Evening Express

THE EISTEDDFOD. I To-day begins this year's National Eisteddfod, and for a week Llanelly will be seething with literary and musical enthusiasm. Great preparations have been made in the tin-plate town, which claims to have the best hall for such a pur- pose that exists in Wales. This is the second time for the National Eisteddfod to go to Llanelly, and we can only hope its success will equal, if not surpass, that of 1895. A good deal will depend on the weather, though it must be confessed that eisteddfodic ardour is an element which takes many a deluge to damp. We hope the Eisteddfod will be a great success in every department, partly for Llanelly's sake and partly, of course, for its own. Of all institutions purely Welsh there are none more worthy than the National Eisteddfod. It has its* little faults and weaknesses, but taking it all in all it is something of which the nation may be proud. It has done a remarkable work in the past, and is capable of doing equal good in the future. A curious and interest- ing feature of the last few years is the extension of the Eisteddfod idea out of Wales. Welshmen everywhere, whether in England, or the Colonies, or the United States, are keeping up the gathering with vigour; their brother Kelts have similar meetings like the "Feis"; and even the Saxon is beginning to hold competitive meetings on cognate lines. The English- man who has not attended a National Eisteddfod has a distinct treat in store for him, and if he sees one or two things that may possibly excite his risible facul- ties he will leave the pavilion with vastly increased respect for an institution the very name of which he may, perhaps, be unequal to spelling correctly.

The pastoral plays performed at Cardiff on Friday and Saturday were of a novel and interesting character, and were attended with a good deal of success, despite the threatening character of the elements. British weather is so notoriously uncertain that open-air performances can never become popular. There is one such, however, that has thriven through the ages and whose star is still radiant and undimmed. We refer, of course, to the tragi-comedy of Punch and Judy," in which a heartless old villain rides rough- shod over beauty, goodness, law, and order amid the shouts of the juveniles and the grins of their seniors, who may even be members of the Free Church Council!

A bottle is one of the most formidable of weapons, and has done serious work in many an affray. A number of colliers from the neighbourhood of Neath be- thought them of this when they got into altercation with the police on Friday, with the result that several constables were more or less severely injured. The bottles, it appears, were loaded with beer when used, and, oddly enough, that wholesome and invigorating beverage forms the sur- name of one of the officers who was in- jured. One of the defendants had for- merly been a policeman himself, and since leaving the force has distinguished him- self by coming int-o violent contact with I his former colleagues.

The visit of their Majesties the King and Queen to Ireland has been through-, out a great and consistent success. The Royal visitors have been received every- where with respect and affection, and the wildest and remotest districts have echoed the enthusiasm of Dublin and Belfast. Even Cork—so often spoken of as the "rebel city "—has not been found want- ing, and we fail to trace in the account of the proceedings there a single discordant note. No one, of course, dreams for one moment that this momentous visit will prove a panacea for all difficulties, but at I any rate it points to the dawning of a brighter epoch and a kindlier feeling, and with presence of these ameliorating condi- tions the solution of outstanding political problems will be rendered much more easy than was possible in days of yore.

