The Cambrian

17anettes, &c. As soon as Hadrian's passion was either grati- fied or disappointed, he resolved to de.-erve the thanks ox posterity, by placing the most exalted merit on the Soman throne. His discerning eye easily discovered a senator about fifty years of age. blameless in all the offices of life and a yo,¡th about seventeen, whose riper years opened a fair prospect of every virtue the elder of these was declared the son and successor of Hadrian, on condition, however, that he himself should immediately adopt the younger. The two Antoziines governed the Roman world forty-two yeSi-s. with the same invariable spirit of wisdom and-virtue. Although Plus had two sons, he pre- ferred the welfare of Rome to the interest of his family, gave his daughter Paustina in marriage to the young Marcus, obtained from the Senate the tribuuitiau a,id proconsular powers, and with a noble disdain, or rather ignorance of jealousy, as-ociated him to all the labours of government. Marcus, on the other hand, revered the character of his benefactor, ioved him as a parent, obeyed him as his Sovereign, and, after he was no more, reflated his own administration by the example aid maxims of his predecessor. Their united reigns are possibly the only period of history in which the happiness of a great i oople was the sole object of government.-Gibbon. Mr. Hi!r ld-" As people advance in life they come to disbelieve the old sayings whl,:h have passed into proverbs. Mrs. Hiland-" Is that so Mr. Hiland— It is. For example, you never hear an old person quoting, The good die young.' O'Hara—" She was a good wife to me, poor woman. Many's the word of good advice she gave me." O'Gara—" Thrue for ye, an' many's the time I've heaid uer advisin' yo when I lived in the house beyant, a mile up the road, Ochone I do not see, ;he said, with great severity, how it would be possible to add to the unsight- licessof bloomers." And the little wheelwoman contented herself with innocently remarking— Perhaps you are prejudiced. Did you ever wear them The Briton-" Pooh: There's many a girl m England who is the daughter of a hundred earls." The Yankee—" Poch I That's nothing. There's many a giri in America who'll be the wife of a hundred parts,it they keep on mixing up divorces a:.d foreign marriages much longer."

EXCESSIVE EATING AND D KIN* KING. We all eat too much flesh food and drink too much tea. The former militates against working energy, and the tannic acid and other deleterious pro- perties to be found in tea lower the spirits and injure the healtn. Tile body. in fact, is a work- ing engine, and a.- such it must be treated. The waste of tissue which dai.y goes cn can only be replaced by the proper as>imilaUon of food. It cannot be done with medicine. Science, however, bas aga.n come to the rescue, and it cannot be too wu»e J "uownthat tone and vigour can be promoted, and the rosy cheeks natural to health restored ^y e vitalising and restorative properties or a most valuable dis- cover' The evidence of medical men and the public is conclu-ive on this • It proves that Dr. Tibbie i-Cocoa as a Food- beverage possesses nutriment, re» orative, and vitalising properties, which have xutnerto been nor-existent. It aids the digestive powers, and is invaluable to tired men and delicate women and children. It has the refreshing properties of fine tea, the nourishment of the best cocoas, and a tonic and recuperative force possessed by neither, and can be used in all cases where tea and cofteJ ar0 pro- hibited. It is not a medicine, but a unique and wonder- fulfood beverage. Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa is made up in 6d. packets and 9d. and Is. 6d. tins. It can be obtained from all Grocers, Chemists and Stores, or from 60, 61, and 62, Bunhill Row. London, E.C. As an unparelleled test of merit, a dainty sample tin of Dr. Tibbies' Vi-Cocoa will sent post free on application to any address, if when writing (a postcard will do) the reader will rame the Cambrian.

The ABKRLASH TIN-PLATE COMPANY (LTD). —This Company was registered on October 29th, with a capital of £ 20,000. in F,50 shares, to ac- quire the promises lately known as the Tirydail Tin-plats "VN orks, situate at or near Duffryn, Llan\ bie, Carmarthenshire, and to carry on the bvisiv.ess of steel and tin, terne, and black plate manufacturers, converters, and merchants, iron- masters, iron and brass foun,lers, metal workers, smelters, miners, engineers, boilermakers, &e. The first subscribers areMessrs. Thomas O. Jenkins, RotherslaJe Hotox, Langlaud Bay tum- bles, builder: Frederick r. Jenkins, Llwynhelig, Swansea, builder: Albert D. Jenkins, Hensleigh, Eaton-crescent, Swansea, Is manager Mrs. Annie Evans. Llwynhelig'. Swansea Miss Mary H. Jenkim. Llwynhelig. Swansea; Messrs. Wm. Thomas. Gloucester-buildings, Swansea, whole- sale provisi n merchant, and John Geo:ge, Oak- land Villa, Tirydail, Ammanford, accountant. The raimoT of directors is not to be less than three nor more than seven. The first are Messrs. Wm. N. Jones, William O. Jenkins, Albert D. Jenkins, and William Thomas. Qualification, E200 remuneration, as the company may decide. "BLYOND DOUBT."—HORNIJIAN's PCRE TEA is strong anti. tie'icio-.s. Inimitable for ueticaie aroma, nerve re^' Ting, he Ithful, and enelicial properties. •• Aiw ys w:><xl Alike," Sold in this locality by Messrs. Tu. bridge Sons, S'11e Wholesale Agents, Wassaii 8(iui"e Koiniett, HeathtieM-street; Chapman, Mansei- ?tr^ei Clark, Oxford-street and iueach-street Davies Bros., Oxford-street; J, T. Davies, Walter-road; Evans Walter-road J. Jo.ies, Wassail Square and forostfact); M. Jones, Hi^h-street; Matthews, St. Helen's-ro,l..J.; Morris and Co., Carmarthen-road; J. A. Morris, Didwyn-stree' and Singleton-street Parlbv, Munsel- street; Rees, Sr. Thomas J. E. Thomas, Walter-road National Stores, 5<\ Uijih-stieet.

