South Wales Echo

I ISitsttuss JVbtrr*ss*s. AT the present time Clothing so much de- notes the position of the wearer that to be ill clad or clothed in garments that are badly made and titted at once conveys, an im- pression unfavourable to the wearer. It is, therefore, of great importance that all who study appearance should be careful to make their purchases only from such houses as make otyle, Fit, and Quality, combined with economy, their leading features. Winier especially requires that change in our attire which is so necessary for the due protection of our health and comfort. It is, therefore, of great importance that we should be supplied with overcoats and other warm clothing, not only at a moderate charge, but also fashion- able and well made, as well as being selected from materials of modern design and durable character. To these important requisites MASTERS and COMPANY have especially devoted their attention, and the reader may depend upon being supplied with all he re- quires at either of their establishments. Every person to whom economy is an object should certainly inspect their stock before purchasing elsewhere. The position occupied by this firm in the markets as the largest buyers of clothing in Wales or the West of England enables them fre- quently to secure goods at such prices as defy competition, it being an indisputable fact that the tradesman who can buy largest must buy on more favourable terms than the smaller buyer. There can be no surer indi- cation than an increased trade that the public duly appreciate fair dealing, and that the efforts of MASTERS and COMPANY to supply goods of sterling value at the lowest remunerative profit have been fully recognised is proved by the result. 102e

-c. SOUTH WALES NOTES. THERE is bad news again as to the measles. Last month it was chiefly due to this disease that the Cardiff death-rate obtained such unenviable predominance, and now there is another epidemic to be faced in Roath. Canton, Grangetown, and other places have passed through the ordeal, and at last the disease has broken out in another direction. So bad does it seem to be that the medical officer, at a special meeting on Satur- day, actually advised the temporary closing of all the elementary schools. I am not an alarmist, and hardly think that matters are bad enough for that at present. That there is need of every possible vigilance is, however, clear, and that every child should be watched, and that constant visits should be paid to the homes of the parents, is a programme which should bemost rigidly fulfilled. WITHOUT wishing to excite any unnecessary fear among parents, I may yet call attention to the fact that in Grangetown the rate of mortality from measles alone was at one time as high as 60 per 1,000. Last week in Roath there were no less than fifteen deaths from the disease. These facts have to be faced, and they are eloquent to prove the necessity for the strictest care among all who have the charge of children. To send a child to school from a house where there is conta- gious disease is simply shameful and cowardly. Yet this is probably how the disease has been spread. THAT the authorities are fully alive to the necessity of inspection I am glad to learn from the following communication which I have received from the chairman of the school board :— Doctor Paine, as the medical officer of health, having drawn the attention of the chairman of the scoool board to the epidemic amongst the children of the town, it has been arranged for the staff of attendance officers, which will be tempo- rarily increased, to devote their whole attention to visiting the homes, so as to prevent the children from any infected homes attending the schools." IT is pleasing to learn that the collection at workshops and works in aid of the infirmary, which is made on one Saturday in the year in Cardiff and the district, has this year been the largest that hasbeen made since the movement started some years since. The working men have given nearly £ 900 out of their wages. Some of the figures are sug- gestive. z, It is estimated that nearly 30,000 workmen contributed, and that the separate donations averaged between 6d and 9d. This is perhaps as much as their earnings just now will admit of their giving. The present condition of the fund is satisfactory compared with that at one time, when the movement seemed in danger of languishing. The revival is due, no doubt, to the new energy introduced by the hon. secretaries, Messrs Lincoln and Lock, as well as to the assistance of the secretary of the infirmary, Mr Coleman. But the satisfactory feature of it all is the proof afforded that thejworking men of Cardiff are willing to give if they are only asked in the proper way. COULD any better means ba adopted, so that even the present amount might be increased ? One of the local secretaries tried last year to start a weekly collection of one penny, and where this was carried out the effects were satisfactory. The chief difficulty lies with those employers who consider the collection irksome, and will not take the necessary trouble. This is a pity. Charity flows most readily when the pocket is fullest, and such a weekly collection would be just the means to give the greatest spirit to that of the working men. So far as I can understand, Saturday's de- cision of the Cardiff Guardians in the matter of Dr Sheen's salary has created considerable dissatisfaction among the ratepayers. The doctor's salary for the union and the Ely Schools was originally £ 140. Then, mainly because of the distance between his house and the schools, it was thought better to z, have a separate medical officer for the schools. At the same time it was considered that the increase of work at the union should be recognised by an increase in the salary. The first committee, therefore, proposed to take away the work of the schools and raise the salary to £175. Dr. Sheen replied to this by offering to do the work of both for S220, but this was not agreed to, and the second committee proposed to give the doctor £200. To this, however, the board said no'' in emphatic terms, and the committee met again, with the result of Saturday's compromise. This really means that work to the amount of JS20 a year is taken away, and an addi- tion made to the salary of about half its ,original amount. The majority that adopted the resolution was small, and I should not be surprised if they heard of the subject again, and pretty sharply.jj THE Newport Town Council on Tuesday will have .mother discussion on the subject o the prospect of getting separate representation. If public feeling in the town could arrange 0 11 P':J- j!the matter it would be soon settled, as it is 1. considered a very great hardship that a thriving, prospering place like Newport, with 40,000 inhabitants, should have to loose its individuality and subside in compara- tive obscurity among the" Monmouth District Boroughs." But unfortunately the feeling of the inhabitants will not be the deciding power. Much may be done, and I am sure will be done, to agitate for the coveted prize. At the same time the public will be glad to know in what direction precisely the Town Council intend to move. For this reason the debate is eagerly awaited in the town, and nothing short of very energetic measures will satisfy the public. I HAVE not yet seen the agenda for next Wednesday's meeting of the Swansea Town Council, but from what I can learn, it con- tains the welcome announcement that the reproach from which Swansea has for so long suffered, as being the worst lighted town in the kingdom, will soon be removed. After much difficulty, the corporation has succeeded in bringing the gas company to their senses, and an arrangement has been entered into by means of which Bray's lamps will be introduced into the town. It is, of course, too much to expect that in a town which moves so slowly in these matters as Swansea, that there will be an immediate improvement on a large scale, but it is intended at once to erect these brilliant lamps in some of the prin- cipal thoroughfares and since these new lights will by comparison make the rushlights which will remain in many streets appear still more ridiculously inadequate, I have no doubt the ratepayers will soon insist on Bray's lamps being erected in all but the bye-streets. For my part, I can't conceive why the corporation have allowed so much valuable time to be wasted in an endeavour to come to terms with the gas company. It would have been much better if the corporation had-a3, I believe, they will still have to do—taken advantage of their compulsory powers, and purchased this profitable concern for the benefit of the ratepayers.

