The Cardiff Times

KERNICK'S VEGETABLE PILLS, 7}d< 13!d, and 2s 9d per box. AN UNEQUALLED FAMILY MEDICINE. Sold by all Chemists.

"u_ "n WORKMEN'S TOPICS. BY MABON, M.P. PENRHYN STRIKE AND THE DEBATE tN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. Since June, 1901, the strike has gone on, ttongh the quarry has been re-opened and about men are now at work in it. During 1902 the Carnarvon County Council attempted to Oring "bout a settlement, but Lord Penrhyn declined to Accept any outside interference, and negotia- tors begun by the men for a conference with Penrhyn were broken off on the ground the men still were endeavouring to procure acceptance of the Quarry Committee. An tflort made to induce the Board of Trade to in- rvene has drawn the unanswerable reply that Board has no compulsory powers and Lord ■renjhyn has abundantly shown by his answer the proposal that Mr Balfour or Lord Rosebery ">oul<j act as conciliator that he will not t^dmit t the matter is one for outside interference. e substance of the dispute lies in the com. mlttee; and however other points may besettled, "ere can be nothing but an insincere peace on whatever terms the men returned to work, if it teltlains unsettled. If Lord Penrhyn had accepted the committee "8 believe differences would have been avoided, as they have been in other cases. That may bOIPPen but it is impossible to deny to workmen kright that has been secured in so many trades. Compulsory settlement of disputes will be seen to he the only way of preventing the conntry lrOItl suffering through such disturbances as those lit Bethesda, and this would imply necessarily the recognition of the representation of the men trough their Unions or-committees in order that hey might bo bound by the decision. Lord Pen- in a very roundabout way is working for result. y As to the committee side of the question one ^ould have thought by the use made of it by Mr I -^Venport, and derisive attitude of the Tories, Qat such an unreasonable demand was never of, while here in South Wales Colliery 'stricts we have over 300 coll arJes where some "^>000 workmen or more are employed, and a ^Uiery committee exists at each. The Debate .012 the whole did not riae to very much. The UeBtion in one form or another has been before House so many times and the voices of the 10.17ae men have been heard so often with regard ° it that had it not been for the fact that the ote of censure on the Government was attached it very few of the members of the House, I am afraid, wonld have stayed to hear it out. It has Oconee so very much like a dead horse, or a big 1ll, Even that night very little indeed was SII.!d about the Government and its indolent 4ttitUde of indifference respecting it. The merits 44cl the demerits of the case that have been so Often heard before, rang oat again. The only y important speech on this side of the ques- tion again was that of Mr Bromley Davenport, 44 the spokesman of Lord Penrhyn, which con- fined so many charges against the men. In faring it one could not help feeling that, unwit- of course, the faith respeciing, ae atti- of the men from beginning to end was prostituted" and unfortunately some of have not been replied to, and most them were very wrongly founded, if indeed ey had any foundation at all. The feeling of teSentment ran so high on the Opposition side of the House that some steps, I should think, are Operative to be taken to call upon the gentle- man who made them to explain or to publicly Withdraw. 3?he allegation that the men claimed tbe right ^a three months' holiday is already known to £ Gross Misrepresentation of thp F'acts. truth of the case is that the younger men in quarry* to their credit be it said, offered in of slackness to go away for three months that older and married men might have more .;rk, provided they would be allowed to return the end of three months if the demand for ^tes increased. It is evident that Mr Daven- Wa statement of this matter was a strange per- "Sion of the facts. he same kind of thing happened with regard the action of the committee towards the non- 111 on men. The allegation made was that Lord rllvn would have nothing to with the com- ^ttee because they would not represent tbctnon- rliorliets and their grievances before the manage- The truth respecting this matter is that his Lordship found such a complaint /sSjnst the committee—the committee turned .0lld at once and said they would only be too 'tfc to rePresent grievances and cases of all t(>e 036,1 ln t'ie ftuarry tbey would ailow them • so. And steps were taken to get the men if to, line with the Union men and into theUnion t Possible—and this step was made use of, t^' t*le committee was unduly interfering with Bon-Onion men. which the committee id not be allowed to do. The committee the circumstances were placed in very ^cb the same position as that poor woman of d whose husband, going home more than half came to the conclusion to give her a good v«inR, and proposed to himself that if she provided him with a good sapper he Bjj punish her for neealess extravagance, or if bad not that he would punish her for not to his wants—whichever she did there a beating awaiting for her. Much the same been the past conduct of the Penrhyn man- 'ttient with regard to the late committee. v ey Were, in the first place, found fau't with cauaQ they did not represent the whole body of W0r^ers, and when they took steps so to were told that they were interfering tj the non-Union men and that they had no t to do any such thing. ben again came the complaint ae to Interference with the Management Ijj'^wostoJ those on the Government side of t}j? Souse shouted against so indignantly as a n It that the like was never heard of before. tjj trying, like mining, is a dangerous avocation, perhaps not exactly to the same degree. Government do not trust Lord Pen- 11 nor his managers to make their own ruleB working thereof. The working srriev Hte6a relate to methods of quarrying, the meas- of work done, and different rates of according to difficulties to be worked, °Oe especially of letting out work to con- ^en°tS a system which is repugnant to the 011 tb There is a host of minor grievances, and 3^„ Merits thereof I will say no more than as the contract system. Lord Penrhyn tli» expected to have some sympathy with seeing that it removes them a step hijjj et away from that personal connection witb whicb lie so much desires. ii0 The Main Grievances, iti e(\r, though they may be different in detail tfcj^^ies to those in mining or the textile ate yet the same 'n Principle. They are fof j?ns piece-work or time-work, of rates qualities of work, and so on. In Odt the most important industries through- 't jj. country as well as in South Wales D fot*Od advisable that the employers *lifg not attempt to impose terms on all such Hatters without the assistance of the Mj^^kose interests are so intensely involved in NT Minute regulations are constantly made ^5^ lQle to time, as the conditions vary. By to osed of employers and men's repre- "de ves iu consultation oftentimes a whole into eand ev*ry branch of that trade is so taken '^sis^tion, Employers as a rule do not at each section or class of workmen shall e 0re tbem tostrike a bargain—they sit in with the accredited representatives of e trade. It really is the method by %4 b mOle than any other, strikes and look- been averted and peace preserved. ia that of old did, like Lord Pcnrbyn, think this was taking the management of their businesses out of their own hands, have learnt better by experience. They have seen that in that sense their business is not their own, and have admitted the right of their work- men through their representatives to have a voice in what concerns the conditions and pay- ment for the work they have to do. What would have been the consequence in the South Wales coalfield if the employers had brought their collieries to the standstill as the Bethesda quarries either because they insisted on an abstract rigbt to manage their own affairs, or because they thought men who did not belong to the Union would not receive justice at the hands of the Unionists ? Mr Bromley-Davenport's speech should fcayp been answered by a practical man knowing well the practice and condition of things botween employer and employed in various parts of the country. But, strange to say, only one Trades Unionist was called upon during the whole debate.

