The Cardiff Times

[WHOLESALE & RETAIL > IRONMONGERS, SANITARY X >J ENGINEERS, >/ 53, &c. y/y/^T M ART STREET, y/V\> WYHDHAM ARCADE. OS CUSTOM H0U5E-ST.,# NEW STREET, CARDIFF. y/ Experienced Workmen kept in allBrancbea,

i LOCAL GOVifiNM .NT. I -co. BY W. ABRAHAM, M.P. ,.MB0N). fHOW WE ARE NOW GOVERNED., i formerly the ordinary rural authorities were I divided into that exercised jurisdiction in the county," the union," and the parish.' These authorities, who together possess the. government of the county area, and who were (appointed by various methods, upon various tenures, and for various terms, were as follows :— I THE COUNTY AUTHORITY. { 1. The county,—At the head of the county (affairs were the lord lieutenant and the jbigh sheriff, who were appointed by £ th» Crown, and could only be removed ffcy the Crown also. The management of rtoonty affairs was vested chiefly in the county Magistrates, appointed by the lord-lieutenant, who met and transacted business at quarter ^sessions. These duties were twofold, judicial and (administrative. Their judicial functions they t 8till retain, but they lose their administrative | powers, which are now transferred to the county (Council. 1 think that I am right in stating that (the I ADIIINISTBATIVB DUTIES OF JUSTICES IN COUNTIES t".re exercised in regard to the following things ^"—Adulteration of food and drink, bridges, leontaRious diseases (animals), committees, r*Ppointment and removal of inspectors j-MW officers, coroners, division of coun- ties int0 districts, management County property; gaols—appointment of j^iaiting committees; highways—formation of (districts judge's lodgings, building, licensing of f public-houses, pedlars, and locomotives; providing -fock-up bouses, providing generally for public .'lunatic asylums, appointing committee of visitors t i Regulation and management); granting license p°r private asylums, and appointing visitors, &c.; ( A j ^ain roads—contribution of a moiety of cost of ■ f'Maintenance,making of bye-laweformainroadsand B ^highways, for the form of accounts, and in some ■ ( Gases for the audit of the accounts of the highway 1 Authorities; petty sessional division—altering 1 |*Od forming new divisions, providing court t Rouses and settling clerk's fees; establishment t *«f the police force registration of voters and f ^Payment of expenses providing industrial and | Reformatory schools, shire halls, slaughter houses, 1 and granting licenses thereto power to make H *»nion of liberties with counties union of extra- f parochial places with parishes, order of union, j Prevention of vagrancy, valuation and assessment (If the county for the county rate; weights and Measures; providing copies of standards and t appointing inspectors fish conservancy and I Preservation of wild fowl. Such were the executive administration powers of the county authority exercised by the magis- ,trates in quarter sessions, or by committees of their body sitting in the Sessional district of the <«otmty. i, UNION AUTHORITIES. The union, on the other hand, and its adminis- Nation is managed by the guardians. It is they 'that administer the poor-law, and the laws plating to medicaf relief and sanitary matters. This latter portion of their duties is performed ) J1* local boards in urban districts. The union it also tho area for all purposes of regis- tration, for the census, and for valuation The management of the roads ;111 also vested in the board of guardians as a *al Banitary authority where the districts of two authorities are coincident in area. The ftQardians are an elective body, but every Magistrate Is an ex-officio guardian. J PARISH AUTHORITIES. The governing body of the parish is the i*rochial vestry, the duties of which are becoming )- by year more and more nominal. The footings of the vestry are presided over by the *'C«t as ex-officio, but the sooner he is relegated fetoore congenial duties the better it will be for EDUCATIONAL AUTHORITIES. The administration of education is swayed by a Altitude of authorities. Parochial school boards •an and are formed in rural parishes. Parishes tan also be formed into a united school district for the same purpose. Under the acts of 1876 and 1879 the guardians are made the school authority for compelling attendance, except in school board I Irishes. The county authority also can own and manage or contribute to industrial or refor- t ^atory schools, and the children of paupers can Oparately educated in district schools. I COUNTY EXPENDITURE. The general expenses of the county are defrayed Gilt of the county-rate imposed by the justices. The county authorities charge the parishes of the 1111ion upon a special assessment made for county ^rposes, aad based, as a rule, on the income-tax teturn under Schedule A. The guardians also tecover the money from the same parishes upon tbe union valuation 'ist, prepared by a committee their body. The expenditure of unions for kIoor-law, medical, and educational purposes is Md out of a common fund con- tributed by several parishes; but the for sanitary purposes is defrayed by 4 separate rate, from wb'otl a(Tncultural land is tempted to three-fonrths of its value. THE ACTUAL RATE LEVYING AUTHORITY. The actual making of rates at a charge on the Various hereditaments in the parish lies with the 0verseers, who are appointed annually by the J^tices, and from time to time receive precepts from various spacing authorities representing tbe various boards concerned, and they, as a rule, "S6SS the amount upon the valuation for which each hereditament figures in the Parochial list issued by the union assessment committee. ^nder a recent Act of Parliament the expenses of all local bodies have to be made up to an even late, but it has been held that this AI:t does not *Pply to county authorities, and therefore in the case of main roads, where one-half of the Expenses is paid by the county and cn-half by the I highway district, the finansval year of the former ,1bay end ou one date and that of the latter on Mother. NEED OF FURTHER CONSOLIDATION. Such, very briefly sketched, is the outline of Illral administration in this country, and to add \0 the difficulty, these districts tI¥1y overlap, coincide with, or include one another. Further- more, the difficulty increases when we consider 'hat the duties of those various bodies are so i .^ixed up one with another and clash with one Mother, especially with those of the urban I Magistrates and town councils. And when we ) ^member the enormous number of authorities ^at have jurisdiction in those areas and over the Prions governing bodies, it loudly called for some Measure to consolidate these different powers, and change of system that would simplify 'heir duties, as well as the areas of their operation. I remember reading a report |<>f one of Mr Goschen's speeches upon this subject *here he said that the first reform needed was to Consolidate alt rates and to have one demand-note for all rates, and a single authority for levying I and distributing the proceeds among feuch other j' v Authorities as have power to call for contributions, j It »as astonishing, h« aaj^ tha.t this was not done j ''ready. In giving his personal experience, he i laId, thit be had received in one year no less than I ^TdemandnotesjOnanaggfQg^g amount of £1,100, ,and that one parish alone had sent him eight ¡ tate papers for an a(??re?ate amount of 12s 4-d, so that the intricacies of imperial finance are sim- plicity itself compared with this local financial "haos. t>«ubtless this was the original idea underlying •he Local Government Act t at it should be an 'Act to consolidate all rural authoritiess and to •joaplify their duties and the area of their opera- tiona-or otherwise, in Mr Goscben's words To consolidate all rates, and to have one Jemand-note for all rates, and a single authority f*. levying the rate, and distributing the Proceeds among such authorities as have tower to call for contributions." However, it ? ^0 hardly be said that it deserves that title bow. Even in ita original shape it did not deal **haustiv<ly with the sub ject of local govern. blent,6r fuse into one consistent whole th-vanou. ^nainistrative bodies by which different districts *re governed. Itdid nothing to simplify theexisting .^plications of assessment and rating, but still left various rates to be levied by different officers ( different assessments and in different rating arøae overlapping each other m the most | Perplexing and confusing manner. In | the urban and sanitary authorities l Previously in existence are left untouched by the act, and in its existing shape it relates to county Rovemmentj and county government alone, and J a^ght therefore be called a County Government ir L Bill, dpeaking broadly, its operation, as it is, is confilMld, so far as the country at large is concerned, to the transfer to an elective body of the powers formerly held and exercised by the magistracy of the counties. Still, by the transfer of the administrative powers of the magistracy to ui representative council, elected on a thoroughly democratic suffrage, a fatal blow has been struck at every privilege or device which may limit or qualify the popular character of our local insti- tutions. DISTRICT COUNCILS. It is very much to be regretted that the Government abandoned that 'portion of the measure that provided for the establishment of district councils. Those councils were to be established in subordination to the county councils, of a system of local government through district council, replacing the bodies previously in existence, and discharging within narrower areas such duties as are either not of sufficient importance to be committed to the county councils, or require to be performed with reference to the wants and wishes of the inhabitants of a district smaller than a county. The Government, however, gave the most distinct pledge that a measure providing for the establish- ment of district councils should be introduced next year, and there is reason, how unusual even that may be, to anticipate that this pledge will be kept, because the present act contains frequent references to the future district councils, and its complete operation depends in many respects upon their existence. For instance, it cannot be doubted for a moment that, in consequence of the existing boundaries, the confnsion of areas and authorities, the burdens of local taxation are unequally borne while on the other hand the ratepayers have little or no check over their public expenditure and indebtedness,and are oftentimes unaware whether the calls made upon them are just and right. Consequently the consolidation effected by the proposed district councils ought to enable the representatives thereon to effect a -great saving of trouble and expense, as well as to increase its efficiency as an administrative institution far above the old boards.

