The South Wales Star

^S. GRUNDY'S JOTTINGS The total shipments at Harry Dock last week amounted to 76,384 tons 18 cwt. At the sixth-annual athletic meeting of the -,Cardiff United Cycling Club, Mr D. Lewis, Barry F.C., won his heat in the 120 yards flat handicap open, and came in second in the final heat, the first winning only by a foot after a fine race. Barry Graving Dock shares were in request last Saturday on 'Change. ± The young bishop from Barry Dock has com- pleted his trip to Ireland, and is once again in our district. He is said to have fallen in love with a blushing maiden over in the Emerald Isle. Mr George Pike, of the N.V.A., Cardiff, has a good story to tell, of which he is himself the hero. Travelling to Penarth with Mr Fennell, of Cardiff, last Monday, Mr Pike remarked Mr Fennell generally got into the same compartment as him- self, because, in his capacity as fishmonger, he was very fond of Pike." Two fathers were bound over for calendar six months at Penarth Police-court last Monday. A prominent trades' unionist in the Barry dis- trict suggests a reform in the Mabon's Day holiday. » Another reform. A young lady coming down Weston Hill, Cadoxton, on a recent Sunday reprimanded her male companion for innocently taking her arm." Mr J. H. Cory, Cardiff, one of the new county justices of the peace, took his seat for the first time at Penarth Police Court last Monday. Jf SF Music hath charms which soothe the savage breast," even of a policeman during leisure hours at Barry. Colonel Guthrie again prepared for the consump- tion of a fine cigar before leaving his seat at Penarth Police Court last Monday morning and the court officials looked on with envy, one re- marking that it set a bad example to the other occupant of the Bench, the young magisterial recruit, Mr J. H. Cory. The Shipping Federation have opened consulting I rooms near the Post and Government Offices at Barry Docks. How is it ? One of the young lady residents of the Barry district, now on a visit to some friends, can go out with a sovereign to pay fifteen and sixpence worth of bills and bring back about tseven shillings change. The susceptible shop assistant must get a little mixed when she smiles. There was a good deal of notability amongst the -shipping at Barry Docks last Friday, the list in- -eluding Lord Ripon, Lord Lyadhurst, Charlie Mitchell, and Naworth Castle. m One of the speakers at the Church defence meet- ing at Barry Parish Hall last week stated that had he possessed silver-tongued powers, he would stump the country, following Lloyd George and 'Company, and giving the Welsh people the true story of the Church. Yet the gentleman is named Makepeace The Barry District Ambulance Brigade is pro- gressing satisfactorily, and it is hoped the corps will soon blossom into a valuable body. All -certificated men and women are requested to 1 become affiliated with the brigade. 1 1 >I< It is expected that the Right Hon. Loid Windsor will attend the forthcoming annual flower show at Dinas Powis, and will probably present the prizes to the succesf ul exhibitors. The eloquent blind preacher, the Rev J. Puleston -Jones, M.A., Bangor, who will preach at the anni- versary services at Sion Welsh Calvinistic Metho- dist Chapel, Pontypridd-street, Cadoxton-Barry, next Saturday evening and Monday, and at the el y 'Presbyterian Chapel, Barry, on Sunday, besides being a relative of Sir John Puleston, Bart., is the first Nonconformist minister who ever had the privilege of preaching in the French Chapel be longing to Canterbury Cathedral. It was a significant fact that the lopposing interests had very little evidence to offer against the Vale of Glamorgan Railway Bill, and were -disposed to rely upon counsels' speeches in the absence of something better. In connection with the opening of the new Roath Park at Cardiff, next Wednesday, the local members of the Boilermakers' Society have resolved to approach the different firms in the Barry district with the view of securing a half- > diy's holiday to attend the opening ceremony. At the United Club Sports at Cardiff last Saturday, Mr Tom Jones, the well-known Barry cyclist, won a gold medal in his race on an Echo pattern machine, made by himself. Messrs Edwards, Robertson and Company's fast steamer, the Earl of Dunraven," will run cheap .excursions from Barry Docks to Minehead next Wednesday morning, leaving Barry Docks at 8.15 a.m., and Minehead at 8 p.m., the fare to and fro being 2s 6d and in the afternoon of the same day leaving Barry Docks at 4.15, and Minehead at eight; fare, Is 6d. The Penatth-road tolls will shortly be a thing of the past. At leasb, this is the opinion of Alderman Jacobs, and he and Sir William Thomas Lewis have been exchanging opinions. Lord Balfour of Burleigh is a humorist with a long memory. During the hearing of the East Glamorgan Railway Bill he appealed to counsel to condense their remarks about Penarth and Barry. "I shall not," he pathetically observed, "forget Penarth and Barry for some time." Lord Balfour