Evening Express

Telephone, Nationa/, 502; Poet-office, 95. Telegrams, "Express," Cardiff.

RAILWAY CONCESSIONS. The London and South Wales Railway Bill HAS come to grief. In that the promoters suffer, for a sum of £ 20,000, the price of the promotion of the Bill, LIA* to be raised from somewhere. Tho withdrawal of tho Bill is said to be owing to lack of support ami the threatened opposi- tion of important local interests, and as it ap- peared to fate a certain fatality it wisely com- mitted suicide, extracting in its laat STRUGGLE some death-bed promises of concessions from ITS opponents, the existing Great Western Rail- way Company. These promises are not new, for we have for some time past come to regard them. or at least the majority of them, as pro- spective certainties. The Barry people tell us the Great Western Railway Ccrmpany will give us the greatly desired station at Roath. Thanks, we knew it before. If they had settled the vexed question of the site of this new station and started the building operations, Roath would have felt under an obligation. Then, they SAY the Cardiff Great Western Railway Station IS to be an open one. We feel no grati- tude to the defunct Bill or its promoters on that account, for this also has been promised, as soon AS the present alterations and exten- sions are completed. To shorten the route by constructing a line from Patchway to Wootton Bassett is a concession which, if Parliamentary powers be granted, will prove a. great boon. But this, together with the extension of the pas- senger service in the Garw Valley and on the Ely Valley Branch Railway, are suggested im- provements by no means new to those who have been in touch with the Great Western Railway Company and have understood the innovations and alterations which it has been desired for some time past to put nto effect. A great advantage will be srained by the lowering of passenger rates between London and Cardiff, and coal owners will rejoice over the reduction of 6d. per ton on the coal rates to Southamp- ton. These things are presumably pro bono publico. What does the Barry Compa.ny get for itself? Tlus is the Question freely asked this morning. At present the promoters would pose as publio benefactors and martyrs in the cause of railway service reform. But only BAM- will mourn over the oremature decease of the Bill. Cardiff, speaking generally, though interested in the brief course of the promotion, views the list of conce-fions with familiar in- difference, whilst Newport, with its vague idea that the main object of the project was the tap. T>ing of the Western Valleys' export trade at Basf-alleg, leaps for joy at the defeat of the Barry Uitlanders.

OUR DIARY. TO-DAY. Sun rises, 8.3 a.m.; sets, 4.14 p.m. High water at Cardiff: 5.47 a.m.; 6.23 ;p.m. Weather forecast: North-westerly winds, freshening; gusty; cold showers; bright in- tervals. Conference of miners at St. John's-nalI, 10.0. Police-court, 11.0. Cardiff County Council, 11.0. Meeting re South "aleø Musical Festival, 4.0. Impartial Society, 3.0. TEN YEARS AGO. 1886.—January 13, Wednesday. A violent storm passed over the country, doing much damage locally and elsewhere. Cardiff Watch Committee gave one of their police permission to prosecute an anonymous ccriespondent, who had libelled him in the publio press. Iiiquiry re great colliery disaster at Mardy pre ceeding. Professor Barbier wrote in the "Westml Mail" on the word "Philistine," and another correspondent) on the ancient Welsh* custom of "Merchata." Mr. Bradlaugh took the oath, and his seat in Parliament. A photographer was convicted for threa- tening the Prince of Wales. Inquiry into the management of the Royal Liver Society proceeding. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO. 1871.—January 13. Friday. A fire, which broke out on Thursday night, destroyed the premises of Mr. Thomas Jen- kins, draper, 123, Commercial-street, Newport, and spread to the adjoining houses. Owing to the frost, the firemen were unable to keep it within control, and much damage was done. An immeuse crowd assembled, rioting took place, and much property was stolen. In connection vith these proceedings several per- sons afterwards suffered imprisonment. A ballot-box was described in the "Mail," invented by Mr. Gould, of Merthyr.

