The Cardiff Times

FOR BOYS AND GIRLS. Broken Glass. By M. S. SMITH. Who's there ?" asked Dr. Warren, peering vUt of the surgery door into the darkness, over visitor's head. ». It's me, please. Dulcie Johnson. And oh, r'Octor. our baby's so sick, and mother's away, father's late'to-night, and will you please eome!" i Dr. Warren drew the little girl into the OOUSo. h" Tl-l(,re's nobodv hut Fanny at home, and ePs saying, He'll be better presently,' c?u'fc think of anything to make him ftter." said Dulcie." So I just came on my blc?cle." ^eht' thaf Way in thC dark You wcrcn't Not much." said Dufcie. truthfully. It had «en rather a trial, for the way was lone and llely, and she was a verv little girl to ride by ^-Self at night. j Tell me just how baby looks," said the u,yF' an(l Dulcie told him all abouMt. w, I wish I could come at once," he said, th i* s^e 'la(' finished, but I have to go to hospital for about an hour. I will give j™u something that will do baby good at tèiIS1;lt. Get back as quick as you can, and nd. Inny to give him a dose straight away ■5 I'll be with you as soon as I can get." ton u cie stowC(i the bottle in a deep coat- ui • an(I started for home. j Mind you don't drop the bottle," said the to -ir" Poor little lassie She's very little as ?ltle s° far in the dark," he said to himself, jke turned in. Sounds as if the baby was J}er bad, I'm afraid." of nf s new" bicycle bowled away gaily out VlWT1- She was very proud of it. for it f quite new. She had only possessed it a <C,^ec'ks, and was scarcely an experienced fclf Her little lamp had neren been lighted ore this eventful night. She pedalled along orously lvhen she had left the town-setts Va t'le unlighted country road, the ocean to go uphill, and it was hard work, Pecially for a little girl in a prodigious hurry. y)c7J<Yery now and then she put her hand to the fpfj| ck sticking out of her'pockw, and the °f it comforted her. That would do baby" Va i struggled on valiantly, but the hill tooo much for her, and at last she wriggled «au v. Sad(ile' to walk. Alas The handle-bar a -j her pocket as she jumped off, and with Qf if anc* a crastl the precious bottle flew out t Jr* P'ace, and smashed itself to atoms on the erb-sto e. stooped to pick up the useless frag- fast and for a tow minutes the tears flowed « V Then a good idea struck her. run back and ask Dr. Warren for » bottle. I don't think he'll be very she said, and ran easily down the clia road into the town again. A terrible ^PPointment awaited her. The doctor had ^aiif ?,olle half-an-hour. What do you liRi asked the young dispenser, seeing the girl's distress. ° cxP^a'nett the catastrophe with some thp I'be brought the cork and the piece off bottle that had the label on," she said, ^b, that's good I can repeat the pre- tjj^Ption as it is entered in the book," said tjj young man and he quickly made good I)>,i • s' this time tying the bottle carefully to <i shandle-bar. jp,. t must be, getting tired," said she to her- diJ'as s'ie the town once more, it feels ^aflfuiiy hard work der-16 PU3hed forward with all her might, won- jjj what made the way seem so long. The Kht was darker than ever, and it was begin- to rain. Dulcie wished herself at home, thought with tears in her eyes of poor Jeering baby, waiting for the relief that was J°nKcomine. i-t last! Here was the turning. With sonie- of regret, she turned off from the gas- Illps that were almost companionable, and all her strength into pedalling up the hilly It was hard work, certainly, but not so a^ch harder than what had sone before and nf a milo and a halt of clinlining, some to the was °bliged to walk, Dulcie came downhill aZy? £ conclusion that she was going. Xvav hmo* v Taa a relief, certainly, though the *hee7fn,> horr/bly bumpy, to be able to free- ° quite a mile but after the relief .A Tne a .v,iry rude awakening. j5eaT,c,r1^se; ^ith brightly-lighted windows, ap- stare-. "?efore^her out of the darkness. Dulcie ^chh 'n bewildei-ment. There was no (Jojp- °|ISo °n. the road home, she felt sure. TKn T>.osfr' she read over the door the sign, in Hand." hatn. Tf'1 113 -^an(^ nearly at Gilling- 4lldshp + S wro^ road!" gasped Dulcie, Step8> Jj^rned wearily round to retrace her ^asijJ f P' UP. up She had come down pretty fetit a" the road was so amazingly bumpy, inch of+i?Und s^e ha4 pttsh her bicycle every J«acilr f^t weary mile and when, at last, she Wdt^Ti road its lamps, it was nto ee.P going at all. When she got at last e. ^ght road, and faced the long ptill fest f'a ^Iesh trouble came on the top of the h Or her lamp blew out and after burn- IittIeer fingers in vain, and exhausting her gon stckofmatches, she made up her mind to "ifT ut- in ^^eet a policeman and he tries to put tell hi*?11?011' thought Dulcie, I shall just 0}) I about baby, and then he won't mind." 'ega a'i j at a long, long way it seemed. Her ft* ,ned,a,nd when she pushed the bicycle i^ciou«iange' tlle Pedal kicked her poor shin Men fl"T" She was stiH a long way from home, u st°pped with a cry of pain. Some- nadcut her foot. She felt "the hot blood ^artie inside her stocking, and at the .Spot [rPment recognised that this was the very bottle where she had dropped the medicine pieces up," she thought, t*X t^ ^cbody else will get hurt," and, groping gj4gg dark, she found six sharp fragments of 'Th* mounting her bicycle^-for she was now fienRth of smooth and level road—she made effort to get home. ther I'm dreadfully tired, or my bicycle ?ver i. n^ thought poor Dulcie. How- I here I am home, and glad I am!" For rjjg'Qor foot was really very painful. + Was a light outside the door when teltoiled up the drive, and Dr. Warren's «« jr°ice accosted her anxiously. ^ave ,Was going to look for you. What on earth fcajjje u been doing with yourself, child ? 1 to fL UP on my bicycle at once instead of going e os (l *v9pi'al tirst. But how I came to miss road—yes, oh yes, baby'll be all I WarLen P.ulcie told her misfortunes, and Doctor etL Ied up her poor foot nicelv. ? bonder," he said, aftPr a: shori; glance Wd lCle 3 bic>'c,e' no wonder you found it P?*—your back tyre is puctured with a p ill-fated medicine bottle and mv C^Ole me by an accident in the same way as I MP' so that I had to stop and mend it. •t?e your bicycle feels like lead, and all Wt <;10lnts feel stiff you will know that your type has gone flat." Kujj/ though he laughed at her in his good- ^ead way, the kind doctor patted Dulcie's atld said that she had done her best, and could do more than that. And when to again—this time in broad daylight 1 baby's medicine, she received a prac- getj, ess°n in how to mend tyres herself, to- ^ith a nice lifctl-e box of tools and *i an^ rubber solution as a present. And P'fased Dulcie still more was the assniv tivat another hour might have made. a I "t difference to her baby-brother. N

