Merthyr Times and Dowlais Times and Aberdare Echo

AT FIX DAttLLEXVVYIt. Cyfeuicr pob gohebiaeth Symreig ar bynciau dyddorol, lieol, neu wcithfaol, yn nghyd a'r farddouiiietb, i'r stvrydclfa fel y canlyn :— "IORAVERTH," Mcrlhjr Times Office, Merthyr. COLOFN Y BEIRDD. SERCH Ill-DUL, Ar tin y nos Antli G weno dlos, Eiliw'r haf, i gasglu rhos T'w gwisgo ar ei bron A chanai'r wyryf deg ei phryd, Serch hudol," wrth ou casglu 'n^h\ < Ond uid oedd rho-yn yn y hyd Mor hardd ei bi yd a lion C.mai'r wyryf ];1;1- "R<>edd trydau cariad yn ei chan, Ysbrydiaeth cysegredig dan Yn chwvddo serch ei bron Gwvleiddiai'r blodau wrth ei throed, A dawnsiai'r adar ar y coed, Am iia wraudawsant gan erioed Mor lawn o swyn a hon. Hen alaw ddcrch, Hudoliaeth serch, Nodau cynes mynwcs tnerch Chwareuai yn y gwynt; Gwraudawai llanc yn nghur y llvvyn Faws cysegredig fivvsig mwyn, A than ei our gyfriuiol swyn, Ei gttlon gurai'n gyut: Gwenai'r blodau man- A gwenai llanc a'i fron ar dâll, Wrth roi amryliw flodau glan Ar fynvves gynes Gwen Daeth gwmvvyn arall wedi hyn— Dan wünau heulwen boreu gwyn, Rhoed Gwcno fwyn i Arthur Wyn Yn bi iodasferch wen. G WAKNKAB.

DEWiS G'VEINIDOU. Llavver o son sydd y dyddiau hyn am ddewis J-'vveinidog, a llnwcr cam gwag sy'n cael ei roi ar y naill oclir a'r Hall, lies peri udyn feddwl fod ruawr angen am rhyw drcfn well ;tr y gvvaith. Wyddoch ehwi pa syt yr aeth y Parch. David Davies, Peumachno, yn Barch. D. Davies, Bermo? Dyma'r fd. Yr oedd yr efengylydd melys wedi cad g'-vahoddiad taer U'1' Bermo, a Phenuiachno yn anfoddlon tros ben iddo ei derbyn. "Eich dylcd- !<wyd\1 ydyw dyfod," -be un blaid eich dvledsvvydd ydyw aro" ebe'r llall: ac ni wyddai Mr. Davies yn •V byd pa beth i'w ddwpyd. O'r diwedd, tarawodd ar y eynllun canlynol. Ysgrifenodd ddau lythyr at >'sgrifenydd Eglvvys Bermo, un yn derbyn yr alwad :r llall yn ei gwrthod rhoes yliythyrau i'wferch gan of.Y'ii iddi bostio un ohonynt, a rhoi'r llall yn 01 iddoef. i wyddai Miss Davies ddim beth oedd cynwys y nythymu a phan agorodd y danfonydd y llythyr na utiostiwyd, gvvelodd fod y llall yn derbyn yr alwad. I'ii yr eglvvys apastolaidd yn bwrvv ooelbren, ae y uulo «:isiau rhyw fath o goelbrenau etc, rhag i Ragluniaeth Kael yr holl fHi. Y Cymro. j.-

CYMRU AO ADDYSG. Xos Fcichfr bu Mr. Rathbone, yr A.S. dros ArCun, yn anerth ei etholwyr yn Mangor. Yn lighur.-i ei araetli, with gyfeirio at addvsg, gofynai i bwy yr fX'ddynt 5"n ddyledus am eu safle bresenol'! Ni byddai 'ddynt bytli annghofio Arglwydd Aberdar, Syr Hugh Owen a Sir. Heury Richard fel tadau y gyfundtefn berdaith o addysg yn Nghymru. Rhaid oedd cyplu I'nw y Canon Robinson gyda hwy; yna deuai y <"liwarelwyr Cymreig, y rhai yn ymarferol a sefyd- la-sant Uoleg Aberystwyth. Ar ol v rhai hyn, y "laid Ryddfrydol yn benaf a roddodd iddynt polegan'r piitysgolion acyn ddiweddarach y Brifysgol Oencdlaethol. Hai.s, set Mr. Mundella, oedd yr hwn Bynygiodd gyntaf wneud Cymvu yn faes i sefydlu addysg gr-lfyddol fel gvvaith ue-npdiaethot, ac yr oedd yn barod i wneud pobpeth i hyrwyddo hyny yn ruben, Sais arall, Mr. Rendel, ocdd yr hwn Pynygiodd y menur a gatiwvd a Sais and! draohefn, ^yr^ Hart-I)ykc, or yn aelod o'r Weinyddiacth Ooidwadol, gymerodd i fynu ac a pari odd y Me.sur presenol; ac yr oedd Syr William Ilarcoui t, Sais eto, Yf,'l' rhoddi eynorthwy rhyddfrydig y flwyddyn ddiweddaf i'r Brifysgol ( rvinreig ac i gronfa adeiladu ^oleg ASc-rj'stwyth. Derbj'nia^ant hefyd gvnorthwy ^verthfaAvr gan Ddirprwywyr yr Elusenau Seisnig ac i^sgotig, a'u uynrycliiolydd Cymreig, Mr. Brucc. J h ddiweddaf, SaiV, Mr. Tate, oedd wedi bod y tanysgrifiwr mwyaf o'r oil at eangu addysg gel- f.V'ddydol, ac nid oedd am anwybyddu gwcrth Mr. T. Ellin, Mr. Bryn Roberts, a Chviiiry eraill. Ei amean vn eyfeirio atynt oedd i ddangos mai annofithinel) o'r nnvyaf ocdd gwrthod cynorthwy •Vacson, Ysgotwyr a (iwyddelod gydag addysg neu uurhvw faterion eraill. Yr oedd bob ainser wedi te-.mfo a cbredu lias gallai unrbyw ddwy genedl ^"eithio mor fanteisiol gyda'u gilydd er lies yr yniherodiactb a'r Celt a'r Anglo-baxon. Efe fyddai yr claf i iselhati gwerth ieueuctyd, gyda'i ffydd, ei obaitli, a'i yni, ac fel yn aehos ei gyfaill Mr. T, E. EIU", dang'uai fLX! ll\vydd;aiit cynvddol wrth iawn t?yniliwj>o y gidluoedd hyny. Ond na adawer iddynt fwrw vinaith ddyageidiaetli a gwaitli protiad a "oetUineb, na boycottio'r Saeson neu uurliyw genedl '}Vafl> >K nad oeddynt am esgeuliu-o y manteision 'brtawr ag yr oedd eu cariad at addysg a'u pa rod- l';vvdd i gymeryd gatael yuddo yn gynyg iddynt. ■allciit pe rnyuent sicrnau iddynt eu bunain '^uteinion yr ymherodraeth fawr hon i raddau llawer "nvy nag yedd ell rhif a maint eu gwlad yn rhoddi hawi iddynt. Onid oedd perygl- i'r eli "Cymru i '•vinry" g;u;l ei gvfarfod gan y genedl nerthol vr 'Idynt yn dal perthynas mor a^o.s a hi gvda'r cri "Lloegri'r Saeson yu unig." Nid oedd yn rhoddi v rhyliudd hwn fel Sais ond fel Cymro mabwvsiedig, a deimlai fed yn ddyledus iddynt 14 mlynedd o xvasanaeth cyhoeddus egniol fd aelod Seneddol, yr •'Hrhyd.-dd uwchaf y bu ei uchelgais eiioed a mo, a hydtmi yr ystyrid hi yr anrhvdedd uwchaf allai K^'lad gvflwvno ar unrhyw nn pa heth bynag fyddai «-!