THE HOUSEHOLD. China is one of the necessities in the house which is frequently being broken, and needs constant replacing. No matter how thick and serviceable you may buy your dinner plates they are sure to gradually decrease in number, and at length you will be told that there are not enough left for everyday use. Although these breakages are expensive and worrying thev are nothing in comparison to the spoiling of a favourite vase or valuable ornament, as these latter cannot be replaced. Therefore it is impera- tive either to mend it or to discard it altogether. It with the mending of china that we will at present occupy our minds, and learn the best way of repairing the ravagesof time and carelessness. One of the most important things in -chintl mending is the promptness with which it is executed after the breakage, us if the pieces are allowed to lie about for some time before being joined their edges will be certain to chip and will not fit together properly. No matter how clean the fragments appear to be, they should always be thoroughly washed in soap and water before commencing operations and be quite dry. Pottery'being of a very porous nature will often take several hours to dry. If the breakage is quite a small one it is quite a To Mend Broken China. simple matter to fasten it together with good cement, but if it is as large as those illustrated it will be rather more difficult. Before replacing the fragments it will be necessary to fix a wire to support them. This is done by drilling a hole on either side of the opening and fastening the ends of a piece of copper wire in the bofM with gum lac. An ordinary centre-bit tool wiJJ be sufficient for the drilling. If any pieces are missing they can be replaced by a strong plaster made by mixing Spanish white in powder with strong gum arabic. This may be pabinted to match its surroundings with water colours. The illustration shows bow to place the wire to make a new handle to a jug. Fcr a big jug two wires plaited together will be necessary. The handle is then moulded in the plaster round the wire and painted to match. Finally, to impart the glaze to the now portions apply a coat of Sohuee varnish, and then add another if necessary. The effect of articles so mended depends entirely upon the patience and neatness of each step in the process, and when carefully done with the right colours is hardly noticeable. Figured velveteen is a most delightful material to work upon, it is so soft and shows np the embroidery so well. Of course the ordinary plain coloured has these advantages, but ii the patterned is used it renders the work easier, as fche design is already there and does not require transferring on to it. The table centre I have drawn here is made of plain rose coloured velve- teen with a pattern of rosebuds in a deeper shade of the same colooc. Tbe foses are outlined in pink silk, while the leavefare entirely. covered with pale green silk in satin stitch. If an outline of ROld thread is upt round all the embroidery it. will greatly adil to therichnoss of the effect. The centre may either be finished by a border of plain gold braid or with a soft silk frill, as in the illustration. The shape is one peculiarly suitable for use with vases of flowers, owing to the small rounded curves which will fit round their stems. A Pretty Table Centre. When people are just beginning to learn to manage tools and wood, it is often verv difficult to find some useful thing which will aflord them practice and ymt not be too elaborate in construc- tion to overtax their capabilities. The letter rack here sketched is a very plain and easy bit of carpentering, and will, I am sure, be found most usefnl. The back is made of the piece of wood about one foot six inches long by sixinches wide, which must be well plained and sized- It is advisable to either paint or stain the different advisable to either paint or stain the different parts before putting thena together, as it will be found much more difficult to paint them smoothly when put together. The three divisions of the rack are made of pieces of wood about four inches square, which must also be well planed f-nd painted to match the back. If the worker is quite a beginner these may be left quite plainly square, or if the carpenter is capable of decora- tion they may be cut into the shapes of butter. flies, or other curved forms as may be suggested to the mind of the workman. These three flaps are fastened to the back by six very small, very stiff hinges, two to each flap. These must be fixed firmly with screws. If any of the paint-or staining is damaged while this is being done it is quite ea^y to touch it up before completing the letter rack. These racks are extremely pretty if they are decorated with simple designs in mar- quetry staining, which can be very easily accom- plished with the aid of the diff6rent colour stain- ing 2uid8 which can be obtained from any oil shop for very little expenditure. l A Home-Ma^e Letter Rack. It is more from want of thought than from want of heart that many otherwise kind and good-hearted husbands frequently fail to make their wives happy. A husband may truly and sincerely love his wife, and be ready to gratify her every viish and whim if it is in his power to do so. But in spite of this there is, in many cases, a son -hing lacking which spoils her complete happiness. And that something is not very difficult to explain. When a man marries a woman, he more often than not forgets that it is not money, position, or fine clothes that most women long for so much as a man's love, that shows itself in all his actions to them, and which can be seen, felt, and heard. It often happens that after marriage men of all sorts and conditions cease pouring into their wive¡¡' ears those pretty little tales of love, and those tender and endear- ing expressions of affection which so abundantly and eloquently flowed from their lips during courtship days. It is neglect in this respect which tends to make a wife unhappy. She feels a keen disappointment when her husbarfd fails to give those evidences of his love and affection to which she bad long been accustomed, and the idea is apt to arise in her mind that, having once been wooed and won, her husband concerns himself very little about retaining her whole love and affection. ETHEL.

