The Cambrian

THE ROYAL JUBILEE METAL EXCHANGE (INCORPORATED). There was a fair average attendance on 'Change on Tuesday afternoon. Those present were- Messrs. William Williams (Maesygwernen), J. R. Wright and Rog-er Beck (Gowerton), Thos. Freeman (Clayton), George Rowe (Worcester and Forest Works). Thomas Pavies (Cambria), C. Wright (Gowerton), C. E. and H. M. Peel, C. G. Biggs, W. Davis (Ebbw Vale Co.), E. R. and J. H. Thomas (Llanelly), R. W. Tolfree (Treforest), Rufus Lewis (Garseinon), G. H. Strick (Gurnos Co.), R. Hardy, J. Bangham (Barrow Co.), T. 6imin, E. Breffit (Cardiff j., H. V. Witts (J. Wat- son and Co.), Thos. Lowndes, Griffith Thomas (Chairman of Swansea Harbour), W. R. Quick, F. F. Card (Briton Ferry), W. Lean, E. Ll. Green (Neath). H. Clement (Beaufort), E. Ball, M. J. Roche (S.C.), R. Rosser (Cilfriw), E. P. Joile-i, E. Roberts, F. K. Clegg and F. S. Parker (F. S. Saunders and Co.), J. T. Davies (Blaenafon Co.), Geo. Sims (G.W.R.), D. Russell (Clydach), R. W. Evans (Llanelly), H. Chalk (T. Ford and Co.), Bertie Morris, Joseph Lewis (Anderson and Cox), D. Jenkins (Morriston), George Smith (Clyne). F. Smith (L.N.W.R.), J. R. Watson, J. Corfield (Dillwyn and Co.), Harold Perkins, P. B. Main- waring (Llanelly), Arthur Thomas (Court Her- bert), D. Richards (Pantyffynon), W. Buckland (Morriston), E. Ll. Daniel (Cwmfelin Works), R. H. Sampson (Pontardulais), Capt. Jenkins, T. W. Jones H. T. Randell 'Swansea Harbour), Col. Young (Neath), Lewis Jenkins (Briton Perry), Evan Davies (Port Talbot), Henry Coles, G. Watkins (Llanelly), &e. The pig iron market seems to be irregular, there being a reduction in prices, which is attri- buted to the political disturbance, and. holders of speculative purchases have been securing profits, but the opinion is that it is only a temporary ex- citement, the causes of which may be removed, and no serious complication is expected. The stocks of Scotch and hematite show a continued decrease. All the finished iron and steel works are fully employed. The quotations have been advanced all round, and are being realised. The shipments of tinplates during the past week are somewhat below that of tiie receipts from the works, this being no doubt the result of shortness of tonnage. Buyers are, however, taking advan- tage of this, and are endeavouring to depress the market, but in the face of the higher cost of materials all round the price of plates must be advanced or manufacturers will have to cease to make rifl IRON.—Glasgow warrants. 491 5d. 498 Id, and 4,4a 2d, casn buyers. MIDDLBSBBO'—Mo.3, 45.10d, prompt; other numbers ATITB*1—Warravts. 55s 5$d and 55s 4Jd, for mixed numbers, <.o.b. Cumberland, according to BRWKMH BAEB. £ 6 7s 6d. Angles, 4c., at usual extras f'0SHEaEtTWlB01y:-JE6 15s to £ 6 17s Od Ut .workt. STBKI. KAILS—Heavy sections. M los to £ 4 17«6d light do., £ 6 103 Od to £ o 16s Od. *•<>•*•; sleepers, angles, channels, 4c.. according to section and specihca- STKSL SHEETS.— £ 6 15s Od to £ 6 17s 6d, with the usual extras for the higher gauges. „. Bbsskmkb SxaKl.—Tinplate bars, £ 4 l^s 6d. SIKMKNS' TIN-PLATE BABS.—Best, £ 4 1« 6d. All delivered in the district; nett cash. 0 TIN-PLATES.—Makers' quotations for Bessemer steel coke. 10s 3d to 10s 6d; »iemeus (coke 108 6d to 10s 9d ternes, per double box, 28 by 20 0.. 18s 6d, 19s Od to 21s 6d best cMarcoal, 1 is 3d to l-2s 9d; finished black plate. £ 8 to £ 8 10s., Canadas, £ 7 to M7 10s per ton, according to tiuish of "ra"^ • wasters, 6d to Is per box less than primes. sizes usual extras. All delivered in Priuce of wales Dock. Swansea; cash, less 3 and 1 per cent. The Swansea Harbour Trustees have furnished the following official return of tin-plates received from the works, shioced.aud In stock:- Weekending Last week, Corresponaii g Oct. 22, 1898. week last year. Boxes. Boxes. Boxes. Received 40,741 49,779 49,709 Shipped 27,595 34,896 27,978 In ttnnL. 117A 90. 1 A I n r,.ri H 124.264 I CoPpzit -Cbili bars, j653 12S 6d to J153 18s 9d: BLocK TIX, P-80 178 6d to 281 5a Od. SP]TLTZB -L,23 10s, per telexraiu received on'Change. L-D.-in,til.b. A:13 Is 3d lipanisli. 113 Os Od. AWTaRAdTt COAL.-Best big vein, selected for malting purposes, 148 6d to 15a Od second quality, V. to 13s Od; ordinary large, according to quality and selection, lis Od to lis (3d; small rubbly etilm, Per tOu. 4. Sd to 4s 6d. All delivered f.o.b. Swansea, cash 30 days. less 2i per cent. CoAl».—Larare, lis Od to lis 3d; second quality do., 10s od to 10s 6d. B ITUMINOYJB COA]LS. -Large (No. 3 Rhondda), Ils 6d to 12s bd large (Ho. 2 Rbondda), Bs 6d to 10s 6d per ton, delivered f.o.b. Swansea, cash 30 days, less 2t per cent. COKE.-Be.t foundry, 19, to 211 Od furnace, 15s Od to 16s 6d per ton, Bwaatea, cash 30 days, less 2i cent. --Ur- -"w--

ANIMALS IN HERALDRY. SOME CUEIOUS EXAMPLES. A writer in the Field 0t?o/^rv1S'l^ect of animals in heraldry remarks lovers of heraldry will admit tba > uav„ 7er their other accomplishmeats niay 11 ^n' heralds of old were not us .observant ) Serv naturalists. Birds, beasts, fis 'alvv^w reP^'es» it is almost needless to say, ha entered largely into that art which CJ the science of fools with long memories," but the student more justly defines as °rthand of history," as will be sbovvn B auce at any of the numerous books sabject. Lions, timers, leopards, bears, e 1 Solves, foxes, rabbits, squirrels, mon ^jg Por" cupines, horses, as&es, camels, » yhounds and other dogs, rams, boars, confine one's remarks to animals only. found, if not at once recognise • he mis- take of Le Glorieux, in Qac"t"u ]D"rWard who mistook Toison d'Or's device of an ounce of tiger-cat behind a grating *° „ looking out at the dairy window," may follow- ers even in the present day, reads, for instance, that the heraldic anteloe has the head of a stag, a unicorn's tad, a issuing from the tip of the nose, a ro.w of tufts down the back of the neck, and sivatilir tufts on the tail, chest, and thighs. COMMEMOBATING HISTORIC A glance through ^era^icmgX comnlf6 show many a historic eoat of»ar ^mora- tive of some great battle, e- .