UNIONIST AlEETING AT DOWLALS. A jmlic meeting was held under the auspices of the )Xnviaiy Unionist A^ociation at the long room of the Oellifaelog Board Scliool on Friday evening for the Purpose of hearing addresses by Mr. Morgan James, B.A., and Mr. Herl>ert C. Lewis, the Unionist can- didate for the Merthyr Boicmghs at the next election, Mr. Councillor Thomas JpnkinH, J.P., the High Con- stable presided, but owing to the short notice of the meeting that had been given, and in a greater degree to the exceedingly dangerous ^tate of the roadu, the attendance was small. Sir. Valentine Watson, the attendance was small. Sir. Valentine Watson, the Unionist agent, was amongst thoae present. Tho Chairman said he was glad the llIcrthyr Timts • porter was present, and he hoped that that journal would treat them better than their own paper, the M'tii, had done. He did not wish to interfere with the manner in which any newspaper was sub- •'dited, and the Unionists of Wales wero greatly indebted to the Watern Mail for its splendid services to the party generally. But the Unionists of Merthyr, and particularly their energetic young candidate, had go:jd c'iu-c of complaint against that journal, for their rnoetingw had either been passed over altr^ether or dismissed with only a few lin^s. He was hoping that the Mertht/r Time? would treat their meetings fairly that was all they, as a Party, asked (applause). Mr. Morgan James, B.A., who, as most of our readers know, is a fluent Welsh speaker, criticised at considerable length the action of the present Govern- ment in its bearing upon the employment of the working classes, and upon the trade of this country. It was plain to all that so long as a Government ¡ dependent upon the Irish vote was in power, their only concern would be about Ireland, altheugh, of course, they would talk about something else. The speaker went on at some length to criticise the finan- cial aspect of tho Homo Rule proposals, and after- wards dealt with the cry against the House of Lords. He went at length into the question of the "nemployed, and of the importation into England of goods made in German prisons. When, he continued, the eyes of the electorate were being opened to this shameful preference for cheap foreign goods, the Government consented to have a commission formed to enquire into tho whole question of trade. [ Mr. II. C. Lewis, who was^very cordially received, said that he and his friends wished to put the Union- ist case before the electors without resorting to abuse of their political opponents (hear, hear). That was his wish and the wish of his supporters they would endeavour to overthrow the ease of their opponents, but would not abuse. So far, he was bouucl to say that his opponents had acted in the same honourable manner. If that course was pursued by both sides the electors would have a fair opportunity of forming an opinion of the relative merits of the two pro- grammes before the country (applause). He should like to call their attention for a moment to the Inde- pendent Labour Party, People he knew were accus- tomed to regard that party with a sneer, and to take no account of it as a political force. But that party was undoubtedly a growing party, and even Sir Williiiui Harcc-urt had said that it was a party that was not to be despised. The Independent Labour Party threatened to run eighteen candidates at the next election, and it was, therefore, as well that it should be reckoned with Mr. Keir Hardie, the leader of that party, had, with his usual frankness, put for- ward what lie called his programme. And that pro- gramme was well iiworth considering. The same genticmau had put forward another plan for getting rid of tht problem of the unemployed. In an article in the Labour Lender he said that if the unemployed wo-etc formulate a plan by which certain of their nunbers in every large town were at a given hour to mireh to the baker's and take what they wanted something would happen." This, he would ask his ho irers to remember, was the advice of one of the men now occupying a seat in the British House of Coni- inons. Mr. Hardie must know perfectly well that if his advice were followed the unemployed was found employment on the treadmills of some of her Majesty's prisons. When they saw such advico as that being "enlv given by seemingly sane men, \vat> it not high time for honest men to pause and seriously consider what the politics of some, of the men in the House of Commons was drixing the country to (applause). After entering at some length into a defence of the IToutcof Lords, the speaker claimed that tins pro- gramme of the Unionist Party, embracing, as it did, such planks as old age pensions, reform of the poor law^, purchase of houses by artisans, &c.. was a use- ful programme its measures would directly benefit the people who were the bone and sinew of the eountrv. It was not an ornamental or showing pro- g.amiiie like that of the Gladstonians, but ho would II"'k all present to carefully study both programmes, and then say which of them was best calculated to be of belit to the people. THIht full owed, and tlio cuucluacd w ith the customary votes of thanks.

