The Cardiff Times

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Early Welsh Noncon- formist Ministers. By J. Kilsby Jones. Morgan Llwyd o Wynedd. The subject of this sketch was known by this name by the South Walians simply because he was born in North Wales, and had exercised his public ministry in the northern division of the principality. He was also one of the early, though not of the earliest, Nonconformist ministers in Wales, as he was one of Walter Cradock's con- verts. He was a son of Hugh Llwyd, an excellent poet, who lived at Cynvael, in the parish of Festiniog, Merionethshire. He held a com- mission in the army, and served many years on the continent, and having retired to his native place, he died about 1620, being then above fourscore years of age He was buried at Merentwrog, and his aged friend and contemporary, Archdeacon Prys, the rector of the parish, composed an englyn on the occasion, which is still preserved. The memory of Hugh Llwyd is also preserved in the name of a magnificent columnar rock which rises out of the river Cynvael, and is called Pulpit Hun Llwyd Cynvael. The country people considered him to be a magician, and to have possessed supernatural powers, and to have delivered nocturnal incantations from this pulpit. He was, however, a poet of great natural abilities, and his travels abroad had stored his mind with greater information than was possessed by the majority of his contemporaries. Many of his pieces are preserved in manu- script, and his epitaph, composed by himself, was printed in the Greal. It used to be said that when the old man was approaching his end, he expressed a strong desire to see his son Morgan, when some person present asked him if he did not wish to see his son David, when he answered in the negative, and assigning as a reason that" that fellow was only a drunken fool like himself." Morgan was born in the year 1619, but how and where he was brought up we have at present no means of knowing, and we are equally in the dark as to who his teachers were, and the place where he received his training. It is supposed that he was at some school at Wrexham during the time—only twelve months—that Walter Cradock officiated as curate there. He was possessed of superior abilities, eminent for piety, profoundly reflective, but mystical in speech, which made it difficult to get at his real meaning, as the literal and allegorical were so inter- woven that it was, and is well-nigh, im- possible to determine which was which. Unless the style of his public utterances was very different from that of his printed works it seems difficult to account for his popularity as an itinerant minister, for all the traditional accounts left of him represent him as posses- sing, this popularity. He had the credit of being a seer, and if the account of the alleged fulfilment of certain prophetic sayings be trustworthy, then there is reasou to give heed to £ he belief that he possessed at times the seeing eye of the prophet. On one occasion, when preaching at Festiniog village, among several persons who had come to hear him,principally,itis to be feared, for the purpose of making sport of the preacher, there was one young man who exceeded all the rest in levity, and attracted the attention of Llwyd, who, pointing him out with his finger, addressed him in the follow- ing words Thou, young man, may'st well lay aside thy levity, for thou art the first that will be buried in this churchyard." And so it happened. At another time when preaching at Machynlleth, and observing that some children had climbed trees which were near, he stretched his hand towards them, and said, When those children shall have grown up to manhood, the gospel will have departed from Machynlleth j" ind that proved to be the case, for several years. But the most striking instance of his foreseeing power was the one which referred to the great revival which Cook place in England, Scotland, and Wales about the year 1739. There is a tradition that he often visited the town of Pwllheli on market days for the purpose of preaching, and that he walked through the market, Bible in hand, when his serious and commanding appearance struck the people with awe. 0 Like most of his Nonconformist brethren, he was forced to flee to England during the Civil War. In an undated letter written from Gloucester to his mother, we are informed that he and his friends had been exposed to great dangers, but he expresses a hope that Providence will soon open a way for their return into Wales. Llwyd was appointed one of the approvers in the Act for the Propagation of the Gospel in Wales. Though he was the settled pastor of the church at Wrexham, yet he made frequent preaching tours through different parts of the northern half of the principality. This excellent man died on the third of June, 1659, at the early age of 40, and was buried at Wrexham. Having been called to his rest before the Restoration, he escaped those storms through which his surviving friends had to pass but the following fact shows what treatment he would have met if in the flesh. One of his contemporaries says, I have been credibly informed by one that lived at Wrexham that a soldier, who, in great rag- and malice, thrust down his sword as far as he could into Mr Morgan Llwyd's grave, presently fell ill, and in a short time died. As an author, Morgan Llwyd had no rival in his time in Wales. The purity of his style, the occasional depth and sublimity of his ideas, and the remarkable ingenuity he displays in his compositions will secure readers of an exceptional sort for his works, which we are reluctantly forced to confess we only imper- fectly understand in consequence of his mystic style, which smells of the cloister. The images introduced make one think of Ossian's weird images. He was, however, orthodox enough to satisfy Spurgeon, and if he could have expressed himsel, in Welsh phrase as intelligibly as the celebrated Baptist preacher's understandable Saxon is, his works would have proved as popular as they are now scarce and com- paratively unknown. They are all written in pure, excellent Welsh, and all in that language with the exception of one English work, entitled" A DIalogue between Martha and Lazarus about his Soul." His Welsh works consists of live pamphlets, bearing the following titles "Tri aderyn yn ymddiddau- Yr Etyr, y (jrolomen, a'r Gigfran," i.e., a dialogue between the Eagle (Cromwell), the Dave (Nonconformity), and the Raven (the established Church), 1653. 2. "Gwaedd yn Nghymru yu wyueb bob cyd. wybodK" i.e., A voice, or an appeal, to evbry conscience in Wales, 1655. 3. "Y Lleterydd Anfarwol," i.e,, The immortal (l 4. Yr ymroddiad," i.e., Self-dedication. 1657. 5. Cvfarwyddyd i'r Cymro," i.e., The Welsh- man's Directary. 1657. man's Directary. 1657. One who seems to have been personally acquainted with him has left the following account of his character :— "Mr Morgan Llwyd was a person in whose character we can scarcely exceed by giving either too good or too great an one of him. He was extraordinary for his love to his countrymen, to whose soul service he was entirely devoted, for which he was eminently qualified, being the deepest, truest Welshman, and the most absolute British orator, perhaps that ever was in the minis- terial function, and this without hindrance to his English fluency. He was extraordinary for the pregnancy of his fancy, the tenacious- ness of his memory, and the early mature- ness of his parts, being but forty when he died extraordinary for his charity, which was universal, not at all confined to parties or persuasions for the holiness of his life, diligence in his studies, unwearied medita- tion, spiritualising ot all things, and for his very impartial and unprejudiced search after truth; extraordinary also for his humility, meekness, moderation his great seriousness had always ready bounty to the poor, which, like the sun, shone upon the bad af well as the good. He was very exemplary for his strict education of his children, for his gravity, which was neither starched nor expectatious, but real and obliging, whereby he awed all companies he came into, and for a strange and unusual majesty which he wore in the pulpit, not forced nor effected, but natural, yet very heavenly and spiritual."