went through the Barry Bill controversy at the same time his head went through his hair. — Western Mail. ¡ The general manager of the Barry Railway I Company facetiously told an opposing counsel before the Lords' Parliamentary Committee last week that he was not good at mental arithmetic Why, bless me, I happen to know Mr Evans is a tower of strength in figures. Principal Edwards, of the Cardiff Baptist College, told the Cardiff Liberal Thousand last week that the prospects of Mr Clifford J. Cory, J.P., as Liberal candidate for South Monmouth- shire were exceedingly bright. ) 0 At Cardiff last year 114 accidents to shipping occurred, and three lives were lost, while at Barry 97 mishaps took place, with no lives lost. Messrs Harvey and Hall, of 54, Pill-street, Cogan, obtained third prize in the goldfinch class of cage-birds at the dog and bird show, at Neath, last week. Mr S. Gibson, Glendale, and Mr L. Jenkins, Butchers' Arms, both of Cowbridge, were also winners in dog classes. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has just served notice upon the parent of several children at Barry Dock warning him that unless he abstains from his drunken habits, and improves the state and condi- tion of his children, steps will be taken to bring him before the magistrates. The anniversary dinner of the Barry Dock R.A.O.B. Institute will be held on Wednesday, July 4th. Haymaking has commenccd in the Barry dis- trict, fine crops having been mown on the farms of The Hayes and Colbrook. Please, sir, for a penny to buy a bun is a popular appeal to the charitable down at the docks. Major-General H. H. Lee, J.P., Dinas Powis, has kindly consented to act as honorary treasurer to the Cardiff Triennial Musical Festival, of which H.R.H. the Prince of Wales is patron. County Councillor J. Blandy Jenkins, J.P., con- ducting the Barry and Cadoxton parochial inquiry at Cardiff last Saturday, asked was it customary to swear on such occasions, when the county clerk (Mr Mansel Franklin), fresh from London, replied-" So, Sir, it is not usual to swear at these inquiries I am glad to see the wonderful progress the Wenvoe Cricket Club is making, and Mr G. H. J. Sadler, of Newstead National Schools, Nottingham, must feel proud that he was its originator. Q c- a Mr T. Mansel Franklen, the clerk to the County Council, speaking at the public inquiry at Cardiff last Saturday, sai1 the proposal to erect central ( public offices for the Barry district was all admirable reform. On the same occasion, Mr A. J. Harris, clerk to the Guardians, suggested that the entire Local Board district of Barry should be formed into one parish of Barry. Shall it be Barry Dock Town A member of the Barry Trades' and Labour Council, speaking at the last meeting of that body, said it was the duty of the working-men of the district to secure seats for their representatives on the various houses of Parliament and all the public bodies." Is it possible that some of his colleagues are now meditating as to how their benevolent heads will grace a coronet.' r The Western Mail says, in view of the fact that the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Assembly is held this week at Pontypridd, now would be an oppor- tune time to publish the volume, of over 330 pages, entitled The Methodist Pulpit of East Glamorgan," edited by the Rev W. Lewis, of Pontypridd, and containing sermons by, amongst others, the Revs Christinas J. Lewis, of Barry, and D. Jones, of Penarth. It was as much as the congregation could do to contain themselves at Llancarvan Church the other day. A cuckoo was perched on the tree in the churchyard in close proximity to the pulpit, and every now and then thesermon was interrupted by "Cuckoo." There was an audible lausdi or two when the rev. pastor's query, "Is there one here to answer the text?" was followed by "Cuckoo!" The Rev. Hugh Price Huarhes calls upon Lord Rosebery to give up horse-racing. Local cyclists should bear in mind that their old friend, Mr Tom Jones, the veteran wheelman, has opened a well-stocked cycle depot at 1, Graving Dock-street, Barry Docks. It is a pleasant thing to be a man of consequence. Mr T. R. Thompson was summoned to appear at Penarth last Monday to answer a charge of allowing his donkey to stray on the highway. The chairman on the bench very thoughtfully adjourned the case for a week, as Mr Thompson had been away from home, and had probaby not heard of the summons. We wonder if John Jones or Mary Jackson ever comes in for kind considera- tion of this sort. After sufficient evidence for a remand was taken against William", Burciiill, the Barry Dock Boarding-house master, at the Penarth magistrates'-clerk office, Cardiff, last Tuesday, and after the accused had been -admitted to bail, Burchell made an appeal to the magistrates present to allow the handcuffs on his wrists to be removed. Mr O. H. Jones, one of the justices, thought for a moment or two, and then directed the police to use their own discretion in the matter-after the prisoner had been taken outside! Dinas Powis C.C. have the following open dates:—June 16th, July 14th, August 18th, > and 25th.