South Wales Echo

TOPICS OF THE DAY. General Campenon's revelations confirm the impression that M. Ferry intends to keep Formosa ulHler any circUtnstances, and to occupy Pekin if China refuses to come to terms. If General Camponon has estimated the situation rightly that is a policy which will cost France a good many millions, whilst playing the Chancellor's game by weakening her at home. Mr Healy was presented on Tuesday by his'Monaghan constituents with a thousand pounds. The amount is a substantial one, considering the poverty of the subscribers, and the presentation is interesting as an ex- tension of the system of payment of Mem- bers. Probably no member of the House of Commons has better claim for payment by his constituents than the Member for Monaghan. The presentation recalls two remarkable incidents in Mr Healy's life. On the day on which he took his seat in Parliament he made hi: maiden speech, and on the day on which lie was called to the Bar he appeared in court with a brief. Pro- bably this never happened before to any Member of Parliament and barrister. The convention at Thurles to-day respect- ing the Nationalist candidate for Tipperary is exciting extraordinary interest in Ireland. The event is regarded as a supreme test of Mr Parnell's power. The Irish leader has against him a strong local candidate and apparently the influence of the priesthood but there have been no indications of decay in Mr Parnell's power in Ireland, and pro- bably he will carry his nominee. The Cape A)-gis has "the best grounds for believing that the real reason why General Joubert resigned his offices in and under the Government of the Transvaal— and to this moment it has never been sug- gested—was that when the ultimatum of the Imperial Government as to Bechuanaland was presented through the High Commis- sioner, it was resolved by the Transvaal Government to make a communication to Berlin, invoking the protection of Germany." Our Colonial contemporary goes on to denounce Lord Derby's refusal to annex the Kalahari Desert, a tract of country some six or seven hundred miles long. It is a cruel thing," says the Arj.us, "that we and our lives and fortunes should be used as counters in a European game with Germany," and much more to the same effect. But if the Kala- hari desert is of such vast importance to tne Cape, why do the colonists refuse to annex it. ? Lord Derby would raise no objection he has, indeed, suggested it. If they de- cline, it is but fair to assume that they are not serious when they say that this desert is necessary to the safety of the Cape Colony. The Vicar of Leamington must be a very fastidious person he has declined to parti- cipate in the week of united prayer because the meetings are held in an unconsecrateu building. The Church of England uses hundreds of unconsecraited buildings all the year round. We suspect that the vicar's real reason was that he objected to take part in such meetings with Nonconformists, only he did not like to say so. Of course, had the meetings being held in a consecrated building, none but clergymen of the Estab- .Y lished Church could have taken part in them. In commenting upon the decision of the Conference with respect to slavery on the West Coast of Africa, Mr Allen says that the Anti-Slavery Society "hails with satis- faction and thankfulness this first step to- wards the deliverance of Africa from the greatest scourge of humanity." Surely not the first step ? We note that the Times endeavours to minimise the importance of the reports on the tenure of dwelling-houses on the Con- tinent by saying that in few of the states from which the reports come are there many large towns. But the reports in question come from every country in Europe, and they show that the terminable leasehold system is hardly known on the Continent, except in a few of the great towns of France, and in a very modified form in a few places in Norway and Sweden. Are there no large towns in Belgium, Holland, Prussia, Aus- tria, Italy ? Yet these countries know no- thing of terminable building leases. The Boundary Commissioners have evidently made a mistake in their division of the Glasgow districts. The Govan dis- trict, mapped out according to the spirit of the Redistribution Bill and the instructions to the commissioners, was accounted a safe Radical seat; but the commissioners propose to graft on to it one of the most Conserva- tive districts of Glasgow, thus infallibly handing the seat over to the Whigs. The lions in Trafalgar-square are, as a rule, not very striking ornaments to the statuary of London. But in the early morning, when the frost rime covers thickly the ground, these particular British lions are in circumstances which will gratify the most ardent Jingo. We note that at the trial of the Kintail petlamb case the counsel for Mr Winans spoke strongly of Mr Mackenzie of Kintail posing as] a patriarchal superior of these people, representing Mr Winans as a tyrant, but at the same time pocketing Mr Winans' rents, while he (of Kintail) refused to fulfil his part of the contract. Mr Winans' counsel, however, forgot to add that when Mr Mackenzie discovered that Mr Winans wished to clear the estate of its inhabitants, he desired to cansel the lease, and is anxious to do so still. Thus there is really no circum- stance to extenuate Mr Winans' behaviour. It was recently stated by the World that the Lotinga case had been settled by com- promise. This, we believe is not so. An application has been made on behalf of the plaintiff to one of the Masters to change the venue to Durham. The application was refused; and an appeal was then made to a K, judge, who dismissed the appeal. Plaintiff has since given notice of her intention to I apply to the divisional court. According to the Italian Times, American millionairesses appear to be particularly partial to Italian noble- men. The recent engagement of Miss EvTa Mackay to Prince Ferdinand Colonna directs attention to a long list of similar alliances, the leading names of which are- Miss Field, Princess Brancaccio; Miss Lorillard Spencer, Princess Vicarara Cenci Miss Broadwood, Princess Ruspoli Miss Conrad, Marchesa Teodoli Miss Kinney, Countess Giannotti; Miss Fisher, Countess Gherardesca; Miss Roberts, Countess Galli Miss Fry, Marchesa Torrdggiani; Miss Lewis, Countcas Barbolini Amadei; Miss Gillinder, Marchesa di San Marzano.

