The Cardiff Times

S H, IS TRY IT.

WORKMEN'S TOPICS. BOY LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT. By MABON, M.P. Pew of the readers of this column can now be Ignorant of the fact that the unemployment Problem finds its deepest roots in the character of our boy labour. A youth has not very Prions difficulties in finding work of some kind when he leaves school but before many years lre past his parents know that their son's foture becomes more and more uncertain 18 he approaches maturity. Twenty-five per ent. of the boys engaged under the age of 14 Xre said to be messengers and we have the Authority of a Blue Book for saying that three fourths of the boys on leaving school become engaged in some unskilled trade or another. fdost of them find work of a kind until they are 15 or maybe 16, and then are discharged upon unskilled market, and their places are kken up again by boy3 just leaving school Iond if we could follow the life stories of many thousands of those youths we should have no difficulty in discovering why unemployment Pelriodically occurs to remind us of our social 'hortcomings, nor why those periods of depres- 4on find the people unprepared to meet the situation. Indeed, the experience of last winter £ annot be easily forgotten, when the startling fact was found that in some of our large towns the major part of the unemployed were under 50 years of age. Boy labour, therefore, cannot but be de- plored for its wastefulness and its evil effects OPOrl the boys themselves, as well as its direct Contributio to the unemployment problem. fridt-.ed, to send a youth to work to fasten labels, say, on bottles, with the knowledge that s soon as he recfuires another shilling a week In. Wages he will have to give place to another, flOIneQne else is to enter into the vicious circles which in most of our large towns enclose rlearl3; all our social and industrial problem -such work is not of a character to prepare a outh for his future calling in life; to the Contrary, it rather tends to the deterioration of "is character and absorbs that stage of the boy's life when he most needs educational e*Pansion in its widest sense. Absolute neces- may give him a certain wage earning capacity and power as an unskilled labourer t'lhen be latterly enters the marriage stage but having been stinted in his growth as a boy, he has now to submit to a bare living Wage because he is worth no more. And the Probabilities are that his small income will lead "iiQ to place his sons prematurely in deterio- ratill work to swell the family's funds. The remedies recommended are not unfa- rauiax. The first of these very naturally is the further rising of the school age, or attendance at compulsory continuation schools. Ulti- mately it is what we shall be compelled to adopt, though when we come to it the expense to carry it out will be pretty nearly as great as that of pld Age Pen- nons. There are no such objections that C&H be raised to boys leaving school, but nndoubtedly it is one of those questions which Will have to be brought under the consideration of Trade Union organisations. The removal Of boy labour would doubtless introduce 17aore labour-saving machinery and appliances a iSenerally, but there would be also an increased tor aduit labour, and wages eventu- would tend to rise as labour itself unproved. This, of course, would only go to some Of the roots of the general problem still the full benefit of any or all Pleasures taken would take a gener- tlon almost to realise. It is important to note at Mr Churchill's propositions with regard to our exchanges and compulsory insurance an immediate merit in the fact that hey great minimise distress, and by so doing ^111 have the effect of taking away one of the aUses that tend to make any industrial de- P ession react upon the whole nation's prospe- l'ity. When any great and important trade is .ery bad, the lack of wages amongst those Engaged therein effects all .other industries eP°ndent upon the spending powers of the °rkers. Tradesmen not only have a decreased emand lor their goods, they have to do a considerable larger credit trade, and are very en called upon to subscribe to public funds, or through rates to meet the actual distress 1lgst those who were unprepared to lose «eir employment, though one is not quite sure **at the wage earners will welcome any scheme which they will be compelled to contribute an insurance fund that will ever preserve from the rates, and from dependence Pon charity. The attempt is worth making our South Wales miners will not show y stronger tendency towards it than they shown towards an out-of-work scheme, it ouJd be a poor look out for its ever becoming COInplished, much as it is wanted in the. land An Old Industry Prohibited. ^he report of the Chief Inspector of Factories, j hich was issued a few days ago, terminates a and painful controversy with regard to Phosphorus matches. From the 1st of January rielt year the manufacture and sale of those patches, which has in the past been the cause i So rauch pain, misery, yea, even death, will be absolutely prohibited. There has been for IlY years now an active campaign against this most dangerous trade but considerations ^h regard to international competition stood the way for ever so long. In other countries esides our own there has been immense pathy with men and women who, suffering OIll what is commonly called 11 phossy jaw," ^ho also found that two obstacles prevented hese countries coming to an agreement with ^gard to the matter. In both cases the greed or Profit interfered. On the one hand export-' Ing countries were not willing to assent to any aeernent unless it cduld be made universal, on the other the home manufacturers ^"jecttid to being debarred from a process **hich might still be open to foreign importers. Padually public opinion in the matter ripened, and several countries ultimately have mutually agreed to prohibition, and our own country is among the number. We are to make no more ^hite phosphorous matches either lor our own onxestic use or for export abroad. And further, 0\11' match makers are to be protected from Ruch foreign competition as might still remain the prohibition of imports. As Mr Tennant Pointed out in his speech introducing the Anti- rating Bill, the history of the white phos- phorus matches Act may be called the inter- actional prohibition of dangerous or undesir- ole trades, is capable of extension in other Tactions. Atd still one may be allowed to 7*^ that the prohibition of imports may not be easy In many other matters. The factory Inspector's report says that there are simple tests which will enable the customs officer to detect any attempt at the importa- n of phosphorus matches that may be so, ::d one hopes it is; still it would not be easy devise any test by which sweated shirts 34 or materials of that kind, could be detected sight. Still, may we all be thankful for this Measure of protection to life and limb, for both are affected by phosphorus poisoning.

