The Cardiff Times

AN AGRICULTURAL AWAKENING. I THERE are signs that a great defection from the old Tory party is about to occur. The Tenant Farmers, who in a great majority of cases have ever taken the Conservative land- lords as their political leaders, begin to evince signs of dissatisfaction at the direc- tion in which they are travelling, and a movement for securing the rights of genuine agriculturists, begun with modesty a few weeks ago, has not only succeeded well in the county of Warwick, where it origin- ated, but has led to the formation of a Tenant Farmers' Alliance, to embrace the farming community of the whole kingdom. Forty years ago Mr DISRAELI stood up in Parliament, Hflf-conatituted champion of the landed inte- rest which Sir ROBERT PEEL had just de- serted, and not many years after that he began the movement for lessening the bur- den on land. From that time to this the'Con- servative party has been in power frequently, andjMr DISRAELI himself has held high offices in the State. Yet neither he nor they ever attempted to carry into effect his scheme for improving the position of the landed interest. A sham Act, and a grant from the Imperial revenue, is all that can be shown by the Conservative party to the agriculturists,if we except the broken p remises with respect to County Government and Local Taxation. After these long years of trial and patient waiting, after numerous promises and dis- appointments, the farmers of England,seeing the landlords well-fenced and protected by Parliament, and nothing done for the occu- pier, have determined to leaven the consti- tution of the Legislature by a contingent of Tenant Farmer representatives. While it is true that the election of a few members of that class will not at first greatly affect legislation, it is also true that the example set in one county will be followed in others, until there is such a contingent of genuine farmers' members in the House of Commons that the attitude of the Govern- ment, be it Liberal or Conservative, towards the occupiers of the soil, will be greatly changed for the better. The presence of even a few Tenant Farmers amongst the legislators of the country would have a re- markable effect. They would enlist the sympathies and practical aid of hundreds of Liberal colleagues who favour the reform of the Land Laws, and who would only be too glad to move in the matter if they saw that the farmers of the country were likely to support them. The value of having agricultural members in Parliament cannot easily be over estimated. At present, when;the Conservative party brings in its sham mea- sures for the benefit of Tenant Farmers, and the delusive character of those measures is denounced by the Liberal party, the retort is that the Liberal party do not understand that kind of question, or that they are pre- judiced. If, however, there were in the House of Commons a band of gentlemen elected directly by the Tenant Farmers,there would be no mistake about the genuineness of their criticisms, or the honesty of their intentions. There is no reason why the farmers should not have as many repre- sentatives as they please. In many countries they form the sole constituency, and if they can only break themselves clear from the stupid terror of the landlords they can elect whoever they choose. The dread of offending a landlord is akin to the dread which a child feels for a ghost. The Ballot is a good and sufficient protection against landlord coercion, and the farmer who, under the present circumstances, permits anybody to dictate to him how he shall use his vote, is not fit to be trusted with one. At present, Parliament consists for the most part of lawyers, soldiers, land- owners, and manufacturers. It is high time this sort of thing should be changed, by the introduction of men representing the important section of the people who till the soil. Tlig Warwickshire farmers are well on the way to securing their'share of due repre- sentation. They started a few weeks ago their County Associate, and having called meetings in various parts of the county, they have held a central meeting of all the branches, elected their officers, drawn up their rules, and started their young and interesting organisation on the first year of its existence. Based apparently on that of the idea formed by the Warwickshire farmers, is the new Farmers' Alliance, which aims to secure the co-operation of all agriculturists in the kingdom. The objects of this association are :-L To secure the better representation of Tenant Farmers in -Parliament; 2. To stimulate and encourage the improved cultivation of the land by obtaining security for the capital of tenants invested in the improvement of their holdings 3. To obtain the abolition of class privilege, involved in the laws of distress and hypo- thec 4. To promote the reform of the Game Laws 5. To obtain the alteration of all legal presumptions which operate un- fairly against Tenant Farmers 6. To secure to ratepaytrs their legitimate share in county government, and a fair apportionment of local burdens." Now the fulfilment of such a programme as is here set down would work an enormous change in the present condition of occupiers. If a man had security for his capital if his crops were not eaten by game if he was not afraid of the bailiffs if lie and his fellows governed themselves in their own counties, what a difference it would make in the conditions of life,and how much better would it be for the farmer and the consumer. Well, it follows that if the farmer and the consumer prospered, the landlord could not fare very ill. Take the abolition or reform of the Game Laws alone, and what a change would be wrought. Mr JOHN BRIGHT, in 184G, wrote the following eloquent words about the Game Laws to the farmers of Great Britain:—"You plough and sow, and watch the growing crops with anxiety and hope you rise early, and eat the bread of carefulness, and yet you are doomed too frequently to see the fertility which PRO- VIDENCE bestows, and your industry would secure, blighted, solely to afford a few days' amusement in a year to the proprietors of the soil. The seed you sow is eaten by the pheasants, your young growing grain is bitten down by the hares and rabbits, and your ripening crops are trampled and injured by a live stock which yields you no return, and which you cannot kill and take to market. No other class of capitalists are subject to these dlsad vantages no other intelligent and independent class of your countrymen are burdened with such impositions." Since this condemning evidence was uttered, the Game Laws have continued to worry the British farmer, and have made criminals by the thousand, causing the imprisonment of men whose families had to be kept by the parish and all to afford a few days of amusement to the proprietor3 of the soil." It is clear that farmers cannot go on in the old way. So long as they ha d good prices, paid their high rents, and prospered in spite of the tyrannous customs under which they laboured, they were content to go on and to suffer. But the prolonged depres- sion of trade, tho bad harvests, and the fierco competition from abroad,have revealed the weak part of our agricultural system,and though many occupiers of farms have lost grievously during the last two years they will not have suffered in vain if the result is to break down the selfish, artificial system of land tenure, which restricts the produce of the soil, and favours nobody but the land- owners,

A bazaar in St. George's-lxall, Liverpool, in aid of the Welsh Presbyterian Chapel, liak been ouened bv Mr Robert Gladstone

OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENCE. LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING. ] The position of the Government with respect to the business of Parliament is already beginning ( to be seriously embarrassed. They did not start c with a varied programme, but it contained at least two items of a very comprehensive character, The j Cnminal Code Bill and the Army Discipline Bill j number between them as many clauses as j would be supplied by the aggregate of ministerial r measures in an average Session. The Army Dis- f cipline Bill alone contains 180 clauses. Progress ( j has been very slow. On Tuesday the net gain of j the morning sitting was two clauses added to the ] Bill. We are still engaged on Clause 44, and this s on the eve of the Whitsun recess. Not a quarter c of one of these two great Bills has been passed, j The Criminal CoJe Bill has been read a second c time, but yet awaits committee. When it reaches r that stage the lawyers will be down upon it like i bees on a cluster of honeysuckle, and it needs no s prophetic soul to behold the vision of weary c nights devoted to one honourable and learned gentlemm demonstrating the fallacy of remarks c made by his honourable and learned friend. I This would be bad enough if the Government ] might count on finding the House in ordinary E good temper. But the events of Wednesday have I given a different complexion to the Session. The Irish members believe, or affect to believe, that they have been betrayed by the Government. ] They took it for granted that the Ministry would set aside all business of the nation in order to gratify their veiled demands for denominational 1 education in Ireland it is now made unmistakably ( clear that the Government had no such inten- tion. The Home Ilulers have, therefore, undertaken to punish the Government after their own peculiar fashion. Mr Parnell and Mr Biggar, who have been in retirement for some weeks, are ] again at their posts, and eagerly scent the f battle from afar, They threaten to begin again the glorious game of obstruction, and have solemnly undertaken amongst themselves that the Government which will not do what they want shall not find time to follow their own inclination. < This is really a very serious matter, and will < grow in complexity as the season advances. Poor Sir StaffordISorthcote is in despair, and Colonel Stanley sees fading in the distance the hope of getting though the measures upon which he has devoted so much attention. I believe there is throughout the country, even amongst well-informed politicians, a conviction that Mr Gladstone is5 in favour of the Dis- establishment of the Church' of England, and that when he returns to power the work will form a principal item in his programme. I have many times heard Mr Gladstone deliver himself of expressions which are fatal to this opinion. It may be well to note the latest declaration on this point. It was made at the meeting of the Additional Curates Society. Mr Gladstone, whose reception was marked by boundless enthusiasm, then spoke of the Church of England in a manner which would ill befit a statesman who has made up his mind to disestab. lish. He spoke as if united with tens of thou- sands, even millions, in the firm belief that the Church of England has still a great work to per- form for herself, for the people, and Christendom at large. This is a very significant statement to be made just now. Mr Gladstone is a man of such rapid mental growth that it is not safe to affirm of him this year what might have been true of him last. If he lives a few years longer he may yet grow into the belief that the time has come for the Church of England to follow the Church of Ireland, but he has certainly not reached that state at present. I have reason to believe that he was not un- desirous of having such an opportunity of ranking a declaration on this particular point. The Liberal party have, in fact, in view of their possible near return to office, definitely made up their minds not to stir up the turbulent waters of Church controversy. They have even drawn back from such aggressive attitude as Lord Hartington assumed when in Scotland. The disestablishment of the Church of Scotland will not form part of the next Liberal programme. Nor will the dis- establishment of the English Church be talked of. It is too soon as yet to speak of the Liberal pro- gramme, but as far as it is indicated in the private conversation of prominent Liberals, it will, I think, be found to rest chiefly upon retrenchments. The next Liberal Ministry will probably not repeat the blunder of Mr Gladstone's last adminis- tration, and make itself enemies by too rigorous retrenchment in. the public department. It will rather assert itself by the application of business equality, and, by the avoidance of the spirit of Jingoism, will foster trade, and so increase the national revenue whilst relieving it from the drain of wars abroad. About three weeks ago I met, at the dinner- table of a friend, a personage who could not fail to attract attention in whatever room he rnisdit stand. He was a big man, of distinguished apprarance, and dressed in a peculiar fashion, in which lingered traces of military tags and bobtails. His con versation was not less re- markable than his looks. Guessing his age, one might have said he was 60, yet he talked with startling familiarity of the House of Commons when Sir Robert Peel was leader, and remembered, as if it were but yesterday, the glittering ringlets and gaudy waistcoats of D'lsraeli the younger. He also knew Sir Charles Weatlierhill, and heard his many speeches against the Reform Bill. Ac- cording to the embarrassing habitude of society, which presumes that everybody knows everybody else, I had not been introduced to my companion, and received no assistance in identifying him from the mode of address on the part of those who knew him. They called him the "Colonel," but, of course, there are several colonels. At length I find an opportunity of making a whispered inquiry, and find that this felic of the pre-Reform era was the O'Gormon Malion who sat for County Clare half a century ago, less one year. The Colonel confesses to having seen seventy- six summers. It is, however, currently reported that he is at least eighty. But he is younger at eighty than many men at sixty, and compared, for example, with Air M'Laren, is quite a robust youth. At present he has the appearance of a kindly, genial, old man. Hut he comes from a fighting stock, and has himself been a terrible fire- eater. His father was one of the leading spirits of '98. His son, the new member for Clare, early took an interest in politics, and has all his life time been "agen the Government." lie was a great friend of O'Connell's, and fought with him all through the campaign of County Clare in 1828. It was for this same county for which he now sits that the colonel first entered Parliament in 1830. He was by no meaus a silent member, and the people who talk despair- ingly of obstruction in these later days should read up what the O'Gorman Mahon did 49 years ago. He went out with the old Parliament, and was not returned again till 1847. He was a large figure in Parliament in 1848, but since that year has been content to stand and let newer spirits fight the battle of nationality. He now lives in Paris, though I suppose he will find it necessary to have a nearer postal address now that he has again become a member of Parliament. A special interest will be lent to his opposition (for he is snro to oppope) from the circumstance that his hand has always hung very near his pistol. He is credited with having completed a round score of duels, but here again his natural modesty interposes, and he diffidently admits to "only 16." He may. however, make up the number before he dies. He is sure to come in contact with Mr James Lowther, and that lively gentleman may wake up some morning to find that the penny post has brought him a cartel from the terrible O'Gormau Mahon. Sir Edward Watkin has now achieved a final success over his adversaries in the South-Eastern Railway. It has been a long fight, and at one time the issue seemed uncertain. The malcon- tents at the board strained every nerve to over- throw the autocratic chairman. They moved heaven and earth to get the proxies, and th e com- parative narrowness of the division showed that they had not been altogether unsuccessful. But Sir Edward, winning on this issue, determined to strike again whilst the enemy was reeling un- der the first blow. A committee of share- holders was, at his instance, appointed, four membeis being his friends, four advocates of the policy of the minority on the board, and two neutral. This committee has now decided in fa- vour of the chairman, and the faction is greatly crushed, leaving Sir Edward stronger than ever. What made the matter peculiarly painful was the fact that a principal opponent on the board was Sir Edward's own brother- in-law, who owed his position to the chairman. However, the South Eastern are now happily delivered from this wasting disunion, and might do much worse than leave matters to the direction of a man to whom the prosperity of the -railway is directly due. One might well imngine that Sir Edward Watkin would be inclined to narrow his responsibility, and curtail his labours. But ho has a perfectly insatiable appetite for work. I am afraid to say how many railways he controls, but I know by my own observation that he is amongst the most constant attendants at Par. liamentary duty, and often sits through long debates, which less busy men fly from in order to seek rest or recreation. Later news from Durban represents the Prince Imperial as improved in health. He is now out of danger and had started on the war path. But he is at best of a del cate constitution, and the Bonapartists feel that their hopes hang on a slight thread. Should the Prince die, the patri- mony of the Bonapartists would revert to Prince Jerome Napoleon, head of the younger branch of the family. This would be a curious turn Qftpe wheel Of fortune. Boaacartism s by no me tiis dead in France. It I .3, and will remain, the last resource after m 're or lessTirief tuccessio l of Republics. The P nice Napoleon gave a deal of trouble to his < ;ousin, the Emperor Napoleon the Third, by his k lemocratic, not to say Republican, tendencies. Should he become the head of the Bonapartists, ie would probably start by proclaiming ( limself a good Republican, which, indeed, 10 has already done. In the meantime 1e bides his time. He is now living in nodest apartments in the Avenue Montaigue, Lt Paris, surrounded by relics of the great past of lis family. He ha3 a collection of busts represent- ng every member of the family, male or female. le has quite a series of the First Napoleon, repre- senting him at the various stages of his wonderful £ career, beginning at Brienne, and ending at St g delena. Perhaps the oddest items in the Prince's ( :ollection are two pictures, one by Horace Vernet, epresenting scenes in the campaign in the Crimea. kernel's picture represents the battle of the Alma, md picture3 Prince Napoleon standing ;alm and immovable, while a shell is mrsting in a not unfamiliar manner imong the officers of his staff. The prince has lad two sons and one daughter by his wife, the 1 Princess Clotilde, from whom, by the way, he is leparated. The wife keeps the daughter, and the lusband has charge of the two sons, who are aged -espectively 17 and 15 years. The eldest was lamed Victor, after his grandfather, King of i [taly, and the second Louis, after his illustrious ( relative, the Emperor of the French. They are it present under private tuition, but next year joth enter at St Cyr, the avenue of the inevitable jareer of a Bonaparte. t

