The Cardiff Times

GOLDEN LITTLE WALES; Always tough and hard to "settle," Gallant little Wales," we're told, Once again is "on its mettle"— But its metal now is gold' —Funny Folks,

Musical and Eisteddfod Notes. By Maelgwyn. A' gM&t deal of attention has lately tteefli givenv to the doings of our band of singers now on tour in the United States. The reception they have met with has been cordial beyond all expectation, and their performances have created the greatest enthusiasm everywhere. The Americans are never behindhand in recogoising genius, and, except in the case of the Australian cricketers, I can call to mind no occa- sion when the visitors have been treated with anything approaching discourtesy. Cer- tainlyour singers will have no cause to remem- ber their American trip with any other feelings than those of gratitude and pleasure. Of late years "doing the States" has become quite fashionable, and as soon as anyone becomes famous in this country he takes a trip to the land of Cousin Jonathan to exhibit his skill or his genius before the astute Americans. But the latter do not take kindly to every visitor who invades their shores, and those who have no real talent generally come back with less money in their pockets than when they started. Several names will readily occur to the reader—people whom society has petted and flattered until they have become as vain as the boy in the school books. But the splendid recep- tion which greets our singers everywhere proves beyond a doubt that they possess voices of no mean quality* I see that next spring another party of Welsh singers intend sailing for America on a musical tour. This party will consist of the members of the famous Rhondda Glee Society, the male voice choir which did so well at the London Eistedd- fod last August. Mr Tom Stephens, the able conductor, will relinquish the leadership of the choir for the time, and his place will be taken by Mr Griffith Jones (Caradog). The choir consists almost entirely of working men, who, of course, cannot be expected to pay their travelling ex- penses to the States, and hence it has been arranged that a number of concerts should be given in the Rbondda and other districts during the present winter, the receipts from which will go to form a fund for the pecu- niary assistance of the singen. Mr Richard Howells, of Maesgwyn, Aberdare, will be the recognised accompanist of the choir. The singers believe that Caradog is a name to conjure with in America, and this is the reason why the veteran has consented to be the conductor of the little band. For my own part I feel convinced that a choir of male voices can never be as attrac- tive to the everyday concert-goer as a similar choir composed of mixed voices, and I am afraid that Cousin Jonathan will be of the same opinion. Subscriptions are being collected at the present time from several influential persons who are known to have a weakness for matters musical, and it is hoped that a sufficiently large sum may be obtained to satisfy the requirements of the choir. The nocturnal musicians who herald theap. proach of Christmas are once more with us. A fow years ago the custom of the waits seemed to have become obsolete in some parts of Wales but there was a marked revival last year. Now I am not going to say one word against the waits for, if the truth must be admitted, Maelgwyn has a good deal of regard for these nocturnal disturbers of his rest. I don't mind being awakened out of my sleep to hear some fine old melodies played by a harp, a violin.a clarionet, &c., but when it comes to the blare of a brazen cornet or trumpet it is time to raise a meek protest. Brass instruments, to my mind, do not sound well amongst the waits, but a harp and a number of stringed instruments are delicious. Of the numerous Eisteddfodau to be held at Christmas, that at Treorky is likely to be one of the most important. The chief choral prize is one of j650 for the choir that will best render "Thanks be to God," from Mendelssohn's "Elijah." The competition is to come off on St. Stephen's Day, and between eight and ten choirs have already entered. An eisteddfod in the Rhondda Valley always seems to be a right homely affair, and one instinctively feels that the people are enjoying themsblves thoroughly, and that there is no affectation about the matter. Mr Proudman once remarked to me at Tonypandy, The people here seem to go heart and soul into the matter, and I can say they watch the com- petitions as keenly as I do myself, and there is a geuuineringin their applause which makes me feel quite at home." Mr Proudman will be the musical adjudicator on the present occasion, and unless the Rhondda people have greatly changed since last I was in their midst, he is likely to give expression to some such opinion again. No one in the country has a higher opinion of the Welsh singers than Mr Proud man, and it has been a mystery to me why our National Eisteddfod Committees have never selected him as an adjudicator in place of organists and others who have had no experience of choral singing in Wales. But to return. There will be a second choral competition for choirs not less than one hundred in number. The test piece will be "Then round about the Starry Throne," and the prize £20. Here, too, there will be a keen competition. There will be numerous other con- tests for which good prizes will be given. At present everything seems to indicate a very successful eisteddfod. Should this prove to be the case, I am informed on the best authority that a monstre eisteddfod will be held at Treorky on Easter Monday, since it has been decided that no such meeting should be held at Pontypool Park. The Christmas number of the Magazine of Music (Is) is a beautiful publication in every re- spect. It consists of three parts—the first devoted to letterpress, the second containing some very good music (the "Norseman's Song" being particularly good), and the third part contains a very charming and prettily illustrated waltz called U My Love." Biographies of Macfarren and Jenny Lind are accompanied by good portraits of these famous personages. There is quite a budget of Christmas tales and anecdotes, not to mention two very cleverly written humorous sketches. Finely-engraved portraits on plate paper of Patti, Bülow, Norman Neruda, and Rubinstein are given with this number, and to complete the list a very good four-part vocal com- position is also given away. M orley'a Musical Society (4d) is as sprightly and as interesting as ever. The Rev H. R. Haweis contributes a capital biography of Jenny Lind, whilst Mr Rockstro continues the series of able papers on Royal Musicians." In addition to a capital four-part Christmas song, there is a charming ghost story and the usual number of anecdotes. One thing about this magazine, however, which I do not like—and which, indeed, nobody seems to h °~7"*3 the interpaging of advertisements wit e context, so that for binding purposes the magazine is useless. It is to be hoped that with the next volume Messrs Morley will keep the advertise- ments separate from the letterpress. I have made further enquiries respecting the Copyright of the opera "Maritana," with the result that I must modify, to some extent, what I jaid on this subject a short time ago. A gentle- man who was present at the first representation of the opera 42 years ago says that both the songs, Scenes that are brightest" and In happy moments, Were gm)g on that occasion, so that they are now as much public property as the rest of the opera. But one thing must be avoided by our amateurs. The pianoforte accompaniment to these songs was not written until some months afterwards, and it is therefore still protected by Harry Wall If any of my readers wish to sing either of these beauti- ful songs, ♦hey are at perfect liberty to do provided the pianist onjy -vampa.. or makea an accompaniment as he goes along. The original accompaniment will run oufc some fc. abm/ fc ^August, a behave. IQ the meantime, do not iyfl S" ami"«°"° °p»° ™ the customary two guineas. -=-

