South Wales Echo

"A RACE FOR A "DEANERY." J ,iEFLi, (puonsned by Harry iithrinprton, 152, Fleet-street) is the title of a periodical devoted to bicycling and tricycling. In connec- tion with it this year has been published an annual choke full of capital tales, most of them referring to adventures on the bike" or "trike." Mr Coleman and other handicappers have also prepared a list of the records for the year, together with a return of the winners of the various pro- fessional and amateur championships, with the times and distances. The Wheeling Annual" is one of the most attractive we have seen this year, We take the liberty of quoting one of the best of the tales it is entitled A RACE FOR A DEANERY." Take it all in all, there is no finer exercise than wheeling, and, unlike some doctors, I can k from practical experience, for I have fol- > ed my own prescription for more than ten y-ars." Such was the dictum of my old friend and col- lege chum, Waiter Marsh M.D., to whom I had pleaded gullto to sundry misgivings that I was gettin, o into a bad way through insufficient exercise, and yet could not make up my mind as to what kind of exercise would be best for me. "Yes, my boy, wheeling is the exercise for you buy a tri., and use it, and your doctor's bill will be considerably shorter than you have been accustomed to see it, and if this isn't disinterested advice, I don't know what is." Here the doctor paused to light a cigar, and I followed his good example. The silence, however, was of short duration, for Marsh had mounted his hobby, and was off again. By the way, did you see the announcement of my uncle's appointment to the Deanery of Aylcester last week "Yes, and I was uncommonly glad to see it; Yes, and I was uncommonly glad to see it; worth atvjut £ 2,000 a year, I fancy." "Well, what would you say if I told you the old boy won his preferment by a bi. ride, eh ?" Oh I should say you were having a iokeat my expense. Dr. Osborne on a bi., indeed, and racing for a deanery No, no I can't swallow that, old fellow." Don t you put a wrong construction oa a man's words. I didn't say he rode the machire in point of fact, I did the riding, and he gained the prize. Would you like to hear the story" Very much, indeed," was my response. Wefl, fill your glass this is 'G lpand this prime do Irish mix for yourself." Preliminaries having been arranged co our mutual satisfaction, the doctor commenced- Two years ago, I had a very pressing invita- tion from my uncle Osborne to stay a month at his place in Devonshire you know he was vicar of Elmwold—a scattered rural parish, five miles from the railway station. I didn't feel over well at the time, and really required a holiday, so away I went, forwarding my luggage by raii, and following on my bi. I'm not going to describe my ride, more than by saying I enjoyed it un- commonly well, and met with very civil treatment en route. "My welcome, both from my uncle and aunt, was all that could be desired, and within a week I had found out all the picturesque spots within a radius of 20 miles. I was rather struck, though, with my uncles pre-occupation whenever we were together, and his scarcely disguised eager- noss to seek refuge in his study, and I half sus- pected he was preparing to embark on the troubled seas of authorship. My aunt, however, quickly undeceived me on my broaching my suspicion to her. Is it possible, my dear Walter, that you have not heard that your uncle is to preach before the Ethical Congress at Ambiusfon, on the 21st I thought lie had told you, if, indeed, you require telling. I am sure it has been announced in all the papers I have seen." Oh that is the secret of Uncle Frank's learned meditations. Well, I must confess I had not heard of it, and I suppose the London news- papers omitted to publish the interesting fact, or I must have overlooked it. So the dear old gentle- man is going to edify the learned pundits. I sup- pose, by the way, you will be in attendance Of course, I shall be there, and you also I trust," was my aunt's reply. Well, at length the eventful day arrived, and the sermon (enfolded in a new case specially worked for the purpose by my aunt) had received its last finishing touch. A fly from the nearest inn was at the door, and shortly after eight o'clock we were off. The nearest station, as I mentioned, was five miles away, and the train that was to convey us to Ambluston started at nine, covering the distance to our destination in the wonderful time of 43 minutes, the said distance being no less than fourteen miles. In due course we arrived at the station, being about 20 minutes before the train. Those minutes seemed about the longest I ever knew; the vicar tidgetted, Aunt Helen fidgetted, and both feared the train would be late. At last the wretched apology for a train rumbled into sight, and we took our seats, and presently were off. 'If you will excuse me,' began my uncle, 'I think I will just glance at my sermon,' and in another moment the MSS. was in his hand. A hasty exclamatioft hurst from his lips, and the sermon fell to the floor of the carriage. In a moment my aunt and I had reizad his hands, and were about to loosen his cravat, fearing he had fainted, but he waved us off, and gasped out, The sermon, the wrong serman "Before I could utter a word, my aunt had the sermon in her hand, and had grasped the whole situation. The grand discourse, in its new case, had been placed on the library table, near his old familiar one, containing his last Sunday's exhortation, and by force of habit he had taken up the one to which he was accustomed. Here was a pratty muddle! The savants would meet expecting an intellectual treat, and would be sent empty away, unless by some means the sermon