WORKMEN'STOPICS. BY W. Abrahanl, M.P., Mabon. J. VARIOUS QUESTIONS ANSWEIiED. I am continually receiving questions asking me to explain the new Minss Act. I shall devote my article this week to replying to some queries which have baen submitted to me recently. It will be a convenience to all concerned that I should answer through your columns numerous interrogators, for really it is nothing to have half- a-dozen the same day asking the same question. When this is done, the same answer will do for the six, and live-sixths of my time will be saved. Not that I am tired of answering them, but that no sensible man will write six' letters where one will suffice. There is the possibility that possibly a dozen others may have met with the same diffi- culty, but have not written for an explanation. Some think that in these notes I am doing wonders. Others think that I would do much better if I did it according to their way of think- ing. Some blame me for that which is in the Act, and others for that which is not. Some con- tend that not a few of its clauses mean what they do not, and others that they do not mean what they do. I don't ask for these letters, but still they come flowing in, post after post—some very congratulatory ones, assuring me of future success and favour; others pregnant of fore- bodings enough to shake fortitude itself. Were I writing to shun frowns or to court favours, what anxiety or pleasure these communications would create Inasmuch as I do not write for either of these purposes,neitberthe forebodings nor felicita- tions affect me. Haviug said so much, I will now go on with my answers. THE POSITION OF THK CHECK-WEIGHING MACHINE. At a certain colliery in Monmouthshire, where, until recently, the men had no checkweigher, the weighing machine is situated at & very long dis- tance from the mouth of the colliery, and where in consequence much of the coal gotten by the workmen is lost in transit. Formerly the em- ployers claimed credit for making good to the workmen the Joss of coal from breakages whilst being conveyed from the colliery to the weighing machine. Since a checkweigher has been engaged by the men.theemployershave refused to compen- sate them for the breakages, &c.; and the ques- tion now asked is, if there is any provision in the new law to compel the companies to compensate the men for, or to make good the, losses sustained by them by means which they themselves are in no way responsible for ? The new Act provides that the mineral gotten by the colliers shall be truly weighed at a place as near the pit mouth as is reasonably practicable. This last paragraph was placed in the rule in order to prevent the loss caused to the workmen from long transit. The point was urged on an amendment of mine, which was withdrawn upon recei ving a promise from the Home Secretary to con- sider what could be done in the matter. The result was the paragraph in point. From this clause it is obvions that the point to be considered respect- ing the weighing machine is not how far from, the pit's mouth it can be placed to be reasonably practicable, but how near to the pit's mouth can it be placed without impeding the workiug of the colliery ? LOSS or COAL IN TRANSIT, The Act provides that the mineral gotten shall ba truly weighed. In equity this would mean that all the mineral gotten should be truly w iighed. Hence the coal that falls from the trams in being conveyed to the weighiug machine should be refilled by the company, and weighed to the men's credit, inasmuch as it is a part of the company's contract with their men that they are the carriers of the coal from the working places to the weighing machine, as well as te where it is finally deposited by them. It follows that it is the company's duty to compensate the men for the loss sustained. And where the company fill this coal for themselves without paying the men for it, they are acting dishonourably: and should it have its proper name, as it would if it were done by other people, it would be called downright rob. bery." Should the mattel be settled upon what is customary on the point, and what my informant says being true, then, should the company be sued for damages, they would certainly lose upon that score. Again, and if the comrauy belongs to the associated employers, and the matter be taken before thesliding.scalecouimittee.assuming my iu- formation is right respecting previous custom, the company would certainly lose their case also, for it is one of the functions of that committee to keep up the customs that prevailed in December, 1879. D. A. W., Iredegar, will find much of his matter dealt with in the foregoing. If the weigh- ing machine is half a mile off from the mouth of the colliery, evidently it does not fulfil the letter nor the spirit of the new act. In my opinion, the company can be compelled to move the machine, and place it as near the pit mouth as is reason- ably practicable." If it is not done amicably, it will be duty to apply to the inspector of the district, whose duty it is to ascertain whether the provisions of the act relating to above-ground as well as below ground are complied with in the case of all mines in his district. FACILITIES FOR OHICCK-WEIGHIKG. A. T.—(1) The act itself is silent ou the three points this friend enquires upon. Legally speak- ing, 1 don't think that a checkweigher has any right to stiiy in the weighing machine after wind- ing time, to make up his weekly accounts.^ (2) The employers must give the checkweigher every facility to enable him to fulfil the duties for which he is stationed and they must be proper facilities. Inside the machine they must be such; as will enable him to take a correct: account of tho weight of the mineral, &c. Cer- tainly he cannot do that without light; therefore light must be one of the "proper" facilities re- quired. (3) In a lawsuit it would depend whether the weigher or the checkweigher would be most able to prove the correctness of their accounts. SCREENS. Let me inform Ystradgynlais" (1) that the 4 screens" have not been dealt with as yet in any Act of Parliament. It is a question of contract' between the employers and employed. The question of having an imperial screen,like imperial weight, has beep mooted. Hitherto the members of the workmen's representatives, as well as em- ployers, have thought that it would interfere too vaucb with trade, inasmuch as one employer here and another there may want their coals screened to form certain qualities in order to enable them to carry on their operations. Still the probabili- ties are that we shall hear more of this question by-and-bye. ILLEGAL "CROPPERS." (2) A cropper," appointed by the company, on the top of any colliery, is an illegitimate being. Deductions are to be made by or through some special mode agreed upon by employer and work- men, or by some person appointed on the behalf of the employer and the checkweigher; conse- quently croppers" appointed by employers alone to take away so much of the workmen's weight, without limit or consultation, have no legal stand- ing or right on the top of any colliery in the kingdom. UNPROTECTED LAMPS. It is no nse kicking against the pricks. The condemned lamps must be protected, according to rule. It is not a question that affects the employers more than the workmen. It will be quite as illegitimate for the workmen to take those into the colliery as it will be for the em- ployer to allow them to use them. The three lamps, unfortunately, have b°en found to be highly dangerous in certain inflammable current velocities that are occasionally to be found in our collieries. Hence their condemnation and there can no good come of any effort to force them without being protected. To have them unpro- tected in the colliery at all will be an offence against the Act.

