration that any advance of the Chinese naval and military forces would be considered a hostile menace. In view of this fact it is evident that orders must have been given tothe Japanese naval and military comrnandrs tobeon the qui vive after the 28th July for a Chinese attack. It is believed that the small Japanese squadron which came in collision with the Chinese fleet was merely re- connoitring. I CHINA PLAYS A WAITING GAME. Details are slowly coming to hand with respect to the naval battle off the coasb of Corea the other day. A telegram despatched from Shanghai at 12.30 on Tuesday says the total survivors from the sunken transport Kow Shing number 41. They were picked up by boats from the French gunboat Lion, and have been landed at Chefoo. They state that when the Japanese attacked the Chinese fleet, the Kow Shing bore away for safety. She was overtaken, however, and driven into a shallow bay. There she hove to, and a Japanese officer from one of the attacking iron- clads boarded her. He stated that his instruc- tions were to sink the ship, and he offered to take off the captam and crew. The captain of the transport declined to accept, and though the offer was twice repeated he persisted in his xefusal. The officer returned to his ship, fire was opened upon the doomed transport, and torpedoes were discharged at her, She sank in a few minutes. Not a smgle officer on board her was saved. The survivors are nearly all coolies. On the day following the naval fight a Japanese cruiser encountered a Chinese ironclad in Jerome Gulf, near Yachan. The Chinese claim that their vessel had the best of it, and that the Japanese cruiser was severely mauled. She was taken off by a consort, in a crippled condition. It is ex- plained to-day that China will not declare war until the ships and armaments ordered abroad are safely cleared. Nothing further has been re- ceived regarding the Japanese attack upon Asan. A later telegram through the same source adds: The Chinese transports Meifoo and Toonan are safe, Tt was feared they had been captured. Many of the transports failed to make the Yaloo river. They have arrived at Chefoo, bringing their troops back with them. They will not for the present venture to sea again. Vessels arriv- ing at Corean ports are searohed by the Japanese for arms and warlike stores. The Japanese are ruling with a firm hand at all points where they are in possession. The Japanese general, Oshima, has under his command a combined brigade, infantry, artillery, and cavalry, all composed of picked troops. Besides laying torpedoes at the mouth of the Yang-tse-Kiang aud along the North Channel, sixty torpedoes have been sent up the river toKian-gym. WAR NOT YET DECLARED. I It was stated in reply to inquiries at the Japanese Legation on Tuesday that so far no official information had been received of a declara- tion of war between China and Japan. The Chinese Minister and Secretary of Legation on Tuesday had a prolonged conference, after which the latter proceeded to the Foreign Office. MISGIVINGS IN SPAIN. I MADRID, Tuesday.—Owing to the proximity of the Philippine Islands to Japan, misgivings are expressed both by the newspapers and in official circles here regarding the possible consequences of Japan becoming a dominant power in the far East. Apprehension is also felt that the Japanese Government may take advantage of the present campaign in the island of Mindanao to carry out the ambitious designs attributed to it.-Reuter. RECEPTION OF NEWS IN LONDON. I The Press Association says:-The first intimation received at the Japanese Legation in London of the reported naval engagement alleged to have resulted in the destruction of a.Chinese ironclad and the capture of two Chinese cruisers, was conveyed through the medium of a Press tele- gram. Upon the contents of the telegraphic com- munication supplying the above information being conveyed on Tuesday afternoon to the Secretary of the Japanese Legation by representatives of the Press Association. It was intimated that no confirmation had arrived from Tokio, but that there was every reason to regard the telegram as trustworthy. The Secretary of Legation was evidently highly gratified, and carrying the telegram with him at once repaired to the private apartment of the Minister, Viscount Kawaae, to whom the purport of the momentous message was made known. Later on, the Naval Attache sent specially to the Secretary for the telegram, and the latter official again borrowed the message in order to show it to this gentleman and to other members of the Legation, amongst whom it appeared to create considerable pleasurable exoite- ment. At the same time, the representative of the Press Association was informed that a telegram in cypher from Tokio, which bad just arrived, made no mention of the reported battle. The officials at the Japanese Legation reported the destruction of the Chinese ironclad and the loss of two cruisers, as well as the transport ship a few days ago, as a very disastrous blow at China's naval strength. ID is pointed out that the Chen Yul was the finest warship that the Chinese possessed. As to the absence of any official information on the subject, this is not regarded at the Legation under present circumstances as of any great importance. At the Chinese Legation in Portland-place, they appeared to be equally uninformed as to what was reported to have taken place. The contents of the telegram reporting the Chinese defeat were duly communi. cated, and, as may be easily understood, the news met with a very different recep- tion to that which had been accorded it but half an hour previously at the Japanese Legation. Sir Haliday Macartney, councillor of the Legation, said that no information had been received from China during the whole of the day and previous night, and he thought it highly improbable that such an occurrence could have happened without the London Legation being informed of it. He pointed out that in the case of the loss of the transport vessel the news was wired from the Government offices ah Pekin to the Legation in London, and added that there was no reason why the same course should not have been adopted in the present case. PROTECTION OF BRITISH TRADE. 