—H. J. Miles, Hon. Sec. I i I heartily agree with Bliss Jenner, of I Wenvoe, that in Wales the greatest evil is shebeening, and in England and on the Continent anarchism. I The bakers of the Barry district are arranging a holiday outing to Tintern and the Wyndcliffe on the first Wednesday in July. J The Cardiff Local Marine Board visited Barry last Tuesday. FROM CORRESPONDENTS. DEAR MRS GRUNDY,—When will that blessed fowl house be completed ? Talking about Sunday trading, local shopkeepers are not in it alongside I the Barry official, who, when the structure has been completed, has promised to give his friends an account of his steward-ship !—Axn-GossiP. -u_

BURCHILL, OF BARRY DOCKS, AGAIN IN CUSTODY. THREATENED TO SHOOT HIS WIFE AND A SAILOR. ATTEMPT TO STAB A POLICEMAN. PLUCKY CONDUCT OF THE CONSTABLE. On Monday evening last, a well-known boarding- house keeper, William Burchill, aged (jj, Ii ving at B7, Travis-street, was arrested on a charge of attempting to commit murder. It appears, from information gleaned, that for some time Burchill had been drinking freely, and brawls between himself and his wife, (8ecelia Burchill, with some of their boarders had been frequent. About seven o'clock on Monday evening Police-constable William Smith met Burchill coming out of the Victoria Hotel in Holton-road, and he deliberately walked up to the officer and told him he intended doing something serious. Smith advised him to go home quietly, which Burchill apparently did, but before eight o'clock Police-sergeant Brown was called to the house, and the officer at once proceeded to No^ 37, Travis-street, in company of Police- ccnstaole "William Williams Arriving at the house, the police were informed that Burchill's wife had run for safety into the house of a neigh- bour (Phillip's boarding-house), where she was followed by Burchill, who knocked down and kicked his wife. and a Mrs Baker, who attempted to shield her. Soon afterwards Burchill got back to his own house, and rroeatedly threatened to blow out the brains of sailor named Henry William Gilbert, but the police again interfered. At this juncture Burchill, it appears, coolly walked out the house, went up the street, and bought a six-chambered revolver and a box con- taining several dozen cartridges. He fully loaded the revolver, went back to the house, and the row re-commenced. Going out to the back, Burchill fired off one or two shots, in order it would seem, to try the revolver. Satisfied as to the efficiency of his dangerous weapon, he returned to the house, and was proceeding to carry out his threats to Gilbert, when Police-contable William Williams sprang at Burchill in the passage and seized him. Burchill's son snatched the revolver and cartridges out of his father's hand and ran upstairs with them, concealing them in a chest of drawers. Burchill then unsheathed a large dagger, and aimed a deliberate blow at the constable's throat, but in the nick of time a couple of sailors seized his arm and warded off the blow. Burchill was then overpowered, and was conveyed to the Central Police-station, followed by an infuriated crowd of several hundred persons, who wanted to put lynch-Iaw in motion. Both weapons and a box of cartridges were afterwards taken possession of by the police. At the police-station Burchill several times expressed regret that he had failed to murder Gilbert. PRISONER BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES. At the office of the Penarth magistrates in Cardiff on Tuesday (before Mr O. H. Jones and Mr John Duncan) illiam Burchill was brought up in custody charged with attempting to shoot a sailor named William Henry Gilbert with intent to do him grievious bodily harm, and also with attempting to shoot Police-constable William, Williams of Barry Dock, and attempting to 3tab him with a dagger with a similar intent. Captain Lindsay watched the case on behalf of ihe police, but Burchill was unrepresented. Thø .11.1 —— urn- TT v% «.«=> ii uuaui jjLciiry Gilbert., who said on Monday, about 8 o'clock p.m., he was sitting in the boarding-house, 21, Travis-street, when he heard two reports of a firearm. He went out into the street and saw a crowd of people assembled. Upon going to the doorway of Burchill's house he saw him ir. the passage with a revolver in his left hand, and a small dagger, about 7in. or 8in. long, in his right hand. Witness went up to him and tried to induce him to put the revolver away, whereupon he said, "You son of a b- I will blow your brains out." A young man named Shiels came up the street with witness. Police-constable Williams was also there. The policeman took hold of by his arm, and prisoner than dropped the revolver, or somebody took it out of his hand. Witnes took the dagger from him and handed it to the policeman. He had not threatened him before. That was the first he had seen of him. On the way to the police-station he said if he could only get loose