liurtT'EE Ct'EED without operation. Au whowfh to get rid of Rupture and Trusses should send to Mr. S. J. Sherman, Hernia Specialist, l4, Chauccry- lane, linden and 2(1, King-street, Manchester, for his Book. Pusfc free 7d,

DEATH OF COUNCILLOR HENRY LEWIS It is with deep regret that we have this week to record the death of Mr. Henry Lewis, tho well-known auctioneer and valuer. The nad event occurred at the deceased gentleman's residence in Castle-street on Sunday morning. For about eighteen months, Mr. Lewis had been suffering from an internal complaint, and journeyed to London to consult a specialist, but never thoroughly recovered. For eight or nine weeks prior to the 30th January, he had been laid up with a severe attack of liver disease, but he partially recovered and was able to attend to his business He conducted a sale or two about a week ago, and when he took his seat for the first time on the Merthyr Tydtil Urban District Council on Wednesday week, he was congratulated by the members on his recovery. On Saturday afternoon, however, whilst sitting down in the house, be was seized with hemorrlxage of the stomach, caused by the liver disease, and he vomited a large quantity of blood. He gradually got worse, and on Sunday passed away peacefully, leaving a widow and eleven children to mourn his lo.J. Deep and sincere sympathy is felt for the afflicted family in their great bereavement. On Sunday evening, the Rev. Daniel Lewis, rector, referred to the great loss sustained by the Church and he community at large by the death of Mr. Lewi", and at the close Mr. Silver, the organist, played The Dead March in Saul. The late Mr. Hcury Lewis played a prominent part in the public life of Merthyr, aud though it was only lately that he became known as <<. public man his influence for many years had been felt, He was born in Georgetown on the 30th of OctobeV, 1841, and had, therefore, at the time of his de..th, just turned his 53rd year. Mr. Lewis started life as a rate collector in the overseers' office, after which he was appointed managing clerk to the well-known firm of Jainea, a post which he held for many years. Altout 20 years ago he started on his own account as an auctioneer, and in that capacity did business with the principal people in South Wales, and conducted some of the largest s;iles in the Principality, the mast important largest sales in the Principality, the mast important of which, perhaps, was the sale of the Penydarrcn j Estate, which was divided into 600 lots. In addition to his work a,s an auctioneer he held the ^important position of agent to the Court and Glebe Estates. He I formally entered public life in 1893, when on the 10th of April he was appointed a member for th« Town Want, on the now defunct Local Board, and did his duty so well and so impartially to the townspeople that, when the Local Board expired, he was elected by a large majority a member of the new District Council. The deceased gentleman was at the time very ill, and the fact that he obtaiued the second place on the poll out of ten candidate-s is a sufficient proof of his extreme popularity. While a member of the Local Authority lie took a great interest in the new water scheme, and opjwsed with all the vigour he was capable of, what he considered an imposition upon the lower classes in the way of water charges. It wa-s really Mr. Lewis, at the last meeting of the Local Board, who led the fisrht against the new rates, with the result that the District Council was forced to take up the matter, and are now dealing with it. The probability is that the cause championed by the deceased member will result in the re-arrangement of the rates, in favour of the poorer classes. The funeral (for men only) takes place '>11 Thurs- day, at Cefn Cemetery, starting from the house at 2 o'clock. The Rev. Daniel Lewis, rector of Merthyr, will officiate.

ABERDARE COUNCIL FRIDAY.—Present: Messrs. R. H. Rhys (chairman), D. P. levies, Ree.s Llewellyn. Thomas Rees, M. John, J. Howell, Owen Harries, D. Williams, E. M. Hann, Thomas Thomas, Rev. B. Evans, T. Phillips (Clerk), and O. Williams (Surveyor). FINANCE COMMITTEE.—The report of the Finance Committee was read, showing that the total amount of balances was £14,301 6s.—The report was adopted. WATER HATE COLT.KCTO^.—it was decided to allow the water rate collector a boy dork at the salary of 6s. per week. FREDERICK-STREET.— Dr. D. Davies (medical officer) reported that he had visited No. 11, Frederick-street, Trecynou, and had examined the underground dwell- ing-house. There was no ventilation, and the floor was nothing but mud. He considered it totally unfit for human habitation.—The Surveyor, in reporting the matter, suggested certain alterations, which would make the house tenantable.—Both reiwrt? were adopted. WATERWORKS COMMITTEE. — The reooit of the Waterworks Committee was read, in which it was recommended that JB127 7s. 6d. should be spent in supplying Bwllfa with water. It was also recom- mended that new iron pipes be laid down instead oi the lead ones wtiich now convey water to Cemetery- road and adjoining streets.— Report was adopted. HACKNEY CARRIAGE COMMITTEE.—The Clerk read the report of the above committee, which showed that there were 98 licensed hackney carriages and brake" in the district. Thirty hackney carriage licences had been granted, and eight postponed. Forty omuibus licences granted and ten postponed. The committee had an application for a licence for Saturday hiring only, but considering it unfair to the other men who applied for daily hire, refused it Three licences were adjourned for the consideration of the Council at a II future meeting.—Report was adopted. MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT.—The Medical Officer, in his report for the fortnight, stated that two eases of scarlet fever had come under his notice. One death had occurred at Commercial-place. Five cases of measles had been notified, being a decrease of 19 as compared with last report. There was one death. One death occurred from diphtheria, at 5, Bedford- street.—The Inspector of Nuisances' report was read and both were afterwards adopted. OVER LOADING.—H. D. Jones, a licensed brakes- man was reported by the police for over-loading, and a prosecution was ordered. SEWKRACE. — A letter was read from the Clerk of the Mountain Ash Distiict Council, stating that unless the Aberdare Council offered them more advantageous terms respecting the sewerage they would join in a schtsine with the Pontypridd Council.—After a short discussion it was decided, on the motion of Mr. Hanu, that a committee consisting of the Chairman, Mr. Edward Morgan, Mr. D. P. Davies, and Mr. Rees Llewellyn, should meet a committee from the Moun- tain Ash Council to consider the matter. BEUi oun-STREET. — Three of the owuers of pro- perty in Bedford-street gave notice of objection to the proposed making of the 6treet.—Mr. Recs was appointed to confer with the objectors. BLAENNANTYGROES-ROAD.—On the motion of Mr. D. P. Da\ ies, seconded by Mr. Morgan John, it was decided to put the ahove road in a thorough stato of repair when the weather allows.