LAW AND LAWYERS. LECTURE AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. rBY MR. D. LLEUFEE THOMAS, B.A., BARRISTER-AT-LAW.] (Concluded from our last.) As the old trade guilds died out, the system of apprenticeship in industrial and other occupations—a system to which England largely owed its pre-eminence among the nations in the Tudor period—this system, I say, fell out of vogue, and indeed, until the very recent movement in favour of technical education, England long remained without any regularly organised system for instructing youths in the arts and crafts which they intended working at. Each individual was allowed to fight his way as best he could into a trade. Among the lawyers of the Inns of Court, the monopoly was, however, kept up, but the l^no apprenticeship of ten or twenty years dis- appeared, no system of legal education took its place, and eventually al that was required by the benchers—in addition to the payment of heavy fees, of conrse—was proof of residence in or near the Inn to which a student belonged. It was assumed that if a student resided there, he was sure to be imbibing law from the atmosphere itself. A similar "rule obtained at one time at the universities, and so many attendances at the college chapel was there taken to be sufficient evidence of residence, and presumably of good conduct. The lawyers had a different test: they provided not for the intellectual or spiritual needs of the students, but for their bodily wants. They required them to attend so many dinners, in all for a period of three years, and when a student had thus ate his way to the bar," as the satirists of the system used to say, he was then called, without having to pass or examination as a test of his legal knowledge. In spite of this disgraceful state of things, there was no lack of great lawyers in the palmy days of these gluttons and wine-bibbers. This was the system in vogue during the salad days of such lawyers as Lords Mansfields and Kenyon Thurlow, Eldon and Erskine, and many more of the brightest ornaments of English law. They picked up their legal knowledge in a hand-to-mouth fashion, by being allowed to assist and do work tor busy seniors, or in the irreverent language of the bar, they devilled" for busy men. The devilling system is still kept up, and many people would be surprised to hear that the Attorney-General still has several "devils" in his chambers. It is only within the last fifty years or less that bar students were required to pass examinations before their call, while still more recent is the establishment of any scheme of legal education in connection with the Inns of Court. From the beginning that has thus been made, many hope that a university for the study of law, will eventually be established for the benefit not only of bar students, but also of articled clerks, as well as of *member3 of the general pnblic who may desire to take to legal research. Before I pass on from the bar, I wish to dwell on two points connected with it. First you will remember that according to Chancer's account of the sergeant-at-law, as well as what we know from other sources as to the early history of the bar, clients were always able to consult counsel without the intervention of an attorney or of any other middleman. That is contrary to modern practic., but there is no law on the point, and it is only bar etiquette-the etiquette of the profession, which is if possible, stronger than any law— that prohibits counsel from holding a brief in a civil suit without the intervention of the attorney. In a criminal case, however, etiquette allows counsel to be instructed by the accused himself as in tne case of what is known as a dock defence. But the rule of etiquette Ï.3 of modern growth, dating at most from the beginning of the last century, for there is ample proot in our art and literature, that barristers were always accus^med to professionally attend their clients in all kinds of legal business without the presence of a 'solicitor. Mr. Hogarth's "Marriage a la I }lùJe," for instance, the counsellor in wig and ^jwa is shown in attendance on the affianced bride and bridegroom taking instructions for the marriage settlement. Some fifty years, a judge having refused to hear a barrister, who in a civil action was instructed by one of the parties without a solicitor, a new trial was granted, Lord Chief Justice Campbell deciding in favour of the absolute legality of the barrister's conduct. I do not know what happened to that particular barrister, but should another follow his example in these days, he would be probably be very promptly disbarred or reduced from the status of a barrister, by the authorities of the Inn of Court to which he belonged. The other point which deserves attention in connection with the Sergeant-at-law was that from the rich at all events he received fees for his services. In theory, however, the services of the pleader and advocate, both in England and in ancient Rome, were merely honorary and gratuitous, so that he simply depended on gifts for his remuneration. It was soon found out that gentlemen following the profession of the law did not differ from other human beings in the matter of requir- ing payment for their services, and their ingenuity suggested that the best way of securing that payment was to see that they were pre-paid for all their work. However, even at the present day the barrister's fee, like that of the consulting physician's, is still regarded as an honorarium, and cannot be recovered in a court of law. This view of the honorary character of the barrister's services reminds one of John Ruskin's teaching as to the profession in Unto this Last" :— Five great intellectual professions relat. ing to daily necessities of life have hitherto existed three existed necessarily in every civilized nation The soldier's profession is to defend it. The pastor's, to teach if, The physician's, to heat it. The lawyer's, to enforce justice in it. The merchant's, to provide for it." But now comes the crucial test of Ruskin's exacting political economy, for he goes on And the duty of all these men is, on due occasion, to die for it. On due occasion- namely The soldier rather than leave his post in battle. The physician rather than leave his post in plague. The pastor rather than teach falsehood. he lawyer rather than countenance injus- tice. J „ merchant. What is his "due occasion" eath ? jt ma^u question for the merchant as for all of us. For truly the man who does not know when to die, does not know how to live." Then Buskin goes on to say that it is the function ot neither of these men—whether soldier, p ysician, pastor, lawyer or merchant —to make money out of the community, the moral of his t,ac ing on the point being, I think, that taoug monetary rewards are a due and necessary a<. junct, th_y are not, or at all events should not be, the object of life. From what the ideal of the profession ought to be, according to the teaching of Ruskin, I must now retrace my steps into medieval England, so as to continue the history of the at torney-the local general practitioner of the legal profession. "VVe saw that originally the attorney was only au agent representing an absent litigant in court, but without any right to address the court on behalf of his principal. Many persons could not at short notice command the services of a faithful retainer or obliging friend to go and stand in their turn or place at the trial, so that the convenience of having a pro- fessional class from among whom such substitutes could be engaged, soon became apparent. It was sometime in the 13th century that these legal agents first appears as & professional class. To lend solemnity to their office, it was enacted that persons thus appointed as attorneys within London should be sworn on admission, and that if by default or negligence on their part they lost their client s case, they were to be imprisoned. The laws against witches," said Selden, "do not prove that there be any." Similarly the laws against the malpractices of attorneys during the six centuries of their professional existence do not prove that such offences were by any means common. If it were, however, just to draw any inference from the contents of these enactments, we would say that one of the more prevalent forms of dishonesty at this period was the acceptance of fees from both sides, whence such double dealers were known as ambi-dexters "—persons who use both bands with equal facility. Others after rece'ving their fees left their clients in the lurch and never attended the trial at all—a complaint which, in a modified form, is hurled against many eminent counsel who some- times receive big fees, and being themselves engaged elsewhere, leave the whole case to their juniors. Sometimes, again, an attorney, after being retained and prepaid by one side, allowed himself to be engaged by the other side. For this last offence an attorney was liable, even before the end of the 13th century, to be suspended for three years. On the whole we are driven to the conclusion that, from the 13th to the 16th or 17th centuries, the attorneys as a class or pro- fession were not wholly undeserving of the ridicule and abuse poured on them, and that they were, as a rule, not men of very high moral or social character. We are therefore not so much surprised at the company in which attorneys are placed by an author of that time. who, in enumerating the persons who could not be appointed judges, mentions among others women, serfs, open lepers, idiots, attorneys, lunatics and deaf mutes." The general view at the time and for many centuries afterwards was that, attorneys being necessary evils, it would be as well to have as few of them as possible; and so in 1292 Parliament made the first of many attempts to restrict their number, fixing 140 as the maximum for the whole country, but even at that early date in their professional existence, the attorneys had evidently learnt how to drive the proverbial coach and four through an Act of Parliament, for the number of attorneys very shortly afterwards greatly exceeded the prescribed maximum. It was next attempted to make the profession less attrac- tive from a pecuniary point of view, and a maximum fee was fixed for each case. It was enacted that Attorneys shall not take more of their clients' money than 40 pence at most." That was the origin of the lawyer's charge of 3s. 4d., but what was formerly his maximum has long since become his minimum fee. Of course 40 pence in the 14th century (which was the date of enactment) was equivalent, in purchasing value, to at least ten times that amount in the present day. Side by side with this attempt to restrict the number of attorneys, the kind of work which they were permitted to do was, however, continually being extended, so that the history of the profession down to the end of the 16th century, if not later, could be briefly summed up as being, on the one hand, a continual ex- tension of the right of representation by attorney, and on the other, repeated but in- effectual efforts at limiting the number of practitioners. The manner in which the attorney's pro- fession developed differed from the Bar in one material respect. The Bar, as I previously described, came under the influence of the trade Guild movement, but the attorneys never became a Guild, nor their profession an art and mystery" in the technical term. This was chiefly due to the fact that at a very early stage the Judges assumed control over the conduct of attorneys in a manner that the Bar has never been subjected to the Judges, I in fact, tried to establish a high standard of duty from attorneys, and to repress mal- practices on their part. Though possessing drastic powers of regulation and punishment, the Judges proved, as regards attorneys, an inefficient substitute for the corporations