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- I CURRENT AGRICULTURAL j…
I CURRENT AGRICULTURAL j TOPICS. The important advance in the wheat market trhich has taken place since the commencement of the new year very plainly shows that prices were Previously depressed far below their natural level by an extraordinary combination of circum- stances. There were, in the first place, great pecuniary difficulties owing to the badness of the times among foreign growers and exporters, to- gether with holders of stocks in England, no less than among farmers here at home, compelling lale!f to be made at whatever prices were forth- coming. Then there was the remarkable depres* sion of the shipping interest, causing wheat to be brought across the seas at exceedingly low freights, and sometimes even as ballast. Thirdly, the realisation of a good harvest all the world over caused abundant supplies to come forward from all directions. Other causes might he named, but these three primary ones Will fully account for wheat being sold during the whole of last autumn at lower rates than bad been known, not only within the memory of man, but for considerably more than a century. That foreign producers and shippers have sus- tained grievous losses no less than English farmers by this strange state of things is very patent, and it was plainly to be foreseen that a reaction was sure to come as soon as the more needy sellers had worked off their stocks, and this class included a large section of farmers here at home who always are compelled to sell their wheat, if not imme- diately after harvest, before Christmas to meet monetary claims, including rent, the tithe charge, rates, and taxes. Probably a great many of the more wealthy class have the greatest part of their wheat still in stack, and they will be wise if they abstain from thresh- ing still a little longer, being likely enough by so doing to sell for a considerable advance on even present rates before Midsummer, and perhaps ere Lady Day arrives. All farmers having wheat to sell will naturally be now canvassing the important point to what extent it is likely to recover values. This will in some measure depend on the action of foreign merchants and exporters. If, through being anxious sellers, they press forward copious sup- plies on the spur of the present re-action such a course will moderate the upward movement. Still, I should be by no means surprised to find wheat at something like the old price of 40s. per quarter during the ensuing spring. Another new County Agricultural Society has been organised for Wiltshire. An adjourned meeting of the promoters of the undertaking took place on the 8th inst. at Trowbridge, when the association was not only organised and most of its officers appointed, but it was decided that the first show shall be held at Trowbridge next July. Somerset agriculturists were also taking steps to convert the Taunton Association into a county one about a year ago, and it is generally understood that the object will soon be carried out. Thus, in the West of England the feeling is 4decidedly in favour of having more Agricultural Societies and Shows, although in some other parts of the king- dom there is a strong feeling that it would be far better if two or three of the smaller county Associations were combined into one. The gilt and varnish of the great Stocktonburv tale has been somewhat rubbed off by a singularly regrettable incident owing to the American pur- chaser of the celebrated Hereford sire, "Lord ^ilton," having failed to carry out his contract. Messrs. Edwards and Weaver are now advertising a second Stocktonbury sale to be held on the 12th Of ^ebmary next, when, according to their announcement, Lord Wilton and fourteen other Hereford cattle, bought by Mr. Henry Vaughan at the August sale, will be disposed of in consequence of their not having been paid for and taken away. The price this American buyer agreed to give for Lord Wilton" was no less than 3,800 guineas- more than four times as much again as any other animal of the breed had previously realised. His chief antagonist was the agent of Major Rankin, and, indeed, the biddings were entirely between the3e two after 2,000 guineas had been reached. The other animals are mostly daughters of Lord Wilton," for some of which ho was to have given rather high prices. The following were knocked down to him, as followsBaroness II. 88 Mineas; "Gay," 90 guineag. "Gora n..„ 91 ^ninpaQ•* u guineas; "Dinah," 150 £ Alethea," 210 guineas; "Rosa," 310 guineas^, Polyanthus," 155 guineas; Rosabelle Wilton," 150 guineas; Ruth Wilton," 165 guineas; Mary Wilton," 200 guineas "Gertrude Wilton," 90 gu:neas. ThefactDf the executorsof the late Mr- Carwardine having so much treasure thrown on their hands must cause them great anxiety. Among coming changes in show-yard e-reles is I he dispersion of the far-famed Merton flock, and the retirement of Lord Walsingham as a sheap ex- hibitor. His lordship will certainly be very much tnissed, but whenever those who have been in the habit of taking a monopoly of primf- go off the ecene it gives greater scope to the ambition of other breeders. The cause of this step being about to be taken in said to be the increase of estate business taking up so much of Mr. Henry Wood's time that he would in any case be unable to IUperintend the management of the Merton flock in future, and rather than entrust it to other hands Lord Walsingham prefers to have it dis- posed of at public auction. Ought Chambers of Agriculture to deal mostly "ith political questions, or with subjects of prac- tical husbandry ? This was the knotty point on "hich there appears to have been a considerable difference of opinion at the annual meeting of the pifencester Chamber last week, Mr. El was affii m- Ing that their meetings would be far more beneficial to themselves and the general com- Canity by dealing chiefly with the practical, while Air. Hulbert, on the contrary, seemed desirous of gOing in entirely for politics. In the end, the chamber decided that they would restrict them- eelves to neither the one nor the other, but deal With both as occasion appeared most fitting: most singular objection was raised by Mr. Hulbert against practical matters of husbandry having much of the attention of the chamber; He Slid that whatever views vere propounded there 'Would be sure to be differences of opinion thereon. Consequently they would be just as well left alone. I trust the speaker may have been Wrongly reported, as it seems a reproach on tha Intelligence of an industrial class that has made sUch important advances by the aid of the arts and sciences during the last half-century that a declaration should go forth to the public ear that a proposal to study and discuss other measures for attaining still greater progress had been reso- trufy re^use^ in a popular assembly on such a y h»dicrous ground. Chaml*!? ,annual meeting 6f the Cleveland Yorkshire, alsd held iast week, Sir Joseph Peas. M D „ auditors and presid,n^ comforted h,s health of floc^-k«ep?3 generallyonthe good = herds with which the present Tear opens, and he „ t-u 4. ent on to express his confident anticipation that, if can keep out foreign n0 to dread the lDcreasIDg SUPPly of dead meat from abroad. There are good grounds for assuming U»t this View is .tolerably one Ke„ Zealand mutton has hitherto beeQ iTODOrted t loss, just as American wheat has been during the past six months. No doubt large quantities of low class beef and mutton will come to hand in the future, but our home-produced meat win always realise a higher price than this, and can scarcely be held to compete with it.
- AGRICULTURAL NOTES:
AGRICULTURAL NOTES: LM AND DEAD WEIGHT.—WELSH STATISTICS. 'Col^nel P1.att w«tes as follows in the Live the rnn°Ur^1 y°u be good enough to insert of m y°ur next issue, which I trust may cattle _,K^est t° those farmers and feeders of show ticujarl°?read your journal? Being more par- leyed -with the Welsh cattle, I col- compare to see how other breeds wsight. j them in percentage of dead to live butcher, ,nuebted to a well-known Welsh several prize n 'n fie habit of slaughtering formation I p0s, every Christmas, for the in- A Welsh runt rf up t°the Smithfield Show, 1884. 1881, scaled 70 pe^!? red by him Christmas, others of the same br«! ol ita Iive weight; two steer, 67. and a Hereforto er Cent"' a Shorthorn close upon a ton liVe rr* Per cent.; all being Jvelsh runt sealed 67, a In 1882, a prize horn, 65 per cent. In iRPQ Scotch 66> a Short- ^ampion Polled Scotch heiw' ^Birmingham »ts live weight; another per cent" cent.; a Norfolk prize heifer eq l tch hampion Hereford heifer at thlPfr Ce"t-1' gow in 1883,« a noted prize-winn^, £ ,"n,n*ha™ the last Smithfield Show in 1884 th» £ &cow above four vears old w2*,SSt V™ The °^F- 81bs-> and 992"lbs. dead, or 67-7SrcPn?' 0ver prize Hereford steer above tw0 and not l.42Qlb!Trf year9„old weighed, ahve, l7cwfc. 3qr ?°t or 714 Per cent. Hereford heifers vve four years old, l*cwt. Oqr. 261bs 0tft *JLK ^>^921 bs. dead, or 68-5 percent. Shorts ^Shed II aboTe two years, not exceeding three, S?«L ,Wt- 3<lr- u'bs- alive, l^SOlbs. 