AGED COUPLES IN THE MERTHYR WORKHOUSE. At the Saturday meeting of the Merthyr Guardians, the Master (Mr. Pearcey) reported that there was only one couple in tho workhouse both of whose ages were over 60 years. There was another couple in which case the husband was 62 and the wife 32 years of age,.—Mr. Joseph Owen, in accordance with notice, moved that provision bo made for old couples over 60 years of age. to live together instead of being separ- ated. He pointed out that at the Llanelly, Swansea, and Cardiff workhouses provision had been made for tlie.-e old couples to end their days together. Ho thought it was very hard that old couples who had lived together for many years should be separated in their old age. He thought it would be far better for them to live together in comfort, and he hoped tho Guardians would see their way clear to refer the matter to a committee to see what provision could bo made to accommodate these old people.—Mrs. Emma Williams seconded, and said she thought that to separate old people was contrary to the Law of God and the law of the land.—Mr. Evan Lewis said that at Cardiff several old couples were allowed to live in c-ottago homes, and he would liko to see the same thing done in Merthyr. Somo time ago a similar motion was adopted by the Carmarthen Guardians, but when the old couples were told that they might live together they said, No thank you, we have had quite enough of one another before we came here" (laughter).—Rev. Canon Wade also supported, and said that this matter had not been taken up by the Guardians formerly for the want of knowledge, more than for want of humanity or from any desire to treat the old couples unfairly. He had formerly gone amongst tho poor in Swansea in bis ministerial capacity and he found that the aged couples were living together in comfort, and he hoped that the same thing would be done in the Merthyr Union.— Mr. David Davies (Aberdare) said be quite agreed with the motion, but he thought that in the present overcrowded state of the workhouse it would be somewhat difficult to make provision for the old couples to live together. He thought it would be a good idea for the Guardians to rent some suitable cottages in which these poor people could live together.—The Chairman said that as far as that Board was concerned this matter was more a question of theory than practice. It was quite an exceptional thing for them to have an old married couple in the workhouse, and when a similar motion was introduced some years ago it was then found that there was only one old couple :n the house.—Mr. Joseph Owen said he thought the expense of renting cottages or building extra rooms would bo too great, and for the present he thought they might make provision for the one couple in the house- without entailing any great outlay.—The motion was then carried unanimously, and the matter was referred to th8 Infirmary Com- mittee.

MISS FORTESCUE AT CARDIFF. The visit of Miss Fortescue's specially-selected company at the Theatre Royal has naturally evoked an immense deal of interest amongst theatre-goers, and the crowded state of the auditorium has been highly flattering and gratifying. The representation given of an adaptation of Ouida's famous novel Moths," in which Miss Fortescue plays the leading role, Vera Herbert, was more than ordinarily finished and refined. In the somewhat difficult role of Vera Miss Fortescuo appears to great advantage, her innocence of the world of fashions and its petty intriguesbeingadmirablypourtrayed. MissFortesque's voice and appearance lend themselves specially to the powerful contrasts in the character of Vera, and not a tone or intonation but had its effect upon the deeply interested audiences. Visitors to Cardiff may rely upon a graud treat at the Royal. To-night (Thursday) Moths will be produced on Friday She stoops to conquer," and on Saturday Masks and faces. On Mouday, February 18th, and the five following nights, Mr. •Tohu A. Atkins's company will appear in the powerful sensational drama The Grip of Iron."

AH hope of comfort in my lionip had d>d Until tb« MATCHhE?* Cbli O'iSUK ijOAl' I tried.

