This gorgeous paper[11] is that which the town of Cardiff supplies for the use of its mayors. As I have had nothing to do personally with originating it, I may freely say that I think it very pretty. And the arms of the town are certainly interesting historically, as a memorial of the De Clares, Lords of Glamorgan, of whom the last male representative fell at Bannockburn in 1314. I get on pretty well with my civic government here. My official confidants are nearly all Radical Dissenters, but we manage in quite a friendly way. They only elected me as a kind of figure-head; and although they are good enough to be glad whenever I take part in details, I am willing to leave these in the hands of people with more experience than myself, as far as I properly and conscientiously can do so. I have, however, felt it to be my duty (owing to some terrible facts) to insist upon the enforcement of the laws for the protection of little girls; and here I find unanimous and hearty support from quite a majority of the officials, who differ from one another as widely as possible upon every religious, political, and social question. I learned yesterday of a certain lot of children whom I have been honoured to be the instrument of getting out of a bad house of the worst kind. This will cheer me on my death-bed--or beyond, for I shall have forgotten, but Another will not. Sincerely yours, BUTE. ====================================================================== {175} [Illustration: FACSIMILE LETTER FROM THE MARQUESS OF BUTE TO MISS SKENE] ====================================================================== {176} Miss Skene replied a few days later: I cannot tell you what immense pleasure it gave me to receive your kind letter, and I think you were indeed most good, in the midst of all your work, to write to me yourself.... I am most deeply interested in what you have been able to do for the rescue of the poor little victims of evil-doers. I wish with all my heart that the mayors of other towns would take the same view of their duty in these matters; but alas! this is not always the case.... I am sure it will always be a happiness to yourself to feel that you have saved the poor children of whom you speak. These things are not forgotten in heaven. Ever your faithful old friend, FELICIA SKENE. [Illustration: _The Marquess of Bute, Mayor of Cardiff, 1890-1891_] Bute gave his mayoral banquet in the Drill Hall at Cardiff on February 4, 1891, wearing the beautiful chain which he had had specially designed and made for the chief magistrate of the borough. Some alarm was caused, in the middle of the dinner, by the sudden breaking out of fire in the decorations of the roof; but no one was injured, and (largely owing to Bute's own coolness) there was no panic of any kind. In one of his letters he makes this curious comment on the mishap: