The Cardiff Times

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f WORKMEN'S TOPICS. i BY MABON, M.P, BOARD OF TRADE RETURNS. withstanding that we are threatened by '0 ^Dire disen tegration, and that our trade ia to fall Dieces if we do not agree forthwith to accept trJ. Mr Chamberlain a new fiscal policy of some j 1'for it is shining in character almost ei-ery i as the fight goes on—it is delightful reading ^find that our trade takes no heed'of the threats °f the fight, but goes on in the usual quiet J^Ger, increasing from year to year and from to month. The trade and navigation v*11'03 for October show on the whole a fair j^ease both in the matter of imports as as exports. The only thing that invalidates comparison, and that only to a NU extent, is the fact that in the correspond- b- rlQOnth last year one day was observed as a Ilk Holiday in London in consequence of the "^nation processions. I k sports for the past nine months show Jkin of £ 904,000, or 1°9 percent. Among ic-les of food, increased arrivals of wheat aRussia.. Argentine and India have offset by a large reduction from the «t.d States and Canada, and the total gain is to £ 20 000. But flour from Canada and "United States shows an increase of X277,000, a Indian corn from Argentine and North Id an increase of £ 266,000. Large increases kk Other food stuffs have been made during the lite time. ,Ilhe receipts of cattle, chiefly from Canada, ce larger by £ 147,000, and cheese, also froou the place, by £ 225,000. Other large move- hV1'8 comprise increase of £ 180.000 in apples, of ^,000 in potatoes, and of £ 75,000 in lard. tj1"1the arrivals of bacon and ham were less by ^08 ooo and £ 157,000 respectively, the redactions mainly in American shipments. For the Put ten months, patting all commodities .Esther, onr imports have increased by >190,000. or 1*4 per cent. Kj *Ports during October show an increase also it ^26,000 or 2-9 per cent. The chief gains here, tit Is very satisfactory to note, were under head of manufactured articles. Shipments tj5°al, as I shall deal with later on, fell by „ '000 ton?, and in value by £ 338,000. The sale «*>iPs also fell off by £ 299,000, and a reduction i1&85.000 is shown in telegraph cables. But v are shown under nearly all other beads largest gain. £ 464,000, being in machinery, classes figuring in the improvement. There an increase of £ 227,000 m mannfac- iron—the trade that Mr Chamberlain ,t1(l >s lost to us, but without notif ying that has taken the place of iron to sucb an ti°rrn°D8 extent. Cotton exports were exeep- j^^lly stationary, but this is accounted for by Cartage of raw cotton for manufacturing t eposes. which explains at once what would rne of this and kindred trades in this country .^Hything were placed to prevent the free Ports of such material as is necessary to enable uj1 country to continue to export at all. Stop importations and yon will stop the means of relying other countries with your exports, in the very nature of things throw tboasandi taople out of employment in this country. with all her faults has been oar purchaser of yarn and other minor ^'ties of manufacture. The gain In exports 'he past ten months has been £ 8.604,000, or *>er cent. For the same period toe re exports t'oreign and Colonial goods has been larger by jj'924,000, or 7-1 per cent. The net imports 6f kjl and silver for the paBt ten months have 11 S-2,924,000, as agaidst iE5,413,000 for the same ad last year. Coal Output in 1902. It¡ be general report of Sir C. le Neve Foster *902 on the mines and quarries of the United states that the value oF the minerals ^°^0ced at the mines and qaarriea of the I Kingdom in 1902 was £ 107,134,854, a ^ease of £ 8,000,000 compared with the pre- year, o^ing to the redaced price for coal. 'otal output of coal last year was ihe on record—227,095,042 tons, and it tb eedB that of 1899 by 1,913,742 tons that Wts hext lprSe3' 10 >*• Compared with the ont- 1901, there was a rise of 8,048,697 tons. l^'s increase, they say, was mainly due to the number of persons employed; still, the increase of five tons in the yield per under- Qi;:¡nd e/orker, which is a step in the right has something to do with it. We con- ot 166,649,908 ions in the United Kingdom, foar tons per head of the population. 9,137 tons of coal were used in blast fur- e" { -or making pig-iron. he quantity of coal exported, exclusive of Patent fuel, and coal shipped for use of Ekrfier,3 engaged in foreign trade, was 43,159,046 Ith rtil increase of 1.281,965 tons compared a the preceding year, a decrease of 930,151 *8 compared with 1900, which is the highest ^tCi fixport- we a<^ the <lnanti,;ie8 Patent !I\ coke and coal shipped for use of steamers ^a^ed in foreign trade, the total 4k "Int of coal which Jeft our shores >» j 60,400,134 tons, or about as much t entire output of the United Kingdom half ^Ury ago. Our principal customers were wh'ch took 7 600,111 tons, Italy 5,99*,910 and Germany 5,835,644 tons. So far, 'n 'he first eight months of this year, l^^sed our shipments by some 233,000 tons,and e 'n Pr'ce was palpable also. Still is quite enough time left of the year to littl t: good what has been lost in quantity and a if the increased prices of the Honth can only be maintained those also will 6r aomewhat, though we can scarcely hope 8 them back in the position of last year. ^t^6' t'ie Pre<,ent prices canbs maintained, W ey promise to, employers will be able to W" the relationship between the equivalent Price and the minimum in wages more to ''king. All the moves for a redaction in tes of wages under the new board are "Don that desire more than on a just and based only upon the ruling prices. 'he present moment they will be able to I am thinking, that the volume of trade 6 1 *s prices have appreciably decreased, and Sip,^at alone the probability is that extra I will be given to Lord Peel's inclination e them something had he the power. I t The Ways of Conciliators I,e oal trade are past finding out," says a temporary in ono of its latest efforts to 'ce in the public mind the value of the 0,18 on conciliation held by the the work- ? on the South Wales Coal ti, e'liati,, Board. The men's leaders proved Saturday la3t they knew how to appre- value of conciliation in offering it at real chance that was afforded them, tho tello&on of the continued efforts to blacken lIIt bata.cter of these men is indeed iiiffi. 