Mainly About People. Leo XIII. was a great Pope. Not often has one ascended the Pontifical throne at a more critical period (says "Free Lance"), and with a more difficult task before him. Not only had the vision of temporal power vanished, but the very authority of the Papacy was caMed in question by the greatest mili- tary Power in the' world, flushed with un- broken victories over Austria and France, and governed by one of the foremost and least scrupulous of modern statesmen, Bismarck. Yet all Bismarck's power was spent in vain against the smiling diplomacy of Leo XIII. The Pope literally wore him down, and Bia- marck himself, the man of blood and iron, "the Iron Chancellor," had to confess the failure of his Kulturkampf. The result has aaturally been a great access of prestige to the Papacy; and by a curious irony of fate, in Bismarck's own fatherland, the party on which the GovernmeIllt most relies for the carrying of its least popular measures is the rery party Bismarck attempted unsuccessfully to destroy. The man who oould achieve soch a triumph of diplomacy vras no ordinary person. And his methods were those of peaee. There never wae a more gentle, tolerant, kindly soul than the laite Pope. A good story of Miss Ada Reeve is related in "SVA.T." She began her stage career at the age of six, says that magazine. On one memorable occasion she appeared with her father on the sands at the seaside. Little Ada had a good many brothers and sisters; ,times were hard, and a holiday was sorely ueeded. So a place was found where they were not likely lb be recognised, and father and daughter set to work to make the family nxpenses. Ada came near to breaking down in her song altogether. Courage, little one," whispered her father, remember it is for mother and the baby." The child bravely ftprjftlied her ijork, and took round a shell to b" b. sing for you!" and, without waiting for per- mission, beckoned to a friend to play for him, and jumped on to the little platform. His songs delighted everybody. But he did not stop at this. He took the ahell round him- self, and gathered in a goodly number of cop- per and silver pieces. Take these, little one," he said to Ada, and keep up your courage. I shall hear of you some day, you'll succeed! It was the late Charles Godfrey. Mr. Justice Lawrance's humorous remark that he considered a jury-who had found a verdict for the plaintiff with a farthing damages—had erred on the side of liberality, recalls the fact that before the middle of last century it was in the power of juries to give a less amount. That was when the half- farthing was current coin, and Mr. Justice Hawkins, as he was then, told a jury that he had figured in a case in which that small amount was awarded to the plaintiff. I shall not tell you," added his lordship, on which side I appeared." In those days, how- ever, such a verdict carried costs. The half- farthing ceased to be coined in 1856, having been first struck in the reign of George IV. for circulation in Ceylon. Many a friendship-long, loyal, and self- sacrifieing-rested at first on no thicker a foundation than a kind word. The Grand Duchess Alexandra Mavrik- levna, great aunt of the Czar, who is now dying, is perhaps the most interesting figure in the Russian Imperial family. She is the mother of the Grand Duke Constantine Con- stantinovich, who is a poet of some quality, a scientist of real distinction, and presi- dent of the Russian Academy. The Grand Duchess's husband posed as a pretender of the Platonic order, and regarded the Czara Alexander II. and III. as usurpers. The Hon. Guy Baring comes of a family which simply bristles with peerages. Francis Baring was created a baronet in 1793, and of his three sons the middle one was made a peer, Lord Ashbnrton. Of the two others the eldest, who inherited the baronetcy, was the father of Lord Northbrook, while two sons of the youngest son became Lord Revelstoke and Lord Cromer. Thus the bridegroom of to-day is not only the son of a, peer, but cousin to three others all bearing (the word is inevitable) the same family name. Among the stories told of the retiring Bishop of Manchester is one to the effect that he once refused to pray for rain during his episcopacy of Melbourne because the munici- pality had criminally neglected to provide a water supply for the city. The bishop is a confirmed smoker, and he advised his olergy that when they form young men's clubs in connection with their churches they should always provide a smoke-room. He is also very fond of cricket, and has often attended the matches at Old Trafford; he made an interesting speech there when a presentation was made to Mr. A. N. Hornby some time ago. He also confessed himself on one occasion to be "a pretty man of his hands." He was told he ought not to have been a parson, but a business man, and he replied that he had been told that before. "When I was young," he said, "I had a cousin at Harrow who thought a lot of his powers as a. boxer. At last he induced me to Put the gloves on with him, and when I had finished him off he said, 'It is a pity yon aire a. parson; you would have made a name in the ring. In his Australian travels, he once came upon a herd of cattle neglected by their drovers, and promptly set to work and pumped water for them. But the best story is that told of a meeting which he addressed up country. The hall was full, but a young bushman pushed to the front and asked a lady to make room for him. The local clergyman said, "No, no, you must not in- commode the bishop's lady." But the bishop had overheard, and the lady was Mrs. Moorhouse. "Nonsense," he cried; "squeeze up a bit, Mary." And Mrs. Moorhouee did. Professor A. H. Church, F.B.S., who has been inspecting the frescoes in the Palace at Westminster, is one of the greatest living authorities on the chemistry of art. He can tell you not only which colours fade, but why they do so, and he is learned on the sub- ject of incompatibles, or colours that may not be mixed together because they combine chemically and start fresh tints of their own. Sad to tell, however, few artists take any I interest in the scientific side of their work. Most painters know the chief pitfalls which they must avoid, but the why and wherefore I of the strange behaviour of certain colours is none of their business. It is not healthy to dwell on one's own feel- ings and conduct, but only to try and live more lovingly and faithfully every fresh day. Lady Margaret Crichton-Stuart must be considered as one of the most interesting and important of the young unmarried women of the day. Only daughter of the late Lord Bute, and sister to the present youthful peer, she is one of the richest heiresses in the t?Ph= kingdoms. Lady Margaret is not "modern," but she is a clever, talented girl, and has the great grace of originality. She has been highly educated, and, like her brothers, can speak several dead as well as modern lan- guages; she hae a. thorough knowledge of architecture, and is an expert at landscape gardening. She lovee a country life, and excels at many outdoor amusements. Yacht- ing and boating are her favourite pursuits; she even understands practical seamanship, and holds a mariner's certificate; she rides and drives well, and is a keen cyclist. Lady Margaret Crichton-Stuart has the graceful, dignified manners of past days; she treats her elders with great deference, speaks in a aoft voice, and has a deep veneration for her religion. Lady Margaret works much among the poor of Rothesay, where she is as popu- lar as Lady Victoria Campbell, the Duke of Argyll's sister, is in the Island of Tiree. When in London Lady Margaret Stuart creates some amusement by riding in Rotten Bow in true Di Vernon fashion, wearing a long, sweeping grey habit and a large hat adorned with many picturesque plumes.

MOROCCO PRETENDER I Paris, Monday.—The "Figaro" publishes a telegram from Lalla Maglinia, stating that the Moorish mission there has received a communication to the effect that the Pre- tender has been killed. The news lacks con- I firmation.-Reuter.

MUSIC IN THE PARKS I The Cardiff Military Band will play the 1 following programme of i)rfasic in the Roath I Park to-day (Monday):—, Fro21 6.40 to 8.40 p.m. March. "Albion" .Bume. Spanish Dance .SankowsM. "Festival" Lewtner. Valse Git4LJM Bucaloesi. Selection "Faust" .Gounod. "Cloches do St. Halo" Rhnmer. Piccolo Sole. "The Deep Blue Sea" Brewer. Reminiscences of Ireland Godfrey. The Darkies' Serenade BucalowL March "The Thunderer" Sousa.

ADDRESS NOT KNOWN I A postcaTd sent from Berlin to Turin on the 7th of June, 1877, has just been returned lstamped "Address not known." The writer died 24 years ago.

1- BAROMETRICAL INDICATIONS. t The following are the readings since five o'clock last I evening, as given by the barometer in the vestibule of I tbe "Evening Express," St. Mary-street, Cardiff, which I 18 33ft. above mean sea level:—

THE LONDON PRESS Examples of Their Views To-day. BRIEF EXTRACTS FROM LEADING ARTICLES, i Clear Proof. When our iron industries are seriously threatened even the most prejudiced of Free Trade optimists must confess, if he has sense j and honesty, that all is. no longer for the best in this best of Cobdenite lands.—"The Times." Tolerance Needed. There must be tolerance—prompted by good feeling between man and man, and not merely enforced by law and the police-if Ire- land is to see the brighter dawn develop linto "glad, confident morning."—"Daily Tele- graph." Money Spent on Brains I There can be no better investment than I spending public money on a great thinker or a great inventor.—" Standard." Parliamentary Procedure I On Parliamentary procedure the last word has by no means been said, and real reform, when it does come, will have to proceed on quite other lines than those followed by Mr. Balfour. Morning Post." Chinese Barbarity. I To beat a man for two hours with bamboo I rods is simply to alienate sympathy in quarters whence it might naturally flow towards a land so Vexed by Europe as China I has beeu. Daily News." Protection and the National Physique. Will the national physique be improved by I cheap tea and tobacco and dear food?—" Daily I Chronicle." Physical Regeneration I Until far more "has been accomplished towards the proper housing of our masses the problem of their physical regeneration will remain nnsolved. Daily Graphic." A Non-Political Visit I rms Irish tour has not been political in any party sense, or in any sense that could give offence to a thorough Irish patriot. There was no design to influence Irish party politics. Daily Express." The Spirit of Friendship I It is evident that all that a King can do to bring about this spirit of reconciliation and friendship has been done, and has been done not in vain. Daily Mail." A Change for Ireland I The policy of Twenty years of resolute government has broken down. The reign of coercion has been formally brought to an end. Morning Leader."