v MUSIC IN WALES. By Dr. Joseph Parry, Cardiff. THE SHREWSBURY CONFERENCE Of WELSH MUSICIANS. The above conference of Welsh musjjpians was held at the Raven Hotel, Shrewsbury, on Thurs- day, Dec. 2?tb. Much anxiety had been felt by all interested in the future success of Welsh music as to the attendance at, and the work done at, the conference. I am glad to say that both the attendance and the work done was of a highly satisfaotory character. Mr John Thomas (Pencerdd Gwalia), and Mr Vincent Evans, secretary to the Cymmrodorion Society, came down expressly from London, and Mr Henry Leslie also from Oswestry, while the principality was well represented. We had, indeed, a most representative gathering from both North and South Wales, South Wales, perhaps, predominatmg, and it is much to the credit of our Welsh composers that they so faith- fully turned up. Humorous letters of sympathy for the movement were received from many who were unable to attend. Mr John Thomas was by a unanimous vote elected to the chair, and made some highly appropriate and tiwgJy remarks upon our want of unity and co-operation as Welsh musicians. lie was followed by some lengthy, though perhaps not over sanguine, remarks by Mr Henry Leslie, who was gladly hailed on his appearance in our conference, after which we proceeded to the actual business of the conference. Several preliminary but highly important matters were decided, as will be seen from the following summary:— The title of the society.-The National Society i. The selection of president,—Several names were mentioned, and it was finally decided to invite as the president of our society his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Vice-presidents.—S >me sixty or seventy of the most prominent names in the principality were chosen, and are to be applied to. These include the Welsh peers, members of Parliament, bishops, mayors, the principals of all colleges in Wales, and the leading men in each district. The formation of an executive committee of 30 leading Welsh musicians, including Welsh choral conductors, adjudicators, vocalists, teachers, and composers. The nomination of two secretaries, one for South and the other for North Wales, The present secretary for South Wales, Mr Rees Jones (Swansea), and Mr W. H. Roberts (of Wrexham) as North Wales secretary, were decided upon. The next meeting will be held again at Shrews- bury on Easter Tuesday, when it is hoped another influential gathering will take place, and this much-needed movement advanced considerably from the stage left off at the last meeting. In the present condition of our national society much careful and thoughtful nursing is needed. Knowing both secretaries as I do, their activity, organising experience, and capacities, I look forward hopefully, believing that they will do much in tbe time intervening between the last and next meeting to mature arrangements. One of their first duties will probably be the drawing out and issuing of a good circular, stating clearly the objects and aim of the society. Other good work will no doubt suggest itself to the secretaries, and I have every hope that they will be able to show tangible results at our next conference. Let us one and all hope that we, as Welsh musicians, can demonstrate that we possess all the requisites for the foundation of an organisation amongst ourselves which shall prove to be of such power and influence that shall materially affect the future history, growth, and development of the music of our country. Be it so, with a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i Chwi, un ac oil, is my earnest desire.

THE MARINER'S COMPASS. Speaking of Sir William Thomson one thinks naturally of the mariner'd compass, and this reminds us of a singular rumour which we have recently heard, to the effect that the use of the compass is about to be altogether superseded. A method is said to have been discovered by which the true north may at any moment be ascertained by means of a device which is wholly independent of magnetic action. The reading is, however, obtained by electrical means, and it is said that a well known Berlin firm of electricians has secured the patents. Our intormant also surmises that gyroscopic action is involved. Wg mention the story for what it may be worth. -Electrttnan,

A FAILING lNDMTM.—"And if you can'fcmake I any money at your trade# my poor fellow,' aaid the old lady, as she gave the tramp oftem luncheon; why don't you try your band at something else?* Me health, mum," he replied, won t permit merto undertake other work. It's a shtriker Oi am, indade, 'mum but the business seems to be pretty well played out =