3ead, or Snorthorn heifers not exceeding four years, first prize beast, weighed, alive, 17cwt. Oqr. 221bs.. dead l,362lbs., or 70"7 per cent. of live weight. Sussex steers above three years, not exceeding four years, 21cwt. 2qr. 41bs. alive, and 1,768lbs. dead, or 73-3 per cent. Sussex heifers not exceeding four years, 16cwt. 3qr. 201bs. alive, and l,2621bs. dead, or 66 5 per cent. Red Polled steers above three years old and not exceeding four, 16cwt. Oqr. 261bs. alive, and l,2991bs. dead, or 714 per cent. Red Polled heifers or cows, 16cwt. Oqr. lOlbs. alive, and 1,160lbs. dead, or 6V3 per cent. Welsh runts, 18cwt. Oqr. 201bs. alive, 1,3601bq. dead, or 66 8 per cent. High- land steers, 15cwt. lqr. lOlbs. alive, l,0781bs. dead, or 62-7 per cent. The correspondent also gives other particulars of a similar character. SALES OF PURE-BRED SCOTCH CATTLE IN 1884. Business in pure-bred Scotch cattle in 1884 has been exceptionally good, the numbers sold being double those of 1883, while prices, if not so high as in 1882-3, when there was an extraordinary de- mand for pure-bred polled Angus stock for American export, have been on the whole fairly good. From the annual report we learn that in all d653 395 has been paid for 1,677 head, the average price realised being nearly £32. In 1883 the number of cattle sold was 819, and the average price realised for them was nearly JE35. While the number sold was more than doubled last year, there was thus a decrease in the average price of over X3. In the year 1882 the number of pure-bred cattle sold was 1,183, and the average price nearly JE37. Of polled cattle, the total number sold du ing the past year was 782, and they realised an average of JE36 3s. 4d. The sales are the largest of any year, but the value has receded to what it was before the demand from America set in and raised the prices during the two preceding seasons. In the year 1883, 256 polled cattle were sjld, at an average price of £ 46 lie. ld" or £10 7s. 9d. more than the average for the past year. In 1882 the number sold was 434, and the average price reached £ 55 13s. 10 £ d. Shorthorns fairly well reached £55 13s. 10 £ d. Shorthorns fairly well maintained value during the past year. A great increase took place in the numbers sold as com- pared with those in the two preceding years. As many as 895 head of shorthorns were sold by auction, and realised all average price of £ 28 Is. 2id. In 1883 the number sold was 545, and the average price was JE29 8s. 4d. Thus, with an increase of 350 in the number sold last year, there is a decrease in the average price of m 7s. lid. 2 ENSILAGK WITHOUT PRESSURE. Mr. James Howard, M.P., writes to the Tinus:— Sir,—In view of the attention which is now being given to this subject the following results of ex- periments made here may not be without interest to your readers. Having read the proceedings of the ensilage conference which took place in Chicago, and studied the information obtained for the Royal Agricultural Society of England by its secretary, Mr. Jenkins, as well as other reports of the working of silos at home and abroad, I was struck with the fact that, although excellent results had in many cases been obtained, great uncertainty appeared to attend the process everywhere; for no matter how the material was manipulated it seemed impossible to foretell whether acetic, alcoholic, or sweet silage would be the result. This fact naturally led the writer to an investigation of the causes of such un- certainty, and the conclusion arrived at was that the want of uniformity in the results was owing to the lack of correct means for confining the pro- cess of fermentation within a certain range. From this point it was argued that, under ordinary conditions, atmospheric air being by far the most active agent in the process of fermentation, the exclusion of the ex- ternal atmosphere from the material (after being packed in the silo) would limit the extent of the fermentation a certain quantity of air having, of course, been inseparably stored up with the material. The various plans adopted for com- pressing the material in the silo with a view to the exclusion of air are all evidence of the sound- ness of the conclusion arrived at, and the varying results obtained from compression—mechanical or manual—appear conclusively to show that the real object aimed at, the exclusion of air, has been only partially successful, and that the usual covering of boards or earth does not pre- vent the setting up and escape of active currents of gas produced by fermentation, nor their being replaced by descending currents of fresh air; uncertain action, therefore, in the ordi- nary silo ceases to be a matter of surprise. Having been led to these conclusions, I determined be- fore erecting a silo for my own farm to carry out a series of experiments, and for this purpose some large glass jars were obtained. Each pair of jars was filled with the same kind of fodder, and, after being well rammed, one jar was turned topsv-turvy and the other well weighted at the top.' The glass being clear, the difference in the process of fermentation could easily be discerned; in every experiment the material in the jar turned topsy-turvy was seen to be more regularly acted upon, and no mould was observable, as in the case of the other jar; the silage produced was in every case sweet, with a more or less alcoholic flavour. Having by repeated experiments with different kinds of fodder satisfied myself as to the correct- ness of the theory, I erected a silo, 20ft. high, built of hard bricks set in cement. On the top of the walls is a course of channelled stone-ware, square-shaped tiles especially made for the purpose of forming a water gutter, into which the eaves of a galvanized iron roof dip; by this means a simple and effectual air- tight joint is made between the roof and the walls, which is renewed with every shower of rain. The silo was completed in the autumn and filled with unchopped green clover (second CI'op), which was simply trodden down by boys, and no Weight- ing or covering adopted. The silo has just been opened, and accompanying this letter is a box con- taining some of the silage produced; a mors fragrant example can scarcely be imagined Th« various animals upon the farm seize it raven'0Us," The material at the very top, where it was U ™ £ pressed, is, moreover, entirely free from mohu may add that precisely the same results have been obtained from a small silo congfcructed entirely iron, and which was filled with clover on SeDtem. ber 12 and opened on Friday last. ENSILAGE FOR THE DAIRY. The Cheater correspondent of the Daily C'h,.onicie writes-—Great disappointment is felt* thr0u<»j,. out the extensive dairy districts of Cheshire at the issue of a circular by Mr. Haddon, manager of the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company, Middle- wicli, condemning the use of ensilage for dairy cattle and declining to take further milk suppjje3 from Cheshire dairy farmers using ensilage. Mr. from Cheshire dairy farmers using ensilage. Mr Haddon learns that there is considerable agitation among the Cheshire farmers on the subject of ensilage, and that quite a number are luaking preparations to experiment with it next, season. Mr. Haddon proceeds:—" We are ad- vised that it is not a question admittin" of two opinions, and that the evidence that ensi- lage milk cannot be used for condensing is coijeju. sive. Both in our own interest and in the interest of farmers who may contemplate the use of ensi- lage we find it advisable to announce at an early date that our future contracts for the supply Qf milk will contain a clause declining to receive milk from ensilage-fed cows. Milk is a peculiar substance, and its soundness can scarcely be graded. It is either sound and good or it is bad. It is our opininn that milk not good for one pur. pose is also not good for any other purpose." PLAGUE OF SPARROWS. The plague of sparrows is in many districts outrageous. Where there are many houses-^id houses and cottages especially-in proportion to the area in corn the destruction at harvest time becomes intolerable. In a country of small dairy- farms, with but a small portion of arable-land, the loss and injury are very great. And in some old suburbs, too, the nuisance is excessive.
GARDENING NOTES.
GARDENING NOTES. A NEW VEGETABLE—THE PEN-Y-BYD » MARROW. At tiie October meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, in 1883, that very successful vegetable grower and exhibitor, Mr. Muir, gardener to Mr. C. R. M. Talbot, M.P., Margam Park, Taibach, South Wales, exhibited a new vegetable marrow, which came before the committee with a wonderful reputation as a cropper. Some of the members present had seen it the month previously at the great show at Dundee, where the judges, recognising its good qualities, gave it a First Class • It was much admired, at South Ken- ngton and gained a similar award there. At both „ rr meetings it was shown as Muir's uyorid '_a piain> matter-of-fact sort of cogno- men, which has been changed for the more striking name ot Pen-y-byd," bv which every Welshman will recognise it as The Best in the World. This is not the hrst new marrow that Mr. Muir has raised, but it is the best and most distinct. It bolongs to the custard section, and is generally globular in shape, as will be seen by the accompanying illus- tration, but sometimes comes slightly ribbed. The plant is a strong, vigorous grower, very short jointed, and sets a fruit at every point. The flesh is of a creamy white colour, thick and firm, and very delicate in flavour. The stock has passed into the hands of Messrs. James Veitch and Sons, who are sending it out this season as one of their novelties, and to whom wo are indebted for the illustration given above.- Gai-(Ielliiql World.
THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.…
THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS. The Farmer of Monday says:—Trade is steady, without being very active. The weather is frosty. English wheat well maintains its late advance, and fine samples are often held for more money. Foreign wheat is one shilling dearer for white sorts from Monday; most qualities are harder to buy. Flour is firm, at full rates; barley, both soi-t-, rather dearer; peas, Is. dearer; oats, 6d. Maize ir irregularly dearer. Beans, lentils, and millers' offal are all firm in price. Cargoes keep strong in value.
Y BARDD CYMREIG. ---------Qo.
Y BARDD CYMREIG. Qo. TO CORRESPONDENTS. ■RWOTTSTT Poetrv intended for insertion in the Weekly Mail should be addressed to the Editor, at the Cardiff offices of the paper; all Welsh compositions to Dewi C^HKPONDKKTS^vlw ^pwish their unused MSS. re- turned muet in all cases enclose stamps for that purpose.
[No title]
« YSGOL PROFIAD."—Y mae y syniadaeth ya rhy gyffredin, a'r eglurebion (illustrations) yn rhy bwl a diafael i ni allu canfod gwerth yr addysg geir yn yr ysgol hon; eto yr ydym yn credu yn ei rhagoriaethau, er nad ydym yn cael golwg glir arnvnt. Yr ydych yn chwareu gormod ar wyneb y dwfr, ewch fel y sudd-gloch i lawr i'r dyfnderoedd, a dygwch i fynu o'r trysorau sydd I yno. Tipyn rhy ysgafn ac anaddfed yw y cyfansoddiad i ymddangos mewn cylioeddiad o urddasedd y IVeelcly Mail; dichon y eawn sylweddolach syniadaeth yn eich nesaf. LLINELLAU PROFIAD,Carasern allu cyhoeddi eich penillion, ond y maent yn rhy anghelfydd i ymddangos yn y Weekly Mail y tro hwn; yr ydych vn colli hyd y nod yn elfenau symlaf cyfansoddiad. Ni wna "ymaeth" y tro am ymaith; ni wna "i'm deimlo brudd," am deimlo'n brudd fy mron ac ni wna ty y tro am tu ac ni wna y tro i osod anian i ysgogi o chwith, ac yn groes i'w ddeddfau, megys yn y penill canlynol:— Pan ddaeth nos o ddu afieehyd Ar ei edyn i fy rhau, Haul fy mywyd giliodd ymaeth. Do, machludodd yn y man. Nid yw y nos yn arterol o ddyfod cyn machlud haul, ond yr ydych chwi yn ei gosod yma felly rhovvch i'r nos hefyd yr ystlen wyrywaidd yn lle'r fenywaidd—" Ar ei edyn," yn lie ar ei Aedyn. Dywedwch hefyd geisio edrych fel yn Ion," yn lie yn lloll" ac ieuenctyd Ion yn lie ieuenctid Won, kc. Da chwi, dysgwch dipyn o ramadeg, a mynwell ddeall treigladaeth llythyrenau yn gyntaf peth: peth chwithig hollol yw ymgynyg at farddoni cyn meistroli pothau fel hyn. Ond er pobpeth, y mae eich cerdd yn addawol.
BARDDONIAETH. !
