South Wales Echo

LONDON LETTER. f Specially Wired. By Our Gallery Correspondent. LONDON, Friday Night. There is no fresh news with respect to Russia to-day, or at least none that the Cabinet will permit to leak out. The un- fortunate arrangement of engagements that calis the Queen out of the country at this critical national period is, it appears, chiefly responsible for the proclamation calling out the reserves, which has PO pro- foundly stirred public emotion both here and abroad. Ministo.is engrossed on all sides have been compelled to loo:: ahead, an-1 Msider what might arise in the absence o her Majesty. Thy necessity for calling out the reserves ,-)uld be the next srep in the course of events recently moving, and in order to be ready for emergencies the necessary proclamation has been issued. There is some loosening of the tension with the knowledge of the real circumstances under which this step has been taken, but it shows the gravity of the situation as it is regarded by ministers. Travelling night and day, a messenger might reach Aix-les- Bains, obtain the necessary signature from the Queen, and be back in London within, three days. Ministers plainly do not think they can afford to throwaway three days, and since the Queen must go on this holi- day, they have obtained her signature beforehand. It is not proposed to take the message into consideration on Monday. Lord Hartington is glad of the opportunity of deferring it over the Easter recess, as he will then be in a position to see more clearly to what extent it will be necessary to use the powers. In spite of recurring scares, there remain many people who believe that even yet war will be avoided. At the War Office it is believed that to-morrow General Graham will find his force engaged in battle with the main body of Osman Digna's forces. The engagement is looked forward to on both sides of the House with growing discontent. It is ad- mitted that the campaign from Suakim could not be abruptly stopped just where it was left after the attacks on the convoys, bat when Osman Digna has either been smashed, or has clearly shown his intention of retreating in the ravines that guard the plain, and hanging about there till the English have been driven away by the hot weather, there will be a loud and sustained cry for an end to be put to the purposeless slaughter, of which every day has its record. The pity of it is that just now politicians like Mr Storey and Sir Henry Wolff should have taken the matter under their personal direction. This will have a tendency to keep off members on both sides who do not care to raise themselves under this joint leadership, but that could be only a temporary feeling where great interests are involved. Mr Gladstone to-night, taken by the throat by Mr Storey, declined to state ministerial intentions, which, indeed, he might well be justified in doing in answer to a question. His personal views on the matter are, however, well known, and he will gratefully find support for his desire to put an end to the slaughter as swiftly and as completely, as is consistent with the safety of the Soudan. The Hovwe of Commons will meet to-morrow, but it will merely be a formal gathering for the purpose of hearing the Royal assent given to a money bill. At a whisper of a Saturday sitting, the Parnel- lites pricked up their ears, and have been in consultation this evening. They have several matters which they desire to spend a few hours upon. Mr Biggar, for example, is just now concerned as to the alleged irregular delay of letters from a post-office in the Fulham- road. A Saturday sitting would afford opportunities for discussing this or any other matter of Imperial interest with which the Parnellites might chance to be concerned, but if they elaborate any such little plan for to-morrow, they will find themselves sold. It happens that a summons by the Black Sod on behalf of a Royal Commission makes a House in the Commons even if there be only two or three members present. Accordingly, no whip will be issued for to-morrow, and no effort made to make a House, in the ordinary sense of the word. The Black Rod will knock at the door, de- liver his message, and thereupon the Speaker, the Minister directly concerned, and any oue or two members whom the irresistible attractions of the House may have brought down, will proceed to hear the commission read, and need not even return to the Commons, where, there being in the ordinary sense of the term, no House, the Speaker will not take the chair. This is hard on an industrious body of gentlemen who have been looking forward to spending a pleasant Saturday afternoon, but it is the fact. The unpopularity of the war in the Soudan lends zest to the efforts being widely made in both Houses of Parliament to bring General McNeill to judgment in the mismanagement which, last Sunday, led to such great slaughter, and might have resulted in fatal disaster. It is openly said that General McNeill's arrival at a posi- tion in which he had the opportunity of working such evil is due not to his professional capacity, but to the fact that he is per- sonally known at court, where some years ago, he figured as one of the Royal Equerries. It is admitted that he is a brave soldier. But he has never had prior ex- perience as commander in the field. Lord Har- tington, as might have been expected, stands by the accused officer, very properly declining to have the matter discussed in the House .of Commons. At the same time I hear on good authority that peremptory instructions have been sent out to General Graham to institute a strict enquiry into Sunday's affair, as there is no question of where the responsibility lies. It is expected that General McNeill will shortly be at liberty to resume his duties at Court. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach resumed the debate on the Egyptian Convention in cir- cumstances that might have depressed a gentleman of much more buoyant spirits. As soon as he rose members also rose and I left the House in large numbers. Sir Michael, however, had his speech ready, and droned away for the space of one hour without adding anything striking to the debate. When it was made known in. the lobby and reading-rooms that Mr Chamberlain was on his feet, the house partially filled up again. But it is utterly impossible to get and keep an audience to discuss this question to which two nights have been devoted. The House Ùlsurfeited with sham votes of censure, and though there is a pretty full muster ready for the division, they cannot be got to remain in the character of audience. Mr Chamberlain made a vigorous pinning the Opposition down to their claration that the convention was a hum*11* ing surrender. He set forth in detar. concessions which the powers, more partica- larly France, had made to British repre- sentations, which far outweighed those con- sented to by England. This was a view of the convention which some hours later received the invaluable support of Mr Goschen, who rose at eleven o'clock, at which time the precincts of the House were crowded in anticipation of a division. Mr Goschen was as candid as usual, but was obliged to admit that the convention was the best possible arrangement that could be made. The House listened very impatiently to what followed, and at half-past one the division was taken showing a considerable majority for the Government.