could be placed in the preacher's hands by half-past eleven. I made a hurried calculation tne tram would stop at a station abmt three miles away, thence to Elmswold would be seven miles. Elmswold to Ambluston, by the nearest road, 16 miles, total, 23 miles, time about two hours and a quarter. Could it be done ? I would try. Uncle, I said, cheerily, 'don't be too sure ( that you wilt disappoint the pundits. Tell me exactly where the sermon is (and the text to prevent mistake), and I think I can undertake to put it into your hands by half-past eleven, if that will be early enough.' "'No! no You can't do impossibilities; there are no more trains till the evening.' No trains but you forget my bi. at Elms- wold.. See, uncle, the train is going to stop, tell me quickly where I shall find the sermon." Oh my boy, if you could do it—but no Again my aunt's good sense came to the rescue. There is a chance, Frank, let us try it. Give Walter your keys, and tell him where you left the sermon.' On the library table, and the text is Paral- lelisms of Thought in the Writings of Ancient Greece and the Sacred Scriptures. "Seizing tho keys, I leapt from the train before it had come to a standstill, and hurried out of the station. My object was to borrow a horse at the as speedily as the animal Aid go, to the vicarage, and thence by bi. to "\lston. get a igood luck would have it, I managed to within rable horse at the Langley Arms, and Elmswoffew minutes was galloping towards acquaintedortunateiy, I was tolerably well importance "ith the road, and knowing the urging my ste\ny errand, I had no hesitation in The clock 19 the utmost of his powers. as I rode up to tlhe old church tower struck 10 see now the astonifnearage door. I fancy I can countenance of old >nt depiccea on tne homely servant, as I burst tf^e Perkins, my uncles covered with foam, and' her view, my horse I flanks bow severe his task wing by nis heaving I I Don't say a %vord Pe\bcen. countenance of old >nt depiccea on tne homely servant, as I burst tf^e Perkins, my uncles covered with foam, and' her view, my horse I flanks bow severe his task wing by nis heaving I Don't say a word Pe\been.. send this moment for Teddy I cried, but nib down the horse, and then ■ and let nun the Langley Arms, at Langley A, him back to In two minutes more I had sermon in my pocket, and was bush precious scanning my trusty bi. Yes, it seemed sound a little oil might not be amiss, alHRmy for the race—16 miles in au minutes. oen At first the roads seemed very fair, and made good progress, causing, however, no little! scandal to the stolid country folk wending their made good progress, causing, however, no little! scandal to the stolid country folk wending their I way to church or chapel. After the first three miles my difficulties began an ugly cross road, deep in ruts, and heavy with stones and mud, intervened between me and the high road to Ambluston. To ride my machine, would be, I plainly saw, out of the question. There was no alternative but to walk and push my machine. The ^retched lano seemed interminable, but like most things, it came toiii-elid. With 11 sigh of relief, I gained the high road, | j!.<3 W'.UIIO liv.- m'.nute* ha<? U;- «<aiisfaoti.-vr, „f -wu.g a ml'.cAor.indicating 11 mile.- to Am bIn=V,n. On I spc-1, a.- if a kingdom's safety depended upon iiiy success, and row the old daring leel iug of recklessness s.nd exhilarating sensation that 1 had so oftsrs experienced wheu riding tu hounas, upon my success, and row the old daring leel iug of recklessness ;i.,d exhilarating sensation that 1 had so oftsrs experienced wheu riding tu hounas, possessed me. Tne noxt five wiles was covered in little more thai. 20 inimu' Ls, and I calculated that the an* them was jus*, began. If I could but keep "p I the pace, I should have a few minutes to spare. A steep hin now presented itself, and I elected to dismount and walk my machine up the indium rather than expend my muscuiar energy in riding. From the brow of the hill I had a tine OF rp.v VJJI.J for nearly 3 mi1. o » morofnt I was in the saddle, and dashing along at racing speed. Three miles to Ambluston, and, bar- ring accidents, plenty of time to accomplish my task. I could reckon on 17 minutes at least. Presently the stately spire of the old church appeared in sfcht, snd I imagined the Litany would now be well ia hand. In turning a, corner I almost ran into a gipsy encampment, and earned, or at least gained, a sandwich of oaths and curses, accompanied by a few stones, which, fortunately, did no damage, as I was out of range by the time the missiles were sent after n;e. "As I rode up to the church door, I saw a decent looking countryman strolling about the churchyard, vho readily took charge of my machine, whib just within the sacred building my aunt was seated, with one eye on my uncle and the other on-he door. The gopel was just concluded.and I took advantage of the people rising to place the important sermon in my aunt's hands. Such beaming gratitude as she looked I never wit- nessed letore or since. A discreet verger was close by and by his agency the MSS. was speedily in my mcle's possession. I ras rather disappointed at first with the discouse, but when I saw the close and intelligent attertior. the savants bestowed upen it, I began to tiink that possibly I was not so competent to appreciate a learned sermon, as to convey it over a jistnce of 16 miles (walking and riding), in an bourfmd 12 minutes. Well, the sermon was fully reported in the Qu(ffdian, and led to a learned correspondence between my uncle and the Premier. A great defl of ink was used, and much Greek quoted, acd the deanery followed. Take another glass, and don't forget my gdvice, buy a machine and use it.

