HIS FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH ELECTRIC LIGHT.|1887-05-28|The Cardiff Times

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SKETCHES OF WALES AND WELSHMEN.

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SKETCHES OF WALES AND WELSHMEN. By J. Kilsby Jones. ftoger Williams and his Difficul- ties in New England. A few weeks after his arrival in the colony, Williams received an invitation to succeed the learned and accomplished Higginson as teacher in the Church of Salem, of which the Rev Mr Skelton was pastor. The offices of pastor and teacher were considered there distinct,, and both deemed essential to the Welfare of a Christian Church. He accepted the invitation, and commenced his ministry at Salem, but the civil authority immediately interfered to prevent his settlement. The reasons assigned by the magistrates for this interposition were, first, that Williams had refused to join with t congregation at Boston, because they would not declare their repentence for having held communion with the Church of England while they lived there and, secondly, that he had declared his opinion that the Magistrate might not punish a breach of the Sabbath nor any other offence that was a breach of the first table." The former of these charges is so very in- definite that it is difficult to ascertain the degree of criminality which Williams attri- buted to the conduct of the Boston Church, and to what extent he wished its members to declare their repentance. Hooker Hig- ginson (his predecessor at Salem) and Cotton Were all of them ministers of the Church of England, and not separatists, when they landed in Massachusetts, and Governor Winthrop and his associates acknowledged themselves mem- bers at the moment of their departure. Many good men considered this conformity highly censurable, tending to sanction the corruptions of the Church, her cruel- ties, and oppressions. It is not surprising that Williams, having deeply felt the in; tolerancc of the hierarchy, was disinclined to join with those who connived at her un- scriptural requirements, and yielded to her arrogant demand for absolute submission. "AIy own voluntary withdrawing," says he, "from all the Churches resolved to continue in persecuting the witnesses of the Lord presenting light unto them. I confess it was my own Voluntary act; yea, I hope the act of the 1 Lord Jesus, sounding forth in me the blast, Which shall in his own holy season cast down he strength and confidence of those inven- tus of men." The real offence of Williams Was probably this—that having such strong and conscientious objections to the Church ;f England, he would not consent to unite Membership with a congregation that professed to be connected with it. hat he was not guilty of the uncharitable- 11688 and bigotry with which he Was charged is evident from a circumstance recorded by Winthrop, which shows that a few months afterwards, when Williams was a minister of the Church at Plymouth, he received the governor and other gentlemen from Boston at the communion in his own Church. The other charge—that Williams denied the power of the civil magistrate to Punish men for the neglect or the erroneous Performance of their duties to God—is one which, at the present day, it is necessary to discuss or vindicate. °n the 12th of April, 1631, two months his arrival in the colony, he was set- tled as a minister or teacher at Salem—the self-same day on which the magistrates were Assembled at Boston to express their disap- probation of the measure, aud to desire the Church to forbear any further proceeding. This arbitrary interference of the General Court of the colony with the rights of the church at Salem will not now be justi- fied by any man who believes that Christ is the only legislator in his kingdom. To the civil government of the colony he Was willing to yield due submission, and on the 18th of the following May he took the customary oath on his admission as a freeman. It is worthy of notice also that on the ^ery day he was admitted a citizen of the colony, "the general court" ordered and agreed that for the time to come no man shall be admitted to the freedom of this bOdy politic but such as are members ef the churches within the limits of the same," The ecclesiastical polity estab- lished was a sort of theocracy. The govern- ment belonged solely to the" brethren." "Not only was the position of magistrate shut against natural and unregenerate men, though excellently fitted for civil offices, but also against the best and ablest ser- vants of God, except they be entered into Church estate." This, according to Williams, was to pluck up the roots and foundations of all common society in the world to turn the garden and paradise of the Church into the field of the civil state of the world, and to reduce the world to the first chaos, or confusion." This unjust law the colony was afterwards compelled to repeal. Williams's stay at Salem was very short, for the Church, by disregarding the wishes and advice of the authorities in calling him to be its minister, had incurred the disapprobation of the magistrates, and raised a storm of persecution, so that he was obliged to seek a residence in the colony of Ply. ..tnouth, where the Separatists were settled, and who, as we have seen, were in posses- sion of views on Church matters considerably in advance of the other Colonists. His removal from Salem was compulsory, and not his own choice or the desire of the Church, for he held a high place in the estimation of its members during his whole life, and he was invited to return, two years afterwards, to resume his ministerial labours among them. Williams was received with much respect at Plymouth, and was settled as assistant to the pastor, the Rev. Ralph Smith. The persecution which drove him from Salem to Plymouth was over-ruled by Pro- vidence for the highest good, not only to Williams himself, but even to his persecu- tors, as will be shortly seen. It enabled him to establish a new colony, and also to pre- serve New England from the merciless fury of the Indians. While at Plymouth he enjoyed frequent opportunities of friendly intercourse with their most celebrated chiefs, and. by acts of kindness secured their confidence. At this period also Williams made excursions among these stern chiefs and warriors to learn their customs and language. In a letter written many years afterwards he says "God was pleased to give me a painful, patient spirit to lodge with them in their filthy smoky holes even while I lived at Plymouth and Salem, to gain their tongue." This friendly intercourse with the Sachems, aid knowledge of their language, was of inestimable value to him in his future career, in the pur- chase of lands, and in gaining an influence among the Indians which no other person ever possessed His sympathies were also' awakened for their spiritual condition and he felt an advent desire that they might be converted to the Christian faith. In one of his letters lie says My soul's desire was to do good to the natives and in his subsequent course of life shows how intensely his heart was fixed on their subjection to the spiritual and peaceful reign of Christ. Why he returned from Plymouth to Salem is not stated by his biographer. The experience of ecclesiastical usurpation in England appears to have excited both the venerable Skelton and Williams to express an apprehension that the tendency of a ministers' meeting, recently established, was ominous of an encroachment upon the in- dependence of the churches and liberty of conscience. But this fear was with- out cause, for they were all clear on that point that no church or person can have power over any other church neither did they in their meetings exercise any such jurisdiction. The meeting was probably formed for the purpose of mutual improve- ment and consultation respecting the in- terests of religion, but Skelton and Wil- liams undoubtedly perceived something which they deemed inconsistent with their views of church goverement. Other opportunities for hostility to Williams were soon found by the magis- trates and ministers. In December, 1633, "the governor and assistants met at Boston and took into consideration a treatise which Williams (then of Salem) had sent to them, and which he had formerly written to the governor and council of Plymouth, wherein, among other things, he disputed their rig t to the lands they possessed here, and con- cluded that, claiming by the Kings grant, they can have no title, nor otherwise except they compounded with the natives." This treatise, it is much to be regretted, has been lost. Williams was charged with having "written a quarto against the King's patent and authority." Mr Williams clearly perceived the injustice of the claim to occupy lands which belonged to the natives, merely on the ground of prior discovery, and he also understood the character and habits of Indians. They were independent tribes in no sense the subjects of the King of England, and his charter could not convey to the colonists a title which he did not himself possess. The "sin of the patents," which lay so heavily upon Williams' mind, was that therein Christian Kings (so called) are invested with a right, by virtue of their Christianity, forsooth to take and give away the lands of other men." And he says that Before his troubles and banishment he drew up a letter, not without the approbation of some of the chiefs of New England, then tender also upon this point before God, directed unto the King himself, humbly acknowledging the evil of that part of the patent which respects the donation of lands. The colonists themselves bought almost invariably the land of the natives for such compensation as satisfied the Indians, thus acting on the principle Williams advocated. Cotton Mather asserts that gc notwithstand. ing the patent they had for the country, they fairly purchased off the natives the several tracts of laud which they afterwards possessed." These facts are highly honourable to the pilgrims, and Roger Williams is entitled to praise for his steady advocacy of this policy. In his treatise Williams discussed merely the abstract question, and the treatise was a private communication to the governor and other gentlemen of Plymouth. There is no evidence that he questioned the authority of the charter, so far as it could operate without infringing the rights of the Indians, and at a meeting of the governors and coun- cil, a month afterwards, they acknowledged they had taken unnecessary offence.