I CHARGE OF BIGAMY. I Strange Story Unfolded. at I Haverfordwest. Evan Paleetoa Evans, otherwise Roberts Richards Williams, a labourer, formerly of PenrhiwceibeT, was again brought up in custody at the Shirehall, Haverfordwest, on Saturday, on A charge of feloniously marry- ing Jane EIÜa. Harries, Marloes, Milford Haven, his former wife being then alive. An extraordinary story was disclosed by Mr. W. Davies George, who appeared to prosecute. In 1901 the prosecutrix, who was in service at Bridgend, met the prisoner at Pontypool station. An icquaintance followed, and the prisoner ultimately proposed marriage and was accepted The wedding day was fixed, but was postponed owing to prisoner, as he said, being injured in a motor-car accident. Prosecutrix vent home to her father's house at Marloes, and prisoner followed, and obtained thi father's consent, and on November 4 he went through a form of marriage at St. Ishmael's Church. He lived with the prosecutrix at her father's house until the 25f.), and then left her, as he said, on business for Messrs. Cory's Colliery, Cardiff, wheie he said be was manager. Two days aflerwards prosecutrix heard he was a married mac. and took out a warrant, which, however, codd not be served until the 16th ult., when he was apprehended at New Tredegar. 01 the 27th of March prisoner's lawful wife had an interview with him, and going home, died the next day under circum- stances which necessitated the holding of an inquest, when evidence was given that she had a weak heart. On the 30th of November prisoner wfte to the prosecutrix, telling her that his wfe was dead, and asking her to forgive his leceit and join him, and he would work for hr and make her a comfortable home. She ras to address him at the General Post Office, Bristol. Three days afterwards he wrote fiom Bristol to his brother-in-law, telling him of his wife's death, and that she had forgiveft him, and asking for his forgive- ness, addirg that by the time he received the letter he would have made away with himself. a asked his brother-in-law not to look with icorn on his three children-by a former mwria-.e,-and concluding "I am the chief of aimers: farewell to all." That was the last holrd of him until his arrest at New Tredegar cif the 16th of July. Theprosecutrix gave birth to a still-born child in the early part of tJis year. When he was courting Miss Harres he told her he was a bachelor, and by otfupation overman at a colliery. He afterward told her he was going in for an examination as a manager, and sent her a telegram rom Bristol to say he had passed, while all the time he was a labourer on a pit head. When he went to Marloes to marry Miss Hartes he had no money, and she lent him monff for the marriage, and at one time and anotier he obtained all her savings.- prisoner was committed for trial at the assizes.-Te applied for bail, which was granted.

I j40,000 FOR CHARITIES Miss Jary Thompson, Pouruemouth, who died on June 7, gave two water-colours by George Richmond to the South Kensington Museum Subject to legacies not exceeding Ilo,coo, ;he left the residue of her property between the London Hospital, the Surgical Aid Socety, Salisbury-court, the Boyal How pital fo Diseases of the Chest, City-road, the London City Mission, and the British and Foreign Bible Society. The value of the estate ) £ 54,657.

A POSTMAN'S RECORD The leath has just occurred at Guildford of Mr. George Jenkins, aged 56, who for 36 years rasattached to the post-office staff in that twn as rural postman. Throughout his long srvice he was on the Compton and Put,- tenhai round, a daily journey of between sixtee and seventeen miles, and the distance he coered during his career as letter-carrier must have aggregated 190,000 miles. The deceVed had six good-conduct stripes,, and was His year awarded the Imperial medal for longuid meritorious service under the Order 4ereapd last June. The official notification. howler, did not arrive until a few hours afte: his death.

COUNTESS FOR DECOY. I A telegram from Milan yesterday states that the police have arrested a gang of pro- fewnal gamblers. A genuine countess, Sacfli. acted as decoy. Slaving access to the bes" society, she easily persuaded persons to viai her at her splendid villa near Milan. Thre the visitors were made drank, and in- viti to play cards. It is said that many Africans are among the victims.

JWUJRW SUNRR MATCHES AM MET EOUMY byBmTHt LAJMU? NMd <ar pMUetttn* et -tftm? ?<t?- wn)ttm<rw attor M**? w?t? rnxo?M. .Mmmm- 

BRYNMAWR BOXING Rhymney Man Defeats Griffiths. STUBBORN FIGHT ENDS IN NINTH ROUND. A good deal of interest was taken IocIly in a boxing match heid at Brynmawr on Saturday night. The contestants were Will Griffiths (New Tredegar) and George Roach (Rhymney), who signed articles to box the best of fifteen three-minute rounds, with 4oz. gloves, for 950 a-side and the gate receipts. Griffiths, a well-proportioned athlete, with Herculean strength, was until quite recently the heavy- weight champion of Wales. He is 26 years old, and scales in condition 12st. 21b. Early in his career the New Tredegar man was looked upon as a worthy successor to the late David St. John and Johnny O'Brien, but enforced idleness brought about some deterioration in speed, and it cannot be said his early expecta- tions have been fully realised. Roach, who is some years his opponent's junior, can go to scale well within the middle-weight limit, and in this class he is, perhaps, the most pro- mising recruit the Principality has had for many a long day. Before joining the Grena- dier Guards he showed a more than ordinary knowledge, and a thorough course of gym- nastic training in the ranks supplied the neccesary link. By the cool and clever man- ner in which he has dealt with all his oppo- nents he has stamped himself a boser of no mean order. The last-named contestant un- derwent a strict oouree of training at Cwm- bran Gardens, Pontnewydd, and Jem Styles, the London middle-weight, who superintended the work, is to be commended on the manner he brought his charge to the scratch. Griffiths likewise came up in excellent condi- tion, and was very confident. He finished his preparation at Barnes, Surrey, under the watchful eye of Charley Knock. Weight of money caused the ex-Grenadier Guardsman to start a 6 to 4 favourite, and it must be admitted the record crowd were, to a large extent, on his side. He fought like a terrier, and fortunate enough to get two or three telling hits home in the first minute, quickly had Griffiths down to his own weight. No man could have taken more punishment with better grace than did the Tredegar representative. Out-generalled directly after the start, he hung on for nearly nine full rounds in a way that gained for him every hand in the house. It was an uphill battle, almost, indeed, a hopeless task for Griffiths from the first punch, but he stood his ground as only a game and determined man will do, and no disgrace is attached to his defeat. His I backers were amongst the earliest to recog- ^i nise that in Roach, the Tredegar man was opposed to superior tackle, but as an assur- ance that his dogged pluck was recog- nised they intimat-ed their intention of giving! the latter a further chance by supporting him against Joe Knight, who threw out a public challenge just before the battle was entered upon. Notwithstanding the tremen- dous amount of excitement which prevailed, the two men fought with commendable fair- ness throughout. As a prelude to the chief event, Will Cameron, of Ebbw Vale, sparred a trio of sparkling rounds with Alf Rodway, and the quick movements of both lads proved a reve- lation. Mr. J. Cameron acted as M.C. and timekeeper, while Mr. E. A. Humphreys ful- filled the office of referee.