A YOUNG WOMAN'S COLD 1 BATH. An altoêther "nusual and exciting scene is in the Pi 7 P°?dent to have occurred fountX f6 Around the ornamental lountain of that public rendezvous there is a considerable quant.ty of water, and in the middle ot this cold element a gaily-attired young woman was seen floundering helplessly about. 011 the brink of the basin was an equally well-dressed young man of the" masher" type, who was doing nig best to keep people back from proffering assistance to the female. When the police came up they rescued the forlorn flounderer, and arrested the "masher." A few days ago the two actors in this comedy were temporary lovers In the characters of Corydon and Phyllis, they had gone down to Enghien.les-Bains on a kind of unlicensed honeymoon. They returned on Sun- day. the man sour and discontented, the woman snappish and inclined to scold. They had taken a cab at a railway station, which the man dis- missed at the Place du Cli £ t,elet, and then took bis companion over to the fountain to cool her tongue and temper. The matter was eventually arranged by the "masherV father, a wealthy tradesman, who solaced Phyllis with gold.

£ "—Cough Lozenges, oost free 7d. Kay Bros., Ld., Stockport. 6975 No BREAKFAST, NO MAN," is an old saying but those who cannot make a hearty mornim* meal will find Cadbnry's Oocoa a pure, refiiiod i)evevuge- comforting, exhilarating, and sustaining. Beware of imitations. 11141 CHRISTMAS J PRIZE DISTRIBUTION. k J6200 IN MONEY. Î The Proprietors of the Cardiff Tinlol and South Wales Weekly Nevjs have much pleasure in announcing that, in addition to the £100 which they have already given away as QUEEN'S JUBILEE GIFTS, they have also decided to celebrate the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Cardiff Times by GIVING AWAY AN ADDITIONAL 2200. The division of this large sum will take place a few weeks after next Christmas- viz., on Tuesday, January 10th-in the pre- sence of various public men. The quali- fication necessary in order to participate in the distribution will be the possession cf thirty-five of the Christmas Distribution coupons. Between March 12th and Decem- ber 31st, forty-three of these coupons will be issued, and readers must obtain thirty-five, taken from thirty-five separate numbers of the Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News. Grand Prize 2100 Second Prize £ 25 Third Prize £ 10 Fourth Prize 15 5th Prize £ i 10th Prize £ 1 6th Prize £ 1 nth Prize £ 1 7tl» Prize 12th Prize £ ■ 8tli Prize £ j 13th Prize £ 1 9tl» Prize £ 1 14th Prize *1 9tia Prize Sl 14th Prize .£1 AND 100 OTHER PRIZES OF log EACH as follows 15th Prize 10s 65th Prize 10a 16th Prize 10s 66th Prize log 17th Prize 10s 67th Prize 10s 13th Prize 10s 68th Prize 10a 19th Prize 10s 69th Prize 10a 20th Prize 10s 70th Prize 10s fclst Prize 10s 71st Prize 10a 22nd Prize 10s 72nd Prize l 23rd Prize 10s 73rd Prize 10a 24th Prize 10s 74th Prize 10s 25th Prize 10s 75th Prize 10a 26th Prize 10s 76th Prize 10a 27th Prize 10s 77th Prize 10s 23th Prize 10s 78th Prize 10s 29th Prize 10s 79th Prize 10s 30th Prize 10s 80th Prize 10s 31st Prize 10s 81st Prize 10s 32nd Prize 10s 82nd Prize 10s 33rd Prize 10s 83rd Prize 10s 34th Prize 10s 84th Prize 10s 35th Prize 10s 85th Prize 10s 36th Prize 10s 86th Prize 10s 37th Prize 10s 87th Prize 10a 38th Prize 10s 8-3th Prize 10s 39th Prize 10s 89th Prize 10a 40th Prize 10s 90th Prize 10s 41st Prize 10s 91st Prize 10a 42nd Prize 10s 92nd Prize IN 43rd Prize 10s 93rd Prize 10s 44th Prize 10s 94th Prize 10a 45th Prize 10s 95th Prize 10a 46th Prize 10a 96th Prize 10a ™ Prize 10s 97th Prize 10a 2cuu Eme 103 98th Prize 10a 103 99th Prize 10s 50th Pme i0s 100th Prize 10a Ss<\?>nZe 10s 101st Prize 10a ^n? £ nZQ 10* 102nd Prize 10s 53rd Prize 10s 103rd Prize 10s 54th Prize 10s 104th Prize 10a 55th Prize 10s 105th Prize 103 56th Prize 10s 106th Prize I0s 57th Prize 10s 107th Pirze 10s 58th Prize 10s 108th Prize 10s 59th Prize 10s 109th Prize 10s 60th Prize 10s 110th Prize 10s 61st Prize 10s lllth Prize lOs 62nd Prize 10s 112th Prize 1°9 63rd Prize 10s 113th Prize 10a 64th Prize 10s 114th Prize 108 The coupons should be carefully preserved until 35 have been collected, when they should be forwarded with the name and address of the sender, directed Christmas Distribution, Cardiff Times Office, Cardiff." All readers are entitled to take part in the distribution, and each competitor has an equal chance of winning 2100. No coupons must be sent in until 35 have been collected.

