The Cambrian

JfOVEL SHIP IN SWANSEA. INTERVIEW WITH THE CAPTAIN. INTERESTING FACTS. Durin, this week the North Dock has been in- waded by a large number of people, all intent spon Meinl." with their own eyes," the latest novelty in ships, which was reported to have ..Arrived on Saturday. The e.s. "Segamore" is, indeed a novelty in WtMine construction. It is known in the shipping «rotld as the whaleback steamer. There are not very lDaDY of this kind of boats •float; there are a number trading in American WtteM, but the shipowners on this side of the Atlantic don't appear to have taken very kindly to the type, in fact, the Segamore is the only one that has been seen at any port in England. Yet, when the designer of the whaleback steamer Meceeded in having hie plans worked out in a practical form about seven or eight years ago, the type was expected to revolutionise the ordin- ary style of steamer construction. The extraor- .4íury feature about a whaleback steamer is that 4ihe has no deck or bulwarks, like an ordinary vessel. When she has been loaded and the batches seearely fastened down, she presents the appearance above the water of a whale's back. and it is for this reason that the nanM whale- 1JAok" bMl been given her. It should be stated that this description does not apply to the crew's quarters and engine-room, Ac., all of which are Aft of the ship. The quarters of the crew-who somber 24 all told-are nncommonly clean and comfortable. The cabins are eight feet in height, which is a good deal higher than is the rule on other vessels. The engineers' rooms communi- cate with the engine-room, which is a very great -convenience to them. The columns which sup- port the rooma also act as ventilators, of which there are altogether 48. Under these healthy ecudilkms, the members of the crew rarely suffer iU-bealth, even when Bailing in hot climates. -There are seven turrets on deck, four of which AM. meed as feeders,two as engine-room and stock. jtold. ftpd the. other is used for the windlass and for handling the anchors. When the « Segamore" is at sea the waves wash over her, on account of her lying rather low. The "Segamore" sails under the Belgian flag, tmt is owned by Johnston, of Liverpool. Her f;regi £ tered tonnage is 1,379, and she carries 3,500 tone, including bunkers. One of our representatives was taken round on visit of inspection by Capt. Voss (the genial and conrteouf master of the Segamore") on Wednes. day afternoon. In the course of conversation, he told the Pressman that the steamer was built by Meeera Doxford and Sons, Ltd., Sunderland, in lfl93. From the time she started running until the commencement of the Spanish-American war, about three years ago the "Segamore traded between Baltimore and Daiquiries in Cuba. At the latter port, they usually took from three to four hours to load with ore, on account of their fcavine to put more into the mam hold than the .other, so as to render the ship seaworthy. How- over for the first ten minutes it was plain sailing, so to speak, and 1,000 tons of ore used to be shipped in the short space of ten minutes. Lest those of our readers who are of a eceptical frame of mind may shy at this state- jmeut it should be explained that at Daiqmries there is a very high pier, which was built at a cost of 4,000 dollars, and from this pier there was lowered into the hold of the ship four shoots, down which the ore went like ram. It usually took 30 hours to discharge at Baltimore, which they did with their o vn appliances—ten derricks for lifting up the cargo, five winches, and two w&m capstans. For the last two years the steamer had been carrying iron and coal up the Black Sea. What sort of a sea-boat is she ? queried the iI<Iribe. A very good one. We used to steam 10 to 10$knots a hour, but we only go 9 now, on Account of reduced consumption of coal. There is a double bottom to the ship. and it can fill in 31,250 ton" of water ballast if required. She Weathers a gale splendidly, and, unlike other steamers, never trembles at all. We have never had an accident worth speaking of, nor, by-the- way, have we lost a man overboard at sea. Speaking of accidents, we once entered Antwerp in a gale, and the surveyor came on board and asked what damage I had sustained. I told him I hadn't had any damage, and he was suprised. because he said all the steamers were coming in iu a more or less damaged condition." How is it that the ship-owners on this side of the Atlantic have not taken to this type of ship, seeing the advantage it has over other steamers ?" I cannot say, unless it is because we are not able to carry deck cargo, owing to the wav?s washing over us. There are about 80 of these boats in America--two goin? to sea under the Stars and Stripes, aud all the others sailing on the rivers." The" Segamore" is taking in a carge of 3,000 tons of Graigola patent fuel for Constantinople, and 500 tons of bunker coal. The local agents are Messrs. T. P. Richards, TurpinandCo.

DEATH OF MR. GORDON ANDREWS. We regret to announce the death of Mr. Gordon Andrews, the 4th son of Mr. Thornton Andrews, of Cefneithin, Swansea, in his 32nd year of age, on Saturday last, at his father's residence, after a long and painful illness. The deceased went out to New Zealand with his brother in 1884 as a sheep farmer, and returned to Swansea in 1893. In 1895 he went out to Iquique to the nitrate fields, under Col. North, but the climate not suiting him, returned here in 1896. He was greatly beloved by all who knew him. The funeral took place on Wednesday, leaving Cefneithin at 12 o'clock for Swansea Cemetery. It was strictly private. The mourners were- Mr. Thornton Andrews (father), Mr. George Andrews (brother), Mr. Fred. Andrews" Mr. Frank Nevill (brother-in-law), Mr. Harold Jevons „ Mr. Attold Miller Is Dr. Forbefj Scott „ Mr. Ttat«rs Wood „ Among the numerous wreaths and flowers sent were a lovely cross and wreath from hie brother and father: a Marechal Niel cross from his sister, Mrs. Frank Nevill; a cross from his sister, Mrs. Arnold Miller; Irish harp from Mr. and Mrs Jevons a cross from Frederick Andrews; wreath from Mrs. Richard Nevill; wreath from Dr. Forbes Scott; a harp from Mrs. Cooper and Misses Cooper; cross from Mr. Frederick Cooper; a wreath from Mr. Campbell Cooper a wreath from Mrs. C. B. Mansfield, Cheltenham a cross from Mrs. J. Oliver, Harwich; Nurse Jacobs, anchor forget-me-nots a wreath of roses from the officers of the Swansea Gas Works; an immense wreath of choice roses and lillies from the employees of the Swansea Gas Works; a wreath from Mr. and Miss Wright Simpson; and a wreath from Mrs. Arthur Samuels. The service was conducted by the Rev Chancellor Smith, and the funeral arrangements carried out by Mr. D. C. Jones, Castle-square.

OTTAWA FIRE FUND. R S. a. Amount already published 17 11 0 Further subscriptions received:— Mr. Rd. Hardy, Walter-toad 2 2 0 Mr. H. A. Chapman 1 1 0 Rev. H. S. Williams 1 0 0 Dr. W. C. Humphrey 22 0 Mr. Talfourd Strick 110 Inland Revenue Officials at Swansea per Mr. J. G. Cunningham 2 3 0 Mr. Edgar J. Pritchard 2 0 0 Swansea United Breweries Ltd 2 Z 0 Mr. R. E. Jones 1 S "MR" •• •" "• Mr. William' Williams, J.P., Maesy- gwernen Hall ? ? 2 Mr. Tom J. Williams J1U

SWANSEA CORONERSHIP. ALDERMAN LEEDER RECOMMENDED. At a meeting of the General Purposes com- mittee of the Swansea Corporation, on Wednes- day, a letter was read from Mr. Edward Strick resigning the position of borough coroner, and it was decided that the Council should be recom- mended to accept the resignation next Wednes- day. The que-tion then arose of appointing a successor. It was announced that the candidates were Alderman Leeder, Councillor Rawlings, Dr. John Evans, Mr. Talfourd Strick (the deputy- coroner), and Mr. Moy Evans (solicitor). It was decided to have a series of ballots, and to recom- mend the final name to the Council. On the first vote 30 voted for Mr. Leeder, 25 for Dr. Evans, 23 for Dr. Rawlin..gs, and Messrs. Strick and Muy Evans tied with 21 each. A vote was taken as to which of the two lowest should drop out, and it resulted in the success of Mr. Moy Evans. On the seoond ballot Mr. Leeder bad 27 votes, Dr. Evans 23. Dr. Rawlings 22, and Mr. Moy Evans 18. The last named droped out. The third ballot resulted as follows:—Dr. J. Evans, 21; Mr. Leeder 20, Dr. Rawlings 19. Dr. Rawlings dropped out, and on a final vote being taken Mr. Leeder received 16 votes and Dr. Evans 14. Thereupon the committee decided to recommend the name of Mr. Leeder to the Council. There were 30 members present out of 40. Alderman Leeder and Dr. Rawlings withdrew before the voting commenced. It should be explained that Dr. Rawlings and Mr. Strick had not sent in applications for the position.