CHEERFUL

IA TRAVELLER'S CHEEK. I

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WORKMEN'S TOPICS.

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WORKMEN'S TOPICS. BY W.Abraham, M.P., Mabon., QUARRY FENCES-PIT BROW WOMEN —MINERS AND THE MINES BILL A bill to provide for the fencing of quarries has, m a i, now writing its torn ST Up^r cimW. A »»»,. of thi» kind bJ tarnf.dlj wanted lor yean, and many a uas Dean o* j witfa m0 w}len bereaved relative wil £ I say the sooner it becomes law the better y • «. nf such an act would The existence of sucn accident have prevented many a saa accident. Readers will probably remember the case of Sam Cameron, the travelling draper, who was found dead in the Pentre Vach stone quarry, PontyPridd, a short time ago. The poor fellow 711 from the top of the quarry, his neck Zing dislocated, and his breast-bone fractured. The quarry, which was held under lease from the trustees of Lord Bute, bad no railing round it, and the pathway from which the deceased must have fallen was within a few feet of the edge of the quarry. The pathway was a very old one, and therefore constituted a highway. No doubt the owners of quarries ought to be compelled to fence them in, and, in the event of fatal accidents arising through the absence of railings, the quarry owners should be held guilty of manslaughter. The accident I have mentioned was not, I believe, the first that had occurred at the particular quarry in question. At that place, or thereabouts, another startling accident had happened. Morien, coming home from London one night, about two years ago, left the train at Pwllypant, and took a straight course over the mountain towards his home. As he was descending on the Treforest side he fell into an old unfenced quarry, some 30 feet in depth. Most people who have seen the place marvel that he was not killed. And what would Wales have done without him ? Antiquaries are too scarce to be killed off in that way. Well it is to prevent such calamities that the new bill has been introduced. It provides that where any quarry dangerous to the public is in open or unenclosed land, or is within 50 yards of a highway or place of public resort dedicated to the public, and is not separated therefrom by a secure and a sufficient fence, it shall be kept securely fenced for the prevention of accidents, and, unless so kept, shall ho deemed to be a nuisance, liable to be dealt with summarily in the manner provided by the Public Health Act, 1875. The term quarry includes every pit or opening made for the purpose of getting stone, slates, lime, chalk, gravel, or sand. It is true that much has been drawn out of the bill by the protectors of the landed and moneyed interests of the country. Still the bill as it is will be a great boon in many parts of the country if the inspectors under the Public Health Act can find time to see that it is properly administered. The House of Commons has seldom had a stran- ger group of visitors than that whichappearedin the lobbies on the afternoon of one day last week, when the pit-brow women from various collieries in Lancashire and Cumberland arrived there. The real object in bringing the women to the lobbies was to give hon. members some opportunity of learning whether there were any signs of the lasses being employed at any unbecoming or unwomanly work. But those who were the means of bringing the women to the House forgot to bring the grease pots, the oil cans, and the specimens of shovels used by these women. Nor was anything said about the trams pushed by them. And there was no coal dust to make a cloud, the particles of which would fasten on the women's greasy aprons and black faces. All this was necessary in order to give gentlemen unacquainted with the facts a fair idea of the kind of labour which the lasses and women of the mines have to perform. I am glad to admit that the lasses looked fairly well, but, as one of the Northern representatives remarked in the lobby, Ah it's all very well; but among these lasses there are none of the care-worn family-bearers and providers, such as are to be found at the pit brows in some of the counties that I have seen." Still, I am very much afraid that the majority of the members—Tory and Liberal-are in favour of retaining female labour at the pit banks. They say the labour is not unwomanly, and that Parliament should not interfere. Un- womanly, indeed Hon. members would have but to go and see for themselves to be convinced whether the work is unwomanly or not. Go and see the women using the oil-can, the grease-pot, and the blubber. See them in clouds of coal dust or dripping wet, using shovels or pushing trams, discharging coal trucks or loading fire-clay. See these women holding forth with men and indulging in horseplay. Nay, more, the women are often hugged, and altogether the scenes that take place are anything but decent. Hon. gentlemen, dis- guise yourselves, and go and see what is daily enacted, and then come back and say whether the work is womanly or not. But I have not sufficient time to enter fully into this matter now, and for the present I will dismiss the question by saying. that I sincerely trust that the mothers of the future generation will soon be able to obtain conrenial employment of a more refined character -work more likely to prepare them for their natural position in the social world than in the mud and mire on our pit banks. The interest taken in the deputation of women has evidently caused an important conference of pitmen, held in London at the same time, to be almost entirely forgotten. These men drafted a memorial, which they asked the labour M.P.'s to present to the Home Secretary, urging him to definitely appoint a day on which the Mines Bill could be discussed previous to its being taken in committee. Some seven or eight members of Parliament waited on the right hon. gentleman with the view of receiving his answer to the memorial. As usual, they found him pliable, but quite as indifferent as ever. He could not see the necessity for discussion at all previous to going into committee. His anxiety was that the bill should go into committee first, and then he would not care to what length the clauses were discussed. But the deputation assured Mr Matthews that it was necessary to discuqs prin- ciples befora clauses. They know that the moment the bill is in committee the Home Secretary, with the closure and a Tory majority, will be able to get pretty much his own way. At about half- past three the following morning Mr Smith agreed that the bill should be set down for June 9th. The workmen's representatives will meet again early in June to confer respecting the bill, and to interview the various members with the view of soliciting Support to amendments in the measure and it is to be hoped that now we are on the eve of battle, as it were, the miners of South Wales, with the miners in other parts of the country, will show unflagging interest in this burniug question. Tbedelegates who were in London last week did good work. Many thanks to them. The Home Secre. tary, although holding the view that there are bnt two or three points to be discussed in the whole bill, is beginning to find, and will certainly find further on, that thete are more amendments to be moved to his bill than thore are clauses in the bill itself.