r CYMRU VU; Or Seventy Years' Personal Reminiscences of Welsh Customs. BY NATHAN DYVED. No. 8.-Llanelly Reminiscences. I spent on the whole a happy time at Llanelly, During a great part of my stay there I lodged with David Davies, who was a carpenter at the Bres Colliery, and lived at No..8^ Park-lane, or "Tai Clwb Parc Einon," as they were then called. This street, notwithstanding itf high-sounding title, will not bear to be cosipared with its London namesake. The houses were not palaces, though many of its inhabitants belonged to the nobility-of labour. No. 8, where I lodged, consisted of two small rooms on the ground floor, and two equally small but equally cosy apartments up stairs. One of the latter wias my bedchamber, the bed occupying nearly the whole of the floor surface in it, leaving bately standing room between the foot of the bed and the window cill, and thus-making tb" addition of any superfluous furniture impossible. While here I was foolishly led by my fellow workmen, who haddiscovered my rhyming predilections, to write a ballad, on some poultry thieves wito bad recently troubled the neighbourhood. 2. This composition they no sooner got into their hands than, without my knowledge or consenfc, they forthwith took it to Mr Nevill Broom's printing office and had a number of copies struck off. My amaze- ment and indignation may well bf imagined when I saw the foolish thing in print and heard myself everywhere talked, about. THE LLANKUUT WELSH ^SOCIETY. I wafe soon introduced into Welsh literary circles at Llanelly and admitted into the brother- hood of the Welsh society. The officials at that time werePresident, Mr William Williams Vice-president, Mr John Lewis j Recorder, Mr Zecbariah Williams; Bard, Mt })avid Davies (Dewi Mai). Shortly after I joined the society it was resolved to hold a chair eiKt^tidvod. To me that event has pleasant associations, for at that meeting I practically won my spurs, or, in other words, gained MY FIRST BARDIC OHAIB. The subject of the ode was "Twenty Years' Improvements in Llanelly." I laboured under greater Disadvantages than most literary aspirants. To start with, my rending was neces- sarily limited, as I bad few books pf my own, and no access to others. My leisure timfe was also short, as I could not sit down to my literary work but for the few short hours after the close of my daily labour. Mr writing table was the win- dow board, before which I knelt in penning my composition. I think I should have felt too disheartened to persevere were it not for the kindly encouragement given me by Dewi Mai, who urged me to complete my ode and to send it in 1 for competition. The adjudicator was the well-known bard Cawrdav," and he adjudged my composition, the only one entered, as worthy of the prize, and wiUi due ceremonial I was made a Bardd yn ol Braint a Deftwd," and dnly installed in tbeBaplit Chair of-lbyved, under the motto, "Calotrwrth Galon {He*rt to heart). Many years after the medal, which was awarded with the prizo, but which was nob. ready at the time the tsst/dd vod was held, was banded me by Mr David Bowen, D. ab Owen, on my next visit to the placs. THE REV MR BUCKLEY, FURNACE HOUSE. I attended the services at the Wpleyan Chapel, and bsfcre nothing but the warmest, praise to give the church brotherhoqd*4here. I well remember Mr Phillips, who was the conductor cf the Seiat there, many of whose earnest and instructive remarks still linger in my memoryj The Rev Mr Buckley often invited me to thej" big house," Fusnace House, to receive the benefit of his counsel and instruction. I > £ ;^<gomewhat of -ft««ft»?earitw ;1, ,r/~ g always called in when such services as 1 could render were required. Miss Buckley and Miss Manah Buckley were most kind to me. I have now in my possession an English Bible presented me by the last-named lady. A SORE TRIAL. One evening, about six o'clock, I met an acquaintance who informed me that my little brother, whom I had left in the old Llanboidi home, had been so cruelly beaten by my step- mother that he bad lost one of his eyes! The shock of this ill news so upset me that I nearly fainted. Then with the return of consciousness came a determination to see him without delay. Leaving word where I bad gone, I started at once, on foot, on my 33 miles journey. There was no train in those days, and no other mode of conveyance of which I could avail myself. Night was closing in as I left Llanelly, and I ran all the way from Llanelly to Carmarthen, 131 miles, without either pause or even the comparative rest of walking. On reaching that town nature loudly called for rest and asleep, but affection urged me on, and I continued my journey. I must have slept while still walking, for I was suddenly wakened by a terrible shock, and found I bad fallen into a disused quarry near the roadside. For a moment, though now thoroughly wakened, I could not make out where I was, how I came there, or how to get out again. Gradually my scattered senses returned, and, having satisfied myself that no bones were broken, I managed to clamber out, the moon's kindly light showing me the way. My local knowledge satisfied me that I was near Cascade, having crossed Cynin footbridge at the Trip." A kind Providence bad looked after me, and brought me in safety so far. I now followed the road to the Caerlleon Granary, where I was within a mile of my old home. Here I turned in, knowing the farm lads, whose rough bed I was allowed to share, and which proved so grateful to my weary limbs that it was jriidday before I awoke. Having partaken of a hearty dinner and chunked my hospitable friends, I made my way at hoce to my poor brother, no*, alas, deprived of one of his eyes! My stepmother excused herself on the plea that it was all an unfortunate and unintentional accident, and deeming it better for my poor brother's sake to appease than to farther anger one at whose mercy he must still remain, I gave her half a sovereign, which I could, indeed, but ill afford from my little store. Having given my brother also. little money, I returned at once, reaching Carmarthen the same night, and being back at my work the following day. I little thought then under wbtt circumstances I should next see my brother

A WAR TAX.. CaltcJlOer u. on 'sroetMog ths.t will take« r*Tt«S Clerk: Yes, prepara- tion. I)ollar si 114-- But why is it < IXT t ;«' i Owing to tbe y x an vlRgh vaa put ,on duii --wsivrinfcl. < Ah, I see. A -,art <*r., j

—|W<I. I" I —; T ■; <i;4i' THE HAFOD l< I': Bg of the corporation, >■< t Mons were given the s ift to test the foundatio v I idge at tbq Hafodacra ) (

AN UNFORTUNATE ADMISSION; Youngest Daughter (of father of "gevenicif t^fao); Papa, I can't—I positively can't stand the titroth I I m-m-must t-t-tell yon I bad planned to elope to-night Papa Just my lqck What did you want to peach for ? Now I suppose I've got to stop you

FACTS FOR FARMERS. Current Notes on Agricultural Topics. BY A PRACTICAL WELSH FARMER. THE IMPROVEMENT IN PRICES. Does ft Warrant the Old Rents P Daring the last fortnight there have been many rent^andits in different parts of South Wales, and from enquiries made I find that but few landlords have made the usual remission* The reason advanced by them for not doing so is the improved state of trade and the advanced prices for farm produce daring the past year they argue that, taking everything into consideration, they are entitled to demand the full rent. Now, taking it for granted that the farmer in 1888 has been able to pay his way, yet the landlord should remember that there have been nine years of acute depression, and during those years the farmers in South Wales have lost much more money than the landlords have femitted, and they should in fairness, before exacting the full rent, allow 1beirtenants some breathing time to enable them to extricate themselves from their monetary difficulties into which they have been driven, or, at least, to lighten the burden of their debt. It is as though a drowning man who, by the help of a pole held to him from the land, has just managed to get his head above water, should be pushed back again by the very instrument from which he expected assistance. Although there has been an improvement in prices, especially in store stock, yet this enhanced price even for store stock is much below the prices of those good years when the present rents were fixed. THE PRICES OF STORK CATTLE. Bat does the year 1888 warrant the landlords demanding the full rent ? Has the past one been such a favourable one to the farmers ? I doubt it. Take, for instance, store cattle, in thfe price of which the greatest advance has been made. Was the advance a legitimate one or was it a forced one through scarcity The price of-fat stock said it was a forced one the agricul- tnh&lr6<(ucA aaid the same thing—scarcity. If farmers were obliged at the end of 1887 to dispose of a good part, of their stock at ruinously low prices because?! they bad no keep for the last winter, then the advanced price of last summer only partly made up for the loss sustained then. THE EFFECT OF PRICES ILLUSTBATlfD, To make my meaning clear, take, for instance, a farmer ^rearing 20 calves, these being in 1887 yearlings. Now, because of the extraordi- nary draught of that year, he bad not the usual keep, and was consequently obliged to dispose of half of them, Such was the position of many a farmer in the autumn of 1887 he had to sell 10 of the lot as yearlings, instead of keeping them till they were two years old, becanse the produce of 1887 was that much less. But at what prices were they sold ? Why, at next to nothing. Well-bred yearlings were then to be had for about £4 a head. Now the remaining ten were sold in the usual time, say Jane last, but, by the improved prices, they fetched jH13 a head, instead, of the ordinary price of jBlO each, which ruled during the depression of previous years. Let us now see how this breeder stands. Ten have been sold for £40, and the other 10 for B30 thus for the 20 be has reared he has received JB170. Now, if the year 1887 had been an ordinary one, with an average harvest, this man would have been able to keep the 20 till they were two years old, or till June last, selling them at the old depressed price of jBlO each, which would amount to £200. He would thus have been j330 better off; although the price had advanced. Thus, through the farmers' loss we have an advance in prices, but this advance does not cover the basis of the valuation. Still, it must be admitted that this enhanced price has been a great boon to farmers generally, it enabled them to retrieve in part the losses of the previous year. CROPS AND THEIR VALUE. We will take, again, the past year's harvest. Has that been such a favourable one to the agri- cultural class as to warrant the landlords to demand the full rents ? The hay crop was a heavy one, but did it benefit the farmer ? Instead of dry and sunny weather, during the haymaking time, we had, without ceasing, eight to nine weeks of rainy days, and the result of this state of the weather was that the bay crop was either carried away by floods, or partly ruined even the best harvested is poor and not nearly so good and nutritious as usual. The wheat crop in South Wales from the same cause is a very poor one, so poor is it that many farmers are obliged to use it as fodder for cattle, as it is unfit for bread-making. The other cereals are far from good. Green crops also this year are very poor, and the same n.ay be said of the potato crop, which is a very light one. The advance in price of the foregoing is no advantage to our farmers. DAIRY FARMERS ACTUALLY LOSERS. It will be seen, in fact, that they are losers by it, for by our present system of farming Welsh farmers go in more for breeding and butter- making, and are large buyers of feeding Eltufb; therefore, the advance of something like 20 per cent. in grinding barley which has taken place during the past autumn acts against them, as the articles they sell, such as butter, milk, etc., have not advanced in the same ratio. The same may be said of different sorts of fattening cakes. These have advanced about 12i to 15 per cent., yet the price of beef, bacon, etc., has not as yet differed much from what it was last year. From the above facts, and others which could be enu- merated, it will be seen that the landlords are to say the least, over hasty in demanding their fall rents. We allow that the prospects of the farmers have during the past year improved, and there are grounds for hope that this improvement will last. But this we wish to repeat and to emphasize, that the improvement so far does not warrant the landowners in withdrawing their sympathy from tbeir tenants. Milk versus Butter. Many of our farmers have turned their attention lately to milk producing, and instead of making butter from it, are supplying it to our populated centres. The demand is, it seems, more than the supply. In visiting a friend lately who has taken this course in connection with his farm, he informed me that it paid him better to sell the milk than make butter out tlf it. In labour be was saving much, although they have to bestir themselves early m the morning to have the milking done, and have it sent to meet an early morning train at half-past six, which takes the milk from the station, which is about three miles from the farmstead, to its destination about 40 miles away. When asking him what a gallon lie was receiving for it whole- sale, I found, on comparing the retail price, that the middlemen receive a good share of the profit, railway companies charging very stiff prices for carriage. A question often asked is, what quantity of milk would make a pound of butter ? It is not an easy matter to give a definite reply, as it varies according to the time of the year, and the manner in which the cows are fed, and the fact that some breeds are better butter producers than others, and even cows of the same breeds differ greatly. My milk-selling friend's estimate was that in some cases two gallons of milk would produce one pound of butter, while in other instances it would require more than three gallons. TOAD IN THE HOLB. I have heard of toads in marble,and other much more remarkable places, but I fancy the most curious spot for one to locate itself is in a horse's windpipe. A local paper relates that at Newbury, Berkshire, "Mr Willis, of North Farm, had a valuable cart colt that had for a long time suffered very much from difficulty of breathing, and had been attended by Mr Wilkins, F.R.C.V.S., who did all he could for the poor animal, even going to the extent of performing an operation on the throat to relieve the breathing; but all to no purpose, and the horse's suffering increased so much that it was most pitiable to see it. Mr Willis determined therefore to put an end to ita misery by havi g the animal snot, which was accordingly done, Mr Pavier oat up the carcass, and aevering the neck at the shoulders, to the astonishment of those present, a fairly-sized toad was observed to crawl out from the opening in the windpipe, <tnd the oxtraordmary cause of the poor animal's sufferings became at once apparent. The toad was almost red when extracted, but it has now assumed more its natural colour. It is in the possession of Mr WilkiotJ," .} .4..