THE CANINE DEFENCE LEAGUE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CAMBRIAN." I Sir. '-The resolution, which you hava pub- lished from the National Canine Defence League, on Mr. Long's Do; Bill, is so manifestly necessary that all rip-ht-thinkina: persons will surely suppoi t it by writing- at once to members of Parliament. urging them to oppose the Bill, or to taka such bteps as sball st-cure the adoption "f the amendments set forth in that resolution. In introducing hi.* Bill, Mr. Lonsrmacle the amazing and misleading titemert it had nothing to do with the Muzzling Order," but that its objects were simply a collar regulation and the conferring of power to make bve-laws for dogs on local bodies. But this is not so. The existing Dogs Act of 1871 is a thoroughly comprehensive measure, and no fresh legislation for dogs is required. By repealing Section 3 of teat Act, this Bill would deprive local bodies of the powers they already possess, and would usurp for Mr. Long's department supreme authority in this respect, with power to impose the useless, cruel and intolerable Muzzling Order, against which the nation has so constantly ami vigorously pro- tested, at any time, in any locality, for no reason but its own whims and fads, without reference to the local bodies. The Muzzling Order is, in fact, the moving spirit of the Bill. The Stray Dogs Clauses—Clauses 2-4 of Section 2-will be regarded by all humane persons with strong indig- nation for by them the police are authorised and incited to seize dogs, even though wearing engraved collars, whom they may elect to consider stray—a very dangerous license tbis-the defini- tion of the term being left to their discretion, and to destroy or sell them after the ridiculously, and, unjustly, short spa."e of three days, though many reasons could be given why it might be impossi- ble to reclaim a lost dog in that time. Now, a dog with a name and address, is not a stray, and the engraved collar should protect him from police interference. The Bill, by one Clause, orders the collar as a protection and mark of responsible ownership, but, by another, lays down that the collar is no protection The Stray Dogs Clauses would open the door to gross abases, being a direct incentive to the police to be always spying after and seizing our private, licensed property, our dogs, who, thougn possibly out without their owners, are not ownerless vagrawte. They would also lead to much cruelty, by perpetual chaining up of doga lest they should be raided by the police, and by the possible sale of captured dogs, cheap, to miserable homes, to dog stealers, or to even worse fates, unless the entering of names and addressee of the purchasers in a book open to public inspection is made compulsory. Those who know the terrible sufferings of dogs, dragged to police yards, hanged, drowned, bludgeoned, unskilfully shot, subjected to the agony of poison improperly administered, even pole-axed, will hesitate to sanction yet more of such shameful atrocity, yet more hunting down of our dogs by police, and will insist that should the destruction of any deg be, unfortu- nately, really necessary, the means of destruction shall not be left. as heretofore, to the selection of the police, but shall be by the humane method advocated in the resolution, remembering that our dogs are our private, licensed property, and the most intelligent and sensitive of creatures, not vermin, to be harried and destroyed, according to the spirit and principle of Mr. Long's Bill. Those who do not desire to hand over the entire control of our doga to the Board of Agriculture, which has proved itself utterly ignorant of dogs, their requirement and diseases, regardless of the rights and wishes of dog-owners, and absolutely without humanity towards dogs, should do their very utmost to ensure the rejection of Mr. Long's Bill or its amendment as recommended by the National Canine Defence League.-I am, Sir, your obedient servant, C. A. M. BAILEY. May 2nd, 1900.

TRADE DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL, 1899 AND 1900. IMPORTS-COASTWI811 AND FOREIGN. I 1899. 1900. Tons. Tons. Tar and Pitch. 3,587 4,781 Gas Coal — 777 — Copper, Silver, Lead, Tin, with their ores and alloys. 4,745 6,602 Zinc Ore and alloys 3,067 4,929 IronOre. 11,087 5,817 Iron, Steel, Pig Iron and Castings 6,537 10,084 Deals, Battens and Boards 20 1,070 Timber (Sawn and Hewn) — — Pitwood. 3,316 6,314 Bricks, Slates, &c. 2,234 4,248 Sulphur Ore, Pyrites, Salt and Chemicals 5,507 2,918 Flour, Grain, Potatoes, &c. 3,061 7,292 Sugar 665 1,954 Oils, Bark, Wool, &c. — 106 General Merchandise (aver- age for 1899) 9,453 — General Merchandise (estim- ate for 1900) — 9,000 ate for 1900). — 9,000 54,056 65,115 Total Imports, Coastwise and Foreign, for 4 months, 1900, 261,691 tons, and for a correspond- I ing period in 1899, 244,884 tons. EXPORTS- COASTWISE AND FOREIGN. 1899. 1900. ) Tons. Tons. Coal and Coke 180,262 172,965 Patent Fuel 41,805 42,204 Copper, Copper Ore, Spelter, &c 154 142 Iron, Steel Rails, Castings, &c 397 919 Tin, Terne and Black Plates 12,058 17,877 Timber 12 2 Bricks and Fire Clay. 203 21 Alkali, Superphosphate, Arsenic, &c. 1,344 2,200 Flour, Grain, Potatoes, Ac. 135 470 Oils, Bark, Wool, &c. — — General Merchandise (aver- age for 1899) 10,633 — General Merchandise (estim- ate for 19C0) — 10,000 247,003 246,800 Total Imports and Exports. 301,059 311,915 For 4 months in 1900 total exports amounted to 1,025,237 tons corresponding 4 months in 1899 1,017,487 tons. Total imports and exports, 4 months, 1900, 1,286,928 tons 4 months, 1899, 1,262,371 tons.

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.—The annual meeting was held on Monday at the Walter Road Chapel, Mr. H. J. Thomas presiding. The annual report showed that the past year bad been of progress and encouragement in several respects. One school bad withdrawn from the Union owing to its distance from Swansea,leaving thirty-two now affiliated. The teachers numbered 687, against 692 last year; but the scholars bad increased from 7,877 to 7,967, and 1,250 of these were church members. Mrs. Rees distributed the prizes, after which the reports were adopted. Mr Herbert N. Morgan was elected president, Mr.J. Mulholland secretary, Mr H. J. Thomas treas., and Mr. W. J. Lembert examination secretary. Motions were passed requesting the Government to pass a Bill embodying the recommendations of the Royal Commission, that the sale of intoxi- cants to children under 16 should be prohibited, and advocating the abolition of grocers' licensee.