THE LONDON PRESS. OPINIONS ON THE QUESTIONS OF THE HOUR. OUR VOLUNTEERS. The '"Telegraph" devotes an article to our Volunteer force, and says that every improve- ment in their discipline, every fresh demand made upon their patriotism by the country, is of the nature of a compliment) and a tribute; for the Government and Parliament would not call for military sacrifices from a. force which it held to be of little military value. It is in this sense that the circular now being issued1 through- out the kingdom will, we have no doubt, be t e- garded by the men themselves. At the in- stance of the War Offioe, each Volunteer IS being asked: whether he can be ready for active service at 24 hours' notice, and for how Ion? » period he can serve. A mobilisation of the whole Volunteer Army is, therefore, evidently one of the possibilities of the near future, and if tho call should come we ENTERS in no doubt that it will be responded to with alacrity and enthu- siasm. THE XAVY-A CONSERVATIVE VIEW. To the game of bluff the best reply is a concentrated Navy and a polite negative (says the "Post"). Englishmen have no aggresive designs ujpon any Power, and; cherifh. no hos- tility Germany HAS given us to understand that she IS not friendly to us, as was supposed. That > an interesting fact, which will not be forgotten. But no one in this country would respect the Government if it were to choose the present moment to go round courting tJhe other great Powers. Insularity, said some one the other day. implies a certain amount of isolation, and the fact that our country is an island involves the maintenance of a. NAVY strong enough to deiendi it agams-t all-comers. If the Navy is not SO large a8 it SHOULD) be it must LIE increas-ed until the minimum re- quired for security ha.S been passed. A Navy that can delfendl Great Britain cannot fail to protect the Empire. THE NAVY—A RADICAL VIEW. The "Chronicle" says:—The Navy is ad- mirably equipped its strength is unequalled and we believe that its preparedness, as the last few days Lave shown, is exceptional. But it is surely not good policy to collect a gigantio —an unheard of—Armada under the stress of a. few days' panic, and in view of a combination which has nos been formed, and which is not lilvely to be formed. We support a powerful Navy; but that magnificent arm would change its oharacter and lose its popularity if it were swollen to dimensions comparable to the armies of the military Powers of Europe. In a word, let U8 be sensible and measured in our defensive system AS in our language and policy. Our chief strength is. after all, a moral one, and rests on the belief that, while we do not propose to be jostled or jockeyed out of our rights, we seek no over-weening ascendancy. The asser- tion of such a position would mosb probably be £ I JUIRT FUOH TG&FLGGFT! AFFFIPG the Powers as some too hasty exponents of J British aims have professed to fear. HOW TO SETTLE THE AMERICAN DIFFICULTY. There are two ways of settling this contro- versy (remarks the "D.iily News"). One is to arrive at a. particula.r agr^men* with Vene zuela. The other is to arrive at a. general agreement with the United States. To estab- lish a permanent Court of Arbitration is not the work of a day. Venezuela is obstinate because she thinks she has the United States behind her. Lord Salisbury has refused arbi- tration on the Venezuelan terms. He has: also declined to recognise tho request of the United States to tirade the boundary. But if tha American Commission wtre to define what m their opinion the terms should be, and if a. European Power were then to arbitrate, it, seems to us that all interest would be satisfied, and all rights reserved. AMERICA AND OURSELVES. Discussing this matter, the "Standard" says: —Instead of taking advantage of the augmen- tation of our anxieties, and of the temporary multiplication of our assailants, the American people, with a. spirit that dees them honour, and which is appreciated by us, have not only abstained from endeavouring to add to our perplexities, but, where they did not actually offer us their sympathy, have maintained an honourable and courteous reserve. That is conduct worthy of them; and it has not un- naturally inspired the English Government with the derire to meet our kinsfolk across the Atlantic in a friendly spirit. Lord Salisbury hacs decided not to waim for the meeting of Parliament, but to pub- lish, as soon as they can be got ready, all the documents in his possession bearing upon the disputed boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela. As we have said, the attitude of the people of the United States during the past week materially influenced the Prime Minister's decision, just as it has quickened the feeing of friendship entertained by Englishmen for these who speak their tongue and share their literature on the other side of the Ocean. The maintenance of friendly relations with the United States must always be a consideration cf the first importance for Great Britain. We say this to the American people, with the abso- lute candour of deep-seated cordiality.

SATURDAY "POPS" THE FIRST OF A SERIES AT CARDIFF PARK HALL. Nothing succeeds like success, and nothing is so gratifying as initial success. The Park Hall Company, who have inaugurated a series of Saturday Popular Concerts, are to be warmly congratulated upon the extraordinary result of their maiden effort. There was a crowded audience on Saturday, for. although several vacant seats wsre noticeable in the front rows downstairs, there was a large number of auditors who had to put up with standing accommodation ait the back. The great attraction, of course, was the Rhondda Glee Society, of Chicago fame. It is probable that they have never before been heard to such excellent effect in Cardiff. The absolutely perfect balance of parts, and the purity of the voices, together with an almost faultless artistic rendering, combined to make their every effort a musical oration, appealing not only to the musical taste of the auditors, but to their inmost feelings. "The Tyrol" was vociferously encored, and in response they gave the "Soldier's Chorus" from "Faust." "Com- rades in Arms," a favourite of the choir and their popular and inspiring conductor, served as the opening selection, and during the even- ing they also gave Dr. Parry's "The Pilgrims," which won the first prize at the Chicago World's Fair, the piquant descriptive chorus, "Italian Salad," and "On the Ramparts." The audience were surprised when Miss Gertie Wedlake stepped upon the platform and commenced to sing, "Oh, that summer smiled for aye." Her voice is of beautiful quality, and its power is wonderful, when it is considered that she is not far advanced in her teens. Her expression and style, with her careful and correct production, showed tha.t her training has been on sound lines. She was encored for her first song, responding with "She Stood Alone." In the second part of the pro- gramme she was heartily applauded for "Dulciana," the test piece at the 1891 Swansea Eisteddfod. Mr. John Thomas, the well- known tenor, was warmly welcomed. He sang "Alice, Whore Art Thou," with much taste, and, being encored, gave "My Jaae, My Pretty Jane." "Lend Me Your Aid" (Gounod) was his contribution to the second part. Mr. Ivor Foster, the rising vV>lsh baritone, is well up the ladder of local fame. and is destined to become a finish-cd and suc- cessful singer. "A Soldier's Song" and "Lend, Kindly Light" were his two solos, the second of which was encored. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Foster appeared also in two duets, in which they were eminently successful. The violin playincr of Miss Kitty Davies remains to bi) mentioned. Her execution was good. though her bowing seemed at times to lack masterly decision. Both her efforts were decidedly pleasing, and she deserved a re-call for her performance of Handel's "Sonata in D." The concert was a decided musical success, and lovers of music will eagerly look forward to the nfixt "pop." on Saturday.