PAUPERISM. It is satisfactory to learn, from the latest Pau- perism Return, that the number of paupers ii I j gradually decreasing in the country. We have before us a Return of Comparative Statement of the number of paupers of all classes (except luna- t tic paupers in asylums and vagrants) in receipt of ( relief on the last day of each week in the month af March, 1878 and 1879." The Return also gives the following table, showing the gradual increase j md decrease of pauperism in the country during the last winter. No. Paupers Difference between Periods. on Last Day Proximate Weeks. 1878. of each Week. Increase. Decrease. Sept. 4th week C60.289. — — Oct. 1st — 660.813 524 — 2nd — 655,803 — 5,010 3rd — 658,871 3,068 — 4th — 660,463 1,597 — 5th — 665,006 4,53S — Nov. 1st — 671,605 6,599 — 2nd — 677,435 5,830 — 3rd — 68 J, 496 7,061 — 4th — 690,628 6,132 — Dec. 1st — 697,644 7,016 — 2nd — 706, £ 03 9,164 — 8rd — 722,403 15,505 — 1th — 736,310 13,937 — Jan. 1st — 741,745 5,405 — 2nd — 754,488 12,743 — 3rd — 769,039 14,551 — 4th — 781,560 12,521 — Cth — 792,211 10,051 — Feb. 1st — 805,187 12.976 — 2nd — 796,097 — 9,090 3rd — 780,658 — 15,439 4th — 771,772 — 8,886 Mar. 1st — 771,493 — 279 2nd — 703,474 — 8,019 3rd — 757,894 — 5,530 4th — 752,870 — 5,024 No. of Paupers at end of Lady-dav Quarter 1877..688,603 Ditto. chtto. 1878..702,825 Ditto ditto 1S79..752,870 r- r- ±< rom to 15/y the increase was thus 64,287, or 9'3 per cent, and from 1878 to 1S79, 50,045, or 7.1 per cent, Turning to the Welsh Poor-law Division, which includes Wales and Monmouthshire, we find that during last winter the number of paupers increased as follows '— No. Paupers Differcncc between Periods, onListDay Proximate Weeks. 187S. of each Week. Inc. Dec. inov. ist Ni-eek 61,788 — — 2nd C2,241 4'>3 — 3rù 62,726 485 — 4th — 62,313 — 413 Dec. 1st — 62,673 360 — 2Lid 63,410 737 '— 3rd 63,854 444 — 4tll 61,771 917 — Jan. 1st — 64,585 — 13.3 211d 65,550 1,005 — 2rd 66,232 6-12 — 4 tli — 66,919 687 — 5til 66,2;7 — 652 Fob. 1st — 67,377 1,000 2nd 67,045 332 3rd ,68,33:S 1,283 — 4th 66,940 — 1393 March 1st CG, I 70 230 — 2nd 6(3,796 371 3rd — 68.789 — 7 4th 65,281 1.528 It will be seen that the greatest number of Welsh paupers was in the 3:d week of February, a t'e- crease of 3,072 taking place during the following five weeks. The depre slon in the cotton trade in Lancashire is still severe, there being 22,163 more paupers in the last week of March, 1879, than in the same period of 1878, though a decrease of 16,935 took place there in the eight weeks follow- ing, the first wrek of February. In the following table, our readers can compare the number of paupers in the last week of March, for the years 1878 and 1879, in each of the 11 divisiona of the country DivL-ions. In- Out- Incr. Incr. door. door. Total. p. cut. The Metropolis FIM 4X>228 42'932 84'160"l 2 070 ?-5 incMetropolis LG79 44>O52 42,178 86,230 J South Fastprn ^187S 17-431 55>189 72.62A bouth Lastein 1379 JJJGG 54^32 71,971 J 03 QMIFII ATWIINV,RI (LS>78 9,5(0 44,8/5 51,445"^ TAQ A«(\ South Midland F187 £ ) 9(Q ;;J 45^90 54,953^ 3 09 Faqtem (1878 8'C91 41.432 50,123^ *,09 ,0 Eastern •• I lft79 a;w5 40;986 49103!) 492 10 Southwestern (1878 11,266 71,752 83.018S 0.7 aoutn western ^1879 11 2U S2,453J 063 07 West Midland f1S78 17-5G3 G7>421 „ W9 1q., 3 a (j879 18,569 77,607 93,176^ 11,192 13 North Midland F1878 6,991 32,369 39,360^ R7- 9.9 iMorcrMiaiana ly79 40 235J 80 2 2 Northwestern 1878 22,764 46,!00 6:),164"\ JNoitnwestern 1879 GL32_J 22,16^ 32 0 York (1SZ8 10'813 52,467 C3,2S0\ s U879 11,802 59,919 71,721/ 8, 1 13 3 Northprn f1878 C'S06 S0>857 37-063^ JSoitnein •• 1379 7,003 35,939 42,912/ Welsh (1878 6,070 57'023 64-W5A Welsh 1^1879 6,291 5S,790 65,261J 1'2jG 20 Fn.rl-.nrl P878 159'202 513,623 702 825 ,n~ England (jS79 107,503 585,302 753.870A 50,045 1 These figures are decreases. The Metropolitan division consist of part of Middlesex, part of Surrey, and part of Kent. South Eastern-part of Surrey, part of Kent, SllS. fex, Southampton and Berk". South Midland- part of Middlesex, Hertford, Buckingham, Ox- ford, Northampton, Huntingdon, Bedford, and Cambridge. Eastern—East Suffolk, and Nor- folk. South Western—Wiits, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset. West Midland—Glou- cester, Hereford, Salop, Stafford, Worcester, and Warwick. North Midland—Leicester, Rutland, Lincoln. Nottingham, and Derby. North-Western —Cheshire and Lancashire. York—West Hiding, East Riding, and North Riding. Northern—Dur- ham, Northumberland, Cumberland, and West- moreland. :Welsli—Mourn juth, South Wales, and North Wales. The 2 per cent increase of the Welsh division is very favorable when compared with tho other colliery districts of the kingdom. But the per- centage of paupers on population is still abnor- mally high in Wales and Monmouth, as will be seen in the following table :— A » O D B Metropolis 3,252,629 135 12-9 2-1-5 48'9 South Eastern.. 2,166,756 8'2 25*0 33*2 75*2 Midland 1,442,648 6'6 31'3 33-0 32-4 Eastern 1,218,726 r0 32'8 39'9 82'5 South Western 1,878,456 5-3 37'9 43'9 86*3 West Midland2,721,931 6*8 28'5 35-3 80-6 North Midland.. 1,40ô,911 5',1 23'4 23'5 81"9 Northwestern.. 3,388,399 ?'4 19-4 20-9 72-3 Yoik 2,444,592 4*8 24*5 29"3 83"5 Northern 1,365,041 5~1 2o'3 31-4 83'6 Welsh 1,420,213 4"4 41*5 45 9 00.3 England&WaIes 22,703,302 7'3 25'7 33'1 77-4 A. Population in 1871. B. In-door Paupers per 1,000 on population c. Out-klour D. Total „ E. Percentage of out door Paupers on total. The pauperism in the Welsh Division, it will be seen, instill in greater ratio to the population than that of any other, and its out-door pauperism greater in proportion to the total. Bat it is satis- factory to know that an improvement is taking place.

SWA^SEOQARD OFGUARDIANS The weekly meeting of this board was held on Thursday, Mr J. T. D. Llewelyn presiding. There were also present Messrs E. Bath and E. R. Daniel (vice-chairmen), E. Roberts, D. Smith, E. Thomas, W. Lewis, Isaac Davies, H. Bo wen, J. A. Naysmith, J. Pngh Davies, T. Crlasbrook, J. Griffiths, T. Jones, P. Jenkins, J. Buse, Rees Harris, and the Rev. Canon Richards. The clerk (Mr G. B. Haynes) bronght up a report upon the case of a lad, named O'Neale, who was sent to the Havannah Industrial School, at Cardiff. He stated that O'Neale was sent to the school in question as being maintained in the workhouse, and as being refractory. It appeared by a memorandum by the Inspector of Reformatories and Industrial Schools that the Treasury did not pay any portion of the maintenance of children detained under the section quoted, they therefore were charged with the full amount of 7s per week. The Treasury might contribute a sum not exceeding 2s a week towards the maintenance of a boy, but O'Neale did not come under the description of the 14th, 15th, and 16th sections. He (the Clerk) suggested that the board should authorise him to communi- cate with such authorities as might be neces- sary with a view—1st, to obtain a contribu- tion from the Treasury towards the maintenance of children sent to certified schools, under sec. 7 2nd, to cause the county authorities to pay for the maintenance of children under the other sections of the Act.—On the motion of the Chairman the report was adopted.—Mr J. C. Howells, relieving officer, brought up his report upon the increased expenditure for Swansea on paupers for out-door relief. The report stated that the out-door relief for the half-year ending March, 1878, amounted to £ 2,S63; for the half-year ending March, 1879, £ 3,096, shewing an increase of £133. The return of classes of paupers relieved showed an increase in able-bodied men of 59, their wives and children, also an increase in the number of widows and their children. The relief given to able-bodied men out, of work, for the half-year ending March, 1879, was J3112; for the correspond- ing half-year of 1878, £ 10, thus accounting for £ 102 out of the £ 132 increase. Had it not bean for the charity displayed last winter the out-door re- lief would have been much heavier. The reports of the visiting committees of the workbouse and cottage homes were of a satisfactory character, and the remaining business was tinimnWjMifc,