WELSH GLEANINGS. I By Lloffwr. Ameng the numerous candidates for the London County Council I am pleased toned the namesof • several well-known Welshmen. Mi; John Lloyd (J.P. for Breconshire), j|bo~ was the initiator and bon. sec. to the Lodnsb Municipal Reform League, is a candidate for "North Kensington. Captain Verney stands for Brixton, and Mr T. Howell Williams, treasurer of the Cymru Fydd Society, is a candidate for North St Pancras. Mr Alfred Davies, of Hampstead, has also just been selected as a progressive candidate for North Hackney, and receives very influential support throughout the district. A portrait and sketch of Mr Davies appeared in the last number of the Liberal and Radical, where an interesting account is given of his religious, philanthropic, and political work. I should also mention that Mr Richard Roberts, a candidate for' one of the divisions of Islington, has issued a Welsh address to the Welsh electors of the district. Mr Alfred Davies alluded to above is, according to the Liberal and Radical, the son of the late Rev John Davies, a native of Carmarthenshire. Though a resident in London, Mr Davies has shown very keen sympathy. with the national upheaval which has manifested itself in Welsh politics within the last three or four years. He has long advocated the necessity of forming a Welsh National Party, both in and out of the House of Commons, and be had the pleasure of seeing his wish in part fulfilled at the Welsh National Council recently held at Newtown. Besides being a Radical of no uncertain type, Mr Davies possesses that indomitable pluck and energy which are so essential to the successful advocacy of any principles and of this no better proof is needed than his great business success. Several English constituencies have, from time to tim^|v !s<s^|^t^gbim to become their candidate recejN^^Havas invited to stand, for the LovMjltoft jU^HHpSuffolk, in opposition to Sir SaviHe Cros^Jp^ie Dissentient Liberal member and though this is regarded as asafe seat for a sound LihoM^^a believe that Mr Davies declined to coj^^ip^p question, as it is his native countr^j^s, that he hopes some day to represent in the House of Commons, 4 In fact, his name was indirectly mentioned in connection with the recent vacancy at Mertbyr; and it was then remarked that both his religious and political principles were in most singular harmony with those of the late Mr Henry Richard, with whom he was on terms ot the very closest friendship. The kindly interest felt by Mr Richard is shown by his writing, unsolicited, to an influential Merthyr friend, on the very day that Me C. H. James's retirement was announced in the newspapers, strongly recommending Mr Davies as a worthy Parliamentary colleague and on the 18th August, only a few days before his death, the member for Wales" wrote from Bangor to one of his intimate friends, and, among o&h«rJtein4 Wfljds, b?_sx>«k» of J^vjas. as itv "ntting candidate for some Welsh constituency." It is surely high time that something should be done to render uniformiy efficient the interpreta- tion of Welsh evidence into English at the Glamorganshire Court of Quarter Sessions, The errors which scandalised the performance of this task at the afternoon sitting of the second court on Wednesday were as contemptible as they were ludicrous. Fancy rendering "seven weeks" ae seven years" — not once, nor twice, but three times, and this in a case where the issue before the court was purely one of fact. Happily Mr Dillwyn, the acting-chairman, understood Welsh, and so did Mr David Lewis. Mr Glascodine, the other counsel concsrned, with his encyclopedic mastery of subjects secular and sacred, has also, it may be assumed, studied Welsh as a foreign language": it is certain that be can comprehend, if he cannot conjugate, the Welsh equivalent for Church." But a truce to trivialities (not that Mr Glascodine can for a moment be designated as a triviality), the subject is really serious. If the court of quarter sessions cannot provide better safeguards for the proper reproduction in English of what Welsh witnesses say, their jostling neighbours of the county council will have to teach them what to do, and -6 bow to do it." • The land of Havilab, where there is (fold," are very familiar words to Welsh people, and of late they have been brought home to their minds with a new meaning. Formerly they located the land of gold far away in the East, where the human race was cradled, but now they find what was far off brought near, and lying at their own doors. The Dol (Dolgelly) of the North, which gave Mr Prichard Morgan a capital advertisement anterior to his parliamentary candidature, has already attracted considerable attention; but now, it appears, there is a similar Dot (Dolaucothi) in South Wales where gold digging has been carried on perseveringly, and almost clandestinely, some time. s Though a sequestered region lying aloof from the main roads of civilization, Dolau- cothi, where the seat of the celebrated family of the Johnes is situated, and the famous Welsh bard, Lewis Glyn Cothi, flourished in the 15th century, has sounded well in the ears of the Welsh public for long. Now, however, if the glowing reports and predictions are true, this ancient locality is destined to win very real golden opinions, and the dreams of the nation-conquering Romans who commenced operations here about a millennium and a half ago are to be substantiated. Whether it is likely that Wales will be really enriched by these discoveries of gold in the coffers of her everlasting hills is a problem the discussion of which will probably revive with this latest revelation from Dolaucotbi. • The Weekly Bulletin's recommendation to the Welsh peopie is a queer oner—"Let Wales pledge herself to retain no one at the next election whose motto is aught but 'gjld for Wales. Glittering gold has overpowering fascination to many, and the love of gold which prevails in our country presents an argument which sometimes inclines one to believe that, after all, we are Auglo-Israelites, whose antes itors were so rich in gold in the days of King Solo mon. But neither Wales nor any other land cjyQ Jive on gold alone. You may feast your eyes nr.1 the yellow colt, as some familiarly denominatyj a sovereign, and you can ride it, but you cancel eat it to satisfy your hanger. J • v. • This reminds one again of the wisdom of the old gentleman of the Welsh legend, who on his death bed told his sons of gold tor be found in a certain field. Though they dug the field all over and saturated it with the sweat of their brow without finding the bidden treasure, after sowing seed in the upturned soil, which resulted in a rich harvest, the hidden meaning of the counsel given became clear in the golden sheaves appropriated. Such gold is to be found in all fields if people will only dig for it, and on it they can live. Gold has it uses and abuses. A quaint old divine said that we set too high a value on gold here on earth, and that in heaven they use it properly in paving the streets with it. But he was very much afraid that, if those who are animated with inordinate ■ love for it were to be admitted, they would-tear up tbe golden streets and pocket them.