THE VICAR OF BRYNMAWR AND THE SCHOOL BOARD. How National Schools are Recruited. At the monthly meeting of the Llanelly (Breck- nockshire) School Board, held at Brynmawr on Wednesday, Mr John Watkins presiding, the vicar (Rev Silas T. Phillips), in accordance with notice, moved that the present arrangements between the board and Mr Davies, the master of the Brynmawr Schools, be rescinded, and a fresh one made. For want of a seconder the resolution fell through.—The Chairman read a letterreceived from Mr D. A. Davies, head-master of the schools, complaining of the conduct of the vicar in coming to his schools and using intimidation towards him. I The reason for this conduct on the part of the vicar was, he believed, his (the master's) objecting to four children leaving the schools to go to the National School.— Mr Morton said that was a serious charge.—The Vicar, in reply, said that the parents ot the chil- dren referred to had expressed a wish that the children should come to the National School. He urged that the parents had a right to say what school they wished their children to attend.—Mr Roberts replied that Mrs Watkins, the mother of the children referred to, had come to him and said distinctly that both the vicar and the curate (Mr Jones) had pressed her to send the children to the National schools also that, as the children had been baptised in the Church, they belonged to the Church schools. Great pressure was used before s'le consented, but one child refused to go.—The Vicar said that neither Mr Jones nor himself had coerced the parents to send the children to the National ochools. He certainly asked them to send the children to the Church schools on Sunday.— JMr Morns said that from what he could under- 8 k conduct of both the vicar and the curate had been moat ungentlemanly.-The Vicar explained that the parties came to his church un- solicited. He denied attempting to influence the-) Parents.—Mr Davies, the headmaster, who was, Present, said he was sorry to complain, but they ere losing their scholars wholesale, and after inquiry, he bund that both the vicar and the curate were in the* habit of interfering with his' scholars. On Monday last the vicar and curate i came to his school. He asked the curate to retire,^ which he was gentleman enough to do. The vicaf then threatened to bring his conduct before the A Education Department. On his telling the vicar 1 that he would bring this matter before the board, the latter snapped his fingers and said he did.-4 not care for him or the board.-This the Vicar t now admitted, adding that he would do the same again, and would always insist on the right of parents to send their children where they liked.- The Master said it would be best for the board to know the whole truth at once. The clergymen were going about from door to door asking the parents to send their children to the National Schools.—Mr Morton thought a committee should be appointed to go into the matter. They could censure Mr Phillips.—The Vicar: And Mr Phillips will do the same again.—Mr Morton: I would not like a vote of censure passed upon me.- After a warm discussion the matter was adjourned for a month.

A MOCK MARRIAGE. AT,. GLASGOW. At the Centfel police-court, Glasgow, Georgs Sail Thompson,' 31 years of age, has been remanded in order that an inquiry may be made into a charge brought against him of having on the 26th ult., in his house, at 298, Castle-street, adhibited the name of Sheriff Balfour to a document purporting to be a certi- ficate of proclamation of banns of mar- riage between accused and a woman who resides in Mathiason-street, and with having uttered the same. It is stated that on the faith of the docu- ment the woman lived during the past fortnighb- with Tljmsotjl believing that she was his wife. It appears that on the day in question the company bad assembled in the house to await the marriage ceremony, the accused producing the written document purporting to be the marriage certificate. The company, it is said were given to understand that the Sheriff personally was to arrive to perform the ceremony. His Lordship, of course, did not appear, and sooo a man, who was to have acted as best man,' entered the house with a telegram which stated that the Sheriff bad been detained in Greenock. The accused, however, said it did not matter, as the document was signed by the sheriff and the registrar of the district. The mother objected to the ceremony going on* stating that she would keep her daughter for It week, and get a minister to unite the coup!«j The mother, however, was ultimately persuaded to let the ceremony go on. It may be stated that the telegram which was produced was not-stawpod with the post-office stamp.

SAMUEL BROTHERS' Grand Display of and Winter Cloth ng now on. The largest and j selected Stock of Ovcrcoasts in the Kingdom.—MjjES Buildings, Cardiff. 13200

_n_- BIRTHS, NIAItRIAGES, DEATHS Xotices of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, art crtarrgev at b/e rate of Is for the rirst Twenty Words, and 6d joi v,j additional Ten Words, and must oe iasPAI.D. A. sU caaex the nccice muse ot authenticated 4w the nmmt and addrea of the voriitr BIRTHS. EDWARDS.—On the 6 h instant, the wife of Thomu K iwards, Cefn, of a daughter. 445 JOHN—Dec. ml>er 9tti. at 36, Wvndham-road, Canton, Cardiff, the wife of D. W John, engineer, of a !-on. MARRIAGES. HARRIS—DICKENS —Ou the 6th inst., at Tabernacle Uuapel, Lianaao F&,r, by the Rev J. Thomas. B. D., Capel Isaac, and assisted by the Rev W. Da vies, pa-t.-r of the chtpel, John Harris, Dry^lwyn Fawr, to J. ne, daughter of Mr Dickens, Blaenantymab, both of Cnrma t,hen-iliire. 433 JoNi-s—NEWPORT —On the 12th inst., at St. Mark's Chuich, by Rev T. L. Lister, Ada Blanche, daughter of G. T. Newport, Esq. of Newoort, to William tra.icis, son of W. F. Jones, Esq.. Lartfields, Bir mingham. PRICE—HOWELL -On tbe 8th hist., at Wesley Chapel, Cardiff, "y the Rev E. Do ids, Arthur Wesley, only son of Wesley Price, Rolfe House, Newport-road, to Emily A., eldest daughter of Edward Elowell, Strath- more Hou-e. Dumfries-place. No cards. 437 WILLIAMS—EVAN3 -Deeember 13th, at Llanwonno Citurcli, by Rev. W. Lewis, Vicar of Ystradyfodwg, J. H. Willia ii manager, Blaenrhondda Colli-ry, to Hannah, second daua titer of the late Evan L. Evans, of -National Coili ries. No Ctrds. 610 WILLIAMS— FARTHING—December 14, at Treaegarville Baotist Chapel, Cardiff, by the Rev W. E. Winks, Frederick Charles, youngest son of Mr William Williams, 34, Longcruss-olace, Cardiff, to Amy Augusta, eldest daughter of Mr Frank Farthing, South Petherton, late of Cardiff. DEATHS. DTM-December 6th, at Gilwell, Plymouth-road, Penarth, Ann, the beloved wife of George B Dyer, aged 69 394 EDWARDS-—November 2lst, at Stockdale, Texas, Edward, irrandson of the late Mr Walter Edwards, Pontypridd. HOOPER.— December 8th, at 1, Inverness-place, Roath, Thomas Hooper, late Taff-street, Puntypridd, aged 41. 468 >IO«RIS -On the Fth inst., the highly respected Clia, les Morris, aerated ater manufacturer, Bridg- end Inn, Trecynon, Aberdare, age 53 Funeral at 1.O o.m. Satu day, the 17th inst. Friends will plele d.cc..pt tbis intimation. NAPIER-On the 7th ;nst.. at Holmwood Villa, Castle. ro-id Cardiff, Geraid William Napier, eldest sou of Wil iaID and Mary Napier, in his 26th year deeply rpoTe'ted. ^24 PH LLIPS —Dec. 14th, at Tre Celyn ^hop, Newbridge, Mon., William Eu wards, eldest son of Evan Phillips, OmNuf-OaTthe 14th inst., at 65, Cowbndge-road, Cardi Gertrude, infant daughter of T. Quinlan. 605 RTPS —On the 13th inst., at Ifor Cottage, Dowlais, Catherine Kll nor Rees, wife of R. P. Rees, chemist, Dowlais. Friends will Kindiy accept this mtimition. The ft'neral, whi h will be public, will take place at half-pAst rwo o Iclo-eic in the afternoon of Friday, DecpID er 16th, SNOVV'DO.I -On the 6th inst., at Neath Abbey, the residence of hei father, 'r John R. Jayne, M ay Ann fPollie) the beloved wife of the Rev. S. Snowdon, Wesl 4n Minister, Merthyr Tydtil1 age^l 27 years. STRONG—December 7 h, at the Robin Hood Inn, NG-D(,ce severn-road. Canton, Cardiff, -arah beloved wife of George Strong, aged 55 years. Deeply regro&ted. 458 THOMAS—At the Bronwvdd, Penylan, Cardiff, on the 9i,ii nst., Daniel Thomas (father of M' -Alfred Thomas, M. P.), in the 8 st year ot his age. 7823 ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