CARDIFF MAN'S CRAZE. I Gold and Silver Watches and I Chains. Some three or four weeks ago a man, aged about 40, was certified by two Cardiff doctors to be insane, and was removed to Bridgend Lunatic Asylum, of which institution he is still an inmate. He is a foreigner, had been in Cardiff two or three years, was of indus- trious habits, and nothing is known against him. He was the sole occupant of a small tenement, upon which was found the day after his detention in the lunatic asylum some 130 gold and silver watches and chains, and other articles of jewellery, binoculars, hand- somely mounted pipes, and cigarette cases, and a dog's steel chain. The articles are apparently all new, and their value is considerable. They are now in the possession of Mr. Pritchard, general relieving officer to the Cardiff guardians. The supposi- tion is that the man came by the property honestly, and that he has a craze for buying and selling.

WELSH WEAVERS' STRIKE. I ■■ I Saturday's Conference: No Agreement Reached. I A joint meeting of the masters and men engaged in the flannel trade in Carmarthen- shire was held on Saturday evening, the chair being taken by Alderman Lewis, Meiros Hall, Drefach. After a long discussion of the ques- tion at issue the meeting separated without earning to any agreement, and it remains very doubtful whether the matter in dispute will be submitted to arbitration. 80 the exodus from the district to Glamorgan and Mon- mouthshire will commence afresh, and the flannel industry will suffer irreparable injury.

I GARTER AS DOG dOLLAR I A labourer has been fined 2B. 6d. and coats at Derby for allowing his dog to be on the highway without muzzle or collar. The man explained that he forgot to put a collar on the animal, and had used one of his leathern garters, on which he stack a. piece of stamp- paper with the name "Joe Thompson" written upon it. This, however, did not satisfy the police.

I DISTINGUISHED PATIENTS I Sir John Blundell Maple passed a quiet night, and is progressing favourably. There is no material change in the condi- tion of Counters Spencer this morning. Lord Alington passed a fkir night. Hia strength is fully maintained, and his condi- tion Ï8 as satisfactory as oould be expected.

NO MORE FAILURES I New York, Monday Morning.—The "New York World" to-day prints a Newport dispatch stating Mr. Pierpont Morgan has told a4 friend that the Wall Street Market would improve, and there would be no more failures.

THREE MEN KILLED Two engineers and a labourer were instan- taneoosly killed this morning in the Fairfield Yard, Glasgow, while fitting a shaft to the Union Castle liner Armadale, wbioh is to be launched next week. The names of the I deceased men are James Scott, Robert Wight, and George Dawson.

COOPER COOLLY RANSACKED THE FLAT An audacious attempt to plunder a flat is alleged against Charles Cooper, who was remanded at the South-western Polioe-court on Saturday. Mrs. Lees, residing1 a.t Battersea, said he called at the flat, which she was seeking to sub-let, and, after looking at the dining-room, suddenly went out, locking her and her maid in the room. She went on to the balcony, and tried to enter by the drawing-room window, but that, too, had been fastened. Meanwhile Cooper ie alleged to have coolly ransacked the rest of the flat, but a policeman, whose attention had been attracted by Mrs. Lees' shouts, stopped him as he was leaving.

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JOINT BOARP FOR WALES. I Sir William Anson and the Lloyd-George Plan The details of the Government's "counter" proposals for a joint education committee for Wales and Monmouthshire are expected to be made known immediately after the holi- days, so as to give the Welsh members of Parliament an opportunity for discussing them before Parliament rises. Sir William Anson went away with a draft of them in his pocket on Saturday, and will give them his careful consideration during the holidays. It will be found, says our London correspondent, that, as forecasted by Mr. Lloyd-George, there will be no great difference between the Government's "counter" proposals and those made by the Welsh members. A point raised i3 that of the constitution and "limitations" of the joint committee. It is believed that the -,Government was averse to bringing the Welsh University within the control of the suggested committee, and was inclined to confine its work to the intermediate and primary education schools. The view is held that the way out of the difficulty will be gained by the appointment of university governors to seats on the committee. An equally well-informed view is that the university will be omitted altogether from the I scheme, and that the process of "unification" will be confined to the public bodies having charge of pre-graduate education. The educa- tion authorities in Whitehall maintain a strict silence on the points for the time being. A meeting of the Glamorgan Education Committee has been called for Wednesday to consider the reply of the Government. This, therefore, may be expeoted either to-morrow or Wednesday morning.

FROZEN IN THE ALPS. I Leipzig Lawyer's Terrible Death I A Vienna telegram to the "Morning Leader" says that Dr. Walter Benscher, a Leipzig lawyer, has met a terrible death in attempt- ing a difficult ascent to the Dachstein, in Upper Ennsthal. Benscher started with. an edelweisspicker, the regular guides having declined to accompany him. During the I ascent the tourist's strength failed, and the two men spent all Thursday night crouching under a ledge of rock over a.chasm nearly 3,000ft. deep. In the morning the edelweiss- Dicker started to search for help, but was himself overcome hp exhaustion. When rescue finally arrived Benscher was found frozen to death.

[ SHUT IN A BURNING BUILDING A fire which broke out, early yesterday morning at Queen's-mansions, Castle-street, Long-acre, led to some exciting scenes. All the inmates, however, were able to escape, with the exception of a lady and gentleman residing on the second floor, who on attempt- ing to descend by the stairway found their exit barred by the flames. They rushed to the front-room window and appealed for help to these below. Several persons attempted to ascend the stairs, but were beaten back by the flajnee, while several ladders which were brought were found to be too short. The situation had begun to assume a serious aspect when the fire escape dashed up, and the imprisoned people were brought safely to the ground amid great cheering from the large crowd which had assembled.