1,0 understand, and probably it is too S *et for as to pretend to know the real | s- But the writer may rest assured that like murder "—for at best they are —w''l ont- singularly admits in ay's article that the fact that conciliation St showed a good feeling on the m'n s representatives, and that they S, offer jn the proper spirit of concilia- If that so, why is it surprising that °^cr was not made when both sides con- th leo wa?e qneatioa in a friendly spirit at 1 eat of the coalowners ? Did not both sides N Saturday in a friendly spirit ? WAS j^itf made, by the workmen's side, as j ln article, made in the proper I\ti Of Cnciliat¡on ? Was not last Saturday's I.rl\ tbe constitational meeting of the board 'tf, tS:ich au °ffer ahould be made? Was it 0 l»te to effect a compromise ? If so, why ji '^ere be any donbt at all whether the were wise or notip declining the com- h4* °ff«red by the men if the conpromise it at the proper place and time ? ^at from tbe standpoint of the writer, t I whatever the men's representatives may do or propose to do-if any hitch at all takes place- the public is to understand, as a matter of course, that the workmen's representatives are the parties to be blamed ? There are two more questions that I want to put to the public without explaining the reason why. If the writer of the article knows anything aboat the case he will understand why it is not necessary to explain the matter further. (1) Would any body of representative men be justi- fied in offering a compromise when the party making a demand withhold from them the main facts upon which the demand IS made, the amount ot which aLtbe time of making they were not able to name ? (2) WouH they be justified in sayinsr that tney are prepared to make con- cession before the parties asking for such con- descend to make out a case at all for it? How long would such a body be considered worthy of holding their representative positions? I am, of course, fully conscious of the fact that as representatives of the workmen we, more thau any other mortals, are not perfect beings. But according to our lights and consciences we are endeavouring honestly to serve our King and gen- eration, because we understand the important bearing our work has on hundreds of thousands of people outside those that we directly represent, We are also beginning to compre- hend to what this game of misrepresentation may ultimately lead. We crave simply for fair play, and not to be continually misrepre- sented to an already too much prejudiced public mind.

THE HOUSEHOLD. I aaw a. very useful little novelty the other day VA & friend's. It was-a tidy in the shape of a scoop, and had a pincushion handle. It had, like many of the most effeotive knick-knacks, entailed a minimum of labour and patience, and I think you might devote an hour to many a less satisfactory purpose than making it. The scoop itself is made from buckram, and measures, when flat, six and a half inches from A to A and six inches from B to-D. It mu-t be cut out so that one of the ends marked A is rounded. and the other straight. The latter end is one that adjoins the pincushion handle, the other end, of course, being rounded in imitation of a scoop. Now, you want about one and a half yards of brocade silk, with which to cover both sides of the buckram. The handle is the next thing, and its foundation is of wire. A piece of moderate thickness and about ten inches length should be got Bend it in half, in the form of a long oval, making the ends overlap a little and twining them round so that the points are inwards. Now cover the wire thickly with cotton wool, so that it resembles a cigar in shape, and hold the wadding in place by stitching a piece of brocade over it. New bend the flat end of the scoop round one of the ends of the handle, and stitch it into place, as shown in the sketch. One and a half yards of ribbon distributed as the illustra- tion shows, taking care to cover up the joinings of the handle and scoop by means of a pretty bow, and the thing is cl.one. It is a pretty novelty A Hair Tidy and Pincushion Combined. that forms a pleasing addition to one s dressing- table, and we all have felt the want at times of a receptacle for loose hair and other light odds and ends. Veils become shabby often as much from the carelessness of their storage as from wear. It will well repay any of my readers who don veils to make the pretty case for their reception which I am illustrating to-day. I have, how- ever, no hesitation in saying at the outset that many a case to answer the purpose equally well could ba made with less trouble, but this is a novelty, and is not, after all, one that demands a deal of care or time. The idea is to roll the veils round a pole, for it is generally believed that they taatL much lonaer if kept in this way. as it is not necessary to fold them, making ridges which may be unsightly, and at which the gauze has a tendency to break. The pole is covered with a cretonne case, and the whole kept together when in use by ribbons. To acconmodate a number of veils it must, of course, be a rather long article. I will give measurements for one about two feet long and, of coarse, you can modify them to yonr own re- quireumeta. First, yon -want a round rod of 23 inches length. A broom handle will do, but if you can get a pole a little thinner it is better. This pole most be covered with a strip of white mnslin or cotton, by winding the material round from top to bottom and fastening it with a few stitches at each end. Now you want four screw rings with an opening about half an inch in diameter. These screw rings can be had from any ironmonger for a. penny or so. Put one of A Case for Veils. these into each end of the pole, by which to hang the whole thing up, and one through the muslin into the side of the pole at about one and a half inches from each end. These latter two must be pat so that they ace opposite each other when looking down the pole. The one and a half inches at each end are to project, and may be covered with velvet. The case is made from three pieces of si nilarly shaped cretonne. The shape is an oval, 21 inches long, five and a half inches wide at the widest part, and two and a half inches at each end. The three may be cut out at once. When stitched together the two outside edgen will be required to be hemmed. In making the hem, at each- end and in the middle, on one side, as shown in the sketch, run in a ribbon. The rod is passed inside, and the two enchribbons are passed through the rings of the screws. A veil having. been wrapped round the pole,the