More Important.- After having called nine or ten times the man with the bill was fortunate enough to find his victim in. You are Mr Hardup, aren't you ?" he said. Yes." "Thomas Hardup ?" Yes. You seem to know my name very well." Oh, I remember your name well enough. It's your face that generally escapes me."

MUSIC IN WALES. BY D. EMLYN EVANS. MUSICAT DEGREES. Amongst the matters which more or leas agitate the musical profession in this country from time to time is that of musical degrees or agitates at least the section of the profession immediately concerned in that particular question. Those musicians who nave graduated as Mus. Bac., or Mus. Doc.. in one or another of the leading Universities, are inclined-and perhaps it is but natural—to look down upon those whose alma mater may not be able to claim as high a prestige. Particularly does this appear to bathe case with Toronto degrees, which are held by a goodly number in this countly- Wales as well as England—though not now obtainable here we believe. To the ordinary plain man this matter will not appear to be of much importance probably, and he will perhaps be disposed to think How strange such difference should be 'T jrix Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee." And especially so when one remembers that the Lambeth degrees do not seem to be objected to, and which are granted by the Archbishop of Canterbury to the recipient upon the mere recom- mendation of a certain number of eminent musicians, without any examination whatever of the candidate or aspirant whereas holders of Toronto degrees had to undergo some amount at least of examination and test work, and the fact remains that some of theso graduates are amongst the most gifted that we have to-day in the ranks of our younger school of Welsh musicians. The claim is set out that these, and all other musical graduates, should append The Source from which the Degree has been Drawn after their names, as is usually done by those cf the two chief English universities, e.g., Mus. Bac. (Oxon); or Mus. Doc. (Cantab.), etc. That demand does not a.ppea.r to be unfair; nevertheless it is not generally carried out in connection with their professions except in official documents. Be that as it may, in the current number of the Welsh musical magazine, Y Cerddor," Mr David Jenkins, one of the joint editors, issues a list of those Welsh musicians holding (or which have held) degrees in those universities reoag- qised by the British Government-Oxford. Ca.m- bridge, London, Dnrham, Victoria (Manchester), St. Andrews, Edinburgh, Royal University of Ireland, and University of Wales, ani which list cannot fail to be of interest. We insert it here, arranged chronologically :— Owen, Rev. Humphrey, Mus. Bac., 1866, Oxford. Parry, Joseph, Mus. Bac. (deceasedl, 1871, Mus. Doc., 1878, Cambridge. Ellis, llev. David Henry, Mas. Bac. (deceased), 1872, Dublin. Jenkins. David, Mus. Bac., 1878, Cambridge. Powell-Jones, Rev. Henry Owen, Mus. Bac., 1878, Dnrham. Williams, C. Lee, Mus. Bac., 1878, Oxford. Lloyd, C. Francis, Mus. Bac., 1879, Oxford. Roberts, John Henry, Mus. Bac., 1882, Cam- bridge. Williams, Albert, Mus. Bac., 1891, Oxford. Williams, C. F. Abdy, Mils. Bac., 1892, Cam- bridge. Ellis, William, Mus. Bac., 1893, Dublin. Jones, W. Henry, Mus. Bac., 1893, Mus. Doc., 1899, London. Griffith, William, Mus. Bac., 1894, Durham. Williams, Ralph Vaughan, Mus. Bac., 1894. Mus. Doc., 1901, Cambridge. Evans, David, Mus. Bac.1895, Oxford. Hughes, Percy Edward, Mus. Bac., 1895, Durham. Richards. W. Henry. Mus. Rac., 1895, Durham. Jones, C. Lewis, Mus. Bac., 1897. Durham. Jones, Walter. Mus. Bac.. 1898, Durham. Griffith, Jobn Robert, Mus Bac 1901. Durham. The compeer observer that some of the above may not be of Welsh nationality, although wear- ing so-called Welsh names. But that is, of course, an argument which tells both ways obviously the converse holds good, as there aie a great many people in Wales and elsewhere who are thoroughly Welsh though known by what may be termed English or foreign cognomens. In this connection Two Striking Omissions in the list occur to us at once, viz.. he names of the brothers Greenish, of Haverfordwest, Mr Fred R. Greenish who graduated Mus. Bac. in 1883, and Mus. Doc. in 1891 at Oxford, and his younger brother. Mr Arthur J. Greenish, who passed his Mus. Bac. examination at Cambridge in 1885, and his Mus. Doc. nine years later, both excellent musicians as theorists, composers, and performers. Aud, to make a slight digression from our exact subject, this is not the only nor the first- instance which the historic county of Pembroke ives us in this direction, for we read in Wil- liams's Eminent Welshmen" of a Robert Perrot, an eminent musician in his day," who was the second son of George Perrot, Esq., of Haroldston, near Haverfordwest, in Pembroke- shire and that in 1515, being then Bachelor of Music, be was organist of Magdalen College, Oxford, and proceeded to the degree of Doctor in his faculty. He composed several Church services and other works, and was a benefactor to his college, as his widow aDd eldest son Simon were, and is the ancestor of thePerrots of Northleigh, in Oxfordshire. He died in 1550." Whatever opinion may be entertained as to The Relative Value of these University Degrees, the musical world at large has no two opinions in regard to the main question—the value of a degree in itself; perhaps, however, that the term English or British musical opinion should have been used, for somewhat strangely these musical degrees do not obtain amongst the musical nations of the Continent—not in America even, the delectable land of the Pro. fessor and the D.D." When Handel was offered a Doctor's degree at Oxford, his reply was What the devil I throw my money away for that the blockhead wish. I no want. The English, as was usually the case with Handel, especially when aroused, is more forcible than correct or polite, but there can be no mistaking the sense, nor any doubt as to its expressing the opinions and feelings of musicians as a body. On the other hand, especially in these days when music has become of importance education- aJly, these degrees have a teaching value, whether of the universities which carry with them a guarantee of a certain amount of theo- retical knowledge, or those of the leading musical institutions, whose worth generally lies in the direction of performance. It 's therefore obvious that those who aspire to this sort of imprimatur should aim at the highest and best, and take greatest care that their bona fides are beyond all doubt, once they append The Magic Handle to their Names. We have bad a great deal too much looseness amongst us in this respect in connection with the Royal Academy and the Royal College of Music, probably, as Mr David Jenkins states, committees and their puffing propensities are responsible to nome extent for this but, however that may lie, we should be possessed of sufficient pride and self-respect, individually a.nd nationally, to save us hom such false pretensions. Every student who has entered the R.A.M. or the R.C.M. must know that that mere fact. even with a studentship of more or less extent added, does not carry the right of using such initials, and that such a use is both illegal and-misleading. Mr Jenkins fears that a similar misuse of the Mus. Bac. degree is baing made in Wales. We certainly hope that such is not the case but if it be so the imposture should at onee be exposed. Some of us concern ourselves but little with this question of degrees nevertheless such matters as national honour and professional honesty appeal even to us. Finally, are our young musicians unaware or unmindful of the fact that we have in our midst an institution called the University of Wales, and that it is empowered to grant musical degrees ?