CARDIFF MAGISTRATES AND COMPENSATION. wAt a meeting of Cardiff magistrates on ednesday, Dr Taylor presiding, it was de- jr. °d, in accordance with the order of the *gh Court, to pay over the amount of the Qipensafion in respect of the Garrick Hotel, fi Mary-street, the total sum being in round fi es f gtIrcs 0. Two applications were received p r the position of valuer for the 13 houses • (:ently referred by the Bench, the applicants Councillor \V. H. D. Caple and Mr Cooper, j. at\cb<'Ster. The appointment was postponed { Qaing the receipt of other particulars from applicants.

Given Poisoned Wine. J HUSBAND MURDERED IN MISTAKE. It is reported from a village near Steina- manger, in Hungary, that a farmer named Veres, who had just returned from America, was murdered by his wife without her know- ing that he was her husband. Veres emigrated 12 years ago, and after mak- ing a small fortune decided to return to the village where he had left his wife. He arrived there on Friday night, and the first persons he met were two cousins, who, however, only recognised him after being told who he was, so greatly had he altered in his appearance.. Before leaving them Veres remarked that if his wife and mother-in-law, who lived together m a 'onelv house outside the village, should fail to recognise him he would not at once ireveal his identity, but would hear what they thought of the absent man. When he reached the house neither the wife nor the mother-iri-law guessed who the stranger was who begged for food and shelter for the night, whereupon he promised payment, open- ing his handbag containing money and valu- ables to prove his ability to pay. The two women thereupon admitted him, but the con- tents of the handbag suggested to them to murder the stranger, whom they believed nobody in the village had seen, and whose dis- appearance therefore would not attract atten- They brought him wine containing cyanide of potassium, used as rat poison by the pea- sants, which the unfortunate man drank, and soon died. The women buried his body in the garden that same night. When on Saturday morning the two cousins came to hear how the returned husband was received, the horrified women made a clean breast of their crime and surrendered.

Deadly Tornadoes. MANY LIVES LOST. Oklabama City, Sunday.-Twenty-two per- sons have been killed and 50 injured by tor- nadoes in different parts of the State. len deaths are reported from Key West and 12 from Depewf both of which peaces were wrecked.-Reuter. Hideous Scenes in Texas. Dallas (Texas), Sunday.-Over 30 persons have been killed at Zephyr, while 50 buddings —including a large stone school and two churches—have been demolished by the storm. The lightning started a fire which destroyed the business quarter. Hundreds of persons saved their lives by taking refuge in specially provided storm cellars. The bodies of two children were found two miles outside the town, having been blown away by the wind. A relief party found the hillside strewn with the debris of buildings, and with the bodies of human beings and animals. Many of the bodies were twisted about trees and distorted in every conceivable way. The survivors are walking through the streets almost naked, cry- ing for their lost relative-s.-Reuter.

THE JEWISH G.O.M. The Very Rev. Dr. Hermann Adler, who has been celebrating his 70th birthday, was appointed to his present position in 1891, in succession to his father, the late Dr. Nathan Marcu3 Adler, who had held it from 1844. Born at Hanover, where his father was Chief Rabbi, his education was received almost entirely in an English atmosphere. At University College School and University College he had among his fellow-students Lord Morley, Farrer, Herschell (afterwards Lord Chancellor), and W. Stanley Jevons. He completed his educa- cation abroad, obtaining the degree f Ph.D. at lieipsic University and the Rabbinical Diploma at Prague. Dr. Adler has had a very Dr. Hermann Adler. I full and busy life. His activity as a preacher began in 1859. His first and only incumbency was that of the Bayswater Synagogue, which he filled from 1864 until 1891. The ecclesiastical authority of the Chief Rabbi is recognised by Jewish congregations in the British Colonies, He is recognised as the official representative of the Anglo-Jewish community,and in that capa- city attended the Coronation ceremony of His Majesty King Edward.

A DISASTER AT STORNOWAY. A Stornoway telegram received after mid- night says :—About 1 o'clock on Sunday morn- ing six men were drowned in Stornoway Har- bour wthin a few yards of the shore. Ten men were proceeding in a very small boat to their various fishing boats, moored some distance from the shore. The little boat began to.make water through overcrowding, and in turning so as to make for land she filled, and sank with her crew, many of whom had heavy boots on. Four managed to reach the shore, which was only a few yards off, but six men were drowned- Ernest Sandberg, one of those saved, on reaching shore gave the alarm. Two of the men, named Munro and Morrison, were seen floating, and a boat. was launched and brought them ashore, but life was extinct. When the tide receded the bodies of the others were found near each other. The names of those drowned are :— Malcolt Munro, seaman, Stornoway, watch- man of the sailing yacht Blue Dragon, widower, lea. ving one child. Alexander Morrison, native of Aberdeen, fireman on board the Buckie steam drifter. Jeannie, of Murray, married. Alexander Gunn. cook on hoard the same drifter, and residing in Inverness. married. rri J. Gerringe, agpd 24, single, Grimsby, and J. Freeney, aged 31, married, Grimsby, both fishermen on board the steamer Zenobia, of r""30 Grimsby. Joseph Thomas Hankm, single, on board the liner Hermia, who resided at 34, Ellinvon- street, New Cleethorpes, Grimsby.