WELSH GLEANINGS. (By Lioffwr.) The first book of the series of autotype fac- similes of old Welsh texts, which was brought out some months ago under the editorship of Mr J. Gwenogfryn Evans, has been more than once re- ferred to in this column. It was a work which had no parallel amongst the letterpress and scholastic productions of the age. Now I am glad to be able to say that the second of the series, known as the Black Book of Carmarthen, is ready to go the binders. ¥ This work, like its predecessor, is issued by This work, like its predecessor, is issued by subscription only, and the edition is limited to 250 copies. The first hundred copies, called the Patron's Edition, will be on royal 8vo, and will cost 52'\ 61, while a somewhat cheaper issue of 150 copies,and called the Student's Edition, will b > brought out at 334. Both editions will be precisely alike as regards the letter-press, but the Patron's Edition will have a more luxurious margin and a better binding, beinv, in fact, the edition de luxe" of the work. It is announced that after February next the work cannot be had except by subscribing to the com- plete series of Welsh texts. I hope the pains- taking editor will receive the encouragement his valuable labours so well deserve. «- Another interesting item in the world of Welsh literature is the early publication- in January next—of Professor Rhys's Hibbert Lectures on the Origin and Growth of Religion as Illustrated by Celtic Heathendom." The publishers will he Messrs Williams and Norgate. Professor Rhys traces the connection or relation between the heroes of the Welsh Mabinogion with the old classical gods of Southern and of Northern Europe. For instance, lie aims at showing that Gwydion ap Don is none other than the Celtic counterpart of the Teutonic Odin and the Roman Mercury. This opens up an important and interesting field of investigation and conjecture, and I have no doubt Professor Rhys's opinions will be subjected to very careful criticism. Another point dis- cussed in the lectures is the question of a historical Arthur, while the problem of Druidism is attacked with the vigour and bold ness which characterise the Celtic professor at Oxford. Professor J. E. Lloyd, of Aberystwith Uni- versity College, is making for himself a name and a position among Welsh scholars. He is now editing for the press a work on Ancient Welsh Law," written by the late Mr Hubert Lewis, a Welsh barrister. The work is in three parts, but only the first will now be published. This, prac- tically, consists of a digest of Welsh law founded on the ancient codes, published by the Records Commissioners in 1810, and including ths record of Carnarvon, &c. The second part would be of more general interest, as it is an attempt to show that English manorial customs, together with the feudal laws, were the outgrowtli of ancient British laws and customs, and not, as is generally supposed, the outcome of Norman conquest. This theory, it may be remembered, was treated by Mr Frederic Seebohm in his "Enlish Vilbge Community," published some few years ago. Mr Seebobm's remarks oil co-aration attracted at the time considerable attention in the Princi- pality, and I remember directing attention, in an article I wrote at tho time for Lougman's Magazine," to some customs still prevailing in some parts of Wales which appeared to be relics of the system which, according to Mr Seebohm, very extensively prevailed in the country at one time. *■ The third part of this interesting work would also be an acquisition to Welsh literature. It consists of notes on local nomenclature and place names. This is a branch of Celtic study which has been teo long neglected. The names of mountains, rivers, hills, dales, districts, and even houses in Wales afford a key to much in the past history of the country which has hitherto remained sealed against research. It is an interesting fact that in Herefordshire, Shrop- shire, and other border counties, and even in Gloucestershire, many of the fields retain their British nomenclature, while the farms themselves have been as much Anglicized in their names as they have been in their tenants. Even in the heart of England many a name which, to a super- ficial observet, appears to be orthodox Saxon proves on close investigation to be purely Welsh in origin, and admirably descriptive of the sur- roundings of the place itself. • We have had one or two attempts made to fiil this want, but there is still left much to be de. sired. Perhaps the best that has yet appeared is a little book by the Rev. T. Morgan, of Dowlais, on Welsh Place Names. This is an attempt-and in many instances a very successful one-to afford a key to Welsh place names which would neces- sarily baffle an ordinary enquirer. Still, as I have said, a standard work on this has yet to be written. 1 hardly think Mr Lewis's work, if published, would meet the needs of the case. That, however, in the absence of more precise information as to the extent of his Notes," must remain a matter of conjecture. I m'c\y add that with the exception of the first part of the work already described, the manuscripts are m tfhe possession of Mr A. J. Fenton, solicitor, Worthing. • Apropos of this reference to Welsh Law, it may not be out of place to state that the Seldeu Society, founded for the purpose of collecting materials for a history of English Law, propose, among other things, to publish an account of the interesting franchises of the Lordships Marches on the Welsh borders." I extract the following from its prospectus The origin and jurisdiction of the anomalous courts of council tvhicb encroached upon the pro. vince oi the common law would well repay further investigation, especially as several of these possess a very full collection of records. Amongst these may be mentioned the Council of the West and Marches of Wales, which run parallel with the decaying franchises of the Lords Marobert and i-n relation to which an enormous mass of unexplored evidence exists in the volumes called Waiiia in the Cottonian collection." The late J. Roland Philips had collected much material for elucidating the history of these courts, but the early death of the historian of the "Civil War in Wales has deprived his country of the benefit of his archaeological lore in this direction. I am gratified to find that the agitation carried on for some time in North Wales has resulted in a decision to establish a Welsh chair in connection with Bangor University College. It will be remembered that the want of recognised status to the native language in the syllabus of the college gave rise to much ill-feeling, and threatened at one time to have disastrous effects. The com- mittee appointed to consider the question have just reported, strongly recommending the early establishment of a Welsh chair. ;> In athletics, young Wales is beginning to come to the fore. At the Inter-University Football Match (Oxford v. Cambridge), played last week, there were three Welshmen, viz. :—D. W. Evans (d Llandovery School and Jesus College), R. Budwortn (of Brecon and 1\hgdalen), who played for Oxford, and W. H. Thomas (of Llandovery and Corpus Christi), who represented Cambridge. I am not myself by any means, or in any sense, "athletic," but I am glad to see Welshmen pushing to the front in every direction where honour in any shape or form may be attainsd.