which regulated trades. The absence of a trade guild of attorneys meant also the absence of the apprenticeship system, the lack of professional espint de corps, and of a jealousy for the honov- of the profession. It was not until the apprenticeship system was losing its legal powers that the law enforced apprenticeship of attorneys; the trade guilds were in fact dying, if not already dead, before the attorneys formed themselves into a similar association. By an Act passed in 1729, it was provided that persons wishing to qualify as attorneys should bind themselves by a con- tract of apprenticeship, or articles of clerk- ship (as the agreement was called) to serve as a clerk for five years, and the five years had to be so served. Candidates were also to be examined by one of the Judges, but the examination was a mere matter of form, as might be imagined from the fact that it was a fee of only Is. that the examining Judge could charge for his services. In this period we are told boys destined for the profession were caught in their 13th year and articled to attorneys, who treated them something better than they would have treated parish appren- tices." To stand in the presence of his instructor until he received permission to take a seat, to call his instructor's wife "mistress" and to touch his cap (without presuming to speak to her) whenever he met her inline street; to follow at her heels when she went to market and to bring back her purchases to his master's kitchen; to spend eight hours a day copying papers or engrossing parch- ments these were some of the duties and services of articled clerks in the time of George II. In fact, they appear to have been housed, fed and taught like the apprentices of petty tradesmen. It was neither direct legislation nor profes- sional opinion and organisation that was however, destined to be chiefly successful in raising and improving the status of the profession. Remote as it may appear, it was the war with France at the close of the last century that effected this. Pitt wanted money, and among other expedients resorted to, he compelled all attorneys to take out an annual license, for which, if practising in London, they had to pay £5, and in the country £5. This in itself produced in 1792 a sum close on £19,000, but more money was still urgently wanted, especially as attempted imposts of Id., 2d. or 3d. a pair on gloves and mittens had proved a failure. It was there- fore enacted that on all articles of clerkship (or contracts of apprenticeship) a stamp duty of £] 00 should be paid, or £50 only for candidates who intended practising in the elsh Courts, or in palatine counties. It is fair to say—and it is also to the credit of the profession—that this tax was suggested by the profession itself, and has never been wholly unpopular, in so far as it has served to exclude some undesirable persons from the roll. These payments were further increased before the end of the Napoleonic war, but in 1851 Mr. Gladstone fixed the stamp duty on articles at £80, and the annual tax to £9 in London and £6 elsewhere, and at these figures they have remained ever since. But I have somewhat anticipated the course of events by bringing down to the present day the history of the taxation of the profession. In the first decade of the 17th century, a statute was passed which contains references to another legal agent, called a solicitor— which name was previously almost unknown in our legal system. He was the last to appear on the scene, but he was, however, destined, like Aaron's rod, to swallow up all his iivals. The name applied to the person who, in the Courts of Equity, trans- acted the work done in the common law courts by the attorney. His correct designa- tion in fact was solicitor in equity, while that of his rival was attorney at law; but all the odium which had through many centuries accumulated around the legal profession, continued to be almost exclusively attached to the unfortunate name and office of attorney. So intolerable had this become that by the middle of the present century most attorneys had taken refuge in the gentler name of solicitor. The author of the "Three Tours of Dr. Syntax," William Combe, who, as you know, served for a time as a waiter at the old Mackworth Hotel in this town, wrote this of profession in 1815 :— And thus the most opprobrious fame Attends upon the attorney's name, Nay, these professors seem ashamed To have their legal title named; Unless my observation errs They're ail become solicitors." There was something prophetic in his last couplet for some 60 years later, in 1874, the °n xon "word attornev was abolished and all members of that branch of the' profession were henceforth to be known as oolicitoia. The sergeants-at law survived the attorneys for a few months only, when their order was also abolished, so that no more sergeants have since been appointed, the only distinction among barristers at present being that of junior barristers (or members of the Outer fur) and Queen's Counsel. In addition to Chaucer's portrait of the mediaeval sergeant Dickens has> if I may say so, immortalised the order in the name and character of Sergeant Busfus. Unfortunately we have no such just or faithful portrait of the attorney or solicitor in our literature. Most of their descriptions, as applied to the profession generally, are gross, libellous caricatures. It is not my intention to resurrect the old conventional way of treating the attorney in the art and literature of our country. Suffice it to say j that if any author wanted to introduce into any work of his a deep-dyed villain, as often as not such a character was drawn from the ranks of the attorneys. But while abstaining from quoting any examples of this literary abuse of lawyers, I am tempted to refer to one work which has a special interest, not only to lawyers, but also to English people generally. Law is a Bottomless Pit," or The History of John Bull," was the title of a work published in 1712. Dean Swift was long supposed to be its author, but, as we now know, it was written by Dr. Arbuthnot. It is this work that fixed the name and character of John Bull upon the English people—the chief point about John's character in this first portrait of him is that he was an indomitable litigant, something very much like the old miller in George Elliott's Mill on the Floss." Once John Bull had entered on his great lawsuit, nothing could detach him from his trusted attorney, Humphrey Hocus. I was always hot-headed," said John. Then they placed me in the middle, the attorneys and their clerks about me, whooping and holloing Long live John Bull, the glory and support of the law." But even John felt some loss of enthusiasm when he looked on his attorney's bill." What that bill consisted of may be seen by reference to the "History," which has been reprinted in Cassell's National Library." Since that was written, and to be more precise, within the past 60 years, there has been a great improvement in the character and status of the profession, or, I should perhaps say, that the improvement which originated in Pitt's policy of taxing solicitors has been continued and extended. Those who have entered the profession have received infinitely better training than attorneys ever before enjoyed; they have, on the whole, been drawn from a better class socially and, above all, the members have themselves been jea-loua of the honour and and integrity of their profession. The chief instrument in bringing about much of this reform has been th« trade union of the pro- fession, the Incorporated Law Society, which was established in 1825, and which, a fortnight ago, held its provincial meeting3 ia this town. The society was itself anxious that measures should be taken to prevent ill-educated men from entering tha protession, a.nd in unison with their villJws Government in 1836 required all candidates for admission to pass a final examination in proof ot their legal know- ledge. Other examinations have since been added, and the standard of those has been steadily but continuously raised, so that no longer can it be said that the purely profes- sional training of the solicitor is not of a fairly thorough character In no part of the U nited Kingdom has the improvement in the social status and intellec- tual equipment of the solicitor been at all comparable to what it has been in "Wales. The fact (which I have already allmje(j to) that that the stamp duties for attorneys who practised in the Welsh courts were only one- half those payable by practitioners in the superior courts undoubtedly resulted in persons of a lower social status entering the profession in Wales. Remoteness from London and from the wholesome influence of the supervision eXtrr £ 1^~ 7 High Court judges, together with the backward state of education in Wales generally, had also much to do with the admittedly inferior character of Welsh attorneys as a class. Occasional references to their status may be gathered from various sources. Thus, in 1817, which was a period of great depression throughout the whole country, a large county meeting for Carmarthenshire was heJd at Llandilo, at which Lord Robert Seymour preside; Lords Cawdor and Dynevor, with lUost of the county magistrates, being also present. Lord [ Cawdor said he had been making a calcula- tion, and that allowing each attorney, upon an average, £ 600, the county of Carmarthen- [ shire had paid £40,000 in law costs. Accord- ing to that statement, there were nearly 70 attorneys or solicitors in Carmarthenshire in 1817—a very large number conaiderino- the purely agricultural character of the county at that time. Several of the speakers confidently expressed the opinion that the old unreformed County Courts—and ?^tonieys—were the ruin of the country and. tne cause of all the depression „ That the number ot attorneys in South Wales greatly increased in the opening years of the century there can be no doubt. A Swansea solicitor, Robert Nelson Thomas, in giving evidence before a House of Commons Committee in 1821, ma e ^ference to such increase, which he attri uted to the practice of many attorneys giving their articles to improper and ill-educated persons, without payment of the usua f^^iums. Clerks, he said, frequently a their articles given them for their servIces at reduced salaries. He thought that in Carmarthenshire the pro- portion of attorneys so articled to those for whom premiums had been paid stood as 5 to 1. When I served my clerkship » he added, attorneys were considered as 80me Qf the most respectable persons In the county it is not so now. Even a resPectable attorney with a good c0D"eC^,?\ \V.ho has a son' hesitates whether he w u br«ig Up tkat son an attorney in a S' because he must occasionally meet on business professional men with whom he would not lite to associ_ ate." The establishment of the Incorporated Law Society in 1825 and of the Final Examination in much, almost immediately, to improve the status of the attorney, though a reP^eseutatives of the regime survived for several years after. In 1843, for example, there was a magistrates' clerk in a Carmarthenshire petty sessional division who, besides being also vestry clerk parish clerk, registrar ot births and marriages, kept a general grocery shop, and either had been or was a publican as well. At present however, the legal profession in Wales need fear no comparison witn the profession in England, whether it be m respect of the practical skill and learning ot it§ members or of their social status, or ot that highest of Qualifications, the strict integrity of their conduct in all business transactions. With continued reform within, and the disappear- ance of inherited prejudices without, men will learn to go and consult their lawyer with all the eonfidenct^ w.1^ which they summon to their aid the family doctor.