--'-0_-.'_-A CONSIDERATE MENIAL.-

tALL BIGHTS KBSKRVED BY THE…

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tALL BIGHTS KBSKRVED BY THE AUT:!OR.] WELSH NATIONAL STORY. (1 Llewelyn; Or, The Last of the Welsh Princes. An Historical Romance. BY BERIAH GWYNFE EVANS, Author of Bronwen," "Roundhead and Cavalier," "Owen Hughes," The Heir of Glynafon," (t-e. <kc. CHAPTER XL.—THK PAGE. Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn, notwithstanding his capture, and the consequent defeat of all his fondest hopes, had still some causafor satisfaction. He bad been somewhat anxious until he obtained news of Alan's fate. When, however, the men sent in search of the esquire returned with the news that he was not only apparently not dead, but that he had evidently made his escape, the traitor felt that one of the bitterest pangs of his own captivity had been greatly alleviated. As to his ultimate fate he had little apprehension. He felt no doubt that, however much angered Llewelyn might be, he would aot care to proceed to extremities with a man who had obtained such influence throughout Wales as he had done. Then, too, Edward of England would intercede on his behalf, and by offering an exchange of prisoners, might, and probably would, secure Ap Gwenwynwyn's release. And while thus confident about his own fate, he had the satisfaction of knowing that Meredydd's fate was sealed. He had too much confidence in Alan's fidelity to doubt for a moment that he would fail to execute the im. portant commission with which he had been charged. How well founded was the Knight's trust in his esquire's faithful execution of orders we have already seen. The game in which Ap Gwenwynwyn had been engaged was, however,- necessarily of such a nature as prevented his forecasting with exactness what might take place. There were possible combinations of which he could have no foreknow- ledge. His calculations were liable to be upset at any moment by occurrences he could never have foreseen. Admitting that he were once delivered into Llewelyn's hands, and that his friends were once permitted to open negotiations directly with the Prince, then the forecast of Ap Gwenwynwyn would have been a fairly correct one. Whether the circumstances in which he actually found him- self were such as he imagined them to be we shall shortly see. The party'lost no time in hastening forward to join the forces before Castell Tre'r Llyn, under the command of Enion ap Rhydderch. the brother ofGwen. When they arrived, Ap Gwenwynwyn had the satisfaction of seeing that the place still held out. He would now, he thought, be able to make terms for the surrender of the castle after assuring himself of Meredydd's death. Xewdwr ab Ednvfcd immediately took his prisoner to the tent of the commander of the forces, and formally banded him over to Einon. Gwen's brother was attended by a number of other chiefs, and standing near him, in the centre of the tent, was a youthful-looking page, who appeared to be in deep converse with him. Ha!" said Einon, when Ap Gwenwynwyn had been introduced, and so the fox hath been caught in his own trap. It is well, for we know bow to deal with him." "1 am pleased to bear theo say so," said Ap Gwenwynwyn, with an attempt at bravado. I feared thy knowledge of the customs of chivalry would have been as scant as that of this coward who hath bound me like a serf." "Speak not thou, of all men, of the customs of chivalry," said Einon. "Thou hast forfeited every right to chivalrous consideration. And well it is for thee that thy position just now prevents Towdwr ab Ednyfed from calling thee to account for the word 4 coward. Ay." replied Tewdwr, with a laugh, though there was, too, an angry beam in his eyes, Ay t we all know the proverb, 'Drwg ei hun a debyg arall' (He who is himself evil thinks evil of others)." "But we have no time to spare in parley," said Eynon. I ask thee, Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn, where is Meredyddab Ednyfed ?" "Why ask ye of me where he is? Am 1 bis kocpci* "So said Cain, when asked of his brother's fate," said Einon, gravely. "I trust the com- parison will not go further. We know he entered thy castle yonder, and we know he hath not left it." ,„ "Then why ask ye of me if ye know already?" demanded Gruffydd. "Simply because we would fain think that thou dost already regret the treachery thou hast been guilty of. Therefore I ask of thee again for information respecting Meredydd. And I," said Ap Gwenwynwyn, refuse to answer thee. I do lIot acknowledge thy authority, but demand to be taken before Llewelyn, whose safe conduct under his own hand I hold." "Ay, and which thou, did'st receive from Meredydd ab Ednyfed when he came to thee on the Prince's own command, and which thou hast forfeited by the treachery thou didst contemplate in asking for the safe conduct, and didst execute when once thou had'st it in thy hand. But I have no time to dally here with thee. An' thou wishest not to answer, I will not compel thee. Ho there. without At this an attendant at the door entered. Hath the gallows been erected, as I ordered. "Yes," "Exactly opposite the chief gate of the castle 1" „ Yes, and within all but a bowshot of it. That is well. Bring in haW-a-dozon men, and lead the prisoner to his proper place." Ap Gweowynwyn had listened to this conversa- tion in mingled wonder and anxiety. He cou d scarcely believe that the gallows was seriously intended for him, the scion of one of the most powerful houses in Wales; and yet, when he looked upon the dark and lowering countenances of the assembled chieftains, in all of whom be recognised either Llewelyns most faithful adherents or Meredydd's most intimate friends, his heart began to sink within him. "This," he cried, as the soldiers approached and seized him, I will never submit to. "We do not ask thee to submit," was Einon s cold reply. Thou hast no choice in the matter. Take him and hang him up, that all his men within the castle may see him, and know what will be their fate unless the castle be delivere up ere noon this day.' „ This is murder, cold-blooded murder, cned the traitor, now thoroughly alarmed. "Tbou art such an adept in calling things by their wrong names, that to call this murder is the best proof that it is justice," said Mnon. Away with him, men, and we will accompany you to see that the act be properly done. This last utterance of the leader of the Woleh forces led Ap Gwenwynwyn to hope that the whole thing was nothing but an attempt to frighten him, and so with an assumed bold stop and upright bearing he accompanied his captors to where the gallows had been raised. It was only a rough structure, conFliAting of merely two trunks of trees firmly fixed perpen- dicularly in the earth some two yards apart, and with a strong bough of one left growme lonzon- tally out, and fastened at its end to the upright trunk of the other. From the centre of this bough was suspended a strong rope, ending in a noose. Not until he found himself actually on the spot, and bade to ascend a rough and shaky platform for the purpose of