WELSH MUSIC AND MUSICIANS. By Dr. Joseph Parry, Principal of the Musical College of Wales, Swansea. No. 27.—THE MUSICAL COMPOSER AND HIS DEVELOPMENT OF THE ART. All human thoughts or ideas are conveyed through the medium of different artistic means— the sculptor, through his marble; the painter, through his colours; and the poet, writer, or orator, through the medium of letters, which are again formed into syllables, words, and sentences. The former are visible to the eye, and are supplied with beautiful and definite copies by our mother nature, whilst the musical creative mind has for its artistic medium but invisible sound, expressed by seven little characters called notes, which are arranged consecutively into our major, arbitrary aud harmonic minor, and chromatic scales; these, with other ingenious selections of consecutive sounds, arc the composer's material for creating a living, beautiful, graceful, and immortal melody. By a systematic arrangement of scunds, in com- oinatiou and simultaneously, we produce endless harmonins of most beautiful tone colouring. Nature does not supply the musical creative mind with any copy. The moaning of the wind, the restless noise of the ocean, the rustling of leaves, I and the chirping of birds—they all but awaken emotions within the musician, and all fail to give him a real copy. In vocal music, the musical composer has the sentiments of words to move and to gu de him; but in instrumental music, such as the sonata, the string quartette, symphony, and concerto, he has to create his own ideas, construct his own drama, and give a being to his own imaginary characters as thy each per- form their part in his musical drama. The musical composer has, again, developed six different times to frame his thoughts therein, such as the simple duple, triple, and quadruple times, and they again into their respective compounds, each of the simpler times being multiplied by 3. Each one of these times has wonderfully distinct rhythmical characteristics of its own, but my limit of space forbids me the pleasure of dwelling on them here. KEY AND RHYTHM. He has also developed a complete cycle of twenty-four keys, major and minor; and each key, again, has a decided complexion cf its own; and the composer, whilst meditating, is under the peculiar influences of a certain key, so that the present system of transposing and publishing songs in other keys exchanges and destroys the native complexion, mood, and temperament of the music as conceived and coloured by the composer, This leads me to mention another great element matured by the composer, which is musical rhythm. Rhythm is, so to speak, musical metre, for music, like poetry, is symmetrical and verse- like in its equal number and length of its phrases, as we shall, by analysis, discover. I shall endeavour later on to show, by quotations and explanations, the various methods of forms and architectural designs contained iu the different species of high-class composition, thereby eluci- dating in a succinct form the true and artistic method by which all composers arrange their thoughts and enrich the world with their beautiful and immortal works. MELODY. We now naturally come to Melody. This, of all species of musical composition, is the most popular, universally admired, and easiest understood and felt. To create a melody is a rare gift, possessed but by a chosen few. The composers who have enriched the world with the most beautiful melodies are Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Schumann, Men- delssohn, Spohr, and Gounod. The ait of this beautiful form lied, as already hinted, in the equal length of phrases, and their terminations or variety of their cadences. These cadences in music are what rhyme is to verse. Our cadences are three in number, viz the perfect, full, and authentic cadence, progressing from dominant to tonic harmonies the imperfect or half cadence, ending upon the dominant; and the plugal ca- dence, from sub-dominant to tonic harmonies. I should say, in passing, that there is a melodic gem by Moz.irt, from his opera "N uzz di i igaro," which I had the honour of playing upon his own instrument, some few years ago, in his native town of Salzburg. The thought that I was playing the melody upon the identical instru- ment so ofteu played upon by that immortal genius sent through me a thrill of emotion which I can never forget. iSpohr, a much-neglected composer, has also written some.inspired melodies. One little beauty of his is "Rose softly blooming," from his opera of Azor and Zemira," and it is a mystery to me that artistes and-teachers should be guilty of preferring the hundreds of worthless ballads of the present day thrust upon them by royalty singers, who choose pecuniary gain in preference to hosts ot gems of real melodic beauty; by so doing they retard our national artistic progress, PHRASING. This is another beautifying feature of our art, and may be called musical punctuation, thereby giving a correct division, termination, as well as the due prominence and emphasis to the emo- tional wave of the melody. This subject is one of vital importance, yet one sadly neglected, and but little understood and felt. RECITATIVE. The composer, still in search of new ground, developed 11 new form of musical expression. He brought forth the recitative, as the melody was pureiy of the cantabiie style. The recitative is purely of a declamatory style, and highly adapted to dramatic sentiments and dramatic situations —each line is far more varied and fiery in its emotions, whereas the charm of the melody lies in its one uninterrupted mood. Recitative sing- ing is the highest development of solo singing, as neither the exact notes nor time are given, as is the case with the melodic form. Our recitative is singing in a speaking manner, or speaking in a singing manner. For the present I would call it musical oratory, as it demands great dramatic emotional intensity, as well as great elocutionary skill. In this species of composition the giant Handel claims the first position. The distin- guished tenor, Mr Sims Reeves, awards Handel the palm of honour in recitative composition. There is a fine specimen of recit. and air by him entitled "Tyrannic Love," in which he expresses the emotion of a king who is subdued by the powers of love. There is also a fine specimen of recit. and air by Gounod in his "Queen of Sheba," Lend me your aid." The recit. is full of noble sentiment, and the air is in geod form. The first and principal subject is in the tonic C major, and the second subject in G, the dominant, with its short bridge of nudulatious into the keys of B and E major, E minor, D and G major, thus leading in a return to the principal subject. ARIOSO. There is still another species of composition de. veloped by the composer, namely, the Arioso. Its characteristics He between the melody and the recitative, and here the great modern art reformer, Richard Wagner, leaps into prominence. The artistic value of the arioso is that the orchestra takes a most important part in the picturing and the working out of the sentiments, which are more freely given out by the vocalist, whose words are key of the whole sentiment so actively described by all the members of the orchestral family. In order to rush through the long journey of musical art, I would further dwell on HARMONY AND COUNTERPOINT. The next great resource which the composer has further developed and systematised as further and endless means for effects is Harmony, from the ancient, strict diatonic style down to the modern, free chromatic style, so that the combinations for tone colourings are as varied, rich, and beautiful as that of the coloured rainbow. Our composers, not satisfied with the means as yet formulated, they were still in search of other artistic resources as mediums to realise the beautiful, and they now formed a system ot Counterpoint, which is now endless in its ingenious devices for musical effects. There are simple, double,, triple, and quadruple counterpoints. Some of our modern brethren are loud in their verdict against counter- point. Modern as I myself aim to be, I cannot join them in this. The system which made a Bach, Handel, and others cannot be a very bad one. This artistic diet requires a heaithy artist to fully digest it. As melody was single sounds in consecution, and harmony sounds in combina- tion, counterpoint is the science of melodies in combination. Whilst all the parts have a distinct melodic individuality of their own, yet they are so harmoniously and scientifically constructed as to form a perfect artistic mechanism of combined melodies, that the rolling independency of all the parts contribute, effects producible by no other means; and this naturally leads me to the goal of counterpoint, which is the FUGUE. In this form the inimitable Sebastian Bach takes the first seat in our art temple; and as there will be no second Beethoven as a sympho- nist, we may with equal certainty state that there will be no second Bach as a contrapuntist. I shall in my next article elucidate the artistic devices of this highly scholastic species of musical composition.