MISSING ROYAL JEWELS. The Metropolitan Police have circulated a description of the principal jewels, valued at £ 10,000, belonging, to the Queen of Siam, which mysteriously disappeared from a strong-box during a journey from London to Bangkok, the Siamese capital. The missing gems include a rope of pearls, 64 inches in length, composed of nearly 250 beautiful pearls, the centre consisting of no less than 53 pearls weighing 20 grains each, a long diamond chain five feet in length mounted in platinum and made to form four separate necklaces, and a flight of five diamond swallows set with dia- mond stars in platinum to form brooches.

"DEATH" SCENE COMEDY. An amusing story of Macready is told by the Bancrofts. The great tragedian was play- ing Hamlet in America, and during rehearsals had so severely fqund fault with one of the local actors who took the part of the King that his Majesty determined to take his revenge at night by reeling when stabbed by Hamlet to the very spot which Macready had reserved for his own final effort; and this he did. Macready protested under his breath, where- upon to the amazement of the audience, the King sat bolt upright on the stage, and said I guess, Mr Macready, you had your way at rehearsal, but I'm King now, and I shall die where I please."

THE DREADED CAMORRA. Rome, Monday.-At Naples to-day a general assembly of members of the notorious Camorra. Society took place to elect new chiefs. Forty- five chiefs were present. Whilst the meeting was proceeding a large force of police and soldiers surrounded the building, and after a severe struggle captured all the Camorra members present.—Central News.

On bo charge of feloniously stealing a watch and chain, the property of Levenia Fars, Charles Larscombe (25) was at Cardiff sen- tenced to a month. 1

Kenfig Castle as it was a century ago, reproduced from Donovan's South Wales."