cover is fastened by drawing the ribbons tight and tving them in bows. Now is the time to describe a quaint little calendar holder that has just come under rpy notice. It is made from a Dutch doll, a piec4 of velvet, five inches by four, a bit of satin or silk to cover the little lady, about half a yard of narrow ribbon, and a couple of pieces of card- board, four by three inches. It is best to get your calendar first, and buy a doll to fit it, though,of course, an inch or two in any direction is immaterial. Get as pretty a calendar as you can, and buy materials that go well with its lithographic embellishments. Cover oi:6 of the pieces of card with velvet, and, having first dressed the doll,stitch it to the card after driving a bole through each foot. Cover the other card, and stitch the two together at the edges to form a firm, velvet-covered foundation. A finished appearance to the stand Is imparted by stitching roand the edges a fine silk cord or tinsel. The calendar is best gummed to the Soil. A Novei Cultural Holder. To those who want a good jam puff that is essentially inexpensive this recipe will be wel- come. Make a. ood light dripping paste and roll out to the thickness of half an inch. Sprinkle it well over with sugar, then cover with apple, peeled and quartered, drop from a spoon any jam yon may have at hand, then close the paste, pressing the edges together firmly. Bake in a good oven. These may be made to any size eqaired. ETHBh.

MUSIC IN WALES. BY D. EMLYN EVANS. EISTEDDFOD." It is to be regretted that the name of Eistedd- fod—with or without the adjectival prefix grand," but generally the former—should be applied so often to all sorts of insignificant com- petitions held amongst us. If it be only a musi- cal contest, or a small competitive meeting, why not can it so ? No one is really taken in by the more grandiose terms, nor do they add in any way to the success of such meetings and ex- aggeration is of no benefit to either the national or the indhidual character. Someyeais ago this foolish custom had become so prevalent in the Metropolis that it drew a protest from those London Welshmen who care for their country's prestige, and since then the evil has not been so prominent there. A similar protest is needed throughout Wales although exception should be made in favonr of at least our quarrymen Bisteddfodists, who in this as in Eisteddfodic mters generally adhere to correct methods as a rule. The line is easily drawn, and is percep- tible enough to those who desire its recognition. To call a meeting at which a few pounds—plus a silver meial -costing a small number of shillings —and a bardic chair purchased at an uphol- sterer's establishment an Eisteddfod of any sort is surely not a correct use of the term. Our bardic friends are also often too lax in this business of chairing." A distinct rule was laid down, we believe, by the Gorsedd authority seme years ago that the ceremony was not to be performed, except at the national meetings, and those provincial gatherings which may be termed quasi-national nevertheless, Gorseddic bards still assist at the ceremony continually when no such conditions, nor anything approaching them, obtain. As a musician we welcome these diver- sions, as they release the poor over-forked musi- cal adjudicator for a time bnt as an Eistedd- fodist we can but deprecate them. Some of us may look upon the whole business but as a farce at best but it becomes a farce indeed if shorn of the proper and complete accessories. ,I A Mixed Programme. Many a time has it been laid to our charge in Wales that we permit our places of worship—our chapels—to be used for other than sacred pur- poses and many a protest has emanated from ministers and others against the holding of Eisteddfodau and concerts at sach places. In this they have our full sympathy, although any- one acquainted with rural Wales is bound to re- cognise the force of the argument that these are often the only large public buildings available. The question therefore resolves itself into a choice of evils, and of selecting the least. But all will agree that in cases where meetings, more or less secular, are held in chapels strict limits should be laid down and observed both as to the character of the programme and the conduct of those present. And here, we fear, there is yet much room for improvement. In many ca.ses our concert programmes are a great deal too mixed, looked upon from the standpoint of art only and when this mixture is piesented in a. building consecrated to puhlic worship, it becomas more objectionable still. Perhaps we have not yet perpetrated anything quite so striking as some of our compatriots in America succeeded in doing this year in this direction, and it is to be hoped tbe day is long distant when we shall bold a Gymanfa Ganu at which tunes and anthems are rendered at the morning and afternoon meetings, followed by an evening performance when sacred anthems and hymn tunes are served up, with such spicy interlardings as Hello Central, give me Heaven," "Tobacco Son," Whip Poor Will," "'Tis I that nurse the baby," etc. The down-grade path, however, is a slippery one, and efforts are already made amongst us to divert the Gymanfa Ganu from the one specific object for which it was instituted—the cultivation and im- provement of worship music pure and simple. Public halls are now increasing even in our vil- lages large and commodious vestries are also multiplying in connection with oar ohapels so that the necessity for holding any but religious services in the chapels themselves decreases accordingly. But whatever the building may be, a programme consisting of sacred and secular music of the funny class is atthing that should not be tolerated, especially amongst a people who claim to be both religious and muei." ual. R.C.M. Open Scholarships. As has already been made known in the columns of the daily issue of this journal, im- portant open scholarships are again offered this year by the Boyal College of Music, and in con- nection with which preliminary examinations will be held at various local centres on January 27th next. These scholarships number thirteen in composition, pianoforte, organ, and violon- cello playing, one each in violin playing, two in singing, three; whilst four embrace flute, clarionet, bassoon, horn, and harp playing. The scholarships entitle the winners to free musical education at the R.C.M., are as a rule tenable for three years, grants towards maintenance being