WOMAN'S STRANGE STORY. Jj ^Appy Brails haw, ostler at the Dunraven Bridgend, was charged at Bridgend on OHjLr~c'ay with committing an indecent assault lip rj^^y Roberts, wife of Dd. Roberts, of Coity. ^rrr"Hughes appeared for the police, and I de^^old Lloyd, Cardiff, defended. The evi- the woman was that she had been apart from her husband. She met him in on Whit Monday-, and they became I ^hli °1iec'' bad been drinking in several tof l^'hous^s, and was not sober when she left il» She "missed her husband, and went te ^lrection of Coity Fields. After leaving fOWu s^e remembered nothing more until QUnd herself in the thira field, where she $Ve molested by prisoner and four or I ^her men. The other men afterwards left, ''tid Bench said that there was not sufficient 'Usrvrlce Put prisoner upon his trial. He was *-narged,

MR KEIR HARDIE. a foundation stone of a Labour hall **id h1 on Saturday, Mr Keif Hardie <^c ,.e saw in that hall a sure and /Certain in- that when the next opportunity came I p^auise<i working men of Belfast, Orange alike, would combine and send one, not t o, men to swell the number of the 8t> Party in the House oi' Commons. at Belfast on Sunday night, Mr help o taardie. M.P., said with or without the rJ^en' the enfranchisement of women in %He could not be long withheld. He *toartf ln most unhesitating fashion that, Ihete orn a few isolated cases of individuals, Tlie 0^as no such thing as sedition in India. Self, ne remedy for India was to produce more on the lines of Lord Morley's + G resu'^ his travels was to convince l°nS as one class made laws for r there must be oppression.

Y GOLOFN GYMREIG. Dymunir i'n gohebwyr Cymreig gyfeirio eu gohebiaethau, llyfrau i'w hadolvgu, etc., fel y ctntyn: IPANO, Cil Hedd, Berthwin- street, Cardiff.

AT Y BEIRDD. Yr wythnos nesaf bydd Gwyl y Gonedl yng Nghaerludd, a phriodol iawn yw rhoi goiod fel hyn yn y Gelofn i fer-awdl ymSlamychol ABaph Glvn Ebwy. Rljyfedd mor ifanc yw awen ac ysbryd y patriarch Gall ddiolch hefyd. ar ol ymosod o hono fel y gwna yn ci awdl ar Dder^vyddiaeth yr Orsedd a Seisnig- eiddiweh yr eisteddfod, ei fod allan o gyrraedd dig a brad. A fydd Asaph yn yr eisteddfod, W Croeso i Wilym Cynlais i blith beirdd y Golofn, a diolch iddo am addo gadael inni glywed ei lais yn awr ac eilwaith. Telyneg brvdferth a hoe^ yw hon o'i eiddo ar Fai yn canu. Daw'r cynyrchion eraill yn eu tro. Nodweddiadol iawn o fin a phertrwydd awen Talnant, onitc, yw'r darn byr a geir ar ben y Golofn.

"RAID ON WELSH WATER-SHEDS." -(" S.W. D. N. ") Nid digon oedd i'r Sais, Drwy drais, gad scwlc 0 dv a thwlc Y gwirion Gvmro: Rhaid iddo fyn'd a, dwr. Y gwr yn awr; Ac fel pob cawr, Pan gaffo ar lawr Y bach, gwna 'i flingo. Abertawe. Talnant.

MAI SYDD YN CANU. Mai sydd yn canu Yn ymyl y nant Wrth estvn briallu I filoedd o blant. Wylo 'roedd Ebrill Ei ddagrau yn lli', Ond Mai sydd yn cant Alawon i ni. Mai sydd yn llonni Y perthi a'r ddol r Os mud ydyw Ebrill Mewn bedd ar ei ol. Mai sydd yn estyn Cyfrolau o hyd 0 broffwydoliaethau Ddrychafa y bvd. Y storm a dawelwyd, A glasu mae'r nef, 611r mtnydd yn ymyl Mewn heddwch mae ef. Os bu rhyw gardotyn Yng nghanol y glaw Yn wylo yn Ebrill, Ei gâJl sy gerllaw. Gardotyn, gardotyn, Os gwellt ddeil dy ben, Yr un ser wel y brenin A thithau'n y ncn. Gardotyn, gardotyn, Yr un haul geiff y dryw A'r balch ymerawdwr A thi gyda Duw. I Rho ddiolch fod EbriU Yn gwlychu dy ael; Rho salm o d y galon Fod gwen Mai i'w chael. Mae bywyd fel organ, A'i leddf gyda 'i Ion Mewn Dwyfol gvnghanedd Yn llanw pob bron. Mis Mai sydd yn canu Mewn blodau o hyd, A'i flodau sy'n gwenu Ar dlodion y byd. Mis Mai sydd yn canu Emynnau y Nef I glustiau cardotyn A glywi ei lef 7 A ydwyt yn cerdded Heb gerdd yn dy glyw Ehwng perthi perorol Heb glywed llais Duwt O! agor dy lygaid I weled o hyd Fis Mai yn mynd heibio A Duw ynddo i gyd. Clustiau'r Tragwyddol Ni allant hwy lai Na chlywed cerddoriaeth Ysbrydol mis Mai. Nid ydyw mis Mai A'i ogoniant ar fyd Ond gwan o ddwyfoldeb Dros anian i gyd. Gwilym Cynlais.