1 The Central News saysMuch indignation prevails in Japanese circles at the charges of cruelty made against the officers of their fleet on the occasipn of the sinking of the Kow Chang transport. It is em- phatically declared that the vessel would not have been fired upon unless resistance was being offered. The Japanese were the firsb of the Eastern nations to join the Geneva Con- vention from motives of humanity, and such bar- barity as has been charged against them would be entirely at variance with their native training and discipline, I is expected that, the explanations from the,. Japanese naval authorities which have been tele. graphed for will put an entirely different com plexion upon the incident. Meantime, the Central News is informed, an influential body of shipowners in the city are making most urgent representations to her Majesty's Government in the matter, asking that immediate action may be taken. It is pointed out that the Kow Shung was a British ship, and as war bad not been declared her owners were entirely within their right in chartering her to China for the conveyance of troops. China will doubtless make compensa- tion for the loss of the vessel, but the shippers hold firmly that they must look to her Majesty's Government to demand reparation for the outrage upon the British flag, and ample compensation for the families of the Englishmen who perished on the trooper. These views have been pressed not only upon Lord Kimberley, but upon Lord Rosebery himself. The Central News learns that her Majesty's Government telegraphed on Tuesday morning to the British representative at Tientsin asking a detailed description of the circumstances attending the sinking of the Kow Sbung. An early reply is expected. A suggestion has been made that her Majesty's Government should request the French Government to obtain from the commander of their gunboat Lione a report upon tke sinking of the transport. It will be remembered the survivors were picked up by the Lione's crew, and presumably the officers of the ship were spectators of what occurred. Such a report would have the advantage of impartiality. The Central News understands that the British squadron still remains on the northern coasb of Japan. FIGHTING PROCEEDING AT ALL POINTS. The Central News says: The illogical position of affairs between China and Japan at the present moment is causing some concern to the leading European Powers. Nominally there is no war between China and Japan, but in reality fighting is proceeding at all points where the rival forces come into contact. There is nothing in the code existing amongst nations to prevent the two belligerent Powers at the present moment from being supplied with arms and ammunition, war- ships, and warlike stores, by the subjects of any neutral Power. More than that, under present conditions both belligerents are free to engage skilled European officers to serve either with their armies or navies, and such officers are free to give their services, both nations being nominally at peace. in fact, the advantages to be gained by both by the present state of affairs are so great that it is quite possible that neither Power will consider it worth while to declare war until the end of the campaign is within view. The anomoly, how- ever, is such that some combined action on the part cf the Powers is believed certain, aud the Central News understands that overtures have been made with this object. j NO CONFIRMATION AT THE CHINESE LEGATION. The Central News is officially informed that the Chinese Minister has received no confirma- tion of the reported sinking of the ironclad Chen Yuen. The Chinese officials entirely discredit the report. Had it emanated from Tientsin, as alleged-, the Chinese Ambassador would have been tho first to .receive the information, but as telegraphic communication' from Tientsin is interrupted, the officials are disposed to regard the announcement as an unfounded rumour. The Japanese Legation had not up to a Jate: hour received an official explana.tion regarding Japanese action at the sinking of the Kow Shung. 1

DARING THEFT OF BEER AT I EBBW VALE. I Ab Tredegar Police-court, held on Tuesday— before Dr. R. T. E. Davies and Mr E. Phillips— John Bennett, John German Lewis, 'rho" Rose, and Thos. Hallett were charged in custody with stealing three kilderkins of beer, the property of Mr Thos. Pritchard, grocer, Ebbw Vale, on July 24th.-The prosecutor stated that the casks were abstracted from a storehouse at the Great Western Railway Station, access being obtained by the padlocks being ingeniously removed. The police tracked the prisoners to an archway, where they were enjoying the beer. An exciting mehc ensued. P.C. Vaughan was lamed by kic'. from Bennett and Rose P.C. Rees was savage j atbacked with stones and pieces of earthenware pans by Bennett, Lewis, and Rose, the latter of whom was struck down with the constable's etaff. Eventually they were all secured. Bennett and Rose were each sentenced to two months' imprisonment, and Lewis, against whom there were several previous convictions, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Hallett, who did not participate in the attack on the police, was bound over in the sum of £10.