GROWTH OF THE COAL TRAFFIC BY RAILWAY IN SOUTH WALES. Few persons, even those who are directly inter- ested in railway matters and in the progressive development of the wealth of our mining districts, are probably aware of the vast tonnage of coal that daily passes over several of our railways that are directly connected with collieries, or the vast increase which has taken place in the coal traffic during the last few years. In the early history of our railway system the carriage of coal was not even taken into consideration, and so much ashamed were the officials with seeing it put upon wagons that the first trucks that were filled with it and put on to the London and North-Western were carefully covered over with tarpaulins so as to prevent the public from c(;3ing what was the nature of the merchandise being carried. Now, however, the mineral traffic is the most important there is to the principal railway companies, forming about five-sevenths of all the merchandise that is put oa to the different lines, and over of the main sources of revenue to the great leading as well as other companies. At the early stage of railways they ran in many instances wide of many of the most important of our mining fields; but this mistake was quickly discovered and recti- fied, and now there are not only direct and branch lines going through them, but short lines as well, connecting mines with them. South Wales, fully as much as any other mining part of the kingdom, has been greatly benefited by the various lines of railway that are directly connected with coalmines, and the Great Western was one of the first of them to carry fuel to termini in the metropolis. Coal, it may be said, was first carried by railway to London in 1845, when a small quantity was taken by the London and North-Western. In 1846 the London and North-Western conveyed 7,348 tons to the metropolis, and the Great Western from Wales 4,350 tons, giving a total for the year of 11,69b tons. Since the year named the coal traffic by railway to London has gono on increasing, so that in 1884 it was 6,836,616 tons. South Wales has had its share, and will ultimately take a higher position than it has yet done as regards supplying the London market, seeing that it has by far the largest quan- tity of coal un worked of any district or place in the Kingdom, whilst the fields which now supply the greatest tonnage are fast becoming exhausted. Yet coal has been worked in South Wales for some centuries past, for towards the close of the 16th century a native of Pembrokeshire, George Owen, made a survey and drew up a very clear description of the physical features of the South Wales coal field, tracing the trend of the seams, and those of the mountain limestone, and the con- nection of these formations to their lepresantatives in Gloucestershire and Somersetshire. The Royal Commission on coal which sat in 1872 caused a fresh survey to be made, and which was entrusted to Mr H. Hussey Vivian and Mr G. T. Clarke, who were assisted by Mr Evan Daniel. The series of strata connected with the carboniferous system is of as great vertical thickness as any coal field in the world, being from 10,000 to 12,000 feet thick, containing about 80 seams of coal, of which 25 are from two feet upwards, giving an aggregate thickness of 84 feet of workable coal- only surpassed in vertical developeinent by that of Nova Scotia and Saarbruck. In the report of the Royal Commissions the quantity of available coal in the British Isles in the visible coalfields calculated down to a depth of 4,000 feet for all workable seams of 12 inches and upwards, was 90,207,285,398 tons, and of this vast quantity South Wales was credited with 32,456,208 913 tons. These figures fore-shadow what a great future there is for the coalfields of South Wales The railways, of course, have been the principal means for opening out coalfields in all directions to their own advantage as well as to that of the public, and some of the short lines have done as much in this direction as the longer ones The Taff Vale, for instance, is one of the most prolific lines in the kingdom as regards the carriage of coal, although it is of no great length, whilst the Great Western also holds a high position amongst the leading lines carrying coal in all directions. There are also several other lines that take a larger tonnage of coal from the southern portions of the principality, such as the Mid- W ales, Llynvi and Ogmore, Swansea Vale, London and North-Western, whilst coal is also put on to other lines that are not directly connected with South Wales. On all these lines, mains and branches, the tonnage of coal put on to them has immensely increased. This will be seen from the following figures showing the tonnage carried by the leading lines from Wales and the adjoining districts during t.Hft last fp.w vears. J Tons Tons 1873. 1883. Great Western from South Wales.. 4,220,817.. 5,573,999 North Wales. 950,746.. 1,126.686 „ Radstock 237,746.. 283,210 Monm'thshre. 2,093,002.. 3,603,006 TafE Vale South Wales.. 4,527,641.. 8,614,715 London <fc North- Sout Western „ South Wales.. 239,130.-1,323,001 Ditto „ North Wales. 481,284.. 295,590 Midland South Wales.. 00,690.. 962,033 Great Northern South Wales.. 8,542. 50,460 12,804,598..21,802,700 ————— 12,804,598 mL Increase in ten years 8,998,102 1.1 ine increase oy tne Tall Vale line, it will De seen, was something extraordinary, and shows how valuable the coal traffic can be made by a line of railway, comparatively speaking, only a few miles in length. Monmouthshire also shows to advantage as well as the London and North-Western, the Great Western, and even the Midland, from which the coal has to be put on to it from other lines. It may be said, indeed, that the lunarest lines do not carry so much per mile according to their length as some of the shorter ones. This will be seen from the under- mentioned figures showing from the last return? the quantity of coal carried per ton per mile of 1 ",n.th .6.1. Railways. Tons per ile Taff Vale v*" "V 141,22* Manch ter, Sheffield, ar.d Lincolnshire 22,249 Lancashire and Yorhamre 13,372 Midland *2,346 Caledonian «'2?- Furness North North British 7.288 Glasgow and South Wesuern /.CM9 London and North Western 7,040 Mary;;oi-c and Carlisle North Staffordshire J* G reat N orthern Great Western The position of the Taff Vale Railway will be seen by comparing its traffic per mile with that of the other and far more lengthy lines, whilst e future of the South Wales c lalfiela may be ap- proximately estimated by the statement we have given.

