Cheshire Observer

THE MONKS OF OLD CHESTER I 4 AN OPEN LETTER. (Continued from August 10th.) (Addressee! to the Very Reverend Father I Rudolph, O.S.F.C., commenting upon four I lectures recently delivered by him.) By W. F. BUTLER, M.Inst., C.E. I I If you please, we will now turn back to page 59 of your book, and to what I suggest, in all courtesy is a flight of fancy on your part-" The Popo said he could not do it, as it was against the direct teaching of Jesus Christ." Pardon me if I imagine you do not intend to convey to your readers that the Popes concerned, from Julius II. onward, actually u¡;.ed any such ex- predion, but that if they held Henry VIII. to have been lawfully married to Catherine, that is what they ought to have eaid. The nearest approach are the words of Julius II. I have quoted above, but they hardly make for your contention. You would indeed bo sorely put to if you were required to quote chapter and verse for your assertion. In fact, to be plain, poor Clement VII. said nothing of the sort. What he did say was, in effect, that, to quote a vulgar proverb, he was between the d-evil and the deep sea, since the Emperor had got him by the throat, and Catherine was the Emperor's aunt, but for which he would have been glad to oblige Henry. Let us look at one or two cases where Emperors' aunts were not involved. The Duke of Suffolk, afterwards Henry's brother-in-law, had contracted to marry Ann Brown, but the match was broken off and he married Margaret Mortimer, who was his rela- tion in the second or third degree of consanguinity. The Duke obtained a papal dis- pensation, married Margaret and cohabited with her. Like Henry, he came to regard hie mar- riage as sinful, although he had by no means 60 good grounds as Henry had, and the dispensa- tion as invalid. The Duke caused a declaration to that effect to be made by the official of the Archdeacon of London, to whom the cognizanoe of such causes of old belongs," married Ann Brown, and after her death Henry's sister Mary. On the 12th May, 1528, Clement VII. issued a bull confirming Suffolk's divorce and pro- nouncing ecclesiastical censures on all who called in question the Duke's subsequent marriages. Henry might naturally feel some surprise that what the Pope did for one of his subjects he hesitated to do for him, but Margaret Mortimer was not an emperor's aunt. On the 11th March, 1527, a divorce was granted at Rome to Henry's sister, the Queen of Scot- land. She alleged a precontract on the part of her husband, Angus, and that James IV. had lived throe years after the battle of Floddon, and was alive when she married Angus, both allegations of about equal value, and that her husband had been unfaithful. She herself was living in open adultery with Henry Stewart, a married man, who also procured a divorce in order to marry the Queen. No objection was made at Rome to either of these divorces. Henry IV. of Castile married Dona Blanca, but she bore no children; and in 1437 the then Pope granted him a dispensation to marry a second wife on condition that, if within a fixed time he had no children by her, ho should return to Dona Blanca! This looks very like a licence to commit bigamy. The precedent was not lost, although Henry VIII. does not appear to have been aware of its existence, for on the 18th of September, 1530, Henry's Ambassador at Rome, Casale, writes to the King-" A few days since the Pope secretly proposed to me that your Majesty might be allowed two wives. I told him I could not undertake to make any such proposition, because I did not know whether it would satisfy your Majesty's conscience. I made this answer because I know that the Imperialists have this in view, and are urging it; but why, I know not." Casale was probably unaware of the precedent. The King's Secretary, Dr. Knight, had been tent to Rome by Henry with a proposition that the King should have two wives, the issue of both to be legitimate, and precedents from the Old Testament were cited, but Henry does not eeem to have been aware of the far more telling one of 1437. The idea, which we now should consider most extraordinary, appears to have been common to Pope, Emperor and King at the same time, and it was the Spanish Council who hit on the precedent of Henry of Castile. Dr. Knight's commission was countermanded before it was communicated to the Pope. Pope Alexander VI. divorced Louis XII. of France from his Queen for no better reason than that Louis wanted to marry the Duchess of Brittany, and the Pope desired Louis' aid in the interests of his own vile family To solve the succession difficulty in England, Clement VII. was prepared to grant a dispensa- tion for the marriage of Henry's natural son, the Duke of Richmond, with his half-sister, Princess Mary, nor did Cardinal Campeggio see any moral objection to what we should con- sider an incestuous union, since he say,)- At first I myself had thought of this as a means of establishing the succession but I do not believe that this design would suffice to satisfy the King's desires. I think I have said enough to shew that the views, aa to the sanctity of marriage, which pre- vailed in the 15th