CYCLING GOSSIP. By WHEELMAN. At tlue 24 hours' cycling race, recently decided on the indoor track at the Velodrome d'lHiver, in the Champ de Mars, Paris, intense coldness prevailed inside the huge building, the thermometer registering several degrees of frost. Although second rate riders were engaged, many under cover records were beaten. the 150 mihis and 300 miles figures being altered, as well the previous bests at 16, 18, 19, and 24 hours. Three Englishmen competed—A. V. Linton, holder of the world's record for safeties for one hour his brother. T. Linton and Edward Hale (who rode under the /iw/t de course of Rodgers), lately holder of the 100 miles road record for safety bicycles. The Lintons retired—one in the first hour, the other in the tenth, but Hale persevered almost to the end, and made third bsst distance—539 kilometres, 666 metres. The winner was Garin. who practically led through- out, and covered a total distance of 701 kilometres, 180 metres, against Rivierre's world's record of 765 kilometres, 333 metres. "Williams" was second with 652 kilometres, 180 metres, to his credit. It is said that the meeting was a failure, and that the eight days' race, which usually follows close upon it, will not be held this year. My notes of last week, I am pleased to state, attracted attention in at leaft one quarter, and the outcome is a letter from my friend Mr. Tom James, of Mountain Ash, who is rather put out over my expression of opinion. His letter is as follows:— Dear Wheelman,—I notice in your last week's notes that you are rather doubtful of me, Toftl James, winning my race with A. W. Harris, the Leicester champion. Now, I should like to know when and where did you see A. W. Harris ride last ? If you have followed him in his previous engagements, the same as I have, you might know whether I stood any chance of defeating him in a contest. I have competed against him in nearly every meeting held for professionals lasts season. If I thought for an instant that he would defeat me, I should think my- self very foolish to challenge him or any other rider in England to race one mile for j350 aside, and especially to get my own friends to back me for the race. However, there is no harm done but I do not like it. Perhaps some of my friends will notice it, and think it iiujxissible for me to win. Of course, perhaps he may win. But I am glad to say I fancy my chances and feel quite confident of boating my man again, as I have done moro than once in the past season. And again, he is a much older rider and has more advantage than I have to be a fast man. Last reason was practically the first year for me to com- pete against such riders as Harris, Edwards, Relph, Schofield, and several others, including the famous Zimmerman. And I may say I was the only one belonging to England to ride second to him last season, namely, in tho one mile scratch race open to the world, where I defeated Harris, Wheeler, and Banker, and all of the others, finishing second to Zimmerman. However, I could mention other race* in which I have defeated Harris. But more anon. I may add further that the match is made and every- thing settled. We ride at Cardiff on the Roath track, on Apnl the 1st, Mabon's Day. Distance to be one mile for the championship of England and Wales and a side'stako of JB50 aside. Men on mark at 4 p.m. sharp.—Yours truly, TOM JAMES, Welsh Pro- fessional." I should be sorry to do James any harm, and work- ing apiinst rather discouraging prospects, as our local men have to do, it is the more credit to him to have achieved the success he has already attained. Harris, as he states, has the advantage of him in better training facilities. Still it is not all training. My sympathies are with James, and in my heart 1 should hke to see him win. But, as the match is settled, we can let our opinions rest, and afterwards whoever wins, say like Mrs. Gubbins, I told you so." One thing is certain it will be a good race, a fair fidd and no favour," and may I be there to see for barring accidents without doubt the best man will win. I suppose our Merthyr aud Aberdare and all local cycling clubs will inaugurate the season with a "small and early or smoking concert, at which will be elected officers for the ensuing season, working com- mittees to arrange club runs, and all the hundred and one things which come under their jurisdiction. Now is the time for intending buyers to go in for their mounts. Makers can give better satisfaction than in the height of the busy season. The "private sales" columns, too, are marvels of disinterested generosity cost £26, sell for £10, quite new, etc. wd "bicvele for 15s. will beallowed for in purchasing ipain." Still a good machine is often got hold of sneap by the medium of second-hand sale." I myself must get rid of my old crock and go in for a scorcher. I see that it is said that Sanger, the great Americau irack, is being paid j370 per week by the Spaulding Manufacturing Company whose machines he will ride this season. 1 remember the splendid figure he pre- tented, a veritable Vulcan, with muscles that seemed 5t to move mountains. He is one of the few who give ihe great Zimmerman a hard tussle. < A letter to hand from Paris explains that the extra- < jrdinarv severe weather is against our Welsh cyclists < making any mark at the Velodrome. The matches i iiuiue are either off, or they are unable to continue the period. ]

NEGLECTED ABERAMAN. < DISCUSSION IN THE ABERDARE COUNCIL. J At the meeting of the Aberdare Council on Friday, Mr. J. Howells asked what had become of his sugges- tion made at the last Council meeting with reference ] to the Surveyor making a road for vehicles from ( Cwmbach to Aberaman.—The Chairman I think ] you were answered at the time.—Mr. Howells Well, L am here to-day to give notice that I will move that; the Surveyor report on the matter and make an estimate of the cost.—The Clerk It is a legal c question.—The Chairman And a very big question to.—Later on Mr. Howells again called attention to c the matter, and asked what was to prevent them from making the trap road.—The Chairman There is the getting of the land, and how are you going to get over the Taff Vale Railway. —Mr. Howells If the owners refuse to let us have the land, is it not possible for us to mako them —The, Chairman Not without an Act of Parliament.—Mr. Thomas Thomas: Which this Council can proceed to get, I take it.—The Chairman You can do, but I for one strongly object to that course. You can't get an Aet of Parliament for nothing. Then there is the railway.—The Clerk: yes, and the Board of Trade may not allow a trap way to be made over a railway.—Mr. Howells The path- way crosses now. It would be quite possible for the Clerk to write to the owners of the land and the rail- way company asking them what objections they had and their term".—The Chairman Of course that would be quite in order.—Mr. Howells Then I beg to move that the Clerk be instructed to obtain the necessary information. I say it is a great shame that there is no trap connection between two such large places quite close to one another without going three miles.—The Chairman I haven't the least objection, only I don't think it can he done.—Mr. HoweIIs The population of both places is on the increase.—Mr. T. Thomas Which gives us the most revenue, the lower or upper portion of the district—The Chairman What comparison do you want to make ?—Mr. Thomas Thomas I know that the revenues from the lower is nearly double that of the upper. I think the complaint from that quarter is reasonable, and we ought to take it up.—Mr. T. Rees quite agreed.—Mr. Thomas said that he proposed an amendment to Mr. Howell's motion, and moved that the matter be left to the Roads and Bridges Committee for their very serious consideration.—Tin? amendment was unani- mously agreed to.