A TAX ON CYCLES. HOW THE DUTY MIGHT BE IM- POSED. In connection with the suggested tax on cycles, an expert who would have something t o say in the matter if Sir Michael Hicks-Beach decided to impose a duty on them tells me (writes tha London lorrsspondent of the "Glasgow Hfrald") that a stamp duty would bo the simplest plan, and cau^e the least amount iof friction. Assuming it was decided to levy a Tax. of, say, 7s. 6d. annually, the same >s the deg-tax, he Would make each manufacturer affix to a new machine a stamp of the value of a guinea in such a way that when the wheel to which it was attached revolved it would be destroyed; in fact, in just the same way as stamps attached to patent medicines and caven- dish tobacco are now cancelled by the pur- chaser, who is unable to use his purchase until he first team the stamp. The average life of a cycle lis three years. The duty for tim e period at the rate suggested being £1 2r. C-: ^y in- formant would, to compensate the i, hirer for the amount of hiis capital h lie in stamps, aooept a guinea. As in aee of persons who let carriages out on cycle- makers would have to enter in a i ..e-book loept on their premises the names a Ulresees of persons Inlying from them, t' lates of j purchase, and number of machines. ') hi-: would be a simple oheck on the maker and on the I dealer; it would, of course, follow that the latter co-^ild not have an n.stamp l new cycle on His premises, and that the revenue officials would have the right to satisfy themselves from time to time by examination that this was po. By this plan the bicycle and trieycle-7-iding publio would not have to trouble al>ouii licenses they would, at the time of purchase, pay the dealer £ 1 2s. 6d. extra, and there the matter would end. If they could make their machines last over three years they would be saving money at tJ1e expense of the revenue, whilRt, if the cycles ware out quickly the reverse would be the ease. It is not urged that a tix on locomotion is necessary or desirable; the foregoing is merely a. suggestion by an expe- rienced official as to the way :t might be leviad without) causing irritation-

On Friday at an inquest at the Town-hall, Dudley, relative to the death of James Banner, brass polisher, Toll End, Tipton, it was shown that whilst deceased was eating his dinner at the works of Messrs. Smart, Kate's Hill, he was seized with a fit, and, falling on to an an- nealing stove, was shockingly burnt about the body. Deceased was subject to fits. A vo diet of "Accidental death" was returned. RHEUMATIC Cf:i;H — Phil Ph^lline' "Phcumatic Cure." Suflcmr. from Rheumatic Gout, Sciatica and Xeumlgm may Obtain latent Kelief and Certain Cure by Using the Patent Appliances.— Socks from 10s. 6d. tter Pair. Belts fr6m 10s. M. each, Wristlets from 5g. per Pair. Send measure- ments, with remittance, to Phil PhillipB, Jeweller. 24, Bt. Mary-strwt. Cardiff. e37082 Why do you continue to suffer from Sick Headache, Biliousness^ Hirer, r.rjd Jfjnoue rasordcrs. when such a specific, fof ttisee ailments as Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters may br> so readily ottained.— In bottles 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. ench. At the monthly meeting of the Monmouth At the monthly meeting of the Monmouth Rural District Council on Saturday a resolution was unanimously passed in favour of taxing j bioyclee, the money so raised to be devoted to j the regsir of highway*

