The Cambrian

VAC [NATION.—We lately quoted from Mcmorahi lien some statistics on vaccination put forward by In Her- mann, and ate n t at allsu;priced thai, tney have excited some attention. The foolish faction who oppose vacci- nation seized hold of them, and brought about discussion in v1.riou¡; local papers. In not a few instances they have neglected to state that we utterly repudiated Dr. Her- mann's conclusions. Against this we b-g to protest. The Cambrian, a paper 0f luge circulation in Wales, quoted our reuiaik- m full, and has published a correspondence on the subject, in whieh we are very glad to see that Dr. P-idley has set forth with skill some of the conclusive proofs of the great value of vaccination. Other argu- IDPnt, and statistics are continually cropping up in our columns Dr. Henry Mai tin of Boston, in the June number of the Gynecological Journal, fives an account of his studies and experience with different kirds of vac- cinp ma'ter. Frolll this w" finel that, he thinks that-- 1. Virus obtained from heifers by vaccinating them with humanised virus, is worthless. This statement is based on a close observation of many thouAand cases vaccinated with this virus In none was there the likeness of a true vaccine vesicle or the slighte-t protection from variola afforded." 2. Virus from spontaneous cow-pox" pro- tects completely. A case of this occurred in 1866 at Beiusency, France; was authenticated by the Paris Academy of Medicine. Dr. Depaul, by the aid of the A'-ademv, established a service of heifer v>iccination." From this, Dr. Martin obtained his supply. 3. The cow- pox is not obtained by simply inoculating the tow with small-pox. A doctor in Attleboro, Mass., supposing that it was, distributed virus thus obtained widely through New England, and had the satisfaction of seeing small- pox follow his vaccinations, Jenner's theory was that the variolous poison pa. sed through the system of the horse fiist and then the cow, ere cow-pox could be pro- duced. He thought that the variolous poisoning of the horse produced a slight general eruption, most evident at the heels. He supposed that matter was taken from these animals by the hands of the grooms and an unintentional inoculation made into the cracks, &c., on the teats and udders of milch cows, and by this inoculation true cow- pox was produced. Virus was thus actually obtained by Sacco, of Milan, and Tanner, of England, and thousands successfully protected. This theory has been fullv estab- lished by Bouley and others. Virus was taken from two horses affected by this general eruption, and heifers in- oculated at Alfort, near Paris. From this a perfect stock of vaccine lymph was obtained, which has been exten- sively and successfully used. Dr. Martin has used this satisfactorily, but has stopped keeping it, from the diffi- culty of preserving two different stocks, and from the fact that nothing could be better than Beaugency. 4. From his observations, the doctor thinks that vaccine virus from a patient suffering from constitutional syphillis will transmit syphilis. At one time he saw nearly 200 men thus 'inoculated with syphilis from one scab, and watched twenty of the cases for six months in a hospital, so that he could not be deceived. 5. Taken from the heifer directly, he believes that vaccine is an absolute preventive. This absolute effect can never be obtained after a single remove from the heifer.—The Doctor.

+ EXTRAODINARY DECISIONS UNDER THE NEW LICENSING ACT.—At the Salford Police-court, on Monday, two persons were charged with being drunk and disorderly. The defence set up by Mr. Bennett, the solicitor who appeared for them, was that they were in their own house, and therefore not within the law. At the con- clusion of the case, the chairman (Mr. Alderman Piatt) said he ceuld not agree with the interpretation of the act as laid down by Mr. Bennett. The act said, any person drunk within the borough."—Mr. Bennett: That is within the streets, sir.—The chairman Pardon me it says within the borough. This was within the borough.—Mr. Bennett: Do you mean to say, sir, that I am not to get drunk in my own house ?—The Chair- man You are liable to a penalty of 5s. if you do, if it is proved against you.—Mr. Bennett: Then I hope the act will be carried out in its integrity there are lots of gentlemen who do get drunk, unfortunately in their own houses,-A penalty of 5s. was then imposed in e <ch case. THE EISTEDDFOD AT PORTMADOC.—This festival, which may fairly be characterised an unqualified success, was concluded on Friday, when there was as large an attend- ance as on the preceding day. Sir Watkin Wynn, M. P., who presided, was initiated as a bard at the morning Gorsedd, in presence of an immense number of spectators. The weather was beautifully fine, contrasting favourably with the bluster of the previous day. The President, in replying to the customary address, after wishing success to the Welsh railways, which had been, he said.tlw prin- cipal means of developing the rich resources of the princi- pally, claimed for Wales that there was no country of its size which had produced so many illustrious soldiers and artistes. He urged that the Esteddfod stimulated the study of music, while the competitions keptworkingmen from resorting to degrading amusements, The adjudica- tions were then read. The five guinea prize and medal fer the best ode in memory of the late David Williams, Merionethshire, was awarded to Mr. Jones of Myrddir- fardd Emlyn Jones of Newtown, won the five guineas for the best national march arranged for four voices Derfel Hughes,ofLlangedi, had written the best essay on the propriety of giving Welsh names to Welsh children, including a long list of such names and their meaning the fifteen-guinea prize for the best historical romance founded on facts connected with Wales, was divided bet- ween two Welshmen and a Yorkshire cleryman of Welsh extraction the Carnarvon Philharmonic Choir carried off the prize for the best performance of the Retreat Chorus; and a grand concert in the evening brough the Eisteddfod to a successful close. I:>

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions and sentimen ts expressed by our Correspondents.