and 16th centuries were widely different from those prevalent now, and that the precept of our Blessed Lord which you quote from St. Matthew's Gospel had little weight with Popoo, Kings or Cardinals, when political interests conflicted with it. It is painful to read of the pitiful wriggling of the unfortunate Pope Clement VII. as the influence of the Emperor, the French King, or Henry prevailed; of his anxiety to please all parties, to procrastinate, and to escape responsi- bility. But he granted a commission to Woleey and Campeggio to try the case and decide, and forbade all appeals from their decision. The Pope also issued a decretal Commission, but upon oondition that it was only shewn to the King and Wofeey and was not to be used in the proceedings, and it is said Campeggio had private instructions to destroy it. Clement also gave a written promise that he would not revoke the Commission or do anything to invalidate it, but would confirm the Clardinals' decision, all of which lie falsified when the power of the Emroror was again predominant in Italy. Then the Pope's Secretary, writing to Cardinal Cam- peggio, says, to satisfy Henry, "involves the certain ruin of the Apostolic See and the Church owing to recent events," and If so great an injury be done to the Emperor the Church can- not cscapo utter ruin, as it is entirely in the power of the Emperor's servants." The Pope had urged Henry to settle the matter himself, as Suffolk had done, obtain a sentence in the English Courts, and marry a second wife, since an accomplished fact would be much easier to deal with at Rome, but Henry required such a sentence as would put the succession to the Crown, if he had a eon by Anne, beyond doubt. Wolaey and the English agents at Rome warned and threatened Clement that if he per- sisted in refusing relief to Henry he would involve Woleey and the papal cause in England in one common ruin, but the poor Pope could only bewail his misfortunes and protest he dare not offend the Emperor. In short Clement's diffioulty was not as to the Divine, or the moral law, but how to steer his course amid the political troubles which surrounded him. Had not Catherine been related to the Emperor there is no reason to doubt that a decree of nullity would have been granted almoet as a matter of course. Clement, it is stated, admitted to Francis I. at his interview with that Monarch at Marseilles, that the dispensation of Julius II. was invalid; and, to Bonner, that if Henry would make some submission to the Holy See, he would decide in his favour. I venture to think, sir, that your assertion that the Pope pleaded the divine command needs consideration. On page 60 you speak with contempt of the King's right to reform monasteries. But, assuming any reform were needed, by whose authority do you suggest it should have been initiated and carried out? The monks were tho King's subjects, the monasteries were built and endowed by his predecessors, or by his nobles and other rich men of the realm. Henry was, as legally, all Kings of England ever have been, over all causes, civil and ecclesiastical, supreme. It was not only his right but his duty, if oom" plainto and scandals arose, to caueo enquiry to be made, to correct what was amiss, and to punish the wfongdoors, be they monks or layman. Let it be granted, if you will, tlHÙ; Henry was as bad as you believe, he was still King; and again I ask if reformation were needed from wbenoe was it to oomo except from King and Parliament, who alone had power to enforce it. Lot me call your atten- tion to a passage in Bp. Gardiner's oration "Of True Obedience" ;—"But as for all man- ner of whoredoms, or worse than whoredoms, and whatsoever thom men do whose title and raiment would make a man to think the con- trary in them, though their behaviour be never so far out of order, the- King must lot it alone and pass no (judgment?) on it. For these are spiritual matters, that is to say spiritual men's sins, which they bid the King let them alone withal; as though it were enough for him to govern his people in temporal affairs, and that it were not for him to mind any fur- ther. "This i=i, indeed, a speedy wa.y to lliM all. and fa.r contrary from hia office that occupi.eth God's room in earth. Is (vhis to feed the people? Which manner of spoechi the Scrip- ture useth to Kings: Nay, S. Duns tan (which wa,s a very holy and right good man) some- time Archbishop of Canterbury, did a great deal after an other sort, with gneat (rejoicing, interpret the charge of a prince, in correcting the manners of the Church, being gladly well paid of the King's saying when he told him he would join sword to sword to the intent that the light dissolute manner* of tho holy kirke men might be framed into the right trade of life. By the one sword alluding to tho saying of Paul which the ministers of the Word exercise in preaching and excommunicat- ing by the other sword shewing a. supremacy appointed by the-law-of God, w he reuriito as mainy as are the King's subjects (which is the con- gregation we call the Church) are all bounden thoroughly w obey." I have only modernised t.ll0 spelling. (To be oontinued.)