THE PRICE OF COAL. [FROM A CORRESPONDENT.] The reported intention of colliery proprie- tors to raise the price of coal to railway companies by no less than 5s. per ton is a most serious matter for these great corpora- tions, and the fact is fully recognised by the financial world. For the past two years or so the price of coal has shown a marked up- ward tendency, and, indeed, no one has better reason for knowing it than the London house- holder. One of the chief causes of this rise in values is to be found in the enormous activity that now prevails in the manu- facturing world, and especially in those branches connected with the steel, iron, and engineering trades. Every factory in Great Britain has as much work as it can get through, and many orders have gone to America owing to the inability of the home establishments to cope with the demand. Shipbuilding, bridge and other constructional steel making, machine tool manufacture, engine building, are all being carried on to an unprecedented extent, and, as a matter of course, the firms who supply the materials for these industries are just as prosperous. Now it must be recollected that in every one of these great industries coal plays an essen- tial—indeed, a principal—part. You cannot melt metals, for. instance, without coal—at all events, on a large scale—and one result of the present plentifulness or orders is that the demand for coal has increased vastly during the past few years. In 1896 the best Welsh coal sold at 10s. to 10s. 6d. per ton. At present it is being sold at 20s. to 22s. 6d. a ton, and e' en this is rather cheaper than it was in i.898, when the great Welsh coal strike was going on. In 1896 ordinary good York- shire and North Country coal could be bought for from 7s. to 9s. a ton. Exactly the same stuff is now priced at 12s. to 17s. Best Welsh foundry coak. which four years ago was 16s. a ton, now rules at 32s. 6d. to 33s. 6d. The price of iron and steel has advanced in almost, the same ratio. Steel rails were pro- curable in 1896 at £4 10s. to £4 15s. a ton. Now they range from £7 5s. to £7 10s. A remarkable statement was made the other day to the effect that old steel rails were be- ing sold as scrap in Sheffield for more money than they cost when new. It is often stated by the colliery proprietors that enhanced wages paid to their men have led to the rise in the price of coal; but a 20 per cent. in- crease of pay to the miner does not account for from 50 to 100 per cent. rise in the cost of Ihe coal. The consumption of coal by our great rail- way companies is gigantic. In fact, this item forms one of the most serious in the list of working expenses. Such lines as the North- Westeru, Midland, Great Western, North- Eastern, and Great Northern use a quantity of fuel per annum that runs into hundreds of thousands of tons—the first named expends over £300,000 a year on this account — and anyone can see what an increase of the coal bill to the extent of fully one-half will mean. X remedy for the present state of affairs 13 perhaps difficult to find. The export of coal frcm this country amounts annually to about 40.000.000 tons out of a total production of c\er 200,000,000, and it has been suggested that a duty of, say, one shilling per ton would operate at once to prevent the too free despatch from Great Britain of a mineral which is one of her most important sources of wealth, and, at the same time, to give pome relief to the already burdened taxpayer. Another cure advocated in some quarters is the enactment of a statutory limit to the price of coal. In the case of the railway com- panies they may provide their own remedy and fight the colliery owners with petroleum. that is. adapt their locomotives for oil-fuel burning. That enterprising line, the Great Eastern, has already taken this step with a number of its engines, and it is understood the experiment has proved completely suc- cessful, both as regards efficiency and economy. Some of the gas companies appear to be taking a leaf out of the same book. The writer knevs one suburban corporation which is at the present time manufacturing its illuminating ware out of petroleum and ^fiter!— Daily Telegraph."

"JEPHTHA" AT MORRISTON.—Last (Thursday) evening Handel's oratoria *'Jephtha' was per- formed by the Tabernacle Chapel Choir, Morriston. There was a lirge audience, and the concert proved a complete suc.ces. The secret- srial arrangements were admirably carried out by Mr. H. D. Phillips. The artistes engaged we'-e -—Madame Ruth Lamb, sopra.no; Miss Edca Thornton, contralto: Mr. W. Trevor Evans, R.A.M., tenor; and Mr. David Hushes, baf-s. There was a full orchestra, nnder the leadorship of 'Mr. W. F. Hulley. The choir conductor was Mr. W.Penfro Rowlands, and organist, Mrs. J. T. Daviee,

THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA, GOOD NEWS. The latest news lic.m South Africa is very satisfactcry. The Boprsappeai-LO be retreat- IlJg in all quarters, and the cavalry and horse artillery are in hor pursuit. A big engage- nient is expected at any moment. LOCAL RESERVISTS' FUND. At the Guildhajl on Thursday afternoon. the Mayor (Mr. W. Watkins) presided over a meeting of the committee appointed to deal with th? local Reservists' Fund. The others present included Miss Webber. Mrs. Ebcnezer Davies. Colonel Morgan, Captain Eady. etc. The Reservists' Fund having been exhausted, the Mayor was authorised to sign cheques for the payment of a weekly sum out of his fun 1. the money to go to the Sailors and Soldiers Families' Association Committee for distri- bution. "Upon the proposition of Colonel Morgan, Mr. David Davies, Daily Post." was asked to continue to superintend the dis- tribution of the money, and a vote of thanks was passed to him for what he had done in connection with the cause. Mr. Harrv Morris asked whether it was correct that a couple of women's allowance had been stopped through them getting drunk. The reply given was tc the effect that there had been a few cases of that kind.

RED CROSS FUND, To provide comforts for our sick and wounded soldiers in South Africa. Per Miss Dillwyn, from the girls of Penclawdd, 4 cushions and 1 quilt; Mrs. Squire, socks and caps; Mrs. S. P. Wills, mufflers and cholera belt; per Aeron Thomas, E-q., part proceeds of the Swansea Ladies' Choir, £5.

THE GRAND THEATRE. "THE DANDY FIFTH." The Dandy Fifth is an English military comic opera. It is bright and smart. The choruses are really good, and the dialogue is exceedingly entertaining. In the bands of a good company The Dandy Fifth" is worth seeing, and should not on any account be missed. It ie being performed this week at the Grand Theatre, Swansea, and the company ineludes a number of very capable artistes. There have been large houses, and the piece has been well received. Those who have not yet seen this opera should visit the Grand Theatre this (Friday) or to-morrow (Saturday) evening. "THE PRIVATE SECRETARY.NEXT WEEK. Mr. W. J. Lancaster's Company with The Private Secretary will be at the Grand Theatre next week. This piece has had an extraordinary run of success. It is now in its seventeenth year of continuous tour, and is as popular as ever. Next week's company will be a stromr one. It will include Miss Ada Travers, Miss Augusta Haviland, Mr. Wm. Hargreaves, Mr. Mackenzie, &c. To laugh heartily and long one could not do better than visit the Grand Theatre next week.