Ancient Monuments. KENFIG CASTLE AND THE BURIED CITY. There is no more fascinating corner of Mor- ganwg than the sand desert which lies to the south-east of Pyle railway station. To the naturalist, to the archaeologist, to the angler, its claims may almost be regarded as supreme. This being so, it is strange that its interests have in the past been so neglected by the his- torian and guide book compiler. In his Book of South Wales Mr Baring Gould hardly notices its existence, and in his recent book on Glamorganshire Mr A. G. Bradley betrays the limitations of his knowledge of the district by describing Maudlam Church as Kenfig Church In view of the past neglect of this interesting portion of Glamorgan, the appearance of Major Thomas Gray's comprehensive voiume on The Buried City of Kenfig is doubly wel- come. Those who, like the writer of this article, have during the past ten years paid many visits to Kenfig Pool and Sand dunes the book awakens many new interests. The natural features of the place are always at- tractive. In the summer season I have often fished the Pyle stream for trout or sewin, or wandered in pursuit of botanical interests over the trackless sand hills, while in the sterner days of midwinter I have often, field glass in hand, stalked uncommon birds around the margin of the pool, or ploughed its surface to lure the hungry pike which there abound. The bird life is to the ornithologist a continual joy, for, thanks to the protection of Miss Talbot, the wild birds there are immune from destruction. When the frost grips the Uplands, the Margam marshes and the sand hitls are black with wild geese, and the fields on the eastern uplands above the pool are golden with the plover in his winter plumage, while the pool itself is the haunt of the redshank, the dunlin, and the sheldrake, and the cormorant and a dozen kinds of wild duck, the presence of which will sometimes attract the peregrine falcon, the remains of whose orgies I have several times found upon the little island at the southern extremity of the pool. Enough has thus been said to show that at Kenfig every season has its compensations. Over and above all this history has cast upon the waste of sand hills the spell of high romance. Let me give two brief pictures of time past to illustrate what I mean. The Site irs, Pre-Kenfig Days. v The days are of the Roman occupa- tion. From I sea, Silurum westward the paved highway known as the Via Julia Maritima traverses the Gwent and Glamorgan seaboard to Neath. From Stormy Down it, follows a track on to the lowlands by Cornelau and crosses the Pyle stream .whence it makes a bee- line parallel with the sea shore, from which it is separated by flat and fertile fields. There is no sand visible, all is green pasture. The lord of the air is the kite, which builds in the dense woodlands which crown the Margam heights, behind which in their fastnesses the fierce Silures struggle for their existence against the ( Roman hosts. Ever and anon along the road- way is heard the heavy footfall of the Roman soldiers of the second legion, and the rumble of the waggons conveying the denarii or tax col- lected in the west to the Imperial treasury at Isca Silurum or Caerleon." How interestingly reminiscent are Welsh place names. To this day the road is known as Heol y troedwyr—the road of the foot soldiers, and a mound near the Pyle river still bears the appellation of Twyn-y-barcud, or the mound of the kites. These were the pre-Kenfig days. In Mediaeval Times. My second picture is mediaeval. The Roman road is still the highway across the lowlands below Pyle. The centuries that have elapsed have brought many changes. Fitzhamon and his Norman invaders have come, and along the lowlands many castles have sprung up. Upon the fertile pastures watered by the Pyle river such a fortress has been built, and sheltering around its ramparts is a little Norman tower with a church and cemetery, for we read in a manuscript which Mr Gray has reproduced in his book that The borough of Kynfigge Sir Robert FitzHamon kept in Ins own hands, and builded a castle there and used the same as one of his dwelling-houses.Kenfig made history thgn, for the castle and its environs were the cockpit of many fierce fights, upon which contemporary manuscripts shed inter- esting sidelights. In one place we read, Out of pocket expenses for hanging two robbers, 8d. Two ropes for the same. 2d. A new calefurciis or gallows for hanging the robbers, made by the job, 6d." Another chronicler makes the quaint observation that Kenfig had not been burned for a year or rflore." The wooden houses of Kenfig were destroyed by fire in J167, again in 1185, and again in 1232. In 1227 they were fired by lightning, and a horse was killed. In 1243, in the days of Richard, Earl of Clare, it was again destroyed. In 1315 Morgan Gam defended it, and in the days of Henry IV. it fell again before the onslaught of Owen Glyndwr. In mediaeval days Kenfig was a town of distinction in the county, for not, only was the castle one of the residences of the Lords of Glamorgan, but it did considerable trade, and possessed a port. In 1183 24 ships bore the king's timber from Chepstow for" the work of the Castle of KeneSg," by the King's writ. Mr Gray also produces evidence that Kenfig possessed a harbour, and it is probable that before the sand encroachments came little vessels, shiplettes," to Quote Leland's picturesque appellation, could ascend the river for a mile or more. It was in the reign of Richird II. that the town reached the dignity of receiving a charter. A wonderful picture of Kenfig life in Edwardian days is revealed in the Kgnfig Ordinances, which bear date 1330, and which were ordained by the portreeve and his brethren the aldermen of the said town." In this are set forth in quaint phraseology the regulations regarding early closing, brawling, the brewing of wholesome ale," the buying and selling of wheat and meat, and the re- strictions regarding the selling of ale, third drink, and small drínk," and by these it would appear that great discretionary power rested in the hands of the portreeve. So much for the Kenfig Vjf. the 11 13th. and 14th cen- turies. The Havoc of the Sand Fiend. But a foe more terrible and relentless than Silures or Celt was already heralding the begin- ning of the end. Slowly but surely the in- vasion of the sand had started. There is an impression abroad in some quarters that it was one great storm which overwhelmed Kenfig. There never was a greater fallacy. The process has been agelong. It began in the thirteenth century, and it continues to-day. The old manuscripts call the results of each gale inundations of or drownings by the sea," but what is meant is not sea but sand. The sea casts the sand up on the shore, the wind does the rest. Go down to-day to Kenfig and try and walk over the sand hills when a westerly gale is sweeping across Swansea Bay, and you will appreciate what the power of the great sand fiend is. Millions upon millions of tiny fragments cut one's face and fills one's eyes and nose. They fill your pockets and your collar, and grate between your singlet and your body. Your boots fill up, and it penetrates your close wove stockings. Nothing is procjf against the foe. We have seen what Kenfig was before the sand came. Let us takfe another peep at it through the spectacles of old Leland, that mcst observant Tudor chronicler. Referring to the Pyle stream, which he calls, "The Kenfik water," Leland says, There is a village on the Est side of Kenfik and a castel booth in ruines, and almost shokid and devourid with the sandes that the Severn Se ther castith up." There is another pathetic reference in an offi- cial document of 1660, which I cannot refrain from quoting, for in that year, while the Merrie Stuart ruled the land, a jury of Kenfig burgesses placed it upon record that" severall of the free tenants have lost their freehold (time out of mind) by reason of the choaking blowing and ever blowing up of the sands what number of years they know not." Here was a foe against which Acts oA iVjiia- ment and all the powers of man were impo- tent. The Kenfig of To-day. Let us pass to the Kenfig of to-day. The traveller who proceeds along the Great Western line may see, if he looks southward when the train is a space of a mile and a quarter west of Pyle station, two huge toadstool-shaped masses of stone rubble which project upwards from the sandy desert. These are all the visible remains of the ancient city of Kenfig. The Via Julia Maritima, the church, the Castle Bailey, the graveyard, the moat, the tenements (so often burned) all are gone, and over them lie the arid sand dunes on which the wild tri- coloured pansy and the little Burnet roses grow. In our illustrations we show what remained of the castle a century -ago, and a photograph of them as they appear to-day. During that time exformous strides have been made by the sand in its landward march. An old inhabitant of One of the doomed houses which crown the ridge upon the east of the pool once told me that the whole pool had been rolled bodily inland something like a hundred yards during the past seventy years. If proof of this amazing fact is needed it is to be found in the present position of the old boat house, which when built was on the shore, but which now stands a long way out in the pool. Mr Gray has an interesting chapter in his book on Tales of Kenfig. In this one looks in vain for any reference to the old story about the Castle of Kenfig being connected with Margam Abbey by a subter- ranean passage. There is an old inhabitant of Nottage, of whom I know, who recalls playing as a boy upon t,he sand near the ruined castle half or three-quarters of a century ago. He relates how at that time there were places in the sand where the stones of the old city were still visible. One day as they played they found a big stone with an iron ring in it. and with great trouble they managed to raise it. It led to a subterranean chamber, and along this they succeeded in making their way some distance until the lights went out. The same old inhabitant remembers that at that time there was a connection along what he calls the Black gully between the pool and the river. These points I mention because they show how even to-day the configuration of the land at Kenfig is changing, and that the forces which four hundred years ago destroyed a city are as potent as of yore. Now that the summer days are coming some of the countless visitors to Porthcawl may, after reading this article and Major Gray's delightful book, feel inclined to leave the train at Pyle and visit the site of tlio buried city. If tangible proof of its existence is needed it will be found at the inn above the pool, where Mrs Yorworth will, with justifiable pride, show them the ancient silver mace, emblem of Kenfig's erstwhile greatness, and also the copper mug from which the official Ale Taster of the borough quaffed old brown ale when the lost city was in the hey- day of its prosperity.