YR EISTEDDFOD GENEDLAETHOL YN LLUNDAIN, 1^09. Llonder i Eisleddlod Llundain!—miloedd Fo'i hymwelwyr cvwrain; MyTdd o wirftfrwyf; comtfr cain,1' Masnachwyr a brudwvr holl Brydain. Ein hen fam, Cymru, 'n ddigamwedd-a a, I wyl y gynghanedd; Yno'n glau caiff enwog wledd 0 fiwsig pur difaswedd. Ac enwog fydd yno'r canu-hwylus Gyda'r delyn fwyngu; A medrus fydd y mydru Am y ddiwair gadair gu. Be' waeth son? Bydd yno donau—goeliaf Wna'r galon yn fTrydiau Yn swn y gerdd. heb sain gau Annedwydd yn ei nodau. Ysywaeth, nid cenedlaethawl-i gyd Yw'r gan eisteddfodawl, Na, cais a Ilais Sais yw'r sawl Geir yno yn goronawl. Nid felly, Gymry; ai gwych—rhoi y sedd I'r Sais fel prif wrthddrych ? Ai gonest ydyw genych Borthi'r arth ar barth yr ych! Enwog feirddion, gwych lenorion, A chantorion taerion teraf, Ydynt banfod yr Eisteddfod, A'i hawdurdod barod buraf. Ceir lion a lleddf mewn eisteddfod,—chwynu, A chonach diddarfod, Ië a nage, parth rhyw n6d Neu ddarn, ac ambell ddyrnod. "0 draeth Derwyddiaeth, yn wir,—anhvlon Ddu niwloedd ganfyddir; Mwy'n ddiau o'r gau nà'r gwir Yw ei helynt, hawdd welir. Nid adeg hynod odiaeth-yw delwi Uwch diles Dderwyddiaeth: Nid saig i'r Dywysogaeth Yw y fath lwyd fwyd di-faeth. Derwyddiaeth a aeth yn dra hen—bellach, Heb allu na dyben; Doeth y bu, ond daeth i ben Ei chynghor, fon a changhen. Am hyny'n ddewr ymunwch—i'w chladdu (H i a'i chleddyf, cofiwch)" "YnMon?" Ie, os mynweh, Ncu'n N-hacrdydd-Ilonydd i'w llwch!" Ni gladdwn ein harglwyddes,-a'i chleddyf Erch, laddodd Achilles, Ger y Tâf, yn rhyw gwr tes—o'i gorawr, Ac enfawr facn mynawr ar ei monwes. "Dvna! huned yn anwyl Yn ei rhawd o swn yr wyl; Heddwch-hir b ed dwch-iddi; Hiraclrhedd i'ch dwndwr chwi. Tra dyn a deddf bo(,d Eisteddfod,-beb ludd Fo'i blwyddawl gyfarfod; A'i henw byth fo'n hynod Tra'n hiaith hardd a bardd yn bod. Hyglcdus fyddai a gwladol—weled Yr wyl yn Gymreigol, Heb lais y Sais hir ei siol Ar gyhoedd yn dragwyddol. Parch diglais i'r Sais sosi!—a'i barchu Heb orchest boed ini 'N mhob gwedd, a'i gydwedd godi, Heb in' wneyd e'n ben i ni. Yn y canu na chaed cynhen Hagr ei phwd agor ei phen. Agar anhygar yw hi, A dylid ei didoli Bwrier heb ball hi allan I aethus anfydus fan; Hyhi, odid, bob adeg Y sydd i'r wraig (farn) rydd yn rheg, Ac i'w du sweh caed y sac,—a'i mab ffol, Am heriol a dwysol wawdio Isaa^ Bydd yno rai byddinoedd-o gewri Rhagorol ynysoedd; A hyn fydd had gael ar g'oedd Yn adlai s y cenedloedd. Difai yno fydd Dyfed-o,'i esgid I'w ysgwydd, cewch weled; Ac fel yr aeg ei fawl red I gyrau dae'r agored. Pa un o'n bcirdd yw'r pena'n bod ?—Dyfed, Y difyr ei dafod, Yw arglwydd ein gwyr eurglod- Ni fu neb o'i nwyf a'i n6d. Ren wech Roeg sydd yn ei chrys,—a Rhufain- Yn rhyfedd dlawd megys; Ond eirian Ddyfed erys I A'i sawd dan ei fawd a'i fys. Boed hiroes, euroes, a hedd-i Dyfed, A difwlch anrhydedd; v A'r nef lan fo'i seirian sedd Yn dawel yn y diwedd. Beth am farn-hyfarn hafyd-y bamwyr ? Heb ornest hi gyfyd Yn mhell uwchlaw baw y byd, Ai wen afryw anhyfryd. Barnaf y daw v beirniaid,-Dan, Dewi, A Harri, Omeriaid, Drwy ffau o rwystrau, os rhaid, I degwch barn fendiiaid. Am hyny, na cbymhenweh-y beirniaid, Ond i'w barnau plygwch: Onide eich lie fydd llwch, Ac yno'n lleddf y cenwch. Eu gwyneb fydd yn ogoniant—i'r wyl, A mawrhad i'w llwyddiant; Ac union fydd ton eu tant Yn mhalas meibion moliant. Boed amledd byd i Emlyn,-a hefyd I'w hyfodd ddau gyd-ddyn Wedi 'u gwaith caent fywyd gwyn—yn ngvslad gwawl, Dirfiawl a diderfyn. Stockton-ar-Dees. Asaph Glyn Ebwy.

I Green, the Historian. HIS LIFE AT OXFORD. On Saturday afternoon there was a meet- ing of historians at Jesus College, Oxford, to celebrate the memory of John Richard Green, the historian, who was born in Oxford, and was for four years (1855-59) a student at Jesus. Above the entrance to his rooms in the Inner Quadrangle a commemorative tablet has been placed, bearing the inscription- In Sexta Camera Hujus Insulae Johannes Ricardus Green, Hujus Collegii Olem Scholaris. Ingentem Suum Rerum Praeteritarum Amorem per Quadrennium Exercebat 1855- 1859." Principal Sir John Rhys, accompanied by Lady Rhys, Mrs John Richard Green,Mrs Hum- phry Ward. the Welsh Vice-Chancellor of the University (Mr Herert Warren, president of Magdalen), and the Misses Rhys, and Who was supported by a company of distinguished his- torians and men of letters from all parts of the kingdom, conducted the brief ceremon of the unveiling. Eulogistic speeches in memory of the departed historian and his connection with the College and the University were delivered by the Vice-Chancellor, the Regius Professor of modern history, and Mr J. F. Rhodes, who expressed the feeling of Ameri- cans towards the appreciative writer of the tribute to Washington in The History of the English People." After the ceremony a luncheon was given in the college hall. The Principal presided, and had on his immediate left Mrs Green, the widow of the great historian, and on his right /the Vice- Chancellor of the University and Lady Rhys. Among the guests present were Professor Tout (Manchester), Professor Vinogradoff, Mr J. F. Rhodes, Professor Firth, Professor Bury, Mr A. L. Smith, Professor Boyd JDawkins, Canon Trevor Owen, Professor G. Murray, Mrs Ward, Sir Lauder Brunton, Mr H. Fisher, Mr Simon, M.P., Professor Tait, Professor Goudy, Pro- fessor Mackay (Liverpool), Mr Vincent Evans, Mr Hazel. M.P., Mr Gemaer, Professor Beazley, Rev. R. H. Murray, Professor Haverfielot, Rev. William Hunt, Mr Seebohm, Mr Edward Clodd, Professor Poulton, Mr Stevenson, Dr. Church, Mr Pollard, Mr Cotton, Alr W.M. Atkins, M.P., Mr Pickard-Cambridge, Mr Brazier, Mr Austin, Mr Barker, Mr Alden, Mr Stopford, Mr Chapman, Alr Rait, Rev. S. Holmes, Professor Poulton, Mr Seebohm, Mr H. Ward, Mr Hearnshaw; Mr Snow, Mr Wake- ling, Mr Molyneux, Mr Cohen, and the Bursar, the Rev. W. Hawker Hughes, M.A. Principal Rhys's Address. Before calling on those who had to speak to The memory of John Richard Green his work as an historian and his influence on the study of history at Oxford and elsewhere," Principal Rhys said "I wish to touch on a topic or two familiar to all of you. The first is Mr Green's attitude to wards the University of Oxford. For my part I thi|k—of course I may be raistaken-tfiat I understand it. What sort of a place was this University in Mr Green's time for a man who had a genuine love for any kind of historical study ? It could not be con- genial to him. I am assured by one who remembers the years when Mr Green was an undergraduate that the examiner in history was only too prone to award first classJionours to such of the candidates as had risen to the level of knowing Hume fairly well by heart. Then as to the dons of Jesus College in Mr Green's time, they were, I take it, very much like the dons-of most of the other coUeges. One does not find, for instance, that they had among them any great historian how many of the other colleges ,had ? However, the then dons of Jesus per- ceived that in John Richard Green they had to do with a man of genius, endowed with the usual obstinacy of genius. Therefore they left him on the whole to pursue his own predilec- tions in the matter of studv that fact stands distinctly to their credit. 1 fear that we have fallen back since that time, for the Jesus dons of the present day would have allowed him no such freedom. He who now-a-days will not read for honours is stripped of his scholar's gown. Indeed the liberty lost since there is to some extent the key to the Regius Professor of Modern History's eloquent pleading for more latitude and less cramming in the Oxford school, a pleading which has already begun to be effective. Again Some people imagine that Mr Green was very miserable among the Jesus Welshmen that is not true. The undergraduates of this college were then unfortunately somewhat sharply divided into rival factions, so to say, as may happen at any time in any college. But Mr Green belonged to a group which inflicted more blows than it received I mean in the war of words and lampoons that went on. There were' Welshmen here whom he cordially disliked as there were other Welshmen whom he cordially liked those remained his friends to the end. So much as to the idea that Mr Green was friendless and miserable here: as a matter of fact, he entered heartily into any fnn that was going on. Looking at his undergraduate days from a slightly different point of view, I cannot help thinking that .his experiences among the Jesus Welshmen may have proved ol some use to the historian when he came to •sfrrite later about the mixed,-populations-of Southern Britain. As a Celt, I notice also With Some curiosity how his personal preferences leaned at last very decidedly to the Celtic side. Two of his Welsh friends at college are with us to-day there would have been more had they been able to come. They remember John Richard Green when his work and influence were All of the morrow, when he had not, as yet, overthrown the drum and trumpet school of history. Most of us assembled together under this roof are left to envy Professor Boyd Dawkins anil the Rev. Canon Trevor Owen they make one recall the pretty conceit of the Roman poet, who, thinking of the beginnings of the Nile, sang the line :— Nee licuit populis parvum te Nile videre." Many letters of regret were received and read, amongst other from Dr. Frederic See- bohm, Principal Sir Harry Reichel, Mr Frederick Macmillan, and M. Gabriel Monod. I Discussion. Brilliant speeches iij further eulogy of Green's work and character were delivered by Professor Bury, Professor Tout, Mr A. L. Smith, Mr Fisher, Mr Humphrey Ward, Pro- fessor Boyd Dawkins, and Canon Trevor-Owen, of Bodelwyddan. The two latter were con- temporaries and intimate friends of John Richard Green, and both bore testimony to the friendliness of the college authorities to the utter dispelling of the legend of unkind dealing suggested by Free- man and others. professor Boyd Dawkins, referring to a notorious satire after the manner | of "The Dunciad." which certain Welshmen of the. period strongly te- sented, said that the parts which gave offence were not written by Green, and Canon Trevor Owen said that the infor- mation contained in the satire had been given by men who were themselves Welshmen. Mrs Green, in a speech of great tact and feeling, acknowledged the tribute paid to the memory of hqr husband, at the back of whose work lay the ruling passion of "his life—the love of liberty.