INTER-UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC SPORTS. i Victory for Oxford. £ he Oxior i and Cambridge athletic sports were held on riday afternoon at Lillie Bridge Grounds. Oxford in the result pruved victorious oy wmmnj five and a half events to three and a half. J. It. Orford (Cambridge) won throwing the hammer with a throw of 90 feet 7 inches. In the 100 yards race H. E. Booty (Cambridge) de sated A. S. Blair (Oxford) by halt a yard vf16* t j\ Hornby and W. P. Montgomery (Oxford) and S. O. Purves (Cam- bridge) all tied m the high jump at 5 feot 6i inches. h. rt. Holland (Oxford) won the mile vf T ^Watera tCambridga) in 4 mm,. 37 3 5 sees. J. H. Ware (Oxford) was successful m putting the weight, 36 feet 11 inchei A S Blair (Oxtord) won the quarter mile race bvhaif & yard, in 51 *-5 *ecs. A. McNeill (OrfordWon the 120 yards hurdle race in 17 2*5 sea, A. Q Grant Aaher (Oxford) won the long lumo with 19 feet 10 inches and !E. S\ EUoMOMnbrldao) the three mile race by «evea yards.

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I YANKEE YARNS. I PASSED OFF QUIETLY. Did the convention pass off -quietly," asked Tom Gilbert of Ben Maynard, referring to a political gathering. The convention was quiet enough, but, Great Scott, what a racket those delegates made. You couldn't hear yourself speak." I I POETICAL ITEM. | Young bnoberly, who is an amateur poet, con- sulted with Gilhooly about putting them in book form. Do you think.it would be a good idea for me to have my poems printed* in book form," asked Snoberly. Do you mean to do it at your own expense 1" "Yes." Then I'd wait if I were you, until paper be- comes cheaper." A 8ULGASIAN ATROCITY. "D you see that man sitting by the stove over there looking at a copy of Punch ?" remarked a somewhat excited gentleman to a Times reporter yesterday, in the hall of a popular hotel. Yes. What of him?" "He's a Bulgarian atrocity, he is. An infernal stuck-up snob, a blarsted Englishman of the worst typa._ He is a But I will explain all. That individual came to this hotel three weeks ago. He sat at the same table with myself and friends, and as he seemed to be lonesome we enteered into conversation with him. He was very charmingly pmite at the table, and we enjoyed his society very much, as also he appeared to do ours. It so happened that I never met him any- where else except at meal time, and therefore had no opportunity to improve our acquaintance. This afternoon I eaw him sitting over there by the window, smoking a cigarette and reading his Punch. I went to him and said: A very un- pleasant afternoon, air" He didn't take the slightest notice. I sat down in a chair opposite to him, and again remarked Do you intend re- maining long in the city ?' D'you know what he did? He stuck one of those mean single-barreled eye-glasses into his eye and scrutinized me from boot-soles to hat, and then, yawning into my face, exclaimed: Excuse me. sir; you certainly have the advantage. I am not aware that you were introduced to me;, and then he got up and sat over there by the fire, leaving me standing like a fool, and feeling like one, anyhow. What's the use of an Englishman, anyway ? George, give us two sours." MR BLOUGH'S DIRECTIONS. I My dear," said Mr Blough, I am not going out this morning. I have a cold and it rains, so I think I will stay in the house and finislrexainin- i.jg those papers that—" Oh, I'm so glad," said Mrs Blough. Now I shall have somebody to talk to. You have no idea how lonesome it is here after you are gone. And 1 have wanted to get a chance to run out for a morning's shopping for some time, so I will go to-day and you will see to things, won't you ? I expect the grocer's boy pretty soon. Tell him to bring some matches, and bread, and some boued codfish, and half a pound of butter, and a little dried beef, and don't forget to say that the last coffee he brought was not the right kind. Then when the ashman comes round be sure you watch for him and tell him be mustn't spill any more ashes on onr sidewalk. And the dressmaker will be in before noon. Tell