That was It.—First Little Girl: What's the difference between twins an' other children, Maggie? I did know, but 1 have forgotten.— Second Little Girl: Why, the difference is that there ain't any difference between twins. That's what makes different. As Described.—' A magnificent work his latest story, you say?"' Magnificent I Why, it's the finest story that has been published" this cen- tury." "Indeed? What's the general idea.?" Oh, half morocco, gold or uncut edges, cloth edition, plates printed in four colours, and illu- minated pages ta every chapter." ¡

Illustrated Fashions. Now that the modes have become more settled one cannot but be struck with the fact that, save in the details of dress and a tendency towards exaggeration,the fashions of this year do not differ very greatly from those of last season. "It is true that the line of the shoulder and upper arm is more closely defined, and that the fulness below the elbow i3 greater than before, but the skirts, however full they may be, still closely define the lines of the figure and are as graceful as ever. It is in the trimming of the gown and the deepness cf the fanciful Quff which keeps the fulness from coming close over the hand that the hall mark of this season's dress is to be noted. The trimmings A Smart Coatee. consist of gangings, tassels, fringes, and lace motifs and insertions, while the short, sac-like bolero, to which by constant association our eye ha.s been trained to approve, is distinguished by its capes and collars. I have seen and admired some very smart little coatees of this order, made of biscuit or putty-coloured chine silk accordion pleated with frills of chiffon to match intermingled, and a collar of lace of-the same tone. These coatees were generally finished in front by long ends either of a. stole-like descrip- tion or made of the accordion- pleated silk finished by lace or a silk fringe. A bolero of this style is very usefnl for afternoon;wear, whether walking or driving, for it can:, be worn over any sort of -1104iw and with almost kny description of skirt. A smart specimen is shiBn in my sketch. Of course to some people soetpt tone of colour would not prove becoming, and I ghonld in such a case recommend that black silk should be substituted, or if preferred silk of the same shade as-theskirt which accompanies it. Still the biscuit colour is really smarter, and looks cool and nice in Bum- mer worn with a voile skirt of thEtilametone and a tucked tulle oitoque. Bluefashionable colour this season, and there are some-^wj^j^mart toilettes of this shade, a touch of black being generally intro- duced into the scheme of colour. Indeed Madame La Mode who.hao swiledso approvingly upon that graceful flower, the fuchsia, likewise A Picture Hat. I approves of the curious, but lovely, red and blue colour of this flower for a complete toilette whether used in a harmonious combination or taken singly. In the realms of mil- linery there are some smart hats" for both morning and afternoon wear. Thtfre is the absolutely flat round hat, which takefi the place of the sailor hat, and looks very modish when worn with the hair dressed high. To be correct, it should be tilted slightly over the face. It is best suited to a round, plump face and a piquante style, and should not be worn by anyone with a long thin face. Another simple and smart little straw hat is the cacotier, with the brim at either side turned up sharply, or when preferred the brim is turned up at one side only; A rosette or bow of ribbon. and occasionally a feather, forms the trimming. A pretty picture hat is depicted with a graceful and undulating brim which would suit any face. One seldom sees a cache-peigne on the best models, although occasionally a small bow of lace or ribbon is allowed to rest on the hair at the back. The doom of the cache-peigne was of course sealed when it became'so generally worn as when fashioned by unskilful fingers or worn ( A Pretty Blouse. by an unsuitable person it lost its charm and waa therefore discarded by all the best dressed women. Blouses are still worn by everyone, and one cannot but marvel at the charming models shown. The latest mode is that they must be en rapport with the costume, and that they must likewise harmonise with the circumstances in which they are worn. For morning wear there are some very charming fine white embroideries used for fascinating yet simple shirt blouses, while black and white batiste trimmed with coarse ecru lace is considered very chic. Some of the -blonses which are popular incline towards the bolero shape, aud are trimmed w¡-h lace or fringe and have a wide cape-like collar, and a deep folded silk waist-band. The great feature of some of the newest blouses is the great fulness of the sleeves below the elbow, where they are decorated with gaugings or cordings. A lovely blouse is depicted, and in this instance several shaped frills take the place of the fulness below the elbow, the under sleeve consisting oj a tight gauntlet of lace which covers the wrist. The front of the bodice is box-pleated, alternated with bands of lace insertion, while a silk cravat is interlaced down the centre. The effect is very stylish. It is easy, on regarding these elaborate blouses, to understand the reason ofthegreat popularity of the cape-like coatees which are now and will continue to be worn on into the summer. A lighter style would not allow for the disposal of the full sleeves, and therefore those who prefer the plain sleeve peculiar to the real tailor-made coat will have to content them- selves with a simpler style of, blouse which has a less exaggerated style of sleeve. COQUETTE.