FIGHT ON THE HIGH SEAS. I Fatal Stabbing Affray. I On Tuesday Charles Petersen, Norwegian sea- I man, was tried at Liverpool by Justice Collins, for fatally stabbing James Shields on board the ship Ahuleepimgh, whilst on a voyage from Chili to New York last February, it was alleged, with provocation. Peterson struck Shields, and the latter toek up an iron pin two feet long. On this Peterson drew his knife, but Shields exclaimed if Peterson would sheath his knife he would drop the pin. When Shields had done this Peterson rushed at him with his knife, fatally stabbing him. The jury found Petersen guilty of manslaughter. He was sentenced to three years' penal servitude.

SUSPICIOUS CASE AT SWANSEA I At the Swansea Police-court on Tuesday, a man named William John McAdams was charged on remand with stealing a silver watch, a metal chain, an opera-glass, &c., and 21 10s in money from the person of Wiiliam Griffiths, a retired colliery proprietor living in tbe Rbondda, Mr Griffiths was on a visit to Swansea, and he alleged he was set on in a lane by four men, who robbed him with violeuce. -Prisoner, who said on the day of the robbery he was at Pembroke Dock with the Militia, was said to have pawned the watch, but the pawnbroker was not sure of his identity.—The Bench disoharged. prisoner on the ground of insufficient evidence,

MOVEMENTS OF LOCAL VESSELS. True Briton arvd Grimsby 27th Ancient Briton arvd Trelleborg 31st White .Jacket arvd Maryport 31st Moonstone arvd Newport Xews 30th Free Lance passed Gibraltar for Tralee 30th Douglas Hill passed Constantinople for Rotterdam 9th North Briton arvd Nicolaieff fflth Sarah Radcliffe arvd Sunderland 29th Beignon arvd Sables d'Olonne 31st Cyfarthfa left Lisbon for Bilbao 30th Longueil arvd Christiania 31st Loyal Briton arvd Taganrog 28th Saxon Britun left Grimsby for Cronstadt 29th Maitlands arvd Bolistra <47th Highlands left Huelva for Lynn 27th Hartburn left Gibraltar for Gloucester 29th Slingsby arvd Rotterdam 30th Swainby passed Gibraltar 28th Wordsworth at Bristol—to load outwards from Cardiff -for Hull 31st Baron Hambro arvd Barry Dock 31st Rosebud arvd Swansea 31st Elton left Marseilles for Odessa 28th Crimdon arvd Stettin 30tli Watlington arvd Hamburg 29th Crathorne arvd Naples 30th Cervin passed Gibraltar for Torre Anntmzfata 25th Derwent arvd Constantinople 27th Boyne passed Gibraltar for Waterford 26th Shakespear due Gibraltar 1st Cereda passed Gibraltar for Copenhagen 28th Bedford arvd Cronstadt 24th Collivaud arvd St Nazaire 31st C W Anderson left Huelva for Bristol 30th Aberdare left Huelva for Cardiff 29th Darent, left Stockolm for Gefle 31st Mathew Betrlington left Marseilles for Odessa. 27ih I Wilfrid arvd Krainfors 29th Riidyr left Penarth for Gibraltar 31st 1 Stelvio arvd Novorossisk 28th Westoe arvd Oxelsund 29th Robert Incham left Oxelsund for Amsterdam 30th I Eureka left Bordeaux for Bilbao 31st Tintern Abbey arvd Havre 30th Rapid arvd Plymouth £ 9th liheubisa Mvd Lisboo 29tb

Here and There. I The publio billiard-rooms of Paris are being suppressed. The Japanese general election comes off early next month. The Valkyrie is to be broken up for firewood as soon as possible. Brighton at the end of last week contained almost sufficient M.P.'s to form a quorum. The total sale of Horner's Penny Stories for the People," amounts to nearly forty millions. Sir George and Lady Elliot are at present staying at Whitby, prior to going to Scotland. The Musical Standard is of opinion that Weber's opera, Der Freischuiz, is hopelessly effete. In future the approximate time of posting is to be marked by the Post-office authorities upon all letters. A vicar in the south of London has offered to turn the crypt of his church into a child's play- ground. At the last census in South Africa the blacks outnumbered the whites in the proportion of more than four to one. The rage for ribbons continues unabated, the long stole ends headed by rosettes being worn at the back as well as in front. The Speaker says that if one examines the lists' of Labour candidates it will be difficult to find a single genuine working man among them. An enterprising London firm has started a boarding-houso for dogs during the summer holidays. The charges are said to be very moder- ate. A chiid in a National School, says the Ven. Archdeacon Farrar, can in these days learn more I of the secrets of science than was known to all the fathers of our race. The blouses worn now have of a blouse but the name, for they are really dressy bodices of adifferent colour to the skirt; the richesb silks and lace are used in their composition. The very last thing which tho man who uses novels as a sedative wants is to keep the volumes on his shelves. He would as soon think of keep- ing empby medicine bottles.