CASTLES AND ABBEYS OF 30UT1I WALES AND MONMOUTH. -4 BY J. ROLAND PHILLIPS, Barrister-at-La iv of the South Wales Circuit, and Author of "MEMOIKS OF THlt CIVIL WARS IN WALES AND THE MARCHES. ") [ALL Hmmg RESERVED.] XXV.—LLANTHONY ABBEY. cc In the deep vale of Ewyas, which is ibout an arrow-shot broad, encircled on all lides by lofty mountains, 'stands the church )f St. John the Baptist, covered with lead md an arched roof of stone and, consider- ng the nature of the"place;not unhandsomely instructed on the very spot where the hum- ble chapel of David the Archbishop had for- nerly stood, decorated only with moss and vy. A situation truly calculated for re- igion, and more adapted to cononical discip- ine than all the monasteries of the British [sle." So wrote Giraldus Cambrensis, and those vho have visited the spot will agree that his lescription is accurate. A more retired or secluded place can scarcely be conceived, and Roger the Bishop of Salisbury's panegyric :hereof to King Henry I. was by no means exaggerated when he concluded his praises )f what he had seen at Llanthony )y saying Why should I say more 1 rhe whole treasure of the King and lis kingdom would not be sufficient to build such a cloister "—meaning, as he afterwards jxplained to the puzzled King, the cloister )f mountains by which this church was on jvery side surrounded. The site selected by William de Lacy for the foundation of this Abbey had been Driginally occupied by a small chapel, dedi- cated to St. David, whence the place was called Llauddewi Bant Hodni, or the Church of St David by the Brook Hodni. It by no means follows, as some appear to suppose, that St David ever visited this retreat. A great many churches and chapels in Wales and Monmouthshire were dedicated to him, and the chapel in the Vale of Ewyas, at the foot of the Hatrel Hills, was one of them. From Llanuant Hodni the name was shortened into L'anhodni, and afterwards corrupted into Llanthony, and it is by this name that it has been known for ths last seven centuries and a-half. The* Abbey was founded by two hermits in honour of the retired life, far removed from the bustle of mankind." One of these hermits was William de Lacy, a Norman knight/who, sick of a soldier's life of rapine and bloodshed, sought a fitting place of re- tirement where he could spend the remain- der of his life in religious contemplation, and came upon it at Llanthony. He was joined by Eruicius or Ervistus (for he has been indifferently named), who had been chaplain to Queen Maud. William de Lacy came here in 1103, and five years later he and his fellow hermit erected a mean church in the place of their hermitage, which was afterwards consecrated by Urban, Bishop of Llandaff, and Rameline, Bishop of Hereford, and dedicated to St. John the Baptist. Giraldus tells us that William and his com- panion having heard, perhaps, as it is written in the Fathers, according to the opinion of Jerome, "that the Church of Christ decreased in virtues as it increased in riches," often used devoutly to solicit the Lord that this place might never attain great possessions, and they were exceedingly concerned when this religious foundation began to be enriched by its first lord and patron, Hugh de Lacy, and by the lands and ecclesiastical benefices conferred upon it by others of the faithful. From their predilection to poverty they rejected many offers of manors and churches, and being situated in a wild spot, they would not suffer the thick and wooded parts of the valley to be cultivated and levelled, lest they should be tempted to recede from their hermitical mode of life. A quaint story is recorded to show how little Wiiliam de Lacy cared for riches. Queen Maud is said to have visited Llan- thony,uivited thither probably by her former chaplain. It appears that the Queen was nformed of the sanctity of William's life,and how he had invariably rejected offers of wealth. She once desired he would give her leave to put her hand into his bosom, and he at length, with some modesty, yielded to her importunity. In this way she conveyed a purse of gold between his course shirt and iron bodice, intending thus to administer some help to the hermit-soldier, but he only accepted the same on condition that it should be employed in enriching the Abbey. The priors who followed the founder do not appear to have been of his self-denying character. They hailed the many gifts of Hugh aud Walter de Lacy and ethers', not simply because they were gifts to a religious cause, but because they enabled a sumptuous pile to be built for their abode, and their tables to be laden with luxuries. The austere life of the soldier-hermit was not congenial to his lax followers. In fact, they cared very little for the solitude of the Hatrel hills, and even if they were not rather harassed by the natives, who looked upon the Normans, whether of the Church or of the Castle, as their enemies. Robert de Braci was then prior of this Abbey. During his time the peace and tranquility of this establishment was so com- pletely destroyed by the incursions of the neighbouring Welsh, that the residence became insupportable. Seeking counsel of his predecessor, who had in the meantime become Bishop of Hereford, the latter got Milo Fitz-Walter, Earl of Hereford, to grant the brotherhood the Castle Mede, on the banks of the Severn, a short distance from the city of Gloucester, and on that spot was established a second Llanthony, to the impoverishment of the mother church, and much to the regret of the Arch- deacon of Brecon. Clement, who succeeded William de Wycomb as fifth prior of Llan- thony, seemed to like the mother church, and he obliged tho greater part of his canons, much against their inclination, to reside there once with him for the space of a whole year, leaving only 13 behind at the convent near Gloucester, which latter, until the reign of Edward IV., was only con- sidered as a cell to the Abbey in the Monmouth hills. Clement was succeeded by Roger, who according to Giraldus was more an enemy to this place than either of his predecessors, and" openly carried away everything; which they had left behind, wholly robbing the church of its books, ornaments, and privileges." Evil fate, however, appears to have pur- sued everyone of these despoilers, All the priors who were its enemies died by Divine visitation." In the death by paraly- sis of two of thom the credulous Giraldus saw the clear interposition of Providence. Yet, strange to say, the same Providence did not prevent the spoliation of the favourite Abbey and rightly or wrongly the new Abbey on the banks of the Severn ap- pears to have prospered, while the mother church fell into decay. Ultimately, in the time of Edward IV, the daughter was form- ally endowed with all the riches; and all the establishment that was required to carry on the solemnities in the grand old structure in Mo nnouthshire was to consist of a prior and four canons—and their principal duty was to say masses for the souls of the founders. The Charter of Edward IV., uniting the mother Church in Wales with the daughter at Gloucester, states, that owing to the depredations committed on the convent by the neighbouring inhabitants, and the fre- quent removal of the priora and other mem- bers of the convent, the- religious functions were negligently performed, and acts of hospitality and charity to strangers no longer exercised," and also "that as John Adams, the prior, had profusely squandered away the revenues of the church, maintaining only four canons besides himself, who paid no attention to the holy duties of the establishment, and that whereas all due reverence was paid to the sacred offices of the church by the members of the Monar- tery of Llanthony, near Glouceste the King grants all the lands and possessions of the Church in Wales, &c., to the Prior of of the daughter at Gloucester, on condition that he mantained an establishment of a prior and four canons at the mother church for saying mass for the souls of its founders." The remains, altheugh shorn of much of their grandeur by neglect, which permitted some most interesting portiol1!:(to fall abont the beginning of the present century are very imposing. "It is considered one of the earliest structures in England of the Pointed style." And quoting these words from the Annals of the Counties of Wales," I may be here permitted to say that in the recent death of my friend Dr Thomas Nicho- las* Wales has lost a son that was a credit to it, and thoso who take an interest in the history of their native country sre deprived of an intelligent and broad- minded guide. His projected work on the "History of Wales, like everything else he has written, would, I am sure, have been a valuable contribution, but unfortu- nately ho has been removed from amongst us with his work unaccomplished. Of the building of Llanthony Abbey, the probability is that it was built about the middle of the twelfth century or before its close. Giraldus, as usual credulous, narrates something which cannot be omitted as to supernatural aid to the good work of con- struction. It is a remarkable circumstance, or rather a miracle, concerning Llanthony, that although it is on every side surrounded by lofty mountains, not stony or rocky, but of a soft nature and covered with grass, that Parian stones are frequently found there, and are called free stones, from the facility with which they admit of being cut and polished, and with these the church is beautifully built. It is also wonderful that after a diligent search all the stones have baen removed from the mountains, and no more can be found. Upon another search, a few days afterwards, they re-appear in greater quantities to those who seek them." With this my series of articles on the Castles and Abbeys of South Wales come to a close. There remain a large number of other Castles of equal interest, the story of which, for the present, must remain untold by me. At some future time it may be that I shall publish a volume of sketches of the Castles and Abbeys, and the series of articles that have appeared will naturally form the basis of such a work, although most of them would have to be amplified and, for the most part, re-written.

SHOCK IN G=ACCLDENT_AT EBBW VALE. On Thursday a lad named Williams met with a fearful accident at Ebbw Vale, the buSers of two trucks coming in contact with his head, which was entirely smashed. Death was, of course, instan- taneous. He was taken to his home, near Beaufort, where his body awaits an inquest.

STRANGE SUICIDE OF A HUS- BAND AND WIFE. A chemist and druggist, named Edwards, resid- ing in Lambeth, having obtained some information of a distressing character relating to family matters, committed suicide by taking poison a few days ago, and on Tuesday, -after being told that she would have to attend the inouest as a witness, Mrs Edwards followed her husband's example by terminating her existence in the same manner.

PRODUCTION OFSTEEL RAILS. The Sheffield Telegraph says that at the works of Messrs Wilson and Oarnmell, Dronfield, during two weeks ending Mav 17, the quantity of steel rails produced was 4..G5û tons lSewt, the produc- tion of each week being as follows :—For the week ending May 10, during which the ticlle of work- ing was ten shifts, 2,256 tons 7cwt; and for the week ending May 17, during which 11 shifts .\e;e made, 2,400 tons llcwt. This enormous out- put is said to be the largest in the world. Ex- cluding meal times, tho quantity of iron thus rolled is one ton iu every 47 sccosda of the time worked.

THE UNSECURED CREDITORS OF RICHARDS AND CO. In the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice, on Wednesday, before Mr Justice Fry, Air Bagshawe, Q.C., on behalf of the liquidator and unsecured creditors of Richards and Co., now being wound up by order of the court, applied for sanction of the court to an arrangement which, if carried out, would secure a. composition of 3s 9d in the £ to the unsecured creditors of the company. He a-ked his lordship to fix Friday, the 30th inst. for a meeting of unsecured creditors, at the office of the company, when they would be asked to give their assent to the proposals contained in a deed executed that day. Mr Justice Fry sanc- tioned the calling of the proposed meeting, and appointed Mr Rwithinbank chairman.

FIRE~ATCAR!^F. About one o'clock this (Friday) morning. a fire broke out in a cabinet maker's shop, occupied by Mr W. H. Thome, at the back of Havelock- street. I3v the time the hose-reel arrived at the spot, the building was completely en- veloped in flames, which had made rapid headway upon the lightly-constructed fumi- ture with which the room was stored. In the lower portion of the building, which is used as a stable, coach-house, &c., a number of horses were stalled, and some excitement ensued as the affrighted animals were led from beneath the burning roof. They were all got out safeiy, and the engine arriving shortly afterwards, with a relay of police, under Mr Heming- way, the extension of 'the flames to the adjoining property was prevented, and the fire was soon extinguished. The men left the shop, in which -a small fire had been burning during the day, about nine o'clock at night, and everything then appeared nght. The o;igin of the outbreak is unknown, but the loss of stock, amounting, perhaps, to J650 or £60, is covered by insurance.