THE Nile expedition is making good progress, and if all continues to go well it is not un- likely that before the month is out Lord WOLSELEY will be able to shako hands with General GORDON. It seems now to be pretty clear that it is intended to reach GORDON by the desert route from Korti to Shendy—Korti being at one end and Shendy at the other of the great horse-shoe bend of the Nilo. The bulk of the forces of the MAHDI lie between those two points in the neighbourhood of Berber, so that, unless he is bent on giving battle, the rescue may be effected without any serious engage- ment. This may seem odd, seeing that Khartoum is besieged; but the fact of the matter is the seige has never been of such a character as to prevent General Gordon plying his steamers as far as Shendy, and this he has done pretty often, dealing out destruction on the way. It is reported that several of GORDON'S steamers are now at Shendy. Lord WOLSELEY says if a steamer is at Shendy when General STEWART reaches Metemmeh, he will communciate with General GORDON without delay." Metemmeh, it may be stated, is on the opposite bank of the Nile to Shendy, and it is expected that General Stewart will arrive there on Thursday next, taking the desert route via Gakdul, which is at present occupied by British troops. What if General GORDON, and those who wish to leave Khartoum with him, should be upon a steamer at Shendy on General STEWART'S arrival1 The rescue would be effected-the object of the expedition would be accomplished. It is just possible that some such pleasant surprise may be in store for us. Everything now depends upon the attitude of the MAHDI if he means to fight, there will be bloodshed and considerable delay, for it is stated that he has 3,000 troops in the vicinity of jilletemmeh, They are, it is true, disheartened by failure and famine but they are brave and reck- less, and if they mean to bar our way we may be sure Lord WOLSELEY will not risk an encounter until our forces are more concentrated" than they are at present. The fact that the MUDIR of DONGOLA. has been requested to proceed to Merawi, which is further up the Nile than Korti, would suggest that Lord WOLSELEY has a prospect of work for him in the way of negotiation or organisation. OSMAN DIGNA makes no sign, and would seem to have as much as he can do to hold his own against hostile tribesmen. He is like an extinct Volcano and we trust to hear before long that the MARDI has become as impotent and as harmless. THE announcement that as the result of the Treharris colliery accident two cases are to be brought against the company for damages under the Employers' Liability Act, will again draw the attention of local miners to the advisability of joining the Miners' Permanent Fund. It appears that two of the men killed were members of the fund, and although they had only paid their first contribution, their widows will be entitled to the full bene- fits accruing from membership. Surely this fact will cause colliers in those districts in which the fund has not obtained a good footing to consider the matter. The Employers' Liability Act is doubtless a thoroughly good measure; but zTl it is a difficult and costly process to obtain a verdict under the Act, and when obtained the case can be carried from court to court until the patience and the means of the plaintiff are exhausted. For these reasons, except that the Act caused the formation of the Permanent Fund, it has been of little prac- tical benefit to the miner.

r COLLAPSE OF A BLAST FURNACE IN THE FOREST OF DEAN. On Saturday, just as a draw of molten pig iron was about to have taken place, an accident of an alarming nature occurred at Messrs Henry Crawshay and Son's hot air blast furnaces at Cinderford. It appears that the inside lining of the furnace had been worn considerably, but without the slightest indication the brickwork suddenly collapeed, and an immediate blow out was an imperative necessity. This is a serious misfortune to the manufacturing district of the forest, the greater portion of raw material having been taken from the local furnace. It is feared that some months will elapse before the damage caused can be made good. The whole of the em- ployees at the furnaces will consequently suffer from enforced idleness. Messrs Crawshay's iron miners at Buck's Shaft Mine Works are con- sequently ordered to cease operations. This was the only blast furnace in the. forest in work, and was built upon the most modern and improved method.