—Spectator. A writer 111 the Referee discusses the federation of England and all her Colonies and dependen- cies. The idea of a federated British Empire is one that is beginning to appeal to statesmen of all parties. The Earl and Countess of Jersey entertained 200 children belonging to the Children's Happy Evening Association on Monday afternoon at Osterley Park, Southall. After tea. Lord Jersey presented each child with a new shilling. An American paper that headed its column of marriage announcements, Wedded for Life, has called down the abuse of some of his con- temporaries. One calls ib "colossal rashness;" another says" it is flying in the face of Providence." Miss Regina Atwater, the young lady who secured the Lord Mayor's prize at the Guildhall School of Music, is the daughter of the gentle- man who writes under the name of Frank Vincent," and is the London correspondent of the New York Musical Courier. A curious betrothal advertisement appears in a German paper. It is as follows: Notice is hereby given of the betrothal of Franz Emberg, of Leipsic, and Manieh, of Dahomey, amazon to King Behanzin, at present residing at the Panoptikum Arcade in Berlin." The German Emperor is doing his best to hit the popular taste during his holiday in Norway. At Drontheim the other evening he is reported to have passed a pleasant hour at a cafe-concert in "The Stag," an establishment not generally regarded as a likely haunt for Emperors. Two amateurs, desiring to know what the Paris street singers earn on a fete day, disguised them- selves aad proceeded the other day to begin singing on the Boulevards. They commenced at ten o'clock in the morning and finished at ten o'clock at night. They fonnd that their receipts amounted to not less than 160 francs. When a person has fainted the firsb and indis- pensable thing to do is to lay the sufferer down flat at once, the head must be pub as low as the body then raise the legs and body a few inches from the ground, the feet 6'ui. or 8in, thereby causing the head to be lower than the body, and consciousness will return immediately. Charming blouses are being made of mauve, straw, pink, and blue-striped cotton crepons; but the most elegant bodices differing from the skirt are of shot surah, with a bouillonne yoke striped with a narrow guipure insertion, and the full bodice drawn in by a draped belt fastened at the side with a paste buckle.—Myra's Journal, Those who see the Prince of Wales but rarely have been greatly astonished by the change that has taken place in tha appearance of his Royal Highness. The water, or some other cure "for an excess of adipose tissue," would appear to have done it* work in a most effective manner. It is almost difficult, indeed, to recognise the Roy1 patient. The eldest daughter of Sir Edward Reed, whose engagement has jusb been announced, is a particularly bright and gifted young lady. Her fiance is a very nice and gentlemanly fellow, and holds a place in the Queen's Household. After their marriage they will live in quarters in St. James's Palace. Sir Edward's second doughter— who is so well-known to Cardiff electors—has been very ill, but is now recovering at the seaside. About kissing a reverend writer on The Management of Husbands becomes quite enthu- siastic. If thera is nothing half so sweet in life (he says) as love's young dream—and the highest authority on such matters, since Anacreon, has assured us there is not—in the dream itself there s nothing half so sweet as a velvety arm, in full dress, encircling the dreamer's neck, and a pair of dewy lips pressing softly on the dreamer's own. The Bar Committee have just decided a point of considerable professional interest. A barrister received the effer of a brief, in a Local Govern- ment inquiry, from the vestry clerk, who is not ;t solicitor. He took the opinion of the Bar Committee as to whether he was entitled to accept it, and the Bar Committee have now answered this question in the negative. Some doubt has existed on this point for several years. Grapes are most important for their curative properties, being, the Vegetarian points out, the most nutritious of fruit, and at the same time purifying to the blood. Grape cures are quite fashionable in some parts of the Continent. Peaches, at all times palatable, wholesome, and medicinal, are eminently so when eaten at break- fast. Oranges eaten before breakfast will cure dyspepsia sooner than anything else. Apples in cases of illness are far better than salts, oils, or pills. Stories of the same class as that of the sports- man who applied to the circulating library for The Mill on the Floss" of George Eliot, under the impression that it was a book on prize-fight- ing, are not uncommon. The latest, as it is also one of the best, concerns Mr Morley Roberts's new book. An applicant for The Puritication of Dolores Silva was informed that the lIbrarian had not that work in stock, but was offered in its stead a pamphlet on the Treatment Re- fraotory Ore." Discussing the proposal of the London County Council to establish a municipal pawnshop, the Daily Telegraph asks—Where is the municipal butcher's shop, the municipal bakehouse, the municipal milk-walk? Where is the municipal tailor, hatter, haberdasher, bootmaker ? How is ib that the municipality does not y?t shave or shampoo the citizen of London ? Why is the limping ratepayer still compelled to have his corns cut by private enterprise for lack of a municipal chiropodist 