1 CARDIFF SCHOOL BOARD. A Question of Grants. A monthly meeting of the above body was held fét the Town-hall' on Thursday, Mr Lewis Williams presiding, and there being also present Revs. C. J. Thompson, Vincent Sank z, G. A. Jones; Messrs J. Gory, J. Guuti, T. Iiees; and Drs J Idwards and Wallace. GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE SCHOOL GRANTS. I I be report of this committee stated that in the last Government schedule of grant to Severn-road board school a sum of JM5 3s was shown to have been deducted from the gross 1;rant earned by the school under article 114 ot the new code. In calculating last month the 2-5ths layable to the teachers, the sum withheld by the/iOVernment was, with the sanction of this commit«e> first de- ducted, and the teachers were paid 2-b^ of the residue only. The committee, on re-consileration were of opinion that it would not be fanto the teachers who had worked well during the 'lear and obtained the "excellent" grant, to sublet them to a loss for which they were not responsibk and it was therefore resolved to recommend that they should receive two-fifths of the full grant. Applications from candidates to fill vacancies of the teachers were examined, and it was resolved to invite the following to attend the board meeting :—Wm. George Powell (Bargoed), Samuel .Davies (Fochriw), Wm. James Hole (Canton), Dan Burn (Roath), James Davies (Blaina), and J. D. K. C. Davies (Cvvmavon).—A letter, dated 19th December, from the Great Western Railway Company, was read. The company ask the board to sell them a small corner of the Wood-street playground, about 24 square yards in extent, for the purpose of improving at the turn a new road proposed to be made from the bridge at the end of Wood-street to the railway station.— It was resolved to recommend the board to com- ply with this request. In consequence of objec- tions made by residents and owners of property in Romilly-road to the proposed site, the com- mittee agreed to recommend the board to adopt another site in Pembroke-road, or near thereto, subject, however, to the following conditions That the owners consent to sell without a provi- sional order, and that all necessary roads and sewers be first made. After seeing the candidates for the vacant teacherships, the board appointed the following: Messrs Powell, Hole, J. Davies, and J. D. K. C. Davies. The report of the committee was adopted. THE HIGHER GRADE SCHOOL. I The higher grade school committee suggested in a report that the following should be subjects of instruction in the higher grade schoolBoys chemistry, mechanics, animal physiology, physics, (i) sound, light, and heat, (ii) magnetism and elec- tricity girls botany, animal physiology, and domestic economy. The CHAIRMAN mentioned, with respect to the opening of the school by Mr Mundella, that he had received a letter from Lord Aberdare, whose guest the right hon. gentleman would be, stating that Mr Mundella would visit Cardiff on Tues day, the 13th inst., to open the school in the afternoon, and address a public meeting in the Public hall. Queen street, in the evening. Intimations of the exact time at which the ceremony would take place-he thought about 2.30-would be sent out, and he hoped all the members of the board would attend. The opening of the school, he thought, would be formal, and that Mr Mundella would reserve him- self for the evening. The Mayor was very anxious that the town should show its appreciation of Mr Mundelln's efforts on behalf of education, and he had decided to give a banquet on Wednesday afternoon, to which members of the school board were to be invited. The report was adopted. SCHOOL GRANTS. The Rev. C. J. THOMPSON, in accordance with notice, called attention to the 114th clause of the new code of the Education Act, which he called a fining clause. A school might earn a large as the result of good management and great UUC ac- cording to this clause tiie grant must not exceed the greater of two definite amounts. One was tiie capitation grant of 17s 6d on the average attendance. It the grant made by a school was in excess of that, then it was knocked off, but there was a saving clause—that if the income of the school, minus the grant received, was equal in amount to, or greater than, the amount earned, then the whole grant might be received. This pressed very bard on all schools, he said. The Severn-road School had been iiiiiietpci, aicer me last inspection, in a sum of B95 on the grant earned, the result of which was a loss to the management of the school whilst it led to some- thing* like a misunderstanding between the board and its teachers. Inasmuch as the government grant was intended to encourage food work in a school, and to support the school everv school, he contended was entitled to the full amount of wiiat it earned. The clause seemed to him to put a pr.imiu'ii upon inefficiency, extravagant expenditure, and acted as a dis- couragement. He moved This board present a memorial to the Education Department setting forth the hardships resulting from the operation of clause 114 of the new code, and praying for its repeal or such a modification of its existing pro- visions as will allow an efficient school to receive in full the grant it earns in examination." The CHAIRMAN asked Mr Thompson whether it would not serve his purpose to oppose that motion upon the effect of the change on the Severn-road school. L- RPMOMAS JEES, who seconded Mr Thomp- son s motion, ion, tciy strongly on mis matter, and thought the arrangement imposed by the clause most unwarranted. There was one satis- faction, and that was that the Education Act as well as the code were tentative in their character, and he tfiou^K*. that possibly a strung representation as to the injustice and impolicy of the clause might lead to its alteration- It was quite out of harmony with the Education Act and its intention. It was not a pleasant thing by any means for a board or school management to contemplate earning j.1 Qs lOd for every pupil presented, and then to receive only 17s 6d. He regarded it.. in the worc.s of Mr Thompson, as putting a premium UD^n inefficient teaching. "The CHAIRMAN thought Mr Thompson would recollect that there was a discussion in the House on this clause, and that the idea was to maintain and increase the efficiency of the schools. He thought it was a part of the compact made when Mr Gladstone was asked to "ive an extra 25 per cent. to the voluntary schools. He knew it was shown at that time that the clause was a safeguard, and referred principally to the voluntary schools. The clause had come into force since the voluntary schools obtained an increase of 25 per cent., and the view then taken by the education advisers in the House was that without such a clause many of the schools would be dependent solely upon the children's pence, and what could be got from the Government grant, and that unless there was a qualification such as this, efforts would not be made by managers of the so-called voluntary schools to get up subscriptions. As far as they were concerned he thought the reason for the course taken with respect to theSevern-roadBoard School was indicated clearly if they referred to the Government Inspector's report upon it last year and this. It stated last year, The teaching staff would bear strengthening." That was in the boys' school. This year the report said, There have been vacancies in tne staff which were not promptly and properiv tilled up. He (the chairman) took it that the IHth clause was intended to keep up the efficiency of the schools the department thought that otherwise scnools might secure the grant uy merely teaonmg toe three R/s. He again suggested that Mr Thomp- son should deal with the Severn-road School on its own meriti. Mr lilacs thought the remarks of the chairman called for his attention, as those which referred to the staff at Severn-road School reflected upon him. The CHAIRMAN It is not a reflection upon yourself, L.i Mr GUNN said it would not be creditable to them as a board, and it would not be justice to the ratepayers to punish people who had worked so admirably as the Severn-road teachers. There might be cases in which it was necessary to keep the teaching staff up to a standard of efficiency by such a clause as this, but in the present case the circumstances were wholly different. If Mr Thompson would confine his resolution to the particular case of the Severn-road School he would support it, but he thought it would be rather cut of the province of the board to express an opinion upon the working of the clause else- where, as they were not familiar with it. Mr KEES said Mr Greig's school was referred,-0 as being" somewhat understaffed. A.ccordin< the inspector's report, he found there '-as an average attendance of 297 boys there > occa- sionally to be found in that school ab-it OUD boys possibly. Now, so long as the boar* provided a staff which the department demand as c miyii- mum, what could the departir at fciay He wa: prepared to say that the boavl hail gone a way beyond this. He ve particulars of teaching staff, and said -oat 360 boy-, wc. vfripil for wlifclj was & ion £ the E(i,lct)tio], D»pwtm«nr- mm'uimn. Vhen why should th.v o« t,, Keening :i J')W ."111. I. ■• girls school V, ;,r.iii'cd t!i:t thcro might nav times when .he staff hingt d on the m«..in> im, but it could not be helped when t.nchci> were but it could not be helped when t.nchci> were d, and staved Jiyay- Teachers were n<>> -"Pt on a ghelf labellsd and ready for use. N.o.witas>,aod- 1 in;! all this, charge Jroupht ;)1. the J insp?s'totV reporr were m all itonsedaft, and that t: .• v»«,-e nrvi" 1 who wanted to jftstifv < "i'' iisPmc- xu th- course of some other rem • :IIJ,< that the i-avern-road Sch •'»*.t=. rb.cr'-jocessor. )r« Wales, it having pa d cent., •/ad obtained "he highest pos- arov. Re C. J. THOM; "L were fonr i; nÍ ri clauses, ha '•>«■«• Å road Board School had been lined 1", ;n-ttic? n*T of the staff, it would ha ;¡ been fined, not uade*" clause 114, but under an other clause, and, ther: fore, the remarks of the chairman with respect i- the inspector's report did not apply. After some other dkcusiion, and an amend- i ment having been proposed by the chairman and j duly seconded by Ml Gunn, the Rev. C. J. Thompson so altered his resolution w to meet too views of the proposer of the aiiieidm.,3tit, and the j resolution which was a read as i"iiows ) "This board having hadbefore it the last report on the Severn-road School (according to which tnaft | school suffers a deduction of £ 95j, and clause of the code, and having considered the questia'> generally, present a memorial to tiie Education Department setting for'.h the harrtstnpe resulting crom such clause, ard praying either for its repeal 01 for such a modification of its existing psovisions as wil allow au efficient school to recer-'e m £\).1 • th* script it eatiis in examination j There »ra> no other uu.sine,-s of public inteiasi- |