In Answer.—" What would you do if you could play the piano as well as I can?" asked fthe young lady of the housemaid. 11 Sulei an, Oi wouldn't get discouraged at all, at all. Oi'd kape on larnin' till Oi could play it dacently," was the reply. How He Knew. -Lan dlorrl I've called to collect the rent.—Little Boy Please, sir, mother's out, and forgot to leave it.—Landlord How do you know she forgot ?—Little Hoy: r Because she said so.

SCIENCE AND HEALTH 4. By Dr. ANDREW WILSON, F.R.S.E., So. The Strawberry as Medicine. When the famous Dr. Boteler remarked of the strawberry that doubtless God could have created a better berry bnt certainly He never did," he sang the praises of a fruit wbich very few people do not enjoy. There have been cases known in wbich strawberries have disagreed with certain persons producing, for some unknown reason, skin irritation and other symptoms, but as a rule the strawberry is found to be not only a pleasant fruit, but one to which it so happens medicinal properties may be attributed. It has long been the custom of medical men to prescribe strawberries in cases of anaemia and in other conditions in which the quality of the blood being deficient, it is advisable to give iron. Strawberries are known to contain a certain proportion of iron, hence their administration may be said to be justified in anaemia. Besides, there is no doubt this fruit contains.certain other minerals which are valuable as anti-scorbutics, that is MS preventives of scurvy. This latter trouble is believed to be largely due to the absence from the diet of the salts of potash, and possibly in the case of the strawberry, as in that of lime juice, there are carbonates of potash formed in the blood after their administration, thus preventing the disease, or curing it when present. In the same way, in Irish families, when thepeopU werestarvir.. I no scurvy appeared. because the potatoes on which they live contain potash. A Fresh Discovery. Lately it was announced (and very appro- priately when the strawberry season is coming in) that salicylic acid has been discoiered among its constituents. This acid has, of course, been found in other plants, such as grapes and apples, but the quantity is very small, not much more than the sixtiein of a main ltf two pounds of fruit. The saiftllneas of the quantity might be regarded as putting any medicinal effects out of question in relation to the eating of the fruit, but I must remark that one point to be con- sidered here is that we get effects produced in the body by nature's own combinations such as we may fail to get direct from the druggist's shop. Thus potash administered in scurvy, as such as a drug, has little or no effect, but given as it exists in plants (green vegetables, potatoes, and the like), it cutes the ailment. It is the old story that however- nearly we think we can imitate living nature in the laboratory, there is apt to be a something wanting, a very little something it may be, but still an item which may make all the difference in the world to the effect produced on our hands. Salacin is the active principle obtained from the bark uf the willow. Aa a tonic and preventive, or rather remedy from rheumatism, either given as salicin itself or in the form of compounds of salicin with soda, etc., its virtues were first described by the late Dr. T. J. Maclagan. of Dundee, and K latterly of London, a most distinguished physician. In the modern treat- ment of rheumatism salicylates are being used widely, and hence it is argued the strawberry might, with possible advantage, be taken by people subject to rheumatic attacks. Strawberries and Sprue, The Lancet recently contained a paper in which beneficial effects were recorded as occurring in a case of sprue after the administration of strawberries. This last is a formidable enough ailment, and in its way the improvement witnessed and recorded must be regarded as remarkable enough. It is perfectly probable that there is a very wide field in respect of the dietetic and medicinal value of fruits still to be cultivated, and with Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet," all we koow. to-day concerning the value of fruit in many cases confirm the view that mickle is the wondrous grace that lies concealed in herbs and their true properties." Readers who may wish for more detailed informa- tion concerning tbe folk-lore of herbs and fruits will find Dr. Fernie's Herbal Simples an excellent volume. He has also wricten a com- panion book on similar lines. Messrs Wright, of Bristol, I fancy, are the publishers. The Toilet and Health. Last week Bijead an account of an inquest!held near NewcastJe-on-Tyne on the body of a girl, aged 18 years, who had died suddenly after pre- senting symptoms which, evidently to the mind of the attending doctor, rendered a post mortem examination and inquiry necessary. The result of the examination was to show that death was caused by perforation of the stomach and con- sequent fatal inflammation. The doctor averred that in thiA case the irritation of the stomacl1 had been brought about by the Uabit of the patient of eating raw rice, andhedesirel to make widely known the harmful and dangerous nature of the habit which he said was common in the district, and was practised