TTinviK Not quite up to our standard. INQI^».R.—Thh ty-five coupons, each from a different is>ue of the paper, are sufficient. p g, The name and audreas need only be written Oil one coupon of each set. W. E. D. -,4 a ve forwarded your contribution to Dafydd MVe beg''to announce that local jokes, anecdotes, 'bits of historical information, Ac., will be welcomed. Contributions, which m..y be in English or Welsh, should be written on one side of the paper only, and addressed MERLIN CiNdig l'ime, Office, Cardiff.

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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1887. The Cardiff police were never engaged on better work than in the early hours of Sunday morning. Headed by Inspector Tamblyn, they made a vigorous attack on a number of bogus clubs. Large quantities of alcoholic liquors were fteized, and ample evidence was obtained to j ustify a batch of summonses against bogus club proprietors. At one of the drinking houses stout resist- ance was offered. This was at what is know as the Frieiids of Freedom Club, in Pellett street. There were a number of coaiheavers carousing there when the police arrived, and the latter were greeted with a shower of jugsf glasses, and other portable articles The police retreated for a time, but on being reinforced, a second attack waa made and the liquor stronghold succumbed. The keepe-rot-the place, who is said to have joined in resisting the police, has been arrested. We are glad to find that cthe- Cardiff police authorities are again taking action against illicit drinking houses. The result of their last crusade was most satisfactory, the clubs being reduced to a very small number. But Quarter Sessions seemed as- tonished and anuoyed at the success achieved and, proceeded deliberately to tie down the hands of the Cardiff magistrates and the Cardiff police. Appeals were allowed at Quarter Sessions, with the melancholy re. suit fcuivt the club nuisance bus again raised ics hi«Ir">us heai. Eur Mr Justice Stephen and Mr Justice Charles, sitting in the Queen's Bench Division, have recently given a decision interpreting the law as laid down by Mr Valpy at Cardiff. If Quarter Sessions will not meddle and muddle, but will suffer itself to be guided by the superior wisdom of the Queen's Bench Division, the bogus club will soon cease to trouble the com- munity. During the week we have received several letters on the proposed testimonial to Mr T. J. Hughes (Adfyfr). But it is not necessary to print them, for, in the main, they all agree with "Honour to whom Honour is due," whose pertinent and forcible communication we published last week. There is no doubt the feeling in Welsh circles is against the testimonial. Not that there is auy wish to ignore the political work of Adfyfr, but it is contended that nothing has yet been done to deserve national recognition. Even the promoters of the testimomal now regret that any action should have been taken, for funds are required to help forward the Liberal cause and the Liberal pro- gramme. And if people subscribe to a per- sonal testimonial they are less likely to subscribe to the funds of the South Wales Liberal Federation. If Adfyfr were a man who had gained nothing by his connec- tion with Liberalism we might be disposed to support the testimonial. But Adfyfr is a journalist, and newspaper men obtain remuneration for their services. Such is not the case with most platform speakers, they gaining no pecuniary advantage at all. Moreover, if every Welshman who serves in the army of pro- gress is to be singled out as a national hero, there will be no common people left. Let us take care and not make ourselves ridi- culous in the eyes of the world. The sliding scale renewal is still occupying the attention ot the miners of South Wales and Monmouthshire. Ou Monday a meeting of delegates was held at Aberdare, when Mr David Morgan, the miners' agent, stated that the sliding scale com- mittee had signed an agreement which would bind the employers and the men fur two years. This statement was met with cries of No," but Mr Morgan re- peated that his firm conviction was that the scale was binding for two years. Mr Thos. Harding, of Neath, wanted to know if the men's representatives had not exceeded their duty, though he admitted that the Merthyr meeting had approved the scale. A vote was now taken, as follows delegates represent- ing 13,1561 miners approved the action of the slidmg-scale committee delegates repre- senting 14,109 miners disapproved it, and delegates representing 2,665 remained neutral. Thus out of a vote of 30,135, there was a majority of 748 against the committee. Mr 1'. J. Jenkins complained that the men's delegates on the sliding-scale committee had been condemned unheard. It was urged that if they had been heard a different decision would have been arrived at by the meeting. The sliding-scale members intimated that they intended to resign, and the position of the miners in regard to the scale will be considered at a future meeting. The question of organization was discussed, and it was agreed, on the motion of Mr David Morgan, that a committee, to consist of two representatives from the Monmouth- shire district, two from Aberdare and Merthyr, two from the Rhondda, two from the western district, and one each from the Ocean aud Ferndale collieries, be appointed to draft a code of rules for the proposed Miners' Union for South Wales and Mon- mouthshire. The popular belief is that public com- panies are responsible for the acts of their servants. But this has been rudely shaken by a recent judicial ruling. Some time ago a lady was travelling in a tramcar owned by the London Tramways Company. She tendered in payment of the fare half-a-crown, which the conductor was good enough to pronounce as being bad. Nor was he content with expressing an opinion, for on the lady attempting to alight he detained her, though a gentleman offered to pay her fare. The stern-souled conductor spurned the offer. He did not intend allowing the lady who had tried to palm a base coin on him to escape. So he gave her into custody, but at the police-station it transpired that the half-crown was perfectly good. Naturally the lady was very much distressed by the incident, and she brought an action for damages against the London Tramways Com- pany. The jury awarded her -£100 compensation for the unlawful arrest, but the judges have now set aside the verdict on the ground that the tramcar conductor had gone beyond the printed instructions which are issued for the guidance of the Company's conductors. We do not regard the law in this matter as just. Companies who undertake to carry passengers ought to see that those passengers are protected from stupid acts on the part of officials. The lady in question was wronged, and the tramway company ought to have. paid her some pecuniary compensation. The latest sensation of the age is the dis- covery of gold in North Wales. The valley of the Mawddach, near Dolgelly, is now found to be rich in gold-bearing quartz. Rich treasures are believed to be hidden in the mountains of that quiet and romantic district, and steps are being taken to win the gold. Mr Pritchard Morgan, who has found out the grand secret, owns a valuable leasehold, and he is making arrangements to work the gold. Quartz crushing ma- chines and elaborate chemical apparatus for extracting every atom of gold are to be laid down, and early in the new year Mr Morgan hopes to commence gold-mining in earnest. Baron Rothschild is said to have purchased some of the royalties in the district, and several Americans and Aus- tralians familiar with gold-mining are looking out for suitable lots. A mine of gold will make the fortunes of Dolgelly. John Vaughan's discovery of ironstone in the Cleveland hills raised Middlesbrough from the position of,a small coal shipping port to that of a great iron centre. Successful and extensive gold-mining in the Mawddach valley should transform Dolgelly from a quiet country town into a veritable gold city, full of energy and enterprise. Dolgelly stands a chance of becoming famous. Hitherto it has only been known to tourists and a few farmers. But now there ili a prospect of the eyes of the world being turned towards it in order to ascertain the price of gold—the most scarce and, there- fore, the most precious of all metals.