L0HC1N LETTF.R. i 1 1 L 8; IALT: Y ',J PwLD. j lALX.-r TVfKi.:0. j I {3T oOKRhvU'GN PENT. j LONDON, Thursday Night. New Year's Day has long ceased to re a date with the anxieties of ears ■ago so far the complications of European politics are concerned. President Grevy, receiving the Foreign Ambsssadors to- day at tlvj Elyaee, was all smites and com- pliment, and was happy to bear testimony to the friefidsl.!p uniting France with all ether iiai The generation is passing away which retains a remembrance of New e-a Day under, the Empire, when on on rstemorabie.ttccasion, six and twenty years ■ago, the/ Emperor Napolson vwke a few words .tû Baion Hubr r, tho Austrian Aiiilaasador. wine': Ln a L-v hours sent down tlia value of pincks in the European markets sterling. Then followed the fo' imiioi' the' volunteer army of in a fear that the fate of -k.usc:i-i m being attacked might e oiiio. and T suppose there are few who recollect that nearly half a generation has now t'apse{¡. !ice the sovereign who was then flescrite:13 the arbitrator of Europe was L'jd II. > rest in the church of a Kencish-vilia- having died as an exile in the land which \ad called upon its citizens tc arm against tiie military forces which., as the master of legions, he had at his com- XIlaTiJ. Much thin .tire has been expended to- ,lay over the amouncement that the Queen's censem. zo '.he betrothal of Princo Beatrice was given <>■< condition th,,b her Royal Highness sho il continue t reside with her Jlajesty. Thu idea. )f,, bridegroom taking up his fl!tl!:r'p wIth a mother-in-law has snpjjo. 1 to some obvious ridicule. But T<iokin-; a*, -he constant companionship between Ll" Queen and her youngest child, rho stipulation which her Ma- jesty :;as cw. ie does not appear so unrtasoi..ao*tj iter all. Princess Louise left to oj married nearly 14 years ago, ri Aarch, En. Princess Beatrice was tiien 14 years ot age, but such has been the c<distant companionship between mother and daughter, that although the latter has • long entered tho state of womanhood, the Queen, in the letter which she wrote to her I)eof!j express: g the thaaks for the sympa- thy shown to :.er when an altoinpt was upon her life by Maclean, spoke of Princess Beat-ice as her beloved child. Tho Princess was less than five years old when her father died, and since then seven of the Queen's children have been married and two have followed the Prince Consort to the torn!). In ail t ose changes Princess Beatrice has ueen the d dy solace of her mother, and as t' re is no Lecessity for the Royal couple to hvo on. or England, her Majesty not unt Rurally v. lshes that the last of her children married shall still be ^ith her. If s)ry to know that Mr Forster, who nau an .eration performed upon his foot a f(,, J,- vz- ago, is making good progress towards ruco vry. Some years ago, when obtruction in House of Commons had not reached its present stage of perfection, Mr Forster declared that although an old mall, he was quite prepared to sit up all mgkt in ordor to prevent the success- ful development of the, new system. That. was in 1877, but even now Mr Foster can scarcely be described aS-u cj- ,man- We should not so eaL Sir ou>fiord Norihcote, who was born in tae same year vhich witnessed the birth of J. Ir ± orsrer, lolS. Sir Stafford Northcote 16 mcteeci as well preserved a man as is to be seta on e it tier of the front benches. The so.it breezes ■vshich blow over the county of w^th him. Whf.teve" course Mr Gladstone may adopt ^he general election—whether he wil T'oaiain to lead the Liberal party, or retIre"n tpend the rest of his days in well earned 'eisitre— one thing is definitely settled T-1 e LQt undertake the task of furche. cho cause-which the Liberation S.->ciety have ."it heart, and to which they intend to vote thei? energies in the coming year, a .id in the nev Parliament. He has, in a prv'ate letter to om of the leaders of the luovtrn.at, plainly intin^jed this de- cision. It world, indeed, be dr3icuit, apart from circumstances pertaining to thirst for reat, tor Mr Gladstone to enter upon a crusade, the declared end of w Ech is the of the ChurcL of England. nieyitorable passage which is prob .biy cherished II. the notebook of many a fervors Churchman, he has spoken of the disestablish in eat question as affecting the ui 1 Church of England in lerms that cannot be misunderstood. He dces not deny that the end ;s 'nevi.T'ble, nor dispute its near ap- pi'Oicn BE; he does most emphatically dr>re tha. i the Church of England is to ba disw&tatdshfej^ must be through other à-gGnCiE' than nlwn. spe3ca was 1ade six or seven years ago, ana it s :rue a very significant thing has si.-o then. When the Premier was 1. bcotlanc.^ tho autumn, he an internet to a; tation repre. string ;ho views of th^ Church o £ Scotland, m ^self a :derablo advance, as iv: had hitherto scri? re_ fnino "1 fro touching on the Chf J STi» t happened Edinburgii cs the time, and was aL .'•< mr.junica'o so you the purport of t0 piy. made tc the deputation by £ Premier. H" was still exceedingly reserved, nnd would not give any pledge, or even offer ray opKii;>n o:i the question, narrowed as it vas by the deputation to the fate of the Church in -Scotland. But he advised, it may bo ilmost said authorised, the deputa- tion to rcmovo the ban against demanding pledges ou Disestabli»huient question, slncn had bicherto be°n laid upon the Liberal oor-?titaences with the object of pre- venting fissures. That vm n long step in advance, the importance "f which can scarcely be over- rated. Mr Gladstone's election campaig i <n Midlothian, the question of disestablishment was by general consent tabooed, it heing known that Mr Gladstone v, as no: prepared to give a pledge on the subject. At the next general election this restraint wnl oe removed, and it is certain, how ever things may go in other parts of the United Kingdom, that in Scotland disestab- lishment w iii be made the test question, a prospect BO- to be viewed without appr'ehen- sion by Liberals pure and simple. It will leaJ to much cross voting, and here and there a Tory may in consequence fetch a Liberal seat. Mr Gladstone himself cannot escape t ie general rule, and will have to declare i'or or against disestablishment. But -perhaps ho does not mean to stand again for Midlothian, and had this determination in raiiid when he gave the advice.