BARDDONIAETH. ENGLYN I NATHAN DYFED. Er ys ychydig wythnosau yn ol rhoddasom Nathan Dyfed yn destyn englyn a llwyddasoin i gael iddo bedwar-ar-ddeg o honynt, pa rai a renir yn ddosparthiadau fel y canlyn :-Yn y trydydd dosparth y saif eiddo Catwg, X.Y.Z., Libanus, Llygadgralf, Disybl, a Rhywun. Dywed Catwg fel hyn Fuiat, a'r imvyaf parod-yw, a'n bardd Awen ber diorfod: ]itifedd yr Eisteddfod, Nathan w. a'n iaitli yn nnd, Gwelir inai englyn gwallus ei gyngluanedd, a chvmysglyd ei iaith a'i syniadaeth yw eiddo Catwg. Yn nesaf daw eiddo X.Y.Z :— Llengarwr a llaw 'n agored,— bardd hael, Heb urdd i ddynwared, Yw'n difyr Nathan Dyfed, dyner lith daen ar led. Nid oes nemawr o deithi meddyliol Nathan yn dyfod i'r golwg yn yr englyn liwn. Beth feddylia yr awdwr wrth y frawddeg "hob urdd i ddyn- wared," nis gwyddom. "A'i dyner lith daen ar led sydd linell wan iawn, ac heb fod yn ddesgrif- iadol o Nathan fwy na ryw lenor a bardd arall. Yn nesaf daw Libanus:— Nathan, nij yw wenieithwr,—ond didwyll l)ad, a tliwyni wladgarwr; Awen ein bardd dardd ft!I dwr 0 Liball-hyfryd wlybwr. Nid oes yn yr englyn ond un llinell wir nod- woddiadol o Nathan, sef yr ail-" didwyll dud, a thwym wladgarwrac o barth fod ei awen yn tarddu fel dwr o Libanus o braidd y gwyddom ystyr y gyffolybiaeth, na befch all fod ei phryd- t'erthwcli. Yn nesaf daw eiddo Llygadgralf :— Xathan sydd orddwfn ieittiydd,—a'i awen Fel gwiwair y eoedydd A'i droed 'n ei henoed fel iiydd, Yn camn draws ein eymydd. Er mor heini v mae yr hen frawd Nathan yn ymgadw, o'r braidd y credwn ei fod i'r gmddau ag y desgrilia'r bardd ef yn yr englyn liwn y mae hefyd. i'n tyb ni, dipyn ar y mwyaf o'r ysmala neu y comical ynddo. Yn nesaf daw oiddo Dysg).bl;- Awdwr o fawr wybodaeth—y w'n difwlch Nathan Dyfed—penaeth Cymru ddewr, Oymro a ddaeth; liydd einioi;s i farddoniaeth. Yr wyf yn sicr y cydnobydd Nathan ei hun fod y bardd yn myned i eithalion, pan y dywed fod Nathan yn "bonaeth Cymru ddewr;" dywed yr awdwr hefyd "Cymro a ddaeth," ond ni ddywed o ba le. Yn canlyn y daw Rhywun:— Difyr yw Nathan Dyfed,—a geirddoeth, A'i gerddi cyn Iwyned A'r gwlith tia mae'n ei fron gledd, 1 lenyddiaeth lawn nodded. Cydnabyddwn fod yr englyn liwn yn llawnach o nodweddion Nathan nag un o'r englynion blaen- orol; ond or hyny y mao yn brin, a gallai fod yn llawnach. Deuwnyn awr at yr AIL DDOSPARTH. Yn gyntaf ynte eiddo Photo :— Un difyr yw Nathan Dyfed.—lienor All hoili ymddiried Un addfwyn o. farn addfed, Yn iach i'w mn, uwcli y rlied. Nid yw yn foneddigaidd yn neb i honi ym- ddiriod," a phaham lienor yn fwy na rhyw gymor- iad arall ? Nid yw "uwch y rhed"yn foddhaol iawn, huasai uwch eltell yn fwy priodol; ond nid oedd foddlon y gynghanedd i hyn ond er cymaint o feistres yw hi, nid addas iddi gael traws- lywodraethu a'r synwyr. Yn nesaf Silldremydd — Lienor a bwrdd i'n Iloni-yw Nathan. Pen-ieithydd lieb wyrnl, Cywir ei fron—eawr o fri, A i ddawn wyr iawn farddoni, Nid oes dim ag sydd gryf a tharawiadol yn yr englyn liwn ac nid yw y llinell olaf yn cynghan- eddu yn llithrig a pherseiniol. Yn nesaf"daw eiddo Brawd :— Nathan sydd brif fardd nwytliig,—ei gerddi Wisg arddull gynteiig; Fel ear yr adar y wig, Yntau 'i wlad liudoledig. Mae yr englyn liwn yn fwy nodweddiadoi o Nathan, fel bardd, nag un o'r rliai blaenorol; ac nid yw y gyffelybiaetli yn y ddwy linell olaf ond desgritiadol ddigon o wladgarwch Nathan. Yn flaenaf yn y dosparth liwn daw eiddo Llywarch ei Fab :— y Nathan Dyfed i'n hiaith a'n defion,-rydd Has a dawn ei galon Y birdd mawr a'r llenawr lion Ynddo ef, sy'n ddwy afon. Englyn Hed gynwysfawr a tharawiadol ei feddylddrvchau; ac yn wir, lied ddesgrihadol hefyd. Yn olaf, deuwn at y DOSPARTH BLAEVAP. Yn hwn y saif eiddo John Thomas Job8 Yn Nathan Dyfed, nythu,- wna awen Hoew hen waed Cymm Hen garwr lien, gura'r llu, A'i hoff orcliwyl ei pliaicliu: Nodweddiadoi iawn o awen Nathan yw ei bod o hen waed Cymru ac yn wir, bendigaid fyddo hen waed Cymru, ac yn hir y cylchredo drwy wythienau ein beirdd; canys ynddo ef y mae'r bywyd a'r nerth barddonol yn aros. Nid yw y ddwy linell olaf o'r englyn mor ystwyth a deall- adwy ag y gallesid; ond ar y cyfan, y mae yn englyn pur wych. Yn nesaf eiddo "Pro bono Publico" Dyn a weitbia ydyw Nathan—Dyfed) Nid ofer yinddyddan eoetli lezior-catlilau anian Y ddawn gu, sydd yn ei gan. Mao y llinell gyntaf yn wirionedd proFedig am Nathan; ond mae yr ail yn dalcen slipaidd ac y mae "eoetli lenor" yn dda; a" chathlau anian" hefyd; ond "cathlau anian y ddawn gu" sydd dipyn yn dywyll; ac fod y "ddawn gll" liono "yn oi gàn" sydd dywyllach fyth; betTi feddylir wrth y ddawn gu ?" Yn nesaf eiddo John Jones, Llundain :— Wei. dyn swrtli, bardd moel, a dawn syw.-welaf A barf alwen heddyw, A threm glir, a thrwm ei glyw,- Nathan odiaeth ddyn ydyw. Yn olaf y daw eiddo Arlunydd Lienor coeth, a doetli gymdeithydd-ystwyth Orcliestol awenydd, o urdd dereli prif-feirdd y dydd, Yw Nathan, a plien-ieitliydd. Y mae yr englyn cyntaf yn ddarlun perffaith o'r Nathan matero!, a'r englyn olaf o'r Nathan medd- yliol; ac ofe yw y nesaf at ofynion y testyn; ond mae y cyntaf mor nodedig am ei ddesgritiad o brvdweddau corphorol Nathan, fel nas gallwn mown un modd ei droi heibio heb ei wobrwyo. Rhaid i John Jones ac Arlunydd gael pob a Weekly Mail; gan hyny, anfoned y ddau bob a saith ceiniog er talu cludiad y Weekly Mail, yn nghyd a'u henwau a'u cyfeiriad, i swyddfa'r Western Mail, a chant y Weekly Mail yn gyfnewid. Yr wyf yn galw eu henglynion yn rhai rhagorol o dda. Gan fod arnoin chwant gael portrait gallery farddonol o'n beirdd, yr ydyrn yn cynyg y Weekly Mail dros dair-wyHmos-ar-ddeg am yr englyn desgrifiadol goreu o Dewi Harran; y cyfansodd- iadau fod yn llaw Golygydd y Golofn Gymreig erbyn LJun wythnos i'r nesaf. Ymddengys englynion campus Ogwenydd, Daniel Jenkins, ac Eliedydd Glan Anian yn ein nesaf, Pallodd gofod y tro hwn, ond gwnawn iddo ufyddhau y tro nesaf.
ODDIAH Y MUR,
ODDIAH Y MUR, LLITH It. Nid oes dim ag y mae y Cymry yn gyffredinol yn dychrynu cymaint rhagddo a Phabyddiaeth. Y mae rhyw ddvchrynfeydd arswydlawn yn uglyn n'r enw—nid yn unig golyga y cyfeiliornadau gwaethaf, uwchben pit un y cyhoedda Gair Duw y gwaeau mwyaf oftiadwy ond hefyd y creulon- derau erchyllaf—afonydd o waed Protestaniaid dewrion—y carcharau tywyllaf ac oertf-diiii rhyddid i ddarllen y Beibl dan boen marwolaeth na meddwl drostyiit eu liunain—mewn srair.y mae Pabyddiaeth, yn ngolwg y werin yn Nghytnru, yn golygu y gorthrwin mwyaf annvnol a haiarnaidd y gali dyn ddychmygu am dano! Ac y mae haeru fod unrhyw gyfundretn grefyldol yn FAGWRKA I BABVDDIAI TH, fel fig y mae y Dadgysylltwyr yn ceisio profi fod yr Eglwys yn ein plith, ar unwaith yn ei clion- demnio yn euog ac yn anheilwng o gael bodolaeth nac unrhyw gefnogaeth. Ond, atolwg, a ydyw y pethau hyn felly ? Nac ydynt, meddaf yn ddi- floesgni. On id yr Eglwys, cyn bod yr un o'r enwadau presenol, fu yn ymladd dros ein rhyddid, a ymosododd gvntaf ar gyfeiliornadau y "Butain Fawr," a ddyoddefodd anterth a phoethder y frwydr, ac onid ei phlant hi roddodd eu bywyd i lawr, yn hytraoh nag yinostwng i'r Pab, pan ydoedd Eglwys lthufain mewn brt ac uwchafiaeth yny wlad hon? Y mae y LlyfrGweddi Cy if red in yn berffaith lan oddiwrth egwyddorion Pabydd- iaeth, ac y mae erthvglau yr Eglwys yn cynwys v gwirionedd fol ag y mae "yn yr Iesu," Ac os ydyw v dinystrwyr (nou y Dadgysylltwyr) yn teiinlo cynmint dros burdeb crefydd yn ein gwlad ag y mynant i ni gredu eu bod, dylent. wneud eu goreu, mewn amser ac allan o amser, mewn ympryd a gweddi; ie, dylent ymgroesi ac ym- frawychu rhag i'r dydd hwnw byth wawrio pan v bvdd yr Eglwys vn Nghymru wedi ei dad- I gysylltu oddiwrth y Llywodraeth. Ond nid yw eu cri ond ffug-sham o'r fath fwyaf ddichell- ddrwg i gynhyrfu y bobl yn erbyn Eglwys Gatholig Crist! Oblegid os ydyw yr" Eglwys yn awryn faethle i Babyddiaeth, pan y maegrym cyfraith Prydain yn wrthglawdd rhag hyny, beth fydd y canlyniadau pan symudir yr amddiffyn ? Wei, fe lenwir holl Eglwysi ein gwlad a Phabydd- iaeth, os ydyw haeriad y Dadgysylltwyr yn gywir, ac fe droir holl ddylanwad yr Eglwys yn Nghymru o blaid Eglwys Rhufain-â mawrion ein tir drosodd a'u holl gyfoeth, fel na bydd ganddynt y cydymdeimlad lleiaf å'r dosbarth iselaf, ac ni chymerant yr un dyddordeb yn eu haddygiant na'u sefyllfaoedd yn foesol na chrefyddol. Ond y mae y Rhyddfrydwyr, fel y galwent eu hunain, yn barod i aberthu pobpeth er mwyn cyrhaedd eu hamcan anheilwng. Nid ydynt yn caru gwlad eu tadau na chrefydd eu tadau! O! rhagiithwyr! yr ydych yn hidlo gwybedyn ac yn Ilyncu camel!" Dan gysgod rhith o gariad at grefydd bur—dan yr esgus o achub ein gwlad rhag Pabyddiaeth, yn ol eu rhesvmeg eu hunain, y maent yn ymgais at agor y llifddorau i'r llif- eiriant ddyfoa i mewn a gordoi yr holl wlad Os ydyw rhai o offeiriad yr Eglwys yn tueddu at Babyddiaeth, ni wna ci Dadgysylltu a'i Dad- waddoli eu dwyn i gofleidio egwyddorion mwy Protestanaidd. Yn wir, y mae y ddadl hon yn llawn twyll-resymeg o ben-bwy-gilydd. Y mae yr Eglwys, meddent, yn nythle Pabyddiaeth, ac oni bai y gyfraith, fe gyflawnid bron yn holl Eglwysi ein gwlad branciau mwyaf penchwiban a choel- grefyddol y Babaeth ac am hyny ychwanegant, ar vr un gwynt, fe ddylai ei chysylltiad a'r wlad- wrlaeth gael ei dori—fe ddylid tori y rhaffau sydd yn ei dal yn y porthladd, a chodi yr angor sydd yn ei chadw yn ddiogel a diysgog; ie, fe ddylid eu gollwng yn rhydd i redeg ar y traethellau tywodlyd neu greigiau ysgythrog a pheryglus Pabyddiaeth! Ac eto i gyd, sionant mai cariad tuag at yr Eglwys ac achos y Gwaredwr sydd yn eu cymhell i weithredu fel hyn. Y mao yn eithaf amlwg i hawb na fydd Dadgysylltu a Dadwaddoli yr Eglwys yn un feddyginiaeth iddi rhag Pabydd- iaeth ac y mao yr un mor amlwg nad yw y cri hwn o eiddo y Radicaliaid penboeth ond false alarm i gynddeiriogi, os oes posibl, y Cymry yn orbyn yr Eglwys, er em galluogi hwy i'n han- rheithio ac i gyilawni y cysegriad-yspeiliad mwyaf beiddgar a wnaed er dyddiau Belsassar, brenin Babilon. Gwir fod rhai o glerigwyr yr Eglwys wedi troi at y Pabyddion, a bod rhai o honynt yn pregethu athrawiaethan yn ymylu ar Babyddiaeth, ond nid yw hyny yn ddigon o brawf ei bod yn fwy 0 fagwrfa i egwyddorion yr hen Dad 0 Rufain na dim arall, onide