Musical and Eisteddvod Notes. By Maelgwyn. THE WELSH F .1 AND V." lint week, with the New Year, Maelgwyn turned over a new leaf, and resolved to have nothing more to do with the old system which makes the beautiful old language of the Kymrv look so formidable on paper to our brothers of another tongue. We will have no more of that double" ff," and that worse than intolerable ph, when one f" will do. Let not those who think everything ancient ought to be pre- served exactly as it stands imagine- that we are going in opposition to the general desire. We feel that we are in touch with the majority of the people, and even such a staunch Kymro as good old Morien uses v instead of tbe old single f." Reforms are best when carried out gradully, and it is now nearly 60 years since a number of eminent Welshmen decided to use v where the sound was that of v." We are only doing as they did. ART SCHOOLS IN WALES, I hear of two places in South Wales where the workmen have resolved to establish a night school where an efficient teacher will give them instructions in art subjects. This is a move in the right direction, and it is to be hoped that the movement will not collapse for want of support. The masters can do a great deal towards the improvement of their employes if they only like to do so. A few of them we know have for many years past given prizes at local eisteddvodau for paintings, carving, and drawing, but it is of little use offering prizes for subjects about which so many know next to nothing. What is wanted is help in the shape of money to carry out the, at least, elementary edu, cation of the people. The love of the subj ect is there right enough, and with a little ho!p Welsh. men would be as likely to distinguish themselves in this branch as they have already done in music. The establishment of the Government science and art classes has done an enormous amount of good, although as yet the fruit is not so noticeable as some people think it ought to be. Let us all wish success to the schools which have been started. FURTHER SUCCESS OF MISS MAGGIE DAVIES. Last week I stated that two Welsh singers in the persons of Miss Maggie Davies and Mr Dan Price had been engaged to sing at Mr de Jong's concert at Manchester. On Saturday last, Miss Davies, who was in Wales for her Christmas holidays, received a letter from Sir George Grove, the principal of the Royal College of Music, intimating that the directors of the college had decided to extend her scholarship for another year on account of the great progress she had made in her studies since her entrance into the college, and also as a mark of their appreciation of her exemplary conduct during the last three years or so. Miss Davies is known all over Wales as Eos Vach, although she is scarcely Vach now. When first brought out by the late Mr David Bowen she was only a fairly good con- tralto singer. Some five or six years ago she joined Mr Arthur Brogden's Swiss Choir, and under the training of Mr Brogden she soon developed into a soprano unger. She remained with the company until the summer of 1886, and during her stay she bad risen to be prima donna. She competed for one of the open scholarships at the Royal College, and was successful, she and Miss Annie Roberts, a young lady from North Wales, being the only successful Welsh competitors. The scholarship was tenable for three years, and included tuition and boarding. Another year has now been added, and in the summer of 1890 Miss Davies wiil have completed her studies. iSne is the daughter of a workman at Dowlais, aud is about 23 years of age. SERIALS FOR JANUARY. Y Card dor-" makes itc eppoar&nca this month. It was certainly worth waiting for, but I very much question the wisdom of the editors in givingalist of the musical magazines that have been started in Wales, and have failed to "take." The record of these things bad better be buried for ever. The editors know—or ought to know—that some, at least, of these magazines went in strongly for cliquism, and, very properly, our people refused to buy them. Others, again, were not advertised enough, and others died because the editors showed no vigour and little discrimination. Let all this be forgotten let the "Cerddor" show vigour and brightness and let it be free from cliquism and wretched personal squabbles, and its success cannot be doubted. The editors contribute readable and sensible papers, and Mr Emlyn Evans begins what promises to be a valuable saries of bicgraphical sketches of Welsh musicians. The "notes" and "inteHigenco" are very inter- esting, and do not. as is too frequently the case, run in one groove. Mr William Roberts con- tributes a pretty little Welsh poem suitable for musical setting, and Mr Emlyn Evans supplies the musical portion of the magazine—a very tuneful part song for S. A. T. B., in the sol-fa notation. I shall look with pleasure for the coming of the second part (2d). I have been favoured with the first copy (new series) of Cerddor y Cymry." This excellent magazine in its new and enlarged form ought to command widespread popularity. It continues under the experienced editorship of Mr W. T. Rees (Alaw Ddu), and is printed and published by Messrs D. Williams and Son, Llanelly. The "Cerddor" is published at a penny,and it therefore accessible to all. The "Art Journalbegins anew volume, and has for frontispiece a charming etching from a picture called "School Belle?." A thoughtful and critical paper oh Was Mary Queen of Scots Beautiful!" is well illustrated, and is followed by an interesting historical account of Westminster Palace. The first of a series of "Art and Industry supplements will be particularly welcome to the thoughtful working masses. I quote the following short paragraph from the II Art Gossip dpropos of the recent art congress in Liverpool" If the association • is to do any real good it must direct its attention more assiduously to tbe improvement of practical every-day art, and less exclusively to theories and academic reforms." I am sorry I have not space to quote the whole paragraph, which is sensible and outspoken (Is bi). Cassell's History of Music deals with the early French school, and contains a portrait of Meyerbeer (7d). Musical Society," though containing no special feature, is as bright and as interesting as ever; but why, oh why, do the publishers insist on paging adver- tisements with the text? (4d). NOVEL WAY OF ADVERTISING AN ORATORIO. A contemporary calls attention to the following extraordinary statement, culled from the so-called peroration of a circular, announcing a new dialogue oratorio called Samuel, by a Mr Jerome Hopkins, an American now in London ;—" Any- thing, from a guinea upwards, for Samud, dear friends and strangers, and thank you, 0 thank you very much. Remember I Samuel was tbe model for the present Wbltechapel hero, for 'he hewed Agag in pieces at Gilgal.'—See Samuel xv, 33. As such, therefore, Samuel is surely entitled to a little public attention, so when the undersigned offers him in quantities to suit,' it is no disrespect. Our age is mercenary. People take money in exchange tor masses, and even for love. This oratorio is simply retributive justice. That's all for to-day from one who eon dig, and who to beg (for Art) is not ashamed." This strange admixture of bad taste and bombastic self-laudation is only equalled by the following quotation from the same source :— "Let no one look," says this extremely modest youth, "to the newspapers for advance puffs of the undersigned. They will never appear until much too late to do him any good." Don Oavanni was not puffed in advance, nor was the Pastoral Symphony," nor do we read that placards were posted upon the Acropolis at Athens that Paul will preach at three o'clock p.m. on such and such a date. Yet Paul was a pretty good preacher. Furthermore, we may be reminded that the youth who fired the EpheBian dome, as well as the man who first spat upon the Blessed Saviour at Calvary, have both had a fuantutn tuf. of free advertising, and ?'et it has made tor neither of them a great name, or tbeir names are n0t known, Selah. ANOTHER AMERICAN YARN. "Musical Society "says There is much fan anticipated among Boaton musicians over the paying of a bet made by a well-known clarionet player and an equally prominent violinist of that city on the result of the recent presidential election. The band stand on Boston Common is be the scene of tbe paying of the wager, and the one who has lost has agreed to appear as tbe the premier danscust of the occasion to dance fifteen minutes to bÎ8 own accompaniment.