PSYCHOLOGICAL JOTTINGS," &c. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CAMBRIAN." SlR,—May I request your notice of two typographical errors in my first letter, appearing in your paper of Friday last, viz. :—In the last line but one following the last word in such line, should have appeared the word established." In the last paragraph but one, line 5, read for over"—our surroundings. I hope to continue my Jottings" in your number of next Week. I am, Sir, yours truly, Swansea, Sept. 5, 1872. J. NAISH SMART.

I WEOBLY CASTLE. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,-—in the Swansea Guide," compiled by a former reporter to the Cambrian—it is said that Oliver o "M^ched part of his army from Oystermouth j .lsthmus, in a line to Penclawdd, where he S,, rnT on w*y to Kidwelly Castle." Rot probable that, on the occasion alluded wl! T,nt "i kis route to call at Weobly Castle, i family at home, and having left his S ?byJtmCmth' substituted a more durable £ ^1? k™UW* P«M «>»> in Be this as it ma.y, Mrs. Gordon showed me a cannon- found upon the premises many years ago Yours respectfully Gowir, Stpt 2,1872. W. Mnmq),

GOOD TEMPLARY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,-I trow that any person or number of persons who come before the public professing to have discovered an antidote to one of the greatest curses of our conntry would be entitled to a fair hearing, and, as one who is anxious to know something of an organization which is daily increasing in strength and importance-I refer to Good Templary,may I solicit, through the medium of your columns, some information calculated to en- lighten my darkness? The questions I should like answered are the follow- ins1:— 1.—What is the object which the Order has in view? 2.—What means does it propose using in order to secure the attainment of this object ? 3.-What benefits do members derive from connection with the Order, and what duties are obligatory upon them ? 4.—Is there any secrecy about any part of the proceed- ings of the Institution? u I do not put these questions in a caviinng spirit, but as one who, though anxious to know what Good Templary really is, has failed to secure intelligent answers from any member, though perhaps the safest method of disse- minating the principles of the Order would be to make a secret of them. At any rate, for the present the Good Templars' motto seems to be, "Tell no man." I understand that several men of influence and good standing in our town have joined the ranks of this new anti-alcohol army :—if one of these would condescend to appear as an exponent of Good Templarism, he would confer a favour upon me, and, I doubt not, the public. Yours, &c., ABSTAINER. Swansea, 4th September, 1872.

A CAUTION TO ALL PERSONS CROSSING THE MUMBLES HILL. TO THE EDITOR OF THE cAMBRIAN." SIR,—You will confer a very great obligation upon the public in general, by inserting this letter in the next number of your widely circulating paper. It is intended as a warning to all persons crossing the heights i. nown as "the Mumbles Hill which overlooks the Roadstead, and commands a grand and extensive view of "Swan sea Bay." and the Bristol Channel beyond. Upon this hill there exists a most dangerous and precepitous chasm, extending from the front of the cliff facing the sea, to the inner line of country, the track leading down to Bracelet bay. It has no railing, no guard, oi caution of any kind to protect the hapless traveller, whose unwary foot may suddenly tread to near its deceptive margin, when in an instant he would be hurled to inevitable destruction. I was taking observations upon this lull the other evening, when all at once I came upon the borders of this fright- ful cleft, and was within a few inches of the danger which I have described. It is bridged o\er at the lower end by a footway railed in on either side, which conducts pas- sengers to the adjoining height, from whence is obtained a view of the Light-house. It is a source of amazement that so fearful a peril should remain unguarded by those wlio-e duty it may be to secure the public safety. It must be evident to all that n, firm 1I?,g should be fixed along the whole extent of the sides of this apparently unfathomable chasm and also a high sign post should be erected, with a board upon it, bearing in large and un- mistakable characters a notice of the danger which awaits all who pass by that way. It is hoped that this letter may meet the eyes of the noble Lord of the Manor, His Urace the Duke of Beaufort, who if aware of the alarming facts which have been mentioned, would no doubt take immediate measures for securing as far as possible, tne satety and life of every one who may visit in future that inviting and delightful spot, the Mumbles Hill." I have the honour to be, Sir, Yours respectfully, Sept. 3rd, 1872. R A SENTINEL.

GROCRRS' WINE LICENCES. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,- W e observe with pleasure that Messrs. H. R. Williams and Co. have drawn attention to the inconve- nience and trouble caused to grocers throughout the count1 y in consequence of the magistrates in many cases being unacquainted with the provisions of the new Licen- sing Act. We can add our testimony thereto with respect to the annoyance experienced by licences for con- sumption off the premises, ana tne number of letters we are continually receiving for advice en the various points vvell nigh baffle us We have endeavoured to maKe ourselves acquainted with the subject, and have obtained the assistance of counsel well versed in these mat ers, and you will be rendering a great service if you would through your co- lumns throw some light on the subject. In several towns the magistrates have refused to grant the necessary certificates for licences for consumption off the premises; some from scrupulous motives, some be- cause the premises are not sufficiently rated, and others without any assigned cause, although the lawparticularly enacts that the magistrate shall not refuse a certificate for the sale of spirits or liquors by retail for consumption "off the premises." In many cases the police have threatened to take pro- ceedings should grocers keep their shops open for the sale of teas and groceries after the prohibited hour for selling wines and spirits. The opinion we hold, and it is con- firmed by counsel, is that even a public-house may keep open any time for the sale of non-intoxicants, providing there is no sale or exposing for sale of any intoxicating drinks, and the exposing for sale is construed as follows -viz., the mere fact of keeping wines or spirits in a shop does not amount to an exposure for sale, if when asked for the liquors are not supplied. Exposing for salemeans inviting persons to buy, and professing to be ready to sell then and there to such as wish to buy, and if both these things are negatived there is no exposure lor sale. If magistrates refuse certificates illegally, a mandamus may be obtained from the Court of Queen's Bench, and the costs would probably fall upon the Justices. In the last debate on the new Licensing Bill in the House of Commons Mr. Bruce said, With regard to the main question, as the law now stood, houses might be open within the prohibited hours for the sale of purely non-intoxicating liquors." We are. Sir, yours faithfully, W. AND A. GILBEY. Pantheon, London, W., Sept. 3.