CARDIFF. At the meeting of the Cardiff Board of Guardians on Saturday, Mr O. H. Jones pre- siding, Mr W. Green (chairman of the BLiilcll- ing Committee) reported that good progress was being made with the construction of the new laundry at Cardiff Workhouse, the new wash-house being completed and the machinery in working order. He complimented the master and the laundry staff on having suc- ceeded in doing the house washing—16,000 articles per week—while the new laundry was being erected. It was really remarkable how they had managed to do that, having regard to the fact that the drying house had to be puUed down and other conveniences removed before the erection of the new laundry could be commenced. Mr C. W. Melhuish supported the remarks of Mr Green. Difference zC4,000 a Year. Mr J. Ames pointed out that while Newport Guardians were charged 10s 7id per head per week for their pauper lunatics at Caerleon, the Cardiff Guardians were charged 13s lid per head per week for their pauper lunatics in the Whitchurch Mental Hospital. Caerleon was a new asylum, as was Whitchurch, and he was at a loss to understand why there should be a difference of half a crown per week per head in the charges. The Cardiff Guardians had EOO patients at Whitchurch, and this difference of 2s 6d per head meant £ 15 per week, or ZI,000 per year. The guardians had no control over that expenditure, yet they were blamed for it by the ratepayers. He moved that they demand an explanation from the Cardiff Corporation. The Rev. John Williams (Grangetown) secon- ded. Ald. Beavan said that to do that would be a great insult to the Guardians Committee, which already had this and other matters under consideration. The matter was referred to this committee.

NEWPORT. Schoolboys and Workhouse. At Saturday's meeting of the Newport Guar- dians, Mr T. Dutfield presiding, the board de- clined an application that about 60 upper- standard lads, who were being given lessons in citizenship, should visit the workhouse to see some of the arrangements by which the aged and infirm were provided for, as the inmates did not care to be disturbed by such large parties. The committee which considered the question of providing v additional workhouse accommodation reported against the' proposal to utilise the Caerleon schools. They recom- mended that another storey should be added to the present hospital block, with accommo- dation for 52 beds, and an additional block erected at the end of' the present married quarters, with accommodation for 48 beds. This was -agreed to. ————

DEED OF VENGEANCE. Dacca, Sunday.—The house in Fardipur of Gobesh Chandra Fhatterji, a witness in the political case against members of Anashilian Samitie, a proscribed political society in Dacca, was fired into two nights ago. His brother was dragged out of the house last night and shot and stabbed by four unknown men. Gobesh himself was then in Dacca closely gua-rded.-Reuter.

National Peace Congress. THE CARDIFF GATHERING. AIMS AND OBJECTS SOUGHT. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—We desire to call the attention of your readers to the Fifth National Peace Congress of Great Britain and Ireland, which will be held in Cardiff on the 28th 29th, and 30th of June. The congress is arranged by the National Peace Council, and will be attended by dele- gates from numerous peace societies and other societies specially interested in the promotion of peace and international arbitration from many parts of the country. Previous congresses have received distin- guished support. Lord Courtney of Penwith was president of the first congress, held in Manchester in 1904 the Bishop fo Hereford presided over the second congress, at-Bristol in 1905 and the Right Hon. Robert Spence Watson over tthe congress at Birmingham in 1906, whilst the Right Hon. John Ellis was president at Scarborough in 1907. ast year the International Peace Congress was held in London, and therefore no meeting of the National Congress was held. This year the president will be Sir William Collins, M.D., F.R.C.S., M.P., a man eminent not odly,in surgery, but also in literature and in public member of Parliament and former chair- man of the London County Council. To make arrangements for the congress and provide hospitality for some of the delegates an influential Reception Committee has been formed in Cardiff, of which the Bishop of Llandaff is president, and the vice-presidents are Mr Win. Brace, M.P Rev. Principal W. Edwards, D.D., Principal* E. H. Griffiths, F.R.S., the Hon. Ivor C. Guest, M.P., Donald Maclean, M.P., John Morn-an (president Free Church Council), Sidney Robinson, M.P., and Councillor H. M. Thompson. on. Subjects for Discussion. Amongst the subjects to be discussed at the congress are the following :-Peace and the Churches; Militarism and Employment; Anglo-German Relations The Limitation of the Right of Capture of Private Property at Sea Conscription and Couipulsory Military Service. The aim of the congress is to assist in the maintenance of peace both by the promotion of international arbitration-as a humane and rational substitute for war, and by fostering a national policy which may avoid giving offence to other countries either by unwarranted inter- ference or by superfluous armament. A principal feature of the congress is the representation of local societies interested, who regard the promotion of international peace and goodwill as one of their secondary objects, if not their principal purpose. Invita- tions are therefore being addressed'to the sec- retaries of several hundred societies and to all the principal churches and congregations throughout South Wales and Monmouthshire, inviting each society or church to send two delegates to the congress. Invitations are being addressed particularly to churches, poli- tical associations, Trade Unions, to associa- tions of teachers, and to temperance and other philanthropic societies. It is possible that some societies who might care to be repre- sented at the congress and whose delegates the Reception Committee would cordially wel- come, may have been inadvertently over- looked. If the secretary oE any such society will communicate with either of the secretaries of the Local Reception Committee at the ad- dress given below his" society will at onçe- re- ceive an invitation to appoint delegates to the conference. A public meeting, at which all interested will be welcome, will be held on the evening of Tuesday, the 29th June. and will be addressed by several prominent public speakers. There will also be some space re- served for the general public at the day meet- ings of the congress. A Society for South Wales. It is hoped that the congress my have per- manent influence for good by organisilag .throughout South Wales all opinion definitely in favour of peace. There are many persons in this district who strive to take an enlightened and generous view of the natural aspirations and policies of other countries, who abhor panic and unnecessary expenditure upon armament, and alec^ believe thatprelSSure should be put upon Governments to submit disputes to arbi- tration before declaring war. With the object of uniting and giving expression to this large body of opinion a proposal will be made at the end of the afternoon session of the congress on Tuesday, June 28th, to found a Peace and Arbi- tration Society for South Wales and Monmouth- shire. The delegates of societies anflllchurches will be invited to become members, and all other persons anxious to support the move- ment should communicate with one of the secretaries of the Reception Committee, who will propose them as original members of the newsociety.—We are, etc J. P. LLANDAFF, president Reception Committee. JAMES WAUGH. hon. treasurer. H. STANLEY JEVONS, hon. secretary. 35, Windsor-place, 5th June, 1209.