fe fyddai y ffaith fod llawer o bregethwyr Ymneillduol wedi troi yn Anffyddwyr, a bodrhywbeth pur debyg i anffyddiaeth yn cael ei ddysgu o ambell i bwlpud, yn brawf fod Ym- neillduaeth yn lloches i anffyddiaeth ac amheuon. Os yw y naill yn wir y mae y llall yr un mor wir. Ond, y mae v ffaith fod yr Eglwys wedi nofio yn ddiogel ar frig pob ton fu yn bygwth ei dinystrio yn dd'gon o brawf dros amddiffyniad Duw drosti. Pe na buasai wrth fodd ei galon, buasai troion rhyfedd Rhagluniaeth er's llawer canrif bellach wedi ei chladdu mewn ebargoliant. Y mae hi yn nid yn unig yn fyw heddyw, ond yn fwy blodeuog nag y bu o fewn cof neb sydd yn fyw yn bresenol; a chredaf mae myned yn mlaen a wna gan gasglu nerth hyd ddiwedd amser. Ond y mae yn rhaid iddi gael cymhorth a chydymdeimlad pawb o'i charedigion pan y gwneir ymosodiadau iselwael ami ar bob llaw, fel ag y gwneir yn y dyddiau presenol; a hyf gyhoedda y Radicaliaid eu bwriad i geisio ei Dadgysylltu oddiwrth y Llywodraeth ac i ladrata oddinrni ei holl gyfoeth. Wel, Gymry anwyl, dangoswch eich bod yn ddynion yn meddu ar farn It rheswm eich hunain, ac nad ydych am gymeryd eich tywys gan ddynion diegwyyddor ac anghyson a hwy eu hunain. Peidiwch a dal breichiau y rhai sydd wedi llenwi ein gwlad ag ysgolion di-Feibl ac Anffyddol, ar ben pa rai y bydd gwaed yr oes sydd yn codi, Y mae tymhestl gynhyrfus yn ymyl, ac y mae holl nerth y gelyn yn cael ei gasglu yn nghyd o bob cyfeiriad. Y mae y Methodistiaid o bob rhywogaeth, Bedydd- wyr, Annibynwyr, Sosiniaid, Pabyddion, ac An- ffyddwyr yn barod i wneud yr ymosodiad. Ond, er mwyn crefydd ein tadau, er niwyn ein heneidiau ein hunain, er mwyn dedwyddwch dvfodol ein plant yn y byd hwn a'I' hwn a ddaw, Ïe, er mwyn y Nefoedd, gadewch i ni sefyll yn ddiysgog wrth yr Hen Fam Eglwys. Pan y mae Protestaniaid ein gwlad wedi ymranu yn llu o sectau, a phan mae pob sect yn cynwys lln o tTmhIeidiau, gadewch i ni gael un man lie y gallwn fyned iddo i addoli mewn undeb heddwch a chwlwm tangnefedd— pan y mae addoldai ein gwlad yn cael eu defn- yddio i gynal pob mathjo sothach o gyfarfodydd— o gyfarfod politicaidd i wyl de, gadewch i ni gaol un ty glan i'r Duw byw—pan y mae pob math o athrawiueLhaugau ac auiheus, os nid Itnffyddol, yn cael eu pregethu a'u cyhoeddi trwy y wasg, gadewer i ni gael yr Eglwys, He y gallwn fod yn sicr y cawn athrawiaethau yr efengyl yn eu purdeb cynhenid—a phan y bydd y dynion hyny sydd wedi llwyddo (trwy gymhorth Ymneilldu- wyr ein gwlad) i gau yr Hen Lyfr anwyl hwnw,y Reihl, allan o'r ysgolion dyddiol yn ymgais at yspeilio yr Eglwj's, gadewch i ni sefyll yn wrol o'i phlaid; ac wrth wneud hyny, mi gredaf y byddwn yn gwneud ein dyledswydd tuag atom ein hunain a'n plant, tuag at ein cymydogion a'n gwlad, a thuag at grefydd Mab Duw. HEN GUIRO,
FEMININE FANCIES, FOIBLES,…
FEMININE FANCIES, FOIBLES, AND FASHIONS. Bv A LADY. [All Rights Reserved."] On Wednesday last I paid my first visit to the winter exhibition of paintings held in the Grosvenor Gallery, New Bond-street. These are all the works of Gainsborough, but the interest of the exhibition is much enhanced by a collection of drawings from the pen and pencil of the late Richard Doyle, well known in connection with our chief comic journal as a first-rate caricaturist, as also for his humorous illustrations of the works of Charles Dickens and other distinguished novelists. There are several proof impressions of the artist's designing for the title page of Punch, then in its infancy. Mr. Doyle has shown himself quite at home on enchanted ground, and his fancy was exceedingly rich in depicting and. humorously illustrating fairy mytho- logy, national and provincial folk iore, stories of elves and dragons-, and other uncanny and mythological folk: The larger number of these drawings are lent by Miss Doyle, the artist's daughter, and many are advertised as being for sale. Some of the political caricatures are very interest- ing to those who can connect them with the pass- ing events to which they severally refer. For myself, I specially enjoyed the humour of somo purely imaginative sketches. The Story of Tommy," for instance, "the little boy who didn't care, and was gobbled up by a lion." A series of drawings in three frames. Master Thomas is represented as an audacious juvenile, dressed in top hat, breeches, and coat; his hands thrust into his trouser pockets: who says, Don't care," and looks as if he meant it. Here we have a back view of the prodigal strutting along, and can quite believe that "He says it again." A lion lies in wait, with the in- tention of making an example of Tommy, but un- conscious Tommy jauntily says, Don't care" still. He sits down and again says, Don't care." The )inn,in consequence, prepares to spring. Tommy sees it, flies for his life, and leaves hat and one shoe behind him but the lion overtakes and sets his paw upon Tummy. Tommy no longer says "Don't care"; he entreats for mercy, but" the lion gobbles him up, head first. A pair of feet—one shoeless—is the last visible sign we have of poor lommy. The lion, pleased with his repast, licks his chops, and presently departs much stouter than before. He leaves behind an empty hat and a footless shoe. Moral: Let men, women, and boys take example by poor Thomas, and beware 9f vain boastfulness expressed in Don't care." Like myself, I saw numbers of persons laughing most heartily over these amusing sketches—the result of a few, only a few, but very masterly strokes of the pencil of an adept. It is wonderful the effect produced by apparently so little effort. Very clever caricatures are those relating to notable incidents of Greek, Roman, and Saxon history. Two humorous illustrations from Homer's Iliad were extremely mirth-provoking and yet I am afraid I shall never read again the touching description of the parting between Hector and Andromache and their infant without re-callin<* the utterly ludicrous caricatures drawn by Dovie* The great Trojan chief appears anything but the redoubtable hero that history represents him. He looks, indeed, very much like a country yokel be- longing to some awkward squad. The infant Hector—whom the warrior holds aloft is squalling, presumably, for he is making a hideous face, and the nurse stands by looking like an Egyptian mummy, with a sanctimonious coun- tenance, and as for Andromache, she is lank and lean, with a tremendously long nose and unmistakable gib. A second Trojan and a lean hound in the back ground are peeping; over a parapet onthe walls of Troy, Another sketch shows Hector slain and Andromache in a state of entire collapse, her attitude being absolutely grotesque. 1 only wiih my readers could see these sketches for themselves, for no word-painting of mine can convoy any adequate idea of the utter absurdity of one and all. The "Goat Legend" is highly amusing. According to Welsh tradition the goats have their beards combed by the fairies on Saturday nisjhts to make them decent for Sunday. The illustration of this legend is done in water colours, and shows a large flock of goats, each animal with an attendant fairy. Some of the goats are patiently submitting to the combing, some are being coaxed to undergo the operation, whilst others, wholly rebellious and running away, are being chased by resentful fairies. I noticed there were two illustrations of this legend, and there were several of Ariel riding on the bat. One drawing represents a scene not uncommon in (hrfur. in Africa.The rnonkeysin that region beinginordinately fond of a beer made by the natives, they use the beverage as a trap to capture their Simial poor relations. Placing the beer where the monkeys can reach it, the natives wait until their victims are in various stages of inebriation, when they mingle with them—the said poor rela- tions being too much muddled to distinguish friend from foc. The negroes extend a helping hand to the monkeys, who, in their turn, link themselves to their fellows, and so are led into captivity. The sketch illustrative of this occurrence is delightfully funny it is in the fifth room. Two country children passing through an avenue of lime trees leading to a stately old mansion see the ghosts of former inhabitants enjoying a picnic in tho woods. There is a drawing of a witch and yotins dragons, and another of a witch driving her dragons to market. The caricature portraits of Carlyle, Thackeray, Disraeli, Brougham, and or,hers are truly delightful. A flight in the night" represents bats and elves, and the Dragon of Wantley is most amusingly set before us. There are two illustrations of the legend of Dame Blanche of Normandy, who sits on a bridge and refuses to let anyone pass without first doing her homage by bending the knee. Others say she insisted as toll that, if a man, he should dance a measure with her. Dame Blanche is represented as a. very personable woman, so that the penance, if so it may correctly be described, could not have been a very unpalatable one. Fish out of water" shows the sailors from H.M.S. Galatea keeping the way, on the entry into London, after their marriage, of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. Very amusing is the "Battle between elves and frogs. The catalogue says:—" This event is sup- posed to have taken place in pre-historic times, or it might have been added to the fifteen decisive battles of the world—making sixteen." Peace or War ? elves inciting frogs to fight, is another curious illustration of fairy lore. So is the "Haunted Park," lent by Lady Goldsmid, Jenny Lind. But I must not to-day go on multiplying the very large number of delightful sketches which are to be found in the fourth and fifth rooms of the Grosvenor Gallery collection. I can only recom- mend my readers who are visiting London not to lose the opportunity of seeing them. I will stay just to describe two water-colour drawings of the home of Charlotte Bronte, author of Jane Eyre," "Shirley," &c. The name of Charlotte Bronte can never die, and the interest excited by her story never flags. Having read more than once the story of her life, written by the late Mrs. Gaskell, I looked with keen interest at the visible semblance of the home which, with all its outward dreari- ness