°r even murder, done in the good old i! 0rile of the legends, though not new, ) T ^peti- tion. For instance, when Will1 ter the Battle of Hastings, began to P out the conquered land amongst bis N° lowers, one of the sturdy Saxon ch:efs> the requisite number of hi8 men on bulls, and with this P t. successfully held his own an t ,ham desired to see him, he and seven. of is sons appeared on similar mounts. Jd that the family, in commemoration is deed, afterwards adopted the bull's h a crest. Again, in the time of Henry y „#'V,h;iratlt':ier belonging to Sir John Giffard, u .1,Ij8ton, made its escape and seized a vV"' 1' h her child. Sir John and his son at ed in pursuit, and, coming up wit.b e> the former shot it with an »r ant-ner>ng woman's life thereupon a ji.. "e^d became an appropriate crest. s said that Mary Queen of Scots, in °f the insolence of her inferiors, adop h „Vlce. a lion entangled in a net, w1 „ „ Un°'ng over him, the motto readm?» hares trample on the conquered hon. Another (levice-that of the Br-tekenbarys-was a green tree under which a lion was reposmg, and an old couplet tells us how The black lion under the oaken tree Makes the Saxons to fight and the Normans to flee. The Royal Arms ot 'Eng^d have aWs favoured the lion, and the of the House of Hanover is Perry, in Rank and Badges, the bear figured in the badges o p, • *nd Richard III., the Hon in those of Edward TV. and Richard I., a fox's tail in (and probably Henry V.), a dm that o Charles II. and the crooked back boar also adopted that animal as a ANIMALS AS S,LProRTERs." Animals figure largely tw^nte^1"8'' Thus, the Duke of Abercorn h^s two ^telopes-, „ the Earl ot Aberdeen cestors is said to have been j ae Gourdon who slew Richard L), and the Marquess of Abergavenny, t* h"or over innumerable lions, dog1s' we find «• heraldic tigers dol°"hn. y- 1Q ,the arms of Sir Andrew Agnew, and bears in that of Baron Ashburton; while the dexter supporter in Lord Balfour of Burleigh s is an otter, which perhaps, may also be described as H heraldic." That good sportsman, the Duke of Beaufort, is represented by a panther (^exte')> whom the heralds have delineated with flames issuing from mouth and ears, and with very large I spots; while Barron Bellew has another leopard and also a wolf. Two harmless necessary cats support Earl Belmore's aims while the Marquess of Breadalbane (one of whose ancestors was the hero of that well- known song The Campbells are Coming ") favours stags. The monkeys of the Duke of Leinster recall the family story of how one or the heirs was saved from a fiery death by a pet monkey, who seizing tha infant in its arm,, darted off with it to a place of safety.

A {PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.) MARVELS AND MYSTERIES. BY RICHARD MARSH, Author o £ "The Beetle: A Mystery," "The and the Cnmiaal," The Dstchet Diamonds," &c., 4c. [COPYRIGHT.! AN EXPERIENCE. I. CHAPTER I. I was walking along the shore towards Goring. It was pitch dark. The tide was out. I could see the wet sands gleaming in the darkness. Far out at eea, were the hghts 01 two fishing-boats. And that was all. On the Ioaid\va.rd aide there was not a glimmer. The place was a. howling wilderness. It was just as though I were alone in space. A keen north-west breeze was blowing. I could hear the moan of the receding waves. The sound seemed to come from miles away. It was cold." The speaker paused. He seemed to be describing, when he continued, a scene which was actually at that moment taking place before his eyes. I suppose that my thoughts, like the scene, were sombre. Perhaps a touch of the eeriness of my sur- roundings had got into my veins. It may have done. I believe it had. For as I walked along I began to be haunted by a curious fancy-the fancy that I was not alone. It was absurd. There was not a sound. There was no one else in sight. But there it was—tho feeling that someone else woe close at hand. I told myself it was absurd. I even stopped, and as I peered about me in the gloom I called myself hard names. But when I stgaan went on, with me there went the fancy, too. And-" Again the speaker paused. We were in the public room of the hotel. At that hour, with the exception of him me, the great room was deserted. We were seated at a little table which was before a window. The twilight was gathering. The gas was not yet lighted. The room was in shadow. As he leaned forward and laid his iramd lightly on my wrist I was conscious of a. feeling whnch positively amounted to a shudder. As he himself had said, the thing was absurd; but there it was. And I had not gone fifty yards, when I heard a footstep at my side." The statement contained nothing which could, in itself. be called in any way remarkable, but, to use a common-place, M be uttered it I felt my blood turn cold. Just one footstep—the sound of a foot falling softly on the pebbly ground. It was close to my side, on my right. I turned and looked. There was no one there. I told myself I was deluded. That my imagination, preternaturally alert, was plcuymg me a trick. I went on. I had not gone a dozen feet when the footstep came again. I said to myself You are a fool, my mend. Your brain i& over- excited. You are just in that state of mind in which fancy plays one tricks.' But the footstep came again. This time there were two of them—the aound of two feet falling rhythmically, just for all the world as though some- one were walking at my side and keeping pace with me. I walked em, seeming to pay no heed. I asked myself if, by any chance, the thing could be an echo. As I was endeavuurin.g to turn the matter over U1 my mind, someone touched me on my right arm. '• I ;¡UJ¡rted-I don't mind owning to you I started. With an exclamation I turned round. There was no one there." The speaker withdrew his hand from my wrist. He raised lt to hilS brow, I confess that when I perceived tha.t there was no one there I was amazed. The touch had been so Teal. And yet, after all, perhaps my imagination agaai to biaime. I went on. I walked perhaps another dozen yards. Then it came again—the touch Akuougti I was half-expecting it I wheeled round in a sort of rage, and saw & face staring at me in the darkness. My friend—although you are a stranger, sir, to me, I trust you will forgive me if I say my menrl-I am tree to own tiia-c I ielt as though my heart had cexsed to beat. The face WM quite distinct, although I could not make up my mind if it was the face of a man or a devil. As I Looked at it it vanished." The stranger drew a long breath. He paused again. Ft r my own part I see no reason to conceal the fact that I was glad he did He had such ai horrible way ■of telling what I saw bade fair to be a. homble tale," that I should ha.ve been glad if he had paused for good. Although, ior some cause, I felt mcaipable of patting this desire of mine into words, it wae not lessened by a suspicion which was dawning an me that the stranger was scarcely in tins sober aenaes. He seemed to read my thoughts. "You think that I was mad. Or, at least, that I was in one of those conditions of mind and of bodv in which hallucinations crowd upon the mind. For" the moment I thought so, too. I walked on at an increased pace, determined to throw ott the eun. us sense of depression which seemed to weigh me down. The place was solitary. The air was fre^ii the breeze wa-s keen. It would be easy to re- lieve the fever which I supposed was in my brain but my expectation was not realised. The sttlpS wuni with me, the touch was on my arm, the face came back again. It was impossible this time to douut that it was a face, for I saw now that it was attached to a. body, aud the body was that of a man. He was quite close to me, within twelve inches, and he held my arm firmly in his