+ "PSYCHOLOGICAL JOTTINGS," &c. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CAMBRIAN." SlR, In your last week's impression appeared a letter entitled "Psychological Jottings," he. by Mr. J. Naish Smart. A resume of the Illustrations" in that letter is the following 1. A common champagne glass is filled with a (super) saturated solution of Glauber's salt in water, and allowed to cool; the liquid congeals to a. thick mass of crystals. 2. The same (mark this) glass is half filled with a si- milar solution, and covered with a plate of glass, or a card, then allowed to cool, but no deposit of crystals takes piace. 3. The immersion in the solution of a glass rod causes crystalline action, and the liquid soon becomes one solid mass. 4. If one end of the same glass rod be heated, in the flame of a spirit-lamp, and allowed to cool, the end thus treated has no action on the solution, when im- in it. These facts, in 1859, were unexplained and obscure Mr. Smart asks if any explanation can be offered in 1872 ? I cannot but think that the researches of several eminent men, of O. Tomlinson, F.R.S., chiefly in England, throw some light upon the matter. Mr. Tomlinson says that 1 "in experiments on super-saturated saline solutions, the flasks filtering apparatus and solution must be chemically cleanand holds that where this is the case, no crys- tallisation takes place but if the slightest speck of film- forming matter gets in contact with the solution, nuclear action sets in, the surface tension of the liquid is inter- fered with, and its state of super-saturation destroyed. By way of illustration, Tomlinson says that if a greasy smear be made upon the interior of a glass vessel above the solution—on the vessel being inclined so as to bring part of the solution into contact with the smear-it will (1.) either break over it in well-defined globules, without loss of tension, in which case there is no nuclear action, or (2.), as soon as the solution touches the smear, the 'o edge will become flattened and ragged, in which case the smear is nuclear and the salt separates." Now to apply this to the phenomena quoted above. To explain phenomenon No. I:- The probability is that the champagne glass was not chemically clean, to start with. Contact of the fingers with the inside of a glass would give a greasy film which would have nuclear action, and thus, cause the salt to crystallise, and the solution to become a thick mass. Besides, this wide-mouthed glass was left exposed to the air, which often carries nlm-forming dust, quite sufficient to produce crystallisation in a super-saturated solution. To explain phenomenon No. 2. The samegiass was used in this as in the previous ex" periment, so probably got cleansed from all greasy films and nuclear dust. It would seem also that for most of the time the solution in this experiment was covered, and consequeutly protected from any floating particles likely to disturb its equilibrium. The solution therefore re- mained liquid. To explain phenomenon No. 3 :— Mr. Tomlinson says A glass rod drawn through the hand becomes covered with a smear or film, or the rod, by exposure to the air, contracts a film by the condensation of floating vapour or a deposit of film-forming dust, and so is brought into the nuclear condition." The glass rod used in No. 3 had, in all probability, been handled, and therefore was in the nuclear condition described above; consequently the moment the end of the rod came in contact with the saline solution, deposition of crystals immediately commenced. But now comes phenomenon No. 4 :— Here the same glass rod is used as in No. 3; but if one Irl rod be heated in the flame of a spirit-lamp, and allowed to cool, then put into a portion of the solution, the end thus heated is "without action on the crystallisation of the salt." I think this strange fact can be accounted for in the same manner as the others, if we consider that the operation of heating one end of the rod has made that end chemically clean, by destroying all greasy smears which might possess nuclear action, thus rendering its action on the solution perfectly inert. What is described as afterwards happening to this rod would seem to confirm the explanation here given. It is said that "if left ex- posed to the air it gradually recovers its lost power"- because, probably, it again becomes contaminated with active nuclear matter; but, on the contrary, if the rod be "enclosed in a shut vessel, it continues inactive on the solution for ten or fourteen days"-which is very natural, simply because it was protected in a great degree from getting fouled with film-forming dust. Yours, &c., Swansea, Sept. 5,1872. It. Pi visa.

THE RENEWALS OF BEER AND SPIRIT LICENSES. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,—I beg through the medium of your valuable paper to suggest that in future, on Licensing Days, a better course be adopted by the authorities so as to prevent the crush, the inconvenience, and confusion experienced to- day at the Town- Hall. If two days each were allotted to the Upper and Lower Wards I think this would be found to work well. The Wards can be easily divided off, so that parties may be informed the day for attendance, and not require them to attend two days and thus neglect their own business. Yours obediently, Swansea, Sept. 4,1872. A LICENSED VICTUALLER. P.S. Perhaps the authorities would prefer taking tha names of parties in alphabetical order in the Wards, and request attendance on first, second, third, or fourth day. [If our reading of the new Licensing Act be correct, the attendance for the renewal of licenses is hereafter dis- pensed with, except in cases where an infringement 01 the law has been committed. Licenses are henceforth re- newable as a matter of course, unless an objection be taken thereto by the proper authorities. We would refer our correspondtmt to an abstract of the new Act as published in our paper of the 23rd ult.]