Samuel's Sentiments. Is Marriage a Failure P IS MARRIAGE A FAILURE WITH THIS LADY'S HUSBAND ? WELL, WHAT DO YOU THINK ? HIS question, sir, which has been raging so furiously in the Press, and started originally by one Mrs "MonaCaird," has actively agitated me for fsome days now, but I may say that in a desul- tory and spasmodic sort of fashion I have been reflec- ting on it most seriously ever since the fourth day of my honeymoon— which took place some years ago now. Mona Caird, it would appear from her original communication. has been a Mona, or rather moaner, under the thraldom of matrimony for a considerable period indeed, it rather looks as though she never Caird for it, But there is too strong a flavour altogether about Mona's complaint; it has too strong a Bouquet ("Mona Bouquet"; twig, sir. You've been to the Isle of Man, of course. Haven't time to work up the pun properly), has the wail of Mona, and it does seem altogether strange that Mona should not care about Man, find I'm Manx- ious to know why such is the case ? Had Mona and the people who have followed in her train asked, "Is Failure a Marriage?" 1 should unhesi- tatingly have answeraa, "Yes," for the two frequently run hand in hand so far as the career and prospects of a young man are concerned. This fact, sir, conclusively remains, that nine out of ten of our novelists, dramatists, poets, who of course write primarily to be in accord with, and to please, the public, seem to think that both marriage is a failure and failure is a marriage, for they either end up their narrative with a ceremony at the halter-beg pardon, sir. altar same thing you know-at they make marriage interesting (a la, I the French model; very popular and always well THIS IS EMPHATICALLY AN* INSTANCE OF INCOMPATI- BILITY OF TEMPER. BKRRY OF BRADFORD WILL PKOBABLY HAVE THE DIVORCING OF THE HUSBAND, BY DROPPING HIM A LINE. thumbed at the circulating libraries) by causing either the wife or the husband to "skip the noose," accompanied by another party, a change of raiment, and all the jewellery and petty cash available. That only shows what a good many literary people think about marriage—possibly because their own veutures are not always too happy. There is yet another certainty in regard to Mona's question, and that is that seventy per cent at leasc of all the bachelors of to-day are distinctly of opinion that marriage is a failure, as is evidenced by their insuperable reluctance to enter into the married state (see the Registrar- General's returns if you don't believe me) nowadays, whilstin tbecase of married men you will End that almost to » man they declare that marriage is a failure, a dire, distressful, awful failure, and a fraud, and the only exceptions almost to this rule ari- the men who have wed a bit o' brass," as the local expression goes, and who have "niver struck a batj at after." The youug men of to-day, sirj are emphati- cally utilitarian rather than sentimental, and they have a due regard for that: definition of marriage: which says that it is an insane desire to keep another man', daughter." THIS LAnT WOULDN'T MIND TRYING WHETHER MARRIAGK IS A FAILURE OR XOT-IF SHE HAD THE CHANCE. I was, for the purpose of this communication to you, sir, reflecting the other day on the query which beads this article, when, as a. sort of exemplification of how even the most trivial circumstances determine one's mind, Mrs Samuel sailed (I can only use that word, sir, so markod was the fluttering of skirts, apron, and other feminine appurtenances all indicative, be it said, when thus in motion, of a rufflod and irascible disposition) into my den, and thus addressed me —" Smoking, eh ? and lolling on the sofa ? Think- ing out ideas, I daresay," (palpable sneer at this point) but I can't do it (probably not, so far as the ideas are concerned) when there is work to be done. That man has called about the gas account; be says we sball be cut off; (horrible thought) but what do you care? Nolbiug My father always paid his way—he was forced to (probably), but do you want, to pay your way ? (Not if 1 can help it !) ShufR", shuffle, shuffle- that's how it is with you. Do you face the tradespeople? No Here, the impudent milkman has been this morning he says that, he won't give you any more chalk (I hope not) he says that your excuses won't hold water (unlike his milk). But you don't care a bit. Here everybody can go off this summer, but your poor wife and children you don't care whether they have a THIS GENTLEMAN NEVER TRIED MARRIAGE. HE'S GLAD THAT HE DIDN'T, snoe to oueir ioot so long as you c.kii treat your precious friends l'in tiredof such goings on ;Idon't wonder that editors turn rusty with you always behind- y\ hand except I w hen there's ( some sort of badness stirr- ing and so on to the end of an i n t e r m i nable chapter. Such speeches as these. sir, fully resolve me that marriage »s a failure, and having formed this opinion,I re-light my pipe and mentally conjure up before me a whole host of matrimonial drawbacks—let the reader distinctly understand that I am speaking always from the man's point of view—which can never be counter- balanced by any amount of the usual saccharine spooning and mooning that generally attends the early progress of love's young dream, which in my opinion is more of a nightmare than a dream. .Yes, I conjure up all tbe picture, or series of pictures, before me. Look at the only too common specimen of a wife who has what are called "tantrums," the lady who has sudden fits of spleen and sulkiness for no assiguabie rea.son-the female person who sits moaning dismally, and who, when you ask her What's up ?" replies in a most tragic and suggestive manner. Nothing that I should complain about, of course, but you know better than I do." Think for a moment with patience, if you can, of the woman who goes to bed in a good temper at night and gets up next morning evidently resolved to play "steam" all day— probably because it is washing day and the has some extra supervision to exercise. Look at the young woman who is gushing enough, but who reads the family HeraU all day, leaves her hair undone and neglects to darn your stockings and sew on your buttons. Look at the Felf. opinionated young female person who roasts your food till there is no nature in it, or boils every- thing to rags, or, on the other hand, tries to convince you that you are a savage and therefore need all your meat raw. Present her witb a cookery book, and hint to her that appetising food well cooked promotes both the good temper and the digestion of a male being, and then bear her eay that you have insulted her, that her mother knew how to cook, and that she always cooked so tMMtM nr-LAW ARE BAD ENOUGH, fit ALL GON- gOIINCK—AlfD HOW ABOUT A FATHER-IN-LAW, LIKE THIS ? and so exactly as," etc. Then take tht lady who looks with deep and blind hatred and suspicion on all bar husband s friends, always imagining that they want to take some advantage of him, and who will neither allow, theoi to visit him (with anv regard to mutual comfort) or him to visit them. And gam upon that .very common type of young modtM wife wbo will about everywhere she can in the best dresses available, and who affects I to be injured or neglected if you don't take her about to festivals that bore or that yon loathe. She is always gregjgjit theatre going, and says that such and sucn^an actor (some conceited and much overpraised cad who has probably been an utter waster in a good family, or a defaulting clerk; a by no imeans uncommon type on tbe stage) is "so handsome, and has such a beautiful expression. Is marriage a failure, indeed? Why, it is that period of servitude during which a man is but too often obliged to abandon sentiments and habits that are Ik part of his being, and ta aglha species of outward civility to one who is not alone out of sympathy with him, but one whom he most probably despises utterly from an intellectual point of view. All very well in this latter case," some mav say, "but such a wife generally looks up to her husband because of his superior attainments and qualities not a bit of it, in the majority of cases; mere human dolls and lumps of female humanity are so full of vanity and self-conceit that they either I estimate their qualities at an unnatural pitch (and assert themselves accordingly) or they almost regard their husband's undoubted superiority as an insult to themselves, and are consequently in a normal state of peevish- ness. Marriage, my dear sir, is unquestionaby a failure in the case of seven men out of ten, and if to-morrow the generality of men could legally slip the noose—slip it without incuring the world's censure and the eternal reproaches of the woman to whom they had been allied, they would—and gladly, too. No wonder that young mendon.tgo in extensively for marriage nowadays. They obj3Ct to sinking their real sentiments both at their place of business and at home; they like a pound sterling to themselves rather than 8s for themselves and 12s for other people. As the old circus wheeze goes, A man who has no wife never hu a button to bis shirt— but the married man very often hasn't a decent I shirt to sew a button on," Far from holding that the state of bachelorhood is a selfish one I rather agree with the man of limited means who says, I haven't money enough to marry the woman I have cherished as an ideal in my own mind I conldn't live np to my ideal of comfort and gentility on my present I means; 111 remain single and live free trom care, rather than go on struggling with a woman (and maybe a lot of bairns that I can't adequately start in life) on my hands. If women are so clever as they almost universally say they are, let them keep themselves, as I do myself. Why should I try to keep a wife, and render my life a long servitude when I can barely help myself, according to my own views of making this by no means too happy earthly existence as endurable as possible?" A struggling young fellow—a young fellow who has noc made a paction, as the phrase goes—who gets married now-a-days is simply an ass—but hark I I hear the fatateul step of Mrs Samuel approaching, vnd she may glance over may shoulder. H". ha I must dissemble » SAMUEL His SENTIMENIS.

