South Wales Daily News

MARQUIS OF BUTE AND HIS NORTHERN HOME. ST. BLANE'S CHAPEL, BUTE. As is well known, Lord Bute takes a very special interest in the preservation of this ancient ecclesiastical ruin at the south end of the island, and judging from work at present going on, it would seem as if he had some intention of at least a partial restoration. A few weeks ago Mr Schultz, an architect from Falkirk, had the foundations all round the building examined, while measurements and sketches were taken with a view to the preparation of plans. Since that time a number of the Bute estate workmen have been engaged, removing a large number of stonns, which originally belonged to the chapal, from the retaining wall round the churchyard and laying them aside in order that they may be replaced in the old building. The root of a tree which had got embedded in one of the side walls of the maIn building has also been removed. The churchyard wall is rebuilt with ordinary sbones, as the others are take out. It is stated that a house is to be erected in the vicinity for the accommodation of a man whose duty it will be to watoh the building and prevent any injury or disfigurement by visitors. It is shameful to notice how some of the stones in the walls of the chapel are inscribed with the initials of thoughtless persons. The exact site of the house has not yet, so far as we can ascertain, been decided on. The old well in the neighbourhood, the water in which tradition credits with having possessed certain potent charms, has been exca- vated and cleaned out. It contains a large and abundant supply of splendid water.-Bothesay Express.

SALVATION ARMY WEDDING. MARRIAGE OF MISS LUCY BOOTH. Miss Lucy Booth was married at Congress-hall, Clapton, on Thursday, in the presence of some 5,000 Salvationists, to "Colonel" Hillbetg, a Swedish member of the organisation. The mar- riage was conducted by Mr Bramwell Booth. The Salvationists present, who displayed much enthusiasm, afterwards held a free and easy," which is to be followed to-night by an Indian durbar.'

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. Contributions sent to the South Wales Daily Newt should be plainly written in ink, and invariably on one side of the paper. We desire to urge upon our numerous correspondents the value of concise- ness and the desirability of curtailing the length of their communications. It cannot be too clearly understood that brief and pointed letters receive the first attention. All communications intended for insertion must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. No notice will be taken of anonymous letters. Rejected communi- cations will not be returned.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, DEATHS Notices of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, Is each, if ntt exceeding SO wvrdt, and (id ftr eaeh extra 10 towrds. DEATHS. JAMES.—At 37, VaughaH-street, Pwllgwaun, Ponty- pridd, on the 18th inst., the beloved wife of Thos. James. Funeral on Tuesday, 23rd, at 2.30 p.m., for Cyfeillon, 8810 LAWRENCE—On October 16th, at Cosmeston, near Pwiarth, John Llewellyn Laivience, in his 72nd year. Funeral at Penarth on Friday, the 19th inst., at four o'clock. No flowers. 172

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE. WHILST refusing to endorse, without con- siderable reserve, POPE'S dictum, For forms of Government let fools contest, that which is best administered is best," we, nevertheless, maintain that good and efficient administration lessens the evils of a weak and even a bad Government, and increases and extends the blessings of good Government. That the administrative ability and successes of the present Govern- ment, leaving out of view their legislative work, are incomparably superior to any Tory Executive which have administered the affairs of the nation can be proved con- clusively by an appeal to facts, and is reluctantly admitted, in whole or in part, by most honest-minded Tories and Liberal Dissentients. The administrative successcs of Liberal Governments are caused mainly by the greater sympathy which leading Liberal politicians feel for the people, their wants and their aspirations, than is felt by Tory administrators, many of whom feel no sympathy whatever for, but a positive-hostility to, the- people's wants and yearnings. The people instinctively feel that this so, and wherever they are unfettered by outside local or factious influence, reciprocate that sym- pathy by giving a Liberal Government ungrudging support. There is much instruc- tion to be gathered from a very striking objecb lesson exhibited in Ireland to-day, when oontrasted with the teaching tof a similar lesson some four or five years ago. When Lord SALISBURY'S Government was in power the then Chief Secretary, Mr BALFOUR, went to some portions of the West of Ireland to make personal inquiries amongst the peasantry as to their social and industrial state, and to see, with his own eyes, the deplorable condition of the land. He saw but little of real Irish distress, and discovered but little of the deep-seated Irish grievances. His advent to the West was heralded by official proclamations and by the blare and brattle of trumpets. Peers of the realm received him at railway stations, and the local magnates assembled to do him honour; but the peasantry were conspicuous by their absence, or only assembled in scant numbers to gaze at a distance upon the representative of the Lord-Lieutenant. Mr BALFOUR might, if left to himself, have probed some of the profound social sores of Ireland, but this the classes did not wish him to do. He was escorted to the places which they permitted him to see, and the sympathy which he evoked from the tenants was Nil, and no beneficial results to Ireland followed his- visit. Mr Jon-N MORLKY, the Chief Secretary for Ireland in Lord ROSEBERY'S Government, is now in Donegal, the most western and the poorest county in Ulster, to make investiga- tion into the condition of the poorer classes of the people and their prospects for the coming winter; but no beating of the big drum proclaimed his coming, no representa- tives of the lordly houses received him at Railway Stations, the local magnates sought not to do him honour, but the peasantry welcomed him with gladness, and opened their hearts to the man whose heart they know is full of sympathy for them and good wishes for their welfare and even such a bitter Unionist as Mr T. W. RUSSELL has bidden him God-speed. Mr BALFOUR went to the West in State, Mr JOHN MORLEY went almost unattended and un- noticed but their reception by the peasantry was widely different, arising from the different feeling with which they regarded the men and their mission. The Liberal Government will benefit Ireland, just as they would benefit Great Britain, if they are not thwarted and defeated in their attempts by a hostile Tory and Dissentient Opposition in the Commons and a reactionary and intensely selfish House of Lords. They havo passed a Parish Councils Act for the parishes, giving the parishioners the control of their own parish affairs, and securing for them the popular control of parochial charities, the compulsory purchase (of land for publie purposes, the use of school-rooms maintained out of the taxes for public meetings, with other ad- vantages. This Act, however, the Tory Peers mangled severely and tried to mutilate still more. The Government passed through the House of Commons an Employers' Liability Bill which has been called the Industrial Charter of the workers, but the Lords by the insertion of objectionable clauses made it aseless and mischievous, and it was