-i' SOLDIERS AT THE PALACE. I_ Ting received at Buckingham Palace on Saturday the 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment, of which he is Ilonel-in-chief, in order to present new colours to them. The cereomony was originally fixed for Friday, but was postponed on account of the weather, and on Saturday the ground was in such a sodden cpndition that his Majesty decided to ciold the parade in the ball-rocm of the palace. The Queen, Princess Victoria, Prince of Wales, and the Duke of Connaught were associated with his Majesty,who was dressed in field marshal's uni- form. Bishop Taylor Smith, chaplain-general of the forces, performed the dedication cere- mony of new colours, after the old colotrrshad been marched to the rear to the tune of Auld Lang Syne." Two subalterns then received from the King the new colours, one taking the King's colour and the other the regimental. His Majesty afterwards spoke' as follows :— Col. Marriott, officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the 1st Battalion Nor- folk Regiment,—I have not forgotten that 22 year-, ago at Aldershot I presented to you fresh colours. I did so on that occasion in order to identify myself with your regiment. I have lived now not far off half a century in the county of Norfolk, and am deeply interested in everything that concerns the county. I was glad then to associate myself with the regiment which bears its name, and am pleased to be able to renew the association to-day. I am sorry that the elemants out of doors did not per- mit to give you your colours in the open, but the fact of my receiving you within the palace shows you the deep interest I take in your regiment. The regiment first existed 224 years ago, and, since then, you have seen active ser vice in every part of the globe, and have greatly distinguished yourselves. I feel sure, in confiding these new colours to your care, that you will always continue to uphold the dignity of your Sovereign and the welfare of your country. I have little fear that the high reputation which your regiment posses- ses will continue as long as it exists." Colonel Marriott briefly thanked his Majesty, and a Royal salute concluded the presentation ceremony. The colonel of the regiment and the two subalterns who received the colours from the King, and the sergeant-major, were then invited to step forward, and his Majesty deco- rated them, giving the fourth class of the Vic- torian Order to the colonel, the fifth class to the subalterns, and the medal of the Order to the sergeant-major.

EBBW VALE DOCTORS' FUND. < The two Sub-committees appointed to arrange the terms of arbitration in the Ebbw Vale Doctors' Fund dispute have met and discussed the question of arbitrators. The workmen's Doctors' Fund Committee has selected Mr, Philip Snowden, M.P., as their arbitrator, and the Cwm section has chosen Mr Tom Richards, M.P. The doctors' committee so far has not accepted Mr Richards. They do not object on personal grounds, but, on the contention that it would be fnore satisfactory to have a per- fectly independent person, and one who is totally unacquainted with the dispute. They hold the same objection to Mr Brace, M.P., and would prefer the Cwm section to submit the name of a person outside the county of Monmouth. It is nnderstortd that the Board of Trade will be requested to nominate the xeferee.

New Dreadnoughts. s IMPROVEMENT IN TYPE. Work in Hand. A very important statement with regard to the filture of the Navy is made on the authority of Mr H. W. Lucy. Discussing the four '• contingent Dread- noughts which may be added to the pro- gramme for the year, he writes to The Observer that the work in connection with the great guns and heavy mountings for the ships is already in hand, and adds:- When the time comes for laying down the ships, the Admiralty will be in a position proudly to justify a delay of some months by pointing to improvements that will make the four new ships in degree as gt-eat an advance upon the present Dreadnoughts as fighting forces as was the famed progenitor upon its predecessors in the Navy." That announcement bears out Mr Asquith's statement in his speech at Glasgow six weeks ago, in which he remarked that If you were to order your ships now in advance in a hurry, you necessarily commit yourselves to your existing design. Does not all experience tell us that nothing develops so quickly as a new naval type ?"

CANADIAN DEFENCE. New York, Saturday.—The New York Times publishes a despatch from Montreal which states that the Dominion Government has decided to show an Imperial spirit by an offer to build a Navy 01 her own, which could be used if occasion arose as an auxiliary to that of Great Britain. Canada's contribution ;to the forces of the Empire consists of E, iglat, Orst-cljss cruisers, Ten torpedo boat destroyers, and Ten torpedo boats. The Government is prepared to provide immediately one-fifth of the cost of laying down the whole fleet, and to guarantee to pay the remainder within five years. All the contracts for the building of the war- ships are to be placed with British firms, and arrangements have already been made for the construction of destroyers and torpedo boats with Messrs Hawthorn, Leslie, and Co., of N e wcastle-on-Tyne. Mr Arthur Coote, of that firm, has been in Canada for several weeks going over the speci- fications with Mr Brodewi, Minister of Marine. The amount that the Government is pre- pared to spend is not specifically stated, but it is thought that it will be between X600,000 and LI,000,000 annually for five years. When Mr Brodewi goes to London, in July, to represent Canada at the conference on Im- perial Defence, he and Rear-Admiral Kingsmill will present arguments wb v Canada should not build a single Dreadnou ht, but should con- struct a navy of herjawn. From another source the Observer learns that the total cost of this construction is to be 25,000,000 dollars ( £ 5,000,000), and that Canada does not intend to build her cruisers on Invin- cible lines, but rather to rely on the ordinary first-class protected cruiser pattern and, in- deed, as the object of the authorities is avowedly to obtain an adequate navy for coast defence purposes, rather than to create a fleet to swell the naval power of Great Britain, it is unlikely that any attempt would be made, for some years to come at any rate, to construct warships of so powerful and formidable a type as the latest British cruisers. I Lord Strathcona, who was apprised of the purport of, the above cablegram, said that the statement was premature. The Canadian Minister of Militia and the Minister of Marine and Fisheries were coming over to England very shortly to confer with the British naval and military authorities on the subject, and pending such conference anything approaching adefinvte statement was, he said, quite premature. Commonwealth's Offer. Melbourne, Sunday.-Mr Deakin, the Federal Prime Minister, has telegraphed to the Impe- rial Government offering a Dreadnought, or a corresponding addition to the Imperial Navy such as may meet with the approval of the home Government.-Renter.