having the noosa fastene on bis neck, did ha really believe that his captors were determined to proceed to extremities. Until then he bad maintained an appearance of dignity which he knew well how to assum e. Now, however, this assumed calmness left him, and he became visible as the abject, cringing wretch he really was. .1 Einon he cried—" Einon Do not this great wrong. I would, indeed, save Meredydd if 1 could, but I cannot." Thou canst not ? and why ? Because he is already dead," replied Ap Gwenwynwyn. Then heaven have mercy on thy soul," said Einon solemnly, for die thou must. Thy only chance of life was that Moredydd might yet be alive, and that thy written order might bring hi. h~r9 ;n • Oh ten thousand curses on the head of Alan, my esquire Had lie but waited a little longer cried Ap Gwenwynwyn. "But give me the chance. Here, send this ring to the Governor of the castle, and tell him it is my command that Meredydd be released." At this the page already referred to sprang eagerly forward, and seized the ring from the trembling fingers of the craven knight. "Haste thee, sir page! haste thee!" cried Ap Gwenwynwyn. as the page, accompanied by a herald, left the little bank on which the gallows had been raised, and hastened towards the castle gates. Thou need'st not fear as to the haste of the messenger, said Einon with a smile. If the governor of thy castle be as speedy as my messenger would have him be, all will be: well. Yet do not foster any false hopes, for as certain as that the sun is now approaching its meridian, so certain will its midday beams fail upon thy corpse if Meredydd ap Ednyfed be not here then safe and sound." Meanwhile the page and herald, as we have already seen, reached the castle and obtained audience of the governor. The sight of the rinr, and, above all, a glance through the window at the gallows erected since he had gone to bring Meredydd out for execution, convinced the governor that both in his lord's interest and in his own he could do nothing better than release Mere- dydd forthwith. He accordingly hastened, accompanied by the page, who pressed him to use all speed, to Meredydd's dungeon, calling at the same time for a dozen personal retainers who, he thought, might be required to convince Alan in his head- strong adherence to his master's orders that the only course left open for them was to release Meredydd. No sooner did they come in sight of the band, headed by Dio o'r Llanerch and Meredydd, than the page leapt forward, and casting himself (on Meredydd's breast, exclaimed:- Thou art safe and free Meredydd gazed in surprise, and found that the page, overcome by his feelings, had fainted. Poor boy," said the governor "I never saw anyone so eager and anxious for the safety ot anyone as this page of thine. Had he been thy ladylove instead cf thy page he could not have been more afraid of being too late to save thee. Now haste thee and secure the safety of my lord by showing thyself among thine own people. Leave thy pago in my charge. I will see to his having every care." "Nay," said Meredydd, pushing back those who would have taken the limn form of the poor boy from his arms; "nay; "no hand but mine shall tend him. Let me bear him to the open air, and that will help revive him." And so saying, tenderly and lovingly he bore the precious burden in his arms through the grim castle gates to the open air and freedom beyond. Then, and only then, did he imprint a passionate kiss on the ruby lips of the face upturned towards him. Never to living soul did he say that it WAS Gwen who had herself released him CHAPTER XLI.—all HOPE GONE. The scene is changed. waie9 has been left far behind. Llewelyn, with his leading chieftains, has gone up to London to do the formal homage agreed to in the terms of peace to which he had consented when he placed bride before country. Before this, however, he had sent Gwen, under a strong escort, to London to be once more with her mistress, so soon to be her prin- cess. Gwen's arrival with the information that Llewelyn was shortly to follow did more for the recovery of the Lady Eleanor than all the physic of the skilful leeches Edward had ordered to attend upon her. Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn, too, had been re- leased, chiefly by Gwen's intercession with her brother. The joy and satisfaction of all at having Meredydd once more free and safe was so great that little opposition was offered when Gwen entered her plea for ^Srcy for the traitor. Einon felt, too, that he was in a manner bound in honour to release the man who had done Meredydd such great wrong, as that wrong had now been righted. Thus it happened that Grnffydd found himself again at the English court, but little the worse for the rough handling he had undergone in the Welsh camp. Gwen was herself unaware of his presence, and, passing along a lonely walle in the plLlncc gardens one day. suddenly and unexpectedly found herself face to face with the man who had tried to do her and those she loved the greatest wrong. She would have passed him, but with a malicious smile he stopped her, saying •_ u Not so fast, fair maiden. It is such a long time since I had last the pleasure of speaking to thee that I would now fain ask thee to spare me an hour's quiet chat." "There can be no pleasure to thee nor to me in any talk with each other," said the maiden, though greatly a.larmed, cc so I pray thee let me pass and she made as though she would pass him by. r "Nay. by my soul thou shalt not!" cried he. • a°t hasfc here> as tfiou hadst in Wales, thy lover at thy call to aid thee though in good sooth I wish he were but here that I might teach him, too, the lesson he so sadly needs. If thou comest not with me of thine own free will, I know the way to make thee come of mine own choice f n C7!J. harshly > I brook no more folly of thine. Since thou wilt not come of thine own free will, thou must come as I wish thee, and be what I wish thee." She was too breathless to call for help, and her whilom lover felt that he had her completely in his power, for the part of the palace near which they found themselves was that containing the apartments allotted to his Use, Seizing her therefore in hia armR> he bore her into the corridor which led to his room. So saying, he made a grasp at her dress. With a loud scream, however, she eluded him. and, darting with the speed of the startled fawn past him, she rushed towards the palace, which loomed between the trees in front of her. With a muttered imprecation Gtuffydd ap Gwenwynwyn followed, and, though her flight was rapid, the sound of pursuing footsteps soon told her that she had no chance in the race against him. Indeed, in a very short time, and while almost with her hand upon the door to cne of the entrances to the palace, he overtook her. and, placing his hand on her shoulder, he roughly shook her. Poor Gwen felt that she had now indeed no hope. Her capture had been made without an eye perceiving them, and too weU she knew that, once within his own rooms,her fate was sealed for ever. (To be Concluded in our Next.)

