The Aberdare Leader

LOCAL CHATTER. BY THE CHATTERBOX. The usual style among the com- mon people of commencing a Jotter is: "I now take the pen in hand to write you a few lines, hoping you are in the best of health, the same as we are at present." It seems that with but slight variations this has been the orthodox way for many centuries. Pliny the Younger, 61—105 A.D., has the following in his Letters, Book 1: Them is nothing to write about, you say. Well tell me in the good oid style if you are well. That's right. I am quite well." The following again appears in the play, "Heir at Law" by George Colman, 1762-1836: "This corsea to inform you that I am in a perfect state of health, hoping you are in the same. Ay, that's the old be- ginning." And it is the new begin- ning, and will be, world without -end. Which of the Wefsh Bishop-, is it I who smokes? A rector calls atten- tion in a South Wales paper to the fact' that one only of the four Welsh Bishops is a devotee of Nicotine. He does not say which one still enjoys the pipe nor does ho suggest, as I do. that perhaps the other bishops have given up the weed because so rtlany boys and women have taken to cigarettes. When women take to publicly using cigarettes it is time even for a bishop to make a sacrifice! Never was cigarette smoking so popular as it is to-day. The scarcity of cigarettes may be a contributing factor, for everybody craves for what cannot be got or what can only be got with great difficulty. In more than one tobacconist's in Aberdare the person behind the counter serves a packet of one of the popular brands much thf) same as a grocer smuggles a lb. of .vugar or butter thi-ough to a favoured cus- tomer. "Put it in your pocket and don't tell anyone you had it here," is the polite request. In a. few in- stances the packets are wrapped up in paper to deceive the other people who may be in the shop bent on the some errand. What a tremendous lot of money is spent on tobacco! And to what end? It does not directly benefit a man's health, but I believo it adds to the happiness or individuals, and in that sense it might, perhaps, be contended that it lengthens a man's life. It soothes the temper, pro- vides a relaxation after work is done. Women's work is never done, but man's work is done betimes, and it is unnatural for a man to sit at home or anywhere doing nothing. "The man who smokes thinks like a sage and acts like a Samaritan." So said Edward Bulwer Lytton. Carlyle was a smoker, but it did not o u re his irritability, as is claimed for tobacco in many instances. But Carlyle suffered terribly from dys- pepsia all his life. and it may be un- fair to expect the weed to perform miracles. Tennyson agaia was a smoker. He, like his father, was inclined to moments of despondency, :1 neI the curling smoke diverted his thoughts, possibly, from things which sank his heart. There is a well-known story of a meeting be- j tween Carlyle and Tennyson. They j sat together for hours one. evening, j Both were smoking all the-time, but [ hardly a word did they utter to each j other. On leaving Carlyle sa id "Mon and we've had a rare night." St. David's Day has been well and truly celebrated in many centres this time, the nightmare of the war having removed its clammy hand from such social gatherings. The Rev. W. F. Phillips, B.A.. B.Litt.. Liverpool, who is well known in these parts, spoke at Carnarvon on St. David's Eve, and remarked that Wales was still treated as the kitchenmaid of the Empire. He further complained that Welsh plays ¡ had to he translated into English before they could be licensed, be- ¡ cause the cent-ot- could not read Welsh. "Why not- a Welsh censor of plays?" he anked. i\nd the meet- ing agreed, for a resolution was passed "calling the attention of the ¡ Prime Minister to the- injufitine of compelling writer's oi Welsh pLay,-> to produce an English translation for censorship purposes, and urging trie appointment of Welsh Censor," appointment of Welsh Censor," After the miners eome> the i\ rm-I ors. A ballot of th. Cheshire mem- her of the agricultural section of ¡ the Workers' IT nion has been on the questiün of whether there I shall be a striko if the farmers per- sist in refusing the men's demand of 50s. for a 50 hours week. The result was as follows For a Strike .JH77 Against 317 Majority for ■'>5*1 After finiskiag that fight on r ( "ontinent, we aow return to fisticuff j contests at hni«. The Wetla-f?e< k- j ett boxing match on Thursday night [ proved a-grwat ataractic*. If is a p»int to note thafc several women I were among the spectators, ind Car- pen tier, the French boxer, wt? in-J troduced to the audience by a clergyman. Boxing is, indeed. getting respectable. In one Welsh county there have been serious complaints that W^sh- speeking children'in County Schools do not re-ceive religious instruction in the Welsh language. Taking the number of scholars at the secondary sc hools, I find that out of every 100 pupils attending County Schools in each county the number taking Welsh are: Cardiganshire, 78; Brecon shire, 54; Carnarvonshire, 54; Anglesey, 50; Glamorgan, 47; Merioneth, 44; Montgomeryshire, 31; Monmouthshire, 31; Denbigh- shire, 30; Flintshire, 18; Pembroke- shire, 15; and Radnorshire 10. Thus Glamorgan finds itself some- where near the centre.