BOARDS OF GUARDIANS. CHESTER. THE WORKHOUSE CHAPLAINCY. NONCONFORMIST INMATES. The fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Tuesday, Mr. T. Nixon presH ing over a large attendance. The House Committee recommended that in place of the Rev. F. Anderson, resigned, a chaplain be appointed at a salary of £ 40 per annum. Mr. T. Knowlefi contended that such a salary was ridiculously meagre to offer to a chaplain who would have to minister to three hundred inmates. The services at the workhouse had been very hearty, and highly appreciated by the inmates. He moved that a salary of £ 50 be offered Mr. W. Johneon seconded. Mr. E. Dean atskod what was the number of Catholic, Church and Nonconformist inmates of the house. The Chairman replied that notioe should be given of such a question. Mr. Dean: Why should one denomination be left out altogether? (Hear, hear.) We want to deal with the salaries in order to divide them. Mr. T. Butler: What is to become of tho Nonconformists of all denominations? There aie quite as many Nonconformiste in this houer, as those who profess other creeds. Who i.s paid to teach them? The Chairman: Will you be surprised to know there are not ten Nonconformists in the house ? Mr. Butler: Yos; and if there aire only ten they miust bo oatered for. The Chairman: They are. Mr. Butler: But they are not paid for. The Chairman No; they receive their minis- tra.tion without. The City Mission for a num- ber of years has conducted services here every Sunday and Wedresday evening, besides a regular visitation of the house. The amendment moved by Mr. Knowles was carried by 15 votes to 10. RETIRING CHAPLAIN'S SUPERANNUA- TION. The Clerk (Mr. W. Turnock) said the retir- ing chaplain had been in the se-rvioe of tho guardians 32 years, and under the Superannu- ation Act, 1896, was entitled to a superannua- tion allowance of £ 37. 6s. 8d. per &ninurn. Mr. W. Williams sa.id they ought to have known this before they voted on the amount of the now chaplain's salary, because it would have influenced their decision. Mr. H. Preston said he did not blame the chapLain for taking what he was legally en- titled to. It was stated at the last Board meet- ing, however, that he had paid for his super- annuation allowanoo. It would be interesting to the ratepayers to know how much the chap- lain had paid to the superannuation fund. Mr. W. Vernon eaid Mr. Anderson had only contributed since 1896. He had paid about J62. 5s. a veair for 11 years, but he claimed superannuation for the whole period of his service. Mr. H. Preston remarked that he would draw in superannuation in one yeair more than the total amount of his contributions. The superannuation was agreed to. DEPUTATION. Mr. C. Maddock reported upon tho visit of a deputation to the Fulwood Orphaaage, and spoke highly of the life of the inmates of that institution. SURCHARGES. me uterk reported a letter from the Local Government. Board, liberating the Chairman, Mr. W. Vernon and Mr. Brown from suir- charges which had been made by the auditor in respect of deputation expenses to a vaccina- tion oonferenoe in London. I WIRRAL. rhie fortnightly meeting of the Wirral Board of Guardians waa held at Cl-attorbridV Work- house on Wednesday, Mr. G. J. Townscnd pre- siding. I THE SEWERAGE QUESTION. Arising out of the minutes of the last mee-t- ing, it appeared that a complaint had been trvadie by Mr. MoLeavy of the bad smell from the sewerage works. The clerk had been in- structed to write to Mr. Priest and ask him to report on the matter.—Mr. Grundy complained that the smell was still very bad, and the spot was not fit to pass.—The Clerk said he had re- ceived no report from Mr. Priest, though ho had acknowledged the letter.—Mr. Earle eaid ho had had experience of similar systems of sewer- age, and the, emell would never be abolished under this pairtioul-ar ey-otem.-Th-o Chairman said he thought they had better wait for Mr. Priest's report.—Mr. Douglas: Supposing he never reports ?—The Chairman I take it we ahall insist on his doing so. The Finance Committee recommended for payment cheques amounting to je592. 14e. 6d., leaving £ 3,148. 15s. 8d. in the hands of the treasurer. The Finance Committee's minutes contained a recommendation in regard to the superannua- tion of the master and matron, Mr. and Mrs. Richards, Mr. Richards having served 32 years and five months was entitled to superannuation at the rate of thirty-two sixtieths of J6142 per annum, amounting to £ 75. 14s. 8d. Mrs. Richards had served thirty yearn and three and two-third months, and should receive thirty-1 six sixtieths of JE117 per annum, amounting- to B70. This made a total for both of JE145. 18s. 8d. It appeared that the guardians, with the consent of the Local Government Board, might add a number of years, not exceeding ten, to the term of service, in computing the superan- nuation, considering that Mrs. Richards had resigned on account of ill-health before her full tevm of service expired, and that Mr. Richards lost his office in consequence. They suggested that eight years should be added to Mr. Richards's etrm, bringing their superannuation-, up to £ 94. 13s. 8d. and £ 75 respectively, a total of J6172. 8s. 2d. The recommendation was carried.