I "COUSIN TOM." infary, I am astonished Of course, the grave, elder sister was astonished. In truth and in fact she lived in a chronic stats of astonishment, for Mary was always doing some- thing to astonish her friends and relatives. Mi& Ruth could scarcely credit the evidence of her own senses in the hazy glow of the August morning, when she came out of the shadows of the little south porch and discovered that yonder moving object, half-way up the branches of the huge old pear tree was not a spray of leaves, nor a cluster of sun-chejked pears, but Miss Mary Thorne, comfortably perched in the crook of the old tree, her curls all flecked with the sifted rays of sunshine that came down through the shifting canopy of leaves, and a book in her hand. I don't care I" said the little damsel, laughing saucy defiance. "It's the nicest place in the world up here. I feel just like a bird, with the leaves fluttering against my face and the wind blowing so softly, and I intend to stay here. Wouldn't you like to come up here, Ruthy? It's easily done. Just put your foot on that knot, and then-" iluth who was thirty and weighed a hundred and sixty pounds, bristled up with amazement. "Mary Thorne are you crazy? Come down this in.L,tnt.' i 1" Indeed I shan't!' said naughty Mary tossing the silky shower of hair away from her forehead, and glancing down with eyes that shone and sparkled like two blue jewels. But we are all going-" "Yes, I understand; you are all going in triumphal procession to the depot to render an ovation to the great Professor La Place, the wisest, sagest, and grandest of mankind to whom the Thorne family have the unutterable honor of being second cousins, and to escort him solemnly for a month's sojourn at Thorne hall, Oh, dear," ejaculated Mary, I wish I could run away somewhere and hide. I hate this paragon of prime precision. I shan't marry him if he asks, and I mean to behave so badly that he won't dream of it. No, I am not going with you. I hate the close barouches, and it's too warm to ride on horseback. I shall stay at home." And Mary settled herself so snugly, with one tiny, slippered foot swinging down, and her pretty head close to a nest of blue speckled bird's eggs, Ruth gave it up with a sigh of despair. Weil, then, have it your own way, you incorrigible romp. I wish you weren't too big to to shut up in a dack closet, or to have your ears well boxed." It is a pity, isn't it?'' said Mary, demurely. Of course it is, Mary! If cousin Tom Bradley comes this morning, be sure to explain to hinr why we are absent—and behave like a young lady, mind "All right!" said Mary, dauntlessly. "I always liked Tom. We used to have grand romps together." She sas there in the old pear tree, prettier than any hamadryad that might have haunted the mossy old veteran of the garden, her cheeks touched with sunshine and carmine, her dimpled lips apart, now reading a line or two from a book in her lap, now looking up, rapt in girlish reverie, into the blue sky, as it sparkled down through ever-moving leaves, and now breaking into a soft little warble of song, to which the very robins themselves put their heada on one side to listen. The carriage had driven away. long since. She had watched it beyond the curve of the winding road the dark mantle of shadow was slowly failing the creeping sun-glow across the velvet lawn below, and the clock in the old church-spire among the far off woods had chimed out eleven. And ill Mary Thorne sat there in those forked branches of the old pear tree. Suddenly there floated into her leafy sanctum a pungent, aromatic odour, which made her lean curiously forward, shading her eyes with one lnnd, the better to penetrate the green foliage below. Not the late monthly roses, not the amethyst borders of heliotrope, not the spicy geraniums— ncne of thesa blossoms distilled that peculiar smell. "My patience!" said little Mary, "it's a cigar." A it was, and the owner thereof—she could just see a white linen coat and a tall head covered with black, wavy curls—stood on the porch steps quietly smoking and indulging in a lengthened view of the garden slopes. That's Tom Bradley 1" said Mary to herself. "Now, if he thinks I'm coming down out of this declicious, cool place to sit up straight in the hot parlours, he's mistaken Tom she called out, in a silver accent of imperative summons, and then burst into merry laughter at the evident amazement at which the stranger gazed around him, vainly trying to conjecture whence the cail had proceeded. "You dear, stupid cousin Tom!" ejaculated. Don't stare off toward the cabbage beds. Look straight up here. You may come up if you please there's plenty of room for botb. You are Cousin Tom, aren't you? she continued, as sud- den misgivings crossed her mind. "Of course I am; and You are Llfary, I sup- » pose; "Mary herself. Up with you, Tom! Catch hold of this branch-there Now shake hands— you saucy fellow I didn't say you might kiss me Well, I couldn't help it; and, besides, aren't we cousins ?" said Mr Tom, swinging himself com- fortably into a breach just above Mary. Why, Tom, how you have changed'' ejacu- lated tiie young lady, pushing back the curls with one hand, that she might better view the play- mate of her childhood's days. Your hair never curled so before; and what a nice moustache you've got! I shouldn't have known you, Tom No?" said Tom, roguishly. And you've grown so tail!