CARDIFF COUNTY COURT. (Before Judge HERBERT.) A RACE BETWEEN THE JEW AND THE BAILIFFS. At the Cardiff Police-court on Thursday, in the case of Emery Blaiberg, Mr Bowen Ro wlands (instructed by Mr J. Jones), for plaintiff, and Mr Cousins for defendant. This was a case in bank- ruptcy to determine who was the person entitled to the furniture and effects of a bankrupt. In March last, Charles Cleves, the elder, and Charles Cleves, the younger, were the occupiers of the Royal Standard public-house, Mary Ann-street, Canton. Prior to that period the elder Cleves had obtained from Solomon Blaiberg the sum of £16 upon four promissory notes, but as a security for these notes, the elder Cleves gave to Blaibsrg a bill of sale on his furniture at the public-house. On the" 10th of March, the payments being ill arrears. Blaiberg was about to take possession of the furniture, as it was rumoured that Cleves was about to go into liquidation, and put a distress warrant in the hands of a bailiff. On that morn- ing, whether before the van for the removal of the furniture, or after, which was the ground of the dispute, Cleves the elder went to the office of Mr Jolin Jones, solicitor, St. Mary-street, had all the documents prepared for filing a petition, the ap- pointment of Mr R. Emery, accountant, cs receiver, and an order restraining Mr Blaiberg from removing the furniture under the bill of sale. Mr Emery, Mr Jones'clerk, and Mr F. H. Pearce arrived at the county-court office at 11 minutes past two o'clock. The petition was presented to the clerk at the county-court office, Mr Pritchard, and two or three affidavits prepared, the receiver, Mr Emery, was appointed, and the restraining order on Mr Blaiberg signed by the registrar. With this document in his possession Mr Emery got into a trap, belonging, it was said, to Mr F. H. Pearce, and drove rapidly to Canton. He there found outside the debtor's door, or near by, a fur- niture van belonging to Mr Henry Wood, with a number of articles of furniture in it, and two men engaged in removing other articles of furniture into the van. Mr Emery at once exhibited his authority as trustee to the debtor's estate, the furniture not removed was allowed to remain, but the van moved off with the furniture in it, un- loaded its contents at Mr Blaiberg's residence, Charles-street, and returned to Mr Wood's office at 2.50 p.m. The question now at issue was—Who was the legal owner of the goods in the van? The trustee of the estate claimed the sroods as part of the estate of the debtor. Mr Blaiberg, on the other hand, claimed them as part payment of the notes under the bill of sale. For the defence, it was proved by Mr Cousins that the warrant for distraining the goods of the debtor was placed in the hands of a bailiff on the 8th of March, and the furniture van left the office of Mr Wood at 10.50 a.m. on the morning of the 10th of March, He contended that as soon as the bailiff for Mr Blai- berg entered with the warrant, the goods were in the possession of Mr Blaiberg. The goods in the van were therefore removed from the premises of the debtor before the petition for liquidation was filed, as the van was placed, not immediately in front of the debtor's premises, but in front of the adjoining one, After a long argument on both sides, the bill of sal* not being registered, and was therefore unprotected, his Honour reserved his decision until the next court, considering the point raised a very nice one, and it was a question for some consideration as to whom the property really belonged to. ACTION FOR FALSE IMPRISONMENT. Gething v, Jackson—Mr L. T. Reece for plain- tiff, and Mr Vachell for defendant. This was an action to recover the sum of JB50, alleged to be compensation for injuries in consequence of being imprisoned by the direction of the defendant, the charge being subsequently dismissed by the magis- trates, It appeared that the defendant v, as a blacksmith, carrying on business in Cowbridge- road. In March last the defendant. Charles James Jackson, contractor, of Cardiff, had a number of stocks, dies, taps, etc., stolen from his premises. About the 19th March Detective James found at the shop of Mr Barnett, Bute- terrace, a number of stocks, dies, and taps, which had been pledged by the prisoner. Mr Jackson said that he believed that the tools pledged were those stolen from his shop. Subsequently defend- ant's striker said that from marks on the handle of one of them he could swear to it. Mr Jackson then gave Gething in charge. When the case was heard by the magistrates a witness was called by the present plaintiff, who swore that he had made the marks on the handle of the stock him- self, and that they had been for a long time in the possession of Gething, and were his property. The case was dismissed in consequence of the conflict of testimony. Witnesses were called to prove that the articles in question belonged to Mr Gething, and the striker to Mr Jackson also swore that he believed at that time, and believed still, that they belonged to Mr Jackson. His Honour considered that it was no doubt a case of consider- able hardship to plaintiff, but the defendant was fully justified in acting on the information he had received, and he (the Judge) was of opinion that every reasonable precaution had been taken by him to ascertain the accuracy of his informa- tion before giving plaintiff into custody.

WARNING.—RECKITT'S PARIS BLUE.—The Man- ufacturers beg to Caution the public against Imitation square Blue of very inferior quality. The Paris Blue, squares (used in the Prince of Wales' Laundry. Sold ia wrapper* bearing their oaiue aad Xrftde Aiark IWi 24

Y GOLOFN GYM RE iG. *■ Dymunir i'n gohebwyr Cymreig gyfeirio eu gohebiaethau, llyfrau i'w hauolygu, &e., fel 'y canlyn :— DAFYDD MORGANWG, Hirwain, Aberdare. Nid ydym yn gyfrifol am olygiadau ein gohebvvvr.

AT EIN GOHEBWYR. "Dydd y Croeshoeliad."—Pryddest rymus a barddonol, ac yn llawn o'r difrifoldeb hwnw sydd yn gweddu i'r testun. Rhyddid,"—Mae'r dull yr ysgrifenwyd y rhai hyn yn peri i ni ddrwgdybio rhywbeth. Y mae va anhawdd credu bod awdwr yr englynion mor wallus mewn orgraff, &c. Rhaid i ni ail-ysgrifenu y rhai hyn a'u cywiro cyn y byddant addas i ym- Jdangos, Y Ciedd."—Dylasai fod y gelfyddyd yn well 3 lawer am syniadau mor dda. Ymddeugys wedi eu diwygio. Ruth Ethel Blanch."—LUnellau priodol iawn i'1' amgylchiad. Anfonir hwynt i'r swyddfa.

Y MARCH, (BUDDDGOL.) Arwr croch ei weryriad—anifail Nwvfits, hoaw ei branciad, Yw, ac hwn wna yn y gad I Wrolwaith pan ddaw'r alwad. TRODTNFAB.

YR ORIAWR. (BUDDUGOL.) Mesur buan amserbywyd—wna'r gain Oriavvr, gem celfyddvd Ei chadwynbleth ddifeth ddyd, Ar y ddwyfrou urdd hyfryd. Cyfluniad sy'n dag gyfanwaith—ydyw, Nodedig gvwreinwaith Yn y gul logell ei gAaith. Heb orphwys, wna yn berffaith. Porth Field. TRODYNFAB.

GWENATJ Y GWANWYN. I'n pau daeth gwenau y Gwamvyn,—eto hlae natur yn cychwyn Y n ngherbydd llwyd y ii wyddyn, I addurno bro a bryn, PEREIDDIOG.

FFYNON GELLIONEN. (BDODUGOIi.) Hoff ffynon Geliioneu,—ei rhinwedd Gyfrana heb orphen Meddygol, wastadol sten Yw i roddi dwfr addien. I glwyfus fethedig gleifion,—welo Hylif wellha'u loesion Diod o waith Duw ydyw hon, A iechyd yn nofio'i throchion. Hir,raill. Y DRYw.

Y TYNFAEN. (BUDDUGOL.) Wrth y tynfaen adwaenir,—heb antur, Bwynt y pell ogledd-dir Ganddo'n gyson dangosir Firain daith ar for neu dir. Y DRYw.

ENGLYNION PRIODAS Y Parch. J. BEVAN, Waenarlwydd, & Miss LLTWELTJT, Penybont-ar-Ogwy. Mai 6, 187£1. Wele nwvddol anneddau—Waenarlwydd Yn orlawn o wetmu Cuol uuwyd calonau, Ac unwyd teg enaid dau. A gwir ry .viog oroian,—y syniol Seinir Priodasgau, Fel bywfyth fawl i Bevan, Am wirio'i gl wm a'i wraig lan. Llaw hylaw Miss Elywelyn—a gafodd Ei gyfa law ddiliyn Ni roes callach decach dyn, Drwy londer, law i uudyn. Noddodd y duwinyddwr—i'w fynwes, Fwynaidd ferch gwladgarwr Yn un ag Ann, enwog wr, Y w ein ban Annibyuwr, Hardd odiaeth i'r urddedig—yw mirain Gymhares ryddfrvdig; Bevan i'w daith, heb ofn dig, o fodd Ann, ni fyad uuig. Trysor cyfan dan ei do—yw haeledd Ann Llywelyn eryno Rhydd Ann i Devan tra bo, Agos ail i'w gysuro. Pe ef mewn bliu bruddineb,—yn ei wraig Cai lawn l'ym ffvddioudeb i'n ei holl nych ni all neb Hui gwen fel gwen ei gwyneb. Mae'n ddoeth wobr i goeth bregethwr—el Yn ei chylch didawndwr jcli el Bydd yn grou go/on i'IV gwr, Ac yn berl i'w g in barlwr. Ada gyfarcli, wedi gofwy-Llundain, A'i llawnder iiodad<vy, Caiff y wraig lioS, o'r Ogwy, Wir en v tuawr ar y Waeu mivy. Trwy iawn nodded rhinweddau—mewn Ac mewn cryfion rasau, tcrefydd, At urdduuiad ter ddoniau, Heb wall dysg, ui ba well dau. Dymuuir llwydd rhwydd i'w rhan,—a O'u call undod dicidan; [llonder A'i gedig oes cydag Ann, Dyw heb ofid bo Bevan. ROBERT PARHY (Robyn Ddu Eryri),

CAN YR ADERYN DU. Mae can y 'deryn du, Argangeuger y ty Yn her a swynol; Mae swyn yr ab", Ion Yn enyn hwyl fy mron, I eiiio'r adeg hon, Ei giilu toreuol. Mae'n dyfod gyda'r wawr, Gan roi ei draed i lawr, Ar bEn y brisryn Chwareua gerdd mor f wya AT friar y deiliog I wyn, Ac O! mae nefoi swyn Yn odlau'i delyn. Mae su yr awel fwyn, Wrth siglo dail y llwyn, Yn fyw gerddoriaeth j Ond mwy hyfrydol yw Cerdd yr aderyn syw Mae'n disgyn ar fy ngblyw Yn llawn peroriaeth. 0 na bawn i mor rhydd Oddiwrth ofidiau prudd, Mor ddiofalon, I ganu fel tydi Glod fy Nghreawdwr cu, Nes adsaiu nefoedd fry A inawl o'rn calon. Cwmbwrla. J. J. MANJD.