EVICTIONS IN LONDON. An Extraordinary Scene, Evictions on an extensive scale are taking place on the premises Nos. 8, 9, 10, and 11, White Hart-street, Strand. The building has been constructed on the artUans'-d welling plan, and has only one narrow passage to serve as an entrance to the whole of the premises. The interior of the building was in a most uninviting condition, and the odour emitted from the rooms and passages was sickening. Over 70 families, it was stated, occupied the place, and although notices had been served on them many of them re- fused to leave. Consequently the sheriffs' officers entered the building, while a detach- ment of police remained in the street, in order to be at hand in the event of their assistance being needed. The work of eviction then commenced. The furniture, such as there was in the rooms, was taken into the street, and a number of women and children were compelled to follow. In one or two cases it was with difficulty that the occupants could be induced to quit the premises, and in one instance the assistance of the police was needed. The work was ultimately completed, and the houses cleared, but for some hours after- wards women and children remained in the streets, in many cases without bats or shawls, sitting beside their scraps of dilapidated furniture. The reason of the eviction ia, it is stated, that the ground landlord has been unable to obtain his rent, and that the persons occupying the houses had paid no rent for the past twelve months.

A lady Killed whUe Driving. A fatal accident occurred on Tuesday evening, by which Mrs Carter, the wife of a well-known upholsterer in Oxford, was killed, and Mr Carter severely hakeh. Mr Carter and the deceased were driving down the High-street when the trap in which they were riding collided with another vehicle, and Mrs Carter was thrown on her head and killed on the spot. Her husband escaped with a severe shaking. KAy'S Tic PILLS, a specific in Neuralgia, Face Ache, d and 13id; postage Id. Of all Chemists. 6976

THE WAR IN SOUTH WALES. WE are ul iuafc actually engaged in war. Wales, like Ireland, has its "Plan of "Campaign," and this plan, first of all acted upon in North Wales, has now been pretty generally adbpted in South Wales, with very similafr results. Many people have the impression that the men of Gwynedd are a hotter tempered race than their South Walian brethren that the farfneihs in South Wales may be safely ridden and driven very much further 'than those of North Wales, as they will "grin and bear it," where the Gogleddwfc would be apt to prove a dangerous opponent. How far this sup- position is founded7 upon fact we are not now prepared to say Even if it be true, the limit of forbearance'has been passed. The last straw has been placed on the camel's back with the' inevitable result of breaking it. If the farmers of South Wales do "grin," they do not "bear it," The imposition of tithes, the refusal of the tithe-owners to sympathize with the struggling farmed vainly endeavouring to keep his head above the waters of poor seasons, high rents, and low prices the callous refusal to ease to any extent the burdens under which the tenants groan- these things have borne fruit, and what is practically a strike against tithes, and a war against tithe-owners, has commenced in South Wales. During the past week several places have been the scenes of hostility between the opposing forces. Of these Whitland-already celebrated in Welsh anuals-claims the distinction of being the first place in Western South Wales where tithe distress sales have taken place. So far no place in the southern portion of the Principality has witnessed the merciless persecution to which the Llangwm men have been subjected, nor the barbarous bludgeoning by the police which has made Mochdre famous, nor indeed the police rout which makes Meifod celebrated. Still the elements of the struggle are essentially the same, though the conditions, and consequently the results, have been somewhat different. In the case of Whit- land, the amount of tithes demanded was in one instance as higha.s 239 7, 3d (to which were added j38 14s 2d expenses), and for this total amount of £ 48 Is 5d 110 less than nine cows were seized 1 Was not this fact alone a justification of the farmer's request for a remission of 15 per cent. of the tithes ? Would £48 have represented half the value of these nine cows some years ago ? The only reply accorded to the earnest representations of those who endeavoured up to the last moment to avoid the necessity of going to the extremity of forcing a sale was that tithes were regulated by the price of corn." This is only another version of the pound of flesh" argument. It says in effect :The law gives me power to demand this sum of you. It is not for me to consider what changed circum- stances may have resulted in so far as you are concerned; it is not for me to take any note of vhat sufferings my demand may entail apon you. All I have to say is that the law gives me this right, and I will exercise it." Anyone who knows anything of Welsh farming knows that Mark-lane prices 'are no criterion of the paying capacity of Welsh farms. It was stated at the Whitland sales, and the state- ment has since been repeated over a signa- ture in the press, that a threat was made to the effect that the aid of the military would be called in on future occasions. The Conservative press has gone so far as to class the Welsh farmers in trying to save themselves from bankruptcy with the mob of half-drunken roughs who resisted the police in the Cardiff club raid last Sunday morning. Welsh farmers can thus Bee who are the Good Samaritans of the age. Tithe-owners threaten them with the military; the Con- servative press compares them to a low class of evil doers, both doing all this in the interest of the Church which requires State aid to publish "peace on earth and goodwill "to men." The spread of the agitation to Aberayron has been reported, and difficul- ties are expected to arise at Nantgaredig and many other places. Well indeed may the Church of England in Wales pray to be delivered from its friends, who do their level best to make the Disestablishment and Disendowment of the Church and the Nationalization of the Tithes pressing neces- sities which a united country must demand.