—I declare, Tom, you're splendid I could return the compliment, if I dared. But where are all the rest of the family ? The house below is as empty as a haunted hall." All gone to welcome that horried, poky old Professor La Place, who has graciously indicated his willingness to pass a few weeks with us. Tom, I do hate that professor." Hate him Wliatfor, "Oh, I don't know, I'm sure. He is a snuff- dried, conceited old wretch, and I'll wager a box of gloves he wears spectacles Nonsense, Mary ? Why, he is only twenty- six. I don't care; I know he is rheumatic and wears spectacles, for all that. And Tom—now if you'll never, never, breathe a word of this- I won't, upon my honour said Tom. "Well, then, papa. has actually got the idea into his dear old head that I would make a nice wife for the professor, and- Mary turned away with crimson indignation flashing in her cheeks. It is too bad of you to laugh, Tom. I never, never will marry that man?" "I wouldn't if I were you,. cons>led Torn. But, Mary, wait and see the man before you de- cide. He may be quite a decent fellow." No said Mary, shaking her head and biting her cherry lips firmly. I hate him beforehand." What a spiteful little puss you are said her companion, laughing. "No, Tom, I'm not." And the blue eyes became misty. I love papa and Ruth dearly, and I love almost everybody. I like you, Tom, but I hate Professor La Place. And I want you to promise, Tom, that you'll be my friend, and not allow him to tease me into walks, or rides, or tete-a-tetes of any kind. Will you ?" -V auld ho? tif she had asked him to precipi- «Would he? >If she had asked him to precipi- tate himself out of the pear tree upon the steps below, with those eyes fixed on his, he'd have done it; any man of taste would. I promise he said, and they shook hands 0I\vhat a cozy place for a chat that gnarled old tree was.. And when they bad talked over everything they could think of, it was the most natural thing m the world that Tom should recover the book which had slipped down into the net-work of, tiny bows, and read poetry to his pretty cousin, in the deep, musical voice that maidens love to listen to. And Mary sat there watching the pretty curls blowing too and fro on his broad, white brow, and the long black lashes almost touching his olive cheeks; and she thought how very, very handsome Cousin -Tom was, how much he ha'i changed in the ten years that had eiapsed siuce Ehe had met him, and she wondered whether Tom was engaged to any pretty girl somehow she hoped not. Now, why couldn't Tom have been rich, like that horrid Professor La Place, instead of a poor medical student, and And when the large black eyes were suddenly lifted to hers, Mary felt as though he had read every thought in her mind, and blushed scarlet. Come, Tom," she chattered, to hide her con- fusion, we've been here long enouggh. Hoip me down and I will show you the old sun-dial that we used to heap with buttercups when we were children." A rumbling of wheels and it was the returning of the carriage, and Mary clung to Tom's arm. "The awful professor she whispered. Now, Cousin Tom, be sure you stand by me through everything." To my life's end 1" was the whispered answer. But there was no one in the carriage save ivir Thorne and Ruth. It drew up on the grand sweep beside the two cousins. "Where'sthe professor?' „ He was not at the depfifc," said Rutb, and— But Mr Thorne had sprung from tiie carriage and clasped both the stranger's hands in his. La Place, is it possible Why, we have just been looking for you at Mill Station. "1 am sorry to have inconvenienced you, sir," was the reply; "but I came by the way of Wharton, and walked over this morning." "Nevermind now, so you are, safeiy here?" exclaimed the old gentleman. "Ruth, my dear —Mary, let me introduce you to your cousin, Professor La Place Mary had dropped his arm, and stood dis- mayed. You told me that you were Cousin Tom "That is my name, and I believe I em a distant, cousin by relationship. Now, Mary," aud the black eyes sparkled, "don't bejangry because I don't take snuff or wear spectacles. I ibew the other Cousin Tom's pardon, whoever he is; cut I l very glnd he il1't here. Mary,be just, and don't hate Cousin Tom because his other name happens to be La Place." But no doubt it was a very perplexing thing to have two Cousin Toms and so, about six mouths subsequently. Miss Mary contrived to obviate that inconvenience by allowing one of them to assume a nearer relationship and in spite of all her assertions to the contrary, she is Mrs Profes- sor La Place. For it is a solemn fact in this world, that when- ever a girl says she never, never will do a thing, she is pretty sure to do it the first chance she gets and Mary is no exception to the general rule.