iT if. tUT '1:led tho Pi'K known åFRil. "jiBLt I llX1- I ,,»rt;h' their t(, ii8 I have wo tried IUeir effect, and irn oie of the et Ar:9ret., I-i1js inr con4i.. it I know of Sd), JCH>' BALBTR.XIB, M. A:.M) 166 'ist*, ia 7vi, and 23 2« oo*aes

ATTEMPTED POSTAL FRAUDS BY A CARDIFF MAN. Sentence upon the Prisoner. I At the Bristol Quarter Sessions on Thursday, Frederick Johns, alias Lewis Jones, aged 27, described as a commercial traveller, was indicted for unlawfully soliciting, inciting, and endeavour- ing to procure Walter Fisher and others to forge and counterfeit a dye and plate and also a stamp at Bristol and Cardiff, during the months of October and November, 1884-. The accused, who bad formerly resided at Cardiff, wrote about October last to Mr Walter Fisher, a printer, carrying on business in Broadmead, Bristol, ask- inz him if he was in a position to print some postage stamps for him from a dye which would be provided. Prisoner quoted the price which he was prepared to give per thousand and said that if Mr Fisher could give satisfaction he would be able to give him a large order. Prisoner further said that he had disposed of large quan- tities throughout the Rhondda Valley among tradesmen and shopkeepers, at 7s 9d pei tf)ousand. The suspicions of Mr Fisher were arotusJ bv the prisoner's letter, and he communicated win. he police, the result of which was that, after further ——spondence with Johns, who was then living at Fernauic, in the Rhondda Valley, he was mduced to come w Bastol, when he was apprehended. In the meantime it transpired that he had been in communication with an engraver, named Glass, residing in St Mary-street, Cardiff, with the object of obtain-ng a die from w i*eli the stamps might be Led. A true bill was found by the jury, and the prisoner, when indicted, pleaded guilty. The Recorder, in passing sentence, said that the pri- soner had been guilty of a very grave offence, and must have well known what he was doing. He was liable to two years' imprisonment, which was very severe punishment." He very much doubted whether he ought not to give him the full amount, because he said, in order to get Mr Fisher to commit this offence, that he hud been doing it for five years. Mr Poole, who was retained to prosecute by the Post Office authorities, said that inquiries had been made in the Rhondda Valley, for the purpose of ascertaining: whether any stamps had been sold there, and as to whether any such person existed in Birmingham as the manufac- turer described by the prisoner as having made the dtes :111d stamps, and, as far as could be ascertained, these sLÜements wwe entirely falRe. His Honour said he was glad to hear the statements were false, but whether they wore or not, the prisoner represented them as a reason why the prosecutor should be induced to commit this great crime against the Post Office, it was one of the most impudent offences he had ever heaid of, as well as one which was very prejudicial, as tending to destroy the confidence of the public in the Post Office. He must impose upon the prisoner the sentence of 18 months' imprisonment, with hard labour. His Honour said that he believed such cases as the one just disposed of were very rare. Mr Osborne, solicitor for the prosecution, said that it was the first casa which had ever occurred.

CARDIFF CABS COMMITTEE. A meeting of the cabs committee of the Carditf Corporation was held at the Town Hall on Thurs- day, with respect to the question of the construc- tion of a cabstand inside the railings in front of Pembroke-terrace, Crockherbtown, which was suggested by a deputation at a special meeting of the cabs committee on the 4th December. It was now decided to allow the matter to stand over. It was resolved to allow four cabs to stand at the Town-hall end of the cab- stand, constructed opposite the County Club. It was likewise decided to recommend the council to permit the construction of a cabstand between the Parade and the end of the stand to accommodate from four to six cabs. It was resolved to recommend that a cabstand be made between Lower Cathedral-road and the union, for six cabs. A proposal to allow three cabs to stand at the pier, opposite the bottom entrance to Bute-terrace, was not adopted.

A CARDIFF APPRENTICE DROWNED AT SEA. The following is an extract from a letter re- ceived from Capt. Edwin L. Davies, of the barque Caroline, of London, on a vovaga from Cardiff to Colombo Colombo, 24th Nov., 1884.—On October 24th last one of the boys, Albert Downey, lat. 40, 30 S., tang. 25 E., at 7 p.m. We were taking in the mainsail at the time, when the vessel shipped a sea. It is sup- posed he was washed overboard with it, but no one saw him go."