also added in some cases. We hope to see next year the names of someof our Welsh musical students, male and female, figuring amongst the snccessful contestants once more. Brass Band Prize Dispute. Oythraul y Canu is a pretty familiar term in Wales, and our choIalists are freely credited -rightly or wrongly—with being a good deal under his dominion at times. Be that as it may, the Cythraul of litigation has not disturbed them much; "another injustice" may be an oft-heard cry, but it generally ends there, and wisely as we think, and, as we believe, the ex. perience of their fellows of the brass band sec- tion, who have been more given to appealing to the law, will show. The latest example occurs in connection with a fete held at Ellesmere, where the Brymbo band was disqualified from receiving the prize on account of its having broken a. rule by including a professional musician amongst its players, the prize being subsequently given to another. As the main fact was apparently not disputed, it seems rather ill-advised to have proceeded to law and the judge ruled that the committee having come to a decision in accord- ance with the printed conditions he could not interfere. Various county court actions have been taken by brass bands during late years, but the result has invariably been that the judges cannot go behind a committee guided strictly by its announced rules and conditions, nor behind an adjudicator's award—as to tbe merits of the performance. In the above case the best band did not receive the prize, simply because it had disqualified itself, and in a matter with which the adjudicator had nothing to do. That com- petitors should deliberately endeavour to evade well-nnderstood or definitely announced rnles- such as brass bands playing professional men, or choirs exceeding the maximum number—seems to be exceedingly foolish, patting it on no higher plane. liike any other dodging, it mast carry with it a certain amount of uncomfortable feeling which can hardly be conducive to good performance. It is a hazardous undertaking the advantage if gained cannot be very great, whilst 'the risk of being" found out is con- siderable, the results in sucb eventnality being. of course, disastrous to the transgressors. Rhyl Eisteddfod and Harp Playing. It is announced that the donor of a prize of JE5 for playing a selection of Welsh airs on the triple harp now desires to make tbe competition open to all competitors—not limited to those who bad not woo a prize at the National Eistedd- fod, as previously announced. This is as it should be. That national prize winners shoald be debarred from competing at local Eistedd- fojau is all well and proper but the converse does not hold good, for if the best competing talent of the nation should be heard anywhere, manifestly it should be on the National Eistedd- fod platform.

At a dance in Dublin a yoang, briefless bar- rister met a lady of exalted position, with whom he was so much smitten that before the week was out he called upon her father to ask for her hand. The old man began the proceedings by asking wbot prosDeetsthe had, to which the barrister replied Well, none at present bat when my uncle dies——" "Ah, when your uncle dies," replied the father, as he rang tbe bell. Here, John. show this gentleman oat till his uncle dies." We have called," explained the chairman of the committee, to ask you to make an im- promptu speech at the meeting to-night." •• I cannot," replied the great man. I can de- liver an address, but if yon want me to make an impromptu speech you should give me two wwkii noticel" v

Illustrated Humour. -0 "See here, young man," said the mini 3ter, you never paid me that fee for marrying ou." You're mighty lucky I haven't sued you for damages." The Exasperated One I'm afraid, air. this town isn t big enough to hold both of us. The Imperturbable: H'm—why don't yon start a suburb ? When Father Laid the Carpet. Mr Jones Why are you removing the parrot from the room, my dear? Mrs Jones: Well, it's a young bird, just learn- ing to talk, and I thought it best to keep it out of the way while you are laying the carpet. i Reciprocity. Irate Paieut (catching his clerk kissing his daughter) Now, now, young man, I don't pay you for that kind of work. Clerk N-no, sir and I don't propose to charge anything extra forit. I suppose you thought you were fishing when you caagbt me?" growled the man who is always disagreeable. Well, I used to think so," sighed his little wife; but now I know I must have been bear hunting." Wig Would you rather be born lucky or rich ? Wag I'd rather be born rich. Then you don't have to be lucky- "And what do you think of Ðapa 1" asked the beautiful girl. "I try not to think iA- him answered the lover, glancing nervously in the direction of the doog. A Damper. Caller I am placing this work, madam, in a few of the very first families- Householder Well, this happens to be one of the very first families where you are not plac- iog it. The Victim Gracious, man! Are you going to shave ire with that razor ? Barber That will be all right. I rely on my strength, Young Knockeround Wha.t did ther Jew bid 'it yer in the stammick for ? Gatty Sniper: Nuthin. I only sez, What's yer Christian name ?" Stage Manager (to lessee of theatre}: Onr scene shifter wants a holiday. He aftys he ha.ID't been away for three years. u Lessee: Weil, tell himhe cannot hall One. He gets change of scenery enough for anybody, Not Too Dear. I Mrs Homespun (indignantly) Here's an article says that in Formosa a wife costs a sovereign. Mr Homespun (thoughtfully): Well. a good wife is worth it. 1

Songs for the People. I AnArew Fletcher of Saltoun, in a lefctar te the Marquis of Montrose, wrote I know a very wise wan that believed that If a man were permitted to miakeitlithe ballads he need not catc who shoald make the laws f the natieB." THE WHITE FLAG. I sent my love two roses one As white as driven snow, And one 'a. blushing royal red, A flaming Jacqueminot. I meant to touch and test my fate; That night I should divive, The moment I should see my love, If her true heart were mine. For if she holds me dear, I said, Sbe'Jl wear my blushing rose; If not. she'll wear my cold la.marque As white as winter s snows. Mv heart sank when I met her: sure I had been ovef bold For on her breast my pale rose Jay In virgin whiteness cold. Yet with low words she greeted me, With smiles divinely tender Upon her cheek the red rose darned, The white rose mtant surrender. John Hay.