consequently abandoned. The Government passed an Irish Evicted Tenants Bill through the Commons which would, without doing injustice to anyone, have re-, lieved an acute and dangerous grievance in Ireland; but the Lords contemptuously kicked I it out, and the grievance still remains, and is becoming more threatening daily. Thwarted in their legislative efforts for the good of the people by a rampant Tory and Dissentient Opposition in the Commons, arid by the stolid and stubborn inertia of the Tory Peers in the Upper House, the Government turned their attention to administrative reforms which they could achieve in defiance of the utmost Tory !»Opposition. They consequently infused a more Liberal and sympathetic spirit into the administration of the Factories, Mines, and Quarries Acts, and appointed practical working men to be assistant Factory, Mine, and Quarry Inspectors and appointed women Inspec- tors to attend specially to the occupations in which women are engaged. The ROSEBERY Government also raised the minimum weekly wages of Admiralty iabourers from 17s to 20s a week adopted the eight hours day for Government work. men in Factories and Workshops and in the Dockyards, a beneficial arrange- ment which affected fully 30,000 workmen and they extended the principle of Trade Union wages and Trade Union hours to all Government workmen. They have appointed working men to be County and Borough Magistrates, and under the Parish Councils Aot, which they passed despite the utmost Tory opposition, the Chairmen of more than 1,400 District Councils will become County Magistrates, practically by popular election. To enumerate all the advantages which the present Government have conferred upon the country by their administrative re- forms would demand vastly more space than we have at our disposal for a single article, but the fact should not be overlooked, as it is of great service to the 'I 'I 't 'I r- 'I worKing classes, cnac tne uovernmenc nave given increased facilities for investing in and withdrawing moneys from the Post Office Savings' Banks and have insisted that the Elementary School buildings in which the children of the people are taught should be healthy, roomy, properly lighted, and drained. Whilst referring to education it should not be overlooked, moreover, that it was the present Government which established and endowed the Univer- sity of Wales. Time would fail us to tell of the non-contentious Acts which the Govern* ment have passed, such as the Building Societies Acts, making further provision for the protection of shareholders in these societies; the Railway and Canal Traffic Aoc, and the Merchant Shipping Consolida- tion Act. But from what has been stated it will be seen that the present Liberal Government have worked devotedly both in its Legislative measures] and in its Administra- tive changes and reforms for the progressive development and for the continuous welfare and well-being of the people and amply deserve the letter of credit which Mr CHAMBERLAIN, in an unusual fib of candour, gave to them. The member for West Birmingham said in his place in the House of Commons on the 19th of July, I do not think in the history of our Legislature for the last twenty years you can find any Parliament in which more has been done as to the importance of the Bills which have been passed. It is a matter of fact." The Times on the same day said, in one of its leading articles, Few Governments have passed a greater body of important legisla- tion in a single Session." A Government which have done so much for the country deserve the gratitude and support of the country.

HAVERFORDWEST ABERYST- WYTH BAPTIST UOLLEGE. Meetings in connection with the inauguration of the college are being held in Aberystwyth this week, extending from Monday evening to Thurs- day night. Servioc3 have been held in a larger number of chapels in connection with the various denominations in Aberystwyth and neighbour- ing localities, when sermons were delivered by some of the leading ministers of the denomina- tion from various parts of the Principality. The conferences we attended by a very large number of ministers and delegates, and the proceedings throughout were characterised by the most emphatic unanimity and the best Christian spirit. It was resolved that the Revs. J. A. Morris and T. Williams, B.A., the pastors,of the English and Welsh Baptist Churches of the town, be appointedtutora, but all applications for supplies, as well as for admittance into college. are to bo sent to tiie Rev. J. A. Morris. Principal ROBERTS, who was in attendance, explained the terms upon which the students could attend the lectures and classes at the University College, and a committee was ap- pointed to decide what young men could profitably avail themselves of the advantages offered by the national institution. The.residents of Aberystwyth and neighbourhood, consisting of magistrates and other leading men of different shades of opinion, have espoused th» cause of the college, which augurs well for its con- tinuity and auccsss. An effort is to be i-ii- mediat»ly made to wip. away the adverse debt that encumbered the college befor* its removal. Among the distinguished persons who are taking part in the proceedings on the auspicious occasion are th« following:—Dr Angus, ex-president of Regent's Park College, London Rev. John Thomas. M.A., Liverpool; and the Rev. W. Jones, Fishguard, P«ro.. ex-president of the Welsh Baptist Union. One or the most pl«asing features in connection with the above inaugural meetings was the presence and the interest mani- fested by the ministers and delegates from Pem- brokeshire in the establishment of the college at Aberystwyth. There is reason to hope that the removal of the college to the University town will prove the means of much good in advancing the interests of religion in the vicinity and adjoining counties. The founding of a theologrcal college at Aberystwyth is a red letter day in the history of the place.

The London County Council is the friend ot temperance. Its decision to abandon a publio- house licence in connection with Sandy's-row improvement brings up the total number it has allowed to lapse to noariy 30. The value of these licences is over £ 30,000. A WORD ABOCT PIANos,This little work should be read by all intending purchasers, as it contains many useful hints and valuable informa- tion on the selection of a Piano. Post free, of Duck. Son and Pinker. Bath. 8517

ALBION COLLIERY DISASTER. FURTHER PROSECUTIONS, CHARGES AGAINST OFFICIALS ALLEGED ILLEGAL STORING OF EXPLOSIVES. THE MANAGER FINED £10. CHARGES AGAINST THE UNDER-MANAGER. THE STIPENDIARY DECLINES TO STATE A CASE. PROSECUTION WILL APPLY FOR A MANDAMUS. Further proceedings against officials of the Albion Colliery Company for alleged breaches of the Mines Act on the 23rd of June last, the day of the explosion, wgre heard on Thursday at the Pontypridd Police-court. Mr Ignatius Williams (stipendiary) presided, othgr magistrates on the Bench being Mr Evan John, Mr T. P. Jenkins, and Mr Richard Lf-wis. Mr Roskill (instructed by Messrs Strick and Bellingham, Swansea) prosecuted on behalf of the Treasury, while Mr Abel Thomas, Q.C., M.P. (instructed by Mr G. F. Hill, Cardiff); appeared for the defence in each case. Among those in court were Mr Henry Lewis (managing owner), Mr William Lewis (agent), Mr Phillip Jones (manager), Mr Wm. Jones (under-manager), Mr D. Ellis (sec.), all officials of the Albion Company Mr J. T. Robson, H.M. inspector of mines; Messrs Fred Gray, J. M. Sims, and Frank Adams (assistant inspectors), Mr H. Bramwell (agent of the Great Wesern Company), Mr