and inward misery, was so dear to the heart of that wonderful and sorely-tried woman—to whom happiness came, as it so often does to others, too late." To those who know her works, and have not read the life of Charlotte Bronte, I commend its perusal. I have read it over and over again with tears in my eyes and an ache in my heart., emotions not often excited by the private history of those who died long ago, and whom one never saw. Just as her biographer and friend described it, we see the bleak, desolate-looking house which Charlotte Bronte called home. The over-full churchyard on three sides, the school houses and church just across the road, a few stunted, leafless trees—for vegetation cannot thrive on that bleak altitude-one or two starved looking cottages, and the Black Bull" in close contiguity. Here it was that the gifted, but erring, Patrick Brontre learnt those habits of intemperance which caused such bitter, bitter grief to his poor old father and shocked and terrinedsisters. We are told how when travellers arrived at the Black Bull and felt dull the landlord would send across to the Parsonage for the brilliant youth, the sequel being those frightful nights of delirium, when the old father would keep watch with his demented son in one chamber, whilst the affrighted sisters huddled together in another, listening for the crack of the pistol with which the reckless, demoralised son and brother threatened to take his own life or that of his aged paretic. From the door of Haworth Parsonage in the course of a few weeks Charlotte Bronte saw borne the coffin of her brother and favourite sister, and ere a little while had passed had taken another dying sister to Scarborough, where she expired three days after arrival and was there buried, the bereaved and lonely survivor returning to the home desolated by death and the bitter memories associated with loss. We read how the stern old father shut himself up in his room all day, and how the heroic author of "Jane Eyre" struggled with heart-breaking griefs and desperate loneliness in her bleak northern home. She read how fame and honour came too late to bring any sense of gratification, the frail body being too weak to sup- port the fatigue and excitement consequent on the public recognition of her talents; and how, when love and rest came at length, envious death claimed his own, who just before the end, hearing her husband, between passionate sobs, praying fervently for her restoration, said, Surely I cannot die now, when lam so very happy." But death was inexo- rable in less than a year from her wedding day another coliin was carried from Haworth Parson- age into that teeming graveyard of which Mrs. Gaskell drew so vivid a picture. Looking at Mr, Doyle's sketches I was able more fully to realise the utter desolation ot that dreary, dreary spot. In connection with the Bronte family, I have lately heard that the present incumbent of Haworth is somewhat jealous of his predecessors, and cares little to keep up any memories connected with them. I hear, too, that the faithful old servant who lived with the Bronte family at the time of Charlotte's death is spending the last years of her life in Bradford Union, and someone not long since wrote to the editor of the Literary IVorld to call attention to the fact that- Anne Bronte's grave in the old churchyard at Scarborough had fallen into a most dilapidated and disgraceful condition. I can only repeat the information as I heard it, not being in a position to verify the truth or error of the above statements. I am told that shawls are once more coming into fashion. Indeed, our French neighbours are said already to have adopted them. I remember it has been affirmed that an Englishwoman can no more put on a shawl properly than she can scale the moon, but, a Frenchwoman can do so with inimitable grace, and there is some truth in the assertion. A tali woman rarely looks to advantage in a shawl, and Englishwomen have a barl habit of dragging it across the shoulders, and fastening it with straining pins or brooch across the chest— bringing the arms from underneath and firmly huld- ing the ends of the shawl against the waist. 1 advise my tall correspondents to eschew shawls, and I will try to explain to those of shorter stature how Frenchwomen cause their shawls to hang in the cosy. elegant, fashion which i« so much admired. First fold your 5hftwl wit,1I point. above front in exact line, and not too far apart; now in the exact centre of the shawl at the back put two folds and pin them in position. This done throw the shawl over the shoulders and put the hand at the back of the neck and force the folds down towards the "houtders.teavinga. hollow behind at the neck; lift the shoulders before pinning, and do this either to left or right, as desired pin rather high, say about three inches from the root of the neck. U°e one pin only, and leave the ends of the shawl free, not permitting the armS to con tine them in any way. A little practice will soon enable a woman to fold and to wear a shawl with that elegance which distinguishes a Frenchwoman's nrrange- ment of the same. Another revival of an old fashion is that of wearing a black lace high bodice over a low one of some pretty coloured silk. The neck and arms are thus modestly veiled, and the fashion is one that merits patronage and approval. White tulle, net, and white crape ball dresses are in great favour, white satin ribbon being profusely used in trim- ming. Six, eight, and even ten rows of narrow satin ribbon aratReton round the edge of the skirt, and again on the tunic, white marabout feathers being used for the bodice. Wider satin ribbon is em- ployed in another way. The dress has a double skirt, and just above the hem of the lower one a three-inch wide ribbon is run on. The upper skirt, which reaches to a little below the knees, is very full, and set in with the gathers at equal distances' All round the waist are lengths of satin ribbon of the same width as the one used on the lower skirt. These radiate from the waist to the hem of the upper skirt, and there being pointed are finished with pearl sequins, or a tassel of pearls. I saw a black tulle dress arranged in this manner, jet being substituted for pearls. I cannot say I admire the fashion of wearing kid and wash-leather bodices, yet it prevails to a great extent. I saw a black net dress with bodice of black kid, cut square, the opening trimmed with large and handsomely- cut jet beads. A cinnamon-brown tulle dress trimmed with light-yellow trimmings had a bodice of wash leather, and there were shoes of the same. It requires a well-proportioned figure to look even moderately well in these skin-like vest- ments. I would suggest to my readers that when about selecting a ball dress they should choose it bv artincial tight. Some charming daylight tints light up badly,andoftenprovedistressinglv unbecoming. A combination of a certain shade of pink and moss green is charming for ball or dinner toilet. Here is the description of one I admired recently;- Skirt of pale pink satin covered with cream- coloured lace; a panel of lace on one side; trimmed three cross-way bands of moss-green velvet, in horizontal position; bodice of moss- green velvet to correspond. The effect of the above contrast was very harmonious and particu- larly becoming. Whilst moss and sage-greens are admirably worn, grass and emerald greens are quite tabooed. If anyone were so lost to a sense of what is proper as to appear in a fashion- able assembly in either shade, both men and women would shun her as they would an Abori- gine dressed in original costume of blanket and feathers. Square-cut bodices are chiefly worn. Some are cut heart-shape—back and front; whilst some women elect for semi-nakedness—so low are their sleeveless bodices cut that decency turns away amazed and offended. Amongst new millinery I notice a bonnet made of many shades of brown cloth, the colours ranging from palest grey to snuff brown. The cloth was cut in small pointed leaves, pinked at the edge, each leaf being laid above its predecessor without any special arrangement of colour. The strings were of brown velvet of the darkest shade. Black velvet bonnets, with immense bunches of daffodils and leaves, are conspicuous amongst winter millinery. t>
-------THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD…
THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF WALES, 1885. THE DATES OF MEETING FIXED. On Friday week the Executive Committee of the National Eisteddfod to be held in Aberdare in the ensuing summer had a meeting under the presidency of Mr. R. Pardoe. Lord Aberdare, the president, wrote stating that he was glad to hear of the progress made, and he would, if at home, attend a conference between the committee and members of the National Eisteddfod Association, a communication having been received from that body. The letter stated that the association was prepared to offer prizes for the best, His- tory of Welsh Musicians," for A string quartette." and for a series of designs illustrative of Myfanwy." Before sending a formal intimation to that effect the committee desired to know what, reply was made to their present suggestion, and what the local committee was prepared to do to further the general objects of the association in the event of it being a successful Eisteddfod. The committee agreed°to the suggested conference being held not later than the 27th of the present month. Subsequently it was resolved that the Eisteddfod be held on the 25th of August and the four succeeding days, and the secretary was in- structed to write the Cymm>"ot'0,'ion Society that the proceedings would commence each day at eleven o'clock. An offer by Messrs Parry and Rocke of a prize of £5 5s. for an ode on the woollen arch they erected at the last Eisteddfod and extolling their wools was declined in the form offered. The Literary Committee presented an amended report, which was adopted. An application by Mr. Rees Evans, on behalf of tho Musical Committee, for a grant of £50 beyond the -6300 allotted to the Musical Department, was referred to the Finance Committee. The other business was not of general ¡ interest.