---jA REALIZING SENSE.

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WELSH GLEANINGS. -..-------

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WELSH GLEANINGS. (By Lloffwr.) I noticed in my gleanings last week the ener- getic band of CeJtologists, who are dnmg such excellent work in the study of the ancient Celtic language. Among the band I mentioned the name of Professor Kuno Meyer, a German scholar occupying an important chair at the Liverpool University. As I write I have before me a book bearing the following title Peredur ab Efrawc, edited with a glossary by Kuno Mover. Leipzig. S. Hirz°,l, 1887" In the preface I find that this little book is intended to serve as a text book for university classes in Welsh, both in this country and abroad. It is hoped that it may also be found useful to Welshmen as an introduc- tion to the study of their older literature." Thus we have a book, written by a German, and pub- lished at Leipzig, intended for the study of Welsh liieratnre in Wales. This would appear to an Englishman like taking coals to Newcastle, and to a Welshman like oyrchu dnT dros afon." The excellent manner in which Professor Meyer has acquitted himself in this work leads one to regret, not that this German has taken up the work, but that no Welshman has done so. The Grammatical Remarks are most valuable and interesting, while the glossary at the end has been carefully compiled. The author expresses his obligations to Mr Ivan T. Davies, Llanuwchllyn, Bala, for valuable assistance rendered in the preparation of the work. The issue of this work is not the only service Professor Kuno Meyer has dOllo the Welsh people. In the address delivered by him before the Liverpool Welsh National Society he uttered some words which should take deep root in the hearts of the present generation of Welsh students, and bsar excellent fruit in their future work. His remarks were so weighty that they deserve a separate paragraph for themselves, and I am only sorry I cannot print them, as they deserve to be printed, m letters of gold. This is what he says :— "Nobody who ha.s made himself familiar with the methods practised by CotuparativePhiiol joists can be unaware of the importance attaching to linguistic facts as bearing directly on all other branches of historical science. The proper study of language enables us to arrive at the only trustworthy conclusion as to the history and culture, to the whole iife of a nation in the remote past, liny, it even leads us up into prehistoric times of which no direct literary record of any- kind remains. Not before we have complete and trustworthy edition-, with accompanying trnnsla- tions of all the important Welsh and Irish texts, editions that fulfil all the exigencies of modern critical work, not before we have complete and trustworthy dictionaries of all the different Celtic languages and their dialects, dictionaries both etymological and explanatory-not, believe me, before this has been accomplished can we hope to deal satisfactorily with any literary or historical problem." Then follows another paragraph, to which I would direct the careful consideration of present and future generations of Welshmen. Now, who Is called upon, who is fitted to do this work ? Surely he who is born to the know- ledge of a Celtic language, who had spoken it from his boyhood, and loves it with a far brought love, a love from out the storied past. But yon have another trreat advantage over the foreigner. The fact thai you know two languages more or fr,'s completely is of /treat i aportance in this ntudi/. You are naturally accustomed to compare these two languages, which though they belong to the same family, are yet so widely different in their structure and organism. You are like all bilin- gual people, born comparative philologists. At any rate, you have there )wt only a mental training of great value, bitt, as it mere, the very best basis for a comparative study of language." » The name of Mr Owen Edward?, of Balliol College, Oxford, is one which is already favour- ably known in Welsh circles, and will, I venture to predict, be more widely and more favourably known in the world of learning and literature if he be spared to continue th i career h6 has so promisingly commenced. Mr Edwards, who re- ceived his education at the University College of Wales, Abervstwith, affords an excellent sample of the material which lies unworked in the valleys and on the hill sides of Wales, material which will, when proper educational facilities are placed within our reach, prove to the world what stuff Welshmen are made of. Last year Mr Edwards won the Stanhope Eisay prize at Oxford, and now he has just been awarded the Lothian Essay prize open to all members of the University ot less than seven years' standing. Mr Edwards is said to be the first undergraduate who has succeeded in carrying off these important University prizes in tWl. successive years. He is known in the world of letters as specially engaged to write a volume on "Wales" in the series "The Story of the N'atiom," Another Welshman who has received a well. merited honour is Mr Gwilyin Evans, the well- known manufacturing chemist of Llanelly, Mr Gwilym Evans is known to his fellow-countrymen chiefly as the largest and most enterprising adver- tiser in Wales. This is, however, not his chief distinction. In the world of science he is known as one of the leading chemists of the day, and in recognition of this he has just been elected to a seat in the Pharmaceutical Council. It appears that he is the first Welshman who has had the honour of having this enviable distinction con- ferred upon him. «- I have just received from Mr Henry BJackwell, 210, East llth-street, New York, a Catalogue of a. Choice Collection of Works relating to the Celts, Druids, Bards, Ancient Britain, Wales, and the Welsh," which lie has for sale.' He is also bringing out a new edition of Jane Williams's History of Wales, There is in the States not only a large number of people of Welsh birth, who can appreciate and feel interested in English works relating to Wales, but there is also a large constituency of Welsh readers. The Drych and the Wasg are popular Welsh weekly newspapers which have attained a very largo circulation, and in addition to this thero are issued every year a number of Welsh books, while Welsh works published in tnis country are either reproduced iu the State?, or are largely purchased there through agents who are supplied by the home publishers. When the proposal for Honi5 Rule for Wales assumes definite shape, we shall have in the Welshmen of America an excellent field for obtaining reinforcements. This fact will not be overlooked when the time coines for making use of it. I have received the current numbers of two magaz'nes which possess some interest for the readers of this column. The first of these is the New Court and Finsbury Park Congregational Magnzme," It is a record of the j• >int work of