Old Cardiff Town THE OLlf SCHOOL HOUSE— WHERE IS IT'? An Interesting Reminiscence by One Who Knows and Remembers Much of the History of Cardiff. When the following letter came to hand it was handed over to a gentleman whose ac- quaintance with Cardiff many years ago and hij recollection of ye oldc to^ne entitle him to speak. He hM furnished us with the fol- lowing article, which will be read with avidity by all who are interested in "Cardiff as she was." This is the letter which furnished the text: — To the Editor of the "Evening Express." Sir,—On examining a packet of old papers, I found a "Licence for Divine Service." dated January 13, 1768, of which the following is a copy — "Glamorgan io wit. Epiphany Sessions, 1768. "I d i hereby Certify that the School House in the Town of Cardiff is Registered amongst ths Records of this County as a proper place for the Celebration of Divine Worship for Pro- testant Dissenters. "EDWARDS, Clerk of the Peace." As the particular denomination to whom the licence was granted is not mentioned, nor the precise locality of "the School House" indi- cated, perhap.; one of your numerous readers will kindlv oblige by supplying the missing- links.—I am. &c., "WESLEY PRICE. Cardiff, Jan. 8, 1896. The question raised by Mr. Price is one of these which the public—or, rather, the rate- payers—were led to believe would form the subject for investigation by Mr. Hobson Mat- thews and the result of his searching the old re-cords of Cardiff would be that some of the lost property—property left to the Cardiff Cor- poration or to some public institution connected with it—would bo traced out, and then this pro- perty could be recovered. This would have been a quid proquo for the cost incurred in searching tho old Cardiff records at the Record Office and elsewhere. The very site of a, School House, situated anywhere in the old town of Cardiff, would have been a valuable acquisi- tion to the town to-day, and Mr. Price's in- quiry points to one of these lost pieces of pro- property that at one time belonged to the town. Ac the period referred to in Mr. Price's letter is .nearly a century and a half ago, no living person has any recollection of such a build- ing, but some of the oldest of the residents have a. kind of indistinct remembrance of hear- ing their parents speak of "a School House" that once existed at Cardiff, a.nd, though opinions differ, there are those who believe that it existed in Working-street. Now we come to documentary evidence. Ja-ne Herbert, of Whitefriara, Cardiff, a spinster, but a ladv of considerable wealth, by will, which is dated January 6, 1707, bequeathed the sum of JB500 for the purchase of an absolute estate of inheritance, to be held in the names of Sir Edward Stradling, of St. Donat's Castle, Bart; Edward Herbert, of Whitefriars, Cardiff, gen- tleman (brother of terfator), aud George Howeit, Esq., and their heirs or successors for ever, in trust, as a perpetual endowment of a free school to be established at Cardiff, and like- wise for the establishment of a. salary to the schoolmaster for the time being, all arising out I of annual rents or profits of estate purohased by them. The trustee, their heirs, and suc- cessors were duly appointed under the will to select the schoolmaster, displace him if neces- sity arose, and appoint another, and they were also to see that fifteen sons of the poor and necessitous parents at Cardiff were duly edu- cated at this school, and to fill up vacancies whenever such vacancies arose. Nearly ten years afterwards, viz., 27th of August, 1716, an indenture was made between Sir Edward StradUng, of St. Donat's Castle, and George Howell Esq., on the one part-Edward Herbert's name Dor, appearing in it-and John Richards, of Merthyr, gentleman, on the other part, for the purcha«e of a "capital messuage" then in the occupation of said John Richards, and for tho rents, covenants, and for divers other valuable considerations, demised, gran-ted, to farm and let under the said John Richards, his executors, administrators, and a.ssignes of the capital messuage, called, "Y Gurnos," with all the appurtenance?, and of the grist mill, near the said messuage, belonging to, and called, "Melvn y Gurnos- and the email dwelling-house and garden, lyimg near the said mill, called, "Ty Vorgan Shoan," to- gether also with several "closer" and also several messuages, or tenements, with all the other houses, &c., thereunto belonging, and also of the several "closes" of the said sevt-ral messuages, containing, in the whole as esti- mated, eighty acres, at a clear yearly rental of £25. As far as can be ascertained this, and other property belonging to Miss Herbert, formed the foundation of the Cardiff Free School, which began in some premises or building pur- chased for the purpose in Working-street, and which is believed to have formed part of the site on which the new free library now stands. If 'so, the Cardiff Corporation gave some- thing like £ 10,000 for what was their cwn property. After a time, the rents got into arrears, and the school building was closed, but- some poition of the receipfe from Miss Herl^ert's bequests, went to St. John's Sc hool, where a. oeitain number of children received a fiee education. This building, or School House, was subsequently rented by "the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist" and the plaoe licensed for public worship., amd subsequently a. cha.pel wag erected here, and when removed to Pern- brokc-<1:errace, it is said, no gravestones were found there earlier than the present century. How the trusteeship of the charity became tiar.sferred to the Cardiff Corporation tfyere is no evidence to show, but in 1814 an appli- cation was made by the Cardiff Corporation to the Attorney-General to set aside the lease which had been granted to John Ricliards, the ground being, it is stated, that no rent had been paid for years, a.nd the charity was vir- tually defunct. It is also stated that in 1816 the law proceedings were stayed by a compro- mise between the corporation aud the heirs or successors of John RichndR. The terms of this compromise were settled during the time Mr- Wood, a solicitor, of Cardiff, was town-clerk. When subsequently Mr. E. P. Richards became town-clerk he made search ¡ for the documents relating to the suit, but they could not be found. The oldl parish rate-books give but a very imperfect idea. of the position of any pro- perty. Those deposited io, St. John's Church frequently contain entries "West" or "East"'of the church, "South" of this place, or "adjoin- ing" some other, but those who have examined ■Uiese old registers have 3t strong impression that "the School House"' was in or near Work- ing-street. The entrance to the old chapel was in Working-street until some time after Trinity-street was opened, which, until a recent period, was a lane enclosed by an arch extend- ing from St. John's Church to the opposite buildings, but Working-street i3 one of the oldest streets in Cardiff. When ihe Charity Commissioners held their inquiry in 1886 thin particular oharity was re- ferred to. and the commissioners suggested that steps should be taken to recover the property and! collsct some of the arrears of rent which had then been accumulating for over half a century. It is such a charity as this that should have come under the purview of Mr. Matthews. There are records to be found, without ques- tion, to this property. There is no doubt tha.t with tha money bequeathed by Miss Herbert a building or something of t.he kind would be purohased in Cardiff, which would be after- wards known as "the School Rouse." If the trust heoame in any way transferred to the Cardiff Corporation, in the same way as Wells" Charity was. then, not only the school build- ing, but the 80 acres of land at Merthyr belong to the corporation also. There is, or should b1:>. an old corporation minute-hook referring to the proceedings of the town council during the eighteenth century. This book ought to throw some light upon this subject. Still, it might not, as the transfer of the trust to the corpo- ration mi gilt not have taken plaoe till after tiie commencement of the present century. This is only one instance oui of a. number ai similar cases where corporation property; has been lost—lost by neglect of officials in not collecting- the rents—and then after yeans had eLipsed the rents ceased to be collected entirely, and the land or building ultimately fell into the hands of the occupiers. Formerly the j land, &c., belonging to the town waa let for one or two lives, some for 60, and some for 99 years. In 1740 there were 47 persons re- siding in Cardiff who held land or buildings in or just outside the town, which was the pro- perty then of the corporation. and for which they paid lent, such rents being appropriated to tho expenses of keeping roads, &c\, in repair, but in 1710 there were 57 tenants holding land, &c. One tenant had fifteen acres of land just outride the town wall. This would now be a piece of very valuable property could it he re- covered, and it was supposed that the researches of Mr. Matthews would enable the corporation to -take such steps as would lead to the recovery of these lost pieces of land. Many of these pieces were described as waste land, the rents from which were only trifling amounts. In 1750 the corporation granted to Abraham Wil- I liams the lease for a piece of wa*te land near Blackweir. In 1776 the corporation granted to Thomas Williams, Cardiff millwright, a lease for a piece of waste land neor the River Taff for the term of 40 years at a yearly rental of £ 1 lis. 6d. In 1177 the corporation placed ia thorough repair some old houses belonging to them near the Blanche gate. 'The same year an offer was made by Air. Henry Lewis to re- new The lease for the Dobbin Pits and to give 20s. a year for them for three lives. Now, there is no doubt many of these pieces of pro- perty can be traced and re-claimed. At a very late period some of the tenants of this property paid rent to the Cardiff Corporation.