Kanfig Castle as it is, from a photograph kindly lent by Major Thomas Gray, Of Port Talbot, and reproduced in his interesting book on the subject.—(Photo, by Newark Lewis, Port Talbot.)

SATISFIED WITH WARRANTY. Before the Cardiff Deputy Stipendiary (Mr E. Milner Jones) on Wednesday John Fitzpatrick and Frank Burfitt were summoned under the Food and Drugs Act. The latter defendant is the Cardiff manager of the National Dairy Co., whilst the other defendant was a street vendor. Mr T. Woosey (from the" town clerk's office) prosecuted, and Mr Brown (Messrs Lewis Morgan and Box) defended. Morgan and Box) defended. Mr Brown asked for the sample of the milk taken to be produced, but Mr Woosey said that the sample had unfortunately burst. Mr Brown I am told it has been resusci- tated. Mr Woosey No, we produce only what was left of it. (Laughter.) Mr Brown thereupon objected to the case proceeding unless the sample was produced, and quoted a case supporting his objection. j It was decided, however, that the case should proceed. Mr T. Hughes, the Cardiff Corporation analyst, gave evidence showing that the sample of milk was deficient in fat to the ex tent of 11 per cent. Mr Burfitt, the defendant, was called to prove that the milk was sold as it came to him. The milk was sold on warranty and came from Bath. After numerous witnesses had been called for the defence, the Deputy Stipendiary said he was satisfied as to the warranty of the milk, and dismissed the case, refusing costs.

CALLED FOR THE RENT. -A At Cardiff on Wednesday, before the Deputy- Stipendiary, two Canton women, Annie Palmer and Susan Harrington, tlUmmqped Thos. Henry Bullock for assault. Mrs Palmer had been a tenant under Bullock for three years, and admitted that she was about El in arrears with her rent. One dAF the defendant jumped over the back wall and said, You heard me knocking. I let you go for last week's rent, but I am not going to let you go for this." The two women were together at the time, and they alleged that defendant knocked their heads together. (Laughter.) The defendant, while admitting having used strong language, denied the assaalt, and the case, was dismissed. I

THE PERUVIAN PRESIDENT. The recent attempted coup d'etat in Peru- during which a band of insurgents led by a former political leader named Pierola, suc- ceeded in capturing the President, Senor LeKuia-was speedily terminated by the inter- vention of the troops, who rescued the Presi- dent and put the insurgents to flight. Senor I Senor Augusti Leguia. I Augusti Leguia was installed President of the Peruvian Republic last September. Peru was formerly the most important of the Spanish vicêroyalties in South America, but it finally separated itself from Spanish rule in 1824. It has a mixed population of under 3,000,000.

Scotch steelmakers in private conference have agreed to reduce ship plates and angles 10s per ton for prompt business. j

CORONER AND HERBALISTS. An inquest was held atBattersea on Wednes- day on Edward George Reynolds, aged four months, whose parents live at I Block, Vic- toria Dwellings, Battersea Park-road. The mother stated that her children had whooping cough, and she obtained some herbs from a herbalist. When the baby contracted the complaint she called in a doctor, but death took place. In reply to the coroner, the witness said she went to a herbalist because he (the herbalist) told her husband that he knew all about the treatment of whooping cough. Dr. Freyberger said that whooping cough was a very dangerous complaint in consequence of the complications that arose. Death in this case was due to heart failure from acute broncho pneumonia, probably associated with whooping cough. In summing up, the coroner (Mr John Trout- beck) said he was afraid whooping cough was not always treated seriously, and that it was considered to be a complaint fit for treatment bv a herbalist. The administration of any kind of herb was quite contemplated by law, for they knew that in a way the authorities recog- nised it because of the large income gained by the State out of patent medicines. These parents seemed to think it reasonable to go to a herbalist. He supposed one could get a herb for any disease one liked to name, but if the public did so they must take the consequences. The jury returned a verdict of Death from natural causes."