grip. There was no mistake about that grip, for there are the finger marks still upon my skin. But where he had come from, out of the darkness, was more than I could understand. We looked at each other, as I judge, for some seconds, then I found my voice. Who are you V He laughed. My friend —again the stranger, leaning across the little table, laid his hand upon my wrist. I wished he wouldn't—"it is so easy to speak uf certain things, it is so hard to bring them home to a listener's mind. That man's laughter froze the marrow in my bones. As he laughed ha vanished into space. I could hear his laughter even after he himself had gone; and though I could see nothing there and no one, I still felt his touch upon my arm, and could hear him laughing at my side. v, t-^ v, some seconds before I realised the fact that he had disappe,arej—u was hard to realise it ■while 1 yet was cotuicious of that iron grip. But at last 1 -ore myself away, and, performing a right- about^ race, I relurue(j towards the Worthing lights. The stranger indulged in another of his ominous pause?. ing out his handkerchief he wiped his finge.s an palms of his hands. My situation reminded me of the bedding guest "fixed" I* the ancient mariner. I hoped that his tale was nearly ITam\-ble^orS.eSS tOn0 But, as I went, the stem • mu touch continually upon ^my Trm I slowed"6 The steps were "lowS^p&e'^to I run. The steps ran with me. They were Tme times in front and sometimes V*Wd ^meUm^ on my left, and sometimes on my right as I live and breathe abovemeia^ ^^td the laughter came and went. And the man, my friend, the man came and vaiushed-vaaushed aJ came. Tlw man! The man. Placing his elbows onth.e table tl^^aer hid his face within his hands. Even inithe twilight I could see him shudder. Had I followed my natu | impulse I should have ru-rn to my feet and from die room. But I felt that he ^ight cat^h me in the act. While I hesitated, feeling that I could have said a good deal-only I c°ul^tTh^etl!tr^fter removed his hands. His face looked ghastly white. 'e"Th7twL three nights ago Time ^ough^ou say, to have forgotten my illusions.. —I wished most heartily that he wouI in calling me his friend—" that man, his 8 |. his steps have been with me at intervals ev » • In the 4arkness and in the light, in public ° private, in the street and in my room. 1 am listen- ing and watching all the time. My friend, J not hear his laughter? Listen There are toot- steps on the stairs!" Again the stranger, leaning over the table, caught me by the wrist. I may mention, in order that you m&y thoroughly Understand how entire had been the absence of en- joyment with which I had listened to the stranger's pleasing little anecdote, that I have a constitutional objection to stories of the supernatural. As a child, merely to come across the words" ghost story" was to fill me with a sense of sickening repulsion. There was a time in my life when if a person had insisted on pouring into my unwilling ears a tale of "spooks," that person would have enjoyed the idiomatic pleasure of seeing me driven into fits." Even now on such subjects I am of an extremely nervous temperament, and by the time the stranger had got so far, I was not sure, of my own know- ledge, if I was standing on my head or heels. When he grasped my wrist I felt as I may safely say I Ðever felt before. I was speechless. Listen. Those are his footsteps coming up the stairs. One, two! One, two! Can you not hear them coming, step by step.' I distinctly could hear soraethijjg, and the feelings with which I heard it are altogether indescribable. Suddenly the stranger's manner changed. He loosed my wrist. He rose to his feet. Almost un- consciously I rose with him. Listen He is gone! Ha Someone else IS Coming. But it is not he." It was not "he," unless "he" was the waiter. That functionary had ccme to light the gas. He seemed startled when he saw us standing there—and well he might have been. To see two men standing facing each other across a narrow table, with faces as white as sheets, trembling like leaves—I know that I could feel my knees going pit-a-pat one against the other-was a sight calculated to cause a surprise even in a waiter's breast. But; he held his peaca. He lit the gas. He drew the blinds. He went away. When he had gone, tha stranger, turning, fixed his glance agam on me. As he dld 60 I was conscious that his glance ha-d Ola me a very curious effect. I felt that T could not escape it. it held me with a. I species of fascination. As I had never seen the man in mv life before, he was in the most literal sense of the word, a stranger. I had been sitting in solitarv state, in the half-light of the autumnal after- noon, looking out upon the sea. He had come in and found me there. Coming to the table at which I sat, he had entered into conversation—conversation < which had drifted into that exhilarating-little story of his stroll towards Goring. In the imperfect light I had not been able to make out what manner of man he was. Now I saw—though, I own, still dimly- that he was tall—unusually tail, with striking, clean- shaven face, and a remarkable pair of eyes. His mannei, too, was singularly impressive—I protest that I found it so, at any rate. Raising his arm, he pointed at me with the index finger of his right hand. "You see, it is light, but I still watch and listen. I know that he will come. Did I not say so? Hark I Do you not hear the steps coming up the stairs? It is the man I" As before, I heard the sound of footsteps coming j up the stairs. Supremely silly though it was-and, worst of all, I knew that it was silly—the sound made me feel sick. See The dcor is opening." I turned. The door was opening, apparently of its own accord for it stood wide-open, and there was no one there. I stood staring like a fool for some seconds, I imagine, when the stranger, leaning forward, almost whispered in my ear, It is the man!" It was a man, for a.t that instant a man came in. He was a great, ungainly-looking fellow. He appeared to me to be deformed. He had the ugliest head and face I ever sa.w upon a pair of shoulders. He slouched rather than walked. He wore no cap, and his hair was in the wildest disarray. His dress —he wore a sort of nondescript fisherman's costume —was anything but suited to the place in which he was. He stood just within the door, staring at me with half-sullen, half-ferocious eyes. With an effort which surprised myself 1 drew myself together. Don't talk nonsense I cried. There is nothing strange about the man. He is only a fisherman. He has doubtless business with socCeone here in the hotel." The stranger only said, He comes this way." He did, moving towards us across the room with an awkward method of progression which curiously recalled the movements of a crab. He advanced to within three feet of where we were. Had I chosen I might have reached out and touched him with my hand. He is gone!" It seems absurd to write it, but he was, and from before our eyes. The door was closed It had, with a sullen bang. Where the man had gone to or who had closed the door were problems which at the moment I did not attempt to solve. The stranger drew himself up straight. There was a ring of triumph in his tone. "Was it a delusion? Am I mad?" A minute before I should have been prepared to say he wis. Then I was more than half-inclined to think that we, both of us, were mad together. As 1. was trying to collect my scattered senses—they were very scattered senses, too!