A WONDERFUL IIUKABY. ALL THE BOOKS LOOK LIKE BLOCKS OF WOOD. At Warsentein, in Germany, there is one of the most curiously original collections of books extant. Outwardly the volumes present the common appearance of a block of wood, and that is the first impression; but a minute examination reveals the fact that each is a com- plete history of the particular tree which it represents. At the back of the book the bark has been removed from a space which aJlows the scientific and the common name of the tree to be placed as a title for the book. One side is formed from the split wood of the tree, showing its grain and natural fracture; the other shows the wood when worked smooth and varnished. One end shows the grain as left by the saw, and the other the finely polished woodo. On opening the book it is found to con-tain the fruit, seeda, leaves, and other pro- ducts of the tree, the moss which usually grows upon its trunk, and the insects which feed upon the different parts of the tree. These are supplemented by a well-printed description of the habits, usual location, and manner of growth of the tree.

MINE HOST' IN PORTUGAL. NEVER PRESENTS A WRITTEN BILL TO HIS GUESTS. The author of "Portugal Old and Nsw" finds fault with English- hotel-keepers for using a. printed form of bill on which the plain require- ments of a. simple traveller are lost amid a multitude of items. In Portugal, when the traveller asks for his bill, the landlord pleasantly rubs his haneta together, and answers, Whatever your excellency pleases to give." Of course, this will not do, for the traveller is sure to offer too little or too much, and to be thought either a spendthrift or a niggard; so he has to make a speech, thank the landlord for his confidence, and beg for a. detailed state- ment. --?.?-?.

WHAT'S A CHAULDR0N. BOSTON SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS DIDN'T KNOW. At Boston School Board meeting three tenders were received for supplying the hoard with coke. One tender quoted 14e. 5d. per ton and the others 13s. 8d. and lis. 9d. per chauldron, but the members were unable to decide which was the lowest, because no cue present knew the difference between a ton and a chauldron. Some of the members consulted the tables of weights and measures published in their pocket books, and the clerk searched the paves of Whitaker's Almanac," but failed to find the required infor- mation. One member suggested that they should send for a schoolboy who had passed the second standard, and consult h m on the subject. An architect in the clerk's office was consulted, and reported that a. chauldron con- sisted of 16ewt. The board then aocepted the tender quoted at 14s. 5d. per ton.

A GOLF STORY. PLAYING THE OLD YEAR OUT IN YORKSHIRE. A Sheffield contemporary publishes the following golf story, the incident descrihed liaving, it is declared, occurred on the Lindrick Links, Rotherham:—Two Yorkshire golfers I had made a wager to play the old year out and thj new year 111. After having played three rcands of the course during the day, these enthusiasts adjourned to the clubhouse, there to await the rising of the moon, which on this night was at its full. Starting out at half- past ten with fore-caddies, and armed with um- brellas for protectors against the shots—which precaution was considered necessary in this nn- usual light-th2. first hole was halved in eig-ht strokes, the third, being taken in four, and the fiftlhin six. s-onio good holes being scored, as also some indifferent onesw An amusing inci- dent occurred at the eighth hole. The moon being partially obscured, one of the balls was being searched for. The caddie sententiously remarked, "We shan't foind t' ball this year, sir," when just at the moment the midnight chimes of the surrounding church bells pro- claimed the advent of the year 1896. Although the scores were somewhat high, the course was completed in a little under three hours, and a record established in the annals of this ancient gi.me.