1 A correspondent, writing on the subject of war horses, says there was one called Crimean Bob, belonging to the 11th Hussars. When the writer I saw him in the Island Bridge Barracks he was over 30 years old. His shoes were taken off, and he had not cast his coat for years. He was buried in front of the officers' quarters at Cahir Barracks, Ireland. Five soldiers were shot from this horse's saddle in the Crimea, and the horse himself never got a bullet, although he came into the lines without his rider from Balaclava. The names of the warriors are inscribed on his tablet in the wall where he lies in sawdust Cahir Barracks. Some stories about curates are told in a book just issued. It is edited by a clergyman. The writer says he happened to be sitting in Raw Gardens, somewhat withdrawn from observation. Suddenly the sound of feminine voices was borne to him, and, peeping forth, he beheld two girls, in the modest but becoming garb of nurses. Oh, what a sweet little curate said one of the girls. Yes," replied her companion," too awfully sweet." Shouldn't you like to take him home with you ?" Rather, and wrap him up in my fur-lined mantle, and put him away in a drawer, with some camphor, to protect him from the moths." Some interesting statistics, just compiled, bear eloquent testimony to the social and industrial progress of Ireland under Mr Morley's adminis- tration. The deposits and cash balances in the Joint Stock Bank of Ireland now amount to thirty-five and a half millions sterling, or eight hundred thousand pounds more than they were in the corresponding period of 1893. The balances in tho Post-office and Trustee Savings Banks are £0,500,000, or £600,000 more than in July, 1893. This is double the highest increase in any of the 20 years from 1874 to 1893 inclusive. The rail- way traffic receipts for the last half-year are £ 1,500,000 sterling, being higher than the amoant 1 in any previous half-year, and showing an in- ( crease of £ 40,000 as compared with the receipts > for the first six months of 1892.

Parish & District Councils I CHANGES UNDER THE NEW ACT. IV. The two great changes relating to allotments whioh will be caused by the new Act will be that (1) in every parish there will henceforth be a standing body which can administer the Allot- ments Act, and (2) that standing body will be invested with as much power and with more capacity to improve allotments as any individual. At first sight it would not appear as if the new Act would creabe any revolution. It simply enacts that the same power of making a repre- sentation with respect to allotments and of applying for the ejection of allotment managers as is conferred on Parliamentary electors by the ALLOTMENTS ACTS OF 1887 AND 1890, but without prejudice to the powers of those e ors should be transferred to the parish councils. The Allotment Act of 1887 provides that any six Parliamentary electors in a parish may make a representation in writing to the sanitary authority (now the district council) that the circumstances of the parish are such that it is the duty of the sauitaiy authority to take proceed- ings, and that the sanitary authority shall take the representation into consideration and if, after inquiry, they are of the opinion that there is a demand for allotments, they shall take the necessary steps to provide them. The Allotment Act of 1890 supplements the Act of 1887. It provides that if the sanitary authority fail to acquire land for allotments, the six Par- liamentary electors are to petition the county council, which body, as a rule, appoints a stand- ing committee to deal with such matters. The departure made in the present Act is to substitute the parish councils for the six electors (without, however, depriving them of their right), and for the managers which, under the old law, were to be appointed to look after the allotments. These managers will no longer be elected, for all the powers relating to allotments which hitherto have been enjoyed by elected managers will be exercised by parish councils. That is to say, the parish councils, having thus obtained land for allotments, may improve it and adapt it for that purpose by draining, fencing, and dividing it, acquiring approaches, making roads, and doing anything else they think fit, except; that they may not break up any permanent pasture without the written assent of the land- lord. They may also from time to time do what is necessary for maintaining the drains, fences, &c., in order to keep the allotments in a proper condition. The council may also make or alter its REGULATIONS WITH RESPECT TO ALLOTMENTS from time to time, but no regulation will have any force until it has been confirmed by the Local Government Board. The regulations may, among other things, deene:- 1. The persons eligible to be tenants. 2. The notices to be given for letting the allot- ments. 3. The size of the allotments. 4. The conditions under which they are to be cultivated. 