T. Griffiths, M.E., Cymmer; Mr D. Hannah, M.E., Ferndale; Superintendent E. Jones, deputy chief-constable; Councillor H. S. Davies, and other-. THE CHARGE AGAINST ANSTEY. Mr Roskill said he would first proceed. with the charge againt3b William Anstes, the -obargemau, who was charged with having on the 23rd of June, he "then being a charge- man at the Albion Colliery, "uniawfuIly did contravene and did not comply with General Rule 12, sub-bead (a) of the Coal Mines Regula- tion Act, 1887, to be observed at the said mine by you, as such chargeman, by storing or permitting or allowing to be stored in the mine a quantity of explosive substance— to wit, 23 pounds of gelatine dynamite and gelignite." There was also a like cbargs against Mr Philip Jones, the manager. Mr Roskill said that Anstey as chargeman bad the custody of the explosives for the purpose of charging the boles, and he said in his evidence before the coroner that he got dynamite and different kinds of gelatine from the magazine, which was above ground, and kept them in a box on the double parting on the Ctlfynydd main level. The box was kept locked, with thekey hang- ing at the end of it. Fuses and caps were kept in another box three yards away, and the key of this box wad kept with that of the other. It was thus open to anyone to unlock the box and help himself to the explosives. Anstey further admitted in his evidence that any man could go to the box without coming to him, and that the reason for keeping the key there was that he was afraid of losing ie. That was no answer. After the explosion there was no less than twenty-three pounds of explosives found in this box. Happily, nono of it had been exploded by the explosion. The only excuso Anstey gavo for having this excessive quantity of explosives kept below-a clear in. fringement of General Rule 12, sub rule A—was that be had four shifts in front of him before he could get more ex. plosives, becauss of the Sunday intervening, the explosion having taken place on the Saturday. Anstey further said that he knew it was wrong, and said that this was the first time he had kept a large amount of explosives in the box below. So far as that statement went the excuse was worthless, for he had four shifts in front of him every Saturday. The last time he bad taken a canister of SIbs. down prior to the explosion was a few days before the Saturday, and then he only took on" tin, thus clearly show- ing that there must have been a considerable quantity stored in the box earlier in the week. Mr T. J. Hughes, shorthand writer engaged by the Home Office, was called to produce his notes of Aastey's evidence at the inquest. Anstey was employed in the colliery as a chargeman on the day of the explosion. Mr Roskill read out an extract of the evidence from the notes, the substance of which was that Anstey said he had been employed as chargeman a little over two years in the colliery, and it was his duty to drill and charge the holes, and he got the explosives from the store. He bad dynamite of different kinds, and gelatine explosive as well. He had no black or compressed powder. Having bad the explosives from the stores, he would take it down the pit, and keep it in boxes at the end of the double parting on the Cil- fynydd side. It was between the lamp-station and the stables the box was kept, and it was locked. The key of the box was hung up at the end, and it was not difficult to find it. He was in the colliery on the day of the explo- sion, and he charged shots that day at the far end of the double parting. He drilled the holes in the timber with an augur, which was kept in the box containing the explosives. If a man went to that box he would find the key, and could help himself to dynamite if he wished. He did not keep the fuse and blasting caps in the box containing the explosives, but they were kept in another box three yards fur- ther^on. He had kept that quantity of explosives, namely, 23 pounds, in the box because he had four shifts in front of him in consequence of it being Sunday the following day. That was the only reason he assigned for having the extra quantity, He knew he was allowed by law to keep only five pounds at one time in the mine. He had never fired a shot himself. Witness then described how the shots were fired. He got the explosives from the storekeeper, John Jones, but Jones did not give him 23 pounds at a time. He took upon himself all the responsibility of keeping that extTa quantity. i. Mr J. T. Robson, inspector of mines, was the next witness. He stated that on Thursday following the day of the explosion the box con. taining the explosives was pointed out to him by Anatcy. The manager (Mr Phillip Jones) had told him before he (witness) had gone down the mine that tho quantity of explosives had been discovered. The box had been shattered Ly the explosion. Having cleared away the rubbish on the spot, he took away the canisters one by one containing explosives. There were four tins- three containing 5lbs. each, and the fourth tm 8?01bs. the Stipendiary remarked that this 81b. tin was also illegal. Mr Roskill: It is certainly a startling piece of news for me. Cross-examined by Mr Abel Tiioma-, witness added he was sure the box was shattered when be found it. Mr Abel Thomas: Is it not a fact that fifty men could have taken 51bs. each of explosives down to the mine without infringing the law ? Mr Roskill objected to the question as beinsr a L-= _r i -1 ~e r_ -i. question in j;tw, MIIU IlO Ul Mr Abel Thomas: You know nothing of the law in the Mines Aot, Mr Robson.. (Laughter.) Mr Roskill: I object to that also. Mr Abel Thomas then put it to witness that it would be safer for explosives to be kept like this than for a dozen men, say, to oarry 51bs each with them, and witness admitted that this would undoubtedly be so. Mr Abel Thomas You would agree with me, Mr Robson, that it would be much safer for a chargeman, who has other duties sucti as boring to perform, to put his 51b. cartridges in this box than to put them in his pocket when working ?- Certainly. Do you not know that it was at the suggestion of one of your own inspectors, the late Mr Ran- dell, that these two boxes were placed where they were ?-I should be very much astonished to hear it. Mr Abel Thomas I don't say that he sug- gested that 23lbs. should be put in, but was it not he that suggested, and indeed suggested it also in other collieries as well, that the best plan was to have some other place for the explosives to be placed in while the man was doing his other work ?- Yes, I know that, and I know it is done. Each man who uses explosives is provided with a box with a lock and key, so that if a canister contain- ing three or four or five pounds of explosive ia not used he may pub it in so that no one else can get it. But is not that storing '—Certainly nob. It is kept there during shift, but that would not be storing within the meaning of tho Act. You yourself never heard of this dynamite being in the box until Mr Phillip Jones, the manager, came and told you ?—Never. And it was Anstey, the unfortunate defendant in this case, was tha man who took you to the place ?—Yes, he went with m. So that it was the two men who are charged here to-day that told you of it ?