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I PULPIT SKETCHES. I
I PULPIT SKETCHES. I THE REV. J. CYNDDYLAN JONES, CARDIFF. BY AP. GWILYM. In the course of my Sunday ramblings in search of subjects for these sketches, I now and again meet with matters and things which I had not counted upon when I first undertook my task. Let me furnish a single illustration. When I, on Sunday evening last, attended the services in the English Calvinistic Chapel, Great Frederick-street, Cardiff, I felt a spasm of surprise at finding so sparse a congregation, after what I had heard and what I know of the theological erudition, literary culture, and preaching piwerof the Rev.J.Cynddylan Jones. Climatic reasons may be urged to account for this. I do not urge them, because I do not know whether I should be correct if I did so. I have not sat under the reverend gentleman's ministra- tions. To tell the bare truth, I was never inside the chapel doors before Sunday in my life. I only bear testimony to what I saw, and my testimony is true, challenge it who may. I have heard Mr. Jones on the public platform, and have been truck with the earnestness of his manner, the logicof his deductions, and the rugged fluency of his language in conveying the thoughts which arise in him. It was reserved for me to hear him at his best as a speaker and a thinker from a more exalted position, and I shall presently have a few words to say of the impressions which a single listening made upon my "inner conscious- ness." Let me, for the benefit of all whom it may concern, give here a few biographical items which will have an interest to all those who care to know something of one who has made his mark on the record of the times in which he has lived and moved and had his being. The Rev. J. Cynddylan Jones is a native of the upper part of Cardiganshire, a neighbourhood that has given birth to Dr. Edwards, the Principal of Bala Coilege, Ieuan Gwyllt, Professor Rhys, and a number of other Welsh celebrities. He was educated in early life at the Grammar School of Aberystwith, and was for about five years a fellow pupil-teacher of Professor Rhys. The latter showed a marked tendency to the study of philology, and the former to philosophy and poetry. At the termination of this period of their scholastic career Professor Rhys entered a training college with the view to become a schoolmaster, whilst Mr. Jones commenced to prepare himself for the ministry in connection with the Calvinistic Methodists or Welsh Presbyterians. Having gone through the usual course in one of the colleges of the denomination, he settled down as pastor of the English Calvinistic Methodist Church at Ponty- pool, whence he removed to London. During his pastorate in the Metropolis lie numbered amongst 'his hearers the late Mr. Winterbotham, late Under Secretary of State Dr. John Young, the author of "The Christ of History"; Mr. Walker, then the editor of the Daily News, and at the present time the editor of the Pall Mall Gazette and frequently Mr. George Macdonald, the eminent novelist, be- sides a large gathering of able, but less known men. A little more than ten years ago he was in- duced, by personal and other reasons, to accept the pastorate of the Great Frederick-street Calvinistic Church, which position lie has filled ever since. During the last five years Mr. Jones has published three valuable contributions to theological litera- ture, entitled respectively "Studies in St. Mat- thew," "Studies in SI. John," and "Studies in the Acts," some of which have already gone through several editions. These works have received the highest encomiums of the press. The Bishop of Liverpool, and the Dean of Peterborough, amongst a host of critics, have expressed their warmest ap- proval of them, both as to matter and style. Mr. Jones is known to be a frequent contributor to the English and vernacular newspaper press, and travels perhaps as much, or even more, as any living minister to fulfil preaching appointments in all parts of England and Wales, Let me give an example. I made special inquiries about, the number of his engagements last week, and found that he had preached no less than eight times in towns a considerable distance from each other. The number of his public appointments this week are about the same. That his cannot be an idle life must be apparent to all who reflect on the amount of work he has already accomplished. I understand that recently ho has given over all pastoral visitations. I have been told on good authority that his connection with his church will not be as close as it has been heretofore, owing to the heavy amount of literary work he has on his hands, coupled with his recent removal to the neighbourhood of Whitchurch, and that his church has consented to release him on the condition that he preaches two Sundays a month to the congregation to which he has for so many years ministered. Mr. Jones is in the prime of life. He is 42 years of age, and much work is expected from him both by the denomina- tion, which is proud of him, and the nation at large, to whom his naine is not altogether un- known. Mr. Jones has never taken a very active part in any public Wiovemont connected with Cardiff. Ho has been content- to leave the work to men who have more leisure and more inclination to legislation in matters local and municipal. In politics he is, if any- thing. a Liberal, but his motto is, Measures, not men." He never hesitates to express his disagree- ment with Mr. Gladstone and the Liberal party if the occasion arise. I have not heard that he has ever identified himself with the Liberal party in I the town or elsewhere. In respect to the Church of England, it is well-known that he views wich favour her beautiful liturgy and prayers, and over and over again he has stood up manfully for what he deems to be Christian and Catholic, in opposition to bigotry and sectarianism. I verily believe that all entertained the same broad views as lie does concerning the Church and Church organisations,a point of union might be fixed upJn between the Establishment and Dissent, i which would help to bridge over the chasm which now yawns between the opposing parties. Mr. Jones is a thorough Welshman. He loves his country and his countrymen, and has devoted much of his time, his ûnergy, and his brains to their service. Notwithstanding the invitations given to him from time to time by rich congregations in London and elsewhere, he has determined that all his soul and all his strength shall be devoted to the good and welfare of his compatriots. And now a word as to the preacher. Anyone for the first time seeing the gaunt, pale-faced man, with his Urge black eyes shining with intellectual light beneath his square forehead, and macs of silver-tingod raven hair, arise in the pulpit, would think he WaS nervous, or diffident, or both. He speaks with measured beat and slow." His right hund grasps the Bible from which he ha.i just taken his text, while the thumb and forefinger of his left hand are busily engaged with the links of his watch-guard, which glints in the gaslight as it is twisted backwards and forwards. I suppose it is habit, but it took my eyes and mind off the speaker for a short time. But this all passed away as he warmed to his work, nnd I discovered that his gestures were graceful and appropriate, and gave force to what he was saving- He discoursed upon the trials and difficulties of life, and the duty of bearing them manfully, with the knowledge of the reward which was to follow a well-spent life. He handled his subject in a masterly way, and illuminated it here and there with a bright thought from the lips of the saints and Christian Fathers. He brought poetry and science to his nid, and seemed to have many of the gems of our ancient and modern authors at the tip of his tongue. Towards the close of the sermon Mr. Jones furnished abundant evidence that he can rise to great heights as a pulpit orator. There are a rhythm and charm about his calmer utterances which are captivating, and when he gives the reins to declamation his words roll out with all the rugged music of a mountain torrent. In his deeper notes I could not help remarking that there was something in them like the roar of a denizen of the forest; and his upper notes are clear as a bell. His YVelsh accent is somewhat pro- nounced, but it is rather pleasant than otherwise, and does not mar the effect of his preaching, which I am bound to say is manly, rhetorical, ana strictly orthodox.
HISTORY OF THE WELSH SUNDAY…
HISTORY OF THE WELSH SUNDAY CLOSING ACT. BY COUNCILLOR E. BEAVAN, CARDIFF. VII.—RAPID PROGRESS MADE. Chapters 5 and 6 in our history were devoted to Startling facts in support of the measure," and "Further reasons for Sunday Closing," and in these we were obliged, in order the more conclusively to prove our case, to travel outside Wales, giving numerous facts, figures, and statistics from Eng- land, Ireland, and Scotland, which so strengthened and enabled us to maintain our position as to place it beyond the possibility of overthrow. Instead, however, of going any further into the more general grounds for Sunday Closing, I return to the particular History of the Welsh Sunday Closing Act." In doing so I want to recall to mind for one moment :my fourth article on "The agitation being followed up," in which it will be remembered I pointed out that in 1879 a fresh start was made; renewed efforts put forth in connection with this measure were not relaxed until the Bill passed. It is our pleasing duty now to trace these efforts to their successful and triumphant issue. Wales felt the pressing and absolute need there was everywhere manifested for Sunday Closing, and, moreover, resolved and determined to have it. A deputation, therefore, was appointed to wait upon certain Welsh mem- bers of Parliament to strongly set forth, and earnestly represent, the wishes of the people. They then sought and asked Mr. Henry Richard, the esteemed member for Merthyr, to introduce such a Bill for the Principality. At the urgent request being made known, members of Parliament at first smiled—a smile almost amounting to incredulity. Then they suggested that it was a consummation devoutly to be wished, but suggested, Would Parliament be inclined to sanction Home Rule for Wales r1" Then they felt it was best to try it on, and after very little hesitation Mr. John Roberts, M.P. for Flint, set about the work at once, receiving much valuable assistance from vcry many mem- bers of Parliament, but especially aided by the members for Wales. The preliminary steps were taken without delay. These consisted of the usual routine Public meetings were called, conferences were held, memorials were got Up, petitions were largely signed, and members of Parliament inter- viewed; immense volumes of correspondence were constantly poured in by the constituents to their respresentatives, and a general canvass of North and South Wales was instituted and rapidly taken. The result of all these '.nodes of operation was highly gratifying, and had but one effect, which was to immediately convince all interested and concerned in the coming change that such was in- evitable, and must shortly be an accomplished fact. The numbering of flie people stood the test in a remarkable manner, being quite unprece- dented. On June 30, 1880, Mr. Roberts, M.P., stated in the House of Commons:— That the result of the llouse-to-home canvass ill North Wales stood as folio vs That of the 101,500 house- holders ot North Wales (which, according tothe census of 3871, was the number), returns had been received from 78,600, out of which number 75,666 had gone in for total closing, only 991 beillg against, and 1,943 re- maining neutral, or about 76 to 1 in favour of total closing. Mr. H. Richard, M.P., on the same occasion stated that: The petitions presellted from South Wales, with more tJUIl 100,000 signatures attached, indicated the same state of opinion, viz" that South like North Wales was in favour of the Bill. Glamorganshire petitions contained 65,917 sig- natures, Carmarthenshire over 18,000. A house- to-house canvass made at Cardiff, Merthyr, Swan- sea, Haverfordwest, Aberystwith, Brecon, and portions of Radnorshire showed 93 per cent. of the aggregate number of householders in these places (including publicans) for total closing, and our own highly-distinguished and esteemed borough member, Sir E. J. Reed, also stated in the House of Commons That not less than 82 percent, of the population of Car- diff were in favour of tot.tl Sunday {)losing, and only q per cent. actually against it, A most astonishing feature about these petitions and signatures (especially in the face of what we have beard lately) is this—that the opinion of the entire body of publicans of Wales showed that out of 1,173 who voted there were no less than 792 in favour, only 152 against, while 229 remained neutral, or five-sixths of the publicans were for entire Sunday Closing. In the union of Pwllheli there voted for entire Sunday Closing 96, and only one against; Carnarvon petitions were signed by 23 puoiicans of that town, whilst only three voted against it; the petition received from the Local Hoard of Holyhead in favour of the Bill had been moved for, and seconded by, two licensed victuallers. During the hrst sessiou of 1880 there were received 403 petitions, signed by 175,300 persons, and during the second session of Parliament of the same year Mr, Roberts stated that 52 more petitions had been received up to June 22, signed by 28,334 persons. In the debate on the second reading, which took place in May, 1881, Mr. Roberts inci- dentally mentioned that the exact number which signed'the petitions was 267,000, or more than one-third of the adult population of Wales. No petitions were sent in in 1881, excepting from Town Councils, Local Boards, School Hoards, Boards of Guardians, and other public bodies; the large number, however, of 250 of these was received in all. We have no desire to heap up statistics, but are compelled to do so ill this history and just here, for they become invaluable and speak volumes in support of same. Merthyr, alone, sent petitions in favour signed by 21,450, and showed 5,051 canvass papers sent out with 4,659 leturned for Sunday Closing, 210 against, and 182 neutral. When these returns were classified they revealed the following very striking result:—That of 2,138 collier house- holders in Aberdare no less than 1,976 approved of entire Sunday Closing, 91 only opposed, and 71 neutral; of artisan householders 776 were for clooing, 34 against, and 23 neutral; of labourers, hauliers, Jtc., 659 were for, 23 against, and 24 neutral; of farmers 33 for (or all), and none against; of railway servants 176 for, 10 against, and 14 neutral. Even among the publicans of Aberdare themselves we find 45 for, 28 against, and 12 neutral. These figures, if they prove anything, certainly prove this, that the people of Wales had made marvellously-rapid progress in their love of tempe- rance, or they never would have called for the measure with such unanimity: The fact is, that the industrial classes, as well as others, had wit- nessed for long, lung years the horrors of intem. perance, and we have seen, further, that those engaged in the very trade were groaning to be delivered from it one day in seven, and thus made a desperate effort to bring about, their own release. In response to such a canvass the Welsh Sunday Closing Bill was duly prepared. Leave was given to bring in the same, and it was first introduced in the House of Commons on the 6th of February, 1880. The second reading was fixed for April 14 of the same year; but meantime a dissolution of Parliament took place, which occasioned some