IT is plain that the spirit of semi-barbarism which prevailed in the mining districts of the country thirty or forty years is not yet extinct in f;ome parts of the Rhondda Valley. Two cases which were brought before the Pontypridd stipendiary yesterday are only a sample of the horrible brutality shown from time to time by the moro depraved among the Rhondda colliers. In one case an Irishman was again brought up on remand charged with putting a lad of 14 on the fire, and afterwards dropping him in scalding water, so far Lack as the 9th of last month. The doctor attending the injured lad said he would not be able to attend for another fortnight. This means that the victim of the Irishman's brutality will have suffered five or six weeks' pain from the burns and scalds he received, and it remains to be seen what punishment the administrators of the law will think sufficient for such wanton cruely iuflicted, is is said, for no other reason than because the'boy refused to give up a pipe which the accused man SULLIVAN said belonged to him. In the other case, heard yesterday, a young Welshman was changed with biting a piece from the chin of another man, with whom he persisted in quarrelling. The piece of skin and flesh bit out was the size of a shilling. Yet the stipendiary magistrate thought the infliction of a fine of £ 5, or in default a month's imprisonment, was I sufficient punishment for such a horrible case of cannibalism. Sueii lenigncy is not, we fear, very much calculated to decrease cases I of the nature we are now referring to, among the Rhondda miners.

THE danger of throwing lighted matches I down in the public streets has often been exemplified. Sometimes the result is that a lady's dress catches fire, and in other caes the lighted match falls into the cellar and sets the contents ablaze. This is supposed to have been the case in High-street, Cardiff, last night. A lire broke but in a cellar underneath an auctioneer's store-room, and had it not been discovered in time the premises, which are very old, and therefore of a highly combustible nature, would probably have been destroyed. The premies were left apparently safe at half-past nine, and the tire was not perceived until a quarter past eleven. As it originated in the cellar, to which there is an open-barred grating facing the street, it is supposed that a lighted match thrown away by some smoker had fallen through the grating into the cellar and ignited the loose straw, a large quantity of which was in the cellar at the time. It is to be hoped that all smokers who light their pipes, cigars, or cigarettes out of doors will take care to blow out their matches ere throwing them down.

WILD BEASTS IN THE RHONDDA At the Pontypridd police court, on Wednesday, liehael Sullivan was brought up for the third time, charged with putting a lad of 14- on the lire at his lodgings, and afterwards dropping him oil scalding water, on Dec. 9th. Dr. Parry, Fern- dale, said that the prosecutor was still unable to attend, and would not be able to give evidence for another fortnight. Prisoner, however, could not be remanded, it transpired, for more than a week, hence the case was adjourned for that period. William Jones, a young feilow of 25 years, was charged with wounding Thomas Hiers, at Ferndale, on the 24th December. Prosecutor said that he was a banksman on the top of No. 2 ef? i Pir- He was at the Glynrhydynog public-house at 9 p.m. on the date specified. Prisoner was in tha bar, and accused him of not paying for his lodgings to his (prisoner's) mother. Prosecutor admitted the debt, but prisoner nevertneless struck him on the face. Prosecutor tell down over a tip, and was awhile insensible.— bupt. Mathews told the bench that prosecutor did not wish to press the charge.—Patrick Hennessy, a collier, testified that he saw prisoner hit prosecutor three or four times at the public- house bar. The servant expelled prisoner, w- i 2 °n- rej°^ned prosecutor outside, and kicked him six or seven times about his head and chest. Witness remarked to prisoner that he ought to be ashamed of himself, snd attempted to raise prosecutor from the ground. Prosecutor was quite insensible. Dr. Parry said that prose- cutor had a scalp wound, about an inch long, penetrating to the bone. Prosecutor had been disabled seven or eight days. Prisoner was fined -03 and costs. Lewis Lewis, 20 years old, was charged with biting off part of the chin of Thomas Collins, at Ferudale. Prosecutor lived at 199, Maerdy-road. Mr D. Rosser prosecuted. Prosecutor said that on Monday night he was at the Mardy Hotel at about eight o clock. Prisoner was also there, but was in his company. W itness had drunk two glasses of whiskey and two pints of beer but was not drunk. Prisoner asked him to fight several times, and was drunk, noisy, and violent. Wit- ness refused, and prisoner jumped over the table and spat on his back. Witness thought he was playing, but prisoner got him on the ground between his knees, caught hold of him with both hands by the chin, and grasped him with his teeth. Witness called ont that the prisoner was biting him, and Daniel Howell separated them. Witness then discovered that prisoner had bitten a piece of his chin out, and his face bled profusely. He had not seen the missing piece of chin since. Witness did not give prisoner the least provocation, nor had there been a previous quarrel between them. Witness did not know prisoner. -Daniel Howell gave corro- borative evidence. He described prisoner as having acted like a wild beast." There were the marks of the prisoner's teeth on the bottom part of prosecutor's lower lip caused by a second bite of prisoner.—Dr. Parry said that the missing chin piece was the size of a shilling. The bite was clean to the bone.—Prisoner was fined JE5 including costs. He could not pay this money, and he was sentenced to a month's hard labour.