A LAWYER ON FOLK-LORE. IN delivering his admirable and interesting lecture at the Royal Institution of South Wales, Swansea, on Tuesday evening, Mr SIDNEY HARTLAND commenced by referring to the apparent incongruity of one who is not a Welshmen dealing with the subject of Welsh fairy tales. His apology-if his humorous allusion to a problematical ex- clusiveness can be so termed-was indeed unnecessary, not only because it is well that all parts of the United Kingdom should take a mutual interest in each other's history, as they must inevitably do in one another's national existence and commercial prosperity, but because he quite justified his intrusion by the thorough and scholarly manner in which he treated his theme. The only possible reason which might have been urged against Mr HARTLAND descant- ing on Welsh sprites and Welsh folk-lore was that, being daily immersed in business —that business above all being a lawyer's— he would hardly have the time or the in- clination to turn into those quaint and mysterious paths of literature and history. If Mr HARTLAND were deeply moved by comparatively recent traditions-the tradi- tions of the Dryasdusts of his profession-he might have avoided the subject, inasmuch as not a few of the ancient and exploded school of lawyers seriously held and sedu- lously cultivated in the minds of articled clerks that the law was a jealous mistress, requiring exclusive attention before she awarded to her votaries the advantages of place and the rewards of fees. How untenable is that view we find not only in the successful career of Mr HARTLAND himself, who is at the head of one of the largest legal firms in South Wales, but in the occasional excursions into the realms of literature made by his collaborateur, Mr hENRY DAVIES, the author of the well- known treatise on Building Societies, and in the lives of the very first men on the bench and at the bar. An extensive general knowledge is pre-eminently necessary for the pleader. The lawyer groping among dusty parchments is, or was, a picture not entirely out of places but a man of deeds and documents diving into the mythical details of dead and gone times is a much more unusual spectacle than that of an Englishman interfering in Welsh affairs. For in what affairs does not an Englishman interpose, and that, too, on the whole, with marked advantage ? He has certainly tfe justification of innumerable precedents—more ihttn were ever found in PRIDEAUX A subject not unworthy of the learned researched and acute analytical intellects of Professor MAX MULLER and Professor TYLOR i&ajr well merit attention even from the mddein Philistines who care more for the gold 'strata underlying North Wales than for the3 hearth-side stories of traditional heroes WhSch once formed nearly the whole literattlre of the common people, and which must, on that account, have greatly helped to mould their characters and destinies. Mr HARTLAND would raise these traditions to the dignity of a science, comprehending not only tales, but ballads, rhymes, pro- verbs, saws concerning the weather and 1 concerning places and persons, riddles, customs, cereinonics, wicnhcraf^, gayu.s, sayings, and doings. All these relations and incidents, doubtless regarded by some as too trivial for study, are, nevertheless, deeply interwoven not only with the history of the Welsh people, but with all races and all times—from China to Peru, from tb dawn of history, when BRAHMA and CONFUCIUS were great in Eastern lands, to the nine- teenth century with its Christianity and its systems of Evolution. There is no department of knowledge, except it be philology, which so directly traces the common ancestry of the human family, not to the primordial snake like amphibian, but to oar patriarchal progenitors, who, like ABRAHAM, sank wells and watched their flocks and herds peacably grazing on the rich, silent plains of far-off Asia. Many of our modern nursery stories are found in another form, and with other names embedded in the tradition of the Aryans long before they crossed the steppes of Central j Asia or the Danube* and debouched on Europe like a vast fecundating flood. As Mr HARTLAND puts it, the folk tales of Europe are drawn upon the same, or nearly the same, lines as those of the South Sea Islands the native races of America relate traditions at bottom identical with those of the Zulus of Africa. Neither colour nor climate seems to have been any barrier to this interchange of human ex- periences. There have always been strivings after the good and noble. According to Mr HARTLAND, the nursery tales of Wales have died out. He did not assert that they would not hear the story of Jack the Giant Killer or Cinderella, or similar narratives told to Welsh boys and girls now- a-days, but when carefully examined they would be found to be derived from the English. He cited and read an abstract of the well-known Welsh story of the Physi- cians of Myddfai—one of the most beautiful of legends, the scene of which is laid in the 12th century in Carmarthenshire. He quoted a story told by the Maories of New Zealand which fitted in with the Carmarthenshire tradition in its main incidents. A very constant feature about such legends was the marriage of a supernatural lady to an or. dinary, or sometimes extraordinary, indi- vidual of flesh and blood. How like the Greek and Roman mythology, of which the Indian or the Maori could have had no book-knowledge Mr HART- LAND critically examined these various details, detecting at each step the strange veins of resemblance running through all. Speaking of the little trouble that had been taken to amass folk-lore in Wales as com- pared with other countries, he reminded his audience that the time for collecting was fast passing away. He urged upon them, as a matter of patriotism, as well as of scientific interest, to take up this work. The Eistedd- fod committee had begun to awaken to a sense of its importance, and he hoped that the prizes offered for collections of folk-lore would be continued. They would help to justify the existence of Eisteddfodau in the eyes of scoffers.