her I can't be fitted for that waist till I get some new ruching for the bottom of my yellow skirt, and for her to call Thursday afternoon. Oh and don't forget to tell the condensed milkman to leave two glasses in- stead of one. Tell him I'm going to make a pudding to-morrow; and the ice man will have to be paid. Give him forty three cents, and tell him that piece he left Friday wasn't good ice, so I won't pay him full price for it. And give him one of your cigars, won't you ? I always do every Saturday. And the upholsterer is coming to see about doing over that chair in the back parlour, and say to him that I will come around and pick out the colour I want in plush. And now I'll run out. You can have a nice, quiet day, with noth- ing to disturb you and you won't mind going out for a lunch, will you, if I don't get back ? Good-bye, dear. Oh! and if the butcher's boy happens to go by will you call to him to bring me seven pounds and a half of a roasting piece day after to-morrow and pay the newsman when he comes for his money, will you ? Good-by." And Mrs Blough went out. Mr Blough whistled softly. Then he said to himself I guess it won't rain much." And he went down to his office.-N. Y. Herald.

ALARMING RAILWAY ACCIDENT NEAR CARDIFF. I Narrow Escape of a Passenger Train. An accident, happily unattended with injury to life or limb, occurred on Friday, on the Great Western Railway near Cardiff. A goods train leaving the town station, about eight p.m., had proceeded on the up line as far as Pengam, when an axle of one of the trucks broke, leaving five carriages behind, including the guard's van. Two of the trucks were broken up and thrown across the way, but the two trucks following these and the van were left intact on the rails. The guard received only a rather smart blow from the shock of the stoppage. The goods, engine, and the remainder of the trucks went on, the engineman and stoker being apparently unaware of any casualty, but on nearing Rumney-bridge, about a mile beyond, two axles which had been dragging behind from the wreck of the other carriages became detached. One was unfortunately, and by a peculiar coincidence. hurled across to the down line at the moment that the Cardiff 8.10 p.m. train from London came along. As the axle was pitched across at a perpendicular angle, the upper portion was caught xn the passenger engine s machinery, causing, besides some wholesale fractures, an immediate stoppage. The shock produced was severe enough to send the succeeding carriage off the rails. None of the passengers, however (some dozen or so) were at all injured, though the escape was a nar- row one, the ccncussion appearing to lift the whole train into the air. Messages were despatched at the earliest moment both to Cardiff and Newport, and a break-down gang started from the former place, while a pilot engine was sent to render assistance from the latter. One result of the accident has been the delay of the mail and the stoppage of several passenger and other trains due at Cardiff. The permanent way is but little, if anything, injured, but it was not expected that the lines would be cleared for traffic for some hours, nor, it is pro- bable, till between two or three this morning.

THE DANGER OF LEVEL CROSSINGS. Narrow Escape of a Cardiff Tram- Car. About half-past nine on Friday morning an accident illustrating the great danger of level crossings, and which might have entailed serious results, occurred to a tram-car at Cardiff. The car was running down Bute-street, and whilst passing the crossing connecting the Taff Vale workshops with the docks, a number of trucks drawn by a horse emerged from the Taff-yard and caught the car on the side, carrying away a wheel and smashing a quantity of glass. The car toppled half-way over, but almost immediately righted itself, greatly to the relief of the passen- gers, some fourteen or fifteen in number. Fortu- nately, with the exception of a slight shaking, no one was hurt. The disabled car was speedily re- moved from the rails, and later on conveyed to the terminus.