the two brothers, Ossian and Eynon Davies, and is evidently their joint production, Snch a magazine must be a valuable help to these popular pastors in the important work they have in hand. Looking over the engagements for May, I find that May 31st is the only day of the month on which there is no service of any kind in connection with Ossian' church, while on many week days there are two or three separate meetings. The other magazine I refer to is the Arundel- square Church i hronicle." The pastor of this church, and the editor of its ehronicl*, is the Rev. H. Elwyn Thomas, who was for some time Wesleyan minister at Cardiff, but who accepted a I call to the pastorate of Arundel-square Congrega- Church some time ago. I understand-that lie is, like other Welsh ministers in important English pastoral charges, doing excellent work in his new sphere. As a sample of the work which a popular pastor has to arrange for in London, I give the following extract from the tabulated arrangements in the chronicle :—Sundays, Divine service at 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.; prayer meetings, 10.15 a.m., and after evenmg service Sunday- school, 10 a.m. and 2.45 p.m.; men's Bible class, 3 p.m. That represents an ordinary Sunday's work. Then for week nights, prayer meeting on Monday atjS p.m. Divine service on Wednesday at 7 30 p.m., while ir.<jetings are held during the week in connection witu the following societies belonging to the Church Band of Hope, Bene- volent Society, Christian Workers' Association, Christian Band, Homo Mission, Institute, Juvenile Home Mission, Maternal Society, Sav- ings Bank, Sunday-school Choir, and Young Women's Benevolent Association. The pastor is, asamle, chairman of most of these societies, aud is expected to take a personal interest in the work of all of them, and it is the extent to which he does so and the amount of energy he is able to infuse into their working that decides, to a great extent, the local influence he wields and the popularity he attains. Certainly, the lot of a popular London pastor is not a bed of roses. He is not allowed to take his ease in Zion The receipt of these magazines has suggested an idea which I think might be put in practical shape, and do much good. Why could not a number of churches in any given town or district issue conjointiy magazines of this sort ? Take, for example, the Welsh churches of Cardiff. There are thirteen of them. Could they not join to- gether to issue a monthly magazine, containing such things as the following :-(a) Table far each church showing all the services to be held during the month. (b) Brief records of the work done in connection with each during the past month. (c) Historical account of the formation and progress of each of the thirteen churches in its turn, with an illustration giving a view of the building, (d) A sermon in each issue by the pastors in turn (e) portraits and biographical sketches of present and past pastors of each church, &c. These are only a few of the various things which the magazine might contain. It would be most interesting to the members of the churches and conp-regations would show each one at a glance what meetings would be held in connection with each chapel during the coming month would form a valuable historical record of the progress of Welsh Christian work in the town for future reference; would bind the Welsh element in the town more closely together than ever. I do not reserve the copy- right of the suggestion. I make a free gift of it to all Welsh people in Cardiff and elsewhere. The only royalty I ask for is the satisfaction of learning that the idea has been taken up and acted upon in Cardiff and elsewhere, The committee of the Liverpool and District Welsh Sunday School Union, in anticipation of their fifteenth annual concert, to be held in Hengler's Circus on the 31st inst., have issued the programme of the music to be rendered by the young vocalists. The advisability or otherwise of forcing young voices by the rehearsals required for selections from oratorios has recently been a subject of discussion among local musicians, and it is refreshing to find that the committee have this year selected a less difficult class of music, without at the same time revert- ing to the extreme simplicity which charac- terised the concerts of 1873 and 1874. This year thero are two chants, one by the Hev. W. Blow and the o,her by Mr T. Jones, M.B. an anthem," Praise the Lord, 0 Jerusalem (Isalaw); a sacred song and chorus l,y Dr. Parry (Pcncerdd America); Welsh melody, The March of the Men of Merioneth (D. W. Owen); Mendelssohn's Song of the Lark;" an old Welsh melody, Haste to Battle," harmonised by Mr W. H. Roberts, Seacoinbe; a Welsh funeral anthem, Dyn a aned o Wraifc," by R. Davies (Asaph Lleohid); duet and chorus, Come unto me" (J. M'Gianahan); Bntain's Lament," an old Welsii ballad, arranged is a hymn tune; "The Ash Grove," with specially written words, dedi- cated to the union by Mr W. Alltwen William*, Stanley-buildings. A new monthly is to be started. It will bear the title of Cymru Fydd," and will be devoted to the furtherance of all Welsh national interests. I am giad to find that the proposal to do some. thing for the widow and orphans of the late Ceiriog Hughes is taking definite form. A com- mittee has been formed, with Mr Lewis Morris as chairman, Mr Stuart Rendel as treasurer, and Mr T. Marchant Williams (4, Paper-buildings, Temple, London) as secretary, with the view of collecting a suitable testimonial fund. I trust the appeal of the committee will moet with a ready J and universal response.

BLINDFOLD.

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BLINDFOLD. What do we know of the world, as we grow so old and wise ? Do the years, that still the heart beats, quicken the drowsy eyes? At twenty we thought we knew it—the world there at our feet We thought we had found its bitter, we knew we had found its sweet. Now at forty and at fifty, what do we make of the world ? There in the sand she crouches, the sphinx with her gray wings furled. S 'ul of a man I know not; who knoweth, can foretell, And what can I read of fate, even of self I have learned so well ? Heart of a woman I know not how should I hope to know, I that am foiled by a flower, or the stars of the silent snow I that have never guessed the mind of the bright. eyed bird, Whom even the dull rocks cheat, and the whirl wind's awfnl word ? Let me loosen the fillet of clay from the shut and darkened lid, For life is a blindfold game, and the voice from view is hid. I face him as best I can, still groping here and there; Far the hand that has touched me lightly, the lips that have said Declare Well, I declare him my friend—the friend of the whole sad race, Ond oh that the game were over, and I might see his face But 'tis much, though I grope in blindness, the voice that is hid from view May be heard, may be even loved, in a dream that may come true. -Exchange.