SOUTH WALES CH'AT. A madman is no safe or deairabler Companion ftt any time. But a madman in charge of a ship is a horror which appals the imagination. He might run bis vessel on the rocks and so cause her destruction and the death of the crew. A schooner named Juliana has recently had the misfortune to be commanded by a person not clothed in his right mind. And the unfortunate man, John Davis, of Aberystwith, was not only the captain but owner as well. Whilst his vessel was bound from Fecamp to London he manifested unmistakable signs of insanity, but his ambition was not to steer his ship to ruin. He wanted to end his own wretched existence, and when the Juliana was off snug and cosy Hastings, he made a desperate attempt to jump overboard. Happily, however, he was secured and taken ashore. After the usual magisterial formalities the poor man was conveyed asylum, where he will be duly cared for and,it is hoped, his malady cured, Dr FoX is &ttieerned for the molality of Cardiff. He objects to flaring wall posters of women in tights. It is a fitting time to raise a protest, for Christmas is coming, and during the pantomime season it is usual for the walls to be covered with pictures of scantily-dressed females. But it is not the theatre and music-hall people alone who are to blame. Enterprising soap manufacturers post advertisements representing' women almost naked. I am afraid the Cardiff Watch Committee received Dr Fox's complaint in a spirit of levity. They laughed, and then refeired the letter to the chief constable. I observe that a facetious friend of mine also joins the mockers. He says:— THERE was a young lady about whom I've read who was so very modest that she would never walk across a potato field because the tubers had eyes. I have heard, too, of a family whose pro- priety was so strict that they could not bear to see the naked legs of the tables, so clothed them in pantalettes. Again there was a quaker couple who had been courting some years. "Ruth" pleaded Hezekiah at the end of a decade, dost thou see any objection to my taking a kiss ?" The fair damsel hesitated some time, and then slyly answered, "Not if thou wilt be chaste and proper with it." This is entertaining reading, but a little rough on Dr. Fox, who eye is offended by pictures of the semi-nude. < A Cardiff printing firm (Roberta Brothers, of High-street Arcade) have brought out a series of Welsh Christmas and New Year's cards. Some of the verses are very appropriate. This being, I believe, the first issue of cards of this kind in Welsh, I may be excused for quoting one of the verses of those I have had sent me. It is as follows :— Y Newydd Flwydd sy'n dod I Fe gwyd ei haul 1 Dy obeith, gwnaed 0 i chocl Gyfftwni'u hael I Rhoed eurglycb hon yo rhwydd Pob hoen yal Ili. Pob cysur rhoed, poll llwydd, Fy ffrind, iti For the benefit of the unfortunate mono&lot Saxon," I append the following English trans- lation The New Year comes Soon will Its sun now shine May it for thee fulfil All hopes of thine May gold bells gladly ring » Joy without end May it all comfort bring To thee, my friend » I hear that a movement of a nature is to be inaugurated shortly at Cardiff. A few enterprising gentlemen, having come to the conclusion that more might be made of the Saobath Day than is the case at present, have decided to start a series of Sunday lectures for the people. The idea they have is toengagethe services of really able men, who shall give instructive ad- dresses on things in general." The movement is not new, form Newcastle-on-Tyne Sunday lectures have been given for several years, and I believe that the promoters have at the present moment well on to 2300 profit, which they keep as a guarantee fund. The difficulty at Cardiff will be to obtain a suitable hall, and it is just possible that one of the many places of amusement in the town will be taken for the purpose, although that will doubtless shock a few particular personages. While religion will not be made the subject of these lectures, it is, of course, not intended that they shall be antagonistic to the churches and chapels. The desire is to provide intellectual recreation of a literary character for the legion of people whose business precludes them from enjoy- ing it daring the week. # -V Unless the good news from the Nottft air too good to be true, Wales must no longer be denomi- nated "poor little Wales." An ancient book, which has been very widely read in the princi- pality, makes mention of a river 11 which com passeth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold," and the description, it appears, well-nigh tallies with that of the Mawddach and the valley through which it meanders, roiling down its golden sands. Many Welshmen, under the influ- ence of the yellow fever, have crossed the sea to dig for gold in America and Australia, some of them to return after making their fortune, and others to die the death of paupers, and find their grave in foreign lands. Is it possible that so many have thus emigrated to remote regions in quest of what might be found richly imbedded in the rocks of their native land 1 Then, provided the big expectations that have been created by the gk-wir.^ reports given are realised, many of the inhabitants of the so. called poor little Wales," like the aborigines of Australia, have, in miserable ignorance of the resources of their country, walked all the days of their life in poverty, though there has been sufficient wealth under their feet to make them millionaires. That there is gold cannot be doubted. One day this week I met a man fresh from the Welsh goldfield. He showed me several pieces of quartz-hard white stone, in which streaks of precious yellow could be seen, and the weight of the quartz was further evidence that it contained gold. > Cardiffians must not be in too great a hurry. Their town has undoubtedly grown in many respects, and is a credit to the autboiities, and there is no reason why the local institutions should not include a flourishing fat stock show. It can scarcely be expected, however, that in two years an exhibition can be promoted which, in matters of detail, as well as generally, will ecmal the shows held by such societies as the Bath and West of England or the RoyaL The exhibition held at Roath Market at the beginning of the week reflected much credit upon the promoters, but I venture to think the executive committee will act wisely if they take to heart the sugges- tions made by Mr Alexander at the annual dinner, and make the show a little less exclusive. By tbe-bye, a word of praise is due to the efforts of the joint secretaries to make the show a success, and it is matter of regret that any bitch, however slight, should have occurred. I happen to know that one of the secretaries—who was certainly not less energetic and solicitous than his two colleagues-was somewhat annoyed at his exclusion-whether intentional or accidental it is not for me to say-from the front table at the dinner. The gentleman in question showed his resentment by retiring from the dining-room -before three courses had been got through. » Here is a joke from Herefordshire': A good story which is an absolute fact, survives other recol- lections of this year's show at Ross. A worthy parson met an eminent breeder whose Hereford had carried off chief honours at the show, and they determined to celebrate the event at Host Farr's booth. As they were engaged in drinking success to the prize animal, the parson suddenly pulled off his hat, and ejaculated, "A fnneral, by Jove I" But it was only the procession of the Ross. Hereford, Gloucester, and Leominster Cor- porations 9 Beyond-it doubt Kidwelly is one of the quaintest towns on this side of Offa's Dyke. It dates back to a remote antiquity; its corporation can boast of an unbroken existence for centuries, and the town is rich in historical associations. Even to this day Kidwelly seems to be permeated by a vague old-time feeling inspired, perchance, by the still stately and imposing ruins of its ancient castle. In the sixteenth century it was honoured by the notice of the peripatetic Leland, and in our own time has had its castellated pile de- scribed by Freeman. Proud of the antiquity of the town, the inhabitants will only speak of it by its distinctive appellation—" The ancient borough." Yet, strange as it may appear, Kidwelly is the locale of one of the largest of the many tin-plate works which have sprung up in South Wales. The works ot Messrs Chivers and Son form the one industry of which the town can ooast, and with that industry its material interests are indissolubly bound up. You can therefore imagine the consternation created in Kidwelly by the stoppage of these works a week ago. How long this stoppage will last it is impossible to say. There are not wanting optimists who declare that a re-start will be effected in a month's time, but this is, of course, pure conjecture. In the interests of the large number of persons for whom the works found employment, it is devoutly to be hoped that the cause of the stoppage, what- ever it may be, will soon cease to operate. As things are atpresent,however,the merry Christmas season will bring little of joyouness and good cheer to our unfortunate Kidwelly neighbours. It was written by ancient authors that at lovers' perjuries Jove laughed. Modern judges and juries, however, do not look at these things in so free and easy a style as the by no means over- scrupulous Deity who presided over Olympus before he was disestablished and disendowed by the fall of the Roman empire. There is a tendency still existent to regard the bickerings of females, even when their language is filthy and abusive, as an evil to be tolerated, or to smile at. Socrates' philosophic way of treating his wife's assault is an illustration of the feeling some still retain, that quarrelsome females are inevitable evils, and will remain so until education is further extended among the class who present themselves at the police-courts. The magistrates, as in duty bound, look more sternly on these observations of the gentle sex. If women would only consider what far reaching consequences a calumnious charge might have on their sisters, they might be more guarded in their expressions to one another. For instance, in the course of a feminine dispute at Foxhole, St. Thomas, Swansea, a Mrs Bevan publicly charged a Mrs Thomas of impropriety with her husband. Mr Thomas not unnaturally attached;some importance to the statement, refused to live any more with his wife, and has abandoned his home. Mrs Bevan, probably appalled at the amount of the domestic evil he has wrought, admitted in court that the statement was incorrect, though she was very jealous of Mrs Thomas coming to her husband and borrowing money without her knowledge. It is to be hoped that this tardy admission will induce Mr Thomas to return to his wife. It is quite clear, though much to be regretted, that a certain class of women think very little of making mutual charges of impropriety in no very soft or indirect language, but they generally only mean to give their viperous tongues an airing. MERLIN.