0 BURNING ACCIDENT.—A sad burning ac- cident befel a child named Ellen Rose; on Mon- day. The child, whose home is at 15, Commer- cial-court, Foregate-strect, was left by its mother sleeping on the sofa. Tho" mother went out, and on her return found the child in flamies. She ruslied out of the house into the court, where a man named William Roberts took off coat and wrapped it around the child, who was afterwards rommvd to the Infirmary by the polioo. The unfortunate child is oeyerely burnt. about the body and legs,

NEWS OF THE WORLD. 1 T I A religious service is held every Sunday in the village of Twyford, Hampshire, in the bar parlour of an inn. Thomas Harrogan, nine years old, of San Fran- cisco, has died from nicotine poisoning, due to excessive smoking. In the House of Lords on Tuesday, the second reading of the Deceased Wife's Sister Bill was carried by 111 votes to 79, majority 32. The Legislative Council at Wellington have rejected without a division on the first reading the Bill sent up by the Lower House making the council elective by the Lower House and women eligible for membership. A Hull steamer, the Dynamo, on Tuesday collided with the steam-traw ler Quail, an- chored in the Humber. Skipper W. Lewis, of the Quail, was killed, and J. Nicoline, third hand, was drowned The Quail sank, but the remaining members of the crew were rescued. Inspector Nicholas Hunt, a millionaire, and admittedly the richest policemen in the world, has been reinstated in the Chicago police force. The inspector was declared superannuated a year ago by former Chief Collins, who is now under indictment on a charge of using the police for political purposes. An engine driver lost hia train on the line from Lorient to Quimperle, France, on Monday. The train stopped at Lorient for a postal van to be detached, and after the train bad been uncoupled the driver, mistaking a signal, started again. He reached Quimperle, about twenty-five miles further on, before he discovered that he had only one carriage behind his engine. Oh Tuesday morning John Goldie, the well- known Scottish steeplejack, met with a shocking death while performing some work on Townsend chimney at Glasgow. The unfortunate man was on the top of the chimney when he was seen to reel and fall over the edge, crashing through the roof. The shaft is 488 feet high, and Goldie's body was literally smashed to a pulp. It is believed that the Townsend stack is the highest in the world. At the monthly meeting of the Bowland Rural District Council (Yorkshire), held at Clitheroe, on Monday, the Clerk reported that the repre- sentative for the township of Fasington, Mr. W. Robinson, and the representati ve for Gisburne Forest, Mr W. Fell, had both failed to accept office as members of the Council. It was decided to declare vacancies for the townships, and to fine the two gentlemen 6d. each. A priest named Limoni has been murdered while celebrating Mass in the village church of Isone, near Bellinzona. During the service a man named Guerra walked up to the altar and shot several times at the priest, who fell dead. It appears that the priest had persuaded Guerra's fiancee to break off the match by proving to her that Guerra was a bad character, and had been in prison. The murderer was arrested while hiding in a forest near Bellinzona. A curious charge of assault was preferred against Henry Trenter, a mount cutter, of Upton Park, at the Mansion House. The complainant was Agnes Ekman, a young milliner's assistant, fourteen years of age, who appeared in the witness box with a profusion of hazel brown hair hanging down her back. She said that as she was walking along Aldgate High-street on her way to business, she felt the cut of a pair of scissors in her hair. She turned and saw the defendant walk away from her side. The girl added that this was the fourth time that her hair had been cut by some person in the street in this manner. Trenter denied the charge, but a fine of 40s. or fourteen days was im c'r" ed* The Kabyles surrounding Casablanca have attempted to carry out their threat to capture the town and drive the French into the sea, and have been beaten off, probably with considerable loss, by the garrison, which lost two killed and three wounded. The tribesmen's attack lasted four hours, and was carried out with desperate bravery, the horsemen coming to close quarters with the Algerian troops; but even Arab bravery could not withstand the concentrated fire of magazine rifles and artillery, assisted by the guns of the warships anchored in the bay. When the French advance began a company of Spahis was ambushed by Arabs and was only extricated after a brisk hand-to-hand encounter. Though the Kabyles are stated to be short of ammunition, and not likely to make another attack in force, General Drude, the French commander, is unable to drive them away from the town, the force under him being too small to do garrison duty and at the same time provide a sufficiently strong column to advance into the interior. The Spaniards are taking little part in the active operations.