I MILFORD DOCKS. I A Starving Town. A meeting of tradesmen and others wt s held in theOfflM. MUford Haveu, ol Wednesday evenin? (Mr J. 1,1. Da vies presiding), to consider the best mean* to force the dock com- pany to proceed with the work or throw open the Pill, the site of the present dock Wwere delivered by several influential gentlemen, all tending to show the present state of depression bad reduced the working classes to a state of starvation. Ministers of relipou bore out tne statement, and the footings of those prwent were roused to a high pltcfl of exdtenwnt. A re#oin" tion wae passed That this meeting pied** to use every legitimate maaiM to fewoe tee dock company to procoed with the work or abdicate their position." A sum of £ 30 VM subscribed to I ft)rm 110 nuoleus of a fund to obtain counsel's opinion as to what course should be pursued, and to carry such course into effect.

AND SONS' indigo blue serge and Dun care | Jackets and trousers are warranted fast colours I Cardiff? We»-T^>27, St Mmy<flnwet,

ARRIVAL OF THE PRINCE OF I WALES IN ENGLAND. The Prince of Wales and Prince Albert Victor arrived in London on Friday evening from Brussels.

MB JUSTLNRMC^U STORY, entitled Camiola;. is now appearing IN THE "CARDIFF .IIMES and SOUTH WALES WEEKLY NEWS. « I 3TKJCL SO WMHT AND TIRED" IS tlie Wi?om we d^ly meet, yet they neverpauaetothmk or reflect upon the uiuse of this /• wldch ^f ne-Ieo. *lu39i*h vnd impure blood. « 1C% "ctS?\13 the forerunner ot serious an-1 weary and tired feeling is n '.tiue 1 v,« V*at there is something wrong, winch TIZhb, or a long and lingering illness >vill spee.iily follow. What dofs naturf require to tbri?ave new lif«Car^ and tired feeling? She requires t0 bave new life and energy imparted to all the organs of aiid tbe *>«& m&ans to do so is to take (jvv Jym Evans Quinine Bitters," which purities the blood, And imparts new life an^ enerey. It is invalu- nbi0 to those who are suffering from affections of the chest, indigestion, nervousness debility in its worst °f Tri& melancholy. GWILYM EVANS S QUININE BITTERS. — THE VEGETABLE TONIC.—This preparation is now exten- sively taken throughout the coontrv by patients suffer- ingjfl;om debility, nervousness, and general exhaustion, and, ii any value be attached to human testimony, the flhtT ? thi? bas been successfully estab- nil iV a] r rnfi«'n3 rf tested and proved by the nienn.al profession and others, anrt mnn' mraiwl bv the ;f^rUcoS°ni?1S -° £ ea\CtdCn? The'aSe Bitter^ contain not only a suitable mi^ntfrv n» Oiiinina in w,h dose, but the active weii-i.nowu ^erbs^-sarsapariua^aSf. ^enti-in lavelv der. «u< dandelion root. The use of'&unins'is well ^"own.butit has never been s*tiKfaet0-riiy combined wita ciiesa preparations nntii, « nR: titrable difficulties, the proprietor wM »ble to secure a perfectly uniform preparation, combining all the essential properties of the above plants to the! greatest punty and concentration Iti» now established as a family medicine, and is increasing in popular favour the more it la known and tested Gwyhm Evans's Quinine Bitters is a tonic Pick-me.no' scientifically mixed in happy proportions. MODB OF ACTION.—(And h«re lies the secret of th# Remedy.}—The Quinine Barters (being a veratablo tonic), by their peculiar power, sfcrengthwn the syetoin whieh is weakest, **t<T thenifor*, most liable to colds and their attendant dieeauMs. Th» gradients theyo outain cannot be put into pills, but the patient can -ow usual occupation without few of exposure. GWILVM EVANS* QUININK BiratBS are recommended by Doctors, Analysts, Chemists. Sold in St 9et and. Us 6d Bottles, and Cases containing three 118 6a Bottles at 128 6d per case, by all Chemists, or from the Proprietor, carriage free, pareelts post (under cover). N.B.—No one should suffer without trying "Gwilyin Evans' Quiuine Bitters." — Mr Uwilyrn Kvans, JT.C.S., Proprietor, Laboratory, Llaaelly Soutb Walea. 70868