THE SAILOR OUTWARD BOUND. My wife, my child, adieu, adieu, j Stern duty calls, I must to you m J^Now say farewell but Oh may we Again, ah soon united be When OIl the ocean's broad, blue breast, Where billows rear their foaming crest, rear not, God watche8 o'er the deep, He'll guard your husband in his sleep Should storms arise, 0 never think That this, my brave good ship will sink. 1. On land, on sea, no matter where. My God, I know, for me will c ire. Then cheer thee up, my dearest lass, These weary months will quickly pass; Then thou, my love, within these arms Once more shall rest from all alarms. Kiss me, my girl, and say good-bye, The hour we part is drawing nigh; Be brave, dear Jenny—on the sea My God, I know, will care for me. Neath. RHIANON.

THE MAID AND THE MOON. Ah the moon was slowly setting O'er the distant western sea, With the moon my sighs were flying On the wings of love so free Chain my troubled heart, O could I, To thy chariot Isis bright, So that I could take a journey To my darling every night. When to-morrow night returning, Aud enrobed in all thy grace, Bring a word from John, my darling,— Bring his smiles on thy bright face Take my love across the ocean, Aye, with love my heart do burn. Through the thousand stars that twii kl; His affections warm return. When beyond the sea thou'rt sinking-, Neptune gives thee liquid kiss, So that thou may when a-setting Re-salute the great abyss Take a kiss,—affection's breathing, To my love that's far away, When above the hills arising Speak the answer in thy lay. irecyuon. HORACE MTRDDix.

Y PRYDNAWN. 0 adeg ddedwydd ddaw ar oi Y boreu a'i fin lafur, A swyuiol1 Eden Yll ei gõl I loni'm eiddil natur Prydnawn a roddwyd gan ein Tad I ddyn ac anian orphwys, A blaenffrwyth gawn yn ei fwynhad 0 nefawl wlad Paradwys. Yr adeg hon y gweithiwr ddaw O'i waith, a rhea ei blentyn I'w gwrdd, a chydia yn ei law I'w ar.vain ef i'r bwthyn Diaddurn yw a lhvyd ei liw Gan dlodi a'i ofidiau, Ond etifeddion allwyl Duw Sy'n byw o fewn ei furiau. tFel hyn. yn nghanol mwyniant llawn. Mae'r tad a'i anwyl deulu, « Yn llawen dreulio y prydnawn 1 ddarllen buddiol wersi, Ar wyrdd ddalenau natur gn ■f.. Sy'n agor ger eu bwthyn, A clJân yr hoff asgellog iu X. A'u swynant ar bob brigyn, Ac hefyd mae y blodau i'r Yn plygu 'u penau'u wylaida, Ar ol gwasgaru dro3 y tir Eu hyfryd arogl peraidd Mewn inawredd y mae auian fawr Yn huuo gyda'i theulu, l Ac mae dystawrwydi dwfn yn awr Ar fyned i deyrnasu. Mae'r haul yn d'od o'i uchel sedd A'i nefawl hawddgar dremyn, Yn gwisgo'r byd ag eurog wedd Wrth gilio i'r gorllewin A chawn y cread maith i gyd Yn gwvlio hwn yn machlud, A phrudd-der daenir dros y byd Nes gwna drachefn ddychwelyfl. Prydnawn sydd yn fynedfa dlos, Neu borth o'r dydd urddasol, I arddangosfa fawr y nos, Lie mae y llu wybrenol Y n dadgan clod i en w Du w Mewn mawredd a thlysineb, A thrwyddynt hwy i ddynolryw Pregetha trag'wyddoldeb. PEREIDDTOO.

Y PEDWAR TYMHOR. Y GvVANWYN. ^Henffych well i'r Gwanwyn siriol, ;->iae ei wedd yn dra i rddunol, Ac mae'i wisg yn liar .d ragorol, Trwy bob llan a gwlad Ma? y dJne'r, pan ddaw, yn gwenu, ^„r lysiau sydd yn giasu, Cor y wig a'i fwyn aelori Gana in i'n rhai Gwelwn y briallu, Blodau heirdd a'r lili, 'R wyn ymbranciant ar y dddl, Roi mawl yn ol i'w Celi Gwanwyn ydyw tymhor denu Pawb a phobpeth i'w edmygu Cyntaf fab i Auian fwyngu, Ydyw'r Gwanwyn mad. YR HAF. Mae yr Ha f c dan ei goron, j Blodau cain, ac aIdfed aeron Balinaid'l yw y per awelon I hen glwyf y claf Mae pob perti: a 11 wyn yn fhdau, Coed y maes a'u hamryw Hwiau, Hyfryd yw eu peraroglau Gan awelon braf; EistedJ ar ei orsedd v Mas mewn rh vysg a mawredd, G wisgo mae ei fantell werdd, Gan gerdd mewn ihwysgedd Cór y wig a'i gauig rhyfedd Rhodda iddo ei anrhydedd; Siara 1 mae ei isg am sylwedd Y dragwyddol Haf. TR HYDREF. Hydref ddaw yn araf weithion, Fel rliyiy fonedd tyner galon, L.lon'd ei gol o bob anrhegioa Rod ia ini'n rhud. • Dyma galon fawr ervfoethog— Calon dvner a thrugarog, Lifodd all a n i'r angenog, Tnyy bob tref agwiaj Llein 'IV 'n ysguboriau A phob math o ffrwythau, Rhodda i'r amaethwyr lion Gynvrchion o'i holl hadau Hwn a rydd ei holl feddianau Er diwallu pob ihyw fodau, Ac yn noeth y treuga yutau Bellach ar ei 'stad. Y GAtiAV. Daw y Gauaf fel rhyw farchog, Gyda'i gleddyf noeth a miuiog, Rhuthro ar ei frodyr serchog Wna. y gelyn hy'. Diosg Wanwyn n'i brydfertliion, Amddifada'r Haf o'i goron, Hydref ffrwythlon, dyner galon, Yr i'r beddrod du. Rhewa y Ilane.-cLau, Egyr eu geneuau, Tywallt wna yr eira.'n dew, Fel olew idd i'w briwiau Eto gwelir y tymhorau, Wedi blino yn nghol angau, D'ont i fyny'n fyw o'u bedd.xu, Pan ddaw'r pwanwyn cu. Cwmbwrla. PABELLWYSON.

FATAL ACCIDENT AT PENARTH DOCK. The body of William Cooke, donkeyman on board the steamship Ascupart, of Southampton, was found in the hold of that vessel early on Wednesday morning, in Penarth Dock. The skull was fractured.

CARMARTHENSHIRE INDEPEN- DENTS' ASSOCIATION. On Tuesday and Wednesday this annual associ- ation was held at Bethlehem, St. Clears. The proceedings commenced at 10.30 on Tuesday, when a contercnce of ministers, &c„ was held, and over which the Rev. J. Tiiomas, Bryn, Llaneliv, presided. A paper was read on Ritualism," by the Rev. T. Davies, Llanelly. At two p.m. a society meeting was held, at which a free discus- sion took place on the 16th verse in the 66th Psalim In the evening the Revs. T. Davies, Llanelly, and W, Gibbon, Llandovery, preached at Bethlehem, too Hev". n. M. George (Hermon), and R. Davies (Bethlehem), Llangadog, officia- ting at the same time at Capel-mair. On Wed- nesday the services were continued by the Revs. W- Evans (Salem), Llandilo; Ossian Davies, Llanelly; J. Morgan, Cwmbach W. M. Jones, Mydrim J. Thomas, Pontarddiles J. Thomas, Bryn, Llanelly S. Davies, Penuel; and D. Evans (Salem), Llaudilo.