HIS FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH…

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HIS FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH ELECTRIC LIGHT. Uncle Jodi Gosh darn these new-fangled lamps. They ain't worth a row of beans. Here I've wasted over box cf niatclieq and the darned old thing won't light yet."

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TALK OF THE TOWN.

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TALK OF THE TOWN. MINING WOMEN AND THE GOVERNMENT—HOW THKT HELD THEIR OWN—THE PKICK OF A GOWN-A CLERICAL HOP-CRIME IN HIGH LATITUDES-A FANCY BALL, AND SOME OF THOSE WHO WERK AT IT-1m mVING AS SHTLOCK—MR AND MRS KENDAL —" CLANCARTY "— AMY ROSELLK — TCMXG-PIN— A PICTURE STORY—BUFFALO BILL TAKEN ABACK— THE SALON ITS DOINGS. Many au undertaking in the cause of humanity frustrates its object by wrong handling, and would be the means, if carried out on the primary lines laid down, of adding misery to the very sufferers it is intended to benefit. Some years ago, a luckless statesman interfered with the matchbox industry, whose starvation earnings seemed to demand legislative interference. The result is not likely to be soon forgotten. Even babes and sucklings lifted up their voices in protest, pro- cessions were formed, and the humane senator had to retreat all down the line, and leave the grievance to right itself. So to-day history re- peats itself. Government has framed a bill for the regulation of coal-mines, and one of the amendments provides that "no woman or girl shall be employed in connection with any mine for the purpose of manual labour, either below or above ground." Probably, the framer of this amendment, Mr Atherley Jones, saw only the actual evil, and thought by the application of a few legislative words to stamp it out; he did not grasp the fact that more than the evil would be stamped out. A moral evil is like a chronic disease, for which the remedies are too often applied without consideration for the patient. In the case in point the proposed cure would deprive at once 6,000 women and girls of their means of living. These 6,000, alive to the danger, selected 24 of their number as delegates, and sent them up to the Home -Secretary to talk the matter over. They did this decently and in order. They had many sympathisers, and were presented to the Home Secretary by Mr McLaren, M.P. The deputation with its friends made quite a pro- cession as it proceeded from the Westminster Palace Hotel to the Home Office. Some of the women donned their working clothes, AND SO JiADK THEIR CURTSET TO THE HOME SF.CRKTARY. It seems that, as a whole, the women are re- spectable and hard-working, and that the employ- ment ilf far more healthful than that of London Sempstresses. It transpired that some of the girls walked 3,000 miles in the year, and rose at four o'clock in the morning, for a wage of 9s a week. Many supported whole families. Testimony as to their morals as a whole was ,^iven of the highest kind and the Home Secretary, after hearing all there was to say, spoke against the amendments as not wanted, and gave his full sympathy to the brave, liaid-working, independent daughters of toil. So Charles Kingsley's words do not always carry point Men inmt work, but women must weep, For there's little to do, and many to keep." The spoeifiMm of "unsuitable labour" showed up sturdy and strong. Their dress is suitable—a divided skirt and an overskirt, short and light. The Lancashire lasses carried the day. Life, and especially social life, is full of sharp contrasts. That same day a long, winding, glittering detachment of society women waited on her Majesty's substitute, the Princess of Wales, in Buckingham Palace, and made their bow, bearing on their backs, individually, double and treble the money value of a year's toil of one of their working sisters. A full court dress of the requisite voluminous quantity and quality costs from fifty guineas to over a hundred. One firm in New Bond-street turned out fifty-two for a drawing-room this season. The night previous, the Royal Institute of Painters in Water-colours gave a magnificent costume ba!l in their large galleries. The scene was a grotesque one. When the tableaux vivants were over, the mummers broke up into groups, and talked and laughed. The dresses were for the most part very good, some of them rich in the extreme, Nationalities and callings mixed grotepqueiv— A lfTLD TOUNG crRATF AND A TOMPADOrR, a nun and a cavalier of Old Rowley's court, Queen Bess and a Chinese mandarin, Hogarth and a Hindoo lady. One character drew my attention frequently. It was a veritable masher of George II. time, in bine brocade coat, long gold-laced vest, white curled wig, lace ruffles, diamond bnckerl shoon, and a long and ornamented stick. This personation waited up and down the whole evening;, and alone. He was slight, and excessively conceited-looking. I vainly asked his name, and was at last told it wag a detective, and that at such large affairs, when so much valuable jewellery was always worn, one was always present in some guise. If fancy dress was not de rigueur, he appeared in the ordinary evening garb of the rest of the company. I suppose kleptomania is a recognised ft-ailty-a mild term for a vulgar crime. At a bachelor's ball lately, the ladies' wraps got mixed, and a good many valuable cloaks, &c., changed shoulders. One lady was walking away with a beautiful lace mantie, lined with satin, when ap indignant matron stopped her and said she had rather a farcy for her own clothes. The man- tle was given up without one word. At the cos- tume ball-dancincr was very good. Jenny Lee (Jo) footed it with a Dominican f:iar in very lively fashion, and a Direntoire lady waltzed with a Rabelais, to the admiration of the lookers- on. Two "Incroyables'' were admirable, reminding one of Crnikshank's illustrations in "Pickwick," with the high-leafed bonnet, and hug-e ribbon bows, tight short-waist- coated skirt of yellow satin, and great sash with bow behind. A pretty girl was a "Jap," and I do not think there was a bettter-sustained character in the room. Some Greek costumes suggested studies from the nude. Many of the recent popular plays supplied both characters and dresses. I came across Charles Surface and Miss Hardcastle, Lady Clancariv on very familiar terms with Willliam of Orange, on my Lord Harrv and Old Noll, on Faust and an ideal Marguerite. Further on, Mephistopheles was whispering soft nothings into the ear of a very youthful and larky-looking mother abbess, and a masher Romeo waltzed with a lanky and not too youthful Juliet. A Louis Seize (Mr A. M. Broadley) was very killing-wig by Clarkson, UI, prince of wiggers, heliotrope silk coat and