CARDIFF. I EXPERIENCED VETERINARY SMITH (Joseph Peare) shoes every class of horse at the Cardiff Horse Exchange, near the Custom House. A trial solicited. 232c FIRST CHRISTMAS SHOW.—The Model Clothing Company are now showing, at 13, Bute-street, a GRAND DISPLAY of CLOTHING, HOSIERY, HATS, &C. Christmas Cards of all the latest designs for Christmas. AT 79, ST. MARY'S-STREKT, CARDIFF, for the next few days, good woollen or merino socks may be had at Is 2d per pair, three pairs for 3s. Sewing and knitting machines as usual. 211

PRINCE ALBERT VICTOR'S 21st BIRTHDAY. I SAISDRINGHAM (WEST FRONT)" I On March 10, the first anniversary of the mar- riage of the Prince and Princess of Wales, their infant son was baptized. The ceremony, at which her Majesty was present, was performed in the private chapel of Buckingham Palace. A it bore but little resemblance to the royal baptisms of former days, some account of the ceremony may be interesting. Besides her Majesty, who was dressed in black silk and crape, thera were present the King of the Belgians, Lord Palmerston, the Duke of Cambridge, Sir George Grey, many of the chief officers of State, and nearly all the foreign Ministers. Among the clergy who officiated at the function were the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dean Stanley, the Bishop of London, and the Bishol) of Oxford. The King of the Belgians and the Princess Helena acj £ d as sponsors. The scene in the chapel was most imposing. The altar was lined with cacjson velvet, panelled with gold lace the ohtffch plate was displayed, and seats of crimson and gold were ranged within the rails for the officiating clergy. The font was a tazza of silver gilt, the rim representing the leaves and flowers of the water lily, the base being grouped with cherubs playing the lyre in front were the Royal arms. The font was placed on a fluted plinth of white and gold. Over the altar was a fine piece of tapestry, representing the baptism of our Saviour. The infant Prince was carried into the chapel by the head nurse, Mrs Clark, being dressed in a robe of Honiton lace, the same that was worn by the Prince of-Wales at his christen- ing, witii a cap of Honiton lace, a cloak of crimson velvet lined with ermine, and a niantle I of white satin edged with Honiton lace. When the Archbishop commenced the prayer, Al- mighty, ever living God," the Countess of Mac- clesneldgave the infant prince to the Queen, who handed him to the Archbishop. On reaching the portion <J_i the service for-the naming of the child the Archbishop demanded of the.sponsors how it should be named, and the Qnesn answered, "Alters Victor Christian Edward." And so ended the ceremony. His early education was received at home, and it was not until March, 1877, that it was resolved that tne two sons of the Prince should receive a portion of their education on board the Britannia training-ship, when they were entered as naval cadets. In May they were examined at the Royal Navy College at Greenwich in the same manner as ordinary naval cadets. Both Princes pas sed a, very satisfactory examination, and in some of the subjects exhibited a more than usual decree of proficiency. Here they re- mained for some time, until on September iSth, 1879, tne two princes embarked on the corvette Baccnante for the Mediterranean. On May 2nd, 1880, the Bat :chante returned from her voyage, in til-3 course of wijieh she had visited the Mediter- ranean, the Wfest Indies, and Bermuda. In their voyage round the world in 1381 and 1832 as inidshipmen in the Bacchante, commanded by Captain Lord Charles Scott, they visited many countries, but a detailed account of the trip has yet to be written. It is- rumoured that some such hook may come I from the Princes themselves, but of this we say nothing. Wherever tha Bacchante touched the greatest loyalty and enthusiasm were shown and the Princes were entertained at balls, routs, dinners, picnics, in everv quarter of the globe. Oa September 4, 1881, thev arrived at the Fiji Island, where they had an opportunity of wit- nessing some of the most curious and striking Island, where they had an opportunity of wit- nessing some of the most curious and striking native ceremonies. On the arrival of the I squadron a, Levulca, thousands of natives came u e in from all the neighbouring islands, and testified their loyalty by giving presents and