I A Biographical Sketch. The Rev. T. Madoc Jeffreys came to Aberdare in 1914 as pastor of Tabernaclo Church in succession to the Rev. John Morgan Jones, M.A. His. splendid record as a public n an had preceded him, as few men took a keener interest than he did in the welfare of Ebbw Vale, where he formerly resided, and whither, on the death of his father, the Rev. Thos. Jeffreys, Con. minister of Watling St. Church, Canterbury, he was attracted by the family as- sociations created by his grand- father, the Rev. Thomas Jeffreys, who was pastor of Saron Congrega- tional Church fo; over 40 years. But it must not be assumed that the suhject of our sketch initiated his public activities "in true Apostolic succession." On the contrary, he entered life's struggle as a member [ of the teaching profession and so i rapia had been his success that he was the headmaster of an elementary school at the age of 24, after having served as second master under the Bcdwellty Pupil Teachers' Centres and as teacher in chemistry at the Ebbw Vale County School. The glamo-ir of public affairs had, how- ever, always appealed to him. Thus, vhen quite a young man, he was a member of the Executive of ,the Wc"t Monmouthshire Liberal Five Hundred, and acted as secretary of the Ebbw Vale Free Church Council. He had already commenced to preach, but it was the Revival of 1904 which finally induced him to enter the ministry. That his re- linquishment of tho scholastic pro- fession meant a. financial loss to Mr. Jeffreys, is too apparent for mention. Still, his university qualifications served him well, as the Congregational Union ordained him on his sitting the final exam- ination of the Board (England and Wales). He -was ordained in 1905 at Tabernaclo Church, Waunllwyd, Ebbw Vale, where he enjoyed a highly successful ministry for nine years. He sat oil the Bedwellty Hoard of Guardians and on the Executive of the Monjnouthshire Congregational Union, and was secretary of the L.M.S. for the County and of the National Union of Christian Endeavour Societies for Wales while he also filled the office of chairman of the Young. People's Department for the County Congre- gational Union. Nor has Mr. Jeffreys been less active since his residence at Aberdare. His church has demanded a consider- able proportion of his time and energy, which have been so success- fully directed that whereas in 1914 when he came here the membership stood at 130, at the end of last year, 1918, it had increased to close upon 200. The financial report is also perhaps the best in the district. Of his public work little need be said. But, when it is remembered that in addition to the many flag (lays and patriotic organisations he has promoted, he was the initiator at the Free Church Girls' Club in Canon Street, a flourishing institu- tion of over 2;")0 members that he also was the means of bringing the Y.M.C.A. into the town, and is a member of so many important com- mittees in the town, it will be won- dered where he finds the time and strength to devote to all his numer- ous interests. It should ateo be said that Mr. Jeffreys is a most faithful pastor, visiting his flock assiduously, and is a friend to all in distress and trouble.