The Central News is authorised to state there is no truth in the statement that the Right Hon. James Lowther is about to start for India. He has no present intention of leaving the United Kingdom. "I FEEL SO WEARY AND TIRED'' Is the exclamation of many whom we daily meet, yet they never pause to think or reflect upon the cause of this feeling. It may arise from "sluggish vad impgï blood,' which, if neglected, is the forerunner of serious and chronic disorders. This weavv and tired feeling is nature warning us that there is something wrona, which must be set right, or H, bug and lingering illness will speedily follow. What does nature require to throw off this weary and tired feeling? She requires to have new life and energy imparted to all tho organs of the body, and the best means to do so is to take "Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters," which purifies the blood, and imparts new life and energy. It is invalu- able to those who are suUering from affections of the chest, indigestion, nervousness, debility in its worst form*, depression of spirits, and melancholy. "wii vii EVANS'S QUININE BITTERS. THE VEGETVBLV TOXIC—This preparatioil is now exten- sively takeu*throughout the country by patients suffer- ing from dsbUitv nervousness, andgeneriU exhaustion, and, if any value ¡, attached to human testimony, the emcacy of this medi«ne has been successfully estab- lished. Its claims have '«een tested and proved by the medical profession and otn«.s. and corroborated by the written testimonials of emJ'nt men. The Quinine Bitters contain not only a suitau^ quantity ol Quinine in each dose, but the active prmci(X.s of the fo' owm" well-known herbs—sarsapariila, saffroi, gentian, Uven- ider, snd dandelion root. The use of tannine is veil ,uiivn. but it has never been satisfactorily combinH vii. but it has never been satisfactorily combinH dersihese preparations until, after overcoming consi nprff i» difficulties, the proprietor Was able to secure a. uniform preparation, combining all the croaten/nproperties of the above slants in tliei n«af,and concentration. It is iiMv established favour the mo^rticine, and is increasing in popular Fvans's odnin#fc is knowft and tested Gwyiim tlentiticS v mixeSttters « a &>iuc I'lck-up,' \RODF OF ACTION TL^APPY proportion*. MODE OF ACTION. v.d here lies the seCret ot the Remedy.) The QUI»in° fitters (being a vegetable tonic), by their peculiar p<P. strengthen that part of the system which: is weak^ and. therefore, most liable to colds and their attendb disease^ The in- oonlaiucamiot he 1 t-V patir-nc <*H:i follow his usual occup-iftoVv/it'ho'W' n nr V»f 6Xpo"!ure | EVANS* UUIRXKE iin-rEKsaro rocinimendoo ■v Doctors, Analysts, CuemisK in j* M „na j A* wi hMUen, aiut Caw canrannruj tid /tet.-v? «' ttt M prrrag* ly ait Chelate, or- ar.utj*r £ *purt-.elsjw<i->j.rAer cev:r). N.B.—iSo one j i thout trying "Gwi!-in Evans' Qainin -r KVA%?. 8., Pronriftoi, I ftooratory. L;an«<!y, South V, 5ie«. 70868

'S COMPOUND, f-r Cousriis aizd Colds, i f" and C'attla, 9,1, 1, I ?.rni 2» %i. SS'.v