MISSING BARMAID. HER BODY FOUND ENTANGLED IN BUSHES BY THE SEVERN. On Friday the body of a young woman, believed to be that of Miss Sarah Ann Smith, of Gloucester, barmaid at the Crown and Raven Hotel, Bridgnorth, was found in the River Severn, near Dudmaston, by Thomas Botlev, a rabbit-catoher. Close by an old tr-'e on the down path he saw what he took to be a. bundle of old clothes, but on closer inspection he found entangled in the bushes the body of the young woman. Information Mas given to the polioe, and Sergeants Hamlett and Lucas proceeded to the spot and removed the remains, on which were found two bunches of keys and a puree containing a small sum of money. The body was so decomposed as to be almost bovond recog- nition, but the clothing corresponds with that described as being worn by Miss Smith at the time of her mysterious disappearance from the hotel, on the 18th of November last. There was no evidence of foul play, nor yet anything to show by what means the deceased got into the river. -?-?'-

FOREST IN DISPUTE. A LAW CASE OP THREE HUNDRED YEARS' STANDING. A law case which has lasted 300 v.^ars has aftnin come on for hearing in a Bavarian court. It is waged between the market community of Buxginn, at Unterfranken, in Bavaria, and the Lords of Thungen. The case was commenced on the 21st of June, 1595. when the legal advisers of this community appeared before the legal tribunal, which then held its sittings in Speier. against the Lords of Thungen, for a sum of two millions of marts, as owners of a forest of nobfce oak* and beech trees. Century by cen- tury death thinned the ranks on each side, but others took up the cause, and when the case camo on for trial the other day matters seemed as fresh as ever. It i<s hoped, however, that the 21st of June, 1886, will see the last of this venerable suit. _.?

THE DEEP-MOURNING FARCE. Of all the fashionalble fads of to-day that accentuation of domestic grief which ehows itself in a black shirt, black collar and cuffs, and white stud. white cuff buttons, and white necktie, in about the most ridiculous. Fashion- able London wil'l soon be promenading Piccadilly with miniature coffins for jewellery and artificial tears painted on the <heek.s. It w doubtful whether such people could really shed anv other kind but genuine hand-painted tears. When women put their toddling chil- dren in deep mourning and lode in the park with their poodles dressed in crape, it seemed that this sort of thing could go no further. Now that men have taken to black shirts and sable handkerchiefs, howevier. the onus oif tomfoolery is removed from the shoulders of womenkind. "It is enough to make the dead turn over in their graven and bear their ghrcuds to ribbona."

A Romantic T rageD"; HAMMERSMITH GIRL'S SUI- CIDE AT ALDERSHOT. In Great Distress, She Determined to Go Where Her Shame Would Not be Known. The "Morning Leader" gives details of the romantic love tragedy which lies behind the Aldershot mystery announced on Saturday. Its solution, while it will facilitate ths inqui- ries of the coroner, is a painful explanation of a strange discovery. The scene of the last sad act of all is one of the loveliest spots around London-the Fox Hills, between three and four miles from Aldershot. Only used by the troops for manoeuvring, these hills are crossed simply by the rough tracks which the transport wagons or tho artillery wheels have cut out for themselves on the stunted turf. It was within a stone's throw of one of these tracks and a mile from North Camp Station in a little dell that the body of the unfortunate young woman was at half-past three on Thurs- day found. George Cooper, a young labourer of Ash Vale, who discovered it, told ilie "Morning Leader" representative on Saturday that he was out walking with one or two companions, and that seeing what he thought to be a. heap of clothes he made a rush for it. Coming closer he saw under a little tree a woman's body lying on the back with the face muffled in a cape. He lost no time in informing the police, and Police- constable Gurr, of the Surrey Constabulary, removed the body. He found no trace of emotion or struggle on the features, which the young girl-for she was little more—had veiled apparently at the grim approach of death, but one hand clasped tightly the branch of the overhanging tree as though in death-agony. By her side waa a. blue envelope which had contained sixpennywcrth of a poison known as "Battle's vermin-killer." In a paper that had apparently been inside this there still re- mained a little of the blue powder, probably containing strychnine. There was no chemist's name on this heyondl that of the original phar- macist at Lincoln. An empty phial by its side had apparently contained some laudanum. Whether the suicide, fcr such she clearly was, had taken both poisons the post-mortem will reveal, but the main agent in her death was undoubtedly ths blu? powder, for on a white handkerchief in her pocket were found several smears of blue, as though she had in agitation wiped her lips with it. When the body was sea reed by Police-sergeant Hewitt it became clear that the deceased had taken great care to conceal her identity, and to go down to a nameless grave. On her bodice and other garn ents there were signs that slips bearing a name had been unstitched, and there was no dressmaker's "tab" inside her black serge bodice and skirt. Her purse contained only a shilling and an unused postage stamp, torn off an envelope to which it had b'cn attached, and which the deceased had apparently de- stroyed after addressing it. Her clothes were good, and most of them new, but the only shadow of her identity were the cot4:on hand- kerchief marked "K" in embro'dery, and the faintly-seen stamp of a tradesman in Peseod- street, WTindsor, on the inner soled of her shoes. The close inquiries of the police on Saturday failed to discover anyone in fthe neighbourhood of Ash who knew the story of this poor girl's life. The clue to the mystery was, however, given to a "Loader" reporter on Sunday night by Mr. and Mrs. King, of 3, Devonshire-street, Hammersmith-road. The dead girl is Alice King, aged 23, sister of Mr. King. Hlr brother and his wife had feared that it waa her body, and wired their suspicions to Police-sergeant Hewitt. Late on Sunday night the fuller description which the representative was able to give them enabled them to identify her with absolute certainty. The apparel, the "K." on the handkerchief, the Windsor name on the boots (purchased there while Miss Alice King was on a visit), her brooch, and umbrilla, all these were unmistakable evidence. In addition, the rejpresentative who had seen the body, was shown a photograph of Alice King in life, and was able to rerognise it. The oajuse of the girl's death is undoubtedly suicide by poison- ing The motive, sa.ys Mrs. King, is "a. love affair." She had, it is asserted, been engaged for two years to a soldi.r—described as "a gen- tleman-ranker," and whose father is averred to be an officer of position in the Scots Greys, now staltio!1:?d at W æt Cavalry Buracks, Aldershot. She was a dark-haired, attractive, respectable girl in service in Kensington, where she took care of an invalid old1, ladv. She had been seven years in that situation, and bore ths 'highest character. Mrs. King discovered recently her sister-in- law'tf condition, and only last Sunday the walter was discussed when she visited them at 3, Devonshire-street. There was, it seems, no harshnests whatever. Mrs. King had pity for her, and told her that she would have a shelter there when she needed i,t.. The gul in fairly good spirits, and certainly in no suicidal mood. She stayed to breakfast on the morning of tile 6th, and thf-n kissing her brother and his wife left them to return to her situation. She never went there. Next morning Mrs. King received a. hasty pencil scrawl with no aeldreAs, but bearing the post- mark, "Paddington 12 midnight, 6th," "Dear Louie," it began. She was going away, and they would not be able to find her. She wouldn't go to a friend's in Wales, because she knew <thafc everyone there would soon know of her trouble, and the eame fear haunted her as to Kensington. She had on the Sunday refused to consult her sister-in-law's doctor from the same fear. She signed herself "Your broken-hearted sister, Alice." This alarmed her relatives-, the more so as ehe had hardly any money with her, and only the clothes she wore. They wrote to the soldier ai, Aider- shot, and received a. letter posted there on the 9th. In it the writer said that he did not know where Alioe King was. On thwt very a.ften'oon her dead body had been found on the Fox Hills. The further question now arises as to where she spent the intervening days. She had no relatives in London to visit, and the inquiries of her brother have be en fruitless. THE INQUEST. At Aldershot on Monday the coroner for West Surrey held an inquest upon the remains of the, young woman found on the Fox Hills, which weie identified as those of a ladies' com- panion, lately in service in Thurlow-squr.re.— Evidence showed that deceased imagined she was pregnant, and) went to Aldershot. to see her soldier lover. Subsequently .she appears to have taken vermin killer.—Medical evidence showed the woman was not pregnant, but had a ti-mour—The inquiry was adjourned for the soldier's attendance. -?-