he would shoot witness, and he kicked him several times. The prisoner, upon being asked if he wished to interrogate the witness, said he would reserve his defence. Police-Constable William Williams, Barry Docks, said on Monday last., about 7.30 o'clock in the evening, he was called into a house at 39, Travis-street, by Mrs Baker. Burchill was not there. This house is next door to where Burchill lives. About 8 o'clock witness was going along the back of Travis-street, when he saw the defendant going into his own house through the back door. Soon afterwards the officer heard two shots fired in quick succession. Witness ran round to the front and saw a large crowd of people outside his house. He then tried Burchill's front door, which was locked from the inside. He afterwards went to the next door to get into Burchill's backyard, and the crowd shouted "He is out." Witness came out and saw Burchill with his son at the door. Witness said, What is the matter, Burchill, ?" Then Gilbert, the last witness, came up, and prisoner said to him, You son of a b- I will shoot you." He then took his hands from behind his back, and witnessed noticed a revolver in his left hand and a dagger in his right. The officer rushed at him, and catching his arms, held both arms up. He went back a bit, .md held the revolver in front of witness, saying, I will shoot you, you b Witness struggled with him, and gat his arms up a second time, and the revolver either dropped or was taken out of the prisoner's hand. He then brought his right hand round with the dagger and said. I will stick you, you son of a b- Witness parried his blow, but the dagger grased his right wrist. He held Burchill while the dagger was taken away. Accused was very violent. With the assistance of the crowd witness handcuffed him, and took him to the police-station. Upon going to the prisoner's house subsequently the officer found a revolver and cartridges. Police-sergeant Brown was there. This morning ho charged him with intent to shoot "Willam Henry Gilbert with intent to do grievous bodily harm." He said, "What with?" witness Eilso charged him with attempting to shoot him with a revolver, and also with attempting to stab him with a dagger. He replied, "I know nothing." By Burchill: I saw you with the revolver." I held your hand up, and the revolver was then in it. rhere was a crowd of people outside. I did not bake possession of the revolver, because in the struggle somebody took it out of your hand, or it tell. On the application of the police, the accused was remanded until Thursday, at Barry Docks. An application by the prisoner to be admitted bo bail was granted, and he was ordered to find two mreties for £ 25 each and to allow himself to be bound over in a sum of £50. BURCHILL AGAIN BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES. Prisoner was brought up in custody, oo remand, it Barry Dock Police Court yesterday (Thursday) j on the charge of intent to do grievous bodily harm to Henry William Gilbert, Travis-street, and also to Police-constable William Williams, by means of a revolver and dagger on Monday, the 11th instant. Mr F. P. Jones-Lloyd appeared for the prosecution, prisoner being undefended. Burchill asked Gilbert whether he saw any- one in the passage with him {Burchill) at the time of the occurrence.—Gilbert replied that he did not notice anyone.-Burchill repeated this ques- tion in different forms, but Major Thornley re- minded prisoner that the Bench did not want to sit there all day.—Burchill then asked Gilbert what he saw when he (defendant) first came to the door Your hands were partly behind your back, a revolver in one hand, and a knife in the other. P. C. Williams, questioned by Burchill, said the revolver was pointed with the left hand, and he heard two shots fired. Frederick Oxley, 17, Travis Street, said he heard prisoner say he would shoot someone, and saw him attempting to use the dagger. Witness asked someone to take the revolver out of Birchill's hand, and this was done. Jatnes Harrison, 10, Kingsland-crescent, heard one shot fired. He saw the iirearm presented by defendant at the constable's head, and P.C. Williams caught Irild of Burchill's arm. He also heard Burchill remark he meant to shoot some one. James Lewis, seaman, Sydenham-street, corro- borated. Police-sergeant William Brown also gave evi- dence, and said he found a six-chambered loaded revolver and a box containing 44 cartridges in prisoner's house. In answer to the charge, prisoner said he had nothing to say. For the defence, William Burchill, son of the accused, said the prisoner had no revolver on him, neither did he (witness) put the revolver in the drawer. Josephine Burchill said prisoner and her step mother lived happily together so far as she knew. Bail was applied for, but was opposed by Mr Jones-Lloyd, and the Bench remarked they would not grant bail on any account. Defendant kissed one of his daughters on leaving for the cells, being:committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions.

THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN RAILWAY. THE PROSPECTUS WILL BE SHORTLY ISSUED. It is understood that the prospectus of the Vale of Glamorgan Railway will be in the hands of the public within the next few days, invitin yo subscrip- tions to the capital. This, as fixed b-, the Act obtained by the promoters in 1880, co.- ists of j £ 360.000 in £10 shares, there being also powers to raise £120,000 in the form of debentures. By the agreement scheduled to the Barry Company's Act of last year, this company is empowered to work the Vale of Glamorganshire, receiving 60 per cent. of the gross takings in respect of its service. As has been already stated in these columns, there is a. probability of the Barry Company guaranteeing 4 per cent. upon the Vale of Glamorgan capital.

CRICKET. ST. PAUL'S v. PENARTH. Played at Penarth on Saturday last, and won by the former by 23 runs. Andrews, for the winners, took seven wickets for 30 runs, and E J Rooney and Brown scored 26 and 23 respectively. Scores Penarth—J Parkinson, 4 W P Edgington, 3 H E Morgan, 3 T C English, 0 J Llewellyn, 7 White (pro.), 11; S Thomas, 1; Cowley, ]5; F Morgan (not out), 9; Stephenson, 2; T Benson, 15; extras, 4; total, 74. St. Paul's-S Rooney, 9 G W Swain, 18; E J Rooney, 26; J S Cullen, 0; 0 J Browne, 2.3; W Ashton, 1; W. Walker, 0; J Andrews, 3; M Phillips, 3; D W Evans, 0 J Sullivan (not out), 0; extras, 5; total, 97. CADOXTON PRESBYTERIANS V BARRY CONGREGATIONAL "A." Played at Barry on Saturday last, and resulted in a win for Cadoxton by three runs. Scores :—Cadoxton Presbyterians: J Dure, b Miller, 8—b Miller, 4; J Miles, c Ashmore, b Miller, 0—b Miller, 8 D Griffiths not out, 3-b Murrell, 22 J Davies, c Field, b Miller, < 13-b Ashmore, 0 A Dunn, b Murrell, 5-b Row- < ledge, 6 E Llewellin, c Evans, b Murrell, 1-b i Murrell, 14 D Taylor, b Miller, 0—b Murrell, 0 A Park, b Miller, 0—b Murrell; 0 D Thomas, b Miller, 1 0—not out, 0 A Giddings, b Miller, 0—b Ashmore, 0 D Lewis, b Miller, 0—b Ashmore, 0 extras, 3—4; 1 totals, 33 and 58-91. Congregational Seconds • G I Rowledge, c Thomas, b Taylor, 1-b Griffiths, 1; W < Edgar, c Thomas, b Llewellin, 0—run out, 0 W Evans, t a Llewellin, b Taylor, 5—not out, 13 W Murrell, b Llewellin, 0—b Griffiths, 0 J Miller, b Taylor, 5— t run out, 6; J. Ashmore, b Llewellin, 4-run out, 2 ( J P Thomas, run out, 5-b Llewellin, 1; Harrison, b f Miles, 3—b Llewellin, 6 Bedingfield, not out, 9—b Griffiths, 3 Butler, run out, 6—b Griffiths, 4 Watts, C and b Griffiths. 0—b Llewellin, 0; extras, 12—2 c ;otals, 50 and 38—88. § 1 ;otals, 50 and 38-88. § 1 WHITCHURCH v PEXARTH A.