COCKETT SCHOOL BOARD. MONTHLY MEETING. A meeting of the above was held on Tuesday afternoon. Rev. John Davies (Cadla) presiding. Present—Revs. E. W. Bolney (Vicar of Sketty) and D. 0. Rees (Sketty), Messrs. Jenkins, W. Walters, W. Lewis, and the Clerk (Mr. D. Isaac). OVERDUE RATES. The Clerk reported that there was due from the overseers about JE225. A discussion followed, in tb^ course of which the Chairman said the money was collected and used. He did not think that was right. In reply to the Chairman, the Clerk stated that they could take proceedings to make the overseers pay up at once, but perhaps the better plan would be to use a little pressure first by writing them on the matter. Accordingly, a resolution was carried instruct- ing the Clerk to write the overseers informing them that unless the money was paid up immedi- ately, proceedings would be taken to compel them to do so. THE COTTAGE HOMES' CHILDREN. In the Attendance Officer's report it was stated that the attendance at Gendros School had been lowered occasionally by the absence of the Cottage Homes children on wet days. The Chairman wanted to know why the children were absent without notice havinl- been given the headmaster. Were they more delicate than other child-eu It was a great loss to the rates. Interrogated by tne Rev. E. W. Bolney, the Attendance Officer said that one afternoon 100 children had been absent. Eventually the Clerk was instructed to write to the master of the Cottage Homes on the subject. COAL. It was decided to advertise for tenders for the supply of coal to the schools durinsr the winter months, and also to write to the teachers request- ing them to be more economical in the use of the coal.

TRIED AND PROVED. We refer to Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters 1 The Vegetable Tonic, which when once tried' has been always recommended, and has proved successful when all other medicine has failed to give relief, and we may say further, that it-has proved permanently beneficial, when 0ther preparations at best only gave temporary relief. | It is strongly recommended as The Best Remedy of The Age for Indigestion in its different forms such as Sick Headache, Pains in the Side, Giddiness, Loss of Appetite, also for Nervous- ness and Nervous Disorders, Sleeplessness Neuralgia., Low Spirits, and all kinds of Weakness. It has often proved very beneficial to persons suffering from great Weakness, either after an illness, long confinement to il'-ventilated rooms, or any other cause. It strikes at the source of the Disease, removing the cause of the illness, and strengthens those parts of the system which have been weakened by it, aild therefore most liable to colds and other ailments. Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters is sold in bottles' 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. each. Avoid Imitations.

A SWANSEA BROKER'S ADVENTURE.—A Swansea shipbroker giving the name of John p. Koran, a foreigner presumably, for his speech had a strong foreign accent, occupied an unenvi- able position before Alderman R. Cory and Mr. R. Benjamin at the Cardiff Police Court 011 Satur- day. He appeared as prosecutor against Annie Bryan (28), a woman of the unfortunate class, whom ne charged with stealing four £5 notes and some coins, amounting "0 £21 10s. in all, on Thursday night, at 156, Eldon-street. In answer to the charge, prisoner admitted taking the notes. She did not, however, tike them with the inten- tion of stealing them. Prosecutor did not pay her, arid she kept the notes believing he would return to the house. Prisoner was sent to prison for a month. INVALID PORT.—The Medical Profession are unanimous in recommending the moderate use of an old matured Port Wine. W. and A. Gilbe.v have specially selected the finest Wine from Oporto for this purpose, and thus placed their 3,000 agents in a position to supply their Invalid Port at 2s. 6d. per bottle in every town.