-One of them did. Mr Abel Thomas then addressed the bench for the defence. He admitted that the 23lbs. of powder were found in his box, but ho argued that the prosecution had issued their information undes the wrong section, and that the offence charged against Anstey was not "storing" withintbemean- ing of sub-section A. No explosive substance shall be stored in the mine. Itshallnot be taken into the mine except in cartridges, in a secure case or canister containing no more than 5100." They must assume that the Act was the Act of reasonable beings, and that really there wa3 some intention in those clauses. If the pro. secution was right in their contention, then the ridiculous conclusion that one came to was that a dozen men in a colliery could have each of them taken a 51b tin on the same day into the colliery, and kept it there during the whole day—and there was nothing in the Act to prevent it-but if Sibs )0. wore found in a box. tkflB A toenme ) illegal. He asked the bench to decide that by [ storing—the Act moant storing in the ordinary acceptation—viz,, that a mineowner shall not > keep his store or magazine as it was called under ground. Sub-section B read A workman shall not have in use at one time in any one place more than one of such cases or such canister;" and it seemed to him that if the Secretary of State had proceeded under that s-ab-section, he might have inculpated Mr Anstey without any doubt. If the bench found against him on this point.jthen the learned counsel asked them to bear in mind that it was Anstey himself who gave information in this case. TRB DKCISION. The Stipendiary said We are of opinion that an offence was committed under Sestion A Rulo 12. We do not think that it comes under Section B, as suggested by Mr Abel Thomas, and for this reason, that we have not the slightest evidence that more than 5)bs. was taken down at the time, and therefore if information had been laid under that section the I prosecution would have failed. The question is was this storing. The evidence of Anstes was that it had been there some time, and that the last portion was taken, down the previous week, when there was already considerable accumula- tion. Under these circumstances I think it must be considered that this powder was stored in the mine. What the inspectors suggested was a perfectly different thing. That would be a tem- porary deposit while the stuff was in use during tfie courso of one shift, In the opinion of all of us, this is a clear case of storing in the mine. That being so the offence is complete. We consider it 13 rather a bad offence to acctimulate.,6 quantity of this sort, and we impose the full penalty of JB2. CHARGE AGAINST THE MANAGER. The next case was then proceeded with, in which the manager, Mr Philip Jones, was sum- moned for allowing or permitting an extra quantity of explosives in the mine. Mr Roskill, in his opening remarks, said that under sub-scction 50 he ought to be held liable, because unless there was control by those in responsible positions, whose duty it was to super. intend every detail in a mine like this, it would be impossible to tell what might happen, and that box containing tho explosives might have been in the mine at the present time. William Anstey, examined by Mr Roskill, said that the explosives ware given to Mr Robson after they had been found. He could not say how long the box had been there. The box was in his charge. The place where the explosives were kept was outside the main haulage road. It was on a little way running about 10 yards from the side, or off the main heading. He had reoeived instructions from Mr Philip Jones as to the quantity of ex- plosives to be kept in the mine, and was distinctly told not to take down at a time more than 51b. He did not know whether Mr Jones, the mana. ger, knew he kspt more than 5ib. The store- keeper kept an aceount of the amount sent out, but he had never received from the keeper more than Sib. at a time. Cross-examined by Mr Abel Thomas: The: extra quantity of explosives in the box had gradually accumulated. He did not remember whether it was h" who told Mr Philip Jones about the excessive quantity in the box. Re-examined by Mr Roskill: Any man coulct go to the box if he wished, He had been told that explosives had been taken out of the box by per. sons who had no right to do so. He did not suggest that the manager of the colliery did not know tha box was there. He did not remember ever having been to the box in company with the manager. He had never seen the manager at the box. MR ROBSON EXAMINED. Mr Robson, inspector of mines, admitted in cross-examination by Mr Abel Thomas that it was Mr Philip Jones who told him about the extra quantity of explosives stored in the mine. Mr Roskill Did Mr Jones when he took you down or when be found this number of canisters tell you that he was unaware of it ? Mr Robson No, I naturally concluded—— Mr Abel Thomas I don't, want your natural conclusions. The Stipendiary: Was thia spot where the explosives were kept a place where Mr Jones would go in the ordinary discharge of his duties ? Witness It was a spot where he could very easily go. Mr Abel Thomas It was not his duty to gQ there. Witness It was his duty to go everywhere there. Mr Abel Thomas (to the benoh): I don't know whether you would ask Mr Robson whether he really means to say that the manager's duties are that he should go everywhere in the mine. Mr Roskill He said so. Mr Robson I did not say he should go to every place aV day but I certainly say, as strongly as I can, that the manager should go to every part of the mine. Mr Abel Thomas: Unless Mr Robson founds his answer upon some rule, or sometbing- The Stipendiary: What is the ground for saying that ? I quite agree with Mr Thomas that you must have some ground for that. Mr Robson The manager is bound to keep supervision, and unless he visits some part of the mine or other frequently he cannot keep super- vision. Mr Roskill Special rule 2 states that he must strictly observe and must carry out and provide whatever is necessary for the safety of the colliery in all its parts. Mr Robson then, continuing his evidence, stated that any person passing the main haulage road could easily Bee the box containing the explosi ves. Mr Hughes, shorthand writer, was again called to verify the reading out of a portion of the evidence given by Mr P. Jones at the inquest. The extract showed that Mr Jones was not aware the extra quantity was kept in the mine, and that he took the first opportunity of communicating the fact when discovered to Mr Robson. Mr Abel Thomas, for the defence, asked that as a matter of law the bench should declare that no evidence whatever had been offered against Mr Philip Jones of permitting or of allowing thia quantity of dynamite to be in the pit. It was true that had he been charged under section 50 that probably would apply, and he might have been convicted. In a colliery where many hun- dred acres of the coal had been worked out it was impossible for the manager to know exactly what took place in each particular instance. He was not charged with giving wrong instructions to Anstey or anyone else he was charged with storing or allowing to be stored this 23!b6. There was no evidence of that. The Stipendiary No, cot unless it can be shown he has neglected to give instructions as to how the surplus explosivesswere to be disposed of. It is admitted that the chargeman might want more or loss than 51bs., and that being so, it may be suggested that Mr ephilip Jones ought to have given express directions as to these balances and that by not domg so he might be said to have permitted or allowed it. Mr Abel Thomas replied that Mr Robson him. self said the manager came to him directly he found out this bax, so that it was evident Mr Jones knew nothing of it until after the explo- sion, and when he found it then, like an honest man he at once told the inspector. Mr Jones could not be said to have allowed the storing to take place, because he called the attention of Mr Robson to it. immediately he was informed of it. It was clear Mr Jones did not know of it up to that time. Mr Roskill suggested that if there was any irregularity in the summons, it could be amended, and he would ask their worships to put it under section 50. The stipendiary said this would be altering the charge altogether, but after a long di-scuaiion between counsel, the Stipendiary said that they must have regard to section 50 in the construction of the clause under which these proceedings were taken against the manager. Mr Abel Thomas said that Anstay himself admitted that Mr Jones had told him that he was not to take more than 51bs, down. Mr Philip Jones, the defendant, was then called, and deposed that the special rules and the abstract had been published at the pit in the prescribed form, and he (witness) had taken every means to enforce them. He had ordered the boxqs owing to a suggestion made to him by Mr Ran dell, one of the assistant inspectors of mines, tive years ago. Mr Raudell saw in the mine a box by the men's clothes, and near the trams, ,.