MARKSMEN REAP. THE CARDIFF INANIMATE AND LIVE BIRD CLUB. The next weekly "shoot" of the ahove club will take place on Wednesday next at 2.30 sharp. In order to encourage the sport- Mr. Septimus Chambers lian kiindly presented a. silver challenge cup. value £ 5 5s., to be com- peted for bv the members. The cup "shoot" win take place on the first Wednesday in each month and the trophy will become the possession of that member who wins it either three times in succession or four times in or out. Intending members should apply fcr a copv of the rules and a. list of the members to the- >1eoret{\I'v. Mr. William Chambers 21. Castle-street, Cardiff, who will furnish full particulars.

RUN OVER BY A CAR. A CARDIFF WOMAN RECEIVES FATAL INJURIES. A1 10.15 p.m. on Sunday a cab driven by Henry Lock WM coming from the Rompnev Castle Hotel, and. as the vehicle approached the main road, a woman, named Julia Warner, stasggereo and fell in front of the horse, and the cab passee! over her. The injured woman was placed in úhe ooh ami. conveyed to t'he where she was attended to by Dr. Roberts, but she grad'Uailly sank, and died shortly after eleven o'clook this morning.

THE ENTERPRISING REPORTER. The experiences of the Rev. C. F. Aked, the well-known Baptist minister of Liverpool, with the American reporter during his recent visit to the United States do not seem to have been altogether of a pleasant kind. One morning before service a reporter called on him and asked him for his text. The text was duly given, a.nd the next question was. "What are you sroine to (preach about?" To this the minister replied that lie did not know; but he advised the reporter to stop and listen if he wished to "ive an aeoount of the sermon. The newspaper man's rejoinder was that as he had the text he could imagine the rest, for he had a murder to look after. Next morning a. big report appeared of a dineourse that was never preached

"Let them down tenorly," said the organist of one of the Penarth Churches on Sunday, as he reminded the tenors in the veetry that there were only two basses present against eight tenors. At first no one saw the pun but the smallest boy. and he ha.d a fit, like the donkey in Mr. Fletcher's pantomime. Indigestion, Biliousness, Neuralgia, SleepleMnoss, and other Nervous Disorders speedily disappear under a course of Gwilym Evans" Quine Bitters. It Le purely vegetable, and the best tonic ever discovered.—Sold in bottie*i 2g. 9d. and 4" 64. ewh-U ?