—the stranger whirled round with a vigour and suddenness which wetre anything but soothing. He has you by the arm As he spoke, & grip fastened on my arm which compressed the limb as if it were being held within an iron vice. I turned, half in terror, half in pain. 1 he man was standing on my left, grasping me with his hideous paw, though how he had got there, unless he came through the solid wall, is more than i can say. I struck out at him in a spasm of sudden rage; but, before the blow could reach him, he was gone. iou heard his laughter!" Did I? Didn't I! It was ringing in my ears, although the man himself had fted--1in unearthly peal, such as we ought fancy coming from a. bend ui hell. King the bell," I gapped. For God's sake ring tha hat good can that do? That will not keep him from. ua. He comes to me when I am in the crowded stivek. Sshl He is here!" lie was; tlulIi time upon my right. He stood at a uwtanoe of some fiv or six feet, eyeing mei with a savage iter. I gaaed at him transfixed. He seemed to take a maiiguant pleasure in my evident distress a mumeui.ary jjauae he put hia hand mto biB oiouit, and drew 1rum it a knile. It was a long, tiun unite sucii as butchers use. He looked alter- in^ieiy mc the kmie and a.t me. Then, holding it in Hia leic liitnd, ite began to smooth upon the pg-lm 01 iLis right. 1 wonder," whispered the stranger, "if it is for Y<" Üo¡- throat, or mine." 1 reiniy dxdn t know—I won't say I didn't care, but 1 ceirtaaniy had no disposition to inquire. The 1iiu.11 continued to draw the kmie backwards and forward* on the palm of his hand, fixing on me, g-ll tlw time, a gianoe of peculiar malignancy. "ifuc up uiat knife I said. JLnile 1'' he answered, in a sort of echo. 1>0 you heart Put away that knifv 1" Kni1e 1" he echoed. I twivanced towards him with a degree, of decision which tiJled me with amazement. "You think you can frighten us. You play your tricks very well, but take my advice and don t go 100 far. Put up that knile or give it to me I" His only answer was to raige the weapon threaten- ingly lJ1 die air. lake care!" cried the wronger; he will stab you." We shall see." I sprang at him; we grappled. He struggled fiercely in my arms, then he collapsed as if he were a oladdr-Lhere was uoi-hing there. But, at my feet, hi" krut-3 was lying On the ground. He had lelt ins knife," &aid t/he stranger. I WlW that plainly it was the only thing there was to see. .Pick it up." I picked it up. I examined it as I held it in my hand. The thing was real enough, but where had owner gone? I carried it to tJ table. I laid to down. I took ouit my handkerchief and wiped my brow. I WaB conscious that the stranger's eyes were on me all the time. I wan cousciouo, too, that my braui was in a whirl. I felt as if all these things were happening in a dream; that they were but fiction&, that I was in a nightmare from which, if I could but make an effort, 1 should awake, lit seemed to me that some function of the brain had ceased to do its work, that something had snapped. W 3AJ I mad I had read somewhere thai the state of mad- ness was rendered worse by the fact that madmen were themselves aware, though perhaps but vaguely, of their condition. Was lit possible that I, without a moment's warning had crossed the border-hne which divides the sane man from the mad? Were we, then, a pair of lur.atics? The knife waa real enough, there was no question about that. I eyed it keenly as it lay upon tiie table, as ugly a looking weapon as one would care to see. I put out my hand to take it up. I already had it by the handle, when it was snatched away. Again that appalling laughter rang in my ears. Looking up, there was the owner back again. When I perceived that this wae the case I en- deavoured, so to speak, to steady my mind. Was the thing an optical delusion? Wae I tfoe viofctm of hallucination? Such an explanation seemed opposed to common sense, yet I had sense enough to know that the facts, as they appeared, were more in opposition stall. I turned to the stranger. Are you sure that there is someone there?" He shrugged his shoulders. Are not you?" Frankly, I am not. But I should like to be." Suppose you go and take him by the hand? "I will." The man had resumed his previous occupation of drawing the fltU side of the knife backwards fnd forwards upon his open palm. I advanced towards him with outstretched hand. Will you not shake hands? He immediately grasped my band in his, and, ad- vancing lri8 knife, drew the sharp sdge across the back of my knuckles. As he did so he laughed. 1 snatched my hand away. He had cut the skin so that the blood flowed freely. It was an act of savagery. I You cur!" blood^T^ my. handkerchief to Staunch the flow of stain fDa,lttediately the white linen showed a vivid of the ml Was reflecting on this unpleasant proof his kni h corporality-and of the eorporality of Mv first ;J'd-UQr opened, and my wife came m. her out agafn -hT116;1 1 her eTiter> to ?et a second, in t'he^tJ* her remaining, evem for unendurable. I such a ruman waa Ada, come to her. e I was about to Bv* her bv the hand and lead her from the room.. But Sne, -d'l'awing back a.1ittJe, looked at me Wlth a.pParen.t Will ring in a .u Never mind the dinner-bell. We will wait for Never mind the dinner-bell. We will wait for that below. I do you ^Man? What man? fo yon me*n the gentle- man who is ccandmgatth* taUe? »entle Turning, I saw that Ae stranger. But betwe« 1 with the knife. He w^ *T^°°^ng the blade upon his palm, and still g g dt me \rith his malignant leer/, I dropped my vcnce. "Jlot that OI1" The °other ?' What do you mean?" Stretching out my band, I removed my hand- kerchief so that she could see the wound, from which the blood still trickled. L., "Look what he has done with that lrniie 0f his. The fellow is unsafe. Come with me. I mean to sand for the police." NR the MO-VV* I could not tell if it was my words, or t&e <v^gnt of my wound, or the sig'h.t of m^n' i j J00U waa her to shrink away from M6. A startle "Raymond, what are you talking abottt? There is no one here except this gentleman and you. The stranger interposed. "There has been someone here. But he has gfone. Now we are alone." I looked. It was as he said—the man had But, as before, where or how was more than I cou^d eav. I knew enough of his peoulia-rities to be aware that the fact of his having gone was no guarantee that he would not immediately return. (To be ConcludedJ