(\nt.J¡,ininŒ 51h-- and ifc WQQ thftn KA tha boxes, which he (witness) afterwards provided. Witness said he instructed Griffiths and Anstey to take no more than 51bs. of powder down, and to keep it in the box while they were boring. If one tin should not be enough, they were to go up at dinnertime to fetch another. He told them not to keep more than 51 bs. in the box. It was he (witness) who told Mr Robson of the powder in the box. Had he known of it before he would certainly have prosecuted the man. He had often inspected the box In quostion, and had instructed the over- men to do the same.—Cross-examined by Mr Roskill, witness said the box was about 4ft. 6in. long, 2ft. 6in. deep, and 13in. across, and he admitted that he knew before the explosion that the key was kept by the side of the box. He was not aware whether Mr Randell had ever seen the boxes. Do you know of any other colliery where a larpc« box is kept for storing?—Yes, I do. Witness deciinsd to state where he bad seen them, and the Stipendiary said he would net insist upon his answering the question. This closed the case for the defence, after which the magistrates retired to consider the verdict. Upon returning to court, The Stipendiary eaid that the bench found that Mr Philip Jones was guilty of a. contravention of the general rule. It was quite clear that he did not personally store the explosives, but under section 50, if one of his men were found guilty of an offence, he also under the Act was held guilty unless he had taken all possible means of pre- venting the offence of which his subordinate had been guilty. The evidence of Anstey showed that this thing had been going on for some time, and that during the whole of the two years he had been there he had been in the habit of doing very much the same thing. No doubt Mr Philip Jones did look into the box from time to time, and never found anything wrong in it. A light was thrown on the matter by the complete trusb which Mr Philip Jones had in Anstey, and the oomplete teltanco he placed upon him. He (the stipendiary) had no doubt that Mr Philip Jorves had not the slightest suspicion that this stuff was kept there, but the question was whether he had taken all due precautions. The bench readily believed that the late Mr Randell, when he found packages of dynamite lying about. did suggest a box for the safe custody of these 5!b packages, but that was quite a different thing from setting up a box which was suitable as a store and which was placed in one part of the mine, and that would be very suitable for the purposes of any workman engasfed in boring or charging. There was only this box for the whole of this one district of the mine. It looked far more like an additional store, whether Mr Jones intended it as such or not, for the use of men who might fall short of stuff during the course of the day. and which would do awav with the necessity of going to the surface. The bench did not for one moment sup- pose that Mr Jones suspected it was used for this purpose; but the question was whether he did all that was reasonably expected of him to prevent it. The magistrates thought he did not, No one had a higher opinion of Mr Jones than he (the stipendiary) had. No one was more vigilant than Mr Philip Jones was in enforcing every possible observance of the rules; and no one was more frequently in that court insisting upon the strict observance of all rules pertaining to colliery working. The magistrates, however, felt that ho had inadvertently in that ,ca,se done leas than the law required of him in preventing a violation of this rule, and, under the circumstances, they would order him to pay af nneotJBlO. Replying to Mr Abel Thomas, the Stipendiary1 said that the Bench found the defendant guilty upon the information which was founded upon general rule 12, and in the interpretation of that' rule the magistrates considered that they ought to be influenced by section 50 of the general Act. Mr Abel Thomas thereupon applied for a special case, which was granted, while bis Worship also agreed to make a note of the application which Mr Roskill had made to have the summons amended. CASE OF THE UNDER-MANAGER. Mr Jones, the under-manager, was then charged with having neglected to see that every officer under him and every other person employed at the colliery understood and fulfilled his duty." This case eventually fell through on the ground that the defendant, at the time the offence was said to have been committed, was not the under-manager of the colliery, but simply discharged the duties of the under-inana- ger, who was then ill. Mr Abel Thomas said he would prove that the defendant was not the under-manager that there was another under-manager, viz., John Jones, who had been properly alppointed under the Act. There was a way of appointing under-managers, and only one way, under section 21. The Stipendiary asked whether there was an obligation imposed by the company to appoint an under-manager during the illness of the real under-manager. Mr Abel Ihomas replied that there was nob. The only way of appointing an under-manager under section 21 was by nomination in writing by the owner or the agent of tho inine.1 Then sub-section 2 said, Every person eo nominated must hold a first-class or second-class certificate under the Act, and shall, in the absence of the manager have the same responsibility, and be subject to the same liabilities as the manager under this Aot, but the nomination of the under-manager shalllnot affeot the personal responsibility of the manager under the Act." Consequently, Mr Thomas arpned, the only person that could be charged for the offence was tho under-manager appointed under the Act, and the defendant did not come within that designation. Mr Roskill said that they had the defendant's own admission that he was under-manager, and conssquently this was sufficient for his purpose. (Supposing there had been a breach of the Act, and the defendant had not beeu properly appointed, still he was the under-manager. The Stipendiary The summons is, that he, being under-manager, did so and so. The fact that he admitted being under-manager is evi- dence that is admissible, but it is not conclusive -and if stronger evidence is called showing that he ,Was not under,jtiantgar, then the case is quashed. Mr Roskill The fact that he has not been properly appointed under-manager only shows there has been a breach of the Act, but that does nQt prevent his being under-manager. Mr David Ellis, secretary of the Albion Colliery, than weit into the box and produced the colliery books, showing that the under. manager for the months of April, May, and June was John Jones, who died a week ago. John Jones was paid as under-manager during the whole of the time. Wrn. Jones, the defendant, was a day fireman, and was paid as such during the whole of that time.