THE SANDMAN. The Sandman comes across the land, At evening when the sun is low; Ifpon his back a bag of sand- His step is soft and slow. I never hear his gentle tread, But when I bend my sleepy head, The Sandman's coming," mother says, And mother tells the truth always! He glides across the sunset hill, To seek each little child like me; Our all-day tired eyes to fill With sands of sleep from slumber's sea. I try my best awake to stay, Bat I am tired out with play; I'll never see him mother says, And mother tells the truth—always! Mario Van Vorst Is Ex. (

SCIENCE AND HEALTH By Dr. ANDREW WILSON,. F.R.S.E., So. A Complaint About the British Association. Dr. Henry O. Forbes, of Liverpool, recently published in Nature one of the most impor- tant letters I can remember to have read re- garding the British Association and its mode of conducting its business. The British Associa- tion was ostensibly founded for the encourage- ment of a public interest in science of all kinds. That this is the chief aim of the association, namely, to bring the public into direct relation ana sympathy with scientific advance, is evident from the fact that the public are asked year by year to become members of this association. The fact that the association practically travels from place to place year by year that it organises excursions, picnics, and other forms of entertain- ment, and that it specially relies upon deriving its audiences not merely from the town in which it is temporarily resident, but also from other towns and centres, are facts which all tend to show that the pretensions of the association go for nothing if they ao not tend to show that it is a body catering, if not exclusively, at least very largely, for the attention of the public. This much being admitted, it may naturally puzzle the average intelligence to understand the manner in which the association's business is conducted. Most of the papers read at the British Associa- tion meetings are of a highly technical charac- ter, ana are such that can only be understood or appreciated by experts. What the ordinary in- aividual, for example, could make out of or ap- preciate in a technical paper devoted to the discussion of the Chromosomes or Centio- somes," bodies connected with the cell and its development. I leave to my readers to judge. Yet a \or; large amount of time was taken up at the recent Southport meeting by the discussion of points connected with cell development, which have previously been thrashed out by learned societies. The absurdity of experts in selecting a popular science meeting ground for the re- newal of their battles will be apparent to the most superficial mind. Little wonder is it that the sections at Soathport which began their day's work with fairly full, and, in come cases, crowded audiences, showed empty benches within a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes after the technical discussion had commenced. If the membership of the British Association declines, it will be on account of this misapplication of the functions of the institution. Primarily meant as I have said, to interest the public in all matters of science, its various sections have really been handed over to the discussion of purely technical papers. That this cannot redound to the creditjof the association, and still less to its utility, goes without saying. Dr. Forbes' Letter. Dr. Forbes' letter directs attention to the evil of which I have been speaking. He remarks that he beard numerous complaints similar to those he had heard at not a few previous meetings of the too technical character of the papers read before the association. In the section dealing with anthropology, geography, and educational science most of the discussions were intelligible to the laymen, He was accustomed to hear the remark from intelligent persons of the charac- ter that the papers were all over their heads. Those complaints," says Dr. Forbes, are being made by well educated men and women interested in science but not versed in its tech- nicalities." His argument that the British Asso- ciation should either become a purely scientific society, or become what it was established for, an association for the advancement of science among the people at which the results of the in- vestigations of the year are presented to the public in language which they can understand, puts the matter in a nutsbell. His contention is that the general public have really some cause for complaint that their subscription has been obtained from them on a misunderstanding, and be offers the alternative that if there is no popularisation of science by the British Asso- ciation, so that intelligent people can listen to, and be instructed by, the papers read, the asso- ciation may quietly assemble at a chosen town in rooms hired or let for the purpose. Popularising Science. This question only raises anew one which is probably as old-as the hills. The people who are least of all desirous to spread science on the popular side are certain classes of scientific ex- perts who, accustomed to deal with recondite problems, have noneec1 to descend to the level of the public intelligence. In many cases they absolutely refuse to descend to this level, and in the ease of ,he. British Association we find an excellent example of such refusal or the want of power to popularise their discoveries and knowledge. Over and over again I have heard opinions expressed that even our Gilchrist lecturers fall short of the duties which the Gil- christ Trust