I FACTS AND FANCIES. WHEN PAPA COMES HOME.—A well-known London alderman teils a story at his own expense, about a small donkey which he sent to his country- house for the use of the children. One of the little daughters, going out with the nurse to admire the animal in its paddock, was sorely distressed when the donkey lifted up his voice and brayed dolefully. Poor thing, poor thing exclaimed the sympathetic child. But, suddenly brightening up, she turned to her nurse, and said, Oh, I am so glad Papa will be here on Satur- day, and then it won't feel so lonesome." ABOUT A SEEPENT IN HUMAN SHAPE.—Mr, afterwards Baron, Platt had a decidedly comic physiognomy, and took much delight in assuming melancholy airs. On one occasion, when he was before Lord Lyndhurst, the judge said to him, "Pray spare us that wife-and-twelve-childreu face But the woe-begone looks which had so little effect upon the judge served at times to impress the itiry and in a breach of promise case Mr Plat gained for his client mora damages than might otherwise have been awarded to her 1f' winding up with the pathetic outburt-" And, gentleman, this serpent in human shape stole the virgin heart of my unfortunate client whilst she was returning from confirmation -y" A SWEET REMINDER.—Some years ago, as the great Barnum was selling off his menagerie, he noticed that when lot 20, a ferocious female Ben- gal tiger, was put up several bids came from a quiet ordinary-looking citizen dressed in deep mourning, anything but a showman in appear- ance, and finally the animal was knocked down to this stranger. After all was over, Barnum ap- proached him, and inquired what on earth he could want with such a quadruped. "Waal," re- plied the purchaser, with a profound aud sugg-2-> t; v, sigil, ,you see, professor, I was a married man, and my wife died last week, and I miss her; so I've bought this tiger." Barnum silently pressed the widower's hand. A chord had besn I touched. The two men understood each ether, and no more was said. UNANSWERABLE QUESTION.—A gentleman was passing the Institute of France, on the Quai Conti, the other day, accompanied by a little English boy of the tender age of seven. Be- fore that building, consecrated to the sages of France, is a line statue of the Re- public, which i1 represented as a woman. The child asked what it was, and, being told, said "Then it is she who now reigns in France. That is curious for I thought that no woman could reign here. The reply was, Yes, that is the law." Then, if so, why is there a Republic here? The French seem to like changing their minds," added the child. "Oh," he was told, "it is only a form of Government!" "Then wh," iterated he, is the Republic represented to be a woman 2" A FORTY YEAR-OLD SPRING CHICKEN. Two women got into one of the southern tram-cars too other day, every seat of which was filled. One of the women had prematurely grey hair, and v/oic spectacles, because she was near-iightud. The other was homely, and carried a big bag. A beautiful girl jumped up, and said to the grey- haired woman, Take my seat, madam I am younger than you." Then every man in the tram rose and offered his place to the beautiful girl who only smiled sweetly, and saiQ, No, thank you I prefer to stand." Meanwhile the woman with grey hair laid hold of a strap and glared at the crowd. I may not be a chit of 17." she said, in vinegar tones but I'm not infirm, I'll give you to understand, and can stand up as long as anybody And the homely woman with the bag sat down in a space 14 inches wide, and wondered what it was all about. MOKE BEAE THAN LAW. I. When Gratiot, Michigan, began to be disturbed by pioneers, and had its first justice of the peace, a farmer named Davison walked three miles to secure a warrant against a neighbour named Meacham for assault and battery. To save the constable a six-mile trip, the defendant walked in with the plaintiff. They encountered his honour just leaving his house with a gun on his shoulder, and Davison halted him with—" Squar', I want a warrant for this man for strikin' me." I'm ill an awful hurry— come to-morrow. So in I in a hurry and I'm goill' to h-.tvo a raisin' to-inorrer." "Meacham, did you hit hIm ? Yes." "-Divisoii,di(lyoti strike back?" "o." "Meacham, would you rather work for him three days than go to gaol ?" *'I guess so." "And that will satisfy you, Davison ?" Yes." Then make tracks for home, and don't bother me further My son has just come in with the news that an old bear and three cubs are up the old beech down at the edge of the slashing, and I'm going to have some bear-meat if it upsets the State of Michigan. Court's ad- journed." THEATRICAL MIXTURE.—An actor or the name of Bass, says a writer in the Theatre, was the manager of a provincial theatre in England on the boards of which Edmund Kean once appeared for a few nights. During his brief engagement Othello was performed three or four times, the role of the Moor and his ancient being alter- nately assumed by the great tragedian and the manager. One evening they had been dining to- gether, and the bottle had been passed too freely. They got through the play however without their condition being discovered by the audience until they came to the scene in the third act in which Othello seizes lago by the throat and delivers the speech beginning, Villain, be sure thou prove," &c. Kean, who on this occasion was the Othello, as he spoke: grasped lago so fiercely that, being somewhat unsteady on his legs, he fell, dragging his companion down with him. This accident confused them both, and, when they regained their feet, Kean, instead of waiting for Bass to continue the dialogue, himself uttered the exclamation, "Is it come to this?" which properly belongs to lago. Bass, who was letter perfect in either part took the cue, and went on with that of Othello. For a moment or two the audience were not a little puzzled by this inter- change of charicters but, as soon as the real facts of the case dawned upon them, they appre- ciated to the full the absurdity of the situation, and-the remainder of the scene usually listened to in breathless silence-was greeteu with frequent peals of laughter. Both actors were alike surprised and disgusted at the merriment, they caused. Kean in particular was in a tower- ing rage. Anger in some measure sobered hi in. Still he had co suspicion of the blunder lie had been guilty of, and when he quitted the stage he made his way hastily to the greenroom. As lie entered the apartment, however, the leflcction of his bronzed visage and Moorish garments in a small mirror over the mantelpiece caught his eye, and, turning to his fellow-actor, he abruptly exclaimed, "By Heaven, Bass, I'm Othello Of course you are ?'' was the response. Then why the deuce did you assume my character?" was the angry query. "Because you in the nrst instance took mine, and, being as drunk as you were, I simply followed your lead." Kean was.about to make a furious rejoinder to this retort, when suddenly, the humourous side of tho incident striking him, the heavy frown which bad gatheied on his brow re- laxed, and, bursting into a hearty fit of laughter, he said, Well, after all, I beheve it was as 111Ur;!1 my fault as yours. But I fancy we shall find the people in front in no very appreciative humour during the remainder of the evening." In this, however Kean was mistaken. When he next ap peared upon the stage, the magnificence of lu acting—he being now upon his mettle—quickly quelled all manifestations of merriment, and during the remainder of the play he never once relaxed his hold upon the audience.