SILOA Y.P.S. Siloa Hall Aberdare, was cramlned on Monday evening, when a Dewi Sant celebration took place under the auspices of the above Society. Mr. W. O. Jones, the well-known penillion singer, sang "Cerdd y Celfyddydau (Twm o'r Nant) and other gems of Welsh Eoetry to harp accompaniment, the arpist being Mr. Roger Thomas, Cwmaman, who gave several ap- preciable selections on the instru- ment. Miss Edith M. Lewis, Tony- pandy, sang several Welsh songs, and was very well received. Siloa choirs—male, female, and mixed- sang patriotic songs under the direction of Mr. W. J. Evans. The tit-bit of the evening was an address in splendid Welsh by Mr. Ifor Leslie Evans—who learnt his Cymracg in captivity in Germany—on "The Message of Dewi Sant." Mr. Henry Lloyd (Ap Hefin) gave a brief ad- dress.

TOWN NATIONAL SCHOOL, ABERDARE. This year St. David's Day was celebrated in school. During the morning the teachers gave lessons connected with St. David and Wales. The infants > went through some dances and games, whilst the boys and girls sang Welsh Airs and re- cited appropriate poems. Certificates and medals for good attendance and Scripture certificates were present- ed to the children. Mrs. J. H. Pow- ell and Miss Powell visited the in- fants' department and gave out the certificates. Mrs. Lewis (tho Vicar- age) and Mrs. J. B. Morris presented I certificates to the girls and the Rev. J. A. Lewis gave them an jjddress. Mrs. Illtyd Williams visited the boys' department and gave out the certificates and medals, whilst the Kev. J. L. Phillips gave the lads an interesting talk on Welsh History.

BROKE DOWN AFTER MALARIA Physical Wreck, Wasted with Diar- rhoea, Cured by Dr. Casset's Tablets Here is- the plain testimony of Private C. F. Tyler (132073), 12th Company, R.A.M.C., who, as a re- sult of malaria caught while on hard service, was reduced to a physical wreck, wasted with diarrhoea and helpless with nervous and general debility. He writes :—I want to thank you for the wonderful benefit I derived from Dr. Cassell's Tablets while suffering from debility after malaria. I went out with the 2nd Cheshire Regiment, and after serv- ing in France was sent to Salonica. It was there that I caught the malarial trouble. When I came to Blighty I weighed about 5 stone, and was gradually wasting away. I had been in bed three months when I read about. the good Dr. Cassell's Tablets had done to other people, and I got my mother to get me some. In a week or so I began to mend. I had been given up, and people were surprised to find me im- proving. After a month of the Tab- ¡ lets 1 had put on 18lb. in weight, and six months later had got up to lOst. Slb., with plenty of energy and strength in my body. I thank you with all my heart for the good Dr. Cassell's Tablets have done me." Dr. Cassell's Tablets are the Proved Remedy for Nervous Break- down, Nerve Paralysis, Spinal Weakness, Infantile Paralysis, .Neur- asthenia, Sleeplessness, Anaemia, Kidney Trouble, Indigestion, Wast- ing Diseases, Palpitation, Vital Ex- haustion, Depression, and after In- fluenza. Specially valuable for Nursing Mothers, and during the Critical Periods of Life. Sold by Chemists and Stores in all parts of the world. Home prices 1/3 and 3/ Large size most econo- mical. Free Information in any case sent on request.—Dr. Cassell's Co., Ltd., I Chester Road, Manchester.

PENRHIWCEIBER YOUTHS AT ASSI Z ES. George Twaites (23) and William Bridge (18), colliers of Penrhiw- ceiber, were charged at the Glamor- gan Assizes on Tuesday with com- mitting a series of thefts. The ar- ticles stolen included 18 watches, the property of Mr. David Harris, ironmonger, Mountain Ash; specta- cles and .spectacle frames, value £ 9 7s., the property of Mr. E. W. James, chemist, Oxford Street, and 12 pairs of artificial teeth, value BID, the property of Mr. J. G. De- kotah, dental operator. Mountain Ash. x • Evidence was given by the three persons named above to the ,effect that' the articles were placed in a show case near their doors, and thnt the case was broken and the goods stolen on the night of Thursday, Jan. 16th. P.C. Albert Humphreys, Penrhiw- ceiber, deposed to arresting Twaites on January 17th on the T.V.R. Bridge, Peurhiwceibar., There were two wrist watches in prisoner's pocket, and several pawn tickets. When charged he replied, "I admit doing it. Wm. John Bridge, of Penrhiwceiber, was with me." P.S. Downs spoke to arresting Bridge at his home, 115 Penrhiwcei- ber Road, Penrhiwceiber. Bridge conducted the sergeant to the. gar- den, when five watches and five pairs of spectacles were recovered under some earth. Both prisoners pleaded guilty and Twaites was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, and Bridge was bound over in JE5 for 12 months. I