-Played at Whit- church on Saturday last. Scores:—Penarth f H 4 Neale, 0 A Lee, 0 C Kirby, 0; G W Shepherd, d W It Rawle, 0; T Dewar, 6 T C James, 0; W Coney, 5; A Andrews, 1; .1 Glendinning, 1 H Griffiths (not out), 1; extras, 7; total, 30. Whitchurch: J C Phillips, 5 W J Lloyd, 0 J Davies, 0 W J Norton. 7 T B Rosser, 4 A T Haddock (not out), 16 V Taylor, 4; D M Thomas, 1; M Hussey, 0 H Evans, 0 J H Hale, 3 extras, 2 total, 42. BARRY CONGREGATIONAL v CARDIFF GUILD- FORD—Played at Cardiff on Saturday last, and resulted in a win for Barry on the first innings by 19 runs after a tight game. Barry had six wickets down for eight runs in the second innings. Scores :-Barry, 39 and eight for six wickets Guildford, 20 and 62. BARRY v. WENVOE. This match was played at Wenvoe on Saturday last, and resulfeci in a win for Barry by 28 runs. West and Llewellyn bowled well for Barry, and H. C. Roberts and Waite for Wenvoe. Appended are the scores: Wenvoe: H Thomas, 0: H Alexander, not not, 11; H C Roberts,2; S Robinson, 0 A Waite 1 J P Poole, 1; W P Powell, 7; E Nell, 1; C H Kempthorne, 0 M Febrey, 0 S Weaver, 0; extras 3; total, 26. Barry: W West, 8; T. Lewis 6; W Morse, 0; D Williams, 2 W T Llewellyn, 26 H E liltston, 0; E Davies, 1 J H Cranston, 0 R Knott, 0 T. Wilson, 5 J. Martin, not out, 1 extras, 5 total, 54. BARRY 2ND. v. BROADWAY WESLEYANS 2ND — Played at Bany on Saturday last, and resulted in a win for Barry by 23 runs. D Edmunds and Jenkin Lewis bowled splendidly for the home team, taking four and six wickets respectively. The score list arrived too late for publication. GLAMORGAN POLICE V. LLAXTRITHYD C.C. Played at Llantrithyd on Wednesday last, and re- sulted in a win for Llantrithyd by 13 runs. Scores:- Llantrithyd, 63 Glamorgan Police, 50. TO-MORROW'S FIXTURES. BARRY 1ST v. CHARGES-STREET.—To be played at the Buttrills, Barry, when the following will repre- sent the home team W West (captain), T Lewis Owen Lewis, E Davies, J H Cranston, W T Llawellvn' W Morse, D Williams, H E Til-ton, T Wilson, and George Edwards. A-01 BARRY CONGRKGATIONALK v. BARRY TOWN 2ND.— To be played at Cwmbarry Field. Congregational team :J W Cant (captain), C Munn. W Holloway. T Saunders, A Mein, R Miller, W Ashmore, T Davies, H Roberts, W Williams, and F John. Barry 2nd team :-F Bray (captain), J John, G H Richards, A P Kavanagh, R Knot, B A Willett, L Willett, D Edmunds, W Murphy, Jenkin Lewis, and J Jones. BARRY CONGREGATIONAL 2ND XI. v CARLTON C.C.-This match will be played at Cardiff, when the following will represent the Congregational •—VV H .1 Murrell (captain), W H Evans, J B Miller J P Thomas, F Harrison, W Edgar, B Butler, B Beding- held, J Ashmore, H Brown, and G Watts. Reserves —G Rowledge, A Ashmore, J James, and S Black- more.