delay, and, what was even moro serious for the speedy passing of the measure, such dissolution necessitated its re-introduction. It was again read a first time on the 21st of May, 1880; the second reading taking place on the 30th of June, 1880 itstood committed on July lof the same year, and was, by leave, withdrawn August 27, 1880. On its coming before the House of Commons next we find the honoured names of Mr. John Roberts, Mr. Henry Richard, Sir H. H.Vivian, Mr. S. Holland, and Mr. Rathbone on the back of the Bill. It was read a first time on January 7, 1881 on the 4th of May in the same year Mr. Roberts proposed the secónd reading, ably stating the case for the Bill and declaring the great majority of the Welsh people, including tive-sixthsof tho publicans, to have voted for it and now most anxiously waited its passing into law. Mr. Warton, M.P. for Bridport, had notified his intention to move the rejection of the Bill, but did not do so, although he opposed it. Twenty-nine out of the 30 Welsh members of Parliament supported it. The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, Mr. C. H. James (Merthyr), Mr. Rathbone (Carnarvon), Mr. Osborne Morgan (Denbighshire), Mr. E. II. Carbut.t (Monmouth), Mr. Blake (Waterford Co.), Mr. M. Lloyd (Beau- maris), Dr. Kinnear (Donegal), Sir E. J. Reed, and Sir H. H. Vivian all spoke with intense earnestness and eloquence in support of the Bill. Mr. Glad- stone entreated the House to give kindly attention to the fervevt wishes of the people of Wales in this matter. Finally the House divided, and there voted—for the second reading, 163; against, only 17 majority for, 146, or nearly 10 to 1 in favour of the Bill. It was put down for Committee on the following Friday, but the block of Parlia- mentary business prevented it advancing a stage on that day. It was then put down for May 13, but with the same result; then it stood for June 15, on which date it was the fifth order of the day, and was reached precisely at 4.30 iu the afternoon. On the motion fur going into Committee, Viscount Emlyn spoke ir: opposition to the nill. Mr. Warton again turned up; this time to move the following amendment:—" That the House resolve itself into Committee this day six months to cont-ider the Bill." This was lost by 123 votes to 29, and tho Bill t l.en went into Committee. Sir II. S. Giffard, who had been specially retained by the Licensed Victuallers to oppose the Bill at every stage, had been interviewed several times by members of this body, not a few hailing from Cardiff and neighbour- hood. They had met him in the lobby of the House, the Conference-room, and other places to put before him their views, and to give him their instruc- tions, which he received, and which, to the best of his ability, he faithfully carried out. He stood ready in Committee to oppose and did so. but with little effect and to such little purpose that lie re- tired utterly routed and defeated, as we shall pre- sently see. The writer also sought and obtained interviews with Sir H. S. Giftard, and on one occasion had a lengthy one with him in the Con- ference-room of the House of Commons, aud it is only common fairness to Sir Hardinge to say that he received me very courteously, listened very patiently to the many re- presentations made, and expressed himself surprised and astonished at the statements I then and there made and the petition (one of the many which I took up myself) I placed on the table for his inspection, and after talking the subject over for a considerable time, he said. Well, Mr. Beavan, I am bound to tell you that what you have related to me differs entirely from the statements made by your friends who waited upon me just now, and I can only say that, if your report is correct, and the feeling in Cardiff, Swansea, Merthyr, and other places in Wales be as you have represented and described, then I fear there is very little chance of the other side making out a case, and the Bill will likely pass." Notwithstanding this discussion, Uovv- ever, Sir H. S. Giffard did in part"" in ever, Sir H. S. Giffard did in part" in Committee what he told me he had been asked to do, viz., to move the exemption of Car- diff, Swansea, and Merthyr. He moved first the exemption of Cardiff, which was negatived bv 118 to 27. Seeing the feeling which existed in the Committee with regard to exemptions, Sir Har- dinge proceeded no further, declining to bring forward similar exemptions for Swansea and Mer- thyr. The But passed through Committee, and was reported to the House, amidst loud cheers, at 5.45 p.m., the very moment, for closing business. On Monday, June 20, the Bill came again before the House, when Mr. Thomasson moved an amend- ment in favour of opening from 12.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m., which was lost by 81 votes t0 32. Captain Aylmer had given notice of an amendment to exempt Rhyl from the operation of the Bill, but did not move it. The Bill thus got through report," and was put down for third reading for July 6. It was not, however, read on that date, and here wo must drop our pen and take leave of our readers for another week, feeling we have established a right to the title of this article, and especially in view of the tardy way in which Parliament gets through its work generally. How true it is that great bodies move slowly," and that it often takes a long timo to do a little bit"; but here is an ex- ception to the rule, for in this chapter we hartf seen rapid progress made." j
4 SPIRIT OF THE WELSH PRESS.…
4 SPIRIT OF THE WELSH PRESS. i BY GWYLIEDTDD." • The Genedl is, perhaps, the most outspoken of the Welsh weeklies. It calls a spade a spade, scad < does not hesitate to oxpose the vices and shoru- j comings of the religious sects. We were led by Mr. Henry Richard and writers of his echool tobelievo that the Welsh people were wou-vorsodintha Holy j Scriptures and the doctrines of the Christian religion, but it appears from the Genedl that Wales j is not the. land of Goshen it has hitherto been re- presented to be. The Genedl has another leader on "The Failure of tho Sunday School in Wales," and repeats the statements made a few weeks ago, and which created so much stir, i The ignorance of our people of the Bible," says the Genedl, is frightful. There are many districts in Anglesey and Carnarvonshire without a single young person who has a taste for reading. We are not surmising—we have made careful inquiries. We know numbers of congregations without one member who has road' The Doctrine of Atone- ment' (' Aihrawiaeth yr lawn'), 'Butler's Analogy,' 'The Philosophy of the Method of Salvation,' or any of our best Welsh books. What will become of us? Secular education is spreading, religious instruction is dead. In twenty years infidelity will have spread over the country." What a commentary this on the exclusion of the Bible and religious training from the day schools! Tire Genedl quotes an article from the llhoudda Gazette on Baptist Literature in Wales," in which the following remarks are made It is possible that certain innocent persons think it is better to leave matters as they are than expose the weaknesses of the denominations before the uncircumcised Philistines. It is useless concealing the fact—our newspaper literature is in a dis- graceful and contemptible condition. The other newspapers contain many common-place things (pc/hau), but Hercn Cymru. contains more silly, childish, and low writing than any of them. If you wish to see a specimen of slovenly and bung- ling composition read this paper; and as for the swagger it displays, it is unbearable." But Seren Cymru, is not the only Welsh newspaper whose literary character is common- place. There are other sinners in that respect. A well-written article in idiomatic Welsh, with the stamp of the scholar upon it, is a rare thing in the Welsh press. A good deal of the literature of tho Welsh newspapers consists of biographical sketches of departed worthies, and the personal experiences of men and things, written in very slipshod fashion. A correspondent of the Bauer writes a long account of his visit to America. Here is a specimen of his style and matter:— "Sixteen years ago I left my sister Jane at Mil- waukee, a smart girl. She is now mar- ried, and keeps a boarding-house. Her hus- band is a bricklayer. I never saw him before, and was disappointed on the right side. He is a good sort of fellow. Although not a tall man he is inclined tostoutnossofbody. Jane did not know me. Griffith Ellis lived next door. He and his wife called to see me, but they differed from Jane. They said that 1 looked the same as when I left Beddgelert." To show that this style of literature does not belong to any particular de- nomination I will quote an extract from the Tyst. A minister had been on a "taiLh" (journey) and relates his expericnces in a sBries of letrers, of which the following is a specimen:—"We were five ministers and Mrs. Prvdderch taking tea with Mrs. Richards, of the shop." After tea 1 went with Mr. and Mrs. Prydderch for a walk to the village. I had sent on my linen and wanted a clean neck- tie. Mr. Jones, of the shop, docs not keep white ties, which I usually wear. Mr. Prydderch has become a Radical, and taken to black ties, but when he saw the plight I was in he gave me one of his abandoned ones, and the spirit of the donor fell upon me, for I preached with considerable iucyl afterwards." I commend these extracts to the editors of the Genedl and the llhoudda Gazette. The Barter gives prominence to its articles on "The Church of England in Wales." This week the letter of Mr. Henry Richard to the Daily News is quoted in full. The editor sets aside the ordinary rules of fair discussion, and indulges in a kind of special pleading which would not be tolerated in anycourt of justice. After admitting that it is impossible to arrive at an estimate of the com- parative strength of Church and Dissent in Wales, he goes on to say :—" But we have grounds for believing that the Establishment, notwithstanding all the labours of its friends during late years, is not in a better position, relatively, towards the other denominations than it was in the year 1851." No proof is given in support of the assertion, or any explanation of "the grounds" upon which they are made. It would be ungenerous to say that the Bauer makes use of deliberate misrepre- sentations, and yet it is difficult to understand how any public man who has lived in Wales during the last 34 years can be ignorant of the rapid strides the Church has made in the Principality during that, period. Take the county of Glamorgan, for instance, which con- tains one-third of I he entire population of the Principality, and we see how many churches have been erected and enlarged, and how the congrega- tions have increased since the census of 1851. The largest congregations in the towns of Glamorgan- shire are those of the Church of England. Let any- one visit the parish churches of Cardiff, Swansea. Neath, Merthyr, Aberdare, and other places, and he will find it difficult to obtain a seat after the ser. vice has commenced. And it is becoming a matter of general complaint among the Nonconfor- mists that tho attendance is unsatisfactory, except some popular minister is preaching, i If a religious census of Wales were taken to- i morrow the result would astonish everybody. The religious newspapers refer week aftPr week to the failure of the Sunday School and declining interest takeninthpservicesoftheehappts. The Golcllad and Amseroedd—organs of the Calvinistic Metho- dists—gave a list a few weeks ago of twenty chapels with an aggregate debt of nearly, £30,000, whose united members amounted to only 1.010. The Bev; Berber Evans, in the Dytyedydd, gives three reasons for the falling off in the at ten- dance at the Nonconformist, chapels :—" (1) Many of tho members only dine with their families on Sundays, and then they have a feast. (2) Servant girls havo to prepare dinner for their masters and mistresses; and (3) keeping their shops open late on Saturday nights, and being too tired to go to chapel in consequence." The Barter and other political agitators had better put their own houses in order b-jfore attacking a Church showing such vitality and growth as the Welsh Church docs at the present time. The Genedl dwells with great complacency on the facts that a Wesleyan minister has dedicated a volume of sermons to the late Mr. David Davis, of Maesyffvnon, and that a Baptist minister at Ferndale has printed a funeral sermon to his i memory, and adds More of this spirit would elevate Christianity in Wales very much" Does not, the editor of the Genedl see the tmil of the serpcllt-Ll.lJy(/(I,1J yeinioy-in these matters? Does lie not know that the late Mr. Davis was a wealthy man; that his brother lives at Ferndale, and is it Wesleyan and that the Wesleyan volume will sell among the Independents, and the Baptist sermon among the Wesleyans and Independents? "Hen Wr Bach 0'1' Coed," in Gtoalia, asks What are the committee of the National Eistedd- fod doing ? Why do they not publish the list of prizes in the chief papers of the nation, that the competitors may have time to prepare? Do the committee think tllat poems and essays can be prepared by steam? Titecomplaintisgeneral." Ga-alia approves of the movement for establishing a National Society in.the south of Wales of tin; same character as the one recently established in Liverpool. The A mseroedd has great expectations from Mr. Chamberlain. He is the coming man who will restoretothepeoptethelandthatwastakenfiom them, but the editor docs not inform his readers when the time was when the land belonged to them, That chapter of liistory has not yet been written. The .Amsaoedd gives extracts from other papers, under the heading, "Y Wasg Gymreig," which is an interesting bit of reading. A large portion of the paper is devoted to reports of the Monthly Meetings, which arc of no interest to any- body except the parties who attended, and whose names are carefully chronicled. The Goleuad contains an elaborate review of the Corph during the year 1884, and the editor is hope- ful of the future of the denomination, notwith- standing the many drawbacks, such as the heavy debts upon the chapels, the failure of tho Sunday School,"and the spread ot' the English language, The Connexion," the writer states, is graduafly awakening to the importance of making provision for English services in all such piaces where the English language is being spoken. It is a question of life and death to the Connexion. We state unhesitatingly that if the Calvinistic Methodist Connexion ceased to exist it would be a serious ioss to Christianity." The Golwwl, like others of the Welsh newspapers, discovers nothing but peace and fair weather in political matters, both foreign and domestic. Wo do not remember the political atmosphere so quiet, and serene." How differently the London press regard the future— i they see war and rumours of war ¡>Vtlrvw)¡ere, Lladmerydd, in the 1'11.'t, administers a digni- fied reproof to tho editor of the Goleuad for allow- ing an anonymous scribbler to attack him in its columns, and states that, for the tifteeayear. tie i has written under that name, he has nut used an unkind word about any person or denomination.; This is a common fault of Welsh editors, but I fear that anonymous personal literature is popular, and that if it were disallowed the sale of the papers] would fall off. Lladmerydd is the ablest and most finished correspondent of tho Welsh Press, j Tho subjects upon which he writes are apposite,' and they are always treated in a fair and dignified manner, such as might be expected from a man of his rare abilities and high position.