HISTORIC WELSH MANSION. Amongst several lots of property offered for sale by auction at Rhyl within the last two or three days was the picturesque old man- orial residence known as Ty'n Rhyl, from which the town of Rhyl takes its name. Situ- ated Dn the outskirts of the town, it was built in the Tudor period, and is in a splendid state of preservation. Amongst other features for which it is noted is the profusely carved old oak fireplace in the entrance hall, which was originally the bedstead of Quten Catherine of Arragon. There are splendid specimens ol panelling in carved oak throughout the tnan- | sion.

X1,000,000 Pocketed. WHEAT KING'S PROFITS. Chicago, Saturday.—The great and successful bull campaign in May wheat closed quietly to-day instead of amid wild excitement. Mr Patten's profits are estimated at over £ 1.000,000. —Reuter. Thus ends one of the most sensational wheat corners in the history of the Chicago Pit." It was early in April that England suddenly became aware that, owing to the astute specu- lations of Mr Jim Patten, it was likely to have to pay more for its loaf. A storm of indignation was aroused not only in tWs country, butmore especially in America, where there is a saying that Providence is against the man who gambles in the grain from which so many millions of people derive their daily bread. Denunciations of Mr Patten filled the newspapers. One journal summed up the situation in a very clever cartoon entitled, Our Daily Bread "—the figure of a little child saying her prayers at her bedside, while a fox dressed in a frock-coat and silk hat stood before a tape machine reading the price.3 as thpy were ticked off. Mr Patten, with engaging effrontery, denied that he had created the corner for his own benefit, and claimed that his action was merely that of a far-seeing patriot. The great un- thinking public here and in Europe," he said, would not, or could not, see what was com- ing. Liverpool would not buy months ago, thinking that the prices of that day too high. Now Europe wants 55,000,000 bushels. But we need wheat at home, and if I and my friends had not bought Europe would have had all and we should be obliged to buy from the Europeans to whom we had sold. But we stopped the exportation." Despite his specious disavowals, however, the Americans continued to heap anathemas upon his head. He went about in fear of his life, and engaged the services of a bodyguard of stalwart negroes to protect him. Detectives and strong men watched his house by night. At one period it seemed as though Patten would be ruined by his gigantic enterprise. A sudden slump in wheat threatened to over- whelm him, but he recovered his lost ground, and eventually won hands down, compelling those who had based their hopes of gain on a bumper crop to buy their grain from him at his own price.

A FAMOUS BANKER. Mrtfohn Spencer/Phillips, chairman of Lloyds Bank, died at his residence, The Mount, Shrews- bury on Monday. Mr Phillips, who was one of the best authori- ties on commerce and finance, was a keen advo- cate of an efficient gold reserve, and was never tired of directing the Government's attention to this important factor in commercial stabil- ity. His speeches at the company's annual meetings were always looked forward to, and printed forms were generally circulated one or two days in advance. They formed an exhaus- tive review of the banking year, and were in- structive of the trading, financial, and political outlook. In his last address he pointed to the gigadtic gold reserve which France was making, which, he aid, was indicative of the unrest in Europe. Mr Phillips was a keen cricketer, a good oars- man, and a member of North Shropshire Hunt. The Mount, at Shrewsbury, where he resided, was the early home of Charles Darwin. Mr Phillips was among the signatories recently to the great protest by bankers and merchants against the Budget-the weightiest condemna- tion which Mr Lloyd George's scheme has yet received. On that occasion, of 013,143,000 represented in authorised capital by the various great financial houses, Lloyds Bank, on behalf of which Mr Phillips's name appeared, took pride of place with £ 30,000,000.

CHEMISTS IN CONGRESS. The seventh International Chemical Congress, which has been holding some of its meetings this week, has been discussing questions of the greatest consequence to industry, which in their subsequent developments will powerfully affect the future of mankind. Addresses have been delivered by the Hon. President, Sir Henry Sir William Ramsay. Roscoe, the veteran of English chemists by the President, Sir William Ramsay and these have been followed by men whose names, like those of the two we have named, are known all over the world. Among these may be named Dr. Wiley, of the United States, whose researches on the chemistry of foodstuffs have revolutionised the dietaries of animals and of nations Professor Armand Gautier, of the Piris Sorbonne and Dr. Otto Witt, whose position at the head of the Charlottenburg Polytechnikum makes him representative of all that is active in industrial chemistty in Germ iny.