ETYMOLOGY OF SWANSEA. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,—There is a tradition (respecting the origin of the name of your good town) which says that an old woman —a wise one I suppose (they are rather scarce Jlow)- "whose comprehensive view (like Oalchas the Grecian Seer) the past, the present, and the future knew," pro phesied that Abertawe would be submerged, and th t swans wouhl sail over its site. In order to vary the style in which this controversy has been carried on, I have versified a bit, and appended is the tradition. Hoping Mr. Melland w1l1 not be too much occupied in performing his Master's work (but that he will be able, even at the risk of neglecting that) to continue the controvesy, it" the whole welfare of the community is involved in it, I am, Sir, Yours obediently, C. D. M. Ages ago, as I've been told, There lived a seeress, hoar and uLl Her eyes had long since IDst their light, Rut she, instead, had second sight. And with strange mental eye could ken Things all unknown to mortal men. In those good days on Kilvey's crest The lark might sing or build its nest; Arid heath bell sweet and fragrant flower Shed perfume meet for lady's bower And from the base to summit high Bright gems of beauty cheered the eye Alld there tIns aged dame would stray, At close "f (very summer day. Her trembling steps the children guide, And lead her o'er the slippery side And resting on a rude-carved seat, Secured from rain and sul'ry heat, She'd give her airy fancies range And visions see most '■ passing strange." One evening there she sat to rest, Her lightless eyes turned t'ward the west, As if her spirit winged its flight After that lustrou8 orb of light. The bleating sheep an,llowing kine Proel:tÎme(1 to her the day's decline For then the wild boar prowled at will, And wolves roamed round old Kilvey hill, And shepherds must their vigils hold, Or house their flocks within the fold. But hush strange scenes before her pass, Like shadows o'er a polished glass, What, what is that you now behold ?" Is asked by young, is asked by old; For well they know that now she's seen What they may ne'er behold I ween. "I've seen." she slid, the mighty deep "Roll on with grand majestic sweep, "And yonder forest, dark and wi'Ie, Fall prostrate, 'fore the swelling tide. Then next I saw a lonely bay, With golden sand where sea-nymphs play, And like a white wing'd fairy band, "From Afric's shore, from India's strand, From where the southern cross is seen From ice-crowned hills of starry sheen, They come and fold their wings to rest, Like sea birds on tbe water's breast. "I saw a town, too, wake to life I heard the turmoil, noise and stride. I saw the furnace flames arise, And clouds of smoke mount to the skies. And now I saw the waves roll on; I looked, and lo the town was gene. And then a lake of azure hue Rose sweet and beauteous to my view, On which the white swans proudly glide, And lave them in the crystal tide." And this is how—old folks told me— Our town acquired its name SWANSEA."

ETYMOLOGY OF SWANSEA. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,—In tracing the origin of names we should net give rein to wild imaginations, and rush into the mystery of the past, jumping at the first thing in the slightest degree favourable, and then holding it forth as a satis- factory conclusion. Our researches should be made also with an entire absence of nationalism, a single grain of which would be onr greatellt impediment. The language in which the researches are made is also of importance, and the hypotheses supported by geogra- phical or historical facts. History informs us that many nations, and consequently as many languages, have from time to time held sway over this part of the coast, each leaving its footprints in the names of places around. The old Celtic language has undoubtedly the first claim, being anciently essen- tially the same as the German, Welsh, Phoenician, and Old Hebrew. Out of this Celtic spring the majority of the words in the Gre> k and Latin tongues. We must therefore begin, not with the branches, but with the very root that produced them. The following facts would, I think, materially assist in tracing the origin of Swansea:—There existed in the Severn sea, somewhere between the Mumbles Point and the Scilly Isles, an island called by the ancients Sueno, which disappeared about the sixth century. In support of this assertion, we will here insert a few quotations from Davies's British Druids." "But what was their 'island with. the strong door?' I think it must be recognized in the Seon with the strong door' mentioned in the poem last cited. At this spot Huor Aeddou is fabled to have arrived at the time of the deluge from the land of Gwydion. That this was an island appears from another mystical poem. Seon, however, was not properly the appellation of the island, but of certain mystical personages who communicated their own name to it, and who seem to have been no other than the Gwydion or Prophetic maids above mentioned. Like the Muses of old they were the patronesses of poetry and music. Taliesin saysThe tuneful tribe will resort to the magnificent Se of the Scon." There was some signal disaster attendant upon the fall of one of these ladies. Hence the bards use the simile in illustrating a hopeless calamity. Thus:—"A doleful tale to the Cymry sports about— Of better stratagem, not fair contention for superiority; like the concussion, like the fall of a Se—like the deluge that afflicted the in- trepid dragon." Druidism is asserted to have originated in the sacred island of the Soon, where the mysteries of Hu, the Helio- arkite god, considered in the character of Bacchus, were celebrated by nine priestesses, who had the title of ^T^ds°brings our bardic mythology again into contact with classical authority. For our Seon corresponds with the Sena, and our Gwydion with the Gadicense of Pom- ponious Mela. Sena, says that geographer, situated in the British Sea, over against the land of the Ossiomii, is famous for the oracle of a Gaulish deity, whose priestesses, devoted to perpetual virginity, are said to be nine in number. They are called Gadicence, supposed to be of great genius and rare endowments; capable of raising storms by their incantations, of transforming themselves into what animals they please, of curing ailments reckoned by others beyond the reach of medicine, quick at dis- cerning, and able to foretell what is to come but easy of address only to sailors and to those who come into this island on purpose to consult them. This spot must have been near the Land's End or amongst the Scilly Islands, but the different tribes had probably several Caer Soons, with establishments somewhat differing from each other. I find a Sena in the British Seas mentioned by Strabo, which in some particulars comes nearer to our bardic mythology. The island and its inhabitants were probably swept away by tidal waves about the same time as Cautrer gwaelod suffered the same fate. These tidal waves com- mitted great destruction in the time of Richard II. the castles of Aberthaw and Porth Cirrick, together with the town of Cynfick, totally destroyed. The Church of Towin, the principal burial place of the Lords of Glamor- gan, also swept away. Similar destruction in Queen Anne's time. (Cambrian Journal.) This Seon was most probably applied to the sea as well as to the island, and it is highly probable that the town known to-day as Swansea had its name from the sea, it being the nearest, most convenient, and most sheltered port on the coast. We may trace also the word Senna to the Welsh or Celtic Genen (month). Vide Baxter on the word Cenio." The conclusion I arrive at is that the Severn Sea or Bristol Channel from opposite Swansea to Scilly Isles had the appellation of Seon from the before-mentioned island, or from Senna, a corruption of the Welsh Genen. The poets of that time give it the name Llongoorth (ship port). This name continued until the Danishpower predominated, when names were changed, or had Danish affixes given them as cy and holm. For example, Flat- holm, Steeplwlm, Langey, (Langland,) Orkney, Bardsey, Lundcy, Swansea. Naes, also another affix signitying promontory or tongue of land jutting out into the sea; and Kerry, from the Scandinavian sker or akiar (a. reef). Vide Worsaae's "Danes in England. The above remarks are at least more probable, a.nd far more stable than such guesswork as Mans had porpoises. Yours, &c., E. T. Kilvey Sept, 3,1872.