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I YANKEE YARNS. IMP VAX WIXKL22. While Mr Joseph. Jefferson was oacc playing "ltip van \Vinkl, at Chicago, he went to the toeitre very much exnausted by a long day's h.-hing on the lake. When the curtain rose on the third act, it disclosed the white-haired Rip ,till deep in his twenty years' nap. Five, ten, twenty minute* passed, and he did not waken. The audience began to get impatient aud the prompter uneasy. The great actor doubtless knew what he was about, but this was carrying the realistic business too far. 'l'he b ct \s that all the time Jefferson was realty sleeping the sleep of the just, or rather of the fisherman who had sat eight huuri; in the sun without getting a single bite. Finally the gallery became uproar- ious and one of the "gods" wanted to know if there was going to be "nineteen years more of this snoozo business." At this point Jefferson began to snore. This decided the prompter, who opened a small trap beneath the stage and began to prod Rip from below. The much-travelled comedian began to fumble in his pocket for an imaginary ticket, and muttered drowsiiy, "Goin right through, 'duetor." The audience "was trans- fixed with amazement at this entirely new read. ing, when Jefferson sat up with a loud shriek, and evidently in agony. The exasperated promphr bad" jabbed" him with a pin. The play nt on then—with a rush. A CALIFOKNIAN BARGAIN. The other day one of Frisco's most esteemed young burglars was by some oversight arrested and tined for creating a disturbance. In default of the fine he was to stay in gaol thirty days. The prisoner was deeply humiliated by this sen- tence, as "burgling" has been so dull recently that he was not in funds. He sent, however, for a well-known Pine-street broker. "Mr R. said the burglar-they were old college chums—"I want to make you a business proposition, Last month your house was entered and robbed of a tine breach-loader gun, a. stem-winder watch, and a pair of diamond studs." Yes. \Vell?" "Well, I took 'em; but you can't prove it. Now, if you will pay my present tine, I'll return you the gun or the watch—take your choice." "I'll tell you what I'll do," said the broker, after a second's refhction-" I'll do it for the gun and the studs. Couldn't possibly," said the crowbar artist. I want the studs to wear at a dinner the boys are getting up. But I tell you what I will do. My uress vest buttons up pretty high I can get along with one stud so I'll let yon have the other. Now, what d'ye say?" "It's a go," said the broker, and he passed out and settled up. A BIG INVESTMENT A New Yorker was seated in an office in Gunnson city one day not Ion,, ago, whan a grisly-looking old man entered and asked if that was the place where they sold shares of the White Horse Silver Mine. Being assured that he was in the office of jhe company, he observed, "I have heard the White Horse spoken of as being a likely mine." "It certainty is. We took ten thousand dollars' wortii of ore out in one day." "Phew! She must be just old richness! How many men have ye got to work Oh, about three hundred Have ye, though ? Are the sheers going off purty lively?" "Shares are selling like hot cakes, and we have only a few left. Every- body says the White Horse is a bis investment." What are sheers worth to-day?" I will sell you at nirety-five, though I know they wil b> worth face-value to-morrow. '•No You t really menn ninety five?" "I do," We; 1, that's better. There's a hundred sheers wh:cj, you sold r):l.v pVd yesterday for twenty dollars. I went over to the mine, found nothing but a hole and a dead mule, and I told him I'd come up and get his money back or do some-shooting. I'm 'tarnal glad to find them sheers has viz from twenty to ninety-live. That will give my pard his money back, and buy me a winter outfit besides. Here's the sheers, and now let me see the colour of the money." "But, sir, wo-" Pass out the cash said the old man, as he rested the end of his shooter on the edge of the counter. The "company "had left his revolver in his overcoat outside. After a look around, with a bland smile he begtii counting out the money and as he made the exchange, he said, certainly, sir-reatet of pleasure, sir. Sorry you didn't hold them one day more, and get the full f nee-value." CIRCUMVENTING A WIDOW. There was a Detroiter among tha trio of officials who passed over the route of the Butler Road to secure the riffht of way. In some cases farmers, cheerfully signed off; in others money had to be used but in one case the committee found a most determined con dition. The road would divide a widow'sfarm, and she was independent, obstinate, and defiant. She knew that her haystacks and barns would be destroyed by sparks, her Jive fitock run over by trains, and her slumbers disturbed by the rattle of trains, and she would not listen to argument. In this emergency one of the committee said, Madam, do you know of any widow in this neigbourhood who would be willing1 to board a gentleman connected with the construction of our road ? He is a widower, and prefers to board with a widow." No, I don't know as I do. Is he a nice man?" "Splendid man, and has money in the bank. We want him to locate permanently at this point, and are in hopes he will take a wife. It is unfortunate that-" I never did take boarders," she mused; "bnt-" "It you only could now, I'm sure you would not regret it. He is extremely fond of children, and would be like a father to your little ones." Perhaps I might accommo- dote you." "Ah, thanks! He would be here next week if this right-of-way matter was decided but, as it is, he may iiot-" "Do you agree to pay damages if you burn my barn?" "Of course we do." "And I'll probably get used to the noise?" Oh, of course. In a week you won't mind it. Fact is, you'll sit up every night till midnight, anyhow, after the gentleman arrives." Oh, no, I shan't I shall never love again but, if he is a nice man and loves children, why, I don't know as I ought to stop your road. I gue-s I'll sign !—Detroit Paper. TOO CLOSE FIGGERING. Get you tickets at the waggon screamed the doorkeeper of the circus yesterday to a young man with a girl on his arm who had a handful of small change. This is the third time you have come here without tickets when you know I can't take money The young man and his gir1 fell back, and, as they did not go near the ticket waggon, and yet seemed very anxious to see the circus, a curious minded citizen edged round and enquired of the young man, Why don t you buy your tickets if you want to go m. Cause I'm short," was the whispered reply. "I didn't 'low enough for incidentals when I was figgering on the cost of this thing but I don't want the gal to know it." "How much are you short?" Only five cents. I figgered that ten shillings would pay all expenses, but I £ "fc left. We spent ten cents for pea-nuts, ten ce: on the street-cars, and five in candy. I ;,us!' one dollar left to pay our way in, when the gal got a pea-nut stuck in her throat, and I ba b buy a glass uf lemonade to wash it down. icint do it though till I had pounded her on the back more'n fifty times, and tried to pm one of tneiri lire-hydrants up by the roots. a lend you five cents to make up your dollar, said the citizen. You will, by gosh but that lets me out I'd made up tny mind to tell the eal than the tigers had got loose, and the hyenas had ran mad; but she's long-headed, and might not have believed it. Thankee, sir and the fust time I'll, in town I'll pay it back. Hang it, I orter figgered on eleven shillings 'stead of ten, but you ve made me happy for life Come, Bets."—-Detroit Paper. I SNIP SNIPPING. A cheap tailor in San Francisco, whose trade- mark on his advertising-boards is a, venerable- looking1 man at work cross-legged. is thus attacked by a rival snip of the same town—" Don't be humbugged by hoary-beaded patriai chs who pic- ture themselves sitting cross-legged and advertise pants made to order $3, 84. and §5 a pair. A few pieces of cassimere and a terrible amount of cheek is their stock-in-trade. Don't be humbugged Do you know how it's done ? When you go into one of these stores that cover up their shop- windows with sample lengths of cassimere marked pants to order,$3.50'and 8* '—after you have made a selection of the piece of cloth you want your pants made from, the pompous individual who is chief engineer of the big tailor shears lays them softly on the smoothest part of his cutting-table, unrolls his tape-line, and proceeds to measure his victim all over the body. The several measurements are all carefully entered in a book by the other humbug. The customer is then told that his pants will be finished in about twenty-four or thirty-t-ix hours; all depends upon how long it takes to shrink the cioth. That's the end of the first act. Part second-The customer no sooner leaves the store than the would-be merchant tailor calls his shop boy Jim, and sends him around to some wholesale jobber, and says, 'Get me a pair of pants, pattern 30'—which is the shoddy imitation of the pie^e ot cassimere that your pants are to be made, ot 31-' around the waist and 33 in the leg. They pulled out of a pile of a hundred pairs or more just like them, made by Chinese cheap la^oiu. All the carefully made measurements mid oaier ciap- trap is the bait on the hook—' Pants made to ordei,$3.50, :i, and$5.' That's the way its done. Come and select for yourselves from t110 orde;, 83.50, :q., and$5.' That's the way its done. Come and select for yourselves from the largest stock," &c.