SWANSEA'S NEW OPERATING THEATRE. GIFT OF MR. B. EVANS, J.P. OPENED BY SIR W. MACCORMAC. Swansea's new Operating Theatre, attached to the General Hospital, and the gift of Mr. B. Evans, J.P., was opened on Friday afternoon last by Sir Wm. MacCormac. President of the Roval College of Surgeons, physician to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, &c. The ceremony excited con- siderable local interest, and despite the miserably wet weather which prevailed there was a large and representative attendance of ladies and gentlemen. Among those who assembled in the commodious vestibule of the Hospital, and who awaited the arrival of Sir Wm. MacCormao, were the Worshipful Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. J. Aeron Thomas), Sir John and Lady Llewelyn and Miss Gladys Llewelyn, General Sir Hill-Johnes, Lady Jenkins and Miss Jenkins, Dr. Garrod Thomas (Newoort), Miss Lindsay, Mr. and Mrs. B. Evans. Dr. and Mrs. Brook, Dr. and Mrs. T. D. Griffiths and Miss Griffiths, Dr. and Mrs. H. A. Latimer. Dr. and Mrs. E. Ie Cronier Lancaster, Mrs. H. J. Bath, Mr. J. C. Fowler (Stipendiary), Dr. and Mrs. Nelson Jones, Dr. K. Couch, Dr. Blagdon Richards,Dr.Rawlings, Dr. and Mrs. J. S. H. Roberts, Rev. J. Pollock, Dr. Charles (Neath), Mrs. T. Freeman, Mr. and Mrs. John White. Aid. and Mrs. Fred. Bradford, Mr. and Mrs. Starbuok Williams, Rev. O. T. Snoring, Mrs. Richard Martin (Mayoress-Elect), Mr. D. Meager, Rev. T. F. Rawlings, Mr. Joseph Hall, J.P., Mr. Griffith Thomas (chairman Harbour Trust), Dr. D. A. Davies, Mr. Howel Watkins (chairman Hospital Committee), Dr. Jabez Thomas, Dr. Arnallt Jones (Aberavon), Dr. and Mrs. Reid, Dr. and Mrs. Eben. Davies, Rev. Mr. Martin (Argyle Chapel), Mr. D. C. Jones, Rev. E. J. Wolfe and the Misses Wolfe. Rev. Gomer Lewis (chairman Board of Guardians), Mr. John Harvey, Mr. Cook, Mr. Southern (Llandebie" Mrs. Hugh Bellingham, Mr. W. Law (Harbour Superinten- dent), Mr. and Mrs. Austin Williams, Canon and Mrs. J.Allan Smith, Mr. H. Goldberg, J.P., Dr. Davidson, Mr. W. M. Jones, Mr. Philip Jenkins, Dr. E. B. Evans, Mr. J. T. Davies (Walter-road), Mr. and Mrs. T. P. Richards, Dr. Joseph Davies (Hafod), Dr. Rhys Davies, Mr. H. G. Solomon, Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Thomas, Mr. J. Buckley Wilson, Mr. G. Moxham, Mrs. Suschland, Mr. R. G. Cawker, Dr. G. A. Stephens, &c. THE NEW OPERATING THEATRE. The theatre is an annexe, approached from the lower west corridor of the hospital. It is built of polled stone, with dressings of Bath stone, and is in keeping1 with the rest of the building. Its plan consists of two half ciroles of a radius of eleven feet, separated by an interval of five feet, thus measuring 26ft. by 22ft. It is lighted from a dome-shaped roof 20ft. high in the centre, by two top lights, of which the large and northern one is continuous with the main side light, a slab of plate glass, 8ft. wide, extending to a level of 3ft. from the floor. The walls are lined through- out with cement glazed v»ith "Blundell's petrifying fluid." The floor is of Italian Mosaic and slopes towards a funnel-shaped depression, at the northern end, by which fluid is directly carried away into the open lair, and conducted, by an open gully to a drain, distant several feet from the point of exit. On either side of the north window are two tiers of high steps, with iron rails in grout forming stands of solid masonry for spectators. The theatre is heated by two sets of low pressure steam radiators, swinging on Irnges and situated in front of four air inlets. In the latter are closely fitting metal boxes with grouts and backs of wire gauze, enclosing cotton wools, which can easily he changed when soiled. Thus, when the doors are closed. all entering the theatre is warmed and filtered of dust. In the wall, about 14 feet up, is an extracting fan driven by a jet of water 1-16 of an inch in diameter, capable of displacing 1,000 cubic feet per minute. Thus provision is made for continually changing the air of the theatre without reducing the temperature. A shallow recess. in the wall, with embedded glass shelves closed in with glass, and enamelled iron doors forms the instrument cupboard, Im- mediately behind it is the flue of one of the anaesthetising rooms, the heat from which will prevent the condensation of moisture within the cupboard, and consequent rusting of the in- struments. Hot and cold stirilized water is supplied from a distilling plant in the neigh- bouring administration block to all the basins and lavatory fittings. By an arrangement of a jointed swinging arm 6ft. 6iu. from the floor it can also be delivered when required at any tem- perature, immediately over the operating table. The surgeons' basin is fitted with hot and cold and waste taps worked by the feet to avoid possible soiling of the bands after washing. The theatre is entered through either of two small ante rooms, each 12ft. by 10ft., and tiled and floored in the same way as the theatre. These are for the administration of anaesthetics, The object of having two rooms for this purpose is to economise time. It is not unfrequently the case that as many as seven or eight operations have to be performed in an afternoon at the hospital. With a second ante-room, an incoming patient can be prepared without the risk of meeting another just leaving the theatre while the latter need not delay matters, if it is undesirable to remove him at once from immediate supervision. One of these rooms is fitted up for X Ray work. It should be stated that a complete outfit of modern asceptic furniture, made entirely of glass, and metal, is included in Mr. Ben Evans generous gift. It will be seen from the above description that the entire building, wall, noor, and roof, together with its contents, is capable of being hosed out with a jet^of water and this will be done afcer any occasion, on which the theatre is used. The designs were prepared by the surgeons of the hosoital. Messrs. Wilson and Moxham were the architects,and Mr. Billings, the contractor. The Worshipful Mayor was attired in his full Mayoral robes. Shortly after three o'clock Sir Wm. MacCormac. arrived, and was graciously received and cordially welcomed by the Mayor and Mayoress. The Mayor, in the course of a brief, happy speech, said that as Mayor of Swansea he had much pleasv-e in extending to Sir William a hearty welcome. It had been his privilege, he said, during the past year to receive and welcome many eminent men filling high positions and representing great interests. He received on one occasion the Marquis of Worcester, who at the present moment wielded ducal powers, and when he saw Sir Wi-iiam he was reminded of the Marquis, only he (Sir William) had lived a few years longer. He had had the privilege of receiving lords spiritual and lords temporal; and last week Swansea had been visited by a great man occupying a most prominent position—the Primate of all England, and they gave him a hearty welcome to Gallant little Wales." Now it was a pleasure and an honour to him to receive and welcome the premier of the great profession of Surgery, which had made such wonderful strides during the past few years. In conclusion the Worshipful Mayor ex- tended to Sir William MacCormac a cordial welcome, and then introduced him to Councillor Howel Watkins (chairman of the Hospital General Committee). Mr. Watkins, on behalf of the Swansea Hos- pital, also extended a cordial welcome to Sir Wm. McCormac. He expressed the appreciation of the committee, and the sense and the honour they felt at his visit, in order to perform that interest- ing function. The last time a reception took place in that vestibule was when T.R.H. the Prince aud Princess of Wales were received. Dr. Griffiths and the then resident medical officer bad the distinguished hononr of receiving their Royal Highnesses, and he thought he was correct in saying that the only other persons present were Mrs. Griffiths, a lady friend, and himself and three of his daughters, who happened to be in the building at the time. Since that time great improvements had been effected at the Hospital. They had erected an opthalmic department, ex- tended the building in various directions, .-nd now, by the great and liberal generosity of their friend, Mr. Benjamin Evans, they had completed the operating theatre, which Sir Wm. McCormac had been gcod enough to come there and open. (Applause.) Mrs. B. Evans then gracefully presented Sir William McCormac with a chastely-designed gold key, suitably inscribed, with which to open the operating theatre. Mrs. Evans said It gives me great pleasure, Sir William, to present you with this key on this occasion"—a little speech which was loudly applauded. The company then inspected the Operating Theatre, which Sir Wm. McCormac opened, and afterwards proceeded to one of the Hospital Wards. Here there was a very large gathering of ladies and gentlemen—indeed, the commodious room was crowded. The Mayor (Mr. J. Aeron Thomas) presided, and was supported on the platform by Sir William, the Mayoress, Mr. and Mrs. B. Evans, Mr. Howel Watkins, General Sir Hilles-Johnes, and Lady and Miss Llewelyn. Canon Smith having offered up prayer, Sir William McCormac ro-ie to speak, and was loudly applauded. He said it was a great plea- sure to him to be associated with the work which bad just been inaugurated. In the new theatre which had just been opened, the hospital had received a great addition to its resources, and he was sure that he was only saying that which they liked him to say, when he expressed their great indebtedness to Mr. Benjamin Evans and their great appreciation of the work which he had done for the institution. (Applause.) He was bound to say that he greatly admired the way in which the work had been carried out. He believed that that was in some measure due to the helpfulness and energy, skill and knowledge which had been shown by his old friend and pupil—Mr. Brook. Mr. Evans, by his wi^e liberality, had immensely increased the capacity of the institution for doing good. A modern operating theatre epitomised, in a sort of way, what modern surgery was; and they all knew more or less what advances had taken place during the last couple of decades. Previously so little attention was paid to such matters that he could well remember the time that an