FACTS hUlJ FANCIES.! Why should arti riot atiect slouchod hats /— Because chimney-potc would make them draw j better. A homely your.g i- ih > ccr.<•: knowing that, if she lives to be forty, she will be pretty old girl. Spavin says that the assertion "Time is money" is false, for he often has lots of time on his hands, but no money. A little child was addressed by a gentleman the other day. "How old are you, my dear?" he asked. "Old!" said the child indignantly. I'm not old at all; I'm quite new! That's what I call a finished sermon," said a lady to her husband, as they wended their way from church. Yes," was the reply; "but, do you know, I thought it never would be ?" It is hard to tell which is the more ridiculous, the young fool or the old fool; but the old fool has this advantage—he will never be a young fool, whereas the young fool may some day be an old fool. Thereji3» an awful state of affairs in a little Michigan town, where a compositor substituted, the word "widows" for "windows." The editor wrote-" The windows of the church need wash- ing badly. They are too dirty for any use, and are a disgrace to our village." "A friend of mine," a correspondent writes to to Truth, recently entered a barber's shop in Spa, and in the course of conversation inquired of the proprietor whether it was a good season. 'No, sir,' replied the man; 'not that there is any fall- ing off in the number of visitors, but they are mostly ladies, and they do not require shaving. Jeems is very fond of his little joke, but he sometimes goes a step too far. On a recent Sun- day evening he was escorting home a young-lady acquaintance who is not overwhelmned with ad- mirers and. as ihey passed Columbia Market, a policeman and two or three young men were peering in at the closed gates, one of them remark- ing, 441 wonder who's in the market?" "You are, I'm told," said Jeems. I won't trouble you to walk any farther," said the fair one, now they meet as strangers. "Ay, John," said a Scotch preacher to one of his flock, whom he had missed for a good many Sundays from the Free Church, "so I'm told you've begun to think that we're not in the right road, and that you are going back to the Estab- lishment?" Weel, sir," was the reply, "I winna deny but that hae been ganging that gate, and I canna just say that I've ony serious thought o' turning back in the meantime but dinna think, minister, that I hae ony fault to find wi' your road. It's a braw road doubtless, and a safe road but, och, sir, the tolls are awful dear An old Irish song embodies the superstition that the answer given to the question in baptism what the child's name is to be, however absurd, is sacred, and must be held to be the true name. In the son :t dog, answering to the name Dennis," was making himself too busy at the christening, and had to be checked by the mother, with the result described. "What's his name?" says the priest. "Down, Dennis says she. So Down Dennis Bulgruddery they christened me." A similar incident is mentioned in a recent report of the Registration Courts. A claimant at llîord was found to be registered Michael Sir Shep- herd," and the explanation given was that his mother, at his baptism, on being asked to iName tiiis responded respectfully, Michael, sir. 1 Accordingly Michael Sir" was his name. A small boy with vague notions of know- ledge bat a settled conv^tifn jie wag „er. sonally to blame for most tilings that there b?ing not even a, cat in the house to share responsibilities with him, was sent most un- willingly to schoo!. In due course it came to his turn to answer questions. The master, a stern- looking man, with a voice rendered harsh and grating by perpetual fault-findimr and scolding, looked straight at him and thundered forth, "Now, sir, new boy, who made the world?" No answer coming from the startled lad, the question was repeated with still more emphasis. Still no reply from the new-comer, who trembled visibly on his seat. The master, losing all patience, brought his rule down with thundering violence and shouted once more, "Will you tell me, sir, who made the world ?" It was too much with deadly conviction of hi-, own enormities, the boy sobbed, Please, sir, I did but I'll never do it again The Berlin MusUc Welt says that an eminent pianist was presented, during his late visit to Switzerland, with the customary Geicsroescheiii— legitimation of craft—of the Canton Ie Valais, the tenour of which runs as follows :—" Legitimation for strolling handicraftsmen and artists.—The financial Department grants permission to Mr —— to pursue for one month his industry as pianist." Then follows the personal description of the individual, with the reminder that the bearer of this paper must be prepared nt any time to show the same toa police-officer whenever asked for." At the foot of this formidable document the qualifications of the." strollWg more particularly specified ths StroiliTig artists: comedian*, singers, musicians, photo- graphers, circus-riders, tightrope-dancers, jug- glers, &c. also panoramas, menageries, and other exhibitions of art and of natural curiosities, thirty francs per month, and one franc extra for_ the stamp." The possessor of the Gewerbcschcin is moreover enjoined to have it vised, before every performance, at the local police office-cost, 25 centimes—not to mention numerous other minor regulations of a similar nature. THE MAN WHO WATCHED.—One day recently, soon after the hour of noon, an individual who seemed to be labouring under considerable excite- ment entered a grocery-store on Michigan Avenue, Detroit, and asked for a private word with the proprietor. When the request had been granted, he explained, I believe myself to be an injured husband, and I want to verify my suspicions by watching a house in the next street. This I can best do from the rear of your store Have you any objection to my taking a seat the back there by the open window?" The g-rc.el' erranted the favour, and the agitated str^ger walked to the back and took a seat on a IoOX of cod-fish and began his watch. His presets had been almost forgotten, when he retiirll';I.to the front of the store with hasty steps and Yes" voice and said, "By Heaven, I'll kill, I'll shoot her through the heart doubt her Yes, my idolised Mary I can no lc^" than ten guilt, and I'll be a murderer minutes The grocer tried to he broke away and rushed roun^ heal-in^ anything further of hn' ,V, V hour, the grocer oegaiTto investigate he discovered that four teen, rolls of butter,^ A?'0 hams, and other stuff end store by way of the windC* at which the watchful husband had been stati^_ A TYPE-GKUBBFR is told of TOO brother of Douglas Jerrold-lf5liry—1that> though he did not possess the inc-slve wlt °l his brot.ier he could be elabora^y sarcastic at times. Some twenty-five vejW aS«hG casual employ- ■ n „ -• *ne-omce in Melbourne from tae en c Harry had just finished one of ovm"«eer our* j « MS MVPY-Wtramps, his appearance was neither sweet no" inviting- He was hirsute, grimy, r" pLi id sun-embrowned, and his eyes had the p'lpam °f insipient insanity. The boss f Ii shop, a dainty finical person, came • ind stared at the new hand very fi1 ,iy after which he indulged in several abrupt ";lasy sniffs,; contorting his visage into an ex- cession of deep disgust. mally he ordered his foreman to dismiss Jerrold; out as they were short-handed and pushed for assistance, the fore- man declined the task; so the master-prmter himself, with a deal of sniffing and lordly affecta- tion, interjected to Harry, I say aa, you are discharged—get Jerrold, who had been no b' r J.l.1- rt'll").o.r1 unobservant spectator or wwwi a ,5.a.L" contemptuously at the speaker, and \va\ in £ hi., hand, bawled, "Away you agglomeration of diseased cat's- ,t i In the language of Colonial magpies, I demand-who are you 9" The printer replied irascibly, in a transport ot turkey-cock indignation, Ha, dash it, this is too much Fellow, I am the proprietor The proprietor, echoed Harry, slamming down his stick on the upper case,and striking a splendid theatrical atti- tude. "The proper rioter Gracious Heavens — modulating his voice for a tragical display- "wonderful and inscrutable are the ways of Providence Verily this is an annus mirabilis- or, to bring down my intelligence to your paltry level, it is an age of marvels. The world is turned upside down since here, at the Antipodes, am 1, the brother of the renowned Douglas Jerrold, grubbing up type for a mountebank jlfTiiaroe, a semi-civilised cin-ipanzse, I belie\e. G<»-—g» vonreelf to Joricho r,'h«»« box-r,°' into *n operatic bravura, Ail ). lost he: <0 exceedingly well thar..hi-; employer, wno had niuoinal craze, was .i.vickon with astonishment, i a-ktd Jerrold'a pardon, and requested him to stop as long as he liked. Jerroid with a Sftakesperian quotation, but whon he. got an ad- .■mice of ready mon ey I disappear ad, sura hilõ irame wai t*> Let" again.

THE RHYMNEY RAILWAY 54 r- EXTENSION. The new line of railwav P, c- ii Cyfarthfft 3;1 Quaker's Yard, which places the 'ytarthfa works and collieries hi direct, connection with 1 the Rhymney and Great Western R,ailways, was opened for mineral traffic on Thursday. Mr Evans, the traffic manager or he Khynmoy Rail- way, was at the new lire on 'i. tmrsday. Thr first, mineral train consisted of 21 mineral wagors I from the Cyfarthfa collieries. These were brought direct to Cardiff, and shortly afterwards trains of empty wagons went up and a regujaf sarvica established. The new Hnewii! f.eud an important addition to the minerals carried on the RLymr.cy Railway, as the whole )f tbe traffic from tba Cyfarthfa works and collieries will bs carried over the new line, either by the Rhynnley or the Great Western Railway Company, who are j,, it owners of the line. -h_