A WEL^H SALVAGE CLAIM. A claim of salvage was brought before Sir Robert Philliinore and Captains Drew and Nesbit on Thursday, by George Gibbs, of Porteynon. master and the owner of the steam-tug Hero of Pembrey, against Messrs Bates and Co, of L~'v r pool, the owners of the Alary Stenhouse. The Mary Stenhouse, a ship of 1,243 tons register when on a voyage from Barrow to Newport, with about 333 tons of pig ir n anl iron ore, met with very bad v. eather,ani was abandoned in Rhossiilv Bay by her master and tiie crew, ni.ie of whom, with the complainant's wife, were drowned by the swamping of the ship's boat, the remainder being rescued. The Mary Stenhouse had been in the tow of the steam-tng Resolute, aud on the 11th February last, on neariug the land, the tow rope parted, and the tug was almost immediately lost sight of iu the darkness. The Hero came up, and with the assistance of some pilots who were cruising in Carmarthen Ba.y, the Mary Stenhouse was towe.l to Swansea as a derelict ship, and there left ill charge of the salvors. The value of the shiD and her cargo was about £7,0)0, and a ten- der of £2}O was made. Sir Robert Phillimore awarded the salvors the sum of £ 40!).

TY-SEGUR REFOIDIATOny SCHOOL, NEATH. The annual meeting of the managers and friends of the above institution took place at the Tv-Seumr School on Wednesday, Air J. Coke Fowler presid- ing. After the financial business had been dis- posed of, and the books, &c., examined, luncheon was laid in the new schoolroom. At the close of the repast, Mr Fowler addressed the company present, and referred to the report, which stated that "we now possess solid and convenient farm- buildings capable of receiving and storing all the stock and produce belonging to our farm, and so arranged as not to be unsightly or injurious to the general design. All the school buildings are now quite completed, and are not likely to require any further additions. The accommodation in the dormitories Is just now barely sufficient for aug- mented numbers but as it is competent to the managers to limit the admissions there is no reason to. contemplate any further enlargements. Ine admusions In 1878 were as follows :-County jf Glamorgan, 22 county of Hereford. 5 county jf Brecon, 3 ■ transferred from Akbar Reforma- "°w "?• V llleJ^hartres were as follow: —Placed in employment, 15 returned to friends, o transferred to Akbar, 1 died ,in the school 1—total, 22.

BICYCLE ItACES AT CARDIFF. At the Cardiff Bicycle Grounds on Thursday there were some Cardiff and Mountain Ash bicycle races, under the patronage of Lord Aberdare, Lord Tredegar, an 1 others. Unfortu- nately the weather was not favourable, there being several heavy showers of rain during the afternoon. In consequence there was a rather small attendance of spectators, certainly much smaller than was anticipated considering the im- portance of some of the contests. Tne first event was for the championship of the Alountain Ash Bicycle Club, distance three miles winner to carry off a silver medal. There were 10 entries, and out or these seven bicvclists presented them- øÛves-F. T. Angle, J. Callaway, L. Davies, W. Hodges, E. Brown, S. Williams, and E. Jones. They started in two batches even. and there was only one heat. Callaway and Da vie3 fell at the first lap; they soon remounted and resumed, hardly losing their places, belt Davies's machine unluckily gave way, the rubber coming off, and he consequently gave up. Brown took the lead at the commencement and kept it for a short distance, but having over- taxed himself as against his opponents, he gradually stopped running. Several of the others did not manage their bicycles particularly well. The race was virtually between Angle and Jones. When some half dozen laps from the fbisb, Jones shot ahead of Angle, and he came in winner by about 8J yards, Angle second, and Williams third. The next event was the Alountain Ash Bicycle Club Handicap, two miles, 1st prize siver cruet stand, 2nd prize silver-plated alarum clock, 3rd. silver-plated inkstand. It was found necessarv to run this off in heats. In the first heat L. Davies, scratch, came in first; S. Williams, with 90 yards start, second and J. Brown, who alsc had a similar advantage, third. These were the only three really in the race after the work h id been settled down to. Jonen and Angle ran in the second heat against Francis and Hodges. The latter passed tyit of the track, finding he had no chance, and the two scratch men, Jones and Angle, came in first and second, Francis third, The final heat was run off between Jones, Angle, Davies, and Williams. Jones soon took the lead, which he kept throughout. Williams followed as a fair second, and in this way with Angle and Davies for spurs they came round the course a few laps from the end, Davies gave in after a good race with Angle, who passed Wil- liams; and passed the cord second. Jones 1st, Angle 2nd. Williams 3rd. The event of the day was the five mile open ameteur handicap, first prize a silver cup, value £ 6 19; 2nd prize a pair of vases. This was divided into two heats, with a final. In the first nine entered, and all putting in an appearance with the exception of Callaway and Francis, there was an exciting race. Bar- Dettgave up before he had travelled far. Harries fell. but re-mounting he completed his task very oluckily. Barnett had 400 yards start, Harries 210 yards. Hall, who had 300. yards, took the lead and came in first. Rate, with 14.0 yards, a good second. Ayre, with 300 yards, third. Warcup, of Neath, who had 101) yards, fourth. For the second heat of five mile' there were nine entries, including J. W.Hansford, Poole, a cham- pion bicyclist, and well-known riders like Burgess, of Swansea; F. Watkins, Tongwynlais and R. F. Carr, Cardiff. There was some very pretty riding, aud really a capital race. Poole, Burg.'ss, Watkins, and Carr all rods very well indeed. Poole was scratch, Burgess had 120 yards start, Watkias 120 yards start, and Carr 140 yards. Carr made some splendid spurts, but Burgess and Watkins were too many for him. Poole rode regularly, and, with apparent ease, gradually passed some gpod men. Carr and he repeatedly passed each other, but on the last lap but one the champion lost ground, and did not mss the judge in time for a place in the final. Burgess reached the winmng--post first by ten yards, Watkins and Carr following closely. In the final heat Carr did not do 1\0 well, the fatigue having told upon him. Rate. Bnrgess, and Watkins kept in front, followed by Hall, Ay re, and Harries. After a really splendid race Rate, who seemed in splendid form, came in fird, Bur- gess second, and Watkins third. Dr. Trehearne distributed the prizes, Johnson's band played at intervals. Air Hutchins acted as judge, and Air J. Wali as Bt-aJ-tac "r J. Wali as Bt-aJ-tac "r