operating theatre was not thought good enough and scarce any place was considered bad enough for one. He remembered the time when operations were looked upon as a very different matter from what they were now, when they were thought, to some extent rightly, a confession of failure on the surgeon's part. Surgeons then did not receive the consideration they now received at all hands, and he believed the reason for thinking their opera- tions the unmitigated evils they used to be was because the means of dealing with wounds were not then what they were now. Through the advance which surgery had made operations were now practised which formerly were not thought possible or justifiable. The progress of surgery, indeed, had been so remarkable and had obtained such a hold on the public mind, that the surgeons of the country were considered a body of men to whom anything was possible. As an instance. Sir William mentioned the case of a very exalted personage who not long ago received a serious injury. This exalted personage was the subject of advice not only from his own countrymen and women, but from people in all parts of the world. But one thing that impressed him was a sugges- tion made publicly that at all events his broken knee-cap snould be sutured. In such an opera- tion, as some said, there was no difficulty and absolutely no risks. But they did not go so far as that. Nevertheless, he was happy to be able to isay, in respect of what one of their foreign critics had been pleased to say in regard to the treatment, that the recovery of that exalted personage had been everything his friends desired. (Applause.) In conclusion, he said that Mr. Evans had done a really good permanent work for the institution. Sir John Llewelyn, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr. B. iLvans, paid a warm tribute to his business ability, skill, enterprise, patriotism and munificence. Dr. Eben. Davies seconded in a few well- chosen remarks, and the resolution was carried with enthusiasm. Mr. B. Evans was warmly applauded on rising to respond to the vote of thanks. He said he was overwhelmed by a sense of his rnworthi- ness of all the kind feelings so eloquently expressed by Sir T Job,, Llewelyn and Dr. Eben. Davies. May 1 he continued "be allowed to say that the only moment of dis- comfort that has marred my pleasure in looking forward to this opening ceremony has been when [ have pictured myself passing through the ordeal to which your kindness has exposed me by an undue appreciation of my desserts. I must confess it set me pondering whether it would not be lawful to seize any avenue of escape from my somewhat embarrassing situation. (Laughter.) However, here I am, and I have had to listen to words of praise far outweighing my merits. But I am, nevertheless, glad to have this opportunity to thank Sir William MacCormac very sincerely on my own behalf for hia great kindness in coming to declare the, new operating theatre open. (Hear, hear.) We in Swansea are well aware of his eminence, and we take it as a great honour that so dis- tinguished and so representative a member of his profession should havejeome so far to grace the opening ceremony. (Applause.) We may doubt- less also accept his presence as conferring an authoritative sanction upon our work-for I hardly think that the President of the Royal College of Surgeons would be here in our midst to-day unless he was thoroughly satisfied that the addi- tion just made to our hospital bad been planned and erected in a manner worthy of the claims of modern surgery. (Applause.) It must be clear to everyone that the startling advances in that noble profession—made during our lifetimes- demand a corre3ponding advance in all the appli- ances required for its exercise. The lancet and the probe are not the surgeon's only tools. In the larger sense, everything which renders surgical treatment more expeditious and more antisceptic is an instrument of the healing art. While the surgeons are adding so marvellously year after year to their knowledge, is ;t for us to mark time and stand still ? No they have gained the right to ask us for all that will enable them to turn their skill to the best account. (Applause.) I may say that the idea of a now theatre for our hospital was the result of an accidental conversation I had in the old theatre with Dr. Brook, one of our eminent physicians. He pointed out to me the great difficulties under which the surgical staff laboured by reason of the badly-lighted, badly ventilated, and the other- wise unsanitary condition of that room, and that the want of proper accommodation was frequent- ly the cause of much unnecessary suffering, and it was to be feared, had been in som cases responsible for fatal results. I recount the circumstance in the hope that hero and elsewhere similar opportunities may be brought as forcibly before the notice of others, and seized by them. All I can say is that I have never done anything that has given Mrs. Evans and myself so much real pleasure. It was especially gratifying to us to receive kind expressions of !approval from Dr. Griffiths, and also from every member of the staff, who one and all humanely and eagerly look forward to be able to perform operations more successfully and with less pain to the patients. (Hear, hear.) Here in Swansea it is a matter of very common knowledge that we have a hospital staff of which any city might well be proud, and on that account alone it is a pleasure to the com- mittee to authorise an improvement such as the new operating theatre to encourage the staff in their praiseworthy labours, and to enhance further those widespread benefits which this noble institution has for so many years dispensed (Hear, hear.) After all it is the staff which bears the burden and the heat of the day to provide appliances is to do the minor share of the work the lion's share is done by those with- out whose skill and experience, so freely given for the sake of humanity, the subscriptions and donations of the general public would be all in vain. These, however, are necessary and it would bo inconsistent in a progressive town like Swansea if wo overlooked the claims of the hospi- tal to share in the march of improvement. (Loud cheers.) In all respects the town of to-day is far different from the sleepy borough of 30 years ago. We have new and larger docks, wider streets, more open spaces, better schools of every grade, places of worship have multiplied and here, I feel sure you will pardon me in referring to the conspicuous event which has just taken place in the town I mean the opening of the new and noble Parish Church, which must always remain a monument to the indomitable persever- ance of our much respected vicar, Chanjellor Smith and to crown that opening we were honoured by the presence of the Primate^ of all England and also the Lord Bishop of the diocese. the Lord Bishop of Ripoa, Sir J. T. D. Llewelyn, our much esteemed member of Parliament, who is always taking part in every good work being carried out in this town and district. There were also present many other illustrious personages and to-day we have the distinguished honour of the company of the President oi the Roval College of Surgeons. Again, a little time back, our most excellent Mayor, Mr. J. Aeron Thomas, welcomed into our town and entertained right loyally the eminent members of the Incorporated Law Society of the United Kingdom, so who can say that Swansea has not, during the present mayoralty, been prominent amoner the towns and cities of this great country r1 (Loud and prolonged applause). I take it that each such step forward is an emohatic call to the Hospital Committee not to be left behind, but by this and further improvement, to place the insti- tution entrusted to their care m a line with the general advance. In conclusion, let me repeat that I highly value your vote of thanks. Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you. (Loud and prolonged applause.) After the usual votes of thanks had been ac- corded, Sir Wm. MacCormac read a paper on Surgery." «

WEDDING AT SWANSEA.—On Monday at St. Matthew's Wel"h Church, the marriage took place of Mr. J. B. Davies, son of the Vicar of Garnant, to Mrs. Mary Bailey, daughter of Mr. Jenkins, the Arches Hotel. The Rev. E. D. Davies, of Garnant, assisted by the Rev. T. Titus, curate of the Welsh Church, officiated, and the bride, who was charmingly attirei, was given awav by her father. Miss Cissie Jenkins, sister of Miss Maggie May, Was bridesmaid, and NIr. M. Britton acted as best man. LOCAL COMMISSIONS. The London Gazette of Tuesday night contains the following—War 9 Offioe, Nov. 1. Line Battalions.—Welsh Regiment—Lieut. Francis H. Howe i" seconded for"»ervice under the Colonial Office. Dated 15th ult.—Militia Artdlery The Pembroke Artillery (Western Division)—Second Lieutenant R. J. C'Jarke to be lieutenant. Dated 2nd inst.— Militia Engineers Royal Monmouthshire—The following announcement is substituted for that which appeared in the Gazette of the 11th October: Captain A. Leetbam is granted the honorary rank of major. Dated 12th ult.- Volunteer Artdlery :—lst Glamorganshir.— Second Lieutenant L. R. Stone to be lieutenant. Dated 2nd inst.—Volunteer Rifles :-lst Brecknockshire Battalion South Wales Borderera-Second Lieutenant D. Powell to be lieutenant. Dated 2nd inst. SAFES speedy REMEDY I Cough, Cold, Bronchitis. &«. I Pleasartt to take. a A a s COUGH ,3 ?1 S. (I.S -ld* 10 CASH t-f 2 PRIC.E;SN 1/1' and 2/6 I 0 !E=-Y;Lljw Children Like It. I It (MM the Cough, loosens the phlegm, and I I gives immediate rest and sleep. 1 I ■ IRREPROACHABLE. V -000- ■H Sometimes it is difficult to know what to give the children M as a tit-bit, or what to take, when, starting for a journey, a m MS picnic, or a spin on the wheel. M But if you choose ■ Van Houten's Eating Chocolate I H you know that you have a wholesome snack of splendid I <B flavor. The irreproachable composition, and nutritive, B ■B highly digestible ingredients, render Van Houten's S Mm Chocolate preferable to the cheap chocolates and B fin Confectioneries (which are often of very questionable com- B B £ position), while it far exceeds all similar products in the B Bf delicious cocoa-flavor. ■A Tins of Croquettes, and tins of Drops, 5id. each; Square Tablets 5!d. each; and Bars Id. each.