LANTWIT AND BLACK VEIN COLLIERY, CAERPHILLY. Our district mining reporter, writing on,Tnurs- day night, states great amount oS conster- nation was created throughout Caorphillv on Wednesday evening, by a report that 100 hands had been dismissed ;*fc the above coiuery, This rumour unfortunately proved to be true. When the men came to the surface on Weduesday after- noon a list was posted at the office, containing the names of those not required for future workiugr. The reasons for such an action on the part of tho company is quite a mystery to the men. t f

ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT AT MONMOUTH. At the Monmouth borough poiice-- court —before Messrs George Grithn, Thomas -James, and T. W. Oakley, and Alderman Hyairi George Thomas ''Yi:>on was charged ou two counts of obtaining two sums of 15a and 6d respectively from Walter Henry Worth. The prqsaevttor is an agent for the Royal Itivar Friendly Society at Gloucester, and appointed prisoner as his sub-agent for Monmouth. Prisoner had sent him the two weekly returns produced, each accompanied by » letter. The two sums named were advanced by prosecutor owing to the returns made by prisoner, which were after- wards found to be entirely fictitious, no single insurance having beou effected. Prisoner was i committed for trial at the quarter-sessions oo each charge. He applied for bail, which was granted, but he was removed in custody pending the- sureties being forthcoming.

VOLUNTEER iNTELLIQENCE. Presentations at Grickhowell. It being the de1: ire of tha voluai.ws that them ) should be a public piesenr^tioc of the silvar tea kettle subscribed for as a token of tho re«pect of the C Company for their captain, on the occasion of his recent marriage, the Crickhoweli volun- teers, with a number of friends, were invited to a cold collatior. at the Bear Hotel, on New Year's eve. Captain Davies occupied the chair, and was supported by Col. Gwynne, Assistant- Surgeon Hill, Lieu Whittmg, Mr R. H. A. Davies, Mr R. S, B. Sladen, and Mr R. Camp- bell. Orderly-roo.n Sergeant Evans was the vice- chairman. we-e Mrs E.G. Davies, M:fwynno, Miss Ellen Gwynne, and Miss Bell. The usual 10 toasts having been duly honoured, Col. GWYNNE sr- that, he- felt it_a grejt. com- plimsnt to be all -d to present this tea-kettle both Mrs Davies n her husband as a marriage present from the and present volunteers of the Crickhoweil njuy. The tea-kettle o she following inscription "Presented by C >' Gwynne, on behalf of the p -tst and presen officers and members c.f tha Crickhoweil Con any of the Brecooshire Volun. teers, to Capt. n;i Mrs E Gmtrex Davies, on | their marriage, November 26, ISf* Mr R. H. A. 1) viys, tha st rotary:of the local } cricket club, then presented Ca and Ñh'l Dl\vies on behalf of the club with a silver salvor i token of regard. He said Capt. Davies had been j the leading it of the oncket ck j for many yeai.:—indeed, since its forme- tion. The salver inscribed as follows Presented by t>j members of the Orickbowel: cricket club to Cap:. and Mrs E. Gratrex Davies on their marriage, November 2bth, 1884- Capt. DAVIES id it was with the greatest pride he returned thanks for those handsome pre- sents from his fellow volunteers and cricketers. The CHAIRMAN then proposed the "Health of Col. Gwynne," who responded, aftd, in ce ii cla- U, I begged them to drink the "Health of th**x worthy Captain,' who again replied. Other toasts followed, and in the course of ths evening several songs were sung.

THE WtLSH IN LONDON. [FROM CUR OW:T CORSES POND fiNT.J The members or oiie new;formed Cainbro. Briton Society met on Tuesday evening at tfes Devonshire House Hotel to elect officers and i j consider matters ct detail. After a. hot discus- sion, it was dec:t(l that the Weekly meetings of the society shah be held at the Cannon-street; Hotel. The attractions of the meetings, wnich will be devoted principally to the reading of papers and debates thereon, are to incwased by the admission (if light refreshments and per- mission to smoke. Au attempt to introduce alcoholic drink- was frustrated l. the strei'aou? opposition of tne temperance party. The. dec- 1 tion of officers proceeded by nomination tooO i ballot. Dr. Morgan Davies, of the Loudon Hospital, was appointed president, anri Mr Robert Parry, B.A., son of the Rev. Griftith Parry, Aberystwitfc, vice-president for the iirs* session. Mr Maurice vViUiaras, w S-. Finsbury-squaro, was elected treasurer, and Mr T. J. Davies, B.A., son of tlJ, He v. GfifSto Davies, of Cardura"* wal> appointed honorary secretary. TEI. tht r'enea) meeting of the society Will be held on toe mctaiit. On Wednesday ev'emnr a mrare nutr-pr of toe Welsh poor of th" i £ nd wa? to a- tea attheZion Sch<;f-'oom. frA L^c meetinc: was .towards ?* Lloyci gaffinth- ,;r. delivered by several pen.anon inteies.ert^ v\ elsh mission work in bj* the >Ve!sn missionaiies. Mrs WMS Hughes and her pnpils added to the intere"-of the evening by 'ontr.iha-.ing several sonr". Consik: ilctior is expressed in L-udon circles at th? fact that professor been aelected to give the j Hibbert fo.r 138.5, The subjeot «hos«n, viz Celt's iicatbenLsni, is also one of the greatest f interest to Weha people. Evans (Eglwysb v;h) has jnst f corvpleted the publication of tho first volume of g0i-mons preaetic'J by him at the City Road Chapel. The volume contains twelve discourses oil, amongst other subjects, the dattth of j Hiraethog an') of the Duke of Albany, on the t Temperance ouesti'-n, and on ttsU^rions reform as a political f,oorl. I am given to understand that tin- Welsh I Wesleyans aa- makiisg "trenuuu" efforts to signalise the stav of Mr aoi..n«-<fc thnm b*- ti -i '■ > on the chapel • • ur ng the p«r»oflLp#Ww» • in London. Printed and i'- • ■• .1 DAVID DUF ••••-•' Works, 7b anv. — in the to wi} ■» ( |