A Silent Singer. Wasted through Ancemia, Weak, Voiceless, and an Invalid. Brought Back to Health by Dr.WlLLIAMS'PINK PILLS t A familiar figure some years ago at Exeter concerts was a young lady who is now the wife of Mr. J. Hooper, of Landscore-road, Exeter. This lady suddenly cancelled all her musical engagements, and only recently a "Western Times" reporter elioited the reason from Mrs. Hooper hereelf. MAS. NELLIE HOOPER, of Exeter, cured by Dr. Witliana, JPink PUls. "People wondered where I had disappeared to," she said, "but the fact was that from my eighteenth year I had always been delicate. I grew gradually weaker, until after my marriage 1 was helpless and able to do little for my hus- band or children. My nerves were completely shattered, and ditaadful headaches quite pros- trated me. Doctors were consulted, but it seemed as though medicines were useless. I was wasting away rapidly through pernicious anaemia, without strength to dress myself. For twelve months I hardly knew what restful s!eop waa. "One day my husband said he was determined that I should give Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People a trial. I did, and I had taken these pills only a few weeks when I felt much stronger and life had a brighter outlook. After a time I was weil enough to attend to my household duties. Dr, Williams' Pink Pills brought colour to my cheeks. my nerves bc- came strong and my voice returned. I recom- mend all mothers who suffer in any way to turn to Dr. Williams' Pink Pills, the only medicine that ever did mo any real good." Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People are a wonderful blood' making Nerve and Musoular Tonic. They have cured Anaemia, Indigestion, Rheumatism. Sciatica, St. Vitus' Dance, Skin Disorders, Neuralgia, Paralysis, and Ladies' Ailments. Sold by dealers, or from the British Depot, 46, Holborn-viaduct, London, post free 2s. 9d. a box, or six boxes for 13s. 9d.

The Great Eastern Railway Company have issued an illustrated booklet, entitled Holidays in Belgium and the Ardennes," to be had gratis of the Continental Manager, Liverpool-street Station, London, E.C. It describes some new and inexpensive tours in the Ardennes and Flanders, via Harwich and Antwerp. MILK ADULTERATION.—At West Ham, on Wednesday, William Woods, of Burke-street, Canning Town, was summoned for selling adul- terated milk. There were several previous con- victions against him, and he was fined £20, in- cluding costs. IRON AND COAL TRADE RESULTS.— We have received from the Joint Stock Com- panies' Journal a card, handy for hanging up in the office, containing an exhaustive comparative statement of the profits, reserve, dividends, &c., of upwards of 100 iron, coal, steel, and allied com- panies. It is reprinted from the Journal, and covers a period of three years. The price is ls. post free. WREXHAM RACES.—These always popular races take place on Monday, the 26th, under the rules of the British Pony and Galloway Racing Association. Much larger entries than last year have been obtained, including all the best ponies and galloways in training. Among the old favourites are Mr. W. Bass' Farthinghoe and Capt. Stapleton Bretherton's Cressida, -while the less well-known entrants include about a score of new animals that have not previously raced at Wrexham. Cheap tickets will be issued from Chester by both railway companies, and froin about 100 other stations.