endeavours to discharge in interest- ing the people in the great facts and laws of science. This objection I may, however, add, has generally cpme from persons who, securely seated in endowed professorial chairs, have no concern whatever with the public work of teach- ing science to the masses. In these days, when we hear so much regarding the lack of techni- cal education and the want of a spirit of inquiry amongst the masses leading them to adopt a better system of training for trade, it surely is a suicidal policy in us to neglect any source of action which would tend to impress upon the people the necessity for science by interesting them with the problems which surround their dnily lives. The British Association has had a very admirable chance of acting as an educational body for the people. So far it has missed that chance. If Dr. Forbes' letter succeeds in arousing even a stern opposition on the part of the experts who do not desire to descend to the popular level, and if, what is more to the point, it should succeed in calling for a widespread expression of opinion that the British Associa- tion must be made the arena of popular instruc- tion in science he will accomplish a very useful an*, important public work. Personally, as a Gilchrist lecturer, and one who has practically spent his life in the science of public instruc. tion in science, I tender my best thanks to Dr. Forbes for his timely contribution. Consumption in the Poor. A few weeks ago, in making some reference on the advisability of Mr Carnegie devoting a certain proportion of his wealth to the establish- ment of consumptive sanatoria for the poor, and, what is more to the point, of not only endowing them but also ot providing a fund for the support of the wives and children of pa,tienta during their treatment, I was much interested in noting certain remarks which were made at the opening of a new wing of the Mount Vernon Hospital for Consumption, at Hampatead, London. The Marquis of Zetland, who presided, remarked that first of all the hospital commenced its work in a small street in Fitzroy-square. Later a house was rented at Hampstead, where six persons were received as in-patients. As the movement grew the present building was commenced in 1880, and a block providing for about 25 patients was then completed. Another block was built in 1893, the number of patients: being then increased to 60. In 1899 70 patients, and later 100 patients, could be accommodated. The new wing will accommodate 45 additional beds. An important remark was made by his Lordship when he added that for a long time there had been more applications for admission than could be entertained.* At the date at which he spoke, a few weeks ago, 270 applicants suffering from consumption were waiting for admission. He further said that about one-half of those who applied for admission were rejected, some because their condition was such {as precluded any hope of permanent benefit being obtained. In other words, the disease had advanced too far in their case for treatment. In several cases, the rejec- tion took place simply from want of room. Male applicants waited 24 weeks before they could be received, females 16 weeks. If any further proof were required of the justice of my remarks in advocating the establishment of sanatoria for the poor by way of saving innumerable lives from the scourge of consumption, they will be found in these facts stated by the Marqais of Zetland. I Itoave this question now for the consideration of philanthropic persons anxious to benefit their race. Bird Records. I am glad to be able to assist a very interesting scientific inquiry by the publication of its details in this column. An announcement has been made that at Rossitten in Eastern Prussia, crows and rooks are caught alive by means of nets during the seasons of migration. The Director of the German Ornithological Society at that place therefore proposes to attach to the feet of the birds so caught small metal rings. These rings will each bear a cumber and date. The birds will then be set free that they may follow their migration. Germany has been notified that, if any of these birds are shot, the foot and ring should be returned to Rossitten. As it is possible some of these birds may reach Great Britain, it is desirable that the request of the Director be attended to. As a record will be kept of the date when each bird was set free, and of the locality in which it was shot or captured, a vast amount of information concern- ing the migration of these birds may in this way be obtained. Rainfall. The subject of rain and its distribution has naturally acquired a very strong practical interest during the present year. It is satis- factory to find that at last, for once, the popular idea of the extreme wetness of 1903 is borne out bv accurate scientific measurement. I notice that my friend, Dr. H. R. Mill, in a letter to the "Times," stated that ihe rain which fell on Tuesday in the week beginning October 26th brought up tho total rainfall of London from January 1 at to October 27th over the amount which had been recorded iu the whole twelve months of any year since 1858. It appears that the year 1879 gave for the firat ten months thereof 32.22in of rainfall, and this appears to most nearly approach the rainfall of this year up to the date of October 27th, the amount registered then for 1903 being 34.61in. The greatest rainfall registered at the station at Camden Town was that of 1858, the total for that year being 34-08ia.