VACCINATION. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,—In your issue of Au.'ii: t 23rd there appear two letters from Mr. T. Baker, Southsea House, Threadneedle- street, E.C. one professing to be a reply to my reply to certain questions which Mr. T. Baker confesses never to have seen (how far it is a reply I leave the readers of the previous letters to judgj) the other addressed to the Chairman of the Metropolitan Asylums Board in reply to the fallacies contained in the reports'' of that Board. I will only invite your readers to a careful and unbiassed perusal of the whole correspondence, and shall be quite content to abide by the result. Let them com- pare the plain narration of facts, obtained under circum- stances the most favourable for eliciting the truth, and (whatever Mr. Baker may say to the contrary) honestly recorded; together with the inevitable inferences to be drawn from them let them compare these with the attempted distortion of such facts in your paper of August 2oi*d, and decide between them. I should have confidently allowed them to speak for themselves with- out troubling you with another letter, had it not heen for some ref'Teiiocs in All. Bakei s letter bearing apparently the stamp of authority, into the correctness of wlich 1 considered it desirable to make some c-nquiry, the results of which I will now give y<>u. Mr. Baker avers that Mr. Marson, in his statistical evidence, stated that the deaths from small-pox after small-pox were less than 1 per cent., whereas in small- pox after vaccination they were 5;{ (!) percent, (query, 4220, Commons Committee evidence)." What Mr. Marion really did say was- "there area few cases of persons who have h id small-pox after small-p1 >x and in the first table whidl 1 gave, the number was less than 1 per cent. of small-pox after small-pox, whereas it was 33 ) cr cent. (eases not deaths) of small-pox after vaccination." The table here referred to WiiS one he published about 20 years ago; and the vaccinated cases included the perfect awl imperfect, as well as adults, in many of whom, not having been re-vaccinated, the influence had probably passed away. Comment upon the important difference between the misquotation and the true one is needless. In Mr. linker's letter to the chaii man, &c, is the follow- ing—" The assertion so frequently repeated in the papers last year. awl reiterated now, that the small-pox hospital nurses had been re-vaccinated, and, therefore, had escaped, was disposed of by jlr. Mai son in his evidence who stated that most, if not. "ll of such nurses had been previous patients in the hospital i.e. had recently had small-pox." Now, this is .so utterly at variance with Mr. Marson's own words in his Ess ly on Small-pox. that I was induced to enquire also into the correctness of the "hove version of his evidence, with the foltowin"- result. Mr. Marson said "that of the la rjje number of nurses and servants employed during the :!5 years he had resided at the hospital none lutel taken sniall-ox there, he bavin" taken care to re-vaeeinate them when they came." He added that some had had small-pox before they came, and these he did not vaccinate; and that during this epidemic they had been glad on account of the dearth of nurses, to employ some who had come in as p'tients and been willing to stay. But he never said, or thought of saying, that most of the nurses had had small-pox. It is utterly untrue." Mr. Marson's words in the Essay above referred to are—"For just upon thirty years we have re-vaccinated all the nurses and servants, who had not had small-pox, on their coming to live at the small-pox hospital, and not one of them has contracted small-pox during their stay there." Again, Mr. Baker states that Sir W. Jenner does not say that he ever personally practised vaccination. He has seen a large number of children in hospitals .query 4504), so may others, without knowing whether they had been vaccinated or not." Here are Sir W. Jenner's words (4504). As to the effect of vaccination, my opportunities have been very large indeed. At the children's hospital I have had an enormous practice among children at the ases when they have been recently vaccinated, and for 10 or 12 years after vaccination." His deliberate opinion founded upon his large experience I have given in a former letter and he is not a man to arrive at a conclusion upon insufficient data. The force and meaning of Sir W. Jenner's own words and Mr. Baker's version (ar perver- sion) of them, must be at once apparent. It is scarcely necessary to follow Mr. Baker in his track of error with further corrections as to matters of fact; and it is as use- less reasoning up jn such matters with a person who goes so far as to deny the contagiousness of small-pox as it would be to argue the question whether the world was globular or flat; a correspondence upon which subject I saw a few days ago in a pamphlet published last year, in which a Mr. John Hampden maintained that the earth was a flat disc, calling "impostors and liars" (such were his choice expressions) all who said that it was not, Captain Geo. Peacock, F.R.G.S., having undertaken the super- fluous task of defending the popular belief. Equally in vain I fear is it to discuss the question before us with one who, influenced by one dominant idea—a sort of vaccino- phobia—and ignoring the various morbific agencies at work, especially within and around the dwellings of the poor, lays at the door of vaccination the large death-rates from diarrhœa, whooping cough, &c., which swell the bills of infant mortality. What opportunities, it may be asked, has this gentleman had of seeing and studying these diseases about which he theorises so glibly? A kind of writing-desk pathology, it seems, fed by imagination, con- cerning which I will not take up more of your readers' time or my own. With regard to infantile syphilis how- ever, upon