£ 8,000 Funeral. CAREER OF FRENCH WHITELEY. Paris, Saturday.—M. Chauchard, proprietor of the Grands Magasins du Louvre, died at one o'clock this morning. By the death of M. Chauchard, millionaire, universal provider, art connoisseur, and muni- ficent benefactor, Paris has lost one of her-most remarkable citizens. The proprietor of the great emporium, known as The Louvre," began life as a messenger boy, and had risen to the rank of counter-jumper at a salary of a pound a week in a haberdashery establishment. trading under the name of Pauvre Jacques," when he threw up that employment to become, the architect of his own fortunes. He was in every way a self-made man, if ever there wag, one,. All his, enterprises, prospered, but he never forgot- his humble origin, and was always ready to lend a helping hand to the unemployed and necessitous. When there wag not a vacant post in his vast warehouses he would make one for a deserving case. As the result of 60 years' incessant labour, M. Chauchard amassed a colossal fortune. One of his principal hobbies was art collect- ing, and it is understood that his magnificent gallery of modern paintingdt including Millet's famous Angelus," masterpieces of Meissonier, Corot. Rousseau. Delacroix, Ziem. and Dupre, which he acquired for some £ 60,000,' but have now an immensely enhanced value, have beep left to the nation. According to provisions made in his will (as stated on Saturday) M. Chau- chard is to have a gorgeous funeral. No less a, sum than zC8,000 is to be spent. H coffin, an elaborate work of art, was made two years ago under his own supervision at a cost of 18M. and between £3,000 and S4,000 have already been expended on the tomb which is to be his last resting-place. His funeral, in short, at which aU of the 5,000 or 6.000 em- ployees of the Louvre are to be present, is to be a pageant to delight the hearts of the Parisians, who will also, it is expected; benefit through their numerous charities by the lavish benefactions of this heirless millionaire Paris, Sunday.7—The value of the art collec- tion of the late M. Chauchard, which goes to the Louvre from' the Chauchard Gallery, is variously estimated at from three-quarters to one million sterling. For Millet's Angelus," which he brought back from America, he gave £ 28,000,.and for the Bergere et Soie Troup- eau," by the same master, he paid £ 40,000. The collection further includes 25 Corots, which cost him £100,000, and many other notable examples of modern art as well as numerous valuable -bronzes.-Peuter.

RATIONAL FRIENDLY SOCIETY. Donation to Cardiff Charities. The delegates of the Rational Association con- cluded a week's conference at Cardiff on Satur- day. The business set out on the agenda was not quite finished, and the delegates will deal with this at a meeting to be held in London at a date to be fixed by the board of management, when the Government scheme for invalidity and sickness insurance will be discussed. The next quinquenial meeting will be held at Brad- ford. A resolution was passed unanimously appreciating the efforts of Mr D. Lloyd George in the matter of a Government scheme of State insurance and promising to assist the Chancel- lor, with others, in framing a complete scheme. A sum of S25 was voted to the charit- able institutions at Cardiff, to be allocated by the Reception Committee, and a grant of JE5 was made to the president (Mr Henry H. Drake, Cardiff), testimony being given of the admirable manner in which he had conducted the proceedings. Thanks were also accorded to the general secretary (Mr J. Duncan), and the assistant secretary (Mr Joseph W. Woot- ton), and the conference concluded with the singing of Auld Lang Syne." I

BOURNEMOUTH'S GROWTH. The Lord Mayor of London, accompanied by the Lady Mayoress, the City Sheriffs, and a distinguished party, on Saturday afternoon opened the pier extension at Bournemouth. The town was en fete, and after a visit to the Russell Cotes Art Gallery a reception was held in thi, Winter Gardens. The Lord Mayor re- minded his audience that his father, then Lord Mayor of London, opened the same pier 29 years ago, when the population was only 18,000 compared with 76,000 at the present, date. It was, he said, to the air of Bournemouth that the Lady Mayoress and himself were, with God's blessing,. able to present to them that day a daughter whose life.it saved.

DROPPED DEAD ON PARADE. A sensational event occurred at the annual inspection of the Bristol police force on Satur- day. The Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress, the Sheriff, and other civic dignatorieS, together with the inspecting officer, Captain Terry, were in course of inspection when one of the eonstables suddenly staggered, fell to the ground, and on being carried off was found to be dead. The man, who was thirty years of age, leaves a widow and two children, and was to have commenced his holiday on Monday.

MELJNCRYTHAN IMPROVEMENTS. The Neath County Bench (Aid. E. Davies and Mr JI. Eccles) held a special sitting on Saturday to hear objections to the carrying out of cer- tain private street works in Walters-road, Melincrvthan. Mr Powell appeared for the Neath Rural District Council, but the 26 objectors (who were the frontagers) were not legally represented. The frontagers objected on the ground that the proposed works were unreasonable, and that a certain bridge should not be excluded from the provisional appor- tionments. The Clerk (Mr A. J. Kempthorne) said that the frontagers would have to pay for the bridge, which would become public pro perty. The Bench dismissed the objections, and allowed JE2 2s costs. ;v

At the Last Moment. v BRIDE POSTPONES WEDDING. The marriage of Mr Henry Blaker, one of the Parliamentary candidates for East Grin- stead, to Miss Emily Ellen Frewer, which was to have taken place at 13righton on Saturday, wasnotsolemnised, the ceremony being stopped in a dramatic manner. How the bridegrooom, an elderly widower, was remanded at Bow-street Police Court on Friday, accused of leaving his daughter chargeable to the rates, was narrated in the South Wales Echo on Saturday. His financee, Miss Frewer, a lady of ripe years, became surety to the amount of S,100 for his appearance. It was stated in court that the wedding was to take place on Saturday, and in fact arrangements had been completed for the ceremony to be proceeded with at St. Peter's, Brighton, at one o'clock. The altar had been decorated with beautiful lilies and white flowers, the guests had assembled, and Mr Blaker was there with the best man in frock coat and white buttonhole. About ten minutes before the appointed hour the organist took his seat. Suddenly the verger, Mr Harris, a schoolfellow of Mr Blaker, stepped up and asked him not to plav as Mr Frewer, the bride's brother, had brought the news that the wedding would not take place. The bride had sent a note to the verger to the same effect. Miss Frewer's brother and another gentle- man accompanying him. believed to be a soli- citor, were sent to the Rev..Tames Senior, the curate who was to have officiated, and the result was a message from the clergyman in- forming the guests that there would be no wedding. Meanwhile the guests and friends of a soldier who was to be married at 1.30 were filling the church, and when it became known among them what had happened, Mr Blaker, who was standing near the altar undecided, what to do, was the object of many curious glances. Finally he left the church with rather a dejected mien. In the banns Mr Blaker described himself as Aged fifty-one, widower, of independent means, of 1, Sussex street, Brighton and gave his father's name as John George Blaker, who is also father to Sir John Blaker, ex-Mayor of Brighton. Mr Henry Blaker at one time lived in Brighton, afterwards going to London, but during the past few years he has resided at Haywards Heath and "Burgess Hill. Though he recently came into the Parliamentary field as candidate for East Grinstead, Mr S. H. Cautlev was already Conservative nominee. The bride, described in the banns as Emily Ellen Frewer, aged forty-one, of 1, Sussex-street, Brighton, gave her father's name as Frank Frewer, de- ceased. Her father was in business in London years ago, but the family have long been resident in Brighton, and are very wealthy., Miss Frewer lives at a large corner house in Grand Parade, Brighton. The wedding break- fast had been prepared at this house, but all except the uncut cake was cleared away in the afternoon. One of the presents on a table was inscribed, From the Old People in the Country," and another, With Fond Love for Your Future Happiness, from Rosy." It is stated to be the intention of Miss Frewer to be married within- a few days.