-Cross. examined by Mr Roskill, witness could not say who acted as under-manager while John Jones was ill. Defendant might have called himself under-manager, but he was not reoogmsed as such. He might have taken charge of John Jones's district dnrinir .TnVin .T,,n»a'a under-manager, but he was not reoogmsed as such. He might have taken charge of John I Jones's district dnrinir .TnVin ;IIAM observed that if it could be distinctly proved that defendant had not been nominated In writing by owner or agent, then he was not under-manager, because that was a condition precedent to his baing under-manager. Mr Roakill Then do you hold that though a man may be performing the duties of under- manager, yet, unless he is appointed under- manager according to all the formalities prescribed by the Act, he cannot be punished for any offenoe against the Act ? The Stipendiary He cannot be punished as under-manager if he is not one. He may be punished for exercising the duty of under-manager without being properly appointed, but that is quite another thing. Mr Roskill said that his point was that an under-manager was a man who performed the duties of an under-manager. The liabilities of an under-manager could not be limited because there had been an omission to appoint him according to the Act. If their worships were against him, then he must ask for a case. Tho Stipendiary We shall grant no case, because the case is too trivial there is nothing in it. Mr Roskill Then do you take it as perfectly clear that The Stipendiary: No, because I think Mr Thomas should call this man to say that he was not under-manager. Mr Roskill: It is of great importance to us that this point should be decided. We cannot, in endeavouring to do our duty in matters of this kind, find out—there are no mean-, of dlscovery- whether a man is properly appointed or not. I therefore do respectfully ask your worship—as the matter is one of great importance-to grant me a case. The Stipendiary I find as a fact that this man is not an under-manager. It is not a matter of law at all so how can we grant you a case? Mr Roskill: A man who acts as under-manager without being properly appointed is liable to penalties under the Act, and I ask your worship with great respect to bear with me there, and grant me a case merely in the interest of the inspectors. The Stipendiary We shall grant no case at all. The summons against Wm.'Jones was then dis- missed, and the court rose. In leaving the court Mr RoskiU informed the stipendiary of his intention to apply for a mandamus compelling him to state a case.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING IN CARDIFF. THE PEOPLE APATHETIC. It appears (aaYIJ the Journal of Gas Lighting) from recent references to the subject in the local newspapers, that the Cardiff County Council are not quite happy in regard to the prospects of their electric lighting undertaking. There has been delay in getting the central station ready but it is reported that the completion of the plant is now only a question of a week or two, when a definite start will be made with the street lighting. Meanwhile, it has transpired that only three applications for the light have been received from private consumers by the lighting committee up to the beginning of last week. This is a very poor look-out, inasmuch as the com- mittee have been proceeding on the estimate that at least from 4,000 to 5,000 private consumers might be depended upon to take current from the corporation works. The apathy of the people of Cardiff in this matter is a great disappointment to the county council, and may be cited as an illustration of the unreliability of mere estimates of the extent to which electric lighting will be patronised in a particular town. Of course, we do not suppose for a moment that the prospects of the Cardiff elootric lighting scheme are so desperate as these reports would seem to indicate upon casual inspection. The truth is probably that possible users of the light in Cardiff are not troubling themselves to make application for it until they see it in use in the streets and public buildings, and that even then the local electric lighting business will require a little pushing, like every other trade. Sooner or later, if the service is good and reasonably cheap, the munici- pal electric lighting venture will "go" to a certain extent in Cardiff, as in other towns; but whether or not there will be found in Cardiff sufficient consumers to make it pay is another question. In the meantime a local newspaper sees in the absence of the anticipated rush for the new light a lesson to those members of the corporation who a few years ago opposed the purchase of the local gas undertaking on the ground that gas as an illuminant was nearly played out. It is not. however, given to all of us to be wise, to say nothing of being wise in time; and seeing how strong a grip the electricians had upon the Cardiff Local Authority at the time, it is not to be wondered at that the latter preferred to leave the gas-works alone. Some of them are probably by this time wishing they had acted in the same spirit in regard to the electric light.

SIR HENRY JAMES AND THE UNIONISTS. Sir Henry James, replying to a correspondent who asked whether he thought that if the Glad- atonites were to withdraw the Home Rulo Bill from their programme an allianco would be formed between the Liberal Unionists and the Gladstonians, says :—" Forgive me if I do not attempt to anticipate a very uncertain future. Although for party purposes Home Rule is placed in the background wheuever an adverse judg- ment upon it is likely to be recorded, the Glad- stonite managers are bound to continue to afford it active support, such as the price of a continued alliance with the Irish Nationalists. Whenever Home Rule is withdrawn from the Liberal pro- gramme every Liberal Unionist will be enabled to exercise his own judgment upon the then existing political circumstances, and to control his future action as lie may think bost. From my know- ledge of the Liberal Unionists I have every con- fidence that their judgments will be patriotically exercised."

"ROUGH ON RATS" clears out Rats Mice, Cockroaches, Water Bugs, Flies, Beetles, Moths, Ants Bed-bug, Hen-lice, Insects, Potato-bugs, Sparrows, Skunks, Weaxels, Wood-lice, Moles, Musk-rats, Rab- bits, Squirrels. 71hd and Is boxes at Retail Chemists. Rough on Corns" for hard or soft corns. 8d, at Chemists. "Bucha-Paiba" cures all Kidney com- plaints. 49 6d, at Chemists. 4114it