by per- forming various festive acts of homage. At Levuka, the Princes were the guests of Mr Des Vceux at Government0 House.' At a meeting, the Vuni Valu, in the names of the assembled chiefs and people heartily welcomed the Princes to Fiji, at the same time presenting a magnificent "bbua," which was received and acknowledged with an appropriate expression of thanks by his Royal Highness Prince Albert Victor. The squadron left Fiji on Sep- tember 10th. One of the finest exhibitions was a grand war dance of the natives, in full martial array, illuminated by the clectic light from her Majesty's ship Inconstant. The squadron passed through the inland sea, of Japan, oetween Kobe «nd Yokohama, a route chosen in preference to the direct way to Shanghai, in order to give their Royal Highnesses an opportunity of seeing the scenery. On December 15th the squadron arrived at Amoy. The squadron after a stay of a day or two proceeded to Hong Kong, visiting Ceylon on their way home. In 1883 Prince Edward's name was entered on the books of Trinity College, Cambridge, whither he was conducted on the 18th of Seprember, 1883, tythe Prmce of Wales and the Rev. J. N. L>a;ton, his tutor. Soon after this the Illustrated London News published a page of illustrations representing the Prince going to his rooms, in Seville's Court, with Mr Dalton and the college tutor; his first dining in the college hall, and his attending Divine worship in the College Chapel, when the sermon was preached by the Right Rev. the Bishop of Durham; with a view of the entrance to his rooms under the arcade of Neville's Court; and a portrait of his Royal Highness attired in the nobleman student's cap and gown. Prince Edward also re- sided for a time with Professor Ihne, at Heidel- berg, for the purpose of studying the German language. He has seldom appeared on the public platform. Some two or three weeks ago lie dis- tributed the prizes to the Cambridge Town volun- teers, in the Guild-hall, and spoke of the advan- tages of the system to the individual and the nation. The value of military training, he considered, was exemplified in the most striking way in the case of Germany, and he did not believe the military system of that country weighed nearly so heavily upon her peaceable and mercantile subjects as some would persuade themselves. The steady expansion'iof the German trade and population within the last twenty years was the best proof that the military discipline so far from hindering, on the contrary, aided both individual and national achievement. We are indebted for the above to the Pall Mall Gazette.

_0 FOREST OF DEAN COLLIERS r AND THE CROWN. On Wednesday, at noon, a meeting of delegates of the Forest of Dean Freeminers' Protection Society was held at the Speech House, Mr Sydney Elsome, chairman of the committee, presiding. An amount of routine business was transacted, including the reading of rep rts from the 15 lodges which h ive been formed for the purpose of a joint representation of miners and their rights, at the hearing of the question, which will come on before a royal commission recently promised by the Crown. It was elicited that there are a total of about 900 miners registered as free miners, and these with others not yet qualified have established a protection society. It was unanimously agreed to pay 3d each per month to a fund, which will be used in obtaining evidence to lay before the commissioners, urging that it is through no fault of themselves that the present trade depression exists, as is alleged by the galees who possess seams of coal either in work, worked out, or not yet won. With regard to the presentation of the com- mission, a resolution, moved by Mr Amos Williams, seconded by William Aston, and carried, "That a letter be forwarded to the Prime Minister urging the claims of the foresters to a 11, fair proportion of the number composing the commission, and also that one of them should be working free miner," was carried unanimously. It was also decided to proceed forthwith in the col- lection of evidence for the defence, to be sub- mitted when the commissioners are appointed. The meeting also expressed their opinion upon the Seats Bill, and determined to support no candi- date, of whatever politics, who would not pledge himself to defend in Parliament the existing rights and privileges of the Foresters of Dean.