5. The rent to be piud for them. With regard, however, to the size of the allot- ments, there is one rule which cannot be altered by the parish council. If the land is hired com- pulsorily, one tenant may not hold more than four acres of pasture, or one acre of arable and three acres of pasture, and under no circumstances can an allotment be sub-let. If any allotment cannot be let according to the pro- visions enumerated above, it may be temporarily let for a period of 12 months, to any person what- ever, at the best annual rent which can be obtained for it. The RENTS are to be fixed at au amounb not less than such as may reasonably be expected to insure the parish council from loss, buc in calculating such loss, any expenses incurred in an unsuccessful attempt to acquire land for allotments are to be excluded. Where the council deem it necessary that rents should be paid in advance, they are not to require more than a quarter's rent in advance. RATES. Although the council are to be deemed the occupiers of the allotments for all the purposes of rates, taxes, and tithe-rent charge, they must, nevertheless, cause the sums so spent to be apportioned among the tenants, this sum to be added to the rent of each tenant. If a tenant has failed to pay his rent 40 days after it has fallen due, or if the council thmk that for three months he has failed to observe the conditions of his tenancy, or if ho has gone to live more than a mile away from the parish, the council may either serve at his last place of abode and fix in some conspicuous manner on the allotment a written notice determining his tenancy at the end of one month after the notice has been 60 served or affixed. BUILDINGS. No building other than a stable, cow-house, barn, tool-house, shed, greenhouse, fowl-house, or pigstye can be erected on any parb of an allot- ment, and if any other building is erected the council can pull it down and sell the material. No compensation will be paid to an outgoing tenant for any buildings he may leave on his allot- ment, but he will be at liberty to remove such buildings at the end of his tenancy. (This will not, of coarse, prevent the outgoing tenant from making a private arrange- ment with the incoming or other tenant with regard to the buildings.) The same rule applies also to fruit trees. NVith regard to improve- ments, the provisions of the Agricultural Hold- ings Act of 1883 will apply. Some improve- ments, such as the erection of buildings, etc., will require the consent of the landlord others, such as drainage, will require giving notice to the landlord and others, such as liming, etc,, can be done without the consent of the landlord. In the same way, the compensation which could be claimed by the tenant for unexhausted improve- ments under the Act of 1883 will be due to allot- ment holders under this Act. Our next article will deal with DISTRICT COUNCILS.

BOATING FATALIiY AT MILFORD HAVEN, I Our Pembroke Dock correspondent, wribing on Tuesday afternoon, says :Intelligence of a boatilJi accident, which occurred at Angle, Milford Haven, on Monday evening, and which resulted in the loss of two lives, reached here this morning. The details to hand as yet are doubtful. but, according to report, the accident came about in this way. A coastguardsman named Morgan, stationed at Angle, and a man named Benjamin Howells, said to be emploved as a boatman by Mr R. W. B. Mirehouse, were engaged near Angle boathouse loading a boat with provisions or stores, which they intended to take to one of the forts, or to a ship lying somewhere in the harbour. When they had completely loaded the boat, another man, whose name is not stated, came to their assistance to push it off the beach. In doing this he appears to have overbalanced himself and fell into the water, which, although so near the beach, is at that spot tolerably deep. Whether the two other men, who were in the boat, stepped to one side in order to. try and rescue him or not is not known, but the boat somehow capsized, and precipitated the two occupants into the water. The man who pushed the boat off was rescued in a drowning state, and still continues in a pre- carious condition. Morgan and Howells were both drowned. One body was recovered almost imme- diately after the accident.

BRITANNIA V. VIGILANT. I ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RACE AT I SWANSEA. Resignation of the Regatta Secretaries. On Tuesday some excitement was caused at I Swansea by the announcement that the two hon. secretaries of the regatta had resigned, and it was at once wrongly concluded that this action on their part was due to their disapproval of a pro- posal to have the whole of the course laid in the Bay instead of in the Channel. We are, how- ever, glad to state that this is not the reason of the resignation, which is, indeed, due to the committee deciding on Monday to alter the title of the regatta from The Swansea Bay and Bristol Channel Regatta" to that of The Swansea and Bristol Channel Yacht Club Regatta," a change regarded as a direct snub to the Corinthian Sailing Club. Both gentlemen desire it to be understood that while ceasing to occupy any official position they wish the regatta every success, and will continue doing everything possible to ensure success.