under the idea that eating the rice, oatmeal, and like substances. tended to produce a pale complexion. I am glad to aid, in a small way, the doctor's aspiration that this dangerous habit should be condemned. The irritating nature of raw rice, oatmeal, and other cereals, is well-known. It is cooking which robs these foods of their coarser quality, and renders their digestion easy. But the subject has a deeper moral than that relating to the harm caused by such a habit. One would have thought that in a country district, meretricious ideas about paleness being regarded as a criterion of female beauty would have been non-existent yet here we find developed a desire apparently to cultivate astate which might suit the anaemia ideas of a certain school of painters, but which seems incompatible with the usually healthy tone of things prevailing in the provinces. Modern Make-Up." When I glance over the Replies to Corres- pondents" columns of some of the journals which appeal to the fair sex especially, I read therein the marvellous directions given regarding the repair of the skin, and the rejuvenation of the hair, the improvement of the complexion, the alteration of the shape of nose, the modification of the ears. the production of dimples, and so forth, I am lost in wonder that women can trifle with such frivolities, in the bope of altering their natural constitution that they may become what (save the mark) they regard as "beautiful." The advertisements of dyes, washes, lotions. pomades, creams, and other toilet accessories (sent free by post and "secure from observation") is appalling. I can only think that a certain section of women represeut a large moiety of the population dubbed by Carlyle as t. mostly fools," for to hope to stay the work if Time's hand in wrinkling our faces or whitening our locks is surely a piece of folly which is equalled only by its uselessness and ultimate failure. We have lost the art of growing old gracefully," and the modem dealer in cosmetics makes bis or her money out of a craze which is both disgusting and often dangerous. Possible Dangers. I am running no tilt here against neatness in dress or appearance. I have nothing to say against the beautiful as represented in the healthy woman, but tbe painted, be-powdered made-up female is a. person to be despised, and the regret- table thing is to find the fashion of attempting to interfere with nature and health extending to the masses. That there is danger from such practices to be apprehended from other directions than those relating to the eating of raw rice and other cereals, a medical journal has clearly demonstrated. It is pointed out that a prescription for "en- larged pores was recommended in a. weekly paper read by womeh, this formula containing nitrate of mercury. Now this last is represented in the chemist's shop as a conosive liquid.which, if applied to the akin.won.)d burn it. The chemist would refuse to dispense such a drug to the order of anyone not a physician, and, it is added, that probably it was an ointment of the nitrate or niercory which was meant, but it is clear this should have been specified duly in the direction given by way of avoiding possible mishap which would result in destruction of tbe skin. The Better Protection of Food. Over and over again it has been pointed out that a source of danger to the public exists in the often careless way in wbich food is carried through tbe streets and delivered at houses. The exposure of meat especially to dust when it is carried in uncovered baskets is only one risk which is represented here. One habitually sees carelessness on the part of errand boys,who leave food unattended a3n exposed while they are delivering their goods. No doubt can be enter- tained that the tainting of food may frequently be brought about in this way, and we all know that tainting represents one of the most insidious methods in which disease may be conveyed to us. I have seen in cities also carcases of animals carried on carts from the abattoirs to the shops, very imperfectly protected by cloths "and occas- ionally the cloths themselves are seen to bo the reverse of cleanly. A little care on the part of merchants would obviate probable sources of trouble, which are all the more dangerous be- cause they are unsuspected. A Humourist on Marriage. Marriage, if not carried to excess, is a wise pro- vision and sacred obligation. Marry your oppo- site as far as possible, especially as regards sex. You will never regret it. If possible, marry above your station. Both of you should do this it is sure to advance your race. Do not marry a foreigner unless highly recommended by those in whom you have perfect confidence, or unless you want to very much indeed. Do not encourage long engagements it is better to get weary of each other at your leisure after marriage than to do it beforehand. Courtship, however, is a most delightful industry, and should not be rashly broken in uponbv marriage. Some people seem to be admirably fitted for suitors, but fail in other occupations. This is very unfortunate indeed. No suitor can be sure of a permanent situation tbe supply greatly exceeds the demand.

Added.—" Does your husband suffer much from bis neuralgia?" Yes but not half as nraeh as the rest of us do."