BRITISH PILGRIMS IN SPAIN. Vigo, Monday.—The Archbishop of West- minster, on behalf of the British pilgrims whom he conducted to the shrine of St. James, at Santiago De Compostela, addressed the follow- ing telegram to King Alfonso Fifty Catholics from England going for the first time since the days of the United Faith in pilgrim- age to Santiago, respectfully salute his Catholic Majesty and promise earnest prayers for the welfare of his Majesty, of the Queen, and of the Royal children." His Grace received the following telegram in reply :—" The King has received your tele- gram and hips me convey to you his earnest thanks.-M,ajordomo." The most striking welcome has been ex- tended to the party on all hands. The Minister of Justice sent a cordial message in the name of the Government and Governor of Corunna, conveyed respectful salutations to Archbishop Bourne and also to Mrs Neville, one of the visitors, who is a sister of Mr Reginald McKenna, the British Admiralty First Lord. At Santiago the Mayor and Town Council heJd receptions and the Archbishop was elected an hon. fellow of the Royal University. On the return journey from Santiago to Vigo there were the same extraordinary mani- festations of goodwill. To-day the party journeyed by motor to the famous hydro of Mondariz, where they were received by Monsignor Farinas. The Archbishop of Westminster will leave for Braja to-morrow, and will afterwards travel to Lisbon via Oporto, returning to England.-bv the Booth liner Anselm on June 8th. The military and civil governors of the province took leave of his Grace this morning.-Central News.

SINGER AND BIG FEES. ■■ Siguor Giuseppe Anselmi, who has been engaged for Covent Garden this season by the Grand Opera Syndicate, is regarded as one of the greatest tenors of the day, and is much sought after by Continental impressarios. "I have heard it said that tenors are the biggest thieves in the world," remarked Signor Anselmi recently to a Press representative. I should like these critics to remember that tenors are rare people, and they are entitled to make as much money as they can during their career. At any moment their reputation may be ruined if they happen to be not in their best form or if they fail to realise expectations. Think, further, of the years that have to be spent in zealous studv before one can come before the public. Surely the tenor is entitled to ask big fees, in order to get back the money that has been spent on his training."

WHITE TIGRESS SHOT. r. A white tigress, 8tt. 8in. in length, has been shot in Dhenkanal State, Orissa. The ground colour was pure white, and the stripes were of a deep reddish-black colour. The skin has been presented to the Raja of Dhenkanal, who has ha.d it mounted and plaeM in his palace. The shikaris (hunters) say that it is the only white tiger they have seen. A rhinoceros has lately been shot in Assam which carried a horn 24 £ in. in length, exceeding by over 4in. tho horn in the Ipswich Museum, which was previously the largest existing specimen. In height the rhinoceros stood 6ft. 4in. at the shoulder, and is thus probably the biggest specimen of the Indian rhinoceros ever shot.

WELSH GLEANINGS. News and Views in Lighter Vein. Apparently education is making rapid pro- gress at Newport. A local paper recently advertised for a smart clerk, shorthand, able to speak French, Italian, and Spanish at once." The rainfall in Brecon and Radnorshire during the last six months was as follows at the places named :—Llangammarch Wells, 21*58 inches Brecon Beacons, 33'94 Talgarth, 11.77 and Claerwen (Elan Valley), 28*1. Some of the English Newspapers are becom- ing generous to Yr hen wlad." Referring to the Territorials on Salisbury Plain this week, one of them refers to Stonehenge standing a grimy mystery in the centre with its great blocks of stone brought, no one knows how, from Wales." Whit-Monday was the 52nd anniversary of the opening of the Crumlin Viaduct, and it is in- teresting to note that there is a thriving future in store for this pretty little village. The rich beauty of its vegetation, of which a splendid view may be obtained from the viaduct, is only equalled by its underlying mineral wealth. Pontypool is sometimes called the Athens of Monmouthshire." However this may be the town is well blessed with public schools, chief among which are the West Monmouth En- dowed School for Boys, and the County Girls School, at Penygarn, formerly used as a Baptist College. One of our statistical correspondents who has been studying the airship craze says that Saturday night is the principal night for seeing airships. There is, he adds, a big slump in the number of" seers on Sunday night when public- houses are closed. They rise again on Monday night, but gradually decrease as the week ex- pires and the cash disappears. The Rev. Richard Ceredig Jenkins, D.D., a native of Penparke, near Aberystwyth, who has for some years past ministered in America, has returned for a three months' visit to his native country. Mr Jenkins was ordained in con- nection with the London Missionary Society for work in China, but his health having com- pletely broken down in that country he had to return home, and subsequently emigrated to the States, where he has been very successful as a minister for many years past. It appears to be a matter for debate who the T. Lloyd Jones is whose name is appended to the article on Authority in Religion in the current number of Y. Geninen." The writer is the Rev. T. Lloyd Jones, B.A., B.D., Pencader, who read a paper on the above sub- ject at the conference of the Gymanfa Dair- Sirol last year, which he was earnestly re- quested to publish. The article in Y Geninen is practically that same paper. It is not generally known that Whit Sunday is really White Sunday, so called because the newly- baptised persons—catechumens are said to have worn white garments on that day. Another etymology is Wit or Wisdom Sunday, the day when the Apostles were filled with wisdom by the Holy Ghost. The Welsh (Jalvinistic Methodist Churches have made substantial contributions towards the Dr. Pugh Memorial Fund of £20,000, Mr David Beynon, the treasurer of the fund for the Cardiff district, this week receiving fromMr Walter Williams the secretary of the Upper Rhondda district, a cheque for JE104 19s 5d, made up of the following contributions of churches :—Gosen, Trcorky, £25: Bethel, Ystrad, JE8 10s 6d Duffryn, Gelli, JE1 Horeb, Treherbert, £25 17s 5d and Nazareth, Pentre, £44 lls 6d. The Western Valley, of which Crumlin is a portion, has been prophetically and aptly termed the second Rhondda, and it has been felt for a long time that the means of com- munication at present existing between the Eastern and Western Valleys is not so easy or rapid as it should be, hence the agitation which has been going on in favour of opening the loop hne between Pontypool and Llan- hilleth, which would obviate the change from high to low level, and the use of the viaduct for this purpose. Despite the fact that the Great Western Railway Company have so far c]< rl:n<> 1 to open the said line for passenger traffic Ihe Pontypool Urban Council are still persistant and not without hope in the matter. Last Saturday an unfortunate worknnn who had to seek shelter in A South Wales T. n-or> Workhouse came before the guardians nn i w tS catechised as to his illness. He told the chair- man that he was suffering from the effects of nn accident to his leg but at. the same time Inn 1p:1 in a doctor's certificate to the effect llnt ha was suffering from rheumatism in his This was pomted out to him. the chairman asking, Which is it, th? lee or the side ? Well." replied the man, It is my side they have plastered." The Aberdare Cymmrodorion Society had a very successful session last winter, and during the coming summer they have decided upon keeping thb members together by mean" of a series of outings to various places of interest in and around the district. Among other places of interest- to be visited during the coming three months are Caer Moesau. Aberpergwm. Ystradfellte, and the various cairns and ancient encampment on the side of the Merthyr Moun- tain. In view ftf the renewed interest taken in ancient Welsh monuments, local societies of this kind can do an immense amount of good by investigating and visiting places of interest in their own locality, and thus keep alive the memory of the past generations of Welshmen. The High Constable of Aberdare, or to give him his proper designation, the High Constable of Miskin Higher, Mr W. Thomas, solicitor, has arranged with the Welsh National Pageant Committee for a visit by Owen Rhoscomyl on Friday next. The eminent historian of the pageant will find in Aberdare an appreciative audience when dilating on the deeds of Rhys ap Tewdwr, for it was in the Cynon Valley that the final battle in the conflict took place, and the place names still bear testimony to various events in that memorable conflict. It was from Aberdare that Rhys fled over the mountain to the Rhondda Valley, where he was ultimatelv captured and beheaded at Penrhys. The vice-chairman of the Aberdare Cymmro- dorion Society has invited all the members-of the society to the lecture, and there is every prospect that Owen Rhoscomyl will meet a highly appreciative and critical audience on the occasion.