A PARTY OF CRIPPLES. Four men went, some time ago, on an excursion. One man bad a false set of teeth, a second a glass eye, a third a cork leg, but the fourth bad nothing particularly wrong, except a remarkable way of shaking his head. Arriving at the end of their journey, they made their way to a hotel. When they came to breakfast, they all agreed to squint -and language cannot express how well they all squinted, for they went one degree beyond the superlative. At tea, they were aU, deaf; but at supper each man resumed his owh character, the better to play his part in a farce they bad concerted among them. When they were ready to go to bed, number one cabled out to the attendant, "Here, you fellowjfjake out my teeth." "Teeth, sir 1" said the n. Ay, teeth, sir. Unscrew the wire, and they'll all come out tpgether." After some hesitation, the man did as he was ordered. This was no sooner peiformed than a second called out, Here, you, take out my eye.' "Sir," said the waiter, "your eye?" Ye. my eye. Come here, you stupid. Pulluptbat eyelid, and it will come out as easily as possible." This done, the third called out, "Here, you rascal, take off my leg." This he did with less reluct- ance, being before apprised that 'it was cork, and also thinking it would be his last ;01;. He was, however, mistaken. The fourth watched his opportunity, and while the frightened attendant was surveying, with rueful countenance, the eye, teeth, and leg lying on the table, cried out in a frightful hollow voice, "Come here, sir take off my head." Turning round, and seeing the man's head shaking like that of a mandarin upon a chimney piece, he darted out of the room, and after tumbling headlong downstairs he ran Jjpuily out of the house as if terrified out of his sensefc

MONDAY'S DINNER. 1 •- • The best plan in small, plain families for a Monday dinner is to provide that there shall be cold meat to warm over, and the warming over need not necessarily be hash or stew. If care is taken not to overcook or roast on Sunday, and it is carved fairly and evenly (and by all means learn enough of the art of carving to compass this), lay it flat on a dripping pan, cover it well with drip- ping from the day before, not the gravy keep that to warm separately, and put it in a very hot oven at a quarter-past twelve for a one o'clock meal at half-past put the potatoes to boil, a few minutes later peas, beans, asparagus, cauli- flower, or cabbage. Always put any fresh vege- table in boiling water. Beet or carrots should be put on to boil at 12, and turnips at 12.15. If you make it understood in your kitchen that vegetables take a certain time, make that time known and insist on it being remembered *there will be fewer spoiled vegetables. Also remember that the vegetables are to be ruled by the meat. Take pains to understand your oven, and you will soon learn how long the sized piece of meat required by your family will take to roast.-Goo(i House- keeping.

POSTAL FACILITIES IN ARKANSAW. Morning, stranger," saluted a grizzly-bearded Arkansaw man dressed in a red shirt, pantaloous held in place by a trunk strap, and leaning on a double-barrelled shotgun. The party addressed was a land-hunter, his particular mission locating black walnut timber, and his office, headquar ters, and business agency were in the saddle. "Good morning to you," answered the timber speculator. Game plenty ? "Wail, not so very; som'at scattered. What's the news ?" "The Czar has returned to St Petersburgh without being assassinated." "I don't know the feller you speak of, but I was in Petersburgh durin' tho war when the crater was blown up." "That's not the place I was talking about. What's the news about here I lieerd a rumor about Bill Givens and Sandy Patchin agoin' to war about Giveus's sister Lize, up in Dorsey kaounty, and hitpeared likely when yo' fust spoke about bit as iffan sum of ther friends mout have jiaed in an' clinched. What else, stranger ?" "Well, they have hung Parsons and Spies, and the rest of them." "Good Lynched the critters, mebbe?" "Oh, no, they were legally executed." Did enny of 'em git them bams back?" Hams? "Yes, an' side meat. They also stole two gallons of Hi Stebbinses fo' year ole whiskey." I am talking about the Chicago Anarchists." Anna who ? "Anarchists, man, anarchists! Don't you eople ever react the newspapers ?" "Onct in a while we does. But you see, stranger, our postuffus f. are limited, mighty unsartin an' crude like. Yo' have no idee what a monkey an' parrot time we has on Iwt, gittin' our mail. Hit don't cum in a darn sight off,mer than hit ought to." "What is the difficulty ? An' when she does cum, ole Pul7is, the post- master, has the chills so he shakes all ther stamps offen ther letters, an' we has ter russel and sell a coon skin or a hunk of venison for small change ter pay the postage." "Is that the only reason you don't get your mail regularly?" "No, stranger, hits this Way," expressed the Arkahsaw Nimrod, spitting a red shaft of tobacco juice into the good eye of a mangy hound, which immediately rolled in agony at his feet. Ole man Trabb's son got the Government contract, an' he sub-let it to Tommy McGlory, an' Tommy he sub-let her to Wyncoop's father-in-law, an' Wyncoop's father-in-law sub-lfetvher to Powell's uncle, an' Powell's uncle sub-let her to Braxton's mother, an' she couldn't ride,an' so she sub-let her to Job Pressler, an' Job Pressler lost her in a game of seven up to Lishe Potter's cousin, an' Lishe's cousin sub-let her to Rat Hackett, an' Rat-" Y p.s, but what is the trouble now with the mails?" i Well, to cum to ther pint, Skinny Wilkins is purtendin' to carry her, but he's ole, an' his boss is lame an' sweenied, an' has ther glanders, an' ther folks in Pikeville whar he gets ther mail won't let him drive inter town, nor ther folks at Pulvises won't let him come nigb them with his glandered crow-bait, an' so 8kny has ter walk about two miles at Pikevilie ^n^ about two miles at Pulvises, an' when ther branch is up an' the roads boggy Skinny won't do-hit, an'that's the gist of it. so yer see we air detie up mos' of their time.Texas Siftings. < —.a—t—■

NOT So IGNORANT AS Ha SurFOSED.—Wife— Won't you read the papet >loud, James. I would like to bear the new, Jiusband—" You would take no interest in what,: f am reading, my dear." What are you readHjg;about ?" The tight for the feather-weight olSSipiouship. You know nothing about feather-weights." Don't I ? I've waited two months for ttrosw- o!itrich plumes you promised to get me. If 4hbt isn't a feather weight I'd like to know what is."