A MARVELLOUS GUINEA PARCEL. I tI $ 4 11 -1 Estab. over 100 Years. Containing: 1 Pair White Witney Blankets, 7 lbs. weight 2l long by If wide. 1 White Under Blanket, whipped both ends, 24 loiag by If wide. 1 Handsome Mosaic design Quilt, fast colours, 3 long by 2; wide. Pair Heavy TwM Sheets, 2} by 2, Std 2 Cotton Pi"°w Cases, Full Size, Buttoned Ends. SUPERIOB QUALITY AND FINISH Sent Carriage Paid on receipt of P.O.O. I eeOOKFIfclD'S, Market Sq., STAFFORD I BAR SKI, There is no other treatment so pllre, so safe, so speedy, for preserving, purifying, aoa oeautij"yj;,jj baby's skin, scalp, and hair. and every humour, as warm baths with ( r Ti' TK v OAI>, ami gentle anointings with CUXXCURA (YIIITMEUIJ. c Jt m 90 fflticura Is sold throuehont the world. Eritifh dene.. T. NKWBSBY, London. POTTER II. AND C. OK P.. Boston,U.S. A. "AH Alxratthe Skin, Scalp,and Hair, EVERY HUMOUR r"^rftplCTV0. *1'

HAVE YOU A BAD LEG 's With Wounds that discharge er otherwise, perhaps surrounded with inflammation and swollen that when you press your linger on the inflamed part it leaves the impression ? If so, under the skin you have poison that defies all the remedies you have tried, which if not extracted you never can recover, but go on suffering till death releases you. Perhaps your knees are swollen, the joints being ulcerated; the same with the ankles, round which the skin may be discoloured, or there mav be wounds; the disease, if allowed to continue, will deprive you ot the power to walk. You may have attended various hospitals and had medical advice, and been told your case is hopeless, or advised to submit to amputation but do not, for I can cure you. I don't say perhaps, but I will. Because others have failed is no reason for not now being cured. Send at once a Postal Order for 2s. 6d. to U. S. ALBERT. 73, FAKRINGDOK-STUEET. LONDON, and you will receive a box of GRASSHOPPER OINTMENT AND PILLS, which is a certain remedy for the Cure of Bad Legs, Housemaid's Knees, Ulcerated Joints, Carbuncles, Poisoned Hands, and B uuions.-TRegistered Copyright. TIT END YOUR OWN HARNESS and BELTS That constantly need Repairs, with THOMSON'S SLOTTED RIYETS '( f iii MIHH Saving time in sendiniz and waiting. You can do the job yourself. No hole required to be punched; simply drive Rivet as you would a tack a.nd clinch. TRY THEM. Price, Assorted Sizes, Is. 6d. per Gross, from all Ironmongers, or from BIFURCATED RIVET CO., LTD., 10, WOOL EXCHANGE, LONDON, E.C. Kature's Perfect Remedy for all kinds of Worms. WILLIAMS' (PONTARDAWE) WORM LOZENGES. For over 30 years this highly Valuable Remedy has met with the greatest success. The effect upon Weak, Delicate Children (often given up as incurable) is like Magic. Getting rid of his tormenting pests by taking these Lozenges, the thin, pale-faced, inanimate Child becomes strong, healthy, and lively, the pride, instead of the anxiety of his guardians. SIR,—I have for some time used your Anthelmintic or Worm Lozenges in my family, and And them a very speedy and efficacious cure for Ascarides, and their agreeable and convenient form is a great recommenda tion for children.—W. HUTCHINSON, Vicar of Howden, Yorkshire SYMPTOMS.—Any of the following Symptoms Worms-Variable appetite, foeUd breath, acid ertieta. tions. pains in the stomach and head, siekness. grinding of the teeth during sleep, dreams and restlessness, paleness of the countenance, stitches iin mistaken dry cough, and emaciation of the body.. Dulse for decline, nervousness, slow fever, ^udnff sudden faintness, sometimes convulsive fats, ofte death; dizziness sore throat and bawels. The above symptoms vary kind of Worms. ,wrim<>ntal to the Con- The Lozenges contain noth1ing de Stitution, and are suitable for "*» »g are prepared Williams' (Pontardawe) Worm wa<5Ui> 17 from the Original Receipt by t 30, High street, JOHN DAVIES at 9Ad., 13*d.. and Swansea, and soldbymo^ 34 gtamps. protected by ."mP:» words WilHamjlWgrajjggSg^ THE UNIVERSAL BILlJ POSTING CO. RENT THE LARGEST POSTING STATIONS In Swansea and surrounding District. ADDRESS 28, LOWER, UION STREET SWANSEA. r 43 I r. >?ó ,N EF 0 Rb's 1AG[ESIA -¡ -=.: The best remedy for Acidity of the Stomach, Heartburn, Headache. Gout and Indigestion; and the safest Aperient for delicate Constitutions, Ladies, Children, and Infants. SOLD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. I WORTH A GUINEA A BOX. BEECIIAAI'S PILLS FOR ALL BILIOUS & NERVOUS DISORDERS. SUCH AS SICK HEADACHE, CONSTIPATION^ WEAK STOMACH, IMPAIRED DIGESTION, DISORDERED LIVER, AND FEIVIALE AILiVIENTS.1 Prepared only by the Proprietor, THOMAS BMCHAM St. Helen's, Lancashire, in boxes, gid., ls. lid. and 2s. gd. each. witli full directions. Sold everywhere. Tin olu

CONTEMPORARY CHAT. J The annual report of the inspector of the Eastern Sea Fisheries District has just been issued, and ie welcome to consumers of lobsters and crabs for the evidence it gives of a probable increase in the supply of those fRh. The fishing during the present season has been much aoov", the average, and all the fishermen report that the ground contains more small crabs than they have ever seen before. This is the natural and expected result of the rigid enforcement of the law against the taking of undersized shellfish, huge numbers of which used to be killed for bait or other purposes. Indeed, it was cfficially declared that at one time the destruction of small shellfish in this way was greater than the total number of marketably-sized fish landed. It may net be generally known that there is in existence a "religious navy"—a 8eet of shiptj devoted to the propagation of Christianity. According to the Home Jfaf/aziue, the largest and best equipped mission vessel afloat is the John Williams. It is the fourth of a line of ships which have borne that name in memory of the missionary who sacrificed his life in the New Hebrides. This vessel cost £ 17,055, the greater part of this money being raised by little children. ihe John Williams is over 2C0it. long, and carries 12,20011. of canvas. Her commander is Captain Turpie, who lias sailed the Pacific in connection with the London Missionary Society's ships for nearly: forty years. The ship covers about 18,000 miles every year. Mr. Charles Cook, the well-known evangelist, is about to publish an account of his visits to some ot the chief prions in the world. His description ot the French system, which confines a man in a dark cell for thirty davs at a stretch, and of the Russian gaols, cannot tail to be most interesting reading. During his philanthropic tour in Egypt Mr. Cook succeeded in getting released from the Egyptian gaols one hundred and fifty man who had been awaiting trial six years and nine monchs; while in Morocco he rendered excellent service to the cause of humanity by supplying the prisoners with food As a preacher he has for twenty-seven