BAND OF HOPE DEMONSTRA- TION. AN INTERESTING EVENT. It was impossible to witness the grand demon- stration of the Band of Hope Union, which was held yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, withoat being struck by the rather curious—albeit appro- priate—blending of the spirits of temperance, patriotism, and loyalty to the Queen there was the inevitable bits of blue ribbon, which is, as everyone knows, the emblem of teetotallism the good old Union Jack was carried by nearly all the children, while every now and then the strains of God Save the Queen were to be heard. The event—which, by the way, is the first of its kind held in Swansea for many years—was favoured with beautiful weather and thanks to the efforts of Mr. Robert TolLiok (tbe energetic Secretary of the Band of Hope Union), Mr. W. G. Beynon (Demonstration Secretary), and their many willing helpers, everything passed off with- out a hitch. The children, numbering upwards of 5,000, were, with a few exceptions, all drefsed in summer garb, and they seemed to enjoy the fun immensely. With smiling countenances, they Bang God Save the Queen," and waved their little flags with intense enthusiasm. In the early part of the afternoon they massed together at the Market, where each Band of Hope took up its allotted position. The following Bands of Hope were represented :—Excelsior I.O.G.T., Argyle (St. Helen's-road), Alexandra- road C.M., Bible Christian (Neath-road), Bruns- wick Wesleyan (St. Helen's road), Bethel (Manselton), Carmarthen road Congregational, Castle-street Congregational, Canaan Congrega- tional (Foxhole), Capel Henrietta (Henrietta- street), Ebenezer (Ebenezer-etreet), Fabian's Bay (St. Thomas), Memorial (Walter-road), Mount Pleasant (Gower-street), Mount Pleasant Branch (Aberdyberthi street), Mount Zion (Cradock- street), Mount Calvary (Danygraig), Gorse-laue Baptist, Hill Congregational Chapel, Pell-street Chapel, St. Andrew's (St. Helen's-road), St. Helen's (Spring-terrace), St. Paul's (St. Helen's- road), Salim (Plasmarl), Sailors' Society (Sailors' Rest), Tabernacle (Skinner-street), Terrace-road C.M., Trinity (Park-street), Wesley (College- street), Wealeyan (Mumbles), Wesleyan (Sketty), Walter-road Congregational, Rhydaings Congre- gational, York-place, Mount Calvary (Manselton), and Hebron. Headed by the Mumbles Brass Band and a brake containing the organisers, amongst whom were Messrs. Robt. H. Tolliok (hon. secretary), C. M. Davies (assistant secretary), G. O. Luff (musical secretary), W. G. Bevnon (demonstra- tion secretary), H. Griffiths (chief marshall), D. Williams, G.T.S.C. (conductor), the procession left the Market shortly before three o'clook by the Orange-street entrance. The line of route was Church-street, Ficher-street, York-street, Little Wind-street, Wind-street, Castle-street, High-street, Alexandra-road, Grove-place, De-la- Beche street, Mansel street, Walter road, Westbury-street, Bryn-y-mor-road, Beach-street and Oxford-street. At the Market the children, after again singing the National Anthem, dis- persed to their several chapel schoolrooms, where they were regaled with buns, Ac. Midway in the procession was the Sketty Fife Band, which played some selections in a very creditable manner. Crowds of people lined the various streets as the children marched through, and considerable interest was manifested in the spectacle. SINGING FESTIVAL. In the evening a singing festival was held in the Albert Hall. There was an exceptionally large audience, the hall beiag crowded both up- stairs and down. In fact, hundreds were obliged to stand.The chair was takeu by Mr. T.Haui80n, President of the Union. The following programme was gone through :— Part 1.—Chorus, Band of Hope March," Choir; hymn, "Sound the Battle Cry"; Chairman's Address organ solo, Miss Maggie Jones song, "The Vision of the Cross" (Bradworth), Mi^s Bessie Gard chorus. "Fight the Drink," Choir song, "A Dream of Paradise (Hamilton Grey), Miss Maggie Jenkins; song, "March to Pretoria (E. Fursman, Swansea), Mr. G. O. Lutf chorus, Whistle and Hoe," Choir. Part 2.—Pianoforte solo, Alice (where art thou?) (J. Ashtr), Miss Katie Reynolds; chorus, II Jolly Teetotalers," Choir; Address; song, Miss Maggie Jenkins; solo and chorus "Rule Britannia'" Mr. G. O. Luff and Choir; song, Angus MacDonald" (Roeckel), Miss Bessie Gard. The choruses, which were rendered by a choir of between 600 and 700 voices, were very fine, reflecting great credit upon both the conductor, Mr. D. Williams, G.T.S.C., and the singers. The pieces were attacked with confidence and preci- sion and the way light and shade was observed by such a large number of children was really marvellous. The audience was delighted and they were not slow in showing their appreciation, the youngsters being vociferously encored each time. Miss Matrgie Jenkins, Manselton, was in good form, and her rich contralto voice was heard to advantage in A Dream of Paradise." The singing of Mr. G. O. Luff, who possesses a capital baritone voice, also highly pleased the audience. HI. John Phillips, Aberavon, a tenor of some rapute locally, was to have sung, but, unfortu- nately, he was uuable to fulfil the engagement. An interesting address was given by the Rev. Harold Davies (Mount Calvary, St. Tbomas). Miss Maggie Jones, A T.C.L., C.R.A.M., efficiently presided at the organ, and Miss Katie Reynolds, T.C.L., C.R.A.M., accompanied on the pianoforte. The proceedings close i with the National Anthem. The demonstration and singin? festival 1 aving been so very successful, it is intended to make them annual events.

WHEATLEY'S HOP BITTERS HAS ECLIPSED ALL OTHER NON-INTOXI- CATING BEVERAGES. Write for address of nearest Bottling Agent to Wheatley and Bates (Ltd.), Napier Street, Sheffield.

I SALES BY AUCTION. Messrs. JOH>~ M. LEEDER & So: .Freehold *arms and Lana, at Swansea May 16 Freehold and Leasehold Properties, at Swansea May 16 Irish Linens, Ac., at Swansea, May 15, 15, 17 & 18 Mr. DAVID ROBERTS. Leasehold Property, at Swansea May 15 Mr. D. MORGAN. Household Furniture, &c., at Llandovery May 23

LOCAL FIXTURES OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS. FRIDAY, May 11. "The Dandy Fifth" at the Grand TLeatre, and to-morrow evening-. SUNDAY, May 13. Sunday Sc'iool Anniversary in connection with York-place Baptist Chapel. Half-yearly Services in connection with Terrace- road C.M. Chapel. MOXDAT. May 14. "The Private Secretary" at the Grand Theatre, and during the week. Lecture by Mr. Henry Thane, at the Shaftesbury Hall. Subject: "From tiie Stage to the Cross." WEDNESDAY. May 16. Miss Maud Marshallsay's Benefit Concert, at the Albert Hall. THURSDAY, May 17. Excursion to Carmarthen and Tenby, per G.W.B. THURSDAY. AUG. 16. Fourth Annual Exhibition of Flowers, &c., in connection with the Swansea Horticultural and Gardeners' Association, at the Swansea Market.