Illustrated Humour. May Did you tell the reporter your engage- nent was a secret ? Ethel Yes and the horrid thing never put t in the paper at all. Suburban Resident I tell you what it is, b ere are too many humbugs in this place. His Nextdooc Neighbour Yes, there are. Do rou think of leaving ? Lady (engaging servant) We are all total ibstaiaers, but I suppose you don't mind that? Servant: Oh, no, mum; I've been in a re- ormed drunkard's family before. Too Genuine"for the Lawyer. j Solicitor You want to be made bankrupt, do you? Very well, I'll put it through for you. Just give meachequefor zC20, on account of preli. minary expenses. Client B-but I haven't got any money at all. Solicitor Then why the dickens do you come to me ? Hang it all, man, you are bankrupt! Minister (to old lady who has undergone an operation for cataract) Are you not very thank- ful to have your eyesight restored ? What? not to see tbe sunshine and the bine sky again ?" No. sir." Whatever can be the reason ? Well, you see, sir, my man bag grown so ugly I" Cook's Only Need. I Mary Jane (reading): The new patent Venus gixtare brings out those perfect curves which ire a woman's charm. It fills up all hollow >laces. and adds a grace and beauty to the neck ,vhich Cook (interrupting) That sounds all right, Vlary. I shall ave a bottle. Among the gifts to a newly-married pair was a leuse-broom, sent to the lady, accompanied vith the following sentiment :— This trifling gift accept from me; Its use I would commend- In sunshine use the brushy part, In storm-i the other end." But Mommy Waded. I Mummy Oh, Dolly, how are we going to step ill that way ? Dolly Let's wait till &ome gentleman copies by, mummy, and ask him to carrs us. He Meant The Smacks. t itoatman Them two is always together, sir. The fust 'un's the fastest little thing oyer seed in these parts. Wait till you see her a-hugging the- Horrified Old Gent Eb, what ? How dare you, you scoundrel Those two ladies are my daughters I Boatman Darters be blowed I were a- talking of them smacks

Songs for the People. 0 Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, in a letter te the Uarqnis ot Montrose, wrote I know a very-wise Man that believed that it a man were permlttei to make all-the ballads he need not care wko should make the laws of the natien."

TWILIGHT. The angel of the twilight,- If we could see her face- Is one of wondrous beauty, Of gentleness and grace. She pillows all the weary Upon her garment's folds, And they who sigh of sorrow Within her arms she holds, The angel of the twilight Sings rarest lullabies- She croons of coming blessings, Contentment and heart's ease. The babe, the man, the woman, Hear her low voice the while, And sink to softest slumber, Led by her song and smile. The angel of the twilight, Clad all in dnsky gray— She brings tbe gentle darkness That hides the cares of day She bringsus balm and balsam From out the starry west. With crooning, softly, slowly, She murmurs, "1 bril1 rest".

A PATCH OF GLORY, Golden goise across a common brown Just as far as eye can travel It is the birthmark of the Spring Rising on thfe death of Winter. The sky is gleaming brightly bine Above the earth so gently stirring; To welcome in the glorious Springtide Which tells of Winter passing. Church bells are ringing in the distance. For 'tis the holy Sabbath day; But the Spring breath chains one in the open Now that Winter's growing old. The great good God is everywhere, Smiling on all the plants that flower; Hi« voice it is which tunes the DOTingtiae 8 song And lulle the Winter into rest. v Let us gather the gorse, then, when we may, In its dazzling yellow beauty, For 'tis but a heavenly golden symbol To tell U8 Spring has come. ftf™ George Augustus Sala.