In F- I i he Nile Expedition. ¡ -.¡'- ARRIVAL OF A MESSENGER FROM GORDON. All's We!i" at Khartoum. The Press Association has been furnished with a copy of the following telegram received at tha. War Office on Sunday from General Lord Wolseley ( to the Sacretary of State for AVar KORTI, 11th January, 1835, 1.50 p.m.—" A messenger, who left this place 18th December, with a letter to General Gordon, has just returned. He was one day in Khartoum, and left on the 28th December. He was taken prisoner returning and Gordon's letter taken from him. He, bears marks of having been bound and beaten. Sewn up in his clothes, and not taken from him- was a facsimile of the previous little note bearing the same data (14th December), and announcing all well then. Gordon was in perfect health, and the troops on the five steamers he saw were well and happy. The steamers seize cattle and grain* and take them up the river to Khartoum. Tha messenger returned on foot v':& Bayuda. and take them up the river to Khartoum. The messenger returned on foot v:1 Bayuda. IRKUTEES TELEGRAM.] I CAIKO, Sunday.—Authentic news of A satis- factory nature has been received here from KiIõr' toum as late us the 23th ult. General Gordon and his troops were then in good health and spirits.. Cattle and grain were being brought to Khartoum from the north by General Gordon's steamers. T" TIMES TELEGRAMS.] I KOKTI, Saturday.—The Mudir of Dongoia f arrived here this afternoon, and had a long and cordial interview witli Lord Wolseley. A con- voy of maize has started for Gakdul, accompanied by Colonel Burnaby. A telegram on Sunday ays: When the force sent out reaches Metemmeh Sir Charles Wilson will go to Khartoum and confer with General Gordon, returning as soon as possible to report personally to Lord Wolseley. ["' Sl'ADARD" TELEGRAM.] f KORTI, Saturday.—General Gordon reports all well at Khartoum. His steamers ply without interruption to Metemmeh. It is arranged thar, as soon as General Stewart's column reaches Metemmeh, Col. Wilson, with three other officers, shall go up immediately in one of Gordon's steamers to Khartoum to ascertain from him the exact position of affairs, and after a consultation with the general return to Metemmeh by steamer. I [" DAILY CHRONICLE TELEGRAM, j I HANDAB, via Merawi, inciay.—H10 South Staffordshire Regiment and a small force of cavalry have been busily engaged during the last few days examining the country around, and ill obtaining supplies. Twelve whalers, ma.nned by the in'ar.try, vent as far as Abudom, and returned here in triumph with a quantity of grain. The work of building the fort here continues. It will be with artillery. The health of the troops continues excellent. There is not a. single man in hospital