DETECTIVES ALLEGED FORGERY Mr. Anthony Buck Creeke, junior, a solicitor, who is one' of the defendants in the official stamps case, applied to Sir A. de Rutzen on Saturday for a summons for forgery against Detective-sergeant Ward. In his evidence last week Sergeant Ward admitted that he sent another defendant, Walter Richards, a tele- gram signed Creeke," his object being to get Richards out of his house.-I-n reply to the magistrate, Mr.) Creeke said the v sections under which he applied were 47 and 48 Vict., Chap. 6, which made it a misdemeanour for anyone to forge the name of another to a telegram.—Sir Albert told Mr. Creeke that if he would lay a written informat:on he would consider the matter.

WIFE'S CONFESSION I When Thomas Vesper, a butcher, of Saltash, returned home from the war, he found that his shop was shut up, and that his wife had given birth to a child of which the father was Robert Cook, a. retired maater mariner, who carried on business as a baker on the opposite side of the street. Not having means to take proceedings then, VaSJjer re- volunteered and went back to fight the Boers. After his final return home his wife arranged a meeting and signed a-full oonfession, though in a letter to her Oook, from New Zealand, wrote, "Don't mention my name." The butcher was on Saturday granted a divorce and £21)5 damages. Commenting on the wife's con- fession, counsel said it wap quite evident that, in consequence of the baker's conduct, she desired to be revenged on him.

I WINDOVV-CLEANING FATALITY I Mr. Wynne E. Baxter conducted an inquiry at Poplar with reference to the death of Daniel John Brace, aged 49, a, window-cleaner, who died in the (Poplar Hospital from fracture of the skull and other injuries, received through falling from a window of the Eastern Hotel. East India Dock-road, on Thursday. It is singular that the brother-in-law of the manager of the same hotel was killed in precisely the aame manner about two months ago whilst assisting to put up decorations. The deceased and one of the ornamental pillars from the window fell to the ground. The pillar was produced in court and was found to be made of wood. The Coroner: Did the other accident occur in the same way? The Coroner's Officer: Yes, sir; the pillar came away on that occasion. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental death."

THE MOST FASHIONABLE RESTAURANT TEA Booms in Wales.—Varied menu, neftaed cookery, and roost [moderate phow.-The Dorothy, HlgtMt* Cardiff. -«U279 I

SELF-MADE EMPEROR A Frenchman's African Possessions. M. LEBAUDY'S BOLD BID FOR A REALM. A telegram from Paris states that an announcement was made yesterday by the Temps" to the effect that M. Jacques Lebaudy has annexed the West African coast from Cape Juby to Cape Bogador and pro- claimed himself Emperor of Sahara. Last week (says the "Temps") the naval adminis- trator at Morlaix received a letter headed with the words: The Emperor of Sahara," in which it was rtated- that two French sailors, named Bourdiec and Jagou, who had for some time past been in the service of "the Emperor," had been captured by Moorish brigands, who demanded a ransom of £160. His Majesty," eays the letter, is preparing an expedition to avenge this insult on his subjects." The naval administrator at first regarded the matter as a joke, but made some inquiries, with the result that the wife of one of the captured sailors was discovered, and gave a graphic account of the means adopted to get recruits for M. Lebaudy's adventure. Early in May twenty men were enlisted at Brest. The yewer given zOlO down, and pro- mised a wage of L7 7s. per month. At Las Pal mas ten of the sailors were embarked on board the Prasquita, and, on arrival at Cape Juby, M. Lebaudy distributed rifles and car- tridges and a certain amount of provisions, and gave them orders to make for Troja, the capital of his empire. The ten men set out in two parties. At the end of a certain time five of them, discouraged by the difficulties of the route, judged it prudent to retrace their footsteps, and returned to the Frasquita. The five others, among whom were Bourdiec and Jagou, desirous of discovering the city of the Emperor of the Sahara, marched into the desert, and were captured without firing a shot by a band of Moorish brigands. One of; the prisoners, a man named Picart, succeeded in escaping. It is from him that the details were transmitted to the Inscription Maritime at Havre. They confirm in part the letter received at Morlaix.

I PATIENT'S ESCAPE. I Danger of Strychnine as Medicine. The danger of strychnine as a medicine has been emphasised once more by a remarkable occurrence at the Shoreditch Infirmary, which resulted in the narrow escape from death of i the infirmary dispenser and one of the patients. It appears that Dr. Norton, the medical superintendent, wrote Qut a strych- nine tonic prescription for a girl patient suffering from nervous disorder. In due courss this was made up by one of the infir- mary dispensers, but after the patient had been given two doses she was seized with violent muscular twitchings, showing signs of an overdose of the drug. Dr. Norton imme- diately administered antidotes, his prompti- tude in detecting the symptoms saving the patient's life. The dispenser, when con- sulted, steadfastly maintained that he had not made any error in making up the pre- scription-in fact, so positive was he of this that he took a dose of the remaining medi- cine himself. The effect was instantaneous, j and in walking across the room to get an emetic he fell heavily and injured his leg. Dr. Norton, however, managed to administer an antidote, and he has now practically recovered from the effects of the poison. It is now supposed that the dispenser, while making up the prescription, put in the strychnine and then had his attention dis-I tracted momentarily. On resuming he must have put in a second quantity by mistake. It is understood that the "infirmary authorities I have called upon him to resign.

I LLANI8HEN MYSTERY. I A Servant Girl's Startling Story A servant girl in the employ of Mr. J. H. Davies, of Burford Cottage, Station-road, Llan- ishen, caused alarm in her master's house on Saturday night by reporting that she had encountered a burglar in the conservatory. The man, she stated, turned upon her, put one hand across her mouth to prevent her screaming, and stabbed her on the arm. He then ran away. The local police were away at the assizes at the time, but Police-sergeant Phillips, of Whitchurch, was soon upon the spot. No trace could be found of the assailant.

I UNDERSELLING THE STEEL TRUST I A New York telegram says that it is unofficially stated that the Domiraon Steel Company has sold from ten to twelve tons of steel billets in the United States at a. shade under the price maintained by the Steel Trust. The company has been able to do this owing to the bounty it reoeives from the Canadian Government.