WELSH GOSSIP. Mr Pennant has been elected chairman of the Flintshire Quarter Sessions, and Mr Elton Bankes vice-chairman. Mr Pennant only con- sented to accept office for one year. Welshmen in the United States are reviving an old idea to establish a Welsh colony in North America, and several prominent Welshmen are interesting themselves in the matter. The late pastor of Ebenezer Chapel,'Cardiff, is on the way to be canonised. He lives in Edwards- ville, Pennsylvania, and one of the most flourish- ing institutions in the place is the Cynonfardd Literary Society." 1010 Caernarfon, or to call him by his mundane name, the Rev. J. J. Roberta, Porthmadog, a poet of great taste and delicacy, has just won the prize for a poem or pryddest on Stanley at the Aberdare Eisteddfod. Mr Rathbone, M.P., has contribubed B250 towards establishing a laboratory in connection with the Carnarvon Intermediate School, on con- dition that the governing committee undertake to collect a similar sum. Mr Wm. Jones, of Oxford, the Liberal candi- date for the Arvon Division, is about to publish a volume of Welsh Essays and Addrfesses." ♦ Mr Jones is also preparing tor the press an edition of the Welsh Essays and Addresses" of Professor Riiys. A writer in the Welsh Baptist organ suggests the establishment of a museum where the MSS. of the Baptist men of letters might be kept. Why not set about starting at once the nucleus of a national museum ? Principal Roberts has already a small museum of modern MSS. at Aberystwyth. Mr Gladstone is staying at Colwyn Bay, and in the course of a chat which he had with the Vicar, Canon Roberts, he is said to have spoken in terms of praise of the Welsh clergy. We wonder if the G.O.M. will speak tc the late Vicar, the Rev. Venables Williams, in terms of praise of the Welsh Bishops ? Dr. Isambard Owen, of Mayfair, was born in Monmouthshire, though his family came originally from North Wales. His father was the engineer of the Great Western Railway, and Dr. Owen was born at Chepstow while that line was being constructed through Monmouthshire. His, Christian name was given him in honour of his godfather, the great engineer Brunei. One of the most remarkable features of the recent national revival is the impulse that has been given to the study of the mediaeval litera. ture of Wales. Mr Gwylfa Roberts, of Bangor University College. has re-discovered Rhys Goch, an old Glamorganshire poet of the 14th century. Rhys Goch,according to his student, was the firsb lyric poet of Wales, and his poems are the easiest of all mediaeval productions for the modem.Welshman to understand. Once upon a time, Wales had a separate judica- ture of her own, which was only abolished in 1832. Mr Tom Ellis is of the opinion that Wales will never attain national unity till this judica. ture has been restored. The old judicature, how- ever, was much abused, for a Welsh judge could practice as a barrister in England. The result was that sometimes he would give an opinion as a barrister in London, which he would reverse as a judge in Wales. A Welsh judge could also be a memberof Parliament. The most costly eisteddfod that has ever been held was the Pontypridd Eisteddfod last year, when the expenses were £6,595 and the losses £ 2,519. Swansea Eisteddfod in 1891 was a good second, with its expenses at £ 5,321, and its balance at JB220. The third was Liverpool Eisteddfod in 1884, with its expenses at 24,905, and its balance at JE149. The Swansea Eisteddfod was the most popular, the takings amounting to £ 5,541, while Liverpool was second with its takings at 24,055. The biggest surplus ever cleared was £ 1.400 at the Carnarvon Eisteddfod in 1877. In your to-day's issue," writes a correspond- ent, it is stated that the steam whistle was devised in Leicestershire, and first made by a local musical instrument maker. Now, when I was a small boy staying at Merthyr, about 45 years ago, I heard it claimed, many thnea over, as the invention of a Dowlais man, who raised himself to a prominent position, either in Russia or the North of England, but whose name I have long forgotten. Will my old friend, Dafydd Morganwg, assist me to give the honour to whom honour is due for the invention of this very useful little instrument ?" Referring to a paragraph that appeared in this column, Mr J. Havard. 50, High-street, Llanelly, writes In your 'Welsh Gossip' there appeared a short paragraph re blind men, amongst the names mentioned being John Miles, carpenter and singer, whose age is given as 35. There must be some mistake here, as I recollect him as far back as 35 years ago, and he vvas then considered an excellent carpenter and a "ry"fine tsiner and pitched the tunes at a 8inallchapel near Pontselly^MrMiles lost his sight when very young, through his brother striking him on the eye with a stone, accidentally, and the result was that both eyes became blind. Mr Miles must certainly be 60 years of age. Perhaps some of your Pontselly readers will furnish further information respecting this really extraordinary man; who, in addition to the qualifications named, is a man of exceedingly fine appearance."

CARDIFF MUSICAL FESTIVAL. FIRST REHEARSAL OF CHORUS. ADDRESS BY MR HERBERT THOMPSON. The chorus of the Cardiff Triennial Musical Festival of 1895 was put through its first rehearsal on Thursday night in the Higher Grade School, the work being St. Paul and the conductor Mr Aylward. There was a large muster of mem- bers. Mr Herbert Thompson, chairman of the executive council, gave a short preliminary address, in the course of which he remarked that the backbone of a Musical Festival, as distin- guished from other concerts, was the chorus and as such, those whom he addressed occupied a very important position indeed. The work before them they would find of great interest. Some of the old classics, such as the Messiah and "St. Paul," would be tolerably familiar to them, but there would be new works placed in their hands. A chorus which had for the first time to sing new works was somewhat in the same position as that of an actor who creates" a part; and the Festi val chorus which produced a new work that, some years hence, might be one of the classics of the country, was in the enviable position of setting a precedent as to how the work should be performed. In this respect, therefore, the members of the chorus bad an extra responsibility beyond the immediate fostival. The performance of Beethoven's Choral Symphony" would be a remarkable departure'in the musical world of South Wales. Beethoven resembled Wagner in his utter dis- regard of the comfort of the singer. Wagner was celebrated for the way in which he broke down the voice from the fortissimo strainp, &c., and Beethoven, in a different way, was also trying in some of bis choral music. In some of his earlier. works this was not, perhaps, the case, but in the last movement of the Ninth Symphony there was an amount of continuous, straiuiiag work on high notes which tested to the utmost the capabilities of any chorus. Hitherto it had been supposed in England that this work could only be adequately done by the inhabitants of one particular part of the island-the county of Yorkshire; and whenever it was performed, whether in London or at any of the great festivals, a contingent from the Leeds Festival Choir was almost always asked to help It was, however, a well-authenticated fact that the calibre of the Yorkshire voices was hardly superior, if at all, to the calibre of Welsh voices. He should hope that after their festival next year there would be some sources from which help might be drawn for performances ot the Choral Symphony or the Mass in D." Under the generalship of Sir Joseph Barnby, Mr Aylward, and Mr Walter Scott, there was no reason to doubt that the Cardiff Festival Choir would attain triumphs which would not only reflect great glory upon 'itself, but upon Cardiff and Wales generally. (Applause.)

ACCIDENT TO THE FIRE BRIGADE. An alarming accident befel Superintendent Tozer, chief of the Birmingham Fite Brigade, on Thursday afternoon. He was proceed- ing on a tender to a fire in Cheapside, when the vehicle swerved on a greasy pavement, and two ladders on the tender caught the back of the cart and wers torn away from their fastenings. The superintendent and several men were thrown off, and the former was severely bruised about the legs and was detained in the Queen's Hospital, but the men escaped with minor contusions and a shaking.