Illustrated Fashions. f Fringe is much used this season as a trimming, and ranks so high in popular estimation that it is even employed as a finish to certain furs, the fringe in this instance being made from the tails of the animals whose skins are employed in the construction of the garment itself. The effect is very good, especially on a fur eape. For woollen and heavy material dresses the heavier makes of fringe are preferred, such as crochet thread, while others again are of metal beads or are tipped with coloured beads. For evening wear nothing gives such a pretty finish to adainty toilet as a fringe of crystal or irrides- cent beads, while for arichly flowered brocade din- ner own silk fringe makep an excellent trimming. I have seen some very chic fringes of silk on A Comfortable Coat, I which a pattern is printed, the result being very charming. Others again are of shot silk. the two contrasting tones being skilfully blended. A floral patterned silk fringe makes a striking triniming to a black or white cloth costume, especially when frills or flounces are employed on the skirt and edged with the fringe, which in turn, to prove effective, should be finished off at the top by a narrow ruching of silk or velvet ribbon. A deeper silk fringe is asually employed on the bodice. We have now to devote much of our attention to outdoor garments, and my sketch shows a veccy comfortable coat which is also exceedingly smart. It is made in the Russian blouse style, and is slightly poached over the band. Black velvet is nsed in this instance for the coais, lined with quilted silk, bnt fur or even an imitation moleskin would look very nice. The collar is of embroidery, and is finished at either fpoint by a head anri for tails. The style is rather oat of the common, but is very stylish. The far par excellence this season is mole- skin, with the result that the price of these tiny skins has greatly gone up and places them out of reach of any of those who are not possessed of a very liberal dress allowance. There is nothing really so very attractive abont this peltry, upon whom Dame Fashion smiles so affectionately. and many others which are at present neglected are really much more becoming if less fashion. A Smart Toqae. j able. Neither is moleskin a made which will long remain in vogae, and I shoald therefore counsel those who are at present in doubt as to what fur to select to invest in something which will not date itself, and will therefore prove a more satisfactory purchase. The smart toque sketched is of ermine, and is of qaite the latest shape. It is trimmed simply by a handsome aigrette, caught by an ornamen- tal cabachon. 'Worn with a necklet and maff of the same far, it makes a charming finish to a black or dark red toilette. Far is much used for hats and toques, and is in the French models often trimmed with lace or even tulle, while often natural looking flowers are likewise nsed as a trimming, although there seems something incongruous about the intermingling of these materials. There are some very cosy fur wraps which are suited to a slender figure. These are very much like the old fashioned crossovers, a deep cape over the shoulders with crossing ends extending round the waist to the back of the figure. A very charming wrap of this kind I recently saw worn with a grey cloth costume, and was made of chinchilla, that most becoming, but unpro An Afternoon Blouse. I fitable, far. The little opening at the throat was finished off by a cravat of tine lace with long ends, while a big bunch of parma violets was fastened at the point of the V. A toque, like- wise of chinchilla, gave the requisite touch, 1 together with a muff of the same far trimmed with lace and also boasting a banch of scented violets. These fars could be copied less expen- sively in imitation grey astrakan. My last sketch shows an afternoon bloase, of washing siik trimmed with lace. It is made in a very pretty style, and could be worn with a coat, an impossibility with some of the very elaborate designs. Blouses are now worn either in white or cream, or in a silk which matches as closely as possible the colour of the skirt worn with it. This is a change from the violent contrasts of a few seasons ago. Taffetas is a favourite material for blouses, and is much tackeH and drawn and farther ornamented by lace applique. The little turnover lace collars make a pretty finish to the throats of a morning or afternoon blouse, and these can be easily made at home out of one of the pretty lace bordered handkerchiefs one can so readily obtain in any good draper's for a few nence. The collar is made by catting off one side about an inch wide, which is tacked into a plain band of cambric and forms the turnover collar, while the remainder of the handkerchief is neatly pleated, the edges hemmed and tacked under the centre of the hand. COQUETTE.

Mrs Chugwater So that's the photograph you had taken the other day, is it? I'd like to know why you can't look as pleasant as that when you are in the hoase ? Mr Chugwater Well, it may be th\t the pho- tographer tried to bring out my pleasant expree- sion, and y<?n don't.

Welsh Tit-Bits. Neu Wreichion Oddiar yr Eingioru BY CADRAWD. Llanblethian Castle. Perhaps the favourite and most pleasing wftlfe which the suburbs of the little town of Cow- bridge affords is one which leads to the village of Llanblethian, a stroll offering a wealth ot Welsh picturesque beauty to tbe gaze of the admirers of nature which few localities even in Wales can equal. Leaving the town by the old south porch we go down the Mill Road, and by tbe mill notice the pond where the clear sparkling waters of the Thaw are first held in their brief course and made to contribute to the service of man. From the town mill we have a choice of three roads, all of them having soma special beauty to recommend them. We might strike into the fields at the back of the mill and wind our along the lower part of Llanblethian hill. Those who have time and are fond of climbing may make a detour and ascend the hill: or (from the mill) we may go straight on up Constitution Hill, and then by the old Castle or, lastly, we may consult our ease, and by just avoiding the Constitution Hill take perhaps the pleasantest and prettiest walk of the three-the level path through the fiald striking the base of the Castle Hill, which will bring us out by Llanblethian Mill. Half-way through the fields we notice that the valley is suddenly narrowed to about two or three hundred yards across, the side hills at the same time increasing in height and steepness, the western side especially exposing a bold, rough, rocky, and weather-beaten