I THE NEW EGYPTIAN LOAN. I To-day's Standard understands that the French Government have received from Germany and Russia an intimation that they would not be prepared to join in an international guarantee for the. New Egyptian Loan.

RUSSIAN PROGRESS IN ASIA- r" TDIES" TELEGRAM. 1 TEHERAN, Saturday.—The Russians are laying a telegraph line from Astrabad to Mero. The Shah intends to visit Ispahan during the coming

THE OUTRAGES IN C0REA. ["STANDARD" TELEGR.UI.]. SHANGHAI, Sunday.—The party now in power in the Corea have issued an official statement, clearly implicating Japan in the recent outrages. It is now ascertained that the outbreak occurred prematurely.

RUMOURED LIBERATION^ I LOUISE MICHEL. ,'lit I [" DAILY CHRONICLE TELEGRAM.] I PARIS, Sunday.—A rumour is current, the cor- rectness of which I have every reason to believe, that Louise Michel has been liberated from prison, and is now either in Brussels or in London. |

FRANCE AND CHINA. I Rumoured Ulttmatum by France. ["STANDARD" TELEGRAM.] » ^VIENNA, Sunday.—Semi-official French infor- mation has reached Vienna to the effect that an ultimatum will shortly be presented to China, to be followed by a declaration of war. The French diplomatic r.gents have been ordered to leave Shanghai, but they will not quit the country alto- I gether, retiring only to Saigon, or Kong Kong.

THE TRIAL OF MADADE CLOVIS HUGUES. I A Duel as the Sequel. I [" DAILY CHROXICLE TSLEGKAM.J I PARIS, Sunday.—-It is understood that M. Clovis Hugues mil refuse to pa.y the 2,000 francs v damages, which the court condemns him to pay to the representatives of the murdered man Morin. A duo], arising out of this case, was fought yesterday afte-m-on, between M. Thcophiio Chavargnon, a friend of M. Clovis Hugues, and M. F. Bovie, and ended in the wounding of M. Bevis.

I FEEL SO WEARY AND TIRED" Is h2 exclamation of many whom we daily mot, yet they never pause to thiak or reflect^ up^a ho <'a.use ot tins fivjliiu' It rn,,Ly ai-i.,e f,.olil bioowhich, if neglec'.e' is tiie foi'evau:i«r of serious and chronic disorders. This weary and tare;! feeling is in hire warning us that there is something wrong, which must be sec right, or a li ng ancl lingering nines;? will spee dly follow. What does nature require ten throw off this wearv and tired feeling She requires to have new life and energy imparted to all the organs of the body, and the best means to do so is to takf "Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters," which purities tho blood, and imparts new life and energy- It is invalu- able to those who are sul/ering from affections of tho chest, indigestion, nervousness, dsoiliry in its worst, forms, depression of spirits, aud melancholy. GWILYM EVAKS'S QucnSE BITTEKS. THE VEGETABLE TONIC.—This preparation is now exten- sively takeil throughout tbe country by patioivts sunei- ing from debilitv, nervousness, and general exhaustion, and, if anv value be af:ach-:d to human testimony, the efficacy of this medicine has been successfully estab- lished. Its claims have been tested and pro*e« by j.m medii.al profession and others, ami c0«robo«te,l he written testimonials ot eminent men- iue ^u.liiia. Bitter contain not only a suitable ^umm" in rach dose, but tho active P™ncl2' *be. Johowuu well-known herbs—sarsapaii.la. saffron, ?enuant.1aven; der. and dandelion root. The use o. Qumme is we known, but it has never been satisfa.-Conly pombweil with th^sr* urona^tiofts coming c ns. derable diiffculties; the proprietor was able to secure a. perfectly uniform pwpai'itwn, eombj^ H Lquntvil nronpvtics of tn« aoove plant* iu taei -rea'est purity and concentration. It is "nw established Ss a family medicine, and is popular avour the more it is known and tested. Gwylim Fvans's Quinine Bitters is a. M'mc Pick-me-up,* scientifically mixed in happy pr°P9rt'1(,,i' cI- C-wylim loDE or ACTlo.(And here lie" the secret of the Remedy-)—The Ouinine «ltters (being a vegetable tonic), by their peculiar power, strengthen that part of the system which is wea and, therefore, most liable to colds and their a^endant disease;. 1 he in- gredients they contain cannot oe put into pills but the patient can iollo^ l»s usual occupation without fear of tX|vn vu EVANS' QUININE BITTERS are recommended i>v Doctors, Analysts, Chemists. bold in 2s 9d and a 6i Rottles, and Cas& containing three As (3d bottles at A- 6d pc cflWer> *>!) all Chemists, or from the Proprietor, rn-riage f™' parcels post (under cover). X.B. —iS •.» one hould suffer without trying "Gwilym Evan-' Quintno Bitters."—Ml- GWILYM EVANS, abovatory, Llanelly, South Wales. t -70368 KAY'S COMPOUND, for Colds and QOIIGBS. JV-D throughout tho World,Is l*d 9d &e, Kay Stockpwt,