WELSH NOTES. LESSONS OF THE NEWPORT COLLISION. The principal lesson to be derived from the collision which startled the Newport and Cardiff district on Sunday last is that just outside Newport there is one of the most dangerous bits of line it is possible for any railway to possess. I Just make a sketch of a tunnel at one side, a main line running into it from the opposite side, and I very near to tbe mouth of the tunnel a junction of the double-dyed description, to which trains J rush down on the left from another tunnel, and gallop upwards on the right from the Alexandra Dock. Add to this state of things a constan tly I increasing traffic on all sides, for the main line between Bristol and London and South Wales must increase; tbe traflfo from Bristol and Newport to the populous and mining places in the Monmouthshire hills does augment yearly whilst everybody knows that Sir George Elliot is striving his level best to get the Alexandra Dock more and more prosperous. The logical outcome I of all this is that the b:t of line must become increasingly risky. The jury suggest two signalmen at the box which overlooks the junction. This is a suggestion which the railway paople say is useless. There is another suggestion which is not so useless. This is that the Board of Trade regula- tions as to two train. not being allowed to approach the same junction at one time should be rigidly adhered to. "The traffic won't allow of it, we should not be able to get through in tbe twenty-four hours," reply the railway men. THE REMEDY IS SIMPLE, Bat it is also costly. Yet it must be faced sooner or later. There is no necessity for all the mineral traffic to pass through Newport over the bridge which has just been re-constructed. A glance at the map will show that the Great Western Railway now makes a crescent in order to get to the town. I Long years ago the great railway company, whose fattest preserve South Wales is, onght to have constructed that East U<k Railway. Commencing at Bishton or Llanwern, the East Usk would develop the district towards which all eyes are now turning. This little railway, which would be a trifle, as the land is as flat as a table^could then be carried under the river, and along the Went- loog Level, to a point near St. Bride's. Here it would rejoin the main line. All danger of the tunnel would be avoided, and the company would see a large percentage from their far-sighted policy. The main difficulty is the river. But the land on either side is eminently fitted for gradients, and after successfully getting under the Severn Sea, the tunnelling of the river would be child's play. Why, even the Newport Corporation find a sub- way feasible. SWANSEA AND HEP. PROPOSKD TECHNICAL COLLEGE. I think it was during the mayoralty of Mr Burnie that a spirited agitation was carried on with a view of getting established in this metal- lurgical centre of the world a technical college. He it was who, when Cardiff gained the Univer- sity College, urged Swansea people not to be discouraged, but to work heart and soul for something of even greater importance to the community—a technical college. Meeting were held, and some headway was made. Things, in fact, got so far advanced that Sir Hussey Vivian. who is one of the most practical metallurgists in the world, advocated at a public meeting the making of an application for the removal of the School of Mines from London —a locality where little knpwledge is to be gained on the spot—to Swansea, where most of the knowledge diffused by the school is obtained. I don't think the suggestion was acted on, and from that time up to quite recently little or nothing has been done. True, a kind of nucleus for a technical college is being formed at the free library and there is another at the county analyst' laboratory, besides a third at the Royat Institution. But the public seem to have lost much of their interest in the movement which began with such promise of success. A PROMISED REVIVAL. Now I am glad to find that there is likely to be a spirited revival of the movement. The new mayor has pledged himself to do everything possible towards getting a permanent technical college established, and he is already energetically endeavouring to realise his hopes. Here, there, and everywhere, be is endeavouring to elicit interest in the movement, and knowing the pertinacity with which the worthy mayor sticks to any movement be takes in hand, I am inclined to believe success will crown his efforts. But to achieve this object, the support of the public is necessary, and the inhabitants must be willing to put their bands into their pockets. It is of no use for them to sit down quietly waiting for the Government to offer a grant. Governments, now.a-days, only help those who help themselves, and until it is seen that Swansea people are really in earnest (and the best way of demonstrating this is the production of a good sub- scription list), nothing will be obtained from the national parse. I would suggest that the mayor at once j>uts himself in communication with the owners of tbe works in the district. It might be well for him to arrange a meeting with the members of the Exchange, on which all the metallurgical industries of the neighbourhood are represented. Witbtbem preliminaries might be discussed, and then, if the time is thought oppor- tune, a town's meeting should be called and a subscription list arraatred. When the inhabitants have contributed all tbey will, then the Govern- ment may be approached with the certainty of success.

SrGNS AND: SYMBOLS.—Easterner (in Western town): I don't see any school in this town.— Westerner Yon dpa'it Guess you must be near- sighted. Don't you see that sign over that there door—" Teecbio Dim Heer V A LEA&NID HIRED GIRL.—" Hadn't you better Wash the dishes beiare you go r said a man who was taking a hired girl out for a walk your ) missis will be eure to see them and scold you." ) "-No, she'll not," replied the girl; as soon as j me learns I am going out for the evening, she"U < wp<ad ttUtbe tims looking through my trunk." i