BRITISH AND AMERICAN FLAGS I A telegram from Toronto states that a number of young Canadians at Trenton (Ontario) objected to the steamer Varuna flying the American flag above the British, on the main flag-staff. They sent a protest to the captain, and when no notice was taken of that they fired several rifle shots at the American flag, which was then hauled down.

BLACK LABOUR ON MAIL BOATS A Melbourne message says that Sir E. Barton, replying to an influential deputation, representing chambers of commerce, manu- facturers, mines, banks, and other bodies, which tirged the repeal of the black labour clause in mail contracts, said it was useless to ask for its repeal before the effect of the clause had been tried. Be preferred even foreign white to black labour.

FAMILY LIVE ON TWO SHILLING A WEEK A sad story of poverty was revealed at a.n inquest held on Saturday on the two-year-old daughter of Mrs. Newby, Bethnal Green. The mother, a widow, who looked weak and ill, said she was left with four children, two of whom were in the parochi&l schools. Her landlord said the case was practically one of starvation. The poor woman had tried to support herself and her children by making fishing neta. which were paid for at the rate of sixpenoe a gross, and her earnings had not averaged more than two shillings a week for the past two years. She owed him six months' rent at three shillings a. week, but he wae not pressing her for it. The guar- dians httd refused to give her outdoor relief. It was shown that the child's death was due to dropsy and kidney disease.—The Coroner gave the woman a small sum from the poor- box.

NEW NAVAL STATION The arrangements made by the Admiralty for the establishment of the South Atlantic Station came into operation on Saturday. The West Coast of Africa Division, including the whoTo of the Portuguese possessions on that coast, has been separated from the Cape of Good Hope Station, and combined with that of the South-east Coast of America, under the title of the South Atlantic. Com- modore Prank Finnis, from the South-east Coast of America Station, has been appointed the first commodore in oommand.

I REFORMER'S DEATH. Terrible Story of Chinese Cruelty, FLOGGED WITH RODS FOR j TWO HOURS. A Chinese journalist and reformer named Shen Chien was executed by being beaten to death in Peking. The evidenoe against him at his trial was so weak that he would pro- bably have been acquitted but for the fact that he boldly chose to admit the charge, which was that of having attempted to organise a rebellion at Hankow in 1900, and boasted that he had always advocated assas- I sination in order to rid the country of the Manchu dynasty. He declared, moreover, that he was willing to die for the cause. He went to execution calmly, and met his fate with great fortitude. Shen Chein was beaten to death, instead of being beheaded, in accordance with special instructions from the Empress Dowager, who desired to make a special example of him in order to terrify other would-be reformers. This execution is the most terrible episode in the history of China since the massacres of 1900. It was performed in the courtyard of the Ya-mr of the Board of Punishment. The victim was beaten with bamboo rods for two hours, from four to six in the afternoon. The flesh of the arms, legs, and back was torn to ribbons. After the condemned man was apparently dead the executioners, fearing that possibly he had only fainted and might survive, twisted a rope tightly around his neck and left the body thus until the morning. No one except officials was permitted to see Shen Chien after his arrest, and his friends were denied an interview or any information regarding his condition. Despite the official precautions, however, the prisoner managed to smuggle from his prison a farewell message in the form of a poem in praise of reform, in which he exhorted bis colleagues to continue the work.. In the official report of the execution it was statoo that the prisoner had been beheaded. Shen Chien was thirty years of age. He had many friends among the foreigners, who describe him as an educated and high-minded gentleman. The affair has created an intense feeling among the foreign community.— Eeuter. A Reuter telegram dated Sunday says:- Pekmg is witnessing a return to the con- ditions which followed the coup d'etat of 1898. Political discussion among the Chinese, Which increased under the Court's recent policy of friendliness towards foreigners, has suddenly stopped. The Dowager Empress's olan of terrifying the reformers by the execu- tion of Shen Chien has been successful, and all Liberal Chinese, particularly those who have been associated with the reformers, are in the greatest fear of arrest. It is difficult to find a Chinese who is willing to mention politics or the tragic end of Shen Chien, although that is the only topic of conver- sation among trusted friends. The officials are particularly reticent

NEW WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY I A Chicago telegram to the" Daily Mall" saya that a. new system of wireless telegraphy bas been invented by Mr. George Piggott, a young electrician of that city. Jt was suc- cessfully tested here to-day. Messages were sent from a steamer in Lake Michigan to the inventor's house, and although several miles intervened, they were received swiftly and accurately. In the new system instead of using poles at the receiving and sending stations an intensifier is employed. To prevent interference by other currents each instru- ment is tuned to respond only to a current of a certain rapidity of alternation.

I DISCONTENT IN PORTUGAL The Lisbon correspondent of the "Daily Mail" writesRecent disturbances have served to draw attention to the general dis- content with the administration of this country and the demand for a change of Government. The indifference of the King to the plight of the country is everywhere condemned. He is openly accused by the very papers which have previously upheld him of caring for nothing but cruising about in his yacht on fishing expeditions or hunting in the provinces, only coming to Lisbon when he is forced to do so and returning to his amusements after signing documents which he scarcely troubles to read.

ABANDONED BABIES The number of children who have been abandoned in London reoently gives rise to the suspicion that there is another baby farmer of the type of Mrs. Sach at work. Two inquests on abandoned babies were held on Saturday, and Dr. Wynn Westcott said he had had a similar case earlier in the week. In one instance the child, whose age was about three months, was quite blind. It was left on a doorstep in Clerkenwell, and died in the workhouse.

COUNTERFEIT-COIN VICTIM I Passengers on the Great Eastern Railway should beware of the man who suddenly finds a sovereign on the floor of the carriage. A well-dressed man this week entered a, carriage containing several gentlemen. On the journey he suddenly stooped and picked up what was apparently a sovereign. He asked one of his fellow passengers whether it belonged to him, and on receiving a negative answer offered to go halves. The passenger agreed, handing over 10s. in exchange for the coin. The man alighted at the next station, leafing his victim to discover that the coin was counter- feit.