1 1 --I.ti LJj ..I. } 11 TIIE LADIES' COLUMN. O [BY GWENDOLINE.] DKESS. The ardently wished for, but long-delayed advent of summer has brought with it &8 immense number of novelties in dres; materials, suitable for all occasions. In plain silks, the Cyprus and the Gros du "8 bear the palm both for delicacy of texture and moderation in price. The Pompadour fancy silks still maintain their well-deserved popularity. It is scarcely possible to imagine a more effective dress than one made of the Pom adour, the delicate tracery of the flowers contrasting so beautifully with the plain ground of the material. I may* men- tion that there are imitations, and very successful ones, of these floral fabrics, in washing materials. Tne latter are known as Pompa oui Cambrics. They wash perfectly, neitaer shrinking nor losing their colour. The Cowers are painted in such a manner as. at a distance, to bp scarcely distinguishable from natural *mes. There are numerous varieties to choose from, but I have seen none to equal the combinations of blue and moss-green, and olive and gold. There is an alrno t unlfm.te 1 assort rent of washing fabrics. The Scotch oatmeal cloths are in great demand, especially for children's and young Indies' out- door costumes. They may be obtained in all the delicate shades, and iu a fe Y dark ones, such as the navy blue, but the light colours are preferable for appearance and durability. The Qneea Anne chintzes are likewise very fashionable, but they are decidedly unsuitable for any but matronly ladie-. Two of the latest novelties for washing dresses are the Countess of Lmis.lala cloths and the Duchess of Gonnaught linens. These beautiful materials will become more popular as the season advances. A great Parisian novelty is the foreign cloth, terme ? Radiants. The Emerald Isle has produced a most charmingly artistic holland fabric, which is likely to cause a complete revolution in washing fabrics. AX ECHO KKOil PARIS. Our French neighbours, who are such a lents at brilliant phraseology, have, for the timp, "made a new canon as to gloves. In the most fashion- able Parisian circles the ladies gloves worn have 32 buttons; those with IS buttons beinsr con- sidered only fit for demi-toiiettc. We in England are, as usual, following the French example. During the coming season the more numerous the buttons the more fashionable will be the glove. There are some rules to be observed in connec- tion with these important and costlv items of a ladies toilette, attention to which would save a great deal of annoyance and expense. First, with regard to the purchasing of them. Glove- should never be bought simply by the size, as there are almost as many varieties ot size as of shade. Glove stretchers are abominations. They certainly make the "getting on" process a little easier, but this trifling convenience is obtained at the expense of ruining the glove. All that is required is a little patience and cau- tion in the first place, and a well-fitting glove will retain its nice appearance to the last. As much care is necessary in taking gloves off as in putting them on. They should be slowly drawn off and pressed out. Attention to tnese minor details may seem comparatively unimportant to very young iaaies but a measure of perfection is supposed to be gained by trifles. One of our best living authors defines genius as the capacity for taking trouble. so a little patient trouble in the direction referred to would save a world of unmerited comment at the expense of the haberdasher. REFOKMS IN WEDDINGS. Senator Conkling, one of the leadintr statesmen of America, has just given his daughter—Miss Bessie Conkling—in marriage, and the wedding was suggestive of one or two new features. Miss Conkling is described as being dressed in a rich white costume, without veihor orange blossoms; iiei ornaments were diamonds. She drove with her husband from the church to tffeir beautiful home, where they gave a dinner to a large party of friends. They very sensibly took no bridal tour. I shall not anticipate ladies' comments on the style of Miss Conkling's dress, but I am afraid that the majority of unmarried English ladies will hear with horror that there are to be no more bridal tours. A LUCKY LADY IX PARIS. Parisian reports respecting a ce-^n Miss Thursby, a musical prodigy, show how much one worthy woman may have of the world's smiles, while many other equally worthy young ladies are overlooked. It is said of the Misi Thursby in question, who, I uuppos?, must be a second Jenny Lwd, that sue has ha 1 no end of honours in Paris. She nas had urgent offers-which she declined-to join tLe company at the Grand Opera a medal commemorative of her success has been struck and Piesented to her a magnificer t card receiver in bronze, bearing Orpheus and his lute, has been sent to her with many compliments by the presi- dent and members of the Artistic Association M. Ambroise Tiiomas has written her a letter of commendation, and M. Gounod has given a din- ner for her. HOW TO DO THE BEST WITH SMALL MEANS. The United States is not the land of vdentv it used to be, and the female heads of American families with small incomes have to scheme how to make their money go farthest. The women of Philadelphia have set a friendly example bv the creation of a ladies' economy club. The meetings are held week after week in the parlours of the members, and are conducted upon the principle of experience meetings, a member ridm; in place, and without embarrassment (because she b,o-ss by virtue of her presence, the pecuniary situa- tion of those ^around her), telling how she manages to rget along on her husband's small sabry, These experiences are intended as lessons by which all who listen are intended to profit. Gentlemen are not supposed to invade these places, but often they get in under the pretence of deep interest in the cause. Still, the women of Phila- delphia have no reason to be ashamed of th re- port made of their gatherings, for we are told that the hostess welcomed her callers witb a bright smile, and as the ladies were ail good talkers it was not long before they proceeded to business. It started with making children's clothing, aDd the manner in which papa's old breeches were put to a new service after he had doffe 1 them was astonishing to listen to. Old coats, hats, shirts, &e., were, under the skilful manipulation of the housewife, twisted into some useful garment for some little one at home. The talk took a wide range, and fairly turned inside out every depart- ment of tne household. One ladv declared that her husband received only 600 dollars per annum (£120 of English money), and yet by economy with that amount she kept her two children nicely dressed. The American v omen are supposed to be so clever, so gifted in conversation, that per- haps few Englishwomen would be disposed to take up the idea of a ladies' economy club yet it may safely be admitted that as no two housewives have the knack of buying alike, a weekly conversation of the nature indicated might have profitable results. THE QUEEN OF ITALY. Some interesting incidents of Margaret of Italy have just been given to the world. She is said to be fond of poetry, of novels, of Government debates and squabbles. She is even interested in archeology. She reads a little of everything, and when she is about to sue literary celebrities is said to cram "their writings in preparation for the nterview. It is noteworthy that the Queen of England and the Queen of Italy have, alike, a favourite author m .11' Samuel Smiles. Margaret of Itaiy has lately received Mr Smiles, whose works, by the way, have become very popular in Italy, by means of tne Italian translations. The Queen, it is sai^ met Mr Smiles very cordially, talked to him with a reasonably full knowledge of his writings, and sent him away enchanted with her graciousness and good sense. This is verv pretty in its way. Air Smiles is so interesting and conscientious a writer that I could wish his books had passed through the hands of every woman in the United Kingdom. THE BLIND. The ladies of South Wales, I a n sure, sympa- thise with the blind, and especially with blind girls. There is no more helpless being, in my mind. than a blind girl—all the more interesting because she is so helpless and, withal, so patient. A series of concerts has been got up for the benefit of the blind, one of which was held in Cardiff this week, with, I am sorry to say, unsatisfactory financial results-despite the patronage of Alderman Lewis, the worthy Mayor of Cardiff, One of our sex, Marianne Farninghain, one of the principal writers to the Christian World, who visited Cardiff a year ago and gave a lecture in aid of the Bible Christians, has written an appiopriate soug, which I have much pleasure in giving, as follows THE BLIND GIRL'S SONG. SHE lifted her mild eyes that were dark with shade; of night; A siiiiie was on her lips, and her face grew strangely bright: It seemed as if she saw as we could not Christ the King, Aud we felt Him drawing near as we g'.adly heard her sing, This the song that trembled forth, while our eves with tears were dim, "0, rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him." We all hàd need to learn that sweet lesson of C(lntent, Though we were in gleeful mood, and on festive joyt intent, For some clanger iu-king near, some sorrow half-con- csaled. Some softly stifleù sigh, our unrest or grief reycaIed But the blind jriri's Bong was sweet, and might well our hope inspire- Oh rest, and He will give to thee thy heart's desire. Was she singing to herselfAh to face that darkened 11:(' Must have cost her bitter tears, some self-battles and wild strife. Did she count the victory won ? Had the Healer cured the pain V But there were some signs of grief that must evermore rem ,in, Yet her heart had found repose, and her joi -draught touched the brim. For she rasted 111 the Lord, waiting patiently for Him. Our faith grew clear and strong as we heard the smger'a voice, Though days be dark nnd drear we rany in God rej .ice, His sorrows come in love His mercy makes us glad, Aud even in griefs nig-ht we are not wholly sad; We will raioe the blind girl's song- our ifs i. dim. 0, rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him_" God sanctify the song- and the gentle singer bles- Give her light amid the dark, and good mtej of hap- piness, May she aye have cause for joy tiil she joins the ijiissiul band Of the harpers with tlieir harps in the sunny summer land. When she still wiii rest wuh Him, but nee 1 not wuit patiently. For the Christ is ever near, and all eyes Hisbeautv see. We thank Him that meanwhile we have heard her trust- ful song, For our hearts were sad and lone, and the night wus over long, But this God-speed gives us strength, we will sing r.h.njp the way, Tili the shadows shall give place to a bright uneii. inj day, And the tender, sweet refrain shah be heard in p\o;"ent8 dim, 0, rest in the Lord, Wiiit patiently for Iiirn."

The American Congress has voted It sum ot money for experiments to test the possibility of destroying yellow fever infection by intense cold. A jockey has been fined for cruelly spurring a ra-ce horse which ran a bad third past the winning post at Aiusdale races. Two Lymington constabes have been fined Rl each for assaulting two young men who v.&rft 1 walking quietly home. 1 > v > • A

i. — — £ deration of the source from which they i j SIMPLE AN;I UH.-VULY POISONS. I *HEUE certainly appears a necessity for 1 Some amendment of the law, so as to render ] It equally difficult to obtain deadly mixtures simple poisons. Quite recently there l«avo been several deaths, some accidental, jBonie intentional, from the consumption of f 'P°isonous compounds intended for the Instruction of rats and other small deer. The i deadly stufi' can be purchased for a trifle by one who chooses to ask [for it, and al- Uiou^|. the bottles and packets are labelled i poison," they are often thrown about so Careiy siiy that children get hold of ^'eni and occasionally kill themselves Under the idea that the poison is some of sweetmeat. In other hands vermin "tiler is employed every now and then for Murderous purposes; and again, there are *&any cases of suicide attributable to this Agency. A young girl has just made away *ith her life by taking a dose of vermin killer in a cup of tea. She had quarrelled ^th her people about a love affair, it seems, Jtad very possibly had only intended to frighten them into compliance with her fishes. This would almost appear to have been the case, for she very soon called for Medical assistance. Unhappily, the doctor <ould do nothing, and the girl died within *hree hours from taking the dose—a sub- :Btazitial proof of the virulence of the ver- tnU1 killer." Sojong as deadly stuff of this *°rt is allowed to be sold indiscriminately in pfge quantities, there cannot be much use placing legal restrictions on the sale of Ordinary poisons. MODKKIF PRIZE FIGHTING. ^rIZE fighting has not yet recovered the Position it formerly held in this country, ut, although people of influence and re- spectability no longer countenance it, there -are Hot wanting many supporters of the ring fcitlong the less respectable classes of the unity. In the neighbourhood of Bir- 'jki&gham a fight recently took place between Wo professional pugilists in the presence of large number of spectators, which, from a IjUgilistic point of view, was in every way a .decided success. Not only was the fight of the most punishing character," the face -if the defeated combatant being pounded a jelly, and presenting at the close the encounter a truly shocking appearance, but the police who en- deavoured to put a stop to the encounter roughly handled, struck with staves, ^d ultimately kept at bay, while the fight, ~*Juch lasted for an hour, was conducted ^thout hindrance. The police, to do them Justice, seem to have behaved with the *^ost praiseworthy courage, breaking up the 1';ng in the first instance, and taking posses- ion of the ropes and stakes; but they were ew in number, and were, of course, power- less against the larger body of roughs prese nt the occasion. It is a doubtful policy for le police to interfere on such occasions llnles3 they are in sufficient strength to *e«der their interference effectual. Nothing more to weaken respect for the law ll}au au exhibition of weakness on the part its officers.