EXPLOSION AT A SWANSEA isFUEL WORKS. I News has been received that a few days ago, while the men were working at the Graigola Fuel Works, an explosion took place under a large machine, and on John Moggridge, the foremau, and Charles Thomas, an oiler, going to investigate the cause, they were met by a flame and a cloud of coal dust, which inflicted serious burns on their faces and hands. 1.

MAGIC LAWN MOWKBS, 8 inches, 22s; 10. inches 24s 12 inches, 32s 14 inches, 36s.—Perkius Bros, and Co, Cardiff 335e THE GROSVZNOR CAFE."—Pot of Tea, Rol I and hatter 6d Pot of Tea Buttered So me, M 44e

CARNARVON BOROUGHS, Probable Opposition to Mr Lloyd George, The Genedlls informed that one of the quarry. men of Festiniog has been invited to come forward as the Tory candidate for the Carnarvon Boroughs at the next election, in opposition tc Mr Lloyd George. The name is not given, but it is stated that the quarryman in question is one who has of late been prominent on Tory plat, forms in the neighbourhood. A correspondent writes that the story of th< probable opposition to Mr Lloyd George by working man is devoid of truth. bir John Puleston will not again try conclusions with the popular young member, after the sound defeat he experienced at his hands at the last General Election. Mr Ellis Nanney, his first opponent, will not come forward again, it is understood. The name of Mr (late the Rev.") Issard Daviea, Mayor of Carnarvon, is frequently mentioned in connection with the seat, and it is locally looked upon as certain that that gentleman will be the next leader of the Tory forlorn hope. There is very little fear that Mr Lloyd George will be allowed to retire from Parliament. His con- stituents have taken np the matter Lf paying his election expenses with vigour, and at Carnarvou alone, we understand, nearly L100 has been sub- scribed in a few days. The Baner declares thab it would be nothing less than a national mis- fortune if Mr George were allowed to retire.

SOUTH WALES COAL TRADE The Hauliers' Question at Merthyr. it will be remembered tnat a basis of settl& ment was lately arrived at between the Plymouth Collieries' Management/Mertbyr, and the'shauliers who had given notice. The Cyfarthfa hauliers decided to ask for similar terms, and on Monday night a deputation, consisting of Messrs Isaac Edwards, Dd. Roblin, J. Jones, J. Morgans, and Thos. Lewis, on behalf of the workmen's commit. tee, together with Messrs J. Davies, DI. James, and Evan Abraham, hauliers, waited upon Mr Abraham, the colliery manager of the Cyfarthfa. Collieries, to urge, more particularly in respect of the Cwm Pit men, the concession of advances similar to those obtained at Plymouth, viz., Id per day and an extra turn per week for door. ing." After the interview the workmen's com- mittee were again consulted, and as a result it was agreed that notices should not be tendered to-day (Wednesday), but that Mr Isaac Edwards should be empowered to negotiate for terms as between the workmen's committee and the manager of the colliery.