A PURITAN AT THE DERBY. HOW "LADAS" WON THE RACE [SPECIALLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE BARRY DOCK NEWS."] A correspondent, writing on Wednesday week last, says I went down to the House cf Com- mons last night, but I could hear nothing in the lobby and corridors except" Ladas." All interest in politics and in everything else was for the time suspended. This morning again I awoke to find everybody talking of Ladas." The atmosphere was heavy-laden with it. So the end of it was that I, who had never taken the slightest interest in the turf and in the fate of the Derby or the Oaks, or any other race, was bitten by the preva- lent complaint, and at 1.30 this afternoon found myself in a second-class compartment at Waterloo Station due for Epsom. I was not alone I was constantly meeting acquaintances from South W ales, and in the same compartment with myself a well-known Barry gentleman travelled to see the Derby run. Through a lovely country we passed, stopping at Vauxhall, and Clapham Junction, and Wimbledon to pick up passengers It was somewhat late in the day, for the races commence at 1.30, and so there was not a great crush. Still there was enough of the evil-smerinu- crowd around the station at Epsom when we alighted at 2.15 to make me feel somewhat dis- gusted. Just outside the station there was the usual number of ae^i-essiv<=» rahhiVo -1- C-- r-J "fo, Jo.VL hire. Picking out the least drunken-looking driver of the lot, who shouted at the top of a hoarse voice that he would take all and sundry to the course for a bob, I climbed up a ram-shackle conveyance, and we were off and away at once. Immediately we were reminded of the character of the crowd which had assembled to do bonour to the great English carnival. Some policemen were bringing three of the lightfingered fraternity in custody. Two of them were evidently mem- bers of the swell mob, with glossy toppers" and blazing watchchains the third was dressed as a labourer, and "loafer was writ large on his face. A little later" Black Maria" passed us with a load of women pickpockets. The little village of Epsom is situated in a most lovely spot. The peaceful English country that surrounds it seemed most incongruous to its surroundings on Derby Day the well-built, respectable "illas standing in their own ground which line the road on both sides are evidences of greater taste and culture than we would expect in a great horse-racing centre. Hace crowds covered the ground almost all the way from the station to the course—a distance of over a mile. On our way we passed all sorts and conditions of men -the coster in his donkey shay, the showy four-in-hand from London, the hansoms, the dog-carts, and the nondescript vehicles which are brought into requisition on the 6th of June. The scum and the great of the earth seemed to have been brought together. On the way we heard men and women conversing in as many languages as were heard on the great day of Pentecost. We were eventually hailed by a well- known banker from home in Welsh from the top of a 'bus from Ludgate Hill. Old men and youi^ well-dressed persons and people clothed in rags' laughed and shouted, ran, walked, and drove to- wards the course. On the way we noticed several caravanseiais, where bicycles and coaches and cars were put by till the races were over. Just outside the course there were thousands of vehicles, and the usual amount of roundabouts and "aunt sallies," and ragged men and women dressed in loud finery. We alighted just by the grand stand, but" it was hopeless to expect admission to it. A friendly policeman told as that the crowds had been waiting since the early morn until the grand 3tand was opened, and that it had been filled some hours before the first race was run. We tad nothing to do but to accept the inevitable, md content ourselves with a five-shilling ticket. rhis admitted us into a stand close to the winning post, though we were in blissful ignorance of the act at the time. It was ten to three when we ound ourselves ready to take a good look round md the great race was timed to start at three. I rhe ten minutes, however, extended to thirty or nore. I had taken the precaution of leaving my vatch at home, and so I could not say how long sxactly before the horses were brought out from ,he paddock. I utilised the time to take a eisured survey of the field. The scene that met ¡ ny eyes was worthy the day and the occasion. It vas more like what my boyish imagination had ancied John Bunyan's "Vanity Fair" to have leen than anything else I can liken it to. The lay was fine though bazy, and as I viewed the housands that were assembled, and saw the small ilack specks of humanity that loomed dimly in he distant horizon on the top of the downs, I ould not but ruminate in my mind on the lifference between the English and Welsh ideas f pleasure. The field was blazoned with various oloured banners and gaudy roundabouts. The s'ouu ""ilJJU wnN pacKea to excess by well-dressed ladies and gentlemen the field and the cheaper stands were tilled with the rank-scented May and with overdressed tipsters and their horsey- looking satellites, while a vast proportion of them were evidently loafers who attend every race- course in turn, and who eke out a precarious livelihood by their wits, by threats, and some- times by actual violence. I could not help con- trasting this scene, so striking in its alternating glory and shame, with other scenes which I had wit- nessed on the peaceful slopes and mountain sides of Cymru Lan. How different the two crowds, how different their language, their hopes, and their objects The one seemed to have but one thought, one aim, one ambition, viz., to