INDUSTRIAL DEPRESSION AND I ITS CAUSES. I Under this heading, Mr George Potter has addressed a letter to the Times, in the course of which he says :— The letter which you formerly inserted for me upon the above subject has brought me many letters from all parts of the country, nearly all of them confirming the fact that the present depres- sion of trade is of an alarming and serious character, aiid is causing great uneasiness and apprehension. In the shipping trade things grow worse. In the port of Liverpool there are now laid up 44 steam vessels, representing a ton- nage of 69,000 tons, as against ten, representing a tonnage of 18,000 tons, at the corres- ponding period of last year, thus showing an increase of 34 rteamers and 51,000 tonnage laid up in these docks. The distress among the Liverpool seamen and dock labourers is very acute. The Trades Council of Liverpool, which consists of delegates from nearly every dustry in the town, lately held a special meeting to consider the cause of the depression, and after full deliberation passed the following resolution, expressing the opinion that the causes were :— First, the impetus given to Production by the inven- tion of machinery séconùly, the enormous amount of wealth in the hands of capitalists, who, in the endea- vour to enrich themselves, stimulate production to its ¡ utmost extent, thereby glutting the warket thirdly, the anomalous state of the land laws, which prevent the production of the necessaries of life, and necessi- tate the payment of 150 millions per annum to foreigners. Other towns have passed resolutions of a similar character.

THE SAD CASE OF DISTRESS AT TREHERBERT. On Wednesday the sister of Mr Hamlin, Tre herbert, whose great domestic indigence was recently made public, was removed by Relieving- officer Jones to Pontypridd Union Workhouse. This course was taken with the sanction of Mr Hamlin, as the lady was mentally weak. She was in a terrible condition of uncleanliness, having evidently neglected herself.

BAD FOR THE Coo."—A poor crofter who had scant pasture for his pet cow one day tethered her on the summit of a barren hillock on his bit of land, where sand and stones were far more plenti- ful than vegetation, and, looking around him, 1 exclaimed, "Well, Rosie, if you haven't muckle to eat, you have at any rate a splendid view

FIRE IN A CARDIFF AUCTION ROOM. A fire, which might have proved of a most disastrous character, broke out last night on the premises of Messrs Lawrence and Gill, auctioneers, No. 13, High-street, Cardiff. P.O. Friend, who was on duty on that beat, was passing the place at a quarter past 11, when ho noticed smoke issuing from the shop. He immediately sent a man, named Peter, to the fire station to give the alarm. The brigade was promptly summoned, and under the command of Engineer Geen, quickly arrived upon the scene with a hose reel. The shop was full of dense smoke, which came from the cellar beneath, where a large quantity of loose straw was stored. As the entrance to the cellar could not be found, and as the descent would in any case have been impos- sible, a portion of the flooring was ripped up and water was poured down through it upon the burning mess. The fire was extinguished without very much trouble, and before it had time to spread-a fortunate circumstance, for the premises, which are old, would have burnt rapidly. There was in the shop a stock of furni- ture, which was more or less injured by thel smoke and the water, but it is said that the ful. extent of the damage is covered by insurance. The origin of the fire has not been ascertained The premises, which are locked up at night, were I e," tappare" tly sale at half-past nine, and it is stated that no light was taken into the cellar during the evening. The trios C fe-,tsibie theory is that some careless smoker passing along the street, in casting away a lighted match or fusee, threw it through the grating- into the cellar, and thus ignited the straw. The early discovery of the fire by the police-officer and the prompt and energetic action of the firemen averted what might quickly have become a very serious con- flagration.

THE RECENT ELOPEMENT FROM DUBLIN. Strange Disclosures. Some further particulars have transpired re- garding the elopement last week of a, Dublin reporter with an heiress. It appears that one of the two wives whom he has left behind him to mourn his loss was not really married to him at all, but went through a bogus form of marriage. His accomplices in the sham wedding state they simply regarded the affair as a joke, and had no idea that the lady, who was a most respectable girl, was deceived by it. She, however, vehemently asserts that she was, and the matter, as already stated, is in the hands of the police. The runaway swaine has several children by his real wife, to whom lie was married at a. very early age. Although keeping two houses in the city, one for each of the wives, he always passed amongst his confreres as single, and bore the reputation of being an exceptionally steady and sober young man.

BURSTING OF A WATER MAIN AT MANCHESTER. The Streets Flooded. I Considerable dimige to domestic property has been caused in the Gorton district of Manchester by the bursting of a 24in. water main just about midnight on Tuesday. The streets were flooded to the depthof a foot for nearly a mile. Many houses were flooded, and an immense quantity of water wasted. The road was torn up for some distance, and over an hour elapsed before the escape of the volume of water could be stopped. Great excite- ment prevailed.