GRAND UNITED ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS. CENTENARY CELEBRATION. A public meeting was held at the Working Men's Club, on Saturday night, in connection with the centenary celebration of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows. The chair was occupied by P.D.M. Bro. James Jones, J.P., who was supported by the Mayor of Swansea (Mr. Aeron Thomas), the Grand Master of the Order (Bro. Wm. Davies), Sir John Llewelyn, M.P., Miss Dillwyn, Miss Brock, Mr. R. D. Burnie, Mr. Howel Watkins, Mr. Griffith Thomas (Chairman of the Swansea Harbour Trust), the Rev. W. Watkins Edwards, the Rev. D. O'Connor, Mr. W. Evans, Mr. W. H. Lee, the Rev. Thomas Robinson, the Rev. J. Gomer the Mayor of Aberavon (Mr. wv VPSlv J; M- Curnow, P.G.M., Mr. John iu6' Stephen Thomas, and others. Owing to the inclement weather the meeting was not very largely attended. The Chairman expressed pleasure at seeing so many on the platform—sisters and brothers, occupying a-high position and doing their best to help the working man. (Hear, hear.) For himself, be had done what he could to help oddfellowship. (Applause.) As to the history of the Order, be would not go bac further than the year he was born in the year 1837 there were 300 lodges, with a membership of 18,000 in 1847, 700 lodges and 29,500 members; in 1857, 900 lodges and 49,000 members. Since then the order had increased to 3,430 lodges and 251,200 members in 1897. Those figures showed that the working men of our country were determined to be more provident towards themselves, to look after their wives and families much better than at a former period. And if he understood the meaning of oddfellowship it was for the thrift of the working people. Having referred with pleasure to the elevation of Bro. Davies, one of the sons of gallant little Wales—(applause)—to the high place of Grand Master, the Chairman, in conclu- sion, said churches and chapels should all have lodges in connection with them, for thrift and religion should go together. (Applause.) The Grand Master, in giving a brief history of the Order, said the exact date of its foundation was unknown, because the records up to the year 1837 were lost. But on the 6th of January, 1798, the then Grand Lodge was issuing dispensations to open other lodges. In 1812 some distensions took place amongst the brethren and some of them formed other and independent orders. As to the present position of the Order, however, there were 260,000 members in Great Britain and the Colonies, with a reserve fund of a little over £ 1,000,000. They had in the United Kingdom—the Colonies, he might say, although under their banner, were not under their control -a membership of over 81,000 adults, over 11,000 juveniles, and over 300 female members and the capital was a little over £ 400,000. During the past five years there had been paid out to members in the United Kingdom, in sick and funeral benefits, over £ 350,000. In Wales the membership was over 11,000 in Glamorganshire 6,000, and in Swansea District over 900. The Swansea District was formed in 1844 and some of the leading gentlemen in the town, amongst them the chief Magistrates of the Borough, had enrolled themselves as members. They were the Chairman, Sir John Llewelyn, Sir John Jones Jenkins, Mr. Thomas (Lan), the late Lord Swansea, the late Mr. Dillwyn, the late Mr. Charles Bath, the late Captain Ford, and the late Mr. John Glasbrook. He would suggest that in future the Chief Magistrate and all other gentle- men holding important positions in the town would join .them and help forward the Society with their counsel. (Applause.) The Mayor of Swansea, who was heartily received, said that all men must have sympathy with institutions that made people better members of society. There was scarcely a man engaged in business or trade who did not derive some benefit from friendly societies. And he was proud to say —although a land-owner in the person of Sir John Llewelyn was present—that those engaged in trade were the best citizens of this country. The working men might say what they liked about the capitalist—and he was sorry to say it was the common expression amongst leaders of the working men to run down the capitalists and call them anything but men of honesty and integrity; but for all they said against them, the capitalists were essential to the prosperity of this country. Of course, there were bad and good capitalists, and in Swansea they wanted a few more of the good ones, so that the working men should be able to earn good wages, and that societies of that kind should prosper. (Applause.) Sir John Llewelyn congratulated the Grand Master upon his elevation, and went on to say that there had been a steady increase in the Order in those matters which went to make up the weltare of the Society. The lodge, sick, and funeral central funds, widow and orphan fund, benevolent aud other funds, as as the total funds had ail increased, and there was a diminution only iu the management funds. (Applause.) As to the growth of friendly societies iu the country, the membership had grown from 1,600,000 in 1885 to 2,200,000 in 1895; the total income had increased from £ 2,500.000 to £ 3,500,COO the total benefits from X1,600,000 to zE2,400,000 and the total accumulated funds from £ 11,000,000 to no less than £ 16,700,000. That showed that there Was a growing thrift amongst the working men, and the success of the great friendly societies was to-day due to the fact that their management was left wholly in their own hands. There was a continuous growth in life insurance and in the savings banks of the country, He and Mr. Burnie, who worked together-(applause)-at the Swansea Trustee Savings Bank-and he would like to say that he knew no more useful member of that bank than Mr. Burn ie-(applau,e) -j,- new that a vast amount of good had been done by that institution Y^ade depression in Swansea. (Applause.) Miss JJillvyyn, in the course of a few interesting remarks, said there was some talk of making Swansea into a city. They knew that in cities- which, she supposed, were not thought, for some reason or other, to be so healthy—the rates payable by members of friendly societies, the roi esters for instance, were higher; so that if ovvansea became a city they would have to pay higher rates to enjoy the same benefits. Mr. Griffith Thomas (Chairman of the Swansea Harbour Trust) said the origin of odQfellowship was lost in time immemorial. There was a society in existence in the time of Nero but he was afraid that was not the Swansea Society. (Laughter.) Proceeding, Mr. Thomas said all Iriendiy societies should have one motto: Alutual help and thought for the future." In conclusion, he appealed to friendly societies as bodies of working men, to assist the commercial prosperity of the country by encouraging technical education amongst the rising generation. (Applause.) r Miss Brock said the great benefit of a friendly society was that it called forth the feelings of the people to mutual assistance and benefit. There had been bogus clubs in Swansea, but at present young people could join the societies without any fear of insolvency. People said that they had no benefit from friendly societies because they had nothing the matter with them, but they did have peace of mind in knowing that should anything happen they and their families were provided for. (Applause.) No man insured iiis house in the hope that it would be burnt down. 1 he Rev. J. Gomer Lewis, D.D., referred in eulogistic terms to the support which Mr. James Junes had given to friendly societies. He had kept the men of Cwmbwrla in the friendly societies when they could not do it themselves owing to the stoppage of works. (Applause.) The Mayor of Aberavon (Mr. Phillips) congratulated Swansea, upon having the Grand Master of the Order. The Rev. D. Connor, M.A., spoke of the morpJ. advantages of thrift. The Scotch nation had made its place in the world largely through its thrifty habits, and because, in the past, hard experience had put iron into their blood, and had taught them to be thrifty. (Applause.) The Rev. Thos. Robinson said thrift mep.ut character. Self reliance was the mark of a noble man; but that self reliance relied upon stored energy. What made Great Britain so great ? It was the coal. That was the thrift of Great Britain. Our coalfields were just the I sunshine that the earth was thrifty enough to save in the old times. As a nation we were living on the thrift of that old time; and we could hardly do better in that respect than copy the example of thrift which nature set us. (Applause.) P.G.M. J. Curnow, the Rev. W. Watkins Edwards and Mr. Ross also spoke, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the proceedings to a close.