SKETCHES OF CRIMINAL Li FE. EY THE AUTHOR CF The Life and Adventures of a Social Wastrel," "The Adventures of a Gentleman Tramp," &c., &c. CHAPTER I.—AN EVENING IN A LONDON CROSS CRIB. In this series of sketches it is the writer's inten- tion to describe the inner life of various types ot the criminal classes, in the same graphic style as his sketches of vagrant life. Not a few books, pamphlets, and magazine articles have been written upon this subject, by prison chaplains, philanthropists, &o., who have had some oppor- tunities of gaining knowledge of the habits of those who get a livelihood by preying upon society. In these articles the writer will narrate his own actual experiences, what he has seen amongst, and heard from, some of the best known and most famous cross blokes in the metropolis. I had been a Mendicity Officer for about three months, and had become tolerably familiar with the inside of most of the large lodging houses es- pecially favoured by beggars and others who live from band to mouth in the Metropolis, but up to the time I refer to had seen little of criminals at home. I asked a detective with whom I had become acquainted, if he could introduce me behind the scenes but, when I told him I wished to obtain admittance into a real thieves' haunt, and be thought one of themselves for a couple of hours, he said it could not be done. I could take you in when I am on my rounds, for they daren't refuse to let me in, but they'd look on you as one of our men, and you would not be in more than a few minutes, and that would do you no good. Now if you dare risk trying to pass as one of themselves—" Da.re ? I'd dare anything-they would not murder me if they did find me out." I'm not suro of that. But how you intend to manage it I can't see. I'm afraid I can't help you, I'm too well known among them to do anythin g in that way." For the next few days I formed plan after plan, only to give them up as impracticable, but going down Charing Cross one day I saw a man leaving the office of the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society in the rig of a ticket-of-leave man. There could be no mistake about it, the low crowned, flat topped, narrow-brimmed, hard, felt hat of itself was sufficient to show that he had recently been released from a convict prison, probably that morning, as discharged convicts are usually in a hurry to get rid of the clothing given them at the convict prison, the type of "rig-out" being too conspicuous and well-known to every constable in London. He will change those clothes or some of them," I thought, and I'll buy them. In such a disguise I ought to pass muster among the folks I wish to visit.' The ex-convict quickly made his way to St. Martin's-lane, and walked into a Jew clothiers, A minute afterwards I quietly followed, and, though he had been taken into a room behind the fusty little shop, I managed to hear a good part of the colloquy between him and the Jew. After a deal of haggling he obtained a new suit of very poor stuff, but of fashionable cut, in exchange for his own, and a sovereign. After he had gone I bought his discarded clothing for about double its real value, including the shirt, hat, and small cotton handkerchief. That evening I called upon my friend the detective, and unfolding my plan of introducing myself as an ex-convict, asked him to take me to one of the cross cribs (Anglice, thieves' haunts) he knew. You're almost certain to be bowled out;' for there's sure to be a lag' or two in the com- pany." "No fear, I'll let them do all the talking. Can you give me the name of a man at the house you intend to take m9 to, and of any pal of his now in a convict prison ?" Oh Yes, I see your game now, and that scheme would lessen the risk you run. There s Long Charlie and Dan the Toff.' Dan's at Chatham, and Charlie you'll very likely find in the house I will show you." 11 I shall take a note from Dan to Charlie," I said. Then write it with a pencil on blue-lined copy-book paper," said my friend, and meet me at the corner of Gray's Inn Lane to-morrow night at nine. I was duly at the appointed rendezvous, with the ticket-ot-lQave man's clothes on, determined to carry out my ad veuture to the end, regardless of the consequences. I have deputed one of our plain clothes men, one who is not known in this neighbourhood, to watch the end of the court in which the house you are going to is situate. If you don't return here before eleven he will come there," and, having told me the house was the third up the court, my friend left me. It was a risky business, there could b9 no ques- tion of that, but I must not turn back now. I walked up the court, and began to think my friend had told me the wrong house, for not a light was to be seen, nor a sound to be heard. I knocked at the door, but had to knock four times before anyone answered it. Then a woman came, and cautiously opening it a few inches, said curtly, What do you want ?" I want to see Long Charlie.' Brought a «stiff' for him from Dan the Toff. Oh you ve just come home I see come in." I followed her up a broad flight of stairs, the only light being in the hand of the gin-faced woman who let ine in. All was comparatively quiet, but, on reaching the upper threshold of a large room at the back of the house, I could see ? « iere kad been plenty of hubbub there shortly before. About thirty young people were Prefnt, the males slightly predominating, some 0l^be firiris present being very young. Hullo, Nell, who've you got there?" asked a very tall man, probably the >ldest of those present. "Don't know, but he looks all right, don't he ? He's got a 4 stiff' for you from Dan." "Then he's welcome, ain't he mates? Tip us your flipper, old man. How did you manage to get it out without the screws finding it when they changed your toggery ? Let's see the I stiff., I produced the stiff, and 4 Long Charlie," read it aloud. Dan the Toff to his pal Long Charlie,5 and hopes as bow he's keeping his promise to Lucy. Got over the croker and going to Woking next batch. Only two more stretch now. Gbod bye." "Short and sweet. And how does Dan look, chummy? "Never saw him," I replied, "That was passed to me by one of the hospital orderlies when I was passmg the croker the day before I was let out." 44 Well, you'll stop and have half a drop o' some- thing hot! Sit down, but why in the o' thunder didn't you change you toggery? All the D's in London will know you in them ere duds." Got no coin, all forfeited for being run in." "You don't belong to London Never "saw your picture [face] before." No, I'm irom Manchester, but I ain't going back there." Think it would be too warm a shop I suppose. Here you are; here's something to warm your stummick, and a pretty girl handed me steam- ing tumbler of rum hot." That's Lucy, Dan s gal, and she'Jl find you another set of duus for bringing us that 4 stiff,' won't you, Lucy "Course I will; I do anything lor a cove as would risk being sent back to bring out a I stiff for a chap he didn't kno.w." Whilst this conversation was going on I had leisure to look about me, and the scene I there witnessed is not likely ever to fade from my memory. As a picture of "Thieves at Home" it could scarcely be paralleled, I should imagine, anywhere in London. Most of those present were well dressed, but with too much of that foppery which distinguishes the snob from the gentieman. Gin and water was apparently their favourite tipple," perhaps bacause the ladies could do their share of that kind of iiquor. Most, if not nJi, of those present stopped their drinking, larking, card and domino playing to have a good look at me, as I slowly sipped the hot rum and water, very little of the qualifying liquid having been added. Suddenly the door opened, and the rod-nosed female who had let me in appeared. There's two D's at the door, still I let 'em in?"' 44 Let 'em in ? To be sure there's nothing to fear." My friend and'the plain clothes man," I said to myself, "come to see if I am all right." ( To be continued.)