NEW WESLEYAN SUNDAY- SCHOOLS AT CARDIFF. y' Laying of Memorial Stones. On Wednesday afternoon an interesting cere- mony took place in connection with the Roath- road Wesleyan Chapel, Cardiff, when the memorial stones of the new Sunday-schools were laid. It was about nineteen years ago that the old schools were built. At that time they were used as a place of public worship, and it was not till four years later tlaat the present handsome chapel :rrfed .in Roath-road. Since that time the £ ? m.» mcreased,in a surprising manner, and years it has been able to boast of the n«'"ber of scholars of any church in the town. -1 here are at present 815 children with 75 teachers, and it is quite natural that the accom- modation for so large a number should have ^Ulte inadequate. It was accordingly decided to pull the old schools down and erect larger and handsomer ones in their place. Messrs Habersbon and Fawckner, architects, were eelecteci to prepare the plans. Under the care of Messrs Chariet3 Shepherd and Son contractors, Crofts-street,progress is being rapidly made, and the structure will be finished by about June, 1888. The style ot architecture adoptod is naturally Orothic, in accord with that of the church. The main front, which is in Castle-road, will be about 52 feet in mean elevation. It will be adorned by spire, which will make the maxi- mumheight 76 feet,while three pointed windows on the gable give the building a very noat appear- ance. The dimensions of the schools are 102 feet by 58, and when they are finished they will afford accommodation for 1,000 children and 300 infants. The fore part of the building will be almost entirely devoted to the latter section of scholars, and consists of three storeys, in the second of which will be a large ladies' gallery for the adult Bible class. The back part is devoted to the rest of the scholars, and has been admirably arranged to give ample acommo- dation and yet hold as many as possible. The ground floor is devoted to a large hall, which is surrounded by a number of vestries or class-rooms, over which runs a gallery. On the second floor also are class-rooms, which complete the total number of 25. The lighting and ventilation will both be admirable, and the rooms will be made exceedingly comfortable. The whole structure is estimated to cost about £ 4.100. The memorial stones were six in number, and were laid by Mrs Lewis Williams, Mrs P. Morel, Miss Moxey, the Rev. J. D. Stevens, Captain Rowe, and Mr Wood (on behalf of the Sunday School).

MUNICIPAL VACANCY AT CARDIFF. Mr Dflmimc Watson,one of the members for the West Ward in the Cardiff Town Council, has sent in his resignation, he having taken up his abode near Bath. Mr J. H. Jones, solicitor, who at the last November election contested the ward, and polled only 26 votes less than Mr Richard Price, who was re-electod, is again in the field, and his address will be found in another column. Mr Solomon Andrews is gener- ally regarded as the Cunservative candi. date. It will be remembered that in the occasion of the last contest, Mr Jones might have been elected if the Liberal electors had shared their votes equally between the two Liberal candidates. It is therefore evident that if, at the forthcoming election, the Liberals only poll up to their full strength for Mr Jones, he may be elected with a triumphant majority.

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