back the winner. Then talk was of odds; their leaders and guides, on whose lips they hung, were the gentlemen of the sporting class who loudly and publicly, in the hearing of the Prime Minister of England and seemingly with ms sanction, incited the lawabiding people to break the laws of their country and bet and gamble on a chance When I thought of the other scene in distant Wales, of the grey-coated peasants and their patient wives taking a hard-earned holiday, and trudging weary miles of rugged country in order to spend it in the presence of God and in hearing the voice of His servants, I felt my heart swell within me, and w I acknowledged, as I had never done before, that our Puritan forefathers were after all in the right, and that they had choseu the better way But now the excitement begins. The Old Sports begin to cease their clamour. The disso- lute loafer turns his lack-lustre eye towards the paddock, as the horses make their appeaiance. Bullingdon comes first; 10 to 1 on Bullingdon," then cry the tipsters; "70 to 40 he doesn't get first or second," cries another more reck- less than the rest. "Two to one he doesn't get first or second," shouts another close by determined not to be beaten. "Matchbox," Lord Abington's horse, comes second, amid a cry of "Eight to one on ♦ Matchbox' from the sports. Then glides into the course a lithe and stately animal, as black as coal and as stately as a swan. The primrose colours of the jockey as well as the shouts of the eager crowd proclaim him to be "Ladas," the favourite, the Prime Minister's horse. The horses canter over the course up to the sharp turning on the hill, and then walk or canter back again past the stands, and then they disappear into the dim distance where the starting place is. What followed happened so quickly that it almost baffles description. I could not see how the signal was given, but I could see through the haze six horses in the far distance starting on their way up the ridge of the downs, [t was impossible for my untrained eye to dis- tinguish the colours of the riders, but a sporting gentleman at my side excitedly shouted that Bullingdon" was leading. For a short time the huge roundabouts shut the horses from our view. When they came in sight again a great shout arose, for Bullingdon" had dropped behind, Matchbox was in front, and Ladas was struggling for the second place. Many and anxious were the glances that were 'cast at the last turning-the most awkward bit of the whole race, which, it is said, has upset many a good horse and spoilt the chances of many a favourite. The turning was passed, however, and another loud shout proclaimed the fact t liat Matchbox was still leading, while "Ladas" was a good second. I cannot describe the rest. The excite- ment was contagious, and I found myself shoot- ing with the best, as if I had a fortune at stake. Matchbox wins," 4 Matchbox wins easily,^ '• 'Matchbox' wins in a canter" shouted the exultant optimists who had laid against the favourite, and a groan escaped the lips of the friends of "Ladas." No Ladas' ia creeping up, he is abreast with 'Matchbox,'he is ahead, no it s a tussle, 'Ladas' is ahead, Lad xs wins, Ladas wins by a length. Hurrah When the rose-capped jockey cantered past the stand, thrice winner of the Blue Ribbon of the turf, he was received with a roar of applause. Then the crowd rushed over the fences into the course and thronged in front of the grand stand. Another great cheer was raised when Lord Rosebery, looking very proud and happv, and with hia handsome boyish face ail smiling and dimpled, made his way surrounded by a strong escort of poiicemen to the paddock. A few minutes later and the cheer was renewed as the Premier led Ladas and his rider in triumph to the grand stand. My nerves were still tingling with excitement, and I shouted with the others. Then I looked around me, and saw the sporting men reckon up their wins and losses with cure-wora looks, and recking nothing of the winner or its. owner, but only of their own gains. "And is this what is called English sport ?" I asked myself, "this sordid, scheming, money-making JuRShng craftIf so, then, indeed, is Wale» well nd ot it." A trial of strength or of speed between trained muscles and sinews is a thin" of beauty, and may be enjoyed even by a philosopher. But until rhp tn..f ;e «».«*i.- disreputable characters that haunt it, and of tha practices vyhich disgrace it, it can add to no msn'a credit to be its patron. As I was leaving the Sii T ear a cr? of Wels her, v\ elshei, but I was too wearv to think of waiting to see what was the cause and what the consequence. I luckily came across the con- veyance that brought me from the station, and I made haote to catch the first train to town. This time I travelled with a clergyman who had- surreptitiously, it seemed to me—visited the race- course, and who tola me many things of Ladas that I had never known or had forgotten. He told me that there was another Ladas that won the Olympic prize—the Greek Derby—over 2 000 years ago. He was a subject of Philip of Macedon and on the same day as he won the Derby —on the 6th of Ju:;e—Philip's son, x'}. er, was born, and Philip himself took the rebellious city of Polidae. How events happen in triplets, I thought, for here is another lover of horses, who has attained the summit of his am- bition before he has reached his half-century for Lord Rosebery has married a Rothschild* he 19 Inme Minister of England, and to day he is the owner of a Derby winner His luck seems to be almost uncanny and one cannot help recalling the story of the Greek de-spot who was so uniformly fortunate that he became afraid the gods would at last grow envious.