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FACTS AND FANCIES. Why do pioneers march at the head of a regil ment ?—To axe the way. The other day a wit called after a man carrying a hare over his shoulder, Is that your own hare or a wig ?" A politician, in speaking of a rival, said, Why, he makes his prog so strons that he 1 obliged to nse toughened glass for his tumblers My grashus, dot coat fit you like de baper on de vails said an old clothes dealer to a country customer to whom he was trying to sell a misfit. Why, I'd like to know," said a lady to a judge, "cannot a woman become a successful lawyer?" "Because she's too fond of giving hat opinion without pay," answered the judge. | Music-teacher to scholar: You see that a j with an open space? That's a whole note. Cam you remember that?" Scholar: Yes'm-a wholf' note is a note that has a hole in it. A very sad incident occurred in Chicago recently. A young man in Boston foil violently in love with a Chicago girl who visited that city last summer, and endeavoured, by taking her to Bunker hill monument, Joe Cook's lectures, the semi-annual meeting of the Massachusetts State Association for the Diffusion of Knowledge con- cerning Pre-Adamite Man, and other edifying but inexpensive resorts, to express the affection he was too bashful to declare. After the young lady had returned to her native heath she received a letter from the Boston person, and answered it as follows-" Dear Henry, you ask if I return your love. Yes, Henry I have no use for it, and' return it with many thanks. Bye-bye, Hank." A SAVAGE IN A BALL-ROOM. A cruel hoax was played off a short time back upon a German painter, who is well known both in Paris and Ber- lin. This clever man affects to be blast, and at a New Year's gathering of journalists, artists, and actors in a very popular house on the Unter den Linden" refused a pressing invitation to the so- called" Elite balls before Lent, on the ground that he had ceased to care about dancing. When he had left, a motion for his punishment was pro- posed and carried, and the ministration of the vengeance of the company was committed to a witty and ingenious comedian. He called the I next day upon the artist, complimented him upon his refusal to take part in the slow and conven- tional dances of the ordinary world, and, after a pause, invited him to attend a divinely amusing entertainment," as he phrased it. got up by an artistic coterie called the 44 Ulk Club," and con- sisting of a Carnival, at which every guest was obliged to array himself in "a really piquant costume." "Last year," said the inviter, "we were all pirates and sailors; but this year wo are resolved to be savages, Redskins, Kaffirs, canni- bals, or whatever a man wills of th a sort." The artist thought the the thing would be worth .seeing but his friend told bim that he would only be admitted by conforming to the rule, and wear-, ing a costume suited to the company. 14 That willf be easily done," he added; 4i yon can take a few" things out of our theatrical wardrobe." Accord- ingly the actor despatched to the painter's house the complete outfit of a savage chief—a brown skm, diadem of feathers, ear-rings and nose-ring, an elaborately tinselled apron, and a hatchet- while he promised to call and "tattoo" him on the evening of the festival, when they were to ride to the meeting-place in the same cab. On the fated d;Ly the actor drove up, found his friend equipped in his masquerade, put a few finishing touches to his appearance, and they drove off together. I shall introduce you to our party," he said, 44 and then hurry across to my rooms to costume myself." The coach stopped, the actor helped the savage chief" to alight went up the stairs with him, whispered in the ear of the liveried attendant, and then hurried back to the cab, saying as he went, "Good-bye for half an hour." The servant threw open the double doors and shouted, King Na-buk-di-Nitsa of the Volcanic Islands The artist shouldered his hatchet and stalked proudly into the great salon, .when, to his horror, he discovered that it was1 filled with ladies and gentlemen in nineteenth- century evening-dress. He turned and fled down the steps, where he found the actor considerately holding open the coach-door.