New Line to London WHY THE BARRY BILL WAS WITHDRAWN. I Cardiff to be an Open Station, Fares to London Reduced, and a Station to be Built at Roath. An agreement has been entered into by the promoters of the London and South Walee Railway Bill and the Great Western Railway Ccmpany, by which it is arranged that the Bill shall be withdrawn, the Greafc Western Company undertaking to mak0 certain concessions to South Wales. The concessions a.re these.. 1.—To do their best to get the Bill through Parliament for making a new lint from Patch- way to Wootton Bassett, thus shortening the route to London by about fifteen miles, and afterwards to make such new line. 2.—To reduce the passenger fares between London and Cardiff (including season-tickets), bringing them down to the level of their main line charges, from the 1st of July next. The fares will bt still further l-educed when the new line from Patchway to Wootton Bassett is mad#. 3.—To run passenger trains on the Ely Va'iJey Branch Railway, and to extend the pasSengtr service in the Garw Valley from Pontycymmer to Blaengarw, which is at the top of the valley, and where there are two large pits, one belonging to the Ooean Com-; pany and the other to the International Coal Company. 4.—To reduce the coal rates to Soutluwip- ton by 6d. per ton, and: to do their best to reduce the rat-s cliarged for coal carried to London for bunkering purposes. 5.—To maintain all the facilities already possessed by South Wales. 6.—To make the Great Western station at Cardiff an "open" station. 7.—To make a station at Roath.

ARMY RECRUITING. RETURNS GIVING FIGURES FOB 1895 IN ENGLAND. A return has been issued which shows that during the year just closed the services of about 35,000 men were accepted for the army, or some 15.000 fewer than the number of those who presented themselves hut were rejected bv medical officers and for other reasons before attestation. The fact that there should be ST many rejections is, it is pointed out, an addi- tienal proof, if they were needed; that the strictest measures are adopted to admit into the ranks only those who by physicaJ qualifica- tions and intelligence are likely to make good soldiers. On the 1st of January of last year the effective strength of the crmy (all aims) was larger than at any period in the preceding twenty years, numbering' as it did at that date over 220,000 of all ranks; and the net result of the year shows month by month that this total lias been more than maintained—in fact, that the effective "supernumeraries" will be 1.000 more than on the first day of the year, when the total stood at 4,395. Nearly all the nEW recruits have joined for the short-service period of three or seven years, only a. few for leng service, and nearly all are of fair educa. ticnal requirements. Respecting the ages of those attested, nearly half are between eightoen and nineteen years, about 11.000 between nine- teen and twenty-one, 6,000 between twenty-one and and twenty-three, and about 3,000 between twenty-three and twenty-five. England and: Wales supply the greater number of recruits; Ii eland, in proportion to population, makes » good return, and Scotland shows about the usual number.

ROUND THE WORLD. FRENCHMAN IS NOW TRUNDLING HIS WIFE oIN A WHEELBARROW. To trundle your wife round the world in 3. wheelbarrow is indeed a strange way of enioying the holy estate. Yet this is what a young Frenchman is doing a.t the present time. with a view of winning wagers amount- ing in the aggregate to £ 1,00. M. Galiaia is the name of the eccentric adventurer in question: and a correspondent of The Golden Penny" in Switzerland met him in the town of Vevey, and enjoyed a few minutes' conversation with him. M. GaHaja is of athietio build and medium height. He wears a red cap and jersev, black trousers, and enormous hob-nailed hcots. Madame Galiais is pretty and diminutive. She dresses in white, and covers her head with a Tarn o1 Shanter. The wheelbarrow is of the gaudiest. It is painted red, white, and blue, is stuffed with cushions, so that the lady can sit in it comfortably, and at the moment of entering Vevey was adorned with three Hags-those of France, of Switzerland, and of the Canton Vaud. M. Gattlais pushes it along sturdily at the rate of ?.bout four mi lee, an hour, a.nd some- times, when the spirit- moves him, breaks into a trot. "Yec," said M. Galiais, iin. answer to the "Golden Penny" correspondent, "I am going to take my wife round' the world. Our route is up the Rhone Valley, across the, Simplon. and through Italy to Venice. Thence, by way of Trieste to Belgrade, to Constantinople. Crossing to Scutari we shall continue through Asja Minor to Te- heran. Descending into India, we shall make our way to Calcutta, and thence through Yun-Nan to Canton. A steamer will carry us to San Francisco, whence we shall wheel our way down to Buenos Ayres, cross to Havre, and return to Paris. The whole journey is to take two years, and we hope to be at the Place de la Concorde on October 6, 1897." '-?-

THE DUMB SPOKE. IN RESENTING THE CHARGE OV SPENDING ALMS FOR BEER. An impersonator of a deaf mute came itY grief the other day after having played 111«' "game" very successfully. He was caught through his own mistake, and tilie affair was so ludicrous that he was allowed to go without prosecution. The subject was a tall man, smooth-faced, and assumed to be in very hard luok. His actions were not unlike those of a. mute. In fact, he was so perfect in his appli- cation for help that he rarely failed. A few days since he entered a business house, a.nd, approaching the proprietor, began making signs with his fingers similar to those used by the mutes. The gentleman watdhed him for a time and then gave him 2d. When the man left 'he place the gentleman sent- his son oub to watoh; the applicant. He entered the pnblio-hou.se, and the son followed him. Stepping up to the bar, the "mute" threw down the 2d., amd the bar- man gave him a glass of beer and change, i The next afternoon the man entered the game 'biwinesg house and again played with his fingers. The gentleman looked at him and' faid "Your little game is worn out." He still persisted in working his fingers, when the gentleman told him he was a. deceiver. This did; not have the desired effect, as the man still persisted, in diking witii his fingers. "Look' here," srnid' the genii*man, "when I gave you that 2d. the other day you spent it for drink." Without thinking, the "mute" blurted out: "No, I didn't." He saw his mistake, *nd didn't !ose any time in getting away.

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