CADBDRY'S COCOA is cortified to be Absolutely CADBDRY'S COCOA is certified to be Absolutely Pure and to rank amoua the most oerfect of prepared Cocoas — The Analyst. U701>

NEWS IN BRIEF. Oysters live to the a^e of from 12 to 15 There are nearly 9,000 bauds in the Sal** Army. The coinage of a sovereign costs the BcS mint 0%d. In Japan there is one Christian to 1,600° population. About 2,000 soldiers are discharged ye.,Ill fo, bad conduct. When reading a man usually gets through 1 words a minute. LJ; It is estimated that there are 188,000 POW, houses in England. The Isaak Walton Memorial Fund now ainoof to between £ 70 and 980. The Germans and French are obtaining a hold upon the trade of New Zealand. U Punch's receipt for getting thin is to horses, and you will lose many pounds in no Shipments of tomatoes from the Canary lal have commenced. The crop is a large and one. I* The Bishop of Manchester does not agree Cardinal Vaughan's scheme for the reunion of churches. Jt The Queen's head gardener at Windsor 0 holds the post that is most coveted by gard in this country. When all is said and done, a woman 10 man more for his weaknesses than his virtoo Pall Mall Gazette., The Royal Academy of Music has received fro', the Treasury the sum of £ 500, the annual Gov ment grant to the funds of the institution. S A noticeable feature of the new Lord Justice's career is the unfailing courtesy ,,¡ which he treats every member of the Bar. j There is no truth in the freely-circulated s ments that the Church Missionary Society withdrawing all its European female agents fr"* China. jx A young French officer lately, on a wafjw made his way on a bicycle to the top of the ? du Midi, in the Pyrenees, 9,540ft. high, and t down again. Mr Sydney Grundy says he loathes the Eflop^k Theatre, but claims liberty for others to go tb^K as emphatically as he claims liberty not to v there himself. m The poll in Marylebone as to whether HB Public Libraries Act should be adopted resulted in the rejection of the proposal by 5,™ to 1,623 votes. Taken altogether, London maintains its satifi factory position in regard to' public health. mortality last week was at the annual rate of of*' 15'5 per thousand. The only man outside the Royal circle ev^j privileged to call the Princess "my dear old Jack Russell, the Devonshire sporting pars0% who died a few years since. The beneficial influence of soldiers' homesjp well illustrated by the fact that nearly 10,0^| persons availed themselves of sleoping accoIJitflØ'i dation in the Dublin institute last year. j It is stated by a French contemporary tb** Johann Strauss, the Waltz King," the anniversary of whose public debut occurred tb | week, has never waltzed himself in the whole his life. It is the regular thing at Sandringham to vis"! tbe stables and outbuildings where the pets after church on Sundays and before lunch, TM| Prince and Princess rather expect all the gues"? to accompany them.. | A short time since the Empress of Russia fell.- lovo with a habit coat that Princess Victoria Wales was wearing, and telegraphed to BusviO to send her one like it at once. Princess Victor has a very fine figure, and looks here very best 01 horseback. The Tit-Bits railway insurance of £100 b'" I been given during the present week to two W.I., famihes. In the one instance, James Vickery. Aberdare Junction, was killed on the Taff Railway. The other case was that of W. Haf^' Dinas Powis. bi Private postcards bearing adhesive stamp3 the value of one penny, and private reply P°*T cards with penny adhesive stamps on each b*1 may now be sent as postcards to places abro provided that they are in conformity with t official postcards. A hundred guineas is not a bad price for orchid. That was the price obtained fo* Cattleya Massaiana, with seven bulbs, in a Pickoring Lodge, Timperley, of the collectíO made by the late Mr George Hardy. The fitS day's sale realised upwards ot £ 1,160. Women have in various Continental cities dOfl^ exceedingly well of late as photographers. Copenhagen one woman photographer has fof several years been favoured with very commissions from the Court, and in Stockholm another counts Royalty among her patrons. At a sale of a public-houso at Berwick it w stated that the lessee was bound to insure t licence against loss of forfeiture for :C4 00-It im understood that all the lioences of ptiblie-hous$ in Berwick are, in view of legislation on tbt liquor traffic, insured against loss or forfeiture. The musical critics of Rome have spoken very favourably of an opera composed bV a young ma named Alessandro Marracino. The subject taken from Byron's Corsair," and the opera IØ entitled Corrado." The work, it is thougbt, will soon be put on the stage of some chief Italiso theatre. That was a smart boy who in reply t0 4 bishop's question, "My child, I will give you^ orange if you can tell me where God is," "My lord, I will give you two oranges if you c* tell me where He is not." This old story luakeS its re-appearance in a pleasant book of anecdot just published. Under the title of The Strike of a Sex," the number of the Quarterly Review for October deall with the New Woman, who will not contitill, long in the land. Like other fashions, she destined to excite notice, to be admired, criticisect and forgotten. The liberty which she invoko will be fatal txfher." The life of an editor in Japan is not an happJ one. Not long ago an unfortunate journahst convicted of the awful crime of Iibelliilg tb# Emperor Jimmu, who is said to have existed' few thousand years ago, and who in all prob* bility did not exist at all. The sentence waS four years' hard labour. i A large sum is beinp expended in developiøA the carriage of fish from Arctic latitudes "1 English and German markets. The Nord Cap" a fiie steamer specially fitted out as a fish carriet. with a refrigerator on hoard, is due in Hull oi J London in a few days, with a^cargo of froze" haddocks and other fish from the North Cape. Lord Albemarle has bequeathed all his propert1 to his wife. And I make this disposition 01 my property," the testator declares, becaUSe from the time of my marriage my said wife hal been not only a most loving wife and dear cofl* panion, but an excellent manager of a house a° administrator of the funds which have from tirrtf to time come into my possession." There is at the present moment at least ont excellent restaurant in Paris which, like < renowned London club, has been kept open » night long for at least a score of years without tW least offence to puhlic propriety or breach of social decorum. So says a corresponden-b of tbi Telegraph, who protests against the closing ot restaurants in London at 12.30 a.m. M. Sardou père, who has just died, refused to- believe that his son, when young, had any talent for writing plays, and made him study medicin* in Paris. M. Antoine Sardou was highly Coal, plimented recently on the success of his son. If is all due to himself," said the old man, for if hi had listened to me he would now be a fotirth-rstd doctor or a tooth-extractor in the provinces." Ping Yang, in Northern Corea, where th' battle was fought, was the first literary centre ill the peninsular kingdom, the chief author beiot an ancestor of Confucius, named Kishi, who, gathering up his writing materials and leaviofc China in 1122 B.C., emigrated eastward inM1 Corean regions. His name is greatly veneratedi and many tablets still exist in his honour in tb* northern part of Corea. Lady Londonderry's ideal of chop-cooking ig being sadly shattered. "I should dearly like- says a correspondent, to give Lady London derry her choice between a chop properly in a clean pan and a chop imperfectly grilled ovol a poky kitchener and if, in addition, her lady ship's housekeeping allowance was, say 25s week, and she had to pay for coals out of it, I dG not doubt which she would choose." It is so easy to advise. It may be worth repeating that Miss Ellt's Terry's father and mother, being traveJlinlf actors, happened to be in Coventry, at which place the gr»»at actress was born, but in years it became a difficult thing to find the riff" place. A shopkeeper, evidently with a keen OYO to business, painted over the shop door, This id where Miss Ellen Terry was born," but he sooC had a rival on the opposite side, who had the fol- lowing painted above his shop:—"This is 8h: 0 original place where Miss Ellen Terry was born. Everyone has heard of Sarah Bernhardt* curious bed, which is like no other one to bo see in France or elsewhere. It is nearly 15' broad, and when the fascinating Sarah is in18" posed and reoeives her intimate friends, reposing on a couch, she looks like a red-plumaged floating 011 a great sea of white satin, Empress Eugenie was another who declined follow the conventional idea in beds. Hers • raised to a little above the floor of the bedrooiu^ to give, at a hasty glanct*, the impression tb** was sleeping on the carpet,