FOR PAINTING & DECORATING In all Branches, GO TO D. ALBERT MORRIS Who has now received his Discharge from the Army, and is RE-OPENING HIS OLD BUSINESS AT DAVIS STREET, ABERAMAN. Established 1878. He hopes to secure a continuance of I the patronage of his past customers.

PROPERTY SALE AT CWMAMAN On Tuesday evening Mr. D. It. Griffiths conducted a successful sale at the Mount Pleasant Hotel, Cwm- aman, when the following properties changed hands :—No. 6 Wordsworth Street, to Mr. Argust at £ 180; No. 10 Wordsworth Street to Mr. Her- bert, provision merchant, £ 181; No. 4 Glanaman Road,'to Mr. Herbert, £ 120; No. 11 Morris Street to Mr. David Lewis, £ 215; No. 16 Kings- bury Place to Mrs. M. A. Jones. £ 180; No, 5 Byron Street, to Mr VV. G. Evans, £200. Messrs. Willian Thomas and Co. were the solicitor! for the vendors.

PASTORAL. Llwydcoedite's New churoh. News bars been received Wood Street Congregational Chorea Cardiff, that the Rev. D. Davies, B.A., of Tavistock gregational Church DevonshIre, roe has accepted the call to beco associate pastor, and will be his ministry at Cardiff on May Is Mr. Davies" was assistant pastor y the Rev. David Walters, of prior to taking charge of y church at Tavistock, and has a»? leen on service as a chaplain 111 ''ranee. He is the son of the Ref. N, S. Davie s, Horeb, Llwydcocd-

(^7^- -ja GUARANTEED FOR EVER j It; I ,-j ¡ ¡ RIDE A rigid. Rapid, oeliable^ 00. l f -I J i. Wt t. t ¡ _¡ 4Il J .I 6" THE ALL :S,TEEL 61 yçLf r WITH OUNLOP TYRES ANO STOWHCV ARCHER 3'SPECO GEAR. I M AbordarerA. J. Sheen, 18 Cardiff St. > I 3 Treherbert: D. J. Davies, 157 Bute St j » J' 2— "The company guarantees its bicycles for all time and no ■7 precaution is forgotten and nothing left undone to make J fTi |t the Raleigh bicycle capable of enduritis such a feat." Awtf P ~The Daily M?il- ..iV _A<UE16HI P RAUEICW 6VCLSC«.t *»<\«« UlM*m ■ Iiiiiii i U g lin r i n Can you imagine a nicer method of a day's enjoyment P A party of friends spinning through the country in a 1 SMART, (i: ¡ u s¡ I SWIFT MOTOR CHARABANC* The finest fleet1 of Motor Charabancs in Wales is run by Gough's Garage Co., AUTOMOBILE HOUSE, MOUNTAIN ASH. 'Phone 22. If ——: —— ( In Your Own Interest Purchase Your FURNITURE from that well-known, old-established Firm— or% Bevan & Co., Ltd. Near Epipire* and 97 St Mary Street, Cardiff. Also PONTYPRIDD. And throughout South Wales & Monmouthshire. FURNITURE for the Million Of Newest Design and in Vast Variety in their various Immense Warehouses, whilst Prices and Quality are right, as is proved beyond all doubt by the continual growth of their immense Business. Delivery Free in Abepdare Districot .1