[ALL EIGHTS RESERVED.l WELSH NAJIONAL STORY. 'THE WIDOWED PRINCE; OR The Last Days of Llewelyn. A HISTORICAL ROMANCE. By BERIAH GWYNFE EVANS, Author of "Llewelyn, the Last of the Welsh Princes, "Bronwen," "Roundhead and Cava- lier," The Heir of Glynavon," Owen Hufthei," &c., &c. CHAPTER XIII.-THE HARVEST MARE" BRINGS TROUBLE. It was with some per- turbation that the little group ot Welshmen a- I waited the attack they at I once saw to be imminent. It is true they might have sought safety in flight, but such an idea was not entertained for a moment. The castle re- tainers outnumbered Shon's party fully three to one, but this was only a secondary consideration in the eyes of those who, like Sliou and his com- panions, had been brought up in a rough school where hard blows were plentiful. Had they been equally armed, the discrepancy in numbers would have affected them but g little, but many cf the assailants were armed with reap- ing books which they had picked up a second time during the pursuit. These would be capable of giving some ugly wounds, while there was nothing to oppose them but a few rough stakes hastily seized at the moment. Shon, with all the instincts of a leader, called out:- Back to back, lads! Meet them on all sides face to face!" He himself stood in front of his men, who now ranged themselves in a half-moon each side of him, tha ends of the crescent gradually closing as the attaek developed, Tuus the largsst pos- sible front was opposed to the assailants, who could not, on their part, find any opening to attack either a iiank or the rear of the little group. Shon had armed himself with a stout hedge pole which he handled like a quarter staff, much to thediscomfiture of the foremost and most rash of his pursuers. Still, matters would have gone hard with the little par y, were it not that the rallying whistle had been heard by the other youths on Cwrt Field. These now came racing up, straight as the crow flies, over hedge and ditch, heedless of all impediment. Foremost among them was Wat himself, his eyes like blaziug coals, but having no weapon in his hands. Rushing up. he pushed right into the midst of the attacking party, shouting in sten- torian tones- What, ho, there! Stay your hands, you cowardly loons and emphasizing his command with a push, which drove a couple of them head- WATEKING THE HARVEST MARE. long to the earth. Master Merfyn Stay your men's hand?, or, by my soul, twill be the worse for them Ha That is thy game, is it!" he cried, as he saw one of the castle men aiming a blow at Shon, who stood for the moment off his guard. "Then tnke that and with the word he struck him with the full force of his powerful arm straight on the shoulder, sending him absolutely rolling over and over for half a dozen yards. By this time the complexion of affairs was changed, the Welshmen being at least equal in number to their assailants, while here and there from various directions others, quite unconnected with the Uwrt Vedel, but summoned by the shrill whistle, might be seen hurrying up to the scene of strife. "What meaneth this, Master Merfyn?" asked Wat, turning upon the squire, who stood some- what shamefaced before him. "Things have come to a fine pass when my reapars may be assailed thus, as though they had been wolves that it would be a mercy to slay." "The blame rests not with us, but with yon man," pointing to Shon, who now stood leaning composedly upon his staff. Well, and what hath he done "That, I soppose thou well knoweat, and so I need not tell thee," replied Merfyn, mustering up cuurage as he remembered that Wat did not now stand as high in his lord's favour as he had been wont to do. "If I knew I had no need to ask," said Wat, and for that reason the fact of my asking is I sufficient proof that I know of nothing which he hath done that could justify thiab cowaidiy attack." "Didst thou not know that he had planted that cursed harvest mare in our standing corn right under our noses, as it were ?" Well, and what of that ?" What of that ? Thou art farmer enough to know that no worse insult could be offered us." "And thou art farmer enough to know where alone that iusult may be punished by law of custom in Wales. Had you caught him in your field you might have done your will upon him, and I would not have lifted a finger to save him, dearer than a. brother though he be." Thanks, Wat, for that word," said Shon, holding out his hand to his friend. "I knew I carried my lite in my hands in venturing among them, but I never thought they would be such false louts as to cross the hedge after me." I care not for your customs and your ways," said Merfyn, enraged at seeing his authority opposed. All I know is that we will suffer no insult of this kind, or of any other, to go un- avenged." Wat's face darkened. Well hast thou said that ye care not for our customs and our ways, and woe to us the day when these who should be our leaders pay :;0. But we care for them, and we will uphold them. What say yon, lads?" Welsh customs are our law liers cried one of the youths, and we will see that law is not broken. The mmmurs of the other Welshmen showed the prevalent feeling to be equally determined. Ye have your laws and I have my duty. My duty as the representative of my lord is to seize and punish this fellow for the insult he hath placed upon us," and be advanced as though to lay bands on Shon. The smith lifted his mighty arm to strike, when his friend placed his hand lightly upon his shoulder, saying:— Stop, Shon Scrike not on thy peril What cried Shon, "thm ktt thou I am going to submit thus tamely No I swear by my anvil-" Swear not at all," said Wat with strange calmness, looking at his friend with a meaning smile. Then turning to Master Merfyn be said- You want to seize this man ?" Ay," replied the other in surprise at what he deemed to be Wat's unexpected submission. Knowing that the customs of the country hold him free since he recrossed the hedge cf yon field ?" J I know naught of that. I only know I am going to seize him, and to let my lord decide upon his punishment." "Then," said the young tenant of Cwrt Bryn y Beirdd, with startling significance, if you seize him you seizs me, and I give you all fair warning that the first who lays a finger upon him feels the full weight of my arm, whatever be- tide, and let him be who or what he may," and he looked with flashing eyes upon the squire. "Have ye well considered what my lord' will say of this opposition to his authority?" asked Merfyn. "There is a higher authority than that of even the Lord of Dinetwr," replied Wat, and that is the authority of the country. I will not believe that thy lord and mine wishes to disregard public custom and law, but I give ye fair warning that if it be sought to injure Shon in any manner for what he hath done this day, 'twill r"use the whole I of Cwm Cenen and the whole of Ystrad Tywi, and whatever will be the consequences, I will *at any cost maintain our rights as Welshmen t.o be judged by our own laws, aud, to maintain all the privileges of our own customs. The loud cheers with which this declaration was received sufficed to convince Merfyn that for the time being, at all events, he must forego his revengs. Ke, therefore, i ettied his wrath for future use, aud allowed Wat and his now nume- rous party of followers to depart without any further demonstration. Meanwhile Madlen and her companions had gaily proceeded to the homesteud, and divided themselves into three separate sections. One of these, led by the chief dairymaid, proceeded to milk the cows which the cowboy had already driven to the yard for that purpose another section set about lighting fires and arranging the ordinary household duties while the third, under the perconal supervision of Madlen herself, laid the ables and placed the food therecn ready for the arrival of the males. This division of labour brought arrangements to a state of readiness in much less time than might have been expected, and all nece-- sary work having been completed, and all the preliminary calls of hospitality having been attended to, the girls next