THE DOWLAIS EXCELSIOR MINSTRELS. The Dowlais Excelsior Minstrels gave their first entertainment in their native town on Thursday evening, and they have every reason to be proud of j the immense success, both artistic and financial,which I attended thf venture. The old Hibernian minstrels were formed exclusively of Irishmen, and as may lie imagined, their performances were brimful of genuine fun, and plenty of it. But the sentimental singing hardly came up to the standard, and the chorus was undoubtedly below it. On the other hand, when the Welsh young people formed a troupe, the chorus was always good, and so was the sentimental solo singing. But the comic element was much inferior to what it was with the Hibernian minstrels. A troupe formed of hoth Welsh and Irish performers would he highly satisfactory, inasmuch as ic would give to Dowlais a trcupe that would be very hard to equal, and almost impossible to excel in any part of Wales. The Excel- sior Minstrels were formed last October, and the first performance was given at Brecon on the 19th of December. For the Dowlais performance, Mr. Harry Evans, A.R.C.O., very kindly arranged two works, viz., Floating slowly down the river," and Long- fellow's Excelsior," as five part choruses (the latter with solo) for the exclusive use of tho troupe. He also wrote the band parts for the lutter work, and also for a couple of songs, all the other band work having been arranged by Mr. William Morgan, the conductor of the Dowlaios Town Band, Inasmuch as most of the members of the troupe were diawn from the ranks of tho Philharmonic Society, it was unani- mously resolved that oue half of the proceeds of the performance or performances to be given at Dowlais should be--handed over to the committee of the society who lost so heav ily over the recent Handel Festival. The performance was very well attended. The programme was commenced by the orchestra playing The Halberdiers' March" in a most finished manner. The orchestra was the best and one of the largest, if not absolutely the largest, that has ever been seen at an amateur minstrel entertainment. It consisted of the following players ;—Mr. William Morgan (leader), and Mr. T. Rhys Lewis, first violin; Mr. Ben Evans and Mr. Osborne Morgan, second violins Mr. Edgar Daniel and Mr. John Web!>e, flutes; Master D. W. Ford, cornet: Mr. Frank O'Brien, euphonium, and Mr. Ezekiel Evans, contra bass. At the close of the ^march, the chorus, consisting of about two dozen members, sang Dr. Parry's "Serenade" in exceptionally good style. Mr. Evan Thomas quite excelled himself in bis inter- pretation of that genuine minstrel ballad Jennie Lee," and Mr. Dan Kennedy introduced the comic element by singing The Clonakilty Band." The next vocal essay was one of the gems of the evening, namely, the singing of Love will linger near us" by Mr. Evan Rees Evans. Mr. Abe Freedman followed with "Our Johnny," the last verse having to be repeated. The beautiful barcarolle Floating slowly down the river," arranged as a five part chorus by Mr. Harry Evans, was next sung by the entire troupe, and it was a model of sweet refined singing. Mr. John Donovan was heard at his best in another beautiful and effective song entitled "The old cabin home." The comic duet The Hooligans," was sung by Messrs. Matt de Lacy and Roger J. Harpur, and an encore was insisted on as a matter of conrse. Master Willie Powell's sweet and tuneful rendering af that lovely but somewhat hackneyed ballad Sweet Senevieve," was little else than a revelation to most sf those present, who could not help wondering that me so young could give such a finished interpretation uf the work. Mr. Roger Harpur's unvarying success with the "Eight Hours'" song is ivell-known, and judging by what happened ou Thursday night, we should say that his new song, Our Nipper," will prove to be equally popular. Mr. rom Dunn's interpretation of Only to see the dear jid place again, took rank with the best things heard luring the evening. The first part of the programme ivas brought to a triumphant close by the singing of Mr. Harry Evans' arrangement of Excelsior." The ivork is undoubtedly the most ambitious ever taken iu land by a local amateur troupe, and is scored for tenor solo and chorus, with short solos for the alto and bass, and a tenor und bass duet. The tenor solos were mng by Mr. Evan Rees Evans, and the duet by that gentleman and Mr. Evan Thomas. The alto solos ivere entrusted to Master Jones, brother of the con- ductor, who himself sang the few bars allotted to the bass soloist. In addition to the solos, the work contains passages to be s'.ng with closed lips, pnd unison passages for all the basses, &c., the full force 3f the chorus being naturally reserved for the tinal "Excelsiors," particularly those at the end of the last verse, which are worked up to a very effective slimax. Of the rendering it must be said that on the ■, whole it was exceedingly good. At the close of Excelsior," a perfect storm of applause broke out from all parts of the hall, testifying to the great -uccess of the performance. Mr. John Donovan proved himself a most capablo Mas'r Johnson." The following were the corner men Mr. Roger Harpur, Mr. Dan Kennedy, and Mr. William James, tamboo: AIJ'1 Mr. Matt De Lacy, Mr. Abe. Freedman, and > Mr. Tom Powell, bones. Of these, three had very little to do, the bulk of the work falling upon Messrs. Kennedy, Harpur, and De Lacy, and for them it must he said that they were as good a trio as one need wish to sec. By far the greater number of the jokes had a local application, and we hope we are not divulging any secret when we state that the majority of them I were "manufactured" by the irrepressible Dan. Prior to the commencement of the second part of the programme, the orchestra played the "Couronne (For "in splendid style. Mr. G. Parfitt, Royal Oak I Inn, commenced the second part of the entertainment I by playing Serch Hudol" ("The allurements of love"), with variations on the harp. Professor Nute's marvellously dexterous manipulation of the Indian clubs were given with all the skill which Mr. Nute knows so well how to display. A pupil of his, too, a young fellow named Sullivan, gave a similar but much briefer and less complicated exhibition. Mr. Matt De Lacy gave a typical nigger "nonsense" song, with banjo accompaniment, and followed it with a cleverly executed violinsolo, namely, "The blue belief Scotland," with brilliant variations. Without a word ofdoubtMr. DanKenne.ly'sstumporation wasthemost enjoyable feature of the whole entertainment Master D. W. Forde gave one of his brilliant cornet solos, and was followed by Mr. Tom Evans, who gave a very clever step-dance with harp accompaniment, and theu < came the last item 011 the programme, the Old Kentucky Court House farce. The farce abounds in absurdities from first to last, and depends less upon the dialogue than upon the action of the various characters for its succes. The characters in the niece were sustained by Mr. Roger Harpur, Mr. M. L. Walters, Mr. Matt de Lacy, Mr. William James, Mr. Dan Kennedy, Mr. Abraham Bowen, and Mr Tom Powell. The costume And general "get-up" of all the actors were capital, and Mr. Walters a-s the counsel in the great big-Amy case read bis brief in true legal form. But the audience were convulsed with laughter at the ^doings of the policemen, tho judge, and others. A repetition performance was given in the Odd- fellows' Hall on Monday evening, and there was again a large audience, though of course not so large as on Thursday. The programme of the first part remained as on Thursday with a few of the items struck out, so as to gain time for additional performances in the second half. Mr. Evan Thoma- being unable to be present on this occasiou the bass solos were sung by Mr. Ernest Jones the conductor of the troupe. The f second half of the entertainment differed in many I respects from that given on Thursday. It was intro- duced by Mr. William James giving a very clever but rather too brief veutriloqui# entertainment, which had the effect of keeping the audience in the best of humour. Mr. Parfitt played a. different solo to that given on Thursday and his performance seemed to be I much superior. Mr. Matt de Lacy instead of his banjo and violin sketch gave an exhibition of danciugiuboots of IWxlicnagian size, and his performance was most admirable and was deservedly encored. The conclud- ing farce gave place to a boxing sketch which fairly brought down the house. Taking the jXTformancc on the whole it mast be said that the first was scarcely so successful as on Thursday, but the second showed a marked improvement. On Monday next the troupo appear at Brynmawr, and on the following evenin" their first annual banquet will be given at Dowlais. °