years con- ducted the largest regular open-air service in the world. Brocket Hall, where the Duke of York is next month to be the guest of Lord Mount- Stephen, is (says the World) a large, plain, well-arranged house, with some fine rooms. The grounds are very pretty, and contain a number of splendid old trees. The Lea forms a lake at the bottom of the lawn, and there is a fine cascade. Brocket was the favourite residence of William, Viscount Melbourne, who died there in 1849. The large Melbourne estates then passed to his brother, Lord Beauvale, who also succeeded to the Viscounty of Melbourne, on whose death, in 1853, the whole property was inherited by Lady Palmerston, and from her it came to her grandson. Lord Cowper. Since the death of Lady Palmerston the place has nearly always been let, and it was rented for some years by the late Lord Lawrence. There is excellent shooting on the estate, which is well wooded. It will be very interesting to learn the names of the officers who have been mentioned ii., despatches as deserving recognition for thei: services in Egypt. And, adds the Weslnmutm Gazette. it would be furthermore of interest, tc the civilian public at any rate. to know, when these officers are "gazetted," the special perform- ance of duty for which they were recommended, inasmuch as there are quite a score or more in the lists submitted for the notice of the autbori ties who were never in the front, but quietly carrying on their duty in peaceful Cairo and Alexandria. One of the Sirdar's officers, who accompanied his chief to Fashoda, has written to a friend in England an amusing, and at the same time most, interesting, description of the condition in which Marchand was found. The condition of the explorer and his party was, says this officer, deplorable in the extreme; their clothes were in tatters; indeed, they were scarcely presentable. They were on their." beam end,3 11 as to food-in fact, they had nothing to oat save what fell to their rifles each day. Some rather disquieting stories, writes a London correspondent, come from the Persian Gulf regarding the activity of Russia in those latitudes. Emissaries of the St. Petersburg authorities are stated to swarm there, and they are carrying on an active and scarcely diguised campaign of intrigue. The invasion "is thought to prelude some new move on Russia's part in that part of the world. In any event, the dis- play of interest shewn bodes no good to our interests, which, having regard to the proximity of the Gulf to India, are of the first importance. It is the intention of the Government, a correspondent says, to appoint a Commission to inquire into the outbreak of plague in India, which it is hoped will soon be a thing of the past. TliA investigating body will be a small one, consisting of not more than half-a-dozen members. Three of the Commissioners will be eminent medical men from this country. It is expected that the inquiry will commence almost immediately, and will occupy several mouths. Dr. Harris, Medical Officer of Health of Isling- ton, in a report to the local Vestry, mentions that "phthisis is to a very large extent a preventible disease, a fact which is being more appreciated every day, and to which attention has recently been drawn in the daily Press by some of our leading physicians, who are at present engaged in the formation of a society whose aim is to propagate information, by literature and other means, shewing how it may be avoided. Such an association will prove a public boon." Professor Hubert Herkomer has just made the largest sword on record, which is to be used as the "sword of ceremony" at the IN -,sh Eisteddfod by the Gorsejd bard. It is 6ft. 2in. long, and the hand-guards consist of bands of bright steel wrought with gold lines. On the handle is fixed a six-sided crystal, int' which has been drilled the three lines of Codren Beirdd on bars of light, used by the G. rsedd to represent the word "God." A golden d.-agon holds the crystal. The wooden scabbar.1 is bound with copper bands containing Welsh mottoes. Visitors to Blenheim declare that a vote of thanks ought to be passed to the young Duchess of Marlborough for all she has done to bring beauty to the old home of England's greatest general. The interior of the house l as been carefully renovated, and many rooms refurnished under her direction, ail in charming ta,te. Beautiful within, the place is even more beautiful without, since the gardens servatories have been re-stccked in the most lavish way, and have become a vision of all the choicest flowers that blow. Yet another use for paper. According to the Stationery Trades Journal, the milliner is the latest person to make use of paper, and in a. v certain city there is a large millinery shop full of hats and bonnets trimmed with nothing but paper. French tissue paper, Japanese tissue paper, silk paper, are all represented, and in every shade of colour. The paper, it is said, is as tough as silk, and much more durable than the light, cobwebby materials usually employed by milliners, and the colour is much more last- ing and permanent than that of ordinary materials. Strangely enough, the price. at present, is high, both because the work of trimming is rattier costly, and also because they are so beautiful and artistic-looking that they appear well worth the high price asked for them. Our contemporary does not say how a heavy rain would affect them. A man is not usually grateful to the pickpocket who unlawfully annexes bis,the man's, property. But even that unexpected ca-e has happened, as witness this frank tribute from a New York husband, which appears in the »V',< of that city. This gentleman expb>ins ,1IS wife, lias long persisted in wearing her watch dangling from a pendant on her bosom, contrary to his repeated injunctions, and be w s to announce that the timepiece has been s en. "I desire to extend my sincere tba« e gentlemanly and urbane pickpocket for pinching the bauble- he says. "He has r.ln one or two seconds what I have been years trying to teach her, and I am so gS,fi no u am almost tempted to offer him 5dol. as a token of my esteem.» NOW is the time hlack truffle hunting in England. Often have 1 wondered, J ^er a con tern por arjr, that sports- men wiiose taste, if realised, would be pursuit of game—real sportsmen, who prefer the com- panionship of a dog, and can do miles of moor without a big bag—have not devoted more atten- tion to a pursuit lying within reach of one and all. I allude to truffle-hunting, than which there are few more fascinating employments, and to lovers of Nature and solitude un- doubtedly a sport calling for patience and skill. The intelligence of the trained truffle dog is hard to beat. "ldstone," who owned many notable specimens, tells us the best colour is white, especially for night work; he names ten guineas as the price of a good truffle dog in W, day, say thirty years ago.