NICE FOR THE NON-COM.- While the Black Watch was lying in Edinburgh Castle in 1868, it happened one night that a man named Donald M'Phee, a native of Skve, was on sentry at the quartermaster's store, Part of Donald's duty was to allow no civilian to pass on the ramparts, unless accompanied by a non-commissioned officer, and to allow no bundles to be thrown over the walls. On being asked to give over his orders, when visited by the officer on guard, Donald puzzled him by stating that he was to let nopody down to the ramparts, and to allow no bundles to be thrown over the walls, unless accompanied by a non-commissioned officer."

I THE POLITICAL SITUATION. I Another Cabinet Council. t Ministers Remain in Town. I Acciasnt 1-. Lord Hartington. A Cabinet Council was hld on Wednesday in Downing-street, at one o'clock, the proceedings lasting for three hours. Neither Mr Gladstone nor Earl Spencer was present. The first minister to arrive was Sir William Harcourt, who drove from his residence attended, as usnfii, by a detec- tive. He was almost immediately followed by Sir Charles Dilke, who walked over from the offices of tha Local Government Board, and by Lord Carlingtord, wiio likewise came on foot,. Earl Granville, who walked across St. James's Park from Carlton House-terrace, entered by the garden-gate at Horse Guards Parade. Amongst later arrivals were the Lord Chancellor, Earl Kimberley, Lord Northbrook, Mr Chamberlain, and the Marquis of Hartington. Shortly before the deliberations of the Cabinet commen- ced, ^Lord Edmond Fitzmaurice, Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs, called at Downing-street, and had a brief interview with Lord Granville. At five minutes to four, Sir Charles Dilke, Mr Chamberlain, the Lord Chancellor, Sir William Harcourt, and Lord Kimberlcy, in the order named, left the council, and walked immediately to their respective offices. Lord Hartington left ten minutes later by the garden entrance, and walked to the War Office. Earl Granville and Lord Derby remained together for another ten minutes, when they likewise left and entered the Foreign and Colonial Offices respectively, where they spent a considerable time in transacting business, Earl Granville was invited to dine with her Majesty on Wednesday evening at Osborne, and had arranged to leave, by the 3.40 train from Waterloo for the Isle of Wight; but owing to the protracted sitting of the Cabinet, his lordship was prevented from carrying out his intention. Lord Deroy has made arrangements to remain in town. Lord Northbrook also remains the night at the Admiralty, and will not return to the country until Friday. Several other ministers remam in town until to-day (Thursday). The Central News says An unconfirmed rumour was cunent on Wednesday evening that circumstances arose at the council which will necessitate consultation with the Premier, and that Lord Granville will therefore proceed to Ha warden to-day (Thursday). Early on Wednesday morning, as Lord Hartington was beinsr driven in a. private hansom from Hard wick Hall to Chesterfield Railway btation, the horse fell heavily in Corporation- street, Chesterfield, owing to the slippery state of the road, caused by the heavy frost. His lord- suip was somewhat shaken, but was able to walk forward to the station, a few hundred yards distant, and proceeded by the 7.48 train to Lon- don for the purpose of attending the Cabinet Council.

I- THE CLERICAL SCANDAL IN RADNORSHIRE. The Serious Charge against the Presteign Curate. Continuation of tne Commission of Inquiry. The inquiry held at Presteign into the charges of drunkenness preferred by the Clerk of the Peace for Radnorshire against his son-in-law, the Rev. John Davies, curate of Presteisrn, was con- tinued at the Radnorshire Arms in that borough, on Wednesday, Dr. Tristram, chancellor of the diocese, presiding. F. Humphreys, organist of the parish church, deposed to having been playing cards with the Rev. John Davies at his lodgings on two separate nights. They remained till a late hour. Mr Davies made free use of the whiskey bottle, and was drunk. He also made use of profane language. In cross-examination, however, the witnessed admitted having fallen out with the accused, who had insulted his wife. Hilkich Bingley and his wife, with whom Mr Davies lodged, were called on behalf of the complainant, but denied that Mr Davies was ever drunk in their house, and he had always lodged with them. They also denied ever having seen him delirious, or that he ever behaved in any other way but as a gentleman in their house. Mr Stephens was re-called, and swore that both Mr and Mrs Bingley had complained very sadly to him of Mr Daviess drunken habits. In defence, T. R, Lewis, formerly station- master at Presteign, said be was one of the party at; Mr Daviess lodgings on the two occasions referred to by Humphreys, and he swore that Mr Davies was not drunk. The enquiry was further adjouraed. The public feeling ia the town is intense.