TREDEGAR MYSTERY. (aRL FOUND IN A POND. On Monday about three o'clock, whilst Arthur Price, a young man, was skating at the pond near Park-row, his attention was drawn to an object under- neath the ice. A hole was subsequently dug in the ice, which was very thick, and the body of a young woman was brought up. The body was in an advanced state of decomposition, and it was very difficult to identify the same. It was removed to the Bush Inn. In the course of a few hours aftet wards the body was identified as that of Mary Hayes, also known as Molly Hayes, aged 18 years of age. the daughter of Mrs. Hayes, who lives at the back of Iron-row. The deceased was last seen alive by her mother on December 22nd. The mother was under the impression that the girl had gone back to her old I situation at Pontypridd. The girl had been employed at the Freemasons' Arms, Tredegar, previous to Christmas. It is conjectured that the deceased must have been in the water for several weeks, for tbe'pund l has been coated with ice for a long time past. The undingofthebody occasioned much excitement iu the town, and there were many disquieting tumours j abroad, r

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CINDERELLA AT CARDIFF. The sparkling pantomime of "Cinderella" at the Grand Theatre, Cardiff, still runs merrily 011 its course, and crowded houses again witness its per- foriuaiico this week. The libretto has been consider- ably improved since its first representation by the addition of several bright local allusions, which are served up at convenient moments, and cause much amusement. New songs and dances have also been introduced, and these add greatly to the charm of its pouvtrayal. The principals have established them- selves prime favourites with the public, and the scenic effects, especially the mechanical changes, are greatly admired. The grand bell bullet in the scene of the royal forest and the Eden troupe of Parisian dancers are triumphs of terpsichorcan ability, and the artistic grouping of the figures in the ballroom is verv pretty and effective. "Cinrlcrclla" i" succeeded next week by the great Adolphi drama, Lights of Home." It should be remembered that visitors to Cardiff havo tho advantage of late trains to return home, thus enabling them to witnea: the performance at leisure.

ROMAN CATHOLICS AS NURSES. At tho meeting of the Merthyr Guardians on Saturday a letter was read from the Southwark Diocesan Workhouse Association calling attention to a paragraph which appeared in Truth on September 13th, 1891, in which it was stated that the Workhouse Infirmary Nuising Association would not accept probationers for training nurses who were Roman Catholics because Boards of Guardians would not appoint nurses who belonged to this persuasion. The letter asked if the Merthyr Board of Guardians found any such difficulty and whether they employed any Catholic* as nurses.—Rev. Canon Wade said that this state of things only now prcvaibd in Board of Guardians which savoured of old world bigotry, and his exiJcriencc of the Merthyr Board of Guardians was that no such feeling existed. Whenever au applicant came before that Board for a situation as nurse or any other position he believed that all the guardians were desiring of appointing the best candidate irrespective of religious creed (hear, hear). In fact their head nurse at the infirmary (Nurse Ross) was a Roman Catholic.—Mr. II. W. Martin I think that is the bost answer that can be given to the, letter. —Mr. David Davies said he thought that the less said about these sort of things the better. He had heen a guardian for many years, and during that time he had seen many changes take placeamongstthc various officials of that Board, but he did not think any religious matter had c\cr entered their minds in making appointments. He did not think thrre was anyono on that Board who was such a bigot a-s to object to the appointment of any person simply bc<;auso that individual belonged to a certain religious persuasion (hear, hear). As a Board of Guardians they had always kept (hisbort of thing out of their consideration in the* past, and he hoped they would continue, to do so in the future.—Mr. Dan '1 honias It's a pity we hear so much about it at School Board election.

r RHYMNEY RAILWAY COMPANY. The half-yearly ordinary meeting of the Rhymuey Railway Company was held on Friday at the Ange-l Hotel, Cardiff, all Hut directors being present, viz., Mr. John Boyle (chairman), Mr. William Austin (depnty chairman). Mr. J. Hudson Smith, Mr. Franklen G. Evans, Mr. J. Brogden, and Mr. E. F. North, with Mr. Cornelius Lundie, general manager and engineer, and Mr. W. Fairlamb, secretary. 0 In proposing the adoption of the report and state- [ ment of accounts, the Chairman explained that ¡ increases in maintenance of permanent way and traffic expenses were mainly in wages, because more work had been done. There was also an increase of £2,860 in locomotive power, but this was more than accounted for by £3,000 being devoted to the purchase of new engines already sanctioned. Shareholders must be prepared for an increase in rates and taxes. A pleasant feature of the past half-year's working was au increase of 104,457 in passengers, and of £ 1,875 in money. This the secretary attributed to the increase of population in the Alwr Valley, employed at the large pits of the International Co. Merchandise showed an increase of 27,636 tons, representing £1.314, but there was a decrease in the carriage of ivon and iron ore, which, however, might be deemed $> be temporary. Coal and coke had increased satis- factorily by 545,418 tons, representing £8,990. It was proposed to go to Parliament for leavo to make a small line up thi Cylla Valley, where there was plenty of coal. That corner of the Gelligaer common had not been opened up yet. Then it was proposed to effect a duplication of thesharesof thecompany. Itwasfashion- ablenowadays tosplitsltares, and be wasnotoneof those who thought it an important thing to do. The direc- tois not being unanimous on the point, the share- holders^ have been invited to express an opinion, which they bad done, n considerable majority favour- ing the proposal. As to the Bute Dockd Bill, notice of which had been given, there were certain things proposed which the Rhymney directors did not think it advisable to agree to without opposition. Then there was the Taff Vale Company's Bill it was denirable that thoy should petition against it to give them a locus standi. The Bill of the Barrv Railway Company was a re-introduction, with slight variations, of the East Glamorgan Railway scheme of last Session. He said they were bound to oppose this Bill to the fullest extent. lIe confessed that the Bill seemed to be so unreasonable—he would not uso a stronger expression —that he felt they might look for a successful opposi- tion to it in Parliament. If, however, they did not succeed, he warned shareholder- that t!w -Rhymnev Company would lose a great deal of traffic, diverted to Barry. Last year the representatives of the Rhymney made a full explanation to the Parliamen- tary Committee, pointing out how the traffics could reach Barry already by the routes open, and how those traffics were always properly treated and handled for the good of the consignees; and he thought the opposition would again succeed this year (applause). Air. Austin seconded the adoption of the report and accounts, and it was agreed to, after an expres- sion of complete confidence in the directorate by Mr. T. H. Stephens. A dividend was formally declared for the half-year at the rata of 8 per cent. per annum on the ordinary stock. Mr. Boyle and Mr. North were re-elected directors, and Mr. Ambrose Ford was re-appointed one of the auditors. The meeting then resolved itself into an extra- ordinary one, and an explanation was given of the principal clause* of the new Bill. Sanction was given to a Bill being deposited by the directors seeking powers for the company to construct a line of railway of nearly three miles in the Cylla Valley, giving access to tho coalfield there, and asking for an exten- sion of time for making the Gledyr branches, and for the abandonment of the Monmouthshire lines and the repeal of the Authorising Act of 1883. The Bill also provides for the duplicating and division of the ordin- ary capital of the company, and for the conversion of the remaining £ 5,340 unconverted £ 6 tier cent, pre- ferential stock of 1861. It is proposed by the Bill that after a special resolution of the company shall have been passed confirming the scheme, all share- holders shall have the option of converting their ordinary stock iuto stock of double the nominal amount, divided equally into preferred and deferred ordinary stock, the preferred to be entitled to a pre- ferential dividend of 4 per cent., the deferred to the residuo of the dividend available in each year for the ordinary stock. The dividend on the preferred stock is to l» payable half-yearly, that ou tlia deferred stock onco a year. stock onco a year. The directors aud officials were thanked, on the proposition of Colonel Page, seconded by Mr. W. Griffiths, tho latter of whom remarked that there was not a Itettcr managed little concern in Great Britain than the Rhymney Railway Company, and the funda- mental reason was that they had men of sterling in- tegrity at the head of it (applause). ■■i