TINPLATES. In connection with the proposed American tinplate trust, the latest information is that 2f>0 of the actual millowners, representing 85 per cent. of the whole number, have given in their adhesion to the proposal, and that the new amalgamation will be incorporated soon with a capital of 30,000,000 dollars (some XG.000,000 sterling) or thereabouts. It is stated that all the modern and up-to-date mills have expressed their willingness to join. It appears that there are now 6a separate plants in America, and that <37 of them are furnished with tinning facilities. There are 43 complete black plate plants possessing 262 finished hot mills. When the plants at present under constr action are completed, the country will have 313 hot mills, with a capacity of 9,390,000 boxes per annum. The present output, exclusive of mills not working, is equal to 7,530,000 boxes per annum, or just about equal to the domestic requirements of America itself, irrespective of the export trade, in which South Wales is able to partici- pate by virtue of the rebate duty of 99 per cent. on plates re-exported in the shape of cans con- taining paint, oil, •See. During each year since 11892 there has been an annual increase of about 50 per cent. in the production of tinplate in the United States and since that time there has also been a steady fall in importations into the States, until those of 1898 so far are only about one-fourth of the average annual importations prior to the date at which the States began to make for themselves.-Tlw Mining Journal.

TAKE A COURSE NOW. Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters being purely vegetable, it is a Natural Tonic, and suited to all ages at all seasons of the year. It is everywhere acknowledged to be a powerful aid in restoring the body to a healthy state when deranged by disease If you suspect that your health is beginning to fail, brace up your nerves, and fortify your constitution by taking now a course of this excellent Tonic,, which is sold everywhere in bottles at 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. each, but should any difficulty be experienced in procuring it, the Proprietors will forward same for the above prices, carriage free. Avoid Imitations. When purchasing, see the name, Gwilym Evans," on Label, Stamp, and Bottle. Sole Proprietors: Quinine Bitters Manufacturing Company.Limited, Llanelly, South Wales.

COMMERCIAL FAILURES. According to Stubbs' Weekly Gazette, the number of failures in England and Wales gazetted during the week ending Oct. 22, was 154. The number in correspond- ing week of last year was 1G2, showing a decrease 01 8. The failures were distributed amongst the following trades, and for comparison we give the number in the corresponding week of 1S97 :—Builders, BuiMiuc Ma- terials, t.12-15 Chemists and Drysaiters, 1—3 China, Glass, Earthenware, 0—1 Confectionery. Toys. Fane HootlF, 0-4; Corn, Coals, Minerals, 8-6; Draper). CtothiujI; Textnref, 20-30; Farmers, 5-6; Furniture, Upholsterv, 7-1; Horses. Vehicles, 6-1; Jewellery Watchep;, 6-3; Leather, 14-12 Nlettis, 17-1(P; titper Printing, <fcc., o—"2: Provision?, i'1—H Wines, ivnr Beer. T.,t)acc;i, 10—11; Miscellaneous, 17—lota,t U4-16'?. The aggregate totals for 42 weeks, 1897 and 189 were—For 1898, 6225 lor 1-97, 6103. w The number ot bills ot sale in England a, (i registered at the Queen's Bench for the week Oct. 22 was 136. The number in the wrrespomiin week of last year was 131. The totals for he portIO i of the year to Oct. 22, are bills of sale registerea to England and Wales, 5 .81. a decrease of iW= of sale re-registered, 414, an increasei ot 1J, »ne re. ceiving orders gazetted number 3i6«, an 150, and the registered deeds of arrangement zioj, decrease 23. -W-W7-- T

LOCAL DIVORCE SUIT. I ACTION AGAINST A BROTHER-IN-LAW. In the Divorce Court on Tuesday, Sir Francis Jeune and a special jury had before them the case of Blake v. Blake, Waddell, and Powell. This was the petition of Mr. George Blake, an auctioneer and estate agent, of Llanelly, for a dissolution of his marriage with Annie Lambert Blake, on the ground of her alleged adultery with Mr. George Waddell, colliery proprietor, and Frederick Nelson Powell, a solicitor, against whom damages were claimed. The respondent did not appear, but the co-respondents answered, denying the adultery, while the co-respondent Waddell also pleaded condonation. Mr. Carson, Mr. Priestly, and Mr. Samuel T. Evans appeared for the petitioner Sir Edward Clarke and Mr. Grazebrook for the co-respoudent Waddell Mr. Inderwick and Mr. Barnard for Powell; whilst Mr. Bowen Rowlands held a watching brief for a party interested. THE CASE FOR THE PETITIONER. Mr. Carson, in opening the case, said the primary object of the petitioner in bringing his suit was to obtain a divorce, but he further claimed damages against the co-respondents for the wrong done him. Mr. Blake was an estate agent, and the co-respondent Waddell was a gentleman of position, a colliery proprietor, and also interested in certain railways. His business brought him constantly to Llanelly. where he became on intimate terms with Mr. Blake. The position of Powell was a peculiarly painful one, because he was married to the sister of the lady with whom he had committed adultery, and lived within a few yards of the petitioner. Mr. Blake was married to his wife on September 15th, 1885, and there was one child of the marriage. He had no reason to mistrust his wife until last year, when he found a letter addressed to her in a drawer. That letter was signed Curly Boy," and read :—My darling girl, it was not possible to see you safely last night. I feel so annoyed, as I longed to see you so much. I want to make a confession. I made a bally fool of myself over your note last night. Once upon a time there lived in a certain town a young man and woman devotedly in love with each othe,, but both were married though not to each other, certainly a very cruel and awkward position." The letter then went on to state that while sitting with his wife read in<r a book, "The Christian:" which the respondent had lent him, her maid brought him a note which he dared not open in the presence of his wife, so he put It on the fire unopened. His wife was annoyed, and suggested that it mig have been asking for the return of the book, and that he should write stating that the letter had been mislaid. He therefore asked her to write stating that it was a request for the return of the book, which she "understood be had finished. The letter, which, counsel said, was in the hand- writing of the co-respondent Powell, concluded with expressions of affection to his "lonely lovely darling." The letter considerably upset Mr. Blake, who questioned his wife, and ulti- mately ceased to occupy the same room. Mean- while he made inquiries, and as a result of these inquiries they were now in court. He under- stood that Mr. Powell would not contest the adultery. Mr. Inderwick said that was so. Mr. Carson, continuing, said that with regard to Waddell the case was dIfferent, because he had put an answer on the file alleging condona- tion. In April, 1896, Mr. Waddell was in Llanelly, and he and Mr. Blake were out walk- ing together. Mr. Waddell then ascertained that Mr. Blake had to leave for London the next day to attend before a Parliamentary Commit- tee. During Mr. Blake's absence Mr. Waddell was at the house all hours of the evening and night. Evidence would be given by the servants of his frequent visits. None of these visits were communicated to Mr. Blake, nor did he know that during his absence at church with his boy Waddell was constantly at the house. Other incidents would be deposed to on which he would ask the jury tb find that adultery had been committed. THE PETITIONERS EVIDENCE. | The petitioner was called and gave evidence in support of counsel's opening statement. In cross-examination by Sir Edward Clarke, he eaid he lived on perfectly happy terms with his wife down to November, 1897. He bad never said that his little wife was worth another chance, and that when this affair was settled he would have her back. On one occasion, he believed, in lhe light of subsequent events, that he saw Mr. Waddell about to kiss his wife, but at the time, not suspecting her, attached no importance to the incident. Since he instituted this suit he had communicated with his wife, and had allowed her to have their boy with her. Evidence was given by the servants at Mr. Blake's house. VERDICT OF THE JURY. The jury retired to consider their verdict, and after an absence of an hour and twenty minutes returned into court and found for the petitioner on all the issues. They assessed £ 500 damages against Waddell, and X200 against Powell. The question of the granting of the decree stood over until Wednesday as some evidence was to be given against the wife, she not having pieaded. t:> In the Divorce Coaut on Wednesday, Sir Francis Jeune and a special jury again had before them thecase of Blake v. Blake, Waddell and Powell. In this case the issues affecting the co-respondents were tried on Tuesday, when the jury found that both co-respondents had committed adultery with the respondent, and assessed the damages against Mr. George Waddell, an Edinburgh contractor, at £ 500, and against Mr. Powell, a Llanelly solicitor, at £200. On Wednesday morning the petitioner was called, &nd proved receiving confessions from his wife admitting misconduct with both co-respondents. His Lordship thereupon granted the petitioner a decree nisi, with costs against both co-respondents, and gave the petitioner the custody of the child, and ordered the damages to be paid into court within a fortnight.

FASHODA. THE DIPLOMATIC DEADLOCK. A Yellow Book on the Pashoda question has just been issued by the French Government. It shows no retreat on the part of France from the ) contention that she has as much right to Fashoda as England has to Khartoum. On Monday night the Foreign Office issued a second Blue Book, giving the Sirdar's interesting narrative of his arrival at Fashoda and his rela- tions with Major Marchand. His principal des- patch is a vivid account of what passed, inspired by a spirit of courtesy and consideration towards the unhappily situated French expedition, and a recognition of the extraordinary courage and success of Major Marchand himself. The book contains also two long despatches from Lord Salisbury to the British Ambassador at Paris, describing the two conversations with the French Ambassador in London, which were reported by M. de Courcel himself in the French Yellow-book. Lord Salisbury is absolutely unyielding upon the points at issue, whereas he was represented by the French Ambassador as adopting a most con. ciliatory attitude. Under these circumstances the French Ambassador seems to be placed in rather a delicate position. Lord Salisbury lays special emphasis upon the fact that the Frenchjex- pedition to the Upper Nile was a secret one, and that France must now take the consequences of not having informed the British Government, when Sir Edward Grey uttered his warning, that she had for two years been endeavouring to seize upon a portion of the Upper Nile Valley, and that she proposed to continue this illicit and subterranean undertaking. The Blue-book con- tains, too, the official British reply to the two chief points of M. Delcasso's argument. To the contention that England was inconsistent in re- fusing France access to the Nile while Germany and Belgium were admitted, Lord Salisbury re- plies that a portion of the shore of Lake Victoria Nyanza can hardly be called a position on the banks of the Nile, and that whatever rights the Congo State possesses upon the navigable Nile were only granted to the King of the Belgians during his own lifetime.

CHOICE DTJLCEMOtfA TAA Young. CHOICE DULCEMONA TEA Fresh. CHOICE DULCEMONA TEA Invigorating. Is. 4d. to 3s. per lb., of all Grocers. A pfrfect beverage, refreshina, fragrant & stimul ting. T fN. w 5 BOK, WICK'S BAKlJNtt &oLr, EGG POWDER. A Pure Manufacture, well known for upwards of 50 years. When ordering Baking Powder insist on having Borwick's. IMHEZD-A-LS. rOB CAKES, YOKKSHIRE PUDDINGS, GINGERBBEAD.