which Mr. Baker lays so much stress, and for which he attempts to make vaccination so largely respon- sible, I may inform him and others who may not be more conversant with the subject than he appears to be, that this malady makes its appearance in a very large majority of cases in from a fortnight to six weeks after birth—a period antecedent to the usual time of vaccination, very few indeed being vaccinated until between two and three months old, and chiefly when near the latter age. Most of the cases I have myself seen have been under a month old, and I have seen children born with marked sympto'ns of it. Out of 158 cases accurately reported by Diday and quoted by Dr. West, this disease shewed itself in 86 within the first month, and in 110 within six weeks. In 12 only was it deferred beyond the third month. I will now leave your readers to judge how far the occurrence of the malady, or the deaths connected with it, can fairly be attributable to vaccination I will now give you the the decision of the committee of the House of Commons, in their own words, after hear- ing and weighing all the evidence on both sides brought before them, and before whom Mr. Baker himself and his friends had the opportunity of saying all they had to say upon the subject. This is the decision— That the cow-pox affords, if not an absolute, yet a very great protection against an attack of small-pox and an almost absolute protection against death from that disease. That if the operation be performed with due regard to the health of the person vaccinated, and with proper pre- cautions in obtaining and using the vaccine lymph, there need be no apprehension that vaccination will injure health or communicate any disease. "That small-pox unchecked by vaccination is one of the most terrible and destructive of diseases, as regards the danger of infection, the proportion of deaths among those attacked, and the permanent injury to the survivors, and therefore That it is the duty of the State to endeavour to se- cure the careful vaccination of the whole population." This decision was founded upon the evidence, on the one hand, of such men as Simon, Marson, Seaton, Buchanan, Jenner, West, Paget, _&c. some of whom have spent years ih the laborious investigation of what are called zymotic diseases, and among these small-pox in all its bearings—the protective influence of vaccination with the rest they have sought out the pestilence wherever it has been most rife, and exposed to personal danger, have toiled in its midst:—others of their number have remained at their post, to afford the required relief to the thousands of sufferers who have been brought to them, and at the same time to throw the light of their labours and experience upon whatever may contribute to save the lives of those afflicted, and to protect others from its ravages :—men who, with others of their pro- fessional brethren, have ever been the pioneers and most active promoters of all that has been done to preserve the nation from plague and pestilence, in whatever form they may appear—whether small-pox, fever, cholera, &c.; and have been foremost in combating disease at its source, very often without fee or reward, and, it may be said, against their own interest, in the sense to which Mr. Baker would degrade that term. When the practical testimony of such men happens to be opposed to the views of Mr. Baker, they are accused of dishonesty they are not to be believed their evidence is to be rejected because their" salaries" are said, and falsely said, to depend upon their case." It is scarcely necessary to say that these gentlemen are as incapable of deliberately falsifying the results of their labours—even if their salary" did depend upon their case," as Mr. Baker ap- pears to be of looking at plain facts otherwise than through the distorted medium of his own prejudices. Such was the evidence on the one hand; and your readers will take at its true valuation the imputation of unfair- ness which Mr. Baker has not scrupled to cast upon the eminent men who gave, as well as upon those who re- ceived it. In addition to this evidepce, nineteen twentieths of the medical practitioners of this and other countries would, I believe, offer similar testimony. It is in accord- ance with our almost daily observation and experience during the late as well as other epidemics, and is con- firmed by the answers received by the Epidemiological Society from above 2000 medical practitioners in Eng- land, besides evidence collected from abroad and also by the answers" obtained by Mr. Simon, from "540 dis- tinguished medical men, British and foreign (out of 542 of whom enquiry was made) to a question purposely constructed to elicit the expression of every existing doubt on the protective influence of vaccination.' It may perhaps suit Mr. Baker's purpose to impute interested and sinister. motIves also to this body of gentlemen, as the foundation of their replies On the other hand we have Mr. T. Baker, whose practical acquaintance with this subject, and with the various diseases about which he speaks so oracularly in connection with it, has been in all probability chiefly acquired in the recesses of South Sea House, or watching the case" in a Parliamentary Committee room—and I believe a few others, whose names I do not know. I intend presenting to the library of the Royal Institu- tion of South Wales the Papers relating to the Hist°ry and Practice of Vaccination," published in a Blue BOOK by John Simon, Esq., 1857; before which volume oi evidence (together with the few examples I have adduce selected from the accumulated experience of the lo year since it publication), garbled perversions of plain iacis, misquotations, and wild theories founded upon imaginary data, will burst like any other South-sea bubble. I a.m. Sir, yours obediently, GEORG. PADLKT, L.R.C.P. Lon. Swansea, September itb, 1372.