LOCAL NEWS. TERRACE ROAD CHAPEL.—Half-yearly lIer- vices will be bfid on Sunday, when the Rev. D. M. Rees will occupy the pulpit. AT LAST THE MUZZLING ORDER REVOKED.— Thursday was a great day for the doirgies of the Swansea, Neath had Cardiff Districts. The muzzling order was revoked ? "FROM TBI STAGE TO Tlrg CROSS."—On Monday evening next, at the Shaftesbury Hall, Mr. Henry Thane, evangelist. London, will deliver a lecture on.1 From the Stage to the Cross." Admission by free tickets, which may be obtained of Mr. Bonnett, Heatbtield-street. Mr. Thane is an attractive lecturer, and in London he is very popuiar. There should be a large attendance on Monday evening. INSPECTION or SWANSEA CAM.—The Swansea cabs were inspected by the Watch Committee this (Thursday) morniug. Dr. J. A. Rawlings (chairman). Alderman Fred. Bradford, Colonel W. Pike, Messrs. Rd. Fender, David Jenkios, J. HJ Lee, and W. H. Spring made the inspection, assisted by tbe Chief Constable (Captain Colquboun), and Inspector Gill (cab inspector). Altogether 90 out of 120 vehicles passed the view of the Committee. MUSICAL SUCCESSES.—The following pupils were successful at the International College of Music (Swansea Centre) :—Florence Parneli, of Port Tennant-road, passed in the Intermediate Dt vision Stanley Terry Owen, Cromwell-Street Mount Pleasant, and Fay Stacey, 2, Farm-Lane St. Thomas, passed in the Junior Division, with full marks (100); and Alice Philpin, of Middleton street, passed in a creditable manner. THE WORKHOUSE EXTENSION COMMITTEE.—A meeting of the Workhouse Buildings and Ex- tension Committee was held at the Workhouse on Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Glynn Price presided, and there were present, the Rev. Gomer Lewie D.D., Messrs. LI. Davies, William Williams, (Wern), J. Devonald, A. W. Johnston, W. H. Mill, J. H. Stevent. and J. Harvey. Mr. H. W. Wills, the architect, re-submitted hie plans, but others were suggested, and it was decided that they should be reduced to paper, with plans and estimates, and discussed at the next meeting. FATALITY AT CWMBWRLA.—On Wednesday afternoon, before the Deputy Coroner (Mr. Talfourd Strick), an inquest was held at the Hospital on the body of Jeremiah Driscoll, an employee of the Cwmfelin Works Co., who succumbed to injuries sustained on Monday morning whilst at work. Mr. B. D. Thomas (from the office of Mr. T. W. James) watched the proceedings on behalf of the Company.-The evidence showed that the deceased endeavoured to jump cn to the front of a travelling crane, but mistaking the distance he was precipitated to the ground and run over—Dr. F. G. Hallaway, house surgeon at the Hospital, described Driscoll's injuries. His spine was broken and his right foot severely crushed. Death resulted from shock.—Tbe jury were of the opinioa that the affair was a pure accident, aid returned a verdict accordingly. SWANSKA IRISHMEN'S DINNER.—The annual dinner of the St. Patrick's Day Committee was held at Lockley's Restaurant on Saturday evening, when upwards of 60 persons partook of a capital repast. The subsequent proceedings were of an enjoyable nature. Mr. John Green presided, and he was supported by Messrs. Wm. Lande, W. English, T. Sheehan, and — Babbidge. Mr. Lande proposed The Memory of Ireland's Patron Saint," and. in the course of a neat speech, referred with great satisfaction to the decision of Her Majesty to allow Irieh soldiers to wear the green. The shamroek, he said, was the means of inspiration of hope to millions of Irish- men to-day, all over the globe it had inspired the two chief characteristics of the Irish race- depth of love and warmth of heart, and that was why they celebrated the 17th of March, the Saint's Day, with such ferreur and devotion.- Mr. T. Sheehan responded to the toast of the St. Patrick's Day Committee and referring to the bravery of the Irish soldiers of the Queen, declared that it was they who had won her battle", and they were well entitled to wear the shamrock after having been refused it so locg.— Mr. Babbidge, responding to the toast of Visitors and Friends," declared his warm admiration for tbe Irish race, and his faith in their aims and ambitions.—A programme of vocal and (instrumental musio was gone through, and the proceedings terminated at midnight. The St. Joseph's Band was in attendance, and played some excellent selections. A MORRISTON PROFEBTT DISPUTE.— Mr. David Isaac, the Under-Sheriff, held a court of irquiry at the Swansea Guild Hall on Wednesday in re John Illtyd Dillwyn Nicbol v. Edward Williams. The original action was brought in the High Court for possession of mesne profits of certain property lately leased by Mr. Euward Williams, of Woodfield-street, Morriston, and the Court found for plaintiff, at the same time ordering a writ of inquiry into the amount of the mesne profits. This latter point was now tried by the Under-Sheriff and a Jury. Mr. Lleufer Thomas (instructed by Mr. T. W. Jamee), ap- peared for plaintiff, and Mr. R. J. Lloyd de- fended. For the plaintiff it was alleged that £80 odd was due to the estate, and that plaintiff's agent had been unable to get a proper account from defendant. For the defence it was con- tended that plaintiff could not make a claim for mesne profits at any period subeequent to an offer to give up possession, and that a party in possession was not a trespasser, and until his title was made void by entry mesne profits could only be recorded from the date of such entry. On these grounds Mr. Lloyd contended he had no case to answer, but he did not desire to shield himself behind that because he knew that Mr. Williams had acted honestly and paid over every penny be had received. The iury found that defendant had paid in all that was owiug, and respectfully suggested that plaintiff should with- draw the statement of an alleged conspiracy. Mr Lleufer Thomas asked for costs, as the proceed- ings were perfectly regular, and said he had great pleasure in withdrawing the suggestion of a con- spiracy. The Under-Sheriff said an application to the Registrar who heard the original action would have to be made as to costs. DEATH OF MRS. WALLACE. — We regret to chronicle the death of Mrs. Wallace, the wife of Mr. William Wallace, boot manufacturer, of Swansea and Mumbles, which took place suddenly at her residence, Ncwton-road, Mumbles, on Monday morning. The funeral took place yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, leaving Newton-road, Mumbles, for the Ovstcrniouth Cemetery at 2 o'clock. The service was conducted by the Rev. Evan Jenkins, Congregational minister, Walter- load, Swansea, and the mourners were: Mr. William Wallace (husband), Mr. James Wallace (brother-in-law), Mr. J. Wallace (cousin), Mr. E. Pigott (brother). Mr. T. Pigott (brother), also Mr. E. Stroud and Dr. Lloyd Jones. Several friends met the cor- trge at the cemetery. A very large number of beautiful wreaths and crosses of flowers were jeut by members of the family and friends, among them being the following: — Mr. Wallace and children, Mother and brother. Mrs. Hodkinson (sister), Mr. and Mrs. Alku. Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Davies (High- si reet), Mr. and Mrs. James Wallace (Lytham), Mr. Armu (Bristol), Mr. and Mrs. James Wallace (Hanby). Mr. and Mrs. Wileon (Oxford-street), Mr. and Mrs. Dovi-s, Mr. and Mrs. Chapl-ell (Wind-street), Mr. ond Mrs. T. B. Brown (High-street). Mrs. anl Mrs. Chuthone (Wvndham Hotel). Mr. Alder- man John Griffiths. Miss Jones and Emily, The Employees at High-street, Swansea, The Employees at Wigam, and others. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. D. C.Jones, Castle Square, Swansea. A Suffolk miller had more corn to grind than his windmill could get through. A neighbour suggested that he should build an- other, and work the two. Another r" ex- claimed the miller, why, there ain't wind enough to come over this 're 'ill to turn this one. only about three days a. week; and if I built another I don't believe there would be wind enough to move 'em at all."

THE SWANSEA HOSPITAL. The monthly meeting of the Board of Manage- ment of the Swansea Hospital was held at the Institution on Wednesday morning. Col. Morgan presided, and there were alao present:-Mrs. Travers Wood, Miss Lindsay, Miss Brock, Dr. Jabez Thomas, Revs. John Pollock. K. I. Williams, — Fyne (Hebrew congregation), and Father Hurley, and Messrs. T. F. Jones, Charles Tuckfield, David Salmon, H. Goldberg, Howel Watkins, H. G. Solomon, D. Meager, T. Yorath, Wilfred Phelps, and the secretary (Mr. W. D. Hughes). FETB AND OALA. The House Committee recommended the ap- pointment of a sub-oommittee to confer with Mr. Studt with regard to arranging a fete and gala. On the motion of Mr. Howel Watkins, seconded by Mr. D. Meager, the recommendation was adopted. TENDERS FOR PAINTING. The following were tenders received for the outside painting work at the bos- ?ital:—Messrs. Bonnett, j £ 85 Messrs. Jones, •rice and Rees, £ 138; Mr. D. Jenkins, £ 135; Mr. S. Marqniss, L98 10. Messrs. Pugsley, JB93. Messrs. Bounett's tender was accepted. THE LATE ALD. MASON. The chairman moved a vote of condolence with tbe family of tbe late Aid. Mason, and in doing BO, he referred to the great loss the Hospital had sustained through the death of Mr. Maeon, who for many years had regularly attended the meet- ings, though he had not been seen there so much lately. In seconding, Aid. Howel Watkins said that he had worked with Mr. Mason for a good many years in different public capacities, and he was sure they would agree with him in saying that his death had been a great loss to the town generally. He was a pleasant man to work with, and it was always a comfort to be associated with him in public work. The motion was carried.

SPRING AILMENTS. At this season of the year, there are what are known as Spring Ailments," such as Eczema, Skin Affections, Blood Disorders, Pimples, Blotches etc., etc. These ailments, which are so annoying and unpleasant, and, indeed, in some cases, dangerous to the humau system, can be speedily relieved by a rouise of Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters, the vegetable tonic. This preparation contains the active principle of the finest Blood Tonics and Purifiers, such as Sarsa- parilla., Burdock., Dandelion, Lavender, Saffron, Gentain, and Quinine. The first three of these plants are noted as Blood Purifiers. Gwiljm Evans' Quinine Bitters is admitted to be among the best purifiers of the blood which have yet been discovered, and though several vegetable preparations are offered to the public as Bloo l Purifiers, none can compare with Gwilym Evans Quinine Bitters in their efficacy to attain the desired result. Gwilym J^ans Bitters is sold in bottles 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. each. Avoid imitations.

YORK PLACK BAPTIST CHAPEL.-The Sunday School Anniversary will take place on Sunday next, when the Rev. Thos. Pollard will preach. At the children's service in the Rfternoon the Rev. J. W. Causton will deliver an address, with Mr. Rosser in the chair.