old faoe by Alias, an artist as well as a costumier— and a grand Crusader in chain armour, red cross, ka" ke, Tableaux are stupid things, and I shopld say very unsatisfactory to those who enact the. In less than two minutes the curtain falls on representations that have probably absorbed larfte money nnd long time. Chantry's bust of the Qiteen in 1837 was the centre figure of the last tableaux it was crowned with a presumably Jubilee wreath. After the royalties haa supped which they did in the centre gallery upstairs, they descended once more to the ball, to witness the gavotte danced by eight ladies and eight gentlemen. This was excellently and gracefully performed the dress was all of Geoige III.'a time, and was well managed. This ended, the august personages took their departure, and then the fuu grew fast and furious. We all, we sublunarie", trooped to the cellarage, and suppep splendidly on salmon mayonnaise, ail sorts of meats, syllabubs, and con fections-champague galore. The sun was peeping over the horizon when I sought my couch, to dream the motley masque over again. Mr Irving is refreshing himself and his public by going over the repertoire of his roles. To-day I give THE ruPCLAR ACTOR AS SHYLOCK." My skatch was taken at the Lyceum from the Merchant of Vonice," in which Mr Irving is Sh-yiock. Some hold the Jew usurer to be his best ciiaracter. I see Mr Irving intends to give up his theatre for one night to 2,000 children of the board and national -schools, when the Merchant of Veiijee," will probably be the piece chosen. This exa.mple is certain to be imitated. I should like to see the astonishment of the j-oungsters. MR AND MRS KENDAL IN CLANCAIil T, are drawing good houses still. I never waw any artiste got up so well as the latter she ]¡;"k.; only twenty at times. The above sketch was taken from Mr Barraud's (of Oxford-stieet) photograph of the clever pair. Mr Barraud has a whole series of Mr- Kendal in various characters and poses—highly artistic and singularly pleasing. I attended a matinee of Clancarty" last week, and was charmed. The whole piece is put on the stage in the most refined as manner, true to history, and a triumph in artistic detail. Mrs Kendal acted with passion, and as if she felt she stood there a specimen of noble womanhood. Her dresses were lovely, nnd fitted to distraction. How old is she ? Just as old as she looks, and thnt might be any age bordering on the twenties. The bed-chamber scene was very fin". Clancarty's supposed mes- senger takes unbidden sanctuary in the r..om, my Lady Clancarty'.s. In her agony, fearing her brother's approach, and consequently a blotcn her fair fame, she bids him go; but the brother comes, and to save him sije accepts the sham. Then he proclaims himself her husband. The situation is very fine. Mr Kendal's acting was throughout sympathetic and tine. I have seen no liner piece or acting this year in London. Apropos of stage matters, I see that, Mrs Arthur Dacre (Amy Roselie) is to have a benefit at the Lyceum before leaving for all autumnal starrinsr tour in the provinces. Tie most prominent artistes of the day will give their ser- vices. Amy Roselie is very popular with the profession, and a great favourite with the public. In London the Jubilee business goes ahead. The enterprising firm of Brinsmead and Sons give a unicue Jubilee entertainment next month to celebrate the golden wedding of the head of the firm, and also of the fiftieth j-ear of the business. Few more ingenious instruments have of late years been added to musical appliances than the tuning-fork in the possession of the firm in Ques- tion. Everyone with an ear can tune his own piano now even .TKAMES WILL AnD ITS TSF. TO HTS KECOMMBSDA. TIONS. Indeed, a tuning qualification will be an under. stood recommendation. I regret very much to say that I cannot explain this handy little con- trivance, whieh I have heard is likely to bring the firm a huge fortune all I know is that it is simplicity itself, inexpensive, and can be made a pocket companion, so that on your travels you can regulate your neighbours' harmony. Some- one said that it would have an effect on posterity in^he way of music, as no one now need be con. demned to use discordant instruments, and so ears would breed up to correctness. Of the sale of Alma T^ema's great picture, The Women of Amphissa, I was told tins following story, the truth of which was vouched to me. An American bought it from the Royal Academician at £ 6,000. Immediately afterwards he read a slander on it in a responsible paper, nnd rushed off to its creator to cry off. Mr Alma Tadema proudly took it back, and sold it soon after to Mr Agnew. The press then wrote it up —whether venially or not I cannot say-when the original purchaser went to Mr Agnew and bought the picture again for £ 6,000. Veri]y, opinion is hyptonism. A very great judize of I pictores-a man well known—assured me that the literal worth of the picture is JET.,600 at the out- side, which sum would be all it would fetch if put up to auction. Mil.ais' "Mercy" has brought £1,800. Buffalo Bill has been charioteered by Lord Charles Beresford in Hyde Park. The hero hot been suffering from a strained back, caused by pulline on his great boots hurriedly. Dr, Head land Coffin, who is the physician in ordinary to the Wild West show, has been galvanising his back twice a day, and now pronounces bis patient healed. Then an Indian got a cropper from a buck jumper, which rolled on him. He, too, is weJl liJraill-it tsikes a c<»al to kill a Rsd Indian All the lady riders and markswomen are married, principally to cowboys. Mr Townsend Percy told me thAt the r-how declined the responsibility of spinsters. The Salon gav* ,a grand reception last week in the Nineteenth Contnry Alt Society's galleries, jn Condnit-*treet. Upwards of 500 of light and leading were present, amoug others the cheeiingly lovely Adelaide Detcnon, toe reciter and warbler. On the 4th of June the Salon entertainfS the beau tiful Americans in the Art Galleries—the finest in London—of the Royal J'nstitute. Oathesameeven ing,in Conduit-street,Mi' Capper gave some experi- ments in thougiit-readinit, which were, to say the least, marvellous. Even granting them to he natural phenomena, they i\re none the le- _u,mail- ing. He locked utterly spent at the ci 'se "f r! <• entertainment. Some say'the secr?t -i t ie muscles, which, iu highly susceptible .->uus, are unerring indicators. Madame San »«ug. This artist possesses a r ich, tull c-atralto, specially strong in the middle register, io

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HIS FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH…

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TALK OF THE TOWN.