X260 FOR A DISTRAINT I Under a bill of sale in respect of an advance of 440, the Westminster Loan and Discount Company are said to have distrained for an instalment on the furniture of Mr. and Mrs. Leary at Wandsworth, and to have taken X200 worth of goods. At the time Mrs. Leary was in a delicate state Of health, and the seizure is alleged to have seriously affected her health. Eventually the money was paid off. In claiming damages from the com- pany on Saturday Mr. Leary, an accountant, further urged that the bill of sale was invalid, as, owing to default on the first instalment, he and his wife had to pay fines, and a, deduc- tion of Ell 18s. for expenses was, they said, made by a clerk from the amount realised by the cheque for the advance.—Damages were assessed at L250, legal points being held over for consideration.

DROPPED A LEGACY. I A legacy of £ 700 irr a cheque and bank-notes waa paid to a Mrs. Brown, of Northampton, at the office of her trustees at Ashby-de-la- Zouoh on Saturday. On her way to the sta- tion she lost the envelope containing the cheque and notes. The town-crier was sent round with an intimation that the numbers of the notes were known, but no tidings of them has yet been learned.

MOTOR BOATING RACE J Motor boating is to be promoted at Paris by I s6 sensational monster contest. Certainly no similar event on such an ambitious scale has ever been attempted before. The course is to be nothing less than the entire distance from Paris to the sea by the Seine. That is not all, however. Once at the mouth of the river, between Havre and Honfleur, the motor boats will put out to sea and race along the coast to Tronville. The finish will take place in the bay of the fashionable watering-place. The distance I the Seine from Paris to the sea is about lfA miles. From the mouth to Troufille ia Another 26 miles. i

I KING AND ERIN. A Touching Message to His People. "HOPE A BRIGHTER DAY IS DAWNING." The King has directed the following address to be issued to the Irish people:— TO MY IRISH PEOPLE. I desire on leaving to express to my Irish people how deeply I have been touched by the kindness and goodwill which they have shown to the Queen and myself. Our experience on previous visits had, indeed, prepared us for the tradi- tional welcome of a warm-hearted race, but our expectations have been ex- ceeded. Wherever we have gone, in town or country, the tokens of loyalty and affection proffered by every section of the community have made an endur- ing impression on our hearts. lor a country so attractive, and a people so gifted, we cherish the warmest regard, and it is, therefore, with supreme satisfaction that I have during our stay so often heard the hope expressed that a brighter day is dawn- ing upon Ireland. I shall eagerly await the fulfilment of this hope. Its realisation will, under Divine Providence, depend largely upon the steady development of self-reliance and co-operation, upon better and more practical education, upon the growth of industrial and commercial enter- prise, and upon that increase of mutual toleration and respect which the respon- sibility- my Irish people now enjoy in the public administration of their local affairs is well fitted to teach. It is my earnest prayer that these and other means of national well-being may multiply from year to year in Ireland, and that the blessings of peace, contentment, and prosperity may be abundantly vouchsafed to her. c EDWARD R.I.' I

GRAVE DESECRATION AT BERLIN. How a Cemetery Official Made a Fortune. A Berlin telegram to the Morning Leader saysThe reports of the desecration of the graves of citizens of Wurzburg are officially confirmed. An inquiry, instituted by the municipal authorities, revealed the fact that for years past bodies buried in the church- yard in zinc and lead coffins had been disin- terred a night or two after the funeral, and either put in a wooden coffin with another corpse, or simply re-placed in the grave with- out any covering than the earth. The metal coffins were then cut up and afterwards sold to a dealer. According to a Wurzburg journal, Franz Keh, the official in charge of the graveyard, has stated that he and his predecessors have always considered the secret sale of metal coffins as a perquisite of office. They regarded such coffins as being as much their property as coast dwellers do the wrecks that are driven on their shores. Keh received eeven pfennigs, or about a penny per pound for such metal, and he has saved over LZ,000, besides having given his son and daughter first-class education. The whole matter is now in the hands of the Public Pro- secutor.

VOLUNTEER CAMPS. Welsh Brigade Leave for Salisbury. Barry Island is at present the camping- ground, for the purposes of annual training, of the Severn Division Royal Engineers Sub- marine Miners (Volunteers), and of the 2nd Glamorgan Royal Garrison Volunteer Artil- lery, representing in all a muster of some 600 or 700 rank and file; also of the Cardiff Battalion of the Church Lads' Brigade. The Volunteer Artillery. I The 2nd Glamorgan Volunteer Artillery, comprising Nos. 1 to 5, Cardiff; 6 and 7, Penarth; 8, Bridgend; 9, 10, and 11, Barry, under the command of Lieulenant-colonel H. Oakden Fisher, arrived in camp on Saturday afternoon, following an advance contingent which arrived two or three days previously, the ground being the plateau near the main entrance to Whitmore Bay. In addition to the commanding officer, the officers in atten- dance are Major Thomas, Captains J. J. Handcock, Sheppherd, Tweedy, Vivian, Broadley, and Lewis; Lieutenants Edwards, Bees, Thomas, Gibson, and Taylor; Quarter- master Richards, Surgeon-captain Parsons, Surgeon-lieutenant Bird, and Captain and Adjutant Wilkins, B.G.A. A joint Church parade of the Sub-Marine Miners and Artillery was held yesterday morning on the parade ground of the Sub- Marine Miners, and was also attended by a large number of civilians, the service being conducted by the Rev. A. Henderson. Cardiff, chaplain of the 2nd Boyal Garrison Artillery, and the lessons read by Major-general H. H. Lee, B.E. After the service the quarters of the men were inspected by Major-general Lee, honorary colonel of the Sub-Marine Miners, and Colonel Hopkins. B.A. The Artillery officials were entertained at dinner by the officers of the Sub-Marine Miners. The Church Lads' Brigade. I The Cardiff district companies of the Church Lads' Brigade, representing an assembled strength of 150, are also in camp at Barry Island for a week's training. The eight companies comprise those of Llandaff Cathedral, All Saints' (Cardiff), St. Augus- tine's (Penarth), Ely School, Ail Sainte' (New. port), All Saints' (Ca-ldicott), and St. John's (Cardiff). The lads are accompanied by Major F. Cottrell, Captains A. T. Willcox. F. Vaughan Cleves, P. T. Scott, and the Rev. F. W. Short, Lieutenants W. T. Mallett (quartermaster of the battalion), J. H. Mallett, G. G. Charles, the Rev. T. Richards, B.A. (battalion chap- lain), and Surgeon-captain Dr. R. Pritchard. Yesterday morning, at eight o'clock, the officers and many of the lads attended Com- munion service at Barry Parish Church, and at eleven o'clock Divine service was held on the parade ground, conducted by Captain F. Vaughan Cleeves. who also- delivered a suit, able address. Service was also held in the evening in the camip, when the Rev. T. Bichards. the battalion chaplain, officiated. 10,000 Men Under Canvas at I Towyn. The Worcester and Warwick Brigade and the Staffordshire Brigade of Volunteer Infan. try went into camp at Towyn yesterday for a week's training. The total number of men was close upon 10,000, and they were conveyed in 23 special trains. Departure of the Welsh Brigade for Salisbury. Yesterday the Welsh Volunteer Infantry Brigade, which comprises the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Volunteer Battalions, and the 3rd Glamor- gan Rifles, proceeded by special trains to Lavington Station, preparatory to a week's encampment on Salisbury Plain. The Cardiff detachment of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion left the town early in the jnorning, and were joined by the Valley companies at Newport. The battalion will be under the command of Colonel Lewis.