Our columns are open to the intelligent discussion of al question* of an important public nature, but, of course it lS understood that ice do not necessarily endorse the riews oj our Correspondents. We cannot insert letters which have appeared ihewhere, nor do we undertake to return rejected manuscripts. All letters to the Eddor must be authenticated with the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publica- tion, butas a guarantee of goodfaith.

"RELIGIOUS FREE THOUGHT." THE EEV. TUDOR JONES REPLIES TO "R. J." TO THE EDITOR OF THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,-I suppose it rests 011 me to reply to R. J.'s letter in your last issue. I do so reluctantly, because he has not the courage to sign his name. When writing on subjects ot such importance it is surely cowardly of us to hide ourselves behind our initials. Unless he is willing for the public to know who it is who advocates religious free thought, it seems that there is the element of fear present somewhere, and that there is not the liberty in theological matters which he in- sists there is. It is difficult to find the aim of his letter. In the first place, in the article which you devoted to my little book (for which I feel grateful) not a word is men- tioned which seems to deny the advancement in theology in the orthodox churches. Since I am in Swansea it has been my constant en- deavour to show that this is the case During the past twelve months I have on Sun- days taken the books of orthodox theologians and explained them to my congregation, showing how the advanced orthodox school of to-day takes up the Unitarian standpoint of half-a-century ago. These books include the Encyclopaedia Biblica," Archdeacon Wilson on The Atonement," Prof. Saba- tier's "Philosophy of Religion," Profeesor Gardener's Exploratia Evangelica,' and others. I am fully aware that the leaven is work- ing throughout the land. But may it be asked, Who have been the initiators ? Who have turned Theology from Mysticism to Science? Has not this been brought about by the efforts of natural scientists and philosophers who were considered atheists and blasphemers by the orthodox churches? ]lln Have not the writings of Emerson, Channing and Martineau revolutionised English Theological thought? Is not tho Higher Criticism of the Bible due to the movements initiated by Eichborn, De Wette, Geeenius and the other rationalist theologians in Germany in the early part of this century, and by Ewald and his contem- poraries in the same country, from 1830 to 1870 ? Long after their books appeared in this country they were branded as infidels by the churches. Is not R. J." old enough to re- moaibor how the theories of evolution were rejected by the churches? They acted to wards these as tho cardinals acted towards the theories of Galileo. The orthodox churches are beginning to receive the theories to-day. But it is well to bear in mind that they attempted to slay the How did the clergy feel when Canon Cheyne decking with their laurels. It is fortunate that history is not dead. The acts of the past are recorded against the verbal theolo- gians of the past 50 years, and the coming generation will give its verdict. May I ask R. J." are the churches really so free as he would make them to be? Are ministers allowed to state definitely that the ideas of incarnation, atonement, resurrection and miracles have been modfied? I have no doubt that the ministers themselves know this to be the case. But do we not find cases ted heresies in England and of attempted heresies in England and Wales, yea, in Glamorganshire? Was not William Robertson Smith thrown out of Aberdeen? Did not the Free Church of Scotland threaten Drs. Bruce and Marcus Dods? Did not the Presbyterian Church of England threaten Ian Maclaren ? Was not a Wesleyan Metho- dist Professor obliged to withdraw the circu- lation of his heterodox book two years ago ? How did the clergy feel when Canon Cheyne preached his famous sermon on Miracles in Rochester Cathedral last year, when he stated that it is impossible for the modern mind to believe any longer in them? R. J. if he reads the papers, will know how the sermon was resented. Has not the editor of the "British Weekly" used his orthodox little microscope, and put the great Encyclopedia Biblica" under it? I know of only one body in this country besides the Unitarians which gives latitude to its ministers, and that is the Congregational body. R. J." states that the Unitarians do not increase. Would it be a wonder if they did not considering some of the prejudice I have already mentioned? But they do in- crease, and increase very rapidly in the large towns. They increase in the orthodox churches. The Spectator last year men- tioned that there are thousands of Unitarians in the Church of England. Will R. J." deny this? If he will, how can he reconcile the denial with the fact which he admits that incarnation, atonement and resurrection mean something different to-day to what they did 20 years ago? He mentions that many Unitarian Churches date between 1662 and 1750, I am surprised at his forgetfulness of Church History. All these were Trinitarian Churches, and nearly every one of them has become Unitarian or non-subscribing during the nineteenth century. Surely this is a gain. About 30 of the Presbyterian Churches in the North of Ireland became Unitarian in the present century. That is all gain. Gain and loss cannot be estimated geographically. The Wesleyans have had to shut up some of their chapels in Cardiganshire and have never flourished tbere. The Baptists and Congre- gationilists have never flourished in the north of the same country, but they are numerous in the eouth. The Church of xjiip- iand in many "Welsh districts was, when X was a boy, more of a place for the owls and bats to rest in peace than for people to worship. But it would be incorrect to state that either of these denominations has de- creased because local influences have changed the. centre of gravity in theological matters. The Unitarian Chuich has survived the shocks (!) which were made by clerics in this town of Swansea less than 20 years ago; who insisted on the verbal inspiration and inter- pretation of the Bible. It is rather curious to sea these very people turning round, and wanting to receive credit for advancements which they stigmatised as infidel in the past. I am glad to see them moving, but it causes a smile when one sees them taking credit for having removed Theology from the realm of superstition to the realm of Fact. But they have not moved far enough to drop their creeds. Let me finally ask K. J. how does ne re- concile his new ideas of incarnation, atone- ment and resurrection with the XXXIX. articles and the repetition of the Atbcnasian creed ? I am afraid that to make them coin- cide is a problem in theological geometry which even hi3 skill cannor accomplish.—I am, yous, etc., W. TTJDOR JONEB, Swansea. ■»