SWANSEA FREE LIBRARY. ANNUAL REPORT. THE RECENT VISIT OF THE LAW SOCIETY. The annual meeting of the Swansea Free Library Committee was held on Tuesday evening at the Library. Mr. H. A. Chapman presided, and the members present were Major Lewis, Messrs. J. Lloyd, Rhys Edwards, T. Richards, James Jones, F. F. Hosford, W. P. Wearne, Griffith Davies, David Harris, H. Cole, D. F. Sugrue, J. Deffett Francis (hon. curator), and the Librarian (Mr. S. E. Thompson). THE GLADSTONE MEMORIAL. The Chairman read the following letter from Mr. Herbert Gladstone with reference to the recent ceremony of unveiling the memorial tablet to Mr. Gladstone in the Free Library Harwarden Castle, Chester, Oct. 16th, 1898. DRAB 61.11,-1 beg to thank you for the copy of TTia Cambrian containing the very interesting account ot tbe unvaillng of the memorial tablet in the Swansea Public Library.—I am, dear sir, yours faithfully, H £ £ fi £ BT J. GrLADSTrtTtfT? 8. E. Thompson, Esq." ST02,E' THE INCORPORATED LAW SOCIETY. The hon. secretary of the Swansea and Neath Incorporated Law Society (Mr. D. Seline) for- warded the following resolution, passed at a recent meeting of the Society That the best thanks of the Society be tendered to the com- mittee of the Free Library for the use of the Library during the recent meeting of the Law Society, and to Mr. Thompson, Librarian, and Mr. Hosford, master of the schools of Science and Art, for the valuable services rendered by them. THE FIRST WELSH FAATBB BOOK AND BIBLE. The Book Purchasing Committee reported that they had received a letter from Dr Gam»++ vu keeper ot book, to the British Ma>e0m° SyiM there could be no question that the CODV nf thf hrst Welsh Prayer Book and Bible w^s worth restoring at J633. The committee recommended that the volume be restored at the estimated cost, < £ 33. The Chairman pointed out that the book, which was presented with others amongst the library of the late Rowland Williams, was very valuable, although it was not in a good condition. The Librarian stated the circumstances and read the letter from Dr. Garnett, who suggested that if the committee could not afford to have it repaired, the book should be exhibited in a glass case in the hope that some public benefactor would come forward or that a public subscription would enable them to have the work undertaken. 1 He thought the necessary amount would soon be collected. The Chairman said they could gain some idea of the value of the work from the fact that one of the leading London book collectors asked X60 for a copy of the Welsh edition of the Bible only. They had the first Bible and the first Prayer Book combined. l Major Lewis moved the adoption of the com- I mittee's recommendation. They had L190 in hand, and in the circumstances it would be ill- advised to have a public subscription. In the interests of the towns of South Wales and of the Welsh language it was desirable they should have that work done. Mr. Griffith Davies seconded. Llir. James Jones asked the committee to give him the lowest price if they were inclined to sell. He wanted a book of that kind to present to the Aberystwyth University College. The Chairman thought it would be sacrilege to let such a book go out of their bands. The Librarian You cannot sell it because it is a gift to the Library, but the Cardiff people would give you JE200 for it to-morrow. The recommendation of the committee waa unanimously agreed to after further discussion. THE ANNUAL REPORT. The Librarian submitted a draft of his annual report, in the course of which he said that the Reference Library was open for 306 days, and the issues of books and periodicals reached 139,803, an increase of 7,916 over that of the previous year. The Lending Library was open for 293 days, and the issues, including those of the branches in the evenings, reached 65,455, an increase of 827, notwithstanding that the St. Thomas branch has been closed since December 10th, 1897. The newspaper rooms were supplied with 362 newspapers and periodicals, many from different parts of the Empire. The attennance at the Central and five branches showed a I decided increase, and was estimated at over three-quarters of a million for the year. The general collection of books had been increased by 1,147 volumes, the total number now in the library being 38,044. The donations for the year included almost a complete set of The Cambrian, nos. 59 to 2,291 (1805-1847) from Admiral Sir Algernon Lyons, K.C.B., aud was a valuable acquisition towards completing the Library set. The report contained reference to the recent visit of the Incorporated Law Society, and the Librarian recommended that some of the speeches be printed in the report. After a. l.ot ° small talk regarding the issue of the invitations to the function and the question, both raised by Mr. Rhys Edwards, whether the affair was, as the Librarian called it, brilliant," the report was adopted unanimously. LIBRARIAN'S REPORT. The Librarian submitted his monthly report as follows: Reference library. No. of vols, issued, 10,313; lending library, No. of vols, issued, 5,322. List of presentations :—Swansea Inter- mediate and Technical Education Committee Gas and oil engines," by Dugald Clerk, 6th ed., 1896; "Introduction to geology," by W. B. Leott, 1897 Steam-engine and other heat engines," by J. A. Ewing, 2nd ed., 1897. Inter- national Library Conference, London, 1897 Transactions and proceedings, July 13-16, 1897. Swansea Devonian Society Pollard's official guide to Exeter," 1898; Illustrated Devonian Annual," 1898 Torquay by the sea," by W. E. Thomas Plymouth Incorporated Mercantile Association," 23rd report, 1898. a. T. Drew, Swansea: "Wanderings with the muses," Swan- sea, 1898. Government of Ontario Report of the Bureau of Mines," v. 7, pt. 3,1898. Govern- ment of Western Australia "Report of the Registrar of Pateuts and Trade Murks," 1897. University College of North Wales Calendar," 1898-9 Mason College, Birmingham Calen- dar," 1898-9. Total presentations, 11 vols. and 5 nos. and pts. A vote of thanks to the Chairman and vice- Chairman (Mr. John Williams) for their services during the year concluded the proceedings.