"Cochfarfs" Comments. I wish to assure Mr. William Davies that I am sincerely anxious to obtain all the information possible about the Penylan well and everything else relating to old Cardiff, and I will take care to interview Mr. Solomon Andrews whenever he returns south from his Pwllheli retreat. How is it I have not heard anything from Mr. William Davies or Mr. Charles Evans concerning Mrs. Baden-Powell's drawings of old Cardiff, which can be seen at the Cardiff Reference Library? I am anxious that every one of the 27 sketches should be identified and associated with some part of Cardiff as it now is before the drawings are returned to their owner. The last volume of the Cardiff Records is now in the hands of the borough archivist, and at no future time will such an opportunity present itself to preserve every item of information concerning the town as now. That visit to CowOridge on Wednesday last is yielding a most interesting sheaf of correspondence. The headmaster of Cowbridge Grammar School may re- member that I mentioned the cause of the dalliance of my party at a given place and why we were prevented from viewing every interesting spot in Cowbridge on that very pleasant day. I wish to assure Mr. Evans also that I put on thp most distinguished air I could command when I found our conveyance was speeding along the Stallingdown, but I did not realise I had assumed the proportions of three individuals-and one of them an ex-Mayor of Cardiff, too. But of what use was it to swell with self-importance when I had to encounter a gentleman hold- ing such democratio views as Alderman Edward John? He has such a knack of calling a spade a spade that anyone wish- ing to cultivate his good opinion must assume sackcloth as soon as the borough boundary is reached. I know nothing of the Duke Corner "-and I feel this explanation is due from a teetotaler, for I presume The Duke is a place where spirituous liquors are retailed; but, when the principal of Cowbridge Grammar School returns from across the briny ocean," I will take care to fetch from him Donovan's account of his walk from Cardiff to Cowbridge. Dear Cochfarf,"—You must have been one (if not all) of the trio that I passed on Wednesday in Church-street, and I never knew you! I saw that you were not ordinary excursionists, for they do not go much further than the Duke Corner, or, if they come into our street they walk in couples. But no one could tell me who you were-which shows how much out of the world we live here. Why did you not call? Have you read Donovan's account of his walk from Cardiff to Cow- bridge in 1803? The description of the scenery from the Stallingdown is very fine. If you have not read the book I shall be pleased to send you my copy. Am off this moment across the briny ocean, but shall be back in September, and while away the sentiment that per- vades my bosom will be that of the Scotch poet:— Though from the sheiling and the misty island Mountains divide us and a world of seas, Yet, still our hearts, and true our hearts are Highland, And we in dreams behold the Hebrides. —I am, &c., W. F. EVANS. The School, Cowbridge, July 31. The first subscription list relating to Mabon's" testimonial is of a gratifying character, and particularly when we con- sider that a systematic canvass of the various districts of South Wales has not yet been instituted. The committee has very wisely devoted its attention to the organisation of local committees so far, rather than aim at a few large subscrip- tions to the neglect of the multitude of small subscribers that will come to the hands of the treasurer in due time. Just a word to those who have been appealed, to and who intend to subscribe, but who, have not sent any intimation of that intention to the secretaries of the com- mittee. These hardworking gentlemen are called upon to carry on very laborious work, and every letter written means to them the loss of valuable time; therefore, let there be a quick response to their appeals, however small the sum may be. Postal orders are intended to give the minimum of trouble to those who need to transmit money, and I trust this hint will be acted upon as readily by donors of shillings as by the owners of good cheque- books and plentiful banking accounts. News of the Cardiff International Male Voice Competition is being spread on the Continent, and the Parisian paper, "La Lanterne," is giving it exceptional pro- minence under its "Revue des Societies Musicales." The item in the programme which is responsible for the notice is, un- doubtedly, that which states that the dis- tinguished French musician, M. Lament de Rille, is president du concours." The writer has a better idea of the fitness of things than all the British Governmenta of modern times, for he is unable to see how the chief city of Payes de Gallea" (Wales) can exist without its lord-maire." At any rate, he dubs the chief magistrate of Cardiff as "lord-maire," and this may create puzzling situations when the latter official follows out his intention of visiting the centenary celebrations of the Breton poet Brizeaux at L'Orient in September next; and, as our French neighbours are given to placing lord mayors somewhat above Prime Ministers in importance, some embarrassing contretemps may be reported before the festivities are over. Porthcawl is preparing to receive ita summer guests, but that ugly gap in the promenade wall is still an eyesore that will, drive people of a restful disposition as far as possible from the uninviting sight. Residents point with legitimate pride to the great improvement in the road lead- ing from the station to the town, and it is noticeable also that an expensive drainage /scheme has been completed; but, oh! or, the time when that tantalising void on the seaport is obliterated, and where weary visitors who reach the place late' every night can listen to what the wild waves are saying with a due sense of com- fort. The man of leisure who is taking his month at the seaside, and is entirely freed from city cares, can wander at hia ease to the delightful wilds adjoining the Sker stands, but I write on behalf of tho eight o'clock arrivals, who have to count the minutes they have to spare to inhale a modest amount of ozone, and who have to face the hurly-burly of business in the morning, just as the milkman makes his first call. I almost think the visitors would actually do their share of spade- work to carry out this improvement if the local authority gave them the opportunity.