proceeded, amidst much boisterous merriment, to m.ike the pe-eparatioris for giving Shori y Gof and his Harvest Mare a suitable reception. These arrangements consisted in the providing of a number of vessels tilled with water, and placed in double lines on all poiuts of access to the house, so that Shon should not by any possi- bility reach the door without running the gauntlet of these girls who, in order to retain their owu special privilege,, would not be likely to allow any mis- placed feeling of commiseration to prevent them deluging the bearer of tha mare" with the contents of the water cans. Shon and his companions approached, singing gaily. The incident of the Castle field had already been almost forgotten. Shon, undaunted by the prospect of the reception in store for him, was among the merriest of the lot. "Well, to be sure, the girls are going to give thee a right good drenching, Shon!" cried Wat, as they came in sight of the house and the plentiful supply of ammunition provided by the maidens, who now stood eagerly awaiting their approach. Ay. so it seems," replied Shon with a laugh. But I do not see Madieu among thaui," and there was a ring of disappointment in bis tone. It was a recognized custom that the siztJ of the vessel containing the water for this strange shower bath should, in the case of each maiden, be in exact proportion to the amount of personal respect or affection entertaiued by the girls for the bearer of the "mare." The more the love, the heavier the shower. Shon's popularity was amply proved by the size of the vessels which awaited him, and it was with a deep sinking at his heart that his quick eye noticed the absence of one whom he had hoped above all others to see there. However, this was no time for useless regrets. Buttoning up his jacket over the handful of corn lie carried in his breast, he made a rush for the bouse. A few wooden bowls of water were thrown after him by those at the end of the line, which hardly wetted him at all but as be advanced between the lines and approached the door the vessels increased in size, two or three of the sprightliest of the girls having armed themselves with lalrge wooden buckets, with whose contents they absolutely deluged him. Still, so rapid had been his movements, and so well considered his precautions, that he had managed to receive every shower on his broad back and shoulders, while his breast, where lay the treasure, was left comparatively cry. Already I saw himself, in anticipation, proudly placing his harvest mare dry on the long hall table already bad ho placed bis hand in his bieast to take out the treasured sheaf, when, on the very threshold of the house the largest pail of an was dashed full in his face, wetting him to the kill, and thrown with such force as to completely take away his breath, leaving him spluttering and sprawling at the feet of Madlen, whose merry laughter cow raug out loud above all others. "And so thou thoughtest to get the upperhand of us, hon?" she said, as soon as she had parlly recovered herself from the fit of laughter, and Shon bad recovered his breath and cleared his eyes enough to see what was taking place around him. "Fish as I am," said Siiou, "I am happier thus dripping thaa the merriest lad on the close this moment!" Madlen blushed at au allusion which she well understood. I have my commands to lay upon thee," she said gaily, though with an assumption of dignity befitting the occasion. And I, fair maid, am thy humble servant to thy slightest bidding, and would only be too pleased to be ordered to visit the den of the dragon in the depths d the silent cavern of Llygad Llwchwr," replied Shon, kneeling before her. My commands, then, aio these," she said. First, that thou dost go dry thyself, second, that thou sit as far from me as thou canst at the supper table and third, that when the moon shows above our chimney this night, and that will be at the hour of miduigbt, thou wilt place thy hand in the niche above the stable door, and follow the orders thou mayest get there." Neither noticed that Madoc Goch Mia Mawr stood close at hand hearing these commands, and vowing that Shon should yet be disappointed. Neither thought of what that night's sport would result in, even ere morning. (To be continued.)

Fools rush in on a lightning express train where angels would to approach 08 a tw,t; TALK OF THE TOWN. znrco's GREETING TO HIS MILLION- READERS, I THIS HAPPY CHRISTMAS TIME, THIS abnormally mild weather enables builders to proceed with their work, and so Bellagio grows apace. The so-calied bungalows are rising on the commandin building site, and when the voice of the cuckoo is heard in the land, many will be tenanted. The refusal of the Jockey Club to grant Bellagio a license for four days' racing at Linefieid next year has caused great surprise in Kent, East Surrey, aud Essex, where no access to existing race meetings can be obtained without long cross-country journeys. The unexpected decision has also created consternation amongst the labouring classes in the neighbourhood of East Grinstead, of whom several hundreds, engaged in levelling, draining, and preparing the course, will thus be thrown out of employment during the winter months. The action of the Jockey Club has been severely canvassed, and it seems likeiv that that body will be lei to re-cind their reso- I lution, the matter having been actively taken up by the local authorities. It is stated that the Prince of Wales will be memorialised on the subject, Tiie Meath Hunt is one of the first in Ireland— numerically probably the largest. The county itself is grm-. You may ride miles over level plains, vast fields, in what I may de- scribe as suites, with unkempt hedges at wide intervals, some with tLe inevitable ditch under- lying the turf. The gates are few of them "stiff uus," except in very well cared for properties. The rivers—broad streams some of them—try the proweps of the goers most, and many a pink jacket makes close acquaintance with tha sluggish fluid, for in fl it counties the water does not behave as it does at Lodore. I have seen the best part of a full field take the Nanny water—a broad stream dignified by the name of river-aiid not a few of them laud in the middle. Colonet Smyth, of the 16th Lancers- years since gone over to the majority—so lauded one dull December day. The Colonel was not rough-and-ready—his toiiet was a service of time and skill. His appearance, as he joined a party I at the hunt lunch In the demesne through which the treacherous brook ran, was not fascinating, and the gailailt Colonel was a lady-killer—at his best. I say, Colonel," said a youngster of twelve, who had left his pouy outside, and was tucking into the "beegar's dish," as the Irish stew was called—" I s.;y, colonel, what's the colour of the Nanny gravel ?" "Just what I'll make your legs, sir, when I get you outs\de," said the M.F.H., who was next the lad and he kept his word-that youth's sturdy little pins bore the marks of a strong hunting whip before lie was an hour older. Col. Sinylh was the hero of the O'Grady duel, iu which he shot his man. It was the last licensed duel in tlie country. I± has been the custom of landowners, in the ac cellencc for grass-feds," to get rid, when they can conveniently, of the human animal, and sub- stitute the bucolic. I have driven for many miles along fair fields well stocked with prime beasts, and have seen neither cot nor cottar-not a stray tyke, nor even a forlorn donkey nibbling a hedge. Fifty years before there were cabins and Paddies galore. In the Scottish Highlands deer are substituted for the legitimate crofters, and crofiers and Paddies alike pro- test-vainly. The Irish love sport. A meet in the Green Isle was at one time a charac- teristic of the nature of the people—happy-go- lucky, fun and frolic, and devil-may-care-ishness. From the barefooted gossoon to the well favoured priest, on the best mount in the field, all the world of the district was there, a:ld the keene* interest in the run was evinced. All is altered now the very nature of the kindly people seems changed, and a