VANITY FAIR. —— —— MEN OF THE DAT* I -From" Vanity Fair." I THE EARL OF PORTSMOUTH. I Lord Portsmouth was born in 1856, married Migs Pease, the niece of the famous Quaker, Sir Joseph Pease, in 1885, and succeeded his father as the sixth Earl in 1891. After leaving Eton he went to Balliol, where he was one of Jowett's pupils, was President of the Union, and founded the Palmerst.on Club. He has had a long Parliamentary ex- perience, having sat from 1879 until 1891 in the House of Commons, and has a great many friends on both sides of the House. He is by way of being a Liberal; but is really a Whig, and it was, therefore, no surprise when he was ni- de Under-Secretary for War in 1905. His political views can be gauged from the fact that he is fond of saying that there is "no practical difference between reasonable men on both sides of the House." Hiti friends would say that. this temperament has stood him in good stead in piloting the Army Bill through the House of Lords. In truth, every- thing that lies outside British politics is to him unreasonable, impracticable, visionary; and yet to some people the only things that are interest ing oould suffor all these qualifications without sensible loss. Lord Portsmouth, is really hap- pier when he ha3 left London and is down at one of his country seats, eithN Hun"tboame in Hampshire, or Eggeaford in Devonshire, where he gives himself up to the pleasure of tree- planting and amateur photography. In Devon- shire he grows masses of azaleas and rhododen drons, and any new pine that may be intro- duced is sure to be found in one or other of his parks. His greatest pleasure in life is, perhaps, music; he loves the opera, and when he is in London may usually be found at least twice a week in his oorner stall in the back ow. He owns a good many motors, which he finds most convenient for taking him from Hurstbourne to the War Office. He is very grateful to the A.A., which enables him to enjoy the pastime without too onerous a contribution to the pol ice. Lard Portsmouth likes Hunstbournc better than any of hie places. He is a keen shot, and. one windy day in January, 1902. he got 155 wild fowl to his own gun. Guisachan, his Highland place, has produced the finest, deer that have ever been killed in Scotland. The pine woods were part of the primeval forest of Inverness, and as soon as you get away from the model farm and village you arc really in an old forest, w'h.ere the wild oat can still be found, and the golden eagle. In person, Lord Ports- mouth is tall, somewhat over six feet, and strongly built, with russet red hair and beard; perhaps the colour of his hair gave him his nickname at Oxford, "The Demon," for oertain- ly a milder-mannered man it would be difficult to find.

I ACCIDENT TO THE EARL OF STAMFORD. —— 1 The Earl of Stamford, who with his family has for some days past been in residence at Dunham Hall, near Altrincbam, has made a practice of visiting the lake near the hall to food a. number of young swans there. He went an usual on Monday morning, and while near the water's edge waa seized with giddiness and fell into a deep part of the lake By an effort ho recovered himself, and was able to make his way to the bank ani baok to the haJI in his dripping clothes. There before he could give any connected account of the oocurrenoe he collapsed, and was carried to his room. A local doctor and a Manchester specialist were baetily summoned. The Earl for some hours lay unconscious. On Monday night he was re- ported to be rather better, and was said by his doctors to be suffering from a sharp attack of gastric catarrh following upon a chill. The lake into which the Earl fell had only recently been cleared, and the depth at the sidle is fully eight feet. It is a matter of surprise that in his weak condition he was able to get out. No one saw the accidesnt, and the only people who could have given help were a number of work- men who were some distance away. The water, which is known as the "Old Man" pond, is a quarter of a. mile from the hall.

For Black or Tan or Glace Boots or Shoes. for Athletic Shoes of all descriptions, for quality, for style, for reasonable prices, yon cannot do better than Hewitt's, Abbey Gateway. Fifty years good reputation. BURY ST. EDMUNDS BY-ELECTION.— The writ for a by-election in Bury St. Edmunds, for which the Hon. Walter Guinness and Mr. W. B. Yates, of the Chester and North Wales circuit, are the Unionist and Liberal can- didates respectively, was issued in the House of Commons on Monday. The nominations will take place on Friday next and the polling on Saturday. It is stated that Lord Arthur Hill, who formerly represented the constituency in Parliament, is likely to be the Unionist candidate for West Down. COAL PRICES ADVANCED.—At a meeting of Lancashire Coal Owners, held in Manchester on Wednesday, it was decided to advance the price of slack lOd. per ton as from the 1st Septem- ber. No decision was arrived at regarding house coal, it being understood that opinions were divided as to a lOd. or a Is. 8d. advance. A meeting of Federated Associations will be held shortly, probably in London, when a definite advance will be decided upon. Opinion on the Manchester Coal Exchange is in favour of a Is. 8d; addition.