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAXBRIJTN." SIR,-I note the letter of R. J." in your last issue on Roligious Freo Thought in Swansea." I fear it is in Swansea, as else- where, not so much freedom of thought and expression as so many people imagine. In the pulpits of the "Rev." (?) fraternity all round, perfect freedom is not taught nor exercised, and, I am much afraid, is not much appreciated or understood. If this was so by the preachers the people would not like it, and would do their best to turn them out. People generally prefer to run open-mouthed after Talmage and Parker and their likes— men who are continually swelling almost to bursting with soul-ponderous and far-fetched sentences in order to tickle the ears that are itching to listen to some fine religious spout- ing; something to move the feelings rather than the understandings, and with the result of sending their hands deeply into their pockets; which, when done, the poor infatua- ted souls think they have made their peace with Heaven, and as soon as their last breath is spent, yea, that very instant they are Safe in the arms of Jesus," as Sankey's silly hymn says, and as Dr. Parker said by his wife when she died, resulting in the Spiritualists owning him ever since as a disciple of theirs. Far be it from me at any time to treat religious truths with scoffing or scant courtesy, or those poor creatures who, in their helpless ignorance, still believe in such superstitious errors; but when such men—great doctors as they are thought to be in the Word-put forth such trash as they often do, and persuade the simpletons who listen to them that it is Gospel truth, then, I say, it is time to protest and cry shame upon such sugared lies sent forward by such honeyed lips. May I, sir, just give you and your readers through your kind courtesy, one special in- stance of this sort of thing, and which was told me by one of the parties concerned? R. J. mentions, amongst other things, the late Dr. Dale (of Birmingham), whom I, also, knew. My friend was, at the time alluued to, the pastor of a large Congrega- tional Church. By some chance he had be- come convinced of the deadly error of the world-wide doctrine of the natural immor- tality of the soul-that it was utterly con- trary to the whole teaching of the Bible, and that his retention of pastorate depended on that doctrine being preached. His con- science now would not permit him to teach this; he had a wife and a large young family, soon to be added to. What could he do? What should he do? was the question with himself daily. He would write to Dr. Dale, the then, I believe, president of the Con- gregational Churches, and ask his opinion of it—Was this doctrine taught in the Bible, and if it were not, what should he do ? The answer he received back was this (anyhow, to this effect), viz., It is not really taught in the Bible; but don't you be foolish, you stick to your post and preach what the people like." Is this "Religious Frea Thought," and what the people like, and what ought to be? If it be, then I certainly do pity them and their teachers. I will have none of it. Truth is Truth, and should be told.—Yours etc., J. W. B. Mumbles, May 9, 1900.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,-Allow me a few remarks re the letter of R. J., and the Weekly Causerie" of Mr. Silas K. Hocking, in your last issue, in which the statements of both writers may be sa.id to come under the aspect of Religious Free Thought." I do not think your articles referred to by R. J. altogether merit his strictures. In reading those articles I did not see that you singled out the Unitarian Pulpit in the manner R.J. states. R.J. would lead us to believe that the test of numbers is the test of truth, and because he fails to count heads, therefore of necessity there is neither correct knowledge nor advancement. It is quite true that the old standards of orthodoxy have to a great extent collapsed; but it does not follow- that that which has taken its place is an advance- ment of Truth. The scientific criticism of to-day may change in a few years, but the Truth re- mains, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. There is often all the difference between what is theory and what is Trutn. An instance of this most advanced Biblical and scientific criticism" is given by R. J., when he cites passages such as Gen. iii., 1, vii., 23. Perhaps J. R. will inform us what the meaning of Gen. iii. 1 is, if deprived of its literal meaning. It is very easy for J R., in his affected wisdom, to say "No Sunday School teacher believes the literal sense of these passages. It is easier to pull down than to build np, and the higher critics, ere they pall down, should have at least something more sub- stantial to put in their place than they have hitherto shown us. An array of Canons and Deans in the Church, and Doctors and Principals of Nonconformists, Is no sound argument for the truth of their theories. Among this class of men generally, one Bets up what another knocks down, and they but make confusion worse confounded. This tilting against creed* and formulas, is, we are ftfraid, more a desire to appear as learned, than to investigate alone for Truth's Bake. We have no bias for or against the Unitarians, not being one of them, but our experience, extending over a good many years, i'.4, that they are by far the motit intelligent class of men, taken all round, in connection with the ecclesiastical systems of the day. It is very easy for popular systems to write themselves down as being the essence of righteousness and truth, but it is another thing to prove their case. The wider meanings re- ferred to by R. J., are often void of all rational meaning, and give no satisfactory or correct explanation of the things they criticise The divines of twenty years ago" are not alone in reading into Biblical subjects theories outside those subjects. In the case of Dr. Parker and the Spiritualists, referred to by Mr. Hockintr we have complaints made by Dr. Parker of the doings of Spiritualists, relative to his deceased wife. But befo e Dr. Parker complains he ehou{d first have been careful not to have paved the way for their foolish utterances. When Dr. Parker talks foolishuess about having communication with his dead wife," he cannot complain of others following in his own track. Mr. Silas K. Hocking tells us after death "we I in vain to penetiate that hidden mystery,— to draw aside the curtain if only for a moment,— to get a passing glimpse of the life beyond We are sometimes puzzled that the Scriptures are so silent on a question of such vast importance." i r becomee wiser than the Scriptures, and would have us infer God has given him the privilege of communicating with his dead wife not given to others, not even to these Spiritual- ists, whose claim is exactly on the same line, disguise it who will. Tne Scriptures are silent from the fact that they definitely and emphatically state-Eccles. v. 9.—" The dead know not anything." And the dead wife of Dr. Parker is no exception to the rule, nor are the dreams of Spiritualism; there- fore the silence of Scripture. If men set up theories upon which the Scriptures are silent, as Mr. Hocking declares, Scripture must not be blamed. If the negatives do not satisfy us, the positives ought to do so, and Mr. Silas K. Hocking ought to ascertain the positive state- ments of Scripture, before wearying his brain about the negatives. We candidly admit the worthlesoness of the utterances of Spirit&alsts but Dr. Parker's utterances about that wbiuh is net, are but a remove from that which he and Mr. Hocking complain. The admitted fascina- tion of Spiritualism is created by teachers of the stamp of Dr. Parker, and before it can be re- moved, the root from which it springs must be removed. The future life the Bible reveals is neither the future life of Spiritualism nor of Dr. Parker. Mr. Silas Hocking should have com- pleted the quotation of Acts i., 7) and told ur, "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." The only future life the Scriptures reveal is when Christ shall thus return (Col. iii., 4). Mr. Hocking says truly-" ReliJtion is for the life that now is, M well as that which is to come." Without the first, the second cannot be. Mr. Hocking's statements always afford food for reflection, however we may differ with him, and when be tells us that the future is wrapped in mystery, and Dr. Parker tells us the mystery to him is solved by communication with those that are dead, thoughtful minds surely should ask where the Truth lies ? We at least take the liberty to appeal to QnA superior to these gentlemen, who locates the dead in their graves and nowhere else (John v., 28-29).—Yours siueerely, G.M.

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." SiR.-I have read with much interest the letter under the above heading sigaed •' R.j." wj,ich appears in your last issue. It is pleasing to hear that the Ministers of the Orthodox Churches do not "ignore the vast advances that have been made in Biblical criticism and scientific knowledge or fail to appreciate the labours of such men as Huxley —and others that R.J • mentions. He also assures us that few clergymen or ministers to-day j understand or teach the Orthodox doctrines of the Church as they were understood and taught twenty years ago." But how does this alteration or advance agree with the creeds and articles Confessions of faith and trust deeds of the Orthodox Churches, and uuder the acceptance of which the clergymen and ministers hold their offices. aud have aereed to Rtmnort and This letter, Mr. Editor, ie written in no spirit of controversy, but with the simple desire of eliciting information. I will mention two or three of the difficulties that occur to me. First the great doctrine of the Atonement. Is it not based upon the alleged fall of man and the consequent necessity of a. divine sacrifice in order that he may be restored to the favour cf the Almighty ? But how does this coincide with "Biblical Criticism" and scientific knowledge. Surely under the first we are led to think that the story of the fall," the Garden of Edep and so forth, has no foundation in fact and ftnder the second that there has been no fall of man," but that from the River Drift and cave met of remote antiquity, he has, through development and culture, gradually reached his present status and position. Next, as regards the miracles of the casting out of devils by Christ, so explicitly stated in the New Testament, how can they stand the test of Biblical criticism, thought and investi- gation, under which we find that at the period when the miracles are said to have occurred it was the Jewish belief that the insane owed their sad position to the influence of devils and evil spirits, who, by the way, were apparently so numerous that even the swine were exposed to their baneful influence. Ihe third point that I should like to have pome explanation upon is regarding the everlasting doom that the creeds of the National Church state that all will be subject to Iwho do not hold the Catholic faith. Do the clergymen who read this creed and subscribe to the articles of their Church, really believe that estimable citizens, like, for example, the late Sir Moses Montifiore, Dr. Martineau, and others are really doomed to this fearful punishment, because in the exercise of their reason—the greatest gIft of God to man —they fail to arrive at the conclusions embodied in the term Catholic faith. I greatly fear that the extraordinary divergence that now exists between the Orthodox creeds and faith on the one side, and knowledge, and may I add common-sense and good feeling on the other side, is rapidly creating a feeling such as so greatly prevails in France, namely, that relig;on is something quite outride the attention of intelli- gent men and only fit for priests and weak-ininded individuals. Your correspondent gives some statistics regarding the Unitarian denomination, and, so far as I know, he is correct in stating that the number of their avowed adherents is compara- tively small. But they certainly seem to possess the advantage of being unconfined by creeds and confessions of faith, and to have always maintained perfect freedom, and the absolute right and duty, of each person to form his or her convictions through the exercise of thought and reason and thus they have always gladly welcomed all the knowledge that science and criticism, Biblical and otherwise, have been enabled to impart. I hope yonr correspondent or others who may follow will further enlighten us on the general subject.—Yours truly, INQUIRER. (9th May, 1900.