meet, except to the actual hunt and their frieuds, is a laboured, spiritless affair, at least, in many parts. The other day the boycotted Meaths determined to take the road, and dare the League; hounds had been poisoned, and more active opposition was threatened, so muzzles were used, and the vermin having been started, away the field went. The fox was well ahead, when he fell dead. Down came the hounds with muffled cry, to tind thoir work anticipated— 1 THEY WERE IN AT THE DEATH. I Mr Axel Gustafson's lectures, in Exeter Hall, on the drink question, have attracted large audiences. It is now six years since he came amonn' us, and during that time he lies been an earnest, devoted worker in the cause of temper- ance reform. He is a total abstainer himself, and advocates extreme measures in dealing with the c His book, "The Foundttion of Death," is the result of his study of drink in ¡ London, where he finds it more pernicious in its effects than in his native country, or the United States. "Bibliography of the Drink Question," his latest work, contains a great deal of interest- ing information; it is a valuable addition to temperance literature. I -rvt-j. MR GCSTAFSON j is the son of the Rev Frederick Thurse Gustafson, a Swedish divine, and was educated at the a" University of Lund. After his education was finished, ha went to the United States, where he ot became a naturalised subject about ten years ago. H", jvt-iv-v* Milj SI'! rQ. 1m writer and poet, who takes an active part in his work. He is a noble-looking man, a remarkable object, as f often meet him striding down the Strand, intent on Exeter Hall or his temperance publisher. Always temperate, he was not an abstainer until he wrote the "Foundation of Death," when the facts he compiled made him join th; Blue Ribbon Army. Enthusiasm is a description of moral intoxication, and no apostle of a regenerating creed but is such a drinker. Who does not earnestly wish the honours be- stowed on Sir Morell Mackenzie may yet be justi- fied by success. The telegram found the specialist ready—as ready as the "Aye, ready," war correspondent, Russell, who in troublous times could start, cap ci-pic, at an hour's notice, for the Antipodes. 11" SIR MORELL WENT OFF WITfilX THE HOUR —would I could say with healing on his wings.- I was much struck by the underlying tone of fore- boding in the noble letter of the Crown Princess, written to Berlin to express her grief that she was precluded from taking an active part in the many charities of which she is the head. Hope was hardly even expressed. To revert a moment to watches. I think one of the cleverest dodges to secure a mereticious puff was that played by a well-known cheap watchmaking company who hail from the Far West. This firm offered to allow their clerks to take down for the Government the names of the unempkyeu who wished to enter their signa- j tures as genuine man out of work. This offer was accepted, and the ariful dcdgers have circu- larised London with the fact in a pink leaflet with thick type. Well done, Jonathan Finding it impossible to forget the poor unfortunates who used to sleep in Trafalgar- square before Sir Charles Warren gave orders to clear the place, I determined to visit some of the Casual Wards of the Metropolis, and see for myself how casual, are treated. I went to a ward near Bucking- ham Palace-road, where I was most cordially received by the masLer. He showed me the celis in which the easuals sleep—small place, 8ft. by 8EL" containing an iron bedstead, a straw mat- tress, and two blankeis. A wooden locker was the only other furniture in the cells} Nand on this the casual sits while he performs his task of picking oakum. This he does with the help of an old boot, and when the oakum is picked he it free to leave the ward, supposing that a day aud two nights have elapsed since his entrance. Supper was beinp served by the time I bad visited the kitchens and bath-room?, and this I found to consist of a small cup of gruel and a small piece of bread for each casual. The ward was very clean, very warm. and well lighted, but like a prison, owing to the solitary confinement. I then went to see a ward near Bow-street, where the casuals bi-eak stoiies as well as pick oakum. Stone-breakiutr can scarcely be called unskilled labour, and I am inclined to think it unsuitable work for casuals. It requires a special knack. The quickest stone-breaker mav. therefore, be a hunchback, and the slowest, a mau accustomed to severe manual labour. 1 found that one Casual Ward closely resembled another but the masters were very different. Some ot these men seemed extremely intelligent others took little interest in their work, aud spoke of the casuals much as a poiicemaa speaks of them. The masters agreed that about 5 per cent. of the people who frequent these wards belong to the genuine Unemployed, the rest are people who have fallen out of the ranks through intemperance and faults of character. I am glad to think that the Rev. F. Kitto, in whose parish lies Trafalgar-square and its precincts, is organising a society to help this 5 per cent The. masters of the Casual Wards teU ma that the Society will receive advice and assist- ance from the Guardians, and that they them- selves are willing to do all in their power to further its object. In a very short time THE HOUSE IX WHICH THE GREAT LRXICOGRAPREE, DK. JOHNSON, LIVE!) AND DIED, in Johnson's Court, off Fieet-street, will be improved away. It must have been a comfortable house of the last century, when comfort was not Bynonymous with luxury. Dr. Johnson died in 1784. A plate on the new huilding will mark the site of the late classical habitat. Many ot these memorial plates are scattered over Lsndon. ZINCO.

CAST A LINE FOR YOURSELF. A young man stood listlessly watching some anglers on a bridge. He was Door and dejected. At last approaching a basket filled with wholesome- looking fi-h, he sighed If, now, I had these, I would be happy. I couid sell them at a fair price, and buy me food and lodgiugs." I will give you just as many, and just ae good fish," said the owner, who had chanced to overhear his words, "if you will do me a triii iig favour." And what is that ?" asked thfi otiiei- Oniy to tend this line till I come back. I wish to go a shore errand." The proposal was gladly accepted, The old man was gone so It-mg that the yûnng man began to be impatient. Meanwhile the hungry fish snapped greedily at the baited Look, and the young man lost all h s depression in the excite- ment of pulling them in and when the owner of the line returned he had caught a large number. Counting out from them as many as were in the btt,ket, and presenting them to the young m,us tue old fisherman said — "I fulfil my promise from the fish you have caught, to teach you, whenever you see others earning what you need, waste no time in fruitiest wishing, but cast a lice for yourself."

PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE WHISTLF-, Wall-street man to friend "She has gone back on me." 1 riend Who has gone back on you ?" Wall street man: "That actress I married. I've been giving her a thousand dollars a and yet has deceived me." Frieud (consolingly ) "It is your own fault, my dear fellow. From what I know of her I am satisfied that she would have deceived you at a much lower figure than 1,000 dols. a mouth."

A NUMEROUS FAMILY.—Mrs Smith to Ili-e Jones's servant girl: "What do you want?'* feervant frirl: "Mrs J one sends her regards and says would you be so kind as to count your children and see if you haven't got one too many as our Kitty hasn't come home and school hat beeu out two hours." A SENSIBLE Boy.-In his early youth Washing, ton Irving wanted to go to sea and be a pirate. H decided to make the attempt, and wisely decided, to prepare himself for it by preliminary experi- ences. He began by eating salt pork. That made him sick. He then slept for a nieht or so ou hard boards. That made him sore. It was enough. He had no more desire to go away. Other boys who want to capture men-uf war, or who desire-to go West and scalp Indians, would ds weii ww* eKuugle.