DICK SHERIDAN" AT MERTHYR. The playgoers of "the hills" have this week, on the stage of the Merthyr Theatre, a histrionic treat j such as but seldom falls to their share. The hero of Dick Sheridan" is that wonderful man, Richard Briuslev Butler Sheridan, who, in tho latter half of the last century, attained to such eminence both in the world of drama and the world of politics. He is best known to us as the author of The Rivals," 1 The School for Scandal," and The Critic," three L-omedie", which still hold their own on the stage. He wa- a member of Parliament for 32 years, and delivered ( a number of speeches in that capacity which will ever occupy a prominent place in English history. Of these the mast celebrated was the first of the threo 1 which constituted liis impeachment of Warren Hastings, which was a marvel of oratory and dialec- tical skill. So great was the effect on the House of Commons that it was decided to adjourn in order that members might cool down a bit before voting. He was an ally of Burke and Fox, and bis friendship for the latter is historical. He never wavered in his fidelity to Fox till that statesman's death. As a 1 theatre lessee, Sheridan was not very fortunate. As 1 manager of Drury-lane, ho was idle and careless, and tiiat house did not prosper under his control. He died in 1816, two hundred years after Shakespeare, who alone is his superior in comedy. His career had been a chequered one, alternating continually between affluence and poverty. At the time of his death he < was io fortune's black books. The bailiffs were in actual possession of his house but the friends of his prosperity came forward and paid his creditors. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, and his funeral was an exceptionally magnificent one. His was thus a life of glaring contrasts and marvellous vicissitudes. He was a man of extraordinary talent, and to the fullest extent worthy of the title" gentleman." But his temperament was that of the impnlsive Celt, he being an Irishman, and fate played him many scurvy I' tricks. The comedy, "Dick Sheridan," written by Robert Buchanan, is based on one incident, or set of inci- dents, in the early part of his career as a dramatist. Living with his parents at Bath, he fell in lovo with a Miss Linley, commonly called The Maid of Bath," a lady of surpassing beauty and great vocal powers. H#r father was a composer of some celebrity. Con- trary to the wishes of the lady's parents, the young couple, after some romantic episodes, became husband and wife. That is one of the incidents made use of by Mr. Buchanan. With that he associates another inci- dent, the production at Covent Garden of Sheridan's first and most famous play, The Rivals." In bring- ing these two events together Mr. Buchanan has taken liberties with history for Sheridan married in 1773, while The Rimls" was not produced till the beginning of 1775, which, wo may mention in parsing, is just six score years ago. The business of the play is of the conventional sort. There is a rival to the author of The Rivals" for the heart and hand of the lovely Miss Linley. Wicked plots are concocted, and desperate falsehoods circulated. But Dick Sheri- dan, aided by the success of his comedy, routs all his enemies and demolishes their mischievous diplomacy. It was a curious idea to make the author of comedies the hero of another comedy, but the result in this case amply justifies an experiment which perhaps should not be repeated. Another historical character intro- duced into the comedy is David Garrick, the actor, though his part here is not as important as the parts he played in his own dramas. The company is a very strong one. Sheridan is admirably played by Mr. Arthur Beame, and Eliza- tieth Linley enacted with grace and dignity by Miss Lilian Lonard. Miss Louie Tinslev is an excellent maid," and Miss Lucy Wilson does justice to Lady Pamela Stirrup. The villain of tho piece, Captain Matthews, is well sustained by Mr. Ernest Owttrim, while Mr. Bonney and Mr. Furnival show to advan- tage as Dr. Jonathan O'Leary and Lord Dazzleton respectively. Other characters are faithfully enacted by Messrs. Russell, Clinton, Annandale, Sinclair, Merton, Bedford, Gaylard, Howard, and Misses Russell (a very good Lady Miller, The Queen of Bath,"), Radcliffe, Walker, Harley, and Broughton. The danco in Act I., and the duel in Act IV., are worthy of special mention. The latter was a historic event that took place in a London tavern, the combat- ants being Sheridan and Matthews.