LOCAL CLAIM AGAINST THE I GUEAT WESTERN RAILWAY. I A New Trial Refused. In the Queen's Bench Division on Friday- before Justices Grove, Manisty, and Lopes—the", case of Brown v. the Great Western Railway Company came before their lordships upon tuij application, on behalf of the plaintiff, to set aside; a nonsuit and order a new trial of the action. The; case was tried at the last Swansea Assizes, and' arose under the following circumstances. Tho plaintiff, Mr James Brown, of Newport, was on the 15th of March at Risca, and in the evening went to the station to take train home. He had to go to the other side of the line, but did not cross over for some minutes for the reason that on the up line there was a train coming up. After the up- train had left he proceeded to the end of the platform, and was crossing the line when a train, which did not stop at the station, running upon the down line, knocked him down and injure him. On behalf of the plaintiff, it war urged; that no warning was given of the approach of- the train, and that therefore there was negligence on the part of the company. The defendants contended that the plaintiff could have seen the train approaching for one hundred yards, and the accident was due to his gross carelessness. There lordships considered that the nonsuit had been rightly entered, and refused to set it aside.

I LOCAL LAW CASES. I Claim by Cardiff mirlers. In the High Court of Justice (Queen's Bench Division) on Friday, before Mr JU8Gice Day auct a special jury, was heard the ease of 8Piller and- Co. v. the Steamship Abipgton. Companyf ilf which the plaintiffs, Messrs bpiller and Co., millers and corn of Cardiff, sued the defendants to recover damages in respect of a. quantity of wheat, part of a consignment to them from Calcutta, which they alleged was deteriorated. and damaged in consequence on improper stowage on board the defendants' ship Abington. The- plaintiffs claimed J3520 12s lid in respect of: about 66 tons of wheat. The defendants con- tended that the damage, if any, was not caused' by any negligence on their part, but by dangers excepted from the bill of lading.-L)r. Philiimore, Q.C., and Mr Manisty appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr Hall, Q.C., and Mr Bucknill for the (iefendants.-Tlle case was not concluded when the court rose. In the House of Lords, in the actions Phillips v. Homfray, Phillips v. Fothergill, which have been pending since the year 1866, an application was on Thursday made at the instance of the defendants, to the Judicial Committee of the House of Lords to restrain the appeals. Mr Roscoe appeared for Miss Fotherll, one of the defendants, in supDort of her application, and Mr Bone appeared for Mr Watkin Homfray and Me -Rerdy, the other two defendants; and' Mr Simons, of Merthyr, appeared for the plain- tiffs. The Lord Chancellor and the other appel- late lords, after hearing the application, declined t" stay the appeals, but gave the defendants an opportunity to repeat the appb9*tloa ''J1 the hear- ing of the appeal. The Lord Ohaucellur further observed that he did not see how the orders appealed against could be sustained, or how the principle actio personalis montur cum persona- (a personal action dies with the person) could apply after judgment.

I SIR HARDINGE GIFFARD AND DEVONSHIRE. Sir Hardinge Giffard was on Friday selected Conservative candidate for the lavistock division of Devonshire. of Devonshire..

Mr Justice Stephen t?a^ judgment oa Friday in the Queen's Bench division in the case of Shickle aud others, v- Lwrenca and another,, which -.vas a claim f°r several sums alleged to have been obtained by false and irauduient re. prer,eiitations in reference to an alleed syndicate tor the conversion of French Rentes. His lord-1, ship gave judgment for all the plaintiffs against4 each of the defendants for the amounts claimed? with interest, but stayed execution for a week.;] ,4 to enable the defendants to move for a new trial.i EASTER HOLIDAYS.—See advertisement on; first page for Walking Sticks, Leather Bags, Umbrel. as, —W4 Pedler, Royal Arcade. NEW TREATISE, by a practising pnysician, Id.— INDIGESTION and DYSPEPSIA, SELF-CURE treatment. Causes, symptoms and dietetic t&Ole. -Published by Hamilton and Co., Oxford-street, Southampton. 680 Printed and Published by the Proprietonf £ DAVID DUNCAN & SONS, ac their Steam Printta* v I Works, 75 and 76. St. Mary-street, and Westgate-stree 1 in the town of Cardiff n the Cpnatyof alamwp-