Letters from India. I BY W. S. CAINE, M.P. No. III.—Government Grog-shops. The Abkari, or Excise, revenue of the Bombay presidency is derived from the sale of foreign imported liquor, the manufacture and sale of country liquor, a tax upon palm trees, and the manufacture and sale of intoxicat- ing drugs, other than opium. Tbe revenue realised from the trade in spirituous liquors in the whole presidency last year was jE712,000, and the official estimate for the current year is £750,000. The average for the five years ending 1877 was £ 316,000, and for the five years ending 1882, £ 390,000. The revenue has therefore more tktm doubled itself in very recent years. (I give ail my figures in the usual estimate of one pound sterling =10 rupees.) This is tbe favourite source of revenue with all tbe governments of British India. It brings in a larger net income than any other tax. In Bombay Presidency the whole Abkari Department is under the charge of a British Commissioner, who is paid a salary of £4,200. and a general assistant, a Hindoo, who is paid JB720 a year. The Government monopoly in the sale of spirits is farmed by the Department to contrac- tors or, as they are called, liquot farmers," each district being let by auction or tender to the man who will guaranttee tbe largest amount of still-bead duty. The operation of this system can be easily explained. The farmer undertakes to distil at the Government distillery, and pay duty upon so many thousand gallons of spirits. He may did as much more as be pleases, but if be finds ba cannot sell the quantity be has contracted for, he is bound to pay up the full amount. Every inducement is thus held out to the farmer to pasb the sale of spirits to the uttermost. To save himself from actual loss, be is compelled at any rate to sell the full amount for which be has tendered, the duty upon which be will have to pay whether the amount is consumed or not. But the farmer is under another limitation, which unavoidably tends to stimulate the sale. The department fix a maximum price beyond which he may not sell, but leaves him free to tell low as be chooses. Liquor farmers are, in consequence, continually finding that their stock of spirits is accumulating on their bands, and they reduce the price, often down to or below tbe mere still-bead duty, with a view to savins themselves further loss. As a supposed check on the undue business seal of the liquor farmer, no liquor shops .may be opened or closed without the permission of the collector of the district. This official may bei and often is, most desirou8 to promote temper- ance and keep down drinking but wben a liquor farmer whom he, or the excise commis- sioner, has screwed up to a high bid for the monopoly tells him that unless fresh facilities are constantly granted for working off his increased contract, the next bid will show a big decrease, it is difficult to resist pressure. Besides, does not the all-powerful Abkari Com- missioner issue an annual report, in which be holds up to honour and commendation those sub- commissioners and collectors whose revenue has shown a steady increase ? The whole system, then, in its infuence a.1ikc on administrator and on liquor farmer, encourages and stimulates the sale. It is not, then, to be wondered at that the revenue is thus growing by leaps and bounds, and that sound Indian officials openly look to the sale of ardent spirits to the natives of India as the one bright and promising break in the otherwise dark cloud of Indian finance. I had a very interesting day last week with Mr Pestonji, the liquor farmer of Ahmedabadf as well as some other large districts in Gujerat, who has given me permission to use the information I obtained from him in any way I pleased. He pays considerably over :£\00,000 a year for his monopolies. I could fiii two or three of your columns with his description of the way in which liquor farmers have in successive years been played off one against the other by the Goyernmsnt officials, and screwed up to pay more and more for the monopoly, but I wiU content myself with a single example. In June, 1884. the Khaira district was being let, and Mr Pestonji offered 4,000 rupees tor two talukas of this district, viz, Kapadvunj and Thasra. The commissioner, Mr Pritchard, however, was determined to have more, and insisted up<>n7,000 rupees, compelling Mr Pest >nji to give this excessive amount by threatening, if be finally reused, to establish otrtstille, or independent disuileria*, is; cach **m. Jfljt Pestonji was already committed to all ISe surrounding districts, and rather than be subjected to the opposition of outstills, which, as be said to me, would have simply ruined him. ha consented to pay this extortionate demand. Wbat has been the rcsuit* In the first place he na*s only ren-lrsed an average of 3,000 rupees instead of 7,000, paying 4,000 rupees a year rather than see tUf-1 outstills cutting up his trade and prices in other districts. This, however, is not the serious part of it. He finds- himself compelled by his contract with tbe Government to distil 1,000 gallons of spirits per month more than the' legitimate demand for which he tendered in the. first instance, and at the end of his term be wliL find himself with about 30,000 gallons on his bands. What will he do with it? I reply from a letter 1 received from him only this morning) Of course, I shall be under the paintai necessity of disposing of the liquor at any reduced prices I hk^, aud thereby a great drunkenness is likely to prevail." There iR another source of Abkari revenue which needs a few words of explanation, and that is the tax upon toddy trees. From time imme- morial the sap or juice of the cocoa-nut and other palms, known as toddy, has been an important part of the food of the poor peop e in districts where these trees grow. This iiquor, when drawn fresh from the trunk, is wholesome, nourishing, and harmless. However, it ferments quickly, and wben fermented is about IIoI! intoxicating as beer, containing some five or six per cnt. of alcohol. Tne people greatly prefer it fresh, and I saw it being thus soid in large quantities in the streets of Surat early in the morning. During recent years the Government have virtualiy prohibited the use of fresh toddy by taxing every palm tree capable of producing it from ten to two rupees each, according to its capacity. The poor folk cannot pay the tax, and the few trees found bis hat, which usea in former days to furnish him with fresh and stimulating food, are now in the bands of the toddy farmer, who accumulates it, selling it either in a highly-fermented condition, or distilling it into ardent spirit. The only exception to this state of things if. I believe, in part ot the Surat district, where the people are so miserably poor that to deprive them of even so small aa amount of nourishment as their fresh morning toddy would mean literal starvation; so these folk may tap a tree for home consumption only on a payment of four annas (sixpence) a year. As the average income of these poor villagers is not more tban about 7d or 8s par. montb for east) family, this tax is no light burden, being an income-tax of about a penny in the pound. There is, however, one district where the trees are altogether untaxed. In page fonr of the Report for last year we are told that Owing fo the uncivilised condition of the Panch Mahals, no restrictions baye beeu yet placed on thè tapping of toddy trees, or the drawing of toddy fat domestic consumption." I am told by Mr Lallubhai Gordbandas, the general assistant of tbe Abkari Commissioner (with whom I had some hours' discussion), that if it were attempted to enforce the toddy tree tax on these people, serious riots would ensue. Side by side with this oppressive treatment of the poor toddy-tree owners, it may be interesting to note that the strong and beady beer brewed by Messrs Meakin and Co. at Poona is exempted from tbe payment of any excise duty (Abkari* Report, 1887, page II). I asked Mr Latlubhai for an explanation ot this, and be informed me that the import duty on beer being only Id per gallon, the duty on Meakin's beer was "not wHk collecting f This beer, consumed entirely by Englishmen, is quite as intoxicating as the strongest fermented toddy. I will refrain from commenting upon the grossly unequal treatment thus meted ont to the Englishman's and the native's drink of a similar alcoholic Strength. I de not want to be charged with sedition sooner than I cau help. Indeed,I may say that, with the exception of two or three officials, who are or have been responsible for them, I have not found a single person since I landed in India wbo has anything but strong denunciation for the excise regulations of the Bombay Government. If a plebiscite of the housholders of the presidency were possible, I am satisfied that ninety-five per cent, would declare in favour of the absolute prohibition of the sale and manufacture of ardent spirits, and that every native of influence and position would heartily sustain the Government in such action. It must be remembered thatsofar not more than ten per cent. of the whole population have ever tasted spirits in their lives, but tbonghttal Indians see only too clearly that there will be twenty per cent. before 1900, with forty or fifty per cent. before 1910 and they realise fully tbI in this, as in all other social evils, "preventtpe it better than care." Delhi, December 5r3, 1988..

DONT BANDAGE Sou Erics.—The custom, prevalent among physicians as well a* the laity, of tightly bandaging or tying up the eye as it becomes inflamed or sore is a bad oae. The effect upon the eye is bad. It precludes the free access ana beneficial effects of the cool air, and at tbe same time prevents or greatly retards the fiea agrem of hot tears and morbid secretions of the inflamed conjunctiva or cornea, or both. Tn lib nap sases, too, where a foreign sabcUnoadbNs girt ate the eye the bandage (which is usually clapped ee the first thing) presses the lids nore dkmkr kgainst the ball, and thus increases the tTitmS discomfort by augmenting the laoeratk>Ba ■ciused ay the foreign body. This oemwt fail te harmful. In those cases where isnarnfal it is my habit to adjust over the a nnstlj itting shade, whicb, while it esehMMr a|M light- illows the five aoeesft of MCV