I SWANSEA BOARD OF GUARDIANS. MEETING YESTERDAY. A fortnightly meeting of the Board of Guardians was held on Thursday morr.ir.e'. Present: the Revs. Gorner Lewis. D.D. (Chair- man), and Alban Davies, Mrs. C. H. Perkins, Mrs. H. W. Paton, Mrs. Wiiliams, and Mrs. Harris, Messrs. LI. Davies, Rees Harries, F. H. Glynn Price, Auckland, Phillip Richards, Win. Williams (Weni). Stevens, Devi.nald, J. Harvey, D. Owen. Collett. H. G. Solomon, W. Sims, J. W. Johnson. Griff. Davies, W. Clement. J. W. Jones, D. Griffiths, Jacob Jenkins, W. R. Morgan, W. G. Davies, J. Edwards. Thomas William*, J. Richards. D. Rees. Stephen Thomas, J. Meredith, and Ll. Jenkins (clerk.) The recent re-construction of the committees does not seem to cause satisfaction to all the parties concerned. The first one to complain was Mrs. Paton, who asked for her name to he taken off the list of members of the grocery section of the Tender's Committee, explaining that she felt that she did not know enough about grocery to be of any use there. She was strongly of the opinion that it was not right that Guardians should remain on committees which dealt with subjects they knew nothing of. Mr. Auckland It's a great mistake the way the committees have bpen formed. Later on Mrs. Perkins complained that under the present arrangements she was unable to continue the work she had been doing at the Cottage Homes for the last two years, as she could only go up there and vote twice a year. She wanted to go up there every week as formerly. Mr. Solomon (at whose suggestion the commit- tees were re-constructed) said there was nothing to prevent the ladies visiting the Cottage Homes whenever they liked. In reply to Mrs. Paton, he said that if they put the ladies on the book as a standing committee they would have to resign from one of the other committees they were on. But he pointed out that under the present arrangement they could still do their work, although they could vote only twice a year. Mrs. Perkins fThen I will resign from the Grocery Tender's Committee. Mr. Solomon wanted to know from the Clerk whether, as a way out of the difficulty, a sub- committee of the General Purposes Committee— consisting of the four lady members—could be appointed to do certain work. Mr. Ll. Davies: That is opening a wide door'. Mr. (Wm. Williams said he thought they ought to treat the members of the Board irres- pective of sex. (Laughter). Eventually it was decided that Mr. Solomon should confer with the ladies with a view to mak- ing a satisfactory arrangement. A VOTE OF CONDOLENCE. The Chairman moved a vote of condolence with the family of the late Alderman Albert Mason. They bad lost a good man, he said, and one of their best members. Mr. LI. Davies seconded, and the vote was passed in silence, the Guardians all standing. SPLITTING HAIRS." Mr. Dd. Griffiths mentioned what he termed a hard ease, which had come to the notice of the Llandilo-Talybont Relief Committee. A woman who was the sister and custodian of three orphan children had applied for relief whioh the committee would not grant, because they con- sidered that the law did not allow them to give relief, on account of a denominational difference between the parties—the children were Baptists and the sister a Congregationalist Mr. Griffiths suggested that an application should be made to the Local Government Board to allow the sieter to act as foster-mother. Mr. Reea Harries said the law only applied to Roman Catholics, and was not intended to in- clude Protestants of any denomination what- ever. The Chairman said the committee were only splitting hairs. (Hear, hear.) The matter then dropped. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. A communication WM received from the secre- tary of the Poor Law Unioi asking the Board to support a resolution with the object of obtaining an extension of time for the reyayment of loans. It was also suggested that the Board should approach the local members of Parliament on the subjeot. It was decided to support the movement. 'J he Bristol Board of Guardians wrote with regard to an amendment of the Bastardy Act, which proposed to detain women at the Work- house until full particulars were obtained, and an opportunity given to recover money expended. John Bevan, HeW80n-treet, was appointed male imbecile attendant at the Workhouse, at a salary of JE25 per annum.

¡; •ft system of profit-sharing has oeen in opera- tion ? And with complete success and satis- faction alike to Mr. Hartley and his five Hun- dred and fifty employes. A remarkable man is Mr. Hartley. An employer who can pay his work-people as he does and in many cases higher wages than his competitors, and at the same time reward labour to the extent ot £ 25,500, is no ordinary captain of industry.^ Car'lvle would have found him a captain after his own heart. There have been fifteen profit-sharings at Aintree, and on the last occasion £3,210 was set aside for oistnouuon amongst 130 men and boys and 420 women and girls. How is it done Alter each fitock-taking a certain sum is allocated, and Mr. Hartley, who is a thorough master ot detail, goes over the names of his employes. There are conferences with the heads of de- partments, and each worker is rewarded in proportion to the heart and conscience he or she has put into the work of the firm. It is an ideal factory that at Aintree. Strikes And disputes are unknown, and the man whose huge business has been built up by thirty years' unremitting care, energy and thought, while not claiming that profit- sharing is the panacea for all labour trou- bles, is nevertheless firmly convinced that the spread of it would put an end to the con- flicts between capital and labour. Mr. Hartley's energy is not less marked than his cheery optimism. During the busy season, when his factory turns out something like -one hundred tons of preserves a day, his hours are often from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. He is an open-handed man, giving here, there, and everywhere, but particularly to the Primitive Methodist Connexion, of which he is one of the wealthiest and most promin- ent laymen. He may be said to have antici- pated Mr. Chamberlain's Ownership of Small Houses Act, for he has put into prac- tical operation a scheme of dwelling houses on a liberal hire purchase system. • • • SONG OF THE "POWERFUL." If Hunter and Rundle, if Tucker and Hart, Feel unable to play the deliverer's pert, Let the handy man come to the fore; To level the kopjes with pick-axe and spade, To harness the drifts a la Naval Brigade, While Lambton shall opon the door: For the Powerful's crew, When it does buckle to, Never stops until everything's jolly well through! Fol de rol lol, Fol do rol lol, Never stops until Jack has put ev'rything through; R.Sr.J.C. R. ST. J. C. s'&t, James's Gazette." « e While Lord Roberts is engaged in a diffi- cult task in South Africa it is opportune to remark that he has never known defeat. "Bobs" says he is lucky, though it is stated that he has an abhorrence of that symbol ot luck-a black cat. A soldier who has been mentioned in despatches no fewer than twenty-three times, and who has been eight times publicly thanked for his great services, may well arouse popular enthusiasm. let there was a time when the great general was not popular with certain superior persons in the Army; but the remarkable march to Khandahar compelled recognition, and Kip- iling did the rest: What 'e does not know o' war, Gen'ral Bobs, Ton can arsk the shop next door— Can't they Bobs? Oh, he's little, but e's wise; 'E's a terror for 'is size, An' 'e does not advertise— Do yer, Bobs? e e e Kr. Hooley has bobbed up again. He has ibeen granted the concession of a large area of ^old-bearing ground in Siberia, which is the nersonal property of the Czar of Russia, and SP singular thing is that tho British public will not be asked to take a hand in the de- velopment of the field. Mr. Hooley is iubilant about it. By a single move he had Von everything back. He was once more on top. No more titled guinea-pigs for him. All the money wanted had been guaranteed. From the enormous profits that are to come from this wonderful gold-bearing ground all Xr. Hooley's creditors are to be paid in full. That there is plenty of alluvial gold in the neighbourhood of the Amour has been proved. But the country is remote, transportation difficult (because the fields are a long way from the line of the Siberian Railway), and labour scarce. However, before saying any- thing further on this score, we await details. statement that the British public will asked for money is reassuring.— Pall • • • Recent rumours of impending legal changes Are justifiod bv the announcement that Mr Hichard Webster, Q.C., M.P., Attorney- <Qeneral, ha« been appointed Master of the U*olls, in succession to Sir Nathaniel Lindley, •'ho was appointed in October, 1897. Sir Hichard Webster's elevation to tho Bench in- volves a Parliamentary contest in the Isle of Wight.