Motor Accidents. Crash at Monmouth. At Monmouth on Sunday, between five and six o'clock, a car belonging to the Monmouth Motor Car Co., was being driven down Monnow street by one of the company's employees, named Assinjer. Also in the car were a youth named Lawson, also employed by the com- pany, and Mr Peach, of Raglan. Ascending the slight hill leading to the tower of Monnow Bridge, the car, according to witnesses, skidded and dashed with great force into the wall of the tower. Mr Peach was thrown right over the screen, and was badly cut about the back of the neck. Assinjer was also cut about the face, and Lawson received minor injuries. Assistance vi;as soon at hand, and the injured was medicaHy attended to. Mr Peach was also suffering from bad shock, and t^ie wound at the back of the head bled profusely. Assinjer had a serious wound on the left side of the face. The car was a complete wreck, and had to be towed back to the works in Priory-street. Sad Death of a Child. As the Royal mail motor was proceeding through the main street at Blackwood about 8.20 on Saturday night, Wesley Coleman, the four-year-old-child of Councillor Peter Cole- man, Gordon-road, was crossing the main street from a bye-lane, near Mr Winslade's shop, when he was knocked down by the car. When picked up he was unconscious. Dr. Brown, the assistant of Dr. Evans, was sent for, but the little lad died in an hour after the accident from concussion of the brain. The only mark on the body was a bruise on the forehead where the car knocked him. Swansea Woman's Lucky Escape. On Saturday Mrs Ellen Taylor, of Jockey- street, Swansea while crossing Pontypridd- street, Swansea, stepped off the pavement right in front of a motor-car driven by Mr Oswald Brooks, manager of the Gratld Theatre. She was knocked down, and sustained slight injury, but a severe shock. V, Mr Brooks conveyed her to the hospital, where she was not detained. The car was going at a slow pace, and the horn was being blown. Mrs Taylor stated that she is slightly deaf and did not hear the car. Tragic Result of a Burst Tyre. Whilst a party of gentlemen were motoring from Plymouth to Princetown on Saturday night in two cars one of the tyres of the front car, which contained Major Broad, of Wintle- don, and Commander Bainbridge, burst whilst descending a steep hill at Two Bridges, and the car collided violently with the wall of the bridge. Both occupants were thrown out, and when the second car came up Major Broad was found lying unconscious on the road. He was taken to the hospital at Plymouth, where he lies in a critical condition with a fractured skull. Commander Bainbridge escaped with slight injuries. The car was smashed.

ANOTHER RECREATION GROUND FOR SWANSEA. On Saturday afternoon Mrs Lee, the ex- Mayoress, and wife of the chairman of the Parks and Open Spaces Committee of the Swansea Corporation, formally opened the Pentrechwyth Recreation Ground. The ground is on a site presented by the Earl of Jersey, and laid out by the Corporation at a cost of X600. It is in an industrial area, where it will mept a long felt want. The fumes of the sur- rounding works are disastrous to vegetation, and the whole of the district bears consequently a barren and desolate appearance. The Parks Superintendent (Mr Bliss) has, however, suc- ceeded in giving the park the appearance of an oasis in the desert, and consequently the green grass and flowers present a striking and pleas- ing contrast. An open-air gymnasium has been laid out for the recreation of the children, who en Saturday afternoon assembled in strong force, and were delighted participators in the proceedings. In the absence of the Mayor, Councillor Hemmings presented to the ex-Mayoress a gold key, with which she opened the park gates, and declared the park open. Speeches were delivered by Councillor Hemmings, Alderman Lee, and others, after which Alderman Martin proposed, and Councillor Ivor Gwynne seconded, a vote of thanks to Mrs Lee, and several others present joined in support. The ex-Mayor replied on behalf of the ex-Mayoress, and stated that he hoped eventually to see a bowling green laid out so that the elders, as well as the young, could participate in its en- joyment.

CARDIFF CHILDREN'S TREAT. More than 600 children from the Roath and Moors district of Cardiff were taken to Barry Island on Saturday under the auspices of Pear- son's Fresh Air Fund. This is the fourteenth year that the work has been carried on in Cardiff, and about 30,000 little ones have passed through the hands of the organisers. The outings were started personally by Mr Pearson, and for some years the late Dr. Garrett Horder had charge of the Cardiff branch. Later Mr G. Percy Thomas was appointed local secretary, a.nd with the aid of a, small committee and increased funds the number of children taken has been increased, and each trip properly organised. Itis hoped this year that the fund will be sufficient to provide for fi ve parties o f 600 each from Cardiff, and, in addition, for 30 children in bad health to have a fortnight's holiday at Barry. Saturday's was the first outing of the year, and despite the fact that 600 tickets had been distributed, more than 20 boys-one onl y 7 years of age-walked from Cardiff to Barry Island, arriving in time for tea. It is hoped that if there is a generous re- sponse from the public it may be possible to arrange for an extra thousand from Cardiff. Amongst the helpers on Saturday were Mr and Mrs G. Percy Thomas, Alderman Trounce, Misses Knapp, Lee, Wilkinson, and Read, and Mr J. Bishop.

ASLEEP IN THE MINE. Frank Dunster, Aberkenfig, roadman George Willev, Kenfig Hill, repairer and William Everton, Cefn Cribbwr, pumpman, were summoned at Bridgend on Saturday for committing a breach of colliery rules by sleep- ing in the Cefn Slip Colliery while in charge of lighted safety lamps. Mr T. J. Hughes (Messrs Hughes and Lewis, Bridgend) prosecuted, and evidence was given by Mr W. Jones, undermanager, who stated he found the three men asleep in the pumproom. Willey and Everton, who appeared in court, were fined JE5 each, but a warrant was issued for the arrest of Frank Dunster, who had not obeyed the summons. The Chairman (Mr Robert Llewellyn) said there had been a good many of these cases re- cently. It was the duty of the magistrates to I help to protect the lives of the men employed in the mines, and drastic action would have to be taken by them if these cases did not de- l crease. Jr-