Welsh Tit-Bits. Neu Wreichion Oddiar yr Eingion, BY CADRAWD. Abergwili. We all deplore the almost complete deatrDN tion by fire of the historic Palace at Abergwili lately. It is not very clear from the annals of this ancient bishopric when the diocesan first resided at this secluded little village on the banks of the Towy. The St. David's diocese at one time was very rich in episcopal palaces, the richest perhaps in the kingdom, having no IfiBs than seven palaces or castles, viz., the sump- tuous palace at St. David's, built by Bishop Gower, who was presented to the see in 1328, The ruins of the palace to.dayare among the greatest attractions to visitors of the ancient city of St. David's. The otberpalaces were at Tref- dyn, about six miles distant from tbe cathedral; Llanfydd, now corrapted into Lamphey and Llawhaden, in Pembrokeshire Llandywydd, in Cardiganshire; Llanddewi, in Brecknockshire; and Abergwili, in Carmarthenshire all of which to-day are in ruins. We read that a collegiate was established at Abergwili as early as 1287. by Bishop Beck, for 24 prebendaries, four priests, fotyr choristers, and two clerks and an increase to these was made by Bishop Gower. Thisestab. lishment flourished until it was removed by Henry VIII., when Bishop Rawlins, represent- ing the inhabitants of Brecon of that time (1531) s a parcel of "HJiterate and beggarly savages, ignorant alike of their God and man," the cor. poration was removed from Abergwili to Brecon, in orde that the prebends, priests, &c., might improve the morals and manners of the descen- dants of Brychan. Between this and the Civil Wars, the episcopal palace at Abergwili was not habitable, bat about the beginning of the eighteenth century Bishop D'tley lived there, although the palace was not thoroughly repaired, nor the gxpunds laid oat in decent order for a century later, when tbe amiable Lord George Marray, at a very great expense, made the palace and surroundings elegant and most comfortable. We learn in Archbishop Land's Diary that when he was Bishop of St. David's he frequently spent his time at Abermorlais, in the parish of Llanwrda, abont four miles south of Llandovery This was a very ancient place in Carmarthen- shire, for Sir Rhys ab Thomas, E.G., and bis progenitors resided there. It was also a place where we find bishops held ordinations, and Bishop Laud mentions an accident which befel him on one occasion while he was being driven thither from Abergwili. Bishop Bull usually resided at Brecon after he became Bishop of St. David's, and in his time it was a very poor town. The Bishop supplied a.bout sixty necessitous people, truly indigent, with meat and with money every Lord's Day at dinner time he allowed vary liberally to widows and to orphans, aud sent largely to relieve the distress of necessitous prisoners; and sad were the cries and lamentations of these destitute wretches when Bishop Bull was forced to leave Brecon town for a freer air at Abermor- lais, which was a little more than half a. year before his death. He died at l^recon on the 11th February, 1709-10. It was at Abermorlais that the eminent Griffith Jones, of Llanddowror, was ordained by Bishop Bull, in 1708. From Bishop Bull, who was consecrated in 1705. until the time of Dr. Burgess, over sixteen bishop3 were appointed to the see, and resided mostly at Abergwili. where duri ng those years they Jivad within a mile and a half of the most popu- loul town in Wales, viz.. Carmarthen. We are told also that Brecon, in the year 1800, was the richest town in all Wales. The name of the river Gwili signifies a river of devious course; Âbewm-tbe influx of tbe Gwili into the Towy. The Bishop's Ponck, from which the water waa got to extinguish the late flames, is sometime*, called the Old River. It marks the course ot the Towy at tho close of the last century, when the diversion of the river from its old channel at the spot took place on the occasion of a bile flood on the night of Llan-y-Byther fair, July 17th, 1802, and when Bishop Murray lived at the .Palace. During the great Carmarthen Eisteddfod held in the year 1819, Iolo Morganwg stayed at Abergwili, as the guest of Bflhop Burgess, wheie he was kindly entertained dnrintbe eisteddfod week "by the learned Bishop, who gave him free access to his library by day and night; and Mr Elijah Waring, in his recollections of the old bard. says that he had heard a tale Of Iolo having terrified some of the Bishop's servants, who were disturbed by a noise after the family had yeti red. and on peeping over the staircase, saw the baw pacing to and fro in the hall, wjth a nightcap on his head, a book in one hand and a candle it the other. This vision in the depth of the night was even more appalling than the noise of hif, footsteps. But the butler, recognising his mu ter's eccentric guest, sent them back in peace t< their beds. Iolo and the Rev. John Evans, uncle of late Mr Alcwin C Evans, of Carmarthen, wert great friends, Both were Unitarians. When Iolo paid his invitation visit to the Bishop, wb, had sent him a message by Archdeacon Beynoo to that purpose, the Bishop, Lord Dynefor, and others ha.d formed a. society about this time at Carmarthen for the promotion of Welsh litem. ture, and old Iolo was asked to aid. The old bard went with a load of books and manuscript? to the Palace, and the Bishop and he sat nfc night after night till the early hours of tb morning, long after all others had gone to bed. On Saturday be went to Carmarthen, M the guest of the Rey. J. Evans, and attended hi* ministrations on the Sunday morning and even- ing, when, we are told, he was powerfully affected, and when under the pulpit audibly bestowed his blessing on the minister. This wat done generally inthefermofanenglyn.andinhit collection of Psalms and Hymns which he wrotet "Salmau yr Eglwys yn yr Anialweh," there arc some scores of englynion at the end of hyamg which be thought- would be most suitable tc repeat before tbe congregation was dismissed. The following is a specimen of them :— Gair gwerthfawr Ion mawr in mysg-a Gwir gysur o'i addysg; fgawsoxn Ag a.mod hedd digymysg. Genau Duw yn gweini dysg. Obsolete Glamorganshire Words. Cyflwyna.—The old custom of going to see i. woman after child-bed. Some very rare tale are still extant in some parts of the coontr*. abont what occurreclllt these gatherings in gone by. Conach—granting. Pwy gonach wyt ti.' This word seems to be a proper Irish name- Connacht, the western province of Ireland. 14 is very strange how the word has come to b* used in this sense by us. Careg-maen-nadd.—The Bridgend free-stone The Normans never ased the Bridgend stone for dresssing, but the Sutton stone, which js SlBeii. in the ruins of the old castles and the older, churches. The Bridgend stone came to be very freely used in the building of our churches at t later period. Why the Sntton stcne is not generally used at present instead of the Ba.th it a mystery to me, as it seems to be so much morf ,£ durable. Clem, cewc.—These are words used very oftec when a person is making ugly faces about som» thing. Canu Maswedd.—Said of every kind of singing other than psalms and hymns. It also tnetnr any vain or lewd discourse. Canddo, for cadno. Canddo o ddiwarnod," a fox of a day. Calan Fara.—The cakes formerly given tf, poor people and to the children who wenf a-begging on New Year's Day, The childref sang the following rhyme :— „ Rhan, rhan, mae "nghwd yn wan, Seigen fenyn a thorth gan Rhan ifi, a rhan i'r ffon, Am gyfarch gwell y flwyddyn hon.

An Extreme Case.—" I have heard a good-dea^ about people who borrow trouble, but I think m* wife will want a lot of beating in that line. "Why, I thought she was always cheerfal contented with her lot." "She was until our babJ was born six weeks ago. Now she is worrying because he may marry some girl that w» tr.bal: not like. Ambiguous.—The story is told of a Scotsman, one of several brothers, whose father, a wealth* man, had died. There was was much quarrelling about the property. A friend condoled with hicp on the bereavement. Well," said he, 0fU father's death might have been a real pleaMS^ to vu; instead of ttutt, it ooly •inlawr*"