front, formmg the most romantic scene in the whole length of the Valley of the Thaw. Rough Barons are gone and forgotten their fame, Who kept a rude race for long ages in awe; But Nature, sweet rustic, for ever the same, Still dwells with her bard on the banks of the Thaw. The steep surface of tbe bill is still kept as a sheep common, and the enclosed gronnds at the summit are the rude ruins 01 an old castle, sap- posed to be British, and from thence and the rocky points of the hill a magnificent view of hill and vale is obtained. On the eastern side of the valley—that is, just above us, stands all that remains of the diastle built by Robert St. Quentin, one of the twelve Norman Knights who accompanied Fitz- hamon in the expedition which ended in the con. quest of Glamorgan. This castle has tbe special interest attached to it, that of being one of the few Norman castles the date of whose building (1094) iarecoided Sir Edward Mansel says that Sir Robert St. Quentin built tbe Castle of Llanblethian three times, and at the last time made it much smaller than what it had been made before saying, "it was men with strong hearts he wanted, for he had found castles with strong walls of no service against the Welsh; for he had builded the castle very large and strongly walled two times, and it was beaten pieces by the Welsh of the monntains." Sir E. Mansel says further of Sir Robert that he was the worst beloved, or the beskbated by the Welsh of all the Norman Lords that had settled amongst them, for he gave them no lands in frankpledge as the other Lords did. This pledge was a kind of surety for the behaviour of a freeman. It was a custom of the olden times for preserving the peace, and of loyalty and truth towards tbe King and his subjects. This St. ••Quentin left no male issue, hi? heiress married a De Clare, and in that family the castle remained. Tradition ascribes the building of the chureb tower, and the south aisle of Cowbridge Church to this lady's piety, and the Castle gateway, sc imposing in appearance, waq built during he* occupancy or tenure under the superintendent of the notorious Tyrrell, a Knight of her hus- band's. At her death, it passed from the possession to another branch of the Clare family, and of its subsequent history little or nothing is known, save that it was bombarded and dis- mantled durhig the Civil Wars, Cromwell him. self commanding. It has been said that for the fbort time Crom- well remained in this neighbourhood his head- quarters were at the Farm, a thatched house by the riverside down in the village. People alsc say that he caused one of his men to be hanged on a tree facing his bead-quarters for stealing a fowl from a cottager. But as the anecdote is given of him in other places in. the country the authenticity of it may be doubted in this par ticular instance. One little localism must not be forgotten while speaking of the old Castle. The long, narrow meadow in the valley, between the Hill and the Castle, is known as the "Bowman a Field, or Mead." doubtless from the groand having been used for the practice of archery for many generations in the byegone ages. Not far off is a spring, known as the Bowmen's Well, which has been corrupted by the inhabitants tt Bommin, or Ffynon Bommin. Descending the steep hill from the castle to the village the first object to attract attention if the long, narrow old bridge of four arches cross- ing the Thaw. This is among the few stone bridges mentioned by Iieland, whsn he itinerated the country in 1545. This old bridge and the bit of scenery around it have tempted many an artist to add a sketch to his portfolio. Here we meet with a little bit of superstition connected with the bridge. It used to be the cus- tom with the Welsh for all funerals to proceed along the oldest known road to the place ol burial. Old as the bridge appears it has not been so long built but that sixty years ago the oldest known road was through the shallow water jast in front of it, probably there were stepping-stones there originally. The Welsli not only loved to cany their dead to where their kindred lay, but all the neighbours and friendf of the deceased assisted at the funeral, singing hymns, if the distance was short, all the way and, if long, through all the villages they passed. The lnneral processions were thus always large, and those of some of the oldest inhabitants from the Aberthin end of tbe parish invariably avoided the bridge and wadod through the ford below it. The reason for this observance I have- never heard explained. Crossing the bridge we come to the Farm, before spoken of, in which Cromwell slept-ar excellent specimen of a real old Welsh farm house and further on we have, on the right hand, the Great Honee, or the Ty Mawr, i: piece having the reputation of being haunted and having an excellent ghost story connected with it. Captain Stirling's House. On the hill leading towards Llanbletbiar/ Church is a house with a verandah, a house famed for being the spot from whence first issued the power of the Press. In 1812, or thereabouts, a poor half-pay captain, named Stirling, cam? to reside there from Bute, in Scotland. He had tried several means to increase his scanty income but all had ended unprofitably. And he cam< to Llanblethian to idle his time away econo mically. The Peninsular War was then goin £ on, and the shamefnl conduct of the Govemmen' of the day aroused bis indignation. He con) mented upon it in very powerful language. Ar a military man be was able to speak on tb< management or the mismanagement of the with greater authority than a civilian. Hr offered his MS. to the proprietors of tbe Londoir "Times." and it was accepted, and inserted ilS that paper as the opinion of the editor, without signature. These were the first thunders of the powerfal "Times," and were generated in the peaceful retirement of Llanblethian. The story of this important event is told by Thomas Carlyle in his Life of John Stirling, Captain Stirling's son, who was born at Llan. blethian and he relates how John and hie father, while waiting for the momentous repl from Printing House-square, went day after das up to the top of Llanblethian Hill to watch for, the appearance of the London mail over th £ brow 01 the Stallingdown. Captain Stirling, was for many years afterwards engaged as ehieC writer to the leading journal, his powerful thunderings very materially helping to raise it to that position. Cadrawd to Morien. I wish to thank my friend Morien for a copy of bis interesting "History of Pontypridd and the Rbondda Valley." I nghyfaill Morien eirda, Gwr net am wneuthnr llyfr»*# Mae diolch Cadrawd gyda gwRSjgf Am, Hanea YMrad Rboodda.