MR SHELLARD, of 4, High-street, Cardiff (closl to Castle), can be consulted daily free. Artificia 1 Teeth of the highest ss at lowest fees. 91e ATLAS FURNISHING COMPANY, THE HAYES, CARDIFF. "IVrOTE.—We Challenge the World fo? .X.1 Prices consistent with Quality. FURTHER REDUCTIONS IN PRICES. npHE ^TLAS jpiURNISHING £ jO. PERAMBULATORS, the Largest Stock in Cardiff. THE ATLAS JjlURNISHING Co. MAIL CARTS of all descriptions cheaper than ever. THE ATLAS ^rjRNISHmG CO. .JL .r BICYCLES, by good makers, at greatly reduced prices. THE ATLAS jpurnishijntg CO. DINING-ROOM FURNITURE, the Largest Stock in Cardiff. THE ATLAS JpURNISHING Co. DRAWING-ROOM FURNITURE, the Largest Stock in Cardiff. THE ATLAS F URNISHING CO. BEDROOM FURNITURE of all Kinds, the Largest and Best Selection in Cardiff. THE ATLAS QO. KITCHEN FURNITURE, All Home-made, and with good seasoned timber. THE ATLAS JPURNISHING CO. FURNITURE OF ALL SORTS AND KINDS, Suitable for the Mansion, the Villa, the Cottage. THE ATLAS BURNISHING Co. T -U" PIANOS, HARMONIUMS, ORGANS, VIOLINS, Accordions, Guitars, Mandolins, and other Kinds of Musical Instruments. GREAT REDUCTIONS IN PRICES. THE ATLAS JTUKN1[SHTNG (J0' WATCHES, CLOCKS, JEWELLERY, &C., Will be Sold Regardless of Cost. THE ATLAS CARPETS, LINOLEUMS, OILCLOTH, RUGS, BLANKETS, SHEETS, BEDDING, BEDSTEADS, CUTLERY, ELECTRO-PLATE, &c., &c. NOTE NOTE!! NOTE!! We are genuine in our offer. We are selling all our goods at enormous reductions. All upholstering done on the premises, so that it can be relied upon to be pure, clean, and wholesome. We Challenge the World with our Prices, consistent with quality. WE KEEP NO RUBBISH. WE ONLY ASK YOU TO PAY US A VISIT. See our workshops, examine our goods in the pvoces; of manufactnre. Compare with others before purchase ing. We will be satisfied with the result. £50,(000 worth to select from, all at reduced prices INVALID CHAIRS, PERAMBULATORS, MAIl CARTS, CHAIRS, TABLES, &c., LENT ON HIRE. BALL AND CONCERT ROOMS DECORATED AND FITTED UP. HOTELS, BOARDING-HOUSES. LODGING- HOUSES, CLUB-S, OFFICES, and all kinds of Institutions FURNISHED AND FITTED OUT COMPLETE. EXTENDED TERMS ARRANGED. ALL GOODS DELIVERED FREE ff. ROAD OR RAIL. CATALOGUES. WITH PRICE LIST AND TERMS, FREE ON APPLICATION. NOTE OUR ONLY ADDRESS: 1THE ATLAS JOSHING COMPANY, L lillITED, HAYES, CARDIFF. 4Qe ~R J. H, EATI-I & SONS, CARDIFF, PONTYPRIDD, & LONDON, PIANOFORTE AND ORGAN MERCHANTS. [From South Wales Daily News, 9th Jan., lw 'VERDICT OF NINE HUNDRED."—Under this title Messrs R, J. Heath and Sons, Queen-street, Cardiff, Eianoforte makers, organ builders, and music ware* ousemen, have collected an imposing array of testi- monials and Press opinions relating to the quality of the musical instruments supplied by them. The great majority of the letters in this list relate to pianos, and while many of them have reference to most costly instruments, containing all the latest improvements supplied to the well-to-do, the greater number relate to serviceable instruments purchased for the homes of the wage-earning portion of the community. This growing love for so refining an art as music is a most favourable sign. For though in the Principality music has for generations been the chief recreation of the people, it has for the most part been choral music that has occupied attention. Instrumental music is HOIV, however, receiving its fair share of attention, and all those in true sympathy with the art must trust that the movement will go steadily onward. These testimonials have been received from every quarter of the Princi. pality, while not a few come horn other portions of the United Kingdom, and some from South America, India, and other distant countries. All speak most favourably of Messrs Heath's business methods as weij aa of their instruments. R. J. HEATH AND SONS INVITE INSPECTION. Full Illustrated List and Verdict Post Free. 9431 FURNISH FOR CASH OR IlIRi AT P. J £ pREEDMAN & 00.^ 1, 2, 3, 4, MARKET BUILDINGS, NEWPORT, MON. EXCELLENT QUALITY COMBINED WITS' CHEAPNESS. SPECIAL LLNE IN jglEATHER E D 8, FULL SIZE, 60LBS., COMPLETE, -9 £ 1 12s 6D. EASY TERMS S5 Worth 2s Od Weekly Elo 3s 6d „ £ 20 „ 6s Cd £ 30 7s 6d „ BRANCHES Al^O AT SWANSEA 34, High-street NEW TREDEGAR Elliot,town SHEFFIEF,D 82, Bristone-str. et. ONU BOX OF CLARKE'S B41 PILLS is warranted to cure Gravel, Pains in the Back, I and all kindred complaints. Guaranteed free from Mercury. Sold in Boxes 4s ód e\ch, by all Chemist. and Patent Medicine Vendors throughout the world, or send to any address for sixty stamps by the Makers The Lincoln and Midland Counties Drug Company Lincoln. 5968 a b- Printed and~ £ y~ihe~Propmtor.s DAVIB DUNCAN & SONS, at 105, St. Mary-sueet, and Westgate-street in the town of Cardiff, in the counts of Glamorgan 1