 nSFiflwj ro ASTONIS FURNITURE ) We are the Largest Manufacturers > ) of Furniture in the Provinces. > < Our Factory is replete with all the f s latest labour-saving machinery. Buying 5 from us you save the middleman's f profits. ? Give us a Call, and see our Immense f > Stock. s i We can convince you what money I J you will save by buying from us. rp ML w go- 00- ow S. ASTON & SON I S THE POPULAR HOUSE FURNISHERS, F | 14, WATERCATE STREET, I CHESTER. l TEL. 59. f

TIDE TABLE. I -6 HIGH WATER AT CHESTER. I A TV I-ST 1 MORN HT. 1 EVEN". n. M. FT. IN. H. M. | 24 Saturday 12 15 19 5 12 Sgl 26 Sunday i 1 2 20 4 I 1 24 23 Monday j 1 45 j 20 5 j 2 6 27 Tuesday 2 27 19 9 247 28 Wednesday j 3 7 18 6 327 29 Thursday 3 46 I 16 11 4 fl 30 Friday .427 15 0 151

LIGHTING-UP TABLE. I A ——— T All cycles and other vehicles in the Chester district must be lighted up as otated in the following table:- P.M. Saturday, August 24 8.21 Sunday, August 25 8.1 a Monday, August 26. 8.17 Tuesday, August 27. 8.15 Wednesday, August 28 8.12 Thursday, August 29 8.9 Friday, August 30. 8.7

DISTRICT NURSING ASSOCIATION I 9, WATin TOWER STEIBT. I WEEKLY REPORT. I Old cases. 56 New cases. 13 Cured. 5 Relieved I I Removed 1 Deaths. 4 On books 58 l Visits 362 A. BATESON, Lady Superintendent. I August 17, 1907. I

CHESTER INFIRMARY. A ■ .W'. I WEEKLY STATE, ENDED SATURDAY LAST. In-Patiente are admitted on Tuesday Morning at I Eleven o'clock. In-patients Discharged, Cured. 15 Relieved 0 Untelieved. 0 jj Irregularity 0 Dead. 3 In-patients. I Admitted 16 Remain in the House 77 I 1_ OPT-FATIZNTS. Medical Cases are seen on Monday, Wednesday, 1 Thursday and Saturday mornings at 11 o'clock. Surgical Cases are seen on Tuesday mornings at Eleven o'clock. Ophthalmic Cases are seen on Friday mornings at Eleven o'clock. Dental Cases are seen on Tuesday and Saturday mornings at Ten o'clock. Out-patients admitted during the week. 106