TALKS ON HEALTH. By DR. ANDREW WILSON. Asthma Whilst in the majority of cases asthma it not a disease which can be regarded as dan- gerous to life, it is nevertheless an extremely troublesome, and in some respects an alarming, complaint, and one, which for the time be- ing is a pt to render the sufferer entirely help- less. The main feature of asthmatic attack is a spasm which interrupts breathing, and prevents for the time being the further en- trance of air into the lungs. It is produced by some nervous influence or other which, transmitted to the muscular layer of the air tubes of the lungs, which are the branches of the windpipe, causes them to contract unduly and so prevents the admission of the air. During this state naturally the indi- vidual experiences all the symptoms of impend- ing suffocation. His face assumes an anxioug expression, whilst the colour of the skin may become bluish tinted, and the lips livid. This spasm persists for a longer or shorter period, and is then succeeded by the welcome relaxa- tion of the contracted air tubes, a full and deep breath being taken in and relief being thus obtained. At the close of a seizure, a certain amount of expectoration may be brought up from the lungs. We find in this ailment, therefore, all the evidence of some sud- den spasm which is directly propagated to the lungs, affecting them in the manner de- scribed. The probability is that asthma is therefore not to be regarded so much 'as an ailment affecting the lungs themselves as one having its seat somewhere or other in the central nervous system. If we might suppose that that portion of the nervous system specially devoted to the government of breath- ing is liable to undergo some periodical upset of its functions, the origin of asthma might probably in this way be accounted for. Some Characteristics. Asthma in itself is a somewhat peculiar trouble. In the first place it seems more di- rectly to affect the male than the female sex. Again, many authorities lean to the conclusion that it is liable to be transmitted from parent to offspring, and medical experience of this disease would seem to warrant this conclusion. In respect also of the causes which suffice to bring on an attack, asthma may be re- garded as extremely erratic, if such a term may be used. For instance, the climate which suits one individual is found to produce an attack in another. Every physician knoys of cases in which weather, and especially fogs, which undoubtedly may bring on attacks in some patients, leave others completely free, and whilst the sea air is beneficial in some In cases it acts in an irritating fashion on others. In respect of remedies this peculiarity has also to be noted, for of all diseases asthma is per- haps the most typical of those ailments in which what affords relief in one case is utterly useless in another. These peculiarities would seem to prove that the essential seat of the disease is, as we have suggested, to be found in the nervous system, the differences in the constitutional habits of one individual as dis- tinguished from these found in another ac- counting for the peculiarities both of the dis- ease and of the means adopted for its treat- ment. Treatment. If one is asked whether a complete cme for asthma exists or not, the reply would be that ordinary treatment rarely suffices to bring about perfect and complete relief from attack. Of late a physician has treated asthma by direct applications of remedies-to the lungs themselves, being directed down the windpipe so as to reach the air tubes. In many cases this treatment has proved re- markably successful, and, as far as one may decide, it represents the only attempt kaown to effect a thorough and complete cure. For the rest, most measures are adopted to-carry out two conditions, these being, first, the relief of the disorder when it attacks the sufferer, and second, the improvement of the general health. Certain precautions should be taken by asthmatic persons. In the first instance it is of great importance that the digestion should be carefully super- vised. Nothing will bring on an attack more readily than an overloaded stomach, and as asthmatic attacks are frequent at night the importance of taking the last meal a con- siderable time before retiring to rest, beconles evident. The asthmatic, should, therefore, be caretul regarding his diet. and should follow what is a golden rule in other respects, namely, to eat rather less than he feels in- clined to take. Distension of the stomach by large quantities of fluid is also inadvisable, for the plain reason that a distended stomach pressing upwards upon the chest and the great muscle of breathing may apparently excite a spasm. About Remedies. A sufficiency of daily exercise. living in a pure atmosphere, and attention to the func- tions of the skin and bowels are also points of considerable importance to be noted by way of preventing attacks. When an attack comes on relief is generally sought by various methods, and it is notable, as we have seen, that a sufferer should discover the par- ticular mode of treatment which best suits .his case. A cup of strong black coffee, or whiskey, or brandy and hot water, or even the sipping of hot water itself may give relief. Reliance is also placed upon inhaling the vapour of various asthmatic drugs wihch are sold by all chemists. A little powder is burned on a plate and the vapour inhaled. As an example of a typical asthma powder, the following may be taken powdered nitrate of potash, powdered stramonium, and powdered lobelia, each half an ounce, and black tea, two ounces. These are carefully bruised to- gether in a mortar, and a teaspoonful burned on a plate used for inhalation. A handy mode o^reating spasms, if far from aid, is that of smoking cubeb cigarettes, which chemists supply. Stramonium cigarettes are also used for the same purpose. Drugs have been pre- scribed in asthma, but it can only be said of them that their success is not equal to ex- pectation. Iodide of sodium, and iodide of potash have been used, whilst quinine has also been employed in the treatment of this disease. Flatulence. Flatulence may be described as an ex- tremely common ailment, and one at the same time, difficult cf relief, more especially where this form of digestive disturbance has persisted for a lengthened period. Flatulence is usually an accompaniment of indigestion of one type or another, and it is essentially dependant on the generation of gases in the stomach and bowels attended by eructation, and frequently accompanied also by the bringing up of sour or acid fluid into the mouth. It may be said that errors in feed- ing lie at the root of this trouble. Certain foods certainly tend more than others to the production of flatulence. These are potatoes, green vegetables and starchy foods at large. represented by rice, tapioca, and th like articles, which, perfectly adapted for the nourishment of the healthy individual, only increase the troubles of those who suffer from digestive ailments. The sufferer's diet should be of extremely plain character, and the articles in question should be avoided. It will be well also if tea and coffee be given up. and weak cocoa substituted therefor. Another point of importance is to avoid sweets as much as possible, and also to take care that large quantities of fluids are not consumed with meals. Beer and stout are especially conducive to the development of flatulence, and these fluids should be omitted from the list of boverages consumed. Whilst care in diet is absolutely necessary as a foundation of cure. it may be well that ooids of salicylate of bismuth, or, if preferred, two tabloids of salol be taken between meals twice daily, these drugs having the effect of checking the process of fermentation in the bowel, to which flatulence is largely dne. Occasionally a simple draught may relieves sudden and painful attack, an example of such a remedy being represented by half a drachm of light magnesia, twenty grains bi- carbonate of soda, half a drachm of tincture of orange peel, and one ounce of peppermint water.

DISASTROUS EXPLOSION. Vienna, Saturday.—Telegrams from Cracow state that a large supply of gunpowder stored in a tower there exploded this evening, with the result that thousands of window panes were smashed in the town. It is reported that several persons lost their lives in the explo- sion. The explosion was caused by lightning strik- ing a stock of artillery charges. One soldier was killed and another wounded, while serious damage was done in the neighbourhood of the magazine. Many peasant houses were wrecked and 13 persons were injured. The railway station at Poogarze and several trains were damaged. Altogether about 60 people have re- ceived medical attention. The explosion con- tinues at intervals.-Reuter.

GORED BY A BULL. A tragic affair occurred at Wool, near Dorchester, on Saturday evening, resulting in the death of a young farmer named J. Spicer, son of Mr James Spicer, of Covington farm. and terrible injuries to a dairyman named Symes. The latter's recovery is stated to be very doubtful. Two bulls were fighting. When'Symes intervened to separate them. One of the animals attacked him, but was beaten off by some soldiers, and tied up. On going to liberate the animal later, the bull, which had to be shot, turned on Mr Spicer, goring him to death.

LUNATIC IN CHURCH. During the celebration of 12 o'clock Mass at the Roman Catholic Church at Bantry yes- terday a local stonemason named Timothy McCarthy rushed into the church as Father A. Driscoll was preaching the customary sermon, got over the altar rails, and struck the priest violently in the face with his fist. Before McCarthy could deal the priest a second blow he was secured by several male members of the congregation and removed, resisting violently and shouting curses. On examina- tion McCarthy, who is married, was pro- nounced a dangerous lunatic and orderoii to be committed to the Cork Asylum.