THE PENISTONE RAILWAY DISASTER. Strange Disclosures. The inquest on the bodies of three of the per- sons killed in the Penistcne railway accident was resumed on Wednesday. Mr Charles Sacre, chief engineer of the company, described his examination of the line. He concluded from what he saw that the spring of the waggon found must have been thrown out by the breaking of the axle. As for the metal of the axle, he had seen better .and he had seen worse. There was an insignifi- cant Haw, which was the cause of the breakage, which could not have been detected. After a long deliberation a verdict of Accidental death was returned. The Board of Trade inquiry will be resumed at Manchester to-day. Mr William Harrison, who was killed in the collision, was buried at Sheffield on Wednesday. It is now evident that all the in- jured will recover. Messrs Harrison and Camm, of Rotherham, write with reference to a report which has appeared as to their having been the makers of the axle of the goods van, the breaking of which led to the accident. They state that they did not commence the manufacture of axles until 1870, three years after the date on the wheels of the goods van in question. I

CARDIFF GUARDIANS. Salary of the Med ical- Officer. I At a meeting of the special committee appointed to consider the application of the medical officer, Dr: Sheen, for an increase of salary, just held, the circular of Dr. Paine (the chairman), sent to all the members of the board, a copy of which appeared in our edition of Wednesday morning, was discussed, and the points raised in it care- fully considered. At a previous meeting of the committee they had recommended that the salary shculd be increased to L175 a year. At a subse- quent meeting they increased this amount to j3200 a year, and also that an additional officer be appointed for the Ely Schools. The board at their following meeting declined to adopt the report, which was referred back to the committee. We understand that the committee will recom- mend the board on Saturday to increase the salary of Dr. Sheen to J8185 a year, a separate medical officer to be appointed for the Ely Schools.

RHYMNEY LOCAL BOARD. I Cemetery Consecration Decided upon. An extraordinary meeting of the Rhymney Local Board was held on Tuesday evening, under the presidency of Mr D. Evans. The cemetery question was again under consideration. Mr Thomas Thomas moved, and Mr Griffiths seconded, (I That no part ot the public cemetery be consecrated."—Mr William Pritchard moved as an amendment that the portion for the Church of England be consecrated.—This was seconded by Mr Trench, and on being put to the vote, the amendment was carried by six votes to two, the mover and seconder only voting for the original motion. All the other member., voted for the amendment except Mr Williant Griffith, who did hot vote.

L THE OPENING OF THE CARDIFF HIGHER GRADE SCHOOL. In ref6rence to the visit of Mr Henry Richard, M.P., at the opening of the Cardiff lTig-ber Grade School, which was doubtful owing to the s a the hon. gentleman's health, we learn 's written to say he will have much P • m being present.

MKDIOrNES, ELASTIC STOOKIXGS CHEMICALS, DRUGS, &C., by parcel POST, under X ,o, l\ay_ ^>ros., Stockport. j • r< KAY'S COMPOUND, for Coids anu CO-agh<». BOLD i voughout the "Worl'l &'•" Kay Bros., Stockport. 213 .L

The Nile Expedition. I 01 FROJI GENKKAI, LOlm WOLSELSY TO THE SECRS' TAKY OF STATE FOR WAR (received on the 7tb January) XOIITI, 7th January, 1885, 4.10 p.m.—A stron? convoy is now leaving the camp for Yokdal General Stewart starts with another to-morro* for Metenmeh. I expect him to occupy it on th1 15ch inst. If there is a steamer there, I will coaf municate with Gordon without delay. CAritO, N-Ve(inesday.-In compliance with tlit request of Lord Wolseley, the Mudir of Dongol* has proceeded to Merawi. [CENTRAL NEWS TBLEGSAJI.] CAIUO, Wednesday Evening.—Lord Wolseley'' plans and movements are beinj followed hefS with ths greatest interest, and form prtctica111. the one topic of conversation in military circles.^ Several eminent officers here have expressed ten'i^j the confident belief that Lord Wolseley having! now ascertained and estimated at their proper worth the difficulties of the desert route to Shendy, will himself proceed without delay to. Galcduk with the bulk of the troops' now at Hurii. His stay at Gakduk, will, I assured, be as brief as possible. He will leave! there a garrison of about 150 infantry, and, the.. press on to Shendy with the main Doily. Telegrams received here to-day from Suakinv state that Osman Digna has already heard of Lord Wolselsy's energetic movements, and is much perturbed thereby. Rumour, it appears) has already magnified the prelimmary movements alone into a general advance of the whole of the expeditionary force, and the rebel chief is becoming anxious for his own safety. He shows, however, no signs of retreating, but is moving neaven and earth to strengthen his forces. TREUTER'S TELEGRAM.] I SCAKDI, Wednesday.—The Beniainer and Ras- chida trices have decided noc to join Gsma? Digna. The general outlook of affairs is vetf encouraging. ["TIMES" TELEGRAM.] ALEXANDRIA, vvecnesday.—According co news received from Suakim to-day, Osman Digna is uneasy at the English advance. The Beaiam?1' and the Rasheda tribes are said to bs uniting with the object of attacking him.