SWANSEA STREETS. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,-There is no question but that the state of the streets, crossings, and pavements of Swansea is a great disgrace to the town, and the excessive rates a great burden to the ratepayers. Who, then, is to blame? Not Mr. Cousins, the Board has exonerated him. It rests on their own shoulders. Yours obediently, OBSERVER. Swansea, Sept. 5, 1872.

THE SCHOOLMASTER AND HIS POSITION. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." DEAR SIR,—To-day I had much pleasure in having the privilege of inspecting a large number of plans, in the Townhall, for the proposed schools of Carmarthen-road and St. ihomas. Indeed, some did look very pretty to the eye, owing to the use of the paint and brush. I took the trouble to inspect a few plans, and discovered that some of the designers displayed an amount of-well, never mind what about school buildings, arrangements of class-rooms, &c. The written description of one plan, in particular, contained some unpardonable errors. The next thing that drew my attention was the master's resi- dence—yes, the master's residence—I am not mistaken. I am glad the Board has taken a charitable view of this worthy individual, and deemed it prudent to furnisli him with a dwelling house. What! and shall a master have a little flower-garden, and beds of an ornamental kind before his i esidence ? Since when has this isolated and pedantic individual fallen in with such respect as to merit such a fine house? Only since he has become scarce in the market. Should I be so fortunate as to become the head master of the Carmarthen-road Schools, I fear I shall grow like Physignathus, and become, too ambitious, proud, haughty, erudite, pedantic, domineer- Pedagogic, &c &c., to speak even to my managers, u! i f m(?st serious question arises—How should I be able to turnish such a magnificent house so as to make it suitable to the higher position which I am now supposed to hold I here s the rub!" My clothes are seedy, my hat is shabby, and my shoes with gaping mouths are accusing me of slavery, cruelty, and oppression But can I help i; ? Coal is almost too dear to burn meat is up; my rent is rising with tha times; rates are-rowing heavier tailors, drapers and milliners, with outstretched hands, are asking for more money; my bookseller is fol- lowing the times, &c., ad infinitum, and yet my "cllary remains stationary, ard the school fees continue on the same scale. The collier is getting more money for cut- ting coal, and shall I not be better paid for endeavonrin"- with the best of my ability to bring more (mental) soil under proper cultivation Unruly Arabs and hico igible blockheads now come under my hand in greater numbers, requiring more patience, greater exertion on my part, and am I still to be paid the same? As the work-people have a great share in driving wages up and making other things proportionately dear, is it unreasonable to ask them to contribute a little more towards the education of their ottering? They can well afford it. What is being done with the money earned durin4* tlieso pros- perous times ? Let the publican answer. Is it saved or put by for a rainy day Are the places of habitation kept cleaner? Are the children better fed, and better clothed than before. I think not. Then where does the money go? Since the money is squandered il. some unprofitable way, I again repeat -Is it unreasonable to ask a parent to pay a few pence more for the education of his children during these prosperous times Common sense answers, No In the North of England an agita- tion is going on for the purpose of raising the school fees; and I ask, cannot a similar movement be set on foot in and around Swansea? And yet. upon reconsideration, I fear such a project is impracticable, since the school- masters of this neighbourhood have as much union or cohesion as dry sand or the particles of gas. F.ach teacher has his opinion and is an association in himself. Before concluding, I would ask, cannot some means be devised whereby to secure better pay and the ameliora- tion of our wretched position ? At one time I had some hopes the London School Board would act the part of a Daniel come to judgment," and show an example to the whole kingdom worthy of imitation, but things have cropped up lately that have tended to set my face against the sharp practice and underhand dealings of the Board and to remind me still stronger that "all that "litters is not gold." ° As I may be occupying too much of your space in advo- cating party interests, I conclude by thanking you for the insertion of the above. Your obedient Servant, A POOR TEACHER. Swansea, Aug. 24th, 1872.

SWANSEA HOSPITAL. An Abstract of the Resident Medical Officer's Report to the Weekh Board, from August 29 to September 5, 1872. IN-DOOR PATIENTS. Remained by last report 43 Admitted since 6—49 Discharged, cured, and relieved. 12 Died 1-13 Remaining. -36 OUT-DOOB PATIENTS. Remained by last report 328 Admitted since 57-385 Discharged, cured, and relieved 51 Died. 0-51 Remaining. 334 Visited at home- 7 new 34 old. MEDICAL OFFICERS FOR THE WEEK. Physician. Dr. Padley. Surgeon Mr. J. G. Hall. JOHN LLOYD, L.R.C.P., &c., Resident Medical Officer. Committee who attended Mr. John Williams, in the Chair; Messrs. J. W. Clark, F. J. C. Scott, William Stone, Samuel Morgan, John Jones, James Goodall, Wm. Jones, John Lewis. Sunday religious services performed by the Rev. James Owen and Mr. Parnell.—Wednesday, Rev. Wm. Evans, St. Thomas. N.B.—Parcels of old linen, and other useful articles, will be thankfully received by the Matron. JOHN W. MORRIS, Secretary.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. Receipts for week ending Sept. 1, 1872 JE104 626 0 0 Corresponding week „ 1871.. £ 03,443 0 0 TAFF VALE RAILWAY. Receipts for week ending Aug. 31, 1872 £ 7319 0 0 Corresponding week, „ 1871. £ 581(5 0 0 Penarth J1521 0 0 Corresponding week last year £841 0 0 BRECON AND MERTHYR RAILWAY. Receipts for week ending Sept. 1, 1872 £ 1479 12 10 Corresponding week last year, 1871. £ 1411 17 9 SOMERSET AND DORSET RAILWAY. Estimated Traffic, week ending Sept. 1, 1872 £ 1694 10 1 Traffic of Comparative week, 1871 £ 1173 16 3 HIGH WATER IN SWANSEA HARBOUR FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. HIGII WATER. HEIGHTS. Week Days. Ent. pottery Ilafod Morn. Even. chan Brjdg/ Works SEPT. H. M. H. M. F. 1. P. 1. F. I. Saturday 7 8 40 8 56 21 9 17 9 14 3 Sunday 8 9 14 9 32 20 10 16 10 13 4 Monday 9 9 50 10 12 19 6 15 6 12 0 Tuesday 10 10 34 11 1 17 10 13 10 10 4 Wednesday 11 11 3# 16 5 12 5 8 11 Thursday 12 0 4 • 49 16 2 12 2 8 8 Friday 13 1 41 2 30 17 3 13 3 9 9 MOON'S AGE:-First Quarter, 10th, 2h. 3m. p.m.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. WWe cannot insert notices of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, unless the persons who send them attach their names and places of abode. BIRTHS. On the 2nd inst., at 33, Fynone Terrace, Swansea, the wife of Capt. Morton, of a son. On the 26th ult., at Upper Cradock-street, Swansea, the wife of Mr. William Ball, of a daughter. On the 26th ult., the wife of Mr. John Allen, No. 14, Rutland- street, Swansea, of a son. On the 8th ult., at Brooklyn, New York, the wife of Mr. Edwin C. Squance, builder, of a daughter. On the 22nd ult., at No. 2, Parade, Carmarthen, the wife of Mr. C. Videon Harding, professor of music, of a daughter. On the 26th ult., at No. 1, High-street, Bideford, the wife of Mr. William Pridham, wine and spirit merchant, of a son. MARRIAGES. On the 2nd inst., (by license), at Jubilee Chapel, Pell-street, Swansea, by the Rev. Edward Powell, Mr. William Tod, master mariner, to Miss Ann Lily Cowan, of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire On the 29th ult., at St. Clement's Church, Briton Ferry, by" the vicar, Bartholomew Parker Bidder, Esq., of Neath, to Georgianna Starhuck, fourth daughter of the late George Penrose, Esq., of Clynybont, and widow of the late James Starbuck, Esq.. of Giant's Grave, Glamorgan. No cards. On the 28th ult., at St. David's Church, Llanwonno, by the Rev. T. W. Jones, B.A., curate, Mr. George Stingemore, to Miss Elizabeth Ann Stone also, at the same time and by the same clergyman, Mr. William Davies. to Miss Elizabeth Davies, all from the parish of Llanwonno. On the 31st ult at St. David's Church, Llanwonno, by the Rev. T. W. Jones, B.A., curate, Mr. David Morgan, of GyfeiUon, to Miss Lewis, of the Glan Rhondda Hotel. On the 5th inst., at St David's Church, Llanwonno, by the Rev W. Davies. M.A.. vicar of the parish, assisted by the Rev. P. Wilsom Jones, curate, Mr. W. Howels Key, chemist and druggist, Pontypridd, to Miss Watkins, of the London House, Pontypridd. DEATHS. On the 3rd inst., at 66, Brunswick-street, Swansea, Elizabeth Mary, the beloved wife of Mr. William Grant, aged 28 years. On the 31st ult., at the Plymouth Inn, Oxford-street, Swansea, William George, the beloved son of Mr. H. C. Tate, aged 8 years. On the 27th ult., at 18, Goat-street, Swansea, aged 39 years, the wife of Mr John Alexander Robertson. On the 4th inst., at 42, Fleet-street, Swansea, aged 73 years, Mr. Joseph Thorne. I On the 14th ult., Margaret, fifth daughter of the late John Morgan, Esq., Penydre, Neath, aged 60. On the 20th ult., at Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, after a long and painful illness, Thomas Lewis Howell, Esq., M.R.C.S. On the 22nd ult., after a few days' illness, of inflammation, deeply regretted, Helena Maud, second daughter of Mr. G. Stephens, governor of Carmarthen County Gaol, aged 21 years. 0" the 31st ult., at Ludlow, Gwendoline Ruth, infant daughter of Molesworth Ellis, Esq., of Llwyndowy, Carmarthenshire, aged nine months. On the 31st ult., at the residence of her brother (Rev. David Morgan, rector of Llanbadarn-fawr, Radnorshire), Mary, eldest daughter of the late Rev. J. E. Morgan, St. Brides Major, Glamorganshire. Printed by Steam Power, and Published by HOWEL WALTERS WILLIAMS, at the CAMBRIA5 Omci, No. 68, Wind-street, Swansea, in the County of Glamorgan.—FRIDAY, SfimxsiK 9, 1872.