-.------------.----------ENSILAGE…
ENSILAGE AS A MILK PRODCOLIL CONDEMNATION BY A MILK COMPANY. Great disappointment is felt throughout the j extensive dairy districts of Cheshire at the issue of a circular by Mr. Haddon, manager of the Anglo- Swiss Condensed Milk Company, Middlewich, Cheshire, condemning the use ot ensilage for dairy cattle, and declining to take further milk supplies from Cheshire dairy farmers using ensilage.
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j H. RICHARD ON - CHURCH^-…
H. RICHARD ON CHURCH^- j HISTORY I ANOTHER LETTER FROi&CIJSRlCtfS." TO ravt HOITOK OF TAG ^•VRERAFNR-IRIIT.S* SIB,—There is one point iu Mi'.Hiebard'flleTOBrtofc the Baity News on whicii i sUiOUId^like > some observations, not witfe^ viewttfi Mr^Rfchard1 hlmseli an whom charge#- un £ aines&" taKs mora effect than -erf*A ^pjtchyjj siartB, out because the [ interest to tihe friends of t&tfChnrch. & refer to hie# Btatsiaent that, f4 ;ü the eci»ai(*^ parlaDce^ofHl» peopitt the Churcfc>• styled; Eglwys faegr fChurch <o? Ei'giand)i» end- tbtf^'ooocia* <3educe>* thereitonv- thafc the ."Churchiis '¡-.Q åDw institution aot ■ descended' fron* t £ ? *acsp»* tiritish Church **—an e-xotiCf as I havffclse-' wiwarv fc*iwd >i describe.d,. foreip".to"tbé' soil crt Wales. T>ii« argument from names may* perhaps? bn-cAtnejjk, httle farther-than Welsh Liberationista bargtc* ioy. What are we to-think of the bodies themselves by such names as .Annibynuryr, Methodistiaid, Wesleyaid^ and the like-words hien had absolutely no existence in the Welsh language until they were coined for the purpose of designating sects imported from England. By: the side of these I think that the term' Ecff-wyswyr can exhibit a very respectable antiquity of aolDt" 1,500 years. I would next observe that in founding a serious argument Oil a name it ia unsafe and unfair to rely on common parlance the name should be such as the body itself recog- nises as its own—the official designation which it has adopted. Mr. Richard would in this case find that what he has to account for is, not only the presence of the title" Church of England," but the absence of any title which specifically applies to < tho Church in Wales as a National Church. For, in reality, the Church in Wales has no specific or local designation of an official character; nor, indeed, does the "common parlance" expression, Eylicys Lutgr, assume to be such: all that people mean by it is that the Church in Wales is incorporated with the Church in England in a single polity entitled the Church of England," the term England,' in ecclesiastical language, having tor centurief acquired, and, indeed, in common parlance still retaining, a broader meaning than it has as a civtf division. But it is just as incorrect to represent Egltvys Loegr as tho specific name of the Welsh Church as it would be to give the name of England to Yorkshire simply because it is included it1 England. Before Mr. lvichard is warranted ir concluding from the name Church of England that the present Welsh Church is not lineally descended from the ancient Welsh Church, it is incumbent upon him to prove that this latter had a general designation, and that this was arbitrarily superseded by another title. But the Welsh Church had (as far as I know) no such designation, for the simple reason that it was not organised into a single polity. In order to understand how this came about, wo must go back to the time when dioceses were coincident with kingdoms, each king having his own bishop (for the Church was established from the time of its first introduction into this country), and each king- dom, consequently, its own diocese. This was notoriously the case among the Anglo-Saxons and readers cf Mr. Green's "English People" will remember that he points out how for centuries the dioceses of England preserved the limits of the old kingdoms. It was the same in Wales, though attention has not been sufficiently drawn to the fact; but there can be no doubt that the present dioceses of Bangor, St. Asaph, St. David's, and Llandaff represent respectively the principalities of Cxwynedd, Powys, Dyfed (or, later, Deheubarth),|and Morganwg. At the first, each diocese, like each kingdom, was independent of the others but in England the dioceses at an early period accepted a common organisation, and the Church of England came into existence, with an Archbishop at its head, to serve as the centre of unity. This happened in 673, and I draw attention to the date because it proves the existence of a force which Mr. Richard leaves wholly out of calculation, namely, the strong craving of the Church for unity. It was not until after the lapse of 150 years that the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms were fused into a single State, and yet during this long period the dioceses were linked together in ecclesiastical unity, If any argument tor the disestablishment of the Church in Wales if to be drawn from the mere fact of the titl( Church of England being extended to it, the. same might apply to the disestablishment pf tht Church in Cornwall and Devon with its Welsfc Church and its Welsh population, to the wholtø of the North and centre of England, which, whether Danish or Saxon, had received its Christianity from a Celtic source, and, in short, to all England, except the small portion which formed tho kingdom of Ethelbert, who first styled himself, in reference to his conversion tc Christianity, king of the Angles. Coming back tf Wales, I have to observe that the dioceses were nov^ similarly consolidated into a single polity; they remained independent of each other. There waa no ecclesiastical centre, just as there was no civil centre in Wales; and, consequently, there was no common designation. But when Mr. Richard proceeds to argue from this omission that the present Welsh Church is not the repre- sentative of the ancient British Church, I am pre- pared to turn his own argument against him by assorting that the Church retains at the present day the very same names which it had before its fusion with the Church of England—those, namely, of its dioceses, Bangor, St. Asaph, St. David's, and Llandaff, and that these names represent the con- tinuity of the Church during the whole period of its existence. H is still open to Mr. -Richard to assert that, though there may not have been any designation of the Welsh Church in existence, the imposition of the name "Church of England" was a harsh and oppressive proceeding. All I have to say in reference to this is, that I should be glad to hear when and under what circumstances the name was im* posed on, or, as 1 should prefer to say, extended itself into, Wales. To my mind nothing was more natural than the extension of the name coinci- dently with the extension of the Church polity, for the name indicates, not political subjection, but. ecclesiastical unity; and though the whole idea of such unity lies outside the range of Mr. Richard's sympathy, it need not, even to him, import tradi- tions of repugnance and hatred from the past." Hut Mr. Richard asserts that the polity, and conse- quently the name, were imposed by force of arma on the Welsh Church, and as a u mere instrument of State." What is his evidence of this? He, in the first place, assumes that there were vital points of difference between the Saxon and British Churches; the Anglo-Saxons imposed their own version of Christianity on the Welsh." Now, little as we know of these far away times, one thing is absolutely certain, that the two Churches were in full accord as regards all essential matters of doctrine and polity, and that the only obstacle to their union consisted in certain usages, the most important being the mode of calculating the Easter festival, which the Welsh did by the use of a somewhat antiquated cycle. No doubt this led to acrimonious discussion, and I imagine that when Mr. Richard adds in vague terms that when the British Church declined their dictation they enforced it by fire and sword" he is referring to an mcrdent In this dispute which occurred in 755, when the Saxons are said to have invaded South Wales. But Mr. Richard should in fairness have explained that this intervention took place in consequence of a split among the Welsh themselves, North Wales having voluntarily accepted the Saxon Easter, and then calling in the aid of the Saxoni to enforce it on South Wales. The attempt failed, but in 777 South Wales also came in to the Saxon mode, and every impediment to ec-, clesiastical union was thus removed. A period of 300 years elapses from that time to the entrance of the Normans into Wales; and for that long period tho history of the Welsh Church is all but a blank. Mr. Richard undertakes to fill in that blank by representing that the fusion of the Saxon and Welsh Churches was produced by force, and that there was no such friendly approxima- tion of the Churches themselves as took place m England. Tho few items of information that have reached us seem to me to tend towards a different conclusion. When I road of Alfred's selection of a Welshman, Asscr, to be one of his trusty com L-MO- and bishops—of the consecration of Lunwtrth about the same time by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the part this same Lunwerth. is supposed to have taken in the preparation of Ilyvvcl Dda's "ode of laws—of the consecration of other bishops in a similar way—I am inclined to think that a very considerable amount of inter- course took place during These 300 years, and that ecclesiastical unity was effected in Wales, as in England, long before political unity was accom- plished; and, until I am better informed, I shall continue to think that the title "Church of Eng- land" represents a gradual and silent absorption of the Welsh dioceses into the community of the English dioceses, proceeding indepen- dently ot the civil contests which prevailed between the two peoples. Such is simply my private opinion, and, in the absence of suffi- ciently full information as to these 300 years, I do not pretend to have evidence to satisfy other people that I am right. It seems to me, in short the height of absurdity to be fumbling about in the Dark Ages for reasons why the Church should be disestablished iu the nineteenth century. But the Dark Ages are the favourite hunting-ground of the Liberationists. Last year they produced Offa and Kthelwolf, and now "Mr. Richard strives to rouse popular resentment by evoking from the gin yea of the far distant past "old memories" of embittered contests.—I am, &c-, CLlilllCUS.
FUXNEKAE OF TIIE BISHOP OF…
FUXNEKAE OF TIIE BISHOP OF I LONDON. Tb* mortal remains of ,10ho Jackson, D.D., late Bishop of London, were interred on Saturday in* the churchyard of All Saints', Fulhain, close to the grounds of the Palace. The coffin, which was covered with floral wreathe and crosses, resTed in thf private cnape! of i tje Palact, and was horn. Vfc-sii churchyard by «.j-ie 1:\[,.1\ bishop's domestics. Tih service wlvtli choral, and conducted by th« Archbishop ot Canterbury, assisted by lhc, Suffragan Biehop oi Bedford. The bier wai* fol- lowed to the grave by the bishops ol Winchester and Lichfield -Bishop Titeomb the Dean oi Westminster Canons Fleming, Cadnsau, uuck, worth, and th-egory the chief mourners; reprssex> tatives of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners; canons, and minor canons of St. Paul's • aud rui>d deans of Westminster, a large, number olerg? were present. Baroness Bur:iett-C!cut.ts sens s wreath, ay, did also the priests ot th* C'hspei Royais The principal ill memoriala wreaiha wei*S ..00. bJ members of the family una riftgy The bells of St. M:iry* Churcl;, Monmouth rsixt a muffled peal on Saturday on the burial of iii Bishop of London.