MARKETS AND FAIRS. I WREXHAM CATTLE, MONDAY.-At this market to-day there was a good supply and trade was brisk. 6 uotatiods: -ee f, 6 to 6?d. per lb.; lamb, 8d. to 9d.; mutton, 8d. to 9d. veal, 7d. to 7?d.; and pigs from 9s. to 9s. 9d. per score lb. LIVERPOOL CATTLE, MONDAY.-There was a smaller supply of cattle in market to-day. Demand slow, and last week's prices difficult to maintain. Sheep and lambs also shewn in reduced numbers, and, although the early trade promised fair, the demand fell off, and very little, if any, improvement in prices could be recorded. Quota- tions:—Beef, 6fd. to 5d.; mutton, Sid. to Gd.; lamb, 9d. to 8d. per lb. MANCHESTER HAY AND STRAW, MONDA Y.-Hay, old, 5Jd. to 6d.; new, 4id. to 5.; clover, old 71d., new 4d. to 6,id.; straw, I oat, 3d. per stone. LONDON CATTLE, MONDAY.—At the Metropolitan Cattle Market this morning the supply of beasts compared with Monday last showed an increase of 90 head, and consisted principally of grass-fed cattle from the Midlands. For both prime and second quality English beasts trade ruled extremely slow, last week's values being difficult to maintain. Irish arrivals con- sisted of Dublins and Waterfords, the former of which ruled slightly firmer in value. Fat butcher- ing cows and bulls were in limited request, but quotations were without quotable change. Top prices paid per SIb. :-Wst. Herefords 4s. 6d., extreme 4s. 8d.; 95st. runts, 4s. 4d. to 4s 6d. lOOst. shorthorns, 4s. to 4s. 2d.; 95st. Irish, 4s. 4d. to 4s. Gd.; 90st. fat cows, 3s. 4d. to 3s. 6d.; fat bulls, 2s. 9d. to 3s. 2d. Trade ruled slow for English sheep, nevertheless last Monday's values governed most transactions. Both Scotch and Irish sheep were in larger numbers, but met with no corresponding increase in demand, though late rates were maintained. Lambs were difficult to vend, even at a reduction of 2d. to 4d. per 81b. Best pens made per 81b. as follows1\ to 8st. Down and 8st. Scotch sheep, 6s. to 6s. 2d.; lOst. Irish, 3s. 4d. to o. do.; lost. Down ewes, is. to 4s. 2d. Calf trade not worth noting. Quotations per 81b.:—Beasts, 2s. 9d. to 4s. Sd.; sheep, 4s. to 6s. 2d.; lambs, 4s. lOd. to 6s. 8d. 6s. BRADFORD WOOL, MONDA Y.-The better tone of last Thursday is confirmed to-day. Merinoes are without change, but exceedingly firm sixties at 2s. 4d. and cross-bred forties at l. are strong. Cross-breds have been moving more freely, and topmakers have demanded id. increase. English wools have been more looked after, and holders are getting better bids. Busi- ness in mohair is very quiet; prices are nominally unchanged. Alpaca is very scarce. SALFORD CATTLE, TUESDA Y.-Fewer cattle on offer, sheep and lambs in better demand. Prices :—Choice small cattle, 6id. to 6. per lb. good bullocks and heifers, 6d.; middling cattle, 5id. to 5.3d. rough cattle, 5d. north-country shep, 9. per lb.; heavy ditto. 8. to 9id. Irish sheep, 9d. heavy, ditto, 71d. to 8id. lambs, 8d. to %d. calves, 5d. to 7d. per lb. BIRKENHEAD AGRICULTURAL PRO- DUCE, TUESDAY.—Clover, new, £4 to £ 4. 5s.; and oat straw, 22 per ton. MANCHESTER CHEESE, TUESDAY.— There is little change to note in to-day's market. Supplies of home-made cheese continue to arrive in good condition-thanks to the cool weather- but only a moderate demand is reported. Stocks in merchants' hands are on the increase. Prices shew little change. The day's quotations are:— Cheshire: Finest white and coloured, 60s. to 63s., with Is. to 2s. extra for choicest dairies; fine, 56s. to 58s. mediums, 50s. to 54s. Lan- cashire Finest, 62s. 6d. to 66s.; fine, 58s. to 60s. Finest ripe Stiltons, lid. to Is. green. Gid. to 7id. Cheshire Stiltons, 6id. to 7d. Canadian cheese Contrary to general expectation c.i.f. quotations in Canada Vve been forced on to a higher basis. The market here, in sympathy with Montreal, is firmer. White cheese we value at 55s. 6d. to 56s.; coloured, 57s. to 57s. 6d. CHESTER CORN, SATURDAY.—A small trade in English grain, wheat in small supply. Oats scarce and held for full prices. Feed- ing stuffs in good demand. Bran and thirds, 3d. and 6d. dearer. Indian corn steady. Flour quiet, unchanged. Foreign wheat and grain busi- ness at £ d. to Id. per cental over Tuesday. NBW ? OLD 8. D. g* D. a- D. S-? Wheat, white. per 751b. 0 0 to 0 01 0 0 to 0 0 Wheat, red „ 7Nb. 7 4 10 4 6 9 Malting Barley „ $Olb. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Grinding do. „ 6*Ib. ;00 — 00 00 — 00 Oats „ 461b. j 2 9 3 1 3 0 3 3 BeMa „ bolb. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .Egyptian Beans „ 2401b. 0 0 0 00- 1 0 0 0 0 Indian Com „ 240!b. 13 0 13 3 13 6 -13 9

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PIONEER FURNISHINC STORES I 9 to 19, BOLD ST., LIVERPOOL. Lowest Prices in the Kingdom. CASH, OR ON EASY HIRE TERMS, At 30 to 40 per Cent. below Usual Hire Prices. S)PJLEND)D STOCK. caterm8U FREE?0 FREE DEDVERY 1 SwrOCK. TERM$ FREE. I