-===== THE TIMES" ON MR VI. H. GLADSTONE'S SPEECH.. ¡-\ U Ù ¡ V ¡'J r.: 0 o. ¡: 1:: U Ii. To-day's 'JFi-mcs, commenting on Mr W. H. Gladstone's speech at Hawardeu yesterday, says. I —" Mr Gladstone's title to repose was long ago amply made out, but his is a temperament which rather leads a man to seek a title to continued exertion, tie is net likciv to think seriously of retirement so long as that title is clear to himself, nor would the country wish him to do so while lie retains the strength of body and of will indispensable for the conduct of public affairs. It is quite possible for a man to retain any valuable aptitudes and striking- natural gifts, and yet to be sticken by age in tha power of grasping and combining facts, of form- ing momentous decisions, of facing great emer- gencies, or of dealing with the phenomena of a new time. All must hope that this has not hap- pened to Mr Gladstone, because no other can at present hold the reins of power with such autho- rity as his, or with such acceptance as he can command. But it cannot be denied that tho recent policy of the Government has been such as would naturally follow a partial failure of the innermost springs of action. If • that failure arises from no mere functional del rangement, but from organic change, then the question is no longer one of a title to repose, but of the right to postpone it. In deciding that, question aright, Mr Gladstone will discharge a- heavier responsibility and will perform a more eminent service to his country than any that have marked even his long and brilliant career."

NEW RAILWAY IN THE TRANSVAAL. I To-day's Morning Post understands that the Portuguese Railway Company, which has under. taken to build the railway from the Transvaal to Delagoa Bay, has paid into the Portuguese Trea- sury the sum of 375,000 francs, caution money required by the terms of its contract. This step, J the Post adds, seems to promise the early con- summation of an object which has long bsen the darling object of Boer ambition, and which will place them in immediate communication with the coast without English supervision. Has the in- fluence of Germany been employed to assist an enterprise which ever since 1870 has been equally desired and unattainable by President Kruger and the aggresive Boers faction? Germany can certainly be very useful to Portugal on the Congo

ZULULAND AND THE BOERS. [" STANDARD TELEGRAM.] DURBAN, Wednesday.—A party of Boers from Northern Zululand rode down to the coast four days ago, and marked off a. strip of territory to be divided into farms. The territory selected borders immediately on the reserve. The Boers appear to regard all Zululand beyond the reserve as their own property. i ["TIMES" TELEGRAM.] DURBAN, NVednesday.-I fiear on good authority that a few days again some twenty Boers marked out a double row of farms abutting on the Zulu reserve up to the sea. They were reputedly acting in consort with Germany, whose emissaries have been operating in Zululand for some time past.

THE FRENCH IN CHINA. t Sickness Among the Troops. I TIMES TELEGRAM.] HAIPHONG, December 33. I have visited the keep, or advanced post, on the Langs ong-road. The sickness among the French is great, owing to exposure and bad water, chiefly the latter but; it is impossible to learn any particulars. The chief difficulties before the French are the absence of transport, the bad water, and the heavy mists and fogs of February. The scene of operations is now a region of jungle-covered, broken-hill country.

==:=:===- THE REVENUE FRAUDS IN CYPRUS. ) [" DAILY CHB.OKICLE TZLEGRAAI. I 'Z't ) i-, LAKNACA, CYPRUS, Decentber «Mi.—-Th:) de- puty inspector of revenue baleen coarge.d baforo the Famagusta bench o £ *far.istrace3 with com- plicity in the *rau s- Seven responsible officials have heen avrested, but two of the defaulters are still at large, one of whom burst the whole of his account bjoks and papers absconding-

THE BISHOP OF LINCOLN. Dr Wordsworth, Bishop of Lincoln, wh) recently intimated his intention of resigning his ■ see is in a state of health which causes gravest [ anxiety. j

THE UXBRIDGE MURDER. In reply to a memorial prayiug for further ea quiry into the case of Llizaoath Gibbons, con- victed of the murder of her husband, whosy sentence was commuted to penal e the Home Secretary states that ho adhera to the decision already announced.