A SPENT FORCE." DOCTOR'S REMARKABLE SUICIDE The suicide is reported of Dr. Ernest Ehrich, a brilliant young doctor, who was a house physician at the German Hospital, Dalston. He poisoned himself with oxi-cyanide of mercury. At the inquest on Wednesday extra- ordinary letters left by the doctors were read. One was to his sweetheart—a touching, tender letter. In it he said, I have come to the end. I have spent all my forces. I feel eurasthenic and melancholic. I am a man with a very delicate nervous system. I apolo- gise for leaving you in this way, and causing you all this trouble, and nigh breaking your heart, but it is the only way." This letter was writ in French. In another in German to his relatives he said he felt weak nerved and unfit for life. There was nothing of an unpleasant nature in the letter. All he seemed to be anxious for was to apologise for his decision to leave the world for which he felt unfitted. The House Physician said Ehrick was a real jolly good fellow.always ready to do something for somebody else.and exceedingly clever at his work. All "Saturday evening he noticed he looked sad and miserable. On Sunday mornine he did not come on duty, aud the witness de- cided to let him sleep. At midday, however, finding the door of his room locked, he obtained a ladder and climbed in at the window and found him dead. On the table were direc- tions as to the disposal of my property." In this he directed that his money should be sent to his parents, who were to be informed of his death. He also told in the most methodical manner. what every key on his bunch was used for and where everything would be found, and he con- cluded by apologising for the trouble he was giving. At the side of these was the letter to his sweetheart, one to his relatives, a bottle of morphia, a solution of oxi-cyanide of mercury, and some tabloids of the same poison. The hon. surgeon to the hospital said they seldom had such a man who had shown .morc brilliance and given more satisfaction than the deceased. Deceased was M.D. of Basle, had passed with high honours, and had re- ceived three very fine testimonials. Suicide whilst temporarily insane was the verdict, the evidence showing that de- ceased had suffered from over-study.

HANDY CARDIFF WIFE. Before the Cardiff Deputy Stipendiary (MrZS. Milner Jones) on Wednesday Alice Gloves sum- moned her husband, Alfred Groves, for assault. The wife told the Court that she tapped all her children's boots and made their clothes, but her husband didn't give her 15s a week on all average throughout the year. She complained that her husband had struck her. For the de- fence it was said that Mrs Groves had pro- 1 voked her husband. A fine of 20s and costs was imposed on in default 14 days'imprison^ ment.